December 2019 | Baltimore Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

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Historian makes history as CEO

Jersey roots prepared him Bunch, the first African American secretary of the 173-year-old Smithsonian, grew up in a white suburb in northern New Jersey. “As the only black kid in the neighborhood, you learn so much about how people judge you without knowing you,” he said. “Jersey taught me to run, to fight and to talk

DECEMBER 2019

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PHOTO BY KATHY HUTCHINS / SHUTTER-

By Margaret Foster A girlfriend convinced Lonnie G. Bunch III to jump out of an airplane when he was 17 years old. “I jump out, and I’m yelling, screaming, cursing,” Bunch — now the new head of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. — recalled in an interview with the Beacon. But he learned something important from the experience. “It taught me that I could do things that scare the heck out of me if I took a deep breath and took the step,” said Bunch, now 66. “That’s really what’s shaped my career.” Since then, he’s figuratively taken the leap into the unknown more than once. In his new role, for example, he oversees 19 museums, 21 libraries, research centers and the National Zoo, which together attract more than 30 million visitors a year. But perhaps even more of a leap of faith was his prior gig, as founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. When Bunch accepted that position in 2005, the museum was little more than an idea. It had no money, no artifacts — not even a plot of land. Bunch tells the story of how that museum, the National Mall’s newest, finally opened in 2016 in his most recent book, A Fool’s Errand: Creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the Age of Bush, Obama and Trump, which was published in September.

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Natural beauty meets Asian flair in Vancouver; plus, mustsee country music landmarks from Chattahoochee, Georgia to Luckenbach, Texas page 25

ARTS & STYLE Historian Lonnie G. Bunch III is shown accepting the NAACP President’s Award in 2017 for his work as founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Bunch, who recently published a memoir about the museum’s creation, was installed as the new Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution on Nov. 1. He is the first African American to hold the position.

It’s lights, music, action when Mannheim Steamroller takes the stage; plus, best cookbooks this season page 29

my way out of things. Those are skills that have served me throughout my career.” Bunch credits his grandfather, a former sharecropper from North Carolina, with inspiring his love of history. Bunch was in-

trigued by photographs in his grandfather’s books, particularly those whose only caption read “anonymous.”

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Show your creativity Regular readers of the Beacon will recall other creative activities that we sponsored an amateur art competiThen we invited readers to submit photion for people over 50 last year. tos of their original artworks Called the Beacon’s “Celethrough a special competition bration of the Arts,” it was inwebsite made possible by the spired by moving stories Maryland Federation of Art. from readers who had either I’m not sure what kind of rereturned to an earlier love of sponse we were expecting. art after years away from it, Maybe a hundred or so items. or developed a passion for it So we were pleasantly surlater in life. prised (flabbergasted, actualWe wanted to encourage ly) to receive more than 900 those who have never tried entries! painting, drawing, pottery FROM THE And such beautiful works: and the like to take a class or PUBLISHER Paintings, drawings, statues find a mentor and start expe- By Stuart P. Rosenthal and busts, ceramics, fabric riencing the pleasure of exworks, photographs, even a pressing themselves through art. copper lamp and a mobile sculpture. We also wanted to offer those already In short, it was an eye-opening experiengaged in making art an opportunity to ence, and an inspiring one as well. You can enter their best works in a professionally see for yourself, by viewing the winning judged competition for cash prizes and the works on our website at thebeaconnewspachance to exhibit in a gallery. pers.com/celebration-of-the-arts. To set the stage, so to speak, we ran a Therefore, I am pleased to announce series of stories about area art classes, and that, due to the success of last year’s projhighlighted local amateurs who were ect, we will be holding another Celebration painting, making ceramics or hand-painted of the Arts competition in early 2020. scarves, taking photos and engaging in We learned some important things from

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the last event, so there will be a few changes for next year’s competition. First, we will have some different categories. In part, that’s because we combined several types of art in broad categories last time, and now want to give those working in different media their own categories as much as possible. Also, we had a poetry category last year which, though also very popular, felt somewhat out of place (especially at the gallery show for winners). Our hope is to have a separate writing competition later that may offer categories for poems, short stories, autobiographical sketches and the like. So next year we will award first-, secondand third-place cash prizes, as well as honorable mention certificates, in these seven categories: — Painting (watercolor, oil, acrylic) — Drawing (pen and ink, graphite, pastels, calligraphy) — Sculpture/Carving — Ceramics — Jewelry/Stained Glass — Mixed Media/Textile Art — Digital photography Amateur artists 50 and older may enter up to three original artworks (created after the age of 50) in each category. Those who entered last year are of course welcome to enter again, but not to reenter any artworks that were selected by judges in last year’s competition. The online competition will open in mid-January and run through March 20, 2020. Winners will be announced in April. In addition to the cash awards and certificates, winners will have the opportunity to exhibit their works in one or more area galleries.

Also, bios of winning artists and photos of their works will be published in a special Celebration of the Arts section to be printed in the Beacon in the spring. And winners will be honored at Expos taking place in the fall in Baltimore County and Montgomery County, Md., and in Fairfax County, Va. While there is a modest fee of $10 for each entry, entering at least one work of art will entitle you to a one-year membership in the Maryland Federation of Art (new members only; value: $70). Among other things, the membership will enable you to have your own web page on their site, where you can share images of up to 20 artworks with friends and family. Community partners, including dozens of area nonprofits and government entities, will help us spread the word about the Celebration throughout the region. Communities, businesses and nonprofits wishing to become sponsors or community partners may call the Beacon at (410) 248-9101 or email alan@thebeaconnewspapers.com for more information. Additional details about the competition will appear in the January issue of the Beacon, and complete rules will be posted on thebeaconnewspapers.com. I think this contest is well named. There is so much to celebrate when people try something new later in life and discover a new passion. We’re very excited about the 2020 Celebration of the Arts, and look forward to seeing your work! Questions? Call us at (410) 248-9101.

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Dear Editor: As a performer and fan of jazz, I greatly appreciated your November cover story on Todd Barkan and his new club, Keystone Korner. I encourage Beacon readers who want to find out about other jazz in the Baltimore metro area to check Baltimore Jazz Alliance’s calendar at baltimorejazz.com. Bob Jacobson Baltimore Dear Editor: Thank you for your essay “Music, in

theory,” in the October 2019 issue, which views life’s challenges from a musical perspective. Although we are limited in our ability to control circumstances and events — life is sometimes a crapshoot — despair need not be our default mood. We can take control of how we respond and embrace life in a major key. Your thoughts are energizing and encouraging. A.E. Via email

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Technology &

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

“almost out of stock” warning. Perhaps you succumb to a fear of missing out after reading testimonials (of unknown origin) or seeing periodic messages that someone else (who might not be real) just bought the item you’re considering. Not all of these “nudges” are flat-out deceptive. But all are instances of dark patterns, or website designs meant to steer, coerce or deceive people into making unintended or potentially disadvantageous decisions. Dark patterns have been a topic of discussion among techies, behavioral scien-

tists and marketers since 2010, when British cognitive scientist Harry Brignull coined the term. His website, darkpatterns.org, serves as an information clearinghouse and a dark pattern Hall of Shame.

15 ways to get snookered A new study by Princeton University researchers documents how ubiquitous dark patterns can be and explains why we fall for them. Using a web crawler, the Princeton researchers investigated more than 11,000 shopping websites. They found 1,841 dark patterns on more than 11% of the sites (i.e., more than 1,200 of them). The researchers identified 15 patterns in seven broad categories, including sneaking, urgency and misdirection. The more popular the website, the more likely it was to feature dark patterns. The most egregious examples, deemed “deceptive” by the researchers, were relatively rare: only 234 instances on 183 websites. The authors note, however, that their limited study — for example, they analyzed only text (no images) and only on retail sites — no doubt understates the prevalence of dark patterns.

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

much time, energy or money to turn back. And something known as the framing effect makes “confirm shaming” a common pattern for some sites. You’ve seen it when a shopping site promises a discount in exchange for your email address. If you don’t want to give it out, you’re forced to click on something like, “No thanks, I like paying full price.” Once aware of dark patterns, we tend to adapt. Some 65% of British consumers in a recent survey pegged instances of dark patterns on a hotel booking site as the sales pressure they are. But the frontiers keep expanding. You’ll find dark patterns on mobile apps, video games and social media platforms, too. Congress has taken notice: A bill introduced in the Senate in April would empower the Federal Trade Commission to crack down on dark patterns. “My bigger concern is how dark patterns play out in other contexts,” said Colin Gray, an assistant professor in the computer graphics technology department at Purdue University. “There’s a whole new range of deceptive practices that could be present in non-screenbased dark patterns,” he said, such as in smart-home speakers and other devices. The best defense is to cultivate your inner skeptic when it comes to shopping online, and read — yes, actually read — user agreements, Gray said. “Realize that not everyone is acting with good intent, even companies that we respect.” © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Online thrift shops offer new ways to save

For those focused on high-end items, like deluxe watches, designer garments and gently used handbags that cost hun-

See ONLINE THRIFT SHOPS, page 8

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Fraud protections vary on these platforms. Etsy and eBay have a process to resolve disputes. On the others, it may be free to post listings, but that means there is no mediator when things go wrong. On some sites, sellers manage their own “closets.” They can try to develop a personal following by using social media to promote themselves, and ingratiate themselves to buyers by enclosing thank-you notes with purchases. “A lot of my sales come solely from Instagram,” said Haley Gibbs, 24, who resells clothes that she picks up from thrift stores in Minneapolis, where she lives. She sells them on Poshmark, a site that’s a grab-bag of styles and prices. She sends handwritten notes to her buyers, whom she considers a supportive community that helped her transition to

Designer discounts

dreds or even thousands of dollars, a model like TheRealReal guarantees that the merchandise is authentic. The company’s employees, not individual sellers, set prices, and the site takes a hefty cut — it can be more than half of the selling price. But buyers are able to trust that a Hermès scarf is actually Hermès. Reselling and refurbishing used clothes is attracting so much attention that some resale sites are striking partnerships with retail names more than a century old. J.C. Penney and Macy’s are working

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Online, items may be more expensive than at an actual thrift store, especially when you add in shipping costs. But in many cases, it’s also easier to find stuff — no dusty racks, no piles of clothing, and you can search for a brand name and item without leaving your couch. Furthermore, there’s often room to negotiate price. The best sites create an experience for shoppers that’s not only easier to navigate than an actual thrift store, but better than going to a traditional store and buying something new (at full price), said Anita Balchandani, a McKinsey partner. It’s hard to determine how big the usedclothing market is, but you can see increasing consumer interest in it due to the

Buyer protection varies

selling full-time. She “advertises” her Poshmark offerings on Instagram. The whole look and feel of Depop, an app popular with teens and young adults, is reminiscent of Instagram, complete with stylized posts by wannabe influencers. Other sites cater to parents of young children, like Kidizen. It’s a market that makes particular sense for used clothing, since kids grow so fast.

