November 2010 Baltimore Beacon

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Finding freedom on two wheels

NOVEMBER 2010

I N S I D E …

PHOTO BY FRANK KLEIN

By Carol Sorgen Ira Loux’s motorcycle mania began in his teens, when he would ride a dirt bike on the back roads surrounding his family’s home in the Poconos.

Loux, now 52 and a software consultant living in Baltimore County, said he didn’t ride for many years after that because he didn’t have the financial resources.

But about 12 years ago, he decided “I needed a toy for me,” and began hitting the road on his Harley every weekend.

“Riding is an excuse to go to different places, and for getting away with friends,” he said.

Loux and his riding buddies often travel up Falls Road to Brown’s Orchard, where they stop for a glass of cider and catch up on the week’s doings.

He has also taken longer trips, down the Blue Ridge Parkway to Tennessee, from upstate New York to Vermont, and from Las Vegas to Utah and Nevada.

For Loux, the appeal of riding is the “different state of mind” he experiences when on his bike. “There’s no GPS, no maps, no radio, no heater, no air-conditioning. It’s just you, the sound of the bike, and the elements.

Riding is my toy and my escape,” he said.

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LEISURE & TRAVEL

Something for everyone in Branson, Mo.; plus, a refuge for both wildlife and tourists on Florida’s Gulf Coast page 25

More boomer bikers With their “Who me? I’m not getting older” mentality, it’s not surprising that baby boomers make up a majority of motorcyclists. Today, boomers outnumber younger motorcycle owners two to one.

That’s actually down from 2003, when there were four times as many boomer owners. But many older riders have “aged out” of riding.

Meanwhile, ownership among the younger crowd has skyrocketed in recent years, in part due to a series of popular cable TV shows about motorcycling and in part due to rising gas prices that have made motorcycles more attractive as a means of transportation.

Some boomer bikers, like Loux, have been riding nearly all their life, while others have come to the sport recently.

Janet Weber, for example, is a relative newcomer. Weber, 55, an advertising and marketing professional who lives in Baltimore City, learned to ride so she could accompany her boyfriend, Towson insurance

ARTS & STYLE

Ira Loux resurrected his love of motorcycles from his youth and has ridden his Harley all over the country. Baby boomers outnumber younger riders two to one, and women over 50 are catching the spirit as well.

salesman Paul Burke.

“This is pretty new for me,” she said. “I was never a great fan of motorcycles, but Paul is a very safe driver.”

Though motorcycling is primarily a male sport, more women are joining the guys on the road. In fact, according to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, more than 4 million women in the U.S. know how to ride.

Burke, 62, rode when he lived in California as a young man. He gave it up while raising his family, but several years ago, the riding bug bit him again.

Now he and Weber — Burke on a Harley and Weber on a BMW, both clad in their helmets and leather jackets — will

ride on the weekends, sometimes out to Friendly Farms, sometimes down to Berkeley Springs, W. Va. “It feels like flying,” said Burke. “It’s different from riding in a car. When you’re on a bike, you’re more present with nature…it’s very freeing.”

Motorcycles go mainstream There may once have been a stereotype of motorcyclists as “toughs” or “hoodlums,” but that has changed.

In Eric Barshop’s motorcycle club, MCV, the 25 members — the youngest of See MOTORCYCLES, page 14

The Wiz returns to Baltimore, where it premiered; plus, a statewide book-reading “club,” and a farewell interview with the “Cathy” comic strip creator page 30

FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k Flu shot: Make mine a double k Best treatments for back pain LAW & MONEY 15 k Free international phone calls k IRA rules explained VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS 22 k Doctors lend a helping hand PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE

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NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Burn, baby, burn?

Perhaps you saw (or heard) this news expected to put out fires and allow homeshort last month: Apparently, firefighters owners to pay the fee afterwards. If they responding to an alarm in a did, he reasoned, there would rural area of Tennessee be no incentive for people to stood back and allowed a mopay the fee every year and bile home to burn to the support the fire department. ground because its owner I suppose he has a case. If hadn’t paid an annual $75 fee the only people in a communifor fire protection services. ty who paid to support the But when the fire threatfire department were those ened a neighboring mobile who had actually suffered a home whose owner had paid fire, the price would have to the fee, they finally put out FROM THE be far more than $75. In fact, PUBLISHER the fire. it would have to be on the Now to be fair, it should be By Stuart P. Rosenthal order of thousands or tens of noted that the doublewide thousands of dollars. trailer home that burned down was outOne might be tempted to compare this side the South Fulton, Tenn. city limits and to the rationale behind insurance. In fact, therefore was not officially the responsibil- the mayor himself did exactly that. ity of the city’s fire department.

In speaking with the press he noted, as But as is common in many rural areas, an analogy, that when drivers let their auto folks outside the city limits can pay a mod- insurance policy lapse, the insurance comest annual charge to obtain such coverage. pany won’t pay for damages from an auto Since Gene Cranick, the owner of the trail- accident. er, had not done so, the firefighters let naBut there’s an essential difference beture take its course — until a paying cus- tween the situations, it seems to me. An intomer’s property was in danger, that is. surance company can’t prevent auto acciThe mayor of the city told a reporter dents. It can only spread their cost among from the Union City Daily Messenger that all drivers. the fire department couldn’t very well be A fire department, in contrast, can —

Beacon The

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Baltimore area, and is privately owned.

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• Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President, Operations........Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Contributing Editor ..........................Carol Sorgen • Graphic Designer ..............................Kyle Gregory • Advertising Representatives ............Ron Manno, ........................................................................Steve Levin • Staff Writer ..................................................Delia Sava

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sometimes at least — spare a home and its contents from utter destruction. Certainly in this case it appears it could have done that.

Yet their “firefighters” became fire gawkers instead, until a paying customer was at risk. Then they acted. Not out of human decency, or out of professionalism, or out of a desire to put their life- and property-saving skills to use, but because they had a commercial obligation to do so.

It seems to me they could have justified the effort and risk of intervening to save the Cranicks’ home by saying they were preventing the fire from spreading to nearby homes. I think it would have earned them gratitude and a new paying customer for life.

The fact that they didn’t make that effort makes you wonder: Would they have stood by had people been trapped in the trailer? Were they indeed certain that people’s lives were not at risk?

The son of the destroyed home’s owner was so angry that he went to the fire house afterwards and punched the chief, according to police. He was charged with aggravated assault and freed on bond.

There’s a part of me that wishes the police had arrested the fire chief instead.

You may be wondering why I’m railing about this when it’s not a local issue and won’t really have any effect on us.

Maybe it struck a nerve with me because it’s such a strong metaphor for what I see happening in our government today

on aging issues.

It’s not that our programs are only going to paying customers. It’s that our legislators often seem paralyzed by politics, bureaucratic rules and financial considerations to the point where they lose sight of their basic responsibilities.

Every single day for the next 20 years more than 10,000 Americans will become newly eligible for Social Security. It’s not all bad news: many retiring boomers will become active volunteers or enter encore careers that will be a boon to society.

But at the same time our government budgets, transportation networks, housing stock, medical system and many more aspects of our society will need to adjust to our rapidly aging population.

Right now, for the most part, we’re just sitting back and watching it happen, postponing taking action until the “fire” approaches our own homes. Our leaders (and citizens) need to step forward and act responsibly now.

What’s your opinion on any or all of the above? Please share your thoughts by emailing us at info@theBeaconNewspapers.com, or writing Letters to the Editor, The Beacon Newspapers, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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

Dear Editor: The depression we are facing worldwide has been caused by the greediness of the American people on all levels of our society. It is the so-called baby boom generation that has been so obsessed with material gains that they neglected their children.

Then again, the antique educational system has failed these same children, who have been led astray by the greed of the media. So what we have is a generation who does not know its own worth and is led astray in their ignorance.

Those are reasons the majority of our population went into debt to the point of no equity on their credit cards, which were

blessed by our senators because they needed the bankers’ monies for re-election.

The White House knew the danger and under several presidents tried to stop it.

But the Senate did not go for it.

It is a merry-go-round of events due to ignorance and greed of the American people that caused a world-wide depression.

I predict that the worst is yet to come and will be felt next year. It will stay with us for at least 10 years.

I am 89 years old and lived through the Depression in the 30s, so I know how it snowballs into an avalanche.

Kalevi A. Olkio Baltimore

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Health Fitness &

RECONSIDERING SURGERY Exercise helps more back pain patients than does expensive surgery FISHY ADVICE Get your omega 3 acids from fish rather than plant sources SCOLIOSIS STUDY Doctors are seeking adults with curvature of the spine for a trial REDUCE SUGAR CRAVINGS To blunt your cravings, avoid having sweets between meals

Older adults need higher-dose flu shots

By Lauran Neergaard It’s flu-shot season, and for the first time health authorities are urging nearly everyone to get vaccinated. There is even a new high-dose version for people 65 or older.

What a difference a year makes: Crowds lined up for hours for scarce shots during last fall’s swine flu pandemic, when infections peaked well before enough vaccine could be produced. This year, a record vaccine supply is expected — an all-in-one inoculation that now promises protection against that swine flu strain plus two other kinds of influenza.

And there’s no need to check if you’re on a high-risk list: A yearly dose is recommended for virtually everyone except babies younger than 6 months — the shot isn’t approved for tots that young — and people with severe allergies to the eggs used to brew it.

But without last year’s scare factor, the question is how many people will heed the new policy for near-universal vaccination.

“Influenza is serious, and anyone, including healthy people, can get the flu and spread the flu,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Flu vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and those around you.”

The CDC was moving toward that policy even before last year’s pandemic brought

home an inescapable fact: The flu virus doesn’t just kill grandparents and babies and people with weak lungs or hearts, although they’re particularly vulnerable. It also can kill healthy pregnant women and 30-somethings.

Here are some questions and answers about flu: Q: Why is there a new high-dose version for seniors?

A: Your immune system weakens with age, so it doesn’t respond as actively to a flu shot. Sanofi Pasteur’s Fluzone HighDose quadruples the standard dose for people 65 and older. This winter, scientists will track if that translates into less illness.

Until that proof’s in, the CDC says it’s OK to choose either option.

Sanofi is finalizing how much to make, and availability may vary with location. For example, Dr. Marvin Bittner of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Omaha estimates the new shot might benefit one in four seniors and said his center has ordered enough for that population, while other VA clinics aren’t ordering as much.

Q: I got vaccinated against both seasonal and that so-called H1N1 flu last year, so why do I need a vaccine this year?

A: It protects against a different strain of the H3N2 influenza family that has

cropped up, as well as last year’s swine flu, part of the H1N1 family, and a Type B strain. Every year a different flu vaccine is brewed to match the constantly changing flu strains that circle the globe.

Q: Will I need just one shot?

A: Most people will, but any children under 9 getting their first-ever flu vaccine will need two, a month apart, to prime their immune systems.

Q: Will there be enough vaccine?

A: Manufacturers project 170 million doses. Obviously that won’t cover the entire population, but the CDC knows its near-universal vaccination policy won’t spark a stampede for shots. Before last year, flu vaccine was recommended for 85 percent of Americans but only about a third got vaccinated.

Last year nearly all 114 million doses of seasonal vaccine were used, but as the swine flu outbreak slowed, just 90 million doses of the special vaccine were used out of nearly 162 million eventually produced for the general public.

Q: Who’s at high risk from flu?

A: Young children, anyone 50 or older, anyone with chronic medical conditions such as asthma or heart disease, pregnant women. Also, health workers and caregivers of infants can infect the vulnerable unless vaccinated.

Q: Who can use the nasal spray vaccine?

A: FluMist is for healthy people 2 to 49, no pregnancy or underlying health conditions.

Q: When should vaccination start?

A: Chain pharmacies already have started vaccinating; protection will last all winter. It takes about two weeks to kick in, and flu typically starts circulating around November.

Q: How do I know it’s safe?

A: Unprecedented safety monitoring last year turned up no rare side effects from the special swine flu-only vaccine sold in the United States.

Abroad, a few reports of narcolepsy after a European swine flu vaccine are being probed; that vaccine didn’t sell here.

An Australian seasonal vaccine dosed for young children won’t be sold here after being linked to some fever-related seizures in that country.

Q: Why should I bother since fewer people than usual died last year?

A: Last year’s U.S. toll: about 12,000 deaths, 60 million illnesses and 265,000 hospitalizations. New CDC statistics last month suggest flu strain mortality varies widely, from 3,000 in an exceptionally mild year to 49,000 in a recent really bad one — and it’s impossible to predict how bad each year will be.

— AP

Stable weight but growing waist? Beware

By Carla K. Johnson If you are feeling a bit big around the waistline, take note: Belly bulge can be deadly for older adults, even those who aren’t overweight or obese by other measures.

One of the largest studies to examine the dangers of abdominal fat suggests men and women with the biggest waistlines have twice the risk of dying over a decade compared to those with the smallest tummies.

Surprisingly, bigger waists carry a greater risk of death even for people whose weight is “normal” by the body mass index (BMI) — a standard measure based on weight and height.

“Even if you haven’t had a noticeable weight gain, if you notice your waist size increasing, that’s an important sign,” said lead author Eric Jacobs of the American Cancer

Society, which funded the study. “It’s time to eat better and start exercising more.”

Other research has linked waist size to dementia, heart disease, asthma and breast cancer.

Most are too big Bulging bellies are a problem for most Americans older than 50. It’s estimated that more than half of older men and more than 70 percent of older women have bigger waistlines than recommended.

And it’s a growing problem, no pun intended. Average waistlines have expanded by about one inch per decade since the 1960s.

To check your girth, wrap a tape measure around your waist at the navel. No fair sucking in your bulge. Men should have a waist circumference no larger than 40

inches. For women, the limit is 35 inches.

The new study, appearing in the Archives of Internal Medicine, is the first to analyze waist size and deaths for people in three BMI categories: normal, overweight and obese. In all three groups, waist size was linked to higher risk.

About 2 percent of people in the study had normal BMI numbers but larger-thanrecommended waists. Jacobs said the risk increased progressively with increasing waist size, even at waist sizes well below what might be considered too large.

The study used data from more than 100,000 people who were followed from 1997 to 2006. Nearly 15,000 people died during that time.

The researchers crunched numbers on waist circumference, height and weight to

draw conclusions about who was more likely to die. Study participants measured their own waists, so some honest mistakes and wishful fudging could have been included, the authors acknowledged.

Four extra inches around the waist increased the risk of dying between 15 and 25 percent. Oddly, the strongest link — 25 percent — was in women with normal BMI. People with bigger waists had a higher risk of death from causes including respiratory illnesses, heart disease and cancer.

The study was observational, a less rigorous approach that means the deaths could have been caused by factors other than waist size. But the researchers did take into See GROWING WAIST, page 5

Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

Growing waist From page 4 account other risk factors for poor health, such as smoking and alcohol use.

Belly fat is different Some older adults gain belly fat while they lose muscle mass, Jacobs said, so while they may not be getting heavier, they’re changing shape — and that’s taking a toll, too.

A tape measure, or a belt that doesn’t buckle the way it used to, “may tell you things your scale doesn’t,” Jacobs said.

Fat stored behind the abdominal wall may be more harmful than fat stored on the hips and thighs. Some scientists believe belly fat secretes proteins and hormones that contribute to inflammation, interfere with how the body processes insulin, and raise cholesterol levels.

But Dr. Samuel Klein, an obesity expert at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is skeptical about that theory. Removing belly fat surgically doesn’t lead to health improvements.

