November 2023 | Baltimore Beacon

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From standup to news anchor

NOVEMBER 2023

I N S I D E …

PHOTO COURTESY OF NBC4

By Margret Foster Some people enjoy a challenge. News anchor Tony Perkins — who started his career in standup comedy — is one of them.

The first time he stepped on stage at a comedy club 40 years ago, the crowd erupted in laughter and applause. But the second time was another story.

“I went back two weeks later with all new material and bombed,” Perkins, now 64, recalled in an interview with the Beacon.

“I thought, well, this is interesting. You might be the greatest comedian in the land two weeks ago, and tonight I’m not getting anything…That was kind of what hooked me, and I just kept going and going,” he said.

Perkins turned that tenacity into a decade-long career in standup, which was followed by a much longer successful career in radio and television. He was a familiar face on live national television on ABC’s “Good Morning America” from 1999 to 2005, appearing bright and early as weather anchor for the show.

In October, Perkins was the keynote speaker at the Beacon’s 50+Expo in Silver Spring, Maryland.

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LEISURE & TRAVEL

Escape to the Caribbean’s Dominican Republic — plus, Victoria, British Columbia’s laid-back elegance page 18

Childhood influences

ARTS & STYLE NBC anchorman Tony Perkins worked as a standup comedian for a decade before landing his first television position. “I liked to laugh, and I found I liked to make other people laugh,” Perkins said.

gave the diffident student newfound confidence. Perkins went on to become the first black editor-in-chief of his high school newspaper.

He came by his love of radio naturally.

Perkins’ father, who he has called “Mr. Charming,” was a DJ at WOL, a popular AM radio station in D.C., in the 60s. As a

Late-life artist Craig Haupt will be showing his whimsical works — like this one, called “On Second Thought…Pearls” — at Katsea Gallery in Towson page 22

See TONY PERKINS, page 25

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Perkins was born in the Bronx, New York, and his family moved to (and all around) the Washington, D.C. area starting when he was five years old. He attended elementary school in Southeast Washington, junior high in Prince George’s County, Maryland and high school in Alexandria, Virginia.

Although Perkins was shy in school, he would host mock gameshows at home with his younger brother, Scott. Using a hairbrush as a microphone, he would interview his family members and ham it up.

A public speaking class in high school

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Where do we go from here?

Have you ever had a near-death experi- to fulfill their life’s purpose or a particular ence? Of course, each day in our lives mission.

In nearly all cases, the expewe’re one day nearer to our rience results in major changes deaths. That’s the nature of in the person’s attitude and bethe human condition. havior, often their career and But those who’ve had what sometimes their marriage. It is now called a near-death exalso nearly always results in perience (known as an NDE) losing their fear of death. have the sensation of having It might be easy to write off “died and gone to heaven,” the occasional NDE story as and then return to life. the product of an overactive The term is frequently apimagination or hallucinatory plied to those who may have experience — perhaps flatlined during surgery, suf- FROM THE brought on by drugs during fered a near-fatal heart attack PUBLISHER or accident, or been struck By Stuart P. Rosenthal surgery or lack of oxygen to the brain, some claim — if by lightning, but somehow survived and recovered, often with intima- such accounts were rare or experienced primarily by people already known to be lighttions of what lies beyond.

Usually, these people were taken for ly tethered to reality. But that doesn’t seem dead by their doctors for a brief period be- to be the case.

I recently attended a lecture by Bruce fore they regained consciousness. During that “dead time,” however, many NDEers Greyson, M.D., professor emeritus of psywent through an other-worldly experience, chiatry and neurobehavioral sciences at the often involving the sense of traveling University of Virginia, who has spent 50 through a dark tunnel, being drawn toward years collecting data from more than 1,000 a pure light, exiting into a colorful world, ordinary people who share strikingly simiand communicating with angelic “light be- lar stories about their NDEs, including some with out-of-body experiences where ings,” often including deceased relatives.

While in this place, nearly all say they the patients report seeing or hearing things feel intense love and acceptance, learn what they could not have physically observed.

In 1981, Greyson helped found an orthe afterlife is like, and are either asked if they wish to return to their body or, in ganization, the International Association many cases, are told that they must return for Near-Death Studies (IANDS), and edit-

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ed its peer-reviewed scholarly journal, the Journal of Near-Death Studies, for 25 years.

He has himself published more than 100 articles describing his research.

When I heard him speak some weeks ago, he was addressing the annual convention of IANDS in Arlington, Virginia, before an audience of nearly 600 people.

I’ll admit a few of the other speakers at the conference, especially those hawking their books or offering to share their newfound “healing powers” for a price, seemed a bit on the shady side.

But I spoke with several attendees (those with yellow ribbons on their name tag were “experiencers”) who seemed very down to earth and shared unique experiences.

Some had what you might call the “traditional version” of a near-death experience; others had what they called “spiritually transformative” experiences while conscious — a daily-life experience that made them aware of a spiritual force in the world they had not previously sensed.

Most were attending the conference because it presented a safe place to meet others with whom they could share their stories and not be treated as if they were crazy. Instead, they would find people who could truly empathize, having had a similar experience themselves.

People came from all over the U.S., of all ages and backgrounds. Similarly, the experiencers studied by Greyson span the world, coming from many different cultures and nations, speaking many languages, yet telling stories with striking similarities.

In his 2021 book, After, Greyson summarizes many studies where he and others evaluate physical, brain-based explanations for NDEs and discover those can’t explain (or refute) the experiences. He also describes situations where inexplicable claims of out-of-body vision are evaluated and found to be accurate.

Most interesting to me: He says around

20 percent of people who come near death (whether in a hospital setting or otherwise) report having some sort of afterlife experience.

So, I’ve started to ask people I know if they have personally had such an experience or another inexplicable communication.

One friend confessed that a person her daughter had never met approached her at a conference and asked if her father had recently died. He had, she said, whereupon the fellow said he needed to convey a comforting message that her father wanted her to hear — a message containing facts it would have been difficult or impossible for someone outside the family to know. The stranger confessed that he doesn’t enjoy having this ability to be an intermediary, but it’s something he said he has no control over.

Other friends of mine (a nurse and a hospice chaplain) told me that seeing deceased relatives and engaging in conversations with them are frequently reported by hospital patients who are close to the end of life.

So, I would like to make a request. If you have had a near-death experience or an otherwise inexplicable spiritual encounter, or know of one from a close family member or friend, will you share those stories with us? We will not publicize the stories in your name if you don’t want us to. But I would like to gather more information about these phenomena with your help.

Please write to us either by mail or email, or submit your comments through our website. And please share your contact information so we can follow up with you if we have questions. Again, we will keep your personal information confidential.

I hope to hear from many of you. And I expect to follow up with a longer article about this topic in a future issue. Thank you.

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

Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or email info@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

Dear Editor: I, like many seniors receiving Social Security, am deeply troubled about its future and the reported fixes that are circulating around Capitol Hill.

I read with interest Elliot Raphaelson's column in your September issue, “To fix Social Security yet protect benefits.” I have been a proponent for many years to increase the cap on earnings, which is now $162,250. As he stated in the article, increasing or eliminating the cap will not have a significant impact on the lifestyle of family units with incomes over $162,250.

The impact will be felt by the increase in funds [available] for families who rely on the monthly receipt of benefits.

In addition to eliminating the cap on earnings, a rise in the retirement age for eligibility will go even further in closing the gap.

Raphaelson also suggests that state and local government workers should be a part of the Social Security program. Why stop there?

How about Congress looking at their retirement program and comparing it to the program they want us to rely on for our retirement before they start playing games and reducing our benefits?

Unfortunately, the ball is their court.

The only redress we have is to vote them out of office.

Joseph M. Miller Via email

Say you saw it in the Beacon

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2023

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ince 1968, Family & Nu Nursing Care has helped tens of thousands of families by providing g p older access to caregivers who help adults wit with accttiv ivit ities of dai aily ly liivving — incl cluding bat athing, dressing, mobiliitty assistance, errands, meal prep, ligght

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Q: How do you h dl initial handle i i i l service inquiries from potential clients?

A: First and fo foremost, we listen.

Whether the caller’s need fo f or care stems fr from a major crisis or a smaller issue, we provide an empathic, calming and reassuring presence on the other end of the phone line or video screen.

Our intake call center team doesn’t ffu unction as order takers who are there jjust to ask basic infformation needed to fi f ill out a standard fo form. Rather, they seek to really understand each unique situation and associated care needs so that they can be as helpfu ful as possible in addressing those needs.

One of our top strengths as a company is our ability to make the right match between caregiver and client. That process starts with our intake team, in the initial inquiry, y, and is the reason why we are so fo fo cused on understanding the distinctive circumstances of each potential client and getting to the heart of the matter in each situation.

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Jeffrey Briggs, Director of Intake, Family F & Nursing Care

Q: What do you consider to be a successful outcome of a service inquiry?

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We are successffu u l by attending to their immediate need fo for care as quickly as possible. It doesn’t have to be a huge commitment fo for the client. We We can always come back to discuss additional care needs once the crisis has eased.

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Health Fitness &

HEADING OFF THE HOLIDAZE How to ignore the early decorations and avoid stress this holiday season BALANCE STUDY Sign up for a study and get free personal training to improve balance TAME YOUR SWEET TOOTH Instead of ice cream and cookies, try peaches, frozen grapes or fresh blueberries THROW IN THE TOWEL Those nice white paper towels got that way thanks to bleach and formaldehyde

Three vaccines recommended for this fall Dear Savvy Senior, Senior-specific flu shots For people 65 and older, there are three Which vaccines are recommended flu vaccines that the CDC recfor those on Medicare this flu season? ommends over traditional flu —Just Turned 65 shots. You only need one, of Dear Just Turned, course.

There are actually three difThese FDA-approved vacferent types of vaccines older cines provide extra protection adults should consider getting beyond what a standard flu this fall to protect against a reshot does, which is important peat of last winter’s “triplefor older adults who have demic” of respiratory illnessweaker immune defenses and es, which included flu, RSV have a greater risk of developand coronavirus. ing dangerous flu complicaHere’s a rundown of the difSAVVY SENIOR tions compared with younger, ferent vaccines the Centers

By Jim Miller healthy adults. for Disease Control and PreThe three senior-specific vention (CDC) is recommending and how they are covered by Medicare. options include:

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• Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains four times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot, creating a stronger immune response for better protection.

• Fluad Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains an added ingredient called adjuvant MF59 that also helps create a stronger immune response.

• FluBlok Quadrivalent vaccine, a recombinant protein (egg-free) flu vaccine that contains three times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot.

There isn’t enough evidence yet to indicate whether one of these three vaccines provides superior protection over the other two for older adults.

As for side effects, you should know

that the Fluzone High-Dose and Fluad vaccines can cause more of the mild side effects that can occur with a standard-dose flu shot, like pain or tenderness where you got the shot, muscle aches, headache or fatigue. The side effects of FluBlok tend to be a little less common.