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Easier to find what you want

growing number of companies engaged in it, said Balchandani. She is co-author of a report predicting that consumers will use more “pre-owned” or rented clothing, like Rent the Runway’s model of renting out clothes to its subscribers. The best-known online marketplace that connects individual sellers and buyers is eBay. But sites built for different purposes also function as bargain-hunting middlemen. You can list your wares on neighborhood app Nextdoor, Craigslist and Facebook’s marketplace. In these cases, you’re typically limited by geography as these sites mostly connect locals, pointed out Kathy Kristof, editor of the SideHusl website that gives tips on gig jobs. Some people also use Facebook’s groups function, dedicated to specific brands, and ship to each other across the country. Etsy also is more wide-ranging.

F R E E

By Tali Arbel It’s not just eBay anymore. A slew of websites and apps act as virtual thrift stores for vintage devotees, deal hunters and those just looking to unload stuff they don’t want anymore. These sites have proliferated as the recession of a decade ago and the slow comeback in wages since then dramatically altered how people shop. Discounters like T.J. Maxx have been sweeping up, while many traditional retailers have shrunk, gone bankrupt or disappeared. The stigma of “used” has fallen away, and many now shop knowing full well they can sell their pieces later and get some money back. Some consider buying used clothes online a more eco-conscious approach to trends. There’s a range of consignment stores on the Internet. Some cater to kids or young adults; some are specifically for high-end fashion; some are a free-for-all.

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New drones promise deliveries in minutes By Tom Murphy Walgreens and a Google affiliate are testing drone deliveries that can put drugstore products on customer doorsteps minutes after being ordered. Snacks like Goldfish crackers or gummy bears, as well as aspirin for sick kids, were delivered in October in Christiansburg, Virginia, by a 10-pound drone flying as fast as 70 miles per hour. Customers will be able to order from a list of more than 100 items that includes in-

dividual consumer goods and packages of products to help with things like coughs and colds, but not prescriptions. They will place their order through a Wing app and then get delivery anywhere from five to 10 minutes afterward. A drone capable of making a 12-mile round trip will fly to the delivery site, hover and use a winch system to lower the package to the ground and leave it there. The drone will be run by Wing Aviation LLC, a subsidiary of Google parent Alphabet Inc.

“We’re taking a 10-pound aircraft to move a three-pound package through the sky,” Wing CEO James Ryan Burgess said. “It’s very light, very efficient.”

Many are conducting tests Drone deliveries in the United States are still largely in early testing. Google announced in April that Wing received federal approval to make commercial drone deliveries. It marked the first time a company has gotten a federal drone delivery certification. Online retail giant Amazon said in June that it plans to use self-piloted drones to deliver packages to shoppers’ homes in the coming months. United Parcel Service Inc. also said in July that it was setting up a subsidiary to expand its drone deliveries, which are currently limited to transporting medical samples at a group of hospitals in Raleigh, North Carolina. Burgess told reporters that Wing and Walgreens had no timeframe for how long

Online thrift shops Woodholme Gardens

Assisted Living & Memory Care

From page 7 with ThredUP, which operates similarly to TheRealReal in that a customer buys from the middleman, not from another individual. (ThredUP does not have the same sin-

this test would take or when consumers might expect widespread drone use. “I think we still have a ways to go before it’s the norm in our transportation network,” he said. Walgreens and Wing picked Christiansburg for their test because Wing has been working with nearby Virginia Tech on drone deliveries. The test comes as Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., which is based in Deerfield, Illinois, and chief rival CVS Health Corp. also work to expand same-day deliveries of prescriptions and other products on the ground. Drugstores have been dealing with competition from Amazon, which offers its Prime customers same-day delivery for detergent, toothpaste and millions of other products. CVS and Walgreens built thousands of drugstores nationwide to get closer to their customers before even-more-convenient online shopping exploded in popularity and started hurting their in-store business. —AP gular high-end focus, though.) Neiman Marcus has an arrangement with Fashionphile, in which it owns a minority stake. There’s a plan for customers to be able to sell their old handbags and accessories to Fashionphile inside Neiman Marcus’ luxury department stores. —AP

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BALTIMORE BEACON — DECEMBER 2019

Health Fitness &

FEROCIOUS FELINES Don’t risk infection from a cat scratch or bite. See a physician right away DON’T FORGET TO FLOSS There may be a link between poor oral hygiene and Alzheimer’s disease ACUPRESSURE STUDY A new study aims to see if your ear may hold the key to back pain relief WHAT’S A WORT? Benefits and risks of St. John’s Wort, CoQ10 and vitamin E supplements

Medicare Advantage plans may offer more By Tom Murphy Medicare Advantage customers are about to be blitzed with an array of new insurance benefits that stray well beyond the usual coverage of doctor visits and other care. Carpet shampooing, food for a service dog, pest control and rides to a nutritionist are among the new supplemental health benefits that privately-run versions of the government’s Medicare program may offer starting next year. Medicare Advantage plans already come with extras like dental benefits or gym memberships that regular Medicare doesn’t provide. But unlike regular Medicare, Medicare Advantage can also restrict ac-

cess to a network of doctors or hospitals. About a third of people on Medicare opt for Medicare Advantage plans, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Advantage plans are broadening their coverage reach as part of a push by insurers and the government to keep people healthy instead of waiting to cover their claims once they become sick. The idea behind this thinking is that someone who improves their diet or keeps a chronic condition like asthma under control is less likely to generate a big medical bill. This year’s annual enrollment period for Medicare and Medicare Advantage runs through Dec. 7.

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

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

How to choose? The last thing some Medicare Advantage customers want is more variables to See ADVANTAGE PLANS, page 10

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DECEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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

fected animal. Swelling and redness occur around the wound, and you also may experience a fever, headache, poor appetite and fatigue. The most notable characteristic of the disease is tender and swollen lymph nodes near the wound that typically remain swollen for months. Although the disease will clear on its own in healthy people, treatment with antibiotics may be recommended. Rarely, the disease can cause serious complications, especially in children under 5 and people with weakened immune systems. A Mayo Clinic study reported that one in three people seeking treatment for cat bites on the hand had to be hospitalized. And most of those hospitalized required surgery to remove infected tissue; pene-

tration was deep enough to deposit bacteria into the joints or protective layers around the tendons.

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

Advantage plans From page 9 think about when considering coverage. They already have to worry about whether their drug coverage will change from year to year or if their doctors will stay in their insurer’s network. And some markets may have dozens of Medicare Advantage plans for shoppers to sort through. Medicare Advantage customers have told researchers that they generally dislike making coverage changes after they’ve looked at all their options and picked a plan when they first qualify for Medicare, said Tricia Neu-

may be recommended. If you are a cat owner, keep your cat’s claws trimmed and use care when grooming your pet. Make sure your tetanus vaccination, which needs to be updated every 10 years, is current. Keep cats indoors to minimize their exposure to infected animals. Finally, treat your cat with flea prevention medication. — Christopher Boswell, M.D., Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A @mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org. man, a senior vice president with Kaiser. “What they say is, it’s just too hard, it’s too much work, and they have little confidence they will be able to identify a better plan,” she said. Even so, people with conditions like diabetes or asthma may want to see if there’s another plan that is better for their illness. Shoppers will have until Dec. 7 to enroll, switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, or opt for regular Medicare and add prescription drug coverage for 2020. Customers who regret their decision can make one change in the first three months of 2020. —AP

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BALTIMORE BEACON — DECEMBER 2019

Can healthy gums prevent Alzheimer’s? By Veena Alfred For some time now, scientists have been aware of the connection between poor oral health and dementia. Long-term studies have revealed that those who suffer from chronic periodontitis (gum disease) are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s as they age. To explain the connection, scientists suggest that the inflammation caused by gum disease may spread to the brain and stimulate the production of the betaamyloid plaques that are thought to be responsible for the cognitive decline seen in Alzheimer’s patients. The bacteria that live in dental plaque cause gum disease and the resulting inflammation. It is possible that the bacteria are somehow able to enter the bloodstream or invade the peripheral nerves

and, in one of these ways, reach the brain, where they trigger an immune response that results in the buildup of amyloid plaques. A study published in January in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Science Advances detected the presence of P. gingivalis, the bacterium that causes gum disease, in over 90% of more than 50 brains of people who had died in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. This demonstrates that gum disease bacteria do indeed find their way into the brain. It also supports the hypothesis that the same bacteria set off the brain’s immune response and may be responsible for the high levels of amyloid plaques found in their Alzheimer’s brain samples. In a separate experiment, the researchers focused their attention on gingi-

pains, a toxic enzyme produced by the P. gingivalis bacterium, which was also found in the Alzheimer’s brains that the researchers analyzed. The enzyme gingipains feeds the bacteria by chopping up proteins for the bacteria to consume. The researchers found that gingipains damages the tau proteins in brain cells, causing them to produce the tangles that are characteristic of those with advanced Alzheimer’s. The researchers suggest that the best way to treat the condition may be to starve the bacteria by cutting off their food supply. This can be done by deactivating the enzyme gingipains with medication. The research team designed a drug that binds to gingipains, so that it cannot do its

job of breaking down proteins. A version of the drug has been tested on a few human volunteers and reportedly has produced positive results. A more extensive drug trial will begin later this year. It is important to note that the study does not provide conclusive proof that P. gingivalis causes dementia. Certainly not everyone with gum disease will develop Alzheimer’s. But it suggests that good oral hygiene could help in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. And whether or not the gum disease bacterium causes Alzheimer’s, it is always a good idea to maintain good oral hygiene. Veena J. Alfred, Ph.D., is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and CEO/Administrator of AlfredHouse Assisted Living.

BEACON BITS

Dec. 14

MENS’ CHORUS, WOMEN COMPOSERS Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Baltimore Mens’ Chorus,

Maryland’s longest-running LGBTQ performing arts organization, with a winter concert program of female composers. The free concert takes place on Sat., Dec. 14 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church Baltimore, 12 W. Franklin St., Baltimore. For more information, visit baltimoremenschorus.org.

