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Bantering with presidents “How are you photodogs doing?” former President George H.W. Bush would ask the photographers huddled and standing at the ready in the White House to snap his picture. Franklin D. Roosevelt called them “the boys.” Harry Truman dubbed them “the stills.” Such relationships were important to White House photographers, as their access to good shots could be strictly controlled. Clearly, Brack was in good with many of them. He photographed Lyndon Johnson showing his belly scar from a gall bladder operation; Gerald Ford clad in a bathrobe after a White House swim; Nancy and Ronald Reagan somberly walking through the U.S. Military Cemetery in Normandy, France; and Nixon waving goodbye to Washington. That last one was “the classic Nixon Double Whammy, his arms straight out and both hands making the ‘V’ sign,” Brack wrote in his book. “Photos should tell a story,” Brack said in an interview, with or without a caption. The Clinton years offered particularly interesting fodder, and were like “watching a Shakespearean play.” On one especially propitious day, Brack snapped a picture of President Clinton and the First Lady with pained expressions after the president’s affair became public. On the day of Clinton’s second inauguration, photographer Diana Walker got a shot

JUNE 2014

PHOTO COURTESY OF DENNIS BRACK

By Glenda C. Booth White House news photographers are a unique clan. They crawl around on the White House floor, dart into the Oval Office for a quick shot, perch on stepladders, wait in the Rose Garden, and travel on Air Force One and press planes to memorialize presidents, posed and unposed, for all time. Former White House photographer Dennis Brack, 74, has brought this privileged workforce into focus in his recently published book, Presidential Picture Stories: Behind the Cameras at the White House. It’s not only a close-up look at the work of White House photojournalists since 1920, but an inside story about how presidents from Woodrow Wilson to Barack Obama have related to them.

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LEISURE & TRAVEL Photojournalist Dennis Brack has photographed 10 presidents, from JFK to Barack Obama, at the White House and on the campaign trail. His recently published book about the work of presidential photographers, Presidential Picture Stories: Behind the Cameras at the White House, includes many famous shots as well as unfamiliar, intimate ones from behind the scenes.

of daughter Chelsea Clinton opening her coat to show her mother her very short skirt, Brack related. “The first lady’s body language made a caption for Walker’s photograph totally unnecessary,” he mused.

An impressive start There are two types of White House photographers, Brack explained. Official photographers are paid by the government. The other type are news photographers, admitted to the White House on assignment for various news organizations. Brack, who now lives in the Mt. Vernon area of Alexandria, Va., started taking pictures on assignment as a college student. He was represented by the Black Star

agency, which has been a major New Yorkbased photographic agency since 1935. He continued moonlighting as a photographer — taking pictures for the Washington Post Sunday Magazine and Newsweek — even while studying for a law degree at the George Washington University Law School. He obtained his law degree in 1965, but “I didn’t practice law because I knew I’d be competing [for business] with people who had a passion for law much like my passion for photography,” Brack said. “I would always lose!” But he has nearly always won big in his 53-year career as a photojournalist. In See PHOTOGRAPHER, page 60

Portland is known for its food, beer and coffee; plus, Normandy 70 years after D-Day, and Bob Levey on train travel page 49

FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k 10 top medical breakthroughs SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

LAW & MONEY 33 k Investing in “frontier” markets LIFETIMES k News from the Charles E. Smith Life Communities

STYLE & ARTS k Frankie Valli on the Fourth

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Privacy for sale There was a time we spoke about our Years later, my mom told me that the re“right to privacy” or our “reasonable expec- porter had confided in her about President Kennedy’s many liaisons durtation of privacy” as though ing his first years in office, we understood what those which were well known among phrases meant. It was a given the press corps. of American values that every When I asked why the reindividual had a fundamental porter hadn’t publicized the right to be left alone to pursue fact, my mom said it wasn’t his or her own form of happiconsidered appropriate to do ness as long as the rights of so at the time. First, it was a others were respected. private matter. And second, There was a whole realm of JFK was such a respected and private life, where what you did admired public figure that no “behind closed doors” was FROM THE one wanted to damage his generally not subject to public PUBLISHER scrutiny. Yes, many states long By Stuart P. Rosenthal image. Similarly, even until rather had laws proscribing certain behaviors in bedrooms, but they were gener- recently, professional paparazzi were denounced for snapping photos of the rich ally ignored and virtually never enforced. Speaking of which, people who lived and famous in their private lives for permuch of their lives in public — politicians, sonal gain. Remember the revulsion at the celebrities — naturally had a more con- paparazzi car chase of Princess Diana that strained expectation of privacy. They, in a ended in her untimely death? But today, things appear to have comsense, earned their livings off the public, so they were expected to understand that pletely changed. We are all paparazzi, their private lives would be of particular in- every one of us with a cell phone, either terest to the masses. Still, generally only brazenly or surreptitiously snapping, sleazy publications would actually seek out videoing or recording whatever we choose private information about their personal at any time — the more private, the better. In our post 9/11 world, cameras are behavior and relationships. When I was growing up, my mother was filming every inch of every public thorgood friends with the Washington correspon- oughfare 24 hours a day, in some places dent for our local paper in Fort Worth, Texas. whiffing the odors that escape our bodies

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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 • Graphic Designer ..............................Kyle Gregory • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock, ................................................Dan Kelly, Cheryl Watts • Publishing Assistant ....................Rebekah Sewell

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or packages. And it’s not just out on the street. The interiors of almost every mall and building, including the elevators and probably a number of bathrooms, are wired (or wi-fied) for sound and closed-circuit television. Those “security cameras” were placed there, with general public consent, to help protect us from (or catch) terrorists and criminals. Within hours, we knew what one of the Boston Marathon bombers looked like, thanks to them. But how quickly they’ve morphed into means for security guards or passers-by to make a fast buck by copying salacious or amusing footage and selling it to a TV station, gossip website or political enemy. Even private cellphone conversations can be easily hacked and taped, then publicized worldwide within minutes. A person’s whole life can change in an hour. In addition, much of our “identity” — our credit card numbers, personal information, shopping history — is now in the “cloud,” where it can easily be stolen by hackers, even from huge, sophisticated organizations like (the ironically named) Target. It’s not just the new technology and concern over national security that have shrunk our zone of privacy to almost nothing. We the people are also responsible. We live in an age where most of us willingly “agree” to turn over much of our private information to companies when we like the discounts or coupons we get in return. We shower publicity, and often adulation

and even money, on people who “share” with us personal information, photos and film about the private lives of the rich and famous, not to mention classified data and security secrets of government at every level. Popular mobile apps like Snapchat were created to simplify the sending of naked photos to friends and others. For years now, reality shows have been the most popular shows on television. People willingly put their whole lives on public display — their search for a job, their search for a spouse, their home life — for the sheer pleasure of becoming celebrities of a sort or winning a big prize at the end. We seem to have an insatiable appetite for such material. Salacious videos “go viral” (reach millions of people online within hours) because there’s such a demand for them. In a culture where another person’s private life is deemed sacrosanct, videos of private encounters simply would not go viral. There’s a great supply because there’s a great demand. To maintain a sphere of privacy, we as a society — and as individuals — have to value personal privacy, make an effort to maintain our privacy, and discourage or ostracize those who invade others’ privacy. Until we do so, we can’t be surprised that we get the world we deserve; the world we have made for ourselves.

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 email to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: Regarding Robert Friedman’s article on the brain (“Can you expand your brain?” May), this is just a layman’s opinion, but what I find is that the brain usually still contains the information. It’s those pathways bringing it forward that get clogged. You still know that person’s name or the movie or song, but it might not pop up for an hour or two or the next day. When you hear a joke that needs context from your brain, it goes right over your head. Unfortunately, I do not know the mental floss needed to clear them. Ira Thompson Silver Spring, Md. Dear Editor: That was a lovely and moving tribute to his father, Leonard, that Beacon publisher Stuart Rosenthal wrote (“A man of valor,” April). Thank you for sharing it. He truly gave back to the wider world, volunteering to help seniors and sparking a son’s interest in elder affairs. Margaret Engel Bethesda, Md.

Dear Publisher: I want to let you know how much I enjoyed your wonderful editorial about your father. I felt I knew him, the values I have admired in so many people of our parents’ generation and older, how you and he related, and your tremendous admiration and love for him. Thank you. Elizabeth Fox Coordinator, D.C. Senior Advisory Coalition Washington, D.C. Dear Publisher: Allow me to express my appreciation, as many others have done, for your touching article on the death of your father and your follow-up column, expressing more personal feelings about the way your family is coping with your father’s loss (“Once more, with feeling,” May). Don’t stop writing these personal columns, because many of us identify with them and find them comforting. Gwen Gibson Austin, Texas

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Health Fitness &

EYEING TROUBLE Floaters and flashes are often harmless, but sometimes serve as a warning BONE UP ON BONE LOSS Learn how aging affects bones, and how to strengthen yours APPS THAT TRACK MEDS Phone apps can remind you to take pills and help you keep a record UNLIKELY HEALTH FOODS Eggs, nuts, potatoes and chocolate can be good for you in moderation

10 innovations will reshape medical care The Cleveland Clinic asked 100 of its top experts — people who focus on patient care every day — to offer insights on which medical breakthroughs are set to reshape healthcare this year. Here are their “top 10” answers: 10. Targeted cancer therapy There’s new hope for people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a cancer responsible for 4,400 American deaths per year. After promising clinical trial results, the first-in-class oral drug ibrutinib is expected to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of CLL. The drug targets malignant cells while sparing a patient’s immune system. 9. Heart risk screened through the gut In 2013, researchers added a new biomarker to the hunt for heart disease: TMAO. Your body produces TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide) when your gut bacteria digest choline, which is found in egg yolks, red meat and dairy products. Choline is thought to promote hardening of the arteries. TMAO provides an accurate screening tool for predicting future risks of heart attack, stroke and death. 8. Personal sedation station Novel, personalized “sedation station” technology will allow healthcare profession-

als other than anesthesiologists to deliver the light sedation required for life-saving colonoscopies. The technology could help bring the nationwide cost of this crucial test down by an estimated $1 billion per year. 7. Hope for acute heart failure Heart failure accounts for 55,000 deaths annually in the U.S. There had not been a major treatment breakthrough in two decades — until serelaxin. This synthetic version of a human hormone gained “breakthrough” status from the FDA in 2013. Serelaxin study results reported a 38 percent reduction in death rates after six months in patients with acute heart failure, compared with those who received standard therapy. 6. Fecal transplant restores balance In fecal microbiota transplantation, doctors transfer a liquid suspension made from a healthy person’s fecal matter into a sick person’s colon. The goal is to restore bacterial balance and fight infections and diseases. This approach could become a primary therapy not only for treating deadly and difficult C. diff infection, but also for inflammatory bowel disease. 5. Decision support for smarter surgery A new anesthesia management system helps surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses

and others make smarter decisions in the operating room. The system not only records everything that happens before, during and after surgery, it also has an alert system — inspired by technology used in jets — that highlights potential problems in real time. 4. Breakthrough for hepatitis C Until 2011, there were no proven medicines for patients who didn’t respond to traditional therapy for hepatitis C. But two drugs, telaprevir and boceprevir, made the top 10 innovations list that year. Now, another — Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), the first all-oral therapy — further expands the list of treatment options. The drug promises the highest cure rates ever, reduced treatment time and fewer side effects. [See “New hepatitis C pill is quick, costly cure,” May Beacon.] 3. Device disrupts seizures The seizures that come with epilepsy disrupt life, but a new neurological device can disrupt seizures. For patients with intractable epilepsy, in which treatment fails to control seizures, the experimental technology is especially promising. The surgically implanted device can detect triggers of an impending seizure and deliver short electrical pulses to interrupt them before symptoms occur.

2. Genomic tests for managing cancer Genomic-based tests have brought a new age of cancer diagnosis and precision medicine. These tests analyze the genes in an individual’s tumor to predict how it will behave. Past tests have improved management of breast and colorectal cancers, and in 2013, the FDA approved a similar test for prostate cancer. The goal of these tests is to avoid aggressive treatment when it is not needed — and save lives when it is. 1. The bionic eye becomes reality In the past, there was no effective treatment for late-stage retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a disease that causes most patients to be legally blind by age 40. A new technology featuring a retinal prosthesis — commonly called the “bionic eye” — will make a big difference. While the technology does not restore complete vision, it does allow people to detect light and dark in the environment and to identify the location or movement of people and objects. WhatDoctorsKnow 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.whatdoctorsknow.com. © 2014 Whatdoctorsknow.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

New model aims for old-fashioned care By Christopher J. Gearon Joe McDonald, 70, of Fairfax, Va., really likes his primary-care doctor. And it’s no wonder. The retired finance manager can get same-day appointments at the Fairfax Family Practice, e-mail his physician or drop by the practice’s walk-in clinic, even on weekends. On a secure website, McDonald renews prescriptions and reviews test results. Everything is “right at my fingertips,” he said. McDonald’s doctor alerts him when he’s due for a colonoscopy or other screening. While the physicians in the practice refer the tough cases to specialists, they help patients manage chronic conditions, from diabetes to heart disease. And they perform some procedures right in the office, such as the removal of moles and the casting of broken bones. Most important to McDonald: His

physician has taken the time to get to know his patient. “I get that one-on-one personal relationship with him,” he said. Fairfax Family Practice is one of 12 offices of Fairfax Family Practice Centers, which includes 120 providers, among them nutritionists and physical therapists. FFPC is at the forefront of a growing trend called “patient-centered medical homes.” Studies indicate that this approach to primary care saves money, reduces unnecessary services and improves health.

Coordinated care Medical homes are a modern-day version of the old-fashioned family doctor, who performed a wide range of medical services, and offered emotional, as well as clinical, support. This updated model of primary-care delivery organizes all facets of a patient’s care. Doctors, nurses, care managers and

medical assistants typically work as a team to oversee a patient’s care. Medical homes coordinate all referrals to specialists, and then track those visits. They help patients manage medications prescribed by all doctors. Medical homes also coordinate care among facilities, following the patient from hospital to rehabilitation facility to home. They use electronic medical record systems to track their own performance and their patients’ health and outcomes, and to provide patients with online access to their physicians and personal medical records. To call itself a medical home, a practice must get certification from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a nonprofit healthcare accreditation organization. There are 6,800 certified medical homes throughout the country, up from 28 in 2008. “Medical homes are the fastest-growing

delivery system innovation,” said Andy Reynolds, an assistant vice-president at the NCQA. A big reason for the surge: After noting evidence that the patient-centered approach pays off, insurers and health plans are willing to pay primary-care doctors in these practices a bit more. Today, it’s common for insurers to pay primary-care practices $50 or more per patient each year to give more personalized care. Among the positive research, a study of a medical home pilot at some of the 26 medical centers of Seattle-based Group Health Cooperative — which combines hospitals, medical practices and health plans — found that the quality of care was higher and patients were more satisfied than at the cooperative’s other centers. The study evaluated chronic illness care, See MEDICAL HOMES, page 5

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The federal Affordable Care Act has “provided a lot of oomph” to medical homes, said Marci Nielsen, chief executive officer of the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative, an association of healthcare providers. The law is spurring changes to how healthcare is paid for — away from fee-forservice payments that encourage more services, and toward models that promote cost efficiencies while improving medical outcomes. The new law is financing demonstration programs that pay providers a single payment for “bundles” of services during an episode of care. Pilots also are testing extra payments to providers who can prove better outcomes on selected measures. And they’re evaluating team-based approaches, such as medical homes, by paying doctors more to cover patient education and care coordination. Medicare is testing the value of medical homes. In one program, Medicare is pay-

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medication monitoring and other quality measures. And for every $1 invested, Group Health saved $1.50 by reducing emergency-room and hospital use. The results persuaded the cooperative to expand the medical home model to all of its medical centers. [Ed’s note: However, a recent study, which tracked 32 medical home practices in Pennsylvania and compared them to 29 regular practices over three years, found quality improvement in only one of 11 areas, and no statistically significant reductions in hospitalizations, ER use or costs from the medical home model. The study was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.]

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ing 1,200 medical practices in Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont to provide healthcare in a medical home to more than 900,000 beneficiaries. In another, Medicare is paying 500 medical practices in Arkansas, Colorado, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma and Oregon an average of $240 a year per patient. In Vermont, medical homes have been taken to a new level, thanks to a state-organized effort called Blueprint for Health. Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurers are making per-patient payments each month to support medical homes. As a result, all Vermonters have access to a medical home, which includes roaming “community health teams.” Vermont’s community health teams are made up of nurses, health coaches, nutritionists, social workers and mental health professionals. Doctors can refer a patient to a team, which visits patients at home if, for example, the patient is newly diagnosed with depression or diabetes. The team can arrange for a patient’s transportation to a doctor’s appointment or pay for new prescriptions for patients who can’t afford them. To find a medical home near you, make sure the practice is recognized by the NCQA. Go to http://recognition.ncqa.org to search medical homes by type and state. There are hundreds throughout the Greater Washington area. If you live in a state where Medicare is piloting medical homes, you can ask your primary-care doctor if he or she participates in the Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative or the Multi-Payer Advanced Primary Care Practice demonstration. © 2014, Kiplinger. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Floaters and flashes warn of eye trouble By Patrick J. Skerrett “Floaters” and flashes are a common sight for many people. Floater is a catchall term for the specks, threads, or cobweblike images that occasionally drift across the line of vision. Flashes are sparks or strands of light that flicker across the visual field. Both are usually harmless, but can be warning signs of trouble in the eye, especially when they suddenly appear or become more plentiful.

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A floater is a tiny cluster of cells or fleck of protein lodged in the vitreous humor. This clear, stable gel, which looks like raw egg white, supports and fills the rear twothirds of the eyeball. The vitreous provides a pathway for light coming into the eye through the lens. The vitreous also connects to the retina — the patch of light-sensitive cells along the back of the eye that captures images and sends them to the brain via the optic nerve.

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What you see isn’t actually the floater itself, but the shadow it casts onto the retina. Floaters move as your eyes move. They appear to zoom away when you try to look directly at them, and drift slowly when your eyes stop moving.

Incidence rises with age The vitreous slowly shrinks with age, causing it to become a bit stringy. The strands cast shadows on the retina, causing floaters. About one-quarter of people have some vitreous shrinkage with floaters by their 60s; that rises to about two-thirds of 80-year-olds. Floaters also appear more often in people who are nearsighted, those who’ve had cataract surgery or a previous eye injury, and those with diabetes. Although most people tolerate floaters just fine, others feel that floaters affect their vision and disrupt their ability to read. Flashes occur when the vitreous gel bumps, rubs or tugs against the retina. Like floaters, flashes are generally harmless and require no treatment. Sometimes, however, floaters and flashes signal a condition that can lead to vision loss. “A new onset of floaters may herald retinal disease,” said Dr. Jeffrey Heier, director of the retina service at Ophthalmic

Consultants of Boston and clinical instructor in ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School.

Retinal detachment The shrinking vitreous can tug on the retina and pull away from it. This event, called a posterior vitreous detachment, is common, and usually doesn’t threaten vision. In about one in six people, however, a posterior vitreous detachment causes the retina to tear. Fluid from inside the eye can then seep through the tear and separate the retina from the tissues that nourish it. This separation, called retinal detachment, can lead to permanent vision loss. Retinal tears and detachments are painless. Key warning signs include: —A new onset of floaters and flashes —Gradual shading of vision from one side (like a curtain being drawn across your field of vision) —Rapid decline in sharp, central vision. This occurs when the macula (the area of the retina responsible for central vision) detaches. If you experience any of these warning signs, call your doctor right away. You’ll need to see an ophthalmologist for an eye See FLOATERS, page 9

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Think Again. Think Holy Cross Hospital for some of the brightest minds in Neuroscience Care.

Jeremiah Wille is Bowled Over by Neuroscience Expertise With a Doctorate of Science, Jeremiah Wille knows a lot about the human body and how it works. So last year when a spate of headaches—and the accompanying numbness and tingling on his left side— steadily grew worse, Jeremiah knew it was time to find a doctor of his own.

Dr. Amini, who has seen perhaps five of the unusual growths in his career. Removing the tumor was tricky, due to its size—imagine an orange—and location deep within the center of the brain. Dr. Amini and his team would have to go through a lot of important structures to reach their target. That’s where Holy Cross Hospital’s team of specialized neuroradiologists came in. “We carefully plotted out the best pathway to avoid any damage to areas that controlled important functions,” says Anil Narang, DO, neuroradiologist, Holy Cross Hospital.

But nature wouldn’t wait. “I was walking down a hall at work and stumbled,” the 34-year-old says. A couple of medical officers—physicians—saw me and were alarmed. They insisted I get an evaluation right away.” Fortunately for Jeremiah, he went to the Emergency Center at nearby Holy Cross Hospital, which, as home to an established neuroscience program, assures aroundthe-clock coverage for urgent brain and spine problems. There, staff immediately summoned Amin Amini, MD, neurosurgeon.

Amin Amini, MD Neurosurgeon Holy Cross Hospital

“There was this huge growth in my brain,” Jeremiah says. “My first thought was, ‘Oh, no— they’re going to have to remove that!’” Thankfully, Holy Cross Hospital has a team of experienced neurologists,

“I’m still amazed by how large the tumor was, and how fully I recovered, thanks to the great skill of Dr. Amini and the neuroscience team at Holy Cross Hospital.” -Jeremiah Wille

neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists and other specially trained staff uniquely equipped to deal with the most complex conditions. Jeremiah was admitted on the spot to the Neuro Critical Care Unit (NCCU), which is staffed with specially trained nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who provide around-the-clock patient assessment and monitoring. “The mass was an incredibly rare tumor, called a central neurocytoma,” says

During the six-hour operation, Dr. Amini used advanced microsurgical techniques to painstakingly pull out every bit of the tumor through a small hole in Jeremiah’s brain, less than 2/3" wide. Jeremiah then spent the next few days in the NCCU. Jeremiah came through with flying colors. Six days after his trip to the Emergency Center, he was home. “I was very lucky to have found a great hospital with an amazingly talented neurosurgeon. I can’t say enough about Holy Cross Hospital, its care and expertise.”

To learn more about brain surgery at Holy Cross Hospital call 301-754-8266 or visit HolyCrossHealth.org/brain

FREE PHYSICIAN LECTURES All lectures are held at Holy Cross Hospital, 1500 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910. To register or for more information, call 301-754-8800 or visit HolyCrossHealth.org.

Wed., June 25, 6 p.m. What is Epilepsy? How Does It Affect You?

Wed., July 23, 6 p.m. Wed., September 24, 6 p.m. Alzheimer’s and PET Scan: Management of Brain Tumors What Can They Tell You? with Stereotactic Radiation

Gregory Mathews, MD, Epileptologist

Anil Narang, DO, Neuroradiologist

Daniel Clarke, MD, Radiation Oncologist

Wed., October 22, 6 p.m. General Movement Disorders Anne Constantino, MD, Movement Disorders Specialist

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Aquatic exercise is safe, gentle, effective When you’re struggling with joint pain, gravity can make exercise an unpleasant experience. But exercising in water, also known as aquatic therapy, can change all that. “It enables you to do many of the same exercises you’d do on land without applying the same force on your joints,” said Gayle Olson, a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Performance Center at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston. “One of the things people love about it is the feeling of buoyancy. It takes pressure off your body, and that brings immediate relief to painful areas,” Olson said. Buoyancy is just part of the magic. The water also provides resistance to your

body, which helps you build muscle and bone strength. And the warmth of the water encourages you to move, which has a helpful side effect: Repetitive movement pumps a natural lubricant called synovial fluid into the joints. Another plus of aquatic therapy is that it’s a safe exercise. Not only is it gentle on arthritic joints, which can help prevent further injury, but it also poses less danger from falls compared to land exercise. “If you fall during aquatic therapy, you just get wet, not hurt,” said Olson.

How to exercise in water A typical aquatic therapy class takes place in a large pool and lasts for 30 to 60

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minutes. If you’re disabled or have a balance problem, you’ll be encouraged to bring a partner along to help keep you stable in the water. After floating for a few moments to get used to the water, often with the help of a small flotation device (think pool noodle), you’ll begin a workout. The types of exercises you can do in the pool can vary as widely as on land. “You can move your arms to work on improving posture, do combination movements for a good core muscle workout that helps your back, or do balance activities. You can also do an aerobic workout by marching, walking, running, jumping and swimming,” said Olson. You can also work out with special weights that float.

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If you’re interested in taking an aquatic therapy class, Olson recommends looking at your local YMCA, JCC, fitness center, senior center or hospital. But don’t expect insurance to pay for it. “Medicare and other insurers rarely cover the costs, although some insurance plans offer a reimbursement if you participate in a fitness activity,” said Olson. You may be able to get coverage for aquatic therapy if your doctor prescribes it as physical therapy. And many physical therapy groups offer therapy in a pool. Olson said to look for either a groupbased rate of up to $15 per class or a perSee WATER EXERCISE, page 9

Finding local classes Aquatic exercise classes abound in the region, from gentle water exercise for those with arthritis, to deep water “running.” Every local recreation department offers water exercise classes throughout the year, primarily in indoor pools. Look online or call your local recreation department for more information.

In Maryland:

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Where to find it

Montgomery County Dept. of Recreation www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec (240) 777-6840 Prince George’s County Dept. of Parks and Recreation www.pgparks.com/parks_and_rec_h ome.htm (301) 699-2255

In Virginia: Alexandria Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities http://alexandriava.gov/Recreation (703) 746-4357 Arlington Parks and Recreation http://parks.arlingtonva.us (703) 228-7520 Fairfax Parks and Recreation www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/parks (703) 324-7329

In D.C.: District of Columbia Dept. of Parks and Recreation http://dpr.dc.gov/service/activitiesprograms (202) 673-7647

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Water exercise From page 8 sonal trainer fee of $35 to $60 per halfhour. That can be an expensive way to exercise. So Olson advises that you go and watch a class or training session first, be-

Floaters From page 6 exam as soon as possible. If a tear is detected early, treatment can prevent the retina from detaching. Tears can be treated several ways. Pinpoints of laser light can be used to fuse the retina to the back wall of the eye. Laser photocoagulation is usually done in a doctor’s office. The ophthalmologist uses a laser to make a series of tiny burns around the retinal tear. This creates a barrier of scar tissue that stops the tear from getting bigger. Extreme cold, a procedure called cryopexy, does much the same thing. Cold and laser light can also be paired

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

fore you jump in. Just about anyone can take an aquatic therapy class. It’s helpful to people who have chronic pain from arthritic joints or fibromyalgia, and for people who are disabled. It’s also considered safe for people who have balance problems or disability

from multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke. Can’t swim? Usually that’s not a problem; you can wear a life vest. Olson also recommends the therapy for people who are recovering from surger y, once wounds have healed. But aquatic therapy

isn’t right for people with open wounds, infectious disease, seizure disorders or incontinence. — Harvard Health Letter © 2014. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

with the injection of a gas bubble into the eye (pneumatic retinopexy) to repair a detached retina. Two operations, scleral buckling and vitrectomy, can also be used to reattach a retina.

If floaters become a nuisance, Dr. Heier recommended this trick in “The Aging Eye,” a special health report from Harvard Medical School for which he is a medical editor: Move your eyes up and down, or left and right. That can shift the floater and

provide temporary relief. Patrick Skerrett is executive editor of the Harvard Health Letter. © 2014. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Living with floaters If your floaters aren’t a sign of retinal damage, they may disappear, become less noticeable, or stay and become irritating. Some clinicians perform and promote laser treatment for benign floaters, but this approach hasn’t been carefully studied in a clinical trial, Dr. Heier said. Floaters can be removed, but for most people the risk the surgery poses to vision is greater than the problem posed by the floater.

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Health Shorts Young blood rejuvenates old mice If Mickey Mouse is feeling his age at 86, scientists might have found just the tonic: the blood of younger mice. Older mice got stronger, exercised longer and performed better mentally after they were injected with blood from young mice, or even just with a substance that’s more abundant in younger blood, U.S. researchers found. Someday, if more research goes well, this may lead to a way to treat some infir-

mities of old age in people. In the meantime, scientists have a warning for do-ityourselfers. “Don’t try this at home,” said Saul Villeda of the University of California, San Francisco, an author of one of three papers published by the journals Nature Medicine and Science. He worked with mice that were roughly the equivalent of people in their 20s and 60s. Researchers repeatedly injected the older mice with blood from either the younger animals or other aged mice. Those that got the young blood did better in learning and memory tests than the mice given the older blood. For example, they performed better at recalling where to find a submerged platform in a maze. Villeda said the researchers are trying to figure out what’s in the young blood that

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

made the difference. The two other papers, from Harvard University, focused on a substance that is more abundant in the blood of younger mice than old. That protein, called GDF11, is also found in human blood and its concentration also appears to decline with age, said Amy Wagers, an author on both papers. On average, aging mice that got injections of it showed greater grip strength and more endurance on a treadmill than untreated mice. The Harvard scientists also found that exposing older mice to the blood of younger mice produced more blood vessels and blood flow in the brain. Injections of GDF11 had a similar effect. Lee Rubin, a study author, said those results suggest further work may lead to a

way to treat age-related mental decline and perhaps dementia in people. — AP

Statin users eat less healthily Ten years of U.S. data suggest cholesterol-lowering statins are giving patients a license to pig out. Calorie and fat intake increased among statin users during the decade — an indication that many patients might be abandoning heart-healthy lifestyles and assuming that drugs alone will do the trick, the study authors said. They said the goals of statin treatment See HEALTH SHORTS, page 11

BEACON BITS

June 17+

FREE WORKSHOP FOR DIABETICS

Dr. Neal Barnard, an adjunct associate professor of medicine at George Washington University, will host a free five-class diabetes workshop on Tuesdays, beginning June 17 at Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, 5100 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Ste. 400, Washington, D.C. A plant-based, vegan diet is shown to be three times more effective than drugs at lowering blood sugar. Participants will learn how to reverse type 2 diabetes with low-fat foods, including chocolate mousse, black bean burritos and spicy kale salads. Cooking instructor Ajani Simmons will guide cooking demos, lead grocery store tours, and offer some of his favorite nutrition tips, such as using black beans in brownies, to help people boost insulin metabolism. For more information, visit www.PCRM.org or call (202) 527-7314.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Health shorts From page 10 should be to help patients achieve benefits unattainable by other methods, “not to empower them to put butter on their steak.” Statins may keep cholesterol low even if people eat less healthy food and slack off on exercise. But those bad habits can contribute to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and other problems that are bad for the heart. Dr. Rita Redberg, the editor of JAMA Internal Medicine, which published the study, said it “raises concerns of a potential moral hazard of statin use,” in addition to already known potential side effects risks including muscle aches and diabetes. “Statins provide a false reassurance,” she said. “People seem to believe that statins can compensate for poor dietary choices and sedentary life.” The researchers examined 1990-2010 government health surveys involving nearly 28,000 adults aged 20 and older. Different people were surveyed each year, underwent physical exams and blood tests, and reported their food intake. The portion who used statins steadily increased, from 8 percent in the first year to 17 percent in the final year. Statin users in the first year consumed on average 2,000 calories daily; those in the final year consumed 2,192 daily calories. Average fat intake also increased, from 72 grams daily to 82 grams daily. Experts generally recommend no more than 77 grams daily for adults consuming 2,000 calories daily. The increase was seen in total fat intake and saturated fats, the least healthy kind. Average body-mass index (BMI) among statin users increased from 29 — just below the cutoff for obesity — to 31, or one point higher than that cutoff. Diabetes also increased — 29 percent of statin users had it in 2010 versus 22 percent in the study’s first year. A link between statin use and diabetes has been documented previously, but reasons for the trend in the study are uncertain. Calories and fat intake were lower among statin users than nonusers early on, but by the final years that difference vanished.