All flu vaccines are covered 100 percent

by Medicare Part B as long as your doctor, health clinic or pharmacy agrees not to charge you more than Medicare pays.

New RSV vaccines Anyone age 60 and older, especially if you have any heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney or liver disorders that make See VACCINES, page 5

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If you haven’t had a Covid booster shot lately, you should consider getting one this fall. Even though the Covid public health emergency has ended and the number of cases has gone way down, it has been resurgent in recent months, causing an increase in hospitalizations, especially among the elderly.

Most health officials agree that it’s safe to receive the flu and Covid booster at the same time. But because the RSV vaccines are new this year, many doctors are recommending a two-week window between an RSV shot and the flu and/or the Covid shots.

You can find all three vaccines at most pharmacies, medical clinics and health departments, or you can do a search at Vaccines.gov.

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.

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

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When and where to get

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you vulnerable to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), should consider getting one of the new FDA-approved RSV vaccines (either Arexvy or Abrysvo).

These vaccines, recommended by the CDC, will help protect older and immunocompromised adults from respiratory illness, which is responsible for up to 10,000 deaths and at least 60,000 hospitalizations each year in people 65 and older.

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The updated Covid vaccine targets the XBB omicron subvariants that are some of the most dominate coronavirus variants circulating in the U.S. It will also provide protection against the EG.5 variant (Eris), which is closely related to the XBB. Covid vaccine shots are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B.

Yerba mate (or mate) is an herbal tea from the Ilex paraguariensis tree in South America that has an earthy and more bitter flavor than other teas. It contains antioxidant polyphenols plus as much caffeine as coffee, or more (80 to 175 mg per cup).

Preliminar y research suggests it might promote weight loss and lower blood cholesterol, but studies are inconclusive. Users report less fatigue and

I N F O R M AT I O N

Vaccines

Facts about yerba mate

F R E E

According to a National Coffee Associ-

stomachs.

Coffee’s cousin, tea, is the second most popular beverage globally, behind water, and is enjoyed by a third of Americans.

Most types of tea contain about half the caffeine of coffee (herbal teas have little to none) with less acidity. Tea also contains health-promoting antioxidant compounds, such as flavanols.

Caffeine comparison: 8 ounces of brewed coffee contains about 95 mg of caffeine; instant coffee about 60 mg; black tea about 47 mg; and green tea about 28 mg.

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The basics on coffee and tea

ation survey, 70% of American adults drink coffee, and 62% of those do so daily.

Obser vational studies have linked compounds in coffee beans called polyphenols and antioxidants with health benefits, including a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

Yet most of us probably don’t drink it for those reasons. Coffee aficionados enjoy a caffeine energy boost that improves clarity and focus, and savor its fragrance and rich flavor.

Still, not everyone is a fan: Caffeine makes some people feel jittery, and the caffeine and acidity can irritate sensitive

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By Nancy Oliveira When you’re low on energy, is it worth trying yerba mate, yaupon tea, matcha and other beverages that promise similar energy perks and health benefits as coffee and tea? Often marketed as wellness drinks, coffee alternatives like these are trending, according to the International Food Information Council.

So, how do a few popular alternatives stack up nutritionally? Do they rely on caffeine for an energy boost? Do they contain potentially healthy (or unhealthy) plant compounds?

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Energy teas better focus — likely from its caffeine content — but without jitteriness.

Downside: Certain processing methods of mate, such as drying the leaves with smoke, may introduce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons — the same carcinogenic substances found in grilled meats.

Some research links drinking large amounts of mate over time with increased risk of certain cancers. Unsmoked mate (which is processed by air drying) may be safer.

vor similar to green tea. It contains chlorogenic acid and antioxidants purported to decrease inflammation and boost energy.

This tea has 60 mg of caffeine per cup and also provides theobromine, a compound structurally similar to caffeine found in cocoa beans and many teas.

Theobromine increases blood flow and may increase energy and alertness, but this boost is slower to start and lasts longer than caffeine. In contrast, caffeine provides a quick, but short-lived, jolt.

Downside: Yaupon may increase heart rate and interfere with sleep, especially if you drink a large amount or sip it at bedtime.

Facts about yaupon tea

Facts about matcha tea

Like mate, yaupon is an herbal tea. Native to the U.S., it has a mellow, grassy fla-

Matcha comes from the same Camellia sinensis plant as green tea. However,

From page 5

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unlike green tea, matcha is grown in the shade, which protects it from sunlight and oxidation, and contributes to its bright green color and higher polyphenol content.

Whole tea leaves and stems of matcha are ground into a fine powder, which is then whisked with hot water or milk.

Matcha contains about 40 to 175 mg of caffeine per cup.

It has the same antioxidant polyphenols as green tea, specifically theanine and catechins. However, because whole leaves are used to make matcha, it may contain higher concentrations than standard green tea.

Downside: While green tea has low to moderate amounts of caffeine, matcha can have very high amounts, even more than coffee.

Facts about chicory coffee

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Ongoing The Baltimore Museum of Art is opening a new series portraying some lost pieces of art by female artists from the 15th-18th centuries. Tickets range from $5 to $15, but admission is free on Thurs., Nov. 9 and Sun., Dec. 3. The museum is located at 10 Art Museum Dr., Baltimore. To purchase tickets, visit artbma.org or call (443) 573-1700.

Nov. 19

NOVEMBER 2023 — BALTIMORE BEACON

JFK ASSASSINATION LECTURE

Where were you when President Kennedy was assassinated?

Attend a free lecture about JFK’s death on Sun., Nov. 19 at 2 p.m.

Mark Kraus will share an overview of that dark day at Perry Hall United Methodist Church, 9515 Belair Rd., Baltimore. There is no admission charge.

Chicory is the root of the Chicorium Intybus plant that is dried, roasted and ground.

Chicor y contains a prebiotic fiber called inulin that caramelizes during roasting, giving the drink a dark brown color with a nutty, sweeter and less bitter flavor than traditional coffee.

It tastes similar to regular coffee but does not offer the same energy boost, as it is caffeine-free. (Some people mix chicory coffee with brewed coffee for a lower-caffeine drink.)

Animal studies show that chicory root has anti-inflammatory properties. Inulin may benefit the gut microbiome and bowel health, but the small amounts found in chicory coffee are not likely to provide such a benefit.

Downside: The chicory plant comes from the same family as ragweed, so chicory coffee may cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to ragweed pollen.

The bottom line Coffee-alternative wellness drinks are fine to choose if you like the taste. Just don’t assume they’re healthier, because no strong evidence supports claims of weight loss, heart health or cancer prevention.

Keep in mind that adding ingredients to your beverage can negate any healthpromoting effects. For example, some research suggests that adding protein and fat to tea through milk or creamer can reduce antioxidant properties and might deactivate flavonoids.

And even if natural compounds remain intact, saturating a beverage with sugar, half-and-half, syrups or whipped cream transforms it into a dessert, neutralizing any potential health perks.

Nancy Oliveira, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES, is a contributor to Harvard Health Publications. © 2023 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

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Expanded treatment options for migraine

By Amaal Starling, M.D. Dear Mayo Clinic: I’ve had migraines since I was a teenager. My pediatrician said it was likely hormonal since they often occurred during my menstrual cycle.

Over the years, I have tried various prescription and over-the-counter medications to treat migraines, as well as preventive therapies, but I continue to struggle. I feel as if my headache days are increasing. I often miss work and cannot participate in activities with friends and family.

I’m wondering if any new advances have been made in migraine medications.

A: Migraine is a common and potentially disabling disorder. Migraine attacks can cause severe, throbbing head pain or pulsing sensations, as well as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. It is estimated that migraines affect almost 40 million people in the U.S. For many years, patients were limited in treatments that would stop migraine symptoms once they started. Most relied on either over-the-counter pain medications or a class of prescription drugs known as triptans, which were available as pills, injections and nasal sprays.

Research, though, has shown that if taken too frequently, both the nonprescription and prescription acute medications may worsen the headache disorder. This is known as a “medicationoveruse headache.”

Preventive options To decrease the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, many people have used long-term preventive treatments.

However, most were medications that had originally been intended to treat other conditions, such as drugs to lower blood pressure, antidepressants and anti-seizure drugs.

In addition, these drugs can cause side effects, such as nausea and dizziness, that can make sticking to treatment difficult.

As knowledge has grown about what is happening in the brain when a migraine attack occurs, the list of available treatments is expanding.

Scientists studying migraine found a specific protein — calcitonin gene-related peptide — that was released during a migraine attack. When a migraine attack was stopped, say with a medication like sumatriptan, the blood level of the calcitonin gene-related peptide protein would go down.

This led to the advent of targeted preventive treatment options specifically designed for migraine. The first calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody to prevent migraine was approved in 2018.

Today, four drugs have been approved: • Eptinezumab (Vyepti) • Erenumab (Aimovig) • Fremanezumab (Ajovy) • Galcanezumab (Emgality) They’re designed to find calcitonin gene-related peptide proteins or calcitonin gene-related peptide receptors and basically hug them so that they are inactive.

Two calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists also prevent migraine and reduce calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor activity: • Atogepant (Qulipta) • Rimegepant (Nurtec ODT) As with the earlier therapies, there are positives and negatives to the new calcitonin gene-related peptide medications.

Not every medicine will work for each person. Some of the newer drugs are not well-covered by insurance, so you will want to speak with your healthcare professional about the best options.

And while these new medications offer fewer side effects, the long-term side effects are still not known.

Open Enrollment

As-needed medications Based on the understanding of calcitonin gene-related peptide protein, new as-needed migraine medications also target the calcitonin gene-related peptide.

That is good news for about 30% to 40% of people living with migraines who found triptan-based medications didn’t work for them or were not well-tolerated. Also, triptans can potentially narrow blood vessels, so people with a history of stroke, heart attack, ministrokes or uncontrolled hypertension were advised not to take them.

Now, two new calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists are available for as-needed treatment of migraine — and they don’t narrow blood vessels.

They are ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) and rimegepant, which is also approved to prevent migraine.

These oral medications block the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor to hopefully stop a migraine attack while it’s happening. More research is needed, but these drugs don’t appear to have the same risk of medication overuse headache as other as-needed migraine treatments.

Another new as-needed medication that’s not related to calcitonin gene-relat-

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NOVEMBER 2023 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Avoid holiday anxiety, shopping stress

By Suzy Cohen The other day I realized why I feel stressed in stores lately. I feel inundated with Halloween decorations, Thanksgiving and even Christmas paraphernalia. I’m nowhere near holly or jolly right now; I’m still wearing shorts.

There used to be some separation in the old days, remember that? Halloween was often the turning point in the year, but now there are shameful displays that begin in late summer. There’s no breather between the holidays now. I feel like Lucy working the conveyor belt of chocolates!

I’m not the only one. It’s called “The Christmas Creep,” and it’s intended to get you to spend more money, much sooner.

While companies will improve their bottom line, our stress as a population will rise. Inflation has created challenges for many, so there’s less money to spend on gifts, decorations and lights.

The Christmas Creep is a real thing, and here’s what you can do to cope with it: Avoid stores that cause anxiety.

