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By Carol Sorgen Barry Belle spent 30 years as a project manager for the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. But when the 75-year-old Pikesville resident retired in 2014, he still wanted to work — just not as much. “I just wanted to get out of the house two or three days a week,” said Belle, who’s now a driver for the ride-booking services Uber and Lyft, in addition to having private clients. Belle works several days a week, from 8 a.m. to no later than 3 p.m., driving customers to destinations as close as the Owings Mills Metro Station and as far as Waynesboro, Pa. and the Meadowlands in New Jersey. “This is a good way to meet people and earn some extra money,” said Belle. “You can start when you want, quit when you want, and go on vacation when you want.”

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

Repositioning cruises offer real bargains; plus, a visit to Thoreau’s Walden Pond, and new airline competition page 22

Payment by the job Belle is among the growing numbers of workers — including baby boomers and seniors — who are members of what is being called the “gig economy.” The term (the latest economic buzzword) describes the trend of “task-based employment.” Rather than working a standard 40-hour week with specific responsibilities — and receiving regular salaries, raises and benefits in return — workers are paid for the particular tasks (or “gigs”) they do. According to a recent study by McKenzie Global Institute, nearly three out of 10 American workers earns at least some of their income through independent and gig employment. The gig economy is of particular benefit to those considering retirement or those, like Belle, who have already retired, according to Chuck Underwood. Underwood is a pioneer in the field of generational study, which examines differences among the generations. He is the author of America’s Generations in the Workplace, Marketplace, and Living Room. “Boomers love to work,” said Underwood. “They always have and always will define themselves by their contribution to something larger than themselves. “We are also in a golden era of antiaging science, medicine and nutrition,” Underwood continued. “Life expectancy,

After retiring, Barry Belle started driving for Uber whenever he wanted to earn some funds. Such flexible jobs, where workers are paid for the tasks they perform and can choose to work as little or as much as they want, are known as part of the “gig” economy. Other gig jobs include hosting guests in your own home through Airbnb, and choosing from a variety of one-time chores to do for others through TaskRabbit.

according to scientists, is about to dramatically increase. So, boomers have become the first generation to have no good guess as to how long they might live if they simply take care of themselves. “If we don’t know how long we’ll live, we don’t know how much money we’ll need to retire. Therefore we can’t afford to retire.”

Flexibility and other differences Flexibility is one of the biggest draws of gig work, said Michael Black, general manager of Uber Baltimore, who oversees the 10,000 active Uber drivers here. “Instead of fitting your life around work, you can fit your work around your life.” There are a number of other differences between providing services in the gig economy and just hanging out your own

shingle as a solo entrepreneur. For starters, businesses such as Uber vet their providers (not just anyone can become an Uber driver, for example, and not just any car will do, either). And you must follow their rules to keep getting gigs. On the other hand, you don’t need to do your own marketing, as you would have a ready-made client base seeking your services. The problem here is that as more and more people enter the gig economy, existing workers face increasing competition from newcomers. Billing and collecting is also taken care of by such companies. Instead of your having to invoice a customer directly, buyers of the service you provide typically pay online or See GIG ECONOMY, page 21

ARTS & STYLE

Community group welcomes new artists; plus, photographer’s book recalls the heyday of Baltimore’s movie theaters page 27

TECHNOLOGY 4 k How to preserve your digital assets FITNESS & HEALTH k Your brain on diet soda k New flu and pneumonia shots

LAW & MONEY 17 k Has your ID been stolen? Probably k A recipe for higher dividends ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

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Kudos to our writers Each year, we enter a selection of our timore Beacon, won honors in this year’s writers’ original stories in the journalism competition. competitions of the National In the category for original Mature Media Awards and the articles, three of our Baltimore North American Mature Pubcover stories were honored: lishers Association (NAMPA). “Relationships in retirement” We do this for two reasons: (Gold), “With siblings, it’s comOne, as a way to be sure we plicated” (Silver) and “Brightare keeping up the quality of ening ill children’s days” our writing compared with (Merit). All were written by our other publications throughBaltimore Contributing Editor out the country. Carol Sorgen. Two, because we’re pretty Carol has been writing for confident about the first rea- FROM THE us since we began the Baltison, (that is, we believe our PUBLISHER more Beacon more than a By Stuart P. Rosenthal writers are among the best dozen years ago and wins acanywhere), and want to give colades every year for her exthem the opportunity to earn recognition cellent work. We are proud to have her on they will treasure from well-respected, ob- our staff. jective judges. Two cover stories from the Howard I’m happy and proud to report that County Beacon also won awards — a Gold every one of our regular writers and free- and a Merit. Both were by Columbia freelancers came away with one or more hon- lancer Robert Friedman, a regular conors in this year’s competitions. tributor to our Howard County edition. The declared goal of the Mature Media Four cover stories from our flagship Awards is “to recognize the nation’s ‘best Greater Washington Beacon were honored — and brightest’ materials and programs pro- three with Silver Awards, plus one Merit — duced every year for older adults.” The pres- all by our Managing Editor, Barbara Ruben. tigious competition attracts entries from naAnother annual journalism competition tional organizations and publications, includ- is held by the North American Mature ing AARP and the Arthritis Foundation. Publishers Association (NAMPA), the asWe are especially proud that nine of our sociation for newspapers and magazines 10 entries, including all three from the Bal- specifically for the 50+ market.

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Baltimore area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Howard County, Md., Greater Washington DC and Greater Palm Springs, Calif. Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. Maryland residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. • Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher ..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President, Operations........Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Contributing Editor ..........................Carol Sorgen • Advertising Representatives..............Steve Levin • Assistant Editor ..........................Rebekah Alcalde

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 month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 31 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

NAMPA’s annual journalism competition attracts hundreds of submissions every year and is judged by internationally respected faculty at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. This year, we received 27 NAMPA awards, seven of them for stories from our Baltimore edition. Carol Sorgen won two first place awards and two second place awards for her feature stories. Freelancer Jennifer Waldera also won a second place award for her profile of a cop who writes crime novels. Barbara Ruben won a first place award, and the Baltimore Beacon generally won first place in the “General Excellence” category for papers of its size. And our Greater Washington edition not only won “Best of Show” and first place for General Excellence in its category (publications over 100,000 circulation), but also multiple honors in the following categories: Feature Writing (Barbara Ruben), Review Column (arts reviewer Michael Toscano and Assistant Editor Rebekah Alcalde), Senior Issues (columnists Bob Levey and Alexis Bentz), Profiles (Barbara Ruben and Rebekah Alcalde), How-to Feature (Barbara Ruben), Travel Column (freelancers Victor Block and Glenda Booth), and Topical Issues (Barbara Ruben). In addition, our quarterly “Housing & Homecare Options” magazine won first place in Special Sections. The judges took the time to write specific comments about each winning article. Among their thoughts about the Baltimore Beacon and our writers: “Every bit of this

publication is well-written and interesting to read,” “many items of interest for a wide variety of readers,” “good advice and solid statistics.” All in all, our writers did us proud. Of course, whatever awards we do or do not win, what matters most to us is that you, our readers, are pleased with the practical information, news and entertainment you find each month in the Beacon. Please let us know what you think — even (actually, especially) if you think we are missing the boat in any particular area. Also feel free to share ideas for future stories and to recommend your fellow citizens for profiles. Your opinions, suggestions and letters to the editor are always welcome, whether you contact us by mail, phone, fax, email or online. I want to conclude by expressing my thanks to, and admiration for, all our writers (and editors) mentioned above as well as the other members of our staff, who work so diligently to produce multiple editions of the Beacon every month. I’d like to thank them by name for their efforts and devoted contributions: Vice President of Operations Gordon Hasenei, Director of Sales Alan Spiegel, Art Director Kyle Gregory, Assistant Operations Manager (and webmaster) Roger King, Advertising Representatives Doug Hallock, Rodney Harris, Dan Kelly, Steve Levin and Hubie Stockhausen, Social Media Assistant Steve Andrzejczyk, See FROM THE PUBLISHER, page 25

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: Sorry I missed what must have been a fabulous production of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams (“Strong performances in fragile Menagerie”, October). It’s a classic, and apparently can survive in the online, high speed, overstressed culture of today. The Vagabond Players in downtown Baltimore is a treasure, as are the other community theatrical venues around the city. It is such a shame more isn’t known about these amazing venues and the wonderful performers and backstage personnel who usually work free of charge. For years I’ve been providing local information to the Inner Harbor hotels as a community service. I find it so sad whenever a concierge says they never heard of The Vagabond, Spotlighters and Fells Point Corner Theater. But in many ways I blame those places and their exclusivity. Since retiring over 10 years ago, I offered to help community theaters by assisting with publicity or anything else I might do. Sadly, my efforts to volunteer were ignored.

It is astounding there is so much talent around these days, and it needs to be promoted not just by the theaters themselves, but by Baltimore city in general. That’s why I was delighted to read your glowing review of Glass Menagerie. It’s one of those plays we grew up with. In high school, I remember working as a backstage prop assistant during my senior year production of the work — and that was a very, very long time ago. I’m so glad your reviewer, Dan Collins, singled out the versatile Lynda McClary who played the pivotal role of Amanda. He remembered her as the director of The Iceman Cometh at the Fells Point Corner Theater, and so do I. That, too, was an amazing presentation of a difficult work, and her directing was on target and perfectly nuanced. This is what I mean by the incredible talent our community theaters enjoy. Again, thank you for publishing the review of The Glass Menagerie. These venues and all involved with them deserve a long, standing ovation! Rosalind Ellis Heid Baltimore

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Technology &

Innovations How to leave your digital assets to heirs By Ken Moraif My mom, who passed away a few years ago, was a very careful and meticulous person who kept a notebook with all of her online account passwords. Mom was also a Morse code operator in the Royal Air

Force during WWII, so all of her passwords were in code. I was lucky: She told me about the book and her codes. If she hadn’t, finding and deciphering her notes would have taken a very long time, and could have held up im-

portant estate and financial planning tasks. Like my mom, most of us live part of our lives online today. We have email and social media accounts. We purchase digital books and music. We pay our bills and do our banking online.

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TO KEEP JUDY’S BUSINESS HUMMING.

Many virtual items cannot be left to heirs through our wills because we don’t actually own them; we just have licenses to view/read/listen to them. Many online accounts, like email and social media sites, don’t belong to us either. The businesses that administer them control what happens when our contracts are terminated by death. So, how do we prepare to leave our digital legacies? #1. List all of your online accounts. These might include: • Email accounts • Financial accounts and utilities, including checking or savings accounts, retirement accounts, mortgages, life insurance, gas and electric, phone or cable bills and tax-preparation services • Social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) • Music, photos or books stored online • Websites, blogs and licensed domain names • Seller’s accounts on eBay, Etsy or Amazon • Any online communities or listservs where you have been active #2. Make plans regarding what should happen to those accounts. Do you want someone special to have access to your iTunes library? To your photos? Do you want certain emails saved and printed, or would you rather have the accounts purged? Would you prefer your social media accounts be deleted or turned into “memorial” accounts when possible? Would you like someone to post a final status update after your death? #3. Choose a “digital executor.” Let that person know where you keep your passwords (and if they need to be decoded). Talk to your executor, but also leave detailed instructions on where and how to find passwords, user names, etc. You may be able to leave virtual items you actually own (e.g., photos you took, music you bought) to people in your will, so make sure your executor has all the information needed to access and download them. You may also want to consider “vaulting” your digital goods with a company that puts all of your digital information (including passwords) onto one online platform. A few of the See DIGITAL ASSETS, page 5

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I N F O R M A T I O N F R E E ★ I N F O R M A T I O N F R E E ★ I N F O R M A T I O N F R E E ★

❏ Chemotherapy Exercise Study (see ad on page 14) ❏ Former Smoker Study (see ad on page 14) ❏ Memory Study (see ad on page 14) ❏ Slow Walking & Exercise Study (see ad on page 14) ❏ Stroke Exercise Study (see ad on page 15) ❏ Vitamin D & Falls Study (see article on page 14)

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companies that PC Magazine recommends are iDrive (www.idrive.com), SOS Online Backup (www.sosonlinebackup.com), and Carbonite (www.carbonite.com).

