December 2021 | Howard County Beacon

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More than 30,000 readers throughout Howard County

What’s next for Diane Rehm?

Surprised to have a career Born in 1936, Rehm grew up in Washington, D.C., at a time when many Americans were glued to the radio.

“As a child, radio was my escape,” Rehm told the Beacon. From “The Shadow” to “The Lone Ranger,” she said, “I loved it all.

I had no idea I’d ever have a ‘career.’ I was

DECEMBER 2021

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

Denver’s colorful murals cover the RiNo arts district; plus, Rick Steves reminisces about Paris page 24

Radio legend Diane Rehm stepped away from her daily talk show on NPR several years ago, but she’s still hosting two weekly podcasts and a monthly book club.

“I’m plenty busy and enjoying every minute,” Rehm said. The author of several books, including one on the right to die, Rehm is the keynote speaker at this year’s Virtual 50+Expo at beacon50expo.com.

a homemaker for 14 years, raising two wonderful children.”

When her youngest left home in 1973, “I began wondering what to do with the rest of my life,” Rehm said. A friend had recent-

ly volunteered at American University’s radio station WAMU, she recalled, helping with a program called “The Home Show.”

ARTS & STYLE

The Nighthawks celebrate 50 years of the blues; plus, Beacon Bits for holiday events page 27

See DIANE REHM, page 28

Visit Beacon50Expo.com today!

The Beacon’s FREE Virtual 50+Expo features valuable resources plus more than 50 classes, speakers and entertainers.

See details on pages 4-6.

Interested in exhibiting or sponsoring? Call Sales at (410) 248-9101.

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PHOTO BY STEPHEN VOSS / NPR COURTESY OF DIANE REHM

By Margaret Foster With a voice as familiar as that of a friend, longtime radio talk show host Diane Rehm, 85, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Virtual 50+Expo.

[Her remarks, in the form of a video conversation with Beacon publisher Stuart Rosenthal, are accessible now along with dozens of other speakers, classes and entertainers for three months at the virtual event’s website: beacon50expo.com.]

As Rehm’s colleague Kojo Nnamdi (himself a radio legend) once said, she is “a genteel woman, but one made of solid steel.”

Her steely nature buoyed her in the 1990s, when her voice was nearly destroyed by a condition called spasmodic dysphonia.

She had developed a cough that occasionally prevented her from going on the air.

Soon she began suffering tremors in her voice box that almost upended her career.

“It got really frightening,” she said once.

“I came as close to having a nervous breakdown as you can get…I was croaking. I was strangling. I couldn’t get my words out.”

Doctors at Johns Hopkins finally landed on a diagnosis in 1998. She went off the air for four months to start treatment for her voice and for the anxiety she had developed.

Of course, we all know the happy ending to this story: Rehm returned to National Public Radio with the daily “Diane Rehm Show” for several more decades, eventually reaching an audience of nearly three million worldwide.

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Reflections from an Afghanistan veteran The past months have been extraordi- my conversations with fellow veterans, their narily difficult for those with a personal memories are about the same.

The question that keeps connection to the U.S. miscoming up is, was it worth it? sion in Afghanistan. I recentUnfortunately, most are havly watched a CNN reporter ing a hard time answering that broadcast from a base in question. There’s a term for Andar, Afghanistan — a base that: Moral Injury. Moral Inthat my soldiers and I built, jury is the mind’s response to and the base where I was actions or memories that are wounded in 2006. Seeing it on in violation of a person’s valthe screen brought back a lot ues and beliefs. Some might of memories, good and bad. call it an injury to the soul.

When we first secured For 20 years, the full weight Andar we were using an open GUEST of the War on Terror fell on the space adjacent to the district EDITORIAL shoulders of less than 1 percenter compound to land hel- By Joseph Reagan cent of us. When 2.7 million icopters. Unbeknown to us, that open space was a cemetery. One day Americans voluntarily answered the call to the elder approached me and said, “You’re serve, 7,057 never came home and another landing helicopters in our cemetery, and 30,177 came home only to take their own this is deeply disrespectful.” We talked for lives.

To the brave men and women who volhours.

Right as the villagers and elders were sat- unteered and to the families of the fallen: isfied that we intended no harm and we The sacrifices you and your families made agreed on a new place to land helicopters, I were not in vain. What we’re witnessing heard the distinct sound of a far-off Chi- today is not our failure. This is not our burnook helicopter. Despite my best efforts to den to bear. The fact is, you carried more wave them off, two giant Chinooks landed than your fair share and you are stronger right in front of us in the cemetery, sand- because of it.

It’s okay to not be okay right now. Let’s blasting the entire group of gathered elders in the process and effectively undoing all take some time to reconnect with old the goodwill I had just spent hours building. friends, remind ourselves about that time Of the 847 days I spent serving in we were handed a mission, given no reAfghanistan, every single one was like that sources to execute the mission, and someday. A few steps forward, a few steps back. In how figured out how to make it work. Take

Beacon The

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Baltimore area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Howard County, Md., Greater Washington, DC and Richmond, Va. (Fifty Plus).

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Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.

Publisher/Editor – Stuart P. Rosenthal President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal Executive Vice President – Gordon Hasenei Managing Editor – Margaret Foster Art Director – Kyle Gregory Director of Operations – Roger King Advertising Representatives – Steve Levin, Alan Spiegel Assistant Editor – Catherine Brown Content Manager – Ashley Griffin

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that problem-solving mindset into our next mission. Your country and your communities need strong leaders like you to tackle tough problems, and solving tough problems is what we do best.

For those who lost their lives either to our enemies abroad or the demons within, their names inspire us. They sacrificed their tomorrow so that we could have our today. We have an obligation to live up to their legacy and to make those sacrifices matter. What we’re seeing today should only strengthen our resolve to do so.

As we reflect as a nation on the current situation in Afghanistan and on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, I think it is more important than ever to remind ourselves of the unity that existed immediately following the 9/11 attacks. On 9/12 there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that we would prevail, there was no doubt that we were

stronger together.

Now, 20 years later, we should focus our efforts on those elements that unify us, those elements of our history that make us stronger, those elements that define American exceptionalism.

Adlai Stevenson II said, “Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” I can think of no better way to demonstrate our gratitude for the sacrifices of our service members, veterans and their families than by reaffirming our commitment to service, to each other, to our communities, and to our nation.

Joseph Reagan, Director of Military and Veterans Outreach for Wreaths Across America, served eight years on active duty in the U.S. Army, including two tours to Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division. This column was originally posted on WreathsAcrossAmerica.com.

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

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

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

Dear Editor: I would like to address the deep bond between seniors and their service/companion animals. It’s one of a very deep love. It gives a lot of seniors purpose for living.

However, seniors on fixed income find it hard to pay for pet care. My dog, Jurnee, has two benign cysts that must be surgically removed. So I setup a GoFundMe page to help her.

Jurnee paved the way for other animals to be able to live at the senior complex where we live. A lot of seniors have thanked me over the years for fighting to get the right for animals to live here.

And what a difference it made in their lives having companion animals. My dog was instrumental in helping me to learn how to walk again after a serious injury. I love her.

Hazel L. Sanders Columbia, MD Dear Editor: Thank you for your excellent articles in the Beacon. Also, just got around to checking the Virtual Expo pages and videos.

Very well done.

I wonder if the pandemic is not a warning to the world about the need to stop all those falsities, tricks, schemes and coverups that individuals at all societal levels, and even within families, cause to each other.

And now that we’re all in masks, it’s like a warning: MUZZLE your hatreds, resentments, your jealousies and arrogant pride!

Marianne Lisenko Via Expo Website

Dear Editor: I was approached recently by email asking me to renew a contract with the computer security firm Norton, with whom I had no prior contact.

I recognized immediately that this was a scam but thought it would be useful to gather as much information as possible about an approach that had been made to over 400 listed email addresses.

My first step was to reply to the email saying that I had no such account. The responder gave a telephone number which sent me to a “computer specialist” who would give me access to a form which was required to register my objection.

I was transferred to a man with an accent who said that, to be able to send the form, he would need access to my computer. At this point I hung up, having gathered as much information as I could.

Who should one report to after such an experience — or do we just throw up our hands and declare that nothing can be done, leaving more vulnerable members of our society to be conned?

Dr. Jim Cowie Silver Spring, MD Ed. Note: If you suspect a scam, do not respond to the phone call or email. Hang up or delete the email immediately. Report scams to the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker at BBB.org/scamtracker. You can also file a report to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-Help. A third option is to report your experience to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov/complaint.

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Diane Rehm

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ALL-NEW Classes, Speakers and Entertainment at the Beacon Virtual 50+Expo A sampling of our ENTERTAINMENT Stand-up Comics: Comedy at the OK Boomer Corral

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A sampling of our SPEAKERS Diane Rehm: Keynote Conversation with Beacon publisher Stuart Rosenthal Dr. Mark Warshawsky: Social Security and Medicare - What Needs to Change Aboard Air Force One, September 11, 2001: Conversation with a former ABC News correspondent and First Lady Laura Bush’s chief of staff on what happened that morning on the President’s plane Avoiding Cyber Scams: with speakers from the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

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WORKOUT MYTHS No pain, no gain? Not necessarily.

Ten common workout myths upended

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Time for another jab: flu vaccine season needs an annual flu vaccination, starting with 6-month-old babies. Influenza is most dangerous for adults over age 65, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions, such as heart or lung disease.

Q: Why do I need one this year, since flu hasn’t been a threat during the pandemic?

A: COVID-19 restrictions including masking and staying home — especially

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for children, who are flu’s biggest spreaders — clearly had a side benefit of tamping down influenza and other respiratory bugs.

But as soon as masks started to come off, the U.S. experienced an unusual summer surge of children hospitalized with a different virus, named RSV, that usually strikes in the winter. That’s a worrying sign of what to expect if flu returns.

I N F O R M AT I O N

“People are sick to death of hearing about having to roll on out and get vaccines of any sort,” said flu specialist Richard Webby of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.

Yet after 18 months of little influenza exposure, “we probably as a population don’t have as much immunity against this virus as we typically might,” Webby said. “It makes absolute sense to go on out and get that vaccine and at least prepare for something that, you know, could be quite severe.”

Here are some things to know: Q: Who should get a flu vaccine?

A: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says just about everybody

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By Lauran Neergaard Amid all the focus on COVID-19 vaccinations, U.S. health experts have another plea: Don’t skip your flu shot.

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But with U.S. schools and businesses reopened, international travel resuming and far less masking this fall, flu could make a comeback. The big question is whether it will trickle in or roar back and put extra pressure on hospitals already struggling with COVID-19 surges.

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

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Top 10 workout myths

By David Webster Dear Mayo Clinic: I eat fairly healthy, but I want to lose weight and improve my physical wellness in the new year.

I’m finding a lot of conflicting information about the best workouts for weight loss, the amount of time I need to work out and what food I should eat. Can you help me make sense of it so I can plan a routine?

