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VOL.31, NO.11

Sophia Loren comes to town

NOVEMBER 2019

I N S I D E …

PHOTO BY ARMANDO GALLO

By Margaret Foster Take one look at Sophia Loren, who was born in 1934, and it’s clear she knows the secret of aging well. “There is a fountain of youth,” Loren once said. “It is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” Loren, 85, is still bringing her passionate creativity to the world — in fact, to Rockville, Maryland. In November, she will speak to audiences at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center on the Rockville campus of Montgomery College. In honor of her two public appearances there on Nov. 20 and 21, the center will also screen 10 of her films as the Sophia Loren Film Festival from Nov. 15 to 24. One of them, Two Women, is the film for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1962. In the Italian film, Loren portrays a widow in Italy during World War II. It’s the performance she’s proudest of in a role that mirrors her own life.

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Natural beauty meets Asian flair in Vancouver; plus, mustsee country music landmarks, and where Airbnb, Uber and Lyft can save money page 36

A child of war and poverty Born in Rome to a single mother, Sophia Villani Scicolone was six years old when World War II began. Abandoned by her aristocratic father, her mother had retreated to her hometown of Pozzuoli, a suburb of the port of Naples — and therefore a target for Allied air raids. When bombs fell, villagers fled to dark, dirty train tunnels teeming with mice and cockroaches. Loren still has a fear of the dark and sleeps with the light on today, she confessed in her 2014 memoir, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: My Life. When Loren was 10 years old, a piece of shrapnel cut her chin, leaving a small scar. The scars of the war are still with Loren, she said in an email to the Beacon. “My memories are strong,” she said. “We went through a lot.” In her 2014 memoir she recalls the sounds of bombs, sirens and screams — and the ache in her stomach when the family had nothing to eat except bread. However, she told the Beacon, “Mother was our savior. She saved us from a very poor childhood. And finally helped us to get out.”

ARTS & STYLE

Laughter and insight at Shakespeare Theatre’s irreverent look at death; plus, Marian Anderson at the Portrait Gallery, and Bob Levey on the good ol’ days page 43 Sophia Loren rose from a childhood of poverty during World War II to an iconic, decades-long career in Hollywood. She will address local audiences and answer their questions on Nov. 21 and 22 at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland, where 10 of her films will be screened starting Nov. 15.

Emerging from starvation After the war ended, when Sophia was 11 years old, her mother turned their living room into a pub. Every Sunday afternoon, the family served homemade brandy to American GIs as Sophia played piano and her sister sang for the soldiers, who shared their bread, coffee and chocolate with them. With the American soldiers came their movies, which offered the shy, skinny Sophia — taunted by her classmates as a “toothpick” — a more optimistic view of the world. She longed to be like the actors, who were “allowed to express their feel-

TECHNOLOGY k Beware of website tricks

ings,” she wrote in her memoir. Her mother, a Greta Garbo lookalike whose parents wouldn’t allow her to go to Hollywood, enrolled the teenaged Sophia in acting school and entered her in a Naples beauty contest. Wearing a pink dress fashioned from the living room curtains, Loren won wallpaper, tablecloths, $36 and, most importantly, a train ticket to Rome.

FITNESS & HEALTH k What doctors don’t know k Alzheimer’s and gum disease

When in Rome There, in a restaurant near the Colosseum, See SOPHIA LOREN, page 47

SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

LAW & MONEY k Returning online purchases k Social Security’s future

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Giving thanks As we approach the Thanksgiving sea- to LED lightbulbs and, as one attendee comson, I want to take this opportunity to show plained to me, “too much chocolate!” Of course, neither our thanks for the many blessings Expos nor our monthly publiwe have here at the Beacon. cations would exist without the First, we are thankful for our support of our hundreds of hundreds of thousands of readmonthly advertisers, ranging ers. It is for you that we from retirement communities, launched the Beacon more government departments of than 30 years ago, and for whom our small but dedicated aging and homecare agencies staf f works so hard ever y that have been steady advertismonth — putting out more ers for 30 years, to medical than 200,000 copies of four edicannabis dispensaries that tions distributed free of charge FROM THE came into existence and disthroughout the greater Balti- PUBLISHER covered the Beacon only reBy Stuart P. Rosenthal more, Howard County, Washcently. ington, D.C. and Richmond, Not only do our advertisVirginia areas. ers make it possible for us to print and disI also want to thank the thousands of tribute free copies of the Beacon each readers who attended our recent month, they also supply useful information 50+Expos in Silver Spring, Maryland and and helpful products and services that our Springfield, Virginia. For these — our 20th readers depend on. So, as we say in every issue, please supannual Expos — we had record turnout in port our advertisers — they keep the Beaboth locations. Those who came were able to get flu, con free, and they also provide important, pneumonia and shingles vaccines, free practical content alongside our many artihealth screenings, information from more cles on health, money, law, technology, than 125 businesses, nonprofits and govern- housing, travel and the arts. Speaking of which, I want to give a ment agencies, and pretty much countless giveaways, ranging from pens and pillboxes hearty thank-you to the members of our

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Washington DC area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Howard County, Md. and Richmond, Va. Readership exceeds 400,000. Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($36) or third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. D.C. and Maryland residents: add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Publisher/Editor – Stuart P. Rosenthal President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal Vice President of Operations – Gordon Hasenei Vice President, Sales & Marketing – Alan Spiegel Managing Editor – Margaret Foster Art Director – Kyle Gregory Director of Operations – Roger King Advertising Representatives – Doug Hallock, Dan Kelly, Hubie Stockhausen Assistant Editor – Susan Ahearn Editoral Intern – Ivey Noojin

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (301) 949-9766 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 55 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions. © Copyright 2019 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

editorial staff who, together with a number of talented freelance writers, report, research and write our local articles, and who curate, localize and edit the content we obtain from a wide variety of wire services (including AP, Tribune Content Agency, Kiplinger’s, Mayo Clinic and Harvard University, among others). Each year, we enter a selection of stories our staff and freelancers write in the annual editorial competition of the North American Mature Publishers Association, judged by the prestigious University of Missouri School of Journalism. I am proud to report that 13 of these writers won 17 awards this year, which in turn qualified us for an 18th award: Best of Show for a publication in our category (over 100,000 circulation). Of particular interest to readers in the Washington area, managing editor Margaret Foster won first place for her May 2019 cover story, “Inspiring youth through his art,” profiling Maryland artist Normon Greene. The judges praised it for “capturing the artist’s personality and his character.” Our former managing editor, Barbara Ruben, won first place for the “insight and sensitivity” in her feature story “Reaching out to older Muslims,” which appeared on our December 2018 cover. One of our regular Baltimore contributors, Carol Sorgen, won first place in the how-to category for “Your kids don’t treasure your treasures,” which appeared in our Housing & Home Care Options pull-out section last January. Regular travel writer Victor Block won first place in the travel category for the “wise, no-nonsense approach” used in his many columns for us. Much-beloved long-time columnist Bob Levey won first place in the personal essay category for his recollections of his father, sparked by finding an old necktie while spring cleaning. The judges liked how he “takes a common moment in unexpected directions.” Book review columnist Dinah Rokach won kudos for her “Bibliophile” column, “offering engaging reading options [reviewed] from the perspective of what her readers might want to know.” I also won first place awards in the opinion

and senior issues categories for some From the Publisher columns, including my twopart series on how to reform Social Security and Medicare, which they called “a compelling argument.” (If only the U.S. Congress agreed!) Finally, our pull-out section in May, presenting the winners of our Celebration of the Arts amateur art competition, won first place for best special section, with judges praising its “layout and crisp writing.” [Please read about the return of the Celebration of the Arts competition in 2020 inside this issue on page 9.] In addition to thanking our many writers, I want to thank our entire staff for their dedicated efforts, month after month, to keep our publications and our website fresh and useful: Margaret Foster, managing editor; Susan Ahearn, assistant editor; Gordon Hasenei, VP of operations; Roger King, director of operations; Kyle Gregory, art director; Judy Rosenthal, president and associate publisher (and my wife); our sales staff whose efforts keep the rest of us afloat: Alan Spiegel, VP of sales and marketing, and ad reps Steve Levin, Doug Hallock, Dan Kelly, Hubie Stockhausen and Lisa Benton-Hawkins; and Steve Andrzejczyk, web content manager. A special shout-out to Kyle Gregory, who recently reached his 20th anniversary at the Beacon! I thanked you, our readers, at the beginning of this column, but it’s only fair that I end with you as well. As much as we appreciate the awards showered on our publications each year, what all of us on the Beacon staff value most is the respect and loyalty of our readers. Our advertisers and our publications would not be here without your ongoing support — in reading the Beacon, telling your friends about it, sharing articles with your doctors and family, and patronizing our advertisers (and telling them you saw them in the Beacon). Our entire staff joins me in wishing you and yours a wonderful, healthy and happy Thanksgiving season.

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 info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: Thank you for your essay “Music, in theory,” in the October 2019 issue, which views life’s challenges from a musical perspective. Although we are limited in our ability to control circumstances and events — life is sometimes a crapshoot — despair need not be our default mood. We can take con-

trol of how we respond and embrace life in a major key. Your thoughts are energizing and encouraging. A.E. Silver Spring, Md. Dear Editor: I loved your [October From the Publisher See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 53

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Technology &

Innovations Watch for websites’ psychological tricks By Anne Kates Smith You’re on the checkout page when something appears in your shopping basket that you didn’t put there — say you’re buying a laptop, but insurance sneaks in, too, unless you uncheck a box. Or you think you’re signing up for a onetime deal or even a free trial, but you’ve unintentionally committed to a subscription with recurring fees. Maybe your relaxed online browsing session takes on an air of urgency because a countdown timer tells you that a hot deal is about to expire, or the site gives you an “almost out of stock” warning. Perhaps you succumb to a fear of missing out after reading testimonials (of un-

known origin) or seeing periodic messages that someone else (who might not be real) just bought the item you’re considering. Not all of these “nudges” are flat-out deceptive. But all are instances of dark patterns, or website designs meant to steer, coerce or deceive people into making unintended or potentially disadvantageous decisions. Dark patterns have been a topic of discussion among techies, behavioral scientists and marketers since 2010, when British cognitive scientist Harry Brignull coined the term. His website, darkpatterns.org, serves as an information clearinghouse and a dark pattern Hall of Shame.

15 ways to get snookered A new study by Princeton University researchers documents how ubiquitous dark patterns can be and explains why we fall for them. Using a web crawler, the Princeton researchers investigated more than 11,000 shopping websites. They found 1,841 dark patterns on more than 11% of the sites (i.e., more than 1,200 of them). The researchers identified 15 patterns in seven broad categories, including sneaking, urgency and misdirection. The more popular the website, the more likely it was to feature dark patterns. The most egregious examples, deemed “deceptive” by the researchers, were rela-

tively rare: only 234 instances on 183 websites. The authors note, however, that their limited study — for example, they analyzed only text (no images) and only on retail sites — no doubt understates the prevalence of dark patterns.

Why these tricks work We fall for the trickery because of innate cognitive biases. We might go ahead with a transaction even after a previously undisclosed charge gets added at the last minute because of a bias known as the sunk-cost fallacy — the feeling that we’ve invested too See WEB TRICKS, page 6

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Drone deliveries in the United States are still largely in early testing. Google announced in April that Wing received federal approval to make commercial drone deliveries. It marked the first time a company has gotten a federal drone delivery certification. Online retail giant Amazon said in June that it plans to use self-piloted drones to deliver packages to shoppers’ homes in the coming months. United Parcel Service Inc. also said in July that it was setting up a subsidiary to expand its drone deliveries, which are currently limited to transporting medical samples at a group of hospitals in Raleigh, North Carolina. Burgess told reporters that Wing and Walgreens had no timeframe for how long this test would take or when consumers might expect widespread drone use. “I think we still have a ways to go before it’s the norm in our transportation network,” he said. Walgreens and Wing picked Christiansburg for their test because Wing has been working with nearby Virginia Tech on

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New drones promise deliveries in minutes By Tom Murphy Walgreens and a Google affiliate are testing drone deliveries that can put drugstore products on customer doorsteps minutes after being ordered. Snacks like Goldfish crackers or gummy bears, as well as aspirin for sick kids, were delivered in October in Christiansburg, Virginia, by a 10-pound drone flying as fast as 70 miles per hour. Customers will be able to order from a list of more than 100 items that includes individual consumer goods and packages of products to help with things like coughs and colds, but not prescriptions. They will place their order through a Wing app and then get delivery anywhere from five to 10 minutes afterward. A drone capable of making a 12-mile round trip will fly to the delivery site, hover and use a winch system to lower the package to the ground and leave it there. The drone will be run by Wing Aviation LLC, a subsidiary of Google parent Alphabet Inc. “We’re taking a 10-pound aircraft to move a three-pound package through the sky,” Wing CEO James Ryan Burgess said. “It’s very light, very efficient.”

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

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Web tricks From page 4 much time, energy or money to turn back. And something known as the framing effect makes “confirm shaming” a common pattern for some sites. You’ve seen it when a shopping site promises a discount in exchange for your email address. If you don’t want to give it out, you’re forced to click on

something like, “No thanks, I like paying full price.” Once aware of dark patterns, we tend to adapt. Some 65% of British consumers in a recent survey pegged instances of dark patterns on a hotel booking site as the sales pressure they are. But the frontiers keep expanding. You’ll find dark patterns on mobile apps, video games and social media platforms, too.

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Congress has taken notice: A bill introduced in the Senate in April would empower the Federal Trade Commission to crack down on dark patterns. “My bigger concern is how dark patterns play out in other contexts,” said Colin Gray, an assistant professor in the computer graphics technology department at Purdue University. “There’s a whole new range of deceptive practices that could be present in non-screen-

based dark patterns,” he said, such as in smart-home speakers and other devices. The best defense is to cultivate your inner skeptic when it comes to shopping online, and read — yes, actually read — user agreements, Gray said. “Realize that not everyone is acting with good intent, even companies that we respect.” © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Drone delivery

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From page 5 drone deliveries. The test comes as Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., which is based in Deerfield, Illinois, and chief rival CVS Health Corp. also work to expand same-day deliveries of prescriptions and other products on the ground. Drugstores have been dealing with

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Health Fitness &

GUM DISEASE AND ALZHEIMER’S Bacteria from gum disease may be linked to Alzheimer’s plaques in brains FEROCIOUS FELINES Don’t risk infection from a cat scratch or bite. See a physician right away WHAT’S A WORT? Benefits and risks of St. John’s Wort, CoQ10 and vitamin E supplements GRUMPY, SLEEPY, DOPEY If you’re fighting fatigue, try these diet tips to put a spring in your step

Doctors should know what meds cost By Matthew Perrone It’s the number one reason patients don’t fill their prescriptions: sticker shock. While the price of almost any good or service can be found online, most Americans don’t know what they’ll owe for a prescription medication until they get it. Unexpected costs contribute to the estimated 20 to 30% of prescriptions that are never filled, which can lead to health problems from untreated medical conditions. “The best drug in the world isn’t going to be effective if the patient doesn’t take it,” said Dana Goldman, a health economist at the University of Southern California, whose research shows that patients have more trouble taking their medication as their costs rise. “Doctors need to think about not just what’s clinically optimal, but what’s optimal given the patient’s financial circumstances.” The fix sounds simple: Give doctors information on patients’ costs before they write prescriptions. But companies have yet to design a system that can quickly analyze all the factors that determine what someone will owe.

The effort will soon get a push from the nation’s biggest healthcare customer: the federal government. Under a Medicare rule, companies with prescription drug plans for seniors must offer real-time pricing information by 2021.

Costs vary by insurer, plan Perhaps the biggest hurdle in calculating medication costs is the fact that doctors don’t know all the details about a patient’s insurance coverage. Nearly 40% of people who get their insurance through their employer are required to pay for part of their medication, according to an industry survey. Many other patients have deductibles, in which they are responsible for paying all costs until they hit a set threshold. In those cases, patients can bear the full cost of pricey medications. “Doctors often have no idea what it might cost the patient after insurance, if they have insurance,” said Lynn Quincy of the nonprofit health research firm Altarum. Despite current shortcomings, prescribing tools have come a long way since

the days of paper pads. Most major insurers and pharmacy benefit providers now offer cost-comparison information to doctors using online prescribing software. At a minimum, doctors should be able to determine if a medication is covered by a patient’s insurance. For instance, CVS Health reported last year that prescribers using its real-time pharmacy benefit information saved patients $130 on average for every prescription they switched to a lower-priced, covered drug.

Save with generics, coupons But experts say additional features are needed. Patients can often save money by not using their insurance at all and instead paying out-of-pocket for cheap generic drugs. In other cases, patients can get better deals by using coupons from drugmakers or pharmacies. Those savings are flagged on smartphone apps like GoodRx but aren’t factored into physicians’ prescribing software. And even if they were, experts say doctors don’t have time to help patients fig-

ure out the best place to fill prescriptions. “That’s why we want to put this information in the hands of the consumer, so they can do some of that research and shopping around,” said Pooja Babbrah, a health IT consultant with Point-of-Care Partners. Babbrah and others envision a consumer-friendly app that pulls together patients’ prescribing and benefit details alongside local pharmacy prices and deals. That has the potential to improve medication use for patients, lower costs for insurers and free up extra time for physicians. But there are reasons to be skeptical. Most insurers now offer price information on certain medical procedures, but studies suggest only a tiny percentage of patients ever bother to view it. Surveys show Americans are interested in healthcare savings but are also “very intimidated by terms of insurance coverage,” Quincy said. “They don’t really understand things like copays, coinsurance and deductibles, so they may lack the confidence to make use of these complex tools,” she said. —AP

Medicare Advantage plans may offer more By Tom Murphy Medicare Advantage customers are about to be blitzed with an array of new insurance benefits that stray well beyond the usual coverage of doctor visits and other care. Carpet shampooing, food for a service dog, pest control and rides to a nutritionist are among the new supplemental health benefits that privately-run versions of the government’s Medicare program may offer starting next year. Medicare Advantage plans already come with extras like dental benefits or gym memberships that regular Medicare doesn’t provide. But unlike regular Medicare, Medicare Advantage can also restrict access to a network of doctors or hospitals. About a third of the people on Medicare opt for Medicare Advantage plans, according to the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation. Advantage plans are broadening their coverage reach as part of a push by insurers and the government to keep people healthy instead of waiting to cover their

claims once they become sick. The idea behind this thinking is that someone who improves their diet or keeps a chronic condition like asthma under control is less likely to generate a big medical bill. This year’s annual enrollment period for Medicare and Medicare Advantage runs through Dec. 7.

What’s different this year The federal gover nment is giving Medicare Advantage plans more leeway to pay for things they’d ordinarily never cover. The new supplemental benefits will aim to help people with chronic diseases or certain health issues stay healthy when they aren’t seeing a doctor or receiving care. “It is moving the needle from just treating illness to preventing illness and allowing people to stay in their home longer,” said Chris Hakim, a senior vice president with the online insurance broker eHealth. The carpet shampooing, for instance, might be covered by some plans to help their customers with asthma avoid a flare-

up that lands them in an emergency room. “Might” is a key word here. These new benefits will only be available through Medicare Advantage plans, not regular Medicare, and insurers are not required to offer them. Whether they do can depend on what they think their customers need to stay healthy. Aside from these supplemental offerings, many plans also will provide telemedicine benefits to help patients connect remotely with doctors and other care providers.

