November 2016 | DC Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

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VOL.28, NO.11

An ear that helps the blind read

Access by phone, too But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. A telephone dial-in service offers an even greater cornucopia of information. By using a touch-tone phone and a recorded index, callers can skip around in a publication much the way a sighted person does when reading. The phone service also provides readings of almost every word of the publications, right down to the ads and grocery prices. And from 7 to 9 p.m. each evening, volunteers look up items from the Yellow Pages and the Washington Post classifieds for those who call in. “It’s a lifeline. That’s what we hear from listeners,” said Neely Oplinger, the executive director of the 45-year-old organization whose studio is in Silver Spring, Md. “For some people, it reduces the feeling of isolation and the frustration of not being able to do everything.” She cited a State Department official who was visually impaired and would lis-

NOVEMBER 2016

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PHOTO BY REY LOPEZ

By Barbara Ruben On a recent Friday, Bob Gallagher and Sharon Palmer-Royston skim the front page of the Washington Post, taking note of tonguetwisting or unfamiliar names and words — from Oded Revivi the mayor of Efrat, an Israeli town in the West Bank, to the Iraqi village of Tiskharab outside of Mosul. Soon, they will begin reading these stories aloud on a special radio frequency to thousands of listeners who are blind or visually impaired. For a full two hours, they will share selected articles from each section of the Post, also describing each photograph in detail to paint a word picture for their listeners. Gallagher and Palmer-Royston are two of the 375 volunteers who read from newspapers and magazines — including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Baltimore Sun, as well as Time, Ebony, People and Washingtonian, among others — for a nonprofit service called Metropolitan Washington Ear. The Ear provides qualified listeners with special radios that are tuned to a frequency that can’t be accessed elsewhere. (It’s a subchannel of WETA.) Selected readings from these and other publications are broadcast either live or prerecorded 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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LEISURE & TRAVEL

A walking tour immerses you in Japanese history and customs; plus, a trip to Dallas minus the car, and the sorry state of travel deal websites page 46

ARTS & STYLE

Bob Gallagher and Sharon Palmer-Royston, shown here in a recording booth, are among hundreds of volunteers at the Metropolitan Washington Ear who read selected stories from the Washington Post and other publications aloud, broadcasting over a special radio frequency for those who are unable to read or utilize print publications. A dial-in telephone service is also available.

Kathleen Turner turns in a powerful performance at Arena Stage; plus, Broadway hits coming to the National Theatre, and Bob Levey looking at late-life love page 52

ten early each morning to catch up on the day’s news before beginning work. “Our founder was blind, and she wanted others who were blind to participate in life like anyone else would,” Oplinger added. “So if someone’s talking about a new book or political news or financial news, she wanted people to be able to participate,” she said. The late Margaret R. Pfanstiehl founded Metropolitan Washington Ear in 1974 after learning about a similar service in St. Paul, Minn. She garnered support and funding from governments around the Washington, D.C. region, raising over $100,000 in operating funds for the first year. Local funding remains a large part of the Ear’s budget today, but private donations are critical to keeping both the service and radios free for subscribers.

Pfanstiehl, who was legally blind due to an inherited retinal condition, also is remembered for working with public television officials to create a separate “audio description” soundtrack so those with visual impairments could hear a description of the action during TV programs via radio services nationwide. This earned her a national Emmy Award in 1990.

Describing what’s on stage Building on that success, more than 30 years ago the Ear began a similar audio description service for live local stage performances to help those with visual impairments more fully enjoy the arts. Through special headphones provided See WASHINGTON EAR, page 56

TECHNOLOGY k What barcodes can teach us

FITNESS & HEALTH 10 k Best ways to end knee pain k Eight ways to lower blood pressure LAW & MONEY 32 k Next steps for bond holders k The return of emerging markets SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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Kudos to our writers Each year, we enter a selection of our tis Foundation and the Mayo Clinic. writers’ original stories in the journalism We are especially proud that this year, competitions of the National all 12 of our entries won honMature Media Awards and the ors in this competition! North American Mature PubIn the category for original lishers Association (NAMPA). articles, four cover stories We do this for two reasons: from 2015 by our managing One, as a way to be sure we editor Barbara Ruben were are keeping up the quality of honored: Our May cover our writing compared with about WWII vets, “Memories other publications throughstill sear after 70 years,” and out the country. our June cover, “Elder abuse Two, because we’re pretty often not reported” won Silconfident about the first rea- FROM THE ver Awards, and our January son, (that is, we believe our PUBLISHER cover, “An astronaut’s view of By Stuart P. Rosenthal writers are among the best earth” won a Bronze, while anywhere), and want to give February’s story about belly them the opportunity to earn recognition dancing for health won a Merit Award. they will treasure from well-respected, obIn addition, the Beacon won a Bronze jective judges. Award in the broader Newsletter/NewspaI’m happy and proud to report that per category for last October’s edition. every one of our regular writers and freeSimilarly, four cover stories from the lancers came away with one or more hon- Baltimore Beacon — all written by our Balors in this year’s competitions. timore contributing editor, Carol Sorgen The declared goal of the Mature Media — brought home two silvers and two Awards is “to recognize the nation’s ‘best bronzes. and brightest’ materials and programs proThree articles by freelance writer duced every year for older adults.” The Robert Friedman, a regular contributor prestigious competition attracts entries to our Howard County edition, won awards from national organizations and publica- as well. tions, such as those from AARP, the ArthriAnother annual journalism competition

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Washington DC area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Howard County, Md. and Greater Palm Springs, Calif. Readership exceeds 400,000. Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($36) or third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. D.C. and Maryland residents: add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. • Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher ..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President of Operations ....Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock, ......................Dan Kelly, Rena Pensky, M.K. Phillips • Editorial Assistant ......................Rebekah Alcalde

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (301) 949-9766 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 63 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions. © Copyright 2016 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

is held by the North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA), the association for newspapers and magazines specifically for the 50+ market. NAMPA’s annual journalism competition attracts hundreds of submissions every year and is judged by internationally respected faculty at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. This year, we received 20 NAMPA awards. Our Washington edition not only won “Best of Show” and first place for General Excellence in its category (publications over 100,000 circulation), but also multiple honors in the following categories: Review Column (arts reviewer Michael Toscano), Senior Issues (columnist Bob Levey), Personal Essay (former advertising representative Jill Joseph), Profiles and Briefs/Shorts (Barbara Ruben), How-to Feature (Rebekah Sewell Alcalde), Travel Column (Glenda Booth), and Topical Issues (yours truly). In addition, Carol Sorgen won awards for Feature Writing, Topical Issues and a Profile in our Baltimore edition, while Robert Friedman was honored for Feature Writing and Topical Issues in our Howard County edition. The judges took the time to write a specific paragraph about each winning article. I won’t take the space to repeat any in full, but among their statements are the following descriptions: “a fascinating read,” “informative and clearly written,” “smoothly and engagingly told,” “excellent reporting,” “super user-friendly” and “a compelling piece.” The judges said our cover stories “make this publication stand out.”

Of course, whatever awards we do or do not win, what matters most to us is that you, our readers, are pleased with the practical information, news and entertainment you find each month in the Beacon. Please let us know what you think — even (actually, especially) if you think we are missing the boat in any particular area. Also feel free to share ideas for future stories and to recommend your fellow citizens for profiles. Your opinions, suggestions and letters to the editor are always welcome, whether you contact us by mail, phone, fax, email or online. I want to conclude by expressing my thanks to, and admiration for, all our writers (and editors) mentioned above as well as the other members of our staff, who work so diligently to produce the Beacon every month. I’d like to thank them by name for their efforts and devoted contributions: Vice President of Operations Gordon Hasenei, Director of Sales Alan Spiegel, Art Director Kyle Gregory, Asst. Operations Manager (and webmaster) Roger King, Advertising Representatives Doug Hallock, Steve Levin, Dan Kelly, M.K. Phillips, Rena Pinsky and Paul Whipple, Social Media Assistant Steve Andrzejczyk, and last but certainly not least, my wife and Associate Publisher Judy Rosenthal. The Beacon would not exist without all of their efforts, nor without you reading our publications. My appreciation goes out to all of you.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: I really enjoyed your October “From the Publisher” piece on cyber security titled “Head In the Clouds.” I am a millennial who thinks very little about cyber security — until it actually hits me. Three days ago, my computer got hacked at the Silver Spring library. I have come to give security little attention because the danger of cyber break-ins, and the release of personal information, has become so typical. I think breaches in cyber security are the norm in our current society. However, this real danger is a crime. This November is “Crime Prevention Month,” and as a millennial living in Montgomery County and a local resident for over 20 years, I feel that more should be done to prevent this growing threat to our local, national and global community. Patricia K. Rogers Via email Dear Editor: I enjoyed your October cover story,

“Leisure World designer moves in.” However, I was greatly disturbed by the statement that the subject, African American architect Harold Navy, formed the first African American architectural firm in Washington, D.C. In fact, several of Mr. Navy’s architectural contemporaries had started their firms prior to his, including: Bryant & Bryant, designers of several the University of the District of Columbia campus buildings and the second Dunbar High School in 1975; Gray, West & Wilson, designers of the first Washington, D.C. Convention Center in the early 1970s; AIA (American Institute of Architects) Gold Medal Winner, Robert Nash; Sulton & Campbell; Fry & Welch; and McDonald & Williams, a firm in which Mr. Navy’s partner, Randy Marshall, was previously a junior partner. Going back another generation: Hilyard See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 61

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

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Age-Friendly Montgomery A Community for a Lifetime

“I’m inviting you to enjoy our County’s resources and programs.” County Executive Ike Leggett

Office of Consumer Protection

Internet Safety Tips

The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) provides consumer advice and enforces consumer protection laws that prohibit unfair and deceptive business practices.

Deter: • Do not give out your personal and financial information until you have verified who is on the other end of your computer or telephone. • Never click on links in unsolicited emails. • Use anti-spyware and anti-virus software.

Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OCP and click on A to Z Consumer Advice for information about: • Automobile purchase or repairs • Credit cards and debt collection • Financial literacy and scams • Home ownership & home improvement • Sales & marketing Call OCP (240-777-3636) or e-mail consumerprotection@ montgomerycountymd.gov. You can like or follow the OCP on social media to receive alerts. Internet safety is one area the OCP addresses. While the internet is convenient, your computer and telephone can open the door to “cybercriminals” eager to steal your money, personal information and even your identity. When this happens, it can take months or even years to clear your name, credit history and online reputation.

Detect: • Get a free credit report once a year at www. AnnualCreditReport.com and review for wrong information. • Be alert and take action if you receive bills for accounts you do not have, unexplained credit denials, or statements for unauthorized charges. • Credit protection services: Companies offer (for a fee) credit monitoring services which review your credit for suspicious activity. Please research the service before purchasing. Defend: If you suspect identity theft, • Place a “Fraud Alert” or “Freeze” on your credit reports. • File a police report; call 240-279-8000. • Report the theft to the fraud department of each company where an unauthorized account was opened. • If someone is using your identity to rack up charges and you’re being contacted by a debt collector, call the OCP for help at 240-777-3636.

• Aging & Disability Resource Line 240-777-3000

• 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311 for County programs and services; 9-1-1 for emergency • www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior

• “Seniors Today” airs on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. on Comcast/RCN 6, Verizon 30 Among "Seniors Today" November guests: Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Technology &

Innovations Six ways barcodes help you shop smarter By Paul Michael The humble barcode has been a regular part of grocery store shopping since 1974, with the first-ever product being scanned on June 26th of that year. Since then, they have become almost invisible, with some package designs finding ingenious ways to hide or dress up their somewhat garish appearance. However, with smartphones and apps now becoming a part of our everyday lives, the importance of barcodes is changing. Now, instead of being something the store uses to track inventory, the code can be a great way to find out much more about the product itself. From secrets about the product’s manufacturer, to allergy information and user

reviews, here are six amazing things that barcodes can tell you. 1. What people actually think of the product Before you make a big purchase, perhaps of a vacation, car or TV, you research the reviews and see what people really think of the options. When it comes to grocery items, however, most people don’t have the time or energy to sit in front of a computer trawling the web for the latest consumer opinions on detergents or frozen foods. But now, if you have any doubts at all, you can scan the barcode of the product and find out what people really think of it. For example, apps like OpenLabel and

Purchx let you scan the label and read through reviews of many products you’ll find in the typical grocery store aisles. A particularly interesting feature of OpenLabel is the ability to create an “honest” label for other people to read, highlighting things that you think other consumers should know. Purchx has been called the “Yelp for products,” with a database of over 3 million products reviewed by consumers just like you. With a barcode and a scanning app, you can literally tap into a vast collective user base of no-holds-barred opinions. 2. Instant price comparisons across multiple stores One of the many issues facing customers these days is buyer’s remorse, particularly

upon finding out that another store has the exact same product for much less than you just paid. You can always try going back to the store for a price match, or returning the item and buying the lower-priced product later. But that’s all a lot of hassle. Instead, using the power of your smartphone and the net, you can scan barcodes and instantly see what the price is for this item at hundreds of different stores. Apps like ShopSavvy and BuyVia give you access to a huge database of products, and after scanning the barcode in-store, you can see exactly what the product is going for, including shipping fees where applicable. See BARCODES, page 6

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Address_______________________________________________________________ City______________________________________State______Zip________________ Phone (day)__________________________(evening)_________________________ E-mail_________________________________________________________________ WB11/16

Please mail this form to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 or fax to (301) 949-8966

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Maryland

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Did you miss the Renwick Gallery’s wildly popular “Wonder” exhibit that closed in July? More than 730,000 people visited the gallery-sized installations from an array of unexpected materials by nine contemporary artists. The new “Renwick Gallery WONDER 360” app offers users a virtual walk-through of the downtown Washington, D.C. museum, with 360-degree views of all the installations and videos of the artists discussing their works. Learn more about the project on the museum’s website at americanart.si.edu/multimedia/wonder360. Free for iPhone and Android

District of Columbia

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Do you want to read more and discover new authors? Penguin Random House is emailing short fiction tales in easy-to-read bites through the end of the year. Sign up on their website, and each weekday get part of a story. Over the next few days, you’ll receive new installments and finish it by the end of the week. All the stories are written in the first person. They include award-winning and bestselling authors like Anthony Marra, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Adam John-

A wonder-ful app

Housing Communities

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Short stories in your inbox

Apps

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

★

With one of the most contentious elections in history, skyrocketing health insurance premiums, WikiLeaks and even the World Series, political cartoonists are having a field day. Whether it’s an orange Donald Trump rising up as the Great Pumpkin, or a Walking Dead zombie wearing a nametag that says Obamacare, you’ll find a biting and often hilarious collection of political cartoons from newspapers across the country on the website of The Week, which offers news and analysis. http://theweek.com/cartoons

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All you can do is laugh

The web has a wealth of information on every health condition under the sun, but it’s hard to filter out what’s dubious or just downright quackery. The National Institutes of Health’s MedlinePlus offers reliable, thorough information on everything from abdominal aortic aneurysms to the Zika virus. There is also a database of drugs and supplements. A large selection of online videos show the anatomy of the body and organ systems, and how diseases affect them, as well as operations and surgical procedures. https://medlineplus.gov

MAIL OR FAX FOR FREE INFORMATION

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Links

Trustworthy health information

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son. But act fast, because the final story will be emailed the last week of December. http://theseasonofstories.com

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Beacon Links & Apps

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Technology & Innovations | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Barcodes From page 4 You can also use this information to get an instant price-match in the store (Toys R Us is very good for this), and can set price alerts if you want to know when the item goes on sale, or dips below a price you specify. 3. Real (and harmful) ingredients in a product Want to know what’s really hiding behind those complicated chemical names printed on the ingredient label? Well, there are myriad apps available to help you decode them, letting you know in plain Eng-

lish just what is hiding behind the label. GoodGuide, Chemical Cuisine, ThinkDirty, HealthyLiving and Food Facts give you the ingredients in ways that are easy to understand. Chemical Cuisine has a ratings system, ranging from “safe” to “avoid,” and it can be eye-opening. For example, adipic acid is on the safe list, whereas benzoic acid should be avoided by certain people. Beverages, condiments, frozen meals and soups are covered. Some of these apps will also suggest healthier, or better, alternatives to the product you’re scanning. 4. Potential allergy issues

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Nuts. Dairy. Gluten. Egg. If you or someone in your family has an allergy to a certain type of food, it can make grocery shopping as arduous as finding a needle in a haystack. Every label has to be read, just in case (although more and more manufacturers are now plainly displaying potential allergy issues on the label). If you want to make this process a whole lot quicker and easier, use an app that scans for allergy issues. Apps like Ipiit and Content Checked are customizable based on your specific allergy requirements. For instance, you may be fine with gluten, but need to steer clear of nuts and dairy. Select those issues, scan the barcode, and the app will let you know if a product is good to go, or if you should avoid it. Of course, nothing is foolproof, as SnackSafely.com reported back in 2014. By now, the apps will have collected far more information and should have a much more thorough database of foods and allergens, but as always, you use these apps at your own risk. 5. Sustainability and environmental impact These days, many of us try and do our bit for the environment. We want to choose products that are environmentally friendly, and made from sustainable resources. But without committing to hours and hours of research, it’s not easy to be an Earth-conscious consumer. Technology once again comes to the rescue, with apps like GoodGuide and Social

Links & Apps From page 5

To sleep, perchance to dream SleepBot is a free sleep tracking app that helps you understand your sleep patterns and points the way to better rest. The app can also be set to record sounds, so you’ll know if you really are snoring as loudly as your spouse claims. Sleep Bot’s alarm allows you to set a range of time to wake up, and the app triggers the alarm based on your sleep activity. The app also includes information on developing good sleep habits. Free for iPhone and Android

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Impact. GoodGuide can uncover a wealth of information with just a quick scan of the product’s barcode, delivering comprehensive information on just how green the product it is, and how healthy and safe it is, too. Products are ranked on a scale of 0 to 10, and also use a handy color-coded system to show you what you’re buying. Green is go, red is stop, and yellow is “well, let your conscience be your guide... but don’t say we didn’t warn you.” 6. If the product is made under ethical conditions It’s awful to even think about, but child labor, forced employment and slavery exist even today. You just have to look at a pair of shoes with an $8.99 price tag to know that someone, somewhere, is suffering to achieve that insanely low price. But it’s not always easy to tell, especially if the price of the product seems to justify decent working conditions, and the brand name feels trustworthy. Well, now you don’t have to guess. There are several apps and browser plugins that will let you drill down into the manufacturing details of the product in question, giving you ratings for the ethical conditions under which the product was made. Free2Work and Ethical Barcode can show you if the product is tested on animals, or if it was flagged for being made using child labor. All contents © 2016 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

A habit-forming app Want to make flossing a habit? Or maybe you’d like to wean yourself from caffeine. Habitica helps you in an online video game. It turns the habits you want to instill, and even your to-do list, into little monsters you have to conquer. The better you are at this, the more you progress in the game. If you slip up in life, your character starts backsliding in the game. You can play it solo or with others, which helps makes you accountable for things you want to accomplish. In addition to the app, it can be used online at https://habitica.com. Free for iPhone and Android

Say you saw it in the Beacon | TTechnology & Innovations

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Asbury Methodist Village 409 Russell Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 301-987-6291

GET MORE FROM THE WEB

Prerequisite: Computer experience & Windows 10 PC Registration: $90 6 sessions Limit: 10 # 598 Tues Nov 8 – Dec 13 9:30am-11:30am

You use the World Wide Web every day for email, information, shopping or financial matters. This course shows you how to make your web browsing experience more productive and to get what you want to be more efficiently using the Microsoft Edge web browser. Staying secure while online is emphasized.

HOW THE WEB WORKS

Prerequisite: None Registration: $20 1 session # 599 Fri Nov 18

Limit: 10 9:30am-11:30am

You use the World Wide Web every day. Ever wonder what goes on “behind the scenes” to make it all happen? This class explains from start to finish how the web page appears on your monitor screen nearly instantaneously. Come and learn. It is pretty amazing.

ORGANIZE YOUR FILES WITH WINDOWS® 10

Prerequisite: Computer experience & Windows 10 PC Registration: $60 3 sessions Limit: 10 # 600 Fri Dec 2 – Dec 16 9:30am-11:30am

Do you need to bring some organization to your computer-based life? This course shows you the features of the new Windows 10 File Explorer application and how to use them to organize your collection of documents and photos. File Explorer has a new “look” plus serval built-in features to assist you in crating and viewing folders, as well as moving, copying and renaming files.

ASSISTED PRACTICE

Practice sessions are an integral part of your learning. You must be registered for at least one class to participate. Wed Nov 9 – Dec 14 9:30am-1:30pm

JCA Bronfman Center 12320 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD 240-395-0916

JCA IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION CENTER AT THE BRONFMAN CENTER HAS BEEN COMPLETELY

REDESIGNED AND WILL OPEN FOR NEW CLASSES IN SEPTEMBER. AMONG THE MANY IMPROVEMENTS ARE INCREASED CAPACITY AND THE ABILITY TO OFFER CLASSES ON MACINTOSH COMPUTERS. IPHONE®

APPS

Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class Registration: $20 1 session Limit: 12 # 605 Tue Nov 29 1:00pm-3:00pm

Learn to use and organize apps. Explore apps to create reminders, read or listen to books, find directions, track health and fitness activities, share photos and more. Share your favorite app.

IPHONE®,

PHOTOGRAPHY, AN INTRODUCTION

Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class Registration: $20 1 session Limit: 12 # 606 Tue Dec 6 1:00pm-3:00pm

Learn how to use the iPhone to take great pictures, organize them and share your photos with friends and family.

SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS USING THE ANDROID OPERATING SYSTEM WORKSHOP

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Registration: $ 20 1 session Limit: 12 # 607 Thurs Nov 17 10:00am-12:00pm

Learn what the Android operating system is and how to work with its direct manipulation interface. See demonstrations of popular applications (apps) that run on Android.

BROWSING AND SEARCHING THE WEB **NEW**NEW**

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Registration: $ 20 1 session Limit: 12 # 608 Mon Nov 7 10:00am-12:00pm

Learn how to use Internet Explorer®, Google Chrome® and Google® search to use the World Wide Web. We will teach the basics but go beyond, including setting up favorites and bookmarks, creating a bookmark bar, opening multiple tabs and adding extensions to the browser. Learn many techniques to more precisely find the information you want.

DO MORE WITH EMAIL

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Registration: $40 2 sessions Limit: 12 # 609 Thurs Nov 3- Nov 10 1:30pm-3:30pm

Learn to take full advantage of your web-based email service. This course covers all aspects of email, including attachments and contact management. You use your own mail provider for most lessons. You need your email User ID and password.

EXCEL: THE BASICS

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Registration: $40 2 sessions Limit: 12 # 610 Mon Nov 14 – Nov 21 10:00am-12:0pm

Develop and learn how to create a basic spreadsheet and enter data, edit the cells, adjust columns and rows, “crossfooting” spreadsheets, using formulas in spreadsheets.

