May 2011 DC Beacon Edition

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VOL.23, NO.5

Finding freedom on two wheels

MAY 2011

I N S I D E …

PHOTO COURTESY OF LINDA CRILL

By Barbara Ruben When Linda Crill was widowed six years ago, she tried to follow the advice of friends on how to move beyond her grief.

They encouraged her to focus on eating well and getting lots of exercise and sleep.

Crill started bicycling up to 120 miles a week, sleeping nine hours a night, and “eating more holistically than Whole Foods.” None of it helped.

“I was still miserable 18 months later,” said Crill, who is now 62 and lives in Reston, Va. “I finally blew up one day and said, ‘I’m an overachiever and it’s not working.’ I thought, what is the most extremely opposite thing I could think of to all this advice?”

So Crill bought a BMW touring motorcycle, and within a month joined a group of bikers on a 2,500-mile ride along the Pacific Coast.

Despite her initial feelings of utter terror at riding in rush-hour traffic — not to mention riding up the steep ramp of a ferry boat in Vancouver and on a road that suddenly deteriorated to hazardous, tire-spewing gravel in California — Crill became a convert and found a way to recover joy in her life.

“When I’m riding on back roads…you don’t let your mind just wander like in a car. You’re constantly there. That’s what so many of us like.

“The joy of motorcycling isn’t to get somewhere. It’s to enjoy the ride,” Crill said. She’s also made many new friends on her trips through the U.S. and Mexico.

An added bonus of taking up motorcycling was that her daughter thought she was cool. “My daughter was in college and at the age where many people don’t want to bring their friends home to meet their parents.

“As soon as they found out I went motorcycling, all of them wanted to meet me.

I became sort of a status symbol for her,” Crill recalled.

Crill, a former executive coach, writes a blog about her experiences called “Blind Curves” (www.blindcurves.com). Recent entries have titles like “Welcoming the voice of fear,” and “First aid for lost passion.”

The online blog has brought her many fellow travelers and interested readers, and has led her to compile her many stories into a memoir she hopes to publish soon with the title Blind Curves.

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LEISURE & TRAVEL

Linda Crill discovered motorcycling in her late 50s, taking off on a 2,500-mile trip down the Pacific coast just a month after learning to ride. Baby boomers outnumber younger riders two to one, and women over 50 are catching the spirit as well.

The good life in the heart of Italy; plus, cool summers on Adirondack lakes, rental car insurance concerns, and cards to keep in your wallet while traveling page 37

Motorcycles go mainstream There may once have been a stereotype of motorcyclists as “toughs” or “hoodlums,” but that has changed as motorcycles have become more mainstream means of transportation and recreation.

Since 1998, 1.25 million American households have added a motorcycle to their family’s vehicles, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. And Harley-Davidson reports that their average rider today has an income of $80,000 to $90,000.

With their “who me? I’m not getting older” mentality, it’s not surprising that baby boomers make up a majority of motorcyclists. Today, boomers outnumber

younger motorcycle owners two to one.

And though motorcycling is still primarily a male sport, more women are joining them on the road. According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, more than 4 million women in the U.S. know how to ride.

Gaby Rudderow rode a small Honda motorcycle through college, business school, and even to work as a young adult.

But when she got married, she was convinced to sell her bike.

“My husband…didn’t like that I rode. I was very upset by that, but I told myself, ‘I’m going to have children and I’m not See MOTORCYCLES, page 14

FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k Diabetes cure on the horizon?

LAW & MONEY 20 k How to tap into the bull market SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

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ARTS & STYLE 45 k Kathleen Turner’s divine roles PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE

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

In fund we trust — not In my column last month, I wrote about In the midst of the budget crisis, an old the federal budget deficit and touched on the debate has broken out with new force: role Social Security and its soShould Social Security be called trust fund play. seen as part of the deficit that I know from a number of Washington needs to rein in? groups I’ve spoken to that The White House is balkmany of you still trust in that ing at calls to tackle Social trust fund and feel that Social Security’s financial problems Security will remain solvent now, before baby boomers for years as a result of it. swamp the system. But the There wasn’t space in my massive retirement program, column last month to elaborate like the rest of the governon why I believe that not to be FROM THE ment, is running a deficit and true, so I was planning to ad- PUBLISHER has become part of the argudress the subject this month. By Stuart P. Rosenthal ment on Capitol Hill.

But in the meantime, Stephen Older adults and the disOhlemacher of the Associated Press wrote an abled don’t need to worry about losing their article that I think explains the situation benefits or seeing them cut anytime soon. very well.

The Obama administration is correct in asI therefore cede the balance of my space to serting that Social Security doesn’t face an his analysis. I hope you find it edifying. immediate crisis.

Please share your thoughts on the topic by But the program’s red ink will only get submitting a letter to the editor via mail or worse the longer policymakers don’t act. e-mail.

Last year’s $37 billion operating deficit — the first since the system was last overhauled in the 1980s — is expected to grow to $45 billion this year.

Over the next decade, the program is projected to run up more than $500 billion

in operating deficits if Congress doesn’t act, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

White House officials and some Democrats in Congress say not to worry: Social Security has built up a $2.6 trillion surplus over the past 30 years.

“Social Security benefits are entirely self-financing,” White House budget director Jacob Lew wrote in a recent article in USA Today. “They are paid for with payroll taxes collected from workers and their employers throughout their careers. These taxes are placed in a trust fund dedicated to paying benefits owed to current and future beneficiaries.”

That argument, however, overlooks a nagging fact: The money in the trust funds has already been spent over the years to help fund other government programs. In return, the Treasury Department issued bonds to Social Security, which earn interest and are backed by the government, just like bonds sold in public debt markets.

When Social Security runs a deficit, it redeems its bonds with the Treasury Department to cover the red ink. But Treasury gets the money to pay Social Security the same places the government gets all its money: either from taxes and other revenues or by borrowing it.

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CIRCULATION AUDITED BY

In the short term, Social Security is suffering from a weak economy. Payroll taxes that finance the program are down and applications for benefits are rising because fewer people are working.

Over the next 19 years, Social Security will be further pushed into deficit by the 68 million baby boomers retiring and applying for benefits, even as payroll tax revenues decline due to a shrinking workforce.

“We can either wait and have huge problems, and [Social Security] won’t be here for my kids and grandkids, or we can address it now, make relatively small changes, and make sure that it’s going to be safe for the next 75 years,” said Erskine Bowles, who served as chief of staff under Clinton and co-chaired the recent deficit commission under Obama.

“I think this is all about politics now,” Bowles said, “because I haven’t met anybody here on the left or the right that doesn’t see the arithmetic.”

—AP

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

• Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President of Operations ....Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel 2009 Outstanding Publication Award

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The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (301) 949-9766 • E-mail: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 53 for classified advertising details. Please mail or e-mail all submissions. © Copyright 2011 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

A problem that will grow

Letters to the editor

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.

• Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben

Here is how Lew described the Social Security trust funds when he was budget director under former President Bill Clinton, in Clinton’s 2000 budget request: “These funds are not set up to be pension funds, like the funds of private pension plans. They do not consist of real economic assets that can be drawn down in the future to fund benefits. (emphasis added) Instead, they are claims on the Treasury that, when redeemed, will have to be financed by raising taxes, borrowing from the public, or reducing benefits or other expenditures.”

Few on Capitol Hill are suggesting that the federal government won’t make good

on its IOUs to Social Security. But now that it is time to start repaying Social Security, Lew’s decade-old analysis of where the money will come from still holds true.

Advocates for Social Security say the program is being unfairly blamed for the budget deficit, and they worry that benefits could be put on the chopping block.

They correctly argue that Social Security did not cause the nation’s fiscal problems. For the past 30 years, when Social Security posted big surpluses, the program actually reduced the amount of money the federal government had to borrow on public debt markets.

The problem, as Lew points out, is that the rest of the government has been running up big budget deficits, including a record $1.5 trillion deficit this year. The national debt now tops $14 trillion, which includes the $2.6 trillion owed to Social Security.

Dear Editor: Your editorial “Out on a limb, again” (April) is the finest of the Beacon editorials I have read over the years. I would recommend every senior doomsayer within earshot read it over and over.

Eighty-plus years later, those of us who survived the not-so-Great Depression will not just survive (we may even flourish) when the next downturn occurs (if we live that long) because we learned the long term benefits of “reining in,” doing without and saving.

As you so eloquently state, Mr. Rosenthal, “If we aren’t part of the solution, we’re part of the problem.”

Sammie R. Young, Col., USAF (Retired) Silver Spring, Md. Dear Editor: Since the favorite pastime of folks is to attack the MVA, I wanted to add my two bits. Listen up: my experience is not unique from what I saw and experienced there on April 5.

See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 52

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

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Summertime storms Late spring and early summer feature perhaps the most beautiful weather the Washington area enjoys. But we all know that even pleasant seasons can have power outages due to severe thunderstorms and other extremes of hot weather.

In honor of Older Americans Month, we at Pepco want to share some important severe weather tips with our older customers and those who are caregivers. For more detailed information and additional tips, please visit our Web site at pepco.com.

Suggestions for everyone

Suggestions for caregivers

• Customers who rely on power to run life-sustaining medical equipment should make advance arrangements to stay with friends or family and/or go to a hotel or close-by city in the event of a widespread power outage.

If your loved one resides with you or lives alone, be sure you both follow the general suggestions on the left. If your loved one lives in a condo, retirement community or group home, be sure you can answer these questions: • Is the facility licensed and properly staffed?

• Assemble an emergency “storm kit.” Include a battery-powered radio or television, flashlight, a first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, special needs items, and a list of important and emergency phone numbers.

• Keep at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food and bottled water and have a hand-operated can opener available.

• Make sure you have a corded telephone to use.

Without power, cordless telephones won’t work and cell phones cannot be recharged. FIOS telephone lines have a power backup, but it typically lasts only 8–12 hours.

• Another option is to install a portable generator.

Be sure to operate it outside only, away from doors and windows to avoid deadly carbon monoxide.

• To report an outage, call 1-877-PEPCO 62.

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.

• What are the facility’s emergency plans? Do they have adequate generators and emergency lighting?

Are these regularly tested?

• Do they have well-posted evacuation routes and practice them with residents?

• Are they sufficiently stocked with non-perishable food and water for all residents? If not, be sure your loved one has their own supply.

• By what means can you communicate with management and your loved one in the event of a power outage?

Our recent efforts to trim overhanging tree limbs along 1,600 miles of local roads should help reduce the risk of downed power lines from summer storms.

To further prepare for summer outages, we're hosting emergency preparedness drills and refresher training for our crews and staff.

Nonetheless, if you experience an outage, know that our crews will work to restore your power as safely and quickly as possible. Visit pepco.com for more information.

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

Health Fitness &

PLACEBO EFFECT’S EVIL TWIN Pessimism can override the effectiveness of medical treatments HEART DISEASE AND ED Impeded blood flow links erectile dysfunction and heart disease NOT A FISHY STORY Studies of toenail clippings show that mercury in fish poses few risks THROW YOUR WEIGHT AROUND Strength train using your body weight instead of pricey equipment

Will ‘concierge medicine’ hurt Medicare?

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar Every year, thousands of people make a deal with their doctor: I’ll pay you a fixed annual fee, whether or not I need your services, and in return you’ll see me the day I call, remember who I am and what ails me, and give me your undivided attention.

But this arrangement potentially poses a big threat to Medicare and to the new world of medical care envisioned under President Barack Obama’s health overhaul.

The spread of “concierge medicine,” where doctors limit their practice to patients who pay a fee of about $1,500 a year, could drive a wedge among the insured.

Eventually, people unable to afford the retainer might find themselves stuck on a lower tier, facing less time with doctors and longer waits.

Medicare recipients, who account for a big share of patients in doctors’ offices, are

the most vulnerable. The program’s financial troubles are causing doctors to reassess their participation in the federal program.

But the impact could be broader because primary care doctors are in short supply, and the health law will bring in more than 30 million newly insured patients.

Creating a two-tier system?

If concierge medicine goes beyond just a thriving niche, it could lead to a kind of insurance caste system.

“What we are looking at is the prospect of a more explicitly tiered system where people with money have a different kind of insurance relationship than most of the middle class, and where Medicare is no longer as universal as we would like it to be,” said John Rother, policy director for AARP. Concierge doctors say they’re not out to

exclude anyone, but are trying to recapture the personal connection shredded by modern medicine. Instead of juggling 2,000 or more patients, they can concentrate on a few hundred, stressing prevention and acting as advocates with specialists and hospitals.

“I don’t have to be looking at patient mix and how many are booked per hour,” said Dr. Lewis Weiner, a primary care physician in Providence, R.I., who’s been in a concierge practice since 2005.

“I get to know the individual,” Weiner said. “I see their color. I see their moods. I pick up changes in their lives, new stressors that I would not have found as easily before. It’s been a very positive shift.”

Making the switch can also be economically rewarding. If 500 patients pay $1,500 apiece, that’s gross revenue of $750,000 for the practice. Many concierge doctors also bill Medicare and private insurance for services not covered by their retainer.

Getting what they pay for Patients and family members say the fee is worth it. Linda Popkin lives in New York, far from her 97-year-old mother in Florida. With their mother in a concierge practice, Popkin says she and her siblings have direct access to the doctor as needed.

“If one of us calls the doctor, he calls us back,” she said. “We are involved in all the decisions. We definitely have peace of mind that Mom is seeing a doctor she can speak to if we have any questions. I’m sure you’ve heard the horror stories about people calling the doctor and they can’t get in for three weeks.”

Popkin’s mother didn’t lose her Medicare. She’s still covered for medications, specialist visits, hospitalizations and other services. But she has an additional level of personalized attention.

Her doctor is affiliated with a FloridaSee MEDICARE, page 6

Studies explore possible cure for diabetes

By Andy Coghlan A pioneering hormone treatment may be the secret to an easy life for diabetics, consigning insulin shots and regular glucose monitoring to the medical history books.

Most people associate diabetes with insulin, the pancreatic hormone that dictates how much glucose circulates in blood.

Type 1 diabetics have to inject the hormone because they can’t make it themselves.

Now, the spotlight is turning on insulin’s lesser-known pancreatic twin, glucagon, as a treatment that could control blood glucose levels without the need for daily monitoring.

Whereas insulin clears surplus glucose from the blood after meals, squirreling it away in the liver, muscles and elsewhere, glucagon does the opposite when we are hungry, ordering the liver to release stores of glucose “fuel” into the blood or to make more if none is available.

To investigate glucagon’s role, Roger Unger at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and colleagues engineered mice to lack glucagon receptors so they couldn’t respond to the hormone.

Surprisingly, the mice had normal levels of blood glucose. Then, when the team used a toxin to destroy the pancreatic beta

cells that make insulin, the mice remained diabetes-free.

No glucagon = no diabetes “The bottom line is that without glucagon, you can’t get diabetes,” said Unger. Even more mystifying, when the mice consumed huge amounts of sugar in so-called “glucose tolerance” tests, their blood glucose levels remained normal, irrespective of whether or not they could make insulin.

“The implication for humans is that [without glucagon] you could drink 10 bottles of sugary drinks and your blood sugar would remain the same, with or without insulin,” he said. “This was a huge surprise.”

So theoretically, if glucagon could be safely neutralized in people with type 1 diabetes, their blood glucose levels would stay normal without them having to take insulin or constantly check that level.

“The only potential downside is too little glucose in the blood, or hypoglycemia,” said Unger. But this would only likely become an issue if a person was due to run a marathon, or do something equally energy-sapping. “The answer would be to take a sugary drink with you,” he said.

Will it help humans?

The results in mice are so encouraging that a trial has already begun to see if suppressing glucagon has similar benefits in people with diabetes.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals of San Diego, Calif., is attempting to do this with leptin, a hormone that controls fat uptake by cells but which also dampened the action of glucagon in studies on mice by Unger’s team in 2008.

“It’s the first time that researchers will test leptin, in the form of an analogue called metreleptin, in people with type 1 diabetes to see if it can improve glucose control,” a company spokeswoman said. The volunteers will not go without insulin, but will receive the minimum safe amount.

A different trial of leptin for those with severe insulin resistance is now underway at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. For more information on the study, go to http://1.usa.gov/leptintrial.

Other diabetes researchers are encouraged, but cautious about the developments.

“If you get rid of the glucagon receptor, you get these dramatic changes,” said Alan Cherrington of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn. “But

is it more relevant in rodents than in humans?” he asked.

Many questions remain Cherrington said that the study leaves important questions unanswered. First, where does surplus glucose go in the mice lacking glucagon and insulin?

Unger agrees that this urgently needs investigation and said that tracer studies are underway with labeled glucose so its fate in the animals can be tracked. The most likely destination, according to Cherrington, is the liver, but if so, what happens when it is full?

The key question is: how are the mice managing to regulate glucose if insulin is not involved? Cherrington’s hunch is that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone made in the gut, may be deputizing.

“GLP-1 may affect the liver and muscle in an insulin-like way, ordering them to store glucose,” he said.

Daniel Drucker at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute in Toronto, Canada, who investigates GLP-1 and glucagon, agrees. “Animal models show elimination of glucagon is associated with increased See DIABETES, page 5

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BEACON BITS

June 3

CLINICAL TRIALS FOR CANCER PATIENTS

Join nurse Rose Mary Padberg from the National Cancer Institute to learn how new drugs are discovered, researched and approved for treatment. A light lunch will be provided. This program, on Friday, June 3 from noon to 2 p.m., is free, but reservations are required. It will be held at the Wellness Community - Greater Washington, DC, 5430 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 100, Bethesda, Md. For more information, call (301) 493-5002 or e-mail twcdc@wellnesscommunitydc.org.

May 17+

NIH MEDICINE LECTURE SERIES

Discover the latest in research and treatment for obesity and depression with experts from National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Suburban Hospital. The first lecture, “Confronting Obesity: Updates in Prevention and Treatment Research,” will take place on Tuesday, May 17, and the second lecture “Challenging Depression: New Insights into Research and Treatment” will be held on Tuesday, May 24. Both lectures will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Suburban Hospital Auditorium, 8600 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, Md. Register by calling (301) 896-3939. Lectures are free and open to the public. Light refreshments available at 6:30 p.m. For more information, see www.cc.nih.gov/about/news/mfp.shtml.

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circulation of GLP-1, so this hormone may certainly be playing a role,” he said.

Drucker also said that suppressing glucagon levels, as expected in the leptin treatment, is probably safer than completely blocking the receptors.

That’s because blocking causes the cells that make glucagon to multiply rapidly to increase glucagon output, potentially resulting in the development of a pancreatic tumor. This shouldn’t happen if glucagon action is only dampened.

Another question, of course, is how the finding will translate to people with type 1 diabetes, said Robert Henry of the University of California at San Diego, head of

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From page 4

medicine and science for the American Diabetic Association.

“The animals don’t have any glucagon activity from birth, so would blocking the hormone have different effects in animals or humans already producing it?” he said.

Although cautious, most commentators were confident that the finding could lead to new treatments, or at the very least to new insights challenging the historical pre-eminence of insulin.

“It raises a large number of issues challenging the classic dogma that insulin is the most important hormone in diabetic control,” said Henry. © 2011. New Scientist Magazine. Reed Business Information Ltd. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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Diabetes

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Medicare From page 4 based management company called MDVIP, a wholly owned subsidiary of consumer products giant Procter & Gamble that represents the largest group of concierge physicians in the country.

MDVIP marketing executive Mark Murrison says its doctors do not sell access, but a level of clinical services above what Medicare or private insurance cover.

The cornerstone is an intensive annual physical focused on prevention. About half the patients are Medicare beneficiaries.

Retainer fees range from $1,500 to $1,800 a year, and MDVIP collects $500 of that for legal, regulatory and other support services.

Murrison said the fee is affordable for

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

middle-class households when compared with the cost of many consumer goods and services. “One of our goals is to democratize concierge medicine,” he said.

Why Medicare is worried For now, there may be fewer than 2,000 doctors in all types of retainer practice nationally. Most are primary care physicians, a sliver of the estimated 300,000 generalists.

But the trend caught the eye of MedPAC, a commission created by Congress that advises lawmakers on Medicare and watches for problems with access. It hired consultants to investigate.

Their report, delivered last fall, found listings for 756 concierge doctors nationally, a five-fold increase from the number identified in a 2005 survey by the Govern-

Ride up and down your stairway

ment Accountability Office.

The transcript of a meeting last September at which the report was discussed reveals concerns among commission members that Medicare beneficiaries could face sharply reduced access if the trend accelerates.

“My worst fear — and I don’t know how realistic it is — is that this is a harbinger of our approaching a tipping point,” said MedPAC chairman Glenn Hackbarth, noting that “ you could have a quite dramatic erosion in access in a very short time.”

Another commissioner at the meeting, Robert Berenson, called concierge medicine a “canary in the coal mine.”

Several members said it appears to be fulfilling a central goal of Obama’s overhaul, enhancing the role of primary care and restoring the doctor-patient relationship.

Yet the approach envisioned under the law is different from the one-on-one attention in concierge medicine. It calls for a team strategy where the doctor is helped by nurses and physician assistants, who handle much of the contact with patients.

John Goodman, a conservative health policy expert, predicts the healthcare law will drive more patients to try concierge medicine. “Seniors who can pay for it will go outside the system,” he said.

MedPAC’s Hackbarth declined to be interviewed. But Berenson, a physician and policy expert, said “the fact that excellent doctors are doing this suggests we’ve got a problem.”

“The lesson is, if we don’t attend to what is now a relatively small phenomenon, it’s going to blow up,” he added.

When a primary care doctor switches to concierge practice, it means several hundred Medicare beneficiaries must find another provider.

Medicare declined an interview on potential consequences. “There are no policy changes in the works at this time,” said spokeswoman Ellen Griffith.

For more about the topics and documents referenced, see MDVIP: www.mdvip.com, MedPAC: www.medpac.gov, MedPAC report: http://tinyurl.com/3zjhh4e, GAO survey: http://tinyurl.com/3mela6g.

— AP

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CULTURE AND LONG-TERM CARE Learn about how culture and ethnicity affect decisions concerning long-term care in a discussion with Dr. Arline Rhiannon, a geriatri-

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

7

Pessimistic thinking undermines healing and surreptitiously turned on the drug, the volunteers said their pain improved a fair amount. The painkiller was working, expectations aside.

Here’s the mind over matter: The researchers next told the volunteers they were about to inject the painkiller even though they’d never turned it off. Those pain ratings dropped even more — meaning expectations of relief doubled the drug’s painkilling benefit.

Finally, the researchers lied again, saying they were stopping the drug and that pain would probably increase. Sure enough, the volunteers’ pain levels soared back up to almost their pre-treated level as grim expectations canceled out the effect of a proven and potent painkiller. Anxiety levels fluctuated similarly.

Why? The brain scans tell the tantalizing tale — showing changes in neural pain net-

works that prove the people really did experience the changes in pain that they reported.

Moreover, expecting more pain fired up sections of the brain that control mood and anxiety, the researchers recently reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

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Studying the “nocebo” effect Scientists already know the placebo effect is real. They can measure it in studies that compare real drugs to dummy pills, where those given the fakes have noticeable improvements to pain and other symptoms.

