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A spy reveals her life in disguise

JANUARY 2021

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By Robert Friedman “Don’t look back” — someone is definitely following you. “Use your gut” to choose your next move. Are you being bugged with microphones and cameras in the walls of your office or apartment? “Assume that you are.” As you drive to a crucial meeting with an asset, if you realize you’ll be boxed-in by other vehicles, scoot away. Then, before you duck out of the car, activate the “Jack-in-the-Box,” which will spring up from a suitcase as an inflatable body double with a facial-mask likeness of you. That was some of the advice for U.S. government officials and CIA operatives during the Cold War years in Moscow. They are outlined — with dozens of other ways to keep the KGB at bay — in The Moscow Rules: The Secret CIA Tactics That Helped America Win the Cold War, the latest of four books written by former master CIA agents Jonna and Tony Mendez. Among the books Jonna Mendez collaborated on with her late husband, Tony, was the best-selling Argo, which was turned into a movie that won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2013. In the film, Ben Affleck played Tony, who had devised a real-life scheme to free six U.S. embassy officials during the Iranian hostage crisis of 1978 to 1980. Since Tony passed away in January 2019, Jonna, now 75, appears at book events alone. She discussed The Moscow Rules in December in a virtual presentation at the Cold War Museum in Warrenton, Virginia. The former chief of disguise at the CIA, where she spent 27 years before retiring in 1993, Mendez is currently working on a memoir from her home in Reston, Virginia. The book will describe what it was like to be one of the few high-echelon women in

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Jonna Mendez and her late husband, Antonio (Tony) Mendez, served at different times as chief of disguise at the CIA, and spent time together spying in Moscow during the Cold War. The couple wrote four books, including Argo, which became an Academy Award-winning film, and their last joint title, The Moscow Rules. This year Jonna is writing her memoir.

the CIA at the time, as well as giving “a more personal view” of her working trips to other countries. Being a CIA officer in Moscow “was no cakewalk,” Mendez said in a recent interview with the Beacon. “It was the most difficult, dangerous place” for CIA agents, which was why more than 40 rules were developed for them to fol-

low in the capital of the then-Soviet Union. Mendez and her husband worked in Moscow on CIA business “several times” during the late 1970s, the coldest of the Cold War years, she said. The KGB “breathed down the neck” of anyone seen going in or hanging around the See CIA, page 26

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A new approach At an 18-month review, the drug seemed Researchers have spent decades and billions of dollars looking for safe and effec- so ineffective that both studies were halted. But a later, closer look at the tive medications to fight data from one study suggestAlzheimer’s disease — so far, ed the highest dose did have a totally in vain. substantial effect, so the FDA The few drugs we do have allowed Biogen to resume the ease some symptoms of the disstudy with changes. ease for some patients, but they This fall, Biogen determined do not slow its progression, much less reverse or cure it. that new data showed the drug The good news is, the costbrought about statistically sigly research has identified ponificant improvement and tential causes and contribusought FDA approval for its tors to the disease, at least FROM THE sale to the public. giving us targets at which to PUBLISHER The FDA frequently seeks aim new drugs. Still, it’s been By Stuart P. Rosenthal input from an advisory comdisappointing that treatments mittee to obtain independent that seem to attack these targets have pro- expert advice when there are questions duced no breakthroughs to date. about a drug application. It usually, though Enter aducanumab — a monoclonal an- not always, follows the committee’s recomtibody (the same type of drug as the new mendations. Pfizer coronavirus vaccine) that targets Last month, most members of the comthe amyloid beta protein that forms mittee evaluating aducanumab were not plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s pa- persuaded the drug should be approved. tients and is believed to be a cause of the Typically, the FDA requires two solid studdisease. ies to justify approving a new drug, or one Starting in 2017, two nationwide Phase 3 large trial and some smaller ones. The eviclinical trials were begun by the biotech dence seems thinner in this case. One of company Biogen to evaluate aducanum- the FDA’s own internal reviewers recommended a third study be conducted to conab’s effectiveness.

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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 Richmond, Va. Readership exceeds 400,000. Half-price subscriptions are currently available for only $6 a year. 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 President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal Vice President of Operations – Gordon Hasenei Vice President, Sales & Marketing – Alan Spiegel Managing Editor – Margaret Foster Art Director – Kyle Gregory

firm effectiveness. But the FDA’s official position is that the data is “extraordinarily persuasive.” In fact, there is significant pressure on the FDA from families of patients and advocates like the Alzheimer’s Association to approve aducanumab. After all, it’s the first drug to show any evidence of cognitive benefits in Alzheimer’s patients, and there are millions of Americans with the disease whose families are clamoring for effective treatments. On the other hand, the drug must be administered intravenously once a month and is expected to be costly. If it benefits only a small portion of patients, but requires great expense on the part of many who will want to give it a try (or, rather, on their insurance companies and Medicare), is the FDA doing its job by approving it now on the limited evidence? In writing about this, the Washington Post quoted Walid Gellad, director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, as saying, “If this were a cheap drug, people would be a lot less worried about it…But there is no mechanism in the United States for drugs to be priced conditionally based on uncertainty about their value.” That got me to thinking…Why not? It seems there are currently several possible outcomes to this case. If the FDA unconditionally approves the drug, we’ll have another billion-dollar blockbuster medication on the market, no doubt to be widely prescribed. As a result, we’ll find out over the coming years whether the drug really does work as well as Biogen claims, or is an expensive bust. Alternatively, if the FDA refuses approval now and requires positive results from another full Phase 3 study, it is likely (from what I’ve read) that Biogen will not throw good money after bad. In fact, turning down aducanumab now might even lead other companies studying treatments against amyloid plaques to give up this line of research. A 2018 paper by researchers from the Cleveland Clinic and University of Nevada, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia,

pointed out that “the failure rate of AD drug development is 99%; the failure rate of the development of disease-modifying therapies for AD is 100%.” Furthermore, they found that the total costs of an Alzheimer’s drug development program (including U.S. government support, as in this case) “are estimated at $5.6 billion, and the process takes 13 years from preclinical studies to approval by the FDA.” In a world with a huge need for new drugs even to help only a fraction of patients, and such high barriers to success, can’t we think creatively about how to make this process work better? Is our choice really only between approval on the one hand (with huge costs to the public and huge benefits to one drug company) and quashing the whole research process on the other? What about allowing Biogen to offer the drug for sale conditionally for a few years, at some fixed price deemed to be reasonable, with the requirement that all patients on the drug participate in gathering data on effectiveness? It would resemble a clinical trial, but one where people cannot be refused participation as long as they (or their insurance companies) are willing to help defray the cost. There would be real-world gathering of evidence (as we always find with new drugs, even after FDA approval), the demand of patients and families would be addressed, and the drug developer wouldn’t have to foot the total bill. If the results are good, the company could eventually “earn” full FDA approval and the drug could rise to market price. If the results are poor, the evidence would be widely known and the drug pulled from pharmacies. I, for one, would like to see us split the difference in such a case and see if we can’t find a more affordable and fair way to resolve an impasse over a potentially helpful, much-needed treatment for Alzheimer’s.

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 info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

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The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (301) 949-9766 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 31 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

Dear editor: Re: The crossword puzzle that appeared in your November 2020 issue: Clue 53 across said, “Greek letter that looks like a P.” That would be Rho. Tau [which is the answer that fits in the crossword] looks like/is a T. Ray Powell Via email Dear Editor: Thank you for your special section on the Celebration of the Arts winners. My

heart was captured not only reading about myself (a second-place winner), but seeing all the “ever yday people” that won. Now I really have fresh fuel to pursue my dreams! Thank you for all you have done with and for the Beacon. Angela White Alexandria, Va. See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 26

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Health Fitness &

WORTH THE WAIT Use your mask and keep your distance while vaccine roll-out gets underway BREATHE EASY Why some people should use a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen levels KEEP IN TOUCH Four video chat programs and devices can improve virtual visits this winter SNEAK IT IN Add herbs, mushrooms or leafy greens to recipes to boost your immunity

Medicare to cover hospital care at home By Linda A. Johnson Hospitals will be allowed to care for Medicare patients in their own homes during the pandemic under a government program called Acute Hospital Care at Home, announced in November. It is designed to help hospitals deal with the latest surge. Some hospitals already offer patients with private insurance the choice of getting care at home instead of in the hospital. The pandemic dramatically boosted use of such programs. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said it will let hospitals quickly launch home programs, which will offer around-the-clock electronic monitoring for Medicare and Medicare Advantage patients who are sick enough to be hospitalized, but don’t need intensive care. “We’re at a new level of crisis response with COVID-19,” and this option will help hospitals increase their capacity to help more patients, CMS Administrator Seema

Verma said in a statement. Medicare would pay hospitals the same rate as for inhospital care. Six health systems already offering “hospital-at-home” care were approved to participate in the Medicare program immediately. Hospitals need to meet certain standards to participate. Those include providing twice-daily visits by medical workers, and equipment such as blood pressure and oxygen-level monitors, and keeping patients connected via an iPad or other device to a command center should they need help. Participating hospitals will also be required to investigate patients’ home environment in advance to assess both medical and non-medical factors, including the presence of working utilities, possible physical barriers and screening for domestic violence concerns.

What patients are eligible? COVID-19 patients are eligible. But so

are patients with more than 60 acute conditions, including asthma, congestive heart failure, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Beneficiaries will only be admitted from emergency departments and inpatient hospital beds, and an in-person physician evaluation is required prior to starting care at home. CMS said it anticipates patients may value the ability to spend time with family and caregivers at home without the visitation restrictions that exist in traditional hospital settings. Additionally, CMA noted that patients and their families not diagnosed with COVID-19 may prefer to receive care in their homes if local hospitals are seeing a larger number of patients with COVID-19. It is the patient’s choice to receive these services in their home or in a traditional hospital setting, and patients who do not wish to receive them in their home will not be required to.

The latest in several new programs Earlier in the pandemic, CMS expanded coverage for telemedicine appointments and launched a program paying for care in field hospitals and hotels. “This will help health systems create capacity to care for patients during the surge,” said Dr. Bruce Leff, a geriatrics professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a home hospital pioneer. He said hospital-at-home programs have proven benefits for patients and can prevent complications they might experience in a hospital. Leff helped CMS plan the program, along with experts at major hospitals already running such programs and three companies that contract with hospitals to run programs for them: Medically Home, Contessa Health and Dispatch Health. Since the pandemic began, all three companies have reported a surge of new, See HOSPITAL AT HOME, page 5

Blood test for Alzheimer’s now available By Marilynn Marchione A company has started selling the first blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease — a leap for the field that could make it much easier for people to learn whether they have dementia. It also raises concern about the accuracy and impact of such life-altering news. Independent experts are leery because key test results have not been published, and the test has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It’s being sold under more general rules for commercial labs. But they agree that a simple test that can be done in a doctor’s office has long been needed. It might have spared Tammy Maida a decade of futile trips to doctors who chalked up her symptoms to depression, anxiety or menopause before a $5,000 brain scan last year finally showed she had Alzheimer’s. “I now have an answer,” said the 63-yearold former nurse from San Jose, California. If a test had been available, “I might have been afraid of the results” but would have “jumped on that” to find out, she said.

Typically diagnosed by scan More than 5 million people in the United States and millions more around the world have Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia. To be diagnosed with it, people must have symptoms such as memory loss plus evidence of a buildup of a protein called beta-amyloid in the brain. The best way now to measure the protein is a costly PET brain scan that usually is not covered by insurance. That means most people don’t get one and are left wondering if their problems are due to normal aging, Alzheimer’s or something else. The blood test from C2N Diagnostics of St. Louis aims to fill that gap. The company’s founders include Drs. David Holtzman and Randall Bateman of Washington University School of Medicine, who headed research that led to the test and are included on a patent that the St. Louis university licensed to C2N. The test is not intended for general screening or for people without symptoms — it’s aimed at people 60 and older who are having cognitive problems and are being evaluated for Alzheimer’s. It’s not covered by insurance or Medicare;

the company charges $1,250 and offers discounts based on income. Only doctors can order the test and results come within 10 days. It’s sold in all but a few states in the U.S. and just was cleared for sale in Europe. The test measures two types of amyloid particles plus various forms of a protein that reveal whether someone has a gene that raises risk for the disease. These factors are combined in a formula that includes age, and patients are given a score suggesting low, medium or high likelihood of having amyloid buildup in the brain. If the test puts them in the low category, “it’s a strong reason to look for other things” besides Alzheimer’s, Bateman said. “There are a thousand things that can cause someone to be cognitively impaired,” from vitamin deficiencies to medications, Holtzman said. “I don’t think this is any different than the testing we do now,” except it’s from a blood test rather than a brain scan, he said. “And those are not 100% accurate either.”

Accuracy claims, doubts C2N Diagnostics has not published any data on the test’s accuracy, although the

doctors have published on the amyloid research leading to the test. Company promotional materials cite results comparing the test to PET brain scans — the current gold standard — in 686 people, ages 60 to 91, with cognitive impairment or dementia: —If a PET scan showed amyloid buildup, the blood test also gave a high probability of that in 92% of cases and missed 8% of them, said the company’s chief executive, Dr. Joel Braunstein. —If the PET scan was negative, the blood test ruled out amyloid buildup 77% of the time. The other 23% got a positive result, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the blood test was incorrect, Braunstein said. The published research suggests it may detect amyloid buildup before it’s evident on scans. Braunstein said the company will seek FDA approval, and the agency has given it a designation that can speed review. He said study results would be published, and he defended the decision to start selling the test now. “Should we be holding that technology See BLOOD TEST, page 6

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study funded by a Healthcare Innovation Award from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. In a statement, CMS said, “The development of this program was informed by extensive consultation with both academic and private sector industry leaders to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect patients, and at no point will patient safety be compromised.” Ed. Note: Many area hospitals offer home care to Medicare patients, but this program is different. Check with your hospital to find out when or if it may offer acute hospital care to patients at home. — AP, with additional information from CMS

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being a Soldier’s angel (“adopting” family members of soldiers), organizing donations for fire victims, knitting for Warm Up America!, becoming a citizen scientist, and more. There are also opportunities for flexible jobs, many of which can be done from home. There is a modest charge for the interactive discussion circles, which are led by an Amava guide. Different circles cost different numbers of “credits,” typically one or two, though a particularly substantive program, like “refresh your resume,” costs 15 (including a one-on-one consultation). Credits cost $10 each; or 10 for $80. Amava members also are eligible for discounts on multi-week classes offered by educational organizations. Free newsletters keep members up to date on new offerings of all types. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/ AmavaCircles and explore the attractive website. —Beacon Staff

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The people behind a new website called Amava note that “experiences that connect us to others and produce authentic social ties are more important than ever.” So, they bring older adults together virtually for engaging conversations (called “circles”) around topics of mutual interest. For example, 10 people or so can “meet” to discuss pets, travel or even play charades online. Other circles might address topics such as caregiving, volunteering or something called “Designing Your Next,” a popular program that helps retirees and pre-retirees figure out their next meaningful experiences. Not surprisingly, the site is attracting interest from hundreds of thousands of retirees and empty nesters throughout the country, especially during the pandemic. Membership in Amava is free, and includes numerous highly varied opportunities for virtual volunteer “gigs,” ranging from

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Vaccines won’t end COVID-19 right away By Candice Choi Don’t even think of putting the mask away anytime soon. Despite the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines in December, it could take several months — probably well into 2021 — before things get back to something close to normal in the U.S. and Americans can once again go to the movies, cheer at an NBA game or give Grandma a hug. “If you’re fighting a battle and the cavalry is on the way, you don’t stop shooting; you keep going until the cavalry gets here, and then you might even want to continue fighting,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious-disease expert, said in November. Most people will probably have to wait months for shots to become widely avail-

able. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines each require two doses, meaning people will have to go back for a second shot after three and four weeks, respectively, to get the full protection. Moncef Slaoui, head of the U.S. vaccine development effort, said on CNN in November that early data on the Pfizer and Moderna shots suggest about 70% of the population would need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity — a milestone he said is likely to happen in May. But along the way, experts say the logistical challenges of the biggest vaccination campaign in U.S. history and public fear and misinformation could hinder the effort and kick the end of the pandemic further down the road.

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“It’s going to be a slow process, and it’s going to be a process with ups and downs, like we’ve seen already,” said Dr. Bill Moss, an infectious-disease expert at Johns Hopkins University.

Older adults are a priority Federal and state officials are still figuring out exactly how to prioritize those most at risk, including the elderly, prison inmates and homeless people. By the end of January, HHS officials say, all senior citizens should be able to get shots. For everyone else, they expect widespread availability of vaccines would start a couple of months later. To make shots easily accessible, state and federal officials are enlisting a vast network of providers, such as pharmacies and doctor’s offices.

Blood test From page 4 back when it could have a big impact on patient care?” he asked. Dr. Eliezer Masliah, neuroscience chief at the U.S. National Institute on Aging, said the government funded some of the work leading to the test as well as other kinds of blood tests. “I would be cautious about interpreting

But some worry long lines won’t be the problem. “One of the things that may be a factor that hasn’t been discussed that much is: ‘How many will be willing to be vaccinated?’” said Christine Finley, director of Vermont’s immunization program. She noted the accelerated development of the vaccine and the politics around it have fueled worries about safety. Even if the first vaccines prove as effective as suggested by early data, they won’t have much impact if enough people don’t take them.

No magic bullet Vaccines aren’t always effective in everyone: Over the past decade, for example, seasonal flu vaccines have been effective in See COVID-19 VACCINES, page 9

any of these things,” he said of the company’s claims. “We’re encouraged, we’re interested, we’re funding this work, but we want to see results.” Heather Snyder of the Alzheimer’s Association said it won’t endorse a test without FDA approval. The test also needs to be studied in larger and diverse populations. “It’s not quite clear how accurate or generalizable the results are,” she said. —AP

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

Why would you want an oxygen meter? By Zawn Villines Pulse oximetry is a measure of how much oxygen is in the blood. People with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, very young infants, and individuals with some infections may benefit from pulse oximetry. Every system and organ in the body needs oxygen to survive. Without oxygen, cells begin to malfunction and eventually die. The body transports oxygen to the organs by filtering it through the lungs. The lungs then distribute oxygen into the

blood via hemoglobin proteins in red blood cells. These proteins provide oxygen to the rest of the body. Pulse oximetry measures the percentage of oxygen in hemoglobin proteins, called oxygen saturation. Oxygen saturation usually indicates how much oxygen is getting to the organs. Normal oxygen saturation levels are between 95 and 100%. Oxygen saturation levels below 90% are considered abnormally low and can be a clinical emergency.

