September 2023 | Baltimore Beacon

VOL.20, NO.9

IN FOCUS FOR PEOPLE OVER 50

More than 125,000 readers throughout Greater Baltimore

Enjoy being a student again

By Margaret Foster

As the kids go back to school this fall, you can almost smell those new pencils and feel the excitement of learning something new.

Many older adults in Baltimore return to school this time of year, too. Hundreds of classes in our area are affordable or even free for older adults, and they’re available online or in person.

Lifelong students say these classes introduce them to new ideas and new friends. Ask Elizabeth Fanto, 86, who has been teaching and taking classes at Renaissance Institute at Notre Dame of Maryland University for more than 20 years.

“The first year I was retired, I was bored to tears. My husband and I [started taking classes], and it just opened up a whole world for us,” she said.

“There’s such a wonderful social aspect. You make friends. For anyone who’s living alone, it’s just a boon.”

Take a class, teach a course

The Renaissance Institute welcomes amateur teachers. Fanto teaches mostly writing classes, as many as five in one semester.

“The idea is that people who have a passion for something share it with other people. We teach ourselves,” explained Sharon Harwood, a retired teacher in her 70s who teaches a popular Shakespeare course.

Baltimore photographer Lewis Katz began teaching photography classes after he retired from the travel business.

“I got the bug and really did enjoy it,” said Katz, 65, who has been teaching at Odyssey at Johns Hopkins University and Smithsonian Associates for more than 10 years.

In a stew? No, it’s a class about soup at the Renaissance Institute at Notre Dame of Maryland University, where students studied, wrote about and eventually prepared soups for each other. Many lifelong learning and school programs in our area offer a variety of in-person and virtual classes for the 50+ population.

And the best part? Most lifelong learning classes have no tests, papers or grades — which takes the pressure off of teachers as well as students so they can get to know each other.

“I enjoy teaching; I don’t necessarily enjoy grading tests and papers,” said Nicholas Fessenden, who teaches history

See BACK TO SCHOOL, page 12

SEPTEMBER 2023

LEISURE & TRAVEL

Luxury resort-hopping near Cancún, Mexico; plus, several ways to save on a cruise page 16

ARTS & STYLE

Maryland’s master folk artists pass down skills, such as storytelling, to apprentices; plus, what’s in a podcast? page 19

FITNESS & HEALTH 4

k Don’t fall for these myths

k Weight loss surgery helps joints

LAW & MONEY 14

k Prevent fraud: Don’t mail checks

k Pros and cons of meal kits ADVERTISER

No simple answers

I believe there’s a basic human drive to answer questions, solve problems, and develop new technologies to make life better.

Sometimes the solutions are what scientists call “elegant.” That’s when a problem lends itself to a simple, straightforward solution.

Unfortunately, life tends to be complicated, and sometimes we fail to predict the full impact of our solutions. Other times, we may find that people come up with workarounds — or sometimes, even improvements — that exacerbate the original problem.

tribute to smog and acid rain and can cause respiratory problems.

Of even more concern is “particulate matter” — especially the very tiny particles that can be breathed deep into our lungs and even enter our bloodstreams, as well as wash into the soil and pollute the water supply.

gases, for example, are converted into safer forms.

Unfortunately, researchers and engineers have more recently become aware of another, possibly even worse, source of dangerous pollutants from our cars: tires and brakes.

It turns out that the wearing down of tires and brake pads over time produces — you guessed it — fine particulate matter!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

I learned recently about an example of this that made me want to laugh and cry at the same time.

It starts with the fact that our automobiles (until the recent introduction of all-electric vehicles, or EVs) use internal combustion engines that burn gasoline and produce exhaust containing a variety of pollutants.

Among the byproducts of combustion are dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nitrogen oxides that con-

The

Ingenious engineers, however, have developed the “catalytic converters” now required in all cars, that help convert the harmful gases into harmless (well, less harmful) ones using precious metals to facilitate chemical reactions that break down the pollutants.

Diesel trucks, as well as many European cars and some luxury U.S. models, also utilize particulate filters that can remove a substantial amount of the particulate matter from exhaust.

Due to the gradually stricter regulation of auto pollution from the federal government (and certain states), and thanks to these technologies, we have made great progress in reducing the harms of internal combustion engines. Up to 90% of harmful

IN FOCUS FOR PEOPLE OVER 50

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. and Greater Washington, D.C. 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

Executive Vice President – Gordon Hasenei

Managing Editor – Margaret Foster

Art Director – Kyle Gregory

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Editorial Intern – Amita Chatterjee

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When you think about it, this should have been rather obvious. After all, every time we replace tires because the tread has worn down, we know on some level that all that rubber has not only met the road, but probably rubbed off on the asphalt as well.

What seems to have surprised researchers is how much of that rubber (often a synthetic kind that includes carcinogens) turns into ultrafine particles — the most dangerous kind to human health — and how difficult it is to prevent these from entering the air, soil, water and our lungs.

Add to that the copper, zinc, iron and other materials used in brakes that enter the air as brake dust. These metallic particles are potentially more toxic than tailpipe emissions, but are more difficult to reduce or remove.

So, what about those EVs that we all hope will improve our ozone layer and reduce human-influenced climate change? They produce no tailpipe emissions at all, so they do achieve an incremental benefit over gaspowered cars with catalytic converters.

But they accomplish this by utilizing clean batteries for power. And guess what? Those batteries are extremely heavy. And the more drivers demand high mileage from their EVs and turn to larger vehicles like electric trucks, the larger those batteries need to be.

In fact, such EVs are at least 50% heavier than gas-powered cars. And the heavier the car — you guessed it — the more wear and tear on the tires and brakes, and the more particulate matter they produce!

Yes, it seems our electric solution to tailpipe emissions (which had already been much-reduced) is likely to exacerbate the potentially larger and more dangerous pollution problem that all cars retain in the form of worn-down tires and brakes.

I’m sure this is not the end of the story. Creative engineers are already hard at work experimenting with tires made from natural and sustainable crops (a type of dandelion is showing promise).

And who knows? Maybe cars will one day be required to carry a vacuum that sucks up the particles from the road as we drive.

We humans are pretty inventive. We may cause all kinds of ills on this planet of ours, but some of us always have that inner drive to make things better. Eventually. We hope.

Letters to the editor

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

Dear Editor:

While there’s no one answer to the question of what old age looks like, for a lot of us, our grandchildren are the center of our elder years. Lucky me, 74 and healthy, I get to watch my one-year-old granddaughter Lydia for three hours a day.

She gives me a daily focus that organizes my time and keeps me active and connected with family, which I am loving.

In addition to helping with Lydia’s care, I have discovered a passion for painting. It is a total thrill to me to begin and end most days with painting/creating.

So, what does old age look like? Maybe it all comes down to love: finding a way to give love to others, while at the same time finding something we love to do.

Carolyn Ellis

Via website

I’m left with what seems to be the unaddressed question, isn’t there room in this world for BOTH human creativity AND AI technology? Does it have to be an either/or ethical problem, rather than “How are we going to have both”?

Marian Fielder Silver Spring, MD

Dear Editor:

Thanks so much for putting AI information into language that a “tech dummy” like me can understand (From the Publisher, August 2023). Your second paragraph in “What is AI?” was the best summary I have seen, and I’ve really tried to inform myself on this pervasively written about topic.

Dear Editor:

Thank you for sharing this timely and invaluable information on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Since the time of the green revolution, we always perceive economic or social paradigm shifts as subversive and wreaking havoc on the status quo. This time, it is necessary to expedite our time of recovery from the initial shock to face the inevitable.

It is, however, comforting to know AI can deduct, select, compile and organize from a repository of preexisting entries and data. Like all prior novelties, AI will birth new opportunities, skills and careers (Quality Management/Program Designing/Policy Making). It may free us to call things into existence, be creative, and fulfill our ultimate earthy life purpose.