BEACON BITS

June 27

WALKING EXERCISES

Calories, fat intake and diabetes remained stable among adults not using statins, and there was a smaller increase in body-mass index among nonusers, although the average BMI remained in the overweight category throughout. — AP

Falls a problem for middle-aged, too

ed being injured from falls; 17 percent compared to 12 percent in the older group. About half of Americans 65 and older complain of arthritis symptoms, such as joint pain and stiffness. Nearly a third of middle-aged people have arthritis. The number has been growing, mostly because of overweight baby boomers. Arthritis can make it harder to balance

intensity walking exercises on Friday, June 27. Dr. Dan Kulund will discuss walking exercises that use objects, such as benches, walls, poles and trees, as props. Learn these simple exercises at Virginia Hospital Center, 601 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, Va. To RSVP or for more information, call (703) 558-6859.

and it can sap lower-body strength, contributing to falls. Walking and moderate physical exercise are recommended for those with arthritis to keep symptoms from getting worse, said the CDC’s Kamil Barbour, the study’s lead author. The report is based on a 2012 survey of 339,000 people ages 45 and older. — AP

Falls are just as much of a problem for middle-aged adults with arthritis as they are for older people, according to a new government survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a telephone survey, about a third of adults 65 and older with arthritis said they had taken a tumble in the last year. But slightly more of those aged 45 to 64 reported falling. More of the middle-aged group report-

AVOID KNEE SURGERY New FDA Approved Treatment Proven to Relieve Knee Pain

HAS KNEE PAIN BROUGHT YOU TO YOUR KNEES? END YOUR SUFFERING! Chronic pain can be excruciating, and millions of people suffer just like you do, every single day. And just like you, others have spent years looking for answers about how to deal with extreme knee pain that stems from arthritis, osteoarthritis, sports injuries, and other sources. Physicians have spent years trying to find ways to relieve their patients' p ' ain. And pharmaceutical companies have also spent years looking for better ways to mask the pain. Advanced Spine & Wellness Center has found a natural way to eliminate your daily suffering and chronic knee pain. This FDA approved treatment can get you back to living an active lifestyle WITHOUT surgery and the endless trial and error cycle of trying different pain medications. The results can be felt almost immediately, as quickly as the time it takes to make a call to Advanced Spine & Wellness Center for your FREE consultation.

If You Consider Surgery, Consider This! Here are the facts to take into consideration about knee replacement surgery: • Surgery is costly, regardless of the percentage of services covered by insurance. • Surgery requires lost time from work and typically requires a regimen of rehabilitation and medications. • With surgery, there is always a risk for unwelcome complications. And you could be back to where you started. • Medications will be required for relief from surgery, and you have been down that road before. Potentially, addictions to these pain medications can cause side effects, something you do not want to experience. • Rehabilitation can take years.

It’s Time To Consider The Alternative Advanced Spine & Wellness Center offers you a real opportunity and a painless way to say goodbye to your knee pain without any surgery. What are the important things you should consider? • No lost time at work • No high costs for rehabilitation • No possible addictive consequences of medication • FDA approved treatment covered by most insurance plans and Medicare • Recovery time is almost instant, not months or years

Virginia Hospital Center presents a lecture on low-

What Is This New Treatment?

BE WARY of Other Facilities That: • Don't Incorporate Physical Therapy into their Viscosupplementation therapy program • Perform "blind" injections without the use of high tech-equipment to precisely locate the joint • Don't give you specific Home Exercises to ensure the best possible outcomes

Relief begins with a simple injection that causes little to no pain at all, especially compared to the pain you have been feeling on a daily basis. Through the use of diagnostic ultrasound, Advanced Spine & Wellness Center pinpoints the exact location of the pain within your knee. A synthetic synovial fluid, consisting of a carbohydrate substance already produced by your body within your joints, is then injected into the targeted area. Once inside, the synovial fluid immediately goes to work reducing the swelling and inflammation in the joint and adds a coated layer of protection. You will begin to feel immediate relief and be on your road to recovery almost instantly. It is that simple, it is fast, and no surgery is required!

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Ways to strengthen bones and slow loss By Dr. Bart Clarke Dear Mayo Clinic: What’s the difference between osteoporosis and osteopenia? Are they treated differently? Answer: Osteoporosis and osteopenia are related conditions connected to bone health. Bones are in a constant state of renewal. Your body regularly makes new bone and breaks down old bone. When you’re young, your body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone, and your bone mass increases. Most people reach their peak bone mass in their mid-20s to mid-30s. As people age, bone mass is lost faster than it’s created. That means the higher your peak bone mass is when you’re young, the more bone your body has to sustain bone health throughout the rest of your life.

Osteopenia develops when a person’s bone density is below normal. This condition raises the risk of bone fractures. Osteopenia can be a precursor to osteoporosis, but that’s not always the case. Osteoporosis occurs when the body’s creation of new bone can no longer keep up with the breakdown of old bone. This leads to bones becoming weak, brittle and easily broken. Treatment for these disorders is similar because the treatment goals for both are to strengthen bones and slow bone loss.

Diagnosing bone loss Osteopenia and osteoporosis are often diagnosed based on results of a bone density test. The test measures how many

grams of calcium and other bone minerals are in a segment of bone. Bones that are most commonly tested are in the spine, hip and forearm. The higher the bone mineral content, the denser the bones are. The denser the bones are, the stronger they are and the less likely they are to break. Results of bone density tests are reported in a number called a T-score. A T-score of -1 or higher is considered normal. Tscores between -1 and -2.5 are labeled as osteopenia. A T-score of -2.5 or lower indicates osteoporosis. In some situations, a person may be diagnosed with osteoporosis if she or he has a bone that breaks easily, even if the Tscore is not in the osteoporosis range. Osteoporosis requires treatment. Treatment may be appropriate for osteopenia in some cases. Medications called bisphosphonates are often prescribed for people who have osteoporosis and osteopenia. These drugs are useful because they have been shown to slow the bone breakdown process. Examples of bisphosphonates include alendronate (brand name: Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel) and ibandronate (Boniva), among others.

Diet and exercise can help Getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet also can help keep your bones

healthy. Men and women between the ages of 18 and 50 need 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. This daily amount increases to 1,200 milligrams when women turn 50 and men turn 70. Good sources of calcium include low-fat dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables, canned sardines with bones, canned salmon, and soy products. Many cereals and juices also are calcium-fortified. Vitamin D is necessary for your body to absorb calcium. People may get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight, but many do not. If you’re diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis, your doctor can do a blood test to check your level of vitamin D. If it is too low, you may need a vitamin D supplement. Regular exercise can help build strong bones and slow bone loss, too. A combination of strength training exercises with weight-bearing exercises is usually best. Strength training helps strengthen muscles and bones in your arms and upper spine. Weight-bearing exercises — such as walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, skipping rope or skiing — have a positive effect on the entire skeleton, and in particular benefit the bones in your legs, hips and lower spine. Swimming, cycling and exercising on See STRONG BONES, page 14

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Gene therapy may boost cochlear implants By Lauran Neergaard Australian researchers are trying a novel way to boost the power of cochlear implants: They use the technology to help gene therapy better penetrate into nerve cells in the ears of deaf animals, and they found the combination improved hearing. The approach isn’t ready for human testing, but it’s part of growing research into ways to let users of cochlear implants experience richer, more normal sound. Normally, microscopic hair cells in a part of the inner ear called the cochlea detect vibrations and convert them to electrical impulses that the brain recognizes as sound. Hearing loss typically occurs as those hair cells are lost, whether from aging, exposure to loud noises or other factors.

Cochlear implants substitute for the missing hair cells, sending electrical impulses to directly activate auditory nerves in the brain. They’ve been implanted in more than 300,000 people. While highly successful, they don’t restore hearing to normal, missing out on musical tone, for instance.

Boosting nerves The idea behind the project: Perhaps a closer connection between the implant and the auditory nerves would improve hearing. Those nerves’ bush-like endings can regrow if exposed to nerve-nourishing proteins called neurotrophins. Usually, the hair cells would provide those. Researchers at Australia’s University of

New South Wales figured out a new way to deliver one of those growth factors. They injected a growth factor-producing gene into the ears of deafened guinea pigs, animals commonly used as a model for human hearing. Then they adapted an electrode from a cochlear implant to beam in a few stronger-than-normal electrical pulses. That made the membranes of nearby cells temporarily permeable, so the gene could slip inside. Those cells began producing the growth factor, which in turn stimulated regrowth of the nerve fibers — closing some of the space between the nerves and the cochlear implant, the team reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine. The animals still needed a cochlear implant to detect sound — but those given the gene therapy had twice the improvement, researchers concluded.

Human studies in a few years

Strong bones

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. To submit a question, write to: medicaledge@mayo.edu. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com. © 2014 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All Rights Reserved Distributed By Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 12

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machines such as elliptical trainers can provide a good cardiovascular workout. Because these exercises are low impact, however, they are not as helpful for improving bone strength as weight-bearing exercises. — Bart Clarke, M.D., Endocrinology,

Senior author Gary Housley estimated small studies in people could begin in two or three years. “That’s a really clever way” of delivering the nerve booster, said Stanford University otolaryngology professor Stefan Heller, who wasn’t involved with the Australian work. “This is a promising approach.” But Heller cautioned that it’s an early first step, and it’s not clear how long the extra improvement would last or if it really would spur richer sound. He said other groups are exploring such approaches as drug coatings for implants. Heller’s own research is aimed at re-growing hair cells. The work was funded by the Australian Research Council and manufacturer Cochlear Ltd. — AP

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Phone apps can help keep track of meds By Linda A. Johnson Medicine only helps if you take it properly. And adhering to an exact schedule of what to take, and when, can be challenging for patients who are forgetful or need to take numerous medications each day. Doctors warn about the consequences, and urge patients to use various techniques to remind them to take their morning and bedtime medicines — such as using divided pill boxes or putting their pill bottles beside their toothbrush. Still, only about half of patients take medication as prescribed, resulting in unnecessary hospital admissions and ER visits that cost the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $290 billion a year. To help combat the problem, many doctors are trying a more high-tech approach: They’re recommending smartphone apps that send reminders to patients to take their medications and record when they take each one. “I think it’s going to become pretty standard” for doctors to recommend them, said Dr. Michael A. Weber, a cardiologist at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Weber began recommending apps to patients a few months ago, and already has seen better lab results from some who are using them. “Some people say, ‘That’s a great idea,’” Weber said. “Even ones who claim they’re conscientious like the reminders.” He said the apps are particularly helpful for patients with symptomless conditions, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Those patients are less likely to regularly take their medications than someone with pain or an infection. “I don’t think [the apps are] going to change the world,” Weber said. Though he recognizes the benefit of smartphone

apps, he said they won’t do much to help people who simply don’t like taking medicine, fear side effects or can’t afford their prescriptions. It’s too soon to tell how well the apps keep patients compliant or how long they keep using them. Darrell West, director of the Center for Technology Innovation at the independent public policy group Brookings Institution, said some doctors have reported better medication adherence, but there haven’t been large scale studies on the effectiveness of such apps.

Apps galore The apps began appearing a few years ago and now there are dozens. Available functions include providing more detailed information on the patient’s medication and illness, prompts to refill prescriptions, email alerts about possible drug interactions, doctor locators and more. Some have symptom checkers, and one called iPharmacy can identify pills when patients enter their shape, color and imprinted text. Others are for patients with complex chronic diseases, such as cancer (CareZone Cancer), diabetes (Diabetes Pacer, which also tracks blood sugar and exercise) or HIV (My Health Matters, from drugmaker Merck & Co.). For those patients, getting off schedule or ignoring symptoms can have particularly serious consequences. Still more apps take distinct approaches. For instance, Mango Health lets users earn points for complying with their medication schedule. Those points can be turned into gift cards or charitable donations. CEO and founder Jason Oberfest, for-

merly head of game platforms at MySpace, said Mango Health partners with doctors and health insurers who are recommending its app to patients and customers. The app, featured in Apple’s iTunes store, gives a history showing users daily results and point total, plus graphs comparing an individual’s adherence to other app users. According to the company, 46 percent of its monthly visitors use the app daily and 60 percent are still using it after four months.

For widely used classes of drugs for depression, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, the company claims at least 80 percent of its users take their meds as prescribed. That’s compared to 59 percent or less in independent studies of overall patient adherence for those drug classes. “We’ve heard from people using the application as old as their mid-’70s and older,” Oberfest said, but it’s especially See APPS FOR MEDS, page 16

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

How Medicare covers your eye care By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior: What does Medicare cover when it comes to eye care? I currently have good vision insurance through my employer, but will lose it when I retire. Looking Ahead Dear Looking: Many retirees are unclear about what Medicare does and doesn’t cover when it comes to eye care. The good news is that Medicare covers most serious medical issues, like cataract surgery, treatment of eye diseases and medical emergencies. But unfortunately, routine eye exams and eyeglasses are usually the beneficiary’s responsibility.

Here’s a breakdown of how original Medicare covers your eyes, along with some tips that can help you reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Exams: Routine eye exams (sometimes called “eye refractions”) that test for eyeglasses or contact lenses are usually not covered under Medicare, but you are entitled to a yearly medical eye exam if you have diabetes or are at high risk for glaucoma. People at high risk include diabetics, those with a family history of glaucoma, and older Hispanics and African-Americans. Medicare will also pay for exams to test and treat medical eye diseases and other problems like macular degeneration, dry

eye syndrome, eye infections, or if you get something in your eye. Eyeglasses and contact lenses: Medicare does not pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses, with one exception: If you have had a conventional intraocular lens inserted during cataract surgery, Medicare will pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses following the operation. Otherwise, you are on your own. To find affordable eye exams or eyeglasses, many retailers provide discounts — between 10 and 30 percent — if you belong to a membership group like AARP or AAA. Also consider Costco Optical, which is considered by Consumer Reports as the best discount store for good eyewear and low prices. Costco membership requires a $55 membership fee. Walmart Vision Centers and For Eyes Optical also offer low prices, with no required membership. You can also save big by buying your glasses online. Some online stores — like zennioptical.com, goggles4u.com and eyebuydirect.com — sell prescription eye-

Apps for meds From page 15 popular with the 35-to-55 age group, people familiar with video games.

How to choose an app

Questions and Answers with Wendy & Cady

Why would someone move to Brightview Fallsgrove? Simply put: to live life to the fullest. The people who have moved to Brightview enjoy a worry-free lifestyle. Because we take care of the chores, they can pursue their passions and spend time with friends and family. And, if some support services are needed, we have the knowledge and experience needed to provide services of the highest quality.

What kinds of people have moved to Brightview Fallsgrove? Most people either lived within about 10 miles of the community or have family members nearby. You won’t be surprised to learn that many are from Rockville proper, and nearly all the nearby towns are represented. People from all walks of life call Brightview Fallsgrove home. We’re priced for the middle income homeowner, and you will find our fee is much more inclusive than most other communities. Please make it a point to visit Brightview Fallsgrove.

Call Wendy or Cady at 240-314-7194 to schedule a convenient time to visit. /(&& :Whd[ijemd HZ$" HeYal_bb[" C: (&.+& 8h_]^jl_[m<Wbbi]hel[$Yec

• Check whether it’s available for your smartphone’s operating system. Some are only available for one system or haven’t been updated for the latest phones. • Ask your doctor’s opinion. Some may not be up on the different apps, but have staff members who can help patients pick and install apps.

glasses for as little as $7. To purchase glasses online, you’ll need your prescription and pupillary distance from an exam, and your frame size. Eye surgeries: Medicare covers most eye surgeries, including surgery to remove cataracts and insert standard intraocular lenses to replace your own. Medicare will not, however, pick up the extra cost if you choose a specialized lens that restores full range of vision, thereby reducing your need for glasses after cataract surgery. The extra cost for a specialized lens can run up to $2,500 per eye. Eye surgeries that are not covered by Medicare include refractive surgery (such as LASIK and similar vision-correction surgery) and cosmetic eye surgery (such as eyelid surgery) that are not considered medically necessary.

Supplemental insurance Keep in mind that, of the medical eye care services that are covered by Medicare, See VISION COVERAGE, page 18

• Start with one of the many free or lowcost apps. Search your app store for “medication reminder.” • Think about what you’ll really use. If you only want reminders to take your pills, that’s all you need. If you’re taking multiple drugs or change medications often, you might prefer an app with information on your condition, drug interactions and other details. • To protect your privacy, pick one with password protection. • If your life is hectic, consider one with a snooze function. — AP

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; J U N E 2 0 1 4

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Spotting pneumonia early can be difficult Pneumonia is treatable, but spotting the infection early is a challenge. The disease has multiple symptoms that can lead people to think their illness is nothing more than the common cold or flu. “It’s a tough disease to diagnose,” said Dr. Marie Budev, pulmonologist and the medical director of Cleveland Clinic’s lung transplant program. “Both can have the symptoms of coughing, fever and chest pain.” Budev urges any person experiencing chest pain or breathing complications to immediately see a doctor. Pneumonia-like symptoms in very young children or adults over 65 are a particular cause for concern. It’s critical to get treatment for pneumonia as soon as possible. It can cause permanent

lung damage if left untreated for too long. Because pneumonia shares symptoms with the common cold and flu, people often rely on home treatment instead of seeking medical help. But if you don’t see improvement in a few days, don’t just let it go. “Pneumonia symptoms last longer than the cold and flu,” said Budev. “Using the home therapy of rest, fluids and over-thecounter medicine is OK, but if you’re still experiencing coughing, chest pain and congestion after three to five days, you should go see a doctor.”

Viral vs. bacterial Those with viral pneumonia often experience mild fatigue, congestion and coughing

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without mucus. Since the symptoms of viral pneumonia are usually considered mild, minimal treatment is required. It can be more serious, however, for young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. People with bacterial pneumonia will often have colored mucus, a fever and chest pain. They should seek medical attention to prevent lung damage. Bacterial pneumonia can sometimes develop after a cold or flu, and often is caused by exposure to the streptococcus pneumonia germ. Budev stressed the importance of flu shots and good hygiene because influenza can leave people vulnerable to more serious infections such as pneumonia.

“The flu can be prevented,” said Budev. “Antibiotics can’t fight off viruses, so in some severe cold and flu cases they will be ineffective. “People just need to get a flu shot in preparation for the flu season months of January and February. People need to consistently wash their hands to prevent contraction and spreading of the infection.” Cause for concern: Symptoms beyond three to five days. These persistent or severe symptoms are red flags: Serious congestion or chest pain, difficulty breathing, a fever of 102 or higher, and coughing that produces pus. ©2014 Whatdoctorsknow.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Vision coverage

Medicare Advantage plan instead of original Medicare. Many of these plans — which are sold through private insurance companies (see www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan) — cover routine eye care and eyeglasses along with dental, hearing and prescription drugs, in addition to all of your hospital and medical insurance. Or, if you choose original Medicare, consider purchasing an individual vision insurance policy (see www.ehealthinsurance.com). These policies cover routine eye care and eyeglasses and typically run between $12 and $15 per month. Send your questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

From page 16 you’re still responsible for 20 percent of the cost — Medicare pays the other 80 percent. To help with this out-of-pocket expense, you may want to consider getting a Medigap supplemental policy. If you can’t afford Medigap insurance, check into EyeCare America at www.eyecareamerica.org. This is a national program utilizing volunteer ophthalmologists that provides medical eye examinations to those 65 and older, and up to one year of treatment, at no cost for those who qualify.

Advantage option Another way you can get extra vision coverage when you join Medicare is to choose a

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

FOR ADULTS WITH DUPUYTREN’S CONTRACTURE WHEN A “CORD” CAN BE FELT

YOU MAY HAVE MORE OPTIONS THAN YOU THINK, AND THAT’S

NO SMALL THING XIAFLEX FOR INJECTION

ASK YOUR DOCTOR IF SOMETHING NONSURGICAL CAN BE DONE NOW Dupuytren’s contracture is a disorder of the hand that can worsen over time. XIAFLEX is the only FDA-approved therapy that is administered during an in-office nonsurgical procedure to treat Dupuytren’s contracture where a “rope-like” cord can be felt. A hand specialist trained to inject XIAFLEX performs the procedure, and no general anesthesia is required for administration. Studies show that prescription XIAFLEX may help straighten the affected finger and improve range of motion. These results have been shown in contractures ranging from less severe to more severe. And that’s no small thing. In two clinical studies, 64% and 44% of people receiving XIAFLEX (versus 7% and 5% of patients receiving placebo) had a straight or nearly straight finger after up to 3 XIAFLEX injection procedures. Most people required 1 or 2 injection procedures with XIAFLEX to help “break” the cord. Since February 2010, approximately 45,000 people have had their Dupuytren’s contracture treated with XIAFLEX. Watch a video about one person’s treatment experience, and find more information at XIAFLEX.com. Then, talk with your doctor to see if XIAFLEX may be right for you.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Do not receive XIAFLEX if you have had an allergic reaction to collagenase clostridium histolyticum or any of the ingredients in XIAFLEX, or to any other collagenase product. XIAFLEX can cause serious side effects including tendon rupture (break), ligament damage, nerve injury or other serious injury of the hand, or allergic reaction. Surgery could be required to fix the damaged tendon or ligament. Call your doctor right away if you have trouble bending your injected finger after the swelling goes down, pain, tingling, numbness, or problems using your treated hand or if you get hives, swollen face, breathing trouble, or chest pain. Bleeding or bruising at the injection site can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX. It’s important to tell your doctor about a prior allergic reaction to XIAFLEX, or if you have a bleeding problem or use a blood thinner. Common side effects include hand swelling, bruising, injection site reaction or bleeding, and pain. XIAFLEX should be injected into the cord by a healthcare provider who is experienced in injection procedures of the hand and treating people with Dupuytren’s contracture. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Product Information on the following page.

Find a XIAFLEX-experienced hand specialist near you. Use the Physician Locator tool at XIAFLEX.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 1-877-XIAFLEX

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Important Product Information XIAFLEX® (Zī a flex) (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) For injection, for intralesional use Read this Important Product Information before you receive XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture and each time you get an injection. There may be new information. This Important Product Information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. What is the most important information I should know about XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture? XIAFLEX can cause serious side effects, including: 1. TTendon rupture or ligament damage. Receiving an injection of XIAFLEX may cause damage to a tendon or ligament in your hand and cause it to break or weaken. This could require surgery to fix the damaged g tendon or ligament. g Call yyour healthcare pprovider right g awayy if yyou have trouble bending your injected finger (towards the wrist) after the swelling goes down or you have problems using your treated hand after your follow-up visit. 2. Nerve injury or other serious injury of the hand. Call your healthcare provider right awayy if you get numbness, tingling, or increased pain in your treated finger or hand after your injection or after your follow-up visit. 3. Allergic reactions. Severe allergic reactions can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX, because it contains foreign proteins. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction after an injection of XIAFLEX: • Hives, swollen face, breathing trouble, chest pain What is XIAFLEX? XIAFLEX is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with Dupuytren’s contracture when a “cord” can be felt. It is not known if XIAFLEX is safe and effective in children under the age of 18. Who should not receive XIAFLEX? Do not receive XIAFLEX if you: • have had an allergic reaction to collagenase clostridium histolyticum, or any of the ingredients in XIAFLEX, or to any other collagenase product. See the end of this Important Product Information for a complete list of ingredients in XIAFLEX. Talk to your healthcare provider before receiving this medicine if you have any of these conditions. What should I tell my healthcare provider before receiving XIAFLEX? Before receiving XIAFLEX, tell your healthcare provider if you: • have had an allergic reaction to a XIAFLEX injection in the past, have a bleeding problem, have received XIAFLEX to treat another condition, have any other medical conditions, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if XIAFLEX will harm your unborn baby. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XIAFLEX passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive XIAFLEX. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using XIAFLEX with certain other medicines can cause serious side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take: • medicines to thin your blood (anticoagulants). If you are told to stop taking a blood thinner before your XIAFLEX injection, your healthcare provider should tell you when to restart the blood thinner. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines, if you are not sure. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. How will I receive XIAFLEX? • XIAFLEX should be injected into a cord by a healthcare provider who is experienced in injection procedures of the hand and treating people with Dupuytren’s contracture. • YYour healthcare provider will inject XIAFLEX into the cord that is causing your finger to bend. • After an injection of XIAFLEX, your affected hand will be wrapped with a bandage. You should limit moving and using the treated finger after the injection. o Do not bend or straighten the fingers of the injected hand until your healthcare provider says it is okay. This will help to keep the medicine from leaking out of the cord. o Do not try to straighten the treated finger yourself. • Keep the injected hand elevated until bedtime. • Call your healthcare provider right away if you have: o signs of infection after your injection, such as fever, chills, increased redness, or swelling, numbness or tingling in the treated finger, trouble bending the injected finger after the swelling goes down • Return to your healthcare provider’s office as directed on the day after your injection. During this first follow-up visit, if you still have the cord, your healthcare provider may try to extend the treated finger to “break” the cord and try to straighten your finger. • YYour healthcare provider will provide you with a splint to wear on the treated finger. Wear the splint as instructed by your healthcare provider at bedtime to keep your finger straight. • Do finger exercises each day, as instructed by your healthcare provider. • Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about when you can start doing your normal activities with the injected hand. What are the possible side effects of XIAFLEX? XIAFLEX may cause serious side effects, including: • See “What is the most important information I should know about XIAFLEX?” • increased chance of bleeding. Bleeding or bruising at the injection site can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a problem with your blood clotting. XIAFLEX may not be right for you. The most common side effects with XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture include: • swellingg of the injection j site or the hand, bruisingg or bleedingg at the injection j site, pain p or tenderness of the injection site or the hand, swelling of the lymph nodes (glands) in the elbow or armpit (axilla), itching, breaks in the skin, redness or warmth of the skin, pain in the armpit Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects with XIAFLEX. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. General information about the safe and effective use of XIAFLEX. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in the Important Product Information. This Important Product Information summarizes the most important information about XIAFLEX. If you would like more information, talk to your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about XIAFLEX that is written for health professionals. For more information, go to www.XIAFLEX.com or call 1-877-663-0412. What are the ingredients in XIAFLEX? Active ingredient: collagenase clostridium histolyticum Inactive ingredients: hydrochloric acid, sucrose, and tromethamine. The diluent contains: calcium chloride dihydrate in 0.9% sodium chloride This Important Product Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufactured and distributed by: Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Chesterbrook, PA 19087 Based on PL-1109-001.e Approved: 12/2013 XDC-00721

J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Heart palpitations are usually benign Have you ever experienced the sensation that your heart has skipped a beat or suddenly started to race or even pound? Those sensations are known as palpitations. While frightening, they’re not usually a sign of something serious. “Palpitations are most often benign in nature,” said Dr. Peter Zimetbaum, a heart rhythm specialist and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. Still, palpitations occasionally may be a symptom of a potentially serious condition, so it’s important to evaluate them.

Causes and symptoms Palpitations are very common. They can be caused by many things, such as caffeine, stress or thyroid problems. People describe different sensations as “palpitations” — an occasional sudden and forceful “thump” in the chest, a pounding (but not rapid) heartbeat, a very rapid heartbeat, or a heartbeat that’s not regular. Some people experience palpitations when they’re upset or stressed. Others notice palpitations that don’t seem related to any event or feeling; they simply appear out of the blue and then suddenly disappear. So how do you know when palpitations warrant a visit to the doctor? “Palpitations that are experienced as a fleeting symptom generally require no evaluation. Palpitations that last for more than a few seconds to minutes, or are associated with lightheadedness or passing out should be evaluated thoroughly,” Dr. Zimetbaum said. Some people are more likely to experience them, including people who: —have heart problems such as heart failure, heart valve disease, previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy, —take medications with stimulants, such as thyroid medicines or those prescribed for asthma, or —have high levels of anxiety or stress.

Diagnosis and treatment Because palpitations come and go, your doctor will rely on other symptoms to help diagnose the underlying cause. You’ll need to share information such as when the palpitations occur, how often, and what they feel like. You should mention additional symptoms if you have them, such as chest pain, a feeling of breathlessness, or lightheadedness.

It’s also important to note how you were feeling emotionally when a palpitation occurred, and the activity you were performing. After hearing about your symptoms, your doctor may order an electrocardiogram (ECG). In this test, technicians place small, thin metal plates (electrodes) on your chest to measure your heart’s electrical activity. The test takes no more than a minute. Your doctor may also have you wear a small monitor that records your heart rhythm for up to 48 hours. If your palpitations are associated with chest pain or provoked by exertion, your doctor may order an exercise stress test. If your doctor is worried that you may have serious blockages in the arteries of your heart, he or she may order a coronary angiogram to take pictures of the arteries. Once your doctor pinpoints the problem, treatment can begin. Sometimes the cause is an abnormality of the heart, such as atrial fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder) or mitral valve prolapse (a leaky heart valve). Sometimes palpitations are the result of another condition such as anxiety or stress, a thyroid disorder, low blood sugar, asthma or low potassium. Treating the underlying condition can often resolve the palpitations. Common palpitation triggers include: Stress, anxiety, or panic; dehydration; low potassium; low blood sugar; too much caffeine or alcohol; nicotine; exercise; standing up; swallowing; fever; asthma medication; thyroid medication; other medications; menopause or heartburn.

What you can do If you are experiencing palpitations, it’s important to take notes on your symptoms, including how often they occur and when, and bring the notes with you to a doctor appointment. This information helps your doctor begin to diagnose the cause of the palpitations. If you notice that your palpitations aren’t interfering with your daily life, try simple home remedies: practice meditation and relaxation exercises, cut back on caffeine and alcohol, make sure you eat regularly to avoid low blood sugar, and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. — Harvard Health Letter © 2014. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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June 24

DRUMMING TO FIGHT CANCER Hope Connections for Cancer Support presents a free drumming

class. Ancient rhythm techniques have been shown to accelerate physical healing, boost the immune system, and produce feelings of well-being. Multi-instrumentalist Stream Ohrstrom will lead on Tuesday, June 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call (301) 634-7500.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

FDA reconsiders safety of pelvic mesh

More complications The FDA’s proposal comes nearly three years after the agency first concluded that women getting the mesh have more complications than women who undergo traditional surgery with stitches. An agency analysis found that 10 percent of women experienced mesh erosion within 12 months, meaning their mesh had worn its way through the vaginal wall into the surrounding tissue or organs. More than half of these women required followup surgery to remove the mesh — sometimes two or more procedures.

Mesh products were initially pitched to doctors as a high-tech improvement over surgery, but the FDA found no evidence that they improve safety outcomes. “The FDA has identified clear risks associated with surgical mesh for the transvaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse, and is now proposing to address those risks for more safe and effective products,” said William Maisel, chief scientist for the FDA’s device center. The first pelvic mesh products for women received fast-track approval from the FDA because they were deemed similar to mesh long used to treat hernias. At the time, the FDA classified all pelvic mesh as a “moderate-risk” device, not subject to the rigorous testing of high-risk implants. Under the proposal, companies would have to submit clinical data establishing their devices’ safety for pelvic collapse before gaining FDA approval. The agency will take comments on the plan through July 28.

a statement that J&J stopped selling its pelvic prolapse mesh products in 2012, “in light of changing market dynamics.” The company continues to sell mesh to treat stress urinary

incontinence, which causes bladder leaks. Woodruff said those devices “are considered by many to be the gold standard of treatment” for incontinence. — AP

Thousands of lawsuits Injuries caused by mesh for pelvic collapse are the subject of more than 22,000 personal injury lawsuits against leading manufacturer Johnson & Johnson. Women suing the company allege that New Brunswick, N.J.-based J&J was aware of the risks of its product but did not warn the public. Gay Courter of Crystal River, Fla., said she was “heartened” by news that the FDA plans to reclassify the devices. “We look to the FDA to protect women because corporations who profit from these products have not responsibly done long-term testing or reporting of adverse events,” said Courter, one of several mesh patients who spoke against J&J at its annual shareholders’ meeting. J&J spokeswoman Sheri Woodruff said in

WHAT MATTERS MOST TO

you? “If my mom wants to stay at home, I’ll do all I can to honor that. I just want what she wants.” When we ask people caring for a loved one at the end of life what matters most, this is what we hear. But we also hear about how the responsibility can be overwhelming for the whole family. And what an incredible relief it is when people

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By Matthew Perrone Makers of trouble-prone implants used to surgically repair women’s pelvic problems would be subject to stricter safety requirements under a recent federal proposal. The Food and Drug Administration says plastic mesh used to repair pelvic collapse should be reclassified as a “high-risk” medical device, following years of reports of pain, bleeding and infection among women who have received the implants. If adopted, the change would require manufacturers to submit studies demonstrating that their products are safe and effective before they can be sold. The FDA proposal does not apply to mesh products used to treat incontinence, hernia and other conditions not related to women’s health. Plastic mesh has been used since the late 1990s to strengthen the pelvic wall in cases of pelvic organ prolapse, in which the bladder or other reproductive organs slip down into the vagina. The condition is common among older women and those who’ve had children. The most common technique for implanting the mesh involves a surgical insertion through the vagina.

