November 2011 Baltimore Beacon Edition

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She shares inspiration online

Always a writer Through the years, Singleton has written for magazines and newspapers throughout the United States, focusing on the human interest stories that capture her passions.

“I don’t like to cover events per se,” she said. “What I love is to sit down and talk to people and get to know them and their lives.”

SNIPPETS was born when Singleton heard a “whisper in her ear,” saying “write this.” “I wanted an outlet to write from the heart,” she said.

Through “snippets” of humor, inspiration and observation, Singleton offers reflections

NOVEMBER 2011

I N S I D E …

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER MYERS

By Carol Sorgen If Suzanne Molino Singleton can bring a knowing smile, a sentimental tear or a nod of recognition to just one of her readers, she counts her day as a success. That’s the motivation that led her to begin SNIPPETS — an inspirational weekly column, written in a think-out-loud style, designed for women (though men are welcome readers, too).

Where is it published? In cyberspace.

That is, it’s distributed via email or can be read on the web at www.snippetsinspiration.com.

Singleton, a 52-year-old freelance writer/ editor and community activist, published her first SNIPPETS e-newsletter in February 2006, and since then hasn’t missed a week.

“I’m proud of that,” said the Sparks resident, who is the mother of four, grandmother of one, and wife of former Baltimore Orioles player Ken Singleton (who’s now a broadcaster for the New York Yankees’ YESNetwork).

She met Ken when she interviewed him for the Maryland National Bank employee newsletter for which she worked at the time. She said she enjoys the perks that come from being married to a former Oriole, but insists she’s not just “Mrs. Singleton.” From the time they were married 20 years ago, Singleton felt it was important for her to keep her own identity.

Now that her column has brought her some celebrity in her own right, she admitted she enjoys being “in the spotlight.”

Still, Singleton insists she has never had any desire to be uber-famous. “This is the right amount of celebrity for me,” she said.

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LEISURE & TRAVEL

Bargains beckon in post-revolution Tunisia; plus, healing for body and soul in nearby West Virginia page 23

ARTS & STYLE Suzanne Singleton’s email newsletter SNIPPETS gives readers weekly doses of inspiration and humor. She also produces a website promoting Baltimore’s Little Italy and a column for a New York Yankees site about baseball — her husband is former Orioles player Ken Singleton.

based on daily life. She includes regular features such as “reflection section,” “inspiration station,” “not about the ride,” and “Judgmental Judy” (a fictional character who vents about the things that irritate us all).

There are also notable quotes, aha! Moments, prayers and “standing ovations,” all with the goal of inspiring women to “touch their dreams, reach for change, and stay conscious of others.”

Close to 500 readers from as far away as Australia subscribe to the free newsletter, which is delivered to their email inboxes by 5 a.m. every Friday. On the rare occasions when it’s a few hours late, “I hear about it,” said Singleton.

Her faithful followers, whom she calls

the Snippeteers, have likened her to a modern-day Erma Bombeck, and like Bombeck, Singleton finds her inspiration almost everywhere — from life at home, to a book she has been reading, to random thoughts on her regular bike rides.

“Things will just jump out at me,” she said.

Singleton received her degree in mass communications from Towson University and started writing her first (and still unpublished) novel at the age of 16 in the car on the way to DisneyWorld. “I always wanted to be a writer,” she said.

When she’s not writing SNIPPETS, Singleton also pens a column, “Mrs. Singy: See SINGLETON, page 22

Bountiful wit and malapropisms in The Rivals; plus, artist and teacher finds faces fascinating page 27

FITNESS & HEALTH k A blood test for Alzheimer’s? k Foods that reduce pain

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LAW & MONEY 16 k Cut cable connection and save k Time for longevity insurance VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS k Delivering meals and more

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Railing against reform Social Security is no longer the ‘third But you know, even if I had been aware rail” of American politics. Legislators no of the debate — and of the effect it would longer touch it and die. At eventually have on my retireleast not instantaneously. ment income 40 years later — But this isn’t the first time I still don’t think it would Congress has seriously unhave energized me to call dertaken to change the Congress. terms of our social contract At the time, I wasn’t thinkwith Social Security. Over its ing about Social Security. In history, changes have been fact, I was still in law school considered and made on sevand thinking about intervieweral occasions to keep the ing for my first real job. program financially solvent FROM THE And with 40-plus years for what was the foreseeable PUBLISHER ahead of me before likely reBy Stuart P. Rosenthal tirement — and, with God’s future at the time.

I wasn’t plugged into the help, 50, 60 or even 70 years debate when the last big set of changes of life potentially to live — I doubt I would were made in 1983. I was 26 then, and have seen the 18-month delay in Social Sefrankly, it just wasn’t on my radar. curity to be particularly unfair or unreaSo I can’t say whether older adults at the sonable. time were up in arms about the 1983 proI bring this up because many of the proposals, or whether advocacy organizations posals now being made to extend Social were sending out screaming mailings urg- Security’s solvency and address its looming members to write or call their con- ing shortfall are of the same nature. gressmen to complain.

That is, they are generally crafted to If they were, it didn’t stop Congress spare all current retirees — and even those from changing the date I was eligible for within 10 years of retirement — from any ill full Social Security from my 65th birthday effects, and to focus most changes on until I turned 66-and-a-half. today’s youth and middle-aged workforce.

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Furthermore, surveys of young people today typically find that they have very low expectations of receiving much of anything from Social Security when they reach retirement age.

That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t still be entitled to it; but it does suggest they already understand that the government safety net will not make for a comfortable landing if they don’t also save diligently for their own retirement. And that’s a good thing, really.

So my question is this: why are the most vocal critics of today’s proposals for adjusting Social Security the older adults who will almost certainly not be affected?

And if you say it’s because they care about the future for their grandchildren, what about the fact that economists appear to believe it’s those very grandchildren (or their children) who will suffer the most if we can’t agree to make even relatively

modest changes to Social Security now?

The financial shortfalls that are looming won’t come to pass for many decades. If we care about our progeny, that should be an incentive to act; not to fight action.

I am not a maven on this topic. I’m just trying to strike what I sense is a reasonable balance.

But if you’d like to hear from a real maven, please do join me at one of the Beacon’s upcoming 50+Expos, where Dr. Charles Blahous, a trustee of Social Security and Medicare, will lay out the challenges facing Social Security, discuss a variety of proposed solutions, and explain their likely effects in a clear, concise manner.

See the facing page for details about these events. I hope you will join us there.

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

Dear Editor: A few lines to tell you that I really find the Beacon a very interesting and knowledgeable newspaper. I have been reading it for years, and I look forward to receiving it every month.

There are so many things I have learned from your articles that I never knew before. I have learned because you explain things so thoroughly.

An article I really appreciated was “Aging makes us more vulnerable to heat” in the September issue. I cut it out to give to my daughter.

My daughter is 70 years old, sharp as a tack, but she feels like I am trying to tell her something she already knows. I just turned 90, and I learn something new every day. She is a summer person, and the humidity doesn’t bother her. I am just the opposite, and the humidity was just too much for me.

Thank you for the wonderful articles you continue to search for and print for people like me, who really get a lot of help from the articles in the Beacon.

Ann A. Birely Dundalk Dear Editor: I’m 73 years old, and I contributed to Social Security for 40 years. My gripe is why does Uncle Sam give money to those who did not contribute to it?

Also, how about the people who die before they collect their Social Security?

Why can’t their heirs collect this money? It belongs to their mothers and fathers.

One more thing: why is the state of Maryland paying the former mayor $80,000 a year in pension money after she was kicked out of office? Are we nuts?

Also, the government pays everyone some kind of pension. All the former presidents get pensions. Instead of making changes in Medicare, they should cut all the government pensions in half. How’s that for saving money and reducing spending?

Leona Keller Essex, Md. Dear Editor: Regarding the publisher’s column (“Moving the folks,” October), yes, it’s an incredible challenge to help parents move from their homes of many decades. You definitely need to have an extraordinary amount of time and patience!

After my father died, I spent 18 months moving my mother from the house they had lived in for over 50 years to a condo.

The generation that grew up during the Depression saved everything! We found countless photos, memorabilia, etc. she did not remember.

Laurie England Via email

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SPECIAL PROGRAM: What will become of Social Security and Medicare?

Featuring: Charles P. Blahous Public Trustee of Social Security and Medicare

Informative Exhibits • Expert Speakers Flu Shots • Health Screenings Entertainment • Giveaways AT TWO LOCATIONS Ballston Common Mall White Flint Mall N. Bethesda, MD Sunday, November 6 Noon – 4 p.m.

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Health Fitness &

MELTING TUMORS AWAY New, more effective drugs for lung cancer target a genetic mutation FACING FACTS There is no proof for many claims about anti-aging beauty products BE PREPARED Learn how to pack an emergency supply of your medications EATING AWAY AT PAIN Consume more broccoli, ginger and green tea to reduce arthritis pain

Blood test for mental illness, Alzheimer’s?

By Tarah Knaresboro Cancer has the biopsy, kidney disease has the urine test, and HIV has the cheek swab. Yet diagnosis for mental illness is often nothing more than a survey or a conversation with a psychiatrist.

The lack of distinct biological markers of disease could be doing a huge disservice to patients, said Alexander Niculescu, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at the Indiana School of Medicine. “If you can demonstrate you’re dealing with a biological abnormality just like all the other medical disorders,” he said, “you’ll not only destigmatize [mental] illness, but also pave the way for better treatment.”

Analyzing brain chemistry is notoriously difficult because extracting a tissue sample could have disastrous consequences on cognitive function, and functional MRI scans provide limited information.

Blood tests are an attractive option, not just because they’re cheap and commonplace, but also because blood can provide useful indications of brain state.

While there is a demonstrable biological connection between brain and blood, ac-

cording to Stephen J. Glatt, a psychiatrist at the State University of New York-Upstate Medical College, “it’s too early to be directly marketing blood-based expression tests to consumers,” he said. “Be hopeful, but be skeptical and patient.”

Areas of progress In the meantime, the field is progressing rapidly. Here’s a snapshot of progress in the field: Anxiety: New animal research from the Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience in the Netherlands has linked anxious behavior to low levels of magnesium in the brain, suggesting that some day, a simple blood test of magnesium levels may help diagnose anxiety.

Researcher Marijke Laarakker also suspects that manipulating magnesium levels may alleviate symptoms. Research is ongoing.

Schizophrenia: Rather than finding a blood biomarker for this complex disease, Alexander Niculescu’s team sought markers for two key symptoms: hallucinations and delusions. They examined the array of

genes expressed in the blood of schizophrenics (vs. healthy controls) and ranked a list of genes that were unique to patients with symptoms.

Scientists measure how closely a given subject’s gene expression matches the genes they’ve singled out for predictive potential. The test is 60 to 80 percent accurate at detecting the disease.

Niculescu expects it to hit the market in three years, bolstered by a recent $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Depression: Depression is traditionally self-reported, leading to a fair amount of underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis, said Dutch researcher Sabine Spijker.

Her team is developing a blood test that functions similarly to the schizophrenia test: They extracted blood samples and sifted through the expressed genes for depression predictors.

The results, published in Biological Psychiatry, show about 70 percent accuracy — a solid first step toward an objective measure for depression, Spijker said. She thinks a depression blood test will be com-

mercially available within five to 10 years.

A promising Alzheimer’s test Today, the only surefire way to diagnose Alzheimer’s is by identifying the disease’s signature tangled brain fibers in postmortem tissue. A test for living patients would allow for proper planning and, perhaps, intervention.

Tom Kodadek, a biologist at the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Fla., has developed just that: a blood test that uses synthetic antigens (proteins that spark an immune response) to track down Alzheimer’s-fighting antibodies.

The resulting test is more than 90 percent accurate in blind studies of patients and controls. It pulls 8 percent false positives and no false negatives, according to results published in Cell.

Kodadek suspects the false positives are in fact early indicators of dementia to come. He hopes the test might one day be predictive, not just diagnostic.

— Psychology Today Magazine © 2011 Sussex Publishers. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Shop earlier for Medicare plans this year

By Tom Murphy A new deadline for Medicare Advantage plans — privately run versions of the government’s Medicare program — may trip up seniors who typically wait until the holidays to settle on their health insurance coverage for the coming year.

Medicare Advantage plans cover more than 11 million people. They offer basic Medicare coverage topped with extras, such as vision or dental coverage or premiums lower than standard Medicare rates.

Most beneficiaries enroll after they turn 65. Then they have an open enrollment window every fall in which they can drop their coverage and switch to another plan.

Deadlines moved up Beneficiaries should have received their annual notice telling them about any changes in their coverage for next year by Sept. 30, which is a month earlier than last year. Insurers will start marketing their 2012 plans on Oct. 1.

This fall’s open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage plans and Part D prescription drug coverage has been changed to Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. (Last year, it was from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31.)

Closing the enrollment period in early December aims to provide more time for applications to be processed by the end of the year. This should help prevent the problems many late deciders had last year in getting coverage started by January 1.

But the change could also create other problems for many beneficiaries.

Here are answers to some common questions.

Will the deadline changes affect many beneficiaries?

Medicare Advantage customers will have enough time to consider their options and enroll in another plan if they avoid waiting until the last minute, said Judith Stein, executive director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy.

But last-minute stragglers are common.

Plans can receive as much as a quarter of the applications for coverage they normally get during open enrollment in those last three weeks of December, according to Matt Burns spokesman of UnitedHealth Group Inc., the largest Medicare Advantage coverage provider with more than 2 million customers.

Many people take time to make their coverage decisions. Beneficiaries start seeing Medicare Advantage ads in the fall.

Then they might talk to their families, stew on the decision, and wait for the holidays to pass, said Dr. Jan Berger, chief medical officer at Silverlink Communications Inc., which works with Medicare Advantage providers.

What happens if you miss the deadline and make no changes?

This can get complicated.

If the plan is still offered for 2012, then a customer who doesn’t make any changes remains enrolled. But important aspects of that plan may change.

If the plan is discontinued, customers

may be switched to another Medicare Advantage plan offered by the same insurer.