But could a gloomy outlook really harm? British and German researchers performed the most sophisticated study yet to tell. They strapped a heat-beaming device onto the legs of 22 healthy volunteers, zapping it until people rated their pain at nearly 70 on a scale of 1 to 100.

Then the researchers hooked up an IV to give them the powerful morphine-like painkiller remifentanil. Typically used for surgery patients, it works rapidly but also is metabolized rapidly, able to be switched on and off as researchers alternated between giving the drug or plain fluid.

The volunteers’ brains were scanned as they described how much pain, and pain relief, they experienced at different times.

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New brain research proves doctors like Cohen are onto something: Pessimism can override the effectiveness of even powerful treatments.

You’ve heard of the placebo effect, the healing power of positive belief. This is the “nocebo” effect, the flip side, almost its evil twin.

And while the self-fulfilling prophecy of negative thinking isn’t nearly as well studied, some scientists say it’s time for doctors to start paying a lot more attention to their patients’ outlook.

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Health Shorts Medicare covers new prostate treatment Medicare will pay the $93,000 cost of prostate cancer drug Provenge, an innovative therapy that typically gives men suffering from an incurable stage of the disease an extra four months to live. The treatment is

intended for men whose prostate cancer has spread elsewhere in the body and is not responding to hormone therapy or radiation.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid said the biotech drug made by Dendreon Corp. is a “reasonable and necessary” medicine. The decision, which will be finalized by June 30, is important because most prostate cancer patients are 65 or older.

Medicare is legally prohibited from considering price when deciding whether to pay for a new treatment. The Food and Drug Administration approved Provenge last April, and in most cases Medicare automatically

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covers drugs cleared by the agency.

But Medicare’s decision to review whether to cover Provenge last year prompted outrage from some patients and doctors who said the government was looking for a reason to avoid reimbursing for the pricey drug. Dendreon said Provenge’s price reflects the more than $1 billion the company spent researching and developing the drug.

The infused drug is a first-of-a-kind treatment in that each dose is customized to work with a particular patient, arming his own immune system to fight the disease.

It offers an alternative to chemotherapy drugs that attack cancerous and healthy cells at the same time. The median survival time with Provenge is double that of chemotherapy, which is about two months

and is marked by significant side effects.

“It’s impossible to put a dollar figure on a human life, especially when you’re talking about a drug that has such mild side effects,” said Jim Kiefert, a prostate cancer patient and advocate who was part of the Provenge study. “Of all the treatments I’ve had — with surgery, radiation and hormone treatment — Provenge had fewer side effects than any of them.”

Think positive

doctors should at least try building closer relationships with their patients to encourage trust in recommended treatments, said Mass General’s Gollub.

“Building these strong, positive expectations for doing well are part of what comes from believing in your treater as someone who cares about you,” she said.

Directly managing patients’ expectations — spelling out exactly what will happen at different points to take away some of the fear — also can help, said Cohen, chief of spine surgery at Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York.

He teaches new doctors not to promise surgery patients they’ll wake up free from pain because — while the old back pain may be fading — they’re going to hurt from the operation.

When someone says, “’Wow, it’s just like he told it was going to be, this guy told me the truth,’ now you’ve got this bond of confidence,” Cohen said. “You’re partnering with your patient.”

— AP

From page 7

Expectations matter It’s a small study, dealing just with pain.

But the results may apply to a range of drug therapies, especially in chronic diseases.

That’s because so many of those patients are conditioned by months or years or frustrating treatment failures, concluded lead researcher Dr. Ulrike Bingel of Hamburg’s University Medical Center, who teamed with Oxford University researchers for the study.

Learning how anxiety influences pain is crucial to understanding this nocebo effect — how you get the pain you expect, said coauthor and Oxford neuroscientist Irene Tracey, in a recent review of the science of expectations in the journal Nature Medicine.

It’s by no means a novel concept. Previous research has found people given a dummy pill can experience the side effects of the medication they thought they were getting.

While there’s a lot yet to learn, for now

Rejection really does hurt The pain of rejection is more than just a figure of speech.

See HEALTH SHORTS, page 10

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

Introducing Seniority.

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Health shorts From page 8 The regions of the brain that respond to physical pain overlap with those that react to social rejection, according to a study that used brain imaging on people involved in romantic breakups.

“These results give new meaning to the idea that rejection ‘hurts,’” wrote psychology professor Ethan Kross of the University of Michigan and his colleagues.

Co-author Edward Smith of Columbia University explained that the research shows that psychological or social events can affect regions of the brain that scientists thought were dedicated to physical pain. In a way, the scientists are saying “it’s not a metaphor,” Smith said in a telephone interview.

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

The study involved 40 volunteers who went through an unwanted romantic break-up in the previous six months and who said thinking about the break-up caused them to feel intensely rejected.

Functional MRI’s were used to study the brains in four situations: When viewing a photo of the ex-partner and thinking about the break-up; when viewing a photo of a friend and thinking of a positive experience with that person; when a device placed on their arm produced a gentle, comforting warmth, and when that device became hot enough to cause pain, though not physical damage.

The two negative situations — thinking about the loss of a partner and the burn — caused response in the overlapping parts of the brain, the study found.

Previous studies had not shown a rela-

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tionship between physical and emotional pain, but those had used a less dramatic event, such as simply being told someone does not like you, Smith said.

In this case, the volunteers were people who actually had been rejected and still were feeling it, he said.

There is evidence that emotional stress, such as the loss of a loved one, can affect people physically. Smith said studies like this may help researchers devise ways to help people who are sensitive to loss or rejection.

New lupus drug comes from Maryland The FDA recently approved the first new drug to treat lupus in over 50 years, a milestone that medical experts say could prompt development of other drugs that are even more effective in treating the debilitating immune system disorder.

Known as Benlysta, the injectable drug is designed to relieve flare-ups and pain caused by lupus — a little-understood and potentially fatal ailment in which the body attacks its own tissue and organs.

Biotech drugmaker Human Genome Sciences, based in Maryland, spent 15 years developing Benlysta and will co-market it with GlaxoSmithKline PLC. The companies estimate there are at least

200,000 lupus patients in the U.S. who could benefit from the drug.

But experts stress that Benlysta is not a miracle drug: It only worked in 35 percent of North American patients tested and was not effective for patients with the deadliest form of the disease.

Additionally, it did not show positive results in African-Americans, who are disproportionately affected by lupus. The FDA said in its news release it would require the drug developers to conduct another study exclusively on African-Americans.

The drug is approved for systemic lupus erythematosus, the most common form of the disease. Lupus causes fibrous tissue and inflammation of internal organs, skin rashes and joint pain. Most of Benlysta’s benefit came from relieving muscle inflammation versus organ problems.

The disease occurs when the body’s antibodies stop differentiating between foreign invaders and healthy cells. The cause of this malfunction is not understood.

Currently most patients treat their disease with a variety of drugs that help ease inflammation, including painkillers, steroids and anti-malarial drugs — which were first approved for lupus in the 1950s.

Many patients say the side effects of those treatments are nearly as uncomfortable as the disease itself. Steroids can cause bone fractures, weight gain and infection.

— AP

BEACON BITS

May 11

BUILD BETTER BONES Learn the facts about osteoporosis and see if you are at risk in a

discussion with a Suburban Hospital doctor on Wednesday, May 11 from 1 to 2 p.m. Prevention tips will also be covered. The seminar will be held at Friendship Heights Community Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase, Md. To register, call (301) 896-3939.

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

11

Heart disease, erectile dysfunction linked

By Dr, Stephen Kopecky Dear Mayo Clinic: Is there a connection between erectile dysfunction and heart disease?

Answer: Erectile dysfunction — difficulty getting or maintaining an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse — can have many causes, but is commonly associated with heart disease. The connection between these two disorders stems from blood flow, or lack of it.

Prominent in that connection is a condition known as atherosclerosis, sometimes called hardening of the arteries. Cholesterol-laden plaques build up in the arteries, and this causes them to narrow, harden and clog, limiting blood flow.

Clogged arteries can lead to both erectile dysfunction and heart disease. Because clogged arteries in one area of the body likely indicate clogged arteries in other areas, erectile dysfunction can be a sign that a man has a higher risk for heart disease, and vice versa.

The risk factors for erectile dysfunction and heart disease are basically the same. The main factors that increase the risk of both disorders include high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, being overweight, obesity, smoking, diabetes and age.

Age brings changes As men age, their risk for heart disease

and erectile dysfunction increases. Heart disease and erectile dysfunction are uncommon in men in their 40s. Research studies have shown that a man in his 40s who does not have erectile dysfunction has a less than 1 percent likelihood of having narrowed coronary arteries.

But a man in his 40s who has erectile dysfunction has a risk for heart disease that is almost 50 times higher than normal.

In that case, erectile dysfunction indicates the likelihood of early heart disease.

A man who has erectile dysfunction, especially a man in his 40s or 50s, should see his doctor. To accurately assess risk, the doctor will need to review the medical history, conduct a physical exam and, in many cases, order tests that can determine if the arteries to the heart have begun to narrow.

Once a man understands his risk, he should discuss with the doctor how to decrease that risk. That may include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking, and medications that can help, such as drugs to reduce cholesterol or high blood pressure.

Helping one helps the other By modifying risk factors, a man can dramatically lower his risk for heart disease and perhaps help improve erectile function.

For example, obesity is a risk factor for

both erectile dysfunction and heart disease, and losing weight has been shown to help reduce symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

In most men, the risk of heart attack goes down significantly within just a few years of making lifestyle changes that decrease their risk. Although not as much research has been done concerning erectile dysfunction, early studies seem to indicate the same is true for that disorder.

Modifying heart disease risk factors with regular exercise, a healthy diet, effective diabetes management and smoking cessation, for example, decreases significantly the risk of erectile dysfunction.

Another reason men should see their doctors when they experience erectile dysfunc-

tion, no matter what their age, is that the condition may be the first significant sign that a man’s arteries are becoming clogged.

Because the arteries supplying blood to the penis are smaller than those supplying the heart, symptoms of atherosclerosis may first show up as erectile dysfunction, and studies have shown that erectile dysfunction precedes the onset of heart disease symptoms by three to five years.

If you have erectile dysfunction, don’t wait until other symptoms appear. Go to your doctor and ask if the condition could be an early indication of heart disease.

If it is, you may be able to get treatment See ED, page 12

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Health Studies Page

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

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Can exercise help stave off memory loss?

By Barbara Ruben Emerging research suggests that aerobic exercise may be able to help protect against memory loss in older adults.

“Some studies have shown the influence

cardiovascular disease markers can have on cognitive decline,” said Dr. Thomas Obisesan. “But we need more definitive data from well-designed studies.”

Obisesan, chief of geriatrics at Howard

BEACON BITS

May 12

THINK YOURSELF WELL

B’nai Israel Congregation presents Dr. Esther Sternberg, author of many books relating to the central nervous system, at its Hazak program on Thursday, May 12 at noon. Sternberg is recognized for her discoveries relating to the central nervous system, and she frequently lectures on topics such as “How stress can make you sick” and “How believing can make you well.”

Bring a dairy lunch; drinks provided. The event will take place at 6301 Montrose Rd., Rockville, Md. For more information, call Jo at (301) 881-6550.

University Hospital, is leading a study to gather more information about how exercise could help people who might have early memory loss. He is now recruiting people who are 60 or older and are concerned about their memory.

Obisesan said more information is needed, in particular about the effects of exercise among African American seniors. The study is open to people of all races and ethnicities, however.

“This is the first study ever in this population to look at the effect of fitness on memory in a randomized, controlled study,” Obisesan said.

The study is funded by a grant from the National Institute on Aging, part of the Na-

A Study to Evaluate the Effects of Standardized Aerobic Exercise-Training on Memory Are you: • Age 60 years or older?

• Concerned about your MEMORY? • Interested in free exercise training?

tional Institutes of Health.

Volunteers being sought To be eligible for the study, volunteers must be sedentary, participating in no regular physical activity.

Those accepted into the study will be randomly divided into two groups. One group will be assigned to a supervised stretching exercise program, while the other will take part in individualized aerobic exercise training.

Both groups will exercise at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. three times a week for six months. Those in the aerobics group will use treadmills, exercise bikes and elliptical machines. Exercise duration and intensity will be gradually increased.

All participants will also get nutrition education.

In addition to exercising, participants will have a general physical exam and cardiovascular evaluation. They will have their blood pressure monitored and have tests for cholesterol and diabetes. Participants will also get MRI scans of their brains.

All tests and the exercise program are free of charge. Compensation is also offered for taking part in the study.

The study takes place at Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Ave., Washington, DC 20060. For more information or to volunteer, call (202) 865-3776.

ED

Who Can Participate?

From page 11

• Men or postmenopausal women • Sedentary (no regular physical activity)

before heart problems become serious.

Likewise, if you have heart disease, getting the right treatment may help with erectile dysfunction.

Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. To submit a question, write to: medicaledge@mayo.edu, or Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com. © 2011 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

• Fully supervised and individualized aerobic exercise-training • General physical and cardiovascular exam • Blood pressure monitoring

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For more information

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

13

Study shows no risk from mercury in fish

See useful links and resources at www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com

How much fish is healthy?

The American Heart Association recommends that adults eat fish at least twice a week. Pregnant women and young children are advised to avoid fish with the highest mercury concentrations and limit themselves to 12 ounces of fish a week, preferably shrimp, salmon and catfish, which contain lower mercury levels.

While fish contains heart-healthy

omega-3 fatty acids, consumers should also round out their diet with whole grains and fruits and vegetables, experts say.

“Fish intake is important, but we also have to think about the whole package,” said Alice Lichtenstein, a Tufts University nutrition professor and spokeswoman for the heart group, who was not involved in the research.

For fish consumption advisories from the EPA, go to www.epa.gov/mercur y /advisories.htm.

— AP

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Alzheimer’s Drug Study (See ad, p. 13) Gout Study (See ad, p. 46) Memory & Exercise Study (See article and ad, p. 12)

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

The latest government-funded work is the largest to look at this question. Instead of relying on what people said they ate, it measured mercury in their toenails — a good gauge of long-term exposure to the

the recommended limit for pregnant women.

• H EALTH STU DY I N FO • H EALTH STU DY I N FO • H EALTH STU DY I N FO •

Large study finds no danger

metal from fish consumption.

No differences were seen in the rates of heart disease and stroke among those with the highest concentrations of mercury compared to those with the lowest.

“The average person should eat fish as part of a healthy diet,” and not worry about ill heart effects, said Harvard School of Public Health cardiologist Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, who led the research published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The new research in adults used information from two studies of 174,000 health professionals. Some participants sent in toenail clippings when the work started decades ago.

Since toenails grow slowly and at different rates, they are favored over blood samples because they provide a more accurate picture of long-term mercury exposure.

Toenails are also easy to collect and can be stored cheaply.

After an average of 11 years, 3,500 participants who had given nail samples had suffered strokes or developed heart disease. Researchers compared them to an equal number of participants who did not develop those health problems.

After adjusting for factors such as age, gender and smoking, there was no link between mercury exposure and risks for heart disease or stroke.

This was true even at high exposure, where the average toenail mercury levels were 1 microgram per gram — roughly twice

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

By Alicia Chang In an unusual health study, researchers analyzing toxin levels in tens of thousands of toenail clippings determined that mercury from eating fish does not raise the risk of heart disease or stroke.

Health experts have long urged people to eat fish to lower heart risks, but some have worried that the mercury in certain types of fish like shark and swordfish might offset any benefits.

Mercury occurs naturally in soil and rocks, including coal. It gets into the air from coal-fired power plants and other sources, and settles into water.

Small fish absorb mercury when they feed on plankton, and they, in turn, are eaten by bigger fish. Older and larger predator fish — like shark, swordfish and king mackerel — tend to accumulate the highest mercury levels.

In high quantities, the metal can damage the developing brain and nervous system of young children and is a special concern for pregnant women because of potential harm to the fetus. Earlier studies on mercury and heart problems in adults have yielded contradictory results.

14

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Motorcycles From page 1 going to be riding because it’s dangerous” and my children depend on me, said Rudderow.

So Rudderow, now 58, took a 26-year hiatus from riding. But once her four children were grown, she couldn’t resist the lure of the road and bought a new motorcycle in 2003.

“You don’t smell honeysuckle and barbecue and chimney smoke from a car,” she said. “The leaning into the curves and the wind are just indescribable.

“And the things you see from the motorcycle — scenery, bridges, valleys, rainbows, sunrises, sunsets — you don’t see that from a car,” said Rudderow, who lives in Crofton, Md., and works for an architect who also loves to ride.

In 2004, Rudderow rode on her own from Maryland to a family reunion in Quebec.

Over the past eight years alone she’s ridden

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

more than 140,000 miles, earning several awards for her high mileage from a national group for female bikers called Women on Wheels. Rudderow is the director of the group’s local chapter, called Capitol Cruisers (www.capitolcruisers.org).

Like Crill, Rudderow has enjoyed meeting people on her rides. “When you stop, everybody you meet is interested in what you’re doing. When there’s other people on motorcycles, you’re family even if you don’t know these people,” she said.

Honoring veterans Not only local motorcyclists, but hundreds of thousands from across the county roar into Washington each Memorial Day weekend for the Rolling Thunder gathering.

Begun in 1988, the annual event is the trademark activity of the veteran’s group, intended to draw attention to the issue of U.S. prisoners of war and those still missing in action.

This year, more than 250,000 motorcy-

clists — mostly veterans, but also family members and veterans’ advocates —are expected here, and on May 29, members of the group will ride from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in what they call a demonstration ride.

“Demonstration weekend is unbelievable. It’s overwhelming,” said Murray Hall, of Accokeek, Md., who has ridden in Rolling Thunder since 2002. In fact, he bought his motorcycle after watching Rolling Thunder on TV for years.

Hall retired from the military 20 years ago. Now 60, he is president of the Rolling Thunder chapter for Prince George’s, Montgomery, Charles and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland.

According to Hall, the average age of the riders who have been with Rolling Thunder since it started is 60-something.

“Every year you see less of the guys you saw the previous year because their health doesn’t allow them to continue. Some have been affected by Agent Orange.

“You’re there to support the MIA/POW issue, but you’re also there to support those guys who have given their all to be there year after year. [As long as] I have my health and strength I’m going to be there with them,” Hall said.

While Hall enjoys recreational riding, he said that the Memorial Day ride is like nothing else he’s ever experienced. “People set up lawn chairs, and they’re out there cheering and waving [at us]. It’s a touching moment,” he said.

“I’ve talked to guys and encouraged them to attend, and I tell them, ‘You’re never going to feel anything like it.’”

In addition to the Memorial Day ride, local members of Rolling Thunder hold cookouts with wounded veterans at Walter Reed throughout the warmer months and volunteer to assist residents at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.

Among them is Brie O’Neal, 50, who had ridden motorcycles when she was younger, and is now saving to purchase one of her own.

“Working in D.C. in the late 1980s, I used to go down to Memorial Day activities. I heard this huge noise [from Rolling Thunder] and wanted to see what was going on,” recalled O’Neal, who lives in Silver Spring.

“It was just thrilling to see so many motorcycles come together for a single purpose.”

She still attends each year’s events, but finds even more fulfillment in her ongoing participation doing volunteer work with veterans.

“It’s amazing to see what I’ll call our more mature members with the young See MOTORCYCLES, page 15

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ANNUITIES AND YOUR RETIREMENT

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Nick Martinez, a financial adviser from Edward Jones, will help you better understand the basics of annuities at this free class at the Holy Cross Hospital Caregiver Resource Center, 9805 Dameron Dr., Silver Spring, Md. The class will be held on Thursday, May 19 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. To register, call (301) 754-7152.

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Annandale artist Sharon L. Safran presents a retrospective of her life’s work, A Colorful Life, from May 3 to June 14.

A reception for the artist will be held on Sunday, May 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. A multidimensional artist whose career has spanned more than 50 years, Safran will exhibit oil paintings, drawings, watercolors, weaving, stone sculpture, basketry, ceramics, jewelry and more. The exhibit and reception will be at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, Va. For more information, call (703) 323-0880.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Fitness & Health

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

Motorcycles From page 14 men and women from Iraq. It’s beautiful.

And I love going to Charlotte Hall, dancing with the World War II vets,” she said.

Safety is paramount Motorcycle riding may be popular, but it can also be dangerous. That’s why Crill, Rudderow, Hall and O’Neal all emphasize the importance of safety while riding.

The statistics can be frightening. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that motorcyclist fatalities have increased for every age group, with a larger increase in the 50-and-above age group.

Similarly, the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) found that the number of motorcyclists 45

and older killed in crashes in Michigan nearly quadrupled from 2001 to 2005.

“As people age, their bodies become more fragile and their chances of dying as a result of a crash increase,” said UMTRI researcher Lidia Lostyniuk.

To help hone riding skills, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers courses. A list can be found at www.msf-usa.org.

Crill has taken a number of classes. “I’m a strong safety advocate,” she said. “I really think so many motorcycle accidents are unnecessary if people had the training.

“So many people think, there’s nothing to it, you just get on and ride. [But] every hand and foot is doing something different. The left hand is your clutch, the right hand is your throttle, but behind the right hand is also the brake. The right foot is another brake. The left foot is moving your shift up and down.”

Rudderow sees it this way: “People who don’t further their education and skills are always going to be beginners, no matter how many years they ride.

Rudderow works to update her safety practices because she wants to keep riding

for a very long time.

“When it’s in your heart and it’s in your soul and it’s in your very being to be on that little machine, it’s just indescribable,” she said.

Carol Sorgen contributed to this story.

BEACON BITS

May 7

SPRING FESTIVAL The National Lutheran Home and Village Auxiliary, will hold its

annual Spring Festival on Saturday May 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bargains abound in jewelry, books, stamps, candy, baked goods, Grandma’s Attic, plants and gift shop items. A silent auction features handmade items and gift certificates from local theaters and restaurants. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $8 or lighter fare for $4. The Village is located at 9701 Viers Dr. in Rockville, Md. For more information, call Alice Daniel at (301) 949-4688.

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10 p.m. For additional information or tickets, contact Micki Gordon at mgor-

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

Use your weight to make you stronger Q: What is this “bodyweight strength training” I am hearing about?

A: Bodyweight strength training is exercise that uses your own body weight for resistance to work your muscles instead of weights or resistance bands.

For example, you can strengthen your arms with exercises like push-ups (standing against the wall, or regular or bentknee on the floor) and chair dips.

You can strengthen leg muscles by getting up and down from a sitting or squatting position, depending on your current level of fitness and balance. Other leg-

strengthening exercises that use only body weight include leg raises, wall-sits and lunges.

You can strengthen your abdominal muscles with sit-ups, which can be done in many different variations to focus on different areas of your “abs,” as well as exercises known as planks and bridges.