Whatever you decide, do make a decision. Your digital legacy is important. Make sure your heirs can “crack the codes” to access it. All contents © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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From page 4

See LINKS & APPS, page 6

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Digital assets

ClipCall provides a way for homeowners to get quotes from contractors without

❏ Alta at Regency Crest (see ad on page 13) ❏ Bayleigh Chase/Integrace (see ad on page 23) ❏ Broadmead (see ad on page 9) ❏ Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace (see ad on page 23) ❏ Charlestown (see ad on page 8) ❏ Christ Church Harbor Apts. (see ad on page 6) ❏ Fairhaven/Integrace (see ad on page 23) ❏ Linden Park Apts. (see ad on page 24) ❏ Oak Crest (see ad on page 8) ❏ Park Heights Place (see ad on page 29) ❏ Park View Laurel (see ad on page 25) ❏ Park View Towson (see ad on page 25) ❏ Park View Fullerton (see ad on page 25) ❏ Park View Rosedale (see ad on page 25) ❏ St. Mary’s Roland View Towers (see ad on page 24) ❏ Stump’s Home Assisted Living (see ad on page 24) ❏ Virginia Towers (see ad on page 12) ❏ Walker Mews (see ad on page 12) ❏ Woodholme Gardens (see ad on page 18)

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LiveStrong’s versatile workouts are shown in photo slideshows that break down

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Do pandas get bored munching bamboo all day? The website Bored Panda doesn’t answer that question, but it does offer a plethora of amusing, cute and informative (but never boring) photo collections — from dogs that look like their owners, to an artist who turns words into drawings, to a retired southern California couple whose hobby is dressing up like their favorite movie and cartoon characters. Be warned, it’s never enough to click on just one topic. After all, once you look at “Illustrator shows how Disney princesses would look if they lived in 2017,” it’s hard to resist moving on to the next content that pops up — “10+ hilarious pics of kids at weddings,” and then on to, of course, “10+ hilarious posts about procrastination you probably shouldn’t be reading right now.” www.boredpanda.com

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Bored no more

MAIL OR FAX FOR FREE INFORMATION

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By Barbara Ruben and Kiplinger’s

the moves with very specific written instructions and not videos, which means you don’t have to worry about audio or the circle of death while you’re downloading content. Others include short demonstration videos that are brief enough they don’t bog down your phone or device, or use much data. There’s something for all levels here, including convenient quickies like their 30day ab challenge, and quick warm-ups to prevent back pain, with some videos under five minutes. Advanced folks can try the Navy Seal workout, train with Mr. Universe, or try the 41 hardest ab exercises routine. And if you’re not looking for an entirely new workout program but maybe just a few new moves to add to your routine, there’s plenty of inspiration, including 10 moves with free weights you can try at home, or 15 burpee variations (burpees are a cross between a squat, push-up and jump). www.livestrong.com/cat/sportsand-fitness

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Beacon Links & Apps

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2017

Technology & Innovations | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Links & Apps From page 5 picking up the phone. Use your smartphone to record a short video showing and describing the home improvement project, and the app matches you with local professionals. You’ll receive quotes from participating contractors, and payment is held in escrow until the project is completed. ClipCall vets contractors to make sure they’re licensed, bonded and insured, but you should do your own homework, too. Ask for references, and check for com-

plaints about the contractor with the Better Business Bureau and your state attorney general’s office. ClipCall, free in the iTunes and Google Play stores

What’s for dinner? The Paprika app allows users to organize recipes, make meal plans, and create grocery lists. Using Paprika’s built-in browser, recipes can be saved from anywhere on the web, as well as from 200 recipe sites that the app links to. Users can also enter their own custom

NOVEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

recipes and add personal notes to recipes, as well as scale recipe ingredients to their desired serving size, such as reducing a recipe that serves six to just two. The grocery list feature automatically consolidates ingredients for chosen recipes and categorizes them by aisle. Paprika, $4.99 in both the iTunes and Google Play stores

Seeing is believing The Ikea Store app lets users find stores, create a shopping list, and check stock availability. But the new Ikea Place app, released

in September, allows customers with some of the latest iPhones to not only browse through its 2,000-item catalogue, but see how they would look in their own homes. It works like this: Hold up your phone, turn on the camera and place a piece of digital furniture in the part of the room you’re viewing. Do you wonder if you can squeeze in an eight-foot area rug? The app rolls it out across your room. Would a new arm chair look best by the window or in the corner? Try it both ways with the app. Ikea Place, free from the iTunes store, only for the new OS 11.0 or higher (including iPhone 6s and later versions)

BEACON BITS

Nov. 15

TRY YOUR LUCK IN BETHLEHEM

The Cockeysville Senior Center is hosting a trip to the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, Penn., on Wednesday, Nov. 15. The trip will leave at 7:30 a.m. and return at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $30. For more information, call (410) 887-7694.

Ongoing

MARYLAND’S SOCIAL LANDSCAPE

The Maryland Historical Society’s latest exhibition, “Structure and Perspective: David Brewster Explores Maryland’s Social Landscape,” will be on display through October 2018. The installation showcases Maryland-born artist David Brewster’s work with a special focus on themes such as gender, race relations in Maryland, and other political topics. The society is located at 201 W. Monument St. and is open 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $9 for adults; $7 for seniors. For more information, visit www.mdhs.org.

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2017

Say you saw it in the Beacon

SHOTS IN THE ARM Older adults can choose between two flu vaccines designed just for them

Health Fitness &

SUBTLE SIGNS OF CANCER Be alert to the highly subtle signs of ovarian cancer, and talk to a doctor MULTIPLE MEDICATIONS? Tips for managing multiple meds and for saving money on prescriptions EDITING DNA Gene splicing is a tool widely used by researchers seeking disease cures

Are artificial sweeteners bad for the brain? By Dr. Robert H. Shmerling Sometimes it seems like people trying to choose a healthy diet and watch their weight can’t catch a break. Past studies have linked the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and obesity. So it’s easy to understand the appeal of diet soft drinks and other artificially sweetened beverages. If you drink two cans of Coke per day, switching to diet sodas could reduce your calorie intake by 8,400 calories each month. As long as you don’t add in new sources of calories, over time that could add up to some serious loss of excess weight.

rate of brain disease in people who drink more diet soft drinks, we can’t be sure that the diet soft drinks were the cause. • This study did not look at the overall health effects of diet soft drinks. It’s possible they are still a healthier choice than

sugar-sweetened beverages. • This study was conducted when most artificially sweetened beverages contained saccharin (Sweet’N Low, Sweet Twin), acesulfame-K (Sunett, Sweet One), or aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal). Newer sweet-

See SWEETENERS, page 8

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Alarming findings But now, a study has raised the possibility that artificial sweeteners in diet beverages may increase the risk of dementia and stroke. Researchers analyzed health data from nearly 3,000 adults who had filled out diet surveys, and determined their incidence of stroke or dementia over 10 years. The findings were alarming. Compared with people who said they didn’t consume diet drinks, those who had at least one per day suffered three times more strokes, and were three times more likely to develop dementia. Consumption of regular (non-diet) soft drinks was not linked to a higher risk of these brain problems. And the results were unchanged when accounting for other important factors such as gender, diet, smoking and physical activity.

eners, such as sucralose (as in Splenda) were unlikely to have been included. • While the risk of stroke or dementia was higher among those consuming diet soft

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Some major caveats Before you despair or give up your favorite diet beverage forever, keep in mind that a study of this sort has some major limitations that can lead to faulty conclusions. For example: • It’s impossible to account for every factor that could affect the results. For example, maybe people with diabetes or a family history of diabetes chose sugar-free soft drinks more often than people without diabetes would. So it could be their diabetes and family history, not the diet soft drink consumption, which were responsible for their higher rates of stroke and dementia. • This type of study cannot establish cause and effect. Even if there is a higher

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NOVEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

New options for flu and pneumonia shots Australia, was hit hard over the past few months with a flu strain that’s notorious for causing severe illness, especially in seniors. And in the U.S., small clusters of that socalled H3N2 flu already are popping up. “We don’t know what’s going to happen, but there’s a chance we could have a season similar to Australia,” Dr. Daniel Jernigan, influenza chief at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jernigan cautions there’s no good way

to predict how bad the upcoming flu season will be. That H3N2 strain caused infections here last year, too. And although strains that circulate in the Southern Hemisphere often spread to North America and Europe, there’s no guarantee it will make a repeat performance. Still, H3N2 is “the bad actor,” said Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. “If you needed another reason to get vaccinated, there it is. Best get that protection.”

Two flu shots for seniors There are actually two different flu shots that are designed specifically for people age 65 and older — the Fluzone High Dose and FLUAD. You only need to get one of them. These FDA-approved vaccines are designed to offer extra protection beyond what a standard flu shot provides, which is important for older adults who have weaker immune defenses and have a great risk of developing dangerous flu complications. See VACCINATIONS, page 9

Sweeteners From page 7 drinks, only about 3 percent of the studied population had strokes and about 5 percent developed dementia. So, while a higher risk was observed among diet beverage drinkers, the overall risk in those who did or did not drink diet beverages was relatively low. • This study only looked at artificially sweetened soft drinks. It didn’t look at use of artificial sweeteners in foods or beverages other than soft drinks.

More research needed To understand how concerned we should be and how artificial sweeteners

might cause these health problem (or others), additional research will be needed. I have to admit, this study has made me rethink my own habits. Would it be better if I started adding sugar to my coffee rather than my current routine of adding sucralose? I’m not sure. And this study gives me no guidance. But if you drink a lot of diet soft drinks, this study should give you pause — maybe moderation is in order. Or maybe drinking plain water wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is faculty editor of Harvard Health Publications. © 2017, President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Dear Savvy Senior: What can you tell me about the flu shots made for seniors? I got sick last winter after getting a standard flu shot, and am wandering if the flu vaccine for older adults would provide me better protection this year. — Almost 70 Dear Almost: Health officials are bracing for a potentially miserable fall and winter. The clues: The Southern Hemisphere, especially

Vaccinations From page 8 The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the flu puts more than 200,000 people in the hospital each year and kills, on average, about 24,000 — 80 percent of whom are seniors. You also need to be aware that these senior-specific flu shots cannot guarantee that you won’t get the flu this season, but they will lower your risk. And if you happen to get sick despite having gotten the vaccine, you probably won’t get as sick as you would have without it. Here’s more information on the two vaccines: Fluzone High-Dose: Approved for U.S. use in 2009, the Fluzone High-Dose (see www.fluzone.com) is a high-potency vaccine that contains four times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot, which generates a stronger immune response for better protection. This vaccine, according to a 2013 clinical trial, was 24 percent more effective than the regulardose shot at preventing flu in seniors. FLUAD: Available in the U.S. since last year, the FLUAD vaccine (see www. FLUAD.com) contains an added ingredient called adjuvant MF59 that also helps create a stronger immune response. In a 2012 Canadian observational study, FLUAD was 63 percent more effective than a regular flu shot. The CDC, however, does not recommend one vaccine over the other, and to date, there have been no studies comparing the two vaccines. You should also know that both the Fluzone High-Dose and FLUAD can cause more of the mild side effects that can occur with a standard-dose flu shot, such as pain or tenderness where you got the shot, muscle aches, headache or fatigue. And neither vaccine is recommended for seniors who are allergic to chicken eggs, or those who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past. The cost of both vaccines is covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B, as long as

BEACON BITS

Oct. 28

FREE KIDNEY HEALTH ASSESSMENT

The National Kidney Foundation of Maryland will hold free kidney health risk assessments on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will take place at Mount Pleasant Church & Ministries, located at 6000 Radecke Ave. For more information, visit www.kidneymd.org or call (410) 594-8545.

Oct. 24+

your doctor, health clinic or pharmacy agrees not to charge you more than Medicare pays.

Pneumonia vaccines Two other important vaccinations the CDC recommends to older adults, especially this time of year, are the pneumococcal vaccines for pneumonia. Around 1 million Americans are hospitalized with pneumonia each year, and about 50,000 people die from it. The CDC is now recommending that all adults 65 or older get two vaccinations — Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23. Both vaccines, which are administered just once at different times, work in different ways to provide maximum protection. If you haven’t yet received any pneumococcal vaccine, you should get the Prevnar 13 first, followed by Pneumovax 23 six to 12 months later. But if you’ve already been vaccinated with Pneumovax 23, wait at least one year before getting the Prevnar 13.

Medicare Part B covers both shots, if they are taken at least one year apart. To locate a vaccination site that offers any of these shots, visit www.vaccines.gov and type in your ZIP code. Lauran Neergaard of the Associated Press

contributed to this article. Send your 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.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 1+

REGAINING YOUR BALANCE

The University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center is offering a free fall prevention workshop for adults over 65 who have previously fallen or are fearful of falling. The program will focus on footwear, vision, balance, mobility and exercises. Registration is required. The last day to register is Wednesday, Nov. 1. The free workshop is scheduled for Wednesdays, Nov. 1 through Dec. 13, from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. at 7601 Osler Drive in Towson. For more information, visit www.stjosephtowson.com.

Oct. 25

SHAKE YOUR SALT HABIT

On Wednesday, Oct. 25, the Cockeysville Senior Center will host Molly Stryker of ShopRite to show participants how to use herbs and spices instead of salt in cooking. The free event will take place at 10 a.m. in Room 111 at the center, 10535 York Road in Cockeysville. For more information, call (410) 887-7694.

™

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

EXCITING CHANGES IN THE WORKS

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

To meet the increasing demand for independent living options from this active group, Broadmead is adding 52 brand new, spacious apartment homes – called Hillside Homes – to its campus. Ranging in size from 1,065 to 1,555 square feet, each Hillside Home will include modern finishes such as granite, tile, crown moldings, the convenience of underground parking, and a large balcony or patio, perfect for outdoor entertaining. With 5 floorplans, from one-bedroom plus den to two-bedroom plus den options, the benefits of living at Broadmead have never been better.