How to choose? The last thing some Medicare Advantage customers want is another batch of variables to think about when considering coverage. They already have to worry about whether their drug coverage will change from year to year or if their doctors will stay in their insurer’s network. And some markets may have dozens of Medicare Advantage plans for shoppers to sort through. Medicare Advantage customers have

told researchers that they generally dislike making coverage changes after they’ve looked at all their options and picked a plan when they first qualify for Medicare, said Tricia Neuman, a senior vice president with Kaiser. “What they say is, it’s just too hard, it’s too much work, and they have little confidence they will be able to identify a better plan,” she said. Even so, people with conditions like diabetes or asthma may want to see if there’s another plan that is better for their illness, Hakim said. Shoppers will have until Dec. 7 to enroll, switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, or opt for regular Medicare and add prescription drug coverage for 2020. After that, Medicare Advantage customers who regret their decision can make one change in the first three months of 2020. That second window applies only to those who already have a Medicare Advantage plan. —AP

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Cat scratches, bites can lead to infection Dear Mayo Clinic: My cat scratched me while I was trimming his claws, and the wound later became infected. Are cat scratches a special concern? A: A bite or scratch from a cat carries particular risks, and infection is common. Cat scratch disease (or cat scratch fever) is a type of bacterial infection that occurs when a cat bites or scratches hard enough to break the skin’s surface or licks an open wound. It’s estimated that 40 percent of cats carry this particular bacterium, usually after an exposure to fleas or another animal that was exposed. However, most cats with the infection show no signs of illness. Symptoms of cat scratch disease appear

within two weeks after contact with an infected animal. Swelling and redness occur around the wound, and you also may experience a fever, headache, poor appetite and fatigue. The most notable characteristic of the disease is tender and swollen lymph nodes near the wound that typically remain swollen for months. Although the disease will clear on its own in healthy people, treatment with antibiotics may be recommended. Rarely, the disease can cause serious complications, especially in children under 5 and people with weakened immune systems. A Mayo Clinic study reported that one in three people seeking treatment for cat

bites on the hand had to be hospitalized. And most of those hospitalized required surgery to remove infected tissue; penetration was deep enough to deposit bacteria into the joints or protective layers around the tendons.

How to prevent, treat There are steps you can take to prevent infection from a cat bite or scratch. Wash your hands after contact with a cat. Don’t roughhouse or provoke a cat, and don’t allow young children to chase or grab your cat. If you are bitten or scratched, wash the area well with soap and running water. If it’s a bite, see your healthcare provider — even if the wound appears small.

And report any bites from a feral or stray cat. Preventive treatment for rabies may be recommended. If you are a cat owner, keep your cat’s claws trimmed and use care when grooming your pet. Make sure your tetanus vaccination, which needs to be updated every 10 years, is current. Keep cats indoors to minimize their exposure to infected animals. Finally, treat your cat with flea prevention medication. — Christopher Boswell, M.D., Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A @mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY SUPPORT GROUP

Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from peripheral neuropathy (PN), or numbness of the hands or feet. Meet others at the PN Support Group of Greater Washington, which meets the first Saturday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m. at Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Va. At the next meeting on Dec. 7, a health psychologist will give a free presentation. All are welcome. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. For more information, call (301) 263-0161, email dcpn.group@gmail.com or visit dcpnsupport.org.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Celebration of the Arts contest to return The Beacon newspapers has announced that its popular amateur art competition for adults over 50, the Celebration of the Arts, will return in 2020. First launched in 2018, the Celebration of the Arts was inspired by moving stories from Beacon readers who have either turned to the arts for the first time in retirement, or have returned to an earlier passion for art later in life. The original art competition was designed for two main purposes. First, it was meant to encourage those who have never tried painting, drawing, ceramics and the like to take a class or find a mentor and start experiencing the pleasure of making beautiful objects. Second, it was meant to be an opportuni-

ty for those already engaged in making art to enter their best works into a professionally judged art contest for cash prizes and the chance to exhibit in a gallery. The 2018 Celebration of the Arts competition drew more than 900 entries from throughout the Beacon readership area, from both experienced amateur artists and complete newcomers. “We were astounded at the number of entries, and blown away by the quality and beauty of them,” said Beacon Publisher Stuart Rosenthal. Winning pieces, including first, second and third place in each category, and a number of honorable mentions selected by the judges, were displayed at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery in downtown D.C. in

December 2018. The Celebration of the Arts 2020 competition will begin accepting entries in January. A full schedule and rules will be publicized in the December 2019 issue of the Beacon.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 16

WOMEN’S WELLNESS FAIR

Calling all women and girls over 13 for a health and wellness conference. This free event will feature educational and interactive workshops led by experts in the medical, mental health and financial fields; raffle prizes; a community fair that includes businesses, vendors, health demonstrations and screenings; and more. A Mobile Mammo Unit will be on site to provide 3D Mammograms, and HIV testing will be available. The fair is scheduled for Sat, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Theodore Roosevelt High School, 4301 13th St. NW, Washington, D.C. Register at womenandgirls2019.eventbrite.com or email howaru93@verizon.net.

Leaving money on the table? If you’re a D.C. resident, you may qualify for a homeowner or renter property tax credit. AARP Foundation Property Tax-Aide is hosting events to help you determine whether you qualify. If you do, we’ll help you apply.

Call 833-263-9014 or visit aarp.org/propertytaxaide

In collaboration with

Organizations and businesses interested in sponsoring the contest, or becoming a community partner to help spread the word about how to enter, may contact the Beacon at (301) 949-9766, or email alan@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FREE MEDITATION CLASSES Take a moment to calm the breath and relax. Learn how to meditate and learn the basics of mindfulness, or becoming aware of the

present moment. Join a free, drop-in class every Tuesday through Dec. 17 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. at the Freer Gallery of Art’s Meyer Auditorium. Beginners welcome. For more information, call (202) 633-1000 or visit asia.si/edu. The Freer is located at 1050 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C.

Book Discussions @ MCPL Drop-in meetups where people share ideas and opinions generated by reading the same book. Chinese Language Classic Books Talking Books African American, Suspense and Novel Views Jewish, and Russian Thriller Mystery Book Literature American Sign Graphic Novel Spanish Language Language There is a book discussion for everyone! www.mcpl.events/discover

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Can healthy gums prevent Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s? By Veena Alfred For some time now, scientists have been aware of the connection between poor oral health and dementia. Long-term studies have revealed that those who suffer from chronic periodontitis (gum disease) are more likely to develop Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as they age. To explain the connection, scientists suggest that the inflammation caused by gum disease may spread to the brain and stimulate the production of the beta-

amyloid plaques that are thought to be responsible for the cognitive decline seen in Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s patients. The bacteria that live in dental plaque cause gum disease and the resulting inflammation. It is possible that the bacteria are somehow able to enter the bloodstream or invade the peripheral nerves and, in one of these ways, reach the brain, where they trigger an immune response that results in the buildup of amyloid plaques.

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Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. The researchers suggest that the best way to treat the condition may be to starve the bacteria by cutting off their food supply. This can be done by deactivating the enzyme gingipains with medication. The research team designed a drug that binds to gingipains, so that it cannot do its job of breaking down proteins. A version of the drug has been tested on a few human volunteers and reportedly has produced positive results. A more extensive drug trial will begin later this year. It is important to note that the study does not provide conclusive proof that P. gingivalis causes dementia. Certainly not everyone with gum disease will develop Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. But it suggests that good oral hygiene could help in preventing Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease. And whether or not the gum disease bacterium causes Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, it is always a good idea to maintain good oral hygiene. Veena J. Alfred, Ph.D., is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and CEO/Administrator of AlfredHouse Assisted Living.

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A study published in January in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Science Advances detected the presence of P. gingivalis, the bacterium that causes gum disease, in over 90% of more than 50 brains of people who had died in the advanced stages of Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. This demonstrates that gum disease bacteria do indeed find their way into the brain. It also supports the hypothesis that the same bacteria set off the brainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immune response and may be responsible for the high levels of amyloid plaques found in their Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brain samples. In a separate experiment, the researchers focused their attention on gingipains, a toxic enzyme produced by the P. gingivalis bacterium, which was also found in the Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brains that the researchers analyzed. The enzyme gingipains feeds the bacteria by chopping up proteins for the bacteria to consume. The researchers found that gingipains damages the tau proteins in brain cells, causing them to produce the tangles that are characteristic of those with advanced

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Who should see a geriatrician, and when? and metabolize drugs differently than younger adults, unique side effects and drug interactions are not uncommon. A geriatrician will evaluate and monitor you dad’s medications to be sure they are not affecting him in a harmful way. Geriatricians can also help their patients and families determine their long-term care needs, like how long they can remain in their own homes safely without assistance, and what type of services may be necessary when they do need some extra help.

But not all older adults need to see a geriatrician. Those who have fewer health problems are just fine seeing their primary care physician.

How to find a geriatrician Unfortunately, there’s a shortage of geriatricians in the U.S., so depending on where you live, finding one may be challenging. To locate one in your area, use Medicare’s See GERIATRICIAN, page 13

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Dear Savvy Senior: practitioners, are trained to focus on a perWhat can you tell me about doctors son’s particular illness or disease, geriatriwho specialize in geriatrics? cians are trained to look at all My father, who’s 82, takes aspects of life that can affect eight prescription drugs for older patients — not just their different health issues but physical symptoms. still hasn’t been feeling They often work with a himself lately. team of other healthcare proI’m wondering if he fessionals, such as geriatricwould benefit by seeing a trained nurses, rehabilitation geriatrician in place of his therapists, nutritionists, social regular primar y care workers and psychiatrists to physician. SAVVY SENIOR provide care. And they will co—Concerned Daughter By Jim Miller ordinate treatments among a Dear Concerned: patient’s specialists. If your dad is dealing with a variety of health problems and is taking multiple Who can benefit? medications, a visit to a geriatrician may be Patients who can benefit from seeing a just the thing to help get him back on track. geriatrician are older adults with multiple Here’s a rundown of the different types of health and age-related problems, such as health conditions geriatricians treat, and cardiovascular disease, stroke, confusion some tips to help you locate one near him. and memory problems, Parkinson’s and For starters, it’s important to know that Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, hypertengeriatricians are family practice or internal sion, depression, respiratory problems, osmedicine physicians that have had addi- teoporosis, arthritis, chronic pain, mobility tional specialized training to manage the issues, incontinence, vision and hearing imunique and often multiple health concerns pairment, and trouble with balance and falls. of older adults. Just as a pediatrician speGeriatricians are also particularly adept cializes in caring for children, a geriatri- at tackling medication problems. Because cian is trained to provide care for seniors, many seniors, like your dad, take multiple usually patients over 75. medications for various health conditions, While most doctors, and even general and because aging bodies often absorb

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Smart eating habits can boost well-being By EatingWell.com If you find yourself feeling irritable or sluggish, your diet may need a tune-up. How you eat — and when — can have a huge impact on how you feel. To keep your energy levels up and your mood on an even keel, follow these savvy nutrition tips. Start your day with a healthy breakfast Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Power up with a serving or two of whole grains, fruit (preferably whole fruit, rather than juice) and a highprotein food, such as low-fat yogurt, cheese or a little lean meat. The carbohydrates (grain and fruit) will kick-start your metabolism and give your brain fuel to function all morning long, and the protein will help you stay satisfied until lunchtime. Don’t skip meals Try to eat every four to five hours to provide your body with a constant source of fuel and help prevent the hunger pangs that leave you feeling tired, cranky and ready to devour anything in sight. Strive for balance Be sure your meals include lean, highprotein foods and plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Fiber-rich foods take longer to digest, keep you satisfied longer and are more likely to keep you feeling energized. Overall, protein should make up 15% of your calories, fat should make up 30% or less, and grains about 55%. Eat more fish Research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish may help alleviate the symptoms of some mental disorders. In one study, participants who had lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids were more likely to report mild or moderate symptoms of depression. Get your dose of omega-3 fats from

Geriatrician From page 11 online physician search tool. Go to Medicare.gov/physiciancompare and type in your ZIP code or city and state in the “Enter your location” box, and then type in geriatric medicine in the Search box. You can also get this information by calling Medicare at 1-800-633-4227. The American Geriatrics Society also has a geriatrician-finder tool on their website at HealthinAging.org. Keep in mind, though, that locating a geriatrician doesn’t guarantee your dad will be accepted as a patient. Many doctors already have a full roster and aren’t accepting new patients. You’ll need to call the individual doctor’s office to find out their availability. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

foods including oily fish (salmon, mackerel and sardines), ground flaxseeds, canola oil, walnuts and omega-3-fortified eggs. Get your Bs Studies suggest that low blood levels of two B vitamins — folate and vitamin B12 — are sometimes related to depression. Foods rich in folate include whole-grain breakfast cereals, lentils, black-eyed peas, soybeans, oatmeal, dark leafy greens, beets, broccoli, sunflower seeds, wheat germ and oranges. Foods rich in vitamin B12 include shellfish (clams, oysters, crab), wild salmon (fresh or canned), fortified whole-grain breakfast cereal, lean beef, cottage cheese, low-fat yogurt, milk and eggs. Hydrate To stay healthy and feel your best, drink plenty of water throughout the day. Try to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per

day. Notice signs of dehydration, such as impatience, difficulty concentrating and impaired physiological performance. Be aware that diuretics, such as caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, can contribute to dehydration, so follow them up

with a chaser of water! Eating lots of fruits and vegetables will also boost your fluid intake, as they contain substantial amounts of water. See SMART EATING, page 15

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Q & A: Tai chi benefits; statin side-effects By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I have pain in both knees due to osteoarthritis. It’s not too bad, but I want to avoid surgery in the future. What are your thoughts about tai chi? A: Osteoarthritis develops when cartilage — the tissue that covers bones and acts as a cushion — deteriorates over time, eventually leading to joint damage. For the early stages of this condition, tai chi may very well decrease your pain and

might help prevent the condition from getting worse. Tai chi is a low-impact, slow-motion exercise you do without pausing through a series of movements. As you move, you breathe deeply and naturally, focusing your attention — as in some kinds of meditation — on your bodily sensations. Tai chi differs from other types of exercise in several respects. The movements are usually circular and never forced, the

muscles are relaxed rather than tensed, the joints are not fully extended or bent, and connective tissues are not stretched. A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism found that participants with knee osteoarthritis who practiced tai chi twice a week had less pain and better physical function compared with study participants enrolled in a wellness education and stretching program. The tai chi class lasted 12 weeks, but the improvements were sustained a year later. These participants also reported less depression and greater wellbeing. Among other things, tai chi provides benefit by improving muscle strength and coordination, which leads to better joint stability. In addition, the mind-body aspects and breath control promote mental calmness, which may help to break the cycle of arthritis pain. Taking a class may be the best way to learn tai chi. Watching a teacher in action, getting feedback, and experiencing the camaraderie of a group are all plusses. Most teachers will let you observe the class first to see if you feel comfortable with the approach and atmosphere. Instruction can be individualized. Ask about classes at your local Y, senior or rec center, or community education center. If you’d rather learn at home, you can

view videos geared to your interests and fitness needs. There are some excellent tai chi books, but it can be difficult to appreciate the flow of movements from still photos or illustrations. Most beginning programs and tai chi interventions tested in medical research last at least 12 weeks, with instruction once or twice a week and practice at home. By the end of that time, you should know whether you enjoy tai chi, and you may already notice positive physical and psychological changes. Q: I take a statin to lower my cholesterol. I have been having muscle aches, but I don’t want to stop the statin. What causes the muscle pain? What can I do to minimize this side effect? A: The true incidence of statin-induced muscle pain is hard to pin down. In clinical studies of people who are randomly assigned to take a statin or a placebo, about 5% to 7% of people in both groups report muscle-related side effects. But in observational studies and in realworld settings (that is, clinics and doctor’s practices), more people taking statins say they have muscle aches or pains, with rates as high as 29%. What causes muscle pain from statins has not been conclusively determined. See Q & A, page 15

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Smart eating From page 13 Differentiate between hunger and emotional eating Many people turn to food to suppress negative emotions, such as stress, anger, boredom, sadness or anxiety. Others use food to reward themselves. Whatever the reason, it’s important to recognize whether you’re eating because you’re hungry or because of some emotional need. Knowing why you’re eating is

Q&A From page 14 However, according to a new study in the journal JACC: Basic to Translational Science, the answer may be related to abnormal calcium release in muscle cells. Calcium ions are stored in a muscle cell compartment called the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Normally, the calcium is released into the rest of the cell only during muscle contractions. However, the researchers found that statins lead to calcium leaks even when the muscles are at rest. Based on muscle biopsies in rats, the researchers found a link between calcium leakage and muscle cell damage. The researchers could not say for certain that there was a direct cause and effect. But they suggest that people who experience muscle pain from statins may be more susceptible to spontaneous and irregular calcium leakage, perhaps because of genetic predisposition or lifestyle factors. Although there are no proven remedies for statin-related muscle pain, the following may help. Exercise. There is some evidence that people who regularly engage in light to moderate exercise before taking statins

the first step in gaining control over your eating habits. Once you’ve identified the emotional issues that trigger your eating, you can focus on finding more appropriate ways to manage them. For instance, try deep breathing or meditation, call a friend or go for a brisk walk. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 800-829-5384, EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2019 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

are less likely to experience muscle symptoms. Of interest, this recent study showed that exercise appeared to prevent calcium leakage in resting muscles, the possible reason for muscle aches. Change your diet. In addition to regular exercise, adopt a heart-healthy eating plan such as the Mediterranean diet. Doing so may enable you to reduce your statin dosage. Get a thyroid blood test. An underactive thyroid gland can cause muscle pain and raise your cholesterol level. If you have a low thyroid hormone level, taking replacement thyroid hormone pills may alleviate the muscle aches, as well as lowering your cholesterol. Take a lower dose or a different statin. You and your doctor might consider going to a lower statin dose or switching to a different statin. Adding another type of cholesterol-lowering drug called ezetimibe (Zetia), which hasn’t been associated with muscle pain, may also allow you to lower your statin dosage. For additional consumer health information, visit health.harvard.edu. © 2019 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Happy retirees share socializing secrets By Janet Bodnar When I asked readers to share their experiences with being single in retirement, you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let me down. Not only did you offer useful advice, but you also came up with out-of-the-box ideas. And all of your stories are just as valuable for retirees who have a spouse or partner. Not surprisingly, a number of you recommended volunteering as a way to socialize. For example, Ed Chidester volunteers as an English tutor for international stu-

dents at a community college, as a travel guide for field trips sponsored by the local senior center (he gets to travel free), and as a member of the investment advisory board for his town. In the past, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also been a math tutor and a dog walker at a humane society â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and he may give those another try. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve changed my volunteer activities because sometimes I need to try something different,â&#x20AC;? he writes. Doris Guenther recommends using your church as a resource. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Deep and last-

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Talk Assisted Living

ing relationships can be formed,â&#x20AC;? writes Guenther, â&#x20AC;&#x153;good works can take place, and there are many opportunities to volunteer. Try a small church in your neighborhood. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good for the soul.â&#x20AC;?

Making connections Reader Nila Whitfield always wanted to work with children, so she began volunteering as a reading buddy at an inner-city school three years before she retired. Socializing can sometimes begin at home â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even if you live alone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Four years ago, I sold my house and moved to a condo building,â&#x20AC;? writes Whitfield, â&#x20AC;&#x153;so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a builtin community of 54 friends.â&#x20AC;? (Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to speak to people in the elevator.) John Taxis joined the board of the homeownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s association at his condo, â&#x20AC;&#x153;which keeps me very busy and gives me a sense of purpose.â&#x20AC;? Plus, â&#x20AC;&#x153;living in a condo complex brings me in close contact socially, and being on the board makes me sought-after â&#x20AC;&#x201D; although that can be a double-edged sword!â&#x20AC;? Socializing doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily have to involve people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My number-one suggestion for your readers who are alone is to adopt an older cat or dog,â&#x20AC;? writes Lynne Derry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They make wonderful companions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Volunteer at a shelter, and before you know it you will find the perfect companion.â&#x20AC;? Plus, she says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing bet-

ter than having a dog to get you out for a walk to meet other dogs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and people â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in the neighborhood.â&#x20AC;? Reader Dorothy Fue Wong, who is 80 years old and has been retired for 25 years, recommends focusing on your physical as well as your mental well-being with regular exercise as part of a class or at the gym. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That should be your first priority,â&#x20AC;? writes Wong. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The major objective for a single retiree is to live independently as long as possible.â&#x20AC;? (And remember, gyms are classic meeting places.)

