April 2012 Baltimore Beacon Edition

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Father and son get a TV show

Rising stars The possibility of becoming full-fledged TV stars is both exciting and daunting to the Davises.

“We thought we were going to be a little cable show,” said Robbie Senior. (A similar sports memorabilia-focused program, “All Star Dealers,” recently began airing on cable’s Discovery Channel.)

“Being on national TV...well, we think we’re going to be prepared for what could

APRIL 2012

I N S I D E …

PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC

By Carol Sorgen You probably won’t be seeing the “Real Housewives of Baltimore” on your television anytime soon, but ABC is betting that realityobsessed viewers will make room in their hearts for “Ball Boys,” a new series featuring Robbie Davis, Sr., and his son, Robbie, Jr., owners of Robbie’s 1st Base in Timonium.

Premiering on ABC-TV on Saturday, March 24, from 3 to 4 p.m., the series follows father and son as they buy and sell sports memorabilia for collectors across the country.

Along the way, they chat up sports legends, such as former baseball great Pete Rose, who stops by the store to settle a good-natured argument, football pioneer Jim Brown, and former NBA star and current ESPN commentator Jalen Rose.

The father-son duo were approached to do a series a year and a half ago by Left Field Pictures, the production company responsible for the popular cable show “Pawn Stars” — a look inside the colorful world of the pawn business.

After seeing a promotional trailer, ABC ordered 12 half-hour episodes with an option for renewal if the series proves to be a hit with viewers. Two episodes will air back-to-back on March 24.

The network describes Robbie’s 1st Base as “an old school hometown barbershop where everyone has an opinion and is eager to share their stories and love of the game.

“Touching on the unique capability of sports to bring people together, ‘Ball Boys’ tells the stories beyond the action on the field — using the symbolic value of the merchandise changing hands to represent a rare and valuable social bond uniting individuals across all ages, races, genders and economic classes.”

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LEISURE & TRAVEL

Live like a Greek on the island of Rhodes; plus, ways to lighten your gardening workload page 23

ARTS & STYLE Robbie Davis, Sr. (center) stars with his son, Robbie Davis, Jr., in a new ABC-TV realty show called “Ball Boys.” The show focuses on the Davis’ Timonium sports memorabilia store, Robbie’s 1st Base, and includes interviews with sports legends such as Pete Rose and Jim Brown. Also shown above is “Shaggy,” a store employee who appears in the show.

happen, but we’re probably not.”

In the premiere episode, “Lord of the Ring,” Robbie Senior introduces viewers to his shop and searches for a special Notre Dame gift for a client’s husband on his birthday.

Senior is forced to buy an expensive item from an off-site dealer, hoping he can turn a profit with the client back home, but knowing there’s no guarantee he can sell it elsewhere if she doesn’t care for it.

Later, a customer brings in a Cleveland Browns helmet autographed by Jim Brown, a record-setting running back for the team from 1957 to 1965. In 2002, Brown was named by Sporting News as the

greatest professional football player ever.

To find out if it’s an authentic signature, Senior asks the football legend himself to pay the shop a visit to have a look, and eventually Brown enters into an awkward negotiation over purchasing his own autograph!

Also in the first episode is a look at an unsigned baseball caught by a fan over the glove of Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis. Does it have any monetary value? You’ll have to tune in to see what Robbie thinks.

In the second episode, “Take Your Base,” the ball boys visit a multi-million See “BALL BOYS,” page 21

Peabody Dance Institute plans centennial; plus, film festival focuses on Jewish themes, and National Poetry month gets celebrated with workshops and a contest page 27

FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k How to lower your medical bills k Get a good night’s sleep LAW & MONEY k Investment pitfalls to avoid k Consider Canadian stocks

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VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS k A food bank for pets

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PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE

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APRIL 2012 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Getting to know you Every year or so, we ask you to fill out And we certainly do not share your perand return a reader survey, such as the sonal information with anyone else or sell one on the facing page. it to marketers. You will not Sometimes readers ask us be placed on any lists or rewhy we do this. Are we ceive any unsolicited calls pathologically nosy? Well, we (unless you happen to win are journalists, and you our random drawing and we might call nosiness an occuare calling to let you know pational hazard. you won!).

But at the Beacon we don’t We ask you these quescollect this data to write pubtions for a few basic reasons. licly about our readers. On First, we want to be able to the contrary, we are scrupu- FROM THE address your needs and conlous in keeping all informa- PUBLISHER cerns as best we can in the tion you supply strictly confi- By Stuart P. Rosenthal Beacon. dential.

So, for example, we’d like We don’t even associate your answers to know which parts of the Beacon you with your name. We simply aggregate it to read each month. That tells us what areas get a general view of reader preferences are of prime interest for us to focus on. We and demographics. also ask what types of services you regu-

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Ongoing

THE BENEFITS OF RESILIENCY

Join Susan Parks of the Mental Health Association of Maryland for an interactive discussion on the benefits of being resilient and how to apply the coping skills you already have to the difficulties that can emerge in later life. These workshops are co-sponsored by the Baltimore County Department of Aging and are being held several times a month through July at county senior centers. For more information, call MAP at (410) 887-2594 or go online at www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/aging/healtheducation.

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Second, we ask for your general age range, whether you are working or retired, and some general information on your income level and net worth.

Now we realize this type of information is highly personal and you may not be eager to tell us, despite our promises not to divulge it to anyone. So why do we ask for it?

Here, the answer relates to our ability to attract appropriate advertisers, as they enable us to keep the Beacon free for you.

We currently print and distribute 60,000 copies of the Beacon throughout the greater Baltimore area every month. To maintain our staff and cover the costs of printing and distributing all these Beacons, we need to attract paid advertising.

These days in particular, companies are being very selective about where they advertise. As you have probably read elsewhere, the move by advertisers to the Internet and mobile advertising media is happening very rapidly, and the few of us still managing to print on paper are working hard to maintain sufficient advertising to survive.

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Mar. 31

A TALE OF TWO BALTIMORES The Renaissance Institute, a lifelong learning program at Notre

Dame of Maryland University, presents its fourth Scholars Forum: “Baltimore, a Tale of Two Cities.” Despite gains in urban renewal and an influx of higher income residents, Baltimore’s neighborhoods remain sharply divided between those have enjoyed urban renewal and an influx of higher income residents, and those that

• 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

have continued to be mired in crime, poverty and failing schools. Learn more from a panel of experts on Saturday, March 31 from 9 to 11 a.m. in Notre Dame’s Knott Science Center Auditorium, 4701 N. Charles St. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door and are available at www.ndm.edu/Renaissance. For additional information, call the Renaissance Institute office at (410) 532-5351 or email renaissance@ndm.edu

• Graphic Designer ..............................Kyle Gregory • Advertising Representative ..............Steve Levin, ................................................................Michael Weiner

Apr. 30

SENIOR CITIZENS HALL OF FAME Nominate residents of Maryland, age 60 or older, who are active volunteers and have made outstanding contributions to improve

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Submissions:

The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 31 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

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the lives of others for the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, which inducts 50 nominees each year. Nomination forms and additional details are available by calling Parker Koons at (410) 828-5852. Nomination forms must be postmarked by April 30.

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

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Health Fitness &

COLONOSCOPY SAVES LIVES Removing polyps during the test cuts colon cancer deaths by half DREAMING OF SLEEP Sleep patterns change with age; try these tips for a better night’s rest BODY FAT AND HEART DISEASE A study is looking at how body composition affects cardiovascular risk SAFE SEX Sex poses low risk for most heart patients, according to a new study

Not taking meds is costly in many ways

By Linda A Johnson Nearly three in four Americans don’t take their prescription medicine as directed. Even among those with serious chronic health conditions such as diabetes, about one in three don’t. In fact, one out of three people never even fill their prescriptions.

Many skip doses to save money. But not taking your medicines as prescribed can hurt your wallet as well as your health and far outweigh any savings on your pharmacy bill.

Not filling prescriptions and even skipping doses can result in serious complications and lead to ER visits and hospital stays, even premature death.

Patients not taking medicine as prescribed cost the U.S. healthcare system roughly $290 billion a year in extra treatment and related costs, research shows. One study estimated those patients pay about $2,000 a year in extra out-of-pocket medical costs.

To improve patients’ health and rein in medical spending, the National Consumers

League is running “Script Your Future” — a three-year campaign with medical and other groups, to educate patients and get doctors and other health workers to discuss it with patients. Since it launched last spring, more than 100,000 people have signed the league’s online pledge to stick to their medication schedule.

What can go wrong For patients with chronic health conditions — nearly half the U.S. population — not taking medications as prescribed can bring serious consequences: • Doctors may believe a drug they prescribed for the patient didn’t work and switch to another one that has worse side effects or costs more.

• Deadly viruses such as hepatitis C and bacterial diseases such as tuberculosis, which require daily medicine for many months, can become resistant to the medicine. That can extend treatment for months,

force the addition of more-toxic medicines, or make curing the illness impossible.

• Patients who don’t always take medicines for high blood pressure and cholesterol problems can suffer a heart attack or stroke, causing disability or death.

Despite the consequences, patient surveys show a variety of reasons for not taking medicines as prescribed, according to Script Your Future spokeswoman Rebecca Burkholder.

The most common reasons are: • Financial problems/lack of health insurance, • Complicated or confusing medication schedule, • Forgetfulness, • Problems with or fears of side effects, and • Belief the medicine isn’t really needed. This is common with symptomless conditions such as high blood pressure.

Here are some strategies for addressing

these problems: • If you don’t really understand why you were prescribed a drug and the consequences of not taking it, list your questions and talk to your doctor or pharmacist. If you do research on the Internet, stick to reliable websites run by government health agencies, patient advocacy groups, hospitals or universities.

• If you’ve been suffering side effects or worry a new medicine may cause them, talk to your doctor about whether there’s an alternative drug or steps to lessen side effects, such as taking the drug with food or right before bed. Sometimes an additional drug may lessen side effects.

If cost is a problem If you can’t afford your medicine, ask whether your doctor has free samples or there’s a cheaper generic version.

Also, try contacting patient assistance proSee TAKE YOUR MEDS, page 5

Tips to help you lower your medical bills

By Christina Rexrode Few things make me feel as clueless as a bill from my doctor’s office. I don’t recognize the abbreviations or understand the jargon. I can’t tell when I’m being charged too much.

And there’s no screen on the wall, at least not at my doctor’s office, tallying the cost of each extra test I agree to or question I ask.

But, even if you have health insurance as I do, medical bills can spiral quickly, eating up savings or in extreme cases leading to bankruptcy. Here are ways to protect yourself throughout the process.

Shop around; compare prices Even people who studiously comparison-shop for their digital camera or winter coat don’t always realize they should do the same for medical services. Prices can vary significantly.

“You can get an MRI on one side of the street that will cost you $2,000, and the exact same MRI on the other side of the street will cost $4,000,” said Dr. Neel Shah, executive director of Costs of Care, a nonprofit that aims to help patients deflate

their medical bills.

He isn’t speaking metaphorically. Dr. Jeffrey Rice, CEO of the Healthcare Blue Book, estimates that there’s an average difference of 300 percent to 600 percent between the lowest price and the highest price for any single medical procedure in any U.S. city.

If you’re thinking you needn’t comparison shop because you have insurance, think again. Many insurance plans will still hold you responsible for a portion of the bill in addition to the deductible. And don’t assume that choosing a doctor who’s in your insurance company’s network will solve the problem: Their prices can vary, too.

“The biggest problem we see is patients don’t ask about costs before they get their care,” Rice said. “It’s like going to buy a car and deciding afterward that the price was too high.”

You need to call each doctor’s office or hospital you might visit to learn what they charge. The Healthcare Blue Book website (http://healthcarebluebook.com), which is free to consumers, can help you figure out what prices might be reason-

able. It collects information about the fees doctors accept from insurance companies.

If you’re uninsured, ask about a “selfpay” discount. Doctors often charge less to patients who have to pay out of pocket, but they generally don’t advertise this.

Your doctor can help Tell your doctor you need to watch what you spend. She might not know the exact cost of each procedure or whether your insurance covers it, but she’ll know the relative value of each test she orders.

Maybe she can hold off on some tests for a couple of months until she’s certain you need them. Or, if you need surgery, maybe your doctor can do it at an outpatient facility instead of a hospital.

It’s also important to make sure you’ve followed your insurance company’s paperwork procedures, no matter how ridiculous you think they are.

For example, if your doctor sends you to a specialist, ask your insurance company whether you’ll need pre-authorization for the visit. The pre-authorization is just another layer of paperwork — maybe your doctor’s office has to fill out an extra form

or make an extra phone call — but you want to be sure it gets done.

“There are times when a test is ordered and performed and no one really realized it [needed pre-authorization], and the patient gets stuck with a bill for a test that would have been covered,” said Dr. Stephen Meyers, a physician in Oak Ridge, N.C., who runs SmartMedSavings.com.

Or say you have two health insurance plans — a primary and a secondary — and you need a procedure that your primary plan won’t cover but your secondary will.

It’s likely that you’ll still need to file a valid claim with the primary insurer, just to get it denied, to guarantee that the secondary insurer will pay up.

