December 2017 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

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Columbia’s candid cameraman

Making Columbia home Born and raised in Shamokin, Pa., where, he noted, “coal was king” in the old days, Fedorczak was happy to find Columbia, where he moved after visiting friends in the then six-year-old community. “It was a neat place, a great idea from the beginning, with a nice layout and an egalitarian society. It still is a good place to live,” he said. While he may get an occasional photo request, he generally finds events to docu-

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PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER MYERS

By Robert Friedman Ron Fedorczak has spent the last 43 years — more than half his life — putting the history of Columbia in focus. He has attended seminal events at various locations, wandered up and down the streets, cruised highways and searched out byways, always clicking away with his trusty Nikon at whatever was happening in the town he says he became enamored with ever since moving here in 1973. Those who have seen him taking photos of many of the events about town say he does it quietly, often behind the scenes. “When I hear about an event, I try to be there with my camera,” is how he sums up his contribution to showing what makes Columbia tick. “I consider myself a serious amateur, and absolutely not a professional photographer,” said Fedorczak, who recently celebrated his 77th birthday. “I just keep an eye on what’s going on around town. I’m kind of a candid photographer.” His fee-free contributions, numbering many hundreds of photos, have been donated to the Columbia Archives, according to Archive Director Barbara Kellner. “Ron has given us the most comprehensive look at community events, particularly smaller ones that no one else was photographing,” said Kellner, who has been at the archives since 1983. “Without his contribution, so much would have been undocumented,” Kellner said. The Columbia photo chronicler, who spent most of his career as a marine engineer, said, “a pat on the back once in a while,” was sufficient thanks for his camera work. “Everyone should make a contribution to their community,” he said. “This is mine.”

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Caribbean sand, sugar and sightseeing in St. Kitts; plus, good deals for solo travelers, and scenic winter train travel page 26

Amateur photographer Ron Fedorczak has taken hundreds of photos chronicling Columbia’s growth over the last 43 years. In many cases, his are the only photos that exist of historical moments. His photos are now part of the Columbia Archives, and some of them are in a new book, Columbia, Maryland: A Fifty-Year Retrospective of a Model City.

ment on his own. “I just mostly walk around town...or take pictures of buildings going up or coming down, or stores and restaurants opening and closing,” he said. Fedorczak started what he called his lifetime avocation as community photographer by shooting Columbia’s birthday and City Fair celebrations. Since then, his photographs have documented such varied events as Columbia Festival of the Arts, Columbia Archives Open House, International Day, BikeAbout and the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta. The “regatta,” held each June until three years ago, saw as many as 30 home-made boats captained by two to six residents each, racing around Lake Kittamaqundia, the 27acre reservoir near the Columbia Mall. “I was sort of disappointed when the

race was discontinued,” said the photographer, who zoomed his Nikon in and out as the boats maneuvered around buoys put out on the lake for the event. The cardboard boats, he noted, were good for one or, at the most, two trips around the lake before they became water-logged and sank. Some of the boats he snapped at the start of the race barely made it off the dock. Like Columbia, photography itself has undergone large changes over the decades. “I started with slides, then went into prints, like everyone else. I was using film until just two years ago, when I had to switch to digital,” Fedorczak said. “You can still buy film, but it’s more and more difficult to get it developed.” See PHOTOGRAPHER, page 32

ARTS & STYLE

A schedule of engaging performances and twinkling lights to brighten your holidays page 31

TECHNOLOGY 4 k Sites let you try before you buy FITNESS & HEALTH k Medicare open season arrives k Caregiver shares good advice

THE 50+ CONNECTION 17 k Newsletter from Howard County Office on Aging and Independence LAW & MONEY k Stop being the family ATM k High cost of divorce after 50

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How the world works When I was six years old, my father took downsides of such a career. Not only the ecoour family to New York City (where he had nomic insecurity, but also the difficulties of a business trip) for a vacation. maintaining a marriage, of raisAmong many other firsts ing children, of withstanding for me on that eye-opening temptations, and the like. (Yes, trip were my first visit to a I know I was only a child, but World’s Fair and my first mumy father always took me serisical on Broadway: Oliver! ously and replied in kind.) I was instantly taken with Performing on stage and the idea of the theatre. I alscreen certainly appeared to ready played piano and liked offer a glamorous lifestyle. to sing, and there I saw a But the reality was definitely child about my age starring in something else, as reporting a Broadway show! I came out FROM THE on television and in the newsof the theatre singing some of PUBLISHER papers made clear. By Stuart P. Rosenthal Oliver’s numbers. Was this Some years after that trip, something I could aspire to? a young actress from New My father very quickly filled me in on the York came to my home town to play the

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Ongoing

LOCAL ARTISTS’ SHOW

Explore Sabine Carlson’s colorful oil paintings depicting fragmented figurative imagery in abstracted landscapes and Robert Mathews’s unsettling portraits of his “imaginary friends” at the show “Chroma” at the Howard County Arts Council. The show is on display through Friday, Dec. 15 at 8510 High Ridge Rd., Ellicott City. The gallery is open from Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call (410) 313-2787 or visit www.hocoarts.org.

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role of Anita in West Side Story at a local theatre. My family had the opportunity to host her for a meal. It was from her that my brother and I first learned about the “casting couch.” She bitterly complained about how difficult it was for female actresses to land parts on Broadway or in TV or films without sleeping with the producers, which she refused to do. Here my father’s claims, and even worse behavior, were substantiated. And she portrayed that devil’s bargain as being rampant in the industry. Another example of my education in “the way the world worked” came from my mother when I was older. She had a dear friend who was a newspaper reporter for our hometown paper. This friend had spent several years as the paper’s Washington correspondent during the Kennedy administration. She had told my mother at the time about the extramarital liaisons President Kennedy was having in the White House, and how the entire press corps was aware of it. When my mom asked her why this information was not publicized, her friend basically said, “It isn’t relevant. Why tarnish his presidency when it has no effect on his work?” As a kid, I was both appalled and fascinated by these revelations. Is this really how the world worked? Did all adults (and less sheltered teens) know about all this? The answer seemed to be yes. Well then, why do we allow it to continue, I asked? The answer, such as it was, seemed to be that the rich and/or powerful get away with this, and the rest of us are expected to

accept that. Just do what you can to steer clear of it, my dad advised. These vignettes have been popping into my head recently, as we read almost daily of the end of at least part of this era. Hollywood producers, politicians, journalists and others who have long taken advantage of their positions, believing they lived under a different set of rules, are finally being called to account. For years, it appeared there would be no repercussions for their past (and in too many cases, continuing) “indiscretions.” They were able to use their power to prevent victims from coming forward, or from being believed. They may have bought their silence with cash settlements and gag orders, or cowed them into silence with threats and lawsuits. But today, it looks like the jig is up. Perhaps due to a changing social attitude, we have decided to stop the cover-ups and accept the reality of what has long been rumored. Clearly, the Internet and social media have played a major role in enabling the victims to band together and amplify their voice into one that can no longer be ignored. I had never understood why we tolerated the unconscionable way “the world worked” for all those years. I’m not so optimistic as to say it doesn’t work that way anymore. But I think we can say we’re moving in the right direction. And it’s about time.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

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Dec 1

TWINKLING STARS At the Robinson NatureSphere planetarium view the film Stars,

• Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal

preceded by a presentation by astronomer Dr. Joel Goodman, who will explore var-

• Associate Publisher ..............Judith K. Rosenthal

ious scientific interpretations of the existence and appearance of the Star of

• Vice President, Operations........Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel

Bethlehem. The program takes place on Friday, Dec. 1 from 8 to 9 p.m. at the

• Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben

Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia. The event is for those 18

• Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory

and over, and the cost is $6. To register, call (410) 313-0400.

• Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Contributing Editor ..........................Carol Sorgen • Advertising Representatives ......Rodney Harris, ........................................................................Steve Levin • Assistant Editor ..........................Rebekah Alcalde

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

The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 35 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

Dec. 9+

NUTCRACKER ON ICE The Columbia Figure Skating Club will present its annual performance of the Nutcracker on Saturday, Dec, 9 at 5:30 and 7:15

p.m. and on Sunday Dec. 10 at 4:30 and 6 p.m. The performance, by regional and sectional U.S. figure skating qualifying competitors, takes place at the Columbia Ice Rink, 5876 Thunder Hill Rd., Columbia. Tickets are $15. For more information, see www.columbiafsc.com or call (202) 262-3665.

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Technology &

Innovations Try before you buy from online retailers By Joseph Pisani Amazon is set to launch a service that lets customers order clothes, try them on at home, and pay only for what they keep. It sounds novel, but Amazon is actually late to the party. Several online startups have offered try-before-you-buy options for items including jewelry, clothing, glasses and more. It makes shoppers less nervous about buying online, the companies say, and also gives people a chance to touch and try on a necklace or shirt before splurging. The retailers also know that getting you to try something at home means you’re more likely to keep it. Some offer home try-ons for free, others

charge a fee or hold a small amount on a credit card until the items are returned. All offer free shipping both ways. But if you forget to send the items back on time, or damage them, you’ll likely have to pay the full price. Here’s how some of the services work:

Clothing Trunk Club, which is owned by department store operator Nordstrom, sends a box of stylist-approved clothing whenever you want for $25 a box. You have five days to try on the clothes and send back what you don’t want. You’ll be charged for any items you don’t return, and the $25 fee will be deducted from the cost of what you buy. Stitch

Fix offers a similar service for $20 a box. The Black Tux, an online tuxedo and suit rental service, will send over an outfit to try on for free for 48 hours.

Glasses At Warby Parker, you can pick out five frames to try for five days for free. The company does ask for your credit card information during the test run, and will charge for frames that are lost or damaged. If you decide to buy one, you send the test frames back and the company will send new ones.

other electronics for a fee to help customers decide which one to buy. The rental fees vary: A three-day test of a Canon camera with a lens costs $57. Lumoid also lets users rent three smartwatches for $53, or three high-end headphones for $30 and up. If you decide to buy something, a part of the rental fee is deducted from the purchase price. And customers can opt to buy a used item or new one from Lumoid. Founder and CEO Aarthi Ramamurthy said people are overwhelmed with the number of gadgets available, and Lumoid offers a test run. “Why not bring the show-

Electronics Lumoid lends used cameras, drones and

See TRY BEFORE BUY, page 6

FINALLY – Straight Talk About Sciatica Are you suffering from back pain or sciatica? Then it’s likely your biggest problem is pain. But there’s another major problem: bad information. To end sciatica misery you must have the right information. Pay close attention because I’m going to destroy sciatica myths and give you the facts. MYTH: Sciatica will just “go away” with some rest. FACT: If you are dealing with back pain, buttock pain or leg pain, then you must seek help from a sciatica specialist immediately. Left untreated, sciatica can lead to permanent nerve damage - and lifelong pain. MYTH: Pain is the only problem associated with sciatica. FACT: In severe cases, sciatica can lead to the inability to control your bowels or bladder. MYTH: You must take pain medications to deal with sciatica. FACT: Drugs like muscle relaxants, pain killers, narcotics, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications have serious potential side-effects and do not cure the root cause of sciatica. MYTH: “I must have done something wrong to get sciatica.” FACT: Physical work or simply sitting at a desk for long periods can lead to sciatica. Accidents and trauma can also be the culprits. Pregnancy can cause sciatica. Sciatica can affect anyone - including superfit celebrities like Tiger Woods, and Sylvester Stallone. MYTH: Stop exercising and get several weeks of bed rest to overcome sciatica. FACT: Staying active can help to relieve sciatic pain and prevent the pain from getting worse. Staying inactive in bed could be the worst advice - based on a recent study in the Netherlands.

MYTH: Sciatica requires surgery. FACT: NO! There’s been a huge breakthrough in the treatment of sciatica and lower back pain. It’s a new procedure called Non-Surgical Re-Constructive Spinal Care. The excellent results from this treatment have been published in major medical journals. Success rates are up to 90%. MYTH: “There’s nothing anyone can really do. I’m just stuck with this for the rest of my life.” FACT: With the correct treatment from a healthcare professional who specialize in sciatica, you can find relief from the core cause - and the symptoms. MYTH: Getting sciatica properly diagnosed is expensive. FACT: Not true. Dr. Steve Silverston of World Class Chiropractic in Ellicott City, MD is currently offering an initial consultation and comprehensive examination for Just $49, this includes all tests and x-rays if necessary. Dr. Steve Silverston – In Ellicott City, MD has helped over the past 25 years thousands of patients find relief from agonizing back pain and sciatica. He uses Non-Surgical Re-Constructive Spinal Care. This procedure does not require a hospital stay, drugs or anything invasive. The focus is on finding - and correcting - the original cause of the back pain and sciatica. According to Dr. Silverston, “We use a combination of gentle, non-invasive, proven techniques, for precisely diagnosing and correcting the cause of your low back pain and sciatica. This means superior long-term results for most people.” Almost Immediate Relief from Pain! Because the treatment is non-surgical, safe, and easy, most patients report an almost immediate relief from their back pain. Patient Brad H. from Eldersburg, MD wrote, “For several years I saw numerous

doctors including chiropractors in an attempt to resolve unrelenting low back pain and sciatica from a serious motor vehicle injury. Nobody could help me resolve it and my work and life were suffering. Dr. Silverston was able to quickly identify my problem and within one week of beginning care, for the first time in years, I’m virtually pain free! Now, many years later, I am still better.” Take the Next Step - END the Suffering... Initial Consultation and Comprehensive Examination for Just $49. This includes all tests and x-rays if necessary. The first step is a thorough sciatic examination with Dr. Silverston. Call 410-461-3435 to schedule your appointment. Mention this article (CODE: 49TB1217) and Dr. Steve Silverston will happily reduce his usual consultation fee to just $49! Only 50 reader consultations are available at this exclusively discounted rate.

Call them now at 410-461-3435 (mention code: 49TB1217) and get a full and thorough examination to pinpoint the cause of your problem for just $49. The normal cost of such an exam is $345 so you will save $296! Call them now at 410-461-3435 and cut out or tear off this valuable article and take it to your appointment. You’ll be on your way to safe, lasting relief! You can even call on the weekend and leave a message on their answering machine to secure your spot and they promise to return all calls. During the week staff can be very busy helping patients so if they don’t pick up straight away, do leave a message. Call 410-461-3435 NOW. If it’s the weekend or they’re away from the phone the staff at World Class Chiropractic promise they will get back to you. So call now at 410-461-3435 and quote this special discount code: 49TB1217.

Facebook no-nos for grandparents

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9000 Fathers Legacy Ellicott City, MD 21042 877-450-2532 www.MillersGrant.org

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Limited Availability on home & apartment styles – Schedule a visit to learn more before they’re all gone!