Choose boutique stores or shop online. Go to stores that respect the time frame of holidays.

Practice introspection. Avoid impulse buying. Don’t make a purchase until you feel comfortable doing so. Purchase things that people need right now, or buy a gift card.

If your budget is tight, bake something or make a homemade craft. People who care for you don’t even need a gift; they just need to know you love them.

Stick to a budget. Anxiety sets in when you feel out of control, and if you don’t set a price limit for the holidays, you’ll wind up in trouble come January when your credit card bill arrives.

Stay focused and set a time limit.

If you have to go into a store, set a time frame for the item(s) you need. Set the timer on your phone and avoid a tailspin by avoiding aisles with things you don’t need.

Find out return policies. Will you be able to get a refund on an item if you change your mind?

Stay calm. What’s wrong with a cup of warm green tea or a sniff of lavender?

These items are calming, as compared to a double-shot espresso drink, which cranks

Migraine

tans but had to stop using them after having a heart attack or stroke.

Even with the plethora of options now available, some people may still need a combination of treatments. It can feel hopeless some days.

Rest assured that scientists are working to identify other targets that trigger migraine attacks. For example, another

protein called pituitary adenylate cyclaseactivating peptide is under investigation.

At Mayo Clinic, several focused efforts are under way, including a Migraine Research Program that is studying the role of genetics and the environment in migraines.

Also, a Neuroimaging of Headache Disorders Lab is focused on trying to better understand the neurobehavioral complexities of migraine and other headache disorders. Teams of experts are dedicated to research to identify additional molecules and proteins, and then develop new treatment options for every person with migraine.

I always recommend that patients visit

a neurologist or headache specialist annually. Discuss your current situation, what you think is working, and whether the new medications may offer relief. It is not uncommon to try different therapies until you find the one that works.

—Amaal Starling, M.D., Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org. © 2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 7 ed peptide is available. Known as lasmiditan (Reyvow), this drug works on serotonin receptors. But it works on a different subtype of these receptors, so it does not narrow blood vessels. This is great for people who had success using trip-

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2023

9

Answers on chronic inflammation, earwax

By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I hear so much about the dangers of chronic inflammation. What dietar y changes can I make to reduce the risks?

A: Diet plays an important role in chronic inflammation, most likely due to the ingredients in the foods and beverages we ingest and the bacteria that populate our intestines, known as our microbiome.

These intestinal bacteria release chemicals that may spur or suppress inflammation. Some foods encourage the growth of bacteria that stimulate inflammation, while others promote the growth of bacteria that help suppress it.

Here are some of the foods and beverages with beneficial ingredients that have been linked to less inflammation: • Fruits and vegetables. Most fruits and brightly colored vegetables naturally contain high levels of antioxidants and polyphenols — potentially protective compounds found in plants.

• Nuts and seeds. Studies have found that consuming nuts and seeds is associated with reduced markers of inflammation and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

• Beverages. The polyphenols in coffee and the flavanols in cocoa are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea is also rich in both polyphenols and antioxidants.

Studies have shown that polyphenols have multiple anti-inflammatory properties. A review published in the British Journal of Nutrition summarized a number of studies supporting the notion that dietary polyphenols may lower inflammation in the body and improve the function of cells that line blood vessels.

Foods high in polyphenols include onions, turmeric, red grapes, green tea,

cherries and plums, as well as dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and collard greens.

In addition, olive oil, flaxseed oil and fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel offer healthy doses of omega-3 fatty acids, which have long been shown to reduce inflammation.

Foods that fuel inflammation The foods that contribute to inflammation are the same ones generally considered bad for other aspects of health.

These include sugary sodas and refined carbohydrates (like white bread and pasta), as well as processed meats.

Such unhealthy foods are also likely to contribute to weight gain, which is itself a risk factor for inflammation.

In addition, certain components or ingredients in processed foods, like the emulsifiers added to ice cream, may have effects on inflammation.

How to reduce inflammation To practice anti-inflammatory eating, it’s best to focus on an overall healthy diet rather than singling out individual “good” and “bad” foods.

In general, a healthy diet means one that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish and healthy oils, and limits food loaded with simple sugars (like soda and candy), beverages that contain high-fructose corn syrup (like juice drinks and sports drinks), and refined carbohydrates.

Q: I get a lot of earwax buildup.

Why do some people have this problem? Can I prevent it?

A: If the wax in your ear isn’t causing any discomfort or problem hearing, you don’t have to do anything about it.

Earwax (cerumen) is made in the ear

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canal. It serves four main purposes: • It moistens the skin to prevent dryness and itching.

• It helps protect the canal and eardrum from damage.

• It helps stop bacteria from multiplying, so it helps prevent infections.

• It keeps the ear clean. The oily substance made by the cells lining the ear canal mixes with the dead skin and debris inside. The mixture then slowly moves out of the ear.

The consistency of earwax ranges from liquid to rock-hard. It depends on the makeup of the wax. It also depends on how long the wax has been in the canal.

The higher the proportion of dead skin cells and hair, and the longer the mixture has been in the ear canal, the harder the wax.

The ear should remove wax naturally.

However, some reasons for excessive buildup include: • An especially narrow or curvy ear canal.

• A skin condition, such as eczema, that is affecting the canal.

• Excessive hair growth in the canal.

• Trying to clean your ears with a Q-tip.

This can push the wax farther back into the ear canal, where it builds up and hardens.

• Wearing a hearing aid or earplugs.

You only need to remove earwax if it causes problems with hearing, ringing in the ear or an earache.

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To unblock the wax, you can try using an over-the-counter ear cleaning treatment to flush it out. Do not try this if you have a history of ear drum perforation or have had ear surgery. If you aren’t successful in clearing the earwax, make an appointment with your doctor.

Never try to dig out earwax with something like a Q-tip, paper clip or hairpin.

That could push it farther into the canal or injure your eardrum.

Another procedure to avoid is ear candling. That’s when you stick a lighted hollow candle into the ear, ostensibly to suck out the wax. This doesn’t work, and it could do serious harm.

Preventing earwax blockage is difficult.

People with frequent blockages may use mineral oil drops or another earwax softener once a week to help keep wax from hardening and building up.

But earwax is there for a purpose. It doesn’t normally need to be removed.

Your best bet is simply to clean your outer ear with a washcloth. And leave wax removal to your ear’s self-cleaning mechanism.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, see health.harvard.edu. © 2023 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Using mindfulness with Type 2 diabetes

By Matthew Solan Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, a healthy diet and sufficient sleep are cornerstones of self-care for people with Type 2 diabetes.

But what about mind-body practices?

Can they also help people manage or even treat Type 2 diabetes? An analysis of multiple studies published in the Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine suggests they might.

Researchers analyzed 28 studies that explored the effect of mind-body practices on certain people with Type 2 diabetes. Those participating in the studies did not need insulin to control their diabetes or had certain health conditions such as heart or kidney disease.

The mind-body activities used in the research included: • yoga, • qigong, a slow-moving martial art similar to tai chi, • mindfulness-based stress reduction, a

Holiday stress From page 8 up stress-related neurotransmitters.

Limit social media. Online platforms will advertise holiday items to you and pay

training program designed to help people manage stress and anxiety, • meditation, and • guided imagery, or visualizing positive images to relax the mind.

How often and over what time period people engaged in the activities varied, ranging from daily to several times a week, and from four weeks to six months.

Those who participated in any of the mind-body activities for any length of time lowered their levels of hemoglobin A1C, a key marker for diabetes. On average, A1C levels dropped by 0.84%.

A1C levels are determined by a blood test that shows a person’s average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. Levels below 5.7% are deemed normal, 5.7% to less than 6.5% are considered prediabetes, and 6.5% and higher are in the diabetes range.

While all the mind-body practices

helped lower A1C levels, yoga had the greatest impact, with an average 1% reduction. This is similar to the effect of taking metformin (Glucophage), a first-line medication for treating Type 2 diabetes, according to the researchers.

How can mind-body practices help control blood sugar? Their ability to reduce stress may play a big part.

“Yoga and other mindfulness practices elicit a relaxation response — the opposite of the stress response,” said Dr. Shalu Ramchandani, a health coach and internist at the Harvard-affiliated Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital.

“A relaxation response can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This improves insulin resistance and keeps blood sugar levels in check, thus lowering A1C levels.”

A relaxation response can help people with diabetes in other ways, such as by improving blood flow and lowering blood

pressure, which protects against heart attacks and strokes.

The results of studies like this suggest a link between mind-body practices and lower A1C levels but do not offer firm proof of it.

Even though yoga performed best, other mind-body practices also did well.

Levels of participation varied, so it’s unclear which approach is best. Still, the researchers suggested that these types of activities could become part of diabetes therapy along with standard lifestyle treatments.

Could mind-body practices protect people against developing Type 2 diabetes, especially those at high risk? While this study wasn’t designed to look at this, Dr. Ramchandani again points to the longrange benefits of the relaxation response.

“Reducing and managing stress leads to improved moods and greater self-awareness

to get on your Facebook and Instagram feeds so they can stalk you. For example, Google “Pilates ball” and you will soon see two dozen ads for them.

But that’s not all. There are few things worse for our younger generation than

comparing themselves to their peers. It generates constant mental mulling, anxiety and feelings of inferiority.

In closing, kick off the holiday season when you want to, and don’t feel pressured. Use coping strategies to help your-

self, and become self-aware of how certain stores make you feel.

Spend your dollars wisely, and do the holidays on your own time frame.

For more articles by Suzy Cohen, visit suzycohen.com.

All methods helped

See TYPE 2 DIABETES, page 12

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2023

11

Health Studies INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS Can personal training help prevent falls?

By Margaret Foster As we age, balance begins to decline, starting at about age 50, according to most research. Of course, lack of balance can lead to devastating falls.

Researchers at the University of Maryland and Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center are recruiting 100 people 65 and older for a study involving personal training to try to reduce fall risk.

“The long-term goal of this research is to develop a mechanistically based therapeutic intervention to enhance muscle power, weight-shifting capability, and lateral balance function through protective stepping to prevent falls,” according to the study protocol.

Participants will get a free health evaluation at the VA Medical Center on Lafayette Street. They will then meet with a personal trainer three times a week at the University of Maryland’s department of physical therapy and rehabilitation science in the Allied Health Research Building in downtown Baltimore. (Free parking is provided.)

Individualized training provided Personal trainers will tailor an exercise

routine to the participant’s level, and they’ll adjust every two weeks according to their progress.

“It’s one-on-one training, which is an advantage,” said Dr. Vicki Gray, principal investigator. The exercises are “definitely tailored to the individual.”

Because most of the exercises will focus on the hip muscles, the study is known as HIPS for short. It requires a total of 42 inperson visits. Volunteers will be compensated.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: One will focus on strength training of the hips, and the other will do “power” training of the hip muscles.

“Power training is moving fast while they’re doing the exercises,” Gray explained.

strength of their muscles,” Gray said.