Check your bills In most cases, you won’t see any tally of prices until your insurance company sends you a document listing what the doctor or hospital charged, how much the insurance company paid, and what’s left for you to cover.

It’s a good idea to ask for a line-item bill See MEDICAL BILLS, page 7

Take your meds From page 4 grams run by brand-name drug manufacturers, the industry-backed Partnership for Prescription Assistance at www.pparx.org, or by nonprofit groups including www. patientadvocate.org, www.r xhope.com, www.needymeds.org and www.patientassistance.com. Ask your pharmacy if it participates in any discount prescription card programs.

Price shop for the best deal. Some state health departments have websites for comparison of prices at different drugstores.

There are also Internet drugstores with discounted prices, such as www.healthwarehouse.com. Make sure the site has the blue Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites symbol.

When you can’t remember If forgetfulness or confusion is the issue,

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

try pill organizers or reminder devices.

If you just need something to jog your memory, post a reminder card on the kitchen counter, refrigerator door or bathroom mirror, or set an alarm on your watch or smartphone. You can also buy special vibrating watches with multiple reminders for around $100. (See, for example, www.almedatime.com.)

Try an inexpensive weekly pill box divided by time of day from a drug or discount store, or invest in an organizer pill bottle or divided box with an alarm timer that can fit in your pocket or bag.

There are even countertop dispensers with individual medication cups that a caregiver can fill for weeks in advance. These devices run from about $30 to several hundred dollars, depending on how sophisticated they are. Some even notify caregivers when the patient misses medicine doses.

There are smartphone applications, some free, that can send text reminders

every time you need to take a medicine or refill a prescription. Or you could sign up for a reminder service that sends e-mail or text messages for $5 to $10 per month.

More expensive services make automated reminder calls to the patient and, if there’s no response, notify emergency contacts.

Ask your health provider, pharmacist, nurse or insurer for advice. Or check out sites selling items like those described above: www.epill.com, www.medminder.com,

www.managemypills.com, www.blueberryrx.com, www.medication-reminders.com or www.rememberitnow.com. Many items are also available at www.Amazon.com.

Make sure to read the fine print before submitting your credit card information.

Information, wallet prescription lists and other tools to improve medication adherence are available at www.ScriptYourFuture.org. Get more patient advice from http://bit.ly/merckmanual_drugadherence.

— AP

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Apr. 25

HEALTH AND FITNESS FAIR IN PARKVILLE The Parkville Senior Center, located at 8601 Harford Rd., will hold

its annual health and fitness fair on Wednesday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Free health screenings include hearing, vision, bone density, BMI, blood pressure and more. Call (410) 887-5338 to schedule your appointment.

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Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this form, together with the reader survey on page 3, if you like, to: or fax to (410) 248-9102.

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F R E E

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The AARP 55 Alive Driver Safety Program will be taught from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 27 at the Pascal Senior Activity Center, 125 Dorsey Rd., Glen Burnie. The one-day course is designed to help older drivers improve their driving and accident prevention skills. Upon completion, students receive certificates. Some insurance companies honor course completion with a reduction in insurance rates. Registration is required. The cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. For more information, call (410) 222-6680.

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Health Shorts Colonoscopy halves risk of fatal colon cancer Millions of people have endured a colonoscopy, believing the dreaded exam may help keep them from dying of colon cancer. For the first time, a major study offers clear evidence that it does.

Removing precancerous growths (called polyps) spotted during the test can cut the risk of dying from colon cancer in half, the study suggests. Doctors have long assumed a benefit, but research hasn’t shown before that removing polyps would improve survival — the key measure of any cancer screening’s worth.

A second study in Europe found that colonoscopies did a better job of finding polyps than another common screening tool — tests that look for blood in stool. Both studies were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in late February.

The National Cancer Institute and several cancer organizations paid for the study.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States and the fourth worldwide. More than

143,000 new cases of cancers of the colon or rectum are expected in the U.S. this year and nearly 52,000 people will die from it, according to the American Cancer Society.

People of average risk of colon cancer ages 50 to 75 should get screened, but only about half in the U.S. do.

Colon cancer screening guidelines are available at www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspscolo.htm. — AP

Watch out for medical identity theft A survey of doctors, insurers and pharmacies found that a third of them had caught someone using another person’s identity to get health services. But in many cases, the thieves are after billing information so they can make fraudulent claims.

In one scam, older people were called up and told that they needed to provide their current Medicare number because the federal healthcare reform law required that they get a new one, which isn’t true.

The scammers could then use the Medicare numbers to bill the government for services that were never delivered.

The Federal Trade Commission has some suggestions for preventing medical identity theft. They’re pretty basic but, at the very least, serve as useful reminders: • Never give out personal or medical in-

APRIL 2012 — BALTIMORE BEACON

formation on the phone or through the mail unless you initiated the contact and are certain you know with whom you’re dealing. • Be skeptical of offers of free or sharply discounted services from providers you don’t know who ask for your Medicare or health insurance information.

Medical identity thieves, posing as insurance company employees, doctors and other healthcare providers, lure people in with these offers, collect their billing and other information, and then use it to make Medicare and other claims. • If you’re asked to provide insurance or medical information on a website, look for indicators that the site is secure, such as a lock icon on the browser’s status bar or a Web address that begins “httpsâ€? (the “sâ€? stands for “secureâ€?). — Harvard Health Letter

Avoiding kidney stones There are a lot worse things than kidney stones. But, oh my, they can cause a lot of pain as they pass through the ureters, the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. And the number of Americans getting kidney stones is increasing, perhaps because of the increasing prevalence of obesity.

Once you get kidney stones, the chance of getting them again is high, and much of

the prevention advice is aimed at fending off a recurrence, but it may also help some with avoiding kidney stones in the first place.

Here are a few pointers: • Keep your fluid intake up. Kidney stones form when certain minerals concentrate in the urine and form into crystals. Drink plenty of fluids (water is the safest bet) and you’ll increase the amount of water in the urine, so those mineral concentrations don’t get too high. • Eat calcium-rich foods. Calcium is a major component of about 85 percent of kidney stones, so it seems like you should avoid calcium in the diet, not seek it out.

But most calcium stones are composed of calcium combined with a substance called oxalate.

If there is plenty of calcium in your diet, the calcium binds to oxalate in the intestine before the oxalate has a chance to get into your urine. Less oxalate in the urine means fewer opportunities for calcium oxalate to form there — and fewer kidney stones. Calcium-rich foods include nonfat dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and some varieties of fish (salmon is a good choice). • Reconsider calcium supplements. Results from the Harvard-based Nurses’ Health Study showed that postmenopausal women who took calcium supplements were 20 percent more likely to develop kidSee HEALTH SHORTS, page 7

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

Medical bills From page 4 from your doctor’s office or the hospital so you know exactly what you’re being charged for.

Check for glaring errors: Are the medicines listed on the bill the ones you actually received? Is there lab work listed on a day when you didn’t have blood drawn? It’s easy for a billing office to accidentally key in “11” instead of “1” and charge you for 10 extra pills, or to transpose a few digits in a code and charge you for an injection when you really just got counseling.

“You don’t want to assume that everything somebody is charging you for is correct,” said Louis Saccoccio, CEO of the National Healthcare Anti-Fraud Association.

If you believe you’ve been charged for

Health shorts From page 6 ney stones than women who didn’t. Findings published in 2011 from the Women’s Health Initiative, a large randomized trial, echoed those of the nurses’ study.

One explanation for calcium in food and calcium pills having different effects is that when calcium is consumed in food, it’s

something your insurance company should cover, contact the company first. If it still denies your claim, you have the right — under the new healthcare reform laws — to ask for an independent organization to review your claim. If your health insurer tries to deny you this external review, contact your state insurance commissioner’s office.

Other state agencies also can help you.

Check the “Consumer Assistance Program Locator” on the nonprofit Families USA’s home page (www.familiesusa.org) or HealthCare.gov, a website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Some for-profit companies also will scour your medical bills for errors and try to get the charges lowered. But these companies will keep a portion of any savings they recover for you, sometimes as much as 35 percent.

— AP

BEACON BITS

Apr. 20+

SELF DEFENSE FOR SENIORS

Learn how to avoid a confrontation, scare off a potential attacker and fight back, if necessary. This workshop, presented by the Baltimore County Department of Aging, will demonstrate techniques on how to protect yourself in different situations and how to modify techniques based on ability. The next workshop will be held on Friday, April 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Essex Senior Center, 600 Dorsey Rd. For more information, call (410) 887-0267. Future workshops will be held on May 24 at Reisterstown Senior Center and Sept. 21 at Pikesville Senior Center.

Apr. 5

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

Chesapeake Urology Associates is offering a free Man-to-Man support group meeting and seminar on Thursday, April 5, beginning at 6 p.m. at 2 Park Center in Owings Mills. All prostate cancer survivors and spouses are invited to attend the seminar, “The Psychological Aspects of Prostate Cancer.” Guest speaker is Kate Thomas, a psychotherapist and clinical sexologist. Refreshments will be served. Advance registration is encouraged; call (443) 738-9393.

more likely to be present in the intestine at the same time as oxalate.

• Moderate your sodium intake. Lowsodium diets decrease excretion of calcium and oxalate.

• Moderate your protein intake. Protein can increase calcium and oxalate excretion.

High-protein diets may also reduce the levels of stone-inhibiting substances in the urine.

— Harvard Health Letter

BEACON BITS

Apr. 6

CELEBRATE OPENING DAY Wear your orange and black, and join the Arbutus Senior Center for

a luncheon and party to celebrate the Baltimore Orioles’ Opening Day on Friday, April 6 at noon. The center is located at 855A Sulphur Spring Rd. in Halethorpe.

Suggested donation is $2.50. There will also be a baseball trivia contest and the showing of a baseball film prior to turning on the game. Complimentary Cracker Jacks, peanuts and soda during the game! RSVP to (410) 887-1410.

Are you online? So are we!

Visit our website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com You’ll find topical articles, as well as blogs, recipes, useful links, games, puzzles and event listings.

Add your event to our calendar.

Also – www.facebook.com/BeaconNewspaper

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

9

Why you may not get a good night’s sleep

More falls, poorer concentration In older adults, sleeping less than five hours a night is associated with a more than 50 percent increased risk of falls.

Getting less than seven hours of sleep on a regular basis may cut into your ability to concentrate, make decisions and remember things. Adding to that, ongoing sleep deprivation may actually interfere with your ability to recognize how tired you are.

But simply focusing your attention on getting a certain amount of sleep may not be helpful. Sleep difficulties can often be traced to treatable health issues. Talk to your care provider if you think your sleep problems are related to other medical conditions.

For example, chronic health problems such as arthritis, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease and depression can cause difficulty sleeping.

Some of the other factors that could cause sleep difficulties include: Sleep disorders. Sleep-related leg cramps, obstructive sleep apnea, periodic leg and arm movements, and restless legs syndrome can jeopardize sleep. A Mayo Clinic study of aging adults found that more than half of the 892 participants had signs of at least one sleep disorder other than insomnia.

Pain. Conditions that cause chronic pain, including heartburn, arthritis, back pain, cancer pain and headaches, can take a toll on sleep. In turn, poor sleep can increase the perception of pain intensity. Difficulties such as falling asleep or frequent nighttime wakening often are related to poor pain control.

Nighttime urination (nocturia). Trips to the bathroom are a common reason older adults wake at night. This also increases the risk of nighttime falls.

Illness. Coughing, shortness of breath, chronic pain and even itching can disrupt your sleep. Mental health conditions, such as depression, often are associated with sleep difficulties.

Medications. Drugs that disrupt sleep range from nonprescription decongestants to commonly prescribed drugs such as bronchodilators, some antidepressants and corticosteroids.

Other medications such as beta blockers, varenicline (Chantix), some antidepres-

IN-HOME SENIOR CARE SERVICES

sants and narcotics can cause vivid dreams or nightmares, contributing to sleep difficulty. Some pain relievers contain caffeine.

Menopause. Up to half of women in menopause report sleep difficulties. Hormone changes may be a factor and result in hot flashes, night sweats and disrupted sleep.

Providing care to family members is another factor that can reduce sleep.

adopt that may make a difference include going to bed at the same time each day; exercising before the evening hours; avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol; and relaxing before bed with a warm bath or by reading something enjoyable.

Try to keep your bedroom quiet, dark and at a comfortable sleeping temperature, and use your bedroom only for sleep or intimacy.

As a general rule, if you can’t sleep,

Tips for better sleep See SLEEP, page 11

Some sleep habits that everyone can

Getting you back to your life.

Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing

©2011 HCR Healthcare, LLC

By Dr. Jarrett Richardson Dear Mayo Clinic: Does getting older mean that you won’t sleep as well? Why does it seem like older people like me can’t sleep like we used to?

Answer: Although sleep patterns change somewhat as you age, that doesn’t mean you have to live with restless nights and the persistent feeling of insufficient sleep. The underlying causes are usually treatable.

Many brain activities contribute to sleep and wakefulness. Chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters help control whether you’re awake or asleep. Some of these chemicals help keep parts of your brain active while others encourage sleep.

Other forces, such as the amount of light you’re exposed to and the medications you take, also influence your sleep patterns. Diet also can be a factor — for instance, caffeine and alcohol can have a significant effect.