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Health Studies Page

J U N E 2 0 1 4 — 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

Volunteers 65+ sought to test new vaccine By Barbara Ruben The intestinal disease caused by Clostridium difficile bacteria is a serious, and sometimes fatal, illness. The bacteria are named “difficile,” Latin for difficult or obstinate, because they can multiply in the intestines when other (helpful) bacteria are destroyed by long-term antibiotic use for other conditions. The result can be that patients in hospitals and long-term care settings who are taking antibiotics for pneumonia and other illnesses develop a serious case of watery diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain caused

by proliferating C. diff. The disease can also seriously or fatally impair the intestines. The infection rate of those ages 65 and older is 10 times higher than that of younger people. Furthermore, cases of C. diff. infection are on the rise and getting more difficult to treat. Disease cases doubled from 2001 to 2011, and deaths related to it increased 400 percent between 2000 and 2007, due in part to a stronger germ strain and antibiotic resistance. The disease is also affecting younger adults and those outside health-

care facilities at increasing rates.

ticipants experience any side effects. Redness or inflammation at the injection site is the most common known side effect.

Can a vaccine stop C. diff? “C. diff is becoming more and more challenging to treat, both in the hospital and outpatient settings. Developing preventative strategies is essential to control outbreaks in hospitals and homes,” said Steve Poretz, an RN with the Clinical Alliance for Research & Education — Infectious Diseases (CARE-ID). CARE-ID, located in Annandale, Va., is now studying a new bacterial vaccine manufactured by Pfizer to prevent C. diff. The vaccine is in its first stage of testing in the U.S., and has been given to about 200 people so far. The drug company Sanofi Pasteur is also testing its own vaccine in other studies. The Pfizer trial is studying those ages 65 to 85 in the United States. A separate trial of the vaccine in Canada targets those ages 50 to 64. The vaccine is manufactured from C. diff bacteria that have been killed, so recipients cannot get C. diff from the vaccine. Researchers will be measuring whether study participants develop antibodies to the disease due to the vaccine. Researchers will also study whether par-

Healthy volunteers needed Those in the study will get an injection once a month for three months. Three of every four participants will get the investigational vaccine, and one will receive a placebo injection with no active ingredients. Neither the participants nor the researchers will know who is getting the C. diff vaccine and who the placebo. Participants will need to visit the clinic in Annandale 11 to 13 times over 13 to 15 months. To qualify for the study, participants must be between 65 and 85 years old and in general good health. They cannot have had C. diff in the past or a severe reaction to any vaccine. They also cannot have an autoimmune disease or a compromised immune system. Participants may receive up to $500 in compensation for taking part in the study. For more information, or to volunteer, call (703) 560-4821 or email info@careidresearch.com. More details are available at www.careidresearch.com.

BEACON BITS

June 9

EYE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

Learn about the latest developments in the prevention and treatment of eye disease from experts at the NIH’s National Eye Institute (NEI) at Vision Matters 2014, an eye research symposium on Monday, June 9 from 10:30 to 1 p.m. This free event will include low-vision resource and technology exhibits. To register or for more information, call (301) 348-3760.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Some ‘unhealthy’ foods are good for you When you envision foods that wreck your diet or sabotage your health, what pops into your mind? There’s a good chance the list of foods you imagine includes options that could actually help you reduce stress, prevent heart disease, and ward off certain cancers. Unfortunately, once a food gets labeled “bad for your health,” it never seems to lose that description — even when new studies contradict previous claims. You can buck the trend. Here are five foods to consider adding back to your diet.

1. Eggs Old thinking: Eggs will raise cholesterol and your chances of developing heart disease. New thinking: Eggs are loaded with antioxidants, protein and nutrients vital to good health. For example, a 2011 study found that regular egg consumption helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer due to their high antioxidant content. Additional studies have found that eggs may help reduce blood pressure. Further, new research out of Yale University has found that eggs can be incorporated into a heart healthy diet without negative effects on cholesterol, weight or endothelial function. As with all good things,

though, just be sure to eat eggs, and particularly egg yolks, in moderation.

2. Nuts Old thinking: Nuts are too fattening. New thinking: In truth, any food consumed in too great a quantity will cause weight gain. However, when eaten in appropriate portions — always check the serving size as a guideline — the protein and healthy fats found in nuts may actually help you lose weight. In addition to weight loss, eating nuts has been associated in several studies with reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Walnuts, which contain hearthealthy omega-3 fats, are a particularly good option.

4. Potatoes Old thinking: All potatoes are too fattening. New thinking: Potatoes are naturally high in fiber and contain virtually no fat. Furthermore, certain potatoes may play a role in reducing the risk of a silent killer — but the type of potato matters. A 2012 study found that purple potatoes helped lower blood pressure in hypertensive, obese individuals without causing weight gain. Sweet potatoes and purple potatoes are tops when it comes to nutrient density, but what you put on your potato (or don’t put on it) will make or break an attempt at a healthy meal. Forgo the sour cream, bacon bits, butter and cheese. Opt for fresh veggies and herbs instead.

3. Chocolate Old thinking: It’s a sweet treat, so it must be bad. New thinking: The old thinking does apply to chocolate treats with a lot of added sugar. However, dark chocolate — look for cocoa content of at least 70 percent — is loaded with flavonoids, the same beneficial compounds found in berries, red wine and tea. An ounce of chocolate a day has been shown to reduce risks for heart disease, and an ounce and a half may help reduce stress.

5. Soy Old thinking: Eating soy increases

your risk of disease. New thinking: Soy is certainly controversial, but as with some of the foods mentioned above, the type of soy you eat matters. Many concerns are associated with highly processed soy products, but numerous studies looking at isoflavones and protein in whole soy sources — think miso, tofu and edamame — demonstrate the benefits associated with this legume. Highlights include reduction in cancers of the breast (for women on certain types of therapy), prostate and colon, and improvement in heart health. WhatDoctorsKnow is a magazine devoted to information on health issues from physicians, major hospitals and clinics, universities and healthcare agencies across the U.S. Online at www.whatdoctorsknow.com. © 2014 Whatdoctorsknow.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

July 6

SEE MADAME BUTTERFLY

Arlington County will sponsor a day trip to Castleton, Va. to see Madame Butterfly, the classic opera set in Japan, on Sunday, July 6. Brunch will be before the performance at Flint Hill Public House (on your own). The bus will depart from Lubber Run Park and Community Center, 300 N. Park Dr., Arlington, Va. at 9:30 a.m. and will return at 7 p.m. The trip costs $93 for residents and $96 for non-residents. For more information or to register, visit http://bit.ly/ArlingtonOnline or call (703) 228-4748.

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ALEXANDRIA (703) 765-7044 1636 Belle View Blvd. ANNANDALE (703) 256-4030 7205 Little River Turnpike BAILEY’S CROSSROADS (703) 820-6360 3535 South Jefferson Street CENTREVILLE (703) 631-9440 5652 Pickwick Road CHANTILLY (703) 378-2337 3919 Centreville Road RD. DALE CITY (703) 680-2023 4338 Dale Blvd. FAIRFAX (703) 378-7550 13031 Lee-Jackson Highway FAIRFAX (703) 560-4862 3053 Nutley Street FALLS CHURCH (703) 538-6926 6637 Arlingon Blvd. FALLS CHURCH (703) 560-7280 8124 Arlington Blvd, Yorktown Center

J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

FALLS CHURCH (703) 534-4500 1150 West Broad Street HERNDON (703) 471-7000 1062 Elden Street MCLEAN (703) 356-5900 1452 Chain Bridge Road SPRINGFIELD (703) 978-8810 8928 Burke Lake Road SPRINGFIELD (703) 451-1400 6436 Springfield Plaza SPRINGFIELD (703) 569-1220 8330 Old Keene Mill Rd/Cardinal Forest Plaza VIENNA (703) 938-2374 337 East Maple Street WOODBRIDGE (703) 494-3126 13600 Jefferson Davis Highway

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Natural remedies for high blood pressure Dear Pharmacist: ACE inhibitors — Popular ones are Are there any natural remedies I lisinopril, benazepril and enalapril. These can take for high blood medications block your ACE pressure? I do take medienzyme. cine, but I want to get off it Natural foods and supplebecause it makes me ments that do the same thing cough. Can you help? in a gentler way include gar— T.L. lic, seaweed, pycnogenol, Dear T.L.: omega-3 fatty acids, egg Promise to remain superyolks, zinc and hawthorn vised by your physician before berries. going off your medicine. You Calcium channel blockmust be weaned off some; you ers — Medications in this catDEAR can’t suddenly stop. egory, including Verapamil, PHARMACIST High blood pressure is one amlodipine and nifedipine, By Suzy Cohen of those things I consider a cause relaxation of the blood symptom rather than a disease vessels. itself. It is “silent” meaning there are few Natural options are omega-3 fatty acids, obvious signs that you have it until you ex- calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin C, perience a big event, such as a heart attack. hawthorn berries, NAC and lipoic acid. As blood pressure rises, you may get You should also eat celery. headaches in the back of the head, which Diuretics — Blockbusters such as may feel worse in the morning upon aris- furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide ing. You may also experience dizziness, cause you to urinate more, which reduces blurred vision, ringing in the ears, fatigue, the amount of fluid in your blood vessels. nosebleeds or the urge to urinate at night. When you reduce the squeeze in those So what are your options? Losing weight tiny cramped vessels, pressure goes down. by exercising will help. A better diet is a Natural, gentle “water pills” include vitamust. Because hypertension is a risk fac- min C, potassium, vitamin B6, hawthorn tor for heart attack and stroke, physicians berry, taurine and CoQ10. Celery, too! take quick action and prescribe medicaCertain foods and supplements are ditions to lower blood pressure: rect vasodilators, meaning they open up

BEACON BITS

June 12+

BILINGUAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Montgomery County Board of Elections is seeking bilingual voters to work at early voting sites (from June 12 to June 19) and at polling places on Election Day, June 24. Voters with Spanish-speaking fluency are especially needed. Volunteers must be registered to vote, be age 17 or older, be a U.S. citizen, and be able to speak, read and write in English. There will be compensation for training and work. For more information, visit www.777vote.org or call (240) 777-8532.

the blood vessels, thus relieving some pressure. These include taurine, potassium, omega-3 fatty acids and, you guessed it, celery! Even four stalks of celery a week could help; eat more if you like it. Juice it, dip it in hummus or sunflower butter. And if you just can’t eat it, then consider supplements of “celery seed” extract. Compounds in celery such as “3-nbutylphthalide” are known to reduce blood pressure. In China, this compound (extracted from celery seed) is sold as a drug to reduce beta amylase-induced neuronal apoptosis, which confers protection for people with stroke, dementia and traumatic brain injury. The final piece of the anti-hypertensive

puzzle is the beautiful beet. Solid research shows that beets, and beetroot juice, can help with blood pressure and cholesterol. Drink about a cup a day. I juice a beet quite often myself. Consider massage to control cortisol. And yoga. It’s another fun, non-pharmacological way to reduce blood pressure and stress hormones. Plus, it makes you more flexible and strengthens your spine. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.dearpharmacist.com.

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Can you target fat loss at specific spots? Q: My friend says that spot reducing exercises can’t really target fat at particular areas of the body. Is that true? A: Exercises that focus on particular body parts can be very effective at strengthening the specific muscles involved and may lead to a more toned appearance, but they do not reduce the amount of fat in that particular area of the body. Depending on the specific muscle an exercise works, it can help you maintain good posture, thus reducing or avoiding lower back pain; promote better balance, thus reducing risk of falls; improve performance in sports, including cycling, tennis and golf; and improve your ability to keep up with life activities, such as climb-

ing stairs, gardening or carrying suitcases and groceries. What’s more, research is looking at how exercising a muscle may activate signaling in cells that controls hormones involved in blood sugar control and other important health functions Exercise does burn calories, so as long as you don’t make up for the extra calories burned by eating or drinking more, exercise should help reduce body fat over time. Individuals differ in where body fat tends to decrease first, and where it’s harder to reduce. For many men and postmenopausal women, fat around the waist is the most difficult to trim, while for other women, especially before menopause, the hips and thighs seem to be the last areas to

Experience impacts our patient success every day “I have been at ManorCare Health Services - Largo for almost 11 months getting over a severe stroke. I had three therapists; Ashlee, my Speech Therapist, Tiffany, my Occupational Therapist, and Loren, my Phyisical Therapist. I couldn’t move until I started working with Loren. She got my right leg moving again. Tiffany got my mind working normally again. Ashlee took the time with me and prepared me to speak for the first time. They were very nice and compassionate to both me and to my family. I thank God for the people at ManorCare. They gave me my life back and returned me back to my family.”

ergy, it could increase the calories you conlose excess fat. Q: Is it true that getting more sleep sume and decrease calories burned, thus leading to weight gain. On a practical basis, could help me lose weight? if you stay up late, more time A: If you are already getting awake means more time availadequate sleep (six, seven or able for eating. up to eight hours a night), getNote that it’s getting the ting more sleep is unlikely to right amount of sleep that suphelp you lose weight. ports healthy weight. In a study However, if you are currentof more than 120,000 people, ly getting too little sleep, more getting more than eight hours shut-eye might help. A 2008 of sleep a night was also linked analysis of studies found that to long-term weight gain. adults who get less than six These links, while imporhours of sleep are about 55 perNUTRITION tant, were small compared to cent more likely to be obese. links with changes in eating These associations can’t WISE and physical activity. In other prove that lack of sleep is what By Karen Collins, words, keep your focus on caused excess weight. Yet sev- MS, RD, CDM healthy habits overall. Get the eral studies that followed people for 10 to 20 years do link getting less sleep you need to live a lifestyle that supthan six or seven hours of sleep a night ports health, including a healthy weight. The American Institute for Cancer Rewith greater likelihood of weight gain. Short-term trials tie lack of sleep to search offers a Nutrition Hotline, 1-800changes in hormones that control appetite 843-8114, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and to greater perception of hunger. In one through Friday. This free service allows you recent study, sleep deprivation produced to ask questions about diet, nutrition and changes in brain activity in the “reward cancer. A registered dietitian will return center,” which could explain links between your call, usually within three business days. Courtesy of the American Institute for lack of sleep and preference for sweets and Cancer Research. Questions for this column other high-calorie foods. If too little sleep leaves you too tired to be may be sent to “Nutrition Wise,” 1759 R St. physically active, or more likely to turn to NW, Washington, DC 20009. Collins cannot sweets and other foods to perk up your en- respond to questions personally.

BEACON BITS

July 10

The Montgomery County Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation (SOAR) presents a crab feast on a paddlewheel riverboat on the Baltimore Harbor on Thursday, July 10. Enjoy crab soup and a buffet of roast beef, fried chicken, corn on the cob, garden salad, and rolls. Maryland-style spicy steamed hard shell crabs will be served family style, and dessert will be seasonal fresh fruit. The cost is $94 for residents and $109 for non-residents. Buses will depart from Olney Manor Park, 16601 Georgia Ave., Olney, Md. at 1:15 p.m. and return at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (240) 777-4926.

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June 11

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day will take place on Wednesday, June 11. Activities in honor of the day will take place at the Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Dr., Rockville, Md., and Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Dr., Wheaton, Md. Rockville’s will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, and Holiday Park’s will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be speakers, exhibitors, demonstrations, door prizes and refreshments. For more information, call (240) 777-1131.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

A tropical treat — simple broiled mangoes Mango-mania! If you have not tried mangoes before, it’s time. Escape to the tropics this summer with this luscious, succulent dessert. The mango, which probably originated in India, Burma and Malaya, has been cultivated for at least 4,000 years. There are hundreds of varieties with different flavors, textures, colors and uses. In the United States today, most mangoes come from Mexico, but some are grown in Florida and California. For this recipe we recommend the Ataulfo (Aht-ahuhl-foe) mango, but any variety will do. Ataulfo mangoes, also known as honey mangoes, are usually smaller, about palm size, with a buttery, creamy texture. They are golden yellow when ripe. No matter the variety you select, don’t focus on color, because it is not the best indicator of ripeness. Instead, select mangoes that give slightly when squeezed. Also, use your nose, because mangoes have a fruity aroma at their stem end. If you purchase unripe mangoes, be sure to store them at room temperature. They will become sweeter and softer as they ripen over several days. Store ripe mangoes in the refrigerator up to five days or in the freezer up to six months.

Preparation of the mangoes starts with washing them well and ensuring you have a clean knife and cutting board. To cut the mango, we suggest two methods. Look for the oblong, flat seed pit by finding the “eye” on the mango. Then lay the mango with the eye facing you and cut 1/4- to 1/2-inch to the right and left of the eye, resulting in two “cheeks.” What remains of the center will be mostly mango seed. Or stand the mango stem end down (or up) and slice 1/4- to 1/2-inch off center to the right and left of the vertical axis. Using a mango pitter is another option if you are willing to spend $10 to $15. Dressing the mangoes with brown sugar, honey and orange juice, and then broiling them briefly, creates an even more delicious experience that you and your guests will fall in love with. Not to mention the bonus of eating a tropical fruit for dessert that is considered an excellent source of health-promoting vitamin C, beta-carotene and other promising cancer-fighting polyphenolic bioactive compounds.

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Easy Broiled Mangoes 2 ripe mangoes, Ataulfo, Keitt or other variety

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Ongoing

Sprinkle a teaspoon of brown sugar over each mango, then evenly drizzle honey, if using, and orange juice. Set mangoes on baking sheet. Broil mangoes until tops are golden, about 5 to 8 minutes. Serve mangoes in peel with lime wedges for squeezing over top. Use a teaspoon to scoop out pulp. Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 92 calories, <1 g. total fat (0 g saturated fat), 24 g. carbohydrate, 1 g. protein, 2 g. dietary fiber, 4 mg. sodium. — American Institute for Cancer Research

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BEACON BITS

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4 tsp. brown sugar 2 tsp. honey, optional 4 tsp. orange juice 1 lime, cut into wedges Turn on broiler. Slice mango lengthwise 1/2-inch from center line to avoid pit. Rotate mango and slice other side, resulting in two “cheeks.” Discard (or chew on and enjoy) center portion, which will be mostly the pit. Repeat with second mango. Carefully cut 1/2-inch cross-hatch pattern on a diagonal in pulp without cutting through mango skin.

TO DRIVE OR NOT TO DRIVE?

Attention all drivers who might be interested in making a plan for when driving may no longer be an option. JSSA Senior Services and JCA Connect-a-Ride offer To Drive or Not to Drive, a free nonsectarian service for older Montgomery County residents. Emotional support is paired with local resource information to provide older drivers a unique way to overcome apprehension related to transitioning from driving. Participants come away with a comprehensive written plan that includes an overview of their current situation, a summary of their readiness for a driving transition, and self-determined goals. For more information, contact Beth Shapiro at (301) 816-2665 or bshapiro@jssa.org.

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Real relationships or racy romances? Dear Solutions: Because I’m a senior, I feel embarrassed asking about romances. But there is a man living nearby to whom I’ve always been attracted. The trouble is that, up until recently, he was dating a woman who lives nearby. I don’t know her, but I see her occasionally. According to the gossip circle here, they were a real couple, and he was constantly hugging and kissing her in public. I’m told that she broke up with him a couple of months ago. I don’t know the reason, but now he’s been acting more and more friendly with me, and I know he’s going to ask me out. I’m a widow, but I understand that

he was divorced by his wife and then started dating the woman here. I think we’re very attracted to each other, but I’m afraid of being a fool. Do you think someone like him can really go on to new relationships and be sincere? Or do you think if I give in to this attraction I’ll become a fool? — Afraid Dear Afraid: Don’t become a fool. Become a friend. It’s probably very exciting to give in and go all-out with this new relationship and at least have a fling. But if you want the fling to flow, be cautious. He’s on the rebound. People who have been rejected can become very anxious to jump into a new relationship and

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So, he says he would die without you, prove to themselves that they’re still desirare you willing to die with him? Get out of able and worthwhile. this play before the die is cast If you just want a fling, be or you may be the one to end willing to pay the price, which up in that role! may include feeling hurt. But Dear Solutions: if you want a long-term relaI’m Barry’s grandmothtionship, get to know him and er, and Barry is living with be a sympathetic friend behis girlfriend. They’re not fore making big moves. Good married, so how should luck. she introduce me, since I Dear Solutions: can’t be called her grandMy boyfriend has admitmother-in-law? ted that he’s had sex with SOLUTIONS He’s not her husband, other women while he’s By Helen Oxenberg, she’s not his wife, so what been going out with me. MSW, ACSW does that make me? When I confronted him, he — Lena said he just gets tempted once in a while, but he thinks he’d die Dear Lena: That makes you Barry’s grandmother. without me, and I should stick with Not to worry. You’re not an in-law and him. He’s a ver y attractive guy, and I you’re not an out-law. She can introduce know if I dump him there’ll be other you as “Barry’s grandmother” or as “my women lined up waiting for him. He is companion’s grandmother.” A little awka lot of things I want in a man, but can ward? Yes. Unusual today? No. The best thing she can, hopefully, introI ever trust him? When he cheats, I turn away, but then I get pulled back duce you as is “my loving friend.” Your lovin when he says he would die without ing attitude toward them can, hopefully, help you win official “grandmother-in-law” me. — I status one happy wedding day. © Helen Oxenberg, 2014. Questions to be Dear I: Tell him to prove it! Mr. Seduction could considered for this column may be sent to: give you a sexually transmitted disease The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, (yes it happens to older people also) that MD 20915. You may also email the author could cause you to beat him to the at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684. morgue.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

JOIN THE ARLINGTON COMMISSION ON AGING The Arlington Commission on Aging enhances the quality of life

for older Arlingtonians by ensuring all planning and county activities address their specific needs. Members are appointed by the County Board and must live or work in Arlington. Applications received by Sunday, June 15 will be considered for new terms starting in October. For more information or an application, visit http://commissions.arlingtonva.us/coa or (703) 228-1700.

• Eye Care for All Ages • Specialists in Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Degeneration • Contact Lens Specialists • LASIK - Laser Vision Correction • Plastic & Reconstructive Eye Surgery

Full In-House Optical Department Outpatient No-Stitch Cataract Surgery • Laser Surgery MEDICARE ASSIGNMENT ACCEPTED LENARD H. HAMMER, M.D., F.A.C.S. GORDON LUI, M.D. SCOTT B. BECKER, M.D. MEDICARE EYE EXAMS

BRIAN J. WINTER, M.D. CRISTINA F. ROUILLER, O.D. VANESSA LIMA, M.D.

301-774-2750

3402 Olandwood Ct., Olney, MD

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING

Spotlight On Aging VOLUME XXV, ISSUE 6

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE By John M. Thompson, Ph.D., FAAMA June is Men’s Health Month, which is celebrated across the country with health fairs and screenings, media appearances, and other educational and outreach events. The purpose of this month is to increase the public’s awareness about early detection and treatment of diseases among men. I trust that this message will be an eye opener for you and your family members and that you will be ready to take action! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men are 5 to 10 percent more likely than women to have heart disease and be morbidly obese. Men with such chronic diseases must closely monitor their health and make a concerted effort to change their lifestyles to prevent further health complications. Unfortunately, the failure to make these changes could lead to greater chances of hospitalizations, premature nursing home admissions, and even death. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), men have a higher death rate for the following diseases: heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, chronic lower respiratory disease, diabetes, pneumonia/flu and HIV infection. Consequently, the staggering death statistics result in a shorter life expectancy for men as compared to women. CDC reports that black males have a life expectancy of 71.4 years compared to 77.7 years for black females; white males have a life expectancy of 76.4 years compared to 81.1 years for white females; and Hispanic males have a life expectancy of 78.5 years compared to 83.8 years for Hispanic females. According to the Men’s Health Network, the gap of life expectancy between men and women is resulting in more women experiencing poverty. Poverty among widowed women stems from the loss of the husband’s income after death, expenses involving the care of the husband, and funeral expenses. Men’s Health Network reports that widowed women are three to four times more likely to live in poverty compared to married women of the same age. In another statistic, the U.S. Administration on Aging reports that over onehalf of elderly widows now living in poverty were not poor before the deaths of their husband. In viewing the startling statistics reported in this month’s message, I hope that you are motivated in joining me to make positive changes in the District. It will take a village of committed family members to ensure that our men are making every effort to get their annual checkups, to see their doctors when they experience physical abnormalities, to eat healthy, and to adopt ac-

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

June 2014

Beware of Fake Postal Service Emails Recently, the Postal Inspection Service has received complaints from individuals nationwide related to fraudulent emails and phone calls. These messages falsely claim that a package was unable to be delivered by the US Postal Service and attempt to gather personal identifying information. The emails, which claim to be from the US Postal Service, include a message related to an attempted or intercepted package delivery. The customer is told to click the link or open an attachment in the email. When opened, a malicious virus is installed on the customer’s computer. This virus could steal personal information located on the customer’s computer and compromise the customer’s information. If a customer receives an email similar to the one described above, they should follow these steps: • DO NOT click on the link or open the at-

tive lifestyles including physical fitness. The government offers support to ensure access to quality resources that help the District’s men. For example, through the Affordable Care Act, men on Medicare can receive free annual wellness visits, as well as preventive screenings for a number of chronic diseases. Let me also add that men 60 years of age and older can take advantage of the District’s six senior wellness centers, which offer free health and wellness programs, such as chair aerobics, Tai Chi, hand dancing, strength training exercises, nutritional counseling, nutritious meals, social engagement and educational offerings, among other activities.

tachment • Forward the email to spam@uspis.gov • Delete the email Criminals are also contacting potential victims by phone. When contacted, similar information is provided related to an attempted or intercepted package delivery. The caller attempts to obtain personal identifying information from the customer. If a customer receives a phone call, they should follow these steps: • DO NOT provide any personal identifying information to the caller • Hang up • Contact your local post office to verify the phone call • Contact the Postal Inspection Service at 1877-876-2455 The Postal Inspection Service is actively investigating these fraudulent emails and phone calls.

In closing, as we celebrate Men’s Health Month, I would like to encourage all seniors and their loved ones to wear blue on the five Mondays in June to raise awareness about the importance of Men’s Health Month. Also, this is an opportunity for men to wear blue to demonstrate their commitment in improving their own health. Please join me in solidarity as we honor our men and let them know that we support them and will do what it takes to keep them healthy and engaged in our communities. Men, I hope to see you at one of our six senior wellness centers! Please call us at 202-724-5626 if you need information about the senior wellness centers.

Senior Wellness Centers

Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center 3531 Georgia Ave. NW 202-727-0338

Hayes Senior Wellness Center 500 K St. NE 202-727-5763

Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center 3500 Martin Luther King Jr., Ave. SE 202-563-7225

Model Cities Senior Wellness Center 1901 Evarts St. NE 202-635-1900

Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center 324 Kennedy St. NW 202-291-6170

Washington Seniors Wellness Center 3001 Alabama Ave. SE 202-581-9355

J U N E 2 0 1 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

D.C. OFFICE

AGING NEWSLETTER

Town Hall Budget Meeting

More than 200 seniors attended the Mayor's FY15 Budget Town Hall Meeting for seniors at the Kennedy Recreation Center.

Mayor Vincent C. Gray presented his budget during the Mayor's FY15 Budget Town Hall Meeting held at Kennedy Recreation Center. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Keeping the Promises" discussed continuing fiscal responsibility for the upcoming fiscal year.

At-large Councilmember Anita Bonds also provided more details on the Senior Citizen Real Property Tax Relief Act. According to the Act, residents age 70 and older who have resided in their homes for 20 years or more and have an income of $60,000 or less will no longer have to pay property taxes on their properties. (See this issue of Spotlight for more details.)

Information and resources were also available from the D.C. Office on Aging at the Town Hall Budget Meeting.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

D.C. OFFICE

Senior Citizen Real Property Tax Relief Act of 2014 The Senior Citizen Real Property Tax Relief Act of 2014, D.C. Act 20-303, provides for exemption from real property tax for property owners who are at least 70 years of age, have owned a home in the District of Columbia for at least 20 consecutive years, have household income of less than $60,000, are domiciled in DC, principally reside at the property, and have household interest and dividend income of less than $12,500. The Act was passed by the Council on March 4, and it was signed by the Mayor on March 25. Before becoming a law, the Act must undergo 30 Congres-

sional review days and be funded. It is anticipated that the law will become funded and effective by Oct. 1, 2014. The Of fice of Tax and Revenue (OTR) expects to provide applications to potentially eligible taxpayers it can identify from its records. Taxpayers who have not received an application by the end of October will be able to download one from OTR’s Web site, www.taxpayerservicecenter.com. If the act will be effective beginning Oct. 1, then the first real property tax bill to which the exemption would apply is the bill for the first half of 2015, which will be issued by March 1, 2015.

AGING NEWSLETTER

Ms. Senior Pageant D.C. to be Held June 29 You may have seen her at your senior program, a church event, or an event sponsored by your group or organization. Wherever it may have been, many have seen her proudly wearing her banner and tiara. Ms. Senior D.C. Nancy A. Berry has visited each ward of the city speaking to her peers, performing “Sweet Georgia Brown,” or tutoring youth at a local school. The retired educator, volleyball coach, quilter and dancer has been seen across the city representing Ms. Senior D.C. She has carried the message of the pageant, which has a presence at the Ms. Senior America Pageant, operating under the theme, the “Age of Elegance.” The pageant, which recognizes the community service, elegance, inner beauty, poise and style of women age 60 and over, will be held locally on Sunday, June 29 at 2:30 p.m., at the Univer-

sity of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Ave. NW, Building 46, Main Auditorium. The 2014 Ms. Senior D.C. Pageant contestants will compete for the title of Ms. Senior D.C. and the right to represent their city at the Ms. Senior America Pageant. A panel of judges will meet with the contestants and rate them on their interview, their philosophy of life, talent and evening gown competition. Don’t miss the show and the opportunity to share the lives and talents of each of the contestants as they compete. For tickets and information, call 202-289-1510, ext. 1171.

New D.C. Identification Requirements The District of Columbia has begun issuing a REAL ID credential. The REAL ID credential requires a one-time revalidation of source documents when obtaining, renewing or requesting a duplicate D.C. driver’s license or identification card. This validation will enable the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to ensure your identity and issue a federally compliant REAL ID driver’s license/identification card. The new requirements will affect what you will need to bring to the D.C. DMV office when obtaining, renewing or requesting a duplicate credential. First time D.C. applicants and existing D.C. driver’s license/identification card holders should expect to provide source documents as proof of identity (full legal name and date of birth), Social Security number, lawful presence in the United States, and current residence in the District of Columbia.

REAL ID is a coordinated effort by US jurisdictions and the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver’s licenses and identification cards, which should inhibit terrorists’ ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification. REAL ID implements a 9/11 Commission recommendation urging the federal government to “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is implementing REAL ID through a period of phased enforcement over the next several years. In particular, the date for implementing the prohibition on boarding aircraft for travel will be set after an evaluation of earlier phases and will not occur sooner than 2016. For more infor mation, visit www.dmv.D.C.gov or call 311.

J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

D.C. OFFICE

AGING NEWSLETTER

Community Calendar June events

10th • 6 to 8 p.m.