That may mean it’s simply a stand-in for some other culprit that is causing both belly fat and poor health. Klein wasn’t in-

volved in the new research.

Klein said the new study, while showing a link between waist size and mortality, doesn’t pinpoint exactly how much belly fat is dangerous for normal, overweight and obese people. The cutoff points of 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women

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are irrelevant for many people, he said.

What can be done to fight belly fat? It’s the same advice as for losing weight. Eat fewer calories and burn more through walking, bicycling and other aerobic exercise. “Sit-ups are useless,” Klein said.

— AP

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Exams will be given on Saturday, Oct. 30, beginning at 8:30 a.m. To make an appointment, call (410) 337-1479. St. Joe also sponsors an ongoing breast cancer support group, Survivors Offering Support. For more information, call (410) 4272513. St. Joseph Medical Center is located at 7601 Osler Dr. in Towson.

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Learn how headaches are different in women in this presentation

by Dr. Nechama Bernhardt. “My Head is Killing Me!” is part of Greater Baltimore Medical Center’s “Time for Me!” free educational series for women. The lecture will be held on Monday, Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. in GBMC’s Civiletti Conference Center, 6701 N. Charles St. For more information or to register, call (443) 849-4262 or visit www.gbmc.org/timeforme.

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Fitness & Health

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Health Shorts Tai chi relieves fibromyalgia Tai chi eased painful joints and other symptoms of fibromyalgia in a small but well-done study of this ancient Chinese form of exercise.

Tai chi combines meditation with slow, gentle movements, deep breathing and relaxation. It can improve muscle strength, balance, sleep, coordination and, some evidence suggests, fibromyalgia.

Symptoms of the illness include fatigue, body pain, and tender points in joints, muscles and other soft tissues. It is most com-

mon in middle-aged women. Its cause is unknown, and the lack of obvious signs or definitive tests has led some doctors to question whether it is a physical or psychological problem.

The study led by Dr. Chenchen Wang at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston involved 66 fibromyalgia patients assigned to try either tai chi or wellness education and stretching exercises twice a week for 12 weeks.

Symptoms improved significantly for the tai chi group and little for the others, as measured by a commonly used questionnaire. Improvements were seen in pain, mood, quality of life, sleep and exercise capacity. Benefits remained at 24 weeks after the study’s start.

The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In an editori-

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al, two doctors and an Oriental medicine specialist from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston called the results “provocative” and “striking,” but said that it’s unclear how much of the benefit is due to a placebo effect. The results need to be repeated in a larger study, they conclude.

The study’s main sponsor was the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a division of the NIH. Several of its authors have received federal grants for mind-body research, and one has financial ties to companies that make drugs to treat fibromyalgia.

Look for tai chi classes through your local recreation department or senior center.

For more information about tai chi and the study, see the following websites: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/taichi and www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fibromyalgia.html.

Artificial cornea restores sight Scientists have created a new kind of artificial cornea, inserting a sliver of collagen into the eye that coaxes its own natural corneal cells to regrow and restore vision.

It worked in a first-stage study of 10 patients in Sweden, researchers reported.

And while larger studies are needed, it is a step toward developing an alternative to standard cornea transplants that aren’t available in much of the world because of a shortage of donated corneas.

“We’re trying to regenerate the cornea from within,” said Dr. May Griffith, senior scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Canada and a professor of regenerative medicine at Linkoping University in Sweden.

Vision depends on a healthy cornea, the film-like covering of the eye’s surface that

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helps it focus light. Corneas are fragile, easily harmed by injury or infection, and about 42,000 people in the U.S. receive transplanted corneas every year.

While that is considered an adequate supply in the U.S., donated corneas are not available in many countries for the estimated 10 million people worldwide with corneal blindness. Transplants also bring risk of rejection.

In addition, researchers are working to improve plastic-like artificial corneas and to create stem-cell treatments that could spur corneal growth.

The new work, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, is about a bioartificial cornea — an attempt to use the same natural substances that make up a real cornea to induce healing.

“I characterize this work as a major advance in the direction that we need to go,” said Dr. Alan Carlson, cornea transplant chief at Duke University’s eye center, who was not involved in the research. To “make this mimic donor tissue to the extent that your own cells ultimately become incorporated in this tissue, I think that’s the most exciting aspect.”

A cornea’s structure is made up of a tissue called collagen. First, researchers took human collagen grown in yeast, made

by San Francisco-based FibroGen Inc., and molded it into a contact lens-looking shape — the scaffolding, essentially, for a cornea.

Then Griffith, working with Linkoping University eye surgeon Dr. Per Fagerholm, studied the bioartificial cornea in 10 patients with severe vision loss from damage to a corneal layer. Damaged tissue in one eye was removed, and the new biosynthetic cornea implanted.

Soon, cells that line a healthy cornea started growing in the collagen. Tear pro-

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Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

Health shorts From page 6 duction normalized, and even corneal nerves regrew, something researchers could test by measuring sensitivity. There was no rejection, and patients didn’t need immune-suppressing medication.

Two years later, six of the patients had significantly improved vision with glasses and two were no worse. When implanted with contact lenses that previously they could not tolerate, patients saw as well as a similar group of patients who had received standard corneal transplants.

No Social Security COLA in 2011 The Social Security Administration has announced that more than 58 million Social Security recipients will go through a second year without an increase in their monthly benefits.

The cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs, are automatically set each year by an inflation measure that was adopted by Congress back in the 1970s.

Based on that measure, Social Security payments increased by 5.8 percent for 2009 — the largest raise in 27 years — after energy prices spiked in 2008. But energy prices quickly dropped in 2009 and

L I F E B R I D G E H E A LT H

have stayed lower since.

As a result, Social Security recipients got an increase that year that ended up being far larger than actual inflation.

Therefore, the trustees who oversee Social Security determined there would be no increase in 2010, and now project there will be no COLA for 2011, either.

The announcement raises concerns for older Americans whose savings and home values still haven’t recovered from the financial collapse.

“While people aren’t getting COLAs they certainly feel like they’re falling further and further behind, particularly in this economy,” said David Certner, AARP’s legislative policy director. “People are very reliant on Social Security as a major portion of their income and, quite frankly, they have counted on the COLA over the years.”

In addition to the large COLA paid in 2009, Social Security recipients received a one-time bonus payment of $250 in the spring of that year as part of the government’s massive economic recovery package.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., chairman of the Ways and Means subcommittee on Social Security, has introduced a new bill to provide $250 payments to seniors again, if there is no increase in Social Security.

“Costs of living are inevitably going up, regardless of what that formula says,” Pomeroy said. “Seniors in particular have

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Nov. 6

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omeone with a normal gait–the medical term for walking–walks smoothly at a normal pace without thinking about it. Someone with an abnormal gait may have trouble taking the first step; have bent posture; have spasticity; or walk with a shuffle, shortened steps or slow pace.

You may have to think about each step rather than it coming automatically, or may be thrown off balance by turning or changing direction.

These are signs that control of gait by the brain, spine or peripheral nervous system may be impaired. As we age, we may think it’s normal for walking to become more difficult. However, we should continue to walk normally as we age.

Physicians at The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute of LifeBridge Health (BSI), a one-ofits-kind consortium of specialists from Sinai and Northwest hospitals, have a message for those with gait difficulty: Our goal is to find and treat the causes of gait impairment and help you regain functional mobility and prevent falls.

Our interdisciplinary team of experts includes neurologists, rehabilitation physicians/physiatrists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, physical therapists and occupational therapists. Patients who come to the BSI for gait abnormalities are screened by a neurologist or physiatrist. We have expertise in neurological disorders like cerebral palsy, Parkinson disease, brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, spinal stenosis, peripheral neuropathy and normal pressure hydrocephalus. After a comprehensive medical history and examination of the patient, our doctors determine the need for additional diagnostic tests, like MRI or CT of the brain or spine, electromyography, nerve conduction study, or X-rays of the spine.

Once a diagnosis is made, an individualized treatment plan is recommended. For example, patients with cervical or lumbar spinal stenosis are treated by one of our neurosurgeons or orthopedic spine surgeons. Those suspected of having a disorder like Parkinsonism are seen by a movement disorder specialist, and those with neuropathy

7

or peripheral nerve problems are seen by one of our neuromuscular neurologists or physiatrists. Some patients may be treated by a physical therapist for strengthening and retraining of walking and balancing.

If you already know the cause of your gait abnormality, you may wish to be re-evaluated or to receive ongoing management by our team. For example, tightness in muscles due to spasticity can be reduced, and walking improved, by comprehensive treatments offered in the spasticity program. If you have arthritis in the hip or knee, a physician may have told you that this is not the cause of your difficulty walking. We can evaluate and help.

Difficulty with gait, balance or mobility isn’t normal and could signify an underlying problem. If you or a family member has such symptoms, call The Center for Gait and Mobility at The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute at 410-601WELL(9355).

8

Fitness & Health

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Exercise better than surgery for back pain

By Lauran Neergaard “Why did they cut you?” The shocking question came from a respected spine surgeon tracked down by Keith Swenson, who was still in severe pain after an earlier back operation.

He didn’t know what to believe. Two other surgeons had urged more operations, different ones.

And Swenson, who’s from Howard Lake, Minn., is far from alone. Even though only a fraction of people with back pain are good candidates for surgery, complicated spine operations are on the rise.

So is the hunt for any relief.

By one recent estimate, Americans are spending a staggering $86 billion a year in care for aching backs — from MRIs to pain

pills to nerve blocks to acupuncture. That research found little evidence that the population got better as the bill soared over the past decade.

“The way medicine is so Star-Treky these days, [patients] believe something can be done,” said Dr. Charles Rosen, a spine surgeon at the University of California, Irvine.

The reality is that time often is the best antidote. Most people will experience back pain at some point, but up to 90 percent will heal on their own within weeks.

In fact, for run-of-the-mill cases, doctors aren’t even supposed to do an X-ray or MRI unless the pain lingers for a month to six weeks.

Yet a study last year found nearly one in three aching Medicare patients get some

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kind of back scan within that first month.

Diagnosis and treatment are tricky Why is that a problem? Those scans can be misleading.

By middle age, most people who don’t even have pain nonetheless have degeneration of their disks — those doughnutlooking shock absorbers between vertebrae. So in someone who does have pain, pinpointing that a particular black spot or bulge on a scan is the true cause is tricky.

The bigger problem: When the misery lingers, there’s no one-size-fits-most treatment.

“There are a lot of procedures going on for patients in whom we don’t have good scientific evidence that it’s going to help,” said Dr. Richard Deyo of Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, who long has studied how people fare with different options for this tough ailment.

For example, there’s a wide variety of spinal injections that aim to numb back pain, using different drugs and targeting different spots. Which one works depends on what study you read.

Lots of things can cause chronic back pain, from arthritis to bone-thinning osteoporosis, which has its own controversy over whether cementing cracks in the spine really helps.

Dr. Stuart M. Goldman, Podiatrist

Fellow, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Marquis Who’s Who in America, In Medicine and Healthcare Author, Multiple articles (1997-2008) in Podiatry, Diabetes, and Family Practice Journals on Evaluation & Treatment of Foot & Leg Symptoms, including Neuropathic Symptoms.

But those cushiony disks are a big reason.

They naturally thin and shrink with age.

Sometimes they herniate, or rupture, so the gel-like center leaks and pressures a nerve.

Sometimes a vertebra slips out of alignment.

Sometimes the spinal canal painfully narrows, a condition called stenosis.

[For information on a study of treatment options for curvature of the spine, called scoliosis, see the article on page 12 of this issue.]

Who needs surgery?

The right operation can help, but specialists say only about 10 percent of people with lasting pain are candidates.

More than 333,000 of the simpler decompression operations — laminectomies and diskectomies that cut away part of a bone or disk to relieve nerve pressure — were performed in 2007, the latest data compiled by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

There were nearly 381,000 spinal fusions — more complex, riskier surgeries that bind vertebrae together with a bone graft and sometimes metal hardware.

There is some hopeful news — increasing evidence that more people should try pushing past the pain in aggressive exercise programs. Deyo calls them boot See BACK PAIN, page 9

On Medical/ Surgical staff at: Northwest GBMC Sinai

Focus on Non-Surgical Treatment of the Foot & Leg in Children and Adults Diabetic Foot Management including ADA “Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam” “Where there’s pain- there’s a reason!” – Dr. Goldman A podiatrist for 3 decades, with years of experience as hospital chair, surgical instructor, and author, Dr. Goldman often has success with patients who have persistent symptoms, despite other care, and invites all those with foot and leg pain to come in for evaluation and treatment.

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Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

Back pain

Back pain treatment 101

From page 8 camps for back pain.

That’s what ended Swenson’s five-year pain odyssey. After a volleyball injury, scans showed he had degeneration in seven disks. But one bulged in a way that doctors thought explained the pain radiating down both legs. They cut away part of that spot, but it didn’t help. Neither did multiple pain-blocking options.

Swenson finally turned to exercise, at the Physicians Neck & Back Clinics in Minneapolis. The clinic’s rehabilitation program focuses on strengthening muscles that support the spine, and published a study showing that only three of 38 patients prescribed surgery still needed it in the 13 months after completing tailored rehab. “Exercise is medicine, but it has to be the right exercise,� said Dave Carpenter, president of the clinic.

Swenson, now 51, said he was so debilitated that it took several months to improve, plus two years of “maintenance� conditioning. Today, he’s running a thriving gardening business near Minneapolis that ships peonies nationwide. It’s a job that requires tremendous manual labor. “Do I have flare-ups? Yes. But now that my back is strengthened, instead of flareups lasting one to two months ... the flareups last one to two days,� he said. “This form of treatment is a lifetime change.�

What’s the best advice? First, some types of back pain are accompanied by red flags that need immediate attention — such as numb or weak legs or urinary problems.

But for most people: • Don’t expect an X-ray, MRI or CT until a month to six weeks has passed, unless the doctor suspects a more serious problem. Following that guideline is becoming a quality-of-care measure in many organizations. • Get back to normal activity as quickly as possible. The days of prescribed bed rest are over. • Patients with sciatica (pain radiating down the leg) have the best outcomes from nerve-easing decompression surgeries, Deyo stressed. California’s Rosen said three criteria determine chances of success: a scan that correlates with the pain site; the patient has some weakness; and specific pain occurs when the doctor raises and straightens the legs.

Herniated disks heal on their own over about two years, but surgery for a faster fix is reasonable in good candidates, he said. • Fusions are appropriate for far fewer patients, those with fractures, unstable or slipping spines, curvature of the spine and rare other reasons, Rosen said. • Deyo recently studied surgeries for stenosis, that painful narrowing, and found decompression surgery as effective and less risky than fusions, which are more complicated and costly.

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• A formal exercise program is especially effective if coupled with cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches patients to manage and function with pain, Deyo said. • What if surgery fails? Usually, it was the wrong operation or the wrong candidate, said Rosen, who sees one or two patients a week classified as having “failed back syndromeâ€? because of multiple failed surgeries.

Always get a second opinion. Rosen, who founded the Association for Medical Ethics, also recommends asking about a doctor’s ties to companies that make spinesurgery products. That way you’ll feel as-

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sured that a recommendation to cut doesn’t come from a too-cozy relationship. • Not a good candidate? A primary care physician can be a neutral adviser in helping navigate next steps. Patients with more challenging back problems may fare better at a multidisciplinary spine center with numerous specialists — in rehab and pain management — under one roof.

