September 2015 | Howard County Beacon

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More than 30,000 readers throughout Howard County

Will items collect dust or money?

PHOTO COURTESY MARYLAND PUBLIC TV / LARRY CANNER PHOTOG-

By Robert Friedman The matching teapot and sugar bowl set owned by Kathryn Greshem of Ellicott City happened to once belong to the Baltimore wife of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s youngest brother, Jerome.

The wife, who was a flamboyant beauty named Betsy Patterson, gave the set to a family of newly freed slaves, who passed it on to Greshem’s great-grandmother, Kathryn Smith, who had provided a home for the former slaves. Smith then gave the set to her daughter, who kept passing it down.

Meanwhile, back in the First French Empire, Napoleon didn’t like his youngest brother marrying an American. After Pope Pius VII refused Napoleon’s request to annul the marriage, big brother did it himself. He refused to allow the pregnant Betsy of Baltimore to accompany her husband on his return to France. The couple never got together again.

All very interesting, said appraiser Bill Shaeffer of Shaeffer’s Antiques, of Glyndon, Md., who put the worth of the tea set at about $350. Unfortunately, the item itself wasn’t considered intriguing or valuable enough to be filmed, together with its owner, for the upcoming sixth season of the TV show “Chesapeake Collectibles.”

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The splendor (and salmon) of Northwest Oregon; plus, New York City — from the classics to new attractions page 31

ARTS & STYLE

Vying for a spot In August, about 1,000 area residents flocked to the Turf Valley conference center in Ellicott City — the site of two full days of taping for what will be edited into 13 half-hour episodes of Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) highly popular spinoff of the national “Antiques Roadshow” television show. “Chesapeake Collectibles” explores the region’s history through its antiques and treasures.

Those hopeful of a TV spot, with what they deemed their valuable heirlooms, were from all over the MPT viewing area, which includes Maryland and Washington, D.C., as well as parts of Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania, said Fran Minakowski, who works at the public television station.

Some 1,300 items were appraised during the weekend, she said. This was the second year that Turf Valley hosted the taping. The previous programs were produced in the MPT studios in Owings Mills.

Mimi Arsenault of Ellicott City was a bit disappointed that the vintage toy cowboy she hoped would make it onto the next season of MPT’s “Chesapeake Collectibles” show — a local version of PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” — was “not the gold mine I thought it might be.” Appraiser Mike Stanton of Hampton House Auctions said the toy, made in Japan in the1950s, was worth about $150.

During the recent event, the joint was jumping, to say the least.

Hundreds of collectors were seated in rows and rows of benches in an outside room, waiting to be ushered into the even larger room where 22 appraisers contemplated, often with the aid of computers, the value of items brought before them by the collectors lined up in front of their tables.

Meanwhile, producers, assistant producers, cameramen and volunteers roamed the room.

The appraisers sat behind tables categorized for, among other objects, Books & Manuscripts, Black Americana, Drawings and Paintings, Firearms and Swords (but only arms manufactured before 1900, and definitely unloaded), Furniture & Decora-

tives, Jewelry & Watches, Porcelain & Pottery & Glass, Rugs & Textiles, and Toys & Amusements.

For the filming, a set decorated like an antiques shop was erected in the large room. The chosen, who were lightly made up, were then taped there, along with their valuables and the appraiser.

In another section of the room, public television host Rhea Feiken was taping the introduction to the 2016 Chesapeake Collectibles season, which will get underway in January.

The show broadcasts on Thursdays at 8 p.m., repeating on Friday at 1:30 a.m., Saturday at 10 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m.

See COLLECTIBLES, page 36

It’s cool to be square at this dance club; plus, the Crime Museum isn’t just cops and robbers page 34 TECHNOLOGY k What to do if you’re hacked

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FITNESS & HEALTH 10 k Avoid shady supplements k Do you know how to save a life?

THE SENIOR CONNECTION 17 k Newsletter for Howard County seniors LAW & MONEY 27 k Fighting crime can pay k Why try a retirement coach?

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Fairness in research I would like to share with you some 2050, costs are projected to exceed $1.1 things I learned at a recent program about trillion, which will include one of every Alzheimer’s disease and efthree Medicare dollars. forts to increase federal reFor comparison purposes, search funding for it. note that the federal Agency You will see that you can for Healthcare Research and play a part in helping bring Quality estimated the total about much-needed improvecost of care for all cancer pament in this effort. tients in the U.S. in 2011 at First, some basic facts. $88.7 billion.

Speaking in round numbers, Furthermore, Alzheimer’s about 5 million Americans, 95 is currently the 6th leading percent of them over 65, curcause of death in this counrently suffer from Alzheimer’s. FROM THE try, and is the only leading This number is expected to PUBLISHER cause of death for which we triple by 2050 if current trends By Stuart P. Rosenthal have no means of prevention, continue. delay or treatment.

Quite apart from the lost Given the scope of the productivity of Alzheimer’s patients and problem, you might wonder, how much their 15 million caregivers, the are we currently investing in terms of Alzheimer’s Association estimates that the basic research to learn how to delay, if not direct medical costs to American society of prevent, Alzheimer’s and the explosive Alzheimer’s will total $226 billion this year, growth in costs it is sure to require? with half of those costs borne by Federal investment in Alzheimer’s reMedicare. search has been about $400 million per That means nearly one of every five year.

Medicare dollars is spent to care for those Compare that to the $3 billion per year with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. By we still invest in HIV/AIDS research

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(which has made tremendous strides in the past two decades, transforming it from a certainly fatal condition into a manageable chronic disease), and to the $5.4 billion per year we invest in basic cancer research through the National Cancer Institute.

Pending appropriations bills in Congress would increase Alzheimer’s funding by an additional $300 million per year. But first these bills need to be passed. And even if we do increase research to $700 million a year, scientists have estimated we need to be spending $2 billion annually to make the kind of progress we need.

What about the private sector? The Alzheimer’s Association — which says it is the third largest funder of basic Alzheimer’s research in the world (after the U.S. and Chinese governments) — awarded grants worth nearly $14 million last year. It’s invested over $335 million since 1982. Important, but insufficient.

In addition, the major pharmaceutical companies have probably spent billions of dollars developing and testing potential new drugs for decades.

To date, unfortunately, most of their efforts have been disappointing. Only five Alzheimer’s-related drugs have been approved by the FDA since 1996, and while they help somewhat with symptoms in many patients, none constitutes a real treatment that would delay or prevent its progression.

However, new areas of research are showing more promise. We have learned much in the last few years about the amyloid plaque deposits and neurofibrillary tangles called “tau” that take over the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

Using the latest imaging techniques — including the Advanced Photon Source developed by federal researchers and made available to private drug companies at the Argonne National Laboratory — researchers can, for the first time, see how drug treatments directly affect the brains of volunteers.

At the program I attended, Senator Dick

Durban (D-IL), who introduced the Senate bill to boost Alzheimer’s research funds, noted repeatedly how much basic federal research contributes to the overall development of new drugs and treatments by private drug companies (which he referred to collectively as Pharma).

The federal investment includes not only the nearly $30 billion spent each year on research conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health, but also billions more spent by the Department of Defense and the Office of Science in the U.S. Department of Energy (which funds Argonne).

I asked the senator, why doesn’t Congress require the drug companies that benefit so greatly from taxpayer-financed research to pay more significant licensing fees for the blockbuster drugs that result, or at least offer substantial discounts to Medicare and Medicaid when they acquire these medications to treat U.S. taxpayers?

He conceded, “There’s no reason why Pharma shouldn’t pay more.” And added that, while taxpayers “will ultimately benefit from the research, usually Pharma will benefit first.”

That was not entirely the answer I wanted. I wanted him to say he will introduce legislation to require a more equitable arrangement — before Pharma finds the blockbuster cure for Alzheimer’s and starts charging Medicare tens of thousands of dollars per year per patient.

Please join me in contacting Senator Durbin and others in Congress — both to support increased funding for basic research into Alzheimer’s, and to encourage them to require drug companies to more fairly share profits from commercially successful drugs developed with the aid of federally funded research, and/or to offer such drugs to U.S. taxpayers at a discount reflecting our contributions.

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

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SHARE YOUR STORY

The Columbia Association is seeking volunteers to tell their stories of coming to Columbia, including the time, reasons for coming and similar facts. Volunteers of all ages, races and ethnicities are needed, as well as both longtime residents and recent arrivals. Fill out a form at the website http://bit.ly/columbiaoralhistory. Persons selected to be part of the project will be contacted to schedule an interview in late September or October. Questions should be directed to Barbara Kellner, director of the Columbia Archives, at Barbara.Kellner@ColumbiaAssociation.org or call (410) 715-3103.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

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Technology &

Innovations Think you’ve been hacked? Do this now

By Brandon Bailey and Joseph Pisani The entire U.S. federal workforce may be at risk after yet another intrusion from what security experts believe were hackers based in China. The Department of Homeland Security said that data from the Office of Personnel Management — the human resources department for the federal government — and the Interior Department were infiltrated.

Two hacking incidents this summer affect a total of 21.5 million federal workers, military personnel and contractor employees These are not the first and it follows massive data breaches at health insurance companies, major U.S. banks like JPMorgan, and retailers such as Target and Home Depot.

Here’s what to do if you think you’ve been compromised.

First things first • Notify the three main credit agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and request a 90-day credit alert. Each reporting agency is supposed to notify the others, but you may want to contact all three yourself. The three are Equifax (1-888-7660008), Experian (1-888-397-3742) and TransUnion (1-800-680-7289).

The alert tells businesses to contact you before opening any new accounts in your name. You can renew the alert every 90 days, or you’re entitled to keep it in effect for seven years if you find that your identi-

ty is stolen and file a report with police.

• You might consider asking the reporting agencies to place a full freeze on your credit. This blocks any business from checking your credit to open a new account, so it’s a stronger measure than a credit alert.

But you should weigh that against the hassle of notifying credit agencies to lift the freeze — which can take a few days — every time you apply for a loan, open a new account, or even sign up for utility service.

Be a detective • When your credit card bill comes, check closely for any irregularities. And don’t overlook small charges. Crooks are known to charge smaller amounts, usually

under $10, to see if you notice. If you don’t, they may charge larger amounts later.

• Get a free credit report once a year from at least one of the three major credit agencies, and review it for unauthorized accounts that may have been opened in your name.

Ignore offers from companies that charge a fee for credit reports. You can order them without charge at www.annualcreditreport.com. If you order from each credit agency once a year, you could effectively check your history every four months.

Some experts say there’s not much to be gained from a paid credit monitoring

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Technology & Innovations | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Beacon Links & Apps

By Barbara Ruben

Travel deals galore Travelzoo.com aggregates dozens of top deals from cruise lines, hotels, airlines, entertainment venues and more. Depending where you want to travel to and when, the site can be hit or miss. But you can snag very good deals.

The ever-changing offerings recently included $999 for a nine-night Alaskan cruise, $43 tickets for Book of Mormon at the Kennedy Center, and a seven-night tour of Italy including hotels and roundtrip airfare from Baltimore for $1,146. http://Travelzoo.com

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Mailbox locator

and cards, the US Postal Service began uprooting the ubiquitous boxes. However, there are still plenty of times you need to drop something in the mail.

Now there’s a website to help you find the remaining boxes. Simply type in your ZIP code to find a list of addresses (complete with cross streets) where you can deposit your mail. www.payphone-project.com/mailboxes

A couple decades ago, you could find the blue eagle-emblazoned US Mail boxes every few blocks on city and suburban streets. But as fewer people sent letters

Online library of product manuals Can’t remember what kind of bag your vacuum cleaner takes? Or need to look up error codes on your dishwasher? ManualsLib is a database of more than 1 million product manuals (in pdf form) for everything from phones to grills to washing machines.

Search results include manual name, description, size and number of pages. You can either read the manual online or download it to your computer. www.manualslib.com

Are you downsizing?

If you are planning a move or just want to reduce clutter, Freecycle can help you give away your goods — from furniture to dishes to shoes. Even things you have no idea what to do with but would like to keep out of the landfill, such as old trash cans or bricks, can be given away.

Educate Yourself about today’s retirement living options

Brought to you by Erickson

Living and the Tribune

Se ni or Li vin g

SPECIAL REPORT Celebrating the CCRC

about Smashing the stereot ypes America’s best—and most t living option. misunderstood—retiremen to senior rental rom Active 55 communities villages, today’s senior properties to retirement when it comes to has a wide range of choices retirement. One of the most where they will live after options is the continuing commonly misunderstood (CCRC). People often care retirement community nursing homes or assisted categorize CCRCs with them with a loss of living facilities and associate this is far from freedom and personal identity—but

F This arrangement is ideal from seniors who want to live an

active, independent lifestyle today, with added peace of mind that g levels off higher diilly d adi eea readily rre aree readi care available, should they needed ever be needed.

an accurate picture. fiction, here is the truth To help sort facts from care myths about continuing behind some common retirement communities:

of older people will be boring Myth 2: Living with a bunch and depressing. sit in rocking chairs If you think CCRC residents again! Communities like playing Bingo all day—think list LOCATOR have a long COMMUNITY NAME in clubs, including resident-run activities to choose from, and dozens of volunteer continuing education classes, campus. Visit the COMMUopportunities on and off and you’ll likely see seniors NITY NAME clubhouse in the fitness center, swimtaking yoga, working out or heading to the pub or ming, playing Wii bowling, café for a meal with friends.

nursing homes.

