March 2013 Howard County Beacon Edition by The Beacon Newspapers

The Howard County

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More than 30,000 readers throughout Howard County

Men who are mad for basketball

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PHOTO BY FRANK KLEIN

By Robert Friedman March Madness is upon us, and the team known as the Geezers will be attempting to run, jump and shoot their way to a third straight title in the Howard County Basketball League 30+ division. The middle-aged Geezers have dropped four of their first five games in the regular season. Fortunately for them, all eight teams in their division can compete in the playoffs, which tip off this month, at the same time colleges across the country vie for the NCAA basketball championship. “We’re in a division this year with a lot of younger teams,” said Eric Groh, the Geezer’s 54-year-old player-coach. “But just as March Madness is for college teams that make the NCAA tournament, the playoffs are like a new season for us. “Our hopes are high. We’ll be out there battling” for another division crown, said Groh, who spends his off-court working hours as an aerospace engineer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt. Groh is one of a number of Howard County residents over the age of 50 whose hoop dreams have not completely faded. They play the game, they say, for the love of it, for the companionship it engenders, and for the exercise that keeps them in shape.

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No couch potatoes here Groh, a West Virginia native, brought the Geezers together in the Crestwood neighborhood of Ellicott City for the 2005-2006 season in the league run by the Howard County Parks and Recreation Department. “We called ourselves the Geezers because we all felt pretty old at the time,” he said. The team now consists of players from their mid-30s to mid-50s, Groh noted. The coach, who stands 6 feet 10 inches, started playing basketball in middle school. But at the age of 28, Groh cracked a couple of ribs and went into “semi-retirement.” At 46, he decided to make a comeback, and has been playing ever since. He cracked another rib last year, and now wears a plastic vest to protect his mid-section when he’s trying to snare rebounds. “Now I’m good for about 15 minutes per game,” he said. What do Groh’s wife and his two daughters, whom he coached when the girls

ARTS & STYLE When not at work at NASA, Eric Groh (left) and Randy Hedgeland get a workout on the basketball court as part of a team called the Geezers. They are among a number of older Howard County residents who enjoy the sport, whether as part of a league or joining in pick-up games.

were playing basketball in high school, think of him continuing to bash the backboards for rebounds despite his injuries? “They say, ‘Why do you do this?’ I tell them I love the game too much to stop, and then they say, ‘You’re crazy.’ I accept their judgment,” he laughed. Randy Hedgeland, also a NASA aerospace engineer and a teammate of Groh’s, reached the half-century mark just last month. Hedgeland started playing roundball as a youth in the midget league of his hometown of Renovo, Pa. One of his self-proclaimed claims to family fame was that when he be-

came fully grown, at 6 feet 2 inches, he taught himself to dunk the ball at will, proving that white men really could jump. His brother, who stood 6 feet 4 inches, was called “No Jump” in high school. “I decided I wasn’t going in those footsteps,” he said. Hedgeland said he would be following the March Madness games, especially when the playoffs come down to the wire, but noted he was not nearly as keen at watching the game on TV as he is in playing it. “Every Tuesday night we play a league See BASKETBALL, page 11

Orchestrating concerts in Columbia for all ages; plus, honoring two area “dance treasures” page 26 FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k Reasons to avoid growth hormone k Best 100-calorie snacks THE SENIOR CONNECTION 14 k Howard County Office on Aging Newsletter LAW & MONEY 18 k Don’t overpay your 2012 taxes k Veterans beware “advocates” PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE

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Sober reflections Whenever I write about my parents tube, taking multiple medications, and re(Dad is 92, Mom is 83), I get a larger-than- peatedly visiting a bevy of doctors. usual number of comments Add in the occasional from readers. Many identify lengthy hospital stay and difwith me as the “adult child” ficult rehab necessitated by trying to help my parents an infection or a broken hip, cope. Others identify with my and you start to understand parents and what they are why a long-lived individual going through at that momight come to see his later ment. years as an extended rehearsMy January column general for the final scene. ated a particularly large numSometimes he gets tired of ber of comments, some of it all. And yet, my dad continwhich I want to share with FROM THE ues to show a feisty spirit and you. For those who may have PUBLISHER to push ahead with all his missed that column, I’ll sum- By Stuart P. Rosenthal strength, despite his occamarize it by saying it was a sionally sober reflections. discussion of my reaction to my father’s reThe other day, I was the moderator of a cent comment about “how hard it is to program attended by representatives of die.” various activist groups. A well-dressed Dad’s complaint didn’t reflect a suicide gentleman approached me to say he had wish, but rather a general malaise at hav- read my column and understood what my ing to spend so much of his time and ener- father was talking about. gy feeding himself through a stomach I asked if he felt the same way, and he

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of Howard County, Md. and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Md., Greater Washington DC, and Greater Palm Springs, Ca. Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. Maryland residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. • Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President, Operations........Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King

said yes, he did. Turns out he is 89 years old, appears to be in excellent shape, and is one of the activists who had arranged the program that day. When I asked why he, like my father, was preoccupied with death, he said he used to think of setbacks as temporary, and would plan with gusto for the future. But at 89, he couldn’t help but think of the clock as running out. The closing off of the future affected his attitude toward everything he did. After the program, during which it was mentioned that I serve as chair of the Maryland Commission on Aging, the same fellow approached me and asked how many years people serve on that commission. I said a term is four years and members can serve a maximum of two. He then asked if there were any vacancies, as he was interested in applying! When I inquired how his interest in such a commitment jibed with his earlier comments, he said with a laugh, “well, you have to keep moving ahead!” Speaking of the Commission, I give a lift each month to an 80-year-old commissioner whose worsening glaucoma prevents him from driving to our meetings. I asked his opinion on my father’s comment, and he gave a similar response. “It hurts, it hurts bad, not to be able to see well enough to get around independently or to travel around the world like I used to,” he said. “My life is not the same; I can no longer run from early till late leading meetings or reading books for hours. But I can’t let it stop me altogether.” The world was shocked recently to hear Pope Benedict XVI announce his intention to resign the papacy at the end of February. The 86-year-old pontiff, who finds it difficult to walk and is said to have arthritis, said he felt it was time to leave public life “for the good of the Church.” When you think about it, being pope is

probably one of the most demanding jobs in the world. I don’t think anyone would fault him for deciding to retire to a life of contemplation out of the public eye. But I can’t help but think this would be a difficult transition for almost anyone. You’ll see below a letter to the editor I received from a reader in response to my January column. I happen to agree with the author’s point that we should open up a conversation about dying, and not make those with a terminal illness feel they must continue difficult treatments that only prolong the inevitable. But for all of the people described above, the issue isn’t terminal illness — it’s chronic conditions that may never, of themselves, end their lives. To me, that’s a very different matter. As a wit once said of the human condition, “we’ll never get out of this alive.” Life itself is a terminal condition. Part of the mystery of it is exactly when and how it will come to an end. And that uncertainty alone can make dying “hard.” If you would like to share your thoughts on these reflections, please send them to: Stuart Rosenthal, The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 or email stuart@theBeaconNewspapers.com. Or stop and chat next time you see me.

Correction Columbia resident Patricia Brown Leak was not expelled from Southern University after taking part in a 1960 civil rights demonstration, as reported in our February cover story. She graduated from the Baton Rouge University. Her brother, Ed Brown, was expelled from the school with 15 other students for sitting at the counter, reserved for whites only. We apologize for the error.

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

• Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Graphic Designer ..............................Kyle Gregory • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock, ................................................ Steve Levin, Jill Joseph

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial and advertising is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 31 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

Dear Editor: In response to Mr. Rosenthal’s January editorial on his father: Your father tried to talk to you about his end-of-life wishes. Yes, like many elderly people in this country, he was tired of life, but was not permitted to die gracefully. Unfortunately, you ignored his wishes, maybe from love, maybe from fear. He fought against previous setbacks, but have you considered that he may have

had enough? It would serve your readers well if you would open a discussion on choices in dying, from those who want to struggle for life as long as possible to those who, after a long life, want relief from the pain and indignity of treatment that does not cure, but just prolongs. Nick Sheridan Baltimore [Editor’s Note: See this month’s From the Publisher column.]

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Health Fitness &

A GROWING CONCERN Off-label use of growth hormone by older adults can be dangerous ONE-SHOT FLU VACCINES? Researchers are testing a vaccine that offers long-lasting flu protection GOOD-FOR-YOU SNACKS Try 100-calorie snacks like almonds, avocados, eggs and popcorn HEALTHY COLD-WEATHER FOODS Look for pomegranates, leafy greens and citrus in the produce section

Evidence weak for ‘natural’ cold remedies By William Kormos, M.D. Q. I always catch colds during the winter and they last more than a week. I heard that zinc and echinacea help to shorten colds. Should I try them? A. As cold and flu season ramps up,

we’re reminded how common the “common cold” truly is. The average adult experiences two to four colds per year, with symptoms that can linger seven to 10 days. Most colds get better without treatment, but many people searching for a shorter

illness have turned to two “natural” therapies: echinacea and zinc.

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roots activate immune cells and block inflammation. This has spurred excitement about echinacea’s potential to shorten the duration of the common cold. Early studies suggested that echinacea reduced cold symptoms, but more recent research has not documented any benefit, including a study of 719 cold sufferers published in 2010. People in both the echinacea and the placebo group reported symptoms lasting for about the same period: seven days.

The element zinc has antiviral effects, including against rhinoviruses, which are the most common cause of colds. Studies of zinc supplements for colds have been equally split, with half of the studies showing a benefit, and the other half showing no effect. Also, the zinc studies have a serious flaw: Zinc’s bad taste could alert people to the fact that they were taking the zinc lozenges rather than the inactive placebo version. This could have biased the results in favor of zinc working. A recent analysis combined the results of 17 studies that included over 2,000 people. It concluded that zinc shortened the duration of colds in adults by an average of 2.6 days. On the downside, zinc lozenges, besides leaving a bad taste in your mouth, can cause nausea.

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It is difficult to interpret the medical research on vitamins and herbal supplements. The ingredients in supplements sold over the counter are not standardized, and there’s no requirement for quality control, so it’s hard to know for sure if you’re taking the same thing as people in the studies. However, there are now consumer agencies that will provide a “seal of approval” to indicate that the product has passed certain quality measures. Also, the people enrolled in these studies often have a variety of illnesses with differing levels of severity, making general conclusions difficult. Finally, there’s a strong placebo effect in any study with self-reported symptoms as the outcome. In the echinacea study menSee COLD REMEDIES, page 5

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Some sugars block feeling of fullness

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taste in your mouth and a sick feeling in your stomach. The best treatment for colds may actually be prevention. Hand washing decreases the number of colds transmitted, and flu shots prevent about 80 percent of influenza cases in a typical year. — William Kormos, M.D., Editor in Chief, Harvard Men’s Health Watch © 2012. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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tioned above, researchers compared a group that received no pills with a group that received placebo pills. The people who took the inactive placebo tended to have shorter and less severe symptoms than the people who took no pill at all. So, the evidence that echinacea fights colds is weak. Although zinc may shorten cold duration, it may leave you with a bad

For the study, scientists used magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, scans to track blood flow in the brain in 20 young, normal-weight people before and after they had drinks containing glucose or fructose

gards to promoting food intake and weight gain, is a bad actor compared to glucose,” said Purnell. He wrote a commentary that appears with the federally funded study in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers now are testing obese people to see if they react the same way to fructose and glucose as the normal-weight people in this study did. What to do? Cook more at home and limit processed foods containing fructose and high-fructose corn syrup, Purnell suggested. “Try to avoid the sugar-sweetened beverages. It doesn’t mean you can’t ever have them,” but control their size and how often they are consumed, he said. — AP

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From page 4

MRI scans used

in two sessions several weeks apart. Scans showed that drinking glucose “turns off or suppresses the activity of areas of the brain that are critical for reward and desire for food,” said one study leader, Yale University endocrinologist Dr. Robert Sherwin. With fructose, “we don’t see those changes,” he said. “As a result, the desire to eat continues — it isn’t turned off.” What’s convincing, said Dr. Jonathan Purnell, an endocrinologist at Oregon Health & Science University, is that the imaging results mirrored how hungry the people said they felt, as well as what earlier studies found in animals. “It implies that fructose, at least with re-

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Cold remedies

thirds of adults are obese or overweight. All sugars are not equal — even though they contain the same amount of calories — because they are metabolized differently in the body. Table sugar is sucrose, which is half fructose, half glucose. Highfructose corn syrup is 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose. Some nutrition experts say this sweetener may pose special risks, but others and the industry reject that claim. And doctors say we eat too much sugar in all forms.

