February 2015 | DC Beacon

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VOL.27, NO.2

Belly dancing offers healthy fun

FEBRUARY 2015

I N S I D E …

PHOTO BY BARBARA RUBEN

By Barbara Ruben Arms swoop gracefully over heads and gold coins jangle on metallic scarves tied around hips as dancers move to a sinuous melody, the rhythm tapped on a darabukka — a kind of drum that originated in the Middle East about 3,000 years ago.

Welcome to the Ancient Art Movement dance class at Lee Community and Senior Center in Arlington, Va., which is likely the only belly dancing class for older adults in the greater Washington area, according to Carmen Shippy, the class’s teacher.

In a recent class, sun illuminated the practice room as eight women in their late 50s through early 70s followed Shippy’s movements.

Belly dancing starts in the feet, and movement is generated from the ground, according to Shippy.

“You cannot dance stuck to the floor,” she tells her students. “You want to have some movement in the feet. Roll on the balls of your feet. Get up off the heels.

You’re not going to fall.”

Twice a week, the women in the class don red T-shirts, yoga pants and flowing scarves and veils for a technique class.

A group of advanced dancers from the class performs as a troupe called the Sultanas. They practice an additional three times a week. Most of the 18 women involved live in Arlington.

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L E I S U R E & T R AV E L

The legacy of several presidents colors the Charlottesville, Va. area; plus, Hannibal, Mo. preserves much of Mark page 39 Twain’s youth

ARTS & STYLE

Undulating in family-friendly way

Josephine Lee, Mornita Dunson-Coleman, Carmen Shippy and Marcia Diamond find that belly dancing is a good way to strengthen their core muscles and get aerobic exercise. Shippy (second from right) teaches a class called Ancient Art Movement at Lee Community and Senior Center in Arlington, Va., which she says is the only belly dancing class specifically for seniors in the Washington area.

While belly dancing has a reputation as a provocative dance, historically its undulating style was not intended to entertain men.

Rather, belly dancing, which emphasizes moving the torso, was originally performed for other women during fertility rites.

Belly dancing first became widely seen in the United States as part of the 1893 World’s Fair, where it was called “danse du ventre,” which literally translates to belly dancing.

For students in Shippy’s class, as well as dancers in the Sultanas, belly dancing is more about moving gracefully and exercising core muscles than it is about sensuality.

Hence, no bare midriffs for this troupe.

“We’re family friendly,” said Shippy, 63.

“You could bring your grandchildren” to

performances, which are mostly at senior centers and assisted living communities.

When the Sultanas were invited to perform at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda during its holiday show for wounded veterans in 2013, officials asked numerous questions to ensure the show would be tame, Shippy said.

And that’s just fine with Mornita Dunson-Coleman. “I took classes at a studio where we wore two-piece costumes. I like that we are an age-appropriate group. I find this more comfortable,” she said.

Still, that doesn’t mean there’s no shimmying going on — although it can take a while to get the hang of it.

“It can take years to feel a joyful shimmy because of locked hips and a rigid pelvis,”

according to Shippy. “Do not be disheartened,” she tells her students.

Gaining strength Shippy, who took over teaching the class about two years ago, has a background in modern dance. She took up belly dancing in hopes of helping her maintain health after back surgery “I knew I had to find something to keep me out of the hospital,” she said. “This type of dance really works the core muscles.”

Core exercise strengthens muscles in the abdomen, back and pelvis. [See “Physical fitness essential for healthy back,” on page 18.]

See BELLY DANCING, page 51

A witty update of Chekhov blurs line between stage and audience; plus, an unfunny Sherlock Holmes farce, and Bob Levey on making peace with retirement page 45 TECHNOLOGY k Apps to help you lose weight k Websites to explore

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FITNESS & HEALTH 11 k Customize your cancer treatment k Medicare tries something new SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

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LAW & MONEY k Tax breaks for older adults k Stocks poised for growth

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Facing facts, part II In last month’s column, I started to lay Furthermore, our growing longevity out some generally well-known facts in will add trillions of dollars to the cost of Sohopes they can facilitate an cial Security and Medicare — important discussion that I programs that, as presently feel Americans need to be structured, are already forehaving with each other. cast to fail to meet long-term To summarize very briefly: needs, even based on current Thanks to modern medicine life spans. and healthier lifestyles, we Now for some additional are living longer. While that’s facts: a good thing for the most For those who basically part, more and more older run out of savings and assets, Americans are outliving their Medicaid steps in to cover essavings. sential medical and long-term FROM THE This problem is likely to PUBLISHER care costs. This program is grow, as many in the baby By Stuart P. Rosenthal jointly funded by the federal boomer and later generations and state governments, in have put aside far too few resources to sup- most cases on a 50/50 split, though there port themselves in their later years. are variations.

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MS. SENIOR VIRGINIA INFO SESSION

The Ms. Virginia Senior America Pageant is holding free orientations on Wednesdays, Feb. 11 in Staunton, Va. and Feb. 25 in Falls Church, Va. Past winners will explain the process and how to showcase your talents. Meet the reigning Ms. Senior America (and 2014 Ms. Virginia Senior America) and see her perform and speak of the pageant experience. Contestants must be U.S. citizens, a resident of Virginia for at least six months, and 60 years or older. The 2015 pageant will be held in Staunton on Thursday, May 21. To register, contact state director Annmarie Pittman at 501 Slaters Ln., Suite 319, Alexandria, Va., msvirginiasenioramerica@gmail.com or (703) 549-7012.

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• Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President of Operations ....Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Graphic Designer ..............................Kyle Gregory • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock, ................................................Dan Kelly, Cheryl Watts • Editorial Assistant ........................Rebekah Sewell

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Medicaid is an entitlement, meaning a state cannot cap participation at a certain number. Everyone must be accepted who qualifies under their state’s particular eligibility rules. (These generally require poverty-level income and assets or something close).

With our longer lives, more expensive medical care, and steady growth in cases of Alzheimer’s and other dementias (which can completely incapacitate and last a decade or more), Medicaid expenditures are forecast to rise substantially into the foreseeable future.

How will we pay for the unstoppable, uncappable costs of our social and health safety nets in an era of rapidly rising needs and, at least at the moment, declining revenues?

In Maryland, for example, shortly before Governor O’Malley left office in January, he announced that this fiscal year’s budget would produce a $400 million deficit that needed to be plugged. Furthermore, the budget released in late January

by Governor Larry Hogan is being proposed to counteract an additional $800 million deficit forecast for the coming year.

Meanwhile, Virginia is facing a more than $2 billion deficit for the coming year, according to estimates.

And these forecasted deficits follow many years of past ones, on the local, state and federal government levels.

According to figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, between 2007 and 2012 state and local governments in Virginia spent over $1 billion more than they raised in revenues. Maryland’s state and local governments fared even worse, spending over $6 billion more than they raised in revenue. Throughout the country as a whole, state expenses exceeded revenues over that period by more than $118 billion.

Growing population. Longer lives. Burgeoning rates of disability and dementia.

Additional destitute retirees. Mushrooming state and federal liabilities. Inadequate Social Security and Medicare funds.

This is where we’re heading. These facts will affect you, your children, your grandchildren and many generations to come.

So, what can we do about it?

Fortunately, we needn’t feel paralyzed.

There are many options to choose among — some good, some fair, some poor, some terrifying.

Here are a few examples of those options. We should be having a national conversation about them NOW. Some options for individuals and families: Work longer, save more, invest better, adopt healthier lifestyles, expect less, stick together and help each other out, encourage adult children to support older parents, reduce end-of-life medical care, sign do-not-resuscitate orders/living wills. (For more about some of these ideas, see “How to avoid your own retirement crisis” in our Money section, on page 33.)

Some options for state and federal governments: Take steps to boost the economy, improve tax collection, crack down on waste and fraud in government programs, incentivize healthier lifestyles, raise payroll taxes (for Social Security and Medicare), raise local taxes (which cover about half of Medicaid costs), raise estate taxes, reduce entitlement payments and/or their cost-of-living increases (for better-off recipients), limit usage of the most expensive healthcare treatments, cap end-of-life care expenses, restrict or further tax transfers of wealth to younger generations (especially when done to qualify for Medicaid).

Clearly, some of these choices are more palatable than others. I invite you to join the conversation and express your See FROM THE PUBLISHER, page 53

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

Dear Editor: The accolades for Helen Abrahams in the January Beacon are well deserved! My contact with her at Holiday Park Multiservice Senior Center in Wheaton has always been delightful. She is witty and intelligent, as well as compassionate.

I also cannot say enough about Carol Fuentevilla, who retired as director of the Holiday Park Center last April. Her handson involvement in activities there and support for volunteers provided the encouragement for the educational programs I and others offer at the center. No other

senior center in Montgomery County can compare.

How fortunate the county is, and we are, to have Helen and Carol in our lives!

Gerald Schneider Kensington, Md. Dear Editor: Yes, we are living longer, but what about the quality of life? More older people are getting Alzheimer’s and problems with memory. What’s the point in living longer if the quality of life is not there?

Name withheld by request Washington, DC

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

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Technology &

Innovations New apps aim to help users lose weight

By Daniel Pendick Smartphones and tablets combine an extraordinary amount of portable computing power with Internet connections via cell phone signal and WiFi. Many health entrepreneurs are trying to harness that power to help people get healthier. According to one estimate, the number of health apps for phones may already top 40,000.

Now the tough question: Do they actually work? A study published last fall in the Annals of Internal Medicine on one popular weight-loss app finds that the answer is “not so much.” But the reason may lie more with the user than the product.

Researchers at the University of California-Los Angeles put to scientific scrutiny a

free app called MyFitnessPal. It’s based on research on how people make changes in their habits. The company claims it has more than 50 million registered users.

MyFitnessPal is a web-connected food journal and weight loss coach. A user can access a database of more than 4 million foods, and add what he or she ate to a daily log.

The app calculates the number of calories consumed and compares them to the daily calorie goal, which the app computes based on the user’s current weight, goal weight and desired rate of weight loss.

The researchers randomly assigned more than 200 overweight middle-aged women to one of two groups: One used MyFitnessPal as a weight-loss aid, the

other talked to a primary care doctor about weight issues but did not use MyFitnessPal. The women’s progress was assessed at three and six months — long enough to detect a significant difference in weight loss among these relatively motivated calorie counters.

The app users lost an average of about 5 pounds — but so did the non-app users.

That means, at least in this study, recommending a weight-loss app to people who want to lose weight isn’t much better than getting advice from a doctor. One reason may be that use of MyFitnessPal fell off quickly — from an average of five times a week at the start of the study to just over once a week by the second month.

Simply giving people an app to track their data is not enough to create positive health outcomes, said Dr. Kamal Jethwani, the head of research and innovation at the Center for Connected Health at Partners HealthCare (Boston, Mass.) and assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School.

Many health apps still lack the built-in intelligence to figure out what particular mix of features — coaching, social connections, and financial or other incentives — can provide sufficient motivation to fuel real change.

See WEIGHT LOSS APPS, page 4

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Weight loss apps From page 3 “There are many examples of apps that do one of the three right,” Jethwani said. “I have not seen one that does several things very well.”

To help change that, Jethwani and his colleagues at the Center for Connected Health are developing a smarter app called Text 2 Move to spur healthier behaviors in people with diabetes.

This dynamic phone messaging system tracks a user’s activity and location, and provides him or her with personalized, motivating messages and other feedback. Preliminary research suggests it increases average walking time by a mile a day and improves blood sugar control.

The next-generation version of the app will have multiple motivation modes —

coaching, social and “gamification” [which refers to using game-like methods and behaviors to encourage participation]. It will analyze a user’s behavior for a short trial period and then “decide” which behavior it thinks will work best.

“We would want to have an app that, within a couple of weeks, based on your data, decides what motivational style is going to work for you and offers you a host of options,” Jethwani said. This is more likely to succeed than depending on stressed and overtaxed healthcare workers to figure out the best option and “prescribe” it for you.

What makes an app work?

In spite of the MyFitnessPal’s poor showing in the UCLA trial, it and other health apps can be useful tools for people who want to manage their weight and lifestyle.

But it takes two things from the user —

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

motivation to make a change, and using the app enough to produce the desired effect.

“Clinicians must become aware of these tools and support our patients in their use,

since they are a great way to start moving the needle on the awareness and educaSee WEIGHT LOSS APPS, page 5

Using a digital fitness monitor The latest trend in high-tech health puts control in the palm of your hand.

It’s called digital fitness monitoring, and it comes in the form of tiny gadgets that you wear or place in your pocket.

“If you’re already motivated to exercise or eat differently, the monitor is a great tool to track your progress and help you understand where you need to make changes,” said Dr. Anne Thorndike, a preventive medicine researcher and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Digital fitness monitors (DFMs) come in wearable styles such as wristbands, watches and pendants, as well as hand-held pieces you can clip onto a sleeve or slip into a pocket.

DFM features may be simple — such as sensors that track the number of steps you take or how many calories you burn. Or they may be more sophisticated, with sensors that capture your heart rate, perspiration, skin temperature and sleep patterns.

Some DFMs have longer-lasting batteries, light-up screens and alarms that vibrate or flash to remind you to be more active or announce that you’ve reached a goal.

Others have satellite navigation, speed and pace sensors, and even weather gauges. Most have programs for a computer or smartphone that allow you to chart your progress.

DFM prices increase with the number

of bells and whistles available. You may see one gadget for $25 and another for $750. The majority, however, are in the $50 to $200 range. How much you spend is a matter of personal preference.

“Sophisticated monitors can be fun, but all you really need to know is how many steps you’re taking,” said Thorndike.

She advises that you first determine what kind of information will help you reach your fitness goals, then consider if you’re going to wear a DFM on your wrist or clip it onto your clothes. “And look for something that’s easy to use and can be charged quickly,” she said.

Before you set your fitness goals, wear the DFM to get a sense of how many steps you already take.

“We tell people to shoot for 10,000 steps a day, but if you only take 2,000, you can set your first goal at 3,000,” said Thorndike.

Then use the DFM to see how you’re doing throughout the day: if you’re low on steps by dinner, take a walk afterward.

And consider fitness competitions with others using DFMs. Thorndike just completed a study that found young adults who used DFMs and engaged in competitions had a small but statistically significant increase in activity levels.

— Harvard Health Letter © 2014 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed By Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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tion needed to produce lifestyle changes,” said Jethwani. “Motivated patients will achieve great results, while other patients may stop using them, but will definitely gain better insights into their lifestyles.”

If you are interested in health apps, good information is available from a website called Wellocracy (www.wellocracy.com), which is run by the Center for Connected Health. It

★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ F R E E

From page 4

provides tools and information to help people find apps and personal fitness trackers that suit their personal needs and motivational style. [Also, see “Using a digital fitness monitor” on this page.]

Take a few for a test drive and see if you feel better.

Daniel Pendick is executive editor, Harvard Men’s Health Watch. © 2015 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

★

FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★

Weight loss apps

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

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Beacon Links

By Barbara Ruben

Sell your old technology Still hanging onto your old iPhone or Kindle? Instead of collecting dust, they can put some money in your pocket with very little work on your part.

Glyde helps you set a price, advertises the item on its site (you can buy used

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phones and devices there, too) and sends you a postage paid, insured shipping box when it sells. Glyde takes a percentage of the sale. For example, an iPhone 5 with some wear would sell for $137 on the site, and Glyde will send you $113. http://glyde.com

the website Boomer Grandparents, which focuses on grandparenting with a slight counterculture slant, is for you. The site includes grandparenting stories, travel tips, gift ideas and tech ideas curated by a 64year-old grandmother. http://boomergrandparents.com

Grandparenting for Boomers

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Neighborhood watch Want to know about recent crimes have been reported to the police near your

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Enter an address in CrimeReports, and a map pops up with surrounding blocks tagged with location of crimes.

You can choose what types of crimes to show, including breaking and entering, assault, vehicle theft, homicide and more. The map will display up to 30 consecutive days worth of reports from the previous six months, depending on preferences you set.

You can also report incidents yourself and upload anonymous tips. www.crimereports.com

A calming influence After viewing the above website you might want to take a few minutes out of your day to relax and perhaps medicate.

Calm.com offers soothing music and video of nature scenes. Every time you open the site, the picture is different.

Users can just watch and listen, or learn to meditate in two- to 20-minute sessions.

Calm also offers an app to turn your iPhone or iPad into an island of tranquility anywhere. www.calm.com

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COMPUTER BASICS WITH WINDOWS® 7 Prerequisite: Windows 7 or Vista PC 6 sessions Fee: $85 # 260 Thurs Jan 8 — Feb 12

DO MORE WITH WINDOWS® 7

Limit: 8 1:00-3:00pm

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 8 #261 Wed Feb 18 — Mar 25 1:00–3:00pm

MICROSOFT WORD: INTRODUCTION

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $35 2 sessions Limit: 8 #262 Tues Jan 13 — Jan 20 10:00am-12:00pm

MICROSOFT WORD: THE NEXT LEVEL

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $65 4 sessions Limit: 8 #263 Tues Mar 3 — Mar 24 10:00am-12:00pm

MICROSOFT EXCEL: SPREADSHEET

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $65 4 sessions Limit: 8 # 264 Wed Jan 7 — Jan 28 1:00-3:00pm

TECHNOLOGY TERMS FOR IPAD® BEGINNERS

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $ 20 # 265 Thurs Jan 22 10:00am-12:00pm # 266 Wed Mar 25 10:00am-12:00pm

GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR IPAD® Prerequisite: iPad needs to be updated to

7

IOS 7 and have an Apple ID and password Fee: $65 4 sessions Limit: 8 # 268 Tues Mar 31 — April 2810:00am-12:00pm

10 AMAZINGLY USEFUL WEBSITES YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 270 Tues Mar 3 1:00-3:00pm

LINKEDIN®, AN INTRODUCTION

Prerequisite: Solid computer skills and an active email account Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 271 Wed Feb 4 1:00-3:00pm

FACEBOOK, AN INTRODUCTION

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $ 20 1 session Limit: 8 # 272 Wed Feb 4 10:00am-12:00pm # 273 Wed Mar 18 10:00am-12:00pm

MEET THE TECHNOLOGY GURUS! BRING US YOUR PROBLEMS! Fee: $20

1 session

Limit: 8

Experts available to help individuals with hardware/ software issues. Minimum of a half to an hour meeting.

Topics: iPhone®/iPad®, backing up the cloud, Laptop/desktop Issues, photos/videos, PowerPoint and more. All classes 10:00am-12:00pm.

Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 276 Mon Feb 9 10:00am-12:00pm # 277 Mon Feb 23 10:00am-12:00pm # 278 Mon Mar 9 10:00am-12:00pm # 279 Mon Mar 23 10:00am-12:00pm # 280 Mon Apr 13 10:00am-12:00pm # 281 Mon Apr 27 10:00am-12:00pm

ASSISTED PRACTICE

FREE sessions: an integral part of your learning.

Must be registered for at least one class to participate. All practice sessions 10:00am-12:00pm No Fee Thurs Jan 15, Jan 29 Thurs Feb 12 10:00am-12:00pm Thurs Feb 12, Feb 26 Thurs Mar 12, Mar 26 Thurs Apr 16

Limit: 8

8

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Crystal City

1750 Crystal Dr Shops, Suite 1638B Crystal Square Arcade, Arlington, VA 703-941-1007

COMPUTER BASICS: INTRODUCTION TO THE PERSONAL COMPUTER USING WINDOWS® 7

Prerequisite: Bring a flash drive to class Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 10 # 282 Wed Jan 7 — Feb 11 10:00am-12:00pm # 283 Wed Mar 4 — Apr 8 10:00am-12:00pm

INTERMEDIATE PC, WINDOWS® 7

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 10 # 284 Tues Jan 6 — Feb 10 10:00am-12:00pm # 285 Tues Mar 3 — April 7 10:00am-12:00pm

EXCEL BASICS

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent; bring a flash drive to class Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 10 # 286 Thurs Jan 8 — Mar 12 10:00am-12:00pm

EXCEL – BEYOND BASICS

Prerequisite: Excel Basics or equivalent Fee: $50 3 sessions Limit: 10 # 287 Thurs Mar 5 — Mar 19 10:00am-12:00pm

TOURING THE INTERNET

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 6 sessions Limit: 10 Fee: $85 # 288 Mon Jan 5 — Feb 23 12:30-2:30pm # 289 Mon Mar 2 — Apr 6 12:30-2:30pm

GUIDE TO BUYING A PERSONAL COMPUTER (WORKSHOP) Fee: $20 # 290 Thurs

1 session Mar 26

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

UNDERSTANDING YOUR APPLE IPAD® (WORKSHOP)

Prerequisite: Bring a fully charged Apple iPad to class Fee: $50 3 sessions Limit: None # 291 Fri Feb 27 — Mar 13 10:00am-12:00pm # 292 Weds-Fri Apr 29 — May 1 10:00am-12:00pm

USING YOUR APPLE IPHONE® (WORKSHOP

Prerequisite: Ownership of an Apple iPhone. Bring fully charged iPhone.

Fee: $20 1 session Limit: None # 293 Thurs Feb 19 10:00am-12:00pm # 294 Mon Apr 20 12:30-2:30pm

USING SKYPE® TO MAKE VIDEO OR AUDIO CALLS (WORKSHOP)

Fee: $20 # 295 Wed # 296 Wed

1 session Feb 18 Apr 15

TAMING WORD (WORKSHOP)

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

Prerequisite: Basic computer knowledge and mouse skills Fee: $35 2 sessions Limit: 10 # 297 Tues Feb 17 & 24 10:00am-12:00pm

GRAPHICS EXPLORERS

Prerequisite: Knowledge of Photoshop® Elements 10 or 11 software Fee: $35 Ongoing sessions Limit: 10 # 298 Mon Jan 5 — Feb 23 10:00am-12:00pm # 299 Mon Mar 2 — Apr 27 10:00am-12:00pm

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

JCA SENIORTECH WORKSHOP: SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS USING THE ANDROID OPERATING SYSTEM(OS)

LINKEDIN®, AN INTRODUCTION

KEEPING YOUR COMPUTER SECURE

10 AMAZINGLY USEFUL WEBSITES YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED

Prerequisite: None Fee: $20 1 session # 300 Thurs Apr 9 Fee: $20 # 301 Fri

1 session Jan 9

Limit: None 12:30-2:30pm

Limit: None 10:00am-12:00pm

10 AMAZINGLY USEFUL WEBSITES YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 10 # 302 Mon Apr 13 12:30-2:30pm

ORGANIZING, EDITING, AND SHARING PHOTOS WORKSHOP

Prerequisite: Basic computer and mouse skills Fee: $35 2 session Limit: None # 303 Tues Apr 14 & 21 10:00am-12:00pm

Prerequisite: Solid computer skills and an active email account Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 6 # 311 Wed Mar 11 10:00am-12:00pm Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 6 # 312 Thurs Feb 12 10:00am-12:00pm

Microsoft at Pentagon City 1100 S Hayes St, Arlington, VA 703-236-9140

USING APPLE IPHOTO® AND IMOVIE® (WORKSHOP)

All Classes at the Microsoft at Pentagon City are taught on the Surface Tablet (Microsoft) or you may bring a laptop computer. No Apple® products.