But the benefits of participating in the study may last for generations. Researchers soon may be able to recommend the ideal exercises for people to prevent falls.

“We’ll then provide the appropriate rate of exercise for people who have fallen or are at risk of falling,” Gray said.

For more information about the HIPS study, call (410) 605-7179.

All volunteers will benefit During the three-month study, every participant, no matter which group they’re placed in, will strengthen their muscles, which is always a benefit.

“They’ll improve their balance, reduce their risk of falling and improve the

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NOVEMBER 2023 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Fruits that indulge your sugar cravings

By Jenny McCoy While there is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying something sweet, if you have a hard-to-satisfy sweet tooth, looking for alternatives that will help scratch the itch — sans added sugar — is a great way to support your health in the long run. Enter fruit.

Here is a roundup of six especially sweet fruits, all recommended by food experts, that can serve as great substitutes when your next craving strikes.

1. Dates: This sweet, chewy, tender and ever-so-slightly smoky dried fruit is a stellar choice if you’re craving something sticky and sweet like pecan pie, said Liza Kimminau, manager of Bumble Bee Juice in Easton, Maryland.

They’re naturally full of fiber, potassium and antioxidants, and plenty sweet when eaten plain. You can also make a more substantial snack by halving the fruit, adding a

teaspoon of your favorite nut butter and sprinkling on homemade granola.

2. Fresh figs: Figs are sweet, hearty and full of flavor — all qualities that make them a great substitute if you’re craving something somewhat dense like a nut cake, Kimminau said. They’re also a great source of fiber.

For a sweet breakfast, lunch, snack or dessert, top a couple of slices of your favorite whole grain or sprouted grain toast with organic ricotta cheese. Then, add fresh, sliced figs on top, Kimminau recommended.

3. Red grapes: These plump orbs are bursting with sweet, tart flavor, plus vitamins C and K, and antioxidants. “Perfectly ‘poppable,’ grapes are the ideal snack when craving something sweet and fun to eat, like candy or popsicles,” Kimminau said.

For a frozen, mini popsicle-esque treat, try Frosted Grapes: Rinse your grapes,

stick them in the freezer and enjoy once thoroughly chilled.

4. Pineapple: This tropical, slightly floral fruit is loaded with fiber, vitamin C and bromelain, an enzyme that may help with inflammation and digestion, said Sara Haas, RDN, registered dietitian and author, who recommends freezing cubed pineapple for a chilled treat.

You can also mimic the flavor of pineapple upside down cake by sprinkling large slices of pineapple with cinnamon and allspice and placing them on a nonstick grill, suggested Jess Swift, M.S., RD, a Washington, D.C.-based chef and registered dietitian. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes per side or until the pineapple begins to brown.

5. Wild blueberries: Along with an earthy sweet taste, this type of blueberry, slightly smaller than the farm-grown version, delivers fiber, vitamin A, potassium, fo-

late and vitamin C, said Haas. Add a handful of these to your morning bowl of cereal the next time you’re craving a sugary breakfast cereal. They also pair well with plain yogurt for a sweet and creamy snack, she said.

6. Peaches: This juicy fruit, a moderate source of vitamins A and C, is plenty sweet, but it becomes even more delicious when transformed into a healthy version of a peach galette.

To do so, cut the peach in half and sprinkle it with cardamom and ginger. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until the peach begins to soften. Drizzle with a balsamic glaze and top with fresh mint, Swift suggested.

EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life.

Online at eatingwell.com. © 2023 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Type 2 diabetes

Mind-body practices to try

class at a local yoga studio or community center.

• Try videos and exercises to help reduce stress and initiate relaxation responses.

• Practice slow, controlled breathing.

Lie on your back with one or both hands on your abdomen. Inhale slowly and deeply, drawing air into the lowest part of

your lungs so your hand rises.

Your belly should expand and rise as you inhale, then contract and lower as you exhale. Repeat this type of breathing for several minutes.

Matthew Solan is the executive editor of Harvard Men’s Health Watch. © 2023 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

From page 10 and self-regulation,” she said. “This can lead to more mindful eating, such as fighting cravings for unhealthy foods, adhering to a good diet, and committing to regular exercise, all of which can help reduce one’s risk for Type 2 diabetes.”

There are many ways to adopt mindbody practices that can create relaxation responses. Here are some suggestions from Dr. Ramchandani: • Do a daily 10-minute or longer meditation using an app like Insight Timer, Calm or Headspace.

• Attend a gentle yoga, qigong or tai chi

Have confidence in every conversation.

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

Amplified phones Tablets Ring signalers Phones with large and/or high contrast buttons Captioned Telephones And more

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Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2023

13

Know the hidden secrets of paper towels Paper towels are a household staple. ployed that isn’t all that pure.

You wipe your counters with them, dry Chlorine, a primary agent, can give rise your hands, and maybe even to harmful substances known pat your freshly washed letas dioxins and furans. These tuce like I do. persistent organic pollutants, But have you ever paused or “POPs,” can remain in the and pondered what’s lurking environment for extended pewithin those white sheets? riods and may accumulate in The answers might surprise the food chain. you.

While some companies First, let’s talk about how have moved towards more enthey feel. Ever notice the luxvironmentally friendly bleachurious softness of VIVA coming methods, many still rely DEAR pared to the rugged strength on traditional, potentially PHARMACIST of Bounty? It’s no coinciharmful methods.

By Suzy Cohen dence. Companies prioritize Formaldehyde, primarily certain qualities over others. recognized for its uses in plyThe tactile difference between brands can wood and cosmetics, serves a secret role be attributed to the type of trees used for in paper towels. It grants them that “wet pulp. strength” — the ability to stay intact when Ironically, hardwood trees like oak pro- damp. duce softer paper, while softwood trees But here’s the catch: Formaldehyde is a like pine produce a more robust paper towel that makes for a great “pickerupper.”

classified carcinogen. Even though the amount in paper towels is minuscule, the very idea of it being present might be disconcerting for many.

BPA, frequently found in plastics, has a hidden appearance in paper products as well. Recent scientific revelations regarding its potentially harmful effects led to its decline. However, its replacement, BPS, might not be any safer. Both chemicals can disrupt our body’s hormonal balance, impacting various essential hormones.

Even recycling contaminates Recycled paper towels sound like the epitome of eco-friendliness. Still, the reality is complicated.

The recycling process, intended to purify and repurpose paper, can introduce a unique array of chemical contaminants.

And there’s the ever-present worry: Is the recycling process foolproof? Or are we in-

troducing unknowable contaminants into our homes?

But before we throw the baby out with the bathwater, let’s put it into perspective.

While these revelations might be alarming, the actual risk paper towels pose is low, especially when juxtaposed against other daily exposures.

That said, knowledge is power. Being informed can guide our choices towards healthier, more sustainable options. As for me, I’ve purchased some soft “flour sack” towels, and I’m using those more frequently in order to reduce my paper towel usage.

Paper towels undoubtedly add convenience to our lives, and I’m not giving mine up just yet. But using washable cloths and rags may help. As they say, every little bit helps!

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

Processed with chemicals However, beneath this benign exterior, there’s a storm brewing. The production process and the chemicals used can be startling. For example, bleaching agents and formaldehyde are involved, and contaminants like BPA are introduced.

White paper towels look pristine, don’t they? But the truth is, to achieve that snowy white, a bleaching process is em-

BEACON BITS

Nov. 18+ HOLIDAY MARKET

An authentic German Holiday Market is coming to the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. Vendors, activities, rides and traditional German festivities will be going on from Nov 18th to Christmas Eve. This experience is open for free on weekdays from noon to 8 p.m., and the outdoor area is free on weekends. For more information, visit baltimore-christmas.com.

T’

O S C N NE CT

Inconceivable! Actor Cary Elwes, who played Westley in the film The Princess Bride, will speak at an event at 7 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 17 at The Lyric. Elwes will discuss the making of the movie, tell behind-the-scenes stories, and will take questions at a moderated Q&A after a screening of the film.

Tickets for this event start at $35 and may be purchased at bit.ly/caryelwesMD. For more information, call (410) 900-1150.

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Money Law &

Don’t forget to provide for pets in your estate plan. See story on page 17.

Selecting or changing a Medicare plan [Ed. Note: The annual Medicare open en- or doctor affiliated with Medicare without rollment period, during which all beneficiar- a referral or prior authorization. Although ies can change Medicare plans traditional Medicare is flexiand drug coverage, runs from ble, it may not be your most October 15 through December cost-effective choice.

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Selecting a Medicare plan is Part B premiums are based complex. I will discuss some of on your income. In 2023, for the important factors and most participants, the stansources of information that THE SAVINGS dard monthly premium is apGAME will help you avoid mistakes. proximately $165 per month.

By Elliot Raphaelson For a summary of the basics, However, if your family’s adyou should obtain a free copy justed gross income (AGI) exof “Medicare & You (2023),” a government ceeds $194,000, your monthly cost will be handbook that is updated each year. Contact higher (the same is true for an individual the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Serv- with income above $97,000). ices (CMS) at 1-800-633-4227 to obtain a Medicare Part B covers 80% of your copy; or visit medicare.gov/medicare-and- physician services. However, you can obyou to get a PDF or ebook version. tain “medigap” coverage (supplementary Traditional Medicare refers to Part A insurance) at additional cost, which will (hospital insurance), Part B (medical in- cover the additional 20% and, in many surance) and Part D (drug coverage). The cases, any deductibles, co-pays or other major advantage of enrolling in traditional “gaps” in Medicare coverage.

Medicare is that you can visit any hospital For example, if you require hospitaliza-

tion, there is a $1,600 deductible under Medicare that could be covered by medigap. If you require skilled nursing care after a hospital stay longer than 20 days, the cost would be $200 per day without medigap coverage.

The bottom line is that without medigap coverage, you could be facing substantial out-of-pocket expenses.

Part D premiums are tied to income, with an average cost of $43 per month. You have only 63 days after your initial enrollment in Medicare to enroll in Part D. Enrollment after that date will result in higher premiums. Medicare.gov can help you find and compare plans that cover the drugs you regularly take.

Choosing a medigap plan There are 10 types of medigap plans.

Medicare.gov explains the differences between the plans and the associated premiums. “Medicare and You” also summarizes the various medigap options. The cost of medigap, based on coverage choices, varies but can exceed $200 per month.

[Ed. Note: Each plan type provides exactly the same coverage regardless of which

company you buy it from. So, once you’ve selected the plan type, it makes sense to base your decision of insurer largely on price.]

The best time to buy a medigap policy is during your Medicare Open Enrollment period, which is the six-month period that begins the first month you have Part B and you’re 65 or older. After this enrollment period, you may not be able to buy medigap, or it may cost more. [Ed. Note: Under a new law, Maryland residents who already have a medigap policy may change their plans without penalty during the 30 days from their birthday each year.]

Medicare Advantage plans Medicare Advantage Plans, known as Part C, are an alternative to traditional Medicare. If you are very healthy, and remain so, a Medicare Advantage plan may be cost-effective, but there are disadvantages you must understand.

