October 2024 Howard County

Poet teaches the art of healing

By Robert Friedman

Vanita Leatherwood grew up in the 1960s in Washington, D.C., “at a time when everything on the news was violent, particularly against Black people,” she said.

But it wasn’t only on the news that Leatherwood saw violence. She is herself a survivor of childhood abuse and trauma.

As a teenager, Leatherwood was deeply moved by poet Maya Angelou’s memoir, she told the Beacon in a recent interview

“Reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings really helped me to process what I experienced as a child and to know that I wasn’t alone,” she said. “That’s how my work with the arts first started — with my own need, my own comfort, to process the world around me.”

Now 64 and a grandmother, Leatherwood is an award-winning poet, playwright, therapist and educator who uses poetry, music and fine arts to both reflect on her own life and help others to heal.

Leatherwood said she stumbled across her line of work almost by accident as she was searching for graduate schools.

“I knew I wanted to do something that was healing and therapeutic, so I Googled the words ‘poetry’ and ‘therapy,’ and the National Association for Poetry Therapy (NAPT) came up. I thought I was on ‘Candid Camera,’”she said, laughing.

After taking classes with the NAPT, Leatherwood went on to Goddard College in Vermont, where she earned a Master of Arts degree in psychology.

Today, she teaches classes to a variety of groups throughout Howard County. “I use the arts as a healing tool, as well as to bring access to different social issues,” Leatherwood said.

Day job supports survivors

In the early 2000s, Leatherwood worked at nonprofits in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area on efforts to prevent child abuse and violence. There, she learned how to conduct presentations, seminars and workshops in schools, shelters, group homes and community centers.

She then moved to the Howard County

office of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a nonprofit on whose local board she still sits.

Since 2011, she has worked at HopeWorks of Howard County, a nonprofit that provides comprehensive services to survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

See POET , page 28

LEISURE & TRAVEL

Visiting Spain for the olive harvest and Roman ruins; plus, a weekend on the Eastern Shore, and what to do when your flight gets cancelled page 22

ARTS & STYLE

Chamber Music Maryland’s new name reflects its expansive mission; plus Bob Levey on the upsides of yesterday’s simpler cars page 26

FITNESS & HEALTH

4

k Smartphones are dumb at bedtime

k Trying to quit? Try e-cigarettes

MONEY

k Organize important documents k Pros and cons of hybrid cars

18

Vanita Leatherwood, an award-winning poet and teaching artist who works at HopeWorks Howard County, offers transformative workshops, some tailored especially for older adults.

PHOTO BY HOPEWORKS OF HOWARD COUNTY

It’s Expo season again

Baltimore County’s annual Power of Age Expo will be returning to the Timonium Fairgrounds on October 30. The massive event is a longstanding Baltimore tradition and well worth visiting. Be sure to look for the Baltimore Beacon’s booth there, too.

But I would also like to invite you to come to the Beacon’s own 50+Expos. For 25 years, we have presented these annual events in both Maryland and Virginia to provide useful information and a great time to our readers throughout the area.

geared to older adults and their families.

I hope you will consider joining us at one (or both) of this year’s events in the Greater Washington area:

FROM THE PUBLISHER

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

Our Expos attract thousands of older adults and their families to obtain important health screenings, flu shots and other vaccines, hear interesting speakers, and obtain valuable information from dozens of exhibitors and sponsors — including government agencies, nonprofits and area businesses providing products and services

BEACON BITS

Sunday, October 20, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Silver Spring Civic Building in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Sunday, November 3, from noon to 4 p.m., at Springfield Town Center in Springfield, Virginia

Prioritizing the health and well-being of attendees, the Expos will offer free health screenings, including blood pressure, glaucoma, blood glucose and cholesterol tests. Important vaccines will also be available, including the latest COVID-19 and RSV vaccines, regular and high-dose flu shots, Shingrix (shingles), pneumonia and tetanus vaccines. Please bring your Medicare and/or

PARKINSON’S VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP

This group provides education and support for individuals coping with the physical, emotional and social impact of Parkinson’s disease. It is free and open to the public. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month, from 2 to 3 p.m., on Zoom. Register at bit.ly/ParkinsonsDiseaseGroup. For more information, contact the group facilitator, Michelle Goldberg, at mgoldberg@jcsbaltimore.org or (410) 843-7355.

Beacon

TheBeacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Howard County area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, 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

Vice President of Operations – Roger King

Advertising Representatives –Steve Levin, M.K. Phillips, Alan Spiegel

Assistant Editor – Ana Preger Hart

insurance card with you.

In Silver Spring, Md., our keynote program will consist of a conversation I will have with popular writer Laura Stassi, author of Romance Redux; Finding Love in Your Later Years and host of the “Dating While Gray” podcast. She will also answer questions from the audience.

In Springfield, Va., we are pleased to partner with the Fairfax County Area Agency on Aging to offer “Venture into Volunteering” — a collection of more than 35 agencies and nonprofits offering exciting volunteer opportunities.

As always, our exhibitors will include hospitals and a variety of other healthcare providers, retirement communities, home improvement contractors, home care agencies, financial and legal advisors, insurance providers, travel, fitness and senior services and many other valuable services

Our 25th anniversary 50+Expos are made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. Gold Sponsors include AARP Virginia and Giant Pharmacy.

Silver Sponsors are Adventist HealthCare, Johns Hopkins Health Plans, Pepco, Asbury Methodist Village, The Fairfax and Collette Tours.

Bronze Sponsors include Maryland Relay, Virginia Relay, Xfinity, Housing Initiative Partnership, The Leggett, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Jewish Council for the Aging, Montgomery County Recreation, Montgomery County Aging & Disability Services, and the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging.

For more information, or to exhibit, sponsor or volunteer, call (410) 248-9101, email info@thebeaconnewspapers.com or visit www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/50expos.

While the Beacon staff will be out in force at both events to help everyone find what they are looking for, we would love to have some volunteers as well. If you are planning to come to either event and can spare an hour or so helping out at our information booth, please contact us.

There is also still time for additional sponsors and exhibitors to sign up! Please call us and we will be happy to speak with you.

I look forward to seeing you on October 20 and/or November 3! Please be sure to look for me and say hello.

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 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:

Regarding your From the Publisher column in September, “Disability inability,” you did not mention one of the problems that impairs the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program: undeserved benefits.

Every year, the Social Security Disability system must deal with persons who are receiving benefits but who have also rejoined the workforce.

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

Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the

By law, SSDI administrators must reclaim these excess payments. The problem is so severe that the television program Sixty Minutes recently devoted a segment to discussing it.

Grant

Jacobsen

Woodbridge, VA

Dear Editor:

I read your publisher’s column, “Dis-

BEACON

BITS Oct. 12

SHOW OFF YOUR PETS

ability inability,” last month and found it very informative.

However, what was not noted is that Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is available to people who have a disability as soon as they turn 18.

I realize, of course, that the Beacon is geared toward people “of a certain age,” but there may be a parent or a grandparent who is caring for an adult child and was not aware that there is funding available through the Social Security Administration.

I just wanted to add this to your article since I think it is very important that everyone gets the assistance that they need. My son was disabled from birth, and he received SSDI every month as soon as he turned 18.

Ilene

Martin Via email

Howard County’s Halloween Pet Parade and Costume Contest on Sat., Oct. 12, is the perfect opportunity to show off your pets. Come to Centennial Park South, 10000 Clarksville Pk., Ellicott City, from 2 to 4 p.m. with your costumed pet in tow. The judges will rank your pet’s costume, presentation, behavior and the use of props — be sure to showcase any special skills or tricks for extra points. Pets must be on a leash (or otherwise contained) and non-aggressive. Entry fee is $5 per pet; winners receive gift cards or prizes. Register by Oct. 7 at bit.ly/Halloweenpetparade. For more information, contact Karen Bradley Ehler at kehler@howardcountymd.gov or (410) 313-4635.

Health Fitness &

Fitness & Health

A SAFER SMOKE?

The FDA now believes e-cigarettes can be an effective tool to help smokers quit

STAY ENGAGED

Volunteering is good for our health. How to take the first step in finding the right job PUMP UP THE VOLUME

Better hearing can stave off dementia. What to look for in an over-the-counter hearing aid

MOOD AND FOOD

The brain and gut work in tandem. Boost your happiness by eating eggs, cheese, nuts and seeds

Smartphone use at night imperils sleep

By Albert Stumm

Like many of us, Jessica Peoples has heard the warnings about excessive screen time at night. Still, she estimates spending 30 to 60 minutes on her phone before going to sleep, mostly scrolling through social media.

“Recently, I’ve been trying to limit the amount,” said Peoples, a discrimination investigator with the state of New Jersey. “I do notice that how much time I spend affects how long it takes to fall asleep.”

Over half of Americans spend time on their phones within an hour of going to sleep, according to a survey by the National Sleep Foundation. That’s the very latest we should shut off devices, experts say.

The brain needs to wind down long before bedtime to get the restorative deep sleep that helps the body function, said Melissa Milanak, an associate professor at Medical University of South Carolina specializing in sleep health.

“You wouldn’t take a casserole out of the oven and stick it right in the fridge. It needs to cool down,” Milanak said. “Our brains need to do that too.”

Why screens are bad at night

Upending your bedtime routine may not be easy, but insufficient sleep has long been linked to anxiety, obesity and other

negative outcomes.

Research shows smartphones are particularly disruptive to the circadian clock that regulates sleep and other hormones.

“There are a million and one ways screens create problems with sleep,” said Lisa Strauss, a licensed psychologist specializing in cognitive behavioral treatment of sleep disorders.

The brain, she said, processes electric light — not just a smartphone’s muchmaligned blue light — as sunshine. That suppresses melatonin production, delaying deep sleep. Even very little brightlight exposure in bed has an impact.

Of course, it’s not just the light that keeps you up. Doomscrolling through the news, checking emails, or being tempted by ever more tailored videos on social media has its own consequences. So-called “technostress” amps you up — possibly even triggering the brain’s flight-or-flight response.

And algorithms designed to be engaging compel many social media users to scroll longer than they intended.

“Now it’s 30 minutes later, when you wanted to watch a couple videos and fall asleep,” Milanak said. “People go down these rabbit holes of videos, and more and more people are getting hooked.”

Though much of the scientific research on

online media focuses on adolescents and young adults, Strauss said most of her clients struggling with insomnia are middle-aged.

How to break the habit

The issue is not just curtailing phone use in bed, but phone use at night. That means redesigning your routine, particularly if you use your phone as a way to decompress.

It helps to create replacement behaviors that are rewarding. An obvious contender is reading a physical book (e-readers are better than phones but still cast artificial light).

Milanak also suggests using that hour before bed to take a warm bath, listen to a podcast, make lunches for the next day, spend time with family, or call a relative in another time zone.

“Make a list of things you like that never get done. [Before bed is] a great time to do stuff that doesn’t involve screens,” she said. Using a notepad to write down the todo list for the next day helps keep you from ruminating in bed.

Do those activities in another room to train yourself to associate the bed with falling asleep. If there’s no other private refuge at home, “establish a distinct microenvironment for wakefulness and sleep,” Strauss said. That could mean sitting on the other side of the bed to read, or

even just turning the other way around with your feet at the headboard.

Finally, sequester the phone in another room, or at least across the room. “Environmental control can work better than willpower, especially when we’re tired,” she said.

Start with small steps

What if stopping doesn’t feel realistic? There are ways to reduce the harm.

Setting the phone on night mode at a scheduled time every day is better than nothing, as is reducing screen brightness every night. Or hold the phone far from your face and at an oblique angle to minimize the strength of the light.

Minimize tempting notifications by putting the phone on “do not disturb,” which can be adjusted to allow calls and messages from certain people — say, an ailing parent or a kid off at university — to go through.