VIEWING MOVIES ON YOUR PC (WORKSHOP)

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 6 # 313 Mon Feb 9 10:00am-12:00pm

Prerequisite: Must bring your own iPad® or iPhone® Fee: $20 1 session Limit: None # 304 Thurs Feb 26 10:00am-12:00pm # 305 Mon Apr 27 12:30-2:30pm Prerequisite: Basic computer skills Fee: $20 # 306 Thurs # 307 Thurs

1 session Feb 5 Apr 2

10 AMAZINGLY USEFUL WEBSITES YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED

Microsoft at Westfield Montgomery Mall

Limit:10 12:30-2:30pm 10:00am-12:00pm

7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD 301-765-3080

WINDOWS® 8.1 DEMONSTRATION

Prerequisite: None, you may bring your own laptop with Windows 8.1 Fee: $20 1 session Limit:10 # 308 Thurs Feb 12 12:30 - 2:30pm # 309 Thurs Apr 9 10:00am-12:00pm

ASSISTED PRACTICE No Fee

Limit: 10

FREE sessions: an integral part of your learning. Must be registered for at least one class to participate. All practice sessions 10:00am-12:00pm All practice sessions 10:00am-12:00pm Speak with your instructor for details.

Microsoft at Tysons Corner 1961 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22102 703-336-8480

All classes at Tysons Corner are taught on the Surface Tablet (Microsoft) or you may bring a laptop computer. No Apple® products.

MICROSOFT EXCEL

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $65 4 sessions Limit: 6 # 310 Wed Feb 11 — Mar 4 10:00am-12:00pm

All Classes at the Microsoft at Westfield Montgomery Mall are taught on the Surface Tablet (Microsoft) or you may bring a laptop computer. Classes at this location will be taught by Microsoft personnel.

WINDOWS8: FUNDAMENTALS OF YOUR WINDOWS DEVICE

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 6 # 314 Tues Jan 20 8:30-10:00am # 315 Tues Mar 17 8:30-10:00am

EXCEL 2013: FUNDAMENTALS

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 6 # 316 Tues Feb 3 8:30-10:00am # 317 Tues Mar 31 8:30-10:00am

POWERPOINT 2013: FUNDAMENTALS

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 1 session Limit: 6 Fee: $20 # 318 Tues Feb 17 8:30-10:00am # 319 Tues Apr 14 8:30-10:00am

WORD 2013: FUNDAMENTALS

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 6 # 320 Tues Mar 3 8:30-10:00am # 321 Tues Apr 28 8:30-10:00am

®

Looking for Volunteers

JCA SeniorTech

Are you a senior looking for volunteer opportunities? Do you have computer skills you want to share?

Jewish Council for the Aging® (JCA) is looking for senior volunteers to teach and coach computer classes in Montgomery County and Northern Virginia.

For more info, contact us at seniortech@accessjca.org or call 240-395-0916.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

DESCRIPTION AND GUIDELINES

The Microsoft operating systems vary by site and include Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1. Classes are designed to help older adults, 50+, refresh or advance their computer skills and learn to use social media. Courses are taught by volunteer instructors and coaches. Courses are almost always “hands on” in which students practice skills and techniques on a computer during class.

ATTENTION:

Instruction, course materials and all computer language settings are in

English.

Courses are taught with Windows computers.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

SENIORTECH REGISTRATION FORM

COMPUTER TRAINING

WAYS TO REGISTER:

BY MAIL:

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

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

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

Student ID (Office use only)_______________

I WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER FOR: Class #

Class Title

Location

Start Date

Start Time

Fee

#

$

#

$

#

$

#

$

#

$

#

$

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

-

TOTAL $ _________

PAYMENT METHOD:

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

REFUND POLICY: Students who wish to withdraw and receive a full refund must notify JCA at least 48 hours before the first class begins.

A 50% refund is given after the first class.

For more information, call 240-395-0916.

WB2/15

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

Name as it appears on card: ____________________________________________________________

-

-

-

____________ ____________ ____________ _____________

______ /______

__________

Card Number

Exp. Date

Sec. Code

OFFICE USE ONLY Course #_____ Paid_____ Registration #_______ Date________

Course #_____ Paid_____ Registration #_______ Date________

Course #_____ Paid_____ Registration #_______ Date________

Course #_____ Paid_____ Registration #_______ Date________

Course #_____ Paid_____ Registration #_______ Date________

Course #_____ Paid_____ Registration #_______ Date________

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

✃

SeniorTech

9

Technology & Innovations

JCA SENIORTECH

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Holy Cross Germantown Hospital is now open.

For over 50 years, Holy Cross Health has been dedicated to improving the health of the communities we serve. Now, Holy Cross Germantown Hospital brings much-needed health care to upper Montgomery County. This new hospital features: – – – – –

A full-service emergency department All private patient rooms with 24/7 visitation Beautiful new maternity suites Medical, surgical and behavioral health services The latest technology and equipment

Holy Cross Germantown Hospital is conveniently located right off I-270. With peaceful views and state-of-the-art technology, you can trust our team to provide a safe and positive healing environment that you’ll want to call your very own.

19801 Observation Drive Germantown, Maryland 20876 301-557-6000

HolyCrossHealth.org

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

11

Say you saw it in the Beacon

REVERSE SHOULDER PAIN A recently developed surgery rebuilds your shoulder joint in reverse

Health Fitness &

BACK IN SHAPE Strengthen your core, sleep more and improve posture to help back pain BONE UP ON VITAMINS Vitamins C, B12, D and K, along with magnesium, help keep bones strong AS YOUNG AS YOU FEEL People who perceive themselves as younger than their years live longer, too

Cancer patients try drugs out on mice first

By Marilynn Marchione Scientists often test drugs in mice. Now some cancer patients are doing the same — with the hope of curing their own disease.

They are paying a private lab to breed mice that carry bits of their own tumors so treatments can be tried first on the customized rodents. The idea is to see which drugs might work best on a particular person’s specific cancer.

The mice may help patients make what can be very hard choices under difficult circumstances. Studies can suggest a certain chemotherapy may help, but patients wonder whether it will work for them.

Often there’s more than one choice, and if the first one fails, a patient may be too sick to try another. So hundreds of people have made “mouse avatars” over the last few years to test chemotherapies.

“What I’m doing is personalized cancer treatment. It’s the wave of the future,” said Eileen Youtie, a Miami woman using mice to guide care for her hard-to-treat form of breast cancer. “Part of this is trying to eliminate chemos that are not going to work on me. I don’t want to waste time taking them and poison my body.”

Still experimental — and expensive But there are no guarantees the mice will help.

“There’s not a lot of science” to say how well this works, and it should be considered highly experimental, said Dr. Len

Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society.

There are some early encouraging reports, he said. One study of 70 patients found the mice generally reflected how well patients responded to various drugs.

Dr. Andrew Gaya of Leaders in Oncology Care, a private clinic in London, helped lead a 70-patient study of avatar mice, and gave results at a cancer conference last September. It looked back at how well mice performed in patients whose outcomes from treatment were already known.

About 70 percent of the time, tests in the mice suggested something that turned out to have helped the patients, he said. And if something had not worked in the mice, it almost never worked in a patient.

But there is no evidence that using mice is any better than care based on medical guidelines or the gene tests that many patients get now to help pick drugs.

Mouse testing costs $10,000 or more, and insurers don’t cover it. It takes several months, so patients usually have to start therapy before mouse results are in.

“I do see promise, but it’s very time-consuming, it’s very expensive. For the average patient, standard care is going to be the way to go,” said Alana Welm, a cancer researcher at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

She gave a talk on mouse avatars in December at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. It was the third major cancer meeting in the last year to feature work on customized cancer mice.

We’ve Moved!

Insight Memory Care Center is now located at:

3953 Pender Drive, Suite 100 Fairfax, VA 22030 Our new center provides a safe and loving environment for those in all stages of dementia and now dedicated spaces for therapy programs, outdoor space, and early stage & education program space!

Grand Opening Party March 4th!

A Baltimore mouse house Several labs breed these mice, but the main supplier to patients has been Champions Oncology, a company based in Hackensack, New Jersey, that also operates in London, Tel Aviv and Singapore. About 7,000 mice are kept in a Baltimore lab with six rooms that resemble stock rooms of a shoe store, with tall shelves that hold row upon row of plastic cages labeled with each cancer patient’s name.

Most mice are white-furred females with beady red eyes, but others are hairless. Some live alone while others climb over one another and sleep in small piles.

All have easy access to food and water, and many bear signs of the tumor graft — a

shaved portion of hair, an incision scar and a lump growing off one side.

Patients have a tumor sample sent to Champions, which charges $1,500 to bank it, plus $2,500 for each drug tested in groups of mice implanted with bits of the tumor.

The tumor grafts are under the mouse skin — not in places where the cancer normally occurs, such as the pancreas or lungs, and therefore don’t reflect the human tumor’s environment.

Most patients try three to five drugs and spend $10,000 to $12,000, said Champions’ chief medical officer, Dr. Angela Davies.

Youtie spent $30,000 “because I want them See MOUSE TEST, page 12

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At an Erickson Living® retirement community, winter is always warm and wonderful. With predictable bills, an abundance of activities, and no maintenance concerns, you can relax and enjoy the season.

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To subscribe, see page 53.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Mouse test From page 11 to test all the possible drugs,” even some for other types of cancer.

Reuven Moser, a 71-year-old man from Tel Aviv, Israel, said his avatar mice confirmed that drugs prescribed for colon cancer that had spread to his liver were a good option.

“Most of the time the oncologists want to follow a protocol, but they don’t know how it will affect the patient,” Moser said.

“It was very reassuring” to see the mice respond, he said.

Not perfect, but best for now Mice have some drawbacks, said Dr. Benjamin Neel, director of research at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto and a spokesman for the American Association for Cancer Research.

The mice have highly impaired immune systems so they can tolerate the human tu-

mors. That means they don’t reflect how a person’s immune system would respond to a treatment and cannot be used to test immunotherapies.

“Even if it turns out these have real value,” they’re likely to be eclipsed by newer advances, such as ways to grow tumor cells in a lab dish that take only a few weeks, he said.

But for now, mice seem the best bet, along with gene testing and her doctors’ advice, said Youtie, the Miami woman with breast cancer.

Her mouse testing suggested that either of two drugs would be effective, so she chose the one thought to have fewer side effects on the heart. She recently finished chemotherapy, is about to finish radiation treatment, and said she does not feel guilty about using the mice.

“Animal abuse? I don’t look at it that way,” she said. “It’s not testing cosmetics.

It’s trying to save my life.”

— AP

BEACON BITS

Feb. 19

CARDIOLOGY SEMINAR Potomac Community

Village presents a cardiology seminar on Thursday, Feb. 19 in honor of Valentine’s Day. Dr. Allen Nimetz will present “Hold on to Your Heart!

Here’s How...” at St. James Episcopal Church, 11815 Seven Locks Rd., Potomac, Md. from 7:15 to 9 p.m.

Parking is at the back, and the meeting room is on the lower level. For more information, visit www.potomaccommunityvillage.org or call (240) 221-1370.

CHABAD 4C

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

13

Option ‘reverses’ typical joint surgery

By Dr. John W. Sperling Dear Mayo Clinic: I have severe arthritis in my shoulder. I recently found out my rotator cuff is also torn. I can’t lift my arm much anymore without a lot of pain.

My doctor recommends reverse shoulder arthroplasty. What does this surgery involve? How successful is it for someone in my situation?

Answer: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is surgery used to replace a damaged shoulder joint. The procedure differs from standard shoulder replacement surgery because it switches the shoulder’s normal ball-and-socket structure around to allow for more stability in the joint after surgery.

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is particularly useful for people like you who have a damaged rotator cuff along with shoulder arthritis. In such cases, this surgery often can effectively reduce pain and increase shoulder mobility.

Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround your shoulder joint. They hold the joint in place and help you raise your arm. When tendons in the rotator cuff tear, it often leads to pain and weakness in the shoulder joint.

In some cases, torn rotator cuff tendons can be surgically repaired. But when they are severely damaged, especially if arthritis also affects the joint, reverse shoulder arthroplas-

ty may be a better treatment choice.

How the surgery is performed In your natural shoulder joint, the top of your arm bone fits into a socket on your shoulder blade. During reverse shoulder arthroplasty, that ball-and-socket mechanism is reversed.

A surgeon attaches an artificial ball to the shoulder blade. An artificial socket is attached to the top of the arm bone. The new socket is fitted against the new ball to allow smooth movement.

The tissue is sewn together around the joint, and the incision is closed. After surgery, the large deltoid muscle that covers your shoulder typically is able to move the arm.

The surgery usually takes one to two hours and requires an overnight hospital stay. As with all surgeries, reverse shoulder arthroplasty carries some risks, including bleeding and infection.

After the surgery, you need to have your arm in a soft sling for several weeks. Physical therapy is often recommended after reverse shoulder arthroplasty, but most people can complete that therapy at home.

The stitches placed during surgery dissolve on their own, so a follow-up procedure to remove them is not necessary. Full recovery can take up to several months.

The results from reverse shoulder arthroplasty usually are quite good. In ap-

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

SENIOR WOMEN’S SOFTBALL

The Golden Girls Senior Women’s softball league is looking for women 40+ to play on its 4-team league playing Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings in Vienna, Va. Learning skills, physical exercise, and good sportsmanship are stressed, all while having fun. For more info, go to www.goldengirls.org.

proximately 90 percent of cases, people who have this surgery experience significant pain relief, and their ability to move their arm increases substantially.

New technique; experience counts Compared to other forms of joint replacement surgery, such as hip and knee replacement, reverse shoulder arthroplasty is relatively new.

It was introduced in the United States in 2004, although it was available in Europe for about a decade prior to that. Currently in the U.S., only a handful of specialty healthcare facilities, including Mayo Clinic, do a high volume of these surgeries each year.

With that in mind, if you decide to pursue reverse shoulder arthroplasty, it is a

good idea to find an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulder replacement and who is familiar with performing this specific type of shoulder surgery.

In the hands of an experienced surgeon, reverse shoulder arthroplasty can be a very effective treatment option for people in your situation who are dealing with both a rotator cuff injury and shoulder arthritis.

— John W. Sperling, M.D., Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org. © 2015 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All Rights Reserved Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Medicare pays to coordinate chronic care

By Lauran Neergaard Adjusting medications before someone gets sick enough to visit the doctor. Updat-

ing outside specialists so one doctor’s prescription doesn’t interfere with another’s.

Starting in January, Medicare pays pri-

Voted #1 in Prince William County

mary care doctors a monthly fee to better coordinate care for the most vulnerable seniors — those with multiple chronic illnesses — even if they don’t have a face-toface exam.

The goal is to help patients stay healthier between doctor visits, and avoid pricey hospitals and nursing homes.

“We all need care coordination.

Medicare patients need it more than ever, “ said Sean Cavanaugh, deputy administrator at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

About two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries have two or more chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease. Their care is infamously fragmented. They tend to visit numerous doctors for different illnesses.

Too often, no one oversees their overall health — making sure multiple treatments don’t mix badly, that X-rays and other tests aren’t repeated just because one doctor didn’t know another already had ordered them, and that nothing falls between the cracks.

A new strategy

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Experience Makes a Difference.

Medicare’s new fee, which is about $40 a month per qualified patient, marks a big policy shift. Usually, the program pays for services in the doctor’s office.

“We’re hoping to spur change, getting physicians to be much more willing to spend time working on the needs of these patients without necessitating the patient to come into the office, “ Cavanaugh told the Associated Press.

To earn the new fee, doctors must come up with a care plan for qualified patients, and spend time each month on such activities as coordinating their care with other health providers and monitoring their medications. Also, patients must have a way to reach someone with the care team who can access their health records 24 hours a day, for proper evaluation of an after-hours complaint.

Many primary care physicians already do some of that.

“Quite honestly, I just didn’t get paid for

it, “ said Dr. Robert Wergin, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Wergin estimates he spends about two hours a day doing such things as calling elderly patients who have a hard time visiting his office in rural Milford, Neb. Say someone with heart failure reports a little weight gain, a possible sign of fluid buildup but not enough to make the patient call for an appointment. Wergin might adjust the medication dose over the phone, and urge an in-person exam in a few days if that doesn’t solve the problem.

The new fee could enable physicians to hire extra nurses or care managers to do more of that preventive work, Wergin said.

Patients must agree to care coordination; the fee is subject to Medicare’s standard deductible and coinsurance. Wergin plans to explain it as, “This is how we’re going to hopefully manage your illnesses better at home. “

Time-consuming work But for some patients, care coordination can require a lot more work.

It’s like being a quarterback, Dr. Matthew Press wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine last summer in describing the 80 days between diagnosing a man’s liver cancer and his surgery. The internist, while at Weill Cornell Medical College, sent 32 emails and had eight phone calls with the patient’s 11 other physicians. That’s something CMS’ Cavanaugh said a doctor in private practice would find hard to squeeze in.

The chronic care management fee is one of multiple projects Medicare has underway in hopes of strengthening primary care, and in turn save money. For example, about 500 practices in a demonstration project involving Medicare and private insurers are receiving monthly payments, averaging $20 a patient, to improve care management and coordination for everyone, not just those at high risk.

Stay tuned: Medicare is tracking data on quality and costs to see if the experiment is working — AP

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Which moisturizers are effective in winter?

Dr. Howard LeWine Q: My skin is very dry and itchy, especially in winter. There are so many moisturizers to choose from. How do I pick one?

A: Regularly applying a good moisturizer is an important part of skin care. Moisturizers can soothe dry skin and help relieve itching. Also, wrinkles will be less noticeable, even though the effect is only temporary.

Indeed, there are lots of products available. Most moisturizers contain water,

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glycerin, petrolatum, stearic acid, and propylene glycol and/or lanolin. Finding one that’s right for you may mean trying a few different products.

Simple petroleum jelly is one of the most effective moisturizers, especially when used right after bathing to seal in moisture. It’s also one of the least expensive. However, many people dislike using petroleum jelly on their faces because it looks and feels greasy.

Instead, creams and lotions that contain some water are a better choice for a facial

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moisturizer. Many of them are humectants. These are oil-free moisturizers that bind water to skin, so the smoothing, softening effects may last longer.

Some moisturizers contain botanical ingredients, such as jojoba oil, coconut oil, safflower oil or linoleic acid. These ingredients tend to help maintain the skin’s outer layer of keratin and keep skin supple.

Manufacturers often add cetyl alcohol, palmitic acid and/or dimethicone to moisturizers. These ingredients lend a creamy, velvety, or translucent look and feel to the product.

If you’re frequently outdoors, look for a moisturizer that also provides protection from sunlight. Choose one with at least an SPF of 30 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Think twice if you’re considering a skin toner. Many of these contain drying, irritating ingredients like alcohol or acetone.

Some also contain highly acidic citrus, camphor or menthol.

Q. Over the past couple of years, I’ve had to get up at night more to urinate. Now it’s happening two to three times every night. What could cause this?

A. When a person needs to get out of bed to urinate two times or more at night, doctors call it nocturia. There are some medical reasons for nocturia that you and your doctor should consider. The more common ones are: 1. An enlarged prostate in a man. An enlarged prostate can push on the bladder or urethra causing a more frequent urge to urinate.

2. Diabetes mellitus. Some of the excess sugar in the bloodstream “spills over” into the urine. Your body makes extra urine to remove it.

3. A bladder problem. Inflammation from a urinary tract infection or interstitial cystitis can cause you to urinate more often.

4. A medicine. Water pills (diuretics) are the most common medicines that cause nocturia.

Less common causes include: 1. Water retention in the legs (edema).

Fluid that builds up in the legs during the daytime may move to the kidneys at night.

2. A high blood calcium level. Much like sugar, excess calcium prompts your body to make more urine to get rid of the calcium.

3. A kidney problem. Some kidney conditions cause excessive amounts of water loss through the urine.

4. Too little antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Without this hormone, the body can’t hold on to water. The condition is called diabetes insipidus.

Other than edema, the other medical problems almost always cause frequent urination during the day, as well as at night.

There may be simpler explanations for nocturia. You could be drinking too much water and other fluids late in the day. Drink enough to quench your thirst and maintain good hydration, but drink as little as possible within four to five hours of bedtime.

Also consider your use of alcohol and caffeine, especially in the evening. Both of these drinks increase urine output by the kidneys.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is a practicing internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and chief medical editor of internet publishing at Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Medical School.

For additional consumer health information, please visit www.health.harvard.edu. © 2015 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Antidepressants provide relief gradually

By Dr. Michael Reese Dear Mayo Clinic: How soon after starting on antidepressants should I begin to feel better? What type of changes will I notice?

It’s been three weeks and I don’t feel like my depression has lessened. If anything, it seems to be getting worse.

Do I need to try another medication?

Answer: Many people who start taking an antidepressant begin to see some improvement in their symptoms within several weeks. But for others, it may take longer.

The changes are not immediate or sudden, so you may not notice them much at first. Because of that, it’s important to give the medicine time to work. Anytime you feel symptoms of depression getting worse, however, contact your healthcare provider.

As with all medications, you need to take an antidepressant at an adequate dose for an adequate length of time to see the most benefit. Typically, four to six weeks is a reasonable amount of time to use an antidepressant and decide if it is effective for you.