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How it works Pulse oximeters (also called oxygen meters) are clip-on devices that measure oxygen saturation. The device may be attached to a finger, wrist, foot, or any other area where the device can read blood flow. Oxygen saturation can drop for many reasons, including infections such as pneumonia [or COVID], diseases such as emphysema, lung cancer and lung infections, heart failure or a history of heart attacks, allergic reactions and sleep apnea. Pulse oximeters work by shining a light through a relatively transparent area of the skin to a detector positioned on the other side of the skin. For example, when a pulse oximeter is clipped onto a finger, one side of the clip shines the light, and the other detects it. The amount of light absorbed by the blood indicates the oxygen saturation. A pulse oximeter does not directly measure oxygen saturation, but instead uses a complex equation and other data to estimate the exact level.

Benefits of oxygen meters Pulse oximeters are useful for people who have conditions that affect oxygen saturation. For example, a sleep specialist might recommend a pulse oximeter to monitor the nighttime oxygen saturation level of someone with suspected sleep apnea or severe snoring. Pulse oximetry can also provide feedback about the effectiveness of breathing interventions, such as oxygen therapy and ventilators. Some doctors use pulse oximetry to assess the safety of physical activity in people with cardiovascular or respiratory problems, or may recommend that a person wear a pulse oximeter while exercis-

ing. A doctor may also use pulse oximetry as part of a stress test. Some benefits of pulse oximetry include alerting to dangerously low oxygen levels, offering peace of mind to people with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, assessing the need for supplemental oxygen, and indicating dangerous side effects in people taking drugs that affect breathing or oxygen saturation. Pulse oximeters are now widely available to buy online (no prescription required), so some people without specific risk factors may use them.

No serious risks Oxygen meters are noninvasive and carry no serious risks. The main risk of pulse oximetry is a false reading. The accuracy of pulse oximeters depends on a correct fit, and minor changes in their positioning can produce an inaccurate reading. Oxygen saturation may also dip for brief periods due to other factors, such as a change in sleeping position or momentary breath-holding. A pulse oximeter gives an alert even when the drop is temporary and harmless. For people with health anxiety, or whose doctors have not helped them understand the role of a pulse oximeter, this can cause unnecessary worry. Some factors can reduce the accuracy of a pulse oximeter reading, including changes in the pulse, interference from external light or color (including nail polish), and having cold hands or poor circulation. Conversely, pulse oximeters can give some people a false sense of security. They do not provide alerts for all possible oxySee OXYGEN METER, page 9

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

COVID-19 vaccines From page 6 about 20% to 60% of people who get them. AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna say early trial data suggests their vaccine candidates are about 90% or more effective. But those rates could change by the time the studies end. Also, the definition of â&#x20AC;&#x153;effectiveâ&#x20AC;? can vary. Rather than prevent infection entirely, the first COVID-19 vaccines might only prevent illness. Vaccinated people might still be able to transmit the virus â&#x20AC;&#x201D; another reason experts say masks will remain crucial for some time. Another important aspect of vaccines: They can take a while to work. The first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine might bring about a degree of protection within a couple of weeks, meaning people who get infected might not get as sick as they oth-

Oxygen meter From page 8 gen issues and cannot serve as a substitute for other forms of monitoring. People using pulse oximeters should discuss the risks with a doctor and should maintain a record of the readings over time. Changes in readings, particularly in response to environmental changes, sometimes signal a health problem. People interested in using consumer-

erwise would. But full protection could take up to two weeks after the second shot â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or about six weeks after the first shot, said Deborah Fuller, a vaccine expert at the University of Washington. People who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand that lag could mistakenly think the vaccine made them sick if they happen to come down with COVID-19 soon after a shot. People might also blame the vaccine for unrelated health problems and amplify those fears online. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All you need is a few people getting on social media,â&#x20AC;? said Moss of Johns Hopkins University. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also the possibility of real side effects. COVID-19 vaccine trials have to include at least 30,000 people, but the chances of a rare side effect turning up are more likely as growing numbers of people are vaccinated. Depending on whether the virus mugrade oxygen meters should discuss their plans with a doctor before investing in a device. People who use pulse oximeters to monitor oxygen saturation should not rely on the oximeter as a substitute for subjective experience. People experiencing difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, dizziness or other signs of possible oxygen deprivation should seek medical attention. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Excerpted with permission from Medical News Today, medicalnewstoday.com.

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tates in coming years and how long the vaccineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s protection lasts, booster shots later on may also be necessary, said Dr. Edward Belongia, a vaccine researcher with the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute in Wisconsin. Belongia and many others say the coro-

navirus wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ever be stamped out and will become one of the many seasonal viruses that sicken people. How quickly will vaccines help reduce the threat of the virus to that level? â&#x20AC;&#x153;At this point, we just need to wait and see,â&#x20AC;? Belongia said. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;AP

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SUICIDE PREVENTION

Capital Caring Health offers free counseling and support groups to anyone in the Greater Washington area dealing with depression, trauma or loss due to COVID-19 or other reasons. The group also publishes guides about how to cope. For more information, call 1-800-869-2136 or visit capitalcaring.org. For anyone in need of immediate suicide-prevention help for themselves or someone else, call or text (for live chat) the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

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

Overview of video chat services, devices By Ann Marie Maloney What’s the key to staying in touch with others this winter? The ability to enjoy all the face time you want with people outside your household while still practicing social distancing. And that means more virtual visits. By now, most people are accustomed to using technology for face-to-face conversations. “It became a part of my life, seeing people in two dimensions instead of three,” said Charles Heller of Annapolis, Maryland. The 84-year-old author has three grandchildren and serves on several boards. To stay connected, he uses his desktop computer and the video chat app GoToMeeting.

Video chat apps have become household names as Americans turned to them for virtual gatherings throughout 2020. Most of these apps are free with some restrictions, either limiting the number of people who can attend or slapping on a time limit for your free session. Of the four video chat apps whose restrictions we describe here, only FaceTime works exclusively on Apple products. The other three apps can be used on any device. FaceTime: FaceTime is free for anyone with an Apple device (it’s pre-installed on iPhones and iPads). GoToMeeting: It’s free for a two-week trial (credit card not required for trial). Out-

Internet to Go MCPL’s mobile hotspot lending program for ƚŚĞ ƉƵďůŝĐ͘ sĞƌŝǌŽŶ DŝĮ DŽďŝůĞ ŚŽƚƐƉŽƚƐ ĂƌĞ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ Ăƚ Ăůů D W> ůŽĐĂƟŽŶƐ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůǇ providing public service. Place a hold on a hotspot via MCPL’s catalog Žƌ ďǇ ĐĂůůŝŶŐ ƐŬ >ŝďƌĂƌŝĂŶ Ăƚ ϮϰϬͲϳϳϳͲϬϬϬϭ ĂŶĚ ƐĐŚĞĚƵůĞ Ă ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚůĞƐƐ ƉŝĐŬƵƉ Ăƚ ǇŽƵƌ ůŝďƌĂƌǇ ŽĨ ĐŚŽŝĐĞ͘ ,ŽƚƐƉŽƚƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ůĞŶƚ ĨŽƌ Ϯ ǁĞĞŬƐ ǁŝƚŚ ŶŽ ƌĞŶĞǁĂůƐ͘

side of that, professional use is $12 a month, and businesses are charged $16 a month. Skype: Skype offers a free link to host a gathering for up to 50 people. International chats cost $2.99 to $7.99 a month, depending on the country. Zoom: Zoom offers unlimited time for two users. For three or more users, there’s a 40-minute time limit or $14.99 a month for unlimited time.

Gadgets and gizmos In addition, there are plenty of agefriendly gadgets and accessories to help you stay in touch. For older users, finding the right device often involves accommodating physical difficulties such as hearing loss, reduced vision or digital dexterity. Small text is not the only challenge. It’s “behaviors, like swiping and tapping — or knowing the difference between a tap and a long press,” said Sara Silver, founder of Computer Companion in Northbrook, Ill., which helps older adults master technology. Still, “clients are doing so much more with their iPhones,” Silver noted. According to an AARP survey, 86% of Americans age 50 to 59 own one, dropping to 81% for 60-somethings and 62% for those 70 and older. If you want a simpler alternative to Apple’s iPhone with larger fonts, GreatCall specializes in tech devices for older adults and sells the Prepaid Jitterbug Smartphone 2 for $75. Its ease of use and well-spaced keypad drew praise from PCMag, but the phone received low marks for the camera, speaker volume and overall speed. But don’t snub Apple products, as you may be surprised by some of their agefriendly features. For better visibility, you can adjust font, cursor size and screen con-

trast. The VoiceOver feature translates the content on the screen into audio and, under Apple’s newest operating system, iOS 14, even describes images. Accessories like strong speakers and quality headphones can also help. Heller says his wife, who is hard of hearing, struggled at first with virtual get-togethers, so he bought her a pair of Bose headphones — problem solved. If you or your loved one could use an upgrade of some of the basics, consider these products: —Noise-cancelling headphones. Bose tops Consumer Reports ratings with its Quiet Comfort 35 Series II and 700 models ($350$400). The magazine’s cheaper recommendations include Bose Quiet Comfort ($200), JBL 650BTNC ($150-$200) and Monoprice BT-300ANC ($50). —Mouse. Arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome can make scrolling painful. Scott Grant, founder of Graying with Grace, recommends buying a mouse that does not need a tight grip. A mouse with a trackball may be a good bet, he says, if it does not require curling a finger. His suggestions: Kensington Expert Wireless Trackball ($85), Sanwa Bluetooth Vertical ($25) or Adesso Easy Cat 2 Button Touchpad ($50) —Speakers. Look for portability, range and sound quality. Among lower-priced options, Denon HEOS 5 HS2 ($350) and Sonos One SL ($180) offer good sound and WiFi connection, finds Consumer Reports. —Webcam. If your onscreen image makes you look like someone in witness protection, you probably need a better web camera, or webcam. One with high marks is Logitech 920S, which sells for under $100. © 2020 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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

Tweaks that can make recipes healthier When cooking this winter, use these piece of astragalus root, or both. Rememrecipe tweaks to make everything healthier. ber to pull them out before serving. Shiitake mushrooms These ideas are designed to imUsing these mushrooms inprove immune function. Don’t stead of plain ones adds biologbe afraid to experiment in the ically active compounds that kitchen with different healing fight cancer and inflammation. herbs and spices. A 2015 study in the American Slivers of Swiss chard Journal of Clinical Nutrition Dark leafy greens are dense concluded that shiitakes rein nutrients. Add one large duce c-reactive protein, which green leaf of Swiss chard to a your liver sends into your big salad — just make sure to bloodstream in response to incut it into thin pieces or slivers, flammation. so that it combines well into DEAR PHARMACIST the other lettuce. Cauliflower This superfood offers impor- By Suzy Cohen Most people know about tant antioxidant compounds to mashing cauliflower as a substiyour salad, which help boost immunity and tute for high-carb regular mashed potatoes. improve DNA methylation — a complex bio- But what about “Cauliflower Mac and logical process that controls gene expres- Cheese?” I have this recipe posted on my sion and suppression. website. Turmeric Fresh sage, rosemary or thyme One half teaspoon of (dried) turmeric in Everyone is used to using dried spices a casserole will go virtually unnoticed, from a jar, but if you ever try the fresh even by kids! You can also grate and add sprigs, you’ll never go back! If you are about a teaspoon of fresh turmeric. Either cooking gravy, scissor in some fresh roseway, it adds strong anti-cancer and anti-in- mary, and put some thyme in, too. flammatory benefits. Pumpkin seed oil Enhance the water Add 2 teaspoons to your pumpkin pie fillIf you’re boiling pasta, vegetables or po- ing before cooking it for a profoundly richer tatoes, add immune-boosting herbs to the flavor and powerful medicinal benefits. Or pot of simmering water. Enhance the water try it in a stir-fry. It’s rich in vitamin E, zinc, of any soup with a bay leaf or two-inch omega fatty acids, and is well known to sup-

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VIRTUAL SEATED EXERCISE CLASS Participate in a free virtual seated chair exercise class every

Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m. Go to https://bit.ly/SeatedChairClass to submit a registration form, or email community@iona.org for the Zoom link. For more information, call Around Town DC at (202) 895-9485.

port prostate and breast health. Garlic Anywhere you can add garlic, do so! You can even roast a whole head of garlic if you wrap it in foil and cook it inside the oven. Then spread it onto crackers or add a dollop to mashed potatoes. Garlic contains allicin, a very strong anti-viral and antibacterial compound. Dried tart cherries Instead of cranberries, add dried tart cherries into your stuffing or salad. These contain natural melatonin, which is deeply relaxing; plus, there’s research to show cherries support gout. Tart cherries reduce muscle breakdown and speed up recovery, too. They have virtually no fat or sodium and taste delicious, not too sweet. [See also “Tart cherry juice may im-

prove your sleep,” in the December Beacon.] Substitutes for wine If you don’t want to drink red wine (or alcohol), make a 50/50 mix of tonic water with pomegranate juice. Or try kombucha, a fermented tea that comes in all kinds of flavors. Or you can sip warm apple cider. If you’re interested in more recipe tweaks, I have a longer version of this article posted at my website. 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 author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit SuzyCohen.com.

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Health Studies

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

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

COVID got you down? A study needs you By Margaret Foster As Shakespeare put it in Richard III, now is the winter of our discontent. Although a vaccine is on the way, in the meantime, most of us must stay home and continue to avoid friends and family. If you’re feeling stressed or have symptoms of depression (fatigue, sadness, lack of interest in activities) during the pandemic, Johns Hopkins would appreciate your help with a new study. “A lot of older adults with depression don’t get any help, so we are trying to find a different way of engaging them,” said Dr. Jin Hui Joo, a Johns Hopkins Community Physician and assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns

Hopkins University School of Medicine. The study, nicknamed the PEERS study, aims to “improve emotional health of older adults,” she said. After all, 15% to 20% of older adults suffer from depression, but fewer than half of them receive any mental health services.

Matched with a peer Anyone over age 50 who is feeling stressed or down can enroll. Researchers will evaluate them by telephone and match them with a peer who is also over age 50 — and who has also experienced depression. “There can be a lot of comfort in speaking to someone relatively your same age,” Joo said.

There are two arms of the randomized study: One group will be matched with a peer, and the other group will be matched with a study staff member. (Peer counselors are trained and supervised by mental health professionals throughout the year-long study.) Joo, the principal investigator for the PEERS study, said her team is seeking about 160 participants. Once matched, the pair will have eight phone conversations over the course of a year. Each call will last about 45 minutes to an hour. During the phone calls, both peers and staff will check in and suggest ways to alleviate depression. For instance, keeping a

HELP ADVANCE INFLUENZA RESEARCH. VOLUNTEER FOR A FLU VACCINE CLINICAL TRIAL. Healthy adults 55 to 70 years old are needed to participate in the study of an investigational influenza vaccine.

journal or calling friends can help. “What the peers are trying to do is provide social support and share self-care skills,” Joo said. “It’s a difficult time for everyone, so [they will discuss] how to cope, how to improve your emotional wellbeing.” It may be easier to accept advice from someone who has “been there,” too. After all, the peers who make the phone calls have experienced depression first-hand. “They themselves know what it’s like to be stressed and emotionally struggling, so they can understand and coach them through how to manage this,” she said.

Feedback has been positive It may be harder for older adults to admit they’re feeling low. “A lot of seniors are used to pulling themselves up by their bootstraps; they’re used to going it alone,” Joo said. “Sometimes you have to just reach out and get some help.” Joo’s previous research found that participants in similar peer-to-peer programs gave positive feedback about the program. “When a senior is struggling, a peer can provide a different perspective or help them think of it in a different way so it’s not as distressing,” she said. The National Institute of Mental Health is also a collaborator in the PEERS study. To find out more about the study, or to volunteer to participate, call (410) 9958360 and leave a message. All calls will be returned in a day or two.

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Ongoing The study will evaluate the safety of the vaccine and its ability to generate an immune response.

ART AND YOGA Every Wednesday, the

Phillips Collection offers guided meditation via Zoom. During the half-hour session, a local yoga teacher guides

Financial compensation will be provided.

a meditation inspired by a calming work in the collection. For more information and to register, visit

To volunteer, call 1-866-833-5433 (toll-free) TTY 1-866-411-1010, or email vaccines@nih.gov.

https://bit.ly/ArtandMeditation.

Jan. 20

BONE BUILDERS CLASS This free one-hour vir-

tual exercise class for people age 55+ includes a warm-up, balance exercises, arm and leg strengthening and a cooldown. For more information and the Zoom link, visit https://bit.ly/BoneBuildersClass.

VACCINE RESEARCH CENTER / NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES /

You can also dial in at (301) 715-

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH / DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

8592, meeting ID 96648614581.

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

Editing genes may end sickle cell disease By Marion Renault Scientists are seeing promising early results from the first studies testing gene editing for painful, inherited blood disorders that plague millions worldwide, especially Black people. Doctors hope the one-time treatment, which involves permanently altering DNA in blood cells with a tool called CRISPR, may treat and possibly cure sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. Partial results were presented last month at an American Society of Hematology conference, and some were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

10 patients appear cured Doctors described 10 patients who are at least several months removed from their treatment. All no longer need regular blood transfusions and are free from pain crises that plagued their lives before. Victoria Gray, the first patient in the sickle cell study, had long suffered severe pain bouts that often sent her to the hospital. “I had aching pains, sharp pains, burning pains, you name it. That’s all I’ve known my entire life,” said Gray, 35, who lives in Forest, Mississippi. “I was hurting everywhere my blood flowed.” Since her treatment a year ago, Gray has weaned herself from the pain medications she depended on to manage her symptoms. “It’s something I prayed for my whole life,” she said. “I pray everyone has the same results I did.” Sickle cell affects millions, mostly Black people. Beta thalassemia strikes about one in 100,000 people. The only cure now is a bone marrow transplant from a closely matched donor without the disease, like a sibling, which most people don’t have. Both diseases involve mutations in a gene for hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. In sickle cell, defective hemoglobin leads to deformed, crescent-shaped blood cells that don’t carry oxygen well. They can stick together and clog small vessels, causing pain, organ damage and strokes. Those with beta thalassemia don’t have enough normal hemoglobin, and suffer anemia, fatigue, shortness of breath and other symptoms. Severe cases require transfusions every two to five weeks.

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WORK FOR YOURSELF TOOLKIT

AARP offers a downloadable toolkit with resources and information about working for yourself after 50. To access this and other resources, visit https://bit.ly/AARPToolkit. To register for the DC webinar that takes place Tues., Feb. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m., visit https://bit.ly/AARPWebinarDC.