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Inspired senior living in Howard County’s newest retirement destination

❏ Alta at Regency Crest (see ad on page 8) ❏ Bayleigh Chase/Integrace (see ad on page 10) ❏ Brooke Grove (see ad on page 36) ❏ Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace (see ad on page 10) ❏ Charlestown/Erickson Living (see ad on page 13) ❏ Fairhaven/Integrace (see ad on page 10) ❏ Heartlands Senior Living (see ad on page 15) ❏ Homecrest House (see ad on page 24) ❏ Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant (see ad on page 5) ❏ Olney Assisted Living (see ad on page 8) ❏ Park View at Colonial Landing (see ad on page 14) ❏ Park View at Columbia (see ad on page 14) ❏ Park View at Ellicott City (see ad on page 14) ❏ Park View at Emerson (see ad on page 14) ❏ Somerford Place (see ad on page 15) ❏ Vantage House (see ad on page 11)

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

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Though a recent national survey suggests adult children enjoy having their grandparents on Facebook, it also found that many secretly wish to “unfriend” their grandparents, and more than half of those surveyed want to sit down and show them how to use it appropriately. There are many social media “no-nos” you can learn from this short video — from posting embarrassing personal details and family gossip, to ranting about politics, friending their friends, and posting criticism about their photos, social life and more. The survey of 500 grandchildren ages 18 to 30 was conducted by

howardcounty@sollevinson.com www.sollevinson.com

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A few years ago, the New York Times

Pre ree-Planning Available le

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Thanksgiving recipes across the USA

410-730-7230

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Traveling overseas soon? The U.S. Department of State’s website has a checklist to help you get ready for international trips. Links provide additional considerations for older travelers, those with disabilities and women. Before the trip, travelers can download a wallet-size card (in pdf format) printed with State Dept. emergency numbers and a space to write in the contact and address for the nearest embassy or consulate. That information can be found by clicking on a handy link at the site. travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/checklist.html

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5560 Sterrett Place, Suite 204 Columbia, MD 21044

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By Barbara Ruben and Rebekah Alcalde

gathered together iconic recipes from each state and Washington, D.C. The entire collection is still available online, including recipes for a pumpkin tart served at the White House, a sauerkraut and apples dish popular in Baltimore, and corn pudding from Edna Lewis, an African-American chef and cookbook author in Virginia. There’s even an entry for Puerto Rico, for mofongo stuffing. Mofongo is a traditional Caribbean dish, a fusion of plantains, pork rinds, garlic and peppers. http://bit.ly/StateThanksgivingRecipes

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

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Links & Apps

Apps

From page 5 homecare agency $ $ $Visiting Angels. $ http://bit.ly/FacebookNoNos

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Dec. 2+

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

DIGITAL CAMERA BASICS

Learn digital camera operations in classes on Saturdays, Dec. 2 and 9 at the Horowitz Arts Center on the Howard Community College campus, at 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Starting at 9:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m., the sessions will include hands-on experience with your own camera, as well as discussions and $ $ of focus, $ composition $ editing. The cost is $45 for persons 60 and over; otherwise $99. Visit www.howardcc.edu/ConEd or call (443) 518-1799 for more information or to register.

$ $

Keep those holiday pounds at bay

The app store is full of apps to help you lose weight, which usually begins by eating healthier and increasing your activity and exercise levels. Lose It! is a user-friendly app to help you with the nutritional side of weight loss. The app allows you to track your food intake against your daily calorie “budget,” $ $ includes $ $over$ 7 million $ $ $ and its$ database popular restaurants. foods, $ $including $ $ $ $ $ It also has a barcode scanner that enables you to upload nutritional information $ the $ $ food labels $ on $ packages. directly$ from Lose It! is free from iTunes and Google Play stores.

Find your lost $ $iPad $ $ $ $ iPhone, and more

You take your mobile devices everywhere, which means you can lose them anywhere. Losing your expensive iPhone can be infuriating, so iTunes offers an easy solution so you can be prepared: the Find $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ My iPhone app. $ $ $ $ $ $ First, create an iCloud account in the Set$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ tings app on your phone. You will then be able to find$ out $where $ your $ device $ $ is$located $ through the app. If it’s nearby, you can make it play $ a sound $ $ to help $you $find$ it in person. $ $ $It will even mark its location when the device has a critically low battery, so you know the last place it was in case it loses power. If you find out it’s stolen or lost farther away, you can activate “lost mode,” which remotely locks your device with a passcode you set, displaying your phone number on the screen in case a good Samaritan

New device stops a cold before it starts

wants to return it to you. “Lost Mode” will also suspend Apple Pay, the ability to make payments electronically, preventing thieves from using your credit card. Find My iPhone is free in the iTunes store.

Discover your ideal bedtime Have trouble sleeping? There’s an app for that. Sleep Genius was designed by experts in neuroscience, sleep, sound and music, based on research to help NASA astronauts get to sleep. The app is meant to train your body into natural sleep rhythms, and has neurosensory algorithms to help prepare your brain for sleep and guide you through each sleep cycle. It even wakes you with a gentle alarm so you wake up from deeper and longer sleep feeling refreshed. Sleep Genius is $4.99 in both iTunes and Google Play stores.

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last holidays,” she said. “The kids had New research shows you can stop a reports he has never had a cold since. He asked relatives and friends to try it. colds going round and round, but not me.” cold in its tracks if you take one simple Some users say it also helps with si!"#$%&!'$($)"%$*"+&,"$%'")$-./$01 !$2""3$ They said it worked for them, too, every time. So he patented CopperZap™ and nuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a 2-day a cold coming on. sinus headache. When her CopperZap Colds start when cold viruses get in put it on the market. Soon hundreds of people had tried it arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” she your nose. Viruses multiply fast. If you don’t stop them early, they spread in your and given feedback. Nearly 100 percent said. “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” airways and cause misery. One man had suffered But scientists have found seasonal sinus problems a quick way to kill a virus. for years. It was so bad it Touch it with copper. Researchers at labs and univerruined family vacations sities worldwide all agree, and even dinners out with copper is “antimicrobial.” It friends. His wife Judy kills microbes, such as vibought CopperZaps for ruses and bacteria, just by both of them. He was so touch. skeptical he said, “Oh Judy, That’s why ancient you are such a whack job!” Greeks and Egyptians used But he tried it and the copcopper to purify water and per cleared up his sinuses heal wounds. That’s why right away. Judy and their Hippocrates, “The father of daughter both said, “It has modern medicine,” used changed our lives.” New research: Copper stops colds if used early. copper to heal skin ulcers, Some users say copper !.# $)&7'!!&A"$ !/20)" ;$!..;$&2$!'"-$/ "$ and why Civil War doctors used it to pre- said the copper stops their colds if used +")!$&)2",!&.)$.2$4(!!3"0"3*$%./)* 5$6'"-$ %&!'&)$ 8$ './1 $ (2!"1$ !'"$ 01 !$ &7)5$ 9+")$ it just before bed. One man said, “Best didn’t know about viruses and bacteria, up to 2 days, if they still get the cold it is sleep I’ve had in years.” Some users have recently tried it on milder than usual and they feel better. but now we do. Users wrote things like, “It stopped cold sores and report complete success in Researchers say microbe cells have a tiny internal electric charge. The high my cold right away,” and “Is it supposed preventing ugly outbreaks. One family reports it has worked to eliminate warts, conductance of copper short-circuits this to work that fast?” “What a wonderful thing,” wrote Phy- as well. charge and pops holes in its membrane. 6'"$'()*3"$& $ ,/3#!/1"*$!.$0!$!'"$'()*$ This immediately stops the microbe from sician’s Assistant Julie. “Now I have this little magic wand, no more colds for me!” ()*$ 0)"3-$ !"@!/1"*$ !.$ &A#1.+"$ ,.)!(,!5$ reproducing and destroys it in seconds. Pat McAllister, age 70, received one 6" ! $ '.%$&!$B&33 $7"1A $.)$0)7"1 $ .$-./$ Tests by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show germs die fast for Christmas and called it “one of the don’t spread illness to your family. C.##"1$A(-$"+")$ !.#$</$&2$/ "*$"(13-$ on copper. In response, some hospitals best presents ever. This little jewel really and for several days. In a lab test, scienswitched to copper touch surfaces. This works.” People often use CopperZap for pre- !& ! $#3(,"*$DE$A&33&.)$3&+"$</$+&1/ " $.)$($ cut the spread of MRSA and other illnessvention, before cold signs appear. Karen CopperZap. No viruses were found alive es by over half, and saved lives. 6'"$ !1.)7$ ,&")!&0,$ "+&*"),"$ 7(+"$ :(/,&;$ %'.$ <&" $ .2!")$ 2.1$ '"1$ =.4;$ / "*$ soon after. The EPA says the natural color change inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When !.$7"!$,.3* $(2!"1$,1.%*"*$<&7'! 5$6'./7'$ he felt a cold coming on he fashioned a skeptical, she tried it several times a day of copper does not reduce its ability to kill smooth copper probe and rubbed it gently on travel days for 2 months. “Sixteen germs. CopperZap is made in the U.S. of pure <&7'! $()*$).!$($ )&2<">?$ '"$"@,3(&A"*5 in his nose for 60 seconds. Businesswoman Rosaleen says when copper. It has a 90-day full money back “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold went away completely.” It worked again people are sick around her she uses Cop- guarantee and is $49.95 at CopperZap.com every time he felt a cold coming on. He perZap morning and night. “It saved me or toll-free 1-888-411-6114. (paid advertisement)

Try before buy From page 4 room to the consumer’s home?” she said. Lumoid recently signed a deal with Best Buy, and shoppers at BestBuy.com will soon be able to rent out some of Best Buy’s cameras and fitness trackers.

Jewelry Rocksbox sends members who pay $21 a month three pieces of jewelry at a time, including earrings, necklaces and bracelets. You can wear them and keep them as long as you want. If you decide to buy anything, keep it at home and send the rest back. A $21 credit is taken off the price. For those who plan to get hitched, Four Mine gives you three days to try on three engagement rings at home. The test rings are made with metal instead of gold or platinum, and use a fake diamond to help it look like the real deal. The company places a $1 credit card hold for each ring until they are returned, and charges $50 each for ones that aren’t sent back.

Almost any site Still in its testing mode, Try.com says it has developed technology that lets shoppers try before they buy at many online retailers. Users pay $8.25 a month to add a button to their Chrome Internet browser and a Try.com option shows up on any site. Click the link, and Try.com pays for the items. Members have seven days to try clothing, shoes or accessories and send back any items they don’t want. If you keep anything, Try.com will charge you for it. Try.com, along with a mobile app, officially launches sometime in November, but it has been in a testing phase earlier in the fall, when the monthly fee was just $2.99. Co-founder and CEO Ankush Sehgal said members try about $500 worth of items at a time, and about 70 percent of customers buy at least one item. — AP

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FAINT OF HEART Frequent fainting can indicate abnormal heart rate or low blood pressure COPING AS A CAREGIVER Useful advice from an author who writes about caring for his wife CHEW ON THIS Gum disease can lead to multiple problems, from heart disease to diabetes GETTING IT ALL A new device could help surgeons instantly know if they’ve gotten all the cancer

Perhaps a not-so-vegetative state after all By Malcolm Ritter French researchers say they restored some signs of consciousness in a brain-injured man who hadn’t shown any awareness in 15 years. During months of experimental treatment, his gaze could follow a moving object, and he turned his head toward people speaking to him. He could also turn his head when asked to do so, and his eyes widened when a researcher suddenly came very close to his face, the researchers reported. The treatment involved implanting a device in the man’s chest to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which extends into the brain. The technique is sometimes used for depression or to reduce the number of seizures in epilepsy. The vagus nerve, which also reaches

down into the abdomen, plays many roles including slowing the heartbeat and controlling muscles of the small intestine. [For more about the vagus nerve, see “Fainting is frightening but seldom serious,” on page 8.]

Other signs of awareness During the treatment, the man also shed tears and smiled while listening to a favorite song by French singer Jean-Jacques Goldman. The tears might have been the result of the nerve stimulation, said Angela Sirigu of the Marc Jeannerod Institute of Cognitive Science in Lyon, France, which is affiliated with the National Center for Scientific Research. Because of brain damage, the man could not speak, she said. Sirigu is among the authors of a recent

report on this treatment in the journal Current Biology. The 35-year-old man, who was injured in a traffic accident, had spent 15 years in a so-called vegetative state, in which the eyes are sometimes open, but the patient shows no signs of awareness. His behavioral improvements appeared about a month after the device was switched on and persisted for the remaining five months of stimulation, Sirigu said. Brain scans also showed better functioning.

Changing view of brain injury The result “totally makes sense to me,” said Dr. Nicholas Schiff, a neuroscientist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City who did not participate in the research.

While it’s the first success in a patient who’d spent 15 years in a vegetative state, it fits with other results that show even patients with long-standing, severe brain injury can be helped by treatment, he said. The challenge now is translating that science into better medical care, he said. Most experimental treatments for the vegetative state have failed to show improvement, said Dr. James Bernat, emeritus professor of neurology and medicine at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Like any report about a single patient, he said, the new one is “provocative but not definitive,” and further study is needed to see what kinds of patient it can help. Sirigu said she’s planning a large study involving several medical centers. — AP

Medicare open enrollment through Dec. 7 By Rachel L. Sheedy Medicare opens the doors for beneficiaries to shop for Part D and Advantage plans each fall, and now is the time to peruse your options to see if you can find a better deal than your current Medicare coverage. The window opened Oct. 15 and closes Dec. 7. During open enrollment, beneficiaries can choose to switch Part D prescription drug plans; switch Advantage plans, which offer health coverage through private insurers; or switch from traditional Medicare to Medicare Advantage. New coverage starts Jan. 1, 2018. Even if you’re happy with your current plan, it can pay to shop around. “Your plan may have been best for 2017, but maybe not for 2018,” said Christina Reeg, director of the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, based in Columbus, Ohio. Part D and Advantage plans can change their coverage rules from one year to the next, or a change in the prescription drugs you take could make another plan a better deal. A plan better suited to your needs next year could potentially save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

What might change You should have received your current plan’s Annual Notice of Change by mail around the end of September. That will indicate any 2018 changes to the cost and cover-

age of your current plan. Pay particular attention to changes to drug formularies, drug tiers and co-pays that affect drugs you take. For instance, “a drug in a lower tier with a $5 co-pay might be shifted to a different tier with a $10 co-pay or $20 co-pay,” said Brandy Bauer, communications manager for the National Council on Aging’s Center for Benefits Access. “Those costs can add up over time.” Use the information about your current plan’s changes to help you compare plans. You can then use the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov to start shopping. Type in your ZIP code, the drugs you take and the dosages. The online tool will calculate your total costs (premiums plus out-ofpocket costs for your drugs) for each plan in your area. See “Review your Medicare plans by Dec. 7” in the November issue for information on how Howard County plans are changing. Keep in mind that choosing a Medicare plan is an individual decision, said Reeg. Married couples don’t have to sign up for the same plan. Two spouses with very different health situations may find traditional Medicare is appropriate for one spouse while the other is better off with a Medicare Advantage plan. If you need help, contact your state health insurance assistance program, or SHIP. “SHIP helps people navigate the

complexities of Medicare,” said Ginny Paulson, director of the SHIP National Technical Assistance Center. For the SHIP office in Howard County, call (410) 313-7392. SHIP’s services are free, and you can get customized help over the phone or make an appointment for in-person assistance. This government-funded program ensures that beneficiaries get objective help in understanding Medicare rules and assistance in navigating Medicare’s online tools. “Open enrollment is by far the busiest time of year,” said Reeg. “We have 2.2 million beneficiaries [in Ohio], and we encourage all of them to review health and drug plans for 2018.” SHIPs can’t tell you what plan to choose, but they can help you understand your options. Have information about your drugs, pharmacies and doctors handy so SHIP experts can better help you sort through your plan choices.

