September 2019 | Baltimore Beacon

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Box, dance, sing and repeat PHOTO COURTESY OF ROCK STEADY BOXING, INC.

By Simone Ellin Like many of today’s retirees, Marty Lefstein, a former computer programmer who lives in Parkville with his wife, Gita, leads a busy life. He practices yoga, takes dance and boxing classes, and belongs to a singing group.

What’s surprising to many is that Lefstein, 67, has had Parkinson’s disease for the past 24 years. But far from slowing him down, that fact encourages the Lefsteins all the more to maintain an active lifestyle.

Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive disease affecting an estimated seven to 10 million people around the world, manifests differently in each individual.

Signs and symptoms of PD may include stiffness, tremors, rigidity of the muscles and slowed movement. Non-motor symptoms of the disease include fatigue, anxiety, depression, constipation and sleep difficulties.

There is no cure for PD, but it is commonly treated with a combination of medications as well as speech, occupational and physical therapy, and deep brain stimulation.

Many are finding additional benefits from more fun activities, such as boxing, dancing and singing.

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

There’s much more to Panama besides the canal; plus, an adventurous whitewater rafting trip in California page 22

The role of exercise Since the early 2000s, many studies have confirmed that vigorous exercise is a critical component of PD self-care.

Manny Goldman of Pikesville has been living with PD for nearly a decade. In addition to his medications, Goldman, 77, said the Rock Steady Boxing classes he attends at the Edward A. Myerberg Center have been “a godsend.”

Rock Steady Boxing, founded in 2006 by Scott C. Newman, an Indianapolis-based attorney who has PD, is a non-contact

ARTS & STYLE

Rock Steady Boxing offers free classes for Parkinson’s patients at Baltimore’s Myerberg Center and numerous other sites around the area. Studies have found that vigorous exercise such as boxing, as well as dancing and even singing, can improve quality of life and alleviate some symptoms of the disease.

form of boxing that’s shown great promise in improving and maintaining functioning for people with PD. According to Patty Wessels, a physical

therapist and Rock Steady Boxing coach at Mind/Body Physical Therapy in Mount

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A classic rock band’s wit and wisdom; plus, a writing contest wants your memoir, and a short list of happy hours and early bird specials page 26 TECHNOLOGY k Try a new video survey tool

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FITNESS & HEALTH k A second look at MSG k Men also face osteoporosis

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See BOXING, ETC., page 8

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Your opinion, please There’s only one thing that no one can invites us to go online to say how we feel give you or take away from you: your opinion. about the salesperson. We order a product What you think in your from Amazon and are asked mind and feel in your heart is to rate it or submit a comuniquely and always yours. ment.

Your opinion might change Especially during campaign from time to time, even from seasons, we walk down the minute to minute. But at any street and are asked to sign a point it’s still yours. And petition or “answer a few that’s something we should questions” to help a pollster. cherish.

We take a survey somewhere Sometimes, however, we and find ourselves inundated can feel we are being bomwith invitations to take more barded with opportunities to FROM THE or join a focus group. express our opinions, espe- PUBLISHER Yes, sometimes it seems By Stuart P. Rosenthal cially in a commercial or politoverdone. Sometimes, in both ical context. business and political contexts, We shop in a retail store and the receipt we might feel the requests are disingenuous.

BEACON BITS CENSUS 2020 WORKERS NEEDED

Sept 3+

Learn about the upcoming 2020 Census and how you can help.

Census recruiter Jacqueline Cossier will talk about available positions on Tue., Sept. 3, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The free informational session will be held at Corner Community Center, 5802 Roland Ave., Baltimore. It will be repeated on Monday, Sept. 16, at 6:30 p.m. during the Baltimore Job Hunters Evening Edition Support Group meeting. For more information, visit bjhsg.org or census.maryland.gov.

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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 President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal Vice President of Operations – Gordon Hasenei Vice President, Sales & Marketing – Alan Spiegel Managing Editor – Margaret Foster Art Director – Kyle Gregory Director of Operations – Roger King Advertising Representative – Steve Levin Editoral Interns – Ivey Noojin, Erin Yu

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Submissions:

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© Copyright 2019 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

(“They don’t really care how I feel,” we might think. “They just want to use my opinion, if they like it, to influence others.”)

That could be true. But in most cases, I believe, businesses and political candidates really want to know what you think.

A business can’t survive if it isn’t meeting the needs of its customers. A candidate or politician who wants to represent voters well needs to know what they think.

So try not to feel too jaded when asked for your opinion. Only you know what you think — until you are asked to express it.

And that is when your opinion starts to make a difference elsewhere.

You oughta be in pictures

using a tablet or a computer enabled with a camera (for Skype, for example) go to bit.ly/proudest, and after answering one question, you can tell us via video what you are most proud of in your life. You’ll have up to 30 seconds for your video.

Or if you prefer, you can share with us what you think about the Beacon, this column, or any other topic of the day that interests you.

You may also send an email with the subject line “Please send survey” to info@thebeaconnewspapers.com and we’ll send you the link.

We appreciate your reading the Beacon, and look forward to hearing — and seeing — what you have to say!

Speaking of surveys…

Here at the Beacon, we also frequently seek information from our readers regarding your views about our newspaper in general, as well as about particular articles, authors and events we sponsor, such as our upcoming 50+Expos (see facing page) and last year’s Celebration of the Arts.

We recently signed up for a new service that will allow you to respond to such survey questions via video. That way, we can both see and hear you sharing your opinion.

The idea for this service, called Talk Back Time, comes from a local senior with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working before, Allan Horlick. For a story about him and this new venture, see our Technology & Innovations section on page 4 of this issue.

For now, we are eager to try it out. Will you help us?

If so, using your smartphone camera scan the QR code (the box on the right), or

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

Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or email info@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

Dear Editor: Your July article about spouses sharing passwords is important and timely. I’d like to offer an addendum. Many financial sites now ask for answers to secret questions or two-factor authentication in order to access an account, in particular from a different computer.

However, the answers may not be known by your spouse, or the address where a reminder code is to be sent may be an inaccessible email address or phone number.

I just went through that ordeal. So don’t forget to share that information, too.

Morris N. Saks, CPA Owings Mills, Md. Dear Editor: I recently learned that AARP has $75 million to invest in their Dementia Discov-

ery Fund, which provides “financial capital to companies working on drugs to cure dementia.”

It would be wiser to invest these funds in basic research. We really don’t understand the cause of dementia, and it seems a waste of money to give it to drug companies unless they are associated with a research center or university.

We need an all-out effort to solve this problem, which not only costs us billions of dollars each year in caring for those afflicted (Medicaid, etc.), but causes endless suffering to millions of affected individuals and their families.

I suggest that NIH and AARP establish new divisions to study the causes of dementia.

Hedy Peyser, MSW, ACSW Silver Spring, Md.

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

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Technology &

Innovations Tech startup aims to bring surveys to life

By Margaret Foster Allan Horlick enjoyed a whirlwind career as a television producer that had taken him from managing the NBC television station in Washington, D.C., to launching CNBC and NBC Asia from Hong Kong, and then serving as president of CNBC and NBC Europe, based in London.

When he turned 50, he decided to retire from all that, and return to America to golf his days away in Florida.

“I did that for about three months and I went crazy,” said Horlick, now 71. “I tried retirement and I completely screwed it up.”

Instead, he headed back to the Washington area to work as president and general manager at CBS. Then he started his own consulting company — not his first or last startup. By his own admission, Horlick is “addicted to starting new businesses.”

His latest venture In June, Horlick launched yet another new company, TalkBackTime, which allows survey respondents to submit short videos that flesh out their answers.

Instead of just checking a box, people

can use their smartphone, tablet or computer to submit a 30-second video of themselves and elaborate on an answer.

The idea for TalkBackTime was born in a local Starbucks. Five years ago, Horlick met former colleague Bob Okun for coffee, and Okun mentioned an idea to capture voter feedback about the presidential campaign via video.

“That conversation morphed into a company we started,” VoteandVideo.com, Horlick said, which became “the first iteration of what we’re doing now..”

So the two started shopping their idea to potential investors. Last year, they received a significant financial investment that enabled them to launch TalkBackTime this past June.

The company offers software as a service (known as Saas), meaning companies who use it pay a monthly subscription fee.

Customer service surveys are very com-

mon today, Horlick pointed out. “Every time I buy a meal, I’m asked to take a survey.”

Quality over quantity While simple check-off-your-answer surveys provide “quantitative data,” such as how many people bought a product, they don’t provide “qualitative data,” the kind of information you can gather from a focus group or a conversation.

Videos that can convey a customer’s body language, expression and tone of voice provide much more of the latter than a traditional written or telephone survey could ever capture.

“To be able to look into the face of someone who probably is really happy with you — or really mad at you — you’re going to get a real sense of how they feel,” Horlick said.

Attention Beacon readers: What are you most proud of in your life? Visit bit.ly/proudest and send us a quick video — it’s easy.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

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Identify fake news; don’t send it to others

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Here are some tips from the International Federation of Library Associations, Harvard University and Facebook that can help you spot fake news stories.

Be skeptical of headlines. False news stories often have catchy headlines in all caps with exclamation points. If shocking claims in the headline sound unbelievable, they probably are.

Look closely at the link. A phony or look-alike link may be a warning sign of false news. Many false news sites mimic authentic news sources by making small changes to the link, for example “abcnews.com.co” (an illegitimate site) versus the actual “abcnews.com.”

Investigate the source. Ensure that the story is written by a source that you trust with a reputation for accuracy. If the story comes from an unfamiliar organization, check their “About” section to learn more.

You can also find a list of websites that identify deceptive and fake content at

may indicate that the story is false. If the story is reported by multiple sources you trust, it’s more likely to be true.

Is the story a joke? Sometimes false news stories can be hard to distinguish from humor or satire. Check whether the source is known for parody, and whether the story’s details and tone suggest it may be just for fun.

Do some fact checking. There are many good websites, like PolitiFact.com, Snopes.com and FactCheck.org that can help you verify a story. These sites have most likely already fact-checked the latest viral claim to pop up in your news feed.

★

Fake news is nothing new, but it is more prevalent than ever before because of the Internet and social networking, which enables it to spread like wildfire.

Fake news refers to false news stories, hoaxes or propaganda created to deliberately misinform or deceive readers. Usually, these stories are created to either influence people’s views, push a political agenda, or cause confusion. It can often be a

How to spot it

FactCheck.org — type “misinformation directory” in their search feature to find it.

Watch for unusual formatting. Many false news sites have misspellings or awkward layouts. Read carefully if you see these signs.

Inspect the dates. False news stories may contain timelines that make no sense, or event dates that have been altered.

Check the evidence. Check the author’s sources to confirm that they are accurate.

Lack of evidence or reliance on unnamed experts may indicate a false news story.

Look at other reports. If no other news source is reporting the same story, it

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What is fake news?

profitable business for online publishers.

Also note that some fake stories aren’t completely false, but rather distortions of real events. These deceitful claims can take a legitimate news story and twist what it says, or even claim that something that happened long ago is related to current events.

F R E E

By Jim Miller Q. I recently read that older adults are the number one purveyor of fake news on the Internet. Is this true, or is it fake news, too? If it’s true, how can we go about spotting fake news?

A. Yes, it’s true. According to a recent study published in the journal Science Advances, people 65 and older are almost four times more likely to share fake news on social media than younger people.

Why do older users share fake news more often? There are two theories. The first is that seniors, who came to the Internet later, sometimes lack the digital literacy skills of their younger counterparts to identify false or misleading content.

The second is that many older people experience cognitive decline as they age, making them more likely to fall for hoaxes.

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Health Fitness &

MARIJUANA INFLATION The rise of recreational pot may raise costs for medical users MEN AND BONE DENSITY Osteoporosis also affects men.

Discover your risk and fight it UNDESIRABLE SIDE EFFECT Hormone-block meds for prostate cancer may raise dementia risk IN HOT WATER A shower a day might kill good bacteria or cause itchy, dry skin

A second look at MSG corrects the record

By Carrie Dennett It’s commonly accepted as fact that MSG, a.k.a. monosodium glutamate, is something we should avoid. It’s the culprit behind socalled “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” and contributor to myriad health problems, right?

But is there any substance behind MSG’s bad reputation?

What is MSG? Glutamate is one of 20 amino acids — the building blocks of protein — but it’s also an important neurotransmitter. Your body synthesizes about 50 grams of glutamate each day.

Glutamate is also found in human breast

milk and makes up 8 to 10% of most protein foods. The cells lining your intestine use almost all of the glutamate you get from food to fuel their constant regeneration.

In 1908, Japanese chemistry professor Kikunae Ikeda noticed that certain foods had a savory taste — including Parmesan cheese, ripe tomatoes, dry-aged beef and kombu dashi, a broth made from dried kelp that’s essential to Japanese cooking.

Ikeda named that flavor “umami” and started investigating what caused it. He cooked dashi down until it formed crystals, which turned out to be made of sea salt and glutamate. In other words, monosodium glutamate.

“Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” In 1968, the New England Journal of Medicine published a letter titled “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome.” The author was a doctor who had experienced a number of symptoms — including numbness in the back of the neck, weakness and heart palpitations — after eating at a Chinese restaurant.

He speculated about possible culprits — soy sauce, cooking wine, MSG, or mild dehydration caused by excessive salt.

What followed was a number of research studies that claimed to confirm that MSG caused the symptoms. However, these studies didn’t consider how people actually consume MSG. For example, researchers in one 1969

study injected participants with MSG or fed them large doses on an empty stomach.