Method tricks cells The treatment studied attacks the problem at its genetic roots. In the womb, fetuses make a special type of hemoglobin. After birth, when babies breathe on their own, a gene is activated that instructs cells to switch and make an adult form of hemoglobin instead. The adult hemoglobin is what’s defective in people with either of these diseases. The CRISPR editing aims to cut out the switching gene. “What we are doing is turning that switch back off and making the cells think they are back in utero, basically,” so they make fetal hemoglobin again, said one study leader, Dr. Haydar Frangoul of the Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Nashville. The treatment involves removing stem cells from the patient’s blood, then using

CRISPR in a lab to knock out the switching gene. Patients are given strong medicines to kill off their other, flawed blood-producing cells. Then they are given back their own lab-altered stem cells. December’s results were on the first 10

patients, seven with beta thalassemia and three with sickle cell. The two studies in Europe and the United States are ongoing and will enroll 45 patients each. Chief medical writer Marilynn Marchione contributed from Milwaukee. —AP

ENTERPRISE RESIDENTIAL MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

The Greens at Hammonds Lane: 410-636-1141 Park View at Furnace Branch: 410-761-4150 Park View at Severna Park: 410-544-3411

Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886 Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363 Park View at Towson: 410-828-7185 Park View at Woodlawn: 410-281-1120

BALTIMORE CITY Ednor Apartments I: 410-243-0180 Ednor Apartments II: 410-243-4301 The Greens at Irvington Mews: 410-644-4487 Park Heights Place: 410-578-3445 Park View at Ashland Terrace: 410-276-6440 Park View at Coldspring: 410-542-4400

EASTERN SHORE Park View at Easton: 410-770-3070

HARFORD COUNTY Park View at Bel Air: 410-893-0064 Park View at Box Hill: 410-515-6115

HOWARD COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344 Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660 Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888 The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000 The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100 The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000 The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988 Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464 Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 • 55 & Better Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665 Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375 Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673

Park View at Colonial Landing: 410-796-4399 Park View at Columbia: 410-381-1118 Park View at Ellicott City: 410-203-9501 Park View at Ellicott City II: 410-203-2096 Park View at Emerson: 301-483-3322 Park View at Snowden River: 410-290-0384

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Park View at Bladensburg: 301-699-9785 • 55 & Better Park View at Laurel: 301-490-1526 Park View at Laurel II: 301-490-9730

Call the community of interest to you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour.

www.enterprisecommunity.org PET-FRIENDLY

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Hang in there.

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

We can’t stop now.

MOCO STRONG WE CAN’T STOP NOW

Mask M ask Up

Maintain a minimum six-foot physical distance M

Avoid group gatherings Av

Wash your hands frequently throughout the day W

Get tested Ge

For more info go to: https://montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19

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

VOLUME XXXIII, ISSUE 1

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE By Laura Newland, Director D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living

Happy New Year! Like every year around this time, I’ve been reflecting on the past 12 months. 2020 was a year unlike any other: a global pandemic, social unrest and injustice, and a slew of other issues that left us all anxious for a fresh start. With all the challenges came lessons. We learned so much. As an agency, we learned why it’s so important to show up for you—no matter what. It doesn’t matter if you live alone or if you live with family members; if you’re gay or straight; or if you live east or west of the river. It doesn’t matter if there’s a global pandemic that forces us all to wear masks and stay home! No matter what’s happening in the world, in our country, in our city, DACL’s commitment to you does not and will not change. As a community, we learned that even though we needed to social distance, nobody wants to become socially distant — we need each other. The need for human connection is more important now than it has ever been before. And we’ve learned this from the hundreds of volunteers, of all ages and from all over the region, who’ve contacted our office wanting to call a senior who would be alone over the holidays. We were able to connect 250 seniors to volunteers over the holidays to check-in, chat and build friendships. That’s what Thriving Together means — you’re not alone. And we’ll continue to expand these intergenerational connections through our annual Cupid’s Kids initiative. In past years, we’ve worked with students at DCPS and Public Charter Schools to create Valentine’s Day cards for our homebound seniors. This year, we’re asking the entire community to join us in making this Valentine’s Day extra special! If you want to receive a Valentine’s Day card from a community member, give us a call and we’ll get a card delivered to you. Or, if you want to join us in making cards for other seniors, visit dacl.dc.gov/page/cupidskids or call us at 202-724-5626 for more information. Across all of DACL’s programs, we’re also calling our participants just to check in. We’ll continue to connect and engage with you through programs like Call & Talk and our virtual events hub — your one-stop shop for fun and engaging activities you can participate in right from home. With our community partners, we’re updating and creating programming that’s designed with you in mind. More and more seniors are making real connections with our team, with the community, and with each other, and I’d love for you to join us. We might be spending most of our time in our homes these days, but we all need connection. We need each other. So join us online or on the phone! I’m not usually someone who makes New Year’s resolutions, but 2020 has brought changes for all of us! My personal resolution is also DACL’s resolution — I’m (we’re) resolving to continue to show up more for the community I (we) love. Let’s do this together. Join me in making a New Year’s resolution to reach out to just one more person in your life. Let’s make 2021 the year we commit whole-heartedly to being a part of our community — no matter what the New Year brings. Take Care, Laura

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

January 2021

Spotlight on Aging

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Nutrition Corner:

DACL Clinical Director joined AARP’s Coronavirus Tele-Town Hall

Oatmeal All Dressed Up! As winter weather settles in, many of us turn to warmer and heavier foods, especially first thing in the morning. Although whole wheat toast and whole grain breakfast cereals are good options, another option that is especially nice on cold mornings is a bowl of oatmeal. Oatmeal may help regulate your digestion and blood sugar and may help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure. It is also a cost-efficient breakfast. Though some people like oatmeal on its own with a splash of milk or water, others find plain oatmeal lacking in taste. When left to its own devices, it can get slippery or gluey, and the flavor can be bland. Fortunately, oatmeal is the perfect food to dress up. Oatmeal can take on a sweet look. For example, you can add fresh fruit, like sliced apples, bananas or berries. Alternatively, you can drop in a tablespoon of jelly, preserves or dried fruit such as raisins or cranberries; just be aware that these items often have a lot of added sugar. A tablespoon or two of unsweetened applesauce or unflavored canned pumpkin is lovely in the fall. You can also sprinkle in spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. A drizzle of honey or stevia helps with sweetness, while a tablespoon of nut butter or yogurt offers a protein boost. Chopped nuts and

seeds are packed with healthy fats and vitamins. If you crave a special treat, a few dark chocolate chips or a sprinkle of unsweetened shredded coconut is especially delicious. A closely guarded secret is that oatmeal can also take on a savory look with veggies, proteins, spices or a combination of these. For instance, adding a handful of wilted greens, a poached egg and salt and pepper is an easy way to dress up your oatmeal. Sautéed bell peppers and spinach with turmeric make a savory oatmeal that is almost too beautiful to eat. Alternatively, a sprinkle of your favorite cheese, a few oven-roasted or sundried tomatoes, and a tablespoon of pesto sauce makes a breezy Mediterranean meal. Sautéed onions and mushrooms and fresh or dried herbs create another savory option, while adding a bit of cooked turkey bacon or chorizo can make this option more complex. Roasted potatoes or squash are a perfectly autumnal add-in. You can also cook your oatmeal in lowsodium chicken stock, bone broth, or vegetable broth instead of water to increase its initial savory flavor. Though oatmeal may seem like a humble whole grain option upon first glance, it is only limited by your imagination. May you go forth and invent the most well-dressed oatmeal in the District.

Director Spotlight On Aging is published by the Information Office of the D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living for D.C. senior residents.Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the D.C. Department of Aging and Community Living or by the publisher.

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

Laura Newland

Editor DACL External Affairs

Photographer Richard Williams 500 K St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 724-5626 | www.dacl.dc.gov

Last month, DACL’s Clinical Director, Heather Stowe, joined AARP to share the value of our services and what resources are available to seniors during this unprecedented time. If you missed the town hall, you can listen to the full discussion by visiting www.facebook.com/watch/aarpdc.

Stay Connected – Join DACL’s Call & Talk Program Start the year off by making meaningful connections through DACL’s Call & Talk program. More than 100 seniors have joined our program, creating new friendships with DACL staff and other seniors in the community. Give us call at 202-724-5626 to join.

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

SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION

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

Whether to move to a senior community Some surprises (positive ones) Most who’ve made the move advise viewing it as a positive change — the next chapter, a chance to re-invent. Marketers tout it as a revitalizing experience that can help maximize one’s golden years. For Bill and Laurie (all last names withheld for privacy), moving in 2019 from their five-bedroom, 150-year-old house to an apartment in Washington, D.C.’s Knollwood, “turned out to be not as big a deal as we thought,” according to Bill, a retired Army doctor. He and his wife, Laurie, did extensive research before choosing Knollwood. “We wanted control to make our own decisions, not burden our children — and not wait for an emergency when we would have fewer options and have to take what was available,” he said. Surprisingly, taking that burden away from adult children can be poorly received. Adult children may need some time to “come to terms with it” and “get used to the idea,” Bill said of his three children. “It was threatening to them. They felt they were losing the family home…You always think of your parents as being young. They accepted it eventually. Not facing a crisis made it easier on everyone,” Bill said. “There are always tradeoffs,” he stressed. “Our life is not downgraded. Our lives got simplified,” he said, happy to be free of

home maintenance and snow shoveling. The biggest surprise was the ease of the transition to their new home, friends and social life. During the pandemic, living near others has made Bill and Laurie more mindful of others and more considerate of the common good.

Accident leads couple to move Janet and her husband moved from a single-family home in Chevy Chase to Ingleside at King Farm in Rockville, Maryland, in 2019. After a car accident injured both of them, being confined at home to recuperate and relying on drivers, they better understood the support they might eventually need. “This could be down the line if we are incapacitated,” Janet said. Meals are covered in their fees, and Janet doesn’t miss cooking. At first, living in and amid big buildings was an adjustment from their suburban neighborhood. Although “life would be richer” if they lived among people of different ages, Janet said, “You have to accept it.”

Moving during a pandemic Kathy moved in September to Sommerset Retirement Community in Sterling, Virginia. She said Sommerset has helped her overcome the feeling of isolation she had

in her previous community. The decision to sell her home came easily, she said. “When it’s time to go, you’ll know.” Especially appealing about the community was having dinner provided daily because, as a single woman, she finds it hard to cook for one. Before the pandemic, Sommerset’s dinners were communal. Now staffers deliver meals directly to her apartment or allow her to pick them up herself.

Social isolation inspired move Lydia was feeling socially isolated and increasingly cranky in their suburban Northern Virginia home of 37 years. After studying options for six months, she and her husband, Ned, chose the Friends House Retirement Community in Sandy Spring, Maryland. Selling their house “as is” relieved them of the headaches of sprucing it up for sale. However, the pandemic delayed their move from March to June 2020. Lydia said she has transitioned easily. She started a Tolstoy book club and feels a sense of community with neighbors she can call on. “There’s a lot of gray hair around here,” Ned admitted, but he and his wife believe their choice means they won’t be an undue See MOVING, page B-3

Safe and Connected Senior Living In good times and uncertain times, there’s no safer, smarter place to be than at an Erickson Living®managed community like Ashby Ponds, Greenspring, and Riderwood. Enjoy independent senior living, plus a safety net of additional support should you ever need it. •

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By Glenda C. Booth Deciding whether and when to move into a senior community is a challenging undertaking for many older adults, a decision that most people do not want imposed on them in a crisis. For those who have lived in a singlefamily home for years, moving to a group housing complex can be a daunting leap, while for others, moving is a smooth transition that opens doors to new opportunities. The vexing senior living jargon alone can seem like semantic gymnastics: adult community, assisted living, independent living, continuing care, life plan community, residential care homes, skilled nursing facility and managed communities, for example. States use almost 30 different terms for the various group living arrangements. (For a glossary of these and other terms, see http://bit.ly/AARPglossary.) Individual needs, finances and priorities differ. Many adults want to be pro-actively in charge and not dump their fate on their children during a crisis. Some want relief from home maintenance. Others hope to stay put and grow old in the surroundings they’ve known for many years. The decision is an individual one that needs to fit each person’s unique circumstances.

a community resident

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

Moving From page B-2 burden on their children.

Pandemic delays a move Dorothy lives in a Fairfax County highrise condominium building and is wrestling with the decision to move to a retirement community. She expects to choose a community in the area that offers different levels of care on site so she can make a seamless transfer when and if the time comes. She sees communal living as a way â&#x20AC;&#x153;to avoid the isolation the elderly often encounter that is so destructive at a time of life when they are less mobile and active, with relatives living elsewhere and friends disappearing,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In residential communities you can enjoy friendships with people you live with, with whom you can share meals and who will be available to you,â&#x20AC;? she added. Dorothy hopes to decide on a home after the pandemic ends and communal life returns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At all the ones where I have friends, they are locked down, cannot have communal meals or friends and relativesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; visits except outdoors, and are not allowed to leave the premises except under certain circumstances with certain restrictions,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Timing is key One common piece of advice: Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

move when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re too young or too old. Everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s circumstances are different. Some want to downsize their lives and homes while in their 50s or 60s so they can enjoy remaining active for many years. Others want to stay in their homes longer and move in their 70s or 80s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no age or specific time. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s different for different people,â&#x20AC;? Bill said. But, he added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It gets harder as you get older, mentally and physically.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you go in is an issue,â&#x20AC;? Dorothy said. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want â&#x20AC;&#x153;to enter too early, but early enough to still be healthy enough to pass their health criteria and establish a life there.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Think of the move as your next home,â&#x20AC;? Bill said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where you live does not define you. Life does not stop.â&#x20AC;?

For more information See â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Guide for Making Housing Decisions,â&#x20AC;? downloadable as a pdf at: eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Resources/Brochure s/docs/Housing_Options_Booklet.pdf To contact the communities mentioned in this article: Knollwood (Washington, DC) (202) 5410149 Ingleside at King Farm (Rockville, MD) (240) 380-2681 Sommerset (Sterling, VA) (703) 4506411 Friends House (Sandy Spring, MD) (301) 924-5100

Regardless of the Weather Outside,

It's Always Cozy Here. Stay warm and comfortable, regardless of the season! ,PDJLQH QR PRUH VKRYHOLQJ VQRZ RU GULYLQJ LF\ URDGV This year, more than any other, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to risk any accidents while shoveling snow or removing ice! At Friendship Terrace we are committed to IRU JURFHULHV )ULHQGVKLS 7HUUDFH KDV 5($'< )25 keeping our residents safe and secure, while we handle the snowy winds of winter 029( ,1 12: DSDUWPHQWV WKDW DUH PDLQWHQDQFH IUHH

outside. The staff are committed to strict sanitization protocols, delivering meals #LOSE TO SHOPPING RESTAURANTS AND NOW THE NEW to apartments, and assisting the residents with keeping in touch with family and 4ENLEYTOWN 4ARGET STORE !LSO RQ VLWH GLQLQJ RSWLRQV friends via computer activities and socially distanced activities. We are located in WKDW DOORZ \RX WR EH VDIH DQG VHFXUH LQVLGH UHJDUGOHVV RI the Tenleytown area of Washington, DC. We have an affordable, senior apartment WKH ZHDWKHU DQG EHVW RI DOO \RXÂśOO ILQG IULHQGO\ ready for you to move into now. We welcome you to join our community! Semira Negasi QHLJKERUV DQG D ZLGH YDULHW\ RI DFWLYLWLHV

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Housing Notes By Margaret Foster

Find the perfect housemate Looking for an affordable place to live? Or perhaps you have an extra room you’d like to rent? Montgomery County, Maryland, just made finding (or renting) a long-term, affordable home a little easier. The county teamed up with a nonprofit called Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP), a local housing developer and counseling agency, to launch a Home Sharing Program in December. “The goal is to successfully identify and

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

match renters who are seeking affordable housing options with homeowners who have attractive and safe spare bedrooms in their homes, or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on their property, to rent longterm,” county spokesman Kevin Zhang said in a statement. To apply to share your home or rent a long-term room, call the program’s hotline, and a counselor will explain the process and set up a meeting with potential matches. The initiative uses Silvernest.com, a national roommate-matching website, to pair up renters with people who have rooms for rent. (All potential renters will be given a credit check and criminal background check.) No subsidies are available, and the homeowner must live in the house fulltime to participate.

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Medicare Health Plan wins top rating In October, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) gave Erickson Advantage — a unique health insurance plan for residents of Erickson Living communities — a rating of five stars. That places Erickson in an elite group of only 21 Medicare Advantage health plans (out of 400) to receive a five-star rating from CMS for Part C and Part D benefits, according to Matthew Narrett, M.D., Erickson Living’s chief medical officer. “It’s rewarding to be among America’s leading geriatric healthcare systems in which we help Medicare beneficiaries maintain a healthy and independent lifestyle,” Narrett said in a statement. “Our six health plan options, which offer extra benefits beyond original Medicare, place a strong emphasis on preventive care and wellness in order to help seniors enjoy a better quality of life.” Anyone who lives in an Erickson Living community can participate in the customized Medicare Advantage healthcare plan through United Healthcare. The pro-

gram covers 5,000 participants at Erickson’s 18 continuing care communities. “The plan emphasizes a holistic approach across the continuum of care and aligns health benefits with surrounding supportive services in an effort to help improve quality while reducing cost for Erickson Living residents and their beneficiaries,” according to a company statement. Erickson Living’s continuing care retirement communities are located in 11 states, including Maryland (Catonsville, Silver Spring and Parkville) and Virginia (Springfield and Ashburn). To learn more, visit ericksonliving.com or call 1-877-575-0231.

Walking program made strides Last October, Waltonwood at Ashburn in Virginia gave its residents a challenge: Walk as much as possible. One resident, Fred Hill, did just that, logging more than 15,000 steps in a week. “Walking helps me physically, mentally, emotionally and socially,” said Hill, who was among the top walkers. “I have felt a difference in my overall well-being since I started to walk more.” During the week-long Silver Sneakers Challenge, residents kept track of their steps with pedometers. Staffers offered See HOUSING NOTES, page B-7

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New Chapters. Every Day. You’ve created a life with endless possibilities. Now you’re looking for the perfect place to write the next chapter. Aspire is the new resort-style retirement living community nity y coming com min ing g to the Belmont Bay area in early 2021 and is built on two ideas you cherish: the choice of exactly which luxuries and amenities will make life more enjoyable for you and the control to pay for what you want.

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

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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 coupon to the Beacon.

