November 2010 Washington Beacon

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Do-it-yourself publishing arrives

In the mainstream In the process, the stigma formerly attached to a self-published book has all but disappeared.

“I realized self-publishing wasn’t a bad thing at all,” Toftoy said. “In fact, there’s a very fast response time. With a traditional publisher, you feel like you’re just a number.”

Now he’s done readings at Barnes and Noble and other area locations to promote his book, and is at work on a sequel.

Toftoy has a lot of company in being an advocate for moving beyond traditional publishing companies.

“When should you self-publish?” asked

NOVEMBER 2010

I N S I D E …

PHOTO BY FRANK KLEIN

By Barbara Ruben The brutal rape and murder of one of his students at George Washington University’s business school haunted Charles Toftoy.

Because he couldn’t put the gruesome crime out of his mind, Toftoy wrote a thriller in which a fictional professor and part-time sleuth tries to solve the murders of four Washington, D.C. undergraduates.

“I had never thought about writing fiction,” said Toftoy, who lives in Arlington, Va. “But I just started writing and researching, and it all came together.”

But what didn’t come together for Toftoy, 75, was a publishing house interested in printing his novel, It’s in the Eyes.

“I tried to get an agent, and when I wasn’t able to do so, I wrote a lot of letters to traditional publishers,” Toftoy recalled.

When he came up empty handed, Toftoy turned to self- publishing with some trepidation, recalling the days of “vanity presses” that would churn out a few thousand copies at an author’s own expense. Authors would then store the books in their basement and give them away to friends and family, while trying to get publicity from local papers and book stores.

He found out, however, that things are changing — and fast. While traditional publishers are facing financial issues, making it even more difficult to get a toehold in a major publishing house, technology — including the ability to print books on demand and to sell them worldwide via the Internet — has transformed the self-publishing industry.

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LEISURE & TRAVEL

Experience the sweet life in Hershey, Pa.; plus, step back in time in Athens, and know your rights on flights page 40

ARTS & STYLE

Pediatrician Louis Cooper turned to a local self-publishing company to print his book of advice for new parents and grandparents. Technology that permits books to be printed one at a time has revolutionized publishing, leading to rapid growth in selfpublished books and services for authors.

Judy Katz, founder of Katz Creative in New York. Her public relations agency specializes in working with authors to “birth” their books. “I’m such a strong believer in self-publishing that my answer to this is: Always.”

There are dozens of self-publishing companies out there, including iUniverse.com, parapublishing.com, cafepress.com and lulu.com, but Katz urged careful evaluation of the options. She said services and quality vary.

As an example of a full-service company, iUniverse offers everything from content and copy editing (even ghostwriting), to book design, indexing, printing, public relations, Internet marketing and more. Its

prices range from $600 to more than $4,000 per title, depending on the package of services selected.

Among the benefits of self-publishing, Katz said, is that in return for bearing the upfront costs for the book, self-published authors generally get to keep 80 to 100 percent of the net profit from sales, instead of the 10 percent royalty traditional publishers usually pay. In such arrangements, writers generally retain their copyrights.

A different self-publishing option is offered by the Maryland-based company PublishAmerica. Unlike companies that charge See SELF-PUBLISHING, page 36

The magic of two successful careers; plus, Elaine Stritch returns to Broadway at 85, and Bob Levey rails about Caddies page 46

FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k Causes of aging you can fight k How to quit smoking for good LAW & MONEY 24 k Best bonds to buy now k No Social Security COLA — again VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS k Volunteers give a lift

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SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

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Burn, baby, burn?

Perhaps you saw (or heard) this news its course — until a paying customer’s short a few weeks ago: Firefighters re- property was in danger, that is. sponding to an alarm in a The mayor of the city told rural area of Tennessee’s a reporter from the Union Obion County stood back and City Daily Messenger that the allowed a mobile home to fire department couldn’t burn to the ground because very well be expected to put its owner hadn’t paid an annuout fires and allow homeownal $75 fee for fire protection ers to pay the fee afterwards. services.

If they did, he reasoned, But when the fire threatthere would be no incentive ened a neighboring mobile for people to pay the fee home whose owner had paid FROM THE every year and support the the fee, they finally put out PUBLISHER fire department.

By Stuart P. Rosenthal the fire.

I suppose he has a case. If Now to be fair, it should be the only people in a communoted that the doublewide trailer home nity who paid to support the fire departthat burned down was outside the South ment were those who had actually sufFulton, Tenn. city limits and therefore was fered a fire, the price would have to be far not officially the responsibility of the city’s more than $75. In fact, it would have to be fire department. on the order of thousands or tens of thouBut as is common in many rural areas, sands of dollars. folks outside the city can pay a modest anOne might be tempted to compare this nual charge to obtain such coverage. Since to the rationale behind insurance. In fact, Gene Cranick, the owner of the trailer, had the mayor himself did exactly that. not done so this year (he said it was an In speaking with the press he noted, as oversight), the firefighters let nature take an analogy, that when drivers let their auto

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insurance policy lapse, the insurance company won’t pay for damages from an auto accident.

But there’s an essential difference between the situations, it seems to me. An insurance company can’t prevent auto accidents. It can only spread their cost among all drivers.

A fire department, in contrast, can — sometimes at least — spare a home and its contents from utter destruction. Certainly in this case it appears it could have done that. It could also possibly have saved the lives of Cranick’s three dogs and a cat, who perished in the flames.

Instead, these fire fighters became fire gawkers instead, until a paying customer was at risk. Then they acted. Not out of human decency, or out of professionalism, or out of a desire to put their life- and property-saving skills to use, but because they had a commercial obligation to do so.

It seems to me they could have justified the effort and risk of intervening to save the Cranicks’ home by saying they were preventing the fire from spreading to nearby homes. I think it would have earned them gratitude and a new paying customer for life.

The International Association of Fire Fighters, a union that represents professional fire fighters, condemned the decision to let the house burn, calling it “incredibly irresponsible” and “completely avoidable.” But they noted the fire fighters themselves were just following orders.

“Career fire fighters shouldn’t be forced to check a list before running out the door to see which homeowners have paid up.

They get in their trucks and go,” said the association’s president.

The son of the destroyed home’s owner was so angry about the fire department

that he went to the fire house afterwards and punched the chief, according to police.

He was charged with aggravated assault.

There’s a part of me that wishes the police had arrested the fire chief as well.

Wait ‘til you see this!

You may have visited the Beacon’s website before, but please go take another look sometime soon.

We’re still at www.theBeaconNewspapers.com, but the site itself is completely different, with new features including blogs (mine and one from Barbara Ruben, our managing editor), reader forums (where you can post comments on existing topics or start one of your own), daily comics, puzzles and games, useful links, a searchable resource guide and much more.

You can read, print, e-mail and bookmark articles from our Greater Washington and Greater Baltimore editions, as well as past editions. Plus, you can now rate our articles and post your own comments on them, as well as on blog and reader forum posts.

We have also simplified our online, searchable Resource Guide, and will be expanding it to more categories and with additional listings as time goes on.

And look for our new “flip-page” version of the printed Beacon. There are lots of new features there, too.

We hope you like our new website and will encourage your friends and family to use it as well. Come back and visit often! It will be updated at least weekly, and we’ll be adding new features over time.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. You may also submit letters via the “Contact us” link on our website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.

• Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President of Operations ....Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Graphic Designer ..............................Kyle Gregory

2009 Outstanding Publication Award

• Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock, ..........................................Kristian Dixon, Ron Manno • Staff Writer ..................................................Delia Sava

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (301) 949-9766 • E-mail: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 53 for classified advertising details. Please mail or e-mail all submissions. © Copyright 2010 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

Dear Editor: I want to let you know how useful your publication is to me, especially Kimberly Lankford’s article in the February 2009 issue on “Life changes can reduce Medicare costs.”

I wrote to Medicare using SSA-44 as was suggested in the article and have received a positive adjustment in my monthly premium (positive in my favor).

I have received a retroactive adjustment dating back to January 2010, the time when my income declined due to a change in work status. Thank you for the moneysaving article!

John Loverro Vienna, Va. Dear Editor: Page 3 of the Voters’ Guide [inserted in

the October Beacon] lists some erroneous information which should be corrected immediately.

This portion of the guide refers to Robert Ehrlich, Jr. and Mary Kane as being affiliated with the Democratic Party. This is far from the truth.

Is this mistake “deliberate?” Many times people will vote for the party and not the individual. If they thought that Bob Ehrlich was a Democrat and voted for the democratic side of the ballot it would be a vote for O’Malley. It is recommended that this error be corrected immediately. Elections are flawed enough without adding to them.

John W. Smith Via e-mail See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 26

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Health Fitness &

KICK THE HABIT FOR GOOD Smokers today have a number of tools that can help them finally quit CATARACT CONFUSION While we know how to treat cataracts, we don’t know how to prevent them PRESSURED TO CHOOSE Finding the right blood pressure medication requires trial and error ENERGIZING EXERCISE Physical activity will give you more energy, but start slowly and eat right

How to fight four primary causes of aging

By Deborah Kotz Benjamin Franklin once declared that “we get old too soon and wise too late.” Applying a little wisdom, though, may keep you from aging before your time.

“Only about 5 to 20 percent of the aging process has to do with our genes,” said Jonny Bowden, a nutritionist and best-selling author of numerous books, including his recently released The Most Effective Ways to Live Longer.

“The rest has to do with how we treat our bodies, which determines whether, like a light switch, we turn the good genes on and the bad genes off.”

His book identifies what he calls “the four horsemen of aging” — thought to be dangerous processes that age our bodies and are triggered by the foods we eat and the lifestyles we lead.

Conquer these four horsemen, Bowden contends, and you can slow down the aging process and help stave off heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. (An added bonus: looking younger than your peers at high school reunions.)

No. 1 — Free radicals Similar to the way rust attacks a car, free radicals (chemically unstable molecules)

attack our cells and damage our DNA, a process that many experts believe accelerates aging. Free radicals are also known to increase the risk of cancer.

You can’t, unfortunately, completely avoid these molecules — they’re present in the air you breathe — but you can limit your exposure to them, said Bowden. The trick is to avoid things like cigarettes, trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils that have been banned from many foods), excess sun exposure, charred meats, and other sources.

Bowden also recommends buying organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible to limit your exposure to pesticides and herbicides, which also contain the harmful molecules.

If you can’t afford to go completely organic, try at least to buy the following foods organically: peaches, apples, blueberries, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, imported grapes, spinach, kale and potatoes.

Last year, the Environmental Working Group found that these “dirty dozen” contain the highest level of chemical residue when compared to other kinds of produce.

That being said, fruits and vegetables are also chock full of antioxidants, which

are thought to neutralize free radicals, so you should still aim to get five servings a day, organic or not. Those with the highest amount of antioxidants include prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries and kale.

No. 2 — Inflammation While inflammation normally is part of a healthy immune response to foreign invaders, chronic inflammation is considered to be a major player in many diseases of aging, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Chronic inflammation happens when the immune system begins targeting healthy cells and tissues for attack.

How to keep inflammation at bay? One way is to follow a Mediterranean-style diet, said Bowden, based on whole grains, fatty fish like salmon and tuna, fruits, vegetables and monounsaturated fats (those from nuts, avocados and olives) with little meat.

“Studies have shown that heart patients who follow this diet have much lower rates of heart attacks, even if they still have high cholesterol,” Bowden said.

Other great anti-inflammatory foods include the spice turmeric, chocolate (the really dark kind that has 70 percent or

higher cacao content), and red wine, which contains the anti-aging chemical resveratrol.

However, resveratrol may prove more useful as a supplement, since you would have to drink more than 100 bottles of wine a day to make any real impact on the aging process, researchers contend.

Exercise is another great way to lower inflammation by boosting anti-inflammatory chemicals and helping you avoid weight gain through the years. (Having too much belly fat, defined as a waist measurement of more than 35 inches for a woman and 40 inches for a man, means you probably have high inflammation, since abdominal fat produces inflammatory chemicals.)

Aim for a moderate amount of steady exercise like brisk walking, swimming or biking for 30 to 45 minutes five days a week — the amount most experts recommend. But don’t overdo it to the point of soreness and extreme fatigue, since too much exercise can actually increase inflammation, at least temporarily.

No. 3 — Glycation This is a fancy word for too much sugar, or See FIGHT AGING, page 6

The good bacteria we can’t do without

By Lauran Neergaard Antibiotics can temporarily upset your stomach, but now it turns out that repeatedly taking them can trigger long-lasting changes in all those good germs that live in your gut, raising questions about lingering ill effects.

Nobody yet knows if that leads to later health problems. But the finding is the latest in a flurry of research that raises questions about how the customized bacterial zoo that thrives in our intestines forms — and whether the wrong type or amount plays a role in ailments from obesity to inflammatory bowel disease to asthma.

Three healthy adults collected weeks of stool samples so that scientists could count exactly how two separate rounds of a fairly mild antibiotic caused a surprising population shift in their microbial netherworld — as some original families of germs plummet-

ed and other types moved in to fill the gap.

It’s also a story of how we coexist with trillions of bacteria, fungi and other microbes in the skin, nose and digestive tract — what scientists call the human microbiome. Many are beneficial, even indispensable, especially the gut bacteria that play an underappreciated role in overall health.

“Gut communities are fundamentally important in the development of our immune system,” explained Dr. David Relman of Stanford University, who led the antibiotic study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “Let’s not take them for granted.”

Next, Relman plans to track whether antibiotics used during the first year or two of life, when youngsters form what will become their unique set of gut bacteria, seem to predispose children later to immune-related diseases.

Bacteria aid digestion, immunity Antibiotics already should be used cautiously because they can spur infectioncausing bacteria to become drug-resistant.

The new research raises different questions about effects on beneficial bacteria — and if abnormalities in the microbiome really are linked to health problems, how those changes might begin.

“We should start paying attention to this,” said Dr. Martin Blaser, a microbiome specialist at New York University Langone Medical Center, who wasn’t involved with Relman’s work but also is planning to study the issue in children. “The main point is that antibiotic use is not free in a biological sense.”

Everyone is born with an essentially sterile digestive tract, but within days the gut is overrun with bacteria from mom and dad, the environment, first foods.

Ultimately, a healthy person’s intestinal tract teems with hundreds of species of microbes, the body’s biggest concentration, with many involved in such things as digestion and immune reaction.

In the not-so-healthy, scientists have discovered that overweight people harbor different types and amounts of gut bacteria than lean people, and that losing weight can change that bacterial makeup.

They’ve also found links to other digestive diseases, precancerous colon polyps, and even are pursuing a theory that early use of antibiotics disrupts the developing microbiome in ways that spur autoimmune disorders like asthma or allergies.

Long-term antibiotic effects Antibiotics aren’t choosy and can kill off See GOOD BACTERIA, page 5

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Fitness & Health

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Learn more about the area’s housing options Check the boxes of communities from whom you would like to receive information and mail or fax this form.

Washington D.C. ❏Friendship Terrace (See ad on page 14) ❏Methodist Home of D.C. (See ad on page 44)

Maryland ❏Asbury Methodist Village (See ad on page 6) ❏Brooke Grove (See ad on page 18) ❏Charter House (See ad on page 35) ❏Churchill Senior Living (See ad on page 35) ❏Covenant Village (See ad on page 47) ❏Emerson House (See ad on page 47) ❏Homecrest House (See ad on page 21) ❏Landow House (See ad on page 22) ❏Mrs. Philippines Home (See ad on page 47) ❏National Lutheran Home/Village (See ad on page 31) ❏Park View at Bladensburg (See ad on page 32) ❏Park View at Columbia (See ad on page 32) ❏Park View at Ellicott City (See ad on page 32) ❏Park View at Laurel (See ad on page 32) ❏Renaissance Gardens Riderwood (See ad on page 10) ❏The Residence on Greenbelt (See ad on page 10) ❏Revitz House (See ad on page 22) ❏Riderwood Village (See ad on page 14) ❏Ring House (See ad on page 22) ❏Victory Forest (See ad on page 12) ❏Willow Manor (See ad on page 30)

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Please take a moment to answer these questions: When are you thinking of moving? ❏ immediately ❏ within 6 months ❏ within a year ❏ just looking What type of housing are you interested in? ❏ market-rate apartment or condo ❏ limited income active retirement ❏ market rate active retirement ❏ assisted living ❏ continuing care retirement community Name________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ City______________________________________State______Zip________________ Phone (day)__________________________(evening)_________________________ E-mail_________________________________________________________________

Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this form, to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 Or fax to (301) 949-8966.

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good germs as well as bad ones. But Relman and fellow research scientist Les Dethlesfsen wondered how hardy gut bacteria are, how well they bounce back.

So they recruited healthy volunteers who hadn’t used antibiotics in at least the past year to take two five-day courses of the antibiotic Cipro, six months apart.

The volunteers reported no diarrhea or upset stomach, yet their fecal samples showed a lot going on beneath the surface. Bacterial diversity plummeted as a third to half of the volunteers’ original germ species were nearly wiped out, although some other species moved in.

Yet about a week after stopping the drug, two of the three volunteers had their bacterial levels largely return to normal.

The third still had altered gut bacteria six months later.

The surprise: Another die-off and shift

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From page 4

happened with the second round of Cipro, but this time no one’s gut bacteria had returned to the pre-antibiotic state by the time the study ended two months later.

“History matters,” concluded Relman, who next is testing what jobs the most affected bacteria performed — such as helping to maintain intestinal barriers against infection — and whether the new bugs fully replaced them. “We may have to be more careful” about repetitive damage.

Of course, antibiotics aren’t the only means of disrupting our natural flora.

Other research recently found that babies born by cesarean harbor quite different first bacteria than babies born vaginally, offering a possible explanation for why Csection babies are at higher risk for some infections. Likewise, the gut bacteria of premature infants contains more hospitalstyle germs than a full-term baby’s.

The big issue is when such differences will matter, something so far, “we’re not really smart enough to know,” Relman said. — AP

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Fight aging From page 4 rather, what happens when the sugar mixes with proteins and fats to form molecules that promote aging. Advanced glycation end products, or AGEs, are thought to accelerate the aging process by churning out free radicals and promoting inflammation.

They form when you caramelize onions in a frying pan, for example, or mix a little sugar in with that omelette you’re cooking.

One way to avoid ingesting AGEs? Turn down the heat when you cook, said Bowden. The browning effect that occurs when you stir-fry vegetables at high heat or blacken chicken in a frying pan causes these molecules to form, especially if

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you’re adding sugar to the mix.

Limiting your intake of sugar-filled foods in general will also help, since excess sugar often binds to proteins in your body to form AGEs. The American Heart Association now recommends that women consume no more than 100 calories per day of added sugars, and men no more than 150 calories per day.

Aside from increasing your risk of heart disease, AGEs appear to play a role in diabetes by causing blood to become sticky and hampering its ability to flow smoothly through capillaries and into the extremities and vital organs like the kidneys and eyes.

“It’s like putting sugar in your gas tank,” said Bowden. “It gums up the works.”

No. 4 — Stress Why do U.S. presidents age twice as rapidly when in office than when not? Too much stress. Being under pressure initi-

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ates the release of a variety of stress hormones that make your pulse race and cause your blood pressure to rise.

But the hormone cortisol, released by the body to lessen these effects, actually creates problems when it remains chronically elevated. It has been shown to shrink a part of the brain called the hippocampus, Bowden said, which is essential for longterm memory. It can also lead to the accumulation of belly fat, causing inflammation and insulin resistance.

Bowden recommends practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga to help manage stress, but even he admits that he has trouble devoting 30 minutes a day to doing so.

“I usually just take five minutes every so often throughout my day to close my eyes and focus on my breathing,” he said.

Getting too little sleep is akin to feeling too much stress in terms of your body’s increased production of cortisol, so make sure to aim for seven to eight hours a night. © 2010 U.S. News and World Report

BEACON BITS

Nov. 16

LONG-DISTANCE CAREGIVING

Attend a seminar to learn strategies to help manage long-distance caregiving offered by the Fairfax Caregiver Seminar Consortium. It will be held at the Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston, Va., on Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. For additional information, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices or call (703) 324-5205, TTY 711.

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

7

When nothing helps you to quit smoking Fortunately, smokers today have a number of tools to fight tobacco addiction.

Quit-smoking aids include nicotine replacement (nicotine patches, gums, lozenges, inhalers and sprays), bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin), varenicline (Chantix), counseling and behavior-change therapy, and social support. None are miracle workers.

You mentioned having tried the nicotine patch. Dr. Nancy Rigotti, director of the Tobacco Research and Treatment Center at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, said that some smokers find success by adding to the patch a short-acting nicotine replacement product, like nicotine gum, lozenge or inhaler, to handle breakthrough cravings the patch can’t counteract.

You also mentioned that Chantix didn’t help you. Some people find that Zyban

works better for them than Chantix. Researchers are testing whether combining Zyban or Chantix with nicotine replacement is a safe and effective treatment for smoking cessation.

You also said that support groups aren’t for you. You don’t have to join a group to get

support. You can get free, helpful support from the comfort of your home by calling the national quit line at 800-QUIT-NOW. For some people, support is the missing piece of the solution, said Dr. Rigotti.

See QUIT SMOKING, page 9

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Women 50 and older can play in intramural basketball games at Langston-Brown Senior Center, 2121 N. Culpeper St., Arlington, Va. Games are held on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., Nov. 3 through 17, and Dec. 1 through 15. Intermediate and advanced levels of play, and individual and team registrations are available. Cost is $60/6 games ($72 without 55+ pass). To register, call (703) 228-4771 or email hmwhite@arlingtonva.us.

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8

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

Numbness, Weakness, Tingling or Pain in Your Feet or Hands?

Get Help and Get Answers at The 2010 Neuropathy Summit Peripheral Neuropathy—or nerve damage—has reached epidemic proportions, impacting over 20 million Americans. Yet, neuropathy continues to be one of the least recognized and least understood illnesses in the U.S. today, even within the medical community. But that is about to change…

The 2010 Neuropathy Summit shines a light on caring for the neuropathy patient as a whole person.

Hosted by The Neuropathy Association to mark its 15th anniversary as the national leader in bringing education, awareness, research, advocacy, and support groups to the neuropathy community, the Neuropathy Summit offers back-to-back patients and physicians educational conferences.

The Neuropathy Association’s 2010 Neuropathy Summit

Attendees will get a better understanding of the different types of neuropathy, the causes of neuropathy, and current recommended treatments and therapies for improving patients’ quality of life.

All neuropathy patients, caregivers, and family members are invited to take part in interactive information sessions that will:

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Cover how neuropathy is diagnosed and current treatment options; Help you better partner with your doctor to get the help and resources you need; Assist you with communicating with loved ones and colleagues about your neuropathy; Enable you to talk with others about their neuropathy experiences; Review the latest advances in research for treatments and cures; and Give you strategies for coping with everyday challenges…so you stay as active as possible!

Patients will learn from leading specialists how to better manage their neuropathy. Health care professionals will hear world-renowned experts review current medical and scientific knowledge, advances and best practices. The program covers a range of neuropathies—diabetic, autoimmune/ inflammatory, hereditary, idiopathic, among others—plus gives neuropathic pain management special

December 3-5, 2010

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emphasis because “nerve pain” is the primary issue for many people.

Registration fees include sessions, meals and an invitation to The Neuropathy Association’s 15th Anniversary reception and dinner on December 4th with special guests.

For more information, program updates, and to register, visit www.neuropathysummit.org or call 212-692-0662.

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

Quit smoking From page 7

Treatments on the horizon Several new treatments are under development and investigation. On the medication front, a class of drugs called cannabinoid receptor antagonists may someday be used to help smokers quit.

Also in the development pipeline are several anti-nicotine vaccines. They prompt the body to make antibodies to nicotine.

When nicotine enters the bloodstream, these antibodies bind to it.

The resulting nicotine-antibody complex is much too large to cross into the brain, rendering the nicotine incapable of turning on the brain’s nicotine receptors. In theory, this will help break the habit by denying the smoker the pleasurable feelings he or she

normally gets from smoking.

If cannabinoid receptor antagonists or vaccines pan out as safe and effective smoking cessation aids — and that is a big if — it will be years before they’re on the market.

Please don’t wait for treatments that may never materialize. You have already made a good start by cutting back. If you are serious about taking the next step, work with your doctor or someone who specializes in smoking cessation to figure out a plan tailored for you.

Sometimes people who’ve struggled to stop smoking and finally quit have the best suggestions.

— Thomas Lee, M.D., Editor in chief, Harvard Heart Letter © 2010. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services.

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MOVE OR AGE IN PLACE? A two-part series will explore the facts and feelings in making the

decision of where to live, including aging in place options. The series is presented

by Roberta Benor, housing consultant and author of The Keys to Senior Housing: A Guide for Two Generations. This free program will be held at the Schweinhaut Center at Forest Glen, 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring, Md., on Tuesday, Nov. 30 and Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. For additional information, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior or call (240) 777-8085.