But none of these measures gives you carte blanche to look at whatever you want at night, Strauss said.

She also recommended asking yourself why checking social media has become your late-night reward.

“Think about the larger structure of the day,” she said. Everyone deserves solitary moments to relax, but “maybe be more selfindulgent earlier” so you can sleep at night.

Simple test may help men avoid biopsies

By Charlie Schmidt

Many doctors caring for older men like to track the results of a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), changes in which can indicate increased risk for prostate cancer.

When a PSA blood test produces an abnormal result, the next step is usually a prostate biopsy. A biopsy can confirm or rule out a cancer diagnosis, but it also has certain drawbacks.

Prostate biopsies are invasive procedures with potential side effects, and they often detect low-grade, slow-growing tumors that may not need immediate treatment — or any treatment at all.

Researchers are exploring various strategies for avoiding unnecessary biopsies. Specialized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, for instance, can be use-

ful for predicting if a man’s tumor is likely to spread. A blood test called the Prostate Health Index (PHI) measures various forms of PSA and can help doctors determine if a biopsy is needed.

In April, researchers at the University of Michigan published results with a test that screens for prostate cancer in urine samples. Called the MyProstateScore 2.0 (MPS2) test, it looks for 18 different genes associated with high-grade tumors.

“If you’re negative on this test, it’s almost certain that you don’t have aggressive prostate cancer,” said Dr. Arul Chinnaiyan, a professor of pathology and urology at the university, in a press release.

How the test was developed

To create the test, Chinnaiyan and his colleagues first turned to publicly available

databases containing more than 58,000 prostate cancer-associated genes.

From that initial pool, they narrowed down to 54 genes that are uniquely overexpressed in cancers classified as Grade Group 2 (GG2) or higher. The Grade Group system ranks prostate cancers from GG1 (the least dangerous) to GG5 (the most dangerous).

The team tested those 54 genes against archived urine samples from 761 men with elevated PSA who were scheduled for biopsy. This effort yielded 18 genes that consistently correlated with high-grade cancer in the biopsy specimens. These genes now make up MPS2.

Then the team validated the test by performing MPS2 testing on over 800 archived urine samples collected by a national prostate cancer research consortium.

Other researchers affiliated with that consortium assessed the new urine test’s results against patient records.

Highly accurate findings

Study findings showed that MPS2 correctly identified 95% of the GG2 prostate cancers and 99% of cancers that were GG3 or higher. Test accuracy was further improved by incorporating estimates of the prostate’s size (or volume, as it’s also called).

According to the team’s calculations, use of the MPS2 would have reduced unnecessary biopsies by 37%. If volume was included in the measure, then 41% of biopsies would have been avoided. By comparison, just 26% of biopsies would have been

Prostate test

From page 4

avoided with the PHI.

Chinnaiyan and his co-authors emphasize that ruling out high-grade cancer with a urine test offers some advantages over MRI.

The specialized multi-parametric MRI scans needed to assess high-grade cancer in men with elevated PSA aren’t always available in community settings, for instance.

Moreover, the interpretation of those results can vary from one radiologist to another.

Importantly, the MPS2 can be updated over time as new prostate-cancer genes are identified.

Promising results

The new study results were described as promising by Dr. Boris Gershman, a urologist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and a member of the advisory and editorial board for the Harvard Medical School Guide to Prostate Diseases.

“It does appear that the performance of the 18-gene urine test is better than PSA alone,” he said. But Gershman adds that it will be important to consider how such a

test will fit into the current two-stage approach for PSA screening, which entails prostate MRI when the PSA is abnormal.

Where MRI delivers a yes/no result (meaning lesions that look suspicious for cancer are either present or not), the MPS2 provides numerical risk estimates ranging between 0% and 100%. “The challenge with clinical implementation of a continuous risk score is where to draw the line for biopsy,” Gershman said.

“This research is very encouraging, since many men in rural areas may not have access to prostate MRI machines or the added sophistication that is needed in interpreting these MRI scans,” said Dr. Marc Garnick, the Gorman Brothers Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

“A widely available urine test may eventually help provide more precision in determining who should undergo a prostate biopsy, and may also help to assess the probability that a cancer is clinically significant and in need of treatment.”

Charlie Schmidt is editor of the Harvard Medical School Annual Report on Prostate Diseases.

© 2024 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

on Question 1

FOR FREE INFORMATION

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

Housing Communities

Brooke Grove (see ad on page 32)

Charlestown (see ad on page 9)

Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant (see ad on page 13)

Park View at Colonial Landing (see ad on page 12)

Park View at Columbia (see ad on page 12)

Park View at Ellicott City (see ad on page 12)

Park View at Emerson (see ad on page 12)

Residences at Vantage Point (see ad on page 1)

E-cigarettes reduce harm from smoking

By Matthew Perrone

In June, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the first menthol-flavored electronic cigarettes for adult smokers, acknowledging that vaping flavors can reduce the harms of traditional tobacco smoking.

The FDA said it authorized four menthol e-cigarettes from Njoy, the vaping brand recently acquired by tobacco giant Altria, which also sells Marlboro cigarettes.

The decision lends new credibility to vaping companies’ longstanding claim that their products can help blunt the toll of

Oct. 2

WALK MARYLAND DAY

smoking, which is blamed for 480,000 U.S. deaths annually due to cancer, lung disease and heart disease.

E-cigarettes have been sold in the U.S. since 2007, but in recent years their potential benefits for smokers have been overshadowed due to their use by adolescents and teens.

Altria’s data showed Njoy e-cigarettes helped smokers reduce their exposure to the harmful chemicals in traditional cigarettes, the FDA said.

The agency stressed the products are neither safe nor “FDA approved,” and that people who don’t smoke shouldn’t use them.

Some criticize decision

Parents and anti-tobacco groups immediately criticized the FDA’s decision, which follows years of advocacy efforts to keep vaping flavors that appeal to teens off the market.

“This decision could mean we’ll never be able to close the Pandora’s box of the youth vaping epidemic,” said Meredith Berkman, co-founder of Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes.

“FDA has once again failed American families by allowing a predatory industry to source its next generation of lifetime customers — America’s children.”

Long under regulatory review

Njoy is one of only three companies that previously received FDA’s OK for vaping products. The company’s products accounted for less than 3% of U.S. e-cigarette sales in the past year, according to retail data from Nielsen.

Two other companies — Vuse, owned by Reynolds American, and Juul — control about 60% of the market, while hundreds of disposable brands account for the rest.

Sign up for the annual Walk Maryland Day and get some exercise while socializing with others on Wed., Oct. 2. To create a walk and/or become a walk leader, visit tinyurl.com/CreateWalkingGroup. To join an already existing group as a walker, visit tinyurl.com/JoinWalkingGroup. To learn more about Walk Maryland Day, visit tinyurl.com/WalkMarylandDay.

GREAT OUTDOORS CHALLENGE

October

Spending time outside benefits both the mind and the body. Howard County Recreation & Parks invites you to win prizes by challenging yourself to at least 15 minutes of outdoor activity each day in October. To sign up for free, visit bit.ly/HoCoOutdoors. For more information, contact Matt Medicus at mmedicus@howardcountymd.gov or (410) 313-1769. BEACON BITS

Youth vaping has declined from all-time highs in recent years, with about 10% of high schoolers reporting e-cigarette use last year.

Most teens who vape use disposable ecigarettes, including brands like Elf Bar, which come in flavors such as watermelon and blueberry ice.

Currently, the U.S. market includes thousands of fruit- and candy-flavored vapes that are technically illegal but are widely available in convenience stores, gas stations and vape shops.

All the e-cigarettes previously authorized by the FDA have been tobacco flavored, which isn’t widely used by young people who vape.

Have confidence in every conversation.

Do you find it difficult to use a standard phone? Do people ask you to repeat yourself during telephone conversations? Do you miss important calls because you can’t hear the phone ring? The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program is here to help by giving Maryland residents the opportunity to apply for State-provided telecommunications equipment to independently make and receive calls. Once you qualify, a skilled evaluator meets with you to determine the best device to support your day-to-day communications. The MAT program has a variety of equipment solutions to support clearer communication, including:

• Amplified phones

• Tablets

• Ring signalers

• Phones with large and/or high contrast buttons

• Captioned Telephones

• And more

For more information:

800-552-7724 | 410-767-7253 (Voice/TTY) 410-801-9618 (Video Phone) | MDMAT.org

The FDA action is part of a sweeping yearslong review of major vaping brands, including Juul and Vuse. It was intended to bring scientific scrutiny to the multibilliondollar vaping market after years of regulatory delays.

Those brands have been sold in the U.S. for years, awaiting FDA action on their scientific applications. To stay on the market, companies must show that their e-cigarettes provide an overall health benefit for smokers, without significantly appealing to kids.

“Based upon our rigorous scientific review, in this instance, the strength of evidence of benefits to adult smokers from completely switching to a less harmful product was sufficient to outweigh the risks to youth,” said Matthew Farrelly of FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. AP

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Effective treatments for dry eye disease

By Dave Patel, M.D.

Dear Mayo Clinic: As I have gotten older, I notice that my eyes are almost constantly dry. I use over-the-counter eye drops to keep them moist, but I also have some itching and redness. What causes dry eyes? Are there any other treatments available to alleviate the condition?

A: Dry eye disease is a common condition that can cause an array of uncomfortable side effects, including blurry vision, eye redness, sensitivity to light, and a burning, gritty or scratchy feeling in your eyes.

Dry eyes happen because the eyes do not produce enough tears, or if the tears are not of adequate quality to keep the eyes properly lubricated.

To keep your vision clear and your eyes comfortable, you need a smooth layer of tears consistently covering the surface of

your eyes. The tear film has three basic components: oil, water and mucus. Problems with any of these can cause dry eyes.

Factors that produce dry eyes

Many people may experience episodes of dry eyes during their lifetime. Aging, environment, hormones, air travel, the outdoors — there are a lot of factors that affect the lubrication of the surface of the eye.

Medications, eyelid problems and excessive eye strain may also result in dry eyes. Certain medical conditions increase risk for dry eyes, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, thyroid disorders and others.

For some people with chronic dry eyes, the problem stems from glands in the eyelids called the meibomian glands. Normally, these glands make oil that slows the evaporation of tears. If the

glands become blocked, tears do not contain enough oil. Then the tears evaporate too quickly, and eyes become dry.

Eye drops are helpful

The first line of treatment for dry eyes is to try over-the-counter lubricating eye drops. Many brands contain preservatives which help minimize the risk of contamination and infection. However, over time, the preservative can become toxic to the surface of the eye.

For chronic dry eye sufferers — those people who are using lubricating eye drops more than four times a day — preservative-free eye drops are best. Use caution not to touch the surface of the eye when using drops, which could lead to contamination and infection. Consider single-use vials since they can be discarded after use, minimizing

KIDNEY WALK

the risk of contamination.

If you have symptoms of dry eyes that do not respond to eye drops or other standard therapies, speak to an eye specialist, as there are prescription treatments available that could help if the problem is blocked tear ducts, including anti-inflammatory medications, neurostimulators that can trigger or increase tear production, and steroids to reduce inflammatory conditions.

Other tips that may help

If you experience dry eyes, pay attention to situations that are most likely to increase your symptoms. For instance:

• Avoid air blowing in your eyes. Don’t direct hair dryers, car heaters, air conditioners or fans toward your eyes.

• Add moisture to the air. In colder months, a humidifier can add moisture to dry, indoor air.

• Consider wearing wraparound sunglasses or other protective eyewear. Safety shields can be added to the tops and sides of eyeglasses to block wind and dry air.

• Take eye breaks during long tasks. If you’re reading or doing other tasks that require visual concentration, take periodic eye breaks. Close your eyes for a few minutes. Or repeatedly blink for a few seconds to help spread your tears evenly over your eyes.