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By Marilynn Marchione Scientists have used imaging tests to show for the first time that fructose — a sugar that saturates the American diet — can trigger brain changes that may lead to overeating. After drinking a fructose beverage, the brain doesn’t register the feeling of being full as it does when simple glucose is consumed, researchers found. It’s a small study and does not prove that fructose or its relative, high-fructose corn syrup, can cause obesity. But experts say it adds evidence they may play a role. These sugars often are added to processed foods and beverages, and consumption has risen dramatically since the 1970s, along with obesity. A third of U.S. children and teens and more than two-

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Health Shorts Advances in flu vaccines The annual scramble to get a flu vaccination may one day be a thing of the past. In a first for an infectious disease, a flu vaccine has been made out of messenger RNA (mRNA), the genetic material that controls protein production. What’s more, the new vaccine primes

immune cells to kill the flu virus over an extended period and can potentially protect against all strains of the virus. We’re protected from flu when our immune system learns to recognize the HA and NA proteins that coat the virus. But flu evolves and those proteins change, so we have no immunity to subsequent strains. For this reason, a new vaccine must be made each year. This takes six months, so manufacturers have to guess which strains will be around the following winter. Lothar Stitz, of the Friedrich-Loeffler Institute in Riems Island, Germany, has gotten around these hurdles. He focused on

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M A R C H 2 0 1 3 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

the viral mRNA that controls the production of HA and NA. When our immune cells encounter this mRNA, they translate it into proteins that are recognized as foreign, generating an immune response. The mRNA can be mass-produced as a vaccine within a few weeks, according to the study reported in Nature Biotechnology. In trials, Stitz’s team found that mRNA vaccines for common flu strains rapidly induced protective levels of antibodies. Better still, the mRNA, unlike HA and NA, induced a response in immune cells such as killer T-cells. They recognize and keep attacking flu viruses even after they have evolved to evade antibodies. Stitz has also tested an mRNA vaccine to a flu protein which does not vary between strains. The mRNA protected animals against a seasonal human flu strain and H5N1 bird flu, suggesting that a well-chosen mRNA vaccine could give long-term protection against all flu strains. — New Scientist

Eating disorders in women over 50 Eating disorders, a condition typically associated with young women, may be more prevalent among older women, according to research from the University of North Carolina published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.

Researchers evaluated 1,800 U.S. women who took part in the Gender and Body Image Study. Among the female subjects over the age of 50, about 27 percent were obese, 29 percent were overweight, 42 percent were normal weight, and 2 percent were underweight. The study found that about 4 percent of the women binge eat, about 8 percent purge, and 70 percent diet to lose weight. In addition, 36 percent spent at least half of their time in the last five years dieting, 41 percent check their body size daily, and 40 percent weigh themselves at least twice a week. Strikingly, 62 percent said body weight negatively impacts their life, 79 percent report it affects their self-image, and 64 percent think about their weight daily. — Environmental Nutrition

Green tea boosts heart health Lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease may be as easy as drinking green tea. Studies suggest this light, aromatic tea may lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which may be responsible for the tea’s association with reduced risk of death from heart disease and stroke. A number of studies have looked at possible links between green tea and cardiovascular disease. See HEALTH SHORTS, page 7

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The best healthy 100-calorie snacks to eat By Lori Zanteson Snacks are as programmed into our diet as breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yet, these between-meal repasts, which all too often are nutritionally inadequate, may thwart an otherwise healthy diet. As tempting as it is to grab a 100-calorie pack of chips, cookies, or other deceitfully “healthy” convenience foods, these items provide energy in calories, but often little in terms of nutritional value. Counting calories in foods without attention to their nutrients leaves many people deficient in necessary vitamins, minerals, fiber and daily fruit and vegetable intake. A shift in focus to nutrient-rich foods will get your snacking back on track and reward you with valuable nutrients from whole foods that are as delicious and satisfying as they are nutritious. Check out some of our favorite, natural

100-calories snacks, easily portable for work, school or road trips: • Almonds (17). Calories: 102. Protein: 4 grams. Fat: 9 grams. Sodium: 0 • Artichoke hearts (8 with 2 tbsp. reduced fat mayonnaise). Calories: 98. Protein: 4 grams. Fat: 10 grams. Sodium: 412 mg. • Avocado (¼ cup mashed with ½ small red pepper, sliced). Calories: 104. Protein: 1 gram. Fat: 9 grams. Sodium: 4 mg. • Banana (1 medium). Calories: 105. Protein: 1 gram. Fat: 0. Sodium: 1 mg • Cottage cheese (nonfat, 1 cup). Calories: 104. Protein: 15 grams. Fat: 0. Sodium: 478 mg. • Hard-boiled egg (1 jumbo). Calories: 90. Protein: 8 grams. Fat: 6 grams. Sodium: 88 mg. • Kiwi fruit (sliced, 1 cup). Calories: 108. Protein: 2 grams. Fat: 1 gram. Sodium: 5 mg.

Health shorts From page 6 A study of 40,530 Japanese adults found that participants who drank more than five cups of green tea a day had a 26 percent lower risk of death from heart attack or stroke and a 16 percent lower risk of death from all causes than people who drank less than one cup of green tea a day. In 2011, a meta-analysis of observational studies — 13 conducted in green tea drinkers and five in black tea drinkers — found that people who drank the most green tea had a 28 percent lower risk of coronary artery disease than those who drank the least green tea. Black tea had no effect on heart risk. Another 2011 meta-analysis of 14 randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials found that green tea significantly lowered LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Many of the studies had been conducted with capsules containing catechins, the active polyphenols in green tea, rather than with the beverage itself. “The limited data available on green tea support a potential association between green tea and beneficial properties in relationship to risk factors for cardiovascular disease,” said Kathy McManus, director of the department of nutrition at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass. Although no serious side effects were reported in the studies, catechins have been reported to raise liver enzymes in animals. Green tea is also a major source of oxalate, which can cause kidney stones. This suggests that drinking more than five cups of green tea a day (or taking the equivalent in catechin capsules) might have more risks than benefits. When consumed wisely, though, green tea may improve your cardiovascular health. “The bottom line is that no serious red flags were seen in the amount of tea they were testing. It appears that a few cups a day may be beneficial,” said McManus. — Harvard Heart Letter

Karen Miller Executive Director 10 Years of Service

• Milk (nonfat, 1 cup). Calories: 86. Protein: 8 grams. Fat: 0. Sodium: 127 mg. • Mozzarella cheese (part skim, 1-1/2 oz. with sliced fresh tomato). Calories: 110. Protein: 11 grams. Fat: 6 grams. Sodium: 220 mg. • Popcorn (air-popped, 3 cups). Calories: 93. Protein: 3 grams. Fat: 0. Sodium: 3 mg. • Raspberry smoothie (1/2 cup nonfat milk, ½ cup raspberries, 1 tsp. honey, blended). Calories: 97. Protein: 4 grams. Fat: 0. Sodium: 63 mg.

• Sunflower seed butter (1 tbsp. with ¼ cup apple slices). Calories: 107. Protein: 3 grams. Fat: 8 grams. Sodium: 0 • Whole wheat mini pitas (2, with 1 tbsp. hummus). Calories: 101. Protein: 4 grams. Fat: 2 grams. Sodium: 185 mg. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 1-800-8295384. www.EnvironmentalNutrition.com. (c) 2012 Belvoir Media Group Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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Mar. 8

DOCTOR EXPLAINS COMMON MEDICATIONS

Former emergency room physician Dr. Larry Roman will share information on common medications and vitamins in a free program on Friday, March 8 at 10 a.m. at the Glenwood Senior Center, 2400 Rte. 97, Cooksville. For more information, call (410) 313-5442.

Morningside House Bragging Rights... Over the past 20 years, Morningside House Senior Living has earned the right to brag about quite a few things:

Anne Hutchinson Director of Employee Relations 14 Years of Service

Alice Spongberg Concierge 14 Years of Service

Jamie LeBlanc Director of Plant Operations 9 Years of Service

❖ Women Owned and Operated – We are one of the few women-owned and operated senior living companies in the nation and, as mothers and caregivers ourselves, we’re able to connect with our residents and families on an emotional level, creating a totally unique assisted living experience. The moment you walk through our front door, you feel there’s a magical connection between our employees and our residents. ❖ Longevity of Staff – Our loyal, long-term staff is not just impressive, it’s also extremely rare. The healthcare field is infamous for high staff turnover and lack of employee loyalty, which naturally results in inconsistent care. Our Directors have been with us an average of 8 years and our line staff has been with us an average of 5 years! Our devoted team is the key to our distinctive ability to provide residents with the highest quality of care and families with peace of mind. ❖ Medical Model of Care – Morningside House of Ellicott City is one of the only assisted living providers in Maryland to have a Board Certified Geriatrician on staff. As our Medical Director, Dr. Salazar oversees resident care, approves personal care plans, holds weekly resident review meetings with the wellness team and is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Behind our beautiful décor, we have a powerful healthcare team who provides the best care and service in the area.

Melissa Morrow Housekeeping Supervisor 8 Years of Service

❖ Word of Mouth Referrals – At Morningside House, our number one source of move-ins is referrals from our existing residents and families, physicians, hospitals and healthcare professionals. We are proud to be the top-referred assisted living and dementia care provider in the area!

Bill Shelton Director of Food Services 5 Years of Service

❖ High Level of Care – Morningside House of Ellicott City is a licensed Level 3 community in the State of Maryland, which means we’re able to allow our residents to age in place as their care needs increase. We offer on-site physical, occupational and speech therapies 5 days a week, as well as a full restorative therapy program. We also have an expansive list of visiting medical providers who provide on-site services to residents, which reduces stress for both residents and their families.

Brandi Smith Director of Life Enrichment 5 Years of Service

❖ Regional Company – Morningside is a private, regional provider, not a publically traded national chain. We have the unique ability to provide continuous management oversight to our communities and have personal relationships with our employees, residents and families. This results in a consistent, high quality product that is not financially driven by investors and equity partners, but instead driven by resident care.

With so many amazing reasons to brag, why wouldn’t you choose Morningside for your loved one? CALL OR STOP BY TODAY!! Tammy Sammons Director of Health & Wellness 4 Years of Service

5330 Dorsey Hall Drive • Ellicott City, MD 21042 410.715.0930 / www.morningsidehouse.com

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M A R C H 2 0 1 3 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

More older adults using growth hormone Off-label usage has dangers, few benefits By David B. Caruso and Jeff Donn A federal crackdown on illicit foreign supplies of human growth hormone has failed to stop rampant misuse, and instead has driven record sales of the drug by some of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies, an Associated Press investigation shows. The crackdown, which began in 2006, reduced the illegal flow of unregulated supplies from China, India and Mexico. But since then, major drug companies have been satisfying the steady desires of U.S. users and abusers, including many who take the drug in the false hope of delaying the effects of aging. From 2005 to 2011, inflation-adjusted sales of human growth hormone (HGH) were up 69 percent, according to an AP analysis of pharmaceutical company data

collected by the research firm IMS Health. Sales of the average prescription drug rose just 12 percent in that same period. Peddled as an elixir of life capable of turning middle-aged bodies into lean machines, HGH — a synthesized form of the growth hormone made naturally by the human pituitary gland — winds up in the eager hands of affluent, aging users who hope to slow or even reverse the aging process. Experts say these folks don’t need the drug, and may be harmed by it. The supposed fountain-of-youth medicine can cause enlargement of breast tissue, carpal tunnel syndrome, and swelling of hands and feet. Ironically, it also can contribute to ailments of aging, such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Prescribed illegally First marketed in 1985 for children with stunted growth, HGH was soon misappropriated by adults intent on exploiting its modest muscle- and bone-building qualities. Congress limited HGH distribution to a handful of rare conditions (growth defects in children and certain hormonal conditions) in an extraordinary 1990 law, overriding the generally unrestricted right of doctors to prescribe medicines as they see fit. Despite the law, however, illicit HGH spread around the sports world in the 1990s, making deep inroads into bodybuilding, college athletics and professional leagues from baseball to cycling. (Consider Lance Armstrong’s recent revelations.) The even larger banned market among older adults has flourished more recently.