In most cases, the improvement you get from an antidepressant is gradual, and the benefits may be subtle. For example, if tearfulness is a common symptom for you, it might become less frequent. But it’s unlikely to disappear right away.

If anxiety is a persistent problem, it may

slowly diminish and your interest in returning to hobbies and other activities may gradually increase.

Sometimes family members and friends may notice that you’re doing better before you feel significantly better. With that in mind, try not to rely only on your own perspective. Consider asking the people around you what their impressions are, too.

If you don’t see any improvement within four to six weeks, then it may be time for another approach. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you continue taking the same medication, but increase the dose.

It’s possible that taking another type of medication along with an antidepressant may be helpful. This is called augmentation. The purpose is to use an additional medicine, such as lithium, to boost the effects of the antidepressant.

In addition to medication, adding another type of therapy to your treatment plan may be useful, as well. For example, psychotherapy, also known as counseling or talk therapy, often can be effective treatment for depression.

Several kinds of psychotherapy are available. Your healthcare provider can help you decide which one may be right for you.

Switching to a different antidepressant is an option, too. Usually a medication from a class of drugs known as selective serotonin

reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, is the first line of treatment for depression. These include medications such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft).

Other types of antidepressants are available, though, if SSRIs are not effective for you. Among them are drugs known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, and norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors, or NDRIs. Studies have shown most antidepressants to be comparable across classes. That means there’s no need for you to be on one certain type of antidepressant. You can work with your healthcare provider to find the one that best fits your needs and circumstances.

Communication with your healthcare provider is key to developing an effective

plan for treating depression. It’s important that you feel comfortable talking with him or her about your symptoms and how you’re doing. If you don’t feel you have good rapport with your provider, or if communication is challenging, you may want to consider seeking a second opinion.

Also, keep in mind that if your symptoms get worse at any point, it’s critical for you to contact your provider to reassess your situation. The two of you can then decide if you need to make changes to your treatment plan right away.

— Michael Reese, M.D., Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. © 2014 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

“Shouldn’t my rehabilitation program help me reach my potential?”

After an illness, injury or surgery, you need someone by your side more than ever—a team of professional caregivers whose sole mission is to help you return to the life you love most. You tell us your rehabilitation goals, and we’ll partner with you to create a holistic wellness plan that is tailored to you.

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9701 Veirs Drive | Rockville, MD 20850 | 301-354-4600 | www.mypotentialrehab.org The Village at Rockville is sponsored by National Lutheran Communities & Services, a faith-based, not-for-profit ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving people of all beliefs.

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Physical fitness essential for healthy back With changes in the spine that come with aging, occasional backaches may grow more frequent and blossom into a chronic and disabling pain condition.

But this doesn’t have to happen to you.

To maintain the best back health possible, you have to address both the body and the mind, said Dr. Zacharia Isaac, a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass.

“Cardiovascular and strength training are good basic prevention to keep your back healthy,” Isaac said. “Because of the brain’s involvement with back pain, maintaining a good sleep cycle and good emotional state are also very important.”

Tips 1. Don’t baby your back.

It’s important to respond to back pain constructively.

“Acute back pain flare-ups are so painful that most people start to baby their backs,” Isaac said. “If people tend to shrink too much from their daily activity level, they get de-conditioned.” In turn, de-conditioning can lead to worse pain and disability.

“Neurological changes happen that sensitize you to the pain,” Dr. Isaac said. “That feeds into a cycle of more avoidance of activity and more de-conditioning.”

When you have a sore back, avoid extended bed rest. Slowly transition back to your usual activities.

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“It’s important to maintain normalcy,” Isaac said. “Get up and walk around the house. Try to do light tasks. Maintain moderate activity.”

2. Strengthen your core.

Strengthen the muscles that support the lower spine as an insurance policy.

“Moderate exercise is very helpful,” Isaac said. “Many people who are moderate exercisers have fewer musculoskeletal problems.”

Ask your doctor to suggest daily back exercises appropriate to your condition, or ask for a referral to a physical therapist to teach you the most effective exercises to prevent back pain.

3. Stay limber.

If the muscles that support the lower spine become tight, it can make pain worse.

Trouble generally develops in the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic girdle, which allow you to bend and twist at the waist.

“When the hip girdle is unbalanced, you have more flare-ups of back pain,” Isaac said.

Learn some stretches to keep your pelvic girdle limber. Some of the same exercises often recommended for routine back pain will help, but a physical therapist can carefully assess your specific musculoskeletal issues and prescribe stretches to release the tension.

4. Straighten up.

Poor posture can put stress on the back

and trigger back pain. Don’t slouch when you sit. If you are slouching or leaning because of ongoing pain, loosening the hip girdle with stretching exercises may help.

“That allows you to stand more upright and put less mechanical strain on the low back,” Isaac said.

5. Get some sleep.

Getting restful sleep is essential for anyone with back problems because sleep deprivation sensitizes you to pain.

“When you have poor sleep, it also alters brain chemistry and you’re more prone to developing a chronic pain state,” Isaac said.

6. Stay positive and relax.

People who are depressed and anxious tend to have worse back problems. And of course back pain itself can get you down.

Like sleep deprivation, blue moods and anxiety can make you more sensitive to pain.

Relaxing deep-breathing exercises can help relieve the stress of a back pain flareup. If you are getting depressed, anxious or hopeless about your condition, ask for more help from your doctor.

Think of the flare-up as a temporary setback, and focus on what you will be able to do in the future to make back pain a less frequent companion in your life.

— Harvard Men’s Health Watch © 2015. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 13

VALENTINE’S BEREAVEMENT WORKSHOP

Montgomery Hospice presents “Forever Yours,” a special workshop for widows, widowers and life partners who want to honor and remember their loved ones on Valentine’s Day. This free program runs from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and is open to any Montgomery County resident. Montgomery Hospice is located at 1355 Piccard Dr., Rockville, Md. Registration is required.

For more information, call (301) 921-4400.

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2015 Community Seminar Series Offers Insight on Living Well rooke Grove Retirement Village (BGRV) is pleased to launch its seventh year of Living Well Community Seminars beginning in February. Designed to help participants navigate a variety of healthcare and personal challenges, this year’s series offers an impressive array of experts ready to offer insight on topics that range from heart-healthy cooking to getting a good night’s sleep.

B

necessarily replace pills, but developing them will allow you to talk confidently and develop a partnership with your physician.

To attend any of these seminars, please RSVP to Director of Marketing Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org by the Monday prior to each seminar.

Each free, monthly presentation will be held from 7 to 8:15 p.m. in the terrace level conference room of Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and will be preceded by a complimentary light supper at 6:30 p.m. They are open to the public as well as to members of the BGRV family.

The seminar series will kick off on Wednesday, February 18, with a “Matters of the Heart: Heart-Healthy Cooking Demo.”

It’s a new year, and it’s not always easy to stay committed to a healthier lifestyle. Join Warman Home Care and Personal Chef Nikki Haddad to learn how easy it is to keep your resolution by incorporating nutritious, delicious ingredients into your eating plan for a healthier you in 2015.

You’ll “Take Control and Get a Good Night’s Sleep” with the help of Certified Professional Life Coach Suzanne Rosetti of Work Life Destinations, LLC. During her Wednesday, March 18, presentation, she’ll explore the things that keep us from falling asleep and the simple lifestyle adjustments that can break negative sleep cycles.

Holistic Pharmacist Brian Sanderoff, director of the Well Being Healing Center, will take the podium on Wednesday, April 15, to answer the question “What’s Your Stress Type?” Science has proven that every chronic disease can be caused by, or negatively impacted upon, by daily stress.

Discover the five major stress types and the specific tools for addressing each one that can put you on the path to better health.

During “Unlocking Your Inner Pharmacy: Pills and Skills” on Wednesday, May 13, Certified Health Coach Spring George of the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute will discuss lifestyle choices that can help improve certain medical conditions, such as inflammation and high blood pressure. Skills do not

For more information about Brooke Grove, call

301-260-2320 18131 Slade School Road • Sandy Spring, MD 20860

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Health Studies Page

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Studying supplements to improve memory

By Barbara Ruben Can supplements made from red grape skin and tomato extract help enhance memory? That’s the question Dr. Majid Fotuhi, founder and chief medical officer of NeurExpand, a medical practice that works to help improve cognitive function in older adults, is trying to answer.

He is studying if and how the supplements resveratrol (derived from grapes) and Fruitflow (from tomatoes) can help people with mild memory loss. The supplements may help improve blood flow to the brain, which in turn might improve brain function, according to Fotuhi.

Previous studies (not by Fotuhi) have

found that patients taking NSAID pain relievers like ibuprofen and aspirin, combined with vitamins E and C , did better on cognitive tests. DHA, a fatty acid found in fish and algae, has also been shown to help.

Now Fotuhi is looking at other supplements that might support brain health.

“People are always asking me what they can take. I don’t want to recommend anything without clinical studies showing a benefit,” Fotuhi said.

Volunteers sought

Concerned about MEMORY? Interested in free exercise training?

Under a grant from the NIH/National Institutes on Aging, we are looking for MEN and POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN AGE 55 and OVER, who are relatively sedentary (low regular physical activity).

This study will Evaluate the Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Memory You will undergo testing at no charge to you, including: • general physical/cardiovascular exams • brain imaging and memory assessment • cholesterol and diabetes tests You will also receive fully supervised and individualized aerobic exercise training as well as nutrition education.

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The NeurExpand study is now recruiting people ages 50 to 80 with concerns about their memory.

“We are looking for people who forget names, forget where their keys are, but are otherwise functioning OK,” he said.

The three-month-long study takes place at NeurExpand offices in Baltimore and Howard County, but only requires three visits.

During the study, participants will be randomly divided into four groups. One group will take 150 mg. each day of resVida, a resveratrol supplement. The second group will take 150 mg. each day of Fruitflow-II The third group will take both supplements, and the fourth group will take a placebo, or a pill with no active ingredients. Neither the researchers nor the patients will know who is in which group.

Fotuhi wants to see if taking both supplements might have a synergistic effect, similar to the study of NSAIDs and vitamins C and E, in which those taking a combination had much better results.

What the study entails During the first study visit, participants will take several tests to assess their memory and cognitive skills, as well as cardiovascular fitness testing, including a stress

test on a stationary bike.

The next day, participants will have a blood test and have an ultrasound taken of their carotid artery in their neck to assess blood flow to the brain. These tests will be done both before participants take the assigned supplements and three hours after.

After three months, participants will return to repeat many of the same tests.

To qualify for the study, participants must be in good overall health, have a primary care physician and be sedentary or moderately active.

They must also discontinue certain dietary supplements for a month before the study starts. These include the supplements in the study, fish oil, seed oils, ginkgo biloba, ginseng and DHA. Those in the study may not drink more than two glasses of wine per day.

Those with major neurological and psychiatric diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis, cannot take part in the study. Those in the study also cannot have uncontrolled high blood pressure, low platelets, liver failure, renal failure or bleeding disorders.

Taking supplements to support memory is just a small part of what Fotuhi recommends to maintain brain health. The most important factor is exercise, he said.

He also recommends a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods and trans fats (“No donuts, no French fries” he admonishes). Adequate sleep and learning new things are also important.

“Of course, all this is easier said than done,” he concedes. “Supplements are just an added factor that will make you even better.”

As for the supplements in the current study, “If the trial shows positive results, I am going to start taking them,” Fotuhi said.

For more information, call (410) 494-0193 or see www.neurexpand.com.

Tell them you saw it in the Beacon!

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

21

Your bones need more than just calcium

By Kara Lydon, R.D When you think about bone nutrition, you probably think of calcium first. And rightly so: A solid body of research suggests that you should meet your daily calcium needs (1,000 - 1,200 milligrams) for optimal bone health.

With 54 million Americans suffering from osteoporosis, it’s important to do all you can to feed your bones to prevent this debilitating condition.

Get these nutrients, too The promising news is that a host of other nutrients are emerging as potential nutrients for optimal bone health, as well.

These include: 1. Magnesium. Fifty to 60 percent of magnesium in the body is located in the bone, so it makes sense that magnesium influences bone formation. Recent research suggests that magnesium deficiency could be a risk factor for osteoporosis.

A 2014 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that lower magnesium intake is associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD), while a 2010 issue of Biological Trace Element Research found that magnesium supplementation at 90 percent of the RDA suppressed bone loss in postmenopausal women.

The National Institutes of Health concurs that diets that provide the recommended amount of magnesium can enhance bone health, but cautions that further research is needed to fully understand the role it plays in osteoporosis prevention.

2. Vitamin C. Widely recognized for its role in maintaining a healthy immune system, vitamin C also is a major player in bone development. The current literature on the relationship between vitamin C, bone metabolism and osteoporosis in humans is outdated and inconsistent, but re-

cent animal studies show promising findings.

Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine reported that vitamin C had a positive effect on preventing bone loss in mice, which could translate to humans.

3. Vitamin B12. This vitamin is best known for its neurological functions, but it also may affect bone formation. A 2013 review in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism found an association between low B12 levels and low BMD. Similarly, Turkish researchers found a significant association between B12 levels, BMD and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

4. Vitamin D plays an essential role in calcium absorption. Insufficient levels can lead to rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults. A 2012 meta-analysis in the New England Journal of Medicine found that supplementation of at least 800 International Units (IU) of vitamin D reduced the risk of hip and non-vertebral fractures.

5. Vitamin K also has gained attention recently for its role in bone health. A 2014 review in the Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics confirmed a link between vitamin K intake and reduced risk of fractures.

canned tuna, fortified orange juice, egg 5. Vitamin K 90, 120 mcg. Sources: collard greens, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green leaf lettuce, kale, Swiss chard

Our Mission: To secure the well-being of Montgomery County Seniors through the shared strength of diverse organizations and individuals.

Professionals working with seniors are invited to our Monthly GROWS meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 8:15 a.m. usually at Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Dr., Wheaton, Md.

Networking Extravaganza: Speak 1-on-1 with at least 30 professionals!

Thursday, March 5, 2015 • 8-11 am Margaret Schweinhaut Center • 1000 Forest Glen Road • Silver Spring, MD

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FREE COLORECTAL SCREENINGS

Doctors Community Hospital is offering free colorectal screenings if patients are Prince George’s County residents, income-eligible, age 50 or older or age 50 and younger with a history of colorectal cancer. Registration is required. For more information, call (301) 883-3526 or (240) 542-3380.

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Fortified foods: too much of a good thing?

By Marsha McCulloch, MS, RD Should you choose instant, flavored oatmeal fortified with eight vitamins and minerals or traditional rolled oats? Canned pasta with added calcium or unfortified whole wheat spaghetti?

At first glance, it may appear fortified foods offer more nutrition for your dollar.

But some experts warn that the added vitamins and minerals often aren’t needed, and too much of a good thing increases risk of harm. Fortification also may trick

BEACON BITS

Feb. 12

VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY

Olney Assisted Living is having a “Then & Now Valentine’s Day Extravaganza” on Thursday, Feb. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. Guests will share their favorite old wedding photos as well as more recent pictures of them with their sweetheart. Open to both residents and the general public. Olney Assisted Living is located at 16940 Georgia Ave., Olney, Md. For more information or to participate, call (301) 570-0525.

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Much is marketing hype What began as a thoughtful practice to correct common deficiencies, or to replace nutrients lost during food processing, seems to have evolved into a “willy-nilly, nutrient-of-the-day” approach, said Mara Vitolins, R.D., co-author of a July 2014 article on fortification in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.

“For example, adding folic acid to bread and other grain products to help prevent neural tube birth defects makes sense, but adding 100 percent of a dozen vitamins and minerals to a single bowl of cereal is unnecessary,” Vitolins said.

Pass up packaged foods that promote the vitamins and minerals inside, yet have sugar as one of the first few ingredients, advised David Katz, MD, MPH, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center.

“Instead, opt for foods that have nutritional value to begin with, such as dairy products that may be enhanced by adding nutrients that tend to be deficient in the American diet, such as vitamin D,” Katz said.

Balance, variety and moderation

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“When you take in excess nutrients, your liver has to process the surplus so the body can get rid of it,” Vitolins said. An over-supply of water-soluble vitamins, such as the B vitamins and vitamin C, is disposed of in the urine. Even so, short-term symptoms, such as rashes and nausea linked with excess niacin (vitamin B3), are of concern.

An over-supply of fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A and D, is stored in the body, so toxicity risk is greater. Nutrient imbalances also are possible. For example, too much zinc can interfere with absorp-

tion of copper and iron.

According to a June 2014 Environmental Working Group (EWG) report, young kids are especially at risk of getting potentially harmful amounts of vitamin A, zinc, and niacin, which is in part due to excessive food fortification and nutrition labeling largely focused on adults. The EWG advises staying away from foods with more than 20 to 25 percent of the daily value of these three nutrients when feeding children.

Vitolins urges consumers to ask their doctor about lab testing to help determine whether they might be falling short of a nutrient, such as vitamin D or iron, rather than guessing.

“Some women need supplemental iron because they menstruate, but a man typically doesn’t need extra iron. Men are generally better off passing up iron-fortified cereal,” she said. “At the very least, if you buy a highly fortified food such as cereal, vary your intake with other choices during the week. Don’t take a high dose supplement for nutrients you’re already consuming in fortified foods.”

Be aware that fortified, packaged foods also can squeeze out naturally nutrientrich vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, and whole grains.

“These foods have thousands of nutrient compounds in them, many of which haven’t even been named yet, but that may have important health benefits,” Katz said.

“These nutrients also may work in concert with one another, providing greater benefits together than alone.”

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC, 800-829-5384. www.EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2015 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed

by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 24

The Solana® Olney, a Brookdale® managed community, offers senior living solutions from the nation’s leader in senior accommodations and related services. Stop by and discover all the places life can go at The Solana Olney.

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BENEFITS OF ACUPUNCTURE

Nurse practitioner Rebecca Reynolds will introduce the art of acupuncture and its benefits in a free information session on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Walter Reed Senior Center, 2909 S. 16th St., Arlington, Va. Newcomers are welcome. To register, call (703) 228-0955.

Ongoing

LONG-TERM CARE ADVOCATES

The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteer advocates to assist residents in assisted living and nursing facilities.

Training is provided in March. For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ltc, email Lisa.Callahan@fairfaxcounty.gov, or call (703) 324-5861, TTY 711.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

23

Supplements can help you quit smoking I overheard a family talking at the table options, but they don’t work for everyone. next to mine. The son, who looked 35 So today, I’m sharing some ideas that inyears old, snapped, “Cut me some slack, I clude dietary supplement options you can only smoke three cigarettes a day!” find at a health food store. I still insist you I debated whether or not I should in- get your medical practitioner’s approval trude upon their conversabefore using these, because I tion, and eventually decided can’t possibly know what’s not to. Everything I want to right for each of you. tell him, I shall now tell you.

These are just consideraEven if you smoke fewer tions, and they do have side than five cigarettes a day, you effects of their own: damage your heart. There’s a SAMe (S adenosylmetwo- to four-fold increase in thionine). Your body makes heart disease and stroke from this natural amino acid, but smoking. It causes more than you can also buy SAMe as a 480,000 deaths each year in dietary supplement in the DEAR the United States.

United States. With your PHARMACIST Second-hand smoke is the physician’s approval, the startBy Suzy Cohen combination of smoke from ing dosage of 200 mg. is taken the burning end of a cigarette twice daily on an empty stomas well as the smoke breathed out by a ach (one hour before a meal). Slowly insmoker. It’s no less dangerous for you than crease it by 200 mg. every few days until smoking, because it contains over 7,000 you get up to 400 to 600 mg. taken one hour before meals two or three times daily. chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic.

If it makes you irritable, you’re taking too Not easy to quit much.

Smokers have a difficult time quitting.

After you’ve been on SAMe for a while, There’s a billion-dollar market for nicotine and you’ve achieved a dose of at least 400 patches, lozenges, gums and prescription mg. twice daily, you can try adding anothdrugs like Chantix. These are certainly good er natural amino acid, Tyrosine, about 200

BEACON BITS

Feb. 26

to 500 mg. twice a day, one hour before eating. The net effect should make you feel good, and stop the crave for nicotine.

5HTP (5 Hydroxytryptophan). This is another natural amino acid that creates more serotonin, just like the prescription drugs sertraline and fluoexetine.

If you’re on an antidepressant, then a low dosage of 25 to 50 mg. should be okay.

If you do not take antidepressant medications, then a higher dose, like 100 to 300 mg. once or twice a day, might be acceptable. Before beginning, read about potential adverse reactions, such as “serotonin syndrome.”

Lecithin. This naturally occurring compound is a good source of choline, which helps stabilize cell membranes. It’s often

(but not always) derived from soy. The dosage is 500 to 1000 mg. twice daily.

So now you have several options, and effective combinations vary from person to person. Some of you might benefit from tyrosine alone, or just SAMe, or perhaps lecithin.

Whatever combination you try, include a little vitamin C, since smoking depletes that antioxidant.

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

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

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THE EYE-HEART CONNECTION

Learn how the eyes are a window into the health of your heart and blood vessels. Enjoy this Vision Support Lunch & Learn with cardiologist Miriam Fishman from Cardiology and Internal Medicine, P.A., and ophthalmologist Lauren Taney from Washington Eye Physicians and Surgeons. This free event will be held on Thursday, Feb. 26 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 South Park Ave., Chevy Chase, Md. For more information, visit YourEyes.org/events. To register and reserve a light lunch, call (301) 656-2797.

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

The value of vinegar or soup with meals Q: Is it true that vinegar helps control blood sugar?

A: Research is intriguing but remains inconclusive on the link between vinegar and lower blood sugar.

Several controlled trials — in healthy people and those with diabetes — have found that when people consume about two teaspoons of vinegar with a high-carbohydrate meal, the rise in blood sugar and insulin following the meal are lower than after a similar meal without vinegar.

However, further investigation is needed to confirm this effect, since some studies have shown no benefit. Human trials have been small and short-term, and theories about how this works are mostly based on animal studies.