FACEBOOK IS EASY- SETTING UP AN ACCOUNT

Prerequisite: Bring a picture of yourself and a picture you’d like to share in digital form (jpg). Registration: $20 1 session Limit: 12 # 611 Thurs Dec 1 10:00am-12:00pm

Find out how to set up a Facebook account and keep it as private or public as you want. Share pictures, thoughts, or quotations with chosen friends.

FACEBOOK IS EASY - HOW TO USE YOUR ACCOUNT

Prerequisite: Must already have a Facebook account. Registration: $40 2 session Limit: 12 # 612 Thurs Dec 8 – Dec 15 10:00am-12:00pm

This class is for people who already have a Facebook account and want to learn more. We will learn how to find friends, post status updates, connect with people using chat and messages, what it means to “like” a page or a post, and how to post photos and make photo albums, post links to websites and articles, use apps and more.

continued next page

Technology & Innovations

JCA SENIORTECH

INS AND OUTS OF DESKTOP PUBLISHING

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalentRegistration: $40 2 session Limit: 12 # 613 Tues Nov 1- Nov 8 10:00am-12:00pm

Ever wonder how to make flyers, newsletters, business cards or holiday letters look professional? This class will teach you a quick and easy way using Microsoft Office 2016/365. Bring a USB device to class.

MEET THE TECHNOLOGY GURUS! BRING US YOUR PROBLEMS!

Registration: $30 per individual session # 616 Date and time to be determined by Tech Guru

Have a one-to-one lesson with our Tech Gurus. Experts are available to help with hardware or software issues. Topics: Windows® 10, buying a new computer, securing your computer, backing up the cloud, laptop/desktop Issues, photos/videos, PowerPoint® and more. Your session will last 2 hours. After you register, you will be contacted to select a date and time for your session and to discuss the questions or issues you will be working on with one of our Tech Gurus.

 NEW  NEW  NEW 

JCA SeniorTech is proud to present our NEW class given on the MAC Operating System!

MEET THE MAC® TECHNOLOGY GURUS! **NEW**NEW** BRING US YOUR PROBLEMS!

Registration: $30 per individual session # 617 Date and time to be determined by Tech Guru

Have a one-to-one lesson with our Mac Tech Gurus. Experts are available to help with hardware or software issues. Topics: iPhone®, iPad®, Apple® Laptops/computers. Your session will last 2 hours. After you register, you will be contacted to select a date and time for your session and to discuss the questions or issues you will be working on with one of our Tech Gurus.

INTRODUCTION TO THE MAC® OPERATING SYSTEM X Registration: $40 2 sessions # 619 Tues Nov 15 - Nov 22

Limit: 4 1:30pm-3:30pm

Class size is limited to 4. If class is full, students with Mac laptops are welcome The Apple Mac Operating System (OS), known as OS X provides the interface to the Mac hardware and applications. In this class, we will cover the essential components that users need to know to operate their computers in a safe and productive manner. The class will combine lecture and hands-on exercises. Topics include the desktop components including the dock and menu bar, system preferences, finder, Safari browser, spotlight, Mission Control, ways to run Windows on your Mac, and backup with Time Machine.

SENIORTECH VOLUNTEERS WANTED TO TEACH OR COACH We are looking for volunteers who are computer savvy, willing to share their knowledge, and would like to help people age 50+ learn new computer skills.

Call 240-395-0916 for more information

TECH TALK!

PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS ON HOT TOPICS IN TECHNOLOGY

WHAT SHOULD I BUY? Registration: $20 # 620 Wed

1 session Dec 7

Limit: 25 10:00am-12:00pm

As our desktops, laptops, phones and tablets come to the end of their useful lives, consumers are unsure what purchase of new technology makes sense. Questions you might be asking are: Can my phone or tablet replace my computer? Should I buy one of the new hybrid laptops? Does switching to an Apple computer make sense for my needs? How has camera technology evolved? Should I upgrade to Windows 10? This two-hour discussion/class will consider the pros and cons of various hardware options and look at the application that runs on the various platforms.

INTRODUCTION TO THE CLOUD Registration: $20 # 621 Wed

1 session Nov 2

Limit: 12 1:30pm-3:30pm

There has been a lot of talk about “the cloud” recently. Learn what the cloud is and how to use it for storage, backup and sharing of files, pictures and music.

CUTTING THE OF CABLE

CABLE – TV WITHOUT THE PRICE

Registration: $20 # 622 Wed

1 session Nov 9

Limit: 12 1:30pm-3:30pm

With the availability of high-speed broadband Internet, it is possible to enjoy television without the high price of cable TV. Learn about programs that are available online and how to watch on a standard HDTV set.

ATTENTION:

Instruction, course materials and all computerlanguage settings are in

English.

Courses are taught with Windows computers.

DISCOUNT! STUDENTS RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT WHEN BILL IS PAID IN FULL 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE START OF CLASS. If you have questions, call 240-395-0916 or email seniortech@accessjca.org

REFUND POLICY:

Students who wish to withdraw and receive a full refund must notify JCA at least 48 hours before the first class begins. A 50% refund is given after the first class.

The Career Gateway!

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

A recognized program for active and potential job seekers 50+. Five six-hour classes over two weeks: • Hone interviewing skills • Improve resume • Enhance social networking skills. Career.Gateway@ AccessJCA.org 301.255.4200 or 703.425.0999

As of August 23rd JCA SeniorTech will be relocating to a new site in northern Virginia. We are grateful for our time in Crystal City and would like to thank Vornado for its kindness and support, the many students who attended classes and our wonderful and dedicated volunteers! While we relocate our Virginia site, we encourage everyone to come to our newly-renovated Bronfman Center site in Rockville, which is within walking distance of the Twinbrook Metro station.

Watch this space for a new SeniorTech Location in Northern Virginia to be announced soon!

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

SeniorTech

DESCRIPTION AND GUIDELINES Classes are designed to help adults, 50+, refresh or advance their computer skills and learn to use social media. Courses are taught by volunteer instructors and coaches.

Courses are almost always “hands on” in which students practice skills and techniques on a computer during class.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

✃

Say you saw it in the Beacon | TTechnology & Innovations

JCA SENIORTECH

SENIORTECH REGISTRATION FORM

COMPUTER TRAINING

WAYS TO REGISTER: BY MAIL:

Include your payment with form to JCA SeniorTech 12320 Parklawn Drive Rockville, MD 20852-1726

BY PHONE: Call 240-395-0916 with your credit card information

NOTE: ALL REGISTRATIONS ARE DUE 7 DAYS PRIOR TO START OF CLASS. Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________________ State: _______ Zip Code: _______________ Phone#: ______________________________ Email: __________________________________________________ I have taken a JCA SeniorTech class before: ____ Yes ____ No

Student ID (Office use only)_______________

I WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER FOR: Class #

Class Title

Location

Start Date

Start Time

Registration

10% DISCOUNT WHEN BILL IS PAID IN FULL 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE START OF CLASS

TOTAL $ _________

PAYMENT METHOD:

WB11/16

❒ Master Card ❒ VISA ❒ American Express ❒ Check (Make Checks payable to JCA SeniorTech.)

Name as it appears on card: ____________________________________________________________

Card Number

____________ ____________ ____________ _____________

Each JCA SeniorTech center location follows the weather-related decisions of the public school system in its jurisdiction, except that if a school system is closed for even part of the day, the center will be closed the entire day. As soon as possible, your instructor will arrange to make up any classes cancelled due to inclement weather.

Exp. Date

______ /______

Sec. Code

__________

OFFICE USE ONLY Course #_____ Paid_____ Registration #_______ Date________

Course #_____ Paid_____ Registration #_______ Date________

NOTICE: WITHIN THE LIMITS OF ITS RESOURCES, JCA SERVES PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS AND FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. INDEED, WE TRY TO BE AS INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE IN ALL THAT WE DO. SOMETIMES, HOWEVER, JCA MAY DENY A PERSON OR GROUP THE OPTION TO ENROLL OR TO CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL OR PARTICULAR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DO SO, AT OUR SOLE DISCRETION, SHOULD WE BELIEVE THAT OUR ACTION IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR PROGRAM OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON NOT PRECLUDED BY APPLICABLE LAW. Each contribution or remittance of payment by check is considered authorization to convert that particular check into an electronic fund transfer. If your check is unable to be converted, it may be processed as a Check Replacement Document drawn against your account. When we use information from your check to make an electronic fund transfer, funds may be withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day you make your payment, and you will not receive your check back from your financial institution. You have the right to opt out of Electronic Conversion. If you choose to exercise this right, write the words ‘Opt Out’ in the memo field of your check and JCA will process it as a draft against your account.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Health Fitness &

MEDICARE DEADLINE Review (and maybe change) your Medicare drug or Advantage plan now A CHECKUP FOR YOUR CHECKUP Make the most of your annual exam; come prepared with goals, questions LOWER BP NATURALLY You can lower your blood pressure without meds through diet, exercise FIND A FURRY FRIEND Pets can be a source of comfort and support to people at any age

How sex and gender affect your health While men and women are similar in many ways, researchers have found that sex and social factors can make a difference when it comes to your risk for disease, how well you respond to medications, and how often you seek medical care. That’s why scientists are taking a closer look at the links between sex, gender and health. Many people use the words sex and gender interchangeably, but they’re distinct concepts to scientists. Sex is biological. It’s based on your genetic makeup. Males have one X and one Y chromosome in every cell of the body. Females have two X chromosomes in every cell. These cells make up all your tissues and organs, including your skin, heart, stomach, muscles and brain. Gender is a social or cultural concept. It refers to the roles, behaviors and identities that society assigns to girls and boys, women and men, and gender-diverse people. Gender is determined by how we see ourselves and each other, and how we act and interact with others. There’s a lot of diversity in how individuals and groups understand, experience and express gender. Because gender influences our behaviors

and relationships, it can also affect health. “Sex and gender play a role in how health and disease affect individuals. There was a time when we studied men and applied those findings to women, but we’ve learned that there are distinct biological differences between women and men,” explained Dr. Janine Austin Clayton, who heads research on women’s health at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md. “Women and men have different hormones, different organs, and different cultural influences — all of which can lead to differences in health.”

Different symptoms, responses As scientists learn more about the biology of males and females, they’re uncovering the influences of both sex and gender in many areas of health. For instance, women and men can have different symptoms during a heart attack. For both men and women, the most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are more likely than men to have shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and pain in the back, shoulders and jaw. Knowing about

such differences can lead to better diagnoses and outcomes. Men and women also tend to have different responses to pain. NIH-funded researchers recently learned that different cells in male and female mice drive pain processing. “Without studying both sexes, we wouldn’t know if we’re taking steps in the right direction toward appropriate clinical treatment for men and women,” Clayton said. “Our differences also affect how we respond to medications, as well as which diseases and conditions we may be prone to, and how those diseases progress in our bodies.” For example, women metabolize nicotine faster than men, so nicotine replacement therapies can be less effective in women.

Attention to addiction Scientists are finding that addiction to nicotine and other drugs is influenced by sex as well. “When it comes to addiction, differences in sex and gender can be found across the board,” said Sherry McKee, Ph.D., lead researcher at an NIHfunded center at Yale University that stud-

ies treatments for tobacco dependence. “There are different reasons men and women pick up a drug and keep using a drug, and in how they respond to treatment and experience relapse,” McKee said. “ Sex also influences disease risk in addiction. For example, women who smoke are more susceptible to lung and heart disease than men who smoke.” One NIH-funded research team has detected some of these differences in the brain. In a recent study, 16 people who smoke (eight men and eight women) underwent brain scans while smoking to create “movies” of how smoking affects dopamine — the chemical messenger that triggers feelings of pleasure in the brain. These brain movies showed that smoking alters dopamine in the brain at different rates and in different locations in males and females. Dopamine release in nicotine-dependent men occurred quickly in a brain area that reinforces the effect of nicotine and other drugs. Women also had a rapid response, but in a different brain region — See SEX AND GENDER, page 12

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Try PT and injections to fight knee pain Knee pain caused by worn cartilage due to arthritis or a torn meniscus can be so debilitating that you find yourself unable to exercise, go the grocery store, or even walk across a room. While surgery is often the fix, it’s not always necessary to relieve knee pain. “I see surgery as the last resort,” said Dr. John Melmed, who focuses much of his practice at the Silver Spring Medical Center in Maryland on knee pain. Melmed is a firm believer in having someone try physical therapy, weight loss (which helps take pressure off the knees), and other less invasive treatments before resorting to knee surgery. There’s science to back up that concept.

Physical therapy is effective A study published in Arthritis and Rheumatology found that about a third of total knee replacements in the United States are inappropriate, suggesting that many people undergo knee replacements unnecessarily. There are about 700,000 total knee replacements performed each year in the United States. A New England Journal of Medicine study showed that physical therapy is just as effective as surgery in patients with meniscal tears and arthritis of the knee. The study, led by Dr. Clare Safran-Norton, clinical supervisor of rehabilitation services at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, found no significant differences in functional improvement after six months between patients who underwent surgery with postoperative physical therapy and those who received physical therapy alone. Safran-Norton, a physical therapist, recommends that a person with knee arthritis or a torn meniscus undergo at least three months of physical therapy as a first line of treatment.

“There’s a lot we can do with stretching and therapeutic exercise,” she said.

Why exercise helps The first step is to begin a series of exercises to strengthen muscles that work with the knee, including the quadriceps and hamstrings in the thigh, the gluteal muscles in the buttocks, and the abdominal muscles. If these muscles are stronger, they’ll absorb more of the pressure you place on your knee, which will relieve pain. The second step is to stretch the muscles that support the knee, such as the thigh and calf muscles, as well as the iliotibial band — a thick cord of connective tissue that runs along the outside of your leg — to keep them all healthy, flexible and resistant to injury. This type of strengthening and See KNEE PAIN, page 13

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Sex and gender From page 10 the part associated with habit formation. “We were able to pinpoint a different brain response between male and female smokers, a finding that could be useful in

developing sex-specific treatments to help smokers quit,” said lead study researcher Kelly Cosgrove, Ph.D., a brain-imaging expert at Yale University. Finding better ways to help men and women quit smoking is important for everyone’s health. More than 16 million

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Americans have diseases caused by smoking. It’s the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.

Autoimmune disorders Scientists have found sex influences in autoimmune disorders as well. About 80 percent of those affected are women. But autoimmune conditions in men are often more severe. For instance, more women than men get multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease in which

the body’s immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord. But men seem more likely to get a progressive form of MS that gradually worsens and is more challenging to treat. “Not only are women more susceptible to MS, but women also have many more considerations in the management of the disease, especially since it often begins during child-bearing years,” said Dr. Ellen Mowry, a specialist who studies MS at See SEX AND GENDER, page 13

Health differences between the sexes • Women and men have different symptoms of heart attack. • Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression. • Men are less likely than women to admit to negative moods and seek treatment for mental health issues. • Men are more likely than women to have gout, a type of arthritis. Female risk for gout increases after menopause. • Osteoporosis is more common in women than men, yet it still poses a risk to men as they age. • Some medicines affect women and

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men differently, such as aspirin and some sleep medications. • Females are more likely to injure their knees playing sports. • Males are more likely than females to develop autism spectrum disorders and certain other neurodevelopmental conditions. • Two-thirds of people age 40 and up who are visually impaired or blind are women. • Pain disorders like chronic TMJ are more common in women.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Knee pain From page 11 stretching program provides relief within weeks. The following exercise works your abdominal muscles and inner thigh muscles, and can be done on a mat, a bed, or even a couch: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat. Put a small ball (roughly 12 inches) between your knees. Place your arms at your sides. Tighten your abdominal muscles. Squeeze your knees together against the ball. Hold, then release. Repeat eight times.

Lubricating injections Even with exercise and therapy, many patients find that knee pain can persist.

Sex and gender From page 12 Johns Hopkins University. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are a lot of unanswered questions when it comes to the study of sex differences in MS and other autoimmune disorders,â&#x20AC;? Mowry explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Researchers can learn a lot by studying women and men separately and together â&#x20AC;&#x201D; considering possible risk or predictive factors that may differ based on sex or gender, and working collab-

The next step for some doctors is a corticosteroid injection into the knee joint, which can temporarily reduce pain and swelling. The injections can help for up to six months, depending on how advanced the arthritis is, said Melmed. Another option for those with osteoarthritis is to inject a lubricating fluid into the knee joint. In this procedure, called viscosupplementation, a naturally occurring substance in joints called hyaluronic acid, is injected. The thick, oily substance helps facilitate movement of the joint and reduce pain. Dr. Brian Paris of Advanced Wellness Systems in Rockville, Md., explains the need for lubrication around the joints like this: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the knee joint weakens, the fluid

starts to dissipate out of the joint, and then it becomes arthritic. It just becomes very rusty,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The best analogy I can use is like the Tin Man [in The Wizard of Oz]. When Dorothy gives him the oil, he can actually move his joint.â&#x20AC;? The hyaluronic acid is derived from an unusual source â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the comb of a chicken, which is filled with hyaluronic acid. Both Paris and Melmed guide the needle into the right place with use of imaging. To precisely inject the fluid, Paris uses fluoroscopy, which uses X-rays to pinpoint the joint, while Melmed guides his injections with ultrasound, which uses sound waves to form an image of the joint. Patients get up to five weekly injections, and pain relief can last up to two years.

Both doctors advocate additional physical therapy after the treatment to ensure the joint remains limber. The course of treatment is covered by insurance and Medicare every six months. Safran-Norton noted that studies about whether acupuncture relieves knee pain are mixed, but she said that the treatment is helpful to some people. Research is also mixed on whether chondroitin and glucosamine supplements relieve pain, but Safran-Norton noted that some people feel the pills make a difference. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Harvard Health Letter, with additional local reporting by Barbara Ruben ÂŠ 2016 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed By Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

oratively with other scientists to improve the likelihood of detecting these factors.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;NIH now requires scientists to ask: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;What are my research results for males and for females?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Clayton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to learn more about the roles of sex and gender in health and disease. Understanding these influences improves health and saves the lives of both men and women.â&#x20AC;? A Wellness Update is a magazine devoted to up-to-the minute information on health issues from physicians, major hospitals and clinics,

universities and healthcare agencies across the U.S. Online at www.awellnessupdate.com.

ÂŠ 2016 www.awellnessupdate.com. Distributed By Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Medicare open enrollment thru Dec. 7 It’s time for your annual checkup — of your Medicare plan. Medicare’s annual open enrollment period started Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. This is the time of year you can make changes to your plans. Review your current Medicare Part D Prescription Drug and, if you have it, your Medicare Part C Advantage Plan coverage to see if you can lower your costs or find a plan that better suits your needs. Even if you’re happy with your current coverage, you might find something that’s

a better fit. If you miss the open enrollment deadline, then you’ll most likely have to wait a full year before you can make changes to your plan. Here are five important things to do this month: 1. Review your plan notice. Be sure to read any notices from your Medicare plan about changes for 2017, especially your “Annual Notice of Change” letter. Look at your plan’s information to make sure your drugs are still covered and

your doctors are still in network. 2. Think about what matters most to you. Medicare health and drug plans change each year, and so can your health needs. Do you need a new primary care doctor? Does your network include the specialist you want for an upcoming surgery? Is your new medication covered by your current plan? Does another plan offer the same value at a lower cost? Take stock of your health status and determine if you need to make a change. 3. Find out if you qualify for help paying for your Medicare. If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for the Extra Help program to pay for some healthcare and prescription drug costs. Drug costs this year for most people who qualify for Extra Help are no more than $2.95 for each generic drug and $7.40 for each brand-name drug. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates that more than 2 million people with Medicare may be eligible for Extra Help, but aren’t currently enrolled to take advantage of these savings. To qualify, you must make less than $17,655 a year (or $23,895 for married couples). Even if your annual income is higher, you may still qualify for some extra help. Your resources must also be limited to

$13,640 (or $27,250 for married couples). Resources include bank accounts, stocks and bonds, but not your house or car. A recent law changed how your income and assets are counted: • Life insurance policies don’t count as a resource. • Any help you get from relatives, friends and others to pay for household expenses — like food, mortgage, rent, heating fuel or gas, electricity, water and property taxes — doesn’t count as income. Even if you were previously turned down for Extra Help due to income or resource levels, you should reapply. If you qualify, you’ll get help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums, copayments and deductibles. It’s easy and free to apply for “Extra Help.” You, a family member, trusted counselor, or caregiver can apply online at https://secure.ssa.gov/i1020/start , or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. Maryland residents of limited income (up to $48,060 for a couple) may be eligible for up to an additional $40 towards their monthly prescription drug plan premium through the Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program (SPDAP). For See MEDICARE, page 16

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Health Shorts FDA approves another biosimilar drug Federal regulators have approved the first alternative version of the second-best selling drug in the world, Humira — the blockbuster injection used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared a near-copy of the drug, dubbed Amjevita, developed by Amgen Inc. Regulators approved the drug for more than a half-dozen conditions listed on the original drug’s label, including severe psoriasis and Crohn’s diseases.

Medicare From page 14

We’re hosting an Open House at our Information Center. Please stop by and help us celebrate our Veterans. Conveniently located right across from the community construction site.

Fri., Nov. 11th Sat., Nov. 12th Sun., Nov. 13th 2 to 6 p.m.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Noon to 3 p.m.

Every family who RSVPs and attends the Open House will receive a special holiday gift.*

Call (571) 982-6318 today!

A SHBURN

more information, call 1-800-551-5995 or visit www.marylandspdap.com. 4. Shop for plans that meet your needs and fit your budget. Use Medicare’s plan finder tool at www.Medicare.gov/find-a-plan to see what other plans are offered in your area. A new plan may cost less, cover your specific drugs, and include providers you want, like your doctor or pharmacy. If you find that your current coverage still meets your needs, then you’re done. Remember, during Medicare Open Enrollment, you can decide to stay in Original Medicare or join a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch back to Original Medicare. 5. Check your plan’s star rating before you enroll. The Medicare Plan Finder has been updated with the 2016 Star Ratings for Medicare health and prescription drug plans. Plans are given an overall quality rating on a 1 to 5 star scale — with 1 star representing poor performance and 5 stars representing excellent performance. Use the Star Ratings to compare the quali-

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Humira posted sales of nearly $15 billion in 2015 and was for many years the top-selling prescription drug in the world, according to data from IMS Health. It’s the fourth time that the FDA has formally approved a so-called biosimilar — the industry term for a lower-cost version of a biotech drug. Biosimilar drugs, long available in Europe, are thought to have the potential to generate billions in savings for the U.S. health system. But currently only one biosimilar cleared by the FDA is actually on the market in the U.S.: Novartis’ Zarxio, an alternative to Amgen’s Neupogen that sells for about 15 percent less than the original product. The drug helps boost red blood cells in cancer patients. First approved in 2002, Humira accounted See HEALTH SHORTS, page 17

ty of health and drug plans being offered. For more information, call 1-800MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Help is available 24 hours a day, including weekends. Language support in Spanish is offered. You can get assistance with your decision through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). There is a SHIP located within your local Area Agency on Aging in every county. Trained counselors are available to provide free, unbiased one-on-one assistance. Learn the facts, discuss options, and get help with completing forms and making online comparisons. Many counties require advance appointments during open enrollment, so call early, and look for opportunities for group community presentations. Contact the SHIP office for your jurisdiction: District of Columbia: (202) 994-6272 Alexandria, Va.: (703) 746-5999 Arlington, Va.: (703) 228-1700 Fairfax, Va.: (703) 324-5851 Montgomery County, Md.: (301) 255-4250 Prince George’s County, Md.: (301) 265-8471 — Courtesy of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

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Health shorts From page 16 for 60 percent of manufacturer AbbVie’s total revenue last year. The injectable drug, which blocks chemicals linked to inflammation, is part of a family of biotech drugs, including Enbrel and Remicade, which are also facing pending biosimilar competition. Development of lower-cost anti-inflammatory drugs is considered pivotal in reducing U.S. spending on specialty drugs, which has doubled to $150 billion since 2010, according to IMS Health.