Some love solitude Finally, a couple of you emphasized how important it is to be comfortable in your own skin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cope withâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; being alone in retirement because I actually prefer being alone most of the time,â&#x20AC;? writes one reader. Reader Rod Appel seconds that thought. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found it more rewarding to seek fun and excitement rather than social connections, even if that means doing things solo,â&#x20AC;? writes Appel, 63, who runs 5K races, paddleboards and skis, among other activities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even if I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find anyone to talk with, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve still had a great time.â&#x20AC;? ÂŠ 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Five things to do before cancer treatment By Cleveland Clinic If you just found out you need cancer treatment, there are ways to prepare yourself. Being ready will help you overcome the uncertainty and anxiety that so often goes along with starting treatment. No matter what, remember who’s in charge: you! Too many people don’t realize that they — not their doctors — are in charge of their own health. Here are five things you should do to help with your treatment: 1. Ask your doctor about the bestand worst-case scenarios. Whether you’re facing chemotherapy, radiation or surgery, you need to know what to expect. Many people go into cancer treatment without knowing the possibilities. Then if a worst-case scenario happens, it catches them off guard. The most important way a physician can help you prepare for treatment is to clearly set expectations of the possible good — and bad — outcomes. 2. Educate yourself. Many doctors don’t discourage patients from looking online for information about their upcoming treatment. There are a lot of good resources there that will help you prepare: —The American Cancer Society is a great starting point. Among their many re-

sources is a guide to preparing yourself for cancer surgery at cancer.org. —ChemoCare.com can help you understand how chemotherapy works and what you can expect from this treatment. —Look for sites that are specific to your type of cancer. For those with kidney cancer, for instance, the Kidney Cancer Association can educate and prepare you for nephrectomy, which is the most common first step for treatment of kidney cancer. —Cleveland Clinic also offers treatment guides for 17 specific kinds of cancer. 3. Be proactive. Provide all of your physicians with documentation about your conditions. Don’t assume they have everything. Think of it as you would a financial adviser — you’re paying him or her as the expert in how to handle your investments, but the money is yours and you’re the boss. 4. Follow up. Don’t assume that a test result is normal just because you didn’t hear anything about it. 5. Reach out for support. Use online information only as a starting point. None of the information you find online is a substitute for a face-to-face discussion with a physician. Smart patients gather their information then bring it to their doctor and say, “What do you think?”

There are plenty of off-line resources and other options as well: —Talk to other patients. —Find local or online support groups

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

CoQ10, St. John’s Wort and Vitamin E Evidence

By Bridget Cassady

I. Coenzyme Q10 You’ve undoubtedly heard about Coenzyme Q10 or saw a bottle in the supplement aisle at your local pharmacy. But what is it and what does it do? Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone or CoQ10, is a compound that has a critical role in energy production within the cells of the body. It is synthesized in most tissues in humans, with high concentrations in the heart. In addition to your body naturally producing CoQ10, rich dietary sources include meat, fish, poultry, soybean and canola oils, nuts and whole grains.

CoQ10 is a non-prescription dietary supplement in the United States with potential benefits in a variety of conditions. Supplement doses range from 30 to 100 milligrams per day, which are much greater than estimated dietary sources. Although oral supplementation of CoQ10 does increase blood and tissue concentrations, less than 5% of orally administered CoQ10 is thought to reach circulation. Therefore, pharmacological doses as high as 3,000 milligrams per day are taken. It is not considered an essential vitamin or mineral, as deficiency does not result in a disease state. However, some data suggest that levels of CoQ10 may reduce the

severity of several diseases including certain heart conditions, migraines and Parkinson’s disease. For example, the harmful effects of oxidative stress are increased in patients with heart failure, and the antioxidant activity of CoQ10 may help to reduce these effects that could damage components of cardiac cells and may also help reduce blood pressure.

Safety and side effects CoQ10 is generally considered safe with no significant side effects. Some individuals experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, heartburn and abdominal discomfort, especially with daily doses of 200 mg. or more. Side effects may be minimized if daily doses greater than 100 mg. are divided into two or three doses.

Interactions Individuals taking anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin) should use caution taking CoQ10 due to an increased risk of blood clotting. CoQ10 may also interact with statins, insulin and certain cancer treatments. As with any new diet or supplement regiment, consult with your physician before taking CoQ10.

II. St. John’s Wort

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St. John’s Wort (SJW) is a widely known, non-prescription dietary supplement with use dating back to ancient Greece. SJW is the common name for a flowering shrub native to Europe, Hypercium perforatum, also known as Klamath weed or goat weed. The name originates from when its yellow flowers bloom in late June, around St. John the Baptist’s Feast Day.

“Wort” is an Old English word for a plant or herb used as food or medicinally. The flowers and leaves of SJW contain the bioactive ingredients hyperforin and hypericin that may affect neurotransmitters in the body. Extracts are available in the United States as tablets, liquids, teas and topical preparations.

More research is needed Although not fully supported by scientific research, folk and traditional medicine utilizes SJW for conditions including insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, wound healing and menopausal symptoms. It is most commonly studied for mild to moderate depression as an alternative to antidepressants. A 2008 Cochrane review of 29 clinical trials concluded that SJW was superior to placebo in patients with major depression and was as effective as standard antidepressants with fewer sideeffects. Despite this, high-quality clinical data supporting the effectiveness as a monotherapy for depression is lacking. It is not yet considered a replacement for more studied treatments and proper medical consultation.

Safety and side effects SJW is generally considered safe when used orally, with no significant side effects. While usually minor and uncommon, some reported side effects include upset stomach, agitation, headache, fatigue, dizziness, sensitivity to sunlight, and dry mouth. SJW is a stimulant and may worsen feelings of anxiety in some individuals.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Supplements From page 18

Some serious interactions SJW interacts with many prescription medications through induction of the cytochrome P450 enzymes, resulting in altered drug effectiveness and potentially severe side effects when taken with oral contraceptives, certain chemotherapy drugs, statins, anticoagulants or antidepressants. Interactions with SJW and certain antidepressants may lead to an accumulation of high levels of serotonin, a brain chemical targeted by antidepressants. SJW may also limit absorption of iron and other minerals. As with any new diet or supplement regimen, consult with your physician to discuss if SJW is appropriate for you.

III. Vitamin E Vitamin E is an antioxidant essential for the body’s nervous, cardiovascular, reproductive, musculoskeletal and other systems to work properly. It may help prevent diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cognitive decline. It’s estimated nearly 90% of American adults don’t get enough vitamin E to meet recommended daily requirements. To get more vitamin E, try these foods: —Nuts, especially almonds and hazelnuts —Vegetable oils (like sunflower, safflower, soybean and wheat germ)

—Seeds, like sunflower seeds —Leafy vegetables (spinach or chard) Vitamin E is fat-soluble, so you’ll need to ingest it with some form of fat; otherwise, it won’t be absorbed or used efficiently. For example, add nuts to a homemade salad dressing made with oil to increase the absorption of vitamin E. If you prefer a supplement, talk with your doctor first and then look for a multivitamin or a single supplement that provides 12 to 15 mg. of vitamin E. Vitamin E also works alongside vitamin C, so sufficient levels of vitamin C are important too for optimizing vitamin E activity in the body. High levels of vitamin E circulating in the blood are not necessarily an indicator that your body has enough vitamin E, or that it is used appropriately. Do you need more than others? Common health issues may make it harder for your body to use vitamin E effectively and may increase your need for more of this vitamin. These include: —Metabolic syndrome —High cholesterol or triglycerides —Obesity If you have one of these conditions, consult with your doctor to determine how to boost your vitamin E to the appropriate level. Take action now: —Eat plenty of dietary sources of vitamin E, along with healthy fat

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

—Consider a supplement —Eat vitamin C-rich foods or take a vitamin C supplement —Work with your physician if you have a medical condition that is reducing your vitamin E levels.

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC, EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2019 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Leaky gut could be causing you problems By Matthew Solan Leaky gut gets blamed for everything from everyday stomach issues to pain to anxiety, yet it is one of the most mysterious ailments to diagnose and treat. Part of the reason for this medical mystery is because the digestive system is vast and complex. “Science continues to find new ways that the gut can influence everything from heart health to keeping our brains young,” said Alessio Fasano, M.D., director of the Center for Celiac Research and Treatment with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. “There is much we know about leaky gut in terms of how it affects people’s health, but there is still so much that is unknown.”

What is leaky gut? You have to begin at the cellular level. The lining of your intestine is made of millions of cells. These cells join together to create a tight barrier that acts like a security system and decides what gets absorbed into the bloodstream and what stays out. However, in an unhealthy gut, the lining can weaken, so “holes” develop in the barrier. The result is that toxins and bacteria can leak into the body. This can trigger inflammation in the gut and throughout the body, and cause a chain reaction of problems, such as bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivities, fatigue, headaches and joint pain, to name a few. How do these “holes” form? The biggest culprits are genes and diet, according to

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Fasano. “Some people may have a weaker barrier because they were born with it, or they follow an unbalanced diet low in fiber and high in sugar and saturated fats, which may be the trigger that weakens the gut lining.” Age also plays a role because, as you age, cells get damaged more easily and heal slowly, if at all, so the gut becomes more vulnerable. “Leaky gut could be the cause of some health problems, or a sign of something larger,” Fasano said. “The science is still up in the air.” For example, digestive conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease share many of the same symptoms as leaky gut, and all are linked with chronic inflammation. But it’s not known how, or if, they are connected. “The challenge is that it’s difficult to measure the strength of a person’s gut barrier, so you can’t know for certain when leaky gut is really present, or what influence it may have elsewhere in the body,” Fasano said.

Can you treat leaky gut? You can, but the approach is similar to diagnosing a broken car, Fasano said. “You don’t know the exact problem until the mechanic lifts the hood, looks around and tries different things. It’s the same with leaky gut.

We have to try different strategies to see what helps.” First, share your symptoms with your doctor. If leaky gut is a possibility, he or she can try several strategies to help relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation. The most common is to review your diet and eliminate known dietary causes of inflammation, such as excessive consumption of alcohol and processed foods, and to explore whether you have any food sensitivities — for instance, to gluten or dairy. “In theory, reducing inflammation from your diet like this also may rebuild the gut lining and stop further leakage,” Fasano said. The best way to protect yourself from leaky gut is to invest more in your overall digestive health, he added. This means following a healthy diet that limits processed foods and high-fat and high-sugar foods, and includes enough fiber. Sticking to a regular exercise program also can strengthen your digestive system. For example, studies have suggested that taking a 15- to 20-minute walk after a meal can aid in digestion. “Your gastrointestinal system is complex, but caring for it doesn’t have to be,” Fasano said. © 2019 President and Fellows of Harvard College. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

3 delicious chicken rubs and marinades By EatingWell.com If you have soy sauce, garlic powder, paprika, balsamic vinegar and garlic in your pantry you can throw together a flavorful rub or marinade in minutes. That’s all you need to take chicken breast from flat to bodacious, upping its juiciness without sacrificing its lean profile. Even better, when you opt for a homemade marinade over store-bought, you can skip the preservatives, colorings and additives, limit sodium and sugar, and choose olive oil over the less-healthy oils used in many commercial marinades. Want a break from chicken? These also work well with other meats, fish and tofu. 1. Start with: Boneless, skinless chicken breast, 1 to 1 ¼ pounds for 4 servings. Choose one of the rubs or marinades (below). Each makes enough for 1 ¼ pounds of chicken. 2. Marinate or rub: For marinated chicken, place chicken in a shallow dish or 1-gallon sealable plastic bag. Add the marinade of your choice and refrigerate from 1 hour to 12 hours. (The longer it marinates, the more intense the flavor, but it’ll get mushy if you leave it in there too long.) Remove chicken from the marinade and pat dry before grilling or broiling. For dry-rubbed chicken, coat chicken

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with the dry rub of your choice up to 30 minutes before grilling or broiling. 3. Grill or broil: Preheat grill to medium-high. Oil the grill rack. Grill the chicken, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165° F, 4 to 8 minutes per side. To broil, position a rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler. Line a broiler pan (or baking sheet) with foil and coat with cooking spray. Place the chicken on the foil. Broil, watching carefully and turning at least once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165° F, 10 to 15 minutes total.

Teriyaki marinade Whisk 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup sake (or mirin), 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger. Makes: scant 1 cup. Per serving*: 135 calories; 3 g. fat (1 g. sat., 1 g. mono); 263 mg. sodium.

Sweet and savory dry rub Combine 2 teaspoons each light brown sugar and dry mustard, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon white (or black) pepper. Makes: about 2 tablespoons. Per serving*: 140 calories; 3 g. fat (1 g. sat., 1 g. mono); 196

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mg. sodium.

Balsamic marinade Whisk 1/4 cup each olive oil and balsamic vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Makes: about 1/2 cup. Per serving*: 169 calories; 7 g. fat (1 g. sat., 5 g. mono); 250 mg. sodium.

Spicy Tunisian rub Grind 2 teaspoons each coriander seeds

and caraway seeds and 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper in a spice grinder (or mortar and pestle) until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl and stir in 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Makes: about 2 tablespoons. Per serving*: 131 calories; 3 g. fat (1 g. sat., 1 g. mono); 195 mg. sodium. *Analyses are for 3 ounces marinated or rubbed cooked chicken. © 2019 Meredith Corporation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Health Studies

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

How to learn about health studies for you By Margaret Foster If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or another disease, medical researchers need you.

Patients can choose to add their name and medical information to a “disease registry,” a secure database of people who suf-

fer from a particular disease. Together, they form a cohort or group that researchers can learn from over time in the hopes of finding cures. It’s also useful for patients, who can learn about clinical trials starting up in their area for which they might be eligible. A registry is useful for researchers such as data scientists, who can “crunch the numbers” and identify possible patterns or causes of disease. Hundreds of voluntary patient registries exist for every type of condition — from cancer, diabetes and cystic fibrosis, to heart disease, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. Some registries are federally funded, while others are funded by non-

profits or healthcare facilities. NIH lists dozens of patient registries on its website at http://bit.ly/all-registries.

Privacy concerns With all the news about privacy violations and hacked websites, some people may be reluctant to supply their medical information for an online database. However, all data is stripped of personal information and all medical information is stored on secure databases. In addition, “Usually, a federally-funded registry has a very limited list of individuals (registry coordinators) who may have access to participants’ personal, identifying information,” NIH notes on its website.

How it works Patients sign up on a website, filling in their medical information in an easy-to-use form. You’re typically asked a few questions about your medical history, so keep documents and test results on hand to be as specific as possible. Once you’re signed up, expect to receive emails from the registry. Periodically you may be asked to complete additional surveys or update health information. The registry coordinators may ask you to update your medical information or let them know if, for instance, you’ve had a cancer recurrence. They may simply keep you up to date on the current research on your disease or the status of the registry. Participation is voluntary, and you can always withdraw your name.

A wider net Disease registries may hasten a cure to chronic conditions or fatal diseases. “We want to build a resource that many different investigators will use to try to [answer] questions as quickly as possible,” Mark Robson, MD, co-founder of Prospective Registry of Multi-Plex Testing (PROMPT), told the American Association for Cancer Research in 2014, when he helped launch the registry for patients whose genes are predisposed to certain cancers. Many researchers hope these registries will save lives. “To try to get the answers in a meaningful timeframe, we have to throw a much, much wider net and make [studies] available to a much, much broader group of people,” he said.

Enjoy puzzles? See p. 52.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Take time to find the right antidepressant By Suzy Cohen that’s affecting you? First, let me say I am not a fan of medAnd what if your levels of icating normal, regular sadserotonin are fine, but you ness that we encounter in our have super low levels of norlives, such as the melancholy epinephrine or dopamine? In associated with losing a job, the latter case, Zoloft wouldn’t or when a friend leaves town, work, and might even be or for hormonal cycles. harmful, whereas Wellbutrin But there are people who (bupropion) would be great! are truly depressed and expeSome of you could benefit riencing the urge to harm from a medication that raises themselves. We need to be lovserotonin, dopamine and noring and gentle with them, and epinephrine. Remeron (mirDEAR if they need medicine, so be it. PHARMACIST tazapine) works in this way. So let’s get to it: What class By Suzy Cohen Someone else may need liftof drug is better — a seroing of serotonin and norepitonin-norepinephrine reupnephrine but not the dopamine. take inhibitor (SNRI)? A selective sero- Effexor (venlafaxine) is an SNRI that does tonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)? Or a exactly that! monoamine oxidase (MOA) inhibitor? In short, there are many possibilities, so The answer is, it depends. One category don’t lose hope. of meds might work great for you, but Each of you responds to the medication could be an epic fail for your friend. that restores activity of the particular neuWhy is that? Because medication treat- rotransmitter in which you are deficient. ment should be based on the specific neu- Not everyone with depression is deficient rotransmitters that are imbalanced in the in the same thing (or things). patient. Some of my readers say they are in bad For instance, Zoloft (sertraline) works by shape and feeling isolated and hopeless. I making serotonin linger longer, and that’s want to help you. Keep doing a little more great if you have reduced serotonin activity. trial and error with medications (and other But what if that’s not your problem? therapies outside the pills). What if you’re depressed because you I couldn’t possibly know what’s right for have low DHEA, a youth hormone that de- everyone because neurotransmitter levels clines after 40? are as unique as fingerprints. What if it’s low testosterone or estrogen There are also many different causes for

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Ongoing

CAREGIVER SUPPORT

A support group meets every Monday through Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Rd., Reston. The free group helps caregivers learn tools to take care of themselves while caring for others. Newcomers welcome. Register at fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults or call (703) 324-7210.

depression. Sometimes it is caused by a folate or B12 deficiency, or thyroid illness. Sometimes it’s from very high inflammatory compounds, or from a biotoxin like mold. It can even be medication-induced. If you feel like you’re at your wits’ end and you’ve tried everything, or that it’s just “time to go” or to “stop being a burden to others,” please stop thinking that immediately because it simply isn’t true. You haven’t tried everything. There are people who love you and need you.

Suicide prevention hotlines There are number of hotlines available to help on a 24/7 basis, including: The National Suicide Prevention Line, call

1-800-273-8255 or text HELLO to 741741 In Northern Virginia, call PRS CrisisLink at (703) 527-4077. In Washington, D.C., call 1-888-7-WEHELP or 1-888-793-4357. Montgomery County, Maryland’s 24hour hotline is (240) 770-4000. Veterans can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255; Press 1. 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 SuzyCohen.com.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

So many different benefits of gardening By Emma Patch Each autumn, the fruits of the harvest fill the shelves of local groceries and farmers markets, a colorful reminder of the many nutritional benefits of fresh produce. But growing your own produce offers equally sustaining, though perhaps less visible, benefits. Beyond reduced grocery expenses, gardening offers many positive effects financially. A garden may be a good way to improve property value, for example, said David Ellis, director of communications for the American Horticultural Society and editor of its magazine, The American Gardener. But most people garden because they enjoy it, he said. “They grow vegetables

and improve their own nutrition, and they grow flowers, which they give away and spread joy.” A form of light exercise, gardening can be a great way to stay active. The exercise involved varies, depending on the task, and everyone should be careful not to overexert themselves, Ellis said.