Although these bodyweight strengthening exercises may not be enough for bodybuilders, by changing how far you work against your body weight and how long you hold the resistance, variations of these exercises can be used by people who have been

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sedentary and have little strength as well as your muscles. Either way, focus on full, by people who already have developed good strong inhales and full, complete exhales. muscle strength from regular This attention to breathing exercise. can seem awkward at first, You can find examples of but you will notice that your these bodyweight strength heart won’t start pounding as training exercises and instruceasily because you are able to tions from several trustworthy get more oxygen into your websites, such as the Senior body and push out the carbon Health section of the NIH webdioxide waste. site, http://nihseniorhealth.

You may also find that with gov/ exerciseforolderadults, a focus on breathing, your and the American Council on walk turns into a more mediExercise’s workout guide at NUTRITION tative, calming activity as a www.acefitness.org/article/ WISE side benefit. Eventually this

By Karen Collins, 3159/. will seem less awkward and You might also find it help- MS, RD, CDM will become second nature. ful to get personal instruction The most important thing is on how to do these exercises and adapt simply to keep breathing. People often asthem as you grow stronger by meeting for sume that they are breathing automatically a few sessions with a qualified trainer at a when they are actually holding their breath.

YMCA, JCC or other fitness center in your Take a moment to focus on your breathcommunity. ing during your next walk or during strenQ: Why do I hear some people mak- uous activities such as climbing the stairs. ing a big deal about how you breathe You may be surprised to find that you are when walking or biking for exercise? holding your breath.

Does it really make a difference?

And you may be just as surprised to see A: Yes, how you are breathing during aer- how much more you can do when you are obic exercise can affect your heart rate and breathing in a way that gets your body the thus your performance and endurance. oxygen it needs.

Many adults have developed a shallow The American Institute for Cancer Rebreathing pattern. This limits how much search offers a Nutrition Hotline, 1-800oxygen you can take in, cutting short your 843-8114, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday ability to continue when you could other- through Friday. This free service allows you wise go longer or faster. Erratic breathing to ask questions about diet, nutrition and when exercising can lead you to hyperven- cancer. A registered dietitian will return tilate or get dizzy. your call, usually within three business days.

Instead, as you walk, try to inhale for Courtesy of the American Institute for two steps, then hold the air in for two Cancer Research. Questions for this column steps, and then exhale for two steps. Alter- may be sent to “Nutrition Wise,” 1759 R St., natively, some experts advise inhaling a N.W., Washington, DC 20009. Collins canfull three steps to get oxygen deep into all not respond to questions personally.

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HOUSING OPTIONS SEMINAR Widowed Persons Outreach will hold a discussion on housing

options, including independent living, assisted living, or continuing care communities. Deb Rubenstein, of Iona Senior Services, will talk about “What Next? How to Decide Whether to Move and Where to Move.” The meeting will be held at Iona, 4125 Albemarle St., N.W., Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 18 from 1

Call (301) 681-8200 today Se Habla Español On Parle Français

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More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Fitness & Health

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

17

A warm-weather vegetable curry stew This recipe contains a medley of spices and vegetables for a summer stew that’s loaded with taste and nutritional benefits.

Starting with the ground clove — its uniquely warm, sweet and aromatic quality complements the chili powder’s heat — the mixture of spices create a distinctly Mediterranean flavor.

Cloves are dried flower buds of an evergreen with red and while blossoms. It takes 4,000 to 7,000 buds to make one pound of cloves. The English name is derived from the Latin word clavus, which means nail — not surprising given their shape. Cloves are often associated with gingerbread and pumpkin pie, but they also make a wonderful addition to soups and stews.

Cardamom, another ancient herb, popular from India to Scandinavia, provides a pungent and aromatic quality.

Combine this with sweet raisins, the nutty flavor of the butternut squash and garbanzo beans, and garden vegetable favorites for a rich, satisfying meatless dish that fits the season.

It’s a stew that makes great leftovers.

Serve with hearty brown rice or wholewheat couscous for the energy you need without a lot of extra calories and fat.

Mediterranean Vegetable Stew Makes 6 cups 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth (lowsodium chicken broth may be substituted for a non-vegetarian dish) 1 1/2 Tbsp. curry powder (or make your own from the following: 1/2 tsp. chili powder, or to taste, 1/4 tsp. ground cloves, 1 tsp. cumin, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ground paprika, 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric, 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom) 1 lb. small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cut into ½ cubes (2 cups diced, often available pre-cut in stores) 1/4 cup raisins 2 carrots, cut into 1/4 inch slices 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 large zucchini, halved lengthwise, cut into 1/4 inch slices 1 (15-oz) can garbanzo beans, drained 1/4 cup pitted black olives, halved 3/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. white or black pepper 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, divided 1-2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 3 cups cooked brown rice (whole-wheat couscous may be substituted) Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high

heat. Add onion. Cook until translucent, about two minutes. Add broth. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes.

Add curry power (or combine spices in a mixing bowl then stir them into pot). Add butternut squash, raisins, carrots and garlic.

Cover and continue simmering until vegetables are tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Add in zucchini, garbanzos, olives, salt and pepper. Re-cover and continue to simmer until zucchini is tender, an additional

10 to 12 minutes. Stir in two tablespoons parsley and lemon juice.

Place warm rice uniformly on large serving platter (or individual plates).

Spoon the stew over bed of rice. Garnish with remaining parsley and serve.

Per one-cup serving: 300 calories, 6 g. total fat (1 g. saturated fat), 54 g. carbohydrate, 11 g. protein, 9 g. dietary fiber, 464 mg. sodium.

— Courtesy of the American Institute for Cancer Research

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May 29

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SINGLE SENIORS BUFFET Meet other older singles the last Sunday of the month at a cham-

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

New and natural edibles and wearables Dear Readers: My husband has searched for years, and I visited the Natural Products Expo this wins his approval. The flaky crust trade show in California to tastes like regular pizza and find cool, new supplements, the sauce/toppings are delfoods and cosmetics. Some of ish. www.simplysharis.com If them are so new, you’ll have it’s a pizza wrap you crave, go to ask your health food store to www.glutenfreeda.com. to stock them.

Cinnamon Vanilla PersonThese were my faves: al Lubricant by Good Clean Irey Ice Cream by Pure Love: This moisturizes sensitive M a r k e t E x p r e s s : The areas, reduces vaginal dryness booth exhibitors should and it’s free of parabens, glychave honestly called security erin, silicon and petroleum. The DEAR to get rid of us. My husband company’s entire product line PHARMACIST Sam and I just hung around, and motto is “Chemistry without

By Suzy Cohen noshing on all their samples! chemicals” and they mean it.

Made from coconut water, www.goodcleanlove.com this incredible snack offers guilt-free inNogii Bars: Created by “The View’s” dulgence for people watching their Elizabeth Hasselback and her husband weight. www.puremarketexpress.com Tim, former NFL quarterback. Their famiUltimate Lash and Brow Serum by ly is gluten-free, and I sampled her MyChelle: This natural lash builder creates “Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Crisp.” thicker, fuller lashes within weeks. It com- Amazing, and free of HFCS, trans fats, hybines apple fruit stem cells along with drogenated oils. www.nogii.com “myristoyl pentapeptide” which was shown Danielle Crispy Fruit Chips: I could to increase lash length/thickness over 70 go broke buying these. They are crazy percent after six weeks. www.mychelle.com good and totally natural...with two ingrediGluten free Pizza by Simply Shari’s: ents, the fruit and a non-hydrogenated oil!

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BEACON BITS

May 19

VIRGINIA SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT The Virginia Senior America Pageant, with a theme of “Senior

Ladies Rock,” will take place on Thursday, May 19. The doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the show takes place at 2 p.m. It will be held at the Kaufman Auditorium of the Lee Center, 1109 Jefferson St., Alexandria, Va. While admission is free, a $10 donation is suggested. For more information, call (703) 425-7258.

June 4

TRASH ‘N TREASURE SALE Shop or sell at the annual Trash ‘n Treasure Sale at Aurora Hills Senior Center, 735 S.18th St., Arlington, Va. on Saturday, June 4

from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tables can be rented for from $10 to $25. For more information, call (703) 228-5722.

June 3+

BOOKS GALORE Where can $5 get you an armful of books? At the Friends of Richard Byrd Library Book Sale. The sale will be held 10 a.m. to

5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 3 and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 4. The library’s biggest sale ever will feature books, many in like-new condition, and media. It will be held at the Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield, Va. Your purchases will help fund library children’s programs. For more information, call (703) 451-8055.

Wednesdays 9 am - 11 am 240-777-1100

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Speak with a Registered Dietitian about your food, nutrition and diet concerns.

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have food sensitivities, make this your new baking line. The chocolate chip cookies are scrumptious, and her entire line — including pancake/waffle mix — is safe for people who avoid soy, eggs, wheat, gluten, peanuts and dairy. www.mrslauralicious.com Chimes Ginger Chews: Ginger eases nausea, vertigo, morning sickness, stomach cramps and joint pain/inflammation.

These candies have the texture of a gummy bear but they are made of ginger and flavored naturally. I like the tropical mango flavor. www.chimesgourmet.com This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.

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

19

What to do when people say hurtful things Dear Solutions: Dear Solutions: will do. A small nod followed by a big avoidTreat him as you would a small child havI’m a recent new arrival to a lovely I really didn’t know I had an enemy ance will free you from total hypocrisy and ing a temper tantrum — there’s no satisfacwarm area. As a non-cusuntil I found out that this the host from embarrassment. tion in a victim who won’t pay attention. todial father, I left two man who used to work in After the small nod, learn to look past Š Helen Oxenberg, 2011. Questions to be teenage children back up the same company as I him and socialize with others. You must be considered for this column may be sent to: north with their mother. (and now lives in the same very important to him since he talks about The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, I only saw them on weekcommunity) has been you. Thus, your avoidance of him will be MD 20915. You may also e-mail the author ends and decided my telling lies about me and message enough that he’s unimportant at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about health was paramount to what happened in our busi- and can’t really get to you. reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684. the little time that they had ness.

BEACON BITS for me now that they were Now I’m finding myself busy choosing colleges and in social gatherings with DID YOUR GRANDFATHER FIGHT IN WWI? with friends. him, and one is coming up The Prince George’s County Genealogical Society will meet SOLUTIONS Last month, my chilsoon. I don’t want to emWednesday, June 1, at 7 p.m. in the New Carrollton Municipal Building, 6016

By Helen Oxenberg, dren’s maternal grandfabarrass the host, but does MSW, ACSW Princess Garden Pkwy. After a brief business meeting, Craig Scott will present ther died. When my daughthat mean I have to greet “Researching Your World War I Ancestor.� All are welcome to attend this free ter told me about it, the him, shake hands or make presentation. For additional information, see www.rootsweb.com/~mdpgcgs or first thing I thought and said was, “At small talk and be a total hypocrite? least he didn’t suffer.� — Bernard call (301) 262-2063.

I meant this as a blessing. My Dear Bernard: daughter took this differently. She beTotal hypocrite, no; just a small polite one rated me in texts and e-mails for a week afterward, saying that her grandfather had suf fered terribly in the Holocaust and was ill all his life.

She said extremely hurtful things to me that I have not been able to forgive or forget. Weeks later she tried to reconcile without apologizing, insisting it is I who need to be sorry.

We haven’t spoken in six weeks. It’s affecting me and I can’t let it go, because I believe in the Bible’s “Honor thy father and mother� and her words to me were horrible. — Childless Father Dear Father: I won’t call you “childless� because, in spite of everything, you do have two children. There obviously is a big misunder8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. standing here. You meant well, but your Johns Hopkins University, Montgomery County Campus daughter leaped to an emotional wrong Community & Clinical Tracks conclusion, and you’re hurt.

The way to deal with the hurt is to act.

Unexamined conflict doesn’t fold its tent and silently creep away. It finds a home inside your guts and slowly chips away at Jacquelyn Mayer, Miss America 1963 and Stroke Survivor your well being.

Other presentation topics will include: So take the risk. Invite your daughter to visit you with the express purpose of clears #OPING 4ECHNIQUES FOR 3URVIVORS AND #AREGIVERS ing up misinterpretations and bad feelings. s $RIVING !FTER 3TROKE Forget about “forgive and forget.� Concentrate on understanding and love. Good s 6ISION $ISORDERS luck.

June 1

Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland and Montgomery County Stroke Association Present

Stroke Symposium

Pathways of innovation, hope and recovery Thursday, May 19, 2011

Keynote Speaker:

BEACON BITS

May 25

MARYLAND LEGISLATION

Attend a talk by Ted Meyerson from the United Seniors of Maryland titled “How Does the 2011 Maryland Legislative Session Affect You?� The free event, sponsored by NARFE, will take place on Wednesday, May 25 from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. at Holiday Park Center, 3950 Ferrara Dr., Wheaton, Md. Call (240) 777-4999 for more information.

s 0REVENTING !NOTHER 3TROKE s 3TROKE 2EHABILITATION s 0ANEL $ISCUSSION BY %XPERTS 3TROKE 3URVIVORS AND #AREGIVERS

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visit www.AdventistRehab.com or call 240-864-6060.

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

Money Law &

DIVORCE AND SOCIAL SECURITY Divorce and remarriage can reduce benefits if you don’t know the rules SHOPPING MYTHS DEBUNKED Bigger isn’t always cheaper, and other surprising findings on shopping WHERE CREDIT IS DUE Your credit card company may protect you in billing and other disputes FIGHT ID THEFT Take advantage of free ways to monitor transactions and avoid fraud

Ways to get higher returns and limit risk

By Elliot Raphaelson You cannot obtain high rates of return without risk, and any financial planner who says otherwise is not being truthful.

Following are two risky investments I made that paid off handsomely, along with a couple of options for those who are more risk averse.

At the end of 2008, I purchased preferred stock in a highly rated Florida utility company with a coupon rate of 8 3/4 percent, paid on a quarterly basis. For every $1,000 investment, I receive $87.50 per year.

I did not think that this investment was very risky because the company had a high debt rating, and because the company had a long, unremarkable history in Florida. In addition to receiving a good rate of return, the price of the preferred stock has increased, so if I wanted to sell today, I would receive more back than I invested.

A small part of my bond portfolio is in a

Vanguard high-yield corporate bond fund.

This investment is certainly not conservative. However, because this type of fund did so poorly in 2008, I felt that investing in it was not risky at the prices prevailing in 2009, when I bought it.

In 2010, the rate of return for this fund, as well as for other fund families in this category, was well over 10 percent. At the end of 2010, I rebalanced my portfolio, so I have reduced my holdings in this fund.

I am not recommending either of these investments now. My point is that there are investment options that can provide high income, but they certainly are not risk-free.

It may not be easy to average 8 percent returns over a 45-year period, but most investors can’t afford to simply accept investment options that return less than 1 percent.

Two more-conservative choices There are options for conservative investors who are concerned about risk but

want to get better returns. Here are two: Laddering. Conservative investors who want to take minimal risk can obtain higher returns (during a time of rising interest rates) by doing what is known as “laddering” certificates of deposit.

This is how it works: You might purchase five certificates of deposit, each with a different maturity of one through five years.

When your first one-year CD matures, you purchase a five-year CD with the proceeds, obtaining what you expect will be a higher rate of return. When your two-year CD matures, you purchase another fiveyear CD, and so on.

At the end of five years, all of your CDs will have a rate of return based on a fiveyear CD rate, and every year a CD will reach maturity.

An index bond fund. Long-term investors who want higher returns with minimum risk should consider Vanguard’s Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBMFX).

The average maturity is approximately

seven years, so your risk is minimal if you are a long-term investor.

You can gradually invest in it to minimize risk. You will have a diversified portfolio, and income is credited monthly. You can make monthly withdrawals, or choose to reinvest the income.

On a long-term basis, you can expect a higher return than you would obtain with money market funds or CDs. The five-year total return before taxes at the end of 2010 was 5.72 percent.

It is likely that inflation will increase in the future, and accordingly interest rates will increase as well. In this scenario, short-term investors will benefit because they will be able to re-invest at higher interest rates. On the other hand, investors in long-term fixed investments will see the value of their investments fall.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. © 2011 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Media Services.

Which sectors best for market rebound?

By Mark Jewell The pain of the stock market meltdown is becoming a more distant memory thanks to the stunning rebound of mutual fund returns.

An extreme example: Since the market bottomed in March 2009, real estate mutual funds have risen an average 195 percent, according to Morningstar. They invest primarily in real estate investment trusts, which were lifted by improving prospects for the income-producing commercial properties that REITs own.

A $10,000 investment at the market’s low has swelled to nearly $29,500. Investors in the top-performing Pimco Real Estate Real Return Strategy fund (PETAX) saw an equal investment grow to nearly $42,000.

Investors can’t expect to latch onto a rising market at just the right time. Yet the gains have been so large across the board that virtually anyone who didn’t give up on stocks has seen a big payoff.

The average returns for 16 of Morningstar’s 21 domestic stock fund categories were greater than 100 percent in

the first quarter, beating the 95 percent return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

Even the two categories with the smallest returns — utilities funds and healthcare funds — were up more than 60 percent.

“The categories that have done the best over the last year or two are the ones investors should be more cautious about [now],” Morningstar fund analyst Ryan Leggio said. “They don’t offer the same risks and rewards as they did a year ago, when they were much cheaper to buy.”

Biggest losers rose most Most of the top-performing funds in this bull market specialize in unusually volatile stocks. So it’s important to note that they fell more steeply than the 57 percent drop in the S&P 500 from its October 2007 peak to March 2009.

That means they had a bigger pit to climb out of to get investors back to where they started — a goal many of the recent hottest funds have yet to achieve.

In fact, nine of the top 10 individual stock funds over the past 24 months have bottom-rung 1-star ratings on Morn-

ingstar’s 5-star scale. That system measures past returns, while also considering how much risk a fund took to achieve them.

Still, their supersized gains since the market turned the corner offer a reminder that the best short-term opportunities can often be found in the hardest-hit areas.

That was a tough move to make in early 2009, when it seemed the market’s free-fall might not end.

But when prospects brightened that spring, the stock funds that had lost the most “just snapped back really hard,” Leggio said.

One example of how volatile the top-performing funds have been: Ariel Fund (ARGFX) is up 229 percent since the market bottom. That surge came after the fund lost 55 percent from the market’s peak-totrough, compared with the 45 percent average decline for its mid-cap blend fund peers.

Sectors on the upswing A look at a few of the top-performing domestic stock fund categories since the

market bottom, and the outlook for the market segments they specialize in: Real estate: Although the recovery of the housing market remains stalled, the outlook for REITs has been improving.

Their fortunes have little to do with singlefamily home price trends. Instead, REITs are all about the commercial and industrial property markets, which are being lifted by the economic recovery.

One reason these funds have recently been popular: Investors, especially income-seeking retirees, are drawn to the fact that REITs are required to pay out most of their operating income as dividends.

With yields for 10-year government Treasury bonds around 3.5 percent, REITs’ average 4-percent dividend yields look attractive. Historically, REIT dividend yields have averaged around 6 percent.

REITS were offering investors almost 10 percent yields in March 2009, when their prices became so cheap that their yields surged (prices and yields move in See BULL MARKET, page 21

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

Bull market From page 20 opposite directions). But if 10-year Treasury yields keep rising, REITs could look less attractive, sending REIT stocks down.

Industrial: Mutual funds specializing in industrial stocks such as manufacturers and chemical companies have been the second-strongest domestic stock category, with an average 162 percent gain. Most indicators suggest an economic recovery will continue, so the outlook for these funds remains good. However, it’s open to debate whether stock prices already reflect those expectations.

Small companies: Small-cap funds, which specialize in stocks of companies valued at less than $2 billion, ranked high.

They posted an average gain of about 140 percent. Small companies are typically more dependent on borrowing, and near-

zero short-term interest rates have lifted their stocks.

Although rates have nowhere to go but up, few economists expect a sharp rise anytime soon. However, because smallcaps have fared better in the bull market than large-caps, the situation could reverse itself. Typically, large-caps regain the lead as a bull market begins to lose momentum.

Financial: Funds specializing in stocks of banks and other financial companies have risen an average 133 percent. They were helped as the credit troubles that sent these stocks into their 2008 tailspin eased.

Like industrials, financial stocks often move closely in sync with the economy, so they could continue to rebound. But credit issues vary widely from bank to bank, so generalizations are tough to make.

Technology: These mutual funds, up an average 133 percent, are an exception among the bull market’s top-performing

BEACON BITS

May 21

INVESTMENT CLUB The Washington Metro Investment Club (WMIC) is having an open

house meeting on Saturday, May 21 at 4 p.m. WMIC meets once a month to discuss investments in the stock market. Club members hope to reap a steady return while learning more about financial planning for the future. The meeting will take place at the James J. McCoart Administration Building, 1 County Complex Court, Manassas, Va. Contact Ken Wright at (703) 801-1465 or e-mail Lavoy12@yahoo.com for more information.

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categories. The others rebounded from unusually sharp drops during the meltdown.

Tech funds have been faring relatively well all along, and have the best 3-year record among all domestic stock fund categories. Their average annualized gain is nearly 10 percent.

21

That’s because the insatiable demand of consumers for high-tech gadgets withstood the recession. That demand shows little sign of slowing — year-to-date, tech funds are up an average 6 percent, secondhighest among all categories.

— AP

BEACON BITS

May 11

ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOP

Marc W. Boland, of Bregman, Berbert, Schwartz, and Gilday, LLC, discusses current estate planning techniques and management issues including wills, trusts, probate, power of attorney, advance directives, charitable giving and more during this workshop organized by the National Building Museum’s Development Department. The free seminar on Wednesday, May 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. takes place in the Beverly Willis Library, on the fourth floor of the museum, 401 F St., N.W., Washington D.C. Reservations are required. RSVP by contacting Katherine Potosky at (202) 272-2448, ext. 3456 or kpotosky@nbm.org by Monday, May 9.

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

How divorce affects your Social Security Consider this: Roughly half of the people who get married in the United States will end up divorced. And Social Security is the primary source of income for 72 percent of unmarried retirees, many of whom are single because they’re divorced.

Unfortunately, few financial advisors put those two facts together and focus on how divorce, as well as remarriage, can affect retirement planning, said Rob Kron, head of advisor education initiatives at the New York-based investment firm BlackRock.

“Social Security is the one purchase that ever yone in America makes with complete and total ignorance,” Kron said.

“You get a job and see your paycheck is a little lighter and you haven’t any idea what

you bought for that.”

Although Social Security sends out annual statements that help pre-retirees estimate their future benefits, the statements are largely silent on the topic of divorce, he said.

“Even divorce attorneys are often not aware of how the Social Security benefit works,” he said. “People just don’t know what they don’t know.”

In fact, divorced people often make costly errors because they don’t understand spousal and survivor benefits, said Leslie Walker, a communications director for the Social Security Administration. “The closer you get to retirement age, the more you need to know the rules.”

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can eliminate your ability to claim benefits on their record regardless of your age.

Disaster stories about remarrying too soon are legion, Walker said. For example, one couple, who married when they were both age 58, had based their retirement projections on claiming Social Security spousal benefits based on the records of their former spouses. They found Benefits even if divorced out too late that those beneMONEY If you were married for at fits would no longer be availMATTERS least 10 years to someone who able to them.