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DECEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Who should see a geriatrician, and when? Dear Savvy Senior: medications, a visit to a geriatrician may be What can you tell me about doctors just the thing to help get him back on track. who specialize in geriatrics? Here’s a rundown of the differMy father, who’s 82, takes ent types of health conditions eight prescription drugs for geriatricians treat, and some different health issues but tips to help you locate one near still hasn’t been feeling him: himself lately. For starters, it’s important I’m wondering if he to know that geriatricians are would benefit from seeing family practice or internal a geriatrician in place of medicine physicians that have his regular primar y care had additional specialized physician. SAVVY SENIOR training to manage the unique —Concerned Daughter By Jim Miller and often multiple health conDear Concerned: cerns of older adults. Just as a If your dad is dealing with a variety of pediatrician specializes in caring for chilhealth problems and is taking multiple dren, a geriatrician is trained to provide

care for seniors, usually patients over 75. While most doctors, and even general practitioners, are trained to focus on a person’s particular illness or disease, geriatricians are trained to look at all aspects of life that can affect older patients — not just their physical symptoms. They often work with a team of other healthcare professionals, such as geriatrictrained nurses, rehabilitation therapists, nutritionists, social workers and psychiatrists to provide care. And they will coordinate treatments among a patient’s specialists.

Who can benefit? Patients who can benefit from seeing a geriatrician are older adults with multiple health and age-related problems, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, confusion and memory problems, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, hypertension, depression, respiratory problems, osteoporosis, arthritis, chronic pain, mobility issues, incontinence, vision and hearing impairment, and trouble with balance and falls. Geriatricians are also particularly adept at tackling medication problems. Because many seniors, like your dad, take multiple medications for various health conditions, and because aging bodies often absorb and metabolize drugs differently than younger adults, unique side effects and drug interactions are not uncommon. A geriatrician will evaluate and monitor your dad’s medications to be sure they are not affecting him in a harmful way. Geriatricians can also help their patients

and families determine their long-term care needs, like how long they can remain in their own homes safely without assistance, and what type of services may be necessary when they do need some extra help. But not all older adults need to see a geriatrician. Those who have fewer health problems are just fine seeing their primary care physician.

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

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BALTIMORE BEACON — DECEMBER 2019

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Q & A: Tai chi benefits; statin side-effects By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I have pain in both knees due to osteoarthritis. It’s not too bad, but I want to avoid surgery in the future. What are your thoughts about tai chi? A: Osteoarthritis develops when cartilage — the tissue that covers bones and acts as a cushion — deteriorates over time, eventually leading to joint damage. For the early stages of this condition, tai chi may very well decrease your pain and might help prevent the condition from getting worse. Tai chi is a low-impact, slow-motion exercise you do without pausing through a series of movements. As you move, you breathe deeply and naturally, focusing your attention — as in some kinds of meditation — on your bodily sensations. Tai chi differs from other types of exercise in several respects. The movements

are usually circular and never forced, the muscles are relaxed rather than tensed, the joints are not fully extended or bent, and connective tissues are not stretched. A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism found that participants with knee osteoarthritis who practiced tai chi twice a week had less pain and better physical function compared with study participants enrolled in a wellness education and stretching program. The tai chi class lasted 12 weeks, but the improvements were sustained a year later. These participants also reported less depression and greater wellbeing. Among other things, tai chi provides benefit by improving muscle strength and coordination, which leads to better joint stability. In addition, the mind-body aspects and breath control promote mental calmness, which may help to break the

BEACON BITS

Dec. 7

CPR AND FIRST AID

Knowing CPR could save a life. Understand first aid basics with a class by retired nurse and paramedic firefighter Valerie Hall-Butler. Bring a stuffed animal or doll with a head, chest, legs and arms for demonstration practice. The free event takes place on Sat., Dec. 7 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Cardinal Gallery, 1758 Park Ave., Baltimore. To register, visit http://bit.ly/BaltCPR.

Dec. 3

HOLIDAY E-CARDS

Learn to create your own holiday card with Microsoft Publisher. The free workshop will be held on Tues., Dec. 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Towson Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 320 York Rd., Towson. Call (410) 887-6166 to register.

Dec. 4

BUILD A WEBSITE

Do you need a website for your business? Learn the fundamentals of SharePoint and create, edit and publish pages on your own website. The free class will be held on Wed., Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon at 201 West Preston St., Room SS12A, Baltimore. To register, visit http://bit.ly/BaltSharePoint.

cycle of arthritis pain. Taking a class may be the best way to learn tai chi. Watching a teacher in action, getting feedback, and experiencing the camaraderie of a group are all plusses. Most teachers will let you observe the class first to see if you feel comfortable with the approach and atmosphere. Instruction can be individualized. Ask about classes at your local Y, senior or rec center, or community education center. If you’d rather learn at home, you can view videos geared to your interests and fitness needs. There are some excellent tai chi books, but it can be difficult to appreciate the flow of movements from still photos or illustrations. Most beginning programs and tai chi in-

terventions tested in medical research last at least 12 weeks, with instruction once or twice a week and practice at home. By the end of that time, you should know whether you enjoy tai chi, and you may already notice positive physical and psychological changes. Q: I take a statin to lower my cholesterol. I have been having muscle aches, but I don’t want to stop the statin. What causes the muscle pain? What can I do to minimize this side effect? A: The true incidence of statin-induced muscle pain is hard to pin down. In clinical studies of people who are randomly assigned to take a statin or a placebo, about 5% to 7% of people in both groups report See Q & A, page 14

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BEACON BITS

Nov. 23

WHISKEY FESTIVAL

Explore the best in distilled spirits at the Baltimore Whiskey Festival with more than 100 whiskies from around the world. The event will be held on Sat., Nov. 23 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Assembly Room, 316 Guilford Ave., Baltimore. Tickets, at $69, include a souvenir whiskey glass, unlimited samples, free seminars and food. To purchase a ticket, visit drinkatwhiskey.com.

Dec. 7

UGLY SWEATER HOLIDAY PARTY

Wear your favorite ugly Christmas sweater to a party with games like bingo, spades, bridge and pinochle. A single ticket costs $35 for each type of game. The party takes place on Sat., Dec. 7 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Delta Community Center, 2501 Springhill Ave., Baltimore. To purchase a ticket, visit http://bit.ly/uglysweaterdelta.

DECEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Q&A From page 13 muscle-related side effects. But in observational studies and in realworld settings (that is, clinics and doctor’s practices), more people taking statins say they have muscle aches or pains, with rates as high as 29%. What causes muscle pain from statins has not been conclusively determined. However, according to a new study in the journal JACC: Basic to Translational Science, the answer may be related to abnormal calcium release in muscle cells. Calcium ions are stored in a muscle cell compartment called the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Normally, the calcium is released into the rest of the cell only during muscle contractions. However, the researchers found that statins lead to calcium leaks even when the muscles are at rest. Based on muscle biopsies in rats, the researchers found a link between calcium leakage and muscle cell damage. The researchers could not say for certain that there was a direct cause and effect. But they suggest that people who experience muscle pain from statins may be more susceptible to spontaneous and irregular calcium leakage, perhaps because of genetic predisposition or lifestyle factors. Although there are no proven remedies for statin-related muscle pain, the follow-

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

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BALTIMORE BEACON — DECEMBER 2019

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

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

Teriyaki marinade Whisk 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup sake (or mirin), 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger. Makes: scant

Write a letter to the editor. See page 4.

1 cup. Per serving*: 135 calories; 3 g. fat (1 g. sat., 1 g. mono); 263 mg. sodium.

1/2 cup. Per serving*: 169 calories; 7 g. fat (1 g. sat., 5 g. mono); 250 mg. sodium.

Sweet and savory dry rub

Spicy Tunisian rub

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

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

Balsamic marinade Whisk 1/4 cup each olive oil and balsamic vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Makes: about

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Health Studies

DECEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Back pain? Acupressure study may help By Margaret Foster If you wake up every day with an achy back, you’re not alone. About a third of people over 65 have chronic lower back pain. To manage the pain, some people get cortisone injections, which wear off in several months, or go on opioid medication, which can be dangerously addictive.

Now, the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing is studying the effects of acupressure — a non-invasive process similar to acupuncture, but without needles — to see if it can help with such pain. Acupuncture, or traditional Chinese medicine, dates back 3,000 years. In auricular point acupressure (APA), tiny seeds —

BEACON BITS

Dec. 5

CAREER FAIR Come to a professional hiring event with lots of potential employers

to give yourself a good shot at getting a job. Bring additional copies of your resume and wear professional dress. The career fair will be held on Thurs., Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheraton Baltimore North, 903 Dulaney Valley Rd., Towson. To register for the free event, visit http://bit.ly/BaltCareer.

yes, real plant seeds — are taped to particular places on the outside of the ear believed to correspond to nerves in the lower back. The seeds remain affixed to the outer ear with small, square stickers. Participants can bathe, shower or swim as usual. When in pain, participants can press on the small seeds. As part of the study, they’ll be asked to squeeze the pressure points for three minutes, three times a day, wherever they are.

A form of self-care “Opioid use has taken an incredible toll on not just patients, but entire health systems,” one of the study’s principal investigators, Dr. Chao Hsing Yeh, told Johnson & Johnson’s Notes on Nursing magazine. “APA could be more widely disseminated than acupuncture, allowing patients to focus on self-care by engaging the therapy daily, anywhere and anytime as a practical tool for pain control,” she said. The study, which is open to people age 60 and older, lasts one year. Patients who are currently on pain pills may continue to take their medication. During the first month, participants will

make weekly visits to the John Hopkins East Baltimore campus at the Wald Community Nursing Center (901 N. Broadway, Baltimore). For the remainder of the year, they will visit about once every three months. Parking costs will be reimbursed. For Baltimore City residents, the study provides free round-trip rides to the campus via Lyft or Uber. In addition, since the study will track the effects with an online survey, participants without smartphones will be provided with one. The study is funded by the National Institute on Aging, which, in response to the opioid epidemic, is seeking to identify alternative methods of treatment for pain management. Yeh recently won a $50,000 grant from the Johnson & Johnson Nurses Innovate QuickFire Challenge in Perioperative Care. Her copyrighted idea, Wireless Auricular Point Stimulation, was selected from more than 100 proposals. Volunteers completing the study will receive $150. For more information about the study or to volunteer, call (667) 2087653.