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DIABETES AND YOUR EYES Learn ways to manage diabetes and save your eyesight on

Tuesday, Nov. 30 from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. at a free lecture sponsored by the Prevention of Blindness Society at Holiday Park Center, 3950 Ferrara Dr., Wheaton, Md. For additional information, call (240) 777-4999 or visit www.holidaypark.us.

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The Wellness Community-Greater Washington D.C., located at 5430 Grosvenor Ln., Suite 100, Bethesda, Md., is offering instruc-

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November is Alzheimer’s month, and a meeting of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Arlington Chapter

7 will provide information on current developments as well as legislation. The program will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at Culpepper Garden Senior Center, 4435 N. Pershing Dr., Arlington, Va. Guests are welcome to attend; social time begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by the program at 1 p.m. Call (703) 578-1935

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We Bring Flu Shots to You! MedStar Health Visiting Nurse Association will provide flu shots and other vaccinations at your location of choice.

We visit senior centers, malls, churches, schools and other organizations across the Baltimore, D.C. and northern Virginia region. Minimum of 20 participants required.

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

Cataracts: what we do and don’t know

By Dr. Celeste Robb-Nicholson Q. Is it true that cataracts are made of calcium? Can I do anything to avoid getting a cataract? What about diet?

A. A cataract is a vision-clouding area in the lens of the eye. About half of all people ages 65 to 74, and 70 percent of those ages 75 and over, develop cataracts, which are the leading cause of blindness worldwide.

Fortunately, surgery is safe and effective. In places like the United States, where it’s one of the most common opera-

tions performed, it leads to improved vision in about 90 percent of cases.

How cataracts form Cataracts aren’t made of calcium but rather of clumps of protein. The cells of the eye’s lens are composed of water and protein arranged in a way that keeps the lens clear.

For reasons that aren’t fully understood, the protein molecules may clump together and start to cloud the lens. This is the be-

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ginning of a cataract. The effect has been likened to cooking an egg white.

The eyes see the light that objects reflect. Reflected light enters the eye through the cornea and lens and comes into focus on the retina at the back of the eye. The cornea starts the focusing process by bending the light at an angle determined by the cornea’s curvature.

The lens then fine-tunes the focus, further bending the light. Nerve cells in the retina send the light energy to the brain via the optic nerve.

You may not notice anything at first, but cataracts typically progress, becoming denser or clouding more of the lens and blurring vision.

Eventually, vision may be so severely affected that surgery is needed to remove the lens and replace it with an artificial one. Cataracts usually form in both eyes but may not progress at the same rate or affect vision equally in both eyes.

What causes cataracts?

We know how to treat cataracts, but we don’t know much about why they develop.

Aging is obviously a factor — possibly because of changes in the chemical composition of the lens or possibly because of normal wear and tear. Most people develop some lens opacity, or clouding, by the age of 60.

Other risk factors include injury to the eye, previous eye surgery, diabetes, use of corticosteroid drugs, and having a family member with cataracts. Many studies have implicated smoking and drinking as well.

And a study suggests that hormone therapy may increase the risk. Cataracts also seem to be more common in people who’ve had long-term exposure to sunlight.

We don’t know if avoiding or treating these risk factors will prevent a cataract See CATARACTS, page11

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SHARE YOUR WISDOM Elder Wisdom Circle, a web-based nonprofit that pairs advice seekers in their teens, 20s and 30s with a network of “cyber-

grandparents,” is looking for volunteers age 60 and older who want to share their wisdom. For additional information, visit www.elderwisdomcircle.org or call (925) 945-8814.

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

Cataracts From page 10 from forming. But it can only do you good to refrain from smoking, moderate your alcohol consumption, and protect your eyes from sunlight with hats and sunglasses.

Evidence on the role of diet in cataract prevention is mixed. Some experts believe that antioxidant vitamins might help prevent cataracts by getting rid of molecules called free radicals, which may trigger or fuel protein clumping.

But despite several studies, there’s no

convincing evidence yet that vitamin supplements prevent or slow cataract growth.

In a 2008 Archives of Ophthalmology study, researchers found that women ages 50 to 79 whose diets were rich in lutein and zeaxanthin had fewer cataracts.

These phytochemicals are abundant in dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, Swiss chard, watercress, and dandelion greens. But these vegetables contain many other healthy substances, so it’s not clear whether lutein and zeaxanthin are responsible for the eye benefits.

In any case, you should have your eyes examined every two years (annually after age 60). And even if you can’t do much to prevent or slow the growth of cataracts, you can reduce their impact on your life in various ways, such as adjusting your eyeglasses, getting anti-glare sunglasses or

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The Jewish Social Service Agency is looking for volunteers 18 and older to help enhance the quality of life of those facing lifethreatening or terminal illness. Russian speakers are especially needed.

Applications and interviews are required for those interested in the training course. The training will take place at JSSA’s office, 6123 Montrose Rd., Rockville, Md. Contact Amy Kaufman Gott at (301) 816-2650 or visit www.jssa.org to learn more.

magnifying lenses, or just using brighter lights at home and work.

Celeste Robb-Nicholson, M.D., is editor in chief of Harvard Women’s Health Watch. © 2010 President and fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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

Blood pressure meds require personal fit

By Lauran Neergaard It’s hard to predict which pills will best lower which patient’s high blood pressure, but researchers are hunting for ways to better personalize therapy — perhaps even using a blood test.

The work is controversial, challenging today’s usual approach to treating the hypertension that plagues nearly one in three U.S. adults.

Now a trio of studies shows some drug combinations work better for certain populations — and raises the possibility that measuring blood levels of a hormone involved in hypertension might help optimize some people’s care.

The big surprise: Taking a drug that’s a poor match to that hormone level may not just fail to work — it sometimes can trigger a jump in blood pressure.

“The idea that one size fits all doesn’t make a lot of sense,” said Dr. Michael Alderman of New York’s Albert Einstein Col-

lege of Medicine, who supports the blood test approach.

A trial-and-error approach Don’t expect a routine test for that hormone, called renin, any time soon. Many doctors are skeptical because initial research a few decades ago failed to show a clear benefit, said Dr. Ernesto Schiffrin of Canada’s McGill University, a hypertension specialist with the American Heart Association.

“The reality is that trial and error is to some degree what has to be done because patients are different and some patients develop adverse effects with one agent and others don’t,” he said.

But with blood testing now easier and more reliable, some experts say it’s time for broader studies to settle the debate.

“We must redirect our efforts away from the strategy of treating hypertension as one condition,” wrote Wake Forest Univer-

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sity public health specialist Dr. Curt Furberg. He pushed renin-guided therapy in an editorial accompanying the new research in this month’s American Journal of Hypertension.

High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure, and it’s on the rise as the population becomes older, fatter and more sedentary.

Only about half of patients have their hypertension under control, and the vexing hunt for the right medication is among the reasons.

Several meds may be needed Nearly everyone is urged to start with a diuretic, an old, cheap class of drugs that reduces fluid in the body, and to add medications that work in different ways as needed.

Most people wind up on two or more drugs, and too frequently give up the pillpopping, not understanding that it’s necessary even when they feel good. Also, many doctors are reluctant to prescribe two- and three-drug combinations until they find the right mix.

Blood pressure is a balance of how much fluid is in your arteries and how tight or relaxed those arteries are. Renin is secreted by the kidneys, and how much is in your blood helps determine if your hypertension is more a problem of fluid volume or constricted arteries, Alderman explained.

Among the new findings: • In a study of 954 people prescribed a single drug, those with low renin levels responded best to a diuretic. But people with high renin levels responded better to such medicines as ACE inhibitors that target an artery-narrowing substance spurred by the renin, Alderman reported.

• Nearly 8 percent of patients had their blood pressure jump at least 10 points after starting medication, Alderman found.

Most at risk were people who had low renin levels yet were prescribed anti-renin drugs like ACE inhibitors or beta blockers.

When doctors see that side effect, “we always assume it’s the patient’s fault” — that they skipped pills or ate too much salt, Alderman said. “It may not be.”

• In a separate study, Dr. Stephen Turner of the Mayo Clinic found how much renin remained in the blood, while taking a first medication, predicted which additional drug was best to add for further help.

• Then there are racial and ethnic variations. Black patients tend to have lower renin levels than whites, and doctors have long known that for a first drug, blacks fare better with a diuretic than a beta blocker.

A British study tested two-drug combinations, and found blacks fared worse than whites when mixing another popular medication, a calcium channel blocker, with an ACE inhibitor. But that worked far better for south Asian patients, for unknown reasons.

Other researchers think starting everybody on two-drug combinations that hit hypertension from two directions is the way to go. A Canadian study last year supported starting with a low-dose combo of a diuretic plus an ACE inhibitor.

Stay tuned: Despite his own renin findings, Mayo’s Turner said that hormone plays a small role in patient variability — and he’s hunting underlying genetic differences that might one day better guide treatment choice.

— AP

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

HOLY CROSS HEALTH Helping you stay active and well.

“I’ve got no pain!”

Exclaims Elizabeth Briscoe After Back Surgery To treat the degenerative disc disease, two vertebrae in the spine were fused together so that no motion occurs between them.

Elizabeth Briscoe’s back pain started suddenly. “I was on the treadmill trying to lose weight when a terrible pain went down my leg,” the 66-year-old says. “When the pain did not go away, I went to see my doctor.”

“When I came to, all I could say was, ‘I have no pain’ over and over again,” Elizabeth says. “I keep asking myself, ‘Why didn’t I have surgery sooner?’”

For several years, Elizabeth bravely struggled to fight the pain. She tried antiinflammatory medicine, steroids, pain medicine, physical therapy, epidural blocks and other treatments.

Classes about joint replacement are offered regularly; call 301-754-7929 for dates, times and to register.

“But nothing worked for long,” she says.

“I couldn’t drive, and some nights I had to sleep standing up supported by furniture.”

Elizabeth was diagnosed with a damaged spinal disc and degenerative disc disease, and needed surgery to relieve her pain.

Elizabeth Briscoe, of Southern Maryland, finds relief from severe back pain.

Her surgeon performed a minimally invasive procedure to remove a bone and ligament

that were pressing on her spinal nerves and also to correct the extruded disc herniation.

Request your free “Make Your Move” kit to step away from joint, back or neck pain. It includes a pain diary to help you prepare for a conversation with your doctor and information about treatment options. Plus, a stretchy exercise band. Call 301-754-8800 or visit www.holycrosshealth.org.

EVENTS AND CLASSES FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS Holy Cross Hospital Senior Source offers physical activity, education and information for health and wellness.

All classes are held at the Holy Cross Hospital Senior Source, located at 8580 Second Avenue in Silver Spring.

To register or for more information, call 301-754-8800 or visit www.holycrosshealth.org.

DIABETES SELFMANAGEMENT EDUCATION PROGRAM Thursdays, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, 9, 16 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Learn about a full range of lifestyle and clinical issues related to diabetes.

The program is staffed by a certified diabetes nurse educator and a registered dietitian experienced in the care and treatment of diabetes.

Medicare covers diabetes education.

FOOD FOR LIFE NUTRITION AND COOKING CLASSES Tuesdays; Oct. 26-Nov. 16

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $12 for single class Oct. 26: Introduction to How Foods Fight Cancer Nov. 2: Fueling up on Low-Fat, High Fiber Foods Nov. 9: Discovering Dairy and Meat Alternatives Nov. 16: Cancer-Fighting Compounds and Healthy Weight Control

JAZZ DANCE Tuesdays Session II: Nov. 9-Dec. 14 1 to 2 p.m. • $27 Instructor: Tyrone Murray Smooth jazz warm-ups and simple

jazz dance steps and routines set to a variety of music and styles.

KARL’S FITNESS CLASS FOR SENIORS Tuesdays and Thursdays Session II: Nov. 9-Dec. 16 $49.50 6 to 6:45 p.m.

Instructor: Karl Haddad This boot camp-inspired fitness class will get you in the best shape of your life. Perfect for working older adults.

LINE DANCE Fridays Session II: Nov. 5-Dec. 10

(no class Nov. 12 or Nov. 26) $22.50 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Instructor: Shirley Duncan Get a great workout while learning the latest line dancing techniques.

MAT PILATES Tuesdays Session II: Nov. 9-Dec. 14 (no class Nov. 23) • $22.50 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Instructor: Jessica Weiss Strengthen, tone and lengthen your core muscles to balance the strength of your abdominal and back muscles while improving posture and flexibility.

To register for an upcoming class, for a physician referral or for more information, call 301-754-8800.

1500 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 - 301-754-7000 - holycrosshealth.org

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Health Shorts Vitamin B may delay Alzheimer’s A large daily dose of vitamin B may delay the rate at which the brain shrinks in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, a new study suggests. More than 150 people with MCI were involved in the two-year clinical

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

trial, described in the journal Public Library of Science One. Roughly half of the participants took a daily pill comprised of high levels of vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid, while the other group took placebos. Those in the vitamin group experienced brain shrinkage at a rate of 0.76 percent a year, on average, compared to 1.08 percent for the placebo group. “This is a very dramatic and striking result. It’s much more than we could have predicted,� study coauthor David Smith told Reuters. “It is our hope that this simple and safe treatment will delay develop-

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ment of Alzheimer’s in many people who suffer from mild memory problems.�

The vitamins contained 300 times the recommended daily intake of B12, 15 times the recommended B6 intake, and four times the recommended folate intake.

Certain B vitamins have been shown to reduce the body’s amount of the amino acid homocysteine, high levels of which have been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s.

MCI, which causes memory loss and inhibited mental functioning, affects about 16 percent of people over 70. Half of those diagnosed will develop Alzheimer’s within five years, Reuters reported. — U.S. News & World Report

Website for caregivers A new service from the website www.caring.com offers specific, stage-appropriate advice for those providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.

Caring.com provides information and support to caregivers in general as they care for aging parents, spouses and other loved ones.

The site recently launched Steps & Stages (www.caring.com/steps-stages/alzheimers) to help family caregivers of dementia patients identify the many stages of the disease and understand the symptoms to expect at each stage and how to cope with them.

It also offers online support groups where communities of caregivers whose loved ones are at a similar stage can connect through the website and learn from one another. “Caring for someone with dementia can be such a difficult and lonely experience,� said Andy Cohen, cofounder and CEO of Caring.com.

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Stents double risk in older stroke patients Stroke patients over 70 who get stents to keep their arteries open may be doubling their risk of having another stroke or dying compared to patients who get surgery instead, a new study indicates.

European researchers examined past studies from more than 3,400 stroke patients, including 1,725 who got stents and 1,708 who had surgery, and found that a patient’s age makes a big difference in how effective stents are.

In patients older than 70, 12 percent of those who got a stent had a stroke or died within four months of the procedure, versus about 6 percent of the patients who only had surgery.

In those under 70, there was no difference between the groups — about 6 percent in each had a stroke or died within that time period.

Doctors think stents may be more dangerous in older people because their arteries are more easily damaged during the procedure to put the stents in place.

In February, an American study found See HEALTH SHORTS, page 15

Dentistry to EnhanceYour Smile Stephen J. Friedman, DDS, PA www.go-smiles.net

A variety of dining options #727 No property tax checks #3 Indoor, heated swimming pool

“We’ve created tools to help caregivers reduce stress and find comfort in understanding what they’re experiencing,� added Cohen. “Steps & Stages is about what they are experiencing today, along with guidance about what to expect next.�

Once signed up on the site, caregivers receive weekly e-newsletters that provide suggestions for how to handle the symptoms likely to be seen in the near future. —Barbara Ruben

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More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Fitness & Health

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

Health shorts

to help strengthen weak bones may raise the risk of esophageal cancer, new research suggests.

People who take oral bisphosphonates — a widely prescribed class of osteoporosis drugs — for more than five years appear to have twice the risk of developing cancer of the esophagus than those who’ve never taken the medications, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal.

The findings also suggest that taking the drugs for less than five years is linked to a 30 percent greater chance of developing the cancer, said the researchers, who followed 80,000 people for nearly eight years.

“We have to be concerned, but this is the first large study with long-term follow up that has found this effect,” study author Jane Green told Reuters. “Because esophageal cancer is uncommon, even a doubled risk is still a low risk.”

Typically, 1 in 1,000 people age 60 to 79 develops esophageal cancer, the study reported.

— AP

From page 14 stents were as safe as surgery for treating narrow neck arteries. But it also found the stents were more dangerous in patients older than 70.

Patients who get a stent have a tube inserted into their groin that is pushed up to the narrowed artery. A balloon is inflated to flatten the blockage and the stent holds the artery open. Patients are awake but sedated and recover within several days.

For the surgery, patients undergo general anesthesia. Their necks are cut open and the blockage is removed. They stay in the hospital for up to a week and can take several more to recover.

—AP

Osteoporosis meds raise cancer risk Drugs taken by millions of Americans

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Facing a diagnosis of breast cancer can be terrifying for any woman. And ƚŚĂƚ ĨĞĂƌ ŝƐ ĐŽŵƉŽƵŶĚĞĚ ǁŚĞŶ ƚŚĞ ĚŝĂŐŶŽƐŝƐ ŝƐ ŵĞƚĂƐƚĂƟĐ ďƌĞĂƐƚ ĐĂŶĐĞƌ ʹ ĐĂŶĐĞƌ ƚŚĂƚ ŚĂƐ ƐƉƌĞĂĚ ďĞLJŽŶĚ ƚŚĞ ďƌĞĂƐƚ͘ tŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞƌĞ ŝƐ ŶŽ ĐƵƌĞ ĨŽƌ ŵĞƚĂƐƚĂƟĐ breast cancer, it is treatable and today, more and more women are living longer, fuller lives with the disease. ^Ɵůů ŵĂŶLJ ǁŽŵĞŶ ǁŝƚŚ ŵĞƚĂƐƚĂƟĐ ďƌĞĂƐƚ ĐĂŶĐĞƌ ĐĂŶ ĨĞĞů ŝƐŽůĂƚĞĚ ĂŶĚ ŶĞŐůĞĐƚĞĚ ďLJ Ă ůĂĐŬ ŽĨ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ŐĞĂƌĞĚ ƚŽǁĂƌĚ ƚŚĞ ƵŶŝƋƵĞ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ ƚŚĞLJ ĨĂĐĞ͘ They are not alone: in 2007, approximately 155,000 women in the United States ǁĞƌĞ ůŝǀŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ŵĞƚĂƐƚĂƟĐ ďƌĞĂƐƚ ĐĂŶĐĞƌ ĂŶĚ ďLJ ϮϬϭϭ͕ ƚŚĂƚ ŶƵŵďĞƌ ŝƐ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĞĚ to increase to nearly 162,000.1

͞tŽŵĞŶ ůŝǀŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ŵĞƚĂƐƚĂƟĐ ĚŝƐĞĂƐĞ ŚĂǀĞ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ ƉƐLJĐŚŽƐŽĐŝĂů ĂŶĚ ŵĞĚŝĐĂů ĐŽŶĐĞƌŶƐ ƚŚĂŶ ǁŽŵĞŶ ǁŝƚŚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ƚLJƉĞƐ ŽĨ ďƌĞĂƐƚ ĐĂŶĐĞƌ͕͟ said Jean Sachs, CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a breast cancer ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶ ƚŚĂƚ ĂƐƐŝƐƚƐ ǁŽŵĞŶ Ăƚ Ăůů ƐƚĂŐĞƐ ŽĨ ĚŝĂŐŶŽƐŝƐ͕ ƚƌĞĂƚŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ƌĞĐŽǀĞƌLJ͘ ͞^ŚĞ ŵĂLJ ŶŽƚ ƌĞůĂƚĞ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƚĞƌŵ ͚ƐƵƌǀŝǀŽƌ͛͘ &Žƌ ǁŽŵĞŶ ǁŝƚŚ ŵĞƚĂƐƚĂƟĐ breast cancer the goal of treatment is to keep the disease under control for as ůŽŶŐ ĂƐ ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚƌLJŝŶŐ ƚŽ ĞŶũŽLJ ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ŽĨ ůŝĨĞ͘͟ dŚĂŶŬĨƵůůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ŵĞĚŝĐĂů ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ĂŶĚ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶƐ ĂƌĞ ƚƵƌŶŝŶŐ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĂƩĞŶƟŽŶ ƚŽǁĂƌĚ ǁŽŵĞŶ ůŝǀŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ŵĞƚĂƐƚĂƟĐ ďƌĞĂƐƚ ĐĂŶĐĞƌ ĂŶĚ ŽīĞƌŝŶŐ their support.

͞tŚĂƚ Ă ǁŽŵĂŶ ŶĞĞĚƐ ƚŽ ŬŶŽǁ ŽŶĐĞ ƐŚĞ͛Ɛ ďĞĞŶ ĚŝĂŐŶŽƐĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ŵĞƚĂƐƚĂƟĐ ĚŝƐĞĂƐĞ ŝƐ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ ŽƚŚĞƌ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ůŝŬĞ ŚĞƌ͕͟ ƐĂŝĚ DƐ͘ ^ĂĐŚƐ͘ ͞EĞǁ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ ĂŶĚ ƌĞƐŽƵƌĐĞƐ ĂƌĞ ĐƌŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƵƉ ƚŽ Įůů ƚŚĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ŐĂƉ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ĐƌŝƟĐĂů ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ƚŽ ƉĂƟĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ůŽǀĞĚ ones. Programs like the DĂŶLJ &ĂĐĞƐ ŽĨ ƌĞĂƐƚ ĂŶĐĞƌ allow women to meet others who are facing the same issues they are, while learning more ĂďŽƵƚ ůŝǀŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚŝƐ ĚŝƐĞĂƐĞ͘͟ The DĂŶLJ &ĂĐĞƐ ŽĨ ƌĞĂƐƚ ĂŶĐĞƌ ŝƐ ĂŶ ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶĂů ŝŶŝƟĂƟǀĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐĞƐ ƚŚĞ ĐƌŝƟĐĂů ĐŽŶĐĞƌŶƐ ŽĨ ďŽƚŚ ƚŚĞ ƐƵƌǀŝǀŽƌ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ƚŚŽƐĞ ǁŝƚŚ ŵĞƚĂƐƚĂƟĐ ďƌĞĂƐƚ ĐĂŶĐĞƌ ĚŝƐĞĂƐĞ͘ ^ƉŽŶƐŽƌĞĚ ďLJ ƐƚƌĂ ĞŶĞĐĂ͕ ŝŶ ƉĂƌƚŶĞƌƐŚŝƉ ǁŝƚŚ ĐĂŶĐĞƌ ĐĞŶƚĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ďƌĞĂƐƚ ĐĂŶĐĞƌ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶƐ ŶĂƟŽŶǁŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ Many &ĂĐĞƐ ŽĨ ƌĞĂƐƚ ĂŶĐĞƌ ŝƐ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŶŐ ǁŽŵĞŶ ǁŝƚŚ ůĞĂĚŝŶŐ ŵĞĚŝĐĂů ĞdžƉĞƌƚƐ ƚŽ ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƵŶŝƋƵĞ ŶĞĞĚƐ͘

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dŚƌŽƵŐŚ ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶĂů ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ ĂŶĚ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ǁŽŵĞŶ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ůŽǀĞĚ ŽŶĞƐ ĂƌĞ ĞŵƉŽǁĞƌĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ŶĞǁ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ĂďŽƵƚ ďƌĞĂƐƚ ĐĂŶĐĞƌ͕ ƚƌĞĂƚŵĞŶƚ ŽƉƟŽŶƐ͕ ŶƵƚƌŝƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ĚŝĞƚ͕ ŵĞƚŚŽĚƐ ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ ƚŚĞŵ ĐŽƉĞ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ĚŝƐĞĂƐĞ͕ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƌĞ͘ ƋƵĂůůLJ ĂƐ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚ͕ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƚƐ ƚŚĞƐĞ ǁŽŵĞŶ ǁŝƚŚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ůŽĐĂů ǁŽŵĞŶ ůŝǀŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ŵĞƚĂƐƚĂƟĐ ĚŝƐĞĂƐĞ͘ dŚĞ DĂŶLJ &ĂĐĞƐ ŽĨ ƌĞĂƐƚ ĂŶĐĞƌ ŝƐ ĞdžƉĂŶĚŝŶŐ ŝƚƐ ƌĞĂĐŚ ŽŶůŝŶĞ͕ ŽīĞƌŝŶŐ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͕ ůŝŶŬƐ͕ ĚŽǁŶůŽĂĚĂďůĞ ǀŝĚĞŽ ĂŶĚ ĂƵĚŝŽ ƚĂůŬƐ ǁŝƚŚ ůĞĂĚŝŶŐ ďƌĞĂƐƚ ĐĂŶĐĞƌ ƐƉĞĐŝĂůŝƐƚƐ ĂŶĚ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŶŽƵŶĐĞŵĞŶƚƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ƵƉĐŽŵŝŶŐ ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶĂů ĞǀĞŶƚƐ͘ To learn more about the DĂŶLJ &ĂĐĞƐ ŽĨ ƌĞĂƐƚ ĂŶĐĞƌ, visit: ǁǁǁ͘&ĂĐĞŬ͘ĐŽŵͬDĂŶLJ&ĂĐĞƐŽĨ ƌĞĂƐƚ ĂŶĐĞƌ͘ &Žƌ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ĨŽƌ ǁŽŵĞŶ ǁŝƚŚ ŵĞƚĂƐƚĂƟĐ ďƌĞĂƐƚ cancer, visit Living Beyond Breast Cancer at ǁǁǁ͘ůďďĐ͘ŽƌŐ͘ 1

ĂƚĂ ŽŶ &ŝůĞ͕ Ϯϲϲϰϳϴ͘ W>W͘ tŝůŵŝŶŐƚŽŶ͕ ͘

15

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

16

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

Health Studies Page

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Study looks at how Parkinson’s develops

By Barbara Ruben Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive degenerative disease of the brain that affects motor control, speech and other functions.