Anne Marie Jean-Baptiste Silver Spring, MD

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Health Fitness & Health Fitness &

BENEFITS OF SURGERY

Most people who have bariatric surgery report less joint pain

MEDICARE BENEFITS

Most preventative screenings are covered as long as a doctor accepts Medicare

THE NOSE KNOWS

Poor sense of smell is linked to depression in older adults, according to Hopkins study

RINGING IN THE EARS

Tinnitus can be caused by a variety of medications or medical conditions

Busting widely repeated nutrition myths

By Matthew Kadey Nutrition

is a hotly contested topic. Scrolling through social media, reading your favorite food blogs, and listening to podcasts exposes you to endless information about nutrition and health — much of which is a little suspect, to say the least.

Myths that were previously passed through word-of-mouth now spread like wildfire through these channels, making it difficult to tell what’s truly evidence-based.

You’ve likely heard these three myths repeated at one time or another. Let’s set the record straight.

Myth No. 1: Fresh is best. From strawberries to broccoli, fresh produce has a natural appeal to many people. “Fresh” just sounds healthier than “frozen,” doesn’t it?

But just because something is sold as fresh doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more nutritious. While there can be some differences between fresh and frozen veggies and fruits for select nutrients, overall, the nutritional content is similar.

Since frozen produce is flash frozen in its ripened state, it may have higher levels of some nutrients and antioxidants than fresh options that have been in storage for several days. Plus, there can be considerable cost savings with out-of-season frozen items like berries and cauliflower.

The fact: Strive to eat more of all fruits and veggies — fresh, frozen or canned.

Myth No. 2: Fasting is the best for weight loss. Intermittent fasting, time-restricted eating, whatever you call it, this

Justice For Clergy Abuse Survivors

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

The law was passed after the Maryland Attorney General

eating pattern is promoted as a better way to drop pounds than simply cutting back on calories. But the differences are more minor than you would think.

Studies have shown that intermittent calorie restriction — where you only eat your calories during a narrow time frame each day — doesn’t necessarily lead to better weight loss success than a diet where you eat more regularly during the day but make sure that calorie intake is controlled. Overall, calories are calories no matter when you eat them.

The fact: There is more than one way to eat for weight loss, and skipping meals isn’t necessary if it’s not something that pleases you. For you, perhaps breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day.

issued a report concluding that the Catholic Church had assisted more than 160 priests and clergy commit and cover up decades of horrific abuse to hundreds of children.

Those victims can now seek financial damages without worrying about it being too late.

Be Heard, Be Believed and Get Justice

At D’Amore Personal Injury Law, we have assembled a team of experts to help survivors of clergy abuse pursue significant financial compensation.

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

Myth No. 3: Eating more often boosts metabolism. There is little scientific evidence that eating smaller, frequent meals boosts metabolism in a meaningful way.

Yes, there is a temporary uptick in your metabolic rate when digesting and processing food (due to the thermic effect of food), but the 24-hour difference that occurs from eating several times a day versus less often is negligible.

The fact: Meal frequency has little to do with overall metabolism. Instead, pay attention to your hunger cues and eat when you feel hungry.

Reprinted with permission from EnvironmentalNutrition.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Weight loss surgery relieves joint pain

By Chika Anekwe, M.D., MPH

Weight loss surgery has many proven benefits, including reducing blood pressure, improving blood sugar and reducing cardiovascular risk.

Now, data from a large multicenter study of bariatric surgery in the U.S. suggest long-lasting improvement of pain and physical function can be added to this list.

The study followed nearly 1,500 people for up to seven years after they had either Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gas-

trectomy, the two most common bariatric surgery procedures.

Most of the participants were female (80%) and white (82%), with Hispanic (4%) and Black participants (11%) less well represented. Their ages ranged from 38 to 55, and all had been diagnosed with severe obesity (a body mass index of 35 or greater).

Before their surgery, participants completed questionnaires reporting their physical abilities, pain, health and quality

of life. Many also were tested for measures of physical function and mobility, such as being able to walk 400 meters in seven minutes or less. Some reported severe or disabling knee or hip pain, a symptom of osteoarthritis. Assessments were repeated annually for up to seven years.

Pain decreased; mobility increased

When the study concluded, 41% to 64% of participants reported improvements in body pain and physical function, as well as objectively measured walking ability.

Additionally, 65% to 72% of those with osteoarthritis symptoms felt less knee and hip pain. And 41% of those unable to walk 400 meters in less than seven minutes before surgery were now able to do so.

Not all measures were better; for example, medication use for back pain before weight loss surgery and at the end of the study remained the same. It’s also worth noting that not everyone experienced improvements in pain and physical function.

And the lack of a control group that did not have weight loss surgery makes it hard to know whether positive changes were due to surgery, and whether one type of surgery was better than the other.

Why are the results impressive?

We know that the improvements in health and physical function after bariatric surgery are greatest in the first one to two years after surgery.

Between three and seven years after surgery, the positive effects on weight, cardiovascular and diabetes health metrics and health-related quality of life generally decline, even though the net effect remains positive overall.

Most studies of joint pain, physical func-

tion and work productivity after weight loss surgery are limited to no more than two years of follow-up. As a result, until now, it has been unclear how long people are able to sustain the improvements they make after surgery.

This study shows evidence of long-term positive changes in important clinical outcomes that matter in daily life: how much body or joint pain people experience, what tasks they can perform for themselves, how mobile they are, and how they feel about their quality of life.

Obesity puts pressure on joints

Obesity contributes to damage of the soft tissues in the joints, which can lead to osteoarthritis — a progressive disease caused by wear and tear on the joints. The hips and knees are most commonly affected.

Each pound of body weight puts four to six pounds of pressure on each knee joint, and people with obesity are 20 times more likely to need a knee replacement than those who are not overweight.

The bottom line: Obesity has harmful effects on the joints. Bariatric surgery, an effective treatment for significantly reducing body weight, can improve pain and physical abilities and reduce hip and knee osteoarthritis symptoms.

In addition, for those considering total knee replacement surgery, weight loss from bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of complications (such as infection, blood clots, stroke or heart attack). Better still, it lowers the chance of needing total knee replacement at all.

Together, these results show that bariatric surgery can have long-lasting effects beyond those we normally think of in improving

Preventive screenings Medicare covers

Dear Savvy Senior, How does Medicare cover preventive health screenings? I’m due to get a physical and a colonoscopy this year, but I want to find out what I’ll have to pay for before I go in.

—Just Turned 65

Dear Just Turned,

You’ll be happy to know that Medicare covers a wide array of preventive and screening services to help you stay healthy. But not all services are completely covered.

Here’s what you should know:

Free preventive benefits

By Jim Miller

Most of Medicare’s preventive services are available to all beneficiaries (through Part B) completely free with no copays or deductibles, as long as you meet basic eligibility standards.

Mammograms; colonoscopies; shots against flu, pneumonia, COVID-19 and hepatitis B; screenings for diabetes, depression, osteoporosis, HIV, various cancers and cardiovascular disease; and counseling to combat obesity, alcohol abuse and smoking are just some of Medicare’s lengthy list of covered services.

But to get these services for free, you need to go to a doctor who accepts

Weight loss

From page 6

blood pressure, blood sugar and general health. It can reduce pain and improve physical function and quality of life.

Medicare “on assignment” — which means he or she has agreed to accept the Medicare approved rate as full payment.

Also, the tests are free only if they’re used at specified intervals. For example, cardiovascular screening blood tests once every five years; colonoscopy, once every 10 years, or every two years if you’re at high risk.

Medicare also offers a free “Welcome to Medicare” exam with your doctor in your first year, along with annual “wellness” visits thereafter.

But don’t confuse these with full physical examinations. These are prevention-focused visits that provide only an overview of your health and medical risk factors, and serve as a baseline for future care.

Cost sharing services

There are, however, a few Medicare preventive services that do require some out-of-pocket cost sharing. With these tests, you’ll have to pay 20 percent of the cost of the service after you’ve met your $226 Part B yearly deductible.

The services that fall under this category include glaucoma tests, diabetes self-management trainings, barium enemas to detect colon cancer, and digital rectal exams to detect prostate cancer.

Chika Anekwe, M.D., MPH, is a contributor to Harvard Health Publishing as well as a member of the Editorial Advisory Board.

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

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For a complete list of services along with their eligibility requirements, visit Medicare.gov/coverage/preventivescreening-services.

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, your plan is also required to cover the same preventive services as original Medicare, as long as you see in-network providers.

