December 2022 | Howard County Beacon

Pickleball craze picks up speed

By Margaret Foster Pickleball

— a game that early on attracted mostly older adults at senior centers — is now the fastest-growing sport in America and the country’s newest major league sport.

It’s attracting the rich and famous: George Clooney, Stephen Colbert and author Brené Brown are avid picklers, along with other celebrities like Phil Mickelson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Larry David, Melinda Gates, Jamie Foxx, the Kardashians, Owen Wilson and Jillian Michaels.

And basketball superstar LeBron James and billionaire Mark Cuban bought Major League Pickleball teams this fall.

Of course, you don’t have to be a member of the glitterati to play pickleball. Many average folks over 50 have picked up a paddle and found the sport to be great fun.

“I walk off the courts after a couple of hours, and I can’t tell you how many games I’ve won or lost. I just know I’ve had a good time,” said Joanne Griesser, president of the Howard County Pickleball Association.

“It’s a very social game, like the way golf used to be — very genteel. In pickleball, if someone else is winning you tell them, ‘Great game, good shot.’ You don’t find that in many sports these days.”

Easy to learn

Pickleball was apparently invented in 1965 by three fathers on Bainbridge Island, Washington, just outside of Seattle. Their children were bored one summer, so they blended elements of ping-pong, tennis and racquetball, dubbing the mishmash “pickleball” after the randomized “pickle boat” crews in rowing.

The game is easier than tennis because the court is much smaller (20 feet by 44 feet), and the net is shorter, just 36 inches high.

“It’s really not that strenuous,” said Bob Eney, 77, a USA Pickleball Association ambassador who lives in Finksburg, Maryland and plays three times a week. “I’m a little on the heavy side, but I still play.”

All it takes is one lesson to learn the rules and start playing.

“Pickleball is a super easy game to learn. It’s a little more difficult of a game to excel at,” said Regina Jenkins, director of the Glenwood 50+ Center, located in the

Gary J. Arthur Community Center in Cooksville, Maryland.

Jenkins, who teaches beginner classes on Fridays at the center’s indoor and outdoor courts, said people can choose their own pace.

“The reason it’s so popular is because you can play at so many different levels — you can play as competitively as you want.”

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Columbia retiree Patricia Guzman plays pickleball at Western Regional Park last August. The game, a mashup of ping pong, tennis and racquetball, has grown wildly in popularity in recent years. “After I retired in 2018,” Guzman said, “I really got into it!”

A time for thanks

I want to thank all our Beacon readers and their guests who attended our two 50+Expo events in late October.

After two years in which we could host only virtual events, we were finally able to return to in-person Expos. I think all who came will agree that it was wonderful to see each other face-to-face and simply to be out and about on a beautiful day in a bustling building, visiting informative exhibits and hearing the hum of the crowd.

in the housing communities, health providers, financial and legal advisors, recreation and travel opportunities and government and nonprofit agencies that participated.

Writing awards

I also want to share with you the kudos the Beacon received at the annual conference of the North American Mature Publishers Association, whose journalism competition we enter every year.

This year, we won 13 awards for writing, as well as first place for General Excellence and Best of Show.

And I was honored with awards for two of my “From the Publisher” columns, “Alzheimer’s drug saga” and “Living with lemons.”

FROM THE PUBLISHER

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

I was especially happy to see so many familiar faces and get a chance to speak with you, catch up on your lives, and hear your views on the issues of the day.

Of course, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that one of the best parts was hearing all the glowing compliments people shared with me about the Beacon, our writers, our sales staff and the events themselves. I was floating out the door at the end of both Expos.

Our exhibitors were equally happy with the event after meeting so many active older adults who were sincerely interested

I want to thank our hardworking staff for putting together these fantastic events, and also want to thank our gold sponsors: AARP Maryland, AARP Virginia and Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center. Many thanks, too, to Giant Pharmacy for providing a variety of important vaccines, and the Prevention of Blindness Society for offering glaucoma tests.

If you were unable to hear our keynote speaker, John Kelly of the Washington Post, we have posted a video of his remarks on our website at thebeaconnewspapers.com/ 50expos.

We are already making plans for next fall’s Expos, and we intend for them to be even bigger and better than this year’s. I hope to see all of this year’s attendees again next year, and many more of you who were not able to attend in October.

Our managing editor, Margaret Foster, won awards for five of her stories: for her Howard County Beacon cover, “Let them eat steak;” for two cover stories in the Baltimore Beacon, “H&S Bakery rises to the occasion” and “Ballplayer now autism activist;” for her Greater Washington Beacon cover story, “Write your memoir — with help,” and for her guest column, where she filled in for me in lieu of my “From the Publisher” column one month.

Our freelance writers won prizes as well: Ashley Stimpson was recognized for her Howard County arts story “Lifelong carver prefers using chainsaws;” Katherine Mahoney for her Washington profile, “He advocates for wronged WWII vets,” and Glenda C. Booth, for both a Baltimore cover, “Designing jewelry for 70 years,” and one for Greater Washington, “Welcoming today’s refugees.”

One of our beloved travel writers, Victor Block , won for his travel column, which the judges said “make readers feel as if they’re enjoying the destinations he visits right alongside him.”

As we are entering the holiday season and the year draws to a close, I want to add here my thanks to, and admiration for, all of our staff, who work so diligently to produce multiple editions of the Beacon every month.

I’d like to thank them by name: Executive Vice President Gordon Hasenei; Art Director Kyle Gregory; Managing Editor Margaret Foster; Assistant Editor Ana Preger Hart; Advertising Representatives Dan Kelly, Steve Levin, M.K. Phillips and Alan Spiegel; Marketing & Operations Manager Ashley Griffin , and of course my wife, Judy Rosenthal, the Beacon’s President and Associate Publisher. We also wish the best to our former Director of Operations, Roger King, who has moved on after 17 years with the Beacon, and want to welcome our new Client Liaison, Jaclyn Thompson

The Beacon would not exist without all of their efforts, nor without you who read our publications each month. I offer my sincere appreciation to each of you.

Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season and new year!

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Good places to find a quick hearing test on your computer or smartphone

PULSE

POWER

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BE A REGULAR

PERSON

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CHEEKY TEST

A simple cheek swab can help your doctor diagnose and prescribe better

Why (and how) to change Medicare plans

By Kate Ashford

Medicare’s open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7, but 7 in 10 Medicare beneficiaries say they don’t compare Medicare plans during this period, according to a 2021 analysis by KFF, a health policy nonprofit.

That’s not great, since Medicare Advantage plans — which operate much like the private insurance you may have had through an employer — change from year to year.

One of your doctors may have fallen out of network, or your prescription drug prices may have gone up. And people with Original Medicare should compare their Part D prescription drug coverage.

Here’s how to approach switching Medicare plans:

Take advantage of enrollment periods

If you have a Medicare plan, Medicare open enrollment is your opportunity to change coverage. You can switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or vice versa, or enroll in or change Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

If you have Medicare Advantage, you can also use Medicare Advantage open enrollment from January 1 to March 31 each year to switch plans or go back to Original Medicare and sign up for a Medicare Part D drug plan.

Review prescription drug plans

If you’re on any prescription medications, it’s important to understand how your current plan will cover them in 2023 and whether another plan might be more affordable.

“It can be as simple as putting your drugs into Medicare.gov,” said Scott Maibor, a Medicare advisor based in Boston. The website will display all the drug plans available to you and their costs.

Part D prescription drug plans can change each year. You may find that one of your prescriptions will cost more in 2023, or that your plan will stop covering it. Or you may have started a new medication and you can find a plan that charges you less for it.

And don’t forget to browse your drug plan’s preferred pharmacies. It’s not just a matter of cost. Their location and convenience may also be important to you.

Think hard before giving up your Medigap plan

You’re first eligible for a Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, plan once you’re 65 or older and you sign up for Medicare Part B.

The six-month Medigap open enrollment period happens only once, and during it you can buy any policy you want, regardless of your health. After that, you

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Free online hearing tests to take at home

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any good online hearing tests? My husband has hearing loss, but I can’t get him to go in and get his hearing checked, so I thought a simple online test could help him recognize he has a problem.

Loud-Talking Linda Dear Linda, There’s actually a growing number of very good online and app-based hearing tests available that will let your husband check his hearing on his own.

Anyone who has difficulty hearing or understanding what people say, especially in noisier environments or over the phone, should test their hearing. Similarly, if you need a higher volume of music or TV than other people, set aside a few minutes to take a test.