Mixing opioids, sedatives can be fatal Health officials are strengthening warnings about the potentially fatal consequences of mixing prescription painkillers with sedatives like Xanax, saying the combination can lead to breathing problems, coma and death. The FDA said it will add a boxed warning (its strongest type) about the interaction to nearly 400 medications, including opioid painkillers, opioid-containing cough medicines, and benzodiazepines, which are used to treat anxiety, insomnia and seizure disorders. Painkillers and sedatives are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the U.S., but both drug types slow users’ heart rate and breathing.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

The FDA has come under fire for not doing more to stem to tide of fatal overdoses tied to prescription opioids, potentially addictive medications that include OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet and numerous generic equivalents. The number of deaths linked to the medications has increased more than fourfold since 1999. FDA officials said the number of opioid patients also receiving sedatives increased by 41 percent, or roughly 2.5 million patients, between 2002 and 2014. While current drug labels and medical guidelines already caution against mixing the drugs, doctors still routinely prescribe them in combination. For instance, a patient injured in a car accident might receive an opioid for pain and a benzodiazepine to control muscle spasms. FDA officials said they hoped the elevated warning would get the attention of doctors who have not heeded earlier notices. Along with the new drug labels the FDA will require drug manufacturers to distribute pharmacy pamphlets to patients highlighting the risks of the combination.

yond, they’d long been couch potatoes. The research examined whether regular physical activity could help even the oldest seniors stay mobile for longer despite other health conditions. The study enrolled more than 1,600 adults between the ages of 70 and 89 considered at high risk for disability because they were sedentary and had various chronic health problems, such as heart disease or diabetes. More than 2 in 5 were 80 or older. “We were targeting folks who potentially had the most to gain,” said Dr. Thomas Gill, a Yale University geriatrician who led the work. The study compared seniors assigned to a regular walking program, plus a little strength and balance exercise, with a control group given health education. Over 3 1/2 years, the walking program

reduced the amount of time seniors spent suffering from a major mobility problem by 25 percent, the researchers reported in Annals of Internal Medicine. The walkers were less likely to experience a mobility-robbing condition in the first place, more likely to recover if they did, and less likely to suffer another one, Gill said. They were also less likely to be injured in a fall. Gill said the study shows many sedentary seniors can start walking safely, no gym membership needed — just a safe place such as a sidewalk or shopping mall. The goal is to build up gradually to meet federal health guidelines that say even older adults should get 2 1/2 hours a week of moderate-intensity exercise. Essentially, that means enough to increase your heart rate — not breathless, but breathing a little hard. — AP

Regular walks reduce disability, fall risk A recent study found that simple physical activity — mostly walking — helped high-risk seniors stay mobile after disability-inducing ailments even if, at 70 and be-

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Make the most of an annual wellness visit By Nellie S. Huang If you’re completely healthy, a “wellness” visit to your physician once a year won’t improve on perfection. But feeling healthy and staying healthy are two different things, said David Meyers, chief medical officer for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. That’s where a regular wellness visit, if not a head-to-toe annual physical, comes in. Nowadays, these appointments are preventive and goal-oriented. You and your

doctor will make key decisions to keep you healthy — such as whether you should take a cholesterol-lowering drug or whether you need a colonoscopy. The focus is on ongoing care, and the actual exam “is the least important thing that happens,” said Jack Der-Sarkissian, a family physician in Hollywood, Calif.

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other tests you’d expect. But it’s the resulting game plan that counts most. Der-Sarkissian equates a preventive visit with a meeting with your investment adviser. You should leave your doctor’s office with a goal of where you want to be, healthwise, in 10 years — and an action plan to achieve it. The good news is that in many cases, the cost of such preventive care is no longer a barrier. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, you won’t owe a co-pay for many preventive health screens and tests. You may have to pay for the office visit, but many private plans offer full coverage for one annual physical. A caveat: If a patient comes in for his physical with, say, chest pain, then the appointment may no longer be considered a wellness visit and may not be fully covered. Of course, some people already see a doctor regularly to monitor a chronic condition. In that case, a special wellness visit isn’t necessary, said Meyers. And after you’ve established a relationship with your doctor, a face-to-face visit may not be required, either. What’s important is periodically checking in to make sure you’re getting the care you need, he said.

Appointment game plan To get the most from your doctor’s visit, follow these steps: Before you visit, “do your prep work,” said Elson Haas, a family doctor in San Rafael, Calif. Know your family’s medical history as well as your own. Bring in the actual bottles — not just a list — of any medicines, supplements and vitamins you take regularly. That helps the

doctor know the exact dosage you’re taking, said Haas. Finally, prepare three questions you’d like to ask your doctor. About 90 percent of all patients coming in for a wellness visit have a health problem they want to discuss, said Der-Sarkissian. “No one comes in with a clean slate.” Raise your health concerns at the start of your appointment. You only have 20 to 30 minutes per visit, so get to the point. Many patients err by bringing up a worry too late, when there’s little time left to discuss it. As the doctor answers, take notes. Patients remember only a fraction of things discussed, said Nitin Damle, president of the American College of Physicians and an internist in Wakefield, R.I. Repeat aloud any instructions your doctor gives you to make sure you understand them. Don’t be afraid to ask more questions. The more you ask, the more satisfied you’ll be with your visit, said Meyers. If your doctor recommends follow-up tests, treatments or a change in medications, ask about other options, and the benefits and side effects of each one. The key to a successful wellness visit is the follow-through. Only about 50 percent of patients comply with their doctor’s advice, said Haas, whether it’s to get a colonoscopy or have another blood test. That defeats the purpose of the check-in. “The steps you take [now] to stay healthy can set you up for a healthier old age,” said Meyers. All contents © 2016 the Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

November 2016

UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS at Brooke Grove retirement village

As experts in senior care and memory support, Brooke Grove Retirement Village is pleased to offer seminars and events that promote physical, spiritual and mental well-being. eevents ts will be held at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation n and d Nursing ur All seminars an and ev Center, located Village ca campus. at at 18131 Slade School ch ol Road on the Brooke Grovee Retirement eti a pu Please register with Toni ni Davis at 301-388-7209 72 or tdavis@bgf.org. SUPPORT FOR THE CAREGIVER SEMINAR: AR “Sensory stimuli and Alzheimer’s” November 8, 2-3 p.m. When someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia can no longer make sense of complex sensory stimuli, he/she can still experience enjoyable sensations. Discover diverse activities that can increase socialization, self-concept, positive emotions, alertness and concentration. FREE. Register by November 6.

Living Well seminar: “Medicare 2017 - what you need to know to get the best benefits” November 9, 7-8:15 p.m. Get answers to questions such as “What do Medicare A and B cover?” and “What state and federal programs am I eligible for?” Seminar preceded by complimentary light supper at 6:30 p.m. FREE. Register by November 7.

Alzheimer’s support group November 16 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sponsored by thee Alzheimer’s Association, this A confidential group provides an opportunity for gr individuals and families to find support, gain understanding and share caregiving tips. FREE. nd

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Adjust your diet to nourish your bones By Marsha McCulloch, R.D. Unlike the static human skeletons that commonly hang in biology classrooms, your bones are continually being broken down and rebuilt. In fact, your entire skeleton is replaced about every 10 years. In addition to exercise, about 20 different nutrients help prevent the weakening of bones that leads to osteoporosis. We re-

view nutrients you’re more than likely falling short on, and where to get them. Calcium Calcium has the strongest research evidence of any nutrient for its role in supporting healthy bones, according to a 2016 position paper from the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Requirement for adults: 1,000-1,300

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Nov. 15

ELDER ABUSE TALK

The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office presents a free seminar on elder abuse on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to noon. The speakers will discuss the signs of abuse, the different types, and present real case examples at St. Mark’s Episcopal Anglican Church, located at 12621 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Md. For more information, visit www.stmarks-silverspring.org or call (301) 622-5860.

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mg. (milligrams) Sources: Dairy foods, fortified foods (such as orange juice, tofu and soy milk), fish with edible bones (sardines, canned salmon), bok choy and kale. Vitamin D Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium from food and supplements. Without vitamin D, less than 10 percent of the calcium you consume is absorbed. Requirement for adults: 600-800 International Units. However, a 2014 analysis by Canadian experts and a March 2015 analysis by U.S. experts, both published in Nutrients, report that the Institute of Medicine made a significant statistical error in calculating vitamin D needs, making current recommendations too low. Ask your doctor to test your vitamin D blood level; it should be at least 32 ng/mL to support bone health. Sources: Fortified dairy foods, egg yolks, salmon and tuna. To assess how much vitamin D you’re getting from sun exposure daily, use the dminder smartphone app (dminder.ontometrics.com), which vitamin D expert Michael F. Holick, Ph.D., M.D. helped develop. Magnesium Magnesium is a component of bone, giving it resiliency and protection against fractures. It also is essential for converting

vitamin D to its active form in the body. If you take a calcium and vitamin D supplement, take magnesium, too, because high calcium intake causes magnesium loss, and most Americans don’t consume enough magnesium. Requirement for adults: 310-420 mg. Sources: Nuts, seeds, leafy green vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Vitamin K Vitamin K is found in two main forms in food, K1 and K2, and your body may convert limited amounts of vitamin K1 to K2. Both forms play a role in blood clotting (and work against the anti-clot drug warfarin). But vitamin K2 also helps prevent calcium from depositing in arteries (the process of atherosclerosis), and instead directs calcium to bones and helps bind the mineral to your skeleton. Requirement for adults: 75-120 mcg. (micrograms) Sources: K1 is found in dark, leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach. K2 is in natto (fermented soybeans), cheese, grass-fed meat and liver. Vitamin B12 & Folate Vitamin B12 and folate support bone health by helping to keep levels of homocysteine, a compound that stimulates the See BONES, page 21

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Eight ways to lower your blood pressure When it comes to “natural” ways to improve blood pressure, sodium restriction snags the spotlight. Most experts agree that limiting sodium is a smart strategy for those looking to lower blood pressure. But why focus on what you can’t — or shouldn’t — have? Shift your emphasis to positive lifestyle changes you can make to improve blood pressure. Here are eight of them. Nosh on plenty of produce. Fruits and vegetables are low in sodium and rich in potassium, which offsets sodium’s effect on blood pressure. Potassium-packed picks include baked potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, spinach, winter squash, bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, beans and tomatoes. Enhance meals with healthy fats. Substituting sources of healthy fats for some of the carbohydrates in your diet helps control blood pressure, according to a recent study. Remember to swap, and not add, them in. Think: nuts instead of croutons — not both — on your salad. Go for whole grains over refined starches. Some studies suggest that whole grains help the body hang on to potassium. You can’t go wrong with whole grains either way — you get more beneficial vitamins and nutrients when you swap white for whole grains, and you’ll also feel full longer after eating them, thanks to their fiber content. Include low-fat dairy in your diet. Calcium plays a key role in regulating blood pressure. Low-fat dairy products offer all the nutrients of full-fat varieties, but without the saturated fat and cholesterol that can raise heart-disease risk. Have low-fat milk with your cereal or oatmeal in the morning, add a cup of plain low-fat yogurt to your lunch, or have some low-fat cheese as a mid-afternoon snack. Learn to love legumes. Beans, nuts and seeds are rich in magnesium, which contributes to maintaining

Bones From page 20 breakdown of bone, low. This role is further confirmed by genetic studies that reveal a link between an increased risk of osteoporosis in older adults and a common gene mutation (MTHFR C677T) that can lead to high homocysteine levels. Requirement for adults: For folate, 400-600 mcg. For B12, 2.4 -2.8 mcg. (Your doctor may advise higher amounts if you have elevated homocysteine.) Sources: B12 is in meat, fish and other animal foods, as well as in fortified foods, including cereals and nutritional yeast. Folate is in leafy green vegetables, broccoli, asparagus and legumes. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 800-829-5384. www.EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2016 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

healthy blood pressure. Aim to get 4 to 5 servings (1/2 cup of beans or 1 ounce of nuts/seeds) a week. Savor small amounts of dark chocolate. Studies attest to the blood-pressure benefits of products made with cocoa, which contains antioxidants that activate a substance called nitric oxide that relaxes blood vessels and makes it easier for blood to flow throughout your body. Move more. Moderate exercise has been shown to improve blood pressure. National guidelines advise 30 minutes of daily moderate activity, such as brisk walking, jogging or cycling. If you don’t have 30 minutes to exercise, break your daily exercise sessions up into three 10-minute mini-workouts. Cultivate inner calm. Studies show that meditation brings blood pressure down — probably by mod-

ulating physiological stress responses. You don’t have to sit in the lotus position, say “om” or think spiritual thoughts. Simply tuning in to your breathing — for even 10 minutes — may do the trick. Close your eyes (and the door), turn off the cell

phone. Now ... breathe. EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com. © 2016 Eating Well, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

H O LY C R O S S H O M E C A R E & H O S P I C E

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Furry friends offer comfort and support What has benefits including increased “Pets enable owners to reach outside physical and mental health, improved liter- themselves and to put aside fears of an unacy skills, and reduced anxiety certain future. Pets live in the and loneliness? Pet therapy! immediate moment, and interPet therapy uses gentle, acting with them makes us friendly animals, such as dogs, keenly aware of the present to help people with health probwith all its joys and idiosynlems cope and recover. Pets crasies,” Cusack writes. can be a great help to members Spending time with a of both older and younger gen“furry, feathered or finned erations in many ways — from friend” can also make a great something as small as decreasdifference specific to each ing boredom to something as generation. GENERATIONS significant as improving cardioTOGETHER vascular health. Helping special By Alexis Bentz needs children It has been scientifically The occupational therapy proven that there are numerous benefits to interaction with amiable staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children in pets, including lower blood pressure, di- New York piloted the pet assistance prominished pain, and the release of calming gram in 1998, and it has quickly expanded. Several dogs visit the hospital each month endorphins. “Anyone who has ever owned a pet will and assist children with special needs. readily verify the benefits of associating with A dog can help the child to meet specific furred, feathered or finned friends,” accord- goals that can lead to his or her recovery. ing to Odean Cusack, author of Pets and the A child who lost function in one arm, for Elderly and Pets and Mental Health. example, might be asked to use that arm “Animals are fun to be with and comfort- to feed, groom, or pet the dog. This will both add joy and excitement to ing to hold. Their antics inspire humor and a sense of carefreeness, a return to child- the child’s life, and allow the patient to exhood with its buoyant spirits. Caring for ercise his or her arm. The increased expets encourages nurturance, responsibili- citement to participate in treatment will also cause the child to be healed more ty, and adherence to a daily schedule.

quickly and efficiently. Besides helping to restore health, pets can assist those learning to read. The PAWS for Reading program gives children

the opportunity to read aloud to an animal, such as a bunny, in order to improve their See PET THERAPY, page 24

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Pet therapy

Benefits for older adults

From page 23 communication skills and reading comprehension.

Pets can be constant companions to older adults as well, and can be a great comfort in times of isolation or sickness. Seniors with heart conditions who own

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Nov. 11

DEMENTIA CONSORTIUM

The annual Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium Caregivers Conference will take place on Friday, Nov. 11 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. “Gems: A Treasure Chest of Ideas” will feature speakers and resources on topics important to caregivers. The $30 fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, materials and a certificate of attendance. This event will take place at First Baptist Church of Alexandria, located at 2932 King St., Alexandria, Va. For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and click on “Caregivers Conference.”

WHAT'S IN YOUR ATTIC?

pets tend to live longer, and have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels than those who don’t own pets. Also, for patients with dementia, having a pet — even a stuffed or robotic one — can be soothing since the patient may have trouble using language, but doesn’t need to feel pressure to communicate with their four-legged friend. Studies suggest pets can lower healthcare costs since people with pets make fewer doctor visits than those without. Finally, pets can cause a reduction in depression. Even just owning a pet for non-health related reasons can be beneficial. You would have a loyal friend who will add joy to your life, and can help teach discipline and responsibility to children.

In my ongoing Beacon column, I encourage readers to befriend young adults, and suggest ways to spend time together for mutual benefit. If you already have a teenage friend, why not try to add a furry friend to the mix? You and your younger buddy could start by volunteering together at a local animal shelter to have a chance to spend time with pets and do good simultaneously. If you are not interested in being around animals yourself, why not suggest it to others in your life who may be in need of a cuddly companion? Pets do so much good for those in need. It’s no wonder that we call them “man’s best friend.” Alexis Bentz is a 9th grade student at Thomas Wooton High School in Rockville, Md.

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Nov. 19

MACULAR DEGENERATION NEWS Prevention of Blindness Society presents a macular degeneration

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

November 16

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detect subtle eye changes between office visits in the most common “dry” AMD to the more serious “wet” form of AMD. The system will alert your eye doctor to contact you to come in immediately. This program is physician led and includes representatives from Notal Vision, the developer of the home monitoring program. For more information or to register, call (202) 364-7602.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

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Health Studies Page

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Crowdsourcing to help breast cancer By Lindsey Tanner Forget the pink ribbons. Spitting in a tube for science is what unites a growing group of breast cancer patients taking part in a unique project to advance treatment for the deadliest form of the disease. For many of the 150,000-plus patients nationwide whose tumors have spread to bones, brains, lungs or other distant organs, the pink ribbons heralding breast cancer awareness and survival each Octo-

ber are a little too rosy. They know cancer will likely kill them. And they’ve often felt neglected by mainstream advocacy and medical research. But now they have a way to get involved, with a big new project that aims to gather troves of information about their diseases in hopes of finding new and better ways of treating patients like them — women whose cancer has spread, or metastasized, and left them nearly out of options.

“Patients want to live, and we know that research is the way that we’re going to be able to live,” said Beth Caldwell, a former civil rights attorney in Seattle diagnosed with metastatic disease in 2014. The idea is to gather molecular and genetic clues from as broad a group of metastatic breast cancer patients as possible. With data from thousands of people, researchers think they will be better able target treatments or come up with new ones by answering important questions about the disease. For example: Is there something unique about tumors that spread to the brain or that recur many years after diagnosis? What allows a very few women to outlive others by many years despite the same prognosis?

An online project Most breast cancer patients are treated at centers that don’t do research on tumors, so participating in studies at academic medical centers far from home is cumbersome at best. Patients sick or dying from their disease face additional hurdles. This project is different. Patients sign up online, mail in saliva kits for genetic testing, and allow use of their tumor tissue samples and medical records. Researchers use social media to keep participants posted about progress, and periodically invite them to visit the lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where their specimens are being analyzed. The Metastatic Breast Cancer Project is run by scientists at Harvard and Dana-Far-

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ber Cancer Institute, with funding from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, an independent nonprofit group. Using word of mouth and social media, it has already enrolled more than 2,600 patients — a pace nearly unheard of in medical research. “I enrolled from my recliner in my living room. I did my spit tube in bed,” Caldwell said. The mother of two is 40, and cancer has reached her brain, lungs, bones and liver. She tries to stay positive, but October “is a month where I just want to hide under the covers and check out,” Caldwell said. “I just don’t want to be confronted with all this pink garbage.” Lara MacGregor, who runs a Louisville, Kentucky-based nonprofit group for cancer patients, said she feels the same way. “Everything about breast cancer is about survivors and beating cancer,” MacGregor said. “And we’re sitting in the wings saying, ‘I’m never going to celebrate the end of treatment.’” More than 200,000 people, mostly women, are diagnosed with breast cancer nationwide each year. Most are diagnosed when cancer is at an early, potentially curable, stage. For about 6 percent, or 15,000 patients, the disease has already spread at diagnosis. And for about 30 percent of patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, the disease will eventually recur in distant parts of the body. The average survival for patients with metastatic disease is about three years. See BREAST CANCER, page 27

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Breast cancer From page 26

Metastatic disease little studied According to a 2014 analysis from an al-

liance of breast cancer advocacy groups, less than 10 percent of government and nonprofit groups’ investment in breast cancer research in recent years went to studying metastatic disease.

Improving public access to research The Obama administration is publishing new rules that promise to help doctors and patients learn if clinical trials of treatments worked or not. At issue is how to help people find medical studies that may be appropriate for them — and then to make the results public so that successes can reach patients more quickly, and so something that fails isn’t duplicated. Many clinical trials make news as they’re published in scientific journals, and federal law requires reporting the results of certain studies on a government website, www.clinicaltrials.gov. But too often, that reporting doesn’t happen, especially the failures. In June, Vice President Joe Biden cited concern that such secrecy was stifling cancer progress.

One analysis of 400 studies involving a variety of diseases found that 30 percent hadn’t disclosed results within four years of completion. “That’s clearly unacceptable, “said Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health. The updated rules make clear exactly what kinds of studies must be listed on the website so potential participants can consider enrolling, and which ones must post the results by certain deadlines. “It does in fact have some teeth,” Collins added. Researchers that don’t meet the requirements for reporting results may face fines or lose taxpayer grants. The long-awaited rules change takes effect Jan. 18, 2017. — AP

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

“Metastatic breast cancer in general is an understudied area,” says Marc Hurlbert of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. “We don’t know, for example, how the tumor has changed. Is it the same makeup as it was before? Do cells have a different molecular profile than cancer that started first in the breast?” By gathering large numbers of tissue samples and information about how the diseases progresses in different people, the project may be able to uncover useful trends. It has produced a few enticing clues already, including small groups of patients who’ve responded unusually well to standard chemotherapy or to new immunotherapy drugs — some have survived for 10 years or more. The researchers hope DNA analysis will help explain why, and lead to treatments that will improve the odds for

all patients with the disease. Data will be posted on a special online site with the National Cancer Institute’s genomic data program — making it available to other scientists, and boosting the odds of finding better ways to treat patients with metastatic disease. And proof that crowdsourcing can draw thousands of patients to medical research is an important discovery itself, given how hard that can be, said Dr. Nikhil Wagle, a project leader and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard and Dana-Farber. “This project makes them feel empowered, makes them feel like they are making a difference — if not to help themselves, then maybe the next generation of patients,” Wagle said. Learn more about the Metastatic Breast Cancer Project at www.mbcproject.org. — AP

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

You need some types of fat in your diet By Holley Grainger, R.D. Fat can be confusing. For a long time, fat — any fat — was the enemy; now, researchers say certain types of fat are a necessary part of a balanced diet. Here’s help decoding each type of fat: saturated, unsaturated and trans fat.