Good for the brain, too Spending time outdoors has also been linked with improved mental health. Recent studies have shown that the quantity of nearby green space buffers life stresses across ages. Gardening may lower cortisol levels in your brain, and in turn reduce stress lev-

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Nov. 11

MEDICAL HISTORY MUSEUM TOUR Visit the National Museum of Health and Medicine on Mon., Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. for a special Veterans Day Tour. This free, docent-

led introductory tour highlights American medicine over the past 150 years, with a special focus on military medicine. This tour is open to the public; no reserva-

els, according to a study in the Journal of Health Psychology. Longtime gardeners agree that gardening makes great mental exercise. “So much of it is observation and decision making,” said Jay Leshinsky, 73, a retired gardening educator in Middlebury, Vermont. Whether researching a new insect or a new disease, there’s often a lot of problem solving involved, he said. “It keeps me thinking and using many different skills,” he said. There’s also an avenue for creativity in designing a garden. “Some people focus on efficiency; some people focus on form. Even in a small area with short lines of sight, different colors and textures at different times of the season create a kind of ever-changing palette,” Leshinsky said. At the start of each growing season, Leshinsky and his wife, Susanne, sit down and talk about how to plan their space. “You give each other feedback, and in that sense, it can be a solitary or collaborative practice whether in design, planning or harvest,” he said.

tions necessary. The museum is located at 2500 Linden Ln., Silver Spring, Md. For more information call (301) 319-3312 or visit medicalmuseum.mil.

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Join a community garden Even if you don’t have a garden at your home, a nearby community garden lets you experience all the benefits of gardening with the added dimension of having

people around. At community gardens across the U.S., older adults serve as teachers and mentors, but they are also there to learn. The Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, for example, assists in planting and maintaining gardens of herbs, plants and flowers at a community garden. Gardening in your community often connects you with like-minded people, said Kirsten Conrad, the organization’s agricultural natural resources extension agent. And you can learn new skills. “It’s both a social and technical support system,” she said. Gardening is generally a very communal activity, said Ellis, allowing you to bond with your community and with neighbors. “And if you are an experienced gardener, sharing your expertise can also be a great way to support your community,” he said. At the end of the day, gardening simply grounds you, Leshinsky said. Besides gardening’s physical and mental health benefits, “for me, it always opens up this world of mystery that just can’t be explained scientifically — the miracles of seeds and what they do.” © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Nov. 13

DIABETES AND EYESIGHT According to the CDC, diabetes is the leading cause of new cases

of blindness in adults. Join ophthalmologist Sonya Bryant, M.D., as she shares current research and treatment updates on diabetic eye disease. Free parking available at Leisure World, 3700 North Leisure World Blvd, Silver Spring, Md. Light refreshments will be served at the presentation on Wed., Nov. 13 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. For more information or to register, call (908) 770-9111.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

When does drinking become a problem? By Marcelo Campos, M.D. The rise of the opioid epidemic in the U.S. has rightly caught our attention, but overshadowed a much more common problem: alcohol. Stories about underage drinking, blacking out and harmful behavior associated with alcohol use are common. In the U.S. from 2006 to 2010, 88,000 deaths annually, or almost 10% of all deaths, were associated with alcohol. While many people are becoming aware that medication-assisted therapy can help treat opioid use disorder, very few know that medication and counseling can significantly reduce alcohol use compared with trying to cut back on your own. In the U.S., 6.6% of the adult population recently reported heavy alcohol use, and one in four people reported at least one episode of binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined as having four or more drinks in a day for a woman; five or more drinks in a day for a man. You probably know someone who binge drinks — if not daily, then at least on weekends.

Disease or moral failing? Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other substance-use problems are considered diseases like any other, but are stigmatized as moral failure by many. The cause of AUD is a complex interaction between genes and environment, with a strong association with other health problems. In one study, 77% of individuals with

AUD also experienced another medical problem, either cancer, liver disease or pancreatitis, or other psychiatric diseases such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. A history of trauma, physical, verbal and sexual abuse is also highly prevalent in this population. Even though genetics play an important role, exposure to specific life events and situations can significantly increase one’s vulnerability to seeking comfort and reward using alcoholic beverages.

Signs of alcohol use disorder The awareness that alcohol use may be causing a problem does not come so easily. Drinking is socially accepted in most places, and is frequently used as a social lubricant. I rarely see a patient coming forward on his or her own to talk about drinking behavior. The conversation is usually triggered by friends and family members who urge their loved ones to seek help, as many do not see their alcohol use as a problem. If you are unsure you or someone you love may have a problem using alcohol, I would recommend asking one question: How many times in the past year have you had five (for men) or four (for women) or more drinks in a day? A response equal to or greater than “once” identifies, on average, eight out of 10 people with AUD. A positive answer should trigger a more thorough evaluation in a doctor’s office, or at least stimulate a reflection about one’s drinking behavior.

As with many other chronic diseases, AUD treatment is not as straightforward as taking antibiotics for pneumonia. However, it may surprise you that there are several medications that can help patients deal with cravings and reduce drinking. Naltrexone, acamprosate and disulfiram are among the current FDA-approved drugs to treat AUD. Other drugs that are used off-label to treat AUD include nalmefene, baclofen, gabapentin and topiramate. Individual and group therapy may also help reduce binge drinking and increase abstinence. For some people, drinking at night or on the weekend may feel like the only source of relaxation and comfort. It is not uncommon for people who suffer from anxiety and depression to drink to alleviate their feelings and emotions. The treatment of these underlying psychiatric disorders may also help reduce the fre-

quency and amount of drinking. Nonetheless, it may be hard to keep the motivation going. Relapses are a common part of the disease, and successfully overcoming AUD often depends on stability at work, adequate housing, hope for the future, and support from family, friends and the healthcare system. Don’t be afraid to seek professional help if alcohol use defines who you are and is affecting your life and relationships. There are several approaches that may lead to healing and recovery. A simple conversation with your doctor about whether or not you have a problem with alcohol use could be the first step toward a healthier and more fulfilling life. Marcelo Campos, M.D., is a contributor to Harvard Health Publications. © 2019 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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VOLUME XXXI, ISSUE 11

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE By Laura Newland, Director D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living November is National Family Caregiver Month. Just as I did last year, I’ve asked Deputy Director Aurora Delespin-Jones to take over my monthly column and offer some tips, advice and inspiration to support the many caregivers here in D.C. Having served as a caregiver for five family members, Aurora knows first-hand the day-to-day experiences — the highs, the lows and the daily balancing act. Her personal experi-

ence has driven her to develop programs to support you, wherever you are in your journey. We’re grateful for her leadership, her knowledge and her willingness to share her personal story with us so that we can better serve you. Know that at DACL, caring for our caregivers is an everyday commitment — you’re not alone. Reach out to us at 202-724-5626 to learn more about how we can help.

GUEST COLUMNIST

Aurora Delespin-Jones, Deputy Director D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living Greetings and Happy National Family Caregiver Month! It’s time to celebrate longevity and all things embodied — an equitable portion of health, strength, love, laughter and everything beautiful for our pleasure. So, in this season of celebration leading into holidays, get up, get loose and get involved in life! Do not let this season pass. Challenge yourselves to focus on self-care, fun and respite. Fill your day with fellowship, hobbies, entertainment and life-learning moments that positively impact your mind, body and soul. I dare you to try! My fellow caregivers, the writer of Ecclesiastes states “there is a time and season for all that we do in this life.” Life will happen! Each waking day of our lives, we will experience a past, present and future of events outside of our making, but to varying degree within our ability to manage. However, if left unchecked, life becomes unmanageable. That is the point you want to avoid at all costs. But how do you do that with so much on your plate, so little time to manage it all, and so large the task with daunting claws? Simply ask for help! Between birth and death, searching and giving up, keeping and throwing away, tearing down and building up again, loving and hating, and war and peace, there is time for everything beautiful. A time when, in the heart, you know nothing would be better than for you to embrace happy moments and find satisfaction from your labor of love. So, go for it! Seize the season, the harmony and the help you need to stay strong, as you provide care for others. Everything in this season is necessary and beautifully provided as your reward for a job well done. The Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) is here for you. You can trust us to deliver programs, activities, opportunities and services See GUEST COLUMN, page 27

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

November 2019

Get Involved Friday, November 1 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 14 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The 4th Annual Caregiver Conference Hosted by Terrific, Inc. and the Dept. of Aging and Community Living The Kellogg Conference Hotel 800 Florida Avenue, NE

The Dept. of Aging and Community Living will staff an informational table USCIS Benefits Fair 111 Mass. Avenue, NW

Monday, November 4 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Dept. of Aging & Community Living with Partners Graciously Supports Tenth Street Baptist Church 2nd Annual Community Presentation & Workshops 1000 R Street, NW Contact: Church Office 202-232-1685

Monday, November 4 1 – 3 p.m. Train to Become a DACL Ambassador Model Cities Senior Wellness Center 1901 Evarts Street, NE Contact dacl.communications@dc.gov or 202-727-0374 to register.

Friday, November 8 7:30 am Check-in and breakfast 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Caregivers 5K Roll, Stroll and Run Hosted by the Dept. of Aging and Community Living and the Department of Parks and Recreation Anacostia Park 1900 Anacostia Drive, SE

Tuesday, November 12 7 – 8 p.m. The Dept. of Aging and Community Living will participate in a Senior Roundtable Penn Branch Citizens Civic Association 3000 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

Wednesday, November 13 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Senior Zone Senior Spa Day Riggs La Salle Recreation Center 501 Riggs Road, NE Contact: 202-576-5224

Wednesday, November 13 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Dept. of Aging and Community Living and Partners Graciously Support the Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior Apartments 2nd Annual Community Health, Resource and Fun Fair 2201 15th Street, NW

Monday, November 18 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Dept. of Aging and Partners Community Presentation and Workshops 1519 Islamic Way (4th) Street, NW Contact: Office 202-483-8832

Tuesday, November 19 12:30 – 3 p.m. The Dept. of Aging and Community Living will Provide a Presentation on Our Resources and Services and Spin the Wheel for Correct Answers Emery Heights AARP Chapter 4194 Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ 4704 13th Street, NW

Wednesday, November 20 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Dept. of Aging and Community Living will participate in a Resource Seminar with the Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens Federal Corrections Institute Fort Dix 5756 Hartford Street, and Pointville Road Fort Dix, NJ 08640

Thursday, November 21 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Train to Become a DACL Ambassador 500 K Street, NE Contact dacl.communications@dc.gov or 202-727-0374 to register.

Saturday, November 23 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. First Rising Mt. Zion and Howard University Hospital 15th Annual Community Fair and Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner 602 N Street, NW

Wednesday, November 27 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 20th Anniversary Safeway Feast of Sharing at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center 801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Spotlight on Aging

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Ms. Senior America Pageant Ms. Senior D.C. Trinette Chase was among 41 contestants to compete in the 40th anniversary Ms. Senior America Pageant, held at Resorts Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ. During the pageant she shared her artistic talent through her quilts, handmade jewelry, handmade dolls, beadwork and weaving. She also shared her philosophy of life, which was that misery loves company, but she believes joy is a much better friend. D.C.’s own MC Steppers entertained the crowds at both the preliminaries and the finals, dancing to a medley of Aretha Franklin songs, and ending the performance for the finals with a portion of Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk.”

The Ms. Senior America Pageant Queens Choir included Billie LaVerne Smith, Ms. Senior D.C. 2016, returning for her second appearance. The choir performed lively songs from the hit musical Mama Mia. Sandra Bears, the Ms. Senior D.C. 2005 Top 10 Finalist and Honorary Senior America Banner awardee, served on the judge’s panel during the pageant. Bears is a founding member of the recording artists and performers “The Jewels.” This year’s Top 10 Finalists included representatives from Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Wyoming. Esmeralda Hetrick, a vocalist from Pennsylvania, was crowned Ms. Senior America 2019. She sang “It’s My T ur n,” empowering caregivers to take time for themselves as they care for others. First runner-up, representing West Virginia, was Sherri McGhie, second runner-up Ms. Senior D.C. Trinette Chase displays her artistic talents was Nancy Witter during her Talent Presentation at the Ms. Senior America Pageant 2019. of New York, third

Guest column From page 26

across a broad spectrum to insulate you from burnout and to help you break out of a cycle of isolation. The DACL caregiver support services listed below are provided for your convenience. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve you winter, spring, summer and fall. After all, whatever the season, it’s your season! Alzheimer’s support services Caregiver Case Assessment

Caregiver Case Management Caregiver Education (evidencebased programming) Caregiver Information and Assistance Caregiver Institute Caregiver support groups Homemaker services Memory care programs (Club Memory) Respite care Supplemental funds Call DACL at 202-724-5626 to learn more about these services.

Director Laura Newland

Editor Spotlight On Aging is published by the Information Office of the D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living for D.C. senior residents. Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living or by the publisher.

Darlene Nowlin

Photographer Richard Williams 500 K St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 724-5626 | www.dcoa.dc.gov

runner-up was Dr. Rhonda Moulder of Georgia, and fourth runner-up was Susan England of Tennessee. Congratulations to Ms. Senior D.C. Trinette Chase for being an outstand-

ing representative from the District of Columbia. Continue offering unconditional love to all as you make appearances throughout the city representing your peers!

D.C.’s own MC Steppers pose after their performance at the Ms. Senior America Pageant, October 20-24, 2019.

Ms. Senior D.C. Trinette Chase, center, was one of 41 contestants who competed in the Ms. Senior America Pageant. Esmeralda Hetrick from Pennsylvania was crowned Ms. Senior America.

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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Money Law &

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL Our high-school columnist shares tips on money management to pass down to the next generation PITFALLS TO AVOID Watch those portfolio fees, don’t take on risk and, above all, have a plan DIVINE DIVIDENDS Focusing on dividend-paying stocks can pay, well, dividends. See Elliott Raphaelson’s advice on the latest and greatest funds

How to quit stalling and write your will By Liz Weston You know you should have a will, but you keep stalling. No one likes to think about dying or about someone else raising their children or grandchildren. But if you get no further than scribbling notes or thinking about which lawyer to hire, you risk dying “intestate” — without a will that could guide your loved ones, head off family feuds and potentially save your family thousands of dollars. Financial planners say getting people to stop procrastinating on this important money chore can be tough. I asked several advisors to offer their best strategies for getting clients to get this done. Maybe one of these will help you. Remember for whom you’re doing it. Certified financial planner (CFP) Katrina Soelter of Los Angeles suggests thinking of an estate plan as “the best love letter you can write to those you love.” Providing guidance on what you want to happen after your death — and who you want to care for minor children or pets — can be a huge gift to those you leave behind. You’re also saving them the potentially large costs and delays of hiring attorneys to sort out your estate later.

Soelter said she procrastinated on her own estate planning and finds the positive approach works better than browbeating. “It doesn’t help to heap more shame on them, but rather focus on the reasons why it is wonderful to get it done,” Soelter said. Visualize what happens without a will. Then again, some people need to hear worst-case scenarios before they’ll act. Financial planners often point out, for example, that without an estate plan a court could end up deciding who takes care of your kids. State law determines who inherits your stuff, and the distribution may not be as you would want. CFP Janice Cackowski of Rocky River, Ohio, said one of her clients recently died after ignoring her advice to create a trust. His will bequeathed his estate to his financially irresponsible son, with no restrictions. “The money my client saved over his 63year lifetime will be gone within 18 months of his death,” Cackowski said. Keep it simple. CFP Kevin Gahagan of San Francisco notes that getting a basic estate plan in place may not be as complicated or expensive as you fear. “It is the attorney who does the work,”

Gahagan said. “They’ll guide you in identifying the questions you need to answer so a plan can be developed.” Also, think about what you’d want to happen if you died in the next five years, rather than trying to create an estate plan that covers all eventualities, said CFP Karen E. Van Voorhis of Norwell, Massachusetts. You can always update and change things. Use employee benefits. Many big companies offer their employees access to attorneys through prepaid legal services, said CFP Amy Shepard of Mesa, Arizona. That’s how she and her husband created their estate plan. They met with an attorney available through his employer who cost less than $10 per biweekly pay period. “For most people, the biggest thing stopping them is money,” Shepard said. “If their employer offers a legal benefit, it can make the process of doing an estate plan very affordable and very simple.” Given that attorneys often charge $300 and up for a will, while a living trust can cost $1,200 or more, prepaid legal services can be a cost-effective option for many people, Shepard said. Affordable options for those who aren’t

offered coverage through their employer may include online services such as Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom, which are best for people with simple situations, such as those who don’t have a lot of assets and who don’t need trusts, Shepard said. But users need to answer the sites’ questions carefully and get the resulting documents notarized, or the paperwork won’t be valid. Set a timeline. Van Voorhis also suggests making an appointment with an attorney now but scheduling it for a few months down the road. “That way it’s on the books and they’ll feel like they’ve accomplished something, but they also don’t have to face it for a while,” she said. CFP Mike Giefer of Minneapolis recommends incremental deadlines. “By Dec. 1, have the conversation about guardians, charities and other estate intentions. By Jan. 1, have the initial meeting with an estate planning attorney. By Feb. 1, clarify and confirm the documents and have them signed,” Giefer suggested. “On Valentine’s Day, they are done!” —AP/NerdWallet

New options to return online purchases By Anne D’Innocenzio Ahead of the holiday season, shoppers have more options to return unwanted items bought online as retailers look for new ways to drive traffic. Plenty of retailers like Target and Walmart allow shoppers to return at their brickand-mortar stores items bought from them online. But now, a growing number of retailers are accepting even rivals’ returns. In July, Kohl’s started accepting Amazon returns in all 1,100 stores, up from 100 previously. Furthermore, at the Amazon kiosks at Kohl’s, customers don’t need a box or a label for a free return. Meanwhile, Happy Returns, a California-based startup that works with about 30 online retailers, more than doubled the number of its drop-off locations to 700. They also allow shoppers to return online orders in person without a box or label. These moves come as retailers aim to reduce costs while making it easier for shop-

pers to return items purchased on websites. The average return rate for online transactions is 25% compared with 8% for store purchases, according to Forrester Research.

Inside store drop-offs Package delivery giant UPS is adding 12,000 pickup and return locations inside CVS, Michaels and Advance Auto Parts stores. The new locations will bring to 21,000 the number of pickup points UPS has in the U.S. “Returning a product is annoying,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. “If you can take away some of the hassle by giving customers lots of options, that’s really customer service.” But Saunders and others note that shoppers making returns need to make sure that they don’t miss the return deadline. Here are three tips for returning online orders: —Know the rules when returning

goods from rivals. Through a partnership with technology company Narvar, Walgreens now lets shoppers return online orders to partners such as Levi Strauss and Urban Outfitters at more than 8,000 Walgreens locations that have FedEx onsite. Narvar’s concierge service also has drop-off locations at 15 Nordstrom stores for its retail partners. Narvar CEO Amit Sharma said shoppers have to bring in their original packaging with the QR code, but in the next few months, packaging will be available for a fee. Meanwhile, Nordstrom’s service hubs (mini-stores that do not have merchandise on hand) in Los Angeles and Manhattan allow shoppers to return online orders from any retailer. Customers bring the packaged items, with or without the preprinted return labels, and a salesperson will ship them out. There is no service fee. Happy Returns lets customers return items from online retailers including Elo-

quii, Rothy’s and Everlane. Happy Returns’ “return bars” can be found at shopping centers and other retailers, including most recently all 276 Cost Plus World Markets. In return for serving as host for Happy Returns, its online retailer partners promote the locations and offer customers coupons and other deals. —Look for eco-friendly alternatives. Happy Returns is eliminating cardboard boxes used to ship bulk returns to retailers, substituting reusable totes made from recycled plastic. In an effort to reduce waste and make the return process easier, Target is in the process of eliminating packing slips from all orders shipped directly to customers from stores and fulfillment centers. To return an online purchase, customers can mail the items back using a link within their shipping confirmation See SHOPPERS RETURNS, page 31

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Will Social Security keep its promises? By Liz Weston The Social Security Administration will happily forecast your future monthly retirement check. Trouble is, it’s often off the mark. Understanding the sometimes-flawed assumptions underlying the estimate can help you make smarter decisions about when to claim your benefit. First, of course, you should know how to access those estimates. You can find yours online by creating a “My Social Security” account at the Social Security Administration’s site, ssa.gov/myaccount, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 to request a paper version. (The agency automatically sends paper copies to people 60 and over if they haven’t yet started benefits or created an online account.) Social Security projects how much you’ll receive if you start benefits at the earliest age, 62, as well as what you’ll get if you start instead at your full retirement age — currently 66 and rising to 67 for people born in 1960 or later — or at 70, when benefits max out. When you apply for benefits, Social Security uses your 35 highest-earning years to calculate your check. Each of these years is “indexed,” or adjusted to reflect wage and price inflation over time. The dollar amount you earned in 1995, for instance, would be roughly doubled to reflect what the same wage would be worth today.