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Anti-aging HGH regimens vary greatly, with a yearly cost typically ranging from $6,000 to $12,000 for three to six self-injections per week. Across the U.S., the medication is often dispensed through prescriptions based on improper diagnoses, carefully crafted to exploit wiggle room in the law restricting use of HGH, the AP found. Last year, U.S. pharmacies processed 340,000 orders for HGH, a whopping $1.4 billion worth. That’s nearly double the number of prescriptions that would be expected from legitimate patients of HGH. So, about half of those sales likely went to patients not legally entitled to get the drug. The No. 1 manufacturer, Roche subsidiary Genentech, had nearly $400 million in HGH sales in the U.S. last year, up an inflation-adjusted two-thirds from 2005. Pfizer and Eli Lilly were second and third with $300 million and $220 million in sales, respectively, according to IMS Health. Members of the medical establishment are also taking a fat piece of the profits — doctors who fudge prescriptions, as well as pharmacists and distributors who are content to look the other way. HGH is often promoted on the Internet with the same kind of before-and-after photos found in miracle diet ads, along with wildly hyped claims of rapid muscle growth, loss of fat, greater vigor, and other exaggerated benefits to adults far beyond their physical prime. Sales also are driven by the personal endorsement of celebrities such as actress Suzanne Somers.

Side effects strike older users While doctors say more than 90 percent of legitimate patients are children with See GROWTH HORMONE, page 9

Regency Crest is an extraordinarily carefree community because of the convenient lifestyle enjoyed by those who live here. We go the extra mile to provide our residents with distinctive amenities and service that cannot be found in ordinary active adult communities.

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Mar. 7+

PROGRAMS FOR ALZHEIMER’S PATIENTS AND CAREGIVIERS

The Alzheimer’s Association offers

COMMUNITY AMENITIES • Beautiful club room with theater and demonstration kitchen • Wellness center • Indoor saltwater pool • Yoga studio and classes • Cooking Classes, and many more planned activities

free support groups for those living

• Movie theater • Billiards room • Business center • Incredible courtyard and meditation garden with koi pond and gazebo

PLANNED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS WATER AEROBICS, RESIDENT MIXERS, COOKING CLASSES, ZUMBA, MOVIE NIGHTS, BBQ’S AND MANY MORE! Directions: We are located at the corner of Rt. 40 and Rogers Avenue.

with dementia and their caregivers on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Upcoming programs will be held on March 7, 14 and 21 at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way,

3305 Oak West Drive Ellicott City, MD 21043

855.446.1136 www.RegencySeniorApts.com

Columbia. Pre-screening is required for the patient group. Call Yolanda Locklear at (410) 561-9099, ext. 208. For more information about the group for caregivers, contact Junnell Sample at (410) 561-9099, ext. 222,or jsample@alz.org.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 3

Growth hormone From page 8 stunted growth, 40 percent of 442 U.S. side-effect cases tied to HGH over the last year involved people age 18 or older, according to an AP analysis of FDA data. The average adult’s age in those cases was 53, far beyond the prime age for sports. The oldest patients were in their 80s. Some of these medical records even give explicit hints of use to combat aging, justifying treatment with reasons like fatigue, bone thinning and “off-label,” which means treatment of an unapproved condition Even Medicare, the government health program for older Americans, allowed 22,169 HGH prescriptions in 2010 — a fiveyear increase of 78 percent, according to data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in response to an AP public records request. And those figures don’t include HGH sold directly by doctors without prescriptions at scores of anti-aging medical practices and clinics around the country. Those numbers could only be tallied by

drug makers, who have declined to say how many patients they supply and for what conditions.

Banned for aging symptoms FDA regulations ban the sale of HGH as an anti-aging drug. In fact, since 1990, prescribing it for things like weight loss and strength conditioning has been punishable by five to 10 years in prison. Still many older patients go for HGH treatment to anti-aging practices and clinics heavily concentrated in retirement states like Florida, Nevada, Arizona and California. These sites are affiliated with hundreds of doctors who are rarely endocrinologists. Instead, many tout certification by the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, though the medical establishment does not recognize the group’s bona fides. The clinics offer personalized programs of “age management” to business executives, affluent retirees, and other patients of means, sometimes coupled with the amenities of a vacation resort. For proof that the drug works, mar-

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Mar. 7

leading industry critic who does aging research at Boston University. “It’s a marketing dream come true.” While the operations insist there are few, if any, side effects from HGH, mainstream medical authorities say otherwise. A 2007 review of 31 medical studies showed swelling in half of HGH patients, with joint pain or diabetes in more than a fifth. A French study of about 7,000 people who took HGH as children found a 30 percent higher risk of death from causes like bone tumors and stroke, stirring a health advisory from U.S. authorities. — AP

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DON’T LET YOUR FEET DEFEAT YOU

Orthopedic specialist Dr. Richardo Cook will discuss treatments for common foot injuries, including physical therapy, medications and surgical options in a free lecture titled “Don’t Be Defeeted” on Thursday, March 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Howard County General Hospital Wellness Center, Medical Pavilion Suite 100, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. For more information, call (410) 740-7601. To register, visit www.hcgh.org.

Mar. 27

keters turn to images like the memorable one of pot-bellied septuagenarian Dr. Jeffry Life, supposedly transformed into a ripped hulk of himself by his own program available at the upscale Las Vegas-based Cenegenics Elite Health. (He declined to be interviewed for this article.) These promoters of HGH say there is a connection between the drop-off in growth hormone levels through adulthood and the physical decline that begins in late middle age. Replace the hormone, they say, and the aging process slows. “It’s an easy ruse. People equate hormones with youth,” said Dr. Tom Perls, a

LENARD H. HAMMER, M.D., F.A.C.S. GORDON LUI, M.D. SCOTT B. BECKER, M.D. MEDICARE EYE EXAMS

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

410-997-9900

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Moving to Charlestown is easier than you think.

PRESENTATION ON VISION IMPAIRMENTS

Vanessa Lima, MD, will discuss age-related macular degeneration, drooping eyelids, cataracts and other vision impairments in a free program on Wednesday, March 27 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Howard County General Hospital Wellness Center, Medical Pavilion Suite 100, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. For more information, call (410) 740-7601 or visit www.hcgh.org.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 3 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

The five healthiest foods to eat this winter By Kerri-Ann Jennings, R.D. Although fewer foods are in season during the winter than in summer, winter boasts some surprising health superstars. Here are five of the healthiest winter foods you should be eating: 1. Pomegranates Chances are you’ve tasted pomegranates in their newly popular juice form. And from a heart-health perspective, that’s probably a good thing. Pomegranate juice is richer in antioxidants than other fruit juices. Just a cup daily might help to keep free

radicals from oxidizing “bad” LDL cholesterol, according to a preliminary study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Oxidized LDL contributes to plaque buildup in the arteries. Another study showed that drinking pomegranate juice might improve blood flow to the heart in people with myocardial ischemia, a serious condition in which the heart’s oxygen supply is compromised because the arteries leading to it are blocked. 2. Dark leafy greens Dark leafy greens, such as kale, chard

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Ongoing

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING

Free blood pressure screening is available every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ellicott City Senior Center, 9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. For more information, call (410) 313-1400. A similar program is offered the first Wednesday and third Friday of each month at Kiwanis-Wallas Hall, 3300 Norbert’s Way, Ellicott City. For more information, call (410) 313-7311; to register, call (410) 313-7391.

Mar. 11+

OLDER DRIVERS SAFETY COURSE

This course, aimed at drivers 50 and over, is taught by instructors from the AARP and will be offered on Monday, March 11 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Howard County General Hospital Wellness Center, Medical Pavilion Suite 100, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. The cost is $12 for AARP members, $14 for non-members. The course will be offered again on April 8, May 13 and June 1. To register, visit www.hcgh.org. For more information, call (410) 740-7601.

and collards, thrive in the chill of winter when the rest of the produce section looks bleak. In fact, a frost can take away the bitterness of kale. These greens are particularly rich in vitamins A, C and K. Collards, mustard greens and escarole are also excellent sources of folate, important for women of childbearing age. 3. Citrus Citrus fruits, including lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit, are at their juiciest in the wintertime and can add sunshine to the dreary winter. Citrus fruits are loaded with vitamin C — one medium orange delivers more than 100 percent of your daily dose. Citrus fruits are also rich sources of flavonoids. The predominant flavonoid in these fruits — hesperidin — is credited with boosting “good” HDL cholesterol and lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. 4. Potatoes Potatoes sometimes get a bad rap for being a white starch, thrown into the same category as white rice or white bread. But unlike those other starches, which have indeed been stripped of healthful nutrients, potatoes are a whole food containing several beneficial nutrients. They’re an excellent source of two immunity boosters —vitamins C and B6, de-

livering 25 percent and 29 percent of your daily needs per medium potato, respectively. They’re also a good source of folate, which is especially important for women of childbearing age, and they deliver fiber (4 grams in a medium potato; women need 25 grams daily and men need 38 grams). If you can find purple potatoes, you’ll get an added health boon; they are rich in anthocyanins, antioxidants linked to a host of health benefits, from lowering cancer and heart disease risk to quelling inflammation. 5. Winter squash There are many varieties of winter squash — including butternut, acorn, delicata and spaghetti squash — and they’re all excellent choices in the winter. One cup of cooked winter squash has few calories (around 80) but is high in both vitamin A (214 percent of the recommended daily value) and vitamin C (33 percent), as well as being a good source of vitamins B6 and K, potassium and folate. In fact, these winter squashes generally have more nutrients than popular summer squashes like zucchini and crookneck. EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com. © 2013 EatingWell, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 3

Basketball From page 1 game [at the Meadowbrook Athletic Complex in Ellicott City] and every next morning I’m asking why my knee keeps hurting. But I’ll keep playing competitive ball as long as I can,” Hedgeland said. “You want to continue to be out there on the court. You want to be part of a team. You want the exercise. You just want…to keep playing.”

Boyhood memories Another Ellicott City resident who can’t stay away from the court is 54-year-old Al Hunt, who remembers shooting at a rim attached to the side of a barn on his family’s farm in upstate New York when he was eight years old. Hunt, who is player-coach for Off the Glass, one of the division rivals of the Geezers, insists: “I’m still a kid in my own mind.” Convincing himself of his eternal youth, he often plays almost the full 40 minutes of league games. However, like other over-50s who have intensely played the game, Hunt took a hiatus from the court, from the age of 30 to 45, after tearing some ligaments in an ankle.

“Now I’m back and I’m going to keep playing until…until I can’t,” said the construction company vice president What he especially loves about basketball, he said, is that it takes not only individual talent but also teamwork. To be a winner, you can’t have one without the other. Unlike baseball or football, it is also a game, he noted, that an individual can play on his or her own. All you need, he said, is a ball and a rim. You dribble and you shoot. If you want, you keep score against an imaginary foe.

Vertically challenged are welcome You also don’t have to soar into the sky to play the game. Howard Lechner, 53, who stands 5 feet 3 inches tall, has been streaking up and down the court for at least four consecutive decades. Thosewho-know say that basketball is as much a game of speed as of height. Lechner began his play-making days before the age of 10 at the Jewish Community Center in Rockville, passing off to the big guys who went to the basket. When he reached the 7th grade, the middle-school coach told him, “You’d be on the team if only you were another foot taller.”

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

CIVIL WAR EXHIBIT FOCUSES ON LAUREL

An exhibit centering on Union soldiers camped around Laurel and stories from its two hospitals, soldiers’ letters and other memorabilia is open to the public on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Laurel Museum, 817 Main Street, Laurel. The exhibit runs until Dec. 22. For more information, call (301) 725-7975, email info@laurelhistoricalsociety.org. or visit www.laurelhistoricalsociety.org.

Mar. 19

PULITZER WINNER EDWARD P. JONES

Author Edward P. Jones will discuss his work with Ron Charles, fiction editor of the Washington Post, on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at the East Columbia Branch library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. For more information, call (410) 313-7700.

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“That’s when I gave up my dream of becoming a pro,” Lechner recalled. Meanwhile, the computer programmer plays three or four times a week in fullcourt pick-up games around town that last up to two hours each. “I’m usually 20 or 30 years older than the others, but I can still run pretty well for my age,” he said. Who are the sports idols for these diehard players? Such greats as Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Julius Irving and Jerry West came up most frequently. Lechner, however, admires a player who was somewhat less of a basketball immortal. That would be Muggsy Bogues, who at Lechner’s 5 feet 3 inches was the shortest player ever to be in the National Basketball Association. Bogues had a 14-year career in the NBA, playing for, among other teams, the Washington Bullets before they became the Wizards.

Six decades on the court For longevity, there’s Nate Block, who at 71 has been moving and grooving across the hardwood for the past 60 years.