BEACON BITS

Dec. 7

WELLNESS CONFERENCE

Learn about self-love in a wellness conference for women hosted by A Baltimore Girl’s Story. Partake in discussions about self-development, pamper yourself with free makeup services, and support other local women. The conference takes place on Sat., Dec. 7 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Humanim Brewery, 1701 N. Gay St., Baltimore. To purchase a ticket for $10, visit http://bit.ly/BaltGirlConference.

BALTIMORE BEACON — DECEMBER 2019

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

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

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

BEACON BITS

Nov. 24

SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION Learn how to meditate at a morning meditation hosted by Awake

Yoga Meditation. The free event takes place on Sunday, Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Waldorf School, 4801 Tamarind Rd., Baltimore. For more information, email info@awakeyogameditation.org.

—Talk to other patients. —Find local or online support groups for your type of cancer.

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DECEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

CoQ10, St. John’s Wort and Vitamin E By Bridget Cassady

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

Evidence CoQ10 is a non-prescription dietary supplement in the United States with potential

benefits in a variety of conditions. Supplement doses range from 30 to 100 milligrams per day, which are much greater than estimated dietary sources. Although oral supplementation of CoQ10 does increase blood and tissue concentrations, less than 5% of orally administered CoQ10 is thought to reach circulation. Therefore, pharmacological doses as high as 3,000 milligrams per day are taken. It is not considered an essential vitamin or mineral, as deficiency does not result in a disease state. However, some data suggest that levels of CoQ10 may reduce the severity of several diseases including certain heart conditions, migraines and Parkinson’s disease. For example, the harmful effects of oxidative stress are increased in patients with heart failure, and the antioxidant activity of CoQ10 may help to reduce these

BEACON BITS

Dec. 7

FORECLOSURE HELP

Are you facing a possible foreclosure or having difficulty paying the mortgage? Learn how to assess credit, create a budget and gain an understanding of the Maryland foreclosure process at a presentation by the St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center. The free event takes place on Sat., Dec. 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the North Point Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 1716 Merritt Blvd., Dundalk. For more information, call (410) 887-7255.

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effects that could damage components of cardiac cells and may also help reduce blood pressure.

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

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

II. St. John’s Wort St. John’s Wort (SJW) is a widely known, non-prescription dietary supplement with use dating back to ancient Greece. SJW is the common name for a flowering shrub native to Europe, Hypercium perforatum, also known as Klamath weed or goat weed. The name originates from when its yellow flowers bloom in late June, around St. John the Baptist’s Feast Day. “Wort” is an Old English word for a plant or herb used as food or medicine. The flowers and leaves of SJW contain the bioactive ingredients hyperforin and hypericin that may affect neurotransmitters in the body. Extracts are available in the United States as tablets, liquids, teas

and topical preparations.

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

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

Some serious interactions SJW interacts with many prescription medications through induction of the cytochrome P450 enzymes, resulting in altered drug effectiveness and potentially severe side effects when taken with oral contraceptives, certain chemotherapy drugs, See SUPPLEMENTS, page 19

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — DECEMBER 2019

Supplements From page 18 statins, anticoagulants or antidepressants. Interactions with SJW and certain antidepressants may lead to an accumulation of high levels of serotonin, a brain chemical targeted by antidepressants. SJW may also limit absorption of iron and other minerals. As with any new diet or supplement regimen, consult with your physician to discuss if SJW is appropriate for you.

III. Vitamin E Vitamin E is an antioxidant essential for the body’s nervous, cardiovascular, reproductive, musculoskeletal and other systems to work properly. It may help prevent diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cognitive decline. It’s estimated nearly 90% of American adults don’t get enough vitamin E to meet

recommended daily requirements. To get more vitamin E, try these foods: —Nuts, especially almonds and hazelnuts —Vegetable oils (like sunflower, safflower, soybean and wheat germ) —Seeds, like sunflower seeds —Leafy vegetables (spinach or chard) Vitamin E is fat-soluble, so you’ll need to ingest it with some form of fat; otherwise, it won’t be absorbed or used efficiently. For example, add nuts to a homemade salad dressing made with oil to increase the absorption of vitamin E. If you prefer a supplement, talk with your doctor first and then look for a multivitamin or a single supplement that provides 12 to 15 mg. of vitamin E. Vitamin E also works alongside vitamin C, so sufficient levels of vitamin C are important too for optimizing vitamin E activity in the body.

High levels of vitamin E circulating in the blood are not necessarily an indicator that your body has enough vitamin E, or that it is used appropriately. Do you need more than others? Common health issues may make it harder for your body to use vitamin E effectively and may increase your need for more of this vitamin. These include: —Metabolic syndrome —High cholesterol or triglycerides —Obesity If you have one of these conditions, consult with your doctor to determine how to boost your vitamin E to the appropriate level.

Take action now: —Eat plenty of dietary sources of vitamin E, along with healthy fat —Consider a supplement —Eat vitamin C-rich foods or take a vitamin C supplement —Work with your physician if you have a medical condition that is reducing your vitamin E levels. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC, EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2019 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Dec. 4

DE-STRESS WITH ZENTANGLE Do you doodle to reduce stress? Zentangle might be perfect for

you. Using structured doodling, this workshop will show you how to use simple patterns and shapes to improve your focus in a calming manner. The free event takes place on Wed., Dec. 4 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Towson Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 320 York Rd., Towson. Call (410) 887-6166 to register.

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DECEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Money Law &

New, easy ways to return items bought online. See story on page 22.

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

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

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

Frank, Frank

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

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

BALTIMORE BEACON — DECEMBER 2019

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

wage would be worth today.

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

BEACON BITS

Dec. 10

BUSINESS WORKSHOP

Participate in a BB&T workshop to learn about the different facets in running a business. You will learn about cash flow, merchant services, borrowing solutions and insurance. The free event takes place on Tues., Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Park Circle Office Park, 3000 Druid Park Dr., Suite 3000B, Baltimore. To register, visit http://bit.ly/BBTWorkshop.

Dec. 3

RETIREMENT TIPS

Don’t limit yourself in your retirement years. Learn how to account for a range of factors, including taxes, inflation and healthcare, in your retirement budget from Investopedia’s best financial advisor for 2019, Michael Kitces. The free seminar will be held on Tues., Dec. 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Morton’s The Steakhouse, 300 South Charles St., Baltimore. To register, visit http://bit.ly/KitcesTips.

More factors to consider Other circumstances can upend the estimates. Some people will qualify for spousal or survivor benefits that are larger than what they earn on their own record. Retirees with minor children can get child benefits that boost their checks. Nastier surprises may await people who worked for certain government agencies or were employed abroad. If they get pensions from jobs that didn’t pay into Social Security, the “windfall elimination provision” could reduce their Social Security checks significantly. Lawmakers intended the provision, and the related “government pension offset,” to keep people who didn’t pay much into Social Security from getting more than those who did. But the reductions aren’t always well publicized or explained, and can come as a shock to affected people who were counting on the amounts Social Security promised. Speaking of promises, Social Security’s trustees say the system will have enough revenue to pay only 77% of promised benefits starting in 2035, unless Congress intervenes. Lawmakers are unlikely to allow benefits to be cut for people in or near retire-

ment. If you’re decades away, though, Social Security’s lowball estimate could turn out to be on target. To be safe, you might want to assume you’ll get even less.

Use a calculator If you’re within 10 years of retirement, on the other hand, getting a more accurate estimate of your benefits can help you plan when to retire. You can start with your My Social Security account, which includes a link to a retirement calculator that allows you to adjust your average future earnings. The site also has a page of free calculators, including a downloadable detailed calculator that the site accurately describes as “somewhat unwieldy” and “difficult to use.” You can pay for a more user-friendly option at Maximize My Social Security ($40) or Social Security Solutions ($49.95). Or consider a session with a fee-only financial planner who has access to similar robust software. This advisor can help you fine-tune your Social Security estimates, advise you on claiming strategies, and make sure your retirement isn’t based on false promises. —AP/NerdWallet

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DECEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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

These moves come as retailers aim to reduce costs while making it easier for shoppers to return items purchased on websites. The average return rate for online transactions is 25% compared with 8% for store purchases, according to Forrester Research.

Inside store drop-offs Package delivery giant UPS is adding 12,000 pickup and return locations inside CVS, Michaels and Advance Auto Parts stores. The new locations will bring the number of pickup points UPS has in the U.S to 21,000. “Returning a product is annoying,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. “If you can take away some of the hassle by giving customers lots of options, that’s really customer service.” But Saunders and others note that shoppers making returns need to make sure

that they don’t miss the return deadline. Here are three tips for returning online orders: —Know the rules when returning goods from rivals. Through a partnership with technology company Narvar, Walgreens now lets shoppers return online orders to partners such as Levi Strauss and Urban Outfitters at more than 8,000 Walgreens locations that have FedEx onsite. Narvar’s concierge service also has drop-off locations at 15 Nordstrom stores for its retail partners. Narvar CEO Amit Sharma said shoppers have to bring in their original packaging with the QR code, but in the next few months, packaging will be available for a fee. Meanwhile, Nordstrom’s service hubs (mini-stores that do not have merchandise on hand) in Los Angeles and Manhattan allow shoppers to return online orders

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into homes

MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

from any retailer. Customers bring the packaged items, with or without the preprinted return labels, and a salesperson will ship them out. There is no service fee. Happy Returns lets customers return items from online retailers including Eloquii, Rothy’s and Everlane. Happy Returns’ “return bars” can be found at shopping centers and other retailers, including most recently all 276 Cost Plus World Markets. In return for serving as host for Happy Returns, its online retailer partners promote the locations and offer customers coupons and other deals. —Look for eco-friendly alternatives. Happy Returns is eliminating cardboard boxes used to ship bulk returns to retailers, substituting reusable totes made from recycled plastic. In an effort to reduce waste and make the return process easier, Target is in the process of eliminating packing slips from all orders shipped directly to customers from stores and fulfillment centers. To return an online purchase, customers can mail the items back using a link within their shipping confirmation email or Target.com account, or by looking up the order using the Target app or the card they used for purchase when making a return at a store. —Consider return service at home. Shoppers are increasingly able to have a return picked up inside their home. Walmart said it will launch such a return service later this year but didn’t offer any details. It’s all part of how retailers are focusing more on in-home deliveries and other services. In June, Walmart announced it would have one of its employees deliver fresh groceries and put them in your refrigerator when you’re not home. It launched its in-home delivery service in three cities: Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Missouri, and Vero Beach, Florida. Many digital natives are offering free inhome return pick-up services, according to AlixPartners, a consulting company. For example, online mattress company Casper offers a 100-night free trial for its mattresses. If someone would like to return their mattress, its customer service team takes care of removing the mattress from the customer’s home at no cost and issuing a full refund. —AP

BEACON BITS

Nov. 21

CREDIT CHECK Learn how to dispute

inaccuracies in your credit report and how to meet your credit needs. The

Call the community of interest to you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour.

free information session takes place

www.rhomecommunities.com

County Public Library, 1110 Eastern

PET-FRIENDLY

on Thurs., Nov. 21 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Essex Branch of the Baltimore Blvd., Essex. To register, call (410) 887-0295.