Saturated fat Saturated fat is typically solid at room temperature. Health note: The old adage that eating too much saturated fat can raise your risk of heart disease has been contested recently — and now saturated fat is believed to be more benign than we originally thought. Still, it’s typically calorie-dense, so it’s best to enjoy saturated fat in limited doses.

Food sources: Tropical oils (e.g., coconut, palm), butter, fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, coconut milk.

Monounsaturated fat Monounsaturated fat is typically liquid at room temperature, but solid at cooler temps. Health note: This fat helps to improve cholesterol levels, therefore lowering your risk of heart disease. It also controls blood sugar by improving insulin levels. Food sources: Avocados, nuts and seeds, and peanut, olive and canola oils.

Polyunsaturated fat Polyunsaturated fat is liquid at any temperature. Health note: There are many types of

polyunsaturated fats, but two — omega-3s and omega-6s — are essential, meaning our bodies don’t make them, so we need to get them in our diet. Omega-3 fat: The omega-3s EPA and DHA have a long list of science-backed benefits. They can help lower triglycerides, blood pressure and heart disease risk, as well as quell inflammation and improve mood. Omega-6 fat: Higher intakes of omega-6s may improve insulin resistance, reduce diabetes risk and lower blood pressure. We get plenty of omega-6s in our diets. Since having an even balance of omega-6s and 3s is recommended, for optimum health, concentrate on increasing foods with omega-3s in your diet. Food sources: Soybean, corn and sunflower oils, and packaged foods made with these oils.

Trans fat: the one to avoid There are naturally occurring trans fats

found in small amounts in butter and meat. The bulk of them, however, are produced by adding hydrogen to the chemical structure of vegetable oils, thus making them more solid. Health note: Eating trans fat raises your “bad” LDL cholesterol, but also lowers your “good” HDL cholesterol — and raises your risk of heart disease. Avoid these completely. Food sources: Listed as “partially hydrogenated” oil in ingredient lists of processed foods, such as cookies, cakes, crackers and margarine. Trans fats can still be found in foods touting “0 grams trans fat.” (Manufacturers can round down if there’s 0.49 gram or less per serving.) Always check the ingredient list for partially hydrogenated oil to be sure you’re not unintentionally ingesting trans fats. © 2016 Eating Well, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Nov. 12

AGING IN PLACE FORUM

Sibley Memorial Hospital presents an Aging in Place Forum and Expo on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Speakers will talk from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will discuss the village concept, how aging-in-place works, design concepts and assisted devices for homes, getting additional care at home, options for community living and more. At the Sibley Medical Building, located at 5215 Loughboro Rd. NW, Washington, D.C. Admission: $15. For more information, call (202) 537-4080.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Try an Asian-inspired healthy tuna salad

Chopped albacore salad with Asian dressing Start to finish: 15 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients: 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce 3/4 cup chopped green beans 3/4 cup chopped carrots 1/2 cup chopped red sweet pepper 1/4 cup quartered grape tomatoes 1/2 avocado, cubed 1/4 cup chopped almonds (or cashews) 2 scallions, chopped 3 5-ounce cans albacore tuna, drained 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Dressing: 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger 1 garlic clove, finely minced (or 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic) 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 1/4 teaspoon sriracha, or other hot sauce (more, if desired) 1 teaspoon sesame oil 3 tablespoons grapeseed oil, or other neutral oil

Place all the salad ingredients in a large bowl. In a small bowl, vigorously whisk together the dressing ingredients. Spoon about half of the dressing onto the salad and toss to coat. Taste, and add more dressing as desired. Serve immediately. Nutrition information per serving: 300 calories; 150 calories from fat; 17 g. fat (2 g. saturated; 0 g. trans fats); 47 mg. cholesterol; 379 mg. sodium; 11 g. carbohydrate; 5 g. fiber; 4 .g sugar; 28 g. protein. –AP

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Tip: the more sophisticated the dish, the higher end the tuna should be. Mixing up some tuna patties? Chunk light tuna on sale is perfect for the task. Sauteeing up tuna in olive oil, garlic, lemon zest and chili flakes to toss with pasta for company? You’ll want to spend a little more. If you are worried about having taste flashbacks to your childhood of eating tuna-flecked mayo slathered between slices of fluffy white bread, my suggestion is to think about ethnic flavor profiles to redirect your taste buds — Italian (mix tuna into spicy tomato sauces), Thai, Chinese and Mexican dishes made with canned tuna are some of my favorites.

ulpepper arden

By Melissa D’Arabian Canned tuna is underrated. Sure, we keep a can or two on hand for the occasional tuna salad sandwich, but most of us don’t stray far from the sandwich for this tasty and versatile protein. Canned tuna can be used as a protein swap in many recipes (tuna tacos are amazing!), and it’s shelf-stable, inexpensive and chockfull of protein. One cup of drained canned tuna packs in about 40 grams of protein, so it’s filling enough for either lunch or dinner. Budget cooks take note: Tuna is easy to nab on sale for a buck or so a can, even for name brands. So load up when it’s on sale since it has an incredibly long shelf life. Most tuna seems to be packed in water these days to save calories. But I personally like the flavor better of oil-packed fish — it tastes more like fresh fish. So I usually keep a couple of oil-packed cans around for some recipes where I want a richer flavor, and I just drain the excess oil away. Also, I always keep a can (or jar) of highend tuna in my pantry. A quality tuna packed in good olive oil will turn your tuna dishes into restaurant quality, but you’ll definitely pay several dollars more. Your call. Once you have a nice stock of canned tuna in the pantry, get creative. Consider almost any recipe where you use chicken or fish, and see if you can’t substitute tuna.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Low thyroid leads to migraines and more I like saying ‘I told you so,’ because it Six years after I told you this, we have a means you got my help years ahead of new and very large study that was printed in everyone else. the September 2016 issue of a In this case, it’s about highly respected publication, headaches and migraines, The Journal of Head and Face and how this condition is tied Pain. I’ll nutshell it for you here. to hypothyroidism and thyResearchers followed over roid hormone insufficiencies. 8,000 people for 20 years. They Because headaches and tracked vital statistics, such as thyroid disease are not lifefrequency of headaches and mithreatening, there isn’t a lot of graines, as well as biomarkers focus or research on them. of thyroid disease. What they But as those who have them found is exactly what I told you DEAR know, either condition can PHARMACIST in two of my books, Thyroid leave you disabled, impair re- By Suzy Cohen Healthy, and also Headache Free. lationships, and reduce your That is, people with migraines, ability to work and to play cluster and tension headaches with your children and grandchildren. almost always have hypothyroidism.

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Hypothyroidism is when your body fails to produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormone. Or perhaps it produces it, but your cells can’t take it in and put it to use. Symptoms of low thyroid include anxiety, mood swings, weight gain or inability to lose weight, dry skin, hair loss, poor eyebrow and eyelash growth, irregular menstrual cycles, and the feeling of always being cold. Your hair may be thinner than it used to be, and you’re clean out of energy. Maybe you look pale, sleep fitfully or not at all, or you eat like a bird and still gain weight.

Standard labs aren’t definitive If you have these symptoms, you might have low thyroid hormone levels regardless of what your lab tests say. If you take a medication for cholesterol, for example a statin, those drugs may raise your risk for hypothyroidism. So after a few months of taking a statin, your cholesterol numbers look good, but you feel tired, weak and heavier. I told you about

that little problem seven years ago. Anyway, researchers from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine did a great job monitoring these folks, and what they’ve noticed could help you. People with pre-existing headaches have a 21 percent higher risk of having hypothyroidism. If you have migraines, your risk for thyroid disease is about 41 percent greater than the norm. If you have headaches or migraines, your thyroid levels need to be checked properly. The labs I want you to take (and a better set of reference ranges, because the ones on most lab reports are based on old data), will be emailed to you if you sign up for my free newsletter at www.suzycohen.com. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

DC VOLUNTEERS

Delmarva Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization working to improve healthcare in hospitals, doctor’s offices and nursing homes in the District of Columbia, is looking for patients and their families to share their healthcare experiences. For more information, contact Bonnie Horvath at horvathb@delmarvafoundation.org or (410) 872-9610 or visit http://aqin-dc-bfac.org.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

When platonic friends give rise to gossip By Helen Oxenberg, MSW, ACSW Dear Solutions: I’ve become good friends with a man in my volunteer group. We’re strictly platonic friends and enjoy having lunch together. He’s married and I’m single, so the group gossips are talking about us. Should I continue to have lunch with him? — L. Dear L: Make it an open lunch every other time. That means invite other people from the group to join you. If you hear of rumors, nip them in the bud. Say to someone you believe is saying these things, “I’ve heard of rumors about Steve and me. I know it could be exciting to talk about, so it’s too bad it’s not true. We’re friends — period.” Dear Solutions: Since I was a little girl, I was told that a woman should have her own money. Now, after being widowed for many years, I’ve been married for over a year. I work and have my own bank account. My husband wants me to put my money together with his. I don’t feel comfortable doing this, even though we have a good marriage. My husband says I’m fearful of a joint account because my parents were divorced, and my mother had a hard time.

How can I convince him that’s not it? — Irma Dear Irma: Gently give him a history lesson: “Women and Money 101.” Explain that, for decades, women had no control over money and had to ask permission from their husbands or fathers before they could spend any. So your mother wasn’t the only one with a problem. The inability of women to control their own money translated into the inability to control their own lives. Explain to your husband that having your own money allows you to be a volunteer in this marriage, not a hostage. Suggest a join account for household bills only, and work out how much each of you will contribute to that. Tell him that women should have their own money. Men, too. Dear Solutions: My son had a very big job with one of the companies that was written about a lot in the papers when it went out of business. He was often interviewed on television and quoted about his expertise. Now, unfortunately, he’s been out of a job for some time, and he’s coping with it the best he can. I’m the one who’s having trouble controlling my anger when people — even casual acquaintances — keep asking me what he’s doing, where he’s look-

ing, how he’s coping, and how awful I must feel and so forth. They think they’re being sympathetic, but I think they’re just nosy. How do I answer them? I’m surprised at the degree of anger I feel. — Mary Dear Mary: The degree of your anger is directly related to their sudden degree as therapists. They masquerade as sympathetic supporters who are giving you a chance to vent your feelings,

but what you’re sensing, especially from casual acquaintances, is a smirking satisfaction about “Oh, how the mighty has fallen.” When bad things happen to other people there is often a sense of relief that it did not happen to oneself. Those who are sincerely sympathetic will ask no questions but merely wish your son well. As for the others, don’t waste your anger on them. Rise above them and just say, “He’s fine, thank you,” and change the subject. © Helen Oxenberg, 2016.

Legal Counsel for the Elderly helped 64-year-old Ms. T avoid eviction, and found her a new wheelchairaccessible home. If you’re facing eviction or foreclosure, please call us for free legal assistance. 202.434.2120. Part of the Senior Service Network Supported by the DC Office on Aging.

Legal Counsel for the Elderly is affiliated with AARP.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Money Law &

EMERGING GROWTH After huge losses, investing in developing countries is profitable again KEEP MORE SOCIAL SECURITY Learn ways to reduce or avoid taxes on your Social Security benefits WHEN TO BUY A CAR Get the best prices during model changeovers and at the end of a month UNWEDDED BLISS Some seniors have “weddings” without marrying, simplifying finances

Attn: Bond investors. What to do now? By Craig Slayen As the U.S. stock market continues to defy investor expectations by scaling new heights, the U.S. bond market appears to be defying the Federal Reserve, which is counting on interest rates to rise. The Fed has clearly signaled that it wants to “normalize” interest rates, which have been hovering near their historic lows for several years. Yet the bond market has barely raised an eyebrow at the certain prospect of future rate hikes. This is unsettling to investors who hold bonds in their portfolio, or who are considering bond purchases, because they know the only place for interest rates to go is up; and, when that happens, the price of their bonds will go down. The rightful question in their minds is, “Why would anyone want to hold or buy bonds when they know their prices will go down?” The simple and logical answer to the question is they wouldn’t, and it would

make more sense to wait to buy bonds, or consider selling bonds and buying them back when they are cheaper.

Not an easy decision Except it really isn’t that simple. While the odds strongly favor an increase in interest rates in the future, no one can predict when it will happen or the extent of the increase. Interest rates have been in a long, slow decline for more than three decades. Consider the number of times just in the past decade when interest rates were expected to rise (2009-2011 and 2013-2014), and they didn’t. Consider also the periods in which interest rates did increase and by how much. Interest rate increases of any significant extent or duration have been extremely rare in modern history. The point this raises is: Any action taken now to avoid an interest rate increase or capitalize on a decrease in bond prices is tantamount to trying to time the market,

which we know doesn’t turn out well for most investors. In fact, when it comes to the stock market, the average investor has underperformed Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index by an average of nearly 5 percent over the last 20 years, according to data from financial markets research firm Dalbar. Any attempt to time the bond market would invariably result in similar miscalculations simply because no one can predict when and how much interest rates will rise. That hasn’t stopped our clients from asking if they should buy, sell or hold bonds right now. Given the current interest rate environment, it is not an unreasonable question. But it can only be answered by asking another question: Why do you own, or want to own, bonds in the first place? The answer to that question will provide the rationale for the answer to the first question.

If you own bonds for the income If your objective is to collect interest for income, and your current bond income is sufficient to meet your needs, you probably shouldn’t do anything. The movement of bond prices in the secondary market will not affect your income. If you plan on holding your bonds until they mature, then the direction of interest rates really doesn’t matter to you. However, if you want to take advantage of higher interest rates when they occur, you could consider implementing a bond ladder strategy. The objective of a bond ladder is to own bonds of increasing maturity and yield that come due each year over a set period of time. In a rising interest rate environment, as each bond matures, it will be replaced with a higher-yielding bond. Whether interest rates are rising, falling or flat, a bond ladder of high-quality bonds will continue to produce a reliable cash See BONDS, page 33

Reducing the risk of outliving your assets By Mark Cortazzo The markets may have recently hit a new all-time high, but if you retired in 2000, you may have already run out of money. Surprisingly, it’s a completely different story if you retired just a few years earlier or a few years later. The timing of when someone retires can have a profound effect on the performance of their accounts. Sequence risk, also known as sequence-of-returns risk, pertains to the timing of returns on your investments after you’ve already started withdrawing from them.

A tale of three brothers To illustrate the impact of sequence risk, here’s the story of three hypothetical brothers each born three years apart. They each retired at age 65 with a $1 million lump sum pension, which they invested according to Standard & Poor’s 500stock index models. They immediately began taking withdrawals of $5,000 on the same dates of each month. But the results, you will see, are very different. The oldest brother retired in January 1997. As of the end of July 2016, he has

withdrawn $1,175,000 in income, and his remaining balance is currently about $1.66 million. By taking a 6 percent withdrawal and making slightly less than 8 percent, the oldest brother has approximately twothirds more than his starting value. These results are approximately the historical rate of return for equities and illustrate how equities may be effective over the long term. The middle brother retired three years later, in January 2000. He, however, did not make out as well as his older brother. As of earlier this year, the middle brother ran out of money! This is despite the fact that he withdrew only $987,342, considerably less than the oldest brother. The youngest brother finally retired in January 2003. As of the end of July, he has withdrawn $815,000 and has approximately $1.67 million remaining in the account. (Disclaimer: This example was calculated in Morningstar Advisor Workstation as follows: $1M initial investments on 1/1/1997, 1/1/2000, and 1/1/2003 in S&P 500 TR USD (IDX), $5,000/monthly withdrawals starting immediately and ending on 7/31/2016. It is for hypothetical purposes only. It is not intended to portray past

or future investment performance for any specific investment. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. You cannot invest directly in an index, and your own investment may perform better or worse than this example. This example does not include the deduction of fees, charges inherent to investing, taxes or investment costs, which could have a dramatic effect on your results.) Why did the oldest and youngest brothers succeed while the middle brother ran out of money? One of the greatest contributing factors is the market performance during the first three years of retirement. The difference here is that the market went up as the oldest and youngest brothers started taking withdrawals, and the market went down as soon as the middle brother began withdrawing.

Create a ladder While no strategy assures success or protects against loss, there are techniques that can help to mitigate sequence risk. One way is to incorporate a fixed-income component of your portfolio, such as cash or a multi-year bond ladder that is

designated for providing income when the markets are down. If the market recovers in a relatively short period of time, this buffer may protect you from having to sell equities at a depressed price. Another strategy is to utilize a product, such as an annuity, that can help to provide a lifetime income stream and reduce the withdrawal need from the overall equity portion of your portfolio. The longer you receive the income stream, the greater possible rate of return on the investment. Conversely, the longer you draw from your equity portfolio, the greater the chance of running out of money. If you were able to know how the market will perform in your first few years of your retirement, then you would have a high probability of success! Since we cannot know what the future holds, talk with your financial adviser about these techniques and others to reduce the chance of ending up like the middle brother — sleeping on one of his other brothers’ couches. All contents © 2016 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Bonds

should only be sold as part of portfolio rebalancing to fine-tune your risk exposure.

From page 32 flow. This strategy can be achieved with individual bonds or bond index funds with varying average maturities. (If bond funds are going to be used, it’s important to invest in ones that mature; otherwise, liquidation return is unknown.)

If you own bonds for portfolio stability For most long-term investors, bonds provide their portfolio with stability as a counter to the volatility of stock prices. Historically, bond prices trend the opposite direction of stock prices. Bonds can only provide portfolio stability if you own them, so, to sell bonds now would defeat your purpose. It’s okay to have bond prices move up and down, because that is what provides the stability. And during bond price declines, your portfolio is still receiving bond interest, which is a stabilizing factor. Bonds

If you own bonds for total return Bonds do have the potential to provide both income and appreciation, which combine for total return. If your objective is to maximize your total return by buying and selling bonds, now probably wouldn’t be a good time buy them. However, you also have to consider the opportunity cost of not owning long-term bonds while waiting to buy them when interest rates are higher. What is your alternative? Keeping your money in short-term bonds or fixed-yield cash equivalents? How many basis points of interest income will you be giving up while waiting? Will rates increase fast enough and high enough to offset the cost of waiting? If you can’t definitively answer those questions, you are simply gambling on circumstances over which you have no control. Bottom line: Bond investors who base their actions purely on the prospect of ris-

BEACON BITS

Nov. 9

MEDICARE 101 Fairfax County is offering a free Medicare 101 seminar on Wednes-

day, Nov. 9 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at St. Luke Parish, located at 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, Va. For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults and click on “Medicare 101.”

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Visit PenFed.org/GRAA or call 866-367-0231. No military service required. To receive any advertised product, you must become a member of PenFed Credit Union. * Rates and offers effective October 1, 2016, and are subject to change. Your actual APR will be determined at the time of disbursement and will be based on your application and credit information. Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest rate. Rates quoted assume excellent borrower credit history. Loan amount determines term. All loans subject to minimum monthly payment of $50. Loan example: $15,000 at 9.99% APR for 36 monthly payments of approximately $483.94 each. PenFed does not permit internal refinances of an existing PenFed personal loan. © 2016 PenFed Credit Union. All rights reserved.

ing interest rates are engaging in market timing that has a very small chance of succeeding. While we know interest rates will rise in the future, we can’t know when or how high. Rates would have to rise significantly to offset the cost of waiting to own high-quality bonds again, and the probability of such a rate increase is very low.

Investors who have a long-term investment strategy linked to specific return objectives have the least to worry about, because they can expect the bond portion of their portfolio to do what it is expected to do over time. All contents © 2016 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 15

TAX AIDE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

How to avoid taxes on your Social Security By Kimberly Lankford Whether your Social Security benefits are taxed depends on your “provisional income.” Your provisional income is your adjusted gross income, not counting Social Security benefits, plus nontaxable interest and half of your Social Security benefits. If it’s below $25,000 and you file taxes as single or head of household, or less than $32,000 if you file a joint return, you won’t owe taxes on your benefits. If your provisional income is between $25,000 and $34,000 if you’re single, or between $32,000 and $44,000 if you file jointly, up to 50 percent of your benefits may be taxable. If your provisional income is more than $34,000 if single or more than $44,000 if married filing jointly, up to 85 percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable.

A few strategies can help you keep your income below the cutoffs and reduce the portion of your benefits that is taxable.

ing your RMD, so you can reduce the size of your RMD, lower your income and trim your tax bill. Payouts don’t start for several years — as late as age 85 — when they will be included in your taxable income.

Give your RMD to charity People who are 70½ or older can give up to $100,000 per year to charity from their IRAs tax-free; the gift counts as the required minimum distribution but isn’t included in your adjusted gross income. [See FAQs about giving your RMD to charity on page 37.]

Withdraw money from tax-free Roths

Put it into perspective

Tax-free withdrawals from a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) are not included in your AGI. Rolling over money from a traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth years before you start receiving Social Security benefits is a good way to avoid taxes later in retirement. You’ll have to pay income taxes in the year of the conversion, but you can tap the account tax-free after that.

Buy a QLAC You can invest up to $125,000 from your IRA or 401(k) in a special version of a deferred-income annuity called a Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract (QLAC). Money in a QLAC is ignored when figur-

want to pay,” he said. “A growth-oriented portfolio may make more sense.” Also keep in mind that nontaxable interest, such as interest on municipal bonds, is included when calculating the taxes on your Social Security benefits.

Be careful with income investments You could structure your portfolio to minimize the income it generates, especially if that income is being reinvested, said Tim Steffen, director of financial planning for Robert W. Baird & Co. “You’re just recognizing income you don’t need, and triggering taxes you don’t

If your income is well over the $44,000 threshold, there likely isn’t anything you can do to get yourself below that level, said Steffen. “Don’t just focus on Social Security taxes, but instead focus on tax-efficiency overall,” he said. For details about how to calculate your taxable Social Security benefits, see the worksheet in IRS Publication 915. Also see the Social Security Benefits Planner: Income Taxes and Your Social Security Benefits. Also find out whether the benefits are subject to state income taxes. Most states do not tax Social Security benefits, but 13 states do. All contents © 2016 the Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Emerging markets climb back to growth By Stan Choe Stocks and bonds from Thailand, Indonesia and other developing economies are emerging from their burrow. After ranking as some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worst investments for the last few years, emerging markets have produced some of the best returns of 2016. Gains have been so big for Brazilian bank Banco Bradesco, Chinese technology giant Tencent, and emerging-market stocks in general that the average mutual fund invested in them has returned 11.5 percent this year. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roughly double the return of S&P 500 index funds. Returns for emergingmarket bond funds, meanwhile, have been even higher, at 12.1 percent. Of course, the big gains mean emergingmarket investments have clawed back only a portion of their bigger losses from prior years. The largest such mutual fund by assets, Vanguardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Emerging Markets Stock Index fund, is still down 12.4 percent from two years ago, even after including dividends. Many risks also still hang over emerging-market investments, not least of which is a history of following big swings up in price with big swings down. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a notoriously volatile corner of the market, but mutual-fund managers and analysts say they see reason for continued gains.