In numerous animal studies, researchers repeatedly injected young rodents with doses of MSG equivalent to injecting a 150pound person with 136-545 grams of MSG. For perspective, in a single day the average American ingests one-half gram of MSG — far less than the average 4.6 grams consumed in Taiwan — along with 13 grams of naturally occurring glutamate from food.

In spite of that, these studies were presented as proof that MSG causes headaches or worse, and many researchers continue to cite these studies and conduct similar research.

See MSG, page 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

MSG From page 6 At the 2018 World Umami Forum, Lisa Watson, M.S., a science advisor for The Glutamate Association, pointed out that our bodies don’t distinguish between glutamate that’s naturally present in food and glutamate that’s been added to food.

“We get far more glutamate from our food than from MSG, and do we say that the Parmesan cheese on our pasta gives us a headache?” Accordingly, in 2018, the International Headache Society removed “MSG-induced headache” from its Classification of Headache Disorders.

Later studies find it safe In the mid-1990s, after years of receiving reports of MSG-related symptoms such as headache and nausea, yet being unable to confirm that MSG was the true culprit, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took further steps.

They asked the independent scientific group Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) to examine MSG’s safety.

FASEB found that some sensitive individuals who consume three grams or more of MSG without food may experience shortterm, temporary and generally mild symptoms — such as headache, numbness, flushing, tingling, palpitations and drowsiness.

However, the report said consuming more

than three grams of MSG without food at one time is unlikely, because a typical serving of a food with added MSG contains less than half of a gram. The conclusion? MSG is safe.

At the World Umami Forum, registered dietitian Mary Lee Chin, M.S., R.D., who has used MSG her entire life, pointed to MSG’s safety record but acknowledged that the small number of people who are sensitive to MSG should simply avoid it.

“If you eat MSG or any other food or food ingredient that causes (or contributes to) an adverse effect, then eliminate it from your diet,” she said.

Additionally, new research suggests that MSG enhances food satisfaction in a way that helps improve food intake in people who struggle to eat enough, without encouraging overeating in general. These two examples show how MSG might be more than just safe — it might even be beneficial.

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. www.EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2019 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed

by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Some unexpected benefits Since the 1960s, the main source of MSG in America has been processed food, which is ironic because MSG’s original purpose was to make healthy food taste better.

MSG boosts a food’s flavor without hiding or overwhelming it. For example, a simple vegetable broth lightly seasoned with salt will taste a little bland. If some of the same broth is seasoned with MSG, the flavors of the vegetables become more pronounced, and the broth develops a satisfying mouthfeel — all without increasing the total amount of sodium.

In 2010, the Institute of Medicine said that MSG could be an effective way to reduce sodium. Because MSG is 12% sodium and table salt is 39% sodium, cutting salt by onethird and replacing it with MSG reduces sodium by 25% without compromising taste.

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Why can’t I hear what’s being said on TV? If you notice you have trouble hearing the TV clearly, and specifically dialogue, you are not alone.

Part of the difficulty has to do with variations in the quality of the audio, which is mixed for each individual program or television channel. Movies are also mastered differently for audio.

Essentially this means that when watching TV, even with perfect hearing, you can expect a great deal of variability in the clarity of the TV audio, including the level of sound effects, music and, of course, dialogue.

The other factor is that all of the original mixing of television audio is done for those with perfect hearing. The bottom line is, TV audio is often poorly mixed, with many movies and programs not well produced for those with even mild hearing loss.

Hearing loss and television listening When we combine this problem with mild hearing loss, or a more significant level of hearing loss, the result is enormous difficulty hearing television dialogue clearly, and often the need to turn the television volume up above the preferred level of others in the house.

Hearing specialist Don Hudson says trouble hearing the television is one of the strongest complaints by those with hearing loss. “Even those with the very best hearing aids often complain that television dialogue is unclear, and their family complains if the TV volume is turned up.”

Unfortunately, turning the TV volume up, or even purchasing a TV amplifying system, often doesn’t result in a significant improvement in clarity for the listener. Of course, this also presents a problem in the household for others who are disturbed by the loud volume of the TV.

Why aren’t my hearing aids helping?

Hearing aids work with the signal they receive from the air. For those with hearing loss and hearing aids, and even those with normal hearing, the listener is always at a disadvantage as sound waves get distorted as they leave the TV speakers. This is why many people complain that hearing aids don’t work for the TV. Many assistive listening devices are available. The TV Voice Pro wireless system was developed by two prominent hearing specialists and audio engineers based on extensive client-centered audiol-

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How the whole family benefits from TV Voice Pro TV Voice Pro allows the wearer to listen at their own volume, while the rest of the family can listen to television at their preferred volume (or even turn the TV volume off entirely).

The TV Voice Pro can even be used from a distance, meaning the wearer can move into another room close by and still hear the television through the headset.

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For more information, or to order TV Voice Pro, visit www.TvVoicePro.com or call (415) 277-2026.

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Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Boxing, etc.

Classes are free

From page 1 Washington, “A lot of research has shown that intensive exercise not only slows the progress of the disease, but also is neuroprotective and can foster the development of new pathways in the brain.”

Niki Barr, a personal trainer and Rock Steady Boxing instructor who works at the Myerberg Center, stresses that it’s important to stay active throughout life, even more so for Parkinson’s patients.

“What PD does to most people is that it causes them to slow down. Muscles are not firing up like they should.

“With boxing, a coach motivates and encourages people to break through barriers. They develop speed, agility, power and improve coordination.”

Barr said a typical class at the Myerberg Center begins with an ice-breaker introduction “to create a community vibe.”

Classmates then do a warmup that includes stretching, jogging, walking, jumping jacks, lunges, heavy bag circles and medicine ball exercises.

Then participants visit six or seven stations where they practice shadow boxing, light and heavy bags, squats and squat jumps, and various exercises to improve balance and posture. A 25-minute cooldown includes twists, partner exercises and more stretching.

At the Myerberg Center, which serves people 55 and up, there are two boxing classes available. Level 1-2 is for people with greater mobility, while Level 3-4 is for people with less mobility who need to do boxing exercises while seated.

SEPTEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Rock Steady Boxing classes at the Myerberg Center and Mind/Body Physical Therapy are both free thanks to funding from the Maryland Association for Parkinson Support.

Goldman credits the classes and his instructor Markese Hayden with helping him to build strength and confidence.

“It’s a very professional, well-thoughtout program conducted with the highest care, kindness and love…Boxing has given me more reassurance that I’m capable of doing some things I didn’t know I could do,” he said.

Dancing as therapy Another program, called Dance for Parkinson’s, began as a nonprofit collaboration between the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group in 2001. It has been found to improve physical and cognitive functioning, as well as mood and quality of life, in people with PD. The program is now available in more than 250 communities across the United States and around the world. Ellen Talles

runs one of the only Dance for PD classes in the Baltimore metropolitan region at Goucher College.

“When you have a disease like PD, your whole life becomes PD,” said Talles, a clinical social worker, dancer, singer and actor who also manages the ParkinSonics singing group.

“My class isn’t therapy; it’s an education program designed to give patients an engrossing mind/body experience that helps them forget they have PD…It’s also a complete workout. We create sequences that help people to stretch and move in ways that they wouldn’t in life,” she said.

Participants in Dance for PD also receive rhythmic auditory stimulation training, a neurologic technique that studies have shown helps individuals with PD improve gait function and balance and minimizes the incidence of falls.

Dance for PD is appropriate for everyone, regardless of whether they have had previous dance training, and no matter See BOXING, ETC., page 9

BEACON BITS

Aug. 22

HOW TO AVOID SCAMS

The Maryland Better Business Bureau hosts a free seminar on how to avoid the top scams impacting Maryland’s older population. The informational session is scheduled for Thurs., Aug. 22, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cockeysville Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 9833 Greenside Dr., Cockeysville. For more information, call the library at (410) 887-7750.

Every 11 seconds, an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall-related injury.

Many falls are preventable.

Your recovery after a hospital stay should begin with a knowledgeable, interdisciplinary team that understands your health care goals. Working with state-of-the-art equipment, we have the expertise and experience to treat patients recovering from a variety of conditions, including: Neurological Cardiac Orthopedic Cancer Pulmonary Complex Medical

manorcare.com © 2018 HCR Healthcare, LLC

If you need help with any of these conditions, you may benefit from an inpatient skilled nursing and rehabilitation stay.

Four Baltimore locations: • ManorCare – Roland Park • ManorCare – Rossville • ManorCare – Ruxton • ManorCare – Towson For more information, call

888.255.7054

Join us for Falls Prevention Week at the Wise & Well Center to learn more.

• • • • •

Understand how medicine impacts balance.

What is the role of nutrition in falls prevention?

Take home easy, usable home safety tips.

Learn your falls risk through a FREE, personalized falls screening.

And, so much more...

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

Boxing, etc.

From page 8 how they are affected by PD. “Everyone thinks they can’t dance, and everyone can dance,” Talles said. “There are people in the group who don’t appear to have PD at all, and others who dance in their wheelchairs.”

In addition to the physical benefits of Dance for PD, Talles notes that the class is a “warm, supportive, welcoming environment. The class [members are] very attached to each other and to me. I don’t create that myself. They are there for each other through thick and thin,” Talles said.

Dance for PD classes are also free and sponsored by the Northern Virginia-based Bowen McCauley Dance company.

Gita Lefstein and her husband, Martin, first tried a Dance for PD class taught by Talles many years ago at a PD symposium they attended.

“We do a lot of improvisation, and we follow not only what the instructor does, but each person adds something to it,” said

Lefstein, who especially enjoys the “companionship and sense of community” that the group offers.

Lefstein attends four to six classes a week with her husband, plus ParkinSonics singing classes, and she has watched him improve over the past five years.

She cites his medication as one reason, “but in large part, it’s due to the classes.

Not one particular class, but all of them together. And they are fun.”

Singing helps, too The ParkinSonics vocal group grew out of a study that was conducted several years ago by the Center for Music & Medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, its music school.

The study found that being part of a singing group enhanced quality of life, strengthened the voice and clarified speech in patients with PD. When Devorah Werdesheim, who was diagnosed with PD 11 years ago, learned about the study, she found it “appealing be-

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

SCIENCE CENTER VOLUNTEERS

The Maryland Science Center is looking for adult volunteers. You don’t need to know science to volunteer. You can do anything from behind-the-scenes work to greeting visitors. For more information, visit mdsci.org/support/volunteer or contact Diane Bellomo at dbellomo@mdsci.org or (410) 779-1627.

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cause I was always told I couldn’t sing, and they told me I could,” she said. “After the study was over, I didn’t want the group to end, and others didn’t want it to end either,” Werdesheim added.

So, three years later, the group continues to sing together, meeting at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Senior Center at Govans Presbyterian Church in North Baltimore.

Werdesheim said Leo Wanenchak, associate director of Baltimore Choral Arts and the ParkinSonics’ musical director, is the glue that “holds the group together…He gives us an opportunity not only to use our voices but to use our bodies. He teaches to the highest part of ourselves, doesn’t talk down to us and he’s really funny!”

Werdesheim also appreciates the “safe environment to be who you are,” she said.

“New people are welcome; it’s very friendly and respectful.”

9

Since joining the ParkinSonics, Werdesheim has learned to read music and has noticed improvement in her swallowing, breathing and speech volume.

“It’s good for our brains to do something we’ve never done before,” she said. “The fact that I could learn even at my age is very exciting. [The group] has opened a door in my life. It’s not what I expected. It’s a gift.

How life-changing to learn how to sing!”

For more information about the ParkinSonics and Dance for Parkinson’s Disease, contact Ellen Talles at EllenTalles@comcast.net.

To learn more about Rock Steady Boxing at the Edward A. Myerberg Center, email markese@myerberg.org or call (443) 9631450.

For information about Rock Steady Boxing at 1400 Coppermine Terrace, email Patricia Wessels at charmcity@rsbaffiliate.com or call (443) 873-0040.

10

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SEPTEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Rise of legal pot harms medical users

By Gillian Flaccus and Angeliki Kastanis When states legalize pot for all adults, long-standing medical marijuana programs take a big hit, in some cases losing more than half their registered patients in just a few years, according to a data analysis by Associated Press.

Much of the decline comes from consumers who, ill or not, got medical cards in their states because it was the only way to buy marijuana legally and then discarded them when broader legalization arrived.

But for people who truly rely on marijuana to control ailments such as nausea or cancer pain, the arrival of so-called recre-

ational cannabis can mean fewer and more expensive options.

There is limited scientific data backing many of the health claims made by medical marijuana advocates, and the U.S. government still classifies cannabis in any form as a controlled substance like LSD and cocaine.

Still, the popularity of medical pot is rising as more states legalize it. There are 33 such states, including the politically conservative recent additions of Oklahoma and Utah.

Some costs triple Robin Beverett, a 47-year-old disabled Army veteran in California, said she re-

sumed taking a powerful prescription mood stabilizer to control her anxiety and PTSD when the cost of her medical marijuana nearly tripled after the state began general sales.

Before last year, an eighth of an ounce of dry marijuana flower cost her $35. Now it’s approaching $100, Beverett said.

“It’s ridiculous. The prices are astronomical,” said Beverett, who moved to Sacramento from Texas because medical marijuana is illegal there. “Going to the dispensary is just out of the question if you’re on any kind of fixed income.”

It’s a paradox playing out nationwide as more states move from care-centered medical programs to recreational models.

States see a “massive exodus” of medical patients when they legalize marijuana for all adults — and then, in many cases, the remaining ones struggle, said David Mangone, director of government affairs for Americans for Safe Access.

“Some of the products that these patients have relied on for consistency — and have used over and over for years — are disappearing off the shelves to market products that have a wider appeal,” he said.