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as residents are free to be Much like a college campus, are lots of opportunities active as they choose. There solitary well as places to enjoy for social interaction as ablee to g you’ll be abl ngo, B Bingo, es,, if you like Bin yes, pursuits. And yes me!! me am gam ga d a ggame! nd n fin find fi C. RC R CR C CRC CCRC. ch to move to a C rich Myth 3: You have to be ri iill often wi will Cw RC CR CCRC living at a CC If you’re a homeowner, ar Regular usee. Regul u ou o ho house. ur h ur your mee aas staying in you same he sa about the costt abo meals elect meal sselect nd se aand es property taxes,, an expenses like utilities, ys the same ttaays haaatt sstays h that feee tth monthly fe are covered by a single urprise surprise h ssu itth wi with dw ed burdened u won’t be burden You long. Yo a lo ear year all ye ncce inside and n naaan n nteen inte Maintenance o either. Ma or upkeep costs air a rs o ai pai pa p epairs ep repairs rre udeed in the ncclu included so iin als also is home me tment apar apartment your dee yyou utsid u ou outsid o outside fee. feee hlyy ffe thly ntth nth n ont on o mont mo m monthly ict edictable pr predictable In addition to p

Request these FREE resources to learn more about Charlestown, Catonsville’s most popular address for active, independent seniors.

Cs llike C RC R CR C CCRCs s, C expense expenses, o page 3 ueed on nu nu ntiiin nt on continued co RC con CCRC

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Find the closest Freecycle group to your neighborhood (there are more than 5,000 groups) by typing in your city name. Then join the local list to post things you’d like to give away. Choose someone who responds to your listing to pick it up from your curbside at a specified time. You never have to meet.

Of course, the flip side to Freecycle is that you can also request things others are giving away. But don’t give in to temptation for things you don’t need simply because they cost nothing. www.freecycle.org/

Make phone calls easier If you have visual or mobility limitations, making calls on a small cell phone can present a challenge. The 99-cent app, A Special Phone, helps make phoning friends and family fast and easy.

To make a call, open the app, type in the number on the magnified keypad and shake the phone or press call. For speed dialing, users can save up to six contacts, which can be reached through shaking the phone once for Contact 1, twice for Contact 2, etc.

The voice-activated function says the contact’s name, and the phone dials the number automatically. It also has the capability to recognize voice commands in different languages and dialects.

A Special Phone is available only for iPhones. See www.aspecialphone.com.

Please tell our advertisers, “I saw you in the Beacon!”

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Learn how to start using some of the more popular social media platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+, in a threehour class on Friday, Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon. The class will be held at Howard County Community College in Lab B on the Gateway Campus, Columbia Gateway Building, 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Columbia. There is a fee of $60. For more information, call (443) 518-1700 or visit www.howardcc.edu/ConEd.

❏ Alta at Regency Crest (see ad on page 5) ❏ Brooke Grove (see ads on pages 30 & 40) ❏ Charlestown/Erickson Living (see ad on page 4) ❏ County Gardens (see ad on page 5) ❏ Gatherings at Quarry Place (see ad on page 33) ❏ Heartlands (see ad on page 13) ❏ Homecrest House (see ad on page 10) ❏ Homewood at Willow Ponds (see ad on page 12) ❏ Park View at Colonial Landing (see ad on page 37) ❏ Park View at Columbia (see ad on page 37) ❏ Park View at Ellicott City (see ad on page 37) ❏ Park View at Emerson (see ad on page 37) ❏ Shriner Court (see ad on page 32) ❏ Somerford Place (see ad on page 13)

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

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Three sessions of online non-credit courses from Howard Community College will be available at a $35 discount per course for those age 60+. Start dates are Wednesday, Sept. 16; Wednesday, Oct. 14, and Wednesday, Nov. 11. For a complete list of courses, descriptions and prices, visit www.ed2go.com/howardcc, email nsharma@howardcc.edu or call (413) 518-4860.

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BEACON BITS

★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ F R E E

• Contact the credit issuer to dispute fraudulent charges and have the bogus account closed.

• Request your credit report and ask the reporting agencies to remove bogus accounts or any incorrect information from your record.

• Submit a report through the FTC website: www.consumer.ftc.gov. Click the “privacy & identity” tab, which will walk

★

If your info is stolen

I N F O R M AT I O N

service. But it can’t hurt to sign up for any monitoring offered for free by a company or any other entity that may have held your information when it was hacked.

Note: These services will tell you if a new account is opened in your name, but they won’t prevent it, and many don’t check for things like bogus cellphone accounts, fraudulent applications for government benefits, or claims for medical benefits. Some do offer limited insurance or help from a staffer trained to work with credit issuers and reporting agencies.

F R E E

From page 3

you through creating an affidavit you can show to creditors.

• Keep copies of all reports and correspondence. Use certified mail to get delivery receipts, and keep notes on every phone call.

Beware: after a hack, scammers may try to use the stolen data to trick you into giving up more personal information. They can use that info to steal money in your accounts or open new credit cards.

• Don’t click on any links from emails.

Bad software could be downloaded to your computer that can steal account passwords.

• You might get letters in the mail saying you won a tablet or vacation and give you a phone number to call. Don’t do it. It’s likely a ploy to gather more information from you.

• Hang up the phone if you get a call asking for account numbers or other information. Scammers may also send texts, so don’t click on any links from numbers you don’t know.

The FTC now has a website, www.identitytheft.gov, that provides step-by-step advice and more information on what to do if you think you have been the victim of a data breach.

— AP

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FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★

Hacked

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Health Fitness &

FEELING NO PAIN Four types of anesthesia differ in their intensity — as well as risks RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS STUDY A new study looking at exercise and protein intake is recruiting patients DOPAMINE AND DEPRESSION Dopamine deficiency can make you sluggish; how to break out of the fog A FRIEND INDEED Advice on how to help a friend who has suffered many losses

You can save a life performing simple CPR

By Lauran Neergaard Would you know what to do if you see someone collapse, not breathing — a loved one at home, a co-worker at the office, a stranger on the street? Far too many Americans die of cardiac arrest, and now a major new report urges a national campaign to improve survival, in part by making sure more bystanders know how to help.

Every year, about 395,000 people suffer cardiac arrest in their homes or other nonhospital settings — and less than 6 percent of them survive, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimates.

That’s not the whole toll: An additional 200,000 cardiac arrests occur in hospitals every year, and even there only a quarter of patients survive, the report found.

Cardiac arrest is not a heart attack — it’s worse. It means the heart abruptly stops beating, its electrical activity knocked out of rhythm. CPR can buy critical time if it’s started immediately, but the report concludes the nation must take key steps to give victims a better shot.

“Cardiac arrest survival rates are unacceptably low,” said Dr. Robert Graham of George Washington University, who

chaired the IOM committee’s investigation. “There is a lot an individual can do to assist somebody if they witness one, and to work with their communities to improve the system of response.”

What to do may sound straightforward: Call 911, and then start quick, hard compressions of the person’s chest until trained responders arrive. If a device called an AED — an automated external defibrillator — is available, use it.

Why don’t bystanders help?

In reality, the IOM committee said, fear — rather than not understanding what cardiac arrest is, lack of first-aid training, and concern about legal liability — can hamper response and cost precious time. Each year, less than 3 percent of the U.S. population receives training in CPR or defibrillator use, while some European countries mandate training, the report found.

Moreover, there are wide disparities in outcomes: One study found that survival ranged from about 8 percent to 40 percent across 10 different communities.

The IOM called for a major public education effort to teach people how to recognize

and react to cardiac arrest — including making CPR training a graduation requirement for high school. According to the American Heart Association, Connecticut just became the 24th state to pass legislation to do that.

State and local health departments should team with health groups to create “a culture of action,” the IOM recommended. It also urged employers to stock defibrillators and train workers to use them, and expanded access to CPR training for people over age 65 and their caregivers.

Good Samaritan laws provide varying legal protection by state. At the same time, laymen shouldn’t feel they have to provide perfect care, said IOM committee member Dr. Tom Aufderheide of the Medical College of Wisconsin.

“Any CPR and any early defibrillation delivered by the public is better than no care at all,” he said.

Additional recommendations • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should create a national registry of cardiac arrest. There are no good statistics on this killer, the IOM said, calling its own numbers the best available estimates. A

registry would track outcomes so communities could take steps to improve. The CDC said it will review the recommendation.

• National standards are needed for emergency medical systems, to ensure that 911 callers are talked through how to provide CPR. • The National Institutes of Health should expand research for better treatments. The report found the NIH spends far less on cardiac arrest research than on other cardiovascular problems. Among the issues to address: defibrillators attempt to shock the heart back into rhythm so it can resume beating. But most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests aren’t the kind of abnormal rhythms that a shock can fix, said IOM committee member Dr. Lance Becker of the University of Pennsylvania.

• Hospitals should have to meet national accreditation standards on cardiac arrest care. Survival of patients who suffer cardiac arrest while hospitalized for some other reason can vary by 10 percent between hospitals, the IOM found.

Improvement is possible, the IOM found, calling some communities examples. In See CPR, page 12

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Don’t fall for brain supplement claims

By Matthew Perrone A high-ranking Senate Democrat is probing retailers and online companies about sales of dubious dietary supplements — especially those promising protection from memory loss, dementia and other age-related problems.

The pills, tablets and formulas targeted

by Senator Claire McCaskill bear names like “Brain Awake,” “Dementia Drops” and “Food for the Brain,” which claims to ease “forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.”

In letters sent to 15 companies — including Wal-Mart, Target Corp., Amazon and Google — McCaskill asks executives to explain how they vet dietary supplements and weed out products making false claims. The Missouri Democrat is the ranking member on the Senate Aging Committee, which frequently investigates health scams targeting older Americans.

“Frankly, I think there’s a special place in hell for someone who markets a product and says it will cure Alzheimer’s,” McCaskill told the Associated Press. “And that’s essentially what these scammers are doing, and they’ve had assistance in that.”

This is the latest probe into the $30 billion dietary supplement industry, which encom-

passes thousands of products and has long been plagued by questionable advertising, marketing and manufacturing practices.

Supplements aren’t regulated Supplements have never been subject to the same Food and Drug Administration regulations as prescription and over-the-counter drugs, which must be reviewed as safe and effective before being sold in the U.S. Earlier this year, the attorneys general of 14 states asked Congress to investigate the herbal supplement industry. They pointed to DNA-based test results apparently showing that some store-brand supplements have none of the ingredients listed on their labels.

McCaskill’s probe focuses on supplements targeting older adults who are concerned about dementia. More than 5 million people in the U.S. suffer from Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no cure, and even prescription drugs only temporarily ease symptoms.

Targeting retailers, search engines But rather than focusing on the supplements themselves, McCaskill’s investigation is probing how they make their way

Special By: Sam Potter

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fer from low back pain and sciatica you are one of over 30 million adults in the US with this often crippling spinal condition.

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into consumers’ shopping carts and medicine cabinets.

In a letter to Wal-Mart CEO Doug McMillon, McCaskill asked for a briefing with the company to “better understand Wal-Mart’s policies and practices related to dietary supplements.”

McCaskill also requested meetings with Internet search engines, including Google Inc. “She requested details about how Google is compensated by supplement producers who advertise through the search engine, and whether Google reviews customer complaints about such products.

Companies are not legally required to comply with congressional requests, but they can be ordered to appear before Congress and turn over documents when compelled by subpoena.

The new investigation shines light on how supplement makers skirt federal rules that are supposed to stop companies from marketing their products for specific diseases and conditions.

For example, a product called Eureka Intensified Focus, sold through Amazon, claims to “support and maintain memory, concentration and focus.” Another product available on Amazon, AloeMarine, is promoted to support “increased memory and

Reader

brain function.”

A spokesman for Amazon Inc. declined to comment for this story.

Little FDA oversight Because the FDA does not review supplements, manufacturers are technically responsible for making sure their products are safe and truthfully advertised. Products making certain types of health claims are required to carry a disclaimer that “this statement has not been evaluated by the FDA,” though many supplements do not.

The FDA frequently sends warning letters to companies that appear to be violating federal rules, but the agency cannot withdraw a supplement from the market until it shows that it is unsafe.

Attempts to pass new laws giving the FDA more authority over supplements have repeatedly been scuttled by industry lobbyists and their allies in Congress.

Despite the FDA’s limited powers, McCaskill suggested the agency could be doing more. “They do have some authority here, and we want to take a closer look at how they are using that authority,” she said.

An FDA spokeswoman said in a statement the agency would respond directly to the Senators.

— AP

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Patient Brad H. from Eldersburg, says “For several years I saw numerous doctors including chiropractors in an attempt to resolve unrelenting low back pain and sciatica from a serious motor vehicle injury. Nobody could help me resolve it and my work and life were suffering. I responded to this ad, and I’m glad I did because Dr. Silverston has a unique approach to correcting these problems. Using cutting edge technology and specialized techniques, Dr. Silverston was able to quickly identify my problem and within one week of beginning care, for the first time in years, I’m virtually pain free. Now, many years later, I am still better. I am so glad I found out about Dr. Silverston and responded to this ad. It was the best choice.”

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Understanding four types of anesthesia If you’ve ever had a tooth filled without Novocaine, you know the difference anesthesia can make. Anesthesia — whether it numbs your mouth or puts you into a full sleep — is designed to keep you comfortable during a procedure that otherwise might be hard to tolerate physically, emotionally, or both.

“We have four goals: to see that you have no pain, that you’re drowsy or unconscious, that your body is still so that the surgeon can work on it, and that you aren’t left with bad memories of the procedure,” said Dr. Kristin Schreiber, an anesthesiologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass.