The cost and coverage could be different.

They also could be dropped into regular Medicare, which does not provide prescription drug coverage.

Options do not completely dry up if a beneficiary misses the Dec. 7 deadline.

From January 1 to February 14, Medicare Advantage customers can drop their plans and enroll in regular Medicare.

During this time, they also can pick a Part D prescription drug plan to go along with that coverage, but they can no longer jump to another Medicare Advantage plan (as used to be the case prior to this year).

Here’s another wrinkle: Beneficiaries can enroll any time during the year in a Medicare Advantage plan that has prescription drug coverage if they receive a low-income subsidy or if they have access to a plan with a five-star quality rating.

See MEDICARE, page 5

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2011

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It’s time to get vaccinated against the flu

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The catch: Only a few plans attained that rating for this year, said David Lipschutz, an attorney with the Center for Medicare Advocacy. The government will announce a new list of five-star rated plans sometime in October.

Should Medicare Advantage customers review their coverage even if they don’t plan to make changes?

Absolutely. Plans can change what they cover from year to year, and what they charge.

Customers may find that prescription drugs that were covered last year aren’t covered in the new year, or they may suddenly face a big bill for a costly treatment

Here are some questions and answers about flu vaccinations: Q: How does the new skin-deep vaccine work?

A: Sanofi Pasteur’s Fluzone Intradermal

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Flu Qs and As

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Medicare

like chemotherapy that used to be covered. Any changes will be laid out in the annual notices consumers receive from their insurers.

“People really, really need to look carefully and not assume that because something worked last year it will work this year,” Stein said.

Local Senior Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) provide one-onone assistance to help you understand the Medicare programs available to you and make a good choice. Their services are free. SHIP numbers in the metro area are: Anne Arundel County: (410) 222-4464 Baltimore City: (410) 396-2273 Balitmore County: (410) 887-2059 — AP

tection to people around you,” he said.

FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★

The big question is whether people will bother to get one. Usually each year’s flu vaccine varies from the previous versions as different influenza strains emerge. This

percent of adults were vaccinated.

Say you never catch the flu? You could be a carrier, unknowingly spreading the misery when you feel little more than a sniffle, said Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University, president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

“You should be vaccinated each and every year to ensure that you’re protected and that you’re giving the maximum pro-

I N F O R M AT I O N

Get a flu shot annually

year, the vaccine’s a duplicate because the three flu strains that sickened people last winter are still circulating.

Scientific studies aren’t clear about how much a person’s immunity wanes over a year, although it varies by age and overall health. But federal health officials and the American Academy of Pediatrics weighed the evidence and say don’t skip this year’s vaccination — it’s the only way to be sure your immune system remains revved enough for the best protection.

“You’re not going to be able to count on [last year’s] vaccine protecting you throughout a second season,” said Dr. Lisa Grohskopf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A yearly vaccination now is recommended for virtually everyone, except babies younger than 6 months and people with severe allergies to the eggs used to make it.

Last year, 49 percent of children and 41

F R E E

By Lauran Neergaard It’s flu vaccine time again — and some lucky shot-seekers will find that the needle has nearly disappeared.

The first flu shot that works with a lessscary skin prick instead of an inch-long needle is hitting the market this fall. Sorry kids, this option so far is just for adults, and it’s so brand-new that it will take some searching to find a dose.

But there are plenty of the other varieties — standard shots, a special highdose shot for seniors and the needle-free squirt-in-the-nose option — to go around.

At least 166 million doses of flu vaccine are expected to be produced this year.

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The emergency contact information is stored electronically on an individual’s driver’s license and will be available only to authorized law enforcement personnel.

To add contacts, visit the MVA’s website at www.mva.maryland.gov. Click on “Online Transactions,” click “More” and then click “Emergency Contacts” to add your emergency contacts.

Health Shorts What if you’re in an accident?

Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) has added an emergency contact option to Maryland driver’s licenses.

Drivers can now add three emergency contacts to their driver’s license via the Internet so police will know whom to call if an accident occurs.

cancer into more specific and treatable diseases,” said Dr. Roy Herbst, a lung cancer expert who is chief of medical oncology at Yale University.

Including previously approved targeted therapies, “we have specific therapies now that we can offer for about 18 percent of lung cancer patients that are far superior to chemotherapy and that in many cases can cause their tumors to melt away with few side effects,” Herbst said.

The FDA said it also approved a genetic test to screen for the mutation, known as

The Food and Drug Administration has

approved a new Pfizer drug for a subset of lung cancer patients with a particular genetic mutation.

The twice-a-day pill, called Xalkori, is part of a new wave of personalized medications that fight disease by targeting specific genes found in certain patients.

Xalkori is approved to treat a small subset of non-small cell lung cancer patients, less than 7 percent, who have an abnormal gene that stimulates cancer cells and causes tumor growth. It works by blocking proteins produced by the gene.

“It’s another example of how we’re using molecular medicine to subtype lung

fore a full market launch next flu season.

Q: What about the original ouchless flu vaccine, the nasal-spray version?

A: MedImmune’s FluMist is for a different age group, people ages 2 to 49 who are healthy — meaning no one with underlying health conditions or who is pregnant.

Unlike flu shots that are made with killed flu virus, FluMist is made with live but weakened virus.

Q: For older adults, does CDC recommend the high-dose shot?

A: The immune system weakens with age, so it doesn’t respond as well to an ordinary flu shot. Sanofi’s Fluzone High-Dose is a standard into-the-muscle shot, but it contains four times the usual dose, to spur more immune response in people 65 and older.

First sold last year, studies still are underway to track if that translates into fewer illnesses and hospitalizations. It can cause more of the typical flu-shot side effects.

The CDC said it’s OK for seniors to choose either a high-dose shot or the regular shots from a variety of manufacturers.

Q: Who’s at highest risk from the flu?

A: Young children, anyone 50 or older, anyone with chronic medical conditions such as asthma and certain heart or kidney problems, and pregnant women. A flu vaccination during pregnancy has the added benefit of passing some protection to the baby.

Q: When should I get vaccinated?

A: Anytime, but it takes about two weeks for protection to kick in. Flu typically starts circulating around November, and

peaks around January. Some chain pharmacies started vaccinating in August.

Don’t put it off too long, said Dr. Scott Gorenstein of Great Neck, N.Y., an emergency physician whose own son Nate, then 4, nearly died of flu during the 2009 pandemic. The boy already had been exposed by the time vaccine finally was available that fall.

Now, Gorenstein said the whole family gets inoculated in early fall — even though Nate has developed a vaccine allergy and as a precaution checks into the hospital for his dose.

“We got lucky,” said Gorenstein, who now advises a group called Families Fighting Flu. “You just don’t want to be a statistic that is preventable.”

— AP

New drugs can melt tumors away

Flu vaccine From page 7 uses a needle less than a tenth of an inch long to inject vaccine just below the skin’s surface. This layer, called the dermis, is so rich in a certain type of immune cell that the new shot uses a lower dose of the same vaccine that’s in regular flu shots.

Studies found it triggered as much protection as full-strength muscle shots — although it did cause more skin reactions like redness, swelling and itching.

But it’s only for 18- to 64-year-olds. It hasn’t been studied in children’s more-tender skin. Sanofi estimates it will sell less than 1 million doses this year while introducing the newly approved product to doctors, be-

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4419 Falls Road, Suite A, Baltimore 4000 Old Court Road, Suite 301, Pikesville

Fellow American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Marquis Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare Author, multiple articles on Foot & Leg Symptoms

H elP F orYour F eet.C oM

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2011

7

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The ultra-flexible gooseneck positions the lens exactly where you need it. And unlike that magnifier in the drawer, you’ll always know where this one is. Magnifying lens dimensions are a whopping 7.375” x 10”. AC operated. Call today. 1-888-852-1347 Please mention Promotional Code 42641

A floor lamp that spreads sunshine all over a room.

The Balanced Spectrum’s 27-watt compact bulb is brighter than a 100-watt ordinary light bulb. With the lamp’s sharp visibility, you will see with more clarity and enjoyment in close tasks such as reading, writing, sewing, and needlepoint. It is especially helpful for aging eyes.

Experience sunshine indoors at the touch of a switch. This amazing lamp is not only easy on the eyes, it is easy on the hands as well, featuring a special “soft-touch, flicker-free” rocker switch that is easier to use than traditional toggle or twist switches. And its flexible gooseneck design enables you to get light exactly where you need it. The high-tech electronics, the user-friendly design, and a bulb that lasts 10 times longer than an ordinary bulb–all these features make the Balanced Spectrum® floor lamp a must-have. Call today. 1-877-670-0741 Please mention Promotional Code 42642

Are you in love with your home, but afraid of your staircase?

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NOVEMBER 2011 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Buyer beware with ‘anti-aging’ products

By David Crary Baby boomers heading into what used to be called retirement age are providing a 70 million-member strong market for legions of companies, entrepreneurs and cosmetic surgeons eager to capitalize on their “forever young” mindset — whether it’s through wrinkle creams, face-lifts or workout regimens.

The market research firm Global Industry Analysts projects that a boomer-fueled consumer base, “seeking to keep the dreaded signs of aging at bay,” will push the U.S. market for anti-aging products from about $80 billion now to more than $114 billion by 2015.

No proof for most claims From mainstream organizations such as

the National Institute on Aging, the general advice is to be a skeptical consumer on guard for possible scams involving purported anti-aging products.

“Our culture places great value on staying young, but aging is normal,” the institute said. “Despite claims about pills or treatments that lead to endless youth, no treatments have been proven to slow or reverse the aging process.”

Its advice for aging well is basic: Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, don’t smoke.

“If someone is promising you today that you can slow, stop or reverse aging, they’re likely trying hard to separate you from your money,” said S. Jay Olshansky, a professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago’s School of Public Health who has written extensively

Gentle Foot Care in Your Home Diabetic foot exams Corns/calluses Wound/infection care Toenail fungus Dr. Richard Rosenblatt DPM

Over 25 years experience

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“Seeing Mom safe and happy makes me happy too.”

Renaissance Gardens is the extended care neighborhood at Charlestown in Catonsville and Oak Crest in Parkville.

Here, you’ll feel confident knowing Mom has everything she needs for a rewarding life.

about aging. “It’s always the same message: ‘Aging is your fault and we’ve got the cure,’” Olshansky said.

Instead, he said, “invest in yourself, in the simple things we know work. Get a good pair of running or walking shoes and a health club membership, and eat more fruits and vegetables.”

But such advice hasn’t curtailed the demand for anti-aging products, including many with hefty price tags that aren’t covered by health insurance. These include cosmetic surgery procedures at $10,000 or more, human growth hormone treatment at $15,000 per year, and a skin-care product called Peau Magnifique that costs $1,500 for a 28-day supply.

Another challenge for consumers is that many dietary supplements and cosmetics, unlike prescription drugs and over-thecounter medicines, aren’t required to undergo government testing or review before they are marketed.

Mary Engle, director of the FTC’s divi-

sion of advertising practices, said her agency focuses on the cases that could cause serious harm, such as bogus cancer treatments that might prompt an ill person to forgo proper care.

“Often it doesn’t rise to the level of fraud,” she said. “There are so many problematic ads out there and we really have to pick and choose what we focus on.”

In contrast to the caution of mainstream organizations, there are many vocal promoters of anti-aging products and procedures, including the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. It hosts annual conferences in the U.S. and abroad, and claims 22,000 members, mostly physicians.

Here is a look at some of the major sectors in the anti-aging industry:

Health shorts

cent of those patients live five years.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Dr. David Carbone, a lung cancer specialist at Vanderbilt University, one of the sites that tested the drug. Only a small share of lung cancer patients have the gene mutation this drug targets, “but for those people it makes a huge difference,” he said.

The most common side effects of the drug include vision disorders, nausea, diarrhea and inflammation.

— AP

From page 6 an abnormal anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene. The test is made by Abbott Laboratories.

About 187,000, or 85 percent, of the 220,000 lung cancer cases diagnosed each year are non-small cell lung cancer. Roughly three-fourths of patients aren’t diagnosed until tumors have spread, and only 6 per-

Hormone replacement therapy Numerous companies and clinics promote hormone replacement drugs, includSee BUYER BEWARE, page 9

BEACON BITS

Nov. 4

AGING IN PLACE BCASCO, the Baltimore County Association of Senior Citizens

Organizations, will present the fourth in its series entitled, “I Want to Stay in My Home.” This forum will feature existing developments, communities and villages that provide needed services, and how others can receive them. The free event is

Call today for your free brochure. Remember, your loved one doesn’t have to be a current resident of Charlestown or Oak Crest to come here.

at the Towson United Methodist Church, 501 Hampton Lane, Towson, on Friday, Nov. 4, from 9:45 a.m. to noon. For more information, contact Beth Wiseman at (410) 484-6866.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2011

Buyer beware From page 8 ing testosterone for men and custom-mixed “bioidentical” hormones for women, as a way to slow the aging process.

Many consumers have seen ads featuring muscle-bound Dr. Jeffry Life, now 72.

He used testosterone and human growth hormone in his own bodybuilding regimen and recommends hormonal therapy for some of the patients patronizing his agemanagement practice in Las Vegas.

The FDA has approved hormone replacement drugs for some specific purposes related to diseases and deficiencies, but not to combat aging.

“Finding a ‘fountain of youth’ is a captivating story,” said the National Institute on Aging. “The truth is that, to date, no research has shown that hormone replacement drugs add years to life or prevent agerelated frailty.”

Dr. Evan Hadley, director of the institute’s Division of Geriatrics, said hormone replacement drugs can have harmful side effects. He said there is a need for more research, such as an institute study of testosterone therapy, to identify the potential risks and benefits.

Cosmetic surgery According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were 13.1 million

cosmetic plastic surgery procedures performed in the U.S. in 2010, a 77 percent increase over a decade.

One notable trend is increased preference for less invasive procedures that enable patients to get back to work and social settings without a long leave of absence.