Problems with estimates When estimating your future benefit, however, the agency assumes no future growth in wages or prices, said economist Laurence Kotlikoff, creator of the Maximize My Social Security claiming-strategies website. That often creates “lowball” estimates for younger workers, he said. “If you are, say, 40, this can produce a 20% underestimate of the actual benefit you’ll receive,” Kotlikoff said. On the other hand, the agency could be overestimating your benefit if your income has peaked, since the assumption is that you will continue earning roughly the same amount until you apply for Social Security. Many people lose their jobs in midlife and never make as much again. Illness or disability could knock you out of the workforce prematurely, or you could stop working years before claiming Social Security. Any of those circumstances could result in smaller-than-projected checks. “You can see why Americans are confused and surprised when they go into the Social Security office with an old state-

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ment and learn their benefits will be lower than they thought,” said William Meyer, founder of Social Security Solutions, another claiming-strategies site.

More factors to consider Other circumstances can upend the estimates. Some people will qualify for spousal or survivor benefits that are larger than what they earn on their own record. Retirees with minor children can get child benefits that boost their checks. Nastier surprises may await people who worked for certain government agencies or were employed abroad. If they get pensions from jobs that didn’t pay into Social Security, the “windfall elimination provision” could reduce their Social Security checks significantly. Lawmakers intended the provision, and the related “government pension offset,”

to keep people who didn’t pay much into Social Security from getting more than those who did. But the reductions aren’t always well publicized or explained, and can come as a shock to affected people who were counting on the amounts Social Security promised. Speaking of promises, Social Security’s trustees say the system will have enough revenue to pay only 77% of promised benefits starting in 2035, unless Congress intervenes. Lawmakers are unlikely to allow benefits to be cut for people in or near retirement. If you’re decades away, though, Social Security’s lowball estimate could turn out to be on target. To be safe, you might want to assume you’ll get even less.

Use a calculator If you’re within 10 years of retirement, on the other hand, getting a more accurate

estimate of your benefits can help you plan when to retire. You can start with your My Social Security account, which includes a link to a retirement calculator that allows you to adjust your average future earnings. The site also has a page of free calculators, including a downloadable detailed calculator that the site accurately describes as “somewhat unwieldy” and “difficult to use.” You can pay for a more user-friendly option at Maximize My Social Security ($40) or Social Security Solutions ($49.95). Or consider a session with a fee-only financial planner who has access to similar robust software. This advisor can help you fine-tune your Social Security estimates, advise you on claiming strategies, and make sure your retirement isn’t based on false promises. —AP/NerdWallet

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Money management is important for all Last summer, I had the opportunity to Household Report, which estimates that study “across the pond” at Oxford Univer- “total household debt increased by $32 bilsity. While there, I used up lion (0.2%) to $13.54 trillion in roughly 75% of my spending the fourth quarter of 2018. money buying Moo-Moo’s Furthermore, overall housemilkshakes. It was perhaps hold debt is now 21.4% above not the most intelligent budgthe post-financial-crisis trough eting on my part, but what can reached during the second I say? Those milkshakes were quarter of 2013.” heavenly. It’s clear that many AmeriMy escapades in England cans need to work on their exemplify how essential it is to budgeting skills. This is a crube well-versed in the art of GENERATIONS cial skill regardless of one’s money management. It seems TOGETHER stage of life; after all, we all that I am not alone in my lack By Alexis Bentz use money on virtually a daily of financial expertise. basis, and older adults and Bills.com, a financial services website, teens each face their own unique monecites the N.Y. Federal Reserve’s 2018 Q4 tary challenges.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, SECURITIES AND BANKING Protecting Your Financial Interests

Some common issues If you are over the age of 65 and retired, you may be well-acquainted with the widespread problems relating to paying for healthcare and living off of Social Security and a fixed income. In addition, a lesser-cited yet prevalent problem faced by older adults is debt from student loans. Many baby boomers are experiencing financial difficulties over their debt obligations as guarantors of student loans for their children and grandchildren. Roughly 2.2 million Americans over the age of 60 have co-signed student loans for their offspring, making them responsible for any debts their children are unable to pay. These types of monetary plights only scratch the surface of what older adults experience as they struggle to manage money today. Money can also be a source of stress for teens. Adolescents are beginning to take on financial responsibility for themselves. Many parents expect their teenagers to get jobs and pay for their own expenses or even contribute to their college tuition. My parents, for instance, strongly encouraged me to get a job when I turned 16, and they require me to pay for most of my non-essential expenses, such as movie tickets and lunches with friends. Without years of financial experience, teens often struggle with money management, a skill that will become increasingly important as they age and become independent.

Some suggestions Of particular importance for older adults: before you sign any documents or make decisions, consult with financial advisors, attorneys or your banker. Scammers are very sophisticated today, and two

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heads are better than one when evaluating “opportunities.” Be vigilant at all times. When you’re on a website, do not click on advertisements or supposed lottery winnings, as they are likely scams. The same is true of emails from people you don’t know who are promising you something too good to be true. To prevent fraud, don’t forget to shred receipts, bank statements and unused credit card offers before throwing them away. Lock up checkbooks and account statements when in the company of others, and, of course, never give out personal information such as your Social Security number or credit card numbers to people you don’t know who call or visit you. The most important lesson for teenagers to learn is how to budget and to spend less than they earn. This can be a challenge for teens eager to buy the latest video game or to go on a shopping spree at the mall with friends. An effective way to prevent teens from using their money inappropriately is to encourage them to divide it into sections: spend, save and give. This may help them to avoid blowing all of their savings on a single item. It is also wise to teach teens how to use a credit card and how to tip at a restaurant. By instilling healthy financial habits in teens, it is far more likely that they will be intelligent spenders and savers in the future. The next time you interact with a younger friend, discuss some strategies you both can use for money management. Talk about the importance of effectively budgeting money, and trade tips to avoid scams. And maybe, to celebrate your economic goals, you can buy yourself a special treat — perhaps a milkshake.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Shoppers returns From page 28 email or Target.com account, or by looking up the order using the Target app or the card they used for purchase when making a return at a store. —Consider return service at home. Shoppers are increasingly able to have a return picked up inside their home. Walmart said it will launch such a return service later this year but didn’t offer any details. It’s all part of how retailers are focusing more on in-home deliveries and other services. In June, Walmart announced it would have one of its employees deliver

fresh groceries and put them in your refrigerator when you’re not home. It launched its in-home delivery service in three cities: Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Missouri, and Vero Beach, Florida. Many digital natives are offering free inhome return pick-up services, according to AlixPartners, a consulting company. For example, online mattress company Casper offers a 100-night free trial for its mattresses. If someone would like to return their mattress, its customer service team takes care of removing the mattress from the customer’s home at no cost and issuing a full refund. —AP

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Nov. 13

MONEY MATTERS WORKSHOP

A free money management and financial literacy workshop will be offered on Wed., Nov. 13 by the nonprofit Housing Counseling Services Inc. at 2410 17th St., NW, Washington, D.C. Topics include analyzing your finances, working with a budget and improving your credit. For more information, call (202) 667-7006 or email info@housingetc.org.

Nov. 14

HOLIDAY SUPPORT

This time of year can be hard after the loss of a loved one or when holiday traditions change. Kristen McAleer and Jeanne Meyer from the Virginia Hospital Center will facilitate a discussion about dealing with the “new normal” on Thurs., Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. at the Langston-Brown Senior Center, 2121 N. Culpeper St., Arlington. For more information and to register, (703) 228-6300.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 22

FIND ROMANCE WITHOUT SCAMS

Millie Osborne, M.D., author of Con Artist Dating, will present practical tips for finding and sustaining healthy relationships through online dating sites and in-person dates. Learn how relationship cons operate as people age in the dating world on Fri., Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. at the Walter Reed Senior Center, 2909 S.16th St., Arlington, Va. For more information and to register, call (703) 228-0955.

Nov. 11

FREE MEAL FOR VETS

Local veterans are invited for a free Veteran’s Day Meal from noon to 3 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 11 at Hillside Senior Apartment Homes, 200 Skidmore Blvd., in Gaithersburg. Get the opportunity to share your story and meet other veterans. RSVP required. Call (301) 869-0255.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Avoid these financial pitfalls in retirement By Jeff Beyer Investing is a challenge at any age, but as you reach retirement, it becomes especially important to avoid making mistakes. When you’re younger, you have more time to recover from a bad investment or market downturn. However, when you are older and your investments are providing your income, it’s important to preserve your nest egg. There are things you can do to protect your money and help make it last. Here are three common pitfalls to look out for: 1. Paying too much in fees Why is it important to stay vigilant about fees? Recently, while reviewing an investment portfolio with a potential client, we discovered he was paying 2.32% in fees on

a mutual fund he’d invested in — not the 0.68% he assumed he was being charged. He didn’t dig into the prospectus to uncover other fees, such as trading costs and 12b1 fees. Be cautious when advisers and mutual fund managers justify their high fees by promising market-beating results. High fees do not always translate to better investment performance. If you aren’t paying attention, these fees have the potential to quickly dissolve any profit you may make from the investment. Fees are typically based on a percentage of your assets. As your account balance increases, you are paying an ever-growing dollar figure in fees. An investor with a $350,000 portfolio

could easily be paying $3,500 to $7,000 or more per year in management fees. As money is deducted to cover these fees, there is less capital left in the account to compound and grow. There are tools available for you to use in reviewing your portfolio and the fees you may be paying. One example is a prospectus, a legal document with in-depth details about your investment. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, ask your financial adviser about fees you may be paying to buy, sell or hold each of your investments. Ask which fees will and will not be listed on your statements and how you can track the unlisted ones. 2. Taking unnecessary risk For years, investors have said a solid portfolio is composed of 60% stocks (for higher returns) and 40% bonds (for stable income). However, times have changed. A combination of a record-setting bull market coupled with historically low interest rates has made this previous investment approach far less prudent these days. Bonds — generally perceived as safe, reliable investments — are at risk due to rising interest rates, which can cause future bond prices to fall. Stock market valuation already exceeding a 10-year bull market could potentially

be a concern if you are counting on your portfolio for income in the near future. There is nothing wrong with stocks, bonds or a portfolio that is diverse in both. Balance is key — and that means looking into other asset classes, such as real estate, commodities, annuities, futures, etc. In retirement, it’s particularly important to lower the level of risk in your portfolio. Yet many investors have no idea how their portfolio equates to their personal risk tolerance — the amount of risk they can sustain taking while still progressing toward their financial goals. Not long ago, I had a conversation with another prospective client who described himself as an “ultra-conservative” investor. But when we looked at his portfolio, it was not in line at all with his risk tolerance. This tends to be a common occurrence. That doesn’t mean you should be stashing your nest egg under the mattress or even in a savings account. But you may want to do some thoughtful strategizing to help ensure that too large of a portion of your portfolio is not at risk in retirement. 3. Taking too much too fast Running out of money during retirement is some people’s greatest fear, surpassing job loss and even public speaking. See FINANCIAL PITFALLS, page 35

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

Invest in funds with consistent dividends I have written before that retirees should making a very conservative investment, and maintain a significant amount of their in- I have been pleasantly surprised at how well the fund has performed. vestments in diversified stock Although this fund has a investments. Although I have $100,000 minimum investbeen retired for 24 years, I still ment, you can purchase a Vankeep about 50% of my investguard ETF with similar perments in stock market, almost formance without a minimum all of it in diversified mutual purchase requirement. funds. — Dividend fund: I have I have always chosen funds invested in Vanguard’s Divithat have a history of consisdend Appreciation Index Fund tent earnings and dividends. I Admiral Shares (VDADX) for recognize that stock market THE SAVINGS almost 10 years. The fund is prices fluctuate consistently GAME over time. However, in down composed of large, high qualiBy Elliot Raphaelson markets, stocks that have a ty corporations that have a history of consistent earnings and divi- blend of growth and value. The emphasis is dends retain their value much better than on companies that have a track record of instocks that don’t. creasing their dividends. Most of my investments are with VanAs of this writing, the YTD return for 2019 guard because of their low fees, consistent is 22.06%; the one-year return is10.34%; the performance and excellent service. Here three-year return is 13.88%, and the five-year is a description of funds I have held for a return is 10.98%. The 30-day SEC yield is long time, generally more than 10 years. 1.79% and the expense ratio is 0.08%. The — Utility fund: I have invested in Van- minimum initial investment is $3,000. The guard’s Utilities Index Fund Admiral fund pays a consistent dividend each quarShares (VUIAX) for more than 10 years. Ini- ter. As long as I have held the fund, a quartially, I invested $100,000 in the fund; over terly dividend has been paid. the last five years, I have taken out more — Real estate: I have invested in Vanthan $100,000, and the remaining shares guard’s Real Estate Index Fund Admiral are valued at approximately $150,000. Shares (VGSLX) for approximately 10 As of this writing, the year-to-date years. The fund invests in real estate in(YTD) return for 2019 is 19.73%; the one- vestment trusts that purchase office buildyear return is 20.19%; the three-year return ings, hotels, residential properties, healthis 12.55%; the five-year return is 11.60%. care facilities, retail facilities and other The yearly expense ratio is 0.10%. The property. fund pays dividends each quarter. Vanguard indicates that the value of this The latest 30-day SEC yield is 3%. [Editor’s fund may be more volatile than more Note: According to Investopedia.com, the broadly diversified funds because its inSEC yield figure is used to compare bond vestments are only in real estate. Divifunds because it reflects dividends and inter- dends are paid quarterly and have been est earned less the fund’s expenses. The per- paid consistently. centage shows investors what they would As of this writing, the YTD return for earn in yield over the course of a 12-month 2019 is 25.78%; the one-year return is period if the fund continued earning the 14.58%; the three-year return is 5.74%; the same rate for the rest of the year.] five-year return is 8.19% and the 10-year reWhen I purchased the fund initially, the turn 13.41%. The expense ratio is 0.12%. 30-day SEC yield was approximately 3.4%. Minimum investment is $3,000. Since I have been holding the fund, a consisStock prices can be volatile, and I have tent dividend has been paid each quarter. no idea whether the most recent performEarnings have been consistent as well. ance of the stock market in general, or for When I purchased the fund, I thought I was these funds in particular, will continue to

do as well as they have recently. However, if interest rates remain low on a long-term basis, investments in funds that invest in companies that have a consistent history

of high earnings and consistent dividends should do well on a long-term basis. See DIVIDENDS, page 35

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Financial pitfalls From page 32 There are good reasons to be concerned. People are living longer, so the money they save may have to last 20, 30 or even 40 years. Also, fewer Americans have pensions. Most people could be forced to depend on their investment savings for more of their retirement income and for longer than they expected. That is why they are being advised to withdraw less each year. You may have heard the rule of thumb is to take 4% from your investment savings in the first year of retirement and then add 1% to 2% in order to account for inflation yearly. In doing so, your portfolio could possibly sustain you for approximately 30 years. That calculation has been the source of much debate in recent years. A safer suggestion is a 3% (or even 2%) withdrawal rate. To put that into perspective, if you had a $1 million nest egg, you would take $30,000 (3%) or $20,000 (2%) in retirement

Dividends From page 33 I have only discussed Vanguard funds because those are the funds I hold. Other reputable fund families have excellent long-term performance records as well.

income each year to supplement your Social Security benefit and any other reliable income you receive. If that wouldn’t be enough for the retirement lifestyle you envision, it is time to take control. The biggest pitfall of all is not having a comprehensive plan in place as you move into retirement. If you are near or already at your goal retirement age, review your investments along with any additional assets and Social Security on a yearly basis. Doing the legwork up front can very well lead to being able to comfortably and confidently put your feet up later in life. And isn’t that what we all strive for? Jeff Beyer is CEO of Pennsylvania-based Paladin Retirement Advisors. Kim FrankeFolstad contributed to this article. This article was written by and presents the views of the author, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. Check adviser records with the SEC or FINRA. © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

You can review them on Morningstar’s website to identify comparable investment opportunities. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2019 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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Travel Leisure &

Quick: What country singer made the Chattahoochee River famous? See story on page 39.

Vancouver’s surprising sites and diversity of towering skyscrapers lodged between the mountains and the sea. Downtown is perched on a peninsula with water on three sides. Stanley Park’s 1,000acre, temperate rain forest is in the city center. Winters are mild; summers, balmy.

Canada, the big picture City center’s Canada Place is a four-block complex with an expansive esplanade and a roof resembling five Teflon-coated, fiberglass sails. A favorite pastime of visitors here is watching passengers disembark from up to four cruise ships at once, as seaplanes take off and land nearby. On the western side is Jack Poole Plaza, the setting for a Digital Orca sculpture by Douglas Coupland and a tripod-like Olympic cauldron from the 2010 games that Vancouver hosted. To get topographically oriented, visitors can zip up 50 stories in the Lookout Tower in less than a minute, for 360-degree views at 553 feet. In the distance looms Mount Baker, 86 miles away in Washington state, an active volcano. For an even broader perspective, Flyover Canada offers a simulated flight where “passengers” belted in to airplane seats soar and swoop virtually over Canada’s 3.8 million square miles. It’s also a tactile ride as the airplane zips through “clouds” and “snow”

PHOTO BY POEMNIST/SHUTTERSTOCK

By Glenda C. Booth The city of Vancouver in Canada’s British Columbia, once a crown colony, is named for British Royal Navy Captain George Vancouver, who in the late 18th century explored much of North America’s northwestern Pacific Coast. But you can bet you won’t drink tea following rigid British protocols when you visit Vancouver. You are more likely to slurp, sniff and savor aromatic Chinese tea poured delicately from clay teapots in the traditional slow-motion, multi-step, ceremonial process. That’s because Vancouver is one of the most Asian cities outside Asia. Of the 2.5 million people in the metro area, 47 percent are of Asian descent (29 percent are Chinese). That said, Vancouver is also one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, whose cuisine reflects its diversity. Visitors can sample four types of Chinese cuisine, Japanese steaks, sushi and sashimi, Filipino pastries, African flame-grilled chicken, Scandinavian waffles and Italian gelatos, along with local briny sea urchins, gooseneck barnacles, oysters and, of course, Pacific northwest salmon. Vancouver is also a place to learn about Canada’s indigenous peoples, with at least 11 First Nations in the metro area. A city of striking beauty and Canada’s third largest, Vancouver is a walkable city

Totem poles stand in Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, representing the area’s 11 local indigenous tribes, or First Nations. The huge park in the city’s center is larger than New York’s Central Park, and incorporates a rain forest with half a million trees.

over the Rocky Mountains, the Arctic and Niagara Falls. While thrilling, even spine-chilling, as the “airplane” dips, turns and shoots up just before almost crashing into a mountain peak, this adventure is not for the faint of heart or those prone to motion sickness. PHOTO BY GLENDA C. BOOTH

Gastown For a more down-to-earth experience, wander through trendy Gastown’s cobblestone streets lit by Victorian-era streetlamps. This is basically where Vancouver started. It’s named for the garrulous seaman, Gassy Jack Deighton, who found no saloon when he arrived in 1867, so he told some workers he would give them free whiskey if they helped build one. They threw up a rowdy drinking establishment in under 24 hours. The world’s first steam clock stands in Gastown. On the quarter hour, the clock plays the Westminster chimes, and on the hour, a steam cloud spews out.

A wok through Chinatown

An oasis in Vancouver’s Chinatown, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden was built by Chinese artisans in the Ming Dynasty style.