Weighing Part D options When weighing your options, Reeg said the three C’s are critical: costs, coverage and convenience. These three can intertwine. You may prefer to pick up your prescriptions at your local pharmacy, for instance, but getting prescriptions by mail could be cheaper. “You may have to try a generic first before

you can go to a brand-name drug,” said Bauer. “If you know you need a brand-name drug, look at plans that don’t have those hoops.” But if you can take generics instead of brand-name drugs, it’s one way to cut costs. Use an online drug costs calculator to compare prices. Consider out-of-pocket drug costs as well as monthly premiums. “It’s always a trade-off — low premiums versus greater out-of-pocket costs,” said Alan Mittermaier, president of HealthMetrix Research, in Columbus, Ohio. The nitty-gritty of shopping for Part D “comes down to co-pays, particularly for retail pharmacy networks,” he said. “Ninety-day mail order co-pays are pretty close between plans.” Some good news on the cost front: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expects the average basic premium for a Part D prescription-drug plan will decline to an estimated $33.50 per month in 2018, down $1.20 from the average 2017 monthly premium of $34.70. And the standard Part D deductible is increasing by only $5, to $405, for 2018. The limits for falling into the dreaded “doughnut hole” coverage gap also increase for 2018, by $50 both before and after hitting the gap. After the deductible, See MEDICARE, page 8

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Fainting is frightening but seldom serious By Julie Corliss One minute you’re feeling a bit woozy; the next thing you know, you’re flat on your back wondering what happened. No matter what you call it — swooning, passing out or fainting — the experience is surprisingly common. About a third of people say they’ve fainted at least once. Although often harmless, fainting can cause injuries, and sometimes signals a problem with the heart or circulatory system.

“Witnessing a faint can be scary because it can look like the person has died,” said Harvard professor Dr. Lewis A. Lipsitz, director of the Division of Gerontology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston. If it’s really a faint, the person will regain consciousness quickly; if not, call 911. Here’s the lowdown on the most common reasons people pass out.

The “common faint” These faints are caused by excessive stimulation of the vagus nerve, the part of the nervous system that regulates blood pressure and heart rate. In response to some trigger, the blood vessels in your legs relax and the heart rate slows, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart. Blood pressure drops, and down you go. Sometimes, the trigger for vasovagal syncope, the official term for this kind of fainting, is a strong emotion — such as a response to bad news, the sight of blood, or a feeling of panic or claustrophobia. This type of faint can also occur when you have a bad coughing spell or strain to have a bowel movement, or even if you’ve been standing for a long time. Vasovagal syncope tends to be more common in people under 35. With age, the nervous system doesn’t react as quickly, so these types of faints occur less frequently.

Low blood pressure when standing The classic example of orthostatic hypotension is a 70-something person who’s been ill (and therefore not eating or drinking normally) who faints right after getting out of bed in the morning. Older people are more prone to abnormalities in blood pressure regulation because of age, medications or disease, Lipsitz said. With age, blood vessels tend to stiffen, and the body’s system for monitoring blood pressure becomes less sensitive. Older people are more likely to take drugs that can worsen orthostatic hypotension, such as beta blockers (which reduce the heart rate) and alpha blockers (which can reduce blood pressure; they’re used in men to treat an enlarged prostate). Older adults are more prone to dehydration, as the sense of thirst diminishes over

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you pay co-payments or co-insurance until drug costs reach $3,750 (including your share and the insurer’s share). In the gap, you pick up drug costs. After out-of-pocket costs reach $5,000, you pay only 5 percent of your drug costs. Under the current health law, the coverage gap continues to shrink in 2018. “There will be less out-of-pocket burden next year,” said Mittermaier. In 2018, the discount on brand-name drugs while in the gap will be 65 percent, up from 60 percent in 2017, and the discount on generics will be 56 percent, up from 49 percent this year. If you hit the doughnut hole this year, take a close look at how your drugs are covered, said Bauer. A different plan might help you avoid it next year.

the years. Also, diseases such as diabetes, cancer and Parkinson’s (all of which are more common with age) may cause orthostatic hypotension.

Abnormal heart rate If your heart rate is very fast, your blood pressure may fall and fainting may follow. A number of different heart conditions — from problems with the heart’s electrical system to defective valves — can trigger palpitations, a feeling that your heart is fluttering, racing, or missing a beat. Conversely, a very slow heart rate can also cause you to faint. This condition is usually caused by electrical abnormalities in the heart, or heart damage from a heart attack or other disease. Thyroid problems and certain medications can also lead to an abnormally slow or fast heart rate.

Finding the underlying cause If a young, healthy person faints after an obvious vasovagal trigger, there’s not always a need to see a doctor. But if you faint for the first time after age 40, see a doctor to explore all the potential causes. He or she should check your blood pressure (both sitting and standing, if orthostatic hypotension is suspected), and do an electrocardiogram (ECG) — a test that checks for electrical problems with the heart. If you have any type of heart disease — including a previous heart attack, a rhythm disorder such as atrial fibrillation, a narrow or leaking heart valve, or heart failure — fainting may foretell a more serious problem and may require more extensive testing, Lipsitz said. Julie Corliss is executive editor of Harvard Heart Letter. © 2017. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Understand Medicare Advantage People shopping for Medicare Advantage plans need to pay attention not only to drug costs and coverage but also to provider networks. Unlike traditional Medicare, Advantage plans have limited provider networks — and some networks are narrower than others. If you have certain doctors you like to see, check if their services will be covered — and what your costs would be if they aren’t in a particular plan’s network. Also, some Advantage plans offer coverage that traditional Medicare doesn’t, such as for vision and dental care or hearing aids. Compare those extras. Mittermaier’s firm compares costs for Advantage plans. Check out the review of 2018 plans at Medicarenewswatch.com. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Coping advice for Alzheimer’s caregivers By Mary Kane Martin Schreiber is a former Wisconsin governor, lieutenant governor and state senator. But he took on a different role as caregiver for his wife, Elaine, after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 13 years ago. He wrote about his struggles in My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver (Book Publishers Network, $17). The book’s net proceeds promote Alzheimer’s caregiver support programs. In this lightly edited conversation, we talked with Schreiber, age 78, about the overlooked needs of caregivers. You point out that it’s often more challenging for men to take on the role of caregiver than for women. Why do you think that’s the case? Men have terrible egos. And they think they can handle everything without any help. And so, as the caregiving progresses, and there’s more need for outside support, the man refuses to ask for it, creating further types of anxiety. You’re assuming roles that you never had before. Elaine would take care of the bills, all of the home care, and so forth. Now you are the one doing it. All of a sudden, simple matters become complex. Noting the health problems you suffered before you reached out for caregiving help, you urge other caregivers not to hesitate to seek support. What kind of toll did your wife’s disease take on you? My world became Elaine and taking care of her, and nothing else really seemed to matter. I cut out exercise and cut out being with other people. I gained 30 pounds. I couldn’t breathe decently when I would go for a short walk. I didn’t want to seem like a wimp because I couldn’t handle the emotional strain. But the fact is, [that strain is] there. Friends pull you aside and say, “Wow, you look terrible.” My wife is in assisted living now, and I

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LIVING HEALTHY WITH HYPERTENSION

Howard County General Hospital is offering a class on living with high blood pressure on Friday, Dec. 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellness Center Medical Pavilion, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. Cost of the class is $5 to be paid to the instructor in exact cash or check. For more information, visit hcgh.org or call (410) 740-7601.

see it in the faces of the other men there, the drawn-out look, the haggard look. Can you explain the concept of your “two Elaines” and how it helped you to move forward? I had to understand that there are two Elaines, and that I had to let go of my first Elaine. The woman who once was, is no more. I can never expect of this new woman any of the things I once did together with the first Elaine. But I wish I’d understood the benefits of letting go sooner. If we’re at Christmastime, with the four children and their spouses and grandchildren, and Elaine asks who those people are, I don’t have to worry about the pain of dealing with this because I already dealt with that when I let go of the first Elaine. There’s now this new person whose life I want to enter. Elaine likes music, so we

listen whenever we can. When I’m walking with Elaine, I sing, “I want to marry you,” and she says, “That would make me so happy.” As a caregiver, look for those areas of common interest. Elaine may not be aware I might be her husband. But she knows I’m a friend, and I’m someone special to her. You used strategies such as therapeutic fibbing, which avoids directly challenging a partner’s inaccurate memories. What other approaches worked for you? Redirection is a critically important tool. She’s got five coats on. She says she’s cold. There is no way intellectually I can have her understand that five coats in summertime is going to be too much. So I agree she’s cold, and I get her another coat. Then we begin to talk about what might

be happening with one of the children, or what she might want to do that day, and we’re not talking about the coat anymore. If you understand you can’t argue with the disease, life is so much easier. How do exhausted caregivers find the moments of joy you mention in your book? You look for them. We were driving along the other day and listening to songs from the fifties. Elaine asks, “Do you love me? How long will you keep me?” I said, “Elaine, I will love you and take care of you and be with you for a billion years.” She looked at me and said, “I don’t think I could take you for that long a period of time,” and we both laughed. Sometimes, the spark comes out again. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Health Shorts Screening for cancer via a blood test? Scientists have the first major evidence that blood tests called liquid biopsies hold promise for screening people for cancer. Hong Kong doctors tried it for a type of head and neck cancer, and boosted early detection and one measure of survival. The tests detect DNA that tumors shed into the blood. Some are used now to monitor cancer patients, and many companies are trying to develop versions of these for screening, as possible alternatives to mammograms, colonoscopies and other such tests. The new study shows this approach can work, at least for this one form of cancer and in a country where it’s common.

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

“This work is very exciting on the larger scale” because it gives a blueprint for how to make tests for other tumor types such as lung or breast, said Dr. Dennis Lo of Chinese University of Hong Kong. “We are brick by brick putting that technology into place.” He led the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Lo is best known for discovering that fetal DNA can be found in a mom’s blood, which launched a new era of non-invasive testing for pregnant women. The study involved nasopharyngeal cancer, which forms at the top of the throat behind the nose. It’s a good test case for DNA screening because it’s an aggressive cancer where early detection matters a lot, and screening could be tried in a population where the cancer is most common — middle-aged Chinese men. Also, the Epstein-Barr virus is involved in most cases, so tests could hunt for viral DNA that tumors shed into the blood in large quantities, rather than rare bits of

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cancer cells themselves. About 20,000 men were screened, and viral DNA was found in 1,112, or 5.5 percent. Of those, 309 also had the DNA on confirmatory tests a month later. After endoscope and MRI exams, 34 turned out to have cancer. More cases were found at the earliest stage — 71 percent versus only 20 percent of a comparison group of men who had been treated for nasopharyngeal cancer over the previous five years. That’s important because early cases often are cured with radiation alone, but more advanced ones need chemotherapy and treatment is less successful.

with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and should be available in pharmacies within months. The company, based near Chicago, did not disclose the price of the reader or the sensors. Abbott’s system can’t be used with an insulin pump, a device worn against the skin that allows users to inject insulin as needed, but the company is planning improvements to eventually enable that. Rival Medtronic this spring launched a device in which the insulin pump automatically responds to blood sugar changes recorded by the sensor and either withholds or injects insulin as needed.

Blood sugar monitor without finger pricks

Few properly dispose of excess pain pills

U.S. regulators have approved the first continuous blood sugar monitor for diabetics that doesn’t need backup finger prick tests. Current models require users to test a drop of blood twice daily to calibrate, or adjust, the monitor. The pain of finger sticks and the cost of testing supplies discourage many people from keeping close tabs on their blood sugar, which is needed to manage insulin use and adjust what they eat. Abbott’s new FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System, recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, uses a small sensor attached to the upper arm. Patients wave a reader device over it to see the current blood sugar level and changes over the past eight hours. Most of the 30 million Americans with diabetes use standard glucose meters, which require multiple finger pricks each day and only show current sugar level. More-accurate continuous glucose monitoring devices are used by about 345,000 Americans. But most don’t do the finger pricks to calibrate them and may get inaccurate readings, said Dr. Timothy Bailey, who helped test FreeStyle Libre. “We’re able to lower blood sugar safely” with this technology, said Bailey, director of the Advanced Metabolic Care and Research Institute in California. He receives consulting fees from various diabetes device makers. Too-high blood sugar levels can damage organs and lead to heart attacks, strokes, blindness and amputations. Very low blood sugar can cause seizures, confusion and loss of consciousness. Abbott’s device was approved for adults

Surgery patients often end up with leftover opioid painkillers and store the remaining pills improperly at home, a study suggests. The research raises concerns about overprescribing addictive medicine that could end in the wrong hands. Uncertainty among doctors about how much medicine patients really need after common operations contributes to the problem. Many patients also don’t know how to safely get rid of unused medications, said lead researcher Dr. Mark Bicket, a Johns Hopkins anesthesiologist. Bicket and colleagues reviewed six studies involving 810 patients. Surgeries included operations on the skin, lungs, shoulder and hands, cesarean sections and dental work. At least two-thirds of patients reported having leftover opioids afterward; often more than half the prescribed pills were unused. Most stopped taking the drugs because their pain had subsided, although a few said they stopped over concerns about addiction risks. Fewer than one-third had gotten rid of their leftover pills or had plans to; an even smaller number — fewer than 10 percent — had considered or followed proper ways to dispose of the narcotics. The study was published in JAMA Surgery. Authorities say opioid painkillers should be stored in their original packaging and kept locked inside a cabinet out of children’s reach. Some drugstores, including CVS and Walgreens, collect unused medications. People can also take leftovers to hospital pharmacies or police stations. The Drug Enforcement Administration lists disposal locations by zip code online at http://bit.ly/drug_disposal. — AP

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Tooth and gum care affects overall health By Dr. Howard LeWine Q: I recently had my usual teeth cleaning. My gums are a bit inflamed with gingivitis. The dentist said if it gets worse, it could affect my overall health. What can happen and why? A: Gum disease begins when sticky, bacteria-laden plaque builds up around the teeth. Gingivitis is the mild form of gum disease. But left untreated, this condition can turn into periodontal disease, which can lead to swollen, red or tender gums that bleed easily.

