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VOL.23, NO.11

Concerts give amateurs an outlet

NOVEMBER 2011

I N S I D E …

PHOTO BY FRANK KLEIN

By Charles Downey In years past, before the Internet or even television, people used to play musical instruments at home to entertain themselves and their friends. Today, few play chamber music together as a family, and even the piano that used to have a place of honor in the salon or living room of most homes has largely disappeared — perhaps replaced by an electronic keyboard or Guitar Hero. But there are still outlets for amateurs who love to play a grand piano — and those who love to listen. Among them is the Piano Society of Greater Washington, whose members provide a link to live piano music for area residents. The group sponsors five recitals a year, featuring members and guest performers at a church in Silver Spring, Md. All performances are free, and the all-volunteer organization relies on donations from supporters and members to survive.

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LEISURE & TRAVEL

Alabama’s Civil War and civil rights sites; plus, a visit to Pittsburgh with a side trip to Frank Lloyd Wright highlights, and our new gardening column page 40

Making time for music Dr. Robert C. Snyder, who recently retired as chairman of pathology at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, is a Piano Society member. He has played the piano since second grade and also studied piano privately as a college student. He now treks regularly to Philadelphia to have lessons with Susan Starr, a famous concert pianist who won the Silver Medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition as a youth. “I guess people always make time for what they really love, no matter how busy they are,” Snyder said. “Music has always been and always will be one of the most important things in my life. “Susan Starr has been my greatest musical influence, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to observe her, work with her, and learn from her since 1968 when I first met her.” Snyder said he generally practiced a couple of hours each day after work during his medical career. “Hopefully, now that I am retired I will be able to spend more time practicing.” Alice Stark-Garofano, a substitute teacher at Calvary Lutheran Church and School in Silver Spring, founded the Piano

ARTS & STYLE

Amateur pianist Ellen Tenenbaum returned to the instrument after many years away, and now volunteers for the Piano Society of Greater Washington, which offers local pianists the opportunity to perform. She believes people can play music they love, and do so musically, regardless of age. The Society’s next concert is on Dec. 13.

Society of Greater Washington in 2003, hosting the first meeting in her house. Since Stark-Garofano’s death in 2008, Ellen Tenenbaum, who lives in Derwood, Md., became the lead organizer for the society, but all of the members are active in keeping the organization going and deciding what pieces are performed. “Works to be performed bubble up, as each member is working on a wide range of repertoire and at some point is confident that certain works are performanceready,” Tenenbaum said of the process. “About six weeks before each concert, we try to meet and perform pieces for each other, and decide by consensus what

will be a solid, interesting program. “Often one of the members brings in a guest artist or group to play a four-hand work or chamber work involving the piano, and these works add a lovely variety to the program.” In fact, members are not always amateurs, as some have careers in music, either as teachers or performers.

Connecting with the audience Shirley Bieri, who describes herself as a “very senior senior,” attended the society’s September concert, her second. See CONCERTS, page 47

New approach enlivens Othello at Folger Theatre; plus, Bob Levey takes on a conniving car salesman page 46

FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k Newer drugs not always better k Potency after prostate cancer LAW & MONEY k Reasons to invest in Asia k Online used car scams

VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS 35 k Profile of Mother of the Year SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

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Who’s afraid of reform? Social Security is no longer the ‘third month delay in my Social Security eligibility rail” of American politics. Legislators don’t to be particularly unfair or unreasonable. touch it and die. At least not After all, my life expectancy at instantaneously. birth was more than 13 years But this isn’t the first time longer than the life expectanCongress has seriously uncy at birth of people receiving dertaken to change the terms Social Security in 1983. of our social contract with SoI bring this up because cial Security. Over its history, many of the proposals now changes have been made on being made to extend Social several occasions to keep the Security’s solvency and adprogram financially solvent. dress its looming shortfall are I wasn’t plugged into the FROM THE of the same nature — they debate when the last big set PUBLISHER spare all current retirees — of changes were made in By Stuart P. Rosenthal and even those within 10 1983. I was 26 then, and years of retirement — from frankly, it just wasn’t on my radar. any ill effects, and focus most changes on So I can’t say whether older adults were today’s youth and middle-aged workforce. up in arms about the modest adjustments, Speaking of which, surveys of young or whether advocacy organizations were people today typically find that they have sending out screaming mailings (as they very low expectations of receiving much of are today) urging members to write or call anything from Social Security when they their legislators to complain. reach retirement age anyway. If they were, it didn’t stop Congress That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t still be from changing the date I would become el- glad to get benefits. But it does suggest igible for full Social Security from my 65th they understand that the government safebirthday until I turn 66-and-a-half. ty net will not make for a comfortable landBut you know, even if I had been aware ing if they don’t also save diligently for of the debate back then — and of the effect their own retirement. And that’s a good it would eventually have on my retirement thing. (FYI: babies being born this year income 40 years later — I still don’t think it are likely to live 10 years longer than I.) would have energized me to call Congress. So my question is: why are the most In fact, I doubt I would have seen the 18- vocal critics of today’s proposals for adjust-

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ing Social Security the older adults who will not be directly affected by them? Many of them say it’s because they care about the future for their grandchildren. But what about the fact that economists believe it’s those very grandchildren (or their children) who will suffer the most if we can’t agree to make even relatively modest changes to Social Security now? The most serious financial shortfalls that are looming won’t come to pass for many decades. If we truly care about our progeny, that should be an incentive to act; not to fight action. Just after this issue of the Beacon goes to press, Dr. Charles Blahous, a trustee of Social Security and Medicare, will be the keynote speaker at our 50+Expos in Virginia and Maryland. He will lay out the challenges facing Social Security, discuss a

variety of proposed solutions, and explain their likely effects — on today’s seniors as well as future generations. I hope many of you will be there to hear him. If you cannot, I would suggest you look at his recent book on the subject, Social Security: The Unfinished Work. And then I would urge you to contact your congresspersons, and any senior organizations to which you belong, and let them know you support one or more of the modest adjustments proposed for Social Security to keep it sufficiently funded for the foreseeable future. Enough of the stonewalling and demands to keep “hands off” Social Security. It’s time to be hands on.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: Come Friday, Nov. 11, Americans everywhere will give pause on Veterans Day to honor our men and women of the armed forces who have demonstrated our strength and resolve to preserve our freedom through their willingness to serve and sacrifice. Let’s hang our flags this Veterans Day, but let’s also honor our nation’s veterans by proactively welcoming home the newly returned from deployment. You can also tell veterans who may not be enrolled for VA healthcare to drop by their local VA medical center or outpatient clinic, to call the VA Maryland Health Care System’s Enrollment Center at 1-800-463-6295, ext. 7324, or to visit our website at www.maryland.va.gov to enroll for VA healthcare. In addition, you can visit hospitalized veterans, mail them cards and notes, or commit to volunteering at a nearby VA healthcare facility by calling 1-800-9491003, ext. 1136. Finally, you can teach your grandchildren to honor veterans by using resources that are available on the VA’s Veterans Day website at www.va.gov/opa/vetsday. Dennis H. Smith Director, VA Maryland Health Care System Dear Editor: Thank you for writing about your experience downsizing and moving your folks (September and October columns). We thought we would try to downsize the accumulation of three households (our parents’ and our own). What we found was that our possessions (art work, jewelry, furniture or anything else) sold through an auction house or a consignment shop would not get anything close to what it would cost to buy the same product in a store.

We wanted to save our children from the problem of getting rid of these possessions after we are gone, but I guess it’s not going to happen. We don’t mind getting less than market value, but we don’t want people to make excessive profit on our possessions. We thought going through an auction house would bring success, only to find that they start at a low price, and the bidders (most seemed to be retailers) get bargains. We’re the losers. Consignment stores are somewhat similar. We have found that retailers, such as jewelry stores, offer about 25 percent of the price you would pay for the same product in a store. I remember many years ago my mother sold all her broken stuff to a junk man and couldn’t believe he gave her money for the stuff. Today you pay the junk people to take your stuff away, and they make money on top of that. Name withheld on request Rockville, MD Dear Editor: Regarding the publisher’s column (“Moving the folks,” October), yes, it’s an incredible challenge to help parents move from their homes of many decades. You definitely need to have an extraordinary amount of time and patience! After my father died, I spent 18 months moving my mother from the house they had lived in for over 50 years to a condo. The generation that grew up during the Depression saved everything! We found countless photos, memorabilia, etc. she did not remember. Laurie England Washington, D.C. See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 52

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SPECIAL PROGRAM: What will become of Social Security and Medicare? Featuring: Charles P. Blahous Public Trustee of Social Security and Medicare

Informative Exhibits • Expert Speakers Flu Shots • Health Screenings Entertainment • Giveaways

White Flint Mall N. Bethesda, MD Sunday, November 6 • Noon – 4 p.m.

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Health Fitness &

FOODS THAT FIGHT STRESS When stress strikes, reach for foods that soothe the psyche POST-CANCER POTENCY Study shows how prostate cancer treatments affect sexual function DON’T HEAD FOR A FALL Schedule an eye exam, and check your balance and meds to prevent falls A NATIONAL ALZHEIMER’S PLAN Congress orders plan to fight Alzheimer’s; draft promised in December

Newly approved drugs not always better By Carla K. Johnson Many consumers mistakenly believe new prescription drugs are always safer than those with long track records, and that only extremely effective drugs without major side effects win government approval, according to a new study. A national survey of nearly 3,000 adults finds that about four in 10 wrongly believe the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves only “extremely effective” drugs. One in four mistakenly believes the FDA allows only drugs that don’t have serious side effects. That means consumers “may not get the benefit from drugs they think they’re getting, or they may expose themselves to more harm than they think” said study coauthor Dr. Steven Woloshin of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice and the VA Outcomes Group In truth, the FDA approves a new drug when its benefits outweigh any known risks. FDA approval doesn’t mean the drug’s benefits are large compared to drugs already on the market. And risks for some drugs appear only after they’ve been used by millions of people and long after FDA approval. For in-

stance, Merck & Co. withdrew the FDAapproved arthritis pill Vioxx after reports of heart risks surfaced over a period of five years.

Warnings can help consumers The new survey, appearing in the Archives of Internal Medicine, revealed a partial solution to consumer confusion: Simply worded cautions can make a difference in which drugs people choose. To test that idea, the researchers dreamed up two fictional drugs for heart disease and two for heartburn. The survey posed a question: Which drug would you choose? Participants were told both heart disease drugs were free and both lowered cholesterol, but only one was known to reduce heart attacks. Seventy-one percent of people chose the better drug that reduced heart attacks — when they were reminded in a warning that the other one only lowered cholesterol levels. “It is not known whether it will help patients feel better or live longer,” the warning said. Fewer people, 59 percent, made the better choice when they weren’t given the added caution.

As for the make-believe heartburn drugs, consumers were told they worked equally well and were free. The difference? One was approved by the FDA in 2009, the other in 2001. This time, 53 percent chose the older drug when given a warning about the newer one. The caution said: “As with all new drugs, rare but serious side effects may emerge after the drug is on the market — when larger numbers of people have used the drug.” Fewer people, 34 percent, chose the older — and perhaps safer — drug when they didn’t get that warning. “One of the reasons doctors tend to prescribe newer, expensive drugs is there’s a widespread perception that newer is better,” said Dr. Michael Steinman of San Francisco VA Medical Center, who wrote a commentary about the study in the journal. “That’s sometimes true, but many times it’s not true. So much of what doctors learn about new drugs is somehow affected by drug company marketing.”

Clearer information needed Woloshin said simple cautions would help doctors, too, and should be part of

drug advertising and labeling. He and coauthor Dr. Lisa Schwartz have been working with the FDA to improve its guidance to drug makers on writing labels, he said. They also are promoting the idea of drug fact boxes, similar to the nutrition fact boxes on packaged foods. The fact boxes, written in plain English, would tell consumers how well a drug works compared to other drugs, and would describe side effects. Last year’s national health care law required the Department of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on the evidence for drug fact boxes. The department’s report said it needed at least three more years to study the idea. Drug fact boxes could help consumers and doctors, Steinman said. He added that patients should question their doctors about prescriptions. He suggested these questions for starters: “Is this drug recommended by the guidelines for my disease? Is there a drug that’s equally effective but has a longer track record of safety? Has this drug been shown to help people like me live longer or feel better?” — AP

Tracking diseases may improve diagnoses By Lauran Neergaard The doctor doesn’t think your sore throat is bad enough yet to order a strep test — unaware that a dozen people across town were diagnosed with strep throat just last week. Doctors rarely know what bugs are brewing in the neighborhood until their own waiting rooms start to fill. Harvard University researchers report that getting them real-time information on nearby infections could improve patient care. For strep throat alone, it could potentially help tens of thousands avoid either a delayed diagnosis or getting antibiotics they don’t need. “The risk you have is based on where you live and what the people around you have,” explained Dr. Kenneth Mandl of Children’s Hospital Boston, affiliated with Harvard. His analysis of 82,000 patient visits found that knowing how much strep throat is circulating can help improve the

accuracy of the next patient’s diagnosis.

Getting the bigger picture Today, hundreds of hospitals, clinics and health departments automatically report certain symptoms and diagnoses to the government. That practice has a wonky name — biosurveillance — but it’s how officials track the spread of flu, detect the latest whooping cough outbreak, and watch for weird symptoms that might signal a brand-new disease or even bioterrorism. But until there’s an outbreak, that information is a one-way street. There’s no easy way for doctors to learn what their colleagues nearby are diagnosing. Instead, doctors often call the health department to ask if anyone’s heard of a case of this or that disease as they puzzle over a patient’s symptoms, said Dr. Alfred DeMaria of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Giving doctors a fast, ongoing snapshot of disease “would be very helpful,” said DeMaria, who wasn’t involved in Mandl’s research but praises the approach. “The key is to make the system entirely automated and real-time.” Work is beginning on technology to do just that, trying to link local biosurveillance to electronic health records, maybe even mobile apps. First, the question is whether such tracking could make a real difference. So Mandl and his colleague Dr. Andrew Fine, an emergency medicine physician, examined strep throat, an infection frequently misdiagnosed in adults. Because strep throat is more common in young children, those with red, sore throats are given either a while-you-wait rapid test or, because that test sometimes misses the bug, a throat culture that can take a day or two for results. For anyone 15 or older, guidelines say

doctors shouldn’t order a test or prescribe antibiotics unless sore-throat sufferers rise to a certain level of suspicion because of other symptoms: fever, enlarged lymph nodes, tonsils with swelling or pus, and a lack of coughing. People with none or just one of those symptoms probably have a virus and are supposed to be sent home. A patient with a lot of those symptoms often are given antibiotics automatically, and those in between get tested.

Information directs diagnosis Mandl and Fine turned to records from CVS MinuteClinics in six states where all sore-throat patients are tested and symptoms are recorded. What the governmentfunded study found: Knowing how prevalent strep is in a particular area is a strong enough predictor to count as an extra See BETTER DIAGNOSES, page 5

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Nov. 11+

ZUMBA GOLD FITNESS Zumba combines Latin rhythms with cardiovascular exercise to

create a fun, easy-to-follow aerobic workout. Learn the basics at this Holy Cross Senior Source class from Friday, Nov. 11 through Dec. 16. Classes are held weekly from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The series costs $22.50 and will be held at 8580 2nd Ave., Silver Spring, Md. For more information or to register, call (301) 754-8800 or visit www.holycrosshealth.org.

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Learn more about the area’s housing options Check the boxes of communities from whom you would like to receive information and mail or fax this form. Washington D.C. ❏Friendship Terrace (See ad on page 28)

Maryland ❏Brooke Grove (See ad on page 9) ❏Charter House (See ad on page 23) ❏Churchill Senior Living (See ad on page 31) ❏Covenant Village (See ad on page 37) ❏Emerson House (See ad on page 37) ❏Homecrest House (See ad on page 35) ❏Mrs. Philippines Home (See ad on page 37) ❏Park View at Bladensburg (See ad on page 33) ❏Park View at Columbia (See ad on page 33) ❏Park View at Ellicott City (See ad on page 33) ❏Park View at Laurel (See ad on page 33) ❏Renaissance Gardens Riderwood (See ad on page 22) ❏Revitz House (See ad on page 20) ❏Riderwood Village (See ad on page 13) ❏Shriner Court (See ad on page 37) ❏Village at Rockville (See ad on page 7) ❏Willow Manor (See ad on page 10)

Virginia ❏Ashby Ponds (See ad on page 13) ❏Chancellor’s Village (See ad on page 13) ❏Chesterbrook Residences (See ad on page 15) ❏Culpepper Garden (See ad on page 41) ❏Forest Glen (See ad on page 6) ❏The Glebe (See ad on page 31) ❏Goodwin House (See ad on page 21) ❏Greenspring Village (See ad on page 13) ❏Olley Glen Retirement Community (See ad on page 28) ❏Park Place Apts. (See ad on page 23) ❏Quantum Affordable Apts. (See ad on page 37) ❏Renaissance Gardens Greenspring (See ad on page 22) ❏Sommerset (See ad on page 32) ❏The Sylvestery (See ad on page 6) ❏The Virginian (See ad on page back page) Name________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ City______________________________________State______Zip________________ Phone (day)__________________________(evening)_________________________ E-mail_________________________________________________________________

Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this form to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 Or fax to (301) 949-8966.

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symptom in the test-or-treat decision. In other words, if little strep throat is circulating, the chances that someone with several strep symptoms really has it drops enough that it’s worth testing them before prescribing antibiotics. Considering there are 10.5 million annual healthcare visits for suspected strep throat, that change could prevent unnecessary antibiotics for more than 166,000 patients, the researchers reported. On the flip side, someone with just a sore throat and fever usually wouldn’t get tested. But if the strep germ is prevalent in their community, testing could spot 62,000 previously missed patients nationally, the researchers calculated. Their study appears in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

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From page 4

Strep isn’t the only example. In smaller studies, Mandl and Fine have found that knowing how much whooping cough and bacterial meningitis are spreading locally can improve diagnosis of those diseases, too. The challenge is how to disseminate such information fast enough for doctors to use. MinuteClinic, for example, said it doesn’t record test results in real time yet, but may be able to share that kind of data in the future. Broadening the concept, federal health officials are working to create an easy-touse Web tool that would let doctors search for local surveillance information. They also are testing how to automatically send alerts about disease outbreaks to the electronic health records of patients with similar symptoms. — AP

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Health Shorts New antiviral drug: A cure for the common cold? Viruses might soon meet their kryptonite: a drug that can, in theory, destroy cells infected by almost any one of them without harming healthy neighbor cells. Most antiviral drugs or vaccines are specific to one virus, or even one strain. When a virus mutates, researchers must retool our medicines. But nearly all viruses have one thing in common: they generate double strands of RNA longer than 30 base pairs. Healthy

mammalian cells do not produce such long double-stranded RNA, offering a way to identify virus-infected cells. The immune system already includes an enzyme — protein kinase R (PKR) — that binds to long double-stranded RNA molecules and blocks production of viral proteins, but many viruses can evade it. So Todd Rider at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Lexington and his colleagues glued PKR to apoptotic protease activating factor 1 — a protein that triggers cell suicide in extreme situations. The new antiviral drug “catches the virus with its pants down,” explained Rider, by destroying the cell as soon as viral RNA is detected. He calls the drug DRACO, for double-stranded-RNA-activated caspase oligomeriser. In tests, DRACO prevented rhinovirus

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

— which causes some forms of the common cold — from spreading through human and mouse cells in Petri dishes. It performed just as well against 14 other viruses, including the one responsible for dengue fever. DRACO also boosted survival rates in mice given a normally lethal dose of the H1N1 flu virus (PLoS One). “Just as antibiotics revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections, this project has a lot of potential to treat a range of illnesses,” said Rider. “This is a very clever approach,” said Timothy Tellinghuisen of the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Fla., but he added that some viruses can conceal their doublestranded RNA, and so could elude DRACO. Andrea Branch of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City also has reservations. Destroying all infected cells can be dangerous in people with advanced viral infections, she said. “Suppose 100 percent of your hepatocytes (liver cells) are infected and you used this — you would die of liver failure.” — New Scientist

How to find doctors who accept Medicare

Compare tool at Medicare.gov. Enter your Zip code and the type of doctor you’re looking for. Specify that you want to see providers who accept the Medicare-approved amount as payment in full. You can leave the doctor’s gender and last name blank. The search will result in a list of physicians in the area who accept Medicare. But this resource isn’t foolproof. “We have found doctors on the Medicare.gov list who have retired,” said Elaine Wong Eakin, executive director of California Health Advocates. She recommends starting with four or five doctors on the list, or asking friends or relatives in the area for recommendations. Then contact those doctors to see whether they are accepting new Medicare patients. If you still have trouble finding a doctor you like who accepts Medicare, you may want to consider switching to a Medicare Advantage plan for 2012 during open-enrollment season this year, which runs only through Dec. 7 — earlier than in past years. These private plans, which offer medical and prescription-drug coverage and provide networks of doctors, may have more doctors available in certain areas than traditional Medicare does.

If you’re looking for a new doctor who takes Medicare, start with the Physician

See HEALTH SHORTS, page 7

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Nov. 15

MACULAR DEGENERATION TREATMENTS

The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington will sponsor a program called “Understanding Current Treatments for Macular Degeneration” with guest speaker Dr. Reshma Katira, a macular degeneration specialist. The event on Tuesday, Nov. 15 includes tea and discussion and will be held at the Charles E. Beatley Regional Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria, Va. For more information, call (202) 234-1010.

Nov. 7

MOVING FORWARD AFTER CANCER

The completion of cancer treatment is often accompanied by new concerns, including nutrition, exercise and fears of recurrence. This free four-week course on Mondays, Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 8 p.m. is designed to provide support and guidance for individuals with cancer up to 24 months post treatment. It will be held at Hope Connections for Cancer Support, 5430 Grosvenor Ln., Suite 100, Bethesda, Md. To register, call (301) 493-5002.

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From page 6 But they also have rules limiting which doctors and hospitals may be used, and have different co-payments, deductible and coverage amounts than traditional Medicare. — Kiplinger’s

Drug improves memory in older monkeys A decline in brain activity linked to memory loss in aged monkeys has been reversed, resulting in activity akin to that

of a youngster. It may provide vital clues to preventing memory problems in humans. To better understand memory loss, Mark Laubach and colleagues at Yale University studied neuron degradation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of monkeys, the part of the brain responsible for working memory — critical to everyday tasks including planning ahead and learning. In both monkeys and humans, workingmemory function declines with age, leading to problems such as forgetfulness. The team connected electrodes to over 300 individual neurons in the PFCs of young, middle-aged and old monkeys, and measured their activity while the monkeys took part in a memory-based task. Neuron

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the neurons from opening, demonstrating that the reduced firing was not due to permanent structural changes in the brain. The study was published in the journal Nature. — New Scientist

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An official from the Transportation Security Administration will discuss airport flight security regulations at the Sunday, Nov. 6 meeting of the Ostomy Support Group of N. Virginia. The meeting starts at 1:30 p.m.; future meetings are generally scheduled the first Sunday of each month at Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Rd. and Route 50, Falls Church, Va. The meeting will be held in the Physicians Conference Center near the Blue parking garage. For more information, call (703) 802-3457 or email osgnvllc@cox.net.