There are four basic kinds of anesthesia — local, which is typically administered to

numb a small area; regional, which numbs a larger area, like your hand, arm, or foot; neuraxial (spinal or epidural), which is injected near the spine and numbs the lower half of your body; and general, which works in the brain to render you completely unconscious and unable to sense pain.

The type used depends upon the procedure you’re having, your state of health and, often, your preferences.

1. Local anesthesia Unless you’ve made it through life without having your wisdom teeth extracted or an injury that required stitches, you’ve probably had local anesthesia.

Local anesthetics are injected near the area to be treated, and their effects are limited to a fairly small area. They are usually

administered by a professional — a nurse, dentist, or doctor — who will make sure the area is numb. Administering local anesthesia actually does not require specialized training.

Although you won’t feel pain with a local, you may feel pressure. If you find that disturbing, you can be given a sedative to ease your anxiety.

2. Regional anesthesia In regional anesthesia, local anesthetics are injected near clusters of nerves to numb a larger area or region of the body. A classic example is hand surgery, where a shot of numbing medicine near the nerves in the armpit makes the whole arm go numb for three to 24 hours, depending on the type of anesthesia used.

3. Neuraxial anesthesia

Neuraxial anesthesia includes epidurals and spinals. Numbing medicine is placed near the spinal roots, making an even larger part of the body numb than regional anesthesia does.

Epidurals are commonly given to ease the pain of labor and childbirth or the pain accompanying a large abdominal incision.

Spinals, which block sensation to the abdomen and lower body, are frequently used for cesarean section and knee surgery.

With both regional and neuraxial anesthesia, you may be able to choose how conscious you’ll be during the procedure. With minimal sedation, you’ll be relaxed but aware of what’s going on. Moderate seda-

CPR

which, along with the American Red Cross, American College of Cardiology and the federal government, had requested the IOM’s study — welcomed the recommendations.

Cardiac arrest is “the most critically ill state a human being can be in,” said Dr. Robert W. Neumar of the University of Michigan, who chairs a heart association emergency care committee. The nation needs to create a culture where “if someone collapses in front of you with cardiac arrest, it’s your obligation to help.” —AP

From page 10 King County, Washington, there’s a 62 percent survival rate among patients with a specific shockable form of cardiac arrest if they collapse in front of someone. It’s not an accident: Policymakers there have spent decades studying what care works best, and getting bystanders and professionals on board with response practices.

The American Heart Association —

See ANESTHESIA, page 15

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

M A K E E V E RY DAY F I V E STA R .

At a Five Star community, peace of mind is about more than worry-free living. It’s about knowing how to surprise and delight our residents. Most of all, it’s about taking care of our parents and the parents of our friends.

• Lifestyle360 programming for balanced fulfilling days • Award-winning Bridge to Rediscovery™ program • Five Star dining, with signature recipes inspired by celebrity chef Brad Miller • Clubs, outings, sports, entertainment and lifelong learning opportunities • Rental cottages & apartments with no buy-in • Over 35 years of service • 24-hour nursing & supportive care

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

BEACON BITS

Going Home Cremation Service Beverly L. Heckrotte, P.A. Personalized

Professional

Dignified

Affordable

• 24-hour service specializing in direct cremation

Ongoing

The Ellicott City 50+ Center is offering an introductory rate for its monthly fitness center pass: $10 for county residents and $15 for non-residents. All participants must be at least 50 years old and a member of a Howard County Senior Center. Free, small group orientations are being held for those interested in learning how to use the equipment. Call (410) 313-1400 for more information.

• Return of the urn and memorial merchandise to your home • Serving Maryland and Washington, D.C. • Serving Md. & Washington D.C. since 2000 without any increase in prices!

DISCOUNT FOR NEW SENIOR FITNESS CENTER

Sept. 14

ASK THE PHARMACIST

Bring all of your questions to pharmacist Don Hamilton. Meet one-on-one for help in understanding what your medications do and how they might interact. The event will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 14 at the Glenwood 50+ Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville. For more information, call (410) 313-5440.

(301) 854-9038 or 1 (866) 728-4663 (toll free) call for your FREE information package

Visit us at www.GoingHomeCremation.com

Sept. 11+

AQUATIC EXERCISE

Howard Community College is holding a Friday morning Senior Water Exercise and Aquatic Training (SWEAT) class beginning Friday, Sept. 11 from 9 to 10 a.m., continuing through Friday, December 11 in the school’s Athletic & Fitness Center on the main campus, 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia. The cost is $59. For further details, visit howardcc.edu/ConEd or call (443) 518-1700.

Sept. 2

FREE PROGRAM ON MEDICARE

Facts about the Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) will be offered in a free program on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Howard County General Hospital Wellness Center, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. The program is sponsored by the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and the Howard County Office on Aging. For more information, call (410) 740-7601.

Alzheimer’s disease is destroying our families, our finances and our future.

But you can do something to stop it.

START A TEAM.

Howard County Walk | Saturday, September 26, 2015 Centennial Park, Columbia Registration 9 a.m. | Walk 10 a.m. alz.org/walk | 800.272.3900

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15

Health section continues on page 25, after The Senior Connection pull-out section

Health Studies Page

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Study seeks relief for rheumatoid arthritis

By Carol Sorgen Johns Hopkins University is currently recruiting participants for a study to evaluate if the combination of resistance exercise and protein supplementation will increase muscle strength and muscle mass among older adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The body’s immune system normally protects its health by fighting off foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses.

In the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, however, one’s immune system targets one’s own joints. RA most often occurs in women (though men can also be affected), often starts in middle age, and is most common in older people.

What causes RA is not fully understood, although doctors have determined that an abnormal response of the immune system plays a leading role in the inflammation and joint damage that occurs.

In addition to joint inflammation and pain, many people with RA experience fatigue, loss of appetite, and a low-grade fever. Because RA is a systemic disease (meaning it affects the entire body), organs and other body systems may also be attacked.

There is currently no cure for RA, but treatment is designed to stop inflammation, relieve symptoms, prevent joint and organ damage, improve physical function and overall well-being, and reduce long-

Anesthesia From page 12 tion will send you into a “twilight sleep,” in which you’ll drift in and out of consciousness but can be easily aroused. With deep sedation, you’re essentially fast asleep and unlikely to remember anything.

4. General anesthesia With general anesthesia, anesthesiologists use a combination of intravenous drugs that render you unconscious and unable to feel pain. You’re also often given a drug to relax your muscles so that your body is still during the surgery. The anesthesiologist often inserts a tube in your trachea to allow him or her to help you breathe.

Because general anesthesia affects so many body systems, it’s associated with more side effects than regional anesthesia, including nausea and delirium, although these can be minimized.

“The effects of general anesthesia last longer in older people. It may take longer to restore memory, and they may have more delirium,” Dr. Schreiber said. (See box for more information.)

If you’re having a procedure that requires regional, neuraxial or general anes-

term complications.

How the study works Participants in the Hopkins study will be divided into two groups. In the placebo group, participants will be enrolled in an individually supervised resistance exercise program that meets twice weekly for 16 weeks. They will receive a carbohydrate supplement to take twice daily.

In the experimental group, participants will also be enrolled in the resistance exercise program, but will receive a twice-daily protein supplement instead. Participants will not know which supplement they are taking during the study.

Researchers say that the exercise protocol in this study is distinctive because it combines dynamic (involving movement) and isometric (static) resistance exercise performed on specialized equipment that can accommodate the range of motion limitations frequently encountered by older RA patients.

sulin also cannot participate. Volunteers also cannot have a pacemaker, use supplemental oxygen, or be allergic to soy or milk.

The study is being conducted at the Johns

Hopkins Bayview Campus. For more information, or to see if you qualify for the study, contact Dr. Rebecca Manno at (410) 5500722 or email her at rmanno3@jhmi.edu.

Who is eligible?

Volunteers who are between the ages of 60 and 95, have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and are willing to participate in twice-weekly exercise sessions may be eligible to participate.

You cannot take part in the study if you have cognitive impairment, severe kidney disease, or had heart surgery in the last year. Those with diabetes that requires in-

thesia, you might have a preoperative evaluation with an anesthesiologist, nurse or physician assistant a few days before your surgery. It’s important to let this person know about all the drugs you take.

You’ll also be asked whether you have had an unfavorable reaction to anesthesia before, and whether you have ever been dependent on opioids, alcohol or other substances. This information will help determine the type of the anesthesia you receive.

For many procedures, you should be able to choose between regional, neuraxial and general anesthesia, Dr. Schreiber said.

In some cases, the best choice may be a combination.

For example, even when general anesthesia is necessary, a regional block or epidural may also be given to help with postoperative pain, reducing the need for narcotic painkillers as you heal. Adding regional or neuraxial anesthesia also reduces the amount of general anesthesia you need and, consequently, side effects like delirium, nausea and delayed bladder and bowel function.

— Harvard Women’s Health Watch © 2015. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed By Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Seeking Men and Women The University of Maryland & Veterans Affairs of Baltimore are conducting a research study to better understand balance & prevent falls as we age.

With your participation you will receive: • Health evaluation • Balance, step, strength, and/or flexibility exercises • Compensation for your time

For Information, please call the Baltimore VA/University of Maryland Gerontology Recruitment Phone Line

410-605-7179 Mention code: LIFT *You must be at least 65 years old and in good health *Participants will be seen at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and University of Maryland School of Medicine for approximately 41 visits for 1 to 4 hours of time per visit

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

The

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Senior

17

NEWS and EVENTS from the Howard County Office on Aging

Connection

Department of Citizen Services

Volume 5, No. 9 • September 2015

A Message from

A Message from

Allan H. Kittleman

Starr P. Sowers

Howard County Executive

Administrator, Office on Aging

T

I

here is no doubt that our country’s 77 million Baby Boomers are aging. But, unlike previous generations, many Baby Boomers – those born between 1946 and 1964 – favor aging in place in a diverse community over moving to a retirement community. However, maintaining an older single family home can become burdensome and moving into a rental apartment means giving up equity.

That’s why Howard County has provided the impetus for a new class at the University of Maryland to research and make recommendations to help those facing this dilemma.

The class will focus on design and financing options for small condominium developments to attract empty nesters who want to age in the community; identify some of the most common home designs for aging residents in the county; and develop a range of renovation plans to suit various needs. These plans will be accessible by homeowners, saving them the design cost of renovation projects. Focus groups or stakeholder surveys will help identify desirable design features, price points and other variables. Watch for more information about this innovative initiative coming soon.

t’s National Senior Center Month!

This month, Howard County will join in a nationwide celebration of LIFE in our 50+ Centers — Learning, Independence, Friends and Energy. Our six 50+ centers offer a wide variety of health and fitness classes, lifelong learning options, cultural and creative arts and volunteer opportunities. Visit us at www.howardcountyaging.org/50pluscenters to locate a center or find activities that appeal to you.

We also invite you to join us on September 17 as we cut the ribbon on our newly-expanded Ellicott City 50+ Center and officially open the brand new state-of-the-art Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center. Mark your calendars for Active Aging Week which kicks off September 27 — it’s a perfect opportunity to explore new health and wellness programs at each of our centers.

With open enrollment time fast approaching, don’t forget that our 50+ Centers also offer free assistance with Medicare eligibility and coverage through the State Health Insurance Assistance program (SHIP). To find out more, stop in or call SHIP at 410-313-7391 (voice/relay) to set up a one-on-one counseling appointment.

Celebrate LIFE at Howard County’s 50+ Centers Join the Celebration at the Office on Aging’s 50+ Centers in September!

C

elebrate LIFE – Learning, Independence, Friends and Energy – is the theme for activities surrounding National Senior Center Month.

Come visit one of Howard County’s six 50+ centers or three senior plus sites this month to find out how to add more LIFE to your life!

LEARNING: Expand Your Knowledge Howard County’s 50+ centers encourage activities that promote lifelong learning with classes offered in conjunction with Howard Community College, and guest speakers ranging from National Parks Service Rangers to local authors, genealogy and Civil War enthusiasts, brain fitness experts and many more. Older adults are also encouraged to share their expertise and explore new interests through rewarding volunteer and community service opportunities. Howard County’s new volunteer website offers many options to fit your interests and schedule. Check it out at www.hocovolunteer.org or stop in any 50+ center to ask how you can get involved.

INDEPENDENCE: Live on Your Terms Services that support continuing independence are a mainstay of our 50+ center programming. Better Balance and A Matter of Balance classes offer confidence building activities and strengthening exercises to those who are unsteady on their feet, while the Living Well and Living Well with Diabetes programs provide peer support and personal empowerment to those living with one or more chronic conditions.

Continued on next page

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Celebrate LIFE

Continued from previous page

National organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association and AARP partner with centers to heighten awareness and provide support through innovative programs like the Memory Café and Tax Aide.

Local community partners including Howard County General Hospital, UMBC, the Veteran’s Administration and others provide ongoing services like blood pressure, vision and hearing screenings, the opportunity to participate in research studies and host student interns.

FRIENDS: Enjoy life, laughter and feeling connected

North Laurel Senior Center Plus members express their creativity through art, at times infused with a wonderful sense of humor.

Senior Center Plus Sites Offer Engaging Activities

E

llicott City Senior Center Plus has expanded! The beautifully updated Plus area now boasts four accessible restrooms, an expanded and well-appointed pantry, better access to the fitness and multi-purpose rooms, a newly renovated small program room, and a gated porch area out front. These changes will add to the staff ’s ability to provide an engaging, interesting, and safe environment for participants at this location.