Investments in funds soar Investors are buying in. They plowed nearly $13 billion into emerging-markets stock funds in the first seven months of this year, with roughly half of that coming in July alone. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve also put $5.5 billion into emerging-market bond funds, a sharp

reversal from last year, when they withdrew nearly $10 billion. The dollars are moving at a time when investors and fund managers see U.S. stocks near record highs and Treasury yields close to record lows and wonder how much more return, if any, can be squeezed from them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Investors are running out of places to go, and giving laggards a chance,â&#x20AC;? noted Brian Nick, chief investment strategist of TIAA Investments. If the growing demand for emerging-market stocks and bonds turns into a mass migration, it would be only the latest flip of the switch for global investors. Before the global financial crisis in 2008, emerging markets were some of the hottest investments. Led by an ascendant China, their economies were growing faster than the rest of the world and seemed more dynamic. But emerging-market stocks fell more sharply in the aftermath of the financial crisis. As recently as the start of this year, worries were flaring that China wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to manage its slowdown in growth.

ly were about 15 percent cheaper than their developed-market counterparts, according to Credit Suisse. â&#x20AC;˘ Greater growth. Economies around the world have been stuck in a slowgrowth recovery since the financial crisis. The U.S., German and other advanced economies will likely see growth tick down to 1.8 percent this year and then stay there in 2017, according to the latest forecast from the International Monetary Fund. But when the IMF downgraded its forecast for advanced economies, it left its estimates alone for emerging markets. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s calling for economic growth to accelerate slightly this year to 4.1 percent, and then to pick up again next year to 4.6 percent. At the same time, bonds from emerging markets are offering higher yields than U.S. Treasurys, which are close to record lows, and than bonds from Europe and Japan, which can have yields of less than zero. â&#x20AC;˘ Lower-for-longer rates. Expecta-

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tions are rising that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates only slowly. A jump in rates would not only drag down the value of emerging-market currencies, it would also likely result in less foreign investment in emerging markets. The dollar has slowed its ascent this year. Of course, risks remain for anyone considering investing in emerging markets. Investors are always cautious about political stability in countries like Russia. China is still facing a challenging slowdown in its economic growth. And a quick round of rate hikes by the Federal Reserve could unravel things. But many fund managers say they expect interest to continue despite the risks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Two things have been very scarce in the world: income and growth,â&#x20AC;? said Richard Turnill, global chief investment strategist for BlackRock. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And emerging markets are an area that potentially offers both.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; AP

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

The art of shining in an interview for a job Question: Making a good impression in an interview I’ve had two interviews, neither of requires preparation. which resulted in a job offer. Is there anything I could do Prepare for the interview to increase my chances of Begin by researching the orsuccess? ganization you’ll be interviewAnswer: ing with. You should be well-inReceiving an invitation to a formed about the organization’s job interview is a victory in ithistory, size, structure, and the self. It means you have alproducts/services they offer. ready shown the employer You should also be conversant you have the right backabout their competitors. ground. Research the people who CAREER COACH Now it’s time for the next will be interviewing you. Ask By Judy Smith step — shining in the interview. the HR Department for a bio In the job search process, consider your- of the person or people you’ll be meeting. self in a sales mode. The interview is your Communicate with knowing people on sales call. The product you’re selling is YOU. LinkedIn; follow people and trends on Twit-

ter; find critical information on the Internet. Your interviewer already knows you have the basic knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to do the job. Otherwise, you would not have been selected for an interview. Now the organization wants to know how you would apply those KSA’s in their organization. That is to say, “How would you perform on the job?” • Select examples of your strengths. Before the interview, choose three experiences that demonstrate your past successes. Decide how you will relate them to the current job opportunity. (When interviewing for different jobs, make sure your comments fit each individual opportunity.) • Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Have a script. Write notes beforehand to give yourself a better idea of what you want to say to make the point that you’re ‘the ONE!’ Rehearse in front of a mirror. Your facial expressions and body language count much more than you may think in shaping others’ impressions of you. Rehearsal is critical. You can never overprepare. • Bring at least three questions to ask. Show your desire to understand the organization with questions about things

like its customers, products, services, and the challenges it might have. Listen carefully to the answers for clues to what’s important to the organization. Then comment on how your background and skills can enhance those key areas.

Handle your stage presence • Speak concisely Stay focused on what’s most important. Aim for no more than a two-minute answer to general questions like “Tell me about yourself.” The old adage applies here — less is more. Listen attentively and speak clearly and loudly enough. • Show enthusiasm Employer surveys show that nothing sells a candidate better than enthusiasm. Reflect energy and interest. Smile! By approaching an interview with careful preparation, you will be able to communicate your strength, confidence and zeal. You may indeed prompt the interviewer to declare, “You’re hired!” Judy Smith is a registered career coach. Send your job search questions to Smith at smithjudit@gmail.com or visit her website at www.judysmith.solutions.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

FAQs about giving your RMD to charity By Kimberly Lankford I get a lot of questions from people over age 70½ about giving their required minimum distribution to charity. The following answers to frequently asked questions will help you make plans to donate your RMD before the year-end deadline. Can I give my RMD to charity now, or do I have to wait until December like I have in the past? You can give your RMD to charity anytime during the year. In the past, Congress generally waited until December to approve the law each year, leaving IRA holders scrambling to transfer the money to charity before the December 31 RMD deadline. But Congress passed a law last December that permanently extends the Qualified Charitable Distribution provision, so you can now transfer the money to charity anytime during the year. How much can I transfer from my IRA to charity? Can I transfer more than my RMD? Yes. If you are 70½ or older, you can transfer up to $100,000 to charity tax-free each year — even if that’s more than your RMD. The money counts as your required minimum distribution but isn’t included in your adjusted gross income. I’ll be 70½ in a few months. Can I give my RMD to charity now? No. Even though you can take your RMD anytime during the year you turn age 70½ (or until April 1 of the year after you turn 70½), you have to wait until you actually turn age 70½ to make the tax-free transfer to charity. Can I give my 401(k) RMD to charity? No. You can only make the tax-free

transfer from an IRA, not from a 401(k). Can I withdraw the money from my IRA and then write a check to charity, or do I need to transfer the money directly? The tax-free transfer won’t count if you withdraw the money from the IRA first and then make a contribution to the charity. You can take a charitable deduction for your contribution in that case, but the IRA withdrawal will be included in your adjusted gross income. You need to transfer the money directly from the IRA to the charity for it to count as the tax-free transfer. Ask your IRA administrator and the charity about making a direct transfer, or you can have the IRA administrator send a check from your account to the charity. So which is better: the tax-free transfer or the charitable deduction? If you make a tax-free transfer from your IRA to charity, you can’t also deduct that money as a charitable contribution. But the tax-free transfer could give you extra benefits. You don’t need to itemize your deductions to get a tax benefit from the gift (and many people who no longer have a mortgage don’t itemize their deductions). Making the tax-free transfer also keeps the money out of your adjusted gross income. That could help you avoid the Medicare high-income surcharge, which boosts your Part B and Part D premiums if your AGI is more than $85,000 if single or $170,000 if married filing jointly. Keeping the money out of your AGI could also make less of your Social Security benefits taxable. © 2016 the Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Volatility in a mutual fund lowers gains By Reid Johnson Mutual funds are the cornerstone of many investors’ portfolios. With thousands of mutual funds in the U.S. alone, choosing the right one for your retirement plan can be complicated.

Annual Return Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Consider this real-life example (names have been changed, of course, to protect confidentiality): Bob and Sally walked into my office looking for advice about mutual funds. They had narrowed their choices to two funds, but that’s when it got tricky.

VolAtility ChArt Fund A

Fund B

26%

14%

16%

-37% 15% 7%

7.7%

-9.9% 11% 4%

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Each fund had the exact same average annual return over the past five years: 5.53 percent. They wondered, “Which one do we choose?” You would think two funds with the same average annual return would produce the same amount of money, right? Let’s take a closer look. The chart to the left shows a side-by-side comparison of the two funds’ rates of return. Over the past five years, the holdings in Fund A produced big returns (nearly twice as big as Fund B’s gains) four out of five years with one bad year. The five-year average annual return was 5.53 percent. The five-year average annual return of Fund B was also 5.53 percent. It posted lower returns than Fund A four out of five years and recorded a smaller loss in Year 2. Okay, so which one should Bob and Sally choose?

Look at the ups and downs The answer is Fund B. Emphatically. It’s not even close, and here’s why: With $500,000 invested in each fund, and with an average return of 5.53 percent a year, Fund A earned $69,477. Mutual Fund B earned $143,357. That’s an eye-popping difference of $73,880! What’s going on here? Volatility. It’s all about the volatility within a mutual fund.

The fund with the least amount of volatility produced more cash over five years. People generally think rate of return is the most important factor to a fund’s success. But the truth is volatility is a bigger factor. For example, if a mutual fund drops 25 percent one year, then you need a 33 percent increase just to break even. Bigger losses require even bigger gains: A 50 percent drop needs a 100 percent increase to get back to even. Bob and Sally’s example serves as an important heads-up if you’re buying in the current market, now at historic highs, because volatility in a dramatic downturn could translate into significantly less money for your portfolio over a period of years. This lesson raises a key question: Why do we accept higher risk, and volatility, in our personal portfolios? It goes back to the basic investment principle that we’re all led to believe: take the higher return to earn more money; accept more risk for more return. But that’s not necessarily the right choice. Mutual funds experiencing big fluctuations like the one above — Fund A with a 37 percent drop in one year — are detrimental to your portfolio. That’s an eye-opening lesson. See VOLATILITY, page 39

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

The five best times to buy a new car By Philip Reed That chill in the air signals not only the onset of autumn, but also cooling auto sales. For bargain hunters, this could be a great time to get a good deal on a new car. But sales downturns aren’t the only time to buy a new car. New model rollouts, carmakers’ redesign schedules, and other events can uncover bargains for those who know how to read the tea leaves of the auto market. Just picking an opportune time isn’t

enough. First, cover the basics: Arrange financing, check local dealer inventories, and research pricing guides for the current market value of your desired vehicle. Then, consider these five potential opportunities to boost your chances of snagging a bargain. 1. Model changeover The big three U.S. carmakers launch their new models in August and September, while some foreign carmakers sprinkle new-

vehicle introductions across the calendar. Most buyers are drawn to the newest models, which pressures dealers to offer deeper discounts and incentives to clear their inventory of the previous year’s models. “We’re at a critical time where dealers need to clear out 2016 inventory to make room for 2017’s, and that’s good news for shoppers who will see some great deals on outgoing models,” said Jessica Caldwell, an analyst at car shopping site Edmunds.com.

That means “as a consumer I’m not going to have to arm-wrestle or play the back-andforth game to get a good price,” said Dave Cavano, AAA’s car buying expert. Dealers “are much more likely to cut to the bone more quickly — so it’s less of a hassle.” Current bargains are available in compact sedans and luxury vehicle segments, while pickup trucks and SUVs still are

Volatility

ple buy passively managed mutual funds because they charge lower fees. Low fees mean low turnover in the fund; managers are not trading much. That strategy is great for a rising market, but in a year like 2016 with lots of ups and downs, you want your portfolio to have more flexibility so you can adjust them during market fluctuations. Giving managers the option to grab discounts, or sell poor performers, could reduce volatility and put your portfolio in a better position over the long term. Not making changes can cost you. Now you’re better prepared to put together a winning retirement portfolio. You understand it’s more important to evaluate the volatility in a fund rather than its average rate of return. That’s a valuable lesson whether you’re in your 40s or 50s, or near-

ing retirement like Bob and Sally. Talk to an investment adviser about performing a full analysis on your mutual funds. It will reveal whether volatility in your high-performing mutual fund is actu-

From page 38

Reducing volatility Apply the same principle to your own investment portfolio. Can you reduce volatility in your portfolio through smart asset allocation? Make sure your portfolio is not weighted too heavily with one type of fund. That strategy will better protect you from big market downturns. You’d be surprised by the number of investors walking into my office who firmly believe their portfolio has low volatility like our Fund B, but a closer look reveals they actually own something closer to Fund A. About 70 percent discover they have too much volatility. One other thing to consider: Many peo-

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

To marry or not to marry. It’s a question By Beth J. Harpaz Some older couples who want social recognition for their love relationships are exchanging rings, throwing parties and holding wedding-type ceremonies. But they’re stopping short of getting legally married to avoid complications with retirement funds, property and grown children.

“It was important for our friends to know we were committed to each other,” recalled Dixie Reppe, 80, who wears a ring from her beau, Joe Pendergraft, 77, and refers to him as her fiance. “But the financial piece and the families — it’s a whole lot more complicated. We decided to keep those things separate.” The two live in ad-

joining apartments in Tulsa, Okla. Pendergraft bought her the ring after she visited him in Georgia. “He didn’t want people to think I’d spent time with a strange man in Georgia,” Reppe recalled with a laugh. Once word got out about their relationship, “we weren’t sure how well accepted that would be,” said Reppe. She needn’t have worried: Her girlfriends threw her a surprise engagement party, and there were a few other informal gatherings with champagne, chocolate and friends, where they could introduce themselves as a couple. One benefit of formalizing a relationship this way is that it allows older couples to dispense with terms like “boyfriend” or “girlfriend,” which might be fine for 20somethings, but can raise eyebrows among the 70- and 80-something set.

Husband and wife nonetheless “Most of the time we refer to each other as husband and wife just to keep things not so complicated,” said Shirley Sapp, referring to her relationship with Doug Oxenhardt. “If you go the other route, people look at you like, ‘Well, what’s the deal?’” Sapp and Oxenhardt, both in their 70s, were widowed when they met, and each had two grown children. Those children were among 90 guests at their 2013 wedding ceremony in Missouri, complete with a pastor. “It was just like any other marriage ceremony, except we didn’t have the last sentence where the minister will say, ‘By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife,’” Sapp recalled. “He was a really cool pastor, and when we told him our story, he said, ‘Sure, I’ll do it.’”

Beware legal issues But while avoiding marriage may seem like an easy way to keep finances and estates separate, unmarried couples may still face some legal complications, according to Frederick Hertz, a California lawyer and co-author of Living Together: A Legal Guide for Unmarried Couples.

Hertz noted that some states honor common-law marriage, and will consider couples married after a number of years whether or not they got a marriage license. Other states allow unmarried partners to claim money or property “based on an oral or implied agreement.” Hertz also said that signing a credit card or lease with your partner could make you responsible for the other person’s debt. Other issues include who has legal authority for medical decisions, and when one partner dies, whether a surviving partner has the right to stay in the home where they lived together. That may depend on who owns it and who inherits it. Housing is one thing Reppe and Pendergraft thought about early on. When they met, Reppe was living at Inverness Village, a retirement community, in a unit that was too small for both of them. When the unit next door opened up, they “basically blew a hole through the wall and got the apartments connected,” she said. This way they have their own apartments, but they can also be together, and if something happens to one of them, the other will still have a place to live. Sapp and Oxenhardt also own separate homes where they spend time together. She owns the villa in Florida where they spend winters, and he owns the house in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., where they live in the warm months. Their retirement finances are separate too: She worked for the Veterans Administration, and he has a pension from the railroads. But whatever arrangements older couples make as they manage the logistics or social conventions of being together, the love and companionship they share makes it all worthwhile. “I think when you get to this stage in life, if you found happiness, when you find someone to love and someone who loves you, and you can share so many common interests, and you don’t have to come home to an empty apartment, that’s pretty special,” said Reppe. “We laugh a lot,” Pendergraft said. — AP

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

New car From page 39 commanding higher prices, said Steven Szakaly, chief economist for the National Automobile Dealers Association. Auto sales dropped 4 percent year-overyear in August, but Szakaly calls it a “plateau.” In fact, 2016 is shaping up to be a strong year, with an expected sale of 17.7 million vehicles, the association predicted. Meanwhile, figures from car shopping site TrueCar show the average transaction prices for 2015 and 2016 dropping across the summer and into fall while sale incentives remain high — which is a good combination for buyers. Cavano warns that buyers shopping for newly redesigned or recently introduced models will pay dearly for wanting to be the “first on the block to own that car.” Manufacturers “trickle out” a few vehicles for each dealer to drive up interest. Eager buyers will have to pay sticker price and sometimes a bit more. 2. End-of-month pressure Of all the days of the month, traditionally the last five are when dealers have the greatest incentive to sell. That’s because some carmakers offer bonuses when dealers hit certain sales numbers, said Christian Wardlaw, an analyst for the New York Daily News’ autos section. “Dealers know they can take a loss on that vehicle because they know they’ll get the bonus for hitting their quotas,” Wardlaw said. These kinds of bargains are more common at high-volume domestic dealers. However, it’s hard for the average consumer to know which dealers are facing the pressure to hit quotas, Szakaly pointed out. Shopping at the end of the month can help you improve your odds. “You’re hoping you are the lucky person who walks in at the end of the month and the dealer is missing the one sale he needs,” he said.

3. Year-end sales The final week of the year brings with it some great deals, particularly from luxury carmakers such as Lexus, Mercedes and BMW, Cavano said. It’s when “manufacturers are trying to eke out those last few sales...and they will push money out to their dealers and say, ‘OK guys, let’s get this done.’” Keep in mind, however, that with dwindling inventories, you might not be able to get your first choice of color and options. 4. Model redesign When manufacturers redesign models, dealers have both the outgoing and new models for sale at the same time. That leads them to offer incentives and discounts to get rid of older models. Of course, the resale value of the vehicle would be lower. And sometimes, the new model may be “heads and tails better than the outgoing model,” Wardlaw said. 5. Last year of a model’s production This tip is for serious penny pinchers. When a car is being discontinued or “rebranded” as a different model, the outgoing model’s prices drop even more dramatically. Examples on the market include the 2016 Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200, according to Edmunds’ handy list of best leftover cars for 2016. Current pricing for the Chrysler 200 shows a savings of nearly $5,000 off the sticker price, according to TrueCar’s pricing. Times when you shouldn’t buy a car follows a simple pattern, according to these experts. When there is plenty of foot traffic on the car lot, the dealer will keep prices higher, believing there will be a better offer from another shopper. So weekend afternoons aren’t optimal because besides higher pricing, the sales staff will be busy, and test-drives will be rushed. Instead, shop mid-week, communicating with dealers via text or emails. — NerdWallet, via AP

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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the world at your fingertips. From the moment you open the box, you’ll realize how different the WOW Computer is. The components are all connected; all you do is plug it into an outlet and your high-speed Internet connection. Then you’ll see the screen – it’s now 22 inches. This is a completely new touch screen system, without the cluttered look of the normal computer screen. The “buttons” on the screen are easy to see and easy to understand. All you do is touch one of them, from the Web, Email, Calendar to Games– you name it… and a new screen opens up. It’s so easy to use you won’t have to ask your children or grandchildren for help. Until now, the very people who could benefit most from E-mail and the Internet are the ones that have had the hardest time accessing it. Now, thanks to the WOW Computer, countless older Americans are discovering the wonderful world of the Internet every day. Isn’t it time

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

When you’re too old for a traditional IRA By Kimberly Lankford Question: I’m 72 years old and earn some money as a self-employed consultant. Can I contribute to an IRA and, if so, how much? Answer: You can’t contribute to a traditional IRA starting in the year you turn 70½. But you can contribute to a Roth IRA at any age, and the money can grow taxfree in the account indefinitely (you don’t have to take required minimum distributions). To qualify for a Roth, your income in 2016 must be less than $132,000 if you’re single or $194,000 if you’re married and file taxes jointly. You can contribute up to the amount you earned for the year (your net income from self-employment), with a maximum of $6,500 ($5,500 plus $1,000 for people age 50 and older). If your earnings are well over the $6,500 max, you can simply contribute that amount, but if they are close to or

under the maximum, you’ll need to know what is considered compensation and how to calculate your allowed contribution. For that information, see IRS Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements. Or, because you are self-employed, you can contribute to a solo 401(k), said Rande Spiegelman, vice president of financial planning with the Schwab Center for Financial Research. You can deduct your contribution now and defer taxes on the money until it’s withdrawn. But because you’re over age 70½, you must take required minimum distributions from the solo 401(k). Employees usually don’t have to take RMDs from their current employer’s 401(k) if they’re still working at age 70½, but that rule doesn’t apply if you own 5 percent or more of the company. Because you’re self-employed and own the whole company, you’re stuck taking

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Bethesda retirement community Fox Hill is holding a free open house and tour for prospective residents every Wednesday, from 2 to 4 p.m. The gated residence is for ages 60 and older and offers independent living condominium ownership, as well as access to assisted living and memory care. Visitors can tour the one-, two- and three-bedroom model condominiums with a wide range of floor plans. Fox Hill is located at 8300 Burdette Rd., Bethesda, Md. For more information or to reserve a spot, visit www.foxhillresidences.com/rsvp or call (301) 9681850. Walk-ins are also welcome.

FREE HOUSING SEMINAR

Oasis presents a free seminar on housing, led by senior program consultant Helen Abrahams, on Thursday, Nov. 10 and Friday, Nov. 11. “A House is A Home: Housing Choices As We Age” will explain the differences between independent and assisted living and skilled nursing. It will take place from 10:30 to noon at Oasis, located in the Macy’s Home Store in Westfield Montgomery Mall, 7125 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, Md. After the class, sign up to visit a local home; transportation will be provided. Registration required: visit www.oasisnet.org/washington or call (301) 469-6800, press 1, and hit extension 211.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING

Spotlight On Aging VOLUME XXVII, ISSUE 11

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE By Laura Newland Executive Director, D.C. Office on Aging Happy Thanksgiving! This is my favorite time of the year. Not only do we take time out to give thanks with and for our loved ones, but it’s also a time to show appreciation for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. November is National Family Caregivers Month and National Adoption Awareness Month. Many of you have heard me share stories about my childhood and my parents, but you may not know that I was adopted as a child. So I am especially appreciative of those who are committed to providing a safe, stable and loving environment to others in need. During this past year, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with many of you about your lives. I’ve realized that there’s a particular segment of our senior population who may feel overlooked — grandparents caring for grandkids. Recently at one of our Town Hall meetings, I was asked what types of resources the Office on Aging provides for seniors who are raising a second generation. While DCOA provides assistance and support specifically to relatives who are caring for their loved ones with various needs, I’ll admit that there’s more work to be done to support grandparents raising grandkids.