• Be aware of your environment. The air at high altitudes, in desert areas and in airplanes can be arid. When spending time in such an environment, it may be helpful to frequently close your eyes for a few minutes at a time to minimize the evaporation of your tears.

• Position your computer screen below eye level. If your computer screen is above eye level, you’ll open your eyes wider to view the screen, speeding the evaporation of your tears.

• Stop smoking and avoid smoke. Smoke can worsen dry eye symptoms. Speak to your healthcare professional about how often you need eye exams.

Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org.

© 2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Don’t toss food scraps; repurpose them

By Katlyn Moncada

It’s a pretty safe bet that at some point, we’ve all thrown away a leftover scrap of food. The average American household tosses up to $2,000 worth of food every year.

While making good use of leftovers or preserving and canning foods are excellent ways to prevent food waste, you may be throwing out food scraps that you didn’t even know were edible or could be easily repurposed.

We put together a list of tasty ways to use food scraps you may not have tried before.

1. Use almost empty jars for sauces. When your jar of mayonnaise or peanut butter is almost empty, use it to shake up a sauce for pasta or make a salad dressing so you’ll use every last bit. Bonus: Because you don’t have to get out a bowl, this also prevents more dishes from getting dirty!

2. Put a cheese rind in your soup. The rind at the end of your ParmigianoReggiano cheese is packed with a salty, umami flavor that can really enhance your dishes. Try throwing a rind into your pot of minestrone or pasta sauce while cooking and remove before serving.

3. Coat your food with bottom-ofthe-bag crumbs. Those crumbs in the bottom of the chip bag or box of crackers don’t have to go to waste. Many dishes such as casseroles benefit from their crunchy addition as a topper. Crushed

chips also make great coatings for chicken, fish and other proteins.

4. Freeze herbs for a burst of flavor in your dishes. Before leftover herbs can start to turn bad, blend them in some olive oil and freeze them in ice cube trays. Pop a cube into soups for a quick flavor boost or use for a sauce on top of meat or pasta.

5. Give fruit a new life before it’s too far gone. This is no surprise, but some fruits on the verge of going overripe are even better baked (we’re looking at you, banana bread!). For other fruit that’s a little too soft for your taste, but not rotten, make fruit jams or fruit butters with apples, pears or peaches in your slow cooker.

6. Reap the nutritious benefits of fruit and veggie tops. Those leafy greens on most of your fruits and vegetables can have a life beyond the compost bin:

• Beets: Add the leaves to a roasted beet salad for more flavor.

• Carrots: Some wild carrots may have poisonous tops, but those sold in stores by well-known farms are not poisonous and are actually good for you. Add them to your tray of roasted veggies or try using the tops in pesto.

• Celery: Toss the leaves into veggie soups.

• Radishes: Enjoy the tops raw or chopped into a salad.

• Turnips: These tops have a slightly bitter taste and do best when sauteed with strong flavors like bacon.

7. Save pickle and jalapeño brine for marinades. The not-so-hidden secret ingredient at that popular chicken sandwich restaurant actually uses pickle brine to flavor the chicken breast before breading. So save that jar and use the brine the same way you

would vinegar in dressings and marinades. You can do the same with jalapeño brine. Try adding it to a spicy cocktail. Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine and website devoted to ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden, plus recipes and entertaining ideas. Online at bhg.com.

© 2024 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

How to find local volunteer opportunities

Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you recommend some good organizations or websites for locating interesting volunteer opportunities? I’ve been doing some volunteer work since I retired last year, but most of the jobs I’ve tried haven’t been very fun or satisfying.

Retired Volunteer

Dear Retired,

satisfying volunteer opportunities, here are some tips and online tools that can help you search.

By

Volunteering is a great way for retirees to make a positive contribution to their community and stay actively engaged, not to mention it’s good for your health too.

But for many retirees, finding a volunteer opportunity that meets your interests, utilizes your talents and fits your availability can be challenging.

To help you find some interesting and

Getting started

How do you find the right opportunity for you? Start by asking these basic questions: What types of organizations or activities are you interested in? What kind of skills can you offer a volunteer organization? How much time are you willing to give? What do you want to gain from your experience (for example, meet new people, learn new skills, help those in need, exposure to a particular issue)?

Once you get a general idea of what you’d like to do, there are dozens of volunteer websites that can help you search for different opportunities in your area and virtually.

Primary Care At Home

Most sites work like search engines that let you choose an area of interest and type in your ZIP code or city and state. The sites will then give you a list of opportunities that you can check into.

Depending on your interest and expertise, here are some top websites to help you get started.

General volunteer sites: To find a wide variety of volunteer opportunities in your community that serve causes like children, animals, seniors, education, health, the arts and more, check out sites like VolunteerMatch.org, Engage.PointsofLight.org, IdeaList.org and UnitedWay.org.

Retired volunteer site s : If you’re interested in opportunities targeted to older adults and retirees, some good options include AARP’s CreateTheGood.org, along with AmeriCorps Seniors (AmeriCorps.gov/serve/americorps-seniors), which matches retirees with community projects and organizations that need experienced volunteer help.

AmeriCorps Seniors offers three different programs: RSVP, which has a variety of volunteer activities with flexible time commitments; the Senior Companion Program, which brings together volunteers with homebound seniors who have difficulty with day-to-day living tasks; and the Foster Grandparent Program, which matchers volunteers with kids in the community that have exceptional needs.

Niche volunteer sites: There are also a number of niche websites to help you look for specific types of volunteer opportunities in your area.

For example, to find natural and cultural volunteer opportunities in places like national and state parks, see Volunteer.gov. If you’re interested in emergency preparedness and disaster response volunteer services, try Ready.gov or RedCross.org.

If you have a knack for construction or have an interest in learning about interior design, see Habitat.org. Or if you’re interested in longer-term volunteer opportunities, check out AmeriCorps.gov and PeaceCorps.gov/50plus, which offers three-month to two-year programs in the U.S and abroad.

Professional volunteer sites: If you have expertise in areas like business planning and development, marketing, communications, finance, fundraising, web and graphic design, or writing and editing there are sites like Catchafire.org and TaprootPlus.org that can link you to volunteer opportunities with nonprofit organizations in need.

Or you can help entrepreneurs and small business owners through the SCORE.org volunteer mentoring program. 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.

SAVVY SENIOR

Jim Miller

Over-the-counter hearing device choices

By Katie Dease, Au.D.

[Ed. note: Next month, this column will discuss prescription hearing aids and how to choose one.]

Dear Mayo Clinic: I’ve heard about the new over-the-counter hearing devices, but I’m not sure if they’ll work for me. What do I need to know? And what should I consider as I make my decision?

A: Hearing loss can be a significant quality-of-life issue for people. There are certainly many benefits to visiting with an audiology practice or specialist.

And yet, some people with low to moderate hearing loss are good candidates for hearing aids bought over the counter without medical exams or professional fittings. Think of these devices as you would “cheater” glasses — they fill a need until you’re ready for traditional hearing aids.

There are many different types of OTC hearing aids, and it can be challenging to choose the right one. To determine if these devices are a good fit for you, here are some things to consider before you buy.

Convenience

An OTC option is more convenient and accessible, especially for those who live in areas where making an appointment with a hearing specialist and getting to that appointment can be a barrier to care.

Over-the-counter devices are widely available at pharmacies, drug stores and other major retailers, as well as online.

Cost

Hearing aids typically are expensive, with prices averaging $1,000 to more than $3,000 per ear ($2,000 to over $6,000 per pair), depending on the level of technology and included services. Insurance coverage for adults can be limited, expensive or nonexistent.

With OTC options ranging from $99 to $1,700 a pair, these hearing devices can save many people money.

Quality

Some of the developers behind overthe-counter hearing devices are traditional hearing aid manufacturers. In some cases, they’re working in partnership with companies known for products with high sound quality, such as wireless headsets. These over-the-counter devices go be-

yond noise reduction and sound amplification. They provide a basic level of sound-shaping you’d experience with a hearing aid.

Entry-level option

Over-the-counter hearing aids promise to be an excellent first step for people who are just beginning to notice hearing loss. People in this target market tend to be younger — 40 to 65 years old, fairly tech-savvy, and able to navigate the home-fitting process.

Self-diagnosis

Under the Food and Drug Administration ruling allowing the sale of OTC hearing devices, people need to determine their level of hearing loss. Most manufacturers offer an online or app-based hearing test to help with screening.

But patients may not be the most accurate judge of their condition. Hearing loss varies from person to person. That’s why traditional hearing aids are customized — not one-size-fits-all.

How-to instructions

The OTC devices include step-by-step instructions for fitting and use, whether through an app or an online portal. This may include an app-based tuner.

Check with your audiology clinic, which also may offer services for patients who need guidance with fitting and inserting the hearing devices.

Hearing test

Before you dash off to buy an OTC hearing device, you should have an audiologist or hearing professional check your hearing. By having a better idea of your hearing level, you’ll eliminate some guesswork in determining which device will be the best fit for you.

Returns, warranties, support

Let’s say you do make your choice, but once you begin wearing your new OTC hearing devices, they don’t seem right.

Most manufacturers offer trial periods and have return policies. They also may provide limited basic warranties. Extended warranties, additional protection, and services such as cleaning and repair are offered for a fee.

Some companies provide professional

support for a limited time, and once that period expires, the support can be purchased by the hour.

Be sure to read these policies, warranties and support materials carefully so that you know what’s covered and what you’re buying. For instance, some warranties won’t apply to devices with wear and tear, such as those affected by moisture or wax buildup.

Quality of life

Hearing loss isn’t just an inconvenience. It reduces quality of life because you can’t hear what others are saying, which causes you to miss out on conversations with friends and family, as well as important information such

as from your healthcare professional. People with hearing loss begin to feel isolated, which can lead to depression and cognitive decline.

Whether you opt for OTC devices or customized hearing aids after seeing an audiology specialist, what is important is your commitment to improving your hearing level and remaining engaged with those around you.

— Katie Dease, Au.D., Audiology, Mayo Clinic Health System, Owatonna, Minnesota

© 2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Medicare coverage not meeting your needs? Now’s the time to switch.

Get complete coverage with a Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage (HMO) plan.

EXPLORE THE BENEFITS

Medical, hospital, and prescription drug coverage1 all in one plan with premiums as low as $0, 2 plus these added benefits:

• Comprehensive dental plan

• Hearing aid allowance

• $0 copays for mail-order generic drugs

• Over-the-counter (OTC) quarterly wellness benefit

• Transportation to care at no cost

• Thriving After 60 community

• Fitness center membership and online workout classes

Benefits vary by plan option.

NOT A MEMBER YET?

Contact a Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist today:

Pauline Gibbs

Pauline.Gibbs@kp.org l 1-410-387-1878

Kaiser Permanente is an HMO and HMO-POS plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Kaiser Permanente depends on contract renewal. You must reside in the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan service area in which you enroll.

1 Except for our Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Liberty (HMO) plan.

2 For our Value (HMO and HMO-POS) plans.

H2172_24_146_M

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. 2101 E. Jefferson St., Rockville, MD 20852 2024AR1254 MAS 9/11/24–12/31/25

The key to a better burger is in the crust

By America’s Test Kitchen

Smashed burgers share the same thin, verging-on-well-done profile and all-American array of condiments as typical fastfood burgers, but their big selling point is an ultra-brown, crispy crust.

We make these using commercial ground beef instead of grinding our own, because the former is ground finer and thus exposes more myosin, a sticky meat protein that helps the patties hold together when they are smashed.

Using a small saucepan to press straight down on the meat ensures that it spreads and sticks uniformly to the skillet (instead of shrinking as it cooks), which helps guarantee deep browning. We made two smaller patties at a time instead of one larger one, because they fit nicely inside a burger bun.