Howard County’s Senior Center Plus program is currently offered in three locations: Ellicott City, Glenwood and North Laurel. Each offers a 4-hour therapeutic program for persons with cognitive and/or physical disabilities who can benefit from specialized programming and supervision. The benefits of Senior Center Plus extend to the families of participants as well. “Jim (my Dad) had extraordinary experiences at the Senior Center Plus; your staff and involvement in your programs helped maintain his quality of life.

He thoroughly enjoyed all your activities — one of his favorites was "Chair Yoga" — how great is that for an ol' guy!”

In some cases, the Plus program helps to create poignant, lasting memories of loved ones for the spouses and caregivers left behind.

“I wanted to thank everyone for being so kind and gentle with [Paul]. He loved all of you ladies and the folks in his classes.

The Kindred Spirits and Senior Plus classes gave him structure, purpose and a happy place to be where no one judged him.”

Call 410-313-5980 for more information about the Senior Center Plus and Kindred Spirits programs.

CONSUMER PROTECTION We’ve got you covered.

Sometimes, the most beneficial aspects of our 50+ centers are the least structured ones – lunch with friends, playing a few hands of cards or games of pool, or just having a quiet conversation by the fire can brighten your day. Centers provide space and opportunity for older adults to create and develop friendships that can add immeasurable value to their lives.

And, because friendships have no age boundaries, intergenerational learning opportunities have grown in popularity as well. Some Howard County students experience history being brought to life by those who have lived it; others help older adults navigate the apps on their iPads and iPhones, and embrace new technologies.

All participants, regardless of age, develop a new understanding and respect for one another.

ENERGY: Discover health and vitality Programs to bolster the mind, body and spirit and increase physical and mental energy abound at Howard County 50+ centers. Choosing the right one to try can be daunting, however.

The Office on Aging’s Exercise Specialist can help; Jennifer Lee offers one-on-one consultations by appointment as well as free orientation sessions at the new Ellicott City 50+ Fitness Center.

Lee also coordinates the popular Cycle2Health program, which blends the health benefits of cycling with the mental boost of shared camaraderie among participants. For more information, contact Jen Lee at 410-313-5940 (voice/relay).

It’s also important to make well informed choices when it comes to your diet. The Office on Aging’s Nutritionist, Rona Martiyan, MS, RD, LDN, offers both class instruction and one-on-one nutrition counseling sessions to help you plan a sensible diet.

Call Maryland Access Point at 410-313-5980 (voice/relay), or contact your local 50+ center to schedule an appointment.

Visit www.howardcountyaging.org/50pluscenters to find a center near you.

To learn more about our programs and services, or take a free trial class, visit us during Active Aging Week, Sept. 27 through Oct. 3.

Active Aging Week celebrates aging, promotes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and gives our 50+ centers the chance to showcase their age-friendly wellness programs. Join us to see what LIFE has in store for you at a Howard County 50+ center!

The Senior Connection is published monthly by the Howard County Department of Citizen Services and the Office on Aging.

This publication is available in alternate formats upon request.

To join our subscriber list, email seniorconnection@howardcountymd.gov

Take Advantage of US Before Someone Takes Advantage of YOU!

Howard County Office on Aging, 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr., Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) • www.howardcountyaging.org

Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs

Kim Higdon Henry, Senior Connection Editor kahenry@howardcountymd.gov

410-313-6420 • consumer@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer

Find us on

www.Facebook.com/HoCoCitizen

Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the Howard County Office on Aging or by the publisher.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

The Senior Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

19

J Joinin thhhee C Joi Celebbr bra rrati ati atiiioon oon! nn!!

Howard County o Executive A Allan H. Kittlemaan and the Howar a d County Office on Aging cordially invite you to attend the Grand ReOpening e of the ELLICOTT CITY Y 50+ CENTER a Ribbon-Cuttting for the new and LICOTT CITY 50+ FITNESS CENTTER

d Septembeer 17 N 11:00 day, 0 a.m.

9 9401 Frederick d i k Road, o d Ellic Elli ott tt City it An informal reception will follow w the ceremony, including an Open Hous se and Tours of both h buildings.

For more e information or to re equest accommoda ations to attend, calll 410-313-1400 (voice/relay). e/relay).

A PRESENTATION OF THE

A for f rum ffor men to fifind support andd Q SHARE M MEET E Q LEARN

HOW WARD COUNTY OFFICE ON AGING

Strategie g es Support S t Succes S sss SA AVE

THE

DA ATE

th

Howard County y 4 Annual Caregiver ver Conference

Bain n 50+ Center

5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia o 21044

Saturda ay y, November 14, 14, 2015 AM - 3:00 PM P 8 8:00 North h Laurel Community Center

Thurrsday, Septem mber 17 Meetss Monthly September through June

6:30 0 - 8:15 p.m.

9411 Whiskey key Bottom Road, Laurel,, MD 20723 $10/PERSON (INDIVIDUAL PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS MAAY BE AVAILABLE) CONTINENTTAL BREAKFFAS AST ST AND LUNCH PROVIDED • FREE ON N-SITE RESPITE PROVIDED Registration opens Monday Monday,, September 21

September is prostate cancer awa awareness month. Prostate cancer aff ffeects one in n six men. The physical and emotional issues surrounding the disease are not limited to diagnosis and treatment. The journey is diff ffer erent fo for everyone.

The Office on Aging’s Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group off ffer ers confid dential support and education. Guest speakers include do octors, health care practitioners and survivors, who addrress issues related to treatment options, side eff ffeects and pracctical guidance.

The group meets the third Thursday of the month fr from September through June. For more inffo ormation, contact Gary Scher at gscher@co e mcast.net or 202-2253-1025.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMA AT TION:

Contact Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-5980 (VOICE OICE/RELAY Y) or email map@howardcounty ymd.gov

If you need this documentt in an alterna alt tive fforma mat or need accommodations to attend, ttend conttact Maryland y d Access Point (MAP): MAP): map@howardcountymd.gov wardcountym g • 410-313-5980 410-313 0 313 5980

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Beware of Medicare and Health Insurance Scams During Open Enrollment

D

These tech-savvy criminals can also make e-mail and websites look like they are from Medicare or an ACA health exchange. Be wary of attachments or links in e-mail that comes from anyone you don’t know. Verify the sender of any email that asks for personal information before responding.

• Medicare and health exchanges will not phone you about your benefits.

• Do not trust Caller ID. Scammers can override Caller ID to appear however they wish.

• There is no such thing as an Affordable Care Act or Obamacare card.

• You do not have to pay money to receive or update your Medicare card.

• New Medicare cards without Social Security numbers will be issued to current Medicare beneficiaries in eight years; in four years, all new Medicare beneficiaries will be issued Medicare cards without Social Security numbers.

• Identity thieves use your personal information to steal your money, credit and benefits.

Get Informed to Stay Safe

uring the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicare open enrollment periods, scam artists try to trick people who don’t know how to sign up or are confused about which medical coverage is best for them.

Here Are Some Tips to Protect Yourself

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT OPEN ENROLLMENT November 1, 2015 – January 31, 2016

FOR ACA HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGES • In Maryland, call the Maryland Health Connection at 1-855-642-8572 or visit www.MarylandHealthConnection.gov • In Howard County, call Healthy Howard at 410-988-3737 or visit www.healthyhowardmd.org.

FOR MEDICARE • Visit www.Medicare.gov; or • In Howard County, contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 410-313-7392 or visit www.howardcountyaging.org/ship

FOR CONSUMER INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE • Contact the Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs at consumer@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-6420.

It’s Time to Review Your Medicare Drug Plan

Medicare Open Enrollment

By Bill Salganik, Counselor, State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

For a schedule of FREE Howard County Medicare events

I

t’s time to think about reviewing your Medicare prescription plan, and this year, our State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) has new ways to help you.

Even if you were happy with your drug plan this year, it’s important to re-shop. Each year, insurance companies can — and do — change their premiums, copays, deductibles and lists of covered drugs.

The plan that worked well for you in 2015 may not be a good plan for 2016. During open enrollment (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) you can change your Medicare drug or health plans, or pick a plan if you are already on Medicare and don’t yet have one. All changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2016.

To start the review process, first, watch your mail. Insurance companies are required to send you a notice of any changes for 2016. Second, call SHIP for assistance. To make an appointment for a one-on-one review, call us at 410-313-7392 (voice/relay). If you prefer to do your own computer review, we can show you how.

New this year, SHIP is offering a “Second Opinion” service; simply complete our electronic form, and a SHIP Counselor will take a look and get back to you by phone or email.

To join our email list (to receive general information, deadline reminders, presentation schedules and the ‘Second Opinion’ electronic form), go to www.howardcountyaging.org/ship and click on “Join the Howard County SHIP email list.”

SHIP offers one-on-one counseling by appointment at the Bain, Ellicott City, Glenwood and North Laurel 50+ Centers, as well as a full schedule of weekend and evening enrollment events during the open enrollment period.

October 15 thru December 7, 2015 www.howardcountyaging.org/ship

Know your options and contact Howard County SHIP for help!

LOCAL HELP FOR PEOPLE WITH MEDICARE • Information/Counseling • Prescription Drug Plans • Help with Costs

• New to Medicare • Supplemental Policies • Fraud and Abuse

410-313-7392 (VOICE/RELAY) www.howardcountyaging.org/ship

The Senior Connection

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon

$

New for 2015!

1 Admission Fee

All Proceeds Benefit the

Vivian Reid Community Fund for Older Adults

Don’t Miss the 17th Annual 50+EXPO!

Friday, October 16 • 9 AM - 4 PM Wilde Lake High School 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia, MD KEYNOTE Nancy Z. Henkin, Ph.D., founder of the Intergenerational Center at Temple University:

IMPORTANT PARKING NOTICE:

Creating a Community for All Ages

Attendees must use the FREE COURTESY SHUTTLE at The Mall in Columbia (by Sears) for 50+EXPO PARKING.

ONLY

PLUS • • • • • • • •

ACCESSIBLE PARKING ON-SITE!

410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) www.howardcountyaging.org

160+ Exhibitors NEW! Focus on Fitness Evaluations All Day Entertainment in 50+Café Two Shows by The Capitol Steps Seven Educational Seminars Free Flu Vaccines Free Health Fair Screenings Raffles and Prize Drawings

The Vivian Reid Community Fund provides emergency financial assistance to older adults and adults with disabilities in Howard County who have essential needs not covered by Medicare and Medical Assistance.

These funds can mean the difference between food and heat or rent and medications.

Donations to the Reid Fund qualify as deductible contributions under Section 170 (c) (1) of the IRS Code.

If you need accommodations to attend, contact Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-5980 or map@howardcountymd.gov

Sign up NOW to receive your FRIEND of the 50+EXPO! gift package!

For EACH $20 donation, you will receive one FREE admission to the EXPO; a “Friends” recognition badge; one RESERVED seat for “The Capitol Steps”on Friday, October 16, and be entered into an exclusive “Friends ONLY” grand prize drawing!

Simply complete this form and indicate your preferred show time. Thank you for your support!

I want to be a Friend of the EXPO and have enclosed my check/cash for ____ FRIENDS @ $20/ea. = $ _______ PLEASE INDICATE # of TICKETS: _______ 12:00 noon show

OR _______ 2:00 p.m. show

U Check this box if you do NOT want to receive tickets for the show.

NAME

___________________________________

EMAIL

_______________________________________________________________________

STREET ADDRESS

PHONE

_____________________________

____________________________________________

CITY

_________________ STATE _______ ZIP __________

U Check this box if you do NOT wish to have your name published as a contributor.

Note: If your “Friends” donation is received after October 3, pick up your Capitol Steps tickets at the theatre on the day of the show.

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Fall Prevention Awareness Day is September 23

F

alls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injury for people 65 years of age and older, but they are not an inevitable part of aging. Many older adults have one or more chronic conditions which affect their balance or cause them to feel unsteady on their feet.

Fall Prevention Awareness Day is a great time to learn about the link between fall-related injuries and osteoporosis. The good news is it is never too late to identify and treat osteoporosis or to prevent falls to avoid broken bones.

Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for both falls and broken bones.

The proper daily dose of vitamin D and calcium is associated with reduced falls and fewer broken bones in older adults. One in 10 falls in older adults end in serious injury such as a broken bone. If we can prevent falls, we can prevent broken bones of the hip, spine and wrist.

Regular physical activity and exercises that combine weight, muscle strengthening and balance helps reduce the risk of falls and actually improves the health of your bones.

The Better Balance class, offered through the Office on Aging, can help at-risk individuals gain strength, improve balance, and build confidence to help them live healthier lives and preserve their independence. Participants enjoy the company of others with similar goals, and progress at their own pace through walking, and bar and seated exercises, under the guidance of instructors trained in the Better Balance protocol.

The affordable classes are currently offered twice a week at the Bain and Ellicott City 50+ Centers. Enrollment is ongoing, but pre-screening is required. For more information, call Jennifer Lee at 410-313-5940 (voice/relay).

Better Balance Class Schedule BAIN 50+ CENTER 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia Monday & Wednesday • 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

ELLICOTT CITY 50+ CENTER 9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City Monday & Wednesday • 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

JOIN US TODAY! Cycle2Health is a non-competitive, peer-led, bicycling club for adults of all ages and abilities!

O VARIOUS LOCATIONS O DAYTIME

TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION

HOURS O WEEKDAY RIDES

www.howardcountyaging.org/cycle2health Contact Jennifer Lee, Program Coodinator 410-313-5940 or jlee@howardcountymd.gov This is a recreational opportunity program for participants to experience the benefits of exercise while exploring the natural beauty and sights of Howard County. Registration is required to ride in the C2H Program. An annual $10 fee will be collected at the time of registration, applicable to the spring through fall riding season. Rides vary in length and difficulty.