Hidden costs

You also need to know that while most of the previously listed Medicare services are free, you can be charged for certain diagnostic services or additional tests or procedures related to the preventive service.

For example, if your doctor finds and removes a polyp during your preventive care colonoscopy screening, you will pay 15 percent of the doctor’s service fee.

Or, if during your annual wellness visit, your doctor needs to investigate or treat a new or existing problem, you will probably be charged for that too.

To eliminate billing surprises, talk to your doctor before any preventive service procedure to find out if you may be subject to a charge and what it would be.

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

MAIL OR EMAIL FOR FREE INFORMATION

For free materials on housing communities and health studies, just complete this coupon and mail it — or take a picture and email it — to the Beacon.

Housing Communities

❏ Brightview Senior Living (see ad on page 6)

❏ Caritas House Assisted Living (see ad on page 17)

❏ Catholic Charities (see ads on pages 17, 21)

❏ Charlestown/Erickson (see ad on page 13)

❏ Christ Church Harbor Apts (see ad on page 6)

❏ Everall Gardens (see ad on page 21)

❏ Harmony at Enterprise (see ad on page 1, 11)

❏ Kessler Park (see ad on page 21)

❏ Oak Crest/Erickson (see ad on page 13)

❏ Park View Laurel (see ad on page 20)

❏ Park View Towson (see ad on page 20)

❏ Park View Fullerton (see ad on page 20)

❏ Park View Rosedale (see ad on page 20)

❏ Pickersgill (see ad on page 15)

❏ St. Mary’s Roland View Towers (see ad on page 21)

❏ Warren Place Senior Apartments (see ad on page 18)

❏ Westminster Canterbury (see ad on page 8)

Clinical Research Studies

❏ Balance/Falls Study (HIPS) (see ad on page 8)

❏ Diabetes Diet Study (DASH 4D) (see ad on page 9)

❏ Diabetes Prevention/Self-Management Study (see ad on page 9)

❏ Mild Cognitive Impairment Study (see ad on page 8)

❏ Prediabetes Class (see article on page 9)

SAVVY SENIOR

Poor sense of smell linked to depression

By The Gerontological Society of America

In a study that followed more than 2,000 community-dwelling older adults over eight years, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have significant new evidence of a link between decreased sense of smell and the risk of developing late-life depression.

Their findings, published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, do not demonstrate that loss of smell causes depression, but suggest that it may serve as a potent in-

dicator of overall health and well-being.

“We’ve seen repeatedly that a poor sense of smell can be an early warning sign of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, as well as a mortality risk.

“This study underscores its association with depressive symptoms,” said Vidya Kamath, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

“Additionally, this study explores factors

that might influence the relationship between olfaction and depression, including poor cognition and inflammation.”

How the study worked

The study used data gathered from 2,125 participants in a federal government study known as the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. This cohort was composed of a group of healthy older adults ages 70 to 73 at the start of the eight-year study period in 1997 and 98.

Participants showed no difficulties in walking 0.25 miles, climbing 10 steps or performing normal activities at the start of the study, and were assessed in person annually and by phone every six months. Tests included those for the ability to detect certain odors, depression and mobility assessments.

In 1999, when smell was first measured, 48% of participants displayed a normal sense of smell, 28% showed a decreased sense of smell, known as hyposmia, and 24% had a profound loss of the sense, known as anosmia. Participants with a better sense of smell tended to be younger than those reporting significant loss or hyposmia.

Over follow-up, 25% of participants developed significant depressive symptoms. When analyzed further, researchers found that individuals with decreased or significant loss of smell had an increased risk of

developing significant depressive symptoms at longitudinal follow-up than those in the normal olfaction group.

Researchers also identified three depressive symptom “trajectories” in the study group: stable low, stable moderate and stable high depressive symptoms. A poorer sense of smell was associated with an increased chance of a participant falling into the moderate or high depressive symptoms groups, meaning that the worse a person’s sense of smell, the higher their depressive symptoms.

These findings persisted after adjusting for age, income, lifestyle, health factors and use of antidepressant medication.

“Losing your sense of smell influences many aspects of our health and behavior, such as eating enjoyment and sensing spoiled food or noxious gas.

“Now we can see that it may also be an important vulnerability indicator of something in your health gone awry,” Kamath said. “Smell is an important way to engage with the world around us, and this study shows it may be a warning sign for late-life depression.”

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Health Studies

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Have prediabetes? Try this helpful class

By Margaret Foster

One in three Americans has prediabetes and doesn’t know it. If untreated, the condition can lead to type 2 diabetes, which can wreak havoc on the body.

The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be prevented if you make a few lifestyle changes, which is easier said than done.

That’s where Johns Hopkins comes in. Its Diabetes Prevention Program, led by people trained by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), is a “yearlong lifestyle change program,” explained Megan Brown, program director.

“We’ve had really good results,” Brown said. “The thing that’s most appealing are the [content and skills] we cover,” which include nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress and eating habits.

How it works

People 18 to 80 who have prediabetes

BEACON

Sept. 9

are eligible for the program. If they call or email Hopkins, one of Brown’s team members will contact them to complete a short screening questionnaire.

Once enrolled, participants will join a weekly one-hour class with around 15 to 18 other people. They’ll meet either at a community center or church in Baltimore City or remotely via computer. For the second six months of the program, they take a class every other week.

The classes are taught by a CDC-trained Lifestyle Coach, who work with participants to make small changes in one’s diet or activity levels.

“It’s really a problem-solving program on how to incorporate healthy everyday behavior into their lifestyles,” Brown said.

Medicare and Medicaid cover the cost of the national program.

The end goal of the program is to lose 5% to 7% of your body weight and increase

EAST BALTIMORE WALKING TOUR

In the mid-20th century, Fells Point and Washington Hill hosted a vibrant Indigenous community. Join Ashley Minner, a community-based artist, scholar and member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, for a free walking tour based on her project Mapping East Baltimore’s Reservation. The tour begins at 10 a.m. at the South Broadway Baptist Church, 211 South Broadway, Baltimore. Advance registration is required. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/EastBaltimoreWalkingTour.

At risk for developing diabetes? Living with diabetes? We can help.

Our evidence-based programs are proven to improve your health.

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“Preventing type 2 diabetes also prevents increased risk of blindness, amputation, kidney disease” and other diseases,

Brown pointed out.

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To enroll or learn more, visit Healthier2gether.org.

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Sense of smell

From page 8

chemical senses. It works through specialized sensory cells called olfactory neurons, which are found in the nose.

These neurons have one odor receptor that picks up molecules released by substances around us, which are then relayed to the brain for interpretation. The higher the concentration of these smell molecules, the stronger the smell, and different combinations of molecules result in different sensations.

Smell is processed in the brain’s olfactory bulb, which is believed to interact closely with the amygdala, hippocampus and other brain structures that regulate and enable memory, decision-making and emotional responses.

The Hopkins researchers say their study

Classifieds cont. from p. 23

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suggests that olfaction and depression may be linked through both biological (e.g., altered serotonin levels, brain volume changes) and behavioral (e.g., reduced social function and appetite) mechanisms.

The researchers plan to replicate their findings from this study in more groups of older adults, and examine changes to individuals’ olfactory bulbs to determine if this system is, in fact, altered in those diagnosed with depression.

They also plan to examine if smell can be used in intervention strategies to mitigate the risk of late-life depression.

This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute of Nursing Research, and the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health: National Institute on Aging.

The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences is a peer-reviewed publication of The Gerontological Society of America (GSA), the nation’s oldest and largest in-

terdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging.

The principal mission of the society — and its 5,500+ members — is to advance

BEACON BITS

the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public. GSA’s structure also includes a policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society.

Sept. 8 Sept. 23

ARTS EXHIBIT AND CONTEST

Are you an artist or writer? Submit a creative piece for the 2023 Creative Arts Contest, presented by the Baltimore County Department of Aging. The theme for both written and visual art is “Living Longer, Living Well.” Email submissions to powerofageexpo@baltimorecountymd.gov by Fri., Sept. 8. They must be original, created in 2023, and unpublished. For more information, contact your local senior center or visit powerofageexpo.com.