Nov. 10

firing related to working memory decreased significantly with age. In the old-age group, neuron activity could be restored to that of a young monkey by administering a drug that temporarily prevented potassium channels in

HEART HEALTH FOR THE HOLIDAYS

A nurse from Suburban Hospital’s HeartWell program provides strategies to keep your heart healthy, including tips for cooking, entertaining and managing holiday stress, on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 1 to 2 p.m. The seminar will be held at the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Dr,, Rockville, Md. Advance registration is required. Call (301) 8963939 or go to www.suburbanhospital.org.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

The brain/digestion connection explained By Karen Ansel Are your tummy troubles all in your head? Yes and no. There’s a reason why, when you’re upset, you feel a knot in the pit of your stomach. “The brain and the digestive tract share many of the same nerve connections,” said Dr. Douglas A. Drossman, a gastroenterologist and psychiatrist and co-director of the University of North Carolina Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders, Chapel Hill. It’s because, in the womb, the nerves

that eventually separate into the brain, spinal cord and nerves of the intestine all have the same beginnings and remain interconnected. Mental stress delivers a one-two punch to our digestive systems. First, it causes the release of cortisol and adrenaline, hormones that not only divert energy to your muscles (so you can fight — or flee!) but also slow down digestion. For momentary bouts of stress, that’s a good thing: You want to use your energy to escape the bear, not digest your lunch. But

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when stress is chronic, those same hormones can make your digestive system sluggish, leading to constipation. In addition, chronic stress can alter the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which promotes relaxation. And because 80 percent of your body’s serotonin is located in your gut, it’s no wonder that when too much is released it can keep you running to the bathroom, while too little can make you irregular.

Try these foods Luckily, science suggests that, when stress strikes, reaching for certain foods can soothe your psyche and your “stomach.” Here are three to get things back on track: 1. Oatmeal: This comforting grain is packed with fiber, which helps regulate digestion — slowing things down when they’re moving too fast and speeding things up when they’re sluggish. The fiber in oatmeal also guards against dips in blood glucose that can leave you cranky and lethargic. 2. Yogurt: You’ve heard that probiotics (good-for-you bacteria in foods like yogurt) can improve digestive health — and there’s some evidence they might. Now a British Journal of Nutrition study indicates they may alleviate stress as well.

Study participants who took a probiotic supplement felt less stress, depression and anxiety than those who received a placebo. “Probiotics are very strain-specific, meaning that each strain has unique and distinct benefits,” said D. Milton Stokes, M.P.H., R.D., co-author of Flat Belly Diet! for Men (Rodale, 2009). “While this study looked at only two specific strains (that aren’t currently available to consumers in foods), it provides encouraging evidence that probiotics may have a beneficial impact on the mind-gut connection.” 3. Fatty fish: Stress can trigger an increase in compounds called cytokines that promote inflammation, which can worsen digestive ills. Eating more EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) — two omega-3 fats found most commonly in oily fish, such as salmon, herring and sardines — can help relieve inflammation linked to tummy troubles, according to a 2005 Scandinavian Journal of Nutrition study. Karen Ansel is a registered dietician. EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com. © 2011 EatingWell, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

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Predicting potency after prostate cancer By Carla K. Johnson A new study addresses one of the most worrying questions faced by men with prostate cancer: What are my chances of losing sexual function after treatment? The answers vary greatly by age, sexual potency before treatment, PSA levels and whether a man has surgery, standard radiation or radioactive seeds, the study found. Using the findings, men can get a rough idea of their personal odds by answering questions that also include weight and

race, experts said. Not surprisingly, older men whose sexual function is already low have the worst chances of good sexual function after treatment. Researchers studied factors affecting potency in men and developed a questionnaire to help measure it. They evaluated its usefulness among 1,027 prostate cancer patients ages 38 to 84 and validated its accuracy in a separate group of more than 1,900 men. It correctly predicted the chances of post-treatment potency in 77 percent of the

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men who had surgery and 90 percent of the men who had radiation. “This will make it possible for patients to have a more realistic view of what to expect for themselves, rather than trying to guess where they fit in overall compared to the average guy with prostate cancer,” said study co-author Dr. Martin Sanda of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. The federally funded study, appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, included only men with early-stage cancers, and it didn’t address cure rates for different treatments.

Side effects are big concern Most patients treated for early-stage prostate cancer survive, so the common side effects of treatment — incontinence and sexual problems — have become more important for patients making choices. In the real world, some patients have limited treatment choices. For instance, only men with early-stage, slow-growing cancers can choose radioactive pellets. That means the findings may be most useful in giving a realistic picture of the sexual side effects of a treatment that’s already chosen, rather than helping men pick a treatment. The study found great variation in men’s odds of having firm erections after treatment. For surgery, the prospects for maintaining top sexual function for a 50-year-old man could range from 21 percent to 70 percent, depending on his PSA level and whether a nerve-sparing technique was used. For standard radiation, the study found, the odds for a man keeping top sexual function ranged from 53 percent to 92 percent depending on PSA level and whether hormones were used along with radiation. The researchers couldn’t find an age-relat-

ed difference for standard radiation. For radiation pellets, a 60-year-old man’s chances of keeping top sexual function ranged from 58 percent to 98 percent depending on race and body mass index. African-Americans and trimmer men had better chances.

Some caveats The study has some deficiencies, experts said. It didn’t include men who chose what’s called “active surveillance” — where a doctor keeps track of a tumor through regular tests and treats it only if the cancer markedly worsens. Many prostate cancer patients with slow-growing tumors can live their whole lives without symptoms or treatment, said Dr. Durado Brooks, prostate cancer director for the American Cancer Society. They die of something else before the cancer kills them. “There are a lot of prostate cancers that are not likely to benefit from treatment,” Brooks said. Including an active surveillance group would have shown how much sexual function changes because of factors other than treatment, such as age and general health, he said. Jerry Hardy, 57, had nerve-sparing surgery for prostate cancer in 2000 and lost sexual function. It took three years of trying different pills and injections before he decided on a penile implant, which has worked for him and his wife. “The most important thing was to cure the cancer. Then we would deal with the side effects later,” Hardy said. “If you’re not alive, you don’t have to worry about sex.” Jonathon Alsop, 54, was diagnosed with See PROSTATE, page 13

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Machines measure blood pressure better Doctors are notoriously bad at measuring their patients’ blood pressure. Nurses are better, but many still don’t use the correct method. Even clinicians who do follow the proper procedure often get a reading that’s higher than the person’s usual blood pressure. This is called white-coat hypertension — blood pressure that’s high when a doctor or other clinician measures it, but normal the rest of the time. Maybe it’s time to give the job of measuring blood pressure to machines, not humans. That’s the novel — and successful — approach taken by teams in Canada and the Netherlands.

People get higher readings In Canada, researchers asked 88 primary care physicians and 555 of their patients with high blood pressure to take

Tips for patients No matter who — or what — is measuring your blood pressure, here’s what you need to do to get the most accurate reading: 1. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, and don’t smoke, during the 30 minutes before the test. 2. Sit quietly for five minutes with your back supported and your feet on the floor. 3. Support your arm so the elbow is at heart level. 4. Wrap the cuff over bare skin, not over a shirt. 5. Don’t talk during a measurement or between measurements.

part in the Conventional Versus Automated Measurement of Blood Pressure in the Office (CAMBO) trial. Half of the physicians measured their patients’ blood pressure the old-fashioned way — in person, by pumping up a standard blood pressure cuff and listening through a stethoscope to the stop and start of blood through the brachial artery. The other half handed over the job to a machine. These doctors fit a blood pressure cuff around the patient’s arm, made sure the machine was working, then left the room. The volunteer sat quietly while the machine recorded his or her blood pressure five more times, with a break of a minute or two between each measurement. Later, each volunteer wore a monitor that measured his or her blood pressure dozens of times over the course of 24 hours. The average measurements made by the doctors were higher than those made by the blood pressure monitor alone. In addition, the automated readings were more in line with the 24-hour recording (BMJ). In a related study in the Netherlands, 84 men and women whose doctors suggested they have 24-hour blood pressure monitoring first had their pressure checked by a machine, not by a doctor or other clinician. Each volunteer sat alone in a quiet room while his or her blood pressure was automatically measured eight times in 30 minutes. The readings yielded an average that was very close to the 24-hour recording. Notably, the first measurement in the series averaged 154 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), but by the fourth one it had stabilized at 142 mm Hg (Annals of Family Medicine).

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Free Hearing Tests set for

Greater Washington Area Age 55+ Free electronic hearing tests will be given from Monday, November 14 through Friday, November 18 at select locations in Maryland and Northern Virginia. Tests have been arranged for anyone who suspects they are losing their hearing. Such persons generally say they can hear but cannot understand words. Testing with the latest computerized equipment will indicate if you can be helped. Everyone, especially adults over 55, should have an electronic hearing test at least once a year. If there is a hearing problem, hearing tests may reveal that newly developed methods of correction will help, even for those who have been told in the past that a hearing aid would not help them. If you suspect you have hearing loss, call for a free hearing test appointment. Our licensed specialists are trained in the latest auditory testing methods and will be the first ones to tell you if you don’t need a hearing aid. If you do have a hearing loss, we will explain your results and provide you with a list of options.

Free hearing tests available only at a location listed below. One week only: Monday, November 14 – Friday, November 18.

Beltone Hearing Aid Centers Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Evenings and Saturday by appointment Bethesda, MD

Silver Spring, MD Frederick, MD

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Prostate From page 10 prostate cancer last year. His surgeon, study co-author Sanda, used early data from the study to tell Alsop there was a 70 percent chance he would keep his good sexual function after nerve-sparing surgery. That number was reassuring, Alsop said, and he was convinced surgery was the best choice for him for medical reasons. Now, nine months after treatment,

Blood pressure From page 11 normal blood pressure everywhere but in the doctor’s office. Why some people have white-coat hypertension isn’t clear. It could be the rush of getting to an appointment, the anxiety and stress associated with seeing a doctor, or poor technique by the person who is taking the measurement. The effect of white-coat hypertension on long-term health is still a bit hazy. One large study showed that people with whitecoat hypertension are more likely than those with normal blood pressure to develop “true” hypertension over time. Other studies suggest that people with white-coat hypertension fare much the same as those with normal blood pressure. One way to test for white-coat hypertension is with ambulatory blood pressure

his sexual function is returning, but isn’t yet back to where it was. The researchers followed the men for two years after treatment. In the men who were potent before treatment, 52 percent reported problems with erections two years after treatment. That included 60 percent of the men who had their prostates removed, 42 percent who had regular radiation, and 37 percent of the men who had radioactive seeds, also called brachytherapy.

Brooks of the American Cancer Society cautioned that sexual problems can show up later for men who have either type of radiation therapy. A two-year follow-up may not have been long enough, he said. The study was done from 2003 through 2006, a time when laparoscopic surgery, with small incisions and often performed robotically, was less common than it is today. Dr. Michael Barry of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and president of the Foundation for Informed Medical

Decision Making said it’s not clear yet whether the newer surgical technique is better or worse for sexual function. “This paper gives us one piece of the puzzle,” said Barry, who wrote an accompanying editorial. “It doesn’t address what are my chances with problems of incontinence? Or what are my chances of dying of prostate cancer for these different treatments? A patient would want to synthesize all that information to figure out what to do.” — AP

monitoring — wearing a blood pressure cuff around the arm, connected to a portable monitor, for an entire day and night. This offers a better estimate of “true” blood pressure than a single snapshot in a doctor’s office. But it is a hassle having the cuff inflate every so often, even while you sleep. An easier alternative might be to sit quietly by yourself in your doctor’s office and have a machine measure your blood pressure several times. In a paper in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, Dr. Donald G. Vidt (a member of the panel that set the current standards for measuring and treating high blood pressure) and his colleagues at the Cleveland Clinic pose an interesting question: Is taking blood pressure too important to trust to humans? It looks like the answer is yes. You can read the paper yourself at

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Stay healthy with three immune boosters By Emily Sohn You already know you need to eat well to stay healthy, but scientists are now zeroing in on specific diet strategies that can help bolster immunity. With cold and flu season right around the corner, here are three to add to your arsenal: 1. Fill your Vitamin D tank: You may have fewer health problems — ranging from colds to cancer — if you get enough vitamin D. Your body naturally makes vitamin D from sunlight.

You can also get it — albeit in smaller doses — from fatty fish, such as salmon, and fortified milk. But because Americans don’t get enough vitamin D, most experts recommend a D supplement. New research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that taking such a supplement may help boost your immune system. In a study of more than 300 Japanese children, those who took daily vitamin D supplements (1,200 IU) were 40 percent less likely to get a common flu virus than

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day, Sherry said, paying extra attention to getting the soluble kind. 3. Stay lean: Overweight adults who cut their daily calorie intake by nearly a third saw a 50 percent boost in immunity, according to a six-month study out of Tufts University, Medford, Mass. (Those who cut calories by 10 percent had smaller improvements.) Restricting calories may reduce levels of compounds in the body that depress your immune response, said Tufts nutritional immunologist Simin Meydani. Animal studies suggest that calorie restriction could work in normal-weight individuals. too. “Try to maintain your body weight at what is considered ideal,” Meydani said, because eating more than what you need drags the immune system down. “And remember: when you cut back on quantity, you need to be even more vigilant about the quality of your diet,” Meydani added. Aim to eat more fruits and vegetables — and choose lean protein sources, such as fish, chicken and low-fat dairy. © 2011 EatingWell, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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kids who took a placebo. Laboratory studies indicate that the nutrient may help immune cells identify and destroy bacteria and viruses that make us sick, said Dr. Adit Ginde, a public health researcher at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver. Aim to get at least 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily (check with your doctor before taking more). 2. Get a daily dose of soluble fiber: Mice that ate a diet rich in soluble fiber for six weeks recovered from a bacterial infection in half the time it took mice that dined on meals containing mixed fiber, according to a recent study in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity. Soluble fiber — abundant in citrus fruits, apples, carrots, beans and oats — helps fight inflammation, said lead author Christina Sherry of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Insoluble fiber — found in wheat, whole grains, nuts and green leafy vegetables — is still important for overall health, but it doesn’t seem to have the same impact on immunity. Strive for 25 to 38 grams of total fiber a

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Many ways to keep from heading for a fall By Jim Miller Falls are a big concern for millions of older Americans and their families. In the United States, roughly one-third of the 65and-older population will suffer a fall this year, often with dire consequences. But many falls can be prevented. Here are some steps you can take to help stay on your feet and reduce your risk of falling and that of your loved ones. Check your meds: Do you take any medicine or combination of medicines that make you dizzy, sleepy or lightheaded? If so, gather up all your drugs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; prescriptions and over-the-counter â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and take them to your doctor or pharmacist for a drug review. Schedule an eye exam: Poor vision can be another contributor to falls. If you wear glasses, check to see if your prescription is correct. And beware of bifocals and progressive lenses. Multifocal glasses can impair vision needed for detecting obstacles and judging depth. Check your balance: Balance disorders â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which can be brought on by a variety of conditions, such as inner ear problems, allergies, a head injury or problems with blood circulation â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are also a common cause of falls. If you are having some balance issues, make an appointment with your doctor to get it checked and treated. Start exercising: Improving balance through exercise is one of the best ways to prevent falls. Strength training, stretching, yoga, and tai chi are all great for building

better balance. Some simple exercises that one can do any time are walking heel-to-toe across the room, standing on one foot for 30 seconds or longer, or getting up from a chair and sitting back down 10 to 20 times. For more balance exercise tips, call the National Institute on Aging at 1-800-2222225 and order their free exercise DVD and free exercise book. You can also see it online at www.go4life.niapublications.org. Check around the home: Because about half of all falls happen around the home, some simple modifications can go a long way towards making your living area safer. Start by picking up items on the floor that could cause people to trip, such as newspapers, books, shoes, clothes, electrical or phone cords. If you have throw rugs, remove them or use double-sided tape to secure them. In the bathroom, put a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower, and have a carpenter install grab bars inside the tub and next to the toilet. Also, make sure the lighting throughout the house is good. Purchase some inexpensive plug-in nightlights for the bathrooms and hallways and, if you have stairs, consider putting handrails on both sides. In the kitchen, organize your cabinets so the things you use most often are within easy reach without using a step stool.

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Learn how to protect your vision if you have diabetes in a talk titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Turn a Blind Eye to Diabetes,â&#x20AC;? with speaker Dr. Aziz Khanifar, an ophthalmologist and retina specialist. The program will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 1:15 p.m. at Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Dr., Wheaton, Md. For more information, call (202) 234-1010.

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For more tips, call the Eldercare Locater at 1-800-677-1116 and order a free copy of their â&#x20AC;&#x153;Preventing Falls at Homeâ&#x20AC;? brochure. Other pitfalls: Believe it or not, the improper use of canes and walkers sends around 47,000 seniors to the emergency room each year. If you use a cane or walker, be sure itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adequately adjusted to your height and that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re using it properly. A physical therapist can help with this, or see the Mayo Clinic slide show on how to choose and use a cane (www.mayoclinic.com/health/canes/HA00064) and a walker (www.mayoclinic.com/health/ walker/HA00060). Another possible hazard is pets. If you have a dog or cat, you need to be aware

that, because they can get under foot, pets cause a lot of falls. Shoes are another issue to be aware of. Rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes are the best slip/trip proof shoes for seniors. Savvy Tip: If falls are a worry, consider getting a home monitoring system or personal emergency response system â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a small pendent- or wristwatch-style â&#x20AC;&#x153;SOS buttonâ&#x20AC;? that can allow you to call for help if you fall. Available through companies like www.lifelinesys.com and www.lifealert.com, these systems cost around $1 per day. Send your questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Savvy Seniorâ&#x20AC;? book.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Health Studies Page

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Exploring the genetic roots of Alzheimer’s By Barbara Ruben If a genetic test could reveal your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease, would you want to take it? How might you change your life if you found out you were likely to be diagnosed with the disease? These are some of the questions doctors at Howard University are looking at in a study called REVEAL IV. The clinical

trial is recruiting people with mild cognitive impairment — an early-stage memory disorder that in some people progresses to Alzheimer’s — and studying the psychological and behavioral impact of learning genetic risk. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is one gene that can provide information about a person’s chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Some people with a form of this

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gene called APOE4 are likelier to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. About 25 to 30 percent of the population has this form of the gene, and it is present in about 40 percent of all people who develop Alzheimer’s after age 60, according to the National Institute on Aging. Scientists do not yet know why having the APOE4 gene increases risk. “It used to be that we couldn’t diagnose Alzheimer’s disease until autopsy. Now researchers can see changes in cognition and see if there are genetic markers. Having this information can help people plan for the future better,” said Dr. Tolu Fafowora, a clinical research associate at Howard University and the study coordinator.

Who can take part? To qualify for the study, participants must be between 55 and 90 years old, have mild cognitive impairment, and have a study partner who can attend each study visit with the participant and also complete surveys and interviews. “Having a study partner is important,” Fafowora said. “People who learn this sort of information find it helpful to have someone to talk to. Sometimes it helps to share the burden.” Those who already have a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease cannot take part in the study. In addition, those with untreated anxiety or depression do not qualify because finding out they have the gene might be especially difficult for them to handle, Fafowora said. While participants of all races may enter the study, Fafowora said she particularly

encourages African Americans to take part because they are underrepresented in clinical trials and because they are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than other populations.

All will get risk assessments Participants in the year-long study will be randomly divided into two groups. One will receive an assessment of their chances within three years of developing Alzheimer’s based only on their age and their mild cognitive impairment. The other will receive an assessment based on this information together with genetic test results. Only the latter group will be given their personal test results as part of the study. During the first study visit, participants will have an education session to learn about Alzheimer’s disease and genes. They will also fill out surveys about their knowledge of memory impairment, as well as tests to assess memory and thinking skills. This visit will take approximately two to three hours. At the second visit, all participants will have their blood drawn for genetic testing. At the third visit, participants will get their risk assessment. Six weeks later, participants will visit Howard University Hospital again to talk about how the information has impacted their lives. During each visit, they will fill out surveys about how they are feeling. They will also receive a phone call at six and 12 months to see how they’re doing. Those who were in the group that did See HEALTH STUDY, page 17

Alzheimer’s Disease Affects Many African American Families

Please contact us about a medical research study of an investigational medication for those with symptoms suggestive of early Alzheimer’s disease. QUALIFIED PARTICIPANTS MUST • Be 50 to 80 years of age • Have a concern about a change in memory or cognition • Have a spouse, companion or friend who will be your “study partner” and who is willing to help during the study

QUALIFIED PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE • All study-related care, evaluations and investigational medication at no cost • Compensation for their time

Recurring memory problems and forgetfulness may mean more than just aging.

For more info, contact

Kelly Behan at (202) 687-0413

To learn more about your chances of developing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), join the

REVEAL Study (Risk Evaluation and Education for Alzheimer’s Disease)

In the REVEAL Study, you will receive: • Education about the genetics of AD • A personalized AD risk assessment For more information, contact Howard University Hospital

call: 202-865-1905 or 202-865-3776

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

U.S. tackles national plan for Alzheimer’s

Health study From page 16 not find out their genetic status earlier in the trial will have the opportunity to get the results at the end of the study. No compensation for the study is of-

fered, but parking or Metro costs will be covered. For more information, or to volunteer for the study, call (202) 865-1905 or (202) 865-3776. Howard University Hospital is located at 2041 Georgia Ave., Washington, D.C.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE NEUROIMAGING INITIATIVE ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

This study looks to help predict and monitor the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease using: FDG-PET imaging scans MRI scans Amyloid PET imaging scans Biomarkers from the collection and testing of blood and cerebrospinal fluid NO STUDY DRUG IS USED IN THIS RESEARCH The study needs volunteers who: • Are between 55 and 90 years of age • Are fluent in English or Spanish • Either have a diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s disease, MCI, or are cognitively normal • Are in good general health • Are willing and able to undergo in-clinic assessments, memory testing and other test procedures • Have a study partner - a friend or relative who can accompany the volunteer to all clinic visits Participants cannot be involved in other clinical trials while in this study. Participant’s health will be closely monitored by a team of doctors and nurses. Participants will receive compensation for their time and costs incurred for travel, parking and meals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Saba Wolday, M. Sc., Howard University Hospital Swolday@howard.edu Phone: (202) 865-7895 • Fax: (202)865-4923 General Infomation: (202) 865-3777

givers’ own health and financial future. “Either you’re rich and can afford $25 an hour for care at home, or you send him See ALZHEIMER’S PLAN, page 18

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African Americans Concerned About Alzheimer’s (See ad and article, p. 16)

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Clip and return to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 or fax to (301) 949-8966

Treating Severe Cancer Pain

The purpose of this research study is to investigate the safety and effectiveness of a new treatment for unmanageable pain in patients with advanced cancer.