If you need this information in an alternate format, contact Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-5980 or map@howardcountymd.gov

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

The Senior Connection

Say you saw it in the Beacon

23

Are YO OU Prep pared in Case of an Emerrgency?

Y

ou and yourr family may not be together when a disaster strikes, so it is im mportant to plan in advvance how you will get to a safe place; how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in diff ffer erent situatio i ns. It’s especially important ffo or oldeer Americans to create a network of neighbors, relatives, ffrriends and co-workers to turn to in an emergency. By evaluating your own personal needs and making an em mergency plan that fitss those needs, you and your loved ones e will be better prepared.

Visit www.readyy.go .gov/make-a-plan ffo or more inffo ormation.

Hooward Counnty Pawss4Comfort Proogram The Paws4Comforrt program fosters special bonds onds between pets, their owners and thee County residents they visit. If you are interested in volunteering, or wissh to attend a free evaluationn for your pet, contact:

Ingrid Gleysteen, PROGRAM COOORDINAATOR 410-313-74611 • igleysteen@howard dcountymd.gov Evaluations are held at the Bain 50+ Center the FIRST WEDNESDA ESDAAYY of every month The Bain 50+ + Center is located at 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia 21044 Remaining 20015 Evaluation Dates:

SEPT. 2nd • OCT. 7th DEC 2nd NOVV. 4th • DEC.

Visit us online e at www.howardco ountyaging.org

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

September 2015 Calendar of Events Don’t miss these exciting programs and services at one of the dynamic Howard County Office on Aging 50+ Centers near you!

Bain 50+ Center Thursday, Sept. 3 • 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — CRAB FEAST Enjoy this summertime event featuring the Retro Rockets. Menu: crabs, Maryland crab soup, BBQ chicken, macaroni salad, coleslaw, cornbread and watermelon. Reservations due by August 28. Cost: donation plus $15/half dozen crabs.

Ellicott City 50+ Center

Tuesday, Sept. 22 • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — KASA THRIFT SALE

Friday, Sept. 11 • 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — AMERICA IS BEAUTIFUL

Browse gently used and new clothing, jewelry, toys & household items, and purchase handicrafts and food. Proceeds from this fundraiser benefits the Vivian Reid Fund (emergency assistance to older adults in need).

The Howard County Garden Club Flower Show & Sale.

FREE ADMISSION; purchase a lunch ticket in advance for $10.

Call 410-313-1400 for menu.

Friday, Sept. 25 • 6 to 8 p.m. — EVENING OF LIVE MUSIC

Thursday, Sept. 24 • 12:30 p.m. — SSA CHORUS

Enjoy an evening of pop, rhythym & blues, & contemporary music with The Jackie Hairston Combo Band; hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. $13; Purchase tickets and/or reserve tables of four or more: 410-313-7213.

Join us for a concert as the Social Security Administration Chorus performs; FREE and open to the public.

East Columbia 50+ Center

Susan Mott, Health Trends, presents technologies to enhance safety and independence, including home assessments, mobile personal emergency response systems, medication management & home monitoring.

Wednesday, Sept. 2 • Noon — “CELEBRATE LIFE” TEA Back by popular demand, join us for tea at East Columbia.

From savory to sweet, enjoy foods to celebrate the summer harvest.

Suggested donation: $6; details 410-313-7680.

Tuesday, Sept. 8 • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — CHECK YOUR BALANCE

Friday, Sept. 25 • 9:30 a.m. — FALL PREVENTION

Glenwood 50+ Center Friday, Sept. 25 • 11:30 a.m. — CRAB CAKE LUNCHEON

Check your balance and test your fitness age with the Wii. FREE.

Join us for our annual luncheon – $15 includes a crab cake on a roll with lettuce & tomato, coleslaw, chips, and dessert. Register at 410-313-5440.

Tuesday, Sept. 29 • 5 to 6:30 p.m. — DANCE PARTY HAPPY HOUR WITH JESSIE BARNES

Wednesday, Sept. 30 • 10 a.m. — CYCLE2HEALTH TALK

Join us for fun, learn a few dance moves, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, mocktails and amazing music. $3; details at 410-313-7680.

Elkridge 50+ Center Tuesday, Sept. 8 • 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. — MEDICARE Learn about programs that help pay for Medicare costs and how to protect yourself from fraud. FREE; register at 410-313-7389.

Friday, Sept. 11 • 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — CRAB FEAST A crab feast including Maryland crab soup, BBQ chicken, macaroni salad, coleslaw, cornbread and watermelon. Tickets go fast! Cost: donation plus $18/half dozen crabs. Reserve by August 31 at 410-313-5930.

Tuesday, Sept. 22 • 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — HISTORY OF PATAPSCO VALLEY Retired Park Ranger, Ed Johnson, continues his series on the Patapsco River Valley, Elkridge, Ellicott City and more. FREE.

Get an overview of Cycle2Health and find out about the benefits of cycling for adults over 50. FREE.

Wednesday, Sept. 30 • 1 p.m. — FLY FISHING TALK & DEMO Guide Rob Lepczyk of Great Feathers joins us to talk about fly fishing and demonstrates how to tie flies. FREE.

North Laurel 50+ Center Wednesday, Sept. 23 • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — BLUEGRASS & BBQ Connect with friends at our annual Bluegrass & BBQ Event. Enjoy a catered barbeque lunch and live music by the Savage Bluegrass Band.

Tickets: $10; register at 410-313-0380.

Tuesday, Sept. 22 • 10:30 a.m. to noon — TRAVEL TALK: CRUISING THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN Discover European charm and elegance through exploration of architectural marvels, history and stunning beaches. Join our travel enthusiast Rick and learn how to plan for a cruise, whether it’s your first cruise or your next one. FREE; register at 410-313-0380.

FOR A FULL LISTING OF EVENTS at our 50+ Centers this month, visit: www.howardcountyaging.org/50pluscenters To request accommodations to participate, call Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-313-5980 (voice/relay) one week in advance.

HOWARD COUNTY 50+ CENTERS

SENIOR CENTER PLUS SITES

Bain 50+ Center.........................5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia .........410-313-7213

Ellicott City Senior Center Plus .....................................................................410-313-1425 Glenwood Senior Center Plus .......................................................................410-313-5442 North Laurel Senior Center Plus ...................................................................410-313-7218

East Columbia 50+ Center .........6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia ...........410-313-7680 Elkridge 50+ Center ...................6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge...........410-313-5192 Ellicott City 50+ Center ..............9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City ............410-313-1400 Glenwood 50+ Center ................2400 Route 97, Cooksville ....................410-313-5440 Longwood 50+ Center ...............6150 Foreland Garth, Columbia ............410-313-7217 North Laurel 50+ Center ............9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel .........410-313-0380

www.howardcountyaging.org

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

25

Health section, continued from page 15

Low dopamine can make you depressed Some people feel so bad they want to Parkinson’s disease struggle with. Parkindie, but don’t follow through because they son’s disease is due to abnormally low dopamine levels, compounded lack motivation. Is that you? with high levels of inflammaYou may have been taught to tion chemicals in the brain. equate depression with seroConsider the following if tonin deficiency. But in fact, you have these symptoms of people with that type of depresdepression and want to feel sion don’t usually wish to die. better: Those with low dopamine 1) Quell the free radicals in might wish to, though. your body with antioxidants Dopamine deficiency will 2) Consider and discuss the cause you to wake up sluggish use of dopamine-lifting supin the morning, usually with plements brain fog, but you might feel DEAR 3) Check thyroid hormone happier and suddenly more en- PHARMACIST By Suzy Cohen levels properly, following the thusiastic with a “hit” of some instructions for testing as well sort, perhaps a cup of coffee.

Low dopamine causes a different kind of as the lab values I recommend in my book, depression from low serotonin, one that is Thyroid Healthy.

4) Opt for a healthier diet, not the Stanhallmarked by a lack of pleasure. Serotonin deficiency makes life less optimistic, dard American Diet (which I call SAD), and it’s like the glass is always half empty. which increases free radicals.

Your microglial cells (immune cells in Dopamine-related depression forces you to need a “hit” of something sugary, or the brain) fight an uphill battle when there caffeinated. It may manifest itself different- is inflammation there. At first it may be ly in different folks. Some women want to subtle, but over time, the cerebral edema erodes your health. go shopping; men may want to gamble.

Don’t squirt any lighter fluid onto your Dopamine deficiencies affect more than mood. Most of us don’t think about the ef- hot outdoor grill. By that I mean, your fort it takes to get up out of a chair, walk, brain is on fire, you may already have a dihold a glass of water or write. We take those agnosis of depression or Parkinson’s, or things for granted. But difficulties here may you may be post-TIA or stroke — and still point to damage in the substantia nigra, a you do things (or eat foods) that light a fire part of your brain where dopamine is made. on your brain.

Understanding this process is fundaTremors and balance problems, trouble with planning, and slower thinking process- mental to improving mood and slowing es are all issues that individuals with neurological degeneration.

BEACON BITS

Sept. 15

VISIT NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDENS Visit an exhibit of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo in Bronx, N.Y. on a

Parks & Recreation bus tour leaving at 6 a.m. and returning at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Tour her exhibit at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and enjoy the botanical gardens. Cost of a ticket is $149, including a light lunch. For more information, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/rap or call (410) 313-7271.

For a more comprehensive version of this article, sign up for my free newsletter at my website, www.suzycohen.com.

In two weeks, I’ll email you the longer version of this article, and you will also be able to leave comments and questions under my articles online. When you sign up, I’ll also send you a free copy of my newest ebook, valued at $12.95. It’s called Spices that Heal:

29 Spices that Work Better than Drugs.

This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

How to help a friend back onto her feet Dear Solutions: I need some advice about how to help a friend.

My very good friend has had a series of terrible losses all at once — loss of her spouse, loss of her job, probable loss of her home. She won’t go for help and has isolated herself.

If I say, “How can I help you?” she just waves me away like she’s annoyed that I asked. Should I just stay away, or what do you suggest?

— Jean Dear Jean: Don’t ask. Do tell! Arrive at her doorstep and tell her you’re taking her shopping with you. Tell her you’ve gotten tickets for the two of you to go to some-

thing she used to enjoy going to.

Think of simple things you know she used to enjoy, and just pick her up and go.

Tell her she doesn’t have to talk about anything, she just has to go.

Eventually, she may open to the possibility of going for professional help, but that’s not your job. Your job as a friend is to lift her to her feet when she doesn’t remember how to walk.

Dear Solutions: I’m a younger senior, and after all these years I believe that I have learned a lot and have had a lot of experience.

Unfortunately, it has not been work experience, and now I need a job.

I have been recommended for an interview for work I really think I can do

Ellicott City

— Fran better than most people. I’ve been asked to come in with what I think my Dear Fran: That’s an interesting sugsalar y or compensation gestion, and since Harriet should be and then, of reads this column, she can course, the company will decide if she wants to do that decide what it will actually or thinks her brother should. be.

But I don’t believe Harriet So now I’m undecided. I should touch this without her think I know what my salary brother’s approval. I’m afraid should be, but I’m afraid if I both Harriet and her brother ask for that — since I don’t would be stepping into trouhave any actual recent expebled waters, and better know rience in the workplace — how to swim their way out. they will think I’m putting a SOLUTIONS Dear Solutions: grandiose value on myself. By Helen Oxenberg, MSW, ACSW I just read with interest What do you suggest? your response to the hus— Mollie band whose wife has a Masters degree Dear Mollie: Well, Mollie, if you put a smaller value in Procrastination.

I too am addicted, but I found a on yourself, you can be sure that no one wonderful book to help me. Its title is will raise your price.

So, don’t devalue yourself. Come to the (guess what!) Procrastination. The interview with self respect and dignity and authors are Jane B. Burka, Ph.D. and say honestly what you think you should Leonora M.Yuen, Ph.D. The publisher earn. Tell them also that you are enthusi- is Addison-Wesley Publishing Co. Little did I know how many closet astic about the job and hope to get it.

If they offer you less and you really want procrastinators there are!

— Elizabeth it, take it. But set a time line in your mind when you will ask for more, as you show Dear Elizabeth: Thank you for the information. Any day them your good work. Good luck. now, all of us are going to get out of the Dear Solutions: I just read the letter from Harriet, closet and over to the library — uh, soon. worried that her brother, a recent wid- Really! © Helen Oxenberg, 2015. Questions to be ower, was attracted to a lady “gold digger” who had been married several considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, times before (June Solutions).

How about contacting one of her ex- MD 20915. You may also email the author husbands to get the real story? Maybe at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about that would convince the brother to be reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684. careful.

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money

27

Law &

New rules may expand Medicare coverage of hospital patients admitted “for observation.”

Crime may not pay, but fighting it does

By Kathy Kristof Who said crime doesn’t pay? You can make money off of lawlessness by investing in companies involved in the prevention and punishment of misdeeds. Analysts say there’s promise in outfits that do everything from building and operating prisons to making guns and surveillance equipment for law enforcement agencies.

Although the number of serious crimes has been trending down over the past two decades, a gradual rise in the number of Americans age 18 to 25 — the group that is most likely to commit crimes and whose members are most likely to be under economic pressure — is pointing to higher incarceration rates. Moreover, the rising threat of cyber crime — from corporate espionage to identity theft — is fueling a need for software sheriffs who can identify and stop high-tech criminals.

Prison REITs Corrections Corp. of America (symbol CXW, $34.69) and GEO Group (GEO, $35.50) are real estate investment trusts that specialize in building and operating prisons, immigration detention facilities, and rehabilitation centers.