By Kathy Kristof paid into the Social Security But there was a solution — system, you are entitled to a the couple could divorce. spousal benefit, even if you are divorced Then, when they reached 60, they could from that person. Eligibility does not de- each claim spousal benefits based on the pend on whether or not you also worked earnings of their former spouses. Then at and paid into the system. that point they could remarry without Spousal benefits, if claimed at your full hurting their spousal benefits. retirement age, usually amount to 50 perIf you are single now but were married cent of the wage earner’s full benefit. If to more than one person for more than 10 you claim benefits early, the amount you years each, you may be eligible for spousal get is reduced. benefits based on the earnings records of If you worked for 10 years and paid into each of those former spouses. the Social Security system, you also may You don’t get to add up all the benefits, be entitled to benefits on your own work of course, but you do get to choose the record. In that case you must choose — benefit that’s the best. So, if you married you cannot claim both your own and three times and one spouse was an execuspousal benefits. You can, however, claim tive with maximum Social Security earnthe one that gives you the most money. ings, the next spouse was a low-wage earner, and the third worked in a job that didn’t 60 is the magic number earn Social Security credits, you can claim If you remarry prior to age 60, you lose the benefit from the first spouse, which is your ability to claim spousal or survivor likely to amount to the most money. benefits from a deceased former spouse, But what if spouse No. 2 died before you Walker said. If you remarry after age 60, claimed Social Security benefits? Then you all your rights to spousal and survivor ben- would be entitled to spousal benefits on efits based on the record of a deceased for- spouse No. 1 or survivor benefits on mer spouse are retained for your lifetime.

See DIVORCE, page 23 If your former spouse is alive, remarriage

apply. If you have specific questions regarding your situation, Kron urged that you take advantage of the Social Security Administration’s help line at 1-800-772-1213.

“Social Security representatives can be very helpful, but they’re reactive,” he said.

“They’re not going to come to you. They’ll sit at the other end of the phone until you ask.”

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23

Five popular shopping myths debunked

By Anne D’Innocenzio If you think a super-sized container of peanut butter is always a better deal than a tiny version, think again. Bigger is not always cheaper. And don’t count on getting a bargain on designer goods at an outlet or off-price chain.

Here are five common but mistaken assumptions about bargains — plus tips for avoiding getting fooled into paying too much.

Myth No. 1. Bigger packages and larger quantities are more economical than buying small.

Often, yes. But Tod Marks, a senior project editor at Consumer Reports, said smaller sizes are actually cheaper about one-fourth of the time. He recommends checking the unit prices — cost per ounce or other element of the package — to find the best deal.

Takeaway: Read the fine print, and don’t assume.

Myth No. 2. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is the best day of the year to buy clothes, housewares, electronics and gifts.

Sure, the promotions on that ballyhooed day are quite alluring, particularly on TVs and other electronics. But are the bargains so amazing that you should wake up at the crack of dawn and join the crowds? Definitely not.

Many of the biggest deals, particularly on TVs and computers, are very limited: Your chances of grabbing one of the 25 heavily advertised flat-panel TVs your

store is selling at 50 percent off are slim.

In fact, many of the traditional marquee promotions — like January “white sales,” when department stores discounted bedding and bath linens — have melted away.

Michael Londrigan, chairman of the fashion merchandising department at LIM College in Manhattan, points to Macy’s for an example: It now offers sales on bedding throughout the year.

Jodi Furman, who blogs about saving without sacrificing at www.LiveFabuLess.com, said Black Friday is more of an emotional event people get caught up in than it is an opportunity for special savings. “You can find better deals during regular sales events,” Furman said.

Retailers are now running significant promotions all year long, from free shipping to 50 percent discounts to buy-oneget-one-free, according to Marks.

Takeaway: Go online, whether by computer or one of many dedicated smartphone apps, and compare, compare, compare.

Myth No. 3. Outlets sell mainly extras and leftovers from their own regular-price stores.

Actually, outlets vary by merchant.

Some stock their outlets mostly with items direct from their own regular stores. But many others buy specifically for the outlet division or, like Brooks Brothers and Gap, have goods made specifically for these second-tier stores.

At Nordstrom Rack, for example, about 80 percent of the stock is purchased specifically for sale there and just 20 percent has

Divorce

ous, even if spouse No. 2 didn’t earn as much. You can claim the one that pays the most.

Kathy M. Kristof welcomes your comments and suggestions but regrets that she cannot respond individually. E-mail her at kathykristof24@gmail.com. © 2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

From page 22 spouse No. 2.

Because survivor benefits are 100 percent of the working person’s entitlement while spousal benefits are only 50 percent, the survivor benefits may be more gener-

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been transferred from full-price Nordstrom department stores.

But Colin Johnson, a Nordstrom spokesman, notes that much of the Nordstrom Rack stock is excess inventory from the same vendors whose goods Nordstrom stores routinely carry.

Takeaway: Check the label of anything you’re considering buying to determine whether it was made for the outlet, Marks said. Or ask a salesperson.

Myth No. 4. A weekly outing — with a list in hand — to Walmart, Target or another big box discounter is the best way to save on groceries.

Yes, shopping at Target or Walmart for a typical basket of 45 items will save you 15 to 25 percent, said Bob Buchanan, a retail consultant in St. Louis, Mo. But shoppers would do even better by scouring for deals at local grocery stores as well.

Remember, too, that super-size stores can tempt you to go off-list and spend

much more than you intend buying clothing, toys and other goods.

Takeaway: Furman recommended constantly comparing prices for specific items at discounters with grocers and other stores.

Myth No. 5. Food costs more at drug stores.

In reality, compared with grocery chains, many drug stores sell basics like milk, eggs and household cleaning and paper goods for less. The idea is that then shoppers will buy other more profitable items.

Some drug chains, including Walgreens and CVS, have loyalty programs that — if used carefully and consistently — can net a shopper occasional savings up to 80 percent, Furman said.

Takeaway: Drug stores are becoming increasingly like mass retailers, so include them in your rounds when you’re buying staples.

— AP

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

Say ‘charge it’ for help resolving disputes

By Elliot Raphaelson When you buy a product or pay for a service but end up dissatisfied with the quality or the fairness of the transaction, often the best way to resolve the problem is to complain politely to management. A wise company will do what it takes to make you happy.

But in cases where they do not, there is a federal law that may protect you: the Fair Credit Billing Act. I have taken advantage of it several times, and so can you.

The law only applies under certain conditions: • The transaction must cost at least $50.

• The service provider/seller must be located in your home state or within 100

miles of your mailing address.

• The customer must have paid using a credit card — not a debit card, not cash and not a check.

• If the customer is dissatisfied, he must first complain in writing to the provider or the seller of the product in writing. If the customer isn’t satisfied with the response, he must then write to the credit card company, documenting the problem.

• No part of the disputed charge should be paid to the credit card company. (For example, if your total credit card bill that month is $1,000, and the disputed charge is $500, you should pay only $500, documenting why you are withholding payment.)

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Bring your garden gloves.

How the law works After the credit card company receives the customer complaint, the credit card company notifies the service provider regarding the dispute. The provider has 30 days to respond.

If he does not respond within 30 days, the credit card company will reverse the charge. If the provider does respond, the credit card company will then determine how much, if any, of the disputed amount is justified.

Consider these examples of how the process works. A few years ago my son, Mark, was having car problems in Orlando, Fla. He brought his car to a dealer, who told him he had transmission problems.

He accepted the dealer’s diagnosis and had the car fixed for $1,200. He charged the bill with Visa. But after the repair, the problem persisted, so Mark returned the car to the dealer, who then told him it was a different problem and that it would cost several hundred dollars more to fix.

Mark then took the car to a different mechanic, who told him that the initial diagnosis was incorrect. Mark had the car fixed by the new mechanic for substantially less than the new estimate he had received from the original dealer.

He returned to the original dealer, with documentation, and asked for a refund. He received no satisfaction, so he notified Visa following the guidelines of the Fair Billing Act. The dealer was notified by Visa of the complaint, but did not respond within 30 days. Visa reversed the $1,200 charge.

Document all disputes A few years ago, my wife and I took a

cruise from Florida. I paid by credit card. I overheard cruise personnel discussing the fact that the cruise was overbooked. As a result of the overbooking, there were interminable lines, insufficient seating and insufficient food.

I complained in writing to the cruise line, indicating that, because of the overbooking, there was poor service. I received no response from the cruise line.

Accordingly, I documented my dispute to Visa, indicating that I thought I should pay no more than 50 percent of the advertised cost of the cruise.

Visa forwarded my dispute to the cruise line. The cruise line did respond to Visa within 30 days, but Visa did not accept its explanation. Visa accepted my argument, and I was only charged 50 percent of the initial price.

A few months later, the cruise line tried to charge my credit card for the 50 percent it hadn’t received. I notified Visa, and Visa promptly deleted that charge from my account.

Here’s the bottom line: When you enter into a transaction that involves a significant amount of money, protect yourself. Always use a credit card.

If you have any complaints, document them in writing to the provider/seller. If you do not receive satisfaction, send all your documentation to your credit card company.

Do not pay any of the amount in dispute to the credit card company until the company has adjudicated your dispute.

You have nothing to lose, and much to gain.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. © 2011 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Media Services.

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BEACON BITS

Answers to common credit card questions

May 12

MEDICAID PLANNING Mindy Felinton, an elderlaw attorney, will explain the financial

steps and preparation necessary to qualify for Medicaid for yourself or a family member in this free class at the Holy Cross Hospital Caregiver Resource Center, 9805 Dameron Dr., Silver Spring, Md. The class will be held on Thursday, May 12

Q: Is there any way around the requirement that the ser vice provider/seller be in my state or within 100 miles, or the requirement that the disputed charge be at least $50?

A: These requirements apply to quality disputes and others in which you use the “claims and defenses” provisions of the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA). They do not apply to billing error disputes.

However, some credit card issuers waive these requirements. In addition, these requirements don’t apply if the seller is also the card issuer — or if a special business relationship exists between the seller and the card issuer.

Q: Do I have the same protection for disputes regarding quality of goods and services if I use a debit card rather than a credit card?

A: The FCBA does not encompass the use of debit cards. Those fall under the purview of Federal Reserve Board Regulation E, which implements the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA).

EFTA and Regulation E do not cover quality disputes; they do provide other protection for certain other types of disputes, such as unauthorized use, incorrect amounts and omitted transfers.

Credit and debit card companies such as Visa and MasterCard have developed their own procedures for payment cards, in addition to those required by law. To understand your rights with debit cards, you should read the fine print in your cardholder agreement.

However, when you use a debit card, you will have already paid the whole amount for the product/service

you purchased. Although the law does enable you to seek the return of those funds by disputing certain types of errors, if you had used a credit card, you would have the right under the FCBA to withhold the amount of the transaction pending the eventual outcome.

Q: If I make a purchase by phone, or through the Internet, do I have the same rights under the FCBA. A: You have the same right to dispute billing errors, if the purchase was by phone or Internet. However, disputes about quality problems are not considered billing errors, and quality disputes are covered by different rules in the FCBA. For quality disputes, one requirement usually is that the dispute must have occurred in the same state as your current address or within 100 miles from that address. So some questions might arise about where the purchase was made by phone or Internet.

Q: When I book a cruise, I must pay in full a few months before I take the cruise. How can I use the FCBA to protect me?

A: Even though you cannot withhold any of the cost before you take the cruise, some provisions of the FCBA may still protect you, namely provisions that are related to billing errors. In addition, certain state laws, agreements between the credit card issuer and the service provider, or other federal laws may apply.

If you are dissatisfied, you should document your dispute via certified mail, return receipt requested, and send it to your credit card issuer. Always write to the address given for “billing inquiries.”

You have nothing to lose.

— Elliot Raphaelson

from 2:30 to 4 p.m. To register, call (301) 754-7152.

May 24

UNDERSTANDING GUARDIANSHIP Meredith MacKay, attorney with Legal Services of Northern Virginia, will give a free presentation on guardianship and ways to

avoid it on Tuesday, May 24 at 1:30 p.m. at Lee Senior Center, 5722 Lee Hwy., Arlington, Va. Learn about how a guardianship is obtained and legal ways to preserve and maintain personal autonomy. Call (703) 228-0555 to register.

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

Professionals working with seniors are invited to our Senior Service Network Meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 8:15 a.m.

Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Dr., Wheaton, Md.

Attend the GROWS Silent Auction & Breakfast, Thurs., June 2, 8:30 – 11 a.m. at Brooke Grove. To donate to the auction, call Robin at (301) 318-1923.

Don’t Become a Victim of Fraud!!

REPORT QUESTIONABLE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID CHARGES AND PRACTICES Has this happened to you or someone you know?

• Billed for products or services not received?

• Double billed for services or products received?

• Offered free services, equipment, or supplies in exchange for your Medicare or Medicaid number?

• Offered money in exchange for

your Medicare or Medicaid number?

• Used your personal information – Identity Theft?

Report fraud, waste, and abuse

Call the Senior Medicare Patrol District of Columbia Hotline

202-434-2099

and a copy of our Free informative booklet –

(Se Habla Español)

How to Pick a Lawyer Booklet available as a Free download on our website

Legal Counsel for the Elderly

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

Free and low-cost ways to fight ID theft

By Candice Choi You don’t need a hired gun to fend off identity theft.

New data shows ID theft topped the list of complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission for the 11th straight year in 2010. The findings will likely result in consumers seeing a fresh barrage of offers for credit monitoring products.

The ads often play on consumer fears and promote services that cost upward of $15 a month, or $180 a year. Yet there are several

free or lower-cost ways to protect yourself.

“Many times it’s just a matter of investing some time,” said Adam Levin of Credit.com. “The ultimate guardian is the consumer.”

Identity theft can take many forms, but usually results in unauthorized charges or an application for new credit under your name. The FTC estimates that there are about 9 million ID theft victims each year.

Here’s a look at how you can avoid becoming a statistic, and what it will cost you:

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Bank services, credit reports

Fraud alerts

Start by taking advantage of all the ways you can monitor your transactions. Most banks now offer free e-mail and text message alerts that enable you to catch any suspicious charges immediately. For instance, you might ask to be notified whenever a transaction of more than $200 is processed.

Quick action is critical because the longer it takes to realize you’re being victimized, the harder it can be to recover from the mess.

That’s why it’s also a good idea to get into the habit of reviewing accounts regularly online. Some sophisticated scams avoid detection longer by repeatedly tapping accounts for smaller amounts.

Ultimately, the idea is to heighten your overall awareness. That means doing a better job of reading even routine mail, such as benefit summaries from the Social Security Administration. You might notice that your wage or other information is off.

The other big fear with ID theft is that someone will open a new credit card under your name. This is where credit monitoring services try to offer help.

The services issue alerts regarding any changes in a subscriber’s credit report. So you would be notified if someone used your identity to open a Target card or take out an auto loan. Whether it’s worth paying for such round-the-clock monitoring depends on how skittish you are.

Keep in mind that you’re already entitled to three free credit reports a year — one from each of the three credit bureaus. To avoid any confusion, go ahead and bookmark www.annualcreditreport.com. The link takes you to the right place on each of the credit bureau sites where you can get a free report.

It only takes a few minutes to fill in and confirm some personal information, and your report will be viewable immediately.

If you lose your wallet or otherwise suspect you may become a victim of ID theft, one preventive measure is to put a fraud alert on your profile with the credit bureaus.

This notifies lenders to proceed with caution when reviewing applications for credit under your name. There’s no charge and the alert stays in place for 90 days.

There is a limitation worth noting. Fraud alerts have become common enough that some lenders may not take them as seriously as they should. Their widespread use stems in part from their inclusion in so many credit monitoring products, according to John Ulzheimer of SmartCredit.com.

If you feel you need to take it a step further, there’s also an extended fraud alert.

This stays in place for seven years and requires lenders to contact you by phone before approving new credit in your name.

But you’ll likely need to provide the credit bureau with a police report or other documentation that you’re at risk of becoming a victim. This might be an option for those who’ve been victimized in the past.

Credit bureaus are obligated to notify each other when a borrower places either an alert or extended alert on their reports.

If a fraud alert doesn’t allay your fears, a more drastic option is the credit freeze.

This permanently prevents any new creditors from accessing your credit report.

A freeze is free by law in most states if you’re the victim of identity theft. Otherwise, the cost can be fairly significant depending on how you use it.

Unlike with a fraud alert, you need to place a freeze with each of the three credit bureaus. Each freeze costs up to $12 depending on the state where you live.

If you want to apply for credit, you’d need to pay a fee to each bureau to temporarily unfreeze your credit. And another fee to put the freeze back in place.

Because of the potential costs, credit freezes tends to make more sense for more established consumers who know they won’t be applying for new credit.

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Another measure you may have heard about is ID theft insurance. This is often included in homeowner policies at no additional cost. Some credit monitoring services offer it as an add-on perk. The terms of each policy differ, however, so be sure to check the details.

You may have the impression that actual losses from ID theft are covered, for example. But most policies only cover the costs you incur to repair your credit, such as lawyers fees or copying expenses.

In other cases, the policy might not cover costs if you’re victimized by a family member.

Some employers and credit card issuers also provide free assistance for victims of ID theft. You probably won’t get monetary compensation, but the services can help guide you through the recovery process.

— AP

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27

Financial watchdog outlines her priorities

By Candice Choi No tricks. Less fine print. Clearer agreements.

That’s how banks should market products to consumers, said Elizabeth Warren, the Harvard law professor in charge of setting up a new federal agency that will police credit cards, mortgages and other financial services.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created as part of the sweeping overhaul of financial regulations last year known as the Dodd-Frank Act. Proponents said such an agency could have sounded an early warning for the abusive lending practices that precipitated the economic meltdown.

It’s not clear when a permanent head will be named to lead the new agency. Warren, a vocal consumer advocate who first championed the creation of the agency, is a possibility but is regarded as a contentious choice. President Obama did not need Senate confirmation when he named her in September as a special adviser to help oversee the creation of the agency.

The CFPB won’t be able to exercise its rule-making powers until July 21. In the meantime, Warren has been making key appointments and meeting with banking executives and consumer groups to get the agency up and running.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Warren said one of the first goals will be to make the true cost of financial products easier to understand. She said that should eventually drive down prices for consumers.

Here is an excerpt: Q: You’ve said improving the disclosure of credit card terms is going to be a top priority. How is the CFPB going to change what’s provided to consumers?

A: Think about how long a credit card agreement has become — it’s become pages and pages and pages of largely incomprehensible fine print. In effect, it’s paperwork that says “Don’t read me,” and that’s a real problem. Because hiding in that fine print can be anything.

So one of the things we want to push toward is trying to clear out that kind of shrubbery. So that if there are real changes that a company is proposing, they stand out. They’re not camouflaged by all those other words.

Q: And what’s the timetable for when consumers can expect to see such changes?

A: Well, it’s interesting. I think people are starting to see somewhat clearer disclosures.

For example, there are a couple of major credit card issuers who — following our early conversations last fall — went back and voluntarily rewrote their own credit agreements and began to shrink them down. There have been others who’ve advertised their credit products along the lines of “No Tricks,” “Less Fine Print,” “Clearer Agreements.”

This agency, even before it has its full legal authority, has driven a conversation and driven a direction for the industry.

And it’s toward a better informed customer who can make apples-to-apples comparisons among products.

Q: In terms of the required disclosures — do you see new forms replacing the Schumer box, which is already intended to clearly lay out the APR, fees and other terms for a credit card?

A: We’re having conversations with credit card issuers right now and talking through what the Schumer box does and how it might be improved.

You know, even the Schumer box has gone from smaller and skinnier to longer and more complicated. So I will readily admit it’s an uphill walk to try to get there.

But I think we’re developing a path in working with the companies.

In terms of a timetable, I just have to remind you. We won’t have legal authority to do anything by way of rule-making author-

ity until after July 21.

But we’ve started now with the industry and with consumer groups and with other stakeholders, investors — talking with them, showing them what we have in mind, asking for their input, asking for their data, asking for information.

Q: More banks began to cut back on free checking last year in response to new regulations. Do you think further regulation by the CFPB will drive up the price of banking?

A: If the consumer knows the price of a good, the risk associated with it, and can make apples-to-apples comparisons, that’s what makes markets work for consumers.

[Consumers] can figure out who’s offering the most expensive product and who’s offering the cheapest product. And I’m of the belief that over time, that’s going to make financial products cheaper for con-

sumers, not more expensive.

Elizabeth Warren of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

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

SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION

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

Going to live with your kids? Be flexible

By Kathryn A. Walson When Mike Repak’s father passed away, he and his wife considered moving his mother, Maria — then 88 and suffering from mild dementia — into an assisted-living facility near them.

But instead, the couple decided they wanted Maria to live with them and their two teenagers. “It was going to be a big adjustment for her without Dad around,” said Repak, now 53. “We wanted her to feel like she was part of a family.”

The Repaks built an addition to their home, with a living room, bedroom and bathroom. The couple and the kids often ate with Marie in her living area. “It was nice for our children to see that families can take care of their members,” said Repak, whose mother spent the last two years of her life with them.

The couple hired a home health aide to make Maria’s meals and take her to doc-

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tor’s appointments while they were at work.

Twentysomething “boomerang” kids who are moving back home seem to get all the headlines. Less recognized is another trend: seniors moving in with their adult children and even their grandchildren.

Twenty percent of individuals 65 and older lived in a multigenerational household in 2008, up from 17 percent in 1990, according to the Pew Research Center.

Melding households can be a positive experience for everyone. The family can bond while playing games and eating meals.

“Look at this as an opportunity,” said Amy Goyer, AARP’s family expert. “You have a chance to enjoy your mom or dad in their later years. This is a way for children to know their grandparents in a way they wouldn’t otherwise.”

Factors to consider But before moving in with your adult son

or daughter, you’ll need to decide whether you’ll feel comfortable living in someone else’s home. You’ll no longer rule the roost as you did when your child was a child.

“Do you get along? You may love someone, but do you like them?” said Sharon Graham Niederhaus, co-author of Together Again: A Creative Guide to Successful Multigenerational Living (M. Evans & Co., $17).

Also imagine day-to-day life with grandchildren, and maybe pets. “If you have no tolerance for noise, do you want to move into a house with children or teenagers?” asked Jennifer Prell, president of Silver Connections, an elder-resource network in Cary, Ill. Meanwhile, the adult child needs to be prepared for the drain of time, energy and possibly money that could come with having one or two parents move in. The new arrangement could also put a strain on their marriage.

And if a parent needs caregiving, you’ll

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all need to be realistic about what that entails. “Families generally underestimate the amount of care that Mom is going to require,” said Kerry Peck, an elder-law attorney in Chicago. “Even if Mom moves in relatively healthy, that could change overnight.”

Before making a decision, the two genSee MOVING IN WITH KIDS, page B-14

About this magazine This is the first in a three-month series of special sections in the Beacon dedicated to the varied housing needs of older Washingtonians — whether you want to remain in your present home or are looking to move.

On these pages, we address things to think about in deciding whether it’s time for a move, as well as important considerations before moving in with your adult children.

A reverse mortgage is an option to help homeowners 62 and over tap their home equity so they can remain in their homes. Read more about them inside, because there are pros and cons and they aren’t appropriate for everyone.

