November 2019 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

The Howard County

I N

F O C U S

VOL.9, NO.11

F O R

P E O P L E

O V E R

More than 30,000 readers throughout Howard County

Jazz promoter opens new club

5 0 NOVEMBER 2019

I N S I D E …

PHOTO BY MICHAEL WILDERMAN

By Timothy Cox A new jazz club, tucked between Baltimore’s Fell’s Point and Harborplace, has been hopping since it opened last April. In its first week, Keystone Korner featured legendary bassist Ron Carter. During the summer, lines snaked around the block as people waited to hear smoothjazz-neosoul Godfather and vibraphonist Roy Ayers. The iconic Blood, Sweat and Tears keyboardist Larry Willis, who died in September, made his last public performance at the club in August. “Baltimore has a rich jazz legacy, with the likes of Eubie Blake, Cab Calloway and Billie Holiday,” said Keystone Korner’s owner, Todd Barkan, 73, whose San Francisco club of the same name hosted countless musical icons in the 1970s.

FREE

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

Get your kicks on Route 66 in a classic car, plus, cruising for art and history on the Danube River page 23

Aficionado since a teenager For most of his life, Barkan has been devoted to the perpetuation of the musical style often described as “African American classical music.” Barkan’s love for jazz began in his early years in Columbus, Ohio. He took piano lessons as a child and became interested in jazz as a teenager. That’s also when he met his mentor, saxophone legend Rahsaan Roland Kirk, known for his ability to play multiple instruments simultaneously. While attending Oberlin College in the early 1960s, Barkan first began producing jazz shows. By 1968, he relocated to San Francisco and was working nights as the pianist for a Latin jazz band called Kwane & The Kwan Ditos. He eventually performed at the Keystone Korner in San Francisco. In 1972, Barkan purchased that legendary club. Under his direction it became known as the “Birdland of the 1970s,” according to Pittsburgh pianist and bandleader Mary Lou Williams. It was during the 70s that the nightclub earned its acclaim, largely due to Barkan’s ability to produce dozens of highly-regarded live recordings at the club. “People ask me how I know all these legendary jazz musicians personally,” Barkan said. “It’s because this has been my life since I was in my 20s. I’ve gotten to know many of these people on a personal basis, and now they are my friends.” He says he’s proud of the fact that during

ARTS & STYLE Jazz impresario Todd Barkan, 73, opened Keystone Korner, Baltimore’s new jazz lounge and restaurant, in April. Barkan worked in the music industry for decades in New York and San Francisco, but he said, “I’m in Baltimore now, and it feels like home.”

his ownership, Keystone Korner booked the likes of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Miles Davis, Phil Woods, McCoy Tyner and other all-star American-born jazz notables.

Thanks to serendipity Keystone Korner Baltimore, a restaurant and lounge, is located in an upscale, welllighted section of downtown, alongside new condominiums and other high-rises. With a first-rate sound system, the venue holds close to 300 patrons who can watch the performers from the many video monitors placed strategically throughout the space. Valet parking and other public parking spots are available.

It took a chance meeting for the club to open. In April 2018, Barkan was lauded at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) as a “Jazz Master” for his lifelong contributions as a producer, club owner and jazz advocate. At the NEA awards dinner at the restaurant Marcel’s in D.C., Barkan met and became friends with chef and owner Robert Wiedmaier. Wiedmaier, a Michelin Star-winning chef who owns several acclaimed restaurants throughout the D.C. area, also owns the Mussel Bar and Grille chain. See JAZZ CLUB, page 29

Skip the traffic and head to these first-rate local arts venues; plus, aging expert Marc Freedman builds bridges between generations page 26

TECHNOLOGY 4 k Pros and cons of electric bikes FITNESS & HEALTH 7 k Best treatment for knee pain k Ways to boost your metabolism LAW & MONEY 16 k How to complain and get results k Does your pet need insurance? ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Giving thanks As we approach the Thanksgiving sea- than 125 businesses, nonprofits and govson, I want to take this opportunity to ernment agencies, and pretty much countshow thanks for the many less giveaways, ranging from blessings we have here at the pens and pillboxes to LED Beacon. lightbulbs and, as one atFirst, we are thankful for tendee complained to me, our hundreds of thousands of “too much chocolate!” readers! It is for you that we Of course, neither our launched the Beacon more Expos nor our monthly publithan 30 years ago, and for cations would exist without whom our small but dedicatthe support of our hundreds ed staff works so hard every of monthly advertisers, rangmonth — putting out more ing from retirement commuthan 200,000 copies of four FROM THE nities, government departeditions distributed free of PUBLISHER ments of aging and homecare By Stuart P. Rosenthal charge throughout Howard agencies that have been County, as well as the greater steady advertisers for 30 Baltimore, greater Washington, D.C. and years, to medical cannabis dispensaries greater Richmond, Virginia areas. that came into existence and discovered I also want to thank the thousands of the Beacon only recently. readers who attended our recent Not only do our advertisers make it pos50+Expos in Silver Spring, Maryland and sible for us to print and distribute free Springfield, Virginia. For these — our 20th copies of the Beacon each month, they also annual Expos — we had record turnout in supply useful information and helpful both locations. products and services that our readers deThose who came were able to get flu, pend on. pneumonia and shingles vaccines, free So, as we say in every issue, please suphealth screenings, information from more port our advertisers — they keep the Bea-

Beacon The

I N

F O C U S

F O R

P E O P L E

O V E R

5 0

The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Baltimore area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Howard County, Md., Greater Washington, DC and Richmond, Va. (Fifty Plus). Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. Maryland residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.

Publisher/Editor – Stuart P. Rosenthal President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal Vice President of Operations – Gordon Hasenei Vice President, Sales & Marketing – Alan Spiegel

con free, and they also provide important, practical content alongside our many articles on health, money, law, technology, housing, travel and the arts. Speaking of which, I want to give a hearty thank-you to the members of our 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 Howard County readers, regular contributor Robert Friedman was honored for his “clear, thoughtful, compelling” writing on three cover stories last year: October’s “Is medical marijuana for you?” November’s “Heated book on climate change,” and December’s “Why save a segregated school?” I also want to thank our staff whose dedicated efforts, month after month, keep our publications and our website fresh and new: Margaret Foster, managing editor

(who won first place for a cover story she wrote for our D.C. edition); 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 email info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. 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

Managing Editor – Margaret Foster Art Director – Kyle Gregory Director of Operations – Roger King Advertising Representative – Steve Levin Assistant Editor – Susan Ahearn Editorial Intern – Ivey Noojin

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

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

BEACON BITS

Oct. 26

HISTORY OF POLIO

Did you know the polio virus is still active in three countries? Learn more about the history and future of polio at a free lecture on Sat., Oct. 26, at 4 p.m. The Howard County Historical Society and Howard County Rotary will present “Polio: Lessons of Yesterday are Lessons of Today” at the Howard County Historical Society Museum on 8328 Court Avenue, Ellicott City. Learn how the rotary and the World Health Organization worked to eradicate polio. A polio survivor will share her story and a doctor will explain why epidemics remain a threat. Drinks and light appetizers will be served. Register by calling (410) 480-3250) or emailing info@hchsmd.org.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y 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

We learn. You earn.

The SecureUS 3.0 Study is sponsored by the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) and is a FROODERUDWLYH H΍RUW RI Ζ$53$ WKH -RKQV +RSNLQV 8QLYHUVLW\ $SSOLHG 3K\VLFV /DERUDWRU\ -+8 $3/ DQG WKH 1DWLRQDO ΖQVWLWXWH RI 6WDQGDUGV DQG 7HFKQRORJ\ 1Ζ67 7KH REMHFWLYH RI WKLV VWXG\ LV WR FRPSDUH QHZO\ GHYHORSHG IDFLDO LULV DQG ȴQJHUSULQW ELRPHWULF V\VWHPV WR WKH PRVW FRPPRQO\ XVHG FRPPHUFLDOO\ DYDLODEOH V\VWHPV 6SHFLȴFDOO\ WKH VWXG\ ZLOO HYDOXDWH KRZ H΍HFWLYHO\ WKHVH V\VWHPV FDQ GHWHFW WDFWLFV GHVLJQHG WR GHFHLYH WKH V\VWHPV $GYDQFHG ELRPHWULF WHFKQRORJLHV WKDW GHWHFW WKHVH GHFHSWLRQV H΍HFWLYHO\ FDQ KHOS SURWHFW SHUVRQDO LQIRUPDWLRQ DQG HQKDQFH RXU QDWLRQDO VHFXULW\

You may be eligible to participate if you are: ȏ $ 8 6 FLWL]HQ EHWZHHQ WKH DJHV RI DQG DEOH WR SURYLGH SURRI RI FLWL]HQVKLS LQ WKH IRUP RI D YDOLG JRYHUQPHQW LVVXHG Ζ' VXFK DV D VWDWH GULYHUȇV OLFHQVH ELUWK FHUWLȴFDWH RU SDVVSRUW

ȏ :LOOLQJ DQG DEOH WR SURYLGH ZULWWHQ LQIRUPHG FRQVHQW ȏ $YDLODEOH WR DWWHQG D WHVW DSSRLQWPHQW ODVWLQJ DSSUR[LPDWHO\ KRXUV DW WKH -+8 WHVW IDFLOLW\ LQ &ROXPELD 0DU\ODQG RQ D ZHHNGD\ EHWZHHQ 1RYHPEHU DQG 1RYHPEHU

3DUWLFLSDQWV ZLOO EH FRPSHQVDWHG DIWHU FRPSOHWLQJ WKH IXOO WHVW VHVVLRQ 6WXG\ SDUWLFLSDWLRQ LV E\ DSSRLQWPHQW RQO\ 7R OHDUQ PRUH RU WR VHH LI \RX PD\ TXDOLI\ IRU WKH VWXG\ YLVLW www.secureUSresearch.com.

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Technology &

Innovations Electric bikes coming to a park near you By Ellen Knickmeyer and David Sharp Motorized electric bicycles may soon be humming along serene trails in national parks and other public lands nationwide. It’s part of a new Trump administration order — hotly opposed by many outdoors groups — that will allow e-bikes on every federal trail where a regular bike can go. Sales of the bikes, powered by both pedals and battery-driven small motors, are booming, and some aging or less fit people have sought the rule change. It will allow them to whir up and down biking trails in the country’s roughly 400 national parks and other federally managed backcountry areas. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt signed the order without fanfare in August,

classifying e-bikes as non-motorized bikes. The e-bikes “make bicycle travel easier and more efficient, and they provide an option for people who want to ride a bicycle but might not otherwise do so because of physical fitness, age, disability or convenience,” National Park Service Deputy Director P. Daniel Smith said in a statement. Welcoming the change in Bar Harbor, Maine, Gordon Goodwin, 69, said he and his wife look forward to riding the 57 miles of carriage paths that meander throughout Acadia National Park. The paths, offering stunning views of lakes, mountains, forests and the ocean, are popular with bicyclists, but e-bikes have had to stay on the park’s roads instead.

“We’re really stoked,” Goodwin said. “There’s just too much traffic on the main park roads that you can’t enjoy them. It’ll be great to get in the park and see nature and all that stuff.” But more than 50 hiking, horse-riding and other outdoor and conservation associations, including the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Pacific Crest Trail Association, objected in a July letter to the Interior Department. They say the administration is fundamentally changing the nature of national parks with little or no public notice or study. “If you’re hiking on a trail in Utah and you’re rounding a bend and something’s coming at you at 20 mph, that really changes the experience,” said Kristen Bren-

gel, a vice president of the National Parks Conservation Association, a nonprofit that advocates for the national park system. “It’s pretty jarring” to those who take to public lands to escape city noise and stress for nature, Brengel said. “You’re adding significant speed and a throttle to those trails.”

An expanding industry E-bikes are the fastest-growing segment of the bicycle industry, with U.S. sales jumping 72% to $144 million last year, according to the NPD Group, which tracks bike sales. The motorized bikes are popular with commuters and older adults who See E-BIKES, page 6

KNOW before you THROW GENERAL RULES Keep it loose, lose the bag. Place recyclables loosely together. No need to remove lids, caps or labels from items.

Paper (newspaper, office paper)

Plastic (bottles, tubs, jugs, jars)

Metal (aluminum & steel cans, EMPTY aerosol cans)

Glass (bottles & jars)

Cardboard (clean & ﬂattened)

Make sure containers are CLEAN, EMPTY, and DRY.

KNOWBeforeYouTHROW.org

410-313-6444

help@HowardCountyRecycles.org

8328 Court Ave., Ellicott City. To learn more about the museum and its programs, visit howardcounty.com/historylistings or call (410) 480-3250.

Ongoing

VOLUNTEER AT PARKS & REC Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks is currently

seeking volunteers for its senior adult programs as well as special events it sponsors. Interested? Visit hocovolunteers.org or call (410) 313-4700.

Housing Communities ❏ Brooke Grove (see ad on page 32)

✃

For free materials on housing communities and health studies, just complete and clip this coupon and mail or fax it to the Beacon.

❏ Charlestown/Erickson Living (see ad on page 11) ❏ Park View at Colonial Landing (see ad on page 15) ❏ Park View at Columbia (see ad on page 15) ❏ Park View at Ellicott City (see ad on page 15) ❏ Park View at Emerson (see ad on page 15) ❏ Residences at Vantage Point (see ad on page 8) ❏ Shriner Court (see ad on page 18) ❏ Village at Providence Point, The (see ad on page 9)

Clinical Studies ❏ Johns Hopkins SecureUS 3.0 Study (see ad on page 3) ❏ Shoulder Study (see ad on page 12) Name_________________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________________________

Email_________________________________________________________________

1119HC

Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this form to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 or fax to (410) 248-9102.

I N F O R M AT I O N

Please provide your e-mail address if you would like to receive monthly links to the Beacon online and occasional notices of events and programs of interest.

F R EE

Phone (day)________________________(evening)________________________

★

City______________________________________State______Zip________________

I N F O R M AT I O N

F R EE

FREE INFORMATION

F R EE

I N F O R M AT I O N

★

F R EE

I N F O R M AT I O N

★

F R EE

I N F O R M AT I O N

★ F R EE I N FOR MATION ★ F R EE I N FOR MATION ★ F R EE I N FOR MATION ★

★

If you are 62 or older, consider a pass to our National Parks. The Annual Senior Pass is $20 (plus a $10 processing fee), and the Lifetime Senior Pass is $80 (plus the $10 fee). These replace the former Golden Access and Golden Age Passports. Learn more at store.usgs.gov/senior-pass.

non-members. After the luncheon, stay for a free tour of the museum, located at

I N F O R M AT I O N

National Park passport

own lunch; drinks will be provided. The event is free for museum members, $5 for

F R EE

Can you tell the difference from a factual statement and an opinion? Pew Research Center has a quiz for you — see if you can answer all five questions correctly. According to a recent Pew report, “When Americans call a statement factual they overwhelmingly also think it is accurate; they tend to disagree with factual statements they incorrectly label as opinion.” Take the quiz at pewresearch.org/quiz.

speaker is Fred Dorsey of Preservation Howard County. Guests should bring their

★

Test your fake news sensor

of Billy Baroon, The Race Horse at Belmont, at noon on Fri., Nov. 1. Featured

★

Let’s say you have to move something large. Something heavy. And you don’t have a truck or even a friend to help you. Do you rent a moving van and sweat it out on your own? A new app for your smartphone called Bungii can help. Think of it as Uber, but for trucks. “No couch left behind” is the company’s motto. First, download Bungii to your phone. Then you can schedule a pickup or request a truck right away. You’ll be asked to upload a photo of the item to be transported. Then you’ll get an immediate estimate and pickup time. A vetted, backgroundchecked driver will come to help you haul that new Ikea sofa, junk or antique table you found on Craigslist. (You follow the truck in your own car.) The average move costs about $40, depending on the time spent. It’s about $1 per minute and $1 per mile per driver, with a $39 minimum. For a little extra money, you can hire two helpers with a truck and

Links

The Museum of Howard County History will hold an appreciation

I N F O R M AT I O N

Moving help on call

If you’re taking care of an aging parent who lives alone, Tochie, an app and related devices, can help send reminders to take medicine, visit the doctor or even turn off the stove. A caregiver can download the app and record a personal reminder with their own voice. Then you can schedule automatic reminders, which will be relayed in the parent’s home from a small speaker. The service starts at $89 and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. For more information, visit http://www.tochtech. com/tochie.