Free hearing tests

phrases amid background noise.

Where to test

If your husband uses a smartphone or tablet, two of my favorite app-based hearing tests are the hearWHO app created by the World Health Organization, and the Mimi Hearing Test app. Both apps are free to use and are available through the App Store and Google Play.

SAVVY SENIOR

By Jim Miller

These tests are a quick and convenient option for the millions of Americans that have mild to moderate hearing loss but often ignore it, or don’t want to go through the hassle or expense of visiting an audiologist for a hearing exam.

Who should test?

Hearing loss for most people develops gradually over many years of wear and tear, which is the reason many people don’t realize they actually have a hearing problem.

Online and app-based hearing tests can serve as a great screening tool. They are not meant to be a diagnosis, but rather to give you an idea of how bad your hearing loss is and what can be done about it.

For most do-it-yourself hearing tests, you’ll be advised to wear ear headphones or earbuds and sit in a quiet spot.

You also need to know that there are two different types of tests available. One type is known as pure-tone testing, where tones are played in decreasing volumes to determine your specific level of hearing loss.

The other type is known as speech-innoise or digits-in-noise (DIN), where you’ll be asked to identify words, numbers or

HearWHO allows users to check their hearing status and monitor it over time using a DIN test, while Mimi uses pure-tone and masked threshold tests to give you a detailed picture of your hearing abilities.

There are also a wide variety of online hearing tests your husband can take on a computer.

Some top online tests — all offered by hearing aid manufacturers — for speech-innoise or DIN testing can be accessed at ReSound (resound.com/en-us/online-hearingtest) and Miracle Ear (miracle-ear.com/ online-hearing-test).

And some good online hearing tests for pure-tone testing are available by Signia (signia.net/en/service/hearing-test); Eargo (eargo.com/hearing-health/hearing-check); and MD Hearing Aid (mdhearingaid.com/hearing-test).

All of these hearing tests are free to use

Medicare plans

From page 3

may not be able to get a Medigap plan — or it might cost more.

Medigap pays many of the out-of-pocket costs of Original Medicare. If you have a serious or chronic health condition, that can lead to significant cost savings.

Some people switch to Medicare Advantage plans (which are basically HMOs that combine Medicare Parts A, B and usually D) during open enrollment, not realizing they might not be able to switch back to a Medigap plan later if they want to return to Original Medicare.

“Our clients are sitting at home, they’re seeing these commercials on television talking about the free gym membership, zero premiums, and they go ahead and make changes on their own,” said Emily Gang, owner of The Medicare Coach. “They realize early in the year that they made a mistake and can’t go back.”

and take less than five minutes.

What to do with results

If the tests indicate your husband has significant hearing loss, it’s best to think of that as a starting point. He should take results to his doctor or an audiologist for further evaluation.

Many insurance providers and Medicare Advantage plans cover routine hearing exams; however, original Medicare does not.

If his hearing loss is mild to moderate, he should look into the new over-thecounter (OTC) hearing aids, which are available now online and at retailers like Best Buy, Walgreens and CVS.

OTC hearing aids don’t require a prescription or medical examination for purchase, and they’re much more affordable than traditional hearing aids you buy through an audiologist or a licensed hearing instrument specialist. [That’s largely because they do not come with the examination and fitting services an audiologist or specialist would provide. See “Over-the-counter hearing aids here soon,” in the September Beacon.]

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

Complete the process

To sign up for a new plan, you’ll need your Medicare number and the date your Part A and/or Part B coverage started. (Look on your Medicare card.)

You may be able to enroll online, but you might also have to make a call or two:

— If you’re moving from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, you’ll be disenrolled from your previous plan automatically once your new coverage kicks in.

— If you’re switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, call 1-800MEDICARE to make the change or call your plan provider to disenroll. Don’t forget to sign up for prescription drug coverage (Part D) to avoid paying a penalty.

— If you’re switching from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, your new plan will transfer your benefits from Medicare.

— If you’re staying with your current plan, do nothing. Your coverage will renew automatically.

Is tracking your heart rate worthwhile?

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q:

A: Checking your heart rate at rest and with exercise can provide information about your fitness level, and may suggest a heart problem if your pulse is too slow, too fast or irregular.

Three good times to check your heart rate are soon after you wake up in the morning, during exercise, and in the immediate post-exercise recovery period.

To get a good sense of your resting heart rate, check it every few mornings over the course of several weeks. In general, a lower resting heart rate translates to better fitness and cardiovascular health.

A resting heart rate that is too low (less than 50 beats per minute) or also one that is 100 or higher could be a sign of trouble and should prompt a call to your doctor.

You can check your heart rate or pulse using just your fingers. With your index and middle fingers, press lightly on the opposite wrist, just below the fat pad of your thumb.

Or press gently on the side of your neck, just below your jawbone. Easier yet, use a smartwatch or wrist-worn fitness tracker to display your resting heart rate.

To track your heart rate with exercise,

you will need a smartwatch or fitness tracker. These devices automatically calculate your “target” heart rate, or the heart rate you’re supposed to reach during exercise.

But target heart rate zones aren’t necessarily accurate for many people. Here’s why: These devices calculate your target heart rate as a percentage of your maximum heart rate, which in turn is an estimate based solely on your age. (One standard formula is 220 minus your age; another is 200 minus half your age.)

The estimated maximum heart rate of a 70-year-old is 150. But that figure might be too low for a 70-year-old who is lean and runs five miles several times a week — or too high for a 70-year-old who is overweight and whose only exercise is a daily walk around the block.

If you’re working on improving your cardiovascular fitness, one metric you might want to measure is your heart rate recovery. It’s a gauge of how quickly your heart rate drops or recovers after intense exercise.

To check it, simply measure your heart rate immediately after exercising, then again two minutes later. The difference between those two values is your heart rate recovery.

A value below 20 suggests poor fitness. As with your resting heart rate, multiple measurements over time provide the most reliable information.

If you’re starting or ramping up an exercise routine, your resting heart rate may gradually drop and your heart rate recovery value may slowly rise — two trends that bode well for your heart and overall health.

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.

© 2022 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

How does tracking your heart rate provide information about your heart health?

Irregular? What to do and what not to do

By Matthew Kadey

Chances are most of us have experienced constipation, a condition that becomes more prevalent with advancing age.

In fact, constipation is one of the leading gastrointestinal complaints in America — about 63 million people in the United States experience the condition, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

In layman’s terms, constipation is the inability to empty your bowels fully or regularly — when fecal matter (stool) moves through the large bowel (colon) too slowly.

Having three or fewer bowel movements a week is an indicator of constipation. Left unresolved, constipation can lead to increased discomfort and pain, as well as the development of hemorrhoids. Yes, that’s definitely not fun.

While there are myriad causes of consti-

pation, which include stress and the use of certain medications, in many cases the origin may be diet-related.

Sometimes, this condition can be improved by adding certain foods to the diet or by eliminating or reducing the intake of others. The following dietary steps may help clear that internal traffic jam:

Eat and drink more of these

Rye bread. Take a cue from the Scandinavians and stuff your sandwich between slices of hearty rye bread. A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that people experiencing constipation who consumed rye bread daily had improvements in frequency and ease of stool passage compared with those eating white bread.

“The added fiber helps to form the feces, giving them weight to help them to get out of your system easier,” said Sandra

J. Arévalo Valencia, MPH, RDN, Director of Community Health & Wellness at Montefiore Nyack Hospital.

She warns that a diet that is low in dietary fiber, which is common in America, could be a trigger for constipation. This makes reaching for higher fiber options like rye bread important. For even more added fiber, look for options listing whole rye flour/meal as the first ingredient.

Dried plums . Yes, it’s true, eating dried plums (aka prunes) can help. One study in the journal Clinical Nutrition discovered that healthy adults with reported infrequent stool habits and who typically consumed low amounts of dietary fiber experienced increased stool weight and frequency by consuming 80 grams of prunes — about 8 dried fruits — daily.

Prunes likely help to treat constipation because they are high in fiber and sorbitol.

The latter is a type of indigestible sugar that pulls water into the bowel to help things flow through easier.

Sauerkraut and yogurt. “It is good to increase the number of good bacteria in your digestive system to have more regular bowel movements,” noted Arévalo Valencia, who added that fermented foods such as sauerkraut and yogurt are rich in these beneficial probiotic bacteria.

Interestingly, an investigation in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that consuming fiber-rich rye bread alongside a probiotic-rich yogurt helped relieve gastrointestinal complaints like bloating which are often associated with boosting fiber intake as a method to relieve constipation.