Description of study:

• In this study, the research drug will be injected directly into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. This is the first trial in humans where this drug is injected into the spinal fluid. • Studies in animals have shown pain relief after the spinal administration of this treatment.

• The study involves up to eight visits to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. There will be one inpatient visit that will last two to three days; the rest will be outpatient visits lasting four to six hours. There will be a screening visit, a treatment visit, and four follow-up visits, which occur beginning seven days after treatment. The participant will also be followed by telephone for approximately seven months after the treatment visit.

You may qualify if: • You have a diagnosis of advanced cancer. • You are age 18 or older. • You are unable to relieve your pain with medication. • The pain you are experiencing is at or below the level of your chest.

You may not qualify if: • Your pain is not caused by cancer. • You cannot have a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. • You have allergies to chili peppers or capsaicin (e.g., causing hives). • You are pregnant.

There is no charge for study-related tests. Travel costs may be reimbursed.

For more information, Call: 1-800-411-1222 (TTY: 1-866-411-1010) Se habla español Or go online, clinicaltrials.gov Refer to study # 09-D-0039 IRB-approved 08-22-2011

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An estimated 5.4 million Americans

HIV virus but nothing comparable for dementia. Overwhelmingly, they ask for resources to help Alzheimer’s patients live their last years at home without ruining their care-

• H E A LT H ST U DY I N F O • H E A LT H ST U DY I N F O • H E A LT H ST U DY I N F O •

A growing toll

have Alzheimer’s or similar dementias. It is the sixth-leading killer. There is no cure; treatments only temporarily ease some symptoms. Barring a research breakthrough, those numbers will worsen steadily as the baby boomers age. By 2050, from 13 million to 16 million Americans are projected to have Alzheimer’s, costing $1 trillion in medical and nursing home expenditures. That is not, however, the full toll. Sufferers lose the ability to do the simplest activities of daily life and can survive that way for a decade or more, requiring years of care from family, friends or paid caregivers. Already a recent report finds that nearly 15 million people, mostly family members, are providing more than $200 billion worth of unpaid care. Thousands of those caregivers have turned out at public meetings since early August, and at a “telephone town meeting” organized by the Alzheimer’s Association that drew 32,000 people, pleading for a national Alzheimer’s strategy to bring changes. They want primary care doctors trained to diagnose dementia earlier, describing how years of missed symptoms cost them precious time to make plans or seek treatment. They demand to know why the National Institutes of Health spends about six times more on AIDS research than on Alzheimer’s, when there are good drugs to battle back the

H E A LT H S T U D Y I N F O • H E A LT H S T U DY I N F O

By Lauran Neergaard As her mother’s Alzheimer’s worsened over eight long years, so did Doreen Alfaro’s bills: The walker, then the wheelchair, then the hospital bed, then the diapers — and the caregivers hired for more and more hours a day so Alfaro could go to work and her elderly father could get some rest. Alfaro and her husband sold their house to raise money for her mother’s final athome care. Six years later, the 58-year-old Alfaro wonders if she eventually develops Alzheimer’s, too, “what happens to my care? Where will I go?” Dementia is poised to become a defining disease of the rapidly aging population — and a budget-busting one for Medicare and Medicaid, the U.S. government’s medical programs for the sick and the elderly, as well as for American families. Now the Obama administration is developing the first National Alzheimer’s Plan, to combine research aimed at fighting the mind-destroying disease with help that caregivers need to stay afloat. “This is a unique opportunity, maybe an opportunity of a lifetime in a sense, to really have an impact on this disease,” said Dr. Ronald Petersen of the Mayo Clinic, who chairs a committee that in September began advising the government on what that plan should include.

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Alzheimer’s plan From page 17 to a facility. We’re in the middle of the road,” said Shirley Rexrode of suburban San Francisco, whose 85-year-old father, Hsien-Wen Li, was diagnosed with

Alzheimer’s nearly three years ago. Adult day care did not work out. Even at $90 a day, the only place with an opening could not handle the behaviors of Alzheimer’s. Rexrode’s mother, Li’s primary caregiver, already has suffered some depression. “We just have to muddle

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

through, but we don’t know how long we can,” Rexrode said. And while Medicare will pay for doctor bills and medications, even getting to the doctor can be a hurdle. When her 89-year-old mother with advanced Alzheimer’s developed a urinary tract infection, Susan Lynch could not find a doctor willing to come to her parents’ home in Fall River, Mass. Lynch flew there from her home in Gaithersburg, Md., but could not carry her mother down the stairs. A private ambulance service did not have an opening for weeks. Lynch wound up calling the town ambulance for a costly but Medicarecovered trip to the emergency room. Federal health officials, who promise a first draft of the national plan by December, say they are getting the message. “Folks desperately, desperately want to be able to provide the care themselves,” said Donald Moulds, a deputy assistant secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services who oversees the project. “It’s very, very hard work. Figuring out better mechanisms for supporting people who are trying to do that work is the right thing to do.” It also may be cheaper for taxpayers. Nursing homes not only are pricier than athome care, but many families can afford them only through Medicaid, the healthcare program for the poor — jointly paid for by the federal government and the states. Another key, Moulds said, is better care coordination as Alzheimer’s complicates the many other health problems of aging.

Where will funding come from? Given the U.S. government’s budget crisis, the big question is whether any anti-

Alzheimer’s strategy can come with enough dollars and other incentives attached to spur true change. “That’s a concern, a very real one,” said Mayo’s Petersen. The law that requires a national Alzheimer’s plan did not provide funding, and Moulds is silent about the possible price tag. Almost complete is an inventory of all Alzheimer’s-related research and care reimbursement paid for by the U.S. government, to look for gaps that need filling and possible savings to help pay for them. Other countries including England and Australia — and 25 U.S. states, by Moulds’ count — have developed their own Alzheimer’s plans. A Virginia state commission is currently crafting a plan (see www.vda.virginia.gov/alzcommission.asp), but there aren’t similar plans in Maryland or the District of Columbia. The United States is taking a special look at France, where President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008 pledged to invest 1.6 billion euros over five years for better diagnosis, research and caregiver support and training. Sarkozy told an international Alzheimer’s Association meeting in July that he wants to guarantee “that no French family is left without support.” Moulds said it is too early to know what is working in France, but U.S. families are telling him that any Alzheimer’s plan must bring better understanding of a disease too often suffered in isolation. For more information about services available now, the Alzheimer’s Association has a 24-hour toll-free number, 1-800-2723900, with counselors to help families. Also visit www.alz.org. — AP

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How healthy is white whole wheat bread? Q: Is the bread called “white whole wheat” really as healthy as regular whole wheat? A: “White whole wheat” does sound confusing, but it is indeed a whole grain, because it includes the bran, germ and endosperm of the grain. Most bread products are made from red wheat; white wheat is a different variety of wheat. The bran of white wheat is lighter in color and milder in flavor, so for children and adults accustomed to traditional white bread and other refined grains, this lighter whole wheat may be more readily accepted. Fiber, vitamin and mineral content of white whole wheat is similar to red whole wheat, because it still has the healthful

bran and germ that are removed in refining grains. That said, white whole wheat might not supply all the health benefits of traditional whole wheat. White wheat’s lighter color and sweeter flavor are due to its lower content of natural plant compounds, called phenols. Research so far shows this white wholewheat flour lower in antioxidants than traditional whole wheat, and there could be additional health differences due to its lower phenol content. We also don’t know yet whether the fine grind typically used for white whole-wheat flour affects the benefits obtained from its fiber concerning bowel function and reducing constipation.

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Is white whole wheat better for you than ent ways to reduce breast cancer recurrence, traditional refined white bread? Certainly. just as it reduces risk of an initial cancer: it For optimal health, current evtends to decrease levels of inidence suggests using it as a sulin and growth factors that transition to become more can promote development of comfortable with traditional breast (and other) cancers, and whole wheat, or as just one it changes reproductive horpart of overall whole grain mones, too. consumption. In addition, a new study Q: I know exercise helps suggests physical activity reduce risk of breast canmay affect gene expression, cer. What about breast caneffectively “turning on” genes cer survivors? related to suppressing breast A: We now have several NUTRITION cancer tumors. studies following women diag- WISE Finally, although physical By Karen Collins, nosed with early stage breast activity generally doesn’t burn cancer (stages 1 through III) MS, RD, CDM enough calories to produce that link getting some physical much weight loss on its own, activity each week with 35 to nearly 50 per- studies consistently find it a crucial part of cent lower risk of recurrence or death over long-term weight maintenance, which plays the average five to ten years that women an important role in protecting against postwere followed after diagnosis. menopausal breast (and other) cancers. Protection is seen regardless of type of The American Institute for Cancer Recancer, menopause status or weight. Even search offers a Nutrition Hotline, 1-800- 843an hour of walking throughout the week is 8114, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through better than nothing, and up to an hour a day Friday. This free service allows you to ask of moderate to vigorous exercise is linked to questions about diet, nutrition and cancer. even better odds of remaining cancer-free. Courtesy of the American Institute for We have no evidence, however, that more Cancer Research. Questions for this column than an hour or so of moderate to vigorous may be sent to “Nutrition Wise,” 1759 R St., exercise daily provides any additional benefit. N.W., Washington, DC 20009. Collins canPhysical activity could act in several differ- not respond to questions personally.

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Chinese lemon chicken is a one-pot dish By Dana Jacobi Lemon chicken is legitimately Chinese. When making it for family and friends, Chinese cooks coat bite-size pieces of chicken breast with egg white and cornstarch, a tenderizing process called velveting, quickly cook the chicken in oil, then drain it very well. The lemon sauce is cooked separately and poured over the moist chicken. For Americans, chefs batter and deepfry the chicken, then top it with a gooey, tart-sweet sauce. Frequently this is served on a bed of shredded iceberg lettuce, added more for eye appeal than for health benefits. Looking to cut calories from fat and to add a colorful, healthful amount of vegetables to this wellloved dish, I star ted by reaching for coconut oil. A little of this tropical oil goes a long way, while it also infuses a dish with the flavor of fresh coconut. Just one tablespoon gives a pan of refried beans or a pot of collard greens a whole new accent. Add a dab of Thai curry paste or a jolt of Indian curry powder and you have alluring side dishes. It enlivens bland chicken breast, too, which explains why I chose it for this remake. Although coconut oil is high in saturated fat, this recipe uses a small amount to keep the saturated fat lower. The high smoke point of this oil makes it a good choice when stir-frying, too. Stir-frying the chicken, then cooking the broccoli in a very gingery lemon sauce keeps this a one-pot dish. For best results, take time to cut the chicken and broccoli into even-sized, smallish pieces.

Lemon chicken with broccoli and ginger 1/2 cup fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1/2 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. ground white or black pepper 1 Tbsp. virgin coconut oil, divided 1 lb. skinless and boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces 1 Tbsp. grated or finely chopped ginger, plus 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1/2 cup sliced leek, white and pale green parts 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion, in crescents 3 cups broccoli florets, cut to bite-size 1/4 cup chopped scallions, green and white parts In measuring cup, combine broth, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Set aside. Heat a wok (or frying pan) over high heat. When wok is hot, drizzle half of the oil around sides, then lift and swirl wok to coat it. Add chicken, and stir-fry until no pink color shows, 2 minutes. Scoop out chicken and place on plate. Drizzle remaining oil into wok and swirl to coat. Add fresh ginger, ground ginger and garlic and stir fry until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add leek, onion and broccoli, and stir fry for 1 minute. Pour in broth mixture, cover wok and cook for 2 minutes until broccoli looks bright green. Return chicken to wok and stir fry until pieces are white in the center, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn contents of wok out onto serving platter. Sprinkle on scallions and serve. Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 193 calo-

ries, 5 g. fat (3 g. sat. fat), 8 g. carbohydrates, 29 g. protein 1 g. fiber, 452 mg. sodium. Dana Jacobi is author of 12 Best Foods Cookbook and contributor to AICR’s New

American Plate Cookbook: Recipes for a Healthy Weight and a Healthy Life. Courtesy American Institute for Cancer Research.

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Drop your blood pressure with potassium Dear Pharmacist: I have borderline high blood pressure, but I don’t have prescription drug insurance so I’m not willing to start medication yet. If you had to pick only one vitamin or supplement to recommend, what would you suggest? — M.G. Dear M.G.: If I’m pinned to just one, I pick potassium chloride. It’s inexpensive, sold overthe-counter at pharmacies nationwide, and is well-documented to help regulate blood pressure. There are even extended-release versions available by prescription, such as Micro-K and Klor-Con. Potassium lives in all of our cells, and you need it to move your muscles and

make your heart beat in perfect rhythm. Without enough potassium on board, your muscles will cramp (and remember, your heart is a muscle). Potassium also seems to protect the brain from ischemic injury (like a stroke). The scary part to me is that there are dozens of drug muggers of potassium — that is, other medications that rob the body of needed potassium. These include certain types of diuretics, heartburn medications, laxatives, insulin therapy and corticosteroid drugs. More classes of medications are listed in my book, Drug Muggers. I cannot overestimate the importance of restoring nutrients that get depleted by medications, for this is your side effect solution!

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Most physicians are aware of the need sure drugs that are “potassium-sparing.” to reestablish potassium levels after orderStudies consistently support potassium ing a diuretic drug, so patients in the regulation of blood are commonly told to replace pressure. Research has potassium with a banana. shown that adults (and aniFYI, one cup of papaya or mals) with high blood presFrench-style green beans have sure who are given supplemuch higher amounts of natumental potassium often show ral potassium compared to one a drop in systolic and/or dibanana, a fruit that is high in astolic pressure by up to 12 sugar and prone to fungal dismm Hg (sometimes more, ease at the plantation. depending on the study). Potassium can also be deAnimals prone to stroke pleted from the body by in- DEAR also showed benefit from PHARMACIST tense workouts (think hot potassium in at least one By Suzy Cohen yoga), any kind of dehydrastudy. Only two percent of the tion, vomiting, chronic or serats who were potassium-supvere diarrhea and alcoholism. If you want plemented suffered a stroke, compared to to know your blood levels, physicians offer 83 percent of the untreated group. a blood test to evaluate your level of potasWhen supplementing with potassium sium and other electrolytes. tablets, drink plenty of water and eat a Potassium works with its brother, sodi- snack because this helps ease the mineral um, and the two together help control your into your body gently, while minimizing GI body’s water balance, which in turn regu- discomfort. lates blood pressure. This information is opinion only. It is not Potassium has a cumulative effect, and intended to treat, cure or diagnose your conthis makes it better to take a regular dose dition. Consult with your doctor before using for two or three months, rather than to any new drug or supplement. take large doses for short periods of time. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist Never take more than your doctor recom- and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist mends, and be careful because potassium in- and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To teracts with certain diuretics and blood pres- contact her, visit www.dearpharmacist.com.

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Enjoy life more by getting past the guilt Dear Solutions: leave him alone. She keeps calling I’m a 70-something widower. When him. Every time he tries to break off my wife was alive, we both with her, she’s right back wanted to go on an aroundagain. How can I get this the-world cruise, but we woman out of my grandkept putting it off. son’s life? Now I would like to go, — Belle but until last week I had no Dear Belle: one to go with. At a senior Evidently, you want to be group meeting I met a the only “older woman” in his woman who said she life, since you are trying to would like to go also and control him, her and the had no one to go with. She whole situation. asked if we could we go to- SOLUTIONS She may be older, but so is gether and take separate By Helen Oxenberg, he. Twenty-five is no baby. MSW, ACSW rooms. He’s an adult and will have to I like this woman, but I work out his own problems. feel guilty going when my wife never Insist that your grandson at least get his had the chance. own phone to monitor his own calls, and Also, someone else said, “Wouldn’t then you let go. you feel guilty spending your chil- Dear Solutions: dren’s money?” The thought of going If you’re in a marriage where nothis very exciting, but then I get pulled ing terrible is happening (no alcoback by all these other feelings. What holism, adultery or abuse, for examdo you think? ple), but the person doesn’t make you — Harry happy, is it better to leave or to just Dear Harry: stick it out? You have a golden opportunity for a giltSome people I know who left their edged trip, depending on how you spell the word. Gilt? Guilt? Let’s try being rational. * 1. It’s sad that your wife didn’t have the opportunity to go. However, since you both postponed the trip, the first thing you have to do — unless you murdered her — is to give up responsibility for her missed trip. You can feel bad and cry over it, but when you finish, ask yourself, “If I don’t go now, will that give her back the lost opportunity?” 2. If you like the woman who wants to go with you, think of her as a friend or a companion, not a date. Whether you take separate rooms or not is entirely up to the two of you, and is nobody else’s business. 3. Leaving money to one’s grown children is a gift not a given. You are entitled to fulfill your dreams and, hopefully, your children will be happy for you. So go, Harry. If not now, when? Dear Solutions: My 25-year-old grandson recently got a job in my town and is temporarily living with me to save money until he can get his own place. He got involved with an older woman and had an affair with her. Now he wants out of it, but she won’t

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I’m not talking about adultery.) If you can develop enough outside pleasures and inside self esteem, perhaps you can then appreciate the person you’re married to for helping to provide a stable life. Stability is not what you have when you’re running around on the eternal search for someone better. Maybe some of my readers can write in and express their opinion about this interesting question. I’d like to hear from you about this. © Helen Oxenberg, 2011. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

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Money Law &

BEWARE USED CAR SCAMS Stay away from “too good to be true” used cars offered online TAX BREAKS FOR ELDER CARE Look into the dependent-care tax credit or a flexible spending account FINDING FINANCIAL GUIDANCE Where to seek advice for investing, insurance, estate planning and more OVERSEAS STOCK PICKS Investing in foreign companies requires research, but can have big payoffs

Utilities funds deliver in declining market But will they continue to grow in 2012? By Mark Jewell There’s plenty to like about utilities companies. Investors looking for stability will find their stock returns aren’t as choppy as the broader market, and they’re a source of reliable dividend income. Those traits are an outgrowth of the typically stable demand for electricity and natural gas. Homeowners and businesses keep the lights on, and the heat or air-conditioning running, in good economic times and bad. Government deregulation of utilities has shaken things up, but it’s still a stable industry compared with most. The relative predictability of utility profits means stocks tend to follow a steady path of modest returns, with few of the surprises that can make stocks in other industries zigzag. In this year’s market decline, it’s utilities that have topped the charts for growth. Stock mutual funds that specialize in utilities are the top-performing stock mutual fund category, with an average 4.2 percent return, according to Morningstar.

Nearly all other fund categories are down, and the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index has lost 3.4 percent, including dividends. Utility stocks posted unusually strong gains as the broader market tumbled in August. Shares of Consolidated Edison, a New York energy utility, jumped 6.9 percent, while electric utilities American Electric Power and Southern Co. were up nearly 5 percent. Investors have recently bid up utility stocks because they’re seen as a safe investment when the rest of the market is declining, Morningstar analyst David Kathman said.

High dividends, too Another plus? Their dividend yields look especially appealing now. The average dividend yield of the 33 utility stocks within the S&P 500 is 4.4 percent. That’s twice the average yield of the index. By comparison, the 10-year Treasury bond offers only around 2 percent. “Lots of people are looking for yield, and

they’re wary of bonds now, so utilities look attractive,” Kathman said. The dividends for utilities have been rising since the market’s initial downturn in September 2008. Dividends paid by utilities rose nearly 21 percent versus a nearly 7 percent decline in dividends paid by S&P 500 stocks as a whole, according to Ned Davis Research. But, in typical fashion, utility stocks haven’t participated in as much of the market’s rebound since March 2009. They’re up about 50 percent since the market bottomed out, yet that lags the 80 percent gain for the S&P 500 through the end of August. Despite utility stocks’ recent strong performance, there’s reason to believe it may not last. That’s because Wall Street analysts are less optimistic about their earnings prospects than they are for other industries. On average, analysts expect utility earnings to decline 2 percent next year compared with this year. Earnings across the S&P 500 are forecast to rise an average 14 percent.

Before you invest Here are three things investors need to consider about utility stocks and the funds that invest in them: 1. How much should you invest? Utilities make up about 3.7 percent of the market value of the S&P 500 index. If you invest in a fund that tracks that index, you have a built-in stake in utilities. Many diversified funds also invest in utilities. If you want to check your total exposure, Morningstar’s website offers a tool called Instant X-Ray to provide a snapshot of holdings across your portfolio. See www.morningstar.com. A utilities investment a few percentage points above 3 or 4 percent of a stock portfolio may be appropriate if an investor is in or near retirement and wishes to emphasize stocks offering dividend income, and low volatility. 2. What are your investment options? Investors looking to invest in utilities can buy individual stocks or invest in See UTILITIES FUNDS, page 25

Reasons to consider investing in Asia By Mark Jewell Europe is struggling with a debt crisis. As investors worry that it could spread to the U.S., recession fears mount on both sides of the Atlantic. That’s plenty incentive to look elsewhere for opportunities to put your money to work. Taizo Ishida says he’s fortunate that he focuses on investing in Asia — home to 60 percent of the globe’s population and many of its fastest-growing economies. The Japanese native manages the Matthews Asia Growth and Matthews Japan mutual funds, whose strong records have each earned a 4-star rating on Morningstar’s 5-star scale. Ishida sees solid long-term prospects in Asia. For example, China’s economy is growing at an annual rate of 9 percent, about 10 times faster than the lumbering U.S. economy. China is expanding at that rapid clip despite recent moves by its gov-

ernment to curb inflation and moderate growth. Still, Asian economies are hardly sheltered. Stocks in many Asian markets have fallen more than twice as much as this year’s 8 percent decline in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index. Matthews Asia Growth (MPACX) and the Japan fund (MJFOX) are down 13 percent and 5 percent this year. Those declines reflect fears that potential recessions in the U.S. and Europe will crimp demand for exports from Asia. Investors also worry about slower growth within Asia.

Need a long-term view Ishida takes a long-term view. Once he finds a stock he likes, he tends to keep it for years. It’s an approach that’s helped Asia Growth outperform all other funds in its Asia and Pacific stock category, with an average annualized return of 4.5 percent

over the past 5-year period. Ishida discussed the prospects and pitfalls of Asian investing in a recent interview. Here are excerpts: Q: Investors around the world were spooked after a report from China indicated a slowdown in manufacturing there. What did the resulting decline in the markets say about the China’s role in the global economy? A: That data simply showed that China’s growth is slowing a bit. But it should have been expected, because the government has tried to slow the economy. Everyone is paying too much attention to China. They think China will be a superhero that saves the world economy, which is completely overblown. China is not going to save the world. China is a very keen to save themselves. Q: How strong are prospects for growth in Asia compared with the U.S.?