If you or a family member are facing foreclosure, you will learn about resources that can help. And if your energy costs keep going up, learn what an energy audit can do to help bring them down.

For readers having trouble selling their home, some experienced Realtors offer suggestions, and another expert provides a list of questions to ask in evaluating retirement community options.

In addition to these articles and others, we offer “advertorials” where you can read about the services and amenities provided by a variety of local communities.

Next month, our Housing Options magazine will focus on ways to bring healthcare services into your home, retirement communities that offer healthcare on the premises, how to clear your home of clutter and more.

Please pull out and keep this special section for future use, or share it with a friend.

For more information about any of the advertisers in this special section, complete and return the form on page B-9.

Even if you don’t currently need information, be sure to at least enter our random drawing for a chance to win $100 cash.

Just send us your name, number and address by May 31.

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B-3

Is it time to move? Things to think about

By Lisa M. Petsche As people age, and especially if they have chronic health conditions, at some point they’re likely to find that their current home no longer suits their lifestyle or their needs.

This article summarizes many of the reasons people have for moving, mentions some of the most common options, and offers tips for planning ahead.

Reasons to consider moving Freedom — To reduce responsibilities associated with home ownership, particularly property maintenance, to allow more time for recreation and leisure activities, such as engaging in a hobby, spending time with family, volunteering or traveling.

Independence — To offload as many responsibilities of daily living as possible, in order to continue to live independently in spite of decreased physical functioning.

People in this situation may wish to eliminate not only property maintenance tasks but also housecleaning, laundering and meal preparation.

Climate — Desire for a moderate climate (not too hot and not too cold), for health and safety reasons or for comfort and convenience — for example, to be able to engage in favorite outdoor activities year-round.

Home design — To increase the accessibility of one’s home, specifically, to make it easier and safer to enter and exit, access all areas and use rooms for their intended purpose. A one-floor, open concept plan is typically desired. Some people (those who use a wheelchair, for example) may need a setting designed for the physically disabled.

Finances — To reduce expenses associated with shelter, including mortgage or rent, property taxes, utilities and maintenance. Another reason some people move is that the cost of home adaptations to improve safety and accessibility is beyond their means or is not a wise investment from a real estate perspective.

Socialization — To increase opportunities for social contact. Specifically, the goal might be moving closer to family members, especially children and grandchildren, or relocating to a community of peers.

Security — To reduce the risk of victimization. For example, those who are anxious about answering the door, leaving their home unattended or coming home to an empty house may experience increased peace of mind living in a gated community with security patrol or an apartment building with a security desk and locked mailboxes.

Community access — To improve access to shopping and other businesses, medical resources, places of worship and other amenities such as parks and recreation centers. Those with a driver’s license who live in the suburbs or a rural area may seek a more central location to reduce travel time. Those who don’t drive — or who anticipate being unable to drive in the foreseeable future — may desire a home with easy access to public transit or within walking distance of various amenities.

Health — To ensure ongoing healthcare

needs are met. Needs may include one or more of the following: medication management, medical monitoring, a special diet, skilled nursing care, personal care (assistance with washing, dressing and grooming) and supervision or assistance with mobilization.

Residence options There are many possibilities for alternate living arrangements, depending on a person’s needs and preferences. Among the options are: • moving in with a relative or friend for companionship and perhaps also practical assistance, and to share expenses; • moving to a similar-sized home with a more suitable design; • downsizing to a smaller house or a condominium or apartment (some seniors apartments may be geared to those with low- to moderate-income; some have units

for those with disabilities • moving to an active adult community; • moving to a long-term care setting, such as an assisted living facility or nursing home (also known as a skilled nursing facility).

In moving to a retirement community, it’s important to go beyond location, curb appeal and advertisements and take personal tours. Plan to visit several places, and take a relative or friend along for a second opinion.

Because a move in middle to late life usually involves downsizing, it’s wise — if you anticipate changing residences in the next few years — to begin now to sort

through your possessions and sell or give away unneeded items. Typically it takes much longer than expected to go through this tedious and emotion-laden process.

If you intend to relocate in the near future, consider hiring a professional organizer to assist with the paring-down process, or a senior move specialist who can help with everything from planning to setting up in your new residence.

To locate such assistance, contact the National Association of Professional Organizers at www.napo.net or the National Association of Senior Move Managers at www.nasmm.org.

Pull out and keep this insert or share with a friend.

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

Know pros and cons of reverse mortgages

By Dave Carpenter Buried in debt and struggling to pay her monthly bills, Robin Miles resisted a reverse mortgage as a possible way out of those problems.

It would cost a lot, she knew. It sounded gimmicky. And she worried about taking a big risk at an age when you can’t afford a mistake.

Reverse mortgages — loans that allow borrowers age 62 or older to convert home equity into cash — unquestionably are expensive. AARP said costs can commonly total 10 percent of the home’s value.

Yet Miles’ other fears have proven unfounded so far, and taking a reverse mortgage gave her the financial breathing room she needed. “It was salvation for me,” said the 70-year-old Pikesville, Md., resident. “I just wish that more seniors weren’t so afraid of it.”

Reverse mortgages are most often used by seniors who want to stay in their house for the rest of their lives. Generally, the

loans shouldn’t be their first option. Downsizing, moving to a more appropriate living situation, or tapping other assets first often makes more sense.

Still, some recent changes have widened their appeal. They include lower upfront fees and a new reverse mortgage that’s insured by the government.

Such changes mean that now reverse mortgages can make sense to address shorter-term considerations — either for adding retirement income or for getting cash out of a home if it’s hard to find a buyer.

An important plus for seniors is that the payments they receive are not taxable and don’t affect Social Security or Medicare benefits.

“This is a loan where you really need to be careful to understand what your options might be,” said Barbara Stucki, vice president for home equity initiatives at the National Council on Aging, a nonprofit advocacy group. But in the right circumstances, she said, “it can provide more flexibility.”

What’s changed

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Here’s a closer look at reverse mortgages and how they’ve changed.

Reverse mortgages work like regular mortgages, only in reverse. Instead of the homeowner paying the bank every month, the bank pays the homeowner. This can be in some combination of a monthly check, access to a line of credit, or a lump sum.

The amount a borrower can seek depends on several factors, including the home’s value, current interest rates and the age of the borrower.

The older the owner, the higher the amount. If the home is owned by more than one person, the age of the youngest person determines the amount.

A couple in their mid-60s who own a $250,000 home, for example, might be able to get $130,000 or more from a lump-sum reverse mortgage, according to AARP. Reverse mortgages are repaid from the sale of the home. And the amount becomes due, in full with interest, only when the borrower moves, dies, or fails to pay property taxes or homeowners insurance.

Borrowers often were warned in the past to be cautious about these loans because of the potential for scams. The possibility of abuse has receded because there are virtually no private offerings any more.

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The Federal Housing Administration is behind today’s loans. The FHA doesn’t make loans itself, but insures lenders against any losses on loans called Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, known as HECMs (heck-ums).

Last fall, the agency introduced a lowercost reverse mortgage called the HECM Saver that provides smaller loans but also significantly reduces upfront fees. Lenders also have been lowering or waiving upfront sales charges in order to draw more business.

All the changes, coupled with the tough economy and depleted retirement savings,

are likely to generate more borrowers closer to 62.

Miles, who’s divorced and semi-retired from her career as an antiques dealer, survives mostly on Social Security. As the economy soured, business dried up and by last year, she was overwhelmed.

Her monthly income was less than her $2,000 mortgage payment, and after a refinancing, she owed $316,000 on the home she bought in 1998. But she still had significant equity in the house.

So she took out a reverse mortgage for the entire amount, paying about $11,000 in closing costs, including mortgage insurance. Now the lender sends her a check every month, and she is comfortably able to pay taxes, insurance and upkeep.

Her son and two daughters now don’t stand to inherit the house or much if any equity now that she has tapped it. But they support her decision, Miles said, because she is much happier. “This saved my sanity.”

Growing interest The coming flood of baby boomers into retirement, many of them short on savings, will likely drive more people to seek similar solutions. Reverse Market Insight, a website that provides data for the industry, estimates 95,000 to 100,000 reverse mortgages in 2011, up roughly 30 percent from last year.

But not everyone is as well-suited for a reverse mortgage as Miles was. David Certner, AARP legislative policy director, cautions that those who take out larger amounts — on the Saver or on HUD’s earlier-established reverse mortgage, the HECM Standard — face sharply higher ongoing monthly insurance premiums that could hurt them over the long run. The premiums total 1.25 percent of the loan balance, up from 0.5 percent.

The changes are beneficial for seniors See REVERSE MORTGAGES, page B-5

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

Reverse mortgages From page B-4 overall, according to Ted Sarenski, a personal financial specialist who chairs the ElderCare/PrimePlus committee for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. But they don’t change his advice, and that of numerous other experts, that reverse mortgages should be pursued mostly as a last resort.

“It’s a way to stay in your home without having to liquidate it and move,” he said.

“But the home is usually the last asset that you own. If you still have IRA money, or pension money coming in, you probably shouldn’t look to a reverse mortgage.”

See also “Lawsuit over reverse mortgage rules,” on page B -14, for information about additional risks facing surviving spouses who aren’t co-signers on a reverse mortgage.

— AP

Free reverse mortgage help The National Council on Aging (NCOA) will offer free counseling for seniors through its Reverse Mortgage Counseling Services (RMCS) Network.

RMCS counselors are waiving the usual $125 counseling fee in order to help more homeowners understand how reverse mortgage loans, along with community programs and other options, could help them remain in their homes.

Consumers age 62+ can schedule a free reverse mortgage counseling session by calling 1-800-510-0301

Generally, RMCS counselors do not charge a fee for counseling upfront, only at the time of closing, if the client decides to take out a reverse mortgage. RMCS counseling is always free for clients with annual incomes of less than $20,000 for individuals or $30,000 for couples.

NCOA also offers a consumer booklet on reverse mortgages, entitled “Use Your Home to Stay at Home.” The booklet, and additional information on reverse mortgages, can be downloaded free at www.ncoa.org/reversemortgage.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

HELP WITH GROCERY SHOPPING Escort a senior to the grocery store and assist with reading prod-

uct labels, reaching stock, handling carts and putting away groceries through a program with Senior Connection. Or shop for an individual from their prepared list and put groceries away upon returning. Commit to shopping weekly or twice a month. To volunteer or for additional information, contact Greg Muncill at (301) 942-1049 or greg.muncill@seniorconnectionmc.org.

Ongoing

DELIVER MEALS ON WHEELS Fairfax County needs volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels to Vietnamese-speaking older adults who live in the Falls Church and

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Advertorials CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-260-2320 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bgf.org Situated amid the natural beauty of a 220-acre campus just down the road from historic Sandy Spring, Maryland, Brooke Grove Retirement Village has been an innovator in continuing care for seniors for more than 60 years.

With the ongoing growth of our independent living community, The Cottages, Brooke Grove Retirement Village adds to decades of expertise in assisted living, nursing and rehabilitation, respite care, and specialized support for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory loss. Call for a personalized tour or visit us on the Web at www.bgf.org.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

The Virginian 703-385-0555 9229 Arlington Boulevard Fairfax, VA 22031 Welcome to the Virginian – one of Northern Virginia’s most respected Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Since 1980, our community, located on 32 wooded acres, has been home to hundreds of residents from all walks of life.

With accommodations of one and two bedroom apartments in Independent, Assisted, and Enhanced Assisted Living, The Virginian also offers Long Term Nursing, Rehabilitation, and now, Home Health Services. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the many amenities offered.

Call today to schedule a tour and enjoy a complimentary lunch or dinner. The Virginian offers surprisingly affordable luxury living in the heart of Fairfax. Come see why our residents are proud to call The Virginian home.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

The Methodist Home of DC 202-966-7623 4901 Connecticut Ave Washington, DC 20008-2094 www.methodisthomeofdc.org The Methodist Home of D.C., a non-profit community, offers independent living, assisted living, rehabilitation and nursing care. We have been serving seniors since 1889. Our new community, Forest Side, a 33 apartment Alzheimer’s Assisted Living, is now open! Forest Side provides secure indoor and outdoor spaces, programming both day and night, and smaller neighborhoods of studio and one bedroom apartments. While Forest Side is part of the Methodist Home family, it is located just minutes away from our Connecticut Avenue location at 2701 Military Road, NW, Washington, DC 20015. The Independent and Assisted Living offers studio, one-bedroom, one bedroom/den, and two-bedroom apartments.

Rental fees include three meals daily, housekeeping, social and exercise programs, and much more.

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

Condo buyers beware

By Kathy Kristof For those who have a lot of cash or can get credit, this could be an ideal time to buy a house — the foreclosure crisis has pushed prices down and interest rates are way low.

But beware if you are looking to buy a condominium, co-op, town house or other property that’s part of a homeownership group. Another side effect of the foreclosure crisis is that you could end up paying some of your neighbors’ bills.

That’s because people in shared ownership communities chip in to pay the cost of maintaining the buildings and amenities such as swimming pools. Also, the funds, usually paid in monthly installments, are often used to pay for landscaping, as well as to insure the structures.

That means when individual owners in a group walk away from their homes or lose them to foreclosures, the bills end up getting split by the remaining homeowners.

Sometimes those costs don’t get passed on immediately. Instead associations have been known to let bills pile up, creating potentially devastating surprises for owners.

“There’s really a crisis within a crisis in the shared ownership community,” said Gary Poliakoff, coauthor of “New Neighborhoods: The Consumer’s Guide to Condominium, Co-op and HOA Living.”

Financial problems are common The Community Associations Institute (CAI) trade group recently reported that more than half of the nation’s 310,000 community associations are struggling with “serious” or “severe” financial woes.

Some 59 percent of association managers reported that more than 3 percent of homes in their community groups were vacant, the study said, because the owners either had walked away from their mortgages or were unable to rent the homes.

Some 65 percent of associations reported that more than 5 percent of their homeowners were delinquent on their monthly assessments.

“When some owners, including banks that have foreclosed on homes and now own them, don’t pay their share, other homeowners often must make up the difference through higher regular assessments or special assessments,” said Thomas M. Skiba, chief executive of the trade group.

If an association determines that it needs to levy a special assessment on homeowners, there’s no legal limit on how high that assessment can be. Unlike rent, homeowner dues aren’t subject to price controls.

And homeowners can’t just decide not to pay. Associations can get legal judgments to allow them to take a portion of homeowners’ wages or put liens on their properties.

“You are an owner, not a tenant,” Poli-

akoff said. “You are responsible for paying a share of the expenses, no matter how high they might be.”

Before you buy…

To help avoid problems, check out the association thoroughly before you buy.

• Dig deep into financial records. Normally you are given a disclosure that reveals the level of dues. But you need more, Poliakoff said.

You should get the association’s financial statement and find out what expenses the complex is paying, and what percentage of its overall obligations is handled by the dues.

Associations should have a balanced budget that covers both current and anticipated costs, he explained. But an increasing number of associations are either dipping into reserves or putting off prudent saving for anticipated big expenses, such as roof repair, because of the financial crisis.

The CAI survey, for example, said 38 percent of associations have delayed capital improvement projects, 31 percent are contributing less to reserves, 23 percent have borrowed from reserves and 6 percent have borrowed from banks and other lenders. Any of these factors can be a warning flag of trouble ahead.

• Make sure the association has adequate insurance coverage. Owners normally insure their possessions and the interior of their units, but associations generally hold the policy on structures.

One complex recently burned down and the owners found out too late that the association had cut costs by letting the fire insurance policy lapse, Poliakoff said.

• Check into an association’s reserves.

Some states require that associations maintain reserves for any expense that’s likely to exceed threshold amounts, such as $10,000. In those states the association must have a reserve study showing what the anticipated costs are, when they’re expected to be needed, and how much money is set aside to handle them.

If the roof would cost $50,000 to repair and needs fixing every 10 years, for example, you’d expect that nearly half of that anticipated cost would be saved by year five.

Even if a reserve study is not legally required, your association should have one.

• Look over the grounds. Some 35 percent of associations have reduced landscaping services and 12 percent are asking homeowners to do some work themselves, the CAI study said. If the grounds are not well-maintained, the value of a home is likely to diminish over time.

Kathy M. Kristof welcomes your comments and suggestions, but regrets that she cannot respond individually. E-mail her at kathykristof24@gmail.com. © Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Looking for another Housing Options magazine next month.

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

When you need help against foreclosure Dear Savvy Senior: What kind of help is available to seniors who are facing foreclosure? My 76year-old mother has fallen behind on her house payments and is very concerned about losing her home.

— Worried Daughter Dear Worried: With more and more Americans carrying mortgage debt into their retirement years, the foreclosure rates among financially strapped seniors has become a big problem. Here are some things you can do to help your mom.

If your mom has fallen behind on her mortgage payments, or if she has already received a letter or phone call about missed payments, your first step is to contact the lender immediately to explain her situation and see if she can work out a payment plan. Be prepared to provide her financial information, such as her monthly income and expenses.

You also need to talk to a foreclosure avoidance counselor. These are HUD-approved, trained counselors that provide free advice and will help you and your mom understand the law and her options, and organize her finances. They can also represent her in negotiations with her lender if you need them to.

To find a government-approved housing counseling agency in your area visit www.findaforeclosurecounselor.org, or call the Homeownership Preservation Foundation’s HOPE Hotline at 1-888-995-4673.

Federal programs can help Another helpful resource you should know about, and one your counselor can help you explore, is the Making Home Affordable program. Created by the Obama Administration in 2009, this program offers struggling homeowners the opportunity to modify or refinance their mortgage to make their monthly payments more affordable.

Another government program, the Home Affordable Refinance Program, is intended to help people who have been unable to refinance into mortgages with a lower interest rate because their homes have decreased in value.

There is also the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program for those who are interested in a short sale or

deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. This program is for people who agree to leave their property for more affordable housing after either selling the home for less than what they owe on their first mortgage or voluntarily transferring ownership to the loan servicer.

To learn more about these programs and their eligibility requirements see www .makinghomeaffordable.gov.

If your mom has some equity built up in her house, another option worth considering is a reverse mortgage (See “Know pros and cons of reverse mortgages,” on p.

B-5).

Reverse mortgages let homeowners 62 and older borrow money against their home equity, which can be used to eliminate their mortgage payments, and it doesn’t have to be paid back as long as they live there. To learn more, or to contact a reverse mortgage counselor visit www. hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hecm/hecmho me.cfm or call 1-800-569-4287.

Watch for scams You and your mom also need to be aware of the many foreclosure and loan modification scams that are out there today.

These are con artists that reach out to foreclosure victims via letter, phone call or e-mail, or they may advertise their services on television, radio or in the newspaper, claiming they can stop your mom’s foreclosure or can negotiate a loan modification for her — if she pays them a fee first.

Or they may try to get her to sign documents for a rescue loan that actually surrenders the title of her house. Never sign anything or hand over any money unless you run it by your HUD counselor first.

You can learn more about foreclosure scams at www.loanscamalert.org.

Also make sure your mom is not missing out on any financial assistance programs. The National Council on Aging’s benefitscheckup.org website contains a database of more than 2,000 federal, state and local programs that can help seniors in need. The site will help you locate programs that your mom may be eligible for and will show you how to apply.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org.

BEACON BITS

May 12+

HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

JSSA (Jewish Social Service Agency), a non-sectarian community agency, is seeking volunteers to help enhance the quality of life of individuals and families facing life-threatening or terminal illness. Russian speakers are especially needed. JSSA offers specialized training for prospective volunteers for its hospice and transitions programs. The next 20-hour training course is scheduled for four Thursdays, May 12, 19, 26 and June 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at JSSA’s Montrose Road office, 6123 Montrose Rd., Rockville, Md. For more information and to sign up for the course, contact Amy Kaufman Goott, (301) 816-2650, agoott@jssa.org, no later than 5 days prior to the start of the course.

B-7

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Everything we do is with the purpose of supporting and celebrating the life of each and every resident.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Park View at Laurel 301-490-1526 9000 Briarcroft Lane Laurel, MD 20708 parkviewlaurel@sheltergrp.com Your new lifestyle begins at Park View at Laurel! This controlled access elevator building is conveniently located close to Laurel Town Center and Phelps Senior Center. Movie theaters, restaurants and shopping are nearby to encourage the active lifestyle of Seniors 62 or better.

The community features a community room with kitchen, game room, lending library, and computer center. Residents can also enjoy the exercise room and wellness suite, as well as beauty and barber services. Call 301-490-1526 or email parkviewlaurel@sheltergrp.com today to arrange for your personal visit.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Emerson House 301-779-6196 5999 Emerson Street Bladensburg, MD 20710 Emerson House Apartments is conveniently located on Emerson Street, just off of Rt. 450 and 57th Ave in Bladensburg, Md. A quaint residential setting, just minutes from neighborhood shopping, the community is convenient to Prince George's Hospital, a local library, public transportation and parks.

Activities within Emerson House include: exercise classes, a Wii bowling league, arts and crafts classes, bingo, movie night, parties, bus trips and much more. Emerson House is a nine story, community designed for today’s seniors (62 and older). Our 220 one-bedroom units offer Section 8 rent subsidy for low- to moderate-income households.

Please call today to request an application or make an appointment to tour our community. 301-779-6196. Monday – Friday 8:30 to 5:00.

B-8

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Advertorials INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Sommerset Retirement Community 703-450-6411 22355 Providence Village Drive Sterling, VA 20164 www.sommersetretirement.com Your Search is Over for Premier Independent Living!

Sommerset Retirement Community is a unique rental community, offering spacious 1 and 2 bedroom apartment homes for active adults 55 or better. Each apartment has a full kitchen, wall to wall carpet, ample closet space and a private balcony.

Our floor plans range from 620 to 1000 square feet. There are Absolutely NO Buy-ins or community fees!

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Enjoy independent & maintenance free living. We invite you to take a tour and have lunch on us. Call (703) 450-6411.

RESIDENTIAL LIVING & NURSING CARE

The Village at Rockville 301-424-9560 9701 Veirs Drive Rockville, MD 20850-3462 www.thevillageatrockville.org The Village at Rockville excels in short-stay rehabilitative, respite and hospice care, as well as longer-term 24-hour skilled nursing services.

For residents with higher care needs, we also offer dementia/ Alzheimer’s care, post-surgical wound care, and TPN. For over 120 years we have been the flagship quality senior care community in Maryland, attested to by the 98% of residents and families who would recommend us to others. Residential living cottages are also available on our campus. Open to people of all faiths, we accept Medicare/Medicaid, private pay and private insurances.

Stop by or visit our website at www.thevillageatrockville.org.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Greenspring 703-913-1200 7410 Spring Village Drive Springfield, VA 22150 Situated in beautiful Springfield, Va., Greenspring is retirement living at its best. Every apartment home in this 108-acre gated community is 100% maintenance-free. So rather than worrying about the house and the yard, you can spend more time pursuing your passions.

Travel, volunteer, take a college class and explore some of Greenspring’s many clubs and interest groups. Multiple campus restaurants offer a variety of delicious dining options, while 24-hour security offers protection and peace of mind. Enjoy the stability of predictable monthly expenses and look forward to a healthy future with our full continuum of health care and wellness services.