A: Being proactive to achieve long-term health and wellness is important, and you should be proud of your efforts to set fitness goals and develop routines. However,

among research, personal opinion and stereotypes, a lot of misinformation can make it hard to know what is accurate.

Here is the truth about the top 10 workout myths that you should consider as you develop your game plan: Myth 1: Stick solely to cardio for weight loss.

While it’s true that you should include 20 to 30 minutes of cardio in your daily workout routine, focusing solely on cardio will not transform your body as quickly or as dramatically as you think.

People perceive cardio as the ultimate so-

lution because their heart rate is up. But in reality, you need to incorporate both cardio and strength training into your workout.

Strength training builds muscles and maximizes your cardio routine. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn, especially during cardio.

Myth 2: Heavy weights will bulk you up.

Some people are concerned that adding strength training will build muscle bulk to the point that they will look like a bodybuilder. This is not true. You would have to work out excessively to do so.

Start slow and add weight to build muscle, which will maximize the calories your body will burn.

Myth 3: If you work out today, you can be lax in your diet.

Working out is important, but so is having good nutrition. You can’t work off a bad diet. Food is fuel, and proper nutrition guarantees results.

If you want to lose weight, your calorie output needs to be higher than your calorie input.

Flu vaccine

ing this season,” he said.

Q: When should I get a flu vaccine?

A: Now. The CDC encouraged people to get their vaccine by the end of October.

Doctors’ offices, retail pharmacies and local health departments have millions of doses on hand. And most Americans with health insurance can get it with no co-pay.

Q: I already got a COVID-19 vaccine. Do I really need a flu shot, too?

A: COVID-19 vaccines prevent the coronavirus, and flu vaccines prevent influenza. They don’t overlap. But you can catch both viruses at the same time, or one after the other.

“Avoid the double whammy” and get both vaccines, advised the American Col-

lege of Emergency Physicians. For now, COVID-19 vaccines are available for anyone 12 and older.

Flu vaccines aren’t as powerful as vaccines against some other diseases, but if people do get influenza anyway, they tend to have a much milder illness.

Q: Can I get a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit?

A: Yes, the CDC says it’s fine to pair a flu vaccine with either a primary COVID-19 shot or a booster dose.

Q: What’s the best flu vaccine to get?

A: Flu constantly evolves, and each year’s vaccine is made to fight the strains that international experts deem most like-

ly to circulate. This year all the flu vaccines offered in the U.S. offer protection against all four of those strains.

Options include traditional shots or a nasal spray vaccine. There also are shots specifically designed to rev up seniors’ age-weakened immune systems, either with a higher dose or an added immune booster. There are also options for people allergic to eggs, which are used to make some flu shots.

Q: How much flu vaccine is available?

A: The CDC expects vaccine manufacturers to deliver 188 million to 200 million doses. Nearly 194 million doses were distributed last winter, a record.

—AP

From page 7 Q: What’s the forecast for flu this winter?

A: Flu is notoriously difficult to predict.

But there’s a little more circulating in some countries this fall than last, including a recent uptick in China, said Webby, who directs a World Health Organization flu center.

And people may be a little more vulnerable: Before the pandemic, 15% to 30% of the population was exposed to flu each year, a missing bump in immunity, he said.

“If flu does at least get a foothold in, it’s going to have more opportunity of spread-

See WORKOUT MYTHS, page 9

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Reasons to meet with a genetic counselor

By Sarah Mantia, M.S., CGC Dear Mayo Clinic: My grandmother died of breast cancer at 70. My first cousin was recently diagnosed at 35. And another cousin also had breast cancer a few years ago.

A friend suggested that I undergo genetic counseling to determine my

risk. Is that necessar y? Can a genetic counselor tell me anything else about my risk for other diseases?

A: Although it can be daunting to have a loved one diagnosed with cancer, having a family history does not mean that you will automatically get cancer. This is one of the reasons why having a discussion with a ge-

netic counselor can be valuable.

A genetic counselor looks at your personal health history and your family’s health history to identify your personal risk for certain conditions. One of the benefits of meeting with a genetic counselor is that he or she can try to determine if there is a pattern or connection between family members’ diag-

noses and how that may affect you.

For instance, you mentioned that your grandmother and several cousins have had breast cancer, but it’s unclear if these women are related to one another. If they are all on the maternal side of your family, for instance,

Workout myths

you’re weighing in.

If you want to accurately track your weight loss and muscle development, record measurements of your arms, waist and thighs. And if you’re going to use the scale, weigh yourself at the same time every day.

Myth 6: Cardio machines count burned calories with 100% accuracy.

Some people depend on the treadmill to tell them an exact number of calories burned during a workout. Unfortunately, this metric isn’t 100% accurate.

Many factors determine how many calories your body burns, including your sex, age and current weight. Some machines allow you to enter personalized data for one or two of these factors but rarely all three.

Myth 7: Sticking to ab workouts will give you a six-pack.

Abdominal workouts are great for developing core muscles because they benefit your body in many ways, such as improving your balance and stability. However, a

person’s overall body fat prevents abs from being seen.

If you want six-pack abs, you have to dramatically decrease your body fat to 10% to 12% for men or 11% to 13% for women.

While possible, this requires strict dedication to eating a healthy diet and exercising.

Myth 8: Supplements and protein shakes are necessary after workouts.

Supplements and protein shakes are not necessary. The benefits they offer are available from natural and direct food sources, such as chocolate milk, turkey or a scoop of peanut butter.

If you consume protein-rich foods after a workout, do so within 30 minutes. That’s when your muscles absorb that energy, as they’re still burning and working.

Myth 9: If you’re not working up a sweat, you’re not working hard enough.

Sweating is not an accurate way to measure your workout. Many factors go into the amount a person sweats, such as the tem-

perature, humidity and hydration levels.

Your body just could be efficient at cooling itself, as well.

Myth 10: No pain, no gain.

While feeling uncomfortable during a workout is normal, feeling pain is not.

Many athletes live by the “no pain, no gain” motto, but pain is the way your body tells you that something is wrong.

If you start to feel pain during a workout, stop immediately. If you continue to push through it, you could end up with a serious injury.

— David Webster, Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wisconsin Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. © 2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 8 Myth 4: Stretching helps prevent injuries.

If you grew up playing sports, stretching before a game was a regular routine.

However, you might be surprised to learn that while stretching is beneficial — because it prepares the muscles for movement and eases your workout recovery — there is no proven research that it will reduce your chances of getting an injury.

That’s entirely based on your form and movements during a workout.

Use functional, dynamic stretches like lunges and leg swings to help muscle movement during workouts.

Myth 5: If the number on the scale isn’t going down, you’re not losing weight.

The number on the scale is a factor of many things, including how much water you’ve consumed, what you ate and when

See GENETIC COUNSELOR, page 10

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

Risks outweigh growth hormone benefits

By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: Can taking human growth hormone slow down the aging process?

A: The answer so far is no. Human growth hormone injections have not been shown to be an effective anti-aging product.

The pituitary gland in the brain makes and secretes natural growth hormone. In combination with other hormones, such as IGF-1 (insulin growth factor 1), it is responsible for body development early in life.

Children deficient in growth hormone do not grow to their full potential height and have short stature. The FDA approved a synthetic human growth hormone (HGH) as a replacement in these children, which

helps them grow taller.

Throughout your life, growth hormone continues to play a role in protein production and helps the body use fat for energy.

As we age, the amount of growth hormone secreted by our pituitary gland naturally declines. By age 55, blood levels of growth hormone are about one-third lower than they are in people ages 18 to 35. This drop also coincides with the reduced muscle mass and increased body fat that happens with aging.

While healthy adults who take HGH might increase muscle by about 6% and reduce body fat by about the same amount, the risks greatly outweigh these possible small benefits.

Numerous negative side effects There are downsides to using HGH. It can cause insulin to be less effective, which can raise blood sugar levels and increase the risk of diabetes.

HGH also can lead to joint and muscle pain, breast enlargement, fluid retention, high blood pressure, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

And then there is this: animal studies suggest that lower levels of growth hormone activity may lead to longer life. So, theoretically, HGH injections might actually shorten life span, challenging the notion that HGH is anti-aging.

The FDA has approved HGH in adults only for documented growth hormone deficiency. Synthetic human growth hormone is a prescription drug and cannot be ob-

Genetic counselor From page 9

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then that is more suggestive of a pattern that could potentially increase your risk.

People seem to be most aware of genetic counseling in the setting of breast cancer.

This likely is due to the fact that the most common genes associated with increased breast cancer risk — BRCA1 and BRCA2 — have received a lot of media attention over the years. In general, though, only about 5% to 10% of breast cancers have a hereditary cause that can be identified.

Other cancers that may have a hereditary connection include ovarian, colon, prostate, uterine and pancreatic cancers.

Concerns for a hereditary cancer syndrome rise if people are diagnosed at younger ages, have a personal history of more than one cancer, or have multiple family members with the same or associated cancers.

Also, genetic counselors and geneticists see patients for other health conditions, including certain heart and neurologic conditions, as well as more rare genetic conditions, like cystic fibrosis.

Meeting with a genetic counselor doesn’t immediately mean that you need genetic testing. Rather, the goal of the appointment is to have a discussion that can guide you toward making an informed decision regarding genetic testing.

Discussing the potential risks and limitations of genetic testing are just as important as reviewing potential benefits.

tained legally without a doctor’s approval.

To have any effect, it must be injected.

Don’t waste your money on pills containing HGH. The active ingredient is not absorbed when taken by mouth.

You can slow the tick of the clock with the time-tested formula of eating a healthy diet with enough protein and pursuing a regular program of aerobic and resistance exercise. This approach is better than any drug for enhancing your vigor and enjoyment of life.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, visit health.harvard.edu. © 2021 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Understanding your family’s health tree can be challenging, especially if prior generations didn’t share much or document health concerns. You’re encouraged to talk to your family prior to meeting with a genetic counselor if you can.

Sometimes reviewing all of this information together allows things to be put in a new context. For some families, it illustrates a clear pattern of increased risk for certain conditions. In other cases, though, it may lower your concern.

I recall a young woman who came to see me recently to discuss her significant family history of cancer. But as we began charting her family tree, we realized that only a few relatives had developed skin cancer, and they worked outdoors on a farm or in construction. In reality, her risk for cancer was minimal given her lifestyle.

Family history should be gathered for three or four generations on both sides, including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and children.

One good resource to help you get started is a free online tool called My Family Health Portrait, which is available at phgkb.cdc.gov/FHH, through the Surgeon General’s office. It allows you to collect the information and create a family pedigree that can be printed and shared with healthcare providers and your family. © 2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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

Health Studies

11

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Avoid falls with free personal trainer help

By Margaret Foster As we age, it can be difficult to maintain our balance, which can lead to devastating falls.

Now a new clinical trial is underway to try to strengthen muscles to prevent falls.

Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore are conducting a study for people over age 65 at the Veteran’s Administration Annex on Lafayette Street and Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science in downtown Baltimore.

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

The study, delayed a year by the pandemic, is seeking 100 volunteers age 65 or older in good health.

Once enrolled, participants will meet with a personal trainer three times a week in the VA Annex’s gym. (Free parking is provided, and masks are required in the gym.) Their exercises will vary, depending on ability, and will be adjusted every two weeks according to their progress.

“Everyone that we’ve had in the study has raved to me about the trainer,” said Dr. Vicki Gray, principal investigator. “It’s one-on-one training, which is an advantage. [The workout] is definitely tailored to the individual.”

The exercises will focus on the hip muscles. The study, known as HIPS for short, requires a total of 42 in-person visits. Participants will be compensated for their time.

Volunteers will be randomized into two groups: One will focus on strength training of the hips, and the other will do “power” training of the hip muscles.

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

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All volunteers will benefit During the three-month study, every participant, no matter which group they’re placed in, will increase their muscle strength.

“They’ll improve their balance, reducing their risk of falling and improving the strength of their muscles,” Gray said.

But the benefits of participating in the

study may last for generations. Researchers soon may be able to recommend the ideal exercises for people to prevent falls.

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

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

Exercise Research at the University of Maryland

Supervised Exercise Research at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and University of Maryland College Park. Men & women 65-88 years old needed to participate in exercise research study at the University of Maryland / Baltimore VA Medical Center. Participation involves tests to measure your fitness and function. You will receive medical and fitness evaluations. Parking and compensation for your time are provided. Please call 410-605-7179 Mention code SARCOPENIA

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Exercises to help maintain your balance

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about balance exercises? I’ve fallen a few times over the past year and have read that balance exercises can help me regain my steadiness, but I’m not exactly sure what to do.

— Unsteady at 70 Dear Unsteady, Most people don’t think much about practicing their balance, but they need to.

As we age, our balance declines if it isn’t

practiced, which can lead to falls that often result in a broken bone. Every year, more than one in four people age 65 and older fall, and the risk increases with age.

Here’s what you should know about balance problems, along with some different exercises that can help you improve it:

Aging affects balance Balance is something most people take for granted until it’s challenged by a medical condition, medication or advanced

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age, which dulls our balance senses and causes most seniors to gradually become less stable on their feet over time.

Poor balance can also lead to a vicious cycle of inactivity. You feel a little unsteady, so you curtail certain activities. If you’re inactive, you’re not challenging your balance systems or using your muscles.

As a result, both balance and strength suffer. Simple acts like strolling through a grocery store or getting up from a chair become trickier. That shakes your confidence, so you become even less active.

Balance exercises If you have a balance problem that is not tied to illness, medication or some other specific cause, simple exercises can help preserve and improve your balance. Here are four exercises you can do that will help: One-legged stands: Stand on one foot for 30 seconds, or longer, then switch to the other foot. In the beginning, you might want to have a wall or chair to hold on to.

Heel-to-toe walking: Take 20 steps while looking straight ahead. Think of a sobriety test.

Standing up: Without using your hands, get up from a straight-backed chair and sit back down 10 to 20 times. This improves balance and leg strength.

Tai chi: Research has shown that the

Asian practice of tai chi — which uses a combination of slow, graceful movements, meditation and deep breathing — can help reduce the risk of falls.

For more information on different balance exercises you can do at home, there are a variety of balance and strength exercises and beginner Tai Chi DVDs you can purchase at Amazon.com or through Amazon Prime video.

There are also senior fitness programs, like SilverSneakers (silversneakers.com) and Silver & Fit (silverandfit.com), that offer online classes that can guide you through a series of exercises you can do at home.

When to see a doctor I do, however, want to emphasize that if you’ve already fallen, are noticeably dizzy or unsteady, or have a medical condition af fecting your balance, you need to see a doctor, who might refer you to a physical therapist or to an appropriate balance-training class in your community.

It’s also important to know that many medicines and medical conditions — from Parkinson’s disease to diabetes to innerear disorders — can affect balance.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman OK 73070 or visit SavvySenior.org.

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13

Recipes to enjoy dairy without discomfort

By Family Features Dairy foods — key ingredients in many at-home meals — provide nutrients for people of all ages to grow and maintain stronger bodies and minds.

However, some bodies are unable to break down the sugar found in milk, known as lactose, which causes an upset stomach and a heavy, bloated feeling.

Rather than avoiding dairy and missing out on beneficial nutrients, people with lactose intolerance can enjoy real dairy products without the stomachache by eating foods that are naturally low in, or don’t contain, lactose, such as: • Lactose-free milk, which is real milk with the same 13 essential nutrients as regular milk • Hard and aged cheeses, such as cheddar, colby, Monterey Jack, Parmesan and Swiss • Yogurt with live and active cultures, which help break down lactose, making it easier to digest These easy-to-make meals offer lactose intolerance-friendly options for families seeking to keep milk on the menu. Because they both require an hour or less in the kitchen, they provide quick solutions without sacrificing taste or nutrition.

Visit MilkMeansMore.org to find more delicious dishes that fit a lactose-intolerant meal plan.

Feta Roasted Salmon and Tomatoes You don’t need to have a party — just a weeknight dinner will do — to enjoy tangy feta cheese roasted on salmon or halibut.

Top it with herb-and-garlic flavored tomatoes that roast alongside the fish.

Servings: 4 Prep time: 15 minutes 3 cups halved cherry tomatoes 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 teaspoon minced garlic ½ teaspoon dried oregano or dried dill ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, divided 1½ pounds salmon or halibut fillets, cut into 4 serving-size pieces 1 cup (4 oz.) crumbled feta cheese Preheat oven to 425°F. Line an 18x13x1inch (half sheet) baking pan with foil.

Lightly spray foil with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

In medium bowl toss together tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, oregano or dill, salt, and ¼ teaspoon of the pepper.

Place fish pieces skin side down on one side of the prepared pan. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper. Lightly press feta cheese on top of fish. Pour tomato mixture on the other side of the prepared pan.

Bake, uncovered, for 12 to 15 minutes or

Senior Living Columbia

until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Place salmon on serving plates. Spoon tomato mixture over top.

Nutrition Information Serving size: 1 piece fish and ½ cup tomato mixture Calories: 380, Carbohydrate: 6 g (2%), Protein: 40 g (80%), Total Fat: 21 g (32%), Saturated Fat: 8 g (40%), Trans Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 125 mg (42%), Sodium: 570 mg (24%), Dietary Fiber: 2 g (8%), Calcium: 20%*

Creamy Ricotta and Parmesan Pasta Dinner is as easy as cooking a pan of pasta with this recipe! The no-cook sauce is a mix of ricotta and Parmesan-Reggiano cheeses made creamy with some reserved hot pasta cooking liquid.

And the fresh spinach wilts when you drain the pasta on top of it.

Servings: 5 Prep time: 20 minutes 1 package (16 oz.) dried whole wheat or multi-grain penne pasta 5 ounces baby spinach leaves (about 8 cups loosely packed) 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese ¾ cup grated Parmesan-Reggiano cheese ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

¼ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1½ cups halved cherry tomatoes In Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions. Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking liquid.

Meanwhile, in large colander rinse spinach leaves. Leave spinach in colander.

Drain pasta when done over top of spinach.

In the same warm Dutch oven stir together ½ cup of the reserved pasta cooking liquid, ricotta cheese, Parmesan-Reggiano cheese, pepper, garlic powder and salt.

Add pasta-spinach mixture. Toss until coated. If needed for a creamy sauce, stir in more of the reserved pasta cooking liquid, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time.

Ladle pasta mixture onto serving plates.

Top with tomatoes.

Nutrition Information Serving size: 1½ cups Calories: 510; Carbohydrate: 69 g (23%), Protein: 26 g (52%), Total Fat: 14 g (22%), Saturated Fat: 6 g (30%), Trans Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 40 mg (13%), Sodium: 520 mg (22%), Dietary Fiber: 9 g (36%), Calcium: 35%* *These values are approximate. Per serving, based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Recipes by Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN, Culinary Dietitian

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

Upcoming Programs for 55 Years + To view all of our programs and activities, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/rap.

Crafts, Dance & Photography • Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

Artful Journaling Club

Express yourself! In this weekly club, create journal pages that combine creative writing and decorative art using a variety of media. No art experience necessary. You may suggest and lead activities. This is a participant-run club; no instructors present.

Classes: 12 RP0305.601 Bain 50+ Center Jan 6 10am-noon Th

$20

You Can Draw and Paint with Carol Zika

Let your artistic expression soar in this fun and supportive atmosphere. Bring watercolors, acrylics, oils, pastels, or other materials. Instructor provides direction/instruction in drawing and painting for beginners and experienced dabblers.

Classes: 10 RP0304.601 E. Columbia 50+ Center Jan 7 F 10am-noon $125

Drawing and Painting with Zina Poliszuk

No prior experience required! Start at the beginning with stepby-step demos, visual aids and discussions. Learn to draw with right brain techniques using contour drawing, value studies and compositional understanding of spatial relationships. Develop skills in composition with positive-negative space, balance and cropping. Class is great on its own or as a forerunner to beginning watercolor painting. Advanced painters are motivated by art history, teacher demonstrations and projects designed to inspire. Experiment with a variety of watercolor materials and learn to create original work from real life or personal photos.

Two classes focus on children’s portraits.

Gary J Arthur Comm Ctr Classes: 5 RP0302.601 Jan 10 1:15-3:15pm M

$129

BESA means “come dance” in the Akan language of Ghana.

This is a moderate-to-low impact dance. The instructor uses African dance forms and techniques to teach cultural dances.

Instructor: Performing Arts Center for African Culture Classes: 8 RP3554.601 Online Jan 8 1-2pm Sa $79 RP3554.602 N Laurel Comm Ctr Jan 8 1-2pm Sa $79

Drop-In Programs • Info: Tracy Adkins, 410-313-7279 or tadkins@howardcountymd.gov.

Drop-In Social Bridge

Kiwanis-Wallas Hall 9am-noon W Free

Duplicate Bridge

Kiwanis-Wallas Hall Noon-3:30pm Kiwanis-Wallas Hall 9am-12:45pm

W F

Free Free

Marathon Bridge

Digital Photography 101

With today’s digital cameras, anyone can take great pictures!

Learn the elements and techniques that produce compelling photos, then practice your new skills while photographing Belmont’s historic manor and grounds. Digital camera required (DSLR or point-and-shoot with manual controls).

55 yrs + 10% off two or more people Classes: 6 RP3521.601 Belmont Manor Jan 11 9:30-11:30am Tu

$95

From line dancing to ballroom, swing to Latin, we try them all!

Get active and have some fun! No partner necessary.

Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 12 Jan 13

7:30-8:15pm 9:15-10am 10:15-11am 7:30-8:15pm

Tu W W Th

Kiwanis-Wallas Hall 1-3:30pm W Free

Trivia Time

Bain 50+ Ctr 9:30-10:30am Last Friday of each month Free

Health, Outdoors & Relaxation • Info/Fitness Waiver: Scott Ripley, 410-313-7281 or sripley@howardcountymd.gov (unless otherwise noted).

Dancing for Fun Mixer

Classes: 4 Instructor: Tom Sellner RP3513.601 Roger Carter Comm Ctr RP3513.602 Roger Carter Comm Ctr RP3513.603 Roger Carter Comm Ctr RP3513.604 N Laurel Comm Ctr

BESA African Dance for Active Adults

$45 $45 $45 $45

Wellness Yoga with Kathy Greisman

Strengthen the core muscles of your pelvis, abdomen and back to improve balance, trunk strength and flexibility, body awareness, and whole body movement. Slow and graceful movements make this accessible for most, regardless of age or level.

Classes: 10 RP3514.601 Online Jan 6 7-8pm Th $90 RP3514.602 Roger Carter Comm Ctr Jan 6 9:30-10:30am Th $90

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Yoga for the Immune System with Kathy Greisman

Get moving and feel healthier! Enjoy traditional yoga postures and breathing exercises to stimulate the lymphatic system. Relax through guided self-massage. Poses are practiced with the intent to lower stress hormones and inflammation.

Together, these exercises leave you with a healthier and happier state of being.

Roger Carter Comm Ctr Classes 10 RP3588.601 Jan 6 10:30-11:30am Th $90

Zumba Gold with Lisa Noorani, AFAA, Zumba Gold Licensed

Enjoy easy-to-follow choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination. Come ready to sweat and leave empowered. Focus is on cardiovascular, muscular conditioning, flexibility, and balance. Zumba Gold is perfect for active older adults who are looking for a modified Zumba® class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower-intensity (no hops or jumping-jacks!). Join the Zumba Gold fitness party!

Kiwanis-Wallas Hall Classes 10 No class 1/6, 2/3, 3/3 RP3595.601 Jan 4 9:30-10:30am Tu,Th $85

Lifelong Learning • Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

Retirement Healthcare is Not a Six-Figure Word

Health care costs get a lot of attention. Much of that conversation is around the numbers. Once you understand what really happens with health care costs in retirement, you’ll see that it is something that can be addressed as part of overall retirement planning – and it isn’t a six-figure word. Join us for this interactive presentation with Stuart Ritter, CFP®, Senior Financial Planner at T. Rowe Price through This Point Forward.

Instructor: Stuart Ritter Classes: 1 RP3506.601 Online Jan 11 6:30-8pm Tu Free

• Registration: 410-313-7275, www.howardcountymd.gov/rap, or 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD 21046 • Information: Tracy Adkins, 410-313-7279 or tadkins@howardcountymd.gov • Pick-up locations: Bain 50+ Ctr and Long Gate Park & Ride • Trip venues may have different COVID-19 requirements (ex: mask mandates, proof of vaccination and/or negative COVID test). Visit www.howardcountymd.gov/recreation-parks/programs for the most up-to-date info.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian RP4570.601

21 yrs+

Jan 7

9:30am-3:30pm F $65

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery RP4571.601

21 yrs+

Jan 14

9:30am-3:30pm

Dutch Apple Theater and Buffet: Beehive – The ‘60s Musical RP4572.601

21 yrs+

Jan 21 9:30am-3:30pm

F

$65

F $139

Basics of Mindful Meditation with Nancy Holt RYT200

Learn meditation techniques and discover applications for mindfulness. Enhance positivity and self-awareness.

Instructor: Nancy Holt Classes: 4 RP3546.601 Online Jan 24 7-8pm

Scan the QR code for more 55 years + programs!

M $39

tinyurl.com/55plusprograms

Adult Astronomy & Nature Events Call 410-313-0400 for info or to register. www.howardcountymd.gov/recreation-parks/programs

Friday Late Night Planetarium Program & Movie

Guided Hike Series

18 yrs + Robinson Nature Ctr RP4800.601 Jan 7 F $8 per ticket

All ages Jan 1 Free RP9967.602 Schooley Mill Pk 10:30-11:30am RP9967.603 Rockburn Branch Pk Wes 2-3:30pm

Enjoy the full-dome movie, “Passport to the Universe” preceded by an adult-level planetarium presentation about winter constellations (including Orion).

Keep up with healthy walking habits and explore familiar trails. Discuss how local species of animals and plants thrive during the cold short days and long nights of winter.

Sa Sa

15

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

VILLAGE LIFE the following is excerpted from

Five-star Efforts of Brooke Grove Staff Result in Top Quality Rating from CMS he expertise, compassion and collaboration of the Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (BGRNC) team of employees resulted in BGRNC’s ranking as a five-star quality facility in the most recent report published on the medicare.gov/care-compare website.

Colleagues from across the Brooke Grove Retirement Village (BGRV) campus share in this accomplishment.

T

According to a press release from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which offers the website, “Care Compare provides a single, user-friendly interface that patients and caregivers can use to make informed decisions about healthcare based on cost, quality of care, volume of services, and other data. With just one click, patients can find information that is easy to understand about doctors, hospitals, nursing homes and other health care services instead of searching through multiple tools.” Information available to consumers visiting the site includes quality ratings for each nursing home that participates in Medicare or Medicaid. Ratings take the form of one to five “stars” for each nursing home.

Although no rating system can address all of the important considerations that go into selecting a skilled nursing home, the primary goal of the system is to help consumers, their families and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily and help identify areas where they may wish to ask questions.

BGRNC’s overall ranking is five stars (out of five) with three domains rated as follows: Health Inspections – four stars; Quality of Resident Care – five stars; Staffing – four stars. “We are particularly proud of our team’s focus on defining processes that create consistent quality outcomes and of the thousands of everyday, individual decisions that contribute to quality of care,” noted Brooke Grove Foundation President Dennis Hunter.

“We are gratified to receive this five-star status as a reflection of the fine contributions of a myriad of dedicated employees and our commitment to ‘touching people’s lives,’” said BGRV Executive Director Patty Gomez. “We look forward to maintaining this status as we continue to serve the many people in the surrounding community who turn to us for healthcare services.”

Message from the Village From the desk of Dennis Hunter, president, Brooke Grove Foundation t Brooke Grove, attitude is as important as aptitude, and we look for a generous heart in every employee we hire. That’s why one of the most distinguishing features of Brooke Grove Retirement Village is our remarkable staff. They like working here, and it shows in the special way they touch the lives of all who live in, work at and visit our community.

A

Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center recently achieved fiveINDEPENDENT LIVING

ASSISTED LIVING

star status because of our team’s passion for quality and genuine understanding of the wants and needs of our residents and guests.

While celebrating our achievement, we also realize that it’s vital not to become complacent, but rather to maintain the high level of commitment and innovation that brought us this success.

We also believe that it’s important to partner with local organizations with whom we share common goals: MedStar Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, Montgomery Hospice, the Olney Chamber of Commerce, the Parkinson Foundation, the Grass Roots Organization for the Well-being of Seniors (GROWS) and others. We are deeply thankful for all those who join hands with us to make Brooke Grove “simply different.”

REHABILITATION

LONG-TERM CARE

MEMORY SUPPORT

Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

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“Knit One, Crochet Too” Club Donates Blankets to Comfort Cases B rooke Grove Retirement Village (BGRV) volunteer Leslie England, along with several members of her “Knit One, Crochet Too” Club at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (BGRNC), delivered 39 handmade, child-size blankets to Comfort Cases in Rockville, Maryland, on October 8. Comfort Cases provides carryalls filled with comfort and essential items to kids living in foster care.

A labor of love, the colorful blankets were created during the last three years. While COVID pandemic restrictions kept the club from meeting in person for more than a year, BGRNC participants, along with volunteer friends living out-ofstate, continued to knit industriously at home. (l to r) Barbara Kralowetz, Betty Donahue, Antoinette Carmi, Leslie England “The blankets are gorgeous and Sheri Weisgerber with BGRV Director of Volunteer Services Barbara and will be so loved by Hackett at Comfort Cases headquarters. (Club members not pictured: the children who will Volunteer Nelly Salah and BGRNC LIFE® Enrichment Associate Faith Lawrence) soon be receiving them!” backs and are usually given a trash bag to carry their personal exclaimed Kim Deserio, belongings. Founders Rob and Reece Scheer established Comfort a lead volunteer who Cases to bring dignity and caring to these brave young people. accepted the donation on behalf of Comfort Cases.

“Comfort Cases is such a marvelous organization and a perfect Of the thousands of youths fit for our volunteer effort. We are so pleased to add in small part to their mission,” remarked Ms. England. “These blankets who enter the foster are truly made with love, and we hope the babies and children system each year, most going into foster care will not only feel their warmth, but also arrive carrying little more some of that love.” than the clothes on their

The Joys of Watercolor I

“ feel like a professional artist!” said one enthusiastic resident who participates in the watercolor painting class now offered at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center each month by Martina Sestakova, owner of RADOST, LLC. “I never knew I could paint, let alone do

For more information about Brooke Grove, call

301-637-8928 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860

www.bgf.org INDEPENDENT LIVING

ASSISTED LIVING

watercolor!” remarked another.

A textile designer, abstract painter and art educator who is certified in art therapy for dementia/ Alzheimer’s, Ms. Sestakova loves storytelling and capturing joyful life moments in bright colors.

In fact, RADOST is the Czech word for joy.

(Prague is her hometown.) (l to r) Artist Martina Sestakova with The success of the resident Bessie Ruskin class is reflected in the delight of discovery and accomplishment by residents familiar with watercolor as well as those exploring a new talent or hobby.

REHABILITATION

LONG-TERM CARE

MEMORY SUPPORT

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

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A Publication of the Department of Community Resources and Services

Simple Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating

by Carmen Roberts, MS, RD, LDN Nutritionist, Howard County Office on Aging and Independence

D

on’t let the holidays throw you off the path towards your health and wellness goals. Traveling, eating out, attending holiday gatherings, and hosting visitors can make it especially hard to stick with your regular routine. By following these simple tips, you can stay on track and enjoy the holiday season, too!

Bring your own dish to the holiday party so you have a go-to food that you know is made with healthy ingredients.

Don’t skip meals — skipping meals to “save up” for a holiday meal will cause you to be ravenous when you arrive, which will lead to overeating.

Start with vegetable appetizers to take the edge off your hunger before the meal is served.

Fill up a napkin (instead of a plate) when snacking at a party, so that you don’t overfill it.

Take a small plate of foods that you enjoy and then move away from the buffet table to socialize with friends and family.

Choose foods from a variety of food groups at your holiday meal, including vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. Fill up on fiberrich foods (like fresh fruits and vegetables) instead of sweets.

Wait 20 minutes before you go back for a second plate of food; give your body time to decide if it’s still hungry for more.