Cost also rises, a problem that’s compounded because many of those who stay in medical programs are low-income and rely on Social Security disability, he said.

Fewer products for pain In Oregon, where the medical program shrank the most following recreational legalization, nearly two-thirds of patients gave up their medical cards, the AP found.

As patients exited, the market followed: The number of medical-only retail shops fell from 400 to two, and hundreds of growers who contracted with individual patients to grow specific strains walked away.

Now, some of the roughly 28,000 med-

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ical patients left are struggling to find affordable medical marijuana products they’ve relied on for years.

While the state is awash in dry marijuana flower that’s dirt cheap, the specialized oils, tinctures and potent edibles used to alleviate severe illnesses can be harder to find and more expensive to buy.

“Lots of people have started trying to figure out how to make these concentrates and edibles themselves,” said Travis MacKenzie, who runs TJ’s Gardens, which provides free medical cannabis to children with epilepsy.

“There are things that we don’t really want people to do at home, but the market conditions are such that people are trying to do more at home.”

As more states legalize marijuana for all adults, some who have been using it medically are feeling disenfranchised.

Los Angeles dispensary owner Jerred Kiloh sells medical and recreational marijuana and said those markets are quickly becoming one, since few companies are going to produce products for a vanishing group of customers. He said his medical business has dipped to 7% of overall sales.

“It’s going to be gone,” said Kiloh, president of the LA trade group United Cannabis Business Association.

In Oregon, regulators are struggling to find a path that preserves the state’s trailblazing low-cost medical pot program while tamping down on a still-thriving black market.

A special state commission put out a report earlier this year that found affordability and lack of access are major hurdles.

“Patients have needs. Consumers have wants,” said Anthony Taylor, a medical marijuana advocate who sits on the Oregon Cannabis Commission. “Patients are in crisis right now.”

—AP

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

11

Men get osteoporosis, too; how to fight it Dear Savvy Senior: rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, Can men get osteoporosis or is it pri- testosterone deficiency, hyperthyroidism, marily a problem for women?

COPD, kidney or liver disWhen I fell and broke my ease, and mobility disorders wrist last winter, the doctor like Parkinson’s disease, multhat treated me told me I tiple sclerosis or stroke — might have osteoporosis, but can also increase your risk.

I never got it checked. What In addition, so can taking can you tell me? certain medications, like anti—Bony Bill inflammatory steroids, prostate Dear Bill: cancer drugs, proton pump inMany people think osteohibitors for GERDs, antidepresporosis is a woman’s disease, SAVVY SENIOR sants, immunosuppressants but men can get it too, espe- By Jim Miller and anti-seizure drugs. cially in their later years.

To help you determine your Here’s what you should know: risk of osteoporosis, the InterOsteoporosis is a disease that causes the national Osteoporosis Foundation has a bones to become weak, brittle and more quick, online quiz you can take at susceptible to fractures. Though women are RiskCheck.IOFBoneHealth.org. four times more likely to acquire it, around 2 million American men have osteoporosis Prevention and treatment today, and another 12 million have “pre-osA good first step in preventing and treating teoporosis,” or osteopenia. osteoporosis is to get screened. All men over age 70 should have a bone density test, and Risk factors for men those who’ve had a fracture or have other Unfortunately, men are much less likely risk factors should be tested after age 50. than women to get the health of their Screening for osteoporosis is a simple, bones checked even after they break a painless bone density test, which takes bone. That’s because doctors are often un- about five minutes. Many health insurance aware of the many factors that put men at companies will cover bone density tests, as risk of osteoporosis. does Medicare.

While menopause is a major component Here’s what else you can do to protect that accelerates bone loss in women, some your bones: of the key risk factors for men developing Boost your calcium: The best way to get osteoporosis include: being over age 70; bone-building calcium is through your diet. being thin or underweight; smoking; con- Dairy products (low-fat milk, cheeses and suming more than three alcoholic drinks a yogurt), dark green leafy vegetables (brocday; having a parental history of osteo- coli, kale, collards), sardines and salmon, porosis and having a previous fracture. cooked dried beans, soy foods, almonds and Certain health conditions — such as fortified cereals and juices are all good

Tell them you saw it in the Beacon!

sources of calcium. Vitamin D is also important to help your body absorb calcium.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends 1,000 mg. of calcium daily for men under 70 and 1,200 mg. for those over 71. They also recommend 800 to 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D if you’re over 50.

If you’re not getting enough vitamin D through sunlight or food, consider taking a supplement. Most daily multivitamins contain at least 400 IU. Exercise: Doing weight-bearing exercises — like walking or strength training with weights or resistance bands — three or four times a week can significantly improve your bone health and reduce the risk of a fall that could cause a fracture.

Control these vices: Avoid smoking, limit alcohol to no more than two or three drinks per day, and limit caffeine (coffee, tea or caffeinated soda) to three cups a day.

Consider medications: The same drugs to treat osteoporosis in women have also been approved for men. The most widely prescribed for osteoporosis are bisphosphonates, a class of drugs designed to slow or stop bone loss.

Talk to your doctor about these and other medication options, as well as potential side effects.

Send your senior questions to P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

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Health Studies

SEPTEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Volunteer for studies of lung health, COPD

By Margaret Foster Short of breath? Nagging cough? If you’re a former smoker or are suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or another lung illness, Johns Hopkins’ Breathe Center may be able to help. At the same time, you can help others if you enroll in one of the center’s many studies on lung health.

The Baltimore Breathe Center, originally known as the Johns Hopkins Center for Childhood Asthma in the Urban Environment, was formed more than 20 years ago.

The center has evolved to study the effects of environmental factors on lung health and specific lung diseases, according to its website.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Environmental Protection

agency, the Breathe Center’s name is derived from their descriptive tag line: “Bridging Research, Lung Health and the Environment.”

Its physicians, residents and scientists adhere to this mission statement: “To lead the way in the research of lung disease and how environmental influences affect pulmonary health. By focusing on quality research and transparent scientific findings, we strive to engage the community through education efforts.”

The Breathe Center is located at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Asthma and Allergy Center, 5501 Hopkins Bayview Circle, Baltimore, MD 21224.

Volunteers needed Right now, the center is seeking volun-

teers with COPD for several studies, including one that compensates volunteers up to $570 for six months of participation.

In that study, Comparing Urban and Rural Effects of Poverty on COPD (CURE for short), researchers are looking at how COPD affects low-income patients.

To qualify as a volunteer for the CURE study, you must be a former smoker over age 40 with a diagnosis of COPD, chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Participants in Baltimore will have three four-hour clinic visits and three 30-minute home visits.

They will undergo spirometry, allergy testing, CT and DEXA scans. They will also receive the results of a study of their home’s air quality at the end of the study.

“The CURE study, which is one of several ongoing research projects at the Center,

hopes to learn about the effects of diet, indoor air, physical activity and other factors on COPD symptoms,” Dr. Nadia Hansel, the center’s director, said in an email.

COPD is the third leading cause of death in this country.

“There have been many studies about outdoor air and air pollution and how that affects people’s health. But we spend more than 80% of our time indoors, and very few studies have looked at indoor air quality and the effects on health,” Hansel said.

“This is particularly important for people with COPD and asthma.”

For more information about, or to see if you qualify for, the CURE study or other studies at the Baltimore Breathe Center, visit breathecenter.org or call (410) 5020981.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FREE OVER 65 CHECK-IN SERVICE

Maryland has launched a free program to check on its older residents with a daily telephone call at the time of your choice. With Senior Call Check, if no one answers after three calls, an adult child, neighbor or another loved one will be alerted. Any Maryland resident 65 years of age or older who has a land line phone or cell phone can apply. Call (866) 502-0560 to opt in, or register at aging.maryland.gov and click on Senior Call Check.

Aug. 24

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TOUR

Join a historian for a free tour through the streets of Baltimore to celebrate Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman and other Underground Railroad heroes. The two-hour, 1.5-mile tour starts at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture (830 E. Pratt St.) and ends at Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park (1417 Thames St.). Meet on Sat., Aug. 24 at the museum at 10 a.m.; look for your host Robert Kelleman, wearing a fedora. Pets welcome. To register visit meetup.com/BaltimoreHistoryAndCulture.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

13

Dementia risk raised by cancer treatment

By Lindsey Tanner Alzheimer’s disease may be a risk for older prostate cancer patients given hormone-blocking treatment, a large, U.S. government-funded analysis found.

Previous evidence has been mixed on whether the treatment might be linked with mental decline. But experts say the new results stand out because they’re from a respected national cancer database and the men were tracked for a long time — eight years on average.

Among 154,000 older patients, 13% who received hormone-blocking treatment developed Alzheimer’s, compared with 9% who had other treatment or chose no therapy, the study found.

The risk for dementia from strokes or other causes was higher: It was diagnosed in 22% of those who got hormone-blocking treatment, versus 16% of the other patients.

The results, using perhaps one of the largest and most reliable databases, suggest there truly may be a connection, said Dr. Sumanta Pal, a prostate cancer expert with the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Pal was not involved in the study.

The analysis from University of Pennsyl-

vania researchers was published in July in JAMA Network Open.

Weigh risks and benefits The results aren’t proof, but experts say they underscore the importance of discussing potential risks and benefits when choosing cancer treatment.

The researchers analyzed data from a National Cancer Institute database of cancer cases and treatment that covers almost 30% of the U.S. population.

The study focused on men in their 70s, on average, with local or advanced prostate cancer diagnosed between 1996 and 2003. They were followed until 2013.

Medicare records indicated dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Hormone-blocking treatment can include testes removal to reduce levels of testosterone, which fuels prostate cancer growth. But it more typically involves periodic drug injections or implants that achieve the same result.

Most U.S. men who receive this treatment are in their 70s or older. It’s sometimes used in men who might not be healthy enough to tolerate other cancer

BEACON BITS

Sept. 12

THERE REALLY IS A FREE LUNCH Free lunches at several Baltimore County Public Libraries and at

other city locations will be available on Thurs., Sept. 12 at noon. The North Point, Catonsville, Woodlawn, Essex and Hereford locations will offer a healthy lunch to anyone over age 60 through a program from the Baltimore County Department of Aging. On the menu: chicken cordon bleu, rice pilaf, broccoli, rolls, milk and blueberry crisp. Must register by Sept. 3. Other locations and times are available.

Contact your local senior center or call (410) 887-0900.

treatments, including surgery to remove the prostate and radiation.

It’s unclear how the treatment might be linked with mental decline. The researchers noted that it can lead to diabetes, which also has been linked with dementia — perhaps because blood vessel damage from diabetes can restrict blood flow to the brain.

Hormone treatment also raises risks for heart disease and depression, which both have been linked with dementia.

Researcher Grace Lu-Yao of the Sidney

Kimmel Cancer Center in Philadelphia said the potential dementia risks from hormone-blocking treatment may outweigh any benefit for younger, healthier patients with longer expected life spans.

While the study doesn’t prove that the treatment causes dementia, she said, it is important to tell patients “because of the potential impact of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia on the quality of life of patients and their family.” She was not involved in the study.

—AP

BEACON BITS

Aug. 24

ARTS IN THE PARK

Enjoy the last days of summer at a festival with free live music, corn hole, food trucks and artwork for sale. Chesapeake Arts Center’s 6th Annual Arts in the Park festival is scheduled for Sat., Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event takes place at the Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Ln., Brooklyn Park. For more information, visit chesapeakearts.org or call (410) 636-6597.

14

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SEPTEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Is true recovery from addiction possible?

By Peter Grinspoon I am now 11 years into recovery from my battle with opiate addiction, and I have always been fascinated with two related questions: Is there truly such a thing as an “addictive personality,” and do people substitute one addiction for another?

The addictive personality myth The writer and television personality Anthony Bourdain, who killed himself last year, was criticized by some for recreationally using alcohol and cannabis, in what was seemingly a very controlled and responsible manner, decades after he quit heroin and cocaine.

Was this a valid criticism? Can a person who was addicted to drugs or alcohol in their teens safely have a glass of wine with dinner in their middle age?

It depends on which model of addiction

and recovery you subscribe to. If you are a traditionalist who believes that addictions last a lifetime, that people readily substitute addictions, and that people have ingrained “addictive personalities,” the answer is: absolutely not. This would be playing with fire.

During my 90 days in rehab, it was forcefully impressed upon me that addictions are routinely substituted, and that if one is ever addicted to any substance, then lifelong abstinence from all potentially addictive substances is one’s only hope of salvation. (Many hold that an addiction can be to either a substance or a process: gambling, eating, video game playing, Internet use, sex, work, religion, exercise or compulsive spending.)

The avoidance tactic seemed to make sense, as a person would have the same lifelong predispositions to an addiction: Genetic makeup, childhood traumas, diag-

noses of anxiety or depression — all of which could plausibly set them up to become addicted to, say, alcohol, once they have put in the hard work to get their heroin addiction under control.

In medical terms, different addictions can have a common final pathway in the mesolimbic dopamine system (the reward system of our brain), so it is logical that the body might try to find a second pathway to satisfy these hungry neurotransmitters if the first one is blocked — a “cross-addiction.”

While in rehab, though, I was told a lot of other things that turned out to have no basis in scientific evidence. For example, I was told on a daily basis that “a drug is a drug is a drug.”

This mentality doesn’t allow for a difference between, for example, the powerful opiate fentanyl, which kills thousands of people every year, and buprenorphene

Do you drink alcohol?

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(Suboxone) which is a widely-accepted treatment for opioid use disorder.

I have come to believe that an uncompromising “abstinence-only” model is a holdover from the very beginnings of the recovery movement, almost 100 years ago, and our understanding has greatly evolved since then.