These plans, which vary significantly, can include insurance coverage for routine dental, vision and hearing. Advertisements don’t always cover all the pros and See MEDICARE PLANS, page 15

How investors can get on AI bandwagon

By Tom Taulli AI investing has been the megatrend in 2023 — Goldman Sachs economists expect “AI investment could grow rapidly in the next couple of years, approaching $100 billion in the U.S. and $200 billion globally in today’s dollars by 2025.”

There’s good reason for the bullishness.

Goldman Sachs economists believe generative artificial intelligence will boost global labor productivity by one percentage point per year over the next decade. Historically, “such periods of rapid productivity growth have been led by large investment cycles,” they say.

This type of investment can fuel massive growth in companies focused on artificial intelligence and, in turn, boost returns for AI stocks.

“We look at AI as a long-term theme and we’re still in the very early innings of this multi-decade computational transformation,” said Tejas Dessai, research analyst at Global X ETFs.

And the proof that AI is the hottest corner of the market right now is in the pudding. For instance, over the past five years, Global X’s Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) has averaged an annual return of 13.5%. But so far in 2023, the exchange-traded fund is up nearly 40%.

What Is AI? OpenAI’s ChatGPT has highlighted the power of AI for millions of people. It can seemingly provide an answer on just about any topic. As for the definition of AI, ChatGPT says it is “the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and act like humans.”

This is a good overview of the topic, but it’s important for those considering AI investing to understand some of the core components.

The fuel for AI is data. Usually, this is an enormous amount of data, which sophisticated algorithms process to come up with predictions and insights.

There are different types of models, including: —Machine learning, which uses advanced statistics to find patterns in data.

This can help forecast the stock market or provide recommendations, say like on Netflix (NFLX) or Amazon.com (AMZN).

—Deep learning, which is a more complex version of machine learning and mimics the human brain. This category of AI has experienced many breakthroughs during the past decade, such as with image and voice recognition, diagnosing diseases and interpreting natural language.

—Generative AI, which creates content, including text, images, audio and video.

This technology is at the heart of ChatGPT. The systems are called large language models (LLMs) or foundation models.

“They use an innovative technology called the transformer,” said Muddu Sudhakar, CEO and co-founder of Aisera, a venture-backed generative AI company that focuses on larger enterprises. “In-

stead of processing one word at a time, it does it all at once. This has ushered in major improvements in performance.”

The best AI stocks to buy Investors wanting to know how to invest in AI will want to start with the best AI stocks.

There are only a handful of pure-play artificial intelligence companies out there right now, including C3.ai (AI), which sells a suite of software applications that allows for low-code and no-code use of AI. The platform also has generative AI capabilities.

However, when it comes to AI stocks, these are usually companies where a part of the business benefits from the technology.

Some of the top firms include: Nvidia (NVDA). This is the world’s most valuable semiconductor company, with a market capitalization of $1.1 trillion.

NVDA develops GPUs, or graphics proSee AI INVESTING, page 15

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2023

Medicare plans From page 14 cons, so you have to do your homework before you select a Medicare Advantage plan. “Medicare and You” provides valuable information.

In order to be eligible, you must first sign up for Medicare Parts A and B. The private companies that offer Advantage plans have to be approved by Medicare.

Some of these plans offer prescription

AI investing From page 14 cessing units, that allow for parallel processing of data.

This capability has become a must-have for developing AI applications, and an overwhelming majority of them use Nvidia chips. The company also has its own software platform called Cuda. This has been another key differentiator for NVDA. Accenture (ACN). As companies scramble to implement AI, they need help from data science experts. This has become a big growth area for Accenture. For the next three years, ACN plans to spend $3 billion on its AI efforts. This includes doubling its headcount for AI talent to 80,000.

Microsoft (MSFT). The company had

15

drug coverage. Some of these plans offer lower monthly costs than traditional Medicare.

In most cases, you will need to use healthcare providers who participate in the plan’s network, though there are some PPO plans that allow you to go out of network. Advantage plans set a limit on what you have to pay out-of- pocket each year for covered services. Some plans offer non-emergency coverage out of network, but typically at a higher cost.

Information resources An excellent resource is your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP is available in all states. You will be assigned an unbiased individual with expertise in Medicare to work with you. There is no cost.

I volunteered for SHIP for several years.

Another excellent source of information is Get What’s Yours for Health Care: How to Get the Best Care at the Right Price by Philip Moeller. The book is comprehensive, unbiased and covers the pros and

cons of traditional Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage. Moeller also provides good advice on minimizing drug costs.

Bottom line: Medicare options are plentiful and complex. Some cost-effective options are available only at the time you apply. Don’t hesitate to ask your primary healthcare advisers for their advice.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2023 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

the foresight to invest $1 billion in OpenAI in 2019. Since then, it has invested an additional $12 billion.

This has positioned Microsoft to benefit from the AI investing megatrend. The company has also built a state-of-the-art supercomputer for applications like ChatGPT. Additionally, Microsoft is aggressively integrating AI across its product lines, such as Office, its GitHub developer tools and security offerings.

PortfolioPilot from Global Predictions. This connects a user’s entire net worth to a sophisticated engine that allows for personalized recommendations.

The platform has over $5.8 billion in assets. “We use AI to make the kind of toptier tools and insights often reserved for big banks and hedge funds accessible to everyday investors,” said Alexander Harmsen, founder and CEO of Global Predictions. The company also has created a ChatGPT plugin for its app.

Follow. This is a social investing app that uses AI for making recommendations.

The system helps to create thematic portfolios based on systems like ChatGPT. “The AI portfolios allow users to take a strategic amount of capital, put it behind a cause they support or an industry they are passionate about, and leave much of the research up to AI,” said Miles Cole, CEO and co-founder of Follow. © 2023 Kiplinger Finance. Distributed

by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

Using AI to pick stocks There are many web and mobile apps that leverage AI for investing. Even traditional financial services companies like Charles Schwab have standout features.

But let’s take a look at some interesting startups:

BEACON BITS

Nov. 18

LUCKY DOG BINGO Lucky Dog Bingo is a $30 bingo game that supports the rescue

dogs of the Ronnie Stanley Foundation. The foundation matches rescue dogs with individuals who could benefit from an emotional support dog or companion, and provides them with beds, toys, food, etc., as a jump start. A $30 ticket buys 20 bingo games and the opportunity to participate in raffles, win door prizes and more. Register for this event at bit.ly/luckydogbingonov.

Do you have a Medigap* Plan?

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Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

16

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NOVEMBER 2023 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Safer investments for earning high yields

By Elliot Raphaelson Because the Federal Reserve has been increasing interest rates, there are many conservative alternatives available for investors now who want to take advantage of high returns with minimum risks. Here are some of the alternatives available to you and the associated tax issues:

Certificates of deposit The returns associated with certificates of deposit (CDs) are much higher than

they were at the beginning of 2022. You can now invest in five-year CDs and obtain a return of more than 5%. These rates are much higher than they were at the beginning of last year. However, there are penalties if you redeem them prior to maturity.

Interest on CDs is taxed at ordinary income tax rates at the federal and state level.

You will owe taxes each year on the interest earned and paid out each year. As you would expect, the rates of return are generally higher for longer-term maturities.

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Series I U.S. Savings Bonds When inflation was at high levels in 2022, returns on these inflation-protected bonds were as high as 9.62%. These rates change every six months based on the changes in the cost-of-living index. Because inflation levels are lower now, the returns for I-bonds are now 4.3%.

There are no state or local taxes on the interest. You incur federal taxes on the interest when you redeem the bonds. You may choose to pay interest annually. If you use the interest to pay for higher education, some or all of the interest may be taxfree.

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The returns from money market funds are above 5% now. The earnings are subject to federal and state income taxes.

A significant advantage of these funds is the liquidity. You can obtain high returns without investing on a long-term basis.

But, if interest rates in general go down, the interest rate on your money market fund will go down immediately. So, if you want a guaranteed higher rate on a longterm basis, a five-year CD would provide a longer guarantee for a high return.

You can also purchase tax-free money markets, which would not be taxable at the federal level and possibly the state level.

The returns on tax-free money market funds will be lower, so your marginal tax bracket will determine whether this alternative is more favorable for you.

Treasury bills Treasury bills are available for 4-, 8-,13-, 26- and 52-week maturities. The 52-week return was over 5.4% at the time I wrote this article. Interest is taxable at the federal level but is generally exempt from state and local taxes.

You can purchase these directly from the U.S. Treasury at TreasuryDirect.gov, your mutual fund or another financial institution.

If you purchase bills directly from the Treas-

ury, you can elect tax withholding.

Municipal bonds Income from municipal bonds is generally free from federal taxes and taxes in the state where the bonds were issued. The interest rates are generally lower than the returns on CDs and money market funds, so your marginal tax bracket will determine whether municipal bonds make sense for you on an after-tax basis.

Every individual municipal bond issue is rated by financial rating services (Moody’s, S&P and Fitch), and you should restrict your purchase to individual bonds that have high ratings.

Rather than purchase individual bonds, you can buy municipal mutual funds with different maturities. The shorter-term funds have less risk but also lower returns.

You can purchase intermediate- or longterm municipal funds with higher returns but also more risk.

There are definitely risks associated with long-term investments in mutual bond funds if interest rates increase.

There is less risk associated with municipal bonds if you purchase individual bonds with a fixed maturity, and hold the bond until maturity.

High-yielding stocks Another alternative, which has much more risk, is purchasing individual stocks or mutual funds with a history of high dividends.

For many years, I have held Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) in my portfolio, which invests in companies with a history of increasing dividends. The annualized returns for one year, three years and five years have been 10.75%, 12.61% and 11.4%.

Do not purchase any stock or fund for high dividends on a short-term basis. Investing in equities requires a long-term strategy. © 2023 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 2

HISTORIC BALTIMORE LECTURE To commemorate Emancipation Day of Maryland, professor

Richard Bell of the University of Maryland, College Park, will discuss Baltimore during and after the Civil War. The lecture focuses on slavery, politics and civil unrest from 1825 to 1860. Meet at 5 p.m. on Thu., Nov. 2 at the Homewood Museum, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore. Register for this free event at bit.ly/baltimoreborder.

Nov. 2

CELEBRATE BILL WITHERS Keystone Korner in Baltimore invites you to celebrate the late Bill Withers on Thurs., Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Band mem-

bers Brandon Combs, Craig Alston and more will pay tribute to the “Just the Two of Us” singer. The event venue is 1350 Lancaster St, Baltimore. Tickets are $30 at bit.ly/Bill-withers. For more information, call (410) 946-6726.

Makes a great gift! | Law & Money

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2023

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Protecting your pets after you’re gone

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What is the best way to ensure my pets are taken care of after I’m gone?

I have two dogs and a cat that are my four-legged family, and I want to make sure they’ll be well taken care of after I die.

—Solo Senior Dear Solo, It’s a great question. Every year, approximately 500,000 cats and dogs enter shelters when their pet parents experience an emergency or pass away. Without a proper plan in place for the future care of your pets, they are at risk of ending up in a shelter where they could be euthanized.