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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 return our free info form on page 5 together with this coupon. Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________E-mail_______________________________________________ City _______________________________________________________ State ______________________ Zip ____________________ Phone (day) _______________________________________________ (eve) ___________________________________________

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

Affordable Senior Communities 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: 600 North Madison Street, Arlington, VA 22203

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Advice for developing a caregiving plan By Barbara G. Matthews and Barbara Trainin Blank Approximately 43.5 million caregivers have provided unpaid care to an adult or child in the last year, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Caregiving means assuming a great many unfamiliar responsibilities, such as taking care of a parent’s finances, supervising employees, and acting the part of ombudsman with medical personnel. Long-distance caregiving is both easier and harder; it presents challenges that caregiving up close or in one’s own home does not. Good communication among all the significant parties is the best means to develop a successful caregiving plan. However, communication skills are developed over a lifetime. They don’t suddenly become “good,” especially when family members are dealing with the problems and stresses that arise from caregiving needs. Of primary importance is the individual who needs the assistance and care. If that person’s values and wishes are not respected and taken into consideration, you are bound to run into resistance and conflict. Who doesn’t want to remain in the driver’s seat of life? It is imperative to respect your loved one’s independence and dignity — it is, after all, that person’s right to make choices and decisions. A productive family meeting can build a strong foundation for family caregiving. Do you share common values? Talk about what is most important to all of you — autonomy or safety — or whether you place equal weight on both. Establish common goals. Divide responsibility based on the strengths and abilities each of you brings

to the family. It is important to be specific. Develop a contract that delineates the commitments family members have made, and solidify those commitments with signatures that verify that everyone understands and agrees to the plan. Be sure to date the contract in case changes are needed later on. If the expectations coming into the caregiving relationship are not fulfilled, the seed for conflict is planted. Expectations are born out of a sense of fairness. Imbalances of responsibility lead to bad feelings among siblings and to caregiver burnout. Some of the common imbalances tend to be that the geographically closest child often shoulders the greatest burden. Daughters often provide more caregiving than sons, and sons may provide more financial support.

Truths about caregiving You rarely get what you expect with caregiving. Even a senior healthcare professional can be unprepared for the challenges. Be patient with yourself; you’re probably doing the best you can. Encourage open but tactful communication with everyone involved in the care; strive to work together toward a common purpose. Be aware of the magnitude of the responsibility; be realistic about what you can and cannot handle. Seek support, whether through formal groups, friends, family members, or anyone who’s “been there” and understands. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or to ask for help. Breathe deeply, and make time for yourself. Be prepared for the surprise, even See CAREGIVING PLAN, page B-7

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One family’s story: how a CCRC helped This is “Randy’s Story,” as told to Barbara G. Matthews and Barbara Trainin Blank; from What To Do About Mama. I provided care for my father. Since I was an only child, Father assumed I would be the caregiver, as I wanted to be. It was my responsibility. We did not really discuss plans; they just evolved. Caregiving for my father was something we had expected that I would do. My wife was supportive of the entire endeavor. My father lived in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), now known as a Life Plan community, so our role was visiting and handling finances and medical appointments, which my father gradually let me assume. Over time, I was responsible for handling all the finances. Periodically, my father gave us monetary gifts. There were no problems with settling the estate, which my father divided equally among my stepsiblings and me. Yes, I would assume my caregiving role again. My father and I became closer because of it. The CCRC met our expectations very well, although it was difficult to get my

father to take advantage of all the services he was paying for. It was also difficult to communicate via phone, and he did not wait for us to visit to have discussions. Since my father was in a CCRC, my wife and I were able to travel, so we had sufficient time and “space,” and the responsibility of caregiving did not become too stressful. I am glad my wife and I had this time together, because at this point, caretaking is just beginning again with my wife. She has developed vascular dementia, and I am moving into the role of her caregiver. We are doing our best to “look down the road” while adjusting to our new reality. We are blessed that we also moved to a CCRC 10 years ago. We want to minimize the impact on our daughter, who is five hours away with a very busy young family. We would recommend to others to consider a CCRC as early as is practical. Plan well in advance to avoid a crisis mode. Have all legal documents in place. Maximize communications among all parties. We would be overwhelmed entirely if we were “starting from scratch.”

Celebrate the New Year IN YOUR NEW HOME WITH NEW FRIENDS. Experience the warmth of the gracious retirement lifestyle you deserve! Make your move to Wilshire Estates and become a part of something special ... a sense of family, friendship, and belonging that welcomes you home each day. At Wilshire Estates, all of our amenities are included in one reasonable monthly rent. We take care of the cooking, cleaning, and transportation, leaving you the time to enjoy your retirement.

For more information about our gracious retirement lifestyle, please call

301-396-7573

Caregiving plan From page B-6 shock, of how expensive providing care can be. Expect to feel anger, sadness, depression, even bitterness, not just over the care receiver’s condition but also the difficulties and exhaustion of caregiving. (On the other hand, there can be many positives and a deep sense of satisfaction.) You can also expect your roles and responsibilities to expand constantly, especially with elderly care receivers. It is likely your family relationships will

Housing notes From page B-4 new exercise classes, including a bowling via video game.

change through caregiving — negatively, positively, or both. Don’t be surprised if the end of caregiving brings a sadness of its own — not just for the passing of your loved one, but also for the end of a special sense of purpose. Most caregivers would do it differently, maybe, but would still do it again. Caregiving leaves its imprint; it is a deeply life-changing experience. This is an excerpt from What to Do about Mama: Expectations and Realities of Caregiving, by Barbara G. Matthews and Barbara Trainin Blank. The book is available on Amazon.com. Located on 14 acres, Waltonwood at Ashburn has 114 independent living apartment homes, 72 assisted living apartments and 27 memory care apartments. Visit waltonwood.com or call (571) 266-0288.

DINING | CARE | NEW FRIENDS | LIVE STRONGER PROGRAM

Winter with Us! Enjoy a furnished apartment for a short-term stay of up to 3 months and experience all our community has to offer! LIMITED AVAILABILITY. CALL OUR TEAM TO LEARN MORE

LIVE STRONGER AT CHEVY CHASE HOUSE Introducing the Stronger Living wellness and exercise program led by FOX Rehabilitation

Spacious, Full-Sized Apartments | Exceptional Dining Great Location | In-House Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Exciting Social and Life Enrichment Programming

CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION (202) 905-0708

5420 Connecticut Avenue NW · Washington, DC 20015 www.chevychasehouse.com 13716 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20904

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A MERIDIAN SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

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Housing Options | Visit beacon50expo.com

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

VILLAGE LIFE the following is excerpted from

Focus on Wellness rooke Grove Retirement Village (BGRV) is pleased to launch its 13th year of free community Living Well seminars/webinars and low-cost Healthy Living classes that promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

BGRV Senior Fitness and Wellness Specialist Terrie Daniels, a certified fitness trainer popular with BGRV audiences, will offer a variety of six-week classes using a Zoom platform beginning early in the new year. These include Everyday Balance (Mondays/Wednesdays, 11-11:30 a.m., January 11-February 17), Mindful Meditation (Wednesdays, 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m., January 13-February 17) and Chair Yoga exercise and healthy lifestyle habits.” Webinar participants (Mondays/Wednesdays, 11-11:45 a.m., March 1-April 7). will discover how proper posture and body mechanics, If you’re looking for some relief from your aching back, along with specific exercises that can be done at home, can sign up for “Healthy Back Habits,” a free Living Well minimize or prevent back pain. webinar on Wednesday, February 17, from 10:30-11:45 For more information and registration links, visit BGRV’s a.m. According to Ms. Daniels, who will also present this Community Calendar at bit.ly/BGRVcalendar. program, “Most back pain can be successfully treated with

Lemonade from Lemons ince opening in 1957, the mission of the Bargain Box Thrift Store at Christ Episcopal Church in Rockville has been to donate its profits to Montgomery County charities that feed, clothe and house those in need. So, when limitations due to the pandemic recently forced them to make the decision to close the store, it’s no surprise that Manager Donna Wolohojian and other volunteer staffers chose to make lemonade out of lemons by searching for ways to continue to support the community.

Because of the growing relationship of many Brooke Grove Retirement Village independent living (IL) residents with educators from Bargain Box Manager Donna Wolohojian INDEPENDENT LIVING

ASSISTED LIVING

the Sandy Spring Slave Museum and African Art Gallery, IL resident and dedicated Bargain Box volunteer Nancy Lewin thought of offering the organization some of the store’s furnishings. This prompted a visit from the museum’s Sandi Williams and Debbie Buchanan, who were delighted to select a display case, the cash register, a bookcase and other useful items. Additional Bargain Box pieces were donated to the Women’s Board Thrift Store at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney.

REHABILITATION

LONG-TERM CARE

IL resident and Bargain Box volunteer Nancy Lewin with a display case donated to the Sandy Spring Slave Museum and African Art Gallery MEMORY SUPPORT

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Limited-Time Discounts for New AL Admissions othing says “home” like the greeting of a beloved pet, the aroma of baking brownies, the laughter of children and the many other comforting touches found in Brooke Grove’s assisted living (AL) homes.

Residential-style living at The Meadows and The Woods offers easy access to secure courtyards and gardens, where residents move freely inside and out – visiting neighborhood homes, strolling winding paths and savoring the peaceful wooded setting. Our exceptional caregiving team and innovative approach and programs, including those specifically designed to stimulate memory, ensure that you or your loved one will continue to enjoy a maximum level of independence. For many, this time of uncertainty due to the pandemic adds to existing challenges. Brooke Grove is here to help by offering up to $9,600 in discounts for qualifying new

admissions. Call 301-637-8928 today for more information and a live virtual tour.

Residents Vote in Presidential Election L

ike millions of Americans across the United States, assisted living residents took satisfaction in influencing the future through their participation in the general election process this fall. Following the guidance of Jennifer Dailey of the Montgomery County Board of Elections, LIFE enrichment team members ensured that residents were given the opportunity to request an vabsentee ballot and cast their vote.

“Understandably, some members expressed concerns about mail-in absentee ballots this year and chose to schedule a visit with their loved one, bring the ballot, and allow the resident to complete it during the visit,” said Director of LIFE Enrichment Samantha Dubendorf, who organized and led the effort. The Woods resident Pat Parker was among the first to cast her vote. A steadfast Democrat, she supported presidential candidate Joe Biden, who lives in her hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. Ms. Parker has always spoken of Delaware – the first state – with great pride and worked at Fort DuPont during World War II.

For more information about Brooke Grove, call

(1 to r) LIFE Enrichment Coordinator Karen Graham assists The Woods resident Pat Parker as she enthusiastically completes her ballot during a porch visit with her daughter, Claire.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

ASSISTED LIVING

REHABILITATION

301-637-8928 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860

www.bgf.org LONG-TERM CARE

MEMORY SUPPORT

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ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITY

Aspire at Belmont Bay 571-489-7070 13875 Clear Lake Circle Woodbridge, VA 22191 www.AspireAtBelmontBay.com New Chapters. Every Day. You’ve created a life with endless possibilities. Now you’re looking for the perfect place to write the next chapter. Aspire is the new resort-style retirement living community coming to the Belmont Bay area in early 2021 and is built on two ideas you cherish: the choice of exactly which luxuries and amenities will make life more enjoyable for you and the control to pay for what you want. Call (571) 489-7070 to become a priority depositor today to take advantage of construction pricing starting at $2,650/month!

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

LIFE PLAN COMMUNITY

Vinson Hall Retirement Community 703-536-4344 6251 Old Dominion Drive McLean, VA 22101 www.vinsonhall.org We are an active, vibrant senior living community located on 22 acres in suburban McLean, Virginia. Vinson Hall Retirement Community offers independent living, assisted living, memory support, nursing care, rehabilitative care, and respite care. Our community is committed to providing services to our residents to maintain a healthy and safe lifestyle during the COVID-19 crisis. Visit our website to learn more: www.vinsonhall.org.

We are an age-restricted community for those 62 or better.

INDEPENDENT & PERSONAL CARE COMMUNITIES

B’nai B’rith Homecrest House 301-244-3579

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Riderwood Retirement Community 877-742-4390

Homecrest House is a non-profit, affordable, subsidized community neighboring Leisure World. Our community offers 2 senior living options, and residents may qualify for rent & service subsidies based on eligibility. EDWARDS PERSONAL CARE BUILDING offers: onsite 24 hour staff, daily meals, weekly housekeeping & laundry services, assistance with bathing & optional medication administration. HOMECREST INDEPENDENT LIVING offers: dinner meals, full calendar of activities & scheduled trips. Our Computer Lab, Fitness Center, Salon & Convenience Store are just a few of the amenities our residents enjoy. Contact Princetta at 301-244-3579 or marketing@homecresthouse.org for a personalized tour or visit us at www.homecresthouse.org.

3140 Graceﬁeld Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 Riderwood.com Three reasons to choose senior living at Riderwood Life at Silver Spring’s premier senior living community offers extraordinary benefits in uncertain times. 1. The size and strength to keep you safe – Riderwood is managed by Erickson Living®, a leader in senior living with 20 communities in eleven states. 2. The freedom to enjoy your retirement – At Riderwood, you’re free to live life on your terms while the dedicated staff takes care of the essentials. 3. The support of a caring community – Here, you gain a network of friends and neighbors, plus a caring staff including full-time doctors who specialize in senior health. Learn more. Call 1-877-742-4390 for your free brochure or to schedule your in-person or virtual visit.

REHABILITATION

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

14508 Homecrest Road Silver Spring, MD 20906 www.homecresthouse.org

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-637-8928 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org Imagine an extraordinary staff and the best therapies and equipment—in a beautiful environment that rejuvenates and restores. Physical therapy spaces bathed in sunlight. The quiet comfort of a garden walk or relaxing massage. Imagine getting back to the activities that matter to you. Our new, state-of-the-art rehab addition at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center offers innovative therapy services for seniors, including NeuroGym® Technologies mobility training, the Korebalance system and much more. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing-care retirement communities in the state. Rehab here is simply different… because what surrounds you really matters.

Chevy Chase House 202-905-0708 5420 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20015 www.chevychasehouse.com We're celebrating the New Year at The Chevy Chase House with new services and amenities: a state-of-the-art gym, offering a wide variety of classes, individualized cardiovascular exercise and balance training, plus PT, OT and Speech therapies and specialized Parkinson's programs from Fox Rehab on site. Our vast menu now offers a selection of NY Deli sandwiches. We enlarged our patio for visits with friends and family and to enjoy events later this year. What is not new is our commitment to the care and well-being of our residents. Our spacious apartments start at $3999 for a studio. Call 202-686-5504 to schedule a virtual or patio tour. We look forward to spending this New Year and many more years with you!

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Tap into a home’s value with refi or loan By Patricia Mertz Esswein A debt-free retirement has been the ideal scenario for so long that older adults often overlook a valuable financial resource: their home. Collectively, homeowners age 62 and older have a record $6.5 trillion of “tappable” equity, according to data analytics firm Black Knight. Individually, home equity accounts for more than a quarter to almost half of the median net worth of retirees, depending on age, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Many financial planners believe tapping that wealth in retirement or just before makes sense if done wisely. For instance, the money can be used for some laudable goals: to pay off higher-priced credit card debt, remodel a home with features to help you age in place, delay taking Social Security until you qualify for the maximum payout, buy long-term care insurance, or pay the tax bill for a Roth conversion. The ultimate way to cash in on that equity is to sell your home and downsize or rent the next one. But most retirees don’t want to move, and even if they do, downsizing in today’s heated housing market presents its own challenges. The alternative is to borrow from your home equity with your home as collateral. You can refinance an existing mortgage

and take cash out, borrow with a home equity loan or line of credit, or apply for a reverse mortgage. Each option comes with opportunities, limits and costs.

First, prove you qualify Lenders can’t discriminate against you based on your age, but you must prove you have the income and assets to repay a loan. [See “Retired? Good luck getting a mortgage,” in the October Baltimore Beacon, or on our website.] A lender will ask for documentation including copies of award letters (for Social Security or a pension), payment stubs, recent savings or investment account statements, and 1099 forms for the past two tax years. Lenders generally want to see a “two-year history and three-year future” for most income sources, according to LendingTree. Generally, borrowers with higher credit scores and lower loan-to-home-value ratios get the best rates. Reverse mortgages work a bit differently, requiring underwriting but no credit score. No matter how you tap your home’s equity, you’ll pay closing costs including the lender’s origination fee plus fees for thirdparty services, such as the appraisal, title work and recording the lien with the county. The fees can be paid out of pocket or rolled into the loan. You’ll have a three-day

cooling-off period after closing in case you change your mind.

Cash-out refinancing Most seniors with home equity are candidates for refinancing because the rate on their first mortgage is significantly above the market average, according to Black Knight. By refinancing, they can improve their rate and take cash out. In a cash-out refinance, the existing mortgage is replaced with a new, larger one that reflects the home’s current appraised value. You can take cash out of the difference up to a limit. In late November, the national average fixed rate hit an all-time low of 2.72% for 30year mortgages and 2.28% for 15-year mortgages, according to Freddie Mac. The rate on a cash-out refinance will be about an eighth to a quarter of a percentage point higher than for a no-cash-out refinancing, said Adam Smith, a mortgage broker in Denver. Lenders will let you borrow up to 80% of your home’s value, including the new mortgage and the cash you take (75% for a second home or investment property). With a loan-to-value ratio of 80% or less, you’ll avoid the cost of private mortgage insurance. If you have any other home equity debt, you must pay it off or roll it into the

new mortgage up to the limit. Your monthly mortgage payment, including the principal, interest, property taxes, hazard insurance and any homeowners’ association fees, should consume no more than 28% of your monthly gross income. Closing costs are typically 2% to 6% of the new loan amount. Use the Tri-Refi calculator (hsh.com/refinance-calculator) to determine whether it’s better to pay out of pocket or roll the cost into the loan or interest rate.

Home equity loan options A home equity loan, also called a second mortgage, provides a lump sum payout that may work well for a one-time expense, such as a specific home project or car purchase. It offers the predictability of a fixed rate of interest and repayment in equal monthly payments over a term of five to 20 years. A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a revolving line of credit that you can tap whenever you like by using a check, a credit or debit card connected to the account, or an electronic transfer. You’ll incur a variable rate of interest on any outstanding balance. You could use the HELOC to pay for completed phases of a remodeling project, for ongoing or variable expenses, such as medical bills, or just keep funds available See HOME EQUITY, page B-13

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Housing Options | Visit beacon50expo.com

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

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

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-637-8928

Covenant Village Senior Apartments 301-540-1162

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org

18889 Waring Station Road Germantown, MD 20874 www.qpmgmt.com

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 soughtafter retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

• Spacious 1 and 2 bedroom plans with washer/dryer in each apt. • Shuttle bus for shopping and local trips • On-site fitness, game, and craft rooms, movie theatre, library, beauty salon, and courtyard garden plots. It's about our residents, said Management staff, Debra and Trisha. They always ensure that they have interesting and exciting things going on. Some of the fun includes: Garden Party Cookouts, Trips to Washington, DC to see the Cherry Blossoms, the Franciscan Monastery, and the National Zoo, Black Hills Pontoon Boat Ride, Low-Impact Fitness Classes, Resident Birthday Celebrations, Craft Classes and Potlucks. Also, many guest speakers are invited to speak to our residents on topics that are relevant to them.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Ashby Ponds 877-664-5445

Maplewood Park Place (301) 571-7441

21170 Ashby Ponds Boulevard Ashburn, VA 20147 AshbyPonds.com

9707 Old Georgetown Road Bethesda, MD 20814 MaplewoodParkPlace.com

You can feel confident about senior living at Ashby Ponds. Life at Loudoun County’s premier senior living community offers extraordinary benefits in uncertain times. The size and strength to keep you safe – Ashby Ponds is managed by Erickson Living®, a leader in senior living with 20 communities in eleven states. The support of a caring community – Here, you gain a network of friends and neighbors, plus a caring staff including full-time doctors who specialize in senior health. The freedom to enjoy your retirement – At Ashby Ponds, you’re free to live life on your terms while the dedicated staff takes care of the essentials. Learn more. Call 1-877-664-5445 for your free brochure or to schedule your in-person or virtual visit.