BALTIMORE BEACON — DECEMBER 2019

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

Invest in funds with consistent dividends I have written before that retirees should (YTD) return for 2019 is 19.73%; the onemaintain a significant amount of their in- year return is 20.19%; the three-year return is 12.55%; the five-year return vestments in diversified stock is 11.60%. The yearly expense investments. Although I have ratio is 0.10%. The fund pays been retired for 24 years, I still dividends each quarter. keep about 50% of my investThe latest 30-day SEC yield ments in stock market, almost is 3%. [Editor’s Note: According all of it in diversified mutual to Investopedia.com, the SEC funds. yield figure is used to compare I have always chosen funds bond funds because it reflects that have a history of consisdividends and interest earned tent earnings and dividends. I recognize that stock market less the fund’s expenses. The THE SAVINGS percentage shows investors prices fluctuate consistently GAME what they would earn in yield over time. However, in down By Elliot Raphaelson markets, stocks that have a over the course of a 12-month history of consistent earnings and divi- period if the fund continued earning the dends retain their value much better than same rate for the rest of the year.] When I purchased the fund initially, the stocks that don’t. Most of my investments are with Van- 30-day SEC yield was approximately 3.4%. guard because of their low fees, consistent Since I have been holding the fund, a consisperformance and excellent service. Here tent dividend has been paid each quarter. is a description of funds I have held for a Earnings have been consistent as well. When I purchased the fund, I thought I was long time, generally more than 10 years. — Utility fund: I have invested in Van- making a very conservative investment, and guard’s Utilities Index Fund Admiral I have been pleasantly surprised at how well Shares (VUIAX) for more than 10 years. Ini- the fund has performed. Although this fund has a $100,000 minitially, I invested $100,000 in the fund; over the last five years, I have taken out more mum investment, you can purchase a Vanthan $100,000, and the remaining shares guard ETF with similar performance withare valued at approximately $150,000. out a minimum purchase requirement. As of this writing, the year-to-date — Dividend fund: I have invested in

Vanguard’s Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) for almost 10 years. The fund is composed of large, high quality corporations that have a blend of growth and value. The emphasis is on companies that have a track record of increasing their dividends. As of this writing, the YTD return for 2019 is 22.06%; the one-year return is10.34%; the three-year return is 13.88%, and the five-year return is 10.98%. The 30-day SEC yield is 1.79% and the expense ratio is 0.08%. The minimum initial investment is $3,000. The fund pays a consistent dividend each quarter. As long as I have held the fund, a quarterly dividend has been paid. — Real estate: I have invested in Vanguard’s Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGSLX) for approximately 10 years. The fund invests in real estate investment trusts that purchase office buildings, hotels, residential properties, healthcare facilities, retail facilities and other property. Vanguard indicates that the value of this fund may be more volatile than more broadly diversified funds because its investments are only in real estate. Dividends are paid quarterly and have been

paid consistently. As of this writing, the YTD return for 2019 is 25.78%; the one-year return is 14.58%; the three-year return is 5.74%; the five-year return is 8.19%, and the 10-year return 13.41%. The expense ratio is 0.12%. Minimum investment is $3,000. Stock prices can be volatile, and I have no idea whether the most recent performance of the stock market in general, or for these funds in particular, will continue to do as well as they have recently. However, if interest rates remain low on a long-term basis, investments in funds that invest in companies that have a consistent history of high earnings and consistent dividends should do well on a long-term basis. I have only discussed Vanguard funds because those are the funds I hold. Other reputable fund families have excellent long-term performance records as well. You can review them on Morningstar’s website to identify comparable investment opportunities. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2019 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Tell them you saw it in the Beacon!

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DECEMBER 2019 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; BALTIMORE BEACON

Say you saw it in the Beacon

BALTIMORE BEACON — DECEMBER 2019

Travel

Leisure &

Quick: What country singer made the Chattahoochee River famous? See story on page 27.

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

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

PHOTO BY POEMNIST/SHUTTERSTOCK

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

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

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

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

A wok through Chinatown

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

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

products, ranging from vegetables and herbs to conch meat, fish stomachs, sea cucumbers and assorted fungi. Bob Sung, our third-generation-Chinese tour guide, explained, “To know the food is to know the culture.” New Town Bakery sells 1,000 steamed buns a day, a feat that landed the shop on a New York Times travel bucket list. At Herbal Meds, shoppers can learn about natural remedies, such as how to boil down herbs and how to treat asthma with boiled and strained geckos. The BBQ Shop sells mouthwatering roasted pigs, ducks and cured sausage. Po King has ancestral worship merchandise, including envelopes to hold money for the deceased, and incense for sending a message to ancestors. At the Chinese Tea Shop, “any time is tea time,” said Daniel Lui, who ceremonially serves white tea (aged 12 years) from a small clay pot and patiently guides guests through all the steps. He explained that an experienced Chinese tea drinker slurps the tea as a way to incorporate oxygen and bring aromatic compounds to his or her nose. A fine place to walk off Chinese gastronSee VANCOUVER, page 26

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Vancouver

while the terracotta tiles are bat-shaped.

From page 25

Totem poles and more

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

The stylized art for which the Haida nation, one of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indigenous peoples, is known is well represented at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. Reid, who lived from 1920 to 1998, was one of British Columbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous Haida artists. The gallery has a stunning totem topped by a raven, and wood-carved trunks, boxes and baskets. One exhibit explains the coastal tattoo

BEACON BITS

Dec. 9

MICROSOFT EXCEL FOR BEGINNERS Create spreadsheets on Microsoft Excel and learn how to modify a

take-home budget template at a workshop for beginners. Class size is limited to 10. The free workshop takes place on Monday, Dec. 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Randallstown Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 8604 Liberty Rd., Randallstown. For more information, call (410) 887-0770.

DECEMBER 2019 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; BALTIMORE BEACON

tradition whose practitioners used red ochre and Devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s club root to make thick red and black paints. Reid delved into his art to find his own origins and honor Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Nations. He argued that contemporary descendants donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know who they are or where they belong, that Christianity shamed indigenous peoples out of wearing tattoos, and that residential schools and potlatch bans (laws forbidding certain traditional ceremonies) almost squelched native cultures. Nine totem poles in different styles, with carved animals and supernatural creatures, can be found in downtownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stanley Park. Larger than New Yorkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Central Park, the land was donated by Lord Stanley, the same namesake as hockeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stanley Cup. The park features diverse habitats, including lakes, seashore, wetlands, dense fern cover and a temperate rainforest with half a million towering trees, some 800 years old, all of which make for a wilderness escape just blocks from downtown.

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On the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 17 miles of trails, visitors might spot Douglas squirrels, river otters, beavers, seabirds, harlequin ducks and three species of loon.

Other claims to fame The Sam Kee Building â&#x20AC;&#x201D; only 5.5 feet wide, but 120 feet tall â&#x20AC;&#x201D; landed in the Guinness Books of World Records as the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s narrowest freestanding building. Today, it is home to Jack Chow Insurance. The Gothic-style, Anglican Christ Church Cathedral, built in 1889, was designed as an inverted ship with a ceiling of red cedar and Douglas fir. Its stained-glass bell tower, by Sarah Hall, is the only one of its kind in North America. Vancouver promoters like to dub the city â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hollywood Northâ&#x20AC;? because it is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third largest city for film, television and movie production. Examples include Fifty Shades of Grey, Dead Pool and The X-Files. In and around Vancouver, the outdoors beckons â&#x20AC;&#x201D; whether for hiking, biking, beachcombing, golfing, sportfishing, skiing or ecotouring. Between mid-November and mid-February, hundreds of bald eagles gather at Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park in one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in the world. They hit the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface, scoop up salmon and devour them in a stunning example of their natural abilities.

If you go Information: For lodging, tours and events, visit tourismvancouver.com. Flights: Delta has flights from BWI Airport in December starting at around $330 (prices are higher in January). Upcoming events: â&#x20AC;˘ November 28 to January 1, Bright Nights in Stanley Park, three million twinkling lights and a Christmas train â&#x20AC;˘ January 17 to February 2, 2020, Dine Out Vancouver Festival, 250 restaurants offering meals from $20 to $40 and more than 80 culinary events â&#x20AC;˘ January 25, Lunar New Year Festival and Parade, marking the Year of the Rat â&#x20AC;˘ February 22 to March 1, 42nd annual International Wine Festival, around 160 wineries from 15 countries, tastings of more than 700 wines â&#x20AC;˘ March 7 and 8, World Rugby Sevens Series

BEACON BITS

Nov. 24

BASKET DRIVE

Volunteer to be a basket-packer, runner or driver at the fifth annual Thanksgiving Dinner Basket Drive for single-parent families in Baltimore. Sponsored by BOND â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Building Our Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daughters, the volunteer event takes place on Sun., Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at TouchPoint Mondawmin, 2401 Liberty Heights Ave., Suite 2730, Baltimore. There will be a basket-packing party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with distribution from 3 to 6 p.m. To register, visit mdbond.org.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

BALTIMORE BEACON — DECEMBER 2019

A tour of country music’s highlights times where “everybody’s somebody.” But it wasn’t always that way. The town was abandoned in the ’60s and put up for sale. Hondo Crouch, an eccentric rancher, and his friends bought the town and reopened the dancehall. “Outlaw” country singer Jerry Jeff Walker recorded his progressive country live album, “Viva Terlingua,” in the town’s dancehall. But it was the crossover hit by Jennings in 1977 that not only put the outlaws on the map, but also this sleepy town. The dancehall is still a place to enjoy country music and cold beers and pick up some souvenirs. For more info, see the website luckenbachtexas.com

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

Tallahatchie Bridge, Mississippi One of country music’s biggest musical mysteries is what happened to Bobbie Gentry. Gentry’s No. 1 hit “Ode to Billie Joe” in 1967 turned her into a star with her swampy, Delta voice and her conversational lyrics about a boy who jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge. Nobody knows why Billie Joe jumped on that third of June, and Gentry herself became a disappearing act in the 1980s. But you can ponder those mysteries as you walk across the bridge in Money, Mississippi, about 10 miles from where she lived in Greenwood as a child. Writer Tara Murtha, who wrote a book about Gentry’s debut album “Ode to Billie Joe,” said Gentry confirmed the bridge in Money was the one that inspired her song, although the original bridge collapsed in the 1970s and has since been replaced. If you visit Greenwood, look for a marker from the Mississippi Country Music Trail honoring Gentry as well. For more info, see mscountrymusictrail.org.