To avoid this terrifying scenario and ensure your furry family is cared for both physically and financially after you’re gone, you should consider including them in your estate plan. Talk to your attorney about how to insert them in your will or trust in accordance with your state’s laws.

Here’s what to do:

Wills If you already have a will or are planning to make one, you could simply add in a trusted caretaker clause for your pets, along with an alternative if your first choice falls through. You should also set

aside money in your will for your pet’s care with an explanation of how the funds should be spent.

To determine how much to leave, multiply your pet’s annual food, care and medical costs by their life expectancies. You may want to add a separate document, called a letter of instruction, describing your pet’s routine, food and medication.

But be aware that even with this provision in your will, the caretaker is not legally obligated to follow your instructions, spend the money as you intended, or send the pet to another caretaker you’ve named. Once the money is distributed to the caretaker, it’s an honor system.

Trusts Another option is to create a pet trust, which provides more legal protections.

Depending on your state’s laws (see aspca.org/pet-care/pet-planning/pettrust-laws), you could set up either a revocable pet trust, which can be changed or canceled during your lifetime, or an irrevocable pet trust that can’t be reversed. A pet trust can be completely separate or part of an existing trust that encompasses your other assets.

Along with appointing a trustee to manage your trust’s finances, you name your pet’s caretaker (who could also serve as

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the trustee) and any alternative caretakers, as well as an optional trust protector for added oversight of the trustee given that the beneficiary (your pets) can’t defend their own rights. Unlike a will, the caretaker has a fiduciary duty to follow your letter of instruction if you include one.

The cost for a living trust ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, while a will typically costs between $200 and $1,000. There are also cheaper do-it-yourself resources for making a simple will or trust, like Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust (Nolo.com, $99) and Trust & Will (TrustandWill.com, $159). Or, if that’s more than you’re willing to pay, you can make your will for free at FreeWill.com or DoYourOwnWill.com.

Other arrangements If you don’t have anyone who would be willing to take care of your pets after you’re gone, you should make arrangements to leave them to an animal retirement home, rescue program, humane society, pet care program or other animal welfare group.

Many of these organizations find new homes for pets or offer lifetime care, but may require a fee or donation. Talk to your veterinarian about the options available in your area.

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

BEACON BITS

Nov. 4

HEALING DURING THE HOLIDAYS Grief professionals will facilitate a free grief counseling session

at the Infinite Legacy foundation in Baltimore. RSVP by Nov. 1; the group session will take place on Sat., Nov. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. at 1730 Twin Springs Rd., #200, Baltimore. Register at bit.ly/griefholidaysbalt. For more information, call (410) 242-7000.

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PHOTO BY DON MANKIN

Travel Leisure &

Discover the charms of friendly Victoria, British Columbia. See story on page 19.

Reasons to love the Dominican Republic PHOTO © ANTONELLA865 | DREAMSTIME.COM

By Alice Shapin My husband and I were drawn to the Dominican Republic last winter for the weather, white-sand beaches and golf courses. We left loving the food, the people and their commitment to the environment.

I have to admit I had to check a map to locate the Dominican Republic, also known as the DR. I learned it’s between Puerto Rico and Cuba, shares the island of Hispaniola with its neighbor Haiti, and is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Direct flights are always a big plus for me and my husband, Paul, and there are daily non-stop flights from BWI and Dulles.

To try out as many golf courses as we could, we split our week between two resorts about an hour away from each other.

Our first resort, Casa de Campo, arranged for a driver to pick us up from the airport — it was a relief not having to get a taxi.

Casa de Campo sits on 7,000 acres by La Romana, a small city on the island’s southeastern coast. Wanting to see and learn about La Romana, we had the concierge book us a tour, even though it was the DR’s Independence Day and most places were closed.

Our driver, David de la Cruz, spoke English and was very knowledgeable. He told us that while several foreign powers had occupied the DR, Independence Day celebrates its independence from Haiti on Feb-

ruary 27, 1844.

David drove us through the industrial area of La Romana to show us the cigar and sugar factories. The DR exports more than 200 million pounds of sugar to the United States annually. And it was the Cuban-born Fanjul brothers who founded the famous Casa de Campo resort, thanks to their sugarcane fortune.

The DR claims the “Cigar Capital of the World” title, surpassing Cuba. When Cuba could no longer sell tobacco to the United States, the producers migrated to the DR. Tabacalera de Garcia, the largest handmade cigar factory in the world and makers of Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta, to name a few, offers tours. I’m not a cigar lover, but walking through every step of the process and watching an expert roller wrap a cigar was fascinating.

Celebrations were in full swing in La Romana, with happy revelers flooding the streets and plazas. Heading back, we stopped at a bodega to taste the local beer.

Built of coral stone, St. Stanislaus Church dominates the central plaza of Altos de Chavón, a re-creation of a 16th-century Mediterranean village located within the Casa de Campo resort in La Romana, Dominican Republic.

Resort’s extensive activities Casa de Campo has everything guests could want within the vast resort. Every guest receives a golf cart to get around, and shuttles can take guests to the resort’s extensive amenities (horseback riding, golf, tennis, fitness center, spa, a 245-acre shooting center, kayaking and paddleboarding). If that isn’t enough, they can PHOTO COURTESY OF TORTUGA BAY PUNTACANA RESORT

Oscar de la Renta designed the beachfront villas at Tortuga Bay Puntacana Resort & Club, known for its Corales golf course. Mother Nature provided the stunning bluegreen water, more of which fills the freshwater lagoons at the nearby nature preserve.

arrange off-property excursions.

We opted for the all-inclusive dining option, which includes full breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner and cocktails at five different restaurants. Nothing says “tropical vacation” like frozen strawberry daiquiris available at any hour of the day.

We couldn’t wait to play the most famous of the resort’s three championship golf courses, the Teeth of the Dog, situated along the Caribbean Sea with seven dramatic holes near sheer cliffs above the water. The Dye Fore course (as in “to die for”) is 27 holes, features five cliffside holes dropping 300 feet, and plays along the river. Both courses require a caddie.

The third, the Links, is the tamest.

Altos de Chavón is an unbelievable site on the property, a replica of a 16th-century village crafted entirely of stone — including the streets, so wear comfortable shoes.

The village sits 300 feet above the Chavón River, and sites to see include St. Stanislaus Church and the Altos de Chavón Archaeological Museum, which has a comprehensive collection describing the indigenous culture in the DR. There’s also a 5,000-seat open-air amphitheater for concerts, not to mention shops and restaurants, of course.

With so many options at the resort, it was impossible to do everything. Although we had no time to hit the crowded

beach, it looked popular with families.

Instead, we drove our golf cart to the marina, where mega-yachts docked. From there, you could go deep-sea fishing, sailing or snorkeling. At the marina, there were more restaurants and places to shop.

Though beautiful, the shops were too pricey for me.

Off to Punta Cana’s resort Punta Cana is another major tourist destination, with many hotel accommodations, white-sand beaches, calm turquoise water and nightlife.

The Puntacana Resort and Club is just minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport, which the resort built in 1983 — the first privately owned international airport in the world.

We chose to stay at the Puntacana Resort’s Tortuga Bay, a boutique resort-within-a-resort with just 30 suites, each with a front-row seat to the beach, tall coconut palms and views of the unbelievably blue, clear waters. Breakfast is included, and here, too, rooms come with a golf cart.

During our two-night stay, everyone on the staff knew our names. At dinner, the chef came to our table, introduced himself and gave suggestions.

Our favorite restaurant, La Yola, serves See DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, page 21

Makes a great gift! | Leisure & Travel

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2023

19

A laid-back visit to elegant Victoria, BC were anything but stuffy. Sizing us up as Americans (how could they tell?), they quickly put us at ease, exchanging witty banter and recommending casual, quirky restaurants that nailed our tastes and budget.

Before we left, we tried to make a reservation for high tea, a tradition closely associated with Victoria and the Empress in particular. Unfortunately, they were booked up, much to Katherine’s disappointment (and my relief). Instead, we would have to make do with long walks along the waterfront.

Flowers and grand old buildings

Day trip to Butchart Gardens

The capital city of British Columbia, Victoria is located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, about 100 miles off the west coast of Canada and less than three hours from Seattle by ferry.

Upon our arrival at our Airbnb condo in the heart of the city, I changed into a clean T-shirt, shorts and sandals for a stroll along the scenic waterfront. The weather was perfect: sunny and balmy, with a slight breeze wafting off the water.

Along the waterfront, colorful baskets of flowers hung from vintage lamp posts. We glimpsed the impressive, Colonial-era Parliament Buildings at the other end of the sundappled harbor, just a quarter mile away.

Between us and the Parliament Buildings was the world-famous Empress Hotel, its spacious lawn filled with flowers. It drew us like a magnet; we just had to check it out.

At first, I felt a bit out of place as we strolled in our casual attire through the corridors of gleaming brass, dark polished wood and crystal chandeliers.

We headed to the bar, a mix of modern and old-world elegance, with tall windows looking out over the harbor. The bartenders

One Victoria institution we wouldn’t miss out on was Butchart Gardens, a 35minute drive from Victoria. The focus of our first full day in Victoria, Butchart Gardens lives up to its hype.

On the site of an old limestone quarry, the Butchart family created a 55-acre wonderland that includes Japanese, rose, Italian, Mediterranean and sunken gardens surrounded by a lush, dense forest of tall trees.

The sunken garden was my favorite.

Built on the main quarry, it turns what would have been an ugly gash in the earth into a colorful fairytale glen with flowers, lawns, ponds and a fountain that spouts choreographed arcs of water 70 feet into the air.

The gardens also include a coffee shop, gift store, visitors center, gelateria, cafeteria and a restaurant that serves dinner and high tea.

Walks with a view We passed on high tea in favor of an inexpensive but excellent dinner at a panAsian restaurant called Brick Kitchen and Bar. It’s located just off Government Street, the pedestrian promenade that runs through downtown Victoria a block

off the wharf.

On the way back to our apartment, we walked down Canada’s narrowest street, Fan Tan Alley, in the oldest Chinatown in Canada and the second oldest in North America. Then we walked along the wharf, admiring beautifully restored red-brick buildings glowing orange in the rays of the setting sun.

Besides flowers, high tea and great weather, Victoria is also known for its scenic walks. My favorite was a leisurely morning stroll along the Inner Harbour past Fisherman’s Wharf to Ridge Trail, a promenade and trail atop the sea wall.

With the return to downtown through the neighborhood of James Bay, the total walking distance was about four miles (add another mile if you walk to the lighthouse).

From the promenade, we could look clear across the Strait of San Juan de Fuca to the snow-capped ridges and peaks of the Olympic Mountains in Washington state.

We spent many minutes gazing at the view from one of the several benches along the trail. I could have easily spent hours if we had the time, but we had other destinations to explore.

PHOTO BY DON MANKIN

By Don Mankin It’s easy to see why the Pacific Northwest city of Victoria is Canadians’ favorite retirement spot. A temperate climate, chill lifestyle, natural beauty and a favorable exchange rate make it a highly desirable destination for American travelers, too.