A: Asia is still growing solidly. Asian governments are in good fiscal shape, and Asian consumers in general have low levels of debt. That’s not the case with U.S. and European consumers. Q: Then why have Asian stocks fallen more sharply than U.S. stocks lately? A: It’s unfair. But it’s a reality that emerging markets are more volatile — when stocks in developed markets decline, many Asian stocks fall further. Everything is linked globally, especially market sentiment. Consider Thailand, for example. Unemployment is only 1 percent there. The economy is growing at around 4 percent a year. A recent election has stabilized the political situation. But Thailand’s stock index is down 15 percent the past three months. See INVESTING IN ASIA, page 25

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Utilities funds From page 24 nearly two dozen mutual funds that specialize in utilities. Some are low-cost index funds that passively track an index of utilities stocks. One such offering is Vanguard’s Utilities Index Fund (VUIAX), which charges an expense ratio of just 0.24 percent. Others are actively managed and pricier, because they rely on the expertise of investment-picking pros. Morningstar’s current favorite is Franklin Utilities (FKUTX). Some funds limit their investments to stocks of U.S. utilities, while others venture overseas, buying foreign utilities.

Investing in Asia From page 24 It’s strange, given the strength of the Thai economy. Stocks are down because global investors’ appetite for risk has declined. People are just taking money out of stocks in general. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in Asia, the U.S. or Europe.

Vast potential for growth Q: What are the key factors that will drive Asian stock performance in coming years? A: Asia has been an export story for the last 20 years. But now it’s a consumption story. Growth at Asian companies depends

Some add telecommunications stocks into the mix, such as BlackRock Utilities and Telecom (MDGUX). More than a dozen exchange-traded funds (ETFs) specialize in utilities, and charge low expenses because they track indexes. S&P’s fund research team currently gives top marks to Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) and WisdomTree Global Ex-US Utilities Fund (DBU). S&P’s ratings are based on factors such as a fund’s expenses as well as S&P’s analysis of the quality of the stocks in a fund’s portfolio. 3. Are there regulatory risks? Utilities remain one of the more heavily regulated industries, despite the deregulation trend of the past few decades. That means

utilities stocks could depart from their generally stable trajectory if there are significant regulatory changes. Many utilities are trying to meet government mandates to go green. They’re looking for ways to decrease reliance on non-renewable sources of energy such as coal and oil, and expand use of renewable sources such as solar and wind power. Regulators also have imposed requirements that utilities improve the reliability of the electricity grid. John Kohli, manager of Franklin Utilities Fund, said such requirements present growth opportunities for many utilities. Although the utilities must increase spending to meet the mandates, they typically

can recover the higher costs through rate increases passed on to customers, he said. However, regulators could become less inclined to approve such rate increases if the economy slips back into a recession, Kohli said. If that happens, regulators may want to protect consumers from rate hikes, given the other economic stresses. But on the whole, Kohli sees opportunity for utilities to become more profitable, as they invest more to make their operations more environmentally sensitive, reliable and efficient. “Fundamentally, the sector is in good shape,” he said, “and we expect decent growth for the next decade at least.” — AP

on demand for goods and services within Asia. Consumption is rising because the middle class has become a huge portion of the population. About 600 million people are now considered middle class in the Asian countries I invest in (a region that stretches from Japan to Pakistan to Indonesia). That’s twice the total U.S. population, and it represents a huge investment opportunity. Q: Both your funds invest primarily in growth stocks of large companies. In the U.S., investors think of such large-cap growth names as Apple and Google. Where do you find such stocks in Asia? A: There are plenty of growth stocks in industries that American investors would-

n’t associate with rapid earnings and revenue growth. Take food and beverage companies. In the U.S., people think of these companies as slow-growing, consumer staples companies. But in frontier markets where many people are still poor, these companies can

be growth stocks. The Asia Growth fund invests in a company called Vietnam Dairy Products. It’s got about a 30 percent market share in Vietnam, with revenue growth averaging nearly 40 percent the past five years. — AP

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Scams target used car shoppers online By Eileen AJ Connolly It’s another case of “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” The FBI is warning online auto shoppers to watch out for deals that offer cars at very low prices, then direct unwitting buyers to phony websites designed to separate victims from their money. The agency says more than $44.5 million was stolen through such scams from 2008 to 2010. The agency said there are variations on the scheme, but the basic version involves a seller placing an ad on a legitimate website like Craigslist for a car at a below-market price. When an interested buyer responds via email, the return email often includes a story of hardship explaining why the price

is so low — the seller lost his job, there’s a health care emergency, or even that the seller is being deployed by the military. The email also includes a request to move the transaction to another website “for security reasons,” yet at the same time offers (fake) buyer protection through another company, often identified as eBay Inc. The seller may also pose as a representative of a legitimate company in a live online chat, and will send a real-looking invoice that purports to be from eBay or another major site. The return email will also ask the consumer to wire the money to pay for the vehicle, and sometimes to fax a receipt showing when that transaction has taken place. The parties then agree on a time and place

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Red flags The FBI lists a series of warning signs that the sale is a scam on its website, www.fbi.gov . To summarize the red flags: car shoppers should watch out for deals with ultralow prices, sellers who want to switch websites, claims that buyer protection is available from a website not involved in the transaction, and sellers who won’t meet in person to allow the buyer to see the car ahead of time. Also beware of hard-luck stories that seemingly explain why the car is such a good deal. And any sale that requires funds to be wired ahead of time should be a big warning sign. Once funds are wired, there is no way to retrieve them.

Craigslist and eBay scams

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A bluntly worded warning posted on the “Cars & Trucks” page on Craigslist warns consumers against having a vehicle shipped to them. “Offers to ship a vehicle are virtually

100 percent fraudulent,” the site states, and adds that customers should “never use Western Union or a wire transfer to pay for goods — only a scammer will ask for this, and any funds sent will be lost.” There were nearly 14,000 complaints submitted to the FBI by consumers who have been targeted or fallen for this type of scam between 2008 and 2010. Jack Christin, associate general counsel at eBay Inc., said the online auction company sees the scammers as “hijacking the eBay name.” The company has placed an alert on the top of www.ebaymotors.com warning consumers that their vehicle purchase protection only covers transactions completed on their site. If a seller from another site promises eBay protection programs, the warning says, “Walk away. It is fraudulent.” The eBay Motors Security Center also offers tips for safe online car buying and links to report suspected fraud to the company and the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is operated by the FBI and other government agencies. — AP

BEACON BITS

Nov. 28

WHEN TO START SOCIAL SECURITY?

Learn the history of Social Security, the current landscape, who is eligible, and how to decide when to start taking benefits at this free program on Monday, Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. at Langston-Brown Senior Center, 2121 N. Culpeper St., Arlington, Va. Call (703) 228-6300 to register.

Nov. 14

INFO ON RETIREMENT HOUSING CONTRACTS

There are three basic types of contracts associated with living in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Meredith MacKay from Legal Services of Northern Virginia will explain the differences on Monday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. at Lee Senior Center, 5722 Lee Hwy., Arlington, Va. Call (703) 228-0555 to register. Top 1% of Agents Nationwide Top 10 Agents Weichert Montgomery County, Jan - June 2011 Community Resident • Former Mont. County Teacher

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Did you know? You may qualify for assistance in paying your home phone bill. Discounts for basic telephone service are available to eligible District of Columbia low-income residents. Verizon Washington, D.C. Lifeline Plans: Verizon Washington, D.C.’s Lifeline service, known as “Economy II,” offers reduced rates on Verizon’s monthly telephone bill and one-time discounts on the cost of installing phone service. Additionally, toll blocking is available to Economy II customers at no charge. Economy II Service*: $3.00 per month for unlimited local calling. Value-added services are not included (e.g., Call Waiting, Caller ID). No connection charges apply. Also, customers will not be charged for the federal subscriber line charge. Economy II customers who are 65 years of age or older can have this service at a further reduced rate of $1.00 per month. • Full terms and rates for these services, including terms of eligibility, are as set forth in federal and in Verizon’s tariffs on file with the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia. Rates as stated here are effective as of September 1, 2011. But, the rates and other terms are subject to change in the future.

Link-Up America Link-Up America Link-Up America is for District residents who are eligible for social service assistance. New customers or customers who move to a new address may qualify for a 50 percent reduction in service connection charges.

Contact DDOE at 311 to apply To learn more about the Lifeline program, visit www.lifelinesupport.org.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

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PROGRESS REPORT October 2011

IMPROVING RELIABILITY with new technology Our crew pictured here is installing an automatic switch that will help us reroute power in the event of an outage, restoring service to most customers

OUR PROGRESS CONTINUES We’re working to improve reliability every day. Between September 2010 and October 2011, we’ve made a great deal of progress.

in minutes. It’s one of hundreds we’re installing across our service area. Together with smart meters that help pinpoint outages, and real-time damage reporting for quicker response, it’s one more way

» 2601 MILES OF TREES TRIMMED to improve reliability

we’re working to improve reliability.

» 82 LINE UPGRADES COMPLETED to improve service in areas that have experienced more frequent outages

» 47 GROWTH PROJECTS COMPLETED to accommodate customers’ increased energy use

» 233 MILES OF UNDERGROUND LINES UPGRADED to enhance our infrastructure

Learn more about our progress at pepco.com

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

How to qualify for elder care tax breaks By Kimberly Lankford Q: My mother, who’s in the early stages of dementia, has moved in with me. She will attend an adult day care program while I’m at work. Can I deduct any of the expense of her care? A: You may be able to claim a dependent-care tax credit or set aside pretax dollars in a flexible spending account to pay for her care, as long as the expenses are necessary so that you (and your spouse, if you’re married) can continue to work.

To qualify for the tax credit, your mother must be physically or mentally unable to care for herself. The rules for claiming the dependent-care tax credit are less stringent than those for claiming a parent as a dependent. That means even if your mother’s gross income exceeds $3,700 (the personal-exemption amount for 2011), you could still claim the dependent-care credit as long as you provide more than half of her support. For most taxpayers, the dependent-care

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credit is worth 20 percent of the cost of care, up to $3,000 for one dependent ($6,000 for two or more). But your mother must live with you more than half of the year to qualify for the tax credit. So if she moved in after June, you won’t be able to claim the dependent-care credit on your 2011 income tax return that you’ll file next year; you’ll have to wait to claim the credit on your 2012 return. For more information about the tax rules, see IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses.

Flexible spending accounts Your employer may offer a flexible spending account program (FSA), which allows you to set aside part of your salary tax free for use in caring for your mother. If you are eligible for an FSA, ask whether you can make a midyear election to designate up to $5,000 to a dependentcare account for this year. If not, you can

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set up an FSA for 2012 during this year’s open-enrollment season. The rules for dependent-care FSAs can vary by employer, but generally your mother would be eligible if she is physically or mentally incapable of caring for herself, she lives with you for more than half the year, and you provide more than half of her support. “A practical example of an eligible expense might be the fees for a senior day care center for elders with Alzheimer’s — if, say, a parent lives with and is dependent on an adult child who works, and the parent goes to [an adult day care] center each day because the parent can’t be left alone,” said Jody Dietel, of WageWorks, which administers FSA plans for many large employers. You must choose between the FSA and the tax credit; you can’t claim both for the same expense. © 2011 Kiplinger. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

BEACON BITS

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

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Good financial advice is readily available Regardless of how well educated you passed a comprehensive examination and are, it’s unlikely that you can plan your must stay up-to-date in several subject areas. Some CFPs sell finanfamily’s financial future withcial products on commission, out some professional advice. so their efforts may be someMuch of what you need to what biased. do to manage, protect and Others are fee-only planpass on your wealth — things ners. They sell no products like investing, buying insurand generally charge you for ance and drawing up a will — an initial plan, and bill hourly can be done cheaply and in a after that. Such planners are straightforward manner. But you’ll be much better more likely to recommend off if you seek guidance products such as no-load funds where your competency is THE SAVINGS and low-load insurance that limited, especially when your GAME will be cost-effective for you. By Elliot Raphaelson needs are complex. If you have a significant portfolio, you will find that Do-it-yourself investing many of the major no-load funds will proConsider the example of investing. If you vide you with planners at low (or no) cost. have the time, and are willing to put in the effort, you can be your own financial plan- For life insurance ner. As a basic guide, I recommend Making As with investments, there are ways to the Most of Your Money Now by Jane Bryant reduce commissions when buying certain Quinn (Simon and Shuster, 2009). kinds of life insurance. So-called “low-load” To stay up-to-date, I recommend read- policies are available for universal, variable ing the Wall Street Journal, Money Maga- universal, and second-to-die insurance. zine, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magaLow-load policies provide you with largzine and Barron’s newspaper. er cash values in the early years of the polThere are many excellent blogs and icy. Accordingly, investment values and websites, too, including those run by in- death benefits accrue much faster, and vestment firms, such as Pimco.com and these policies have low (or no) surrender www.Vanguard.com. Vanguard has videos charges. and articles that discuss the issues surLife insurance is a complex subject, and rounding all the major investment options. you really need to educate yourself before you shop for a policy. Here again I recomFinding a professional mend Jane Bryant Quinn’s book. Of course, if you have no interest in You will also find a great deal of informabeing your own financial planner, you can tion on the Internet, including at the webhire one. However, it is important to check sites of the Insurance Information Institute references and to use one who has the (www.iii.org/individuals/lifeinsurance) proper credentials, because anyone can and the LIFE Foundation (www.lifehapclaim to be a “financial planner.” pens.org/life-insurance). The latter site A certified financial planner (CFP) has has a great calculator for helping you de-

termine the ideal amount of coverage. James Hunt, an actuary, former insurance commissioner and noted consumer advocate, offers a great service at a nominal fee evaluating prospective policies for consumers (visit his site at evaluatelifeinsurance.org). After you decide what type of policy you want, comparison shop via phone or the Internet. Using the same parameters, you can determine which policy is best by comparing the cash value after specific time frames. Some highly rated companies offering low-load policies directly are Ameritas Advisers (ameritasdirect.com), TIAA-CREF (tiaa-cref.org) and (if you or certain family members have a military background) USAA Life Insurance Co. (usaa.com). If your life insurance needs are complex, consider using a chartered life underwriter, who is more qualified than the average agent.

For health or LTC insurance If you require health, disability or longterm care insurance, you’re best off contacting a health insurance agent or your local Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP). SHIP offices are part of a nationwide network supported by the Older Americans Act, and offer one-on-one advice from well-educated volunteers. For an appointment with your local SHIP office, call the appropriate number: District of Columbia: (202) 739-0668 Alexandria: (703) 746-5999 Arlington: (703) 228-1700 Fairfax: (703) 324-5411 Montgomery: (301) 590-2819 Prince George’s: (301) 265-8471

Estate planning advice As for wills, if your estate plans are straightforward, you can use any compeSee FINANCIAL ADVICE, page 31

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1022#345678969:::#-;#!","!'"#<;+! ,"0-=#;!#!")&,-"!#;(2&("#0>>>?@&!)&(&0A2B"!%0>?C;/ !"#$%&#'()*#+,#-.%/#01#'%))2#3141###56786#9%(/#:;)"";2#:<(;"#=66###'%(),%>2#?@#==6A6

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You’re on top of your medications. But we make a good back up. You know it’s important to stay on your medications exactly as prescribed. However, if you miss a dose, want a lower-cost alternative, or experience any side effects, we can answer any questions. Speak to your local CVS Pharmacist to learn more. Find a store near you at www.cvs.com

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Money Shorts How to keep or obtain free checking Free checking accounts are increasingly coming with a little asterisk. A recent study released by Bankrate.com found that the vast majority of banks still offer free checking accounts. But more of them require customers to meet certain conditions to have monthly fees waived. For example, customers may have to maintain a certain balance or set up direct deposit, in which a paycheck or government benefit is automatically deposited into their account on a recurring basis. Otherwise, the study found that only 45 percent of checking accounts are free with no strings attached. That’s down sharply from 65 percent last year and 76 percent

ending or scaling back their debit rewards program in the past year. Banks are also experimenting with new ways to increase revenue. Chase and Wells Fargo, for instance, are testing a $3 monthly fee for customers who want debit cards with their checking accounts. Another regulation that went into effect last summer requires banks to obtain a customer’s consent before enrolling them in overdraft programs, which often charge as much as $35 per violation. Previously, it was a common industry practice to automatically sign up customers without giving them a way to opt out. Consumer advocates said that was

just two years ago. Even if customers find a free account, the other fees they run into may be somewhat higher. The average total cost for using an outof-network ATM rose slightly to $3.81, from $3.74, the year before, the study found. That’s including the fees charged by the customer’s own bank and the ATM operator. The average overdraft fee also rose slightly to $30.83, from $30.47. The findings were based on a study of banks in the country’s biggest markets in August. The higher costs come as banks revamp their terms and conditions to adjust to new regulations. Starting in October, the fees banks can collect from merchants whenever customers swipe their debit cards was capped. These fees generated an estimated $19 billion in revenue for banks in 2009, according to the Nilson Report, which tracks the payments industry. Several large banks have cited the regulation in

misleading because most people assume they can’t spend more than they have in their account. — AP

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Financial advice From page 29 tent attorney. A straightforward will is one in which you leave all of your assets to your spouse, and vice versa. If your spouse predeceases you, all assets when you die go to your children. You also want to make sure your spouse’s name is specified on all beneficiary forms for your retirement plans. If your estate plans are more complex, use an attorney who specializes in estate planning. Some examples: You are being married for the second time, and both partners have children from previous marriages; you wish to set up a trust for a family member who is handicapped; you are

leaving assets to minors, and you want to select a trustee to allocate funds to them; or you believe your spouse needs assistance handling money, and you prefer a trustee to invest the proceeds from your estate and allocate the funds to your beneficiary. Before hiring a professional in any of these fields, remember: Always check references. Don’t hesitate to ask friends for recommendations. You should have a face-to-face meeting with any professional you consider using, and he or she should be willing to meet with you initially without charging a fee. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. © 2011 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Investing overseas for dividends, income By Jeffrey R. Kosnett Despite the turmoil in stock markets around the world, this is a great time to home in on solid dividend-paying and growth stocks of foreign companies. Though it requires some extra research and may take you beyond your comfort zone, you’ll find hundreds of foreign stocks that trade in the U.S. as American depositary receipts (ADRs). The payoffs of high dividends and an expanding roster of stocks at favorable prices make it worth the trouble. ADRs are priced in dollars and you can buy and sell them in an ordinary brokerage account. Here are some examples to consider: • BHP Billiton (symbol BHP; recent price, $77) is headquartered in Mel-

bourne, Australia, and mines everything from aluminum to zinc. The company has prospered thanks to a boom in demand for natural resources, especially from fastgrowing emerging nations. That trend should continue — as long as the world avoids a global recession. The company has boosted its dividend at an annualized rate of 23 percent over the past five years. The yield isn’t especially eyecatching, but BHP should deliver an attractive total return (dividends plus appreciation) over the long haul. • Empresa Nacional de Electricidad (EOC; $47), known informally as Endesa Chile, provides power mostly in Chile, Argentina and Colombia. The dividend yield of the Santiago-based firm compares favor-

ably with the best U.S. electrics, but its prospects are better, given the steady economic growth in the region it serves and Endesa’s long list of power projects under construction. That contrasts with U.S. utilities, which build little nowadays, instead relying on obsolete facilities and trying to grow mainly by merging. Because Endesa gets most of its electricity from hydropower, however, dry weather and climate change present special risks. • Novartis (NVS; $55) is the world’s third-largest pharmaceutical company. It is well diversified, with a broad portfolio of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and eye-care products. Returns on Novartis’s shares have trounced those of U.S. and other European drug giants over the past five years. The company has been able to raise dividends 19 percent annually over that half-decade. And its location in Basel, Switzerland, means U.S. investors benefit from the super-strong Swiss franc. • Companhia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo (SBS; $52) is a water-and-sewer utility in the giant Brazilian state of Sao Paulo. Compared with U.S. water stocks, Saneamento Basico yields way more and pays out far less of

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its profits as dividends (only 30 percent). That gives it the flexibility to boost dividends even more. Saneamento also has plenty of growth potential. It will take decades to bring water and sanitation to hundreds of poor settlements and to the new residences, offices and factories going up in booming Brazil. Dividends, which vary year to year, were 29 percent higher in 2010 than they were in 2009. • Telefonica (symbol TEF; recent price, $19) provides phone and Internet services in Europe and Latin America and offers an unusually high 8.6-percent yield. Part of that is because of the perceived risk of being headquartered in Madrid. But Telefonica is far from a pure investment in Spain. The rest of Europe and Latin America, from Mexico south, account for 71 percent of Telefonica’s revenues and 64 percent of its profits. Europe will produce little growth, but Telefonica generates enough cash flow to keep raising its dividends. • Total (TOT; $44). Europe’s largest oil refiner is one of a shrinking number of integrated oil companies. It’s also involved in natural gas, as well as solar and wind energy. The chief difference between Total and

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Money shorts From page 31 puters, cellphones and other devices in a landfill. Your trash could be someone else’s treasure. • Sell it. Buyers at eBay and Amazon.com are always looking for deals. You can sell your used items yourself, or go through a company like iSold It, which sells products online for consumers. Mike Hadad, owner of an iSold It outlet in Gaithersburg, Md., said he sells most of the electronics he gets on eBay, but he tends to place new or nearly new items on Amazon, where they usually fetch a higher price. ISold It franchises usually take about a third of the sale price in commission. Anyone can become a seller on eBay or Amazon. If you don’t want the hassle of listing and shipping your items yourself, find an online trading assistant at http://ebaytradingassistant.com. Capstone Wireless (www.capstonewire-

Invest overseas From page 32 other integrated multinationals, such as BP, Chevron and ExxonMobil, is its yield: At 6.0 percent, Total, a French company, yields about twice as much as Exxon, which prefers to buy back huge amounts of its stock rather than boost its payout by a large amount. • Unilever (UN; $31), an Anglo-Dutch company with dual headquarters in London and Rotterdam, competes with the likes of Procter & Gamble to sell soap, personal products and food. Well-known brands include Dove soap, Hellmann’s mayonnaise, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Vaseline. This is an odd duck. You can buy British ADRs (symbol UL) or Dutch ADRs (UN). Their prices may vary by a few hairs because of different exchange-rate trends among the dollar, pound and euro. Either way, Unilever has paid dividends since 1937 and is your basic tried-andtrue, low-risk, growth-and-income stock. • Vodafone (VOD; $26), based in England, provides cellphone services in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It also owns 45 percent of Verizon Wireless (the rest is owned by Verizon Communications), which represents a major part of Vodafone’s fortunes. After not paying a dividend to its Vodaphone for six years, Verizon Wireless announced recently that it would distribute $10 billion to its parents next January. Vodafone’s stock-price chart closely tracks that of Telefonica, but you ought to own shares of both if you’re interested in global telecommunications. Jeffrey R. Kosnett is a senior editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. And for more on this and similar money topics, visit www.Kiplinger.com. © Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

lessllc.com) buys back all varieties of cellphones, as long as they power up and have a good LCD display. Gazelle.com buys more than 20 categories of electronics. Apple offers a gift card in exchange for reusable Apple computers (go to www.apple.com/recycling/computer). • Donate it. ReCellular resells phones it can find buyers for and recycles the rest (visit www.recellular.com/recycling/donatephones.asp). Give desktop computers and peripherals to the National Cristina Foundation (www.cristina.org) and the World Computer Exchange (www.worldcomputerexchange.org). To establish the value of donated items for a tax deduction, use ItsDeductible (free at www.turbotax.com; look under “Tax Calculators and Tools”). • Recycle it. Some retailers and many manufacturers take back electronics for recycling or resale. Best Buy stores accept most electronics. Staples stores take personal electronics (such as PDAs, cell-

phones and digital cameras) free, but charge $10 to take back office electronics. Call2Recycle picks up cellphones and rechargeable batteries from many locations, including Radio Shack and Home Depot stores (to find the nearest drop-off location, visit www.call2recycle.org). For manufacturers’ take-back programs, visit the website of the Electronics TakeBack Coalition (www.electronicstakeback.org). Dell partners with Staples and Goodwill to collect Dell products in their stores (http://reconnectpartnership.com). To find other places to recycle electron-

ics, visit www.earth911.com and search by zip code. Of course, you can always just give your e-trash away to someone nearby who wants it. Join your local Freecycle group at www.freecycle.org. Important note: Whether selling or giving it away, clear your computer’s hard drive first, so your personal information doesn’t find its way to an identity thief. Use a free disk-wiping product, such as Active@KillDisk (http://killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm) or Darik’s Boot and Nuke (www.dban.org). — Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

BEACON BITS

Nov. 9

HOW TO BE AN EXECUTOR Laurie Siegel, a CPA, will describe what is expected of the execu-

tor of a will and what should be considered when appointing one in a free program on Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. at Aurora Hills Senior Center, 735 S. 18th St., Arlington, Va. Call (703) 228-5722 to register.