Sandwiching a melty slice of Kraft

American cheese between the two patties helps the cheese melt thoroughly and seep into the meat almost like a rich, salty cheese sauce would.

Our creamy, tangy burger sauce adds more richness and moisture; lettuce and thinly sliced tomato provide freshness and acidity; and the soft bun offers tenderness.

Smashed Burgers

Serves 2

Ingredients:

For the sauce:

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 tablespoon minced shallot

1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped dill pickles plus 1/2 teaspoon brine

1 1/2 teaspoons ketchup

1/8 teaspoon sugar

1/8 teaspoon pepper

For the burgers:

2 hamburger buns, toasted if desired

8 ounces (80% lean) ground beef

1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

2 slices American cheese (2 ounces)

Bibb lettuce leaves

Thinly sliced tomato

ENTERPRISE RESIDENTIAL

MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

The Greens at Hammonds Lane: 410-636-1141

Park View at Furnace Branch: 410-761-4150

Park View at Severna Park: 410-544-3411

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 • 55 & Better

Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665

Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375

Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

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

EASTERN SHORE

Park View at Easton: 410-770-3070

HARFORD COUNTY

Park View at Bel Air: 410-893-0064

Park View at Box Hill: 410-515-6115

HOWARD COUNTY

Park View at Colonial Landing: 410-796-4399

Park View at Columbia: 410-381-1118

Park View at Ellicott City: 410-203-9501

Park View at Ellicott City II: 410-203-2096

Park View at Emerson: 301-483-3322

Park View at Snowden River: 410-290-0384

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Park View at Bladensburg: 301-699-9785 • 55 & Better

Park View at Laurel: 301-490-1526

Park View at Laurel II: 301-490-9730

Directions:

For the sauce:

Stir all ingredients together in a bowl. Spread 1 tablespoon sauce on the cut side of each bun top.

For the burgers:

Divide beef into 4 equal pieces (2 ounces each); form into loose, rough balls (do not compress).

Place oil in 12-inch cast-iron or carbonsteel skillet. Use paper towel to rub oil into bottom of skillet (reserve paper towel). Heat over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. While skillet heats, wrap bottom and sides of small saucepan with large sheet of aluminum foil, anchoring foil on rim, and place large plate next to cooktop.

Increase heat to high. When skillet begins to smoke, place 2 balls about 3 inches apart in skillet. Use bottom of prepared saucepan to firmly smash each ball until 4 to 4 1/2 inches in diameter. Place saucepan on plate next to cooktop.

Sprinkle patties with 1/8 teaspoon salt and season with pepper. Cook until at least three-quarters of each patty is no longer pink on top, about 2 minutes (patties will stick to skillet).

Use thin metal spatula to loosen patties from skillet. Flip patties and cook for 15 seconds. Slide skillet off heat. Transfer 1 burger to each bun bottom and top each with 1 slice American cheese.

Gently scrape any browned bits from skillet, use tongs to wipe with reserved paper towel, and return skillet to heat. Repeat with remaining 2 balls and place burgers on top of cheese.

Top with lettuce and tomato. Cap with prepared bun tops. Serve immediately.

For 25 years, home cooks have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. The family of brands — which includes Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country — offers reliable recipes for cooks of all skill levels. See more online at americastestkitchen.com/TCA. © 2023 America’s Test Kitchen. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

How our brain and innards communicate

It’s interesting how some hormones like serotonin affect mood, and yet they’re made in the gastrointestinal tract — our gut!

The gut-brain axis is a complex network in the body that allows our gut and brain to communicate through both direct and indirect pathways.

This connection explains how gut health impacts brain functions and vice versa. Understanding how this works can help with many mental health issues.

calm, happy and emotionally stable.

Disturbances in serotonin production or signaling can lead to mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Its influence on mood also affects self-esteem, as feeling good biochemically can enhance feelings of value and confidence.

PHARMACIST

By Suzy Cohen

Imagine the gut and brain as friends having a deep conversation over tea. The brain’s activities, like stress and mood changes, can influence gut function. And signals from the gut can affect emotional and psychological well-being.

How stress, mood affect gut

• Stress: Stress can upset the stomach, leading to physical symptoms like “gutwrenching” feelings. Chronic stress may contribute to digestive issues and mid-section fat accumulation.

• Mood: The brain’s emotional state can affect gut health. Positive moods can promote a healthy gut environment, while stress, conflict and other negative emotions can disrupt it.

• Anxiety: Anxiety can cause gut disturbances, reflecting the brain’s worrisome state. Most people live with chronic anxiety these days.

• Neurotransmitters: Serotonin, produced mainly in the gut, acts as a messenger, influencing mood and gut function.

Fluctuations in serotonin levels directly impact emotional states and self-esteem. Sufficient serotonin is crucial for feeling

Seven ways to boost serotonin

1. Increase tryptophan intake: Consuming foods rich in tryptophan, such as turkey, eggs, cheese, nuts and seeds, can boost brain serotonin levels.

2. Exercise regularly: Physical activity enhances serotonin production and receptor sensitivity, with aerobic exercises like running, cycling and swimming being particularly effective.

3. Get plenty of natural light: Sunlight exposure increases serotonin production and helps regulate sleep and mood.

4. Manage stress: Techniques like mindfulness, meditation and yoga can maintain healthy serotonin levels and improve receptor function.

5. Consider probiotics: Probiotics can enhance gut health and potentially boost serotonin production. Foods like yogurt, sauerkraut and kefir, or probiotic supplements, may be beneficial. Probiotics improve thyroid hormone conversion, and thyroid hormone is your natural antidepressant.

6. Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fish like salmon and sardines, and in flaxseeds and walnuts, these acids may increase serotonin receptor responsiveness. This can help improve receptor sensitivity rather than ‘make’ more happy hormones.

7. Mindful meditation: Regular medita-

tion can enhance serotonin transmission, potentially increasing receptor sensitivity and effectiveness. As with the omega-3s, this can improve receptor sensitivity over time.

Understanding the role of the gut in serotonin production opens new possibilities for managing mood and self-esteem. By nurturing gut health through diet, exercise and stress management, we can influence the brain’s biochemical landscape, promoting a happier, healthier mental state.

The saying “trust your gut” now has sci-

entifically backed significance, highlighting the importance of maintaining a positive gut-brain connection for overall well-being.

For a more detailed version of this article, sign up for my free weekly emailed newsletter at suzycohen.com.

This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe.

Upcoming Programs for 55 Years + Recreation &

Parks

To view all of our programs and activities, visit www.HowardCountyMD.gov/rap.

Crafts & Fine Arts

• Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

Stained Glass Craft and Design Class

Have you taken the Stained Glass Workshop? Now come create a more advanced piece that refines your skills in cutting, foiling and soldering, using more classic and artistic patterns. Class held on six consecutive weeks for two hours a day. Patterns include organic and abstract designs that have 20-30 pieces in each pattern. Supplies include patterns, glass and tools. (Prerequisite: Stained Glass Workshop, or get permission from the instructor if you have other stained glass experience.) 55 yrs +Instructor: Maureen StoneClasses: 6No class 10/1 RP3557.101N Laurel CCSep 2410am-noonTu$195

Dance

• Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

Beginner/Intermediate

Soul Line Dance

Explore your own style of dance while learning fun, popular, social line dances that can be done at weddings, holiday functions and more. The class is partner-free and designed for all levels. Line up and learn the step-by-step choreography taught by instructor, Jessie Barnes. Multiple dances are performed to great pop and rhythm and blues music. 55 yrs +Instructor: Jessie BarnesClasses: 6No class 11/28

RP3511.102Harriet Tubman CtrOct 244-5pmTh$59

Encore Adventures

This is your opportunity to dabble in a variety of outdoor skills! Paddle a kayak, learn the basics of archery, fish around Centennial Lake, and much more. Earn a certificate and patch for completing at least five Encore Adventure activities within a two-year period. All equipment provided for use during the program. Detailed information is emailed during the week prior to the program. Info: Matt Medicus, 410-313-1769 or mmedicus@howardcountymd.gov.

Intro to Fishing

Are you a new angler? Coming back to the sport? Learn or review how to cast, identify fish, rig a pole, tie knots and more. Equipment and bait provided. 55 yrs +Centennial Pk SouthClasses: 1

RP9171.102Sep 249:30-11:30amTu$30

Intro to Target Archery

Learn the basics of target archery including equipment, safety and elements of shooting with an USA Archery-certified instructor.

55 yrs +Alpha Ridge PkClasses: 1

RP9171.103Oct 19:30-11:30amTu$39

Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/activeaging55 for more 55 yrs + programs!

Fitness

• Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

Ageless Fitness

with Lori Nowicki, ACE, AFPA

Join us for a virtual hour of exercise. The class consists of cardio, weights, resistance bands, balance, floor work and stretching. During this session, work on posture, breathing, and hand and foot exercises. Work at the pace that is right for you.

50 yrs +OnlineClasses: 17No class 11/28

RP3553.101Oct 1510:30-11:30amTu,Th$119

Light Fitness with Taylor Williams, GFI

Enjoy a light 55-minute workout to start your day and enhance flexibility. Participants improve muscle movement, making it easier to execute a wide range of motion. This class includes low impact aerobics, stretching, muscle toning, and activities aimed at improving overall health.

55 yrs +Cedar Lane Rec CtrClasses: 10

RP3585.102Oct 2110:30-11:30amM,W$75

Mat Core and Strength w/ Taylor Williams, GFI

• Innfo: Traccy y Adkins, 4100-3133-7279 or r tadkins@howardcounntymmd.ggoov

Glenstone Museum

Blend classic Pilates exercises with yoga movements that focus on strength and flexibility using resistance bands and light weights. This total-body workout is designed to strengthen small muscles (triceps, shoulders, biceps, and calves) and large muscles (hamstrings, back and chest).

55 yrs +Cedar Lane Rec CtrClasses: 10

RP3586.102Oct 2111:30am-12:30pmM,W$75

NEW! Yoga for the Core with Kathy Greisman

Formerly Yoga for Bone Strength. Let’s gain better balance and stability by focusing on our core strength. The core is vital to maintaining balance, stability and helps to prevent injury.

Bring a yoga mat.

55 yrs +Belmont ManorClasses: 12

No class 10/14, 11/11, 11/27

RP3566.102Oct 2811:30am-12:30pmM,W$95

Nature Programs

• Info: Robinson Nature Center, 410-313-0400.

Sr. Naturalist Program

Having fun in nature is for all ages! This program provides a foundation of understanding on a variety of environmental topics through hands-on exploration and demonstrations in a casual, social atmosphere. Topics change monthly based on seasonal happenings.

Life in a Water Droplet: Journey down to the Middle Patuxent River to explore the microscopic life that can be found in a water droplet.

Nature Journaling: Learn nature journaling techniques and how this practice of tracking nature through the seasons can benefit your mental health and provide calm.

Birding Walk: Enjoy a walk to identify birds around the property while learning how to recognize the differences between species sights and sounds.

Astronomy: Enjoy the winter constellations and a film in the planetarium.

50 yrs +Robinson Nature CtrClasses: 1

RP4831.101Life in a Water DropletSep 253-4:30pmW$15

RP4831.102Nature JournalingOct 163-4:30pmW$15

RP4831.103Birding WalkNov 203-4:30pmW$15

RP4831.104Astronomy Dec 183-4:30pmW$15

Guided by y thhe e personal vision of its founders, Glenstone assembles War II ar tworks of the high g est t

assembles post-World War II artworks of the highest quality that trace the greatest historical shifts in the way we experience and understand art of the 20th and 21st centuries. These works are presented in a series of refined indoor and outdoor spaces designed to facilitate meaningful encounters for visitors. The name “Glenstone” derives from two local sources: Glen Road, where the property line begins, and a type of carderock® stone indigenous to the area, which is still extracted from several nearby quarries. Moderate walking required. Bus provided.