Last June, my wife Katherine and I had the good fortune to discover the charms of this elegant, laid-back city in a too-brief threenight visit. “Elegant” and “laid back” aren’t two terms you’d expect to describe the same city, but Victoria defies the contradiction.

Victoria’s Inner Harbour hosts festivals, shows and live music performances, all just a short walk from its historic downtown. This photo was taken from inside the world-famous Fairmont Empress, the city’s finest hotel.

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NOVEMBER 2023 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Friendlier skies for those with dementia

By Terry Tang Andrea Nissen is trying to prepare her 65-year-old husband, who has Alzheimer’s disease, for a solo flight to visit family in Oklahoma. She worries about travelers and airport officials misinterpreting his forgetfulness or habit of getting in people’s personal space, and feels guilty about not being able to accompany him.

“People say, ‘He has dementia. You can’t let him go by himself,’” Nissen said.

But attending a dementia-friendly travel workshop in July helped ease some of those fears. Nissen learned about the resources available at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and what assistance airlines can offer when asked.

It was the first time the city of Phoenix

hosted such a workshop, making it the latest U.S. city pledging to make flying friendlier for people with dementia.

Nearly a dozen airports — from Phoenix to New Orleans — in the last few years have modified their facilities and operations to be more dementia-friendly, advocates say.

They’ve added amenities like quiet rooms and a simulation center where travelers with dementia can learn about flying or get a refresher. [Ed. Note: As of press time, no participating airports exist in the D.C. area.]

Looking for a gate, trying to remember flight times or following terse commands from Transportation Security Administration agents while in line with others can overwhelm someone with dementia.

Symptoms like forgetting words can be

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Nov. 14

ROMANCE BOOK CLUB

Snug Books is hosting a book club for romance novel fans. Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey is the focus of the Nov. 14 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at 4717 Harford Rd., Unit 1C, Baltimore. Register for this at bit.ly/romancebooknov or call (410) 900-1150.

Nov. 10

mistaken for being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Many airports ‘behind the curve’ But most large U.S. airports are behind the curve on serving travelers with dementia when compared with some airports in Australia and Europe.

Dementia isn’t covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, so nobody is compelled by law to make changes, said Sara Barsel, a former special education teacher and founder of the DementiaFriendly Airports Working Group, which lobbies for airports and airlines to enact dementia-inclusive policies.

Part of the reason she suspects there aren’t more quiet rooms at airports is because they don’t generate revenue, she said.

“I don’t know what their constraints are in terms of economics. I know what the impact is, and the impact is that there’s less for people who need quiet spaces,” said Barsel, who is based in Roseville, Minnesota.

Sunflower lanyards

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The group, which was founded in 2018 by experts in dementia and Alzheimer’s, helped add lanyard and other programs to airports.

London’s Gatwick Airport created the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard program in 2016, which is now in over 200 air-

ports globally. Light-green lanyards with a sunflower pattern are issued to anyone who wants to subtly indicate they or a travel companion has dementia or a not-as-visible disability. The lanyards let airport and airline personnel know the traveler may need more attention or to have information repeated.

One of the first airports the group reached out to was the Missoula Montana Airport, which became certified as a “sensory inclusive” facility in March. The group went over issues that can arise with lighting, floor design and noise. It also incorporated the sunflower lanyards.

“It’s already a high-stress, anxiety-driven environment for anyone not suffering from a hidden disability,” said airport Deputy Director Tim Damrow.

“We wanted to make sure that everyone is welcomed and treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Jan Dougherty, a registered nurse who has written a book on traveling with dementia and led the Phoenix workshop, said with the right support, people with dementia can travel safely.

“So many people early on [after diagnosis] are capable of travel with some accommodation,” she said.

For more information, see dementiafriendlyairports.com.

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Dominican Republic From page 18 freshly caught seafood and Mediterranean cuisine. Modeled after a fisherman’s boat, this dramatic open-air restaurant offers live music with Caribbean views.

One evening, a fabulous saxophone player serenaded guests. At breakfast the next day, the saxophonist was our waiter! He told us the owner had hired him as a waiter but gave him his “big break” as a performer.

Responsible ecotravel The next day, we drove our cart to the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park & Reserve, a 1,500-acre nature preserve with a dozen crystal-clear freshwater blue lagoons, five for swimming. We walked to a

Victoria, BC From page 19 headed to the town of Sooke in the afternoon, about an hour’s drive west of Victoria at the bottom of Vancouver Island. The town’s motto is “Where the rainforest meets the sea.” We were there for both.

Our first stop was Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. The park’s main feature, as its name implies, are the natural, watercarved potholes along the Sooke River.

From our viewpoint in the rainforest above the river, the potholes looked largely inaccessible to swimmers but provided a scenic tableau of tumbling water, twisty turns and rocky drops.

Our second stop was Whiffin Spit, a milelong, narrow stretch of sand that extends across the mouth of Sooke Harbor, almost cutting it off from the Strait. The spit affords expansive views of open water to one side and the distant harbor to the other.

We capped off the day, our last in Victoria, with dinner at Il Covo Trattoria, an upscale Italian eatery near the entrance to the Inner Harbour. While not quite matching the sophistication of the Empress, it was fancy enough for me to exchange my usual outfit of shorts and a T-shirt for long pants and a collared shirt.

The following morning, from the top deck of the ferry that crosses the Strait several times a day between Victoria and Port Angeles, Washington, I watched the city slowly recede as we pulled away from the dock.

I recorded the scene in my memory: seaplanes taking off and landing in the harbor, boats lining the marina, grand historic buildings. But most of all, the vivid colors of the flowers, the azure sky and the deep navy blue of the water.

I may not get back this way again, so the memories will have to do.

lagoon (wear sneakers), where we saw birds, reptiles and flora. So mesmerizing, it beckoned us to jump in.

The land for the reserve was donated by Grupo Puntacana, part of a network established by a group of 40 American developers, including Ted Kheel, who in 1969 bought 30 square miles of land in the Dominican Republic and began building resorts. Today, the group is a leader in the sustainable tourism industry.

One of the reasons we chose this resort was to see how they’re helping the planet.

[Ed. Note: Research suggests golf courses are not environmentally friendly.]

Jake Kheel, an American sustainability innovator and vice president of the nonprofit Grupo Puntacana Foundation, gave us a tour (available even if you don’t stay at ria. Rates are about $400 a night.

Less pricey but conveniently located hotels include the Magnolia Hotel and Spa, the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour, and

Southwest has one nonstop flight daily from BWI, and United has one from Dulles. Check Kayak.com or Expedia.com for current flight prices.

Depending on your hotel, you may be eligible for VIP treatment at the airport, including skipping the long customs lines, which

can take 45 minutes to over an hour, or other perks. When departing, you can access a private lounge with a swimming pool, all free for Tortuga Bay or Puntacana Estate guests (and available to others for a fee).

Casa de Campo rates start at $319 per night; all-inclusive rates start at $499. Group discounts are available. You can save by booking an apartment within the resort via Vrbo or Airbnb starting at $117 per night.

Tortuga Bay rates start at $747 (including breakfast) per night, but again, if you search for the resort on Vrbo or Airbnb, you may find a much cheaper room within the resort. At the nearby Westin Puntacana Resort & Club, rates start at $324 and include breakfast (no all-inclusive option).

For more information, visit casadecampo.com and puntacana.com.

the Victoria Regent Hotel and Suites.

Rates are around $300 per night.

Where to eat: In addition to the Block Kitchen and Bar and Il Covo Trattoria, I also

recommend the Tapa Bar in historic Trounce Alley for, you guessed it, tapas.

For more information, visit tourismvictoria.com.

the resort.)

Kheel showed us a large beehive area, thousands of wiggly worms composting garbage, an expansive coral restoration project, and several hydroponic experiments (growing vegetables in water instead of in dirt conserves water).

At the gift shop, we could buy purses made from vibrant-colored plastic grocery bags by local women.

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If you go Round-trip, one-stop airfares from local airports are in the $500 range on Alaska Airlines and Air Canada.

If you can afford it, The Fairmont Empress is the best hotel. Its location in the heart of downtown overlooking the Inner Harbour can’t be beat, not to mention the elegant luxury that permeates this grand dame of Victo-

21

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NOVEMBER 2023 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Style Arts &

Three books focus on aging well.

See reviews on page 24.

Innate creative urge drives late-life artist course, in this day and age, on several websites.

While some “complete purists” in the art field might snub social media, nowadays it is the way for artists to get attention, Haupt said.

“For me, social media is the way to make people aware of my art and when I’m going to have a show,” he said.

While a great artist like Picasso worked 18 hours a day and would not be interested in displaying his works online, Haupt pointed out, perhaps “Van Gogh, who had poor sales of his art at first, might have

them — just to learn from them,” said Haupt, who had the first exhibition of his artwork in 2008 at the age of 59.

Fellow Baltimore artist Karen Trimble, who paints still lifes and landscapes, told the Beacon she admires Haupt’s “whimsical works of art. His paintings are unique, fun, colorful, sometimes amusing and always completely original.”

Before turning to art full-time, Haupt worked as a draftsman, carpenter and cabinetmaker.

Art on the web Besides the show at the Katsea Gallery, Haupt’s art can also be viewed at the Highlandtown Gallery in Baltimore and, of

BALTIMORE jewish

film institute

considered it if it existed in his time.”

On his website (craiglhaupt.com), Haupt notes that his latest exhibit features his “fourth fictitious twin brother,” Hauptcee Haupt. The imaginary twin is a “‘tongue in cheek’ storyline created from a recent art publication snafu that published my name backwards. Haupt Craig instead of Craig Haupt. Just having a little fun with it.”

Haupt noted online that the Katsea show features several new Hauptcee See HAUPT, page 23

PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAIG HAUPT

By Robert Friedman Fantasy, surrealism and whimsy infuse the paintings, drawings, prints, storybooks, YouTube videos and soon-to-be-released films of Baltimore artist Craig Haupt.

Haupt, 74, whose exhibition of oil paintings opens November 2 at the Katsea Gallery in Towson, said his art is influenced by masters like Salvador Dali, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and Pablo Picasso.

“These artists gave me confidence in the style of art I was pursuing,” Haupt said in an interview with the Beacon. “They also opened me up in different ways of using my shapes and colors that in some cases strengthened my approach.

“I didn’t find myself needing to copy

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2023

Haupt

his trade as a plumber and part-time librarian,” according to the artist’s website.

From page 22 Haupt oil paintings.

Haupt created a backstory for his alter ego: “After his year of fame as an artiste, he’ll return to his fictitious family in Blue Ridge, Georgia, and continue working in

From draftsman to artist Haupt, a Baltimore native, attended City College High School and Baltimore Community College, as well as Essex and Towson colleges.

Haupt hasn’t always been a fantasy-type artist. When he was in his early 30s, he took a job drawing houses for a realtor.