Chia seeds. These tiny seeds are a good source of gel-forming soluble fiber. By resisting fermentation and remaining relatively intact during the passage through the large bowel, this soluble fiber increases stool water content, resulting in soft, easy-to-pass stools.

Chia seeds are very versatile and can be added to many foods, considerably boosting the fiber content without too much effort. They work well sprinkled onto cereal, oatmeal or yogurt.

Kiwi. According to a 2021 paper in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, people with chronic constipation who were provided with two kiwi fruit daily experienced increased spontaneous bowel movements, improved stool consistency, and less straining.

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Learn the latest soul line dances on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at East Columbia 50+ Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD. The drop-in cost is $7. For more information, email eastcolumbia50@howardcountymd.gov or call (410) 313-7680.

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Enjoy the company of therapy dogs on Sat., Dec. 3 and 17 from 1 to 2 p.m. at East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD. For more information, call (410) 313-7700.

NATURE CENTER VOLUNTEER

Robinson Nature Center offers many volunteer opportunities, including gardening, working with children, adult and family programs, photography, day camps and animal care. The center is located at 6692 Cedar Ln., Columbia, MD. For more information, email Monica Horan at mhoran@howardcountymd.gov.

Kiwi’s fiber and high-water content may help get things moving.

Water. When dehydrated, the large intestine cannot provide enough water to properly form stools, which leads to hard stools and more constipation.

Note: when adding more fiber-filled foods to your diet, be sure to drink plenty of fluids. “The added water combines with fiber to make feces soft and easier to pass,” Arévalo Valencia said.

High-water foods, like fresh fruits and veggies, can also improve hydration status.

Eat and drink less of these

Highly processed foods. Processed foods tend to be high in fat and low in fiber — a combination that is rough on the colon.

Alcohol. Beer, wine and spirits have diuretic effects (that is, draw water out of the body) and can contribute to constipation.

High-fat meats. If you are prone to constipation, go easy on the sausage and marbled steaks. Some research suggests that too much saturated fat can contribute to constipation.

Note: Constipation may indicate a more serious gastrointestinal disorder, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other health issues, like cancer. If your constipation lasts for several days, or if it doesn’t respond to dietary remedies, call your doctor.

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC, 1-800829-5384, EnvironmentalNutrition.com.

© 2022 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

“I can love my life fully now!”

A cancer survivor finds freedom from the pain of peripheral neuropathy

“I had just beat cancer with chemotherapy, and was feeling so grateful to still be alive, but hearing my doctors tell me that the pain and tingling in my hands and feet were ‘irreversible’ really put a damper on my spirits,” shares David of Sykesville.

After triumphantly getting into remission, David had developed Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, or CIPN. Between 30-40% of all cancer patients treated with chemotherapy can develop this condition. While chemotherapy kills cancer cells, it can also cause damage to other parts of the body. The nerves furthest away from the brain are often the first to deteriorate.

“I felt like I was walking on pins and needles. I would lay awake at night, unable to sleep. I figured the burning numbness pain in my hands and feet was just the price I was going to have to pay for being a survivor. I couldn’t even really enjoy being cancer-free.”

David was prescribed Gabapentin to help with the pain, but his regular physicians said in their own words, “there’s no treatment for neuropathy.”

Then David found Patapsco Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine in Sykesville, MD. Dr. Low, the leading acupuncturist, blends the tradition of acupuncture with modern medical solutions to treat peripheral neuropathy.

“Acupuncture has been shown to restore blood flow to damaged areas, which prevents total nerve and sensation loss, and allows nerves to regenerate,” reports Dr. Low. “We also layer in ATP Resonance Bio Therapy TM which is an amazing technology that stimulates and expedites the repair of damaged tissue and nerves, as in the case of peripheral neuropathy.”

David is already seeing amazing improvement in his symptoms. “I no longer need to park in the handicap spot and I have started a new hobby of fi shing at Piney Run Park! Before, I couldn’t even stand for any length of time. Now I can enjoy my life again. Dr. Low’s treatments have really given me hope.”

The number of treatments needed to reduce the pain of peripheral neuropathy and regenerate nerve growth is different from person to person. Dr. Low and her staff start off each patient with a thorough neurological and vascular evaluation to set a baseline for feeling loss. In about 90% of patients, there is a possibility of recovery.

If you or someone you love is suffering from peripheral neuropathy (of any origin), call (443) 583-0470 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Low and the staff at Patapsco Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine. They are looking forward to helping you love your life fully.

“The

Is a genetic test for metabolism worth it?

By Michael Schuh

Dear Mayo Clinic: I’ve been hearing a lot about lab tests that can look at my genetics to see how I metabolize medications. How does this work and why is it important for me to know how my body metabolizes medicine?

A: Testing for how a person metabolizes medications is called pharmacogenomics testing, or PGx testing for short. This is a prime component of individualized medi-

cine — selecting specific medications for each person based on personalized information.

Pharmacogenetic testing can help determine how a person metabolizes potentially hundreds of common medications, depending on how many genes are tested on a particular laboratory panel.

This specific testing can give pharmacists and healthcare providers better insight into adverse drug reactions and drug interactions as they review the medica-

tions patients take.

Knowledge can improve results

These reviews help identify potential and current medication-related problems, especially in patients who take multiple prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, along with herbal and dietary supplements, including cannabis products.

Also, testing can guide therapy, optimizing medications to achieve the best outcomes. Your healthcare provider can use test results to guide medication selection and dosing.

Pharmacogenetic labs also can help certain patients identify medications that they should never take to avoid serious, adverse drug reactions that could be fatal, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare but serious skin disorder.

Testing is relatively simple. A cheek swab is sent to a certified medical lab to be processed to determine how a patient metabolizes various medications. The processing takes anywhere from two to five weeks.

Mayo Clinic routinely processes pharmacogenetic panels. Results from directto-consumer labs cannot be used for clinical decision-making, as the results may not have been reviewed by a licensed physician, so it is important to know the type of

lab taking and processing the sample. [See “Want to get genetic testing? First ask why,” in the June Beacon.]

At Mayo Clinic, a physician or another Mayo provider must order pharmacogenetic testing. Mayo Clinic also requires a review appointment after the results are available to explain the meaning of the results.

Pharmacogenetic testing results become a permanent part of a patient’s electronic health record for future use by providers to guide medication therapy long term.

When a provider inputs a future prescription, notices of drug-gene interactions pop up on the computer screen in real time to indicate interactions that may result in an adverse drug reaction or ineffectiveness of therapy. Then, a healthcare provider can choose an alternative medication therapy that is more suitable.

Pharmacogenetic panel testing costs a few hundred dollars, and few insurance plans cover it. But the cost for a panel has decreased from thousands of dollars just a few years ago, and you only need to be tested once.

Another benefit of pharmacogenetic testing is that it can influence future devel-

opment and use of medications.

May learn about family risks

One example of how pharmacogenetic testing has changed medication therapy is codeine use in young children. For codeine to relieve pain, it must be converted to morphine by an enzyme known as CYP2D6. This enzyme is commonly tested in pharmacogenetics panels.

People can metabolize CYP2D6 enzyme medications at different speeds. It was determined that, if children are ultrarapid metabolizers, they convert codeine to mor-

phine too fast, resulting in morphine overdose that can be fatal.

As a result, federal guidelines were changed for the use of codeine in children under 12 and in certain adolescents 12 to 18 who have breathing problems, or following tonsillectomy or adenoidectomies.

Soon after Mayo Clinic started providing pharmacogenetic testing, one patient discovered multiple relatives either had reactions to certain medications or medications did not work well for them. Ultimately, with testing, the patient learned the CYP2D6 gene was prevalent in the family.

After the results confirmed suspicions, the family members now can decide in advance which medications are optimal for

their needs.

One misconception is that pharmacogenetic testing about medication metabolism is the same as allergy testing. Although there is some overlap, the body systems involved overall differ.

Allergy testing looks at the immune system’s reaction to a foreign substance. It is important to speak to your healthcare provider about concerns if you believe you are allergic to a medication, but there still may be value in additional testing.

Pharmacogenetic testing has an exciting future in helping healthcare providers prescribe the best medications for each patient.

Speak with your healthcare provider or local pharmacist to learn more and determine if it can help based on your healthcare needs.

— Michael Schuh, Pharm.D., R.Ph., Pharmacy, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida

Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org.