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

W.I.C

DEN 12’-0”x10’-6” LAUNDRY

MECH.

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

FREE FLU SHOTS

From Tuesday, Oct. 24 through Thursday, Oct. 26, Northwest Hospital is hosting a free flu shot event from 4 until 6 p.m. The hospital is located at 5401 Old Court Rd, Randallstown. For more information, visit www.lifebridgehealth.org.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2017

1/2 BATH

CLOS.

PAN.

LIN.

MW above

BATH

D.W.

MASTER BEDROOM 13’-11”x16’-5”

RES. OPTION

BEDROOM TWO 12’-10”x14’-0”

LIVING/DINING 21’-0”x17-3”

BALCONY 13’-9”x11-0”

0 1

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

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

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

Artist’s conceptual renderings depict proposed Hillside Homes development.

MASTER BATH

REF.

KITCHEN 9’-3”x12’-0” W.I.C

LIN.

FOYER

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

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

NOVEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Medicare to pay for PAD treadmill therapy By Carla K. Johnson Three times a week, Rita Driscoll steps onto a treadmill at a Minnesota hospital under the eye of a rehab therapist. She walks until it hurts — pushing her limits, walking faster and adding steeper inclines. “I’m not giving up my legs,” said Driscoll, who walks as part of a study. “Hopefully it will keep me away from surgery and keep me walking and dancing.” The retired school aide has leg pain caused by clogged blood vessels. Until recently, monitored walking wasn’t an option for people with peripheral artery disease, or PAD, because most insurance doesn’t cover it. But Medicare has now decided to start paying for supervised exercise therapy for

older Americans hobbled by PAD — a serious condition linked to smoking and diabetes that puts people in danger of heart attacks, strokes and amputations. Medicare pays nearly $4 billion a year for surgeries and procedures to treat it. Research shows treadmill workouts overseen by a medical professional improve the distances patients can walk as well as their quality of life. This low-tech approach may reduce hospitalizations and help people live longer, too. But until Medicare decided to cover it, virtually no patients had been getting such exercise therapy outside of studies.

Helps as much as surgery Drugs don’t work well for PAD, so doc-

We specialize in short-term rehabilitation and long-term relationships. Mary came to ManorCare Health Service – Woodbridge Valley debilitated from an infection. Mary couldn’t even get out of bed! She told us ‘Ididn’t didn’tknow know what to expect. I’ve never been hospitalized.’

“Everyone was so wonderful. I’m glad I came here.” - Mary

After our rehab team worked with Mary, she was up on her own two feet, managing all of her own needs and, in no time, was discharged and back to her regular routine. As an added bonus, ManorCare’s exercise regimen jump-started a weight loss which helped her to resolve her diabetes. Mary says, “Thanks to ManorCare, I feel great!”

For more information, please call the location nearest you or visit www.manorcare.com: Dulaney

Ruxton

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tors have used surgery or catheter procedures with balloons or stents to bypass or unblock blood vessels in the legs. The expensive procedures — costing thousands of dollars — do work, but experiments show treadmill walking works just as well for a fraction of the cost. About 2,600 hospital-based rehab centers are gearing up for an influx of patients following Medicare’s decision. Other insurers usually follow Medicare’s lead, so coverage for younger patients may be ahead. Peripheral artery disease affects about 8 million Americans; about 2 million of them have disabling leg pain. “It’s often described as a cramping feeling as if someone has their leg in a vice,” said Diane Treat-Jacobson of the University of Minnesota. Her research shows that walking through the pain in short sessions with rest breaks eventually improves the distances people can walk pain-free. A simple test of ankle and arm blood pressure in any doctor’s office can detect the condition. Beginning in January, Medicare will pay for 12 weeks of supervised exercise at $53 apiece with a doctor’s referral. Sessions will be about three times a week for 30 minutes to an hour. “Right now I tell all my patients with peripheral artery disease to walk. But it’s really hard for them,” said Dr. Mary McDermott of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Without someone checking on them and encouraging them, many patients won’t keep at it, she said. Leg pain forced Chicago resident Zella Coleman to give up bowling and trips with her choir. After four months of supervised treadmill walking in a Northwestern program at a gym, her pain has eased enough that she’s started walking with friends in

her neighborhood. “I’m trying to get well so I can get back to my life,” said the 63-year-old.

Convincing Medicare The American Heart Association and other heart specialists came together to ask Medicare to cover supervised exercise therapy for people with artery disease. The government’s leading insurance program occasionally reviews the value of treatments and decides what to cover. Over the past two decades, Medicare officials have been finding ways for the program to cover things like counseling to help people stop smoking or to lose weight. Medicare already pays for supervised exercise for people recovering from heart attacks. “Now we don’t have to wait for them to have a heart attack,” said Dr. Elizabeth Ratchford of the Johns Hopkins Center for Vascular Medicine in Baltimore. The decision resulted from medical specialty groups uniting behind a low-tech intervention, said Dr. Louis Jacques. “From the patient’s point of view, nobody is cutting you open, you’re not getting anesthesia, you’re not getting hospitalized,” said Jacques, who is with the health care consulting firm ADVI. Patients need to keep walking or the pain will return. Driscoll is committed, walking several times a week at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. The 69-year-old doesn’t want to end up like her grandmother, who “couldn’t walk down the sidewalk without having to rest.” “My grandma was an old lady [when she was my age], but at the same age I’m not,” Driscoll said. “This grandma still dances.” — AP

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2017

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Signs of ovarian cancer are often subtle It’s called “the whispering cancer,” and it often goes undetected until too late. “Ovarian cancer is a silent killer. It has few early warning signs, and those can be non-specific — like bloating, indigestion, nausea or weight loss. “A woman with these symptoms probably won’t think, ‘this could be ovarian cancer,’” said Dr. Jayanthi Lea, a gynecologic oncologist at Parkland Health & Hospital System, and associate professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Although not common — there will be only about 22,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. this year, the American Cancer Society estimates — ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer in the female reproductive system. It often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen. At this late stage, the disease is more difficult to treat and is frequently fatal. The ovaries, each about the size of an almond, produce eggs (ova) as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Symptoms of ovarian cancer may include abdominal swelling, weight loss, discomfort in the pelvis area, changes in bowel habits, such as constipation, and a frequent need to urinate.

No screening test “Unfortunately, there is currently no screening test for ovarian cancer,” Lea said. “Pap smears test for cervical cancer, but do not detect ovarian cancer.” “Women need to be aware of changes in their bodies,” Lea said. “If a woman has pelvic

pain or other symptoms associated with the disease, she should ask her healthcare provider to consider ovarian cancer and see a specialist. The earlier this cancer is found, the better chance she has for survival.” Dr. Debra Richardson, a gynecologic oncologist at Parkland and assistant professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at UT Southwestern, said she encourages patients to participate in clinical trials testing new drugs. “I am inspired by working with ovarian cancer patients and watching them fight their battles,” Richardson said. “Our patients are very courageous and strong. Many of them choose to participate in clinical trials because there’s always hope that new drugs will prolong survival rates and eventually find a cure.” “We are always trying for remission, and that is definitely possible with our current treatments,” Lea added. “Every patient should shoot for that.”

Risk factors Risk factors of the disease include having the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, early onset of menstruation, late onset of menopause, a family history of ovarian cancer, advancing age (most patients are diagnosed at age 60), and no history of pregnancy. Protective factors that help lower risk include use of birth control pills, breastfeeding, tubal ligation, hysterectomy and pregnancy. The American Cancer Society recommends that if you have symptoms similar to those of ovarian cancer almost daily for more than a few weeks, and they can’t be explained by other more common conditions, report them to your healthcare professional

— preferably a gynecologist — right away. A Wellness Update is a magazine devoted to up-to-the minute information on health issues from physicians, major hospitals and clinics,

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NOVEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Prescriptions: manage more and pay less By Jim Miller Q. I’m concerned that I may be taking too many medications. I currently take 10 different drugs prescribed by three different doctors, which I think is causing me some problems. I also struggle to keep up with all the drug costs. Any suggestions? A. There’s no doubt that older Americans are taking more prescription medications than ever before. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, around 40 percent of people 65 and older take five or more medications. And the more drugs a person takes, the higher their risk for medication problems, and the more likely they are to take something they don’t need.

Do a “brown bag” review To help you get a better handle on the medications you are taking, gather up all your pill bottles — include all prescription

drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements — put them in a bag and take them to your primary doctor or pharmacist for a thorough drug check-up. This “brown-bag review” will give you a chance to check for duplicate meds, excessive doses and dangerous interactions, and for you to ask questions. Medicare Part B covers a free yearly medication review with a doctor as part of your annual wellness visit, and many Medicare Part D plans cover medication reviews with a pharmacist, too. When you have your review, go over the basics for each medication or supplement, such as what it’s for, how long you should take it, what it costs, and any side effects and potential interactions. Ask if there are any meds you can stop taking, and find out if there are any nondrug options that might be safer, and also whether you can switch to a lower dose.

To help avoid future medication problems, make sure your primary doctor is aware of all the medications, over-thecounter drugs and supplements you take. You should also keep an up-dated list of everything you take and share it with every doctor you see. Try to fill all your prescriptions at the same pharmacy — and inform your pharmacist of any over-the-counter, herbal or mail order prescriptions you take — so that there is complete oversight of your medications and possible interactions.

How to save $ To help cut your medication costs, there are a number of cost savings tips you can try. Start a habit of asking your doctor about prices whenever you get a new prescription. Bring along a copy of your Medicare Part D insurance formulary — its list of covered drugs. The list can tell your doctor how your treatment or any alternatives might be covered. Find out if there are any generic alternatives to the drugs you currently take. Switching to generics can save anywhere from 20 to 90 percent. Surprisingly, be aware that the cash price for some drugs may be cheaper than the co-pay you would incur using insurance, depending on your plan. Before you fill a prescription, ask the pharmacist what your prescription will cost both using your coverage and without coverage. You should also ask your doctors if any

of the pills you take could be ordered in a higher dosage and cut in half. Pill splitting allows you to get two months’ worth of medicine for the price of one. And for any “maintenance” drugs (those you take long-term), ask for a three-month prescription, which is usually cheaper than buying month-to-month. Because drug prices can vary depending on where you fill your prescriptions, another way to save is by shopping around. The websites www.GoodRX.com and WeRx.org will help you compare drug prices at U.S. pharmacies. If your research turns up a lower price elsewhere, ask your pharmacist if they would match that price. Your drugstore also may offer a discount program. Find out if your insurance plan offers cheaper deals through preferred pharmacies or a mail-order service. But be aware that paying cash or using different drugstores for the best price also means that Medicare or your regular pharmacist won’t be able to monitor your medicines to make sure they don’t cause a bad reaction. And finally, if your income is highly limited, you may be able to get help through drug assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and charitable organizations. To find these types of programs, visit www.BenefitsCheckUp.org. Jim Miller is author of The Savvy Senior book. The Associated Press also contributed to this article.

Share your opinion. Send a letter to the editor.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2017

Alzheimer’s may often be misdiagnosed There are a few words that terrify people $497, cold hard cash. One challenge we have as soon as they are uttered by a physician. is that well-meaning doctors don’t even One of them is “Alzheimer’s think twice about prescribing disease.” When you hear that Alzheimer’s medications. Adding to the challenge, word, it’s like time stops. A new report has considpharmaceutical companies ered the fear that we have promote the glories of saidwhen it comes to Alzheimer’s. drug, adding to the indiscrimResearchers evaluated 1,641 inate prescribing problem adults over the age of 50 and which, IMHO is already hapfound that certain factors are hazard. known to increase our fear of So, unfor tunately, Alz developing Alzheimer’s — not heimer’s is a guessing game. the disease itself, but fear of get- DEAR We know Alzheimer’s patients PHARMACIST ting it. tend to have sticky clumps of By Suzy Cohen What are the three factors? beta-amyloid in their brains. 1. Stress You can see these using PET2. Genetics scans (often not reimbursed), or via 3. Self-determined faulty memory painful spinal taps. So obviously most peoStewing about these factors doesn’t nec- ple do not endure these expensive or invaessarily mean you’re going down the rab- sive procedures. bit hole. But they are told they have Alzheimer’s I worry more about you getting diag- anyway, without a definitive diagnosis, nosed with Alzheimer’s when you don’t often based on their poor memory recall have it! That’s the sad reality that happens or recent personality changes. Down the every day. rabbit hole you go.

Too quick to label

A better way to test?