Discover the best of all worlds at Maplewood Park Place, the area's premier resident-owned retirement community, with continuing care — all “under one roof.” We've redefined retirement living for active adults 60 plus. Enjoy a warm and charming community you'll be happy to call home. Take part in a broad array of social, cultural, educational, spiritual, and recreational events each month. Delight in five-star dining, beautiful amenities, outstanding services and attentive staff. Have peace of mind knowing a full range of health care options are available, when and if you need them. Come see for yourself why Maplewood has been the right choice for so many.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Seabury at Friendship Terrace 202-244-7400 4201 Butterworth Place NW Washington, DC 20016 www.friendshipterrace.org Affordable senior living close to stores, restaurants, transportation and entertainment can be found at Seabury at Friendship Terrace! Located in a quiet, tree-lined northwest Washington neighborhood, Friendship Terrace is just a short walk from the Tenleytown Metro station. The community offers affordable senior living. Residents may also qualify for our in-house rent subsidy waitlist. as well as exciting on-site events including performances, lectures, holiday observances, socials, and more. A rooftop deck, greenhouse, library, lounges, and a dining room overlooking an outdoor courtyard are highlights of the community. Your new home awaits. Remarkable in town value! Applications now being accepted. Call for your apartment today!

Sommerset Retirement 703-450-6411 22355 Providence Village Dr. Sterling, VA 20164 www.Sommersetretirement.com 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. Sommerset’s unique amenities include restaurant style dining, housekeeping, 24-hour front desk personnel and private transportation. Enjoy the convenience of being just minutes from medical services, shopping, banking and entertainment. Sommerset has been voted by the readers of Virginia Living Magazine as one of the best retirement communities in Northern Virginia! Call us or visit our website to request more information or to schedule your tour.

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Upgrading during pandemic? Get it insured By Ben Moore As many Americans face months on end stuck indoors, some are using their time (and money) to create a change of scenery or upgrade their surroundings. Home office equipment purchases are on the rise, and people are tackling more renovation projects than usual. But expensive new stuff and significant home improvements can leave you underinsured. If you’re considering making

Home equity From page B-11 for an emergency. Be aware that lenders may reduce, freeze or cancel lines of credit if they anticipate or experience a rising number of defaults, as they did during the Great Recession. Despite the pandemic, lenders haven’t yet curtailed borrowing for existing lines of credit, said Keith Gumbinger, vice president at HSH.com. However, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo stopped taking applications for new HELOCs this past spring and had not resumed by early December. Don’t wait to apply until your home is under construction, unoccupied or for sale, or has lots of deferred maintenance or damage because it will no longer qualify as collateral, Garcia said. HELOCs provide an initial withdrawal period, usually 10 years, when you can borrow up to your limit. During that time, you may choose to make a minimum payment — typically 1% to 2% of the loan balance — or an interest-only payment if you qualify. You can usually prepay more without penalty. As you repay principal, your available credit is replenished. Many lenders offer a “loan within a line” type of HELOC. During the draw period,

changes to your home — or if you already have — it’s smart to revisit your homeowners or renters policy. Here’s how to ensure it covers the new additions:

Tell your insurer about changes There’s a good chance you’re underinsured before you even make changes, according to Don Griffin, vice president of personal lines at American Property Casuyou can convert all or part of your outstanding balance from a variable to a fixed rate, usually a limited number of times, and repay that portion over a term of up to 20 years. After the draw period ends, you must begin making principal and interest payments, typically over 10 to 20 years. Look for a fully amortized repayment plan that will completely pay off your balance by the end of the term, without requiring a balloon payment. If you pay only interest throughout the draw period, you could get hit with a substantially larger payment. To avoid that, pay off the balance in full or refinance into a new HELOC before the repayment period begins.

How to get the best rate In early December, the average fixed rate for a home-equity loan with a 10- or 15year term was 5.6%, and the average variable rate for a HELOC was 4.5% (with a loan or line amount of $30,000, a FICO score of 700 and a combined loan-to-value ratio of 80%), according to Bankrate.com. Some lenders will offer a lower, introductory HELOC rate to qualified borrowers. Make sure you know how long it lasts and what your new rate will be when the introductory period ends. You may qualify for a discount of 0.25% or

Reason to Smile!

The COVID-19 Vaccine is Coming to Chesterbrook Residences

Now is the time to join the Chesterbrook Residences family so that you, too, will have priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine will take us one step closer to returning to normal. We look forward to seeing our residents' smiling faces once again—we hope that yours will be among them! Call us today.

703-531-0781 | chesterbrookres.org 2030 Westmoreland St. | Falls Church A Caring Assisted Living Retirement Community Coordinated Services Management, Inc.—Professional Management of Retirement Communities since 1981.

alty Insurance Association. Talk to your insurer before making any expensive purchases or changes to your home to inform the company of your plans and clarify your policy’s current coverages and limits. If your home costs more to replace after you’ve improved it, some insurers will pay the new expense to rebuild, but “that’s not every policy, and it may not cover everything you need,” Griffin said. He also recommends reviewing once a year what your

home insurance policy covers. In some cases, you may need to change carriers to get the coverage you need. Frank Jones, an independent agent and partner at Mints Insurance Agency in Millville, New Jersey, has seen clients switch insurers because an addition wasn’t covered. “It’s in your best interest to have these conversations now rather than to

0.5% on the rate if you already have or open a deposit account with the lender, sign up for automatic payments, or agree to pay an annual fee of, say, $50. Look for a rate cap to keep borrowing costs manageable. Closing costs for a home equity loan or line of credit can run about 2% to 5% of the loan amount. In exchange for a “no-cost” offer, you’ll either pay a higher interest rate, or the lender will impose a penalty if you close the loan or line prematurely. Pay special attention to miscellaneous fees for such things as inactivity or a minimum balance. Begin shopping wherever you currently have a bank account, but check other lenders for current rates and offers or request personalized quotes. Then use calculators at bankrate.com, hsh.com or lendingtree.com to run what-if scenarios. The cost of tapping your equity may be

reduced on your federal tax return. If you itemize, interest on up to $750,000 of mortgage or home equity debt ($375,000 if you’re married and file separately) is deductible to the extent that the money was used to buy, build or improve your home. (Higher limits of $1 million and $500,000 apply if you acquired the debt before Dec. 16, 2017.) If you refinance, take cash out and pay for a car or vacation, the interest on that amount can’t be deducted. The interest accrued on a reverse mortgage won’t be deductible until you repay the loan, typically when you leave the house and it’s sold. To qualify for the deduction, the money must have been used to “buy, build or substantially improve” the home. © Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

See UPGRADING, page B-15

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Housing Options | Visit beacon50expo.com

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

Chesterbrook Residences 703-531-0781 2030 Westmoreland Street Falls Church, VA www.chesterbrookres.org Move to Chesterbrook Residences and enjoy the freedom and peace of mind offered in our caring assisted living community. Our residents and team members will be among the first individuals with the opportunity to receive the new COVID-19 vaccine early this year. You, too, can receive priority access to the new vaccine, along with all the wonderful amenities, exciting activities, and compassionate care that Chesterbrook is known for. Licensed nurses are available 24 hours a day, with additional care provided by visiting physicians and on-site rehabilitation services. Start the New Year in your new Chesterbrook apartment safely and securely knowing your health, happiness and well-being are our top priority.

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-637-8928 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org This community hums with warm-hearted 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 self-esteem. 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.

PERSONAL CARE/ASSISTED LIVING

Seabury at Springvale Terrace (301) 587-8717 8505 Springvale Road Silver Spring, MD 20910 www.seaburyresources.org/springvaleterrace Discover Seabury at Springvale Terrace inside and out. Our Assisted Living offers a price and lifestyle you will love, with personal care subsidies for those who qualify. Affordable value that can only be found at our community, providing personal care, exercise, music, a host of daily activities and social events. Starting at only $3,901/month including private apartment with private bathroom, three nutritious meals a day, medication administration, nurse oversight, housekeeping and laundry services. Come take a look at Springvale Terrace. Assisted Living Apartments are available now (Medicaid accepted). Call Porche at (301) 587-0190 or email svtadmissions@seaburyresources.org for info and to schedule a virtual tour.

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

Assisted living: What you need to know By Christopher J. Gearon Assisted living is geared to those who are healthy enough to live on their own but may need some help to live independently, perhaps with bathing, dressing or managing medicines. There is a lot to consider when it comes to choosing to move to an assisted living community. First is figuring out when the time is right. Most of us want to stay in our homes as long as possible. But if assisted living may be in your future, do some preliminary shopping both locally and in an area to which you may move, to be near your children, for example. Of the one million seniors living in some 30,000 assisted-living centers across the U.S., more than half are age 85 or older, according to the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), and nearly 40% require assistance with three or more activities of daily living.

Seeking assisted living When you start your search, consider only state-licensed facilities. Your Area Agency on Aging is a good place to get a list of options in your area, said Catherine Seal, an elder law attorney. “You really have to physically visit,” Seal advised. Have a meal at the facilities on your list, and talk with residents about their experiences. “Walk around, see if the residents look clean and attended to,” she said. Another consideration: the type of facility. Assisted-living arrangements vary widely — from a handful of residents in a home-like setting, to a high-rise building with hundreds of neighbors, to a campus-like atmosphere with high-end services. In some locales, assisted living is called an adult home, retirement residence or residential care facility. Residents typically lease apartments — which can range from studio-like digs to two-bedroom spreads — on a monthly basis and eat in a common dining area. [Of course, during the pandemic, meals are brought directly to residents in their apartments.] Care services and amenities also vary widely. For example, some facilities may provide a resident doctor, skilled-nursing care and physical therapy, whereas others provide little care. Some communities have concierge services, in-apartment dining, happy hours and top-notch fitness centers. Others don’t offer much more than transport to doctors’ appointments.

Argentum, a national association representing assisted-living facility operators, has developed a set of voluntary standards on a range of issues from resident rights, care, staff training and qualifications, medication delivery and memory care. According to Argentum, “typical” services include access to healthcare and medical services customized to specific needs, 24-hour emergency call systems for residents, three daily meals served in the dining area, housekeeping and laundry services, assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking as needed, as well as shuttle buses and exercise and wellness programs. Some assisted-living communities have specialized assistance for residents with dementia.

Read the fine print It’s important to read the fine print of the contract, which outlines services, pricing, extra charges and staffing. Inquire about how much and what time help is available and the level of care. “There is a price for every package,” Seal said, generally speaking. Getting escorted to dining and back often comes at a higher price than going on your own, for example, as does medication management in some facilities. Make sure the facility conducts criminal background checks on employees. Inquire about employee turnover rates and the staff-to-resident ratio. Like services and amenities, costs vary widely. The median monthly cost for a single, one-bedroom apartment in an assisted-care facility nationally runs $4,300 a month, according to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey. In the Baltimore metro area, the monthly median cost is closer to $5,000. Before you sign a contract, consider having an elder law attorney review it. Seal also stresses the importance of being honest upfront about the care needed or behaviors of a loved one, such as combative behavior. Be certain such issues are addressed in the care plan, rather than left as a potential cause for eviction. Finally, ask to review complaints made to state agencies, as well as inspection reports. You can do some initial facility comparisons at caring.com. Find a state’s ombudsman through the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center. © The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 27+

RESUME WRITING, INTERVIEWING SKILLS

The DC Public Library and the DC Department of Human Resources are hosting live virtual sessions focused on writing resumes. For more information, including a link to the next event, visit https://bit.ly/ResumeandInterview. For more information, email david.quick2@dc.gov.

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

Upgrading have a claim denied,” he said. A new desk and computer for remote learning, plus that monitor and chair in your home office, will add up and could exceed your personal property coverage limit. Renters insurance policies cover your stuff, but they have limits too. If you have new electronics or office equipment, check with your insurer to make sure you have enough coverage for them.

house, and if your home’s value increases, so should its dwelling coverage, Griffin said. Otherwise, in the event of a claim, your insurance policy won’t be enough to rebuild, according to Griffin. When adding coverage, pay attention to how much it would cost to rebuild your home, not how much you spent to upgrade the house, according to Jones. “These are two different numbers,” he explained. “If an addition costs $20,000 to put on, the insurance company looks at the rebuild construction cost, and you might not get that back.”

Make a detailed inventory

Avoid pitfalls

To help you know if you’ve exceeded your policy limits, keep records of what you buy. In fact, Griffin recommends taking inventory of your belongings every year — a written inventory is best, but even a simple smartphone video tour of your home will suffice. Losing a home is an emotional time, Griffin said. When it’s time to file a claim, “you don’t always remember what you have.” An inventory will clearly show what you had before a disaster and will make the claims process easier.

In addition to ensuring coverage, have a proactive conversation with your agent about how to avoid potential renovation pitfalls. For example, he or she may advise adding building ordinance coverage to protect you from having to pay out of pocket for any expenses that keep your home compliant with local laws and regulations. For renovation projects that are too big to take on yourself, hire a licensed and bonded contractor who carries builders risk coverage to protect expensive construction materials from theft or damage while they are on your property. You can find one through a building trade association. And when you’re doing a home renovation project, take plenty of photos — before, after and along the way, if you’re able. These could come in handy if you file a claim some day and need to redo the work. —AP/NerdWallet

From page B-13

Add sufficient coverage Structural changes, such as a full kitchen replacement or adding an in-ground pool, will have the greatest impact on your homeowners insurance. But even something as simple as adding a fence can change the value of your

B-15

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Wilshire Estates 301-396-7573 13716 New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20904 www.seniorlivinginstyle.com/seniorliving/md/silver-spring/wilshire-estates/

Wilshire Estates offers studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom/two bath apartments with no buy-ins or leases. It also features a movie theatre, a fully equipped exercise room, a beauty/barber shop, a library with a sitting area, an activity room, a large screen TV room, a billiards and game room, chapel, and business center. Wilshire Estates operates on a month-to-month rental basis with no buy-in fees, hidden costs, or expenses. Meals, transportation, weekly housekeeping and all utilities except phone are included in the flat monthly rent. Our management team also lives on site and is available 24/7. Wilshire Estates is located at 13716 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring. To learn more please call 301-396-7573. INDEPENDENT LIVING

Seabury at Springvale Terrace (301) 587-8717 8505 Springvale Road Silver Spring, MD 20910 www.seaburyresources.org/springvaleterrace

The Phillips Collection offers free livestream concerts on Sundays. On Sun., Jan. 17 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Oliver Stankiewicz and Alasdair Beatson will perform on oboe and piano. To register for the free concert, visit https://bit.ly/PianoandOboe or call (202) 387-2151 x277.

Discover Seabury at Springvale Terrace, inside and out. Enjoy the benefits of Independent Living just steps away from downtown Silver Spring. Within blocks, you will have access to the Silver Spring Civic Center, pharmacies, movie theaters, library, shopping, & restaurants. Come join us to dine and experience one of our chef inspired,delicious meals that are served restaurant style each and every single day. Enjoy a comfortable private studio apartment with care services available. Rents from as low as $835 per month with a signed lease before February 15th. A three-course dinner is included. Additional meals are available. Call Porche at (301) 587-0190 or email pelliott@seaburyresources.org for info and to schedule a tour.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

LOW-COST INTERNET ACCESS

Spectrum’s Internet Assist program offers affordable high-speed internet for qualifying households. Must receive SNAP benefits or qualify for SSI (applicants age 65+ only). For more information, call 1-833-2676094 or visit spectrum.com.

Ongoing

FREE CONCERTS

Emerson House 301-779-6196 5999 Emerson Street Bladensburg, MD 20710 Our community features bright onebedroom apartments in a nine-story elevator building for today’s active and independent seniors who are 62 or older. Emerson House is subsidized for low- to moderate-income households. Activities are yours to choose from: gardening, Bingo, Wii bowling league, movie night, parties, bus trips, exercise classes, learning to line dance — it’s all waiting for you and more! Emerson House offers an in-house Resident Service Coordinator to assist with finding helpful resources. Please call today for an appointment to tour our community or request an application; 301-779-6196 Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 5:00.

Greenspring Retirement Community 877-589-9570 7410 Spring Village Drive, Springﬁeld, VA 22150 GreenspringCommunity.com Greenspring offers independent and secure senior living Life at Springfield’s premier senior living community offers extraordinary benefits in uncertain times. A caring community to support you – Here, you gain a network of friends and neighbors, plus a caring staff including full-time doctors who specialize in senior health. A large, dedicated staff – At Greenspring, you’re free to live life on your terms while the committed staff takes care of the essentials. Financial stability in uncertain times – Greenspring is managed by Erickson Living®, a leader in senior living with 20 communities in eleven states. Learn more. Call 1-877-589-9570 for your free brochure or to schedule your in-person or virtual visit.

B-16

PULL OUT & KEEP THIS SECTION

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

Money

Law &

Did you know you can donate unused points and gift cards to charity? See story on page 18.

Fund your IRA by April to cut your taxes By Sandra Block Make sure you haven’t overlooked one of the best ways to cut your 2020 tax bill (even in the new year) and secure your future: funding a traditional IRA. (Note: There is no upfront tax break for funding a Roth IRA.) You can make an IRA contribution for the 2020 tax year up until the time you file your tax return, which is due April 15, 2021, and still be able to deduct your IRA contribution on your 2020 return. To contribute to a traditional IRA, you or your spouse must have earned income from a job. And you may be able to deduct contributions to an IRA even if you or your spouse are covered by another retirement

plan at work. Plus, starting in 2020, seniors age 70½ and older with earned income can contribute to a traditional IRA, too. Here’s some more good news: The IRA deduction is an “above the line” adjustment to income, meaning you don’t have to itemize your deductions to claim it. It will reduce your adjusted gross income (AGI) dollarfor-dollar, lowering your tax bill. And your lower AGI could make you eligible for other tax breaks that are tied to income limits.

Who qualifies? If you’re single and don’t participate in a retirement plan at work, you can make a tax-deductible IRA contribution for 2020 of up to $6,000 ($7,000 if you’re 50 or older),

regardless of your income. If you’re married and your spouse is covered by a workplace-based retirement plan but you’re not, you can deduct your full IRA contribution as long as your joint AGI doesn’t top $196,000 for 2020. You can take a partial tax deduction if your combined income is between $196,000 and $206,000. But even if you do participate in a retirement plan at work, you can still deduct up to the maximum $6,000 IRA contribution ($7,000 if you’re 50 or older) if you’re single and your income is $65,000 or less ($104,000 if married filing jointly). And you can deduct some of your IRA contribution if you’re single and your income is between

$65,000 and $75,000, or if you’re married and your income is between $104,000 and $124,000. Spouses with little or no earned income for 2020 can also make an IRA contribution of up to $6,000 ($7,000 if 50 or older) as long as their spouse has sufficient earned income to cover both contributions. The contribution is tax-deductible as long as your household income doesn’t exceed the limits for married couples filing jointly.