The most popular of these is treatment with the wrinkle-smoothing drugs Botox or Dysport. They account for 5.4 million procedures, averaging about $400 per treatment. Other popular noninvasive procedures include soft-tissue facial fillers, chemical peels and microdermabrasion.

More invasive procedures come at a higher price. Face-lifts can run from $6,000 to $15,000. The plastic surgeons’ academy reported performing 112,000 of them in 2010.

recommends consulting a dermatologist on what skin care products have been proved safe and effective in human studies.

Consumer Reports has ventured into the realm of anti-aging cosmetics several times recently, using high-tech optical devices and other scientific methods to assess the products.

Last year, the magazine tested nine face serums, available at drug stores for prices ranging from $20 to $65 and all claiming to reduce wrinkles.

“After six weeks of use, the effectiveness of even the best products was limited and varied from subject to subject,” according to the review. “When we did see wrinkle reductions, they were at best slight, and they fell short of the miracles that manufacturers seemed to imply on product labels.”

Its top-rated product, Olay Regenerist, cost about $19 at the time of the testing. La Prairie Cellular, the most expensive at $335, was rated among the least effective — AP

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

Skin care One of the industry’s booming sectors is anti-aging skin care, featuring wrinkle creams and facial serums. By some estimates, the U.S. market for “cosmeceutical” products — cosmetics with medicinebased ingredients — is approaching $20 billion a year.

The FDA, which oversees cosmetic safety and labeling, doesn’t require manufacturers to prove the effectiveness of cosmetic products before they go on sale, and many ads make claims that critics say are exaggerated or unverifiable.

The American Academy of Dermatology ADVERTORIAL

Baltimore Eye Doctor Helps Legally Blind to See Again Diplomat in Low Vision Care trains Dr. Thomas Azman to help those with age-related macular degeneration with reading and driving.

By Elena Lombardi Freelance Writer

Donald Paquette, 72, a former assessor from Anaheim, California, thought that his driving days were over. “I could not read the street signs soon enough and I couldn’t pass the vision test at the DMV office.”

Gonzalo Garcia, 74, Albuquerque, New Mexico, wanted to be able to read and write more easily.

He wanted to see the nails and screws when he tried to use them in home repairs. He wanted see his grandchildren singing in the church choir. But he thought those days were over when he was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration.

California optometrist, Dr. Richard J. Shuldiner and Baltimore optometrist Dr. Thomas Azman are using miniaturized binoculars or telescopes to help people who have lost vision from macular degeneration or other eye conditions.

“Some of my patients consider us the last stop for people who have vision loss.” said Dr. Azman, a low vi-

Hank Frese wearing Bioptic Telescope Driving Glasses

sion optometrist who has just completed training with Dr. Shuldiner in California.

“Amazing!” says Donald. “I can read the street signs twice as far as I did before and even see the television better!”

Macular degeneration is the most common eye disease among the senior population. As many as 25% of those over 65 have some degree of degeneration. The macula is one small part of the entire retina, but it is the most sensitive and gives us sharp images.

When it degenerates, macular degeneration leaves a blind spot right in the center of vision, which makes it impossible to recognize faces, read a book, or pass the drivers vision test.

The experts do not know what

causes macular degeneration. But major factors include UV light from the sun, smoking, aging, and improper nutrition.

Vitamins can help. The results of two studies, AREDS and LAST demonstrated a lowered risk of progression by about 25% when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamins. Dr. Azman advises patients on the best nutritional supplements during the low vision evaluation.

Nine out of ten people who have macular degeneration have the dry type. There is no medical treatment except for vitamins. The wet type involves the leakage of fluid or blood from the blood vessels behind the macula. Injections of Leucentis or Avastin are very effective in preventing the vessels from leaking.

“Our job is to figure out anything and everything possible to keep a person functioning,” says Dr. Azman.

“Whether it’s driving, reading, watching television, seeing faces, playing bridge… we work with whatever is on the persons “wish list.”

Even if it’s driving.

Maryland and California are two of many states that allow the use of telescopic glasses for safer driving.

Hank Frese, 69, a former High School Principal from La Palma, California saw Dr. Shuldiner last August.

9

“I could not read the street signs soon enough when driving, and I could not read my morning paper.”

Bioptic Telescopic glasses were prescribed to read signs and see traffic lights farther away. As Hank puts it, “These telescope glasses not only allow me to read signs from a farther distance, but makes driving much easier. I’ve also used them to watch television so I don’t have to sit so close. I don’t know why I waited two years to do this; I should have come sooner” “Telescopic glasses start at around $1500”, says Dr. Azman, “and low vision prismatic reading glasses start at $500. A small price to pay for better vision and increased independence.”

If you or someone you care about is struggling with vision loss, call Dr. Thomas Azman for a free telephone interview.

You can reach Dr. Azman by dialing (410) 561-8050.

Due to an inadvertent typographical error, prior versions of this ad have described Dr. Azman as an “opthomasetrist” rather than “optometrist” throughout. The Beacon was responsible for the error and we apologize for any confusion.

10

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NOVEMBER 2011 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Should most people try to avoid gluten?

Q: I’ve seen magazine articles en- ac disease may have an abnormal immune couraging people to avoid wheat be- response to gluten and also experience dicause the gluten can cause gestive problems. This “noninflammation. Is that true? celiac gluten sensitivity” may Isn’t gluten only bad for be related to irritable bowel people with a certain dissyndrome, rheumatoid arthriease? tis, certain skin conditions, miA: We do not all need to graines and more. avoid gluten — a protein in However, for people who do wheat, rye and barley. not have this gluten sensitivity, People with celiac disease avoiding gluten offers no beneneed to avoid gluten because fit. In fact, greater consumption for them any amount of gluten of whole grains — which in the damages their gut. They often NUTRITION United States often means experience digestive discom- WISE gluten-containing choices — fort from gluten and even By Karen Collins, seems linked with reduced small amounts of gluten can in- MS, RD, CDM markers of inflammation. crease their risk of long-term The antioxidant phytochemihealth problems. cals in whole grains seem likely to be part Recent research shows that some geneti- of this link between whole grains and lower cally susceptible people who don’t have celi- risk of heart disease, and possibly some

types of cancer and other inflammation-related diseases.

Q: I’ve heard that eating after dinner leads to weight gain. What is the latest I should eat at night to avoid that?

A: What matters most for weight control is how the total calories you eat all day compare to the total you burn up. The problem with evening and late night eating is how it influences total calorie consumption.

Several studies show that people who eat a greater proportion of their calories at night tend to rack up more total calories for the day. For many, evening eating involves calorie-dense foods — foods high in calories in even a modest portion, like chips and sweets.

On top of that, people may eat in a mindless, distracted way, or they eat to relieve boredom or stress, so they are not tuning in to the portion needed to satisfy hunger.

Both of these situations — foods concentrated in calories and excessive portions — pose trouble for weight control at any time of day.

Studies have shown that if their total calories balance out, people who eat in the evening do not gain weight. So while there is no ideal time to stop eating at night, if you do eat after dinner, choose foods with fewer calories per bite, like vegetables and fruits, monitor portion size, and pay attention while eating.

Q: Is it true that exercising to music helps you get a better workout?

A: Music can be a big help and seems to work in several ways. Some studies show that music —– any music — becomes a sort of distraction during exercise that results in people not perceiving themselves to be working as hard as when they’re exercising in quiet.

This can lead people to feel comfortable continuing to exercise a little longer or work at a higher intensity than they otherwise would, and thus burn more calories and progress more in their physical training if this becomes their norm. Some also achieve this distraction by listening to audio books or rhythmic nonmusical noise like the sounds of ocean waves.

Other studies, however, show a unique advantage to music: the faster the beat of the music, the faster or more intensely people exercise. For most of us, this is helpful.

However, people in cardiac rehab or others advised to hold back their pace for medical reasons may respond to fast music by pushing past their recommended limits, so we need to use this tendency wisely.

One other caution: if you are out walking or biking in an area where you need to be aware of traffic and people surrounding you for safety reasons, be careful about letting music or other sounds distract you or make it too difficult to hear sounds you need to hear.

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

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

See puzzles on p. 30.

More at our website.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2011

11

Pack an emergency supply of your meds Dear Pharmacist: ments and go! I suggest you buy a toiletry After dealing with the ramifications or make-up bag today, and store a 10-day of the earthquake in Virsupply of medications in it. ginia, we then faced a hurMake sure your name is in it, ricane barreling towards too. us. While I survived these Only take important mediordeals without incident, it cines, like those used for made me wonder how I epilepsy, blood pressure, might be better prepared — pain, heartbeat rhythm, asthmedicine-wise — for the ma, migraines, diabetes, and next crisis. What tips can so forth. Keep the drugs in you offer? their original pharmacy con— T.R. tainer. Rescuers and relief Dear T.R.: Great question. DEAR team members may need to PHARMACIST Depending on where we live, dispense your medications to

By Suzy Cohen we might face earthquakes, you, so they must be correcttornadoes, power outages, ly labeled. flash floods, fires or hurricanes.

Include a flashlight, a spare set of eyeClimate-related disasters give us little or glasses, and a water bottle so you can take no time to think about our medications, be- your medicine when needed. A small firstcause we are focused on protecting our aid kit would be wise to have in there as family, our property and staying safe. The well. following tips should help with your emerIf you take refrigerated medications like gency preparedness. insulin, then you have two options. Option Have a written list of all your medica- one is to buy a small ice pack and keep it tions that includes dosage, directions, frozen, preferably in a sealed baggie. That your local pharmacy and physician and way, when the power goes out, grab the ice their phone numbers. Include both the pack from your freezer, drop it in that toigeneric and brand names of your medi- letry or tote bag, and go. cines. Pharmacies can print you a compreOption two is to purchase a ready-made hensive list, but make sure it’s current. cooling case, available in the diabetes secIn an emergency, you want to be able to tion of your pharmacy or online. This grab your medications and dietary supple- stores insulin, and some might fit antibiot-

ic suspensions, suppositories, growth hormone or epoetin (Procrit, Epogen). Two popular cooling cases are made by Frio and Medicool. These are great for regular travel, too.

If you live in a region where fires are common, keep a 10-day supply of medications in a fire safe box. It’s not a bad idea for everyone to do this. I did a quick search on the Internet and found two companies, Sentry and First Alert, which sell boxes that are both fire safe and waterproof.

Another consideration is to purchase a little plastic waterproof container. Look in the boating section of your sporting goods store.

If you are prone to floods, or live in a hurricane zone, water purification tablets

aren’t a bad idea. They use chlorine dioxide to destroy microorganisms within 15 minutes, killing Giardia, Cryptosporidium and other pathogens.

Hikers and campers often carry these.

One popular brand is Katadyn Micropur tablets. These tablets are usually available at places like REI sporting good stores and online.

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

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

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FREE SCREENINGS FOR UNINSURED WOMEN

The Baltimore County Department of Health and the Women’s Cancer Protection Program provide free mammograms, clinical breast exams and pap tests for income-eligible women 40 to 64 who do not have insurance. A cancer treatment program is also available. For more information, call (410) 887-3432, or visit www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/cancerprogram.

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A Senior Living Community in the Heart of Mt. Washington www.SpringwellSeniorLiving.com

12

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Health Studies Page

NOVEMBER 2011 — BALTIMORE BEACON

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Can diet & exercise reduce diabetic risk?

By Carol Sorgen Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes.

The high blood sugar characteristic of diabetes can injure nerve fibers throughout the body, but diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in the legs and feet.

Depending on the affected nerves, symptoms of diabetic neuropathy can range from pain and numbness in one’s extremities to problems with the digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels and

heart. For some people, these symptoms are mild; for others, diabetic neuropathy can be painful, disabling or even fatal.

Diabetic neuropathy is a common and serious complication of diabetes. Yet it can often be prevented, or its progress slowed, with tight blood sugar control and a healthy lifestyle.

Were you recently diagnosed?

In fact, recent data from research conducted at the VA Maryland Health Care

Have you been depressed since you had a traumatic brain injury?

The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is seeking people who have developed depression since the traumatic brain injury for a treatment research study with escitalopram (Lexapro) or placebo (sugar pill)

PROCEDURES: • Screening to determine eligibility • Administration of escitalopram (Lexapro) or placebo (sugar pill) for 12 weeks • Brain scans at the start and end of treatment • 4 scheduled clinical visits during the 12 week period All subjects who complete the 12 week study will be paid $200.00 at the end of the study.

For information, contact Vani Rao, M.D, at Approved February 25, 2010

410-550-2288

Principal Investigator: Vani Rao, M.D. Application No.: NA_00020154

System in Baltimore and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System in Michigan indicates that improved diet and exercise can significantly improve and even reverse neuropathy associated with diabetes.

This has not, however, been tested as a specific intervention in a formal clinical trial studying diabetes complications until now. Both VA healthcare systems are conducting a study on fighting neuropathy and improving mobility in individuals who have early diabetes.

Researchers are now seeking volunteers between the ages of 30 and 75 with early type 2 diabetes mellitus (within 2 years of diagnosis), impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose.

The volunteers will be divided randomly into two groups. One group will be assigned to follow the current standard of care, while the other group will be given a tailored diet and activity program.

Some get individualized help Participants assigned to follow the current standard of care will be told to reduce

their baseline weight by 7 percent and exercise for 150 minutes per week, without being provided with a tailored, directed program.

The other patients will be assigned to follow an individually tailored diet and physical activity enhancement program.

Researchers hope to show that compared to those participants advised to follow a more general program, those on the individualized program will show greater improvement in a six-minute walk test over the course of six months and will show a greater reduction in the progression of their neuropathy.

The researchers also hope to prove their hypothesis that improvement in neuropathy, mobility and physical activity will also result in improved metabolic function and weight loss.

The study is expected to run until August 2012 with 142 participants. The VA Medical Center is located at 10 N. Greene St. For more information, or to see if you qualify to participate, call Ankit Sura at (410) 3286583 or email ASura@som.umaryland.edu.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 27+

SUPPORT FOR THE GRIEVING

For anyone mourning the death of a loved one, Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care of Maryland and Jewish Community Services offer community bereavement groups where participants can be with others who are grieving, find community support, and benefit from talks with grief specialists.