© 2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

LEARN HOW TO USE E-READERS

Crafts & Fine Arts

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

Drawing and Painting with Zina Poliszuk

Start with step-by-step demos, visual aids and discussions. 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. Advanced painters welcome.

55 yrs + Gary J. Arthur Comm Ctr Classes: 7 RP0302.201 Jan 9 1:15-3:15pm M $149

One-Day Photography Workshops

This holiday workshop has an emphasis on tips and tricks that include lighting and decorations. Bring your digital camera.

55 yrs + Belmont Instructor: John Guion Classes: 1 RP3522.103 Holiday Workshop Dec 13 9-11:30am Tu $35

You Can Draw & Paint with Carol Zika

Artists and experienced dabblers, work on self-chosen activities. Bring materials and projects to work on with an art educator experienced in a wide variety of media. Occasional demos given.

55 yrs + E. Columbia 50+ Ctr Classes: 10 RP0304.201 Jan 6 1-3pm F $125

visit www.HowardCountyMD.gov/rap.

Fitness

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

Ageless Fitness with Lori Nowicki,

ACE, AFPA

(Formerly Fitness for Life) Join us for a virtual hour of cardio, weights, resistance bands, balance, floor work and stretching.

55 yrs + Online Classes: 20 RP3553.201 Jan 3 10:30-11:30am Tu,Th $140

Fitness for Life with Lori Nowicki, ACE, AFPA

Designed for active adults, class encompasses a warm-up, balance work, cardio, and strength training with Keiser and Precor equipment, and a cool down with a complete stretch at the end.

55 yrs + Roger Carter Comm Ctr Classes: 20 RP8666.202 Jan 3 12:15-1:30pm Tu,Th $140

55 yrs + N Laurel Comm Ctr Classes: 19 No class 1/16, 2/20 RP8666.201 Jan 4 11am-12:15pm M,W $133

Head 2 Toe Strong with Kathy Greisman

This hybrid class integrates vinyasa and yin style Yoga to increase and maintain strength and flexibility. Improve balance, posture, and fascia health. Modifications provided.

55 yrs + Roger Carter Comm Ctr Classes: 6 RP3566.201 Jan 7 9-10am Sa $65

LaBlast with Carol Asher

LaBlast fuses ballroom dance into a calorie-burning workout. Take your mind, body, and soul through ballroom dances from different countries and cultures.

55 yrs + Cedar Lane Rec Ctr Classes: 6 RP3561.201 Jan 4 1:30-2:30pm W $65

Nature & Environment

Sr. Naturalist Program

Join this Sr. Naturalist program! Gain an understanding of winter birding through hands-on exploration and demos in a casual, social atmosphere. Search for birds along the nature center’s trails using auditory and visual clues while learning how to recognize the differences between species with staff. Mobilityfriendly sessions stay on paved trails. Info: 410-313-0400.

50 yrs +Robinson Nature CtrDays: 1 RP4831.105Dec 73-4:30pmW$12 RP4831.106Dec 83-4:30pmTh$12 (mobility-friendly)

Speaker Series / Historic Lectures

Dining on the Railroad

Learn about the luxury of dining during the golden age of railroading. Hear about the kitchens, menus, meals, ingredients, and people who made the experience so worthwhile, and what railroad cuisine looks like today. Receive recipes. Info: Emily Mosher, emosher@howardcountymd.gov or410-313-0419.

All agesB&O EC Station MuseumDays: 1 RP9977.201Jan 291-2:30pmSu$15

Finding Eagles & Owls: How to Contribute to the Maryland/DC Breeding Bird Atlas

The MD/DC Breeding Bird Atlas is a citizen science project mapping the distribution of breeding birds. Naturalist Sue Muller gives an overview of the project and how to collect data. Eagles and owls are the first birds of the nesting season. Weather permiting, group takes a walk to conduct an owl survey. Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

55 yrs +Gary J Arthur Comm CtrInstructor: Sue MullerDays: 1 RP3506.104Dec 87-8:30pmThFree

Sports & Leagues

• For info, visit www.hcrpsports.org.

• Sign up for the following programs has begun!

AquaticsCricketGymnasticsPickleball BadmintonFencingJump RopeRunning Baseball, SoftballField HockeyKickballSoccer & Tee BallFlag FootballLacrosseTennis BasketballFootballMartial ArtsVolleyball BilliardsGolfMulti-SportTher Rec

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

• Bus provided: All pick-up locations are at Bain 50+ Center and Long Gate Park & Ride.

The Kennedy Center – Wicked

This Broadway sensation looks at what happened in the Land of Oz… from a different angle. Before Dorothy, there was a young woman, born with emerald-green skin and an extraordinary talent. Lunch is on your own before the show. RP4574.10118 yrs +Dec 811am-5pmTh$209

A Beautiful Holiday at Longwood Gardens

Poinsettias, magnificent trees, and fragrant flowers transform the conservatory into a wonderland. Colorful fountains dance to festive music, strolling carolers herald the season with song, and a half-million twinkling lights await. Walk the grounds while viewing special exhibits and seasonal plants. Lunch is onsite on your own at The Café or 1906 Restaurant. RP4575.10118 yrs +Dec 99:30am-5pmF$129

Hillwood Estate, Museum and Garden: Sugar Plum Holiday Tea & Tour

Marjorie Merriweather Post was a leading American socialite and the owner of General Foods. She collected art now on display at Hillwood, the museum that was her estate. Journey through this former residence and experience the many elegant personal touches that made it one of Washington’s most memorable homes. Enjoy some historicallyfamous socialite tea menu items, including miniature scones, chicken salad croissants, smoked salmon tea sandwiches, chocolate tarts, and lemon-lavender sugar cookies! A wonderful gift shop onsite for your holiday shopping! RP4576.10118 yrs +Dec 159:30am-5pmTh$129

Save the Date!

January 6: Hillwood Museum & Garden: Grace of Monaco – Princess in Dior

January 13: National Museum of the American Indian

January 27: Philadelphia Museum of Art

Coping with grief during the holidays

Grieving the loss of a loved one is difficult and challenging at any time, but the holiday season can intensify your sense of loss and sorrow. An empty seat at family gatherings is a painful reminder of the absence of a loved one. Maria E., an Elkridge resident who lost her partner of 37 years in January, is dreading her first holidays without him. “Jimmy absolutely loved Thanksgiving and Christmas,” she said, wiping tears at the thought of him not being here to share the family traditions together. “I miss him so much, and I’m not sure how to move forward.”

“For someone who has lost a loved one, the holidays can be difficult days to navigate,” says Karen Hull, mental health coordinator for the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI). “There is no right or wrong way to cope, and grief isn’t good or bad. It’s a natural process and one that is deeply personal.”

At a recent Grief Talk at the Elkridge 50+ Center, Hull discussed the importance of pre-planning for the holidays as a way of coping with the coming events that can trigger grief. “It’s important to focus on what you can control and how much you can handle, and create realistic expectations for yourself and your family. Focus on one day, one hour or even one minute at a time.”

Continuing holiday traditions with family and friends who may be grieving as well and sharing good memories can help recapture some sense of joy. “Life is still coming at us,” says Hull. “We may want to stop it or slow it down, but grief and bereavement are integral parts of the process of our lives; and, we can learn how to manage it.”

What has always worked for you in the past may not work this year. It’s okay to do something different, and equally important to let go of the guilt you may feel in the process. “I like to talk about Jimmy, and it’s hard to realize he’s gone,” says Maria. “We always planned a huge get-together at Thanksgiving for our extended families at the local fire hall. My sons and other family members will have to handle that this year.” Familiar foods can trigger happy memories. In fact, Maria plans to make a huge batch of Jimmy’s signature mashed potatoes to share in his honor. Set aside some time for quiet reflection and healing this holiday season, but remember grief can be a lonely process, so don’t isolate yourself. You may need to tell others what you need and what they can do. Also, keep in mind SeniorsTogether peer outreach groups can help. The groups bring older adults together to discuss shared topics like low vision, aging with grace, news and current trends, and other topics suggested by members. Sometimes, it's just to enjoy social conversations together. To learn more, visit us online at www.howardcountymd.gov/seniorstogether.

A message from Howard County Executive Calvin Ball

The holidays can be a joyful time filled with celebrations and get-togethers with friends and family. Alternatively, the holiday season may also bring on the blues, especially for older adults who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. Grief — especially when coupled with chronic health issues and social isolation — can lead to depression, making the holidays difficult. We recognize the increasing need for more mental health access and services for our community, and want older adults to know they are not alone.