Liquid calories count — limit calories from sweetened beverages and alcoholic drinks. Choose sparkling water or calorie-free, flavored waters instead.

With a little planning, you can make this holiday season enjoyable and feel good about your health, too!

Volume 11, No. 12 • December 2021

A Message from Howard County Executive

Calvin Ball

A

s 2021 comes to a close, we reflect on the challenges we have faced this year, and celebrate all that we have accomplished. Despite the ongoing pandemic, there are many bright spots of progress and hope for an upcoming year of renewal and reunion.

Our community continues to look out for one another — over the past year 99.9 percent of our residents 65+ received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, protecting you and your loved ones.

If you are already fully vaccinated, you may be eligible for a booster shot. Please check with your medical provider or hchealth.org for more information. As we head into winter, more folks are gathering indoors, so it’s critical to have a highly-vaccinated community.

In 2021, we completed the transformative renovations for the Bain 50+ Center, and secured the vital funding to begin renovations for our East Columbia 50+ Center. In fact, this month we hope to break ground and get construction underway on the East Columbia center project, ending our year on a high note. I also want to extend my congratulations to Courtney Barkley of the Office on Aging and Independence, who was named Howard County’s 2021 Employee of the Year!

As we head into the holiday season, please remember to Stay COVID Safe as you gather with friends and family after spending time apart. We want all our residents to remain safe and healthy this month, and for the year to come. Wishing you all a wonderful winter, and a Happy New Year!

Courtney Barkley EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR 2021

Action Plan 2021-2024 Howard County residents of all ages and backgrounds working together, giving of their time, talents and energy to make their community better, will be the foundation of a successful Age-Friendly Howard County.

All residents are invited to decide how, where and when they will become involved in the action steps to make Howard County a great place to grow up and grow older. To view the Age-Friendly Action Plan and find out how you can get involved, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/agefriendly.

Courtney Barkley, Health Promotion and Nutrition Division Manager for the Office on Aging and Independence, was named 2021 Howard County Employee of the Year. Barkley was recognized for her admirable and tireless efforts to help ensure that no older adult resident went without a meal during the pandemic. She created efficient distribution methods, encouraged culturally-sensitive meals and established partnerships with local restaurants in order to address food needs throughout the county in a variety of responsive ways. "My sincere congratulations to Courtney Barkley for her vital work this year ensuring our older residents had warm, healthy meals. All of our awardees and all those employees nominated are just a few examples of the stellar work that goes into keeping services available and serving our community,” said County Executive Ball.

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

The 50+ Connection

Makes a great gift!

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Tips for Caregivers

Coping with the Holidays

M

any look forward to the holidays as a time for joyful celebration.

But if you are a caregiver for an older adult, or a family member with a long-term illness, the additional responsibilities and planning can increase your stress as well.

The Office of Veterans and Military Families extends its sincere gratitude to all those who participated in this year's annual "Handmade with Love" initiative to provide handmade hats and scarves for currently deployed members of our military branches.

Our soldiers are deeply touched by the care and effort when they receive gifts, especially handmade items from supportive fellow Americans at home. Special thanks to the Rotary Club; Tom Thumb Square Dance Club; Community Knit & Crochet Group of Howard County; Sit, Stitch and Give at the North Laurel 50+ Center; and Sew Who Cares at the East Columbia 50+ Center.

For more information about the Office of Veterans and Military Familes, including access to the Veterans Resource Guide, visit us at www.howardcountymd.gov/veterans.

Make Holiday Gatherings More Enjoyable for All

8 ))úƐcŇƽåķÆåŹƐőƐƒŇƐI±Ļƣ±ŹDžƐƘő Ph oto by Ma tt M cC lain

Organize holiday events around your routine. Keep time for eating, sleeping, bathing, and dressing as close to your regular schedule as possible.

Plan extra activities, short trips and outings during the best time of the day for you and your loved one.

To limit fatigue and stress for you and your loved one, set limits and boundaries, and save your energy for what is most important.

Keep gatherings small. If you attend a large event with your loved one, try to find a quiet area to reduce stimulation.

Start new traditions for you and your loved one. You are not letting others down; it’s OK to pass the responsibility on to someone else.

Ask for help from others. If you always planned or hosted an event, invite others to step up and share their ideas.

Gift-giving is an integral part of many holiday celebrations, but it may be a good time to simplify the traditions. Use catalogs or online shopping to reduce the stress of going into stores. Send gift cards or exchange small, meaningful gifts like framed photos or favorite treats.

If holiday travel is on the horizon, be sure to plan ahead. Make sure your destination is accessible for your loved one and remember to bring needed supplies, a change of clothing and medications. Let family or friends know in advance how things have changed in your daily life as a caregiver by including a simple note in your holiday cards or emails.

Lastly, don’t hesitate to share your own wish list! The holidays can be stressful, but it can be a good time to ask for help from friends and family members. Let them know how much you appreciate them spending time with your loved one or helping with meals, chores or holiday shopping.

Their generosity is your special gift — time for yourself.

Visit www.howardcountymd.gov/caregiversupport for more caregiving tips.

Diane Rehm

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

Subscribe online! See how on p. 30

Money Law &

Want to tip-toe into crypto? Learn some safer ways to invest in the companies profiting on cryptocurrencies. See page 22.

Now is your chance for Medicare changes

By David Olsen Despite what you might think — based on the year-round onslaught of Medicare commercials and the flyers arriving in the mail — you can’t just make changes to your Medicare coverage any time you want.

Most people who want to make adjustments must wait for the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year. That’s when you can do things like: • Disenroll from Original Medicare and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan instead.

• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.

• Move from a Medicare Advantage plan

back to Original Medicare (parts A and B).

• Enroll in a Part D prescription plan, cancel your prescription drug coverage, or move from one prescription plan to another.

Since, in most cases, the opportunity to make changes comes just once a year, it’s important to be prepared to act. Here are seven steps you (and your spouse) can take: Avoid waiting until the Dec. 7 deadline to make decisions. By starting early, you can avoid the crush of people who also may be looking for individualized help from their local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), Medicare, licensed insurance agents and financial advisers.

Talk to your doctors about your current coverage. If you have a Medicare

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supplement (or Medigap) plan, which allows you to see any doctor who takes Medicare patients, ask the physicians you see regularly if they still will be accepting Medicare in the coming year.

If you have an Advantage plan, it’s a little more complicated. Providers can join or leave a plan’s provider network at any time during the year — or your plan may make changes to its providers. If that happens, and your physician (or physician’s group) no longer accepts your insurance, you may have to find a new doctor or a new plan. Do your research and be ready.

Find and read your plan’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). The ANOC, which arrives in the fall, should list any

coming changes to your plan’s coverage, costs or service area. Those changes will become effective Jan. 1.

The size and complexity of this document may seem daunting, but it’s important to review the information it contains.

(There’s usually an easy-to-follow summary of plan changes near the beginning.)

All Medicare plans are required to send an ANOC by Sept. 30, or 15 days before the start of the AEP — even if there aren’t any changes. If you didn’t get yours, contact your plan.

Make a complete list of the prescription drugs you take. If you take See MEDICARE, page 23

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

21

Warning signs of potential identity theft

By Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia Identity theft is stressful, and it can do tremendous damage to your finances. It’s important to recognize the signs early. The earlier you notice something is amiss, the faster you can take action to minimize the damage.

The Better Business Bureau identifies the following signs to help you recognize signs of identity theft as soon as possible: —You receive statements or bills in the mail for accounts you never opened. If you get a bill for an account you didn’t authorize, someone may have obtained your personal information and opened an account in your name. Contact the company immediately to find out if there’s been a mistake and check your credit report for unusual activity.

—You are surprised by being denied a loan or credit. You may think you have great credit, but if you apply for a credit card or loan and are shocked to find that you’ve been rejected, you may be the victim of identity theft. Thieves can open accounts in your name, run up the bill, and then default on payments, ruining your credit before you know what they’ve been up to. Check your credit report a few times a year to make sure no one has opened any credit accounts in your name.

—Your regular bills stop showing

up in the mail. If you haven’t signed up to go paperless and your bills stop showing up in the mail, it could be a sign that someone has changed your billing address. Contact your creditors to inquire if they sent the bill and confirm the address they have on file is correct.

—You notice suspicious activity in your bank account. Unfamiliar charges, new accounts, and withdrawals you didn’t make are all signs of identity theft. Review your bank account regularly to make sure no one has access to your funds.

—You notice suspicious charges on your credit card. Scammers may make a small charge on your account first to test out their information, hoping you won’t notice. If you notice any strange charges on your credit card bill, report them immediately. Even a small inconsistency can be a sign of fraud.

—You get authentication messages for accounts you didn’t set up. Scammers could be trying to set up a new account in your name. If you receive unexpected authentication messages, don’t reply. Review your bank accounts, credit card statements and credit report to make sure no one has succeeded in making transactions in your name.

—The IRS rejects your tax return. If your tax return gets rejected, someone

may have filed in your name and made off with your tax refund. Contact the IRS if you suspect your tax identity has been compromised.

—The IRS informs you a tax return has been filed on your behalf. Sometimes the IRS catches a fraudulent tax return before the fake filer succeeds in getting your refund. When this happens, you may receive a letter from the IRS with instructions on how you can verify your identity and prevent identity thieves from using your Social Security number.

—Your credit score inexplicably improves or deteriorates. If your credit score is suddenly very low, a fraudster may have maxed out your credit without paying the bill. On the other hand, if your credit is improving when you haven’t done anything to earn it, an identity thief may be building up your credit so they can run through it later.

—You are suddenly denied medical coverage. Scammers can steal your identi-

ty to use your health benefits too. If you get medical bills in the mail but you haven’t been to the doctor, someone may be using up your benefits in your name.

The same is true if you are unexpectedly denied coverage. Contact your insurance company to find out if you’ve been the victim of medical identity theft.

—Debt collectors call about debts you are unaware of. If you receive calls from debt collectors about money owed in your name for charges you never made, someone may be using your personal information. In some cases, con artists may even use your child’s name or Social Security number to rack up debts. Get as much information as you can from the debt collector so you can investigate the supposed charges and take action to correct the matter.

If you suspect you are the victim of identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov to report the matter and get a personalized recovery plan.

Report scams to BBB.org/ScamTracker.

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SOCIAL SECURITY

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

How to invest in cryptocurrency indirectly

By Alana Benson Cryptocurrencies are inherently cryptic — it’s right there in the name. And if you follow Warren Buffett’s advice to never invest in businesses you can’t understand, it may be hard to justify investing in a currency made of math instead of gold.

But it’s also hard to ignore some cryptocurrencies’ astounding performance: The price of one bitcoin jumped from just under $5,000 in March 2020 to over $60,000 in April, where it also stands as of

print date.

The excitement surrounding digital currency may leave some investors feeling like the lonely kid at the pool party, wanting to join their friends having fun in the deep end but too nervous to jump in.