Generally, sleeping seven to eight hours a night is considered optimal. Some adults need less. But if you’re getting too little sleep, you’re amassing a sleep debt.

Regularly sleeping less than five hours a night is associated with poor physical health, although there’s debate whether poor health causes lost sleep or lost sleep results in poor health.

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Health Studies Page

APRIL 2012 — BALTIMORE BEACON

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

How body fat may affect heart disease risk

By Carol Sorgen Advancing age is associated with a greater risk of heart disease due to such conditions as high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries.

But the reasons why age is associated with these conditions and with increased risk of cardiovascular disease are not fully understood, according to National Institute on Aging (NIA) researcher Dr. Luigi Ferrucci.

Recent studies suggests that systemic

inflammation may be an important contributing cause. But what causes the inflammation, and is that linked to aging?

Ferrucci noted that aging is associated with substantial changes in body composition — primarily an increase in fat mass and a decrease in lean body mass. Both animal and human studies have shown that fatty tissue is an important source of inflammation and have suggested that changes in body composition may be the primary cause of inflammation as people age.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 2+

SOUND HEALING Sound Healing is the application of therapeutic sound for the pur-

poses of relaxation and healing. Reiki energy master Al Muehlberger explains the theory behind sound waves and their impact on the mind, body and spirit. These workshops are sponsored by the Baltimore County Department of Aging; April’s sessions will take place on Monday, April 2, at Rosedale Senior Center, 1208 Neighbors Ave., and Tuesday, April 10 at Mt. Carmel Senior Center, 17038 Prettyboy Dam Rd., Parkton. Future sessions are scheduled in May, September and October. For details, call (410) 887-2594 or go online to www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/aging/healtheducation.

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

Furthermore, studies suggest that agerelated inflammation may affect fatty tissue in the body, which may increase the risk of heart disease, especially if this fat develops in the muscles, the abdomen or around the heart.

Ferrucci is now conducting a study to better understand these possible links.

Inflammation’s toll A number of animal studies have already shown that inflammatory chemicals are over-released with aging, especially in fatty tissue.

The overproduction of these chemicals (known as cytokines) can have important effects, including stiffening of the arteries and insulin resistance — a metabolic abnormality associated with risk of cardiovascular disease. Fat in the liver also promotes chronic inflammation and deterioration of liver function.

To date, limited research suggests that fat deposits in specific areas of the body are associated with high circulating levels of inflammatory chemicals. Fat accumulation surrounding the heart, and fat infiltration in the muscle, as opposed to under the skin, seems to be particularly associated with inflammation.

However, this information comes from small studies, or studies limited to a very narrow age range.

New study beginning In a new observational study, researchers from NIA are studying whether body composition (specifically, fat deposits) in older adults is associated with

age-related changes and higher risks of heart disease.

This study will include participants between 50 and 80 years of age from the ongoing Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) as well as individuals between 50 and 80 years of age who have previously been diagnosed with coronary artery disease through the Johns Hopkins Hospital Cardiology Department.

Participants will undergo a screening that includes a physical exam and medical history, blood and urine samples, and height, weight and waist circumference measurements.

They will also undergo a noninvasive DEXA scan to study their muscles, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to study heart function and muscle and blood vessel health.

Ferrucci said that the researchers hope that by studying both the BLSA population and individuals with established coronary artery disease, they may be able to determine whether, and if so to what extent, the relationships between body fat, inflammation, endothelial (lining of the blood vessels) dysfunction, arterial stiffness and insulin resistance are different in healthy individuals compared with similarly aged individuals who already suffer from heart disease.

The study will be conducted at both Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging, Clinical Research Unit, at Harbor Hospital.

For more information, contact Ferrucci at (410) 350-3936 or at ferruccilu@grc.nia.gov.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01517113.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

11

Sex poses low risk for most heart patients

By Lindsey Tanner Good news: Sex is safe for most heart patients. If you’re healthy enough to walk up two flights of stairs without chest pain or gasping for breath, you can have a love life.

That advice from a leading doctors’ group addresses one of the most pressing, least discussed issues facing survivors of heart attacks and other heart patients.

In its first science-based recommendations on the subject, the American Heart Association says having sex only slightly raises the chance for a heart attack. And that’s true for people with and without heart disease.

Surprisingly, despite the higher risk for a heart patient to have a second attack, there’s no evidence that they have more sex-related heart attacks than people without cardiac disease.

Many heart patients don’t think twice about climbing stairs, yet many worry that sexual activity will cause another heart at-

Sleep From page 9 don’t lie in bed. Leave your bedroom and do a quiet activity — such as reading, watching TV or listening to music — until you feel tired.

If you’re having sleep difficulties, consider whether a particular stress may be the cause. Once the stress is relieved, the sleep issue may resolve.

But if you can’t identify a reason for ongoing sleep loss, talk with your doctor. Determining and addressing its cause can

tack, or even sudden death, said Dr. Glenn Levine, lead author of a report detailing the recommendations and a professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

The report says sex is something doctors should bring up with all heart patients. Yet few do because they’re uncomfortable talking about it or they lack information, Levine said. The new guidance is designed to fill that gap.

involving sometimes provocative sex-related topics: • Who’s most at risk for sudden death related to sex? Married men having affairs, often with younger women in unfamiliar settings. Those circumstances can add to stress that may increase the risks, evidence

from a handful of studies suggests.

• Sex may be OK as soon as one week after a relatively mild heart attack, if patients can walk up a few flights of stairs without discomfort.

See SAFE SEX, page 13

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

TRANSFORMING THEATER What do a flirty former actress, a pouty 16-year-old, a hippie hus-

Check with your doctor first Heart patients should get a doctor’s OK before engaging in sexual activity. Many may be advised first to do cardiac rehab — exercise while being monitored for heart symptoms, to improve heart strength and increase physical fitness. But the heart association said most eventually will be cleared to resume sexual activity.

The doctors’ group offers advice for heart patients based on scientific research

make your nighttime sleep more restful.

Jarrett Richardson, M.D., is a psychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. To submit a question, write to: medicaledge@mayo.edu, or Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com. © 2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

band and a divorced carpenter have in common? Very little, or at least that’s what they think until they take a six-week community acting class in Annie Baker’s funny and poignant comedy, Circle Mirror Transformation. The play runs at Fells Point Corner Theatre, 251 S. Ann St., through Sunday, April 8. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Admission is $17 Fridays and Saturdays; $15 at Sunday matinees. For tickets, go to www.fpct.org.

Do you have more trouble than usual remembering things?

People 50 and older with memory problems are needed for a research study to find out if mentally stimulating activities can improve memory.

You may participate at: Johns Hopkins Bayview or Mays Chapel Ridge Participation involves 1 screening visit, 4 visits lasting 5 hours, and 17 visits lasting 1 hour.

You will be paid $620 for the study.

For more information, please call Christina at (410) 550-2688.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 2+

SATURDAY MORNING BIRD WALKS

Principal Investigator: Miriam Z. Mintzer, Ph.D. Protocol #: NA_00039100

Approved December 23, 2011

Join a Cromwell Valley Park volunteer from 8 to 10 a.m. for bird walks on April 7 and 21, May 5 and 19, and June 2 and 16. Meet at the Willow Grove Farm gravel parking lot. New to birding? Come at 7:45 a.m. on the above dates for a short workshop on using binoculars, locating birds, birding by ear, etc.

The park is located at 2002 Cromwell Bridge Rd. For more information, call (410) 887-2503 or visit www.cromwellvalleypark.org.

Want to Prevent Falls in the Elderly?

Seeking Men and Women to participate in a research study at the University of Maryland &Veterans Affairs of Baltimore to better understand balance and the prevention of falls in aging individuals.

You will receive:

• Health evaluation • Balance, step, strength, and/or flexibility exercises • Compensation for your time If interested call: 410-605-7179 & Mention code: LIFT at Baltimore VA/University of Maryland Gerontology Recruitment Line *You must be at least 65 years old and in good health *Participants will be seen at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and University of Maryland School of Medicine *You will attend approximately 41 visits for 1 to 4 hours each per visit

CALL TODAY!

STUDIES ON ANEMIA Are you 65 years or older?

Have you been recently diagnosed with anemia?

OR Have you had anemia in the past? en you may be interested in: “THE JOHNS HOPKINS registry of older adults with anemia” • Several new research studies are being designed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University specifically for older adults with anemia.

• By volunteering to join our anemia registry, you will be kept up to date on anemia research studies that match your situation.

Call us at 410-550-2113 to join the Anemia Registry today!

We can conduct the study in your home. No travel is required. If you choose to come to Bayview to participate, your parking will be paid.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Principal Investigator: Dr. Jeremy Walston, MD. IRB application No: NA_00035307

12

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You’re on top of your medications.

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You know it’s important to stay on your medications exactly as prescribed.

However, if you miss a dose, want a lower-cost alternative, or experience any side effects, we can answer any questions. Speak to your local CVS Pharmacist to learn more.

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More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

Safe sex From page 11 • Viagra and other drugs for erectile dysfunction are generally safe for men with stable heart disease.

Among heart attack survivors, average risks for another heart attack or sudden death are about 10 in 1 million per hour.

Having sex increases that to about 20 to 30 in 1 million per hour of sexual activity, the new report said.

People without heart disease face lower overall risks for a heart attack, but similar risks for a sex-related attack. “Sexual activity is the cause of less than 1 percent of all heart attacks,” Levine said.

The updated advice was released in the heart association journal, Circulation, in January.

Dr. Keith Churchwell, chief medical officer of Vanderbilt University’s Heart and Vascular Institute, said the guidance is important for patients, and that questions about sex are the most common ones he hears from heart patients.

Partners need to understand, too Ohio State University heart specialist Martha Gulati praised the recommendations for emphasizing that sexual counseling is important not just for patients but also their partners, who she said are often just as nervous about resuming sexual activity.

Day-care operator Tammy Collins of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, one of Gulati’s pa-

tients, said the advice is reassuring. She had a heart attack last year on Sept. 11, during a trip to Cincinnati to celebrate her wedding anniversary.

Collins’ mother died of a heart attack at the same age, on her 51st birthday. With high blood pressure and high cholesterol, Collins knew she was at risk. She developed symptoms a few hours after having sex.

She dismissed it at first, until she felt a sharp pain in her upper back and had trouble breathing. She was rushed to the hospital and doctors used stents to open blocked arteries.

Collins said she wasn’t embarrassed to ask Gulati about sex, who told her it was unlikely that her night of romance had caused the heart attack. After several weeks of cardiac rehab, she was cleared to resume sexual activity — advice that surprised her friends. But Collins said the exercise sessions have made her feel fitter than ever.

“A heart attack does not have to be the end of living,” Collins said.

Chicago cardiologist Dan Fintel, a professor of medicine at Northwestern University, said he routinely gives heart patients a sex talk on their last day in the hospital, knowing that it’s likely on their minds.

“Resuming sexual activity is safe and emotionally part of the healing process, with a few caveats,” he tells patients.

Those caveats elicit nervous chuckles when he explains they include no philandering, given evidence about that causing extra stress.

— AP

13

BEACON BITS

Mar. 24

THE MUSICAL LIFE OF MOZART

Concert Artists of Baltimore will perform selections from Mozart’s operas, symphonies, oratorios, songs and overtures, on Saturday, March 24, at 8 p.m. at Peabody Conservatory, Miriam A. Friedberg Hall, 1 E. Mt. Vernon Pl. The concert will be narrated by Jonathan Palevsky, of WBJC-FM, with multimedia artwork and libretto translations. Ticket prices range from $25 to $35 ($22 to $30 for those 65 and older). For tickets, call (410) 625-3525 or visit www.cabalto.org.

Mar. 28+

EXPLORING AN ECCENTRIC

Single Carrot Theatre presents Hotel Cassiopeia, Charles Mee’s play about the eccentric mind of American artist and filmmaker Joseph Cornell. The play runs from March 28 through April 29, and explores Cornell’s obsession with filling boxes with found objects. Single Carrot Theatre is located at 120 W. North Ave. The play runs Thursday to Saturday: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 2:30 p.m. General admission seating $10 ($7.50 for seniors). Call (443) 844-9243 or visit www.singlecarrot.com.

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THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC

The Prevention and Research Center at Mercy Medical Center, in partnership with the Maryland State Boychoir, will present a benefit concert and silent auction in support of both organizations on Sunday, March 25, at the Maryland State Boychoir Center for the Arts, 3400 Norman Ave. The concert will begin at 2:30 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $45. For more information, call (410) 951-7950 or visit www.hpmbaltimore.org.

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APRIL 2012 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Money Law &

LOOK NORTH FOR INVESTING Canadian stocks and bonds offer an opportunity to diversity your portfolio.

The Canadian stock market has long been one of the world’s top performers CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS Learn the ground rules of political contributions, from individual donations to Super PACs, to support your candidate in April’s primary or November’s general election

Mistakes that even smart investors make Everybody knows somebody who pur- mistake. To illustrate how prevalent it is, ports to be an investment maven. You might Morningstar tracked the performance of even like to consider yourself the least popular fund cateone. gories from 1987 through 2000 However, while we always (“popularity” was gauged by hear about the winning picks the amount of cash flowing into these favored few make, we and out of funds). don’t commonly hear about The study showed that the their mistakes. And, to hear three least popular categories Larry Swedroe tell it, “smart” of funds beat the average fund investors make mistakes all 75 percent of the time, and the time. beat the most popular funds Swedroe, a money manag90 percent of the time.