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) recently launched the 988-call number, a national suicide and crisis lifeline that provides direct connection for anyone needing support for mental health, substance use problems, suicidal thoughts, or worried about someone who may need crisis support. Please take the time to check in with friends, neighbors and caregivers who may be struggling during the holidays. NAMI Howard County offers online support groups and education classes for individuals and families affected by mental illness. The Howard County Health Department also has behavioral health navigators available to help people find services that meet their needs.

Our 50+ Centers across the county host support groups for those dealing with grief, loss and chronic conditions, and offer plenty of opportunities for older adults to stay connected to their community. Contact Maryland Access Point of Howard County at 410-313-1234 for more information, resources and referrals. We are all in this together, and I wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season!

The 80 action steps of the Age-Friendly Howard County Action Plan are designed to create a better community for all. Each is related to one of the eight domains of livability, and focus on improving transportation, housing, digital access, communication and more, while reducing social isolation.

Join a work group now to help implement the action items that speak to you! Visit www.howardcountymd.gov/agefriendly or scan the QR code to read the Action Plan, then join a work group to help us move Howard County forward to become more Age-Friendly for all.

Join us for a meal at a Howard County 50+ Center to make new friends, reconnect with old ones, celebrate a birthday or just enjoy a nutritious lunch! Four of the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) 50+ Centers now offer lunch on various days of the week – Bain, Ellicott City, Elkridge and North Laurel.

“All of our 50+ Center meals are planned and approved by a registered dietitian, but menus vary from center to center,” says OAI Nutrition Manager Alison Gerber. “Some centers also offer birthday celebrations once a month, and plan wellness activities around mealtime for participants to learn about health and nutrition,” she added. To view December’s menus, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/OAImenus.

To reserve a meal, please sign-up in advance. Participants 60 and under are asked to pay for the cost of the meal by purchasing a meal ticket or five-meal punch card at the front desk. Participants over age 60 and their spouses will have the opportunity to provide a confidential donation towards the cost of the meal. For details or to sign up, call or stop by the front desk at the 50+ Center of your choice!

OPEN ENROLLMENT

Runs through December 7

During open enrollment, Medicare beneficiaries can add, drop or switch plans.  Howard County’s State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) can help you review your Medicare Prescription Drug coverage options. Call 410-313-7392 (VOICE/RELAY) to schedule a remote counseling appointment by phone with a certified SHIP counselor.

DECEMBER EVENTS

Holiday Bazaar

NORTH LAUREL 50+ CENTER

Friday, December 2 • 9:00 a.m. to Noon

Shop for everyone on your gift list!

Proceeds benefit the North Laurel 50+ Council.

HCC Senior Choir Holiday Concert

BAIN 50+ CENTER

Wednesday, December 7 • 10:30 a.m.

The Howard Community College Senior Chorus will bring music to your ears with holiday tunes. Refreshments will be served. RSVP to 410-313-7213.

Toys You Grew Up With

ELKRIDGE 50+ CENTER

Thursday, December 8 • 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Phil Lord takes a nostalgic look back at the toys of your childhood with pictures from old catalogs and collector sites, plus toys he has collected. Bring your own pictures/toys or just share memories. Free. Register at 410-313-5192.

Holiday Craft Show

ELLICOTT CITY 50+ CENTER

Friday, December 9 • 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Shop handcrafted gifts and holiday decorations created by Ellicott City 50+ Center members. Admission $1; proceeds benefit Small Miracles Cat & Dog Rescue. For more information, call 410-313-1400.

Book and Bake Sale (A03713.100)

GLENWOOD 50+ CENTER

Wed., Dec. 14 and Thurs., December 15 • 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to bake cookies, donate books and help run the annual sale. All are invited to come out to support the sale. See Chris at the front desk for details or call 410-313-5440.

Annual Holiday Party

BAIN 50+ CENTER

Wednesday, December 14 • Noon

Delight in traditional holiday favorites with music and enjoy a festive catered meal. To join in our gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift valued at $10, and receive a gift. Register at 410-313-7213.

Fabulous 50+ Players Holiday Show

ELKRIDGE 50+ CENTER

Thursday, December 15 • Noon to 2:30 p.m.

Celebrate the joys of the season and gather for a holiday meal with songs by the Fabulous 50+ Players, a program of the Howard County Arts Council. Lunch by donation. Reserve your spot at 410-313-5192.

Sing-along and Hot Chocolate Bar

EAST COLUMBIA 50+ CENTER

Tuesday, December 20 • 3:00 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate the season. There is no talent required, so come sing along and enjoy a few laughs East Columbia style! Register at 410-313-7213. Donations appreciated.

Money Law &

A new website makes it easier to search thrift deals from Goodwill and to order online. See story on opposite page.

Best ways to invest in the current market

By Elliot Raphaelson

Investors in both the stock and the bond markets are understandably nervous. The Federal Reserve has indicated that, until inflation is under control, it will continue to increase interest rates.

As long as that happens, it is likely that both bond prices and stock prices will remain under pressure and may continue to fall in value. Most investors are not sure what action, if any, is best.

In late September, Burton Malkiel wrote a column in the Wall Street Journal with sound advice for investors both years away from retirement and currently in retirement.

Malkiel has a stellar reputation in the investment field. He wrote the excellent book, A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing, which he regularly updates. A revised edition will be published in 2023.

Malkiel believes, as I do, that most investors in the stock market — on a long-term basis — should be investing in low-cost mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) using dollar-cost averaging.

Early this year, he recommended that investors seriously consider investing in Series

I inflation-protected savings bonds because of the safety of the investment and the high interest rate. This investment still has these features. [See “How to protect your portfolio this year,” in the July Beacon.]

In the Wall Street Journal, Malkiel pointed out that, even with the recent fall in stock market values, the cyclically adjusted price-earnings ratio, known as CAPE, is still pretty high historically. He indicated that, historically, with CAPE values at this level, 10-year returns have been well below average.

Common stocks best for long-term

However, he doesn’t believe that this is a time to give up on equities. He believes that long-term investors saving to build a retirement nest egg should be investing in a portfolio heavily weighted with common stocks.

He believes that common stocks representing the ownership of real assets have been an inflation hedge for more than a century, and he believes this will continue to be true.

Malkiel recommends diversified index mutual funds and ETFs with low costs. He

points out that even during periods in which the returns on common stock investments are below average, when investors invest a specific dollar amount each month over an extended time frame (known as dollar-cost averaging), the overall results will be above the inflation rate.

In his article, he provides positive historical results during time frames in which common stock returns were below average. For example, in the period between the beginning of 1968 and the end of 1979, when the stock market was in a downturn with stagflation and a volatile stock market, those who invested in a low-cost S&P index fund received a return of 5.2% per year.

The bottom line is that even during periods of below-average common stock returns, those who invest steadily in a diversified lowcost index fund can still come out ahead.

What to sell to pay RMDs

Malkiel makes an important point for retirees who need to sell some of their investments.

He does not recommend dollar-cost averaging of equities in this situation. He be-

lieves that the appropriate approach is holding a diversified portfolio, including limited-duration fixed-income instruments, such as short-term bonds.

He recommends liquidating these fixedincome investments in order to meet Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). He also believes that in order to provide inflation protection, one’s other investments should be tilted toward common stock holdings that pay high dividends.

I have been following this approach. In my portfolio, I have concentrated my bond portfolio to those of shorter duration. That’s because when interest rates increase, longterm bonds fall in value more steeply than shorter-term bond holdings.

I am required to take RMDs from my portfolio and, rather than sell equities, I generally take my withdrawals from shorter-term bond holdings.

In my stock portfolio, I have concentrated the majority of my investments in equities with a history of increasing dividends.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com.

© 2022 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

What to know about working after age 65

By Kate Ashford

Continuing to work past the traditional retirement age gives many the opportunity to add more money to their nest egg — and to delay Social Security, which will bump up their eventual benefits check.

It’s important to know how working affects your Medicare benefits, Social Security and tax situation. Here are some things to understand about staying in the workforce later in life.

You may be able to delay Medicare enrollment

If you’re still working at 65 and have access to health benefits through your employer — or your spouse’s employer — you may be able to delay enrolling in Medicare.

If your company has fewer than 20 employees, however, you should sign up for Medicare. If it has 20-plus employees, you may be able to put it off.

If you have the choice, compare what you would pay for group benefits with what

you’d pay for Medicare, including any supplemental coverage and prescription drug benefits you’d need with Medicare.