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Careers

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National Mother of the Year hails from DC By Emily Hatton Winning the National Mother of the Year award shouldn’t have been a complete a surprise to Ernestine Allen. After all, she has 17 siblings, three children and six grandchildren. Not only that, one of her younger brothers started calling her Mom because she spent so much time with him in childhood. And even her students and fellow church members refer to her as Mom as well. Allen, 62, won the award from American Mothers, a 75-year-old national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. that promotes preservation of families. The group also calls itself the “official sponsor of Mother’s Day.” Allen said she was in disbelief when they called her name at the organization’s convention in May. “I mean I had a speech. I pulled one out of my bosom, but I had no idea I would be selected as the National Mother,” she said.

And what’s her role for the organization for the coming year? “My job is to reach as many moms as possible, to let them know the importance of motherhood,” said Allen, who lives in Washington, D.C.

Making a difference for children

PHOTO COURTESY OF ERNESTINE ALLEN

As the tenth of 18 children, Allen said she learned to nurture early on. “There were so many of us, and a lot of my younger siblings, really needed that type of nurturing. And I guess I just had this sense to give it to them. I was able to listen, I was able to hug and kiss, so that just grew up in me,” said Allen. She carried that mindset with her as she moved from her hometown of Louisburg, N.C. to Washington, D.C. to live with a brother in 1968. Allen has been active in the community ever since. She taught for 11 years at Calvary Christian Academy, the school affiliated with her church, Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church. She then started working with D.C. public schools. “I wanted to go where I could really make a difference in the lives of the children, I mean a really vast difference,” said Allen, who taught in D.C. public schools for seven years. She now works with the Center for Empowerment Employment Training, a program that helps low-income and disadvantaged adults earn their GED certificate. “I had some really rough boys and girls [there], because you know once you drop out of school, where do you go except the streets?” said Allen. Allen continues to work closely with her church as a team leader and an Elder on the Ministerial Alliance. She and her husband, Ronald Robert Allen, Sr., Chosen as National Mother of the Year, Ernestine are also premarital and marAllen, of Washington, D.C., reaches out to young mothital counselors, and help ofers about the importance of nurturing their children. ficiate at weddings and fuShe got her first child-rearing experience helping care for her 17 brothers and sisters. nerals.

“We do all of that,” she said, “we marry, we bury.” It was through her church that she found two other volunteer opportunities, working as an HIV counselor and tester for a year, and now helping at Fairview, a halfway house for women in the city. Allen also donates to Fairview when she can. Recently, she dropped off clothes after cleaning out her closet. “The person who received it said to me, ‘When these ladies come to us, they come in orange jump suits. And that’s all they have,’” said Allen. While staying busy in the community, Allen also stays close with her family. She lost the youngest of her three sons to homicide in 2006, and stays involved in the lives of her six grandchildren. “I tell my husband, we have to see our grandchildren as often as we can so that we can put all of us into them. And that’s what we do, we just pour ourselves into their lives, and it’s just beautiful,” she said. She and her husband founded a bereaved parents’ support group in 2010. “Our motto is ‘you’re not alone.’ Those who come to the group are all in the same

boat, we all have lost a child, and we all can identify with each other.”

Helping young mothers As National Mother of the Year, Allen wants to use her position to reach out to young mothers and impart the significance of their role upon them. “I think that me being in the middle of the group [growing up], I sort of saw aspects of both sides. I saw the struggles that my mom had with this many children, and then I saw how important motherhood really was,” said Allen. Allen said when she sees women walking with their toddlers and babies in the streets late at night as she comes home, she finds herself wondering why the children are up so late. She plans on visiting group homes to reach out to single and young mothers. “I really want to reach out to the single moms and the young mothers. I want to talk to them, I want to get in venues where I can really talk to them and go into their lives and ask them to be better moms.” To learn more about National Mothers, see www.americanmothers.org or call 1877-242-4264.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

How to hang onto your job in tough times The jobless rate for older workers isn’t as high as it is for the overall U.S. workforce. But older workers who do lose their jobs tend to remain jobless much longer than their younger counterparts — if they’re able to find work at all. Many have been forced to take parttime jobs, and their retirement plans are taking severe blows due to unplanned withdrawals and stock market upheaval. For those too young to qualify for Medicare, the loss of employer-provided health insurance has been a devastating blow. Finally, those who do find new work most often accept jobs with lower pay and less valuable benefits. So, to state the obvious: The best strategy for job security after age 50 is to keep

the job you have, if at all possible. OK, you can stop laughing at me now. I know it’s one thing to advise keeping your job, and another thing to do it in this miserable economy. But is job loss solely a matter of the luck of the draw? Alan Sklover doesn’t think so. An attorney who’s represented or coached hundreds of older workers in employment cases over his 30-year career, Sklover — who also coaches older workers facing firings, downsizings or layoffs — believes there are things you can do to boost your odds of keeping your job.

Eight employment tips Sklover caught my eye with a recent video he created that outlines eight ways

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older workers can remain employed and “You can walk a little extra, or take up employable. (You can view the video here: yoga. Get a little extra sun and sleep — http://bit.ly/qFASnI.) even drink more water. Do I spoke with Sklover recentwhat you can — within realy, and started by asking for son — to maintain a percephis views on workplace age tion of vitality.” discrimination. The answer, 2. Stay tech savvy. If you coming from an employment don’t know the latest softlawyer who represents workware and other technologies, ers, surprised me. such as social media, it creHe acknowledged that age ates the perception that discrimination is “rampant” in you’re over the hill. “You the workplace. But he also said RETIRE SMART might need to hire a 15-yearit is “natural and normal,” even old to be your tutor,” he said. By Mark Miller though it’s illegal, adding that, What matters is that you “We all make judgments based on age, no learn. matter what anyone says.” 3. Seek situations where you can That means it’s that much more impor- have greater proximity to revenue. If tant for older workers to “find ways to en- there are things going on in your organizahance job security by making yourself in- tion that involve revenue production, get dispensable,” he said. “We’re all wired to involved if you can, because you’re less be sensitive to our own self-interest, and likely to lose your job. “And if you do lose an employer’s self-interest is to ask, ‘Is this your job,” he added, “you’ll be a more atperson helpful to me? Can they help me be tractive candidate for the next job you successful?’ That is always where it apply for.” starts.” 4. Build and maintain relationships. Here are some of the tips for enhancing This is important within your organization job security that Sklover said have worked and outside of it. Be active in trade organiwell over the years for his older clients. zations, stay in touch with old customers. Oh, and if he sounds a bit prejudiced “Relationships are critical to organizaagainst older workers, it’s worth mention- tions,” Sklover said. “Don’t allow them to ing that Sklover himself is over 60. fall by the wayside.” 1. Be vigilant about appearance. 5. Involve yourself in critical long“Sometimes we get a little grayer, gain a lit- term projects and programs. If your ortle weight, don’t stand up as straight,” he ganization is working on a project that will said. “Nature may have these effects on take three to five years to complete, do you, but that doesn’t mean you have to coSee JOB TIPS, page 37 operate in the process.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

HELP CHEER UP YOUNG PATIENTS

The Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health is a private, nonprofit family-centered residence for pediatric patients at NIH and for their families. Each child staying at the inn has a mailbox and is presented with a special “treasure” each day, such as a card or small homemade gift. Volunteers are needed to complete these projects, which can be made in your own home and dropped off at 7 West Dr., Bethesda, Md. For more information, contact Cait Cutter at (301) 594-5354 or email cutterca@mail.nih.gov.

Ongoing

SPANISH SPEAKER NEEDED

The Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission is looking for a Spanish translator to volunteer three to five hours per week, Monday through Friday, to assist with Spanish speaking clients. Hours are flexible. If interested, contact Sandy Tuttle at (301) 589-3601 or email sandy.tuttle@hocmc.org. You can also contact Stephanie Semones at (301) 355-7399 or email stephanie.semones@hocmc.org.

Call (301) 255-4215 or e-mail JCAUniversity@AccessJCA.org

Ongoing

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A Wider Circle is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and adults lift themselves out of poverty. Volunteers bring families healthy non-perishables, cleaning supplies and toiletries. They also connect families to needed resources like job training and education. Volunteers commit to flexible weekly, bi-weekly or monthly visits for one year. For more information, contact Anne Thompson at (301) 608-3504 or email annethompson@awidercircle.org.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Job tips From page 36 what you can to get involved because that probably will keep you on the job for that length of time, Sklover said. 6. Be a reputation-enhancer. “Write an article and submit it to a trade journal,” he said. “Do an appearance on television. In some way, help your organization polish up its perception in the marketplace.” 7. Play your strong card, which is experience. Would you rather hire someone for a job who has 40 years of experience, or four? “Don’t be afraid to market your expe-

rience and knowledge. But at the same time, don’t allow yourself to be perceived as someone who always is looking backward.” 8. Look beyond the horizon to the future. Be someone who thinks about and acts on what might be the next big wave in your field. Mark Miller is the author of The Hard Times Guide to Retirement Security. He publishes http://retirementrevised.com, recently named the best retirement planning site on the web by Money Magazine. Contact him with questions and comments at mark@retirementrevised.com. © 2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 8+

HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) provides nonsectarian social services throughout the metro area. Specialized training for prospective volunteers for its Hospice and Transitions programs will take place Nov. 13, 14 and 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 6123 Montrose Rd., Rockville, Md. Russian speakers and volunteers with massage therapy skills are especially needed. Apply by Nov. 8; interviews are required. For more information or to apply, contact Amy Kaufman Goott at (301) 816-2650, agoott@jssa.org.

Nov. 9

Affordable Senior Communities Discover how great senior living is at one of our affordable apartment communities. Many of our communities feature brand-new apartment homes, 24-hour emergency maintenance, full activities programs, spacious floor plans, affordable rents, caring and dedicated staff, and much more. We are conveniently located near shopping, including grocery stores and pharmacies. Let us help you live life to the fullest. Call or visit these communities: 550 Shriner Court Union Bridge, MD 21791

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FEED YOUR SOIL, FEED YOURSELF

Learn how to compost your yard and kitchen wastes to increase the yield from your garden, make your plants and vegetables more disease resistant, and improve the water retaining-capacity of the soil. This free class by the Virginia Cooperative Extension will be held at the Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington, Va., on Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For more information or to pre-register, email mgarlalex@vt.edu or call (703) 228-6414.

Nov. 12+

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Volunteers & Careers

BAUBLES AND BEADS

The Bead Society of Greater Washington presents its annual Bead Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Explore an eclectic collection of ancient, antique, tribal and contemporary beads, as well as designer jewelry, and see demonstrations of bead-making techniques. The event will be held at Bohrer Park Activity Center, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, Md. Tickets are $7. For more information, go to www.bsgw.org and click on bazaar or call (202) 624-4500.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING

Spotlight On Aging VOLUME XXVI, ISSUE 11

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

November 2011

Ms. Senior America Pageant

By Dr. John M. Thompson During the month of October, which is nationally celebrated as Residents’ Rights Month, I had the pleasure of participating in an event to commemorate the observance. To honor National Residents’ Rights Month, the District of Columbia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program co-hosted a luncheon at Carroll Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The program also sponsored an arts and crafts contest for longterm care residents, and the winners were announced at the luncheon. This year’s theme: “Welcome Home: Creating Connections Between Residents and the Community.” Congratulations to first place winner: The Residences at Thomas Circle, second place: Deanwood Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, and third place: The Methodist Home. What I take away from this event is the need to ensure that the residents continue to be connected to the community through a buddy system or with The Girlfriends, a group that works out of Carroll Manor and the Washington Center for Aging Services. This group pairs residents who do not have many visitors and who desire to interact with someone from outside the facility. The Girlfriends and similar groups play an integral role in the lives of vulnerable residents. I would like to encourage each of you who can to visit persons in nursing homes, whether through a structured group or on your own. The time that you spend with them may be the only time that they receive company. As the holiday season approaches, visiting those residing in nursing homes or those who are homebound is very important. Let’s show the holiday spirit in reaching out to our seniors and persons with disabilities!

Informal caregivers November is the time of year that family caregivers are acknowledged across the country. National Family Caregivers Month is designated as a time to thank, support, educate and celebrate more than 50 million family caregivers nationally who provide an estimated $306 billion in unpaid caregiving services. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, the District has nearly 60,000 informal caregivers who provide $640 million worth of informal care. This observance is in honor of the many formal and informal caregivers who help seniors remain in their homes. Caregivers allow the frail elderly to continue living in their homes, delaying costly institutionalization, which drains family income, as well as city budgets through Medicaid reimbursement. Informal caregivers provide dedicated service to senior citizens, children and persons with disabilities each day. The typical caregiver in the United States is a 46-year-old-female who has some college education, works, and spends more than 20 hours per week providing unpaid care to her mother. On a daily basis, caregivers deal with stress, the impact that caregiving has on family and leisure activities, constraints on their career/work, financial hardship, and unmet needs for help. The Office on Aging and its Senior Service Network provide a variety of services to assist caregivers with their responsibilities. The award-winning D.C. Caregivers’ Institute is also available to provide caregiver support, financial assistance and respite. To find out more, look inside this month’s issue of “Spotlight” for more information.

Members of the 2011 Queen’s Court include, left to right: Ms. California Norma Morein, 3rd runner-up; Ms. Colorado Karen Taylor, 1st runner-up; Ms. Texas Debbie CarrollBoyce, winner; Ms. Pennsylvania Nannette Swanson, 2nd runner-up; and Ms Georgia Cherilynn Parisv, 4th runner-up.

Ms. Senior D.C. Emma Ward poses with Ms. Senior America Pageant winner Debbie Carroll-Boyce after she was crowned Ms. Senior America at the annual contest. Boyce and Ward were among 34 ladies from across the country who competed for the title. Ms. Senior America performed a ballet piece and sang Bette Midler’s “Stuff Like That There.”

D.C. Office on Aging Relocates The D.C. Office on Aging (DCOA) and the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) have relocated to 500 K St., N.E. Located on the corner of 5th and K Streets in the former Hayes School, the new DCOA Headquarters is a few blocks from the New York Avenue and Union Station Metro Stations on the Red Line. For more information or to access services and resources for persons 18 and older with a disability and all District residents age 60 and older, call 202-724-5626. District residents age 55 and older may also call 202-724-3662 for assistance with employment and training.

National Residents’ Rights Month Dr. John Thompson, executive director of the D.C. Office on Aging, observed National Residents’ Rights Month at Carroll Manor with nursing home residents from facilities across the city. The luncheon also announced the winners of an a rts and crafts contest that depicted the theme “Welcome Home: Creating Connections Between Residents and the Community.”

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

D.C. OFFICE

AGING NEWSLETTER

Community Calendar November events 4th, 11th, 18th • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Paralegal Ebonee Avery with AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly’s Self Help Office is available by appointment at Iona Senior Services every Friday to assist seniors with answers to legal questions, complete a claims report, write a consumer complaint letter, check for benefits and more. Call Iona at 202-895-9448 for more information. Iona is located at 4125 Albemarle St., N.W.

10th • 11:30 a.m. Seabury Resources for Aging will hold a salute to veterans at Ward 5 Senior Nutrition Centers. For a location near you, call Vivian Grayton at 202-529-8701.

10th • 6 to 9 p.m. The D.C. Caregivers’ Institute will hold a National Family Caregivers Month celebration reception at Vermont Ave. Baptist Church, 1630 Vermont Ave., N.W. The event includes a comedy show, massages, dinner and caregiver of the year award announcement. The event is free, but you must RSVP by calling 202-464-1513. Space is limited, so call today.

16th • 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Travel to Harrington Casino in Delaware with the KEEN Seniors Program. The trip costs $30, but you will receive $15 in rebates. Light refreshments will be served in route. Call Robin Gantt at 202-534-4880, ext. 110 for more information.

27th • 3 p.m. The Choraleers of the ERFSC/ Washington Senior Wellness Center will present their fall musical concert at St. John’s CME Church, 2801 Stanton Rd., S.E. A freewill offering is appreciated. For more information, call 202581-9355.

Early December events 7th • 11:30 a.m. Attend a lunch-and-learn session about diabetes at Ward 5 Senior Nutrition Centers. For a location near you, call Vivian Grayton at 202-5298701.

9th • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join in a Ward 4 holiday celebration at Barney Neighborhood House. The event will take place at the 19th Street Baptist Church, 4606 16th St., N.W. Call James Thompson at 202939-9031 for more information.

District of Columbia Caregivers’ Institute The District of Columbia Caregivers’ Institute (DCCI) is a resource funded by the District of Columbia Office on Aging. The purpose of the Caregivers’ Institute is to support unpaid caregivers residing in the District of Columbia who have primary responsibility for older, vulnerable D.C. residents. The District of Columbia Caregivers’ Institute strives to be a one-stop, centralized resource to help caregivers make critical decisions, develop and implement a Caregiving Support Plan, advocate for themselves and the older person, and participate in activities designed for personal rejuvenation. With support, training and assistance, many caregivers are better able to care for themselves as well as the older person that they help.

Program Eligibility Criteria To enroll in the District of Columbia Caregivers’ Institute, you MUST meet the following program requirements: You must be a D.C. resident providing uncompensated care for an elder (60 and older) who is also a D.C. resident. Caregiving must create a financial burden for you. In addition, you must meet two of five eligibility criteria as a caregiver: 1. You care for an elder who needs help because of physical or mental limitations. 2. The elder you care for has low to moderate income. 3. You are experiencing stress related to caregiving.

4. You need support to assist with caregiving. 5. To avoid moving into a nursing home or assisted living facility, the elder needs you. If you meet at least two of the above requirements, call 202-464-1513 to be placed on the waiting list.

Practical Tips Depending upon your elder’s care needs, it may be difficult to find time for yourself, but here are some tips from DCCI to consider: • Don’t feel guilty about taking a break. • Get help. Use services like adult day care or home health. • Send others to the doctor with the elder after the initial meeting. • Sleep when the elder sleeps. • Schedule “me” time and mark it on your calendar. • Start taking respite (breaks) in short intervals and gradually build up the time away. Realize that respite is not an option; it’s a necessity. • Although it may be preferable to have someone stay with the elder at all times, it may not be realistic. Make sure elders are safe and comfortable if you have to leave them alone for short periods. • Tell a trusted neighbor that your elder is alone so you can be contacted in case of an emergency. • Train other family members, neighbors or friends to take care of the elder. • Recognize that you can’t do it alone.

D.C. Public Service Commission Will Convene Public Hearings for Pepco’s Request for a $42.1 Million Rate Increase Those who wish to testify at the community hearings for Pepco’s Formal Case No. 1087 should contact the Commission Secretary at 202-626-5100 by close of business three business days prior to the date of the hearing. Representatives of organizations will be permitted a maximum of five minutes for oral presentations. Individuals will be permitted a maximum of three minutes for oral presentations. If an organization or an individual is unable to offer comments at the community hearings, written statements may be submitted to:

Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia 1333 H St., N.W., Suite 200, West Tower Washington, DC 20005 For more information, contact 202-7273071. Community hearings will take place as follows:

Ward 1 Columbia Heights Recreation Center 1480 Girard St., N.W. Monday, Nov. 21, 11 a.m.

SPOTLIGHT ON AGING Spotlight On Aging is published by the Information Office of the D.C. Office on Aging for D.C. senior residents. Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the D.C. Office on Aging or by the publisher. 500 K St., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 202-724-5622 • www.dcoa.dc.gov Dr. John M. Thompson, Executive Director Darlene Nowlin, Editor Adrian R. Reed, Photographer The D.C. Office on Aging does not discriminate against anyone based on actual or perceived: race,

color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income, and place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subjected to disciplinary action.

The Office on Aging is in partnership with the District of Columbia Recycling Program.

Ward 2 D.C. Public Service Commission, Hearing Room 1333 H Street, N.W., 7th Floor East Tower Wednesday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m.

Ward 3 Chevy Chase Recreation Center 5601 Connecticut Ave, NW Friday, Nov. 18, 11 a.m.

Ward 4 Emery Recreation Center 5801 Georgia Ave., N.W. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m.

Ward 5 Bethesda Baptist Church

1808 Capitol Ave., N.E. Monday, Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m.

Ward 6 King Greenleaf Recreation Center 201 N St., S.W Tuesday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.

Ward 7 Deanwood Recreation Center 1350 49th St., N.E. Saturday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m.

Ward 8 Thurgood Marshall Public Charter School 2427 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m.

Online Caregiver Respite Tool A new online tool allows caregivers to search for services based on their needs. The Lifespan Respite Programs is happy to announce that D.C. respite providers are now listed on the National Respite Locator Service, http://archrespite.org/respitelocator. Respite providers interested in being listed through the National Respite Locator Service should enter their information. District caregivers can find services that are available to them.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Travel Leisure &

Plant bulbs now for colorful blooms next spring. See gardening column on page 44.

Alabama’s Civil War and civil rights sites Civil War is an opportune time to explore Alabama’s multiple layers.