Periodontal disease has long been known as the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. But the damage isn’t confined to the mouth. Gum disease has also been associated with threats to our health. Like our intestines, our mouths house complex ecosystems of bacteria, known as the oral microbiome. And as in the gut, different types of bacteria compete for space. When all the species are in balance, the gums are protected from disease-causing bacteria. Disturbing this balance provides

an opening for pathogens to invade, causing periodontal disease, which further disrupts the bacterial balance. Pathogenic bacteria initiate periodontal disease. But the real damage to the gums is caused by the inflammatory response to the bacteria. That is, the disease-causing bacteria trigger a response from the body’s immune system. The white blood cells summoned to eradicate them produce substances that not only destroy bacteria, but also damage gum tissue. Periodontal disease creates a state of low grade inflammation throughout the body. When inflammation persists, it’s associated with a higher risk of multiple medical problems, including heart disease, diabetes, dementia and some cancers. It’s not clear that periodontal disease actually causes these health problems, or rather if people with chronic health issues have more difficulty taking care of their teeth and gums. Take these steps to help prevent gum disease and heal gingivitis before it progresses to periodontal disease: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss before bedtime. Don’t smoke. Eat foods that help suppress inflammation — vegetables and vegetable oils, fruits, legumes, nuts and fatty fish. Get regular dental check-ups and cleanings (at least every 6 to 12 months). Your dentist may recommend that you have them more frequently. Q: I have been quite fatigued over the past two weeks. I don’t have any other symptoms. How long should I wait before seeing a doctor? A: That’s a great question, but one that does not have a scientific answer. We all go through periods when our energy level is down. It might last a few days, but most often we bounce back after slowing down a bit and getting a good night’s sleep. Even a week or two of feeling more tired than usual is not uncommon. Fatigue is a relative term, meaning each of us evaluate our current energy level based upon how we feel most of the time. For example, people who are very ener-

getic and go nonstop from early morning to late at night might say they have fatigue if they felt like most of us do every day. Despite that variation, most people do have a sense when their level of fatigue feels like something more than just being tired. If that’s the case, even if it lasted only seven to 10 days, it’s time to call your doctor’s office. Signs that your fatigue might be related to an underlying illness or infection include low grade fever, night sweats, shortness of breath, or loss of appetite. Other triggers for calling your doctor might be waking up exhausted despite a good night’s sleep, not feeling motivated to begin the day, or struggling to do activities that are usually easy for you. When I see patients with a primary complaint of fatigue who have no other symptoms and a normal physical exam, I usually don’t find a specific cause. And they usually get better on their own. I may order some simple blood tests to rule out problems such as anemia, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), liver inflammation (hepatitis), or abnormal electrolytes (blood chemistries). I also consider whether the fatigue is related to medication, depression, anxiety or sleep apnea. If none of these queries provide a diagnosis, I am not surprised when a patient asks me, “Then why I am so tired?” Honestly, I won’t have an immediate answer. I speculate whether it could be a low grade viral infection, but have no proof. Although it’s not very satisfying to my patients or me, I tell them that in the great majority of these situations, the fatigue resolves on its own. The important message I leave with them is to continue to call me if their energy level is not picking up. 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, please visit www.health.harvard.edu. © 2017 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Dec. 4

BRAIN EXERCISES AND GAMES

Puzzles, word games and other brain exercises will be featured at a session hosted by Miller Branch Library on Tuesday, Dec. 4 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Miller Branch Library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. To register, call the library at (410) 313-1950.

Dec. 18

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING

Howard County General Hospital will offer free blood pressure screening on Monday, Dec. 18 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Glenwood Branch Library, 2350 State Route 97 in Cooksville. No appointment is necessary. For further information call the library at (410) 313-5577.

Nov. 29

DANCE OFF THE CALORIES

The North Laurel 50+ Center presents a Shake, Move and Groove Dance Social on Wednesday, Nov. 29, in which a DJ will play a mix of dance music from ballroom to Latin to help work off that Thanksgiving feast. The fee is $3. The center is located at 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel. To learn more, call (410) 313-0380.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Probe helps surgeons get all the cancer By Lauran Neergaard Patients emerging from cancer surgery want to know, “Did you get it all?” Now scientists are developing a pen-like probe to help surgeons better tell when it’s safe to stop cutting or if stray tumor cells still lurk. The device is highly experimental, but laboratory tests show it uses molecular fingerprints to distinguish between cancerous cells and healthy ones far faster than today’s technology, Texas researchers reported. “That’s really anyone’s worst nightmare, to go through surgery and know there’s a chance” some cancer remains, said assistant chemistry professor Livia Eberlin of the University of Texas at Austin, who is leading the work. “By providing real-time molecular information, we could really improve accuracy.”

Testing starts this winter Her team aims to begin testing the device during surgeries, starting with breast cancer, early next year. When surgeons think they’ve removed all of a tumor, they often also remove a thin layer of surrounding tissue, called the margin, to be sure no cancer cells linger at the edge and increase the risk of relapse. The problem: That check takes time, for pathologists to process the tissue and ex-

amine it under the microscope. For certain especially tricky tumors, surgeons sometimes pause for a half-hour to more than an hour, the patient still under anesthesia, to await the results. For breast cancer and certain other types, often the answer doesn’t arrive until a few days after surgery, raising the possibility of repeat operations. In contrast, “our device is able to give an immediate read-out in under a minute,” said UT research engineer Noah Giese.

reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine. They also successfully used the pen during a handful of operations on mice. “It’s intriguing technology,” said Dr. Nita Ahuja, chief of surgical oncology at Johns Hopkins Medicine, who wasn’t involved in the work. Surgeons need new tools to catch residual cancer in the operating room, and developing molecular techniques to try is a hot new field, Ahuja said. While she stressed

that the hand-held pen needs lots more research to prove if it really works, she said it might be easier to use than some other candidates under development. If it pans out, doctors would have to place the pen on multiple spots to check an entire wound. Researchers noted it doesn’t appear to harm tissue, meaning pathologists still could double-check with standard techniques when human testing begins. — AP

How it works Cells produce unique sets of small molecules that perform various functions — and thus also act as fingerprints. Researchers place the pen-like device directly onto tissue, press a foot pedal to switch it on, and a tiny amount of water emerges to gently pull molecules from the cells in that spot. A tube carries the droplet to a machine called a mass spectrometer that identifies molecules by calculating their mass. Software then immediately analyzes whether the resulting fingerprint matches cancer or healthy tissue. In lab tests of samples that had been taken from 253 patients with lung, ovary, thyroid or breast tumors, the so-called “MasSpec Pen” was more than 96 percent accurate in diagnosing cancer, researchers

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Hearty, healthy spaghetti and meatballs By Melissa D’Arabian Spaghetti and meatballs was the classic dish I ate at Grandma’s house growing up. She had her all-day recipe that filled her creaky house with heady aromas that built anticipation as meatballs simmered in sauce on the stove. The fact that she was 100 percent firstgeneration German — she emigrated at the age of 6 — never stopped me from making her recipe the benchmark by which every other meatball would be judged. Tweaking her recipe to lighten it up a bit, and make it weekday-friendly by shortening the cook time, was a task I didn’t take lightly. And truth to be told: There is a special place in this rush-to-eat food world for the leisurely simmer of small orbs of meat in thick, tangy tomato sauce covered in a fine slick of co-mingled pork and beef fat that has gently floated to the top.

But life is busy, and we need to get a healthy dinner on the table and move on. I get it. The meatball recipe below is for those nights. First to change: The fatty mix of pork and beef became simply lean (93 percent) beef. Feel free to mix in turkey, but our family preferred the beef. The next tweak: I added a half pound of mushrooms for every pound of beef to stretch the meat out and add in nutrients. I pulsed the mushrooms in a food processor, and then cooked them with another healthy meat stretcher — onions. (Here, you could add other veggies too: shredded zucchini, carrot and chopped spinach work great.) I added the mushroom and onion mixture right in with the ground beef, and they added flavor, moisture and bulk, with nary an added calorie (nor a suspicious eye from any of my four kids).

I used one egg white (no yolk), and used oats pulsed into a coarse flour instead of breadcrumbs. Simmer these meatballs directly in a pot of a high-quality jarred marinara sauce (check for no added sugar), and in 20 minutes, they will be succulent, tender, and juicy. Almost like Grandma’s.

Lightened Italian Meatballs Servings: 6 Start to finish: 40 minutes 8 ounces white mushrooms, sliced (about 2 cups) 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped, about 3/4 cup 1 teaspoon olive oil 4 cloves of garlic, minced 2 teaspoons dried Italian herb blend 1 egg white, lightly beaten 1 pound 93 percent lean ground beef

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Furnace Branch 410-761-4150 Severna Park 410-544-3411

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HARFORD COUNTY BALTIMORE CITY Ashland Terrace 410-276-6440 Coldspring 410-542-4400

Bel Air 410-893-0064 Box Hill 410-515-6115

HOWARD COUNTY BALTIMORE COUNTY Catonsville 410-719-9464 Dundalk 410-288-5483 Fullerton 410-663-0665 Miramar Landing 410-391-8375 Randallstown 410-655-5673 Rosedale 410-866-1886 Taylor 410-663-0363 Towson 410-828-7185 Woodlawn 410-281-1120

Colonial Landing 410-796-4399 Columbia 410-381-1118 Ellicott City 410-203-9501 Ellicott City II 410-203-2096 Emerson 301-483-3322 Snowden River 410-290-0384

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Bladensburg 301-699-9785 55 AND BETTER! Laurel 301-490-1526 Laurel II 301-490-9730

2 tablespoons grated parmesan 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 1/3 cup oats, pulsed or blended into a coarse powder 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 4 cups jarred marinara sauce, with no sugar added Place the sliced mushrooms in a food processor and pulse 4 or 5 times, until the mushrooms are the texture of coarse couscous. Do not over-process or it will become pasty. Heat a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat and add the olive oil, onion and mushrooms to the pan. Cook, stirring often, until onion and mushrooms are softened, and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 12 minutes. Add the garlic, Italian herb blend, salt and pepper, give it a quick stir, and then remove from heat and allow to cool a few minutes. In a large bowl, mix together the egg white and the cooled mushroom mixture. Add the ground beef and mix together, using hands if necessary. Add the parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, fresh basil and ground oats and mix together, just until blended. Use a small ice cream scoop to portion out uniform meatballs, and roll them gently together in your hands. (You will have approximately 26 meatballs 1.5 inch in diameter.) Pour the marinara sauce into a heavy sauce pan or small Dutch oven. Gently place the meatballs in the sauce. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, and let simmer gently for 20 minutes, removing the cover about halfway through the cook time. Serve. Chef’s Note: This recipe yields tender, juicy meatballs, but for caramelized, crustier meatballs, bake on a foil-lined baking sheet for 20-25 minutes at 375 F, and then toss in sauce.) Nutrition information per serving: 233 calories; 80 calories from fat; 9 g. fat (3 g. saturated; 0 g. trans fats); 49 mg. cholesterol; 724 mg. sodium; 17 g. carbohydrate; 4 g. fiber; 8 g. sugar; 22 g. protein. For more recipes from Melissa D’Arabian, go to www.melissadarabian.net. — AP

BEACON BITS

Nov. 29

HOLIDAY CRAFT BOUTIQUE

Forty vendors will display their wares to help you get a jump-start on holiday shopping on Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event takes

Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour. www.rhomecommunities.com

place at the Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. There is a $1 admission charge. For more details, call (410) 313-1400.

ALL PARK VIEW COMMUNITIES ARE PET-FRIENDLY

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

EVERY DAY IS A HOLIDAY AT F I V E S TA R S E N I O R L I V I N G

At Five Star, we treat every day like a holiday, whatever your needs may be. Savor our exceptional Five Star Dining Experience, accommodating special diets with everything from finger foods to specialized menu options and flavorful, Signature recipes. Enjoy our Lifestyle360 program, offering engaging activities, and see how we give everyone a reason to celebrate.

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H E A R TLA N DS AT ELL ICOTT CI TY 3004 North Ridge Road • Ellicott City, MD 21043 • 410-461-9494 Independent Living • Assisted Living • Respite Care • On-site Rehabilitation S OM E RFO RD P LACE CO LUM BI A 8220 Snowden River Parkway • Columbia, MD 21045 • 410-313-9744 Bridge to Rediscovery™ Memory Care Program • On-site Rehabilitation www.FiveStarSeniorLiving.com ©2017 Five Star Senior Living

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon

50+

THE

NEWS and EVENTS from the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence

Connection

Department of Community Resources and Services

Volume 7, No. 12 • December 2017

Howard County’s DCRS Means “No Wrong Door”

oward County’s Department of Community Resources and Services is comprised of seven offices to address the needs of multiple generations, tailor services to different cultural values, and promote full inclusion for individuals with disabilities. These include the Offices of ADA Coordination; Aging and Independence; Children and Families; the Local Children’s Board; Community Partnerships; Consumer Protection; and Veterans and Military Families.

“DCRS is a strong department filled with committed staff who work hard to meet the needs of our community,” said DCRS Director Jackie Scott. “We are excited by the possibilities that coming together in one location will offer.” DCRS’ offices, with its nine boards and commissions, serve multiple generations, tailor services to a culturally diverse population, and promote full inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Plans are moving forward to relocate all seven DCRS offices to the Howard County Community Resources Campus in Spring 2018, located on Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia, at the intersection of Brokenland and Snowden River Parkways. Other County departments joining DCRS in the new office park include Housing and Community Development, the Office of Human Rights and the Community Action Council of Howard County. The state’s Department of Human Resources also has committed to moving the county’s Department of Social Services to the new location.

INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTICE For information on closings and cancellations, call the Inclement Weather/Program Status at 410-313-7777 (VOICE/RELAY); or visit us online at www.howardcountymd.gov/aging, or www.Facebook.com/HoCoCommunity.

The development of the Community Resources Campus adjacent to the NonProfit Collaborative will improve the delivery of human services to those who need help, particularly those with complex issues that involve multiple agencies. Individuals interacting with one office will be linked, as appropriate, with contacts in other DCRS offices, in county agencies, or in the larger human service network. Since its reorganization and expansion in 2016, DCRS has followed a No Wrong Door approach to make it easier for Howard County residents to access the vital human services they need without spending an entire day going from place to place to find support. The development of the Community Resources Campus will not only make it easier for families and individuals to find support, it will foster greater collaboration with other county agencies and nonprofit organizations. “DCRS is a strong department filled with committed staff who work hard to meet the needs of our community,” said DCRS Director Jackie Scott. “We are excited by the possibilities that coming together in one location will offer.” As an integral part of DCRS, the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) supports the desires of older adults to remain independent as they grow older, and is committed to implementing the priorities set forth in Howard County’s 20 year plan “Creating an Age-Friendly Community” to address the needs of a rapidly expanding older adult population. The convenience and accessibility of the Community Resources Campus will further the goal of making Howard County a truly age-friendly community. As relocation plans progress for a move in Spring 2018, rest assured that OAI will provide seamless assistance to help older adults, caregivers, adults with disabilities and their families find the services they need through Maryland Access Point (MAP). If you need assistance for yourself or a loved one, contacting a MAP information specialist is a great place to start, and the phone number — 410-313-1234 — is easy to remember.

2018 Resource Guide Howard County Office on Aging and Independence Now available from the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI); at any of the OAI 50+ RESOURCE Centers; and at all Howard County GUIDE libraries. Or, contact Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-1234 or map@howardcountymd.gov www.howardcountymd.gov/aging 2018 HOW ARD COU NTY

Forr Older Adults , Persons with Disab ilities, and Caregivers

MARYLAND ACCE SS

410-313-1234

www.howardcount ymd.gov/aging www.facebook.com /hococommunity

POINT

1-844-627-5465 Maryland Relay: 711 Email: map@howardc ountymd.gov

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The 50+ Connection

Shop Smarter for Your First Smart Phone

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

COLLEGE COSTS LOOMING?

By Rebecca Bowman, Administrator Howard County Office of Consumer Protection

If you are overwhelmed buying your first smartphone, use these tips to help smooth the process.

Prioritize the Features You Want • Does the screen size matter? Vision challenges will help decide. • Taking the best quality pictures will be important, especially if you plan on sharing them with friends and family, or want to print them for framing. • Is a long battery life and abundant storage space important? Definitely worth thinking about if you travel a great deal.

Is your preference the iPhone or Android OS? •

•

The operating system for Android phones was designed by Google, but the phones are then made by a variety of manufacturers. Androids are known for their ability to be customized, and for their lower cost. iPhones have their own operating systems and are made only by Apple. They are known for their ease of use, security, and integration with other Apple products.

Should You Buy from Your Carrier or a Retailer? • Retailers sell “unlocked phones” that can then be used with any mobile phone service. You will pay more for the phone (especially if you want the latest model), but you will be able to pick a carrier that offers cheaper or shorter contracts or doesn’t require a contract at all. You also won’t need to switch phones if you switch carriers. • If you get your phone from a carrier, the initial cost of the phone is usually cheaper but you will have to sign a contract for 1-2 years and will pay a termination fee if you want to switch carriers. • Some carriers also reduce phone prices and offer more frequent upgrades if you “rent” your phone instead of buying it. So, if you want to switch carriers, you will have to return the phone and get a new one.