HORSE HISTORY

F R EE

Does Medicare cover that? The feds have a new app to help determine what your costs will be. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services “has launched a new ‘What’s Covered’ app that lets people with Original Medicare, caregivers and others use their mobile device to check whether Medicare covers a specific medical item or service,” according to the agency. It’s a great way to compare costs, get price transparency and avoid surprises. The What’s Covered app is available for free in both Google Play and the Apple App Store.

The caregiver’s helper

Nov. 1

I N F O R M AT I O N

Apps Medicare coverage app

BEACON BITS

F R EE

By Margaret Foster

save your own back. Bungii, which started in 2014, is now in the Washington, D.C. area. For more information, visit bungii.com or download the app from the Apple App store or Google Play.

★

F R EE I N FOR MATION ★ F R EE I N FOR MATION ★ F R EE I N FOR MATION ★

Links & Apps

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Technology & Innovations | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

From page 4 might not otherwise get out on a bicycle. The bikes, which can cost $2,000 or more, combine the frame of a regular bike with lightweight batteries and electric motors. In parks and other public lands, as on city streets and sidewalks, people moving on vehicles powered by electric or gasoline engines frequently jostle for the right of way with people on foot or traditional bikes. In the National Park Service, officials over the decades have tried to carefully sort out rules and systems to minimize conflicts. In their letter, the outdoor groups complained that the decision to allow motorized bikes on bike trails breaks with policies dating back to the early 1970s confining cars, dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles and all other motorized vehicles to roads and designated areas or trails on public lands. Interior’s order allows motorized bikes that can go up to 28 mph to be classified as regular bikes. “Parks are already having a shortage of staffs and rangers,” said Randy Rasmussen, whose organization, Back Country Horsemen of America, opposes the rules. “And

now what: they’re supposed to be out there with radar guns? It’s unenforceable.” He suspects riders will create dangerous encounters with spooked horses. Interior said riders must use the motor only to boost their pedaling on the trails, and not zip along on motor power alone. Bernhardt’s order gave agency officials 30 days to come up with public guidance on how the new policy will be carried out by the National Park and National Wildlife Refuge systems, and on land overseen by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. The National Park Service said in a statement that public comment would be sought as it works to develop a revised rule on bicycle use.

Pros and cons Ashley Korenblat, an advocate for preserving public lands and CEO of Western Spirit Cycling in Utah, saw several upsides. E-bikes could lead to fewer cars at congested national parks, she said. The bikes are quiet, not much faster than regular bikes and allow people who otherwise couldn’t physically ride to go cycling. “You can bring grandma and a 7-year-

Enjoy the Beacon? Tell your friends.

TONYV3112 / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

E-bikes

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Electric bicycles, which use battery-powered boosters, allow bikers of all ages to hit even hilly roads. But if they become permitted on National Park trails, as proposed, some fear e-bikes could become a dangerous nuisance.

old and the whole group will be able to stay together,” said Korenblat. Adam Gariepy, manager of the Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop, said he’s “tentatively happy” about the new rules. But he has reservations because some e-bikes like his can reach around 28 mph, he said. That speed could be dangerous on trails that have a mix of bicycle riders, horses and carriages, hikers, families and pets. “It’s a two-edged sword. It’ll be great for older folks who are afraid of the hills and want to continue riding. But there should

be some speed limit with them,” he said. Park Service Deputy Director Smith said the parks “should be responsive to visitors’ interest in using this new technology wherever it is safe and appropriate to do.” But Brengel, the parks conservation association official, noted the order comes in a season when thousands of volunteers with trail groups have been in the parks all summer improving trails. “You put a policy out like this, and it’s a slap in the face,” she said. —AP

Say you saw it in the Beacon

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Health Fitness &

STAY FIT THIS FALL Summer is over, but you can still exercise outdoors and eat fresh vegetables HOME HELPERS How to choose a healthcare aide who’s the perfect fit for the long term SAFE PLACES Retirement communities receive training to treat LGBTQ elders with dignity THE GREAT PUMPKIN Zinc, magnesium and fiber in pumpkins can boost immunity and bone health

More should get breast cancer gene test By Lauran Neergaard More women may benefit from gene testing for hereditary breast or ovarian cancer, especially if they’ve already survived cancer once, an influential health group recommended in August. At issue are genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2. When they’re mutated, the body can’t repair damaged DNA as well, greatly increasing the chances of breast, ovarian and certain other cancers. Gene testing allows affected women to consider steps to lower their risk, such as when actress Angelina Jolie underwent a preventive mastectomy several years ago. Most cancer isn’t caused by BRCA mutations — they account for 5% to 10% of breast cancers and 15% of ovarian cancers — so the gene tests aren’t for everyone. But mutations cluster in families, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has long recommended that doctors screen women who have relatives with BRCA-related cancers, and refer those who might benefit from gene testing to a genetic counselor to help them decide.

The task force recently expanded that advice to doctors through the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). It is telling primary care doctors they should also assess women’s risk if: — they previously were treated for breast or other BRCA-related cancers including ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal cancers, and now are considered cancer-free. — their ancestry is prone to BRCA mutations, such as Ashkenazi Jewish women.

Helps family members Why screen breast cancer survivors? After all, they already know there’s a risk of recurrence. Take, for example, someone who had a tumor removed in one breast in their 40s a decade ago, when genetic testing wasn’t as common. Even this many years later, a BRCA test still could reveal if they’re at risk for ovarian cancer — or at higher than usual risk for another tumor in their remaining breast tissue, explained task force member Dr. Carol Mangione of the University of California, Los Angeles.

And it could alert their daughters or other relatives to a potential shared risk. “It’s important to test those people now,” Mangione said. “We need to get the word out to primary care doctors to do this assessment and to make the referrals.” Private insurers follow task force recommendations on what preventive care to cover, some at no out-of-pocket cost under rules from former President Barack Obama’s healthcare law. Cancer groups have similar recommendations for BRCA testing, and increasingly urge that the newly diagnosed be tested, too, because the inherited risk can impact choices about surgery and other treatment.

Not routine yet Identifying BRCA mutation carriers “can be lifesaving, and should be a part of routine medical care,” Drs. Susan Domchek of the University of Pennsylvania and Mark Robson of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who weren’t involved with the new guidelines, wrote in an editorial

accompanying them in JAMA. But too few high-risk women ever learn if they harbor BRCA mutations, they wrote. For example, cancer groups have long recommended that all ovarian cancer patients be tested, but several studies have found testing is done in less than a third. Don’t skip the genetic counseling, said the task force’s Mangione. BRCA testing can cause anxiety and sometimes gives confusing results, finding mutations that might not be dangerous — things the counselors are trained to interpret. There’s a shortage of genetic counselors, particularly in rural areas, and she said counseling by phone can work. There’s a wide array of gene tests, some that search just for BRCA mutations and others that test dozens of additional genes at the same time. There’s even a direct-toconsumer kit sold by 23andMe — but Domchek and Robson warned it only detects the three mutations found most in women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, not dozens of other mutations. —AP

Arthroscopy less common for knee pain By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. When knee arthroscopy became widely available in the 1980s, it represented a major advance. Today orthopedists evaluating and treating common knee problems often recommend arthroscopy, during which they insert an instrument into the joint and, with a light and camera on its tip, directly inspect the knee from the inside. While there, he or she can diagnose and treat common painful knee problems, such as arthritis or torn cartilage. The risks are much lower and recovery times much shorter than standard “open” knee operations. As with any technology or other advance in medicine, years of research were required to understand when best to use it. Not surprisingly, arthroscopy turns out to be much more helpful for some conditions than others. For example, if you have a sports injury in which the medial meniscus (a crescentshaped, shock absorbing wedge of cartilage) is torn and blocking the motion of the knee, arthroscopic surgery can provide

dramatic relief in a short period of time. But studies have demonstrated convincingly that for many other common causes of knee pain — including osteoarthritis and many instances of torn cartilage that do not block joint motion — medications and physical therapy may work just as well as arthroscopic surgery. Despite these recent data, some orthopedists continued to recommend arthroscopic surgery for these conditions. Now, that seems to be changing. A recent study says the number of knee arthroscopies is falling. Data recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine demonstrate that between 2002 and 2015, the rate of arthroscopic surgery in Florida: — decreased from 449 to 345 per 100,000 people (a 23% decline) — dropped more among adults under age 65 (24% reduction) than among those over 65 (19% reduction) — fell most dramatically after 2008 (after a second important trial showed no benefit of arthroscopy for osteoarthritis of the knee).

Is decline for good reason?

Why are doctors slow to change?

Reducing the number of unnecessary operations is certainly a good thing, especially for one that is so common. However, we don’t know if the reduction in arthroscopies occurred for the right reasons. While it’s possible that the reduction was because orthopedists are recommending them more selectively (and more appropriately), it’s also possible that people are not getting the surgery due to lack of insurance, trouble finding an orthopedist, or because they just prefer not to have surgery. We don’t know about patients’ health or outcomes: Are some people suffering because they didn’t have an arthroscopy they needed? How many had arthroscopies they did not need and had complications, or simply didn’t improve? We also don’t know whether rates are falling in other states. Still, it’s reasonable to assume that knee arthroscopies are being performed less often because we better understand when they are likely to help and when they are not.

At the risk of gross over generalization, doctors tend to avoid change. That’s true of many — but certainly not all — of my colleagues. So, some of the reluctance of orthopedists to change their practice in the face of studies questioning the usefulness of knee arthroscopy may be this tendency to resist change. Another reason might be financial considerations: surgical procedures tend to generate a large income stream for the doctor and the hospital or surgical center. But it’s also true that a single study is rarely enough to change medical practice — doctors are, with good reason, a skeptical bunch. Subsequent research must verify and confirm a new finding. Perhaps that’s why the rate of knee arthroscopy dropped most significantly after the publication of a second trial regarding knee osteoarthritis. You can expect to hear much more about studies that challenge standard See ARTHROSCOPY, page 8

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Summer diet tips to stick to this autumn By Health.com Over the summer, it’s easier to fill your diet with fresh produce (hello, farmers’ markets) and fit in your daily workout (thanks, longer days). Once the fall rolls around, however, a lot of those healthy summertime habits go by the wayside. But they don’t have to! Here are some warm-weather dieting tips that you should stick with all fall.

Get up and get moving Summer heat can be a powerful motivator. If you know that you’ll have to take your workout indoors if you don’t exercise first thing in the morning, you might be more motivated to get an early-morning run in. Carry that motivation on into the fall: being a first-thing exerciser means you’re less likely to get derailed by a busy sched-

ule later that day. Plus, when you exercise in the morning, not only do you burn calories, but you also set yourself up to make better choices all day long.

Take advantage of the weather Fall is a great time to exercise outdoors and enjoy the cooler temperatures and fresh, crisp air. Walking, running, biking and hiking will get your heart pumping and also treat your senses to vibrant foliage, crunchy leaves underfoot and fresh fall smells in the air.

Eat a healthy breakfast In the fall, eating a healthy breakfast should remain part of your morning routine. Starting each day with a nutritious meal jump-starts your metabolism and gives you energy. It also holds off your hunger be-

BEACON BITS

Nov. 12

LONG DISTANCE CAREGIVING HELP

distance in an informational program on Tues., Nov. 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Elkridge Branch Library, 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge. The session is free, but prior registration is suggested by calling the library at (410) 313-5077.

New At

Call now to learn about our special Anniversary Pricing! Connection • Community • Columbia

Monterey Place, Specialized Alzheimer’s and Memory Care Residences at Vantage Point now offers direct entry into our on-site assisted living, including: Specialized Monterey Place memory care private apartments with full-bath “All-inclusive” pricing with no additional level of care or medication management fees Access to our on-site 5-Star rated comprehensive nursing center with Residency Agreement Hearthstone Institute Certiﬁed Center of Excellence And of course, located in the heart of Columbia.

Call Today to schedule your personal visit! 410-992-1241

burn calories in the heat, tr y walking around an orchard picking apples this fall!

Visit the farmers’ market Lots of farmers’ markets stay open well into November, so drop by to stock up on fruits, vegetables, herbs and local meats. Many root vegetables are in season, and they’re an inexpensive and nutritious way to add variety to your diet.

Head outside for lunch Taking a walk on your lunch break is a great way to fit in some exercise. Don’t let this healthy habit fall by the wayside as the weather cools. Just be sure to dress in layers, so you can remove the outer ones once your body warms up.

Think outside the box Always wanted to take a ballet class or learn how to play soccer? Fall is a great time to learn something new. New exercise classes get started at gyms, and local teams start to form, so look around for something that piques your interest. Plus, a good workout doesn’t have to seem like exercise. If you thought spending a day at a water park was a fun way to

Drink up

Arthroscopy

being called into question, the big question is, “What’s next?” The answers will come once high-quality research is performed by skeptical researchers willing to question the status quo. Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is faculty editor at Harvard Health Publishing. © 2019 President and Fellows of Harvard College. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 7

The Horizon Foundation and Speak Easy address caregiving at a

vantagepointresidences.org 5400 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, MD 21044

tween meals, so you don’t overeat later on.

practice, especially when that practice is invasive (including surgery) and expensive. My guess is that the number of knee arthroscopies will continue to fall for some time, until only the most appropriate ones are being done. When it comes to standard treatments

During the summer, you need more water than usual because of the heat, so it’s easy to chug it down. It also fills you up between meals. Drinking more water can help you lose weight, so make sure you stick with this diet tip into the fall and all year long. © 2019 Meredith Corporation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y 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

n g ts i k i a w t d e p os o N ty or i i r p

TH IS IS W H AT FIRST FE ELS LI KE .

The thrill of a lifetime! That’s what it feels like being first, especially when you’re one of the first residents of The Village at Providence Point—A National Lutheran Community in Annapolis, Md. This 60+ community is your chance to experience maintenance free, full continuum of care, senior living like it’s never been experienced before. And like all ﬁrsts, this has its privileges, too — like being part of our Priority Club, getting in on the ground floor (or top floor if you prefer), and having a hand in shaping the community the way you’ll want. Sound exciting? Being first always does. So, call today to find out how you can experience that feeling of first for yourself.

[

To learn more visit www.thevillageatprovidencepoint.org or call 410-793-1297 today!

The Village at Providence Point is sponsored by National Lutheran Communities & Services, a faith-based, not-for-profit ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving people of all beliefs. The Village at Providence Point is subject to the final approval of the Maryland Department of Aging.