A free, eight-week group begins Thursday, Oct. 27, at JCS, 5750 Park Heights Ave. Pre-registration is required. For more information, schedule and registration, call (410) 466-9200.

Nov. 7+

FAMILY CAREGIVERS RESPITE OPTIONS

In honor of National Family Caregivers Month in November, Baltimore County Department of Aging Caregivers Program and Easter Seals Adult Day Services-Baltimore are partnering to offer information and respite resources to family caregivers of older adults. A variety of helpful resources will be given to all participants and a question and answer period will follow to address specific concerns. The presentations will be given on Monday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m., at Pikesville Senior Center, 1301 Reisterstown Rd., and Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 11 a.m., at Arbutus Senior Center, 855A Sulphur Spring Rd. For more information, call (410) 887-2504.

Want to Prevent Falls in the Elderly?

Diabetes Research Study

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:

50-80-year-old men & women with type 2 diabetes are needed to participate in an exercise research study at the University of Maryland/Baltimore VA Medical Center. Call 410-605-7179.

Mention code: EPC-DM.

• Health evaluation • Balance, step, strength, and/or flexibility exercises • Compensation for your time • Free parking

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

Exercise Research Study Healthy men & women 50-80 years old are needed to participate in an exercise research study at the University of Maryland/Baltimore VA Medical Center. Participation involves medical evaluations, blood draws, fitness tests, and 2 weeks of exercise sessions. Compensation for your time is provided. Call 410-605-7179. Mention code: EPC-X.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2011

13

Better nutrition may reduce arthritis pain

By Victoria Shanta Retelny When your joints are inflamed with arthritis, the condition can be painful and debilitating. Although the first line of defense for arthritis is medication, research is unfolding about the effects of diet on joint health.

“Some people may find that over time — three to six months — a plant-based, Mediterranean-type diet may help them feel better,” said Dr. Lona Sandon, a rheumatoid arthritis sufferer and national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

“Managing arthritis is about lifestyle and overall diet pattern coupled with quality medical treatment by a rheumatologist,” she added. “Changes in arthritis symptoms that may relate to overall dietary pattern are not likely to happen overnight.”

Here are some diet and lifestyle changes that may help soothe arthritis symptoms: 1. Fruits and veggies Certain plant foods have been deemed “anti-inflammatory,” as they can ease the pain and swelling of osteoarthritis (OA). A 2010 study in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found that a plant-based diet of fruits and cruciferous vegetables — like broccoli, cauliflower and kale, along with alliums, such as garlic, onions, and leeks — showed some improvement with OA of the hip.

Eating fruits and vegetables not only keeps body weight in a healthy range, but a compound in alliums, called diallyl disulphide, appears to fend off degrading protein enzymes present with OA. 2. Healing ginger Ginger has been a topical remedy for alleviating arthritis symptoms for thousands of years in China. Including ginger in the diet has proven helpful in managing osteoarthritis symptoms in some, but not all, studies.

Be aware, however, that the high doses necessary to soothe painful, swollen joints can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and interfere with medications such as blood thinners.

3. Green tea

Potent plant compounds in green tea leaves called catechins, specifically epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that appear to stave off oxidative damage in joints.

A 2010 review in Arthritis Research and Therapy showed that EGCG protects cartilage from breaking down and maintains the integrity of collagen in the presence of joint disorders.

Although more research is needed, green tea shows enough promise that it may be worth drinking three to four cups a day or more.

4. Mediterranean diet Dietary patterns that show promise in lowering inflammation, according to a 2010 review in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, are low in saturated fat from red and processed meat, and plentiful in fruits and vegetables, beans, legumes, fish and olive oil — like the Mediterranean diet.

“Arachadonic acid found mostly in red meats appears to be proinflammatory. [In contrast,] omega-3 fatty acids and phytonutrients found in fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and teas can act in ways similar to anti-inflammatory drugs to block inflammatory pathways,” Sandon said.

Eating a plant-based diet, which contains more beneficial unsaturated fats and antioxidants, appears to alleviate some joint pain — though not necessarily stiffness — according to the review.

5. Omega-3 fats Fish oil — specifically the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA — has an anti-inflammatory effect on joints, according to dozens of clinical trials. A 2010 study in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found positive effects using krill, a zooplankton crustacean rich in omega-3s, on an animal model of arthritis.

Krill oil’s omega-3 fats may be more easily absorbed by the body than fish oil, plus it has the added bonus of astaxanthin, a compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

But Sandon warned, “Studies show that very high levels of six to 10 grams [600 to

Depression and memory problems in older adults are common and are often undetected.

• Symptoms of depression may include feelings of sadness or hopelessness, loss of energy, inability to enjoy pleasurable activities, or changes in appetite or sleeping patterns.

• Problems with memory may include difficulty remembering recent events, misplacing household objects or poor concentration.

If you are feeling depressed or having memory problems, are not taking antidepressant medication, and are in good physical health, you may be eligible to participate in a research study.

Qualified people will participate at no cost to them and will be compensated for time and transportation. For more information about the study, please call:

1,000 mg.] of fish oil per day are needed to get a clinical effect of less joint stiffness, tenderness, pain or swelling.”

6. Food allergies One theory ties food allergies to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A 2006 study in the journal Gut found that the intestines of people with RA contain more antibodies for proteins from cow’s milk, cereal, eggs, fish and pork than people without RA. The immune complexes that are formed to potential allergens circulating throughout the body are believed to get lodged in arthritic joints. However, this theory needs more research.

Use caution when eliminating certain foods, as this may not be effective at treat-

ing arthritis and also pose a risk for nutritional deficiencies.

“People with arthritis, particularly RA, are at greater risk of nutrient deficiencies due to the disease itself, to fatigue, to loss of functionality to prepare food, and to the medications used to control symptoms,” said Sandon.

Instead of an elimination diet, experts encourage keeping a food and symptom journal for a month to identify patterns that can be shared with your healthcare practitioner.

7. Move more Physical activity is one of the cornerSee NUTRITION, page 14

Research Study Have you been told you snore? Do you need to lose weight?

Johns Hopkins Medicine is conducting a research study in persons who may snore and are not currently being treated for snoring. Eligible participants must be over 60 years of age, overweight, not smoking, and not regularly exercising.

All visits are free, including parking, at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

For more information, please call 410-550-5428 or 410-550-5429 or 410-550-6997.

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Knee arthritis pain?

Volunteers are needed for a research study conducted at Johns Hopkins Bayview To study sleep in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. To participate, you must be 50 years or older.

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14

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NOVEMBER 2011 — BALTIMORE BEACON

To intervene or not to intervene with family Dear Solutions: Dear His Mom: I just called my son, Jay, who lives Have you considered becoming a politiwith his girlfriend, and she cian’s aid since you’re thinkanswered. She said he was ing of majoring in damage not there but she was glad control. STOP! It doesn’t I called because she’s very work. It’s his life. It’s her life. aggravated that Jay keeps It’s their problem. criticizing her and arguing.

As soon as she starts to She wants him to move complain to you, tell her clearout, but he says he can’t afly that you’re sorry they’re ford it. She wants me to having trouble, but you cantalk to him, that maybe not be involved in their probhe’ll listen to me. I told her lems. Suggest that they seek SOLUTIONS I would think about it. counseling if necessary. If you He hasn’t said anything By Helen Oxenberg, can afford it, offer to help pay. to me about this, and if he MSW, ACSW After that, be polite but stay knew she was telling me out of it. Remember back to this he would be angry. How should I the little boy he was. If you kept tying his handle this without causing more shoelaces, he would never have learned to damage? tie them himself.

— His Mom Well, even though there’s now Velcro,

BEACON BITS

Nov. 19+

MEN’S GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Gilchrist Hospice Care is sponsoring an ongoing monthly support group for men who have lost their spouse or life partner.

Attendance at each meeting is encouraged, but not mandatory. The program will next meet on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Gilchrist Hospice Care, 11311 McCormick Rd., Suite 350, Hunt Valley. The program is free, but pre-registration is required. For additional information and reservations, call (443) 8498251 or email GHC_bereavement@gilchristhospice.org.

he still has to tie his own shoelaces, Mom. Dear Solutions: I am concerned about my granddaughter, whose mother (my daughter) has basically abandoned her.

My daughter met a man last Christmas and was in bed with him in her house by January 1. My 11-year-old granddaughter was very upset by this, and now this man has moved in.

He demands all my daughter’s attention, and the child is left alone in her room, is not fed properly, has become withdrawn, seems depressed and has been acting out in school.

When I talk to my daughter about this, she tells me she’s a grown woman, and she can do what she pleases. I’ve been seeing that my granddaughter is fed daily, but now my daughter won’t let her visit me and tells me to mind my own business.

I’m worried about my granddaughter and also about the bad moral example my daughter is setting for her

daughter. Please advise.

Nutrition

ing and strength training — each week.

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 1-800-8295384, www.EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2011 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

From page 13 stones for keeping joints healthy and happy, as well as keeping weight in check.

Get at least 150 minutes of physical activity — such as walking, running, biking, danc-

— Grandma Dear Grandma: Your first concern must be for your granddaughter. You must contact your local office of Child Protective Services immediately. When you tell your daughter about this, she may make all sorts of promises, but do not let that stop you.

Child services will make an initial assessment of the situation and probably will set up continuing visits to check on the child’s well-being.

Your daughter may be alienated from you, but it seems she already is. And if she changes her behavior, you may hopefully reconcile with her in the future. Please let me know how this turns out. © Helen Oxenberg, 2011. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 6553684.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

VOTERS’ GUIDE AVAILABLE

The League of Women Voters of Baltimore City General Election Voters’ Guide is available online at www.baltcity.lwvmd.org. The guide includes responses to the League’s candidate questionnaire and information about the two proposed Baltimore City Charter Amendments that affect schools and the age requirements for City Council members. Printed copies are available at city libraries. Also, visit the League’s website www.vote411.org for more information about voting.

Join us at these special events.

Wednesday, October 19, 1:00 p.m. Basket Bingo & Lunch Enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our Executive Chef & play bingo to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. An afternoon of fun and great prizes.

Friday, October 21, 1:30 p.m.

Tastes and Tours

Sample some of our signature fall desserts and tour our beautiful community.

Private apartment tours available by appointment.

you’re Cordially invited!

The community is invited to join us for a fun Haunted House in October and a scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner in November.

Both events are free but space is limited. Call Julie at 410-979-4822 for details and to make your reservation.

Tuesday, October 25, 11:30 a.m. Executive Chef’s Fall A fall celebration not to be missed.

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Turn autumn leaves into spring compost

By Ruth Kling Soon it will be all about the leaves.

Where to pile the leaves, how to gather them up and what to do with them.

I personally like to simply pile them up and go over them with a lawn mower to shred them for storage as compost. They can be placed directly on top of beds to act as winter mulch, but they will clump, and shredding gets rid of most of the clumping problems.

You can gather them with a leaf blower, and that is how my neighbor helps me gather mine. But I wish I had a manual leaf collector, sometimes called a leaf sweeper.

It is quieter and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use energy, except your own. And, of course, you can rake them into piles as well.

In many neighborhoods, the local government will collect leaves for composting. This is a great way to get rid of leaves that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use yourself for compost or mulch.

But there are caveats to composting your leaves. First, make sure there are not too many twigs and braches or larger objects among the leaves.

Second, if you have any diseased plant debris, do not add this to the collection pile or add to your own compost. The diseases that injured or killed the plant may survive the compost process and invade your garden again.

If you use chemicals on your lawn or

garden, do not add grass or plant clippings from plants treated with chemicals. These chemicals can be harmful to the beneficial bacteria and fungus in the compost. Dispose of diseased and chemically treated yard waste through the trash.

it looks like a fright wig with very little hair.

This is a good time to start working on a winter cold frame or row covers to lengthen the growing season for vegetables, particularly greens. Planning now will keep you from panicking if an early frost hits your lettuce.

Fall gardening

Time for transplanting

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let the fall leaf clean up take your attention away from your garden. This is the time when the mums are blooming and the spring bulbs can be planted. Eventually, the mums and pansies will need to be dead headed and cut back when frost arrives, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dig them up.

I have some glorious mums blooming now that I planted last year. They have doubled in size and just need to be cut back once in the summer to produce fall blooms. The same goes for the pansies.

There are three that I planted in a flower box last spring that just wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quit!

Cleanup is important, particularly around roses. Take away any spent blooms and leaves; they can harbor disease. You will not have much else to do for the roses until late winter or early spring.

Just make sure that the long stems of climbing roses are secure so that they do not blow around in the wind. Hurricane Irene completely untangled my carefully woven rose canes attached to an arbor. Now

While we are on the subject of planning, this is a good time to think about any perennials you wish to transplant. Hot weather is the worst time to transplant anything.

Move them in the cool weather, and water the transplants well throughout the fall (particularly if it is dry). Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feed them until next spring, but do trim off any dead looking parts when transplanting.

Start a garden journal or keep writing in one youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve kept over the summer. Things will cross your mind that you may have forgotten to write down earlier. You never know what new ideas may spring to mind.

Ruth Kling blogs about gardening at ruthsgarden.blogspot.com.

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NOVEMBER 2011 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Money Law &

INCOME FOR LIFE Longevity insurance, a type of annuity, guards against the possibility of outliving your money. Payments start at age 80 or 85 and continue for life

Avoid scams by checking on businesses

By Kimberly Lankford Q. It seems that every day I hear about someone being ripped off. Are there some good resources to help protect myself against scam artists?

A. Although scam artists have been especially busy taking advantage of the economic downturn, there are resources to help you check out a company or an adviser before you become a victim — and help you file a complaint if you have a problem.

Start with your state, county or city government’s consumer protection office. Look up their phone number or visit www.consumeraction.gov/state for links or call 1800-FED-INFO (333-4636).

The websites of these agencies often have databases that allow you to look up complaints against all kinds of businesses.

You can also file a complaint to warn others of your problems.