PLANT & SEEDLING EXCHANGE

It’s time to prepare your garden for the changing seasons. Join The Hillen Road Improvement Association to learn how to enhance your garden in Autumn while preparing it for Spring. The free session lasts from noon to 2 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 23 at the Northwood Library, 4420 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore. For more information, call (410) 396-6076 or visit bit.ly/FallExchange.

Back to school

From page 1

classes at CCBC and the Osher Institute at Towson University. “This is just for fun, so it’s very relaxed.”

For some retirees who teach continuing education classes, it’s the connection with the students that makes teaching so worthwhile.

Don and Jenny Killgallon, retired teachers who live in Cockeysville, have taught classes at Johns Hopkins’ Odyssey program for more than a decade. The two octogenarians have co-authored 22 books and teach three classes a year.

“We have fun every time we teach a lesson,” Don Killgallon said. “We thoroughly enjoy the experience, and I think our students do as well. We learn a little bit about their lives and…they write some really wonderful things. It keeps us busy, and it’s fun.”

Here are some continuing education programs for older adults in the Baltimore area:

Osher Lifelong Learning

Both Johns Hopkins and Towson University offer non-degree classes to people over age 50 through the nationwide Osher Lifelong Learning Institute program. Osher also offers weekly classes at Edenwald Senior Living in Towson as well as other Maryland retirement communities.

Osher at Towson University: Osher at Towson’s courses are taught by seasoned professors, many of whom taught at local schools.

This fall, Osher at Towson offers a mix of in-person and online classes about film, science, philosophy, comedic plays and every period of American history. In-person classes meet at Loyola Graduate Center, 2034 Greenspring Drive, Timonium.

Flip through Osher at Towson’s full fall course catalog at bit.ly/OsherTowson. Find out more by email at osher@towson.edu or call (410) 704-3688.

Osher at Johns Hopkins: Hopkins has been offering classes to retirees since 1986 with the Evergreen Society, now known as Osher at JHU.

Classes, taught by Hopkins graduates and other luminaries, are available both online and in person. The in-person classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Grace United Methodist Church, 5407 North Charles St., Baltimore.

For more information or to request a course brochure, visit osher.jhu.edu, email osher@jhu.edu or call (301) 294-7058.

Odyssey at JHU

Odyssey at Johns Hopkins University, run by the alumni association, offers noncredit classes via Zoom. Retired professors from Baltimore universities and colleges all over the country teach a wide range of courses about history, photography, litera-

ture and writing — even how to write “your awesome obituary.”

Hopkins alumni get 80% off tuition. Learn more at odyssey.jhu.edu or email odyssey@jhu.edu or call (410) 516-1205.

CCBC

The Senior Adventures in Learning program at Community College of Baltimore County offers classes online as well as at its campuses, retirement communities, community centers and Baltimore County Senior Centers.

One-day programs include walking tours such as “Gargoyles Galore,” as well as “Lunch & Learn” programs that include class and lunch at Blue Stone, Pappas, Carrabba’s, Glyndon Grill or Michael’s Café in Hunt Valley.

Most CCBC courses are taught by retired teachers and professors with years of experience. However, there are no grades or tests. Tuition is free for people over age 60 (but class fees may apply).

For more information or a course catalog, visit bit.ly/CCBCseniors or call (443) 840-4900

Renaissance Institute

Since 1989, the Renaissance Institute has offered classes to people 50 and older at Notre Dame of Maryland University’s campus, located just north of Hopkins.

Additional classes are also held on Zoom, so students from all over the coun-

Have confidence in every conversation.

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try can study literature, art, fitness, language, writing, folk dance and more.

Institute students get access to the campus library and fitness center, and can download Microsoft Office 365 at no extra charge. Its teachers are both retired professional educators as well as amateur teachers.

View the fall catalog at bit.ly/Renaissancefall. For more information, contact renaissance@ndm.edu or call (410) 532-3162.

Kaleidoscope

The 50-year-old Kaleidoscope Lifelong Learning program at Roland Park Country School offers creative writing and meditation classes as well as fitness classes in pickleball and tennis. All classes take place on campus at 5204 Roland Ave, Baltimore. For details and a course schedule, email info@rpcs.org, visit rpcs.org/community/compass/kaleidoscope or call (410) 323-5500.

MICA

Maryland Institute College of Art’s Open Studies program has offered classes for non-degree-seeking “curious creatives” for more than 20 years. Virtual and on-campus classes cover painting, sculpture, natural dyes, ceramics, sketching and more.

Classes are held on Zoom or in person at 1300 W. Mt. Royal Ave., Baltimore. For more information, visit Openstudies.mica.edu or contact the Office of Open Studies at openstudies@mica.edu or (410) 225-2219.

Heard about tinnitus? It has a ring to it

Tinnitus is a condition characterized by hearing some kind of noise or ringing in the ears, often described as buzzing, roaring, clicking, hissing or humming, when no external sound is present.

Tinnitus is not a disease itself but rather a symptom of an underlying health issue, which could involve the ear, the auditory nerve, or other areas of the brain. Coping with it is very difficult sometimes!

According to the American Tinnitus Association, the condition affects approximately 15 to 20% of the population in the United States, which equates to around 50 million people! Among these, 2 million have extreme and debilitating cases.

various causes, including high blood pressure, changes in the blood vessels near the ear, or increased blood flow near the ears. See a doctor if you have this; it can indicate a dangerous condition.

2. Meniere’s Disease: This is an inner ear disorder characterized by ringing in the ear, a spinning sensation (vertigo), and some degree of hearing loss.

with the bones in the middle ear can cause tinnitus.

8. Anemia: A low red blood cell count can sometimes cause a person to hear the blood flowing through their ears. Now let’s talk about the medications that are commonly associated with tinnitus. It’s incorrect to assume that you have to take these medications chronically to trigger an episode. It could happen faster than that.

Some of the most common drugs include:

example, ginkgo biloba may increase blood flow to the head and neck. It may also backfire, so use under the guidance of a doctor.

Melatonin, B vitamins and zinc are also potentially useful. Magnesium is probably the most exciting natural option.

DEAR PHARMACIST

By Suzy Cohen

3. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: This occurs when the eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the nose, don’t open or close properly. This can cause a variety of symptoms including noises in the ear.

1. Aspirin or salicylates, especially in high doses

2. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen

3. Antibiotics: certain ones have been linked to tinnitus

4. Antimalarials: such as chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine

I have more information about the condition, its causes, and various treatments (both prescription drugs and natural treatments) in a longer version of this article at my website, suzycohen.com.

If you have symptoms of tinnitus, see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor or an audiologist. More information is also available at www.ata.org.

Risk factors for the condition include age (believed to be due to cumulative effects of noise exposure over time), chronic exposure to loud noise or sudden exposure to very loud noise, certain medical conditions, certain medications, and ear and sinus infections (which sometimes cause temporary tinnitus).

Let’s go through eight common causes for tinnitus.

1. Pulsatile Tinnitus: This type of tinnitus matches the heartbeat. It can be due to

4.Medications: Certain medications, especially in high doses, can cause tinnitus as a side effect. (See more below.)

5. Earwax Buildup: Sometimes, a simple buildup of earwax can cause tinnitus.

6. Blood Vessel Disorders: Conditions such as atherosclerosis or an arteriovenous malformation can sometimes cause tinnitus. Also, over-thinning the blood, usually through the use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, can alter the flow of blood through the vessels and be a cause.

7. Middle Ear Conditions: Problems

5. Antidepressants: tinnitus can be a side effect of certain ones

If you suspect that a medication is causing tinnitus, speak to your doctor.

Some natural remedies could help. For

This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe

Money Law &

To fix Social Security yet protect benefits

In the May 15 issue of Barron’s, Burton Malkiel, an expert in investments, wrote an article that should be mandatory reading for all members of Congress.

Many readers of my column who are dependent on Social Security are concerned — and rightly so — that some Social Security benefits may be reduced in the future.

There is no question that the trust funds for Social Security have reserves to pay all scheduled benefits only until 2033. If Congress fails to take action in the next few years, Social Security benefits may be reduced for all Social Security beneficiaries.

listed in his Barron’s article.