In patients with Parkinson’s disease, brain cells that produce a chemical called dopamine die off gradually. Without enough dopamine, patients experience symptoms such as tremors, muscle rigidity, balance problems and slowness of movement.

Parkinson’s disease, which is named after James Parkinson, an English physi-

cian who wrote a detailed description of the illness in 1817, affects about 1 million people in the United States.

Most people begin to develop Parkinson’s symptoms in their late 50s or early 60s, although it can occur in younger people.

In an effort to better understand who will develop the disease, the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., is studying biomarkers — physical traits used to measure the presence and progress of a disease — that might signal a risk for developing Parkinson’s or that the disease is already nascent.

Do you wake up BEFORE your alarm?

INSOMNIA

If you are 65 years or older and have trouble STAYING ASLEEP you may qualify to participate in a research study of an investigational drug.

Compensation will be provided for time and travel.

The Center for Sleep & Wake Disorders Chevy Chase, Maryland

Call 301-654-5665 research@sleepdoc.com

Friendship Heights Metro

GOUT & CARDIOVASCULAR D

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A

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DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU? Consider the following criteria for possible participation in a local clinical research study: • • • •

Men 50 years of age or older Women 55 years of age or older Diagnosed with gout History of major cardiovascular disease (includes stroke, blocked arteries, diabetes)

Qualified participants will receive study medication and study-related medical care at no cost. Compensation for time and travel may also be available for those who qualify.

Learn more by calling Manassas Clinical & Research Center.

Dr. Nabil Andrawis, M.D.

CALL: 703-330-1112 Or visit: www.GoutAndHeartStudy.com

Risk factors for Parkinson’s It is thought that certain biomarkers might identify people who are healthy now but may develop the disease later in life.

Researchers are looking for loss of nerves and nerve cells that use chemicals called catecholamines. Dopamine is one catecholamine and serves as a chemical messenger between the cells.

Both healthy volunteers and people who have certain risk factors for developing Parkinson may be eligible for the study.

The risk factors include a family history of Parkinson’s, loss of sense of smell, fall in blood pressure when standing up, and a type of sleep disturbance called REM behavior disorder. Priority for enrollment will be given to those with more than one risk factor.

Those in the study will be followed for seven and a half years to see if they develop symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Participants will first have a screening examination to determine if they have risk factors. A medical history will be taken, and volunteers will be tested on movement, sense of smell, mood, attention, fatigue, pain and cognitive skills. Blood will

be drawn for genetic testing.

In-patient testing Participants will also spend two to three days at the NIH Clinical Center for in-patient testing. This includes blood draws, genetic testing, spinal tap, ultrasound of the head, and PET and MRI scanning.

They will return to the clinical center for out-patient visits once every 18 months for five years for follow-up testing. However, the genetic testing and spinal tap will only be performed at the first visit.

Compensation will be offered for time and travel.

To take part in the study, volunteers must to 18 to 70 years old. They cannot have insulin-dependent diabetes, liver or kidney failure, congestive heart failure, severe anemia, or coronary heart disease that is symptomatic.

Potential participants may be excluded from the study if they are currently treated with a drug likely to interfere with the results of the study, including tricyclic antidepressants.

For more information, call (301) 4961115, e-mail pdrisk@ninds.nih.gov or see https://pdrisk.ninds.nih.gov.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 11

GHOSTLY MUSEUM TOUR

Explore the haunted past of the National Building Museum on Thursday, November 11 from 8 to 9 p.m. A “ghost” will guide the behind-the-scenes, lantern-light tour of the museum, located at 401 F St., N.W. Prepaid registration is required. The cost is $12 for members; $20 for non-members. Purchase tickets at http://go.nbm.org/ghosttours or call (202) 272-2448.

THE NEXT GENERATION IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE THERAPY

Georgetown University is recruiting participants for an ADCS-sponsored research study to help stop the progression of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease.

The purpose of this research study is to assess the safety, effectiveness and tolerability of a new experimental gene transfer drug called CERE-110 in patients with mild to moderate AD. This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to be conducted at 10 clinical research centers and will last about 24 months. CERE-110 is administered only once by direct surgical insertion into the area of the brain that is damaged or at risk of being damaged by AD. Clinical laboratory tests and imaging exams will be conducted.

For more information, please contact:

Kelly Behan (202) 687-0413 keb53@georgetown.edu

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17

Are costly cancer drugs worth the price?

For the last decade, the cost of new can-

vival by a year or more.

Unlike drugs that people can try for a month or two and keep using only if they keep responding, Provenge is an all-ornothing $93,000 gamble. It’s a one-time treatment to train the immune system to fight prostate tumors — the first so-called cancer vaccine.

Part of why it costs so much is that it’s not a pill cranked out in a lab, but a treat-

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

CZECHOSLOVAK CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

Czech and Slovak crafts, holiday items and cookies will be on sale at the annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 13 from noon to 4 p.m. The event, which is sponsored by the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences, will take place at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Rd., Bethesda, Md. The restaurant will serve typical dishes. Admission is free. Contact Helena Fabry at (301) 229-4064 for additional information.

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BEACON BITS

Nov. 13

trointestinal cancer specialist at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.

It’s unclear whether Provenge will ever do that — it needs to be tested in men with earlier stages of prostate cancer, doctors say.

So far, it has only been tried and approved for men with incurable disease who have stopped responding to hormone therapy. On average, it gave them four months more, though for some it extended sur-

H E A LT H S T U D Y I N F O • H EALTH STU DY I N FO

Most drugs aren’t cures

cer-fighting drugs has been topping $5,000 a month each. Celgene Corp.’s Revlimid pill for multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, can run as much as $10,000 a month; so can Genentech’s Avastin for certain cancers.

Only a few of these keep cancer in remission so long that they are, in effect, cures. For most people, the drugs may buy a few months or years.

Thea Showstack, a 30-year-old grad student whose leukemia was diagnosed last year, gets Novartis’ Gleevec — a drug that keeps certain leukemias and stomach cancers in remission. The dose she’s on now would cost $50,000 a year.

“I’m not actually sure that I know anyone who could afford it,” she said.

Gleevec’s cost is easier to justify, many say, because it keeps people alive indefinitely — a virtual cure. Job losses have led some people to stop taking Gleevec. Three such cases were recently described in the New England Journal of Medicine, and all those patients suffered relapses.

About 2,300 Americans died each year of Showstack’s form of leukemia before Gleevec came on the market; only 470 did last year. “I don’t think we quibble with a drug that buys people magical quality of life for years,” said Dr. Alan Venook, a gas-

H E A LT H S T U D Y I N F O • H EALTH STU DY I N FO

By Marilynn Marchione Cancer patients, brace yourselves.

Many new drug treatments cost nearly $100,000 a year, sparking fresh debate about how much a few months more of life is worth.

The latest is Provenge, a first-of-a-kind therapy approved in April. It costs $93,000 a year and adds four months’ survival, on average, for men with incurable prostate tumors.

Bob Svensson is honest about why he got it: insurance paid.

“I would not spend that money,” because the benefit doesn’t seem worth it, said Svensson, 80, a former corporate finance officer.

His supplemental Medicare plan is paying while the government decides whether basic Medicare will cover Provenge and for whom. The tab for taxpayers could be huge — prostate is the most common cancer in American men.

Most of those who have it will be eligible for Medicare, and Provenge will be an option for many late-stage cases. A meeting to consider Medicare coverage is set for Nov. 17.

18

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W

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Cancer drugs From page 17 ment that is individually prepared, using each patient’s cells and a protein found on most prostate cancer cells.

What’s a life worth?

Doctors and insurers increasingly are doing the cruel math that many cancer patients want to avoid, and questioning how much such small improvements in survival are worth.

A recent editorial in a medical journal asked whether the extra 11 weeks that Genentech’s Herceptin buys for stomach cancer patients justified the $21,500 cost.

Doctors also have questioned the value of Genentech’s Tarceva for pancreatic cancer. The $4,000-a-month drug won approval by boosting median survival by a mere 12 days.

So, when is a drug considered cost-effective?

The most widely quoted figure is $50,000 for a year of life, “though it has been that for decades — never really adjusted — and not written in stone,” said Dr. Harlan Krumholz, a Yale University expert on healthcare costs.

Many cancer drugs are way over that mark. Estimates of the cost of a year of life gained for lung cancer patients on Erbitux range from $300,000 to as much as

$800,000, said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, the American Cancer Society’s deputy chief medical officer.

Higher costs seem to be more accepted for cancer treatment than for other illnesses, but there’s no rule on how much is too much, he said.

Insurers usually are the ones to decide, and they typically pay if Medicare pays.

Medicare usually pays if the federal Food and Drug Administration has approved the use.

As a result, people are delaying retirement to preserve insurance coverage of cancer drugs. Holly Reid, 58, an accountant in Novato, Calif., hoped to retire early until she tried cutting back on Gleevec and her cancer recurred.

“I’m convinced now I have to take this drug for the rest of my life” and will have to work until eligible for Medicare, she said.

Lifetime caps on insurance benefits are hitting many patients as well, and laws are being pushed in dozens of states to get wider coverage of cancer drugs. The new federal healthcare law forbids such caps on plans issued or renewed Sept. 23 or later.

Tens of thousands of people are also seeking help from drug companies and charities that provide free medicines or cover copays for low-income patients. See box for more information on such programs.

—AP

BEACON BITS

Nov. 16

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY MEETING

Attend a meeting of the Mount Vernon Genealogical Society on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. at the Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Rd., Alexandria, Va. Sharon Hodges, chair of the society’s education and training committee, will conduct the meeting, which is free and open to the public.

Additional information can be found at http://www.MVGenealogy.org or by calling Harold McClendon at (703) 360-0920.

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Get help paying for cancer drugs These drug companies and organizations provide assistance to patients who cannot pay for their medication.

• Genentech: www.GenentechAccessSolutions.com • Novartis: http://www.patientassistancenow.com • Patient Advocate Foundation, 1800-532-5274 www.patientadvocate.org • CancerCare, 1-866-552-6729 www. cancercarecopay.org • Chronic Disease Fund, 1- 877968-7233 www.cdfund.org • Healthwell Foundation, 1-800-

675-8416 www.healthwellfoundation.org • Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 1-877-557-2672 www.LLS.org/copay • National Organization for Rare Disorders, 1-800-999-6673 www.rarediseases.org • Patient Access Network Foundation, 1-866-316-7263 www.panfoundation.org • Patient Advocate Foundation, 1866-512-3861 www.copays.org • Patient Services, Inc., 1-800-3667741 www.patientservicesinc.org — AP

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How can you get the energy to exercise?

Q: I know I should be more physically active, but I just don’t have the energy. What can I do?

A: It’s ironic: once you get more physically active, increased fitness and improved sleep will probably leave you feeling more energetic. It’s getting started that’s the energy challenge.

Have you tried to push yourself too quickly at too much intensity or time?

Most experts encourage people to start slowly; for those who are currently sedentary, that might mean just 10 or 15 minutes of exercise at a time.

Move at a speed and intensity that don’t leave you out of breath. Aim to feel energized, not exhausted, when you’re done.

Then gradually increase your time or speed a little each week.

In the DREW study of overweight, sedentary older women, even 25 minutes of modest walking for exercise three days a week was enough to significantly boost feelings of energy. Those who walked for an hour three times a week increased energy even further.

Make sure your lack of energy doesn’t reflect eating too few calories — either in total

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for the day or in the two hours before your need more research. Increased amount activity. Increasing activity doesn’t mean you and variety of vegetables and fruits show can eat unlimited calories, but the greatest potential so far. don’t let weight loss goals push Recently, a large populayou to cut calories so much you tion study in Europe linked have no energy. greater variety of vegetable If your meals or snacks conand fruit consumption with a sist mostly of sweets or refined nearly 25 percent drop in grains like muffins or pretzels lung cancer risk; however (which can give you a shortthis was only significant lived rise in blood sugar folamong current smokers. lowed by a crash), that could An American Institute for also explain your lack of energy.

Cancer Research (AICR) reSee if you feel more like walk- NUTRITION port concludes that fruits and ing after a balanced meal that in- WISE foods containing carotenoids By Karen Collins, cludes a vegetable and/or fruit, (such as vegetables and fruits whole grains, and beans, poul- MS, RD, CDM that are deep orange or dark try or other lean protein. green) probably help prevent Finally, if you’re chronically low on ener- lung cancer. gy, talk with your doctor since this may be Cruciferous vegetables (such as broca sign of anemia, a thyroid disorder, med- coli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower), ication side effect or another health prob- deep green vegetables (such as spinach lem that can be treated. and kale) providing folate, and many other Q: Are there steps that can reduce fruits and vegetables providing antioxidant lung cancer risk in non-smokers? flavonoid compounds may also work toA: Tobacco is unquestionably the major gether to increase protection. cause of lung cancer, accounting for nearly In addition, according to a major report nine out of 10 deaths from the disease. Yet from AICR and a recently released rethat still leaves thousands of cases of lung search review, regular physical activity cancer that we wish we could prevent might help prevent lung cancer, in addition through other steps. to its clear beneficial effect on risk of sevPassive smoking, technically referred to eral other cancers. as Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), The American Institute for Cancer Reaccounts for 3,000 deaths from lung can- search offers a Nutrition Hotline, 1-800cer among non-smokers in the United 843-8114, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday States each year, according to a National through Friday. This free service allows you Cancer Institute report. Making homes to ask questions about diet, nutrition and and workplaces non-smoking territory is a cancer. A registered dietitian will return major step to lower risk. your call, usually within three business days.

It’s also important to follow recommendCourtesy of the American Institute for ed precautions to avoid radon, airborne as- Cancer Research. Questions for this column bestos and occupational exposure to other may be sent to “Nutrition Wise,” 1759 R St., chemicals identified as carcinogens.

N.W., Washington, DC 20009. Collins canDiet plays some role, too, though we not respond to questions personally.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 7

MEET THE ARTISTS RECEPTION The Dennis and Phillip Ratner Museum invites you to attend a

reception on Sunday, Nov. 7 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. to meet four printmakers

Christine M . Chambers, D.P.M. Call today!

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exhibiting their works. Artists Lisa Oliver Asher, Phyllis Cohen, Joseph Craig English and Liz Wolf will be on hand to discuss their work at this free event. The museum is located at 10001 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, Md. Call (301) 8971518 with questions.

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21

A casserole favorite: updated, improved

By Dana Jacobi Using canned foods used to prove you were “with it.” It meant you cared about feeding your family well and about convenience.

At Thanksgiving, mothers proudly slid a cylinder of gelled cranberry sauce out of its can to serve in round slices. It was also the time for serving canned yams, reheated whole in their syrup, perhaps topped with canned pineapple rings.

Particularly during the 1950s and 60s, manufacturers promoted recipes featuring canned ingredients to encourage using their products. When one soup company created Green Bean Bake, it was presented as a quickly assembled casserole.

No one imagined that this combination of frozen green beans (another popular convenience food), condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce and a can of French-fried onions would become a classic and a holiday favorite.

At its debut in 1955, the amount of sodium and fat we consumed was not recognized as an issue. Today, even when you use the reduced-sodium condensed soup, plus half of a 6-ounce container of fried onions, your green bean casserole will still contain nearly 1900 mg. of sodium and about 19.5 g. of saturated fat.

Determined to keep green bean casserole on my holiday menu but horrified by these numbers, I worked out a version made from scratch. Using fresh foods, it is still slightly overindulgent and wins raves.

Green Bean and Mushroom Casserole

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs 8 oz. white mushrooms, stemmed and cut into 4 to 6 pieces 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped 2 Tbsp. rice or all-purpose wheat flour 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat (2 percent) milk Salt and ground black pepper Pinch of cayenne pepper Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat 11inch x 7-inch (two quart) baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

In large pot of boiling water, cook green beans until almost tender, five minutes.

Drain in colander, and then transfer beans to bowl of ice water. When beans are cool, drain well and spread in prepared baking dish.

Heat two teaspoons oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until browned, eight minutes, stirring often. Scoop onion into small bowl, add panko, and mix with fork to combine

well. Set topping aside.

Return pan to medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook until they look wet, two to three minutes, stirring constantly.

Add garlic and cook until mushrooms are tender, five minutes, stirring often. Add mushroom mixture to green beans.

Add remaining two tablespoons of oil to pan. Sprinkle flour over oil and cook, using a wooden spoon to stir and scrape mushroom and garlic bits from bottom of pan. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly, lowering heat as needed to prevent flour from browning.

Pour in milk while stirring vigorously.

When sauce boils, reduce heat and simmer until spoon leaves a wide path and sauce is thick enough to coat spoon well, five to seven minutes.

Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper, and add cayenne pepper Add sauce to vegetables, and stir to combine. Then

spread in an even layer.

Sprinkle topping over casserole and bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes, or until topping is crunchy and mostly golden brown. Let casserole sit 10 minutes before serving.

Note: If preparing this casserole ahead, do not make topping until just before serving. Cool vegetables in the baking dish, then cover with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Let casserole sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Heat it covered, at 350 degrees F., for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, make topping as above.

Increase heat to 425 degrees F. and finish baking casserole, uncovered, until topping is crunchy and browned, 10 minutes.

Per serving: 210 calories, 8 g. total fat (1.5 g. saturated fat), 29 g. carbohydrate, 7 g. protein, 4 g. dietary fiber, 95 mg. sodium Dana Jacobi creates recipes for the American Institute for Cancer Research

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

Don’t combine relaxing herbs with meds Dear Pharmacist: I get very anxious and nervous over the smallest things. I can’t help myself, so I take Xanax to calm down.

Sometimes I have a few glasses of wine (but not together with the Xanax).

What do you think about the dietary supplement Kava for relaxation?

— D.W. Dear D.W.: Xanax is one of the safer anti-anxiety medications on the market, and if it’s working for you, that’s great. I would not drink alcohol on the days that you take Xanax because that’s a very dangerous combination.

Kava comes from the South Sea Islands, where it has been used for centuries to induce relaxation and a sense of harmonious connection with the earth.

Sensitive people might feel “intoxicated” by kava — much the same way people feel after two martinis. I had to laugh when I learned some states have kava bars, where you can go in for a drink!

I recommend against taking kava if you’re taking Xanax. In fact, I think you should avoid this herb if you’re taking any anti-anxiety, anti-depressant pharmaceutical (prescribed or over the counter) or drink alcohol.

We know that the active ingredients in kava — called “kavalactones” — are help-

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ful in relieving pain, and that these com- modern science. pounds have a profound action all over W h i l e y o u c a n t a k e chamomile in your body, not just your brain. capsules, I’m not sure why Never combine your antiyou’d want to. The tea has a anxiety meds or antidepressweet, flowery aroma and a sants with Kava because it can pleasant, apple-like taste. It’s over-sedate you. There have perfect to keep on hand for been fatalities from people who those occasions when you’re misused this herb. feeling anxious and simply Now, literally millions of want to unwind. people have tried kava over There are no known safety the centuries, and it has a relaissues with chamomile, with tively good track record. But one small exception — avoid DEAR over the past decade there chamomile if you’re allergic to PHARMACIST have been several reports of anything else in the daisy famiBy Suzy Cohen liver damage. ly, such as ragweed.

While kava is readily availDid You Know? Tell your able in this country, it has been banned in physician about any herbal supplements others. I think the problems arise because that you take because herbs are just plantpeople combine herbs with drugs or alcohol. derived medications and can interact with So what herb would I recommend if you’re your prescribed medications. also taking Xanax or some other medication This information is opinion only. It is not to help you deal with anxiety or depression? intended to treat, cure or diagnose your conChamomile, either German or Roman. dition. Consult with your doctor before using Chamomile is a safe, gentle-acting herb any new drug or supplement. that has been helping people for ages. It’s Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist so safe you can even give it to children to and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist help soothe a tummy ache. Its traditional and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To use for relaxation has been validated by contact her, visit www.dearpharmacist.com.

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23

Husbands and wives: good, bad and ugly Dear Solutions: fied to let me do all the housework, My wife has always been sensitive but now he decided he’s in charge, about her age. She’s about to and he knows how I can have what’s considered to be do it better. a really big birthday. I want He tells me how to do the to throw her a party, but she laundry better, and how to says she’ll kill me if I do. stack the dishwasher betNow old friends of hers ter, and how to — you are calling, urging me to name it. When I remind make a party because they him I’ve been doing it all want to honor their friendthese years, he says he was ship with her, and they too busy to notice how inefthink it would be a blessed ficient my methods were. event. Most of them went to SOLUTIONS I don’t know how to stop school with her, and they By Helen Oxenberg, arguing with him and how live in different areas, so MSW, ACSW to stop him. I’m very anthey want me to go ahead. noyed. What to do?

What do you suggest? I don’t want — Marge her to kill me.

Dear Marge: — Alive Stop arguing. Tell him this is show and Dear Alive: tell time. He can’t just tell, he has to show.

Since your life is in danger if you deliver Allow him to show you how to do the this “blessed event,” get a surrogate to laundry; to show how to stack the dishstand in for you. If those old friends went washer, to show how to do whatever. to school with her, then they all know her Of course, since you’ve been doing things age anyway. Ask one of them who lives the your way for so many years, it may be hard closest to make the arrangements. for you to remember his way, so he’ll just Honor her age sensitivity. Don’t allow have to keep showing you, over and over, anyone to be invited who doesn’t already while you sit back, fascinated, and watch. know her age.

When he tires of showing you over and On the theory that some lies can save over, suggest that since it’s so hard for you lives, plead innocent. Remind her, though, to change after all these years, you’re willthat she should feel blessed to have gotten ing to share. Now he can make these to this age and to have such good friends chores his own.

— and a pretty good husband, too!

Also recognize that retirement is probaDear Solutions: bly scary, especially since the things he All through my marriage of 45 used to be in charge of at work are no years, my husband was satisfied to let longer there. Help him to find projects of me be in charge of all the housework. his own now.

Now that he’s home, he’s still satisYou can also find some new projects of

your own — and some to share together.

Have fun.

Dear Solutions: My good friend’s husband made a pass at me. I rejected him in no uncertain terms.

He tried it again. I told him if he persists I will have to tell his wife. He said, “Oh, I can’t believe you would hurt her like that.”

He’s right, I don’t want to hurt her, so what do I do?

—C Dear C: Tell him, “You’re right, you rat, I don’t want to hurt her. But obviously you don‘t mind hurting her, so let’s place blame

where it belongs.”

Tell him if he ever does it again, you will cancel all plans together. And when she asks why, you’ll tell her to ask him. Unfortunately, it’s the end of intimacy between you and your friend because you’re holding back what you know.

If he persists, you’ll have to end the friendship. Maybe you can renew your friendship with her in the future, after she gets her divorce. © Helen Oxenberg, 2010. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also e-mail the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

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Do-it-yourself publishing arrives

By Barbara Ruben

The brutal rape and murder of one of his students at George Washington University’s business school haunted Charles Toftoy.

Because he couldn’t put the gruesome crime out of his mind, Toftoy wrote a thriller in which a fictional professor and part-time sleuth tries to solve the murders of four Washington, D.C. undergraduates.

“I had never thought about writing fiction,” said Toftoy, who lives in Arlington, Va. “But I just started writing and researching, and it all came together.”

But what didn’t come together for Toftoy, 75, was a publishing house interested in printing his novel, It’s in the Eyes.

“I tried to get an agent, and when I wasn’t able to do so, I wrote a lot of letters to traditional publishers,” Toftoy recalled.

When he came up empty handed, Toftoy turned to self- publishing with some trepidation, recalling the days of “vanity presses” that would churn out a few thousand copies at an author’s own expense. Authors would then store the books in their basement and give them away to friends and family, while trying to get publicity from local papers and book stores.

He found out, however, that things are changing — and fast.

While traditional publishers are facing financial issues, making it even more difficult to get a toehold in a major publishing house, technology — including the ability to print books on de- Pediatrician Louis Cooper turned to a local self-publishing mand and to sell them company to print his worldwide via the of advice for new parents and grandparents. book Technology that printed one Internet — has transformed the self-pub- published at a time has revolutionized publishing, leading permits books to be to rapid growth in selfbooks and services lishing industry. for authors.