How do I know? People get smacked with labels constantly, and dropped into the sinking ship called the “medical system,” which is frequently too quick to cut, poison and burn. There’s a difference between an ailing memory and Alzheimer’s disease. It’s common sense. According to preliminary results from a new study presented recently in London, diagnosing Alzheimer’s is a guessing game. Doctors evaluated 4,000 Medicare patients who had mild cognitive impairment or dementia, and discovered that many of them definitively do not have Alzheimer’s! Could you be one of those older adults who has reduced memory function, but not actually Alzheimer’s disease? The treatment differs, you know. The average retail price for a month’s supply of a popular Alzheimer’s medication is

Some practitioners don’t think with enough compassion, or they wouldn’t toss the name “Alzheimer’s” out so fast. I’ve been on the other side of this. Not personally, but close enough to see how families get ruined, how lives and finances become catastrophic due to one word: perhaps mold, or Lyme, or Alzheimer’s, or “insert your disease here.” What can be measured? Quinolinic acid (from the substrate L-tryptophan). It can be evaluated, and while having high levels doesn’t equate to Alzheimer’s, measuring it is better than diagnosing on symptoms. We do know this compound is generated in excess in people with Alzheimer’s disease. There’s also a new blood test in development to screen for evidence of plaques. It’s not available right now, and has only been tested in a small group of people, so more testing is needed on larger groups.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 26

HELP FEED NEEDY CHILDREN

Intersection Change is looking for volunteers to serve meals to children in need at Jubilee Arts. Volunteers can take shifts Monday through Wednesday and on Fridays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Jubilee Arts is located at 1947 Pennsylvania Ave. For more information, call (410) 728-8403.

Nov. 30

If you’d like to read a more detailed version of this column, visit my website, www.SuzyCohen.com, where you can also sign up for my newsletter. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

We Help Elders Remain in Their Homes

ESTATE LAWS

The Pikesville Senior Center will host Chief Judge William R. Evans, Judge Juliet Fisher and Judge Arthur Frank to discuss how the Orphans Court handles estates, and rules on the authenticity of wills. The free program will take place on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the center, 1301 Reisterstown Rd. in Pikesville. For more information, call (410) 887-1245.

Ongoing

“Our results demonstrate that this amyloid beta blood test can detect if amyloid has begun accumulating in the brain,” said Dr. Randall J. Batemen, sharing the news in London. He continued, “This is exciting because it could be the basis for a rapid and inexpensive blood screening test to identify people at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.” Note, signs of amyloid would indicate that you may develop Alzheimer’s disease. It’s a clue; it’s not a certainty.

BE A FRIEND, MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Best Buddies International is looking for volunteers to be ‘buddies’ with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The organization is taking sign-ups through Thursday, Nov. 30. For more information, visit www.bestbuddies.org.

MedStar Total Elder Care Medical House Call Program provides compassionate and personal health care to elders in the comfort of their homes at no additional cost. Our team of doctors, nurse practitioners and social workers provide patientcentered care. For more information, please call

443-262-0330.

MedStarHealth.org/ElderCare

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Health Studies Page

NOVEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Studying vitamin D’s effect on fall risk By Carol Sorgen Falls are the leading cause of injury and accidental death in adults over the age of 65. Every year, more than 33 percent of seniors fall in the United States. Every 15 seconds, an older adult is treated in an emergency room for an injury related to a fall. Clutter, inappropriate footwear, poor balance, distractions and tripping hazards can all contribute to a stumble or fall, potentially

leading to serious injury, fractured bones, long-term disability and even death. At a minimum, falls — and the fear of falling — can cause decreased independence.

How Vitamin D can help Johns Hopkins University is conducting a study to determine whether vitamin D supplements might substantially reduce the risk of falls in older adults.

Vitamin D is necessary for bone development and maintenance throughout life. It not only helps the body absorb calcium and slow down bone mineral loss, vitamin D also affects muscle. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), research has shown that vitamin D can improve muscle strength and function, and as a result, reduce the risk of falls and fractures by about 20 percent. Our bodies manufacture vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight. Older people, however, are prone to Vitamin D deficiency, in part because their skin is not as efficient in producing vitamin D as it was when they were younger, and in part because many older adults are housebound or don’t go outdoors frequently. The IOF has recommended that adults aged 60 or older take 800 to 1000 International Units (IU) of vitamin D supplements each day to reduce the risk of falls and fractures. The principal objective of the STURDY (“Study to Understand Fall Reduction and Vitamin D in You”) TRIAL is to determine which of four doses of vitamin D pills is best at preventing falls in older adults — 200 IU/day, 1,000 IU/day, 2,000 IU/day or 4,000 IU/day.

Who can participate? You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are 70 years of age or older and have low to low-normal vitamin D levels. Participants must be at a high risk for falling, answering “yes” to at least one of the following questions: 1. Have you fallen and hurt yourself in the past year?

2. Have you fallen two or more times in the past year? 3. Are you afraid that you might fall because of balance or walking problems? 4. Do you have difficulty maintaining your balance when bathing, dressing, or getting in and out of a chair? 5. Do you use a cane, walker or other device when walking inside or outside your home? In Stage 1 of the trial, participants will be randomly assigned to one of the four vitamin D3 doses. Participants will take their assigned pills for two years, or until the study ends, whichever comes first (estimated completion date is March 31, 2020). At that point, if a best dose has been determined, participants will be randomized in Stage 2 of the trial to take 200 IU/day or the best dose, and all participants will continue to be followed. The investigators anticipate enrolling approximately 1,200 participants over the entire length of the study. Outcomes measured will include the time to first fall over two years, gait speed, fall rates, types of falls, balance, muscle strength, frailty and physical performance. Those taking part in the study will be expected to complete five visits to the clinic at ProHealth Center Research Site, 1849 Gwynn Oak Ave., over two years, take a vitamin D pill every day, notify the study coordinator if a fall occurs, answer questions over the phone, and do balance and walking tests. Medical tests are provided free of cost, and participants may earn up to $120 over the course of two years. For more information, call (410) 2811600 or visit www.sturdytrial.org.

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Gene editing is widely used in research By Lauran Neergaard Gene editing is getting fresh attention, thanks to a successful lab experiment with human embryos. But for all the angst over possibly altering reproduction years from now, this technology already is used by scientists every day in fields ranging from agriculture to drug development. New gene editing tools let scientists alter the DNA of living cells â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from plants, animals, even humans â&#x20AC;&#x201D; more precisely than ever before. Think of it as a biological cut-and-paste program.

A look at the science While scientists have long been able to find defective genes, fixing them has been so cumbersome that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s slowed development of genetic therapies. There are several gene editing methods, but a tool called CRISPR-Cas9 has sparked a boom in research as laboratories worldwide adopted it over the past five years because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faster, cheaper, simple to use with minimal training, and allows manipulation of multiple genes at the same time. Pieces of RNA are engineered to be a guide that homes in on the targeted stretch of genetic material. The Cas9 is an enzyme that acts like molecular scissors to snip that spot. That allows scientists to

delete, repair or replace a particular gene. The fresh attention comes from research involving human embryos. In laboratory experiments, a team lead by Oregon researchers used CRISPR to successfully repair a heart-damaging gene in human embryos, marking a step toward one day being able to prevent inherited diseases from being passed on to the next generation. But thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wide agreement that more research is needed before ever testing the technique in pregnancy. The biggest everyday use of CRISPR so far is to engineer animals with human-like disorders for basic research, such as learning how genes cause disease or influence development, and what therapies might help. But promising research, in labs and animals so far, also suggests gene editing might lead to treatments for such diseases as sickle cell, cancer, maybe Huntingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x201D; by altering cells and returning them to the body. Another project aims to one day grow transplantable human organs inside pigs. Safety is a key question because gene editing isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always precise enough. Researchers have improved precision in recent years, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still the possibility of accidentally cutting DNA thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s similar to the real target.

can spread those changes to future generations, so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;germlineâ&#x20AC;? engineering. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ethically charged because future generations couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t consent, any longterm negative effects might not become apparent for years, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concern about babies designed with enhanced traits rather than to prevent disease. Earlier this year, an ethics report from the prestigious National Academy of Sciences opened the door to lab research to figure out how to make such changes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and said if germline editing ever is allowed, it should be reserved for serious diseases with no good alternatives, and performed with rigorous oversight. Where you live determines if, or what kind of, research can be performed on

human embryos. Some countries, especially in Europe, ban germline research. Britain allows basic lab research only. In the U.S., scientists can perform laboratory embryo research only with private funding, as the Oregon team did, not with federal taxpayer money. Any attempt to study germline editing in pregnant women would require permission from the Food and Drug Administration, which is currently prohibited by Congress from reviewing any such request. Researchers also are using gene editing to hatch malaria-resistant mosquitoes, grow strains of algae that produce biofuels, improve crop growth, even make mushrooms that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t brown as quickly. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;AP

Is it ethical? Legal? Altering genes in sperm, eggs or embryos

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NOVEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Getting along with your daughter-in-law Dear Solutions: $ $ $ $ $ $ this. $Am I$right? $ $ $ $ $ in-law over $ My grandson is going to have his Bar — Roz Mitzvah in two months. My Dear Roz: son, his father, died four Wrong, wrong, wrong — years ago, and his mother your question, your arguing has been remarried for three and your insistence. And three years. wrongs don’t make a right. I’ve been invited to the Be happy that you’re includservice and the luncheon ed, and let it go at that. When following it. I would like you have your grandson over them to say something about to your home, or when you my son at the affair, but my take him somewhere and are former daughter-in-law says alone with him, you can talk to no, that’s not part of the SOLUTIONS him about his father. By Helen Oxenberg, plan, especially since her $ $ The$host and $ hostess $ $ of$ this $ $ $ $ $ $ husband is paying for the af- MSW, ACSW $ $ day daughter$ are $ your former $ $ $ fair. in-law and her husband. You I have nothing against him, and my are a guest — a special one of course — so grandson seems to like him, but do you play the$part.$ $ $ $ $ think they’re right? I’ve been having a lit- Dear Solutions: tle argument with my former daughterI have four sons. I went to one son’s

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ house for a holiday meal and celebration. My daughter-in-law is not a good cook, but she worked hard and it was OK. Three of my sons were there with their families. They all get along well and seem to agree with each other on all major issues like politics, religion, $ $and $ such. $ $ $ $ $ child rearing $ $ $ $ $ $ My other son and family, who live fur$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ ther away and whose opinions are different from the other brothers, were not $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ there. I would have loved to see them all together, but $ $ several $ $times $ my $ daughter$ $ $ in-law said it was just the right number, she enjoyed it this way, and it would be too crowded with more people. This annoyed me. I was very careful though. I told her how good everything was and how nice it was to be there, but that I really missed having everyone together.

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Well, she got very angry with me and was very cold and almost nasty to me after that. What did I do wrong? After all, I did praise her first! — Lil Dear Lil: You used the magic word: “but.” “But” is a magic wand. Wave it, and it immediately erases everything that was said before. No matter how much you praised the work she did, what she finally heard, after the “but,” was criticism. You mention that she’s not a good cook, so she may or may not have believed your praise to begin with. She did make it clear, though, that she enjoyed this close-knit group and would not have liked it any larger. So out came your magic wand, erased your praise, and left her with only your criticism. How to fix it? Use the other magic word: “Great.” Call her. Ignore all the rest, and just tell her she did a great job: You know how much hard work it took to put everything together, and thank her for a great day! Dear Solutions: I was going out with a man who disagreed with just about everything I believe in — mostly politics. Since we were both very politically opinionated, we kept arguing and finally broke up. Do you think people who disagree vehemently politically could ever make it work in a marriage? — Anna Dear Anna: They might, since politics makes strange bedfellows. However, you’d have to agree vehemently on other vitally important marital issues like: Is it too hot or too cold? Should the window be open or closed? Is this the right direction, or are we lost? Should the blanket be tucked under the mattress or pulled out? Should we vacation in Maine or in Spain? Short of that, I think the next time you want to meet someone, you should join the political club of your choice. At least you won’t cancel out each other’s vote! © Helen Oxenberg, 2017. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 11

GRIEF SHARING SEMINAR

The Valley Presbyterian Church is sponsoring a free, nondenominational grief-sharing seminar for those facing the holidays after the death of a loved one. The group will meet at the church, 2200 W. Joppa Rd. Lutherville, on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call (410) 828-6234.

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2017

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

REAPING DIVIDENDS In buying dividend stocks, look for strong dividend growth coupled with a low payout ratio for long-term success PART-TIME JOBS Working part time can be personally and financially rewarding, but don’t ignore the often hidden tax costs

Find out if the Equifax hack stole your ID By Lisa Gerstner By now you’ve probably heard that Equifax — which as one of the three major U.S. credit agencies collect loads of sensitive data on consumers — suffered a massive breach, potentially affecting 143 million Americans. In the ongoing saga of rampant data breaches, it’s a stomach-churning twist, and it’s especially galling given that, as one component of its business, Equifax sells credit monitoring and other services to detect whether identity thieves have pilfered your information. Chances are high that the thieves got ahold of sensitive information on you or someone in your family: the breach touch-

es almost half the entire U.S. population and nearly three-quarters of those who have a credit report on file, according to the National Consumer Law Center. According to Equifax, “(c)riminals exploited a website application vulnerability to gain access to certain files.” That’s putting it nicely. From mid-May through July, hackers had access to all the key information needed to steal identities: Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, driver’s license numbers. Plus, credit card numbers for about 209,000 consumers, and dispute documents containing personal information of about 182,000 people were compromised.