A North Carolina native, Block said he learned his love of basketball from his mother, who played the game when she was going to school. Try it, he said she had told him; you’ll like it. He played for his North Carolina high school team and for three years at Capital College, located near Laurel, where he earned his engineering degree. How has time taken its toll on his basketball abilities? For one thing, he said, “I think I’m shrinking.” While his best shot had been a onehanded jumper, it is now a one-hand set — the same shot except he no longer leaves the floor to take it. “But I’m still good for full-court games,” said Block, who also plays pick-up games at local gyms rather than playing on a league team. “I can keep going for four to six games a night, with just a little rest between,” he said. How much longer before he finally hangs up his sneakers and gives up the game? “My body,” Block said, “will tell me when.”

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Health Studies Page

M A R C H 2 0 1 3 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Heart mapping study seeks volunteers By Barbara Ruben Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. In some cases, the heart can’t fill with enough blood. In other cases, the heart can’t pump blood to the rest of the body with enough force. Some people have both problems.

The condition is a common cardiovascular problem. Its incidence increases with age, affecting up to 10 percent of people older than 65, including nearly 14 percent of men and 12 percent of women over age 80. The term heart failure doesn’t mean someone’s heart has stopped or is about to

Want to Prevent Falls in the Elderly? Seeking Men and Women to participate in a research study at the University of Maryland &Veterans Aﬀairs of Baltimore to better understand balance and the prevention of falls in aging individuals. You will receive:

• Health evaluation • Balance, step, strength, and/or ﬂexibility exercises • Compensation for your time If interested call: 410-605-7179 & Mention code: LIFT at Baltimore VA/University of Maryland Gerontology Recruitment Line *You must be at least 65 years old and in good health *Participants will be seen at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and University of Maryland School of Medicine *You will attend approximately 41 visits for 1 to 4 hours each per visit

CALL TODAY!

Do You Have Knee Arthritis and Difficulty Sleeping?

stop working. However, heart failure is a serious condition that requires medical care.

Two-year study underway Researchers at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, Md., are now studying the use of noninvasive imaging methods to better understand the symptoms and effects of heart failure. They are looking for people with the condition for a two-year study. No treatment will be provided as part of the study, and patients will continue to see their own doctors. Participants will visit the Clinical Center four times during the study, with one initial screening visit and three study visits. The three study visits will take place one year apart. Participants will also receive followup phone calls six months after the first and second visits. During the screening visit, they will have a full medical history taken and have a physical examination, as well as submit blood and urine samples. During each of the study visits, participants will have the following imaging tests: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cardiac computerized tomog-

raphy (CT) to study the blood vessels in and leading to the heart, echocardiogram to evaluate heart function, and electrocardiogram to measure heart electrical activity.

Who qualifies to participate? To take part in the study, participants must be age 18 or older, and be diagnosed with heart failure at a New York Heart Association functional class II level or worse. People who have a history of severe allergic reaction to contrast agents may not participate. Those with symptomatic coronary artery disease, a prior heart attack, congenital heart disease and certain other heart conditions are also disqualified from taking part in the study. Additional disqualifying conditions include a personal or family history of kidney disease, diabetes treated with insulin, multiple myeloma, lupus, renal failure and end stage liver disease. Compensation for time and travel is available for study participants. To learn more about the study, or to volunteer, contact NIH’s Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office at 1-800-411-1222 or e-mail prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov.

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CHECK OUT ONLINE COURSES A variety of business and entrepreneur-focused courses including

computers, languages and legal areas are available online from Howard County

Volunteers NEEDED for a Clinical Trial on New Non-drug treatment for problem sleeping • To participate in this study, you must be: • 35 years of age or older • Have frequent knee pain • Interested in sleeping better • This study involves: • Sleep studies conducted in your home • Knee exam at Johns Hopkins • Meeting with sleep specialist to discuss ways to improve sleep • All examinations, parking, & tests are provided at no cost. • Compensation up to $870.00

For information, please call (410) 550-7906

Community College, with new sessions starting every six to eight weeks. For a complete listing, visit www.coned.howardcc.edu.

Ongoing

LEARN TO USE PHONES, PADS, APPS Two-hour classes on using the iPhone, iPad and their apps as well as computer-focused courses are offered this spring at several

Howard County senior centers through Computer Seniors of America. For more information, visit www.computerseniors.org or call (410) 336-5878.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 3

When your grandson wants to wear a skirt Dear Solutions: but has been out of work for a while now, money and her decision as to how she wants up her friendship. My daughter, a recent widow, and her kept offering to pay for a lovely vacation to spend it. When she yells, “You never let I’m confused because I don’t think 5-year-old son have moved for me for an upcoming me do anything for you” she’s really also she really means to be dishonest. Can in with me so I can take care birthday. I thanked her but yelling, “You never let me feel good about you explain this? of him while she works full said no because I didn’t myself” and “You never recognize that I’m — Carol time. want her to spend the an adult and can make my own decisions.” Dear Carol: I don’t know whether we money when she’s not Yes. She’s a firefly. She darts around There’s an art to giving. There’s also an have a problem or not. My working. She got furious art to receiving. Tell her you’ve thought shedding a little light here and there and grandson keeps wanting to and started yelling at me about her offer and that vacation sounds then moves on. The light is lovely to look wear a skirt. When I tell him that I never let her do any- really great and you’re excited about mak- at, but don’t count on it for your electricity. that boys wear pants and thing for me. That’s not true ing plans for it. Then go — and enjoy. These people are charming but irregirls wear skirts, he says anyway, but I’m confused Dear Solutions: sponsible. They’ll never be there for the girls wear pants all the time, about why she’s reacting I have a friend who everyone agrees crunch. They’ll disappear in a crisis. SOLUTIONS and he’s right, of course. this way. They want to be liked so they agree to is very charming and delightful. She’s On Halloween he insisted By Helen Oxenberg, I would think she’d ap- agreeable and flattering and great everything, but they’re afraid to follow on going as a witch. Is there MSW, ACSW preciate that I don’t want to company. through. They’re afraid they can’t live up to something we should be spend her money. Why is The trouble is it’s very deceiving, be- the promise — and they’re right, they can’t. doing now? What does this mean in she so angry at me? Enjoy your friend, but lower your expeccause she’ll volunteer to help out with terms of who he will be in the future? — Her Mom projects and then at the last minute tations because you can’t count on her. — Worried Dear Her Mom: © Helen Oxenberg, 2013. To inquire find an excuse not to do them. It makes Dear Worried: Because she’s a grownup and it’s her me angry, and yet I don’t want to give about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684. It means he will be who he will be, and the less fuss and disapproval you show, the more chance he has of feeling good about You’re invited to our new series for himself no matter who he is in the future. It means you and his mother should set only necessary limits — such as he can’t wear a skirt to school even if girls do wear pants. Why? Because those are the rules. You might explain that there are other JOIN US THE LAST THURSDAY OF cultures where men wear skirts some of the time, but not in this country. You could EACH MONTH AT 7:00PM then buy him a Scottish kilt, so it will be both a skirt and a costume. When someone you love has Alzheimer’s or dementia, You might explain to him that if he wears a skirt among other children they may think it changes your world. The more you understand, the it’s silly and laugh at him, so he should think more prepared you’ll be. Join us as we explore about how he would feel about that. After that, just answer his questions as he memory loss together. asks them, not before. Relax and accept him lovingly for who he is. If you or your daughter would feel more comfortable, you might consult a child psychologist for more advice. FEBRUARY Dear Solutions: Veterans Assistance and Veterans Benefits My daughter, who is very generous

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BE OUR GUEST FOR SOMERFORD PLACE’S 2013 EVENTS:

7:00pm

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Mar. 1

IRISH EVENING HoCoPoLitsSo, the

Howard County Poetry and Literature Society, is presenting noted author Colum McCann, the Narrowbacks traditional Irish music group, and stepdancers from the Culkin School in a celebration of the Irish at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1 at Howard Community College Smith Theatre’s Horowitz Center,

MARCH

7:00pm

APRIL

7:00pm

M AY

7:00pm

Speaker from Veterans Financial

Home Safety and Preventing Accidents Speaker Kathy Neno, Director of Nursing, BrightStar Care of Howard County

Incorporating Activities and Stimulating the Mind of the Dementia Patient Speaker Judi Beyer, Programming Director of Somerford Place of Columbia

Caregivers Fair Families will have the opportunity to meet outside resources that can help with the care of their loved one

Complimentary care and programs available for your loved one during every event.

R S V P T O S A R A H G O I N S AT 4 1 0 - 3 1 3 - 9 7 4 4 .

10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Tickets are $35. For more information, visit www.HoCoPoLitSo.org or call (443) 518-4568.

8220 Snowden River Parkway | Columbia, MD 21045

410-313-9744

M A R C H 2 0 1 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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VOLUME 3, NO. 3 â&#x20AC;˘ MARCH 2013

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A Message from the Administrator

By Dayna Brown, Office on Aging Administrator

One of the first signs that Spring is coming is the return of daylight savings time â&#x20AC;&#x201D; donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Spring Forwardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and turn your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday, March 10. For me, the start of spring means it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be long before itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warm enough to venture back out onto the golf course once the days start getting longer. I hope you, too, will find time to resume an activity you love, or maybe even try something new. The Office on Aging can help! Whether your goal is to get back into shape or just get out of the house, Howard County senior centers are a great place to start. Did you know that you can access the senior centersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; events calendars online? Visit www.howardcountyaging.org and click on senior center newsletters to find out whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening at a center near you. Our Health & Wellness Division is also hard at work planning events to fill your calendars this Spring. Make plans to attend WomenFest on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Glenwood 50+ Center. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event features special guest Andrea Lustig, Glamour magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beauty editor and author of How to Look Expensive, plus more than 90 vendors and exhibitors and a host of free seminars to help you look and feel your best. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss it! In May, we are eagerly anticipating the launch of Cycle2Health Howard County, our first-ever volunteer led cycling program. This is a great opportunity to rekindle your passion for cycling, or give it a try for the first time. Riders at all skill levels are welcome; watch for details coming soon, and plan to join us! Last but not least, take time to plan ahead for the future. If you have questions about caregiver resources, Medicare coverage, long-term care planning, or reverse mortgages, Maryland Access Point (MAP) can help. MAP information specialists can be reached by phone at 410-3135980 or via email at map@howardcountymd.gov.

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Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day

By Rona Martiyan, MS, RD, LDN Recognizing that no two people have the same food preferences, lifestyles, cultural traditions and health concerns, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eat Right, Your Way, Every Dayâ&#x20AC;? was chosen as the theme of National Nutrition Month this year. To get started on the right path toward eating right, your way, every day, first ask yourself these questions: â&#x20AC;˘ Do you need to gain weight, lose weight, or maintain your weight? â&#x20AC;˘ Do you follow a set meal pattern â&#x20AC;&#x201D; breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, or do you eat smaller, more frequent meals? â&#x20AC;˘ What are your favorite foods? Do you have a health condition that limits the types of foods you can eat? â&#x20AC;˘ Do you eat at home? How often do you eat out?

â&#x20AC;˘ Do you cook, or buy mostly prepared foods? â&#x20AC;˘ Do you exercise regularly? Once you have identified the above, familiarize yourself with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and My Plate messages found online at www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines and www.choosemyplate.gov. Not surprisingly, you will find recommendations to eat more vegetables, smaller portions, and include a wide variety of foods in your personalized eating plan. Of course, no two eating plans are the same, and juggling your food desires with your health needs may cause conflicts. A nutritionist can help you put all this into a workable plan for eating â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your Way.â&#x20AC;? To create a personalized nutrition plan that works for you, call your local senior center to schedule a free individual nutrition consultation.

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For more info: 410.313.5440 â&#x20AC;˘ www www.howardcountyaging.org/womenfest .howardcountyaging.org/womenfest

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; M A R C H 2 0 1 3

Coming Events

Say you saw it in the Beacon

The Senior Connection

Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday, Ongoing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jessie Barnes Soul and Urban Line Dance, East Columbia 50+ Center Enjoy classic soul music while learning smooth dance moves. Try Advanced Soul on Mondays at 7 p.m.; Urban Line Dancing, Tuesdays at 3 p.m.; or Beginners, Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Cost: First lesson is free, then a monthly fee applies. Call 410-313-7684 to register. Tuesdays, March 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; April 9, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Living Well with Diabetes, Elkridge Senior Center Diabetes can be well managed with some simple lifestyle choices. Learn how diet, exercise and planning ahead can help keep you feeling great. Cost: $20 (six weeks); call 410-313-5192 to register.