RP4572.10118 yrs +Oct 109:30am-3:30pmTh$79

The Amazing Luray Caverns

Deep beneath Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, this U.S. Natural Landmark is the largest and most popular caverns in Eastern America. From well-lit paved walkways, explore cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10 stories high that are filled with towering stone columns and crystal-clear pools. Hear the haunting sounds of the world’s only stalactite organ. Lunch is on your own at the onsite Stalactite Café onsite that has a wide variety menu of options. Moderate walking required. Bus provided.

RP4590.10121 yrs +Oct 188:30am–6pmF $115

Meet You There!

Toby’s Dinner Theater – Sound of Music

One of the most beloved musicals of all time! In 1938 Austria, Maria (a young woman studying to be a nun) is sent to serve as a governess for the Captain von Trapp. Maria finds love while bringing music and joy back to the broken family. This Tony- and Oscar-winning musical features a trove of cherished songs including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” and “The Sound of Music.” The outing includes a delicious and bountiful buffet! Be sure to register early!

RP4583.101All agesNov 155:45-9pmF$85

Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/RPtrips for more trips & tours!

olume 14, No. 10 | October 202 Vo

24

Long-termcarere

Longterm care re find power in thei

T To o celebrate Residents’ Rights Month (RRM) in October, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care filiijifilb

ir voices

em facilities join family m bers, ff ombudsmen, facility staff, , and other advocates to honor the rights of long-ter y V The 2024 RRM theme, The Power of M Vooice empowerment and recognizes the power that they vocalize the importance of personal grow ef and their right to liv fuull, enriching lives. In Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) Om ggp() pp the residents’ right to self-determination and encourage them to use their voice to make their own choices.

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“Even though a resident lives in a long-term care facility, , they still ts, have individual righ ,” ” notes Monique Harkless, OAI ombudsman. y f a Recognizing that some residents may feeel intimidated to speak up at first, she suggests they attend the facility’s resident council meetings. “By listening to their peers, they see they are not alone e w s, and share many of the same concern ,” she explains. “Thos who ff use their voices to affeect change empower themselves and other residents. Even the smallest change can make a huge impact on residents living in long-term care.”

a Fellow ombudsman Chris Hobbs agrees. “Havving attended many care plan meetings and resident council meetings, I see firsthand e f how these opportunities allow residents to gain th fuull attention of t. ff key staff, , bringing their opinions and concerns into the spotligh ”

Making residents aware of their rights and helping them gain g f y f the confidence to find their own voice is ver fuulfillin foor OAI’s ombudsmen. “Our role is to let them know they can – and shouldff have input in decisions that affeect them. The resident’s voice always k f comes first, even when there are others willing to spea foor them!”

During RRM, residents of local facilities will tell their stories as part of Howard County’s HoCo Community Chat podcast. MidChiidtifidlllidtttiit

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For pros and cons of hybrid and plug-in vehicles, see page 20.

Practical tips to save money on groceries

By Adriana Morga

If you’ve noticed that you’re paying more than before for the same amount of groceries, you’re not the only one. Inflation is easing slightly, but grocery prices are still high — up 21% on average since inflation started to surge more than three years ago.

Unlike some other items, you can’t just stop buying groceries when they get pricey. There’s nothing you can do about inflation, but you can find ways to save on groceries so they don’t heavily impact your wallet or your eating habits. These include using coupons, budgeting and buying in bulk.

Here’s are some expert recommendations for saving on groceries:

Automatic coupons

Kiersten Torok started using coupons back when she was in high school, after her parents lost their jobs during the 2008 recession. She began relying on them even more in 2020, when she lost her own job during the pandemic.

Now she’s using her social media platform to help others learn how to save. “When times like these come up, coupons are a necessity for so many Americans,” said Torok, known on Instagram and TikTok as Torok Coupon Hunter.

Many might think that using coupons means cutting them out of a magazine. While you can certainly still do that, there are now easier ways to get the discounts.

Many stores, like Walmart and Target, have coupons available on their apps.

“All you have to do is scan an item in a store, the coupons pop up on your app, and then they automatically apply at the register,” Torok said. “It’s become much more streamlined.”

One of Torok’s coupon golden rules is: never pay for toothpaste — there’s always a combination of coupons and offers available.

For anyone who wants to try couponing, Torok recommends that you first start using them at your favorite store, and never buy things you don’t need, even if there’s a big discount.

Apps like Flipp, which lets you browse for coupons from all major grocery stores, and Ibotta, an app that gives you cashback for using coupons, can make your journey with couponing easier.

Track current spending

Making a budget is a key to keeping grocery spending under control, and the first step is to track how much you’re already spending. Start by reviewing how much you have spent on the last few times you’ve gone grocery shopping, recommended David Brindley, deputy editor for AARP Bulletin.

If you don’t keep receipts from past grocery runs, try looking at your bank account statement and adding up the grocery charges.

Once you know how much you spend on groceries, set a goal, for example, stay-

ing within a specific budget or reducing your spending.

Review what you already have

You need a plan, but before you make one, ensure you know what you currently have in your fridge and your pantry.

Sarah Schweisthal, personal finance expert and social media manager at budgeting app YNAB, recommends taking everything out and making an inventory so you don’t buy duplicates of things you already have on hand.

Brindley also recommends planning to cook multiple meals with similar ingredients, which saves money and also cuts down on food waste.

Make a plan

Once you’ve tracked your spending and inventoried what you already have, the next step is to make a plan. Write down the items you’re looking to buy and their estimated cost, making sure you stay on budget.

Meal planning for the week or month can be a good way to stay on top of your spending, Schweisthal said.

Going up and down the aisles can sometimes make you crave things that you haven’t planned for, like a snack or a new dish. If you foresee that it’ll be hard for you to stick to your list, include some flexibility in your plan, such as allotting a specific amount to buy snacks or a random item you see at the checkout line.

“I think having flexibility in a plan actually helps you stick to it more,” Schweisthal said. Making a plan can be as simple as writing down a list on paper or in your phone’s notes app. Or you can use apps that specifically help you with meal planning, such as AnyList or Mealime.

Shop online, buy with a group

If you tend to wander off your grocery list because every time you go to the store you buy things you don’t need, shopping online and picking up curbside is a good workaround.

“I 100% recommend sitting down Sunday morning and just looking at the stores and comparing the items you need for the week, especially with things you can get for curbside pickup,” Torok said.

If you buy your groceries from multiple stores because each has better prices on some items, ordering ahead of time can also save time.

Since buying in bulk can be very cost-effective. Brindley recommends that you team up with a friend or a family member to buy specific items in bulk and share the discount.

Use food-sharing apps

Lastly, you can save money by using food-sharing apps such as Olio, which connects people around their community to share extra grocery items, and Too Good to Go, where you can buy surplus food at a discount. —AP

How to organize important documents

By Ella Vincent

Even if your estate plan is in order, it won’t be of much help to your heirs if they can’t locate important documents when you’re no longer around.

Organizing your financial and estateplanning documents — and letting your family know where you’ve stored them — will make it easier for your loved ones to care for you if you become incapacitated, and it will smooth the process of settling your estate after you’re gone.

Plus, while you’re still alive, you’ll be able to quickly track down paperwork.

Start with a file

To organize your records, you can use

an accordion file or binder and divide the documents into different categories, such as estate planning, life insurance policies, property titles and investment statements.

You should also include categories for health insurance, long-term care insurance, and bank account and credit card information. That way, your family will have the details they need to pay medical bills if you’re hospitalized for a long period.

Use Microsoft Word or Google Docs to write down additional details — such as who you want to take care of your pets, a list of subscriptions and memberships, and passcodes to any home security systems or online accounts.

Once you draw up the documents, print

them and place them in your binder. (You can also store them digitally — more on that below.)

Where to store documents

Store your documents in a secure area, such as a locked filing cabinet or fireproof safe in your home. Make sure your loved ones know the location of your cabinet or safe, and give them any keys, combinations or codes required to access it.

If you don’t want to keep the documents in your home, you can entrust them with your estate lawyer, said George Taylor, estate attorney with Brinkley Morgan.

“Your estate attorney can store original documents, like your will and titles to your

house and car. Then you and the executor of your will can have copies,” he said. You can put copies of your will and other important documentsin a safe-deposit box, but it’s usually not a good idea to keep originals there if you’re the sole owner.

After your death, the bank will seal the safe-deposit box until an executor can prove he or she has the legal right to access it. That could lead to long and potentially costly delays before your will is executed.

Digital options

You should keep original, paper versions of your will, power of attorney and other

Organize for heirs

From page 18

key estate-planning documents. But if you’d like to create a backup of your paper documents, consider using a flash drive (which you can plug into your computer’s USB port) to collect them all in one place.

Alternatively, you can use a cloud storage system, such as Microsoft’s OneDrive or Apple’s iCloud. OneDrive’s free version gives you 5 gigabytes (GB) of cloud storage. Its family version, which allows up to six individuals to share and access documents, costs $99.99 a year.

Apple’s iCloud Drive also provides 5GB of free storage. For 99 cents a month, you can upgrade to iCloud+, which provides 50GB of storage, and you can share it with up to five family members.

Whichever option you choose, protect documents in the cloud by creating strong passwords and adding two-step verification [Ed. Note: which may, for example, require you to reply to an email or text message to gain access].

Your heirs will need passwords to log in to your online accounts, so make sure they have easy access to themand to any device they might need for two-step verification.

You can write them down in a document to store in your binder, or use a secure password-management tool. A family membership to 1Password ($4.99 a month after a

two-week free trial) offers shared account access for up to five family members. With Bitwarden, you can share your account with one other person free. Or sign up for a family membership ($40 a year), which allows access for up to six people.

How to make updates

Update your documents each time you have a life change. For example, you may need to alter the beneficiaries in your will or life insurance policies if you get divorced or have grandchildren, and living trusts should be updated to reflect the purchase or sale of property included in the trust.

Even if you haven’t undergone any big changes, check your documents at least once a year to make sure the information is current.

If you entrusted your estate attorney with your documents, he or she can also help you keep them up to date, Taylor said. Ask your estate attorney to send you an annual email or letter reminding you to update your information, and make sure the right person is still in charge of your affairs, he said.

Documents to share with family

Make sure to include the following information in a binder or digital file:

• Will or trust

• Powers of attorney for finances and healthcare

• Organ donation form

• Living will

• Letter of instruction for your heirs

• Beneficiary designations

• HIPAA release (allows healthcare providers to share information about you with authorized individuals)

• Bank and financial statements

• Real estate deeds and titles

• Retirement account documents

• Life insurance policies

• List of important personal property,

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Oct. 1

such as jewelry and artwork, and estimated values

• Funeral instruction

Note: This article first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make.

All contents © 2024 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

ACTIVE AGING SHOWCASE

Celebrate Active Aging Week with free activities to keep your mind and body active. Participate in fitness sessions and art projects, enter giveaways, and try bocce, croquet or archery. This free event takes place on Tue., Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blandair Regional Park North, 5685 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia. Register at tinyurl.com/encoreshowcase. For more information, contact Tessa Hurd at thurd@howardcountymd.gov or (410) 313-7311.

HOW TO SELL IN AMAZON’S STORE

Oct. 22

This free webinar by SCORE, an organization that helps individuals start and grow small businesses, introduces the basics of selling with Amazon, including what to sell and when, how to list and deliver your products, and how to grow and scale your brand online. The event takes place online on Tue., Oct. 22 at noon. Register at bit.ly/AmazonStoreWebinar. For more information and other free webinars, visit score.org/business-education.