To learn more, see information from the National Institutes of Health at http:// tinyurl.com/2u2th26, the Mayo Clinic at http://tinyurl.com/25k5ox and the Association for Medical Ethics at www.ethicaldoctor.org. — AP

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Fitness & Health

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Harvard docs on good fats, twitching eyes

By Dr. JoAnn Manson and Dr. CelesteRobb Nicholson Q: I’m confused about omega-3 fats.

Are the different types equally good for you?

A: There are three main types to keep track of: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alphalinolenic acid (ALA).

EPA and DHA are found mainly in fish, so they’re sometimes called marine omega3s. ALA is found in plant-based foods, such as flaxseed, walnuts, and canola and soybean oils.

So far, the evidence for EPA and DHA having health benefits is more extensive than for ALA. Studies have shown that EPA and DHA offer some measure of pro-

tection against heart attacks and strokes.

EPA and DHA also have anti-inflammatory effects that may be useful in preventing or treating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Some well-designed studies of ALA are under way, but right now there just aren’t enough data to be confident about ALA having the same effects as EPA and DHA. And there’s reason for doubting whether it does. The body converts ALA to EPA and then to DHA, but that happens only in small amounts.

If you’re aiming to increase your omega-3 intake to accomplish all the things that omega-3s are thought to do, increasing the amount of fish you eat is probably the best way to go.

That said, flaxseed and the other ALA-rich oils may still be a healthful choice, if you are using them to replace trans or saturated fat.

The American Heart Association recommends that adults eat two servings of omega-3-rich fish (salmon, for example) per week, which works out to about 400 to 500 milligrams of EPA and DHA per day.

People with heart disease are advised to double that, so their daily intake is 1,000 mg. (a full gram).

Taking fish oil capsules is often the most practical way to get that amount of omega3s. If you choose to take fish oil capsules, note that the amount of EPA and DHA provided per capsule is often only about a third of that mentioned on the front of the bottle.

That’s because a full daily dose may require several capsules. Check the Nutrition Facts label on the back for details.

Q. From time to time, my eyelids twitch. What causes this, and is there anything I can do about it?

A. It’s a common — and uncommonly distracting — problem. The twitches are involuntary spasms of the muscles that control the eyelids.

These spasms can cause fluttering in part of the eyelid, or cause the eyelid to repeatedly close and reopen. The spasms last minutes to hours and may continue intermittently for several days.

We don’t know what causes them, but many experts believe that fatigue, stress, eyestrain and caffeine all play some role.

There are several things you can do to ease the spasms. Close the eye and apply a warm compress — or try pulling gently on the lid. Get more sleep, and reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake.

If your eyes are dry or irritated, use lubricant eyedrops such as Refresh, Systane, Thera Tears or Visine Tears.

Most eyelid twitches are harmless and stop within a week or two. If they don’t, you should see a clinician for an eye exam.

See a clinician even sooner if the twitching completely closes your eye or involves other parts of your face, or if your eyelid is drooping (a sign of weakened muscles) or your eye is red, swollen, or exuding a discharge. These are signs of a possible infection or underlying nerve or muscle condition.

Sometimes even benign eyelid twitches persist, eroding the quality of life. In that case, small injections of botulinum toxin A (Botox) may provide temporary relief. If you decide to try Botox, make sure that the clinician who administers it has expertise in this type of therapy. © 2010 President and fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

11

Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

Staying healthy means different things for different people, and

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Fitness & Health

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Health Studies Page

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Study evaluates treatments for scoliosis

By Carol Sorgen People with scoliosis suffer from an abnormal side-to-side (or lateral) curvature of their spine. Rather than appearing straight when viewed from the back, it may appear somewhat like an “S” or a “C.” Scoliosis is a common condition, usually associated with children and adolescents.

However, adults can also develop the condition, which may bring with it pain and, sometimes, visible deformity.

Dr. Charles Edwards II, medical director of the Maryland Spine Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, explains that adults with scoliosis fit into two categories: those who developed the condition as adolescents and those with adult-onset (degenerative) scoliosis.

“As we age, the discs in our spine degenerate, which can cause the spine to tilt, much like the Leaning Tower of Pisa,” said Edwards.

Bulging discs, tilting bones and the formation of bone spurs not only lead to the development of back pain, but also put pressure on the nerves. When spinal nerves are compressed, people feel pain, numbness or cramping in the legs.

Although paralysis is very uncommon with adult scoliosis, people tend to slow down and experience reduced quality of life due to the increased pain.

What treatment is best?

To determine who benefits from scoliosis treatment — and what kind of treatment is most effective — the Spine Center is participating in a five-year, multi-site trial comparing the results of surgical and nonsurgical treatment.

Three hundred patients are being recruited at six sites around the country for this first-time study of adult scoliosis, supported by the National Institutes of Health.

For some years, doctors had recommended noninvasive treatments, such as medications, physical therapy and steroid injections, as a first line of therapy.

“But what recent high-quality research studies clearly show,” said Edwards, “is that these treatments just don’t help in the long run.” Surgery, however, shows dramatic results, according to Edwards.

“We now consider surgery for our adult scoliosis patients sooner rather than later, not only to provide relief more quickly, but

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to operate before complicating factors, like osteoporosis, make surgery more difficult,” he added.

A 2010 study co-authored by Edwards and published in the journal, Spine, demonstrates that the significant improvements in pain and function achieved with surgery are maintained at follow-up exams three to five years later.

Scoliosis surgery for adults — known as instrumentation and fusion — involves relieving pressure on the nerves and straightening the spine with metal implants, and fusing the bones together so they don’t continue to curve.

“Our expectation is that this will be a ground-breaking study that will set the standard for adult scoliosis management for the next generation,” said Edwards.

You may elect or reject surgery People with scoliosis between the ages of 18 and 80 may volunteer for the study.

Volunteers who are eligible to participate will complete a questionnaire, after which they will be assigned to one of three groups.

One group is for those who don’t want to have surgery. They will be followed only

by X-ray exams for five years. The second

group is for those who do want surgery, and a third for those who are undecided.

Those in the undecided group will be selected at random to either have surgery or just be observed.

The surgery usually requires a three- to five-day hospital stay, and is covered by Medicare or private health insurance.

Some spend an additional week to 10 days in a rehabilitation facility.

“Most patients rely on a walker for the first week or two after the surgery, and then transition to a cane and then nothing over a period of a few weeks,” Edwards said.

“By two to three months, most individuals are back to all normal functions, except prolonged exercise, heavy lifting or forceful bending. These functions return to normal in the three- to six-month time frame.”

All patients will be followed for five years with regular X-rays, doctor visits and questionnaires.

Trial participants will receive a cash payment to compensate them for time spent completing questionnaires and follow-up visits, whether or not they have surgery.

To learn more about adult scoliosis and the Maryland Spine Center study, or to see if you qualify for the study, call Lisa Ford or Ryan Andrews at (410) 332-9052.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 23

GET RELIEF FROM HIP PAIN

Dr. Joseph Ciotola, of Orthopedics and Joint Replacement at Mercy Medical Center, will lead a free community seminar on Hip Pain relief Saturday, Oct. 23, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the BWI Airport Marriott, 1743 W. Nursery Rd. in Baltimore. A continental breakfast will be served. Dr. Ciotola will explore such topics as causes of hip pain and leading-edge treatment options. Register by calling (410) 332-4955.

Nov. 21

SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS

No matter how long it has been since your loved one died, grief can make the holidays a painful time. Join Valley Presbyterian Church for an encouraging free seminar that will help you survive the holidays and discover new reasons to enjoy them again. “Surviving the Holidays” will be held on Sunday, Nov. 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Valley Presbyterian Church, 2200 W. Joppa Rd. in Lutherville. Phone (410) 828-6234 for more information.

Do You Have Osteoarthritis Of The Knee?

The University of Maryland is conducting an investigational research study to determine if an herbal supplement is useful for persons with osteoarthritis of the knee.

You may be eligible if you: Have been diagnosed with OA of the knee.

Are at least 40 years old.

And are in good general health.

Participants will be seen at Kernan Hospital located just off I-70 and Security Boulevard. Parking is free.

Call 1-877-861-6037 now to see if you are eligible.

You will be compensated for your time.

Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

13

How you can reduce a craving for sweets Q: I want to eat healthfully, but crav- to do (eat sweets) and focus instead on ings for sweets are my non-food strategies you’ve downfall. What can I do? identified to respond to emoA: The good news is that tions and stress. healthy eating does leave us Q: Do special products with some room for sweets. for washing vegetables Yet few of us can have a sweet make them safer? drink or treat each time we A: Washing produce is see one and meet the goal of very important for food safe“moderation.” ty. You can find arguments Is it seeing sweets or knowthat do and do not support ing they’re around that draws special wash products, but you? Studies show that one most food safety experts adNUTRITION way to reduce the tempting vise that these products are WISE power of sweets is to limit varinot needed. Especially for

By Karen Collins, ety. If ice cream or cookies are produce that is not waxed, MS, RD, CDM your weakness, stock one flasuch as broccoli, greens or vor at a time. Identify the berries, running water is very sweets you enjoy most and try to stick only effective at removing dirt and germs. to those, skipping sweets you eat just beConsumer interest in these products is cause they’re available. often tied to a belief that these washes reSome people find that using sweets only duce pesticide levels, but the government for dessert, rather than snacks, makes it does not require any tests to prove such an easier to limit them and decreases cravings. effect. The few research studies available One study found that after two weeks of show little or no effect beyond that of a eating chocolate twice a day, 15 to 30 min- thorough water rinse. utes after a meal, chocolate cravers reThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration duced their desire for chocolate. But both (FDA) does not recommend washing cravers and non-cravers who ate chocolate fruits and vegetables with soap, detergent daily between meals ended up with an in- or commercial produce washes. creased desire for chocolate.

If you feel more comfortable using a The researchers suggested that regular- produce wash, as long as you follow label ly using chocolate to satisfy hunger teach- directions, go ahead. But research doesn’t es us to crave it. If true, that could apply to suggest anything more complicated than other sweets, too. running water for at least 30 seconds and Normalizing sweets can also gradually perhaps a scrub brush for sturdy produce. reduce cravings that are rebound effects Q: If blood pressure control is all of overly restrictive dieting. If your crav- about limiting sodium, what has eatings are emotion-related, the pattern may ing more vegetables and fruits got to become stronger each time you use do with better blood pressure? sweets to cope with emotions.

A: Limiting sodium is an important step Try not to focus on what you don’t want to reduce risk of high blood pressure and,

BEACON BITS

Oct. 24

DIY FEST

Want to learn how to repair a flat tire? Brew beer? Learn how, or share skills you already have, at DIY Fest, on Sunday, Oct. 24, from noon to 6 p.m. at St. John’s Church, 2640 St. Paul St. This year’s event also features a panel discussion on alternative business models, featuring speakers from the worker-owned-and-operated Baltimore Bicycle Works and Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse. For more information, visit www.diyfest.org.

Seeking Men and Women The University of Maryland & Veterans Affairs of Baltimore are conducting a research study to better understand FALLS in aging individuals.

With your participation you will receive:

• Health evaluation • CT scans of waist, hip, and leg • Balance and strength testing

410-605-7179 Mention code: FALLS You must be at least 65 years old and in good health.

You will be compensated for your time.

for many people, to control it. However, eating lots of vegetables and fruits adds another layer of protection.

In the ENCORE study, overweight men and women with above normal blood pressure achieved drops of 11 mm. Hg /8 mm.

Hg after just four months on a diet that limited sodium and fat and loaded up on vegetables and fruits. These foods supply potassium, magnesium and dietary fiber, all of which seem to help control blood pressure.

Aim for at least one cup total of vegetables and fruits at each meal and a snack, and you’ll easily reach the level consumed in studies of the DASH diet, a high vegetable-fruit diet that consistently reduces

blood pressure.

The ENCORE study showed that adding exercise and weight loss of about a pound a week to this high-produce eating style can reduce blood pressure even further.

The American Institute for Cancer Research offers a Nutrition Hotline, 1-800843-8114, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This free service allows you to ask questions about diet, nutrition and cancer. A registered dietitian will return your call, usually within three business days.

Courtesy of the American Institute for Cancer Research. Questions for this column may be sent to “Nutrition-Wise,” 1759 R St., N.W. Washington, DC 20009. Collins cannot respond to questions personally.

Studies on Aging: Johns Hopkins University Are you 70 years or older?

Investigators from the Division of Geriatric Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Campus are looking for individuals aged 70 or older to participate in a research study that is looking at the aging process.

Tests would include measurements of strength, walking speed and questions about your physical activities. We may also request a blood draw and urine sample.

You will be paid $10 for participating depending on the study and we can conduct the study in your home. No travel required. If you choose to travel to Bayview, a parking pass will be given to you.

For more information, please call our study coordinators at Bayview:

410-550-9016 or 410-550-2113 We look forward to hearing from you!

Do You Have Knee Arthritis and Difficulty Sleeping?

Volunteers NEEDED for a Clinical Trial on New Non-drug treatment for problem sleeping Researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine are looking for volunteers to participate in a research study examining new ways of treating insomnia, in people with osteoarthritis in their knee. ➢ To participate in this study, you must be: • At least 50 years of age OR 35 years of age and older with prior diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis • Have frequent knee pain • Interested in sleeping better ➢ This study involves: • Sleep studies conducted in your home • Sensory testing and knee exam at Johns Hopkins • Meeting with sleep specialist to discuss ways to improve sleep • Additional optional medical tests • All examinations, parking, & tests are provided at no cost. ➢ Compensation up to $870.00

Approved 8/16/10

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For information, please call (410) 550-7906

14

Fitness & Health

Motorcycles From page 1 whom are in their 40s — include a mix of people, from blue-collar workers to business owners and professionals. Barshop, 55, is a CPA. Barshop used to ride about 20 years ago, but only returned to riding regularly about three years ago. Now he rides every weekend and sometimes during the week, joined by his riding friends, and often by his wife, Amy Stein.

“The best set of friends I’ve ever had have come through riding,” he said. “I can’t remember what I did before I rode every weekend. This is more fun than I’ve ever had.”

Barshop has put about 40,000 miles on his Honda Gold Wing in the last three

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

years, riding to such destinations as Ocean City, Deep Creek Lake, the Shenandoah Valley and down Skyline Drive. On travels out west, he has rented bikes and ridden through Yellowstone.

To Debbie Thompson and her husband, Gary, motorcycles are one more activity they can share together. The Marriottsville couple first started riding in the ‘70s.

“We were young and a lot of our friends rode then, too,” said Debbie, 56. While raising their daughter, the Thompsons enjoyed traveling in a motor home, and were also avid boaters.

About 11 years ago, Gary decided he wanted to ride motorcycles again, and Debbie took a safety course so she could accompany him.

“I got the bug, and I’ve been riding ever

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since,” Debbie said. Both the Thompsons ride Kawasaki cruising bikes so they can go on long-distance rides. “Riding is a great way to get away from people and explore unknown places,” she said.

Safety concerns Motorcycle riding can be dangerous, of course, although Loux, Barshop, Burke and Weber all emphasize the importance of safety while riding.

Still, the numbers can be frightening.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that motorcyclist fatalities have been increasing for every age group, with a larger increase among riders 50-plus.

The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) found that the number of Michigan motorcyclists 45-plus killed in crashes nearly quadrupled from 2001 to 2005, even as the crash rate declined among younger riders.