The consumer protection agencies sur-

veyed by the Consumer Federation of America received more than 252,000 complaints last year and obtained more than $208 million in restitution and savings for consumers.

These agencies can also let you know about other agencies that license or regulate specific types of business in your area, such as a state contractor’s licensing board.

Look at BBB rating The Better Business Bureau (www. bbb.org, 703-276-0100) is another good place to look up companies. The BBB assigns letter grades, from A+ to F, based on a business’s complaint history, whether the company has responded and worked to resolve complaints, and whether the business holds the appropriate licenses, among other criteria.

You can also file complaints with the BBB, which will often work with the com-

pany to help resolve your problem.

Check out investments and advisers with your state securities regulator. The Fraud Center of the North American Securities Administrators Association (www.nasaa.org, 202-737-0900) also has many great resources to help you avoid becoming a victim.

You can look up a broker’s or a brokerage firm’s licensing, background information and disciplinary history through Finra’s BrokerCheck website, www.finra.org/investors/toolscalculators/brokercheck, or call 1-800-289-9999.

Research investment advisers through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Investment Adviser Search website, www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, or call (240) 3864848.

Review disciplinary actions Contact your state insurance department to see whether there have been any

disciplinary actions against an insurance agent or company, or to file a complaint.

You can find contact information for the state regulators at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website, www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm or call (202) 471-3990.

You can also check out an insurer’s complaint record at the NAIC’s Consumer Information Source (https://eapps.naic.org/cis), which is a great resource to learn about the type of complaints an insurer has received and how it stacks up against other companies.

For identity-theft resources and information, or to report ID theft, see the Federal Trade Commission’s ID Theft website, www.ftc.gov/idtheft.

Kimberly Lankford is a contributing editor to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. © Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

A good time to invest in discount stores

By Mark Jewell The economic news is gloomy, and the stock market is a roller coaster.

So where are mutual fund managers finding real values, aside from bargain-hunting among stocks with depressed prices?

Top fund manager Chuck Akre sees lasting value in the stocks of three discount retailers, each with a gain of more than 20 percent this year. They’re among the top holdings in the Akre Focus Fund.

The stocks of bargain retailers tend to hold up in good economic times and bad.

One of Akre’s largest stakes is in Dollar Tree Stores Inc., a purveyor of everything from soap to packaged food to novelty toys, such as dancing plastic solar sunflowers, all for $1 or less.

The other two are off-price apparel rivals: Ross Stores Inc., owner of Ross Dress for Less stores, and TJX Cos., which runs the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls chains.

Double-digit returns The impressive rise of these stocks in a down market — 27 percent for Dollar Tree, 24 percent for TJX and 22 percent for Ross — reflects the struggles that consumers face. Household budgets remain

stretched two years after the recession officially ended, unemployment is still above 9 percent, and the economic recovery is slowing.

That financial squeeze is one of the key reasons why consumer confidence has plunged to a two-year low. The implications are huge, because consumer spending drives about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity.

Periods of economic stress play to the strengths of discounters that cater to shoppers looking to curb spending. Consider Dollar Tree. The company last month reported a 22 percent jump in quarterly earnings, increased its earnings forecast, and announced plans to buy back $200 million worth of its stock.

Akre’s three discount retail stocks make up nearly one-quarter of the fund’s portfolio. Their strong results have helped Akre Focus (AKREX) outperform its mid-cap growth fund peers this year, with a 1.4 percent return, compared with an average loss of 3.6 percent for the category.

Akre, 68, struck off on his own to launch Akre Focus after averaging annual returns of nearly 13 percent when he managed FBR Focus (FBRVX) from 1997 through August

2009. The performance earned that fund a top-rung 5-star Morningstar rating.

Below are excerpts from an interview with Akre on prospects for discount retail stocks: Q: When you launched Akre Focus two years ago, you quickly purchased these three discount retailers. Why? A: They’re well-suited for times when the consumer is constrained. A large part of our population has no discretionary income. They didn’t really have it before 2008, either. But they thought they did, because of the availability of credit, through credit cards and home equity loans.

But that’s no longer the case, because credit isn’t as easy to get now. So businesses that can stretch consumers’ dollars are particularly well-positioned.

Q: What is preventing a sustained economic recovery?

A: Corporate balance sheets are probably as strong as they have been in my lifetime. There is an economic recovery, but it has come in fits and starts.

It’s being held back by high unemployment — both the reported number [9.1 percent], and people who aren’t figured into the official unemployment rate. That’s

because they’ve given up looking for work, or are working, but not as many hours as they’d like. If you add those people in, the rate is closer to the teens.

Since our economy is driven by the consumer, and you’ve got one out of eight people either not working, or not working enough hours to make ends meet, it’s not going to be a robust economy.

Another problem is that businesses have no confidence in our political leadership to solve our fiscal problems. So companies are not using the cash they’ve got to expand and hire.

Q: What do you like about Dollar Tree, Ross and TJX? A: Each is a financial powerhouse.

They’re all net debt-free — they have more cash on their balance sheets than any outstanding debts, if they have any at all.

They’re tremendously strong businesses, and their managements have made terrific judgments about how to use the free cash they generate.

Over the past five years, each has consistently managed to increase free cash flow and earnings, while also boosting cusSee STOCK PICKS, page 17

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2011

17

Cut cable connection to watch TV for less

By Lisa Gerstner Thanks to new offerings via the Internet, viewers are increasingly catching their favorite shows free or for a fraction of what their cable company charges. And going online to view TV shows doesn’t mean you’re stuck watching programs on your computer or tablet screen.

The Apple TV box ($99), for example, streams iTunes, Netflix, YouTube and some sports programming to your TV. Or you may be able to use a video-game console or a device designed to stream TV shows and movies from the Web to television, such as a Roku box ($60 to $100) or Boxee ($200).

Plus, some Blu-ray players and HDTVs have built-in connections for receiving shows online. Using either a cable or a wireless device, you can connect your PC to your TV and view anything that’s streaming to your laptop on your big screen.

An HDMI cable, for HDTVs, offers the best-quality picture, and you can find one for $15 or less. For about $100 to $200, you can buy a wireless device, such as the Warpia StreamHD, to do the same job.

Watch TV online Check Hulu.com to see whether you can watch your favorite shows free. Hulu has partnerships with many network and cable channels. A lot of prime-time shows appear on Hulu the morning after they air, although you won’t find popular shows from premium cable channels.

With Hulu’s free service, you can typically watch only the five most recent episodes in the current season. The subscription service, Hulu Plus ($7.99 per month), provides access to full seasons and the ability to stream programs to your TV. Also explore the websites of networks and cable channels to see what’s available.

Many have partnerships with Hulu to aggregate content.

Fans of Fox TV shows, take note: If you don’t pay for participating cable or satellite services, you now must wait eight days after episodes air before you can watch them free with Hulu’s regular service or at Fox.com. Hulu Plus subscribers can watch them the next day.

Some services offer TV shows to rent or buy. With iTunes, you can rent single

episodes for 99 cents, and Amazon Instant Video sells discounted episodes if you sign up for a TV pass.

Full seasons of shows are also available for purchase. These services may be most useful if you’ve missed most of a current season and want to catch up, if you’d like to buy previous seasons of shows, or if you prefer to own episodes so that you can watch them repeatedly. Otherwise, find out whether you can view new episodes free on Hulu or on the network’s website.

Stream new movies Some Internet services allow you to stream the newest movies to your living room. Vudu, for example, has a wide selection of high-definition movies available to

stream the day they are released on Bluray. (You can also watch Vudu movies at Walmart.com.) Amazon Instant Video, CinemaNow, iTunes and Zune also stream new movies that you can watch on your computer or TV. Most of the services also offer a selection of movies (and TV shows) in HD, usually for an additional price. You may not be able to watch HD programming on all your screens. Amazon Instant Video, for example, currently streams HD movies to your TV through compatible devices, but not to your computer.

Many online services limit the amount of time you have to watch a rental to one to See CABLE COSTS, page 18

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Stock picks From page 16 tomer traffic and spending. [Eds. note: Free cash flow is a way to measure a company’s capacity to grow, pay dividends to shareholders, or buy back shares.]

Q: What do you think about other discount retailers, including Walmart, a stock your fund doesn’t invest in?

A: There are tremendous opportunities, including Walmart, which has extraordinary cash generation.

Some of these companies have lots of cash, but may find they’ll run out of opportunities to grow in a meaningful way. So they’ll create opportunities for investors.

They’ll do that either by raising dividends, or by repurchasing shares, which increases the value of remaining shares on the market.

If discount retail weren’t a good place to be, I wouldn’t have 24 percent of my fund’s portfolio in three stocks in that category.

Those three are, in effect, dirt cheap.

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NOVEMBER 2011 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Income for life with longevity insurance

By Dave Carpenter Odds are growing that you’ll live past 85. But will your money last that long? And what if you make it to 95 or 100?

With life spans lengthening, those nearing retirement may want to consider financial protection to guard against the possibility of outliving their money.

It’s now increasingly available in the form of longevity insurance, which usually involves giving a sum of money to an insurer in your 60s in exchange for monthly payments that start at 80 or 85 and continue for the rest of your life.

The little-known financial product is gaining new attention at a time when few have pensions and Congress is discussing changes to Social Security that could reduce future benefits. New York Life Insurance Co. began offering a policy in July, joining a handful of others including

MetLife, Symetra Financial and The Hartford.

But it’s not just about insurance companies looking to make money off aging baby boomers. Retirement experts and some financial advisers say it can make a lot of sense for those who have enough savings to be able to spare a small portion in exchange for future monthly income that they can’t outlive.

“This is something that people ought to be thinking about as they approach retirement,” said Anthony Webb, research economist for the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.

Cable costs

Netflix/Qwikster is getting heat from customers for requiring them to pay separately (and more) for disc-rental and streaming subscriptions. But if you watch several movies in a month, a subscription service could still save you money.

If you’re primarily interested in newer, popular movies, stick with disc rental. If you’d rather browse for less-current

From page 17 two days after you begin to play it. But Netflix — which has split off its DVD rental service to a new company called Qwikster — still lets you keep discs as long as you wish, and its streaming content is available to view anytime.

A type of annuity Longevity insurance is the relatively new term for an annuity designed to cover the latter years of retirement. An annuity is an investment product in which you typi-

cally pay an insurance company a lump sum and get back a stream of payments for life.

Certain annuities have sullied the category name for being complex and loaded with fees — mostly variable annuities, where the value can sink with stock market declines. But more financial advisers are touting annuities as a way to receive the guaranteed lifetime income that pensions once provided.

With the longevity annuity, income is fixed and starts at a specified future age, frequently 85.

Under MetLife’s “maximum income” version, for example, a woman who buys longevity insurance with a $100,000 lump sum at age 65 could receive annual income of $59,010 starting at 85. That wouldn’t be enough to cover a year of nursing home care, but as supplementary income it

would go a long way toward covering living expenses.

Payouts are higher for men because of shorter average life spans. A 65-year-old man purchasing $100,000 of insurance would get $73,580 annually from MetLife starting at 85.

One drawback: If you die before payments start, the money you gave the insurance company is gone.

The insurers do offer alternate versions that guarantee death benefits to heirs, allow clients to start collecting income whenever they need it, even let them out of the contract. But those conditions can double your cost.

Buying this protection serves dual purposes. It ensures a predictable stream of income for your later years, removing wor-

movies, documentaries and TV shows, Netflix’s streaming service has a broad selection.

You can search elsewhere for lesserknown or older movies at a discount. Look for 99-cent movie specials from CinemaNow and iTunes. Vudu offers a different 99-cent special every day, and you can choose from thousands of movies to rent for $2 for two nights.

Amazon Instant Video has special deals on movies and TV shows, and it compiles movies into price categories. Recently, for example, the first six movies in the Harry Potter series were available to rent for $2.99 each. Hulu has a collection of free movies and documentaries but no new releases.

connection. (To test the speed of your current connection, use the tool at Broadbandexpert.com.)

Some services list minimum requirements to stream video. Vudu, for example, suggests a connection speed of at least 1 megabit per second for standard-definition movies (480p), 2.25 Mbps for HD (720p) and 4.5 Mbps for HDX movies (1080p).

Netflix automatically chooses the level of video quality you’ll stream based on your connection speed.

Willing to get up from the couch? Aside from visiting a standard movie-rental store, you can go to Redbox or Blockbuster Express kiosks to rent new movies on DVD or Blu-ray for $3 or less per night.

And renting films from the local library is free. © Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

High-speed Internet needed One caveat: You’ll need a fast Internet

See INCOME FOR LIFE, page 19

Adults 62+ – Make Your Move!

Life’s passion:

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Greatest accomplishment:

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2011

Income for life From page 18 ries about having to depend on family members for financial assistance.

And defining the exact time period that your other savings have to cover — say, from age 65 to 85 — allows retirees to spend more confidently and invest more aggressively without fear of running out later.

“If you have one of these [policies] that kicks in at 85, it becomes a much simpler problem of how to spend down one’s wealth,” said Webb.

The big downside, of course, is giving a pile of money to an insurer and hoping you and the company both are around in 20 years or whenever the benefits start flowing. Your best bet is to find a company with the best ratings by A.M. Best, Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.

Who should buy?

Demand for this type of insurance is low so far. But rising life expectancy should help it grow. After all, for a reasonably healthy 65-year-old couple, chances are 63 percent that one of them will live until 90, 36 percent that one will make it to 95, and 14 percent that one will reach 100, according to the Society of Actuaries.

The key is to remember it’s an insurance policy and not an investment.

Jason Scott, managing director of the Financial Engines Retiree Research Center, calls longevity insurance an efficient way of handling the risk of living a long time.

“It’s really expensive for an individual to plan for a life that might last to 100,” he said.

Dallas Salisbury, 62, had no qualms about buying longevity insurance three years ago that won’t pay him a cent until his 85th birthday in 2034.

His health and family history both suggest that Salisbury, who is president of the Employee Benefit Research Institute in Washington, D.C., has an excellent chance of cashing in. Both parents lived past 93, and an aunt reached 104.