Double tax break Some low- and moderate-income taxpayers get an extra break for contributing to See IRA, page 18

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

Why would you donate points to charity? from credit card rewards.

By Erin Hurd If you’re looking to give to charity this year but don’t want to dip into your bank account, donating unused credit card rewards, hotel points and airline miles can be a helpful alternative. In some cases, the charity can use the rewards for travel needs, and in other cases, the issuer can convert them to cash for the charity. And nonprofits’ needs are skyrocketing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A July 2020 analysis by Candid, a group that provides information about nonprofits, found that more than one-third of them may be forced to shutter as a result of the twin crises of the pandemic and recession. We’ve outlined the circumstances when it does and doesn’t make sense to donate

When donating points works well 1. When you (and the charity) will get good value for the points Sometimes point values are diminished if you donate them. Other times, it’s a fair or even superior value. Citi lets eligible cardholders donate ThankYou points to a handful of charities at a value of 1 cent each. That’s the baseline value you’d want for travel redemption, and it’s a better value than redeeming for cash back. Those who hold eligible Chase credit cards can redeem their points for statement credits to cover donations to about a dozen charities, again at a rate that’s higher than

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the penny-per-point value for cash back. There are third-party options, too. Miles4Migrants, a charity that uses donated miles to help people affected by disasters, works to get full value for gifted rewards. “We have a team of expert award bookers search for flights and give that information to the donator, who books the flight directly for the person in need,” marketing manager Cat Cooke said. 2. When the charity gets a kicker In December, American Express offered a 10-times match when you donate points to Feeding America. Discover let cardholders donate rewards to several charities and contributes an extra $25,000 to one that receives the most donations annually. United Airlines’ Miles on a Mission platform runs periodic campaigns to support nonprofits. The company rolled out a new initiative last month with a match limit of 125,000 miles per charity. 3. When your supply outpaces your demand Points and miles don’t earn interest and can be devalued. If you’re sitting on more points than you’ll use in the next two years, donating them may make sense. Derrick Dye, an attorney and blogger at Travel-on-Points, earns millions of miles a year and strives to donate 10% of them, even if it’s not for outsize value. “My wife and I feel strongly about supporting our nation’s veterans, and donating our Southwest Airlines points to the

Honor Flight Network is an easy way for us to give back,” Dye said.

When donating points isn’t ideal 1. When your points lose significant value Many loyalty programs don’t disclose how many dollars a charity will receive for your points or miles donation. But often it won’t be the same value you could expect if you used them for travel. Marriott, for instance, offers a robust list of charities to which you can donate Bonvoy points — from as few as 2,500 points for a $10 donation, up to 125,000 points for a $500 donation. That’s a value of 0.4 cent per point, but you can more than double that if you use them for travel. 2. If you can donate cash rewards instead Some cards may give you an option to earn rewards as points or cash back. And while points can sometimes offer a fair or excellent value when donated, cash back remains the most flexible reward of all. You can give that money to any number of charities, not just ones that partner with the card issuer. Plus, you might reap tax benefits this way. Because the IRS generally views credit card rewards as rebates and not income, donations of points and miles aren’t eligible write-offs — but monetary donations could be. If you redeem rewards for cash See CHARITY, page 19

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IRA From page 17 an IRA or other retirement account. In addition to the usual IRA deduction, you may qualify for a Retirement Savers tax credit of up to $1,000 for contributions to an IRA or other retirement tax plan. (A tax credit, which reduces your tax bill dollar-fordollar, is more valuable than a deduction, which merely reduces the amount of income that is taxed.) The actual amount of the credit depends on your income. It ranges from 10% to 50%

of the first $2,000 contributed to an IRA or other retirement account. To be eligible, your 2020 income can’t exceed $32,500 if you’re single; $48,750 if you’re the head of a household with dependents; or $65,000 if you’re married filing jointly. The lower your income, the higher the credit. But you can’t claim the Retirement Savers credit if you’re under 18, a student, or can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. All contents © 2020 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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

Ways to pay for long-term care if needed Many retirees and prospective retirees Because of the high cost of nursing don’t realize that Medicare does not cover ex- homes and assisted-living facilities, a signifipenses associated with longcant percentage of retirees will term care, which is unfortunate have a difficult time handling because statistics show that apthe cost of LTC if these faciliproximately 70% of them will ties are required for an extendeventually need it in some form. ed period. Long-term care (LTC) is Traditional LTC policies are the care, both medical and not cheap. Individuals who did non-medical, required by peonot obtain such a policy when ple for an extended period of they were young and in good time because of medical, health will likely find that they physical and cognitive condicannot afford to initiate a policy THE SAVINGS tions caused by an accident, near retirement. In addition, if GAME illness or frailty. their health has deteriorated, By Elliot Raphaelson LTC typically involves asthey might find they are not elisistance or supervision of acgible to purchase such policies. tivities of daily living when these tasks can Many, if not most, individuals who did no longer be performed independently. purchase traditional LTC policies have

Charity From page 18 back and then donate that directly to a charity, you’re giving money, not points. 3. If you have alternative ‘found funds’ Another way to avoid tapping into your bank account or your rewards stash is to donate “cash equivalents.” One example: unused gift card balances that may be floating around your desk.

Charity Choice, a nonprofit that lets users send gift cards to more than 1,000 different charities, also accepts unused balances on existing retail and restaurant gift cards. “There’s been an avalanche of interest in people donating gift cards, and buying charitable gift cards for their friends and clients,” Charity Choice co-founder Daniel Goodman said. You’ll receive a tax receipt for the full value of the gift card you donate. —AP/NerdWallet

found that their premiums have increased dramatically because insurance companies underestimated the costs, and state insurance departments have granted the right to many insurance companies to increase their LTC rates, sometimes to two or three times the original premium. Accordingly, policyowners have been faced with the unattractive options of paying much higher premiums, accepting lower coverage or allowing their policies to lapse.

An alternative to insurance Annuity expert Stan Haithcock (www. theannuityman.com) points out that a limited number of healthcare providers offer a “simplified issue” annuity that provides LTC benefits without such a rigid underwriting

process. You can obtain coverage without a medical exam by answering a detailed set of healthcare questions by phone. A significant lump-sum deposit is required, say $100,000. However, depending on the policy, you may be entitled to a benefit that is a multiple of the deposit amount, for example up to $300,000 to cover your LTC expenses. And if you do not use the LTC option, you earn interest at a nominal rate on the initial deposit. All of the lump-sum payment would eventually be paid out either as LTC expenses or returned to you or your heir with the nominal interest payments. See LONG-TERM CARE, page 20

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

Long-term care From page 19 Other advantages: — No premium increase: Once you purchase the annuity, there will be no increase in premium. Individuals who have purchased traditional long-term insurance policies do not have the protection of a fixed premium. — 1035 exchange option: If you have already purchased a policy which has value, you may be able to switch policies to a LTC annuity. — Possible tax-free withdrawals: If you purchase the policy with after-tax funds, most of your withdrawals would be tax-free. — Return of premiums: If you do not use the long-term healthcare option, you or your heirs would be entitled to receive the principal back with interest. With a traditional LTC policy, you will not receive any repayment of premiums. Some disadvantages: — LTC benefits are more limited than those associated with traditional LTC policies. — You will have to make a large up-front payment.

— Withdrawals you make for health expenses will reduce the value of the annuity. — Some withdrawals can be taxable. For example, if the annuity was purchased inside a traditional IRA, the withdrawals would be taxable. Benefits from a traditional long-term health care are not taxable.

Where to get The following healthcare companies offer simplified issue annuities: Securian Financial, Nationwide Financial, Brighthouse Financial, One America, Pacific Life, NY Life, Mass Mutual and Lincoln Financial. Income rider option: You should NOT consider an income rider associated with a deferred annuity as a substitute for a traditional LTC policy or simplified issue annuity. They don’t have the same benefits or tax advantages. You should consider them as alternative coverage only if you are unable to obtain either conventional LTC coverage or a simplified issue annuity. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2020 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 13

CURE HOLIDAY DEBT

The Alexandria Library hosts a free virtual session with a financial counselor and coach to help attendees get out of the cycle of debt that often occurs after the holiday season. The event takes place Wed., Jan. 13 from 7 to 8 p.m. To register, visit https://bit.ly/NoDebtHangover.

Jan. 27

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Join attorney Marissa Ditkowsky of Tzedek DC to learn how to respond to debt collectors, how to build strong credit, and what to do if you have fallen prey to scams. This free virtual webinar takes place Wed., Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/DCDealWithDebt. Find more information at https://bit.ly/DCDebtWebinar.

Feb. 8

VIRTUAL JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES

Learn about how to research jobs online, network virtually, identify growth sectors and use social media campaigns in a job search. This free event takes place via Zoom on Mon., Feb. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. To register and access the Zoom link, visit https://bit.ly/VirtualJobSearchStrategies.

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

Travel

Leisure &

The Brits eat biscuits and crisps rather than cookies and chips. Rick Steves reviews British witticisms on page 22.

Being bold in Boulder during a pandemic

Warm welcome A few minutes after clocking the third and final leg of our trek to the Centennial State, we were treated to a warm greeting

at Trader Joe’s in Boulder, 25 miles northwest of Denver. “Where you guys from?” asked the cashier in a sweet singsong. “We’re from D.C.,” my wife replied, stacking the counter with frozen Indian curry dinners. “We drove. We had no faith that the airline wouldn’t suddenly begin selling the middle seat again.” Then and there, another worker stepped into the conversation, clutching a bouquet of flowers. “For you!” she announced cheerily, as if we were visiting, jet-lagged royalty. “Welcome to Boulder!”

PHOTO BY BOULDER CVB

By Tony Glaros Practically speaking, no one in their right mind would dare drive to Colorado during a life-altering pandemic. Or stay in motels in the nation’s heartland while it’s in the grip of a deadly virus. So, what does that make me and my wife? We will not soon forget the 1,600-mile road trip we took this fall to help our son move to Denver. We spent five weeks out West, returning in time for the holidays. Best of all, we avoided the virus and continue to enjoy good health. Of course, more orchestration than usual went into planning our trip. We packed well and wore masks. While pumping gas, we would slip on our disposable plastic gloves. We booked the same three motels on the way to Colorado and coming home. At every one, we requested a first-floor room. When we arrived, masks on, we would find a parking spot closest to our room, thereby limiting time spent in the lobby, corridors and elevators. We also waived maid service for the duration of our stay. For breakfast, our motels offered lunch bags with fruit and a granola bar, not a continental buffet (although self-serve coffee and tea were still available in the lobby).

Rocky Mountain high At sunrise on the first day at our rustic, ski-lodge-like Airbnb, in the early stages of recovering from our road trip, I was roused from a peaceful sleep by my wife. She was eager to share the joy she felt upon opening the living room shades. Stumbling from the bed, I zig-zagged down the hall. Together, we stood, mesmerized, by the towering mountain across the street. Grabbing a map, we learned it was one of the famed Flatirons. These five exquisite chestnut-colored rock formations line the eastern slope of Green Mountain. The Flatirons are part of the 45,000 protected acres of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks. The area is replete with trails from easy to difficult, and provides a PHOTO BY BOULDER CVB

The Dushanbe Tea House, renowned for its ornate handmade ceiling, was a gift from Tajikistan to the city of Boulder. The tea house remains open, but other restaurants are open for takeout only.

By dining outdoors on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado, visitors can stay safe while taking in the beautiful view of the Flatirons. Despite the pandemic, there’s plenty to do in Boulder, a city that celebrates the outdoor lifestyle.

sanctuary for animals — yes, bears and mountain lions, too. Many of the trails start at the Chautauqua Trailhead. No trip to the Front Range would be complete without a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. Located in Estes Park, an hour north of Boulder, the wilderness contains 415 square miles of subalpine and alpine forests. Based on my unscientific analysis, in Boulder there are as many four-wheel drive Subarus navigating the craggy, snow-capped foothills of the Front Range as there are mountain bikes piloted by many of the 30,000-plus college students in town. The University of Colorado’s flagship campus spreads out at the base of the peaks like the antlers on a Shiras moose.

Art scene, redefined In a pineapple upside-down cake of a world punctuated by confusion over what’s open and what’s not, Boulder’s artistic and cultural stewards are doubling down to keep things rolling. The doors at the Museum of Boulder have reopened, albeit with limited hours. The archive brims with thousands of vintage documents and photographs. You can also stumble on parking meters, protest signs, weather balloons and Olympic gear. During the fall, the list of activities soared to new heights as socially distanced fitness and yoga classes were of-

fered on the museum’s rooftop patio. “We are very proud to be open fully, but we are no doubt hemorrhaging [money] right now,” said Lori Preston, executive director of the museum. A museum director from D.C. helped the Boulder museum revamp its strategic plan. Brent Glass, interim director of the Smithsonian’s National Building Museum, offered some ideas. His exhibit, “Drawing Parallels: Community Art and Artifacts From 2020,” focuses on how Boulder dealt with simultaneous historic events in the past, such as world wars, civil rights and pandemics. The exhibit runs through March 1. Boulder’s art scene has attracted other transplanted Washingtonians. One is Jean Inaba, who since 2013 has worked for Colorado Public Radio’s classical music platform as a producer and on-air host. Inaba, who is in her early 60s, spent two decades at renowned all-classical WETA-FM. On the air, Inaba richly describes the outdoorsy rhythm of life in northern Colorado. Her sweet spot: the exquisite latticework of trails in around Denver and Boulder. “I’ve been on all the main ones, and it’s great fun!” Inabi enthused in her familiar silky voice in a phone interview. “My favorite is the Clear Creek Trail, a 30-mile ride from where I live to the town of Golden.” See BOULDER, page 23

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

American’s guide to the Queen’s English By Rick Steves As we’ve had to postpone our travels because of the pandemic, I believe a weekly dose of travel dreaming can be good medicine. These thoughts about communicating on the road in Britain are a reminder of the fun that awaits us at the other end of this crisis. Oscar Wilde famously said that the English “have really everything in common with America nowadays — except, of course, language.” It’s still true. A trip to Britain comes with plenty of linguistic surprises. I’ll never forget checking into a smalltown B&B as a teenager on my first solo European adventure. The landlady cheerily asked me, “And what time would you like to be knocked up in the morning?” I looked over at her husband, who winked and asked, “Would a fry at halfeight be suitable?” The next morning, I got a rap on the door at 8 a.m. and a huge British breakfast a half-hour later. Britain can be an adventure in accents and idioms. Every day you’ll see babies in prams and pushchairs, sucking dummies as mothers change wet nappies. Soon the kids can trade in their nappies for smalls and spend a penny on their own. “Spend a penny” is British for a visit to the loo (bathroom). Older British kids enjoy candy floss (cotton candy), naughts and crosses (tic-tac-toe), big dippers (roller

coasters) and iced lollies (popsicles). Kids are constantly in need of an Elastoplast or sticking plaster (Band-Aid), which their parents buy at the chemist’s (pharmacy). In a stationery store, you can get sticky tape or Sellotape (adhesive tape), rubbers (erasers) and scribbling blocks (scratch pads). At garden shops, those with green fingers (a green thumb) might pick up some courgette (zucchini), swede (rutabaga) or aubergine (eggplant) seeds. If you need a torch (flashlight), visit the ironmonger’s (hardware store). In Britain, fries are chips, and potato chips are crisps. A beef burger, made with mince (hamburger meat), comes on a toasted bap (bun). For pudding (dessert), have some sponge (cake).

Exploring brilliant towns The British have a great way with names. You’ll find towns with names like Upper and Lower Slaughter, Once Brewed and Itching Field. This cute coziness comes through in their language as well. You’ll visit “brilliant” (wonderful) sights that’ll give you “goose pimples” (goose bumps). Your car will have a bonnet and a boot rather than a hood and trunk. You’ll drive on motorways, and when the freeway divides, it becomes a dual carriageway.

Never go anticlockwise (counterclockwise) in a roundabout. Gas is petrol, a truck is a lorry, and when you hit a tailback (traffic jam), don’t get your knickers in a twist (make a fuss) — just be patient and queue up (line up). The British never say they have a twoweek vacation, but many locals holiday for a fortnight, often in a homely (homey) rural cottage or possibly on the Continent (continental Europe). They might pack a face flannel (washcloth) and hair grips (bobby pins) in their bum bag (never a “fanny” pack — which refers to the most private part of a woman’s anatomy). If it’s rainy, they wear a mackintosh (raincoat) or an anorak (parka) with press studs (snaps). If you get settled into a flat (apartment), you can post letters in the pillar box or give your mum a trunk (long-distance) call. If that’s too dear (expensive), she’ll say you’re tight as a fish’s bum. If she witters on (gabs and gabs), tell her you’re knackered (exhausted) and it’s been donkey’s years (ages) since you’ve slept. After washing up (doing the dishes) and hoovering (vacuuming), you can have a plate of biscuits (cookies) and, if you’re so inclined, a neat (straight) whisky. Too much of that whisky will get you sloshed, paralytic, bevvied, wellied, ratted, popped up or even pissed as a newt.

Listen and learn Then there is the question of accents. These days, accents are trendy in Britain. Politicians, newscasters and movie stars have been favoring deep accents over the Queen’s English. It’s hard for American ears to pick out all of the variations — and some accents are so thick they sound like a foreign language — but most Brits can determine what region a person is from based on their regional accent. All across the British Isles, you’ll encounter new words, crazy humor and colorful accents. Pubs are colloquial treasure chests. Church services, sporting events and local comedy shows are linguistic classrooms. The streets of Liverpool, the docks of London and children’s parks throughout the UK are playgrounds for the American ear. One of the beauties of touring Great Britain is the illusion of hearing a foreign language and actually understanding it… most of the time. Rick Steves (ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This article was adapted from his new book, For the Love of Europe. You can email him at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook. © 2020 Rick Steves

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“How did you do that?” “There’s a great pizza place there. It’s called Grimaldi’s. It’s one of my favorites.”

From page 21

Shops still open If you’re not up for hiking, a stroll on downtown Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall can unfurl a surfeit of still-open coffee shops, winter apparel retailers and souvenir outlets. As we strolled the streets of the four-block outdoor mall, most people of all ages donned masks. The only exception were street performers, whose work called for activation of their vocal skills for outdoor audiences. In a heady, mile-high whirlwind we stumbled upon the iconic ZIP Code Man, aka David Rosdeitcher. He claims to have memorized 50,000 Zip codes, a feat that earned him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Simply call out your Zip code, and he will reveal where you live, plus toss in the name of a well-known eatery there. “It’s showtime!” bellowed the unmasked ringmaster from his sidewalk stage by the Visitors Center kiosk. Outfitted in faded trousers and yellow hoodie, he had a bricklayer-after-sweating-all-day-under-a-blazingsun look. “11201,” one spectator called out. You could almost see the wheels in Rosdeitcher’s head spinning. Two seconds passed. “New York!” he screamed, competing with the rising chorus from scores of UC students gleefully marching on the corner to celebrate Joe Biden’s win. “That’s awesome!” the guy blurted out.