“As people age, their bodies become more fragile and their chances of dying as a result of a crash increase,” said UMTRI researcher Lidia Lostyniuk.

Of course, the sense of risk is part of what makes motorcycling attractive to some.

“What else do I enjoy? I think there is a little danger in riding a motorcycle, well out of my normal workday comfort zone,” said Burke. [It’s something] “perhaps a little on the edge that I don’t find in other as-

pects of my life. It gives me a heightened sense of awareness.”

At the same time, there are limits to how much risk sensible boomers will take on their bikes. “You can’t go around the Beltway at 100 miles per hour,” said Loux. He noted that neither he nor any of his friends has ever been involved in a motorcycle accident.

“You need to be a skilled rider,” agreed Barshop, who advises newcomers learn to ride on a small bike so they can learn to control the weight of the machine under them.

Barshop works to hone his safety practices, because he wants to keep riding for a very long time.

“To me, riding means freedom,” he said.

For those interested in buying their own set of wheels, Popular Mechanics suggests keeping these questions in mind: • Are you an experienced rider? Don’t buy a motorcycle until you’ve taken a course and become licensed so you can ride legally.

• What type of riding do you intend to do? The kind of bike you would buy for recreational use might be different from the kind you would use for your daily form of transportation.

• How much do you want to spend? You can buy used or new, and spend anywhere from $5,000 to $35,000 or more. Determine your budget before going shopping.

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15

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

Money

DRUG PLANS ARE CHANGING Your Medicare Part D plan may no longer be offered, and those that remain will most likely cost more due to additional coverage in the “donut hole” mandated by healthcare reform IRAs BETTER EXPLAINED The rules on withdrawing from your IRA or Roth IRA can be confusing. Learn the basics, as well as how to set up a lifetime annuity from your IRA

Free long-distance calls via the Internet The first time my daughter went over- and feels just like the phone you’re used seas with her college classmates, I called to. But more often you’ll be making calls directly from your computer our cell phone company to inquire about international conor laptop. nection plans. For just $6 a Why would you want to month, they told me, I could learn about anything that sounds as intimidating as that? get “discounted” calls to wherBecause if you want to keep in ever my daughter traveled. touch with friends or relatives Some $200 in “discounted” calling charges later — which in foreign lands, it can save you added up to less than two a fortune.

Calling internationally from hours of phone time — I realan ordinary landline or cell ized that what I bought was MONEY phone can cost upward of $2 a an expensive lesson on inter- MATTERS minute, even after buying a national dialing. I’ve since By Kathy Kristof discounted calling plan. learned that keeping in touch Buy AT&T’s World Travelwith friends and relatives overseas can be cheap — sometimes even er plan for $5.99 a month and your interfree — but you may need to learn how to national cell roaming rates when calling talk into your computer screen. your child in Australia, for example, would “Making calls without an overseas num- drop from $1.69 a minute to $1.29 a ber is frightfully expensive,” said Mark minute. That means you’ll still pay $77.40 Lowenstein, managing director of Mobile an hour.

Ecosystems, a Boston telecommunications Got a grandchild who likes to text-mesconsulting firm. “The best way to call is on sage? Each “whazup?” could cost $1. a laptop.”

Besides, despite the incomprehensible name, VoIP is actually simple, as long as All about VoIP you have the proper equipment.

This is a beginner’s guide to making To make it work, you’ll need a highphone calls on your computer using Voice speed Internet connection and a lateover Internet Protocol, or VoIP for short. model computer or laptop — ideally with a Voice over Internet converts the sound built-in Web cam (a camera that focuses on of your voice into a digital signal that trav- the computer user whenever activated). els over the Internet and is received just If either your computer or your Internet like an ordinary phone call. connection is slow, your phone calls can In some cases, you can make these calls freeze up and make communication diffiusing a pre-programmed phone that looks cult, if not impossible.

Setting up Skype Let’s look at how you’d set up on Skype, the largest of the half-dozen companies offering phone service through Internet connections.

Assuming you’re signing up to keep in touch with a particular person (or people) as cheaply as possible, you should encourage those individuals to also sign up and give you their Skype contact information.

Skype-to-Skype calls are free, no matter the distance.

To sign up, go to Skype.com and click on “get Skype.” The company’s software will automatically detect whether you’re calling from a Windows-based computer or a Mac and will suggest the proper software.

You’re going to click on “download now” and click again to accept Skype’s “terms of service.” (The terms of service are largely boilerplate, but they specify that Skype can’t be used to replace your landline because it doesn’t offer emergency phone services, such as 911.)

Your next step is to add contacts. If you’ve set up the service with a friend who has already told you his or her contact name in the Skype directory, simply type in the name. Skype will then send your contact request to that person for approval — much like a “friend request” on Facebook.

Once he or she has accepted, that person’s contact information appears in your contact directory. Calling that individual then becomes as simple as clicking that person’s name and then the “call” or “video call” button on the screen.

If you don’t know whether someone you’d like to call has Skype, you can look up that person in the Skype directory by typing in the name. The system will then list all the like-named individuals and where they are to help you determine whether the person you’re looking for is on the list.

If the friend you want to call happens to be online, your Skype call will pop up on that person’s screen. All your friend has to do is click on “answer” and the built-in microphones on your computer or laptop will allow you to hear each other. If you’ve chosen “video call,” your Web cam will allow you to see each other, too.

By the way, if your computer or laptop doesn’t have a built-in Web cam, you can purchase one separately at a modest cost and set it on top of your monitor.

Using a phone Need to call someone who isn’t online?

You can click the “call phones” button with Skype and plug in the phone number. But that call will cost you, though nothing like international landline long distance.

The company’s “unlimited” calling plans start at $2.99 a month, said Simon Longbottom, Skype’s director of product marketing. Calling without a plan costs about 2 cents a minute.

To complete a call to a landline, you’ll need to “buy Skype credit” or sign up for a monthly service plan. Either feature works See FREE CALLS, page 17

It pays to shop around, even for funerals

By David Pitt Funeral arrangements are among the steepest expenses we’ll face, but many important decisions are made emotionally rather than with a close eye on costs.

“It doesn’t matter how much you spend, it doesn’t make a person any less dead. It doesn’t mean you love them any more or less and it isn’t going to bring them back,” said Josh Slocum, executive director of Funeral Consumers Alliance, a Vermontbased nonprofit advocacy group.

He said funerals should be treated like any other consumer transaction by com-

paring costs and services. Charges at different funeral homes in the same metropolitan area can vary by thousands of dollars, so it pays to shop around.

A federal law enforced by the Federal Trade Commission makes comparison shopping much easier today than it was a generation ago.

The law, called the funeral rule, requires funeral directors to provide an itemized list of services and their costs. It was designed to ease the pressure on consumers to buy bundled services, some of which they may not need.

New choices in caskets The rule also stopped funeral directors from forcing consumers to buy a casket from them, often at inflated prices. Funeral homes must accept a casket or urn purchased elsewhere.

In recent years, competition has increased with online and discount retailers offering consumers more choices than ever. Caskets, for example, can be bought from Walmart and Costco.

It’s all good for consumers, who for decades had little choice but to buy from their local funeral home, said Matthew

Contor, an antitrust attorney and partner with the New York-based law firm Constantine Cannon.

“If we allow for competition to flourish rather than for it to be stunted, consumers will have the opportunity to get the most quality and least cost for funeral products and services,” he said.

A cautionary note about buying caskets or funeral supplies from an online vendor: Make sure the casket can be delivered to the funeral home on time, said James Olson, funeral director at the LippertSee FUNERAL PLANNING, page 16

16

Law & Money

Funeral planning From page 15 Olson Funeral Home in Sheboygan, Wis. Although funeral homes must comply with the FTC rules, it’s important to know that online vendors and cemeteries do not, said Olson, who also is a spokesman for the National Funeral Directors Association, a trade group.

That could soon change, however.

A bill, sponsored by Rep. Bobby Rush, an Illinois Democrat, would require the FTC to regulate other funeral services vendors including cemeteries. A congres-

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

sional committee approved the bill in July, and it is now awaiting consideration by the full House.

Funeral planning advice Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for funeral services, whether you’re planning for yourself or arranging the funeral of a loved one.

1. Know your consumer rights.

Anyone who walks into a funeral home and inquires must be given a general price list. Customers must be allowed to take this list home to consider the costs.

If you shop by telephone, funeral direc-

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tors are required to provide price information to callers.

Funeral homes often offer packages, but consumers have the right to choose only the separate goods and services they want.

Sometimes packages cost less than their individual components. If you’re comparing one funeral home to another, make sure the packages include the same set of services.

The FTC outlines the funeral rule and provides more guidance online at http:// tiny.cc/5ort5.

The national funeral directors trade group offers a consumers bill of rights at http://tinyurl.com/25cbmge.

2. Avoid emotional overspending.

Emotions at the time of a death can often drive family members to overspend.

“The peculiarity of this business is that its profitability is dependent necessarily on how much you spend in a vulnerable and grief-stricken time,” Slocum said. “There’s no other transaction like it.”

But it’s important to keep in mind the family budget, wishes of the deceased, and religious and cultural traditions.

The average cost of a full-service funeral can approach $10,000, but that includes a lot of services many families may not feel they need, such as embalming or the costs of a public viewing.

Slocum cringes at such an estimate, saying it can cause consumers to think that’s what should be spent for a “traditional” or “normal” funeral, suggesting anything less would be inadequate.

Other less costly options are available including direct burial or direct cremation.

Direct burial includes a simple container and burial shortly after death. Similarly, direct cremation occurs shortly after death, with the remains placed in an urn or other container.

These services don’t include viewing or visitation, which reduces the single most expensive aspect of a funeral — the casket.

Also, no embalming is necessary, which cuts costs by hundreds of dollars.

This point raises a common misperception that embalming is required by law. It isn’t in most cases, a fact that should be disclosed on the funeral home’s price list.

In Maryland, D.C. and Virginia, embalming is not generally required unless extended viewing or an open casket is requested.

3. Understand basics about the casket and burial containers.

Costs can range from a few hundred dollars to $5,000 or more. Funeral homes are required to provide a written casket price

list before they show clients the caskets. If you don’t see lower-priced options on display, ask to see them.

Often, grave liners or burial vaults also are sold to protect the casket. State laws do not require a vault or liner. Some cemeteries require an outer burial container to prevent a grave from sinking.

Like caskets, funeral directors must show you a price list for grave liners and vaults and must allow you to use one purchased elsewhere.

4. Exercise caution if pre-planning your own funeral.

Planning a funeral and paying in advance for services and a cemetery plot is a thoughtful way to help a family through the difficult time of a loved one’s death.

However, many cases have surfaced in recent years in which millions of dollars of prepaid money was stolen by unethical business owners. Caution is advised when considering prepayment.

Slocum, the consumer advocate, recommends planning ahead but keeping the money in a family bank account. It should be set up so it’s payable on death to the family member who will be in charge of arrangements.

It’s important to have a conversation with family members about your wishes, the plans you’ve made, and information about the account set up for payment.

Comparable consumer protections are in place for pre-need customers. Funeral directors must provide a price list and are prohibited from offering only package funerals.

It’s a good idea to discuss any preplanning contract with an attorney or financial planner before signing.

5. Seek help if a funeral or costs were not right.

For consumers who run into problems, there are a few avenues for redress.

If you have a problem with funeral arrangements that cannot be resolved with the funeral director, see the Funeral Consumers Alliance advice on how to file a complaint at: http://tinyurl.com/25b7nek.

The National Funeral Directors Association has a help line at 1-800-228-6332.

What’s more, all states but Colorado and Hawaii have a funeral board or agency that regulates funeral directors. Complaints may be directed to them. State attorneys general have consumer affairs divisions that also can help. Find your state attorney general’s office at http://www.naag.org.

If local assistance isn’t working, a complaint can be filed with the FTC. Visit www.ftc.gov or call 1-877-382-4357.

— AP

BEACON BITS

Nov. 12

LEARN ABOUT REVERSE MORTGAGES BCASCO, the Baltimore County Association of Senior Citizens Or-

ganizations, will present “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Reverse Mortgages — An Educational, Not a Sales Presentation” on Friday, Nov. 12, from 9:45 a.m. to noon at the Towson United Methodist Church, Dulaney Valley Rd. and Hampton Ln., Beltway Exit 27B. For more information, contact Beth Wiseman at (410) 484-6866.

17

Law & Money

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

Clearing up confusions over IRA topics I’ve never seen so much confusion and expressed incorrectly in the financial about a financial topic as with the five-year press. (The rules, filled with jargon, are rule for Roth IRA withexplained in IRS Publication drawals. But even traditional 590 available at www.irs.gov.)

IRAs continue to raise quesMany people also misintertions for many. This column pret the rules. addresses some common Direct contributions concerns.

Let’s start with direct conCountless readers believe tributions. It is stated often — incorrectly that they can’t I’ve done it myself — that you withdraw money that’s been can take money out of a Roth in their Roth IRAs less than IRA tax-free and penalty free five years, whether it came “if the money has been in the from a direct contribution or a THE SAVINGS account for at least five years conversion from a traditional GAME By Humberto Cruz and you are at least 59-and-aIRA. (This mistaken belief dehalf.” ters many from considering a But that doesn’t mean (the common conversion.)

Others realize they can make with- misinterpretation) that all withdrawals drawals before five years — actually, at any made before 59-and-a-half and before five time — but believe they will owe taxes years are taxed or penalized. You can withdraw direct contributions at any time for and/or penalties, which isn’t always true.

Part of the confusion stems from the any reason without taxes or penalties.

If you have contributed $10,000 to your fact there are two different five-year rules — one for direct contributions and one for Roth IRA over the years, for example, you can always withdraw $10,000 without tax converted amounts.

Unfortunately, for the sake of brevity, consequences.

Taxes or penalties, if any, would apply the rules are almost always oversimplified

Free calls From page 15 much like making any other online purchase. You enter your credit card or PayPal information and the vendor charges your account.

The one funky thing: Even with a highspeed connection and a fast computer, those video calls are a little like old “Godzilla” movies. You can often hear the conversation before you see your friend’s lips moving.

Longbottom said Skype continues to

work on call quality, but acknowledges that slow Internet networks — or even straying too far from the source of the wireless signal — can affect performance.

Still, my $200 European phone bill could have been cut to $2 using a VoIP service like Skype. I’m willing to put up with a little bit of funkiness to save $198.

Kathy M. Kristof welcomes your comments and suggestions but regrets that she cannot respond individually to letters or phone calls.

E-mail her at kathykristof24@gmail.com. © 2010 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

ELDER LAW, ESTATE AND SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING

only to withdrawals of the earnings beyond the $10,000 contributions. And the penalty, which is 10 percent, would apply only to IRA holders under 59-and-a-half.

Also, for all withdrawals to be tax-free and penalty-free, the money does not really have to be “in the account for at least five years.” The five-year holding period for direct contributions actually starts the first day of the tax year for which you made your first contribution to any Roth IRA account — not necessarily the one from which you are withdrawing the money.

Say you made your first Roth IRA contribution, no matter how small, on April 15, 2010, but the contribution was for the 2009 tax year. You will meet the five-year rule

for withdrawals of direct contributions, including any future ones to any Roth IRA account, on Jan. 1, 2014.

Complications with conversions With money converted from a traditional IRA to a Roth, the rules get more complicated.