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

New-home negotiation

By Alex Veiga With a little research, anyone considering purchasing a new construction home can improve their chances of negotiating a better deal, said Michael Corbett, real estate expert and author of Before You Buy! The Homebuyer’s Handbook for Today’s Market.

Homebuilders are eager to rack up sales this spring, and many are offering incentives and even some price reductions on homes.

While homeowners looking to sell their property might balk at an offer that is too low and pull their home off the market, builders of new homes have money invested in land and construction costs and can’t afford to just sit on the homes they’re trying to sell.

So how can you negotiate the best deal on a new home?

When considering an already built home, Corbett suggests buyers find out how long ago the home was built and how many residents are living in the development. That knowledge can help you negotiate.

“The bigger the inventory, the more leverage you’re going to have,” he said.

“The longer it has been on the market, the more leverage.”

Check the real comps Another essential step is to check the price at which comparable homes in the development sold, but ignore transactions that are more than 60 to 90 days old.

It also is important not to put too much stock in the price of other, similar homes in the development that have yet to sell — an argument one might hear from a builder’s sales representative.

“A house is only worth what it’s going to sell for, so don’t be bamboozled by a higher price on the properties that are sitting there,” Corbett said.

To structure an initial offer on a new construction home, one must weigh the recent comparable sale prices, how many homes are left to be sold in the development, and how long the home you are interested in has been unsold.

But definitely make an offer that is

below the asking price, Corbett said.

“Some buyers are timid, they don’t want to insult anyone,” he said. “In today’s market, go in a little bit lower. Unless you do, you’re never going to hit the middle ground you want to hit.”

It’s hard to say how much lower, but Corbett offers an example: If the house is listed at $400,000, try going in at $375,000.

However, if recent comparable sales at the development have gone for $350,000, for example, then the buyer should make an offer at that level or below.

And if the development has 30 empty houses, that’s a good indicator the bid should start even lower.

Negotiate three times “You really negotiate three times,” Corbett said. “When you make the first offer, a counter offer, and after the inspection.”

Among other tips Corbett recommended: • Even though a new home often comes with a guarantee, pay for a home inspection so you avoid any repair surprises.

• Get a real estate agent or lawyer to assist with the transaction.

• Don’t be fooled by model home staging tricks, such as smaller-scale furniture, glass tables, and doors removed from their hinges in interior rooms — tactics often used to make the home look larger.

— AP

BEACON BITS

May 25

CONSIDER BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT Hundreds of at-risk children and teens in Northern Virginia need

homes. UMFS (formerly United Methodist Family Services) will hold a free, no obligation information session for prospective foster parents on Wednesday, May 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at UMFS, 6335 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, Va. Older adults are welcome. Agency representatives will be on hand to answer questions and explain the requirements to foster or adopt. To RSVP, call (703) 941-9008.

For more information, visit www.umfs.org.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Housing Options

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

FREE HOUSING AND OTHER INFORMATION For free information — at no obligation — from the following advertisers, just check off the items of interest to you and mail the entire page to the Beacon.

Please do not request info if you are not interested. All replies will have an equal chance to win.

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Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this entire coupon to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227.

You may also include the housing info coupon on page 5 of the Beacon.

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Advertorials INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Revitz House 301-770-8450 6111 Montrose Road Rockville, MD 20852 www.revitzhouse.org www.smithlifecommunities.org Revitz House is independent living in an exceptionally welcoming, friendly community — the ideal choice for those who want to set their own schedule, be part of a lively and supportive neighborhood, and do it all in an affordable manner.

Revitz House is unique in its price range for the supportive services at your fingertips, from complimentary bus transportation to shopping and cultural outings, to a bountiful dinner, personal security system, social work services, extensive programs, fitness, access to Hirsh Health Center, and more.

Find the key to successful retirement right here in Rockville.

INDEPENDENT & PERSONAL CARE COMMUNITIES

B’nai B’rith Homecrest House 301-598-4000 14508 Homecrest Road Silver Spring, MD 20906 www.homecresthouse.org Homecrest is a non-profit community that offers rent and service subsidies so that you pay only what you can afford. Nestled in a beautiful, wooded ten-acre park setting with its own pond, Homecrest House features two communities, independent living and personal care services.

Homecrest offers a full array of activities both in-house and around the metro area via our courtesy van. Our computer lab, beauty shop, exercise room, library and social halls are just a few of the amenities our residents enjoy at Homecrest House.

Call today for a personalized tour or visit us on the web at www.homecresthouse.org.

AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS FOR SENIORS 62+

Victory Woods 301-866-9191 22611 FDR Blvd Lexington Park, MD 20653 www.VictoryWoods.com Welcome to Victory Woods, Lexington Park’s newest affordable apartment community exclusively for seniors! Our community offers comfortable apartment living, with numerous features designed for your lifestyle and comfort. Located within walking distance to Lexington Village shopping center, you have easy access to banking, stores and restaurants.

As a resident of Victory Woods, you could begin your day with a workout in our fitness center or a stroll around the walking path.

Come downstairs for coffee - socialize with neighbors or browse the internet in our business center/library.

Among new friends and comfortable surroundings, you will be happy to call Victory Woods your new home!

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

Reduce costs with a home energy audit

By Susan Zeveon Real estate agent Jim Alexander decided last summer to subject his own 11-yearold house to an energy audit.

“If this was something I was going to recommend to my clients I wanted to see for myself how it works,” he said. His verdict: “Home energy audits are going to change the way we buy and sell houses in America.”

Alexander hired the company Retrofit America to conduct the audit, which showed that by spending about $3,000 — $700 of it covered by government rebates — he could save several hundred dollars a month in energy costs.

Some of the recommendations were as simple as putting a latch on the attic door so that it would not swing open. “The auditors not only brought in all the latest equipment and computer technology but they also used their eyes,” he said.

Home energy audits are like doctors’ checkups for the house, said Seith Leitman, who blogs as the Green Living Guy and consults on McGraw Hill’s series “Green Guru Guides.”

And just as you need to follow a doctor’s advice to get healthier, so you need to follow an audit’s recommendations and retrofit your house if you want to see savings, experts said.

The federal government’s Energy Star Web site, Energystar.gov, said the audits are the first step in making a home more efficient, comfortable and healthy. If your home is too hot in summer, too cold in winter, drafty or damp, and if you suffer from allergies or just from high energy bills, you should do a home energy audit. You also should do one on any house you are considering buying.

Getting started You can perform a simple home energy audit yourself, but you will need a professional for a thorough assessment that includes heating and cooling systems.

Begin with a diligent walkthrough of your house, keeping a checklist of areas you have inspected and problems you find.

The Energy Star website offers a checklist, or for more guidelines read “Do-ItYourself Home Energy Audits” (McGrawHill, 2010).

To get started, Chandler von Schrader, national manager of Home Performance with Energy Star, recommends going online to complete the Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick, which lets you compare your household’s energy use to others and get recommendations for improvement.

The yardstick is intended just to give you a general idea, not a thorough audit.

Some simple steps to start conserving energy at home include replacing incandescent lighting with energy efficient, fluorescent lighting in the room you use most.

Other quick fixes may include replacing old appliances with Energy Star Appliances. Check the Energy Star website for products that have earned that label.

Beware of some other popular quick fixes. Windows, for example, cost a lot, and new ones will not provide energy savings if they are not properly installed with caulking, and if leaks in rooms are not sealed.

Von Schrader warns against cheap energy audits conducted by someone trying to sell you something.

“Houses are complex and require comprehensive solutions,” he said. “You should look at a house in a holistic fashion.

If you do just one thing, you may throw others off. For example, sealing off drafts in an attic may cause humidity buildup in other parts of the house.”

A complete energy audit requires specialized equipment, said Matt Golden, president and founder of Recurve Inc., a San Francisco-are company that helps homeowners increase energy efficiency.

That equipment includes blower doors that measure the extent of leaks in the building, infrared cameras that reveal areas of air infiltration and missing insulation, and duct blasters that use pressure testing to find leaks in a duct system.

Selecting an auditor Von Schrader suggests hiring energy auditors approved by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) or the Building Performance Institute (BPI), which set national standards.

Companies like Retrofit America and Recurve promise one-stop service for homeowners, from the audit to financing to completing the home improvements and verifying the work is done right.

Retrofits may include air sealing and insulation; duct work; replacing heating and cooling systems and water heaters; substituting windows, doors or appliances; and adding renewable energy systems, such as solar panels.

The average cost of retrofitting a house once it has been audited is $8,000 to $10,000, according to Von Schrader, and it is not always advisable to go with the lowest estimate. “Work done correctly often costs more,” he said.

Fortunately, there are programs to offset the costs. Some state energy programs and utilities offer rebates, which require accredited home-energy auditors and contractors to do the work.

While the federal energy tax credit of $1,500 expired at the end of last year, a smaller program is available in 2011. This credit is worth up to $500.

See these websites for further information: www.energystar.gov, www.green livingguy.com, www. retrofitamerica.com, www.energysavers.gov, http://resnet.us and www.recurve.com.

— AP

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

What to do when your house won’t sell

By Dan Sewell Spring can be an exciting time for homeowners ready to sell. But not so much when your home has lingered on the market through multiple spring selling seasons.

Years of listings, open houses and showings without offers are weighing on many homeowners this year as the nation’s housing market continues to struggle from the Great Recession’s prolonged housing slump, credit crunch and high unemployment.

“I would like to move on,” said Jim Oliver, who’s been trying to sell since 2007.

“It’s frustrating.”

His two-story house — with amenities such as a hot tub, finished basement and a wooded lot where deer roam — sits on 1.4 prime acres in an upscale region with a top-rated school district. But the traditional real estate cry of “location, location, location!” has given way in this economy to “price, price, price!”

Too much competition With new foreclosures and mortgage short-sales still streaming into the market, buyers have a lot of bargain listings to shop through.

So that can mean some tough conversations between agents and homeowners about how much they can realistically expect to get for their home — and if it’s not attracting much interest after months or years, the need to slash their asking price.

“We have had a problem with sellers who are nostalgic for the way it was,” said Ron Phipps, a real estate agent and president of the National Association of Realtors. He recalled homeowners reciting in detail the peak of their home’s market value.

But that’s of little use today. “You have to be where the market is, not where it was,” Phipps said.

Sales of previously owned homes fell last year to their lowest level in 13 years, with contract signings last June at their lowest since the Realtors began tracking signed contracts in 2001. January contract signings were also down in the latest report.

The popping of the pre-recession real estate bubble means many people need to

list their homes at or below what they paid for them, said Diane Thomas, senior sales vice president for Comey & Shepherd Realtors. Thomas, who’s listing the Olivers’ house, said 2010 was the worst sales year of her 27-year career.

“Nothing like it before, not even when interest rates were high,” she said.

Spring may be your friend But spring usually means increased activity, with better weather and more traffic from families hoping to buy and get moved before next school year.

Veteran real estate agents suggest a variety of steps for homeowners to improve their property during spring, and the Realtors association has a website with tips for both buyers and sellers at www.Houselogic.com.

Among possible to-do tasks for homeowners: spruce up landscaping, update exterior lighting, and paint or replace front doors, all to create more “curb appeal” for first impressions.

For other improvements, Phipps advises owners to listen to their agent’s suggestions and heed negative feedback from previous showings — without taking it personally.

He also suggests going to open houses or taking online “virtual tours” of similar homes on sale to see how they compare in appearance and price.

“You have to be very realistic about what is keeping your home from selling,” Phipps said. “Sometimes it may actually be the person in the mirror, if your expectations are not realistic. Ultimately, there is a price at which all things sell.”

The Olivers, meanwhile, went ahead with their planned move to Salt Lake City, and are letting a niece and her family stay in what was their home for more than three decades. The house went back on the market in October with the price slashed nearly 25 percent, to $549,000.

Thomas thinks it might be bought by a developer who will knock down the house and divide the land into lots.

Jim Oliver said his family is faring OK financially, but still is more than ready to sell. “I liken it to having a Ferrari just sitting in your garage,” he said.

— AP

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

DISCUSSION LEADER SOUGHT

The Village at Rockville is seeking a volunteer to lead seniors in discussions of current events, nostalgia, motivation, etc. on Mondays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Engage seniors in thought-provoking and stimulating conversation. The community, located at 9701 Veirs Dr., Rockville, Md., is also looking for a volunteer tai chi instructor. Interested persons should call (301) 354-8447.

Ongoing

HELP A HOMELESS PET

Foster homes are needed for all types of animals, from dogs and cats to rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and reptiles, while they await a permanent home. For more information, contact the Montgomery County Humane Society at (240) 793-4201 or e-mail fostermau@mchumane.org. Also see www.mchumane.org/fosterprogram.shtml.

B-11

Advertorials CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Ashby Ponds 703-723-1999 21170 Ashby Ponds Boulevard Ashburn, VA 20147 www.EricksonLiving.com Announcing Red Robin View, our newest and final building in our current neighborhood to open Spring 2012. Ashby Ponds offers maintenance-free retirement living combined with a vibrant lifestyle―all in a beautiful, private and gated community. Without the worries of a house and yard, you can spend more time pursuing your passions. Travel, volunteer, take a college class and explore some of Ashby Ponds many clubs and interest groups. Campus restaurants offer a variety of delicious dining options, while security offers protection and peace of mind. Enjoy the stability of predictable monthly expenses and look forward to a healthy future with our health care and wellness services. Whatever your passions in life, you’ll find the freedom and opportunity to follow them at Ashby Ponds.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Riderwood 301-495-5700 3140 Gracefield Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 Ideally located in Silver Spring, Riderwood offers maintenance-free retirement living combined with a vibrant lifestyle — all in a beautiful, private community.

Without the worries of a house and yard, you can spend more time pursuing your passions. Travel, volunteer, take a college class, and explore some of Riderwood’s many clubs and interest groups. Multiple campus restaurants offer a variety of delicious dining options, while 24-hour security offers protection and peace of mind. Enjoy the stability of predictable monthly expenses and look forward to a healthy future with our full continuum of health care and wellness services.

IN-HOME CARE

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Comfort Keepers offers a customized plan of care which begins with a Registered Nurse conducting a complimentary assessment to determine each client’s individual needs. Each Comfort Keeper employee completes a Criminal Background Check, monthly National Background Check, Motor Vehicle Record Check, Reference Check, Certification and License Verification. If you want to remain independent in your home, please call Comfort Keepers to schedule your free long term quality of life plan.

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Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Affordable Senior Communities Discover how great senior living is at one of our affordable apartment communities. Many of our communities feature brand-new apartment homes, 24-hour emergency maintenance, full activities programs, spacious floor plans, affordable rents, caring and dedicated staff, and much more. We are conveniently located near shopping, including grocery stores and pharmacies. Let us help you live life to the fullest. Call or visit these communities: 550 Shriner Court Union Bridge, MD 21791

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How to evaluate a retirement community

By Adele Winters If you’re considering a move for yourself or a family member to an independent living retirement community, there are a number of criteria you should consider before making your final decision.

Among the most basic things to consider is the quality of the staff, facility and programming. Concern for residents’ safety is especially important.

Look for: • On-site amenities, such as a beauty shop, banking and postal services, transportation, and a variety of meal programs.

• A varied calendar, with activities that are of interest to you, including religious services, if that is an important consideration.

• Staff (front desk, maintenance, housekeeping, food service, etc.) who are trained to notice changes in residents’ appearance, mobility, personality, etc.

• An alert system so that the management or social services office will be notified if mail has not been picked up, if a resident hasn’t been on time for a regularly scheduled activity, etc.

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

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The physical environment of the facility is also an important consideration. Are the corridors too long; is the facility too fancy, too intimidating, too much like a hotel?

Some people prefer a homey, smaller setting, while others prefer a larger, more anonymous facility.

Look for unobtrusive supports — such as handrails in corridors, high, firm furniture in common areas, and low-pile carpeting to facilitate the use of walkers and wheelchairs.

Some other things to take note of include: • How many residents have their own cars?

• Is there bus transportation? A wheelchair lift? How far is it to the prospective resident’s family, physicians, grocery store, shopping center, church or synagogue, etc.?

• Are there intergenerational programs with nearby schools and day care centers?

• Is there a buddy system or welcoming committee to help new residents become acclimated?

• Are pets permitted? This may be an issue if you have allergies, or are afraid of animals.

• Are there wellness services such as

blood pressure checks, a mobile dentist, etc.?

• Are there housekeeping and laundry services?

• Are options available for adding services — such as meals, personal care, medication management — on an a la carte basis?

Try the food Food, and the social interactions that accompany community meals, are prime considerations for many. If the facility serves regular meals, try to make arrangements to join the residents for lunch or dinner. This will give you the opportunity to answer the following questions: • How is the food presented? How does it taste?

• How do the staff and residents interact?

• What is the behavior of the other residents like?

• How do the residents dress for meals?

• Is the atmosphere lively or quiet?

• Does the dining room have sound-absorbing materials such as drapes, acoustical tiles and table linens to help hearingimpaired residents enjoy the social interaction?

• Is the lighting too subdued or too strong?

• Are menus distributed in advance so that residents can select alternate entrees?

• Can meals be delivered to individual apartments? How often? How much does it cost?

• Does the admissions staff tell the dining room manager about new residents so tablemates can be matched by similar interests/backgrounds?

• Is there open or assigned seating?

• If a resident has a private duty aide, is the aide allowed in the dining room? (This would be a good time to ask the facility about their policy on private duty aides as well. For example, do residents have to use an in-house agency or registry?)

• Is there a monitoring mechanism in place so that someone is alerted if a resident misses a meal?

Once you’ve answered all these questions to your satisfaction, make an unannounced visit and ask random residents how they like the facility.

Even better, stop residents or their family members in the parking lot (where they are more free to talk openly) and ask about their experience.

Please patronize our advertisers.

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

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Economy drives changes in homebuyers The recession has made 55+ buyers more practical when selecting a new home, according to a joint study by the 50+ Housing Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the MetLife Mature Market Institute. Design considerations have become less important, and financial concerns have become more prominent.

Previous studies from these two organizations found that most 55+ buyers depended on home sale proceeds to finance a new purchase. The most recent data shows that option diminished during the economic downturn.

The study, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Housing Trends Update for the 55+ Market,â&#x20AC;? explores recently released housing data from the Census Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2009 American Housing Survey on the 55+ demographic. The report focuses especially on households living in age-restricted rental communities and in active adult communities in which residents purchase their homes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By the year 2020, as baby boomers move into this age bracket, almost 45 percent of all U.S. households will include someone at least 55 years old,â&#x20AC;? said David Crowe, NAHBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chief economist. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The number of those households seeking housing better suited to their changing needs will therefore rise dramatically.â&#x20AC;?

Crowe noted that about 54,000 housing

starts are projected in 55+ communities this year, a 30 percent rise from estimated 2010 levels, but still relatively modest production.

Starts in 55+ communities are projected to increase another 46 percent to roughly 79,000 housing units in 2012.

Buyers tap savings In 2009, only 55 percent of new age-qualified active adult home buyers reported that their down payment came from a previous home sale, significantly down from 100 percent of respondents in 2005 and 92 percent in 2007.

In 2005 and 2007, no active adult community buyers reported having to tap cash or savings for a down payment. In 2009, 45 percent of the average buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s down payment came from cash or savings.

While median prices for new 55+ homes remain lower than 2005â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peak, a look at average home prices shows a big difference between buyers in age-qualified active adult communities and older buyers in mixed-age communities.

Average prices for buyers 55+ buying in mixed-age communities dropped in 2007 and partially rebounded in 2009.

But prices for age-qualified communities more than bounced back; they set a record with an average price of $319,000.

Buyers in that group were more affluent,

with average incomes of more than $80,000 a year. Twenty-seven percent reported earning $100,000 or more compared to fewer than 5 percent of such buyers in 2001. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most 55+ consumers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; those who chose to move and those who stay in their homes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; report that they are happy with their homes and communities,â&#x20AC;? said Sandra Timmermann, director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But those who did move to an age-qual-

ified community â&#x20AC;&#x201D; about 3 percent â&#x20AC;&#x201D; reported the greatest satisfaction, rating their homes and communities at nine on a one-to-10 scale.â&#x20AC;?

Motivations to move The desire to be near family and friends is the mature moverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overwhelming motivation, the report noted. The design, amenities and appearance of the residence See HOMEBUYERS, page B-15

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Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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

Lawsuit over reverse mortgage rules

By Mark Miller The AARP Foundation has filed a lawsuit challenging federal rules said to be forcing reverse mortgage borrowers into foreclosure.

AARP filed the suit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which regulates the reverse mortgage market. The suit focuses attention on lending rules affecting married couples where only one spouse signs the loan documents.

HUD administers the most popular type of reverse mortgage, the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). For years, HUD and lender marketing materials have described HECMs as non-recourse loans, in which borrowers could never owe more than the value of their homes, even though the loan balances rise over time. The intent was

to assure seniors that HECMs were safe.

But AARP charges that HUD illegally implemented two important rule changes in 2008. The first stated that the non-recourse provision would apply only when properties are sold. That means that a surviving non-signing spouse would have to re-pay the full outstanding HECM balance, even if the home’s value had dropped.

Second, HUD changed a rule stating that a borrower could sell a secured property for 95 percent to 100 percent of its appraised value. The new rule stated that only “arm’s length transactions” would be allowed under that range of prices.

That effectively meant that a non-signing surviving spouse could retire a HECM only by repaying the full loan balance, but that a third party buyer could purchase the property for as little as 95 percent of ap-

BEACON BITS

May 11+

HOT TIPS FOR TODAY’S JOB MARKET Attend a free workshop presented by JSSA’s Employment and Ca-

reer Services on either Wednesday, May 11 from 7 to 8 p.m. or Wednesday, May 24 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, Md. Learn how to expand contacts and become more successful at self-marketing and keys to mastering the interview process. For more information, call (301) 610-8380 or e-mail careerinfo@jssa.org.

praised market value.

Lenders and some lawmakers are supporting AARP’s position.

The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association is urging HUD to rewrite its rules to allow a sale to a family member on the same terms as a sale to a third party.

And Rep. Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) recently co-signed a letter to HUD urging that surviving spouses be permitted to assume the loans.

The AARP suit comes on the heels of recent efforts by HUD and lenders to address loan defaults among strapped homeowners who fail to keep up on required tax and insurance payments. HUD launched a new initiative aimed at beefing up counseling services that reverse mortgage borrowers are required to undergo as part of the loan process.

Should both spouses sign?

AARP’s plaintiffs are the surviving spouses of three homeowners who bought HECMs, but who didn’t sign on as co-borrowers. As such, they represent a very large portion of all HECM borrowers; only 39 percent of outstanding HECM loans last year had multiple signers, HUD data shows.

HECM borrowers must be 62 years of age, so in some cases, one spouse is too young to qualify. In other cases, one spouse isn’t listed on the title; one of AARP’s plaintiffs wasn’t listed because her

Moving in with kids From page B-2 erations should discuss all the issues — from privacy concerns to the division of chores. Goyer suggests sitting down and asking, “What are everyone’s expectations? What are you uncomfortable about?” Once the families are combined, meet regularly to air any concerns.