According to the 2010 Census, there are more than 2.7 million households in the U.S. with grandparents raising their grandchildren. There were more than 6,000 children under the age of 18 living in grandparent-led households in D.C. as of 2014, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Center. The District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) runs a Grandparent Caregiver Program. District residents who qualify for this program may receive monthly financial assistance to help care for children living with them. You can call 202-442-6100 or visit www.cfsa.dc.gov for more information. You can also contact DCOA at 202724-5626 or www.dcoa.gov for more information on the caregiver support services available for seniors. If you’re interested in adoption or foster care, please contact CFSA at 202-671LOVE or visit www.adoptdckids.org. I hope every one of you has a wonderful Thanksgiving. And a very special thank you to caregivers and grandparent caregivers — your contributions are vital to our community. Next time you see me in the community, I’d love to hear from you about how we can serve you better!

SAVE THE DATE! Mayor’s Annual Senior Holiday Celebration Thursday, December 8 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. D.C. Armory 2001 East Capitol Street SE Call 202-724-5622 to reserve your ticket today.

November 2016

Ms. Senior America Pageant District seniors took Atlantic City by storm during the Ms. Senior America Pageant activities held at the Resorts Hotel Superstar Theater, Oct. 16-21. Ms. Senior D.C. Billie LaVerne Smith was among 46 contestants to compete during the pageant. Wearing an elegant apple red gown, adorned with rhinestones on flesh tone netting in the front and back that mirrored her tiara, Ms. Senior D.C. presented her philosophy of life, challenging the audience to share their gifts with others. Playing a jazz number on the piano during the talent segment, Ms. Senior D.C. gave you a taste of Duke Ellington’s “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” from the Broadway musical Sophisticated Ladies. Ms. Missouri Senior America Peggy Lee Brennan was crowned the winner of the contest that celebrates the age of elegance for women age 60 and older. Brennan is an actress, dancer and singer, and is most known for her role as Radar’s girlfriend in the hit television series M*A*S*H. Representing the state of Maryland, Sherri McGhie, was selected first runner-up, and Elaine Willingham from Alabama was selected second runnerup during the contest. District dance sensations the MC Steppers danced during the first and second preliminaries and the pageant finals. Each day they donned glitzy, se-

Ms. Senior D.C. Billie LaVerne Smith is pictured with Ms. Florida Senior America Rose Tydus after the crowning of Ms. Senior America Peggy Lee Brennan.

quined costumes and performed a different dance number to the sounds of Stevie Wonder. Their final performance culminated with “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars. Congratulations to Ms. Senior D.C. Billie LaVerne Smith and the MC Steppers, led by choreographer Monica Carroll, for representing their peers during the Ms. Senior America Pageant 2016. We may not have captured the crown, but they definitely know that we have talented seniors here in the District of Columbia!

Adult Day Care Adult day care programs provide specialized care for dependent individuals who are at risk of nursing home admission. Services may include medical, social, therapeutic and recreational support in a supervised setting. Meals and transportation are provided. There is no fee for service; however, donations are encouraged. The Office on Aging funds the Downtown Cluster’s Day Care Center, Genevieve N. Johnson Senior Day Care

Program, and the Weinberg Wellness & Arts Center to provide adult day health services for persons age 60 and older. We also have worked with our sister agency, the Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF), to enroll Medicaid eligible participants who are age 55 and older into adult day care programs. The programs provide nursing staff, social workers and others to create a safe environment where mental stimuSee ADULT DAY CARE, page 45

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

D.C. OFFICE

AGING NEWSLETTER

Community Calendar November 8th • 10 a.m. to noon A Health Benefits and Wellness Fair will be held at 111 Massachusetts Ave. NW. To learn more, contact Linda J. Greene at 202-233-2586.

land and Environs (FCAME) and sponsored by Iona’s Take Charge/Age Well Academy. The talk will take place at the Tenley Friendship Library, 4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Pre-registration is appreciated. Contact Elizabeth Frick at community@iona.org or 202-895-9420.

12th • 4 p.m. Iona is hosting a ukulele jam and singa-long led by Maureen Andary, an acclaimed ukulele and guitar teacher in the Washington, D.C. area. Bring your own music stand and instrument to join in. Sheet music and light refreshments will be provided. Iona is located at 4125 Albemarle St. NW. RSVP to 202-895-9407.

16th • 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The D.C. Office on Aging, in Collaboration with Community Preservation & Development Corporation and the Overlook Senior Apartments, present the 2016 Community Health, Wellness and Informational Fair. It will be held at 3700 9th St.SE. For more information, contact Katrina Polk at 202-870-6974 or Jeanette Covington at 202-907-2324.

15th • 2 to 3 p.m. You can honor your loved one without spending more than you can afford — if you know how to do it. This free 45minute talk titled, “What Everyone Needs to Know about Planning Funerals,” and Q&A will be presented by the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Mary-

16th • 11 a.m. The Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired’s Low Vision Support Group meets every third Wednesday of the month. The next meeting will be Nov. 16 at 2900 Newton St. NE. For more information, contact G. Duckett at 202529-8701.

Adult day care From page 44

lation and various enriching activities maintain adults with varying levels and forms of dementia. Music and art therapy, recreational activities and, in most cases, physical therapy are used to stimulate brain activity, socialization, verbalization and encourage interaction with others. Physical therapy, in most cases, is also used to strengthen balance, endurance and gait of participants. Our programs are also using LinkedSenior — computer software that helps attendees stay mentally engaged. The

software offers tools to help them reminisce through songs and movies. Participants can also work independently or in groups on games like Armchair Travel or Jeopardy. You are probably familiar with Jeopardy, where there are categories or clues, but Armchair Travels allow participants to share thoughts and memories of places and helps those around them to feel as if they have traveled to these destinations themselves. Each center also offers activities that are unique to that location. If you are looking for a place to send your loved one during the day, or a way to keep them from being sent to a nurs-

SPOTLIGHT ON AGING Spotlight On Aging is published by the Information Office of the D.C. Office on Aging for D.C. senior residents. Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the D.C. Office on Aging or by the publisher.

500 K St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 202-724-5622 • www.dcoa.dc.gov Executive Director Laura Newland Editor Darlene Nowlin Photographer Selma Dillard The D.C. Office on Aging does not discriminate against anyone based on ac-

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

17th • 5 to 9 p.m. The Seabury Resources for Aging fundraiser will be held at Madam’s Organ restaurant. For more information, contact V. Grayton at 202-5298701. 19th • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The 12th annual community fair and pre-Thanksgiving dinner will take place at First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 602 N St. NW. To learn more, email frmz.communityfair@yahoo.com. 20th • 2 p.m. A free film viewing and Q&A with the filmmakers featuring Adoption Shorts by Nicole Burton and Friends and Adopted: For the Life with Me by Jean Strauss will be held at Iona Senior Services. The latter film follows Dave and Joe as they embark on journeys to find their origins. Their heartwarming sagas, with their unexpected and moving conclusions, illuminate the impact secrets can have over an entire lifetime. Iona is located at 4125 Albemarle St. NW. To RSVP, call 202-895-9407. ing home prematurely, check out one of three DCOA-funded centers to provide that break or solution you need. Downtown Cluster’s Day Care Center Asbury Methodist Church 926 11th St. NW, DC 20002 202-347-7527

21st • 6 to 7 p.m. A presentation on resources and services provided by the District of Columbia Office on Aging will be made to the Capitol View Civic Association at Hughes United Methodist Church at 53rd and Ames Streets NE. For more information, call Alice A. Thompson at 202-535-1321. 22nd • 10 a.m. The Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired will tour the National Museum of African American History and Culture. For more information, contact V. Grayton at 202-529-8701. 24th • 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Unity Health Care is partnering with Safeway, Salvation Army and other community-focused organizations to host the Annual Feast of Sharing at Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. NW. To learn more, contact Caroline Kuo at 202-7177984 or ckuo@UnityHealthCare.org. Genevieve N. Johnson Senior Day Care Program 4817 Blagden Ave. NW, DC 20011 202-723-8537 Weinberg Wellness & Arts Center 4125 Albemarle St. NW, DC 20016 202-895-0238

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Travel Leisure &

Dallas can be surprisingly pedestrian friendly. See story on page 49.

A walking tour through Japanese history

From Kyoto to Tokyo The roots of modern Tokyo were planted during the Edo period, which began in 1603 when Tokugawa Leyasu became the shogun (military dictator) of Japan and

ruled from his palace in Edo (present-day Tokyo). While the emperor lived in Kyoto, the shoguns of the Tokugawa clan controlled the country from Edo. The Tokugawa shogunate ended in 1868, with the opening of Japan to the world. Our trip with the Walk Japan tour company focused on Kyoto, Tokyo, and an ancient trail that was used during Japan’s feudal period by shoguns, samurai (military officers) and other high-ranking officials to travel between the two cities. Our journey began in Kyoto — one of the best preserved cities in Japan — which is rich in tradition and important sites. So endowed is it with historical treasures that during World War II the United States removed it from a list of possible bombing targets. With some 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, magnificent palaces, lovely gardens and more, the welcome challenge for visitors is how to experience and enjoy as much as possible in a limited time. One popular site is the Kiyomizu (“Pure Water”) Temple, built in 780. It stands in an inviting setting near a waterfall, and is surrounded by a maze of narrow, charming streets lined by small shops. The Ryoanji Temple is famous for its lovely rock garden, which is believed to have been created around 1500. Laid out for Zen meditation, it consists of immacu-

PHOTO BY LUCIANO MORTULA/DREAMSTIME.COM

By Victor Block The traffic-clogged streets, towering skyscrapers and dazzling lighted billboards could be in Times Square — but they aren’t. An ancient trail that snakes through dense woods and over mountain passes might be one that runs through a U.S. national park, but it isn’t. A big surprise for many visitors from the U.S. to Japan is how many things remind them of home. At the same time, there are dramatic differences in the history, culture and other aspects of the country. That dichotomy — foreign and familiar, old and new — is one of the pleasures of a visit to that intriguing destination. Walking in some areas of Tokyo, I was besieged by the usual fast food chain restaurants and signs promoting brands of electronics, clothing and other goods that would be at home in Washington. At the same time, centuries of history sprang to life as the guide displayed wood block prints and old photographs illustrating how many hidden side streets, bridges and other features of the setting had their beginning centuries ago.

Neon signs crowd the streetscapes in modern Tokyo, a city of more than 13 million people. Elsewhere in the city and around the country, well-preserved elements from Japan’s storied history remain, from the imperial palace to Buddhist temples.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WALK JAPAN

Walking between Kyoto and Tokyo along an ancient trail called the Nakasendo Way, which connects several major Japanese cities, immerses visitors in a close-up view of Japanese life and culture. Walkers stay overnight at family-run guesthouses, and pass through farm villages like this one, with a rice paddy outside a home.

lately manicured white gravel raked into a wave-like design surrounding rock islands. One of the most popular buildings in Japan is the Rokuon-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), a Buddhist hall that was burned and then reconstructed. The building was designed in the architectural style used for aristocratic mansions in Kyoto during the 8th to 12th centuries. Its most distinctive feature is the gold leaf that covers the upper two levels of the three-story structure.

Clean, gleaming Tokyo If Kyoto continues to wear its history in plain sight, the past is more hidden in Japan’s capital. Tokyo today little resembles the modest fishing village of Edo that it was before the Tokugawa shogunate made it a seat of power. Upon arrival, the first-time visitor may be put off by the sheer size of the city, along with the crush of people, glare of neon-lit streetscapes, and other sources of sensory overload. On the other hand, it’s not difficult to recognize welcome differences from many other urban areas. For example, even though throngs of people are often encountered in the vast underground subway stations, there’s usually little sound other than that of feet on the floor. People wait patiently in orderly lines for the

trains to arrive, which they usually do at the minute for which they’re scheduled. It’s unusual to encounter trash anywhere on streets or sidewalks. And most locals who are asked for directions or other assistance go out of their way to provide it. Given the magnitude of the city, a good way to enjoy specific places of interest is to group them by area. In addition to temples, shrines and other major tourist sites on many a “must see” list, that also provides introductions to neighborhoods with concentrations of museums, shops and other appeals. One good place to begin a tour is sprawling Ueno Park, which is home to temples, pagodas and shrines along with a number of major museums. The Walk Japan Tokyo guide displayed a scene in a wood block print made in 1631 showing that little has changed since then. Any visit to Tokyo also should include the Edo Castle, which was built in 1457 and served as the residence of the shogun Tokugawa. At the end of his shogunate, he was forced to leave when the emperor arrived from Kyoto and moved in. The present Imperial Palace sits on the base of the former castle, and the main gate, along with some original walls, turrets and moats, survives. See JAPAN, page 47

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Japan

is the city’s frenetic personality.

From page 46

Walking an ancient trail

Another plunge into Japan’s feudal past is provided at the Edo Museum, where exhibits demonstrate how a small 15th century fishing village evolved into the vast metropolis of today. Visitors are immediately introduced to old Edo, as they cross a lifesize replica of the wooden Nihonbashi Bridge that was built in 1603 over the river of the same name. The vast open space surrounding the walkway is filled with exhibits illustrating various aspects of Tokyo’s past and present. Detailed scale models realistically represent buildings and towns from the 17th through 20th centuries. Cultural icons include a life-size reconstruction of a kabuki theater, where that classical dance-drama form of entertainment has been popular since the early 17th century. Another aspect of life in the Edo period was the creation of various types of gardens based upon Japanese sensibilities. Gardens for emperors and nobles were designed for recreation and aesthetic enjoyment; those at Buddhist temples served for meditation; and promenade plantings lead visitors on a path past carefully composed landscapes. In addition to demonstrating the intimate role of traditional gardens in Japan’s history, their profusion throughout Tokyo can provide a respite from what, in places,

No matter how lovely a variety of gardens, how magnificent the temples and shrines that grace Kyoto, and how beautiful the architectural gems from the Edo period hidden beneath the modern veneer of Tokyo, it was the five days I spent walking along a section of an ancient trail between those cities that provided me with the most meaningful immersion in the history, heart and soul of Japan. Laid out in the 8th century, that 310-mile path was trod by shoguns, samurai and other nobles, and the underlings who comprised their entourage. The support staff tended to the horses, prepared meals, and took care of the countless other chores that provided the comforts and luxuries to which those who occupied the upper levels of society were accustomed. Our trek traversed the Kiso Road section of the historic route. The sojourn began by following a short stretch of the original flat paving rocks that were laid down hundreds of years ago, and passed by one of the earliest stone mile markers. Along the way, we came face-to-face with both intriguing tangible remnants of the country’s past, and with stories and memories of its history that left an indelible mark. Our daily 8- to 10-mile treks followed valleys past rushing waterfalls, wound through dense forests, and crossed

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

over mountain passes. The occasional steep sweat-inducing climb was made easier by switchbacks that eased the way up. We passed numerous Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples and unadorned rock structures that represented, or paid homage to, emperors and other human deities and spiritual beings. Here and there stood a lonely farmhouse, centuries-old mill and wooden waterwheel powered by the rushing streams that cascade down many hillsides. Houses in tiny farm villages are surrounded by rice paddies, and an occasional grove of bamboo reaches toward the sky.

Stops along the way Come nightfall, our band of hikers followed in the footsteps — literally — of the feudal lords and others who preceded us along the route centuries ago. “Post towns” were spaced a day’s travel apart to provide food and overnight accommodations to those travelers. The traditional wooden buildings in some of the historic villages have been lovingly restored, and continue to offer the same services they did long ago. Three of the best-preserved post towns — Magome, Tsumago and Narai — are See JAPAN, page 48

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Japan From page 47 strung out along the Kiso Valley section of the route, and provide an even more indepth look at what early travelers experienced. The family-run guesthouses where we stayed introduced us to customs and cultural touches of Japan both past and present. It didn’t take long to learn the rules: Upon entering the modest structure, remove shoes and replace them with the ubiquitous slippers that are neatly lined up on shelves near the front entrance. Be prepared to sleep on a fluffy but surprisingly comfortable futon laid out on the floor. Don’t expect to order dinner from a menu, but do know that among the numerous dishes that will be laid before you are sure to be at least several that will be as pleasing to your taste buds as they are to the eye.

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

This experience was very different from the architectural treasures of Kyoto and the hustle and bustle in Tokyo beneath which its past hides in plain sight. This combination introduces visitors to the very essence of Japan in a way that leaves a very lasting impression.

If you go My wife and I traveled with aptly named Walk Japan, which has conducted tours in that country since 1992, and certainly lives up to its name. The focus on using various kinds of public transportation, staying at local inns, dining at family-run restaurants, and other trip features brings travelers (a maximum of 12 on most itineraries) into repeated close contact with Japanese people from See JAPAN, page 49

Exploring customs in an uncustomary way By Fyllis Hockman It is not often that a toilet and a tea ceremony form perfect metaphors for the culture of a country, but so it is in Japan. The toilet falls into the realm of delightful personal discoveries — albeit all of them in the hotel bathroom of the Kyoto Park Hotel. First, a warm toilet seat with a variety of buttons that cleaned more areas with water spray than I have nether region body parts. Then a portion of the large bathroom mirror that remained perfectly clear even after an exceptionally steamy shower — indeed the most invigorating I’ve ever had. Plus a sophisticated hair dryer with more settings than I could find a use for. All a testament to Japanese ingenuity. They apparently don’t only make better cars! However, as I was to discover on our hikes through the countryside, these benefits were not always available. In fact, toilets in general were not always available — or stall showers. But what was available only furthered the connection with Japanese tradition. I don’t usually shower and wash my hair before getting into a bath, but at the traveler’s inn in the rural town of O’Tsumago, I found this was the custom. Okay, so maybe shower is somewhat of a misnomer — really, you’re sitting on a low stool next to a series of other low stools and rinsing yourself off with a shower head. And maybe bath is misleading, as well. It was actually an assortment of hot pools in a tranquil outdoor setting accessed by multi-levels of stones and sur-

rounded by interspersed boulders ranging in size from large to humongous. Although to me this seemed like a very unusual experience, our guide assured me it was an everyday occurrence. In other words, bathing here is a communal rather than an individual experience. That sense of community carries over to meals, for which the inn occupants tend to wear their yukatas — dressing robes provided by the inns — while sitting cross-legged on tatami mats while eating. No dressing up for dinner. Saves a lot of space when packing… A stop at a tea house illustrated another pervasive element of Japanese custom — the precision with which they do everything. Just the preparation of a simple cup of tea can be a time-consuming, labor-intensive, rule-bound ritualized ceremony. The same is true of a cocktail at a bar. Whether you prefer your drink shaken or stirred — and if shaken, the procedure resembles a professional maracas concert — an air of pomp and circumstance surrounds its presentation. You don’t actually stop for a beverage of any sort on the way to the airport! And perhaps not even a restroom… Of course, there are nods to more modern facilities everywhere — especially in the big cities. (Yes, there are even Starbucks.) But the more traditional are not just tourist attractions; they are a way of life from which you gain as much a sense of Japanese customs as you do traversing the many beautiful cities, towns, shrines, walkways and waterfalls of the rest of the country.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

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You don’t need a car to enjoy Dallas By John Lumpkin Asphalt and concrete have defined Dallas since a north-south “central expressway” was envisioned in the early 1900s for a stretch of railroad right-of-way. Travel by anything other than an automobile can be challenging and sometimes impractical. However, there is a promising alternative — call it “Walking Dallas.” The development of the Uptown neighborhood, abetted by the expansion of Dallas’ cultural district (and millennials moving into the area), means a car is not a requirement. Since August 2014, visitors have been able to ride DART, Dallas’ light rail, from DFW Airport to downtown for $2.50. (The fixed rate for taxis from the airport is $45.) Also, consider that downtown hotels might charge up to $35 daily for parking your car. Ground zero for enjoying the city on foot is Klyde Warren Park. Philanthropists and city planners put a roof over a freeway canyon that separated Dallas’ downtown from Uptown. Add grass, flower beds, trees, a dog park, a sound stage and food

trucks, and the result is throngs of pedestrians. Michelin’s Green Guide awarded Dallas its highest city rating, gushing about “a fantastic, world-class cultural, architectural and culinary destination.” Several of Michelin’s touts are a walk away from Klyde Warren. The “burbs” haven’t disappeared, and corporate moves to outlying cities are business-page headlines. Mass transit is improving, but not comparable to the Northeast, and, let’s face it, it’s too hot in July or August to walk in daytime. But autumn, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s F, is arguably Dallas’ best season.

Japan

day Kyoto tour) and $745 (for the two-day Tokyo tour) up to about $4,745 for an 11-day tour, depending on the exchange rate. The five-day Nakasendo Way tour is priced at $1,982. (Prices do not include airfare.) For more Japan travel information, see the websites of the Japan National Tourism Organization at jnto.org.au and World Guides at www.world-guides.com/asia/japan. Information on Tokyo is available at https://www.gotokyo.org/en and Kyoto at http://kyoto.travel/en. The lowest roundtrip airfare from BWI in early December is $936 on Japan Airlines. American Airlines offers the next cheapest airfare at $1,002, roundtrip from BWI.

From page 48 various walks of life. The tours themselves range from city sightseeing to trail walking to more strenuous experiences, and even in Tokyo and Kyoto we logged several miles by foot each day. In addition to accommodations, meals, sightseeing and outstanding guides, Walk Japan trips provide participants with an indepth introduction to both Japanese history and contemporary life that is as enjoyable as it is informative. For more information, log onto www.walkjapan.com. Prices range from about $675 (for the two-

In Deep Ellum east of downtown, Local Hub Bicycle Co. rents bikes for $35 a day. “We’ve had people from all over the world get a bike for the whole week,” said coowner Justin Shannon. Ride the Katy Trail, a 3.5-mile linear park that starts near downtown, or pedal to the Trinity Groves entertainment district and Dallas’ latest landmark, the soaring Margaret Hill Hunt Bridge. The old-fashioned McKinney Avenue Trolley follows a 4.5-mile elongated loop to the Nasher Sculpture Garden and the Dallas Museum of Art, both highlighted by Michelin, as well as Uptown’s brasseries. The President George W. Bush Library is a short cab ride to the shady campus of

Southern Methodist University, First Lady Laura Bush’s alma mater. The museum has a replica of Bush’s Oval Office, and includes a 22-foot section from the fallen World Trade Center. While there, visit SMU’s Meadows Museum, called “Prado on the Prairie.” Car alert: The Star, a new $1.5 billion, 91acre complex that houses the Dallas Cowboys headquarters and training facility, is in the northern suburb of Frisco. From downtown, the drive is 30 minutes to an hour.

From Neiman-Marcus to the fair “Walking Dallas” should include NeimanSee DALLAS, page 50

By foot, cycle and trolley Near Klyde Warren are hotels like the $600-a-night ZaZa, or family options under $200. It’s a short walk to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science — a 15-story cube where kids can race against videos of a tyrannosaurus, life-sized cheetah, or Dallas Cowboys running back.