“I even did a few commissions of pen-and-ink drawings of peoples’ homes,” Haupt said in an email. “I am good at it, but the style didn’t satisfy me in the way the style of fantasy/whimsy, using lines and shapes that were taking place, did. The doodles and sketches I use have opened up endless designs to explore.”

Haupt said his creative instinct is innate. “My desire to create art,” he has written, “has been internal from birth. Always have, always will.”

He writes short stories, too, and selfpublished a book. He also films himself doing art, preparing for art shows and even baking cookies. Haupt has posted more than 100 of these videos, which he calls his “Art Stuff” series, on YouTube.

“This creative process,” Haupt noted, “feeds me, keeps my mind active — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Completing a work of art, he said, “soothes the soul.” And watching others’

23

reactions to his work brings him joy, too.

“My emotional reward is when the viewer has mentioned that my whimsical works have added a smile to her or his face.”

Craig L. Haupt’s solo exhibition is at the Katsea Gallery, 1 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 107, Towson, until Dec. 1, 2023. A free Opening Night reception will be held on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, see katseagallery.com or call (443) 794-6118.

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NOVEMBER 2023 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Experts provide sound advice on aging Here are several helpful books that tiny. Those who take a proactive approach focus on health and wellbeing as we age. can overcome genetic proclivities.

Keep Sharp: Build a BetGupta explores in depth ter Brain at Any Age, by Santhese pillars of brain health: jay Gupta, MD, 336 pages, move, discover, relax, nourish Simon & Schuster paperand connect. He debunks the back 2022; 12 Weeks to a value of “superfoods.”

Sharper You: A Guided ProHe describes the latest scigram, by Sanjay Gupta, MD, entific findings that may show 190 pages, Simon & Schushow to reverse and slow deter paperback, 2022 mentia. The doctor insists that Many of us are familiar with older people can master new the reassuring, no-nonsense subjects such as learning to approach of CNN’s Chief Med- THE code, paint, speak a new lanBIBLIOPHILE ical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay guage and play a new sport.

By Dinah Rokach Gupta. He is a practicing neuGupta incorporates his findrosurgeon and associate proings into a 12-week program. fessor of neurosurgery at Emory Universi- 12 Weeks to a Sharper You is a guidebook ty School of Medicine. and journal that allows readers to enter reIn Keep Sharp, Gupta presents in a well- sponses to specific prompts and monitor organized format his conclusions on opti- their own progress. Follow the recommizing mental fitness. His approach is mended exercises and review your based on research that shows that the brain progress. The approach is personal and efis resilient and can be improved at any age. fective.

He reassures readers that carrying the The Body: A Guide for Occupants, Alzheimer’s gene does not determine des- by Bill Bryson, 464 pages, Anchor

Share your opinion. Send a letter to the editor. See p. 2.

Reprint Edition paperback, 2021 This comprehensive tour of the human body by septuagenarian Bill Bryson is witty and informative. The Body, which includes 16 pages of illustrations, is a wonderful source of general knowledge about human anatomy that is easy to comprehend.

As people age, their encounters with medical professionals increase. Having a good-natured contemporary as your guide is the perfect prescription. You’ll be better informed when you consult with your physician.

Bryson describes and elucidates scientific dead ends, medical miracles and research studies from all over the world. In addition to chapters on specific parts of our anatomy, he writes about pain, sleep, nutrition, infectious diseases, cancer and aging.

After this publication, Br yson announced his retirement from the literary life.

You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters, by Vanessa Bohns, 235 pages, W. W. Norton & Company paperback, 2023 If you subscribe to the notion that you are ignored, invisible and are powerless in today’s fast-paced tech-centric society, Vanessa Bohns disagrees. She holds a doctorate in psychology from Columbia Uni-

versity and is professor of organizational behavior at Cornell.

In her book, Bohns contends that in almost every aspect of life, we tend to underestimate the degree to which other people take notice of us. Hence, we are not aware of our own power to influence others even in short conversations with strangers.

Bohns writes that we also tend to be too self-conscious. Asking for help from strangers is much more effective than we imagine. The key is to ask directly and in person — it’s much easier to decline a request that is emailed, texted or phoned.

Studies show that merely attending an event empowers political leaders and the causes they represent. You needn’t be more involved than just showing up to a rally. Numbers count.

In addition, elders exert great influence in our roles as mentors and grandparents.

We wield a disproportionate amount of power over those who look up to us.

In 2021, You May Have More Influence Than You Think was named to its annual list of best books for ethical leaders by the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership. The commendation elaborates, “Bohns shows that by experiencing our influence and fully understanding it, we can take steps to wield it not just more effectively but also more ethically.”

Makes a great gift! | Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2023

Tony Perkins From page 1 teenager, Perkins also visited the “powerhouse” Philadelphia radio station where his uncle worked. “I thought it was very cool. I was attracted to it,” he said.

“I would hear my father on the radio and I would get to go to the station,” Perkins recalled. “I thought it was very mysterious — you’re talking to the microphone, and it’s going out to thousands of people.”

Perkins has also been intrigued by television personalities like Johnny Carson since he was a child. “I was fascinated by [television]; drawn to it. I started to have a sense of ‘Ooh, I’d love to do something like that someday,’” he said.

As a college student at American University, Perkins helped found the campus television station. His first time on the air was at the school’s student-run radio station, WAMU. Perkins would write a few jokes to introduce people on air.

“I liked to laugh, and I found I liked to make other people laugh,” he said.

The problem was, it’s hard to hear an audience laugh from a radio studio. So, one evening, Perkins decided to try out open mic night at Garvin’s Laugh-Inn in downtown D.C. That’s when he became “hooked,” traveling up and down the East Coast, doing gigs and working full-time in standup comedy. “It was a crazy, risky decision. But I was single; I was young.”

It turned out that doing comedy was “one of the best decisions I ever made,” he said.

Perkins got his first break in radio after a comedy gig. After local radio personality Donnie Simpson saw his act, “he pretty

much hired me on the spot,” Perkins said.

Simpson, who remains one of Perkins’ closest friends 30 years later, brought him on as a writer and producer for “The Donnie Simpson Show” on WKYS-FM. Perkins stepped away from standup around the time he met his future wife, Rhonda. With his foot in the door in radio, Perkins landed more positions at area radio and television stations, and his baritone humor quickly attracted a larger audience and wider recognition.

After only a couple of years at DC Channel 20, he won an Emmy Award for a “fun little entertainment and comedy show” he hosted on Saturday afternoons called “DC 20 Breakaway.”

Hitting the big time A few years later, he was hired as a weather forecaster at Channel 5’s “Fox Morning News.”

Just six years after that, Perkins was offered the “Good Morning America” weather anchor position and moved to New York City, commuting to his home in Virginia on weekends.

In 2005, after his son was born and “being on call 24 hours a day,” he said, Perkins left the blockbuster morning show and settled again in Virginia, returning to Fox 5. There he won a second Emmy.

In 2019, he moved to CBS’ Channel 9 to became the anchor of “Get Up DC!” All the while, Perkins was co-hosting podcasts and radio shows, including another stint on “The Donnie Simpson Show,” where his career began.

But working at NBC was always Perkins’ goal. “I grew up watching NBC. I was a huge fan of ‘The Tonight Show’ with

BEACON BITS

Nov. 21

SCI-FI AND FANTASY BOOK CLUB

Snug books is holding a fantasy and science fiction book club for the book Translation State by Ann Leckie. There is no fee to join this club, which will meet on Tue., Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at 4717 Harford Rd., Unit 1C, Baltimore. Register for this free event at bit.ly/scifibooknov. For more information, call (443) 869-4022.

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25

Johnny Carson. I loved SNL [‘Saturday Night Live’],” he said.

“I have pictures of myself when I was a teenager outside the NBC entrance, pointing at the NBC logo as if to say, ‘I want to be working here someday.’”

Perkins finally became an NBC anchor in March 2023. Now that he has his dream job, he’s not planning to retire anytime soon. “I don’t feel like I’m anywhere near done,” Perkins said.

After all, he’s still learning every day.

“These jobs that I’ve had have allowed me to learn a lot,” he said. “If you’re a TV news anchor or even a talk show host, you really have to know a little bit about a lot of

things and be a quick study.”

Perkins is among the black comedians featured in an upcoming documentary titled “The Mecca of Comedy.” It includes interviews with Perkins, Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle, Wanda Sykes and other well-known comedians. It can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video.

When Perkins was on the comedy circuit, he used to close his act with an impression of Bob Dylan singing the theme song to “The Flintstones.” It killed.

“I always figured, well, this will be surprising to people, coming from a black comedian,” he said with a chuckle. “That always did very well for me.”

FROM PAGE 26

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

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NOVEMBER 2023 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Crossword Puzzle Find a new crossword every day on our website at www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com/puzzles.

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Across 1. Computer operator 5. Most common fencing weapons 10. Go to or from the Enterprise 14. Caribbean root vegetable 15. ___ into the ground (mismanaged a project) 16. “And another thing...”

17. Las Vegas hotel, named for an opera solo 18. First day designation on many cruise ship itineraries 19. Middling 20. Submit for grading 23. ___Tok 24. Destroy digital evidence 25. Signs a protest petition 29. AL East team 30. Cause of a tactless remark 35. School that specializes in engineering 36. Partner of drink and be merry 37. Winnie, for one 39. First tentative attempt 44. From ___ Z 45. Despondency 46. State bird of Maryland 50. Color in 17 Major League team uniforms 51. Furtive attempt to delay disaster 58. Banned fruit spray 59. “Welcome to Hawaii” 60. 54 Down’s dad, in Norse mythology 61. Wilder one 62. Voice not as low as bass 63. Take the scenic route 64. “I could hardly believe my ___” 65. Wield, as influence 66. Gets on one’s case

Down BB1123

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Scrabble answers on p. 25.

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1. The beehive state 2. “Nobody doesn’t like ___ Lee” 3. Julia’s Oscar-winning title role

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4. ___ Show (video game that simulates a baseball player’s advancement through the minors) 5. Former senator with five Emmy awards 6. Like Cheerios 7. “Well, not ___ many words” 8. Stead 9. Notoriety 10. Heart rate upon waking in the morning 11. Conjoin, covertly 12. Item on the left side a balance sheet 13. Bond, seven times 21. “___, and they is they” 22. Chile dough 25. Frequently, to a 26 Down 26. Rhymester 27. A little bit Spanish 28. Quick notetaker 29. Common synagogue name starts 31. All ___ and no cattle 32. Modern load types 33. Hand-carry 34. Gardening tools with bad reputations 38. 120 mins., at least 40. After-Christmas event 41. Repeat, and repeat, and ...

42. First president of The 99s all-female pilot club 43. Appropriately named motor-city radio station 46. Old enough to know better 47. Life of ___ 48. Insipid 49. Maneating monsters 52. Holly plant 53. Less than a few 54. Marvel superhero with over a billion in box office 55. “Showing off is the fool’s ___of glory” (Bruce Lee) 56. Charles, since May 6, 2023 57. Concludes the clue list

Answers on page 25.

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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 edition).

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).

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