Wednesday, March 6, 7 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Paws4Comfort Pet Evaluations, The Bain Center Paws4Comfort fosters special bonds between pets, their owners and the older adults they visit. To schedule a free evaluation for your pet, contact Ingrid Gleysteen, 410-313-7461 or igleysteen@howardcountymd.gov. Wednesday, March 6, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Medicare 103: I Have Medicare, Now What?, Kiwanis Wallas Recreation Center, 3300 Norbertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Way, Ellicott City 21042 Learn how to get the most out of your Medicare coverage, reduce confusion, and identify helpful resources. Free; sponsored by the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). To preregister, call 410-313-7391.

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The Senior Connection is published monthly by the Howard County Department of Citizen Servicesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Office on Aging. We welcome your comments and suggestions. To contact us, or to join our email subscriber list, email seniorconnection@howardcountymd.gov with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;subscribeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the subject box. Howard County Office on Aging 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046

410-313-6410

www.howardcountyaging.org www.Facebook.com/HoCoCitizen Dayna Brown, Administrator Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the Howard County Office on Aging or by the publisher.

Wednesday, March 6, 7 to 8 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Medicare 101: What to Expect From Medicare, The Bain Center Learn how Medicare Parts A (Hospital), B (Medical) and D (Prescription Drug) work, what the benefits are, and more. Free; sponsored by SHIP. Call 410-313-7391 to register. Thursdays, March 7, 14, and 21, 7 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; New Release Film Series, East Columbia 50+ Center Join us to view critically acclaimed new DVD movies in the comfort of our center. Free; doors open at 6:30 p.m. Call 410-313-7684 for more information and titles. Wednesday, March 13, 11 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Two for the Show, Ellicott City Senior Center Celebrate St. Pattyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day with musical entertainment and a traditional Irish lunch of Corned Beef and Cabbage! Cost: $5.76 (Super Special lunch donation). Call 410-313-1400 to order lunch by March 5; seating is limited.

Wednesday, March 13, 10 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lyric Opera House Presents: Music of the British Isles, Glenwood 50+Center Enjoy the Lyricâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presentation of the beautiful music of the British Isles, then stay for lunch and enjoy our British Isles Culture, Conversation and Cuisine program. Call 410-313-5440 to register.

Wednesday, March 13, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s History Month Luncheon, The Bain Center Join us as we recognize outstanding community centered women at a special lunch (nominal donation suggested). Call 410-313-7213 to sign up by March 6. Thursday, March 14 & 28, 10 to 11:30 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; News Talk, North Laurel 50+ Center Join a lively discussion group focusing on current news locally, nationally and globally. Free; meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday. Call 410-313-0380 to register. Sponsored by SPRING (Senior Peer Resources: Individuals, Networks & Groups). Friday, March 15, 10 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bye Bye Birdie: The Musical, Mt. Hebron High School, 9440 Route 99, Ellicott City Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for this free Mt. Hebron HS performance, just for older adults. To reserve a space, call the North Laurel 50+ Center at 410-313-0380 by March 8. Parking is limited; carpooling encouraged. Tuesday, March 19, 11 a.m. to noon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Celebration, The Bain Center Join us for live entertainment featuring the 50 Plus Players, refreshments and fun! Call 410-313-7213 by March 12 to register.

Wednesday, March 20, 10 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Civil War Series: Rare Images of Antietam, Glenwood 50+ Center Steve Recker discusses and showcases photos from his book of the same name. Call 410-313-5440 for more information or to register.

Wednesday, March 20, 7 to 8:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Medicare 102: Why Medicare Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Enough, The Bain Center Learn about Medicare Part C/Health Plans, Medicare Supplement Policies (Medigap Plans), and how to decide which plan is right for you. Free; sponsored by SHIP. Call 410-313-7391 to register. Thursday, March 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SPRING Luncheon: Stanford Grill Enjoy atrium dining, and choose from three delicious menu selections. Cost: $22.50 per person; seating is limited. Call Elaine Widom, 410-313-7283 by March 15 to register.

Thursday, March 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Easy & Affordable Nutrition, Longwood Senior Center Learn how good nutrition can be easy and affordable. Multicultural alternatives will be discussed; Korean and Chinese translations provided. To sign up, call Kathy at 410-313-7217. Thursday, March 21, 12:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Is Your Jewelry Box a Treasure Chest?, Ellicott City Senior Center A certified gemologist from NovaGold, LLC will discuss the market value of antique & estate jewelry, precious metals, coins and more. Bring one item for free evaluation. Reservations required; call 410-313-1400 for details.

March 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Easter Egg Hunt Party, Elkridge Senior Center Celebrate spring! Bring your grandkids for plenty of egg hunting fun, prizes, refreshments and a visit from Peter Rabbit himself! Free; donations appreciated. Call 410-313-5192 to register.

Wednesday, April 3, 6 to 7:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t No Stopping Us Nowâ&#x20AC;ŚEliminating the Myths of Aging, The Bain Center Speaker Phyllis Madachy addresses societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s myths of aging, and how to gain a new outlook to affirm aging as productive, enriching, and rewarding across the lifespan. Small group discussions follow keynote; light refreshments served. Free; call 410-313-7213 to register by April 1. Contact Karen Hull, 410-313-7466 for more information.

Tuesdays, April 9 & 23, 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Where Were You When?, Glenelg Country School, 12793 Folly Quarter Road, Glenelg, Md. Share your â&#x20AC;&#x153;living historyâ&#x20AC;? with 8th grade students from Glenelg Country School, who will interview you about your life experiences; later, return to hear the studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; papers on your history. Free; includes breakfast and a catered lunch. To sign up, call Trisha at the North Laurel 50+ Center, 410-313-0389, by April 2. Important Social Security Notice! Beginning March 1, 2013, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will no longer issue paper checks; monthly Social Security payments will be issued electronically instead. Recipients can opt to have the funds loaded onto a Direct Express MasterCard, or deposited directly into a bank account. Visit www.SSA.gov for more information.

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M A R C H 2 0 1 3 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 3

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M A R C H 2 0 1 3 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Money Law &

DOING GOOD WITH $1,000 Become a philanthropist by setting up your own foundation fund for as little as $1,000, or consider supporting classrooms and young entrepreneurs DON’T DROP LIFE INSURANCE You can sell your life insurance policy for cash or other benefits if you need money now and don’t have to preserve the policy for heirs

What to expect when preparing 2012 taxes By Carole Feldman Taxpayers preparing to file their 2012 returns can breathe a collective sigh of relief. The alternative minimum tax (AMT) has been patched — permanently — and several tax credits and deductions that technically expired at the end of 2011 were extended as part of the fiscal cliff legislation that Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed into law in January. “It certainly puts back into place many of the tax benefits that had expired for many people,” said Mark Steber, chief tax officer with Jackson Hewitt Tax Services. But the delay in congressional action could mean confusion for some taxpayers over what credits and deductions still exist. That could make going it alone on tax day costly. Experts say people should seek some guidance — whether it’s from a professional tax preparer, up-to-date software programs, or tax guides — before filing returns. The Internal Revenue Service began ac-

cepting returns Jan. 30, an eight-day delay necessitated by the late congressional action. “We have worked hard to open tax season as soon as possible,” IRS Acting Commissioner Steven T. Miller said in a statement. “This date ensures we have the time we need to update and test our processing systems.” The agency said most taxpayers — more than 120 million households — can file now. But filing for those claiming energy credits, depreciation of property, or general business credits will be delayed until late February or March.

Deductions and exemptions As people sit down to do their taxes this year, they’ll find that the standard deduction has been adjusted higher for inflation, to $11,900 for married couples filing jointly, $8,700 for heads of households, and $5,950 for single taxpayers. Each exemption (for taxpayers and their dependents) is worth $3,800 this year, up from $3,700 in 2011. Look expansively at

dependents beyond your children under 19 (or 24 if in college). For example, if you’re paying more than half the support for your parents and their taxable income is less than the $3,800 exemption, you might be able to claim them as dependents even if they’re not living in your own home. “When we say income over the exemption amount, we mean taxable income,” said Jackie Perlman, principal tax research analyst with H&R Block’s Tax Institute. “If a parent’s only income is Social Security, chances are little or none of the Social Security will be taxable. Otherwise, very few people would get to claim a parent.” Single taxpayers with qualified children or relatives as dependents also may be able to use head of household filing status, which is more advantageous to the taxpayer. There also are higher mileage rate deductions — 55.5 cents per mile if you use your car for business, 23 cents per mile for moving or medical issues, and 14 cents a

mile for charity. Capital gains rates are unchanged from 2011 — a maximum of 15 percent for assets held more than a year. And don’t forget planning for retirement. You can contribute up to $5,000 to a traditional individual retirement account — $6,000 for people age 50 and older — and reduce their income by that amount. If you haven’t made a contribution yet, there’s still time. You have until April 15, 2013, the tax filing deadline. Be aware, however. Many deductions and credits phase out at higher incomes. Dozens of credits and deductions that impact 2012 taxes had been due to expire at the end of 2011, but were extended as part of the legislation that restored the Bush tax cuts for most taxpayers.

AMT indexed to inflation The end-of-year legislation also breathed See 2012 TAXES, page 19

Scams targeting veterans are on the rise By Elliot Raphaelson There are thousands of “free lunch” seminars that attract large audiences. In 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority scrutinized 110 securities firms that presented free lunch seminars. Their report found that 100 percent of them were sales presentations, despite the fact that the majority were advertised as “educational.” The report also indicated that 50 percent of these meetings featured misleading advertising; 23 percent involved possibly unsuitable recommendations; and 13 percent appeared to be fraudulent. If you attend a free lunch seminar, and the products offered seem too good to be true, they probably are. For years, AARP has warned about “veterans’ advocates,” who in fact are unscrupulous investment advisers interested only in generating commissions for themselves. (See www.aarp.org/money/scamsfraud/info-03-2012/scam-targets-vetswa1889.html.) According to AARP, scams targeting veterans are increasing across the country. In

many instances, the advisers are not accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans should never take advice about veterans’ benefits from an adviser who is not accredited by the VA.

ately wealthy retirees. Moreover, the annuity the advisers often recommend is a longterm investment inappropriate for most seniors, one that introduces serious inflexibility into their portfolios.

Benefits ploy

Medicaid missteps

One scam involves the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit. For certain senior veterans who served during wartime and their spouses, this benefit covers unreimbursed medical expenses and in-home care. In order to qualify, a veteran’s assets are considered. While there is no hard and fast limit, generally those with assets of more than $80,000 are excluded. Unscrupulous advisers often make presentations “educating” seniors who are too well off to qualify about how to reposition their assets using an annuity in an irrevocable trust in order to meet the program’s threshold. They tell senior vets that their assets will be safe and will pass to their heirs when they die. The sales pitch is inappropriate because the Aid and Attendance program was not designed to assist wealthy or even moder-

Another thing seniors may not realize is that by executing this subterfuge, they will be jeopardizing their chances to qualify for Medicaid if their health deteriorates and they must go to a nursing home. In most states, Medicaid requires applicants to indicate what they have done with their assets over the prior five years. Since an annuity purchase would be categorized as a nonexempt transfer, this would preclude the veteran from qualifying for Medicaid benefits. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has introduced a bill that would enforce a similar three-year lookback period for the Aid and Attendance benefit. This would essentially prevent vets who try the deferred annuity/irrevocable trust trick from qualifying. If the law is enacted, a vet could end up ineligible for Medicaid and for Aid and At-

tendance — and have his assets tied up inside in a trust with little flexibility. The only winner in this scenario is the “adviser” who generated a large commission for himself. For example, Neil Granger, a California consultant on investment fraud, reported to AARP that a $500,000 annuity sale could generate a $75,000 commission. In summary, the Aid and Attendance benefit was not put in place for every veteran who served in wartime. It is a special benefit for those veterans who do not have the financial resources to cover all their medical or in-home health care needs. If you are a veteran and believe you have been subject to fraud, report it to VeteranFraud@gmail.com. You can also call the VA hotline at 1-877-294-6380. If you are considering any investment because you were told it will provide an additional veteran’s benefit, do not make a commitment without verifying it independently with an elder-care attorney. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. © 2013 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 3