Vinegar’s effect on reducing the rise in blood sugar following a meal seems to be strongest when the meal is high in carbohydrates but low in fiber. High-fiber meals often lead to a slower rise in blood sugar

anyway, and vinegar seems to have minimal additional effect on blood sugar after those meals — which are the sort of meals that overall tend to best promote good health.

Keep in mind that a major influence on unhealthy elevations in blood sugar and insulin resistance comes from being overweight and a lack of physical activity. So continue working on a healthy lifestyle. The evidence does not support using vinegar as a magic ticket to controlling blood sugar.

Consider any blood sugar or insulin effect a potential side benefit of enjoying a salad with a vinegar-based dressing with meals or enhancing the flavor of cooked vegetables.

Reducing large blood sugar surges is an important step in preventing organ damage from diabetes, and it may help reduce development of insulin resistance and its many negative effects on risk of heart disease and cancer.

Q: Does soup really help you lose Reduced-sodium versions are lower weight? than a “standard” product, but they often A: Some research suggests that start- contain at least 400 to 600 mg. per cup, ing a meal with soup may help fill you up which is definitely not low-sodium. Inenough to reduce the calories stead, you can purchase you consume at the rest of the soups labeled “low sodium.” meal without setting you up to These have no more than 140 overeat later. mg. of sodium per one-cup For this to work, the soup serving. needs to be broth- or vegYou can also make your etable-based, not a high-caloown soup, using commercial rie cheesy or creamy soup. low-sodium broth, no-addedYou are more likely to be salt tomatoes or water, as a successful with this strategy if convenient shortcut. the foods you eat following the Smart use of soup can help soup are served in smaller por- NUTRITION you eat more nutrient-rich tions than your usual amounts, WISE vegetables and cut calories because often overeating is not By Karen Collins, without going hungry. Make due to unsatisfied hunger, but a MS, RD, CDM it a three-way win by also takresponse to big portions. ing steps to avoid sodium You can also use soup as a overload. weight-loss aid by making soup your whole The American Institute for Cancer Remeal. Be sure to include beans, chicken, search offers a Nutrition Hotline, 1-800fish or other lean protein along with a bevy 843-8114, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday of low-calorie vegetables, and perhaps a through Friday. This free service allows you whole grain like brown rice, farro or whole- to ask questions about diet, nutrition and wheat pasta. cancer. A registered dietitian will return For overall health, keep in mind that com- your call, usually within three business days. mercial soup can be very high in sodium, Courtesy of the American Institute for often with 500 to 900 milligrams per one-cup Cancer Research. Questions for this column serving. That’s a lot of sodium in just one may be sent to “Nutrition Wise,” 1759 R St. food, since the suggested maximum is 1500 NW, Washington, DC 20009. Collins cannot to 2300 mg. of sodium for a whole day. respond to questions personally.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 21

FREE GRIEF PRESENTATION

Haven of Northern Virginia is offering a free presentation titled “Journey through Grief,” on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Registration is required. Haven is located at 4606 Ravensworth Rd., Annandale, Va. For more information or to register, visit www.havenofnova.org or call (703) 941-7000.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

25

Feeling younger can help you live longer

By Lindsey Tanner How old do you feel? Think carefully — the answer might help predict how much longer you’ll live. That’s according to British research posing that question to about 6,500 adults. Those who felt younger than their real age lived the longest over the following eight years.

Here are key findings from the study, by researchers Isla Rippon and Andrew Steptoe at University College London. Results were published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Real vs. perceived age The average real age of those questioned was about 66 years. Most adults felt at least three years younger than their real age.

Those who felt younger had the least chances of dying over about eight years after the age question was asked. Adults who felt older than their actual age had the greatest chances of dying in that period.

The researchers analyzed data from a study in England on aging that included information on deaths during a follow-up period that ended in February 2013; deaths totaled 1,030. About 14 percent of the young-

feeling adults died during the follow-up, versus 19 percent of those who felt their actual age and 25 percent of those who felt older.

Feeling older was a predictor of death even when the researchers accounted for things that could affect death rates, including illnesses, wealth, education, smoking, alcohol intake and physical activity. Olderfeeling adults were about 40 percent more likely to die than younger-feeling adults.

The researchers did a separate test, excluding deaths within a year of when the age question was asked. The idea was to see if answers from people already dying might have explained the link between feeling old and death. The link persisted even without those first-year deaths.

Perceived age may change over the years, and there might be ways to reduce chances of death in people who feel older than their actual age. The researchers said that might

include health messages that promote healthy behaviors and attitudes about aging.

To read more about the study, see www.elsa-project.ac.uk.

— AP

Why the link?

It’s possible that health conditions and lifestyle choices that the researchers didn’t study explain why feeling old may help predict death. Or it may be that those who feel younger than their real age have “greater resilience, sense of mastery, and will to live,” the researchers said. They said more study is needed to be certain.

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Try savory vegetable strata for breakfast

By Dana Jacobi To start the day with a great breakfast, I suggest a strata — kind of a cross between French toast and a baked casserole.

This savor y dish includes whole grain, eggs and milk — like in French toast — plus a layer of dark leafy greens.

The greens help you get a good start on

vegetable servings for the day, and make a delicious surprise.

Making a strata requires a span of 24 hours, but takes only about 30 minutes of effort to serve up a creamy, savory, complete meal. Dry bread is best for making a strata, so I start by leaving out slices to dry, which takes only five minutes to set up.

The other big chunk of passive preparation time is letting the strata soak in the refrigerator.

I find the ideal flow is to lay out the bread in the morning the day before serving, and assemble the strata after dinner.

The next morning, the strata comes out of the fridge to warm up toward room temperature while I stumble to pour a first cup of coffee. Then, as I sip my second cup of coffee, it goes into the oven.

Less than an hour later, a hot and comforting dish — combining whole-grain bread, calcium- and protein-rich cheese, and a good serving of vegetables — is ready to serve.

FYI, you can reverse this preparation schedule, by setting out the bread at night and assembling the strata in the morning to serve for dinner. This timing works best on weekends, letting the strata soak all day.

Leftovers can be reheated

Strata with Mixed Greens and Mushrooms

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6 slices multi-grain bread 1 pkg. (5 oz.) fresh baby dark greens (mix of kale, chard, spinach) 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 3/4 cup chopped leek, white part and some pale green 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion 8 oz. white mushrooms, stemmed and finely chopped 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, or 2 tsp. dried thyme Cooking spray 1½ cups (6 oz.) reduced-fat white cheddar cheese, shredded, divided 4 large eggs 2 cups 1-percent milk 1 tsp. dry mustard powder Generous pinch of cayenne pepper Freshly ground black pepper

Lay bread slices out on baking sheet for 4 to 12 hours, turning them occasionally to help the bread dry out.

In large saucepan, boil 2 inches water.

Add greens and cook over medium-high heat for 3 minutes. Drain in colander, then run cold water over greens until they are cool enough to handle, 1 minute. Squeeze excess moisture from greens, then chop finely. Set greens aside.

In medium skillet, heat oil over mediumhigh heat. Add leek and onion and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent, 4 minutes. Add mushrooms and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are moist, 4 minutes. Mix in greens, and cook until mixture is dry and fluffy. Set pan aside.

Coat 8-inch x 8-inch x 2-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange 2 bread slices on bottom of pan. Cut two bread slices in half and fit 2 halves so bread covers bottom of pan completely. Spoon greens and mushroom mixture in even layer over bread.

Sprinkle half the cheese over vegetables. Arrange remaining bread slices and halves to cover filling.

In mixing bowl, whisk eggs until well blended. Add milk, mustard powder, cayenne and black peppers, and whisk to combine.

Pour egg mixture into pan. Sprinkle remaining cheese over strata. Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours to overnight.

To bake strata, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. While oven heats, set strata on counter to come toward room temperature. Bake strata, uncovered, for 40 minutes, or until top is golden, with edges of bread browned and knife inserted into center comes out clean.

Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 6 servings.

Per serving: 247 calories, 10 g. total fat (3 g. saturated fat), 22 g. carbohydrate, 19 g. protein, 3 g. dietary fiber, 405 mg. sodium.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING

Spotlight On Aging VOLUME XXVI, ISSUE 2

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

February 2015

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Compete to Become Ms. Senior D.C.

By John M. Thompson, Ph.D., CPM, FAAMA

Are you a D.C. resident who is age 60 or older and interested in representing your peers as Ms. Senior D.C. 2015? Are you actively involved in your community? Consider becoming a contestant in the next Ms. Senior D.C. Pageant.

Contestants are judged on a personal interview, their philosophy of life, their talent and evening gown presentations. The winner will represent the District of Columbia and compete in the Ms. Senior America Pageant. For more information, visit www.dcoa.dc.gov or call 202-727-8364.

In this month’s edition of “Spotlight on Aging,” I would like to focus the conversation on life after retirement by highlighting Mrs. Alice Thompson, who serves as lead community outreach specialist for the District of Columbia Office on Aging (DCOA). This article is intended for those who are nearing retirement and are considering options for life after their career.

I believe that this is a very important topic, as indicated by the statistics reported by the United Kingdom’s Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA). According to IEA, approximately 40 percent of retirees leaving the workforce suffer from clinical depression, and 60 percent experience a decline in health.

Alice Thompson was one of those individuals who experienced depression despite the fact that she traveled frequently, shopped all of the time, and was a gardener. The depression stemmed from guilt that her friends and family members were working, but she was at home.

Therefore, she decided to make a change in her life. By the time you read this entire article, I hope that you are encouraged to find your new passion in life after retirement that builds upon the talents that you have acquired over the years.

According to AARP, at age 65 (around retirement age), men are expected to live approximately 18 more years, while women, on average, have another 20 years of life. Wow! That is a long time.

And what will you do with that time? Your first reaction may be that you no longer have to follow a schedule. It sounds great to not have to wake up to an alarm clock to get to work at the same time every day, and having the ability to watch television all day (or have the television watch you while you are sleeping).

However, like Alice, many retirees find that after the novelty wears off, they become extremely bored living that way.

Moreover, it is unhealthy for retirees to adopt a sedentary lifestyle, as it could lead to weight gain, which makes one more prone to having chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

As you would only want the best for yourself, let’s now focus our conversation on how you can be a healthy and productive retiree. In my work at DCOA, I meet many seniors who are retired from their jobs. It is so amazing to learn about their careers in government, the private sector, and even Alice Thompson is the lead community outreach specialist for DCOA.

being in business for themselves. Some of these seniors have been retired longer than I have been alive, and that is 40 or more years! These seniors are not just sitting around and allowing time to pass them by, but they are engaged in their communities. It is their time to give back in a very meaningful way, which brings them great satisfaction.

One of those seniors who is now living purposefully is Alice Thompson, whose journey is the epitome of a fruitful and rewarding retirement life. Alice is a healthy, 68 years young seasoned citizen who is so dynamic. She works full time for the District of Columbia Office on Aging, actively engaged in political and civic activities in the District, has many hobbies, and is an avid world traveler.

Alice is a native Washingtonian who spent the first part of her adult life working at the United States Postal Service (USPS). During her 38.5 illustrious years at USPS, she served as acting supervisor for letter carriers and lead window technician. She retired in 2003 and began supporting her family business, which provides ambulatory services for persons living with disabilities.

In addition to working in the family

business, Alice has been involved at the grassroots level with various political campaigns. In 2007, Alice’s political involvement landed her in the Mayor’s Office, where she was responsible for a core team of staff members in Ward 5 tasked with visiting homebound seniors to address their health and social needs. They were also responsible for responding to all community issues, such as rodent infestations, broken sidewalks and dilapidated property. Eventually, Alice came to DCOA, where she has been since 2009.

At DCOA, Alice serves as Lead Community Outreach Specialist, where she is responsible for reaching every District resident 60 or older, persons living with disabilities, and family caregivers to spread the message about the services and programs offered by DCOA. She is able to get the job done by making connections with new churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship. She has a knack for connecting new customers to the agency. As described by one of AARP’s local chapter presidents, “She knows everyone in Washington, D.C.” This is huge, as it enSee DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE, page 28

28

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

D.C. OFFICE

✃

ON

AGING NEWSLETTER

✃

Director’s message From page 27

Upcoming DCOA Performance Oversight Hearing The Committee on Housing and Community Development will conduct a Performance Oversight Hearing chaired by At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds, for the D.C. Office on Aging on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 11 a.m. The hearing will take place in Room

412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Persons wishing to testify about the performance of DCOA may contact Irene Kang at ikang@dccouncil.us or 202-724-8198.

ables the agency to touch more lives in ensuring that District residents receive the necessary services that will help them experience a positive quality of life.

Since coming to DCOA, Alice has partnered with numerous organizations to bring free flu shots to senior centers, churches and other locations across the city. She also hosts the most engaging health fairs, which draw vendors and governmental agencies that provide very useful information to seniors and their caregivers. Many seniors tout about the benefits of attending one of these fairs, and I encourage you to join us at our next one.

Alice’s colleagues at the Office on Aging often describe her as one who has more energy than everyone, including the 20- and 30-year-olds in the agency.

That speaks volumes about Alice’s physical health because her job is very demanding, as it stretches beyond the normal work day as she frequently attends evening Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner meetings, civic association meetings and weekend health fairs. Her day also starts relatively early as she walks Pierre, a playful Bichon Frise, every morning before coming to work.

Beyond her dog, Alice is an avid fish and coral reef keeper. For years, Alice maintained several salt water tanks, but she has finally established a coral reef aquarium that requires a lot of her time and attention. Additionally, Alice maintains a 3-foot deep pond in her backyard, which is home to approximately 13 Japanese koi, which are as long as 18 inches.

Beyond her love for animals, Alice is an avid world traveler who has been to Africa, Europe and Asia, and has been on 28 cruises. Wow! She has seen the world!

Her favorite places are South Africa and Rome. Her time to travel is her opportunity to get away and rejuvenate from her fun but demanding life in Washington, D.C. Alice knows how to maintain a balanced lifestyle, which keeps her productive, positive and healthy.

Alice is married to Mr. Junior Thompson and has two children and three grandchildren.

As you can see, Alice is a model citizen for our older residents in the District of Columbia. Whether it is a paid or a volunteer opportunity, the key is to enable your passion to exude with the activity at hand. When this occurs, you will be motivated to wake up on those days to give of your talents. Our District citizens need you, as they would benefit tremendously from your talents. If you are interested in learning about opportunities to give back, please contact us at the District of Columbia Office on Aging at 202-724-5622.

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D.C. OFFICE

ON

AGING NEWSLETTER

Celebrate Heart Month The month of February is Healthy Heart Month, or National Heart Month.

The month is celebrated each year to bring attention to health concerns related to the heart. While celebrating Valentine’s Day, think of ways you can begin a heart healthy lifestyle and become more aware of the signs and symptoms of heart attacks. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States, claiming approximately 1 million lives annually.

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the “movie heart attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening.

But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often, people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help.

Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening: • Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest

Prepare for Emergencies: Register for Smart911 Have you registered for the enhanced 911 system to prepare your household for an emergency?

Smart911 is a free online safety profile that can provide first responders with vital information on persons that have called 911 for assistance.

Consider signing up today at www.smart911.com or contact the D.C. Office on Aging to request a presentation and registration for your group or organization. Call 202-724-5622 for more information.

pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain. (See accompanying image.)

If you have any of these signs, don’t wait more than five minutes before calling for help. Call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 91-1 or your emergency response number.

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical ser vices (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staffs are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

D.C. OFFICE

ON

AGING NEWSLETTER

Community Calendar February Events

17th • 12:30 p.m.

3rd and 17th • noon In the Feb. 3 D.C. Caregivers Online Chat at Noon, Buddy Moore will share “Personal Care Tips” for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.

Log on for advice, resources and tips to assist you with your caregiving responsibilities. Another chat will take place on Feb. 17. If you are not available at noon, check back at your convenience and hit replay to see the entire chat. Join the discussion at www.dcoa.dc.gov/page/caregiver-chat. For more information, contact Linda Irizarry at 202-535-1442 or linda.irizarry@dc.gov.

19th • 11 a.m.

Iona Senior Services will hold a lunch and learn workshop with print and collage artist Helga Thomson. Thomson’s works are included in private and public collections, including the Library of Congress, in the United States, Argentina, Europe and Central Asia. Iona is located at 4125 Albemarle St. NW. The workshop is free. Call 202-895-9448 for more information.

17th • 7 to 8:45 p.m.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4D will hold a meeting at Truesdell Elementary School. 800 Ingraham St NW. For more information, contact Krystal Branton at 202-255-2970.

5th • 9 to 11 a.m.

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Small Business Resource Center and the D.C. Office on Aging are hosting a Senior Entrepreneur Day. Participants must be 60 or older. The seminar will be held at Bernice Elizabeth Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center, 3531 Georgia Ave. NW. For more information, call 202-727-0338.

18th • 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The D.C. Office on Aging will sponsor a Health, Wellness and Informational Fair at Hayes Senior Wellness Center. 500 K St. NE. Contact: Andre Lane or Sherrell Briscoe at 202-727-0357 for more information.

Enjoy opera? Interested in learning more about it?

Join Iona Senior Services for a lecture presented by Peter Russel on Richard Strauss’ Guntram. The lecture will feature audio and video examples. Opera Gems is a partnership between Washington Concert Opera and Iona. Tickets are $10 and include refreshments. Iona is located at 4125 Albemarle St. NW. To reserve your spot for this lecture, call Iona at 202-8959407.

12th • 11:30 a.m.

Israel Baptist Church will hold a town hall meeting at 1251 Saratoga St. NE. For more information, contact Thelma Hines at 202-529-8701, ext. 222.

The D.C. Office on Aging (DCOA) Ambassador Program is a free, interactive, member-based program designed to reach out to older adults and their caregivers to help them learn about the services and resources available to them through DCOA. If you are interested in expanding your network and educating older adults about the services and resources available to them, join the next Ambassador Training Workshop. Workshops include an overview of Office on Aging programs and services, information on how to access resources, and guidance on your role as an advocate. Call 202-724-5622 to register.

500 K St., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 202-724-5622 • www.dcoa.dc.gov Executive Director John M. Thompson, Ph.D., FAAMA Editor Darlene Nowlin Photographer Gediyon Kifle The D.C. Office on Aging does not discriminate against anyone based on actual

24th • 12:30 p.m.

Lunch at Iona and take a guided tour of its gallery.

Chat with sculptor Norma Schwartz on her artistic process and the value of artistic expression.

Schwartz enjoys exploring new materials, creating forms that inhabit a three-dimensional space and playing with light. Iona is located at 4125 Albemarle St. NW. The workshop is free. Call 202-895-9448 for more information.

The D.C. Office on Aging will sponsor a Health, Wellness and Informational Fair at Bernice Elizabeth Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center, 3531 Georgia Ave. NW, in Ward 1. For more information, call 202727-0338.

25th • 10:45 a.m.

Model Cities Senior Wellness Center will hold a black history program honoring black inventors. The center is located at 1901 Evarts St. NE.

March Event 26th • 6 to 10 p.m.

The Model Cities Spring Gala will be held at Ross Auditorium of Providence Hospital. Tickets are $40.

Contact Monica Carroll at 202-635-1900.

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

23rd • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The D.C. Office on Aging will sponsor a Health, Wellness and Informational Fair at Model Cities Senior Wellness Center, 1901 Evarts St. NE. Contact Stacie Thweatt at 202-635-1900 for more information.

25th • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

19th • 10 a.m.

11th • 3:30 to 5 p.m.

The Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired will present a black history program at 2900 Newton St. NE. For more information, contact Thelma Hines at 202-529-8701, ext. 222.

or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income, and place of residence or business.

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subjected to disciplinary action.

The Office on Aging is in partnership with the District of Columbia Recycling Program.

DCOA Seeking Centenarians to Honor DCOA is seeking persons age 100 or older to honor at an upcoming event to celebrate the District’s oldest residents.

If you know of a centenarian who should be honored, please make sure they are registered with the D.C. Office on Aging. We would like to know their name, date of birth and information on how to formally invite them to the event. To register a D.C. resident who is a centenarian, please call 202724-5622 or send an email to darlene.nowlin@dc.gov.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon

31

SHORE UP FINANCES Work longer, save more and take benefits later to avert a retirement crisis

Money Law &

POISED FOR GROWTH From Apple to Macy’s to Sirius XM, stocks to consider for growth or speculation INSURING FOR THE LONG TERM A primer on when and how to select a long-term care insurance policy LEARN FROM THE WINNERS A veteran investment analyst shares her personal portfolio strategies

Older taxpayers receive some tax breaks

By Carole Feldman You’ve downsized to an apartment, the kids are long gone, and you’re no longer eligible for some of the deductions and exemptions that had helped you lower your tax bill.

But for those 65 years or older, there are other tax breaks that might benefit you come tax time.

Social Security taxes For one, not all your Social Security benefits are subject to federal taxes. How much depends on your other income and filing status. “No one pays federal income tax on more than 85 percent of his or her Social Security benefits,” the Social Security Administration says on its website.

To determine what percent of your benefits might be taxable, add half your benefits to your other income, including nontaxable interest. If your combined income is between $25,000 and $34,000 and your filing status is single, up to 50 percent of your benefits might be taxable, according to the IRS. For married couples filing jointly, the 50 percent taxable figure applies if your combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000.

Combined income lower than the threshold? Social Security benefits aren’t taxable. If the combined income is above these income ranges, up to 85 percent is subject to income taxes.

While some states also tax Social Security benefits, you won’t have to pay state tax on them in Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia.

Higher standard deduction People 65 and over also should consider whether it’s more beneficial for them to claim the standard deduction or to itemize.

The standard deduction is higher — $7,750 if your filing status is single, $14,800 if you’re married filing jointly and you and your spouse are both at least 65.

That compares to $6,200 for single filers under 65 and $12,400 for married taxpayers under 65 who are filing jointly.

“Seniors very often have already paid up their mortgage and they very often don’t itemize anymore,” said Jackie Perlman, principal tax research analyst at the Tax Institute at H&R Block.

But it’s important to do the math — or let your tax preparer or tax software do it for you — to see whether it still makes sense to itemize even with the higher standard deduction.

Even if you don’t have mortgage interest to deduct, you can still deduct any property taxes you paid. State income taxes also are deductible, or alternatively, you can choose to deduct state sales taxes, an attractive option if you live in a state that doesn’t have an income tax.

ductible only if they exceed 10 percent of adjusted gross income.