In the mainstream In the process, the stigma formerly attached to a self-published book has all but disappeared.

“I realized self-publishing wasn’t a bad thing at all,” Toftoy said.

“In fact, there’s a very fast response time.

With a traditional publisher, you feel like you’re just a number.”

Now he’s done readings at Barnes and Noble and other area locations to promote his book, and is at work on a sequel.

Toftoy has a lot of company in being an advocate for moving beyond traditional publishing companies.

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Judy Katz, founder of Katz Creative in New York. Her public relations agency specializes in working with authors to “birth” their books. “I’m such a strong believer in self-publishing that my answer to this is: Always.”

There are dozens of self-publishing companies out there, including iUniverse.com, parapublishing.com , cafepress.com and lulu.com, but Katz urged careful evaluation of the options. She said services and quality vary.

As an example of a full-service company, iUniverse offers everything from content and copy editing (even ghostwriting), to book design, indexing, printing, public relations, Internet marketing and more. Its

prices range from $600 to more than $4,000 per title, depending on the package of services selected.

Among the benefits of self-publishing, Katz said, is that in return for bearing the upfront costs for the book, self-published authors generally get to keep 80 to 100 percent of the net profit from sales, instead of the 10 percent royalty traditional publishers usually pay. In such arrangements, writers generally retain their copyrights.

A different self-publishing option is offered by the Maryland-based company PublishAmerica. Unlike companies that charge See SELF-PUBLISHING

, page 36

LEISURE & TR AVEL

Experience the sweet life in Hershey, Pa.; plus, step back in time in Athens, and know your rights on flights page 40

ARTS & STYLE

The magic of two successful careers; plus, Elaine Stritch returns to Broadway at 85, and Bob Levey rails about Caddies page 46

FITNESS & HEALTH k Causes of aging you can fight k How to quit smoking for good LAW & MONEY k Best bonds to buy now k No Social Security COLA

4

24 — again

VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS k Volunteers give a lift

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SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

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Money Law &

BOOST YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY Little-known methods help couples maximize their Social Security UPSIDES OF DOWNSIZING Simplifying your life can stretch your retirement money in several ways BARGAINS GALORE Online sites offer deep local discounts — provided you pay upfront RISING CARE COSTS Factor in the escalation of long-term care prices as you plan retirement

The best ways to invest in bonds today Long-term, high-quality bonds have had employing other strategies. an incredible run.

Every investor needs to own bonds — Over the past 10 years, for income and to provide balwhile stocks were going last to a stock portfolio. Folnowhere, the Vanguard Longlowing are my best picks Term Treasury Bond fund reamong no-load taxable funds turned an annualized 8 perfor the coming months and cent. Over the past three year. years, the fund returned an Bond funds to consider annualized 11 percent.

DoubleLine Total Return This year, through mid-Oc(telephone 877-354-6311, tober, the fund returned alsymbol DLTNX) invests almost 20 percent. In fact, SAVVY SAVER most entirely in mortgageTreasuries have been on a tear

By Steven T. Goldberg backed securities. Manager since 1981 when yields on the Jeffrey Gundlach formerly ten-year bond peaked at 15.3 ran TCW Total Return, steering it to an 8 percent But today the yield on the 10-year Treas- percent annualized return over ten years ury bond is below 2.5 percent. Common before opening his own fund firm early sense tells you that the yield doesn’t have this year with most of his old analysts.

About half the fund is invested in longmuch farther to fall. Bond yields move in term, government-backed mortgage secuthe opposite direction from prices.

The biggest risk in bonds is that interest rities. The remainder is in riskier, highrates will rise and prices will fall as the yielding mortgages that should do well if Federal Reserve continues to print more inflation and interest rates surge.

The fund has returned more than 9 perdollars and the dollar falls in value against cent since inception in early April and has other currencies.

The way to earn profits in bonds is an annualized yield of more than 8 percent. changing. Instead of buying long-term Gundlach has proven adept at navigating bonds that invest largely in U.S. govern- poor markets, too. Expenses are 0.74 perment or high-quality U.S. corporate bonds, cent annually.

The foreclosure mess, in which banks the better course is to look for bond funds

failed to follow the rules in repossessing houses, shouldn’t create a big problem for DoubleLine.

The temporary moratorium on foreclosures by some banks may well stop or delay payments to the fund on some risky mortgages for several months. But the fund purchased these mortgages at 60 percent average discounts to their initial value, leaving plenty of leeway for holdups of this kind.

Pimco is probably the best bond fund shop in the U.S. But flagship Pimco Total Return now has assets of about $500 billion in the fund itself and in clones, such as Harbor Bond. Total Return is just too big to continue its long record of outperforming its peers.

Pimco Unconstrained Bond D (800-4260107, PUBDX), managed by Chris Dialynas, is my pick to replace it. Dialynas, like Bill Gross, who manages Total Return, implements the strategies recommended by Pimco’s investment committee, of which they are both members.

But Unconstrained is bolder and, with assets of $12 billion, much more flexible. The fund can take any position the investment committee decides is appropriate, including making bets that bonds will rise in yield.

“Unconstrained isn’t married to an index,” Dialynas explained. It has returned

8 percent over the past 12 months and yields 2.6 percent. Annual expenses are 1.3 percent.

Somewhat riskier funds Another Pimco fund worth considering is Pimco Diversified Income D (PDVDX).

It’s a multi-sector fund, meaning it invests in several different slices of the bond market. Manager Curtis Mewbourne currently deploys a big chunk of assets in emerging markets bonds.

The fund also owns corporate bonds in the U.S. and other developed nations, including some high-yielding “junk” corporate bonds.

Given the risky sectors this bond plays in, it’s a surprisingly conservative fund.

Over the past three years it has returned 10 percent, and it yields 5.0 percent. Expenses are 1.15 percent annually.

For more foreign exposure, look at Fidelity New Markets Income (800-544-6666, FNMIX), which invests in bonds of fastgrowing emerging markets.

While the U.S., Japan and much of Europe labor under the weight of huge budget deficits, most emerging markets nations are running fiscal and trade surpluses — and are growing rapidly.

See BONDS, page 25

Seniors angry over no Social Security raise

By Stephen Ohlemacher Another year without an increase in Social Security retirement and disability benefits is creating a political backlash that has President Barack Obama and Democrats pushing to give a $250 bonus to each of the program’s 58 million recipients.

The Social Security Administration said inflation has been too low since the last increase in 2009 to warrant a raise for 2011.

The Oct. 15 announcement marks only the second year without an increase since automatic adjustments for inflation were adopted in 1975. This year was the first.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised to schedule a vote after the Nov. 2 election on a bill to provide one-time $250 payments to Social Security recipients. Obama endorsed the payment, which would be

similar to one included in his economic recovery package last year.

Obama had pushed for a second payment last fall, but the proposal failed in the Senate when a dozen Democrats joined Republicans on a procedural vote to block it. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, DNev., said that in the post-election session “I will be working hard to gain Senate passage for a proposal that ensures that America’s seniors are treated fairly.”

Michael Steel, a spokesman for House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio, said that if Democrats were serious about a bonus, they would have voted on it before lawmakers went home to campaign for re-election.

Barbara Kennelly, a former Democratic congresswoman from Connecticut, ap-

plauded Pelosi’s promise to vote on the payments. But, she said, she doesn’t understand why Congress didn’t vote on the bill before recessing for an election in which Democrats are in danger of losing their majorities in both the House and Senate.

“I just don’t understand it,” said Kennelly, now president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. “I don’t care, Republican or Democrat, they say they care about the senior vote. They could’ve done it.”

Tied to inflation rate Annual cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs, are automatically set each year by an inflation measure that was adopted by Congress in the 1970s. This year’s an-

nouncement was triggered by the Labor Department’s release of inflation numbers for September. The report showed that consumer prices are still lower than they were two years ago, when the last COLA was awarded.

The increase for 2009 was 5.8 percent, the largest in 27 years. It was triggered by a sharp but short-lived spike in energy prices to above $4 a gallon in the summer of 2008. When the price of gasoline later fell — to below $2 a gallon — so did the overall inflation rate. Seniors, however, kept their increase in benefits.

“They received a nearly 6 percent COLA for inflation that no longer really existed,” said Andrew Biggs, a former deputy commissioner at the Social Security AdminisSee SOCIAL SECURITY, page 26

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25

Immediate annuities offer peace of mind

By Humberto Cruz For the past 10 years, my pension check has been deposited directly into my checking account the first day of each month.

It’ll keep coming until both my wife, Georgina, and I have died.

On or about the second Wednesday — the first time was Aug. 11, after she turned 66 — Georgina’s Social Security payment also gets direct-deposited. Mine will start coming next year after I turn 66, unless I decide to wait to collect a bigger amount later.

You may not think of pensions and Social Security benefits as “immediate lifetime income annuities.” But that’s what they are, paying a set monthly amount for life (with Social Security, adjusted for inflation).

Georgina and I also have bought four lifetime income annuities from insurance companies. In return for a lump sum premium, each pays us a monthly income until we both die (in one case, the payment started lower but goes up 3 percent a year to counteract inflation).

All these payments, together with my Social Security benefit when it kicks in,

will provide all the money we’ve calculated we’ll need to cover our basic needs for life.

Bonds

vestment money evenly among all four.

Add a municipal bond in your taxable account (Baltimore-based T. Rowe Price offers excellent Maryland and Virginia tax-exempt funds), and you should fare well in a period where bonds, in general, may not.

Steven T. Goldberg is a freelance writer and investment advisor in Silver Spring, Md. He welcomes reader questions. E-mail steve@tginvesting.com or write to Steven Goldberg, 9005 Woodland Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20910. You may also call him at (301) 650-6567.

From page 24 What’s more, their bonds still boast much higher yields than you can get elsewhere. The fund has returned an annualized 11 percent over the past three years and yields 6.3 percent. Annual expenses are 0.90 percent.

How should you divvy up your bond money? The first two funds are relatively low risk, while the last two are fairly risky — especially the Fidelity fund. Many investors will do well to split their bond in-

Insured income for life The peace of mind this knowledge brings — together with the freedom to invest the rest of our money more aggressively if we want — is to us the most important and often unheralded benefit of lifetime income annuities.

You may well achieve a greater rate of return by investing your money elsewhere, particularly with interest rates so low (annuity payouts are based on age, gender and prevailing rates when you buy). But an annuity may provide a bigger return if you live a long life and keep collecting for many years.

The point: An immediate annuity is not so much an investment as insurance against outliving your money. Independent studies have found that including an immediate annuity in a retirement portfolio boosts income because the steady annuity payouts lessen the need to sell other investments for living expenses during a down market.

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turn sour, one’s annuity payments are always there,” said Dick Duff, a chartered life underwriter in Denver who owns four immediate annuities and plans to buy more.

Other income sources Income annuities, of course, are not the only way to generate income in retirement.

I prefer a combination of approaches. Here are a few to consider (some may deserve a fuller discussion in a future column): • Variable annuities with guaranteed lifetime withdrawals. Unlike an immediate annuity, you retain access to your principal. There is a guaranteed amount you can withdraw each year.

If the account runs out of money with these withdrawals, the insurance company keeps paying you with its own money. This offers the potential for greater returns than with income annuities. But in general, minimum guaranteed payout rates are lower.

• Living off the portfolio income, such as withdrawing interest or dividends only.

That’s virtually impossible with today’s low rates, unless you’re a multi-millionaire and your needs are few.

• Systematic withdrawals: Withdrawing enough for living expenses from your portfolio each year (principal as well as income). This approach provides greater control than annuities, but you risk having to sell investments when prices are low and running out of money.

• “Bucket” approach: Splitting your portfolio into money you’ll need relatively soon and money you can leave alone for a while. You spend down the conservativelyinvested “short-term” money to give the long-term money time to grow to replenish the short-term bucket.

The risk here is less than with systematic withdrawals, but you’ll need substantial savings to implement the strategy. © 2010 Tribune Media Services

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Social Security From page 24 tration and now a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. “It looks bad, but they’re actually not being treated unfairly.�

By law, the next increase in benefits won’t come until consumer prices as a whole rise above what they were in the summer of 2008. The trustees who oversee Social Security project that will happen next year. They predict the increase at the start of 2012 will be 1.2 percent.

A little more than 58.7 million retirees, disabled Americans and surviving spouses and minor children of enrollees receive Social Security or Supplemental Security In-

Letters to editor From page 2 Dear Editor: The League of Women Voters of Mont-

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

come. Social Security was the primary source of income for 64 percent of retirees who got benefits in 2008.

The average Social Security benefit: $1,072 a month.

Social Security is supported by a 6.2 percent payroll tax — paid by both workers and employers — on wages up to $106,800.

Because there is no COLA, that amount will remain unchanged for 2011.

No bail out for seniors The absence of inflation will be of small comfort to many older Americans whose savings and home values haven’t recovered from the recession. “They are absolutely livid that Congress has bailed out banks, bailed out Wall

gomery County sincerely apologizes for the error that appeared in the General Election edition of the Voters’ Guide. The party of Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert Ehrlich, Jr. was identified incorrectly as the Democratic party.

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“In my estate planning, I’m giving the gift of education.�

Street, bailed out big car manufacturers and they didn’t get a COLA,� said Mary Johnson, a policy analyst for the Senior Citizens League. “Their costs are going up, and they cannot understand the government’s measure of inflation. They feel it’s rigged.�

Betty Dizik, a retired tax preparer and social worker from Tamarac, Fla., said an increase in benefits would help her pay for medicine she can no longer afford to treat her kidney disease. At 83, her only source of income is a $1,200 monthly payment from Social Security. “I think seniors are going to be upset because gas has gone up, food has gone up, things in the store are expensive to buy,�

Dizik said. “Let’s face it, prices are rising

and I don’t know how they do the cost of living.�

Claire Edelman of Monroe Township, N.J., said she was so hard up that at the age of 83 she applied for a temporary job as a census taker for the 2010 Census.

She didn’t get the job, so she gets by on a small pension from her job with the state and a monthly Social Security payment of $1,060. “I can’t understand why the Congress hasn’t seen that there’s been an increase in everything,� Edelman said. “They say that nothing went up last year?� she added. “What’s the matter with them?�

For more information, see www.socialsecurity.gov/cola. — AP

As a 501(c)(3) organization, the League prides itself on its non-partisan political designation. Although we could not correct the printed copy in time, we have corrected the online version of the Voters’ Guide. We are sorry for the human error and misinformation to the public.

With much regret, Elaine Apter Diane Hibino, co-presidents League of Women Voters Dear Editor: Let’s get it right. Social Security is not the problem. Wrong-headed people on the Deficit Commission and those who are buying in to the misinformation campaign should know better.

Social Security is an insurance program, not a welfare program. Its full name is Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI). It is bought and paid for just like any other annuity.

It could as easily have been managed by any of our great insurance companies and made to invest in U.S. bonds, too. It’s where China puts its money – U.S. bonds.

Like us, they expect to cash them in when they need the money and they, like us, are collecting interest along the way.

It gets me really angry when I hear that Social Security is why the U.S. is in debt up to its ears. Not one penny was ever paid out of general revenue taxes. Up to 2010 it was always in surplus, income from premiums paid from wage and entrepreneurial

income exceeding payouts.

This is the first year ever that we dipped into the interest income from the bonds held in the Trust Fund. And when economic recovery takes hold, Social Security will be back in surplus.

Social Security is not a low shelf cookie jar. It is the promise we made to each other to insure ourselves for retirement in old age and in case we could not work if we did not make it to old age. Franklin Roosevelt got it right in 1935. It’s still right today.

David Waugh Bethesda, Md. The publisher comments: When we sell Treasury Bonds to China, we use China’s dollars to fund ongoing government operations. Unfortunately, when we put surplus Social Security taxes into Treasury Bonds, Congress does the same thing: It spends the surplus tax revenue on daily operations (or to lower the current year’s deficit), when that money is supposed to be used down the road to fund retiree benefits.

So while you are correct that it’s not Social Security that’s borrowing money to pay benefits, it is true that Congress’ practice of spending Social Security’s surplus has the effect of increasing our national debt when we have to cash in those bonds in the Trust Fund to pay benefits.

Something has to be done to address this more than $2 trillion problem.

– Donna Hoffacker, donor

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Social Security more complex for couples I still get e-mails from readers about a ceased spouse.

It can make sense for the person with the column I wrote in January 2008 saying I higher benefit — it’s usually the planned to “file and suspend” husband — to delay claiming when applying for Social Sebenefits on his work record. curity benefits at my full reThat way, his benefit increases. tirement age of 66.

When he dies — men tend to Now I’m leaning toward a die first — the wife keeps redifferent “claim now, claim ceiving the enhanced benefit of more later” strategy. the husband.

The decision of when to To make the following file for Social Security benestrategies easier to underfits — and what strategy to stand, I’ve assumed the highuse — is more complicated er-earning spouse is the husfor married couples than THE SAVINGS GAME band. In my explanations, many people realize.

By Humberto Cruz “husband” really stands for If they think about it at all, higher-earning spouse and many Americans simply calculate the “break-even” age when they “wife” stands for lower-earning spouse.

• File and suspend: The husband files would have received the same amount of for benefits at full retirement age. This enbenefits regardless of when they start.

Our choices include reduced benefits titles the wife to start receiving the spousal starting at age 62, “full” benefits at full re- benefit if higher than her own. The hustirement age — 66 now and rising gradual- band then suspends his own benefit and ly to 67 by 2027 — or higher enhanced reapplies for enhanced benefits at age 70.

The wife never stops receiving the spousal benefits up until age 70.

If we live to average life expectancy, benefit.

• Claim now, claim more later: The wife we’ll receive approximately the same total amount no matter when we start. One rule files first for benefits under her work of thumb is to claim benefits early if we ex- record. The husband, upon reaching full pect to die relatively young, and to wait retirement age, files for his spousal benefit (assuming we can afford to) if we think only. At age 70, he re-files for his own work benefit. At that time, the wife switches to we’ll live a long life.

But married couples must consider her spousal benefit if higher than her own. other factors, said Brett Horowitz, a certi- This strategy now works better than file fied financial planner in Coral Gables, Fla., and suspend for my wife and me, but that will depend on each couple’s circumwho specializes in this issue. stances.

Survivor benefits For details on these strategies and anA married person, even one who never other that involves returning all benefits worked, can receive as much as half the received and reapplying for a higher beneworking spouse’s benefit. When a spouse fit up to age 70, check the Web site of the dies, the survivor receives the higher of Center for Retirement Research at Boston his/her own benefit or that of the de- College (http://crr.bc.edu/). Click on

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Publications, then Briefs, and select Social Security as the topic.

A couple caveats Two cautions: These options can be seen as loopholes that cost the government money and may be eliminated. Also, Social Security personnel are not always aware of them. If so, persist and speak to a supervisor.

Randall Raciti, a financial adviser in South Bend, Ind., said one of his clients

was initially told there was no such thing as “file and suspend” and “we should not believe most of what appears in articles.”

Subsequently, a supervisor confirmed that file and suspend does exist and offered to help with the paperwork, Raciti said.

Send questions or comments to Humberto Cruz at AskHumberto@aol.com or c/o Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Buffalo, NY 14207. Personal replies are not possible. © 2010 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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

To make retirement money last, simplify

By Mark Miller How much will you need to live on in retirement? You’ll often hear the big financial services companies offer this rule of thumb: Plan to replace 80 percent of your working income in retirement.

Ellen Wagner tossed the rule of thumb out the window when she retired in 2008.

Instead, she developed a plan to live well on less than half of what she had been making. Executing that plan helped allow Wagner, who’s been widowed since 2008, to retire at age 58.

Wagner’s story underscores an important point about retirement planning: Income and assets are just one set of values in the retirement security equation; on the other side sit lifestyle and spending.

There’s a growing focus on this side of the equation, thanks to writers like Chris Farrell, a journalist and author of The New Frugality (Bloomsbury Press, 2009, http://bit.ly/bCZnXR) and retirement educator Steve Vernon, who blogs on this topic frequently at CBS Moneywatch.com (http://bit.ly/bpkYDl).

The upsides of downsizing Farrell makes the case for a new frugality based on values that are good for pocketbooks and for the environment at the same time.

The core of his argument is that a conservative approach to consumerism leads to green decision-making, such as downsizing your home, using energy-efficient

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appliances, using public transportation instead of cars and recycling.

And from a pocketbook perspective, Farrell’s frugality doesn’t mean pinching pennies; instead, it means spending on quality — buying the best you can afford but no more than you need.

Vernon has pointed out other creative ways to slash spending. “[Live] like you did in your college years. Take in a roommate or two. Maybe beg your kids to move back in with you in order to share expenses,” he said.

“Grow your own food. Entertain yourself and your friends by renting DVDs and sharing a $5-dollar bottle of wine from your local discount retailer.

“Many of my contemporaries have fond memories of their college years, partly due to the shared bond of figuring out how to enjoy life on a shoestring. Is it time to go back to the future?”

Ellen Wagner thinks so. After a first career as a professional violinist in the New Orleans Symphony, she later completed a Ph.D. in philosophy and taught at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville until 2008, when she decided to make a major change in her life.

“My husband was killed in an accident in 2004. I decided to sell our house in Jacksonville, and move back to Boulder, where I’d met my husband when I was in grad school,” she said. “Selling the house in Jacksonville in which we’d lived was hard but really made all the difference in my retirement.”

How simplifying = savings Here are the key areas where Wager cut spending: Downsized real estate: Wagner sold a 2,000-square-foot house in Jacksonville

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and bought — for cash — a condo half that size in Boulder.

“Jacksonville is actually a much less expensive place to live than Boulder, but my condo costs so much less to maintain that my life here is cheaper,” she said.

“I dropped the mortgage payment, alarm company, lawn care, termite spray, bug spray and pesticide/herbicide spray fees plus costs of fixing the roof, maintaining the irrigation system, paying for water for the lawn and shrubs, and higher utilities costs.

“My homeowners’ assessment in the condo is less than I used to pay monthly to have the lawn mowed! And my southwestern exposure provides passive solar heating all winter, when my furnace does not generally get a lot of use.

Downsizing drastically in what I own has reduced stuff and clutter to just the right amount. This was the largest cutback in living costs.”

Simplicity at home: Wagner stopped worrying about having all the latest and greatest in her home.

“I stopped wanting to have newer, upgraded appliances, devices, etc. In the Jacksonville house, I had nice 42-inch cabinets and put in new countertops with an integrated sink and a designer faucet. These were good investments, as the upgrades helped me sell the house before the market had tanked completely,” she said.

“Here in Boulder, I have a 1985 kitchen, complete with Formica countertops and laminate cabinets with the oak strips on the bottom.”

Simplicity in diet. “I stopped eating out very often and also doing much shopping. Instead, I cook at home, which I abSee RETIREMENT, page 32

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

31

Sites offer deep discounts on local merchants Never pay retail.

“It used to be that you might be able to The marriage of the Internet and adver- search around and find out about a happy tising has created a hot new hour here or there, or some trend — coupons that you buy discounted deal,” said Jim to get deep discounts on Moran, co-founder of Yipit, a everything from clothing to New York aggregator of purkayaking. chased coupon deals. “Now That’s got some experts it’s everything.” saying that consumers should Sites with D.C.-area think twice and shop around deals before ever agreeing to pay reFeeling flabby? A coupon tail prices again. But rememsite called Groupon was offerber there are some risks to ing a one-month family membuying coupons too, including MONEY MATTERS berships to Washington-area the classic tendency to overBy Kathy Kristof YMCAs, along with two perspend because you can’t pass sonal training sessions or two up a bargain.

“Coupons are much more attractive and private tennis lessons and $25 toward proenticing than they’ve ever been, so we are grams for just $20 one day last summer.

As an apparent counter balance, a reseeing them become more of a problem,” said Linda Davis-Demas, a counselor at the cent deal offered half-price gourmet cupConsumer Credit Counseling Service of cakes from a bakery in Laurel, Md. Another site called Living Social was ofGreater Dallas. “I would strongly discourage people from buying things just be- fering discounts on Potomac River cruises and hot Bikram yoga classes, not to mencause they have a coupon for it.”

That said, if you’re already planning to tion a variety of coupons that would allow go out to dinner, join a gym or learn salsa you to eat elegant meals for 50 percent less dancing, there’s a good chance that you than the price on the menu.

HalfpriceDC.com has a handful of offers could pay a fraction of the retail price by seeking out online coupon sites that will on its website, ranging from auto detailing sell you a deal for 40 to 60 percent off retail to a clothing boutique to restaurants.

Annie Korzen, an actress who used to prices.

appear regularly on “Seinfeld,” said her favorite coupon sites provide deals on dining out. Korzen, who recently penned Bargain Junkie: Living the Good Life on the Cheap, is particularly fond of Restaurants.com, which will allow you to buy $25 gift certificates at popular eateries for just $10.

Sometimes those certificates get discounted further and can be picked up for as little as $2, she added.