Next door is historic Chinatown, dating to 1858 and full of beautiful Chinese architecture, golden dragons on lamp posts and back-to-back, open-air stalls where shopkeepers hawk both everyday and exotic

products, ranging from vegetables and herbs to conch meat, fish stomachs, sea cucumbers and assorted fungi. Bob Sung, our third-generation-Chinese tour guide, explained, “To know the food is to know the culture.” New Town Bakery sells 1,000 steamed buns a day, a feat that landed the shop on a New York Times travel bucket list. At Herbal Meds, shoppers can learn about natural remedies, such as how to boil down herbs and how to treat asthma with boiled and strained geckos. The BBQ Shop sells mouthwatering roasted pigs, ducks and cured sausage. Po King has ancestral worship merchandise, including envelopes to hold money for the deceased, and incense for sending a message to ancestors. At the Chinese Tea Shop, “any time is tea time,” said Daniel Lui, who ceremonially serves white tea (aged 12 years) from a small clay pot and patiently guides guests through all the steps. He explained that an experienced Chinese tea drinker slurps the tea as a way to incorporate oxygen and bring aromatic compounds to his or her nose. A fine place to walk off Chinese gastronSee VANCOUVER, page 37

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Vancouver From page 36 omy is the tranquil Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, which National Geographic rated as the number one urban garden in North America. A classical Ming Dynasty-style garden, it was built by 53 artisans from Suzhou, China in 1986. Four high walls sharply separate the garden from its urban surroundings to create a peaceful, natural setting. Limestone rocks are naturally weathered, while the terracotta tiles are bat-shaped.

Totem poles and more The stylized art for which the Haida nation, one of Canada’s indigenous peoples, is known is well represented at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. Reid, who lived from 1920 to 1998, was one of British Columbia’s most famous Haida artists. The gallery has a stunning totem topped by a raven, and wood-carved trunks, boxes and baskets. One exhibit explains the coastal tattoo tradition whose practitioners used red ochre and Devil’s club root to make thick red and black paints. Reid delved into his art to find his own origins and honor Canada’s First Nations. He argued that contemporary descendants don’t know who they are or where they belong, that Christianity shamed indigenous peoples out of wearing tattoos,

and that residential schools and potlatch bans (laws forbidding certain traditional ceremonies) almost squelched native cultures. Nine totem poles in different styles, with carved animals and supernatural creatures, can be found in downtown’s Stanley Park. Larger than New York’s Central Park, the land was donated by Lord Stanley, the same namesake as hockey’s Stanley Cup. The park features diverse habitats, including lakes, seashore, wetlands, dense fern cover and a temperate rainforest with half a million towering trees, some 800 years old, all of which make for a wilderness escape just blocks from downtown. On the park’s 17 miles of trails, visitors might spot Douglas squirrels, river otters, beavers, seabirds, harlequin ducks and three species of loon.

city “Hollywood North” because it is the world’s third largest city for film, television and movie production. Examples include Fifty Shades of Grey, Dead Pool and The XFiles. In and around Vancouver, the outdoors beckons — whether for hiking, biking, beachcombing, golfing, sportfishing, skiing or ecotouring. Between mid-November and mid-February, hundreds of bald eagles gather at Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park in one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in the world. They hit the water’s surface, scoop up salmon and devour them in a stunning example of their natural abilities.

If you go Information: For lodging, tours and

events, visit tourismvancouver.com. Flights: Delta has flights from BWI Airport in December starting at around $330 (prices are higher in January). Upcoming events: • November 28 to January 1, Bright Nights in Stanley Park, three million twinkling lights and a Christmas train • January 17 to February 2, 2020, Dine Out Vancouver Festival, 250 restaurants offering meals from $20 to $40 and more than 80 culinary events • January 25, Lunar New Year Festival and Parade, marking the Year of the Rat • February 22 to March 1, 42nd annual International Wine Festival, around 160 wineries from 15 countries, tastings of more than 700 wines • March 7 and 8, World Rugby Sevens Series

Other claims to fame The Sam Kee Building — only 5.5 feet wide, but 120 feet tall — landed in the Guinness Books of World Records as the world’s narrowest freestanding building. Today, it is home to Jack Chow Insurance. The Gothic-style, Anglican Christ Church Cathedral, built in 1889, is designed as an inverted ship with a ceiling of red cedar and Douglas fir. Its stained-glass bell tower, by Sarah Hall, is the only one of its kind in North America. Vancouver promoters like to dub the

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Do Airbnb, Uber & Lyft save you money? The sharing economy offers two major The final rankings are based on a mixture opportunities for travelers to depart from of price and other factors relevant to small the conventional: Airbnb business travelers and vacarather than hotels for accomtioners. modations, and Uber or Lyft â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The seven cities where in place of taxis for local hotels outscore Airbnb, in detransportation. creasing order of hotel advanA few recent studies have tage, are New York, Atlanta, looked at comparative costs Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seatin various major cities around tle, San Diego and San Franthe world, and the overall ancisco. swer to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;which is bestâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The seven cities where question remains as you Airbnb outscores hotels, in might expect: It depends on TRAVEL TIPS decreasing order of Airbnb where you are and how you By Ed Perkins advantage, are Anaheim, prefer to travel. Chicago, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Austin, St. Louis and Miami Beach. Airbnb or hotel? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Airbnb and hotels tie in Orlando. The most recent study, from FitSmallAnother new study from UK-based Business, compares accommodation costs Compare the Market covers 52 major for the 15 most visited cities in the U.S. cities worldwide. And the results do not

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â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Costs virtually tie in Manchester (UK), Berlin, Bologna, Boston, Dublin and Oakland, California. (Cost comparisons are based on average Airbnb rates provided by AirDNA and average prices for three-star hotels derived from Kayak.)

Which study is more reliable? I tend to favor the less-comprehensive results from FitSmallBusiness, primarily because I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t trust the hotel rates the Compare The Market folks found for some cities. Average nightly three-star hotel rates of $339 in Providence, $256 in Las Vegas, $304 in Honolulu and $266 in Nashville seem over the top. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve stayed in several of those cities in three-star or better hotels for a lot less. Overall, my take is that Airbnb can offer accommodation at a lower cost than traditional hotels in much of the world. But that advantage may be shrinking as more cities limit the ability of local homeowners to convert their properties to Airbnb use. You already see that in New York and San Francisco, where local authorities are clamping down on residential conversions. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more to consider than dollar comparisons, however. In many cases the Airbnb experience, especially at the low end of the price scale, typically requires giving up on many hotel features and services. [Ed. Note: For example, many Airbnb hosts charge a cleaning fee, whereas hotels provide free daily turndown service. And hotels often have gyms and pools among their amenities. On the other hand, many Airbnb sites include use of full kitchens.] For most travelers, the choice is dictated more on the experience than the price.

Taxis vs. Uber On the transportation side, two current reports compare taxi and Uber costs: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Lifewire concludes that Uber is typically cheaper than taxi for long trips, where drivers can go the speed limit. Taxis are better for short trips in traffic. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; RideGuru found that of 20 large U.S. cities, Uber beat taxis in all but New York, at least when surge pricing was not in effect. Taxis are close only in Washington, D.C. My take is that, for now, Uber â&#x20AC;&#x201D; along with Lyft and other such ride-share services â&#x20AC;&#x201D; seem to have the advantage over taxis in many parts of the world. But that, too, could change: Surge pricing can make a big difference. For the long haul, Uber is losing money. And Uber drivers claim theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re underpaid, so its price advantage may not last long. Email Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net or visit his travel website, rail-guru.com. ÂŠ 2019 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

A tour of country music’s highlights into country music lore and history.

Luckenbach, Texas There are few towns more steeped in country music history than this unincorporated outpost in Texas hill country. Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings sang about yearning to go back to this place, a metaphor for small towns and simple times where “everybody’s somebody.” But it wasn’t always that way. The town was abandoned in the ’60s and put up for sale. Hondo Crouch, an eccentric rancher, and his friends bought the town and reopened the dancehall. “Outlaw” country singer Jerry Jeff Walker recorded his progressive country live album, “Viva Terlingua,” in the town’s dancehall. But it was the crossover hit by Jennings in 1977 that not only put the outlaws on the map, but also this sleepy town. The dancehall is still a place to enjoy country music and cold beers and pick up some souvenirs. For more info, see the website luckenbachtexas.com

Tallahatchie Bridge, Mississippi One of country music’s biggest musical mysteries is what happened to Bobbie Gentry. Gentry’s No. 1 hit “Ode to Billie Joe” in 1967 turned her into a star with her swampy, Delta voice and her conversational lyrics about a boy who jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge. Nobody knows why Billie Joe jumped on that third of June, and Gentry herself became a disappearing act in the 1980s. But you can ponder those mysteries as you walk across the bridge in Money, Mississippi, about 10 miles from where she lived in Greenwood as a child. Writer Tara Murtha, who wrote a book

By Kristin M. Hall Country music is a uniquely American art form, with its roots in the fiddle from European immigrants and the African banjo, all the way through its explosion as a commercial art form that has reflected the social, economic and cultural changes within our country. Ken Burns took on the gargantuan task of telling the story of country music in his eight-part PBS documentary series Country Music, which aired in September. Just as Burns and his filmmaking partners, Dayton Duncan and Julie Dunfey, sifted through hundreds of hours of footage and audio, there’s a wealth of accompanying material for aficionados who want to dig deeper into the music and the history. The official soundtrack from Legacy Recordings comes in a five-CD box set, as well as other versions including vinyl and digital. There’s also a companion book called Country Music: An Illustrated History, by Duncan and Burns. Spotify has an enhanced playlist of music from the film, interview outtakes and more. (You can also stream the documentary by joining PBS’ Passport program for $10 a month.) The storytelling of country music connects a wide swath of Americans from the East Coast to the West Coast, from North to South. For many country writers, their lyrics were inspired by real places and real people, adding authenticity to the melody. A scan of popular country song titles, from “Luckenbach, Texas,” “Okie from Muskogee,” “New San Antonio Rose” and “Folsom Prison Blues,” illustrates a country music roadmap of America. If Burns’ documentary inspires music fans to hit the road, here are a few spots that you can visit that have been etched

A country music band performs in Luckenbach, Texas, which is popular with tourists. The sleepy town, which had been abandoned in the 1960s, was made famous through a song by Waylon Jennings in 1977.

about Gentry’s debut album “Ode to Billie Joe,” said Gentry confirmed the bridge in Money was the one that inspired her song, although the original bridge collapsed in the 1970s and has since been replaced. If you visit Greenwood, look for a marker from the Mississippi Country Music Trail honoring Gentry as well. For more info, see mscountrymusictrail.org.

The real Rocky Top is not at the football stadium, but instead it’s a rocky outcropping on the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s not easy to get there, a steep, strenuous nearly 14-mile round trip hike. But if you make it, you’ll be treated to some of the most stunning 360-degree view of the mountains. For more details, visit nps.gov/appa/ index.htm.

Rocky Top, Tennessee

Paradise, Kentucky

Written by master songwriters Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, this bluegrass standard was originally recorded by the Osborne Brothers. It has since become an official Tennessee state song and the rousing fight song for the University of Tennessee football team, often played to excess.

This now-defunct Western Kentucky town along the Green River was immortalized by John Prine in “Paradise” as an example of the impact of strip mining in Appalachia, a town literally ripped off the map. See COUNTRY MUSIC, page 40

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

From page 39 Tom T. Hall and John Denver both recorded versions of the song, and Prineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lament became a protest song for environmentalists. In the song, Peabody Coal was responsible for the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s destruction, and Peabody tried for decades to rebut the song. In truth, the town was purchased by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the 1960s, its buildings demolished and a coal-fired plant was built. Decades later, TVA now plans to shut down the Paradise plant to try to shift to more efficient energy production. Today, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not much to see in Paradise but the plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three cooling towers, mounds of coal and a declining coal industry.

in Newnan, Georgia, and forms the southern half of the Alabama and Georgia line. Jackson, who grew up water-skiing, came up with the idea for the music video, and his jeans and the water skis were later donated to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. However, because it was too cold at the time to shoot on the Chattahoochee when they made the video, most of the music video was actually shot on Lake Butler in Florida. But the summer is the perfect time to visit this river, which is popular for recreation, including boating, fishing, rafting and of course water-skiing. For more information, see nps.gov/ chat/index.htm.

ÂŠ VADIM FEDOTOV | DREAMSTIME.COM

Country music

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wabash Cannonballâ&#x20AC;? Chattahoochee River, Georgia The toe-tapping river song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chattahoochee,â&#x20AC;? which rhymes Chattahoochee with â&#x20AC;&#x153;hoochie-coochie,â&#x20AC;? was one of the biggest hits of Alan Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career, earning him two Country Music Association Awards and two Grammy nominations. The iconic music video features Jackson water-skiing in ripped blue jeans and his white cowboy hat. The real Chattahoochee River is not far from where Jackson grew up

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roarâ&#x20AC;? go the lyrics to this early American train ballad that is the oldest song listed among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 500 songs that shaped rock â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; roll. This became Roy Acuffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature song, but it dates back much earlier than him. The original song was called â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Great Rock Island Route,â&#x20AC;? and credited to J. A. Roff in 1882 sheet music. Later the name of the song was changed

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A bridge spans the Chattahoochee River in Helen, Georgia, an â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alpine villageâ&#x20AC;? in the northern part of the state. The river was made famous by Alan Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award-winning song from 1993.

to â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Wabash Cannonball,â&#x20AC;? a reference to a major rail system that went from Detroit to St. Louis called the Wabash Railroad. It was also recorded by the original country music family, the Carter Family. The Wabash Railroad is no longer chugging along, but portions of its tracks have been turned into nature trails in the Midwest. The Wabash Cannonball Trail is a 65mile scenic trail system in northern Ohio

W A K E

that is open for hikers, bicyclists and horse riders. In Iowa, the Wabash Trace Nature Trail is a 63-mile trail in southwest Iowa to the Missouri border where you can see remnants of ghost towns that once relied on the railroad. For more info, see wabashcannonballtrail.org and wabashtrace.org. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;AP

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

Style Arts &

The life of singer Marian Anderson, pictured here with Leonard Bernstein, is celebrated in a National Portrait Gallery exhibit. See story on page 44.

Illuminating life by making light of death with timely jokes, the overarching themes are the same. At the same time, the play’s tongue-incheek recognition of its lineage and downright sass make it a gleeful ride. Jacobs-Jenkins, a MacArthur Fellow and D.C. native, doesn’t shy away from life’s big and enduring questions. He uses Everybody to address what it’s like to die, whether God exists, and what can and cannot come with us to the grave. Much like real life, in Everybody, you never know what’s on the horizon.

PHOTO BY DJ COREY

By Anne Paglia Death is in the air this fall at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of Everybody. In fact, Death is even in the theater. But Death, played by Nancy Robinette, is a far cry from the creepy, cloaked Grim Reaper who usually comes to mind. Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Death is amicable, even funny. Like a stand-up comedian, Death heckles the cast’s five other members (planted in the audience) while moving around with a confident strut. She summons them on stage and relays a message from none other than God. These five Somebodies, as they’re referred to in the play, must prepare a presentation about their lives and how they lived them. Eventually, the Somebodies realize that this impending meeting with God is a sign that one of them is to die. Such is the launch pad for Everybody, a 2018 Pulitzer Prize finalist. If the plot seems cliché, the Usher reminds us, it’s because Everybody is based on a 15th-century morality play, Everyman. While the adaptation features a modern spin

Chance happens to all The five Somebodies that Death calls upon are clueless about the journey ahead of them and, to a certain degree, so are the actors portraying them. The five actors receive their assignments on stage during each performance, their characters for the evening dictated by lottery. This casting gimmick is meant to evoke the randomness of death, as the character of the Usher wryly explains. Beyond this, and perhaps the resulting novelty of each night’s performance, the device serves no larger purpose.

The cast of Everybody confronts the character of Death, played by Nancy Robinette. Based on a 15th-century morality tale, the irreverent play (which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist last year) runs at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Lansburgh Theatre until Nov. 17.

Its effect on the cast members, though, is significant. The five Somebodies must be prepared for any role, and the one selected to play Everybody will face death. Death’s one concession — that Everybody can bring one companion along,

should anyone consent — leads Everybody to approach those he devoted himself to in life. But all of the candidates (Friendship, Cousin, Kinship and Stuff) disappoint. See EVERYBODY, page 45

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Exhibit highlights Marian Anderson’s life By Barbara Trainin Blank Singer Marian Anderson is perhaps best remembered for her most famous performances. On April 9, 1939, because segregationist policies denied her access to the DAR’s Constitution Hall, Anderson sang at the Lincoln Memorial. She performed from the steps of the monument before an integrated audience of 75,000. In 1942, the DAR changed its policy and invited Anderson to sing at Constitution Hall, and she returned there several times over the years, even beginning her 1964 American farewell tour there. Another first: On January 7, 1955, Anderson became the first African American soloist at New York’s Metropolitan Opera. She performed Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera several times during that season and the next one. In its current exhibit, “One Life: Marian Anderson,” the National Portrait Gallery hopes to give visitors a more complete picture about the famous singer and civil rights icon. The exhibit, which runs through March 2020, contains many objects from Anderson’s personal archive, including photographs and personal effects. Perhaps of most interest, visitors can ac-

cess audio and video recordings of Anderson singing spirituals in significant locations. These include “Ride on King Jesus,” sung at the DAR farewell concert, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” sung at the 1963 March on Washington, and “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” which so moved spectators at the Lincoln Memorial. Anderson’s repertoire included more than 200 songs, from spirituals to lieder (German art songs). “These recordings will give you chills,” said Leslie Ureña, associate curator of photographs at the Portrait Gallery. “People spoke about being carried away by her voice.”

A role model Anderson’s distant cousin, Sandra Grymes, whose family lived in the singer’s native Philadelphia, gave her stamp of approval to the Portrait Gallery exhibit on her famous ancestor. “Her voice was distinctive,” Grymes said of the celebrated contralto. “She could sing about four octaves, sometimes hitting beautiful soprano notes.” Beyond the beautiful sound, she added, “Anderson emphasized the meaning and

emotion. She was a great storyteller with a special aura and presence.” Her impressive voice was evident at an early age. By age eight, she was part of a church choir, touted as the “baby contralto.” Anderson was fortunate to have family support in furthering her musical interests. Still, she encountered setbacks, including discouraging teachers and a school that would not admit black students. By 1919, though, Anderson was working with Giuseppe Boghetti, a voice teacher who enrolled her in a competition that she won. Anderson performed in New York’s Lewisohn Stadium in 1925, then went on to study in Europe. Though Anderson was aware that she was a “symbol” who opened doors for other African Americans, she was very modest and uncomfortable with the label. “She said she’d rather be a role model,” Ureña said.

The Portrait Gallery series presents a “visual biography that allows us to delve more deeply into one person’s impact on many strands of American history,” Ureña said. The current exhibit features photographs of Marian Anderson performing at the Lincoln Memorial, as well as the program from that performance. At a kiosk, visitors can hear her 1963 performance at the March on Washington. Anderson appears in photographs with two of the then-luminaries of the musical world — composers Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland. Another photo shows her with Eleanor Roosevelt, a longtime friend, presenting the Spingarn Medal to Anderson in July 1939. Perhaps most poignant is a photo of the singer standing on a bare stage at the Metropolitan Opera with general manager Sir Rudolf Bing, who had invited her to the Met.

A life in pictures

Style and substance

Among the extraordinary people the gallery has presented in earlier “One Life” exhibits were Martin Luther King Jr., Sylvia Plath and Katharine Graham.