THE SAVINGS er and columnist for CBS GAME Failing to consider the MoneyWatch.com, has writ- By Elliot Raphaelson costs of an investment strateten a book with R.C. Balaban, gy. Active investors often like to Investment Mistakes Even Smart Investors scan the business press for investment ideas.

Make (McGraw Hill, $28), which discusses Swedroe discusses a typical article from 77 common pitfalls.

Business Week that profiled a successful anaThe book has been praised by John lyst and his stock-picking results, which sigBogle, Burton Malkiel and William Bern- nificantly outperformed the Dow Jones Instein, financial experts I respect. Whatever dustrial Average and S&P 500 index. kind of investor you are, you would do well What pitfalls awaited the individual into understand and avoid these errors. vestor who wanted to borrow some ideas from this analyst? To begin with, the day Four biggest mistakes after the analyst’s selections were made Here are four that stand out in my expe- public, the prices of those stocks increased rience. an average of 8.8 percent. Not many small Projecting recent trends into the in- investors likely got in ahead of that increase. definite future. Many investors make this Also, most of the analyst’s recommend-

ed stocks were small-cap stocks with much higher trading costs. For some of the recommended stocks, there was a significant difference between the bid and ask price (amounting to 4.3 percent). Then there would also be commission costs.

After considering all these factors (which did not include tax consequences), a reasonable estimate of all the trading costs to replicate the analyst’s portfolio would have resulted in a total return less than that of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 index.

Blindly believing in hedge fund managers. Hedge fund managers try to outperform indexes such as the S&P 500 by buying and selling based on their perception of market mispricing.

AQR Capital Management studied five years of hedge fund data ending January 31, 2001. During that period, the average hedge fund returned 14.7 percent per year; meanwhile, the S&P 500 index outperformed the hedge fund average by almost 4 percent yearly.

Data from 2003 through 2010 show that the HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index had an annualized return of 2.8 percent, which underperformed every major equity asset class.

Many hedge fund managers are compe-

tent. However, the high fees that hedge funds charge, which range from 1 to 2 percent per year, plus 20 percent of profits, make it very difficult for them to outperform equity indexes.

Not understanding the arithmetic of active management. In 1991, finance professor William Sharpe wrote an article in a professional journal titled “The Arithmetic of Active Management,” in which he proved that active management, in aggregate, is a loser’s game. Sharpe showed that this is true not only for the broad market, but also for subsectors.

Active investors, on average, may expect exactly the same returns on a pre-expense basis as passive investors. To be sure, some investors will earn more than others, but some will earn less. The average expectation, again, will be the same as passive index investors — before expenses.

However, because expenses will be much higher for an active investor than for a “buy and hold” investor in an index fund, the active investor will have worse results on average. It may be more exciting to be an active trader, but it will not likely pay off with higher returns.

See MISTAKES, page 15

Stock up on stocks that invest in staples

By Anne Kates Smith How bad would things have to get before you stopped putting ketchup on your fries? What kind of Armageddon would keep you from buying toilet paper, diapers or detergent?

If you can’t imagine life without the products in your pantry, linen closet or laundry room, then you know why shares of companies that make consumer necessities have performed well, even in a dicey economy.

In 2011, Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index returned a mere 2.1 percent, but consumer-staples stocks in the index gained 7.5 percent.

Will staples deliver again this year? In light of some recent positive data, some advisers are casting an eye toward stocks that do better in an improving economy.

But staples provide the defensive ballast

that portfolios still need in uncertain times like these. Sam Stovall, a strategist at Standard & Poor’s Capital IQ, recommends an outsize position in both economy-sensitive stocks and staples.

Moreover, S&P sees staples firms delivering better earnings growth this year than the typical U.S. firm, and the sector yields 3.1 percent, compared with 2.3 percent for the S&P 500.

Many staples producers operate globally and are well-positioned to benefit from rapidly growing wealth in emerging nations. Plus, rising materials costs should moderate this year, easing pressure on profit margins.

Look at ETFs Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a low-cost way to invest in staples, delivering exposure to a number of companies on the

cheap. Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (symbol XLP) charges only 0.20 percent of assets per year for expenses. Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) charges a hair less, just 0.19 percent.

Both funds hold roughly 20 percent of assets in retailers that derive significant revenues from groceries or from essential drugstore items. The Vanguard and SPDR ETFs each returned 11 percent in 2011.

If you prefer active management, consider Yacktman Fund (YACKX), which holds a fair share of staples. Jensen Quality Growth I (JENIX) is also a good choice.

General Mills and Heinz If you favor individual stocks, look for companies with a strong product mix and a record of innovation.

General Mills (GIS) is a good example.

The stock, about one-third as volatile as the

market overall, recently traded at $41, or 15 times year-ahead estimated earnings.

Procter & Gamble (PG) is the quintessential staples company, with more than 20 billion-dollar brands. Since 2001, P&G has doubled its sales from emerging nations.

At $65 a share, the stock sells at 14 times estimated year-ahead earnings.

H.J. Heinz (HNZ) makes not only ketchup but also the Ore-Ida French fries and Tater Tots to squirt it on, and Weight Watchers dinners to help take off the pounds afterward. At $52 a share, the stock yields a tasty 3.7 percent.

Anne Kates Smith is a senior editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.

Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. And for more on this and similar money topics, visit www.Kiplinger.com. © 2012 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

15

Don’t overpay when filing 2011 tax return

By Elliot Raphaelson As in most years, there are several changes in the tax code that may have an impact on your 2011 tax return. Whether you prepare your own return or hire someone to do it for you, you should know what changes have been made. Even if someone else prepares your return, you are responsible for its accuracy.

Certain changes, such as the increase in the standard deduction, will be apparent when you fill out your tax forms.

The maximum 2011 liability for your Social Security is $4,485.60. Make sure your employers have not withheld more than that. If you have worked for more than one employer, it is possible that more has been withheld than your maximum liability. Attach all copies of form W-2 to your return to ensure you are credited with any overpayment.

Confusing changes Other changes may be confusing. In the middle of last year, the IRS mileage allowance changed. For the first six months of 2011, the deductible business mileage rate was 51 cents a mile; for the last six months, the rate was 55.5 cents. For medical and moving expenses, the deduction

was 19 cents a mile for the first six months, and 23.5 cents for the last six months.

The credit for energy-efficient improvements to the home has been reduced to 10 percent, with an overall limit of $500 that is reduced by prior credits.

If you converted from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA in 2010, and you selected the special two-year deferral rule, you must report half of the 2010 conversion income as a taxable IRA distribution for 2011.

Depending on your income, you may qualify for a tax credit on contributions to a qualified retirement plan. The credit may be equal to 10, 20 or 50 percent of the retirement contribution, depending on your adjusted gross income.

The income brackets have gone up this year, and those whose adjusted gross incomes are $28,250 ($42,375 if head of household; $56,500 if married filing jointly) or less qualify. (Note that this credit, and any other credit you are entitled to, reduces your tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis, making it more valuable than a deduction.)

Don’t forget these deductions When you prepare your return, it is also important to make sure you take all the de-

ductions you are entitled to. I recommend that you review www.kiplinger.com for a comprehensive list of commonly overlooked deductions. What follow are three important ones, to which I’ve added some elaboration.

• Reinvested dividends. If you own mutual funds, and have interest and dividends reinvested into the funds, the mutual fund informs you and the IRS annually of the amount of earnings that are taxable for the prior year. If you eventually sell some or all of your shares, make sure that you do not report gains on which you have already paid taxes.

For example, say you invested $5,000 in a common stock fund. For five years (prior to 2011) you received a total of $1,250 in

dividends, and you paid taxes on that amount. You sold all your shares at the end of 2011 and received $6,000. You also received $250 in dividends in 2011 that was reinvested into the fund. Your “basis” in this fund is $6,250 (your initial purchase of $5,000 plus the $1,250 you paid in taxes for the dividends).

On your 2011 tax return, you should be reporting a long-term “loss” of $250 ($6,000 minus $6,250). You would also be reporting dividend income for 2011 of $250. Your mutual fund should be able to provide you with the back-up information you need.

• Real estate points. If you refinanced See TAX RETURNS, page 17

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Mistakes From page 14

Best advice: Diversify After discussing the many mistakes investors make, Swedroe and Balaban conclude with 12 recommendations. In my opinion, this is the best one: “Build a globally diversified portfolio of passive investment vehicles such as passive asset class funds, index funds, and exchange-traded

funds consisting of multiple asset classes.”

It has been my observation that investors who try to select individual securities, to time the market, and to manage their portfolios actively are less successful than passive investors with well-considered investment objectives and diversified portfolios.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. © 2012 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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APRIL 2012 — BALTIMORE BEACON

How to contribute to political candidates

By Michael Stratford Knowing the rules of the game will help you decide how best to support your candidate.

1. The sky is not (always) the limit.

Individuals may donate up to $2,500 per candidate per election (the primary and

general elections are counted separately), up to $30,800 to a national political party annually, and up to $10,000 to state, district and local parties combined each year.

Individual donations to issues-oriented political action committees (PACs) are capped at $5,000 per year. However, any-

BEACON BITS

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one may contribute unlimited sums to nonprofit advocacy groups — often dubbed 501(c)(4)s — and to independent-expenditure-only committees, called “Super PACs.” 2. Make a connection. A direct donation to a candidate’s campaign often offers the most bang for your buck, said Michael Beckel, spokesman for the Center for Responsive Politics. A contribution of, say, $1,000 might yield, depending on the district, special access to current or future elected officials, Beckel said. Campaigns prefer direct donations (even if they’re small), especially early in the race.

3. Donate to a cause. If you are more concerned about a particular issue than electing a candidate, you might want to donate to an advocacy group — such as Planned Parenthood — which can then decide where your money is needed most.

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PACs may use contributions to promote their viewpoint, but they are prohibited from expressly promoting or attacking a candidate. Super PACs may promote or critique a specific candidate, as long as they don’t coordinate with another candidate or a political party.

4. Follow the money. Candidates are prohibited from spending campaign money on personal expenses, such as a new car or baseball tickets, but PACs and Super PACs aren’t bound by those rules.

Still, PACs and Super PACs must disclose their spending in regular reports, which are available on the Federal Election Commission’s website, www.fec.gov.

5. Let the sunshine in. At the federal level, if you donate more than $200 to a candidate, political party, PAC or Super PAC, your name, address, occupation and the amount of your contribution will become publicly available through FEC filings. Large contributors, however, frequently donate privately to a 501(c)(4), which may turn the money over to a Super PAC, effectively skirting the disclosure requirements.

6. Give to a nonprofit twin. Nearly every advocacy group, from the National Rifle Association to the Sierra Club, has a related 501(c)(3) charity. So, if you want to support an organization in a general sense, a contribution to its charitable operations could be a good bet.

Such contributions may not be used directly for political purposes, but if you itemize deductions, you will be able to write off the contribution on your federal tax return — something you can’t do with political contributions. © 2012 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

ONLINE DATABASE OF SERVICES

Maryland Access Point (MAP) provides a comprehensive and up-to-date database of services and resources for seniors and persons with disabilities available throughout Maryland. Call the information hotline at (410) 887-2594 or visit www.marylandaccesspoint.info.

Mar. 24

BECOME A TECH ENTREPRENEUR

This innovation conference encourages and equips women and African Americans in the field of tech entrepreneurship. It will take place on Saturday, March 24, at Maryland Institute College of Art, Brown Center, Falvey Hall, 1301 W. Mount Royal Ave., at noon. Admission is free. For more information, call (410) 225-2300 or visit www.fyi.mica.edu.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

17

Diversifying? Don’t forget Canadian stocks

By Mark Jewell Building a truly diversified portfolio means going global.

Many advisers suggest investors supplement their U.S. investments with stocks and bonds from fast-growing nations like China and Brazil. Growth prospects are grim in Europe, but there may be bargains to be found in the continent’s depressed markets.

But it can be easy to overlook opportunities much closer to home. Think Canada. Many foreign stock mutual funds focus on developed markets in other areas of the world, but overlook our northern neighbor. Instead, foreign diversified funds may include investments from heavily indebted nations.

That’s too bad, because the Canadian stock market has long been one of the world’s top performers. The lone U.S. mu-

tual fund specializing in Canadian stocks, Fidelity Canada (FICDX), has earned its investors an average annualized return of 12.2 percent over the last 10 years.

By comparison, funds tracking the Standard & Poor’s 500 index averaged about 3 percent a year. Fidelity Canada’s five-year record ranks first among more than 100 of its foreign large-growth fund peers, according to Morningstar.

Tax returns

ers. If you own your own business, or have self-employment income, and file Schedule C, and you are eligible for Medicare, you can deduct premiums on your return for you and your spouse. You do not have to itemize in order to take this deduction.

You are allowed this deduction only if you do not have a subsidized health plan from your employer or your spouse’s employer. If you previously filed a return without deducting Medicare premiums, you can file an

From page 15 your mortgage in 2011, you may prorate any points you paid over the length of the new mortgage. For example, assume you paid your financial institution $3,000 in points for a 15-year refinanced mortgage at the beginning of 2011. You are allowed to deduct $200 a year for 15 years.