“When I got to the top,” she recalled, “I had this feeling that I don’t care if I die right now because I’ve got everything I need in life!”

Reinvented restaurants We found a number of favorite eateries in 80302, downtown Boulder. Our nearly yearlong pandemic has sparked an avalanche of reinvention. Restaurant owners have slashed hours, limited occupancy, and retrofitted their operations in myriad other ways. Holding steady are stand-out spots such as Arabesque. Ordering is limited to the walk-up variety. Signature favorites, like the Middle Eastern combination platter laden with shawarma and homemade grape leaves, taste delicious, even at home. For dessert, we went with the baklava and the mouth-watering Arabic chai. The pandemic has forced owner Manal Jarrar to lay off her staff and reemerge as a one-person band. These days, all the prepping, cooking, serving and cleaning is in her hands. Yet, she somehow finds time to mix it up with admiring customers. Jarrar grew up poor in her native Palestine, but she had dreams. Catching the bus every week to Haifa, Israel, she studied ballet at a private school. Later, she taught and performed. For effect, she launched into a ballet number, arms extended gracefully, from “The Nutcracker.” When she arrived in Boulder with her husband and their three children, she embarked on her first mountain hike.

Warm winter teas While Jarrar is deservedly proud of her recipe for chai, there’s another place, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, that boasts more than 100 kinds of high-end loose-leaf tea — plus an interesting back story. For most of our meals out, my wife and I ate outside, marveling at the mountain views. But one morning, we breezed into the teahouse for a cup of tea and lingered for 30 min-

utes, marveling at the sumptuous Persian atmospherics. Was it a restaurant? A museum? “All of the above,” my wife declared. Nestled across the street from leafy Civic Park with meandering streams and a large homeless population, the teahouse was a gift to Boulder from its sister city, Dushnabe, the capital of Tajikistan, a tiny Central Asian country and former member of the Soviet Union. Its hand-carved, hand-painted ceiling was disassembled, crated and shipped to Boulder to delight locals and tourists alike. Whether indoors or outdoors, Boulder offers a snowpack of delicious mountain moments: life, fully realized.

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

Style Arts &

In The Moscow Rules, husband and wife CIA agents Jonna and Tony Mendez chronicle their Russian missions. Our cover story continues on page 26.

Radio host gives voice to new audiobook She described the recording studio in her D.C. waterfront townhouse as looking like “a miniature phone booth, or an upright casket like King Tut’s.” Before recording, she gave the book a close read, then marked up her iPad with different colors for each character. “I try to keep in my mind the sound and look of each character,” she said. Lacroix said that rather than fully emoting, as some audiobook readers do, she narrated the novel word for word, leaving in all the “he saids” and “she saids.” She gave a “nuanced” tone of voice for each character, however, pitching it higher for women, lower for men. When a voice she had heard in a coffee shop or news broadcast sounded like she thought one of the book’s characters could sound, she gave it a go at adapting the real-life voice for character. Even in narration, rather than dramatization, “it is an important challenge to differentiate voices,” Lacroix said. She learned to draw a distinction, for instance, between “the hopeful voice of a young woman versus the confident voice of a woman executive.”

Boom in audiobooks The sale of audiobooks has grown so much that a recent article in the Guardian asked, “Are audiobooks the new…books?” The August ar ticle noted that audiobooks “have been riding a wave of popularity in the past three years, and it appears that the lockdown only intensified our engagement with the spoken word...Global sales have been growing at 2530% per annum for the past three years and will hit $3.5 billion in 2020.” COURTESY OF NICOLE LACROIX

By Robert Friedman “Afternoon drive host” Nicole Lacroix recently brought Classical WETA listeners Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dance #1. She then spent time in a shoe closet, recording a pandemic mystery novel. All in a day’s work for D.C. native Lacroix, 67, who for the past 20+ years has helped air the classics over WETA, 90.9 FM. She has also just completed narrating Slaters Lane, a mystery by local author John Wasowicz — her first audiobook. “I’ve wanted to record a book for a long time,” Lacroix said in a recent interview. “I even took acting classes to learn how to get into character. “I’m not sure how well I succeeded, because the only review I received complimented me on my wardrobe.” The mother of three and grandmother of eight spent an hour each evening for about a month by stepping into her small home studio, which she soundproofed to keep out the surrounding noise: husband, dog, whirling fans and “the mega HVAC” system for the apartment building across the street.

Nicole Lacroix recorded the audiobook for Slaters Lane by local author John Adam Wasowicz from her cramped home studio. She used an iPad to make color-coded notes on the text for each character.

Both Lacroix and author Wasowicz, 68, graduated from Walter Johnson High See NARRATOR, page 27

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

Help is here to start 2021 with a smile Whether it’s an anthology of jokes, a hu- up comedy performed before a live audience. morous caper or a fun-filled calendar, start He has never employed writers. The comedi2021 with a clean slate and a an jots all his jokes on yellow good laugh. legal pads and stores them in accordion manila folders. Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfeld, 480 pages, Simon Now in his mid-60s, Sein& Schuster hardcover, 2020 feld is perhaps mellower but Comedian Jerry Seinfeld still sharp-witted, with a finger shares his 45-year compilaon the pulse of modern times. tion of routines arranged by Laugh out loud, smile or nod decade and topic. No mudknowingly as you turn the dling through a memoir, no pages. Squeeze Me: A Novel, by soul-searching prose. No poliTHE Carl Hiaasen, 352 pages, tics or character assassinaBIBLIOPHILE Knopf hardcover, 2020 tions and (mostly) good, clean By Dinah Rokach Twice-widowed Katherine entertainment. And no revelations about his personal life Pew Fitzimmmons, a 72-year-old winter resident of Palm Beach, disappears during unless they’re fodder for a great punchline. Whether Seinfeld’s targets are the a formal charity dinner at the posh, exclufoibles of society, the quirks of contempo- sive estate, Lipid House. rary life, the dating scene, marriage, parShe was wearing expensive jewelry, was enthood or aging parents, readers will find undoubtedly intoxicated and may have inthemselves chuckling. gested half a pill of the drug ecstasy. SecuFollow Jerry’s scenarios to their humor- rity cameras show no footage of her leavous denouements. He’s adept at his craft. ing the grounds. At the corner of the propEach of the five chapters represents a erty, one of her shoes was found near the decade of Seinfeld’s career, and begins with koi pond. It’s been dredged and searched a contemporaneous depiction of the comic. twice by police divers, to no avail. What follows are lists of hundreds of his Squeeze Me tracks the clues and identiroutines verbatim under subject headings. fies a plethora of outlandish suspects, tipSeinfeld does reveal, in passing, a few tan- sters and informants. This comic crime talizing tidbits. His first and only love is stand- novel skewers seniors who lavish their for-

tunes on mansions, luxury cars, designer clothing, jewelry, cosmetic enhancements and the pursuit of young companions in order to recapture their youth. Most of the action takes place in the shadow of the Winter White House, Casa Bellicosa. The Trumps, the idle rich and their lifestyles, the documented and undocumented immigrants who serve them, the criminals and fraudsters seeking to rip off the affluent, the bars and clubs they frequent — all are targets of Carl Hiaasen. Although serious issues in the news are touched upon, they don’t dampen the book’s high spirits. Hiaasen, who is in his late 60s, is a reporter who turned prolific humor novelist. The surname may be familiar for another reason: His only brother, Rob, an editor and columnist at The Capital, was killed in the mass shooting at the paper’s Annapolis office in 2018. This is Carl’s first book since the tragedy. It’s comforting to find him producing yet another a breezy, carefree farce. Hiaasen writes, “One way of surviving

the torrent of grim news is to distract yourself with something funny, if you can find it.” Advice to heed in the new year. Garfield 2021 Day-to-Day Calendar, by Jim Davis; Carbe Diem: A 2021 Punny-A-Day Calendar, by @rockdoodles, Julia Rockowitz; Unspirational 2020 Day-to-Day Calendar: Everything Happens for No Reason, by Elan Gale, Andrews McMeel Publishing Start each day with a smile, guffaw or belly laugh with one of these fun desk calendars. Whether you choose the wisecracking, know-it-all cartoon feline, an illustrated pun to prod your funny bone, or a realistic takedown of hokey, inspirational highfalutin’ thoughts — one of these dayto-day calendars fills the bill. The Garfield and Punny calendars include trivia on the back of each page. Unspirational leaves the most room for notes. All three calendars are gift-boxed and presented in a recyclable plastic tray with an easel backing that can be propped up. There’s no better way to welcome each day of 2021 than with a hearty laugh.

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CIA From page 1 U.S. embassy, she recalled. If its agents found out about a clandestine meeting between spies, the Russian â&#x20AC;&#x153;turncoatâ&#x20AC;? would be â&#x20AC;&#x153;arrested and probably executed,â&#x20AC;? she added.

Masters of disguise Jonna Mendez, who was born in Kentucky on VE Day (May 8, 1945) and went to high school and college in Wichita, Kansas, said she â&#x20AC;&#x153;married intoâ&#x20AC;? the CIA: She learned three days before the wedding to her first husband that he worked for the agency. They met in Frankfurt, Germany, where she worked at Chase Manhattan Bank. She joined the agency in 1966, then spent the next several years spying in Europe, Southeast Asia and the Far East. In Washington, she worked in the Office of Technical Service, where she was involved in â&#x20AC;&#x153;clandestine photographyâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; such as putting cameras in lipstick holders and fountain pens, and other James Bondlike spy technology. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mission Impossible,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you wanted to bug someone, if you needed counterfeit documents, if you needed a disguiseâ&#x20AC;Śyou would come in and see us.â&#x20AC;? She devised disguises with Tony Mendez, who at the time was the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chief of disguise, and who would later become her second husband. Among the disguises they produced were the Jack-in-the-

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

Box body double and many lifelike masks. Tony, who had connections in Hollywood, reached out to John Chambers, the make-up artist for Planet of the Apes, to help create the facial disguises. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tony used to say you can put the best disguise on someone whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really nervous and scared, and it will not work,â&#x20AC;? Mendez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But you can hand someone else just a cane and a book, and they can become an entirely different person; they inhabit this idea.â&#x20AC;? In 1991, Mendez visited the White House to brief then-President George H.W. Bush on recent disguises. She wore one of the masks she had created of a female colleague. Her straight blond hair was hidden by a curly black wig. Just before she took off the mask, she told the president she was in disguise. Bush, a former CIA director, was intrigued with the new facemask technology, Mendez noted. When asked about the future of spy technology, and whether robots will one day replace human intelligence-gatherers, she had this to say: â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the end of the day, you have to rely on human intelligence,â&#x20AC;? Mendez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The one thing that will remain true is that it canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all be technology. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There have to be human elements to it; there have to be relationships between the case officer and a foreign asset whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to work for us. It has to be personal. It wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work otherwise.â&#x20AC;? She added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The people working with

us, especially the Russians, gave information because of [their] deeply felt anti-Soviet ideology. Others have given information mostly for money. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to have that human piece in it. Robots canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t offer the future plans, intentions of our enemies. [They canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell us] whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s North Korea, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Putin, going to do next?â&#x20AC;?

Making a difference Jack Downing, former CIA chief of station in Moscow, as well as the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s onetime deputy director for operations, called The Moscow Rules â&#x20AC;&#x153;a gripping read,â&#x20AC;? noting that the Mendezes â&#x20AC;&#x153;were two of the stars from the Office of Technical Serviceâ&#x20AC;? and were â&#x20AC;&#x153;key to so many of the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s successes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and nowhere more so than in Moscow during the Cold War.â&#x20AC;? Still, the CIA and its operations in countries where it was not invited have attracted controversy and criticism over the years. In a review of The Moscow Rules in

Letters to editor From page 2 Dear Editor: Thank you again for interviewing me for the Beacon article [on Celebration of the Arts winners]. My mom and I read it together. She was so very proud! I, of course, was grinning from ear to ear. As I move into this Thanksgiving and

W A K E

The New York Journal of Books, Walter Clemens, professor emeritus of political science at Boston University, wrote, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The U.S.-Soviet competition profited no one except the makers of military hardware.â&#x20AC;? In response to that criticism, Jonna Mendez replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The whole point of carrying out the Cold War was that it was not a shooting war. We were not putting soldiers on the field of battle to shoot and kill one another.â&#x20AC;ŚThe Cold War destroyed the U.S.S.R.â&#x20AC;? Mendez helped design the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., and is featured in a permanent exhibit there on The Moscow Rules. With a legacy preserved in books, museums and film, Mendez proudly recalls her three decades in the CIA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You realized you were a small piece in a chain of people who were able to make a real difference,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You did something that actually mattered. It was almost a calling, a form of giving back.â&#x20AC;? Christmas season, I am so very thankful and blessed for many things. To see my mom smile when I got my correspondence from the Beacon announcing my second-place win in the Celebration of the Arts, and secondly getting recognition in the newspaper, have been very special for me and mom. Thank you for giving my mom another reason to be proud. Bevadine Z. Terrell Washington, DC

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

When someone nears a precipice, help By Bob Levey When his wife was alive, he was a rock. Government executive. Nonprofit board member. Husband/father/grandfather. Always willing to donate an hour or a dollar to someone in need. But then cancer took her. They had been married for more than 40 years. For a few weeks, he remained a rock:

No, thanks, don’t need anything. Yes, going to stay right here in the house. No, won’t change a thing right away, and probably not ever. That vow lasted for about a month. Ever since, he has adopted a new philosophy. He calls it What-The-Hecking. The man no longer watches his weight. He no longer limits himself to one glass of

wine at dinner. He has stopped all charitable contributions. And he is aggressively dating every woman he can find. Despite the pandemic, and the fact that his age begins with a 7, he travels whenever he likes. He just traded in his 10-yearold Toyota Prius for a shiny black SUV that’s as big as some houses. He tells friends that he is shopping for condos in

the Caribbean — the splashier, the better. As he puts it, his credit card is “tanned, rested and ready.” Worried about him? That’s an understatement. His friends have tried to intervene. His children plead with him to straighten up. What-The-Hecking is his answer.

Narrator

vestigation. The team relies on technology to conduct a street search, online witness interviews, and teleconferences to solve the crime and untangle a tale of jealousy and deceit. In Wasowicz’s previous novels, Daingerfield Island and Jones Point, Katz solves the mystery, but this time he does it while navigating an identity crisis. Katz is half Black (mother) and half Jewish (father). As Wasowicz explained, “His parents never immersed him into either of their rich cultures. As a result, both cultures excluded him.” Katz’s “identity crisis jumps to the front of the narrative. The coronavirus is the catalyst,” Wasowicz said. “[Katz] feels his life is spinning out of control and tries to anchor himself by reaching out to his parents. “He learns that his Black mother is in the hospital, fighting COVID-19. The coronavirus reminds him how important family

connections and cohesion are,” he added. Lacroix said she has been listening to audiobooks for years, especially on her commute. Her favorite narrator is Jim Dale, who brings the Harry Potter books — and its many characters — to life. “How he imagined so many voices, I don’t know.

Pure genius,” she said. The seasoned radio host said that the voice she struggled most with wasn’t a person at all but a device. “The hardest one to get in this book was an ‘Alexa,’ much as I detest the sound of her voice!” Lacroix said.

From page 24 School in Bethesda, albeit at different times. They have never met. But Wasowicz, who is also an Alexandria attorney, was looking for a woman to narrate his third Mo Katz novel and happened to be tuned into Classical WETA one day. There he heard the voice he wanted for the audiobook version. He reached out to Lacroix, and the project took off. (By coincidence, Lacroix once lived near Slaters Lane in Old Town Alexandria, the title and setting of the book.)

A sleuth facing COVID-19 Slaters Lane is set in very contemporary times. It is the year of the coronavirus. The constraints posed by COVID-19 force Mo Katz, the (fictitious) U.S. attorney for Virginia, and his staff to carry out a virtual in-

See BOB LEVEY, page 29

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519 Mabe Drive Woodbine, MD 21797 410.442.3662

*Restricted-operating out of Going Home Cremation & Funeral Care by Value Choice, P.A. Woodbine, Md.

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J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1 — 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 Fight Entropy 1

28 34

35 39

42 45

48 53

50 55

Jumble answers on p. 31

Scrabble answers on p. 31.

By Stephen Sherr

Across

Down

1. He played Klinger in AfterMASH 5. Its only private school is Vandy 8. Urge forward 13. Ingredient in Banana Boat After Sun Gel 14. Monster that is illegal to kill in Arizona 15. Horizontal lines on a sentence diagram 16. “___ to make the donuts” 17. Poems of praise 18. Mocked 19. Start of M.C. Escher quote about how life influences art influences life influences ... 22. Media pundit Coulter 23. Woodstock’s home, in Peanuts 24. Share price per earnings, for example 27. Romantic rendezvous 29. Stir fry requirement 30. Presenter of the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program 32. Acid in proteins 34. Clue murder weapon 36. Dutch cheese town 37. Middle of quote 40. ___ better to have loved and lost... 41. Holder of a learner’s permit, most likely 42. Parts hidden by turtleneck sweaters 43. Looney Toon who debuted in Devil May Hare 44. Companion animal 45. ___ of the crime 47. Enticed 49. Sassy 50. Grp. with Wizards and Warriors 53. End of quote 56. Easy to lift 59. Blunders 60. The Abominable Snowman, to pals 61. Subject of the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 62. Stocking stuffers 63. Ear-responsible MDs 64. Request a new credit card 65. “Are we there ___?” 66. Eyelid infection

1. Ruling on Islamic law 2. Mork, but not Mindy 3. Make perception better than reality 4. Marsh plant 5. Google Maps suggestion 6. Choose the homecoming queen 7. Payment option 8. Allowed to use one’s hands 9. Dewy-eyed 10. Tavern 11. Path of I-20 from Kent, Texas to Florence, South Carolina 12. Timothy Leary’s drug of choice 14. Attacks a matador 20. “Fool me once, shame ___...” 21. Name on The Little Mermaid’s birth certificate 25. One without a party 26. Deliver a graduation speech 28. Vaccine components 29. Many know it, but few will say it 31. His cookie recipe is now sold by Kellogg’s 32. “Can you move to the left ___?” 33. Loud type of rock music 35. Be in arrears 36. Senator Bayh of Indiana 38. Dictation taker 39. “... and ___ grow on!” 44. Plump 46. Maker of tooth-whitening strips 48. Dr. of Philosophy 49. Make baby food 51. Wilma’s Bedrock neighbor 52. Greet the day 54. Say “no” to authority 55. Options in the bread aisle 56. Grassy field 57. Mischief-maker 58. Difference in values between generations

Answers on page 31.