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VETERANS BENEFITS FORUM

He said he’ll recoup his original cost, not counting inflation, after a year of payments. And if he makes it to 90, he’ll have reaped a 10 percent annual return on his money.

But even more important in his decision, he said, was the chance to lock in long-term financial certainty at a modest cost. He and his wife bought longevity policies with different insurers, spending 10 percent of their investment portfolio at the time.

That means they can decide what to do with 90 percent of their assets between now and age 85 without worrying about holding back money for an indefinite number of years beyond life expectancy.

“Paying 10 percent for that type of certainty to me is worth it,” he said. “If you want to protect yourself against living a long time and running out of money, the only way of doing it is where someone else takes on that longevity risk.”

Longevity insurance doesn’t make sense for the very rich, who can finance

their own old age, or the poor, who have no wealth to spare.

But it should interest those of somewhat above-average income — roughly the 60th through 95th percentiles of the population, according to Webb, who also suggests buying some form of inflation protection with the policy.

Those from families with a history of longevity, like Salisbury, are particularly good candidates for it.

Even those who find it a good fit for

19

their finances, however, aren’t advised to spend any more than 15 to 20 percent of their assets. And while the price is lower if you buy it younger, most experts don’t recommend getting coverage until you’re in your 60s.

“Wait till you’re ready to retire and assess your resources,” said Scott. “Then if you’re worried about running out of money and living a long time, it’s worth considering.”

— AP

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NEW MARYLAND ACCESS POINT OF BALTIMORE COUNTY The Baltimore County Department of Aging’s Senior Information

and Assistance office has expanded to become the Maryland Access Point of Baltimore County. In addition to providing information on senior resources, the Access Point can also provide information, referral and options counseling to adults with disabilities. Call (410) 887-2594 for more information.

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20

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You’re on top of your medications.

But we make a good back up.

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

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

Find a store near you at www.cvs.com

NOVEMBER 2011 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2011

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Careers Volunteers &

21

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

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

Volunteers offer meals, companionship

By Carol Sorgen Richard and Mary Joan Dryden have a weekly date. Every Friday morning Richard, 79, and Mary, 75, make the 36mile drive from their home in Perry Hall to Meals on Wheels’ Central Kitchen in Highlandtown, where they pack up and deliver meals to homebound residents who look forward to both a nourishing meal and the chance for a brief visit with the couple.

Now celebrating its 51st year, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland has been serving the homebound, regardless of their age, since 1960.

Through professional preparation and personal delivery of nutritious meals, Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers deliver more than 700,000 meals each year. All told, last year Meals on Wheels served 2,967 clients.

A broad service area Meals on Wheels provides two nutritious meals a day, Monday through Friday, to individuals who are homebound in Baltimore City and Ann Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. They also serve limited areas in Frederick County.

Most food served by Meals on Wheels is prepared at the Central Kitchen at 515 S. Haven St., while kosher meals are pre-

pared at Levindale Hebrew and Geriatric Center and Hospital. Kosher meals are delivered to limited routes located in northwest Baltimore City and Baltimore and Howard counties.

The Drydens are two of Meals on Wheels’ more than 2,000 dedicated volunteers. Approximately 300 volunteers help out each day. Volunteers can pick up meals for delivery at several locations in the Baltimore area.

Mary Dryden began volunteering with the organization in 1979, after the death of her mother. “I was kind of lost,” she said. A friend of her mother’s, who was a Meals on Wheels volunteer herself, encouraged Mary to join her, and she’s been at it ever since.

Richard began volunteering in 2000 after his second retirement. His first was in 1991 after a 36-year career as a Baltimore County middle school English teacher, and the second after nine years supervising student teachers in Towson University’s Education Department.

the recipients of the meals. “They’re so happy when we come,” the Drydens said.

One gentleman even invited Mary to come back later with a six-pack of beer “and without my husband,” Mary laughed.

Richard has his own fans as well. One 103-year-old client asked Mary if she could give Richard a hug because it had been so long since she had hugged a man. “Be my guest, I told her!” said Mary.

“The folks are just darling,” said the Drydens, who plan to continue volunteering with Meals on Wheels as long as they can.

In addition to meal delivery, Meals on Wheels provides grocer y shopping and “phone pal” programs for its lients, as

well as providing referral to other support services when appropriate.

The agency assesses a fee for service based on a sliding scale that takes into account each client’s income and expenses.

Staff works with each client to determine their specific fee. No one in need of the service is turned away due to an inability to pay.

According to Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Ellen Falk, Meals on Wheels has never maintained a waiting list. “This is possible due to the generosity of our donors,” she said.

For more information or to volunteer, call toll-free 1-866-0827 or visit www.mealsonwheelsmd.org.

Open House Saturday, November 5, 2011 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Camaraderie also on the menu The couple looks forward to their Friday mornings with other Meals on Wheels volunteers and with the people they visit.

“We love the camaraderie,” they say, as well as the relationships they build with PHOTO COURTESY OF MEALS ON WHEELS

Mary Joan and Richard Dryden volunteer for Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland every Friday, delivering meals to homebound residents. Meals on Wheels has more than 2,000 volunteers.

The day will include tours of the facility and demonstrations of services offered to our residents.

Exhibitors will provide valuable information for seniors, their families and caregivers, and physicians.

29449 Charlotte Hall Road / Charlotte Hall, MD 20622 301.884.8171 / www.charhall.org

22

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Singleton From page 1 Married to Baseball,” on the New York Yankees YESNetwork.com, which she describes as a baseball column that’s “not really about baseball.”

She is also a volunteer editor for the Cool Kids Connection, a newspaper of the Cool Kids Campaign, based in Cockeysville. The nonprofit group provides activities, services, care packages and the like for children with cancer and their families.

The Italian connection Just as important to Singleton as her writing is her Italian “famiglia.” A secondgeneration Italian-American, she is the granddaughter of four Italian immigrants.

Surprisingly, given her deep interest in

the culture, her first trip to Italy took place just 10 years ago. But since then, she has visited five times, learning to speak Italian so she can talk to her many cousins who still live in Sardinia.

Singleton’s love for all things Italian led her to found the Promotion Center for Little Italy (www.LittleItalyMd.com), an asyet virtual gathering place for fans of one of Baltimore’s most beloved ethnic neighborhoods.

A calendar of events, walking tour map and guide to services encourage online visitors to become real-time visitors to “piccolo Italia.”

“The neighborhood just calls to me,” said Singleton, whose aunt and uncle once lived there. Her brother has since bought and renovated their former home.

“I think it’s amazing that this area, which began in the 1800s with the great

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NOVEMBER 2011 — BALTIMORE BEACON

wave of immigration to the United States, still survives and thrives,” she said.

Now that her children are older, Singleton is thinking of trading in the freelance life for a more “real world” position that will make use of her editorial, promotional and marketing expertise. But she has no plans to abandon her Snippeteers.

Nor, however, does she have any grandiose plans for turning it into more

than what it is — or what it may organically evolve to be.

The project is purely a labor of love and self-expression. She doesn’t charge anything — or sell anything — to subscribers, nor does she accept advertising on the site.

“It is what it is,” she said. “It doesn’t matter to me whether I have 20,000 readers or two. If I inspire or encourage just one woman, that’s good enough for me.”

Some snippets to share Here is a sampling of some of the pearls of wisdom and laughs Singleton has shared recently in her SNIPPETS online newsletter: • If you want your dreams to come true, you mustn’t oversleep.

• Treat your friends as you do your photos, and place them in their best light.

• What are calories? Those little buggers that get into your wardrobe at night and sew up your clothes tighter.

• Here are two things said by the instructor during my group exercise class last week.

“Keeping your head down is a sign of weakness.”

“You can’t get stronger doing what you already know how to do.”

Yet I wonder ... was he talking about exercise or life???

• A woman aged 50+ was happily jumping on her bed and squealing with delight. Her husband watched her for a while before asking, “Do you have any idea how ridiculous you

look? What’s the matter with you?”

The woman continued to bounce on the bed and said, “I don’t care! I just came from a mammogram appointment and the technician said I have the breasts of an 18-year-old!!

Wheeee!!!”

The husband asked, “What did he say about your 56-year-old ass?”

“Oh,” she answered, “Your name never came up.”

• A mom and her kids were sitting in the living room when she said to them, “I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.”

So the kids got up, unplugged her computer and threw out her wine.

• A woman stared in the bathroom mirror at her nude reflection and said to her husband, “I feel absolutely horrible. I look fat. I feel ugly. And my gray needs to be dyed. Could you please give me a compliment?”

The husband replied, “Well, your eyesight is damn near perfect.”

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Ongoing

VOLUNTEERS FOCUS ON SPECIAL NEEDS

Talmar, Inc., is dedicated to serving people of all ages with a focus on those with special needs and disabilities. Its goal is to positively contribute to the mind, body and spirit of the individuals they serve by improving their physical, psychological, recreational, educational and social well-being. For more information, call Catherine Murphy, Executive Director, at (410) 825-2020, email talmarinc@msn.org or visit www.talmarinc.org.

Ongoing

JOIN THE IGNATIAN VOLUNTEER CORPS

The Ignatian Volunteer Corps provides an opportunity for retired or semi-retired persons to share their talents, skills, wisdom and life experience in service to the poor. Its members live at home, volunteer in local service organizations two days a week, and prayerfully reflect on the deeper meaning of their service. For more information, visit www.ivcusa.org and see the Baltimore page. You can also email baltimore@ivcusa.org or call Marilyn Dunphy, regional director, at (410) 752-4686.

Ongoing

DO YOU HAVE TECH SKILLS?

Creating technological solutions to improve the independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities, V-LINC volunteers build customized assistive technology that make it easier for people with disabilities to live, work and play more independently. Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, including engineering, carpentry, nursing and physical and occupational therapy. For more information, call Norma Theo Pinette, executive director, at (410) 554-9134, or email info@v-linc.org.

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2011

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Travel

23

Leisure &

Take a trip to West Virginia’s nearby eastern panhandle. See story on page 24.

Good time to visit post-revolution Tunisia Roman ruins

© PIOTR SIKORA | DREAMSTIME.COM

But while resort getaways offer beachside relaxation, they can be isolating and don’t provide much of a taste of the country’s unique local color.

For a stiff dose of it, try the capital, Tunis, a sprawling metropolis peppered with vestiges of its ancient past. The Tunis suburb of Carthage was founded by Phoenicians in the 8th century B.C. and was hometown of Hannibal, the general who crossed the Alps with elephants to launch his celebrated attack on Rome in 218 B.C.E. Sacked by Romans — who famously sowed the soil with salt — Carthage would become Rome’s first colony in Africa. You can still visit the vestiges of the city’s Roman past, including the remains of villas, the ruins of a 1st century C.E. amphitheater, and the Antonine Baths, a seaside thermal bath complex.

Carthage is also home to another, more recent, historical site, Ben Ali’s sprawling presidential palace. Police guard the compound, which has been empty since the former president and his family fled into exile on Jan. 14.

If Carthage doesn’t sate your appetite for Rome, a trip to Tunis’ stunning Bardo National Museum is in order.

Housed in the former royal palace, the museum boasts one of the world’s premier collections of Roman mosaics, with room after room filled with mammoth, often impeccably preserved, tiny tile masterpieces.

Tunis also has among the biggest and best conserved medinas (old city or historic center) in the country — indeed, in much of the Arab world. A warren of narrow streets with whitewashed buildings studded with wooden doors painted a rainbow of eye-popping hues, Tunis’ medina dates back to the 8th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Zitouna Mosque is both its geographic and spiritual heart.

Built in the 9th century, it was remodeled and added on to by successive dynasties, each determined to An ornamental arch frames the tower of a outdo the last. Non-Muslims can mosque in Tunis. visit the complex, with its breathtak-

© FAHRNER78 | DREAMSTIME.COM

By Jenny Barchfield Long known for its sea, sand and sun, Tunisia has a new claim to fame — as the birthplace of the Arab Spring.

Popular demonstrations toppled the tiny North African nation’s longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January, inspiring the wave of pro-democracy protests that has swept the Arab world, from Morocco to Bahrain.

While the uprising that ended Ben Ali’s 23-year-long autocratic rule went relatively smoothly in Tunisia — especially compared with the bloody and protracted conflicts that have since erupted in Syria, Yemen and neighboring Libya — the hordes of European tourists that long thronged to the country have largely evaporated.

Tunisia’s border with warring Libya remains dangerous, and poor inland towns still see sporadic protests. But Tunis and the resort towns have regained their prerevolt calm, and the country is on a path toward democracy.

Still, the country’s Mediterranean beaches and millennial ruins are largely deserted, and bargains abound. Travel operators who offer all-inclusive package deals at seaside resort hotels have slashed their already reasonable rates in a bid to lure visitors.

Bargain prices are starting to lure tourists back to Tunisia, less than a year after its revolution. Here, women sell colorful bolts of cloth in the marketplace of Tunis, located in the capital city’s historic old city or medina.

ing arched courtyard, mornings every day but Friday.

Tourbet el Bey is also worth a visit.

Buried deep in the medina, it’s an 18th century mausoleum where Tunisia’s monarchs, or Beys, as well as their children, wives and concubines were buried in elaborate marble sarcophagi.

A shopping bonanza Vendors in the medina who shuttered their shops during the revolution are again open for business.

Here are some of the best shops in the sprawling, 667-acre medina, where you can procure everything from cheap Chinese-made flip-flops to hand-cast gold jewels, as exquisite as their price tags are exorbitant: • Ed-Dar: Equal parts shopping extravaganza and cultural outing, a visit to this chock-a-block store is a must. Every surface in the 15th century Arab houseturned-emporium is hung with antique rugs, stacked with hand-glazed ceramics, and shines with intricate silver jewelry.

Three brothers, Ali, Youssef and Taoufik Chammakhi, founded the store in their childhood home in 1980 after their collection of handicrafts culled from the breadth and width of the country burgeoned out of control. Most of the pieces

here are one-of-a-kind heirlooms that were bought directly from families that had kept them — sometimes for centuries.