Fix Congress first

I find it interesting that one thing members of Congress who are proposing reductions in Social Security benefits are not discussing is changing the favorable regulations that control their own retirement benefits.

Currently, only the first $162,250 an individual earns is subject to the payroll tax. The regulation can be changed so that all wages are subject to this tax. According to Malkiel, 63% of the long-run funding gap could be closed by this change.

THE SAVINGS GAME

By Elliot Raphaelson

For example, under current regulations, members of Congress are entitled to full pension at age 62 after only five years of federal service. The rest of U.S. workers have to work at least 10 years under Social Security in order to be eligible for retirement benefits.

This change will not have a significant impact on the lifestyle of family units with incomes over $162,250. An across-the-board reduction in Social Security benefits, however, will have a dramatic effect on lower-income families that depend on Social Security.

Malkiel also recommended that the retirement age could be increased by one month a year until, in 24 years, it will have been increased by two years to “reflect in small part” the long-run increases in longevity.

Bottom line: There are many solutions that a responsible Congress should be considering. In my opinion, there is no reason why some of the proposed solutions referred to in this article should not be addressed now, rather than waiting until 2031. [See also page 2 of the April Beacon.]

Most families in the U.S. that receive Social Security benefits depend on them to maintain basic living expenses. Retirees who have contributed to Social Security all their lives should not be penalized because there will be fewer workers working under Social Security and because of longer life expectancy.

There are many reasons for the likely deficiency in the trust funds. However, the main reason is that there will be fewer workers working under Social Security in the future than there will be retirees dependent on Social Security benefits. Another significant factor is the increased longevity of American workers.

It is easy for members of Congress to say there is no other solution to the deficiency in the trust fund other than to reduce benefits. There are solutions, however, which Malkiel

Also, under current regulations, members of Congress can retire with a reduced government pension at ages 55-57 with 10 years of government service. The rest of us are not eligible for reduced Social Security benefits until age 62.

Potential solutions abound

One of Malkiel’s recommendations, which has been made by many others, is to increase the limits on wages that are subject to the Social Security payroll tax.

Under this plan, there would be no change for current retirees, and only modest effects for those near retirement. For workers who perform manual labor, the age limits could remain unchanged.

Malkiel pointed out that, according to estimates from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, raising the retirement age by two years (to age 69), and then indexing it to longevity, would close 39% of the 75-year funding shortfall.

Another option is to expand Social Security to include state and local government workers.

Members of Congress have had many years to fix this problem. I urge every taxpayer to write to their Congressional representative and demand that they find a solution now to fix the trust fund problem without reducing Social Security benefits.

Any congressional representative who recommends taking away Social Security benefits without looking at reasonable solutions should lose his or her job.

Maybe the first thing they should be looking at is their own retirement benefits.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com.

© 2023 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

Mailed checks are fueling fraud schemes

By Ken Sweet

Check fraud is back in a big way, fueled by a rise in organized crime that is forcing small businesses and individuals to take additional safety measures or to avoid sending checks through the mail altogether.

Banks issued roughly 680,000 reports of check fraud to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, also known as FinCEN, last year. That’s up from 350,000 reports in 2021. Meanwhile the U.S. Postal Inspection Service reported roughly 300,000 complaints of mail theft in 2021, more than double the prior year’s total.

Check’s in the mail? Not good

Early in the pandemic, government relief checks became an attractive target for criminals. The problem has only gotten worse, and postal authorities and bank officials are warning Americans to avoid mailing checks if possible, or at least to

use a secure mail drop such as inside the post office.

Meanwhile, as the cases of fraud increase, victims are waiting longer to recover their stolen money.

Check usage has been in decline for decades, as Americans have largely switched to paying for their services with credit and debit cards.

Americans wrote roughly 3.4 billion checks in 2022, down from nearly 19 billion checks in 1990, according to the Federal Reserve. However, the average size of the checks Americans write rose from $673 in 1990 — or $1,602 in today’s dollars — to $2,652 last year.

“Despite the declining use of checks in the United States, criminals have been increasingly targeting the U.S. Mail since the COVID-19 pandemic to commit check fraud,” FinCEN wrote in an alert sent out in February.

Large criminal gangs

Today’s check fraud criminals are sophisticated criminal operations, with participants infiltrating post office distribution centers, setting up fake businesses, or creating fake IDs to deposit the checks.

“Walkers,” or people who actually walk in to cash these checks, receive training in how to appear even more legitimate.

In one case in Southern California last year, nearly 60 people were arrested on charges of committing more than $5 million in check fraud against 750 people.

Criminals are getting the checks or identification information by fishing mail out of U.S. postal boxes, looking for envelopes that appear to be either bill payments or checks being mailed.

The most common type of check fraud is what’s known as check washing, where a criminal steals the check from the mail and uses a method to remove ink so they

can change the payee’s name on the check and, additionally, the amount of money.

Some criminals are going further and using the information found on a check to gather sensitive personal data on a potential victim.

There have been reports of criminals creating fake entities out of personal data obtained from a check, or even opening new lines of credit or businesses with that data as well.

That’s why check fraud experts are saying Americans should avoid sending checks in the mail or at least take additional safety steps to avoid becoming a victim.

“If you need to mail a check, do not put a check in your residential mailbox and raise the flag to notify the postman. Drop off checks inside a post office if you have to,” said Todd Robertson with Argo Data, a See CHECK FRAUD, page 15

Home-delivered meal kits may save time, money. See opposite page.

PHOTO BY BLUE APRON

What meal kits offer and what they cost

By Patricia Mertz Esswein

No more figuring out what to do with a giant bunch of parsley or a tub of sour cream before it spoils.

A meal kit — a box of chef-created recipes and premeasured ingredients delivered to your home — will help reduce food waste and spice up your cooking with a dollop of convenience on the side.

We looked at three of the largest meal kit companies — HelloFresh, Sunbasket and Blue Apron — to get an idea of cost, convenience and nutrition.

What we learned is that some kits offer flexibility to customize dishes and even eat healthy, but a different kind of meal planning is still required.

Subscription required

Each of the big three requires a subscription that renews automatically. You receive a delivery based on how many people you’re

Check fraud

From page 14

financial data provider.

Banks are on the alert Banks, keenly aware of the problem, are increasingly watching for signs of fraud at

BEACON BITS

Sept. 12+

serving, the number of meals you want each week and your dietary preferences.

HelloFresh and Blue Apron start at $12 per serving, but the more you order, the lower the cost. Sunbasket charges $12 per serving or more, depending on the recipe, regardless of the number of servings. Shipping is generally $10 per box.

Will you save money? At a minimum, meal kits are probably cheaper than takeout or dining out. HelloFresh claims to be 75% cheaper than grocery shopping, in part because it buys directly from suppliers, which eliminates middlemen. [But see https://eatpallet.com/is-hellofresh-cheaper-than-groceryshopping for a different opinion.]

Beware of the promised savings from initial discounts, which are a way to lure you into becoming a subscriber. After analyzing a HelloFresh discount that promised free meals, watchdog Truth in Advertising discovered that consumers had to

branches and through mobile check deposit services, including large check deposits.

They’re training branch employees to take steps such as looking at check numbers, because checks are typically written in order, or noticing when a check is being written for a much larger amount than previous history would indicate. Banks also

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spend hundreds of dollars to realize their savings. The group reported HelloFresh to the Federal Trade Commission for false advertising in June 2022.

Lots of variety

There’s no shortage of dishes or choices. Blue Apron and Sunbasket provide more than a dozen recipes each week, and HelloFresh more than 30.

Reviewers at TheSpruceEats.com who used and reviewed the kits found that HelloFresh offered “delicious, gourmet meals” but required “time-consuming preparation” and “lots of clean up.”

Blue Apron provides “upscale modern American cuisine” but limited dietary accommodations.

Sunbasket “accommodates a range of diets” and is “simple and easy to prepare,” but flavors were occasionally “muted.” It promises that its ingredients (except meat

now deploy software at their branches to flag suspicious checks.

But those systems become moot if criminals are able to persuade tellers — often at the front lines for check acceptance — to look past any red flags.

“These fraudsters are much more aggressive than they were in the past, and

and fish) are 99% organic.