The coupons aren’t just for meals at sketchy diners, Korzen stresses. Whereas Groupon will sometimes offer half-price coupons for fast-food establishments, Restaurants.com was recently advertising cut-rate deals at such famous eateries as Morton’s Steak House and Roy’s, a Hawai-

ian seafood restaurant.

“I’m a bargainista, but I’m also a snob,” Korzen said. “I like good, well-prepared food.”

Deals on spa treatments are so ubiquitous that Moran says you’d have to be crazy to pay retail.

“It would be financially irresponsible for you to make an appointment for a massage,” he contends. “Deals on massages pop up every two or three days.”

Discounted gym memberships are also so common that Moran recently wrote a blog post about how you could get a full year of widely varied workouts at a fraction See DEEP DISCOUNTS, page 33

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Prepare for the rising cost of long-term care

By Kimberly Lankford, Q: How much is long-term care expected to cost in 20 to 30 years? I’m in my 50s now and am wondering what the price might be to receive care in a nursing home or my home in the future.

A: The cost of long-term care is already high and is expected to grow at a brisk

pace for the next 20 to 30 years. The median cost of a private room in a nursing home now is $206 per day across the country, which adds up to more than $75,000 per year, according to Genworth Financial’s recent Cost of Care study.

And the median cost of care from a licensed home health aide is $19 per hour,

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which equals $152 per day for eight hours of care — or more than $55,000 a year.

The median nursing-home cost rose by 5.1 percent from 2009 to 2010, and the average pace of growth has been 4.5 percent per year for the past five years. If the growth rate were to continue at 5 percent per year, then one year in a nursing home would cost nearly $200,000 in 20 years and about $325,000 in 30 years.

You can estimate the future cost of care in your area at Genworth’s Cost of Care site, www.genworth.com/content/products/long_term_care/long_term_care/co st_of_care.html.

The prices vary a lot by location: The median cost for one year in a semi-private room in a nursing home in the District of Columbia is $81,213 but it’s just $44,165 in Texas. In Maryland, the median is $80,300, while the cost in Virginia is $65,700.

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Homecare costs haven’t risen as quickly, in part because they’re tied to labor rates rather than healthcare inflation rates.

But they still increased by 2.7 percent over the past year and 1.7 percent per year over the past five years.

If home-care costs rise by 3 percent per year, then the price tag could be more than $100,000 annually to receive home care for eight hours per day in 20 years and about $135,000 in 30 years.

Homecare prices also vary considerably by location. The median hourly cost for a home health aide provided by a state-licensed agency in Alaska, Minnesota and Rhode Island is $25 per hour, but it’s just $15 per hour in Alabama and West Virginia.

Those figures show how important it is to consider potential long-term care costs when planning for retirement. The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, part of the healthcare-reform bill, will introduce a voluntary federal long-term-care program next year that people can pay for through payroll deductions.

But the $50 to $75 in daily benefits the federal program will provide falls far short of the average cost of care, and premiums for the program may end up costing more than a private long-term-care insurance policy with similar coverage. © 2010 Kiplinger. All rights reserved.

Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Retirement From page 30

% Affordable Living For Those 62 or Better %

Anne Arundel County U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì ÕÀ >Vi À> V \ {£ä ÇÈ£ {£xä U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì -iÛiÀ > *>À \ {£ä x{{ Î{££ Baltimore City U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì Ã > ` /iÀÀ>Vi\ {£ä ÓÇÈ È{{ä U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì `ëÀ }\ {£ä x{Ó {{ää Baltimore County U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì >Ì ÃÛ i\ {£ä Ç£ {È{ U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì Õ `> \ {£ä Ónn x{nÎ U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì Õ iÀÌ \ {£ä ÈÈÎ äÈÈx U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì À> >À > ` }\ {£ä Î £ nÎÇx U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì ,> `> ÃÌ Ü \ {£ä Èxx xÈÇÎ U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì , Ãi`> i\ {£ä nÈÈ £nnÈ U / Ì Þ ÕÃi ­/ Üà ®\ {£ä nÓn Ç£nx U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì />Þ À\ {£ä ÈÈÎ äÎÈÎ U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì 7 ` >Ü \ {£ä Ón£ ££Óä

Eastern Shore U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì >ÃÌ \ {£ä ÇÇä ÎäÇä Harford County U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì Ý \ {£ä x£x È££x U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì i À\ {£ä n Î ääÈ{ Howard County U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì > > ` }\ {£ä Ç È {Î U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì Õ L >\ {£ä În£ £££n U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì - Ü`i , ÛiÀ\ {£ä Ó ä äÎn{ U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì V ÌÌ ÌÞ\ {£ä ÓäÎ xä£ U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì V ÌÌ ÌÞ \ {£ä ÓäÎ Óä È U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì iÀà \ Îä£ {nÎ ÎÎÓÓ Prince Georges County NOW! *55 or * *>À 6 iÜ >Ì >`i ÃLÕÀ}\ Îä£ È Çnx Better U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì >ÕÀi \ Îä£ { ä £xÓÈ U *>À 6 iÜ >Ì >ÕÀi \ Îä£ { ä ÇÎä

:Xcc +('$)+-$.+00 fi <dX`c J\e`fiC`m`e^7j_\ck\i^ig%Zfd kf `ehl`i\ XYflk \c`^`Y`c`kp i\hl`i\d\ekj Xe[ kf XiiXe^\ X gi`mXk\ kfli% Professionally managed by The Shelter Group. www.thesheltergroup.com The Shelter Group is committed to Equal Housing Opportunities for people of all races, religions, ethnic groups, and disabilities and all other groups protected by federal, state, or local law.

solutely love to do, and entertain friends here with excellent food and reasonable wines. Also, I use our great public library for books I want to read, as well as the place to donate books I no longer want.”

Less driving. “Now that I’m retired and living in a walk-able city with great public transportation I am putting half the miles on my car each year, which saves gas and wear-and-tear. And car insurance is cheaper now since I drive less.”

Along with extending her retirement income, Wagner feels good about the new lifestyle values in her retirement equation.

“The general result is that now I can honor my ethical principles,” she commented. “I use less, buy fewer new things, and tread more lightly on the planet in general. Ultimately, my life feels very luxurious because getting rid of the meaningless extra stuff has enabled me to choose what matters most to me and what I most enjoy from day to day.”

Mark Miller is the author of The Hard Times Guide to Retirement Security (John Wiley & Sons/Bloomberg Press, June 2010).

He publishes RetirementRevised.com, featured recently in Money Magazine as one of the best retirement planning sites on the web.

Contact him with questions and comments at mark@retirementrevised.com. © 2010 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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

Deep discounts From page 31 of the cost of joining a gym by buying the right coupons.

Pay upfront What’s the catch? Unlike traditional coupon sites, such as RetailMeNot.com that share “coupon codes” for free, most of these deeply discounted coupon sites require you to pay upfront for goods that you’ll consume later. If you don’t end up using that gym membership before the expiration date, you’ve thrown $45 out the window.

In addition, all the coupon offers have restrictions and expiration dates. Some restaurants, for example, will only let you use the coupons at lunchtime or on lowtraffic days.

Many demand a set amount of spending — you need to buy $35 worth of food to use a $25 coupon purchased from Restaurants.com, for example — and tax and tip aren’t included, nor is takeout.

These restrictions are spelled out in the terms and conditions, but you need to read those terms before you buy.

The biggest risk, credit counselor Davis-Demas said, is that you can get so caught up in getting bargains that you

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MONEY TALKS

Get together with others who have an interest in financial investments and following the stock market on Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, Va. The group meets from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the second floor meeting room; registration is not required. Call Gary Hall at (703) 671-8363 for additional information.

Nov. 20

Kathy M. Kristof, author of Taming the Tuition Tiger and Investing 101, welcomes your comments and suggestions but regrets that she cannot respond individually to letters or phone calls. E-mail her at kathykristof24@gmail.com. © 2010 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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Nov. 20

spend more than you can afford on things you don’t need.

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The Washington Investment Club is holding an open house meeting on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. at the James J. McCoart Administration Building, 1 County Complex Ct., Woodbridge, Va. The club was founded in 1992 and has achieved a 15 percent return since its inception. It is comprised of novice investors who meet once a month to learn about investment trends through a monthly plan of investing directly with companies. For additional information, call Ken Wright at (703) 801-1465 or e-mail Lavoy12@yahoo.com.

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

Will Your Money y Last As Long g As You Do? At Capitol Retirement Strategies, our goal is for every one of our clients to ask and answer that one simple question.

If your assets need to be organized to supplement your Social Security and/or a partial retirement income (now or in the future), if you feel that your portfolio is more of a Hodge Podge of Investments versus a Coordinated Strategy, or if you don’t own long term care insurance, then one or both of our upcoming seminars may be for you.

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

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Careers Volunteers &

35

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

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

A driving need to help make connections

A much-needed service Senior Connection was formed in 2003 from a merger of two nonprofit, interfaith groups. In addition to private donations, the group also receives public funds from Montgomery County.

Its mission is to provide mobility to people age 62 and older by connecting them to volunteers whose assistance can help them continue living independently.

Estelle Rollins started using the services of the organization seven years ago while she was receiving treatment for

breast cancer. She needed transportation to appointments with her oncologist.

Rollins, who is now cancer-free and just needs to see her doctor every four months, appreciates the volunteers who provide her assistance.

“I can’t praise them enough because they helped me at a time when I was down and I thought I wasn’t going to get back up. They were there for me,” Rollins said.

“They were just wonderful.”

Like Rollins, Marguerite Caruso has been unable to drive for the past six months and has needed the service to get to doctor appointments. She said she calls the agency in advance with her request and is then matched with a volunteer.

While thus far she has only used the service for medical appointments, she said in the future she may call on them for assistance with some other errands.

Caruso noted that she also appreciates “the offers to call and just talk with you.”

She joked, “I don’t like [their services] to be advertised, because they are really besieged by calls for help, and I will have to call far in advance” from now on.

Volunteers are critical to fill the gaps in services, according to Sue Dollins, executive director of Senior Connection. “All services are dependent on the availability and willingness of a volunteer,” she said.

“We always need to recruit new volunteers in order to keep pace with the growing demand for our services.”

Helping seniors age in place The improvement in quality of life for those receiving the assistance is significant, explained Dollins, citing results from a recent evaluation: 81 percent of those being helped by Senior Connection agree

PHOTO COURTESY OF SENIOR CONNECTION

By Delia Sava Through blazing summer heat and rainy autumn days, Jim Smith drives older area residents to the doctor, grocery store and on errands as a volunteer with Senior Connection of Montgomery County.

At age 70, he figures there’s a kind of karma to it. “I’m getting to the point where things are changing for me, too,” he said.

“I’m glad to be driving [them] now because there’ll come a time when someone will be driving me.”

Smith said those he drives are so happy to catch a ride that they didn’t even complain when his air conditioning didn’t work well during the summer.

Some Senior Connection’s volunteers, like Smith, typically spend a few hours each week ferrying people to places they would have trouble getting to otherwise.

Other volunteers make calls to an older neighbor or go shopping for someone who is not able to do it for themselves. Others offer to read to people, write for them, or help with paperwork.

The organization maintains an umbrella liability insurance policy, which covers all the volunteers while on assignments.

Christine Donovan, left, escorts Catherine Horn to an appointment. Senior Connection volunteers like Donovan offer rides and a friendly ear to older adults, helping them to continue living independently in their homes.

that they are able to keep medical appointments more frequently, 73 percent feel less stress about getting to where they need to go, and 66 percent are better able to stay in their own home.

Part-time Senior Connection staff member and volunteer Marcia Custer visits weekly with 93-year-old Fannie Aizenberg, taking her grocery shopping and on other errands.

Custer said that hearing Aizenberg’s story as a Holocaust survivor has piqued her interest in learning more. Custer is planning to visit Dachau on her vacation, so that she can better relate to Aizenberg’s experiences.

Liam McGrath has volunteered with Senior Connection for more than 10 years.

He has served on its board and was its president until last year.

McGrath said he volunteers about six to eight hours per month, assisting two or three clients. “I get a feeling of instant value,” he said. “Clients sure do appreciate drivers and express it on the spot.

“It’s so clear how important what we do is to them.”

To learn more or to volunteer, visit www.seniorconnectionmc.org or call (301) 962-0820.

Former staff writer Mary Stachyra contributed to this story.

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Self-publishing From page 1 writers for design and layout services or for a fixed number of copies, PublishAmerica absorbs all upfront publication costs in return for publishing rights.

It makes its money from the sale of its authors’ books on its massive website at prices ranging from $15 to $30. However, the company expects its authors (who number more than 40,000) to promote and market their own books.

A technological revolution According to Sue Collier, co-author of The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing, print-on-demand technology — which now makes it cost-effective to print one book at a time — has “revolutionized” the publishing industry.

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

“Previously, authors…risked having a couple of thousand books languishing in their garage. Now, orders can be filled when they come in — no garage storage needed and no big printing bill.

“Or authors can skip the printing altogether and publish an e-book,” which is sold and downloaded online for reading on your computer or an e-reader like a Kindle.

These technologies make self-publishing rather simple, whether your masterpiece is a thriller — like the work of Charles Toftoy — or a how-to book for parents — like that of Dr. Louis Cooper of Silver Spring, Md. Cooper’s slim book of advice, called Dear Parents: When to Call the Doctor for Your Infant or Toddler, is designed for new parents and grandparents.

“There are some wonderful parenting books on the market. The problem is they

You can pick up your free copy of the Beacon at more than 100 CVS/pharmacy stores located throughout the metro area!

The VOL.22, NO.11

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P E O P L E More than 200,00 OV E R 0 readers through out Greater Washin gton

Do-it-yourse lf publishing arrives PHOTO BY F RANK KLEIN

By Barbara Ruben The brutal rape and murder of one of his students at George Washingto n University’s business school haunted Charles Toftoy.

Because he couldn’t put the gruesome crime out of his mind, Toftoy wrote a thriller in which a fictional professor part-time sleuth and tries to solve the murders of four Washingto n, D.C. “I had never thought undergraduates. about writing tion,” said Toftoy, ficwho Va. “But I just started lives in Arlington, writing and researching, and it all came together.”

But what didn’t come 75, was a publishing together for Toftoy, house interested printing his novel, in It’s in the Eyes.

“I tried to get an agent, and when I wasn’t able to do so, I wrote a lot of letters to traditional publishers ,” Toftoy recalled.

When he came up empty handed, Toftoy turned to selfpublishing with some trepidation, recalling the days of “vanity es” that would presschurn copies at an author’s out a few thousand own expense. Authors would then store the books in their ment and give basethem away to friends and family, while trying to get publicity local papers and from book stores.

He found out, however, that things are changing — and fast. While traditional publishers are facing financial issues, making it even more difficult to get a toehold in a major publishing house, technology including the — ability to print books on de- Pediatrician Louis mand and to sell Cooper turned them worldwide to a local self-publis via the of advice for new parents Internet — has hing company and grandpare transformed the printed one to print his book nts. Technolog at a time has self-publishing industry. y that revolution

In the

published books permits books ized publishing to be and services , leading to for authors. rapid growth in self-

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Experience the sweet life in Hershey, Pa.; plus, step back in time in Athens, and know your rights on flights page 40

ARTS & STYL

E The magic of two successful careers; plus, Elaine Stritch returns to Broadwa y at 85, and Bob Levey rails about Caddies

mainstream Judy Katz, founder page 46 of Katz Creative In the process, in New prices York. Her public the relations agency range from $600 tached to a self-publis stigma formerly at- in working specializes $4,000 to more than hed book has with authors per title, depending all but books. disappeared. to “birth” their on the package FITNESS & HEALTH “I’m such a strong of services selected. believer in self-pub“I realized self-publish lishing that my 4 k Causes of aging Among the benefits ing wasn’t a bad answer to this is: you thing at all,” Toftoy Always.” of self-publishing, There are dozens k How to quit smokingcan fight Katz said, is that said. “In fact, there’s of self-publis very fast response in return for for good a hing upfront time. With a traditional companies out there, costs for the book, bearing the publisher, you feel LAW & MONEY verse.com, parapublis including iUni- authors self-published like you’re just generally get a number.” hing.com, cafe24 Now he’s done k Best bonds to to keep 80 to press.com and readings at Barnes percent of the buy 100 now lulu.com, net profit from Noble and other but Katz urged and careful k No Social Security sales, instead area locations evaluation of the of the 10 percent COLA — again to promote options. She said his book, and royalty traditional services and quality is at work on a lishers usually sequel.

VOLUNTE ERS vary. pay. In such arrangemepubToftoy has a lot & CAREERS As an example of company in writers generally nts, 35 of a full-service k Volunteers give being an iUniverse advocate for retain their copyrights company, a lift moving offers everything A different self-publish . publishing companies beyond traditional and from ing option is content fered copy editing (even SPOTLIGH T ON . ofby the MarylandAGING “When should based company book design, indexing, ghostwriting), to lishAmeric 38 you self-publish k Newsletter for Puba. Unlike companies ?” asked lations, printing, public D.C. seniors rethat charge Internet marketing and more. Its PLUS CROSSW ORD, BEACON See SELF-PUB LISHING, page BITS, CLASSIFI 36 EDS & MORE

Look for this rack and help yourself to a Beacon and a shopping basket.

are very lengthy and they’re not as reader friendly,” said Cooper, 62. Cooper’s book features chapters that are just one to three pages long, covering everything from teething to day care, distilling advice from his pediatrics practice of more than 35 years.

He first approached the publisher of the medical journals for which he wrote, but they turned him down because he wasn’t an established author.

“So I went through the Yellow Pages,” Cooper recalled. Eventually, he settled on the Beckham Publications Group, located in Silver Spring. He was pleased with them and their advice, such as using a stock photo of a group of babies on the cover rather than one of his own grandchildren.

Cooper’s book, like many self-published works, is sold on the book selling behemoth Amazon.com as well as through his local publisher and other online sites.

Others use self publishing as a way to get their memoirs or books on local history into print. For example, Ruth Toliver tells about the African-American history of Harrisonburg, Va., through the eyes of her Uncle Charlie.

“When I was a girl, I’d sit in the evenings on my grandmother’s porch and listen to the old people talk. I was very quiet because if I said anything or asked any questions, they’d tell me to be quiet or go play with the kids,” said Toliver. She researched and verified the stories for her book, Keeping Up With Yesterday.

Toliver, who lives in Olney, Md., and said she’s “70-plus,” wrote her first book in 1998, a history of the Harrisonburg church where her grandfather was a minister. She self-published that one with a company in Gaithersburg, Md. But to save costs with Keeping Up with Yesterday, Toliver took it straight to a printer, bypassing the design and marketing services many self-publishers offer. Unfortunately, the “price was right, but I just wasn’t as happy with the quality of the photos and other things,” she said.

Trying both routes Some authors have used both self-publishing and traditional publishing houses.

Steven Michael Selzer published his first two books with publishing companies, but by the time he finished his third, his agent had retired. The writer and lawyer, who lives in Rockville, Md., spent a year trying to peddle to publishers his book on African-American baseball pioneer Joe Black.

Despite a foreword written by Bill Cosby and a good sales history with his previous books on relaxation and civility, Meet the Real Joe Black had no takers. Selzer decided to publish the book through iUniverse.

Selzer met Black, the first black pitcher to win a World Series game, after Black retired from the big leagues and taught at Selzer’s junior high more than 50 years ago. They became lifelong friends until Black’s death in 2002.

“He was a great teacher and mentor. I always admired him… so when he passed away I knew I wanted to write a book about his life,” said Selzer, 63.

Like many self-published authors, Selzer spends a lot of time marketing his book.

He’s given readings at libraries and other venues in the Washington area and in New Jersey, where Black lived. He’s been on 45 radio shows and his book was recently selected as “pick of the week” featured on “Larry King Live.”

Now that his book is better known, Selzer says an agent has contacted him about getting it published through a traditional publishing house and that he has another book in the works.

Like Selzer, Mollee Kruger has gone both routes with publishing — even starting her own press for her books back in 1970.

Her first books were volumes of light Jewish verse. “It seemed to me that I was wasting time beating the bushes for a publisher to do a genre of book that most publishers wouldn’t touch,” she said.

She has published six of her eight books with the press she created, Maryben Books. Kruger’s latest, The Cobbler’s Last, is a memoir of growing up in Bel Air, Md., where her father was a cobbler.

“I have more control over what happens to my books and can keep them in print.

Something must be working because I’ve sold thousands of copies over the last 40 years,” Kruger said.

Kruger, who lives in Rockville and is now 81, has worked to get her books into bookstores across the country, even placing one as far away as Fairbanks, Alaska.

“A writer has to divide her efforts into areas and say to herself, ‘Now I’m going into my production department, or now I put on the promotion hat or the accounting green visor or the circulation/delivery cap.’ Self-publishing requires a personality split more than a half dozen ways,” she said.

But Kruger said that despite the work involved, she prefers self-publishing to the traditional route, where she felt she had less control over both the content of her books and how they were marketed.

With self-publishing, “at the end you have a wonderful sense of accomplishment, a kind of energizing freedom from the experience.

“You did it all yourself. You created it from start to finish, your own cottage industry.”

Additional reporting by Carol Sorgen.

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Tips for working from home as a couple

By Susan Zevon More and more couples are finding themselves working from home, thanks to the rise of telecommuting and the downsizing of many full-time jobs. So how to cope with 24/7 togetherness?

Clinical psychologist Judy Kuriansky, who has given relationship advice as an author (The Complete Idiot’s Guide to a Healthy Relationship) and as host of a syndicated radio call-in show, says there are practical and psychological issues to be resolved when couples live and work together.

Space, for example. “It is important to find a space that is your own,” agreed Bruce Weinstein, who writes food books with his partner, Mark Scarbrough.

For years, they lived in a 600-square-foot apartment in New York City, where the foyer served as Scarbrough’s office and the kitchen was Weinstein’s domain. Looking for more space, they moved to Litchfield, Conn., four years ago.

But while having one’s own domain is important, Scarbrough said, “You need to keep in mind that it is still part of the home that belongs to you both.”

Working together from home is less stressful when couples find work they enjoy doing together, Kuriansky said. But in that case, it’s important to divide responsibilities clearly.

Weinstein and Scarbrough found they took different roles according to talent and inclination: Weinstein is the chef and Scarbrough is the writer; Weinstein oversees accounts receivable, Scarbrough accounts payable.

Sharing a bedroom Anna Kotler decided she wanted to work from her home in Roslyn, N.Y., as a marketing consultant when her second child was born. But several years later, when her husband, Rob Kotler, sold the family’s car dealership to work from home as an inventory consultant to car dealers, it was a big adjustment.

“We were both working in the bedroom, Anna on one side of the bed and me on the other,” Rob said. “And with the onset of the recession we were both finding less and less consultant work.”

Capitalizing on the green movement, the Kotlers started a company called Waste-less that produces reusable totes.

They now have moved to a bigger house, where they both work in a spacious room that also houses the company’s inventory.

Rob Kotler said he handles the accounting, and Anna does design and marketing.

Other guidelines from Kuriansky for couples working from home: • Discuss the practical and emotional issues that come up from working in such close quarters. Those can include resentment, fear, humiliation, money worries and childcare. Set aside a couple of hours a week at a set time for such discussions, or consult with a professional or outside party.

• Spend some time apart. Go to the gym, to the market or for a walk.

• Find a place outside the home where you can work when necessary. Many libraries, schools and cafes offer wireless Internet service.

Fine arts photographer Victoria Blewer

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

BECOME A PANTRY PAL

Top Banana Home Delivered Groceries asks for your help in preserving the health and dignity of vulnerable seniors who are unable to shop for themselves. Each $32.50 donation will enable government and nonprofit agencies to distribute a gift card to a needy senior good for home delivery plus $25 in groceries of their choice. Top Banana drivers will even put the groceries away. Send your donations to Top Banana/Gift Card Drive, 14100 Brandywine Rd., Brandywine, MD 20613 or call (301) 372-3663 to use a credit card or get information. Visit: www.topbananagroceries.org for more information.

Ongoing

DISCUSSION FACILITATORS NEEDED

The National Lutheran Home, 9701 Veirs Dr., Rockville, Md., is seeking individuals to serve as facilitators and engage residents in thought-provoking discussions. This opportunity may be ideal for a retired professor, teacher or scholar with a little extra time during the day. Call (301) 354-8447 or e-mail volunteers@nlhv.org.

Ongoing

HELP OTHERS DURING TAX SEASON

The Volunteer Income Tax Program in Northern Virginia provides free tax preparation to low-income families and individuals. This volunteer opportunity requires only a few hours per week during tax season. Contact Thea Frisby at (571) 533-5702, TTY 711 or go to http://nvacash.org/vita/?pagename=Volunteers.