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Finding the right home healthcare aide By Eleanor Laise When it comes to home-care workers — the aides who provide in-home personal assistance and healthcare support to seniors — Brenda Case has seen it all. Case, age 55, a real estate agent in Grand Junction, Colorado, was for several years a full-time caregiver for her mother, who had severe rheumatoid arthritis. And in that time, a constantly rotating cast of home care workers came in and out of the home that Case shared with her mother. There was a nurse who was wonderful. There was a bath aide who never came to work at all. And there was an occupational therapist who insisted that Case’s mother should practice job skills such as moving coins from one bucket to another — even though the patient had no intention of returning to work. “My 70-year-old mother didn’t need to go out and get a job — she needed to lift her arms to the microwave and get a cup of tea,” Case says. “But that was never part of the regime.” Turnover was high, Case said, and she sometimes switched agencies in order to retain the aides she liked — or avoid the ones she didn’t. In the three years leading up to her mother’s death in 2015, Case said she worked with seven different home care agencies.

A shortage of workers Seniors and their families are struggling to find in-home help as a growing aging population — combined with the low pay, physical demands and irregular hours of home care jobs — have led to a severe shortage of home care workers. Between 2016 and 2026, home care work is projected to be the fastest-growing U.S. occupation, with more than 1 million new jobs expected, according to PHI, a research and consulting organization focused on the direct-care workforce. Home care agencies are already having trouble hiring and retaining enough workers to meet the demand. “The impact on families is enormous,” said Robert Espinoza, vice president of policy at PHI. Even if they surmount the initial challenge of finding a worker who can meet their specific needs, consumers face low odds of hanging on to that worker for any length of time, according to Espinoza, because turnover in the industry tends to hover around 60%. All too often, family members have to cut back their work hours or quit their jobs completely to fill in the gaps.

How to find the right help Here are four steps to help you find and retain the right in-home help.

Pin down your caregiving requirements. Before you start your search, “it’s so important to take a step back and think about what you really need,” said Leah Eskenazi, operations director at the Family Caregiver Alliance. If your mother would feel most comfortable with a female, Spanish-speaking caregiver who has a driver’s license and experience in dealing with dementia patients, for example, it’s best to be clear about that at the outset. For seniors who primarily need companionship and basic help around the house, a personal care worker (who may have minimal training) may be the right fit. If you need a worker who can perform some clinical tasks such as wound care, however, look for a home health aide who has more training. Training requirements can vary from state to state, but home health aides working for agencies that accept Medicare must have at least 75 hours of training. Weigh an agency versus direct hire. A home health agency can offer some key advantages. If the worker gets sick, an agency will send over a replacement, whereas if you hire someone directly, you’re on your own. If you need a variety of skills — perhaps a worker with nursing skills for a short period but a personal care aide thereafter — an agency will make it easier to coordinate that. An agency will also check the worker’s background, verify his or her training and handle the employment paperwork, taking some administrative tasks off your hands. You’ll need to work with a Medicare-certified home health agency if you want Medicare to cover your care. To qualify for that coverage, you must need skilled serv-

ices such as nursing or physical therapy and be “homebound,” meaning leaving home is difficult or not recommended because of your condition. For consumers paying out of pocket, however, the higher cost of an agency may be a deal-breaker. If you go through an agency, you may pay $20 to $40 an hour, depending on where you live, whereas if you hire someone directly, you’ll negotiate the wage, which in many cases could be about $10 to $15 an hour, Espinoza said. Start your search engine. To find home health agencies, contact your Area Agency on Aging or use Medicare’s Home Health Compare website (medicare.gov/homehealthcompare). Caregiver support groups and local chapters of organizations focused on specific conditions, such as the Alzheimer’s Association and American Cancer Society, may offer referrals to home health agencies. Consumers hiring workers directly often rely on recommendations from friends and co-workers — but technology can make the search process a bit more sophisticated. Care.com and CareLinx, for example, connect consumers with home care workers in their areas. And in 19 states, “matching service registries” match consumers with home care workers based on needs and availability. Some registries require workers to have a background check and a certain level of training, while others have no such requirements. You can find details and links to the registries at phinational.org. No matter how you find your in-home help, check candidates’ background and references, “preferably from past employSee HEALTHCARE AIDE, page 11

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Harvard Q & As on metabolism and a-fib

Healthcare aide From page 10 ment situations or people who have been under the individual’s care,” said William Dombi, president of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice. For tips on checking an aide’s background, see the Family Caregiver Alliance’s fact sheet at caregiver.org/hiring-home-help. Monitor the situation. When you’ve found the right caregiver, check in frequently to make sure the relationship is working for both parties. Lynette Whiteman, executive director of Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey,

gain or lose weight. A slow metabolism burns fewer calories, which means more get stored as fat in the body. That’s why some people have difficulty losing weight by just cutting calories. A fast metabolism burns calories at a quicker rate, which explains why some people can eat a lot and not gain extra pounds. But you can’t entirely blame a sluggish metabolism for gaining weight. The reality is that metabolism often plays a minor role. The factors that always will matter the most are diet quality, total daily calorie intake and level of activity.

Ways to boost metabolism While it may only be a small change, a person can speed up a naturally slow metabolism, or rev up one that has become sluggish over time. Here’s how: Add some high-intensity intervals and weight training to your regular exercise routine. After a period of interval training, your metabolism can stay revved up for as much as a full day. Weight training builds muscle mass, has engaged multiple in-home workers for her mother, who has Alzheimer’s. She had to let go of one aide who was caring for her mother overnight, after her mother said the worker had slapped her. Another aide repeatedly asked her mother for money, saying she needed cash for car repairs or to buy a new watch. “If we were not on top of this, I don’t know how much money would have gone out the door,” Whiteman said. Technology can help far-flung family members check in on their loved ones and ease the burden on caregivers, Eskenazi said. “Smart home” technology, including smart speakers, can provide medication

and that extra muscle will require more calories, turning up your metabolic rate. Your metabolism increases whenever you eat, digest and store food, a process called the thermic effect of food. Protein has a higher thermic effect than fats and carbohydrates, so eating more healthy protein-rich food sources might also help speed metabolism a bit. Some studies suggest that drinking green tea can also rev up metabolism. Q: I have atrial fibrillation and take Coumadin to prevent a stroke. I have not had any problem with it. But I wonder if I should switch to one of the newer drugs instead of Coumadin? A: For 50 years, warfarin (Coumadin) was the only choice for people that needed to take an oral anticoagulant drug. While warfarin is inexpensive, it has downsides. People taking it require regular blood testing to be sure the dose is correct. The blood test, called an INR, needs to fall into a predetermined range. A result within the proper range means the person’s blood is “thin” enough not to

clot easily but not “too thin” to cause a high bleeding risk. Studies have shown that many people on warfarin frequently have an INR out of the desired range. This makes their blood clot prevention ineffective or puts them at risk for significant bleeding. Taking the wrong dose and missing doses clearly affect the INR test result. But even when a person takes the dose exactly as prescribed, dietary changes and interactions with other medications can change the INR dramatically. Now new oral anticoagulants are available that are just as effective as warfarin at preventing a stroke in people with atrial fibrillation and normal heart valves. These drugs are known as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). The advantages of DOACs: they don’t require regular blood tests, have no food restrictions, and have fewer drug interactions. But they are much more expensive than warfarin.

reminders and reassure families that a senior is getting proper care. Or you can go the low-tech route: “Have a neighbor or friend stop in unannounced,” Whiteman said. “Make sure someone is

See A-FIB, page 13

CHARLESTOWN OFFERS SENIOR LIVING WITH

STYLE

Spring into a vibrant retirement at Charlestown, the premier senior living community in Catonsville. Here, you’ll enjoy an independent lifestyle free from maintenance and filled with resort-style amenities.

The

BRIGHTON

One bedroon, one bath

Call 1-800-989-6981 for your free brochure.

13442968

By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: My friend complains that she keeps gaining weight no matter how little she eats because she has a slow metabolism. How much does a person’s metabolism really affect body weight? A: There is a lot of misunderstanding about the impact metabolism has on our health, especially in terms of weight loss. In simple terms, metabolism is the internal process by which our body expends energy and burns calories. It runs 24/7, even when we’re resting or sleeping, by converting the food and nutrients we consume into the energy our body needs. This process works at different intensities in different people. How fast your friend’s metabolism works is determined mostly by her genes. People might have fast, slow, or average metabolism, regardless of their body size and composition. Age also affects metabolism, as it can slow over the years, even if a person starts out with a fast metabolism. Differences in metabolism speed are evident in how easy or hard it is for people to

Catonsville CharlestownCommunity.com

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Making retirement safer for LGBTQ elders By Ivey Noojin Moving into an assisted living facility can be a difficult decision. It is even harder, however, for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer) older adults, who have faced discrimination all of their lives. Cecelia Hayden Smith, a retired drug and alcohol counselor from Essex, Maryland, hasn’t moved into a continuing-care community yet. She’s heard stories about friends in nursing homes who were raped or weren’t allowed to go to the funeral of

their same-sex spouse. Having been with her wife for 32 years, Smith is familiar with hostility from others due to her sexuality, and is wary of staff members in assisted living facilities. “They say they’re welcoming,” Smith said. “Welcoming, my foot.” This fear is the reason only 20% of LGBTQ older adults in long-term care facilities are open about their sexual orientation, according to a 2016 report by Justice In Aging, a national organization that fights senior poverty

You can transform lives in your community, begin today with one call...443.573.0925 Becom volunt e a call to eer, day!

Your time or donation is put to good use at Meals on Wheels. You can assist homebound seniors in your community, while gaining a sense VM ^LSS ILPUN MYVT NP]PUN VM `V\YZLSM [V ILULÄ[ V[OLYZ Other opportunities for volunteers include: ࠮ 4LHS KLSP]LY` ࠮ .YVJLY` ZOVWWLYZ ࠮ 7OVUL WHSZ ࠮ :WLJPHS WYVQLJ[Z

࠮ *VYWVYH[L ]VS\U[LLY opportunities ࠮ 2PIISL *VUULJ[PVU pet food delivery

Check out our new video—What do we do? at: mealsonwheelsmd.org/Volunteer Questions about volunteer or donor opportunities?

Call 443.573.0925 today.

MEALS OF CENTRAL MARYLAND ™

More than a meal

mealsonwheelsmd.org 515 South Haven Street | Baltimore, MD 21224 | 410.573.0925

through the judiciary process. Many older LGBTQ adults are estranged from their family members, and therefore must rely solely on contracted caregivers. Without family support, they are more likely to delay assisted healthcare, according to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law — a think tank dedicated to studying issues of gender identity and sexual orientation.

Overcoming the stigma SAGE, an advocacy organization based in New York City, has launched a training program for retirement communities around the country aiming to create more understanding for this marginalized group. Its program addresses the specific difficulties LGBTQ older adults face, including abuse, neglect and hurtful comments. “Most people work with older adults because they have a caring orientation,” said Tim Johnston, director of national projects at SAGE. “We are giving them the tools they need to help older adults feel more comfortable.” SAGECare training targets the staff and administrators of assisted living facilities with online and in-person education about the needs and concerns of LGBTQ older adults. SAGE shares the history of LGBTQ discrimination and invites advocates in the area to personalize this issue with stories about their own experiences. The training is only one hour per year for staff, and four hours every three years for managers and executives. A former volunteer with SAGE, Smith visited retirement communities to share her own experiences with discrimination. “If you tell your story and you tell your truth,” she said, “it can never be denied from you.”

Vantage Point gains certification Howard County communities are beginning to take advantage of SAGECare. Recently, Vantage Point, a retirement community in Columbia, Md., received a silver cultural competency credential. That means that 40% of its employees and 40% of its administrators have completed the training. “We’re in the baby boomer era,” said

Paul Dutton, director of human resources at Vantage Point. “We recognized there was a need.” In addition to getting SAGECare training, Vantage Point has incorporated the anti-discrimination sentiment into its hospitality program and annual staff orientation. “Many of our employees have family members who are a part of the LGBTQ community,” Dutton said. “I’m hoping every [retirement] community really embraces this.”

A safe space in D.C. Washington, D.C. will soon have its first affordable housing residence specifically designed for LGBTQ older adults: Mary’s House. Imani Woody, former chair of SAGE for the D.C. area, started working on the project in 2012 to address the issue of LGBTQ discrimination in retirement homes. “I wanted to create a space for all [older adults] to feel comfortable,” Woody said. The new community is part of the National LGBT Elder Housing Initiative, a SAGE program that helps build LGBTQ-friendly living communities for older adults. Construction of Mary’s House is scheduled to begin in January, with the 15 units to be available for lease by next October. The project has already received over a million dollars in funding from the city. What makes Mary’s House different from other LGBTQ communities across the country is its communal basis. Instead of individual kitchens in each of the 15 suites, there will be a single dining room for all. In addition, a walled garden will allow residents to grow flowers and food together. “We’re building family in these units,” Woody said. Smith is excited that she will be able to live with her wife in the same unit at Mary’s House, which other retirement communities wouldn’t necessarily allow. There’s a great need for communities like Mary’s House, Smith said. “This is just the first house,” she said. “We’re going to get 20.” To learn more, visit sageusa.care. For more information about Mary’s House, visit maryshousedc.org.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Fantastic reasons to eat pumpkin seeds By Suzy Cohen Not all pumpkins are orange. They can also be white, yellow or green. They also grow just about everywhere. (Antarctica is the only country where they can’t grow!) One average-sized pumpkin contains about a cup of seeds (about 500 of them). I like to roast mine and sprinkle them with a little dried lime powder and sea salt. These are also excellent when roasted with olive oil and garlic/onion powder. [Editor’s note: you can eat the entire seed, with shell, especially if toasted and chewed thoroughly. Some choose to crack open the shell and eat only the seed inside.] Pumpkin seeds are not only delicious but also nutrient-dense. Here are some health benefits from eating pumpkin seeds.

um are essential for healthy blood pressure and cardiac rhythm.

minerals, your risk for osteoporosis goes up. Eating pumpkin seeds can help you if you have osteoporosis.

Immune system boost Zinc will help with both immunity and prostate health. An ounce of pumpkin seeds contains enough zinc to help you with immune function, prostate health and even testosterone production.

Sleep aid A handful of pumpkin seeds at dinnertime might improve your ability to relax and sleep. The reason is because of their magnesium, which helps create more serotonin, a hormone that quickly breaks down to melatonin, a sleep hormone.

Vision protection Pumpkin seeds are ver y high in carotenoids and zinc, which protect your vision. Pumpkin seeds also contain squalene, which protects your skin from UV light damage and other forms of potentially dangerous radiation. Like any food, there is the risk for allergy. If you’re sensitive to pumpkin seeds, you might experience stomach pain after eating them, swelling or itching of the throat, or

skin rashes, hives or eczema-like irritations. You can buy pumpkin seeds at any health food store or supermarket. Storebought pumpkin seeds can be stored in a container for about three or four months. Pumpkin seed oil is great for salads and soups. It is usually sold online or at health food stores. 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.

May reduce bladder infections Diabetes control Thanks to their high fiber content, pumpkin seeds help regulate blood sugar and improve satiety. One study showed that animals who received a combination of ground flax and pumpkin seed powder exhibited better lab values and fewer problems as they pertain to diabetes. Thanks to their alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) content, the seeds can help with heart attack risk. Other foods with ALA content include flaxseed, walnuts, chia and hemp.

Pumpkin seeds contain zinc and other compounds that support bladder and kidney health. There isn’t enough data to say whether it helps UTIs but I would guess that it probably helps reduce incidence.

Libido improvement Pumpkin seeds contain leucine, and also minerals that help our bodies make testosterone. This is great because it improves energy, endurance, libido and strength. Testosterone is needed for both men and women’s health.