If Mom likes to cook but her son-in-law runs the kitchen, perhaps she can cook on weekdays while he cooks on weekends.

Maybe Dad gets a TV in his room, so the adult children — or the teens — can use the family room to watch their favorite programs.

Perhaps you prefer a light meal at 5 p.m., while your daughter-in-law and son eat a big dinner at 7 p.m. In that case, plan to eat one meal together each week.

Establish boundaries The adult child needs to set boundaries.

For instance, is Grandpa allowed to tell the teenage son to turn off the TV and do his homework? And what if the teenage son talks back to Grandpa?

The older parent, too, must set limits.

Maybe Grandma is glad to babysit once a week, but she doesn’t want to become a granny nanny.

And she’s likely to make friends or find a close companion. “Granny might not move in and want to start knitting,” said Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United, a membership group. “She may want to go dancing or have a male friend.”

husband owned the house prior to their marriage in 2001.

But there also can be financial motivation for just the older spouse to sign the loan. That’s because the amount you can borrow is determined, in part, by an agedriven actuarial formula that includes the age of the youngest borrower, interest rate, home value and insurance costs.

Solo older borrowers will receive higher monthly payments since they aren’t expected to collect payments for as long as younger borrowers.

The AARP lawsuit underscores the need for would-be reverse mortgage borrowers to think carefully about the implications of taking a loan, and the possibility of losing a home under certain circumstances.

By law, counseling is a pre-condition for borrowing, but take it seriously — and if you have any doubts, consult a trusted attorney or financial counselor before making a decision.

I’ve posted links to counseling resources with the online version of this column here: http://retirementrevised.com/rmcounseling.

Mark Miller is the author of “The Hard Times Guide to Retirement Security.” He publishes http://retirementrevised.com, recently named the best retirement planning site on the web by Money Magazine. Contact him with questions and comments at mark@retirementrevised.com. © 2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Consider creating a private entrance. Or perhaps Mom can schedule her bridge games when the kids are at school.

Hit the money issue head on. “Have a candid conversation with Mom or Dad,” said Thomas Scanlon, a certified public accountant. “Are they able to sustain themselves? Or will the child need to subsidize some of their expenses?”

It’s likely that a parent who has sold a house will be able to pay expenses. Together you should determine a fair amount for the parent to pay for meals, utilities, cable costs and phone bills, and even for a home addition.

“It makes the parent feel not as much as an intruder, but a partner in the space,” said Ronald Fatoullah, an elder-law attorney in New York City.

Another issue is figuring out what to do with the parent’s furniture and other possessions. “If a senior moves into a son or daughter’s house and tries to take it over with their stuff, there’s going to be a problem,” said Prell.

A parent should consider putting his or her possessions in storage for a six-month trial period of living with the adult child.

The adult child can hire a geriatric-care manager to assess the home as well as the kind of care an aging parent may need.

Find a care manager through the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers at www.caremanager.org.

Excerpted from Kiplinger’s Retirement Report. © 2011 Tribune Media Services

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

Homebuyers From page B-13 and the community remain important, but less so than before the recession.

Those buyers 55+ who are moving into rental homes, both multi-family and singlefamily, cited a desire for less expensive housing as second in importance to living near friends and family.

Those who are able to buy are getting much more for less. In 2009, more than half of 55+ buyers said they were moving into better homes, but fewer than half reported that their new homes cost more than the old ones.

“Proximity to work” was more important than in the past for those relocating to age-qualified, active adult communities — 12 percent in 2009 versus 2 percent in 2001 — underscoring the trend toward delayed retirement in this age group.

There was also a reported increase in the share of 55+ single-family homeowners who say they work at home, which may be a trend noteworthy to home designers.

A small, but growing share of older households is taking advantage of the ability to convert some of their home equity into a reverse mortgage or home equity conversion mortgage. They tend to be older, single-person households with lower household income and longer housing tenure.

Those with reverse or home equity conversion mortgages represented more than 241,000 households in 2009, a 54 percent increase since 2007.

“Housing Trends Update for the 55+ Market,” can be downloaded at http:// bit.ly/housingreport. It can also be ordered for free by writing to: MetLife Mature Market Institute, 57 Greens Farms Road, Westport, CT, 06880.

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Lump sum pensions: a bad deal for most Traditional pensions are an endangered with an annuitized pension. Here’s why: Lifetime income. Say a species in the private sector. retiree is entitled to a monthBut if you’re lucky enough to ly pension of $1,000 at age 65, have one, you may face a payable for life. If she wants choice at retirement: Take the to convert that to a lump sum, money as a lump sum, or as a the actuarial formulas would monthly lifetime annuity-style have her walk out of her empayment? ployer’s door with about About one-third of private $140,000. sector workers who have traOf course, that sounds like ditional defined benefit pensions are in plans that offer RETIRE SMART a lot more money than $1,000, and that’s why so this choice. And most of them By Mark Miller many retirees take the lump opt for a lump sum, partly because it can sound like so much money, sum if they’re offered a choice. But if our and partly because of all the bad news retiree is married, she could elect a jointwe’ve seen in recent years about big pen- and-survivor benefit with a slightly lower monthly payment around $850. That paysion plans that have gone belly up.

But lump sums are usually a bad deal. ment would come every month of their Most people would come out far ahead lives — good times or bad — until both of over the course of retirement with an an- them have passed away.

Human behavior and market risk. nuity. And lump sums are getting to be even less attractive due to recent pension Now, let’s consider the lump sum. For reform legislation that mandates changes starters, our retiree must invest it to genin the way lump sum payments are calcu- erate lifetime retirement income. In addition, she runs the risk of withdrawing too lated. much, market setbacks, or living much How annuities differ longer than average — creating the need Pension plan sponsors calculate lump to stretch her nest egg much further. sums using longevity and interest-rate staSafety. Some retirees worry that their tistics, aiming to match the amount you’d pensions won’t be there for them if their need to invest to match the annuity-style employer experiences financial catastrochecks you’d receive from your normal re- phe. Indeed, defined benefit pensions have tirement age. In that sense, the choice be- gotten a good deal of bad press as a result tween lump sum and annuity should be of high-profile failures of underfunded neutral, producing the same result over plans at companies such as United Airlines time. and U.S. Airways.

But that’s not the case. While the outBut pension safety is improving due to come depends on a number of factors — passage of the Pension Protection Act of how you invest the money, whether you’re 2006 (PPA), which includes important rea male or female, and whether you’re mar- forms that require all plans to get to 100 ried — most people will come out ahead percent funding over a period of years.

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It’s also important to know that most private plans are insured by the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC), a federally-sponsored agency funded through premiums paid by plan sponsors. When a plan fails, the PBGC assumes responsibility for making benefit payments up to an established maximum amount. While it’s possible to lose some income if your benefits exceed the PBGC’s cap, most beneficiaries come out whole.

Changing formulas. When the PPA was passed, plan sponsors lobbied successfully for a change in the benchmark interest rate used to calculate lump sums.

They argued that lump sum payments were being inflated artificially by ultra-low

30-year Treasury rates.

So the PPA replaced the Treasury rate with a higher composite corporate bond rate that will be phased in fully in 2012.

The corporate rate is a little over 100 basis points higher than the Treasury rate.

“All other things being equal, it means a lower lump sum,” said Alan Glickstein, a senior consultant and pensions expert at Towers Watson. “For someone close to retirement age, it works out roughly to a 10 percent change in value for every one percentage difference in interest rates.”

Women get an especially bad deal.

The actuarial tables governing lump sum See PENSIONS, page 30

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

When have you earned enough to retire?

By Dave Carpenter Coming up with “your number” — the amount of money you will need to retire comfortably — is a preoccupation for many.

Some financial services have encouraged the quest, most memorably ING in TV commercials showing baby boomers with bright orange numbers with dollar signs on their heads.

The concept has gained urgency in recent years, especially after two market meltdowns that eroded retirement savings and confidence alike.

But it may actually be counterproductive. Rather than a decades-long, potentially futile effort to reach a huge number, you may be better off setting achievable benchmarks along the way.

That’s not to say that setting financial goals for retirement and trying to reach them isn’t important. Many people, after all, are on pace to run low on cash in retirement, which will leave them needing to rely on Social Security checks that average only about $1,100 a month.

About 36 percent of early boomers (currently age 56 to 62) alone are at risk of not having enough money to pay for basic expenditures and healthcare costs through 20 years of retirement. That’s based on an analysis of recent retirement savings, housing equity and other data by the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

Don’t focus on final number There’s a problem, though, with attaching a single, large number to your aspirations. Coming up with a reliable number for your retirement savings goal is tough enough. Reaching it might feel impossible.

And that can be deflating.

“Looking at a monster number and

thinking ‘I’m never going to get there’ causes a lot of procrastination,” said Anne Arvia, senior vice president of retirement plans for Nationwide Financial. “It can be overwhelming.”

If your retirement savings strategy is built around reaching a particular number, you are probably at greater risk of having it derailed.

Cathie Collins, 51, of Littleton, Colo., has been calculating her “magic number” since she was in her 20s. Relying on financial advisers and planning tools, she calculated it at $1 million, and later $1.2 million, in order to maintain the same standard of living in retirement.

She did all the right things financially: living frugally, saving aggressively, investing regularly, fully funding her retirement plans, and paying off high-interest credit cards.

With a six-figure income as an information technology consultant, Collins seemed destined to reach or exceed her number. Then a series of life events set her back: divorce, some bad investments, the market crash that wiped out as much 40 percent of her savings and, last year, a layoff.

Instead of being three-quarters of the way to her savings goal, as she said her guidelines suggest, she’s only about halfway there.

She still tracks her progress occasionally through some of the many online retirement calculators. Some help you calculate your number, while others chart different paths to retirement security.

Collins is homing in on other things now, such as paying off the mortgage on her condo, maintaining a healthy emergency fund, and managing her stock portfolio more closely, guided by a Vanguard fi-

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nancial planner.

“I’m not as obsessed about it as I used to be,” she says of her number. “I’ve already accepted the fact I won’t hit it. But I do think it’s worth striving for.”

Better ways to calculate needs Some experts think retirement calculators entail too much guesswork and overestimate the extent of spending in retirement. They think you’re better off focusing on other areas besides a seven-digit savings figure.

One increasingly popular concept advocates setting a savings target that’s a multiple of current household income. It’s a more manageable way of staying on top of your progress toward retirement security.

Most advisers say you’ll need to make anywhere from 70 to 85 percent of your pre-retirement income to maintain a similar standard of living in retirement, although it can vary widely depending on lifestyle.

The capital-to-income ratio, introduced in 2005 by financial adviser Charles Farrell, holds that you should have about 12 times your income in assets by age 65 in order to produce 80 percent of pre-retirement income.

Under that formula, you should have 5.2 times your income set aside at age 50, meaning someone with a $60,000 salary at that age would need to have $312,000 in savings to be on track.

Lowering spending expectations in retirement makes it easier to keep pace. Having 10 times your income saved by age 65, for example, would enable you to live on 70 percent of pre-retirement income.

Comparing capital to income is more reliable than a savings target because it’s tied to your current spending habits, ar-

Pensions From page 29 calculations are unisex, but women outlive men by about four years on average. That means female workers who take lump sums get shortchanged.

Incentives favor annuities. Many employers offer older workers pension incentives to retiree early, but they aren’t required by law to include those sweeteners if you take a lump sum.

“Let’s say you’d get a $1,000 pension at age 65,” said Glickstein. “If you took early retirement at 55, it might be worth only $400 a month. But the plan sponsor might offer $600 to encourage you to retire — that’s a fairly common design.

“But that extra amount might not be included in the lump sum calculation. So, you could be forfeiting that extra subsidy

gued Farrell.

“People are generally over optimistic about what they can do with their personal finances,” he said. “Income is used to establish our lifestyle, so I think it’s the most honest way of looking into the future and deciding what your needs might be.”

Any number is only a rough guideline, of course. Assumptions and projections are subjective and vary from formula to formula.

For example, a similar ratio developed by financial services company TIAA-CREF holds that your savings should be 8 1/2 times your salary by age 65. That same 50year-old with a $60,000 salary would be on course with just over four times salary, or a little more than $240,000.

This asset-salary ratio assumes that Social Security would replace 25 percent of income, versus 20 percent under Farrell’s formula.

A simpler approach, advocated among others by Principal Financial, holds that the average investor should focus on saving 11 to 15 percent of pay over a 40-year career in order to be OK in retirement.

Any tool that gets someone to save aggressively for retirement is probably a good one. And if someone is close to retirement but far short of their number, they can still make “bite-sized moves,” said Bob Sollmann, who heads the retirement business at MetLife.

Those might include bumping up the portion of your paycheck that you save by 1 or 2 percent, or considering moving somewhere less expensive in retirement.

“If a number is a way to motivate someone to get somewhere, that’s good,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s all about taking action.”

— AP

— so be sure to ask your employer how it’s calculated.”

A lump sum can make sense in some situations, Glickstein said. “The key factors are how long you’re likely to live, and what you plan to do with the money.

“For example, say you’re married and your spouse receives a monthly pension.

You might want to take the lump sum to invest in a business or travel.

“But if this pension is going to be your primary source of income in retirement alongside Social Security, consider taking the annuity.”

Mark Miller is the author of “The Hard Times Guide to Retirement Security.” He publishes http://retirementrevised.com, recently named the best retirement planning site on the web by Money Magazine. Contact him with questions and comments at mark@retirementrevised.com.

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

FREE ADMISSION! FREE PARKING!

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

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The panel will discuss their experiences and give you opportunity to ask questions.

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Volunteers & Careers

EMPLOYERS & RESOURCES

#OMMISSION IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYER AND WOULD LIKE TO RECRUIT AT THIS EVENT, 7ESTAT CONTACT MICKI GORDON AT 301.255.4231 or MGORDON@ACCESSJCA.ORG FOR FREE BOOTH SPACE.

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

35

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING

Spotlight On Aging VOLUME XXVI, ISSUE 5

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

By Dr. John Thompson Happy Older Americans Month!

It is my pleasure to serve as the Acting Executive Director of the D.C. Office on Aging. I am Dr. John Thompson. I left my post at the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities to accept this appointment by Mayor Vincent Gray. Many of you may remember that I served as the Manager of the Aging and Disability Resource Center.

I look forward to being the chief advocate for persons age 60 and older, their families and caregivers, as well as the head of an agency that provides resources and support to persons 18 and older with disabilities.

During the recent hearing for the Office on Aging's Fiscal Year 2012 budget request before the Council of the District of Columbia’s Committee on Aging and Community Affairs, I outlined my key objectives for the next six months. These include a review of the office structure, the design of performance standards, a needs assessment for District seniors, and bolstering our senior employment program. A complete narrative is included in this issue of “Spotlight on Aging.”

As we celebrate Older Americans Month under the theme "Older Americans: Connecting the Community," we hope that each one of you participates in the various events that will be held across the city to commemorate the month set aside to honor the contributions of Older Americans. This year we will, again, cosponsor the D.C. Senior Games. A complete listing of all of our activities for the month is also included in this issue.

Please don't forget Senior Health and Fitness Day, which will feature an open house in each of our senior wellness centers. For more information on events and activities, always feel free to call our Information and Assistance Unit at 202-724-5626.

May 2011

Mayor Gray’s Four Goals in the FY 2012 Budget Mayor Gray’s Fiscal Year 2012 budget closes a $322.1 million budget gap through: • $187.0 million in expenditure cuts from the CFO’s Fiscal Year 2012 Current Services Funding Level budget (58%) • $127.2 million in tax increases (39%) • $7.9 million in additional revenue from leasing, expanded sales, and advertising (3%) Mayor Gray has focused on four key priorities in his Fiscal Year 2012 budget:

1. Fiscal Stability The Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2012 budget is structurally balanced without the use of any of the District’s fund balance, meaning that for the first time in four years the District will pay for its expenditures within its available revenue.

2. Quality Education Education Reform has been, and will continue to be, the Mayor’s number one priority. Increased revenue projections allowed a $51.2 million increase in DCPS funding and a $25.7 million increase in charter school funding over Fiscal Year 2011 funding.

3. Jobs and Economic Development Job creation is one of the four key priorities in the Mayor’s FY 2012 budget. Despite reductions to federal funding and special purpose revenue, the Mayor maintained full funding for adult job training in his Fiscal Year 2012 budget by increasing local funds by $2.6 million in the Department of Employment Services.

4. Safe Communities The Mayor’s budget will continue the commitment to protect the lives and property of the people of the District of Columbia. The creation and revitalization of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety pro-

vides guidance and coordination to the Public Safety agencies.

Community 2012 Budget Briefing Meetings Ward 1 Friday, May 6, 7 p.m.

Bell Multicultural High School, 3101 16th St., N.W. Ward 2 Monday, May 9, 7 p.m.

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1315 8th St., N.W. Co-Host: Councilmember Jack Evans Ward 3 Tuesday, May 3, 7 p.m.

Alice Deal Middle School, 3815 Fort Drive, N.W. Co-Host: Councilmember Mary Cheh Ward 4 Monday, May 2, 7 p.m.

Brightwood Elementary School, 1300 Nicholson St., N.W. Co-Host: Councilmember Muriel Bowser Ward 5 Wednesday, May 4, 7 p.m.

Luke C. Moore Academy Senior High School, 1001 Monroe St., N.E. Co-Host: Councilmember Harry Thomas Ward 6 Saturday, May 7, 3 p.m.

Miner Elementary School, 601 15th St., N.E. Co-Host: Councilmember Tommy Wells Ward 7 Saturday, May 7, 11:30 a.m.

Hillcrest Recreation Center, 3100 Denver St., S.E. Ward 8 Was held on Monday, April 25, 7 p.m.

Savoy Elementary School, 2400 Shannon Pl., S.E.

D.C. Office on Aging Key Goals The following are the primary goals for the D.C. Office on Aging for the next six months as outlined in testimony by Acting Executive Director John Thompson, Ph.D. • Complete an in-depth review of internal operations and implement the necessary policies and procedures to assist the agency in enhancing its overall operations in serving seniors.

• Design performance standards to ensure that seniors are receiving quality home- and community-based services under the Older Americans Act and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

(CMS) funded demonstration programs.

• Position the ADRC in becoming the District’s principal agency in diverting vulnerable residents from premature nursing home placements and securing long-term services and supports.

• Work with key stakeholders, including the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities, in developing a strategic plan for increasing the number of senior villages in the District of Columbia.

• Identify stakeholders, facilitate meetings, identify funding and draft a request for announcement with Office of Contracts and

Procurement to administer a comprehensive needs assessment of the District’s seniors. This needs assessment would be essential to identifying gaps in services and how to programmatically plan for the future.

• Collaborate with the Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services (HHS), Ms. BB Otero, and the HHS agency leads in improving the coordination of services among the District agencies that would assist seniors and persons with disabilities in accessing home- and community-based services.

• Position DCOA to competitively secure grant funding from the federal government

and private foundations that would modernize the existing long-term services and supports system in the District.

• Establish partnerships with trade unions, faith-based organizations and civic associations to solicit their support in meeting the needs of seniors, especially the aging in place programs.

• Implement additional training and counseling services for seniors who are seeking employment.

• Intensify our outreach efforts to reach a larger segment of the aging population, particularly the baby boomers.

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

D.C. OFFICE

ON

AGING NEWSLETTER

Community Calendar See also “Special Events During Older Americans Month” below for additional May activities.

May events

12th • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th • 12:30 p.m.

Every Tuesday in May attend a program sponsored by the Ft. Lincoln 2 Senior Nutrition Program called Living with Diabetes. Ft. Lincoln Senior Center is located at 3001 Bladensburg Rd., N.E. Call Vivian Grayton at 202-529-8701 for more information.

11th • 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

The Trey McIntyre Project, an innovative national ballet company, comes to Iona for a lunch-and-learn to talk about its work in art and healing. Open to the public. Free. Bring your own lunch. Iona is located at 4125 Albemarle St., N.W. Call 202-895-9401 for more information.

19th • 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Join the AHI Ward 8 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program in celebrating Older Americans Month at an open house at 114 Wayne Pl., S.E. For reservations, call Margaret Forbin, program director, at 202-562-1041.

17th • 10:30 a.m. to noon Iona’s Age Well/Live Well Book Group discusses Creative Aging: Rethinking Retirement and Non-Retirement in a Changing World, by Marjorie Zoet Bankson. Bankson, a professional potter and teacher, served as president of Faith at Work for more than 15 years and is the author of several books. She teaches at Virginia Theological Seminary and the Washington National Cathedral. Iona is located at 4125 Albemarle St., N.W. For further information and reservations, call Donna Sims at 202-895-9419.

Iona’s 2011 Education, Advocacy & Engagement Forum and Awards will honor volunteers 60+ who are building and sustaining a community that cares.

The free event and reception take place at Iona Senior Services, 4125 Albemarle St., N.W. Call 202-8959425 for more detailed information or e-mail Lfisher@iona.org.

Ongoing Weekdays • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Seabury Aging Services has an emergency food pantry that is free to Ward 5 residents age 60 and older. Food is distributed on a case-by-case basis.

Call Vivian Grayton at 202-529-8701 for more information.

Special Events During Older Americans Month Each year the Administration on Aging (AoA) issues a theme for Older Americans Month to assist our National Aging Services Network of state, tribal, Area Agencies on Aging, and community services providers plan for activities that might take place in May or throughout the year.

The theme of this year’s celebration — Older Americans: Connecting the Community — pays homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities.

It also highlights the many ways technology is helping older Americans live longer, healthier and more engaged lives.

The 28th Annual D.C. Senior Games May 2 to 6, various times and locations The D.C. Senior Games will feature medal competition in more than 15 sporting events, including swimming, tennis, track and field, basketball and table tennis. If you require accommodations for minor disabilities, please contact 202-664-7153. Fee: $15 per athlete, which includes participation in

all sporting events and an official T-shirt.

Fees for bowling and golf events are not included.

The 31st Annual Senior Companion/Respite Aide Recognition Day May 11, 11 a.m.

Sponsored by the University of the District of Columbia Institute of Gerontology.

The event will take place at Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, 1630 Vermont Ave., N.W. If you have any questions, call 202-274-6659.

Barney Senior Program Live Concert (Wards 1 and 4) May 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wards 1 and 4 seniors gather for a day of entertainment, lunch, information and health exhibits at the 19th Street Baptist Church, 5704 16th St., N.W. For more information, call 202-939-9020.

East River Enhancing the Health and Safety of Older Americans (Ward 7) May 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Continental breakfast featuring workshops and health fair, Washington Seniors Wellness Center, 3001 Alabama Ave., S.E.

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

441 4th St., N.W., 9th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 202-724-5622 • www.dcoa.dc.gov Dr. John Thompson, Acting Executive Director Darlene Nowlin, Editor Alice Thompson, Photographer The D.C. Office on Aging does not discriminate against anyone based on actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin,

sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income, and place of residence or business.

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

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

Pre-register at 202-534-4880.

Emmaus Services for the Aging — Arts in the Aging (Ward 2) May 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ward 2 seniors gather for a day to celebrate seniors working in the arts with lunch, Kennedy Recreation Center, 1301 7th St., N.W., 202-745-1200.