3rd • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A community health and wellness fair sponsored by the Office on Aging will be held at Iona’s Active Wellness Program at St. Albans, 3001 Wisconsin Ave. NW. For more information, call Thelma Hines 202363-5145, ext. 212.

7th • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A community health fair will be held at the Columbia Lodge #85 at 1844 3rd St. NW. For more information, contact Ebony Smith at 202-809-1010.

Celebrate Gay Pride Month with Iona Senior Services. Refreshments will be served at 7 p.m., and the film Ten More Good Years will be shown at 7:30 p.m. The film follows four LGBT elders, exploring why so many age alone, without financial stability, and often return to the closet. The film will be followed by a discussion of what has already changed since the film was made in 2008, and how Iona can meet the needs of the LGBT community today. Iona is located at 4125 Albemarle St. NW. RSVP by calling 202-8959448.

21st • noon to 4 p.m.

7th • 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

16th • 11:30 a.m.

Celebrate Glover Park Day at an intergenerational community festival that includes games for children. The festival will take place at the Guy Mason Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert St. NW.

At Men’s Health Day at all Ward 5 nutrition sites learn about how to stay healthy as you age. For more information, call Vivian Grayton at 202-529-8701.

18th • 11:30 a.m.

9th • 11:30 a.m. Get important information at the presentation, “Make a Plan: Emergency Preparedness,” at all Ward 5 nutrition sites. For more information, call Vivian Grayton at 202-529-8701.

SPOTLIGHT on AGING

Iona Senior Services and the National Center for Creative Aging present Memory Arts Café, a free event for people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. A highlight of the evening will be the creation of a new performance by the guest artists and the audience. Memory Arts Café features Gary Glazner, of the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project, along with other improvisational artists. The event includes light refreshments and the opportunity to chat with the guest artists. Iona is located at 4125 Albemarle St. NW. Reservations are recommended. To RSVP, call Sharon O’Connor at 202-895-9469.

19th • 7 to 9 p.m.

Learn about stroke symptoms in men at all Ward 5 nutrition sites. For more information, call Vivian Grayton at 202-529-8701.

North Michigan Park Civic Association will hold a Family Day at North Michigan Park Recreation Center, 1333 Emerson St. NE. Contact Grace Lewis at 202-526-7696 for more information.

Ongoing Ward 5 residents who are age 60 and over and are in need of legal advice can contact Seabury Ward 5 Aging Services on Mondays to speak with a lawyer. Call 202-529-8701.

Third Annual Senior Symposium

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 John M. Thompson, Ph.D., FAAMA Executive Director Darlene Nowlin, Editor Selma Dillard Photographer

More than 700 caregivers, professionals and seniors attended the Mayor's Third Annual Senior Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Washington during Older Americans Month.

Panel discussions during the symposium included the meaning of Age-Friendly City, emergency management, mental health and aging, transportation, information on serving persons living with disabilities, and senior villages.

Mayor Gray greets Verizon employees, Karen Campbell, vice president, and Mario Acosta-Velez, director, state government affairs. Jeffrey Merriman, director, state & federal government affairs is pictured at the left. Verizon was a supporter of the annual event.

DCOA Executive Director John M. Thompson introduces Ricardo Mowatt, a guitarist who performed through the National Center for Creative Aging during lunch. The MC Steppers also performed "VOGUE" during the break.

The D.C. Office on Aging does not discriminate against anyone based on actual 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.

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SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION

Say you saw it in the Beacon

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Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Some local affordable housing options By Rebekah Sewell Washington, D.C. has the fourth highest cost of living in the U.S., according to Expatistan, a website that calculates the cost of living around the country. And real estate tracking company Zillow Inc. ranks Washington as the sixth most expensive housing market in the nation. Of course, there are many benefits to living in the nation’s seat of power. D.C. and the surrounding areas are home to ample public transportation, and offer a myriad of activities and opportunities for older residents. Service-sector jobs are also abundant, and, overall, working seniors here experience low levels of unemployment. But a significant proportion of the Greater Washington area’s older residents

nonetheless earn well below the median income. And given that the desirability factor of this region drives the cost of living up, it can be particularly difficult for many older adults to find housing they can comfortably afford. Below we describe a selection of affordable housing options geared to the area’s older adults.

I. Government-run options In Montgomery County Government-run organizations like the Housing Opportunities Commission

(HOC) of Montgomery County are trying to meet the growing need. “Affordable housing for seniors, and in general, will continue to be a pressing issue, and the demographic projections reflect the need for additional multifamily housing in [Montgomery] County,” said Stacy L. Spann, executive director of HOC. HOC acquires and develops housing for low- and moderate-income residents of all ages. It offers the Housing Choice Voucher Program and public housing. The Housing Choice Voucher program, often known as HCVP or “Section 8,” is a federal program that provides subsidies for eligible low-income residents to live in private housing. Participating residents are responsible for paying 30 to 40 percent of their adjusted income for rent, and the HOC pays the landlord the remaining balance. Residents’ annual median income (AMI) cannot exceed 50 percent of the regional AMI. For example, a family of four’s AMI is $107,000, so the income of a qualified family cannot exceed $53,500. Public housing is another governmentmanaged program that provides housing for those with very low income or disabilities. There is no minimum-income limit to apply, and the program targets residents whose AMI does not exceed 50 percent of the regional AMI.

Those interested in participating in the public housing program must apply to the waiting list, which is currently closed. The list opens once a year and is advertised in local newspapers, such as the Montgomery Gazette, 30 days before the list opens. Applications must be mailed into HOC, and names are drawn at random by lottery, as funding becomes available. HOC sponsors several properties created or available for residents 62 and older. There are four properties that fall under the HOC’s public housing for seniors and those with disabilities, but the waiting list is the same as for public housing generally. Aside from public housing, there are also three moderately-priced communities managed by HOC: Bauer Park Apartments, Town Center Apartments and the Oaks at Four Corners, which are intended for residents 62 and older. Amenities for these buildings include individually controlled heating and air conditioning, onsite management and laundry, wall-to-wall carpeting, full kitchens and entry-guard systems. Bauer Park Apartments is located at 14635 Bauer Dr., Rockville. For more information, call (301) 460-4545. Town Center Apartments is located at 90 Monroe St., Rockville, Md. For more information, call See AFFORDABLE HOUSING, page B-3

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Affordable housing From page B-2 (301) 424-5450. The Oaks at Four Corners is located at 321 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring, Md. For more information, call (301) 681-6632. For more information about HOC, visit www.hocmc.org or call (240) 627-9400.

Goodman estimated that it would cost approximately $1.3 billion just to keep the current properties “fully functional and up to date for the next 20 years.” This figure does not include the costs of new housing projects, which often take years to develop and many more millions of dollars to fund. For more information on the D.C. Housing Authority, visit www.dchousing.org or call (202) 535-1000.

In Washington, D.C. “There is now a more concerted effort by all of the housing agencies” in the Washington, D.C. area to create affordable opportunities, explained Christy Goodman, a media specialist for the D.C. Housing Authority. At the same time, funding to build more inexpensive housing is lagging. “The need for affordable housing is growing and outpacing our production,” she said. Like HOC, the D.C. Housing Authority creates affordable housing for families, seniors and those with disabilities. D.C. also offers both public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), which is different from Montgomery County’s. Public housing is intended for lower-income individuals and families whose AMI does not exceed 80 percent of the regional AMI. D.C.’s voucher program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and assists families and individuals whose income does not exceed 50 percent of the regional AMI. The income restrictions are adjusted for family size and other special needs. Residents live in federally-approved housing designated for this program. In D.C., more than 8,000 apartments are dedicated to public housing for all ages, and HCVP helps over 10,000 families in the city. Despite its size, the program is not meeting the ever growing need for affordable housing. The D.C. Housing Authority’s waiting list is so over capacity that it has been closed since last year. However, communities that accept vouchers may be open to applications. At least 10 of the program’s 56 properties are either subsidized or fall under public housing and have a majority of senior tenants. Senior properties have an age limit of 62 or older, and properties that house both seniors and persons with disabilities allow for residents 55 and older. In order to create the most opportunities, the D.C. Housing Authority often partners with private development companies, such as Victory Housing. In 2012, the housing authority provided a $5 million capital contribution to the Victory Square community in Northeast Washington, and it has continued to provide it with rental and operating subsidies.

In Arlington, Va. In Virginia, Arlington County has a similar structure for affordable housing, including subsidized housing grants, public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The majority of the affordable housing in Arlington is open to all ages, and the waiting list is currently open for applications. Several of their properties have units set aside for lower-income residents. The Arlington County Board also recently approved a $16.5 million Affordable Housing Investment Fund to help AHC Inc., a nonprofit affordable housing developer, purchase Serrano Apartments, located at 5535 Columbia Pike. Serrano’s units are currently considered affordable, and the investment fund will allow these units to remain affordable for the next 60 years. Arlington is also home to Mary Marshall Assisted Living — the first assisted living facility in Virginia that serves persons with severe mental, intellectual or developmental disabilities. Employees monitor residents’ medication, and provide therapeutic recreation, including fitness and art classes. The 52 private apartments feature a bathroom, kitchenette and wall-to-wall carpeting. Activities are scheduled based on interest and abilities. As with most assisted living communities, Mary Marshall offers three meals per day and daily snacks in between. For more information on Arlington’s affordable housing, visit http://housing.arlingtonva.us/affordable-housing. Mary Marshall Assisted Living is located at 2000 5th St. S, Arlington, Va. For more information, call (703) 310-7200.

Discover how great senior living is at one of our affordable apartment communities. Many of our communities feature 24-hour emergency maintenance, full activities programs, spacious floor plans, affordable rents, caring and dedicated staff, and much more. We are conveniently located near shopping, including grocery stores and pharmacies. Let us help you live life to the fullest. Call or visit our web site to view these communities:

2201 Savannah Street SE Washington, DC 20020

7010 Schoonmaker Court Alexandria, VA 22310

202-678-5699

703-719-7268

Rent based on income

From $791

873 Grace Street Herndon, VA 20170

703-904-9444 From $865

7837 Richmond Highway Alexandria, VA 22306

703-780-9072 From $920

Wingler House Apartments 20900 Runny Meade Terrace Ashburn, VA 20147

703-858-9507 From $893

5999 Emerson Street Bladensburg, MD 20710

301-779-6196 Rent based on income

Mrs. Philippines Home for Seniors, Inc. 18889 Waring Station Road Germantown, MD 20874

6428 Bock Street Oxon Hill, MD 20745

301-540-1162

301-567-9537

From $704 for 1 bedroom

Rent based on income

5101 River Road, Suite 101 • Bethesda, MD 20816 See AFFORDABLE HOUSING, page B-4

On the cover: Covenant Village in Germantown, Md., where apartment rents start at $686 a month, is one of many affordable housing choices for older adults throughout the Washington area. Some, like Covenant Village, are managed privately, while others are developed and managed by local governments. Photo courtesy of Covenant Village

Affordable Senior Communities

II. Private developments with subsidies Several private development companies have made it their mission to develop lowor fixed-income housing, which are often co-sponsored by several partners. Here are a few of the management companies

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301-941-8040 www.qpmgmt.com Professionally managed by Quantum Real Estate Management LLC T/A Quantum Property Management

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Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Affordable housing From page B-3 and their local options for affordable senior housing.

Victory Housing Victory Housing actively develops affordable properties as the housing development arm of the Archdiocese of Washington. It acquires and develops housing for low- and moderate-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. Victory develops both independent and assisted living, as well as workforce housing, which is located close to jobs and transportation. Its most recently opened independent living property, Victory Court in Rockville, Md., is intended for residents 62 and older of low to moderate income. It features 86 apartments: 45 one-bedroom and 41 twobedroom. The building features a great room, library, porch, billiards and community

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room, cafe, arts and crafts room, exercise and wellness center, as well as community activities for education and socializing. All units have washer/dryers, wall-to-wall carpeting, efficient windows, appliances and individually controlled heat pumps. Monthly rents range from $931 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit that is available for residents making 50 percent of the median income, to $1,837 for a twobedroom, two-bathroom unit that is available to residents making 80 percent of area median income. Income limits range between $37,600 and $68,720. In addition, 21 two-bedroom units are leased at market rates of $1,990. Victory Court is located at 209 Monroe St., Rockville, Md. For more information, visit www.victorycourt.org or contact Lethea Williams at (301) 294-1111 or manager428@habitatamerica.com. Another of Victory’s properties is Marian Assisted Living, which is intended for those 62 or older who need daily assistance. Prospective residents must be able

to walk independently, with mechanical assistance (such as a walker), or be able to self-transfer from a wheelchair, and be able to manage without routine nightly assistance. This 40-unit community offers private bathrooms and individually controlled heating and air conditioning, assistance with bathing, dressing and grooming, three meals per day, 24-hour emergency assistance, medical administration, weekly laundry service and daily attention from staff. The building has common space for socializing, including a living room, two sitting areas, an activity room, library, fireplace, television room, an outdoor patio, an outdoors walking path and a hair salon. Marian Assisted Living currently charges an all-inclusive monthly rent (including meals) of $4,850 for private suites, $5,525 for a deluxe private suite, and $6,875 for a deluxe companion suite. Lower income residents may qualify for a lower fee on a sliding scale basis. There is

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also a one-time application and deposit fee. Marian Assisted Living is located at 19109 Georgia Ave., Brookeville, Md. For more information, visit www.victoryhousing.org/almarian.html or call director Marcy Hunter at (301) 570-3190.

Quantum Real Estate Management Another company that acquires and develops affordable housing is Quantum Real Estate Management. Like Victory Housing, Quantum develops housing for seniors, families and those with disabilities. One of Quantum’s Maryland properties, Covenant Village, features 74 affordable rental units and 15 units available at market price. The affordable units are for residents who are 62 or older who make no more than 60 percent of the area median income. Each apartment features wall-to-wall carpeting, controlled heating and air conditioning, an electric kitchen and appliances, in-unit washer/dryer, cable television access, 24-hour emergency maintenance, and safety features like emergency pull cords and grab bars. The building also features gardening areas, lounges, an arts and crafts room, an on-site beauty salon, exercise and fitness room, game room, movie theater, library, computer room, and shuttle bus service that can be used for errands and appointments. Monthly rent for one bedrooms ranges from $686 to $704, two bedrooms with one bathroom from $1,015 to 1,078, and two bedrooms with 1.5 bathrooms from $1,242 to $1,316. Market price units without income restrictions are available for $1,586. Covenant Village is located at 18889 Waring Station Rd., Germantown, Md. For more information, visit www.qpmgmt.com/news/ See AFFORDABLE HOUSING, page B-15

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COMES FULL CIRCLE

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Senior living at The Residences at Thomas Circle puts you right in the heart of downtown D.C., in a diverse and lively neighborhood that’s a quick walk or Metro ride from cultural and historical attractions. And because Thomas Circle is downtown’s only independent senior living community with all levels of care on-site, you need never move. Complete convenience; total peace of mind. You’ll find it all in the Circle. Call us at 202-626-5761 or visit www.ThomasCircle.com.

Where senior living comes full circle. 1 3 3 0 M A S S A C H U S E T T S AV E N W | W A S H I N G T O N , D C 2 0 0 0 5 | T H O M A S C I R C L E . C O M NP/Beacon

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

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Helping you stay in your own home longer Home healthcare and private duty care can help you maintain your independence in a familiar space. We all want to hold on to our independence for as long as possible. But what if you need help caring for yourself and you’re not ready to move to an assisted living facility? The answer for many people is to have someone come to the home and provide that care. “We always make an effort to keep people in their homes when it’s appropriate. It’s less expensive, provides more freedom, and keeps people from being exposed to infections in institutional settings,” said Dr. Eric Weil, director of the program that manages high-risk Medicare patients at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. The options for homecare are often known as “private duty care” and “home healthcare,” though sometimes other terms are used. What’s important to remember is that there are two types of homecare, and each has a different purpose.

Home healthcare Home healthcare is a temporary service that brings nurses and therapists into your home to provide treatment. It’s intended for people who are recovering from illness, injury or surgery, with the goal of helping you get better and regain your independence. For example, a physical therapist can visit if you’ve had a stroke or joint replacement surgery, or a nurse can come to help with wound care. The professional who visits will provide only a specific skilled service, and won’t cook, perform light housework, or shop for you. This type of home healthcare is covered by Medicare, but you’ll have to meet certain eligibility requirements: a doctor must certify that you need the service, and also that you are homebound — unable to get

to an appointment on your own; a doctor must review your home healthcare plan regularly; and the home health agency must be Medicare-certified. You can still qualify for home healthcare if you attend adult day care or if you have a caregiver who lives with you.

Private duty care Private duty care [also often called homecare, home support or personal care] provides the day-to-day help most people need to remain in their homes. Care is available for a few hours or up to 24 hours per day. Private duty care workers usually fall into two categories: licensed or registered. Both are able to offer homemaker services, such as housework, cooking, shopping, overseeing medication routines and transportation. The difference is that a licensed worker, such as a home health aide, will also be trained in body mechanics and able to provide hands-on physical care, such as help with bathing, eating, brushing teeth, and using the bathroom. Medicare does not pay for private duty care, but some long-term care insurance policies do. Costs range from $15 to $25 per hour, and most agencies require a minimum number of hours per visit [typically four]. Family members who intend to hire inhome help should start with a clear picture of the type of care that’s needed — such as assistance with bathing and dressing, light housework and transportation. A checklist such as the “needs assessment worksheet” at www.caregiverslibrary.org can help. Using such a list, you can write a job description with the qualifications the caregiver should have, such as a driver’s license and car, or the ability to lift the senior.

Choosing a service When choosing a private duty service, think twice before working with an independent contractor or a registry that simply acts as an employment agency that matches workers with clients for a fee. In both cases, you’ll be the only one supervising the caregiver, and you’ll pay the worker directly. You will also be responsible for all payroll taxes and Social Security withholding. It is easier to go with a company that employs its workers. That way, you won’t be responsible for the caregiver’s taxes. You’ll also have the assurance that the caregiver’s company is monitoring his or her performance as well as the care you receive. [In addition, a company can replace a worker who doesn’t show up or does not satisfy

your requirements.] Consumers who choose to go with an agency should ask about screening and hiring practices, including state and federal criminal background checks, drug testing and skill assessment. Ask to see a copy of all screening materials. Also be sure that caregivers are insured and bonded through the agency, which offers some protections in case of caregiver negligence or theft. Consumers hiring caregivers directly can and should conduct their own background check. Contact local law enforcement for information on how to conduct such a check. Be sure to hire a caregiver with approSee STAY AT HOME, page B-7

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How to select a real estate agent or Realtor By Eric Stewart You probably know the three major roles a real estate agent or Realtor typically performs when you sell a house: They help get your home ready for sale, market your house and assist with negotiations with buyers, and coordinate the escrow and closing. If you’re buying a home, an agent or Realtor helps you find homes that potentially meet your needs and coaches you through the buying process. (Keep in mind that a “buyer’s agent” represents you as a buyer,

while other agents legally represent only the seller, though they may also help buyers find homes.) “Real estate agent” and “Realtor” are not always interchangeable terms. A real estate agent becomes a Realtor when he or she joins the National Association of Realtors and agrees to subscribe to its code of ethics. That can give you some added protections in the event you have a grievance or complaint, though all agents are under the governance of their state’s real estate commission and HUD.

Have you heard? Apartment homes at Ashby Ponds, Greenspring and Riderwood are going fast.

10 questions to ask Before you hire an agent to help you sell your house, get recommendations from friends, family and neighbors, and do some research on the Web. As you narrow down your choice, meet with potential agents, explain your needs, and determine whether you would be comfortable working with them. Ask whatever questions you like, or simply explain your goals and listen carefully to what they propose to do for you. To assist you in the interview process, here are some general questions that you may want to start with: 1. Why should I hire you? What makes you different? What does this agent offer you that others don’t? Take note of whether this agent is asking enough questions to understand what you want and need. 2. What unique selling tools do you have that will help sell my home? Does the agent use media effectively to market listings? 3. How will you advertise my property on the Internet? Ask your agent how many websites your property will be marketed on. The number should be at least 50. 4. Describe your marketing strategy. Does the agent have a clear marketing plan for your house? You need to see marketing samples. If the agent does not have samples, he or she isn’t prepared for your appointment, and may not have a proven marketing plan. 5. How do you plan to advertise my property to the public? Will the agent post signs in front of your house? How does the agent plan to direct

traffic to your property? How will people find out that your property is available? 6. How long does it usually take to sell your listings? Any agent you interview should be able to provide you with this information. In a correcting market, this is critical. It should be statistically provable. 7. Do you have a reference list of clients I could contact? Ask to see this list, and then proceed to spot-call some of the names. 8. Does your broker control your advertising or do you? If your agent is not in control of his/her own advertising, then your home will be competing for advertising space not only with this agent’s other listings, but also with the listings of every other agent in the brokerage. 9. Have you sold any other homes in this area? An agent who is familiar with your neighborhood and its unique market is more likely to be successful. 10. In what price range do you usually sell homes? The agent should be familiar with how to market homes in your price bracket. If you have a million dollar home, you want to ensure that your agent has a marketing plan that will reach the right audience. If you ask these suggested questions, you will find that there are excellent agents working for firms both large and small, franchised and independent. The real decision must be made based on the competency of the individual agent you will be working with on a day-to-day basis. Eric Stewart heads the Eric Stewart Group with Long & Foster. His website is www.ericstewartgroup.com.

For more info, return coupon on page B-9.

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Books explore housing, caregiving By Barbara Ruben Looking for guidance on finding retirement communities, caregiving for an ill family member, or home safety modifications? A wide range of books can help inform and guide decisions, as well as offer coping advice. Below are some books that have been published in the last year. All are available in paperback from online booksellers such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Home safety and design In Living Safely, Aging Well: A Guide to Preventing Injuries at Home, consumer product safety expert Dorothy A. Drago spells out how to prevent injuries while cooking, gardening — and just walking around the house. The book explores how balance, cognition and senses can become less sharp with age, and how to accommodate for these changes. Living Safely, published by Johns Hopkins University Press, looks at such topics as falls, poisoning, fires, the yard and more, taking readers on a room-by room tour of the home to point out potential hazards and how to avoid them. Living Safely also includes information about driving more safely and deciding when to give up the keys. Sections of the book also look at the special concerns for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients at home. Line drawings help illustrate concepts, such as picture of a living room set-up that includes wall-to-wall carpet to avoid throw rugs, end tables around a sofa to provide an unobstructed path, and protective glass on a fireplace. Universal Design and Aging: Keeping Our Homes Safe, Accessible and

Stay at home From page B-5 priate training. There are no certification requirements for the most basic level of home care aides, who may provide help with household chores and personal care. Depending on a senior’s needs, consumers might seek out caregivers with more formal training, such as home health aides who can administer medications. If the person receiving care has dementia, look for caregivers with specialized education, such as Alzheimer’s Association training, said Christina Irving, family consultant with the Family Caregiver Alliance. Agencies should provide meaningful supervision, such as in-home visits at least monthly. If you’re hiring a caregiver independently and don’t live with the person receiving care, you might arrange for relatives or friends to stop by for random inhome checks.

Questions to ask When shopping for a homecare company, ask:

Comfortable as We Age in Place, takes a look at features in the home that may need to be updated and modernized to make them suitable as residents age. The author, Steve Hoffacker, is a real estate broker, and he specializes in aging-in-place issues in books for both professionals and older adults From new light switches that sense motion or are illuminated for easy access in the dark, to stair lifts, dumb waiters and first-floor master suites to avoid stairs, Hoffacker reviews a range of potential changes in the home. One simple change is switching door knobs to lever handles to make opening doors easier. Residents can take advantage of technology by installing digital thermostats, automatic timers on lights, and using electronic keypads on doors. Hoffacker suggests changes for those with visual impairments, such as using contrasting color tiles as borders for floors and counters to more easily see their edges. “Toe kick” lighting on the floors illuminates what’s underfoot with the tap of a foot at a base board.

Retirement communities In the slim paperback, Where Will I Live Now? Maryland author J. Anthony Burke examines a range of housing choices for boomers and their parents. The book begins with how to assess housing needs, and includes a questionnaire. Where Will I Live Now? includes information on active adult communities, naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs), assisted living, and continuing care retireSee BOOKS, page B-8

• how long the agency been in business • which certifications it has from your state • what kind of background checks are performed on caregivers • what kind of training is required for caregivers • who will handle payments to the caregiver • whether a customized care plan will be created and updated • how closely the quality of care is supervised • who will be coming into the home — a team or just one person. Weil said it’s also important to have a caregiver who’s a good communicator. “Make sure the person or company has a reasonable understanding of basic health issues, and is comfortable reaching out to your health professionals if you need additional care.” © 2014 Copyright Harvard Health Publications and Kiplinger’s. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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INDEPENDENT LIVING

Covenant Village (301) 540-1162 18889 Waring Station Road Germantown, MD 20874 www.qpmgmt.com • Spacious 2-bedroom plans with washer/dryer in each apt. • Covenant Village shuttle bus for shopping and local trips • Fitness room, billiard room, game/crafts room, movie theatre • On-site beauty salon, garden plots It’s all about our residents, says Kathy the Property Manager. The staff ensures that the residents always have interesting and exciting activities going on. Some of the fun includes movie nights, new resident meet and greet, holiday parties, fashion shows, and community dinners. Attendance at the wine and cheese and ice cream socials is close to 100%. Covenant Village was recently awarded a trophy by the Property Management Association for being Maryland’s Best Affordable Community in their category! Please call today to make an appointment for a tour.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-260-2320 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org You’ll feel it as soon as you drive onto our 220-acre campus of lush pastures and hardwood forest—all that makes independent living at Brooke Grove different. Beautiful cottages in a truly picturesque setting. Maintenance-free living, with more time for what you really want to do. Personalized fitness programs, meals prepared by talented chefs, clubs and social events. Neighbors who share your interests and passions. Come for a visit and see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Riderwood 301-495-5700 3140 Graceﬁeld Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 EricksonLiving.com Ideally located in Silver Spring, Riderwood offers maintenance-free retirement living combined with a vibrant lifestyle―all in a beautiful, private community. Without the worries of a house and yard, you can spend more time pursuing your passions. Travel, volunteer, take a college class and explore some of Riderwood’s many clubs and interest groups. Multiple campus restaurants offer a variety of delicious dining options, while 24-hour security offers protection and peace of mind. Enjoy the stability of predictable monthly expenses and look forward to a healthy future with our full continuum of health care and wellness services.

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ASSISTED LIVING

The Solana Olney 301-570-2611 2611 Olney-Sandy Spring Road Olney, MD 20832 www.brookdaleliving.com/solana-olney.aspx The Solana® Olney, in Olney, Maryland, provides Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care options for seniors. Our community offers residents an intellectually stimulating, physically invigorating and emotionally fulfilling life. Those who desire to retain their independence but do not require the skilled nursing care provided in nursing homes will appreciate our friendly staff’s assistance with activities of daily living. We also provide speciallydesigned programs and care for those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia-related illnesses. At The Solana Olney, you and your loved one will enjoy a stylish, comfortable and inviting community environment to share with neighbors and friends, along with all the features and amenities needed to enhance your personal lifestyle. We invite you to call to learn more.

INDEPENDENT & PERSONAL CARE COMMUNITIES

B’nai B’rith Homecrest House 301-244-3579 14508 Homecrest Road Silver Spring, MD 20906 www.homecresthouse.org Homecrest House is a non-profit, affordable subsidized community offering two options: independent and personal care services. PERSONAL CARE offers: assistance with bathing, daily meals, weekly housekeeping and laundry services with optional medication administration. Homecrest is nestled on ten beautiful acres with its own pond and neighbors Leisure World. Residents may qualify approximately 30% of their adjusted income for rent, and personal care subsidies. Homecrest offers a full array of activities both in-house and around the metro area via our van service. Our computer lab, beauty shop, exercise room, library and social halls are just a few amenities our residents enjoy at Homecrest House. Call today for a personalized tour or visit us on the web at www.homecresthouse.org.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

The Residences at Thomas Circle (202) 626-5761 1330 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20005 www.ThomasCircle.com The Residences at Thomas Circles is an exceptional senior living community located in the heart of the district in Washington, DC. Here, residents enjoy a stimulating lifestyle filled with activities and entertainment as well as the company of a diverse group of interesting people. The excellent location means residents can easily visit area attractions, museums, theater, special events and more via the Metro or a short walk. In addition to Independent Living, The Residences at Thomas Circle is the only in-town senior living community to offer an on-site continuum of health services: Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, or Memory Care. Ask about our new respite program, Circle Stays: special savings in Assisted Living and Memory Care. Visit www.ThomasCircle to learn more or call 202.626.5761.

Housing Notes By Barbara Ruben

D.C. housing expo on June 21 The D.C. Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL) will hold their Sixth Annual D.C. Housing Expo/Home Show on Saturday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Place NW, Washington, D.C. Attendees will find more than 100 housing-related exhibitors providing information on home purchase assistance, financial literacy, new affordable housing developments, energy efficient products, decoration and remodeling ideas, and home improvement advice. In addition, residents can receive free credit reports and one-onone foreclosure and credit counseling. There will be several workshops. “Aging in Place and Senior Friendly Housing Alternatives” will explore proactive decision making and best practices for aging in place. In “More Life — Less Clutter,” presenters will provide pragmatic tools and methods to help older adults pare down their belongings. For more information, contact Pamela Hillsman at (202) 442-7200 or by email at dhcdevents@dc.gov. More information is

Books From page B-7 ment communities (CCRCs). The book includes a step-by-step checklist of how to assess a community, along with an extensive list of questions to ask an assisted living facility, and helpful tips for moving.

Caregiving Books on caregiving abound. The newly published third edition of How to Care for Aging Parents is updated and expanded to nearly 700 pages. The book is subtitled “A One-Stop Resource for All Your Medical, Housing and Emotional Issues.” The book gives advice for numerous difficult issues, including knowing when to intervene with a parent, getting power of attorney, paying for long-term care, sharing care with siblings, caregiving from a distance, and determining if home care or a nursing home is the right choice. New in this edition is information on the increasingly common issue of elder fraud, particularly identity theft, as well as details on the latest aging-in-place technologies — from iPad art therapy to sophisticated in-home monitoring systems. Fill-in worksheets offer easy ways to keep track of medications, caregivers’ names, schedules, doctors’ phone num-

also available at http://dhcd.dc.gov/ node/828042.

New affordable assisted living in Columbia Hts. The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) will open a state-of-the-art, affordable assisted living facility in Columbia Heights in late summer. It is the first public housing assisted living facility in the District. The $5 million, threestory Marigold at 11th Street (2905 11th St. NW) is a model the agency plans to continue developing to help District residents who are no longer able to live on their own. Each apartment has one bedroom, a bathroom and kitchenette. “We are getting into the business of affordable assisted living facilities in the District because of the substantial need of low-income elderly District residents,” said DCHA Executive Director Adrianne Todman. “The Marigold at 11th Street will improve the quality of life for senior citizens in the District.” Marigold at 11th Street combines rental subsidies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Medicaid reimbursements, and other revenues to provide wrap-around services, including assistance with medications, personal care and hygiene, housekeeping, and three meals a day. Residents must be eligible to receive Medicaid to live in the Marigold at 11th Street. For more information, call (202) 6716553 or see www.themarigoldat11st.com.

bers and other information. In What to Do About Mama? A Guide to Caring for Aging Family Members, local author Barbara Trainin Blank and coauthor Barbara G. Matthews offer personal caregiving stories. They offer both their own and others’ experiences as examples. The book delves into the impact of caregiving on the family and how to share responsibility. It also looks at managing finances and the emotional toll caregiving can take. Blank’s mother and father had been married for 64 years, but soon after his death, she began to exhibit memory lapses and anxiety, asking the same questions again and again, as well as avoiding making decisions. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and then a year later with lung cancer. Blank writes about the difficulties of hiring and coordinating a patchwork of caregivers from a distance at the same time as helping out her young adult children. She also felt like she was shouldering more of the caregiving burden than her brother. At the same time, she (and other caregivers in the book) found positives from the experience, from becoming closer to their parents, to the satisfaction of helping make things more pleasant for them at an extremely difficult time.