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

Bob Levey From page 27 A psychologist friend tells me that What-The-Hecking is not all that unusual in this man’s circumstances. When a spouse dies, especially after a long marriage, the survivor comes sharply face-to-face with his own mortality. “He may conclude that the clock is ticking for him, too,” the psychologist said. “So, he may try to wriggle away from his own death.” Of course, by What-The-Hecking, the man may be hastening his own death, not delaying it. This man doesn’t care. He has even brought music into the discussion. When you phone him these days, and the answering machine clicks on, what you get are the first few bars of the Delta blues song, “My Time After a While.” “Right, I chose it because this is my time,” he told me. “I have never felt so good or so free.” His family thinks the man is dishonoring the memory of his wife. He says that misses the point. “I will never forget any birthdays or anniversaries,” he told me. “But like the song says, I’ve been living for others for years. Now I live for me.” A major piece of the family tension revolves around money. His children and grandchildren had always expected to inherit his considerable estate. He had told them to expect that. But now, he has rethought that idea. “I earned that money, so I get to spend it,” he told me. “I’ve decided that the last check I write will bounce.” His older sister tried to reason with him. She warned him that the men in their family typically don’t live a long time. His reply: “I’ve taken off the guardrails and thrown them in the river.” His doctor pointed out that a body’s resilience depletes over time. If he’s healthy today, great. But that doesn’t promise good health tomorrow. In fact, the doctor told him, if a man in his 70s doesn’t exercise or sleep enough (he says he does neither), he is playing with fire. “I don’t pay any attention to that,” the man told me. “I’m going to die anyway. Might as well go out with a smile on my face.” In our most recent conversation, I warned the man about another danger: gold diggers. “You’re a man with most of his hair and most of his money. Women will swarm you,” I said. “Is that such a terrible thing?” he replied. In fact, it can be a very terrible thing. A banker at my neighborhood branch says he has been trained to be on the lookout for men who have adopted What-The-Hecking. “Just last week,” he said, “I had a client come in. Older fellow. Been with me for many years. His accounts never had much activity in them. He was a squirrel — saved his acorns. “But now, he had a lady on his arm — literally on his arm. And he wanted to withdraw $50,000 in cash. I couldn’t say no. But I did ask him three times if this was really what he wanted to do.”

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

The banker has no idea what became of the money. But then… “His daughter called me the next week and asked me to put a block on his accounts. She said some woman was trying to get the right to make withdrawals without his permission. “But then the man gave his permission! So, again, nothing I could do.” In less than a month, his accounts had been lightened by more than $100,000. For the rest of us, there’s plenty we can do. If we have a friend like this — obviously rocked off balance by a death, obviously not using good judgment — we can make it a point to lobby persistently against What-The-Hecking. In my case, I relayed the banker’s tale to my friend. He reacted with a big “Hmmmm.” The next day, he later told me, he added both of his children to all of his accounts. He now cannot withdraw large sums unless they both countersign. What-The-Hecking still beats strongly in this guy’s 70-something breast. But if small progress has happened — and it just did — perhaps bigger progress isn’t far behind. Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

WB121

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CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on page 31. CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment. EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate. Caregivers A HOME HEALTHCARE- Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in care. Flat rate for live-in. 15 years’ experience. (240-533-6599) IN HOME HAIR STYLIST AND NAIL SERVICES - WE COME TO YOU. Professional Licensed Stylists / COVID Tested and Trained. Women and Men’s Services — All Hair Types. Shampoo, Cuts, Sets, Color, Perms, Relaxers, Men’s Cuts & Facial Grooming, Manicures & more. Call us at 301-338-8251. SENIORSPLACES.COM is the largest and most complete FREE directory of assisted living, independent living and memory care communities in Loudoun County and Prince William County. You Search | You Find | You Connect. https://seniorsplaces.com ELDERLY CARE: Non-medical assistance. I provide help with meal preparation, company to go on walks, and transportation to appointments. And offer companionship with good conversations. Experience & references available. Contact Angela: havewellnow@gmail.com, 202236-2897. A CARE AGENCY - Been in business for more than 10 years. Experienced nurses, CNAs, GNAs. Any hours you need. Flat rate for live-in. Duties include cooking, housekeeping, bathing, errands, etc. Tel: 667-231-8235.

Financial TAX PREPARATION: All types of returns, reasonable rates. 34 years of reliable service. Located in Gaithersburg near Quince Orchard/Great Seneca Hwy. Diane Christen CPA, 240-355-1135 cell. Text or call! WESLEY FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 855-626-8703.

For Sale NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY - Falls Church, VA. Two choice sites (over-under) - with Vaults! Evergreen Garden: Lot 125 Upper and Lot 125 Lower. You can call to verify that these typically sell for $12,900 for both. My price $9,000 for both, OBO Seller will pay transfer fee. Call Steve (owner) 703 608 5491. You must leave a voicemail or number will be blocked.

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

For Sale

Legal Services

Wanted

FAIRFAX MEMORIAL GARDENS, Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA. Two cemetery lots next to each other in the Garden of Prophets, Section 3A Lot 22A Spaces 3 and 4. $8,600. Call Taryn Dodd 703-346-3262

APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY or Appealing a Denied Claim? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc. Our case managers simplify the process & work hard to help with your case. Call 1-866-970-0779 FREE Consultation. Local Attorneys Nationwide [Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar.)]

CASH FOR JEWELRY; I buy a wide range of jewelry; gold, silver, costume, watches, turquoise, coins, school rings, etc. Gary Roman; 301-520-0755. atticllc.com

PUT ON YOUR TV EARS and hear TV with unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original were originally $129.95 - NOW WITH THIS SPECIAL OFFER are only $59.95 with code MCB59! Call 1-833-934-0843.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate FOR RENT: 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom at Eleven Slade Pikesville. Totally renovated, golf course view, valet parking, fitness room, 24-hour front desk. $1,600/month includes some utilities, Board reviews tenants. Available 2/1/21. Doug, 410-998-9163.

Health MOBILEHELP, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1240-650-9189 DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! www.dental50plus.com/320 1-844-3661003 . #6258 PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949. LIFE ALERT. One press of a button sends help FAST, 24/7! At home and on the go. Mobile Pendant with GPS. FREE First Aid Kit (with subscription.) CALL 240-847-6732 FREE Brochure.

Home/Handyman Services DOWNSIZING SPECIALISTS — Ready to move or downsize? Do you feel overwhelmed and stressed? Downsizing Specialists is here to help! Our COVID friendly process helps you determine what to keep, donate, gift, sell or discard with an extremely compassionate specialist. We work with you at your pace because you control the process. Services include downsizing, decluttering, moving prep, estate sales, and consignment of antiques, jewelry, coins, and collectables. We also buy unwanted vehicles and real estate. Free estimates and affordable rates! 2021 New Year’s Special — Get 10 hours of downsizing services for only $221. Go to DownsizingSpecialists.com or call/text 301-219-3600 for details. CONTINENTAL MOVERS Local long distance. $80 x two men plus one hour drive $80 Moving -deliveries- pick ups - hauling -packing Established since 1995 Cmora53607@msn.com www.continentalmovers .net 202-438-1489 — 301-340-0602. ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-844359-6933. STAY IN YOUR HOME LONGER with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-877-240-2061 or visit www.walkintubquote.com/beacon THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS for as little as $149/month! BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Limited Time Offer - FREE virtual in-home consultation now and SAVE 15%! Call Today! 1-855-653-0087. THINKING ABOUT INSTALLING A NEW SHOWER? American Standard makes it easy. FREE design consultation. Enjoy your shower again! Call 1-844-536-0485 today to see how you can save $1,000 on installation, or visit www.newshowerdeal.com/tbn

Miscellaneous DO YOU HAVE A GOOD FRIEND who voted for The Other Guy in 2020? In my new project, “We Must Not Be Enemies”, I am photographing and interviewing people who vote differently spending quality time together. Too many of us see the other side as crazy, stupid, or evil. I believe we can learn from those who don’t. If you’re interested in participating in my project, please call me (307-622-1517) or email me (wemustnotbeenemies@gmail.com). Compensation provided. everittclarkphotography.com.

Personals TIRED OF BEING ALONE? Reach out to find your Soulmate at: www.CompanionOutreach.com FIND YOUR Soulmate at: www.CompanionOutreach.com

TV/Cable DISH NETWORK. $59.99 for 190 Channels! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call today! 1844-560-5837. DIRECTV - Every live football game, every Sunday - anywhere - on your favorite device. Restrictions apply. Call IVS - 1-888-572-4953.

Wanted CASH FOR RECORDS, CDS AND DVDS. Best price guaranteed. Free appraisals. All types of music {33, 45, 78 & CDs.} Also buying turntables and stereo equipment. Will make house calls with CURBSIDE PICKUPS. Call or text Steve at 301-646-5403. SERIOUS COLLECTOR PURCHASING ANTIQUES and mid century items, including furniture, lamps, sculptures, paintings, anything unusual, rugs, toys, all era military, gold, silver items, costume and quality jewelry, tools. Please call Chris, 301 262 1299. WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, UKULELES. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack (301) 279-2158. TOP PRICES PAID FOR FINE ANTIQUES, artwork and decorative objects including decorated crocks and jugs, unusual antique clocks, music boxes and mechanical things, coin operated devices, furniture, rare antique dolls and toys etc. I am 67 years old, well educated, financially capable, and have over 40 years in this business. Why pay outlandish auction house, estate agent or consignment store commissions when you can get a fair upfront price for your pieces with no hassle? If you have something interesting or unusual, rare and valuable and are prepared to sell it I would like to speak with you. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301 279 8834. No calls after 7 pm please. ALWAYS BUYING OLD STUFF! Old Silverware, Flatware and Holloware (even some silverplate), Old books (pre-1930), Costume Jewelry, Pinup magazines before 1970, Comic Books, Old School Rings, Old Coins: U.S. & Foreign, Dental Gold (Yellow or White), Pocket/Wrist Watches, Old Toys/Games, Broken Jewelry (damaged, missing stones, etc.), Sports Cards, Risque paperback books, Old Adverting Signs, Old Metal Lunchboxes & other old stuff. What do you have? Call Alex: 571-426-5363 ~ I’ll come to you! WILL BUY MILITARY, WWII, WWI, Civil War memorabilia items. Uniforms, weapons, helmets, photos, war souvenirs, medals, photos or any other items associated with U.S., German, Japanese or other military history. Call Dave (240-4640958) or email (david.obal63@gmail.com). CASH FOR ESTATES, moving etc; I buy a wide range of items. Buy out/clean up. Gary Roman; 301-520-0755. atticllc.com

LADY WHO LIKES CHINA and other pretty things would like to buy yours. Favorites include Coalport, Herend, Meissen, Royal Copenhagen, Shelley and Villeroy & Boch. Some Lenox and Johnson Brothers. I love English bone china cups and saucers. Paintings and pottery. I’ve collected antique Christmas and Halloween for thirty years and am always looking to add to my collection. Sterling and jewelry. MD license no. 2753. Call, 301-785-1129. CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. Ask for Tom. Call anytime, 301654-8678 (Reg. 883). USED & RARE BOOKS WANTED. Quality books in all subjects. We also buy old maps, menus, post cards, advertising & travel brochures, posters, road maps, old magazines. Contact Dale 301-495-2732. Experienced seller since 1977 SEEKING FULL/SEALED BOTTLES of Vintage Bourbon & Rye (Pre-1990). Examples include, but are not limited to: Old Grand Dad, Pikesville Rye, Wild Turkey, Old Fitzgerald, I.W. Harper, Old Forester and more! Inquiries are welcome. Call Alex 443-223-7669 SERIOUS COLLECTOR PURCHASING ANTIQUES and mid century items, including furniture, lamps, sculptures, paintings, anything unusual, rugs, toys, all era military, gold, silver items, costume and quality jewelry, tools. Please call Chris, 301 262 1299. WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, UKULELES. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack (301) 279-2158. TOP PRICES PAID FOR FINE ANTIQUES, artwork and decorative objects including decorated crocks and jugs, unusual antique clocks, music boxes and mechanical things, coin operated devices, furniture, rare antique dolls and toys etc. I am 67 years old , well educated, financially capable, and have over 40 years in this business. Why pay outlandish auction house, estate agent or consignment store commissions when you can get a fair upfront price for your pieces with no hassle? If you have something interesting or unusual, rare and valuable and are prepared to sell it I would like to speak with you. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301 279 8834. No calls after 7 pm please. ALWAYS BUYING OLD STUFF! Old Silverware, Flatware and Holloware (even some silverplate ), Old books (pre-1930), Costume Jewelry, Pinup magazines before 1970, Comic Books, Old School Rings, Old Coins: U.S. & Foreign, Dental Gold (Yellow or White), Pocket/Wrist Watches, Old Toys/Games, Broken Jewelry (damaged, missing stones, etc.), Sports Cards, Risque paperback books, Old Adverting Signs, Old Metal Lunchboxes & other old stuff. What do you have? Call Alex : 571-426-5363 ~ I’ll come to you! WILL BUY MILITARY, WWII, WWI, Civil War memorabilia items. Uniforms, weapons, helmets, photos, war souvenirs, medals, photos or any other items associated with U.S., German, Japanese or other military history. Call Dave (240-4640958) or email (david.obal63@gmail.com). ESTATE LIQUIDATION/ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES: One call solves it all when you hire us to handle your estate liquidation, down-sizing and/or home cleanout. We sell your treasures, take care of charitable donations and provide junk removal. We also purchase estate contents/collections. Always buying antiques, jewelry, fine art, vintage toys, collectibles, advertising, sports memorabilia, military, vintage cars, Mid Century Modern furniture, vinyl records, gold and silver coins and more. Based in Silver Spring, we serve Montgomery, Howard and Baltimore Counties, Washington D.C., NOVA and beyond. Also provide appraisal services for insurance/estates. Friendly, conscientious staff. Call Chris on cell (202) 731-9447. www.OrionsAttic.com.

Classifieds cont. on p. 31.

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

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 28 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

F A T W A

A L I E N

R O M A N T I C I Z E

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

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

G O R E S

E L E C T O W E P U R E E

C A S H A R O I P E E L N S C E R C E R S E T T

I N G O A L

M O I S T

E O V N A E N T O R Y E S

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

P E L U N S B E D I N D E P E N D E N T

O R A T E

A M O S

B E T T Y

A R I S E

ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: GRANT HONOR INSIST RODENT Answer: It’s easy to add zero plus zero because there’s — NOTHING TO IT

Classifieds cont. from p. 30. Wanted

Clinical Studies Flu Vaccine Clinical Study.......12

LOOKING TO BUY PRETTY THINGS. Favorites include Dresden, Herend, Royal Copenhagen and Shelley. English bone china cups and saucers, figurines by various makers and dish sets. Art, collectibles, pottery and sterling. Teak furniture. Serious collector of vintage Christmas and Halloween decorations. Please call (301) 785-1129. MD Precious Metal License 2753.

Beacon Virtual

CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. Ask for Tom. Call anytime, 301-654-8678 (Reg. 883).

Government Services

CASH FOR RECORDS, CDS AND DVDS. Best price guaranteed. Free appraisals. All types of music {33, 45, 78 & CDs.} Also buying turntables and stereo equipment. Will make house calls with CURBSIDE PICKUPS. Call or text Steve at 301-646-5403.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

DIAL-A-DOCENT

Do you miss going to museums and talking about art? Volunteer docents who miss giving museum tours have banded together to offer art conversations via telephone or Zoom with interested participants. Call or log on and learn about an art topic chosen from the list provided. For more information, visit www.dialadocent.com.

All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington and Richmond editions). Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this amount for you. Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number. • Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher’s discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

To place your classified ad, visit www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE

USED & RARE BOOKS WANTED. Quality books in all subjects. We also buy old maps, menus, post cards, advertising & travel brochures, posters, road maps, old magazines. Contact Dale 301-495-2732. Experienced seller since 1977

TURN YOUR SILVER AND OLD GOLD JEWELRY INTO CASH. Gold 4 Good (8241 Georgia Ave., Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910) buys gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver and silver flatware, gold watches and gold and silver coins. I can come to your home and give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. If you decide to sell, I can buy your items at that time, but there is no obligation. Licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327). Call Bob, (240) 938-9694. Gold 4 Good pays an additional 5 percent to all military veterans (and their spouses). Gold 4 Good is a Maryland licensed precious metals company, not a pawnshop or private home based business.

Hearing Research Study...........13

Events 50+Expo..................................3

Funeral Services Going Home Cremation...........27

Ashby Ponds/Erickson .B-2, B-12

Law Offices of Nancy Feldman..20

Aspire at

Law Offices of Paul Riekhof ...18

Belmont Bay .............B-4, B-10 Brooke Grove Retirement Village ..........B8-10, B-12, B-14 Chesterbrook Residences...............B-13, B-14 Chevy Chase House .....B-7, B-10 Churchill Senior Living ...........11 Covenant Village ..................B-12

Medical/Health DialMD ....................................32 Judy Oh, DDS ............................9 Medical Eye Center....................8 Steven Freidman, DDS.............10

Real Estate Long & Foster/

Emerson House ....................B-15

Eric Stewart.....................20, 26

DC Office on Aging ...........15-16

Enterprise Residential ..............13

Montgomery County Aging and

Falcons Landing ........................7

Retail

Disability Services ..................8 Montgomery County Covid Testing ........................14 Montgomery Energy Connection ..............................5

Friendship Terrace........B-3, B-12 Greenspring/Erickson ..B-2, B-15 Homecrest House .........B-6, B-10 Homewood at Frederick ...........10 Maplewood at

Perfect Sleep Chair...................22 Perfect Walker ..........................23 UpBed!.................................B-16 Wonder Book .............................6 Zoomer.....................................25

Quantum Property Mgmt..........B-6

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation

Park View Apartments.................13

Manor Care Health Services ....11

Public Libraries .....................10

Riderwood/Erickson .......B-2, B-10

Oak Manor Center......................8

Home Health Care/Companion Services

Sanctuary, The................................6

Subscriptions

Montgomery County Home Sharing Program.......B-3 Montgomery County

Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . .B-11 Capital Caring Health . . . . . . . .9 Cherished Hands Home Health . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Park Place..................B-4, B-12

Shenandoah Senior Living .........9 Sommerset....................B-3, B-12 Springvale Terrace.......B-11, B-13, B14-15

Beacon Newspapers .................29

Theatre/ Entertainment

Vinson Hall ......................1, B-10

Senior Zone..............................27

Wilshire Estates............B-7, B-15

Volunteers & Careers

Options for Senior America .....24

Legal Services

Housing

Beacon Newspapers .................19

Farr Law Firm ..........................19

Career Gateway ........................18

Asbury Dwellings ....................23

HELPS .....................................17

AccessJCA ...............................18

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