Medical expenses include the portion of doctor, dentist and hospital bills, and the cost of prescription drugs not covered by insurance, as well as premiums for Medicare or other insurance coverage.

Prescription eyeglasses are also included, as are the cost of false teeth, hearing aids, wheelchairs and the cost of transportation to medical appointments.

Of course, charitable donations are deductible by everyone who itemizes. However, taxpayers who are at least 70 1/2 had another option for charitable donations that was extended in December only through the end of 2014.

At that age, you’re required to take a minimum distribution from your individual retirement accounts. If you rolled that distribution over directly to a charity by Dec. 31, 2014 —

instead of taking the money and then donating it — the distribution is not counted as income and therefore is not taxable.

“The difference is you’re lowering not only your taxable income but also your adjusted gross income,” Perlman said. And that can affect such things as whether Social Security benefits are taxable and whether you can deduct your medical expenses.

But there’s no double-dipping. If you itemize, you can’t also deduct a charitable donation that was made through a direct rollover from an IRA. There is also a small tax credit for lowincome seniors, which Perlman says is not widely used. “It might be helpful for someone who neither contributed to the Social Security system nor ever married.”

See TAX BREAKS, page 33

Medical expenses For those 65 and older, medical expenses are deductible to the extent they exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income. That threshold applies even if only one spouse has reached 65 and you file jointly. For those under 65, medical expenses are de-

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Money Shorts Tax-free accounts for those with disabilities At the end of last year, Congress gave final approval to the most sweeping legislation to help Americans with disabilities in a quarter century, allowing them to open taxfree bank accounts to pay for needs such as education, housing and healthcare.

The move paves the way for creation of the accounts beginning this year for as many as 54 million people and their families.

The then Democratic-led Senate passed the measure on a 76-16 vote after it was attached to a bill extending dozens of tax breaks for individuals and businesses until the end of the year. The GOP-controlled House overwhelmingly approved the

measure, having garnered 85 percent of Congress as co-sponsors.

The bill, called the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act was signed into law by President Barack Obama at the end of 2014.

Modeled after tax-free college savings accounts, the ABLE bill would amend the federal tax code to allow states to establish the program.

To qualify, a person would have to be diagnosed by age 26 with a disability that results in “marked and severe functional limitations.” Those who are already receiving Social Security Disability benefits would also qualify.

Families would be able to set up tax-free accounts at financial institutions, depositing up to $14,000 annually to pay for longterm needs such as education, transportation and healthcare. The contributions would be in after-tax dollars but earnings would grow tax-free.

The ABLE accounts would be able to accrue up to $100,000 in savings without the

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

person losing eligibility for government aid such as SSI benefits; currently, the asset limit is $2,000. Medicaid coverage would continue no matter how much money is deposited in the accounts, though states can recoup some Medicaid payments from the beneficiary’s estate after they die.

It is the first major legislation for those with disabilities since the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act. The measure was sponsored by Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Richard Burr, R-N.C. Many lawmakers had insisted on cuts or revenue increases to offset the measure’s $2 billion price tag over 10 years. The bill’s sponsors found the savings in part by increasing the amount of levies on property for tax-delinquent Medicare providers and suppliers; cutting Medicare funding for “vacuum erection systems”; and making technical adjustments to cap worker’s compensation.

— Hope Yen, AP

IRS cuts may hamper customer service Got a question for the IRS? Good luck reaching someone by phone. The tax agency says only half of the 100 million people expected to call this year will be able to reach a person.

Callers who do get through may have to wait on hold for 30 minutes or more to talk to someone who will answer only the simplest questions.

And this is at the same time as filing a federal tax return is about to get more complicated for millions of families because of President Barack Obama’s health law.

For the first time, tax filers will have to report information about their health insurance during the previous year. For most people who get health coverage

through work or through government programs like Medicaid, it will mean simply checking a box.

Others who got insurance through state and federal marketplaces will have to file a new form, while people who received subsidies will have to provide more detailed information.

But they shouldn’t expect much help from the Internal Revenue Service. IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said budget cuts are forcing the agency to reduce taxpayer services and other functions.

The number of audits will decline, technology upgrades will be delayed, and the agency might be forced to shut down and furlough workers for two days later this year, Koskinen said.

The IRS will no longer help low-income taxpayers fill out their returns, and tax refunds could be delayed for people who file paper returns.

Congress cut the IRS by $346 million for the current budget year. Koskinen said the agency’s $10.9 billion budget is its lowest since 2008. When adjusted for inflation, the budget hasn’t been this low since 1998, he said.

Republicans in Congress adamantly oppose Obama’s health law, so some have been working to starve the IRS of funds just as its role in implementing the law ramps up.

It won’t work, Koskinen said in an interview. The agency, he said, is required by law to help implement the health program.

“The only places we have discretion are in information technology, tax enforcement, customer service.”

The spending cuts could actually cost the government money, Koskinen said.

Having fewer enforcement agents will cost at least $2 billion in lost tax revenue this year, he estimated.

— Stephen Ohlemacher, AP

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

33

How to avoid your own retirement crisis Many of today’s workers will have a spondents had not saved anything for rehard time retiring at the traditional age tirement, and 56 percent had not even while maintaining their standard of living. tried to figure out how much they might A new book on the subject, need.

Falling Short: The Coming ReMaking saving “easy and autirement Crisis (Oxford Univertomatic” is the way to go in sity Press), offers useful inorder to save more. I was able sight into the problem. Authors to retire in my 50s because I inCharles Ellis, Alicia Munnell stituted automatic investments and Andrew Eschtruth, exfrom my salary as soon as I perts in retirement planning, started working, prioritizing offer advice both on “what we my retirement objectives over can do as individuals” and other expense alternatives. “what we can do as a nation.”

• Make your 401(k) plan THE SAVINGS Here are some of their ideas. work for you. The earlier you GAME Here are some of their By Elliot Raphaelson start contributing toward reideas for individual initiative. tirement, and the longer you • Work longer. Not everywait before withdrawing one has this option, but those who do reap funds, the lower the required contribution. significant advantages. Working longer not Join your employer’s retirement plan as only produces current income; it also re- soon as possible, and contribute at least sults in a large increase in Social Security enough each year to receive the full embenefits, allows you to contribute more to ployer match. your retirement plan for higher invest• Invest wisely. Don’t stop investing in ment income, and shortens the length of stocks because of a short-term fall in prices. retirement, reducing the lump sum re- [Ed: In fact, when prices fall, it may be the best quired to maintain your standard of living. time to buy.] Rebalance your portfolio regu• Save more. This is easier said than larly. Use investment alternatives with the done. In a 2014 survey, 36 percent of re- lowest fees. Use index funds and target funds

Tax breaks From page 31

Free tax prep assistance The IRS offers free tax preparation help for people 60 and older, working through non-profit groups. Two organizations provide such assistance at many locations throughout the Washington area.

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is available free to taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special atten-

to achieve superior results with low fees.

• Keep the money in the plan until you retire. Too many who invest in retirement plans withdraw funds prior to retirement, particularly when they change jobs.

Avoid this; you’ll pay a 10 percent penalty and lose the tax-deferral advantage. When changing jobs, you always have options to roll over retirement funds.

• Consider an advanced life deferred annuity. Annuities are contracts offered by insurance companies that pay monthly payments in exchange for a premium. They can protect you from outliving your assets — and may provide you more annual income than you could obtain on your own.

An advanced life deferred annuity, also called longevity insurance, is designed to ensure a steady income if you live beyond your mid-80s. The authors cite a typical case of a person at age 65. A one-time premium of approximately $12,000 would buy payments of $7,000/year for the rest of their life starting at age 85. This alternative

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tion to those 60 and older. You do not need to be a member of AARP. For more information or to find a location near you, go to www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaid or call 1-888-687-2277, The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people of all ages who generally make $53,000 or less, as well as to older adults and people with disabilities. To find locations, see http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep.

— AP

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may be suitable for healthy individuals who have other sources of income between 65 and 85.

• Opt for a Social Security “annuity.”

Another option for individuals who have sufficient assets at retirement age is to “buy” an additional amount of Social Security by claiming benefits later, up to age 70.

By doing so, you increase your Social Security income by 8 percent per year deferred. This alternative is actuarially superior to a commercial annuity because insurance companies have expenses that add to the cost of the product that Social Security does not charge.

Planning for retirement is not easy. This book is concise, informative and highly readable. It is a valuable tool for anyone planning seriously for retirement (and everyone should be.)

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. © 2015 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Stock and fund ideas poised for growth

By Carolyn Bigda We’ll start with eight companies that will grow no matter what happens to the economy. Then, we offer funds and fund portfolios you can invest in starting with a mere $1,000.

YO U R

Stocks to consider Abbott Laboratories (symbol ABT, $44). The drug and medical-device maker has said it will sell part of its overseas generic-drug business for $5.3 billion. The deal will allow Abbott to focus on emerging mar-

New

kets, where sales in the third quarter of 2014 helped boost overall profits by 13 percent.

American Express (AXP, $92). In 2014, Amex launched OptBlue, which allows third-party processors to manage card transactions for small retailers. Execs believe the number of mom-and-pop stores newly accepting Amex could rise by 50 percent annually for several years.

Apple (AAPL, $115). In the quarter that ended in September, during which the latest iPhone models were released, Apple saw its strongest revenue growth rate in seven quarters. Its new mobile-payment system, Apple Pay, faces competition, but adoption by retailers is growing. And a high-tech wristwatch, Apple Watch, should start shipping in early 2015.

Gilead Sciences (GILD, $101). Gilead won approval from U.S. regulators in October to sell Harvoni, which could become a

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blockbuster hepatitis C drug. Gilead also has treatments for HIV. Analysts say profits could increase by 25 percent in 2015.

Macy’s (M, $63). Macy’s shoppers can now check online to see if an item is in a nearby store. If an improving economy boosts consumer spending, Macy’s will be ready. Among other things, Macy’s, which also owns the Bloomingdale’s chain, has started testing same-day delivery from stores. Analysts see earnings rising 13 percent in the January 2016 fiscal year.

Precision Castparts (PCP, $236). The firm makes complex molds and other components used to build jet engines. For three of the past four quarters, the company has fallen short of earnings forecasts as clients used up inventory, and the stock has dropped 13 percent over the past year. But Stephen Levenson, an analyst at investment bank Stifel, said the de-stocking should end in early 2015. Meanwhile, production of the high-tech Airbus A350 XWB and Boeing 787 Dreamliner will boost profits.

Charles Schwab (SCHW, $28). Low interest rates have pressured profits at Charles Schwab. But the broker is making up for it with volume. According to a report by the William Blair firm, Schwab was on track to gather more than $100 billion in net new assets for the third straight year in 2014.

Stanley Black & Decker (SWK, $94).

The power-tool maker is benefiting from a housing rebound. In the third quarter, sales in Stanley’s do-it-yourself segment rose 9 percent. Ron Sloan, senior manager of the Invesco Charter Fund, said the company’s profit margins could climb by as much as three percentage points in 2015.

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See STOCKS, page 35

REVERSE MORTGAGE WORKSHOPS

Housing Counseling Services, Inc., a HUD-approved non-profit housing counseling agency, is one of the few housing counseling agencies in the DC metro area that also has certified reverse mortgage counselors on

ond Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m., and “The Reverse Mortgage Refresher Workshop” is held the third Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. The workshops are held at 2410 17th St. NW, Suite 100, Washington, D.C. All

www.ParkViewSeniorLiving.com

HCS workshops are available in English and Spanish. For more informa-

Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour or email parkviewliving@sheltergrp.com.

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

tion, call (202) 667-7006 or email info@housingetc.org.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Stocks From page 34

Portfolios for $1,000 Build a high-yield ETF portfolio. Start with three shares of junk-bond fund iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond (symbol HYG, $90, 5.2-percent yield). Add 10 shares of iShares US Preferred Stock ETF (PFF, $39, 5.6 percent. Finally, buy four shares of Vanguard REIT ETF (VNQ, $81, 2.5 percent).

(Money-saving hint: If you have a brokerage account at Fidelity, you can buy the two iShares ETFs commission-free. Likewise for Vanguard brokerage clients and the Vanguard ETF.) Buy a top-notch fund. These five funds have performed better than their category average over the past 10 years, and each requires $1,000 or less to get started: Both Oakmark Fund (OAKMX) and Oakmark Select (OAKLX) invest mainly in large U.S. companies selling at bargain prices.

Homestead Small-Company Stock (HSCSX) is a member of the Kiplinger 25. Artisan International (ARTIX) invests mainly in large, growing foreign companies. For an all-inone option, try Vanguard STAR (VGSTX).

Other investment options Be a lender. At peer-to-peer lending sites such as Lending Club and Prosper, you can invest in personal loans and receive monthly payments and interest as

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borrowers repay the loans.

To mitigate risk, create a portfolio of loans with a range of credit ratings. Prosper lists average investor returns of 5.5 percent to 11.4 percent, and Lending Club’s historical returns range from 4.7 percent to 9 percent.

Take a flier on a low-priced stock.

You can buy 100 shares of any of the seven stocks listed below for less than $1,000.

They all carry a fair amount of risk, but if things go right, you could make a bundle.

(For more details on each stock, visit kiplinger.com/links/low.)

Aptose Biosciences (APTO, $7.08) Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (AUPH, $3.82) Groupon (GRPN, $7.27) Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS, $5.10) ParkerVision (PRKR, $0.91) Rite Aid (RAD, $5.69) Sirius XM Holdings (SIRI, $3.49) Grab 10 shares of a blue chip. Prefer more-established companies? You could buy 10 shares of any one of these five stocks for roughly a grand. The reward: healthy dividends now and the likelihood of share-price gains as earnings grow.

CVS Health (CVS, $91, 1.2-percent yield). The drugstore chain is getting a boost from its rapidly growing pharmacyservices segment.

Danaher Corp. (DHR, $85, 0.5 percent). Danaher makes everything from med-

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ical devices to measuring systems. It has $12 billion in the till for making acquisitions.

Walt Disney (DIS, $94, 1.2 percent). The smashing success of the movie Frozen proves that we are all kids at heart.

MasterCard (MA, $89, 0.7 percent). The credit card company boosted its dividend by a stunning 45 percent in December.

Pepsico (PEP, $98, 2.7 percent).

35

Besides its namesake soft drinks, Pepsi owns Frito-Lay, Quaker and other great brands.

Carolyn Bigda is a contributing editor to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.

Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. For more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com. © 2015 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

How to select long-term care insurance

By Kimberly Lankford Mackey McNeill, a CPA and personal financial specialist in Kentucky, talks with clients in their 50s and early 60s about protecting their retirement savings from potential long-term-care expenses — which currently average more than $85,000 a year for a private room in a nursing home. [In this region, prices can be significantly higher.]

But when McNeill turned 58 and looked at long-term-care policies for herself and her husband, she balked at the premiums — more than $5,200 a year for two policies that would cover the average cost of care in her area. “I understand why clients resist it,” she said.

After she calculated how much extra money they’d need to save to cover the

cost of care (and the risk to their portfolio if they didn’t), she decided to make the same compromise most of her clients do.

“We’re buying policies that don’t cover everything but can cover about $4,000 a month,” she said. She gets a couples’ discount for buying with her husband. If the McNeills’ future care exceeds their coverage, they’re confident they can make up the difference with savings and retirement income.

Like McNeill, most financial advisers recommend buying long-term-care insurance in your 50s or early 60s. The younger you are when you buy a policy, the lower the annual premiums, but the longer you’ll have to pay those premiums.

By the time you reach your mid-60s, however, you’re more likely to have a med-

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ical condition that makes you ineligible for a preferred-health discount or makes it tough to get coverage at all.

You’re also more likely to have the cash to pay premiums in your 50s or early 60s, especially if you’ve finished paying for college for the kids, or paid off the mortgage.

And because you’re starting to form a better picture of your retirement budget, it’s a good time to factor the annual premiums into your long-term plan.

How much coverage to get Start your calculations by looking at the cost of care in your area (see www.genworth.com/costofcare). Then figure out how much you could cover with your retirement income and savings.

The calculation may be very different for single people than for married couples, who often need to plan on spending more than singles to cover long-term-care bills for one spouse plus living expenses for the spouse who remains at home, said Donna Skeels Cygan, a certified financial planner in Albuquerque, N.M. After you know the cost of long-term care and how much you can afford on your own, consider buying enough long-term care coverage to fill the gap.

The average length of care is about three years, but you may want a longer benefit period if you have a history of Alzheimer’s in your family. (The pool of benefits is calculated by multiplying your daily benefit by the benefit period, but you may be able to stretch your payouts if you use less than the daily maximum benefit.)

Kathy Kingston, an auctioneer in Hampton, N.H., bought long-term-care insurance last year, when she turned 60.

“I’m healthy and active and independent,” she said. “I’m interested in setting myself up to have care at home.” Kingston has a pension from her years working as a public employee in Alaska that could cover some, but not all, of the costs.

She bought a Genworth policy that currently provides $380,000 worth of coverage. The policy has 5 percent compound inflation protection, which means the benefit will grow to $1.5 million by the time

she’s 85. It also has a zero-day waiting period for home care.

Consider a pooled benefit A good strategy for couples is to buy a shared-benefit policy that provides a pool of benefits either spouse can use — for example, two three-year policies form a pool of six years (and some policies add another three years to the pool).

“I prefer the shared policies because the chances of both spouses needing longterm care are slim, but you don’t know which one will need it,” said Cygan. “It gives you a huge amount of flexibility.”

Shared-benefit policies tend to cost 12 to 20 percent more than two separate policies, said Brian Gordon, a long-term care insurance specialist in Riverwoods, Ill. For example, if a healthy 55-year-old couple were to buy two Genworth policies, each with a $150 daily benefit for three years and 3 percent compound inflation protection, they would pay $1,359 a year for each policy.

If they added a shared-benefit rider — giving them a pool of six years to split as needed — the annual cost would increase to $1,660 each. And if they waited 10 years to buy? A healthy 65-year-old couple would pay $2,143 each for the same policies, or $2,664 with the shared benefits.

Calibrating the cost The longer the waiting period before benefits kick in, the lower your premiums.

But initially you’ll need to pay the costs out of your own pocket.

Make sure you understand how the waiting period is calculated. Gordon recommends a calendar-day waiting period, in which the clock starts ticking as soon as you need help with two out of six activities of daily living (such as bathing) or you provide evidence of cognitive impairment. A days-of-service waiting period only counts the days you get care.

If you have a calendar-day policy with a 90-day waiting period and you need care in your home just three days a week, the policy will pay out after three months. But the See LTC INSURANCE, page 38

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

37

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Five lessons learned from stock winners

By Kathy Kristof Can a wise but moderately lethargic investor beat — or at least equal — the stock market? Kathy Kristof, a Kiplinger’s columnist and author of Investing 101, is aiming to answer that question with her practical investing project.

She is taking $200,000 of her own money and dividing it into two pieces — $10,000 going into Vanguard Total Stock Market Index ETF (symbol VTI), and the rest going into individual stocks that she selects.

Here she talks about five of her winning trades.

Four of my stocks have more than doubled since I bought them: Apple (symbol AAPL, $115, 110-percent total return), Microsoft (MSFT, $48, 106 percent), Seagate Technology (STX, $66, 217 percent) and Spirit Airlines (SAVE, $84, 503 percent). A fifth, Lockheed Martin (LMT), would also have been a big winner had I not sold it too soon.

Why did I buy these stocks? With Apple and Microsoft, the lure was cash. Both companies are loaded with the green stuff and continue to add to their treasuries.

Lesson one: Cash is king.

I discovered Spirit while writing a story about the risks of buying initial public offerings (kiplinger.com/links/ipo). Wall Street hated airline stocks at the time, but Spirit was profitable and growing rapidly; three months after we posted the article, I bought 723 shares for $13.96 apiece, a couple of bucks above the IPO price. Wall Street now loves airline stocks, and Spirit is my biggest winner.

Lesson two: Wall Street is fickle.

Keep your own counsel.

In July 2012, I reported that Seagate’s

shares were selling for a “ludicrously low” 3.2 times projected earnings. To be sure, 75 percent of Seagate’s sales were tied to personal computers, a business that Wall Street has declared dead.

But as I mulled the market’s dismal prognosis, I was creating vast amounts of data, including pictures and videos that I wanted to store. So I bought a new hard drive — and about a month after the article appeared, I picked up 435 shares of Seagate for $23.11 apiece.

Lesson three: When Wall Street leaves a company for dead, stop to check its pulse.

Lockheed entered my portfolio a month after I recommended it in December 2011.

Despite a near government shutdown and constant battles over the federal budget, Lockheed shares climbed 25 percent in the 13 months after I bought them.

At that point, I sold because I thought I could do better elsewhere. Bad move. Since I bailed, the stock has soared 98 percent.

Lesson four: When you own a great company, ignore temporary setbacks.

Buy and hold.

My untimely sale of Lockheed wasn’t a total bust. I used some of the proceeds to buy an additional 105 shares of Apple at $60 apiece (the figures are adjusted for a recent seven-for-one split). I’ve made 92 percent on those shares, but I would have done better had I just held on to Lockheed.

Lesson five: When it comes to trading, less is better.

Kathy Kristof is a contributing editor to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. © 2015 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

LTC insurance

good compared with 5 percent,” he said.

If spouses who are both age 55 each start with a $175,000 pool of benefits, they would pay about $5,850 per year (combined) for two policies with 5 percent inflation protection, but just $3,000 per year for policies with 3 percent inflation protection and $2,450 for policies with 2 percent, said Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, a trade group.

Insurers have different sweet spots based on your age and health and their own claims experience. For example, Slome recently worked with a 65-year-old man and his 55-year-old wife, who received quotes for annual premiums from two insurers that were $1,200 apart.

Many long-term care agents work primarily with Genworth, Mutual of Omaha, MassMutual, Transamerica and John Hancock (Northwestern Mutual and New York Life sell long-term care insurance only through their own agents). Find a long-term care specialist in your area at www.aaltci.org. © 2015, Kiplinger. All Rights Reserved.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 36

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same waiting period with a days-of-service policy would mean waiting more than seven months before benefits kick in.