The capital’s contrasts The 1851 state capitol building on “goat hill” — so called because of its original grazing denizens — dominates the center of Montgomery. Tour guides point out that segregationist Governor George Wallace and his wife Lurlene, remembered inside in statues and portraits, served 17 years. Murals under the dome trace the state’s history. The old Senate Chamber, restored to the way it appeared in 1861, is where delegates from seceding southern states formed the Confederate States of America. A refreshing break from the reminders of strife is the sweet statue of Helen Keller as a child at her family’s water pump the moment she first understood language. Nearby is the fully-restored first White House of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis’s home, as it looked mid-19th century, showcasing personal items, like the family Bible. Fast forward to the 1960s civil rights era at the red brick Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, just down the block from the capitol, where Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached self-empowerment and civil disobedience. The words of Rev. Vernon Johns in the basement museum’s video are a chilling

PHOTO BY GLENDA BOOTH

By Glenda C. Booth Montgomery, Alabama, claims to be the birthplace of both the Civil War and the civil rights movement — events 100 years apart, but not unrelated. Morgan Berney, with the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitor Bureau, told me: “You should come here to learn the history of the important things that happened here.” So I set out to do just that. And it’s true: Here in the heart of Dixie, visitors can explore well-preserved buildings and homes and even reenact historic events in a part of the country where some still even debate what to call the 1861-1865 conflict — the Civil War, the War of Southern Independence or the War of Northern Aggression? On the steps of the state capitol last March, 500 local students sang freedom songs at a rousing civil rights rally. Three weeks earlier, on the same steps, more than 1,000 people in genteel period finery re-enacted Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s 1861 inauguration, celebrating Montgomery as the first capital of the Confederacy. Indeed, a trip across central Alabama is an expedition through the state’s schizophrenic past and a candid look at Alabama’s beauty marks and blemishes. The sesquicentennial commemoration of the

At this year’s annual re-enactment of the 1965 voting rights march in Selma, Ala., U.S. Rep. John Lewis (left) recalls the original march, when walkers were attacked by state troopers. To his right are U.S. Senators Harry Reid and Tom Harkin, Rep. James Clyburn and Jesse Jackson, Sr.

PHOTO BY GLENDA BOOTH

The Dexter Parsonage Museum is located in the home where Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his family lived when he was pastor of the Dexter Avenue (King Memorial) Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala.

reminder of the hostilities of that period. “It’s safe to murder Negroes in Montgomery,” he says in the film. The Dexter Parsonage Museum is the homey, seven-room, white frame house with the Kings’ starched doilies, rotary telephone and chenille bedspreads, depicting how the King family lived from 1954 to 1960. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference was founded in the dining room. The front porch bears a crater blasted by a stick of dynamite that blew while Coretta Scott King and her baby were home. Sitting in the home’s kitchen, I felt like MLK could walk in any minute. Another must-see is the Rosa Parks Library and Museum, commemorating “the event that changed the world” — the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott. There’s a video re-enactment of seamstress Rosa Parks’s refusal to move to the back of the bus. She later explained, “I had been pushed as far as I could stand to be pushed.” The museum has a replica of the bus and a film telling the story of the 381-day boycott. These excellent museums tell the civil rights story and show how activists braved cursing and spitting crowds, courageous children integrated public schools, and police unleashed tear gas and billy clubs on marchers.

A black granite Civil Rights Memorial honors those who died. Designer Maya Lin has explained, “This is not a monument to suffering; it is a memorial to hope.” Of course, visitors can also enjoy more typically tourist attractions here as well, including the Hank Williams Museum (the largest collection of Williams memorabilia worldwide), a cruise on the Harriett II riverboat, or a night out with the Biscuits — an AA baseball affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. And between museums, you can “go southern” and savor fried green tomatoes, homestyle grits and banana pudding. Residents will greet you with friendly “hi y’alls” and warm southern hospitality. An equal rights side note. In the state archives, I spotted a plaque that read, “To Our Heroic Women of the Sixties.” I thought, well, Alabama is honoring the women of the 1960s civil rights movement. But I had jumped to the wrong conclusion. The plaque was dedicated to the women of the 1860s and was sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy!

Still marching in Selma Selma, 45 miles west of Montgomery and the birthplace of the White Citizens Council, comes across initially as a weary, runSee ALABAMA, page 42

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

A visit to Pittsburgh, side order of Wright

Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob Fallingwater is about 200 miles from downtown Washington and 60 miles south of Pittsburgh. Fallingwater (www.fallingwater.org) was built as a weekend home for the Kaufmann family, owner of Kaufmann’s, the family’s upscale Pittsburgh department store. Designed in 1935, construction began in 1936, and now in its 75th year, the house is considered “one of the 12 landmarks that will change the way you see the world,” according to Travel+Leisure magazine. As the name might suggest, the home is set over a waterfall, which was the focal point of the Kaufmann family’s weekend activities from 1937 until 1963, when Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., the son of the original owner, gave the house, its contents and grounds to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Informative guides take visitors on a tour of the house and the grounds, with plenty of time for exterior photos (no photos allowed inside the house). On a crystalline summer day, there couldn’t have been a more ideal time to visit this iconic landmark — except perhaps, as the guide pointed out, in the autumn when the house sits in stark contrast to the blazing leaves around it. While Fallingwater was used as a weekend retreat — and was designed and furnished in such a way as to draw the family and its guests outdoors, rather than to have them cocoon inside the home — down the road is another Wright-designed house that was intended and used as a fulltime family home. Kentuck Knob (www.kentuckknob.com) was the residence of Bernardine and I.N. Hagan, friends of the Kaufmanns who had fallen in love with Fallingwater. They got in

touch with Wright and asked if he would design a house for them as well. Kentuck Knob was one of the last homes completed by Wright and is representative of the distinct style Wright called Usonian architecture. Usonian homes like Kentuck Knob were typically small, one-story houses that didn’t have garages or, indeed, much storage space. (Even then, Wright thought we all had too much stuff!) Interesting note: Wright coined the word carport to describe an overhang for a vehicle to park under, and Kentuck Knob has a large one. The homes themselves are usually Lshaped, and incorporate native materials, flat roofs, large cantilevered overhangs for passive solar heating and natural cooling, natural lighting with clerestory windows, and radiant-floor heating. As with Fallingwater, Wright maintained a strong visual connection between the interior and exterior spaces.

Pittsburgh attractions Having completed my mission to finally see these landmark homes, it was on to Pittsburgh itself. First stop was the Strip District (www.neighborsinthestrip.com), a one-half square mile northeast of downtown Pittsburgh. Commonly called “the Strip,” this neighborhood of reclaimed warehouses and industrial spaces is now home to shops, restaurants, nightspots and a weekend flea market. Among my favorite shops in the district is Penzeys Spices. Whether you need a spice or didn’t even know you needed a spice, this is the place for you. (Smaller locations of the store can be found in Rockville, Md., and Falls Church, Va.) On the other end of the taste bud spectrum is another favorite: Mon Aimee

Chocolate, a veritable worldwide tour of chocolates in one adorable shop. The fact that it was 90 degrees outside and we were nowhere near a refrigerator is the only thing that kept me from overindulging. I think a return visit in winter might be in order. Not far from the Strip is the neighborhood of Lawrenceville, home to numerous antique shops and home design boutiques. It’s also home to Piccolo Forno, a casual Italian eatery that we stumbled upon, and gratefully so. I had a spring pea and grilled shrimp risotto that was out of this world. Unfortunately, we were too stuffed for what looked like equally delicious desserts. A Pittsburgh local told us not to miss the Allegheny Cemetery, so See PITTSBURGH, page 43

PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT PITTSBURGH

By Carol Sorgen Yes, Pittsburgh. Tell people you’re going to Steeler Nation — other than for a football game — and you get one of two reactions. “Why?!” Or, “I love Pittsburgh!” I fall into the second of those camps, having first discovered this lovable city almost 20 years ago when visiting a friend who lived there. I’ve made several trips back, and every time, I find more to like about it. So, come along on my most recent weekend visit, and share some of the highlights. My first two stops weren’t technically in Pittsburgh, but are noteworthy — and close — enough to warrant being included in your visit. As an architecture buff, I’ve always wanted to visit the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes of Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, and this proved to be just the weekend to do so with no other pressing engagements. Actually located in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands — well worth a visit on their own for their magnificent scenery and wealth of outdoor activities — these Wright-designed homes draw millions of visitors every year from around the world.

The restored cable cars of the Duquesne Incline offer panoramic views of Pittsburgh to commuters as well as tourists.

Christmas Trips “Winter Wonderland” Christmas Show

American Music Theatre Join us on a trip to Pennsylvania Dutch country for this warm and wonderful holiday show featuring favorite carols and songs, breathtaking music and dance, and a visit from Santa. Before the show enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at Miller’s Smorgasbord Restaurant. Sunday, December 4 $129 per person

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Alabama From page 40 down town. But probing deeper, you’ll find something very significant about the place. During the Civil War, the town’s arsenal and foundry next to the Alabama River were Union targets. But Selma is best known for the 1965 voting rights march. When police shot 26-year-old Jimmie Lee Jackson in Marion, Ala., people were inspired to march to Montgomery and present their demands to Gov. Wallace. Led by Rev. King and others, as 600 people crossed Selma’s arched Edmund Pettus Bridge, the sheriff’s mounted deputies and a “sea of blue” state troopers sent by Wallace attacked the marchers with nightsticks and tear gas. Every year, during the first weekend in March, the town perks up with a bridge-

crossing jubilee, featuring a parade, rallies, music, a unity breakfast and many notables. On Sunday morning of jubilee weekend, commemorative church services are held around town. I was welcomed to a two-hour service, led by Dr. Frederick Douglas Reece, who invited Rev. King to Selma in 1965 and was confronted by the police multiple times. He recounted that as a young black boy he had one pair of pants and took a sweet potato to his all-black school for lunch. He commented that today in Selma, “All people are recognized of the same rank.” While in Selma, be sure to visit the modest but informative National Voting Rights Museum, spotlighting the movement’s heroes and heroines. One exhibit quotes activist Wendell Paris, who said, “Selma was a real hellhole” and called the 1960s “absolute apartheid.” The Old Depot Museum

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

has artifacts from both the Civil War and voting rights eras. The National Park Service’s Lowndes County Interpretive Center east of town recalls the 54-mile march on Jefferson Davis Highway to Montgomery, which resulted in President Lyndon Johnson’s signing of the Voting Rights Act, which outlawed literacy tests and poll taxes.

Proud Tuskegee Tuskegee, about 85 miles east of Selma, brings back an earlier but notable time. The center of the national historic site is the Tuskegee Institute, a college founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington, the determined former slave who sought to give blacks education, work skills and opportunity. Here we’ll “do some common things uncommonly well,” he said. The Oaks is Washington’s elegant 1899 home built by students. The Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center has exhibits on the civil rights struggle over two centuries and on the infamous Tuskegee syphilis study. Also in Tuskegee, the Carver Museum highlights George Washington Carver’s scientific research on peanuts, sweet potatoes and other crops, techniques that revolutionized agriculture. Scientists here collaborated with the National Air and Space Administration in the 1980s to grow plants without soil on space missions. Worth a visit is the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at Moton Field, where legendary black airmen defied racial stereotypes and set the stage for desegregating the military. At the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee I attended in March, one of the women active in the 1960s Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee said, “We should not

bury the past, but we should build on what happened here.” Alabama is doing it.

If you go The least expensive roundtrip flights to Montgomery start at $318 on US Airways and $327 on Delta in mid-November from BWI Marshall Airport. The state tourism agency at www.Alabama.travel provides information on attractions and itineraries like the Civil Rights Trail and history tours. To get started in Montgomery, visit http://visitingmontgomery.com, call (334) 261-1100 or stop in the visitors’ center at 300 Water Street. From the centrally-located Hampton Inn (rates start at $89 per night), you can walk to most major sites. Across the street, Wintzell’s Oyster House is noisy, but has “killa” shrimp, baked crawfish pie and gator tail. Motto: ”I got fried, stewed and nude at Wintzell’s.” The House Restaurant touts “local grits with shrimp” and fried green tomatoes. In Selma, check with the Welcome Center, 132 Broad St., (www.selmaalabama.com) for information. For lodging, the historic 1838 St. James Hotel (www.historic-hotels-lodges.com/ saint-james-hotel.htm, (334) 872-3234) is the only downtown choice and a good one, perched atop the Alabama River in the historic district, exuding antebellum charm. Rates start at $110 per night. Try shrimp hush puppies and seafood gumbo in the hotel restaurant. In T uskegee, the Kellogg Hotel (www.tuskegeekelloggcenter.com, (334) 727-3000) on the university campus provides southern hospitality. Rooms start at $99 a night.

BEACON BITS

Aug. 2012

CRUISE TO AND AROUND ALASKA Take a Fun and Fitness cruise from Seattle to Alaska from Aug.

31 to Sept. 7, 2012. The Royal Caribbean cruise stops in Tracy Arm Fjord/Sawyer Glacier, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. Inside cabins start at $879 double occupancy. The cruise includes fitness activities. For more information, call 1-800-955-9942.

Nov. 30

LONGWOOD GARDENS HOLIDAY LIGHTS Take a trip to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pa., to view decorated trees and poinsettias in indoor gardens, and after dark

view 420,000 lights strung on 40 miles of wire. The Wednesday, Nov. 30 trip with Montgomery County’s SOAR (Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation) group includes lunch. It leaves at 10:30 a.m. and returns at 8:30 p.m. For more information, call (240) 777-6870.

Nov. 19+

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL See the famous Rockettes in their timeless performance of their Christmas Spectacular in New York on a trip sponsored by the

Fairfax Dept. of Parks. The daytrip will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, Sunday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 17, departing from three Fairfax County locations. The earliest departure is 5:30 a.m. and the latest return is 1 a.m., depending on drop-off point. The Nov. 19 trip costs $180, and the Dec. 4 and 17 trips cost $218. For

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Pittsburgh From page 41 off we went for an hour of grave viewing. While cemeteries aren’t usually on my siteseeing list, we weren’t steered wrong. In the Lawrenceville neighborhood, Allegheny Cemetery is one of the city’s largest, oldest and most picturesque cemeteries. More than 125,000 are interred on the grounds of the 300-acre rural garden cemetery. Notables lying at rest here include composer Stephen Foster, actress Lillian Russell Moore, Civil War veteran General Alexander Hays, Thomas Mellon and 22 Pittsburgh mayors. From the cemetery, we did a whirlwind arts run, stopping at the Society for Contemporary Craft (www.contemporarycraft.org), an exhibition space and gallery, and the Mattress Factory, an installation space featuring artists from around the world. The latter has a great gift shop and attractive snack bar as well. Then it was on to catch a bit of the 10-

day Three Rivers Arts Festival at Point State Park, which features music, theatre, film, dance and an artists’ market. (Next year, it runs from June 1-10.) While the Festival is an annual event, the 36-acre park — which commemorates and preserves the historic heritage of the area during the French and Indian War (1754-1763) — is worth a visit on its own for its paved riverfront promenades, beautiful views, 150-foot fountain, and large grassy area (ideal for a spot of relaxing in the middle of the city). After a quick dinner on the run, it was off to the Duquesne Incline (www.duquesneincline.org) for a quintessentially Pittsburghian activity. Along the wooded slopes of Mt. Washington are restored cable cars that have transported commuters since 1877. Ascend the incline for a panoramic view of the city — an ideal time is when dusk turns into nightfall and the city skyline lights up. Take a few minutes before going back down to look at the pictorial history

of Pittsburgh. There aren’t many inclines like this left in the country, so take advantage when you can. And for our final treat of the visit, a “nightcap” at the Milk Shake Factory, founded in 1914 and still family run. With more than 50 flavors of ice cream and shakes to choose from, you can be there a while. Samples are encouraged. After a few (quite a few, in fact), the winner of the evening was a scoop of red velvet ice cream. There is a lot more to do in Pittsburgh — from the Andy Warhol Museum, to the Carnegie Science Center, to the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, as well as neighborhood walking tours, boat rides and, of course, tickets to any of this sports-mad city’s professional teams. But those can wait for the next visit. This couldn’t have been a more perfect trip just the way it was.

If you go Pittsburgh is a 4 1/2-hour drive from Washington. For more information, see

www.visitpittsburgh.com. We stayed at the new Cambria Suites hotel, located in downtown Pittsburgh next to the CONSOL Energy Center event center. Hang out in the comfortable lobby long enough and you may see visiting athletes or performers. The troupe of Cirque du Soleil was staying at the hotel at the same time we were. (Unfortunately, no trapeze acts in the lobby.) The hotel has a shuttle bus available to take you to many of Pittsburgh’s sites, but during busy times, there may be a wait. Rates start at $203 a night. See www.cambriasuites.com or call (412) 3816687. My meal at Habitat, in the new Fairmont Pittsburgh a few blocks away, was the culinary highlight of the trip. Executive chef Andrew Morrison focuses on locally sourced ingredients such as eggs from local heritage chickens and grass-fed beef from nearby Burns Angus Farm. Carol Sorgen is the Beacon’s contributing editor in Baltimore.

BEACON BITS SEE A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Nov. 23

Take a trip with the Clara Barton Community Center Senior Program for lunch at B. Smiths followed by a tour of Ford’s Theatre and a performance of A Christmas Carol. Cost: $39 plus the cost of lunch. The trip leaves at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23 from the center, which is located at 7425 MacArthur Blvd., Cabin John, Md. Call (301) 229-0010 for tickets or more information.

Ginger Up!

Join the last walking tour of the season through Silver Spring, Md.’s National Park Seminary Historic District, much of which began as an architecturally unique girls school in the late 19th century. The tour begins on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 1 p.m. from 2755 Cassedy St., Silver Spring. Reservations are not required. The cost is $5. The tour involves moderate walking outdoors and some interiors with stairs are included. For more information and driving directions, go to at www.saveourseminary.org, or call Save Our Seminary at (301) 589-1715.

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After withdrawing from Washington in the War of 1812, the British attacked Baltimore and Ft. McHenry. Take a tour of key sites, including the USS Constellation, Federal Point and Ft. Howard. Lunch is provided near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. This Smithsonian Associates trip will take place on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The bus leaves the Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C St., S.W. Resident members pay $132; the cost for nonmembers is $178. For more information, see www.resident associates.org or call (202) 633-3030.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Plant bulbs now for your spring garden By Ruth Kling It has been difficult to get excited about the advent of fall weather this year due to a wet September and October. Yet gardening is all about hoping for the best. This sense of hope is well represented by the spring bulb. Spring bulbs are nature’s little bundles of delayed gratification. In each bulb is a harbinger of spring; a snow drop or crocus, a daffodil or tulip. All this will be yours in exchange for some hard labor now in the fall. Bulbs are really some of the easiest flowers to grow and perhaps the most rewarding. They only need sun, well draining soil and water if it becomes very dry. It is very easy to get carried away with

purchasing spring bulbs, so I should urge you not to go crazy purchasing bulbs. But it is hard to resist their allure. (Brent and Becky’s Bulbs in Gloucester, Va., is a good, local source for bulbs.)

When to plant In our climate, we can plant bulbs up through early December in some years if the ground doesn’t freeze, which happens at about 20 to 24 degrees. However, it is best to plant them when there will still be some time for them to develop a root system before they go completely dormant for the winter. Plant them too early, and the heat will cause them to bloom and they’ll be damaged in the com-

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ing cold periods. But if you see little tips of bulbs coming out of the ground during a warm spell in December or January, just cover them up with some shredded leaf mulch. If you have purchased so many bulbs that you cannot plant them all at once, as I have been known to do, they can be placed in a paper bag and put in the refrigerator until they can be planted. Be sure to label the bags so you don’t plant daffodils where you wanted the fritillaria.

Fending off the squirrels Plant all bulbs, including tulips, to a depth of three times the height of the bulb. This depth will help them weather temperature fluctuations and (supposedly) foil squirrels. However, I never underestimate a squirrel’s ability to dig up something it wants, and squirrels love tulips. I try to preserve the tulips by rolling each bulb in chili powder as a repellent. (Beware: even though chili powder is not toxic to humans, you do not want to inhale it or get some in your eyes!). Bulbs in pots are practically like cookie jars for squirrels, so cover containers planted with tulips with a bit of chicken wire. The wire keeps the squirrels from digging the bulbs out, but lets the plant emerge. Remember that many bulbs emerge before trees have their leaves, so a shady spot

in summer will be sunny in the early spring. There is nothing more lovely than some early crocus and grape hyacinth peaking up around the base of a tree. Some bulbs, such as daffodils, spread and only need to be divided every few years.

Other tips for planting Bulbs like a neutral ph, so it is possible in our rather acidic local soil that you might need to add some lime. (Amend the soil before planting the bulbs, not at the same time). I do not recommend blood meal as a fertilizer because it attracts rodents. For fertilizer, I prefer to dig in some compost when planting, or organic bulb fertilizer. Don’t forget the culinary bulbs, like garlic and shallots. Divide a head of garlic or shallots into cloves and plant each one tip up. After the green shoots emerge, mulch with shredded leaves. Next summer you will have plenty of garlic and shallots to eat and share. Don’t fuss too much. The truth is bulbs are little powerhouses of life. Inside each bulb are the nutrients that the flower needs to bloom in spring. So, be patient. If the flowers can make it through the winter only dreaming of blooming, so can you. Falls Church, Va., gardener Ruth Kling blogs at ruthsgarden.blogspot.com. Send her gardening questions at gardenruth@gmail.com.

BEACON BITS

Dec. 3

CREATE AN EVERGREEN WREATH

Create a beautiful wreath to take home for your door after a Northern Virginia Community College instructor demonstrates the possibilities. Greens, cones and forms are provided. Bring pruners and gloves. The class will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $30. The class will be held at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, Va. Register by Nov. 18 by calling (703) 642-5173.

Nov. 15

ALL ABOUT EBOOKS

Learn more about eBooks and eReaders, including how to download library books onto these devices, at a free program at the Woodrow Wilson Library on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. The library is located at 6101 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church, Va. For more information, call (703) 820-8774

Nov.11

25% special discount for the Beacon readers

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The City of Gaithersburg will recognize veterans and military personnel in an observance of Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the City Hall Concert Pavilion, 31 S. Summit Ave. in Gaithersburg, Md. Remakrs will be deliverd by Gen. Henry J Hatch, who completed a 35-year career in the United States Army and was the Chief of Engineers and the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For more information, call (301) 258-6350 or visit the city’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

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Dec. 4

LOGAN CIRCLE HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR

The Logan Circle Community Association is sponsoring its annual tour of contemporary and traditional homes. The tour will take place on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets will be sold for $25 in advance at www.LoganCircle.org or $30 the day of the event at the Studio Theatre, 14th & P Sts., N.W. The tour includes a wassail reception hosted at the Studio Theatre from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Style Arts &

Bob Levey shares advice on buying a new car. See his column on page 50.

New approach enlivens Othello at Folger

Religious, not racial, divides Richmond has moved Othello to the Christian Crusades of the 13th century, where, as Richmond writes, “Venetians, Cypriots, Turks and Moors might co-exist

— a time when…racial divides were defined by religion.” Thus, as the characters move from early scenes in Venice to the island of Cyprus, religion replaces race as the essential element. The Venetians become the Knights Templar, out to conquer the Muslim Turks on Cyprus, a place the Christians deem barbaric. With this change in emphasis, Richmond finds ironic tones, even comedy, not usually in evidence. Yet, Shakespeare’s themes of treachery and jealousy remain highlighted in vivid relief. Othello (Owiso Odera, in his Folger debut) is still a Moor, still the classic outsider in a “white” world. But there is more to explore now, as we see religion as the organizing force in this time and place. An unexpected benefit of the change in emphasis is that it takes some of our attention off Othello, lucky in this case because Odera turns in an off-kilter performance. Othello is a general, a leader of men and a virile lover who has captured the heart of beautiful Desdemona (Janie Brookshire, also new to Folger). But Odera never displays a command-

By Michael Toscano It is always a joy to find something new and unexpected about an old favorite, especially something that’s been around as long as Shakespeare’s Othello. And so there’s great fun at Folger Theatre on Capitol Hill, where director Robert Richmond is giving us a fresh take on Othello. With this tragedy, Shakespeare focuses not on great events, the clash of kingdoms or mighty political manipulations. No, the battlefield here is in and around the bedchamber, and the manipulation takes place on an intimate, human scale. Because the title character is an accomplished African general, a Christian Moor who has wed the daughter of a senator of Venice, it is race that usually colors all that occurs. That’s still here, of course, but Richmond finds new shades of intrigue in this visually striking and fast-paced production.