Prison REITs benefit from both demographics — the rise in larcenous (statistically speaking) youth — and a reluctance among state and local governments to spend precious tax dollars to improve aging cells, said Brian Ruttenbur, an industry analyst. (All share prices and returns

are as of July 23; recommended stocks are in bold.)

Politicians and investors warmly embrace businesses that are willing to not only build prisons but also run them at a lower per-inmate cost than publicly run prisons. To be sure, the growth rate of prison REITs is unspectacular. But they generate copious amounts of cash and, because REITs must pay out at least 90 percent of their taxable income to shareholders, dividend yields are generous.

Because investors generally buy REITs for income, the stocks tend to be interestrate sensitive. That can be unpleasant when rates are rising, as has been the case the past few months.

Vanguard REIT ETF (VNQ), an exchange-traded fund that tracks the MSCI U.S. REIT index, has dropped 11 percent since peaking on January 27. Corrections Corp. and GEO reached their tops on March 20 and have both since corrected 17 percent. Ruttenbur doesn’t expect higher interest rates to derail profits at the prison REITs, so the sell-off may signify a buying opportunity.

Corrections Corp., already the nation’s fifth-largest prison operator (only the federal government and three states are bigger), just completed a facility in Texas that could ultimately house 2,400 prisoners.

The Nashville-based company is also constructing facilities in Tennessee and California.

That should bode well for growth in

2016 and beyond, although growth in funds from operations — the REIT industry’s preferred measure of cash flow — is likely to be tepid this year. The stock now yields a tidy 6.3 percent, and Ruttenbur sees it returning to $40 within the next 12 months.

The prognosis is even better for GEO Group, which Ruttenbur predicts will generate 14 percent growth in funds from operations this year and 5 percent growth in 2016. The Boca Raton, Fla., company has struck deals with Vermont and Washington State to house some of their inmates in a recently completed prison in Michigan.

At its lower share price, GEO now yields 7 percent.

Firearms Federal, state and local law enforcement officers buy about 100,000 guns a year — a stable base of business for gun manufacturers Smith & Wesson (SWHC, $16.19) and Sturm, Ruger & Co. (RGR, $55.95), among others.

The military accounts for roughly 26 percent of gun and ammunition sales, according to researchers at IBIS World. But consumers, who buy about 4.5 million guns annually, account for the bulk of sales and all of the industry’s growth, said analyst Andrea James, of Dougherty & Company, a Minneapolis-based investment banking See CRIME, page 28

28

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Crime From page 27 firm. Gun sales fell last year after a big gain in 2013, but they’re starting to pick up again. James attributes part of the reversal to a rise in households headed by single women, who buy guns for protection.

Ruger, dubbed “the people’s gun company” because of its broad product line — from compact pistols to long-range rifles — handily beat analysts’ first-quarter sales estimates. James expects the stock to pop to $61 over the next 12 months. She’s also high on Smith & Wesson, but its stock has

lost some appeal after soaring over the past two months, first because of a positive earnings forecast by the company and then after the FBI released May background-check data that indicated a big year for gun sales.

Electronic security You may be familiar with Taser International (TASR, $31.97), which makes weapons that are designed to stun, not kill, suspects. The company’s stun-guns are already standard issue in more than a dozen cities around the U.S. However, the Scottsdale, Ariz., company wasn’t content to be a

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

one-trick pony, so it recently bought MediaSolv, a provider of interview-room video and in-dash cameras. Seven major cities, including Chicago, Toronto and Washington, are already customers, adding to Taser’s growing stable of law enforcement clients.

The catch? The acquisition is likely to depress near-term earnings, and Taser’s shares, trading at 66 times estimated 2015 earnings, are too richly priced to buy at these levels, said J.P. Morgan analyst Paul Coster.

Nice Systems (NICE, $64.11), an Israeli maker of cyber-security systems, has a better prognosis, Coster said. Nice software sorts and analyzes vast quantities of data to head off cyber fraud, manage corporate security and optimize employee productivity. Nice recently laid out a plan to triple revenues in each of its core markets over time. Analysts see earnings climbing a modest 7 percent this year and 13 percent in 2016. The stock trades at a palatable 22 times estimated 2015 earn-

ings, and Coster predicts that the price will reach $72 over the next year.

Verint Systems (VRNT, $60.40) has a similar business model. Its software crunches vast amounts of disparate data — voice, video and text — in an effort to glean when a secure system is being hacked, as well as to uncover terrorist threats. Like Nice, Verint also provides companies with data that helps them manage their employees and customer relationships, too. These are growing markets, so rich valuations are common.

The shares fell 7 percent over four days after the company released disappointing first-quarter earnings, which were depressed by the strong dollar. But currency fluctuations tend to even out over time and, at any rate, the stock, trading at 17 times estimated earnings for the fiscal year that ends next January, looks cheap.

All contents © 2015 the Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

MILITARY VETERAN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Gilchrist Hospice Services is seeking military veterans to accom-

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pany staff in visits to veterans who are patients in their homes or care facilities to present “We Honor Veterans” certificates and commemorative pins. For more in-

Pre ree-Planning Available le howardcounty@sollevinson.com y@sollllevins levinson com levin

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

29

Rule on short hospital stays may change

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar Medicare has proposed to ease a coverage policy on short hospital stays that has been criticized because it can result in higher costs for seniors.

Under Medicare, coverage for inpatient and outpatient care is determined under different payment rules. A hospital admission classified as inpatient is covered by Medicare Part A, which can result in lower hospital bills for beneficiaries and, often even more important, is required for Medicare coverage of post-hospital skilled nursing care.

Under the “two-midnight rule,” which went into effect in October 2013, patients qualify for inpatient care (and follow-up rehab coverage) only if they will require a hospitalization of at least two midnights’ duration.

Outpatient care, in contrast, is covered

by Medicare Part B, which generally covers doctor bills but not hospitalization or post-hospital rehabilitation costs.

Who is an inpatient?

The problem arises when patients are

placed in a hospital room for treatment but are officially admitted for “observation” (an out-patient status) without being informed of the Medicare coverage implications.

In cases when such patients are discharged for follow-up skilled nursing care, they are often surprised to find Medicare will not pay for their subsequent rehabilitation, even if they spent three or more days in the hospital.

A congressional moratorium that prevents Medicare from carrying out the twomidnight policy expires Sept. 30.

The new proposal from Medicare would, based on a doctor’s judgment, allow certain hospital stays not on the “inpatient only” list — and expected to require less than two midnights of hospital care — to nonetheless be covered under inpatient payment rules and thus eligible for Medicare Part A reimbursement.

The doctor’s decision is subject to medical review and requires supporting documentation in the medical record.

The proposed new policy will not take effect until November, following a public

BEACON BITS

Sept. 15+

SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

This Ellicott City 50+ Center class will review the facts, arguments and decisions that impact many of the cases in the 21st century. The class meets on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon from Sept. 15 to Oct. 6. The fee is $64. The center is located at 9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. For more information, call (410) 313-1421.

Aug. 28+

MARYLAND LEGAL AID

Howard County Library System partners with Maryland Legal Aid to provide free civil legal services to financially qualified Marylanders. The next session is Friday, Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Elkridge Branch of the Howard County Library. For an initial interview and appointment, call (410) 480-1057.

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comment period that ends Aug. 31. To submit comments on the proposed rule, go to www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions under the ‘‘submit a comment’’ tab. You may also mail written comments to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS–1633–P, P.O. Box 8013, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850.

Maryland was one of the first states in the country to pass a law requiring hospitals to notify patients of their observation status.

Patients must be warned that outpatient status “may increase the patient’s out-ofpocket costs for their stay.”

— AP, with additional reporting by Barbara Ruben

BEACON BITS

Sept. 8

GO SMOKE-FREE

A free program of support and education for those who have quit smoking, or who want to quit, will be offered on Tuesday, Sept. 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the HCGH Wellness Center, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. For more information, call (410) 740-7601.

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

INDEPENDENT LIVING OPEN HOUSE

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Explore Westbrooke Clubhouse, its restaurant and fitness center.

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Independent living assisted living rehabilitation long-term care memory support 301-260-2320 or 301-924-2811 • www.bgf.org

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Travel

31

Leisure &

From new attractions to old favorites, there’s something for everyone on a trip to New York City. See story on page 33.

The splendor (and salmon) of NW Oregon

Good place for a town The mighty Columbia — one of North America’s largest rivers, and the boundary between the states of Washington and Oregon — crashes into the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, Ore. John Jacob Astor saw more than a roaring ocean here and established a fur trading post which he named Fort Astoria in 1811, later becoming the city of Astoria.

In the late 1800s, 2,000 salmon canneries flourished here, thanks mostly to lowpaid Chinese immigrants. Salmon dominated the town’s economy and became a popular food for American soldiers and at many American tables.

Salmon was a staple for Pacific Northwest peoples for thousands of years. The Shoshones introduced Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s hungry Corps of Discovery cadre to fresh roasted salmon in 1805.

When the explorers reached the Columbia River, “the men were astonished at the numbers of salmon in the river…” wrote Stephen E. Ambrose in Undaunted Courage, his chronicle of their 1804-1806 expedition to find an all-water route from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.

Early traders negotiating with Native Americans could swap a nail for two salmon. Salmon became Astoria’s economic engine at the mouth of the Columbia River in the late 1800s when fish canneries exploded. There’s even a shrub named for the fish, the salmonberry.

PHOTO © BRIDGET CALIP

By Glenda C. Booth “Ocean in view! O! the joy,” exulted Captain William Clark on November 7, 1805, when he heard deep rumbling and thought he had finally reached the Pacific Ocean, as the waters before him roiled and frothed.

The ocean was actually still 20 miles away, and Clark had encountered an area near the mouth of the Columbia River instead.

While awed, little did he understand the rough waters he was about to encounter, later called “the graveyard of the Pacific.”

At the five-mile-wide mouth of the 1,200mile Columbia, where the river clashes and churns into the Pacific Ocean, the tide is seven feet high on average, waves can roll in at 40 feet, and fog can shroud everything in sight 200 days a year.

Here, 5,000 miles of Pacific Ocean energy, unbroken by barrier islands, storms in and meets what’s been dubbed the “firehose” of the river. Since 1792, 2,000 boats have sunk in the water’s fury.

Exploring Astoria Today, downtown Astoria and many restored Victorian homes have earned a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Astorians brag that the town’s charm has made it a favored setting for movies like The Fisherman’s Bride in 1908, PHOTO © THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

In 1805, Lewis and Clark built a winter encampment at Fort Clatsop, near Astoria, Ore. Today, the National Park Service oversees a replica site, where reenactors portray daily life of the early settlers. Here, one prepares fur pelts for sale.

Mt. Hood towers over vineyards (and everything else) in the Columbia River Valley in northwest Oregon. The 1,200-mile Columbia River is one of North America’s longest, and forms the boundary between Oregon and Washington.

Free Willy I and II in 1992 and 1994, and Wendy and Lucy in 2008.

A stroll along the Riverwalk is a good introduction to the gritty side of town — a mix of warehouses, restaurants and seafaring establishments. People can hail the trolley by waving a dollar at a trolley stop.

During the 40-block ride, an on-board commentator expounds on the area’s history.

The Astoria column, a tower with 164 spiral stairs up to an observation deck, sits atop Coxcomb Hill and offers 360-degree panoramic views — including a mega-view of the Columbia, the ocean and the mountains. Murals recount Astoria’s history from Lewis and Clark to the arrival of the train.

The confluence of the river and ocean are the central theme of the Columbia River Maritime Museum (www.crmm.org). A video dramatically brings home some rough water passages during severe winter storms.

The museum’s 40,000-square-feet of exhibit halls and over 30,000 maritime artifacts — the most extensive collection in the Pacific Northwest — lay out the region’s rich maritime history.

Don’t miss family-owned Josephson’s smoked fish shop (www.josephsons.com) established in 1920 at 106 Marine Drive.

Try the smoked halibut, oysters, stur-

geon, rainbow trout, and that health-promoting salmon — smoked salmon jerky and canned coho and alderwood-smoked fillets made the way Grandpa Anton did it.

Forts and trails To the native Clapsops and Chinooks, the Pacific Northwest was “almost paradise,” wrote Lewis in 1806. But to the probably exhausted expeditioners, it was “a miserable place.” Arriving in December 1805, they built their winter encampment, Fort Clapsop, with felling axes, drawknives and hatchets. Suffering through 94 days of rain out of 106 in the drippy, woodsy wetness, they worked on their journals and made elk hide clothes and elk fat candles.

At today’s Fort Clapsop replica, a National Park Service site about five miles south of Astoria, visitors can see firsthand in six rooms how 33 people endured the “dreadful weather,” as Clark complained.

Rangers in buckskins, a la Lewis and Clark, demonstrate flintlock gun shooting, hide tanning and candle making.

Visitors can also walk the park’s trails and enjoy shoulder-high ferns, sitka spruce, thimble berries, huckleberries and See OREGON, page 32

32

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Oregon From page 31 wapato in the damp, mossy forest. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/lewi/planyourvisit/fortclatsop.htm.

The hardy, 19th century settlers found a wild, raging, untamed Columbia River a mile wide at many spots. Those who venture inland today from the Pacific see a more docile waterway, transformed by 20th century dams that have slowed its rapids and currents.

Because some salmon cannot get past many of these dams to spawn, many

salmon runs and other fisheries are at risk, argues the environmental group American Rivers. They rated it as the country’s second most endangered river in April.

Gorge on scenery The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa) spans 292,500 acres stretching from the mouth of the Sandy River to the mouth of the Deschutes.