When you convert, you pay tax just as if you just withdrew money from the traditional IRA but without any 10 percent penalty even if you’re under 59-and-a-half. You can withdraw the entire converted amount at any time without paying any more regular taxes because you were already taxed at the time you made the conversion.

See IRA TOPICS, page 20

Police Speak Out Supporting Slots at Arundel Mills “Slots will NOT be located in the mall, but in a separate building with entry only to those 21 and over. Arundel Mills is the ideal location for slots and will not increase crime in the area. The tens of millions of dollars each year that the Arundel Mills facility will generate will help ensure police, fire and EMS providers have the critical funding to keep our neighborhoods safe.”

— Corporal O’Brien Atkinson, President, Anne Arundel County Fraternal Order of Police

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18

Law & Money

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Law & Money

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Medicare drug plans to change, cost more

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar Millions of seniors face double-digit hikes in their Medicare prescription premiums next year unless they shop for cheaper coverage, a new analysis of government data finds.

Premiums will go up an average of 10 percent among the top 10 drug plans that have signed up about 70 percent of seniors,

according to an analysis of Medicare data

by Avalere Health, a private research firm.

In part, the higher prices are to help pay for a new benefit mandated by healthcare reform: a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs for those who land in the program’s coverage gap, the dreaded “doughnut hole.”

An individual reaches the hole after their first $2,830 in prescription drugs is

purchased (for which plans pay 75 percent, after a deductible is met). While in the hole, beneficiaries pay the full cost of drugs until they have spent a total of $4,550 out of pocket for the year. At that point, near-full coverage kicks in.

The donut hole will be gradually phased out entirely by 2020, under the new healthcare law. Seniors don’t have to take any ac-

IRA topics

amount before age 59-and-a-half, unless you meet a five-year rule that applies to each conversion, or unless any of a dozen other exceptions listed on Publication 590 applies. Once you reach 59-and-a-half, the converted principal can always be with-

drawn without taxes or penalties.

For all withdrawals from conversions to be tax-free (both converted amount and subsequent earnings), you must meet the conversion five-year rule.

A separate five-year waiting period starts the first day of the tax year you make each conversion. If you made a conversion in 2009, even on Dec. 31, the five-year period for that conversion is met on Jan. 1, 2014.

Q: Down the road, maybe when I turn 65, could I convert my six-figure traditional IRA to an immediate lifetime income annuity without taking a big hit on taxes? I’m not sure how this would work.

A: If you cash in your traditional IRA and then buy a lifetime income annuity with the proceeds, you would — ouch! — be liable for all taxes due on the entire IRA balance.

Fortunately, you don’t have to do that.

From page 17 But since you avoided the 10 percent penalty on conversion, you will have to pay the penalty if you withdraw the converted

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tion to qualify for the 50 percent discount.

Big changes to many plans Marketing for next year’s drug plans started Oct. 1, and seniors will see some of the biggest changes since the Medicare prescription benefit became available in 2006.

See MEDICARE PLANS, page 21

You can instead transfer all or part of your traditional IRA into a new IRA that is in the form of a lifetime annuity that pays you a monthly income for life. This, by the way, is what I have done with part of my IRA money.

Insurance companies that issue lifetime income annuities can help with the paperwork so the annuity is properly set up as an IRA. The transfer of the IRA money would not incur any taxes.

You would, however, owe taxes on the income payments you receive from the annuity, which would be considered IRA withdrawals.

Send questions or comments to Humberto Cruz at AskHumberto@aol.com or c/o Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Buffalo, NY 14207. Personal replies are not possible.

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Medicare plans From page 20 More than 17 million are enrolled in private drug plans offered through Medicare.

“People are just going to have to get on top of this and shop around,” said Dan Mendelson, president of Avalere, which does research for industry and government. “Beneficiaries are really going to have to reassess their plans for next year.”

In Maryland and the District of Columbia, Medicare recipients have 45 plans to choose from, with monthly premiums ranging from $11.60 to $120.20. In Virginia, there are 44 plans available, ranging from $16.30 to $97.90 a month.

Changes decreed by Medicare to force insurers to winnow down duplicative plans could cause some head-scratching and confusion.

More than 3 million seniors will see their plans discontinued, according to Avalere. Medicare says all but 300,000 will be seamlessly switched to another plan offered by the same insurer, but the Avalere data suggest it may not be that simple.

Medicare “is really reshaping the market,” said Mendelson. “There are a lot of plans that are shutting down.”

Among them is the second-largest, the AARP MedicareRx Saver plan, with more than 1.5 million members nationally. It’s being discontinued in 2011, according to Medicare data analyzed by Avalere.

Seniors in the AARP Saver plan are expected to be switched to AARP MedicareRx Preferred, the leading national plan with nearly 2.8 million members. Both are offered by UnitedHealthcare.

The switch will raise premiums by about $4/month on average for seniors in the Saver plan if they decide to stay in the Preferred plan next year. Meanwhile, seniors who are already in the AARP Preferred plan and decide to stay will see their premiums fall on average by about $4/month.

Plans with the biggest increases The study found the biggest percentage increase in premiums — nearly 43 percent — will be for the First Health Part D Premier Plus plan, offered by Coventry Healthcare. Average monthly premiums will rise from under $64 to nearly $91.

Margaret Nowak, who worked on the study for Avalere, said the jump is due partly to Medicare’s restructuring and partly to the plan offering better coverage in the doughnut hole, including some brand-name drugs. Only about one-third of plans will offer coverage in the gap next year, mainly for generics.

A spokesman for Coventry did not respond to a request for comment.

Another popular option that will see a significant increase is the Humana Enhanced plan, which offers some coverage in the gap. Premiums will rise by about 8 percent on average, to nearly $45.

21

Law & Money

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

“We tried to keep consumers’ premiums as close as possible to last year’s,” said Humana spokesman Tom Noland.

Seven of the top 10 national plans will charge higher premiums next year, the study found.

Medicare officials did not dispute Avalere’s numbers, but they said they calculate changes in premiums differently.

Timothy Hill, deputy director of the division that oversees the drug plans, said that

among other things, Medicare makes an assumption that seniors facing a premium increase will switch to a lower-cost plan that covers their drugs.

Medicare estimates that premiums will go up by $1 on average next year, or 3 percent.

“We believe our analysis stands,” said Hill. “Beneficiaries are going to see a modest change to their premiums, and their benefits are going to be better.”

— AP

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NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Careers Volunteers &

Does your organization use senior volunteers or do you employ a number of seniors?

If you do and you’d like to be considered for a story in our Volunteers & Careers section, please send an e-mail to info@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

Docs and medics have scalpel, will travel Murphy and his volunteers typically arrive on a Saturday, and evaluate 150 to 200 cases beginning Sunday morning. Their patients arrive from across the country, often dressed in their “Sunday best.”

Surgery marathon From Monday through Friday, Murphy and his team perform surgeries for 12 to 14 hours a day. The following Saturday is a final post-op evaluation of the patients, and then the team heads home.

Once Murphy and his volunteers leave La Romana, local physicians take over the care of the patients, but Murphy is available for phone consultations until his return visit the following April, when he may see a number of the patients for follow-up.

During the hectic week in La Romana, Murphy himself performs approximately 40 “pretty complex” operations, treating a variety of injuries and disorders, including congenital birth defects, severe burns from working with primitive cooking equipment, and injuries suffered from working with techniques and machinery long out-of-date in our own country.

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For cases that require even more specific expertise, such as a recently performed hip replacement, Murphy will recruit another surgeon to join them.

“It’s a shoestring operation,” said Murphy, “but we have a small basic hospital set up with two operating rooms running ever y day. This kind of care is not available to the residents there otherwise,” he added.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNION MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

By Carol Sorgen Orthopedic surgeon Michael Murphy — an attending surgeon at Union Memorial Hospital and a member of Greater Chesapeake Hand Specialists — spends most of the year operating on patients right here in Baltimore.

But twice a year, Murphy leads a group of medically trained volunteers to the Dominican Republic city of La Romana, where they examine and treat about 150 residents during a week-long stay. Their next trip begins Nov. 6, with a follow-up trip scheduled for April 2011.

The biannual missions were begun more than 15 years ago by Dr. Shaw Wilgis, a former member of Greater Chesapeake Hand Specialists. Murphy took over leadership of the missions in 2002.

For each visit, he recruits different nurses from his practice, as well as medical residents and fellows from hospitals in the Baltimore-Washington region, to accompany him.

Prior to the team’s arrival, patients are evaluated by physicians in La Romana to determine who will see the Baltimore group.

Making a difference The missions not only provide the residents of La Romana with first-rate medical care, but also give Murphy and his team an opportunity to use their medical skills in ways and in situations that are different from what they see in their day-to-day practice in the U.S. For the medical residents and fellows who ac- Orthopedic surgeon Michael Murphy travels to the Docompany him, the trips minican Republic twice a year with a group of fellow also provide “real-world” doctors and medics to treat the locals for a variety of inexperience that differs juries and disorders. He operated on the thumb of this young patient. from what they gain in this country.

“That’s why we all went into medicine in For Murphy — who credits his team for the first place. We don’t always have the doing most of the hard work — the twice- same impact at home.” yearly trips give him a great sense of satisThe trips are sponsored by the Dorothy faction, especially when helping La Ro- Scott Fund at Union Memorial Hospital, mana’s children. with additional funding provided by the “What we can do for them has a major Dominican Republic’s Central Medical impact on their quality of life,” he said. Corporation.

Baltimore City Health Department Senior Community Service Employment Program • Employment training for seniors • Be placed in non-profit or government agencies to train for a new job • Earn $7.25/hour while training • Required to train a minimum of 20 hours per week • Must be 55 or older, unemployed and a resident of Baltimore City

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Volunteers & Careers

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

23

Promoting volunteerism, encore careers

By Delia Sava In 1993, following the death of his wife from cancer, Gary Maxworthy retired after 32 years of experience in the food brokerage business. He joined Americorps VISTA and volunteered at a food bank, where he came up with solutions to problems he identified in the distribution system for produce.

Maxworthy came up with a plan. He convinced the food banks to band together and devised a system for growers to donate large amounts that had previously been tossed because it was less than perfect.

At the Governor’s Summit on Civic Engagement in September at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, Maxworthy’s story was held up as a shining example of what baby boomers can contribute as they enter retirement.

A cross-section of leaders who work in local and state aging networks was invited to participate in the day-long summit. The goal was to shape initiatives designed to increase the number of Marylanders over 50 who give back to society by promoting the value of community service, identifying and engaging stakeholders, and creating a sustainable infrastructure.

For the past 18 months, Maryland has been one of six states selected by the National Governor’s Association to participate in a “policy academy” on civic engagement for older adults. The goals were to increase older adults’ participation in community service, the labor market and lifelong learning.

Maryland ranks 14th among the states in volunteer rates among those 65 and older and 20th for baby boomers, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Older adults in general regularly volunteer at a far higher rate than younger people. In Maryland, the median number of hours those age 55 to 64 volunteer each year is 64, while it’s more than 100 for those 65 and older.

tank, lauded Maxworthy in his keynote address at the summit. Maxworthy was one of the recipients of the $100,000 Purpose Prize, awarded by Freedman’s organization to social innovators over 60 who create new methods for solving society’s biggest problems.

As people move from “aspiration to action” in finding innovative ways to be engaged in their communities, they will need assistance and support, Freedman said.

“You can’t have a 30-year retirement,” said Freedman about the 78 million baby boomers making the transition to the next phase of their life.

He launched Encore Careers, an organization that helps aging baby boomers combine purpose, passion and a paycheck. A project of Civic Ventures, it offers advice, educational and training resources, employment opportunities and fellowships at its website, www.encore.org.

Citing developmental psychologist Erik Erikson’s oft-quoted statement, “I am what survives of me,” Freedman spoke of the baby boomers’ realization that the world they are passing on to future generations may not be better off than the one they inherited from their parents.

Freedman noted that society would realize a tremendous return on experience by utilizing the talents of this population.

“This could be transformative to get the culture back on track,” he said.

Freedman has written three books on the topics of meaningful work and volunteerism in later life. And a new book, Shift, the invention of a new stage of life after the middle years, will be published in February 2011.

He also co-founded Experience Corps, one of the largest national, nonprofit service programs for people over 55. Participants work as tutors and mentors of elementary school students, and have not only made measurable improvements to classrooms, but have improved their own health in the process. For more information, visit www.experiencecorps.org.

Finding a purpose Marc Freedman, founder and CEO of Civic Ventures, a San Francisco-based think

Locating opportunities Also at the summit, Maryland resident

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Ongoing

SERVICE MATCHES VOLUNTEERS WITH JOBS

Baltimore County Volunteers (BCV) will help match your skills, talents and interests with a fulfilling volunteer opportunity. Learn what’s available from the booklet, “Volunteer Opportunities Directory,” published annually. Sign up on the interactive volunteer matching website at www.baltimorecountymd.gov (click on “Volunteer Today”) or call (410) 887-2715 to discuss your interests.

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Volunteer MD, a program of the Governor’s Office, mobilizes volunteers to serve critical community needs across the state. Volunteers tutor at-risk youth, protect the Chesapeake Bay, deliver meals to homeless or homebound individuals, provide neighborhood safety patrols and more. To learn more, call (410) 767-6231 or visit www.volunteerMD.org.

W. Lee Hammond, national president of AARP, spoke about the group’s initiative, Create the Good.

Through its website and searchable database at www.createthegood.org, the program helps match people looking to volunteer in their localities with opportunities posted by numerous nonprofits.

Currently more than 9 million older adults are working with AARP as volunteers, donors and activists. Four in 10 older Americans say they want to help even more than they do now, according to AARP. Rawle Andrews Jr., senior state director for AARP Maryland, said, “One of the things that AARP is committed to is our

motto to serve, not to be served. So when we were approached about a summit to bring together leaders on aging and second half of life services, we ran to be part of this opportunity.”

The summit gave participants an opportunity to share “best practices” and explore new ideas, as well as make connections with others who share similar goals.

Michael Marcus, program director for older adults with the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation in Baltimore, said the question of how we can best use this extraordinary resource to better our communities is one of the critical questions of our time.

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Volunteers & Careers

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

25

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

Travel Leisure &

Branson, Mo., has shows, shopping and more. See story on page 27.

Where wildlife (and tourists) take refuge it’s good news that the BP oil spill has had no impact and isn’t expected to in the future.

During winter, huge populations of migrant and resident birds join human visitors from the north to bask in the sun.

More than 100 islands just offshore range from tiny, uninhabited mangrove clusters to large beach-rimmed keys.

Given their hospitable climate, stretches of inviting flatland and rich supplies of fish and other food sources, the islands attracted Calusa Indians as early as 1150 B.C. The tribe remained there into the 1700s, when it fell prey to diseases carried

by Spanish settlers. Indian ceremonial, burial and refuse shell mounds still serve as reminders of their long stay.

Famous snowbirds

Kayakers at the Ding Darling refuge can view some of the 300 species of birds that nest there.

The Green Room on Cabbage Key near Ft. Myers earns its name from the autographed dollar bills thousands of patrons have tacked to the restaurant’s walls and ceiling.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LEE COUNTY VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU

More recent inhabitants included some with familiar names. Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone were among well-known winter residents of the region.

The Edison home in Fort Myers, set on a 14-acre riverfront estate, is a charming old-Florida house. It is nestled among botanical gardens that contain species of plants and flowers that were included for their scientific value.

The home of Edison’s next-door neighbor, Henry Ford, is a more modest bungalow. On display are Model A and T cars from the early 1900s.