Blood pressure regulation

Bone health

Pumpkin seeds are particularly high in magnesium. Both magnesium and potassi-

Zinc, magnesium and selenium deficiencies are harmful to bones. Without these

A-fib

per day rather than once a day for warfarin. The other DOACs, rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and edoxaban (Savaysa), are once-aday drugs. Missing a dose puts you at risk of stroke. The DOACs are short acting drugs, while warfarin keeps acting for well over 24 hours. So if you tend to miss doses of your medications often, you probably want to stick with warfarin. Staying on warfarin is a fine option if your INR blood tests stay in the desired range (2.0 to 3.0) at least 70 percent of the time, meaning you don’t need frequent dose adjustments, and getting regular blood tests is not a hassle. © 2019 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 11 To consider switching, you need to have adequate kidney function. This is determined by a blood test for creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). People with a very lower GRF cannot safely take these new drugs. Here’s what I discuss with patients like you who are thinking of making a switch from warfarin to a DOAC. Let’s make sure you can afford it. This may take some investigation by you to determine if insurance covers a DOAC or if you can get the drug at a substantial discount. If your insurance only covers dabigatran (Pradaxa) and apixaban (Eliquis), it means you need to faithfully take the drug twice

• Eye Care for All Ages • Specialists in Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Degeneration • Contact Lens Specialists • Plastic & Reconstructive Eye Surgery

Full In-House Optical Department Outpatient No-Stitch Cataract Surgery • Laser Surgery MEDICARE ASSIGNMENT ACCEPTED LENARD H. HAMMER, M.D., F.A.C.S. GORDON LUI, M.D. SCOTT B. BECKER, M.D. BRIAN J. WINTER, M.D.

VANESSA LIMA, M.D. CRISTINA F. ROUILLER, O.D..

410-997-9900

8860 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suite 101, Columbia, MD

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Try this technique for moist, buttery salmon By America’s Test Kitchen Cooking en cocotte — cooking beef, lamb, pork and poultry in a covered pot with little to no liquid — concentrates flavor. We were skeptical, however, that the technique would successfully translate to fish. Fish cooks quickly. Would the fish dry out in the dry pot? We gave the technique a shot with fatty salmon fillets and were more than pleasantly surprised. By passing on searing the salmon fillets first, we found that we got just what we wanted: perfectly cooked, moist salmon, basted in its own jus, that flaked apart in large buttery chunks. Leeks sautéed and then layered first in the pot contributed their onion-like sweetness and protected the fish from the heat of the pan bottom. A quick sauce made with white wine and butter added some more dimension and richness. To ensure uniform pieces of fish that cook at the same rate, we prefer to buy a whole center-cut fillet and cut it into evenly sized individual fillets ourselves. If buying individual fillets, make sure they are the same size and thickness. If the fillets are thicker or thinner than 1 1/2 inches, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly. If you can find only skin-on fillets, remove the skin before cooking or the sauce will be greasy.

Salmon en cocotte with leeks and white wine Servings: 4 Start to finish: 50 minutes

Ingredients: 1 (1 ¾ to 2 pound) skinless salmon fillet, about 1 ½ inches at thickest part Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 leeks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin and washed thoroughly 2 sprigs fresh thyme 2 garlic cloves, minced ½ cup dry white wine 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces

Directions: Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 250° F. Trim any whitish fat

BEACON BITS

Nov. 15

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

Assisting people with mental health challenges will be the focus of a Howard County General Hospital program on Fri., Nov. 15 at the hospital’s conference room, 5755 Cedar Ln., Columbia. Scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the free program will address recognizing signs of mental illness and strategies and resources to help. For more information and to register, call (410) 7407601 or visit hcgh.org/events.

from belly of fillet, then cut fish into 4 equal pieces. Pat salmon dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-low heat until shimmering. Add leeks, thyme and a pinch of salt, cover and cook until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove pot from heat. Lay salmon, skinned side down, on top of leeks. Place large piece of aluminum foil over pot and cover tightly with lid; transfer pot to oven. Cook until salmon is opaque and flakes apart when gently prodded with paring knife, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer fish to serving platter and tent with foil. Stir wine into leeks in pot and simmer over medium-high heat until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Off heat, whisk in butter and season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon sauce

over salmon and serve.

Another option: Salmon en cocotte with celery and orange Add 2 thinly sliced celery ribs and 1 teaspoon minced orange zest along with garlic in step 2. Substitute ½ cup orange juice

for wine, and add 1 orange, peeled and segmented, when thickening sauce. Nutrition information per serving: 450 calories; 228 calories from fat; 25 g. fat (7 g. saturated; 0 g. trans fats); 124 mg. cholesterol; 389 mg. sodium; 8 g. carbohydrate; 1 g. fiber; 2 g. sugar; 40 g. protein.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 17

HEALTH SCREENINGS

Bethany United Methodist Church is offering a free wellness screening to assess the risk of prediabetes and stroke on Sun., Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 2875 Bethany Ln., Ellicott City. To learn more, call (410) 465-2919.

Nov. 21

ADVANCE CARE PLANNING HELP

Howard County General Hospital is providing free guidance for advance care planning in a free walk-in clinic on Thurs., Nov. 21 at the Trellis Center, 10760 Hickory Ridge Rd., Columbia. For more information, visit hcgh.org or call (410) 740-7601.

We Turn Addresses

into homes

MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

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

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

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

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

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

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

PHOTO BY JONATHAN KRIZ

Money Law &

Should Rover have his own insurance? See story, page 18.

How to submit a complaint and get results By Pat Mertz Esswein Taking a complaint to customer service can be maddening. No one wants to deal with endless phone trees, outsourced representatives reading from inflexible scripts, automated responses or chatbots. “Despite saying they provide more ways than ever to contact them, companies are building fortresses around themselves so that no one has to interact with you,” said Christopher Elliott of Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit consumer group. To breach the walls and successfully resolve your complaint, Elliott said, use the three Ps: patience, persistence and politeness. Don’t expect an instant fix; give the company’s complaint process time to work. Be prepared to tell your tale repeatedly, taking your complaint up the chain of command if necessary. And even if you’re frustrated and furious, make nice. Being polite will help your complaint go to the top of the pile and get you a better response every time.

Here are steps you can take to get the results you want: Document everything. It’s still called a paper trail, even though much of the information may be digital. For any product or service for which you pay a sizable sum, keep copies of your order confirmations, receipts, contracts, work orders, warranties, service agreements and billing statements. If you opt to get a receipt by email or text, save it. Before you dispose of product packaging, remove enclosed paperwork that may include a warranty, customer-service phone number or even a bar code, which you may need to obtain a replacement item. Keep copies of emails and take screenshots of online chats. In your first exchange with customer service, write down the reference number if one is assigned to your case. Recording the call would be ideal. But if you can’t, take notes, including the date, time, name of the person with whom you

spoke, the substance of your conversation and any promises made. Make your point. It pays to complain as soon as you know you have a problem. The more recent your experience, the greater the weight your complaint will carry. Plus, memories fade, records get buried, and staff changes, said Nelson Santiago of Consumer Action, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group. A face-to-face visit with a local seller may quickly fix your problem. But if you’re dealing with an online retailer or a corporate office, you usually must follow its complaint process. Go to the next level. If you’re not getting results, take your complaint up the corporate ladder. Ask a customer-service rep, “If you can’t help me, who can I call or write who has the authority to help?” Visit company websites or LinkedIn to search for contacts. Try clicking on “about us,” “terms and conditions” or “privacy statement.” On the website of the Better Business

Bureau, search by the company name and look for contact information for owners and executives under “Business Details.” To bypass corporate phone trees, go to gethuman.com and search by company for phone numbers and shortcuts to reach a real person. Keep all communication brief, professional and unemotional. Avoid including too much detail or shouting (which includes writing in all caps), Santiago said. Limit a letter to 250 words or four short paragraphs. Clearly state what you want, and keep your request reasonable. Ask yourself: What solution would be acceptable, even if it isn’t ideal? Don’t inflate your demands. For example, if you stayed five nights at a hotel and didn’t have air conditioning for one night, you can’t expect a refund for five nights. Give the recipient a deadline to respond. Ten business days is a reasonable See HOW TO COMPLAIN, page 18

Understand the risks inherent in bonds It’s important for investors interested in For example, you can buy Treasury bills dibonds to understand the potential pitfalls. rectly with varying terms (typically four For example, some don’t reweeks, eight weeks, 13 weeks, alize that there is an inverse 26 weeks or 52 weeks), or you relationship between interest can invest in a mutual fund or rates and bond prices. When exchange-traded fund (ETF) interest rates increase, the that only invests in T-bills. value of bonds decreases in Although you would be value, and vice versa. minimizing interest rate risk, Regardless of the quality of the interest you would rethe bond or bond fund you inceive would be small in comvested in, if interest rates inparison to what you would recrease significantly, the value of ceive with a long-term Treayour bond portfolio, even if you THE SAVINGS sury bond. GAME only have invested in U.S. TreaYou should invest in T-bills sury bonds, will decrease in By Elliot Raphaelson only if your primary investvalue. If the portfolio is primariment objective is to avoid any ly long-term bonds, such as those with matu- capital loss while also receiving some inrities of 30 years, the decrease will be much come. greater.

Investment risk Interest rate risk There’s a term for this: interest rate risk. And it’s a significant factor to consider. The only way to avoid or minimize interest rate risk is to buy short-term securities.

A second type of risk is investment risk. This is the risk that you won’t get your principle back in full when the bond matures. If you buy a U.S. Treasury security, you can be sure that you will receive your prin-

cipal back at maturity. Because of this certainty, the U.S. Treasury does not have to pay interest rates as high as other lenders. You can buy bonds issued by a corporation that pay more interest than the U.S. Treasury with the same maturity length. However, no corporation has an equivalent ability to promise repayment of principal. During the period you own the bond, the corporation may face financial problems or even bankruptcy. If that happens, the value of your bond in the market may fall significantly. For this reason, if you wish to buy corporate bonds, you should consider buying a diversified mutual fund or ETF.

Finding a good fund Some mutual funds and ETFs manage portfolios of high-yield or “junk” bonds — bonds issued by corporations whose ratings are not considered investment-grade. The payoff for the greater investment risk is much higher interest than investmentgrade corporate bonds pay. Some mutual fund managers, such as

Vanguard, have relatively conservative high-yield portfolios that have performed well over the long term. If you are going to invest in corporate bonds, I recommend bond funds or ETFs. If you have a diversified portfolio, you minimize investment risk. There are many reliable choices of funds with low annual fees, reinvestment options and check-writing capabilities. If you are conservative, you can restrict yourself to only investment-grade mutual funds. However, if you are a long-term investor looking for high income and willing to take some risk, you may consider devoting some proportion of your bond portfolio to conservative high-yield funds or ETFs. If you are very conservative, not concerned with income and risk averse, you can restrict your bond investments to short-term Treasury investments. 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

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Earn higher yields while doing good By Eleanor Laise What if you could measure your investment performance not only in terms of yield and total return but also by the number of small businesses financed, tons of waste reduced and affordable homes created? A growing number of “impact” investments allow investors to do just that — while also earning decent yields. Impact investments belong to a broader principles-based investment universe that also includes mutual funds focusing on companies with strong environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) track records. Rather than simply encouraging socially responsible corporate practices, however, impact investments aim to have a direct and measurable impact on society or the environment. Retirees are increasingly drawn to these vehicles, which held more than $500 billion at the end of 2018, according to the Global Impact Investing Network. Many older investors are thinking about the legacy they want to leave future generations, “and that type of long-term thinking is very much in line with what motivates impact investors,” said Amit Bouri, GIIN’s chief executive officer. While many of these vehicles are conservative fixed-income instruments, they’re not without risk. Check liquidity restrictions carefully: Some products are designed to be held to maturity.

Investing with an impact One of the more established impact investments available to individual investors

is the Calvert Community Investment Note, launched in 1995. The note’s portfolio consists of intermediaries and funds that finance affordable housing, community development, education and other initiatives. The minimum investment is just $20, and investors can currently choose maturities ranging from 2020 to 2034, with interest rates of 1.5% to 4%. Although the product doesn’t offer any guarantees, it has repaid 100% of principal and interest since inception, said Justin Conway, vice president of investment partnerships at Calvert Impact Capital. CNote offers similar fixed-income products but focuses on economic inclusion. The firm’s flagship note yields 2.75% and invests in federally certified community development financial institutions (CDFIs), which fund loans for small businesses and support sustainable economic growth and affordable housing. Early this year, CNote launched the Wisdom Fund, which invests in CDFIs that lend to female entrepreneurs. To close the gender wealth gap, “we have to focus on lending to women, and particularly women of color,” said Catherine Berman, CNote’s chief executive officer. The minimum investment is $25,000, and the fund is designed to generate a 4% annual return over a five-year term. The fund is currently available only to accredited investors — those who have $200,000 in earned income or a net worth of more than $1 million, excluding the value of their home — but CNote may open the fund to nonaccredited investors in the future, Berman said.

Please patronize our advertisers.

Frank, Frank

& Scherr, LLC

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Elder Law, Estate & Special Needs Planning

Medical Assistance Planning and Eligibility Advance Medical Directives / Living Wills Trusts / Estate Planning and Administration / Wills Powers of Attorney / Guardianship Disability Planning / Special Needs Trusts

410.337.8900 | www.frankelderlaw.com | 1.888.338.0400 Towson | Columbia | Easton

Avoiding fossil fuel The firm Aspiration takes the impact concept a step further, urging customers to think not only about the impact of their investment dollars but also their everyday spending. In the Aspiration Spend & Save Account, customers who make a deposit of at least $1,000 each month earn a 2% yield. Aspiration is not a bank, but it sweeps customers’ cash to institutions that offer federal deposit insurance and do not lend any money to oil and gas companies.

The firm also scores thousands of companies on how they treat their employees and the planet, so customers can “make spending decisions based on that,” said Andrei Cherny, Aspiration’s chief executive officer. The account fee is “pay what is fair,” meaning customers can set their own fee — even if it’s zero. © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Is pet insurance a cost-effective purchase? Dear Savvy Senior, I own two dogs and a cat that I would do almost anything for. But expensive veterinary bills put a strain on my budget. Is pet insurance a good idea? —Older Pet Owner Dear Pet Owner, If you’re the kind of pet owner who would do anything for their furry family — including spending thousands of dollars on medical care — pet insurance definitely is an option to consider. Here’s what you

should know.

and Canada, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.

Rising vet costs The cost of owning a pet has gone up in recent years. New technologies now make it possible for pets to undergo sophisticated medical treatments for many life-threatening diseases, just like humans. But these treatments don’t come cheap. That’s why pet insurance has gotten more popular in recent years. More than 2 million pets are currently insured in the U.S.

Are you an Active Senior of Moderate Income? Discover Great Senior Living at our Affordable Community Conveniently located near the Union Bridge Community Center. 24-hour emergency on-call maintenance. Affordable rent. Caring & dedicated staff. 550 Shriner Court Union Bridge, MD 21791

410-775-2940 www.qpmgmt.com Rent starts at $555. Income restrictions apply. Call or visit our web site to view this community. T/A Quantum Property Management

surance association.