Take these steps now to see whether you are affected, and to protect yourself in the aftermath. 1. Check with Equifax On your computer, go to www.equifaxsecurity2017.com/potential-impact/, click on “Check Potential Impact,” then enter your last name and the final six digits of your Social Security number. Equifax will supply a message noting whether it believes your personal information was compromised. Even if your information wasn’t compromised, you’ll have the option of signing up for a free year of credit monitoring and identity theft protection services from Equifax’s TrustedID Premier. (Equifax has also set up a call center, at 866-447-7559,

but going online is a better bet. When we tried calling the number, we got a brief busy signal, then the call disconnected.) A caveat: Equifax includes a disclaimer on its site that if you purchase or use its products, you must agree to resolve disputes through arbitration, waiving your right to participate in a class-action lawsuit. You can, however, opt out of the arbitration provision by notifying Equifax in writing “within 30 days of the date that you first accept this agreement on the site (for products purchased from Equifax on the site.)” 2. Sign up for free protection See EQUIFAX, page 18

Have you, or a member of your family, served in the military? The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, says thank you and welcome home to the men and women who’ve worn the uniform.

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Equifax From page 17 Sign up for monitoring and protection. You’ll likely be notified that you must wait until a specified date within the next several days to enroll in TrustedID Premier. Starting on that day, and until November 21, you can visit www.equifaxsecurity2017.com to sign up. The service includes: • access to your Equifax credit report, • monitoring for changes (such as newly opened credit card accounts or loans) on your credit reports from all three

major credit agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), • the ability to freeze and unfreeze your Equifax credit report (for more, see the next section), • monitoring of your Social Security number on internet black-market sites, where crooks buy and sell stolen information, and • insurance to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses if you become an ID theft victim. TrustedID Premier is a legit service, and in particular, monitoring of your reports from all three credit bureaus is valuable in helping spot identity theft. But if

NOVEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

you’re wary of relying on Equifax for protection, you have other options. 3. Other ways to protect yourself Among free services, CreditKarma.com offers access to information from your TransUnion and Equifax credit reports, plus monitoring and alerts about changes in your TransUnion report. Check whether you can get free assistance from your bank, credit card issuer, insurance company, or employer, too. Discover, for example, recently began offering its cardholders free monitoring for new accounts on their Experian credit reports. Paid services from companies such as LifeLock and Identity Guard offer broader suites of identity-theft protection services, including monitoring of your reports from all three credit agencies. 4. Check your credit reports. If you haven’t obtained your free annual credit reports in the past 12 months, now is a good time to do it. At www.annualcreditreport.com, you can get a report from

each of the three credit agencies. Review each one for accounts you don’t recognize, an incorrect address, or any other red flags. If you believe that you may be a victim of identity theft, you can take steps to resolve it.

Freeze credit files The strongest measure you can take to prevent identity theft is imposing a freeze on your credit files (you must contact each bureau separately to do so). A freeze bars new creditors from accessing your credit report — and as a result, identity thieves will have a hard time opening new credit cards or loans in your name. If criminals haven’t yet used your personal information fraudulently, you’ll probably have to pay to place the freeze (fees vary by state, but often run about $5 to $10 per credit agency). If you later want to apply for a credit card or loan, you’ll have See EQUIFAX, page 19

New Maryland law allows free credit freeze A new law that took effect in Maryland on Oct. 1 allows residents to place a freeze on their credit reports free of charge. Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh says a credit freeze is one of the most effective methods of identity theft protection. It prevents anyone from seeing your credit report without your permission. If a creditor can’t see your report, they are less likely to open a new credit card,

cellphone, utility or other account at the request of an identity thief. A credit freeze remains in effect until the consumer decides to remove it. The new law only waives fees for freezing a credit report, not fees for temporarily lifting the freeze (which you may want to do to apply for a credit card or loan). That can cost $5 per credit bureau, though creditors usually only need to review one bureau’s report. — AP

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2017

A recipe for picking high dividend stocks By Eleanor Laise There are almost as many dividendstock-picking strategies as there are dividend stocks. You could go for the dividend “achievers,” which have boosted dividends for at least 10 consecutive years, or the “aristocrats,” which have raised dividends for at least 25 years. You could focus on stocks with the fastest dividend-growth rates, or simply those with today’s highest yields. But to cook up a portfolio full of healthy, sustainable and growing payouts, you need more ingredients. Recent research suggests that mixing a high dividend yield with strong dividend growth and a low “payout ratio” (the percentage of earnings paid out as dividends) is a winning recipe. Pankaj Patel, managing director at investment-research firm Cirrus Research, said a portfolio of stocks combining those three factors has beaten Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index by 6 percentage points an-

Equifax From page 18 to lift the freeze during the shopping period then put it back on, which may incur additional fees. “But that bit of inconvenience doesn’t outweigh the amount of time you’d spend cleaning up an identity-theft issue,” said Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. (As noted above, Equifax includes the ability to freeze your Equifax credit report for a year with TrustedID Premier.)

Fraud alerts As a less-cumbersome alternative, you can initiate a free 90-day fraud alert on your credit reports (when you place an

nually over the long haul. Generous dividends are a lifeline for older adults drawing income from their portfolios — particularly when the 10-year Treasury yields 2.4 percent and the S&P 500 yields less than 2 percent. But dividend growth is slowing and payout ratios are climbing, presenting challenges for investors seeking healthy, sustainable payouts.

Look at dividend growth When selecting dividend payers, “the growth of the dividend is the most powerful part of the formula,” as a rising dividend often buoys the share price, said Charlie Farrell, chief executive officer at Northstar Investment Advisors, in Denver. Yet a stretch of sluggish earnings growth has made dividend growth more elusive. In the first quarter of this year, U.S. stocks’ dividend net increases (dividend hikes minus cuts) amounted to $10.9 billion — a alert with one credit agency, it will contact the other two companies). A fraud alert requires lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity when someone applies for credit in your name, but it doesn’t provide a full block on your reports. And unless you are already a victim of identity theft, you’ll have to renew the fraud alert every 90 days to maintain the protection. Your personal information may sit for years before a thief uses it, so you’ll need to be on guard for far longer than three months. Identity-theft victims are eligible for a free extended fraud alert, which lasts seven years. You also get two free credit reports within 12 months from each credit agency. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

39 percent decline from the first quarter of 2014, according to Standard & Poor’s. A low payout ratio provides some insurance against dividend cuts, which can weigh heavily on stock prices. Farrell generally looks for payout ratios of about 50 percent or less. But with yield-hungry investors agitating for dividends, the ratios have been rising. In the 12 months ending with the third quarter of 2016, for example, 44 companies in the S&P 500 had payout ratios over 100 percent — the second-highest count in 10 years, according to FactSet.

Some stock recommendations

strong dividend growth, and low payout ratio? In its research, Cirrus didn’t set any particular thresholds for these factors — the research firm simply looked for the best combination of the three. Here are some of the names that came out on top: • Cisco Systems (CSCO). In addition to making the switches and routers that connect computers and computer networks, Cisco makes products for fastergrowing segments, such as wireless, security and data centers. The company started paying a dividend in 2011 and has boosted it every year since. • Gilead Sciences (GILD). This biotech

So which stocks still boast that powerful combination of generous dividend yield,

See DIVIDEND STOCKS, page 21

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Whether to work part-time in retirement By Brian Vnak Some people’s retirement dreams consist of having the time to do what they want, unencumbered by the demands of working. For others, staying in the workforce on a part-time basis, either out of necessity or by choice, is a core component of their retirement picture. Keeping a hand in the workforce is a growing trend, and for good reason: Part-time employment in retirement is a way to supplement cash flow, maintain employer benefits, and stay mentally and physically engaged.

Many financial benefits Part-time work is very healthy from a financial-planning standpoint. For instance, every year you work improves your earnings history, which can increase the amount of Social Security you receive. Further, part-time earnings may allow you to delay taking Social Security benefits, which increase by 8 percent every year past

your full retirement age, up to the age of 70. Earnings from a part-time job may also mean you can delay spending down your retirement accounts, giving them more time to potentially grow. An extra three to five years — especially if it coincides with a rising market — can have a tremendously powerful impact on the sustainability of your portfolio. Finally, part-time work may offer access to employer benefits, such as health insurance and contributing to tax-efficient employer-sponsored plans like 401(k)s — not to mention getting the employer match, which is literally free money. As an added benefit, any funds inside your current employer’s plan will escape required minimum distributions at age 70½ and later, as long as you remain actively employed. Funds in an inactive 401(k) from a former employer would be subject to required minimum distributions. But this can be avoided if the inactive accounts are consolidated with your current employer’s 401(k) account (as-

suming the employer accepts rollovers).

Hidden costs of working Unfortunately, working part-time in retirement can also complicate your finances. First, if you’re already taking Social Security, your benefits are taxable based on other income sources, such as wages, dividends, capital gains, retirement account distributions and, yes, 50 percent of your Social Security benefits (among other items). A part-time job means you’ll have more income, but this extra income may adversely affect your Social Security benefit. Your part-time income may also put you in a higher tax bracket — not just for income taxes, but for capital gains taxes, too. Many retirees capitalize on their lowerincome years by taking gains when they’re in the 0 percent capital gains tax bracket, so you may not be able to take advantage of savvy tax-planning moves like capital gains harvesting and Roth conversions. If your part-time income puts you at or above the 25 percent income tax bracket, you may find yourself subject to a 15 or 20 percent capital gains tax rate. In a worst-case scenario, the part-time earnings you make could be eclipsed by taxes you pay on capital gains. Part-time work can help you stay mentally sharp, socially engaged and physically fit. And there’s the benefit of putting a lifetime of skills to work, or finally turning your attention to a lifelong passion. Still, it’s a slippery slope. Part-time work can easily morph into full-time work, espe-

cially if you’re prone to workaholism. And for those who put their years of experience to work in consulting may find that running a business, even a tiny one-person proprietorship, more expensive and onerous than imagined.

The bottom line Whether it’s the financial cushion or because you truly love working that’s driving your decision to work part-time, it’s in your best interest to understand how this decision will change your plan for the future. Ask yourself and/or your adviser the following questions to help you evaluate the pros/cons of working part-time in retirement: • How will working part-time in retirement enhance my ability to achieve my ideal retirement lifestyle? • What “ripple effects” might working part-time in retirement bring to my financial plan? Would it put me in a higher tax bracket and/or disrupt any existing tax strategies? • How will working part-time in retirement enhance my ability to achieve my ideal retirement lifestyle? Finally: Remember that part-time work doesn’t just impact your financial bottom line. It also affects your mind, body, family and friends. Be thoughtful of how you spend your time. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2017

Gig economy From page 1 through their smartphone, and you’ll receive your payment (minus the cut taken by the company) in the same manner. Gig workers still need to keep track of their costs. For example, while Uber provides supplemental liability insurance while you are on a gig, drivers still need to pay for their own gas, basic auto insurance and repairs. Another unique feature of working for such companies is that both providers and customers typically can rate each other on a scale of one to five stars, either on websites or apps. As these ratings are made public, this feature tends to make both you and your customers try extra hard to be nice to each other.

Other gig options abound Driving is just one of the many jobs that have caught on in the gig economy. A few others: Rover, which matches dog owners with dog walkers; TaskRabbit, which pairs homeowners with nearby handymen (or women) who can handle house repairs; Wyzant, which helps people find nearby tutors, and perhaps the granddaddy of them all: Airbnb, which lets you start a shortterm rental business to earn money from a spare bedroom or two. (It is estimated that Airbnb has more than 650,000 hosts worldwide.)

Dividend stocks From page 19 company is known largely for drugs that treat HIV and Hepatitis C, but it is building a strong pipeline in other areas, such as inflammatory diseases. The company initiated its dividend in 2015, and its low 20 percent payout ratio leaves plenty of room for future growth. • Home Depot (HD). The home-improvement retailer is benefiting from a strong housing market, and it enjoys some insulation from e-commerce competition thanks to its employees’ specialized knowledge and bulky merchandise that

Jeannette Belliveau, 63, has been an Airbnb host since 2013, renting out extra bedrooms in her Fells Point townhome. For Belliveau, whose career in journalism for such newspapers as the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post ended in three separate buyouts, the idea of welcoming temporary visitors to her home was more appealing than continuing to have the longterm renters she once had. “It was getting harder to find compatible housemates,” she said. Belliveau, who has traveled the world, enjoys sharing memories with the globetrotting visitors who book her $40/night rooms. “It was tailor-made for me,” she said, adding that she particularly likes the younger travelers who stay with her. “With their energy and their enthusiasm, they’re a wonderful shot in the arm,” she said. According to a report produced for Airbnb entitled “Home Sharing: A Powerful Option to Help Older Americans Stay in their Homes,” adults over the age of 60 are the fastest-growing demographic within the Airbnb community. In the last year alone, the number of Airbnb hosts in that age group has more than doubled Apparently, the demographic is also proving popular with travelers. Older women hosts receive more five-star reviews from their guests than other hosts. The report further noted that 82 percent of older American hosts say that Airbnb

has helped them stay more socially and emotionally connected, and 83 percent say that hosting on Airbnb has helped them stay more mentally engaged. While the report says that the typical Airbnb host over the age of 65 makes $8,350 annually, Belliveau does caution would-be hosts that if you live in a popular area, as she does, there tends to be an “over-supply” of hosts, making it more difficult to rely on hosting for a steady stream of income. Furthermore, you may face some added costs as a result of becoming an Airbnb host. For example, while Airbnb provides

supplemental liability insurance, your regular homeowner insurance premiums will probably go up, as you’re now considered a “rental property.” Still, for many older workers, experts say that the disadvantage of an unpredictable income is outweighed by the benefits of supplemental income in general, the opportunity to become more active, flexibility to take time off when needed or desired, social interaction, and a sense of purpose. “I couldn’t do this full-time,” said Uber driver Barry Belle. “But for this time in my life, this fits the bill.”

can’t be shipped cheaply. The company has made quarterly payouts for 30 years, and in February announced a 29 percent dividend increase. • VF Corp (VFC). This apparel maker owns brands such as North Face, Timberland and Lee jeans. Although reliance on department-store sales has hurt growth in recent years, the company is working to boost its direct-to-consumer sales through its own online and brick-and-mortar stores. The company last year raised its dividend 14 percent. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Nov. 18

JOB SEARCH CONFERENCE

Coaches Corner is a free job search and matchmaking conference for professionals age 45+. It includes networking, workshops, coaching demos, and an “Ask the Experts” panel discussion. The event takes place on Saturday, Nov 18 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Corner Community Center, 5802 Roland Ave. To sign up go to https://tinyurl.com/yblr4ggg or call (410) 435-1506.