For those investors who are cautiously curious, here are ways to gain exposure to cryptocurrency without buying it, and if you do decide to purchase, how to lower your risk.

Invest in companies that hold it Think of this strategy as cryptocurrency investing once removed. Some publiclytraded companies have cryptocurrency holdings. And because they are betting on its success, you can too, with those companies acting as a buffer.

“When you’re thinking about investing in a company because they have exposure to crypto, it really runs the gamut from how direct or indirect you are in terms of that exposure,” said Douglas Boneparth, a certified financial planner and president of Bone Fide Wealth in New York City. “It just depends on how much of their balance sheet is in crypto.”

Checking a company’s balance sheet can be revealing: As of June 30, 2021, Tesla held $1.31 billion in digital assets. And while the tech giant has received lots of media attention for its investment, that $1.31 billion currently equates to only about 2.4% of Tesla’s total assets. But if those assets balloon in value, as cryptocurrency is sometimes wont to do, Tesla’s stock value could too.

Invest in its infrastructure Another way to gain exposure is to invest in companies that have a stake in the cryptocurrency industry.

Coinbase (COIN) is a platform where investors can

buy and sell cryptocurrency — and it’s publicly traded.

“Just like you have with gold, you can either invest in the commodity itself or the infrastructure around it, the miners, the materials needed for mining, same with energy and oil,” Boneparth said. “And there are public companies that are specifically operating in the blockchain space, but there’s not many of them.”

Riot Blockchain Inc. (RIOT) is one of those few publicly traded companies that focuses on cryptocurrency mining. Riot Blockchain, among others, helps build cryptocurrency infrastructure and provides another cryptocurrency-adjacent investment opportunity.

Exchange traded funds coming While there are currently no cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds that have been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, there is demand for them.

A cryptocurrency ETF would operate much like any other ETF, but instead of tracking a market exchange like the S&P 500, it would track a cryptocurrency. For instance, a bitcoin ETF would track the price of bitcoin.

See CRYPTOCURRENCY, page 23

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

Medicare From page 20 medications regularly, be sure to see whether those drugs will still be covered when your current plan moves into the new year. Or, if you’re considering changing to a new plan, check that plan’s formulary for your prescription drugs. You can compare drug plans (Part D) and Medicare Advantage Plans on the official Medicare website, Medicare.gov.

Know the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage plans. You’ve probably noticed that most of the Medicare ads on TV tout an appealing (and growing) bundle of benefits offered by Advantage plans. Those upfront savings can be a real draw for retirees on a fixed income.

However, I’ve seen many people who were fans of Advantage plans when they were young and healthy change their opinion when they needed specialized care that wasn’t included in their plan’s network.

(Remember, with traditional Medicare, you can see any provider who takes Medicare.)

Yes, you can switch from your Advantage plan to traditional Medicare and a supplement plan during the AEP, but you may have to answer some medical underwriting questions. Plus, Medigap insurers aren’t re-

Cryptocurrency From page 22 There have been numerous applications for cryptocurrency ETFs, and the SEC is expected to decide whether to approve investment manager VanEck’s bid for a bitcoin ETF, which could be the United States’ first such fund, on Nov. 14, 2021.

On October 18, the SEC approved the first bitcoin futures exchange traded fund.

The fund will invest in Bitcoin futures, which are essentially bets on where Bitcoin’s price will go in each of the months ahead.

The Bitcoin futures market is overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which may offer investors more protection. But it also doesn’t perfectly track the price of Bitcoin.

“This is not a replacement for owning bitcoin directly,” said Todd Rosenbluth, head of ETF and mutual fund Research at CFRA.

Use caution if investing directly If you’re willing to invest in cryptocurrency directly, there are a few ways you can mitigate your risk. One way to do this is to reduce the amount of money you invest.

Some credit cards offer cryptocurrency rewards in a similar way as cash back or miles. If you decide to add cryptocurrency to your portfolio by way of rewards, you don’t even have to use your own dollars to do so.

Another way to reduce your risk is to invest in stablecoins, which are similar to traditional cryptocurrencies but are backed by real-world assets, making them less prone to significant drops in value.

—AP/NerdWallet. AP’s Stan Choe contributed to this article.

quired to sell you a policy if you don’t meet their underwriting requirements.

If you haven’t already, create an account at Medicare.gov and sign up for free email updates. The site offers tons of reliable information on Medicare basics, including contact information for organizations that offer assistance to those with questions about enrollment.

Don’t panic if something changes in your life and you need to make adjustments to your plan outside the AEP. You may be eligible to make changes during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if, for example, you move or leave your employer’s coverage. You can get information about the rules for different SEPs at Medicare.gov.

Even if you’re satisfied with your current plan’s coverage, it may still be a good idea to shop around and compare prices.

Medicare plans can vary widely in their coverage for services and prescriptions, and you may be able to find a better or more affordable option.

Whatever you do, don’t become complacent about your Medicare choices, even if you’ve been enrolled for years. Your decisions could affect the cost of your care, the care you receive, and the freedom you’ll have to get the care you want and need.

If you aren’t clear on the options available, or you need personalized assistance,

23

reach out and ask for help.

The SHIP office for Howard County can be reached at (410) 313-7392.

Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this article. © 2021 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Dec. 15

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

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Travel Leisure &

Rick Steves recalls his strolls on Paris’ grandest boulevard. See story on page 26.

RiNo: Denver’s colorful, trendy arts district

Wasn’t always for hipsters Officially a part of the historic Five Points neighborhood, RiNo was a blue-collar mecca early in the 20th century, when businesses like foundries and pattern shops opened there.

By the late 1980s, however, industry began moving to the suburbs, leaving the area with an assortment of vacant warehouses and a crumbling infrastructure.

The Five Points area “had a reputation that was less than stellar,” explained Alison

Salutz, director of community programs for Historic Denver, Inc., a nonprofit that works to preserve old structures slated for demolition.

“It was the first place in the city to grow when the downtown area became too congested.”

Five Points became home to many Black residents “because of its location near the railroad,” Salutz said.

That inflow, she added, was prompted by the process of redlining. The New Deal program, designed by the federal government, systematically kept minorities out of suburban neighborhoods by denying them loans and services and redirecting them to urban housing projects. “It forced them to live there,” she added.

PHOTO BY VISIT DENVER, RINO ART DISTRICT

By Tony Glaros Just three minutes from downtown Denver, an industrial-warehouse-belt-turnedart-district bubbles with creativity. Nestled on the South Platte River, the part of town known as River North, or RiNo, is a rich mosaic of murals towering inside and outside trendy bars and coffee shops, in alleyways and on highway underpasses.

RiNo offers a sensory romp anchored by rich shades of primary colors set against the multi-hued backdrop of the Rockies. Everywhere you look, art studios and galleries fill the frame.

During the last decade, the area has morphed “from a largely empty, uninhabitable area to probably the hippest of Denver right now,” said Ed Sealover, a former Annapolis resident and longtime reporter for the Denver Business Journal.

Warehouses attracted artists In time, in order to revive the area, a grassroots group called RiNo Art District began linking artists with various arts entities, converting forgotten warehouses into studios with affordable rents.

The construction boom produced a wide range of sparkling new distilleries, wineries, bars, restaurants and 10- to 12story apartment buildings.

At Sacred Heart Catholic Church, near the heart of RiNo, the pastor of the longest continuously operating Catholic parish in Denver, Father Joe Lajoie, finds the neighPHOTO BY REBECCA TODD

At Nocturne, a jazz and supper club in RiNo, patrons can hear live jazz almost every night of the week. Bars and coffee shops are abundant in the hip neighborhood.

Denver’s creative side takes center stage in River North, or RiNo. This mural, by artist Nick Napoletano, is one of dozens that decorate the neighborhood, which is a thriving arts and entertainment district within walking distance of the city’s baseball stadium.

borhood’s freewheeling, bohemian mood a never-ending source of inspiration. When he’s not saying Mass or lifting weights, he sets out in search of some quiet time.

“And given the nature of my assignment,” he deadpanned, “I [allow] time into my schedule to go to a brewery and drink beer.” Lajoie’s favorite spot is Epic Brewery on Walnut Street, about four blocks from the parish.

Exploring the robust margins of RiNo on foot is possible in a couple of days. At one worthy destination, the Molly Brown House Museum, fill your senses with facts and fantasy surrounding the life of Margaret “Molly” Brown.

She became a socialite and philanthropist after her husband made a fortune following the discovery of gold at a mine he managed.

She also gained fame as a survivor of the RMS Titanic in 1912. The so-called “unsinkable” Brown became active in numerous social and political causes, among them women’s suffrage and workers’ rights.

To honor her heroics on the ship’s maiden voyage, a fictionalized musical comedy, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” premiered on Broadway in 1960. The film

version, starring Debbie Reynolds, was released in 1964.

Kathy Deutsch, a 73-year-old Bethesda resident, grew up in Denver and graduated from East High School, which produced familiar names like singer Judy Collins and novelist Jack Kerouac.

Deutsch recommends historic businesses like Tattered Cover, her treasured bookstore, which opened its first store in 1971 in the Cherry Creek North section of the city.

“It’s the best independent bookstore in the country. They have every book you’d ever want,” she said, and it has “the same vibe” as Politics and Prose in the District of Columbia.

Connecting with residents On a Friday afternoon, John Gaines circled the neighborhood around Larimer and 35th Streets, near an outdoor drinking and dancing club sporting an expansive chunk of artificial turf.

“There’s a lot of spirit [here],” said Gaines, an independent stock broker. “The art helps you stay present if you take it all in.”

Gaines, a Baltimore area native, observed See DENVER, page 25

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

Denver From page 24 that “architecturally, RiNo’s more like Pigtown,” the historic meat processing district of Baltimore. “They’re neighborhoods that have sprung up around factories.”

For resident Rachael Smith, the forest of tall buildings in downtown Denver caused her to “lose my direction.” That’s why living a few miles from the center of town brings her immediate relief.

In RiNo, block after block of creative commentary “arouses my senses,” said Smith, 37, a project manager. “And you can see the Rockies from our rooftop!”

Murals make visitors smile Within the intimate circle of local street artists, Pat Milbery’s name stands out. His mural “Love This City,” at Broadway and Arapahoe, showcases a love for Denver with a heart fashioned from geometric shapes. Two other versions of the mural are displayed in the city’s other art districts, Santa Fe and the Golden Triangle.

Milbery, who hopscotches the country painting on commission, said RiNo “is a special city in a lot of respects. It’s really welcoming. I enjoy the chill. And the weather is really incredible. You’re painting in the sunshine every day.”

Over on Larimer Street, the action never seems to stop at Lekker Coffee & Watering Hole. Kara Finkelstein and her mother,

Dawn Kaprielian, started the business four years ago. In that time, Milbery’s work has added energy to their coffee shop experience.