Shopping tips How pet plans work Pet insurance is actually very similar to human health insurance. Pet policies typically come with premiums, deductibles, co-payments and caps that limit how much will be paid out annually. But unlike people coverage, you usually have to pay the vet bills in full and wait for reimbursement from the insurer. Pet policies vary greatly from basic plans that cover only accidents and illness, to comprehensive policies that provide complete nose-to-tail protection, including annual checkups and vaccinations, spaying/neutering and death benefits. You should also be aware that pet policies typically don’t cover pre-existing conditions, and premiums are generally lower when your pet is young and healthy. Costs for pet insurance will also vary by insurer and policy, but premiums typically depend on factors like the cost of veterinary care where you live and the age and breed of the pet. The average annual premium for basic accident and illness coverage was $516 per pet in 2017, while the average claim paid was $278, according to the pet health in-

How to complain From page 16 length of time, Santiago said. Let the business know that you’ll pursue other solutions if you don’t hear back by then. Attach only copies or scans of relevant documents, not the originals, and send your letter by certified mail. (Go to consumer-action.org for a sample letter and email and a free guide titled How to Complain.) Try social media. Should you apply leverage by complaining on social media, also known as “Twitter shaming” or “Yelp blackmail”? It’s worth a shot, especially if the company is worried about its reputation. At a minimum, you may feel better by airing your complaint or commiserating with other aggrieved consumers. To avoid exposing yourself to accusations of defamation and a potential lawsuit, be completely honest, don’t exaggerate, and back up your assertions with documentation. If your efforts don’t get results, file your complaint with an intermediary that can assist or advise you, such as the BBB, Consumer Action or Elliott Advocacy. As a last resort, you could sue a business in small-claims court. States set different rules and dollar limits (see Nolo.com’s 50-State Chart of Small Claims Court Dollar Limits). However, many companies insert arbitration clauses in their contracts, which may require you to take a dispute to a third party for resolution rather than going to court.

Major pet policy providers include the ASPCA, Embrace, Healthy Paws, Nationwide, PetFirst, Petplan and Trupanion. To help you shop and compare coverage and costs from pet insurers, go to PetInsuranceReview.com. If you’re still working, one way to pay lower premiums, and possibly get broader coverage, is to buy pet insurance through your employer, if available. Eleven percent of employers in the U.S. offer pet health insurance benefits, according to the Society for Human Resource Management, and these plans are usually discounted.

Should you self-insure? Many animal advocates think most pet owners are better off forgoing pet insurance and instead putting the money you would have spent on premiums into a dedicated savings account to pay for vet care as needed. Depending on the policy, pet insurance can cost $1,500 to $6,000 over the life of an average pet, and most pet owners will never spend that much for treatment. See PET INSURANCE, page 20

If all else fails If you’ve hit a wall with customer service, contact an intermediary. Some groups will intervene on your behalf; others collect complaints to spot trends and combat fraud for all consumers. — Contact your state’s consumer protection office or regulatory agency (search by state at usa.gov/state-consumer). — If you’re dealing with a licensed professional or tradesperson, you can complain to the state or local licensing board with jurisdiction over the person. — If you think you’ve been the victim of fraud or deceptive practices, complain to your state’s attorney general, your district attorney or the fraud division of a local law enforcement agency. — Ask for help from the feds. Look for complaint strategies for specific categories of products and services with third-party contact information at usa.gov/complaints-by-product. — At the federal level, you can also complain to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau about a financial product or service; the Federal Communications Commission about a telecom billing or service issue; the Federal Trade Commission about fraud or an unfair business practice; Medicare about your Medicare health plan or prescription-drug plan; and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission about problems with brokers, brokerage firms, investment advisers and other market participants. © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Remodel for aging in place with style By Patricia Mertz Esswein Your kids are successfully launched and, suddenly, you seem to have more disposable income. This could be a good time to tackle the remodeling projects you’ve been putting off. And while you’re updating your house for style, consider adapting it so you can age in place comfortably. Studies show that most homeowners age 50 and older say they want to remain in their house as they age, but most U.S. homes weren’t built to accommodate older people’s special needs. For example, only one-third have basic accessibility features, such as a no-step entry and a bedroom and full bath on the entry level, according to a report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. If you want to remodel your house to fit your future needs, begin with an inventory. Walk around your home and note the things that are already difficult for you to navigate. If you’re in good health and it’s hard to imagine the loss of mobility, think of returning home after surgery on crutches or with a walker or in a wheelchair. Can you get into your house? Can you access your bathroom? In many cases, the answer will be no. One of the most popular projects is to install a curbless shower, even if it means removing the home’s only bathtub. That has long been a no-no because it could reduce the house’s resale value. But that’s becoming less of a concern for homeowners today, said Dan Bawden, owner of Legal Eagle Contractors and a certified aging-inplace specialist in Houston. Installing maintenance-free materials is also important, Bawden said. For example,

quartz countertops in the kitchen and bathroom are super-hard, scratch and stain resistant, and never need sealing, unlike natural stone. Quartz is also less expensive than it used to be.

What will it cost? For estimated project costs, the annual Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling magazine is a good resource. In 2019, the national average cost for a minor kitchen remodel is $22,507, $66,196 for a major remodel, and $131,510 for an upscale project. The average cost for a bathroom remodel is $33,374 for a midrange project that includes design features to fit any age; it’s $64,743 for an upscale remodel. If you want to add a first-floor master bedroom, the national average cost is $130,986 for a midrange job and $271,470 for an upscale one. However, if you want to widen a bathroom door, put in grab bars and add a curbless shower, that would typically cost about $11,800 to $14,000 (prices vary by region). If you’re adding on to your home or building a multistory house, you could prepare for an elevator by stacking 6-footsquare closets. That way, when you’re ready, the contractor can just remove the floor between the closets. For help designing and constructing larger projects, look for a Certified Agingin-Place Specialist who has completed a program developed by the National Association of Home Builders with AARP. Go to www.nahb.org and search for “CAPS Directory.” © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 2

PRUNING FOR ALL SEASONS Elkridge Branch Library will host a Master Gardener program on Pruning for All Seasons on Sat., Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. The library is

located at 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge. Registration is required for the free program. To sign up, visit the library, phone (410) 313-5077 or go to hclibrary.org.

Nov. 9

RETIREMENT TAX PLANNING Financial planner Roger Desai will teach a one-morning course in creating tax strategies at various stages of retirement on Sat.,

Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Cost is $54. For more information about the course or to register, visit howardcc.edu or call (443) 518-1700.

Nov. 12+

FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE East Columbia Branch Library will host a walk-in clinic staffed by attorneys to provide free legal assistance to income-eligible self-

represented litigants on Tues., Nov. 12 and Tues., Nov. 17. To learn more about the program, visit the library at 6600 Cradlerock Way, call (410) 313-7701, or go to hclibrary.org.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Pet insurance

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

INTERVIEW A VET FOR LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

From page 18

The Library of Congress needs you for the Veterans History

Ways to save

Project, an oral history archive that collects firsthand accounts of U.S. veterans. Volunteers select veterans in their communities and conduct an oral history interview of at least 30 minutes in length, and submit the recordings to the Library of Congress where they will be archived and made available to researchers. For more information and sample questions, visit loc.gov/vets/kitmenu.html. Contact Andrew Huber at ahub@loc.gov or (202) 707-1819 for more information.

Going Home Cremation Service Beverly L. Heckrotte, P.A. Personalized

Professional

Dignified

Affordable

• 24-hour service specializing in direct cremation • Return of the urn and memorial merchandise to your home

If you can’t afford pet insurance or choose not to buy it, there are other ways you can save. For example, many local animal shelters offer free or low-cost spaying and neutering programs and vaccinations. And some shelters work with local vets who are willing to provide care at reduced prices for low-income and senior pet owners. There are also a number of organizations that provide financial assistance to pet owners in need. To locate these programs, visit HumaneSociety.org/PetFinancialAid.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 16

call for your FREE information package

Visit us at www.GoingHomeCremation.com

FREE REPAIRS

An afternoon full of repairs and do-it-yourself hints are on the agenda for Columbia Time Bank’s “Share and Shop” event from 1 to 4 p.m. Sat., Nov. 16 at the East Columbia 50+ Center, 6600 Cradlerock Wy., Columbia. For more information about the event or to register broken items needing repair, visit TransitionHoCo.org or call (410) 884-6121.

Nov. 16+

(301) 854-9038 or 1 (866) 728-4663 (toll free)

To save on pet medications, get a prescription from your vet (ask for generic if possible) so you can shop for the best price. Medicine purchased at the vet’s office is usually more expensive than you can get from a regular pharmacy or online. Most pharmacies fill prescriptions for pets inexpensively, and many pharmacies offer pet discount savings programs too. You can also save by shopping online at a verified pharmacy like 1800PetMeds.com, DrsFosterSmith.com and PetCareRX.com. Send your questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

FAMILY RESEARCH HELP

The Howard County Genealogical Society staffs a help desk at Miller Branch Library on the third Saturday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m. to assist with questions about tracing family genealogies. To learn more, call (410) 381-7899 or visit the library at 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City.

Introducing

the future of personal transportation.

10”

The Zinger folds to a mere 10 inches.

Also available in Black

It’s not a Wheelchair... It’s not a Power Chair... It’s a Zinger Chair! More and more Americans are reaching the age where mobility is an everyday concern. Whether from an injury or from the aches and pains that come from getting older– getting around isn’t as easy as it used to be. You may have tried a power chair or a scooter. The Zinger is NOT a power chair or a scooter! The Zinger is quick and nimble, yet it is not prone to tipping like many scooters. Best of all, it weighs only 47.2 pounds and folds and unfolds with ease. You can take it almost anywhere, providing you with independence and freedom. Years of work by innovative engineers have resulted in a personal electric vehicle that’s truly unique. They created a battery that provides powerful energy at a fraction of the weight of most batteries. The Zinger features two steering levers, one on either side of the seat. The user pushes both levers down to go forward, pulls them both up to brake, and pushes one while pulling the other to turn to either side. This enables great mobility, the ability to turn on a dime and to pull right up to tables or desks. The controls are right on the steering lever so it’s simple to operate, and its exclusive footrest swings out of the way

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

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

1-888-668-3870 Please mention code 109028 when ordering.

The Zinger Chair is a personal electric vehicle and is not a medical device nor a wheelchair, and has not been submitted to the FDA for review or clearance. Zinger is not intended for medical purposes to provide mobility to persons restricted to a sitting position. It is not covered by Medicare nor Medicaid. © 2019 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

83974

Just think of the places you can go: • Shopping • Air Travel • Bus Tours • Restaurants– ride right up to the table! • Around town or just around your house

Say you saw it in the Beacon

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

A Publication of the Department of Community Resources and Services A Message from Howard County Executive

Calvin Ball November is a month where we reflect on our blessings and give thanks. I am encouraging all county residents to be especially thankful for our older adults, our family caregivers, and our veterans. During this “National Family Caregivers Month,” we know that all family caregivers want their older loved ones to have the best care possible. If you are curious about Howard County’s caregiver support programs, visit a 50+ Center this month to find out about available education, resources and assistance programs. We have also expanded the Loan Closet of Howard County to provide refurbished medical equipment and resources to all those in need. Together, we can ensure all our caregivers are ready to support their loved ones during their aging journey. This month is also dedicated to those who serve, and on November 11 we will celebrate Veterans Day. To honor our military veterans who served this country, we will hold a parade on Sunday, November 10, and work with “Operation Gratitude” to send handmade items of love to those deployed overseas. In addition, November is “Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.” This is a chance for us to unite as a community and support those who live with Alzheimer’s. As we raise awareness, we will promote ways to help an affected loved one, such as keeping a daily routine, avoiding over-stimulation, and always being reassuring. Finally, to celebrate this time of Thanksgiving, I hope you will join me for our “Giving Thanks Luncheon and Dance” on November 14 at Ten Oaks Ballroom. This Thanksgiving meal is a wonderful chance to celebrate together as a community, and tickets can be purchased at any of our 50+ Centers. Throughout November and the whole year long, I am so grateful to live in Howard County and to enjoy a community as caring and supportive as ours.

Volume 9, No. 11 • November 2019

Be CARE CURIOUS! November is National Family Caregiver's Month and it is a time to celebrate those who care for a spouse, a parent, a friend, a family member or a neighbor. The 2019 national theme is Be Care Curious, something all caregivers should take to heart, because being informed about your loved one’s condition will empower you to provide better care. Because each caregiving situation is unique, the Office on Aging and Independence’s (OAI) Family Caregiver Support program strives to meet caregivers where they are on their journey and provide appropriate supports. OAI resources and services for caregivers include: • National Family Caregiver Support grants for respite, personal care services or other needs • Caregiver Education events and ongoing education • Kindred Spirits and Connections Social Day programs to reduce isolation of loved-ones and provide respite for caregivers • Long Term Care Options Counseling through Maryland Access Point (MAP) • The Loan Closet — assistive technology and durable medical equipment • Community Living Program: home safety assessments/modifications • Evidence-based and wellness programs to support physical and mental health of caregivers and those for whom they provide care • Medicare Counseling through Howard County’s State Health Insurance and Assistance Program (SHIP) • Ombudsman Program — advocating for those living in assisted living facilities and nursing homes “Caregivers are often unsung heroes, yet they provide essential hands-on care and emotional support for those individuals living with chronic disease, cognitive or functional impairment and aging in our communities,” said OAI Administrator Jenna Crawley. “National Family Caregivers Month is a time to honor, celebrate, and thank caregivers for the tremendous difference they make every day.” In November, OAI’s Caregiver Education specialists will visit Howard County 50+ Centers to share resource information with caregivers and answer questions. How to be Care Curious: • READ ALL YOU CAN about your loved-one’s condition • SHARE THE CARE — ask family members or others for help • PRACTICE SELF-CARE — proper nutrition/regular medical check-ups • AVOID CRISIS by planning ahead For more details about OAI’s Family Caregiver Support program, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/caregiver or call 410-313-5955 (voice/relay).

Thankful for Caregivers • 10:30 a.m. to noon The 50+ Connection is published monthly by the Howard County Ofﬁce on Aging and Independence. This publication is available in alternate formats upon request. To join our subscriber list, email kahenry@howardcountymd.gov 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) • www.howardcountymd.gov/aging Find us on

www.Facebook.com/HoCoCommunity

Kim Higdon Henry, Editor • Email: kahenry@howardcountymd.gov Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the Office on Aging and Independence or by the publisher.

Learn about the Howard County Family Caregiver Support Program and meet other caregivers. Register on-site to win a rafﬂe basket! • • • • • •

Friday, November 15.............Elkridge 50+ Center Monday, November 18 ..........Bain 50+ Center Tuesday, November 19..........East Columbia 50+ Center Wednesday, November 20 ....Glenwood 50+ Center Thursday, November 21 ........Ellicott City 50+ Center Friday, November 22.............North Laurel 50+ Center

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

The 50+ Connection

National Information and November Highlights Focus on Fitness Referral Services Day By Christopher Moore, Maryland Access Point Program Manager

he United States Senate first designated November 16 as Information and Referral Services Day in 2011 to raise public awareness and recognize the critical importance of the I&R field. Information and Referral — or I&R — is the art, science and practice of bringing people and services together and is an integral component of the health and human services sector. People in search of critical services such as shelter, financial assistance, food, jobs, or mental health support may not know where to turn for help, and often get overwhelmed trying to find what they need. Knowledgeable I&R professionals connect people in need to the services that can help them, significantly reducing their frustration and increasing the speed and efficiency of service delivery. Those who work in the I&R field are like living, breathing encyclopedias, providing answers to a wide range of questions, from, “Where can I get a free meal for my family” to “Who do I call about a horse running loose in my neighborhood?” Within the Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS), information and referral for older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers is provided by the Office on Aging and Independence’s Maryland Access Point (MAP) program, 410-313-1234. DCRS’ Office of Children and Families provides I&R services to children and families through the CARE (Child and Adolescent Resources and Education) Line, 410-313-CARE (2273). All services are provided free of charge and are confidential. To acknowledge National Information & Referral Services Day, CARE Line and MAP staff will present a screening of a 1969 classic I&R film entitled Tell Me Where to Turn on Friday, November 15 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Department of Community Resources and Services, 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia. A Q&A session will follow; RSVP to MAP@howardcountymd.gov to reserve your seat.