Menus change weekly, but you can view them in advance, along with the recipes, nutritional information and preparation time. You choose the recipes you want, or receive a default selection based on your preferences.

Plans can be customized by eliminating ingredients, swapping them or upgrading to more expensive ones. Each box includes everything you need except pantry staples, like oil, butter, sugar, salt and pepper.

The box is insulated, and the food is chilled with ice packs to ensure freshness. If delivery is delayed by the carrier, however, the ingredients may spoil.

When ingredients are unacceptable or missing, you may be able to receive a credit or refund, but you’ll have to buy your own replacements.

© 2022 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

they are pressuring tellers to override internal systems that might flag a potentially suspicious transaction,” said Paul Benda, a senior vice president at the American Bankers Association.

AP Small Business Writer Mae Anderson contributed to this report. © 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

A place of independence

Pickersgill assisted living residents are rarely in l their rooms! Instead, , theyy’re out and about— participating in a community activity or event or dining with friends.

A place of beauty

Living in n this community—ttucked d into a beautiful West Towson neighborhood —you or your loved one beau njoy a warm welcome and daily activities, and they’ll appreciate the will enj paths, beautifully landscaped grounds, lovely gardens and more. walking path

A place of caring

Each assisted liv g resident enjoys three chef-prepared meals per day, ing re y services, medication administration, help with daily housekeeping and laundry se quest, and all included in a reasonable monthly tasks and more—always by reques o all of the fee. Each h resi s dent also has access to all Pickersgill ameni l ties.

private, full bath, and residents are Our assisted living g residences include a priv wish. This is a lifestyle dedicated to encouraged to decoraate their homes as they al staff. independence and assured by a caring, professionalfessionalstasttaff.

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Travel Leisure &

Mexico’s exclusive resorts near Cancún

By Alice Shapin

Years ago, my future husband Paul and I traveled to Cozumel and loved it. More than three decades later, we were ready for another Mexican vacation. But where?

After some research, we found two attractive, secure resorts near Cancún on the Yucatán Peninsula, very close to Cozumel. As it turns out, Cancún is America’s favorite destination in all of Mexico.

We chose two resorts: the Fairmont Mayakoba, a large, all-inclusive resort, and Etéreo, an intimate, serene boutique resort whose name means ethereal, spiritual, heavenly.

What we loved about Etéreo was that, in keeping with its name, the resort offers many activities that highlight the Mayan culture and tradition of the area.

After passing through Etéreo’s massive stone gate, we were greeted by the guia, our personal concierge, plus a shaman trumpeting a conch shell.

The hotel is perched above a protected mangrove forest, overlooking the calm, turquoise Caribbean. Since the resort is small, with only 75 rooms, everything is an easy stroll away.

Etéreo was built using all-natural materials — lava stone, copper and indigenous Tzalam — so it blends perfectly into the environment. Water parallels the walkways throughout the entire resort, making it feel afloat.

The shaman told us that water was important to the ancient Mayans, who believed that life springs from water. The resort has two pools — an infinity pool and a larger one with in-pool lounges. We never had to get up early to reserve a lounge or umbrella; there were plenty.

Pampered dawn to dusk

The beach, dotted with cabanas, is where you can sit or rent a paddleboard, kayak or canoe. Just 250 feet offshore is the region’s largest reef. We saw many groups out there snorkeling, but we chose to stay on dry land.

An on-property spa, Sana, uses local indigenous ingredients prepared by hand. In addition to the traditional treatments, there are detoxifying Mayan clay wraps and crystal healing sessions.

We loved dining alfresco and had plenty of opportunities. Taco night was so much fun. Our waiter happily brought more of our favorites.

At breakfast, I couldn’t resist the French toast with grilled pineapple. And when I asked the bartender for a drink with coffee and some cream, he came up with a delicious concoction.

Each evening as the sun sets, a shaman leads guests in a ritual meant to open the heart to connection and happiness. We gathered on the natural wooden walkway

to the beach. As he chanted holding cacao, ginger or cinnamon, as well as shells and stones, we were instructed to face north, south, east and west.

There were many more learning activities — Mexican cooking classes, tequila tastings, and a spiritual jewelry-making workshop. But alas, it was time to leave.

Resort hopping

Some might think we’re crazy to visit two resorts during one vacation, but because each has a different vibe and offerings, we loved experiencing both.

Not too far away, in Playa del Carmen, was our next destination, Fairmont Mayakoba, which had been recently renovated. Once again, we passed through a private gate into an elegant lobby for check-in.

Beyond a huge black jaguar statue was a terrace overlooking the jungle and mangrove forest. The concierge warned us not to try to buy drugs from anyone. But since the only drugs we take are Nexium and Crestor, that was not a problem.

This resort is large — 401 guest rooms nestled in a tropical forest surrounded by lush lagoons — and it offers an all-inclusive dining option, which we took.

The breakfast buffet offered an endless array of choices, and there were plenty of

places to grab lunch and sit down for dinner. Full disclosure: I couldn’t help but stop by the ice cream shop several times.

“Mayakoba” comes from the Mayan words “Maya” and “coba” or “city on water.” Amazingly, Mayakoba, where the Fairmont and other resorts are located, has an underground river system, which a team of biologists discovered decades ago under the limestone.

Our room looked out on a canal, where habitats protect 150 species of birds and 300 species of wildlife, including turtles, crocodiles and iguanas. We couldn’t wait to take the guided boat tour along the canal and walk the nature paths.

Water sports, classes and more

The Fairmont Mayakoba offers dozens of activities to keep you as busy as you want, including complimentary bikes, non-motorized water sports (kayaking, paddleboarding and catamarans), plus tennis, an extensive network of nature trails, multiple pools and the beach. There’s a kids’ club, too, and we saw many intergenerational families on vacation.

For a fee, you can take cooking classes, relax at the indoor-outdoor spa (with a rooftop mineral pool), play golf, or take a

A mahogany tree rises through the bar of the Etéreo, a 75-unit boutique hotel located in a protected mangrove forest in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The award-winning resort has a private beach, spa and top-tier restaurants.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ETEREO, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION

For ways to save money on a cruise, see opposite page.

Water surrounds the Fairmont Mayakoba, a five-star gated resort with a Greg Normandesigned golf course. Guests can take a free boat tour through its waterways, home to 240 species of wildlife.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FAIRMONT MAYAKOBA

How to save money on booking a cruise

By Ellen Kennedy

Booking a cruise for a family vacation or romantic getaway? Cruises can be a great way for extended families to enjoy time together, as they offer activities for kids, adults and seniors.

And if you book a cruise strategically with travel rewards credit cards or cash back cards, you can save money and get extra perks for your trip.

Kiplinger editors have found three methods for saving money on cruises.

Using credit card rewards

If you are a veteran cruiser, you know that booking a cruise can be a complicated ordeal, especially if you are trying to earn or redeem credit card rewards at the same time.

“The best strategy is to keep it simple and flexible,” according to Ted Rossman of Creditcards.com.

Rossman recommends avoiding cruisebranded credit cards, which typically deliver meager rewards and lock you in to only one cruise line. Instead, he advises using a flexible travel rewards card or a cash back card.

Booking with a travel rewards credit card can help you get travel-related perks, like travel assistance and no foreign transaction fees. Here are some of Rossman’s favorite travel cards for maximizing the

points you earn when booking a cruise:

• The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns five points for every dollar booked through its travel portal. And as of the publishing date, the card comes with a bonus offer worth $750 for new cardholders after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening the account. (The card has a $95 annual fee.)

Instead of booking directly through the Chase travel portal, you must call a Chase cruise specialist at 1-866-331-0773. Chase works with almost every cruise line (except for Disney) and will match the price of any package you find on a partner cruise website.

• The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns five miles for every dollar booked through Capital One Travel and two miles per dollar on all other purchases. It also has a $95 annual fee.

New cardholders can get 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening the account. You can also book a cruise without using the Capital One Travel platform and get reimbursed at the rate of one cent per mile.

If the thought of managing points or miles for booking and redeeming travel sounds like a hassle, keep it simple with one of the best cash back credit cards.