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

Be an effective philanthropist for $1,000 You don’t need a fortune to be a philanthropist. Here are a few ideas on how you can make a difference with a modest amount of money. • Start a charitable fund. A number of community foundations let you funnel as little as $1,000 a year into donor-advised funds, sometimes called acorn funds, that build value over time and let you choose the recipient of your largesse. You contribute cash, stocks or other property — and take a tax deduction for your contribution each year — until you reach a certain threshold, typically $5,000 or $10,000. After that, you recommend an IRS-approved charity to the community foundation trustees. Although you no longer have direct control over the gift, the foundation usually respects your wishes. You can find a directory of community foundations na-

tionwide at www.cof.org/locator. • Give to a classroom, What better way to spend your charitable dollars than to help teachers help kids? At DonorsChoose.org, you get your pick of teacher-proposed projects — from outfitting a media center with computer chairs to buying magazine subscriptions for seventh-graders. You can donate to one project or spread the wealth among several. DonorsChoose makes the purchase and sends it to the teacher. For your contribution, which is tax-deductible, you’ll get pictures of the students and feedback on how the project is helping them. • Volunteer on vacation. Use your next vacation to give something back. The Sierra Club offers environmental and historical-preservation trips throughout the U.S. starting at about $400. For example, the program fee is $545 for a weeklong

habitat-restoration project in May to remove non-native plants in Point Reyes National Seashore, in California. Round-trip flights from Washington, D.C., or New York City to San Francisco run about $300. Meals and accommodations in a rustic boathouse are included. Other weeklong projects include wildlife habitat work in Arizona’s Altar Valley ($695) and restoration of historic homesteads in Antietam National Battlefield, in Maryland ($695). You can even be an angel investor for as little as $100. Thanks to the government’s approval in 2012 of “crowdfunding” as a way for businesses to raise capital, it’s easier than ever (not to mention cheaper) to invest in new companies. Upstart (www.upstart.com) allows you to give money to entrepreneurial college graduates from a pool of 30 universities, in-

cluding Harvard, Stanford and MIT. You can invest in $100 increments in one “upstart” or as many as you choose. You’ll receive a modest portion of the company’s income — up to an annual rate of return of 14.99 percent — for 10 years (you could also lose your stake if the project goes under). You can also contribute to projects through Kickstarter, which focuses more on creative individuals who want to raise money to produce films, music and art. The biggest difference from Upstart: Kickstarter projects keep 100 percent of the funding, so there’s no financial return to backers. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. And for more on this and similar money topics, visit www.Kiplinger.com. © 2013 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

2012 taxes

tion is $50,600 for unmarried individuals and $78,750 for joint filers. “It’s not just that they passed the threshold amount and indexed it for inflation,” said Kathy Pickering, executive director of H&R Block’s Tax institute. “The other nugget in there is that the nonrefundable credits are allowed.” That means filers subject to the AMT may still be able to use these credits, as long as their income doesn’t exceed the phase-out limits. The fiscal cliff bill signed by Obama also extends the $1,000 per child tax credit, the expanded earned income tax credit, and the credit for adopting a child. Several education-related credits and deductions also were extended in the legislation. The American Opportunity Tax Credit can be worth up to $2,500 for college tuition. The credit, which can be claimed for each of the first four years of

college, was extended through 2017. Elementary and secondary school teachers will still be able to deduct up to $250 of their out-of-pocket expenses for the classroom. And taxpayers will have the choice of deducting state and local sales taxes instead of state and local income taxes. This is especially important to residents of states like Florida, which doesn’t have an income tax.

Storm damage losses

From page 18 new life into deductions for state and local sales taxes and an array of education-related credits and deductions. Not to mention the AMT patch. “There was broad bipartisan agreement it had to be fixed,” Steber said. Originally set up to make sure millionaires were paying taxes, increasing numbers of middle-class taxpayers are now being caught up in the AMT. The tax has been adjusted for inflation every year, but the last patch expired at the end of 2011. Without a new one, Miller said in a letter to Congress last fall, about 33 million taxpayers would have to pay the AMT in 2012, up from about 4 million in 2011. Congress, as part of the fiscal cliff bill, passed a permanent fix for the AMT. Going forward, it will be indexed according to inflation. For 2012, the AMT exemp-

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For people in the Northeast, Superstorm Sandy may have left them with a casualty loss that will lower their taxes or increase their refund. Tax law allows victims in federally declared disaster areas to file casualty claims in the year the incident happened or file an amended return for the previous year. — AP

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M A R C H 2 0 1 3 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Make your life insurance work for you now By Sandra Block If you need money now and don’t need to preserve your life insurance policy for a spouse or children, you may be able to sell your cash-value policy to an investor. Lifesettlement companies buy policies for cash, continue to pay the premiums, and collect the death benefit when the insured individual dies. The size of the settlement varies, depending on the size of the premiums and the policyholder’s life expectancy, said Bryan Freeman, founder of Habersham Funding, a life-settlement company. The settlement amount is typically 12 to 25 percent of the death benefit, although someone with a terminal illness and low premiums may receive up to 60 percent of

the death benefit, said Freeman. Here’s an example: A 73-year-old man had a universal life policy he purchased in 2003. The policy had a $2 million death benefit and cost him nearly $40,000 in annual premiums. He sold the policy to the Lifeline Program, one of the largest lifesettlement companies, for $515,000 — more than twice its cash value of $250,000.

Not for everyone If you’re in your 50s and feeling fine, this isn’t an option for you. Brokers are primarily interested in policyholders who are in their 70s, or younger if they have a serious illness, said Darwin Bayston, executive director of the Life Insurance Settle-

ment Association. And that’s the reason life settlements make many people uneasy. Investors profit from your death, and the sooner it occurs, the more money they make. You’ll be asked to provide detailed information about your health and give the life-settlement company ongoing access to your medical records. Be aware that taxation of life-settlement payouts remains murky, and legislation to clarify the issue has languished in Congress. Most people who sell their insurance policies work with an independent insurance broker, who negotiates with buyers on their behalf. A financial adviser with experience in insurance products may be able to refer you to a broker. Once you’ve received a referral, contact your state insurance department to find out whether the broker is licensed — a requirement in most states. Your state insurance regulator can also tell you whether a broker has a record of

complaints. Avoid brokers who base their commissions on the death benefit instead of the amount of the settlement. You should expect to pay about 10 percent of the settlement amount in fees, Bayston said. If you’re willing to do the legwork yourself, you can save money by contacting lifesettlement companies directly. (Find a list of companies through your state insurance commission or at the Life Insurance Settlement Association’s Web site, www.lisa.org.)

Other options exist There are other options to profit from a life insurance policy you no longer need. Through what’s known as a 1035 exchange, you can convert it into an income annuity without paying taxes on your gains. You’ll no longer have to pay premiums, and you’ll lock in income for the rest of your life (or a specific number of years). The conversion is tax-free, but you’ll pay See LIFE INSURANCE, page 21

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE The Internal Revenue Service and AARP are sponsoring free per-

sonal income tax preparation services to all middle- and low-income taxpayers at senior centers in Howard County. Self-employment returns with more than $5,000 in expenses and complex returns are not eligible for the service. The phone numbers to call for appointment times at participating centers are Bain Center (410) 313-7387; East Columbia Senior Center (410) 313-7680; Elkridge Senior Center (410) 313-1400; Ellicott City Senior Center (410) 313-1400; Glenwood Community Center (410) 313-5440; and North Laurel Community Center (410) 313-0380.

Mar. 12

LEARN ABOUT ELDER CARE The public is invited to join the American Association of University Women’s meeting for a presentation on services for older citizens

on Tuesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. at the Ellicott City Senior Center, adjacent to the Miller Branch Library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. Speakers include representatives of an in-home care agency, a geriatric case manager, and a downsizing company. For more information, call (410) 313-1950.

All Pet Crematory, Inc. (410) 552-0703 or 1(888) 552-0703 (toll free) • open directly to the public for private cremations only • caring & professional staff • memorial urns and merchandise available “Pet Lovers Serving Pet Lovers” WWW.APCrematory.com

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 3

Life insurance From page 20 taxes on a portion of each payout, based on the proportion of your basis to your gains. To compare annuity payouts, go to www.immediateannuities.com. A financial planner with experience in the insurance industry can help you select the best payout.

Long-term care coverage You can also exchange a life insurance policy for long-term care insurance taxfree. And because long-term care benefits aren’t taxable, you’ll never pay taxes on your gains. Unfortunately, few long-term care insurers allow you to pay for your coverage with a lump sum. That means you must arrange a partial exchange every year to pay the annual insurance premiums, and only a

handful of long-term care insurers — including Genworth and Northwestern Mutual — have systems in place to support partial exchanges. Another option is to exchange your policy for one that combines life insurance with long-term care coverage. Lincoln Financial’s MoneyGuard Reserve Plus policy, for example, provides a pool of funds that can be used for long-term care or a death benefit. “If you [ultimately] don’t need long-term care coverage, there’s still a death benefit that’s passed to heirs,” said Mike Hamilton, vice-president for institutional product management at Lincoln. Or you could exchange your policy for one that includes a long-term care insurance rider. If you need long-term care, the policy will typically withdraw money from the death benefit. If that fund is exhausted, the rider kicks in, generally extending

coverage for another two to four years. Make sure you understand the terms of these policies, which may have restrictions. Long-term care insurance typically becomes available once you need help with at least two daily activities, such as bathing and dressing. However, some long-term care riders don’t pay benefits unless a doctor certifies that you are terminally ill, said Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. A financial planner can help you find a policy that suits your needs. Look for a

planner who works with more than one insurer and has experience in both longterm care and life insurance planning. You can also get information from a specialist at the American Association for LongTerm Care Insurance, at www.aaltci.org. Sandra Block is a senior associate editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. Kiplinger’s has a new service to pinpoint the ideal time to claim Social Security to maximize benefits. Visit http://kiplinger.socialsecuritysolutions.com. © 2012 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

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Ongoing

NEW TAX CREDIT FOR HOMEOWNERS Howard County homeowners who make qualified improvements to

make their homes more accessible — such as ramps, stair glides and grab bars — may be eligible to receive a tax credit against their county tax bill under the county’s new Livable Homes Tax Credit program. Visit www.howardcountymd.gov/livablehomes for more information and downloadable forms. For information by phone, contact the Department of Finance at (410) 313-2062 or Maryland Access Point at (410) 313-5980.

Mar. 1+

WORK AT AN ARTS CAMP THIS SUMMER The Howard County Arts Council needs paid camp assistants and unpaid volunteers for its 2013 Visual and Performing Arts

Summer Camps, offered June 24 through August 16. Priority consideration is given to applications received by March 1. For more information, visit www.hocoarts.org or call (410) 313-2787.

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You’re on top of your medications. But we make a good back up. You know it’s important to stay on your medications exactly as prescribed. However, if you miss a dose, want a lower-cost alternative, or experience any side effects, we can answer any questions. Speak to your local CVS Pharmacist to learn more. Find a store near you at www.cvs.com

M A R C H 2 0 1 3 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 3

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Travel

Leisure &

How to avoid surprises when booking non-refundable hotels online. See story on page 25.

Try a multi-generation reunion in Orlando

A resort built for families Next came the choice of accommoda-

tions. After countless Internet searches, one place emerged as the odds-on favorite. Reunion Resort lives up to its name in every way. It’s a place for family members to gather, have fun, reconnect and spend quality time together. When the day of our departure arrived, our family descended upon the land of sun and fun from Washington, D.C., Denver and Chicago. As each group arrived at the Reunion Resort, we soon understood how it got that name. As it turned out, the grandchildren would have been satisfied to spend virtually all of their time at the 2,300-acre complex. During our initial visit to the resort’s five-acre water park, their eyes widened, their mouths opened in amazement and they took off in different directions. Talya, age 4, and her brother Josh, 3, are daredevil divers who headed for the boards and plunged into the large pool time after time. Becca climbed into an inner tube float and disappeared around a bend of the Lazy River, which meanders through the park. After several minutes she drifted past those of us waiting by the man-made stream, gave a happy wave and continued on her voyage. In the meantime, 7-year-old Ellie had discovered the multiple slides in the water park. As soon as she emerged from an enclosed tunnel and splashed into the water below, she scrambled up a ladder for anoth-

PHOTO COURTESY OF WONDER WORKS

By Victor Block Nine-year-old Becca stopped in her tracks, pointed across the street and stared in amazement. “Look, Grandpa, that building is upside down!” Sure enough, the massive white structure appeared to be standing on its head. The point of its roof was smashed into the ground, as if the edifice had fallen from the sky. Where the top of the building should have been were ersatz grass and several palm trees that appeared to be growing down rather than up. Even the name over the entrance portico was upside down but readable: WonderWorks. And a wonder it was — one of many encountered during a 10-person, three-generation trip to Orlando, Fla. Another wonder was that Walt Disney World, which attracts families like bees to honey, was not the focus of our stay. As a result, we saved time, because crowds elsewhere usually are smaller, as well as money, which at Walt Disney World seems to disappear more quickly. Planning for this intergenerational sojourn took months, involving numerous emails and long-distance telephone calls. The first priority was selecting a destination that well suited to family members whose ages span seven-plus decades. Orlando had appeal as home to seven major theme parks, more than 25 smaller attractions and abundant sunshine.