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✃ FREE HOUSING AND OTHER INFORMATION For free information from advertisers in this special section, check off those that interest you and mail this entire page to the Beacon. Please do not request info if you are not interested. All replies have an equal chance to win. To be eligible for Wolf Trap tickets, your reply must arrive by July 3.

HOUSING COMMUNITIES: WASHINGTON, DC ❑ Residences at Thomas Circle . . . . . .B-4 & B-8 ❑ Robert L Walker House . . . . .B-3

MARYLAND ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Brooke Grove . .B-7, B-11 & B-16 Council House . . . . . . . . . .B-12 Covenant Village . . . .B-3 & B-7 Emerson House . . . .B-3 & B-13 Homecrest House . . .B-8 & B-10 Kensington Park . . . . . . . . .B-15 Largo Landing . . . . . . . . . .B-14

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Mrs. Philippines Home . . . . .B-3 Oaks at Old Towne .B-10 & B-13 Riderwood . . . . . . . . .B-6 & B-7 Solana . . . . . . . . . . .B-8 & B-12

VIRGINIA ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Ashby Ponds . . . . . .B-6 & B-13 Chesterbrook Residences . . .B-2 Greenspring . . . . . . .B-6 & B-11 Gum Springs Glen . . . . . . . .B-3 Herndon Harbor House . . . . .B-3 Morris Glen . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-3 Sommerset . . . . . . .B-5 & B-11 Tall Oaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-10 Vinson Hall . . . . . .B-12 & B-13

❑ Virginian, The . . . . . .B-2 & B-13 ❑ Wingler House . . . . .B-3 & B-11

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Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . .B-6 Espirit Home . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5 Family & Nursing Care . . . .B-13 Old Dominion Home Care . . .B-6 Options for Senior America . .B-5

HOME DECORATING: ❑ Dan Kugler Carpet & Blinds .B-14

REVERSE MORTGAGE: ❑ Generations Mortgage . . . . . .B-4

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Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this entire coupon to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227. You may also include the free info coupon on page 5. One entry per household please. Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________E-mail_______________________________________________ City _______________________________________________________ State ______________________ Zip ____________________ Phone (day) _______________________________________________ (eve) ________________________________________________ TB 6/14

Please provide your telephone number and e-mail address so we may contact you promptly if you win the drawing.

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Examples of aging-in-place communities The following is excerpted with permission from the recently published book, With a Little Help from Our Friends: Creating Community As We Grow Older (2014, Vanderbilt University Press), by Beth Baker, a writer living in Takoma Park, Md. The book explores many creative local and national housing options for older adults, from home sharing to cohousing to aging-in-place villages. In Rockville Md., social worker Beth Shapiro serves people who want to age in place, and who live near each other in older neighborhoods and high-rise apart-

ment buildings in Montgomery County. Through a program called Coming of Age in Maryland, Shapiro organizes monthly tours, lunch outings to restaurants, and along the way gives mini-counseling sessions and advice. Her list includes 1,200 elders who live in a part of the county with a roughly 20 to 25 percent older population. Neighborhoods like these that have evolved to a high proportion of older adults are often referred to as Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities or NORCs for short.

Today, local governments and nonprofit organizations are looking at ways to help provide services to these communities with aging populations so they can continue to live in their longtime homes. For example, a recent month’s activities with Coming of Age included a trip to the National Museum of Women in the Arts and lunch at a café, tickets to see My Fair Lady at Arena Stage, and a day at a Jewish senior center that included exercise. “I’ll talk to the older adults on the bus,” Shapiro said about the field trips she organizes. “The people know me. If you need to talk to me a about a recent fall, about an adult child issue, about where you live, come talk to me…A professional friendship is what I call it.”

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Call to schedule a personal tour. 703-834-9800 12052 N. Shore Dr. Reston, VA 20190 www.TallOaksAL.com Coordinated Services Management, g Inc. Professional Management of Retirement Communities since 1981

One small-scale 2010 study suggests there may be benefits from living in a NORC. Researchers compared participants in the nonprofit Community Partners (CP), another NORC social service program in Montgomery County, with their counterparts who chose not to participate. (The latter group was found to be somewhat younger, more male, wealthier and more highly educated.) Community Partners focused on providing recreational opportunities, transportation and social work services. The study surveyed residents of six apartment buildings, 58 of whom joined CP and 70 who did not. Of the small number of CP participants who responded to a followup survey, more than half said they felt more a part of their building’s community, 70 percent said the program had improved their social life, and 88 percent said they would recommend CP to their neighbors. A few said without the program they might have to move, presumably to assist-

ed living or with family. Two-thirds reported they got out of the house more since joining, and nearly that many said they felt happier. A majority felt less isolated after becoming members of CP.

A whole town NORC Another community with a successful NORC is in Greenbelt, Md. The town has an unusual history as the first federally owned planned community in the nation, founded in 1937. Greenbelt was also viewed as a social experiment, created both to provide affordable housing to low-income people and to foster a sense of community. In the 1950s, it converted from federal ownership to a cooperative housing community, and today the whole town is a National Historic Landmark. People take pride in their close-knit progressive culture. Lola and Steve Skolnik are deeply rooted in Greenbelt, having moved there in 1977. They raised their three children there, and all three have moved back to live within one mile of their parents. Now some of their grandchildren attend the same co-op nursery school their own kids went to. “Since we’ve retired, there’s so much to do we don’t leave Greenbelt,” Lola said. Formerly the director of a senior center, Lola is now devoting her time to pottery, taking advantage of the ceramics studios and kiln in the community center. A chalkboard in the hall listed some 20 activities scheduled for that day alone, such as Weight Watchers, sewing for charity, a widowed persons support group, and an exercise program called Ageless Grace. The community center is also home to intergenerational activities. Kids attend summer camp there, and there are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a youth center, a See AGING IN PLACE, page B-11

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Aging in place From page B-10 skateboard park and more. They also take advantage of a Prince George’s Community College program called SAGE for Seasoned Adults Growing Educationally. For $50 per semester, older adults can take as many classes as they wish. I asked the Skolniks how replicable their NORC was. After all, most of us don’t live in communities with as rich a tradition of cooperation as Greenbelt has. “If there’s a sense of community and the political will, it’s replicable,” said Steve. “There’s a very high level of services, but we pay for that through high taxes. There has to be a level of willingness on behalf of leaders to make the investment.” To them, the idea of living in Greenbelt is far more appealing than moving to a planned retirement community. “I love the idea of living in a place where there may be support services where I’d not have to move,” Lola said.

Planning for the future That Lola has that option is due to the foresight of the older generation nearly 15 years ago. The spirit of working for the common good came through when the town was faced with the realization that many of its citizens were choosing to age in Greenbelt. In 1999, when the town’s only nursing home closed, the city council decided it needed to determine how well Greenbelt’s older residents were being serviced. The town had a HUD-supported affordable apartment building for seniors called Green Ridge House. They wondered if Greenbelt should look into having an assisted living center built as well. They formed a task force comprised of older people and three consultants to research the next step. The task force conducted surveys and held focus groups of older residents, family caregivers, and local businesses and agencies. “The overwhelming response of citizens was, we want to stay in our homes, we want

to age in place. You’re going to have to take me out in a box,” recalled Christal Batey, then one of the consultants and who is now Greenbelt’s Community Resource Advocate. In response to that sentiment, instead of a bricks-and-mortar building, Greenbelt set up a NORC supportive services program called Greenbelt Assistance in Living (GAIL). A consultant conducted a needs assessment. The top five concerns of the older adults were transportation; healthcare, particularly homecare; home safety and maintenance; information about available services; and finances, especially related to prescription drug costs. Armed with that knowledge, Batey designed a blueprint for moving forward. A decade later, GAIL services nearly 900 people, up from 85 when she began her job. The cost, primarily for staff salaries, was $190,400, in the 2013 town budget. GAIL was formed around the same time as Beacon Hill Village [in Boston, a program in which older residents of that neighborhood pay a fee to access a range of services and referrals. The concept of such “villages” has now spread throughout the country.] While both villages and NORCs have the same goal of supporting people who want to stay rooted in their communities as they age, there are some key differences. “A village is a private-pay version for what we have,” Batey said. With city funds, GAIL supports every older person in the town, unlike most villages, which support only their dues-paying members. All-volunteer villages, such as Bannockburn’s Neighbors Assisting Neighbors in Bethesda, are exceptions. (Look for an update on local aging-in-place villages in the July issue of the Beacon.) GAIL offers care coordination or case management, as well as mobile counseling, free community nursing, home visits for everything from bathing to blood sugar monitoring, and patient advocacy during physician appointments.

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CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Greenspring 703-913-1200 or 1-800-788-0811 7410 Spring Village Drive Springﬁeld, VA 22150 EricksonLiving.com Situated in beautiful Springfield, Greenspring is the perfect place to enjoy an active lifestyle now, with added peace of mind for the future. Everything you need is right on campus, including continuing care services, should your health needs ever change. Greenspring is supported by the nation’s largest integrated health and wellness system for seniors. Nestled on 58 acres and bordered on three sides by wooded parkland, Greenspring is home to more than 2,000 residents. A refundable deposit guarantees there is no financial risk and the monthly service package includes utilities, maintenance, and flexible dining plans you can use in any of the four on-site restaurants. On-site amenities include restaurants; stores; medical center with full time physicians; an all-season swimming pool; a fitness center with full-time trainers; barber shop and hair salon; bank; and a full-time, interfaith pastoral staff.

ASSISTED LIVING

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-260-2320 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org This community hums with warmhearted camaraderie and a zest for life shared by residents and staff alike. Experience all that makes assisted living at Brooke Grove extraordinary. Cozy, homelike dwellings with easy access to beautiful courtyards and walking paths. Caring staff trained in using memory support techniques, building independence and lifting selfesteem. Innovative LIFE® Enrichment Programming with meaningful activities and off-site adventures. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing care retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

See AGING IN PLACE, page B-12

INDEPENDENT LIVING INDEPENDENT LIVING

Sommerset 703-450-6411 22355 Providence Village Dr. Sterling, VA 20164 www.sommersetretirement.com Your Search is Over for Premier Retirement Living! At Sommerset Retirement Community, located in the heart of Sterling, Virginia, you’ll experience exceptional independent living at its best, with a comfortable, fulfilling, secure and active lifestyle. Our residents enjoy the privacy of home, without the burdens of home ownership. Sommerset’s unique amenities include restaurant style dining, housekeeping, 24-hour front desk personnel, private transportation, and a calendar full of exciting and fun activities. Enjoy the convenience of being just minutes from medical services, shopping, banking and entertainment. Call us or visit our website to request more information or to schedule your tour and complimentary lunch. Also be sure to see our video, our commercial and many testimonials.

Wingler House Apartments (703) 858-9507 20900 Runnymeade Terrace Ashburn, VA 20147 www.qpmgmt.com Wingler House Apartments in handsome Ashburn Village is the 55+ retirement community that offers you a charming home close to everything you need. Ashburn Village is one of Greater Washington’s premiere residential communities, near Dulles Airport for easy traveling, surrounded by shopping, restaurants, and historic sites and just 25 miles from downtown Washington. Wingler House makes the most if its location, surrounding you with supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, and specialty retail stores. Loudoun Hospital Center and many other medical care providers are also minutes away. We offer one- and two-bedrooms at one of the best rates in Loudoun County. Please call today to request an application or make an appointment to tour our community. 703-858-9507. Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30. We are currently open on Saturdays from 10:00-3:00 and have apartments ready for immediate occupancy.

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Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Tips for unmarried couples buying a home By Alex Veiga Married couples represent the majority of homebuyers, but more couples are teaming up to buy a home before they get hitched. If they ever do. Data from the National Association of Realtors show that, on average, married couples accounted for 61.6 percent of all homebuyers from 2001 to 2011. By comparison, unmarried couples made up an average 7.5 percent.

Although still a small slice of homebuyers, some unwed couples see positives to buying a home together before getting married. Teresa Hung, a customs broker in Baltimore, decided to put off getting married in 2012. Instead she chose to buy a home with her boyfriend, James Woody, a retail executive. The couple wanted to take advantage of still-affordable home prices — rather than splurge on a wedding and con-

tinue paying rent for months or years. “I did want the wedding and all that,” said Hung. “It definitely wasn’t an easy decision.” Here are some tips unwed couples should follow when they commit to buying a home: 1. Swap financial history Before considering buying a home with your significant other, share all of your key financial statements. That includes bank

accounts, credit cards, student loans, retirement accounts and so on. Also share credit reports and FICO scores. You’ll need to know of any credit blemishes that could prevent you from obtaining the lowest rate on a home loan, or other potential red flags, such as a high debt-to-income ratio. 2. Agree on what you can afford

Aging in place

sity nursing schools and set up a partnership whereby nursing students provide services for free as part of their community nursing rotation. Medical students from Georgetown University School of Medicine also conduct visits in the community

during their geriatrics rotation. Batey’s hidden agenda is not only to get free services, but also to expose the med students to older people, help them learn a good bedside manner, and maybe even entice them to specialize in geriatrics. This program morphed into Health Assessment and Services, combining social work, public health, nursing and therapeutic recreation — in short, many components of a nursing home — all provided by interns and overseen by clinical instructors. GAIL also received grants to help people make their homes accessible, changing tubs to wheel-in showers, for example, or installing handrails or stair lifts, especially important since the original homes had no bathroom on the first floor. Resi-

dents who qualified could receive up to $5,000 to make home improvements that would allow them to remain independent. The city of Greenbelt has also partnered with Prince George’s County Dept. of Social Services to set up a satellite office in the municipal center so that residents would not have to travel to larger county buildings and wait in long lines. “We can do as much or as little as you need,” Batey said. “The thing that’s important is that you become familiar with us when you don’t need help, so that when you do need us, you know whom to call.” To learn more about GAIL, call (301) 345-6660, ext. 2012 or visit www.greenbeltmd.gov/index.aspx?NID=257. For information about Coming of Age, call (301) 348-3832 or see www.jssa.org/services/senior/coa.

From page B-11

Partnering with medical students Batey reached out to Bowie State University and Washington Adventist Univer-

COUNCIL HOUSE 

Providing Independent Living for Seniors 62 & older or handicapped. No Smoking Building. Now accepting applications for our Waiting List. Limited income rules apply. 3940 Bexley Place, Suitland, Maryland 20747

(301) 423-0228

EXPERIENCE THE

See HOME BUYING TIPS, page B-14

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The Solana® Olney, a Brookdale® managed community, offers senior living solutions from the nation’s leader in senior accommodations and related services. Stop by and discover all the places life can go at The Solana Olney. We provide: • Optimum Life® • Assisted Living • Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care

• Convenient Location • Restaurant-Style Dining • And much more!

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Vinson Hall Retirement Community 703-536-4344 6251 Old Dominion Drive McLean, VA 22101 www.vinsonhall.org Our not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community enhances the lives of our residents through person-centered care and services while fostering dignity, security and friendship. As an innovative not-for-profit community, we attract leaders in the field of aging who design research and pilot new initiatives and technology to help improve the lives of our residents and seniors everywhere. Vinson Hall provides independent living to commissioned military officers and their immediate family. Everyone is welcome at Arleigh Burke Pavilion, where we provide assisted living, skilled nursing and private pay nursing care services, and at The Sylvestery, where we offer assisted living care for those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

SENIOR APARTMENT COMMUNITY

The Oaks at Olde Towne 301-495-5700 9 Chestnut Street Gaithersburg, MD 20877

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INDEPENDENT LIVING

Emerson House 301-779-6196 5999 Emerson Street Bladensburg, MD 20710 Emerson House Apartments is conveniently located on Emerson Street, just off of Rt. 450 and 57th Ave in Bladensburg, Md. A quaint residential setting, just minutes from neighborhood shopping, the community is convenient to Prince George's Hospital, a local library, public transportation and parks. Activities within Emerson House include: exercise classes, a Wii bowling league, arts and crafts classes, bingo, movie night, parties, bus trips and much more. Emerson House is a nine story, community designed for today’s seniors (62 and older). Our 220 one-bedroom units offer Section 8 rent subsidy for low- to moderate-income households. Please call today to request an application or make an appointment to tour our community. 301-779-6196. Monday – Friday 8:30 to 5:00.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

The Virginian 703-385-0555 9229 Arlington Boulevard Fairfax, VA 22031

The atmosphere at The Oaks at Olde Towne is filled with gracious living. Here, you will appreciate not having to worry about maintenance chores. At the same time, you can take advantage of nearby shops, library, banks, and postal services as well scheduled trips on the Oaks at Oldetowne mini bus. Downtown Gaithersburg and the historical attractions of the area are just minutes away. Enjoy carefree leisure living at The Oaks at Olde Towne, an affordable senior apartment community for persons 62 or better. Call today for your tour!

Welcome to the Virginian – one of Northern Virginia’s most respected Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Since 1980, our community, located on 32 wooded acres, has been home to hundreds of residents from all walks of life. With accommodations of one and two bedroom apartments in Independent, Assisted, and Enhanced Assisted Living, The Virginian also offers Long Term Nursing, Rehabilitation, and now, Home Health Services. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the many amenities offered. We offer age in place apartments ideally suited for mixed level of care couples. Call today to schedule a tour and enjoy a complimentary lunch or dinner. The Virginian offers surprisingly affordable luxury living in the heart of Fairfax. Come see why our residents are proud to call The Virginian home.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

HOMECARE SERVICES

Ashby Ponds 703-723-1999 or 1-800-564-0155 21170 Ashby Ponds Boulevard Ashburn, VA 20147 EricksonLiving.com Ashby Ponds in Ashburn offers maintenance-free retirement living combined with a vibrant lifestyle--all in a beautiful, private and gated community. Without the worries of a house and yard, you can spend more time pursuing your passions. Travel, volunteer, take a college class and explore some of Ashby Ponds many clubs and interest groups. Campus restaurants offer a variety of delicious dining options, while security offers protection and peace of mind. Enjoy the stability of predictable monthly expenses and look forward to a healthy future with our health care and wellness services. Whatever your passions in life, you’ll find the freedom and opportunity to follow them at Ashby Ponds. Continuing Care at Ashby Ponds is now open and features assisted living, nursing care, post-acute rehabilitation, and memory care.

Family & Nursing Care (301) 588-8200 www.familynursingcare.com

Why are people so resistant to the idea of home care? Resisting help is human nature. However, with home care, many people can have a better quality of life. Caregivers get people out of the house to participate in activities they enjoy, helping prevent the isolation and depression that often accompany aging-in-place. Scheduled, consistent care can enable someone to remain in the home where they raised their family, or regain strength and confidence after a fall or illness. Home care services are flexible, and there is no long-term obligation. Care can be for a few hours up to 24 hours. People who try it for a week see the positive changes in their life, and often end up continuing services.

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Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Home buying tips From page B-12 Before you hit the first open house, determine how much each person can contribute, especially if you opt to apply for a home loan together. Bankrate Inc. offers online calculators to help estimate how much you can afford based on your income and expenses. See www.bankrate.com/calculators/mort-

gages/new-house-calculator.aspx. One rule of thumb: a house payment shouldn’t be more than 28 to 30 percent of a buyer’s monthly income. With an unwed couple, particularly if one person earns a lot more than the other, other approaches may be a better fit. John Porter and his partner, Horacio Alonso, are in the market to buy a home in Miami together. The couple has already

J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

made it a point to benchmark how much home they can afford based on a percentage of their individual income. “Our incomes are not equal,” said Porter, co-founder of an organic cocktail mixers company. He said splitting the costs of the home evenly would not be fair. As a result, the couple decided to base each person’s contribution on 30 percent of their individual earnings, Porter said. 3. Sign a contract Even if a falling out seems unimaginable, couples should enlist an attorney and draw up a purchase contract before buying a home. Such a pact should outline details of how much each person is contributing — whether it’s money, taking on a loan, or paying to cover maintenance and other costs. “It has to be very clear who is putting the money in, who is going to do the improvements, so they have a good understanding of ownership,” said Monica Rebella, a certified public accountant in

Tustin, Calif. The pact should also set out how the couple wants to split any equity gained in the home. The contract should also specify how much of a financial interest each person has in the home in the event of a split, which could lead the home to be sold, or one person offering to buy out the other. “Many different things can happen after a relationship dissolves,” noted Jordan Clarke, an agent in San Diego with real estate brokerage Redfin. “It’s much better to think about it when heads are cool and everything is great in a relationship.” And such agreements don’t have any effect if the couple remains together, Clarke noted. 4. Understand ownership options Homebuyers have a couple of options on how to assign ownership on the title to the home. Specifics can vary by state, but generally the title can list one person as the sole owner, or more than one person as owners. Unwed homebuyers generally hold title as “joint tenants” or as “tenants in common.” The “joint tenants” option designates equal ownership interest. If a couple specifies right of survivorship to the title, then the interest in the home is transferred to the other person on the title in the event the other dies. With a “tenants in common” title, the homeowners spell out what percentage of the property each holds. That approach is more common with a group of investors buying a property together because it clarifies how much each investor gets from the sale of the property. It also lets each person sell their stake in the property individually. 5. Review tax implications One of the perks of homeownership is being able to deduct mortgage interest payments on your tax return. In the case of an unwed couple filing separate income tax returns, the IRS will allow both to take their home mortgage interest deduction as long as they each have a vested interest in the property, said Mark J. Kohler, a tax lawyer and CPA. A vested interest could be simply being on the title, or being a guarantor on the mortgage, akin to being a co-signer. For more details, check out the IRS website: www.irs.gov/publications/p936/ ar02.html 6. Reset wedding expectations Owning a home can come with unexpected expenses that make it hard to save money for a lavish wedding and honeymoon. Hung, who is not yet engaged, said the biggest shock of homeownership came when her home’s value was reassessed, resulting in an increase in her property taxes. “It really does set your plans back,” she said. “I thought within a year we would hopefully be able to afford a wedding, but it’s not as quick as we thought.” — AP

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Affordable housing From page B-4 properties/covenant-village or call (301) 5401162. Quantum also has properties in Northern Virginia. Morris Glen, a 60-unit apartment retirement community in Alexandria, Va., is intended for low- to moderate-income, active adults who are 62 or older. Private room safety features include emergency pull-cords and grab bars. The building features a full kitchen and dining areas for entertaining guests. The landscaped grounds also have outdoor walkways, a clock tower and a pond. Other services include podiatrist visits, weekly Bible study, and regular transportation for grocery shopping, medical appointments and retail shopping. The community also offers many events for its tenants, including bingo, pot luck dinners, movies, Yahtzee night, speakers and musical entertainment. The maximum annual income for a one bedroom is between $37,450 and $44,940, and the maximum for a two bedroom is between $42,800 and $51,360, depending on size of unit. Minimum income requirements range from $19,944 to $25,464. Apartments range from 432 sq.ft. to 590 sq.ft., and monthly rents range from $831 to $1,061. Morris Glen is located at 7010 Schoonmaker Ct., Alexandria, Va. For more information, visit www.qpmgmt.com/news/properties/morris-glen or call Margaret Heflin at (703) 719-7268.

living as well as a personal care community for low-income older adults. Income-eligible residents may qualify for subsidized housing. The ten-acre community features two independent living buildings, the Stein and Moskowitz buildings, and the Edwards Personal Care Building, a separate building for those who require more care. The campus features a beauty salon and barber shop, mobile post office, social hall, library, computer lab, fitness center with a trainer, arts and crafts room, pool table, and a TV lounge. A wheelchair-accessible van provides scheduled transportation for the residents. There are also many clubs and group activities, including drama club, choral group, college-level classes and dance classes. The Edwards Personal Care Building, while not an assisted living facility, offers residents extra services, such as assistance with bathing, housekeeping and laundry, as well as optional medication administration for an additional cost. The

mandatory meal program provides three meals per day at an extra cost. There are nursing aids on-site 24 hours per day, and rooms feature walk-in showers with grab bars, smoke detectors, sprinklers and an emergency alert system. Qualified residents may be eligible to have their rent subsidized by the HOC. Their rent would be 30 percent of their net income. The Stein and Moskowitz buildings offer

B-15

four-course kosher dinners, Monday through Friday, for an extra cost. Though floor plans vary, each of the rooms feature wall to wall carpeting, a fully-equipped kitchen, a large closet, an emergency alert system, smoke detectors, sprinklers and grab bars. Homecrest House is located at 14508 Homecrest Rd., Silver Spring, Md. For more information, contact Maria Karavangelos at (301) 598-4000, ext. 79.

BEACON BITS

July 1+

NEW VA SENIOR OLYMPICS EVENTS The 2014 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics (NVSO) is adding a

5K Run and American style mah jongg to its more than 50 competitive events. NVSO will be held Saturday, Sept. 13 to Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 20 different venues throughout Northern Virginia. Participants must be at least 50 years of age and live in a sponsoring jurisdiction. The registration fee is $12, which covers multiple events. Call (703) 228-4721 for registration forms, or register online at www.nvso.us starting July 1.

Change is good when change is good. Our latest changes are so good! Celebrate with us.

Revitz House On its campus in Rockville, Md., Charles E. Smith Life Communities offers an independent living apartment community, Revitz House, intended for older adults and those with disabilities. It is a federally subsidized residence. Private rooms feature air conditioning, cable hookup, an emergency call system, climate control, a patio, a kitchen and wheelchair access. Revitz House also provides nightly dinner, for an extra cost of $350 per month. The building features controlled-access entry, a library, community lobby, dining room, lounges, computer stations, wall to wall carpeting, patios and gazebos, lobbylevel washers and dryers and transportation to shopping. They also offer recreational and wellness programs, therapeutic care, accommodation of special diets, speakers and entertainment. Monthly charges for one bedrooms range from $764 to $1,086 for regular-sized rooms, $769 to $1,109 for wheelchair-accessible regular rooms, $791 to $1,116 for larger rooms, and $809 to $1,128 for larger wheelchair-accessible rooms. Utilities are included. Revitz House is located at 6111 Montrose Rd., Rockville, Md. For more information, visit www.revitzhouse.org or call (301) 881-7400.

Announcing the Grand Re-Opening of The Woodlands Assisted Living at Kensington Park Saturday, June 14 from 4:30pm-7:30pm Family & friends welcome • Hors d’oeuvres by Chef Luis served t Kensington Park, we want our residents and guests to feel welcome—always. We want everyone to be so comfortable that without thinking, they come and go as they please, share meals together, give hugs, ask questions, offer ideas, mingle with our team.

By design, our way of doing things is friendly and personal. We continually look for new ways to appeal to a lot of different people so they all feel heard and loved. We understand that environment can contribute

positively to our approach and to the morale of those who live and visit here. New renovations await. Join us to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening at The Woodlands. Chat with residents on our bright, cozy sun porch. Have a cocktail or grab a quick bite in our new café. Tickle the keys on our new piano while residents and friends relax nearby. Take a tour while enjoying hors d’oeuvres by Chef Luis, and sneak a peek at upcoming changes to our dining room. Call Barbara Duncan at 301-946-7700 for more details.

301-946-7700 3620 Littledale Rd, Kensington, MD 20895 • www.KensingtonRetirement.com

Homecrest House Homecrest House offers independent

Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care

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Housing Options

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Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

INVEST IN ISRAELI STOCKS Israel’s high tech and healthcare companies shine, but can be volatile ALTERNATIVE ACCOUNTS After maxing out retirement accounts, look at annuities and SEP IRAs DON’T BE IN DENIAL Take steps ahead of time to prevent long-term care insurance denials GETTING A USED CAR DEAL Look to luxury, leased and rental cars for good deals on a used vehicle

Frontier markets feature attractive stocks By Stan Choe Finding stocks that zig when others zag is a key goal for investors, and mutual fund managers say they’re finding candidates in places that may be unfamiliar. They’re delving deeper into less-developed economies, buying stock in Nigerian breweries, banks in Kazakhstan and cement companies in Colombia. Trading in such markets is more difficult, and the threat of big losses is higher. But proponents of so-called frontier markets say they are where Brazil, China, India and other big emerging markets were 20 years ago. And while investing in stocks from those countries may have seemed wild then, today they’re just a de rigueur part of an emerging-markets portfolio. Frontier-market investing covers a wide range of economies from huge countries like Pakistan, one of the world’s 10 largest by population, to Mauritius, which has fewer people than Idaho. What they have in common are economies or stock markets that are less developed than traditional emerging markets, such as China and Brazil, which are themselves less developed than the U.S., Japan or Germany. Because of their smaller size and increased risk, conventional wisdom said that frontier-market stocks should behave like emerging-market stocks on steroids: They should have higher highs and lower

lows. But over the last year, frontier-market stocks haven’t been dragged down by worries dogging large emerging markets. Over the 12 months ended in April, the MSCI Frontier Markets index returned 27.9 percent in U.S. dollar terms, including dividends. China, Brazil and other more established emerging markets, meanwhile, lost 1.5 percent as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets index.

Unaffected by global trends Part of the allure is that frontier markets aren’t yet fully part of the global economy. They don’t have big exporters like South Korea’s Samsung, whose revenue depends heavily on the global economy’s strength. That means the direction of a frontier market’s stocks is more heavily reliant upon the strength of its own economy. And expectations for many frontier economies are high. The focus on the growth of the local economy can lead to big differences in performance. Consider the United Arab Emirates. Through the end of April, it surged 40.4 percent. Meanwhile Kazakhstan, also a member of the frontier index, fell 7.1 percent. Such differences are a positive for investors, said Rick Schmidt, portfolio manager at Harding Loevner’s Frontier Emerging Markets fund (HLMOX), which has returned 18.8 percent over the last year.

“The individual country risk is very high: You can have a coup over here and an invasion over there,” Schmidt said. “But because none of them affects what happens in other markets, when you own a portfolio of those, you’re actually reducing risk.” To be sure, as frontier markets grow, their ties to the global economy will likely strengthen. That means their stock markets would eventually move more in sync with other global markets. But investors now are noticing the strong performance and diversification that frontier markets have recently provided. Big institutional clients and financial advisers are asking more often whether they need to be in frontier markets, Schmidt said. So, what’s the answer? “If you can handle the risks and hold through this thing for five years, frontier is an asset class that is very exciting,” he said.