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From page 49 Marcus’ flagship store, even if you can’t afford a $15,000 Carolina Herrera gown. Opt for the Zodiac Room, where the mandarin orange soufflé and chicken salad ($20) follow recipes of legendary Neiman’s cookbook author Helen Corbitt. The downtown Sixth Floor Museum, reverent and not ghoulish, is dedicated to the “life, death and legacy of President John F. Kennedy.” It’s located on the sixth floor of the building on Dealey Plaza from which shots were fired on Nov. 22, 1963, killing Kennedy as he passed by in a motorcade. The State Fair of Texas in October hosted 3 million visitors. Big Tex, a talking 55foot statue in cowboy duds, is the official greeter. The required snack is a Fletcher’s Corny Dog, but vendors will fry almost anything, including Jell-O and Twinkies. The Texas Star Ferris Wheel, 20 stories high, only operates during the State Fair, but Fair Park’s renowned art deco buildings can be viewed year-round. Check for tickets to classical and popular music and drama at downtown Dallas’ cluster of the Winspear Opera House, Meyerson Symphony Center and Wyly Theater, if you plan to stay near downtown.

Local eats Happy hour patrons are two-deep at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel’s Rattlesnake Bar.

Celebrity chef Dean Fearing’s namesake restaurant is on the same floor, serving concoctions like buffalo tenderloin with jalapeno grits, lobster pot stickers, and oysters “Rockafearing.” Less expensive is Uptown’s S & D Oyster Co., where the daily chef’s sampler ($16.95) includes raw and fried oysters, gumbo, hush puppies and shrimp four ways. Near Local Hub Bicycles is Pecan Lodge, a Dallas barbecue mecca. Justin and Diane “Boss Lady” Fourton sold brisket sandwiches in a Jiffy Lube parking lot, then from a stand in Dallas’ Farmers Market before opening their expansive current location. Feed your delegation with “The Trough” — stacks of beef and pork ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork and sausage links ($75). In Klyde Warren is Savor, with ceilingto-floor glass on four sides, and across the street, Lark on the Park, both with al fresco seating and New American cuisine.

Getting there American Airlines and JetBlue have non-stop flights to Dallas from Reagan National and Dulles airports for about $179 roundtrip in early December. To learn more about Dallas, visit the site of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.visitdallas.com or call 1-800232-5527. — AP

PHOTO BY KAN KHAMPANYA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Dallas

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Downtown workers enjoy a mid-day yoga class at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas. The park was built on top of a recessed eight-lane freeway and opened in 2012.

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NATIONAL HARBOR OUTLETS TRIP Arlington County presents a trip to the Tanger Outlet Mall and the National Harbor on Wednesday, Nov. 30. Lunch will be on your

own. The bus will depart from the Thomas Jefferson Center, located at 3501 2nd St. S, Arlington, Va. at 9:15 a.m. and will return at 3:45 p.m. Parking and pickup at the center are by the tennis courts. Arrive 15 minutes prior to departure. The cost is $10 for residents and $12 for non-resident. For more information or to register, visit bit.ly/ArlingtonTrips or call (703) 228-4744.

JOIN US November 14, 2016 Using Validation and Therapeutic Fibbing in Dementia Care Become a less frustrated caregiver by learning more about different communication strategies in dementia care. 5:30 p.m. Registration and light supper 6:00 p.m. Program and book signing Landow House 1799 East Jefferson Street | Rockville, MD 20852 RSVP required: Jill Berkman, 301.816.5052 or email berkman@ceslc.org Dietary laws observed | Ample free parking

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Air and hotel deals no longer easy to find By Ed Perkins If you’re looking for the best airfare or hotel deal, you can’t trust a single online source. The exact reasons are different for airfares than for hotel rates, but the net result is that the Internet is no longer able to provide what it once did: Easy and accurate one-search airfare price comparisons and quick identification of the best deal. The key factor for airfares seems to be substantial and constant near-random fare variations. At least that’s what Consumer Reports (CR) recently found as a result of an exhaustive and methodologically sound research effort. CR checked nonstop airfares on five busy domestic routes, as returned by six big online travel agencies and three metasearch systems. The test controlled for time differences and even for whether the searchers’ computers may have had cookies from prior searches. The final sample included 372 separate round-trip search results. And the results — or lack of consistent results — is mind-boggling: Fare results varied as much as $138 for trips on a given route that were searched at the same time, and fares for a given trip varied by as much as $238 when queried on different days. All nine websites delivered different airfares on separate browsers on simultaneous searches. The test revealed no evidence of fare bias based on browsing history.

No one-stop shopping Clearly, the once-heralded model of simple online fare searches is broken: You can’t call up one website that will provide definitive price comparisons among all the airlines. CR had no explanation for the huge discrepancies. One industry spokesperson

posited that the differences were based on the fact that fares can change from one second to another, but that hardly seems enough to explain the entire slate of differences. The CR test didn’t even approach the question of whether still better deals were available on the airlines’ own websites. And the airlines are tweaking their displays to include possible deals that you can’t find on independent websites at all, including various fare options that bundle such extras as seat assignment, a checked bag, and early boarding at attractive package prices. So, what’s the answer to finding the best airfare for your next trip? My suggestion: Start with a metasearch system that will instantly check a bunch of online agencies and airline sites. Take your pick of TripAdvisor, GoogleFlights, Kayak, Hipmunk or whichever other one you like. That will at least narrow your search to the possibles. The CR results suggest that you try at least two such searches. Make a note of the two or three best options; some sites allow you to “hold” that information. Then look up the trip on the website of any airline that offers a better deal for your trip, especially checking for attractive bundles. And, in my colleague George Hobica’s words, “When you find a good deal, pounce.”

screen is the phony low-ball price, not what you actually have to pay. The Federal Trade Commission is supposed to outlaw this sort of scam, which is per se deceptive. But, at least so far, it’s been dragging its feet. Attorney generals on the state level should also go after it. Several big chains are now luring you to book through their own websites by offering incentives in the form of free Wi-Fi, free breakfasts, and other loyalty program benefits, which the online agencies don’t find or

offer. The online agencies often can’t detect senior and other discounts, either. I’m aware of no search system that can present all-up hotel prices, including fees and discounts, on the first comparison. The one that use to, the Suitest, is no longer working. So, as with airfares, you can’t rely on a single search. Get to work. Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Also, check out Ed’s new rail travel website at www.rail-guru.com. © 2016 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Style Arts &

The Grinch is coming to Washington, in a premiere of the Dr. Seuss musical How the Grinch Stole Christmas. See story on page 53.

Turner’s powerful performance at Arena Two losses at once The words and the emotions resonate deeply in this production at Arena Stage’s Kogod Cradle — a theater small enough to seem an extension of the living room in which the play takes place. Didion has turned her 2005 memoir of the time in her life when her husband suffered a fatal heart attack while her daughter was in a deep coma (she later died) into a one-act, one-woman play. Turner both intelligently and viscerally plays out the writer’s words on stage, devoting almost two hours to telling it like it will be — with variations. Didion’s loss, in the memoir and the play, is sudden for her husband but lingering for her daughter, and Turner skillfully tackles both the heart-heavy pain and the ongoing dread. She is on the edge of tears; she tries to joke; she tries to learn the names, death tolls or overall serious consequences of the myriad medical conditions that may or may not have, or possibly will, affect husband and/or daughter. If one learns the terms and the rules (whether they exist or not), one may feel that the outcome will

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By Robert Friedman When it came time for Joan Didion to give away the clothes of her deceased husband of 40 years, fellow writer John Gregory Donne, she couldn’t part with his shoes. John would need them when he came back, she told herself. Just after John’s death in New York, where it is three hours later than in Los Angeles, she wondered whether they could go back to their home there and “have a different ending on Pacific time?” I know how she feels. Ginny, my wife of 45 years, a teacher and an artist, passed away three years ago, but the desk in her work room remains intact. The Holt Handbook, to help students learn to write clearly, remains in place, as do her sketchpads and pencils. If I change the items on the desk, I fear her spirit will leave the house. Grief is universal, writer-playwright Joan Didion — and actress extraordinaire Kathleen Turner — tell us in Didion’s play The Year of Magical Thinking. But each human experiences it in her or his individual and, for a time, often “magical” way.

Kathleen Turner portrays a grieving Joan Didion in The Year of Magical Thinking at Arena Stage. The one-woman play is based on Didion’s book of the same name, which she wrote after her husband suffered a fatal heart attack and her daughter fell into a coma in 2005.

somehow, magically, differ. At times when it seems the emotional pain could lead to a breakdown, Turner pulls herself together — and gives a report on the event from an ironic perspective. You

know it’s acting, but you get the feeling that Turner is transferring some of her personal reality into her interpretation of Didion. See MAGICAL THINKING, page 54

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Broadway hits come to National Theatre By Barbara Ruben Love Broadway musicals but can’t make it to New York as often as you’d like? National Theatre will feature traveling versions of four hits, including two Washington premieres, this season. The downtown Washington theater first hosts a production of Once, winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, from Nov. 25 to 27. Once tells the tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his musical dreams when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars. But their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than an everyday romance. Based on the John Carney film of the same name, the musical evokes the intima-

An older version of Max the dog narrates. The actor who plays him, Bob Lauder, spoke with the Beacon about his role and the enduring popularity of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. “This is not a part that’s in the original Grinch. I’m playing the dog Max that everyone knows, but like 80 dog years later. So the show opens and you see him, suitcase in hand. It’s kind of left open to interpretation if he’s shuffling off to a new life. “I suddenly hear the Whos in Whoville singing, and I wag my tail. So the show is all my memories,” said Lauder, 59. And they are memories shared by millions of baby boomers and younger gener-

cy of an Irish pub, with an ensemble of actors/musicians who play their instruments on stage.

The Grinch’s local premiere Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! brings Whoville to Washington from Dec. 13 to 31 for the first time. In the show, the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” the Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for. The Grinch celebrates a couple of anniversaries this year: the classic Dr. Seuss TV cartoon, based on his book, first aired 50 years ago, and it has been 10 years since the musical made its Broadway debut.

ations who have watched the cartoon version of the Grinch on TV every year since 1966. “It’s about what Christmas is really all about,” Lauder added. “It’s about the way we feel, the closeness of being with friends and family, about how even the Grinch can grow and be redeemed.”

Fun Home in the spring The Broadway at National season continues with Fun Home, a “tragicomic” musical that made history in 2015 by being the first musical exclusively written by women to ever win the Tony Award for See BROADWAY HITS, page 54

Sam Cieri and Mackenzie Lesser-Roy play a Dublin street musician and young Czech songwriter in the musical Once, which opens the National Theatre’s Broadway at National season Nov. 25 to 27. Three other traveling versions of Broadway hits — How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Fun Home and Rent — round out the season.

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Magical thinking From page 52

Channeling Didion’s grief Turner has this voice — husky, breathy, raspy — that makes it difficult for her to capture the quality of a “cool customer.” That’s the way Didion says she was described by medical personnel and others for her always enquiring and seemingly organized mind. But it is in Kathleen Turner’s body and facial movements — the way she seemingly searches for words, maneuvers her hands, how she uses her full acting soul — that lets the audience see and feel the pain, whether she is attempting to mask it or not. Of course, Turner is a renowned stage and screen veteran, with an Oscar nomination for Peggy Sue Got Married, and Tony

Broadway hits From page 53 Best Musical. Book and lyrics writer Lisa Kron and composer Jeanine Tesori also became the first female writing team to win the Tony for Best Score. The musical is based on Alison Bechdel’s 2006 graphic novel of the same name, which looks back at her childhood, revealing memories of her dysfunctional family and exploring themes of sexual orientation, emotional abuse, suicide and more. Fun Home introduces the audience to Ali-

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

nominations for both Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? But the natural way she moves and sits and pauses throughout the production suggest some excellent directing by Gayle Taylor Upchurch, as well. David Zimmerman’s set — the overloaded book cases, the comfortable-looking chairs — is just right for the writer’s living-musing-writing room. The best feature of the lighting design by Jesse Belsky occurs when the dimming denotes a brief emotional closing of a thought or an anecdote. When Didion-Turner recalls her and her family’s life in Malibu, sound director Roe Lee has the sea murmur tastefully. The subject of the play can also be viewed, if you are so inclined, anthropologically. That’s what Didion/Turner tells us: Magical thinking is an anthropological

term describing primitive cultures taking actions to control circumstances. Such as: “If we sacrifice the virgin, the rain will come back.” But deep down we know, if we throw away the shoes, or we clear the desk, our loved ones will neither come back nor remain in our memories. Just about everyone in this world will experience grief, we are told both in, and between, the lines of the play. And though the experience is deeply personal, we share such experiences with others. Our responses to loss may seem primitively irrational to the brain, but they are true to everyone’s heart.

The Year of Magical Thinking runs through Nov. 20. Performances are Sun-

day, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. There will be matinees, at noon, on Wednesday, Nov. 9, and Tuesday, Nov. 15. Tickets range from $40 to $90. There are a limited number of half-price tickets, called HOTTIX, that are made available 30 minutes before curtain for most performances, subject to availability. They must be purchased in person at the box office. Limit of two per person. General admission tickets may be purchased at www.arenastage.org, by calling (202) 488-3300, or at the theatre box office, 1101 6th St. SW. The Waterfront-SEU Metro stop on the Green line is one block from the theater. Parking is available at the theater for $16 to $22, or at meters on nearby streets.

son at three different ages as she explores and unravels the many mysteries of her childhood. It will be onstage April 18 to May 13.

Pulitzer- and Tony-winning rock musical has an inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear. Tickets for each show range from $48 to $98. They are available at the National Theatre box office, online at www.thenationaldc.com, or by calling 1-800-5143849. The theater is located at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. Subscription packages for The Grinch,

Fun Home and Rent are available for $145 to $295 by calling the subscription hotline at (855) 486-2516 or online at www.thenationaldc.com. Once is not included. Note: New or renewing subscribers of the 2016-17 Broadway at the National season will receive priority access for tickets to Hamilton at the Kennedy Center upon renewing their subscription to Broadway at the National’s 2017-18 season.

Rent’s 20th anniversary The first national tour of Rent made its Washington debut at the National Theatre in 1997, and the 20th anniversary tour returns to its stage next summer, from June 20 to 25. A re-imagining of Puccini’s La Bohème, Rent follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. The

Ticket details

BEACON BITS

Nov. 17+

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS SHOW Oakton Church is holding a Christmas Crafts Show on Thursday, Nov. 17 through Sunday, Nov. 19. The show will run from 10 a.m.

to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, it will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a wide variety of handmade creations and craft supplies for purchase, plus a lunch of soup and sandwiches and a bake sale. Oakton Church of the Brethren is located at 10025 Courthouse Rd., Vienna, Va. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.oaktonbrethren.org, or contact the church at office@oaktonbrethren.org or (703) 281-4411.

Senior High. !"#$$!%"&"'($!)*+'!"#$ ",!-(.('(*+"&/0"12#(1!"*2&*"3%#4(0!)"+#5"/!6" #33#%*5/(*(!)7"8-3!%(!/1!"+#5%"(/0!3!/0!/1!"&/0"!/%(12"+#5%"'($!7"

!"#$%&'$()#$*!""+&,(-$.#/($/+,(#'$(!$-!+0 122$!3$4,/,($+/$1( www.Integrace.org

301-644-1604 410-795-8801

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

THEIR LITTLE SOLDIER GIRL IS ALL GROWN UP... AND READY FOR LOVE!

The Daughter of the Regiment La fille du régiment Gaetano Donizetti/Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges & Jean-Francois Bayard

November 12–20 | Opera House

In French with Projected English Titles New WNO Production

Tickets on sale now! (202) 467-4600 kennedy-center.org/wno Tickets also available at the Box Office. Groups (202) 416-8400 For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540 Major support for WNO is provided by Jacqueline Badger Mars. David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of WNO.

Francesca Zambello, Artistic Director

WNO acknowledges the longstanding generosity of Life Chairman Mrs. Eugene B. Casey, including underwriting this production of The Daughter of the Regiment. WNO’s Presenting Sponsor

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Washington Ear From page 1 to these patrons, trained volunteers softly explain the action on stage, and describe the sets and even actors’ facial expressions. The descriptions are given at select performances at nine area theaters, including Arena Stage, Ford’s Theater and Round House. In addition, audio versions of theater program notes — and concert notes for the National Symphony Orchestra and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Strathmore — are available in advance of performances. “This way if you are taking, say, your uncle who is blind to the theater, you don’t have to whisper descriptions of what’s happening on stage and bother others in the audience,” Oplinger said.

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Volunteers needed The Ear’s 21 theater describers and 350plus readers are all volunteers. And more are needed to help record the approximately 40 hours of material available each day. Daytime volunteers are typically retired, but those still employed may come in the evening and weekends to record. Palmer-Royston, a retired State Dept. lawyer, has been a reader for the Ear for 10 years. “When I saw this opportunity, I thought, ‘Wow, this is something I’d love to do.’ She felt a little intimidated, though, when she heard there would be an audition, which starts with reading a list of vocabulary words — like “ubiquitous” and “esprit de corps ” — to make sure volunteers can pronounce them. Then they read news stories aloud for about half an hour.

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Concert Tickets: $35

MODIGLIANI QUARTET Sun Nov 20, 4 pm Works by Mozart, Brahms and Ravel ”Awesome individual and communal brilliance” - The Strad FREE LECTURE: “REVEALING RAVEL AND MODIGLIANI”

Tue Nov 15, 7 pm Columbia Art Center Stephen Ackert, Music Program Advisor for the National Gallery of Art, will explore the works of Maurice Ravel and Amedeo Modigliani.

Palmer-Royston, who is 73 and lives in Potomac, Md., passed with flying colors. But Gallagher admits that the “audition is very exacting. Some people are very well intentioned and want to help, but there’s something missing in their skill set. But in many cases, they’re just fine. They need a little training and practice.” Gallagher, a retired English and drama teacher and Discovery Channel employee, has been volunteering at the Ear for 28 years and has honed his skills along the way. The Ear’s office has a state-of-the-art recording studio with 16 individual booths. While in the booths, readers find it can be a challenge getting into the right mental framework for reading aloud. “We try to read it as if it’s a conversation with a listener. We want to sound like we’re a normal person, not a robotic monotone. It’s always a struggle. You have to imagine you’re with another person instead of a microphone,” said Gallagher, who is 77 and lives in Silver Spring, Md. As technology evolves, computers and digital devices increasingly have the capacity to read text to users, even in various voices. But Metropolitan Washington Ear board member Paul Schroeder, who is blind, thinks people will always need a more personal service like theirs. “It’s nice to hear a human voice as opposed to a synthetic voice, a text-to-speech voice program on a computer,” he said. Also, he added, having the radio-based

live broadcasts and telephone-accessible recordings is valuable “for the people who don’t have the technical skills or patience” to utilize computers or digital devices. The Ear “still plays a very important role, to fill in the gaps,” Schroeder said. Oplinger agrees. “I don’t think a computer would ever replace what we do,” she said. “We’re like a friend to some of our listeners. It’s more than news; it’s also companionship.” The Ear’s services are available only to those certified as unable effectively to read ordinary print because of visual or physical limitations. This includes visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correction; blurred or double vision after normal correction; the physical inability to hold a book or turn pages; or extreme weakness or excessive fatigue that prevents reading of printed matter. Applicants for the service, which is completely free but accepts donations, must get a certificate signed by a doctor, optometrist, social worker or other authority verifying their need. Learn more about Metropolitan Washington Ear at http://washear.org or call (301) 681-6636. Additional publications, including the Beacon, are expected to be added to the Ear’s roster by the end of the year, in conjunction with a system upgrade. If you are interested in volunteering to read the Beacon aloud, contact volunteer manager Rene Schecker at the number above.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

Learning it’s never too late for true love It was a dinner party for nine couples. I expected it to follow the usual script. At most of these, the first thing any couple will do is separate. Each man and each woman go in search of fresh acquaintances. Sometimes the pair doesn’t reconnect until the evening is over. But not the couple beside the canapes. They were side by side, as were their walkers. They stayed that way throughout the cocktail hour.

They stared regularly into each other’s eyes. They smiled — a lot. Welcome to late-in-life love. And welcome to the most heartwarming example of it I’ve seen in a long time. “I don’t know how to explain it,” he said. “You don’t have to explain it,” she said. But he wanted to try just the same. It was three New Year’s Eves ago, he said, at the senior living facility where both of them live. Each showed up for a sched-

BEACON BITS

Dec. 4

PIANO CONCERT The Washington Piano Society’s Winter Concert takes place on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts

Center, located at 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md. The free concert features works by Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy and Mendelssohn. A reception will follow. For more information, visit www.dcpianosociety.org or call (301) 793-1863.

Nov. 29+

VOLUNTEER INFO SESSION ReServe, a nonprofit that matches older professionals with local volunteer opportunities, is holding information sessions on

Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the SE Neighborhood Library, located at 403 7th St. SE, Washington, D.C. and Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library, located at 4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. Reservists are paid a stipend for their service. For more information, call (202) 469-3477 or (202) 365-3440. To register, visit www.reserveinc.org.

uled party, expecting nothing. gray mare, Mom; you ain’t what you used In fact, each of them was dreading the to be.” event. It would only reinforce how alone The daughter supplied the usual evieach was — a widower and a dence: Difficulty climbing widow, he now 91, she closstairs, a spate of days when ing in on 90. Mom forgot to take her meds, Who really needed all that a near-serious car accident false gaiety, all that paintedcaused by poor vision at night. on exuberance as the clock “I listened,” the woman told clicked toward midnight? me. “I didn’t like it at all, but I “But by the end of the listened.” evening, we were a couple,” The man wanted to make it the man said. She blushed a very clear that he wasn’t huntlittle bit. He grasped her HOW I SEE IT ing for female companionship hand. on that fateful New Year’s Eve. By Bob Levey “It was as if it was meant to “I had been married for 65 be,” she said. years,” he said. “I couldn’t duplicate that. I In one important way, it might never wasn’t about to try.” have happened. The man told me that he But then, as the famous song from was wounded twice during World War II — South Pacific says, he saw her across a “and one of them was a through-and- crowded room. through.” I’m not sure what that means ex“She stood out,” he said. “She just…I don’t actly, but it surely was life-threatening. know how else to say it. She just stood out.” As for the woman, she resisted mightily She blushed a little bit. when her family insisted that she move to And what did she see in him? one of “those places.” “Well, you can see for yourself, he’s a She had lived independently since she had solid, handsome guy,” she said. “He has a been 18. Why couldn’t she spend the rest of great sense of humor. He’s optimistic. He her days in her old-faithful house, where she doesn’t just talk about his last visit to the knew how to find the coffee mugs, and where doctor. He was kind of like a revelation.” she had long ago made peace with the leaky The biggest revelation may have been faucet in the master bathroom? how their respective families embraced But an adult daughter leaned and leaned See BOB LEVEY, page 58 and leaned some more — “You’re the old

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Bob Levey

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

JOIN A CHORUS

From page 57

The Gaithersburg Chorus is looking for members. The next opportunity to join will be in January. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. from September through June. Two annual concerts are presented, with the Chorus performing at other special events throughout the year. For more information, visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov or contact Laurie Levy-Page at (301) 258-6394 or llevy-page@gaithersburgmd.gov.