The concepts of addiction and recovery that made sense in 1935, when Alcoholics Anonymous was founded, and which have been carried on by tradition, might not still hold true in the modern age of neurochemistry and functional MRIs. That said, mutual help groups today do have a place in some people’s recovery and they can encourage the work of changing and maintaining change.

Ways to avoid new addictions No one definitively knows the answer about whether people substitute addictions. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “A previous substance use disorder is a risk factor for future development of substance use disorder (SUD).”

On the other hand, “it is also possible that someone who once had an SUD but doesn’t currently have one has a balance of risk and protective genetic and environmental factors that could allow for alcohol consumption without developing an AUD [alcohol use disorder].”

One study published in JAMA in 2014 showed that, “As compared with those who do not recover from an SUD, people who recover have less than half the risk of developing a new SUD. Contrary to clinical lore, achieving remission does not typically lead to drug substitution, but rather is associated with a lower risk of new SUD onset.”

The authors of this study suggest that factors such as “coping strategies, skills and motivation of individuals who recover from an SUD may protect them from the onset of a new SUD.” In other words, by making the life-affirming transition from addicted to recovered, we gain a recovery “toolbox” that helps us navigate life’s challenges and stresses in a healthier way.

We learn to connect with people, push our egos aside, and to ask for help if we need it.

We might respond by exercising or calling a friend. As such, we substitute addictions with healthier activities that perform the function that the drink or drug used to.

People grow and change We continue to add to our coping skills toolbox throughout life, so the unhappy 18-year-old who is struggling is not the well-adjusted 50-year-old who has worked through many of their problems, or who has improved their life circumstances.

People aren’t static, which is what reminds us to never give up hope when dealing with an addicted loved one, no matter how dire the circumstances appear to be. © 2019 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved.

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

15

Daily showers aren’t great for our health

By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. Q: I grew up thinking that people should take a shower every day because it’s healthier. But is it that true?

A: For many — perhaps most — the daily shower is more about habit and societal norms than health. Perhaps that’s why the frequency of bathing or showering varies so much from country to country.

Besides considering it healthier, people may choose to shower daily for a number of reasons, such as concerns about odor, help waking up, or a morning routine that includes working out.

Each of these has merit, especially considering that personal or work relationships can be jeopardized by complaints about body odor or personal hygiene.

When it comes to concerns about health, however, it’s not at all clear that a daily shower accomplishes much.

Showers can even do harm In fact, a daily shower may even be bad for your health.

Normal, healthy skin maintains a layer of oil and a balance of “good” bacteria and other microorganisms. Washing and scrubbing removes these, especially if the water is hot. As a result: Skin may become dry, irritated or itchy.

Dry, cracked skin may allow bacteria and allergens to breach the barrier skin is

BEACON BITS

Aug. 31+

WORKING ON THE RAILROAD

On Labor Day weekend, Sat., Aug. 31 through Mon., Sept. 2, visit the B&O Railroad Museum for $1 admission and free track-laying demonstrations.

Check out the speeder cars, bring a picnic meal and play games under the pavilion, located at 901 West Pratt St., Baltimore. For more information, visit borail.org or call (410) 752-2490.

Nov. 1+

FREE BEREAVEMENT RETREAT

If you’ve recently lost a loved one, connect to others in your situation.

CaringMatters’ 2019 Bereaved Caregivers Retreat is free for family or friends who were the primary caregivers to someone who died within the past two years. This year’s retreat is scheduled for Fri., Nov. 1 to Sun., Nov. 3 at the Claggett Center in Adamstown, Md. For more information or to apply, contact Jim Rossi at jimr@caringmatters.org or (301) 990-0854.

supposed to provide, allowing skin infections and allergic reactions to occur.

Antibacterial soaps can actually kill off normal bacteria. This upsets the balance of microorganisms on the skin and encourages the emergence of hardier, less friendly organisms that are more resistant to antibiotics.

Our immune systems need a certain amount of stimulation by normal microorganisms, dirt and other environmental exposures in order to create protective antibodies and “immune memory.” This is one reason why some pediatricians and dermatologists may recommend against daily baths for kids. Frequent baths or showers throughout a lifetime may reduce the ability of the immune system to do its job.

While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people

(unless you are grimy, sweaty or have other reasons to shower more often).

Short showers (lasting three or four minutes) with a focus on areas prone to body odor may suffice.

If you’re like me, it may be hard to imag-

ine skipping the daily shower. But if you’re doing it for your health, it may be a habit worth breaking. © 2019 President and Fellows of Harvard College. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

16

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SEPTEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Questions, answers on leg pain issues

By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: My legs used to swell occasionally. But now it’s happening every day.

Should I be worried?

A: It sounds like you have “edema,” swelling in your legs due to fluid in the soft tissues beneath your skin. This usually occurs because the pressure of the fluid inside your veins is high, which forces water out of the blood vessels and into the surrounding tissues.

The most common cause is leaky valves in your veins. Doctors call it venous insufficiency.

There are one-way valves in your veins that help keep the blood flowing back toward your heart. Ordinarily, as you walk around, the muscles in your legs squeeze the veins, which pump the blood through these valves up toward the heart. When the muscles relax, the valves prevent

QUIT TIN

blood from draining down the vessels.

If these valves become leaky, the blood gets propelled upward, but much of it drops down again when the leg muscles relax. The result is an accumulation of blood — and an increase in pressure — within the veins.

The higher pressure pushes fluid out of the veins, causing leg swelling.

your kidney and liver health, and ultrasound testing of your legs to look for blood clots.

A number of medications can cause fluid retention in your legs, such as high doses of ibuprofen, naproxen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Also, leg swelling is a common side effect of certain calcium channel blockers, especially nifedipine and amlodipine.

Check with your doctor It’s less likely your edema is due to some other medical problem. But you should make an appointment with your doctor to be sure.

Your doctor will ask if you have shortness of breath, fatigue, pain in your legs and whether one leg is more swollen than the other.

Depending on your symptoms and your doctor’s physical exam, he or she might order some tests. These could include an echocardiogram to look at how your heart is functioning, blood and urine tests to evaluate

Relieving swelling To help minimize the swelling, raise your legs whenever you sit down. Even better, try to schedule 20 or 30 minutes during the day when you can lie down with pillows under your feet to get your legs above the level of your heart. In doing so, gravity becomes your ally, not the enemy.

You might consider compression stockings that squeeze the legs. By resisting the pressure from within the veins, they help

.

D R A G SMOKING IS H

prevent fluid from seeping out of the blood vessels. Usually the knee-high versions are sufficient.

Q: I have peripheral artery disease.

I try to walk as much as possible. But I stop frequently because of leg pain.

What else can I do?

A: In peripheral artery disease (PAD), not enough blood flows to the legs. The condition usually is caused by fatty deposits called plaques that build up inside the artery walls. This buildup shrinks the size of the passageway and reduces the amount of blood that can flow through.

The result is cramping and pain in one or both legs, even on a short walk.

You likely are trying to follow your doctor’s advice to walk as much as possible.

But with PAD, it’s common to need frequent stops to let the pain resolve.

People with PAD usually modify their walking. They slow down and stop often.

They also tend to take smaller steps, and use their calf and ankle muscles more than thigh and hip muscles to push off with each step.

With PAD, circulation is slowest in the lower parts of the leg. Using calf and ankle muscles creates more oxygen demand.

Not enough oxygen-rich blood gets to these muscles. That’s what causes the pain with walking.

So, it makes sense to do exercises that will strengthen thigh and hip muscles. The more those muscles take over when walking, the less pain you will have.

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One of the most effective therapies for leg pain due to PAD — an approach called supervised exercise training — has become more widely available and affordable. Medicare and some other insurance companies now cover supervised exercise training for PAD. The therapy, which requires a doctor’s referral, also includes education and counseling about healthy lifestyle habits. But the main focus is on the exercise, which is typically done on a treadmill with coaching from an exercise therapist.

Meeting with a trained therapist to exercise several times a week tends to be more effective than home exercise because people are more motivated and tend to work harder.

Medicare will cover up to 36 sessions of 30 to 60 minutes each over a 12-week period, with the possibility of approval for an additional 36 sessions over time.

To help you walk longer distances, your doctor might prescribe a medication called cilostazol (Pletal). It doesn’t stop the blockages from getting worse. Instead, the drug helps increase blood flow to the muscles.

People with PAD almost always have blockages in other arteries, including those that supply blood to the heart and brain. So it’s important to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by not smoking and usually taking aspirin and a statin drug. © 2019 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed

by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

Money Law &

17

MAXIMIZE SOCIAL SECURITY Most of us take Social Security benefits too soon. You’ll be better off if you wait until at least age 65 CHOOSE YOUR PLAN B Volunteering for groups that tap into your core interests is one way to stay busy after retirement BANK FROM HOME Save yourself a trip with the right online bank. Choose a trusted one with no-fee savings or money market accounts

Don’t let your kids wreck retirement plans

By Eleanor Laise Are your kids putting your retirement at risk?

Parents of adult children give their kids about $500 billion annually — double the amount they contribute to their own retirement accounts, according to recent research by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave.

And roughly half of parents in a recent Bankrate survey said that paying their adult children’s bills was jeopardizing their own retirement security.

Nearly 80% of parents give their adult children some form of financial support, Merrill Lynch found, whether it’s footing everyday bills such as cell-phone service, or helping with mortgage payments and other big-ticket items.

A “stunning number” are willing to make major financial sacrifices for their adult kids, such as yanking money out of their retirement accounts, said Lisa Margeson, head of retirement client experience at Bank of America. One in four said they’d take on debt to support their kids, Merrill found.

Financial advisers say they’re battling to

protect clients’ retirement savings from their adult children.

Most do help their kids “Most of my clients are helping adult children in one way or another,” said Lynn Ballou, senior vice president and partner at EP Wealth Advisors, in Lafayette, California.

In the best cases, she said, parents can afford it, and the assistance helps the kids move toward financial independence. But in the worst cases, the financial help is just enabling the kids to live beyond their means and depleting the parents’ nest egg.

Parents’ support of adult children has grown amid rising education costs and weak wage growth.

Last year, Nick Kovach helped his older adult daughter, who had been paying down student loans, with a down payment on a house, and he plans to do the same for his younger daughter.

“Neither kid asked for help,” said Kovach, 62, a retired oncologist. But “our motto has always been that we had their backs so long as they are moving forward.”

While he’s reasonably confident that

he’s not jeopardizing his retirement security, Kovach said, “who the heck knows what tomorrow brings?” If markets head south or he makes some poor investment decisions, he said, “we could be in a world of hurt.”

When and how to pull back How do you know when your financial support of an adult child has gone too far?

One red flag is when “parents can’t see the end” of these expenditures, said Jim Ciprich, an adviser at RegentAtlantic, in Morristown, N.J. — in other words, your support isn’t putting the kids on a path to independence.

And if you find yourself significantly altering your lifestyle or pulling money from your retirement accounts, it’s time to start examining your level of support, advisers say.

First, start talking. If you want to help your children, ask how you can be supportive without discouraging their independence, advisers say.

Writing a check may not be the answer.

Maybe you could help look after the

grandkids in the evening, for example, so that your child can work a second job, Ballou said.

If you do provide financial support, set limits. Make it clear that you have a budget and you’re sticking to it. If you have multiple children, Ciprich said, just be aware that the assistance you provide one child may set expectations among the others.

If you’re having trouble closing the bank of mom and dad, consider involving a mediator. In a family meeting, for example, a financial adviser can do the math for your children and say, “See how everybody runs out of money at age 80? This has to stop,” Ballou said. That way, she said, “there’s no finger-pointing, no ‘Hey, you don’t love me anymore.’”

And if all else fails, you can send a notso-subtle message. One client, Ballou said, sold her four-bedroom home to make her kids move out. “She moved into a two-bedroom condo, told them the date the house would close, and said, ‘See ya.’” © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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SEPTEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Taking Social Security too early is costly

By Sarah Skidmore Sell It’s tough to decide when to start taking Social Security benefits, and it appears many people are shorting themselves with their choice. A new study finds that only 4% of retirees start claiming their Social Security benefits at the most financially optimal time.

Current retirees collectively will lose $3.4 trillion in potential income to fund their retirement because they started drawing benefits at a less than ideal time.

That’s roughly $111,000 per household, according to the research from United Income, an online investment management and financial planning firm.

The researchers analyzed the information of more than 2,000 households in a Social Security Administration-sponsored survey. Using information respondents provided about health, longevity, finances and other details, they used forecasting technology to simulate how much households would be worth throughout retire-

ment based on various timing options. The study did not assume any additional job income in calculating the optimal age.

Americans typically can start claiming their Social Security benefits as early as age 62, and most adults do so by the time they turn 63. But the size of the monthly benefit grows for each year they wait, maxing out at age 70.

Many factors to consider It’s not just a financial equation, though.

Deciding when to draw benefits depends on a myriad of personal factors such as age, health, other savings, marital status and plans for retirement.

But the report’s authors say people aren’t spending enough time sorting through this process and policymakers could do more to encourage it.

“If you have the discussions, you can optimize your decisions,” said Jason Fichtner, former chief economist at the Social

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Security Administration and one of the report’s authors. “These discussions aren’t necessarily happening for everyone.”

Those conversations are important because Americans are increasingly in charge of their own retirement planning and Social Security is a major component.

It accounts for about one-third of all income annually received by U.S. retirees.

And many Americans are underprepared to supplement their retirement with their own savings. For about one-third of retirees, Social Security is their primary source of income.

“It is not just about increasing your income, it’s about increasing your chances you’ll be able to afford retirement,” said Fichtner.