Luckenbach, Texas

Rocky Top, Tennessee

There are few towns more steeped in country music history than this unincorporated outpost in Texas hill country. Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings sang about yearning to go back to this place, a metaphor for small towns and simple

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

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

team, often played to excess. The real Rocky Top is not at the football stadium, but instead it’s a rocky outcropping on the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s not easy to get there, a steep, strenuous nearly 14-mile round trip hike. But if you make it, you’ll be treated to some of the most stun-

ning 360-degree view of the mountains. For more details, visit nps.gov/appa/ index.htm.

Paradise, Kentucky This now-defunct Western Kentucky town See COUNTRY MUSIC, page 28

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Country music From page 27 along the Green River was immortalized by John Prine in “Paradise” as an example of the impact of strip mining in Appalachia, a town literally ripped off the map. Tom T. Hall and John Denver both recorded versions of the song, and Prine’s lament became a protest song for environmentalists. In the song, Peabody Coal was responsible for the town’s destruction, and Peabody tried for decades to rebut the song. In truth, the town was purchased by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the 1960s, its buildings

demolished and a coal-fired plant was built. Decades later, TVA now plans to shut down the Paradise plant to try to shift to more efficient energy production. Today, there’s not much to see in Paradise but the plant’s three cooling towers, mounds of coal and a declining coal industry.

Chattahoochee River, Georgia The toe-tapping river song “Chattahoochee,” which rhymes Chattahoochee with “hoochie-coochie,” was one of the biggest hits of Alan Jackson’s career, earning him two Country Music Association Awards and two Grammy nominations.

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DECEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

The iconic music video features Jackson water-skiing in ripped blue jeans and his white cowboy hat. The real Chattahoochee River is not far from where Jackson grew up in Newnan, Georgia, and forms the southern half of the Alabama and Georgia line. Jackson, who grew up water-skiing, came up with the idea for the music video, and his jeans and the water skis were later donated to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. However, because it was too cold at the time to shoot on the Chattahoochee when they made the video, most of the music video was actually shot on Lake Butler in Florida. But the summer is the perfect time to visit this river, which is popular for recreation, including boating, fishing, rafting and of course water-skiing. For more information, see nps.gov/ chat/index.htm.

“Wabash Cannonball” “Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar” go the lyrics to this early American train ballad that is the oldest song listed among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s

500 songs that shaped rock ‘n’ roll. This became Roy Acuff’s signature song, but it dates back much earlier than him. The original song was called “The Great Rock Island Route,” and credited to J. A. Roff in 1882 sheet music. Later the name of the song was changed to “The Wabash Cannonball,” a reference to a major rail system that went from Detroit to St. Louis called the Wabash Railroad. It was also recorded by the original country music family, the Carter Family. The Wabash Railroad is no longer chugging along, but portions of its tracks have been turned into nature trails in the Midwest. The Wabash Cannonball Trail is a 65mile scenic trail system in northern Ohio that is open for hikers, bicyclists and horse riders. In Iowa, the Wabash Trace Nature Trail is a 63-mile trail in southwest Iowa to the Missouri border where you can see remnants of ghost towns that once relied on the railroad. For more info, see wabashcannonballtrail.org and wabashtrace.org. —AP

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Lonnie Bunch has a new book and a new direction for the Smithsonian. Our cover story continues on page 30.

Mannheim Steamroller rolls into town

Named for Mozartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hometown Mannheim Steamroller formed in 1974, when Omaha musician-composer Chip Davis, who couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find a production company for his unique music, started his own record label. He named the band after the Mannheim

Roller, a type of extended orchestral crescendo developed by the Mannheim school, a group of 18th-century composers in Mozartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hometown of Mannheim, Germany. The records sold well, and the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tours sold out. Ten years later, Davis released the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Christmas album, which hit number 50 on Billboardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 200 chart. The group went on to win a Grammy Award in 1991 for Best New Age Album. It has sold 41 million records overall and is the top-selling artist of Christmas albums, beating out even Elvis. Mannheim Steamroller has played at the White Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony for three presidents, the Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thanksgiving Day Parade and on several television shows. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One day we played the Today show, hopped on a plane, went to L.A. and played the Tonight Show,â&#x20AC;? Layton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were like, is it today or is it tonight?â&#x20AC;? To accomplish 80 annual performances in two months, the band divides into several ensembles. Two groups tour different areas of the country, and a third ensemble plays beneath the roller coasters at Universal Orlando in Florida.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER

By Margaret Foster Every November and December for the past 35 years, the neoclassical new-age band Mannheim Steamroller goes on tour, its three troupes giving 80 performances in the space of two months. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The music is so uplifting and full of joy,â&#x20AC;? said Roxane Layton, group spokesperson and one of its 20 members. She plays percussion and recorder. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like a steamroller, it really moves you. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 18th-century rock and roll. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a delicious sound.â&#x20AC;? Mannheim Steamrollerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique sound comes from its combination of electronic synthesizers and traditional instruments such as recorders, lutes, guitars, trumpets and a harpsicord. As part of its 35-year anniversary tour, Mannheim Steamroller will perform on Dec. 6 at Baltimoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Modell Lyric.

Grammy winner Chip Davis and the Mannheim Steamroller ensemble perform in Las Vegas and throughout the country every holiday season. Davis, who launched the New Age group in 1974, hit it big with its first Christmas album a decade later. Mannheim Steamroller will be at the Modell Lyric on Friday, Dec. 6, on its 35th annual holiday tour.

Home away from home Layton, who plays recorder and percussion for the group, hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t had a holiday at home with her family since she joined the

band 24 years ago. However, after sharing Thanksgiving meals together for decades, See STEAMROLLER, page 31

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Lonnie Bunch From page 1 “That so bothered me,” Bunch said. “I became a historian in part through photography. I looked at those pictures and tried to figure out what kind of life they had.” Bunch attended college in Washington, D.C. in the early 1970s, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from American University. In his early career he was curator of history and program manager for the California African American Museum in Los Angeles. In his book, he recalls sleeping in the museum for a week to guard the collection, which included Muhammad Ali’s boxing glove. After working as curator of the National

Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. from 1989 to 2000, he moved to Chicago for a five-year stint as director of the Chicago Historical Society. After that, Bunch spent 11 years as founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In the process, which he calls “my calling,” he crossed paths with presidents, historians like Studs Terkel, celebrities like Oprah Winfrey (who has donated over $20 million to the museum), and descendants of enslaved people, who donated artifacts to the Smithsonian.

Building a collection Inspired by PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow,” Bunch put out a national call in 2008 for artifacts through a program called Save Our

BEACON BITS

Dec. 4

CRAB COASTERS

Celebrate Maryland’s crustacean by creating a pair of crab coasters using a Glowforge laser cutter. The free event takes place on Wed., Dec. 4 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hereford Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 16940 York Rd., Hereford. To register, call (410) 887-1919.

Dec. 17

FIBER ARTS

Learn the basic skills of fiber arts at a free class that takes place on Tues., Dec. 17 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hereford Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 16940 York Rd., Hereford. To register, call (410) 887-1919.

DECEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

African American Treasures. Smithsonian curators traveled to 14 cities, including Jacksonville, Detroit and Brooklyn, eventually acquiring 40,000 objects for the museum. About 70% of the museum’s artifacts came from the attics, garages and closets of ordinary Americans. To Bunch, those everyday artifacts are the real history. “I was trained as a social historian, which meant that, yes, I was interested in people like George Washington and Frederick Douglass, but I was really interested in people’s whose names we don’t know,” he said. Some of the museum’s most powerful objects include a slave cottage from Edisto Island, South Carolina; Harriet Tubman’s Bible; the guard tower from a brutal Louisiana prison; a segregated railcar; and the casket of 14-year-old Emmett Till, who was exhumed in 2005 for an autopsy and reburied. Bunch personally sought out many of the museum’s artifacts. For instance, he spearheaded the search to find the wreckage of ships that had carried enslaved people. In 2015, his network of archaeologists unearthed the first such wreck off Cape Town, South Africa: 212 people, many from Mozambique, died when the São José sank in 1794. Bunch delivered a bag of Mozambique soil to the wreck site at the request of a chief whose tribe still honors those lost ancestors.

“By the simple act of sprinkling that soil into the ocean, I was contributing to their being remembered, and that was powerful,” he said. During discouraging moments as the founding director of a museum that addresses our country’s racial issues, Bunch stayed motivated by remembering his own ancestors. “Can I make my grandparents smile? Would they be happy about the work I’m doing? And then, after my dad died, how would he feel about it?” he said. “Then it extended to other people who I’ll never know. Maybe they’re resting more in peace now.” Today Bunch is working to increase the relevance of the Smithsonian by addressing contemporary issues such as climate change, the impact of technology and shifting national identity. When Bunch was officially installed as secretary on Nov. 1, he said in a speech that the 21st-century Smithsonian will be “the place America looks to understand itself….We must be the glue that helps to hold our nation together.”

Museum-goers’ stories Many of the 6 million people who have visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture so far have brought their children and grandchildren to see its exhibits about slavery, Jim Crow See LONNIE BUNCH, page 31

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Steamroller From page 29 the band members are now close friends. “This is my family. We are silly. There are a lot of pranks,” she said, recalling a rehearsal when the musicians wore false teeth, eliciting a few guffaws. She and her fellow band members have performed with greats such as Johnny Mathis, Olivia Newton-John, LeAnn Rimes, Patti LaBelle and Martina McBride. Mannheim Steamroller also collaborated with NASA to record space shuttle launches and landings.