“If the group coverage is less, then it may make sense to not get Medicare Part B and wait until you retire,” said Julie Hall, a certified financial planner (CFP) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Part A is free for most people, so there’s no point in delaying that unless you have an HSA — more on that below.)

Contact your benefits department before delaying to make sure your employer doesn’t require you to enroll in Medicare.

An HSA and Medicare don’t mix

If you have a high-deductible health plan along with a health savings account, or HSA, be aware that you can’t save to an HSA once you’ve enrolled in Medicare.

An HSA can be a valuable retirement savings tool, so it’s worth weighing your options if you have access to employer benefits that allow you to delay Medicare.

If you’re collecting Social Security, you’ll

be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A when you turn 65; if you want to save to an HSA, you’ll have to delay Social Security benefits.

If you plan to enroll in Medicare and you have an HSA, both you and your employer should cease contributions at least six months before you apply for Medicare to prevent tax headaches.

Your earnings affect your Social Security benefits

If you claim Social Security during the last few years of your working life, your income can affect your benefits.

For instance, in 2022, your Social Security benefits will be reduced $1 for every $2 you earn over $19,560.

In the year you hit your full retirement age, the calculations are different: Your benefits are reduced $1 for every $3 earned over $51,960 up to the month before the one you hit full retirement age. Once you reach full retirement age, there’s no benefit

reduction, no matter how much you earn.

Additionally, your Social Security benefits may be taxed. “It doesn’t take a whole lot of income to get people to the point where they pay tax on a portion of their Social Security,” said Barbara O’Neill, a CFP in Florida.

Your income affects your Medicare premiums

Medicare Part B and Part D are subject to the income-related monthly adjustment amount, known as IRMAA. The more you earn, the higher your premiums will be.

In 2022, you’ll pay more for Part B and Part D if your modified adjusted gross income from two years ago was more than $91,000 as a single tax filer or more than $182,000 if you filed jointly. The extra costs can add up, and experts recommend factoring this into your work plans.

“People might say, ‘I’ll work, but I can only earn so much,’” O’Neill said. “You’ve got to be careful of triggering the IRMAA.”

Goodwill is moving some thrifting online

By Anne D’Innocenzio

Goodwill is expanding its online presence, promising high-tech features from digitized receipts to personalized alerts.

Last month, the 120-year-old Marylandbased nonprofit organization launched GoodwillFinds.com — a shopping venture that is making roughly 100,000 donated items available for purchase online.

It’s expanding Goodwill’s internet presence that, until now, had been limited to auction sites like ShopGoodwill.com or individual stores selling donations online via eBay and Amazon. GoodwillFinds aims to offer a million items online in the next year or two.

Spearheading the venture is Matthew Kaness, newly appointed CEO of the online shopping arm, who has 20 years of retail experience.

GoodwillFinds is a separate entity from Goodwill Industries International Inc., but it will support the larger organization by helping fund its community-based programs across the U.S. It will also provide professional training, job placement and youth mentorship.

Its launch should also increase donations, while helping to expand Goodwill’s base of customers.

The Associated Press spoke to Kaness about the online experience and why the venture’s timing is right. The interview

has been edited for clarity and length.

Q: What makes this venture different from the existing Goodwill online experience?

A: Access to shopping and thrifting on Goodwill will be [easier] online, compared to going to your one store location or trying to go through a sea of items on Amazon and eBay.

The second thing is that because of technology, we’re going to be able to personalize the discovery, the recommendations, the notifications, the email alerts, everything that you’re accustomed to when shopping at other brands.

Q: How will a greater presence online amplify Goodwill’s mission?

A: We are going to be elevating the global story around the impact that Goodwill has. Last year, Goodwill provided social services to 2 million individuals across the country.

Also, last year all the Goodwills diverted 3 billion pounds of goods away from landfill based on the donations received and sold.

Q: Why is the timing right?

A: There’s a reason why secondhand sales are growing eight times faster than the overall industry. Consumers, in particular younger consumers, Gen Z, generally love thrifting from a fashion perspective

and from a retail store shopping perspective.

They really care about the impact that their dollars have on the environment — that, coupled with the incredible value that families for 100 years have found [at Goodwill stores], especially during times of economic hardship.

Q: Will this increased shift to online hurt Goodwill’s physical stores?

A: When you are a store-based company and you’re only selling a little bit online

through marketplaces, you don’t know who your customer is. You have to reacquire that customer over and over again.

There are so many online competitors that are keeping your customers from getting to your store because they’re making it so convenient for shopping secondhand online.

[Our new site] is going to massively expand the audience and the customer base for each one of our Goodwill members.

Mellow out in Santa Barbara and environs

By Don Mankin

If you asked Americans where they would live if money were no object, Santa Barbara would be near the top of the list.

With a mild Mediterranean climate, wide beaches and excellent wineries just over the mountains, this coastal California city has been called the American Riviera. But visitors don’t have to spend a bundle to enjoy the region’s many charms. In August my wife, Katherine, and I spent several days sampling its affordable side on a break from our everyday lives in Venice Beach.

I hadn’t visited Santa Barbara in years, not since my young, single, hippie days in the 1970s. This was a tamer, more mature visit, but I did my best to recreate the feelings from those days by driving up the coast in my 1997 Mustang convertible.

The scenery along the way, best viewed from a convertible with the top down, is just as spectacular as the city, with sandy beaches and sparkling waves to your left and mountains to your right. In fact, a number of the vistas are recognizable from the many car and insurance commercials that have used this iconic backdrop.

Slower pace plus ocean views

Once you reach Santa Barbara, you can choose to be active, visit historic and cul-

tural sites, or just eat, drink and shop. Or combine all three, soaking up the gorgeous views regardless of what you do.

After checking into our hotel, the Mason Beach Inn, located just a block from the Pacific Ocean, we walked along the beach to Stearns Wharf, a 150-year-old wooden wharf with shops, places to eat, and some of the best views in the lower 48.

As we watched the ocean sparkle from the wharf, I felt two and a half years of pandemic stress and worry melt away. I could take in the city, sailboats, ocean, sand and mountains in just one view. The light breeze added to the experience. At the risk of dating myself, I was as mellow as I’ve been in quite a while.

From the wharf we walked up State Street, which runs through the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. State Street is lined with bars, restaurants, an axe-throwing emporium (!), and a couple of spas. We passed on the axe-throwing, but treated our weary feet to an excellent massage at the Little Rainbow Foot Spa.

The next morning, I borrowed a bike from the inn and headed out on an hourlong, mostly flat bike ride along the Cabrillo Bike Path to Butterfly Beach in Montecito.

I didn’t see any butterflies, but I did pass a bird refuge on the way. It was a relaxing

way to start the day, as if I needed anything else to mellow me out.

My mellow meter peaked on our last morning. My favorite activity of the trip was a two-hour kayak paddle off the Goleta coast, just north of Santa Barbara, run by the Santa Barbara Adventure Company. This section of the coast is relatively undeveloped, so the views were epic, including many pelicans and cormorants.

Eating and (wine) tasting

Food options abound in Santa Barbara, from funky taco stands to elegant fine dining. The two cuisines that dominate the culinary scene are Mexican and seafood, not surprising given the Southern California city’s location on the ocean. We indulged in both.

Our first meal — a pound of mussels, a pound of clams and a large crab — was at Moby Dick’s on Stearns Wharf, with views of the harbor as we chowed down. Our last meal featured outstanding local fare with a Mexican twist at La Paloma Café, located downtown.

But the culinary highlight of our visit was a wine tasting in the historic Presidio section of the city, near State Street. The Santa Ynez Valley, just a short, scenic drive over the mountains, is home to excellent

wineries. One can drive from one vineyard to another in the Valley, or simply walk a few yards from one tasting room to another in the city.

The wines rival those of Europe, particularly when sipped amid beautiful outdoor patios, cobblestone pathways and historic Spanish Colonial and Mission-style buildings.

We visited two tasting rooms: Jamie Slone, which included a chocolate pairing, is in the historic El Paseo, one of California’s oldest shopping centers. The other, Grassini’s, serves its wines in a quiet, secluded outdoor patio. The vibe, as well as many of the wines, was very chill.

After the tastings, we were able to walk (stagger, weave?) just three blocks to the La Paloma Café for dinner. If we were so inclined, we could have walked another block or two to State Street and all its eateries.

Besides the beach, the Wharf and the Presidio, we also checked out a few of the other sites that make Santa Barbara a great place to visit.