The later, the better (for most) The researchers also estimate that elderly poverty could be cut by 50% if all retirees claimed Social Security at the optimal time.

They suggest policymakers make changes to encourage people to claim at a more financially advantageous age, such as improved education for those eligible for Social Security or changing the terminology to indicate that benefits may increase with time.

For example, researchers suggest that instead of calling 62 the “early eligibility age” it could be labeled the “minimum benefit age.”

While there is no one optimal age, the researchers found that 92 percent of retirees would be better off waiting to claim Social Security until at least their 65th birthday. The exact timing is tough to pinpoint, even varying within households depending on age and who earned more.

That said, there are people who are better off taking the benefits as soon as they can, such as those in poor health who have less time to enjoy their benefits.

For others, waiting for the ideal time to claim would mean losing wealth in their 60s, as it would require them to live off savings or investment account withdrawals instead of Social Security benefits.

“This shouldn’t be about ‘claim early’ or ‘claim late.’ It should be a discussion,” Fichtner said. “If anything, just claim as late as you financially can.”

Why don’t people wait to claim later?

There are many reasons, including personal dynamics within a marriage, financial advisers who would lose out if you draw from investments early, a desire to boost income as many older Americans work low wage jobs, and difficulty in estimating how long you have to live.

While not a complete solution for insufficient savings, the study’s authors say that optimizing Social Security would improve the lives of millions of retirees.

—AP

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

19

What to do with yourself after retirement I recently read an interesting article With some guidance from experience about retirees who become depressed and mediators, it didn’t take long to be on our bored — even ones on sound own. I have been happily mefinancial footing — because diating now for more than 15 they haven’t found enough acyears. tivities to keep them busy.

I have met many interestI have been retired now for ing retirees from all walks of over 20 years, and I am fortulife and have befriended many nate to have found enough acof them. There has been a fitivities to keep me very busy nancial benefit as well. and not bored at all. No doubt, For example, I learned how the things I do won’t interest a to initiate a profitable small lot of retirees, but they might claims case against an insurgenerate some ideas for read- THE SAVINGS ance company, which resulted ers who find themselves dis- GAME in several thousand dollars’ benBy Elliot Raphaelson satisfied in retirement. efit to me.

The first thing I’d advise is I have also volunteered for volunteering in a field that interests you. AARP, helping individuals with their income There are many advantages: You can learn taxes. The training is free, and it will help new skills, meet new and interesting people, you learn to do your own taxes efficiently. and even earn income or other financial adI have also volunteered for my State vantages.

Health Insurance Assistance Program Shortly after I retired, I saw a volunteer (SHIP). This organization is funded by the listing in the newspaper for court media- federal government and is available in tors, no experience or legal background every state. required. My wife, also retired, and I took SHIP provides free counseling to india three-day intensive training course. viduals concerning Medicare, long-term

BEACON BITS

Sept. 9+

JOB HUNTING HELP Looking for work? The Baltimore Job Hunters Support Group

meets at the Corner Community Center, 5802 Roland Ave., Baltimore, every Tuesday at 1 p.m. The group will start meeting every Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. starting Sept. 9. Also, at a free lecture at 1 p.m. on Tues., Sept. 10, Patti Madigan, Manager of the Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP) for the Baltimore County Department of Aging, will provide information on how job seekers 55 and older can find jobs via the SCSEP program. For more information, visit bjhsg.org or call (410) 627-2372.

care insurance and other health-related financial issues. Training is free, and by volunteering you will become better educated and able to handle your own health issues more competently.

I also volunteered for several years at SCORE, a small business mentoring organization with 10,000 volunteers, also operating in each state. SCORE volunteers generally have had prior experience running their own business.

SCORE provides free counseling to entrepreneurs starting their own business. In addition, at nominal cost, they offer individual courses such as how to market your business or establish a business plan. As a volunteer, you will receive free training and will meet many knowledgeable retirees.

Another activity I have enjoyed in retirement is bridge. Card-playing is not for everyone, but if you enjoy it, consider bridge. It will keep you mentally sharp. I know many good players in their 90s who

are still excellent players.

You can learn to play at low cost with lessons at a bridge club. At most clubs, you can play for three hours for a nominal fee, and they provide refreshments. You’ll likely meet many new people who are, by and large, very friendly and sociable.

If you become experienced, you can become a bridge director on cruise ships and obtain either free or heavily discounted fees on major cruise ships when you direct bridge games.

For example, my wife and I paid $400 for a seven-day cruise on a major cruise line during which I directed bridge games for a short period of time. To paying customers, the cost of the cruise was several thousand dollars.

The bottom line: There is no reason to be bored during retirement. Try out a few volunteer activities and pastimes and you’re sure to find something that suits you. ©2019 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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SEPTEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.”

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

21

How to find the right online bank for you

By Miriam Cross Q: I want to open an online highyield savings or money market account.

But because these are new to me, I’m trying to perform due diligence somehow. Is there anything I need to know or beware of before signing up?

A: Start your search at Bankrate.com or Depositaccounts.com. Online banks don’t have branches you can walk into to ask for help, but you can find one that offers round-the-clock customer service, such as Ally Bank or Discover Bank.

Test out the website of any bank you’re interested in to make sure it’s user-friendly. Some online banks maintain clunky, bare-bones websites that are difficult to navigate.

Transferring funds from the savings account at your brick-and-mortar bank to a new account at an Internet bank can pay off big-time. According to DepositAccounts.com, interest rates for savings accounts at online banks averaged 1.52% at the end of 2018, compared with 0.26% at brick-and-mortar institutions. Consider both savings and money market deposit accounts, which can have comparably high yields.

“Online banks have made leaps in how easily someone can open and transfer accounts,” said Aaron Graham, a certified fi-

nancial planner at Abacus Planning Group, in Columbia, S.C. Don’t be tempted solely by the highest yields. Sometimes banks will open new accounts with enticing but short-lived promotional rates for new customers. Choose an institution that has been around for many years and has a history of paying competitive rates.

These days, well-established online banks are offering savings account rates between 2.1% and 2.3%, with no minimum balance or monthly fees, said Ken Tumin of DepositAccounts.com.

Other things to consider To check out a bank’s rate history, visit depositaccounts.com and select “Savings Accounts,” then “Personal Savings Accounts.” Scroll past any sponsored accounts, and click on the “Details” arrow for each bank to see a rate history chart.

If you anticipate making frequent transfers between your online savings account and your checking account at a traditional bank, look for an online institution that doesn’t have a low daily or monthly cap on the number of outside transfers.

And if you value easy access to your cash, search for an account that offers a debit or ATM card (such as Synchrony Bank’s High Yield Savings) or check-writ-

ing privileges (such as Sallie Mae Bank’s money market account).

Last but not least, make sure accounts at the bank you choose are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). (Online banks typically state that they are covered by the FDIC at the bottom of their home page.)

The FDIC will insure up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category. For example, an individual savings account is insured up to $250,000; a couple with a joint account is insured up to

$500,000.

If your balance teeters at the edge of that limit, you can open another account at a different bank, or use the tool at MaxMyInterest.com, which will spread your cash among high-yield savings accounts at reputable banks, keeping the balances below FDIC limits. But you’ll pay a quarterly fee of 0.02% on your cash balance for the convenience. © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Aug. 24

FREE ESTATE PLANNING

Need help planning your estate? Meet with volunteer attorneys who can help prepare your will, advance medical directive or power of attorney. Attend a free clinic with the Maryland Pro Bono Resource Center on Sat., Aug. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Leadenhall Baptist Church, 1021 Leadenhall St., Baltimore. For more information or to register, visit probonomd.org or call (410) 837-9379.

Sept. 12

FREE GRANDPARENTS CONFERENCE

Connect with other grandparents and caregivers at the city’s 2019 annual Grandparents Conference. Speakers and vendors will gather at this year’s event on Thurs., Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Morgan State University, 1700 East Cold Spring Ln., Baltimore. Free parking, breakfast and lunch. Register at Eventbrite.com. For more information, call (410) 396-1337.

22

SEPTEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Travel Leisure &

A whitewater rafting adventure on California’s American River brings a family together. See story on page 24.

Diverse Panama offers more than a canal New and old Panama City Panama City combines the glitz and glitter of New York and Las Vegas with a colorful overlay of Latin American life.

A frenzied period of development that began in the early 2000s, related to the city’s role as a center of international banking and trade, has transformed the capital city into an architectural showcase. Its skyscrapers create a dreamlike setting of steel and glass in a myriad of shapes and colors.

At the same time, Panama City is home to inviting reminders of its Colonial past.

Panama Viejo (Old Panama) is an archaeological site where the first Spanish city on the Pacific coast of the Americas was founded in 1519.

It was from this location that expeditions embarked to conquer the powerful Incan Empire, and through it that most of the gold and silver found in the New World passed on its trip back to Spain.

Reflecting the poor relations between England and Spain, the Welsh buccaneer Captain Henry Morgan sacked the city in 1671, and today only sprawling ruins hint at its former grandeur. Stroll past the stone remnants of a cathedral, prison, customs house, small Jesuit churches and stately homes built by wealthy citizens.

Following the destruction of Panama Viejo, a new city was constructed nearby.

PHOTO BY DENNIS SYLVESTER HURD

By Victor Block An American traveler, adventurer and author named Richard Halliburton swam the length of the Panama Canal a few years after it opened in 1914. He was charged 36 cents for the trip.

Today, ships that follow in his footsteps — or, rather, his wake — pay $200,000 to $300,000 for the privilege. The average toll for the largest vessels, which use wider locks that began to operate in 2016, is about $500,000.

Yet shipping companies pay the price because they save up to 10 times as much by eliminating the two-week journey around the tip of South America.

In addition to its utility for shipping, the canal is a major reason that tourists visit this South Carolina-sized country in Central America.

The waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans is ranked first on the Society of Civil Engineers’ list of major modern engineering feats, and during my recent trip there I soon understood why.

Massive ships squeeze through the canal with just inches to spare.

But Panama has many more manmade and natural sites to see. From animal life to archaeological treasures, enticing cities to beautiful beaches, Panama’s compact diversity attracts a million visitors each year.

Panama City has a modern skyline, a cobblestone historic district, and a World Heritage Site, where visitors can wander through the ruins of a 1519 city. Of course, not to be missed is a visit to the Panama Canal. Beyond the capital city, tourists will find rainforests, mangroves and beaches.

Casco Viejo encompasses about 800 buildings in a mixture of architectural styles.

In recent years the site of cobblestone streets has turned into a chic neighborhood where boutique hotels and trendy bars contrast with crumbled remnants of the original setting.

Visiting the canal PHOTO BY KENT MACELWEE

A Kuna woman displays handmade molas, traditional cotton artwork used in clothing.

The Kuna, who live in Panama and Colombia, believe that evil spirits can occupy empty spaces, so they weave dense, intricate patterns into their molas.

Then there’s the canal, which continues to intrigue and impress visitors. One of the best places from which to watch ships pass by is on the decks outside the fourstory Visitors Center.

Exhibits in the museum located inside the building depict the planning, construction and operation of the canal. You can even board a tourist boat to traverse part of the world-famous waterway.

Its route generally follows a trail that indigenous people used to cross the narrowest part of the isthmus. An effort by the French to build a canal spanning the 50mile land bridge in the late 19th century was doomed by an unfortunate combination of bad planning, mudslides and illnesses. The task was ultimately completed

by U.S. engineers and workers.

Today, close to 15,000 vessels make the voyage annually, passing through three sets of locks that lift them a total of 85 feet.

Many people are surprised to learn that

the direction of the canal is northwest to southeast, rather than due east to west, because of the layout of the isthmus at that location. Some also don’t realize that the waterway includes lakes along its route.

Beaches and islands Just west of Panama City, sunbathers can find more than a dozen beaches. The black sand of Playa Barqueta is a popular weekend destination among locals. The palm-fringed beach Playa Las Lajos is more than seven miles long, and is known for its good surfing.

A number of the most inviting whitesand beaches rim the 250 San Blas Islands off the Caribbean coastline. The islands also happen to be home to the Kuna Indians, one of seven distinct indigenous groups that comprise about 12 percent of Panama’s population of approximately four million. Their unique culture and customs have changed little over time.

Other smaller cities include Colón, home to Panama’s major sea port; La Palma, surrounded by undisturbed nature; and both Santiago and Portobelo, which are treasure troves of graceful colonial architecture.

See PANAMA, page 23

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

Panama From page 22

Exotic wildlife Given its location as the last link in the land bridge between North and South America, the Panamanian isthmus played an important role in the migration of plant and animal life in both directions.

Its varied ecosystems of tropical rainforests, mountain cloud forests and lowlying mangrove wetlands among nearly 500 rivers have provided a welcome environment for many species.

During a small boat cruise on Gatun Lake in the Gamboa Rainforest Preserve, I saw a crocodile and several iguanas dozing in the sun.

Tamarin and howler monkeys peered at us from the treetops, while more social white-faced capuchins swung down to land on the front of our dinghy to peel and devour bananas that we placed there.

Jaguars, pumas, ocelots and panthers also make Panama their home, although humans are more likely to see their paw prints rather than the elusive animals themselves.

Easier to encounter are sloths, who lead their sedentary lives hanging upside down from the branches of trees where squirrel and spider monkeys also hang out.

Killer and humpback whales, sharks and

bottlenose dolphins swim off both coastlines.

Panama is also one of the best birding sites in the world, with more species than are found in Europe and North America combined. Resident populations include parrots, toucans, quetzals, macaws and the harpy eagle, the nation’s national bird.

An example of a tour Caravan Tours has been offering trips “at an affordable price” since 1952, and it lives up to that claim.