Oct. 26

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Join Jacke Schroeder and Barbara Korenblit from SAFE: Stop Abuse of Elders, to discuss your rights in the areas of health, money, personal information and more. The free event will take place at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Liberty Senior Center, 3525 Resource Dr. in Randallstown. For more information, call (410) 887-0780.

Oct. 30

TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME

Selling your home can be a daunting task that can overwhelm anyone. Learn tips for making it easier with real estate agent Karen Gatzke on Monday, Oct. 30 at 12:45 p.m. at the Catonsville Senior Center, 501 N. Rolling Rd., Catonsville. Call (410) 887-0900 for more information.

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Travel Leisure &

Thoreau’s Walden Pond is just a short trip from Boston. See story on page 26.

Repositioning cruises offer real bargains fore setting out across the Atlantic, which takes seven days. Boarding most cruises usually involves a flight to Florida or elsewhere for Washington area residents. For one-way repositioning cruises, there is the additional cost of an overseas leg — either to get to where the cruise leaves from, or to return home afterwards. Holland America was very helpful, as I imagine most cruise lines are, in finding us inexpensive flights. We paid less than $600 per person to fly from D.C. to Rome, and from Ft. Lauderdale to D.C.

PHOTO BY MAPICS

By Ann Cochran Each fall and spring, a quiet migration takes place as cruise lines move their ships from one geographical area to another. But these ships do not sail empty. They are full of passengers taking advantage of the best value in cruising. For the past few years, I’ve met people who have taken repositioning cruises and wondered what one would be like. They involve many days at sea — whether they are going from Europe to the Caribbean or Seattle to Sydney — so would there be more to do to keep passengers busy and happy? Or less, because the price was lower than a regular cruise? Would the menus be limited because of all the days far from land? My husband and I decided to try one out after he retired. We chose a late October into mid-November cruise last year from Rome to Ft. Lauderdale on a new Holland America ship, the Koningsdam, which was launched that spring. It is the largest ship in Holland America’s fleet. From Italy’s Civitavecchia Port, we’d spend one day at sea, then hit six ports along the coast of Spain and Portugal be-

Excellent values

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOLLAND AMERICA

Including flights, the price was right. Our 15-day Passage to America cruise started at $1,179 per person for an interior cabin and $1,599 for an exterior balcony cabin like the one we had. Our cruise was similar to one Holland America is offering this fall on the same ship: the 14-day Jewels of the Baltic cruise starts at $2,509 for an interior cabin and $3,199 for a balcony cabin. Royal Caribbean is currently advertising a 14-night transatlantic repositioning cruise on Freedom of the Seas for $833 per person in an interior cabin and $1,434 in a balcony cabin. The ultra-luxury line Silversea has great deals as well, relatively speaking. Prices for their 16-day spring repositioning cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Dublin starts at $5,310 as opposed to $10,620 for an Australia/New Zealand voyage of the same length during the same month.

A brand new ship The day we settled into the Koningsdam, all the surprises were good ones, as one would

The design of the avant garde wine cellar on Holland America’s Koningsdam echoes the curved lines and art theme throughout the vessel, which holds more than 2,500 passengers. It is one of a number of ships that make transAtlantic repositioning crossings each fall and spring at steeply discounted rates for passengers.

Antonio Gaudi’s unique and ornate cathedral La Sagrada Familia soars over Barcelona, one of the ports of call on the Koningsdam’s repositioning cruise. Construction began in 1892 and is still underway.

reasonably expect on a new ship. With music as their inspiration, designer Adam Tihany and architect Bjørn Storbraaten created an open, airy atmosphere with plenty of curved lines. Everywhere you looked, you engaged with interesting pieces of art, most of it contemporary. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors enhanced the spaciousness of our verandah cabin. Even for people like us who do not pack light, there were more than enough closets and storage spaces. The comfortable queen-sized bed was made up with crisp white linens, and there were perfectly placed bedside reading lights. The bathroom had a large shower. The TV was of-the-moment: flat screen, high-definition. Lots of channels and ondemand movies, as well as the entirety of “Downton Abbey,” provided relaxing interludes between meals and events. The music-themed ship lived up to its intention. The main World Stage, which had a three-quarter-way-around seating layout, was surrounded by walls upon which gorgeous video and photography were sometimes projected. At a cast chat, many performers praised the lighting, sound and design technology, calling it superior to that of most Broadway theaters. If there’s a head on every pillow, the Koningsdam can accommodate 2,650 pas-

sengers. Cruise lines encourage loyalty with discounts and perks. At a reception, we learned that out of the approximately 2,400 passengers, only 200 (including ourselves) were first timers.

Plentiful activities onboard I needn’t have feared boredom. Besides the nightly main stage shows, there were many other options, including a classic piano bar. At B.B. King’s Blues Club, the band played current hits. A classical quintet, easily transitioning from Mozart to Sting, performed at the Lincoln Center Stage. This strategic partnership with Lincoln Center was a huge hit. With their piano, cello and three violins, these elegant musicians seemed to be the most beloved performers on a ship that was rich in talent. In addition to music and dance entertainment, a magician and two comedians were on the schedule. With freshly popped popcorn, we loved watching movies in lounge chairs around the pool. Popular films were interspersed with BBC Earth documentaries. Before sunrise one morning, there was a stargazing opportunity with two presenters who were attending navigation school. During the day, lectures, a cooking competition and demonstrations, spa appointments, See CRUISES, page 23

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2017

Cruises From page 22 games and dance lessons given by the gorgeous shipboard dancers kept us busy. At the gym, you could stare out at the sea as you walked or jogged. The sight and smell of the sea, and its breezes, drew many passengers out to the promenade deck. I joined daily. I avoided the casino, but it was well-populated every evening. I planned spa appointments and all our meals in the specialty restaurants for days we were at sea. On all the other days, the two main dining options — a formal restaurant and a sophisticated version of an eatery — were both good to great. At mealtimes, we got to know other passengers and found people to hang out with on the ship, and to tour with on land. We found the specialty restaurants, except the Italian one, worth the extra charges, which ranged from $15 to a la carte. Of the French bistro, Culinary Arts Center (tasting menu, demonstration kitchen), steakhouse and Asian, the Asian (Tamarind) stood out. But each had its winning dishes.

Spanish ports of call Every cruise line sells land tours, and Holland America is no exception, with classic highlights tours and many off-the-beaten-track options. They also do a great job of letting passengers know how to explore on one’s own. Lectures with beautiful slide shows gave a rundown of the best of each city, restaurant recommendations, and practical information about unusual scheduling and closings. Palma de Mallorca in Spain was our first stop. Like many other ports, this island has a lot of fine museums, churches and ruins. Its beach is a quick walk from the ship. It also has a large department store, El Corte Ingles, where I was delighted to find

great variety and good prices for truly local items (after confirming by checking tags) to bring to loved ones back home. Barcelona was the most alluring stop, and it required the most planning since there’s so much to do. My husband and I chose to spend most of our time at La Sagrada Familia, the masterpiece cathedral (started in 1882 and still unfinished) designed by Antoni Gaudi. I expected it to be more surreal and less spiritual, but the experience was quite the opposite. I was very moved by the structure and the guide’s story of Gaudi’s devotion to the project. Afterward, we wandered Las Ramblas, the tree-lined pedestrian mall in heart of the city, and enjoyed a great meal. (Yes, this was the site of a horrific terrorist incident this August, less than a year after our visit.) Alicante is a popular beach town graced with palm trees and a beautiful waterfront promenade, Explanada de Espana, made of 6.5 million marble tiles. This small city has one of Spain’s most important modern art collections in its Asegurada Museum. Malaga, Picasso’s hometown on the Costa del Sol, honors him with an art museum and a house museum. There are many others here, including the Museo de Malaga, with fine arts and archaeology. From 2015, and scheduled to be there for five years, a pop-up outpost of the Paris Centre Pompidou arts complex was installed in a many-colored glass cube structure at the port. Special exhibits share the space with works from the Paris museum’s permanent collection. Home to a U.S. naval base, Cadiz is known for great golf and five miles of beach, long-rated as having the cleanest beach water in Europe. Since we’d be there on a Sunday, with few places open, we decided to take an official Holland America tour, at $80 per person for five hours. About 28 other passengers decided

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the same thing, and the consensus afterward was that it was worth it. Our intelligent and well informed guide toured us around the old city and a charming hilltop village called Jerez de la Frontera. At the shipboard lecture about the last stop, Madeira, I was drawn in by the slides of a stunning hotel on a hill. When we arrived, we hired a taxi driver to take us around. That is common practice for cruise passengers. Sometimes we’d share a taxi with another couple. It costs far less than an organized tour, the drivers know the main attractions, and you get to talk to a local while doing exactly what you want to do.

Before heading to the Belmond Reid’s Palace for lunch, we asked our driver, Bruno, to take us to a grocery store. He looked puzzled, but we convinced him that’s what we wanted, and the three of us walked the aisles, buying chocolates for the cabin stewards and some traditional honey cake to take home. You can learn a lot about another culture in a grocery store. And at a Belmond hotel, you can treat yourself to a fine Portuguese lunch. To research repositioning cruises, visit cruise lines’ individual websites, websites such as www.repositioningcruise.com, devoted entirely to this mode of travel, or sites such as www.Cruisecritic.com.

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NOVEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Lots of new airlines, not much innovation Between now and next summer, you’ll see a lot of unfamiliar airplanes at U.S. airports. At least for now, they’ll all be European or Asian, but a few possible homegrown efforts have sprouted. The upside is a combination of more competition on existing routes and more new nonstop routes. The downside is no real innovation in the seating — the main cabins will be familiar cattle cars. The expansion is fueled by new airlines and enabled by new airplanes:

• New 737max and A321neo narrowbody planes have sufficient range for nonstops between eastern North America and western Europe, they’re small enough to operate profitably on routes with insufficient traffic to support the jumbos, and they do so at very low costs. • New 787s and A350s operate much more economically than the larger jumbos and can fly very long-range routes. Here’s my roundup of the most interesting developments.

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stop that leaves New York/JFK at 11:20 in the morning and arrives London/Gatwick at 10:50 that evening. It offers

Oct. 26

This startup, with headquarSee AIRLINES, page 25

THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD ALI

The Ivy Bookshop will host bestselling author Jonathan Eig to present his book Ali: A Life, on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. The book presents Ali’s life in a new and radical way. The free event will take place at the Enoch Pratt Central Library, 400 Cathedral St. For more information, visit www.calendar.prattlibrary.org.