FLU SHOT CLINIC! Bain 50+Center 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Individuals 6 months and older are eligible to receive a Flu Shot. Standard dose protects against four flu viruses. No high dose flu vaccine, flu mist or pneumococcal vaccines available. Vaccines are subject to availability and will be administered on a first come, first served basis.

The Loan Closet of Howard County has moved to a new location and has expanded to better serve the needs of all residents!

7125 Riverwood Drive, Suite D1 Columbia, MD 21046

— CALL AHEAD FOR EQUIPMENT OR DONATION INFORMATION — PHONE

410-313-0363 (voice/relay) •

FAX

410-313-0369

Find the Latest Updates at howardcountymd.gov/loancloset

Get a FREE balance and strength fitness assessment by a certified fitness professional on Monday, November 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Village in Howard, 6061 Stevens Forest Road in Columbia 21046. Call 410-313-6073 (voice/relay) to make an appointment. Co-sponsored by The Village in Howard.

Medicare Open Enrollment Medicare Parts C and D Open Enrollment runs through December 7. If you need assistance, Howard County’s State Health Insurance and Assistance Program (SHIP) counselors are ready to help. SHIP has 26 counselors trained as Part D Specialists to assist Medicare recipients during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP). To make an appointment with a SHIP counselor, call 410-313-7392 (voice/relay). For a list of Medicare education events in Howard County, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/SHIP.

Kudos & Awards! CONGRATULATIONS to the Ellicott City 50+ Center for being named by Baltimore Style magazine as the Best Senior Center in the 2019 Reader’s Choice awards. This is a significant recognition as these awards encompass not only Howard County but the entire Baltimore metropolitan area. CONGRATULATIONS to the Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center and to personal trainer Michelle Rosenfeld, who were both nominated in the Best Gym and Best Personal Trainer categories, respectively, in Howard Magazine's “Best of Howard Awards.” CONGRATULATIONS to Kathy Wehr, OAI’s Caregiver Support Program Manager and her team from the Howard Health Partnership – Consumer and Family/Caregiver Engagement Workgroup, who were selected as one of nine finalists in the Horizon Foundation Changemaker Challenge! Their proposal is to offer in-person “Practical Skills for Caregivers” classes in Howard County as well as produce a video series to give caregivers the option of learning on-line. Kathy's team will present their “Big Idea” for the Changemaker Challenge on Monday, November 11. Good luck!

Show Your Support OPERATION GRATITUDE — Show your support for the men and women currently serving in our military by knitting or crocheting a scarf or hat. Hats should fit an adult-sized head; scarves can be 4 to 6 inches wide and 48 to 50 inches long (no fringe). Items may be made of wool or acrylic yarn (attach a tag to indicate fiber content) or non-flammable fleece, in neutral colors. Feel free to include a personal note for the recipient, and drop off completed items at any Howard County 50+ Center or Postal Xpress N More in Ellicott City by Friday, November 8. VETERANS PARADE — Show your support for our veterans by attending the Howard County Veterans Parade on Sunday, November 10, sponsored by the Howard County Veterans Foundation and the Columbia Association. The 5th annual parade honors all branches of the US Military, the National Guard, first responders, and their families and will feature marching bands, military units and plenty of hometown heroes. The parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. from Merriweather Post Pavilion, travels along Little Patuxent Parkway and ends at the future site of the Howard County Veterans Monument at Lake Kittamaqundi. For more information, call 410-313-0821 (voice/relay).

Say you saw it in the Beacon

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Travel

Leisure &

Kitsch and dreams on America’s highway of hope. See story on p. 24.

Visiting European capitals via the Danube

Palaces and gardens Throughout the cruise, each city we ex-

plored was an architectural showcase spanning centuries and styles. We saw so many frescoes, sculptures and mosaics that it seemed we were wandering through outdoor art museums. Some treasures stood out, particularly the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, built between 1696 and 1712 at the direction of Emperor Leopold I for his son, Joseph I. The emperor’s goal was to replicate the splendor of Versailles in the 1,441-room castle. We agreed that he accomplished that, albeit on a smaller scale. Another emperor, Franz Joseph, ordered construction of Vienna’s 2.5-mile long grand main boulevard, the Ringstrasse, which is lined by monumental buildings constructed during the last half of the 19th century. Many of them are ostentatious palaces built by noblemen anxious to display their wealth. Even more impressive are much larger public structures, like the Parliament, Vienna State Opera and Museum of Fine Arts, which are as well known for their external architecture as for what takes place inside. There’s so much to experience in Prague that we welcomed the three-night hotel stay there, which our itinerary included. That provided ample time to stroll along its maze of narrow cobbled walkways, find off-thebeaten-track chapels and lovely gardens, and explore quiet neighborhoods that few

PHOTO BY OLENA KOROL/DREAMSTIME.COM

By Victor Block “Now we’re heading toward Durnstein, one of the loveliest towns in Austria,” the voice over the ship’s loudspeaker intoned. “So many artists have gathered at one spot to portray the magnificent surrounding landscape that it became known as the Painters’ Corner.” As our vessel continued its journey on the Danube River, my wife and I joined other passengers in oohing and aahing at the beauty of other towns and villages along the way. We passed churches, castles and other historic landmarks, and marveled over scenery that made us wish we had the time, and talent, to capture what we were seeing on canvas. Our tour took us to the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, past Prague, Vienna and Budapest, three of the grandest capital cities in all of Europe; little Bratislava, the miniscule capital of Slovakia, which replicates much of the splendor in a more compact setting; and smaller towns with their own charms. We were traveling with Grand Circle Cruise Line, one of several companies that offer voyages along the fabled and fabulous Danube River. We chose the company because of its focus on “Learning and Discovery.”

Riverboats travel the blue Danube River, which divides the Hungarian cities of Buda and Pest. Floating past historic cities and villages on a modest-sized cruise ship that includes land tours as well can be a relaxing and informative way to see Europe.

PHOTO BY ROB HURSON

visitors seek out and find. Prague Castle, built more than 1,000 years ago, is the largest in Europe. The Castle complex stretches over 18 acres, and encompasses chapels, residential quarters, galleries and gardens. The site served in the distant past as the seat of power for kings of Bohemia. We were told that the Crown Jewels from that time are kept hidden in a secret room. When we reached Slovakia, we got a glimpse of the massive Bratislava Castle, perched on a rocky hill overlooking the Danube. Erected in 1430, its exterior walls and inside corridors contain fragments from Gothic and Renaissance times. The white fortress-like structure, with a stocky tower at each corner, houses a museum that traces the history of the area from the Middle Ages to the present, as well as collections documenting the story of Slovak people throughout the world, and coins from the earliest times to today.

Art of all types

Tourists explore Old Town Bratislava, Slovakia, a city that resembles an outdoor art museum. From the four towers of Bratislava Castle (top right), visitors can get a view of Austria and Hungary.

All four capital cities on the itinerary have major museums with world-class art collections certain to attract discerning aficionados. But even those not drawn to classic art will find a number of other intriguing exhibits, like those in Bratislava Castle.

In the charming Czech Republic town of Ceský Krumlov, museums deal with topics as disparate as the history of torture and marionettes. A museum in Krems, Austria, displays caricatures and cartoon drawings, and among the more than 100 galleries in Budapest, Hungary, we found some devoted to pinball machines, miniature bottles, and Asian art and curiosities.

A sobering historical awareness In Mauthausen, Austria, we visited a very different kind of place, a former Nazi concentration camp. Once known as “The Killing Facilities,” the site includes exhibits with titles like “Murder by Poison Gas” and “Disposal of the corpses.” Located outside of the Austrian city of Linz, Mauthausen was one of the first large concentration camps built by the Nazis, and the last one to be liberated by American troops. It was populated largely by Jewish prisoners and captured Russian soldiers, along with convicted criminals, “gypsies” and others who were considered to be enemies of the Nazi regime or unfit to represent the ideal Aryan stereotype. Prisoners toiled in a granite quarry, many literally working to death. They had See DANUBE CRUISE, page 25

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

A journey in classic cars down Route 66 John Steinbeck called Route 66 the Mother Road because it was an escape route for desperate migrants heading west in search of jobs and new lives. The Model T made it possible; the Depression made it necessary. For Okies fleeing the Dust Bowl in the 1930s for the promised land of California, former soldiers heading west after the end of WWII, and beatniks and hippies searching for enlightenment, artistic freedom and a joint in the 50s and 60s — Route 66 has been a highway of hope for anyone pursuing a better life. Ultimately, this trip gave me an appreciation for the American ethos. In many ways, Route 66 is symbolic of the American character — a metaphor for the magnetic pull of the frontier and the freedom and adventure of the open road. And not just Americans get this. We ran into many foreign tourists, including a motorcycle club from Hong Kong and another from Germany making their thunderous way along the Mother Road.

More than just roadside kitsch As we rolled down the highway day after day, layers of experience unfolded like the sedimentary strata of an archeological dig. The top layer consisted of the kitschy, iconic sites we saw along the way: old diners, gas stations, motels, vintage cars, mu-

seums, architectural landmarks and collections of memorabilia. We saw lots of oddities, roadside attractions and noteworthy sites, including Mickey Mantle’s childhood home, the Cadillac Ranch, the Blue Whale of Catoosa, and a huge statue of the Muffler Man, now holding a gigantic hot dog in place of the muffler. Roadside Americana is just what you’d expect At quirky roadside attractions like the 1960s Motel Shawon Route 66, but we also ford and Restaurant in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, Route 66 saw another layer of the travelers can get a colorful impression of America. country during our journey — small-town middle America, Main Street USA, that vast gravy and red meat in various forms. It wasn’t all light-hearted fun and roseland between the coasts that those of us who don’t live there sometimes conde- colored nostalgia for a bygone era, though. We made at least one sobering stop along scendingly refer to as “flyover country.” It was an eye opener. We visited places I the way: the Oklahoma City Memorial for would have otherwise overlooked that filled the 168 victims of the terrorist bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in 1995, inin the picture of what the U.S. is all about. For almost two weeks I was immersed cluding 19 young children. The memorial is part of our American in the Heartland, passing through small towns with friendly people and stately story, too. It was impossible to get through houses flying large American flags, and eating huge portions of grits, biscuits with See ROUTE 66, page 25 PHOTO BY THOMAS HAWK

By Don Mankin In the 1940s, everyone was humming about how to “get your kicks on Route 66,” thanks to Nat King Cole and his hit. In the 1960s, the road fed the fevered imagination of an entire generation due to the two cool, good-looking guys in their hot Corvette who starred in the TV show “Route 66” during those years. Back in the day, yours truly — a decidedly uncool, homely teenager driving a vomit-green ‘54 Pontiac that seized up with vapor lock whenever it got hot — fantasized often about taking the classic American road trip down the storied route. Finally, just this past summer, that teenager — now a cooler, better-looking geezer (whose delusions are fueled by age) — had an opportunity to fulfill that fantasy on a Route 66 road trip hosted by a company called Two Lane America. For 12 days, my wife and I traveled in a caravan of six cars, including a vintage 1966 Corvette, from Chicago to the route’s terminus on Santa Monica Pier. Instead of driving our own car, as most participants do, my wife and I rode along with the owner of the company and his father in the lead van. We also got a lift from other drivers in the caravan to get their perspective on the trip and on America. In his classic novel The Grapes of Wrath,

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

Our Perfect Sleep Chair® does all that and more. More than a chair or recliner, it’s designed to provide total comfort. Choose your REMOTE-CONTROLLED EASILY SHIFTS FROM FLAT TO preferred heat and A STAND-ASSIST POSITION massage settings, for hours of soothing relaxation. Reading or watching TV? Our chair’s recline technology allows

White glove delivery included in shipping charge. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away! You get your choice of stain and water repellent synthetic DuraLux with the classic leather look or plush microfiber in a variety of colors to fit any decor. Call now!

The Perfect Sleep Chair®

1-888-566-1494 Please mention code 109027 when ordering.

Long Lasting DuraLux Tan

Chocolate Burgundy

Blue

DuraLux II Microﬁber

Burgundy Cashmere Chocolate

Indigo 46524

You can’t always lie down in bed and sleep. Heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – and dozens of other ailments and worries. Those are the nights you’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in: one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises your feet and legs just where you want them, supports your head and shoulders properly, and operates at the touch of a button.

you to pause the chair in an infinite number of settings. And best of all, it features a powerful lift mechanism that tilts the entire chair forward, making it easy to stand. You’ll love the other benefits, too. It helps with correct spinal alignment and promotes back pressure relief, to prevent back and NEW Footrest extension muscle pain. The overstuffed, oversized for better support biscuit style back and unique seat design head to toe will cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. It even has a battery backup in case of a power outage.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Danube cruise From page 23 to carry heavy stones up narrow, steep steps carved out of a hillside that became known as “the stairs of death.” Many who managed to survive that ordeal were shot, gassed or forced outside in winter, doused with cold water and left to freeze to death. While this very somber experience was far different from introductions to the countries we visited, we agreed with our fellow passengers that these stories must be remembered so they aren’t repeated. One positive sign of the impact the

Route 66 From page 24 the museum with a dry eye, and I left with a sense of foreboding that this was probably not the last such memorial we will ever have to build.

A life-changing journey On the ninth day of the trip, we visited the Mineshaft Tavern, the oldest bar in New Mexico, in the former ghost town and now booming tourist destination of Madrid, about 30 miles from Santa Fe. As I sat at the bar, I recalled my own journey on the highway of dreams 44 years ago. Most of my pilgrimage from Allentown, Pennsylvania to Venice, California was on Interstate I-40, not Route 66 (though the routes often overlapped), and I wasn’t fleeing the Dust Bowl. I was fleeing my own

camp tour has on people were hand-written messages left by visitors in a number of languages. Among those I spotted in English were “Never Again,” “You won’t be forgotten” and simply “Rest in peace.” Also hopeful was the number of schoolchildren visiting the complex. Their quiet demeanor and solemn expressions, not the norm among teenagers, offered hope that the “Never again” message will be borne out.

Dinner with local families The setting changed completely during a home-hosted dinner in Bratislava, during

personal depression brought on by losing my job, my girlfriend and the publishing contract for my first book, all in the space of just a few months. During that trip, I paused for two months to visit a friend in Santa Fe and help him fix up a dilapidated miner’s shack in Madrid. We usually ended our workdays at the bar in the Mineshaft. That was the summer my luck turned around. Sitting at that same bar, I understood at a deep, personal level what Route 66 meant for the millions of seekers and dreamers who made their way west on that narrow, dusty road. I only hope that their dreams worked out as well as mine. Two Lane America’s 13-day tours of Route 66 start at $2,399 per person. For more information, visit guidedroute66tours.com. More photos are on Don’s website, adventuretransformations.com.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 10+

GHOSTBUSTERS

Belmont Manor will give a demonstration of equipment used in tracking paranormal activity on its premises at 6 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 10 and a follow-up program on the history of the tracking at 6 p.m. on Tues., Nov. 12. Both programs take place at Belmont Manor, 6555 Belmont Woods Dr., Elkridge. For additional information, call the mansion at (410) 313-0200 or visit belmontmanormd.com.