• Health insurance for business own-

Strong bond market, too Bond investors may also be missing out on an opportunity to the north. Although 10-year government bonds in Canada and 10-year Treasury notes in the U.S. both offer yields of around 1.9 percent, the risks to achieve that return are arguably much smaller with Canada’s bonds.

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Canadian leaders have proved more fiscally adept than their counterparts in Washington, where partisan dysfunction has left the U.S. government owing roughly as much as the nation’s economy produces in a year. In contrast, Canada owes less than half the value of its economic output.

Canada’s fiscal strength and political stability are key reasons why one top U.S. multisector bond fund holds about 9 percent of its portfolio in Canadian government bonds, while avoiding U.S. Treasurys.

“Canada is very much in a sweet spot now,” said Elaine Stokes, a co-manager of Loomis Sayles Bond (LSBRX), which Morningstar currently gives a gold-medal rating.

Stokes views the U.S. Treasury market as “scarier” than Canada’s government debt market. She cites Treasury market volatili-

amended return to refigure the deduction.

File electronically for free Another tip: Taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes under $57,000 can file their returns electronically for free through the IRS website www.freefile.irs.gov. The agency has agreements with tax preparation companies to provide the service, and you can choose which one you would like to use.

If your income is higher than that thresh-

ty, in part because of steps the Federal Reserve has taken to prop up the economy, and uncertainty over the Fed’s next moves.

Then there was last summer’s downgrade by Standard & Poor’s, which cut the U.S. government’s credit rating to AA+ from the top rating, AAA. Canada remains AAA.

Other reasons to invest Stokes sees plenty of other reasons to like Canada: • The economic recovery from the recession has been more rapid in Canada than in the U.S. Canada’s unemployment rate is 7.5 percent, a percentage point below ours.

• Canada’s outlook is improving because the U.S. recovery is gaining momenSee CANADIAN STOCKS, page 19

old, you can always use the Fillable Forms that the IRS provides at www.irs.gov. The forms do basic math calculations and allow you to file electronically at no charge.

No support is provided with the Fillable Forms, nor are state returns included. The IRS calls it “the simple electronic equivalent of paper forms.” © 2012 Elliot Raphaelson. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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Copyright © 2012 by firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. All rights reserved.

Canadian stocks From page 17 tum, with unemployment at its lowest level in nearly three years. The nations’ fortunes are strongly linked because Canada is the largest trade partner of the U.S. It sends more than 70 percent of its exports across its southern border. Says Stokes: “As the U.S. goes, so goes Canada.”

• She likes the long-term outlook for energy and materials producers, which make up about half the market value of Canada’s major stock index, the S&P/TSX Composite.

Canada has a wealth of oil, natural gas, minerals and agricultural staples, and boasts companies such as oil and gas producer Suncor Energy and gold miner Barrick Gold.

Global demand for those commodities has been rising because of strong economic growth in emerging markets like China.

It’s a trend that’s expected to continue, making Canada an attractive investing option. (However, slower short-term growth prospects in emerging markets hurt commodities demand last year. That’s a key reason why the Canadian stock market fell 11 percent last year.)

19

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

Surprisingly, mutual fund investors have relatively few options to invest in Canada.

Besides the Fidelity Canada mutual fund, five exchange-traded funds (ETFs) track segments of Canada’s stock market. A sixth ETF, recently launched by PIMCO, invests in Canadian bonds. The biggest is iShares MSCI Canada Index (EWC), with $4.6 billion in assets.

There’s plenty of emerging competition, however. Five of the Canada ETFs have been launched within the past two years.

Some cautions Here are some tips for U.S. investors considering Canada: • Think small: Canada’s stock market represents about 4 percent of the value of stocks globally. Investors seeking broad diversification probably shouldn’t allocate more than that amount to their portfolio.

It’s important to remember that investors may already hold some Canadian investments within diversified international funds.

Certain index funds, such as those tied to the MSCI World index, include Canada among the developed markets they invest in. But funds tracking another popular

index, the MSCI EAFE, invest in countries such as Greece and Portugal, but not Canada. If you’re concerned about your mix of investments, check the list of countries in the index the fund tracks.

• Avoid overdoing it on commodities: Canada’s economy is very dependent on commodities, so its stocks closely track those of commodities producers globally, Morningstar analyst Samuel Lee said. An investor who already has substantial investments in companies that produce energy and raw materials should probably avoid a Canada-focused fund.

• Buckle up: Expect volatility north of the border. That’s because Canada’s many commodities stocks typically rise faster and fall harder than other stocks.

• Don’t get overexposed to North America: Because economic links between Canada and the U.S. are strong, stock markets in

the two countries often work in sync. The bigger role that commodities play north of the border differentiates Canada, but correlation between the two markets can still be tight. So the diversification benefit of investing in Canada can be limited.

Loomis Sayles’ Stokes also cautioned that Canada is vulnerable to risks from the European debt crisis. One of her fears is that the crisis worsens, sending Europe into a deep recession. That could jeopardize the U.S. recovery, and in turn Canada’s.

But she still likes Canada’s solid fiscal health and strong prospects for its energy and materials producers to profit from long-term global economic growth.

“We understand there will be volatility,” she said. “But if you take a long-term view, it’s hard to not make a case for a country like Canada.”

— AP

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Mar. 29+

VISIT THE ANNAPOLIS AMISH MARKET Members of the Pascal Senior Center will take a van trip to the

Amish market in Annapolis Harbour Center on March 29 and 30. The van will leave the center, 125 Dorsey Rd. in Glen Burnie, at 9:30 a.m. and return at 1:30

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p.m. each day. Donations are appreciated for van service. A $2 commitment fee

YOUR LINK TO SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE

The Baltimore County Department of Aging provides the services of a community outreach specialist to link seniors with various benefit and assistance programs, as well as referrals to additional services. For more information, call Marilyn Axman at (410) 887-6745.

Ongoing

HELP RAISE GUIDE DOG PUPPIES

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is looking for local volunteers to open their hearts and homes to a future guide dog puppy. All training, support and veterinary expenses are provided free of charge. If you love puppies, learn more about this opportunity to make a difference in the life of a blind person.

Visit online at www.volunteer.guidingeyes.org. Puppy classes meet Thursday evenings. Contact Carrie Barnett, cbarnett@guidingeyes.org or (410) 960-7427.

is required to reserve a van seat. Register at the office or call (410) 222-6680 for more information.

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

Careers Volunteers &

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

Food bank helps people feed their pets worry about is giving up the part of our lives that brings us joy and unconditional love…our pets.”

Inspired from childhood Her grandmother inspired her to find ways to help others. When Molnar was a little girl, her grandmother gave her a birthday card with a poem written by Helen Steiner Rice called “Brighten the Corner Where You Are.” Molnar said has never forgotten such lines as, “So do not sit and idly wish for wider, new dimensions, Where you can put in practice your many good intentions…”, as well as her grandmother’s compassion for people and the life lessons she taught.

Thankful Paws has already helped feed the pets of about 150 families throughout Harford and Baltimore counties and Baltimore City. Since Thankful Paws opened its doors, it has purchased more than $700 worth of dog and cat food, and has also redistributed over 50 bags of new and unopened pet food donated to the organization.

“Thankful Paws helps to take the financial burden off of the minds of pet owners

PHOTO COURTESY OF THANKFUL PAWS

By Carol Sorgen Lynn Molnar knows all too well how an unexpected financial crisis can affect an entire family — including its four-legged members.

Several years ago, Molnar was faced with several large medical and tuition bills, and even though she had a job, money was tight. She had enough money to buy food for either herself or her four pets.

In Molnar’s case, her pets came first.

She resorted to getting food for herself through food banks. And though times are better now, that experience gave birth to the new food bank for pets called Thankful Paws.

Founded just three months ago, Thankful Paws is dedicated to helping people keep their pets, said Molnar, who lives in White Marsh. The nonprofit organization provides dog and cat food and other supplies to pet owners going through a rough patch financially, with a focus on seniors, veterans, the homeless and those with disabilities .

“Sometimes life can present all of us an unexpected problem,” said Molnar. “In times of crisis, the last thing we want to

Lynn Molnar recently founded Thankful Paws, a nonprofit that provides pet food and supplies for those who are unable to afford them for their cats and dogs.

in need by providing food and supplies to their loyal, faithful and loving pets,” said Molnar. “It is our honor to help America’s veterans, especially those with service dogs. We thank you for your service.

Please let us help you keep your best friend.”

Molnar is also reaching out to the homeless, providing not only pet food, but leashes, blankets, bowls and flea medicines.

How others can help So far, Thankful Paws has received donations from the Maryland Food Bank and PetValu, as well as individual donations of cash and pet food, kitty litter and other supplies.

The organization is currently looking

for donated space in which to store the supplies, as well as a van with which to make deliveries.

Molnar says that she also welcomes volunteers of any age with a range of skills.

Opportunities range from picking up supplies and making deliveries, to writing business plans, fundraising and more.

“There is no need to abandon a pet — or find a new home for your faithful companion just because of money,” she said.

To receive help, or to volunteer, contact Molnar at (443) 528-3637 or email lynn@thankfulpaws.org. An online form to request assistance from Thankful Paws, as well as opportunities to send donations electronically through PayPal, are available at www.thankfulpaws.org.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

“Ball Boys” From page 1 dollar collection in search of a birthday gift for Senior, and end up haggling over a piece of Yankee history.

Meanwhile, Junior is introduced to the man who invented the World Series, and Senior tries to buy a Packers jersey that belongs in the Hall of Fame.

While on the face of it, the series might likely appeal primarily to avid sports fans, the Davises think the human element brought to the show by the father-son relationship — along with featured staff members “Shaggy” and “Sweet Lou,” and the regular visits from professional athletes — will provide enough entertainment to keep even non-diehard sports fans entertained.

The sporting life “Ball Boys” may be new, but the Davises are no newcomers to the world of sports.

Robbie Senior is 61 and lives in Catonsville. In his former career as owner of All-Star Dodge, Senior worked with Orioles players such as Al Bumbry, Fred Lynn, Eddie Murray and Brooks Robinson, who were spokesmen for the car dealership.

He also attended the Orioles first “Dream Week” in 1986, in which participants spend a week at the Orioles spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla., playing ball, complete with Orioles uniforms. “I

wanted to prove that old people could go too!” he exclaimed.

Robbie Junior is 33 and lives in Towson.

Some time ago, he was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers and attended training camp, but he never played professionally for the team.

Robbie Senior’s love of sports began as a kid when, like many youngsters, he collected baseball cards. Through the years, his collection of sports memorabilia has grown to encompass many different sports and collectibles, his most prized possession being a pair of Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves.

Today, it’s Robbie Junior who scouts the country for finds to bring back to the store or to help customers locate a long-sought piece, such as a Babe Ruth baseball for which a happy collector paid $15,000.

That was the most expensive collectible the Davises have sold to date. The least expensive? Dirt from Cleveland Stadium for a mere $40.

“We’ve got items from all sports at all price levels and from all eras,” said Robbie Senior.

A tour of the small shop reveals a pair of one of the first tennis shoes ever made, as well as the base that Yankees star Derek Jeter signed after making his 3,000th hit.

In the market for an authentic turnstile?

For $2,900 you can own a piece of Detroit Tigers Stadium. Or how about a 1940s arcade basketball game that still takes your

21

your investments for the stock market.”

The Davises say they have a small niche business which, with the growth of the Internet, has expanded from the local walkin trade to collectors nationwide. And if the TV show takes off, well, that might raise things to a different level entirely.

“We can’t wait for the show to air,” said Robbie Senior. “We hope America likes us.”

With a salesman’s optimism, he adds, “We’re already looking forward to season 2.”

pennies (after you pay the $1,500 to take it home in the first place).

But there are also cards, baseball caps, banners, decals and more, so even newbie collectors can get in on the game.

For would-be collectors, the Davises advise finding a shop you feel comfortable with, doing your research, and collecting items from the athletes (or sports) you like.

“You’ll enjoy it more when you’re collecting your heroes,” said Robbie Senior. “Save

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HELP AARP MARYLAND

Make a difference in Maryland through a variety of volunteer opportunities with AARP. Call (410) 895-7604 or visit www.aarp.org to learn more. For other volunteer opportunities, check out AARP’s Create the Good program. Call 1-888-OUR-AARP or visit www.aarp.org/makeadifference/volunteer/create_the_good.

Ongoing

HOME TEAM ADVANTAGE

Home Team serves the homebound older adults of Baltimore County with supportive services such as grocery shopping, friendly visiting, phone calling, escorting and more. Call (410) 887-4141 to find out how you can volunteer.

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HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care is seeking volunteers to serve in Baltimore City and Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard and Harford counties. Positions available for patient care, in-patient care at Northwest Hospital, and in the office. Call 1-888-523-6000 or email jjordan@seasons.org for more information.

Would you like to sell ads for the Beacon?

BRAND NEW APARTMENT HOMES FOR ACTIVE ADULTS 62 OR BETTER

This full-time, outside sales position pays a base salary plus commissions and benefits.