Because you may not need care until 20 or 30 years from now, inflation protection is essential. Nursing home and assisted living costs have increased by about 4 percent per year over the past five years, and home care costs have risen by 1.3 percent, although that may rise faster as baby boomers compete for caregivers.

Older policies tended to boost benefits by 5 percent compounded each year, but low interest rates made it expensive for insurers to offer that coverage to new buyers. Now, 3 percent per year is most common, and some insurers even offer 2 percent or less per year.

Claude Thau, a long-term care specialist in Overland Park, Kan., usually recommends 3 percent compound inflation protection. “The carriers have re-jiggered their pricing so that 3 percent looks especially

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Travel

39

Leisure &

Visit Hannibal, Mo., Mark Twain’s boyhood home, where some of his characters also grew up (such as Becky Thatcher, whose house is shown above). See story on page 42.

On the presidential trail in Charlottesville yond Charlottesville’s borders.

In that rural setting, the city of about 44,000 residents is an enclave of arts, culture and history. A good way to experience and enjoy all three is to stroll along the Historic Downtown Mall.

The brick-paved pedestrian walkway combines the nostalgia of renovated historic buildings reminiscent of small-town Americana with more than 130 trendy shops and 30 restaurants, many with an outdoor cafe.

The street follows a route that during Colonial times connected Richmond with the Shenandoah Valley. It was called Three Notch’d Road, which referred to three nicks made in tree trunks to mark it.

© THOMAS JEFFERSON FOUNDATION AT MONTICELLO

By Victor Block The gracious mansion is a perfect example of an 18th century gentleman’s country estate. Its rooms are filled with elegant furniture and architectural touches imported from Europe by Thomas Jefferson.

In its heyday, a virtual Who’s Who of early American leaders dropped by to visit, including two James — Monroe and Madison, the latter accompanied by Dolley.

About 10 miles away stands a much simpler wood-frame cottage where Theodore Roosevelt escaped the pressures of the presidency. It was built without a stove, well or bathroom facilities, and would have fit almost twice into the parlor of the much larger mansion. A newspaper article written at the time described its “meager complement of furniture.”

These two houses couldn’t be more different, nor could the men who once stayed in them. This diversity, which says much about the character of the two presidents, also extends throughout Charlottesville, Va., and the countryside that surrounds it.

Part college town, part living history museum, Charlottesville adds life and color to important chapters of the nation’s past. The small city is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by rugged Appalachian Range peaks and pastoral landscapes. Agriculture has long been a staple of the area’s economy, and small farms, orchards and vineyards lie just be-

A tale of two presidents A short drive from the Mall is Monticello — the plantation home that occupied much of Thomas Jefferson’s interest and activity over decades, and which demonstrates his genius in architecture. Work began on the mansion in 1768, when Jefferson (a self-taught architect) was 26 years old, and remodeling continued until his death in 1826.

Design features included ideas gathered during Jefferson’s several years living in Europe. They include dumb waiters, which he saw in a Parisian café, skylights, French doors that open in tandem automatically and a seven-day wall clock that still chimes.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

An aerial photo shows the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819.

The 21,000-student university is ranked second among the 2014 top public schools on a list produced by U.S. News and World Report. Read about the school on page 41.

Thomas Jefferson began building his Charlottesville mansion Monticello in 1768, remodeling the home, replete with innovations such as dumb waiters and skylights, until his death in 1826.

In contrast with the elegance of Monticello is the tiny, modest cottage where Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed relaxing while serving as president. It was purchased by his wife Edith who, like Teddy, cherished simple pleasures derived from nature.

The rustic retreat has been described as “the most unpretentious habitation ever owned by a president,” which says a lot about Roosevelt. Among personal touches are a chart listing birds that he spotted during his stays at the cabin, and letters he wrote to his children decorated with sketches of cartoon-like figures.

Homes of Monroe and Madison Introductions to two other presidential homes in the Charlottesville area support Virginia’s nickname as “The Mother of Presidents.” Four of the first five presidents, and eight in all, were born in the state.

Guides leading tours of Montpelier, the home of James Madison, note his prominent place in history as, among other accomplishments, a member of the House of Representatives, delegate to the Continental Congress, secretary of state and fourth president.

Strolling through the plantation house, I found even more meaningful his instrumental role in drafting both the Constitu-

tion and its first 10 amendments, and the fact that he authored important documents in the rooms where I was standing.

Madison’s prominence was equaled by that of his famous wife Dolley. She was known for her social graces and hospitality, which boosted her husband’s popularity. Dolley did much to define the proper role of the president’s wife, which led to the term “First Lady.” When Madison left the White House in 1817, he and Dolley returned to Montpelier where they lived out their final years.

The Ash Lawn-Highland plantation, which borders Monticello, was home to the fifth president. While serving as secretary of state, James Monroe negotiated the Louisiana Purchase, and the Monroe Doctrine that he established formed the cornerstone of America’s foreign policy for over a century.

Monroe purchased the estate at the urging of his close friend Thomas Jefferson.

Monroe referred to the small house, that was added to by later owners, as his “cabin castle.”

Today, visitors are immersed in the atmosphere of a working farm, with demonstrations of spinning, weaving, open-hearth cooking and other early American pursuits.

See CHARLOTTESVILLE, page 40

40

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Charlottesville From page 39

Sleepy Scottsville A setting very different from plantation homes, and the hustle and bustle of Charlottesville, is tucked into a horseshoe bend of the James River about 20 miles south of the city.

The village of Scottsville (population about 600) served as a local ferry crossing and river port during the 18th century.

Flat-bottomed â&#x20AC;&#x153;bateauxâ&#x20AC;? boats transported tobacco, grain and miscellaneous cargo to Richmond, and returned with clothing, furniture and other goods imported from England and France.

A combination of events, including the Civil War and advent of railroads, undermined the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s importance and left it a sleepy shadow of its former self. However,

it retains historical touches well worth experiencing.

A little gem of a museum recounts the story of the town and river. A deteriorating warehouse, which in the mid-19th century stored grain, tobacco and other produce awaiting shipment in river boats, overlooks the Canal Basin Square adjacent to the river and the canal beside it.

Exhibits in the square include a packet boat, which over 150 years ago plied the James River, and a list of tariffs charged for transporting cargo and passengers.

Among fares were â&#x20AC;&#x153;White person, 12 and older, 1 cent per mileâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coloured persons, 5 and up, 1/2 cent a mile.â&#x20AC;?

Virginia vintages No trip to the Charlottesville area would be complete without at least one stop at a winery, and even here the influence of

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Thomas Jefferson is felt â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or, rather, tasted.

He began planting vineyards close to Monticello, and dreamed of producing wines equal to those of the Old World.

However, a series of mishaps and misfortunes doomed his effort, and for some 200 years Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s infant wine industry did not achieve distinction.

That changed recently as a new generation of winemakers began to produce improved vintages. Virginia now has at least 230 wineries, and if Jeffersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream of competing in quality with the best that France and Italy offer is yet to be completely fulfilled, he would be proud to know that his beloved native state is the fifth largest producer in the country.

Jeffersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unusual failure as a maker of wine pales in comparison to his achievements and those of his famous neighbors, who were among the founders of our country. A visit to Charlottesville brings their and other stories to life in a setting as varied as were those early leaders.

Where to stay, eat

Imagine

In a city surrounded by farmlands, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not surprising that a number of restaurants serve fresh-from-the-ground fare. Up to 95 percent of the ingredients used at the Brookville Restaurant in the Historic Downtown Mall (225 W. Main Street) come from Virginia farms, foragers and the chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garden.

Some dishes, like chicken with waffle ($25) and biscuits served four ways ($5 to

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$8) have a southern twang. For more information, call (434) 202-2781 or log onto www.brookvillerestaurant.com.

Touches of the past come to life at the C&O Canal Restaurant (515 E. Water St.).

For example, the walls and bar in the bistro are made with wood from an old barn, and the upstairs dining room served as a bunk house for railroad workers during the Depression.

The menu here also focuses on local ingredients, including a Virginia oyster stew appetizer ($10) and locally raised pork tenderloin ($27). For more information, call (434) 9717044 or log onto www.candorestaurant.com.

Guests at the English Inn are immersed in a world of British tradition. In addition to the dĂŠcor, touches like afternoon high tea add to the atmosphere. Amenities include a hot breakfast buffet, indoor swimming pool, exercise room and sauna. Rates begin at a reasonable $100. For more information, call (434) 971-9900 or log onto www.englishinncharlottesville.com.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early Americana thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the focus at the Boarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head Inn, a gracious resort that sets the tone for a visit to the history-rich Charlottesville area.

A large part of the main hotel building is made of wood from a gristmill that was built nearby in 1834 and later dismantled.

That includes the pine floor of the Old Mill lounge, along with beams and wall panel-

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Charlottesville From page 40 ing. Fieldstones that were part of the mill’s foundations adorn a fireplace and an arched entrance into the inn.

The golf course is laid out over land that was part of a 1734 land grant, and where the Boar’s Head now stands a modest inn named Terrell’s Ordinary provided lodging for westward travelers.

Along with such historical touches, the

Roots of the University of Virginia To many people, the town of Charlottesville, Virginia and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello are synonymous. Indeed, even more than at his famous home, the presence of Jefferson can be felt throughout the quiet college town, most especially at the University of Virginia, which he founded.

A visit to UVA brings you back to modern times — but only for a moment. Jefferson’s vision of his “Academical Village” became reality starting in 1819, and the University continues to function much as he intended. Welcome back to the 1800s.

In addition to offering arguably the finest education among public institutions available to capable students “regardless of wealth, birth or other accidental condition or circumstances” — producing more Rhodes Scholars than any other state university — UVA maintains a tradition of student self-governance, including a student-run honor system that actually works (at least most of the time).

Although the university has expanded since Jefferson’s time, Jefferson’s original buildings remain much as they were. The Rotunda, a scaled-down version of the Pantheon in Rome, was designed to maintain architectural balance in harmony with the five Pavilions on either side, which house

classrooms and faculty residences.

Jefferson envisioned a scholarly community where students and professors live in close proximity to share knowledge and nurture together a life-long commitment to education. To help achieve that goal, he intermingled students’ rooms among the Pavilions, connecting them with low colonnaded walkways.

The expansive Lawn between the two rows of buildings, and the serpentine walled-gardens weaving in, out and around the Pavilions, provide quiet space for personal reflection and personal connections between teacher and student. This was a radical approach to education at the time.

The 54 student rooms along the Lawn are astonishingly unchanged since the University opened. The 150-square-foot rooms contain a wooden bed, an oldfashioned secretary’s desk, fireplace and a small free-standing wooden closet which contains a sink. Other plumbing facilities — minor amenities such as showers and toilets — are located a bracing winter’s walk away.

Upon first viewing, I assumed they were just another historical attraction that recreates living conditions — in this case, of students — in the early 1800s. Imagine

Boar’s Head offers amenities and facilities expected at an AAA Four-Diamond Resort. In addition to golf, there is tennis, squash, a spa, and activities ranging from biking and hot air ballooning to fishing and swimming. That’s a lot of leisure living for rates that begin at

my surprise to find that students today actually vie for the honor of living there!

A select few fourth-year students who have made substantial contributions to the University are chosen for the opportunity to closely approximate the lifestyle of the scholars who lived and studied in these same rooms in Jefferson’s day.

It is not surprising that Jefferson invested so much heart and soul into his final triumph. The university embodies Jefferson’s three greatest passions: his

41

$165. For more information, call (855) 5745627 or log onto www.boarsheadinn.com.

Charlottesville is about 115 miles from downtown Washington, D.C. For more information about Charlottesville, call (877) 3861103 or log onto www.visitcharlottesville.org.

vision as an educator, his talent as an architect, and his skill as a gardener.

The very essence of his dream — the interactive student/faculty community, the student-run university governance, the personal code of ethics — still permeates how campus residents think and act today.

Thomas Jefferson is alive and well and still attending the University of Virginia.

For more information, see www. virginia.edu.

— Fyllis Hockman

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

A trip back in time to Mark Twain’s town

The town that inspired Twain A mere $11 gets you a look at nine historic sites and museums, all within a few blocks of one another. They include the actual houses where Twain and the real children who inspired his characters Huckleberry Finn and Becky Thatcher lived in the mid-1800s.

You’ll see the bedroom window the adventuresome Twain climbed out of as a boy; you’ll see the fence that his character Tom Sawyer persuaded other children to whitewash when he was supposed to paint it.

You’ll also get a real sense of what Hannibal was like when Twain lived here in the 1840s and early ‘50s, and how this place fed his imagination and sensibility.

This was no lonely rural spot; it was a bustling river town, with three blacksmith shops, a distillery, tobacco factory, and two slaughterhouses, with pigs herded through the streets.

Twain — born Samuel Clemens — was not a privileged child. After his father died, his mother couldn’t afford his 25-cent weekly school fee.

He was apprenticed at age 11 to a printer, which led to work as a newspaperman.

Later he was a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi. His pen name, Mark Twain, was a river call that described the water depth.

An interpretive center behind Twain’s boyhood home offers photos, exhibits and wonderful quotes from Twain’s writings that put his life and work in context.

A museum gallery at 120 N. Main St. is filled with artifacts — from his top hat to 15 Norman Rockwell paintings created for special editions of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

Twain’s quips, prominently showcased, can seem as fresh and cynical as a 21stcentury tweet, like this one: “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”

You can’t miss the statue of Tom and Huck at the foot of Cardiff Hill on Main Street. Sculptures of Twain stand in Schwartz Gardens and Riverview Park.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK TWAIN BOYHOOD HOME AND MUSEUM

By Beth J. Harpaz Mark Twain lived in Hannibal, Missouri, for only 13 years, but many of his most famous stories were inspired by this humble Midwestern city.

A visit to Hannibal today — with its excellent museums, preserved historic sites and old-timey antiques shops — offers a way to appreciate the impact this place had on one of America’s best-known writers.

And, of course, Hannibal sits on the banks of the Mississippi River, which figured so large in Twain’s life and writing.

Visitors to Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, Mo., can see the houses where he and the real children who inspired his characters once lived. Twain’s boyhood home is on right, flanked by a fence similar to the one whitewashed by Tom Sawyer.

Context and controversy The museums also tackle the controversies over Twain’s writings.

In his own lifetime, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn — about the wild, ragged son of the town drunk who runs away on a raft with an escaped slave named Jim — was banned because it was considered vulgar.

In the late 20th century, the book was banned because Twain’s language and depiction of Jim were considered racist.

One exhibit offers context for Twain’s views: Slavery was legal in Missouri during his youth. His family rented or owned See MARK TWAIN, page 43

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Did you know?

You may qualify for assistance in paying your home phone bill. Discounts for basic telephone service are available to eligible District of Columbia low-income residents.

Verizon Washington, D.C. Lifeline Plans: Verizon Washington, D.C.’s Lifeline service, known as “Economy II,” offers reduced rates on Verizon’s monthly telephone bill and one-time discounts on the cost of installing phone service. Additionally, toll blocking is available to Economy II customers at no charge.

Economy II Service*: $3.00 per month for unlimited local calling. Value-added services are not included (e.g., Call Waiting, Caller ID). No connection charges apply. Also, customers will not be charged for the federal subscriber line charge. Economy II customers who are 65 years of age or older can have this service at a further reduced rate of $1.00 per month.

• Full terms and rates for these services, including terms of eligibility, are as set forth in federal and in Verizon’s tariffs on file with the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia.

All rates, terms and conditions included in this notice are subject to change and are current at the time of printing.

Contact Washington, DC Lifeline Program at 1-800-253-0846 to apply To learn more about the Lifeline program, visit www.lifelinesupport.org.

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Mark Twain From page 42 slaves when they could afford it, and he’s quoted as recalling that nobody he knew ever questioned it.

But one incident made him think twice about it, when he complained to his mother about a slave boy who sang and laughed incessantly. She responded tearfully that the slave child would never see his own mother again, and at least when the boy sang, “it shows he is not remembering.”

If you go The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum is located at 120 N. Main St., Hannibal. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Christmas and New Year’s Day. Adults, $11; seniors, $9; children 6-17, $6. Ticket includes nine sites around Hannibal. For more information, visit www.marktwainmuseum.org or call (573) 221-9010.

For a small city (population 18,000), Hannibal offers some good eating. LaBinnah Bistro, 207 N. Fifth St., has friendly service, charming Victorian-era decor, and

an inviting dinner menu that includes fish, steak and Mediterranean dishes.

LaBinnah is Hannibal spelled backward, named for the town’s LaBinnah Club, where Twain spoke on his last visit to Hannibal in 1902 — one of five trips he made there as an adult.

The new Mark Twain Brewing Co., 422 N. Main St., offers burgers, a big selection of beers and other pub fare.

Hannibal has a wide variety of lodging.

Treasure-hunters should check out the half-dozen antiques and gift shops on and around Main Street.

If you’re driving to Hannibal from St. Louis, about 120 miles away, get off the interstate and take the Great River Road, Route 79, which winds through tiny towns, fields and farms, with scenic stretches along the Mississippi.

Between March 15 and Nov. 1, riverboat cruises ore offered on the Mississippi, starting from Hannibal. See www.marktwainriverboat.com.

For tourist information on Hannibal, go to www.visithannibal.com.

— AP

BEACON BITS

Apr. 6+

CIVIL RIGHTS BUS TOUR

Montgomery County presents its annual Civil Rights Historic Bus Tour, which travels to Greensboro, N.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; Birmingham, Montgomery, Selma and Tuskegee, Ala.; Cincinnati, Ohio. and Memphis, Tenn. The bus tour leaves Rockville on Monday, April 6 and returns on Saturday, April 11. Highlights on the tour include the birth home museum of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the new National Center for Civil and Human rights, the Tuskegee Airfield and National Museum and more. The cost of the six-day bus tour for a group of four is $545 per person, including hotel, transportation, some meals and snacks and all museum/tour fees. For smaller groups, the fee is slightly higher. A pre-tour meeting will be held about one week prior to the tour in the Office of Human Rights Conference and Mediation Center, Suite 330, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville, Md. Interested individuals and groups should contact Beverly Marshall in the Office of Human Rights at Beverly.marshall@montgomerycountymd.gov or (240) 777-8479. For more information about the tour, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/humanrights.

Feb. 18

PLANNING A MULTI-GENERATIONAL TRIP

Peter Himmelberger, a former foreign service officer, has worked, traveled and lived in over 85 countries. Hear about many trip options when traveling with multi-generation family groups at this free seminar on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Langston-Brown Senior Center, 2121 N. Culpeper St., Arlington, Va. To register, call (703) 228-6300.

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NYC TRIP

Friendship Heights Village Center presents an overnight trip to New York City from Tuesday, March 31 to Wednesday, April 1.

Space is still open to non-Village residents for the trip to see the 9/11 Memorial Museum and two shows, The Audience, starring Helen Mirren, and On the Twentieth Century, starring Kristin Chenoweth. The bus will leave the Village Center at 7:30 a.m. and arrive in New York in time for lunch (on your own) at Hudson Eats before crossing the street to the 9/11 Memorial Museum.

Participants will stay at the Novotel Times Square. The cost of the trip, which includes orchestra seats at both Broadway shows, entrance ticket and guided tour of the museum, Tuesday’s dinner, hotel accommodations, transportation by luxury coach, and all gratuities is $775 per person based on double occupancy; the single supplement is $168. A nonrefundable deposit of $450 plus single supplement is due at sign-up; the balance is due Feb. 27. For more information, call (301) 656-2797.

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Style

45

Arts &

Arena Stage presents a comedic version of a Sherlock Holmes mystery.

See review on page 48.

A witty Uncle Vanya for the 21st century rather charming, and serves to soften us up for what is to come.

That’s what we hear. What we see is a wooden home designed by Meghan Raham — a stylized mix of interior and exterior, the wooden beams reaching up and branching out into a tree-like evocation of Vanya’s garden.

And what blossoms here is a wrenching look at impossible love and wasted life, bitter and sweet and achingly funny and comically poignant, all in one play, the themes updated to the present time.

A fluid, talented cast As in the original material, an aging and quite pompous professor (John Lescault) and his alluring, much younger, second wife — the flame-haired, creamy-skinned Ella (Monica West) —return to the country estate that provides their income.

The home has been managed by Sonia (Judith Ingber), the professor’s daughter by wife number one, long dead. She has been assisted by Vanya (Sasha Olinick), her uncle, brother of her late mother.

Both Vanya and Astor, a neighbor, are enchanted by Ella, which only exacerbates the

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languor they wallow in out in their pastoral nowhere. Sonia, plain and lacking self-confidence, longs for the affections of Astor, while Pickles longs for her longlost girlfriend.

Babs (Naomi Jacobsen), an older woman of the world, is on hand to provide some steadiness among the shaky psyches in the household. Ella, seemingly the object of various longings by everyone in the place, veers between respect for her husband and interest in Astor.

The catalyst for change happens when the Professor says he has to sell the estate to raise See LIFE SUCKS, page 46 In Life Sucks, [Or the Present Ridiculous] — an updated spin on Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya, produced by Theatre J — Sasha Olinick plays Vanya (right), who is enchanted by Ella, played by Monica West.

The play runs through Feb. 15.

PHOTO BY C. STANLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

By Michael Toscano Playwright/director Aaron Posner is having his way with Chekhov again, and what a treat it is for us. If you thought he’d wrung all he could out of the Russian scribe’s wintry angst with the hit Stupid Fing Bird that sold out two separate runs at Woolly Mammoth Theatre last year, you will find yourself happily wrong.

Life Sucks [Or the Present Ridiculous], now bursting off the stage at Theater J in paroxysms of facetious glee, follows his take on Chekhov’s The Seagull by slicing up Uncle Vanya this time and serving it to us with acerbic, witty commentary on human relationships both timeless and contemporary.

Theater J describes it as an “irreverent variation” on Vanya and company’s torments. But that’s just where it starts.

It’s a delight, from some point before the play actually gets underway until you are filing out of the theater doors at the end. The first thing you experience is the music, as Pickles (Kimberly Gilbert) strums a uke on the set and rather tunelessly sings old Beatles songs.