Nov. 18

DONATE BLANKETS

Volunteers are needed to knit, crochet or quilt blankets for sick and needy children on Friday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Extension Office, located at 18410 Muncaster Rd., Derwood, Md. Donations of acrylic yarn and fabric are also accepted. For directions or for more information, call Pat at (301) 460-5451.

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 60 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

S L U M

C A S E

R A S P

O C T E T

A N T E

R O U X

R U E S

E R A S E I D C A T R U E R N R O I F F F E S

W A S A S L I T A A N S C O W S

P A N C A K E S

E R U U N S A N B A A P

A P S O

P A S T E E S W O H K I S T L O I D S I T E S

A T E R U A T A H A S N E A T O

D D T R R S

D E F R A U D S

the new couple. All too often, when aging Mom or Dad acquires a new “good friend,” an adult child declares this to be disrespectful to a deceased former spouse. Or maybe the new squeeze is not what he or she seems to be. Maybe Mr. Newbie only talks a good game and really wants Mom’s money. Or maybe Ms. Special is secretly a rabid conservative, when Dad is a rabid liberal. Fireworks ahead. None of that has happened to this couple. “My kids and my grandchild took to him right away,” the woman said. “And my family did the same,” the man

said. “They just want to see me be happy. And I am. I really am.” This man and this woman will never have children together. They will never buy a house together. They will never run a business together. They will never enjoy the horizons that young couples take for granted. They say they will never marry. But they have this: “I didn’t realize how lonely I was,” the man said. “She made me smile again.” “I didn’t know that I could open my heart to anyone ever again,” the woman said. “But he made it easy. He made it irresistible.” They clinked their walkers together, as if to toast one another. And they smiled. Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

A G O G

T O N E

E S T S

S E E Y H A E R O B U A Z L O

B A G E L

D A L I

S T E M

E S S O

COMPUTER CLASSES

Holiday Park Senior Center offers free computer classes on Mondays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with instructor Satish Shah. Meet with other techies who enjoy computers and the newest applications. Holiday Park is located at 3950 Ferrara Dr., Wheaton, Md. For more information, call (240) 777-4999.

Ongoing

SENIOR PODCAST

Fairfax County offers a podcast (a digital audio recording) of Alejandra Caballero of the Senior Citizen Council. Hear her discuss the group’s plans and achievements anytime online at http://bit.ly/SeniorCitizensCouncil.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Crossword Puzzle

PUZZLE PAGE

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

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ACTIVE RETIREMENT LIVING

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29 34

39 43

41 46

48 51

52 55

40 45

31 35

Scrabble answers on p. 58.

11558922

Across

Down

1. Item in an IKEA tool kit 6. Member of the Bear family 10. Fruitcake of the Day ingredient 14. 21st century First Lady 15. ___ on the back 16. Politician’s qualities 17. Unconditionally avoid writing with squiggles 20. Stereotypical result of a Mother’s Day breakfast in bed 21. Sean Connery is one, but Roger Moore isn’t 22. Uncontrollable desires 23. Director Kazan, winner of 1999 Lifetime Achievement award 25. “I could ___ horse” 27. Miss Robot makes an unconditional choice 33. Its Western-most school is Notre Dame 34. Price is Right prize: “___ Car!” 35. ___ as a doornail 37. “Immediately, nurse!” 39. Net slang for “sense of humor” 41. Video game co., originally called “Service Games” 42. Read carefully 45. “Be ___; rewind” 48. ID on a color printer toner cartridge 49. Unconditional fish dish 52. It’s one thing or another 53. Arriving after the opening bell 54. Cupid’s weapon 57. “And ___ goes” 59. Returned from the dead 63. Unconditional declaration (and key to puzzle theme answers) 66. Powerful car parts company, ___ Stuff 67. Switch preceder 68. Flattens flats 69. Those that parted before death 70. They are 97% similar to humans, genetically 71. Replay official’s tool

1. Spend time with the lower classes 2. Detective’s tasking 3. Bitterly regrets 4. Scrubbed from the history books 5. Is in the past 6. Option in a Denny’s Grand Slam breakfast 7. Lhasa ___ 8. Creates kindergarten art 9. Participated in a clambake 10. Cheats 11. Wide-eyed 12. Voice mail prompt 13. Mechanics’ best guesses, briefly 18. Like most people 19. Babe and Baby 24. SULTANS’ center 26. Top minor league level 27. Tacks filer 28. Two barbershop groups 29. “___ not much for a man’s religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it” (Lincoln) 30. Heroes of Star Wars’ Battle of Endor 31. Parting words to an alligator 32. Lox holder 36. His museum is in Catalonia, Spain 38. Playboy Centerfold attributes 40. Top tens 43. Flat-bottomed boats 44. Start to ERUPT 46. Peachy-keen 47. Banned pesticide 50. Remove a Onesie 51. Containing quality thyme 54. The A in a clock’s AM 55. Cajun sauce 56. Abundant 58. Garfield’s pal 60. Greece firewater 61. It provides elevation to a carnation 62. Exxon predecessor 64. What you call a group of lawyers 65. Monopoly props. that don’t allow houses

Answers on page 58.

Answer: What the crook discovered when the police dog caught him -- THE LAW HAS TEETH Jumbles: GAWKY ABASH CLOTHE EXCITE

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Letters to editor From page 2 Robinson, designer of the iconic Langston Terrace Housing Complex in 1931; and Albert Cassell, designer of many Howard University buildings, including Founder’s Library and the iconic Mayfair Mansions Housing Complex in 1938. In addition, several of the aforementioned African American architects were also renowned architectural professors at Howard University who taught and mentored Mr. Navy, his partners and me. Marlene E. Jefferson Via email Editor’s note: The article should have stated that Harold Navy helped form the first African American architecture firm in downtown Washington, D.C., not the entire city. Dear Editor: I just finished reading your September article on fraud, “Protect yourself against scams, disputes.” I was involved in online fraud just last week. I received a call and was told that an app that was supposed to work in my computer is no long available and that I would receive a $220 refund. I asked that the check be sent to me directly, but was told that it had to go directly into my savings or checking account. Stupidly, since I was at my computer, I followed [their] instructions to receive the money into my checking account. However, the amount that they put in was $2,200. Of course, I told them that this amount was wrong. After much discussion, I was told to return $1,700 and keep the extra money for my trouble. What I hadn’t noticed [at the time] was that the $2,200 was taken out of my own charge card and transferred to my checking account! [To “return” the $1,700] I was pressed to get a MoneyGram that day, but I told them that I would go the next day. They pleaded with me to go that day or evening to return the money or “the man who posted the $2,200 would get fired.” The next day I went to my bank for the cash and then directly to the nearby Shoppers Warehouse to purchase a MoneyGram. The very nice customer service person saw that the address I was sending the money to was out of the country, in Tiplis, Georgia. She told me to go back to my bank to verify if this is legitimate. I did go back to the bank, and they immediately knew that it was a scam. They told me the money deposited to my checking account came from my own credit card. Of course, I then closed my checking account and opened a new one. I now understand that this scam happens all the time. It can be stopped if everyone would just hang up when [they get a call like this]. Renee Y. Lease Silver Spring, Md.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

Dear Beacon readers: The upcoming election is gravely serious. When you vote, including for those on the “down ballot,” please remember how thoroughly undermined, sold out, corrupted, and nearly demolished are almost all of our country’s precious fundamental institutions over the past eight years by the Obama-Clinton regime. This political machine has severely crippled our very democracy, Constitution, free and independent judiciary, health financing system, homeland security and intelligence institutions, and our national and personal financial security, [while] propelling us in other ways into a $19 billion debt. So, if you wish to preserve our country, you know for whom you must vote. And please, no abstaining. That will only preserve the killing machine, not the country. Lucy Ortega Bethesda, Md.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Beacon!

WB 11/16

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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 page 63. 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.

Caregivers “A” HOME HEALTH CARE – Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in. Flat rate for live-in care. 15 years experience. 240-533-6599. ELDERLY CARE – Male care provider. English speaking with car. I’m experienced in caring for people with MS, Alzheimer’s and other problems. Excellent references, 301-633-1150. ELDERLY CARE – Female with car. Will clean and take to all appointments. Experienced in taking care of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s patients and other health issues. Excellent references. Call Alicia, 240-614-0320. CHEVY CHASE HOME CARE – reliable certified caregivers at time of illness, infirmity, loneliness. Personal assistance, ALL AGES, 4- to 24-hour shifts, homes, hospitals, nursing homes. MD, DC, No. VA. Tel.: 202-374-1240. www.ChChHomecare.com. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A LOVING, CARING, compassionate, dependable and reliable caregiver with years of experience and references for your loved one? Has experience with MS, Alzheimer’s, diabetics and other health problems. Please call, 301-908-9134.

Computer Services PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call: David G at 301-642-4526.

Events HOLIDAY GIFT EXTRVAGANZA & BAKE SAL E –12-2-2016 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church, 610 Largo Road, Upper Marlboro, MD. For more info visit our website www.mountephraim.org or call 301262-9572 or 301-808-1584. Vendors are welcome. Tables are $40, additional tables are $15.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate GET A FAST OFFER ON YOUR NOVA HOUSE today! We buy your house as is. No need to repair. No commissions. Free no-obligation consultation. Female owned, references. Call 703-9695847 or email IBuyFairfaxHouses@gmail.com. LOOKING TO TAKE THE LEAP? I’ll take you on a tour of the community, show you floor plans, discuss campus amenities, & offer how to best coordinate your move. I will set up an automated online search for you, preview units, and contact you to arrange a showing when there is a match. I also offer exceptional service selling your home. I’m a Seniors Specialist, Buyer Broker, Top 1% of Agents Nationwide, and a Leisure World resident! You can see my current listings in this issue. Contact me: 301-580-5556, SueHeyman@aol.com, www.SueHeyman.com, Weichert Realtors.

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

Personal Services

Wanted

NORTH POTOMAC VILLAGE CONDOMINIUM – Where can you find a 2BR/2FB apt. with a separate dining room, balcony, washer and dryer, and reserved garage parking in Montgomery County for $265,900? This 62-yearold-plus community lies in a wooded, tranquil setting and is conveniently located across from Kentlands. Michael Greenberg, Weichert, Realtors. 301-674-7928.

HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE – Looking to clean house. Good references and experience. Please call Vio, 301-706-6317.

LADY WHO LOVES FINE CHINA and crystal would like to buy yours. Especially interested in figurines and dishes by the following makers: Herend, Lenox, Lladro, Meissen, Rosenthal, Royal Copenhagen, Shelley and Wedgwood. Baccarat, Lalique and Waterford stemware and miscellaneous. Bone china cups and saucers, quality dog and cat figurines and sterling silver flatware and hollowware also. (301) 785-1129.

LEISURE WORLD® – $175,000. 2BR 2FB “GG” in the Greens, 2BR 2FB, New paint, enclosed balcony. 1195 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $329,000. 2BR 2FB “QQ” in Vantage Point East. Open table space kitchen, new paint, master bath with separate tub and shower, 1335 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $290,000. 2 BR 2FB “EE” model in “Overlook” with Garage + storage room. Open kitchen, golf course view. 1260 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $154.950. 1 BR 1-1/2 BA “A” in “Overlook,” table space kitchen with window, separate dining room, 930 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $329,000. 2BR 2FB “FF” in “Overlook,” close to elevator, open kitchen, pond view. 1335 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $195,000. 2BR 2FB “B” in “Overlook,” fresh paint, golf course view, 1035 sq. ft., Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $520,000. 3BR 2-1/2BA “L” with garage in “Overlook.” One of a kind unit with enclosed balcony + private open patio, golf course and trees view. 1735 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $264,000. 2BR 2FB “F” in Turnberry Courts. Close to the elevator, table space kitchen with window, lots of closets, 1315 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors. 301-928-3463.

For Sale DISCOUNTED PRICE. Cemetery sites at Mt. Lebanon. Memorial Gardens in Adelphi, MD. 2 sites sold together at discount $1,500 or $900. Contact Mr. Harris, hsaaba@aol.com. Cell, 301655-0606. 2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed. Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures if desired. Call Steve, 410-913-1653.

Health PAID RESEARCH STUDY: Participants needed for hearing experiments conducted at the University of Maryland, College Park. We are seeking people ages 65-85 with normal hearing. Hearing evaluation included as part of the study. Participation time is 16 hours, with reimbursement of $12/hour. Contact The Hearing Brain Lab (301-405-8362; hearingbrainlab@gmail.com). Please mention the “Neuroplasticity Study” when you contact us.

Home/Handyman Services GARDEN ANGLE LANDSCAPING SERVICE: Lawn and yard cleanups etc. Hauling anything. For all your household needs, please give Robert a call at 240-477-2158 or 301-987-1277. Free estimate.

Miscellaneous THE GOLDEN NETWORK offers Jewish seniors and retirees a variety of engaging programs, including lectures, classes, one-on-one learning in person and by phone, concerts, sing-alongs and more! For more information and details about upcoming events, call 301-732-1773, email info@goldennetwork.org, or see goldennetwork.org.

Personals PRETTY WF, 50’S, YOUTHFUL, voluptuous lady, non-smoker, down to earth seeks SWM, 50’s60’s attractive gentleman non-smoker for old fashioned fun, friendship, possibly more who enjoys fine dining, dancing, movies, etc. 301-880-6977. Please leave a voice message with phone number.

MOBILE NOTARY SERVICE – Do you need a notary to legalize your documents? I will visit your home, office, assisted living, nursing or hospital room. Call for reasonable quote. Robert: (310) 709-5880. TURN YOUR STERLING SILVER and old gold jewelry into cash and do something good for yourself. I purchase gold and silver jewelry and coins for my company Gold 4 Good. I will come to your home and provide a no-fee, no-obligation estimate. If you decide to sell, I will transport you to and from my shop in Silver Spring. Local references. Montgomery County license #2327. Call Bob, 240-938-9694. CLEANING SERVICES – Reasonable rates, friendly service. Reliable, responsible and experienced. Call “LU,” 240-593-7829. YOU WRITE, I TYPE. Manuscripts, memoirs, family stories, etc. Help with editing and grammar also available. Contact Liz, 228-3320961(Alexandria), lizperk2@yahoo.com.

Wanted WE BUY GOLD AND SILVER JEWELRY. Costume too. Gold and silver coins, paper money, military, crocks, old bottles and jars, etc. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. WE BUY STERLING SILVER FLATWARE, tea sets, single pieces of silver, large pieces of silver plate. Attic, basement, garage. You have something to SELL, we like to BUY. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES, JEWELRY, ESTATES. I have been advertising in the Beacon for 20 years. Montgomery County resident – will travel to D.C., MD, VA. Buying following items: Furniture, art, jewelry, gold, sterling silver, old coins, vintage pocket and wrist watches, old tools, books, camera, military items – guns, rifles, knives, pocket knives, swords etc. Also buying: old toys, dolls, trains, comic books, photographs, autographs, musical instruments, guitars, violins, etc. Also old sports memorabilia and equipment – baseball, golf, football, fishing etc. Please call Tom at 240-476-3441. A LADY WANTS TO BUY ANTIQUE DOLLS, Bye-lo Babies, Kewpies, old beads, beaded bags, gold and silver hearts, charm bracelets. 202-338-5349. CASH FOR ESTATE BUYOUTS, estate cleanouts, jewelry to furniture, one item or whole estate. Free Estimate, Will Travel. 301-520-0755. CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. We make house calls. Ask for Tom. Call anytime 301-654-8678 or 301-654-0838. STAMP COLLECTIONS, AUTOGRAPHS purchased/appraised – U.S., worldwide, covers, paper memorabilia. Stamps are my specialty – highest price paid! Appraisals. Phone Alex, 301309-3622. Stampex1@gmail.com. MILITARY ITEMS WANTED: Collector seeks to purchase military uniforms; flight jackets, patches, insignia, medals, etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne, and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. ALSO BUYING old Boy Scout, Airline Items, Toys, Lighters. Call Dan, 202-841-3062.

CASH FOR RECORDS, CDs, DVDs AND TAPES. Best price guaranteed. Free appraisals. All types of music, 33, 45, 78 & CDs. Call Steve 301-646-5403. Will make house calls. BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201. STERLING SILVER. TOP DOLLAR paid for silver marked “Sterling,” “925” or “800.” Want flatware, bowls, plates, candlesticks, etc. Please, no silver plate. Call Richard, 301-646-0101. COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, rifles, shot guns, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Large quantities are okay. Will pay top prices for my personal collection. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-9100783. WE PAY CASH for antique furniture, quality used furniture, early American art, pottery, silver, glassware, paintings, etc. Single items to entire estates. Call Reggie or Phyllis at DC 202726-4427, MD 301-332-4697. GET A FAST OFFER ON YOUR NOVA HOUSE today! We buy your house as is. No need to repair. No commissions. Free no-obligation consultation. Female owned, references. Call 703-969-5847 or email IBuyFairfaxHouses@gmail.com. BUYING MILITARY MEMORABILIA WW2, WW1, Civil War uniforms, weapons, photos and items associated with US, German, Japanese or items of other Military History. DAVE, 240-4640958. WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, Guitars, Banjos, Mandolins, etc. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack, 301- 2792158. YOUR KIDS DON’T WANT YOUR STUFF. Sell your heirloom silver and gold jewelry and old coins. Licensed dealer in Silver Spring buys gold and silver. I will meet you at your home or bank, analyze your jewelry, or coins, and tell you how much I can pay if you should decide to sell. No fees or obligation. Call Bob, 240-938-9694. Gold 4 Good. 8241 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring. License #2327. I have references. 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 fro m Oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301-2798834. Thank you.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

SENIOR CENTER BUS

JCA offers door-to-door transportation, Monday through Friday, to Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center in Silver Spring, Md. For more information or to see if you are within the pickup area, call (240) 777-8085 and ask for a nutrition site manager.

Ongoing

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS

The Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna is recruiting medical appointment drivers and companion drivers for older adults. Volunteer drivers pick up rides based on their own schedule and availability. For more information, contact the volunteer coordinator at (703) 2810538 and volunteer@scov.org

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Say you saw it in the Beacon

BEACON BITS

Nov. 13+

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES

TECH CAFÉ

Learn from local teens how to use technology, like smartphones, iPads, tablets, Facebook, email and more on Sunday, Nov. 13 from noon to 2 p.m. Bring your charged device and charger. This free event will take place at Young Israel Shomrai Emunah, located at 1132 Arcola Ave., Silver Spring, Md. A second tech café will take place on Sunday, Dec. 11 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, located at 6125 Montrose Rd. in Rockville, Md. from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Space is limited, so register early. For more information or to register, visit http://bit.ly/TechCafeYise or call (301) 928-0414.

Nov. 17

FEDERAL HEALTH INSURANCE SEMINAR

The Chevy Chase and Georgetown chapters of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) will hold a free seminar on the Federal Health Insurance Program “Open Season” on Thursday, Nov. 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Walt Francis, a health economist and expert on federal health insurance and long-term care programs. The meeting will take place at Iona Senior Services, 4125 Albemarle St. NW, Washington, D.C. For more information, contact Ann Sulkovsky at (202) 5182519 and ansul2032@verizon.net.

Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 20th of each month. Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards. Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $15 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word. Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise. Each ad is $35 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word. Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad. Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

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

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies

Home Health Care

Center for Sleep & Wake Disorders .....................26

Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . . . .17 Elder Caring .............................12 Holy Cross Homecare and Hospice...........................21 Options for Senior America .....40

Computer Classes JCA SeniorTech ......................7-9 TechMedic4U.............................5

Dental Services Cavallo, Joseph P., DDS...........14 Friedman, Stephen, DDS .........37 Lee Dentistry............................27 Oh, Judy, DDS .........................43 Sklar, Andrew, DDS .................31

Home Services A Second Me............................11 Conquer the Clutter....................6 Homefix Custom Remodeling .48 In Order....................................17 Montgomery County Renters Alliance ....................16

Events

Housing

Dementia Care Program...........50 GROWS ...................................38

Almost Home Senior Living ....40 Arden Courts............................30 Ashby Ponds.......................18, 60 Aspenwood Senior Living........20 Bonifant at Silver Spring, The .................23 Brookdale Senior Living..........17 Brooke Grove Retirement Village ...................................19 Buckingham’s Choice ..............54 Charter House ............................6 Chesterbrook Residences ........ 28 Churchill Senior Living ...........21 Culpepper Garden ....................29 Fairhaven ..................................54 Falcons Landing .......................15 Friendship Terrace....................29 Gardens of Traville, The...........10 Greenspring........................18, 60 Homecrest House .....................41 Olney Assisted Living..............30 Park View .................................43 Potomac Place ..........................18 Quantum Property Mgmt............41

Financial Services Capital Bank...............................4 Children’s National Hospital .................................35 PENFED Credit Union ............33 Totally for Seniors....................33

Funeral Services Fram Monuments .....................34 Going Home Cremation...........56

Government Services DC Office of the People’s Counsel ...................33 DC Office on Aging ...........44-45 MC311 .....................................40 Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services ............3, 35

Hearing Services Mendelson Group.....................12

Residences at Thomas Circle ...39 Riderwood..........................18, 60 Shenandoah Senior Living .......10 Springvale Terrace....................29 Tall Oaks ..................................12 Tribute at the Glen ...................34 Victory Terrace.........................51 Waltonwood .............................16

Four Sales LTD ........................39 Healthy Back Store ..................13 Joy for All/Hasbro ....................22 Quinn’s Auction Galleries ........24 WOW! Computer .....................42

Legal Services

Communicare Health ...............23 Greenspring..............................51 HealthSouth Rehab Hospital....27 Homewood at Frederick ...........26 Manor Care Health Services ....28 Village at Rockville .................14

Law Firm of Evan Farr.............34 Law Offices of Paul Riekhof ...35 Legal Counsel for the Elderly ..31

Medical/Health AMS Men’s Health...................20 Grace in Motion .........................6 I Hate Knee Pain ......................11 Low Vision of Maryland ..........11 Medical Eye Center..................51 Silver Spring Medical Center...13 Vascular Institute of Virginia ...24

Miscellaneous Options PrimeTime ..................18 Senior Zone..............................58

Real Estate Long & Foster/Eric Stewart 37,57 Long & Foster/Inderjeet Jumani ...................................16 Weichert/Sue Heyman..............39

Restaurants Original Pancake House...........49

Retail/Pawn/Auction Bathwraps ................................25 Dan Kugler’s Design Center..............................59, 64 Five Colors ..............................23

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation

Subscriptions Beacon Subscription ................61 Washington Jewish Week.........58

Theatre/ Entertainment Arena Stage..............................53 Arts Barn..................................53 Candlelight Concerts................56 Kennedy Center .......................55 MBT Dance..............................52 Toby’s Dinner Theatre ..............52 US Air Force Band ...................54 Washington Ballet ....................53

Tour & Travel Eyre Travel ...............................48 Nexus Holidays ........................47 Tripper Bus ..............................49 US Navy Memorial ..................49 Vamoose...................................47 Walper Travel ...........................47

Volunteers/Careers Beacon Sales ............................36 Career Gateway ........................36

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