The rate for the eight-day Panama trip we took is $1,634 per person plus airfare ($1,295/dbl). That includes accommodations that range from a modern Marriott Hotel in Panama City to a comfortable rainforest retreat.

The itinerary packed a full variety of experiences into a busy schedule, with one day set aside for R&R at a Pacific Ocean beachfront resort.

It also included two canal cruises, one through dual sets of locks that offers closeup views of the massive steel gates, and the other on Gatun Lake, which forms part of the channel.

Tour participants also spent time at the Museum of Biodiversity (Biomuseo), which turned out to be a surprisingly intriguing diversion during a trip that was chock full of them.

BEACON BITS

Aug. 31

BATHE IN THE FOREST (NOT REALLY)

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

For starters, there’s the ultra-modernistic building that was designed by the worldrenowned architect Frank Gehry. The multicolored structure is intended to depict how the isthmus of Panama rose from the sea, uniting two continents with a land bridge. Its exhibits describe the lasting impact that event has had on the planet’s biodiversity.

Another tour highlight was the opportunity to meet, and briefly mingle with, members of two indigenous groups. We spent part of one day at a Kuna tribal marketplace, where people from that community take turns spending several weeks making and selling their handicrafts before returning to their village in the San Blas Islands.

Most prized are mola embroidered cloth panels, which the women use to decorate their clothing and that also can serve as decorative pieces. The scenes on many of them depict rainforest animals and marine life, with which the Kunas are familiar.

A more immersive introduction to the indigenous cultures involved a visit by boat to a small Embera village, which began with a description, through an interpreter, of the life and traditions of that ethnic group.

It was followed by brief dance and music presentations, the opportunity to purchase handmade baskets, wood carvings and other items, and — best of all — to interact with residents of all ages.

For more information about Caravan Tours, call 1-800-227-2826 or visit caravan.com.

If you go Temperature isn’t a major factor when planning a trip to Panama. Highs hover around 85° F throughout the year, falling as much as 15 degrees only at elevated altitudes.

Rain is more of a consideration. More rain usually falls on the Caribbean side of the country, but most often only as short afternoon downpours.

The dry season, about mid-December to mid-April, offers the best weather, but also the highest prices for those traveling on their own. Those willing to put up with some wet weather during the rest of the year find that their travel budget is likely to stretch further.

Besides Caravan Tours, several other companies offer specialized tours of Panama; very few include airfare. A two-week nature tour is available for $2,580 at Evaneos.com, a website that connects travelers with local experts.

Adventure Life offers many options, including a seven-day tour for $1,546. See adventure-life.com/panama.

For day excursions, consider Real Panama Tours, which offers river trips and other customized outings, including kosher tours.

See therealpanamatours.com for more information.

A nonstop flight from BWI to Panama City takes about five hours. The least expensive nonstop flight to Panama City in September costs about $570 on Copa Airlines.

Learn about the Japanese art of walking in the woods, or forest bathing. The free guided walk will help walkers reconnect with nature. Meet on Sat., Aug. 31 at 5:15 p.m. at the entrance to the four-acre Fairwood Forest, 5921 Fairwood Ave., Baltimore. Bring a mat and bottle of water. To register, visit Eventbrite.com or fairwoodforest.org or call (443) 996-3811.

Sept. 4

23

An Unparalleled Holiday River Cruise Experience Visit Christmas Markets in Vienna, Nuremberg, Budapest and more

OUTDOOR JAZZ Bring a blanket or chair to the season’s last weekly outdoor jazz concert. Now in its 20th year, the series, called Jazzy Summer

Nights, offers a concert on Wednesdays, June through September. Tickets start at $15, not including parking, and food trucks and beverages will be on site.

Raheem DeVaughn is the headliner at the concert on Wed., Sept. 4 at South Point @ Port Covington, 101 West Cromwell St., Baltimore. For more information, email info@thefinngroup.net or call (410) 384-4797.

Vienna Christmas Market

HOLIDAY TRIPLE SAVINGS ON SELECT 2019 SAILINGS Save Up To $2,000 Per Stateroom Plus Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade and $100 Onboard Credit

Ph: 410.777.9129 600 Wyndhurst Ave, STE 100 Baltimore, MD 21210 Terms & Conditions: Most Christmas markets open during the last week of November until approximately Dec. 22.

Check with each country’s tourist office for more information. Onboard credit of $100 per stateroom ($50 per person) is based on double occupancy in USD and can be applied towards all onboard purchases. Promotional rates are valid on select departure for new bookings made by September 30, 2019. Savings are per stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Complimentary upgrades applicable to categories BB – AB (AB – SB for AmaMagna), applies to one category upgrade, based on availability. Offers are not combinable with any other promotions/discounts, limited to availability, capacity controlled and subject to change or termination without notice. Other restrictions apply; ask for complete terms. CST#2065452-40.

24

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Riding the rapids of the Sierra Nevadas

By Don Mankin You’re never too old for adventure, but on a spring trip on the American River in California, I was thankful for my younger traveling companions.

As my fellow rafters and I whooped and thrust our paddles in the air to celebrate a successful run through the roaring rapids, our raft snagged on a rock, sending me flying into the water.

I bounced off the river bottom, popped to the surface and grabbed the rope on the

side of the raft before I was pulled out of the water to safety.

We were quickly approaching the next rapid, though, so I didn’t have time to resume my paddling position in the front of the raft. I just laid down in the bow.

From my perspective, sprawled on the floor of the raft, I felt like I was watching an action documentar y, with water spraying, arms flying and determined faces screwed into looks of concentration and concer n. I wish I would

BEACON BITS

Aug. 17+

LITERARY WALKING TOURS

Poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, novelist John Dos Passos and rapper Tupac Shakur left their marks on Baltimore. Learn about the city’s literary history on a guided walking tour of Mount Vernon at 11 a.m. on Sat., Aug. 17, Sat., Sept. 21 or Sat., Oct. 26. The tours begin at the Enoch Pratt Free Library and end at the Belvedere Hotel. To buy $10 tickets, which are required in advance, visit the Maryland Humanities Council website at mdhumanities.org/programs.

Sept. 28

MEET EDGAR ALLAN POE

Free cemetery tours, conversations with an Edgar Allan Poe impersonator, food and beer — “A Toast Among Ghosts” — will be held on Sat., Sept. 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Reisterstown Branch Library, 21 Cockeys Mill Rd., Reisterstown. Listen to live music and ghost stories around a fire pit. Guided tours of the Reisterstown Community Cemetery are also available. For more information or to buy tickets ($20 in advance, $30 at the door), visit foundationforbcpl.org.

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have had a movie camera or a Go Pro to capture the action.

In just a few seconds — it seemed an eternity — we were past the rapid. I crawled out of the bottom of the raft and onto the side, grabbed my paddle, braced myself and prepared for the next stretch of churning water.

A family trip I had expected something tamer when I signed up for this trip with my cousin Dan, his 40-something son, Matt, and 30-something daughter, Alissa.

Dan and I have been taking these annual family adventures for several years now, and Matt and Alissa decided to join us for this year’s adventure with their dad.

Dan, in his early 70s and a relative newcomer to adventure travel, is tackling a movement-related health issue by testing his limits in paddle rafts on whitewater rivers and kayaks on windy, rolling seas.

In deference to our age and his kids’ relative lack of adventure experience, I recommended what I thought would be an easy but fun two-day whitewater rafting trip on the American River in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in central California.

The tour operator and my host for the trip was OARS, one of the first whitewater rafting companies in North America (oars.com).

Parking + Utilities Included

More rigorous than expected Several aspects of the trip made it especially appealing — easy to get to, easy camping and easy paddling. The reality was pretty close, save for a couple of significant exceptions.

It was indeed easy to get to, with the start and end point less than 150 miles from San Francisco. The camping was also easy. The OARS campsite was just off the highway and featured flush toilets, showers and an outdoor dining area.

Most important, it was also adjacent to a small shopping center where we could buy beer and frozen yogurt.

Dan and I shared a large tent with beds.

Alissa and Matt set up a tent and slept on the ground. Age does have its privileges.

However, the “easy” rafting was anything but. One of the attractions of the trip was that all the rafts were paddle rafts. That is, we paddled, sometimes frenetically, under the direction and verbal commands of our excellent guide (“right, forward two strokes,” “left, back one stroke,” etc.).

The participation was definitely a plus.

All four of us wanted something more challenging and active than just kicking back while the guide used oars to steer us through the rapids.

See RAPIDS, page 25

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

From page 24 What I didn’t realize is that the South Fork of the American River features one Class 3 rapid after another, usually in rapid succession (pun intended).

At times it seemed as if we were in one continuous stretch of whitewater. I have been on trips with bigger rapids, but I have never been on a river with such a density of whitewater, especially where it was up to us to get through the rapids upright and relatively dry.

We usually had just enough time to catch our breath before getting set for the next run. This was the most exciting whitewater rafting I have ever experienced.

Intergenerational bonding My biggest takeaway from the trip, besides the rapidly spreading purple bruise on my backside, was the family connection.

For most of our lives, Dan and I have been pretty close. Neither Dan nor I had brothers, so we grew up like brothers. Our mothers were sisters, our families lived near each other when we were young, and we are close in age. These recent adventure trips have been a way to renew that bond.

While Dan’s kids were growing up, I was like Uncle Tonoose from the old Danny Thomas Show, occasionally passing through with tales of distant, exotic places like upstate Pennsylvania and California. I thought Matt and Alissa were cute but never thought twice about them.

After this trip, I now see them as adults: funny and smart with distinct personalities, opinions and well-developed senses of humor. They may not be quite as cute, but given the choice, I prefer them as adults — especially because they can pull me out of a churning rapid.

For updates on Dan Mankin’s travels, visit adventuretransformations.com.

PHOTO BY HOTSHOT IMAGING

Rapids

The author (left) and his family brave the rapids. Located northeast of Sacramento, California, the South Fork of the American River is a popular spot for whitewater rafting and kayaking. Many professional guide companies offer excursions for beginners of all ages.

BEACON BITS

BEACON BITS

Aug. 24

Sept. 6+

WINTER MEMORIES

What does the winter season mean to you? Artist Lynn Cazabon wants to hear your childhood memories of winter. The workshop will be held on Sat., Aug. 24 at 12 p.m. at School 33 Art Center, 1427 Light St., Baltimore. Participants can talk, write or draw, and audio will be recorded for Cazabon’s upcoming exhibition. Bring family photos to make a collage. To register visit lynncazabon.com or call (443) 622-8380.

FREE BLUEGRASS AND SOUL MUSIC

On the evening of Fri., Sept. 6, stop by the Inner Harbor for free live bluegrass or soul music on the waterfront. The Plate Scrapers will play bluegrass from 5 to 8 p.m. at Harbor Point Central Plaza, 1310 Point St., Baltimore. On Fri., Sept. 13, soul musician Gedeon Luke will play at 5 p.m. on the stage located at 401 Light St., Baltimore. For more information, visit baltimorewaterfront.com.

Start your learning adventure with senior programs at CCBC!

GET MORE FOR YOUR OLD GOLD.

The price of gold is up, so visit Smyth and sell your gold jewelry for the highest possible return.

No mystery, no wondering if the price is right— just expertise and cash on the spot. Now’s the perfect time to sell your gold, so keep things simple and bring it to Smyth Jewelers before the value drops.

No appointment necessary.

25

Create and compute.

Learn about yesterday and today.

Discover more about the human experience.

Register now!

443-840-4900 ccbcmd.edu/seniors

Be well!

All this plus exciting topics in our Lunch and Learn classes.

ccbcmd.edu/ConEd

26

SEPTEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Style Arts &

Guy Fieri’s Baltimore restaurant serves tasty values for diners over 55.

See page 29 for our guide to happy hours and early bird specials.

A classic rock band’s wit and wisdom on bass guitar; Columbia’s Dave Lopes, 49, on acoustic guitar and lead vocals; and Howard County resident Karen Leaf, 53, on lead vocals, who is Appel’s daughter.

Wasted Gravity came to fruition in the early 2000s after the breakup of two previous bands. Lopes’ and Hutchins’ Loose Thoughts and Smith’s and Appel’s Flashpoint combined to create the current musical group, which plays at various locations throughout central Maryland.

PHOTO BY POSITIVE VIBE MEDIA

By Timothy Cox As the drummer for a classic rock band called Wasted Gravity, Ron Appel is considered the bedrock and rhythmic heartbeat for the Baltimore area band.

Composed almost entirely of Boomers, the band’s eldest member is Appel, 76.

Age aside, the fellas and one lone female member continue to rock to the music of their youth — music appreciated by their burgeoning fan base.

Wasted Gravity’s motto is “Music you love, Music you lived.” They play an everchanging setlist that includes songs from artists like Janis Joplin, the Eagles, Stevie Wonder and Bob Seger.

“We play to people who want to hear the music they enjoy being played like it was originally played,” said Joe Puleo, 65, a retired Bel Air computer analyst whose guitar style was influenced by Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles.

“The late ‘60s, that’s when the music changed forever — for the best,” Puleo said.

In addition to Puleo and Appel, Wasted Gravity includes Silver Spring’s Mark Smith, 56, on rhythm guitar, mandolin and harmonica; Severn’s Mike Hutchins, 63,

A serendipitous meeting In a twist of fate, Smith and Hutchins were both traveling home on a Metro train when Smith noticed Hutchins reading a biography of rock legend Neil Young. A brief conversation about the book led to the beginnings of their friendship — and of Wasted Gravity.

Smith, a self-described city kid who was raised in Washington, D.C. and Prince George’s County, Maryland, is proud of his penchant for varying styles of music, from acid jazz to acid rock and all genres in between.