The gorge, up to 4,000 feet deep in some places, is an 80-mile river canyon through the Cascade Mountain Range, going from dry grasslands in the east to dry wood-

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

lands and temperate rainforest in the west.

The forests are home to bigleaf maples, Douglas firs, western hemlocks, Ponderosa pines and cottonwoods.

Travelers find diverse ecosystems, waterfalls and great vistas. It is a popular destination for sight-seeing, fishing, windsurfing, paddling and hiking.

The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail crosses the area. Lewis and Clark passed through this historic transportation corridor for Native Americans en route to the Pacific.

Oregon Trail pioneers soon followed, and settlers established steamboat lines and railroad lines through the gorge. Today, most people access the gorge from I-84 in Oregon or state route 14 in Washington.

The engineer for the historic Columbia River Highway — Highway 30 paralleling I-84 from Troutdale (16 miles east of Portland, exit 17 off I-84) east to Dodson — did not want “to mar what God had put there.”

Today, between Troutdale and The Dalles, visitors can explore historic sites and over 75 waterfalls. Some waterfalls are a short hike from the road, and some are right smack in front of you near the parking lot. Tourism promoters call the gorge “the world of waterfalls.”

The 620-foot high Multinomah Falls (exit 31 off I-84), the second highest yearround falls in the country, is a must-see. A steep, paved trail takes visitors to hiking paths and a platform above the interpretive

center, restaurant and gift shop. Pick up some travel tips at the U.S. Forest Service counter at Multnomah Falls Lodge (www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia).

The Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum on the Washington side in Stevenson (www.columbiagorge.org) has 11,000 square feet of exhibits, including Indian artifacts, a replica of a fish wheel (used to catch fish), and the world’s largest rosary collection — 4,000 rosaries.

Mount Hood, all 11,000 feet of it, looms from many vantage points. The Mount Hood loop is a popular scenic drive, and the mountain offers hiking and the only year-round skiing in the U.S. On the Washington side of the river, Mount Adams “competes” at 9,000 feet.

If you go The closest airport is Portland, Oregon.

United has the lowest-price roundtrip tickets, starting at $382 from BWI in mid-September.

The Columbia River Gorge Visitors Association is a good basic source of information about sites, events and lodging. Visit www.crgva.org.

Wind River Publishing (www.windriverpublishing.net/) puts out a free paper and online tourist’s guide.

For Astoria information, including where to stay and eat, stop by the Welcome Center, 111 West Marine Dr., call 1-800-8756807, or visit www.travelastorial.com.

Coalition of Geriatric Services We’re a coalition of nonprofits, agencies, businesses and professionals who come together to advocate for and help older adults.

September Meeting Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2015 Time: 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Location: Oasis Senior Advisors 7230 Lee Deforest Drive, Suite 200, Columbia, MD

Topic: Networking Extravaganza

Go to www.cogsmd.org for more information or learn more by calling (410) 997-0610.

Thank you to our 2015 Visiting Angels Executive Members PLaTinuM MeMberS Howard County General Hospital – A Member of Johns Hopkins Medicine The Beacon Newspapers GoLD MeMberS Being There Senior Care, LLC • Howard County Office on Aging SiLver MeMberS Brooke Grove Retirement Village • Deborah L. Herman, CPA Ellicott City Healthcare Center • Home Call of Maryland • Oasis Senior Advisors The Bob Lucido Team of Keller Williams Select Realtors

bronze MeMberS Brighton Gardens of Columbia • Earl Wilkinson, M.D. (ENT) • Gentiva Health Services Homewatch Caregivers • Integrace Copper Ridge • Lighthouse Senior Living at Ellicott City Paladin Advisor Group • Professional Healthcare Resources, Inc.

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NYC from the classics to new attractions

By Beth J. Harpaz If you haven’t visited New York City recently, you’ve got some catching up to do — from the observatory at One World Trade, to the new Whitney Museum, to happening neighborhoods far from Manhattan. Here’s a look.

What’s new For the newest bird’s-eye view of New York, head to the top of One World Trade.

The ride up is so smooth, your tummy won’t even flip. A time-lapse video in the elevator shows the evolution of the cityscape over centuries, including a glimpse of the twin towers melting in and out of view.

Once you’re up, the initial views are dominated by New Jersey. You know you’re looking at Manhattan when you spot the Empire State Building. Live guides are available to answer questions, including this one: Which bridge is the Brooklyn Bridge? (It’s the one with the double Gothic arches.)

The city’s other just-opened standout is the Whitney Museum, south of 14th Street, on Gansevoort Street near 10th Avenue. But the best part of this museum isn’t the art — it’s the outside spaces.

Take the elevator up and walk down using exterior stairs where possible. The terraces offer a thrilling, visual urban jazz of people-watching, outdoor art, and views of everything from the Hudson River to old tenements and new towers.

um is best-known for its architecture, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

For immigrant history, check out the Lower East Side Tenement Museum and Ellis Island. For fresh air beyond Central Park, take the ferry to Governor’s Island.

You can hardly walk a block in New York without being tempted to buy something, but favorite neighborhoods for shopping include 34th Street, anchored by Macy’s; SoHo, known for pricey boutiques as well as mass-market emporia like Uniqlo; and 14th Street-Union Square, where a veritable palace of shoes, DSW, reigns over a strip of trendy but affordable retailers.

Getting around The subway is old, dirty, crowded and noisy, but it’s the fastest, most efficient way to get around. Consider buying a $31, seven-day Metro card (plus a $1 fee for the

card), which covers unlimited rides for a week. Since individual rides are $2.75, the card pays for itself in 12 rides.

The subway is relatively safe, but be prepared for panhandlers, the homeless, loud musicians and the occasional preacher. If one car on a crowded train is mysteriously empty, there’s inevitably an unpleasant reason that you’re better off not discovering — just squeeze into a different car and call it a day.

The subways can also be confusing.

Every train car has a framed paper map and many have digital guides, too. One of the best websites for point-to-point directions is Hopstop.com, but most New Yorkers know the lines fairly well and can give basic advice if asked.

Free maps are available from manned booths inside subway stations. Trains are sometimes rerouted on weekends; check the

MTA.info/weekender website for guidance.

Spend some time outside Manhattan.

Among the many Brooklyn neighborhoods worth a visit are trendy Williamsburg, DUMBO and Bushwick. Coney Island has the beach, an old-time amusement park and Nathan’s Famous hot dogs.

In Queens, there’s Greek food in Astoria, plus many museums there and in nearby Long Island City: Museum of the Moving Image, Socrates Sculpture Park, Noguchi Museum, and PS1 with its fabulous eatery, M. Wells Dinette. For the beach in Queens, take the A train to Rockaway.

The Bronx offers the Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Garden (with a Frida Kahlo exhibit through Nov. 1), and Italian food on Arthur Avenue.

For an online guide of more things to see and where to stay, see http://nycgo.com.

— AP

Take a vacation without leaving your community.

Old favorites New York’s an expensive city, but many must-sees are free: Times Square, Central Park, a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, and a ride on the Staten Island Ferry, which provides terrific views of the Statue of Liberty.

Two more spots that opened in recent years have quickly become among the city’s most popular (and crowded): the 9/11 Memorial, a park with pools in the footprints of the twin towers, and the High Line — a park built on an abandoned rail line that lets you see the city from 30 feet up.

The observatory at One World Trade is glassed-in. If you prefer the wind in your hair, go old-school with the Empire State Building. Another option for a look from high up is Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, which has the advantage of offering views of both One World Trade and the Empire State Building.

A Broadway show is also a must for many visitors. And top museums include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Modern Art, which is hosting an extraordinary exhibit (through Sept. 7) of Jacob Lawrence’s paintings of the early 20th-century Great Migration of African-Americans from the South to northern cities. The Guggenheim Muse-

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COURTESY OF CRIME MUSEUM

Style Arts &

Visitors enjoy a police chase simulator at the Crime Museum in downtown D.C.

It’s cool to be square at these fun dances exercise. It’s also a good way to meet a lot of nice people. The saying is that square dancing is ‘friendship set to music.’”

Harris, who was the director of the Howard County Office of Planning for 26 years before his retirement, said that you don’t have to be “a square” to enjoy square dancing. While noting that new members usually are over 40, the dances are often called to “all kinds of music, from very Western to pop tunes.”

PHOTO BY JOHN MALONEY

By Robert Friedman The Tom Thumb Square Dance Club starts its 51st year of swinging partners and do-si-do-ing on Friday, Sept. 4, continuing on the first and third Friday of each month through May 2016.

The dances take place starting 8 p.m. at the Hollifield Station Elementary School in Ellicott City. The dance club will also offer modern Western square dancing lessons to newcomers and those who want to brush up their moves on Mondays, starting Sept. 14, at the Catonsville Senior Center in Baltimore.

Columbia residents Rom Harris and his wife, Luann, both 82, will be starting their 49th year as Tom Thumb square dancers.

“We usually go to two dances a month [here], and may make some visits to one of the 15 square dance clubs in Baltimore and the 50 clubs in Washington,” said Harris. “There’s lots of cross visiting,” by members of different clubs, he noted.

Why the more than half a life (so far) commitment?

For one very important thing, “square dancing is excellent exercise,” said Harris.

“There are people in their 90s dancing for

Exercise your mind, too It’s called a square dance because four couples face one another in a square when the music begins. The steps to be taken by the dancers are cued by a “caller” who choreographs the dance based on the music being played.

You’re always on your toes, so to speak, as the caller at a dance won’t always make the same calls to the same songs, according to Harris. “The caller mixes up the calls, and there are over 200 different calls,” so dancers have to stay alert, he said.

Square dancing is not for dummies.

There are multiple standardized levels of

Members of the Tom Thumb Square Dance Club meet regularly to enjoy the couples’ dance that has been popular for hundreds of years. The school gym where they dance is an appropriate location, as participants find they get both a physical and mental workout, as well as enjoy the social interaction.

difficulty: Basic, Mainstream, Plus, Advanced and Challenge.

The Tom Thumb club does Basic through Plus square dancing. Here’s a warning from the Tom Thumb club: If you are on a Plus level and go to an Advanced

club, there is a good chance you will not recognize many of the calls.

While square dancing took off in 19th century America, its roots have been See SQUARE DANCING, page 37

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35

Crime museum not just cops and robbers

By Gregory J. Alexander Late summer is a great time to take a field trip to Washington, D.C., while many lawmakers and locals are on vacation and the city is a little less crowded.

You could spend months exploring all the museums in Washington, and although the Spy Museum may receive more attention, the Crime Museum nearby should not be missed.

I visited on a recent weekend, and spent over three hours captivated by the exhibits and artifacts. If I had worn more comfortable shoes, I would have stayed longer.

You start your visit with a chronological tour of crime — from medieval knights to pirates, the Wild West, and today’s whitecollar criminals, like Bernie Madoff and computer hackers.

The Medieval section is especially fascinating, with the gruesome torture devices utilized, while the Colonial American exhibit showcases familiar items such as public stocks. (One humorous tale included is a sailor who was punished for kissing his wife on a Sunday.)

Infamous 20th century criminals Much attention is paid to the 1930s Depression era, thanks to notable criminals such as John Dillinger and Bonnie and Clyde, whose “Death Car” from the movie is on display. Importantly, the Crime Museum reminds visitors that although Hollywood has glamorized these and other criminals, such as mobsters, these men and women were truly horrific individuals who terrorized the nation.

The rapist and murderer Ted Bundy — who used his charm and good looks to get close to his female victims in the 1970s — is also featured, as is John Wayne Gacy, the “Clown Killer,” who killed over 30 boys

and young men. Two of the clown costumes he wore are on display.

Boomers may be especially interested in the exhibit chronicling the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. It was chilling to be reminded that RFK and MLK were killed within a two-month period.

Equally unnerving is the exhibit dedicated to terrorism at home, including the Oklahoma City bombing, the 9/11 attacks, and the “Unabomber.”

The next section focuses on the consequences of crime. Stroll through a full-scale model police station where you can get fingerprinted, have your mug shot taken, take a lie detector test, and participate in a police lineup. Kids will enjoy crawling through an escape tunnel of a jail cell. Also on display are a guillotine, gas chamber, electric chair, and a replica of Al Capone’s lavish jail cell.

Fighting crime So as to not focus solely on the criminals, crime fighters also get their due here, including founding FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and “Untouchables” star Eliot Ness. Artifacts include police uniforms, firearms, and high-tech equipment such as night-vision goggles.

Thanks to the popularity of all the “CSI” shows on television, the Crime Scene Investigation wing was especially crowded on my visit. The museum has a fully intact “crime scene” where you can see how investigators solve crimes using blood analysis, ballistics, DNA, fingerprints and more. A simulated morgue shows how pathologists conduct autopsies and give vital information to law enforcement.

On the lower level of the museum, you can take a break from violent crime to ex-

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plore how counterfeit goods — such as fake Louis Vuitton purses sold in New York that look remarkably similar to the real deal — hurt the U.S. economy, and how a seemingly harmless purchase of a good knock-off helps support the drug trade, human trafficking, child labor and perhaps even terrorism.

Like most museums, the Crime Museum has rotating temporary exhibits. When I visited, I saw the exhibit called, “Ivory, Tortoise Shell & Fur: The Ugly Truth of Wildlife Trafficking,” which was particularly timely considering the recent news of lion killings in Zimbabwe. (This exhibit continues through February 2016.)

The exhibit is small, but powerful in reminding how buying an ivory necklace contributes to the gruesome murder of elephants. There are also televisions showing public service announcements taped by celebrities, such as soccer star David Beckham and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, educating visitors about wildlife trafficking.

enger Hunt is a good fit, as young explorers locate clues throughout the museum, hunting for a missing artifact.