Research the risks Frontier markets would likely be a small part of an investor’s portfolio. But investors need to be aware of the risks involved. Coups, wars and other political risks: When the protests of the Arab Spring swept through Tunisia and other countries, markets quickly tumbled. Tunisian stocks lost 19 percent in the first eight weeks of 2011. Earlier this year, tensions between Rus-

sia and the United States about Ukraine led to falling markets around the world. Surprisingly, Ukraine’s stocks have done well: They returned 4.6 percent through April. That’s because of the increased global attention, which has led to billions of dollars in loans for Ukraine, said Nathan Rowader, portfolio manager of the Forward Frontier Strategy fund (FRONX). “As hard as it is, the annexation caused a real change in fortunes,” Rowader said. Big losses are possible: Frontier-market stocks are still below their 2008 peak. That’s in part because of their particularly steep declines. In 2008, frontier markets plunged 54.1 percent, compared with a 37 percent fall for the Standard & Poor’s 500 index. In 2011, frontier markets lost 18.4 percent, when the S&P 500 returned 2.1 percent. One of the risks in frontier markets is that stocks are tougher to trade: It can be difficult to find a buyer when you want to sell. Prices are higher following a big run: As a group, frontier-market stocks are more expensive than those of other regions. At the end of the first quarter, they were trading at an average 14 times their earnings per share over the last 12 months. That’s higher than the average price-earnings See FRONTIER MARKETS, page 34

Energy stocks that pay 4 percent and up By Kathy Kristof Because the U.S. energy market is rapidly expanding, thanks in large part to the shale boom, the master limited partnership (MLP) market offers plenty of choices. True, some old-time darlings are running aground because their pipes are in areas that have been supplanted by new fields far away. But that doesn’t mean investors should shun MLPs altogether. MLPs are given special tax treatment as a way of fostering the development of energy infrastructure in the U.S. As long as the firms have at least 90 percent of their assets engaged in the extraction or transportation of energy, they’re not taxed at the corporate level. Instead, they pass earnings and tax de-

ductions directly to investors. MLP shares, which are called units, trade like stocks. (Each year, investors get a Schedule K-1 form detailing their share of income as well as deductions.) We think the four companies below are appealing. Energy Transfer Partners (symbol ETP; recent price, $56; 6.6 percent yield) once focused on transporting oil and gas in the state of Texas. But as production increased, demand did not, which sounded a death knell for its business model, said Morningstar analyst Jason Stevens. Forced to remake itself, the MLP bought a utility, a refiner and a business that transported natural gas, as well as a terminal built to import gas through the Gulf of Mexico. The nation’s glut of natural gas ob-

viated the need for imports, but this terminal has become one of a few authorized to export liquefied natural gas overseas. Spectra Energy Partners (SEP; $51; 4.3 percent) was spun off from Spectra Energy Corp. last November. With a presence in the Marcellus shale district in Pennsylvania, Spectra has been building new pipes to New England, Canada, the Midwest and the Atlantic seaboard. The firm already has 1,510 miles of pipelines in and around Tennessee, and a significant presence on the Gulf Coast. Stevens thinks payouts will grow at a 7 percent annual pace. Enterprise Products Partners (EPD; $73; 4.1 percent) is a well-established player operating both pipelines and storage facilities. It stores and transports natural gas,

crude oil and refined products in the U.S. and offshore, and is developing facilities for exporting propane and butane. Enterprise is among the few MLPs that retain much of their cash to fund future growth, yet it still lifted payouts by 5 percent in 2013. OneOK Partners (OKS; $55; 5.4 percent), which specializes in all aspects of the natural gas market, is also attractive. The firm has been able to grow by building new processing plants and new pipelines for liquefied natural gas, and by expanding through the Williston basin in Montana and North Dakota. Kathy Kristof is a contributing editor to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. © 2014 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Israeli stocks show nice growth potential By Kathy Kristof and Barbara Hoch Marcus With more start-up businesses per capita than anywhere in the world, Israel is brimming with tantalizing investment prospects. Moreover, many Israeli stocks trade in the U.S, making it simple for Americans to buy in. Granted, the risks are substantial. Not only do the country’s businesses grapple with a hostile geopolitical environment, but many are youthful enterprises that have yet to post a profit. Still, for long-term investors who don’t mind assuming some risks, the rewards could be great. Few companies illustrate the contrast between an ancient land and modern technology better than Caesarstone Sdot-Yam

(symbol CSTE; recent price, $60). Caesarstone’s headquarters is located just miles from the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Caesarea. Caesarstone makes high-end quartz floors and countertops, and thanks in part to the housing revival in the U.S. (Caesarstone’s biggest market), sales and profits are rocking. The stock, which has climbed more than fivefold since Caesarstone went public in March 2012, sells for 27 times forecast earnings — not cheap, but not outrageously expensive in light of the company’s rapid growth.

Haifa to the north, nicknamed Silicon Wadi, is brimming with companies that are working on ways to speed and secure Web commerce. Silicom (SILC; $69) makes adapters that serve as building blocks for all sorts of technological appliances. With an increasing number of consumers speeding through cyberspace, computer networks are finding themselves bedeviled by a familiar problem: traffic jams. Radware (RDWR; $17) makes products to unplug those bottlenecks while maintaining the security of computer networks.

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Many promising Israeli companies are in healthcare. Consider Compugen (CGEN; $11), located in Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem-based Oramed Pharmaceuticals (ORMP; $15). Neither biotech firm is profitable yet, but both appear to be on the verge of breakthroughs that are likely to put them on the map. At a time when attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder appears to be reaching epi-

Frontier markets From page 33 ratio of 12 emerging markets. Fund managers say much of that gain is due to just a few countries and may soon be alleviated. The United Arab Emirates has nearly doubled over the last 12 months, while Qatar is up nearly 50 percent. The pair together makes up about a third of the MSCI Frontier Markets index. But both markets are graduating to the MSCI Emerging Markets index after the end of the month. Following that, price-earnings

demic proportions, Alcobra (ADHD; $23) is developing an alternative to traditional ADHD medications that appears to be both effective and less addictive than other ADHD medications. No discussion about Israel would be complete without a few words about Teva Pharmaceuticals (TEVA; $49), which is by far the largest company on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and the world’s biggest maker of generic drugs. Surprisingly, the stock has been a mediocre performer over the past few years. But William Scholes, assistant investment manager of the Aberdeen Israel Fund (ISL), a closed-end fund, thinks the stock, at just 11 times estimated 2014 earnings and boasting a dividend yield of 2.8 percent, is a bargain. Kathy Kristof is a contributing editor to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Barbara Hoch Marcus is managing editor of the magazine. © 2014 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

ratios for frontier markets will likely drop. Costs are higher: Trading stocks in frontier markets is more expensive than trading in the U.S., which has translated into higher expense ratios for frontier-market funds. Harding Loevner’s Frontier Emerging Markets fund has a net expense ratio of 2.23 percent, for example. That means $223 of every $10,000 invested in the fund goes to cover annual costs after waivers made by the managers. Lower expenses are available among frontier funds that track an index. — AP

BEACON BITS

June 15

WALL STREET AND THE ECONOMY

Author Larry Doyle will discuss his recently published book, In Bed with Wall Street: The Conspiracy Crippling Our Global Economy. A book signing will follow the event in the Mary Pickford Theater on the third floor of the Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 15. For more information, call (202) 707-5677.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Alternative accounts for retirement savings By Sandra Block Say you’re saving the maximum in your retirement accounts. For most employees, that means you can stash up to $17,500 in 2014 in your 401(k), 403(b), federal Thrift Savings Plan or 457 plan. You can also contribute up to $5,500 to a traditional or Roth IRA. And if you’re 50 or older, you can make “catch up” contributions of up to $5,500 to an employer retirement plan and $1,000 to an IRA. Or maybe you earn too much to contribute the maximum. Employers are required to limit contributions by highly compensated employees if an insufficient number of lower-paid employees participate in the plan. And you can’t contribute to a Roth IRA if your adjusted gross income is more than $129,000 in 2014 ($191,000 for married couples filing jointly). If any of these scenarios put up a roadblock to further savings, consider these alternatives:

Taxable accounts Saving in a taxable account is an especially good idea if you’re putting aside cash

for college as well as retirement. If you come up short when the bursar calls, you can tap a taxable account without paying income taxes and early-withdrawal penalties. Taxes on these accounts aren’t deferred, but most investors pay just 15 percent on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends. Withdrawals from your tax-deferred accounts, on the other hand, will be taxed at your ordinary income rate, which currently ranges from 10 percent to 39.6 percent. To keep taxes in check, select tax-efficient investments, such as tax-free municipal bonds or stock index funds and other investments that qualify for long-term capital-gains rates.

— regardless of how high your income — and grow tax-deferred until retirement.

Variable annuities Contributions to these accounts aren’t deductible, but investment gains grow taxdeferred until you take withdrawals. Variable annuities were once encumbered by high fees that crippled investment returns, but many now feature low fees and modest or no surrender charges. Investors can purchase annuities directly from Van-

BEACON BITS

June 11

TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIORS Senior Services of Alexandria’s June Speaker series will focus on

SEP IRAs If you have self-employment income from your own business or freelancing, consulting or other part-time work, these SEP IRAs let you break free of the regular IRA limits. You can contribute up to 20 percent of your self-employment income (your business income minus half of your self-employment tax), up to a maximum of $52,000 in 2014. Contributions are tax-deductible

guard Group and Fidelity Investments, for example, without paying a commission. Still, variable annuities are most appropriate for high-bracket taxpayers with income of at least $250,000 because they stand to benefit the most from compounded tax-deferred earnings. Sandra Block is a senior associate editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. © 2014 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

“Technology for Seniors.” This free event will take place on Wednesday, June 11 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Charles Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria, Va. Hear from local experts from AARP, Adult Companion Care and the Alexandria library discussing what’s out there and how to make it work for you. Seating is limited. RSVP at www.seniorservicesalex.org or call (703) 8364414, ext 10.

BEACON BITS

June 12

PSYCHOLOGY OF SPENDING Arlington County presents a discussion on the psychology of

spending on Thursday, June 12 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Langston Brown Senior Center, 2121 N. Culpepper St., Arlington, Va. Nyambo Anuluoha from the Arlington Community Federal Credit Union will discuss many factors that impact consumer spending behavior and what factors may lead to the best decisions. For more information, call (703) 228-6300.

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Avoid long-term care insurance denials By Susan B. Garland Buyers of long-term-care insurance expect that their policies will pay off if they no longer can live on their own. And most claims are indeed paid: Insurance companies forked over $6.6 billion in benefits in 2012 to a record 264,000 individuals, according to the American Association for

Long-Term Care Insurance. But consumer advocates and lawyers say many seniors — and their families — spend months, and sometimes years, struggling to persuade insurers to pay the bills. To help avoid denials, it’s essential to understand what your policy covers and the traps that can block a claim from being

paid. Here are some tips: Determine when the clock starts ticking. Policies typically include a deductible, known as an elimination period, of 20, 60 or 90 days. But insurers differ on how they count those days. Some policies use “calendar days” — paying for services 60 days after you file a claim or after the doctor or company certifies that you have a covered disability. But other plans focus on “service days,” counting only the days that you pay for a home health aide, for example, during the waiting period. If the caregiver visits three days a week, the insurer only counts those visits toward the 60-day waiting period — meaning benefits won’t kick in for 20 weeks. In the meantime, the family has to pick up the tab. Some policies will waive the elimination period for home healthcare, said John Ryan, a broker in Greenwood Village, Colo., who specializes in long-term care. Regardless of the particulars of the elimination period, Ryan said it’s essential to file a claim at the first sign of a problem. The insurance company will need to review clinical records and perhaps even send a nurse or social worker to visit a client before it approves a claim. “All this takes time,” Ryan said. Pass the disability test. Claimants typically must prove that they are “cognitively impaired” or need help performing two or three “activities of daily living,” such as bathing or eating. “A licensed healthcare provider should confirm in writing” all of the details of the patient’s disabilities, said Calvin Thur, a lawyer in Phoenix, Ariz., who represents claimants in insurance cases. Thur also recommends that a physician “in essence write a prescription” for home

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healthcare seven days a week or nursinghome care for life. When you call the insurer to file a claim, make it clear that you have documentation from a physician. The physician’s report should reflect the type of care required in the policy. For example, Thur said, “If a policy requires that the person needs help getting in and out of the shower, the doctor should write that.” The insurer will verify the need for care, either by phone or in person. In the case of a visit, an advocate “should be present to explain the problem,” said Glenn Kantor, an insurance lawyer in Northridge, Calif. “The patient should never be left alone.” And the insurer should be told in writing to call the patient’s advocate and not the client for any information, Kantor said. Someone with Alzheimer’s could have moments of lucidity, for example, and older patients often don’t want to admit how helpless they are. Check the caregiver requirements. Before you hire a caregiver, study the policy’s fine print on the type of aide the company will cover. Many policies will only pay for licensed caregivers who work for an agency, even though many patients simply require the help of a personal care aide — someone to prepare meals and help with bathing. You don’t want to discover too late that the aide you hired doesn’t qualify. These requirements also cover aides during the elimination period — even though you’re paying for the care yourself. Not all states require such licenses. In Arizona, Thur said, there’s no license requirement for home health aides. He said that when the home health providers call the insurers to remind them of the law, “the See INSURANCE DENIALS, page 37

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Economy II is a Lifeline supported service. Lifeline is a government assistance program. Only eligible consumers may enroll. You may qualify for Lifeline service if you can show proof that you participate in certain government assistance programs or your annual income (gross and from all sources) is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. If you qualify based on income, you will be required to provide income verification. Proof of participation in a government assistance program requires your current or prior year’s statement of benefits from a qualifying state or federal program; a notice letter or other official document indicating your participation in such a program; and/or another program participation document (for example, benefit card). Proof of income requires your prior year’s state or federal tax return; current income statement from an employer or paycheck stub; a statement of Social Security, Veterans Administration, retirement, pension, or Unemployment or Workmen’s Compensation benefits; a federal notice letter of participation in General Assistance; a divorce decree; a child support award; and/or another official document containing income information. At least three months of data is necessary when showing proof of income. In addition, the Lifeline program is limited to one discount per household, consisting of either wireline or wireless service. You are required to certify and agree that no other member of the household is receiving Lifeline service from Verizon or another communications provider. Lifeline service is a non-transferable benefit. Lifeline customers may not subscribe to certain other services, including other local telephone service. Consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain the Lifeline benefit can be punished by fine or imprisonment, or can be barred from the program.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

LTC policies that make Medicaid easier By Kimberly Lankford Q. I’m interested in a long-term-care policy that would let me protect more of my assets if I eventually need to rely on Medicaid to pay for care. I’ve heard that “partnership-eligible” policies let you do exactly that. How do these policies work, and what happens to my policy if I move to another state? A: In most states, in order to qualify for Medicaid (a program paid for by states and the federal government to provide free or nearly free healthcare and long-term care for the indigent), you must have a limited monthly income and also “spend down” your assets to a very low figure. State laws on how to qualify for Medicaid differ, but you generally can’t have more than $2,000 in countable assets, including investments. A spouse who lives at home can generally keep about $115,000 while the other spouse is in a nursing home or other care facility. As a way to encourage residents to purchase long-term care insurance policies (and thereby delay the need to apply for Medicaid), most states will now increase the amount of assets a Medicaid applicant may retain by the amount of long-term care insurance proceeds they have used from an eligible policy. For example, if your long-term care partnership policy provides a total benefit of $200,000 (usually your daily benefit multiplied by your benefit period), and your state’s asset limit is $2,000, you’ll be able to retain $202,000 in assets (or your spouse at home could keep about $315,000) after you exhaust your benefits and need to sign up for Medicaid. Most states have adopted the partnership program (including Maryland and Virginia, but not the District of Columbia). Medicaid eligibility rules vary by state,

so there may be different rules for the partnership program if you move to a new state. Most states, including Maryland and Virginia, have reciprocity with other states’ long-term care partnership programs. That means if you move, you’ll generally be able to protect the same amount of assets based on your policy’s total benefits, but the Medicaid eligibility rules of your new state (not the state where you originally bought the policy) will apply. For more information on other states, see the partnership page on the website of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance at www.aaltci.org/longterm-care-insurance/learning-center/longterm-care-insurance-partnership-plans.php. Most long-term care policies today are partnership eligible and don’t charge extra for the benefit. Most states require partnership policies

to have some kind of compound inflation adjustment before age 61, and an automatic cost-of-living rider (not necessarily compound) from age 62 to 75. After age 75, there’s usually no requirement for a costof-living adjustment.

Ask your insurer if the policy you’re considering qualifies. Kimberly Lankford is a contributing editor to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. © 2014 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

How to get a sweeter deal on a used car By Jessica Anderson Used-car deals are getting better. Desirable trade-ins and vehicles at the end of their lease are streaming onto the used market, and that means more choices at lower prices. New-car leasing and finance deals create competition with used cars, too, and that also helps drive down used-car prices, according to Laurence Dixon, senior manager of market intelligence at www.NADAguides.com.

Look to luxury cars Some vehicle categories are riper for a deal than others. Right now, you’ll find the best prices on luxury models. Leasing of luxury cars didn’t decline

with the economy, so a steady supply of off-lease luxury vehicles has headed to used-car lots. Plus, luxury vehicles typically lose more of their value more quickly than mainstream models do. Prices are also coming down on small and midsize cars. Midsize cars are the most popular models, and sell the most in the new-car market. As a result, midsize prices are falling a little more than prices in the used market as a whole. The same goes for compact and subcompact models, but prices are even better. As the fuel economy of midsize models has risen and gas prices have leveled off, small cars (and hybrids) have lost some of their cachet.

Prices of crossovers and SUVs are a mixed bag. Many buyers of compact crossovers choose used, so high demand is propping up used prices. Traditional, truck-based SUV sales have increased as fuel costs have leveled off, so prices for those vehicles are holding steady. But as buyers move back to truckbased models, larger crossovers are less in demand, and prices are down.

Consider leased or rental cars Even if prices haven’t dropped across the board for the type of car you’re considering, there are ways to find a deal in any segment. Look at models that are most often leased, or ones purchased by car rental companies. For example, a high percentage of leases are written for entry-level luxury cars, such as the BMW 3 series, MercedesBenz C-Class and Audi A4. The Toyota

Prius and Camry, the Ford Focus and Fusion, and the Chevrolet Cruze and Malibu are often found in rental fleets. And look for recently redesigned models. With a new-generation model on the market, there’s an inherent discount on the previous version. Don’t limit your search to go-to brands, such as Honda and Toyota. The improving quality of all vehicles means you can cast a wider net. Keith Griffin, the used-car expert at About.com, suggests looking at Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia. They have fiveyear/60,000 mile new-car warranties, and used-car buyers get the remainder of that time. (Their 10-year/100,000-mile power train warranties do not transfer to new owners.) Jessica Anderson is an associate editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. © 2014 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

June 11

SELLING YOUR HOME “AS IS”

Learn about selling homes “as is,” where a company or individual purchases a home quickly, usually for cash, with no renovations. Learn what “as is” really is, when to consider it, and when not to in this discussion by certified real estate specialist Monika Kaiser on Wednesday, June 11 at the Aurora Hills Senior Center, 735 S. 18th St., Arlington, Va. For more information, call (703) 228-7369.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

To balance portfolio, go against instincts By Anya Kamenetz Risk management and a safe glide to retirement sometimes require fighting your instincts. Yes, I said fighting them. That’s what it takes to keep your portfolio diversified. Now that tax season is behind us, it’s a good time to look at what you have in the bank and come up with a good rebalancing strategy. What is portfolio rebalancing? Perhaps the best way to explain it is with a simple hypothetical. Let’s say you chose an 80/20 allocation of stocks and bonds in a retirement portfolio worth $200. You buy $80 worth of Google stock and $80 worth of Walmart stock, plus $40 worth of bonds ($160 in stock/$40 in bonds = 80/20). A year later, the Google shares have doubled in value to $160. The Walmart stock has tanked to $40. And the bonds’ prices have barely moved at all — they’re stable, by design. Now you have two problems. The first is that your overall allocation is messed up. You now have $200 worth of stocks and only $40 in bonds — that’s an 83/17 split. The second is a little problem called reversion to the mean. Obviously, since Google is doing well, you would like to buy more of it. That would be exactly the wrong thing to do, though. The law of averages tells us that over the long term, Walmart is going to recover and Google is going to fall. This is what I mean by going against your instincts. The investment experts tell us that what you should do now to hedge against risk is rebalance the portfolio. That means buying more Walmart stock and more bonds, until you’ve recovered your original asset allocation and the desired diverse portfolio.

Of course it isn’t always possible to rebalance without selling anything, but it’s worth trying. The next question to ask is how often to rebalance. Vanguard, the world’s largest mutual fund company, put out a paper in 2010 that ran simulations on various portfolios and concluded, “Risk-adjusted returns are not meaningfully different whether a portfolio is rebalanced monthly, quarterly or annually; however, the number of rebalancing events and resulting costs (taxes, time and labor) increase significantly.” Translation: you are safe, and will probably save money, if you rebalance just once a year. Another important time to consider rebalancing is when changing jobs. If you are rolling over a 401(k), either into a new 401(k) or an IRA, you have a chance to pick new positions and new funds.

from the target. That means, in the example above, you actually wouldn’t have to buy more bonds yet because you’re within three percentage points of your desired stock/bond mix. However, you would still have to buy more Walmart stock, because you went from 50/50 Google/Walmart to 80/20. Rebalancing is key to risk management in any investment strategy, but it requires that you be confident of your portfolio mix to begin with. In the real world, optimal diversification gets much more complicated than just buying two stocks.

The final point to keep in mind is that you don’t always rebalance to keep the status quo. The best balance between equities and safer investments will change based on when you expect to retire and your risk preference. The 80/20 stocks/bonds mix looks good when I’m in my 30s, but by my 50s, it should be more like 60/40. Anya Kamenetz’ latest book is DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs, and the Coming Transformation of Higher Education. She welcomes your questions at diyubook@gmail.com © 2014 Anya Kamenetz. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Rebalance at 5% beyond target Vanguard also recommends a 5 percent threshold, which means you don’t rebalance until your portfolio mix has moved more than five percentage points away

Buy, don’t sell There’s a reason I say that you should rebalance your portfolio by buying, rather than by selling. That’s because if you sell a stock that’s just gone up, you are going to realize capital gains and have to pay taxes on them. Some possible sources of fresh money to top up your allocations could be a bonus, gift or raise; or you could direct your funds’ income or capital-gain distributions into a money-market account instead of to current positions, and then use that cash to buy.

Want Information and Services from Montgomery County Government?

Call 311 to Get it Done! or visit mc311.com Call 240-777-0311 outside Montgomery County or near the County Border

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

TAKE THE RISK out of

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wa s h i n g t o n B e a c o n — J u n e 2 0 1 4

Say you saw it in the Beacon

A Special Supplement to The Beacon newspaper

Revitz House residents posed as “model” students for the latest annual report. The report will be posted at smithlifecommunities.org.

Photo by Richard Greenhouse

June 2014/No. 33

Québec museum features Lida Moser’s work by Emily Tipermas

Lida Moser, 93, can hardly believe that 65 years have passed since she journeyed to Québec on special assignment to capture – with her camera – the essence of a rural Canadian community. A spirited, up-and-coming New York photographer admired for her sharp eye, photojournalistic skills, and innovative approach to high-end commercial work for fashion publications and book publishers, Ms. Moser had to be coaxed into making the trip. Why? She didn’t know a word of French. Fortunately, she admits, the townspeople, “simple, innocent, with no pretensions,” greeted her warmly and “everything fell into place.” Her efforts culminated in Québec a lété 1950, a largeformat volume of striking black and white photos taken of farmers, fishermen, families, and winsome architectural details. Together, they elevate time and place into an art form. Resident Lida Moser’s photographs captured a vanishing way of life in Québec in the 1950s.

Ms. Moser, now a resident of the Hebrew Home, is about to be honored in a quite unexpected way. In 2015, a major retrospective of her Québec photos, numbering over 250, will Lida Moser be mounted at Québec’s National Fine Arts Museum. To prepare for the event, Canadian curator Anne-Marie Bouchard, Ph.D., recently traveled to Rockville to interview Lida Moser and gather background material for the exhibition catalogue; in addition, Bouchard plans to bicycle along Lida Moser’s route this summer, hoping to meet and speak with some of the children who were photographed, now older adults. Ms. Moser described photos from Québec a lété 1950: “I always love the position of someone who’s working,” she said, peering at the creviced face of a craftsman at his workbench. “See these two men? They were a father and son who insisted on changing from work clothes into their Sunday suits so I could photograph them looking their best... Can you imagine this photo without the light here? It would be nothing!... These people are harvesting seaweed, can you imagine?” Ms. Moser’s career spanned three decades.

Canadian curator Anne-Marie Bouchard, Ph.D., interviews resident and photographer Lida Moser for the 2015 retrospective at Québec’s National Fine Arts Museum.

Her work was featured on the pages of Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Look, and Esquire. A member of the New York School, she authored and co-authored technical photography books and wrote a column for the New York Times. Today, her photographs belong to museum collections worldwide; her own portrait, painted by artist Alice Neel, is in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. We’re proud to have Lida Moser on our campus and delighted that an upcoming exhibition will renew recognition of her accomplishments as a leading photographer of the twentieth century. n

Hebrew Home of Greater Washington • Smith-KoGod & Wasserman Residences Cohen-Rosen House • Hirsh Health Center • Landow House • Revitz House • Ring House

Brain Health Fair Page 2

Fitness for Health wows residents

Tour new model apartments at Ring House

Students bestow grants

Page 3

Page 5

Page 6

J u n e 2 0 1 4 — wa s h i n g t o n B e a c o n

Catch the latest about Charles E. Smith Life Communities Social media: facebook.com/ceslc, Twitter.com/ceslchhgw, YouTube Website: www.smithlifecommunities.org | Monthly enews: Sign up today at hhinfo@hebrew-home.org

First person

Campus news

A dynamic community— filled with Life This issue of LifeTimes is filled with news about our active and dynamic community – a campus that includes among its residents a photographer whose work will be exhibited in a major retrospective in Québec, residents who participated in a fitness program at a local gym with amazing results, survivors of the Holocaust who tearfully shared their poignant stories, and the oldest female Navy veteran, who turned 104 in May. All around us here at Charles E. Smith Life Communities is Life with a capital L. Our organization also turns 104 this year, more vigorous and vibrant than ever. Not only is there a diverse group of residents pursuing a wide range of activities and interests, but the scope and depth of care programs and services to meet their needs is also expanding and improving in a dynamic way. I invite you to tour our new model apartments at Ring House; check out the new look in our Rehabilitation Center; learn about the quality care and services we provide 365 days a year, and see what we, working with our philanthropic supporters, can accomplish. Join me in turning the pages of this newsletter to read about the events and the people who bring such life and vitality to our campus.

Warren R. Slavin, President/CEO Charles E. Smith Life Communities

HEBREW HOME OF GREATER WASHINGTON • COHEN-ROSEN HOUSE • HIRSH HEALTH CENTER

Renovations improve rehabilitation experience LANDOW HOUSE • REVITZ HOUSE • RING HOUSE

Updates to the Post-Acute Care Center in the Wasserman Residence are already improving the experience for patients who come to the Hebrew HEBREW HOME OF GREATER WASHINGTON • COHEN-ROSEN • HIRSH HEALTH CENTER Home for recovery and rehabilitation after HOUSE hospital stays. They and their LANDOW HOUSE • REVITZ HOUSE • RING HOUSE families enjoy the improvements to the contemporary dining room and family meeting space, both of which were funded through a generous grant from the Elsie and Marvin Dekelboum Family Foundation.

Health Free Brain Wellness Fair Monday, June 16, 2014 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Ring House

1801 E. Jefferson St. Rockville, MD 20852

Dear Mr. Slavin This email is long overdue. I am writing on behalf of my sister, Barb Cooper, and my mother, Constance Giniger, who was a Rehab patient in December and part of January. We wanted you to know that our family is so grateful for the care she received from the nursing staff on the Rehabilitation floor as well as the physical and occupational therapists. But we especially wanted to call your attention to Stephanie Taylor, who assisted in ways above and beyond her responsibilities! Stephanie is an outstanding employee who navigated the world of follow-up home care services for us and made the discharge seamless. She is both kind-hearted and capable – two outstanding qualities. Please know how appreciative our family is. Thank you so much and kudos to Stephanie and the Rehab staff! Pat Snyder, Barb Cooper & Connie Giniger

Page 2 | June 2014

...Join us for… Stay for a delicious brain healthy lunch for just $8. Reservations:

301.816.5048

• Expert discussion • “Ask” the Experts” corner with physicians, pharmacists • Special “neuro-stimulating” classes • Prizes, free product trials, brain food samples • Free transportation from Leisure World departs Clubhouse 1 at 10:20 a.m.

www.smithlifecommunities.org

wa s h i n g t o n B e a c o n — J u n e 2 0 1 4

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Dragon

Spend the daywith a Ring House

1801 E. Jefferson St., Rockville, MD

June 25 and September 17 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

We’ll be happy to match you with other players. All levels of experience welcome; $5 includes Mah Jongg for fun and a delicious kosher luncheon.

Reserve at 301.816.5052

Campus news

Spiced up exercise has seniors asking for more What does it take to motivate seniors of a certain age to commit to a physical exercise regime? Here’s what a group of Ring House and Revitz House residents, who completed a ten-week pilot program at Rockville’s Fitness for Health gym, say: “Make it fun…and seniors will come!” Fitness for Health, a therapeutic exercise and training center, takes an innovative approach to fitness. Founder Marc Sickel has shifted away from a standard exercise model toward one that employs intriguing games on cutting-edge “exergaming” equipment with catchy names like Makoto, Trazer, Batak, and Sport Wall. “This high-tech apparatus is fun, engaging for the users, and increases the chances that they’ll stick with the program,” says Sickel. Activities are designed to improve mental processing, balance, fitness levels, and build confidence. To evaluate the benefits of this type of program at Fitness for Health, residents, ranging in age from 52 to 92, participated in a pilot program. They completed the Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool (BCAT) and the RehabCare Senior Fitness Test before, midway, and at the conclusion of the program. In addition, at every visit, participants completed a RehabCare Smile/Mood Test. Beyond the fact that all residents experienced a pronounced lift in mood and sense of well-being, they loved taking part in exercise games they had never tried before, and appreciated the friendly encouragement of fitness trainers. Statistics from the Senior Fitness Test are very positive; 65 percent showed improvements in lower body strength, speed, agility, and balance, while over 75 percent improved on stamina and endurance. Most exciting and notable were physical gains by female participants in their 90’s; their stamina and endurance were enhanced and their scores rose in measurements of lower and upper body strength. Residents were euphoric. Marion Poker, 88, “loved working out with friends.” Betty Steinmetz, 91, enjoyed “exercising our eyes and minds as well as our bodies.” Staff observed how much residents welcomed the break from “normal” routines and were filled with enthusiasm from the moment they boarded campus buses. “We absolutely enjoyed having the residents and staff at our facility,” says Chris Garcia, director of operations at Fitness for Health. “It was great working with your group and making a difference in their lives. It was also great to see and hear the progress that they made in the short amount of time. We loved listening to their stories, and it seemed like they enjoyed sharing them with us.” This program turned everyone into a champion. n

Above: Judy Bergman mimics movement patterns displayed on the interactive Trazer screen at Fitness for Health.

Above: Betty Steinmetz strengthens balance and concentration as she swats popping lights on the Sports Wall.

Right: Charlotte Podgor bends and stretches to tap flashing lights on the Batak machine.

Below: Big smiles from Fitness for Health participants.

LifeTimes | Page 3

J u n e 2 0 1 4 — wa s h i n g t o n B e a c o n

The Harold & Jane Hirsh Health Center,

located in Rockville, MD, is open to seniors from the surrounding community. Dr. Zoovia Aman, director of Outpatient Services, heads a superb staff of medical professionals board-certified in geriatric medicine. Call 301.816.5004 to schedule an appointment. Medicare and most major insurance plans accepted. Located on the Terrace level of Ring House.