She is lost in her own world as we pass by on the way to our seats. It’s gentle and

46

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Life Sucks From page 45 funds to provide for his own existence, jettisoning Vanya and Sonia from their home.

Directed by the author This is one of those rare times when having a playwright direct his own work pays off handsomely. Posner’s cast seamlessly goes back and forth between moments of introspective anxiety and sorrow, and moments where they interact directly with the

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

audience, challenging us, questioning us, and drawing us ever closer to them.

Their barbs are sharp, their wit is penetrating, their observations wryly comic and ironic. They make fun of themselves with self-effacing commentary, and even lampoon the play itself. Posner wrings naturalistic performances from each actor in this most unnatural milieu.

In this way, Gilbert’s Pickles (Waffles in the original Checkov) can move from the lightly comic persona we first experience to displaying raw vulnerability — the pain

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Audience involvement works The exchanges with the audience are some of the sharpest moments in the play.

By directly engaging the audience, Posner avoids the tiresome exposition that plays like this require. Instead, the actors are given the opportunity to explore character, savor his penetrating writing, and advance the story.

With the fourth wall torn away, Posner turns the tables on the audience, putting the focus on us at times. It’s wonderfully provocative, inventive and most of all, very funny.

Each cast member is excellent, but there are two standouts. With her chiseled, cool beauty and intelligence, Monica West makes us believe everyone in the theater is entranced in varying ways by her. She’s truly an Ella enchanting.

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of someone who still loves everyone she has ever loved and lost, as she explains.

And then bounce right back to normal.

Posner also gives his characters a mix of acute self-awareness and emotional frailty.

The Professor proclaims he sees his self-image as that of a mid-career Sean Connery rather than a “bloated, aging Bill Maher.” Of course, he’s exactly wrong on that — a moment that’s funny, illuminating and rather sad simultaneously.

The perceptive Ella describes Sonia as being like an avocado, something that tastes good, is good for you, but has a strange texture.

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Way over on the other side of the spectrum, Sasha Olinick’s shambling, ineffectual Vanya is also a revelation as he realizes the profundity of his inadequacy.

Hearing him lament that “being lonely at breakfast is the worst First World problem” is almost worth the price of admission.

So, life pretty much sucks for everyone on stage. But that just makes things all the livelier for those of us in the audience.

Life Sucks [Or the Present Ridiculous] continues through Feb. 15 at Theater J, in the Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center. The Center is located at 1529 16th St. NW in Washington, D.C., four blocks east of Dupont Circle.

Show time is at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, at 3 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and at noon on Friday, Feb. 6 and 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13. The performance on Thursday, Feb. 5 has open-captioning for the hearing impaired.

There will be a free post-show discussion on Chehhov’s legacy at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8.

Tickets are $35 to $65, with senior and military discounts. Call Box Office Tickets at 1-800-494-8497 or visit https://www.boxofficetickets.com/bot/wa/producer?id=37.

Street parking nearby is limited. Colonial Parking Garages are located at 1616 P St. NW and 1515 15th St. NW. If you’re going via Metro, it’s nearest the Dupont Circle Station on the Red line.

PHOTO BY B VIN NCENT SOYEZ Y

Bring YYour our Gr GGroup oup ttoo the KKennedy ennedy CCenter enter ffor oor Ent EEntertainment tertainment on a Grand andd SScale! cale ale! l ! le!

May 9-21 | Opera House Rossini’s retelling retelling of the Cinderella story adds a feew w twists in a bright and whimsical prroduction oduction by Spanish director Joan Font and his performance trroupe oupe Els Comediants featuring two d,, the mezzo-sopranos alternating in the title role: Isabel Leonarrd, 2013 Richard Tucker Award winner, and Tara Erraught, aught,, making her U.S. debut. Sung in Italian with projected English titles.

Visit kennedy-center.org for casting.

Major support for WNO is provided by Jacqueline Badger Mars.

David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of WNO. General Dynamics is the proud sponsor of WNO’s 2014–2015 Season.

WNO acknowledges the longstanding generosity of Life Chairman Mrs. Eugene B. Casey.

Generous support for WNO Italian opera is provided by Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello.

PHOTO BY PAUL KOLNIK

PHOTO BY BRETT COOMER/HOUSTON GRAND OPERA

CINDERELLA

April 7-12 | Opera House Boasting “an impressive new generation of dancers” ((The The New York Times Times), ), the renowned NYCB performs two programs with the New York City Ballet Orchestra: 20th-Century Classics (4/7 & 9 at 7:30, 4/11 at 1:30, featuring three of Balanchine’s most iconic ballets— Serenade, Agon, and Symphony in C C—and —and 21st-Century Choreographers (4/8, 10, & 11 at 7:30, 4/12 at 1:30), which includes Peter Martins’s Symphonic Dances Dances,, Christopher Wheeldon’s This Bitter Earth Earth,, Alexei Ratmansky’s Pictures at an Exhibition Exhibition,, and Justin Peck’s Everywhere We Go Go..

Eschenbach Conducts Beethoven’s Fifth N S O Music Director conducts Beethoven’s epic Symphony No. 5 on a program that also includes J. Strauss I I's Die Fledermaus Overture and Penderecki's Concerto Grosso featuring NSO cellists Steven Honigberg, James Lee, and David Teie.

Reineke neke brings together ogether her his own “Rat at Pack” of entertainers—piano entert tainers—piano no man nT Tony ony DeSar DeSare are and vocalists Ryan Silverman, Sil Storm rm Lar Larg Large, ge, and Frankie kie Mor Moreno— eno— to pay tribute bute to America’s America’ a’ original ginal idol. Songs include clude “My W Way,” ay,” “I’ve I’ve Got Y You ou Und Under nder Myy Skin,” “New Y York, ork, o

April 3 0 & May 2 | Concert Hall David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of the NSO.

TThe he K Kennedy ennedy C Center enter Ballet SSeason eason is pr presented esentted with the supp support ort of Elizab Elizabeth eth and M Michael ichael K Ko Kojaian. ojaian.

In the centennial nial year ear of Frank Sinatra’ Sinatra’s natra’s birth, th, Steven even

The NSO Music Director Chair is generously endowed by Roger and Vicki Sant.

The Blue Series is sponsored by United Technologies Corporation.

General Dynamics is the proud sponsor of the 2014–2015 Ballet Season.

New Y York,” o ork,” and dm more. mor e.

June 5 & 6 | Concert Hall ll David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of the NSO. Additional support for or the 2014-2015 NSO Popss Season is provided by The Honorable Barbara H. Franklin and Mr. Wallace ce Barnes.

Reserve your Group tickets today!

(202) 416-8400 kennedy-center.org/groupsales Toll-free ol (800) 444-1324

The Kennedy Center welcomes patrons with disabilities.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

F RAN CIS POULENC

R IC H A R D W A G N E R

DIALOGUES

THE FLYING

DUTCHMAN

OF THE CARMELITES

“A hymn to the powers of sisterhood and the strength of female solidarity” —The Toronto Star

“Eric Owens speaks to you even in his silences… and shakes you when he sings.” —The Chicago Sun-Times

Faith is put to the ultimate test in Poulenc’s powerful 1957 opera about an order of Carmelite nuns who refuse to renounce their beliefs in the wake of the French Revolution. At turns hymnal and haunting, Dialogues of the Carmelites soars with exquisite harmonies, a sublime a cappella “Ave Maria,” and wrenching twists, including a chilling final tableau.

In Wagner’s retelling of the nautical legend, formidable bass-baritone and two-time Grammy Award® winner Eric Owens—one of the most in-demand American opera stars of our day—makes his staged role debut as the Flying Dutchman. Condemned to wander the seas upon a ship of ghosts, he can only venture ashore once every seven years to seek his salvation: a woman’s unconditional love.

Feb. 21–Mar 21–Mar.. 10, 2015 Kennedy Center ter Opera ra House H

Mar. 7–21, 2015 Mar. Kennedy Centerr Opera era House H

In English with projected d English glish titles

In German with projected English nglish titles itles

SUN

!

NEE I T A .

Ma DAY r. 1 5 a MAT t2 p.m INEE ! .

M .m AY t 2 p

Eric Owens, photo by Cory Weaver

Photo by Eric Mahoudeau/Paris Opera

a D SUNMar. 8

Company Premiere!

47

WNO Revival!

Tickets at the Kennedy Center Box Office Offi fi or charge by phone (202) 467-4600 Order online e at kennedy-center.org/wno r

Groups (202) 416-8400

Major support for WNO is provided d

by Jacqueline Badger Mars.

David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of WNO. General Dynamics is the proud sponsor of WNO’s 2014-2015 Season.

WNO acknowledges the longstanding generosity osity of Life Chairrman man Mrs. Eugene B. Casey.

Additional support for Dialogues of the Carmelites is provided by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Additional support for The Flying Dutchman is provided by the Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Per forrming Arts.

The Kennedy Center welcomes patrons with disabilities.

48

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

No mystery why Baskerville isn’t funny

By Michael Toscano Playwright Ken Ludwig can’t seem to decide if wants to be Neil Simon or Mel Brooks. His earlier work seemed reminiscent of both, as if Simon wrote the plays but called in Brooks to layer in jokey dialogue.

That worked pretty well with his genuine Broadway hit, Lend Me a Tenor, almost three decades ago. But with this new production of the comedy Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, onstage at Arena Stage through Feb. 22, he’s in full Brooksian mode. Unfortunately, it’s the early TV Brooks, and not the film-maker.

Not that Brooks’ TV work was lacking. It was brilliant. But Ludwig has stretched what might have been a very funny six-minute sketch on Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of

Shows,” where Brooks was a writer, into a two-hour exercise in ultimately tedious shtick. Brooks is able to spoof and amplify a genre successfully for a couple of hours onstage or on the screen. Ludwig, not so much.

This Arena Stage production is billed as a world premiere. It will fill seats. The idea of doing for the Sherlock Holmes franchise what Brooks did for Frankenstein seems guaranteed to pull in ticket-buyers.

And Arena is a world-class operation, able to make undistinguished work seem much better than it actually is with outstanding talent on the stage and behind (and below) it. The able cast, aided immeasurably by outstanding scenic and technical design, shine.

This is a beautifully mounted show, an

example of how active direction (from Amanda Dehnert) and technical expertise most theaters probably can’t provide can propel a show along when there’s so little to work with.

So while it is mildly entertaining to watch, the enjoyment comes almost entirely with how well the Arena crew rises above the thin material provided by the playwright.

A Sherlock Holmes farce Ludwig has taken one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most richly layered Holmes mysteries, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and tries to play it purely for farce.

The Sherlock Holmes character, played here with wooden resolve by Gregory Wooddell, is almost an afterthought, rele-

gated to a relatively small amount of time onstage, and with the least amount of comic material to exploit.

Rather, Watson (Lucas Hall) shares stage time with four actors (Stanley Bahorek, Michael Glenn, Jane Pfitsch and Milo Tindale) who play dozens of characters in a dizzying whirl of costume and accent changes. And that’s where this show excels.

With multiple trapdoors in the stage floor allowing for rapid entrances and exits, and with costume changes sometimes taking place right before our eyes, the actors first master the formula and then make fun of it with the full awareness See BASKERVILLE, page 50

PHOTO BY MARGOT SCHULMAN

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Jane Pfitsch, Gregory Wooddell (as Sherlock Holmes) and Stanley Bahorek star in Ken Ludwig’s slapshtick farce, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, at Arena Stage, through Feb. 22.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 22

ARMY BAND CONCERT

The United States Army Band presents a free concert to introduce its new leader and commander Col. Timothy J. Holtan on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. The free tickets are available online beginning Monday, Feb. 2. The concert takes place in Conmy Hall at Ft. Meyer in Arlington, Va. To reserve tickets, visit www.usarmyband.com.

Feb. 21

CUBAN CHORAL CONCERT

Camerata Vocale Sine Nomine is a unique ensemble within the choral movement in Cuba, with only male singers employing countertenor voices (soprano and alto), tenor, and bass. The group will make its debut in Washington, D.C., performing a repertoire of classical and contemporary Cuban a cappella works on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. at Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW, Washington, D.C. Tickets cost $20 to $30. For ticket information, visit http://cameratavocalesinenomine.eventbrite.com or call (703) 683-6040.

Feb. 7

CHOPIN CONCERT

Pianist Brian Ganz celebrates the halfway point in his Extreme Chopin project with a fifth all-Chopin recital at Strathmore on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. The concert will feature “The Art of the Mazurka,” Polish folk dances that originated near Chopin’s native Warsaw. Ganz began a quest to perform all of Chopin’s approximately 250 works in 2011. Tickets range from $28 to $62. Children between the ages of seven and 17 are free, and parking is also free. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nationalphilharmonic.org or call (301) 581-5100.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

49

Ain’t got no satisfaction in retirement?

You know that old joke about the guy salting his soup (his doctor told him not to who’s lying on his deathbed? His family, any more). “Obviously, I’m not going to gathered around, asks if he has any last starve. Obviously, I can meet you for lunch in this overpriced dump and thoughts or regrets. not worry about it.

“Yes,” he says. “I wish I had “But when I read about all spent more time at the office.” the people our age who have This one always brings down made millions and millions of the house, especially with those dollars, it galls me. It really of us who have spent massive does.” numbers of hours at the office.

I should have simply salted Oh, life in the modern workmy soup and let this bleat place does have its advantages. pass. But I’m argumentative The air conditioning always by nature. And this looked works. The copy machine HOW I SEE IT like a moment to try to argue never runs out of paper. And the By Bob Levey Bruce out of his silliness. coffee usually isn’t bad, either.

So I asked him, “What would you do But spend more time with that guy who always smelled bad? Or the guy who never with an additional five million dollars? stopped telling off-color jokes? Or the Would you buy three cars? And before you say yes, let me point out that it’s very hard woman who simply never shut up? to drive all your cars at the same time.”

Sorry, them I won’t miss.

“No, no, not three cars,” he said.

But my pal Bruce will. Not because he “Would you get divorced, find some has a deep, visceral love for foul smells or off-color jokes. Because he just turned 70, gold-digging bimbo, foot all the bills for exotic vacations and believe her when she and he wishes he had made more money.

We met for lunch one recent day, to says you’re wonderful?”

“No, no, I’m not going to get divorced.” catch up and take stock.

“OK, then do you want ten Picassos?” A Bruce retired just a few months ago. He shouldn’t have a single thing to worry sharp nod of no.

“Do you want to buy somebody’s busiabout.

His health is excellent. His wife says she ness?” More nods of no.

“I know. You owe the IRS a ton of money still loves him. His kids call him regularly.

His car works. His hobbies are keeping and you’re afraid to rob a bank.” He grimaced — whether in pain or amusement, I smiles on his face.

But Bruce is regularly replaying the couldn’t tell.

“OK, old man, I give up,” I said. “Tell me videotape of his working life, which spanned more than 45 years. He is very why you’re losing sleep over this.”

Bruce said it’s because he’s a man, and comfortable financially. But comfortable men have been conditioned to treat money isn’t the winner’s circle, he says.

“Obviously, my peak earning years are and financial security as the best way to past,” he says, as he very virtuously avoids measure their worth. Maybe the only way

to measure their worth.

“It started with my old man,” Bruce tells me, as he butters his bread. “He came up during the Depression, so every nickel mattered. When his father was able to keep food on the table, that was a very big deal. My old man never forgot it.”

“But the Depression was more than 85 years ago,” I noted. “If you’re going to stay stuck in 1929, you might as well tell me that Babe Ruth is still wearing that Yankee uniform.”

“Bob,” said my friend, “we were born at exactly the right time. During the American Century. During incredible prosperity.

Guys with absolutely no talent made scads of money doing nothing very difficult. You know, selling motor oil and thinking up

ads for Turtle Wax. “And what did I do? I made enough. But only enough. No one is going to look at me and say, ‘Hey, you know, that guy is a real player. He can move markets with the back of his hand.’”

“So you wish you were Warren Buffett?”

“Not exactly. But I wish I could go wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and not worry about explaining it to my financial adviser.”

“Look, man,” I said, as I salted my cole slaw (my doctor wasn’t watching). “The very fact that you HAVE a financial adviser means you’re financially OK.” Bruce agreed that he sounded as if he See BOB LEVEY, page 50

BEACON BITS

Mar. 1

PIANO CONCERT

SEPTIME WEBRE’S

WO W O R L D P R E M I E R E | F E B R UA U A RY RY 18–22, 2015 THE KENNED DY Y C E N T E R, E IS E N H OWE O WE R T H E A AT T RE

W WASHINGTONBALLET.ORG ASHING TONBALLET.ORG

|

20 202.467.4600 2.467.4600

Pictured: Sona Kharatian , Creative by Design Army, Photography by Dean Alexander

The Washington Piano Society presents a free concert on Sunday, March 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. with music by Beethoven, Chopin and Schumann, followed by a reception. No advance tickets are needed. Donations are appreciated. The concert will take place at Calvary Lutheran Church, 9545 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md. For more information, visit www.dcpianosociety.org or call (301) 793-1863.

50

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Baskerville From page 48 and participation of the audience.

There is no suspense, mystery or excitement here, other than watching the cast race through their technical and artistic challenges. And the comedy? It’s funny accents, tics, and silly behavior performed at breakneck speed — not wit.

There is the occasionally droll turn of phrase or wisp of dialogue, but it passes quickly. If something actually is funny, it will be done again. And again. And another time or two after that.

The action — from the Baker Street flat of Holmes and Watson to the eerie country mansion and the spooky moors — is played out on a mostly barren stage. But the scenic design (by Dan Ostling) works.

The stage is ringed with at least 100

large studio lights. Props are flown in from above or popped up from below, as needed. Dramatic lighting (Philip Rosenberg), copious amounts of stage fog, and music (Joshua Horvath and Ray Nardelli) provide appropriate atmosphere.

The concept is a good one. And the genre has been successfully exploited in such plays as Noises Off, The 39 Steps and The Mystery of Irma Vep. But even Holmes himself would be hard-pressed to find much evidence of brilliance here.

Tickets and show times Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery runs through Feb. 22 in the Kreeger Theater at Arena Stage’s Mead Center for American Theater, located at 1101 6th St. SW, Washington, D.C. Show times: Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Friday

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tuesday noon matinees are scheduled for Feb. 4 and 11.

Open-captioned performances are scheduled for Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 19 at 8 p.m.

There will be post-show discussions after these performances: Feb. 4 and 11 at noon, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m., and Feb. 12 at 8 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $45 to $90 and may be purchased online at www.arenastage.org, by telephone at (202) 4883300, or at the theater’s sales office, Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.

There are no senior discounts, but a lim-

ited number of half-price tickets are sold for most performances of Arena Stage productions, subject to availability. HOTTIX go on sale 30 minutes before curtain at the sales office until they sell out. Limit of two per person.

Assistive-listening technology, accessible seating and entrances, and limited handicapped parking (by reservation) are available. Arena Stage offers free valet service to patrons with accessibility needs who call to request it in advance.

For more information, visit www.arenastage.org or call 202-488-3300 (TTY: (202) 484-0247).

Bob Levey

Bruce into buying him a sandwich.’”

“I bought you the cole slaw, too,” he said. He’s lucky I didn’t brain him with a packet of sugar.

The next day, I e-mailed Bruce a mock obituary. It began with this ringing sentence: “Bruce, who never made much money, died yesterday of frustration. His friend, Bob, tried to save him late in life, but Bruce wasn’t listening. He had a good life after he retired. He should have realized it.”

The voicemail message three days later was short and sweet: “Thanks, pal. Thanks from a guy who has finally realized that money isn’t everything.”

Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

From page 49 were whining. “But what will my obituary say?” he wondered. “‘Bruce died yesterday. He had a financial adviser?’”

“No,” I offered. “It will probably say, ‘Bruce died yesterday. He spent the last ten years of his life worrying about something he couldn’t control.’”

“You think that’s what I’m doing?”

“I KNOW that’s what you’re doing.”

Bruce reached for his wallet. “Just to show you how much better you’ve made me feel, I’m getting the check,” he said.

I told him I had just had a vision: My own obituary.

“It will say: ‘Bob died yesterday. It once took him half an hour to ootch his friend

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Belly dancing From page 1 Many class members have also started taking the class to help with health issues.

Like Shippy, Dunson-Coleman started belly dancing to ease back pain.

“This class is my physical therapy, my exercise, my everything,” she said.

Esther Petrilli-Massey, 59, started with the class after being diagnosed with osteoporosis. “The best thing for me is to strengthen my core. My spine is not 100 percent better, but I’m getting there,” she said.

Carmen Anderson tried the class when her regular exercise class wasn’t meeting, figuring it might be fun — and not too taxing. She was wrong on the second count.

“It was hard work, and my arms were about to fall off by the end,” she said. Continuously raising and holding out the arms while turning and flipping a veil or scarf is harder than it looks, Anderson noted.

A supportive group But the Ancient Art Movement dance class is about more than exercise. “It has become a sisterhood. What’s important is that we care for each other. We are all very differ-

ent, but we come together here,” Shippy said.

Petrilli-Massey began taking the class when her husband was very ill. He later died.

“This class helped in getting me up and going at a very difficult time,” she said of the support she got from the other women, both inside and out of class.

The dancers also get together for holiday and birthday celebrations, trips to the Kennedy Center and even a Victorian tea.

The members of the class uniformly cite Shippy, who volunteers her time, as the reason they enjoy the class.

“Carmen makes you want to move more and become more skilled,” said DunsonColeman. “She helps you realize you’re not too old to do this and have an amazing experience. You really push yourself.

“Carmen designs costumes, does choreography, mentors us, is our therapist, you name it,” Dunson-Coleman said.

For Josephine Lee, 72, dancing has opened new doors after retirement. “When I was going to retire from my law firm, I thought I would be very bored. But it’s a blast. Carmen’s taken us to a very high level.”

Shippy won an Arlington Outstanding Volunteer Award last June for her work.

In turn, her students inspire Shippy.

“To see their excitement motivates me.

Women in this class have master’s degrees, law degrees. There are all kinds of professions they have retired from. For them to spend this kind of time with me makes me happy and gratified.”

To learn more about the Ancient Art

Movemen dance class, which has ongoing registration and is offered free of charge, call the Lee Community and Senior Center at (703) 228-0555 or email acarr@arlingtonva.us.