A panel of experts will answer questions about how to pay for college and shop for student loans. You’ll discover: ! The Best Ways to Pay for Higher Education ! How to Evaluate Loans and Repayment Obligations Ways to Identify and Avoid Scams Targeting Students

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 6:30 PM Howard Community College 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044

Space is limited; register NOW to secure your seat! www.studentloanforum.eventbrite.com For agenda, presenters and additional details

www.howardcountymd.gov/knowbeforeyouowe A PARTNERSHIP PRESENTATION COURTESY OF

Howard County Office of

Consumer Protection Department of Community Resources and Services www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer If you need this information in an alternate format, or need accommodations to attend, call 410-313-6420 (voice/relay) or email consumer@howardcountymd.gov by January 4.

Reseach Carriers Most carriers offer a variety of payment plans and contracts. Take time to review all options to pick a plan that’s right for you. • While every carrier claims great service, service coverage does vary. Talk with neighbors and friends about the quality of service they get where you live and travel. • Smart phones allow you to access the Internet wherever wi-fi is available. If you want continuous internet access, however, you will probably need to increase the size of your “data plan” and pay a larger monthly fee. Most carriers allow you to change from one data plan to another at no extra cost but be sure to ask for details.

Medicare Open Enrollment October 15 through December 7, 2017 — BY APPOINTMENT ONLY — Call 410-313-7392 Regular SHIP schedule, plus these additional locations/hours:

Bain 50+ Center

Look Online and In Stores Before You Buy

5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044

• Look at website reviews, and carrier and retail online offers to research phone options and price plans. Keep notes so that you can compare online and retail prices. • Visit a retailer or carrier store to look at the phones themselves. The size and weight of phones can vary greatly. Look at the keyboard, address book and various websites to see how the screen space is used. Ask questions but be wary of high pressure sales. • Always check the return policies and warranties prior to purchasing. Does the seller replace the phone if its broken or lost, and at what cost?

Saturday, December 2 • 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 7 • 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS. Contact us for help. www.howardcountymd.gov/SHIP

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

2017

The 50+ Connection

Holiday

PROJECT

The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence is collecting donated items for low-income seniors who reside in assisted living facilities and in the community. The wish list includes the following items for both adult men and women and include: • • • • • •

Body Lotion Body Wash Deodorant Hair Conditioner Shampoo Shaving Cream

• • • • • •

Slipper Socks Socks Toothbrushes Toothpaste Toiletry Gift Sets Throw Blankets

• Monetary Donations also accepted Funds will be used to purchase items we don’t receive or of which we have a shortage.

Drop off your donations by December 11 at any Howard County 50+ Center or the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Suite 200, Columbia, MD 21046 FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Debby Magin at 410-313-6063 (VOICE/RELAY) • dmagin@howardcountymd.gov

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Caregiver Support Group Find support and share the caregiver experience in this group for any adult who provides caregiving to another adult. Group discussion focuses on caregiver needs such as practical solutions and resources; emotional support; social networking; and ways for the caregiver to find time away from caregiving. FREE. Trained caregiver facilitators lead the group. The next three dates are:

December 18, Monday • 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. January 8, Monday • 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. February 12, Monday • 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. East Columbia 50+ Center 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045 For more information, contact Karen Hull khull@howardcountymd.gov 410-313-7466

www.howardcountymd.gov/aging

LIVING WELL WITH HYPERTENSION Friday, December 1 • 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM Medical Pavilion at Howard County 10710 Charter Dr., Suite 100 Columbia 21044 Only $5/person! To register, contact Jen Lee jlee@howardcountymd.gov • 410-313-5940 (VOICE/RELAY) WWW.howardcountymd.gov/livingwell

Help usCelebrate the Spirit of the Holidays! Paws4Comfort is accepting new gift donations for the residents of Lorien Nursing Home. Suggested items include shawls, scarves, puzzle books, small stuffed animals, lap blankets and socks. Gifts may be dropped off at Bain 50+ Center in the “LORIEN” box no later than December 11. Thank you!

Last Evaluation Date of 2017 Thursday, December 7 Bain 50+ Center 5470 Ruth Keeton Way Columbia 21044

The 50+ Connection is published monthly by the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence. This publication is available in alternate formats upon request. To join our subscriber list, email kahenry@howardcountymd.gov 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Suite 200, Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) • www.howardcountymd.gov/aging Find us on

www.Facebook.com/HoCoCommunity

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

Ingrid Gleysteen PROGRAM COORDINATOR

410-313-7461 igleysteen@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountymd.gov/paws

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The 50+ Connection

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Howard County 50+ Centers

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS Go to www.howardcountymd.gov/50pluscenters for all 50+ Center events.

Bain 50+ Center Friday, December 8 • 10:00 a.m.

Ugly Sweater Contest Wear a ho-ho-horrible holiday sweater and meet us in the lobby for refreshments. The Bain 50+ Gospel Choir will perform after the contest (prizes for ugliest men’s and women’s). FREE. RSVP: 410-313-7213.

Ellicott City 50+ Center

Wednesday, December 13 • 10:30 a.m.

Howard Community College Chorus and Santa!

Howard Community College Bain 50+ Senior Choir

Kick off the holidays with music performed by the HCC chorale group featuring seasonal favorites and more. Stay for Santa’s arrival at noon! Grandkids welcome! FREE.

Join the Howard Community College Chorus as they sing holiday tunes that are music to your ears. Holiday refreshments. RSVP: 410-313-7213.

Tuesday, December 19 • 10:30 a.m.

The Lyric Opera Baltimore Presents: Holiday Spirit Delight in traditional holiday favorites performed by vocalists from the Lyric Opera House, followed by a catered kosher meal. Lunch donation accepted. RSVP by December 12: 410-313-7213.

East Columbia 50+ Center Wednesday, December 6 • Noon

Holiday Tea Kick off the holidays with an afternoon of good conversation, savories and sweets. Suggested donation: $6. RSVP: 410-313-7680.

Fridays, starting December 1 • 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Bridge Lessons: Beyond Beginners

Wednesday, December 6 • 11:00 a.m.

Monday, December 11 • 12:30 p.m.

The Singing Maintenance Guy Don’t miss a musical performance by Don Kolbe, a facility worker from the Ellicott City Alta Regency Crest. A former youth leader, Kolbe performs Christian music, oldies but goodies, and more! FREE.

Tuesday, December 12 • 12:30 p.m.

Lyric Opera House “LIVE” Get in the Holiday spirit as Lyric Opera House vocalists and a pianist present holiday favorites, with secular music augmented with traditional Christmas selections. FREE. Register: 410-313-1400.

Glenwood 50+ Center Friday, December 1 • 11:00 a.m.

Christmas in Old Baltimore

This is the next step for players who have a basic knowledge of Bridge but want to move to the next level. $43/4 weeks. Register: 410-313-7680.

A captivating presentation about Christmas in Baltimore “back in the day” with Historian Wayne Schaumberg. FREE. Register: 410-313-5440.

Tuesday, December 5 • 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 7 • 2:30 p.m.

Technology Café

DIY Salt & Sugar Scrubs

Master your phone or laptop before someone buys you a new one for the holidays! FREE.

Let’s get messy – it’s “Do It Yourself” (DIY) time! Make fragrant scrubs to keep or give as gifts. $10. Register: 410-313-5440.

Elkridge 50+ Center

Wednesday, December 20 • Noon

Wednesday, December 13 • 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

Enjoy lunch catered by Outback plus a hot chocolate bar and the music of Jordan Mills. $12/person. Register: 410-313-5440.

Holiday Waffles Enjoy plain or pumpkin waffles with eggs, fruit and other side dishes. Donations accepted. RSVP: 410-313-5192.

Friday, December 15 • 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Holiday Celebration Celebrate with us and enjoy a homemade lunch, desserts, games, prizes and entertainment. $20/person. RSVP: 410-313-5192

Wednesday, December 27 • 11:00 a.m. to noon

Holidaze Luncheon

North Laurel 50+ Center Friday, December 8 • 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Winter Bazaar Complete your holiday shopping with poinsettia & holiday wreaths, jewelry, books, sweets, and handmade gifts; sponsored by the North Laurel Senior Council. Details: 410-313-0380.

Student Concert

Wednesday, December 13 • 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Local high school students will join us to present a holiday concert. FREE.

Holidays with Sinatra

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HoCoCommunity Stay connected to the DCRS. Like us today!

Enjoy timeless classics and holiday cheer with a tribute concert by Steve Flynn, then feast on a holiday lunch. Tickets: $10. RSVP: 410-313-0380.

Tuesday and Thursdays in December • 8:45 to 9:30 a.m.

Holiday Hustle Exercise Class Burn off holiday calories with a workout that mixes cardio and strength training exercises. Cost: $28/four classes. Register: 410-313-0380.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

BUCKET LIST FOR FINANCES A new book uses the concept of “buckets” to help protect and grow assets in retirement SPLIT ENDS Divorce after 50 can be costly and complex, with more assets to divide PUT EXPERIENCE TO WORK How to battle subtle and more overt age bias when job hunting

Strategies to stop being the family ATM By Liz Weston If you want someone to stop asking you for money, the worst thing you can do is say no and then give in after persistent pleading. Such “intermittent reinforcement” — granting a reward after an unpredictable number of requests — makes it more likely the person will ask for another handout than if you just said yes at the start, said Brad Klontz, a certified financial planner and psychologist in Lihue, Hawaii, who researches financial psychology. It’s the same dynamic that lures people to slot machines and lotteries. Klontz doesn’t actually advise giving in. But he said understanding the psychology on both sides of what he calls “financial enabling” can help people change their behavior. Financial enabling means giving money in ways that keep the recipients from taking responsibility and solving their own problems. It may include providing financial support to an able-bodied person who refuses to work, bailing a chronic debtor out of another financial jam or serving as a de facto emergency fund for someone who refuses to save. The best way to stop enabling is to first recognize when you’re doing it and then

create a plan for saying no.

They’re your kids — and adults Financial enabling can occur between friends and romantic partners but seems most common between parents and their adult children, financial planners say. It can be especially problematic for retirees who may run short of money because of their generosity. “The biggest risk facing retirees these days is being a financial rescuer to their adult children,” said Tom Balcom, a certified financial planner in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Fla. Several of Balcom’s clients took sizable withdrawals from their portfolios in the past year to support adult children. Balcom explained to his clients that if they kept up their financial aid, their retirement could be impoverished. “We had to be very clear that at this rate, you’ll be running out of money in X years,” Balcom said. The clients seemed to take the warnings seriously, and Balcom said he’s reasonably confident they won’t endanger their financial futures. Enablers often don’t see that their generosity fuels dependency and takes away motivation for the recipients to support themselves, said psychologist Megan Ford

in Athens, Georgia, who is president of the Financial Therapy Association. Instead, enablers get caught up in the details of the latest crisis, often believing this handout will be the last one the recipient needs to get on his or her feet. The person being enabled may share that conviction, despite all evidence to the contrary.

Before you say yes Telling enablers to just say no doesn’t work, since few are willing to stop the behavior cold turkey, therapists and planners say. Instead, enablers should ask themselves the following questions: • Will this money actually help? It’s one thing to aid someone who’s been financially responsible but has fallen on hard times. It’s another to give money to people who chronically overspend or under-earn. The latter won’t have any motivation to change their behavior if others constantly ride to their financial rescue. “If this is a pattern that they’re running out of money every six months, that speaks to a larger issue that won’t be addressed by continuing to throw money at them,” Ford said. • Is there a better way to help? Enablers may be concerned about losing the relationship with the enabled, but there

usually are other ways to be supportive, Ford said. Instead of handing over cash, the rescuer could offer to pay essential expenses such as rent or medical bills if they can afford to do so. Any financial help should come with a firm deadline of when the assistance will end, such as six months, Klontz said. Offering to find or pay for financial planning, therapy or coaching is another way to help without enabling. • How can you make this decision stick? Once they’re refused or cut off, the enabled may throw “adult temper tantrums” that can include guilt trips, vows to move across the country with the grandchildren, verbal abuse, or even threats of physical violence, Klontz said. Enablers who worry about their safety should contact an attorney or law enforcement for help, Ford said. Others may look to a financial planner or therapist for support. “You can appeal to the higher authority,” Klontz said. “You can say, ‘Sorry, I want to help, but my financial planner said it just isn’t possible.’” Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner, and author of Your Credit Score. Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. — Nerdwallet via AP

Don’t procrastinate rebalancing portfolio By Eleanor Laise Rebalancing a portfolio is like going to the gym. You know you should, but it’s so easy to put the task off until tomorrow, or next week, or next year. That’s especially true when stocks, now in the ninth year of a bull market, seem to march ever higher. Shifting money from winning stocks to low-yielding bonds may sound tougher than tackling that treadmill. Older investors may have particular trouble rebalancing — that is, routinely tweaking their portfolios to keep stock, bond and cash allocations close to their long-term targets — a recent study suggests. Researchers at Morningstar, the American College and Texas Tech University analyzed 401(k) plan participants’ responses to a risk-tolerance questionnaire. Compared with younger investors, 51to 65-year-olds gave responses that were heavily influenced by recent stock-market

performance. After a stock surge, they were more willing to take risks, and after a stock slump, they were less willing — which could lead investors to sell low and buy high. Clearly, “this is the exact opposite of what you should be doing if you’re rebalancing a portfolio,” said Michael Finke, chief academic officer at the American College and co-author of the study. If you don’t rebalance, your stock allocation may grow far beyond your comfort zone, setting you up for unpleasant surprises in a market downturn. Rebalancing also has its drawbacks, including transaction costs and potential tax consequences. But with a disciplined rebalancing strategy, you can minimize costs while taming portfolio risks. Why are older investors more likely than their younger peers to have a bigger risk appetite after stocks have climbed? They may simply be paying more attention

to the market, Finke said. When you’re entering retirement, he said, “you have to rely on that nest egg, and can get particularly emotionally involved with your portfolio.”

Create a routine You can rein in that emotion by sticking with a set strategy. You could rebalance by the calendar — say, every quarter or every year. Or you could pick a threshold, rebalancing only when an allocation drifts more than 5 or 10 percentage points away from your target. In terms of maximizing returns, it doesn’t much matter which strategy you choose — they all produce roughly the same returns, when adjusted for the level of risk in the portfolio, according to research by Vanguard. But to strike a balance between controlling risks and minimizing costs, Vanguard found it makes

sense to monitor your portfolio annually or semiannually and rebalance when an allocation has drifted more than 5 percentage points from your target. To further trim costs, rebalance with portfolio cash flows. Whenever you receive dividends or interest, take required minimum distributions, or make new contributions to your accounts, direct incoming cash toward your underweighted asset classes while pulling withdrawals from overweighted ones. That way, you reduce the need to sell securities, which reins in trading costs and taxes.