We’re looking for a hard-working, detail-oriented people person.

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If you love the Beacon — and would be excited to call and meet with potential advertisers throughout the Greater Baltimore and Howard County areas — send your resume and cover letter to Alan Spiegel, Director of Sales, at: alan@theBeaconNewspapers.com.

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APRIL 2012 — BALTIMORE BEACON

We want to be your Family’s Pharmacy That’s why we give you more.

Our pharmacists are at the heart of everything we do.

They can counsel you on your medications, side effects, drug interactions... even vitamins. We give you more than your medications; we’ll give you the advice you need.

Plus a series of pharmacy benefits like no other drugstore.

LifeCheck

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Since all of our Pharmacies are linked by satellite network, we can access your prescription profile and fill your prescription at any location.* *If on file at another Rite Aid store.

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Refills just got easier. Call the Pharmacy number on your prescription bottle, enter the prescription I.D. number printed on the label and we will tell you when it will be ready.

With Internet Refills, you can order your prescription without ever leaving the house. Just go to www.riteaid.com and click “Refill Now”, select Store Pick-up or Mail Delivery and simply enter prescription information.

Rite Advice

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With every prescription, you will receive written information on the dosage, side effects and potential drug interaction.

Only Rite Aid pharmacists are specially trained to know vitamins. Ask your Rite Aid pharmacist for a personal vitamin profile.

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“Being injured on the job is hard enough. Your Rite Aid Pharmacist is here to personally help you along your road to recovery.” Ask us about our Workers’ Compensation Prescription Program.

There are no hassles, no delays and no out-ofpocket expenses.

We make children’s medicines a lot less yucky. Ask the pharmacist to add any of our 20 great flavors to any of your liquid medications.

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

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Travel

23

Leisure &

Consider containers to help simplify gardening. See story on page 25.

Live like a Greek on the island of Rhodes freshly prepared simply and deliciously.

Seas that range in a spectrum of color from light turquoise to dark blue. Virtually countless archeological sites that trace the roots of much Western civilization. And people whose love for life casts an infectious spell even upon those who are there for an all-too-brief visit.

Not a trip; a way of life

PHOTO BY PANAGIOTIS KARAPANAGIOTIS/DREAMSTIME.COM

When planning where to go in Greece, Fyllis and I followed our own rule: The more travelers try to see, the less they often do. By focusing on a single island, we were able to discover its allure and attractions at our own pace.

Through our stay on Rhodes, Greece became a temporary way of life, interspersed with visits to ancient ruins, tiny towns, magnificent handiworks of nature, and other attractions that combine into a microcosm of the entire country.

For anyone who is not a dedicated museum-goer, Rhodes provides the perfect setting. The entire island is a veritable outdoor museum, with reminders everywhere of cultures and customs of peoples who have influenced it. The seafaring Phoenicians, Persians, Roman Empire and Ottoman Turks are on the long list of powers that once held sway over the island.

A logical starting point for exploration is the city of Rhodes, perched at the northernmost tip of the island of Rhodes, on the site where an ancient settlement rose more than 2,400 years ago. Monuments from every period since then stand in silent testimony to its long history.

Surprisingly, the old walled section is the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe, and one of the best preserved and most beautiful. Separated by its massive walls from the tourist-oriented new area that has sprouted around it, the ancient forThe city of Rhodes contains the largest inhabited metifications and structures dieval town in Europe. This castle, built by the Knights manifest an atmosphere of of St. John of Jerusalem, consists of 205 rooms and today houses the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes. the Middle Ages as authen-

PHOTO BY ANDERS LUNDSTEDT/DREAMSTIME.COM

By Victor Block “You’ll lose your mind spending two weeks on Rhodes,” we were warned.

“Sure, some of the beaches are lovely, and the water is Aegean blue. But that’s about it. Two or three days there is enough.”

Spoken by a friend of Greek background, those words made me and my wife Fyllis wonder if we had made a mistake. But it was too late. Airline tickets had been bought; hotels had been booked.

Fast forward two months. On our flight back home, we recalled that warning and agreed that we had made a mistake. We should have stayed on Rhodes even longer.

It’s not easy for a country like Greece to live up to its reputation. That’s even more true for an island like Rhodes — only 50 miles long and 24 miles across at its widest point. Yet we found that many of the delightful images the word “Greece” brings to mind were fulfilled there, in an area compact enough to explore at leisure.

Whitewashed villages gleaming in the sun. Fishermen returning to port with an aquarium-like variety of ocean life, to be

Whitewashed houses dot the picturesque coastal village of Lindos on the Greek island of Rhodes. Lindos has its own acropolis and Temple of Athena, along with other archaeological ruins and a popular beach.

tic as that found anywhere.

Fyllis and I returned several times to follow the narrow cobbled lanes wherever they led. A number of the most impressive structures date back to the period between 1307 and 1522 C.E., when the Order of Knights of St. John of Jerusalem ruled in Rhodes and left imposing evidence of their presence. (The Order had been established in Jerusalem as part of the First Crusade. When Jerusalem fell to the Muslims, the Order moved to Rhodes, where it built a navy to continue its battles.)

The Street of the Knights, lined by former residences, leads to the fortress-like Grand Master’s Palace. Three delicate apses are the only reminders of the Church of the Virgin Mary. The Archaeological Museum is housed in what served as the main hospital of the Knights.

Hippocrates Square, the Old Town’s main shopping area, today is lined with restaurants and bars housed in imposing stone buildings.

Archaeological treasures Further south on the island, the town of Lindos vies with Rhodes as a magnet for visitors, despite its population of only about 1,100 people. It’s the quintessential Greek village portrayed on travel posters. A smattering of white houses, dazzling in the sun-

light, perches on the side of a steep hill.

Looming above is the acropolis, a cliff topped by graceful columns — remnants of the Temple of Athena, the protectress of Lindos and goddess of arts and crafts.

The archaeological treasures of Lindos extend around the acropolis. I found especially intriguing an outdoor auditorium carved into a rocky cliff that could seat 1,800 spectators. Standing at the base of the amphitheater in the silence of an afternoon, I could visualize the scene when an audience gathered to be entertained by a play or other presentation.

Because of its location hugging the eastern shore of Rhodes, about halfway between its northern and southern tips, Lindos is well located for day trips to other beaches, towns and nearby attractions.

Like many destinations in Europe, Rhodes is lined by beaches that range from soft sand to rounded pebbles. The best are strung along the east coast, and they can be crowded during the high season. That’s certainly true of the sand beach at Lindos, which balances what can be a crush of bodies during summer with magnificent views of the town and its acropolis.

The beach at Kalithea, a short drive south of the city of Rhodes, is adjacent to See RHODES, page 24

24

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Rhodes From page 23 several coves that offer good swimming and snorkeling. Tsambika, a bit further on, has golden sand lapped by turquoise water.

Despite the allure of soft sand and searing sun, Fyllis and I managed to tear ourselves away from such pleasures to delve further into the historic sights of Rhodes.

Driving through the countryside, over roads that snake over rolling hills and low mountains, we passed through landscapes changing from arid, rocky terrain near the coastline to verdant forests of the interior.

Goats seemed to be everywhere, grazing on grass at the foot of fruit trees and in olive groves, and tethered anywhere there’s a tiny plot of grass.

Pausing for a stroll through the extensive ruins of ancient Kamiros immersed us in the lifestyle of the original inhabitants during the 6th and 5th centuries B.C.E., when it was a thriving city. The site spills dramati-

cally down a hill overlooking the sea.

On the top level stood a temple complex of Athena, from which the revered goddess could gaze out over the setting. A covered reservoir, large enough to supply several hundred families, furnished water through a system of underground terra cotta pipes.

The main settlement, on a lower terrace, consisted of a grid of streets and houses adorned with mosaic floors and painted wall decorations. The remains of public baths include hot and cold chambers, and an underground system for heating the rooms.

Mountain village life Tiny, unspoiled mountain villages are scattered throughout Rhodes. In many ways they have changed little over the generations. Things move at a slow pace (except when people are driving a car or motorbike).

Archangelos, the largest village on the island, covers a low plateau rimmed by mountains. Its residents are known as mas-

APRIL 2012 — BALTIMORE BEACON

ter artisans who make pottery and weave carpets and tapestries using the same timehonored methods as their forebears.

Anyone driving into the village of Appolonia need only follow the wonderful aroma to find the little bakery of the same name. The nine women who own the enterprise bake breads and cakes that were mentioned in The Iliad, Homer’s epic poem about the Trojan War, using recipes handed down by generations of local families.

They also make and sell olive oil and liqueurs. If you’re ever there, be sure to sample the melekouni, a sweet pastry revered in Homer’s texts, and “spoon sweet,” a popular Greek dessert flavored with a variety of fruits.

Kritinia is one of the prettiest villages on Rhodes. Perched upon a hillside, the town of about 550 inhabitants offers panoramic views of the sea in one direction and, in the other, of Mount Attavyros, at 3,985 feet the tallest spot on the island. Those who hike or drive up the mountain find ruins of a temple to Zeus.

Tavernas and churches For an excellent meal, and an opportunity for pleasant encounters with friendly locals, stop at one of the small tavernas that you pass when driving between and through the villages.

In many cases, the owners are the cooks and wait staff. Even if they speak no English, they will go out of their way to help you order. Several times we were invited into the kitchen to see what was available and point to what we wanted.

Almost as ubiquitous throughout Rhodes as tavernas are churches, and they come in all ages and sizes. While guidebooks describe the major religious edifices that attract most visitors, including ruins from centuries past, Fyllis and I found especially inviting the tiny white chapels that are scattered around the island.

Many of these little structures, some of which can accommodate only a handful of worshippers, are located along isolated side roads in rural areas. Such miniscule places of worship stand in contrast to massive cathedral-like buildings that date back to times when Rhodes was a power in the ancient world.

The atmosphere in the cities of Rhodes and Lindos is very different from that experienced in villages elsewhere on the island.

That diversity accounts for much of the appeal of the island, and introduces those who go there to much that Greece has to offer.

If you go

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While any time is a good time to visit Rhodes, mid-summer has the highest daytime temperatures and largest crowds, and the most rain falls between October and March. Early spring and late fall are perhaps the best times to go.

Unrest in Greece has been in the news recently, but it has primarily been confined to Athens. We encountered none on Rhodes, where life went on as always, and have heard about none there since our return home.

We stayed for a week in the city of Rhodes and for another week in Lindos.

The Hotel Atlantis in Rhodes is well located in the old section of the city, a short walk from the beach and near a number of tavernas.

Rooms are not large but are clean and modern. Double room prices, including a lavish breakfast, begin at about $175 (depending on the exchange rate). For more information, log onto www.atlantisgroup.gr.

At a rate of about $85 for two people, including both breakfast and dinner, the Lindos Sun hotel is a real bargain. It is perched on a hill with a beautiful view of the sea, and has good-sized rooms, a swimming pool, and a pleasant terrace and outside bar. The hotel is open from May through October. For more information, log onto www.lindos-sun.com.

US Airways, partnering with Aegean Air, has the lowest mid-April fare departing from BWI, $1,066 round trip.

For more information, call the Greek National Tourism Organization at (212) 421-5777 or log onto www.visitgreece.gr.

25

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

Ways to ease your gardening workload

By Dean Fosdick If you’re gardening more but enjoying it less, maybe it’s time to adopt some laborsaving ideas. Those can range from downsizing to mulching, from using native plants to switching to raised beds. “There’s no such thing as ‘no maintenance’ gardening. All gardens require some effort,� said Christopher Starbuck, an associate professor with the University of Missouri’s Division of Plant Sciences. “But one good way to reduce the workload is consolidation, and you can do that by going with raised beds.�

More crops can be grown — and grown more easily — when concentrated in small areas, he said. That simplifies adding organic matter to the soil, and it also makes plants more accessible for watering and weeding, improving many an aching back.. “Start in one corner and put in a few raised beds per year. Just peck away at it,�

Starbuck said. “You’ll find it takes a lot less energy and produces higher yields in the end.�

Other low-maintenance, smart gardening suggestions include: • Mulching. “Mulch is the ultimate low-tech, high-impact gardening tool,â€? said Doug Welsh, a professor and extension horticulturist with Texas AgriLife Extension Service at College Station. “It con-

serves water, cools temperatures in summer and warms them in winter. It also keeps the weeds down.â€? • Native plants. “Choose plants adapted to your environment,â€? Welsh said. “Don’t try to grow Bluegrass in Texas or rhubarb in the South. You can always be a pioneer, but it takes more effort to grow plants not native to your environment.â€? • Using less fertilizer. Recycle as many nutrients as possible by leaving grass clippings on the lawn or foliage over plant beds. Base fertilizer use on soil tests, Starbuck said. “Over-fertilization leads to excessive growth that needs frequent pruning or mowing.â€? • Containers. You can manage water and fertilizer use more easily in containers, Welsh said. “The biggest mistake people make with containers is getting them too small,â€? he said. “Start almost at the whiskey barrel size and then scale down to what your plants really need.â€? • Xeriscaping (the term means gardening or landscaping in ways that minimize the need for watering). Choosing drought-tolerant plants saves on water and watering time, two big pluses for busy gardeners. “All plants within a (planting) zone should have the same water requirements and be watered as a group,â€? according to a

Clemson University fact sheet. Avoid highmaintenance plants, or put them where they can be reached easily with a soaker hose. Choose day lilies, iris and other perennials that require little attention. • Reducing lawn size. Replace it with perennial beds, decks, trails, sidewalks or mulch. “Grass is one of the highest input plants that we grow,â€? Welsh said. “Turf means watering, mowing, fertilizing and pest control. Do you really need 5,000 square feet of grass?â€? • Naturalizing. Incorporate your surroundings and let plants grow wild, said Sydney Eddison, author of Gardening for a Lifetime: How to Garden Wiser as You Grow Older (Timber Press, 2010). “If you own even a scrap of woodland, you can

make an extension of your garden by edging it with a few berried and flowering shrubs,â€? she said. “Naturalize daffodils on the forest floor.â€? • Easing up. If all else fails, simply relax your attitude about gardening, Missouri’s Starbuck said. “Training yourself to enjoy a more chaotic look is the single most important thing you can do to reduce the amount of time you spend in the garden.â€?