Prices range from a few dozen dinars for a tile hand-painted by Ali Chammakhi himself, to tens of thousands of dollars for a collection of gem-covered military decorations with pieces dating back to the 1750s.

Don’t miss the rooftop terrace, a lush oasis of potted plants with a knockout view over the medina.

• Youssef Gassem: Just downstairs from Ed-Dar, affable rug-seller Youssef Gassem hawks his wares in a tiny shop piled high with Berber and Persian carpets, kilims and rugged tent rugs made from camel hair.

There’s something for every budget, from small synthetic models that run for fewer than $100 U.S., to mammoth, century-old kilims in vegetable-dyed wool that fetch upward of several thousand.

Gassem’s assistant works up a sweat as he unstacks the carpets, and you might be asked to help unfurl them. If something strikes your fancy, be prepared for marathon negotiations, which take place over seemingly endless glasses of sweet mint tea.

Next door, Gassem’s brother Ridha sells See TUNISIA, page 25

24

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

NOVEMBER 2011 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Nearby W. Va., healing for body and soul

By Glenda C. Booth A little chunk of West Virginia dangles like an overturned bowl on the northeastern tip of the state, dipping into Maryland and Virginia. It’s known as West Virginia’s eastern panhandle and is the most visited part of the state.

If you’re traveling there from here, the area is a welcoming introduction to the Mountain State. You won’t see sharp peaks, mountain “hollers” or coal mines there.

That’s further west and south.

Jefferson County Commissioner Jim Surkamp calls the panhandle “a special little corner of the world.” It has a rich mix of history, culture, shopping, dining and nature, only 90 minutes from Washington and Baltimore.

You can go back to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, visit George Washington family sites, bathe in healing waters, fish, raft rivers, hike trails, and go to festivals, plays and concerts. In between towns, you can savor the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and rural vistas.

Shepherdstown Shepherdstown, population 1,200, is the state’s oldest town (250 next year). It’s a very walkable, postcard village of well-preserved brick buildings, some from the 1700s.

“You won’t see a chain store or fast food drive-through,” touts Surkamp. Take O’Hurley’s General Store, for example, which sells time-tested products like fruit presses, sleds, fire tools, dinner bells and crockery. On Thursday nights, O’Hurley’s features free Celtic or bluegrass music.

Pick up a self-guided walking tour

a es ift! k Ma at g e gr

brochure at the Visitor Center (www.shepherdstownvisitorscenter.com), 102 West German St., before your stroll to the one-of-a-kind shops and eateries in what are some of the state’s oldest buildings in the National Historic District.

There’s a story behind most of the buildings. During the Civil War, many on German Street were used as hospitals, and amputated arms and legs were flung out the second story windows.

During the Revolutionary War, 100 men from each town formed the Bee Line here and marched 600 miles to Boston in 24 days to reinforce George Washington’s fledgling army.

Behind the Visitor Center is the Rumsey Steamboat Museum showcasing an invention by the man Thomas Jefferson called the “most talented mechanical genius he’d ever seen,” James Rumsey, who was 20 years ahead of Robert Fulton and his steamboat.

A novel must-see is the Little House, a 10-foot-tall, two-story “house” that youngsters built in 1929 as student teachers taught collaboration.

Around town, keep your eye out for the 200-year-old “horse stones” in front of homes. They helped people get on and off their horses gracefully.

For a meal, you might hobnob with luminaries at the Beaux Arts-style Yellow Brick Bank Restaurant. Nancy Reagan was eating pumpkin soup here with columnist George Will in 1986 when the Challenger spacecraft blew apart over the Atlantic Ocean.

Or try the Blue Moon Café, where you

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can dine inside or outside. The Town Run stream, never dry and fed by over 20 natural springs, splices through town and gurgles right through the restaurant.

For more on Shepherdstown, see www.shepherdstownvisitorscenter.com.

Harpers Ferry Wedged between Maryland and Virginia, where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers converge, Harpers Ferry, population 310, is a national historical park (http://www.nps.gov/hafe), a picturesque town perched on a hill at the mid-point of the Appalachian Trail.

You’ll no doubt agree with Thomas Jefferson who wrote about this area in 1783, “The passage of the Patowmac through the Blue Ridge is perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in Nature.”

Harpers Ferry is best known for white abolitionist John Brown, who seized the U.S. Armory and Arsenal here to start a slave revolt. He was found guilty of treason and hanged. The National Park Service information center and the John Brown Museum tell the story and more. The town is full of historic buildings and at times living history demonstrations.

There’s very little parking in town, so the easiest way to visit is to park at the visitor center on U.S. 340 and take a shuttle in. Visit www.historicharpersferry.com to learn more.

Check www.wveasterngateway.com/calendar.php for upcoming events, such as “Living History, In the Shadows of John Brown: The 1861 Battle of Bolivar Heights” on Oct. 15 and the Old Tyme Christmas celebration from Dec. 2 to 4 and 10 to 11.

Charles Town Charles Town (www.charlestownwv.us) has history, too; after all, the town is named for George Washington’s brother, Charles, its founder in 1786. There are more Washingtons buried in the Zion Episcopal Church Cemetery than anywhere in the world, with more than 70 known graves.

Get a self-guided walking map at the Visitor Center, 108 N. George St. John Brown’s 1859 trial and hanging took place at the courthouse. You’ll find Brown arti-

facts in the museum of the Charles Town Library, and a letter written by George Washington in 1799.

For gamblers, the Hollywood Casino and Charles Town Racetrack (www.ctownraces.com) may hit the spot. Over 4 million people have tried their luck at its thoroughbred horse races, 112 table games and 4,000 slot machines. Just south is the Summit Point Raceway, scene of car and motorcycle races, and a favorite racing site of the late actor Paul Newman (www.summitpoint-raceway.com).

Berkeley Springs The panhandle’s “healing waters,” frequented by Native Americans, have long lured travelers. Berkeley Springs (www.berkeleysprings.com) claims to be the country’s “first spa,” a place where George and Martha Washington soaked.

Berkeley Springs State Park is a sevenacre compound of warm mineral springs and an 1815 Roman Bath House with private chambers and water heated to 102 degrees.

The town has a museum, restaurants, boutiques, B&Bs, motels and a brochure for a 70-mile self-guided driving tour of more than a dozen sites connected to George Washington, including “George Washington’s bathtub,” where our founding father “abated his fevers.”

The Country Music Hall of Fame honors West Virginia country music legends and offers a tour of their recording studio.

From Oct. 8 to 9, the town holds an Apple Butter Festival and parade, and from Nov. 13 to 14 there will be a Festival of Light, featuring practitioners of spiritual and physical healing.

Jefferson County and beyond Jefferson Countians like to tout their connections to the father of our country who surveyed in the area in 1748 and bought land. Over time, the Washington family built at least 10 estates in Jefferson County. Four still stand, but are only open to the public at certain times. Ask at the

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2011

Tunisia From page 23 an impressive array of antiques out of an equally tiny locale. A veritable Ali Baba’s cave, it’s piled high with petrol lamps, hammered copperware from the 1920s, and old-school hand-embroidered curtains, napkins and sheets as well as centuries-old tiles rescued from old Arab houses.

Hand-made traditional hats • A nearby covered lane houses the “Souk des Chechias,” where an ever-dwindling number of craftsmen hand-make the boiled wool hats, like stunted fezes, that were once an integral part of the national dress.

Since Tunisian men adopted the universal uniform of jeans and T-shirts, the chechia — imported from Spain in the 14th century — has largely fallen out fashion, and the lion’s share of production is now shipped to Libya and Nigeria.

Second-generation chechia-producer

West Virginia From page 24 visitor centers.

The Jefferson County Black History Preservation Society’s (http://jeffctywvblackhistory.org) African American Heritage Map can open your eyes to an often overlooked history — spots like the Charles Town Coloured Grave Yard, and the Hilltop House in Harper’s Ferry where strategies for the anti-slavery Niagara Movement were plotted.

The C&O Canal towpath for walking, biking and hiking is in Maryland, but just across the Potomac, as is the 3,000-acre Antietam National Battlefield (www.nmps.gov/anti), site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, where the warfare was “as loud as Niagara Falls.”

Visit www.wveasterngateway.com for travel tips, activities and events or http://justjefferson.com for videos of important sites.

Virginian Susan Koscis says about the panhandle, “I love the area because it is quiet, peaceful and a green corner of the world with friendly people.”

If you go You need a car to explore most of the panhandle.

Amtrak’s Capitol Limited train stops in Harpers Ferry seven days a week. A commuter MARC train goes to Duffield, 10 minutes from Shepherdstown on week days, but there is no public transportation, not even a taxi. Hotels may arrange transportation from the train station.

Glenda C. Booth is a freelance writer in Alexandria, Va.

Outaiel Jaoui still has two stores in the souk, where he serves up traditional red and black hats to Tunisians for formal occasions and chechias in a rainbow of bright hues for visitors.

Nine laborious steps go into these little hats, which start out as oversized knit rasta berets and are boiled, molded, ironed and dyed into something resembling a retro pillbox. Worn on women, they breathe a Jackie O-like retro elegance.

• El Makhsen: This old stable-turnedwarehouse-turned-wood-working factory is among the medina’s hippest shops. The brainchild of designer Mohamed Messaoudi, El Makhsen sells contemporary home decorations inspired by traditional Tunisian designs.

Arm chairs have the minimalist lines of Danish furniture but are upholstered in bright wool kilims. Vases are covered in glazed curlicues of Arabic script, while earthenware tajines are served up in sleek monochrome hues. Nearly all the products

are made in Messaoudi’s own atelier outside Tunis.

• Across the street, Le Foyer de l’Artiste, has similarly contemporary takes on traditional Tunisian jewelry. The chains of interlocking hammered loops worn as decorative fasteners on brides’ multilayered silk gowns are morphed into necklaces and dangle seductively from goldplated earrings. Old coins look surprisingly trendy on chunky silver bracelets or on artfully beaded earrings.

If you shop up an appetite, the medina is full of little restaurants where you can grab grilled meats, egg and tuna-filled fried pastries, or tomato and bell pepper stews — all smeared with harissa, the piquant chili paste Tunisians use on virtually everything.

But for something special, try Dar El Jeld, a sumptuous old mansion that was transformed into one of the city’s finest restaurants. The food — think lamb couscous and a variety of fresh grilled fish — is mouthwatering, and the decoration is even

more stunning than the dishes themselves.

If you go Before booking a trip, check for travel advisories from the U.S. State Department. In July, it issued an advisory urging that potential travelers to Tunisia be vigilant and warned against visiting the southern border region, where several thousand Libyans are living in refugee camps.

The advisory is slated to be updated on Oct. 8. To read the full advisory, go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/p a/pa_5516.html.

For more information, visit Tunisia’s official tourism site at www.cometotunisia.co.uk.

To learn more about the medina, see http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/36.

The lowest roundtrip fare from BWI in November is $1,1192 on Air France. Most flights require one change of planes and a total travel time of 11 to 16 hours, depending on the connection.

— AP

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Professionally managed by The Shelter Group. www.thesheltergroup.com

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Arts &

Artist Espi Frazier explores women in her drawings on display at the Hamilton Gallery. See story on page 28.

18th century British comedy resonates still

A comedic masquerade Bath in 1775 was no place for the conventional. Londoners hungry for diversion traveled to the city to escape the stifling class distinctions of the British capital while taking the waters bubbling from its hot springs.

Sheridan quickly lays out the plot in that milieu: While stationed in Bath, Captain

Jack Absolute (Manu Narayan) has disguised himself as the humble “Ensign Beverly,” hoping to win the heart of Lydia Languish (Zoë Winters) by virtue of his noble character, not his station in life.

Inspired by popular novels of the day, Lydia seeks a pure, romantic love. Jack’s stratagem works. Lydia falls madly in love with “Beverly,” never suspecting that he is really a high-born officer.

The fun begins as the other characters intrude into this cozy, if inevitably precarious, relationship. While the young couple may seem to lie at the core of the play, two older characters drive the real action.

Actor David Margulies does a superb job as Jack’s father, the imperious Sir Anthony Absolute, shifting gears smoothly from oily schemer to volcanic patriarch and back again. He wants to marry off his son to Mrs. Malaprop’s wealthy niece — who is none other than Lydia. (The “rivals” are, thus, one and the same man.)

Jack resists because he knows that Lydia will reject him once the truth is known. His apoplectic father threatens to disinherit him if he does not accede.

PHOTO © RICHARD ANDERSON

By Aaron Levin In 1775, playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan found himself in Bath, England, with expensive tastes and little money, but with a very sharp pen. At the time, theater in Britain generally meant lifeless, sentimental, oppressively genteel comedies full of stock characters and tired plots.

To make some money, Sheridan wrote The Rivals, and he succeeded at his goal by lampooning all the familiar characters of the day — both on the stage and in the audience.

In CenterStage’s new production of The Rivals, director David Schweizer matches Sheridan’s witty dialogue with plenty of onstage energy, physical laughs and all-toorelevant humor.

The language-mangling Mrs. Malaprop (played by Kristine Nielsen) engages Captain Jack Absolute (Manu Narayan) in a comedic conversation in CenterStage’s production of the 18th century play about mistaken identities, The Rivals.

Tongue-twisting fun The language-mangling Mrs. Malaprop, of course, is Sheridan’s gift to linguistic history.

Kristine Nielsen plays her to the eye-popping

hilt, occupying the stage like a great, yellowbrocaded sailing ship. No subtlety here.

See THE RIVALS, page 29

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NOVEMBER 2011 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Artist explores facets of female faces

An early artistic start Frazier has been enchanted with draw-

ing since she first picked up a pencil at the age of 5. The Chicago native, who was raised in a foster home, credits her talented foster mother with setting a creative example by showing young Espi how to cook, design clothes, crochet and much more.

“I watched what she did and I learned,” said the Loch Raven resident.

Frazier completed a BFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA at the Maryland Institute College of Art. For many years, she has taught art at Friends Middle School in Baltimore.