Look at tax impacts If you do need to make rebalancing trades, try to concentrate them in your taxadvantaged accounts, where you won’t trigger capital-gains taxes, said Colleen JaSee REBALANCE, page 22

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

The bucket approach to a retirement plan Planning for retirement is not easy. Many readers write me with their concerns, and one of the most common is that they won’t have sufficient assets to provide the income they need for a retirement that may last 30 years or more. Another common question is how to structure an asset base that will be stable enough to withstand market fluctuations. Financial planner Jason Smith addresses these concerns in a useful new book, The Bucket Plan: Protecting and Growing Your

Assets for a Worry-Free Retirement (Greenleaf Book Group). One of Smith’s mentors, IRA expert Ed Slott, who will be familiar to many readers of this column, wrote the foreword. The Bucket Plan does a good job of making sophisticated financial planning techniques simple to understand and easy to execute. The book will be particularly helpful to individuals who have not yet developed a comprehensive, written financial plan. Smith recommends planning around

various phases of your life, and shows how to structure your investments for each phase so that you will not jeopardize your long-term objectives.

Three kinds of risk

Smith discusses three major types of risk in retireCreating your buckets ment planning — market risk, The author believes that interest rate risk, and “seyou can counteract the three quence of returns” risk — and major retirement risks by how to counteract them. He using three “buckets” as the also shows how you can struc- THE SAVINGS foundation of the planning ture your assets for a secure GAME process. By Elliot Raphaelson income flow. The “now bucket” is your The book will be helpful to conservative one with safe you whether you develop a retirement plan and liquid investments for emergencies by yourself, or use the services of an expe- and short-term planned expenses, and rienced financial planner. enough income for up to the next 12 Particularly helpful is Smith’s use of a months if you are retiring or close to retirreal-life planning example: a couple who ing. successfully structured their assets in The second bucket is the “soon bucket,” order to provide secure and reliable in- designed to achieve conservative growth come for early years as well as growth for while avoiding market risk and interest retirement years. The example is thorough rate risk. Another objective is to provide and excellent, gaming out such contingen- income and withdrawals for the first phase cies as the death of the husband, the major of retirement, taking into consideration required minimum distributions (RMDs.) income producer, before retirement age. A good financial plan can be effective even Another objective is an inflation hedge. The third bucket has three objectives: in bad times. In this example, it was critical that the husband was covered with sufficient 1) growth and income for the next phase of life insurance to ensure that his wife would retirement for the rest of your life; 2) minihave sufficient assets for her retirement. mizing taxes; and 3) long-term care/disSmith argues that the biggest mistake ability funds to pay for healthcare expensmost people make is skipping over the es for the rest of your life. preservation phase of the money cycle and Peace of mind in retirement is a matter going directly from accumulation to distri- of both mitigating risk and taking advanbution. tage of growth opportunities. I believe The He believes that many pre-retirees can Bucket Plan can help you work toward that get into trouble in the first phase of retire- peace of mind, no matter what shape your ment by continuing to invest all their finances are in or how close to retirement money as if they were a long way from re- you are. tirement, forgetting that major market corElliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions rections happen. and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. The danger is that an ill-timed market © 2017 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by correction could have a devastating impact Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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on their retirement plans. (That is the aforementioned “sequence of returns” risk.) Smith emphasizes the importance of preserving a portion of assets conservatively during the first phase of retirement.

conetti, senior investment analyst with Vanguard. And if you have to sell holdings in a taxable account, focus on those that will generate the least gains. If your taxable trades are likely to generate a big tax bill, consider rebalancing just to your comfort-zone threshold rather than your long-term target. For example, you could trim a 59 percent stock weighting back to 55 percent if your long-term target is 50 percent. That way, you stay

within your comfort zone and avoid incurring excessive costs, Jaconetti said. For those who could use a helping hand, plenty of advisers and investment vehicles will do the rebalancing work for you. Target-date mutual funds, for example, automatically rebalance and become more conservative over time. To be rid of the rebalancing chore, however, you’d have to keep your entire portfolio in such vehicles. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Dec. 19

MONTHLY BOOK REVIEW & DISCUSSION

Discuss and review books and topics in business, management and political economy one Tuesday each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the East Columbia Express Branch library. The next meeting is Dec. 19 and the topic is “A Look at the 2017 Nobel Prize Winner in Economics.” The library is located at 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. Call (410) 313-7700 for more information.

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

Calculating the true cost of divorce at 50+ By Scott Hanson You’re sitting across the kitchen table from your spouse, when she informs you that she wants to separate. After decades of marriage, you’re facing divorce. While becoming unwillingly single can be difficult at any stage of life, splitting up after the age of 50 can be doubly devastating, because you have a limited amount of time to financially recover before retirement. According to Pew research, you’re hardly alone. That’s because while the American divorce rate has actually declined for every other age demographic, the divorce rate among U.S. adults 50 and older has roughly doubled since the 1990s. America is facing what’s being called the “gray divorce epidemic.” Many studies have been done about its cause, some concluding that once the children leave the nest, couples discover they’ve lost their shared purpose and don’t have much in common anymore. But no matter what the underlying cause, divorce is expensive, and once it becomes inevitable, you have little choice but to reactively take steps to protect yourself financially.

Major money Right from the first phone call, depending on their ZIP code, a divorce attorney might charge you anywhere from $250 to $650 an hour. In brass tacks, the average cost of an amicable divorce falls somewhere between $25,000 and $50,000. But being that divorces are typically emotionally charged, clean breaks are rare. Typically, the longer you’ve been together, the more assets you’ve acquired, and the more expensive the process. I’ve seen couples spend $200,000 in legal fees in a tug of war over a $1.5 million estate. That’s partly because older people, while usually not involved in long, drawnout child custody battles, have less time to rebuild financially, which means divorce can literally be a fight for your future standard of living. It’s difficult to recover from divorce when you’re older because, after 50, you’re

more likely to have maxed out your earning potential, your assets may be mostly fixed, and your employment opportunities tend to become more limited. And while it’s true that older divorcers generally have more assets than younger people, they often don’t have as much money as they think they do. Case in point: I worked with a 67-yearold client who had over $1.5 million in a traditional IRA, and whose husband had filed for divorce. He was insisting that he was entitled to half that amount, or $750,000. He wanted a cashier’s check. He’d forgotten that the money in traditional IRAs — and also 401(k)s — is taxed when it’s withdrawn (the actual percentage depends on things like the amount of your other income, along with the amount of the distribution). Plus, if you’re under age 59½, an extra 10 percent early-withdrawal penalty may apply. Of course, there are divorce decree exceptions, which allow the IRA or 401(k) participant to forgo the 10 percent penalty (if the money is rolled over into the spouse’s IRA). But the money is not liquid, and once it’s withdrawn, combined federal and state tax rates as high as 52 percent (depending on your state’s income tax rate) could be due. And what about brokerage accounts? If you need to liquidate investments in your brokerage account(s) to settle a divorce decree, you’ll get hit with long-term capital gains tax (as high as 20 percent, but it varies). How much you end up paying depends on the factors listed above (such as the tax rate of the state you live in), but I’ve seen jaws literally drop open in disbelief over the actual post-tax value of once-braggedabout brokerage accounts.

What makes the home asset substantially more complex is that, often, one of the partners wants to stay put. This means they may have to give up their rights to other assets in return for a house that could experience a substantial decline in value in a relatively short period of time. Emotional attachments to assets can be tricky. I worked with the family of a wellemployed, recently divorced woman who bypassed her claim to all other marital assets in exchange for keeping the house,

When the Stakes are High

A house divided But retirement and brokerage accounts can seem relatively straightforward when compared to the division of other assets. Probably the key asset that gray divorcers must divide is the value of the home.

CHARITABLE GIVING DISCUSSION

Columbia Orchestra Music Director Jason Love will join members of the Baltimore-Washington Financial Advisors (BWFA) on Thursday, Dec. 7 for a discussion about charitable giving options at the BWFA offices, Suite 600, 5950 Symphony Woods Rd., Columbia. The program will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with lunch provided. To register, call Eve Kennedy at (410) 461-3900 or visit www.bfwa.com.

Ongoing

NOMINATE A VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

The Howard County Council and the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County are sponsoring a program recognizing individuals, nonprofit organizations and government agencies who give their time for activities that enhance the community. Nomination forms are available at the website www.howardcountymd.gov/voy and may be filled out online and submitted via email or mailed to Howard County Volunteer of the Year, Attention: Alexandra Bresani, Office of Public Information, 3430 Court House Dr., Ellicott City, MD 21043. The deadline is February 23, 2018. For questions and more information, call (410) 313-2023 or email voy@howardcountymd.gov.

See COST OF DIVORCE, page 25

FAMILY LAW

BEACON BITS

Dec. 7

which, when appraised, had almost $1.6 million in equity. Even though she agreed to give up the balance of her 401(k), she was still only in her 50s, and with seemingly many more years left to work. At the time of the divorce, it appeared she’d made out reasonably well. Unfortunately, in rapid succession she was forced to retire due to a health emergency that coincided with the onset of the 2008 real estate

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

How to battle age bias when job hunting By Mary Kane Older workers who are job hunting, perhaps to switch careers or pursue “bridge” jobs before full retirement, have a wealth of experience to draw on. But how can you ensure that the positive attributes of a long career, such as building knowledge and honing skills, don’t morph into the negative headwinds of age discrimination? Happily, there are steps you can take, from tightening your résumé to prepping for interviews, to battle age bias head on. Dealing with potential age discrimination on the job hunt is a challenge, and a recent U.S. Supreme Court action may make it more difficult for some older workers to prove they were rejected because of their age when they applied for jobs. The Court in June let stand a lower court ruling that found the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, a 50-year-old federal law designed to protect older workers from

bias, doesn’t extend to job applicants in all circumstances. The ruling could make it tougher for older workers who seek to stay in the workforce. Nearly two-thirds of workers ages 55 to 64 say their age is a barrier to getting a job, a 2017 AARP survey found. Hiring practices that can affect older workers include age-related questions on job applications, and position openings or advertisements that set a maximum on years of experience, said AARP Foundation Senior Attorney Laurie McCann.

Turn age to your advantage Workers on the job are better situated to bring age discrimination complaints than someone looking for work. You can document incidents such as younger colleagues being promoted or chosen for training instead of you, and you may be able to pursue grievances internally. But job seekers may face more subtle

age discrimination that can make it a struggle to get a job. Protect yourself starting with your résumé. McCann said. Include only the most recent and relevant jobs; leave dates off wherever possible. And be a lifelong learner, she said. Show that you are willing to undertake training and learn new skills. When you get a job interview, take steps to counteract stereotypes. Don’t go overboard by dying your hair jet black, said Martin Yate, author of the “Knock ‘Em Dead” job search guides, who runs a career coaching and résumé writing service at KnockEmDead.com. And if you’re applying for a job where business-casual is the workplace uniform, don’t arrive in a three-piece suit. Be aware of what Yate calls “silent age discrimination.” You might not be asked directly whether you are overqualified or uncomfortable working with younger employees. But raise the topic of age yourself, if you sense it might be an issue, he advises. For example, describe your advantages, such as bringing maturity to the job and a willingness to put in extra hours when needed. Cite examples of how you have brought

a team together when things got tough. Explain that you’ll be a supportive business partner and will use your skills to help the company turn profits. Use the pronoun “we” to show your collegiality. “You’re going in there to get a job offer,” said Yate. “Focus on the needs of the job.”

Apply where you’re valued If you’ve been at a large corporation, consider seeking out smaller, growing companies where your experience will be especially attractive, Yate said. And look for jobs at age-friendly employers. Use SeniorJobBank.org, or check the Retirement Living Information Center for senior employment websites. AARP lists about 460 companies that have pledged that they value older employees and will treat them fairly. Finally, be persistent. Keep sending out résumés even if you fear age is hindering your job hunting. “You just want to get in the door,” McCann said. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Dec. 13

JOURNALIST REVIEWS COLUMBIA’S 50 YEARS

The Central Branch Library hosts veteran journalist Len Lazarick recalling Columbia’s history in a program on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. Registration is suggested either by calling the library at (410) 3137800 or by visiting the library at 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia.

Dec. 16

BIRDS OF PREY

Rodney Stotts, a licensed falconer, will discuss his close-up encounters with birds of prey on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Patuxent Research Refuge, 230 Bald Eagle Dr., Laurel. Suitable for all ages, the program runs from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information, call (301) 497-5887 or visit www.fws.gov/refuge/patuxent.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

Cost of divorce From page 23 collapse. Eventually, with all her eggs in that one basket, she lost her only real asset to the bank via repossession. But, conversely, throwing up your hands and agreeing to sell a house is not cheap, either. First, there are the repairs, upgrades and inspections, which often lead to still more repairs. Next, the cost of selling the home is going to be at least 6 to 7 percent of its value. Then, afterward, whether you go on to buy or rent, the next financial shock to the system of a gray divorcer is the current cost of housing, which is almost certainly higher than when you purchased the home. This means your budget is going to be strained, and your settlement (or alimony, in certain cases) is going to quickly lose purchasing power. Yet all of the above are just the basics. Other common financial sticking points for older divorcing couples include: the division of debt, the difficulties of splitting hedge funds or private equity holdings, premarital assets that have risen in value, comingled inheritances that are now marital property, pensions, collectibles, Social Security, and the fact that the person paying alimony might be forced to carry life insurance with a death benefit for the duration of his or her obligation to their former spouse.

Making it less costly So, divorce is especially costly for people over 50. Is there a solution? First, if you have no choice in the matter, and you absolutely must divorce, save time and money by knowing the precise value (and amounts) of every asset before meeting with attorneys. Meet with your Certified Financial Planner professional and your accountant, together with your spouse (if possible). Another way to save substantial sums of money, if the split is amicable and the value of the assets are clear, is to steer negotiations and the division of assets and debts toward an experienced divorce mediator. There is no law that states you must hire a divorce attorney. As illustrated above, hiring attorneys could result in 15 percent, or even more, of your assets unnecessarily going to legal fees. Just remember, you were married to your spouse for a long time, and if you extend the olive branch, and are fair, even if the marriage can’t be saved, consider it a business transaction. That 15 percent savings may make a huge difference to your standard of living down the line. Scott Hanson, CFP, is financial advisor and co-founder, Hanson McClain Advisors. © 2017 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Dec. 4

FREE CLASSICAL CONCERT

The Howard Community College Music Department Spotlight Concert will take place on Monday, Dec. 4 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Monteabaro Recital Hall in the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Works by Cesti, Chopin, Godowsky, Pergolesi, Scarlatti, Schubert, and more will be performed. For more information, call (443) 518-1500.

BEACON BITS

Dec. 2

ANNUAL BOLLMAN BRIDGE LIGHTING

Join in the lighting of the newly renovated Historic Bollman Bridge, followed by a community tree lighting at Carroll Baldwin Hall, 9035 Baltimore St., Savage, on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 6 to 7 p.m. Bring the grandkids for Santa’s arrival at 5:30 p.m. To learn more, see www.savagemill.com/annual-bollman-bridge-lighting.

Dec. 7

A CELTIC CHRISTMAS

A concert featuring Irish music with Baltimore- and Ireland-based musicians Laura Bryne, Jim Eagan and Patrick Egan will take place at Baldwin’s Station, 7618 Main St., Sykesville, on Thursday, Dec. 7 from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $22. To learn more, call (410) 795-1041.

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Travel Leisure &

Find the best trains to ride in America and Europe for snowy, scenic vistas. See story on page 29.

Caribbean sugar, sand and sightseeing white blanket of mist and clouds that can resemble a layer of fallen flakes. English and French settlers who followed Columbus to the islands in the early 1600s found conditions there perfect for growing sugar cane, and they established a lucrative sugar trade which was to last for two centuries, and account for an influx of slaves from Africa.