Among our favorite historic places was the Santa Barbara Courthouse, built in 1929 in Spanish Colonial style with a dis-

Jutting out into Santa Barbara Harbor is Stearns Wharf, a historic wooden wharf lined with lively restaurants and a natural history museum.

PHOTO BY CHRIS BELL FOR VISIT SANTA BARBARA

There’s so much more than apples to enjoy in Winchester, Virginia. See story on opposite page.

PHOTO

A guest relaxes on his hotel balcony overlooking Chase Palm Park, a city park in Santa Barbara. Many of Santa Barbara’s hotels are a short walk from the water.

Take a day trip to Winchester, Virginia

By Victor Block

My drive from Baltimore to Winchester, Virginia, took only about two hours. But when I arrived there, I felt as if I had traveled back centuries in time.

When I approached the minuscule city (population about 28,000), after crossing the Shenandoah River, there was little hint of the treasure trove of history that lay ahead.

I passed through a phalanx of familiar chain stores and fast-food restaurants. Then, as suddenly as this mass of modernity had appeared, it disappeared and I found myself in another world — a historyrich setting that envelops visitors in the past without fuss or fanfare.

I was beaten to the location by Shawnee and other Native American tribes who lived for thousands of years in what today is Frederick County, Virginia, and more recently by European explorers who came as early as 1606.

Arriving at Winchester is like entering a time capsule. This is no ersatz commercial attraction. Rather, it’s a real place where important chapters of American history were written, offering a glimpse of those memories to visitors who seek them out.

Yes, GW slept here

George Washington’s life is closely intwined with the story of Winchester. There

are so many references to, and touches of, the presence of George Washington that by the time you leave town, you have new insight into the man behind the fame.

Washington arrived in 1748, at the tender age of 16, to help survey land. During the next 10 years, he became commander of Virginia’s militia forces, planned and oversaw construction of more than 80 forts to protect settlers from attacks, and was chosen to serve as a delegate in the House of Burgesses, representing Winchester and Frederick County.

Remnants of Fort Loudoun, which was Washington’s headquarters from 1756 to 1758, are among numerous traces of his time in the area. So is the tiny log-andstone George Washington’s Office Museum, whose displays include his orders to soldiers concerning “tippling” and Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior, which he wrote at age 14.

Other notable men and women, historic structures and mesmerizing museums add to the appeal of Winchester and its surroundings.

More than 1,100 significant sites dating from the 18th to mid-20th centuries stand in the Winchester Historic District. They range from log buildings and early stone houses, to Federal-style town homes and elegant Victorian residences.

Civil War sites

The heart of the district is marked by the stately Greek Revival Frederick County Courthouse. It was completed in 1840, just in time to serve as a hospital and prison for both the Union and Confederate armies. Graffiti on some walls dates back to the time of military occupation of the building, which today houses the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum.

Reminders of that conflict are scattered about the Winchester area like shotgun shells. That’s not surprising, because the town and county’s location as a transportation hub made it a highly contested prize. Six major battles raged there, and control of Winchester changed hands more than 70 times.

Visitors may relive those skirmishes at three Civil War museums, battlefields, remains of forts and other sites.

One of those, the home used by Stonewall Jackson as his headquarters during the winter of 1861-2, contains a large collection of his personal objects and memorabilia.

After admiring Jackson’s imposing office desk, and a smaller traveling version, I turned my attention to an unfamiliar Confederate flag. I learned that it’s the battle banner from which the more recognizable Confederate pennant evolved.

More intriguing to me was Jackson’s sword, which earned the nickname “Rusted Blade.” It turns out that Stonewall was not the most fastidious of groomers and his lack of care extended to the ceremonial rapier. It rusted so badly that eventually he could not withdraw it from the scabbard.

Apple orchards and wineries

After delving deeply into the Revolutionary and Civil War history of the Winchester area, I turned my attention to the variety of other attractions the destination offers. Food and beverages rank high on that list.

For many people, Frederick County, Virginia means apples. The Shenandoah Valley was the largest apple-growing region in the country in the early 1800s. While that distinction is no longer true, apples continue to hold an important place in the region’s rich agricultural heritage.

Family-owned farms and farmers markets offer a cornucopia of locally grown fruit, vegetables and meats. Pick-your-own orchards and micro-farms sell goods ranging from fresh produce and homemade baked wares, to local crafts, goat milk soap, wine, cider and mead.

Outstanding wine, along with other libations, add to the tastebud treats available

tinctive clock tower, red-tile roof and lush grounds. The clock tower offers a 360-degree view of the city, ocean and mountains.

We also visited the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, with many trails winding through 76 acres of native plants, including a grove of redwoods; and the historic Santa Barbara Mission, established in 1786, which includes a museum, historic gardens, cemetery and mausoleum.

Easy day trips

If we had more time, we would have explored other nearby destinations. Montecito, a ritzy town just outside Santa Barbara, is home to lavish estates and celebrities so famous that only a first name need

suffice (Oprah, Ellen, Meghan and Harry).

The Santa Ynez Valley, as noted earlier, is home to several wineries, as well as quaint, small towns and a former stagecoach stop, Cold Spring Tavern, now a restaurant that hosts rowdy rock ‘n’ roll shows.

The valley was home to many celebri-

(very) occasionally you might even catch a glimpse of a whale. You can hike on Santa Cruz as well as take a sea cave kayak tour run by the Santa Barbara Adventure Company.

Find out for yourself why this city and the region surrounding it is one of the most desired places to live. A short trip here is guaranteed to mellow you out.

If you go

ties, past and present, including Ronald Reagan and Michael Jackson. The views of Santa Barbara, the ocean and the Channel Islands in the distance are spectacular from Highway 154, a scenic bypass.

The Channel Islands are among the newest additions to the U.S. National Park system. Two of those islands, Anacapa and Santa Cruz, are only a one-hour boat ride away from Santa Barbara.

From a boat, you can spot dolphins, and

Round-trip flights from BWI to Santa Barbara start at $454 in January; check Kayak.com for current fares.

Hotels near Santa Barbara’s harbor, wharf and beach district tend to be pricier than those inland. At the Mason Beach Inn, a Mission-style hotel with a heated pool, rooms start at $200 per night.

Nearby, the Marina Beach Motel has more affordable yet charming rooms, some with kitchenettes, for as low as $176

per night on the off season. If you don’t mind staying a few miles inland, several chain hotels have rooms with mountain views for $97 per night.

Many of Santa Barbara Adventure Company’s kayak tours include a lesson and lunch (sbadventureco.com); tours start at $59, but its Channel Islands National Park tours are four times that price, due to ferry ticket costs.

Condor Express (condorexpress.com) offers whale-watch tours via catamaran with a guarantee: a free future trip if you don’t spot any whales. Celebration’s cruises (celebrationsantabarbara.com) start at $30 for a one-hour sunset tour and $50 for a two-hour whale-watching seasonal tour.

Admission to Old Mission Santa Barbara, open seven days a week, is $15 ($13 for those 65+). No reservations are required. However, you must make a reservation to visit the Santa Barbara Botanic

in the area. My tasting at the familyowned, award-winning Briede Family Winery included its wine ice cream.

A very different experience awaited at Misty Mountain Meadworks, which concocts the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage using Virginia honey.

Where there are apples there is cider, and the English-style hard version is created from locally grown fruit.

Speaking of locally grown, that applies

to hero Patsy Cline, the Winchester native who became a leading country and pop music singer whose professional career (1954-1963) was cut short when she died in a plane crash. Her modest house (now a museum) depicts the hardscrabble life she led before she became a local hero.

Heroes of various kinds have been part of the story of Winchester, Virginia. Accounts of their lives are among a number of reasons to visit there — and, as I quickly learned, there are many more.

For more information, go to visitwinchesterva.com.

Arts & Style

Flick even more wonderful as a musical

By Mark Dreisonstok

The classic Frank Capra film, It’s a Wonderful Life, is one of cinema’s greatest gifts to Americana. It was released in 1946, and in the decades since has aired on television every Christmas Eve.

Some years ago, Toby Orenstein, founder and director of Toby’s Dinner Theatre, discovered that the movie had entered the public domain. So, she commissioned actor/singer David Nehls and pianist/composer Michael Tilford to write a musical treatment of the film.

It debuted at Toby’s in 1989, has been performed nationally at a number of venues over the years, and now returns to its home in Columbia, Maryland, to delight fans once again.