• One of the best options for travelers is the Wells Fargo AutographSM Card (no annual fee). Earn unlimited three points back on each dollar spent on travel, restaurants,

gas and other categories, and one point back on everything else. Earn a welcome

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Senior living, services and supports for older Marylanders and their families.

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www.cc-md.org/seniors

Mexico

From page 16

day trip — snorkeling and diving from the island of Cozumel or a visit to see ancient Mayan ruins.

We had seen the ruins and snorkeled in Cozumel years ago, so we skipped those activities. But we did sign up for the canal tour.

As we glided along the jungle canals, Miguel, our knowledgeable guide, headed to a nesting ground. Along the way, birds flew overhead and herons perched along

the shore. Large turtles waited patiently under birds’ nests, hoping to catch an egg for dinner.

Miguel pointed out a male bird with blue eyes that turned yellow when he met his mate. Anyone looking for an unattached mate may wish humans did that too.

Then it was on to our next adventure: entering a cenote (pronounced say-NOtay). Cenotes are underground freshwater pools formed by limestone erosion.

Usually found in caves, they were considered sacred by the Mayans. (Be sure to

wear sneakers, as a cenote can be steep, uneven and slippery.)

Inside, the ceiling was filled with stalactites and sleeping bats. Cenotes come in all different sizes — some you can swim in, and some are open to the sky.

We decided we’d definitely come back to Mexico to explore bigger, deeper cenotes where we could swim. Next time we’d love to see a cenote that is open to the sky.

If you go

Southwest flies nonstop from BWI to

Book a cruise

From page 17

bonus of 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months, worth a $200 cash redemption value.

Wholesale club memberships

Sundays in Atlantic City!

September 9 Orioles Park at Camden Yards (transportation only)

African American Museum (Wash DC)

September 19

Billy Joel in Concert – October 7

M&T Bank Stadium (transportation only) See

If you’re a fan of Costco Memberships, check out the company’s travel discounts. Costco cruise packages, especially those under the store’s Kirkland brand, are some of the cheapest on the market. Costco also partners with Disney and other major cruise lines. An entry-level Costco membership costs $60 per year.

BJ’s Wholesale Club members receive up to a $500 BJ’s gift card when they book a cruise through the company’s travel portal. BJ’s offers discounts on major cruise lines, as well as everything you may need to get you to the departure dock, like airfare, rental cars and hotel. The lowest membership tier costs $55 per year.

Both Costco and BJ’s provide last-minute deals on cruises, some of which are incredibly cheap. For example, Costco is advertising a four-night Caribbean cruise on a Carnival ship for $585 per person, plus taxes and fees. BJ’s touts a seven-day MSC cruise to the Bahamas and Florida for $419 per person. Both of these deals are for “interior” rooms with no windows or portholes, which are ideal for cruisers on a budget.

When to hire a travel agent

Remember travel agents? The internet certainly decimated the industry, but it has adapted to offer real value to clients while

Cancún; fares start at $660 roundtrip. United has one-stop flights from BWI to Cancún for around $300 roundtrip.

Note: Some areas of Mexico are on the U.S. State Department’s “do not travel” list, so check before you go.

The Cancún area has many other hotels to choose from, at all different price points. A studio at Etéreo Auberge starts at $899 per night; see aubergeresorts.com. Prices for rooms at Fairmont Mayakoba start at $441. For more information, visit fairmont.com.

saving them time and hassle. This is especially true when booking a cruise, which is exceptionally complicated.

A good travel agent can help you find a great deal, understand pricing tiers and perks, and help you keep track of multiple payment deadlines. And best yet, you don’t pay the travel agent any direct fees — those are typically covered by cruise lines’ commissions.

To find a reputable agent, ask family and friends who cruise if they have any recommendations. Vet agencies by reading reviews from the Better Business Bureau, and consider looking for an accredited agent, such as through the American Society of Travel Agents’ consumer website, TravelSense.com.

Before you lift anchor

The cruise industry is not always pretty; just think of recent norovirus or Covid outbreaks that put passengers at risk and ruined vacations. Cruises are also very polluting, with a typical ship having a carbon footprint of 12,000 cars.

If environmental issues are important to you, look for a cruise line with a higher rating in the most recent Cruise Ship Report Card from Friends of the Earth. The toprated lines in 2022 were Regent Seven Seas and Disney.

For a sense of how clean and sanitary a cruise ship or cruise line is, you can conduct a search on the CDC’s Advanced Cruiseship Inspection Search tool at bit.ly/CDCCruiseshipInspection.

All contents © 2023 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Arts & Style

What are podcasts and which are the best? For suggestions, including the TED Radio Hour, see page 20.

Artists pass down folk art to apprentices

By Susan Ahearn

An older Black storyteller stands before an audience, gesturing as she recounts an African parable. Every few minutes, she pauses so her companion, a 15-year-old girl, can speak.

The girl continues the story, stretching her arms wide and widening her eyes during dramatic moments. At the end of the tale, the teenager, Naomi Reid, delivers the kicker: “A man is not really dead until he is forgotten,” she says, as her fellow storyteller, Janice Curtis Greene, 75, smiles.

Greene and Reid are among hundreds of intergenerational teams that have been awarded grants by the Maryland State Arts Council’s (MSAC) Folklife Apprenticeship program.

Every August, the program awards $5,000 grants to 15 artist pairs: a master artist and an apprentice. The state announced the 2023-24 grants on Aug. 9.

The 20-year-old program is designed to preserve folklife traditions “by specifically supporting one master artist to work with one apprentice artist for up to one year,” explained MSAC Folklife Specialist Ryan Koons. It supports “community based, liv-

ing cultural tradition handed down by example or word of mouth.”

Here’s how it works: The state gives $5,000 to a master artist, usually an older adult, to work one-on-one with an up-andcoming artist for one full year.

Although there’s no hourly time commitment, grantees are required to report how they spent the money. Sometimes the state sends a photographer or videographer, paid by the state, to record a team at work.

The Black storytelling tradition

Greene and Reid were awarded a grant in 2021. Greene, a Windsor Mill resident, is also the state Griot (pronounced gree’oh, a West African word for traveling oral historian).

The two met in a program called the Growing Griot Literacy Learning Program of Baltimore, which teaches young people the oral African tradition of storytelling. Reid, who is homeschooled, wanted to take part in the Folklife Apprenticeship program to continue working with Greene.

“She is a professional storyteller,” Reid said of Greene, “and she helped me im-

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prove my skills in the tradition of African Black storytelling.”

Reid plans to use her skills in a future career as an elementary school teacher. “Sto-

rytelling is definitely something that helps younger people learn things,” she noted.

Janice Curtis Greene, left, instructs her apprentice, Naomi Reid, in the art of Black storytelling. The pair was awarded a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council’s Folklife Apprenticeship program. The grants fund 15 pairs of artists a year.

PHOTO BY HUMAN BEING PRODUCTIONS FOR THE MARYLAND STATE ARTS COUNCIL

Why would I want to listen to a podcast?

By Adam Cochran

Weird Al Yankovic once quipped that he releases a new album every three to five years, so every album is a comeback album.

Like Weird Al’s music, every time podcasting is discovered by another generation, it becomes new again.

The audio and video delivery process known as podcasting has been around since 2000. But it experienced its latest resurgence in 2014, when NPR began producing exclusive podcasts and promoting them along with its regular radio programming.

Podcasting is a delivery platform for audio and video content. If you listen to NPR on the weekend, you likely hear content that is developed primarily for a podcast audience.

Radiolab, Science Friday, TED Radio Hour, Planet Money, etc., are all shows that have more podcast listeners than radio listeners.

What makes podcasts special

The internet as a media distribution platform began with blogging.

Online services allowed anyone to set up an easy-to-edit website called a “blog,” short for “web log,” where a person could write personal commentary, local news articles, original literary content and more.

But blogs were more than websites — they contained code that allowed readers to subscribe and receive updates whenever new content was added.

This syndication process is referred to as RSS, or Really Simple Syndication, and it’s the fundamental delivery vehicle for podcasts.

Most people think of podcasts as topical radio-show-style programs that they listen to with their phone or computer’s media player.

But a podcast can be any audio or video file. What makes it a podcast is that it is

distributed automatically via RSS syndication so that listeners can subscribe and hear the most current episodes.