Desdemona, played by Janie Brookshire, and Othello, played by Owiso Odera, share a kiss in the Folger Theatre’s fast-paced and creative production of Othello.

ing presence. He does not stride with confidence. His movement is rapid and delicate, more politician than soldier. A good general must be both, of course, but Odera never lets us see what qualities this man possesses that have propelled him to such heights in a foreign society, or why a lusty young woman would be attracted to him. There are no sparks between Othello and Desdemona to be found here, despite a captivatingly sensual turn from Brookshire.

As the story unfolds, Othello is driven to the brink of madness by trickery-induced jealousy. But Odera’s performance is so brittle that the deterioration into histrionics doesn’t have its usual shocking effect.

Different take on a villain Fortunately, we have Folger veteran Ian Merrill Peakes on hand as the great Shakespearean villain, Iago, the most vile See OTHELLO, page 48

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Concerts From page 1 “The group plays at a venue easy to drive to and at a time early enough so [I don’t have to] drive in the dark,” said Bieri, who lives in Silver Spring. “It is intimate in feeling and thoroughly appreciated. The participants are giving us a gift!” At that concert, member Viscount Thurston played two selections, Mozart’s B-flat sonata (K. 333) and excerpts from Schumann’s op. 12 “Fantasiestücke.” Vike, as he is known, was performing in honor of his wife, Vickie, who is preparing a project in Guatemala for Habitat for Humanity. The free-will donation at the September concert was directed toward Vickie’s project, which will begin this December. Roger Coleman played three Chopin nocturnes, and Gala Gurinovich played three transcriptions of Polish songs by Chopin. It was the latter’s farewell performance for the society, before she moves to Europe. Stephen E. McLaughlin attends the society’s concerts regularly with his wife, Sophia. The Silver Spring couple admires the way that the performers speak to the audience about what they are going to play, shedding light on the composer’s life, history of the composition, or technical aspects of the work, as well as providing their own personal insights. They also enjoy the receptions after each concert, which offer the chance to speak further with the performers over refreshments. “There is no feeling of aloofness, due to the fact that though many of the pianists are capable of performing professionally, they are all amateurs who have other careers and pursuits that audience members can closely identify with,” McLaughlin said. These events are also excellent opportunities to build friendships beyond the recital hall. “My wife and I often go out to dinner

after recitals along with our Piano Society friends, exploring additional shared interests and getting to know their families.” Sue LaRoche, who is now retired from a career at the National Institutes of Health, said that the society’s concerts have taken the place of the lunchtime chamber music concerts she used to attend at NIH. She said that she is “much impressed by the professionalism of the pianists and their detailed introductions to each piece they play. It is such a relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity right in my own neighborhood.” LaRoche, who lives in Silver Spring, was so inspired, in fact, that she credits the society’s concerts for leading her to start piano lessons herself. She also sings in a choir for older adults sponsored by Encore Creativity for Older Adults.

The allure of live music In addition to the main society concerts, Tenenbaum estimates that she performs about 50 concerts each year in retirement communities, independent and assisted living facilities, and for adult education and lifelong learning programs, often to try out pieces she plans to play for the society’s concerts. “There is no substitute for the live performance of music, experienced up close, as we are able to do in these settings,” she said. “The human connection is a deep and powerful presence in these concerts,” she added. “I like to speak to people about the music I am going to play, and I answer questions about the music or the composers. “When the concert is over, people invariably come and take my hands. Occasionally, I will see tears in their eyes. I stay and sit down a while, and listen, for some listeners have vivid memories of their careers as musicians or music teachers, and they may recount unforgettable concerts in Vienna, Budapest, London and New York.”

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Tenenbaum, who went back to studying the piano 10 years ago after being away from it, emphasizes that music is something that should be available to anyone with an interest in it. “You are not too old or too slow,” she insisted. “Your hands are fine. With the right teacher and the selections that are right for you, you can play the pieces you love and play them musically.” She suggests that good places to start are the adult music program at the Levine School of Music (www.levineschool.org, (202) 686-8000) and the Adult Music Student Forum (www.amsfperform.org, amsf@amsfperform.org), a supportive group of about 140 amateur musicians. Both are based in Washington and offer lessons, in addition to performance opportunities “The piano literature is vast and filled

with masterpieces that are accessible,” she said. “The challenge of every piece — in particular those pieces you’d think are ‘easy’ — is to play the piece with deep musicality. This you can do.” The next concert by the Piano Society of Greater Washington is scheduled for Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 9545 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, just south of the Beltway. Works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Martinu and Leroy Anderson will be performed. There is no fee, and a reception follows for all to enjoy. A freewill offering is appreciated. For more information, call (301) 793-1863 or see www.pianosocietyofgreaterwashington.org. Charles Downey is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. Parts of this story first appeared in a blog post he wrote for Washingtonian magazine.

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Othello From page 46 and evil of them all, many say. Iago seems to have conflicting explanations for his hatred of Othello and why he schemes to undermine the Moor’s marriage and resort to murder to achieve his relatively insignificant ends. Is it sufficient that he’s angry the general has passed him over for promotion? Does he really suspect Othello has bedded his own wife, Emilia? (By the way, Emilia is played by Peakes’ real-life wife, Karen Peakes.) Or perhaps Iago has his own romantic feelings for Othello? The ambiguity in motivation leads most actors to conclude that Iago’s just evil, and they play him that way. There’s plenty of material there for an actor to revel in, but Peakes has found another, quite intriguing

way: Iago is just bored. He’s a world-weary cynic who seeks relief from ennui and self-absorption by plotting against the leading figure in his world. He doesn’t care what it may cost him; he’s willing to go down causing grief. This fuels his comic scenes with Roderigo (Louis Butelli), a foolish man with his own designs on Desdemona. Butelli eschews his character’s dark side (he’s willing to murder, after all) and plays him as a human Irish Setter, happy, friendly, and not very bright.

Dynamic sound and sets Richmond moves us through the story at a rapid pace. Energy never lags and there’s always something happening on the stage, in the aisle, or in the balconies. The production values are sumptuous and unusually effective in propelling action

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

and in creating and sustaining mood. Composer Anthony Cochrane has crafted a soundtrack that punctuates and underscores the action, sometimes in startling fashion. Andrew F. Griffin’s dynamic lighting moves us from dawn to darkness with an ever-changing tapestry of radiance. It’s all played out on Tony Cisek’s clever set, which makes perhaps the best use of the Folger’s Elizabethan Theatre’s limited space you may see. At the start, in Venice, the whole world seems to be a bed, a self-contained and cosseted space of massive draped cloths. But with some impressive timing and skillful movement (aided by crashing sound and eye-dazzling lighting), the oversized bedchamber becomes the scene of a violent ocean crossing, which then morphs into an opulent Arabian court on Cyprus. More surprises follow, all handled smoothly and contributing to a potently exotic ambiance. It’s exhilarating. So even if the Moor is less here, this is an Othello you’ll enjoy for its energy, irony and fresh nuance.

Show details Othello continues through Dec. 4 at Fol-

ger Theatre, located at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St., S.E., Washington, DC. There is limited onstreet parking in the neighborhood around the Folger Shakespeare Library, as well as wheelchair-accessible parking space available in front of the Folger building. The theater is four blocks from the Capitol South Metro station on the Orange and Blue lines, and seven blocks from the Union Station stop on the Red Line. There will be a post-show discussion with the cast following the 7:30 p.m. performance on Thursday, Nov. 10. The production will feature open captioning on Sunday, November 20 at 2 p.m. In open captioning, a caption board sits at the front of the stage, scrolling the entire text of the production. Ticket prices range from $39 to $47 for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evening performances; $47 to $60 for Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday afternoon performances; and $47 to $65 for Saturday evening performances. There is a $10 discount for those 65 and older. Tickets may be purchased at the Folger box office, by calling (202) 544-7077, or by visiting www.folger.edu/theatre.

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Concerts give amateur s an outlet

By Charles Downey In years past, before the Internet or even television, people used to play musical instruments at home to entertain themselves and their friends. Today, few play chamber music together as a family, and even the piano that used to have a place of honor in the salon or living room of most homes has largely disappeared — perhaps replaced by an electronic keyboard or guitar hero. But there are still outlets for amateurs who love to play a grand piano — and those who love to listen. Among them is the Piano Society of Greater Washington, whose members provide a link to live piano music for area residents. The group sponsors five recitals a year, featuring members and guest performers at a church in Silver Spring, Md. All performances are free, and the all-volunteer organization relies on donations from supporters and members to survive.

LEISURE & TR AVEL

Alabama’s Civil War and civil rights sites; plus, a visit to Pittsburgh with a side trip to Frank Lloyd Wright highlights, and our new gardening column page 40

Making time for music

Dr. Robert C. Snyder, who recently retired as chairman of pathology at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, is a Piano Society member. He has played the piano since second grade and also studied piano privately as a college student. He now treks regularly to Philadelphia to have lessons with Susan Starr, a famous concert pianist who won the Silver Medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competi- Amateur pianist Ellen Tenenbaum returned to the instrument after tion as a youth. and now volunteers many years away, for the Piano Society of Greater Washington, pianists the opportunity “I guess people always which offers local to perform. She believes make time for and do people can play music so musically, regardless what they really love, no they love, of age. The Society’s matter how busy next concert is on Dec. they are,” Snyder said. 13. “Music has always Society of Greater Washington been and always will be in 2003, will be a solid, one of the most hosting interesting program. the first meeting in her important things in my house. life. “Often one of the members Since Stark-Garofano’s “Susan Starr has been brings in a death in 2008, guest my greatest mu- Ellen artist or group to play Tenenbaum, who lives sical influence, and I’m a four-hand in Derwood, work or grateful to have Md., chamber work involving became the lead organizer had the opportunity to the for the so- piano, and observe her, work these works add a lovely ciety, but all of the members with her, and learn from variety are active in to the program.” her since 1968 keeping the organization going when I first met her.” and decidIn fact, members are not ing what pieces are performed. always amaSnyder said he generally practiced a teurs, as some have careers “Works to be performed couple of hours each day in music, eibubble up, as ther as after work during each teachers or performers. member is working on his medical career. “Hopefully, a wide range now that I of repertoire am retired I will be able and at some point is confito spend more dent Connecting with the audience that certain works are time practicing.” performanceShirley Bieri, who describes ready,” Tenenbaum said Alice Stark-Garofano herself as a of the process. , a substitute “very senior senior,” attended “About six weeks before teacher at Calvary Lutheran the society’s each concert, September Church and we try concert, her second. to meet and perform School in Silver Spring, pieces for founded the Piano each other, and decide by consensus what See CONCERTS, page 47

ARTS & STYLE

New approach enlivens Othello at Folger Theatre; plus, Bob Levey takes on a conniving car salesman page 46 FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k Newer drugs not always better k Potency after prostate cancer LAW & MONEY k Reasons to invest in Asia k Online used car scams

VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS 35 k Profiles of Mother of the Year SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 8PM

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Create your own art (wearable and otherwise!) in these creative handson workshops in the Mansion.

Dubbed the “Fab Five” by People magazine, this talented group of piano-playing siblings performs beautiful holiday music from Tchaikovsky, Liszt and Mozart to Richard Rodgers and Peanuts composer Vince Guaraldi. Tickets $21–$58 (Stars Price $18.90–$52.20)

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Polymer Clay Earrings FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 9AM–4PM

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Silk Painting: Scarves and Wall Hangings

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These Tony-nominated singing sisters have wowed audiences on Broadway, in cabarets, and in concert. This beguiling show combines their popular revue Boom! (songs of the ‘60s and ‘70s) and their favorite Broadway melodies. Tickets $25–$55 (Stars Price $22.50–$49.50) Sponsored by Shugoll Research

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Witness dazzling displays of magic featuring exotic animals, beautiful dancers, escapologists, comedy, quick-change artists, sleight of hand must-see entertainment!! Tickets $25–$65 (Stars Price $22.50–$58.50)

You’ll hear dazzling solo piano, vibrant vocals plus plenty of warmth and humor as Grammynominated, platinumselling Jim Brickman and his special guests weave new and old holiday favorites, plus all his hits in this unforgettable night. Tickets $35–$55 (Stars Price $31.50–$49.50)

Felting: Winter Hat or Handwarmers SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 9AM-4PM

Tuition $90 (Stars Price $81), plus $25 materials fee

Metal Jewelry: Silver Bracelets MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 10AM–4PM

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FINE ART ART EXHIBTIONS Ramsey Lewis: Sun Goddess Tour FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 8PM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 8PM

Fourteen-time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs makes this holiday season a family affair, with song after song warmed by the pure mountain sound of bluegrass, you’ll rediscover such holiday favorites as “Little Drummer Boy,” “What Child is This?,” “The Christmas Guest,” and many more. Tickets $28–$68 (Stars Price $25.20–$61.20)

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A Skaggs Family Christmas featuring the White Family

The jazzman extraordinaire, winner of three Grammys and seven gold records, revisits his classic ‘70s album The Sun Goddess (and a few other funky favorites) with his electric band— guitarist Henry Johnson, keyboard player Michael Logan, drummer Charles Heath and bassist Joshua Ramos. Tickets $28–$68 (Stars Price $25.20–$61.20)

From Forge to Form: Modern Ironwork

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

When a consumer is taken advantage of My friend is 88 years old. He has all his ness on the dealership’s part. marbles and a lifetime of experience in the I still can’t decide how to apportion the consumer world. blame exactly. But the more I But that doesn’t mean he think about it, the more the can’t be a victim. He just was. salesman’s share creeps One day in late summer, he above 50 percent. And the marched into a local car dealmore I think about it, the ership to “just have a look” at more I think the salesman the new 2012 models. Salestried his luck on my friend bepeople dream of such cuscause he’s up in years. tomers, especially those who Here’s how it played out: can pay cash. And this salesAs soon as my friend said he man didn’t have to wait long. wanted to look at the new HOW I SEE IT My friend test-drove a 2012s, the salesman said ohBy Bob Levey brand-spanking-new V-8 and gosh-oh-gee, it’s your lucky day, later left the lot in it. But he also drove sir. Since it’s the end of the month, we are ofaway with less of a discount than he had fering $5,000 off the sticker price on all 2012s. been promised. He was essentially conned The salesman did not write down this out of $1,500. offer, and my friend did not ask him to do so. It’s a tale of incredible carelessness on They walked through the usual steps — my guy’s part — but also incredible unfair- make, color, horsepower, accessories.

When my guy had given a piece of his heart to a shiny champagne gold sedan, the salesman wrote up a bill of sale. Very soon, they were in an office on the other side of the dealership, where a finance fellow was finalizing the sale. A few strokes of the adding machine, a few handshakes, and it was all done. The next morning, my friend happened to read the bill of sale. Yes, he should have done this in the finance fellow’s office before forking over any money. No, he hadn’t done so. Yes, he knows that he is the last line of defense against flimflams and filches. After all, he is 88, and he has been buying cars for 65 years. And yes, alas, they had shafted him. The promised $5,000 discount was $3,500. So he went back to the finance man the next day. Oh-gosh-oh-gee, said this man. My friend must have misunderstood. They offer

“Public television‘s most ambitious series in years” — The Hollywood Reporter

pbs.org/arts

Fridays 9:30pm Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore ....................10/14 Pearl Jam Twenty...................10/21 Miami City Ballet....................10/28 Give Me The Banjo..................11/4 Bill T. Jones: A Good Man .......11/11

Women Who Rock.................11/18 Il Postino from LA Opera .....11/25 Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park .................12/2 The Little Mermaid................12/16

National funding for the PBS Arts Fall Festival is provided by a generous grant from the Anne Ray Charitable Trust. PBS Arts Fall Festival on MPT is sponsored in part by The Washington Ballet and Strathmore Performing Arts Center.

a discount of only $3,500 to people with General Motors credit cards, since such cardholders already get $1,500 off new cars. Wait a second, my friend said. The GM credit card gives me an additional discount of $1,500 on a new GM model. It doesn’t decrease my discount by $1,500. The finance man hemmed and hawed and jawed and juked. I wasn’t there, so I don’t know exactly what he said. But the result was that he wore down an 88-year-old man, who finally got tired and confused. He tucked his tail between his legs and left without the $1,500 he had been promised — bewitched, bothered and bewildered. The $1,500 isn’t all that important to my friend. He will not miss any meals because of it. And he readily admits that he shops for new cars because it’s a form of recreation for him. Better to be out $1,500 and still have a new car to show for it than to blow $1,500 at a casino and have nothing to show for it. But he knows he was “played” by the dealership, and he doesn’t like it. Neither do I. I can only imagine what happened that night when the salesman walked in the front door of his home. “Did you have a nice day at work, dear?” his spouse might have asked him. “Boy, did I!” this wonderful person might have replied. “I conned an 88-yearold man out of $1,500! I think I’ll have a martini to celebrate!” Drink up, my good man. But in between sips, consider this: There’s a way to smack back against the kind of treatment my friend got. It’s called a buddy system. What if a squadron of volunteers agreed to accompany up-in-years car shoppers when they visit dealerships? What if those volunteers — younger and tougher — sat in during those final minutes in the finance office? What if they acted as attorneys-withouta-diploma — reading over the paperwork and asking the buyer (in the presence of the finance guy) whether he’s sure he’s getting what he wants? I have a feeling that a salesman’s end-ofthe-day martini might not taste quite so good. I hereby volunteer to help any up-inyears car shopper who thinks he or she might need a “wing man.” If anyone at the dealership objects, I’ll say: “See that door? We can walk out through it just as easily as we walked in through it.” The smart ones will get the message. So will the smart ones on the consuming side of the ledger. It is very easy to get confused at the end of a car purchase — regardless of age. A buddy will help you stay grounded, and will help put that full promised discount where it belongs. In your pocket. Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

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No ND ve A mb Y er MA 13 T at INE 2 p E! .m .

BETROTHAL. BETRAYAL. BLOODSHED. In Donizetti’s dark drama, young Lucia is caught in the middle of a feud between her family and the man she loves. Forced by her brother to forsake her love and marry for money, she loses more than her happiness—she loses her mind. After she kills her bridegroom, Lucia plunges headlong into madness to Donizetti’s magnificent score in one of opera’s most famous, horrifying, and musically gorgeous scenes. Production from English National Opera. Photo by Robert Workman for English National Opera

Sarah Coburn

Lyubov Petrova

Lucia (Nov 10, 13m, 15, 18)

Lucia (Nov 12, 14, 16, 19)

Tickets at the Kennedy Center Box Office or charge by phone (202) 467-4600

November 10–19, 2011 Opera House

Order online at kennedy-center.org/wno TTY (202) 416-8524 Groups (202) 416-8400

A production of the Clarice Smith Opera Series. David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of WNO. Generous support for WNO Italian opera is provided by Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello.

The Kennedy Center welcomes patrons with disabilities.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

BEACON BITS

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

Nov. 15

RUSSIAN COMPOSERS

The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Chamber Music Series presents a concert called “The Devil Went Down to Russia” with chamber music by Russian composers Tchaikovsky, Borodin, RimskyKorsakov, and a special presentation of Stravinsky’s “Soldier’s Tale.” The free concert will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Brucker Hall in Ft. Myer, Va. For more information on the concert and directions for public access to the concert, see www.usarmyband.com or call (703) 696-3399.

Dec. 2

HOLIDAY CONCERT AND SING-ALONG

Join the Georgetown University Department of Performing Arts for its annual free program of holiday music, including a sing-along. The program will take place Friday, Dec. 2 at 1:15 p.m. in McNeir Hall, on Georgetown’s main campus at 3700 O St., N.W., Washington, D.C. For more information, see http://performingarts.georgetown.edu or call (202) 687-2787.

Nov. 16

GUITAR CONCERT

Renowned guitarist John Doyle, who serves as guitarist and musical director for Joan Baez, will give a CD release concert on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be held by the Institute for Musical Traditions, Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium, 7500 Maple, Ave., Takoma Park, Md. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For more information, call (301) 754-3611 or visit www.imtfolk.org.

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Letters to editor

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NEWS & FEATURES • LAW & MONEY • FITNESS & HEALTH LEISURE & TRAVEL • ARTS & STYLE • VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS We are pleased to offer both First-Class and Third-Class subscriptions:

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Dear Editor: Thank you for publishing “Moving the Folks” (October). I’m an avid Beacon reader in my 50s, and it appears both your publisher and I are native Texans. I thank Stuart for standing up for the many good, kind, helpful people that have come out of Texas (including LBJ, who signed many of the pro-senior statutes some might take for granted) or still remain there. Texas, nearby New Mexico and the Southwest have become popular regions for relocating seniors, with often lower living costs than the Northeast and even Florida. I agree with Stuart’s assessment that, when his dad said, “It’s too cold here in the East,” he meant more than the weather. My point: Washington region seniors need to get away and see/meet/check out the rest of the 50 states they may yet to experience/explore. They might meet warm and friendly

Americans they cannot adequately find locally, while getting a positive, emotional attitude adjustment in the process. Steve Spacek Montgomery County, MD Dear Editor: Having at one time taken both the bus and the train to New York (See “Bus lines offer affordability, convenience,” October), the major advantages that are offered by the train are an indoor waiting area, more comfortable seating, and indoor plumbing. On the other hand, I have found it rare that trains, whether Acela or Northeast Regional, arrive at the stated time on the schedule. The question of economics, if dominant, is a no-win for trains, which have outrageous prices if reservations are not made at least two weeks in advance. Travel is not simple or necessarily cheap, but for the young, buses are the way to go. For the elderly, convenience may trump cost. Nelson Marans Silver Spring, MD

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 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 below. 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.

Business & Employment Opportunities PART-TIME JOB OPENING in the PG/Montgomery County area. Major retail locations. Great Opportunity for retirees. Job requirements similar to Home Show. Call 240-418-2948. MAKE MONEY SELLING YOUR VALUABLE GOODS ON eBAY. Susie’s Online Consignments does all the work for you. We photograph the items, list and launch the auctions, collect the money and ship the goods. We sell antiques, collectibles, designer handbags, shoes, dolls, small electronics, jewelry, watches, and more. Call 703-752-6247. INSIDE SUBSCRIPTION SALES for 50year-old business news service near Silver Spring Metro. Mature staff. Part-time weekdays. $10/hour + commission to 35%. 301-5886380 x 281 or jobs@cdpublications.com. $100,000 INCOME OPPORTUNITY work with a Billion Dollar Pharmacy Benefit Manager Call 1-877-308-7959 EXT234 today. 2011 POSTAL POSITIONS $13.00-$36.50+/hr., Federal hire/full benefits. Call Today! 1-866-4774953 Ext. 150. AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified Housing available CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (866)453-6204. EARN $1000’S WEEKLY Receive $12 every envelope Stuffed with sales materials. 24-hr. Information 1-866-297-7616 code 14. MYSTERY SHOPPERS! Earn up to $150 daily. Get paid to shop pt/ft. Call now 800-6901272. SENIORS! SELL YOUR UNWANTED LIFE INSURANCE! State licensed. Call Toll Free: 877-282-4360 or visit www.AtAge60.com for a FREE evaluation.