PUMMPKIN PAL L ALOO LOO

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Pros and cons of buying a hybrid auto

By Christian Wardlaw

If you’re ready to move on from a purely gasoline-fueled vehicle but you’re not ready to go fully electric, you have two choices. You can get a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

But which one is best? The experts at Edmunds will help you decide.

What a hybrid car offers

A hybrid electric vehicle has a gasoline engine, a small electric motor and a small

battery pack that work together to improve fuel economy, enhance performance or both.

The best-known hybrid is the Toyota Prius, but they come in all shapes and sizes. From compact cars to full-size pickup trucks, there is a hybrid for just about anyone.

Pros

• Improves fuel economy while reducing emissions

• Sometimes improves acceleration and

overall performance

• Often provides electric-only driving at low speeds for short distances

• Usually doesn’t reduce passenger or cargo space

• Never needs to be plugged in

• Small increase in price, if any

• Reduced fueling costs

Cons

• Cannot travel long distances solely on electricity

• Cannot travel at higher speeds only on electricity

[Ed. Note: Battery packs have a long, but limited, lifespan and are expensive to replace. You cannot drive a hybrid without a functioning battery. This applies to both hybrids and plug-in hybrids.]

Overall, a hybrid electric vehicle is a great choice for anyone who wants better fuel economy, reduced emissions, and lower operating costs without any extra hassle or change in their daily routine.

Hybrids are more commonly available than ever, and some automakers are using only hybrid powertrains on their new models.

For example, every version of the 2025 Toyota Camry is a hybrid, and Honda offers certain versions of the Accord, Civic and CR-V only with hybrid power. Hybrid versions of many other popular models,

such as the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson SUVs, are also available.

How a plug-in hybrid differs

A plug-in hybrid vehicle, often abbreviated as PHEV, is a hybrid that offers electric-only driving for a short range and can then be plugged in to recharge.

They have a gasoline engine like a hybrid does, but thanks to a larger and more powerful electric motor and battery pack, they can travel at a wider range of speeds in electric mode for many miles at a time. When the battery charge gets low, the gas engine turns on to continue the trip. You can recharge a plug-in hybrid using a household electrical outlet or a charging station.

Pros

• Electric-only driving for commuting, taking the kids to school, running errands, etc.

• Gas-only driving for longer trips

• Can charge the battery overnight using a household-style outlet or in a few hours using a more powerful charging station

• The gas engine automatically takes over to power the vehicle when the battery charge is low

• Can dramatically improve fuel econo-

EVs & hybrids

From page 20

my, acceleration and overall performance while reducing operating costs

• Certain models may qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500

• May qualify for carpool lane access in certain states with only a driver aboard Cons

• A plug-in typically costs substantially more than a hybrid or gas-only vehicle

• Plugging in each night can seem like a hassle

• The larger electric motor and battery may reduce passenger or cargo space

• The added weight of plug-in hybrid components can negatively affect the ride and handling

• If you don’t make a habit of plugging in, it may be less efficient than a hybrid

Plug-in hybrids are perfect for people who want an electric vehicle but worry about driving range, public EV charging infrastructure, and the costs of installing a home charging station.

They’re easy to recharge overnight, usually offer enough electric range for typical daily driving, and have a gas engine that eliminates the range anxiety common with driving an EV.

For example, you can drive a plug-in hy-

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DONATE BLOOD IF YOU CAN

The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. There is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors, but donors of all blood types are needed. To schedule an appointment or find upcoming blood donation drives, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

brid from Manhattan to Santa Monica and never plug it in. Or, when you’re not taking a longer trip, you can plug a plug-in hybrid in every night and hardly burn any gas in everyday driving, especially if you choose a model with a generous electric-only range.

In short, a plug-in hybrid represents the best of both worlds — a perfect bridge from the gasoline past to the electric future. Examples of plug-in hybrids highly rated by Edmunds include the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid, Toyota Prius Prime and Volvo XC60 Recharge.

What’s best for you?

Choosing between a hybrid vehicle and

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a plug-in hybrid vehicle comes down to three things. First, do you want the ability to drive only on electricity? Second, are you willing to pay more for a vehicle in order to get that? Third, are you willing to put up with some extra hassle to maximize electric-only driving?

If your answers to those questions are “no” and your only goal is to save money at the fuel pump, we recommend a hybrid. But if you want to eliminate as much gasoline use as possible without diving into the deep end of the electric vehicle ownership pool, a plug-in hybrid is perfect. This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds.

The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. There is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors, but donors of all blood types are needed. To schedule an appointment or find upcoming blood donation drives, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Ongoing

VOLUNTEER TO BE A MENTOR

Pass on your knowledge of the business world to a new generation. The nonprofit organization Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is looking for mentors. You do not have to be retired to mentor clients. Meetings can take place remotely. To volunteer, visit score.org/volunteer/become-mentor or call 1-800-634-0245.

Travel Leisure &

Three-day olive-harvest getaway in Spain

By Martha Steger

Standing in an olive grove in southwestern Spain, I felt a bit like Moses raising his staff and parting the Red Sea.

Stick in hand, I struck an olive tree’s large limbs, and voila! A hail of ripe, green olives thundered to the ground. How different this was from the slow picking of blueberries, strawberries and even peaches on my family’s farm on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

Travel experiences such as olive harvests needn’t be like going to the theater and watching others do it. They can — and should — have a participatory component.

After decades of traveling, I had that epiphany a few years ago: Firsthand experiences, beyond talking to the locals, are what make or break our travels.

Last September, after a conference in Madrid, five other journalists and I sought out a long weekend in the olive-growing region of Extremadura.

The bonus, it turned out, was that the area has more Roman ruins than anywhere else in Spain. We combined traditional sightseeing with hands-on experiences for an ideal getaway.

Roman roots

Extremadura’s capital, Mérida, helped us understand the development of a European city from its beginnings 2,000 years ago.

Here, in the westernmost province of

ancient Rome (founded in the first century B.C.E.), we spent a full day strolling among sites, including Early Christian basilicas.

Most memorable was our five-minute walk covering more than a thousand years historically and architecturally. We went from Plaza de España to a half-mile-long bridge — the Puente Romano — spanning the Rio Guadiana.

The later Muslim era is also represented, as the bridge adjoins Alcazaba, an 11th century Islamic fortress built over Roman walls.

City founders seem to have had us 21 century visitors in mind by building spectacular sights such as the Roman Theatre and the Temple of Diana close to the scenic bridge.

We jaw-dropped at the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida, built when Augustus completed the conquest of the north of Hispania in 25 B.C.E. He intended this farflung post of the Roman Empire to present as an idealized model of Rome.

Approximately halfway (an hour’s drive) between Mérida and our more hands-on destination in Villamiel was Cáceres, a medieval walled city and province that’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.

No traveler can do everything on one trip, and I knew this place merited a return to cover Roman and Moorish occupations, as well as the Golden Age of Jewish culture in Spain.

Picnicking in olive groves

“Un-touristy” was how one of my travel companions described Villamiel, with its iffy internet service, lack of box stores, and few visitors to the municipality with fewer than a thousand inhabitants.

Cáceres was the closest population center to our rural accommodations for the next three nights — the olive mill-turnedfour-star-resort named Hotel Aqua et Oleum (Water and Oil). The hotel reflects the countryside: rustic and elegantly charming for its authenticity in presentation and service.

A decade ago, an American entrepreneur, Joseph Shortell, saw the potential in the dilapidated structure with worn stones and water wheel. In restoring the place, he preserved as much as possible of the olive mill while renovating spaces into attractive guestrooms and adding a fine chef and concierge.

Among the three dinners we enjoyed were pork cheek prepared in a stew with a seasonal fruit sauce, and semolina with walnuts. A dessert featured fresh pears cooked with pepper, cumin, honey and raisin wine — recipes worthy of internet viral distribution, if we could get online.

Our full breakfast might be crepe-like scrambled eggs with Spain’s artisanal ham

or scallion pancakes. For lunch, we picnicked on farm food either on the grounds (after striking olive trees to gather fruit) or at a nearby olive grove: charcuterie with fruit, crusty baguette and wine.

With an olive culture from trees to oil, Extremadura is about community connection. At an olive-processing plant, we witnessed a long line of cars packed with crates of homegrown olives to be pressed into oil — which, for an extra fee, might bear the label of the individual grower or family.

It’s not all work and no play: We couldn’t help but notice how often locals in the nearby towns of El Gasco, Asegur and Casares de las Hurdes laughed as they enjoyed shopping, dining, drinking and conversing with one another. That’s reason enough for a return trip.

If you go

Round-trip flights to Madrid in October start at $546. Prices vary with currency values, but it’s wise to budget an inclusive $2,500 per person for a weekend of three nights, including transportation to and from the Madrid airport, a Mérida stopover and visits to nearby sites while in Villamiel. For travel resources, visit turismoextremadura.com/en/index.html.

In Mérida, Spain, a Roman amphitheater completed in 8 B.C.E. still hosts outdoor performances. The country’s southwestern province of Extremadura has more Roman ruins than anywhere else in Spain, including a nearby gladiator arena.

How best to handle an airport meltdown? See story on page 24.

Every autumn, Extremadura’s olive farmers harvest their crops, and some invite tourists to participate.

Unwind along Maryland’s Eastern Shore

By Victor Block

As I drove into the tiny town of Oxford, Maryland (population about 600), I immediately began to relax. My breathing slowed, my body slouched, and when I turned to glance at my wife, Fyllis, seated beside me, she was having the same reaction.

We were looking forward to leisurely exploring the minuscule municipalities scattered about Talbot County to immerse ourselves in bygone days.

Locals pronounce the name of their county in several ways. We heard it called Tahl-but, Tall-but and Taw-but. However you say it, the destination offers a deep dive into intriguing chapters of our country’s past.

Captain John Smith surveyed the region in 1608. Indigenous people who lived in the area maintained good relations with the first English settlers, who arrived in the 1630s, and over time were assimilated into their culture through intermarriage.

The English established tobacco plantations and formally created Talbot County in 1662. The enclave was named for Lady Grace Talbot, sister of the second Lord Baltimore.

He is remembered for instituting freedom of religion and separation of church and state, first in Newfoundland and

Labrador in present-day Canada, and then in the Maryland colony.

Many early immigrants were Quakers or Puritans seeking a haven from persecution, or people from Ireland and Scotland transported to the colony as indentured servants. Adding to the mix were both free and enslaved African Americans.

Lots of local museums

Fyllis and I were delighted to learn that each town in Talbot County has a museum that relates its history.

The Tilghman Watermen’s Museum, for instance, celebrates the work and culture of people who earn their livelihood on rivers and bays. Occupying what once was the island’s barbershop, the museum brings their stories to life with videos, boat models, tools of the trade and art.

The centerpiece of the Oxford Museum is a lighthouse lens named for AugustinJean Fresnel, a French engineer who, in the 1820s, invented a lens that intensifies light. Other exhibits are devoted to oysters, ducks and watermen.

This region is home to the oldest Black community in the United States, and you’ll find museums, trails and other references to this history. The Water’s Edge Museum in Oxford portrays the lives of Black farmers, watermen, sailmakers and others who

played important roles in the area’s commerce and culture.

Our favorite museum was the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, an 18-acre campus that has evolved from a humble beginning into a world-class display. Fyllis and I marveled

at the historic structures, more than 100 boats and boat models, decoys and a relocated lighthouse.

St. Michaels was founded in the mid1600s as a trading post for trappers and

In July, 1,500 people attended Big Band Night on the 18-acre campus of the Chesapeake Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland. The facility tells the stories of the Chesapeake Bay, and features a lighthouse, hundreds of historic boats and artifacts, and educational river cruises.

PHOTO BY SHARON THORPE

What to do when your flight is cancelled

You either experienced the July airline meltdown or read about or viewed some of the grief it caused, and you’re wondering what to do to make it easier if it happens again.