The homes are open to visitors daily.

See the website of the Edison and Ford

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LEE COUNTY VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU

By Victor Block Years ago, a group of onlookers applauded enthusiastically as a ceremonial shovelful of dirt launched construction of a golf course overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Just then, a southern bald eagle flew over the crowd, landed on its nest in the forest that was about to be razed, and settled onto a pair of eggs.

Today, the aptly named Sanctuary housing community, and its magnificent golf layout, surround an island of trees that was preserved so construction would not disturb the eagles’ habitat.

To those who live in the Ft. Myers and Sanibel area, on the western coast of southern Florida, this was but another example of what makes that corner of the state so special. Many visitors go there to soak up the sun and escape the winter cold further north.

Others are seashell collectors attracted by perfect conditions that strew beaches with some 300 multicolored species of mollusks — more varieties than anywhere else in North America.

It was the call of Mother Nature that lured me to the area and resulted in my leaving singing her praises. The natural environment thrives in over one million acres of sanctuaries that have been preserved and protected.

Unspoiled wetlands set off miles of white sand beaches. Virgin forests and swamplands remain hidden from the invasion of development. Given the beauty of the beaches,

Winter Estates at www.efwefla.org for more information.

Not being a knowledgeable shell collector, a visit to the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum provided me with a surprisingly interesting introduction (without the sand and stooping).

Little did I know about the roles that shells have played in history, art, medicine, religion and other fields. Exhibits of stinging and poisonous shells, and a two-story tall globe surrounded by shells from around the world, often attract the largest crowds.

A different kind of shell caught my attention at the Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife, which rescues a virtual Noah’s Ark of injured and abandoned animals. A turtle with a fish hook protruding from its mouth, and an armadillo with a fractured shield and spine, were among temporary residents when I was there.

Live video cameras in eight cages provide intimate views of patients on the mend, while a rather gory peek into the stomach of a pelican model with several fish hooks embedded in vital organs left me feeling guilty about the harm humans can impose upon helpless creatures.

Up close and personal In addition to created environments, close encounters with unspoiled nature

also are close by. The Ding Darling refuge is a good example.

Hugging the north side of Sanibel Island, this quaintly named preserve is conveniently accessible from the main highway. Yet as soon as you turn onto the four-mile-long dirt road that bisects the 6,400-acre tract, you immediately enter a very different world.

Water flats and mangrove forests stretch out from both sides of the roadway. Stands of sea grape, salt myrtle and cabbage palms provide a lush backdrop. Canoe and kayak trails wind through the thick growth.

Short walkways lead to scenic overlooks and jut out into mud flats where birds congregate. Nearly 300 species of birds find refuge at Ding Darling. As a neophyte watcher, I appreciated the fact that many cooperate by hanging out near signs with an identifying picture.

Also of interest is the name of the refuge. J.N. “Ding” Darling was a leading political cartoonist and winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, in 1923 and 1942.

Other than poking fun at politicians, conservation was his passion, and he worked ecological themes into many of his drawings. The refuge that bears his name is a fitting tribute to that interest.

At first introduction, the Six-Mile CySee FT. MYERS, page 26

26

Leisure & Travel

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Ft. Myers From page 25 press Slough Preserve resembles a miniDarling setting. It has similar water flats, stands of subtropical ferns, and the ubiquitous herons and egrets. The sun filters through a high canopy of leaves and, other than the hushed voices of visitors, the only sounds are the rustling of tree branches and cries of resident birds.

However, closer inspection reveals intriguing differences. A mile-long boardwalk leads through the heart of the 2,000acre preserve. The setting evolves from pine flatwoods, to a central wet area, to an inner island of higher elevation hammock.

During my immersion in this setting, I learned that the word “slough” is pronounced “slew,” and that it differs from a swamp because water flows though a

slough. Another interesting fact is that SixMile Cypress Preserve actually is nine miles long. (Its name refers to its distance from Fort Myers.)

Exploring by boat As intriguing as I found them, the wetland preserves so prevalent throughout the area play second fiddle to the open waters that criss-cross the region, and the islands they surround.

A good way to get out and about to explore this aquatic environment is in a tour boat that follows the watery byways.

The Lady Chadwick operated by Captiva Cruises offers a choice of itineraries, and I opted for the voyage to Cabbage Key. It wasn’t long after leaving the dock that we encountered several dolphins and, at the urging of the boat captain, yelled and whistled as they cavorted in the wake of the vessel.

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Ignoring disapproving glances of people aboard passing boats, we learned — as our captain had explained — that noise encourages the Flipper-look-alikes to continue their delightful play.

The hour-long ride ended at the Cabbage Key dock. The tone of that fun and funky destination was set by a handmade sign that greets passengers as they disembark. Its message, reportedly conveyed to help conserve scarce fresh water, is “Shower with a friend.”

A hiking trail begins at a water tower that is topped by an osprey nest, follows narrow canals that once served as roads connecting Indian dwellings, and meanders past mounds on which those residences were built. The height of each mound served as an indication of the status of the family that lived in the structure, The center of action on the island is a somewhat ramshackle inn that occupies a building constructed in the 1930s by mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart.

Overnight accommodations are in six guest rooms and several cozy cottages.

The inn’s restaurant specializes in fresh seafood and homemade Key lime pie.

Patrons at the bar are bombarded by reggae music and the sounds of entertainer Jimmy Buffet, who is said to drop by now and then.

The bartender volunteered the information that the popular song writer penned the words to “Cheeseburger in Paradise” in honor of the one listed on the Cabbage Key restaurant menu. When pressed, however, he conceded that other dining establishments also make that claim.

Another claim to fame is a collection of autographed $1 bills that paper the restaurant’s walls. Estimates of their total value range as high as $20,000, and those that occasionally come loose and fall to the floor are donated to charity.

The story goes that sometime in the dim past, a local fisherman tacked up the

STATE HONORARY CHAIRPERSON

Honorable Martin O’Malley Governor of the State of Maryland

Oct. 27

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The Pink Shell Beach Resort is well located to enjoy both natural and man-made attractions of the area. Situated on 12 acres along Fort Myers beach, it has three heated swimming pools, recreational programs for guests of all age, and a long list of other amenities.

Suites comfortably accommodate up to six people, and the full kitchen can stretch dining dollars for those willing to eat in. Rates for two people sharing a room begin at $169 during NovemberDecember and $189 in January-February.

Special package plans are available on the website at www.pinkshell.com. For more information, call (888) 222-7465.

The three restaurants at Pink Shell provide plenty of incentive not to venture further. I alternated pasta dishes ($8.95$15.95) with fresh fish entrees, which begin at $14.95 and are accompanied by bountiful servings of sides .

A personal favorite was a fried grouper sandwich with excellent “island slaw” ($10.95). French fry fans face a difficult choice of garlic, BBQ rubbed or cinnamon sweet potato varieties ($1.95).

AirTran offers the lowest mid-November round-trip fare from BWI Marshall Airport at $221.

For more information about visiting the area, call (800) 237-6444 or log onto www.fortmyerssanibel.com.

Victor Block is a Washington, D.C.-based travel writer.

TOUR CIVIL WAR COLLECTIONS IN GETTYSBURG

Join the Cockeysville Senior Center on Wednesday, Oct. 27, for a visit to Gettysburg, Pa. Tour the Civil War Collections and the battlefields, then enjoy lunch at General Pickett’s Buffet. Cost is $82 per person.

Call (410) 887-7694 for reservations.

Oct. 28

TOUR BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY

Visit the nation’s largest and most decorated battleship, the New Jersey. The Jacksonville Senior Center will sponsor this trip to Camden, NJ on Thursday, Oct. 28. Cost is $80. Call (410) 887-1841 for information and reservations.

Sponsored by the

Maryland Respite Care Coalition, Inc. (MRCC)

Where to stay, eat

BEACON BITS

NATIONAL HONORARY CHAIRPERSON

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski

first bill with his name on it, so he could be certain to have a frosty brew waiting on his return trip to the island. Now so many visitors leave their money and their mark that I had trouble finding a clear spot on which to memorialize my presence.

Someday I hope to return to reclaim the beverage that my token offering represents. I also hope to recapture the scenery and serenity of Fort Myers and Sanibel.

Nov. 4

LUNCH AND A SHOW IN LANCASTER

Take in a performance of Church Basement Ladies and have lunch at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in Lancaster, Pa., on Thursday, Nov. 4. The cost is $74, and the trip is sponsored by the Ateaze Senior Center.

Call (410) 285-0481.

Nov. 17

IT’S HOLIDAY TIME

Enjoy The Christmas Show at the American Music Theater in Lancaster, Pa., on Wednesday, Nov. 17. You’ll also lunch at Hershey Farm Restaurant. Edgemere Senior Center is sponsoring this trip, and the cost is $78. Call (410) 887-7530 for reservations.

Leisure & Travel

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

27

Branson, Mo. has something for everyone historic downtown area features Branson Landing, a shopper’s paradise anchored by Bass Pro Shops, with restaurants to suit every palate and a spectacular $7.5 million water fountain that synchronizes light, sound, music and fire.

Larger-than-life museums Within a few-mile radius, visitors can wonder at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, honor those who served our country at the Veteran’s Memorial Museum, greet life-like celebrity figures at the Hollywood Wax Museum, and revisit childhood memories at the World’s Largest Antique Toy Museum.

Perhaps the most interesting and entertaining is the Titanic Museum. This interactive experience, housed in a replica of the front of the ill-fated ship, allows visitors to See BRANSON, page 29

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BRANSON CONVENTION AND TOURIST BUREAU

By Tina Calligas At first glance, Branson, Mo., looks like any other small town in the scenic Ozark Mountains. The downtown area features a main street that is lined with quaint shops like Dick’s Oldtime 5 & 10 and the House of 1000 Clocks.

But take a closer look, and you will find one of the most popular family vacation destinations in the country. Billed as the Live Music Capital of the World, with 100+ shows in 50 theaters, the city also boasts museums, an amusement park, eight championship golf courses, three pristine lakes, shopping and nature trails.

Although many believe Branson’s popularity began with country music, it actually started with a cave. In 1894, Marvel Cavern, which is just outside of the city, was purchased by William Henry Lynch.

This geographic wonder became such a popular destination that in 1960, a theme park called Silver Dollar City was built over and around the cave.

The park includes 60 shops that showcase the talents of master glassblowers, basket weavers, potters, blacksmiths and many other craftsmen. For the young at heart, there are more than 30 thrill rides, live musical performances and shows.

Branson’s Titanic Museum is housed in a replica of the ill-fated ship. The interactive museum gives visitors a taste of what it would have been like to be a passenger or crew member.

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Onstage bonanza Well known for its musical performances — ranging from pop to rock-and-roll, Broadway to country, and gospel to bluegrass — Branson has also become home to world-class comedy, theater magic, acrobatics and religious-themed entertainment.

Many of the theatres offer several shows a day, so in one day you can be thoroughly entertained by the seemingly ageless Paul Revere and the Raiders, the glamour of the musically talented Shoji Tabuchi, and the side-splitting humor of Yakov Smirnoff.

For good old-fashioned fun, take a dinner cruise on the showboat Branson Belle on beautiful Table Rock Lake. Following a three-course dinner, cruisers are treated to a fast-paced show featuring singing, dancing, and the comedy of Todd Oliver and his talking pets.

Or visit the Sight and Sound Theatre for Noah, the Musical. This spectacular production retells the Old Testament story and includes a 300-foot wrap around stage, elaborate costumes and live and animatronic animals.

Branson’s newest production has an international flair. Chun Yi: The Legend of Kung Fu combines the ancient martial arts with the agility of Cirque-style acrobatics to produce a dazzling spectacle that has impressed audiences around the world, including spectators at the Beijing Olympics.

Throughout the Branson area, visitors can find outlet malls, unique galleries focused on arts and crafts, boutique and specialty stores, flea markets and antique shops.

The Lake Taneycomo waterfront in the

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:Xcc +('$)+-$.+00 fi <dX`c J\e`fiC`m`e^7j_\ck\i^ig%Zfd kf `ehl`i\ XYflk \c`^`Y`c`kp i\hl`i\d\ekj Xe[ kf XiiXe^\ X gi`mXk\ kfli% Professionally managed by The Shelter Group. www.thesheltergroup.com The Shelter Group is committed to Equal Housing Opportunities for people of all races, religions, ethnic groups, and disabilities and all other groups protected by federal, state, or local law.

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Leisure & Travel

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Leisure & Travel

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

Branson From page 27 become passengers on that tragic voyage.

Be sure to greet Molly and Carter, King Charles Spaniels, who have been added to the museum as mascots to represent the dogs that were onboard the ship when it sank.

Just outside the city you can hike, rock climb, kayak, canoe, fish, bike, horseback ride, water ski, play golf or tennis, or go parasailing.

Where to eat and sleep Branson dining options include a wide range of American, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Mediterranean restaurants.

Bleu Olive Mediterranean Grille & Bar is a jewel. This spacious contemporary restaurant features a diverse menu that includes baby octopus tempura, Prince Edward Island mussels, slow-braised Australian lamb shank and Spanish paella.

For those craving a bit of American fare, try Famous Dave’s BBQ Restaurant in Branson’s Landing. Be sure to ask for a table on the patio with views of Lake Taneycomo.

There is no shortage of area accommodations that will appeal to all tastes and pocketbooks. Chief among these is the Branson Hilton Convention Hotel, which is conveniently located downtown and across from Branson’s Landing. The hotel offers a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and a 24-hour business center. Rates start at $179 a night. Call (417) 336-5400 or go to www.hilton.com.

For those looking for a more natural setting, the award-winning Chateau on the Lake is one of the most popular resorts among tourists. Located on Table Rock Lake, it has its own marina, spa, an awardwinning restaurant, tennis courts, nature trails, pool, movie theater and child daycare. Rates start at $159 a night. Call 1-888333-LAKE (5253) or go to www.chateauonthelakebranson.com.

AirTran is the only airline that flies to Branson from Baltimore. Round-trip flights start at $320 in mid-November.

For more information about Branson, visit www.explorebranson.com or call 1800-296-0463.

Tina Calligas is editor of The Best of Times, a newspaper for older adults in Shreveport, La.

BEACON BITS

Nov 20

GIFT BAZAAR AND FLEA MARKET RAISES FUNDS

Find that unique gift, delight in home-baked goodies, and stay for lunch at the annual gift bazaar and flea market held at the Timonium United Methodist Church on Saturday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Admission is free. The church is located at 2100 Pot Spring Rd. (at Chantry Rd.) and is sponsored by the United Methodist Women to benefit abused women and children and support other mission programs. For more information, call Polly Downes at (410) 252-0525.

Oct.

FREE FALL IN BALTIMORE

Visit Baltimore’s top area attractions for free during Free Fall Baltimore 2010. Throughout the month of October, 69 local cultural organizations offer exciting arts activities including free admission to museums, puppet shows, art exhibitions, plays, walking tours, opera performances, festivals, dance workshops and more. The fall arts celebration takes place through Sunday, Oct. 31. For a full listing of events and updates, visit www.freefallbaltimore.com. Seating and capacity may be limited; many events require advance reservation.