Dr. Zoovia Aman

Generation to Generation

Dr. Williamowsky knows his history – of the Home’s Dental Clinic When to introduce palliative care Check the dictionary for a definition of palliative medicine and you’ll find this: “soothing, alleviating, sedative, and calmative; for the terminally ill.” But, isn’t that what hospice is? While palliative care has evolved from the hospice movement, there are important distinctions between the two care models. How is palliative care different from hospice? First, in order to receive hospice care, a person Dr. Elisa Gil-Pires must be diagnosed as having only six months or less to live. Palliative care, on the other hand, can be introduced far earlier, at any point during a life-limiting illness – with the emphasis on optimizing quality of life throughout the entire course of illness. Second, although the choice is made to forgo aggressive or invasive treatments, many medical treatments and procedures can be delivered right alongside palliative care. It is not “giving up.” The take-off point Pediatricians are excellent at helping new parents anticipate and prepare for expected challenges in their infant’s growth. In a similar way, palliative care team members can help patients and their families cope with the inevitable challenges of life-limiting illness. “The team can focus on anticipating, preventing, and treating suffering, not just the immediate presenting symptoms,” explains Dr. Elisa Gil-Pires, vice president, Medical Affairs/Medical Director at the Charles E. Smith Life Communities. “This approach helps people make the best care decisions.” What is palliative care? Focusing on quality of life, delivering compassionate care, and honoring personal preferences are at the core of the care that Charles E. Smith Life Communities provides to all residents. When there is serious illness and the diagnosis is life limiting, the focus shifts beyond curing to comfort, and it is here that palliative care adds a new dimension to the care plan. • The physician spends more time with the resident and family, setting goals and embracing what is truly most important to the resident. • Palliative care focuses on easing pain, stress, and anxiety. • P alliative care can help manage symptoms of pain, shortness of breath, cardiac issues, psychological distress, fear, depression, and personal grief, and address spiritual needs and questions. n Page 4 | June 2014

Headlined by Dr. Joan Teno of Brown University (rear, third from right), experts shared their ideas and experiences on one of the fastest-growing fields in medicine at an educational symposium convened by Charles E. Smith Life Communities. The May 2 program for care providers, Palliative Care: Yesterday’s Promises, Today’s Challenges and Solutions, was co-sponsored by Sibley Memorial Hospital, a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine, supported by Optum Palliative and Hospice Care, and arranged in partnership with Suburban Hospital, a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Initiatives At Charles E. Smith Life Communities, palliative care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team including boardcertified palliative care specialists. This team includes the resident’s physician, nurses, specialists, a Rabbi, pastoral associates, therapists, pharmacists, social workers, family and friends; all working together. The team can help families work through the questions they may have, such as What are my options? How do I cope? Who do I call? and create a custom care plan that matches the resident’s needs and desires and promotes a sense of empowerment and ease. In order to encourage discussion and share knowledge on this fast-growing field in medicine, Charles E. Smith Life

Communities sponsored an educational symposium on May 2, Palliative Care: Yesterday’s Promises, Today’s Challenges and Solutions. Dr. Joan Teno of Brown University delivered the keynote address and moderated a case study discussion. The event was co-sponsored by Sibley Memorial Hospital, a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine, supported by Optum Palliative and Hospice Care, and arranged in partnership with Suburban Hospital, a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine. Find presentations online at www. smithlifecommunities.org.

Perspective “While all hospice care is palliative, not all palliative care is hospice.” — Dr. Elisa Gil-Pires

wa s h i n g t o n B e a c o n — J u n e 2 0 1 4

Say you saw it in the Beacon

An Open House…at Ring House Thursday, June 26 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Anne Gordon, pictured here, has transformed her Ring House apartment into an art studio.

Come see for yourself why Ring House in the heart of Rockville is a wonderful place to add convenience to life. Refreshments served.

R.S.V.P. 301.816.5012 Take a tour of Ring House

Next move: Ring House Seniors who are not ready for assisted living, but would welcome additional convenience in life, can consider the advantages of living at Ring House, situated on the leafy campus of Charles E. Smith Life Communities in the heart of Rockville. The Hirsh Health Center, located on the building’s Terrace level, offers primary geriatric care, therapy, and visiting specialists, all without leaving the building. After settling into a newly-updated apartment (studio, one- or two-bedroom), residents can discover stimulating activities catered to every interest, an outstanding wellness program, complimentary bus transportation to shopping and entertainment, two meals a day with a café for a tasty mid-day bite, computer stations, salon, library, and fitness center. There is the added convenience of a home care agency based on the premises, for those occasions when a little extra personal assistance might be helpful, and the security of living on a campus with a full range of services, including outstanding rehabilitation. Please visit www.ringhouse.org for more information or call Pam Rosen at 301.816.5012 today to schedule a personal tour. n

Living room, one-bedroom model

“We want to bring a dignified, enriching experience to the seniors we serve,” states Kyle Hreben, “keeping our residents active in the community and attracting the community onto our campus.” He adds new energy and fresh perspectives to his role as director of Housing Operations for Cohen-Rosen House, Landow House, and Ring House. Kyle has worked in smallhouse neighborhoods, medical home health, private-duty home care, and in outpatient rehabilitation, most recently as administrator at Heartland Hospice in Northern Virginia. Prior to that, he served as administrator at the Jewish Home of Cincinnati/Cedar Village Retirement Community.

Living room, two-bedroom model

The second bedroom can become a cozy den.

Kitchens have stainless appliances, granite counters, and washer-dryers. Baths offer step-in showers and many safety features. Photos by Richard Greenhouse Model apartments designed by Kelly B. Jenkins, Capitol Décor and Events

Mah Jongg for Fun is a delightful day open to

the community, and a good way to see Ring House. The residence offers regular Mah Jongg, bridge, poker, and canasta games, and Wi-Fi, too. Call about our June 25th game, 301.816.5052. LifeTimes | Page 5

J u n e 2 0 1 4 — wa s h i n g t o n B e a c o n

A special thanks

to Frances and Leonard Burka, Bess Hormats, and Irving Malitson (pictured left to right) for hosting a Tea at Somerset House that recognized donors to Charles E. Smith Life Communities.

Special “Menschen”

Honoring Evelyn Auerbach, z”l On May 15, the social hall at Ring House was dedicated as the Evelyn Auerbach Social Hall, a fitting tribute to an extraordinary volunteer and loving wife and mother. Evelyn became involved with “I am proud of Evelyn’s diligent work the Hebrew Home at her mother’s on behalf of the Home and can’t think behest in 1972. Her first volunteer of a more fitting gift to recognize her efforts and to continue our family’s role was as treasurer of the Women’s legacy,” says Marty Auerbach, Auxiliary and she went on to serve as pictured with Evelyn. Auxiliary president from 1992-1993, and as co-president in 1999. Conscientious and energetic, she managed Starlight Ball attendance cards, Auxiliary Boutique receipts, co-chaired the Guardian Committee in 1987-1992, and was secretary of the Home’s Board for eight years. Evelyn was honored with the Hymen Goldman Humanitarian Award and shared the Aunt Minnie Goldsmith Award with her mother Jane Hirsh. Evelyn’s parents generously established the Harold and Jane Hirsh Health Center which provides vital outpatient medical care just across the hallway from this social hall. We very much appreciate this gift from Evelyn’s husband Martin “Marty” Auerbach and children Joshua and Ruth. n

Survivors share stories of tragedy and renewal

Ring House resident Beril Sinnreich, one of 40 survivors on campus, describes his experience in a Nazi labor camp. Page 6 | June 2014

“We rode a train for three days, three nights, nothing to eat, in freezing cold. Frozen people were thrown out like garbage,” recalls Beril Sinnreich, 99, a Landow House resident at Charles E. Smith Life Communities, who lost his entire family during the Holocaust. He spoke before friends and families at the fourth annual brunch honoring Holocaust survivors on April 27. Joel Appelbaum, vice president of the Progress Club which generously hosted the brunch, is committed to continuing this event “for as long as there are survivors on this campus.” See the Washington Post story at hebrew-home.org/newsroom. n

www.hebrew-home.org for more information and registration

Teens bestow grants H2YP participants, their families, and grant recipients celebrated the fifth session of the Harold and Shirley Robinson H2YP Youth Philanthropy Program at the closing ceremony on May 4. This innovative program at Charles E. Smith Life Communities, led by Rabbi Sarah Meytin, gives high school students a unique opportunity to learn about the varied needs of seniors in our community and the important role philanthropy plays. Fifteen high school students, who worked as a foundation board, listened to grant proposals and awarded funds to support five programs on the Charles E. Smith Life Communities campus. Since grant requests greatly exceeded available funds, students were challenged to allocate resources for the most positive impact. The group funded a new computer for Revitz House’s Internet Café; a poster enlarger/ printer for staff education; a new computer, Brain Fitness software, and tablet apps for memory care; a garden program at Revitz House; and tickets for Hebrew Home residents to area cultural events. Michael Rones, Walt Whitman High School, reflected, “I was really happy I joined the program because I could see that what we were doing was very important, and that we had the ability to make many more days enjoyable for the residents.” n

Students in the 2014 H2YP group, in alphabetical order: Lauren Chmara, Jessica Cohn, Stephanie Gans, Sydney Geifman, Lauren Heimberg, Matt Lavine, Sophie Lavine, Nicky Lindenberg, Stephanie Prussick, Brandon Robinson, Michael Rones, Nathan Schachter, Ethan Sorcher, Daniel Tomares, Phoebe West.

wa s h i n g t o n B e a c o n — J u n e 2 0 1 4

Charitable gift annuities benefit the charity of your choice…and you!

• Unchanging retirement income for life • Pay-out rates of 5.1% - 9% • Immediate tax deduction

To learn more, call 301.770.8342 or mail this form to Elana Lippa, Director of Gift Planning, 6121 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Please send me a personalized gift annuity illustration without obligation: Name/s_ ______________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________ City/State/Zip___________________________________________ Phone_ _______________________________________________ E-mail ________________________________________________ Birth date LT 06/14

People in the news Right: Nursing Assistant Rebecca Stucchi, Jackie Greene Fischer Memorial Award recipient, used her iPhone to learn Russian words to communicate with a Russian-speaking resident. Thrilled, the resident laughed, hugged her, and helped with pronunciation as the two forged a remarkable rapport.

Above: In May, the Board of Governors, board committee members, and senior management enjoyed a bowling and networking night at Bowlmor Bethesda. Pictured are board members Gary Saffitz, David Ruben; Vice President, Planning Beth DeLucenay; Chair Marc Solomon, and Arthur Dykes.

Two college-bound children of staff received Judge Milton D. Korman Scholarship Awards: Jassim H. Conteh (left), daughter of Elizabeth Wurie, will attend Liberty University in Lynchburg. She plans to become a nurse and give back to her community. Olakemi Kodja (above right), daughter of Constante Padonou, is an International Baccalaureate diploma candidate who will pursue a degree in psychology. She speaks several languages, and hopes to reach as many individuals in need as possible. Rabbi James Michaels received a Doctor of Divinity degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Mishawaka, Indiana. In addition to this honorary degree, he was also named a Fellow of the Foundation. View a video of his remarks on our Facebook page.

3 North staff received the Shining Star Team Award at this year’s Employee Service Awards Banquet. Over 100 staff members were recognized for key anniversaries of employment and for exceptional service to residents. While Charles E. Smith Life Communities partners with The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington on community issues, we are not a beneficiary agency.

Support the Hebrew Home through your gift to United Way

3 check 8111 or for CFC n 3 check 49705. n

Above: Hebrew Home resident Rose Stutz, 104, born May 18, 1910, is the oldest female Navy veteran in the United States. The Jewish War Veterans honored her with a certificate for life membership at a birthday party hosted by her family.

LifeTimes is published quarterly by the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, Inc. The Hebrew Home is a registered charity in Maryland and Virginia. A copy of the Home’s financial statement is available from the Maryland Secretary of State or the Virginia State Office of Consumer Affairs. We are an equal opportunity employer and we provide access to community programs without regard to race, age, national origin, familial status, religion, sex or disability. Our services and programs are open to all in the community.

Marc F. Solomon, Chair Warren R. Slavin, President/CEO Abbey S. Fagin, VP, Development and Public Affairs Marilyn Feldman, Editor © 2014 by Hebrew Home of Greater Washington 6121 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852 301.881.0300 www.smithlifecommunities.org

LifeTimes | Page 7

J u n e 2 0 1 4 — wa s h i n g t o n B e a c o n

Rehab at the Hebrew Home

Calendar of events

June

16 Brain Health Fair Free wellness fair with programs, vendors and giveaways, at Ring House, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Stay for brain-healthy lunch, $8; call 301.816.5048.

Builders of the Future Luncheon A “thank you” for bequest donors, at Ring House. Call 301.770.8329. Breakfast Seminar for Financial Professionals Planning for the Business: What Business Owners and Advisors Should Consider, at CohnReznick, Bethesda. Call 301.770.8329.

Last year, 931 patients chose the Post-Acute Care Center at the Hebrew Home for help to regain strength and ability. Specialized equipment, including the Biodex gait training system, Biodex balance system, and FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing), helps clinicians assess and monitor patients. A Lifestyles Apartment provides a realistic setting for mastering skills such as making a bed, cooking, and moving about safely in the bathroom. Now, this center also accepts Tricare Prime insurance. For information, call 301.770.8476. n

Mah Jongg for Fun Ring House, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Reserve at 301.816.5052.

An Open House…at Ring House 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Refreshments served. R.S.V.P. 301.816.5012.

SEPTEMBER

Home Run 10k/5k/Fun Run Register online now at www.hebrew-home.org

Mah Jongg for Fun Ring House, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Reserve at 301.816.5052.

Rosh Hashanah

Other Events Hebrew Home Family Council Open to family members and friends of Hebrew Home residents, Wasserman Residence, 1:00 p.m., Sunday, June 8. No summer meetings scheduled. For information, email hhcouncil@comcast.net

1st Sunday of the month – Jewish War Veterans Ring House, 10 a.m., Veterans and interested persons welcome. 2nd Monday of the month Family Caregiver Support Group Presented jointly by Ring House and JSSA Senior Services. Free, open to the community. Ring House, noon - 1:30 p.m. Call 301.816.2635

For more information about community events, resident programs and news for families, visit hebrew-home.org and smithlifecommunities.org.

How to Reach Us

Email us at: hhinfo@hebrew-home.org

Page 8 | June 2014

n H ebrew Home 301.770.8476 Post-Acute & Long-Term www.hebrew-home.org

n C ohen-Rosen House 301.816.5050 www.cohen-rosen.org

n H irsh Health Center 301.816.5004

House n Landow 301.816.5050 www.landowhouse.org

n R evitz House 301.770.8450 www.revitzhouse.org

n R ing House 301.816.5012 www.ringhouse.org

facebook.com/ceslc

twitter.com/ceslchhgw

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Travel

Leisure &

Visiting Normandy on D-Day’s 70th anniversary. See story on page 51.

Portland, hip city of roses and gourmands

Ageless hipsters Portland is hip, whatever your age. Fresh, affordable, intriguing food almost falls out the food truck windows. Low-polluting streetcars and light rail make getting around a cinch. Seniors, “honored citizens,” can travel for $1 a day. Bikers abound, and the new Tilikum Crossing Bridge over the Willamette will serve only public transit, pedestrians and bicyclists, no cars, when it opens in 2015.

Walkers stroll city blocks that are only 200 by 200 feet. “It’s a small town masquerading as big city. It does not feel hustly-bustly here,” resident Alacia Lauer told me. Entrepreneurs nurture specialty shops, like one that sells only lightbulbs. And Fido is welcomed even at Nordstroms. Take-out wine and beer at the Local Choice market comes in a returnable growler, a large resealable bottle. The city encourages food waste composting by providing a bucket and bi-weekly pickup. Solarpowered, compacting trash cans dot city streets, and the roof on the Indigo@12West apartment building has windmills. Aging hippies and young hipsters sport a “Keep Portland Weird” bumper sticker. The city has even reached TV in the IFC television satire, “Portlandia.” But Portland is more than eco-sophisticates, foodies and idealists. There are world-class corporations like Intel and Nike, a symphony, opera, chamber music, art museum, theater, and a university. Portlanders practice a “civic ecology,” some say. In the 1970s, to prevent Portland from becoming another sprawling, car-dependent Los Angeles, city fathers and mothers set an urban growth boundary to preserve land. The city ripped up concrete and pavement to “daylight” Tanner Creek, a stream buried for 100 years, and restore a wetland

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAVEL PORTLAND

By Glenda C. Booth Roses have figured prominently in plays, poems, songs and movies, but manhole covers? Welcome to rose-obsessed Portland, Ore. The City of Roses has an internationallyacclaimed rose garden. Shops sell a postcard picturing roses bursting out the top of a skyscraper. There’s even a song, “The Portland Rose.” And in a prickly twist, the women’s professional soccer team is the Thorns. Roses symbolize love and beauty, so go for it. Embrace Portland. Perched on both sides of the Willamette River, Portland is a friendly, walkable city of 600,000 with a small-town feel. It’s won ratings like “most liveable city” (Places Rated Almanac), “America’s cleanest city” (Readers Digest), and “Best Urban Destination for Summer Travel in the U.S.” (Travel and Leisure magazine).

More than 400 food carts in Portland offer a diverse range of delicacies, from a bacon cheeseburger dumpling to Saigon-style fried chicken.

At more than 11,000 feet, Mt. Hood towers over downtown Portland, deemed America’s “most livable city” by Places Rated Almanac. The city boasts both the largest rose show and book store in the nation.

in center city. Portland boasts 35 acres of green roofs. There’s even a 141-acre wildlife refuge within the city limits, Oaks Bottom, with 120 species of birds. Peregrine falcons nest under one of the 10 bridges. Snowcapped all year, Mount Hood seems to float above the city, a comforting symbol of stability. More nature’s nearby. Portland is 90 minutes to the coast, 45 minutes to the mountains. The Columbia Gorge and the Willamette Valley wine country are not far.

For the culinarily curious Central to Portland’s vitality is the “food culture,” locals brag — from organic dishes to exotic fusion offerings and everything in between. What other city would claim kale as the “city vegetable”? There’s a farmers’ market almost every day, and “liquid assets” in almost every block. Portland has more breweries than any city in the world, claimed a tour guide, noting with a giggle that Cologne, Germany, is second. There are 45 coffee roasteries. For gourmands and non, Portland Walking Tours (www.portlandwalkingtours.com) offers Chocolate Decadence, Epicurean Excursion and food cart tours, led by selfdescribed “food dorks.”

At the craft chocolate maker, Cacao, you can sip silky drinking chocolate during a tutorial on the delicate nuances of this universally popular product. The Salt and Straw offers ice cream with flavors like beer, pear and blue cheese, and olive oil. The Flying Elephant sells a zingy tomato-orange soup. Hungry for bread? Try the Pearl Bakery, where Julia Child watched baguette making. Farmatherapy serves a cucumber-orange-lemon juice drink to die for. Need a hangover cure? Order the cucumber-kale-spinach-parsley-lemon soother. Real everyman symbols of Portland’s food culture are the not-to-be-missed 400 food carts (www.foodcartsportland.com) — stationary vehicles crammed onto parking lots or pods. Vendors slide open their windows late morning to dish out delicacies from all over the world into the evening, prompting CNN to give Portland the title: the city with “the world’s best street food.” Examples: The Dump Truck, for a bacon-cheeseburger dumpling; Eurotrash, foie gras; Big Top Waffles, build your own; Rua, Saigon fried chicken; Brazilian House, coxinha, drumstick-shaped chicken balls; Mama Chow’s wontons. There See PORTLAND, page 50

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Portland

Art, books and gardens

From page 49 are oodles more. Try Voodoo Donuts, where thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always a line for the popular peanut butter donut. Voodoo made the Guinness Book of World Records for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Largest Box of Doughnuts,â&#x20AC;? a jumbo, pink 200-cubicfoot box weighing 666 pounds and holding 3,880 doughnuts. Check the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where to Eat Guideâ&#x20AC;? and indulge at eateries like Andina (Novo-Andean), Bollywood (Indian), Jakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Famous Crawfish, Uchu Suchi and Fried Chicken, and more. Back to roses: Mixologists at the Hotel DeLuxeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Driftwood Room push a champagne cocktail dubbed Rose-Colored Glasses â&#x20AC;&#x201D; gin, rose syrup, lemon juice and champagne. Yum.

Besides eating and drinking, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plenty to see and do. Pioneer Courthouse Square, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Portlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s living room,â&#x20AC;? has 300 events a year, including free concerts. The Portland Art Museum showcases Pacific Northwest artists, starting with Native Americans. There are also Arctic nativesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; crafts (wooden snow goggles and ivory toggles) and 19th and 20th century paintings of Mount Hood. The Portland History Museum tells the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story from Native Americans to the Oregon Trail to todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industries. The must-see Powellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s City of Books is synonymous with Portland. The largest bookstore in the U.S., itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a block square, three stories tall and always populated with bibliophiles plying the miles of bookshelves filled with over one million old and

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new offerings, out of print books, and books on every conceivable subject. At 1,000 feet above the city stands the Pittock Mansion, a sandstone edifice with 14 styles of architecture, built by former Oregonian newspaper owner Henry Pittock. On a clear day, the Columbia River and Washington state are visible from the garden. Mrs. Pittock established the Portland Rose Society in 1888, which still today is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;rose support groupâ&#x20AC;? that advises on cures for rose problems. Portlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Japanese Garden is the most authentic outside Japan, 5.5 acres of peace â&#x20AC;&#x201D; formal gardens, streams, koi ponds, raked sand, and a teahouse. Garden designer Takuma Tono has said that the running water â&#x20AC;&#x153;initiates a dialogue through the garden.â&#x20AC;? In mid-town, the Chinese Gardens are a city block of manicured tranquility and reflecting ponds that engage all the senses with materials from China, including 500 tons of rock and 300 plant species and cultivars. And yes, roses. The five-acre, International Rose Test Garden has roses of every shape, size and color â&#x20AC;&#x201D; over 590 varieties and 10,000 plants. It was started in 1917, when Europeans sent roses to the states for protection during World War I, and Portlanders realized they have a perfect rose-growing climate. An annual June festival (www.rosefestival.org) celebrates roses with the largest rose show in the nation, the coronation of

the rose queen, and a grand floral parade led by the Royal Rosarians. Businesses and volunteers layer floats with roses â&#x20AC;&#x201D; enough roses, promoters say, to send your mother a dozen roses, every day for 30 years.

If you go Portlanders say any time is a good time to visit. Weather-wise, there are few days over 100 degrees and few days in the 20s. Summer averages in the 80s. Portland is known to be rainy, but the rains are rarely heavy. There are festivals all year, such as the Waterfront Blues Festival in July, literary festival in October, holiday ale fest in December, and the Chocolate Fest in January. Check with the Visitor Center (below) for lodging options. The downtown Heathman Hotel (www.heathmanhotel.com, 1-800-551-011), on the national register of historic landmarks, gained â&#x20AC;&#x153;visibilityâ&#x20AC;? as the setting for parts of the racy tome, 50 Shades of Grey. Rooms start at $224 a night. United has July flights from BWI for around $470 round trip. The 38-minute, airport-to-downtown trip on MAX light rail (www.trimet.org/max) costs $2.50. For more information, contact the Portland Visitor Information Center, www.travelportland.com, (503) 275-9750. Glenda C. Booth is a freelance writer living in Alexandria, Va.

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Visiting Normandy, 70 years after D-Day By Greg Keller Weather in Normandy had been iffy for days. Showers and wind gave way to sunshine, then lightning storms over the sea. We watched and waited for the signal to jump. With a window of only a few hours, I began to doubt our chances. Finally the message my companions and I had been waiting for arrived: The jump was on. Unlike the paratroopers of the 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions who jumped into Normandy on D-Day 70 years ago, our orders came not from General Dwight D. Eisenhower, but via text message from our paragliding instructor. My wife and I had come to Normandy ahead of the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings to explore the region’s history, cuisine and culture. I’d been to the U.S. military cemetery at Omaha Beach years before, a trip that’s still a must for many Americans visiting France. But this time we wanted to explore farther afield. We’d crisscross the region from the cheese-making town of Pont

l’Eveque in the east to the isolated Gatteville Lighthouse in the west. Near Omaha Beach, Claude Bellessort runs Elementair, a paragliding school in Port-en-Bessin. An expert pilot who’s led paragliding excursions as far afield as Nepal and Morocco, Bellessort has offered tandem paragliding flights here since 2002. The thrill of taking off from the cliff top and swooping over the beaches, imagining how it appeared on D-Day, made the 10minute flight an unforgettable highlight of three days in Normandy.

An invasion of tourists Local officials estimate that the invasion anniversary will attract several hundred thousand tourists to Normandy this summer. Among the highlights will be the commemorations June 6 in Ouistreham, where U.S. President Barack Obama, French president Francois Hollande and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II will gather to remember the more than 9,000 Allied soldiers killed or wounded that day. We spent the night after our jump in

Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, a tiny village in Omaha Beach. This was one of the invasion’s five famous landing areas spread over 50 miles of coast where 160,000 U.S., British and Canadian troops came ashore on D-Day. Omaha, where the U.S. 1st and 29th divisions landed, saw some of the day’s bloodiest fighting. To look out to sea here or at the nearby Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, and imagine the scene at dawn on June 6, 1944 is breathtaking: 5,000 landing ships and assault craft assembled in the largest armada in history lined up across the horizon. Our host for the night was Sebastien Olard, 46, a bakery supply salesman and passionate amateur D-Day historian. Olard grew up in the village of 200 inhabitants on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach. Fifteen years ago, he bought a stone house surrounded by a sheep pasture that village elders say was the first home liber-

ated by American troops on D-Day. He’s turned the home into a museum-cum-vacation rental called “La Maison de la Liberation” (House of the Liberation). For 80 euros, guests can overnight there and enjoy a history lesson. Olard’s grandfather, who lived in the neighboring village of Vierville-sur-Mer, feared a German counterattack after the invasion, and walked with his wife and children to Saint-Laurent to seek evacuation to Britain. “They had to step over bodies. My grandfather told his children, ‘Don’t worry, just walk. They’re sleeping. Go!’” he recalled.

Museums and memorials There are many D-Day museums in Normandy, so I narrowed our selection to two using a $5 smartphone app, “Normandy DDay 1944.” I chose the Battle of Normandy See NORMANDY, page 53

AP PHOTO/DAVID VINCENT

Bakery supply salesman and amateur historian Sebastien Olard is owner of the “House of the Liberation,” the first house liberated by American soldiers on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Local officials estimate that several hundred thousand tourists will flock to Normandy this summer, attracted by the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

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Taking the long way home from Chicago When your spouse of many years says you’re insane, that isn’t news. You’ve been that — and she’s said that — many times before. But when you go ahead with your insane plans anyway, well, that’s either courage, or stubbornness, or mega-insanity. Call it what you will. My train trip was a blast. There I was in Chicago, on business. I had flown there. I could have flown home. But some gremlin took hold of my planning neurons and said to me, “Hey, Big Boy, why don’t you come home by train?” It was the way things were done when I was young, which certainly added to its appeal. Back when my grandparents all lived

550 miles away, and my parents owned a car that was 8-to-1 to die within the next five minutes, the train was the obvious choice. To be young and fancy-free — and to be sipping Coke in the club car of the 20th Century Limited while it wove its way along the Hudson River — well, that sure beat a $600 seat in Row 37 with zero leg room, every time. And how great was it to hear conductors call out, “All abooooooooard!”? That sure beats some bored flight attendant reminding you to assassinate your cell phone before takeoff. But trains gave way to what they call progress, just as baseball gave way to pro football and radio gave way to TV.

I — and millions of others — still chose rooms — can be found on planes, too. What the train offers is spectacular views. the train for obvious, short trips, like And I don’t just mean natural Washington to Philadelphia wonders. or Boston to Maine. For anyI’m a big fan of America thing else, the plane was the Caught in the Act of Being drug of choice. America. When you get a Even now, Chicago to Washclose-up glimpse of a closedington by train was scheduled for-the-day used car lot in to take 17 hours-plus. Way too Elkhart, Indiana, at 11 p.m., long. Way too grubby. Way too that somehow sends me. 20th century. Go ahead. Call me insane. And yet — could it hurt to Been there. Heard that. Thanks, sneak a peek at the Amtrak HOW I SEE IT dear. timetable? By Bob Levey And go ahead and call me deI snuck. I smiled. I booked. Here is what I told my insanity-detecting ranged when I tell you that the food aboard Amtrak is actually quite good. I ate two meals spouse: “The train leaves Chicago at 6:40 p.m. I between the Windy City and the Wonky City, couldn’t leave much sooner than that if I one dinner and one breakfast. Both were took a plane. I’ll be home at 1 p.m. the next nourishing, carefully prepared and profesday. I’ll be asleep for half the trip. No big sionally served. Besides, both were consumed in a dining deal. You won’t even miss me.” Here is what my insanity-detecting car where community seating is the only kind. I would never have met a barnstormspouse told me: “You will not sleep a wink. You will be ing pair of political consultants, or a couple of miserable. You will be sitting next to some- grandparents en route to meet their newest body who won’t shut up, or won’t smell grandchild in South Carolina, in some plastic Starbucks in some plastic airport. good, or both. You will regret this.” As for sleep, it carried me away just as She turned out to be wrong on all points. The Capitol Limited has its flaws — we crossed into Ohio. I jerked awake for among them subpar overhead lighting for Cleveland, but I don’t remember anything this book fiend, and an absence of skim else until we were east of Pittsburgh and dawn had begun to break. That gave me a milk. But the railroad flaws that every “en- total of about seven hours’ shuteye — nearlightened” air traveler points to — screamSee BOB LEVEY, page 53 ing children, lateness, epically awful bath-

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Normandy From page 51 Memorial Museum in Bayeux and the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mere-Eglise. Bayeux uses film, photographs and other artifacts to provide an overview of the battle. The Airborne Museum narrows the focus to paratroopers who dropped behind enemy lines the night before the invasion. Its displays include one of the C-47 “Skytrain” aircraft that flew them from England. A few miles south, near Carentan, we met Franck Feuardent, owner of the Manoir de Donville. This 18th century manor house was the site of the Battle of Bloody Gulch,

Bob Levey From page 52 ly average if I had been in my own bed. As the sun rose, the scenery became truly tremendous. People don’t ever talk about the Alleghenies the way they talk about the Rockies. They should. OK, the peaks don’t soar to 14,000 feet. But the gullies and the ridges are rustic, rough and real. And what might seem to be a minus of train travel turned into a plus. Because the tracks are full of switchbacks during this part of the trip, the engineer can go only about 35 miles an hour. That gives you great views of birds, bears and the occasional snowdrift.

made famous in an episode of the television series “Band of Brothers.” American paratroopers were nearly routed by an SS tank division until saved by the arrival of the U.S. 2nd Armored Division, aka “Hell on Wheels.” On a tour of the manor grounds, Feuardent pointed out foxholes, and let us handle examples of the 12 tons of weapons, helmets, grenades and other artifacts he’s dug up. “Two days ago I was searching the other side of this hedge, and the metal detector just started going ‘Ding! Ding! Ding!’” he said. In his 200-year-old home, Feuardent pointed to traces of blood stains on the wooden floor of his sons’ bedroom, where

two soldiers’ bodies, one German, one American, were discovered after the battle. “They fought hand-to-hand in my home!” he said with awe. “We try to keep the spirit of the Americans who died here alive,” Feuardent said. “We never forget. This isn’t a museum for me, it’s my home.” There’s more to do in Normandy than visit war memorials. The Pays d’Auge around the small town of Cambremer is the heart of Normandy’s traditional apple cider- and apple brandy-making region. We stopped at Stephane and Lucile Grandval’s distillery, Manoir du Grandouet. The family has made cider here for

three generations; one of the giant oak barrels — where the heady, intoxicating apple brandy known as calvados is aged — dates from 1792. We bought a few bottles of a lush, creamy, award-winning cider and they added one as a gift. The friendly gesture reminded me of a line from the classic D-Day war film, The Longest Day. Gen. James ‘Jumpin’ Jim’ Gavin of the 82nd Airborne tells his troops, “When you get to Normandy, you’ll only have one friend — God ... and this,” lifting a rifle. For visitors 70 years after the invasion that helped liberate Europe from Adolf Hitler, that’s happily no longer true. — AP

By mid-morning, we were in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, my favorite little don’t-ever-change-a-thing town. Then on into the Washington suburbs. We sighed to a final stop about an hour and 20 minutes late. That wasn’t the only thing that sighed. “Well, OK, are you proud of yourself?,” said Ms. Insanity-Detector, when I called her. “It was cool!,” I exclaimed. “Let me tell you about the bears in Pennsylvania! And the grandparents I met! And the car lot in Elkhart, Indiana!” “Come home,” she said. “And just promise me you’ll never be insane enough to do this again.” To the first: Yes, dear. To the second: Uh, well, I do have to be

in California later this year, with a little extra time on my hands. Could it hurt to sneak a peek at the Am-

trak timetable? Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

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Style Arts &

Arlington Cemetery will mark its 150th year this month. See story on page 58.