The short answer is “not much.” It seems that airline computer systems are not the most robust on the planet, and if they’re down, you can’t even reach the airline to try to arrange a fix. You have to wing it — not a very helpful suggestion, but a realistic one.

Get what you’re owed

By Ed Perkins

In reviewing your options, start with figuring out exactly what your airline owes you. And here, the airlines draw a big distinction between difficulties caused by something within their control and those caused by some external cause.

Specifics are included in each airline’s contract of carriage, but the Department

of Transportation (DoT) conveniently posts a “dashboard” on its website showing what each of the 10 large domestic scheduled lines and their regional partners offers in the event of significant controllable cancellations and delays. DoT defines a significant delay period as three hours.

All lines promise to rebook you on one of their own flights, and all promise a meal or meal voucher. All except Frontier promise a hotel room if the delay extends overnight.

However, the DoT dashboard covers only what you’re due if the delay/cancellation is caused by a “controllable” problem. And airlines are pretty good at defining problems as not being under their control. When almost everyone’s computer system goes down, that’s probably not controllable, but if only one airline has IT problems, that’s probably controllable.

Enjoy the Beacon? Tell your friends.

Getting where you’re going

The DoT dashboard reflects what an airline owes you if you wish to keep trying to get to your destination.

If the airline cancels your flight for any reason, controllable or not, you can refuse its suggested alternative and get a full cash refund. If the problem is not controllable, that’s all you get if your airline cancels.

Keep in mind that trip-interruption insurance won’t save your day or ease the snarl. It pays for extra expenses of getting you home, but it doesn’t find the airline seats you need to get there. As I’ve noted so often, travel insurance helps with the money, not the experience.

Overall, my approach to a snarled airline system is to get my refunds, cancel downstream reservations, and go back home until the snarl is resolved.

If you can’t do that, you have to tough it out — or else rent a car to complete your trip, if that last segment is short enough.

The DoT dashboard covers only domestic airlines. If you’re on a flight within the European Community (EC) or originating in the EC on any airline, and into the EC on an EC-based airline, EC Rule EU261 requires your airline to provide additional compensation and assistance, including cash compensation.

Moreover, the rule limits what an airline may claim to be non-controllable. Overall,

Eastern Shore

From page 23

tobacco farmers. It later became a shipbuilding center.

One major claim to fame relates to the British Navy’s bombardment during the Battle of 1812. Townspeople turned off their house lights and hung lanterns in nearby trees, at which the Brits aimed their cannons. That trick resulted in St. Michaels becoming known as “the town that fooled the British.”

Serene, charming Oxford

Fyllis and I chose Oxford as our home base for a variety of reasons, including its serene setting. Officially established in 1683, this is a charming town of brick sidewalks, white picket fences and elegant historic homes.

In Colonial days, Oxford became a booming port, and later an active boatbuilding business thrived there. Much later, the author James Michener chose it as the place where he wrote his novel Chesapeake

Oxford also is notable for two other reasons. One is the Robert Morris Inn, built in 1710 as a home and operating as a venerable hotel since 1800. Yes, George Washington slept here, as did Robert Morris, a British-born merchant and banker who helped finance the American Revolution and signed the Declaration of Independence.

EC flyers are better off than those in the U.S. (There’s a good summary of the benefits of this rule at bit.ly/ECflights.)

To reduce your risk

If you haven’t firmed up plans for a fall trip, you’re probably considering ways to minimize risks — personal and financial — of some future meltdown.

Here are two ideas:

• Take direct flights: The best way to minimize risks of dealing with a snarled system — for any reason — is to avoid connecting flights or at least avoid the largest mega-hubs. News reports clearly revealed that the worst grief in the recent meltdown struck travelers at hub airports. So even if nonstops are more expensive or require using less convenient airports, avoiding a hub connection or a hub is a big plus. [Ed. Note: Major hub airports include Dulles, O’Hare, JFK and LAX.]

• Buy travel insurance: The best way to avoid financial risk is to minimize prepayments and deposits that are either nonrefundable or carry stiff cancellation penalties. If you can’t avoid putting a lot of money up front, buy trip-cancellation insurance.

Email Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net or visit his rail travel website at railguru.com.

© 2024 Ed Perkins. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The town also is home base for the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, the oldest privately owned ferryboat in the country. It began transporting passengers in 1683 and now carries vehicles, trailers, bicycles and motorcycles across the Tred Avon River.

While we didn’t ride the ferry, we drove across a short drawbridge to the tiny waterman’s village of Tilghman Island (pronounced Till-man), retracing the route of spans that have existed at that site since the late 1600s.

Across the bridge, a 40-foot-tall mural titled “Pride” depicts a waterman in his boat with other vessels docked nearby, as well as displays of the seafood for which Talbot County is rightly famous.

A plaque pays tribute to the people “who have been working the Chesapeake Bay waters since the 1800s,” demonstrating and facing “Endurance. Perseverance. Hard Work. Ingenuity. Danger. Drive. Respect for the natural world.”

In this quiet place of beauty, respect for nature comes easily. Talbot County has more than 600 miles of shoreline, so we were never far from water.

We scanned the rivers and the bay, hoping to glimpse eagles, ospreys, cownose rays, bottlenose dolphins or even a bull shark. While we weren’t lucky enough to see rays or sharks, we did spot dolphins and fish and even an osprey gliding through the air.

For more information, visit tourtalbot.org or call (410) 770-8057.

TRAVEL TIPS

Arts & Style

New name reflects music group’s growth

By Ana Preger Hart

After more than half a century as the Candlelight Concert Society, the Howard County-based arts organization has changed its name to Chamber Music Maryland.

The new name brings with it some artistic and organizational changes as well. The website and logo have a new look, and the organization is expanding its concert series and educational outreach.

“Next year, we have quite a few very famous international groups,” its artistic director, Irina Kaplan Lande, said of the upcoming season.

It opens on October 5 with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields chamber ensemble from London. The Tallis Scholars vocal ensemble performs on December 8 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ellicott City.

“It’s a lot of expansion in every direction,” Kaplan Lande said.

Group has grown beyond Columbia

Founded in 1972, Candlelight Concert Society began shortly after the establishment of Columbia, Maryland. As the planned community grew, so did the music organization, deepening its ties there and bringing great music from all over the world to the county.

The 2024-2025 season will be the organization’s first as Chamber Music Maryland and its biggest to date. What remains the same, its leaders say, is the group’s commitment to bringing world-class chamber music concerts, children’s programs, community outreach programs, master classes and pre-concert lectures and discussions to the area’s music lovers.

The group announced its new name in May during the final concert of the 20232024 season, featuring Grammy Awardwinning wind quintet Imani Winds.

However, the organization had been

considering how best to accommodate its evolving identity for some time now.

“Over the years, we’ve been expanding the number of people in Maryland that we serve and the number of communities that we serve,” said Bryan Young, board president.

“And so today, we’re not just in Howard County. We also have a series in Baltimore County at Linehan Hall at UMBC,” referring to the organization’s popular piano concerts that take place there. In addition, the group launched a new series at Baltimore’s Peel Museum two seasons ago.

Another reason for the change was the confusion created by the frequent use of the name “candlelight” by other organizations. Some of these include an international concert presenter doing a lot of online advertising, a

Columbia Pro Cantare, Laura Lee Fischer, conductor, performs Faure’s “Requiem,” joined by Kayla Currie, soprano; Festival Chamber Orchestra; Ronald Mutchnik, violin; Isaiah Shim, organ; Jacqueline Pollauf, harp. Also on the program are Faure’s “Cantique de Jean Racine” and “Non Nobis Domine” by Rosephyane Powell, and pieces by the CPC Chamber Singers, and duo Ronald Mutchnik, violin, and Isaiah Shim, piano.

concert series at Baltimore’s First Unitari-

Poet Vanita Leatherwood teaches art therapy and Creative Aging classes. Our cover story continues on page 28.

On Oct. 25, the Ulysses Quartet, together with Oskar Espina Ruiz, clarinet (not shown), will perform at the Smith Theatre at the Horowitz Center. The concert is one of eight in the 2024-25 season presented by Chamber Music Maryland, formerly the Candlelight Concert Society.

PHOTO BY LARA ST. JOHN

Chamber music

From page 26

an Church, and even a Howard County funeral home.

While considering rebranding, the Chamber Music Maryland board received support and encouragement from the Howard County Arts Council, which helped them finalize the “bold decision and the big change” concerning the organization’s identity, said Kaplan Lande.

State budget cuts of concern

Despite its extensive programming expansion over the past several years, Chamber Music Maryland aims to maintain its close relationships with core audiences, patrons, public schools and institutions within Howard County.

LAUREL FALL FESTIVAL

At the same time, “We see places around the state that are either underserved or would just love to have more great music,” Young said.

“And since we’re in a position to share our artists out of Howard County into Baltimore City, Baltimore County and perhaps other places in the future, we’re looking forward to adding those as opportunities for people, especially for people who can’t get into Columbia.”

Young emphasized the need for increased access to chamber music for people across Maryland and to bring music closer to where people live.

The nonprofit organization started its first endowment fund in the last few years, before the rebranding, as part of its overall push for sustainability and accessibility. The group wants to take on the “mantle as

Welcome the fall with music, games, entertainment, food trucks and more at Laurel’s Fall Festival. This outdoor festival takes place on Sat., Oct. 5, from noon to 4 p.m., at North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd. The cost is $5. To register, visit tinyurl.com/LaurelFallFest. For more information, contact Daneisha Nicholas at dnicholas@howardcountymd.gov or (410) 313-4625.

FREE POPS CONCERT

Visit the Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods for a free, familyfriendly pops concert by the Columbia Orchestra. The program includes classic music from popular films, like Star Wars and Mission: Impossible, and jazz standards. This event takes place on Sat., Oct. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Chrysalis, 10431 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Reserve your spots at tinyurl.com/ColumbiaPops.

DISCOUNTED THEATER, MUSEUM TICKETS

Ongoing

Senior Box Office, a volunteer program supported in part by the Baltimore County Department on Aging, offers discounts on tickets to performances, museums and other events. The tickets are available to all Marylanders 55 years or older as well as their household members. To apply, call Senior Box Office at (410) 887-5399 or email sbo@seniorboxoffice.org.

one of Maryland’s leading music presenters,” Young said.

Speaking of Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s plan to cut nearly $150 million from the state’s budget for the current fiscal year, Young noted that “The governor has proposed some cuts to arts funding, and so we’re very interested in having people be aware of that…and of how important that funding is to organizations like ours.”

“We’re really deeply concerned about the future of classical music and classical contemporary, and, especially in our case, chamber music,” Kaplan Lande added.

“We’re very committed to nurturing a deep appreciation and love of this music, and that’s why we go into schools, to community centers, and [why we] work with the kids, do a lot of master classes, workshops,” she said. “We’re really trying to nurture it from the very, very early ages. It’s very important to us.”

You can explore Chamber Music Maryland’s 2024-2025 season in detail, buy a subscription package or tickets to individual concerts, and learn more about the rebranding at their new website, chambermusicmaryland.org or call (410) 997-2324.

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The organization also works to change the conditions in the community that allow such violence to occur in the first place.

Leatherwood worked her way up from director of community engagement to become the group’s executive director in 2020.

She also established and edited HopeWorks’ magazine, Dragonfly, and produced the nonprofit’s award-winning podcast.

Plus her own nonprofit

Two years ago, Leatherwood founded a nonprofit called The Yes Within. She named it after a quote from poet Audre Lorde: “We have been raised to fear the yes within ourselves.”

As the group’s director, Leatherwood presents workshops, both virtually and in person, for the general public — those who want to explore life stories in general and their own life stories in particular. The workshops are designed for people of varied ages, from teens to older adults.