Ongoing

HELP ACTIVE SENIORS

IONA needs volunteers to assist staff at the Active Senior Wellness Program at St. Alban’s, located at 3001 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Washington D.C. There are numerous opportunities to assist between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Help with the lunch program, computer classes, arts and crafts and special events. Call Lylie Fisher at (202) 895-9425 or visit www.iona.org to learn more.

was working full-time from home in Lincoln, Vt., when her husband, Chris Bohjalian, decided to leave his advertising job to write novels full-time. Blewer said her mother warned her “that it was a terrible idea. He will constantly be underfoot and you will have to make him lunch.”

It hasn’t turned out that way. With the luxury of a spacious house, Blewer and Bohjalian each have their own rooms for work and — although they enjoy having lunch together and comparing their morning’s work — they make their own sandwiches.

“One of the great advantages of us both working at home was that we are really able to be full-time parents to our daughter,” Bohjalian said.

Beyond 9 to 5 Many couples who work from home, however, say that ending the workday can be difficult.

Some say they set a time for turning off computers and office phones, and closing the office door, if there is one.

But many agree with Scarbrough, who said, “We live in a weird modern world where work and life are not clearly divisible.”

The Kotlers often go back to work after they put their children to bed at 8:30 p.m.

While workdays frequently seem long, Anna Kotler said she is more efficient since she started working from home.

“I get more done in six hours here than in a full day in an office. I am more efficient because I have to be,” she said.

— AP

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

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING

Spotlight On Aging VOLUME XXV, ISSUE 11

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

By Dr. Clarence Brown The month of November is designated as National Family Caregivers Month, and we find it only fitting to include information from our recent 24th Annual Salute to District of Columbia Centenarians and Caregivers Recognition Luncheon. We added the caregiver recognitions this year in light of the many centenarians that owe their longevity to the relatives, friends, neighbors, direct care workers, volunteers and others in the community who help them live longer lives with dignity and as much independence as possible.

This year’s theme, “It Takes A Village,” speaks to that very fact. I would like to take this time to congratulate once again Ms. Renee Carter, the 2010 Caregiver of the Year award recipient. Congratulations to Ms. Carter and to all of our caregivers for the vital role you play in the lives of those you care for daily.

As you know, there will be no COLA or Cost of Living Adjustment for seniors and the disabled receiving Social Security benefits for the second year in a row.

In addition, the Part D premiums are going up an average of 10 percent, while Part C plan premiums will likely decrease by 1 percent.

We have included a list of plan costs to

give you a better idea how these changes will affect you. As with any questions regarding your health benefits through Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800633-4227) or call the Office on Aging’s Health Insurance Counseling Project at George Washington University (HICP) 202-739-0668. Although there is no COLA this year, let’s celebrate the 75th Birthday of Social Security, which will continue to provide economic security for all older Americans.

We are glad to join with Safeway and others in sponsoring the Feast of Sharing on Wednesday, Nov. 24 at the Walter Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, N.W. For more information, please call our Information and Assistance Unit at 202-724-5626.

This month we also celebrate our Veterans on Nov. 11. It is my honor to take time out to salute all Veterans for their service to this country. So often we forget the sacrifice to their families and their lives as a whole that is made by the men and women of the Armed Forces.

All veterans, we salute you today and every day! Our offices and programs will also be closed for this observance as will other government agencies.

24th Annual Salute to District of Columbia Centenarians and Caregivers Recognition Luncheon The oldest centenarian present at the salute was Marie Buckner, 107. She cut the commemorative cake in honor of the celebration. Barrington Scott (front), Vice Chair Commission on Aging Alethea Campbell, and Executive Director Clarence Brown, DC Office on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center, are pictured with Ms. Buckner.

2010 Caregiver of the year Renee Carter advocated for years for crime victims and others in the community. For the past 15 years, she has been the advocate and caregiver for her 73-year-old father.

She has provided 24-hour care and coordinated support from aides and family members. Because of her commitment to her father and the community and now family caregivers, Ms. Carter was chosen the D.C. Caregivers’ Institute Caregiver of the Year for 2010.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Social Security Administration, Deputy Area III Director Alfredo Navarro, pictured with Centenarian Eunita Singletary, presented the centenarians with certificates honoring their 100+ years of life and the date of their SSA benefit. He also noted that Mabel and Joseph Harvey were the District’s oldest couple beneficiaries. The Harveys have been married more than 82 years.

Caregiver Assistance The Office on Aging, through its Senior Service Network, offers many services that were specifically developed to support District residents who serve as primary, unpaid informal caregivers to Washingtonians 60 years of age or older.

The following services are available: caregiver assessment and case management, caregiver education, adult day care, weekend respite service, residential respite program, spring cleaning, inhome support programs. Call the D.C. Caregivers Institute at 202-464-1314.

Call the agency in your ward that coor-

dinates services for seniors and their caregivers: Barney Senior Services, Wards 1 and 4, 202-939-9020; Emmaus Services for the Aging, Ward 2, 202-7451200; Seabury Ward 5 Aging Services , Wards 2 and 5, 202-529-8701; IONA, Wards 2 and 3, 202-895-0234; Family Matters of Greater Washington , citywide, 202-289-1510 x1180; South Washington West of the River Family Strengthening Collaborative, Ward 6, 202-610-6103; East River Family Project KEEN, Ward 7, 202534-4880; and Downtown Cluster’s Aging Services, Ward 8, 202-610-6103.

November 2010

This year, the 34th Annual Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Recognition Luncheon paid special tribute to Dr. Dorothy I. Height. The theme for the event was “Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life.” Pictured are Mistress of Ceremonies for the event Shirley Rivens Smith and one of the awardees of the event, Paula Patterson, who received the Louise Bullock, RSVP Advisory Council Award. Patterson is a member of the Advisory Council and volunteers at the White House. At 90+, Patterson is a faithful volunteer through rain, snow, sleet or hail. Congratulations once again.

39

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

D.C. OFFICE

ON

AGING NEWSLETTER

Community Calendar November events

16th • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

11th • 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Yvette Lewis, a vocalist with the Washington Performing Arts Society, will be performing at the Washington Seniors Wellness Center, 3001 Alabama Ave., S.E. Call Renee Few at 202-581-9355 with questions.

11th • 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

IONA Senior Services, 4125 Albemarle St., N.W., is offering free memory screenings. The screening takes approximately 20 minutes, and an IONA social worker will meet privately with each patient. Call 202895-9479 for more information.

20th • 10:30 a.m.

The East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, Inc. KEEN Seniors Program is planning a one-day fundraising trip to Hollywood Casino at Charlestown.

Cost of the trip is $30 per person with a $15 slot play; light refreshments will be served in route. Contact Robin Gantt for reservations at 202-534-4880, ext.110.

16th • 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Washington Seniors Wellness Center, 3001 Alabama Ave., S.E., invites you to attend a brief presentation and open discussion, “Medicare Dialogue, Part D Open Enrollment.” A presentation will take place from 11:30 a.m. to noon and the open discussion from noon to 3:30 p.m. Call 202-581-9355 for additional information.

Come to the Washington Senior Wellness Center’s open house, with open enrollment from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and tours of the center at 11 a.m. and noon.

There will be a gingerbread and hot apple cider reception at 12:30 p.m., as well as door prizes and holiday cooking tips. The center is located at 3001 Alabama Ave., S.E. Contact Evelyn Minor at 202-5819355 for more information.

December event 2nd • 6 p.m.

The Holiday Gala and Inaugural Silent Auction of East River Family Strengthening Collaborative will be held at the Newton White Mansion, 2708 Enter-

prise Rd., Mitchellville, Md. A donation of $85 and after-five attire are requested for this event; proceeds will go towards programs for Ward 7 residents. RSVP via e-mail to rparke@erfsc.org or call 202-397-7300, ext. 104.

Ongoing Fitness Instructor, Rodney Jordan, is back at the Washington Seniors Wellness Center, 3100 Alabama Ave., S.E., offering evening and weekend sessions for seniors who prefer to exercise at those times. A choice of three 40-minute sessions are scheduled for Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. For class times and additional information, contact Renee Few at 202-581-9355.

Announcement The East River Family Strengthening Collaborative Inc. (ERFSC) is moving to 3917 Minnesota Ave., N.E. effective Nov. 1. All phone numbers and e-mail addresses will remain the same. Call 202-534-4880 with any questions.

2011 Medicare Advantage Plans in the District of Columbia

Call the D.C. Office on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center at 202-724-5626 for information on flu clinics near you.

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.

441 4th St., N.W., 9th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 202-724-5622 • www.dcoa.dc.gov Dr. Clarence Brown, Executive Director Darlene Nowlin, Editor Adrian R. Reed & Selma Dillard, Photographers The D.C. Office on Aging does not discriminate against anyone based on actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital sta-

tus, 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.

Holiday Celebration for Silver Citizens presented by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty DC Office on Aging and the Senior Service Network

Wednesday, December 8, 2010 10am - 2pm DC Armory 2001 East Capitol Street, SE Entertainment, dancing, food, health screenings, community information, immunizations, contests, raffles, and exhibits!

Tickets available November 1 - November 26, 2010 For more information call (202) 724-5626

Parking is limited and public transportation is encouraged. The DC Armory is accessible via Metrorail Blue and Orange lines, Stadium - Armory station.

Government of the District of Columbia Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor

District of Columbia Office on Aging Clarence Brown, Ph.D., Executive Director

40

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Travel Leisure &

Get a taste of the sweet life in Hershey, Pa. See story on page 42.

Reconnecting with the ancients in Athens

Getting oriented “Everything started here,” one guide touted. And the ruins that remain are a testament. The Athens metropolis sprawls over 160 square miles, but the most fa-

mous sites are clustered around the Acropolis, and visitors can take in most of the city’s ancient highlights on foot or via the sleek, efficient subway built for the 2004 Olympic games.

Syntagma Square and its subway station is a good central base. The Acropolis is always a helpful orientation landmark because it is visible from most places.

Greeks say Acropolis means “high city.”

One tour guide proclaimed, “Every great city has an acropolis.”

The heart of the city, the Plaka, is busy tourist central, a walkable warren of narrow streets threading through back-toback hotels, cafés, bars, tavernas, shops and eager souvenir hawkers. It’s the most atmospheric part of Athens.

There are many spots where you can sip retsina or ouzo and watch the human traffic stroll by, as you relax to a strumming guitar or lively bouzouki.

Prepare to visit the Acropolis several times. When I arrived in my hotel room, fatigued by a long flight, I opened the curtains for some natural light and low and behold, there was the Acropolis, looming above and gleaming in the sunset’s golden light.

It was a pinch myself moment. And I had to pinch myself again the next day, when I climbed up to it on foot.

On top, the Parthenon — the main temple of the goddess Athena — stands sentinel. Its design is an optical illusion. It ap-

PHOTO BY ALEXANDRE DEFAGUNDES/DREAMSTIME

By Glenda C. Booth On top of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, the wind was gusting so hard that parents grasped their children’s wrists to anchor the little ones, as jackets billowed and hats sailed away.

When the dust swirling around the ruins made me “achoo” loudly, a woman nearby responded, “Zeus bless you!” Zeus blessed me many times over in Athens, as I peeled away layers of history in this sprawling, bustling city of five million people.

Athens initially comes across as a grungy, greedy, polluted, traffic-clogged mob scene with hawkers of “authentic artifacts” on every corner preying on the naïve tourist.

To get to the essence of Athens, tourists must sift through the plastic figurines, pseudo-marble knickknacks and fake pottery, to probe multiple eras of civilization in this, Europe’s oldest and very seductive city.

In studying Athens’ countless archaeological sites, you will revisit your college art history and mythology classes and be reminded of some of Washington, D.C.’s, renowned edifices. After all, Greece claims to be the basis of Western civilization.

Athens’ Acropolis — which literally means “high city” — is visible from most points of the city. Here it is shown from nearby Monastiraki (monastery) Square, which is home to a metro station and a popular Sunday flea market.

PHOTO BY PICTURA/DREAMSTIME

The Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis were built in the fifth century B.C.E. as a monument to the cultural and political achievements of the citizens of Athens. Restoration projects have been underway for 35 years, with at least a decade to go.

pears to be straight lines, but actually, the building leans inward. Completed in 438 B.C.E., it signifies the glory of ancient Greece, an example of the colossal buildings that announced the country’s might and importance.

Engineers still marvel at the massive Doric columns — how did the builders get 20-ton marble blocks up there? They do know that the Greeks used the first crane in the world to hoist up building materials, cranes that used linen ropes and iron pulleys.

Yellowed by time, acid rain and pollution, the Parthenon is undergoing a restoration that began in 1975 and could be finished by 2020, using the same type of Pentelic marble.

Also on the Acropolis is the Erechtheion, the temple that housed the cults of Athena, Poseidon and Erichthonius. It is famous for the six columns of maidens, the Caryatids, that support the southern portico. The temples’ supports today are plaster casts and, except for the one that Lord Elgin took, the originals are in the Acropolis Museum.

The open air theater at the base of the Acropolis is a good example of the ancient theaters common in most ancient Greek cities. This one is famous for its acoustics and has hosted performances by Maria Callas, the Bolshoi Ballet, Pavarotti and Yani, for example.

Acropolis and archeology museums Sitting in the shadow of the Acropolis, at the foot of the hill, is the must-see crown jewel of the city: the new three-level, $180 million Acropolis Museum.

During construction, excavators unearthed the remains of an ancient city, and designers incorporated the ruins in the design by displaying them under a glass walkway.

With ample natural lighting, the museum showcases the remaining treasures of the Acropolis. Here you’ll see the Parthenon’s frieze, that is, the pieces Lord Elgin did not ship back to England in 1801.

The top floor displays the frieze as it appeared on the Parthenon, with empty spaces for the missing pieces. Professional archaeologists guide visitors through oneof-a-kind collections.

Devote at least half a day to the 10,000square-foot National Archaeology Museum, an exploration of many eras through exhibits including pre-historic objects, Greek sculpture from the 8th century B.C.E. to the end of the 4th century C.E., Geometric pottery, Minoan frescoes, Egyptian artifacts and one of the largest bronze collections in the world. There’s a café and garden for lunch and snacks.

See ATHENS, page 41

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

Athens From page 40 Though “modern” — built between 1836 and 1842 — the Parliament House at Syntagma Square offers free entertainment: the changing of the presidential guard or evzones, handsome, stone-faced young men wearing kilts and pom-pom boots. Every hour they mesmerize onlookers in a high-stepping ceremony.

Behind the building are the National Gardens, a 40-acre respite from the city’s frenetic streets with more than 40,000 plants from all over the world.

Even if you are not a Hellenophile, polytheist, antiquity historian, mythology geek or fan of Homer, you’ll find plenty to see and do in Athens. Other choices: Athens’ first cemetery, Hadrian’s Arch, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Islamic Art Museum, the Maria Callas Museum, Turkish baths, a planetarium and more.

Time out for tavernas Once you’ve had a Greek salad in Greece you’ll turn up your nose at the lame imitations served in American restaurants. Perfectly ripe tomatoes drip with flavor, slabs of fresh feta tantalize the taste buds, and smooth, viscous olive oil seems freshly pressed.

Friendly, al fresco, no-frills tavernas are everywhere, although some have brash maitre d’s too eager for your business.

Greek chefs know how to bring out the best of fresh Mediterranean flavors. Think oregano, garlic, lemon and olive oil drizzled generously. Try grilled fish, skewered chicken, eggplant salad, pita bread, spinach pies, pastitsio, fried cheese

saganaki, moussaka, souvlaki and cuttlefish. You might even be offered sheep testicles.

Don’t leave Greece without trying the creamy, thick yogurt with yummy swirls of local honey and of, course, indulge in some decadent baklava.

The Athens subway is reliable and clean, and many stations feature archaeology exhibits. The construction of the system turned into a huge archaeological dig, and many of the treasures that builders happened upon are displayed in metro stations. All stations also feature art by leading Greek artists.

There are plenty of tours in Athens that you can schedule once you arrive. Check out www.athenswalkingtours.gr for guided walks of the Acropolis, Roman and Ottoman monuments, and other sites. Its Acropolis and city tour costs $40.

CHAT tours (www.chatours.gr/company.asp) offers Athens highlights and Athens at night by bus ($87), as well as many tours around the country to famous ancient sites.

Many of the guides are trained, well-informed archaeologists or historians.

If you go Athens is notorious for its sweltering summer heat and air pollution. The average daytime temperature for July is a humid 93 degrees F. The number of days exceeding 100 degrees F appears to be increasing dramatically, according to Science Daily.

Spring and fall are the best times to go and some say that April to mid-June is perfect.

Second best is September and October. Remember that in the height of summer it feels like all of Europe is descending on Athens, heading for the famed Greek islands.

The least expensive Washington-area

BEACON BITS

Nov. 10

NORMAN ROCKWELL AT THE SMITHSONIAN

View the works of Norman Rockwell from the collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg at the Smithsonian on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Offered by Arlington Senior Travel, the cost of this outing is $12 for Arlington residents and $16 for non-residents. Departure is at 10:30 a.m. from the Madison Center, 3829 N. Stafford St., Arlington, Va. and the return is at 1:30 p.m. Call (703) 228-4748 to sign up.

Nov. 13

RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Travel with Fairfax County Dept. of Recreation to New York City to see the Rockettes in their timeless Christmas show. There will also be time for shopping and sightseeing on your own. The bus leaves several Fairfax County locations between 7 and 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18 and returns between midnight and 1 a.m. The cost is $197 for Fairfax County residents and $212 for those living outside the county. For more information or to sign up, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/classes/trips or call (703) 324-TOURS (8687).

Nov. 18

April through October it’s $189. Rates include all taxes and breakfast.

The Electra Hotel (www.electrahotels.gr /electra-hotel-athens) is another reasonably priced, centrally located option. In November, double rooms start at $184 per night; in the summer they are $252.

Useful websites for pre-trip planning are www.cityofathens.gr/en and www.athensguide.org/athens-tourist-information.html.

Glenda C. Booth is a travel writer who lives in Alexandria, Va.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 12

FLOCK TO THE WATERFOWL FESTIVAL

Visit Easton, Md., during the 40th annual festival that pays homage to migrating waterfowl. Easton closes colonial streets, decorates historic buildings and welcomes wildlife artists, craftsmen and vendors. The bus for this outing on Friday, Nov. 12 departs from Lee Center, 5722 Lee Hwy, Arlington, Va. at 8:15 a.m. and returns at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $23 for Arlington residents and $28 for nonresidents. Call Arlington Senior Travel at (703) 228-4748 to register.

Jan. 14+

TRAVEL TO COLOMBIA

The Women’s Travel Club is offering 8 days/7 nights in Colombia for $2,149 per person, which includes international and domestic airfare, 4/5 star hotels and some meals. Visit the beautiful cities of Bogota, Villa de Leyva and Cartagena. The locally guided trip departs on Jan. 14 and returns Jan. 25. Visit www.womenstravelclub.com or call 1-800- 4804448 for additional information.

Visit our Website: www.shillelaghtravelclub.com PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Jan. 15-22 ......................................$780 plus tax Includes air from BWI, 7-Nights Riu Bambu Resort with All Meals & Beverages. Transfers & Porterage (Transfers to BWI are offered)

ATLANTA & JEKYLL ISLAND BY MOTORCOACH, Feb. 20 – 26 ....................................$799 Includes Deluxe Motorcoach from Vienna or Rockville, 6-Nights Hotel, Daily Breakfast, 4 Dinners, Sightseeing. Call for detailed itinerary.

DELUXE SMALL SHIP PANAMA CANAL CRUISE Celebrity’s AZAMARA’S “Journey” Jan. 30 – Feb. 15 ..............................................................................................$2740 plus tax Cruise from San Diego to Miami through the Canal With All Meals & Entertainment with Balcony Cabin! Call for details on ship & itinerary.

Serving the Washington Area Since 1964 … Call for a brochure with trip and social schedule details.

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CRUISE FROM BALTIMORE in ‘10/11

FALL FESTIVAL

The National Lutheran Home and Village will hold its fall festival on Saturday Nov. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival includes sales of crafts made by residents, jewelry, Christmas items and more.

Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $8, or $4 for lighter fare. The National Lutheran Home and Village is located at 9701 Veirs Dr. in Rockville, Md. For more information, call Alice Daniel at (301) 949-4688

Dec. 18

roundtrip fares to Athens in November are from Dulles International Airport and start around $850 on both Delta and KLM. Once in Athens, the easiest, cheapest way to get to and from the airport is by subway.

The Plaka district is crammed with hotels of all price ranges.

The Plaka Hotel (www.plakahotel.gr) is centrally located and near the Syntagma metro station, the Parliament and shopping districts. It has a pleasant rooftop garden, perfect for Acropolis gazing and evening cocktails. The rate through March for a double room is $125; from

41

MEET THE BEACON PUBLISHER

Seniors Organized for Change presents Stuart Rosenthal, publisher of the Beacon, at its November meeting on Thursday, Nov. 18.

The free program is open to the public and takes place at Ring House, 1801 E. Jefferson St., Rockville, Md., from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. To stay for lunch afterwards ($5 prepaid), call Debbie Sokobon at (301) 348-3760.

5-Night Bermuda Cruises docking 2 full days at Kings Wharf, Bermuda from Baltimore: Nov. 13, 2010. Apr. 11 & 30; May 14 & 28; June 11 & 25, 2011. Rates from: $649. per pers dbl

9-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruises San Juan, P.R.; St. Thomas, USVI; Samana, D.R.; Labadee, Haiti (private island beach party). From Baltimore: Nov. 4, 2010.

Jan. 2; Feb. 19; Mar. 12; Apr. 2, 2011. Rates from: $899. per pers dbl

12-Night Southern Caribbean Labadee, Haiti (private island); Samana, D.R.; San Juan, P.R.; St. Thomas, USVI, St. Marten, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. From Baltimore: Dec. 6 & 27, ‘10; Jan. 17; Feb. 7, 28; Mar. 21; Apr. 11, 2011 • Rates from: $899. per pers dbl

SHUTTLE SERVICE TO PIER IN BALTIMORE Door-to-Door shuttle service from the Washington Metro area to the Cruise Terminal in Baltimore is $59. per pers roundtrip.

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42

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

Experience the sweet life in Hershey, Pa. As part of the hotel’s expansion to mark its 75th anniversary, it built 10 new cottages — plus a new restaurant, recreation campus with aquatic facility, ice skating rink, newly renovated hotel lobby, and seven boutique shops.

The cottages, named for plants found throughout the hotel grounds — we stayed in Cherry — have either four or six bedrooms, and both an upper-level and lower-level great room. Guests can rent individual bedrooms or reserve the entire cottage.

A chocoholic’s dream Since the rainy drive had slowed us both down, we had only a moment to check in, drop our bags in the cottage, grab the shuttle (the main hotel is within walking distance but the shuttle is a nice touch) and dash over to our spa appointment.

I decided to take advantage of “all things cocoa” that Hershey is famous for and had reserved a cocoa facial. The ohso-relaxing, and yummy-smelling, treatment was preceded by a warming foot soak, and included not only the facial, but a hand and foot treatment, neck and shoulder massage, finished off by a scalp massage. The 75-minute treatment cost $165.

The next morning we decided to visit the Hershey Story, the Museum on Choco-

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By Carol Sorgen It should come as no surprise that a vacation to Hershey, Pa., will meet with an enthusiastic thumbs-up from your grandchildren. What you may not realize is that you can have a fantastic time without kids as well, as I did on a recent girlfriend getaway to the home of the chocolate bar.

My former college roommate and I were sorely in need of a little R&R. A stressful couple of years involving injuries and illnesses for both of us had left us a bit worn out. Our “prize,” we promised ourselves, would be a few days of pampering when we were both completely back on our feet.

That time finally came — yippee! — and our thoughts turned to spas, beautiful accommodations, and plenty of things to do without feeling like we had to turn into whirling dervishes to accomplish it all. And since she lives in New Jersey and I’m in Baltimore, we wanted a place that was easily accessible for both of us. Hello, Hershey!

There are a number of lodging choices in the chocolate-scented town, including the Hotel Hershey, the Hershey Lodge, Hershey Highmeadow Campground and a number of chain hotels.

Our choice was the brand new Woodside Cottages at the Hotel Hershey. When it first opened in the 1930s, the Hotel Hershey offered cottages behind its main building.

The golf course at the Hershey Country Club extends to the lawn of Milton Hershey’s estate, High Point Mansion. Golf is just one of many activities, from chocolate tastings to spa treatments, designed for adults visiting Hershey, Pa.

late Avenue, a new project that honors Milton S. Hershey. After all, the Hershey empire, including the town, is the result of his vision and efforts.

On the second floor of this engaging, interactive museum are themed exhibits that focus on such topics as Hershey’s rocky road to success, how Hershey revolutionized the production of milk chocolate, and how Hershey’s products were advertised before there were TV commercials.

I had also signed up for the chocolate lab and a chocolate tasting at the museum.

The lab offers hands-on classes such as tempering, molding, dipping and making chocolate from scratch.

The class I took, the Art of Chocolate, didn’t reveal any hidden Picasso-esque talents on my part, but I was rather pleased

with my swirly abstract creation that, yes, was edible and can be taken with you.