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conventional economy and better-than-averNorwegian (Norwegian.com). Already age premium economy seats. As of late September, it was the major transatlantic upstart, offering very low fares on this Norwegian will continue to exroute, some as low as $110 pand its relatively short each way in November. 737max routes from the eastLevel (flylevel.com). This ern U.S. — primarily New new line, currently operated York/Stewart International, by Iberia, flies nonstops to its and Providence to Western EuBarcelona base from Los Anrope. geles and Oakland. It flies One of its most interesting A330s with what appear to be new flights, however, uses 787s. conventional economy and For folks who hate red-eye premium economy seats. flights in cattle car economy, TRAVEL TIPS Primera (primeraair.com). Norwegian now operates a non- By Ed Perkins

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Oct. 25

MEDICARE UPDATES

Join Lisa Solomon as she provides free Medicare updates on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. at the Overlea Fullerton Senior Center, 4314 Fullerton Ave. For more information or to sign up, call (410) 887-5220.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2017

Airlines From page 24 ters in Latvia, will start flying next April from Newark nonstop to Birmingham, Paris/DeGaulle, and London/Stansted with A321neos. The product mix includes what appear to be conventional economy and premium economy offerings. Joon. I’m not making this up: “Joon” is the name Air France has given to its new subsidiary. Presumably that’s based on the French word “jeune” meaning “young.” And you wouldn’t believe the PR-babble Air France put out about tailoring its new effort to millennials — nothing about fares or the seats, just drivel. Expect service to the U.S. next summer, with A340s or A350s. Your guess is as good as mine about fares or product, but I can confidently predict it will offer a full load of first-class malarkey. Air Asia X (booking.airasia). Well-established in Asia, this Malaysian line started flying from Kuala Lumpur to Honolulu by way of Osaka earlier this year, and it plans to fly to Los Angeles sometime next year. It’s allowed to carry traffic between the U.S. and Osaka. Its A330s include a small premium section with angled-flat seats, and an economy cabin with ultra-tight nine-across economy seats. The premium product might look like a good deal, but consider economy only if it’s really cheap and you’re really broke. Hong Kong Airlines (hongkongairlines.com/en_HK/homepage). Following its entry into Vancouver earlier this year, Hong Kong Airlines plans nonstops to Los Angeles starting later this year. Flights in A330s offer what appear to be fully competitive lie-flat business class seats and conventional eight-across economy.

From the publisher From page 2 and last but certainly not least, my wife and Associate Publisher Judy Rosenthal. The Beacon would not exist without all of their efforts, nor without you who read our publications each month. I offer my sincere appreciation to each of you.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 30

ASK AN EXPERT

The Cockeysville Senior Center will host eight industry experts to present and answer questions on topics such as Medicaid planning, assisted living placement, insurance options, home modifications and more on Monday, Oct. 30. The free event will take place at the center, 10535 York Rd. in Cockeysville at 10 a.m. For more information, call (410) 8877694.

Few new U.S. airlines So far, the U.S. startup outlook is grim. Three possible operations have emerged, but so far, none has anything firm: • US Global Airlines, a re-tooled version of Baltia, wants to emulate Norwegian and fly 737max or A321neos from Stewart to various points in Europe. • A group of promoters wants to revive the “iconic” Midwest Express brand, but its apparent business plan — to re-grow the former Milwaukee hub — seems problematic. • David Neeleman, who started Morris Air, WestJet, JetBlue, and Azul, reportedly registered “Azura Airways” as a U.S. corporation. Azul says there’s nothing to it, but Neeleman likes to start-up airlines and likes to name them something to do with “blue.” Currently, you can book flights on Primera, Level, Air Asia X, and Hong Kong, along with the more established Norwegian and WOW. Advance fares look good, so make sure to include them in your trip planning.

Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Also, check out Ed’s new

BEACON BITS

Oct. 28

COASTAL CLEANUP Join the National Aquarium Conservation Team in removing harmful debris and plastic pollution from the shorelines at the

Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center Campus. Volunteers are needed on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the center, located at 1000 Frankfurt Ave. Preregistration is required. For more information or to register, visit www.aqua.org/conservation-events.

Nov. 11

BACON JAM Power Plant Live! Is throwing a party celebrating bacon and bacon vendors all over Baltimore. Sample bacon-inspired foods

and cocktails, and enjoy the sounds of local bands at 34 Market Place on Saturday, Nov. 11. Tickets cost between $10 and $60, depending on the package, with all proceeds going to the non-profit Volunteering Untapped. The event will take place from 1 until 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.powerplantlive.com.

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Bucolic Walden Pond and Concord, Mass. By William J. Kole Henry David Thoreau went to the woods because, as he famously put it, “I wished to live deliberately.” Two centuries after the Walden author’s birth, people are still deliberately following in Thoreau’s footsteps to discover Walden Pond, the little lake he immortalized. Whether you’re visiting Boston or the Berkshires, the pond and the bucolic Massachusetts town of Concord are Thoreauly worth a side trip. Here’s why: A retreating glacier formed the pond 10,000 or so years ago, but it was Thoreau — born in Concord 200 years ago on July 12, 1817 — who really put Walden Pond on the map. He spent two years and two months in solitude and reflection on its shores, writing Walden (the book’s full title is Walden;

or, Life in the Woods), about grasping at the meaning of life by living simply and coexisting with the natural environment. Today, Walden Pond is a popular fishing hole stocked with trout and frequented by walkers, boaters, swimmers, sunbathers and birdwatchers in warm weather. In winter, there’s snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Wandering around Walden You can wander the shaded dirt path hugging the oblong pond. At 1.7 miles, it’s perfect for walkers and runners of all abilities, and its serenity provides a spectacular backdrop for foliage in autumn. A can’t-miss attraction on Walden Pond State Reservation is the reconstruction of the tiny wooden cabin where Thoreau lived and worked. There’s also a gleaming new solar-pow-

BEACON BITS

Nov. 1

GARDEN TOUR IN D.C. Visit the nation’s capital with the Seven Oaks Senior Center on

ered visitor center that opened last October, featuring interactive exhibits about the man considered a founder of the modern environmental movement. Officials say the pond and center draw about a halfmillion visitors from around the globe each year. Thoreau made a big splash at Walden Pond. Working at a simple green desk in the cabin he built himself, the former schoolteacher completed Walden in 1854. Now, 163 years later, it’s a classic known for lines such as, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation,” and, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” But Thoreau was many things — philosopher, naturalist, transcendentalist, abolitionist, early climate change advocate — and he wrote other acclaimed works, including “Civil Disobedience,” an 1849 essay in which he agitated against slavery and government overreach.

Wednesday, Nov. 1. The day trip will leave at 9:30 a.m. and return at 5:30 p.m. and costs $75. Participants will visit the Hillwood Estate and Museum and take part in a Garden Tour, with lunch included. For more information, call (410) 8875192.

Concord and environs Nestled about 20 miles northwest of Boston, Concord is famous for Revolutionary War landmarks enshrined in Minute Man National Historical Park — a leafy spot to picnic and learn more about the

first battles that led to American independence from England. Thoreau isn’t the only renowned writer who created here. Ralph Waldo Emerson sketched out his celebrated essay “Nature” in town, and it’s the hometown of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin. The Concord Museum houses some truly iconic Americana, including the lantern that hung in a church steeple during Paul Revere’s fateful 1775 ride warning that the British were coming.

If you go Learn more about Walden Pond at http://bit.ly/Walden_Pond or call (978) 369-3254. Open daily year-round; hours vary by season. Fall hours are 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Walden Pond State Reservation is most easily accessible by car. Parking is $15 for out-of-state license plates, $8 for Massachusetts plates. From Boston, you can ride the MBTA commuter rail (Fitchburg line) to the Concord stop; then take a taxi or Uber to the pond. Admission to the reservation and visitor center is free. Dogs, fires and camping aren’t allowed. Only boats with electric motors are permitted on the pond. — AP

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Ongoing

SCIENCE STORE CASHIER NEEDED The Maryland Science Center is looking for volunteers to assist in

selling books, DVDs, science kits and more. Dates are flexible, but shifts usually last four hours. Training will be provided. The center is located at 601 Light St. For more information, call (410) 779-1627.

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2017

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Arts &

The Patterson Theatre, opened in 1930, is now Patterson Performing Arts Center, with a gallery, studios and auditorium. See story about a new book on old Baltimore theaters on page 28.

Community group welcomes new artists By Mel Tansill and Danielle Rexrode When Jody Primoff moved to the Charlestown retirement community five years ago, she hoped to connect with others who shared her love of art and passion for painting. It turns out she didn’t have to look far. Before she even settled into her new home, Primoff was welcomed into the Fireside Artists — a group of Charlestown neighbors who gather every Friday to paint, draw and sculpt. “The group is made up of all levels of proficiency, and any resident who is inter-

ested in art is welcome to join us,” said Primoff. “We have a beautifully renovated studio with plenty of room for whatever interests you — painting, drawing, stained glass, pottery.” The art studio is a creative oasis for Charlestown residents. Each artist has his or her own storage cabinet and drawer. The studio is equipped with a kiln for firing pottery, spacious work tables and lots of natural light. It is located across the hall from a music studio, where musicians often play as the artists work. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLESTOWN

Fran Chasse works on her oil painting of a winter in New England as part of the Fireside Artists group at Charlestown. The group, comprised of artists of all levels of proficiency, meets weekly. Their work is featured in Charlestown’s gallery, as well as ones throughout Maryland.

Cars, boats, furniture, antiques, tools, appliances Everything and anything is sold on

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

Work shown in many galleries Much of the artwork produced by the Fireside Artists is featured throughout Maryland in art galleries, public libraries, college art departments and business venues. Their work is also featured yearround in the community’s own gallery, located in the Charlestown Square Clubhouse near the community’s Fireside restaurant and lounge, for which the group is named. Primoff specializes in landscapes inspired from her time spent on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. She paints in various media, including watercolors, acrylics, mixed media and pastels. Her work has been featured in galleries from New York

to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Primoff currently serves as secretary of the Fireside Arts Committee, the group that maintains the gallery. “We rotate the displays throughout the year,” said Primoff. “Each month we feature an ‘artist of the month,’ and twice a year we have an all-member exhibit in the gallery. We call it a living gallery because the artists can change out their paintings when they complete a new piece or when one of their pieces is sold.” Artists of all skill levels can find a home in the Fireside Artists gallery. A recent display featured teenage See CHARLESTOWN ART, page 29

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NOVEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Recalling the heyday of Baltimore theaters what to do about them. “I am indebted to Robert K. Headley’s book, “Motion Picture Exhibition in Baltimore,” which provided a good starting point in my hunt for the survivors,” said Davis. “We can count the number of current movie theaters in Baltimore City on one hand — but in 1916, there were an astonishing 119 nickelodeons in Baltimore City. It turns out that movie houses have been opening and closing frequently since the silent movie era.”

By Carol Sorgen When photographer Amy Davis began researching Baltimore’s forgotten movie theaters nine years ago, she had no idea how many of these structures were still standing. Her new book, Flickering Treasures: Rediscovering Baltimore’s Forgotten Movie Theaters, celebrates 72 of the more than 240 theaters that have existed in Baltimore since 1896. Only 11 of the movie houses featured in the book have been completely razed, though many others are no longer recognizable as theaters. The book is an offshoot of a photo essay that Davis did for the Baltimore Sun, where she works as a full-time photographer. Davis received so many letters from readers wanting to find out what had happened to their favorite theater that she decided there was enough interest to warrant a book. “People have so many fond memories of the old theaters,” said Davis, 61. “In their heyday, movie theaters were the hub of the community. Now, so many of the buildings that remain are surrounded by dollar stores, liquor stores and the like. They’re the center of decay and neglect, not of a vibrant community.” Davis hopes that her book will spark a dialogue about the remaining theaters and

Theaters then and now Some of the vintage photographs Davis discovered in her research have never been published before. Her new color photography shows the startling changes these buildings and streets have undergone. “I spent hours photographing each theater, as I waited for the perfect light and the serendipity of street activity,” said Davis. Davis herself doesn’t have a favorite theater, saying, “For me, each theater has a distinct personality.” Davis interviewed more than 300 people to collect the poignant reminiscences that accompany the photographs and descriptions of each theater. “These stories bring each theater and neighborhood to life,” she said.

The 1,100 seat Parkway Theatre opened its doors in 1915 and closed in 1978. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation reopened it as an art theater in 2016. Its history is described in a new book, Flickering Treasures, by Amy Davis, about the hundreds of movie theaters that have opened (and closed) in Baltimore.

Notable Baltimoreans who shared their memories with her include filmmakers Barry Levinson and John Waters, actors John Astin, Michael Tucker and Conrad Brooks, former Mayor Tommy D’Alesandro III, and former City Councilwoman Rochelle “Rikki” Spector. Levinson, who also contributed the foreword, recalled his first date at the Crest Theater on Reisterstown Road, which was across the street from the diner he immortalized in film.

Movie buffs’ reminiscences It’s not only the well-known whose memories of their favorite theater are included in the book. On the west side of Baltimore, retired schoolteacher Paul Kreiner recalled how the nuns at St. Bernadine warned students not to see a racy movie at the Edgewood Theater on Edmondson Avenue. The nuns claimed that they had rented a room across the street to monitor who went inside the theater. Across town, Faye Better, a retired bookkeeper, remembered being kicked out of the Roxy Theater on East Fayette Street as a young girl because the kids seated near her at the Saturday matinee complained about the smell of the kosher pickle her

mother had packed in her lunch. Even at 302 pages, Davis has found that there are memorable stories and striking photographs that didn’t fit into the book. She plans to post these periodically on the “Outtakes” blog on her website, www.flickeringtreasures.com. Now that the book has been completed, Davis will not only continue to work as a staff photographer at the Sunpapers, but after her years-long immersion into the world of movie theaters, “I look forward to reading more books on other topics — and going to the movies!” Davis’s solo photo exhibit, “Home Movies” at Gallery CA in the City Arts building, examines the more modest neighborhood movie houses in Flickering Treasures. It will be on display through Nov. 30. Davis will give a gallery talk on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. Books will be available for sale and signing. The gallery is located at 440 E. Oliver St. at the corner of Greenmount Ave. Usual gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Gallery CA is a contemporary arts space located on the ground floor of the City Arts building, which houses 69 artist live/work See OLD THEATERS, page 29

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A N A P E A S E T T R A R S O T R R E K E S E E N T S

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2017

Charlestown art From page 27 artists from Jubilee Arts Baltimore as the artist of the month. Jubilee Arts is a community program providing students of the Sandtown-Winchester and surrounding neighborhoods classes in fine art, creative writing and dance. The program helps aspiring artists improve their fine art skills with the goal of assembling a professional portfolio.