There was another side to Anderson: an elegant fashionista who wore fur coats and See MARIAN ANDERSON, page 45

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Dec. 1

PIANO CONCERT

The Washington Piano Society will hold a free concert of classical piano music on Sun., Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church, 9545 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. There is no charge, but voluntary contributions are appreciated. For more information, call (301) 793-1863 or visit D.C.pianosociety.org

Nov. 16

GALLERY TALK FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED

The National Portrait Gallery offers a free gallery talk called “Portrait Insight” with verbal descriptions for blind or partially sighted visitors. Meet on Sat., Nov. 16 at 12 p.m. in the G Street Lobby of the Portrait Gallery, 8th and F Sts. NW, Washington, D.C. Register at NPGAccess@si.edu.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Everybody From page 43 Each refuses to accompany Everybody into death. While he grapples with these betrayals, Everybody blames typical targets like the media and society. He grows terrified as his singularity dawns on him, though his name brings some consolation about the universality of this fate. When it comes to sass, on opening night, most of it was supplied by Yonatan

Marian Anderson From page 44 designer dresses. Her glamour is evident in a gelatin silver print by Irving Penn, depicting her in a long black gown, and another by Richard Avedon, the famous portrait photographer. In an oil painting he created from memory, Beauford Delaney depicted the singer in

Gebeyehu in his roles as Usher, God, and Understanding. But Kelli Simpkins and Elan Zafir, playing Stuff and Friendship, earn their share of laughs, too. In addition, the set was a gem of the production, despite being minimalist. Scenic designer Arnulfo Maldonado crafted a beautiful, glowing backdrop through soft white lighting. Balloons abounded, a nod to lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fragility.

Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mystery and absurdity As Understanding reminds us, humans striking yellow. The singer, who was married, had no children of her own, but she had a strong bond with her nieces and nephews, particularly James Anderson DePreist, a conductor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She was a presence in my life growing up and very close to her family,â&#x20AC;? Grymes said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t until she was a teenager that I realized how famous she really was.â&#x20AC;?

have come no closer to ascertaining what happens to us upon dying, and Everybody takes this persisting mystery for both tragedy and comedy. In the near-final scene, for instance, while the titular character dances with Death, the rest of the cast twist and turn to ominous electronic music, holding balloon-animal skeletons and donning velvet robes. Repeatedly, tension expands into amusing absurdity in such a manner. Nonsense alongside earnestness is the enchanting promise of Everybody. It might

not be the new play for the ages, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enough to inspire humility about just how little everybody knows â&#x20AC;&#x201D; about not only death but life. Everybody will run until Nov. 17 at the Lansburgh Theatre, located at 450 Seventh St. NW, Washington, D.C. Tickets cost $44 to $120 and are available for purchase online at ShakespeareTheatre.org or by calling the box office at (202) 547-1122. Adults over 60 receive a 10% discount on all tickets and a 50% discount on Wednesday matinees.

The Marian Anderson exhibit may be viewed at the galleryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s One Life room through May 17, 2020. The Portrait Gallery, part of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, is located at 8th and F Streets, NW, Washington, D.C.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;One Life: Marian Andersonâ&#x20AC;? coincides with two other Smithsonian Initiatives: The 2019 Year of Music and the Smithsonian American Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history initiative, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because of Her Story.â&#x20AC;? For more information, call (202) 633-1000 or visit si.edu.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 14

FREE PIANO CONCERT The Washington International Piano series presents a Piano Gala: The Carnival of the Animal Artists on Thurs., Nov. 14 from 7:30 to

8:30 p.m. at Ward Hall, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. The concert will be performed by faculty and students from the Rome School of Music, Drama and Art. For more information, call (202) 319-5414.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

At harvest season, books by and for cooks For many of us, a printed recipe is hand- mat size. Number of servings are included ier than a mobile device in the kitchen, with each recipe, but there are no calorie or nutrient counts nor inforwhere food stains and splatmation on prep time. ters are ubiquitous. These Sidebars include explanacookbooks will help you pretions and illustrations of techpare dishes to wow your niques. Meet co-hosts Julia guests this holiday season. Collin Davison and Bridget Read the stories that accomLancaster in an informative pany the recipes with relish. interview. The Complete America’s The Complete America’s Test Kitchen TV Show Test Kitchen TV Show CookCookbook 2001-2019: Every Recipe from the Hit book concludes with a detailed THE list of recommended equipTV Show with Product RatBIBLIOPHILE ment and ingredients, includings and a Look Behind the By Dinah Rokach Scenes, by America’s Test ing brand names. The index Kitchen, 1040 pages, America’s Test makes finding recipes a snap. If you’re cooking for a crowd this Kitchen hardcover, 2018 This encyclopedic compendium of al- Thanksgiving, choose among three most 1,500 recipes is an essential kitchen stuffed turkey recipes, along with gravy, reference work. The book includes all the stuffing and pumpkin pie. Every Day is Saturday: Recipes + recipes presented in 19 seasons of the PBS cooking show “America’s Test Kitchen.” Strategies for Easy Cooking, Every Day They are easy to replicate at home. More of the Week, by Sarah Copeland, 256 than 60 cooks, editors and cooking special- pages, Chronicle Books hardcover, ists have collaborated in compiling its con- 2019 Turn your everyday recipes into elegant tents. Each recipe is introduced with an ex- and tasty dishes with a few tweaks. That is planatory “why this recipe works” fol- the premise of this ingenious cookbook. lowed by easy-to-understand instructions. About 100 recipes are included, each phoColor photographs accompany many tographed in lavish color. recipes, which are presented in large-forOf them, more than 25 are vegan, 80-

plus are vegetarian, over 70 are gluten-free and more than 50 are dairy-free. All are listed in a special diets index. Recipes range from breakfast to brunch to platters, main dishes, drinks and desserts. Six recipes for cooking for a crowd are included. The rest serve four, but you can easily adjust them for fewer servings. Prep time and total recipe time are enumerated for each recipe, but there are no calorie counts or nutritional information. Former magazine food editor Sarah Copeland espouses a modern approach. She emphasizes easy techniques to create dishes pleasing to the eye and palate. Whether you’re looking to perk up your banana bread or oatmeal raisin cookies, learn to make Johnnycakes, revamp your dressings or prepare a meal for someone with dietary restrictions, you’ll find Every Day Is Saturday a daily delight. Creating the Sweet World of White House Desserts: A Pastry Chef’s Secrets, by Roland Mesnier with Mark Ramsdell, 255 pages, White House Historical Association hardcover, 2019 White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier served five presidents. In this book he shares more than 40 recipes with accompanying color photographs, de-

scriptions of the event at which they were served, as well as the calligraphed menus of the entire meal. Chef Mesnier and co-author pastry chef and instructor Mark Ramsdell provide clear and concise directions on using a variety of molds to create spectacular desserts and how to pull, turn and blow sugar to make unique embellishments. Bakers will find easy-to-replicate recipes for unique flavors of sorbets, ice creams, mousses and souffles. Basic vanilla cake and sugar cookies will make delicious treats for family and company. For those experienced in the kitchen, the more intricate recipes will give you hours of enjoyment learning to master, and much deserved praise for serving. Creating the Sweet World of White House Desserts would make a thoughtful hostess gift. Those of us who have never attended a White House function will vicariously enjoy the gracious atmosphere at the Executive Mansion. The book may only be purchased on the website of the White House Historical Association: shop.whitehousehistory.org/bookstore. Proceeds are returned to the publications program and used to acquire furnishings and memorabilia for the White House. See BOOKS FOR COOKS, page 49

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Sophia Loren From page 1 Loren, then 16, met her future husband. “It was a beautiful encounter,” she told Larry King in 2014. Film producer Carlo Ponti, who was 22 years her senior and married, noticed the young girl and invited her for a platonic stroll in a nearby garden, where he urged her to enter a beauty contest (she won second place). Ponti became her benefactor, introducing her to director Vittorio De Sica, who would direct Loren in dozens of her 45 films. When she turned 19, Loren and Ponti became romantically involved, and they were married in 1957. Ponti’s friend suggested she change her name to Sophia Loren (after popular Swedish actress Märta Torén). Ponti and De Sica changed the course of her life, she said in an email. “Everyone needs angels. These men were mine.”

She remains close to her sons’ nanny, who now takes care of her (and of her four grandchildren when they visit). “My children’s nanny is one of my oldest living friends,” Loren said in an email. “Life gives you blessings, and even though you cannot control who comes and goes from your life, a long friendship is a wonderful blessing.” Loren won her first movie role at age 17 and signed a contract with Paramount six years later, which led to dozens of films. She appeared on the big screen with leading men from Charlie Chaplin to Richard Burton. Cary Grant proposed marriage when they were filming a movie in 1957 (Loren published his love letters after his death). She rebuffed Marlon Brando’s advances during the filming of another movie in 1967. Of course, she picked up quite a few awards for her performances. In addition to her Oscar for Best Actress in 1962 for Two Women, she won an Honorary Academy Award in 1991, a Grammy Award, five Golden Globe honorary awards, as well as Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival.

and other personal items. “Every year I destroy them. There are some things I want to keep just for myself,” she told the U.K. Telegraph five years ago. Now she plans to share some of her secrets and life wisdom with her fans. She started visiting U.S. cities in 2017 to address audiences in a Q&A-style tour named “An Unforgettable Evening with Sophia Loren.” In addition to Rockville, she will be on stage in cities in California and the Northeast U.S. “I think I’ve seen almost everywhere in the world. And gratefully,” she told the Beacon. As for Sophia Loren’s secret to aging well, she told us, “One of the secrets is to

Not slowing down Although she published a memoir in 1974, co-written by A. E. Hotchner, and has starred in two television biographies (she played her mother), she burns her diaries

BEACON BITS

Nov. 19

GINSBURG BOOK Author Jeffrey Rosen will discuss his latest book, Conversations with RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Life, Love, Liberty and Law, on

Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. The event is free and open to the public but registration is required at https://bit.ly/35KOob6. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the event which is part of the library’s Tuesday Talk series. For more information, call (202) 282-3080 or visit clevelandparklibrary@D.C..gov

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be happy. It’s simple, but find happiness wherever you can. It directly affects how we age, no?” On Nov. 20 and 21, “An Unforgettable Evening with Sophia Loren” is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville, Md. Tickets range from $100 to $550 for a VIP meet-and-greet ticket. No senior discounts. The Sophia Loren Film Festival will take place from Nov. 15 through 24; tickets for each film cost $5. For tickets to any of these events, call the box office at (240) 567-5301 or visit montgomerycollege.edu/pac.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 16

BARBERSHOP QUARTET-STYLE CONCERT The Heart of Maryland Chorus will present its annual a cappella

concert, “Hearts and Harmony,” on Sat., Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. The performance will take place at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Dr., Rockville, Md. Tickets are $15 for adults; $7 for children. For more information, call the box office at (240) 314-8690 or visit rockvillemd.gov/theatre.

Long-lasting relationships She remained married to Ponti until his death in 2007. The couple, who lived in Geneva, Paris and Italy, had two sons, one of whom is a director and the other an orchestra conductor.

Nov. 19

AFRICAN HISTORY From Jamestown to Freedom: 1619 - 2019 is the title of the Fall 2019 African History and Culture Series Lecture on Tues. Nov. 19

from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Greenbelt Library, 11 Crescent Rd. Greenbelt, Md. Call (301) 345-5800 for more information.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Today’s shiftless youngsters don’t get it This one had a standard shift and, like, a know that? They did not. There are many ways for a 20th-century dinner partner. “Yes, with, like, a clutch,” I said. clutch. I had never driven standard shift baby to feel his or her age: My standard shift car was safer because When I was learning to before. Somehow, I figured out the coordi- I could downshift as I neared a red light, —When some youngster drive, I said, automatic trans- nation between clutch and gas. says he has just discovered rather than just stomping on the brake and missions were just becoming I practiced for an hour in a shopping maybe losing control. Did my young pals this cool rock group called common. One of my bought- center parking lot. No disasters. I declared know that? They did not. The Beatles. during-college cars — a 1958 myself ready for anything. —When you realize that And because I had to use my left Nash Rambler — offered Of course, I wasn’t. The next morning, (clutching) foot all the time, and my right Watergate happened almost what today are routine choic- snow fell. Lots of snow. Cars had spun out (shifting) hand all the time, I was more 50 years ago. es. A setting that said P, one and stalled all over the place. —When your knees crack “into” the act of driving. “I defy you to fall that said R, then N, D and L. I tried to mount a five-degree hill. Gravi- asleep at the wheel when you’re driving and clatter every time you But whenever I would ty made my car roll backward. stand up. standard shift,” I said. My young pals had move from one of these to an—When you mention the HOW I SEE IT I tried again. Lots of slipping and sliding never considered that. other, the car emitted a huge and grinding and hoping. Finally, the car unforgettable date of Novem- By Bob Levey But the clincher was my tale of San THUNK, as if to warn me that lurched forward, just before I rolled into Francisco in the 1970s. ber 22, 1963 to an all-younger the entire transmission might be about to the truck behind me. crowd and you draw blank stares. Hills there are very steep. If you come —And when you rhapsodize about stan- fall out onto the road. Would an automatic transmission have to a red light, and you’re aiming upward, it One day, that’s exactly what happened. dard shift transmissions. done as well? I didn’t know. But I certainly can be very tricky to move forward once When I weighed my bank balance had my suspicions. So it went for me recently, at a business the light turns green. dinner meeting. I didn’t do the math exact- ($300) against the cost of repairs ($700), it Besides, my standard shift car got much See BOB LEVEY, page 51 ly, but you could have combined the ages was time for another vehicle. better gas mileage — did my young pals of any two of my tablemates and come up with fewer years than I’ve logged. One young man — he couldn’t have been more than 25 — was discussing cars. He went on and on about his new SUV. Great sound system. Great air bags. And a transmission that shifts into extra-low gear to handle rough roads. All you need to do is push a button, the MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER young man said. Easy as pie. “Dear young friends,” I said. “Let me tell ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.) you about the old days, and gears that you The Greens at Hammonds Lane: 410-636-1141 Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673 actually shifted.” Park View at Furnace Branch: 410-761-4150 Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886 “You mean with, like, a clutch?” said one

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BALTIMORE CITY

From page 46

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

Red Truck Bakery Cookbook: GoldStandard Recipes from America’s Rural Bakery, by Brian Noyes and Nevin Martell, photographs by Andrew Thomas Lee, 224 pages, Clarkson Potter hardcover, 2018 The mouthwatering recipes in this compilation are perfectly suited for the home baker. The 85 recipes — mostly of cookies, cakes and pies — are easy to follow and include many helpful tips for preparing and serving. The recipe for Barack Obama’s favorite sweet potato pecan pie is one of the highlights. Turning the pages is akin to reading family heirloom recipes. Calorie counts are not included, but 75 full-page color photographs accompany the text. Brian Noyes, a former art director at the Washington Post and Smithsonian magazine, followed his baking passion into a full-time career. He has opened two bakeries in Virginia since starting out selling pies and baked goods from a red 1954 Ford farm truck. Co-author food and culture writer Nevin Martell is a resident of Washington, D.C. Visit the Red Truck Bakery and cafe in Marshall, Virginia, off I-66 or the smaller cafe in Warrenton, Virginia. Buy the cookbook to enjoy these treats at home anytime.

BALTIMORE COUNTY Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344 Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660 Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888 The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000 The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100 The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000 The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988 Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464 Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 • 55 & Better Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665 Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375

Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363 Park View at Towson: 410-828-7185 Park View at Woodlawn: 410-281-1120

EASTERN SHORE Park View at Easton: 410-770-3070

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

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

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

Call the community of interest to you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour. www.rhomecommunities.com PET-FRIENDLY

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Ringo Starr album blends old with new By Pablo Gorondi With enviable energy and the simple, persistent message of “peace and love,” Ringo Starr has become one of humanity’s quintessential goodwill ambassadors. “What’s My Name,” his 20th studio album, is another bundle of positivity and cheer, with a handful of good tunes to boot. Recorded at his home studio (Roccabel-

Ringo Starr’s new album cover.

Bob Levey From page 49 So there I was, I told my friends, having just rented a standard shift car at the airport. I found myself on Nob Hill. Red light. Steep hill. My car wanting to obey gravity and roll backward. I decided to run an experiment. Rather than sitting on the brake, I found the sweet spot and used the clutch and gas to hold steady where I was. When the light turned green, I accelerated slowly and evenly, and went on my merry way. Take that, gravity. Our world has changed in many, many ways since those long-ago days. One of the things that has changed forever is con-

la West) with a familiar cast of friends like Joe Walsh, Steve Lukather, Benmont Tench and Edgar Winter, “What’s My Name” continues Starr’s practice of including some sort of Beatle connection on his albums — a guest spot from a Liverpool lad or two, a song one of them wrote for Starr, or sometimes just a reference to their collective glories. A John Lennon demo of “Grow Old With Me” was released not long after his 1980 murder, but it wasn’t until recently that Starr found out that Lennon felt the song would be a good choice for the Beatle drummer. Starr’s take has his sincere feelings and Paul McCartney’s typically melodic bass playing going for it. On the downside, it’s followed by a horrifyingly synthetic cover of Motown staple “Money (That’s What I Want),” which Lennon sang when the Beatles covered it. Other titles, usually co-written by the drummer, are 100% Starr in their sentisumer attitudes toward standard shift. Now, if you want four on the floor on a mass-produced family car, or a drive-shaft mounted gearshift, it will cost you more. In my day, it would have cost you less. I had to confess to my dinner companions that I no longer drive standard shift. I’ve caved to convenience. However, before I’m gone, I’m going to cope with the hills of San Francisco with a real clutch one more time, I vowed. Wouldn’t all of you like to try that? “I wouldn’t do that,” said one young woman. “I’d just call an Uber.” Yet one more way in which a 20th-century baby feels his age. Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

ment: “Send Love Spread Peace,” Life Is Good” and “Thank God for Music.” “Magic” — a collaboration with Lukather that sounds a bit like a slightly slower “Doctor, My Eyes” — and the faintly Rutles-like “It’s Not Love That You Want,” written with Dave Stewart, are among the most enjoyable. Saving one of the best for last, the rocking title track was written by former Men

at Work frontman Colin Hay, and its biographical details act as a succinct update of the decades since “I’m the Greatest,” another Lennon-penned song that Starr sang on his best-by-far 1973 self-titled album. With the All Starr Band, his 30-year-old touring extravaganza, currently making the rounds again, “What’s My Name” is another sign of Starr’s seemingly boundless enthusiasm and his love for music. — AP

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

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ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: GROVE CLOUT DOODLE SCRIPT Answer: He told his wife there wouldn’t be a long line, but he — STOOD CORRECTED

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Crossword Puzzle

Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Not Very Hungary 1

Stephen Sherr 6

41 44

43 47

Across 1. Demon’s boss 6. One with tix to the Homecomings game 10. President Tyler or Taylor 14. Justice selected between Sonia and Neil 15. Faux pas 16. Queen of Mount Olympus 17. Rainbow maker 18. “___ that make sense?” 19. State trees of Iowa and Georgia 20. First course, not actually named for a European country 23. Brouhaha 24. El ___ (Spanish hero) 25. Yoga student’s cargo 28. Cake, not actually named for a European country 34. Half of an OMELET 35. Masseur employer 36. Farfalle or fusilli 37. Closely associate 40. State of the ___ 42. Joins the poker game 43. Takes more than a glance 44. Endpoint of a big grin 46. Dir. of Columbus’ return trips 47. Condiments, not actually named for a European country 52. PERFECTLY centered 53. Acronym for Al Gore’s documentary 54. Material for road and roof repairs 55. Sandwiches, not actually named for a (partially) European country 62. Weak poker hand 64. Thrusting sword 65. Talking bird 66. Full of excitement 67. Memorization method 68. “Be careful: many bags look ___” 69. Unaccompanied 70. Scissorhands’ sound 71. Surrendered territory 1. Scissorhands portrayer

59 65

Down

42 45

36 40

Jumble answers on p. 51.

Scrabble answers on p. 51.