Nov. 24

SHOP ELLICOTT CITY REBUILT

More than 60 stores in Old Ellicott City will celebrate their recovery from 2018’s flash flooding with a “Shop Small Saturday” sales event on Sat., Nov. 24. All but a quarter of the damaged shops and galleries have reopened. Stop by Main Street Ellicott City to support local businesses from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, see visitoldellicottcity.com.

A T

~ A L

A T RADITION RADITION

IN I N THE THE

J EWISH E W I S H C OMMUNITY O MMUNITY 125 1 2 5 Y EARS EARS

F O R OVER FOR OVER Contact us for our Advance Planning options and resources.

Since 1892

Columbia Arrangement Center 5560 Sterrett Place, Suite 204 Columbia, MD 21044 sollevinson.com 410-730-7230

which we had a basic education in many things Slovakian, and the family members with whom we dined heard about our lives. During the ride to our destination, before splitting into small groups assigned to different families, our program director encouraged us not to be shy about asking questions. Taking him at his word, we engaged our hosts in a discussion of politics in their country and ours, compared the education systems, and asked and answered questions about our respective situations regarding immigrants. At their invitation we strolled through the lavish garden in the back yard, picked

and sampled some of the vegetables, and then enjoyed a dinner entrée of chickens which, we learned to our dismay, had been scampering around the fenced yard earlier that day. The lucky rabbits that shared the compound had escaped that fate — at least for the time being. Grand Circle offers five Danube River cruises, among other destinations. Prices begin at $2,195, including international air fare, all onboard meals with beverages, guided tours with headsets in every port, the use of e-bikes, and gratuities for local guides and drivers. For more information, call 1800-221-2610 or visit gct.com.

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Style Arts &

The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park hosts the Columbia Orchestra’s free summer pops concert. See our list of the county’s best arts venues on page 27.

Building bridges between generations By Eleanor Laise Want to live forever? Marc Freedman can help. No, he’s not one of the Silicon Valley “immortalists” seeking to prolong human life spans. He’s the chief executive officer of Encore.org, an organization that aims to help older Americans make meaningful social contributions and find purpose in later life. In his new book, How to Live Forever: The Enduring Power of Connecting the Generations (Public Affairs, $27), Freedman demonstrates how programs that build bridges between the generations benefit society as a whole and help older people leave a lasting legacy. In this conversation with Eleanor Laise, senior editor of Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, Freedman reflects on his own aging process and the promise he sees in building intergenerational bonds. Q: You’ve worked for many years to connect the generations. What prompted you to write this book now? Some of it was crossing this personal Rubicon of turning 60 and thinking about what my priorities should be for the years ahead.

But also, as a society we’re crossing a Rubicon. For the first time in America, we have more people over 60 than under 18. And the only way to successfully navigate this demographic transition, I’m convinced, is older people focusing on the well-being of the next generation. We need to spend less time trying to be young and more time trying to be there for those who actually are. Q: You’re critical of efforts by some ultra-wealthy individuals to literally live forever. Can you talk about the type of immortality you’re advocating? Our obsession over life extension is coming at the expense of why we want to live forever. In 1963, [President Kennedy] said, we’ve added “years to life,” and it’s time to add “life to those years.” Since then, we’ve added two months a year to the American life span, but we’ve really struggled to understand what all those extra years could mean to us. Society is awash with all this talent and wisdom and experience. Some have argued the longevity revolution is a disaster in the making, that we’re becoming a society where old and young

OPENING NOVEMBER 8

410-730-8311

TobysDinnerTheatre.com

2020 SUBSCRIPTIONS

NOW ON SALE!

Hurry...Quantities are Limited! On sale through December 31, 2019

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

are at each other’s throats. But I think if we follow our natural instincts and the true route to happiness, which is investing in younger generations, we can make the most of the extra years in our lives. Q: Overall, How to Live Forever is a very upbeat book, but one of the more depressing points you make is that JFK’s plans for mobilizing older people to serve society “would be groundbreaking if unveiled today.” Why have we been so slow to change as a society? This is the most vexing question for me: Why is it taking so long? I think we have two major barriers keeping us from realizing the potential of the longevity revolution. One is the misguided conception of later life as a time for disengagement — “greying as playing” and recapturing our lost youth. The second problem is the peril of age segregation. We’ve organized society so the generations have very little contact in their daily lives — in education, the workplace, in housing. Social Security, a major step forward for older people, had the side effect of luring

Entrepreneur and author Marc Freedman, founder and CEO of Encore.org, is an expert on the “longevity revolution.”

older people out of the workforce and into a set of institutions like senior centers and retirement communities. And the end result has been the loss of a sense of the wholeness of life. See FREEDMAN, page 28

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Local arts venues present a wide variety By Margaret Foster Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no need to drive to Baltimore or Washington, D.C. to hear top-quality classical music or see a play that ran on Broadway. For more than four decades, Howard County has been building a robust arts scene that rivals big-city venues. One mark of its progress will be the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new cultural arts center, whose construction is set to begin in the spring. It will combine performance space, a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theater, dance classes and art studios, as well as the new home of Tobyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dinner Theatre. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will be artists doing all kinds of artwork. Hopefully, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be buzzing with activity,â&#x20AC;? said Toby Orenstein, owner of the dinner theatre. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a dream which we hope to see come true.â&#x20AC;? Tobyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, as are several other Columbia-based musical groups. Frances Dawson, who founded the choral group Columbia Pro Cantare in 1977, urges Howard County residents to take time out to hear a concert or see a play. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Music is something that really helps people in periods of strife,â&#x20AC;? Dawson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something in it that reaches beyond anything else that can hopefully open your mind.â&#x20AC;? Here are some of Howard Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

most popular art venues: Candlelight Concert Society (410) 997-2324 info@candlelightconcerts.org candlelightconcerts.org Founded in 1972, the Candlelight Concert Society performs chamber music, most often in the Smith Center at the Horowitz Center (see separate listing below). This seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lineup includes international stars, including a Chinese accordionist, British and Uzbek pianists and a German a cappella group. In May, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hayden to Hollywoodâ&#x20AC;? will feature popular music by John Williams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our audience doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to fight the traffic or pay parking garage fees; Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all basically in their back yard,â&#x20AC;? said Irina Kaplan Lande, Artistic Director of the Candlelight Concert Society. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very exciting to have this incredible quality in Columbia and Howard County.â&#x20AC;? Chesapeake Shakespeare Company PFI Historic Park, 3655 Church Rd., Ellicott City (410) 244-8570 Chesapeakeshakespeare.com Every summer, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company enlivens an abandoned school in Ellicott City. The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outdoor productions â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the Ruinsâ&#x20AC;? are located at the 1837 Patapsco Female Institute,

now PFI Historic Park, 3655 Church Rd, Ellicott City. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free parking and a free shuttle to the venue, which has â&#x20AC;&#x153;generally accessibleâ&#x20AC;? seating, according to its website. Much Ado About Nothing is scheduled for next July. The Columbia Orchestra Performances at Jim Rouse Theatre and Performing Arts Center, 5460 Trumpeter Rd., Columbia, and other venues. (410) 465-8777 info@columbiaorchestra.org

2020 SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW ON SALE HURRY! Quanities are Limited!

Columbiaorchestra.org The Columbia Orchestra often performs in the 747-seat Jim Rouse Theatre. Maestro Jason Love, Music Director of the popular orchestra and recently formed jazz band, won the third annual American Prize in Orchestral Programming in 2013. Among the unique aspects of a Columbia Orchestra concert are the free pre-concert lectures that delve into the composers and See ARTS VENUES, page 29

EACH SUBSCRIP TION INCLUDES : 4

DINNER & SHOW TICKETS 6HDVRQ 1 ADULT DINNE R & SHOW COU PON *RRG IRU WKH ILUVW ZHHNV RI DQ\ RQH R I VK RZV ...PLUS discount coup ons for shows, drinks & merchandise! 2 *RRG IRU WKH HQWLUH

020 SUBSCRIPT

Name November 8 - January 5, 2020

January 10 - March 22

Address &LW\ 6WDWH

( PDLO DGGUHVV +RPH 3KRQH

March 27 - June 7

June 12 - August 23

August 28 - November 1

November 6 - January 10, 2021

January 15 - March 21, 2021

TobysDinnerTheatre.com 410-730-8311

IONS -- $195 =,3

:RUN 3KRQH

, ZRXOG OLNH WR S XUFKDVH D WRWDO R

I (QFORVHG SOHD 6XEVFULSWLRQV VH ILQG P\ FKHFN SD\DEOH WR 7RE\ 3OHDVH FKDUJH ÂľV P\ FUHGLW FDUG IRU WKH DPRXQW RI 9,6$ 0$67(5&$5' ',6&29(5 &DUG ([S 'DWH

6LJQDWXUH

ALL payments must be received by Dece mber 31, 2019. Order by Mail: Fill out and return with payment to: Tobyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dinner Th eatre 6\PSKRQ\ : RRGV 5RDG Â&#x2021; &ROXP ELD 0' Order by Phone: o r 72%<6 Order On-line: To bysDinnerTheat re.com

Order Online! Quantities are limited! On Sale Through December 31, 2019

Due to the nature of theatrical bookings, DOO VKRZV DQG GDWHV DUH VXEMHFW WR FKDQJH Â&#x2021; 7RE\ÂľV 'LQQHU 7KHDWUH &ROXPELD 0'

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Freedman From page 27 One thing we need to do is be as creative in bringing people together as we were during the last century in separating them. And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll produce solutions to what ails us: conflict between generations, the epidemic of

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

loneliness, the scourge of ageism. Q: Among the intergenerational programs youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve studied, what has been the greatest success story? There are some wonderful international examples. Singapore has invested a little over $2 billion U.S. dollars in creating what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re describing as a kampong for all

BEACON BITS

Nov. 5+

HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW

This year, buy a handmade gift for the holidays. More than 25 artists will participate in a holiday craft sale beginning Nov. 5 at the Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Gallery, 8197 Main St., in Ellicott City. The special holiday show runs until Jan. 12, 2020. For more information, visit artistsgalleryec.com or call (443) 325-5936.

Ongoing

CROCHET GROUP

St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Episcopal Church in Mt. Airy hosts a weekly crochet session at 9 a.m. on Mondays for needle workers. Work together to produce prayer squares and prayer shawls for those in need. The church is located at 16451 Old Frederick Rd., Mt. Airy. To learn more, call (410) 489-4411.

ages â&#x20AC;&#x201D; kampong being the Malay word for village â&#x20AC;&#x201D; built around intergenerational harmony. New senior centers and preschools are [located together]. New housing developments are built around the idea of â&#x20AC;&#x153;3Gen flatsâ&#x20AC;? where older people, people in the middle, and younger people have an opportunity to connect in daily life. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve launched a volunteer corps of older people to tap those assets. Q: What do you say to older people who might live in a retirement community and feel that they really have no connection with younger people? How can they begin to build a bridge to the younger generations? I think through community involvement, volunteering at local schools, youth agencies and religious congregations, and seeking out opportunities [that] encourage contact with younger generations. And in organizing community projects that go beyond the walls of their retire-

(paid advertisement)

&RSSHU LQ QHZ GHYLFH VWRSV FROG DQG Ă X New research shows you can stop a cold in its tracks if you take one simple VWHS ZLWK D QHZ GHYLFH ZKHQ \RX ÂżUVW IHHO a cold coming on. Colds start when cold viruses get in your nose. Viruses multiply fast. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop them early, they spread in your airways and cause misery. But scientists have found a quick way to kill a virus. Touch it with copper. Researchers at labs and universities agree, copper is â&#x20AC;&#x153;antimicrobial.â&#x20AC;? It kills microbes, such as viruses and bacteria, just by touch. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why ancient Greeks and Egyptians used copper to purify water and heal wounds. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why Hippocrates, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;father of modern medicineâ&#x20AC;?, used copper to heal skin ulcers, and why Civil War doctors used it to prevent infection of batWOHÂżHOG ZRXQGV 7KH\ GLGQÂśW NQRZ DERXW viruses and bacteria, but now we do. Scientists say the high conductance of copper disrupts the electrical balance in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in seconds. Tests by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show copper surfaces kill germs that are left on them. That way the next person to touch that surface does not spread the germ. As a result of this new knowledge, some hospitals switched to copper for various touch surfaces, like faucets and doorknobs. This cut the spread of MRSA and other illnesses by over half, and saved lives. 7KH VWURQJ VFLHQWLÂżF HYLGHQFH JDYH inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When he felt a cold coming on he fashioned a smooth copper probe and rubbed it gently in his nose for 60 seconds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It worked!â&#x20AC;? he exclaimed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The cold went away completely.â&#x20AC;? It worked again every time he felt a cold coming on and he hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t had a cold since. He asked relatives and friends to try it. They said it worked for them so he patented CopperZapâ&#x201E;˘ and put it on the market.

Soon hundreds of people had tried it and given feedback. Nearly 100 percent said the copper stops their colds if used within 3 hours DIWHU WKH ÂżUVW VLJQ (YHQ up to 2 days, if they still get the cold it is milder than usual and they feel better. Users wrote things 1HZ UHVHDUFK &RSSHU VWRSV FROGV LI XVHG HDUO\ like, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It stopped my cold right away,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Is it supposed to work D ZKDFN MRE Â´ %XW KH ÂżQDOO\ WULHG LW DQG to his surprise, the copper cleared up his that fast?â&#x20AC;? Pat McAllister, age 70, received one sinuses right away. Judy and their daughfor Christmas and called it â&#x20AC;&#x153;one of the ter both said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has changed our lives!â&#x20AC;? Some users say copper stops nighttime best presents ever. This little jewel really works.â&#x20AC;? Now thousands of users have VWXŕľśQHVV WRR LI WKH\ XVH LW MXVW EHIRUH bed. One man said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best sleep Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had simply stopped getting colds. &RSSHU PD\ HYHQ VWRS Ă&#x20AC;X WKDW VWDUWV LQ in years.â&#x20AC;? People have used it on cold sores the nose if used right away and for several days. In a lab test, scientists placed 25 and say it can completely prevent ugly PLOOLRQ OLYH Ă&#x20AC;X YLUXVHV RQ D &RSSHU=DS outbreaks. You can also rub it gently on wounds, cuts, or lesions to combat infecNo viruses were found alive soon after. People often use CopperZap preven- tions. 7KH KDQGOH LV FXUYHG DQG ÂżQHO\ WH[WLYHO\ )UHTXHQW Ă&#x20AC;LHU .DUHQ *DXFL XVHG WR JHW FROGV DIWHU FURZGHG Ă&#x20AC;LJKWV 7KRXJK tured to improve contact. It kills germs skeptical, she tried it several times a day SLFNHG XS RQ ÂżQJHUV DQG KDQGV WR SURWHFW on travel days for 2 months. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sixteen you and your family. Copper even kills deadly germs that Ă&#x20AC;LJKWV DQG QRW D VQLŕľˇH Â´ VKH H[FODLPHG Businesswoman Rosaleen says when have become resistant to antibiotics. If people are sick around her she uses Cop- you are near sick people, a moment of perZap morning and night. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It saved me handling it may keep serious infection last holidays,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The kids had away from you and your loved ones. It colds going round and round, but not me.â&#x20AC;? may even save a life. The EPA says copper still works even Some say it also helps with sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a 2-day sinus when tarnished. It kills hundreds of difheadache. When her CopperZap arrived, ferent disease germs so it can prevent seshe tried it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am shocked!â&#x20AC;? she said. rious or even fatal illness. CopperZap is made in the U.S. of pure â&#x20AC;&#x153;My head cleared, no more headache, no copper. It has a 90-day full money back more congestion.â&#x20AC;? 2QH PDQ KDG VXŕľľHUHG VHDVRQDO VLQXV guarantee when used as directed to stop a problems for years. It was so bad it ru- FROG ,W LV *HW Rŕľľ HDFK &RSined family vacations and even dinners perZap with code MDSB5. Go to www.CopperZap.com or call out with friends. His wife Judy bought CopperZaps for both of them. He was so toll-free 1-888-411-6114. Buy once, use forever. skeptical he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh Judy, you are such

ment community and make a connection to the surrounding area. All of us want to know that when our days come to an end, we left the world better than we found it. Q: A few years ago, you launched the Generation to Generation campaign, aiming to mobilize one million older people to help children. What progress have you seen so far? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve already had 100,000 people join in the campaign, and I think they represent a deep yearning on the part of many older people to invest in the next generation and to show that older people arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just concerned about their own interests, but equally about the interests of the broader community and generations to come. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the embodiment of what we need to do now as we become a more-oldthan-young society â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but also of timeless wisdom weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve understood in many cultures since the beginning of time. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Greek proverb: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A society grows great when older people plant trees under whose shade they will never sit.â&#x20AC;? Q: You lament the segregation and separation created by retirement communities, assisted-living facilities and nursing homes. Can you talk about some of the more promising longterm-care models youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen? I was just visiting a remarkable senior living facility in west Seattle, Providence Mount St. Vincent â&#x20AC;&#x201D; affectionately known as the Mount. They have a preschool built-in, and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve conceptualized the floors as neighborhoods, not just with children, but parents of the children dropping them off and picking them up, interwoven into every aspect of life. Visiting the Mount, you forget very quickly youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in an institution for older people. You truly feel youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in a neighborhood, and I think theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural normal. ÂŠ 2019 Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BEACON BITS