PHOTO BY ARIANNE NICHOLSON

Beacon travel writer Victor Block, his wife Fyllis Hockman, their adult children and five grandchildren took an intergenerational vacation to Orlando, Fla., meeting up at the Reunion Resort, which features a water park, spa and other activities for all ages.

The “upside down” WonderWorks building houses more than 100 interactive educational exhibits geared to the younger set. It is one of many attractions that make Orlando a good destination for intergenerational vacations.

er thrilling ride. Adding to the fun was a huge bucket overhead that slowly filled with water, tipped and doused anyone standing below. After sliding, swimming, floating and being drenched by an occasional torrent of water, our grandchildren took to the land. Organized games, both for kids alone and with their parents and grandparents, take place throughout the day. A spa offers the usual relaxing and rejuvenating services plus some extras. For example, while many spas offer water or tea following a message, here it was champagne. Then there’s golf. While the children may be enjoying half- and full-day camp sessions, their parents can head for the fairways. The resort is the only place in the world with courses designed by golf legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.

Out to the theme parks Given the something-for-everyone appeals of the Reunion Resort, it became a challenge to persuade members of the younger generation to head out for other, very different settings. Once there, the challenge became convincing them that we had to return to the resort for dinner. For Fyllis and me, the wacky world of WonderWorks — which bills itself as an indoor amusement park for the mind — was a personal favorite. From the topsy-turvy building to the imaginative experiences in-

side, our first challenge was to keep up with the youngsters as they flitted from floor to floor and room to room. A simulated hurricane and earthquake proved to be just frightening enough for the young ones to enjoy without prompting nightmares. While Fyllis kept her eyes tightly closed during most of a 4-D roller coaster movie, Talya begged to see it again — and again. The older kids were fascinated by a simulated space shuttle ride and mind control game. The little ones spent a long time creating giant soap bubbles which they then delighted in popping. WonderWorks more than lives up to its claim that “the unexplainable will come to life and the unusual will be the norm.” General admission prices are $25 for adults; $20 for children 4 to 12 and visitors 55 and older Not far away, the Old Town theme park entertains children of all ages, and adults brave enough to accompany them, with rides that range from adrenaline rushing to tame enough for 3-year-olds. In the Kid’s Town area, little ones can hop on a merrygo-round, go for a spin in flying tea cups, and ride the Wacky Worm Kiddie Coaster. We adults held our collective breaths as Ellie, fearless mountain climber to be that she is, decided to conquer a ropes course that rose more than 40 feet above ground. See ORLANDO, page 24

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Orlando From page 23 She clambered to the highest level, then confidently made her way over a series of plank bridges that swayed in the breeze. Even though she was attached to a safety wire over her head, we resumed normal breathing only after she descended and her feet touched Mother Earth again. More to the liking of Ellie’s grandparents was Main Street, several blocks of shops that range from fun to funky and conjure up images of years past. While the children were mesmerized by the glitter of stones in Black Market Minerals, we reminisced at the general store and enjoyed a treat at the A&W Root Beer shop. There’s no admission charge to Old Town, but you pay for each ride and activity. If aptly named Old Town speaks to the

past, Legoland looks to the future. Any child who has played with Legos (and how many haven’t?) is sure to be entranced by giant figures, familiar characters and entire mini-cities made of oversized Legos. The park is divided into themed zones, and we had to move quickly to keep up with the little ones as they explored every one. They sampled many of the rides, which range from roller coasters to the youngsters’ first experience driving a minicar and navigating a boat. Even waiting lines, which are encountered at virtually every theme park, became part of the fun for the youngsters. While their parents and grandparents held their place, the younger set headed for play areas filled with small mountains of Legos. When the adults reached the front of the line, we had to convince the little ones to leave the Legos and join us for the

BEACON BITS

Mar. 4

PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW TRIP Join the Department of Recreation & Parks’ bus tour to the

Philadelphia International Flower show on Monday, March 4, leaving at 8 a.m. and returning at 7 p.m. The indoor show offers acres of gardens, plant and floral designs, this year featuring the horticulture of the United Kingdom. Registration is $83. For more information, call Ginny Russ at (410) 313-7279 or to register, call (410) 313-7275.

M A R C H 2 0 1 3 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

next ride or attraction. Legoland is not inexpensive. General admission costs $76 (children and seniors are $66), but there’s enough going on there to fill an entire day. Following each excursion, we headed back to the Reunion Resort to prepare dinner, reminisce about our experiences, and plan the next fun, frolic and family togetherness. Each evening, Talya proclaimed, “That was the best day ever” — until the one that followed. That observation alone made it the best family trip ever for her parents and grandparents as well.

Plans and preparations Here’s a brief checklist that can help assure that an intergenerational family vacation will be a delight rather than a disaster. Picking a place. While the Orlando area (and Reunion Resort) turned out to be perfect for our family, you might choose something very different. Whether you prefer a winter ski trip, dude ranch, visit to a large city or any other experience, take into account the wishes of everyone, from oldest to youngest. Plan together. While adults obviously make the major decisions, such as where to go and how to get there, let the youngest family members take part in the planning process. Give them a list of things to do and see, and let them make choices for part of the time. R and R. When young children are involved, set aside time for rest and relaxation. A crying, complaining, overtired youngster is not having fun and neither are any adults within earshot. Enjoy down time. Some of the most enjoyable moments and best memories often result when family members are just relaxing together. Our evening meal preparation, followed by card and board games, were times of fun and bonding.

Be flexible. Plans made can be plans broken. If an attraction you wish to visit is closed, have a fallback position. If you get a rainy day, have a Plan B of indoor activities. Keep a sense of humor. Along with many benefits, intergenerational travel can have moments — or longer — of challenge. It’s important for the adults to set the tone by remaining relaxed and dealing calmly with any problems that might arise. That will make it more likely that children will do so as well.

If you go Sharing family fun in an upside down building, exploring a reproduced vintage town, and marveling at a wonderland of super-sized Legos turned out to be enjoyable for our three-generation travel group. But many of the most meaningful hours were spent at the Reunion Resort, where we shared two adjacent, spacious suites. Winter rates begin at $299 for one-bedroom suites, and at $399 for two-bedroom suites, and special packages are offered year-round. In addition to high-rise buildings with condo-like apartments, the property also rents villas and homes with private pools. While there are numerous restaurant and café establishments at the resort, cooking your own meals in the fullyequipped kitchens in every suite can stretch your travel dollar. And remember, every hour spent enjoying the resort’s attractions and activities is an hour not spending money at a theme park. For more information about the Reunion Resort, visit www.reunionresort.com or call 1-877-845-9163. For information about the Orlando area, including theme parks and other attractions, see www.visitorlando.com or call 1800- 972-3304. The least expensive roundtrip fare from BWI to Orlando in mid-March is $204 on AirTran.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 3

Be careful with nonrefundable hotel deals A traveler I know recently reserved a tations for what we should get as part of room at a hotel in Florence, Italy at a dis- the room rate: • Housekeeping services counted — but nonrefundable • Air-conditioning in sum— price through Booking.com. mer, heating in winter He thought he had scored a • In most of the world, nonvery good deal: good price, smoking rooms available good location, good-looking • Elevators in any building rooms. Good, that is, until he higher than two floors got the conforming email, • Full-time accessibility to which had a notice at the bota front desk or equivalent tom: “Important Information: • In-room cable or satellite Please note the building has TV no lift [i.e., elevator].” • Acceptance of major All of a sudden, the deal TRAVEL TIPS credit cards turned into not-so-good. This By Ed Perkins • In addition, no-charge Wi-Fi has become traveler has a bad back. And the last thing he needed was a two- or three-story staircase a necessity for many travelers These days, you can pretty much be schlep, with baggage, to his hotel room. He immediately contacted Booking.com to can- sure that any 3- or 4-star city hotel will procel, but an agent told him, “Sorry; the hotel vide all or most of those amenities anywhere in the world (although you can still refuses to refund a nonrefundable rate.” The agent went on to note that the hotel description page on Booking.com’s website posted the same notice, at the very bottom. He got the same response directly from the hotel. I checked the Booking.com website, and the warning was there, as claimed. When I checked the same hotel on Expedia, however, I found no such warning — yet Expedia also offered a nonrefundable rate. The absence of an elevator was not even noted on the pull-down “accessibility” menu. If you book through Expedia, you could be in for a nasty surprise after you arrive.

expect some charges for Wi-Fi). For that reason, you can feel pretty safe in taking advantage of a nonrefundable discount or buying through an opaque site such as Hotwire or Priceline. Even then, however, before you commit you might want to know about onsite parking, pet acceptance, accessibility, availability of laundry and cleaning, food service, swimming pool, and a lot more. But expectations change dramatically for smaller inns, B-and-Bs, and older, small hotels, especially in Europe. You often find no elevators, part-time reception desks, no swimming pool and no TV or Wi-Fi.

How to avoid surprises The lessons here are obvious, if you need a special facility or service: • Always check the complete fine print available on a booking website, and if your

need isn’t addressed specifically, check with the website or directly with the hotel before you buy. • If possible, check TripAdvisor or some other traveler review site. Although Expedia’s listing didn’t show “no elevator,” several reports posted by earlier travelers indicated this information. • Be extremely cautious any time you book any hotel you think might differ from the “standard” expectations — and especially one that is obviously “quaint” or quirky. My own personal rule is even stiffer. I book nonrefundable rooms only at modern, 3- or 4-star city hotels. And I never book a nonrefundable room at a downmarket city hotel or quaint inn. Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. © 2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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Always read the fine print This little story illustrates a fundamental truth about “nonrefundable” hotel rates: You can never assume you’ll get what you usually expect at a hotel. Instead, you get only what is explicitly promised in the fine print. My friend claims that most other travelers would probably do as he did, and not scroll down the entire page to see all of the details. He’s probably right. But the fact remains that he had the opportunity to find the “no elevator” news before he committed, and he failed to do so. Hotels have no legal requirement to provide any specific facilities and services other than to comply with applicable safety rules and maintain a secure environment. But almost all of us have a cluster of expec-

BEACON BITS

Mar. 25

CHERRY BLOSSOMS CRUISE

No guarantee, but cherry blossoms are expected to greet you on an Odyssey cruise down the Potomac River in Washington, DC, the highlight of a Recreation & Parks bus tour to the Nation’s Capital leaving at 9:30 a.m. and returning at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 25. Tickets are $90 and include lunch. For more information, call (410) 313-7279. To register, call (410) 313-7275.

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M A R C H 2 0 1 3 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Style Arts &

Vocalist Rob Zappulla will present a tribute to Frank Sinatra at the Columbia Orchestra concert in March.

Orchestrating Columbia concerts for all

NOW OPEN

ly for those folks who remember these tunes when they first came out,” said Tedd Griepentrog, 54, the orchestra’s executive director. “Some of them have let us know they prefer afternoons rather than evening concerts, so we’re happy we can oblige on this one.” As always, the whole family is invited, and since it is St. Patrick’s Day, there will be also be a Celtic celebration with the Teelin Irish Dance Company, as well as another guest performer, vocalist Rob Zappulla, in a tribute to Frank Sinatra. Next up for the orchestra is a classical concert of Wagner and Stravinsky on June 1 at the Rouse Theatre. There will also be free chamber music concerts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 20 and Saturday, May 11. The chamber concerts will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia.

Experienced musicians “It’s quite a full season for an all-volunteer orchestra,” Griepentrog noted. “But our players are excited by the challenges and the growing opportunities to expand their repertories.”

NOW OPEN

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COLUMBIA ORCHESTRA

By Anne Ball If ever there were an artistic entity that personifies Howard County’s diverse communities, it surely is the all-volunteer Columbia Orchestra. At one of its typical Saturday night concerts filling the auditorium of the James Rouse Theatre in Wilde Lake, the audience is a mix of generations. Some are enjoying a date night; others are relishing music they’ve listened to for a lifetime, while whole families come out to introduce their youngest members to some serious modern and classical works. And this is intentional. With moderatelypriced tickets, rehearsals open to all ages, and individual musicians of varied backgrounds, the 85-plus member orchestra has become a recognized fixture in the county’s cultural scene. Next up is a salute to baby boomers and several classes ahead of them in school. It’s a “Symphonic Pops” concert of Broadway shows and movie blockbusters in a nostalgia concert on Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. A Sunday matinee of the performance takes place on March 17 at 3 p.m. “We added the Sunday matinee especial-

The Columbia Orchestra, now in its 35th season, attracts music fans of all ages and offers the audience a chance to meet the musicians at a reception after each concert.