PHOTO BY VICTOR BLOCK

By Victor Block “Stay to the left. Stay to the left.” Those words became my often-repeated mantra when driving during a recent visit to an intriguing pair of sister Caribbean islands. Because St. Kitts and Nevis share a common British heritage, steering a vehicle on the left side of the road is one vestige of the mother country’s lingering influence. Fortunately, St. Kitts and Nevis, two miles apart, were spared the major damage that recent hurricanes inflicted upon other Caribbean islands. Despite strong ties to their motherland, the islands also retain hints of other countries and cultures. Both were settled, first by the peaceful Arawak Indians, and later by the more ferocious Caribs. Add their comingling with traces of African and indigenous cultures, and you achieve a rich mosaic that touches many aspects of life. Christopher Columbus sighted these dots of land during his second voyage to the New World, in 1493. He named the larger of the two Sant Jago (Saint James), after the Patron Saint of Spain. Careless explorers who followed Columbus to the area confused it with a nearby island that Columbus had named San Cristobal (Saint Christopher), and that name — shortened to St. Kitts — stuck. Columbus dubbed the other, even smaller island Nuestro Senora de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows). That’s because its single peak was, and often still is, hidden in a

A mix of cultures England eventually wound up in control of St. Kitts, which achieved its independence as recently as 1983, and still remains a member of the British Commonwealth, in federation with Nevis. In addition to left-lane driving, cricket is the most popular sport, and some restaurant menus meld Caribbean and African fare with touches of England. Given how compact St. Kitts is — only about the area of Washington, D.C. — a relatively short sightseeing drive can provide visitors with a close-up and personal introduction to the island’s spectacular scenery, some of the most unspoiled in the Caribbean. Its mountains are blanketed by lush rain forests, and those hardy enough to climb to the volcanic crater of Mount Liamuiga are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views. An exploration also can include a sampling of the tiny villages that are dotted around the island, and other places of interest which relate chapters in the story of St. Kitts’ past.

Thousands of vervet monkeys populate St. Kitt’s mountain forests, and some venture into more populated areas in search of a human handout. They are descendants of monkeys first brought to the island 300 years ago.

PHOTO BY SEAN PAVONE

The town of Bloody Point is where, in 1629, French and British soldiers joined forces to repel an attack by the Carib indigenous people, who had occupied the island since the early 14th century. The village of Old Road, which is perched between the mouths of two rivers, once was a center of Indian habitation, and later the place where English settlers established their first capital in the Caribbean. Sandy Point was located close to the English settlements’ border with the French during the early days of joint occupation of the island. It’s characterized by the colorful architecture of typical West Indian-style cottages. Quaintly named Fig Tree marked the northern boundary between the areas claimed by the two countries, and the first battle between their forces was fought there.

A plethora of plantations

Mountains rise along the skyline of Basseterre, the colorful capital city of the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. Christopher Columbus first sighted the island in 1493, and English and French settlers followed in the early 1600s.

Not surprisingly, the brooding remains of once proud sugar plantations are high on the must-see list of many visitors. While the island originally produced tobacco, that crop couldn’t compete with the quantity and quality of the leaf being grown in the Virginia colony. As tobacco production petered out, the romance of St. Kitts with sugar began around 1640. At that time, its use to sweeten food was increasing around the world, along with

the added benefits of producing molasses and rum. The rich volcanic soil and perfect climate prompted the proliferation of plantations, and they quickly sprouted like the cane they cultivated. The island came to be blanketed by some 200 plantations that grew cane, which was processed at nearly 80 factories. But that heyday could not, and did not, last forever. Over time, overplanting gradually impoverished the soil, competition increased, and external economic conditions brought an end to the era of sugar. While some cane still is grown and processed there today, tourism and light manufacturing now are the basis of the economy. Visitors may relive the heady days of sugar wealth by exploring the remains of the once-thriving plantations. Ruins of cone-shaped stone windmill towers, rusted steam-driven cane crushers, and huge copper bowls in which the juice was boiled lie half-hidden in the vegetation as reminders of the once flourishing sugar economy. The Wingfield Estate was established in 1625 by an ancestor of Thomas Jefferson. Sugar and rum were produced there until 1924, and the aquaduct that turned the water wheel and steam engine are among the reminders of that time. Not far away stands Romney Manor, See ST. KITTS, page 28

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

How to find good deals for solo travelers Dear Savvy Senior: Can you recommend some good travel companies that offer good deals for single travelers? I’ve taken a couple tours since I retired a few years ago, but the single-supplement fee really cuts into my budget. —Solo Sally Dear Sally: Solo traveling is a growing trend among baby boomers and retirees. Nearly 1-in-4 who travel today, go it alone according to a recent Visa Global Intentions Study. But one of the biggest drawbacks among solo travelers is the single supplemental fee — which is an extra fee charged to single travelers who stay in a double occupancy room alone. To help you avoid this extra charge, more and more travel companies and cruise lines are making adjustments to accommodate the growing solo-traveler market. Here are several to checkinto:

Singles travel sites There are a variety of travel companies that specialize in vacations for solo travelers, including Singles Travel International (SinglesTravelIntl.com) and Singles Travel Getaways (SinglesTravelGetaways.com). Both companies offer tours, cruises and adventures in the U.S. and overseas, and will match

you with a roommate to avoid the single supplement, or won’t charge you if a match can’t be arranged.

General tour operators Some big operators in this category that have lots of solo travelers include Intrepid Travel (IntrepidTravel.com) — which handles more than 100,000 travelers each year, sending them to more than 100 countries — and G Adventures (Gadventures.com) — which has more than 700 tours around the globe, and offers a variety of travel styles. Both of these companies can pair you with a roommate, and some tours offer your own room option for an additional fee. And for higher-end luxury travel, check out Abercrombie & Kent (AbercrombieKent. com), which offers a 50 percent single supplement discount on their select small group solo travel trips and cruises, and Tauck (Tauck.com), which doesn’t charge a single supplement on their European river cruises.

50-Plus travel If you’re interested in trips designed for adults 50 and older, consider ElderTreks (ElderTreks.com), Road Scholar (RoadScholar.org) and Overseas Adventure Travel (OATtravel.com).

ElderTreks specializes in exotic adventures worldwide, will match single travelers with roommates on most of its trips, and doesn’t charge if a match can’t be arranged. Road Scholar specializes in worldwide learning adventures, and has designated trips that offer the same price for solo travelers as for those traveling in pairs. Overseas Adventure Travel — which operates in Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, the Middle East, Cuba, Australia and

New Zealand — offers limited solo space options (without a premium) on all its land tours, and either free or low-cost single supplements on its small-ship adventures.

Cruise lines If cruising is your thing, there are a number of cruise lines that have some ships with single-occupancy cabins, including Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL.com), See SOLO TRAVEL, page 29

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St. Kitts From page 26 named for a 17th century British earl, where cane was crushed over the years by animal, wind and water power. Sharing the site is a lovely tropical garden and Caribelle Batik, a manufacturer and retail store where visitors may watch workers use the traditional wax and dye process to produce a variety of items. A pleasant way to recall the sugar plantation life is aboard the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, which offers a 30-mile, three-hour tour along the northeastern coastline. In the past, the train that chugged along the narrow-gauge rails delivered cane from plantations to a sugar factory in the capital city of Basseterre. Now passengers riding in double-decker cars enjoy views of the sea, pass through tiny villages, skirt lush

rain forest terrain, and spot long-abandoned windmills and chimneys of former estates. Despite its name, which means “lowland” in French, Basseterre still displays strong ties with England. A number of examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture, interspersed here and there with brightly painted buildings in typical West Indian styles, have survived hurricanes, fires and earthquakes. The main square, called the Circus, is a small, palm-shaded replica of Piccadilly Circus in London.

Monkeying around A welcome and somewhat surprising attraction on the island is a population of green vervet monkeys, which were introduced by French plantation owners some 300 years ago as pets for their families. These endearing creatures, named for

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their golden-green fur, prefer to hang out at high elevations, peering inquisitively at any intruders through the dense foliage. Some bolder monkeys venture down to more populated low-lying areas, especially where there are sources of food and people who will toss them an edible handout. While there’s no way to know how many of these simians share the island with their human cousins, some residents claim that there are more monkeys than people. Given efforts by European nations to colonize and control the Caribbean islands, and the sugar wealth of St. Kitts, forts were built to provide defense against attacks. The western coastline was guarded by no less than nine forts, along with the magnificent Brimstone Hill Fortress. Construction of that massive bastion was begun by the French in 1690 and completed intermittingly over a 100-year period by the British, using slave labor. The complex, perched atop an 800-foot-high rise, sprawls over 38 acres, and the meticu-

lously restored structures include officers’ quarters, barracks and a hospital. Given the combined French and British presence in the island’s past, references to both countries and cultures abound in town names and histories. Belle Tete (“beautiful head”) is among place names reminiscent of the French era. Dieppe Bay is believed to have been the first French town, while Challengers Village was the first “free” town, where ex-slaves were permitted to purchase small parcels of land.

Museums and beaches The story of the island’s villages, along with its history, culture and other aspects of life past and present, is told at the National Museum. It occupies an imposing Georgianstyle structure that was completed in 1894 and has since housed almost every government department at one time or another. The National Museum and a handful of other small but interesting collections, the island’s intriguing multi-cultural history, and the added allure of casino gambling are among the something-for-everyone array of attractions that greet visitors to St. Kitts. Not to be overlooked is the added choice of lovely palm tree-lined beaches — a “must” for many visitors to a Caribbean Island. The most inviting stretches of sand are concentrated along the narrow southeastern peninsula of St. Kitts. Elsewhere, beaches are more likely to consist of gray or black volcanic sand. The beach that lines Frigate Bay is powder-white, and the water is ideal for swimming and windsurfing. The beaches of Banana bay and Cockleshell Bay attract those seeking a secluded setting. Friar’s Bay is popular with locals, in part because of a collection of small bars. Add to the allure of inviting beaches a scenic setting, intriguing history, and various ways to relive it, and you have a checklist of why people head for St. Kitts.

If you go The St. Kitts Marriott Resort offers all of the amenities one expects at a mega-hotel, and then some. Overlooking a four-mile stretch of beach, the sprawling complex includes a casino, golf course and tennis courts, spa, three swimming pools and seven restaurants. Rates begin at $142 a night for two people in a room, and there are all-inclusive options. For more information and reservations, call 1-888-236-2427 or see www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/skbrb-st-kit. The Ocean Terrace Inn overlooks the sea from a terraced hillside that leads down to the water’s edge. It has a lagoon-style swimming pool, two restaurants and fitness center, and offers free shuttle bus service to one of the island’s finest beaches. Rates begin at $175. For more information, call 1-800-5240512 or visit https://oceanterraceinn.com. American Airlines offers the lowest roundtrip fare to St. Kitts’ Basseterre Airport in early December. Flights start at $715 from BWI. For more information about visiting St. Kitts, visit www.stkittstourism.kn.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

World class scenic winter train travel If you want to enjoy spectacular snows- you over the former mainline that has capes without the hassle of winter driving, been bypassed by the new 35-mile Gottake a train. thard Base Tunnel. The new Except in unusual circumtunnel cuts the travel time stances, railroads keep their substantially, but 35 miles in a tracks open through snowfall tunnel under the Alps isn’t a heavy enough to shut down big sightseeing event. the highways. And many of Instead, take the panoramthem travel on routes with betic train over the steep grades, ter sightseeing than you can curves, and spiral tunnels find anywhere else. along deep river valleys and If you want really great snow gorges. The Panorama Exscenery, you can’t beat Switzerpress trip runs between land. Although my recent (spon- TRAVEL TIPS Lucerne and Lugano, combinsored) train trips there were in By Ed Perkins ing a boat trip on Lake snow-free late summer, I’ve also done them in winter, and you just can’t beat the Swiss panorama trains for scenery any time of the year.

The Swiss Alps times three The Glacier Express is the number one Swiss panorama train. It runs between St. Moritz and Zermatt all year, with the exception of a break from Oct. 23 to Dec. 10. Winter trains with panorama cars operate once daily in each direction. If you prefer, you can take less than the full trip, but don’t miss the section between Chur and St. Moritz over the UNESCO World Heritage Albula route. A full eight hours in the spectacular Alps — what more do I need to say? The Bernina Express takes you from Alpine Chur or St. Moritz over the Bernina pass and down a spectacular line to comparatively sunny Tirano, Italy. Winter or summer, it’s one of the world’s great scenic rail journeys. Trains operate all year, although sometimes you have to change at Ponteressina, near St. Moritz. The schedule favors southbound trips for best daylight viewing. The Gotthard Panorama Express takes

Solo travel From page 27 Royal Caribbean (RoyalCaribbean.com), and Vantage Deluxe World Travel’s river ships (VantageTravel.com). Or, consider booking a cruise at the site SinglesCruise.com, which uses a variety of different cruise lines for their single customers. They provide roommate matching.

Solo women For solo women travelers, there are a host of tour companies and clubs, like GutsyWomenTravel.com, Women-Traveling. com, SerenDipityTraveler.com, TheWomensTravelGroup.com and Womens-TravelClub.com that will either match you up with a roommate, or reduce their single supplement fee.

Lucerne with the train. All three Swiss trains are covered by Swiss Travel Pass. But if one is enough, you can buy individual tickets. All three require reservations, with an extra fee. Buy either way online at sbb.ch/en or raileurope.com.

North American excursions If you can’t make it to Switzerland, you can find some good winter rail sightseeing closer to home. North America’s top winter rail trip is on the Canadian, between Toronto and Vancouver, which operates twice weekly in each direction during the winter. A friend takes this four-night trip every year or two, in the middle of winter, for the great scenery, especially in the Rockies between Vancouver and Edmonton. Find a deal on a cabin for one or two during one of VIA Rail Canada’s weekly “discount Tuesday” promotions. Amtrak’s two top winter scenery trains operate through the western mountains: The California Zephyr, between Chicago and Emeryville (for San Francisco), provides daytime sightseeing over the Rockies and Sierras on successive daytime segments. Daylight sightseeing through the

Rockies is better westbound. If you just want the mountains, start or end your trip in Denver rather than Chicago. The Empire Builder passes next to Glacier National Park in Montana on its trip through the Rockies, and it also passes through the Cascade Range in Washington. The best daytime Glacier Park sightseeing times are on the eastbound trip; in winter, you don’t get much daylight through the Cascades in either direction. Other Amtrak trains with the potential for

winter snow include the Pennsylvanian, from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia; the westbound schedule isn’t good for daylight in the Appalachians. The Lake Shore Limited through the Berkshires, between Boston and Albany, might work, although the schedules limit daylight viewing in the mountains in both directions until early spring. Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Also, check out Ed’s new rail travel website at www.rail-guru.com. © 2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Finding travel partners If you’d rather find a suitable travel partner before you book your next trip, there are a number of free websites that can help you here, too. See Travbuddy.com, TravelFriend.us, an d TravelersMeeting.com. Or, to find a cruise buddy, try CruiseMates.com, which has a message board where users can post roommate requests. For even more information on solo travel, check out SoloTravelerWorld.com, which offers solo travel tips, destinations and stories, and also publishes a monthly list of solo travel deals. 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.

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Arts &

Columbia’s Pro Contare singers will present Handel’s ever-popular Messiah on Dec. 3.