Science vs. faith in Freud’s Last Session

Dark and witty debate The author takes their debate out of the

abstract domain by choosing a time and place where matters of life and death are very real and quite gritty. St. Germain puts the meeting at Freud’s home in London, on the day war commences between England and Germany in 1939. The dialogue is sharply witty at times, infused with dark humor at others. And through all of it is a stream of humanscaled empathy and compassion. The play is directed by Serge Seiden, on loan from his home base at Studio Theatre, and stars D.C. stage (and Theater J) veteran Rick Foucheux as Freud, and Todd Scofield, who is building an impressive list of credits on area stages, as Lewis. Foucheux has the meatier role, as Freud, age 83 here, is suffering with terminal cancer. Perhaps questions of life and death are more vivid to him at this point. Freud propels the conversation, which is fitting as it is he who initiated the meeting. Lewis, at age 40, has yet to produce his most important works, such as The Chronicles of Narnia. Lewis has the certitude of the recent convert, but as we see him here, he is intrigued by the chance to meet Freud and quite open to exploring and

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By Michael Toscano Words are wielded like rapiers in Theater J’s incisive production of Freud’s Last Session, a two-man play running through June 29. Ideas are generated, examined, and then punctured and reaffirmed in defiance of those who like easy answers. The stakes are high, the issues momentous. Life. Death. Life after death. It’s easier to digest than it might seem at first glance, as playwright Mark St. Germain plows through all of it in his imagined conversation/confrontation between two of the last century’s more provocative intellectual giants. There’s the atheist Sigmund Freud, pioneer of psychoanalysis and firm believer in rational science, and C.S. Lewis, the influential Christian-convert writer who not only believes in another realm of life, but has the grounding to question those beliefs. Freud and Lewis never met in real life, as far as we know. But St. Germain has appropriated some of their words and a lot of their attitudes for this play, an off-Broadway hit.

Sigmund Freud, played by Rick Foucheux, and C.S. Lewis, played by Todd Scofield, engage in an impassioned, imagined debate over faith versus science in Theatre J’s production of Freud’s Last Session.

even challenging his beliefs. Ominous radio bulletins about the war break into their talk; speeches from the prime minister and the king interrupt them. Air raid sirens wail, a reminder that death looms not just for an individual but for untold thousands. (They cannot yet grasp that millions will perish.) As they both frantically grasp their gas masks, it is obvious that certainty about what comes after life is no guarantee against fear. Adding to the unsettled ambiance, Freud’s mouth cancer causes several quite harrowing scenes that bring the

two intellectual warriors into an unexpected intimacy. It is all beautifully orchestrated to bring down to earth, so to speak, the battle that some perceive between science and faith.

Bringing Freud to life Foucheux’s work is outstanding. He infuses the dour Freud with an impish, sly sense of humor that ameliorates his arrogance and irritable nature. Freud is Jewish, if thoroughly secular, See FREUD, page 57

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Frankie Valli, 80, performs here July 4th By Brett Zongker in May, and Valli is still touring. That trademark falsetto behind “SherLooking back on decades in music, Valli ry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and other hits told the Associated Press he’s grateful to from 50 years ago will help celebrate July 4 all who bought records and supported his on the National Mall this group through the years. year, as Frankie Valli headBut make no mistake: he lines the “Capitol Fourth” has no plans to retire anyshow in Washington, D.C. time soon. The show and fireworks, which draw hundreds of Jersey Boys on thousands of people to the screen National Mall each year, This will be a big sumwill be broadcast on PBS as mer for Valli and the Four well. Seasons. A film adaptaValli’s voice propelled tion of the musical about the success of the Four their lives, Jersey Boys, is Seasons from their first naset for release June 20, ditional exposure in 1962, rected by Clint Eastwood. Frankie Valli when they performed “I’m proud of the fact “Sherry” on TV’s “American Bandstand.” that we started out from where we did. We Some of their other hits include “Walk had as many hits as we did,” Valli said. “We Like a Man,” “December 1963 (Oh What a became a Broadway play and then a Night),” and his solo hit “Grease.” The movie.” group has been inducted into the Rock and Jersey Boys has been a long-running hit Roll Hall of Fame. on Broadway, now entering its ninth year That familiar voice turned 80 years old with six companies performing the show

BEACON BITS

June 12

else,” he said. Beyond his music, Valli has also dabbled in acting. He had a recurring role on the HBO series “The Sopranos,” and has a cameo in the upcoming Rob Reiner film, And So It Goes, starring Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton. Valli said he’s honored to be performing in the nation’s capital for Independence Day because “it’s an important day for any American.” — AP

SHINGTON, D.C.

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JUNE 13-14 WARNER THEATRE Call (800) 551-7328 or visit www.WarnerTheatreDC.com

FREE FOLK DUO CONCERT

Gaithersburg presents a free concert featuring the folk duo the Sweater Set on Thursday, June 12 at 6 p.m. Bring a blanket or low-back chair for lawn seating. For more information, visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov or call (301) 258-6350.

June 9

each night from Las Vegas to London. The show has been a success, Valli said, because it’s not just about music. It’s a unique story “about four guys who grew up in a neighborhood, who struggled with getting through life, who had problems,” Valli said. He hasn’t seen the film adaptation but said he hopes it makes for a great movie. “It’s very difficult to look at the portrayal of your life by someone else [with] all the decisions being made by someone

DEGAS AND CASSATT EXHIBIT

Close friends and colleagues Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt are reunited in an exhibition at the National Gallery of Art that explores their artistic and personal relationship from the 1870s to mid 1880s. Join art educator Joan Hart for an illustrated program of the exhibit that features 70 oil paintings, pastels and works on paper on Monday, June 9 at 1 p.m. at the Aurora Hills Senior Center, located at 735 S 18th St., Arlington, Va. The cost is $6. To register, call (703) 228-5722.

Workshops • Exhibit Hall • Health Screenings

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

“Side Show demands to be seen. High on entertainment! ” —Broadway World

Ladies and Gentlemen, Step Right Up... ...to this thrilling reimagining of Side Show, the acclaimed Broadway musical inspired by the true life story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton. Chronicling their rise from freak circus attractions to famous vaudeville entertainers during the Great Depression, Side Show follows the Hilton sisters’ heartwarming search for love amidst the spectacle of fame and the scrutiny of the spotlight. With its sumptuous score, soaring ballads, and fascinating story, Side Show is the must-see event of D.C.’s summer theater season. Please note: This production contains mature content.

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*$25 offer valid for Orchestra seats for Thu., July 3 at 1:30 p.m. performance only. Mention offer code “DAISY” to receive your discount. Tickets reg. $69. Offer subject to availability. Not valid in combination with any other offer. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Offer may be withdrawn at any time.

“EMOTIONALLY RICH! The production has the flash and velocity of a Hollywood motion picture. This tender freak show will break your heart.” —Los Angeles Times

June 14–July 13 Eisenhower Theater Tickets!

(202) 467-4600 kennedy-center.org

Tickets also available at the Box Office. Groups (202) 416-8400 Musical Theater at the Kennedy Center is made possible through the generosity of the Adrienne Arsht Musical Theater Fund. The Kennedy Center Theater Season is sponsored by Altria. Additional support is provided by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation.

Emily Padgett and Erin Davie, photo by Cade Martin

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Freud From page 54 and Foucheux makes the most of that in his mannerisms and outlook. We see the cracks in his carefully cultivated façade as he dominates his absent daughter Anna over the telephone. Scofield’s role is less dramatic, as Lewis is a more nuanced and self-controlled figure, at least at this stage of his life. But by making Lewis emotionally accessible to us, Scofield allows us to go along with him as he learns what makes Freud tick. It is a melding of two carefully calibrated performances. Director Seiden allows each actor to bite off the crisply written dialogue, allowing each the space to let emotional tension build. Ideas and personages fly by. Egyptology. The Bible. The writings of Chesterton. Hitler. It’s psychological ju-jitsu at times, as a grudging respect develops between the two men. This is despite Freud’s insulting question as to how “a man of your intellect could embrace an insidious lie.” And early on he challenges Lewis with this: “Things are simple only when you choose not to examine them.” To which Lewis replies, “I question my beliefs daily,” demonstrating that while his beliefs may seem less complex than Freud’s, they remain worthy of constant investigation.

It may be that there is nothing especially new to be learned here about the finer points each man espouses. And it may also be that no one, believer or skeptic, is likely to leave the theater with a changed viewpoint. But the intellectual fencing onstage should poke enough holes in most brains to let some fresh air in. Freud’s Last Session continues through June 29 at Theater J, in the Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater at the Washington, D.C. Jewish Community Center. The center is located at 1529 16th St. NW in Washington, four blocks east of Dupont Circle. Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 and 8 p.m. (The Thursday, June 5 performance is at 8 p.m.) There is a Friday matinee at noon on June 6. There are no performances June 4, 11, 12, 14, and 15. The performance on Thursday, June 5 at 8 p.m. has open-captioning for the hearing impaired. There will be a free post-

show Talkback with the cast at 9 p.m. following the performance Thursday, June 19. Tickets are $35 to $60 ($30 to $55 seniors). Theater J offers a $15 discount to military personnel and their immediate families. Call Box Office Tickets at 1-800-4948497 or visit www.boxofficetickets.com.

Street parking on nearby streets is limited. Colonial Parking Garages are located at 1616 P St. NW and 1515 15th St. NW. If you‘re going via Metro, exit at the Dupont Circle Station on the red line. Theater J is accessible to the physically challenged and offers free assisted listening devices.

BEACON BITS

June 12+

PIRATES OF PENZANCE The Victorian Lyric Opera Company presents Pirates of Penzance

at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre from Thursday, June 12 to Sunday, June 22. All performances from June 12 to 21 begin at 8 p.m. The final performance will be a matinee at 2 p.m. The first showing offers a discounted ticket price of $12. Otherwise, tickets cost $24 for adults and $20 for seniors. The theatre is located at the Rockville Civic Center, 603 Edmonston Dr., Rockville, Md. For more information, visit www.vloc.org or call (240) 314-8690.

Recreating Freud’s study Designer Deb Booth, whose work is familiar to Studio Theatre patrons, has created a fastidiously detailed recreation of Freud’s study. It appears both real and artificial, not quite his. That is fitting when we learn daughter Anna has designed and outfitted the space for her father. That’s a subtle coloration, and it is another dimension of this multi-layered production.

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J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Arlington Cemetery’s 150 years of history By Matthew Barakat Arlington National Cemetery’s hallowed ground honors American soldiers from many different wars. But as Arlington marks its 150th anniversary this year with tours and events, historians note that its roots are firmly planted in the Civil War. It was June 15, 1864, as the war dragged into its fourth year, when War Secretary Edwin Stanton ordered the land turned into a military cemetery for the increasing numbers of dead soldiers.

Former Robert E. Lee home The location for the cemetery just happened to be the former estate of Robert E. Lee, who took command of the Confederate Army when Virginia seceded from the

Union in 1861. The Union Army immediately seized and fortified the estate, then known as Arlington Heights. But Stephen Carney, the cemetery’s command historian, said it’s misleading to suggest that the cemetery was established merely as a way to spite Lee. The seizure of the estate was a military necessity, no matter who owned the property, Carney said. From the highest points of Arlington National Cemetery, it’s easy to see why the Union Army wanted it: To this day it offers a nearly unrivaled view of the capital in Washington, D.C., just a few miles away. And in 1864, the need for a burial ground was pressing. Wounded soldiers sent back to Washington were dying in unsanitary hospitals at an increasing rate.

The high casualties were partly due to a change in strategy: Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had assumed control of the Union Army, and was more willing than his predecessors to fight in Confederate territory. That said, animosity toward Lee played a role in the cemetery’s location, said Matt Penrod, park ranger at Arlington House, a National Park Service site within the cemetery that includes the Lee family mansion. Initially gravediggers buried the dead on the estate’s fringes. But Union quartermaster Gen. Montgomery Meigs, a native Georgian, did not respect Lee’s decision to lead the Confederate troops. Meigs ordered that graves surround the mansion, ensuring that the Lees would never want to return. “It’s the dead themselves that get the ultimate revenge against Lee,” Penrod said, adding that the loss of the home “definitely bothered the Lee family a great deal.”

Daily military burials

ing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame at President John F. Kennedy’s tomb. But Arlington is also a working and busy cemetery, hosting roughly 30 burials a day. Tourists and mourners share the cemetery in a unique way. School children who are talking and laughing as they tour the cemetery typically go quiet and maintain a respectful distance when they encounter a funeral procession. The military funerals can be emotionally overwhelming to behold. While some are for older veterans, they also include young service members recently killed in action. “You’re seeing lives cut short. That grief is very raw,” said cemetery spokeswoman Jennifer Lynch, who attends numerous services. The cemetery serves as a resting place for service members from every conflict in U.S. history, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldiers from the American Revolution were reinterred at Arlington after their

Today the cemetery draws nearly 4 million visitors a year. Most are tourists visit-

See ARLINGTON, page 59

BEACON BITS

June 6

WWII STORIES BY ERNIE PYLE

On the 70th anniversary of D-Day, Historic Takoma presents Steve LaRocque in a dramatization of war correspondent Ernie Pyle, who will chronicle the day-to-day stories of everyday citizens who became warriors during the wars. The original script is composed of excerpts from Pyle’s columns for the Scripps-Howard Newspapers. Suggested donation is $5. For more information, visit www.historictakoma.org.

June 21

VIRGINIA FLORA FOLKLORE

Green Spring Gardens presents a discussion on Virginia’s flora on Saturday, June 21 from 10 to 11 a.m. Naturalist Alonso Abugattas shares the identification, folklore, medicinal usage, and ethics of collecting wildflowers. The cost is $18 per person. Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, Va. Register at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring or call (703) 642-5173.

June 7+

ART SHOW AND SALE

The Woman’s Club of Potomac presents the second annual Potomac Art Show, where older artists will showcase their work on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8 from 11 to 5 p.m. at the Potomac United Methodist Church Parish Hall, 9908 S Glen Rd., Potomac, Md. Admission is free. For more information, call (240) 558-3707.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

Arlington From page 58 gravesites were displaced by a development project in Georgetown. In addition to U.S. presidents, others buried here include Supreme Court justices, astronauts, war heroes, sports figures and celebrities, including baseball inventor

Abner Doubleday, boxer Joe Louis, and actor Lee Marvin. All three were veterans. “There are 400,000 individuals with all these incredible stories,” Carney said. “If you want to play historical sleuth, you can just pick a name on a headstone, and everyone has an incredible story.” Events to mark the 150th anniversary culminate with a first-of-its-kind, free nighttime

concert in the cemetery’s amphitheater on June 13, and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on June 16. Arlington National Cemetery is located across Memorial Bridge from Washington D.C. on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. By subway, take the Blue Line from

Washington to the Arlington National Cemetery station. The cemetery is open daily, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (until 5 p.m. October through March). For more information, see www.arlingtoncemetery.mil or call 1-877-907-8585. — AP

AP PHOTO/CLIFF OWEN

Soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as the Old Guard, place flags at grave sites at Arlington National Cemetery in preparation for Memorial Day. It was 150 years ago that the estate of Gen. Robert E. Lee, leader of the Confederate troops, was converted by the Union into a military cemetery for Civil War dead. Today, it is a resting place for service members from every conflict in U.S. history, as well as presidents, Supreme Court justices and celebrities.

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Photographer From page 1 addition to covering ten U.S. presidents, from JFK to Obama, he has been on assignment photographing world leaders, U.S. Congresspersons and Supreme Court justices, as well as documenting American wars, war protests, civil rights marches

and riots, and a wide variety of human interest and entertainment stories. During the first Gulf War, his photographs were on the covers of Time, Newsweek, U.S. News, Paris Match and many other publications worldwide. In fact, as a contract photographer for Time, he averaged a photo per week for 23 years. For all this and more, he has been hon-

J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

ored by the National Newspaper Photographers Association, the World Press Association and, last year, won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the White House News Photographers Association.

Collecting the stories Over the years, Brack interviewed his fellow White House photojournalists and collected their stories. Last year, he pulled together the best photos and the stories behind them, including his own, to publish Presidential Picture Stories. The heart of the book is a collection of photographers’ recollections of how presidents reacted to the people hired to take their pictures day and night — reactions that ran the gamut from friendly to hostile. • Harry Truman treated “the stills” like pals, invited them on his morning walks and shared drinks. • John F. Kennedy “was a great subject for photographs — and he knew it,” Brack wrote. But JFK had a rule: No photos of

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him wearing glasses. • Lyndon Johnson required his advance team to always put the photographers to one side of the podium so they would only catch him on his best side. He also told the photographers in blunt terms whether he liked or disliked their pictures of him. • Nixon was not keen on being photographed, believing that a good picture was one where he was posing with three people on each side. Photographers felt the Watergate crisis was a “gift that kept on giving” because of the many opportunities their multiple stakeouts provided. • Jimmy Carter and his staff put photographers at the bottom of their list of favorite people. Apparently, it all went back to the first time Carter headed for the Oval Office, when photographers caught him slipping on the ice and the image was widely published. (It is also in Brack’s book). • With his background in movies, Ronald Reagan was a natural in front of a camera. • George H. W. Bush was a favorite of the photographers; he called them by name. He challenged them to horseshoe games and invited them to barbeques. • President Obama is always polite to photographers, Brack reported, and once when Obama relaxed with them, he impressed everyone with his knowledge of sports. Brack’s favorite president? “Bush 41,” he answered with no hesitation, referring to George H. W. Bush, the 41st president. “He was interested in you, personable, and friendly. As the book evolved, Brack also felt a duty to chronicle some of the most significant White House photographers over the years. In one chapter, he salutes “heroes” — 14 news photographers whom he considers to be “the best in the business.”

What’s it like at the top? Brack, like other White House photographers, has a special pass to enter the White House via the northwest gate. However, photographers are generally restricted to the press briefing room, built over the Roosevelt swimming pool, and to a separate work room where each photographer has a small desk for processing their pictures. “No reporters are allowed in photo country,” he laughed. He’s traveled on Air Force One and press charters. (He met his wife, the former Cindy Campbell, on a press charter flight where she was a purser for Pan American Airlines.) He went to Iceland with Reagan and Bush 41; to Nigeria, Liberia, Latin America and Japan with Carter; and to Europe with Ford and Nixon. Though such trips can be exciting, the work definitely has its frustrations. “Waiting is one of the things photographers do very well,” Brack wrote. One of his funnier experiences was in a presidential motorcade in Poland, when See PHOTOGRAPHER, page 61

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

FROM PAGE 62

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD A C H E B O O T S T U N S A C A T A M O R S A N S A N I V S A N P I S L E

C A I R O

I N F E R

E J E C T

N C A A

A N D J I L L

L U A U S

V A A B L S E E S T O S E R R G T S

O K R A S A L O N C I A O

T E E N V I A N D O I P I L F L U E N G G A I L

S T A L E

K I N D A

I N D E X

G A Z E

D R C A U G E R V A M P

A L S O V O C A L

L A S S O

I N O I L

S P A C E R

I D D E O W

Classifieds cont. from page 63. Wanted 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 202-726-4427, MD 301-332-4697. FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious, capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree], knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate, I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from Oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301-279-8834. Thank you. STAMP COLLECTIONS, AUTOGRAPHS purchased/appraised – U.S., worldwide, covers, paper memorabilia. Stamps are my specialty – highest price paid! Appraisals. Phone Alex, 301-309-6637. Stampex1@gmail.com. WANTED: ANTIQUE ELECTRONICS, engineer’s estates, Hi-Fi Stereo, huge old loudspeakers, ham radios, records, professional quality musical instruments, antique computers, scientific curiosities. 202-527-9501, vcvdc@msn.com.

Photographer From page 60 President Gerald Ford was visiting President Lech Walesa. The press jeep broke down, and the reporters scrambled to get into other cars. Brack ended up in the lap of a surprised Dick Cheney, then Ford’s Chief of Staff. Why do this work — often requiring

Wanted CASH FOR ESTATE BUYOUTS, estate clean-outs, jewelry to furniture, one item or whole state. Free Estimate, Will Travel. 301520-0755. 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, 202841-3062. 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.

grueling hours and long stretches away from home? “It’s the greatest profession. It’s instant gratification,” Brack enthused. “My secret? I work hard, and I’ve been lucky.” To learn more about Brack and his book, visit www.dennisbrack.com and www.presidentialpicturestories.com. The self-published book is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com.

WB 614

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Puzzle Page

J U N E 2 0 1 4 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Saints Go Marching by Stephen Sherr 1

25 28

44 46

Across 1. Require ibuprofen 5. Oodles 9. Avail oneself of Vail 12. ___ camp 13. Microwave 14. Entrapment scheme 16. Phaser setting 17. Provide a challenge 18. Star of the National Zoo 19. North American city marches into South American harvester 22. Brazilian Shorthair, for example 24. Grp. of former Soviet republics 25. Mountain climber’s tool 26. Indifferent between right and wrong 28. Levelheaded 30. Cuzcatlan city marches into Catalan artist 36. “Nurse: give this patient ___” 37. Clay, later 38. Remote Local Area Network (acronym) 39. Golden state bay marches into gold medal painter 44. “Children should be ___ ...” 45. His last film was Plan 9 From Outer Space, 28 years after starring in Dracula 46. Least welcoming 50. End of a souffle or waffle 51. Tennessee athlete 52. Tech city marches into tequila seller 56. Permanent inmate 57. Proof of engagement 58. It will give you heartburn 61. Not slouching 62. Not at all 28 Across 63. ___ in America 64. Scrap of food 65. Garden store package 66. Remove snow 1. They are toned up by sit-ups

Down

Scrabble answers on p. 61.

Answer: How the sponge merchant described his business -- ABSORBING Jumbles: VILLA SOGGY TURBAN BROKER

2. Item in M*A*S*H’s swamp 3. “___ the blind” (Sandra Bullock’s repeated distress cry in Gravity) 4. Highly active volcano 5. Jack ___ 6. Tropical shindigs 7. Ingredient in Creole cooking 8. Prom-goer 9. Hackneyed 10. Sort of (sort of) 11. Sort files 14. Sort of tooth separator 15. Stare at curiously 20. Org. that spreads madness (in March) 21. Dionysus’ love 22. Castilian castles 23. It sells a “Top load washer with dual action agitator” 27. Invitation rqst. 28. It will curl your hair 29. ___ in the pool 31. Low-lying area 32. Bummer 33. Not just quietly offended 34. Calf catcher 35. Packed like tuna 40. Categorize 41. Parlays 42. Against the letter and the spirit 43. User of body language 46. Small patch of land 47. “The city of a thousand minarets” 48. Speculate 49. Remove (as from James Bond’s Aston Martin) 50. Mushrooms and mold 53. Units of work 54. Goodbye, Giuseppe 55. Femme fatale 59. Expected wedding response 60. Winter : frost :: Spring : ___

Answers on page 61.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 4

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 at the right. 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.

Business and Employment Opportunities “SECURE A SECOND INCOME, not a second job.” Call for a free info-postcard that explains everything. Referred by #4538 Michael M. 202734-2555 or visit www.abminfo.com.

Caregivers CERTIFIED NURSING AND GERIATRIC ASSISTANT with 13+ years experience is seeking a daytime caregiver position. Provide care for patients with Alzheimer’s, and other health issues. Is able to assist with appointments and communicate effectively with medical professionals. Flexible hours, own car. Excellent references. Please call Cheryl at 954-608-7396. “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. COMPASSIONATE CAREGIVER, ENGLISH SPEAKING LADY with 20 years of experience. Has own transportation, excellent references. Very reliable and punctual. Available now for day or night. Full-time or part-time. Petfriendly. Call 301-803-9000. NURSING ASSISTANT. I’m looking to care for a patient. I have experience with seniors in the house, overnight, day or evening. I’m reliable. I have a car, and I also clean houses. 240-671-4898.

Computer Services

Say you saw it in the Beacon

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate LEISURE WORLD® - $225,000. 3BR 2FB 1HB “M” in Greens. Table space kitchen, separate dining room. Large enclosed balcony. New paint and carpet. 1530 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $419,900. 3BR 2FB 1HB “H” with Garage in Villa Cortese. Table space kitchen with window, separate dining room, closet stretchers, separate laundry room. 1629 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $137,000. 3 BR 2 FB “Ellicott” model with table space kitchen, separate dining room, separate laundry room, new paint and carpet, enclosed balcony. 1400 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® - $199,000. 2BR 2FB “C” with Garage in Turnberry Courts, Golf course view, new paint, 1090 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® -RENTAL - $1400. 1BR 1-1/2 BA “Cordoba” model. 2nd floor in elevator building, balcony, reserved carport space. 1014 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-9283463. COMING SOON: LEISURE WORLD® - 3 BR 2 FB, “Capri” 1st floor, updated kit. Carport space, 1560 sq ft. LEISURE WORLD® - 2BR 2FB “C” in Turnberry Courts, 1090 sq ft. LEISURE WORLD® - 2BR 2BA “B” with Garage in Overlook, 1035 sq ft. NEWLY FORMING TAKOMA PARK (MD) household for 3 single women (39-69) interested in friendships, God/spirituality, social justice. Charming award-winning village. Beautiful 3story “gingerbread” house overlooking woods. Share: sunny, eat-in kitchen, open space livingdining room, deck, porches, fireplace, hot-tub, CAC, w/d, FIOS-TV, internet. 3 options: lovely unfurnished newly-carpeted, newly-painted w/ closets, private bathrooms, storage (1st: kitchen, back porch, extra sitting area & storage) (2nd: walk-in closet, private deck). $920/$720/$595/mo. + utilities, deposit, renters insurance. Choose house “tasks.” Rent reducible for “lead house tender” barter. Year lease (renewable). No pets/smoking. Begin 9/1 (flexible). Email aldenwrite@aol.com. Please post/distribute this ad! SENIOR SEEKS TO RENT LARGE ROOM to male or female senior, non-smoking, nondrinking only. Near public transportation, grocery store. 202-629-4096. I BUY HOUSES ANY CONDITION – Fairfax County, VA. Save time, money and worry. Not an agent, no commissions. Female owned. 703-9695847, 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 preview units & contact you with 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 on page 25. Contact me: 301-580-5556, SueHeyman@aol.com, www.SueHeyman.com, Weichert Realtors.

PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call: D. Guisset at 301-6424526.

RENTAL – LEISURE WORLD. 55+. Beautiful large highrise K-model condo: 2BR, den, 2BA, enclosed balcony, built-ins, garage. 1480 sq ft. $1750/month. Call Mark, 301-299-4546.

COMPUTER LESSONS – Personal Computer training at your home. Email, Internet, general computer use. Windows 8, Smartphone/tablet, digital camera. Learn at your own pace with gentle & patient tutor. We also troubleshoot problems & setup new computers. Teaching Seniors since 1996. Senior Discount. Call David, 301-762-2570, COMPUTERTUTOR.

LEISURE WORLD – $249,500. Beautiful large highrise Greens K-model condo: 2BR, den, 2BA, enclosed balcony, built-ins, garage. 1480 sq ft. Call Mark at 301-299-4546.

Entertainment THE SHALOM SIGNATURE CLUB: If you like Bagels and Lox, Matzah Balls and Kugel, then you need to try our activities. We’re a dynamic social club geared to folks 50 and up. Many of our activities have a Jewish theme; most are free of charge and take place in the Friendship Heights neighborhood of Chevy Chase. Currently, our regular monthly schedule features two afternoon activities (at 1 p.m. and includes lunch) and two evening activities (usually 7 p.m.), plus a monthly Friday-eve Shabbat Dinner. For further info, visit www.ShalomSC.org or call 240-200-4515.

LEISURE WORLD PATIO HOME, corner unit, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, Florida Room, fireplace, garage with golf cart space, pantry, completely renovated kitchen with granite counter tops and glass top stove, completely renovated Master Bath, upgraded/enlarged bedroom closets, window treatments, ceramic tile and carpeted flooring, abundant storage, all utilities and cable included. Available July/August. 301-7747220. ARE THESE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS? ...golf, bridge, photography, needlework, tennis, swimming, book club, chess, theater, gardening... and the list goes on! Lovely 2BR, 2 full BA home features separate dining room, table space kitchen, large balcony, washer, dryer and economical gas heat! Call Joan Brown, 240-2773132 or 301-681-0550, ext. 138, to see this wonderful home. Weichert, Realtors.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES 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.

Financial Services

Personal Services

RETIREMENT PLANNING, LIFE INSURANCE, annuities, chronic care, final expense coverage? Free one-on-one consultation with a financial advisor. Contact info: nrazzaque@gmail.com or 240-743-7325.

READY TO DE-CLUTTER? I can help. Sort, donate, discard. Reasonable rates. Call Jan, 301933-7570.

For Sale

VAN MAN – For your driving needs. Shopping, appointments, pick-up and deliver – airport van. Call Mike, 301-565-4051.

LARGE 7 FT, SOLID WOOD MAHOGANY, 4-door TV Console, with private shelving for stereo/DVD/CD equipment and a display shelf. Call Vicki at 301-814-7549. NEW PLATINUM MARCY WORKOUT equipment. Make offer. Near Sibley Hospital. Must sell. Please call 202-363-7837. 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 PERSONALIZED DOCTOR VISITS – Antioch Primary Care, LLC offers primary care for adults. We take time to get to know you so that we can help you on the road to better health. We look forward to hearing from you! 301-220-3881. info@antiochprimarycare.com. DO YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE? Conversationalist and certified natural health consultant will listen. I am available and affordable. $45 – 60 mins. $60 – 90 mins. Sterling, Va. 703-943-6189.

Home/Handyman Services EXPERT ROOF REPAIRS and new installations. 40 years experience. 5 year warranties. Rated A on Angie’s List. See our photo gallery at RamboandRamboConstruction.com. MHIC# 8342. Call, 301-220-4222. MICHAELS HAULING Clean-outs, scrap & debris removal yard waste, etc. Mulch, dirt & stone delivery, lite dump truck, 20’ trailer & bobcat. Fully insured. 240-388-1898. HEALTHY GREEN LAWNS. COMPETITIVE pricing. MDA licensed contractor. Small lot specialist. Seeding, fertilizing, core aeration, weed and insect control. Single- or multi-application programs available. 301-960-8448. GARAGE DOOR SERVICE. Repair, service and replacement openers, springs, cables and sensors. All work guaranteed. 90 days parts and labor warranty. 301-641-8262. MHIC # 85365.

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 301-338-4810, email info@goldennetwork.org, or see goldennetwork.org.

Personals ATTRACTIVE, TALL SBF RETIRED educator seeks erudite Christian gentleman to be life partner. Please call 904-777-9616.

WILL TYPE YOUR MEMOIRS, manuscripts, etc. For info and rates, call 703-671-1854.

CHERYL’S ORGANIZING CONCEPTS LLC – Professional Organizing Services. Help with all aspects of home organizing. Experienced – References – Member NAPO. All work confidential. Licensed – Bonded. $25 discount on initial appointment. www.CherylsOrganizing.com. 301-916-9022. CAROL ROMANOWSKI, LMT, MASSAGE therapist. 30-Minute or 1-Hour Swedish Massage sessions. Available at a reasonable rate. Call Carol at 301-754-1289. Located in Silver Spring, MD. Women only please. SPARKLE CLEANING SERVICE – Scrubbing, dusting, vacuuming, steam cleaning carpets, window cleaning, ironing, weekly/biweekly, monthly. Call Sparkle at 240-535-2677.

Wanted WE BUY OLD AND NEW JEWELRY, Coins, Silver and Gold, Paper Money Too. Watches, Clocks and Parts, Military Badges and Patches Old and New. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. VINYL RECORDS WANTED from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201. OLD AND NEW WE BUY Sterling Silver Flatware, Tea Sets, Single Pieces, Fountain Pens, Lighters, Tools, Cameras, Glassware, Art Work. Toys From Trains to Hotwheels to Star Wars. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES, JEWELRY, ESTATES. I have been advertising in the Senior 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 240-4763441. CASH FOR RECORDS & CDs. BEST PRICE GUARANTEED. Free appraisals. All types of music, 33, 45, 78 & CDs. Call Steve 301646-5403. Will make house calls. 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.

Classifieds cont. on p. 61

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