Nov. 1+

VIDEO ART A video installation

by a trio of artists, â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Media: Poetry in Motion,â&#x20AC;? opens Fri., Nov. 1 at the Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Ave., Ellicott City. Featured artists are Vin Grabill, Brandon Morse and Joon Sung, who will be celebrated at a free public reception on Fri., Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Center. To learn more about the artists and the show, slated to run through Fri., Dec. 13, visit hocoarts.org or call (410) 313-2787.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Jazz club From page 1 After Mussel Bar’s Baltimore location shut down, Wiedmaier and Barkan collaborated to open a jazz club in the empty space.

Not just jazz Since it opened on April 30 (International Jazz Day), Keystone Korner Baltimore has welcomed hundreds of jazz sophisticates longing for the good old days, along with younger jazz enthusiasts. But when asked whether the supper club would cater to a clientele strictly focused on traditional, straight-ahead jazz music, Barkan didn’t miss a beat. “There’s no way I can exclusively rely on

Arts venues From page 27 their back stories. These sessions are a great way to get more out of the performances. This season’s concert highlights go beyond Mozart and Gershwin to include the family-friendly Symphonic Pops concert in April — songs from South Pacific, The Sound of Music, E.T. and other classic films. Wheelchair accessible. Columbia Pro Cantare Performs at local churches and the Jim Rouse Theatre and Performing Arts Center, 5460 Trumpeter Rd., Columbia (410) 696-2888 Procantare.org The choral group Columbia Pro Cantare is celebrating 42 years in Howard County. Its audiences are “very sophisticated,” Dawson said, and “quality is one of the things they mention” in surveys. This season, the group will perform Mozart’s Requiem and Handel’s Messiah. Senior tickets are $20. Merriweather Post Pavilion 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia (410) 715-5550 info@merriweathermusic.com Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead, The Who, Santana and Paul Simon have graced this famous outdoor stage in Columbia. Designed by architect Frank Gehry in 1967, the outdoor pavilion collapsed in January 2018 during a $55 million renovation but has been rebuilt in the same style. This year the amphitheater added not only corporate sky boxes but elevated,

presenting only mainstream jazz,” Barkan said. “To survive in Baltimore is to provide a healthy variety of musical styles.” That means an eclectic lineup that has included soul music, such as a “ladies’ night” tribute to Marvin Gaye and Luther Vandross, as well as a classical brunch with accompaniments by a Baltimore Symphony Orchestra quintet. “It’s all about variety,” said Lucas Novaes, assistant manager. “There are so many different types of jazz fans, you have to be prepared to book a welcome mixture.”

West Coast redux The popularity of Baltimore’s Keystone Korner reminds Barkan of the San Francisco version he owned for 11 years. Forstanding-room-only greenspace on both sides of the pavilion, dubbed the “sky lawn.” The green Chrysalis amphitheater opened in 2017. Merriweather closes for the season every September but will be back in the spring with a full lineup of every type of music under the sun. Peter & Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia This state-of-the-art venue at Howard Community College hosts many local arts performances. The Horowitz Center includes the Smith Theatre, Studio Theatre, Monteabaro Recital space, and Rouse Company Foundation Art Gallery. Parking in the West Garage is free on evenings and weekends. The complex is handicappedaccessible. Rep Stage Performs at Horowitz Center’s Smith Theatre (443) 518-1510 Repstage.org For 25 years, Howard Community College’s Rep Stage has taken on edgy, thought-provoking plays such as this season’s E2, a remake of Christopher Marlowe’s play Edward II. “All four productions in the season also examine power in its many forms, whether it is the power of positive thinking, the abuse of power or the power of pure entertainment,” Rep Stage Producing Artistic Director Joseph W. Ritsch said in a statement. Toby’s Dinner Theatre 5900 Symphony Woods Rd., Columbia (410) 730-8311

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 30 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

T O U R

E D G E

S T I E N A G M E R I T

O X I D E

M P O R H L Y F A D O P S U P C A R Y E R D I N L E L E G A L N O P O I T J C H A E A R M B

I A M A P

S T I L L A S

L A I N L Y Y M C A

Y A L L O L Y A A B U L Y M E S A R S

C E L E B U B E N S A L D V E E B A R L L Y A T H O M S A S

A C E R B

T R A I L

S U N N Y

D R N O

E E B S O S N

A I D E

S L A W

H Y M N

merly a blues venue, the West Coast club hosted the likes of Betty “Bebop” Carter, Freddie Hubbard, Stan Getz, Dexter “Long Tall” Gordon and other top jazz artists. After that club fell on financial hard times, Barkan produced various internationally-renowned Keystone Korner concerts in Oakland, California, New York City and Japan. Before coming to Baltimore, Barkan worked 11 years as programming director of the jazz club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, named Dizzy’s Club in honor of the late great John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie. During his 30 years in the Big Apple, Barkan produced more than 800 albums with labels such as Columbia, Fantasy, Mile-

stone, Concord, Sunnyside and HighNote. Today, Barkan is often described as a jazz impresario and a tireless advocate of the music he loves. “What excites me most about this project is that it’s a revival of the Keystone Korner, but this time on the East Coast,” Barkan said. “As was our mission at Keystone Korner in California, our mission now is to provide the best music in the world for the most affordable prices in the most loving environment.” Keystone Korner Baltimore is located at 1350 Lancaster St., Baltimore, (410) 9466726, keystonekornerbaltimore.com. Ticket prices range from $10 to $45, depending on the performer. Open for dinner daily and for brunch on Sundays. Reservations are accepted.

info@tobysdinnertheatre.com Toby’s Dinner Theatre productions have won many Helen Hayes Awards. This season, prepare to laugh at A Christmas Story, Kinky Boots, Shrek and Spamalot, which will feature Broadway costumes, according to Orenstein. Since the theater’s first show was Godspell, she said, they will perform that play again next year. “So there’s new and there’s old,” she said. Toby’s Dinner Theatre has ample free parking and is open on holidays such as Thanksgiving and Easter. Orenstein also founded the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, a theater school, in 1972, which

has daytime classes and performances throughout the year. Laurel Mill Playhouse 508 Main St., Laurel (301) 617-9906 laurelmillplayhouse.org Established 35 years ago as the Burtonsville Players, Inc., since 2003 the Laurel Mill Playhouse has been located in a quaint 100-year-old house on Main Street in Laurel. Thanks to the intimate setting, the audience is able to meet the actors. Free parking is available in a nearby city lot. The community theater’s next season includes a play about the Salem witch trials and the classic Miracle on 34th Street.

GOLD MEMBERS Howard County Oﬃce on Aging & Independence, The Beacon Newspapers, The Residences at Vantage Point SILVER MEMBERS The Bob Lucido Team of Keller Williams Integrity, Brooke Grove Retirement Village, HomeCentris Healthcare, Let's Move, LLC, Right at Home In Home Care & Assistance, BRONZE MEMBERS Angels of Elder Care Planning, Arbor Terrace Fulton, Brightview Rolling Hills, ComForCare Home Care of Howard County, Debra Levy Eldercare Associates Homewatch Caregivers, Lutheran Village at MILLER'S GRANT, Stress Free Solutions, Somerford Place PATRON MEMBERS 1020 Builders, Acts Retirement Life Communities - Fairhaven, Alfred House, Elder Care, AllCare Advanced Home Care, Alzheimer's Association - Greater MD Chapter, Assisting Hands Home Care, Brightview Catonsville, Country Gardens Assisted Living, Golden Oak Elder Law, P.C., HomeCall, Home Instead Senior Care, Integrated Cellular & Molecular Diagnostics, Miracle-Ear of Columbia, New Life Assisted Living, Inc., Prime Care House Calls, Professional Care Pharmacy, Shanri-la Senior Living, SIMPLICITY Home Group, Sunrise of Columbia, Visiting Angels

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Crossword Puzzle

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

Stephen Sherr

43 45

Across 1. Hourly worker 5. Spanish island 9. Winner of 7 Tony Awards in 1983 13. Stench 14. Throw one’s ___ the ring 15. Linen color 16. Cinderella’s stepmother and sisters 18. Pastrami possibility 19. Color in 148 national flags 20. October birthstone 21. ___ Brockovich 22. Cater a New Year’s Eve party 26. Like The Exorcist 28. Communion conclusions 29. Colosseum section 30. LA’s region 31. Billy ___ Williams 34. What all the words in 16, 22, 47, and 57 Across do 38. What none of the words are 40. Stat for wine or cheese 41. Airline which only serves kosher meals 43. Eve’s grandson 44. Wine tycoon, Ernest or Julio 45. Lowest rank of British peerage 47. Temporary board game co-conspirator 51. Deplane 52. Blind as ___ 53. Composition of 52 Across (in MLB) 56. Having a huge calorie count 57. Sermon about Independence Day 60. Think tank product 61. “This house is such ___!” 62. Bad Driver of The Force Awakens 63. Jimmy Carter had only one 64. Common joke settings 65. Bound strongly, as a good book 1. Rocker’s travels 2. Advantage 3. Yogurt disqualifier

31 39

Down

HC1119

Scrabble answers on p. 29.

4. Try to get more gossip 5. AAA hand-out to help get one from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines 6. ___ the night 7. Start to many rappers’ stage names 8. “___ last words?” 9. Us Weekly subjects 10. Like a bit of bitter butter 11. “Follow the money ___” 12. Optimistic 14. On cloud nine 17. Count of Apocalyptic Horsemen (or Teletubbies) 22. Indian dress 23. VH1’s #7 dance song of the 20th century 24. Bracelet bit 25. School two miles from Caesar’s Palace 26. Perform in a musical 27. Surrender territory 29. All the ___ in China 31. Mr. Bond’s first film 32. Like 41% of a piano’s keys 33. Snaky curve 35. Semi-monthly tide 36. Slang acronym for “Let Live and Live On” 37. “You guys”, down South 39. Spooooky 42. More like a dog than a cat 44. Answer to one of Bruce Wayne’s password reset questions 45. Mild depression 46. Highest male singing voice 47. Deserve a Nicotine Anonymous chip 48. H2O or CO2 49. More likely to get presents from Santa 50. Vast depression 53. Member of the Congressional staff 54. Picnic sidedish 55. Song directed to a Greek god 57. Quick punch 58. Actress Thurman, who killed Bill 59. Second degrees

Answers on page 29.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

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

Caregivers 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 Rent/Sale: Real Estate 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 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. 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]

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

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

Home/Handyman Services

TV/Cable

Wanted

**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! 1-855-8503183.

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)

ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off and 0% financing for those who qualify. PLUS Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-844-359-6933.

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 1888-572-4953 or satellitedealnow.com/TBN

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

Wanted

ESTATE LIQUIDATION/ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES: One call solves it all when you hire us to handle your estate liquidation, down-sizing and/or home cleanout. We sell your treasures, take care of charitable donations and provide junk removal. We also purchase partial estate contents/collections. Always buying antiques, jewelry, fine art, vintage toys, collectibles, advertising, sports memorabilia, military, 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.

Legal Services Events CREATE WORLD PEACE! Bring yourself and your family to “Peace Begins With Me” rally in Newark, New Jersey December 28th. • Mother of Peace, wife of the Rev. Moon. • 5000 voice Choir. • All Races/Religions Unified. Roundtrip bus $50. Call 410-544-5954.

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.)]

For Sale

Personals

FOR SALE: 2016 CHEVROLET COLORADO — Color red in mint condition. 4 wheel drive - Mileage: 23,199. Price: $30,000. 917-774-3009.

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. 240316-6152. Please leave a nice voice message for reply.

5 PLOTS AVAILABLE ALL TOGETHER or will separate at Medowridge Memorial Park. Westland Area Block 38 Lot 97 easy access from Meadowridge Road. Call Pat, 410-375-2521 or coninc@verizon.net - will negotiate.

SELL ME YOUR CAR, Truck or SUV for CASH today instead of a maybe tax deduction tomorrow. I come to you. NO FUSS NO MUSS. 410-916-0776 I also buy Motorcycles, Scooters & Bikes. If it’s got wheels, I am a CASH BUYER. Call Today. Let’s Roll 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

Thanks for reading the Beacon!

BEACON BITS

Nov. 10

OPENING RECEPTION AT GALLERY Horse Spirits Gallery in Savage will hold an opening day reception

for the artists in its November show on Sun., Nov. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the gallery, 8600 Foundry St. The exhibit covers a wide range of art, including papercut art and fused glass. For more information, including gallery hours, visit horsespiritsartsgallery.com or call (301) 490-2001.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies

Options for Senior America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Johns Hopkins SecureUS 3.0 Study . . . . . . . . .3 Shoulder Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Home Improvement

Events AARP Driver Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 COGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Financial Services Safe Money Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Peak Custom Remodeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Housing Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Charlestown/Erickson Living . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Park View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Residences at Vantage Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Shriner Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Village at Providence Point, The . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Funeral Services

Legal Services

Going Home Cremations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 MacNabb Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Home Health Care A-1 Action Nursing Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 At Home Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Graceful Living Senior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 HomeCentris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Medical/Health

Perfect Sleep Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Zinger Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Senior/Government Services Howard County 50+ Connection . . . . . . . .21-22 Howard County Recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

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

Technology TheBeaconNewspapers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Theatre/Entertainment Columbia Pro-Cantare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26, 27

CopperZap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Gentleneedle Acupuncture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Nourishing Life Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Eyre Tour & Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Route 66 Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Retail/Services

Volunteers

Columbia’s Village Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Oakridge Auction Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Meals on Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Tour & Travel

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y 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 l Independent living iving

assisted living assisted living

rehabilitation rehabilitation

long-term care long-term care

memory memory support support