For more about low-maintenance gardening, see this University of Missouri Extension fact sheet: http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G6902.

You can contact Dean Fosdick at deanfosdick@netscape.net. — AP

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ENJOY A CASINO DAY IN ATLANTIC CITY The Brooklyn Park Senior Center at 202 Hammonds Lane is tak-

ing reservations now for a trip to the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City on !"#$%!&'#'("'!)*+&$,') !-''.!$)'!+*/'!-$&!"0&*),!1!"2//'& !3*##"!4&$(.#'(-!%''."!1!5&(4,&("" !"(6'"!+*/'!1!/$)'7 !4(7!-&*').#7!8!9'&$!0:$"0:(+'

Tuesday, April 17. The trip begins at 7:45 a.m. and returns at 8:30 p.m. The cost is $30, which includes bonus $25 free play. Call (410) 222-6847 for information.

May 24

GARDENS EXTRAORDINAIRE! Kaleidoscope Lifelong Learning Program is hosting an escorted tour of three private Baltimore gardens on Thursday, May 24 from

We Are The Area’s Only Weber Alliance Dealer!

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $79. Order tickets at (410) 323-5500 or online at www.rpcs.org.

June 26

THE MUSIC MAN AT ARENA STAGE Join Kaleidoscope Lifelong Learning Program on this excursion to Arena Stage in Washington, DC, on Saturday, June 16 to see

perennial favorite, The Music Man. Tickets are $149 for bus transportation, lunch MODEL

and the show. Reserve your seat at (410) 323-5500 or visit on the web at

#737001

www.rpcs.org.

May 3+

REGIONAL EXPO AND JOB FAIR Innovations in Aging 2012 features an educational conference designed for aging network professionals, a free job fair for any-

one seeking employment, and a free expo featuring a hall of exhibits, interactive health and wellness activities, cooking demonstrations, exercise classes and more. The event will be held May 3 through 5 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Conference Center in National Harbor, Md. The job fair will be held on Thursday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come with your resume in hand and be prepared to speak with prospective employers. The Expo takes place on Saturday, May 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, see www.innovationsinaging2012.com or call (410) 767-1100.

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APRIL 2012 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Style Arts &

Wunderkinder is one of the films being screened at the Baltimore Jewish Film Festival. See story on page 27.

Peabody Dance Institute plans centennial Dance Boys Program in 2009.

Peabody Dance alumni have, like Martha Clarke, gone on to form their own companies, or, like Stephen Greenston, danced with international troupes such as the Stuttgart Ballet. More recent alumni include Pasha Knopp at JKO School of American Ballet Theater, Tyler Brown in Alvin Ailey Company 2, and Stacy Martorana in Mark Morris Company.

Upcoming dance showcase But while it looks to its past, Peabody Dance continues to focus on the future, and on Saturday and Sunday, March 31 and April 1, will present its 2012 Choreography Showcase, danced by upper-level Peabody Dance students and young guest professionals.

As part of the showcase, on the road to its 100th birthday celebration, a video highlighting Peabody Dance’s past, present and future will have its first public screening.

A special feature of the upcoming dance concerts is that four of the six works on the program will be danced to live music performed by eight Peabody Conserva-

tory cellists.

“Bringing musicians into the dance studio puts sound and space in a new context for both players and movers, and the opportunity to connect live in performance brings into play a vital interpretation and heightened empathy for the work being realized,” said Bartlett, who makes use of her extensive experience in collaborative choreography in producing the annual showcase.

“Aside from enhancing the quality of the program and the audience’s enjoyment, these opportunities for collaboration are fruitful outgrowths of Peabody’s training classes and See DANCE, page 28

PHOTO COURTESY OF PEABODY DANCE INSTITUTE

By Carol Sorgen If you ever attended dance classes at the Peabody Dance Institute, Artistic Director Carol Bartlett wants to hear from you. In 2014, the institute will mark its centennial anniversary, making it one of the oldest ongoing dance programs in the United States, and Bartlett is hoping to locate as many past Peabody dance students as possible to mark the historic celebration.

In preparation for the centennial, researchers poring through Peabody’s extensive archives have already rediscovered some of the groundbreaking collaborations and other important contributions to American dance history that have marked Peabody’s long tenure.

This includes the pioneering instruction in 1927 of Native American dance; the establishment of the modern dance program by former Martha Graham dancer Dale Sehnert in 1955; the addition of Barbara Weisberger — first child student of famed ballet master George Balanchine and founder/director of the Pennsylvania Ballet — as Artistic Advisor in 2001; and the establishment of the Estelle Dennis/Peabody

Choreographer Carol Bartlett has served as Peabody Dance Institute’s artistic director since 1995.

Kaleidoscope Lifelong Learning at Roland Park Country School Spring programs for everyone who enjoys learning!

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Language Adventures Children/Family Matters Cultural Arts Day Trips Fitness Classes Book Talks Culinary Arts Technology Military History Creative Pursuits …and much, much more!

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For information, please call 410-323-5500, ext. 3091 or visit us online at www.rpcs.org

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

27

Film festival focuses on Jewish themes

By Carol Sorgen War is hell, and seeing it from a child’s perspective doesn’t make it any easier, as Wunderkinder (Wonder Children), one of the featured films in the Baltimore Jewish Film Festival, makes clear.

This German film, directed by Markus Rosenmuller and released in 2011, tells the story of three musical prodigies whose friendship and love of music transcends the barriers of religion and nationality. It will be shown on April 25 as part of the five-week festival.

Larissa and Abrascha are young Jewish musical students living in Ukraine. Their virtuosity — he on the violin, she on the piano — have earned them musical tours throughout the country and an invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Hanna, a young German girl, is also an extremely gifted violinist, whose wealthy father — who runs a German-owned brewery in Ukraine — bribes Larissa and Abrascha’s music teacher to take Hanna on as a student, too.

Despite Larissa and Abrascha’s initial resistance to what they consider an encroachment on their special bond with each other and with their teacher, it is not long before the three youngsters form a close friendship, united by their passion for music.

Escaping the Nazis But when the Nazis invade the Ukrainian town of Poltava, music takes a back seat as the children’s Jewish and German families must save each other from both fascism and Communism.

Real-life musicians Elin Kolev and Mathilda Adamik, along with child actor Imogen Burrell, give endearing performances in this Holocaust drama told from a child’s point of view.

Wunderkinder (96 minutes) will be shown on Wednesday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m., at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., in Owings Mills.

Eight films The 23rd Annual William and Irene Weinberg Family Baltimore Jewish Film Festival, sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore, runs from Sunday, March 25 through Monday, April 30. Eight internationally acclaimed films will be shown in the series, all of them at the Gordon Center. Each screening will be followed by a prominent guest speaker.

Tickets for the films are available in advance at both the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC and the Weinberg Park Heights JCC cashier’s desks or online at www.baltimorejff.com. The cost is $10 per person per film. For more information, contact

Learn how to make

Nancy Goldberg at (410) 559-2377 or ngoldberg@jcc.org.

In addition to Wunderkinder, the remaining films to be shown include: Nicky’s Family Sunday, March 25 at 3 p.m.

2011; English A tribute to the Englishman dubbed “Britain’s Schindler,” Nicky’s Family illuminates the legacy of a pre-WWII mass rescue of children. In December 1938, Sir Nicholas Winton, a London stockbroker, masterminded a series of rail-sea transports to save 669 young Czech and Slovak refugees, most of them Jewish. Not even Winton’s wife knew of his noble acts until a scrapbook detailing the mission was uncovered in 1988.

This film combines newsreels and archival photos with dramatic reenactments narrated by rescued children and Sir Winton himself. The film gains added immediacy as grandchildren of the rescuees and others describe the resulting humanitarian feats Winton inspired.

My Australia Wednesday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m.

2011; Hebrew and Polish with English subtitles The mother of a fragmented family in a poor neighborhood in Poland in the mid1960s spends most of her time working to

provide the basic needs for her 10- and 14year-old sons. Left to their own devices, the boys join a neighborhood gang with a strong neo-Nazi orientation.

A Holocaust survivor, she thought that she was protecting her sons by concealing her past and origins, but now she must tell them that she is a Jew. She takes the older boy into her confidence, but the younger son is told that they are immigrating to Australia, while the truth is that they are boarding a ship to Israel. The film explores the struggle to form an identity in a new country, while trying to build a new life.

Kaddish for a Friend Monday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m.

2011; Arabic/German with English subtitles Growing up in a Palestinian refugee camp, 14-year-old Ali learned to hate Jews at an early age. After he and his family escape to a new life in Berlin, Ali longs to be accepted by his fellow Arab youths in the public housing project.

In a test to prove himself, Ali breaks into the apartment of his neighbor Alexander, an elderly Russian Jewish war veteran.

Ali’s “friends” follow him into the apartment and vandalize it with abandon.

See FILM FESTIVAL, page 28

THE EDWARD A. MYERBERG CENTER ANNUAL SPRING FUNDRAISER SPY-NOVELIST AND NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF 14 BOOKS

Every time you use the phone.

If any disability makes it difficult for you to use the telephone, you may qualify for FREE assistive telephone equipment through the Maryland Accessible Telecommunications program.

Even though you may be able to carry on a conversation with someone in person, you may have difficulty communicating by standard telephone.

The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program, a service of Maryland Relay, provides assistive telecommunications equipment — free of charge — to people who qualify. Training on how to use the equipment is available.

To learn more about the free equipment, including hands-free phones, amplified phones, voice activated phones and more, simply call Maryland Relay Customer Service at 1-800-552-7724. You may also visit our website, www.mdrelay.org.

Click on Free Equipment for more information on how to apply

Daniel

Silva IN CONVERSATION WITH JAMIE GANGEL NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT FOR THE TODAY SHOW

HONORING: JANE

K. SCHAPIRO

Tuesday, May 15, 2012—7pm BETH EL CONGREGATION 8101 PARK HEIGHTS AVENUE (PARK HEIGHTS AVENUE & THE 695 BALTIMORE BELTWAY)

All proceeds to benefit the Edward A. Myerberg Center, a 501c3 non-profit organization

General Admission $40 Patron $125 Includes reserved seating & dessert reception with Daniel Silva

Reservations and Information: 410-358-6856 www.myerbergseniorcenter.org

28

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Dance From page 26 have immense value for both musicians and dancers,” she said.

Two of the eight cello students, Antoinette Gan and Jason Kim, will also perform preludes for solo cello by Bach, newly choreographed by Peabody Dance faculty member Meredith Rainey and danced by guests Christine Buttorff, formerly of the Nashville Ballet, and Andrea Lasner, who apprenticed with the New Jersey Ballet.

Another premiere by Rainey, a former Pennsylvania Ballet soloist, is a work for five dancers set to a Vivaldi sonata, performed live by Conservatory students on baroque violin, baroque cello and harpsichord.

Also on the program are tangos choreographed by Bartlett to the music of Astor

Film festival From page 27 When Alexander unexpectedly returns home, he recognizes only Ali and reports him to the police. To avoid being sentenced and deported, Ali is forced to seek out the trust and forgiveness of his enemy.

David Sunday, April 15 at 3 p.m.

2011; English

Piazzolla and played by a Conservatory guitar quartet; a new dance set to a recording of “Eclosion,” the middle movement of Olivier Bensa’s “La Grande Terre,” by the Atlantic Guitar Quartet, an ensemble of Peabody alumni; and “Raymonda Suite,” a classical ballet adaptation and restaging of variations and group dances to the music of Glazunov by Peabody Dance faculty member Laura Dolid.

The work set to “Eclosion” is a short tale using props and constructed from improvisation segments related to the themes of emerging and shedding. “Raymonda Suite” will be performed by eight Peabody dancers and two guest artists from Pennsylvania Ballet, Amy Holihan and Eric Trope.

Skilled choreography Bartlett, artistic director of Peabody Dance for the past 17 years, is a prolific

As the son of the Imam of the local Brooklyn mosque, 11-year-old Daud has to juggle the high expectations of his father and his feelings of isolation — even from his peers in the Muslim community.

Through an innocent act of good faith, Daud Inadvertently befriends a group of Jewish boys who mistake him as a fellow classmate at their orthodox school in the neighboring Jewish community.