Following the lab, as if we hadn’t already had our chocolate fix — before noon yet — there was a chocolate tasting in the Café Zooka (named after Zooka Chocolate Sticks, penny candies that were one of Milton Hershey’s early chocolate novelties).

The Countries of Origin Chocolate Tasting featured exotic chocolate flavors from around the world. We sipped warm drinking samples made from cocoa beans from Africa to Indonesia and beyond. My favorite? The fruity Madagascar. I have to say, I’d much rather do a chocolate tasting than a wine tasting!

To walk off some of the calories — but See HERSHEY, page 43

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

Hershey From page 42 who’s counting — we strolled through the Hershey Gardens, located just a short walk from the main entrance of the hotel.

The gardens opened to the public in 1937 with a 3 ½- acre rose garden. By 1942, the Gardens had expanded to the 23 acres visitors can enjoy today, with themed gardens, an outdoor butterfly house, a children’s garden, and 7,500 beautiful — and aromatic — roses.

Hersheypark for grownups Despite the fact that we had no little ones with us, Nan and I decided you can’t really say you’ve been to Hershey until you’ve gone to Hersheypark, the resort’s 110-acre amusement park.

Hershey staff has nicknames for the rides, including the “howlers” and the “pukers.” We chose the “weenie” rides — Skyview, the monorail, and the Dry Gulch Steam Railroad. Just about our speed!

While the latest addition to the park, called Boardwalk at Hersheypark: the SEAquel, is closed for the season, it should be a welcome haven during hot summer days. Features include the Shore, a 378,000-gallon wave pool, and the Intercoastal Waterway, a “lazy river” attraction that gives guests the opportunity to float along on individual rafts.

In November and December, Hersheypark gets all decked out for the holidays with more than 2 million twinkling lights.

About 30 rides stay open, and nine real reindeer can be visited in the park’s pioneer frontier area. Single day passes are $10.95.

Each night, you can enjoy 600 illuminated and animated displays in a two-mile drive-through attraction called Hershey Sweet Lights. The price is $20 per car.

New this year is a holiday dinner musical called Christmas in Chocolate Town at

Hershey Lodge. The evening begins with caroling, punch and light hors d’oeuvres, and continues with a Christmas-inspired dinner and decadent dessert, followed by a 40-song show. The show and meal is $49.95 for adults and $24.95 for children.

Another dining option is the circular dining room at the Hotel Hershey. The room was built in a semi-circle without pillars or corners, so that each guest would have a view of the hotel’s formal gardens.

The 13 windows are made of colored leaded glass and depict birds and blooms native to central Pennsylvania.

We ate Sunday brunch here ($39.95). It was so extensive that it wasn’t until we left that I realized I’d missed an entire table!

Not that I went hungry, mind you.

And what’s a brunch without a chocolate fountain, with fruit and marshmallows on hand for dipping, leaving me with sweet memories as I departed for home.

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Call Lee at (571) 244-4363 to learn more about this incredible adventure. www.h2t3Tours.com

Upcoming Trips The Allenberry Christmas Show, Boiling Springs, PA (near Gettysburg) Sunday, December 5 Join us for this joyful holiday musical at the Allenberry Playhouse theater, featuring traditional music, colorful costumes, and a heartwarming story.

Prior to the show, we’ll partake of a wonderful buffet lunch–including Allenberry’s famous sticky buns–in a charming setting all decked out for the holidays. $129 per person; children 16 and under $89

If you go Hershey, Pa. is about a 2 ½-hour drive from downtown Washington.

For more information on visiting Hershey, log on to www.hersheypa.com. You’ll find links to accommodations, restaurants, attractions, events and packages to help plan your trip. “Senior” discounts for Hersheypark admission start at age 55. Even larger “Senior Plus” discounts start at age 70.

Rooms at the Hotel Hershey start at $279; $189 for the Lodge at Hersheypark in November. For more information on these hotels, go to www.hersheypark.com/lodging.

If you stay at one of the official Hersheypark hotels, you can also purchase a “Sweet Access Pass,” which includes a number of VIP extras, such as personal concierge service, front-of-the-line ride access, a meal and other benefits.

Chain hotels abound in Hershey, including SpringHill Suites starting at $135 and Hampton Inn for $129.

To comment on our articles, visit www.theBeaconNewspapers.com.

43

Trips We’re Planning for 2011 The Greenbrier

April 3 days/2 nights A resort worthy of a head-of-state with exquisite interiors, stately grounds, outstanding amenities, gourmet meals, and now a Monte Carlo-style casino.

Charleston and Savannah May 5 days/4 nights Experience two of the most storied cities of the South, Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA. In Charleston you’ll visit the historic district, the Water Front, the Old City Market, and Fort Sumter. In Savannah, visit River Street, the famous Squares the city was built around, and Forsyth Colonial Cemetery.

The Finger Lakes July 5 days/ 4 nights This is New York’s wine and dairy country. It is also an area of breathtaking waterfalls, lakes, and canyons; and an area steeped in history and culture; where Mark Twain, Harriet Tubman, and Harriet Beecher Stowe lived and where the Women’s Movement began. You’ll visit the Corning Museum of Glass, take a scenic lake cruise, tour the Sonnenberg Mansion and Gardens, and much more.

The Hamptons September 4 days/ 3 nights We’ll stay in quaint Sag Harbor and see the homes of the “rich and famous.”

You’ll tour Stoney Brook Village, the Montauk Lighthouse, the Whaling Museum, Palmer Vineyard, Shelter Island, and much more.

Call us about these trips and others that we are planning for 2011.

We will send you the details as soon as they are available.

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

Airlines can help if you’ve got a disability Unless you’re flying in a premium class, • In most cases, airlines can’t demand air travel is a struggle no matter what your that someone else accompany you. And if age. And the older we get, the an airline decides you need tougher the struggle bean attendant, it must buy the comes. extra ticket.

With recent press coverage • Airlines can’t require of new “travelers’ rights” prothat you sit in a specific seat, posals, a quick look at specific as long as you’re physically rights for travelers who may capable of sitting there, but it need a bit of extra help is timely. can refuse to allow you in an Along with most of the rest exit-row seat if you can’t perof the travel industry, airlines form the requisite emergency seem to view “disability“ and functions.

TRAVEL TIPS “travelers who need assis• Airlines must help you, as

By Ed Perkins tance” narrowly to mean “conneeded, with boarding, defined to a wheelchair,” and “accessible” as planing, and making connections. If your “accessible to someone in a wheelchair.” flight boards through a ground level jetway, the airline must provide a ramp or a Your rights as a passenger mechanical lift device to help you get onto The overall needs of those travelers are the airplane. governed by the Americans with Disability • Airlines must also help you in the Act, as augmented for air travelers by the cabin, although you can’t ask for extensive Air Carrier Access Act. If you have a dis- special services. You are allowed to bring ability: and use your own oxygen.

• Airlines may not refuse to transport • Airlines must accept your wheelchair you, except if carrying you would be “in- — even one of those bulky battery-operatimical to the safety of the flight,” for most ed jobs — as checked baggage, without of you, a rather remote possibility. adding any charge for whatever special • Airlines cannot demand advance no- packaging the airline decides to use. tice of that disability, although they can re• Airlines must allow you to take colquire 48 hours notice if you require special lapsible wheelchairs and other assist deequipment or preparations. vices into the cabin and not count them

against your carry-on allowance.

• For “new” aircraft — ordered after April 5, 1990, or delivered after April 5, 1992 — those with 30 or more seats must have movable armrests on at least half the aisle seats, and new twin-aisle planes must have accessible lavatories.

• If an airplane of 60 or more seats has an accessible lavatory, it must carry an onboard wheelchair; if it does not have an accessible lavatory, but you give 48 hours notice that you can use an inaccessible one, the airline must provide a wheelchair for you on the plane.

Airports, too, are required to assist wheelchair travelers through security and other airport facilities. Some of these services require 48-hour advance notice to the airline. For more information, log onto www.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/documents/Acc/di sabled.pdf.

Avoiding travel troubles Overall, you’ll get lots of help if you need it — and ask in advance. Still, your best bet is to minimize your chances of a problem by being aware of the following: • You can’t always expect an accessible lavatory on your flight. Unfortunately, U.S. domestic airlines still fly a lot of “old” single-aisle planes without accessible lavatories.

• Avoid small regional jets and turboprops when you can. They usually board through steep, narrow, self-contained stairs that are tough for anybody to negotiate.

• Ask for assistance even if you’re not bound to a wheelchair — if you see you can’t comfortably handle a set of stairs or such. For a long airport schlep, ask for a ride on one of those “golf carts” most airports have for that purpose.

• And although I couldn’t find anything on any major lines’ websites, it is my understanding that at least some lines will provide the equivalent of unaccompanied minor care to adult travelers suffering from Alzheimer’s or other cognitive conditions that might preclude fully independent travel.

The best way to avoid disappointment and hassle is to arrange what you need in advance. For more information, visit Access-Able (www.access-able.com), The Disabled Traveler (www.disabled-traveler.com) and Flying with Disability (www.flying-with-disability.org).

Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Perkins’ new book for small business and independent professionals, Business Travel When It’s Your Money, is now available through www.mybusinesstravel.com or www.amazon.com © 2010 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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

Style Arts &

Sondheim brings Elaine Stritch back to Broadway. See story on page 49.

The magical double life of Rich Bloch

By Delia Sava At age 7, Rich Bloch was hired to work as an apprentice in a New Jersey magic

shop. Sixty years later, Bloch — a Washington labor arbitration attorney by day — continues to pursue the art of illusion with

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All Mozart Program Symphony in D Major, K. 196/121 “La finta giardiniera” Piano Concerto No. 12 in A Major, K. 414 Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major, K. 271 “Jeunehomme” Symphony No. 29 in A Major, K. 201 Tickets $25–$65 (Stars Price $22.50–$58.50)

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Peter Marks, host This witty, literary lion of American theater, who penned some of the most memorable Broadway classics from West Side Story to Sweeney Todd to Into the Woods, has stories to tell in this intimate conversation. Please note: this event does not include musical performances.

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just as much enthusiasm as the little boy who stood transfixed watching the owner of the shop perform magic.

“There was a magic shop on the corner of the street, and there was a guy doing absolute miracles, and I was hooked,” Bloch recalled.

Bloch decided that he desperately wanted to work there and suggested to the owner of the store that he hire him. The man asked him what experience he had.

Being 7, he had none, of course.

“So I lied to the man. I said, ‘Well, I don’t have any experience but my father’s a great magician.’ And he said, ‘Really?’ and I said, ‘Yes, his name is Ted Collins,’” using the name of a magician Bloch had heard of.

“The guy was very impressed and he said, ‘Wow, if your dad is Ted Collins, you can work here — come after school and on weekends and I’ll teach you.’”

Bloch said he was thrilled, but as he was leaving the store, he realized he didn’t know the man’s name. “I turned to him and I said, ‘What’s your name?’ and he said, ‘Ted Collins.’”

continued while attending Dartmouth, where Bloch received a bachelor’s degree, and law school at the University of Michigan.

Bloch has worked hard to perfect his act, and 30 years ago he hired Davey Marlin Jones, a local director and drama critic, to help him become more comfortable on stage.

“I said to him, ‘I know everything I need to know about magic, but I don’t know anything about being on stage.’”

Bloch said the two became close friends and he credits being schooled in the “acting skills” by Jones with significant improvements in his stage performances.

In addition to performing magic, he owned for 18 years a manufacturing company that created props for magicians.

Bloch is also the inventor of more than 80 magic effects.

Bloch has collaborated with well-known magicians, including David Copperfield and Siegfried & Roy. The legendary Orson Welles, who hired Bloch as a scriptwriter and consultant, once referred to Bloch as “an Edison of magic.”

A money-making sideline

Feet in two worlds

Bloch worked as an apprentice at the magic store for eight years. When he was 9, he was hired as an assistant by one of the shop’s regular customers, Dick Dubois, who starred as Bonomo the Magic Clown on local television.

His professional work as a magician

Bloch said he is equally passionate about the two widely disparate aspects of his professional life.

“My [law] practice is being an arbitrator in labor disputes. It’s kind of like a private See RICH BLOCH, page 47

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

PHOTO BY DELIA SAVA

Rich Bloch began his side career as a magician at age 7 as an apprentice in a New Jersey magic shop. He now performs internationally and owns a theater for magic shows on the Eastern Shore. A dual career professional, he is also a labor arbitration attorney in Washington.

Rich Bloch From page 46 judge, and I absolutely love it. I really enjoy the people I work with,” he said.

“I mean, I don’t do card tricks for my law clients,” he joked, adding, “It’s very strictly separate. And it’s really because I want them to be my own worlds that I can enter or leave at will.

“And if I’m frustrated in one area, I don’t want to lose the excitement and the interest of the other.”

Bloch and his wife, Susan Low Bloch, a law professor at Georgetown University, live in northwest D.C. The couple met in high school and dated through college; they were married in 1966. They have two grown children, who are both attorneys.

“From the magic standpoint, aside from the terrific fun of entertaining, it’s been kind of a family affair,” Bloch said. His wife joins him onstage in the role of magic assistant, and their children joined them on many of his tours to perform all over Europe and Asia.

Max joined the family last December.

He is a blue hyacinth macaw that assists Bloch in doing card tricks.

These days the couple is choosing to perform a bit closer to home. Last summer they opened Dickens Parlour Theater in Millville, Del., five minutes from their summer home in Bethany Beach.

And in December he will be performing his “Best Kept Secrets” show at the Woolly

Mammoth Theatre in Washington.

He pointed to the heavy bags containing his magic equipment and said, “Traveling now is just very difficult with the strict airport security…and so increasingly I felt, wouldn’t it be great to have a place where people can come to us instead?”

The entertainment factor is all-important to Bloch, who describes himself as a parlor and stage magician. “I go for humor.

If people are having a good time laughing, then that’s what I’m after,” he said.

“I regard the magic as props that will help me do that, rather than trying to present myself as a latter day Merlin.”

When asked to show me one of his tricks, he took a deck of cards and fanned them out, asking me to choose one and write my name on it. I observed the card closely as it went back in the deck.

Then Bloch picked up a box of Altoids that had been on a coffee table and opened it to reveal the card with my name on it, neatly folded up. He laughed at my amazed reaction when I exclaimed, “Wow! How in the world did you do that?”

But, of course, that’s just one of Bloch’s many secrets.

Bloch is performing his “Best Kept Secrets” at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D St., N.W., Washington, D.C., on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. Individual tickets are $20; half-price tickets are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (202) 364-3020.

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 Senior Service Network Meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 8:15 a.m.

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On Dec. 2:Annual Holiday Party at Ring House To register, visit www.growsmc.org or call (301) 765-3325.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0 — 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 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0

49

Elaine Stritch returns to Broadway at 85 get a lot of stories like that â&#x20AC;&#x201D; funny, self-effacing and revealing. The woman seems to have an iron core: brassy and exacting and salty, but also accommodating and full of wit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like anything I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about,â&#x20AC;? she said at one point. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like most of the things I do.â&#x20AC;? At another point, she offers this: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The most horrible line in the English language for me is, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;God, you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t changed a bit.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the worst thing you can say to anybody.â&#x20AC;?

Stephen R. Buntrock, her co-star in A Little Night Music, has long admired the actress and has learned to stay on his toes when heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the same room. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to bring your A-game when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re around her. If she senses any kind of weakness, she will dive in. And in her See STRITCH, page 51

wonderful, strong-personality way, draw it out of you,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Stritch has become a sort of shorthand for acting longevity since she made her Broadway debut in Loco in 1946. Since then, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performed in both musicals and dramas, from Edward Albee to Noel Coward to Stephen Sondheim.

AP PHOTO/BONEAU/BRYAN-BROWN, INC.

By Mark Kennedy Elaine Stritch wants to tell an embarrassing story. And when Elaine Stritch wants to tell a story, you listen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have no secrets,â&#x20AC;? the 85-year-old Broadway legend said by way of introduction. She is sitting at a makeup table getting her eyes done a few hours before a performance of A Little Night Music at New York Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Walter Kerr Theatre.

A few days ago, Stritch begins, she was at her Midtown hairdressers for a threehour appointment before a show when she realized sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d forgotten her teeth. Stritch, who calls herself â&#x20AC;&#x153;a brittle diabetic,â&#x20AC;? has two sets of dentures, one for the stage and one for regular life. She didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the ones for the theater.

Stritch had no time to waste: She called over to the Carlyle Hotel, where she lives these days, to ask an assistant to find the stage teeth â&#x20AC;&#x201D; theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be in a little white container in the bathroom. She wanted them brought down to the front desk.

Then she tried to call her hired limo driver, who was idling outside the salon. But she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have his number, and there was no time to find the car serviceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s number. So Stritch, in a bit of a panic by now, went out to find him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I run downstairs. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got on the robe from the hairdressers,â&#x20AC;? she said. And she leans into the window of the limo and bellows: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to drive up to the Carlyle and pick up my teeth!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Suddenly, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m standing in the middle of 57th Street. And thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about 20 people laughing,â&#x20AC;? recalls Stritch with a sly smile. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Publicity stunt? No way! You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do publicity stunts like that. Not even I could do that unless it was really happening.â&#x20AC;?

Elaine Stritch stars as Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music on Broadway through Jan. 9, 2011. The veteran actress made her Broadway debut in 1946 and won a Tony for her one-woman show Elaine Stritch at Liberty in 2002.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0 — 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 — N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Arts & Style

51

What you drive can say a lot about you Call it “The Tale of Two Cadillacs” — current CEO, I sank into plush loveliness. one enjoyed, one rejected.

The seat was more comfortable than my In the tale lies a large truth: couch at home. The climate He who thinks that senior was individually controlled — Americans are all cut from one one temperature for his porbolt of cloth is in for a surprise. tion of the front seat, another I happened to hitch rides in temperature for mine. one recent week with two capWhen the CEO placed the tains of industry. gearshift in drive and moved One man, in his late 70s, runs off, there was no sound. a billion-dollar company. He was None. driving a nearly new midnight In any of my last six cars, blue Cadillac Coupe de Ville. He HOW I SEE IT there would have been a said he has driven nothing but By Bob Levey grumble or a rumble at this Caddies for the last 40 years. moment — at least a mumble.

The other man, in his late 80s, ran a The dashboard reported in detail on company worth many millions when he re- every possible morsel of information. tired several years ago. He could also be Miles left on the current load of gas (424, if driving a Cadillac. He could be driving you’re scoring at home). Current time left three of them. on the musical selection in the CD player But his ride was a mere Chevrolet.

(1:21). And current gas mileage (22 MPG When I hopped into the Caddie of the — we’ll get back to that figure shortly).

Stritch From page 49 She’s also been in films such as Monsterin-Law and Out to Sea, and on TV as the Emmy-winning mother of Alec Baldwin in “30 Rock.”

Her one-woman show Elaine Stritch at Liberty won her a Tony in 2002, and her cabaret shows at the Carlyle Hotel are legendary.

Each generation finds her relevant and hip. She was recently parodied on an episode of “The Simpsons” in which Lisa Simpson attends a fancy performing arts camp. One class was on making wallets with Elaine Stritch and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Stritch got a kick out of it. “That’s worth being in the business for 150 years,” she said with a laugh.

A lot of night music Stritch lately has been getting standing ovations for her turn as Madame Armfeldt in a revival of Sondheim’s musical, A Little Night Music. She and Bernadette Peters replaced Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones, respectively, over the summer and have agreed to stay on until Jan. 9.

Stritch plays a wheelchair-bound aristocrat who offers dry and hysterical pronouncements in her half-dozen scenes, and mourns the loss of standards in her big song “Liaisons,” in which she looks back on her profitable sexual conquests of dukes and barons. “Where is skill?” she asks.

“Where’s passion in the art, where’s craft?”

Stritch is at an age — and with such goodwill built up — that simply appearing on stage will earn her bursts of applause.

But she still tries to earn it every time with a heart-tugging take on Madame Armfeldt.

“It’s a very hard part for me. Don’t ask me why. I don’t know why. Some parts just don’t blow me away. This one did. There’s a lot of new kind of emotions,” she said.

“You don’t want to go into that because an actor talking about how they do their stuff is more boring than anything I can ever think of.”

She calls the song “Liaisons” interesting, intelligent and unusual. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. “It can creep into meaning you’re-getting-close-to-leaving-thebuilding time at my age. There’s no sense not paying attention to it because it’s absolutely true.

“You know where I’m at in age?” she then asks. “I don’t need anything. That’s a little scary — when you know that the last two bras you bought are it. You won’t need any more. I’m not going to live long for any big, new discovery at Victoria’s Secret.”

Stritch has one issue she’d love to leave as her legacy: reducing the standard eightshows-a-week contract that performers sign. “I wish I could leave the building with that having been accomplished — seven shows a week. Eight shows gets to be too much,” she said.

When producers of A Little Night Music asked her and the cast to do nine performances a week, Stritch had a fit. She gleefully displays a letter she wrote demanding a change: “Try to understand our physical, emotional, physiological desperation,” it read. Producers soon backed down.

Stritch is already planning her future when this musical ends. She’s considering doing an evening of just Elton John songs: “You don’t know what I can do with those songs,” she said. “It might be fun and unusual.”

For more information, see www.NightMusicOnBroadway.com.

— AP

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

The CEO told me about being a boy in the South. His family was far from rich. He decided that he would be.

He worked crazy hours, long weeks. He built a business. He bought out a partner.

He weathered ups, downs and sidewayses.

And now, “this is one of my true pleasures,” he told me.

I could see why. The car handled like butter.

The CEO hooked his little finger into the steering wheel — just the one finger.

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“I know that I could be doing more to save the planet,” said the CEO, who has seven grandchildren. But he says he finds

other ways to do that.

He’s careful about recycling. He has a small investment in a solar power development company. He’s careful to turn off the shower as soon as all the soap has run down the drain.

Besides, he’s quick to say, 22 MPG isn’t 16. “That’s what Cadillacs used to get,” he told me. “I know this isn’t a Volkswagen, but for as many miles as I drive each year — and I don’t drive a lot — I’m not a big waster.”

Five days later, I piled into the Chevy of my other friend. Everything about it shouted: Ordinary!

The carpet didn’t fit quite right around the passenger-side door. My leather seat See BOB LEVEY, page 52

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

Bob Levey

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

From page 51 was cracking after 10,000 miles. The ride was a little clunky — as if the shock absorbers were not quite major-league.

But the story behind this car certainly was.

“I used to drive nothing but Cadillacs,” said my friend. “One time, I took my car in for repairs. Nothing big. Routine stuff. The guy called me later that afternoon and said they had found a few things I hadn’t noticed.

“I said, ‘OK, how much will it cost to fix them?’

“The guy said, ‘Oh, not much. Only about $1,800 or so.’”

Starting that day, and since, my friend has held himself up as Cadillac Exhibit A. “They think that if you can afford a Cadillac, you can afford any repairs — even repairs you don’t need,” my friend said. The afternoon of the $1,800 phone call, he traded his Caddy in on the Chevrolet. “Got a good deal, too,” he was proud to tell me.

Moral of the story: Older Americans are not behaving as they once did.

General Motors built the most successful business on earth by marketing Chevrolets to 20-somethings. The thinking was that, like robots, they’d move up to Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles in their 40s and to Cadillacs — the ultimate prize — in their 60s.

But these days, some get to Caddies early and stay there. And some get to Caddies and go backwards to Chevys.

My friend the former CEO may have said it best. “Do you think that it’s younger people who are unpredictable consumers?,” he asked, with a chuckle.

His Chevrolet grumbled and rumbled and mumbled. I think it was agreeing with him.

Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

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BEACON BITS

Beacon The

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NEWS & FEATURES • LAW & MONEY • FITNESS & HEALTH LEISURE & TRAVEL • ARTS & STYLE • VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS

PIANO CONCERT

The Piano Society of Greater Washington presents a concert and reception on Sunday, December 12 at 4 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 9545 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md. Works by Liszt, Mendelssohn, Ravel, Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky will be featured for solo piano, four-hand piano, and piano trio. Free will offering. For more information, call (301) 793-1863 or see www.pianosocietyofgreaterwashington.org.

We are pleased to offer both First-Class and Third-Class subscriptions: U.S. NAVY BAND CHAMBER ENSEMBLE

$36/year via First Class Mail* $12/year via Third Class Mail*

Nov. 7

Please send my subscription to: Name:____________________________________________

The Glenview Mansion Art Gallery will host a free concert on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. featuring the U.S. Navy Band Chamber Ensemble. The mansion is located at Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Dr., Rockville, Md. For additional information, call (240) 3148682 or visit www.rockvillemd.gov.

Address:___________________________________________ WB 11/10

City: _____________________State:_____Zip: ___________ ❐ ONE YEAR First-Class rate ($36 in VA and out of the area; $38.16 in D.C.; $38.16 in MD)

❐ ONE YEAR Third-Class rate ($12 in VA and out of the area; $12.72 in D.C.; $12.72 in MD) ❐ Check here if this is a gift subscription. A gift card will be sent in your name: _________________ Return form with check made payable to The Beacon, to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 *D.C. residents: add 6% for sales tax; Maryland residents: add 6% for sales tax.