Lonnie Bunch From page 30 and the Civil Rights era. “One of the things I’m proudest of in the museum is that it has become this pilgrimage site,” Bunch said. “Watching the intergenerational sharing is so powerful…To see those folks who come and say, ‘I lived that history’ or ‘I understand that history’ and ‘I want you as my grandchild to understand what strength you have that you don’t even know you have yet.’” He understands this on a personal level, too. Bunch and his wife, Maria MarableBunch, have two grown daughters and two grandchildren, ages 5 and 1. “I want my grandkids to be the people to stand up for the kid that’s being bullied,” he said. “I want them to understand fair-

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a band member, though, is signing autographs after the shows, Layton said. Concert-goers bring their children and grandchildren to the annual performances. “Now we’re getting three generations [of fans],” Layton said. “I get to hear the most beautiful stories. This music affects people and families and lives.”

Healing sounds During the off season, Davis, now 72, is working on a new project with the Mayo Clinic to provide soothing music and ness and that ultimately their job is to fight for fairness.”

Older volunteers essential Every year, more than 7,000 volunteers play a major role at the Smithsonian museums and National Zoo, with thousands more participating in projects online, such as transcribing historic documents. Volunteers log thousands of hours as information desk specialists, behind-the-scenes contributors, docents and educators. More than half of them are retirees. According to a 2017 Smithsonian study, “Those in their 60s and 70s contributed 60% of [total] volunteer hours to the Smithsonian.” Bunch is grateful to those volunteers, and hopes they will engage visitors by asking them to share their own stories. “There is nothing more powerful than

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

sounds of nature to hospital patients, even during surgery. Called Ambient Therapy, the “healthy” sounds are meant to replace typical hospital noise — beeping, clattering carts, etc., — to help patients heal. In addition to the Mayo Clinic, Davis’ sound therapy has been used at Wake Forest University, the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Maryland. Mannheim Steamroller Christmas CDs are bestsellers, but Layton said they can’t replace the videos, light shows, fog and

other special effects at the live concerts. “There’s nothing like listening to something organically, having it go through your body and feeling it live,” she said. “There’s nothing like getting those ‘vitamins’ in person. It’s more than just a concert: it’s an experience.” The Mannheim Steamroller Christmas performance will take place at 8 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the Modell-Lyric Theatre, 140 W. Mount Royal St. Tickets range from $46 to $95; no senior discounts. For tickets, call the box office at (410) 900-4150 or purchase them at http://modell-lyric.com.

sharing the oral stories, the memories,” he said. “If you help families preserve their memories, then we have made a major contribution. “They think their story is minor, and they might only be famous to their family, but that’s good enough. That’s what I want them to do.” Bunch’s message to those looking for a way to find meaning in retirement: Just “find your good fight — what is the thing that motivates you?” he said. In his current job as Secretary of the Smithsonian and in his past role establishing a new museum on the National Mall, Bunch stays motivated not by politicians or celebrities, but by ordinary, “anonymous” people, he said. “I did it for all those people whose names we don’t know, all those people who stop

me on the street and say ‘thank you.’ If I could make those people smile and feel that their story is a part of this bigger story, then I’ve done everything I could do.” A Fool’s Errand is available on Amazon.com, in Target and Barnes & Noble stores and at Smithsonian museum gift shops. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, located at 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, near the Washington Monument, is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. Admission is free. From September to February, walk-up weekday entry begins at 10 a.m. Monday through Friday. From March to August and on all weekends, timed passes are required. You can obtain a pass up to three months in advance at http://bit.ly/AAmuseumpass.

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

DECEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

At harvest season, books by and for cooks For many of us, a printed recipe is hand- reference work. The book includes all the ier than a mobile device in the kitchen, recipes presented in 19 seasons of the PBS where food stains and splatcooking show “America’s ters are ubiquitous. These Test Kitchen.” They are easy cookbooks will help you preto replicate at home. More pare dishes to wow your than 60 cooks, editors and guests this holiday season. cooking specialists have colRead the stories that accomlaborated in compiling its conpany the recipes with relish. tents. The Complete America’s Each recipe is introduced Test Kitchen TV Show with an explanatory “why this Cookbook 2001-2019: recipe works” followed by easyEvery Recipe from the Hit to-understand instructions. THE TV Show with Product RatColor photographs accompany BIBLIOPHILE ings and a Look Behind the many recipes, which are preBy Dinah Rokach Scenes, by America’s Test sented in large-format size. Kitchen, 1040 pages, America’s Test Number of servings are included with each Kitchen hardcover, 2018 recipe, but there are no calorie or nutrient This encyclopedic compendium of al- counts nor information on prep time. most 1,500 recipes is an essential kitchen Sidebars include explanations and illus-

BEACON BITS

Nov. 29+

CRAFT FAIR The American Visionary Art Museum is hosting its annual holiday

art market with hundreds of unique creations by regional artists. The market lasts for two days: Fri., Nov. 29 from noon to 6 p.m. and Sat., Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free event will be held at the American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore. For more information, visit avam.org.

trations of techniques. Meet co-hosts Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster in an informative interview. The Complete America’s Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook concludes with a detailed list of recommended equipment and ingredients, including brand names. The index makes finding recipes a snap. If you’re cooking for a crowd this Thanksgiving, choose among three stuffed turkey recipes, along with gravy, stuffing and pumpkin pie. Every Day Is Saturday: Recipes + Strategies for Easy Cooking, Every Day of the Week, by Sarah Copeland, 256 pages, Chronicle Books hardcover, 2019 Turn your everyday recipes into elegant and tasty dishes with a few tweaks. That is the premise of this ingenious cookbook. About 100 recipes are included, each photographed in lavish color. Of them, more than 25 are vegan, 80plus are vegetarian, over 70 are gluten-free and more than 50 are dairy-free. All are listed in a special diets index. Recipes range from breakfast to brunch to platters, main dishes, drinks and desserts. Six recipes for cooking for a crowd are included. The rest serve four, but you can easily adjust them for fewer servings. Prep time and total recipe time

are enumerated for each recipe, but there are no calorie counts or nutritional information. Former magazine food editor Sarah Copeland espouses a modern approach. She emphasizes easy techniques to create dishes pleasing to the eye and palate. Whether you’re looking to perk up your banana bread or oatmeal raisin cookies, learn to make Johnnycakes, revamp your dressings or prepare a meal for someone with dietary restrictions, you’ll find Every Day Is Saturday a daily delight. Creating the Sweet World of White House Desserts: A Pastry Chef’s Secrets, by Roland Mesnier with Mark Ramsdell, 255 pages, White House Historical Association hardcover, 2019 White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier served five presidents. In this book he shares more than 40 recipes with accompanying color photographs, descriptions of the event at which they were served, as well as the calligraphed menus of the entire meal. Chef Mesnier and co-author pastry chef and instructor Mark Ramsdell provide clear and concise directions on using a variety of molds to create spectacular desserts and how to pull, turn and blow See BOOKS FOR COOKS, page 33

Introducing

the future of personal transportation.

10”

The Zinger folds to a mere 10 inches.

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

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

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

83974

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

Books for cooks From page 32 sugar to make unique embellishments. Bakers will find easy-to-replicate recipes for unique flavors of sorbets, ice creams, mousses and souffles. Basic vanilla cake and sugar cookies will make delicious treats for family and company. For those experienced in the kitchen, the more intricate recipes will give you hours of enjoyment learning to master, and much deserved praise for serving. Creating the Sweet World of White House Desserts would make a thoughtful hostess gift. Those of us who have never attended a White House function will vicariously enjoy the gracious atmosphere at the Executive Mansion. The book may only be purchased on the

website of the White House Historical Association: shop.whitehousehistory.org/bookstore. Proceeds are returned to the publications program and used to acquire furnishings and memorabilia for the White House. Red Truck Bakery Cookbook: GoldStandard Recipes from Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rural Bakery, by Brian Noyes and Nevin Martell, photographs by Andrew Thomas Lee, 224 pages, Clarkson Potter hardcover, 2018 The mouthwatering recipes in this compilation are perfectly suited for the home baker. The 85 recipes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; mostly of cookies, cakes and pies â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are easy to follow and include many helpful tips for preparing and serving. The recipe for Barack Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite sweet potato pecan pie is one of the highlights. Turning the pages is akin to reading

BEACON BITS

Dec. 5

Dec. 11

family heirloom recipes. Calorie counts are not included, but 75 full-page color photographs accompany the text. Brian Noyes, a former art director at the Washington Post and Smithsonian magazine, followed his baking passion into a full-time career. He has opened two bakeries in Virginia since starting out selling

pies and baked goods from a red 1954 Ford farm truck. Co-author food and culture writer Nevin Martell is a resident of Washington, D.C. Visit the Red Truck Bakery and cafe in Marshall, Virginia, off I-66 or the smaller cafe in Warrenton, Virginia. Buy the cookbook to enjoy these treats at home anytime.

BEACON BITS

Dec. 16+

CRAFTS FROM A CAN

Turn your drinking habits into holiday cheer. Create stars, angels and reindeer out of beer cans. Tickets cost $20, which include beer and two decoration pieces. The event takes place on Mon., Dec. 16 and Thurs., Dec. 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Checkerspot Brewing Company, 1399 South Sharp St., Baltimore. To purchase a ticket, visit http://bit.ly/CraftsFromACan.

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 34

RESUME WRITING CLASS

Looking for a new job? Get a head start with help creating an effective and professional resume. The free event takes place on Thurs., Dec. 5 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Rosedale Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 6105 Kenwood Ave., Rosedale. To register, call (410) 887-0512.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; DECEMBER 2019

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

LAST-MINUTE GIFTS

Havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t found the perfect gift yet for the holidays? Join a guided quest through Harbor East with cookies and cocktails at several neighborhood shops. The cost is $10. The tour will be held on Wed., Dec. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 800 Aliceanna St., Baltimore. To purchase a ticket, visit http://bit.ly/harboreasttour.

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2020 Season Make Great Holiday l id Gifts! 2 S son n Subscriptions b pti bs t M G ft

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Subscription Quantities are Limited! On Sale Through December 31, 2019

Join us for New Years! 410-730-8311

Purchase Subscriptions & Gift Certificates Online!