“I was raised on classic country and Big Band at home, found rock and the blues

SEPTEMBER 13 - NOVEMBER 3

Ron Appel, 76, is the drummer for the classic rock band Wasted Gravity, known for rocking audiences throughout central Maryland. The group boasts five musicians over 50, including Appel’s grown daughter, Karen Leaf, the group’s lead female vocalist.

on my own, and got turned on to go-go music at Potomac Senior High School,” he said.

That said, Smith credits his mother for taking him to his first rock concert (Elton John and Kiki Dee) when he was 12. As a kid, he tagged along with older classmates to see acts like ZZ Top, Fleetwood Mac, Kool & the Gang and even a young Bruce Springsteen, who performed at Carter Barron Amphitheater in 1975, when Smith was 13. Smith’s parents quickly realized

his love for music and immediately supported his passion.

Wasted Gravity’s best asset, Smith said, is its family vibe. “We’ve been together long enough that we understand our human failings. Hey, we’re six people balancing six independent lives; families, children, grandchildren, work. There are no prima donnas or egos in the band.

“I’d pick relationships over musicianship any day. It’s the key to success for the See ROCK BAND, page 28

Cars, boats, furniture, antiques, tools, appliances Everything and anything is sold on Featuring the greatest hits of Whitney

Houston

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TobysDinnerTheatre.com Due to the nature of theatrical bookings, all shows and dates are subject to change. • Toby’s Dinner Theatre, Columbia, MD

Radio Flea Market Heard every Sunday, 7-8:00 a.m. on 680 WCBM

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

27

Silver Pen competition calls for writers

By Ivey Noojin “When I look back on my life,” wrote actor and comedian Martin Short in his 2014 memoir I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend, “I see moments where it might have been understandable had I turned to drugs or ice cream.”

We can’t all be Martin Short, but we can reflect on our lives and commemorate our strength over the years.

Writing is a way to preserve our life experiences, which is why the Baltimore County Department of Aging is encouraging this kind of introspection through the Silver Pen Writing Contest.

In 2015, the department wanted to do something special to celebrate its anniversary and created the competition. That first Silver Pen Writing Contest was so successful that the Department of Aging made it an annual event. More than 200 people submitted entries last year.

“It was exciting to see how many people wanted to express themselves in this way,” said Peggy Dryden, the public information specialist at the Baltimore County Department of Aging.

Each year, individuals age 60 and up can submit an essay or a poem that is original, unpublished and written that year. This year’s theme is “Living connected.”

Residents within the county, including English teachers, past winners and publishers, judge the artistic creations and pick three winners for each category, which are then published in Time of Your Life Digest.

Workshops can help The Department of Aging even helps older adults start the process of writing through a series of workshops. This year, it offered eight workshops from May to July in senior centers across the county.

The classes were led by local writers, including a former editor of the Baltimore Sun. As with most workshops, writers share their work with fellow participants, who give feedback and constructive criticism.

For all levels of experience, writing is beneficial. Older adults can spark long-forgotten memories, heal from painful experiences, or find a sense of self-worth just by scribbling their story onto paper.

“Because they have even more life experience,” Dryden said, “there are more stories there.”

Sharing these tales can strengthen relationships with others. Too often there is a gap between generations. Writing, however, can bring memories of the past into the present in a way that grandchildren can relate to.

Good for body and soul The benefits of writing, however, are not just emotional. Writing also helps keep the mind active.

It brings old connections between neurons back to life and even creates new ones, according to a 2013 study published in the journal Neurology. Writing improves brain-

power, making word puzzles and remembering the location of your keys easier.

If writing is good for the body and the soul, why don’t more older adults do it?

“A lot of people say, ‘There’s nothing exciting that has happened to me; there’s nothing I could write about,’” Dryden said.

The submissions to the Silver Pen Writing Contest each year prove that isn’t true.

These participants show that you don’t even need a writing background to win.

Hal Dorin, the essay winner for 2018, was an engineer. After he retired, however, he shifted from writing reports to fiction.

He joined a writers’ group in his community and even published a novel.

Even though English was never his favorite subject, at 89, Dorin loves to fictitiously expand on real events in his life.

His winning essay “Remembrance” revisits a real occurrence, a musical perform-

ance he attended by himself, but adds a woman who sits next to him and holds his hand throughout the program.

“It made me feel good,” Dorin said about writing the story.

Writing also allows Dorin to express himself in a way that his great-great grandchildren will be able to understand. “I enjoy giving my view on things,” he said.

“At my age, I’ve got a lot of opinions.”

Pursue an earlier passion For other people, retirement is the time for them to finally pursue writing. Carolyn Ancuta from the Essex Senior Center always loved poetry, and English was one of her favorite subjects in school.

“I enjoy putting my feelings into words,” Ancuta said. She frequently sends and reads poems to friends and family, who encourage her to keep writing. She never got the

chance, however, to write professionally.

Last year, she decided to enter the Silver Pen contest. Ancuta entered the Silver Pen Writing Contest, submitting three poems.

“I just wanted to see how far I could go with it,” Ancuta said. One of her poems was in the top 12, and she hopes to become a finalist once again this year.

Submissions of essays and poems this year are due Sept. 6 before midnight. They will then be on display at The Power of Age Expo at Timonium Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Lutherville-Timonium, Md., on Oct. 30. All participants are invited to celebrate their accomplishments at a ceremony after the winners are chosen.

To submit a piece, email the essay or poem to digest@baltimorecountymd.gov with “Silver Pen Writing Contest” in the subject line. If you need help submitting it electronically, call (410) 887-3517.

EVERYMAN THEATRE G R E AT S TO R I E S, WELL TO LD.

28

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Rock band From page 26 long haul, including bands like the Rolling Stones,” he added.

Performing for the fun of it Most of the band members are either retired or working stable government-type jobs.

There’s a “special joy,” Hutchins said, “to get to a point when you’re not relying on the money you make in music to feed your family. Thankfully, we’re all beyond that point.”

Hutchins, a D.C. native, started playing acoustic guitar at age 8. He transitioned to bass guitar at 15 and has never wavered from the instrument. Besides a brief move to Southern California for work assignments, Hutchins is a lifelong resident of the DMV area.

Unlike Hutchins, drummer Ron Appel, a Catonsville High School graduate, took a

SEPTEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

decades-long hiatus from music.

“My brother Louis and I played in a drum and bugle corps early on, and I played my father’s saxophone as a kid. But I didn’t return to drums until I was in my early 30s,” Appel said.

“I was busy raising a family and working a 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift with the Department of Defense as a computer analyst,” he added.

Thanks to another musician friend who kept egging him on to return to his musician roots, Appel eventually reconnected with his true passion.

His wife of 57 years, Frances Appel, also inspired his return to music, he said. “We used to go out and check out the live bands in the area. I always paid attention to the drummers and would converse with them during their breaks.

“One day [Frances] said, ‘Maybe you ought to get a drum set and get back into music.’” Frances now serves as her husband’s unofficial roadie, helping him pack

and unpack his drums for every gig.

Appel’s daughter, Karen Leaf, said she enjoys her role as the lead singer in the band, working alongside her dad.

“Working with my father gets a little tough sometimes, only because he can be overly critical at times,” she laughed. “But I realize he only wants the best for me.”

When Leaf isn’t on stage, she works in the guidance counselor department at Howard County Schools, where she’s been for 20 years. The married mother of two adult daughters said, like her father, she was a latecomer to live music, although she often sang in her bedroom as a child.

The band’s other singer is guitarist/vocalist Dave Lopes, who is from Providence, Rhode Island. Lopes, a U.S. Army veteran, took organ lessons as a child and played in bands during college. Lopes writes music and poetry and credits Wasted Gravity as his inspiration.

“I’ve done my best work with this band.

They’ve challenged me. They are my fami-

We Turn Addresses

into homes

MOST COMMUNITIE S ARE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

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

Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673 Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886 Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363 Park View at Towson: 410-828-7185 Park View at Woodlawn: 410-281-1120

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

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

EASTERN SHORE

ly,” he said. “We’re here to have fun and be happy.”

Wasted Gravity is scheduled to play at Coakley’s Pub in Havre De Grace on Sept.

27 and at Inverness Brewing in Monkton on Oct. 26. A full performance calendar can be accessed at wastedgravity.com and on Facebook. For bookings, call (410) 551-1468.

Classifieds cont. from page 31.

Wanted ESTATE LIQUIDATION/ANTIQUES & 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, rare books, Mid Century Modern furniture, vinyl records, gold and silver coins and more. Based in Silver Spring, we serve Montgomery, Howard and Baltimore Counties, Washington D.C., NOVA and beyond. No home, outbuilding or storage unit is too packed for us! Friendly, conscientious staff. Call Chris on cell (202) 731-9447. www.OrionsAttic.com.

SEEKING FULL/SEALED BOTTLES of Vintage Bourbon and Rye (Pre-1990). Examples include, but are not limited to: Old Grand Dad, Pikesville Rye, Wild Turkey, Old Fitzgerald. Also purchase vintage liquor advertising and barware. Call Phil 410-3361153.

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 military, etc. No middleman, no fees, no overhead means more money for your stuff. Give me a call, and let’s do business. 717-6587954.

CASH FOR ESTATES; moving, etc. I buy a wide range of items. Buy out/clean up. TheAtticLLC.com Gary Roman 301-520-0755.

Park View at Easton: 410-770-3070

FROM PAGE 30

HARFORD COUNTY Park View at Bel Air: 410-893-0064 Park View at Box Hill: 410-515-6115

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

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

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

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

L A S S

I N T O

L I E R

O P M R I S D O D N O S N O M B R I C A S L O

A T A R I

C A L Y P S K O I C L K I F E I S G H T

A L S F O I E E F L S U E N U D S I U N A G L O

N E A R M E O W S O D E S

T A R O T

S P I N A C T H N H A I G R N I O S E

E L C A T H U N D E R

T O P S E C R E T S L I M E

I D L E

N O R E A L F

I G L O O

Y O N D O A T

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

29

Enjoy early bird and happy hour deals

By Erin Yu On a sweltering Saturday evening, I step into City Café in Mount Vernon for a cold drink and nice meal. With a spacious, earthtoned interior and tall windows, the eatery has an ambience both laid-back and upscale.

Quiet acoustic music plays in the background as a group of adults in business attire chat at one table. An older couple sits at a table for two near the window, enjoying a bottle of wine.

This café, like many other area restaurants, can be great places to eat out without breaking the bank.

Here are some locations with early bird specials or happy hours where people watching their wallets can sample lower-priced food.

City Café 1001 Cathedral Street, Baltimore citycafebaltimore.com Prices at a high-end spot like this can be expensive. But happy hour, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., offers significant savings at the small but stylish bar.

Happy hour features $8 appetizers, such as nachos and cheese steak spring rolls, $7 mixed drinks, $5 wines and $4 draught beers.

If you find yourself on the cobblestone streets of Fells Point, grab a fresh pizza at Brick Oven Pizza. This counter-serve restaurant bakes classic pizza as well as specialty pizzas, such as the popular Lucky 7 White Cheese and Meat-Lover.

The BOP Lunch Special offers a Caesar or garden salad, small drink and pizza with two toppings for $6.75, so make sure to bop over there during lunch time.

Guy Fieri’s Kitchen and Bar 1525 Russell Street, Baltimore caesars.com What comes to mind when you think of Guy Fieri, famous restaurateur and television personality? Energetic, daring and unique are a few ways to describe him. His colorful Baltimore restaurant, Guy Fieri’s Kitchen and Bar, embodies this persona.

On Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests 55 and up can stop by for their Senior Lunch Special, which offers a choice of appetizer, entrée and beverage for $25. The uniquely seasoned wings are a popular appetizer, while the Bacon Mac and Cheese Burger is a favorite entrée.

The Bowman Restaurant BOP Brick Oven Pizza

9306 Harford Road, Parkville thebowmanrestaurant.com For a fun night out, you can go to dinner

800 S. Broadway, Baltimore boppizza.com

and a show. At the Bowman Restaurant, you can get both at the same time. Enjoy the Bowman’s famous crab cakes or sandwiches while listening to live music or laughing at Sully’s Comedy Cellar downstairs.

During the early bird specials on Mondays through Saturdays from 3 to 6 p.m., entrees, including the hot turkey or roast beef sandwich and grilled pork chop, cost between $10 and $15 and include either a beverage or side dish. Live music doesn’t start until later at night, so stay seated and wait for the fun to begin!

2839 O’Donnell Street, Baltimore dangerouspies.com In the mood for a more casual spot with lighter snacks? Dangerously Delicious Pies serves pie — whole or by the slice — like apple, peach and mixed berry. The take-out plates make it easy to eat either inside the store or outdoors.

Make sure to stop by Mondays to Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for their Date Night Special, which includes two slices of savory pies, two slices of sweet pies, and two drinks for just $22.

Rams Head Dockside

The National Aquarium

1702 Furnace Drive, Glen Burnie ramsheaddockside.com If you can’t make it to the beach, get a splash of the ocean at Rams Head Dockside.

With its live music, blue umbrellas and palm trees right next to the “beach” on Curtis and Furnace Creeks, Rams Head Dockside is a picturesque restaurant where it feels like you are on vacation.

The restaurant serves fresh seafood, burgers and draft beers. Happy hour is from 3 to 7 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, featuring half-price appetizers, $2 off wine, and $3 draft beers.

501 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore aqua.org If you’re not in the mood for food and would rather spend time as a tourist in your own town, check out the National Aquarium in the Inner Harbor.