A two-mile walking tour of some of D.C.’s notable locations of crime is also offered, as well as hands-on workshops taught by forensic scientists. Topics range from autopsies to bones, DNA, firearms, and how real those television crime shows are.

We opted for the “Body Decomposition” workshop, which explored how scientists can help investigators determine a victim’s time of death. While the subject matter was fascinating, unfortunately, our instructor’s presentation was disjointed.

Keep in mind that many of these workshops are not suitable for young children.

The Crime Museum is located at 575 7th St. NW in Washington, D.C. Basic tickets cost $21.95 at the door for those ages 12 to 59; $19.95 for those 60 and older. Get discounted tickets in advance at the museum’s website for $18 and $16, respectively. Forensic workshops are about $8.

The museum is open Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To learn more, call (202) 393-1099 or see www.crimemuseum.org.

Gregory J. Alexander is a Baltimore freelance writer.

Be a hands-on detective In addition to the main galleries, the Crime Museum has other activities that visitors can register for at an additional cost. If you are bringing the grandchildren, the Top Detective Challenge Scav-

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Collectibles From page 1

Rings and things Donna Will of Mount Hebron in Ellicott City held up for view the 18-karat gold snake ring with what seemed to be an inset diamond, passed down to her from her father, who got it from his father, who bought it at auction.

The ring, Will said, was from around 1900, when snake rings were the rage, ever since Albert gave one to Queen Victoria for their engagement. The Will family’s particular snake ring — four tiny markings on the underside revealed it was manufactured in Carlisle, England in 1907 — was valued at $1,300.

“I thought it would be worth a little

more,” said Will, noting that she has seen other snake rings selling on the Internet for $3,000. But the appraiser found that the original stone set in the ring had been replaced sometime in the 1950s.

Where does the ring go now? “Back in the jewelry box,” Will said. “I can’t wear it.

It’s made for a man; it’s too big for me.”

Lorraine and Bill Tropf of Fulton learned that a porcelain vase they brought for appraisal was worth “double what we paid for it.” It was bought, said the Tropfs, at a garage sale for $1.

The Tropfs had other items that they expected would be worth a lot more. They displayed two flower watercolors by Jane Whipple Green at the Drawings & Paintings table. The painter’s works, garage sale finds for $10, were appraised at $150 each.

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Stumping an appraiser One more item of the Tropfs’ raised eyebrows, but baffled Rugs & Textiles appraiser Jeannie Blassingham of Hampton House Auctions. Both the appraiser (and the computer) “never saw anything like it,” said Lorraine Tropf of the silk textile portrait of the weeping Madonna she received from her grandfather.

“It was made of one continuous thread of silk, but the appraiser couldn’t locate any further information about such an item on the Internet,” she said.

Ami Stefhon of Columbia brought for appraisal a ship’s throttle (also known as a telegraph) — a device that informs the engine room at what speed to set the vessel.

Her friend, Mike Marsh, rolled the item in on a dolly.

“You’re definitely going to get on the show with that,” some of the program’s staff told Stefhon, she said. But, alas, the “Chesapeake Collectibles” powers-that-be decided that the item, which stood some

four feet tall and may have gone over the 50-lb. weight limit for the TV program, would not make it for a taping. Its value was put at $700 to $1,200.

Besides meeting “very interesting people with very interesting items,” Stefhon said there was one other consolation.

“When Rhea Feiken was being taped, a producer saw Mike wheeling the throttle and asked him to move back and forth behind Miss Feiken so it, and he, would be in the background. At least Mike got on TV,” she said.

What would she now do with the bulky item, which came from a collection of nautical pieces owned by her late stepfather?

“I’ll keep it in the living room as a conversation piece,” she said.

If any item brought to the MPT event had been chosen to be taped for a future show, MPT would not have revealed the name or location of the owners for security and privacy reasons, said Susanne Stahley, the show’s producer. The Howard County residents interviewed for this article gave permission for their names to be used.

BEACON BITS

Sept. 8

HOW TO DO GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH

The Howard County Genealogical Society presents professional genealogist Angela Packer McGhie, who will explain methods for keeping document logs and other research tools in a free lecture on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Bain Senior Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia.

For more information, visit www.hcgsmd.org or call the Bain Center (410) 313-7213.

Sept. 10

NATURE WALK AT JACKSON POND

As part of the Columbia Association’s new series of organized outdoor walks, the focus on Thursday, Sept. 10 will be nature connectivity and wildlife. The walk will begin at 10 a.m. at the Phelps Luck Neighborhood Center, 5355 Phelps Luck Dr., Columbia.

Registration is not required, but is encouraged by emailing Open.Space@ColumbiaAssociation.org or by calling (410) 312-6330.

Sept. 19

FAMILY FUN DAY AND 5K RACE

The National Family Resiliency Center’s 5K Family race at 8 a.m. opens the annual Family Fun Day at Lake Kittamqundi in Columbia, with family fun singalongs, games and other activities starting at 10 a.m. For more information, visit nfrchelp.org or call (410) 740-9553.

Square dancing From page 34 traced back to 15th century Europe. Take the “do-si-do” call. It’s from the French, telling the dancers to move back-to-back.

Soon after the first immigrants arrived in America, the English country dance and the quadrille caught on in Appalachia and became forerunners of the square dance.

That’s when callers were enlisted to cue the dancers about the steps, instead of having them rely on their memories.

Square dance calling gradually became an art form of its own, with callers studying and refining the cues while adding humor and pizzazz.

Recent historians have noted that African Americans were involved as the dances developed, often providing the fiddle and banjo music, while being callers in the early years, as well as contributing songs and dance steps.

Fluctuating popularity Square dancing lost some steam in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as waltzes and polkas came to the fore.

Then, in the 1920s, Henry Ford, the automaker, decided that square dancing

would keep his factory workers and their families hale and hearty. He required the workers to take lessons, and opened a ballroom for the dance in Michigan.

Ford promoted the dance in schools as well. He said square dancing helped children learn manners, exercise, values and grace. In 1928, many boards of education endorsed the Ford square dancing program.

GIs took the dances overseas with them during World War II. Tom Thumb member Harris noted that wherever the dance is now done outside the U.S., the calls are made in English. “That includes Japan,” he said.

In 1982, President Reagan declared square dancing the national folk dance, a designation that lasted only through 1983, however.

And while reports say that the numbers of square dancers have been dwindling — from about 1 million in the late 1970s to about 300,000 at last count — the square and round dances have been modernized, and are even performed to Elvis classics.

The Tom Thumb Square Dancing Club was named after the first steam-powered railroad engine in America, whose initial run went from Baltimore to Ellicott City.

Hollifield Station Elementary School,

37

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

where the dances are held, is located at 3701 Stonehouse Dr. in Ellicott City.

Guests pay for each dance they attend, while members pay annual dues in September, which also cover the cost of other

activities — such as the club picnic, the holiday dinner dance and other special dances. Those interested in more information may contact Tom and Luann Harris at (410) 730-7326.

FROM PAGE 38

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Takes to court 23. Type of lip or loser 21. Type of vaccine 24. Middle of Kathie Gifford 26. Rhyme scheme in Do Not Go Gentle 25. It’s in the midst of FANFARE into That Good Night 26. Mork and Mindy network 27. West German capital during the 29. One of the Marx bothers Cold War 35. Start of a fictional byline 28. Street ___ (urban respect) 36. Act ___!

29. “Dirty Little Secrets”, “Day Light 37. End of a fictional byline Savings”, and the like 38. Developer’s pieces 30.

Promises of payment 43. Dir. of boat traveling the Red Sea 31. General feeling 44. See 47 Across 32. Annually 45. End of raf-, rif-, and ruf33. “I’m ___ Mother Teresa” (Mike Tyson) 46. She walked into Rick’s gin joint 34. Reduce suffering 47. About when the SNL host says 39. Sophie, for Meryl goodnight (with 44 Across) 51. The gold standard of crossword puzzles 40. Picks up the phone 41. Out of tune 56. Carry cargo 42. Travel from flower to flower 57. Like Rosemary’s Baby 46. “I’d rather be an outlaw than an ___ to 58. Is not wrong you” (Elvis Costello lyric) 59. Book before Nehemiah 48. Mideast leaders 60. Long-legged and thin 49. Core belief 61. Fir example 50. Prefix, relating to bones 62. The cat’s ___ 51. Those guys 63. Hit show signs 52. Dusty cloud 64. ___ es Guerra (Spanish-language 53. Replacer for Franc and Mark reality show) 54. “Yes ___?”

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Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question.

Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards.

Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $10 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word.

Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise.

Each ad is $25 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word.

Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad.

Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

MOBILE EYE EXAMS – Comprehensive and/or low vision eye exams provided to Baltimore seniors with limited mobility. Visit www.HomeEyeOD.com or call 443-802-9920 for more information.

Home/Handyman Services HAULING & JUNK – LOW UPFRONT PRICING. Free Estimates, Senior Discounts.

365 days. Licensed and Insured demolition. Estate & Eviction Services, Recycling, Organizing.

ATTIC SWEEPERS HAULING, 443-838-2353.

SANFORD & SON HAULING & RECYCLING. Trash + Junk removal, house & estate cleanouts, garage + basement cleanouts. Demolition – Shed, deck fence + pool removal. Licensed + insured. Free estimates over the phone. Call 7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm. 410746-5090.

BALTIMORE’S BEST JUNK REMOVAL – Clean Outs: Whole House, Emergency, Attics/Basements. Furniture and Junk Removal, Yard Waste Removal, General Hauling, Construction Debris Removal. Free estimates.

10% Senior Discount. Licensed, Bonded and Insured. Call Jesse, 443-379-HAUL (4285).

The Beacon, Baltimore Classified Dept.

P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 Wanted

Wanted

WE BUY JEWELRY, SILVER, GOLD, AND COSTUME. Coins, Paper Money Too. Watches, Clocks, Military Badges and Patches Old and New. Call Greg, 717-658-7954.

VINYL RECORDS WANTED from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201.

OLD AND NEW, WE BUY STERLING SILVER FLATWARE, Tea Sets, Single Pieces of Silver, Large pieces of Silver Plate. Attic, Basement or Garage. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. You have something to SELL, we are looking to BUY. BUYING MILITARY MEMORABILIA WW2, WW1, Civil War uniforms, weapons, photos and items associated with US, German, Japanese or items of other Military History. DAVE, 240-4640958.

COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, rifles, shot guns, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Large quantities are okay. Will pay top prices for my personal collection. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783.

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.

Thanks for reading!

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Research Studies

Dementia Behavior Study . . . . . . . .15 Fall Prevention Study . . . . . . . . . . .15 Ideal 80+ Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Events

Howard County 50 Plus Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Beacon 50+Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center . . . . . . . . . . . .35 COGS Casino Night . . . . . . . . . . . .36 COGS Monthly Meeting . . . . . . . .32 Walk to End Alzheimer’s . . . . . . . .14

Funeral Services

Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Going Home Cremations . . . . . . . .14 Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc. . . . . . . .28

Home Health Care

A-1 Action Nursing Care . . . . . . . .26 Homewatch Caregivers . . . . . . . . . .12

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Options for Senior America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Housing

Alta at Regency Crest . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30, 40 Charlestown/Erickson Living . . . . . .4 Country Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Gatherings at Quarry Place . . . . . . .33 Heartlands of Ellicott City . . . . . . .13 Homecrest House . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Homewood at Willow Ponds . . . . .12 Craig Northrop, Long & Foster . . .6-9 Park View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Shriner Court/Quantum . . . . . . . . .32 Somerford Place/5 Star Senior Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Legal Services

Felinton Elder Law . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC . . . . . .29 Law Office of Karen Ellsworth . . .28 Law Offices of Rick Todd . . . . . . .27 LegalShield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Medical/Health

Audiology First, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . .4 BrightLife Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 BW Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Salt Sanctuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Stem Cell Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 World Class Chiropractic . . . . . . . .11

Retail

Comic Book Collector . . . . . . . . . .34 Columbia’s Village Centers . . . . . .28

Senior Services

The Senior Connection . . . . . . .17-24

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation

CommuniCare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Theatre/ Entertainment

Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . . .34

Tour & Travel

Eyre Tour & Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

September 2015

UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS at Brooke Grove retirement village

As an expert in senior care and memory support, Brooke Grove Retirement Village is pleased to offer seminars and events that promote physical, spiritual and mental well-being.

All seminars and events will be held at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, located at 18131 Slade School Road on the Brooke Grove Retirement Village Campus.

Please register with Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org.

Alzheimer’s support group September 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association, this group provides support, understanding and helpful information for caregivers and those touched by this disease.

FREE. Register by September 15.

Falls Prevention Seminar and Balance Screenings September 22, 2-5 p.m.

Living Well Seminar: Mat ters of the Heart Healthy Cooking Demo September 16, 6:30-8 p.m.

Discover how easy it is to commit to a healthier lifestyle.

Light complimentary dinner at 6:30 p.m. Seminar begins at 7 p.m.

Presented in partnership with Warman Home Care.

FREE. Register by September 14.

Support for the Caregiver Seminar: Managing caregiver stress September 22, 2-3 p.m.

Seminar 3-4 p.m. • Balance screenings 2 and 4 p.m.

Experts from MedStar Montgomery Medical Center will provide individual balance assessments and discuss the causes of falls, ways to prevent them and how to “safety-proof” your home.

FREE. Register by September 20.

Learn to identify and manage your stressors as a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

FREE. Register by September 20.

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 301-260-2320 www.bgf.org

Independent living assisted living rehabilitation long-term care memory support