Engaging performances for the holidays $10, and Tail Lights Dec. 11, when walkers can be accompanied by their dogs. The probable piece de resistance will take place on Sunday, Dec. 31, with the “Midnight at 7 New Year’s Eve” celebration, which will be held in the woods at 7 p.m., when a walk-through will include family friendly entertainment and a close-up view of a fireworks display. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/symphonyoflights.

Seasonal music Among the musical events that will highlight the holiday season locally is a Columbia Pro Cantare presentation of Handel’s Messiah, at the Jim Rouse Theater, 5460 Trumpeter Rd., Columbia, on Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets bought in advance are $23, $20 for students and seniors, and $10 for children from 5 to 15 years of age. (Tickets are $2 more at the door) Tickets can be ordered online at http://www.procantare.org, or by phone, (410) 799-9321 or (301) 854-0107. The following Sunday, Dec. 10, Pro Cantare’s Chamber Singers will present A Christmas Noel at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Milles Rd., in Columbia. The vocal concert, which starts at 3 p.m., will feature festive music from around the world. Tickets, in advance, are $15, $13 for students, and $10 for children under 15. Also, on Dec. 10, the Encore Chorale of Columbia, comprised of singers age 55+, will hold a free holiday choral concert at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradle-

Symphonie Fantastique

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December 2, 2017, 7:30PM Jim Rouse Theatre

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John Adams: The Chairman Dances Joaquín Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez William Feasley, guitar Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique Tickets range from $10-$28 ($3 service fee may apply) Call 410-465-8777 or visit www.columbiaorchestra.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOWARD GENERAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

By Robert Friedman Dazzling lights, Christmas carols, Hanukkah’s greatest hits, Santa on a fire engine, twirling dolls, mice, soldiers and snowflakes, and one department store miracle are among the events on tap for county residents this holiday season. The annual Symphony of Lights — whose 300,000 or so bulbs will illuminate more than 100 larger-than-life animated and stationary holiday creations — will begin to dazzle Sunday, Nov. 19 with a special walkthrough event that will also include entertainment, giveaways and activities. The lighting displays are set up at Symphony Woods, at the intersection of Broken Land Parkway and Hickory Ridge Road. Entrance fees are $20 per car or van with up to eight seats ($25 on Saturdays). The proceeds go to Howard County General Hospital. Drive-throughs will begin Tuesday, Nov. 21, and continue though Jan. 1, Tuesdays through Sundays, from 6:30 to 10 p.m., and on weekends from 5:30 to 10 p.m. These dates include Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Among other special Symphony of Lights events will be a Twinkling Tots day on Monday, Dec. 4, where families are invited to roll their little ones in strollers and wagons to catch the light display. Other special events: Military Appreciation Nights, Dec. 7 and 14, when admission for those with valid military IDs will be reduced to

The annual Symphony of Lights, with its 300,000 sparkling bulbs, is on display at Symphony Woods through Jan. 1. All proceeds go to Howard General Hospital.

rock Way, Columbia. The 7 p.m. concert includes a variety of pieces, including “Nutcracker Jingle,” “December Rose,” “Hanukkah Flame,” “Festival Gloria” and more. No tickets or reservations required. For more information about the chorale, visit the Encore website at http://encorecreativity.org or call (301) 261-5747 for more. The Family Holiday Concert by the Columbia Orchestra will take place on Sunday Dec. 16 at 10:30 a.m. in the Jim Rouse Theater. The event will feature Christmas

carols, Hanukkah songs, highlights from The Nutcracker performed by the Dance Connections school, and other holiday musical favorites. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children.

Ballet and theatre Speaking of The Nutcracker, the Russian Ballet Co. of Maryland, will stage The Nutcracker with all the dancing dolls, mice, solSee HOLIDAY EVENTS, page 33

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Archives director to retire Columbia Archives Director Barbara Kellner — who started as a volunteer in 1983, the year the archives were inaugurated and when she first moved to the community — has announced she will retire by the end of the year. Kellner, who gave her age as “70-plus,” said she was “way past the age of retirement.” She described her years at the archives as a “fantastic opportunity to do something I love, to share my passion for Columbia and for the collection of valuable material preserved for future generations to learn about Columbia.”

Kellner, a New York native who has said that her years at the archives made her “an historian by default,” was in charge of putting together the myriad planning documents, blueprints, personal papers, committee reports, organizational records, photos, posters, maps, brochures, newspaper stories and artwork all held at the archives now run by the Columbia Association. Read more about Kellner and the Columbia Archives in this Beacon story from 2012 at bit.ly/KellnerArchives.

BEACON BITS

Dec. 12

COUNTY POETS FEATURED Dorrit Carroll and Alan King read from their recent works at a

Howard County Poetry and Literature Society gathering on Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Columbia Art Center, 6100 Foreland Garth, Columbia. Admission is free and features an open mic for audience members. To learn more

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Photographer From page 1

Published in new book The modest lensman did note the inclusion of many of his photos in the recently published book, Columbia, Maryland: A Fifty-Year Retrospective of a Model City. The book, put together by Robert Tennenbaum, one of Columbia’s original architects and planners, includes essays by more than 60 contributors who have seen the city transform since its foundation in 1967. Tennenbaum, some of whose photos also appear in the book, said that he had stopped shooting Columbia events in the late 1980s, and was on the lookout for more recent photos when Fedorczak was suggested to him by a companion working on the book. “I gave him [Fedorczak] a two-page list of up-to-date photos needed for the book,” which included shots of newly affordable housing, outdoor artistic events and recreation sites, said Tennenbaum. “The photos he took were terrific. They had good compositions and they were creative. Ron was very committed and he has a good eye,” Tennenbaum added. The charge for the photos? “He didn’t want any money,” the book’s editor said.

about the program, call (410) 730-0075 or visit ColumbiaArtCenter.org.

A marine engineer Fedorczak, a marine engineer and

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graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, taught electrical system courses to graduate engineers for some 15 years at the Calhoon Marine Engineering School, located first in downtown Baltimore, then on the Eastern Shore near St. Michaels. He also sailed, mostly on cargo ships, to ports in South America, Africa and South Asia, checking out and running the ships’ power plant, its boilers, turbans, air conditioning and electronic systems. One of his trips took him to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, where the Merchant Marine vessel he was on happened to be bringing ammunition to the U.S. troops there during the Cuban Missile Crisis of the early 1960s. He retired from his career three years ago. In his spare time he likes to ski. In 1991, he organized the Columbia Ski Club, which has traveled down slopes “all over the world,” he said. Archives Director Kellner, meanwhile, noted that despite his self-proclaimed amateur status and his focus on “everyday people, shows, performers, crowds, etc., Ron has a real feel for events. “He takes pictures of everything. He has documented the construction on Broken Land Parkway, out there every day as the work was going on. The photos he took of the parkway, and of everything else — he took them for the love of the community,” Kellner said.

Holiday events From page 31 diers, etc. on Saturday Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. and Sunday Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30 at the door; $31 if paid with a credit card. For theatergoers looking for staged holiday cheer, Toby’s Dinner Theater is presenting, through Jan. 7, a musical adaptation of Miracle on 34th Street, based on the famous film. You may remember that movie introduced a 9-year-old Natalie Wood to the world as the young girl who doubts the existence of Santa Claus until guess-who with a long white beard changes her mind just before Christmas at Macy’s toy department in New York City.

Trains and fire engines Model trains will be running continuously in the Holiday Train Garden, at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2000 MD Route 97 in Cooksville, from Sunday, Nov. 19 through Jan. 14. Operating hours are Mondays through Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (410) 313-4840. And for the children, whatever age, comes the following announcement from the Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department: “Every year in December, Santa makes a special stop in Ellicott City for about two weeks. During these two weeks, Santa trades in his reindeer for a fire engine to pull him around the neighbor-

BEACON BITS

Dec. 9

CREATE A HOLIDAY DECORATION Craft your own paper poinsettias for gifts or decorations at a free

class on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Glenwood Branch Library, 2350 St. Rte. 97, Cooksville. Supplies are provided, and the class is open to teens and adults. Registration is required and may be done at the library or by calling (410) 313-5577.

Nov. 29

DIGITAL DESIGN LAB Work on your own digital art with access to the Adobe Creative Suite at the Central Branch Library on Wednesday, Nov. 29 from

6:30 to 8 p.m. To register, stop by the library at 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., or call (410) 313-7800.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

hoods to visit the children of Ellicott City...Each year the schedule for neighborhood visits will be posted at www.ellicottci-

tyvfa.com. Any changes in the schedule will be announced both on the website and on Facebook.”

BEACON BITS

Dec. 16

COLUMBIA JAZZ BAND PERFORMS

The Howard County Historical Society hosts the Columbia Jazz Band for a concert on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Society’s headquarters, 8328 Court Ave., Ellicott City. Tickets are free for historical society members; $12 for all others. To learn more about the concert or to reserve tickets, call (410) 480-3250 or email info@hchsmd.org.

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

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ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: MADLY MOUND CASINO PUPPE Answer: To honor WWII's heroes, Friedrich St. Florian came up with an idea that was – MONUMENTAL

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Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Jam Session 1

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24 28

49 55

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39 42

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Jumble answers on p. 33.

Scrabble answers on p. 33.

Across

Down

1. First one across Eden 5. Home Alone construction 9. Deadly 14. Ready, at the apple picking orchard 15. Rant follow-up 16. Visitor to Wonderland 17. Spared from the donation bin 18. Creator of Janinge and Norraryd chairs 19. Eagle’s claw 20. Imaginary meadow 23. Last name of all three Giant outfielders on Sept 15, 1963 24. Search and Rescue (abbrev.) 25. Periodontist’s deg. 26. ___-fi convention 28. Operator of 7 NYC bridges 30. Easy as ay, ___, cee 32. Pre-owned cap 38. Like birth control pills 39. Bygone airline with slogan “You’re going to like us” 40. ___ effort (“at least you tried”) 42. Thrilling inclines 47. Middle East strip (stripped of a letter) 48. Batman and Robin, for example 49. Keyboard pal of Ctrl and Del 50. It may be kicked or kissed 53. Stay too long on the cautious side 55. Gooey sandwich 57. Carol, Nadine, and Maybellene 63. Vietnamese city that celebrated its 1000th anniversary in 2010 64. Some accept stock options in ___ of salary 65. He first met Skywalker on Tatooine 66. Muppet voiced by Jim Henson 67. Grocery checkout unit 68. Useful info in the cell phone waiting lot 69. Proficiency 70. Senators Cruz and Kennedy 71. Change the decor

1. Bible museum structures 2. Eating plan 3. Mortgage requirement, generally 4. Recycling category 5. Respectful presentation 6. Roulette bet collector 7. State with conviction 8. Those with wide hips, but narrow shoulders and waist 9. Claim of some yogurt makers 10. Jai ___ 11. Like mosaic floors 12. ___ day in Hell 13. Acts like a bank or library 21. ___-to-tomb healthcare 22. Dear, but disorganized, letters to ABBY 26. B’way warning sign 27. No-no on Atkins or Paleo 29. Johnson of “Laugh-In” 31. “... ___ saw Elba” 33. Counteract a leak 34. POTUS after JEC 35. 36 inches 36. In most systems, it is the same as D-sharp 37. E-ZPass charge 41. Queue up to U 43. One of four “Major Prophets” of the Old Testament 44. Sharp insult 45. Tasty treats 46. Garden tools 50. Tylenol targets 51. Jump the ___ 52. At least 80% of Muslims 54. Started up the furnace again 56. One left holding the Wonder Ball 58. Slinky, basically 59. Homophone for write 60. Homophone for read 61. Maker of “Press’n Sealing Wrap” 62. Mediocre Mississippi town

Answers on page 33.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

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

Home/Handyman Services BORN AGAIN REFINISHING c/o Vernon E. Madairy Sr. Because your antique and fine furniture is an investment. Photographs at www.bornagainrefinishing.com. Furniture refinishing & repairs. All pieces hand stripped. Restorations. Missing pieces hand-carved. Veneer repair and replaced. Upholstery. Kitchen cabinets refinished. Hand-woven natural cane. Cane webbing. Natural rush. Fiber rush. Wood splint. Residential and commercial. Since 1973 (43 years). 410-323-0467. SANFORD & SON JUNK REMOVAL. Trash + Junk removal, house & estate cleanouts, garage + basement cleanouts. Demolition – Shed, deck fence + pool removal. Licensed + insured. Free estimates over the phone. Call 7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm. 410-746-5090.

Home/Handyman Services T’S HAULING & MOVING — I will move your possessions or haul them away. Don’t pay hefty delivery fees. Call Tim, 410-889-3795 or 443-6906525. Senior and military discounts. www.tshaulingandmoving.com. Like us on Facebook.

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED

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

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

Wanted MONEY, TIME TO SELL! Make the right choice. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. We buy jewelry, coins, silver, antiques, watches, gold, art, paper money, toys, bottles, etc. No middleman, no fees, no overhead means more money for your stuff. Give me a call, and let’s do business.717-658-7954. COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Also Lionel Toy Trains, and coin operated machines. Will pay top prices for my personal collection. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

GIFT OF ART

The Artists’ Gallery in Ellicott City presents an all-member show featuring small wood objects, ceramic pieces, jewelry, small paintings and other interesting 3D pieces available for purchase. The show is open through Sunday, Jan. 7. There will also be a holiday reception on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery is located at 8197 Main St., Ellicott City. For more information, call (443) 325-5936 or visit www.artistsgalleryec.com.

Ongoing

TRIVIA NIGHT

Test your knowledge at the trivia night held every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Bare Bones Grill & Brewery, 9150 Baltimore National Pike #22 in Ellicott City. For more information, call (410) 461-0770 or visit www.barebonesgrill.com/maryland/index.php.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Events

Housing

Moving Services

COGS Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 COGS Thank You . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Stress Free Solutions . . . . . . . . .13

Going Home Cremations . . . . . .29 Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. . . . . . . . . .12 Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc. . . . . . .5

Alta at Regency Crest . . . . . . . . . .8 Bayleigh Chase/Integrace . . . . . .10 Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Buckingham’s Choice/Integrace .10 Charlestown/Erickson Living . . .13 Fairhaven/Integrace . . . . . . . . . . .10 Heartlands Senior Living . . . . . .15 Homecrest House . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant . .5 Olney Assisted Living . . . . . . . . .8 Park View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Somerford Place . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Vantage House . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Hearing Services

Legal Services

Chesapeake Hearing Centers . . .13 Miracle-Ear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Felinton Elder Law . . . . . . . . . . .25 Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC . . . .24 JGL Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Lifson Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Financial Services First Maryland Disability Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 PENFED Financial Services . . . .22

Funeral Services

Home Health Care A-1 Action Nursing Care . . . . . .10 Angels Who Care . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Options for Senior America . . . .27

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

Personal Services

For Sale 2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed. Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures if desired. Call Steve 410-913-1653.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Medical/Health Brooke Grove Rehab Center . . . .36 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . .24 World Class Chiropractic . . . . . . .4

Retail/Services Budget Bath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Columbia’s Village Centers . . . .25 CopperZap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Dan Kugler’s Design Center .16, 30

Senior Services Senior Connection . . . . . . . . .17-20

Subscriptions Beacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Theatre/Entertainment Celebration of the Arts . . . . . . . . .3 Columbia Orchestra . . . . . . . . . .31 Columbia Pro Cantare . . . . . . . .31 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .33

Tour & Travel Eyre Tour & Travel . . . . . . . . . . .27 Nexus Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

36 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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