Nov. 20

THE NAVY GOES COUNTRY

Don’t miss this special performance of the United States Navy Band’s country music ensemble on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.

This free concert is a presentation of the Gallery After Hours series at the Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Rd., Lorton, Va. Call (703) 5842900 or visit www.lortonarts.org for additional information.

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Submit a letter to the editor.

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

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 below.

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.

Business & Employment Opportunities THE PRICE OF GOLD EXCEEDS $1,000 PER OUNCE. WE ARE A REFINERY! Hiring managers and representatives. Phenomenal commission/retirement income. Interested?

Email – whaleytwin@yahoo.com.

AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (866) 453-6204.

Caregivers QUTECARE HOUSEHOLD STAFFING SERVICES Dependable and attentive domestic service solutions. *Housekeepers *Senior caregivers/companions *Nannies *Personal assistants *Pet/House sitters. No placement fees, carefully screened personnel. We handle payroll so you can relax. 301-217-0024. www.qutecare.com.

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.

I HAVE OVER 25 YEARS OF HOMECARE EXPERIENCE CNA Licenced. Services: day, night, weekends. Have car: doctor appointments, grocery shopping, cleaning. 202-286-5578.

SENIOR REGISTERED NURSE with DC licensed. Looking for part-time job 3 days a week.

Please call 202-635-1026.

ELDERLY CARE/COMPANION seeking 3 to 5 days per week. Dependable, honest, experienced and good references. Thank you, 301-929-6362.

CAREGIVER – I’ll care for your loved ones in their own home. 12 years experience & very good references. Own car. Night/Days, live-in or out. Call 301-502-2258.

Computer Services PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. HOME. BUSINESS. Call: D. Guisset at 301-642-4526.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

53

Computer Services

For Rent/Exchange – Real Estate

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

COMPUTER LESSONS – Personal Computer training at your home. Email, Internet, general computer use, and more. Learn at your own pace with gentle and patient tutor. We also fix computers, setup your new computer, and troubleshoot. Working with Seniors since 1996. Ask about your Senior discount. Call David, 301762-2570, COMPUTERTUTOR.

BETHESDA APARTMENT – Looking for female, non-smoker to rent lovely fully furnished, carpeted basement apartment available in quiet residential neighborhood in Bethesda, Maryland. Near Montgomery Mall, very close to Georgetown Square and Wildwood Shopping Center (with grocery stores, banks, restaurants).

Close to Strathmore Performing Arts Center, convenient to NIH, Naval Hospital and Suburban Hospital. Walking distance to Rockledge Medical Offices. Close to access for I-495 (Beltway) and I-270. Walking distance to Ride-On and Metrobus stops. Private bedroom and bathroom, along with living room, dining room and kitchenette. Private entrance. Shared laundry. Satellite TV. No pets. Asking $999 per month, utilities included. Ideal person would be neat, clean and not too noisy. Please contact Elizabeth at 301530-8273 or lizabeth618@yahoo.com.

LEISURE WORLD® - $99,000. 2 BR 1FB 1HB “Elizabeth” model. Rare first floor location with custom patio enclosure, Extras and upgrades.

1308 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

Entertainment DJ FOR SENIORS Oldies & Goldies, all danceable. No party too small. Very Reasonable.

Love to do small birthday parties. 301-437-6888.

PRIME TIME GROUP – November 17, 2010.

50+ group. 11am – “Expressive Art“ presentation. 12 - 1pm – Luncheon ($6). 1 - 2pm – “Brother Can You Spare a Dime?” music by Christian Draper. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 4900 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC. RSVP to church office: 202-966-5489.

DRAMA WORKSHOP – October 12, 2010 – November 19, 2010. 11:00am-12:30pm. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 4900 Connecticut Ave. Washington, DC. 50+ age group. Six week interactive workshop – participatory; reading and discussions. Led by Montgomery County Seniors’ Theatre. $25 for six sessions or $5 per session. Light lunch to follow. Call 202-966-5489 for more information.

EXPERIENCED SAXOPHONIST FOR SENIORS. Fifty-Years of performing Classical and Broadway songs. Also, play requested “Favorite Songs” at various events. Call Roland Young, 703-242-3653.

TAKE A MUSICAL JOURNEY BACK in time with “REAR VIEW MIRROR”! Featuring songs from the 20’s to the 70’s, “REAR VIEW MIRROR” is perfect for all social gatherings. Reasonable rates. For more information, call Barry Wendell at 301-625-9833.

Financial Services NEED CASH NOW? Receive monthly payments for property sold? Notes Secured by RealEstate, Top$Offer! 408-234-2354.

STRUGGLING WITH $10,000+ in credit card debt? Settle Your Debt NOW! Increase your income! Free Consultation & Info 888-458-1449.

NICELY FURNISHED BEDROOM – Refrigerator, TV, Private bath in beautiful home – Utilities Included $850 per month – Call 240988-8276.

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 11. Contact me: 301-580-5556, SueHeyman@aol.com, www.SueHeyman.com, Weichert, Realtors.

LEISURE WORLD® - $119,500. 2BR 1FB “Hampton” model with access to Broadwalk.

Wood floors, upgraded carpet, recent updates.

1200 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors, 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $109,000. 2BR 2FB “Warfield” on first floor. Enclosed patio, table space kitchen, extra storage, separate laundry.

1116 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463 LEISURE WORLD® - $119,000. 2BR 1FB 2HB “Berkeley” townhouse with new appliances, fresh paint and carpet, custom Florida sunroom. 1600 sq ft, Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463.

For Rent/Exchange – Real Estate LEISURE WORLD® -$92,500. 1BR 1FB “A” LEISURE WORLD® -RENTAL- $1,050. 2BR 1FB “Hampton” model. Refinished, raised kitchen cabinets, Berber carpet, enclosed patio.

1200 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - RENTAL - $1,400. 2BR 2FB “N” model in Turnberry Courts. Garage space included. Top floor with table space kitchen. 1042 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

FOR RENT/RENT TO OWN – Leisure World condo 55+ Just $975 + Deposit, available November 1, 2010. Nice 1BR/1BA ground floor. All utilities included, private security force, close to bus line, metro red line, and hospital. Please call Barbara, 240-506-2434.

LEISURE WORLD – RENTAL $1,000 or sell $85,000. 1BR 1FB, new floors, emlclosed porch, across street from Club House I, pool, golf course, 1 block to Giant. Utilities included, 301-438-2455.

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model in the “Fairways.” Fresh paint and carpet, updated kitchen, close to elevator. 850 sq. ft.

Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $139,000. 2BR 2FB “GG” model in “Greens.” Fresh paint and carpet, garage space included, enclosed balcony, golf course view. 1195 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $119,000. 2BR, 2FB “F” model in the “Greens.” Enclosed balcony. 1115 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-9283463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $94,900. 2BR 2FB “Warfield” model with updated kitchen. Needs some TLC. 1030 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $214,000. 2BR 2FB “Nottingham” model in move-in condition. Parquet floors, large family room addition with extra storage. 1004 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $109,000. 2BR 2FB “Warfield” model. New appliances and AC, enclosed patio. Move-in condition.1043 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $109,900. 2BR 1FB 2HB “Berkeley” townhouse. End unit. Patio with nice view. 1600 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $194,500. 2BR 2FB “E” model in Villa Cortese, fresh paint, table space kitchen with window, close to elevator. 1350 sq. ft.

Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors,301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $229,000. 3BR 2FB 1HB, “N” model with GARAGE + storage room. Needs work, but well worth the effort. 1615 sq. ft.. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $124,900. 2BR 2FB “Riviera” model. Loaded with extras and upgrades, covered carport parking. 1273 sq. ft.

Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $109,900. 2BR 2FB “Warfield” model loaded with extras including new AC and hot water tank. Glass Enclosed patio with great view. 1043 sq ft, Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $195,000. 2BR 2FB “CC” model in “Turnberry.” Open kitchen, garage parking, upgrades throughout, golf course view. 1085 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $229,500. 2BR 2FB “Modified Sherwood” patio home. Updated kitchen, new paint and carpet. Garage converted to family room and extra storage. 1193 sq. ft.

Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463.

GAITHERSBURG/MONTGOMERY VILLAGE Wonderful one level condo, 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, gourmet kitchen, wrap-around porch that faces the woods for privacy, one car garage, wheelchair friendly. Must be 62+ or disabled.

Call Linda 301 367-8891.

SAINTSBURY PLAZA 55+ 2BR 2BA Condo at the Vienna Metro. Future development of Metro West (see MetroWestVA.com) is coming to the back yard. Corner unit, covered patio, gourmet kitchen, recessed lighting, lots of windows. Secure, elevator building, additional storage, party room, exercise room, business center. Move-in ready. Call Jackie Lewis RE/MAX Allegiance 703-220-1768 to see. $340,000 to purchase, $1,750 monthly to rent.

Classifieds cont. on p. 55

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, offer a personal service, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $15 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word.

Commercial Party Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing commercial business enterprise. Each ad is $35 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word.

Note: Each real estate listing counts as one commercial ad.

The Beacon, Classified Dept.

P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227

Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

For information about display advertising, or to request a media kit, call (301) 949-9766.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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

Crossword

Puzzle Page

Plato’s List 1

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by Stephen Sherr

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45 48

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JUMBLE ANSWERS

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38

Answers on p. 53.

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21 23

52

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18

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26

6

15

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Jumbles: OAKEN HURRY EXPEND ABACUS Answer: What it can take a figure skater to learn a new jump — HOURS ON “END”

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Across

Down

1. “Nevermind; leave it alone” 5. Fleming characters 10. Off yonder 14. Resurface 15. Huge mass of people 16. Owlish 17. Undecided 19. Lacking humidity 20. Animal House house 21. Explosive letters 22. Neighborhoods 23. Name before the title 25. Prepares the rink 26. Partner of Mich. and Sup. 29. Attempt 30. “Blast off ” preceder 31. Fed. Agency founded in 2001 34. Part of the clue before or after this one 36. Eng. major’s class 37. Use a Zeppelin 38. Plato’s list, and this puzzle’s theme 41. Chapters in a history textbook 42. Meal starter 43. Park rest stop 44. Flame-out 45. Share of the loot 46. Ball girl 47. Dict. offering 48. Star ___ 50. Son of Zeus and Hera 52. Disreputable 54. Swine shrine 56. Word on Minnesota license plates 60. Grp. that added Poland in 1999 61. Astronauts 63. Second word of Dorothy’s first song 64. Malaise 65. Orderly 66. The Way We ___ 67. “I ___ kick from...”

68. Kennedy and Williams

1. Tater 2. Office supply item 3. Diablolical 4. Boy Scouts’ contraptions 5. “I can’t hear the movie” 6. Coffee house presentation 7. OPEC member 8. Take some text that seems to ramble on for too long and replace it with simpler and more direct words 9. Sun. speech 10. In the know 11. Tire options 12. 30% of Earth’s land 13. Midwestern baseball team 18. Personal artwork 22. Talented pilot 24. Grueling 25. 1984 or 2001, for example 26. Made a choice 27. Jacket type 28. Bide one’s time 30. Stir-fry ingredient 32. Waited patiently 33. Fire investigator’s verdict 35. Possibilities 36. Tennis umpire’s shout 37. “Oh yeah; ___ who?”

39. A-mazing animal 40. Famed phone fem.

45. You can do it if it’s your party 46. The Wright Brothers’ city 49. Cherish 51. Selfless one 52. Deceive 53. Possess 54. Auction goal 55. Fox tail 57. Boot height or skirt length benchmark 58. “My word!”

59. Boomers (abbr.)

61. French toast requirement 62. Wellness grp.

Answers on page 53.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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

55

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

Miscellaneous

Vacation Opportunities

Wanted

JUST WAIT ‘TIL YOU SEE IT! Fabulous renovation! New kitchen with up-graded appliances, wood floor, pretty cabinets, granite counter tops + breakfast bar! Fresh paint + new carpet! More! Call Nancy Einwaechter @ 301-4606976 to see this super condo at 3330 North Leisure World Blvd, today. 2BR, 2BA – 1195 sq.ft. $179,900. Weichert Realtors 301-6810550.

DONATE YOUR CAR. FREE TOWING. “Cars for Kids.” Any condition. Tax deductible outreachcenter.com, 1-800-597-9411.

SELL/RENT YOUR TIMESHARE FOR CASH!!! Our Guaranteed Services will Sell/ Rent Your Unused Timeshare for CASH! Over $78 Million Dollars offered in 2009! www.sellatimeshare.com (800) 882-0296.

WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, ETC. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments.

Jack (301) 279-2158.

ABSOLUTELY MUST SEE! Beautifully renovated 3BR, 2 1/2 BA, 1530 sq. ft. Condo @ 3330 N. Leisure World Blvd. Fabulous new kitchen with SS appliances, cherry cabinets, granite, & window with a view! Large enclosed balcony, a garage space! More! Call Nancy Einwaechter & see this fabulous unit. $359,000. 301-460-6976.

Weichert Realtors, 301-681-0550.

IDAHO 5 ACRES- Priest River. Hunt, fish, snow activities. $29,900. Owner financing 10% down. williamsrealtycorp.com, 813-478-3404.

LAND LIQUIDATION 20 acres $0 down, $99/mo. Only $12,900 Near growing El Paso, TX. Guaranteed Owner Financing. No credit check!

Money back guarantee. Free Maps-Pictures!

866-257-4555 www.sunsiteslandrush.com. ***FREE FORECLOSURE LISTINGS*** OVER 400,000 properties nationwide. Low down payment. Call now, 800-250-2043.

For Sale TWO CEMETERY PLOTS FOR SALE at Fort Lincoln Cemetery. Priced at $3,795 each. If interested call 301-483-9916, anytime.

BUSINESS FOR SALE!! Established 3 years.

Will train. Nets 100K Can operate from anywhere. $4400 down. Call Jerry, 800-418-8250.

DIRECT to home Satellite TV $19.99/mo. FREE installation, FREE HD-DVR upgrade. New customers - No Activation Fee! Credit/Debit Card Req. Call 1-800-795-3579.

STEEL BUILDINGS: 3 only 16x20, 30x40, 50x102. Selling for Balance Owed! Free Delivery! 1-800-462-7930 x311.

DISH NETWORKLOWEST PRICE $24.99/month Over 120 Channels FREE HD Channels Included! FREE Installation, FREE Equipment! FREE HBO & Showtime! 888-4538895. Offer only good to NEW Customers with Credit/Debit Card.

TRY ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES - A Cheaper Alternative! $49.95. Little Cigars $18.00. 21+. MC/Visa. MainStreetConvenience.com 716-945-3750.

FREE HD FOR LIFE! DISH Network. $24.99/mo. - Over 120 Channels. Plus $500 BONUS! Call 1-800-915-9514.

Health

Personal Services

WOW! GREAT HAIRCUT at a great price!

Professional family hair salon conveniently located in Bethesda, MD. State board certified.

Call 240-432-7211.

PRESERVE YOUR FAMILY MEMORIES! Don’t let your precious photos be forgotten or fade over time. I’ll transfer your photos, slides, and negatives to a CD so they can be easily shared with friends and family. Once they’re scanned, I can bring your photos to life in a memorable DVD slideshow that will make a creative and unique gift for any occasion! Call Kim at Virtual Computer Services, 301-4383140.

MEDICARE PROVIDER HOME VISITS by a licensed clinical psychologist with over 40 years experience. SENIOR ASSISTING SENIORS with stressful life changes of aging, including illness, chronic pain, relationship problems, loss of family or friends due to death or change of residence. If you think you might benefit from consulting with a mental health professional, and have difficulty making visits to doctors, call Ben Prieto, Ph.D. at 301-384-3392 to arrange a FREE initial consultation.

STRESSED? TIRED? OVERWHELMED? Changes in work status, family life, friendships, health and aging can produce increased levels of stress. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with training and experience in cognitive/behavioral therapy. I support people who are undergoing change to help them transform “limitations” into possibilities. Convenient Bethesda location. Accept Medicare. Don’t struggle alone: Call for support today. Judith R. Peres, LCSW-C 301-455-5140.

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

CHERYL’S ORGANIZING CONCEPTS. Specializing in residential and small business organizing, paperwork management and senior move management. Member National Association Professional Organizers (NAPO). Bonded, insured. www.CherylsOrganizing.com. 10% senior discount 301-916-9022.

DO YOU HAVE A NOVEL IN YOU? Award winning writer with 25 years experience with help you write, edit, and help find agents and publishers for your work of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or your memoir. Hourly rate reduced for senior citizens. Phone Jack Ryan at 703-5601015, or email to jryan12558@aol.com.

PLEASE SEE AND LISTEN to what Dr. Joe Prendergast says about reversing High BP-Diabetes and other ailments with ProArgi-9. www.successtoall.com. No internet access: Call 888-875-3578 for Free DVD.

MOTHER WILL DRIVE YOU to your appointments, do your shopping, clean your house, fix computers, event planner, personal assistant at a reasonable rate. Honest and dependable.

240-595-7467.

SAVE $500! VIAGRA! 40 Pills $99.00 Satisfaction Guaranteed!!! Open 7 Days a week! Credit Card required www.newhealthyman.com, 1800-590-2917.

PARALEGAL: Experienced in trusts, estates and will preparation and other paperwork. Call 301-565-2917.

VIAGRA 100MG and CIALIS 20mg!! 40 Pills +4 FREE for only $99. #1 Male Enhancement.

Discreet Shipping. Save $500! Buy The Blue Pill Now! 1-888-886-1041.

Personals

FDA APPROVED VIAGRA, Testosterone, Cialis. Free Brochures. CODE: Free pills 3 (619) 294-7777, www.drjoelkaplan.com.

Miscellaneous $250,000 LIFE INSURANCE POLICY. Rates From $18 Per Month. A+ Carrier. Free Quote.

Call 1-800-509-9530 *AAAA DONATE YOUR CAR FREE TOWING “Cars for Kids” Any Condition Tax Deductible Outreachcenter.com 1-800-7944511.

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from home.

Medical, Business, Paralegal, Accounting, Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial aid if qualified. Call 800494-3586 www.CenturaOnline.com.

Wanted

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

ATTRACTIVE, CREATIVE, WARM, down-toearth widow looking for a few wonderful platonic girlfriends to share conversation, lunch, phone talk, etc. Age unimportant. I’m in my 60’s.

Bobbie, 301-439-0833.

SWF – 54, 5’4”, 118 pounds, (Tysons area).

Seeking a S/DWM 52-65, in Fairfax or Montgomery County. Non-smoker preferred. Retired OK. Let’s meet for coffee! Voicemail number is 571-451-2770.

OLD FASHION 63-YEAR-OLD White male seeking old fashion female 65-100 years old, for fun, walks, movies, TV and cuddling. 703-7511037.

SINGLE LADIES/GENTS late sixties for gettogethers for movies, dinner, Charles Town, music, auctions, theater, Falls Church area.

Must be active, own and drive car a must, courteous, return phone calls. Call 703-578-9890 after 1 pm.

MILITARY ITEMS WANTED: Collector seeks to purchase military uniforms; flight jackets, patches, insignia, medals, etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne, and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. ALSO BUYING old Boy Scout, Airline Items, Toys, Lighters. Call Dan (202) 841-3062.

CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. We make house calls. Ask for Tom or Katherine. Call anytime 301-654-8678.

ANTIQUE AND QUALITY OLDER FURNITURE and accessories wanted. One piece or entire estate, including toys, dolls, paintings, silver, Oriental rugs, prints, pottery, china and glassware. Music boxes, clocks, country store items, paper memorabilia, historical and military items, old fishing equipment, antique firearms and all other items of value. I am a Washington native with over 35 years of experience in this business. I am well educated, courteous and have more experience and pay higher prices than virtually any other dealer in the area. I make prompt decisions, have unlimited funds, pay immediately and remove items expeditiously. No messy consignments or phony promises. References gladly furnished.

Please call Jake Lenihan, (301) 279-8834.

Thank you.

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

WANTED TO BUY old magazines, books, postcards, posters, etc., pre-1975. Also bookends, antique bookcases with glass fronts. Please call 301-946-0941 anytime.

HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES. Compare my price before you sell! Serving entire metro area. Call for a free consultation, and professional service. I will purchase one piece or your entire estate. Including Furniture, Artwork, Glassware, Jewelry, Rugs, Costume, Gold and Silver, Watches, Sterling Items, Flatware, Lladro & Hummel Figurines, All Military Items, Guns, Swords, Helmets, Bayonets, Medals, Scout Items, Clocks, Music Boxes, Toys, Baseball Memorabilia, Trains, All String Instruments, Including Guitars, Banjos, Mandolins, Fishing Rods and Reels, Lures, Historical Items, American tools, Posters, Outside Iron Furniture. I am a very reputable dealer with two locations in Silver Spring and Bowie, MD. Please call Christopher Keller 301408-4751 or 301-262-1299. Thank you.

COLLECTOR BUYING MODERN FURNITURE, lighting, art & accessories from the 1940’s – 1970’s. Knoll, Herman Miller, Dunbar, Paul Evans, Thayer Coggin, Harvey Probber, Vladimir Kagan, Scandinavian furniture, etc.

Top prices paid for Washington D.C. abstract art and George Nakashima furniture. Please call Brandon at 202-213-9768

HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES, ESTATES. FREE evaluations and house calls.

We pay the most for your valuable treasures because we get the most money on ebay – the worldwide internet. Serving entire metro area – Maryland, Washington, DC, Northern Virginia.

Buying the following items – furniture, art, paintings, silver, gold, old coins, jewelry, vintage wristwatches, military items, including guns, rifles, swords, daggers, knives, musical instruments, guitars, violins, banjos, old toys, dolls, trains, old golf clubs, baseball, football, tennis equipment and memorabilia, old fishing, tools, books, photographs, comic books. Please call Tom 240-476-3441, Thank you.

HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES– Old and good quality furniture, glass, pottery, china, paintings, art, toys, advertising, costume and high-grade jewelry, gold, silver, silver flatware, wind-up watches, clocks, dolls, musical instruments, music boxes, sports & paper memorabilia, sterling, fishing, hunting, rugs, lamps, Hummels, political, rock & roll memorabilia, posters, military items, helmets, guns, swords, bayonets, medals, weapons, guitars, banjos, prints, art, sculptures, Lladro, bronzes, trains, fishing rod reels & lures, cast iron outdoor furniture, hi-grade American made tools, presentation and other unusual items.

Purchasing one piece or entire estates. I have over 30 years experience and I am a very ethical dealer located in Bowie, Md. Also a permanent vendor at Eastern Market in Southeast Washington, DC on Sundays. Please call Mike Keller, (301) 731-0982 or (301) 742-5031.

WE PAY CASH for antique furniture, quality used furniture, early American art, pottery, silver, glassware, paintings, etc. Single items to entire estates. Call Reggie or Phyllis at DC 202726-4427, MD 301-332-4697.

SPARE ROOM OR EMPTY NEST? MISS HAVING SOMEONE AROUND? OPERA BUDDY? GW Grad Student (Museum Studies) looking for DC host home. January 2011. COMPANION, with a myriad of interesting hobbies, talents, skills and fun to be around. I CAN HELP with everyday things in life including house sit, pet care (love animals), shopping, run errands, cook (I’m a great baker too!), driver, garden, paint/decorate, and computer savvy.

Love to attend shows, concerts and visit museums. 24 year old female moving from Oregon with sterling personal, professional, and volunteer references. Non-smoker, tidy, amicable with a great “JOIE de VIVRE.” Trade my help and cheer for room & board, or negotiable $ (so I can afford grad school). Please contact me at 971-241-8672 or watt.hm@gmail.com for resume and info about me, to see if we are a “good fit.”

CASH PAID for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS - up to $17/Box! Shipping paid.

Linda 888-973-3729. www.cash4diabeticsupplies.com.

WANTED JAPANESE MOTORCYCLES KAWASAKI,1970-1980, Z1-900, KZ900, KZ1000, H2-750, H1-500, S1-250, S2-250, S2350, S3-400. CASH PAID. 1-800-772-1142. 1310-721-0726.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 27

A WALK THROUGH HISTORY

On Saturday, Nov. 27 at 1 p.m. take part in a guided walking tour of National Park Seminary Historic District in Silver Spring. The tour begins across from 2755 Cassedy St., Silver Spring, Md. in front of the gymnasium at Cassedy St. and Linden Ln. Reservations are not required; a $5 per person donation is requested. Detailed directions are available at www.saveourseminary.org, or call (301) 589-1715 with questions.

Nov. 12

ARIAS AND ARTS SONGS

Come to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 3001 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Washington D.C., to hear soprano Mary Shaffran in a program of arias and arts songs on Friday, Nov. 12 from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.

Call (202) 363-8286 or visit www.st-albans-parish.org for additional information.

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