If there is sufficient interest, Shippy hopes to start a belly dancing class at a Fairfax County senior center later this year.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 14

CHOCOLATE AND TEA PARTY

Green Springs Garden presents a Chocolate and Tea Tasting Party on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon. Sample a selection of fine chocolate accompanied by carefully-chosen specialty teas. Discover that the proper pairing of chocolate and tea enhances the flavor nuances of both.

The cost is $27 per person. Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, Va. To register, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring and use code 290 102 6701 or call (703) 642-5173.

Learn to belly dance In addition to the free class offered in Arlington, Va., there are many studios around the area where you can learn beginning to advanced belly dancing.

Below is a sampling.

Some have their own belly dance troupes as well. All classes are for adults, but there are no classes specifically for seniors. Call for fee information.

• Born2Dance offers 15 belly dance classes in Vienna, Va. and one in Ashburn, Va. Call (703) 242-6090 or see www.born2dancestudio.com.

• The Eleanor Pernia Studio of Dance offers a beginning belly dance class in Beltsville, Md. Call (301) 937-4230 or see www.eleanorperniadance.com for more information.

• Fairfax County Recreation Dept. offers a beginning and intermediate belly dance class. See www.fairfaxcounty.gov /parks/parktakes or call (703) 222-4664.

• The Joy of Motion Dance Center has four types of belly dance classes at its Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, Md.

51

locations. For more information, see www.joyofmotion.org/adult-program/ adult-classes/belly-dance or call (202) 399-6764.

• Rendezvous Social Dance and Fitness Club in Rockville, Md., has belly dance cardio classes. Call (301) 4682582 or see http://www.dance911.com.

• Saffron Dance focuses on belly dancing exclusively. It has classes, including a four-week “crash course,” in locations in Arlington, Va., Takoma Park, Md., and Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. See www.saffrondance.com or call (703) 276-BELLY (2355).

• Sahara Dance bills itself as “Washington, D.C.’s center for Middle Eastern dance.” It offers classes in the Tenleytown and Gallery Place neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., and in Silver Spring, Md. See http://saharadance.com or call (202) 362-4400.

• Studio Booseh in Gaithersburg, Md., offers several belly dance classes.

See http://studiobooseh.com/bellydancing or call (301) 579-3344.

Contact MC311 for Montgomery County Government Information and Services Call 311 to Get it Done!

Tweet @311MC311 Visit MC311.com Call 240-777-0311

52

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

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1. White coat place 4. ___ good example 8. Pouches 12. Photoshop tone 14. CEO, CFO, or the like 15. Dos X cuatro 16. Every sentence needs one 17. It is bottled in 33 Down 18. Prepare a coupon for usage 19. Cheap monster 22. Star Wars action figure 23. Suffers a scraped knee 24. Honest pres.

27. Game first named “The Conquest of the World” 30. Land between the Med. and Dead Seas 31. Cheap graphic lit.

37. Dynamic beginning 38. Last section of a SUBPOENA 39. Poetic tributes 40. Cheap villain 45. Diarist Anais 46. School with motto “Light and Truth” 47. @@@ 48. Each 51. Ginger drink 53. Cheap actor 60. Blonde heir, ___ Nicole Smith 61. 2000 title character, ___ Brockovich 62. ___ a high note 63. New couple 64. Formal introduction 65. Pickle possibilities 66. Teaching of old 67. Back-to-school mo.

68. TV Network logo

Down 1. Son of Jacob; father of the blue jean

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2. King Kong, and his smaller relatives 3. Carbonated “beer” 4. Tailor-made 5. Highway offway 6. Keep watch over 7. Razor-edged 8. 21st century carpooler 9. Detective’s excited shout 10. Free diner, sometimes 11. Cantina cuisine category 12. Gloomy 13. On the train 20. Operating system first created by AT&T 21. And another thing 24. “I’m having ___ day” 25. ___ Rabbit 26. Get frequent flyer points 28. Species of duck 29. Singer Loggins or Rogers 32. Party host’s lament 33. Place to sample 17 Across 34. Creative spark 35. Sign omitted from a standard computer keyboard 36. Former fast flights 41. They might land on Park Place 42. Unity 43. “There aughta be ___” 44. Barked shrilly 48. Be of use to 49. Ford from the 70’s 50. First piece of peace 52. Groundbreaking comic Kovacs 54. Forest unit 55. Walk awkwardly 56. “Step ___!”

57. Without purpose 58. ___ slaw 59. Negotiation’s start and end

Answers on page 54.

Jumbles: BRAND EPOCH ALWAYS UNEASY Answer: Difficult to avoid if you work in an elevator building -- ITS UPS AND DOWNS

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

From the publisher ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie From page 2 opinion, as well as your willingness to support some of these options politically.

You can start by sending us a Letter to the Editor (see box below for addresses).

We will provide space for the conversation to get underway on our pages.

Older adults — particularly those who are well-off and well-prepared for retirement — may want to recognize their relative advantages and support proposals that cut back on their entitlements (yes, even their earned benefits), in the interests of assisting those less fortunate (yes, including those who could have saved more than they did).

Our future is one of longer and better lives, but comes with financial costs we may not be able to bear equitably if we don’t take at least some of these steps.

The sooner we act — and the wider a variety of approaches we use to ameliorate the consequences — the better it will be for all of us and our progeny.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

GOLF LEAGUE SEEKS MEMBERS

The Burke Lake Seniors Golf League is accepting new members age 55 and older. Reserved tee times are on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Par 3 Burke Lake Golf Course, 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station, Va. Annual dues for the season, which is from April 1 through Oct. 3, are $20, plus green fees at a reduced rate. For more information, call Charlie Ryan at (703) 690-4227.

BEACON BITS

Feb. 18

AARP LUNCHEON The Southwest Waterfront AARP Chapter #4751 presents its

monthly luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at noon. The program features remarks

by Ward 6 Council Member Charles Allen on community matters impacting Washington seniors, as well as lifelong learning and educational opportunities for seniors. Current AARP members and new prospective members are welcome. The luncheon will take place at the River Park Mutual Home’s Community Room, 1311 Delaware Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. The cost is $5 for lunch. For more information, contact chapter president Betty Jean Tolbert Jones at bettyjeantolbertjones@yahoo.com or call (202) 554-0901.

Feb. 18+

GARDEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The National Arboretum needs new volunteers for upcoming gardener training. Join the team of volunteer gardeners by attending

the Arboretum’s Volunteer Gardener Training starting February 18. Each of the six weekly classes is taught by professional horticulturists and researchers from the U.S. National Arboretum. Topics include botany, pruning, plant identification, weed removal, soils, and integrated pest management. At the end of the training, new volunteers will have the opportunity to select the gardens at the arboretum for which they are interested in volunteering. For more information or to register, call (202) 245-4563.

WB 2/15

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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 55.

CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment.

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

Business and Employment Opportunities SWIMMING POOL SUPERVISOR NEEDED! Candidate will: Oversee 8-12 area pools, schedule lifeguard staff, provide customer service, complete minor service work, obtain health department permits. Contact Premier Pool Management, Inc. for more information, 301-989-2200.

Caregivers NEED A BREAK? RETIRED RN will relieve a caregiver. Mornings, evenings, and weekends. $15 an hour. Call Kay, 301-445-3778. References as needed.

I WILL CARE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES night/day. Own transportation. Good references.

Lots of experience. 301-502-2258.

“A” HOME HEALTH CARE – Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in. Flat rate for live-in care. 15 years experience. 240-533-6599.

PART-TIME JOB FOR MATURE GENTLEMAN. Companion needed to assist senior with any or all of these daytime activities: brisk walks, movies, music events, golf, board games, exercise, crafts. Senior has limited conversation.

Bowie area. Carter2278@live.com.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CARING, experienced caregiver to care for your loved ones?

Look no further; call Blema @ 301-908-9134.

References available upon request.

KIND, DEPENDABLE, EXPERIENCED caregiver for live-out care or live-in care for a flat rate. Hygiene care, Meal preparation, Housekeeping, Errands, Appointments, Medication reminders. Call 301-490-1146.

CHEVY CHASE HOME CARE – reliable certified caregivers at time of illness, infirmity, loneliness.

Personal assistance, ALL AGES, 4- to 24-hour shifts, homes, hospitals, nursing homes. MD, DC, No. VA. Tel.: 202-374-1240. www.ChChHomecare.com.

Computer Services RENT A GRANDCHILD – Do you need help with your computer skills – sending emails, surfing the Internet? I can help for $25 an hour.

Call 301-602-5874.

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

Senior Discount. Call David, 301-762-2570, COMPUTERTUTOR. PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call: David G at 301-642-4526.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Entertainment

Legal Services

Wanted

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

AFFORDABLE WILLS AND PROBATE: Don’t go it alone or rely on Internet forms. Avoid costly mistakes and get peace of mind by calling SUSAN ELEFF, ATTORNEY AT LAW, in Bethesda for practical, cost-effective legal services. Email: law@eleff.net or call 800.873.2943 today. See ad on page 32.

WANTED: ANTIQUE ELECTRONICS, engineer’s estates, Hi-Fi Stereo, huge old loudspeakers, ham radios, records, professional quality musical instruments, antique computers, scientific curiosities. 202-527-9501, vcvdc@msn.com.

Financial Services AFFORDABLE ACCOUNTING & Tax Solutions, Automation, Bookkeeping, Payroll Compliance Tax Planning, Preparation & Representation. 301-608-2248, inforequest@bai-tech.com.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate LOOKING TO TAKE THE LEAP? I’ll take you on a tour of the community, show you floor plans, discuss campus amenities, & offer how to best coordinate your move. I will preview units & contact you with a match. I also offer exceptional service selling your home. I’m a Seniors Specialist, Buyer Broker, Top 1% of Agents Nationwide, and a Leisure World resident! You can see my current listings on page 42.

Contact me: 301-580-5556, SueHeyman@aol.com, www.SueHeyman.com, Weichert, Realtors.

LEISURE WORLD ® – $190,000. 2BR 2FB “J” model in “Villa Cortese.” Table space kitchen with window, separate dining room, enclosed balcony. 1136 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD ® – $325,000. 2 BR 2 FB “Royal Aintree” patio home with update kitchen, enclosed sunroom addition, 1-car garage. 1394 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD ® – $285,000. 3BR 2FB 1HB “P” model with garage in Fairways, table space kitchen with window, enclosed balcony.

Golf Course view, 1530 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD ® – $299,000. 2BR 2B “F” in Turnberry Courts. T/S kitchen, separate dining room, enclosed balcony, wood floors, close to elevator. 1315 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD ® – $134,500. Rare 1BR 1FB 1HB “A” in “Vantage Point West” with upgraded T/S kitchen, separate dining room, fireplace in LR, enclosed balcony. 910 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.

Miscellaneous FRIENDSHIP KOSHER — Reasonably priced and delicious prepared Jewish foods (chicken, roast beef, kugels, salads, challah and more) now available for pickup every Friday at the JCC of Uptown Chevy Chase, located in Friendship Heights. Enjoy the highest standard of Kashruth and quality. Order deadline: noon Thursdays. To view our full menu and place your order, visit www.FriendshipKosher.org. For more info, call (240) 200-4515.

PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT ON CLUTTER – Looking for participants. Do you struggle with clutter? I am a photographer looking for people who are willing to have their cluttered or messy living spaces anonymously photographed. Compensation provided. Call 571-331-9316 or visit everittclarkphotography.com for more information.

THE GOLDEN NETWORK offers Jewish seniors and retirees a variety of engaging programs, including lectures, classes, one-on-one learning in person and by phone, concerts, sing-alongs and more! For more information and details about upcoming events, call 301-338-4810, email info@goldennetwork.org, or see goldennetwork.org.

Personals HUSBAND OF BRAIN-INJURED WOMAN seeks Long-Term Relation with Marriage in Mind. In my late 60s, DC area, active and fit, gentleman. Wife in accident 2 years ago with major brain injury, mental and physical abilities poor, no communication or companionship. Relation reduced to caregiver. No immediate divorce now, but want relation with good lady. Marriage likely. Race irrelevant. Please contact Paul at saver7777@aol.com.

ONE PHONE CALL COULD VERY well do it.

A nice lady, I would like to meet and develop a close relationship. Over 65. Francis, 301-312-5442.

Personal Services

LEISURE WORLD ® – $165,000. 3BR 2FB “Cambridge” model Quad home. Separate dining room, new paint and carpet, private patio, quiet setting. 1194 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463.

JUNIOR/SENIOR ERRAND GUY – for any reasonable errand. Walk dog, feed cat, pick up prescriptions, grocery shop, house watch while you are away, dept. store returns, wait in line at MVA, take care of oil change, wash, shop, schlepp, serve. Joe Rice. H: 301-947-4933. C:301944-4924. Gaithersburg/Kentlands resident 17 years.

CASH FOR YOUR HOUSE. ANY CONDITION, any situation. No equity, no problem. Ask for Mike. 240-257-0051.

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

LUXURY LIVING AT A MODEST PRICE in 55+ gated community loaded with amenities, activities & interest groups! The master bedroom suite features lighted walk-in closet, 2nd closet, full bath and stacking washer/dryer in separate laundry closet. The 2nd bedroom is on the opposite side of the unit. Both the living room and 2nd bedroom provide access to the large glass-enclosed balcony. Call Joan Brown, 240777-3132, 301-681-0550, ext. 138. Weichert, Realtors.

VIRGINIA PARIS – PICK UP & DELIVERY. If you need furniture, packages or other items delivered to you or to another location, please contact me at 703-896-2545. www.TheRosieNetwork.org. virginiaparisshuttle@gmail.com. Veteran Owned-Sgt Penn

CAMEON GROVE – UPPER MARLBORO, resort living at an active 55+ community. Rental – $1,695, 2BR, 2FB secured building, unit overlooking resort center and tennis courts, gas fireplace, living room, dining room, solarium, washer/dryer in unit, reserved parking. Inquiries, call 301-367-8780.

For Sale MINK JACKET AND HAT FOR $275. In good condition. Call Carol at 301-754-1289.

2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed.

Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures if desired. Call Steve, 410-913-1653.

Health MOBILE MD AVAILABLE – Licensed physician, Family Medicine and Urgent Care. 24/7, where you are. Accept: Medicare, Medicaid. Call: 703-303-2543.

Fax: 703-641-8321. Email: dr.zhousclinic@gmail.com.

WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, Guitars, Banjos, Mandolins, etc. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack, 301279-2158.

LADY WHO LOVES DISHES AND FIGURINES wants to buy yours. Especially Royal Copenhagen, Deco Noritake, Limoges, Herend and English bone China. Do you have a collection of cup and saucers, dog and cat figurines, Royal Doulton ladies or salt and pepper shakers? Also mid-century Scandinavian ceramics and glass, Asian items, silver, paintings and costume jewelry. Anything else old and interesting, please call me. 301-785-1129.

COINS. BUYING UNITED STATES AND FOREIGN COINS and Paper Money. Also postcards, antique cars and car-related items. Senior Citizens. Life-long collector. Kenny, 703-3690520. Best after 7 PM or leave message.

STERLING SILVER... TOP DOLLAR paid for silver marked “Sterling,” “925” or “800.” Want flatware, bowls, plates, candlesticks, etc. Please, no silver plate. Call Richard, 301-646-0101.

VINYL RECORDS WANTED from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201.

HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES, JEWELRY, ESTATES. I have been advertising in the Beacon for 20 years. Montgomery County resident – will travel to D.C., MD, VA. Buying following items: Furniture, art, jewelry, gold, sterling silver, old coins, vintage pocket and wrist watches, old tools, books, camera, military items – guns, rifles, knives, pocket knives, swords etc.

Also buying: old toys, dolls, trains, comic books, photographs, autographs, musical instruments, guitars, violins, etc. Also old sports memorabilia and equipment – baseball, golf, football, fishing etc. Please call Tom at 240-476-3441.

BUYING MILITARY MEMORABILIA WW2, WW1, Civil War uniforms, weapons, photos and items associated with US, German, Japanese or items of other Military History. DAVE, 240-4640958.

Classifieds cont. on p. 55

FROM PAGE 52

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

VAN MAN – For your driving needs. Shopping, appointments, pick-up and deliver – airport van.

Call Mike, 301-565-4051.

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

CHERYL’S ORGANIZING CONCEPTS LLC – Professional Organizing Services. Help with all aspects of home organizing. Experienced – References – Member NAPO. All work confidential. Licensed – Bonded. $25 discount on initial appointment. www.CherylsOrganizing.com. 301-916-9022.

Wanted WE BUY OLD AND NEW JEWELRY, Coins, Silver and Gold, Paper Money Too. Watches, Clocks and Parts, Military Badges and Patches Old and New. Call Greg, 717-658-7954.

OLD AND NEW WE BUY Sterling Silver Flatware, Tea Sets, Single Pieces of Silver, Large pieces of Silver Plates, Fountain Pens, Lighters, Tools, Cameras, Art Work. Toys From Trains to Hotwheels to Star Wars. Call Greg, 717-6587954.

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

A B O A R D D I C E

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A C E R B I N C A P A A L A O W N I T

A L S O Y E L P E D

S O C C E R M O M E R N I E

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C H I L D

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5

Classifieds cont. from page 54.

Wanted CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. We make house calls. Ask for Tom. Call anytime 301-654-8678 or 301-654-0838.

STAMP COLLECTIONS, AUTOGRAPHS purchased/appraised – U.S., worldwide, covers, paper memorabilia. Stamps are my specialty – highest price paid! Appraisals. Phone Alex, 301309-3622. Stampex1@gmail.com.

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

MILITARY ITEMS Collector seeks: helmets, weapons, knives, swords, bayonets, webgear, uniforms, inert ordnance, ETC. From 1875 to 1960, US, German, Britain, Japan, France, Russian.

Please call Fred 301-910-0783, Thank you. Also Lionel Trains.

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Wanted MILITARY ITEMS WANTED: Collector seeks to purchase military uniforms; flight jackets, patches, insignia, medals, etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne, and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. ALSO BUYING old Boy Scout, Airline Items, Toys, Lighters. Call Dan, 202-841-3062.

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

Thanks for reading!

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 20th of each month.

Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards.

Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $15 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word.

Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise. Each ad is $35 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word.

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

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

The Beacon, D.C. Classified Dept.

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

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Research Studies Aerobic Exercise Memory Study . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 IDEAL Healthy Aging Study . . . .20

Computer Classes

Elder Caring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Holy Cross Home Care . . . . . . . .22 LivHOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Old Dominion Home Care . . . . . .14 Options for Senior America . . . . .13 Virginian Home Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Housing

JCA SeniorTech . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-9

Dental Services IDC Dental Care . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Friedman, Stephen, DDS . . . . . . .24 Oh, Judy, DDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Employment Sales Person Wanted . . . . . . . . . .35

Financial Services Children’s National . . . . . . . . . . .33 James Magno, CPA . . . . . . . . . . .33

Funeral Services Fram Monuments . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Going Home Cremation Services . .36

Government Services D.C. Office on Aging . . . . . . .27-30 Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services . . . . . . .23 Montgomery County Information & Services/311 . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Hearing Services Auditory Services . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Sound Hearing Centers . . . . . . . .24

Home Health Care Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Care Advantage . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Classic Caregivers . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Arbor Terrace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Armed Forces Retirement Home . .22 Ashby Ponds/Erickson . . . . . . . . .11 Aspenwood Senior Living Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Brooke Grove Retirement Village . . . . . . . . . .19 Charter House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Chesterbrook Residences Assisted Living . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Churchill Senior Living . . . . . . . .41 Culpepper Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Erickson Living . . . . . . . . . . .11, 52 Falcons Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Friendship Terrace . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Greenspring/Erickson . . . . . .11, 52 Homecrest House . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Oaks at Olde Towne, The . . . . . . .36 Oaks of Wellington . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Olney Assisted Living . . . . . . . . .25 Park View Apartments . . . . . . . . .34 Potomac Place Assisted Living . .14 Quantum Property Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Ring House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Solana of Olney . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Sommerset Retirement Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Springhouse Senior Living . . . . .16 Springvale Terrace . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Vinson Hall Retirement Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Virginian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

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Legal Services

Restaurants

Eleff Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Law Firm of Evan. H. Farr . . . . . .33 Law Offices of Paul Riekhof . . . .31

Original Pancake House . . . . . . . .46 Wrap2Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Medical/Health 2 Fitt Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Hep C Community Educators . . .26 Holy Cross Germantown Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Horizon Vascular Specialists . . . . .6 I Hate Knee Pain . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Insight Memory Care . . . . . . . . . .11 Low Vision Specialists of Maryland & Virginia . . . . . . . .4 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . .26 Misler Adult Day Center . . . . . . .39 Novant Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Seven Corners Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Stem Cell Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Miscellaneous GROWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Shelf Genie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Retail/Pawn/Auction Boone & Sons, Jewelers . . . . . . . .35 Four Sales LTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 G&G Pawnbrokers . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Quinn’s Auction Galleries . . . . . .31

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Arden Courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 CommuniCare Health . . . . . . . . .21 Manor Care Health Services . . . .14 Village at Rockville, The . . . . . . .17

Subscriptions Beacon Subscription . . . . . . . . . .53 Washington Jewish Week . . . . . . .48

Theatre/ Entertainment

CVS/pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Rite Aid Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Ford’s Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Kennedy Center Group Sales . . . .46 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .45 Upper Chevy Chase JCC . . . . . . .12 Washington Ballet . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Washington National Opera . . . . .47

Real Estate Services

Tour & Travel

Eric Stewart - Long & Foster Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 HC Custom Homes . . . . . . . . . . .32 Long & Foster - Inderjeet Jumani . .16 Weichert Realtors - Sue Heyman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Eyre Bus, Tour & Travel . . . . . . .41 US Navy Memorial . . . . . . . . . . .49 Vamoose Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Pharmacy

Utilities Verizon DC Lifeline Program . . .42

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

The

irginian

Welcome Home!

“Age in Place” luxury community living with 1- and 2-bedroom apartments that can accommodate couples with different levels of care.

Call TODAY and ask for LeeAnn to schedule a tour and lunch on us!

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For All Northern Virginia!

Tell your doctor or Social Worker you choose e Virginian for your HOME HEALTH SERVICES. We cover ALL of Northern Virginia.

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