He explained that many of the players have performed with other orchestras or chamber groups previously. While a number of them are currently music teachers and have advanced degrees in their instruments, most are from other occupations — doctors, lawyers, retail associations — “but everyone has a love of music.” Auditions are held annually in August. Griepentrog’s background includes 20 years as the saxophone soloist with the U.S. Army Field Band, performing in all 50 states and 14 countries. He earned a masters degree in Arts Administration from

Goucher College and signed on as Executive Director of the Columbia Orchestra when he retired from the military in 2003. He currently teaches music classes at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Glen Burnie.

Started as chamber group Now in its 35th season, the orchestra has grown to its present size from a few local string players who got together to play classical music as the Columbia Chamber Orchestra. See ORCHESTRA, page 29

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Leipzig String Quartet “Rich, mellow, unadulterated beauty” combined with an outrageous, ear-popping production of a new work by Jörg Widmann ! "#$ $# %& '())&*!

Candlelight Concerts

Program: Philip Glass: String Quartet No. 2, “Company” Tan Dun: Eight Colors; Widmann: Quartet No. 3, “Hunt” Brahms: Quartet in A minor, Op. 51 No. 2

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Concert at 8:00 PM Pre-Concert Talk: 7:15 PM Smith Theatre, Howard Community College Columbia, MD

Hermitage Piano Trio – piano, violin, cello “. . . such power and sweeping passion” will +eave you “nearly out of breath.”

! ,-& ./)-("0$#" 1#)$ Program: Beethoven Piano Trio Cycle Concert #2 Trio in G Major, Op. 1 No. 2; Trio No. 8 in E-flat Major, WoO 38 Trio in G Major, Op. 121a, “Kakadu Variations”; Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 70 No. 2

410.997.2324 www.candlelightconcerts.org Funded in part by grants from: Maryland State Arts Council, Howard County Arts Council through a grant from Howard County, Columbia Foundation, Rouse Company Foundation, and Paul M. Angell Family Foundation.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 3

Honoring two of the area’s ‘dance treasures’ By Carol Sorgen A lifetime’s dedication to dance will be celebrated when Lester Holmes of Columbia and Ed Terry, who lives in Baltimore, receive the Dance Treasure Award from Dance Baltimore on March 3 at the Eubie Blake Cultural Center. Dance Baltimore, a nonprofit arts service organization now celebrating its 10th anniversary, will present the annual award to each artist for their “artistic excellence and tireless service and contribution to dance throughout the Baltimore metropolitan community,” said Dance Baltimore founder and president Cheryl Goodman. “There are many talented dance professionals in Baltimore,” said Goodman, “but this was really an easy choice. They’re both so deserving.”

“Smitten” by dance Holmes, 57, began studying dance as a youngster, first taking lessons from his

aunt, who was a dance teacher. “I really liked it, but little boys weren’t encouraged to dance, so I left it behind until I went to high school,” he said. “By then, I didn’t care what others thought.” Holmes pursued a theater arts degree at Southern Illinois University, after which he was hired as an acrobat with Great Adventure Amusement Parks in New Jersey. He took advantage of his proximity to New York, went on auditions, and began a successful career in New York City, performing on and offBroadway, on television and in nightclubs. He began his teaching career in NYC in 1982 and was on the dance faculty of the well-known Broadway Dance Center. Eventually, however, “New York became just too much for me,” Holmes said, explaining, “I’m just a small-town boy at heart.” He left BDC to teach and choreograph in Italy for almost four years. One of his dance teachers was a good friend of Baltimore’s legendary dance studio owner, Wally Saunders,

and after Saunders died, Holmes moved to Baltimore in 1993 and took over the studio until he closed it in 2000. Three of his former students are now professional dancers with major companies throughout the U.S. Holmes has also taught at Essex Community College, Howard Community College, the Peabody Preparatory and St. Timothy’s School, and is currently on the faculty at Towson University and Goucher College. He has taught and continues to teach workshops, master classes and

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See DANCE, page 28

Symphonic Pops

Saturday, March 16, 2013 • 7:30 .. Sunday, March 17, 2013 • 3:00 .. Jim Rouse Theatre, Columbia, MD PHOTO COURTESY OF DANCE BALTIMORE

Lester Holmes of Columbia, who has danced since he was a teen, will be presented with a Dance Treasure Award from Dance Baltimore on March 3.

camps, as well as to choreograph in various schools, studios and theaters in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. Community. Holmes is grateful for the recognition the Dance Treasure Award brings him. “I think I’ve made a mark here, and I’m happy that people know who I am,” he said. But it’s the love of dance that has inspired him all these years, Holmes said. “You just get smitten with it and it never leaves you.”

Buy your tickets early for our most popular program! Featuring “A Tribute to Frank Sinatra” with vocalist Rob Zappulla, “A Celtic Celebration” with the Teelin Irish Dancers, movie music, and more! Rob Zappulla sponsored by

www.columbiaorchestra.org

(410) 465-8777

We’re a coalition of nonproﬁts, agencies, businesses and professionals who come together to advocate for and help older adults.

Learn more by calling (410) 997-0610 or visit us at www.cogsmd.org.

march membership meeting date: Wednesday, March 27, 8:30 – 10 a.m. Location & breakfast sponsor: Morningside House of Ellicott City 5330 Dorsey Hall Dr., Ellicott City 21042

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speakers: Rita Mayhew, MMT, MT-BC, music therapist Jeannie Finnegan, therapeutic music performer topic: The therapeutic beneﬁts of music Thank you to our 2013 Executive Members PLatinum member The Beacon Newspapers

GoLd members Being There Senior Care, LLC • Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park Howard County Oﬃce on Aging • Visiting Angels

siLver members Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr, LLP • Deborah L. Herman, CPA Ellicott City Health & Rehabilitation Center (Communicare) • Ellicott City Pharmacy • EMA – Copper Ridge

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Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Dance From page 27

Tapping toward acclaim Terry, who is 77 and lives in the Mt. Vernon area of Baltimore, is well-known as an educator and performer in the art of tap dance, despite the fact that he didn’t turn to dancing professionally until he retired from a career as library director at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “I took lessons as a child growing up in Atlantic City,” Terry recalled, “but as I grew older and began my career, I kept that part of my life in the background.” After he retired, however, he began teaching tap dance, first to his friends, Linda Hollis and Sevalyn White, and then at various schools throughout Baltimore, including Baltimore City Community College, where he was adjunct professor of fine arts from 2000 through 2007. He was also a member of the dance faculty at Flair Studio in Catonsville from

M A R C H 2 0 1 3 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

1990 through 2008, where he taught intermediate and advanced classes to aspiring professionals as well as adults interested in the aerobic and recreational aspects of tap. In addition, he was a founding member of Tapsichore, Baltimore’s senior tap ensemble (members are age 50 to 76). Terry’s choreography has been seen at Artscape, the nation’s largest annual celebration of the arts; Ageless Grace, Dance Baltimore’s annual concert for dancers over 40; and the 2012 Innovations in Aging Expo and Conference at the National Harbor. He has held master classes in tap at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, Morgan State University, the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Johns Hopkins University, and Arena Players, Inc. Terry has been a member of the Arena Players, the nation’s oldest, continuously operating black community theater in the U.S. (since 1956), and a member of its board of directors for a number of years. He said he’s grateful for all the support the theater has given him and his dance

company — today made up of himself, Linda Hollis, Sevalyn White, and boyhood friend George Stamps — through the years. From Terry’s viewpoint, it was television that caused the downturn of interest in tap. “Once you could see it on Ed Sullivan, you didn’t need to go see it in person anymore,” he lamented. But he is happy that there seems to be a resurgence of attention recently, perhaps in part due, ironically, to such television programs as “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing with the Stars.” Since Terry never expected to have a career in dance, much less one begun later in life, he’s especially pleased about being honored by Dance Baltimore. “It looks like I really have done something!” he said. While not everyone needs to pursue a dance career, of course, Terry strongly encourages people of all ages to step it up. “You’re never too old to dance,” he said. “It’s got the health benefits of jogging, but when you add the rhythm, music and ca-

Sixth Annual Governor’s Leadership in Aging Awards

maraderie, you’ve got something special!”

Upcoming programs A variety of special events and activities are scheduled throughout the year to recognize Dance Baltimore’s 10-year anniversary. Its annual concert, Ageless Grace, is a presentation of dance by performers age 40 and over, and features soloists, duos and ensembles performing in a wide variety of dance, including modern, ballet, Caribbean, belly-dance, tap and more. This year’s performance will take place on Sunday, April 21, at Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St. Terry and Holmes will be presented with the Dance Treasure Award from Dance Baltimore on Sunday, March 3 at 5 p.m. at the Eubie Blake Cultural Center, 848 N. Howard St. Tickets are now available at $12 per person or a table of eight for $80. The ceremony will include a reception with light fare. For more information, visit www.dancebaltimore.org or email info@dancebaltimore.org.

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

For Excellence and Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Aging and Quality of Life for Seniors Categories Trailblazer: An individual, community group, business or organization that has demonstrated leadership in advocacy or developed an innovative program, research or training for seniors. Visual or Performing Arts: An individual 60 or older, or a group (members must be 55 or older) who has demonstrated excellence in the visual or performing arts. Health and Vitality: An individual 60 or older, who demonstrates a commitment to healthy living, and who serves as a role model to others.

Nomination Information Select a category. Submit a nomination form (below) and a 500-word-or-less description or recommendation (why the nominee meets the criteria). Visual Arts nominations must be accompanied by photos, slides or a CD of artwork. Performing Arts nominations must be accompanied by a DVD or web link to a video sharing site (e.g., YouTube). Nominations that do not require supporting materials may be faxed to Wesley Wood at (410) 333-7943. Download additional nomination forms at www.aging.maryland.gov. For more information, call (410) 767-2075 or 1-800-243-3425.

Nomination Form Person or Group Nominated: Name:___________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Daytime Phone:__________________________ Evening Phone:__________________________ Fax:__________________________ E-mail:____________________________________________ Category of nomination: ____________________________________________________________ Nominator Information: ❒ Self Nomination (check box if you are nominating yourself) Name:___________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Daytime Phone:__________________________ Evening Phone:__________________________ Fax:__________________________ E-mail:____________________________________________ E-mail form with your recommendation (500 words or less) and supporting materials to: wwood@ooa.state.md.us

Or mail to: Mr. Wesley Wood Maryland Department of Aging Governor’s Leadership in Aging Awards 301 W. Preston St., #1007 Baltimore, MD 21201

NOMINATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED OR E-MAILED BY APRIL 5, 2013

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M A R C H 2 0 1 3

Orchestra

Meet the musicians

From page 26 Among that early group was Bruce Newhall, who worked at the Applied Physics Lab and played the viola as a hobby. When the group expanded to include woodwinds several years later, his wife Elaine, now 59, said she was “first in line to sign up.” Elaine currently is the principal flutist in the orchestra and has a private flute studio in her home in the King’s Contrivance area of Columbia. For her, it is all about the interactions — orchestra members with other orchestra members, orchestra with audiences, and especially with young people. The orchestra offers a “Meeting the Instruments” program at early child centers, and has a partnership with Howard County Public Schools to present free educational programs during the day. Musical Conductor Jason Love, in his 14th year with the orchestra, has a number of youth-related musical activities on his resume, including 13 years as artistic director and conductor of the Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra and four years as the conductor of the Chesapeake Youth Repertory Orchestra in Annapolis. Not limiting his attention to youth, Love also traditionally gives the audience at each performance a short introduction to every piece, explaining the thinking of the composer and techniques to watch for during different segments.

For every concert, there is an open rehearsal one evening at the Gathering Place in Clarksville. There, adults and children can mix and mingle with the musicians, sit next to them, and follow the music as they rehearse. Then they can speak with them afterwards. The orchestra also presents a free preconcert discussion just prior to each performance. Called “Preludes,” the informal talks explore the stories and ideas behind the concert’s selections. Another tradition that has evolved over the years is a “meet and greet” after each performance. The audience is invited to mingle with the musicians and chat over snacks that the orchestra members bring in. At the reception following the February concert the night before the Super Bowl, principal bassist Al McLaine, 66, roped a string of Ravens purple beads around his starched white collar dress shirt before walking into the reception area. He was warmly greeted by others in Ravens gear — and the talk was lively and congenial. The orchestra’s growing number of fans can learn more about each of the musicians and keep track of the concert schedules on the group’s website, www.columbiaorchestra.org. More information is also available by calling (410) 465-8777. The orchestra maintains offices at the Howard County Center for the Arts at 8501 High Ridge Rd. in Ellicott City.

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Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Get Me Out Of Here by Stephen Sherr 1

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