TobysDinnerTheatre.com

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DECEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Crossword Puzzle

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

Stephen Sherr 6

41 44

43 47

59 65

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Across

2. NYC’s Eleanor Roosevelt High School, to locals 1. Demon’s boss 3. Part of a bride’s uniform 6. One with tix to the Homecomings game 4. The “L” measure on a Levi’s tag 10. President Tyler or Taylor 14. Justice selected between Sonia and Neil 5. Eleventh Greek letter 6. “Shave ___ haircut” 15. Faux pas 7. Crazy bird 16. Queen of Mount Olympus 8. The United Nations Educational, 17. Rainbow maker Scientific, and Cultural Organization 18. “___ that make sense?” 9. Art piece created from thousands of 19. State trees of Iowa and Georgia jelly beans 20. First course, not actually named for a 10. “Slow down, Trigger” European country 11. Boarding school big-wig 23. Brouhaha 12. Get on one’s nerves 24. El ___ (Spanish hero) 13. Power source not used by a Nissan Leaf 25. Yoga student’s cargo 21. Long long times 28. Cake, not actually named for a 22. Human-made amino acid, fully called European country “levodopa” 34. Half of an OMELET 26. Come to the conference 35. Masseur employer 27. Sings about a pair sitting in a tree 36. Farfalle or fusilli 28. Finished using a streetcar 37. Closely associate 29. Expatriate 40. State of the ___ 30. First-term president’s goal 42. Joins the poker game 31. H&R Block employee 43. Takes more than a glance 32. Sultan’s selections 44. Endpoint of a big grin 33. Set of ethernet or wi-fi connections 46. Dir. of Columbus’ return trips 47. Condiments, not actually named for a 38. Maximum volume on most amps 39. Goal of most movie stars European country 41. The first part of Tel Aviv University’s 52. PERFECTLY centered web address 53. Acronym for Al Gore’s documentary 45. Queue after Q 54. Material for road and roof repairs 55. Sandwiches, not actually named for a 48. Grand Canyon visitors 49. “___ it; they’re gaining on us” (partially) European country 50. Where the pilot says “We are third in 62. Weak poker hand line for take-off ” 64. Thrusting sword 51. Pattern of repeating diamonds 65. Talking bird 56. Compulsion 66. Full of excitement 57. Legendary Himalayan 67. Memorization method 58. Alert a pedestrian 68. “Be careful: many bags look ___” 59. Oklahoma city 69. Unaccompanied 60. Make a leaf pile 70. Scissorhands’ sound 61. Storage spot for a 60 Down 71. Surrendered territory 62. Amigo Down 63. Previously 1. Scissorhands portrayer

Scrabble answers on p. 33.

BB1219

Answers on page 33.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

BALTIMORE BEACON — DECEMBER 2019

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.

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

Health DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. NOT just a discount plan, REAL coverage for [350] procedures. Call 1-844366-1003 for details. www.dental50plus.com/320. [6118-0219]

Home/Handyman Services BORN AGAIN REFINISHING c/o Vernon E. Madairy Sr.. Because your antique and fine furniture is an investment since 1973.Photographs at www.bornagainrefinishing.com. Furniture refinishing and repairs. All pieces hand striped. Restorations. Missing pieces hand carved. Veneer repair and replaced. Upholstery. Hand- woven natural cane. Cane webbing. Natural rush. Fiber rush. Wood splint. Residential and Commercial. 410-3230467. ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off and 0% financing for those who qualify. PLUS Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-844-359-6933. STAY IN YOUR HOME LONGER with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-877-240-2061 or visit www.walkintubquote.com/beacon **STOP STRUGGLING ON THE STAIRS** Give your life a lift with an ACORN STAIRLIFT! Call now for $250 OFF your stairlift purchase and FREE DVD & brochure! 1-855-8503183.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

Legal Services

MID-ATLANTIC FUNDING GROUP — Pays cash for Owner Financed Mortgages. Professional Service / Fast Closing. Call Us Today! 1 (800) 641-9521 or visit midatlanticnotes.com

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

A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-855-502-4495

Health PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949.

TV/Cable GET NFL SUNDAY TICKET FREE w/ DIRECTV Choice All-Included Package. $59.99/month for 12 months. 185 Channels PLUS Thousands of Shows/Movies On Demand. FREE Genie HD DVR Upgrade. Call 1888-572-4953 or satellitedealnow.com/TBN

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

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

Wanted

DISH NETWORK $59.99 For 190 Channels! Add High Speed Internet for ONLY $19.95/month. Call Today for $100k Gift Card! Best Value & Technology. FREE Installation. Call 1-844-560-5837 (some restrictions apply)

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

Wanted SELL ME YOUR CAR, Truck or SUV for CASH today instead of a maybe tax deduction tomorrow. I come to you. NO FUSS NO MUSS. 410-916-0776 I also buy Motorcycles, Scooters & Bikes. If it’s got wheels, I am a CASH BUYER. Call Today. Let’s Roll COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, knives, swords, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars & countries. Also Lionel Trains, & slots/coin operated machines. Will pay top prices. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783 TOP PRICES PAID for fine antiques, artwork and high quality decorative items including decorated crocks and jugs, rare antique clocks, music boxes and antique phonographs, unusual lamps, slot machines, country store and advertising items, great old toys and dolls to name a few. I am 66 years old with over 40 years in the antique business, well educated and financially capable. Why pay expensive auction house, estate sale, or consignment store commissions when you can get a fair upfront price for your pieces immediately? If you have something unusual and interesting, rare and valuable and are prepared to sell it I would like to speak with you. Please call Jake Lenihan 301 279 8834. No calls after 7 pm please. Thank you.

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, comic books and records, etc. No middleman, no fees, no overhead means more money in your pocket. Give me a call, and let’s do business. 717-658-7954. BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 through 1990. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae, Punk, Blues, and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201. ESTATE LIQUIDATION/ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES: One call solves it all when you hire us to handle your estate liquidation, down-sizing and/or home cleanout. We sell your treasures, take care of charitable donations and provide junk removal. We also purchase partial estate contents/collections. Always buying antiques, jewelry, fine art, vintage toys, collectibles, advertising, sports memorabilia, military, vintage cars, Mid Century Modern furniture, vinyl records, gold and silver coins and more. Based in Silver Spring, we serve Montgomery, Howard and Baltimore Counties, Washington D.C., NOVA and beyond. Also provide appraisal services for insurance/estates. Friendly, conscientious staff. Call Chris on cell (202) 731-9447. www.OrionsAttic.com.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Research Studies Balance & Falls Study . . . . . . . .16 Cognitive Impairment Study . . .16 Diabetic Nerve Study . . . . . . . .17 Gingivitis Study . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Knee Osteoarthritis Study . . . . .16 MARC Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Shoulder Pain Study . . . . . . . . .17

Dental Services Denture Doctor . . . . . . . . . .10, 15

Education Myerberg Center . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Financial Services ArborSun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Funeral Services Schimunek Funeral Home . . . . .27

Health Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery . . . . . . . . .13 Barenburg Eye Associates . . . . .12

CopperZap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Keswick Wise & Well . . . . . . . .10 Profile by Sanford . . . . . . . . . . .11 Rosenblatt Foot Care . . . . . . . . .12 Skin Cancer EB . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Snyder Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Home Health Care

Village at Providence Point, The . . .5 Warren Place Senior Apartments .23 Woodholme Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Oakwood Care Center . . . . . . . .10

Legal Services

Beacon Subscription . . . . . . . . .34

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

Medical Cannabis

Baltimore City Companion Program . . . . . . .23 Options for Senior America . . . .18

Cannabis Docs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Health For Life . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Home Improvement

Moving Services

Bath Remodel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 LeafGuard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Peak Custom Remodeling . . . . . .9

Caring Transitions . . . . . . . . . . .19

Housing

Perfect Sleep Chair . . . . . . . . . .30 Radio Flea Market . . . . . . . . . . .28 Silver & Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Smyth Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Wilkens Beltway Plaza . . . . . . .21 Zinger Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Blair House at Stoneleigh . . . . .14 Brightwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Charlestown/Erickson . . . . . . . .19 Christ Church Harbor Apts. . . . .14 Glynn Taff Assisted Living . . . .15 Linden Park Apartments . . . . . .19 R Home Communities . . . . . . . .22 St. Mary’s Roland View Towers . .18

Shopping

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Manor Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Subscriptions Technology Beacon Silver Pages . . . . . . . . .24 Computer Doctors . . . . . . . . . . . .7 TechMedic4u . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 TheBeaconNewspapers.com . . .24

Theatres/ Entertainment Everyman Theatre . . . . . . . . . . .31 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . .29, 33

Travel Eyre Bus, Tour & Travel . . . . . .27 Patrick Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Superior Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Volunteers Meals on Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . .14

DECEMBER 2019 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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| 410-358-6856 | myerberg.org

WHAT’S NEW AT THE EDWARD A. MYERBERG CENTER

3101 Fallstaﬀ Road, Baltimore, MD 21209 Visit myerberg.org to see our complete program guide for Spring 2020. Priority registration begins November 25. Call to register for classes today 443-963-1448 or 443-963-1449.

iPhone Basics/Essentials FAST PACED Tuesdays/Thursdays, December 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. Members $30 / Non-members $45 (6 sessions) This course integrates and coordinates the major digital devices in wide use today. It will enable the participants to logically use an iPhone to enrich their ability to communicate and to assimilate information from the Internet. Each session is geared to build conﬁdence and optimize the use of these valuable devices. We will explore all the iPhone has to oﬀer. Good for iPad users but geared to iPhones. Instructor: Melanie Waxman, Technology Concierge

Picture This Wednesday, December 11, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Members $5 / Non-members $10 (1 session) Learn how to take and import photos from your camera. Text, edit and adjust your images to look amazing. Organize them so they can be found and shared easily using apps on your smart devices. Instructor: Melanie Waxman, Technology Concierge

Return of the Gangsters

Gentle Yoga Fridays, December 6 – December 20, 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. Members $23 / Non-members $35 (3 sessions) Gentle Yoga is for aging bodies, incorporating range of movement exercises, alignment, stretching, strengthening, awareness, breathing and relaxation to refresh, energize, improve posture, deepen breathing and improve well-being. This class will include both seated and standing poses and participants will use a chair for added support and stability.Instructor: Mica Saunders

Members Only Holiday Brunch Thursday December 12, 2019 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. | FREE Register by calling 443-963-1462 by November 27.

Tuesdays, November 26 – December 17, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Members $60 / Non-members $75 (4 sessions) Not for the faint hearted. This course will cover a mix of the cruelest Jewish and Italian gangsters. We’ll ﬂash back a bit to the ones you know, like Capone, Luciano, Siegel, Buchalter, Zwillman and Lansk buy most of the course will cover the crooks who were somewhat less famous - but just as Infamous. Beware of the appearance of Baltimore mobsters as well. Instructor: Harry Karp

FITNESS CENTER PROMO Give yourself the gift of better health this holiday season. New Members: Treat yourself to a 13-week fitness center membership and receive $5 off your membership. Current Members: Give the gift of fitness this holiday season. Purchase a Myerberg Gift Certificate for a loved one and receive a free gift.