2. NYC’s Eleanor Roosevelt High School, to locals 3. Part of a bride’s uniform 4. The “L” measure on a Levi’s tag 5. Eleventh Greek letter 6. “Shave ___ haircut” 7. Crazy bird 8. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization 9. Art piece created from thousands of jelly beans 10. “Slow down, Trigger” 11. Boarding school big-wig 12. Get on one’s nerves 13. Power source not used by a Nissan Leaf 21. Long long times 22. Human-made amino acid, fully called “levodopa” 26. Come to the conference 27. Sings about a pair sitting in a tree 28. Finished using a streetcar 29. Expatriate 30. First-term president’s goal 31. H&R Block employee 32. Sultan’s selections 33. Set of ethernet or wi-fi connections 38. Maximum volume on most amps 39. Goal of most movie stars 41. The first part of Tel Aviv University’s web address 45. Queue after Q 48. Grand Canyon visitors 49. “___ it; they’re gaining on us” 50. Where the pilot says “We are third in line for take-off ” 51. Pattern of repeating diamonds 56. Compulsion 57. Legendary Himalayan 58. Alert a pedestrian 59. Oklahoma city 60. Make a leaf pile 61. Storage spot for a 60 Down 62. Amigo 63. Previously

Answers on page 51.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

From the publisher From page 2

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

column,] “Music, in theory.” What an insightful article. I’ve always known music can have a strong effect on one’s life, but never thought of it this way. Barbara Wing Via email Dear Editor: I enjoyed reading your October column “Music, in theory” (and do like all your “From the publisher” articles). I am not a musician but have always wanted to learn to play the piano, or at least to be able to read and sing the notes in order to join a choir. I think there is too much emphasis on music theory when learning, especially as a young child. It quickly discourages the majority of students. Practical, fun results are much more important and are beneficial for general academic learning. But even singing was absent from the schools my kids went to in Canada, and I believe that is often the case in the USA as well. Marianne Lisenko Via email Dear Editor: Your October issue contains an article on “Visiting European capitals via the Danube.” The third paragraph reads, “The Danube flows through the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, past Prague, Vienna and Budapest.” Having been on a cruise from Romania to Budapest and then on to Prague by coach, I was surprised to read that the Danube flowed through the Czech Republic and past Prague. The Czech Republic is not one of the countries in which it flows; the Vltava River flows through Prague. Sally Bingley Via email Ed note: You are absolutely correct. Although our writer toured Prague as part of a Danube River cruise, he traveled to that city by bus. We regret the error.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 18

MEMOIR OF WWII PRAGUE

Encore Learning presents Peter Stein, author of A Boy’s Journey, on Mon. Nov. 18 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Arlington Public Library’s Central Library, 1015 North Quincy St., Arlington, Va. Stein will discuss his childhood in Nazi-occupied Prague. The free event is for people 18 years old or older. For more information, call (703) 228-5990.

Nov. 22

CENTRAL PARK CONCERT TRIBUTE

A cover band will re-create the 1981 Simon & Garfunkel concert in Central Park, playing all 21 songs at the original event, including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Homeward Bound,” and “Scarborough Fair.” The tribute concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Alden Theatre, at 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, Va. Tickets are $40 for the general public, $35 for seniors. For more information, visit aldentheatre.org or call (703) 790-0123.

Nov. 30

CRAFT FAIR

Shop local for handmade artisan crafts at the Holiday Bazaar on Sat., Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Rd., Gaithersburg, Md. Admission is free. Buy baked pastries, cookies, cake pops and cakes by a local chef. For more information, call (301) 258-6394 or visit gaithersburgmd.gov.

WB1119

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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 page 55. 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 ASSISTANCE WITH APPOINTMENTS, scheduling, errands, med reminders, meal prep, downsizing, or organizing. Experienced in non-medical care. Studying Universal Design/Home Modification. Clean background, don’t drink or smoke, get along with most pets. Instructor; CPR/AED & First Aid. Reliable, punctual, efficient, great attitude. Bonded/Insured. (301) 371-2210 ASSISTING YOU with non-medical care. I will help you prepare meals, do laundry, transportation, appointments, & errands. Companionship with good conversation. Experience & references available. Contact Angela: havewellnow@gmail.com, 202-236-2897. A HOME HEALTHCARE- Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/part time or live-in care flat rate. 15 years’ experience. 240-533-6599 DO YOU NEEED ASSISTANCE with scheduling appointments, organizing, downsizing, errands, or meal prep? Experienced in non-medical care. Clean background, don’t drink or smoke, get along with most pets. Instructor; CPR/AED & First Aid. Reliable, punctual, efficient, professional. Bonded/Insured. Jennifer (301) 371-2210 SEEKING PART-TIME CAREGIVER with 5 years experience to take care of 80 year old elderly man with Parkinson’s. Male preferred, assist with daily bathing and restroom breaks, physical therapy, ensuring medication is taken and light housework. Must have a vehicle to transport to and from class and like dogs. Please contact Linda (301) 520-6937.

For Sale

Legal Services

Wanted

BURIAL LOT FOR SALE - Block 29, Section S, Lot 111, Sites 1 & 2 includes 2 Custom Built Crypts with “C” Bronze Memorial 44x14 with Vase and Granite in the Beautiful “Parklawn Memorial Park and Memorial Gardens”, located at Veirs Mills Road, Rockville, MD. Sites 1 & 2, we are asking $3,000 per site or best offer. Sites currently selling for $7,295 per site. Please call: (301) 675.6322.

PARALEGAL/RESEARCHER: will run interference for your task, knowledgeable about federal and local government(s), trade and professional associations, public and private libraries. e-mail rushresearch@comcast.net, call 301-565-2917.

SEEKING FULL/SEALED BOTTLES of Vintage Bourbon and Rye (Pre-1990). Examples include, but are not limited to: Old Grand Dad, Pikesville Rye, Wild Turkey, Old Fitzgerald, I.W. Harper, Fairfax County, Old Forester, Old Overholt. Call Alex 443-223-7669

TWO CEMETERY PLOTS FOR SALE in Parklawn Memorial Park in Rockville,MD. Priced at $8,000 for both plots. Cemetery would charge $10,200 for both. Section 16, Lot 130, Grave #1 & 2. Will make available for Immediate need. Call 571-252-0010 JUDEAN MEMORIAL/NORBECK MEMORIAL PARK in Olney, MD. 2 Sites C - 21 - 5 & 6. Vaults included. 1 site for $4,000 both for $7,500 call 301-331-2945 or email troheb@gmail.com

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO TAKE THE LEAP to a retirement community, try our newly announced Real Estate Partnership: Sue Heyman, Rick Winkler, and Sudha Baxter. Rely on our combined strengths: Top Weichert Producers, plus backgrounds in Teaching, Tax, and Business. We are located at the Leisure World Plaza Weichert Office and have personal knowledge of the Community from the investor and resident perspective. We will take you on a tour of the Community, show you floor plans, discuss campus amenities & offer how best to coordinate your move. We will set up an automated search for you, preview units, and contact you to arrange a showing when there is a match. We also offer exceptional service selling your current home. Call for your free Community booklet. You can see our current listings in this issue. Office 301-681-0550, Sue 301-580-5556, Rick 301-404-3105, Sudha 202-368-8536. GARDEN TWO BEDROOM, two bath condo available for lease the first of Nov. Premier community of Leisure World for 55 plus! This condo features fresh paint, side-by- side washer/dryer and new quartz kitchen counter tops. Living room, small enclosed sun room and outdoor patio with a spectacular view. Call (301-598-6451) to schedule an appointment to see this exceptional home. No smoking! Pets considered, a reserved perking space, utilities and basic cable included. FOR RENT - LEISURE WORLD. Vantage Point West-6th floor $1800.00 per month. 1035 Sq Ft 2 BEDROOM, 2 FULL BATH, Patio home with eat-in kitchen, xtra large garage space included. Available Feb 1, 2020. Call Karen (301) 529-0900. A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-855-502-4495

Health DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. NOT just a discount plan, REAL coverage for [350] procedures. Call 1-844366-1003 for details. www.dental50plus.com/320. [6118-0219] PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949.

Computer Services Home/Handyman Services PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call David G. Computer Services at 301-642-4526.

Financial PUT YOUR $MONEY$ TO WORK! Earn 5% on your cash. 90-day demand return. ABC Capital Investing Corp. 240-863-2033.

For Sale FOR SALE: 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO — Color red in mint condition. 4 wheel drive - Mileage: 23,199. Price: $30,000. 917-7743009.

ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off and 0% financing for those who qualify. PLUS Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-844-359-6933. **STOP STRUGGLING ON THE STAIRS** Give your life a lift with an ACORN STAIRLIFT! Call now for $250 OFF your stairlift purchase and FREE DVD & brochure! 1-855-850-3183. STAY IN YOUR HOME LONGER with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-877-240-2061 or visit www.walkintubquote.com/beacon

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

Personals Services SELL YOUR SILVER AND OLD GOLD JEWELRY. Gold 4 Good (8241 Georgia Ave., Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910) buys gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver and silver flatware, gold watches and gold and silver coins. I will come to your house and give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. If you decide to sell, I can buy your items at that time, but there is no obligation. Licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327). Call Bob, (240) 938-9694. Gold 4 Good pays an additional 5 percent to all military veterans (and their spouses). Gold 4 Good is a Maryland licensed precious metals dealership, not a pawnshop or private home based business. HELPING HANDS: I provide first class care for your loved ones. My services include household chores, general housekeeping, and transportation as needed. I have a varied background working with all types of issues and aging concerns. Please contact Mrs. Paul (240)898-7956 or email hands2help@gmail.com

Personals ENCHANTING LADY, 50s - young looking, voluptuous woman seeks to meet/date an attractive gentleman, SWM, 50s or 60s, with husky build, 200+ lbs, who is sincere, compassionate, dependable, affectionate. Enjoys the great outdoors, movies, dancing, dining out. Seeks friendship, possible relationship. 240-316-6152. Please leave a nice voice message for reply.

TV/Cable DISH NETWORK $59.99 For 190 Channels! Add High Speed Internet for ONLY $19.95/month. Call Today for $100k Gift Card! Best Value & Technology. FREE Installation. Call 1-844-560-5837 (some restrictions apply) GET NFL SUNDAY TICKET FREE w/ DIRECTV Choice All-Included Package. $59.99/month for 12 months. 185 Channels PLUS Thousands of Shows/Movies On Demand. FREE Genie HD DVR Upgrade. Call 1-888-5724953 or satellitedealnow.com/TBN

Wanted $$$ CASH $$$ FOR MILITARY USMC ARMY USAF USN ITEMS - Buying Military Uniforms, Patches, Medals, Insignia, Flight Jackets, Weapons etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. Call or Text Dan at 202-8413062 or email MILITBUFF@AOL.COM. BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 through 1990. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae, Punk, Blues, and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201. TURN YOUR SILVER AND OLD GOLD JEWELRY INTO CASH. Gold 4 Good (8241 Georgia Ave., Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910) buys gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver and silver flatware, gold watches and gold and silver coins. I will come to your house and give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. If you decide to sell, I can buy your items at that time, but there is no obligation. Licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327). Call Bob, (240) 938-9694. Gold 4 Good pays an additional 5 percent to all military veterans (and their spouses). Gold 4 Good is a Maryland licensed precious metals dealership, not a pawnshop or private home-based business.

TOP PRICES PAID for fine antiques, artwork and high quality decorative items including decorated crocks and jugs, rare antique clocks, music boxes and antique phonographs ,unusual lamps, slot machines, country store and advertising items, great old toys and dolls to name a few. I am 66 years old with over 40 years in the antique business, well educated and financially capable . Why pay expensive auction house , estate sale, or consignment store commissions when you can get a fair upfront price for your pieces immediately? If you have something unusual and interesting, rare and valuable and are prepared to sell it I would like to speak with you. Please call Jake Lenihan 301 279 8834 . No calls after 7 pm please. Thank you. COINS, JEWELRY, ESTATES, antiques, silver, gold, art, wristwatches, old toys, dolls, trains, comic books, baseball cards, memorabilia, military, firearms, knives, old golf, Halloween. Call Tom 240-476-3441. CASH FOR RECORDS, CDS AND DVDS. Best price guaranteed. No collection too large. Free appraisals. All types of music {33, 45, 78 & CDs.} Also buying turntables and stereo equipment. Will make house calls. Call or text Steve at 301-646-5403. COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, knives, swords, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars & countries. Also Lionel Trains, & slots/coin operated machines. Will pay top prices. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783 WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, UKULELES, ETC. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack (301) 279-2158. ESTATE LIQUIDATION/ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES: One call solves it all when you hire us to handle your estate liquidation, down-sizing and/or home cleanout. We sell your treasures, take care of charitable donations and provide junk removal. We also purchase partial estate contents/collections. Always buying antiques, jewelry, fine art, vintage toys, collectibles, advertising, sports memorabilia, military, vintage cars, Mid Century Modern furniture, vinyl records, gold and silver coins and more. Based in Silver Spring, we serve Montgomery, Howard and Baltimore Counties, Washington D.C., NOVA and beyond. Also provide appraisal services for insurance/estates. Friendly, conscientious staff. Call Chris on cell (202) 731-9447. www.OrionsAttic.com. I BUY CARS, SUV’S, AND TRUCKS. I am a licensed dealer with many years of experience. I will purchase your vehicle as is. I buy in the Montgomery County area. I am a Montgomery County resident. I am interested in buying most types and models, with some reserve on age and condition. Please call Tom at 301-806-8140. I BUY MILITARY ANTIQUES. I have an MA in History and buy American and foreign military medals, documents, uniforms, insignia, books, swords, and historic firearms -Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. I offer fair prices for single items or collections especially items from generals. Trusted for over 30 years in the Washington, DC area. My biography and testimonials from veterans and their families are on my website. www.midatlanticmilitaryantiques.com Tim Frank 703-447-7243. BUYING MILITARY MEMORABILIA WW2, WW1, Civil War uniforms, weapons, photos and items associated with US, German, Japanese or items of other Military History. DAVE, 240-464-0958. LADY WHO LIKES CHINA and other pretty things would like to buy yours. Favorites include Herend, Meissen, Royal Copenhagen, Shelley and Villeroy & Boch. Some Lenox and Johnson Brothers. I love English bone china cups and saucers. Baccarat and Lalique too. Paintings and pottery. I’ve collected antique Christmas and Halloween for thirty years and am always looking to add to my collection. Sterling and jewelry. MD license no. 2753. Call, 301-785-1129. CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. Ask for Tom. Call anytime, 301654-8678 (Reg. 883).

Say you saw it in the Beacon

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

BEACON BITS

Nov. 24

50+ VOLUNTEER INFO SESSION

A workshop called “50+: Vital Living Through Volunteering” is planned on Thurs., Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to noon at the White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. Learn about volunteer opportunities such as the 50+ Volunteer Network during this free event. No registration required. For more information, call (240) 773-9555 or email 50plus@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Dec. 2

CENSUS 2020 JOBS

The U.S Census Bureau is holding an information session on Mon. Dec 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. about the 2020 Census at the Davis (North Bethesda) Public Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, Md. A Census Bureau recruiter will be on hand to assist with filling out Census 2020 online job applications. Registration is recommended but not required. For more information, call (240) 777-0922. To apply online, go to 2020census.gov/en/jobs.html.

Dec. 3

LEARN HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN

The staff from SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) will present a free session on the basics of writing a business plan on Tues. Dec. 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave., Wheaton, Md. Registration not required. For more information, call (240) 777-0678.

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington and Richmond editions). Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this amount for you. Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number. • Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher’s discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

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

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies Flu Vaccine Research Study.....22 Hearing Research Study...........22

Computer/Technology TechMedic4u..............................5 TheBeaconNewspapers.com ....37

Dental Services Friedman, Stephen, DDS .........51 Oh, Judy, DDS .........................18

Events Brooke Grove ...........................56

Financial/Insurance Services Children’s National Hospital....30 Health Markets.........................17

Funeral Services Going Home Cremation...........24

Government Services DC Census 2020 ......................32 DC Dept of Insurance ..............30 DC Office on Aging ...........26-27 Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services ................24 Montgomery County Public Libraries .......................9

Home Health Care/Companion Services Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . . . .17 Family & Friends Home Care . .8

Options for Senior America .....24

Home Improvement LeafGuard ................................42 Renewal by Anderson ..............34 Renken Remodeling.................41

Housing AlfredHouse.............................25 Ashby Ponds.............................10 Brooke Grove Retirement Village ...................................56 Charles E. Smith Life Communities .................14 Chesterbrook Residences.............................25 Chevy Chase House .................17 Churchill Senior Living ...........18 Culpepper Garden ........11, 14, 20 Falcons Landing ........................3 Friendship Terrace....................16 Gardens of Traville, The...........15 Greenspring..............................10 Harmony Chantilly...................11 Harmony Spring Hill................11 Homecrest House .....................39 Homewood at Frederick ...........35 Landing of Silver Spring, The .................18 Landow House ........................14 Quantum Property Mgmt............15 R Home Communities ................49 Riderwood................................10 Sommerset Retirement.............19

Springvale Terrace.............................21, 23 Tribute......................................47 Victory Housing.......................16 West Half Apartments ................6 Wilshire Estates..........................6

Legal Services Farr Law Firm ..........................29 Law Offices of Lee Holdmann ..................33 Law Offices of Nancy Feldman .....................31 Law Offices of Paul Riekhof ...33

Medical/Health Allied Pharmaceutical Services21 Arya Wellness Center...............23 CopperZap................................38 Health For Life Dispensary......23 I Hate Knee Pain ......................13 Lesner Hearing.........................16 Medical Eye Center..................25 Providence Health System .........4 Silver Spring Medical Center...19

Miscellaneous City of Rockville Mansion.......44 Green House H St. ...................13 Senior Helpline ........................33

Real Estate Long & Foster/ Eric Stewart.....................35, 40 Weichert/Sue Heyman..............21

Retail/Auction Healthy Back Store ....................8 Oakridge Auction Gallery........31 Partners Estate Sales ................10 Perfect Sleep Chair...................48 Zinger Chair .............................50

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Manor Care Health Services ....19

Subscriptions Beacon Newspaper...................53

Theatre/ Entertainment Arena Stage..............................44 F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre .......43 Ford’s Theatre...........................44 Jewish Olney ............................43 Senior Zone..............................46 Shiloh Baptist Church ..............45 Toby’s Dinner Theatre ........45, 47

Tour & Travel Eyre Travel ...............................39 Pat’s Tours ................................37 Shillelaghs................................37

Volunteers & Careers AARP Foundation......................9 AARP Montgomery County ....20 Beacon, The .............................32 Career Gateway ........................33

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

November 2019

UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS at Brooke Grove retirement village

As experts in senior care and memory support, Brooke Grove Retirement Village is pleased to offer seminars and events that promote physical, spiritual and mental well-being. All seminars and events will be held at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, located at 18131 Slade School Road on the Brooke Grove Retirement Village campus. Please register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org. caregiver connection: “Community Resource Toolkit”

Parkinson’s Communications Club TUESDAYS • 12:30-1:30 P.M.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 • 2-3 P.M. Montgomery County is rich with community resources that can make a huge impact in the life of caregivers and their loved ones dealing with serious illness. Join us as we shine the spotlight on these diverse and useful services and supports that can make a positive difference for individuals and families working through the challenges of illness and caregiving. Panel members also include representatives from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter.

This weekly wellness and prevention program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners focuses on the maintenance of communication skills, with an emphasis on strengthening breath support and improving the ability to project and speak loudly enough to be heard in social settings. FREE with a $30 annual Parkinson Foundation registration fee.

FREE. Register by November 10.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care consultations

Living well seminar: “Medicare 2020 — What You Need to Know to Get the Best Benefits”

SECOND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH 50-MINUTE SESSIONS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13 • 1-2:15 P.M. Find the answers to questions such as: “What do Medicare A and B cover? How does Medicare Part D work? Do I need Part C? What state and federal programs am I eligible for? Medicare doesn’t pay for everything, so what else do I need?”

This service is designed to help caregivers — as well as those who are newly diagnosed — cope with the impact of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, enabling participants to better understand the disease, manage care and make informed decisions regarding services and treatments. FREE. Schedule an appointment at any time during the dementia journey.

Preceded by complimentary lunch at 12:30 p.m. FREE. Register by November 11.

18100 Slade School Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860

301-260-2320 · www.bgf.org Independent living Independent living

assisted assisted living living

rehabilitation rehabilitation

long-term long-term care care

memory memory s support upport