“Espi Frazier’s creative flare, her cool demeanor, and her demanding approach in her classes brings out the artist in all of her students,” said Friends Middle School principal Scott Harrington. “They love it, and they love Espi.”

She originally focused on fashion illustration, but in addition to her drawings and

PHOTO COURTESY OF ESPI FRASIER

By Carol Sorgen As a young art student, Espi Frazier belonged to a group of mixed media artists and performers dedicated to changing audience perceptions of African Americans.

In her upcoming solo show at the Hamilton Gallery during November, Frazier, now 60, strives to do the same for women — one of her favorite subjects.

The 18 black and white illustrations that make up “The Many Faces of Beauty” depict the faces of a variety of women of various ethnic backgrounds. “True beauty is not limited by race, age, gender,” Frazier said.

Frazier focuses on faces because she believes one’s face truly shows a person’s being and state of mind, and that the eyes reflect what is in the soul.

Artist Espi Frasier will have a solo show called “The Many Faces of Beauty” at the Hamilton Gallery in November.

illustrations, she has developed her own “wood graphics” process that uses colored

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

inks on relief wood carvings. She also works with mixed media, including mosaic tiles, glass, beads and copper nails.

Her favorite Egyptian symbol, the Ankh — representing life — shows up in much of her work.

Drawn to drawing Though Frazier is well-known for her life-sized carvings, she said that drawing is her favorite medium. She uses a pencil to help her define layers, and pen and ink to explore design and pattern, which helps create her visual language.

Frazier also enjoys drawing in black and white as she feels it is equal to and sometimes more compelling than color.

Frazier credits African American and social realist artist Charles White as a strong inspiration for her work. “His understanding of light, shadow and depth of emotion was powerful, and showed me the importance of mastering the ability to draw well all the time,” said Frazier.

Frazier’s work has been showcased on HGTV Modern Masters, WJZ-TV Art International’s Art Competition, and Contemporary Craft Masters, and is in several private collections.

Though Frazier’s professional life as an

pbs.org/arts

See ARTIST, page 29

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

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

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

One of Espi Frasier’s drawings depicting women’s faces.

The Rivals From page 27 “I will forfeit my malevolence for ever,” she intones majestically at one time. “Our retrospect will be all to the future,” at another. Don’t worry if you don’t understand.

Mrs. M doesn’t, either.

The play’s one serious note comes in an interchange between two secondary characters, Jack’s friend, Faulkland (Clifton Duncan) and Lydia’s cousin and confidant, Julia (Caroline Hewitt).

Julia sustains her true love for Faulkland, but he is so insecure that he must constantly put her to the test. When she finds out that his phony plan to go away for a long time is all a lie, she breaks up with him — the production’s most affecting moment. Naturally, this being comedy, the two reconcile and marry at the end, as do Jack and Lydia.

Artist From page 28 artist has been multifaceted, she always returns to her first love — drawing. She said her drawings for the upcoming show were all done since this past summer, when Frazier would just sit back and watch a movie, with a pen or pencil “twirling around” in her hand.

Frazier so enjoyed the experience of

The principals’ foolishness is abetted by a constellation of supporting characters.

There’s a social-climbing country squire in a salmon-colored wig, and a strutting, Brillo-haired, down-at-the-heels Irish baronet.

The five servants in the play (played by three actors) remind one of the servants in classical Roman comedy. They are no one’s fools and know exactly what is going on, even as their masters and mistresses delude themselves and try to do the same to others.

Sheridan may have written The Rivals more than two centuries ago, but In CenterStage’s production, the frothy mixture of silly romance, fortune-hunting busybodies, and outraged parents still resonates with 21st century audiences.

The Rivals is at CenterStage, 700 N. Calvert St., through Oct. 30. Tickets are $10 to $55 and can be ordered by calling (410) 332-0033 or online at www.center-

stage.org/rivals.

Patrons 62 and older can buy half-price tickets starting at 9 a.m. on the day of the show, subject to availability. The discount

is not available for Saturday evening performances or for the final week of the show.

Aaron Levin is a Baltimore freelance writer.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 7

A WURLITZER WHIZ The Free State Theater Organ Society presents noted organist

Wayne Zimmerman at the console of the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 3 p.m. Zimmerman will be accompanying a silent movie as well as doing his artful renditions of ballads, marches and novelty tunes in the traditional theatre organ style. Admission is free. The event will be held at Rice Auditorium, Spring Grove Hospital Center, 55 Wade Ave., Catonsville. For more information, call (410) 465-8598.

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD C H I L L Y G R A A R E S S O D A I W O O L A P T O B I T S I T E T E A R B E A N

creating these drawings that she thinks she may continue the series. “I love the feeling of a pencil in my hand,” she said.

The opening reception for “The Many Faces of Beauty” will be held on Friday, Nov. 4 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Hamilton Gallery, 5502 Harford Rd. Gallery hours are Tuesday, 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesday to Friday, 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 1 to 9 p.m.

For more information, visit www. espi4art.com or call (443) 248-1119.

Senior Apartments LIVE WELL FOR LESS Roland View Towers

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BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2011

R I G O R

A G A P E

E T N A C O A K V E O C A A S D E O P T I C

V A D E R Y A N K K I T E

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

S E M I

B A T E H P E I S H T A L T E S T O A K N I D E S

C A L M

M I C A

A O F T I T B

O R E O S

A D E L E

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NOVEMBER 2011 — 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 A Pressing Matter

by Stephen Sherr 1

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2. Inflexible severity 3. Wide open 1. Neck protector 4. “___ dripping well” (Keats simile) 6. Expansive 5.

Sicilian volcano 10. Florida city near West Palm 6. He said “No; I am your father” 14. Noted figure in ice skating 7. Peddler’s goal 15. Cruising 8. Penultimate tournament game 16. Captain of the Pequod 9. Big mug 17. Let’s Twist ___ 10. Clean a dirty dog 18. “I curse those beavers” 11. State whose largest three cities all start 19. Cash box with the letter “C” 20. Magical words uttered in 1939 12.

Storm preceder 23. Bill of Rights subj.

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Competent 24. Mine find 21. The Real Thing 25. Mimic 22.

Letter from Saint Paul 26. Himalayan beast 27. Guacamole base 28. Calendar column 28. German Madame 29. Chinese revolutionary leader 29. Soft mineral 32. It usually starts at midnight 30. “My dog ate my homework”, 37. You ___ Beautiful for example 38. Penne ___ vodka 31. The first National Leaguer with 39. Unstated 500 homers 40. Recycling tidbit 32. Increase in size 43. Start of a WW II battle island 33. Update the kitchen 44. Respond to Alex Trebek 34. A big jerk 45. “Y”, made plural 35. Tall mountain 46. ___ Nightingale (with 49 Across) 36. Fedora rest spots 47. Rep. foe 37. “___ was saying” 49. See 46 Across 52. Where to find the last words in 20, 32, 41. Preventing infection 42. An arm or a leg and 40 Across 46. Weasel cousin 58. Posthumous bio 47. Song samples 59. The fourth dimension 48. Observers 60. Popular joints 50. Nabisco cookies 61. Archaeologist’s location 51. Fred Astaire’s dance partner 62. Ripley’s little words!

52. Like buried treasure, perhaps 63. Movie stars 53. “___ Baby” (rhyming song title from 64. Fray Hair) 65. Sewage pit or pool 54. Gyro wrap 66. Useful Scrabble tiles 55. Pass bad checks Down 56. Tom Joad, for example 1. Burrito ingredient 57. A sampling of 66 Across

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Answer: What the cruise liner turned into when they were overcharged – A “CLIPPER” SHIP Jumbles: AGILE PAPER SCROLL CALIPH

BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2011

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

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

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

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

Financial Services LOOKING FOR CASH??? Look no further. We’ll purchase all or part of your real estate notes structured settlements and other future payments. Call Private Note Investors, 1-866-420-5885.

For Rent/Sale: Real Estate CONDOMINIUM FOR SALE 1 bedroom. 130 Slade Ave., 3rd floor with elevator, Pikesville, MD 21208. Call Alex 410-241-8720.

FREE LIST- 2 & 3 bedroom mobile homes.

Quiet parks. $1250 down. Bob Holmes 443-7948297. HSA. GARDENVILLE – clean, attractive, 2nd floor bedroom. For rent in private home. Reasonable.

410-482-1702. ***FREE FORECLOSURE LISTINGS*** OVER 400,000 properties nationwide. Low down payment. Call now 800-250-2043.

AVAILABLE NOW!!! 2-4 Bedroom homes Take Over Payments No Money Down/No Credit Check Call 1-888-269-9192.

STOP RENTING Lease option to buy Rent to own No money down No credit check 1-877-395-0321.

For Sale DOUBLE CEMETERY LOT Moreland Memorial Park Cemetery on Taylor Ave. Section C at the gate. $4,000 total. Call 410-467-0941.

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DULANEY VALLEY MEMORIAL GARDENS 2 burial plots in the Field of Honor. Includes two adult burial vaults and two matching 24x12” bronze memorial plaques. $7,000+ value for $5,500. I will pay the transfer fee. 717-6344337.

ESTATE BUY-OUTS / CLEAN-OUTS RECORD COLLECTIONS, HIFI STEREO, LARGE OLD SPEAKERS, RADIO TUBES, OLD ELECTRONICS, CAMERAS. BEST PRICE. CASH BUYER. PLEASE CALL ALAN 240-478-1100 or 410-740-5222.

CASH FOR CARS, Any Make or Model! Free Towing. Sell it TODAY. Instant offer: 1-800-864-5784.

DISH NETWORK lowest nationwide price $19.99/Mo FREE HBO/Cinemax/Starz FREE Blockbuster FREE HD-DVR and install. Next day install. 1-800-655-4939.

STAMP COLLECTIONS, AUTOGRAPHS purchased/appraised – U.S., worldwide, covers, paper memorabilia. Stamps are my specialty – highest price paid! Appraisals. Phone Alex, 301309-6637. Stampex1@gmail.com.

Miscellaneous

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.

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from home.

Medical, Business, Paralegal, Accounting, Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance.

Computer available. Financial aid if qualified.

Call 800-494-3586 www.CenturaOnline.com.

DISH NETWORK PACKAGES start $24.99/mo FREE HD for life! FREE BLOCKBUSTER® movies (3 months.) Call1-800-915-9514.

PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? You choose from families nationwide.

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

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

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

Wanted 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.

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 rungs 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.

STAMPS! U.S. only. Small collector buying singles, sets or collections. Fair price paid. Southwest Stamp Club meets Friday, November 18th, 2011, 1PM, Arbutus. 410-247-4169.

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TOP CASH FOR CARS, Any Car/Truck, Running or Not. Call for INSTANT offer: 1-800-454-6951.

WANTED DIABETES TEST STRIPS Any kind/brand. Unexpired up to $18.00. Shipping Paid Hablamos espanol 1-800-266-0702 www.selldiabeticstrips.com.

WANTED JAPANESE MOTORCYCLES KAWASAKI 1970-1980 Z1-900, KZ900, KZ 1000, H2-750, H1-500, S1-250, S2-250, S2-350, S3-400 CASH. 1-800-772-1142, 1-310-721-0726 usa@classicrunners.com.

WANTED: YEARBOOKS - $15 each for any high school 1940-1988 not in our collection. yearbookusa@yahoo.com 1-972-768-1338.

Word of the month The curious origins of our words and rituals

posh In the 19th century, when wealthy passengers would travel by ship from England to India, they would request rooms that faced the sun heading both to and from their destination — meaning the left (or port) side of the ship when heading to India and the right (starboard) side when returning to England.

The designation for this level of travel was Port Out/Starboard Home, naturally abbreviated as “posh.” The term has since become synonymous for anything first class or elegant.

To submit a word or phrase to be researched, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, call Jan Peter Ozga, (703) 281-2899.

Prepared by Wizard Communications. All rights reserved.

The Maryland Respite Care Coalition invites you to join us for our 14th Annual Respite Awareness Day Conference!

Revitalizing Respite! www.RespiteCoalition.org

Monday, October 24, 2011 : 8am – 4pm The Conference Center at the Maritime Institute (near BWI airport) 692 Maritime Boulevard || Linthicum Heights, MD || 21090-1952 Lunch and Refreshments Provided

Honorary Chair: Secretary Gloria G. Lawlah Maryland Department of Aging

Keynote Speaker: Lon Kieffer, RN, BSN, MBA, NHA Lon Kieffer is not only a registered nurse and an internationally known Motivational Speaker, “EnterTrainer”, Author and Consultant of Common Sense; he is, first and foremost, a Caregiver!

Just some of the many exciting topics include: Caregiver Advocacy What is Respite and How to Use It Getting Caregivers to Trust and Utilize Respite Turning Leisure Choices into Respite Opportunities Mental Wealth: Create It! “Till Death Do Us Part” - From Military Wife to Veteran Caregiver Defending the Caregiver Teaching Self-Medication Resilience and many more, including caring for children with special needs

For more information, call (240) 453-9585 Register online at www.RespiteCoalition.org

Family Caregivers $60/person Professionals (CEUs awarded) $125/person Professional Group (5 or more registrations) $100/person

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NOVEMBER 2011 — BALTIMORE BEACON

With Bravo Health,

I now have the advantage of not acting my age.

For over a decade, Bravo Health has been committed to delivering personalized, preventive care and stronger doctor/patient relationships.

We’re proud to give our members the advantage of choosing from a range of plans with unique benefits that allow you to get more from life.

Start benefiting from Bravo Health’s advantages today. !

$

!

$

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Part D prescription drug coverage

!

Routine vision services including an eye exam, glasses, and contact lenses

!

$

0 monthly plan premiums 5 primary care doctor visits

0 SilverSneakers® gym membership

The 2012 Annual Enrollment Period dates have changed.

Call a licensed Sales Representative at Medicare-eligible individuals will be able to enroll in plans from

October 15, 2011 – December 7, 2011.

Don’t wait. Let us help you today.

1-888-332-2827 (TTY 711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week to find out how Bravo Health can help you get more from life.

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