Podcasts run the gamut

Like a blog, anyone can create a podcast. There are no official rules or regulatory agencies for podcasting.

Unlike radio shows, podcasts are typically developed for a small, targeted audience rather than a large, general audience. There are podcasts about woodworking, but there are also podcasts specifically about using a scroll saw.

Likewise, there are podcasts about dentistry, xeriscaping, taco trucks, salmon fishing and virtually any other hobby or lifestyle imaginable.

Podcasts are free to subscribe to. Some may offer premium subscriptions, but the purpose of a podcast is to distribute infor-

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mation or cover a topic that needs more exposure.

Producers of podcasts occasionally make money from advertisers, but most podcast creators do it out of love for the featured topic.

While video podcasts are gaining popularity, it’s unlikely they’ll ever be as popular as their audio counterparts. Video requires more time and energy to both create and consume.

Audio podcasts are popular among commuters and office workers who listen passively. Video podcasts can be more informative and offer a richer media experience, but if commuting, you might hit the car in front of you should the episode be too engaging.

The most common way to listen to podcasts is via an app, such as the “Podcast App” on your iPhone, “Google Podcasts” on your Android smartphone, Spotify, TuneIn and Stitcher.

Each of these free apps allows you to sample and subscribe to any of the thousands of podcasts available.

This article was originally published in the Beacon Senior News of Western Colorado. Reprinted with permission.

Popular podcasts to get you started

Rabbit Hole: A podcast produced by the New York Times about how the internet impacts our lives.

RadioLab : Produced by WYNC public radio, this is probably the highest production-value podcast available. I highly recommend the episode about how Native Americans became a symbol for sportsmanship in American football.

Serial: If you like true crime documentaries, this is the podcast for you.

StartUp: Each season of this debut podcast for Gimlet Media. covers the real-time development of a business startup.

Start With This: In this podcast, each episode ends with two assignments to spur creativity.

—Adam Cochran

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

The Senior Companion Program connects older adults who are homebound with those who are independent to help them socialize and remain active in the community. Volunteers choose their hours and are eligible for a small hourly stipend and a monthly bus pass. Apply anytime for year-round openings. To learn more, call (410) 396-2273 or visit bit.ly/BaltimoreSCP.

Greene was thrilled to share her 40-plus years of storytelling experience with Reid, who, she said, “was born to be a storyteller.” During their year together, Greene taught her apprentice to project her voice, smile and gesture while she talks, and mime the actions of the characters in the story.

“That’s what the apprenticeship is all about — passing on what I do to somebody younger,” Greene said. “So that when I’m too old to perform…the skill and the performance will never die.”

Keeping Bulgarian music alive

Preserving Bulgarian folk music is what led Towson University music professor Kalin Kirilov and his son Stanley, 14, to apply for a Folklife Apprenticeship grant.

The Bulgarian-born resident of Phoenix, Maryland, said the apprenticeship helped his American-born son learn more about Bulgarian folk music.

“We established a learning routine of two lessons per week, which significantly advanced Stanley’s performer skills,” Kirilov said. They were also able to buy new professional instruments.

Kirilov, 48, said the program “gave us

the time to have this more in-depth, immersive experience in the apprenticeship, which I had myself when I was learning the tradition back in Bulgaria.”

Stanley, who is homeschooled, said the apprenticeship program has made him a better musician. It’s also given him a chance to perform Bulgarian music with his family.

“Dad will usually be playing the accordion; I’ll usually go for percussion. And my sister will usually sing,” said the young musician.

His father said that musicians who know how to play Bulgarian folk music are getting harder to find. “Everybody’s hope…is that more people of Stanley’s age will start learning the tradition.”

The art of Indian printmaking

Indian printmaking was the focus of master artist Trisha Gupta, a Burtonsville resident, and apprentice Daria Parsa, 24, of Laurel, Maryland.

Gupta first became interested in printmaking during a visit to her ancestral home in India. When she discovered that her parents’ family had operated a textile production company, she became intrigued about the traditional dyeing process — which, she said, “was very dif-

ferent from what it looks like now.”

Gupta, who took lessons from a master artist in New York, describes her artwork as “a type of Indian printmaking called viscosity printmaking.”

Gupta and Parsa met at the Sandy Spring Museum, which hosted a show of Gupta’s work. Parsa, who has a degree in studio art and art history, was the museum’s exhibition manager. She later became Gupta’s studio assistant for a few months.

Parsa had taken a few printmaking courses in college and wanted to learn more about the Indian tradition.

“I was always thinking about if I wanted to take more classes or just try to teach

myself things. Or how I could get more involved with that form? So, this has been a great opportunity for that,” Parsa said.

Parsa found the apprenticeship a good way to hone new skills. “You’re getting one-on-one time [and] you have the funding, too — you can get any supplies you need,” Parsa said.

Gupta believes participating in the Arts Council program is a perfect way to pass down the arts.

“It’s bringing back the apprenticeship tradition, which is age-old,” Gupta said.

To learn more about the Maryland State Arts Council’s Folklife Apprenticeship program, email msac.commerce@maryland.gov or call (410) 767-6555.

Scrabble answers on p. 21.

Find

Crossword Puzzle

Summer Smashes By Stephen Sherr

BB923

Across

1. A group of waterfowl (or one watercraft)

5. Hot chocolate holders

9. White elephant party swaps

14. Last worker on a birthday cake

15. 57,600 square feet (on a football field)

16. Weapon on a Valentine’s Day card

17. Summer smash of 1993

19. First lady between Hillary and Michelle

20. Napoleon’s home for nine months

21. Used To Be My Girl

23. Suffix for sex- and symbol-

24. Mesozoic, maybe

26. “Wait; I think I got it now”

27. At the summit of

28. Summer smash of 1983

33. It may uncoil from “SPA” or “PAS”

34. Compete in the giant slalom

35. Prepare to use a cookie sheet

38. Stripped of curse words

41. Protest sign verb

43. Jamborees

44. Accentuated by highlighter, most likely

46. ___ Been Working on the Railroad

48. Matisse piece

49. Summer smash of 1973

53. Subject of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

55. Dir. along I-5 from Sacramento to Los Angeles

56. Extreme, politically

57. Game with 112 cards

58. Suffix with of twenti- and thirti59. US belt, generally north of the bible belt 62. Spurns 64. Summer smash of 1963 69. Albacore and bluefin 70. ___ Too Proud to Beg

71. 1969 crewmate of “Buzz” and Michael 72. Walk like a crab 73. Hornets’ home 74. Common wildcards in video poker

3. ___ like a million bucks

4. Game show host with all the answers

5. Between Avril and Juin, in Paris

6. The most accessed one in 2022 was google.com

7. Hair goo

8. Greets, casually

9. Between “strong breeze” and “storm” on the Beaufort scale

10. Subject of IRS form 5498

11. Picnic staple

12. Canvas for large tattoos

13. Type of wetlands

18. Mindful of stranger danger

22. Install a chandelier

25. Some are “six pack”

26. Harebrained

27. Between ports

28. Like Cinemax’s “After Dark” schedule

29. Johnny Depp bought one after filming in the Caribbean

30. Completely captivated

31. Smaller cousin of a cello

32. Unit or work

36. Delhi dress

37. Barcelona, relative to Madrid

39. Came down to earth

40. Natl. Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month

42. Format to store 17, 28, 49, or 64 Across

45. Mae, who said “I generally avoid temptation, unless I can’t resist it”

47. ___ on the Shelf

50. Refuse receptacle

51. US Marshal Virgil, or his brother, Wyatt

52. School skipper

53. Uses a Swiffer

54. Listlessness

58. In ___ (actually)

60. Gumbo or goulash

61. The Doors, after Jim Morrison’s death

63. AL East foe of BOS and TOR

65. Stretch the truth

66. “Nonconventional” has five

67. Baseball Hall of Famer, Mel

68. Presidential candidates Gore and Sharpton

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ALL YOUR HOME NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED & INSTALL. Painting walls inside and outside. Installation & repair of floors, windows, doors, gutters, drywall, plumbing, electrical. Over 30 years of experience and I am insured & bonded. MHIC#43637. 667-344-8379.

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Local Attorneys Nationwide [Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar.)]