A genuine friendship grows between

APRIL 2012 — BALTIMORE BEACON

choreographer whose work with both established and developing composers has resulted in music-dance collaborative projects in theaters and festivals across the United States and Europe.

After receiving her early dance training in England and earning a degree from London University, Bartlett studied with German expressionist dancer Sigurd Leeder, protégé of Rudolf von Laban and ballet master for the Jooss Ballet Company.

Prior to moving to the U.S., Bartlett was a performer, teacher and choreographer in England and Switzerland, and received the first prize for the Concours Internationale de Chorégraphie in Nyon.

She founded and chaired the dance department at USC’s Community School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, founded and directed her own company, Pertpetuum Mobile, and was artist-in-residence at California State Universities in Fresno and Long Beach.

The two performances of the 2012 Peabody Dance Showcase will take place in Peabody’s Miriam A. Friedberg Concert Hall, 17 East Mount Vernon Place. General admission seating is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $5 for children under 18 and students with ID. A $50 Showcase Patron ticket includes reserved VIP section seating; a champagne, cheese, and dessert reception after the Saturday performance; a 1914-2014 Peabody Dance Centennial tote bag, and invitations to upcoming pre-Centennial events.

For general admission tickets, call the Peabody Box Office at (410) 234-4800 or email boxoffice@peabody.jhu.edu. For Showcase Patron tickets, and more information about the showcase and the centennial, contact the Peabody Dance office at (410) 234-4626, email dance@peabody.jhu.edu, or visit www.peabody.jhu.edu/dance.

Daud and Yoav, one of the Jewish boys, and his family. Unable to resist the joy of a camaraderie that he has never felt before, “David,” as he is known to the other kids, is drawn into a complicated dilemma inspired by youthful deceit and the best of intentions.

An Article of Hope Tuesday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m.

2011; English Dawn is breaking on the morning of February 1, 2003, above West Texas when the peace of the early morning is shattered by two loud bangs — the Space Shuttle Columbia is announcing its return home.

The shuttle is speeding toward a Florida homecoming, but in an instant onlookers and controllers in Houston realize that something has gone horribly wrong. The shuttle has broken up and vanished.

Gone is its precious cargo of seven astronauts from around the world. Among them, Col. Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut.

Also gone is a tiny Torah scroll — smuggled into a concentration camp during the Holocaust; safeguarded by Joachim Joseph, a Holocaust survivor; and carried into space by Ramon. This film explores the journey of the Torah from pre-World War II Europe, to Israel, and then to space.

Mabul (The Flood)

Sunday April 22 at 3 p.m.

2001; Hebrew with English subtitles Yoni is almost 13, gifted, but physically undeveloped. He struggles daily to grow up before his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. He sells homework in order to secretly buy a body building wonder powder, he stretches every night with heavy weight tied to his legs and screams with full force in front of the wind to thicken his girlish, unstable voice.

His new classmates, a year older and two heads taller, bully him at every chance they get, and his parents barely say a word to each other and communicate through him.

As if all this isn’t enough, only a week before the ceremony, his autistic brother, Tomer, 17, hidden for years in a hostel that is now shut down, returns home. This shakes not only Yoni’s life, but the unstable foundation of the entire family.

The Time of Silence (Le Temps du Silence) Monday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m.

In 1945, Manuel, a former prisoner at Buchenwald, wonders how to talk about the experience of concentration camps.

Through his meetings with others, he comes back to life, but at the same time chooses to hide behind a wall of silence.

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

29

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BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

Are you a budding poet and you know it?

April is National Poetry Month, and it will be marked by the revival of a poetry contest for Baltimore seniors as well as two workshops for wordsmiths.

The Baltimore City Senior Citizens Poetry Contest 2012 is a tribute and resumption of the original Baltimore’s Best Senior Citizens Poetry Contest that was popular during the era of Mayor William Donald Schaefer.

The top three winners will be announced during Free Fall Baltimore, a program of Baltimore’s Office of Promotion and Arts. A free public program honoring the winners will be held at the Central Enoch Pratt Free Library on Oct. 20.

The theme for this year’s poetry contest is “Baltimore: My City, My Home.” This year’s contest honors the memory of Ruth Garbis (nee Rochkind), former first-place winner of the Baltimore City Senior Citizen’s Poetry Contest 1985 for her winning poem, I Love Baltimore.

How to enter Entrants must be Baltimore City residents who are at least 60 years of age. One unpublished, original work written in any poetic form without a copyright can be submitted by each eligible applicant. The poem cannot exceed more than one typewritten page.

All poetry will be judged on originality, imagery and expressed feelings. Poems do not have to rhyme. There is no fee to enter. The deadline for entries is June 1.

On a separate sheet of paper, note the following: name, age, address, phone, email address (if available) and name of poem. To ensure objectivity, all poems will be judged without any reference to their author.

Poems may be sent either by email to Cathy Casale at cathy.casale@baltimorecity.gov (subject line: Baltimore City Senior Citizens Poetry Contest) or via mail to: Baltimore City Senior Citizens Poetry Contest, Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, Senior Citizens Division, 229 ½ Eaton St., Baltimore, MD 21224.

For more information, contact Harriet Lynn at (410) 235-4457 or hlynn@umbc.edu.

day, April 3, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Reisterstown Road Branch, 6310 Reisterstown Rd., Baltimore.

The class, titled “Break Through,” will be led by Baltimore’s award winning slam poet, Gayle Danley, sharing her poetry and leading participants through simple writing/listening exercises.

Registration is required for the workshop as attendance is limited to 30. Call (410) 396-0948 or email rst@prattlibrary.org.

The second workshop takes place on

Tuesday, April 10 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the South East Anchor Branch, 3601 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. It will be led by Charles Lee Taylor, author of Reflections: A Poetic Approach.

Call (410) 396-2920 or email cathy.casale@ baltimorecity.org for a reservation. Seating is limited. Limited group transportation for the April 10 workshop is available at designated sites provided by Baltimore City Recreation and Parks Senior Citizens Division. Ask Casale for details.

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD M A S T

WANTED All Marylanders 100 years of age and older, or who will be age 100 by December 31, 2012, to attend the 20th anniversary of the

M I S O

T H A E I G A S E T E

Poetry workshops To get your creative juices flowing, two free poetry workshops for seniors will be offered in April in cooperation with Enoch Pratt Free Library. Attending the workshops is not required to enter the poetry contest.

An optional lunch sponsored by Eating Together will be available from noon to 1 p.m. at each workshop.

The first workshop will be held on Tues-

A V O W

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F I S O N T T I N E O T R V E D E R

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APRIL 2012 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Puzzle Page

Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Avenging

by Stephen Sherr 1

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Answer: Despite the latest training equipment, the boxer's punches were -- "HAND" MADE Jumbles: DELVE MAGIC TANDEM INHALE

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1. Baby doll’s request 5. Stenographer’s tools 9. Forest growth 13. Word on an airport shuttle bus 14. Space ___ (daydreamer) 15. Leave out a lettr 16. Mediocre 17. Unlike anything in 19 Across 18. Chevy from the 70’s 19. Cheer start 22. Frank girl 23. Judge Judy evidence, sometimes 24. In other words 27. The end, in English anatomy 29. Key time in U.S. history 35. Heading to the islands 36. ... mi faa so ___ 37. Seeping 39. “Wages, salary, tips, etc.”

42. It was made possible by the 16th Amendment 43. Throw toward 44. Result of a bad match 48. Pre-conquistador empire 49. Avenging 56. Gazillions 57. Gateway island 58. Word shouted into a canyon 59. ___ the way for 60. Bumpkins 61. Anonymous litigants 62. One standing guard over his treasure 63. Out of batteries 64. Snick-or-___

Down 1. Perch for shouting “Land ho!”

2. Openly declare

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3. Japanese soup 4. “I would rather lie on ___ sweep beneath it” (Shirley Conran) 5. Southern Californian athlete 6. Gets to 20 in 19 Across 7. Good place to get a little tongue 8. Achilles’ heel never touched it 9. Flick 10. The end, in Greek dictionaries 11. Exhales, sadly 12. South Dakota, for example 14. Therapist 20. “Don’t bet ___!”

21. Ultimate word in an ultimatum 24. ___ Party 25. School subj.

26. Pulitzer-winning writer James 27. Perry Mason char.

28. Speed 30. Eyeglass holders 31. One who makes a pitch in DC 32. Snorers 33. The V in RSVP 34. Book between Chronicles and Nehemiah 38. Until now 40. The End, in French films 41. See 53 down 44. Visibly astonished 45. It may require a baton 46. Kitchen appliance 47. Aquatic mammal 48. Like an academic wall 50. Techie or Trekkie 51. School supply list item 52. Napoleon’s isle 53. Incorrectly minted COIN 54. Ring ceremony pronoun 55. Fire station purchase

Answers on page 29.

BALTIMORE BEACON — APRIL 2012

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A national trade association we belong to has placed some of the classifieds below. Determining the value of an advertised service or product is advised by this publication.

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4 – 20 INCH CHROME RIMS. 5 luges.

Mounted on tires. $1,200/ or best offer. Call: 410-227-3157, Home: 410-323-8994.

Home & Handyman Services WE LOVE OUR SENIORS M.T. Rupard Painting, Handyman Services. 30 years experience. Free estimates. Fully licensed, bonded & insured. MHIC#97309. Call 301-674-1383.

Many references.

Miscellaneous PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? You choose from families nationwide.

LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions. 866-413-6292, 24/7 Void/Illinois.

Wanted VINYL RECORDS WANTED from the 20s through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections preferred. Please call John, 301-596-6201.

CASH BUYER SEEKING WATCH MAKER’S TOOLS & PARTS, wrist & pocket watches (any condition), costume jewelry and antiques, coins. 410-655-0412.

BUYING NUMISMATIC COINS and most gold or silver items including coins, sterling, jewelry, etc. Will come to you with best cash offer. Call Paul: 410-756-1906.

WE BUY MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS, Musical Instruments, Recreational Items, Motorcycles and Minibikes, Collections, Memorabilia, Vintage Items, Elecronics, Toys, Cars, Jewelry, Tools, and More. Call Dave 443-514-8583.

TOP CASH FOR CARS, Any Car/Truck, Running or Not. Call for INSTANT offer: 1-800-4546951.

CA$H PAID- up to $25/Box for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS. Hablamos Espanol. 1-800-371-1136.

WANTS TO PURCHASE minerals and other oil and gas interests. Send details to P.O. Box 13557 Denver, Co. 80201.

YEARBOOKS “Up to $15 paid for high school yearbooks1900-1988. yearbookusa@yahoo.com or 972-768-1338.”

FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree] knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan 301-279-8834. Thank you.

Thanks for reading!

Words of the month

FINISH HIGH SCHOOL at home in a few weeks. First Coast Academy, 1-800-6581180x130. www.fcahighschool.org.

The curious origins of our words and rituals

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 800-494-3586 www.CenturaOnline.com.

A collection of commonly misused words

CASH FOR CARS, Any Make or Model! Free Towing. Sell it TODAY. Instant offer: 1-800-8645784.

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

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

E-BAY AND CRAIGSLIST LISTING SERVICE AND CLEARING. We also clean-out homes that are cluttered, vacant, from estates, and for people who are downsizing. We also clean-out sheds, barns, basements, attics, garages, and out buildings. Call Dave 443-5148583.

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED 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, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $10 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word.

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

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

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

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

The Beacon, Baltimore Classified Dept.

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

Below is a short list of words that are commonly used interchangeably, even though they have different or, in some cases, totally opposite meanings. See how often you find them used incorrectly in the broadcast and print media (other than the Beacon, of course!)

Eager and anxious – “Eager” anticipates a positive experience, while “anxious” fears a negative result. Thus, you would be eager to receive a refund from the IRS and anxious about being audited by that agency.

Famous and notorious – People become famous for positive accomplishments, but notorious for negative deeds. Thus, Sheriff Wyatt Earp was a famous marksman, but robber Jessie James was a notorious gunslinger.

Currently and presently – Currently means now; presently means soon. Thus, I am currently out of the office, but will return presently.

Number and amount – use number when you can count items; amount when you cannot. Thus, there were a number of clam shells in this large amount of sand.

Fewer and less – same as above. Thus, there are fewer dollars in my savings account than last month, so now I have less money.

Further and farther – Further relates to time or amount. Farther relates to distance. Thus, if you speak about your new friend any further, the farther from you you’ll find me.

Need I say anything further?

Prepared for The Beacon Newspapers by Wizard Communications©.

All rights reserved. Want to have a word/phrase or ritual/custom researched?

Contact jpozga@verizon.net.

APRIL 2012 — BALTIMORE BEACON

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Expo & Conference May 3-5, 2012 Gaylord National Hotel and Conference Center National Harbor, Maryland

Expo - A Showcase of 100+ Exhibitors Conference - Professional & Consumer Training Opportunities Job Fair Ronald D. Paul Kidney Walk Entertainment Live Cooking & Fitness Demonstrations Raffles Educational Sessions on Medicare Issues How to Avoid Being a Victim How to Access Program Information, and much more! n n

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Expo and Job Fair FREE FOR ALL AGES! PRESENTED BY

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