A quick recap

The musical incarnation of It’s a Wonderful Life faithfully recreates most of the scenes and dialogue in the film, adding songs which, at their best, further develop the characters.

For those who have not seen the film, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, a plot summary is in order: Young George

Bailey, talented scion of a middle-class family operating a small savings and loan company, has dreams of seeing the world, attaining a college education, and becoming an architect.

However, his sense of duty leads him to stay in his small town of Bedford Falls, New York, to run the family bank and serve the community. But faced with crises, George begins to question the wisdom of this decision to place others before self, and contemplates taking his own life.

An aspiring angel, however, steps in to show George an alternative reality in which he had never been born. David James is both funny and effective as the would-be angel Clarence, hoping to earn his wings by helping George.

Clarence is supervised by Joseph, the lead angel, and is portrayed winningly by DeCarlo Raspberry. The two angels serve as an anchor for the show, with Joseph being featured more here than in the original film.

Joseph serves as a watchful presence high above the stage, sometimes providing Clarence with guidance. At one point, he memorably tells the younger angel,

“You have faith and a gentle heart. Let them be your guide!” Later in the show, Clarence performs one of the show’s standout numbers, “Ya Gotta Have Wings.”

Some fine acting

Justin Calhoun, playing George Bailey, delivers a fine performance. He makes the

Peace of Mind is Priceless

Pre-planning a funeral is a great gift, to your family and to you: It relieves the pressure on them to imagine what you might have wanted while they deal with grief and loss. Your funeral service will be

Justin Calhoun and MaryKate Brouillet star as George and Mary Bailey in a musical version of the famous film It’s a Wonderful Life. Commissioned in 1989 by Toby Orenstein, owner of Toby’s Dinner Theatre, the musical is once again on stage there, now through Jan. 15, 2023.

PHOTO BY JERI TIDWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Not only can men and women play together, people of all ages can join in the same games.

“We have men, women in their late 70s,

BEACON BITS

HOLIDAY CONCERT

early 80s and they’re playing with 20-yearolds,” Griesser said. “It’s a big mix. It’s just a nice social time.”

Where to play in Howard County

Join Encore Chorale of Baltimore and Columbia for a free performance on Sun., Dec. 11 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD. Enjoy a variety of favorite holiday songs with live musical accompaniment. For more information, including ticket reservations, visit encorecreativity.org or call (301) 261-5747.

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struction. In the meantime, pickleballers have many opportunities to play on the county’s 31 outdoor tennis courts or 28 indoor lined courts.

Last summer, the county held a groundbreaking ceremony for eight dedicated pickleball courts at Western Regional Park, adjacent to the Glenwood 50+ Center. It also plans to create six pickleball courts at Blandair Regional Park in Columbia.

Playing pickleball is affordable, especially at county facilities. It’s just $2.50 per day at the 50+ center, for instance. Private gyms such as the Dancel YMCA in Ellicott City offer several indoor courts for members. Dill Dinkers Pickleball, which opened in Columbia this month, offers six indoor courts.

For those who can afford it, there are even pickleball-themed cruises. In fact, most cruise lines have pickleball courts now, and Royal Caribbean will launch a special six-night pickleball cruise on November 27.

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MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER

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Professional pickleball on TV

The game isn’t just entertaining for players; spectators enjoy it, too. Last August, for the first time, CBS Sports televised live professional pickleball games organized by the Professional Pickleball Association.

Meanwhile, the Major League Pickleball league, established by hedge-fund manager Steve Kuhn, has a dozen teams that played in three tournaments this year.

Six major-league tournaments are scheduled for next year, and winners will take home $2.4 million in prize money.

As more people play pickleball (and the current number is close to five million Americans), sports-related injuries have increased, too.

Pickleball injuries are just as common now as tennis-related injuries, according to a recent study published in the journal Injury Epidemiology. Emergency-room visits in 2018 for pickleball-related injuries occurred after a slip, trip, fall or dive.

Despite the cold weather, picklers press on, even shoveling snow off the courts in the winter.

“Pickleball people are unbelievably dedicated. When I play with my friends [in winter], we play with handwarmers and gloves and hats,” Jenkins said. “I love it. It’s addicting.”

The biggest draw for most pickleball players isn’t the exercise but the entertainment. And it’s never too late to learn.

“Come out on the courts and have a good time with us,” Griesser said. “You could be a terrible player, but you can enjoy the company.”

For a list of places to play near you, visit USA Pickleball’s Places 2 Play website at places2play.org or the Howard County Pickleball Association at howardcountypickleball.org.

Howard County has two dedicated pickleball courts, and more are under con-

Jimmy Stewart role his own by embodying the decent everyman. He is expressive in song, including “I’m on My Way” at the beginning of the show.

MaryKate Brouillet is similarly excellent as Mary, George’s wife, including in her expressive “My Wish is for You” and, with George, “I’m at Home.” Mary and Clarence also duet beautifully, and unexpectedly, in “If Only I Could Reach Him.”

Robert Biedermann does a wonderful turn as crotchety, mean-spirited Mr. Potter, the local villain. He is especially so in his number, “It’s Time to Get Back Down to Business,” which establishes him as the antithesis of the broad-spirited George.

Music in many styles

The musical employs an interesting mix of musical styles, mixing pop and Broadway show sounds with those from the

1940s and earlier.

One of the best examples of the earlier styles is the “Syncopation Rag” — a Charleston-style number set during a ball. This scene is highly effective in establishing the time period in which the show is set, as well as capturing George and Mary’s relationship.

There is also an outstanding, if dark, scene set in the alternative reality world missing George Bailey. The staging and choreography truly shine in this film noir moment, again using 1940s music to set the time period. Here the character of Violet (a stunning Santina Maiolatesi) sings “Dream Man,” an outstanding torch song. She is also strong in “Syncopation Rag.”

With the show’s transition to George’s later adult life and Christmastime, we encounter the excellent “Vespers for the Common Man,” in which mixed voices provide a church-like atmosphere, accentuated on stage by stained-glass windows

and candles. This and other Christmas elements provide holiday spirit.

Despite limited props, Toby’s theater in the round effectively recreates a smalltown Christmas in the 1940s. This holiday atmosphere will move audiences throughout the holidays, helping us to realize, like George Bailey, that “The lives I had touched make me more than just me!”

Directed by Orenstein with choreography by Tina Marie DeSimone, It’s a Wonderful Life offers an excellent way to enjoy a family-friendly Christmas classic this holiday season. The show runs three hours, including a 15-minute intermission, and

can be seen through January 15, 2023.

Toby’s is located at 5900 Symphony Woods Rd. in Columbia, Maryland. Advance reservations are required. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday nights, with Wednesday and Sunday matinees.

Tickets are $74-$79 for adults and $57$60 for children 12 and under. All tickets include an all-you-can-eat buffet (dinner or brunch).

Patrons 65 and over can attend any Tuesday or Wednesday performance for $62.90. Tickets may be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or by phone from the box office at (410) 730-8311.

Crossword

Trial Mix

Stephen Sherr

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 guide lines and deadlines, see the box on the right.

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between Mon., Nov. 28 and Thu., Dec. 15,

Potomac

Collectors

Funeral Services

Cremation Society of Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Going Home Cremation . . . . . . . . .8

Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. . . . . . . . . .15

MacNabb Funeral Home . . . . . . .19

Sol Levinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Home Health Care

A-1 Action Nursing Care . . . . . . . .4

Home Improvement/ Remodeling

Renovation Real Estate . . . . . . . . .3

Housing

Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Charlestown/Erickson . . . . . . . . . .8

Enterprise Residential . . . . . . . . .20

Morningside House of Ellicott City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Park View Apartments . . . . . . . . .20

Residences at Vantage Point . . . . . .1

Shriner Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Medical/Health

Clear Skin for You . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Dr. Richardson/podiatrist . . . . . . . .5

Maryland Vascular Specialists . . . .6

Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Patapsco Acupuncture . . . . . . . . . .7

Real Estate

Renovation Real Estate . . . . . . . . .3

Senior/Government Services

COGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Howard Co. 50+ Connection . .12-13

Howard Co. SCAMO . . . . . . . . . .15

Maryland Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

RTA/Transportation . . . . . . . . . . .17

Subscriptions

Beacon Newspapers . . . . . . . . . . .22

Theater/Entertainment

Columbia Orchestra . . . . . . . . . . .21

Columbia Pro Cantare . . . . . . . . .19

Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .21

Eyre Tour & Travel . . . . . . . . . . . .18

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