“We chose Pat because everything’s so bright and colorful,” said Finkelstein, who donates 10% of the shop’s profits to a rhinoceros conservation society.

“When you walk in, you just want to smile.”

If you go Round-trip flights from BWI to Denver start at around $220 on United, but you can often find cheaper flights at discount airlines like Spirit, Frontier or Southwest.

When you arrive, take a colorful twohour walking tour of the River North arts district called the Denver Graffiti Tour ($30 per ticket at denvergraffititour.com).

The tour ends at Denver Central Market in the heart of RiNo, where you’ll find plenty of breweries, galleries and restaurants.

Denver may be landlocked, but that doesn’t stop regular shipments of fresh seafood from arriving on a rotating basis from eastern and western ports. At Fish and Beer, 35 Larimer Street, Spanish octopus is a specialty.

The Source Hotel, 3330 Brighton Blvd., features a wide assortment of restaurants and an excellent bakery. Stop by The Woods Restaurant, located on the hotel rooftop, for a view of the city. On the ground floor, New Belgium which traces its roots to a base-

Makes a great gift! | Leisure & Travel

ment in Fort Collins, is now the third-largest craft brewery in the country.

At Blue Moon Brewing, 3750 Chestnut Place, pulled pork tacos and bison burgers are among the featured items.

If you’d like to watch a baseball game,

25

you can walk from RiNo to Coors Field to see the Colorado Rockies play other major league teams.

For more information, visit rinoartdistrict.org.

26

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

Reminiscences of Paris’ Champs-Élysées I’m ready for my stroll on the ChampsÉlysées. I like to say it out loud: shahn-zay lee zay. This grandest of boulevards is Paris at its most Parisian: sprawling sidewalks, stylish octogenarians caked in makeup, concept cars glimmering in showroom windows, and pastel macarons in grand cafes.

Paris’ characteristic love of strolling (a stately paced triathlon of walking, windowshopping, and high-profile sipping) dates from the booming 19th century, with its abundance of upper-class leisure time and cash.

Donning an aristocratic air, I amble gently downhill to the immense and historic square called the Place de la Concorde.

This boulevard is the country’s ultimate parade ground, where major events unfold: the Tour de France finale, Bastille Day parades, and New Year’s festivities.

Cruising for 350 years In 1667, Louis XIV opened the first stretch of the Champs-Élysées: a short extension of the Tuileries Gardens leading to the palace at Versailles. The ChampsÉlysées soon became the place to cruise in your carriage. It still is today — traffic can be jammed up even at midnight.

A century after Louis XIV, the café scene

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By Rick Steves As we’ve had to postpone our travels because of the pandemic, I believe a weekly dose of travel dreaming can be good medicine. Here’s one of my favorite memories from Paris — a reminder of the fun that awaits us at the other end of this crisis.

I have a ritual when in Paris. I ask my cabbie to take me around the Arc de Triomphe two times, then drop me off to stroll down the city’s grand boulevard, the Champs-Élysées.

We plunge into the grand traffic circle where a dozen venerable boulevards converge on this mightiest of triumphal arches.

Like referees at gladiator camp, traffic cops are stationed at each entrance to this traffic circus, letting in bursts of eager cars.

On this visit, after barely avoiding an accident, my cabbie calms me, saying, “In Paris, a good driver gets only scratches, not dents.” Groping for the lost end of my seatbelt, I say, “There must be an accident here every few minutes.”

He explains, “In the case of an accident here, each driver is considered equally at fault. This is the only place in Paris where the accidents are not judged. No matter what the circumstances, insurance companies split the costs 50-50.” While we’re momentarily stalled on the inside lane, I pay and hop out.

Paris’ main thoroughfare, the Champs-Élysées, connects Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe, above. The iconic street has been a place to see and be seen since the 19th century.

arrived. Cafés were ideal for both Parisian pleasure-seekers and thinkers, conspiring to share ideas and plot revolutions.

That coffee-sipping ambience survives today, amid pop-up boutiques and music megastores. Two cafés, Le Fouquet’s and Laduree, are among the most venerable in Paris and beloved for their pastel and tasty macarons.

Until the 1960s, the boulevard was pure Parisian elegance, lined with top-end hotels, cafés and residences. Locals actually dressed up to stroll here.

Then, in 1963, the government, wanting to pump up the neighborhood’s commercial metabolism, brought in the Metro to connect the Champs-Élysées with the suburbs. Suddenly, the working class had easy access.

And bam — there goes the neighborhood.

The arrival of McDonald’s was another shock. At first, it was allowed only white arches painted on the window. Today, the hamburger joint spills out onto the sidewalk with cafe-quality chairs and stylish flower boxes.

The nouvelle Champs-Élysées, revitalized in 1994, has new street benches, lamps and an army of green-suited workers armed with high-tech pooper scoopers.

Two lanes of traffic were traded away to make broader sidewalks. And plane trees (a kind of sycamore that thrives despite bigcity pollution) provide a leafy ambience.

From cabaret to Egyptian obelisk As I stroll, I notice the French appetite

for a good time. The foyer of the famous Lido, Paris’ largest cabaret, comes with leggy photos and a perky R-rated promo video.

The nearby Club Med building is a reminder of the French commitment to vacation. Since 1936, France’s employees, by law, have enjoyed one month of paid vacation. The French, who now have five weeks of paid vacation, make sure they have plenty of time for leisure.

On the Champs-Élysées, the shopping ends and the park begins at a big traffic circle called Rond Point. From here, it’s a straight shot down the last stretch of the boulevard to Place de la Concorde. Its centerpiece was once the bloody guillotine but is now the 3,300-year-old Obelisk of Luxor.

It was shipped here from Egypt in the 1830s, a gift to the French king.

I stand in the shadow of that obelisk with my back to the Louvre, once Europe’s grandest palace, now its grandest museum. Looking up this ultimate boulevard to the Arc de Triomphe, I can’t help but think of the sweep of French history — and the taste of those delightful macarons.

Rick Steves (ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This article was adapted from his new book, For the Love of Europe. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook. © 2020 Rick Steves

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

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Style Arts &

27

Diane Rehm reflects on her radio career.

Our cover story continues on page 28.

The Nighthawks celebrate five decades

From roadie to performer The son of a judge and a sculptorturned-therapist, Wenner got a backstage peek of the music business in the early 60s, when his younger brother started playing saxophone in soul bands.

Wenner helped out by driving to gigs and carrying their equipment. “I liked hanging around them,” he said.

After working as a roadie for his broth-

er’s band, Wenner learned to play harmonica and got some on-stage experience as a singer. “I didn’t think I could sing, but the PA systems were so primitive that you couldn’t hear me anyway.”

As a student at Columbia University, Wenner played harmonica and sang in bands, performing at fraternity parties and more serious New York City venues.

He wanted to perfect the art of performing but was frustrated that he couldn’t find a venue for an up-and-coming band to play every night to develop their skills.

“It requires just [performing] a lot to where your body will just switch over into that mode,” Wenner said.

After graduation, he moved back to the area with a plan to form his own group, and he started performing on stage with a friend, Bethesda blues guitarist Bobby Radcliff.

Making it big By the spring of 1972, the Nighthawks had taken flight. It wasn’t until 1974 that the band solidified all of its members, which included Jimmy Thackery, Jan Zukowski, Pete Ragusa and Wenner.

The foursome played all types of music.

“Our sound is based on a Chicago blues band, but we could always do a country song or an old rock-and-roll song — or even something by a contemporary songwriter or a Motown kind of song,” Wenner said.

With their unique style, the Nighthawks hit the road. “We were working 300 days a

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NIGHTHAWKS

By Katherine Mahoney Maryland musician Mark Wenner remembers taking the bus to downtown Washington, D.C., in the 1950s and 60s to see blues legends — such as Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye and James Brown — perform at the Howard Theater for $1.

“I was spoiled rotten,” said Wenner, now 73.

As a kid growing up in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Wenner was also “addicted to the radio…D.C. had three African American stations that I pretty much switched on to,” he said. Those local radio stations introduced him to the blues, country, rockabilly and other genres — music that he and his band, the Nighthawks, love to perform.

Wenner formed the Nighthawks in the 1970s. Next year, the Nighthawks will celebrate 50 years in the music business with a new album.

Over the years, the four-man band has performed at Wolf Trap, Carnegie Hall and on an episode of the HBO series “The Wire,” filmed in Baltimore.

The Nighthawks have been playing their unique take on the blues since 1972. The band’s current members include (left to right) original founding member Mark Wenner, Paul Pisciotta, Mark Stutso and Dan Hovey.

year. We played in 49 states and about 10 different countries,” Wenner recalled.

“And that’s what really made the band’s reputation…that really relentless touring,

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Arts & Style | Subscribe online! See how on p. 30

Diane Rhem From page 1 Rehm asked if she could volunteer for it, too. On her very first day at the station, the program’s host was out sick, and the station manager asked Rehm to accompany her on the air to conduct that day’s interview.

As it happened, the subject matter was right up her alley, and “I felt quite comfortable and had a great time,” Rehm told Rosenthal. “That was the beginning of it all.”

In a 2016 interview at NIH, Rehm said, “When I got home [that first day], I was so excited…[My husband] looked at me and said, ‘Someday you’re going to be host of that show.’ He had such faith in me.”

After 10 months as a volunteer, Rehm landed a part-time position at the radio station, then a full-time one. She began hosting her own show in 1979, and it was named for her beginning in 1984. The last

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

episode of “The Diane Rehm Show” aired in December 2016.

Rehm attributes her success to two things: perseverance and good fortune. “I was in the right place at the right time, as [in 1973] WAMU was soon to become part of National Public Radio, which itself was just getting off the ground.”

A passionate cause During the final years of Rehm’s daily two-hour show, her husband, John Rehm, developed Parkinson’s disease and began to decline.

When he reached the point of complete dependence on others, he felt ready to die and asked his doctor for medical assistance in dying. The doctor informed him it was illegal in Maryland and his only option was to stop eating and drinking, which he proceeded to do.

“I said, ‘Sweetheart, are you sure that this is what you want?’” Rehm recalled.

“And he said ‘absolutely’.” After 54 years of

marriage, her husband slipped into a coma and died after 10 days.

It wasn’t Rehm’s first painful experience watching a loved one suffer. When Rehm was just 19 years old, her mother died of liver cancer. Her father died 11 months later of heart disease — “literally of a broken heart,” she said once.

Rehm was deeply affected by watching her mother’s agony. “She begged to die,” Rehm recalled in a 2020 interview with Nnamdi. “That began my really strong feeling that people should not have to suffer.”

After her husband’s death, Rehm began interviewing people across the country for a PBS documentary about the right to die movement. Her conversations with patients, doctors, clergy and others on both sides of the issue were condensed into a one-hour documentary, “When My Time Comes: Should Americans Have the Right to Die?” Rehm decided to publish a companion book to the documentary “because I want-

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ed people to have a chance to read a little more about persons featured in the film,” Rehm said. That book, When My Time Comes: Conversations about Whether Those Who Are Dying Should Have the Right to Determine When Life Should End, was published in 2020, in tandem with the documentary.