Ongoing

OPPORTUNITIES AT THE AQUARIUM

The National Aquarium in Baltimore seeks volunteers to promote its mission of stimulating interest in, and developing knowledge about, aquatic environments. Volunteers serve as exhibit guides, information specialists, certified divers, office assistants and behind-the-scenes assistants. Call (410) 576-1015 or visit www.aqua.org to learn more.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BRANSON CONVENTION AND TOURIST BUREAU

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Performers in Chun Yi: The Legend of Kung Fu, combine acrobatics and martial arts.

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NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Style Arts &

“Cathy” creator Cathy Guisewite retires at 59. See story on page 32.

Revival of The Wiz recalls original success

Powerful voices Without a doubt, the high points of the show are the powerful voices of most of the cast. CenterStage veterans Kingsley Leggs and Angela Robinson, who play The Wiz/Uncle Henry and Glinda/Auntie Em, respectively, display the vocal prowess that they have shown not only in Baltimore

but on Broadway as well, most recently in The Color Purple.

Gwen Stewart, another Broadway veteran, plays to the hilt the roles of both the evil Evilene and her not-so-evil sister Addaperle. Stewart is well-known for her moving solo “The Seasons of Love” in the original Broadway production of Rent.

Mel Johnson, who has appeared in Hot Feet, The Lion King and Eubie!, among other Broadway shows, makes for an endearing Tin Man. A Baltimore connection is provided by several local performers, including Kristen Dowtin as Dorothy and Eric B. Anthony as the Scarecrow. Both have appeared on Broadway as well, Dowtin in The Lion King, and Anthony in Mary Poppins, Hairspray and The Lion King.

From a vocal standpoint, Dowtin can’t match the power and range of the other performers, but her portrayal of the daydream-driven Dorothy was sweet and believable.

Less successful were the dance productions, especially the “Tornado Ballet.” The ensemble work was ragged, and the dancers’ technique didn’t come close to rivaling that of the vocal performers. But since dance isn’t really the star of the show, that’s a minor quibble.

A Wiz for this century?

While many critics have called more recent revivals of The Wiz “dated” and have suggested making the music more cur-

PHOTO BY RICHARD ANDERSON

By Carol Sorgen Thirty-six years after The Wiz hit the stage for its world premiere at Baltimore’s Morris A. Mechanic Theatre, the awardwinning musical is back in Baltimore, this time at CenterStage.

The Wiz brings the same sense of energy and good cheer that led it to an initial Broadway run of 1,672 performances, seven Tony Awards — including Best Musical — and five Drama Desk Awards.

The Wiz is a retelling of L. Frank Baum’s classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, from an African-American perspective. The groundbreaking production was one of Broadway’s first to feature an all-black cast — and to be popularly accepted by a mainstream audience.

The current CenterStage production brings The Wiz into the 21st century, but not by much. Several contemporary references and sight gags let the audience know that they haven’t completely stepped into a time machine. But for the most part, the show is indeed a return to the era in which it began — which isn’t really a bad thing.

In the CenterStage’s production of The Wiz, the Scarecrow, Dorothy, the Tin Man and the Lion are played by (left to right) Eric B. Anthony, Kristen N. Dowtin, Mel Johnson, Jr., and Kingsley Leggs. The musical take on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz made its world premier in Baltimore 36 years ago with an all-black cast.

rent, I have no problem with the score as it is — and it appeared the capacity crowd on opening night didn’t either.

The music may not seem as contemporary as what you’ll hear in new musicals today, but after all, this is a revival, and part of the charm of a revival is revisiting the past.

That being said, one wonders if the show could perhaps be updated to be more racially and ethnically diverse. While the original production brought African American culture to the predominantly

white theater-going audiences of the ‘70s, in a city as diverse as Baltimore, has the time come for The Wiz to become even more color-blind?

Nevertheless, this is a jolly-good-time production and well worth an evening out.

The Wiz continues at CenterStage through Nov. 9. The theater is located at 700 N. Calvert St. in Baltimore. Tickets for The Wiz range from $10 to $60 and can be purchased through the box office, (410) 332-0033, or online at www.centerstage.org.

BEACON BITS

Cars, boats, furniture, antiques, tools, appliances Everything and anything is sold on

Radio Flea Market Heard every Sunday, 6:30-8 a.m. on 680 WCBM

Nov. 6+

MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS

In “Beasts on Parchment: Picturing Animals in Medieval Manuscripts,” the Walters Art Museum will explore the variety of beasts that inhabit the margins and scramble across the pages of medieval books. This exhibition opens on Saturday, Nov. 6, and runs through Feb.6, 2011.The Walters is located at 600 N. Charles St. General admission is free. For more information, call (410) 547-9000 or visit www.thewalters.org.

Oct. 22+

MIDORI PLAYS SHOSTAKOVICH

Acclaimed violinist Midori performs Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto on Friday, Oct. 22, and Saturday, Oct. 23, with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The evening concludes with the ballet score from “Petrouchka.” The BSO performs at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. The concerts begin at 8 p.m. For ticket prices and reservations, call (410) 783-8000 or visit www.BSOmusic.org.

Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

31

One Book program brings readers together

By Carol Sorgen There is something to be said for reading a book in fellowship with other readers. That’s one reason book clubs are so popular. Taking that premise one step further, three years ago the Maryland Humanities Council’s Maryland Center for the Book instituted One Maryland One Book, the state’s first — and thus far only — statewide community reading project.

The objective of One Maryland One Book is to bring together diverse people in communities across the state thr ough the shared experience of reading the same book.

Readers then participate in book-centered discussions and other programs at public libraries, high schools, colleges and universities, museums, bookstores and other organizations.

The “One Book” movement began in 1998 when Nancy Pearl, executive director of the Washington Center for the Book in the Seattle Public Library, established the program, “If All Seattle Read the Same Book.” The first book read was the novel The Sweet Hereafter by Russell Banks, and Pearl brought the author to Seattle for three days to discuss his book in a series of free public programs. Since that time, “One Book” programs have been established across the country.

In 2008, the year the program was launched in Maryland, the inaugural book

selection was A Hope in the Unseen: An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League, by Ron Suskind. The 2009 selection was Song Yet Sung, a novel by James McBride.

A refugee soccer team This year’s pick is Outcasts United: An American Town, A Refugee Team, and One Woman’s Quest to Make a Difference, by Warren St. John. This national bestseller is the story of a soccer team of refugee boys called the Fugees from war zones in Liberia, Congo, Sudan, Iraq and Afghanistan; their coach, Luma Mufleh; and the town where they live — Clarkston, Georgia — a small Southern town turned upside down by refugee resettlement.

Author Warren St. John said he was “thrilled” that Outcasts United had been selected for this year’s One Maryland One Book.

“Outcasts United is a story about the challenges and rewards of living in diverse communities, and shows the difference one person can make in the lives of many,” he said. “It’s a book that I hope will inspire debate and conversation about how to grapple with cultural changes that are occurring in communities across the country, including in Maryland. I look forward to being part of that conversation. Go Fugees!”

Coming Nov. 12 – A CHRISTMAS CAROL

St. John has written for the New York Observer, the New Yorker, Wired and Slate, in addition to his work as a reporter for the New York Times. His first book, Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer: A Journey into the Heart of Fan Mania (2004), was named one of Sports Illustrated‘s best books of the year and ranked number one on The Chronicle of Higher Education’s list of the best books ever written about collegiate athletics.

Outcasts United was selected by a volunteer committee of librarians, educators, authors, journalists and bibliophiles from a list of more than 160 titles submitted from readers across the state.

In announcing its selection, the committee said that the book “is a story of determination, kindness, caring and overcoming obstacles. It is the story of hope and the quest for freedom and economic survival — that is why people come to America.”

According to MHC Executive Director Phoebe Stein Davis, “Outcasts United touches on issues critical to Marylanders, such as immigration, community and diversity.”

Get in on the discussion In order to promote the meaningful dialogue that One Maryland One Book aims for, community programs across the state

are being held this fall to bring readers together. Upcoming events in the greater Baltimore area include: • Oct. 21, 7 p.m., Catonsville Branch Library, 1100 Frederick Rd., (410) 8870951 • Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m., Joppa Branch Library, 655 Towne Center Drive, (410) 6121660.

• Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m., Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Ave., (410) 3961580.

• Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m., Brooklyn Branch Library, 300 E. Patapsco Ave., (410) 3961120.

• Oct. 26, 4 p.m., Northwood Branch Library, 4420 Loch Raven Blvd., (410) 3966076.

• Oct. 28, 7 p.m., Towson Branch Library, 320 York Rd., (410) 887-6166.

• Nov. 1, 1 p.m., McFaul Activity Center in Bel Air, for readers 50 years old and over. The center is located at 525 W. MacPhail Rd. For more information, call (410) 638-4040.

• Nov. 18, 10:30 a.m., Howard County Library, Miller Branch, 9421 Frederick Rd. in Ellicott City, (410) 313-1950.

• Nov. 29, 7 p.m., Cockeysville Branch Library, 9833 Greenside Drive, (410) 8877750.

32

Arts & Style

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

‘Cathy’ comic strip creator bids farewell career has been a miracle — it let me turn every anxiety into art, be paid for it, and connect in such a deep way with millions of other women.

But after almost 34 years of meeting newspaper deadlines, I’m facing personal deadlines that are simply exceeding my ability to procrastinate any longer: a daughter who’s starting her last year of high school, who I want to be able to be there for completely while I still get a teeny vote…beloved parents I want to visit more often…and a biological clock that’s hitting 60 and panicking about doing everything else in life I haven’t had time to do yet.

How did the strip come about?

CG: My career is the triumph of the pushy mother.

In 1976, at the height of the Women’s Movement, I was feeling the full confusion of succeeding at the “new” dream of hav-

ing a fabulous career in advertising, but failing at the “old” dream of having a relationship. I sent little stick-figure sum-ups of my frustrations home with letters to my parents.

My mother — who’d said everything I touched since birth was “good enough to be published” — insisted these new scribbles could be the start of a comic strip. When I refused, she marched to the library, researched comic strip syndicates, and typed a list of who I should approach.

It was only when she finally threatened to send the work herself with a “cover note from Mom” that I sent a package to Universal Press Syndicate, the company at the top of her list.

Instead of the rejection letter I was planning on, they sent me a contract. They said they loved the emotional honesty of my

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PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL UCLICK

The comic strip “Cathy,” which has chronicled the life, frustrations and swimsuit season meltdowns of its namesake for more than 30 years, came to an end in October.

Cathy Guisewite, 59, the strip’s creator, said that deciding to end the comic strip was “excruciating.” The comic has won several awards, including a 1992 National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program in 1987, and at its height appeared in 1,400 papers.

The comic strip’s syndicator Universal Uclick talked with Guisewite about her career.

Why have you decided to retire “Cathy” now?

CG: I’ve loved doing the “Cathy” comic strip and feel so honored to have had my space in so many papers for so long. This

Cathy Guisewite is ending her largely autobiographical “Cathy” comic strip after almost 34 years.

submission, and that they were confident I’d learn how to draw if I had to do it 365 days a year.

When you started, could you imagine “Cathy” becoming such a huge hit?

CG: The first day that “Cathy” ran, I spent most of the day hiding in the ladies room of the advertising agency in Detroit where I worked, praying that no one would read the newspaper.

Even though I’d been frantically working on learning how to write and draw a comic strip every night and weekend for seven months, I hadn’t told anyone except my immediate family that I was doing it.

The first strips were so personal and vulnerable at a time when women were celebrating such new confidence and empowerment. I thought I was the only woman in the world who came home from a day in her brilliant career and ate a pint of ice cream because Mr. Wrong didn’t call.

I couldn’t believe I’d ever shown my drawings to anyone, let alone that they were being published. Couldn’t imagine that anyone felt the same way. Could never, ever, have comprehended that “Cathy” would have so many biologically unrelated, deeply connected “sisters.”

How much of the strip throughout the years has been autobiographical?

CG: Pretty much, the more humiliating the admission, the more autobiographical it was.

The seven different sizes of jeans in one closet…the three-year, $75/month membership to the gym that I went to twice…the begging my mother to return the delusional New Year’s Eve outfit because I couldn’t face the saleslady again: all me. The visions of total organization, efficiency and clarity: not so much.

I didn’t want to call the strip “Cathy” because I wanted to at least get to pretend I wasn’t writing about myself. Universal Press thought that people would relate to it more personally if they saw the main character and I shared a name.

In keeping with the complete lack of decision-making skills that fueled my whole See CATHY, page 33

Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

Cathy From page 32 career, the strip stayed “Cathy” because I couldn’t decide on another name in time.

How do you go about creating the strip on a daily basis? What is your creative process like?

CG: My creative process has almost always started with me dumping my purse out on my desk, praying I’d written some partial joke on a fat-free energy bar wrapper, and concluded with my deadline just hours away and me desperately calling my sister, Mickey, to ask if she thought any other woman ever experienced what I was writing about, or if it was just something women in our family did. Mickey’s the only person on earth I ever tried strips out on before they were published.

I’ve never once had that experience of just being out and about and having fabulous ideas flood into my brain. I can only write if I’m sitting in a room completely alone, with my phone set to speed-dial my sister.

Who are your influences?

CG: I never would have created “Cathy” if I hadn’t grown up reading “Peanuts.” It never would have occurred to me to work out my anxieties and insecurities in four little illustrated boxes. Charles Schulz not only opened the door for my whole career, but saved me thousands and thousands of dollars in therapy.

What has been your favorite part of doing the strip?

CG: I’ve loved creating something that helps women feel they’re not alone. I’ve loved creating something that men will

never completely understand.

I’ve loved getting to connect with women where we live and aren’t usually seen: weeping on the floor of the swimsuit dressing room...planted in front of the freezer at 2 a.m. …stuck behind the desk in the fabulous power suit we couldn’t zip after lunch…standing in the ladies room rehearsing “date” conversations or trying to blow dry the part of the outfit that just fell in the toilet…and that secret special place in our brains that we go to where we can believe, just for a little bit, that the right new pair of sparkly, stiletto sandals will fix everything.

Looking forward, what are you hoping to do with your free time?

CG: For almost 34 years I’ve dealt with every frustration by writing a comic strip about it. So I imagine for quite awhile there will be a little trail of crumpled-up drawings following me wherever I go.

Besides finally being available 24/7 to hover over my 18-year-old daughter and parents and drive them insane with my love, attention and opinions, I want to pursue my lifelong goal of cleaning out the trunk of my car.

Most of my huge fantasies at this age involve the storage room: re-packaging the last 60 years into neat little plastic boxes...labeling and backing up five crates of miscellaneous family videos…all 45,000,000 digital and non-digital photos edited, organized and popped into pretty albums.

When I even think about it, I start seeing the words on the page. I know my next creative project isn’t far behind.

BEACON BITS

BEACON BITS

Oct. 25

PAINTING THE TOWN

It is said that Filippo Brunelleschi’s now-lost 15th century painting of the Florence Baptistery was so realistic that viewers confused seeing it with seeing the actual building. Urban landscape painter Nicholas Evans-Cato will present a slideshow talk on Monday, Oct. 25, entitled “Brunelleschi’s Magic Bullet: On Painting the City with Perfect Projection.” It will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Room 101 of the F. Ross Jones Building, Mattin Center, on the Homewood campus at 3400 N. Charles St. in Baltimore. Visitor parking on campus is available in the South Garage, 3101 Wyman Park Dr. Admission is free. For more information, call (410) 516-6705.