For beginners and pros alike “We want to encourage beginners and help them along, as well as professionals who sell their work,” said Fireside artist Joni Guhne. “Each of us strives for the next great painting — whether it’s our first or our one-hundredth — that we know is just a brush stroke away.” Since moving to Charlestown almost two years ago, Guhne, a former journalist for the Baltimore Sun, now has plenty of time to pursue her passion for painting portraits. “News writing sucked all my creativity out of me,” said Guhne. “After I retired, I

Old theaters From page 28 spaces. For more information, call (410) 528-9239. Davis will be speaking about the book at

started taking classes at Anne Arundel Community College. At first I studied pastels, but I loved the look of watercolor paintings, so I switched to watercolor. I love painting animals, landscapes and still life, but my true love is portraitures.” Because the watercolor process requires multiple glazes that need to dry in between applications, Guhne paints all of her subjects from photographs. She paints in her apartment home, which doubles as her art studio. Guhne belongs to the Annapolis Watercolor Club, the Baltimore Watercolor Society, and is represented in Benfield Gallery in Severna Park. Last year, she painted portraits of each of the women who work in Charlestown’s sales office. “When an artist is involved in painting, he or she is removed from the stress of daily life and immersed in a world of creation,” said Guhne. “Time passes unnoticed. The resulting picture or object brings utter satisfaction to the soul of the artist. “The popular saying is that ‘artwork is work,’ but don’t let that fool you. The artist wouldn’t wish to be doing anything else.”

several other venues in November and December. See http://flickeringtreasures.com for more information. The book Flickering Treasures is available for purchase at the Ivy Bookshop, from Barnes and Noble, and at Amazon.com.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

ARE YOU AN ASPIRING PLAYWRIGHT?

The Fells Point Corner Theatre is looking for original 10-minute plays by Baltimore-area playwrights for the critically acclaimed play festival 10x10x10. The festival will open on Friday, March 31, 2018, and run through Sunday, April 16, 2018. Scripts should be submitted via email now through Jan. 7, 2018. To submit a play or for more information, email submissions@fpct.org.

Oct. 25

ONLINE SHOPPING TIPS

Join Ateaze Senior Center Director Beckie Ebert to learn how to shop from the privacy and comfort of your own home during the holiday season. The event will take place at 10 a.m. in the Ateaze Senior Center computer lab, located at 7401 Holabird Ave. in Dundalk on Wednesday, Nov. 25. For more information or to register, call (410) 887-7233.

Stop by today for a tour!

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NOVEMBER 2017 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Film School By 1

Sherr ByStephen Stephen Sherr 6

66. Like war god Ares

Across

BB1117

22 26

Scrabble answers on p. 28.

1. Location for detoxification A 6. Outdoorsy org. with an eagle, shield, and two guns in its logo 9. Outdoorsy org. with an eagle and shield, but no guns in its logo 12. Humble ___ (starter house, perhaps) 13. Cut of beef or lamb 14. Distribute justice (or just ice) 15. The V in CVS, originally 16. Jaws craft that inspired the catchphrase “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” 17. Latin lover’s word 18. First item on Dr. Franken-Veggie’s grocery list 21. Artsy town 70 miles north of Santa Fe 22. Devours 23. Make a choice 26. “Level of Effort” (written with less effort) 27. Flue symptom 28. Set back(wards) 29. Dr. Franken-Veggie’s next list entry 33. Partner 34. Our current one is the Cenozoic 35. Disable the security guard (in a heist film) 38. More items on the list 43. ___ Aviv 45. Bookkeeping notation meaning “paid in full” 46. Prefix with sects (and the cities) 47. Target of $172 million of 32 Down’s funding in 2017 48. Physical feature of Long John Silver 50. No ___ for the weary 52. Last thing Dr. F-V is searching for 58. Groan’s belly-aching buddy 59. Prayer pronoun 60. Merit a service charge 61. Ready, willing, and ___ 62. Provide a clue 63. Like war god Odin 64. Originally named 65. Clorox-owned brand of pot cleaners

Down 1. Give a five-star review 2. Internet co. originally named AuctionWeb 3. Golfer’s goal 4. “___ bunny makes a lovely Val-lint-ine” 5. Offspring of bison and cattle 6. Cheers shout 7. The end of three continents 8. Poetic rhyming unit, and an anagram of “PEASANT” 9. Rule over 10. Liberty island lady 11. ___ Fables 13. Paper, ready for easy binding 14. Actor Damon or Dillon 19. Place for solar panels 20. Island typed in block 6b of Barack Obama’s birth certificate 23. Physics unit with omega symbol 24. Green soup base 25. Young snitch 27. Where to hold an urban festival 30. Homophone for do and due 31. Drop an easy fly ball 32. Fed. health agency (seen in Atlanta, not D.C.) 36. https://crosswordcheats.com, for example 37. Another name for a wildebeest 39. Cartel founded in 1960 in Baghdad 40. Pizza portions, probably 41. Miner fortunes 42. Seeking carp, or compliments 43. Unanimously 44. Get dressed 49. TV’s Firing, Date, Front or Money 51. Male singing voice 53. The Buckeye State 54. Baseballers Griffey, Jr. and Sr. 55. 43,560 square feet 56. Tricky diversion 57. Journey with Kirk and Spock

Answers on page 28.

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2017

CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on the right. CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment. EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

Caregivers A COMPETENT AND DEPENDABLE caregiver with 20 years experience and registered with the Maryland Board of Nursing will take care of your loved one. Days, nights and weekends. Light meal prep/housekeeping. Excellent references. Please call Rachel, 443996-6256.

For Rent: Real Estate I AM HERE FOR YOU. “RITA BUG.” My mother called me that nickname. I took care of her the last two years before her passing. Now I’m here for others. If you can take care of yourself, showering and dressing, and in pretty good health, I have a great idea. We can live together. I would buy us a house. You do not have to live sharing a room. I would take you and maybe two ladies/guys and buy a wonderful home. We would travel together, USA and the world. Dinner out twice a week, bathroom dancing, entertainment in NYC and DC, art classes, daytrips, Vegas nights, shopping for others. We could start business together. I have tons of ideas. For those who are not seniors, I would offer the same beautiful homes, peace and quiet. Give me a call, and let’s make something happen. Let’s talk. Rita Davis, 443-379-9064. P.S. Move in two to three weeks.

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon

For Sale THREE CEMETERY LOTS WITH HEADSTONE at Parkwood. Valued $10,000. Asking $4,000. Call 410-366-3858. BEDROOM, SOLID MAPLE, including double dresser, 3-drawer chest with hutch, desk with matching chair and double/queen headboard. Excellent condition. $450. 410-8684115. 4 CEMETERY LOTS, at Garden of Faith. Valued at $20,000. Will sell in pairs at half price or best offer. 410-284-2070. 2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed. Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures if desired. Call Steve, 410-913-1653.

Health REFLEXOLOGY AND REIKI in the comfort of your place of residence! Alternative therapy may assist with health and relaxation. Contact Shelby at 410-412-0230, or www.solesorcery.com.

Home/Handyman Services SANFORD & SON JUNK REMOVAL. Trash + Junk removal, house & estate cleanouts, garage + basement cleanouts. Demolition – Shed, deck fence + pool removal. Licensed + insured. Free estimates over the phone. Call 7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm. 410-746-5090. I WILL MOVE YOUR POSSESSIONS or haul them away. Fast, friendly service. Call Tim, 410-889-3795 or 443-690-6525. Senior and military discounts. BORN AGAIN REFINISHING c/o Vernon E. Madairy Sr. Because your antique and fine furniture is an investment. Photographs at www.bornagainrefinishing.com. Furniture refinishing & repairs. All pieces hand stripped. Restorations. Missing pieces hand-carved. Veneer repair and replaced. Upholstery. Kitchen cabinets refinished. Hand-woven natural cane. Cane webbing. Natural rush. Fiber rush. Wood splint. Residential and commercial. Since 1973 (43 years). 410-323-0467. LAWN AND GARDEN, QUALITY WORK — Lawn service, edging, planting flowerbed maintenance, shrubbery, bushes, hedge trimming, rose bushes pruning, mulching, topsoil, leaves cleanup, fall cleanup. Senior discounts. 443653-9546.

Personals BORED, ATTRACTIVE HOUSE-HUSBAND (AA, straight male), early 50s, very youthful. Professional, educated, physically fit, non-smoker, moderate politically, desires SWF/MWF for friendship, conversation, jogging, theatre, wine, ice cream, short drives, companionship (no strings). Contact desperatelyseekingsusan54@yahoo.com.

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 5th of each month. Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards. Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $10 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word. Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise. Each ad is $25 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word. Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad. Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

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

Wanted

MY NAME IS RENEE ANN CRYER. I am single, cuddly with long, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5’7 ft. tall. I’m very attractive. I’m a nurse and have been for 11 years. I am very much about other people’s feelings. I am very loving, enjoy gardening, cinema, cozy nights in with a bottle of wine, swimming, watching some sports and good movies. I seek a serious marriageminded, matured guy. Someone good looking, honest, and trustworthy. I am in need of tender loving and care. Write me a letter now with your contact details to PO Box 34926, 3751 Motor Ave., Los Angeles, CA 900349998. Let’s arrange to meet for a cup of coffee. Call/text me on 1-305-515-5201.

FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree] knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301-279-8834. Thank you.

Personals Services MUSIC FOR YOUR SERVICE — Beautiful, uplifting, comforting flute music for end of life services and other special events. Professional. Experienced. Affordable. www.MusicForYourService.com. 410-788-6442. YOUR CAR AGENT — I will facilitate the sale or trade of your car from advertising to delivery. All facets of the process with integrity, knowledge, experience. Very reasonable rates. Paul Maloni, 301-385-4919.

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

ANTIQUE POLAN KATZ & CO UMBRELLAS. Looking for colorful, patterned Polan Katz & Co. umbrellas in excellent condition. Respond to raindropspk1@gmail.com. BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201. COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Also Lionel Toy Trains, and coin operated machines. Will pay top prices for my personal collection. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783. COLLECTOR BUYING PRESIDENTIAL campaign memorabilia, vintage, buttons, ribbons, posters, tokens, flyers, anything. Locals also. jnovanmeter@yahoo.com. John, 410-448-9403. MONEY, TIME TO SELL! Make the right choice. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. We buy jewelry, coins, silver, antiques, watches, gold, art, paper money, toys, bottles, etc. No middleman, no fees, no overhead means more money for your stuff. Give me a call, and let’s do business.717-658-7954.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Research Studies

Home Health Care

Woodholme Gardens . . . . . . . . . .18

Chemotherapy Study . . . . . . . . . .14 COPD Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Memory Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 REPS Stroke Study . . . . . . . . . . .15 Slow Walking & Exercise Study .14

MedStar Total Elder Care . . . . . .13 Options for Senior America . . . . .26

Legal Services

Dental Services Denture Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Diamond Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Mishpacha Dental . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Events Celebration of the Arts . . . . . . . . . .3

Financial Services First Maryland Disability Trust . .20 Hawkins, d.a. Insurance Services 18 PENFED Credit Union . . . . . . . .21 Veterans Benefits Checkup . . . . .17

Housing Alta at Regency Crest . . . . . . . . .13 Bayleigh Chase/Integrace . . . . . .23 Broadmead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace .23 Charlestown/Erickson . . . . . . . . . .8 Christ Church Harbor Apts. . . . . . .6 Fairhaven/Integrace . . . . . . . . . . .23 Linden Park Apts. . . . . . . . . . . . .24 N. Carolina Beach Property . . . . .21 Oak Crest/Erickson . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Park Heights Place . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Park View Apartments . . . . . . . . .25 St. Marys Roland View Towers . .24 Stump’s Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Virginia Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Walker Mews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Angels of Elder Care Planning . .20 Frank, Frank & Scherr Law Firm .19

Medical/Health Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery, The . . . . . . . . .11 Center for Vein Restoration . . . . . .8 Clarity & Comfort Hearing . . . . . .8 Live Better Hearing . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Maryland Vascular Specialists . . . .6 Medstar Total Eldercare . . . . . . . .13 Rosenblatt Foot Care . . . . . . . . . .11 Skin Cancer EB . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Retail/Shopping CIRCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Copper Zap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Perfect Choice HD . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Radio Flea Market . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Keswick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Manor Care Health Services . . . .10

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

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

Theatres/Entertainment CandlelightConcert Series . . . . . .27 Har Sinai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .29

Travel Eyre Bus, Tour & Travel . . . . . . .23 Nexus Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

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

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