Dive in (figuratively, of course) and explore marine life! The National Aquarium has unique marine life exhibits, a walkthrough tropical rainforest and shark tanks.

Just make sure to go on a Friday after 5 p.m., as tickets are half price at $17.45 for those 65+ or $19.95 otherwise, a significant savings with the same undersea experience.

Visit our website, thebeaconnewspapers. com, for photos of all these locations.

Dangerously Delicious Pies 810 W. 36th Street, Baltimore, and

we’ll cater to your every need.

THERE ARE SO MANY

memories and traditions associated with good food. When planning a memorial service, consider a menu with personal significance. From simple to extraordinary, we’ll help you plan every detail for a farewell with flavor.

͛DKE ĂŶĚ :K/E h^͊ 'ƌĞĂƚĞƌ ĂůƚŝŵŽƌĞ <ŝĚŶĞLJ tĂůŬ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϲ͕ ϮϬϭϵ tĞŝŶďĞƌŐ z ŝŶ tĂǀĞƌůLJ ŚĞĐŬ ŝŶ͗ ϵ Ăŵ ^ƚĂƌƚ dŝŵĞ͗ ϭϬ Ăŵ ϰϭϬ͘ϰϵϰ͘ϴϱϰϱ

SCHIMUNEK Funeral Home

SCHIMUNEK Funeral Home

Schimunek-Belair.com

Schimunek-Nottingham.com

BEL AIR

410-638-5360

NOTTINGHAM

410-256-3600

Licensed funeral establishments in the State of Maryland.

30

SEPTEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Crossword Puzzle

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

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Stephen Sherr

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Across 1. Florist’s suggestion 6. The Orkin Man’s targets 10. The only element with a 3-letter name 13. Bryant, Good Housekeeping’s most admired woman 1978-1980 14. Participate in a long jump 15. Stink bug’s defense 17. Reach second base quickly 18. Item in Mother Teresa’s closet 19. Not guilty, for example 20. Feeling of bored melancholy 23. Pieces of the International Peace Institute 24. Old wives’ story 25. Fed. agency for human resources 28. “Things are seldom what they ___” 31. XLIII times VII 33. Boring pharmaceutical side-effect 37. Princess Diana’s beau, Fayed 38. Isaac, to Abraham 39. U.S. News’ top-ranked Southregional university for 2019 41. State of bored indecision 46. Colorful part of an apple 47. Charlie Brown sound 48. Cheerios grain 49. Long-lasting quarrel 51. 2018 FIFA World Cup host nation 53. Lack of personal goals 61. Boat with square-rigged masts 62. Cancel an Excel formula update 63. Preparer of vegetable soup 64. Payment option 65. Moves closer to retirement 66. Islamic ruler 67. Undeveloped parcel of land 68. Run out of Monopoly money 69. Takes a breather

Down 1. Lad’s lady

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BB919

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Scrabble answers on p. 28.

8

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2. Born ___ wealth 3. Futon user 4. Creator of Pong in 1972 5. Harry Belafonte: King of ___ 6. “And, another thing...”

7. Non-alcoholic, to a brewmaster 8. Cards of destiny 9. Green veggie 10. Highly classified 11. Unemployed 12. Leon ___ (palindromic Parisian politician) 16. UK military branch, since 1918 21. Land granted from a lord to a vassal 22. Inside portion of a GELCAP 25. Code for the Midwest’s busiest airport 26. Subatomic particle composed of a quark and antiquark 27. Pre-Windows PC operating system 29. “What ___ can go wrong?”

30. Cat calls 32. Alaskan white house 34. Type of combat sport 35. Abbrevs. for the only two states whose names end in double-letters 36. Grand Master of the Jedi Council 40. “___ on my watch!”

42. Cheats at Truth or Dare 43. Out of the ordinary 44. The beginning of “culture” 45. Storm sound 50. Wild Australian dog 52. Snail trail 53. Days of Our Lives network 54. Unwritten, as a contract 55. Japanese soup 56. Lyric poems 57. Carrot, to a snowman 58. Tops off a cupcake 59. Pool depth units 60. Lowers one’s fielding percentage

Answers on page 28.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2019

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.

Business & Employment Opportunities LOOKING FOR A COLLECTIONS SPECIALIST. - Reduce delinquencies through collection effort and other guidelines. - Resolve any customer account issues and deductions including reconciling any differences. - Send final demand letters (if applicable). - Prepare weekly and monthly reports on past due accounts and unresolved customer deductions. - Review and evaluate credit limits and extension of credit. Review customer sales orders on hold and determine if the sales order can be shipped. - Notify sales force of any customer issues. - Process and distribute monthly statements. Focused workers. Salary negotiable based on experience and skill set. Please email your resume to george@mgcarpet.com. Thank you.

Computer Services THE COMPUTER DOCTORS “We Make House Calls!” Voted Best Computer Repair of Baltimore. On-site Computer Service for homes and businesses. We specialize in helping seniors with their technology needs. Internet, email and WiFi troubleshooting. Virus removal. Clean up and tune-up. PC and Apple support. Our friendly, knowledgeable technicians speak in easy to understand language. Serving Baltimore, Howard, Harford, Anne Arundel and Carroll Counties. Stay connected and call us today!

410-840-3434

Events SQUARE DANCE LESSONS - Start on Monday, September 9, 2019 at the Catonsville Senior Citizen Center at 501N Rolling Rd, in Catonsville, MD 21228. Charge per dancer per lesson is $7.00. The class will meet every Monday throughout the 2019-2020 dance year. The caller is Bruce Simpers. Contact Bruce for information at (240) 608-0652 or e-mail Bruce at brucesimpes@aol.com.

For Sale DULANEY VALLEY MEMORIAL GARDENS Cemetery Lot and Vault. Located in Garden Of Apostles. PLEASE MAKE AN OFFER. Call 410-893-0681 Leave a message if no answer.

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington and Richmond editions).

Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this for you.

Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number. • Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher's discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

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

Health

Home/Handyman Services

TV/Cable

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. NOT just a discount plan, REAL coverage for [350 ] procedures. Call 1-844366-1003 for details. www.dental50plus.com/320.

6118-0219

BORN AGAIN REFINISHING c/o Vernon E. Madairy Sr. Because your antique and fine furniture is an investment since 1973.Photographs at www.bornagainrefinishing.com.

Furniture refinishing and repairs. All pieces hand striped. Restorations. Missing pieces.

Pieces hand carved. Veneer repair and replaced.

Upholstery. Hand-woven natural cane. Cane webbing. Natural rush. Fiber rush. Wood splint.

Residential and commercial. 410-323-0467

DISH Network $59.99 For 190 Channels! Add High Speed Internet for ONLY $14.95/month.

Best Technology. Best Value. Smart HD DVR Included. FREE Installation. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-844-560-5837

Legal Services

GET DIRECTV! ONLY $35/month! 155 Channels & 1000s of Shows/Movies On Demand (w/SELECT All Included Package.) PLUS Stream on Up to FIVE Screens Simultaneously at No Addtl Cost. Call 1-888-572-4953 or satellitedealnow.com/TBN

MOBILE FOOT REFLEXOLOGY in the comfort of your home! This alternative therapy may assist with health and relaxation. Certified provider offering convenient weekend availabilities. Contact Shelby at (410) 412-0230 or visit www.solesorcery.com.

PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949.

Home/Handyman Services BLU-HAUL MOVING and HAULING: Get rid of all that clutter! Hauling, junk removal, clean outs, light moving, and more. We offer quality service at a reasonable price. Call Simcha 443846-5943 ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off and 0% financing for those who qualify. PLUS Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-844-359-6933 STAY IN YOUR HOME LONGER with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation!

Call us at 1-877-240-2061 or visit www.walkintubquote.com/beacon EHRLICH PEST CONTROL EXPERTS: providing pest control solutions since 1921. Protect your home from termites, ants, spiders, fleas, roaches and more?365 days a year! Call 1855-338-8198 to schedule your FREE Pest Inspection.

APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY or Appealing a Denied Claim? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc., Social Security Disability Attorneys, 1-866-970-0779! FREE Consultations. Local Attorneys Nationwide [Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar.)]

Personal Services GETTING BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE or changing careers? Clean up that resume and highlight your talents! $75 for a resume, $75 for a cover letter, or $125 for both if you mention this ad. Business and Marketing plans available too! Steve 410-585-5700 FREE DRAWING CLASSES: Volunteers in pilot program propose free at-home drawing classes for seniors over 75 in groups of 1 to 3 participants. Materials provided. Contact our coordinator for details: lex_ever@protonmail.com

Personals CUTE, ATTRACTIVE FEMALE, FIFTIES Fun loving, down to earth woman looking for single white man, fifties/sixties, attractive, robust, non-smoker, large build, reliable, warmhearted, romantic. Have together dates, companionship, devoted relationship. If interested, call 443-466-3717 leave message.

SPECTRUM TRIPLE PLAY! TV, Internet & Voice for $99.97/mo. Fastest Internet. 100 MB per second speed. Free Primetime on Demand.

Unlimited Voice. NO CONTRACTS. Call 1-888366-7573

Wanted COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, knives, swords, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars & countries. Also Lionel Trains, & slots/coin operated machines.

Will pay top prices. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783 SELL ME YOUR CAR, Truck or SUV for CASH today instead of a maybe tax deduction tomorrow. I come to you. NO FUSS NO MUSS. 410-916-0776 I also buy Motorcycles, Scooters & Bikes. If it’s got wheels, I am a CASH BUYER. Call Today. Let’s Roll BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 through 1990. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae, Punk, Blues, and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-5966201.

Classifieds cont. on page 28.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Glynn Taff Assisted Living . . . . .18 Linden Park Apartments . . . . . . .24 Oak Crest/Erickson . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Park View Apartments . . . . . . . . .28 Rhome Communities . . . . . . . . . .28 St. Mary’s Roland View Towers . . .24 Virginia Towers Apartments . . . . .21 Warren Place Senior Apartments . . .21

Smyth Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Sleep Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 TV Voice Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Wilkins Beltway Plaza . . . . . . . . .17 Zinger Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Legal Services

Manor Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Angels of Elder Care Planning . .19 Frank, Frank & Scherr Law Firm . .17

Subscriptions Beacon Subscription . . . . . . . . . .30

Medical Cannabis

Theatres/Entertainment

Peak Custom Remodeling . . . . . . .6

Cannabis Docs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Health For Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Pure Life Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Everyman Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .26

Housing

Moving Services

Blair House at Stoneleigh . . . . . . .5 Brightwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Charlestown/Erickson . . . . . . . . . .9 Christ Church Harbor Apts. . . . . .19

BLUhaul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Clinical Research Studies

Funeral Services

Alcohol Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Balance & Falls Study . . . . . . . . .13 Diabetic Nerve Study . . . . . . . . . .12 Former Smoker Study . . . . . . . . .13 Gestalt Healthy Volunteer Study .15 Gingivitis Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Knee Osteoarthritis Study . . . . . .13 MARC Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Quit Smoking Study . . . . . . . . . . .16

Dignity/Schimunek . . . . . . . . . . .29

Dental Services

Home Health Care

Denture Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Options for Senior America . . . . .19

Education CCBC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Events Beacon 50+Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Kidney Walk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

31

Health Keswick Wise & Well Center . . . . .8 Patriot Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Regenerative Medicine Towson . .11 Rosenblatt Foot Care . . . . . . . . . .15 Skin Cancer EB . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Snyder Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Home Improvement

Shopping Radio Flea Market . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation

Travel Ama Waterways Cruise . . . . . . . .23 Eyre Bus, Tour & Travel . . . . . . .23 Superior Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

32

SEPTEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Introducing

the future of personal transportation.

It’s not a Wheelchair...

It’s not a Power Chair...

It’s a Zinger Chair!

10”

The Zinger folds to a mere 10 inches.

More and more Americans are reaching the age where mobility is an everyday concern. Whether from an injury or from the aches and pains that come from getting older– getting around isn’t as easy as it used to be. You may have tried a power chair or a scooter. The Zinger is NOT a power chair or a scooter! The Zinger is quick and nimble, yet it is not prone to tipping like many scooters. Best of all, it weighs only 47.2 pounds and folds and unfolds with ease. You can take it almost anywhere, providing you with independence and freedom.

Years of work by innovative engineers have resulted in a mobility device that’s truly unique. They created a battery that provides powerful energy at a fraction of the weight of most batteries. The Zinger features two steering levers, one on either side of the seat. The user pushes both levers down to go forward, pulls them both up to brake, and pushes one while pulling the other to turn to either side.

This enables great mobility, the ability to turn on a dime and to pull right up to tables or desks. The controls are

right on the steering lever so it’s simple to operate and its exclusive footrest swings out of the way when you stand up or sit down. With its rugged yet lightweight aluminum frame, the Zinger is sturdy and durable yet convenient and comfortable! What’s more, it easily folds up for storage in a car seat or trunk– you can even gate-check it at the airport like a stroller. Think about it, you can take your Zinger almost anywhere, so you don’t have to let mobility issues rule your life. It folds in seconds without tools and is safe and reliable. It holds up to 275 pounds, and it goes up to 6 mph and operates for up to 8 hours on a single charge.

Why spend another day letting mobility issues hamper your independence and quality of life?

Zinger Chair® Call now and receive a utility basket absolutely FREE with your order.

1-888-610-1671 Please mention code 111078 when ordering.

Just think of the places you can go: • Shopping • Air Travel • Bus Tours Zinger is not intended for medical purposes to provide mobility to persons restricted to a sitting position. It is not a medical device nor a wheelchair. It is not covered by Medicare nor Medicaid. © 2019 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

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• Restaurants– ride right up to the table! • Around town or just around your house