Caregivers CHEVY CHASE HOME CARE – reliable certified caregivers at time of illness, infirmity, loneliness. Personal assistance, ALL AGES, 4- to 24-hour shifts, homes, hospitals, nursing homes. MD, DC, No. VA. Tel.: 202-374-1240. www.ChChHomecare.com.

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Caregivers

Computer Services

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

CAREGIVER AVAILABLE Live-in/out days/ nights or weekend, car, cook, experienced & reliable, excellent references. MD/DC/Northern VA. 703-408-1347.

COMPUTER LESSONS – Personal Computer training at your home. Email, Internet, general computer use, and more. Learn at your own pace with gentle and patient tutor. We also fix computers, set up your new computer and troubleshoot. Working with Seniors since 1996. Ask about your Senior discount. Call David, 301762-2570, COMPUTERTUTOR.

LEISURE WORLD® - $49,900. 2BR 1FB “Carlyle” model. Top floor with spacious dining room and open balcony. Lots of closets. 1035 sq ft, Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463.

LOVING HOME CARE “Care you can trust and afford.” Companionship, hygiene care, meal preparation, housekeeping, errands, shopping, doctor’s appointments. Loving, dependable caregivers for FT/PT or Live-In care. Call: 301-490-1146. www.lovinghomecare.org. NEED HELP AT HOME? Beulah Home Services, Inc. can provide quality care for you 24/7. Choose you hours. Services include: personal care, meal preparation, assistance with household chores, medication reminder/monitoring, ADL’s, mobility, and accompanying patients to doctor visits. We have dependable, dedicated, compassionate staff. You will receive free consultation/initial RN assessment, plus 25% discount off your first month. (Licensed/bonded) Telephone # 301-502-6011. HERE AND NOW HOME CARE offers many services in companion, home making and personal care. We offer responsible affordable care 24 hours a day 7 days a week! 2- to 24-hour shifts, homes, hospitals and nursing homes. Call us at 240-507-7120. http://www.hereandnowhomecare.com/services. UCARE AGENCY A licensed home health care agency providing certified and qualified caregivers. Home health aid, homemakers, companions, escorts, personal care attendant (PCA). 4 to 24 hour shifts. For your aging loved ones. Please call today and get 10% discount. telephone: 240632-9420 or 240-476-1180. POTTER CARE SERVICES provides private Non-Medical Home Care in the comfort of our clients’ homes within Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia area. Services include – companionship, elder care, recuperation care, respite care, and care for expectant and new mothers. For more information, call 410564-9667, fax request to 443-542-9195 or email pottersvcs@gmail.com. You Love, We Care. FAMILY HOME CARE SERVICES provides professional personal care and companionship services for senior citizens. We also provide customized care and help with daily living tasks for disabled and injured individuals of any age. Our experienced caregivers provide up to 24-hour service 7 days a week in the comfort of your own home. We accept Medicaid and private pay. Call family home care services at 703-933-2223 or email us at familyhomecare@gmail.com. HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES Home staffing 23 hours a day for skilled nursing, assisted living, companionship, light housekeeping, errands and shopping. Quality care. Licensed & insured. Satebi Health Care, INC. (SHC) 301-879-4484. VERY RELIABLE, compassionate, aide, 20 years experience, available now. Mon-Sun FT/PT, Live I/O. CNA, GNA, MedTech licensed. Very punctual and caring. Please call 240-5502584. POSITION WANTED Certified aide with 20 years experience. Seeks position to care for sick or elderly, Monday through Friday days, nights, or weekends. References available call 301-4429324. own car.

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

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GEEZER TECH SQUAD – For Seniors By Seniors. Computers fixed and explained. Help with other electronic equipment such as HD television and digital cameras. Introductory session $40 an hour, less than 50% of other providers. 301-802-6633.

Entertainment GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT BOOK & GREETING CARDS! “Moon Over Vaudeville” charming morsel of 1930s entertainment history. Much of story set in DC. Many vintage photographs. Buy at www.MoonOverVaudeville.com – use discount code: ZLA8J4MM. By mail: PO Box 757, Bellingham, WA 98227. Enclose name, address, city & zip code plus a check for $22.90 ($17.95 + $4.95 shipping). 360-255-3790. Set of 4 bookmark greeting cards are $12.00. PUT THE MUSIC YOU LOVE BACK IN YOUR LIFE! Enjoy live jazz and swing on the first Friday of the month at Hollywood East Café, Westfield Wheaton Shopping Mall, 7 to 10 p.m. Listen to the Night & Day Combo perform the classic standard songs of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, from Cole Porter, Gershwin, et al. Great music, great food, no cover charge! http://nightanddaymusic.com/clubpage.html.

Financial Services CREDIT REPAIR SPECIALIST Have a 720 score? You can! Free Consultation, 888-316-2786 ext 102 www.raisemycreditasap.com.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate ROOMS FOR RENT in private home, shared facilities, only non-smoking female, fully furnished, no pets $495 per month plus utilities. 301-233-4722. LOOKING TO TAKE THE LEAP? I’ll take you on a tour of the community, show you floor plans, discuss campus amenities, & offer how to best coordinate your move. I will preview units & contact you with a match. I also offer exceptional service selling your home. I’m a Seniors Specialist, Buyer Broker, Top 1% of Agents Nationwide, and a Leisure World resident! You can see my current listings on page 26. Contact me: 301-580-5556, SueHeyman@aol.com, www.SueHeyman.com, Weichert, Realtors. LEISURE WORLD® - $269,000. 2BR+ Den. 2FB “G” in Turnberry Courts. Freshly painted, golf course view. Shows like a model. 1446sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors, 301-9283463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $199,000. 2BR + den, 2FB “R” model in “Fairways”. Ceramic tile enclosed balcony, table space kitchen, garage parking, new carpet. 1420 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $299,000. 2BR + den, 2FB, “K” in “Greens” with garage space and storage room. One of a kind renovation, 1st floor with enclosed balcony outside terrace open to golf course. 1520 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $319,900. 3BR 2-1/2BA “M” in “Fairways”. Upgraded kitchen with Corian counters and extra pantry, separate dining room. Enclosed balcony, garage parking. 1530 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $275,000. 3BR 2FB modified “Cabot” with 1 car garage. All New Kitchen conversion, expanded dining and living room, 1530 sq. ft, Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $99,000. 2BR 2FB “Riviera” model. 2nd floor apt with updated kitchen, enclosed balcony and covered carport. 1412 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $159,000. 3BR 2FB “Capri” villa. Updated kitchen, open balcony, huge space. 1415 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $89,000. 2BR 2FB “E” model in the “Greens”. Convenient to the elevator, fresh paint and carpet. Enclosed balcony with good view. 990 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $349,000. 3BR 2FB “L” in “Vantage Point”. Corner unit with 3 exposures, table space kitchen with window, enclosed balcony. One of the largest models in LW. 1720 sq ft. Stan Moffson 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $375,000. 3BR 2FB “Barstow” model patio home with 2 car garage, separate dining room and table space kitchen, Sunroom addition. 1320 sq ft. Stan Moffson 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $83,900. 2BR 2FB “Warfield” model. Table space kitchen with window, 1st floor, patio, separate laundry room, 1116 sq. ft. Reserved parking. 1116 sq. ft. Stan Moffson 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $204,900. 2BR 2FB. RARE “Q” model in “Turnberry Courts. Golf course views from table space kitchen and enclosed balcony, close to elevator, garage parking + golf cart space. 1111 sq ft. Stan Moffson 301-928-3463.

Classifieds cont. on p. 55.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 20th of each month. Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards.

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD H U R T

PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. HOME. BUSINESS. Call: D. Guisset at 301-642-4526.

LEISURE WORLD® - $96,900. 2BR 2FB “E” in the “Fairways”. Close to the elevator, great views from enclosed balcony, Berber carpet, fresh paint, table space kitchen. 980 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

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Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, offer a personal service, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $15 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word. Commercial Party Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing commercial business enterprise. Each ad is $35 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word. Note: Each real estate listing counts as one commercial ad. Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

The Beacon, Classified Dept. P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 For information about display advertising, or to request a media kit, call (301) 949-9766.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Puzzle of the Month by Stephen Sherr 1

30 33

32 38

JUMBLE ANSWERS

Scrabble answers on p. 53.

Answer: When the doorman was arrested, the detective had an - OPEN AND SHUT CASE Jumbles: PENCE QUASH UPSHOT FEWEST

Across

Down

1. “That’s hilarious” 5. Member of the Bear family 9. Fix the driveway 14. Exodus author 15. Undocumented, as a contract 16. 1980 Tony Awards Best Musical 17. IRA guy 18. Color close to beige 19. Evil spirit 20. Early greeting 23. Performing ___ 24. Society page word 25. Gidget portrayer 26. “___ Johnny!” 28. Hot rods first produced in 1955 31. Fed. org conceived by Nixon in 1970 32. October 31 shout 33. With “Day’s”, a chain of over 1000 restaurants 37. Politically neutral 41. Picturesque 42. Rival 43. Acapulco gold 44. Los ___ (New Mexico lab site) 46. Frasier’s sitcom brother 48. From ___ Z 51. Quickly cross the Atlantic 52. Future jr. 53. Source of sincerity 59. An ear-relevant word 60. Tonight Show host in 1960 61. Native Canadians 62. Follow compulsively 63. Sufferer of 45 Down, briefly 64. Supplements 65. There are two in every seventy-six 66. Burstyn’s costar in Same Time, Next Year 67. Dermatologist’s concern

1. Injured 2. Cowboy, with a buck 3. Pop music list 4. On the beach 5. Rhymers 6. St. Louis landmark 7. Peel, as an apple 8. Graduates 9. Make the harbor even deeper 10. 2-4-6-8; these numbers all have what trait? 11. Lacking courage 12. Make amends 13. Lion’s territory 21. Lauderdale and Myers, in FL 22. “___ Land of the Free...” 26. Makes an edge 27. Like Lawrence of Arabia 28. As well as 29. Very successful, as 16 Across 30. Paul McCartney title 32. “Relax!” 34. Reckless 35. Valuable, as a baseball card 36. Bachelors’ last words 38. Evidence on CSI: Miami 39. Schulz strip that predated Peanuts 40. Companions of fros 45. Nearsightedness 46. Japanese drama 47. Regurgitation medication 48. Belittle 49. Publicizes 50. Others from Spain 52. Neighbor of Turkey 54. Piece of Scheherazade’s strategy 55. Pass alternative 56. Co-worker of the butler, gardener, and cook 57. Commies 58. ___ pattern

Answers on page 53.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

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For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

Personal Services

Wanted

LEISURE WORLD® - $279,000. 3BR 2-1/2BA “M” in the “Greens” Close to elevator, table space kitchen, mirrored closet doors, garage parking, extra storage. 1530 sq ft. Stan Moffson 301-928-3463.

OMEGA TRANSPORTATION Hospital visits, clinics, lab appointments! Drop off, pick-up, or round trip services available! Wheelchair accessible! We are a transportation company devoted to helping you whenever you need it. You can count on Omega Transportation to drive you there safely. Call us anytime. You won’t be disappointed! 301-685-6710. omegatranscom@gmail.com. Serving all Washington Metropolitan Area. Medicaid Provider.

HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES. Compare my price before you sell! Serving entire metro area. Call for a free consultation, and professional service. I will purchase one piece or your entire estate. Including Furniture, Artwork, Glassware, Jewelry, Rugs, Costume, Gold and Silver, Watches, Sterling Items, Flatware, Lladro & Hummel Figurines, All Military Items, Guns, Swords, Helmets, Bayonets, Medals, Scout Items, Clocks, Music Boxes, Toys, Baseball Memorabilia, Trains, All String Instruments, Including Guitars, Banjos, Mandolins, Fishing Rods and Reels, Lures, Historical Items, American tools, Posters, Outside Iron Furniture. I am a very reputable dealer with two locations in Silver Spring and Bowie, MD. Please call Christopher Keller 301408-4751 or 301-262-1299. Thank you.

COINS BOUGHT. Both U.S. and foreign (especially gold). Also postcards, antique cars, auto related, militaria, stamps. Lifelong private collector. Best after 7 p.m. Kenny Holloway 703369-0520.

LEISURE WORLD® - $109,000. 2BR. 2FB “Warfield” on 1st floor. Updated kitchen and baths, enclosed patio. ALSO FOR RENT $1300. 1116 sq ft. Stan Moffson 301-928-3463. NW UPPER LIVING ROOM BEDROOM. In private home. Share kitchen and bath. Near bus and train station. References and security required. 202-829-6358. ***FREE FORECLOSURE LISTINGS*** OVER 400,000 properties nationwide. Low down payment. Call now 800-250-2043. AVAILABLE NOW!!! 2-4 Bedroom homes Take Over Payments No Money Down/No Credit Check Call 1-888-269-9192. STOP RENTING Lease option to buy Rent to own No money down No credit check 1-877-3950321.

Health NATURAL HERBAL TYPE VIAGRA - As Seen On TV No Side Effects - Improve Performance WEBSITE ONLY FREE Trial Offer + S&H - One Month Supply www.pro4maxoffer.com (800) 7811975.

Home/Handyman Services MICHAELS HAULING Clean-outs, scrap & debris removal yard waste, etc. Mulch, dirt & stone delivery, lite dump truck, 20’ trailer & bobcat. Fully insured. 240-388-1898. CLEANING Weekly, biweekly, monthly. Moveins. Move-outs. Insured. Senior discounts. 20 years experience. Call Betti for more information, 301-744-2572, 240-486-0087.

Miscellaneous ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from home. Medical, Business, Paralegal, Accounting, Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial aid if qualified. Call 800494-3586 www.CenturaOnline.com. HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FROM HOME, 68 Weeks. ACCREDITED. Get a diploma. Get a job! 1-800-264-8330, www.diplomafromhome.com. PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? You choose from families nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions. 866-413-6292, 24/7 Void/Illinois.

Personal Services MOTHER WILL DRIVE YOU to your appointments, do your shopping, clean your house, cooking, personal assistant. Do you need to plan an event? Also does Elder Care. Honest, reasonable rate, and references provided. 240-5957467. EASY BUSINESS RÉSUMÉS. Short résumés, cover letters, typed references. 16 years experience. Competitive pricing, convenient locations. Good quality. Marty – mfixman@aol.com, 703768-5254, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. WILL TYPE YOUR MEMOIRS, manuscripts, etc. For info and rates, call 703-671-1854. GARDEN ANGEL LAWN and fall cleanups, window washing, garage and attic cleaning, hauling. We do all we can for you. Seniors welcome. MD-DC. Call 240-477-2158. WOW! GREAT HAIRCUT at a great price! Professional family hair salon conveniently located in Bethesda, MD. State board certified. Call 240-432-7211. FOR ALL OF YOUR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. Dialysis Center, Non-Emergency Hospital Trips, Hospital Discharge, Doctor Appointments, Rehabilitation & More. We have 4x4 SUVs for Winter Trips. Med Choice Transportation. 703-839-9999. www.MedChoiceTransportation.com. PARALEGAL: Experienced in trusts, estates and will preparation and other letters and paperwork. Call 301-565-2917.

Personals SEEKING 55+ GENTLEMAN: industrious, kind, fun-loving with integrity who would enjoy meeting like-minded attractive woman who lights up a room with her smile. Barbarajoyart. 301-938-6235. ATTRACTIVE ASIAN WIDOW seeks tall widower for companionship, travel. Please call: 301942-8457.

Vacation Opportunities BEST AIRFARE TO ASIA.We are China Tour Specialists. Serving the Washington D.C. Metro Area; Phone 703-992-8990; email witspeter@yahoo.com; Website www.chinawidetravel.com.

Wanted WE PAY CASH for antique furniture, quality used furniture, early American art, pottery, silver, glassware, paintings, etc. Single items to entire estates. Call Reggie or Phyllis at DC 202726-4427, MD 301-332-4697. MILITARY ITEMS WANTED: Collector seeks to purchase military uniforms; flight jackets, patches, insignia, medals, etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne, and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. ALSO BUYING old Boy Scout, Airline Items, Toys, Lighters. Call Dan (202) 841-3062. FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree] knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from Oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan 301-279-8834. Thank you. STAMP COLLECTIONS, AUTOGRAPHS purchased/appraised – U.S., worldwide, covers, paper memorabilia. Stamps are my specialty – highest price paid! Appraisals. Phone Alex, 301309-6637. Stampex1@gmail.com. VINYL RECORDS WANTED from the 20s through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections preferred. Please call John, 301-596-6201. HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES, ESTATES. FREE evaluations and house calls. We pay the most for your valuable treasures because we get the most money on eBay – the worldwide Internet. Serving entire metro area – Maryland, Washington, DC, Northern Virginia. Buying the following items – furniture, art, paintings, silver, gold, old coins, jewelry, vintage wristwatches, military items, including guns, rifles, swords, daggers, knives, musical instruments, guitars, violins, banjos, old toys, dolls, trains, old golf clubs, baseball, football, tennis equipment and memorabilia, old fishing, tools, books, photographs, comic books. I am a resident of Silver Spring. 20 years experience. Please call Tom 240-476-3441. Thank you. CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. We make house calls. Ask for Tom or Katherine. Call anytime 301-654-8678. CASH FOR RECORDS & CDs. BEST PRICE GUARANTEED. Free appraisals. All types of music, 33, 45, 78 & CDs. Call Steve 301-6465403. Will make House Calls.

HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES Call me first! Furniture, China, Hummels, Sports, Glass, Paintings, Gold, Silver Flatware, Costume & High-end Jewelry, Music Instruments, Hunting, Fishing Items, Military Items, Guns, Swords, Helmets, Wind-up Watches, Art, Clocks, Dolls, Music Boxes, Old Toys, Bronzes, Lamps, ETC. Please call Mike Keller 301-731-0982 or 301-742-5031 ESTATE BUY-OUTS / CLEAN-OUTS FROM BASEMENT-GARAGE-ATTIC-STORAGE UNITS. ELECTRONICS, RECORD COLLECTIONS, TUBES, HI-FI SPEAKERS, ACCUMULATIONS. CASH PAYMENT, PROMPT REMOVAL. PLEASE CALL 410-740-5222 OR 240-478-1100. COLLECTOR BUYING MODERN FURNITURE, lighting, art & accessories form the 1940’s – 1970’s. Danish/Scan, Knoll, Herman Miller, Dunbar, Paul Evans, Thayer Coggin, Harvey Probber, Vladimir Kagan, Nakashima, etc. Also buying abstract modern art, ceramics, glass and records. Please call 202-213-9768. WANTED: ELECTRONICS, radio tubes, ham radios, huge old loud speakers, tube HiFi, stereo amps, earliest computers ever made, vinyl records, professional musical instruments, scientific curiosities, early electronic books, magazines, engineers, physicists, scientist, accumulations. 202-527-9501, vcvdc@msn.com. ESTATE BUY-OUTS, ESTATE CLEANOUTS – one item, or whole estate. Jewelry, sterling silver items, watches, coins, furniture, rugs, tribal, ancient, orientalia, etc. Any collection. Licensed, Bonded, Insured. CASH 301-520-0755.

WANTED: LARGE THREE WHEELER motor scooter in good condition. Call 301-2303149, Rockville. CASH MONEY PAID FOR CARDS. Baseball and non-sport cards before 1973. Includes: Topps, Bowman, Fleer, Goudeys, Play Ball, Caramels, Tobacco Cards, ETC. Non-sport cards include: Elvis, 3 Stooges, Davy Crockett, Casper, Horrors of War, Mars Attack, Lone Ranger, Gulligan’s Island, Hogan’s Heroes, Superman, Batman, ETC… We don’t cherry pick the best and leave the rest. We buy it all!!! Anything & everything. Any condition. Please call Jim with confidence 202-258-1109. CASH FOR CARS, Any Make or Model! Free Towing. Sell it TODAY. Instant offer: 1-800-8645784. CASH PAID for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS - up to $17/Box! Shipping prepaid. Kim 1-888-883-8835. www.cash4diabeticsupplies.com. SELL YOUR CAR, TRUCK or SUV TODAY! All 50 states, fast pick-up and payment. Any condition, make or model. Call now 1-877-8188848 www.MyCarforCash.net. TOP CASH FOR CARS, Any Car/Truck, Running or Not. Call for INSTANT offer: 1-800-4546951. WANTED DIABETES TEST STRIPS Any kind/brand. Unexpired up to $18.00. Shipping Paid Hablamos espanol 1-800-266-0702 www.selldiabeticstrips.com. WANTED JAPANESE MOTORCYCLES KAWASAKI 1970-1980 Z1-900, KZ900, KZ 1000, H2-750, H1-500, S1-250, S2-250, S2-350, S3-400 CASH. 1-800-772-1142, 1-310-721-0726 usa@classicrunners.com. WANTED: YEARBOOKS - $15 each for any high school 1940-1988 not in our collection. yearbookusa@yahoo.com 1-972-768-1338.

Thanks for reading!

BEACON BITS

Nov. 20

A HOT CONCERT

Cristina Muir, Sue Trainor and Jennie Avila blend their stylistically diverse musical talents to cook up Hot Soup, a spicy vocal trio. Accompanied by guitar, banjo and lap dulcimer, they serve up a harmonious mix of folk and novelty songs, swing tunes, nostalgia and topical ballads. The concert will be held Sunday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Church of the Resurrection, 2280 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, Va. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. To order tickets or for more information, go to www.focusmusic.org or call (703) 501-6061.

Nov. 6

FREE PHILHARMONIC CONCERT

A free Arlington Philharmonic concert will be held on Sunday, November 6 at 3 p.m. featuring selections from Gustav Holst’s “Brook Green Suite,” Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” and other American and British gems. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. It will be held in the Washington-Lee Auditorium at 1301 N. Stafford St., Arlington, Va., between the Virginia Square and Ballston Metro stations on the Orange Line. For more information, see www.arlingtonphilharmonic.org.

Nov. 19

UNBUILT WASHINGTON

The National Building Museum’s exhibit “Unbuilt Washington” explores the many serious — and sometimes not-so-serious — proposals that would have dramatically altered the architectural character of Washington, D.C. Included in the exhibition are rare original drawings by America’s most influential early architects, including Benjamin Henry Latrobe, Robert Mills and Thomas Jefferson. The exhibit opens on Saturday, Nov. 19 and runs through May 28, 2012 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St., N.W., Washington, D.C. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for those 65 and older. For more information, call (202) 272-2448.

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