Rehm says that “the subject will always be one of controversy, one of differing opinions, and I totally respect all of those opinions. My belief is that no matter what the choice, people should have a choice, they should be able to decide for themselves.”

When her own time comes, she told Nnamdi, “I would consider a good death one that is peaceful, painless, quiet. Perhaps having a party beforehand, having lots of champagne.”

Retired but still working By the time Rehm was in her late 70s, she had published several books and articles and amassed nearly a dozen awards, including the prestigious Peabody Award and National Humanities Medal.

Over the years, she had interviewed hundreds of politicians, authors, celebrities and experts in just about every field.

When asked about favorites, she pinpoints two special guests: Fred Rogers and Maya Angelou.

“Those two individuals, among thousands of others, will always stand out in my mind,” she said, for their compassion for others.

Rogers “taught not only children, but adults what it is to express kindness, appreciation, to know what empathy is. I’ve never met anyone like him,” Rehm said.

Though she reveled in her job, Rehm always had a plan, she said, to “step away from the daily microphone once I turned 80. I’d held the show for 37 years, and it was time for a younger person with new and fresh ideas to take it on.”

Instead of retiring completely from radio, Rehm scaled back a bit. At first, she hosted one podcast a week, then another, and then added a monthly book club on Zoom. (She chooses each book herself.)

Rehm also hosted fundraising dinners in her home (pre-COVID) and chairs the 1961 Society, whose members have named WAMU in their wills.

“So, I’m plenty busy and enjoying every minute,” she said.

As for what’s next, Rehm indicated she does not have another book in mind to write, but would consider anything that comes her way.

“You know, I’ve never had a plan for my life. It’s all just happened. I’m open to whatever looks interesting and could add to our understanding of the world.”

At the same time, “If what I’ve done is the last thing I do, that’s fine with me,” she said.

Listen to Diane Rehm’s podcast “On My Mind” at wamu.org/show/diane-rehm-onmy-mind or register for her free virtual book club at wamu.org.

Through Jan. 31, 2022, watch a video of Rehm’s conversation with Beacon publisher Stuart Rosenthal at beacon50expo.com.

Makes a great gift! | Arts & Style

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

Nighthawks From page 27 Their hard work paid off. The Nighthawks had the opportunity to open for Muddy Waters, James Cotton and Carl Perkins, as well as the chance to record with John Hammond and Pinetop Perkins.

“It was pretty rough and I loved it, but I’m not doing that [now]. I physically can’t do that anymore; I would not survive,” Wenner said, noting that two band members are “well into their 70s” and the others are in their 50s.

Over the years, the band members have changed, but their style has stayed the same. Today, the Nighthawks include Mark Stutso as a vocalist and a drummer, Paul Pisciotta as bass player, and Dan Hovey as a vocalist and guitarist. Wenner is still a vocalist and harmonica player.

“It’s a very creative team,” Wenner said.

“We get along really well. We’re able to criticize each other without getting into fights...It’s a mature, working team that’s just a joy.”

New album drops next spring During the pandemic, “we went into safe places and created a whole album’s worth of material, plus some,” Wenner said. That album, their 31st, was recorded in an Annapolis studio and will be released next spring.

Wenner admits that the music business can be grueling, but “it’s been a good ride,” he said.

“You might as well follow your bliss and follow your heart and do what you really want to do.”

The Nighthawks will perform on Sat., Nov. 28 at the Baltimore Blues Society, Rosedale American Legion, 1331 Seling Ave., Rosedale, MD. For the band’s full performance schedule, visit nighthawks.com.

BEACON BITS

Dce. 3+

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

From Fri., Dec. 3 to Mon., Dec. 27, anyone can access a free radio performance of Ford’s Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol,” by registering on their website, fords.org/carol-radio. Call (202) 347-4833 with questions.

Dec. 11+

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

The Handel Choir of Baltimore presents Handel’s Messiah on Sat., Dec. 11 at Grace United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 12 at St. Mark’s Catonsville at 3 p.m. The concert can be livestreamed for $37. In-person tickets range from $37 to $47. For more information and tickets, visit handelchoir.org/tickets.

Dec. 15+

Dec. 16

BEACON BITS

Dec. 9

LIVING WITH LOSS

Hospice of Chesapeake hosts a Zoom workshop on living with loss during the holidays on Thurs., Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The workshop costs $10 and requires registration. To register, call (888) 5017077 or email griefinfo@chesapeakelifecenter.org.

Dec. 19

CHRISTMAS NOËL

Columbia Pro Cantare presents A Christmas Noël with the CPC Chamber Singers on Sun., Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 ($13 for seniors) or for $2 more at the door. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit procantare.org/Tickets.html. Call (410) 696-2888 with questions.

Columbia Pro Cantare

45th Season Concerts

SAVE THE DATE! December 5, 2021 – HANDEL: MESSIAH December 19, 2021 – A CHRISTMAS NOËL March 6, 2022 – LIGHT & SHADOWS May 14, 2022 – AMERICAN VOICES Visit www.procantare.org for details.

HCC SINGERS The Howard Community College Singers’s 2021 concert will be available for viewing online between Dec. 15 and Dec. 31. Tickets cost $7 and can be purchased by visiting bit.ly/HCCSingers.

ARTIST TALK

In this free virtual lecture hosted by the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore Jewelry Center artists Mary Raviel and Earl Jones discuss the tools they use to produce their work. The lecture takes place Thurs., Dec. 16 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and is accessible on the Museum’s Facebook and YouTube pages. For more information, visit thewalters.org/event/toolstrade/ or call (410) 547-9000.

Dec. 21+

29

VIRTUAL FILM SCREENING

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore hosts a virtual screening of the film “A Starry Sky Above the Roman Ghetto” about an old photograph that sends Christian and Jewish students on a search for the truth. The film can be viewed between Tues., Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. and Thurs., Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m. For more information and a link to ticket sales, visit bit.ly/AStarrySkyFilm. Call (410) 356-7469 with questions.

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T O U N T E W A R S A W

I M P E D E

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I N S A N E N O P H D S

E T A N O A M T O E R I E N T H O O O T H N A T H

W I C C A P E N U L T A N I M A L R D U S A A A L P S D O L I S T E C T K I T E S M O T H E W A T C H S E S E H E S E R O A S T N A L A I E F O U R

• Directory & Website Advertising • Professional Development Programming

To review our complete menu of marketing opportunities, visit cogsmd.org.

Prospective members are welcome to attend one meeting as our guest.

To register, email info@cogsmd.org.

30

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Subscribe online! See how below

Crossword Puzzle

Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Quads 1

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Scrabble answers on p. 29.

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2. Attempt to destroy a pig's house 3. Achy 1. Cookie recipe qty.

4. Waiting area for bulls 5. Chart type in a PowerPoint presentation 5. Outcast 8. Religion founded in the 20th century 6. Stark raving mad 13. Burn soother 7. Acronym for Delta’s best guess 14. Orkin antagonist 8. Take the scenic route 15. Second-to-last syllable of a word 9. End of a magician's stage name 16. Traps prey 10. Puffy clouds 19. Accept the easy-finance terms 11. Fasteners 20. Letters on a Memorial Day flag 12. Finally!

21. Code for the Midwest’s busiest airport 15. Party for the World Series winners 22. One side in the War of 1812 17. Mostly EMPTY 23. Along with Mexico and Costa Rica, it 18. “Quit it!” represented CONCACAF in the 2018 24. Eroded World Cup 25. Nissan sedan 25. Peak of Western civilization 26. King excavated in 1922 26. Is the number one priority 27. Lines in a Henny Youngman joke 31. Parental ___ 28. Photog's products 32. Build a skyscraper 33. Location of a noted chainsaw massacre 29. Ends the boxing countdown 30. Spiderman foe, Doc ___ 35. TINIEST center 34. Part of CBS, but not ABC or NBC 36. Part of a boardwalk store's inventory 35. “___ were harmed in filming this 40. Sleeping bag fabric dissertation” 42. One attracted to flames 37. Preschooler 43. Restarts one’s analog timepiece 38. List shortening letters 49. Biblical prophet who said “I am not a 39. Surprise party warning sound prophet” 41. Light-bearing 50. "___ a number between 1 and 10" 43. European capital city 51. A single usually goes 45 44. Hold back 52. Like 36 in roulette 45. Extras in 2020’s Best Picture 53. Suffix with sucr- or lact46. Uproar 54. ___ Just Not Than Into You 47. Early reader of the Dead Sea Scrolls 57. Adds in some garlic and beef broth 48. Even smaller than 61. One with a monkey on his back 52. Giant mythical birds 62. A Bobbsey Twin since 1904 54. Angel topper 63. Jai ___ 55. Biblical big brother 64. Adam and Mae 56. Mix in the cream and sugar 65. Words which can precede each of the four theme answer starts (with 66 Across) 58. Use a loveseat 59. Item in Wile E Coyote's Acme 66. See 65 Across shopping cart Down 60.

“You are just a big dumb ___” 1. Option in a Mexican combination platter

Answers on page 29.

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

CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on the right.

CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either.

Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment.

EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

Caregivers ASSISTED LIVING HOME in Columbia Md. has job vacancies for live-in caregivers. Call 443-326-6113.

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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 1250 • $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

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BEACON BITS

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Dec. 4

VIRTUAL CONCERT

The Baltimore Composers Forum hosts a “Let’s Get Technical” virtual concert Sat., Dec. 4 from 8:30 p.m. A selection of short works showcases particular compositional techniques. The concert includes a percussion quartet, piano quartet, piano, computer manipulated sound and brass quartet. For more information, visit bit.ly/BCFConcert.

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Clinical Studies Biometrics Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Ketone Drink Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 UM Sarcopenia Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Events 2021 Beacon Virtual 50+Expo . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6

Funeral Services Cremation Society of Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Going Home Cremation & Funeral Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 MacNabb Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Sol Levinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Home Health Care A-1 Action Nursing Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Options for Senior America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

31

Home Remodeling/ Windows/Roof

Copper Zap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Zoomer Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Peak Custom Remodeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Senior/Government Services

Housing

COGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Howard Co. 50+ Connection . . . . . . . . . . .18-19 Maryland Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

BrightView Columbia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16-17 Charlestown/Erickson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Enterprise Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Morningside House of Ellicott City . . . . . . . .25 Park View Apartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Residences at Vantage Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Shriner Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Medical/Health Johns Hopkins Medicare Advantage . . . . . . . . .8 Dr. Jeannine George-Richardson, DPM . . . . .10 Maryland Vascular Specialists . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Retail Columbia’s Village Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

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

Theater/Entertainment Columbia Orchestra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Columbia Pro Cantare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Travel Howard Co. Recreation & Parks . . . . . . . .14-15

Volunteers & Careers Meals on Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

32

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