For example, one of her eight-session writing workshops is for people 55 and up. She starts by introducing basic concepts about poetry, such as metaphor and form.

Leatherwood then helps participants incorporate ideas from songs, television clips and written works to create a poem they workshop together.

The workshop’s virtual sessions allow

participants to “dive deeply into their life stories,” Leatherwood said.

Participants also create a piece of visual art using objects, fabrics and other “found art.” For a workshop offered at the Bain 50+ Center in Columbia, the county provided free materials for the art project.

Leatherwood has taught workshops at local retirement communities, too. Earlier this year, she presented a session at Residences at Vantage Point in Columbia.

She encourages participants to write poetry or create visual art to explore “issues related to personal discovery and growth, trauma, healing, self-care and wellness skills,” she said.

Many of Leatherwood’s efforts are inspired by the Creative Aging Movement, “a national initiative to provide older adults with opportunities for artistic expression, social interaction and enhanced mental and physical health through meaningful engagement in the arts,” she explained.

Leatherwood received training from one of the movement’s leading organizations, a nonprofit called Lifetime Arts.

Helping people help themselves

Leatherwood says she’s simply helping people reconnect with their inner selves through the arts. She views it as re-teaching people what they always knew.

“That’s what my work is about — giving people the space and the opportunity to tap in and to laugh, and reflect and figure

out how to relax again.”

She stresses that her workshops aren’t meant to take the place of professional therapy. “These are practices that can supplement the work of clinical therapy, but [do] not replace it.”

For those who doubt poetry’s mind and body-healing capabilities, it should be noted that the National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health contains a study related to the Covid-19 pandemic that found poetry “can not only combat loneliness, but can also play important roles in helping patients, physicians and other healthcare providers” treat physical ailments.

In an article in the April 2019 edition of Psychology Today, research psychologist Deanna Raab noted that “as most writers and therapists know, writing and reading poetry can be a springboard to growth, healing and transformation because poems reflect the voice of the soul and can unleash the unconscious mind.”

Creating her own art

Leatherwood doesn’t just teach others how to be creative; she packs her life with creative projects in many forms.

In 2018, she wrote a play called “Telling This Truth,” which told the stories of nine survivors “linked together by the theme of triumph over partner violence,” she said. Her next project is creating a chorus called the Voices of Survival. She’s hoping

the choir — composed of people who faced trauma — will be ready to perform at a vigil in Columbia in April 2025, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

How have the participants of Leatherwood’s workshops benefited from their experience?

Columbia resident Ardita Jay Holland, 62, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse who has “had to do a lot of healing in my life,” said Leatherwood’s workshops have helped her tremendously.

“She is one of the most wonderful women in my life,” Holland said. Her “Awakening” workshops were “by far” the best way to help her move forward.

Holland said Leatherwood “has a way during the workshops of allowing you to have fun and healing you at the same time.”

Leatherwood said she has some of her best days when she’s leading workshops.

“Sometimes our compass is a little off because so much is in front of our faces about what we’re supposed to reach for, to work for. We have to find some sort of tool, some sort of pathway to focus on what’s important.

“Your pathway or tool can be the arts. Or the sound of a child laughing, the feel of your spouse’s hand in your hand, the grass on your feet — those things can bring us back to what’s true and real.”

For more information and a schedule of upcoming workshops, visit theyeswithin.com or hopeworksofhc.org or call (410) 997-0304.

Why I miss our dowdy, dumpy old cars

Cars are nothing more than machines, right? You fuel them, maintain them and occasionally wash them, and that’s usually that.

They are not babies. They are not pets. They don’t really have personalities.

They occupy the same category as clothes dryers and dishwashers. They spin, they whir and they do the job they’re supposed to do, without emotion or elan.

part of our household.

But in our family, Flipper was different. He was our 13year-old Chevrolet — a sedan so undistinguished that no one ever tried to steal him or challenge him to a drag race at a red light.

He was dowdy, dumpy and drab. He was always threatening to break, go on strike or both. But he got the job done.

Why the Flipper nickname? Because some genius at General Motors had attached a dorsal fin to Flipper’s roof. The fin contained the radio antenna.

Yet this was surely a joke nevertheless. Flipper never reached speeds where his aerodynamics changed. He couldn’t have.

He was a burble-around-town car. He had no similarity to the grace or agility of a dolphin.

He did not have that now-ubiquitous digital screen in the center of his dashboard. He did not have that beeper that warns you not to change lanes. Bless his aging heart, Flipper could still play CDs!

To start Flipper, you turned a key, and the engine came to life with a classic, deep roar. To engage the emergency brake, you stomped down with your left foot — and released that brake with another stomp.

How totally yesterday. Yet, how totally a

Flipper was our third consecutive Chevrolet Malibu. We bought the first after we Googled “Car Least Likely to Be Stolen in U.S.” Malibu leapt to the top of the screen. So Flipper’s grandfather was born to be ordinary. He filled the bill. Never stolen. Never won the Indianapolis 500. Just…a car with a fin.

We gave that car to our son, and bought Flipper’s Daddy, another Malibu. He was just as unfascinating, but so what?

He/it worked.

Then, after less than a year, that car drowned in a flood in an underground garage. I took the insurance money and stayed true to the brand. Flipper soon graced our parking space.

Thirteen years later, Flipper was replaced by Fiddler, a brand-new Kia Niro. Although the spelling wasn’t quite right, the Niro reminded us of Emperor Nero, who fiddled while Rome burned.

Fiddler is not a car. He’s a computer sitting on four tires.

To start him, you push a button. No more key. No more engine roar.

If you drift to your left by even a few inches, Fiddler will beep reproachfully at you.

If you want to engage or disengage the emergency brake, you do that with one finger.

There is an amazing platform under the main dashboard that will charge your cell phone without a wire.

As for the screen in the center of the dashboard, it will direct you, phone for you and find the closest Italian restaurant. Might even shine your shoes while it’s at it.

My wife and I are very pleased with Fid-

dler. We expect her to be part of the family for a long time. And yet… Fiddler’s very perfection is somehow annoying. I pine for Flipper’s clunky cruise control. I miss the huge stain on the driver’s seat that we couldn’t get out, despite years of trying.

I actually got used to the lever that raised and lowered Flipper’s driver’s seat. It worked only about one-tenth of the time. But cars outlive their eras. Flipper outlived his. He has been sold to a 17-year-old

who needs to get to and from school. Happy trails.

In the meantime, this old guy struggles with his new “child.” Managing the radio is a trip down a space-age rabbit hole. Adjusting the A/C is a major mystery.

Memo to Flipper: For an old bunch of bolts, you weren’t half bad, kid. You may have been boring, but at least you were comprehensible.

Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

HOW I SEE IT

By Bob Levey

Scrabble answers on p. 29.

Crossword Puzzle

Stacking 2x2’s

By Stephen Sherr

Across

1. Made a choice

6. Enters an amount into eBay

10. Treasure Ricky Henderson stole over 1400 times

14. Mona Lisa got a new one in 1970

15. Vowels that mean Artificial Intelligence Engine Optimization

Down

1. Frequently, sometimes

2. Golf shop employee

3. Pay voucher deduction

4. Radiate

5. Respectable behavior

6. Youngest person in the dugout, generally

7. It can be read as “four eyes”

8. What you learn after your ABC’s

9. Cyber instructions

16. Get Down ___ (top 10 hit for Kool & the Gang)

17. Unsafe for humans

18. Squabble

19. “Save it ___ rainy day”

20. Like a mega-bank, to some

23. Toward the departed port

26. Studio that made 1933’s King Kong

27. Go courting

28. Swamped with incoming calls

35. Quidditch equipment

36. “___ not to reason why...” (Tennyson)

37. Main character in a second person story

38. Shrieking sounds

39. Boiling over with rage

41. Preparing for sleep

42. Supervising cop, briefly

43. Most BMW’s tires should get 32

44. The last entry in allaboutbirds.org’s alphabetical list of common birds

45. Ripe for skepticism

49. “It doesn’t have to be ___ or none”

50. Fellow or buddy

51. Pedicure place

52. Old and ornery

58. More than suggest

59. Singer Amos

60. Nickname of Piedras Negras who invented a popular Tex-Mex snack in 1943

64. First character to appear on The Simpsons opening credits

65. Times listed on JFK monitors

66. Bitter

67. Downwind

68. It is often at the top of a “How I spent My Summer Vacation” essay

69. Heard, for word

10. Rave reviews

11. Small cattle

12. Popular digital assistant

13. List shortener

21. Green-lights

22. Ends to ball- and bass-

23. Under optimal assumptions

24. Choose to abstain

25. Grew fond of

29. Celtics or Bruins, in box scores

30. Part of IHOP’s Quick 2-Egg Breakfast

31. No longer fashionable

32. Popular grills

33. Score the tying goal

34. Water between Asia and Africa

39. Removes from the general population

40. “The best way to get ___ of kitchen odors is to eat out” (Phyllis Diller)

41. Middle school elective

43. It is horizontal in limbo, but vertical in dance class

44. On-line presentation

46. Reproductive cell

47. Member of the woodwind section

48. Future flower

52. Marching band instrument

53. Face-to-face exam

54. Fairy tale villain

55. Go out on a high ___

56. Golf hazard

57. Per person

61. Watch a tear-jerker

62. That guy

63. Praiseful poem

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As experts in senior care, Brooke Grove Retirement Village is pleased to offer seminars and classes that promote physical, spiritual and mental well-being.

All programs will be held in-person in the Gathering Room at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, located at 18131 Slade School Road on the Sandy Spring, Maryland, campus of Brooke Grove Retirement Village. Register as indicated below or contact Toni Davis at tdavis@bgf.org with questions.

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP

Offered in partnership with the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area

THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH

10:45-11:45 A.M.

This group provides an opportunity for individuals and families to find support, gain understanding and share tips.

FREE with $50 annual PFNCA administrative fee. To register, visit: bit.ly/BGRVParkSupport

PARKINSON’S EXERCISE GROUP

Offered in partnership with the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area

MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS 12 NOON–1 P.M.

This ongoing class for those with Parkinson’s or other neurogenerative disorders aims to improve posture, balance and circulation while also increasing strength, muscle control and mobility.

FREE with $50 annual PFNCA administrative fee. To register, visit: bit.ly/BGRVParkExercise

PARKINSON’S COMMUNICATION CLUB

Offered in partnership with the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area WEDNESDAYS

10:45-11:45 A.M.

This weekly wellness and prevention program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners focuses on the maintenance of communication skills, with an emphasis on strengthening breath support and the ability to project and speak loudly enough to be heard in social settings.

FREE with $50 annual PFNCA administrative fee. To register, visit: bit.ly/BGRVParkCommClub

STRETCHING: WHY, HOW AND WHERE

Presented by Terrie Daniels, senior fitness and wellness specialist

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 10:30-11:45 A.M.

Flexibility training is important for everyday functioning, including pain relief and injury prevention. It can improve your golf swing, tennis game or other leisure activities you enjoy! Learn about when you should stretch and discover moves that can be carried out anytime, anywhere — whether seated or standing.

To register, visit: bit.ly/BGStretch

OFFICE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION INFORMATIONAL TOWN HALL

Offered in partnership with Montgomery County OCP

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10 1-2 P.M.

Join District 7 County Councilmember Dawn Luedtke to learn more about OCP services and how this office can support you or a loved one with protection against scams, resolving credit and financial issues, and investigating and settling consumer complaints. Participants will also learn of recent changes in advance directives and how this option can help residents plan for future health care needs. This session is sure to empower as you gain deeper understanding of the OCP and its longstanding work of ensuring a fair marketplace for consumers and businesses.

FREE To register, visit: bit.ly/BGSCAM

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860