Ongoing

CONFLICT RESOLUTION CENTER OFFERS FREE SERVICES

The Conflict Resolution Center (CRC) of Baltimore County is a nonprofit community organization that offers free mediation services at convenient locations throughout Baltimore County. Mediation might be helpful in a number of situations, from neighborhood disputes to school conflicts, landlord-tenant disagreements to intergenerational difficulties. For more information, call (410) 663-7070, or visit www.crcbaltimorecounty.org.

All Pet Crematory, Inc. (410) 552-0703 or 1(888) 552-0703 (toll free)

• open directly to the public for private cremations only • caring & professional staff • memorial urns and merchandise available

“Pet Lovers Serving Pet Lovers” | WWW.APCrematory.com

a es ift! k a g M at e gr

Beacon The

I N

Nov. 4

ARTHUR DANTO ON ANDY WARHOL

Join art critic and philosopher Arthur Danto as he discusses his critically acclaimed book, Andy Warhol, at the Baltimore Museum of Art on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 and include admission to the exhibition “Andy Warhol: The Last Decade.” The BMA is located on Art Museum Dr. at 31st St. For more information, call (443) 573-1700 or visit www.artbma.org.

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Celebrate the American Visionary Art Museum’s 15th anniversary with this exploration of “What Makes Us Smile.” Humorist and “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening and artist Gary Panter have helped AVAM put this special show together. AVAM is located at 800 Key Hwy. Admission for those 60 and up is $8. For more information, call (410) 244-1900 or visit www.avam.org.

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N O R M A

From page 34.

E R I N

S E T T E A R R R R O E W A S P M I D T S H L

T R I N O P I T S L E S B R O I R N I G E N T

I N T L C A P F E T T E R

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R E H E A T

K L E P W I T O N O R D E Y

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

33

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Return this form with your check, made payable to The Beacon, to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 *Maryland residents: add 6% for sales tax.

34

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Crossword

Puzzle Page

In the Cards 1

2

3

4

by Stephen Sherr 5

6

14 18

20

21 23 28

37

25

39

44

40

45

41

50

47 51

56

57

64

59

58

60

61

62

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

Across 1. Toothpaste brand since 1955 6. Lab assistant 10. Links org.

14. CBS, for Ed Sullivan 15. “No way, Jose” 16. Male triad locale 17. Futilely defy conventions 20. Circus setting 21. Radio format 22. One up from med.

23. Left of center 25. Breakfast selection 27. Complete satisfaction 32. Mideast org. founded in 1958 33. Lovers’ destination 34. Deteriorates 36. February statement 38. Defeat soundly 41. Aquatic reply 43. Famed 1920’s co-murderer 45. Gilda, to Rita Hayworth 47. Long, long time 48. A feudal floral battle 52. Motivate 54. Golf goal 55. ___ de plume 56. Dunderhead 59. Part of a dark suit 63. 2008 election issue 66. CPR specialists 67. Awkward intellectual 68. Possible WD-40 target 69. Wonka worder 70. Deuce beater 71. Less conventional 1. Select actors 2. Ready for picking

42

54

55

Down

35

46

53

63

13

26

34

49

12

31

38

48

11

22

30

43

JUMBLE ANSWERS

10

19

33

36

Answers on p. 33.

9

16

24

29

32

52

8

15

17

27

7

3. “___ go bragh!”

4. Bowling alley employee 5. Start of pod or cycle 6. IHOP ingredient 7. Praise word for a puppy 8. To be or not to be, for example 9. Use a microwave oven 10. GM negotiating partner 11. Daggers 12. Quite a Din 13. Gamal ___ Nasser: Egyptian president 18. Quite a lot of dins 19. Poly’s compound 24. Tammy Faye’s org.

26. Queue to reach Q 27. O’Hare, to United Airlines 28. Peerage rank 29. Early defense contractor 30. Limit 31. Illusory images 35. Gin flavoring 37. Harvest 39. Japanese drama 40. Maniacal collector 42. Switch settings 44. What you can do with your own 62 Down 46. Koufax stat 49. Opposite of Occident 50. Restrain 51. Florist’s offering 52. Like Goldilocks, when found 53. She’s big (It’s the pictures that got small) 57. Had on 58. May race place 60. Mimic a bank or library 61. Encourage 62. Common half-time ad product 64. Cable modem alternative 65. Detective story question

Answers on page 33.

Answer: A good way for an amateur carpenter to build a staircase ONE STEP AT A TIME Jumbles: TYING TEMPO IMPEDE FASTEN

35

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2010

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

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

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

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

Financial Services $$$ ACCESS LAWSUIT CASH NOW!!! As seen on TV, Injury Lawsuit Dragging? Need $500-$500,000++ within 24/hrs after Approval?

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Call NOW for FREE Consultation! 800-5933446 Listed with the BBB. CASH NOW! Get cash for your structured settlement or annuity payments. High payouts.

Call J.G. Wentworth. 1-866-429-6207 Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau.

OVERWHELMED BY DEBT? Lower Payments, Reduce Interest Rates, Save Thousands Licensed, IRS Approved, Non-profit Family Financial Education Foundation Free Consultation 877-789-4168 A+ BBB Rating.

For Rent/Sale Real Estate FOR SALE BY OWNER – 55+ adorable villa in Carroll Vista. 2BR \ Den \ 3BA \ Loft \ Sunroom. 2,127 sqft. $15,000 of recent upgrades. $234,900. 410-925-4300.

FOR RENT COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA Ocean Front Condo – Furnished 2 bedroom, 2 bath, heated pool. 4 months minimum, no pets. $1,300 per month. Dan 410-529-4817.

GARDENVILLE – Large, clean, bright bedroom with microwave & refrigerator for rent on 2nd floor of private home. Resonable. References. 410-485-1702.

RENT TO OWN HOMES! Damaged Credit – OK. $850 Special! You Work, You Own – Guaranteed! $3,000 Minimum Combined Income.

Co-Applicants Welcome! 1-888-955-3340; www.RealAgentsHomes.com.

20 ACRE RANCHES ONLY $99 PER/MO. $0 Down, $12,900. Near Growing El Paso, Texas.

Owner Financing, No Credit Checks. Money Back Guarantee. Free Map/Pictures. 1-800-7558953 www.sunsetranches.com.

APARTMENT RENTALS! From $500 per month. HUGE Selection of Rentals. Low Income and Luxury at Discounted Rates. Call 1800-936-0260.

For Rent/Sale Real Estate

Miscellaneous

Wanted

FORECLOSURE LAND in Florida, ¼ Acre & Up. Guaranteed Financing! From $4,900, $100 Down, $100 Per Month. Call For Free List! 1877-983-6600 www.FloridaLotsUSA.com.

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA! Graduate in just 4 Weeks! PACE Program. FREE Brochure.

CALL NOW! 1-800-532-6546 Ext. 412 www.continentalacademy.com.

ABSOLUTELY PAYING TOP CASH for Antiques, Collectibles, Jewelry, Trains, Old Toys, WW2 Memorabilia, Pottery, Glassware, Colts & Orioles items. Call Todd 443-421-6113.

IT’S YOUR MONEY! Lump sums paid for structured settlement or fixed annuity payments. Rapid, high payouts. Call J.G. Wentworth. 1-866-429-6207 A+ Better Business Bureau rating.

DONATE YOUR CAR! Breast Cancer Research foundation! Most highly rated breast cancer charity in America! Tax Deductible/Fast Free Pick Up. 800-771-9551 www.cardonationsforbreastcancer.org.

RENT TO OWN HOMES! Damaged Credit – OK. $850 Special! You Work, You Own – Guaranteed! $3,000 Minimum Combined Income.

Co-Applicants Welcome! 1-888-955-3340; www.RealAgentsHomes.com.

FREE HD FOR LIFE! Only on DISH NETWORK. Lowest Price in America! $24.99/mo for OVER 120 Channels! PLUS - $500 Bonus! Call Today. 1-877-466-2959

ANTIQUE AND QUALITY OLDER FURNITURE and accessories wanted. One piece or entire estate, including Potthast, Biggs, Kittinger, and significant modern furniture and art, Tiffany lamps, toys, dolls, paintings, silver, oriental rugs, prints, pottery, china and glassware.

Music boxes, clocks, country store items, paper memorabilia, historical and military items, old fishing equipment, antique firearms and all other items of value. I am a Washington native with over 35 years of experience in this business. I am well educated, courteous and have more experience and pay higher prices than virtually any other dealer in the area. I make prompt decisions, have unlimited funds, pay immediately and remove items expeditiously.

No messy consignments or phony promises.

References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan, (301) 279-8834. Thank you.

For Sale DIRECTV’S NFL SUNDAY TICKET DEAL! FREE HBO/STARZ/SHOWTIME/ CINEMAX for 5 months & FREE HD/DVR upgrade! w/2yr agmt.

New cust. only. DirectStarTV 1-800-279-5698.

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA! Graduate in 4 Weeks! PACE Program. FREE Brochure. CALL NOW! 1-866-562-3650 Ext. 30 www.southeasternhs.com.

**ALL Satellite Systems are not the same.

Monthly programming starts under $20 per month and FREE HD and DVR systems for new callers. CALL NOW 1-800-799-4935.

SAVE $1000’S ON AUTO REPAIRS! Get a Vehicle Service Contract! Covered Repairs PAID! Towing, Rental Car, Roadside Assistance Available 130,000 Miles or Less FREE Quote!

888-364-1669.

MEMORY FOAM THERAPEUTIC NASA VISCO MATTRESSES WHOLESALE! T-$299 F-$349 Q-$399 K-$499 ADJUSTABLES - $799 FREE DELIVERY 25 YEAR WARRANTY 90 NIGHT TRIAL 1-800-ATSLEEP 1-800-2875337 WWW.MATTRESSDR.COM. DIRECTV’S BEST PACKAGE FREE for 5 months + NO Start Costs + FREE HD/DVR upgrade! Buy NFL SUNDAY TICKET, w/2yr agmt.

New cust. only. DirectStarTV 1-800-620-0058.

NEW-FEATHER-WEIGHT MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIRS & Rehab AT NO COST TO YOU IF ELIGIBLE!! Medicare & Private Insurance Accepted. ENK MOBILE MEDICAL 1800-693-8896.

SAVE $1000’S ON AUTO REPAIRS! Get a Vehicle Service Contract! Covered Repairs PAID! Towing, Rental Car, Roadside Assistance Available 130,000 Miles or Less FREE Quote!

888-364-1669.

Health VIAGRA 100mg and CIALIS 20mg!!! 40 Pills + 4 FREE for ONLY $99. #1 Male Enhancement, Discreet Shipping. SAVE $500 BUY THE BLUE PILL NOW!!! 1-800-558-1272.

Miscellaneous REACH OVER 30 MILLION HOMES WITH ONE BUY. Advertise in NANI for only $2,795 per week! For information, call Roger at 410248-9101.

DONATE A CAR – HELP CHILDREN FIGHTING DIABETES. Fast, Free Towing, Call 7 days/week. Non-runners OK. Tax Deductible. Call Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 1-800-578-0408.

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Accounting, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance.

Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified.

Call 800-510-0784 www.CenturaOnline.com.

DONATE A CAR TODAY TO HELP CHILDREN And Their Families Suffering From Cancer. Free Towing. Tax Deductible. Children’s Cancer Fund of America, Inc. www.ccfoa.org 1800-469-8593.

EVERY BABY DESERVES A HEALTHY START. Join more than a million people walking and raising money to support the March of Dimes. The walk starts at marchforbabies.org.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 8+

CAREGIVING FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS The National Family Caregiver Support Program at the Anne

Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities will present “The Dementia Series: Living in the Land of Oz” in three weekly workshops at the Annapolis and Pascal Senior Activity Centers. For more information and to register for the free workshops, call (410) 222-4464, ext. 3043, or register online at www.aacounty.org/aging.

DONATE YOUR CAR… To The Cancer Fund of America. Help Those Suffering With Cancer Today. Free Towing and Tax deductible. 1-800835-9372 www.cfoa.org.

Personals SINGLE WHITE MALE SEEKS single white female for mutually interesting relationship. Should be healthy, honest, opinionated with a zest for living. Write PO Box 5011, Timonium, MD 21094.

TALL 60ISH WHITE FEMALE interested in meeting friendly gentleman. I enjoy interesting outings, cooking, finding good ethnic restaurants and visiting family and friends. 410-3826707. (TOWSON)

Personal Services LEARN ENGLISH – SPANISH – ITALIAN – FRENCH – PORTUGUESE Conversational.

Grammatical. Private lessons. Reasonable Rates. Tutoring students. 443-352-8200.

SHOP 4 U – A personal errand / concierge service to assist you. No job too large or small. Please call us at 443-554-6136 and leave a message.

PIKESVILLE SILVER & ANTIQUES the source for all things sterling. Fine gifts and rare antiques. Expert polishing, plating, repairs, engraving. BUYING AND SELLING silver and gold at the best prices. 629 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208. 410-358-3377.

DO YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR ERRANDS or grocery shopping? Experienced home-maker is offering these services at $15/hr.

Please, call 410-821-5247.

ALL THE THINGS YOU DON’T HAVE TIME TO DO. Pickup and delivery to and from the Pharmacy, Dry Cleaners, Grocery Store, Department Store, Gift Shop, Post Office, and Business Office. 443-925-7316.

HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES AND ESTATES. Serving entire metro area. I will purchase one piece or your entire estate. Including Furniture, Artwork, Glassware, Jewelry, Rugs, Costume, Gold and Silver, Watches, Sterling Items, Flatware, Lladro & Hummel Figurines, All Military Items, Guns, Swords, Helmets, Bayonets, Medals, Scout Items, Clocks, Music Boxes, Toys, Baseball Memorabilia, trains, All String Instruments, Including Guitars, Banjos, Mandolins, Fishing Rods and Reels, Lures, Historical Items, American tools, Posters. I am a very reputable dealer with two locations in Silver Spring and Bowie, MD. Please call Christopher Keller 301-408-4751 or 301-262-1299. Thank you. **OLD GUITARS WANTED!** Fender, Gibson, Martin, Gretsch, Prairie State, Euphonon, Larson, D’Angelico, Stromberg, Rickenbacker, and Mosrite. Gibson Mandolins/Banjos. 1930’s thru 1970’s TOP CASH PAID! 1-800-401-0440.

MOTORCYCLES WANTED! CASH MONEY PAID! Also select watercraft, ATV & snowmobiles. FREE National Pickup! NO HASSLE! Call 1-800-963-9216 Now! www.SellUsYourBike.com Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm (CDT).

OLD GUITARS WANTED! Fender, Gibson, Martin, Gretsch, Prairie State, Euphonon, Larson, D’Angelico, Stromberg, Rickenbacker, and Mosrite. Gibson Mandolins/Banjos. 1930’s thru 1970’s TOP CASH PAID! 1-800-401-0440.

SELL YOUR DIABETES TEST STRIPS. We buy Any Kind/Any brand Unexpired. Pay up to $16.00 per box. Shipping Paid. Call 1-800-2679895 or www.SellDiabeticstrips.com.

Thanks for reading the Beacon!

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH

A free series of programs to help people with diabetes and other chronic diseases manage their conditions will be held at Baltimore County senior centers in October, November and December. The workshops in the Take Charge of Your Health program are 2 ½ hours long and meet weekly for six weeks. For information on program times and locations, call (410) 887-2594.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES

Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 5th of each month.

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

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

Commercial Party Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing commercial business enterprise. Each ad is $25 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word.

Note: Each real estate listing counts as one commercial ad.

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

The Beacon, Classified Dept.

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

36

NOVEMBER 2010 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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