South Washington Older Americans Month Event (Ward 6) May 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ward 6 seniors gather for a day of entertainment, lunch, info and health exhibits, Sherwood Recreation Center, 1000 G St., N.E., 202-608-1340.

2nd Annual Prom for Seniors — the East River Swing, “A Celebration of Stars” (Ward 7) May 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy dinner, dancing and a hand dance performance at St. Luke’s Center, 4923 E. Capitol St., S.E., 202-534-6860.

18th Annual Senior Health and Fitness Day

Access Housing — outdoors under the tent (Ward 8) May 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ward 8 seniors gather for a day of entertainment, lunch, info and health exhibits, 4301 9th St., S.E., 202-562-6820 Seabur y Older Americans Month Senior Event (Ward 5) May 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ward 5 seniors gather for a day of entertainment, lunch, info and health exhibits, North Michigan Park Recreation Center, 1333 Emerson St., N.W., 202-5298701 18th Annual Senior Health and Fitness Day May 25, Open houses at various Wellness Centers and times Ward One Senior Wellness Center, 202-727-0338 Congress Heights (Ward 8), 202-563-7225 Hattie Holmes (Ward 4), 202-291-6170 Model Cities (Ward 5), 202-635-1900 Washington Seniors (Ward 7), 202-581-9355

Ward 1 Senior Wellness Center Dedication The Ward 1 Senior Wellness Center, located at 3531 Georgia Ave., N.W., will host a ceremony to dedicate the center in honor of a Ward 1 community activist, one of many who worked tirelessly to ensure that programming, such as that offered at the wellness center, was available to the seniors of Ward 1. The dedication will be made

by Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham on Wednesday, May 25 at 10 a.m.

The ceremony will kick off National Senior Health and Fitness Day at

the wellness center. The event will feature an open house for the center as well as an opportunity to provide demonstrations of the activities that seniors can engage in for their health and well-being.

Activities will include line dancing, aerobics, chair aerobics, beach volleyball, tennis and golf. In addition, exhibitors will provide free health screenings and information. For more information, call the center at 202-727-0338.

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

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Leisure &

Enjoy cool summer escapes on Adirondack lakes. See story on page 38.

Living the good life in the heart of Italy next-door to its more famous celebrity neighbor, Tuscany. Our villa in Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, which the bride found through Homeaway.com, was the perfect base for exploring this region known as “the green heart of Italy.”

The villa was a stunning rehab of a 16thcentury home once owned by the Prince of Milan. It had several bedrooms, spacious common areas, Internet access, a gigantic kitchen with modern appliances, and a two-tiered backyard with a pool overlooking the hills. (For smaller parties or shorter stays, try an “agriturismo” — essentially an Italian bed-and-breakfast.)

© MILLA74 | DREAMSTIME.COM

By Kathy Matheson MONTE SANTA MARIA TIBERINA, Italy — As we turned off the main street onto an unpaved local road, I glimpsed a stone tower jutting up from a distant hill. It seemed impossibly high from our vantage point — were we really headed up there?

Where else could this road lead?

It was late May, and I was traveling with two friends to a destination wedding in the tiny town of Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, about halfway between Rome and Florence. The happy couple had rented a villa there for about 18 guests and would be getting married on the grounds.

As our little car powered its way up the mountain, the altitude started to make sense. Earlier in our drive from Rome to the Umbrian countryside, we had gasped from afar at the beautiful hilltop town of Orvieto as we sped up the A1, the main north-south highway in Italy.

Breathtaking views of stone buildings perched above green valleys would be repeated throughout our five days in Umbria, which boasts beautiful landscapes, terrific food, impressive art and architecture, and a wealth of history.

Umbria plays the subtly gorgeous girl-

Visiting Assisi

© FLAFAB | DREAMSTIME.COM CREDIT

One of my favorite day trips from our villa was to Assisi, home of St. Francis (San Francesco), Italy’s patron saint.

The immense basilica built in his memory is a major pilgrimage site — his remains are on the lower level — and a marvel of ornate frescoes, including Giotto’s “The Life of St. Francis.” Dress modestly (no shorts or tank tops) or you’ll be turned away.

The town also boasts a medieval fortress, other churches (St. Clare is buried in one) and many upscale shops and eateries.

Ironically, while St. Francis renounced his worldly possessions in a search for God, you can buy all kinds of saintly keepsakes — including a miniversion of his signature sandal on a keychain.

We also stopped in nearby Perugia. The Umbrian capital is a university town and home of the Galleria Nazionale, the region’s main art museum. History buffs might seek out Etruscan treasures like the municipal well and Porta Marzia (Mars Gate), both of which date to the 3rd century B.C. My guidebooks had hyped the city’s main piazza and fountain but, while perfectly nice, they weren’t all that exciting.

The pedestrian-only Corso Vannucci is great for strolling and people-watching; it’s lined with shops and cafes and has a The 540-foot-high Marmore waterfall in Umbria was nice overlook at the end. built 2200 years ago to divert stagnant river water down a cliff to another river below.

Just outside the city is San

Nestled in the green hills of Umbria, the town of Assisi was home to St. Francis, Italy’s patron saint. The town includes a large basilica built in his name, along with a medieval fortress.

Sisto, where Perugina chocolate is made.

You can tour the factory where it manufactures its signature Baci (“kisses”) hazelnut chocolates. Each fall, Perugia hosts the Eurochocolate festival (this year, from Oct. 14-23).

On another day, as I ran errands with the bride in charming Citta di Castello, our friends drove to Gubbio. Turns out they just missed the town’s biggest festival, the centuries-old Corso dei Ceri (Race of the Candles). Held each May 15, thousands watch as teams carry giant wooden dowels (“candles”), representing saints, in a foot race through town.

Still, our friends said the town remained draped in flags and overrun by people in colored costumes — perhaps gearing up for the next weekend’s annual festival, a crossbow competition with the nearby town of Sansepolcro.

I’ve since realized that we should have stopped in Orvieto — and not just because of its famous native white wine, Orvieto Classico. Its cathedral (duomo), whose facade is covered in brightly colored mosaics, is universally regarded as one of Italy’s most beautiful.

But no matter which town you visit, the real enjoyment comes from soaking up the atmosphere: Wandering narrow streets and winding stairways, treating yourself to coffee or gelato at an outdoor cafe, admir-

ing scenic vistas and architecture, or shopping at farmers markets that offer everything from seasonal produce (fresh truffles!) to flowers, cheeses and meats.

Navigating rural roads I was nervous about driving in Italy, but I’m glad we rented the car. Train travel among these cities is not efficient. Just remember to keep right on the highway unless you’re passing. You have never truly been tailgated until you accidentally stay in the left lane too long on the A1.

Navigating was fairly easy: Follow the signs to the city you want, then follow the bulls-eye “centro” symbol to get to the town center. Some parking areas are situated below the town centers and offer escalators, elevators or funiculars to take you up.

Also, practice driving a stick shift before you get here. It’s difficult and expensive to rent an automatic. If you’re not good with a clutch, you’ll hate stopping and starting on these hills, especially in traffic.

A fine surprise along the A1: The unappetizingly named Autogrill rest stop eatery chain was terrific. Pasta bar. Carving stations. Melon and prosciutto. Fresh mozzarella. Glasses. Silverware. Even singleserving bottles of wine bottles (for passenSee ITALY, page 38

38

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

NY’s Adirondacks for cool summer action

By Glenda C. Booth Last August, as most of the Eastern U.S. sweltered, I was experiencing the cool days and nights of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York, serenaded by the haunting call of the loons, which alternates between a watery yodel and a wavering tremolo.

Tuberculosis patients once went to the Adirondacks “to take the cure.” Today, a few days in the Adirondacks can surely cure the stressed out, technology-addicted and rat-racing urbanite.

Rob Surovell has been summering in the Adirondacks for 60 years. “I find the changing of the seasons, the continuity of life of the forest, the ducks and loons and other creatures all comforting, calming

and quite beautiful,” he said.

Erinn Madden, mother of four, finds the Adirondacks a good family vacation venue, where children can “enjoy the outdoors, make their own fun, help the family with meals, and spend more time together without the distractions of our typical daily life.”

Artists, photographers, hikers, sportsmen and adventurers of all types have long enjoyed the region’s beauty. In the late 1800s, the Gilded Age, wealthy tycoons like the Vanderbilts vacationed in luxurious wilderness estates like Great Camp Sagamore.

Starting in Albany and heading north, you find yourself moving from bustling to quiet, from beach town to wilderness, en-

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joying declining gradations of busyness and deeper immersion in nature as you go.

Just four hours north of New York City, Adirondack Park, established in 1892, is the largest park in the U.S. It covers 20 percent of the state of New York, spanning six million acres.

It is actually a patchwork of public and private lands, a unique blend in ownership as well as habitats — granite peaks, crystal clear lakes, sparkling streams, vast dense forests, quiet wilderness trails and many small communities.

Throughout the Adirondack region you’ll also find 1,300 miles of roads, over 2,000 miles of hiking trails, and 6,000 miles of rivers. It’s known for its looming mountains: 42 of them over 4,000 feet. While July and August are known for their perfect weather, beware of June’s black fly season.

Lake George Among the many pearls in the southern Adirondacks region is Lake George, an azure, 32-mile long lake. First, though, you must get past the ticky-tacky town of backto-back souvenir shops, beach bars, strip malls and motels. Thankfully, the lake’s east side is protected from development and 170 of the lake’s 365 islands are state owned.

And if you’re not all that into nature’s wonders, or are traveling with grandchildren, the town of Lake George is the place to be.

The House of Frankenstein Wax Museum, Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom Fun Park (a theme park of roller coasters and 125 rides), Waterslide World (12 acres of 35 slides, a wave pool and kiddie pool), Dr. Morbid’s Haunted House and Goony Golf offer plenty of in-town diversions for the wilderness challenged.

Summer traffic can crawl through town, so the hop-on, hop-off Village Trolley from Bolton to Glens Falls is a sensible alternative to driving.

There is music most summer nights, fireworks on Thursdays, and a theater festival in July. Try the walking tours around the village and lake. Million Dollar Beach on the south end, a short walk from town, is free with picnic facilities, a bathhouse and lifeguards.

On the many lake cruise choices, you can have meals and fireworks or take in

the old estates along the shoreline.

Invoke the spirit of James Fenimore Cooper at the Fort William Henry Museum (www.fwhmuseum.com), a reconstruction of the 1755 fort originally built by the British, used in the French and Indian War, and featured in The Last of the Mohicans.

Guides in 18th century military attire lead tours of the barracks, dungeons, an Iroquois longhouse and artifacts from the original fort. You can study ice harvesting, logging and more local history at the Lake George Historical Museum.

A drive up Prospect Mountain to 2,021 feet will introduce you to the Adirondack peaks and dramatic views of the region’s lakes and mountains — the splendor awaiting further north and west.

A Rockwellian village Twenty-five miles further north, Schroon Lake is a sleepy village that is “turned up to medium” in the summer. On its one-mile-long main street (Route 9), you won’t see rowdy teens, thrill rides or glistening bikini-clad bodies. It’s more like a Norman Rockwell painting.

“There’s a real sense of community here and we don’t lock our doors,” said Alex Gillman who lives there six months of the year.

Stop by the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce at 1075 Main Street for a calendar and visitor information. Fran Williford, who has lived there 53 years, will brief you on many local visitor treats. (Of course, you can also get this information ahead of time at www.schroonlakechamber.com.)

Be sure to ask about the Pontoon Boat Ride led by Laura Donaldson, a living encyclopedia of local lore. You can do-si-do with the best at the town’s Wednesday night square dances.

At the Monday farmers’ market, indulge in regional favorites like blappleberry pie (blueberries, apples, strawberries and raspberries) with crumb topping.

The Towne Store is the place to get black bear and antler knickknacks, Adirondack décor, sweatshirts and supplies, and check out the artisans’ co-op upstairs for handmade crafts and art.

While away a few hours at the Historical Museum where you can examine local arSee ADIRONDACKS, page 39

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Italy From page 37 gers, I’m sure). The New Jersey Turnpike should be so blessed.

On our drive back to Rome, we took a slightly different route and said farewell to Umbria with a stunning view of Todi. We then dropped off the car at the airport and took a taxi back to Rome for a whirlwind 10-hour sightseeing jag.

After watching our cabbie maneuver

through hordes of urban scooter riders, I was so grateful we ditched the car before coming to Rome. Stick-shift expert or not, when in Rome, let Romans do the driving.

For more information about Umbria, visit www.italiantourism.com/umbria.html.

Umbria is less than three hours by car from Rome via the A1. Delta has the lowest roundtrip fares to Rome in mid-June, $1,208 from both Reagan National and Dulles International Airports.

— AP

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

From page 38 tifacts, including items from some of the grand hotels like Scaroon Manor, which closed in 1960.

When you spot the 50-foot chair outside the Adirondack Rustics Gallery on the south end of town on Route 9, park and go inside for original “forest-inspired” furniture by Barry Gregson. He makes everything from hardwoods and naturally bent roots, limbs and burls (nothing is bent by hand or forced), with and without the bark on.

For a real down-home meal, try Pitkins for breakfast or lunch, a favorite eatery decorated with gingham curtains, painted saws and taxidermied northern pike and tiger musky caught by the owner. Be prepared for big dollops of whipped cream.

Drake’s Restaurant is a comfy family spot for soups, seafood, steaks and pasta.

Don’t leave without sampling Drake’s claim to fame and number one selling dessert —Ticonderoga Bread Pudding

oozing with Drake’s own warm whiskey sauce.

Check with the Chamber of Commerce (www.schroonlakechamber.com) for lodging information. Reservations are advised.

There are no lakeside B&Bs, but several in town, as well as motels and rental cabins.

Getting outdoors is what it’s all about in the Adirondacks. The marina on the north end of town rents canoes, kayaks, motorboats and pontoons. Then you can get on Schroon Lake free from two boat launches. The Towne Store will transport canoes and kayaks for self-guided tours on the Schroon River.

To plunge into the wilds, pick up a brochure for nearby hiking trails and fishing, hunting and guide services.

Fort Ticonderoga, at the southern end of Lake Champlain and once called “Key to the Continent,” is an easy day trip from Schroon where you will see weapons, tools, uniforms and documents from coloSee ADIRONDACKS, page 40

PHOTO COURTESY OF WWW.VISITLAKEGEORGE.COM

Adirondacks

39

Visitors can take a speed boat ride or more sedate cruises to explore the 32-milelong Lake George in upstate New York’s Adirondack region. The lake boasts 365 islands.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FREE BUS TICKETS TO VISIT PATIENTS Vamoose Bus, an express bus service between New York City and

Bethesda, Md., will be donating four roundtrip tickets daily to families and friends of patients staying at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center.

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June 12

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ALL ABOARD! Take the new Tygart Flyer train for a scenic four-hour ride through the mountains of West Virginia on a Fairfax Recreation Dept. trip

Sunday, June 12. The fee is $154. There are three pickup and drop off locations in Fairfax County. Pickup ranges from 5:30 to 5:30 a.m. and return ranges from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. To register, call (703) 222-4664.

Highlights include: Johannesburg: Mandela’s Home in Soweto, e Apartheid Museum, Constitutional Court, Lesedi African Village, High Tea at Sun City and an aernoon Safari.

Durban: A visit to a township school (Funded by the YatesFoundation), Indian Market and Ushaka Marine World.

Cape Town: Table Mountain, Mandela’s cell on Robben Island, a Cape Peninsula tour, Seal Island & the colorful Greenmarket Square flea market.

Plus much more…!!

May 18

GARDEN AND MANSION TOUR See 22 acres of flower gardens and tour Ladew Mansion, decorated with English antiques, on a Wednesday, May 18 trip with

Montgomery County’s SOAR program to Harford County, Md. The trip leaves at 8:15 a.m. and returns at 4:15 p.m. and costs $51. For more information, call (240) 777-4926.

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BEACON BITS

Ongoing

55+ BIKING GROUP READY TO ROLL

Arlington’s Senior Adult Programs’ 55+ Biking Group is organizing rides at different challenge levels, including weekly impromptu rides, on Wednesdays at 9 a.m., starting from Bluemont Park, Wilson Blvd. & N. Manchester St. Upcoming scheduled rides include a 30-mile Washington loop ride (stops at 8, 13, 17, 23, 27 miles and at Metro stops) at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 11 from the foot of Key Bridge, and a weekend 30-mile ride on the Capital Crescent Trail, beginning at 10 a.m., Sunday, May 15. Call (703) 228-4771 to sign up or e-mail 55plusbikinggroup@arlingtonva.us.

A WARREN BUFFETT WALK

May 14

The Seneca Valley Sugarloafers Volksmarch Club is sponsoring a Warren Buffett History Trail Walk in Chevy Chase and Friendship Heights on Saturday, May 14. The 10 km walk (6.2 miles) is an easy walk on sidewalks passing landmarks mentioned in the book about Warren Buffett titled Snowball, including his former homes and schools. The walk will begin at GEICO Insurance headquarters (which Buffet owns) at 5260 Western Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. Registration is between 8 a.m. and noon. The walk is free. For more information, contact Paul Sullivan at (301) 610-7752 or jrsullivanpa@hotmail.com.

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

Adirondacks From page 39 nial and revolutionary days. Catch a fifeand-drum concert or drill.

Low-key Long Lake An even more scaled-down lake and town destination about 50 miles west is Long Lake, a widening of the Raquette River.

The lace-curtained, all-wood Adirondack Hotel, first built in 1853 (rebuilt in 1899 after it burned down), recalls the glory days of the Adirondack lodge. There are 18 rooms (some with a shared bathroom) and one apartment with a kitchen.

There are no telephones or televisions in the rooms.

The Victorian dining room serves lunch and dinner, but the real treat is soaking up the mountain air on the wraparound porch.

In the summer, there are seaplane rides, boat tours, concerts and boat races. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Custard’s Last Stand with ice cream flavors like Key Lime Pie, Adirondack High Peaks, Adirondack Black Bear, or the best seller, Holy Cow (peanut butter swirl).

Long Lake is a convenient jumping off point for visiting several renowned sites.

Nine miles away is the world-famous Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake. Allow at least three to four hours to explore the 22 buildings on 32 acres featuring 100,000 artifacts depicting many aspects of Adirondack life, history and culture.

You’ll see a restored Victorian cottage, a typical 19th century resort hotel room, a hermit’s camp, and learn all about logging.

Visit www.adirondackmuseum.org for programs.

A lesson in Adirondack ecosystems awaits at the 54,000-square-foot Wild Center in Tupper Lake, 22 miles from Long Lake. There, a 31-acre campus on a former gravel mine is home to over 900 live animals, including river otters, turtles, birds and other critters. There’s also a glacial ice wall, an indoor river, and hiking trails.

By definition, being in the Adirondacks in the summer means getting outdoors — hiking, canoeing, rafting, fishing and camping.

Visitor Marfé Delano sums up the attraction: “I love the deep, cool, quiet greenness and the smell of pine needles. I love kayaking on the crystal clear lakes and hiking in the mountains.” All are cures for sure.

If you go Albany is the closest airport, 55 miles south of Lake George. In mid-July, US Airways has flights from BWI to Albany, N.Y. via LaGuardia for around $206.

If you prefer the train, the closest Amtrak station to Lake George is Fort Edward, 15 miles south. From the train station, Greater Glens Falls Transit operates two services. Most direct is a shuttle from the Fort Edward train station to Lake George village. This must be reserved at least two days in advance and costs $20 per person each way.

Alternatively, it also offers hourly bus service from the Amtrak station to Lake George village, requiring a transfer at Glens Falls to the trolley to Lake George; $2 per person one way. For reservations or info, call (518) 792-1085. In addition, Enterprise and Hertz have car rental outlets in Glens Falls.

For more infor mation about the Adirondack region in general, see the following websites: www.adirondacks.org, www.AdirondackExperience.com and www.iloveny.com.

For the Lake George Chamber of Commerce, visit www.lakegeorgechamber.com or call (518) 668-5755 or 800-805-0059; for Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce, www.schroonlakechamber.com, (518) 5327675; and for Long Lake Parks and Recreation, www.MyLongLake.com, (518) 6243077.

For whitewater rafting near the towns in this article, try Wild Waters Outdoor Center in Warrensburg, www.wildwaters.net, 1-800-867-2335.

Glenda C. Booth is travel writer living in Alexandria, Va.

BEACON BITS

June 17+

CAN YOU SPELL WELL?

Take a trip to Cheyenne, Wyo., to compete in AARP’s 16th annual National Spelling Bee for those over 50, which will be held on June 17 and 18. The bee consists of two rounds of competition, beginning with a 100-word written spelling test in the morning, narrowing the field to the top 15 spellers who go on to compete in the oral spelling rounds. The first place speller will receive $5,000. A free workshop on June 17, “Gray Matters: Training the Grownup Brain,” will feature interactive sessions that will explain the impact of diet, fitness and relationships on brain health. Register at www.aarp.org/spellingbee or call 1-877-926-8300. Pre-event registration is $40 for spellers and remains open through June 16.

May 28

THE SISTERS OF SWING

Take a trip to the Allenberry Theater in Boiling Springs, Pa., for the show Sisters of Swing: The Andrew Sisters Story on Saturday, May 28. The Fairfax Recreation Dept. trip costs $109 and has three pickup and drop off locations. Departure is between7:30 and 8:30 a.m. and return is between 6 and 7 p.m. To register, call (703) 222-4664.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Leisure & Travel

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

41

Confirm credit card rental car insurance

By David Pitt Relying on the insurance provided by a credit card to cover a rental car can be risky business. That’s particularly true if you haven’t read the fine print to understand the limitations.

Exceptions and exclusions could end up costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars if you assume you’re covered but find out later you’re not.

“Ultimately the contract that is enforceable is your card member agreement,” said Ben Woolsey, director of marketing and consumer research at CreditCards.com, a consumer resource website.

“The agreement provides all the granular details of what the card company will do, and what you’re required to do if you need to file a claim.”

Most major credit cards provide collision and theft insurance coverage if you charge the entire cost of the rental on the card and you decline the rental company’s coverage.

But be aware that most credit cards won’t fully cover you for a long-term rental.

The coverage for Diners Club and Discover cards is limited to 31 days, and for American Express is limited to 30 days.

Visa and MasterCard offer coverage for only 15 days.

The insurance often is supplemental to

your primary auto insurance policy, which means it may cover your deductible and some of the expenses your primary auto policy may not cover.

“Loss of use” charges Be sure to also check the credit card’s language regarding payment of the rental company’s “loss-of-use” charge. Rental companies often will charge you if a car has to be repaired and cannot be leased out.

The credit card insurance, in some cases, only covers this charge if the rental company provides a utilization log to show it has few other cars available to rent.

Some rental companies, however, consider the logs confidential.

“Sometimes we’re asked to release them but we don’t,” said Paula Rivera, a spokeswoman for the Hertz Corp.

If the card company can’t get the logs, it may refuse to pay this fee, leaving you on the hook for hundreds of dollars.

Check for exclusions Other pitfalls to look for include the types of vehicles covered. Most cards exclude vehicles valued at more than $50,000 or $75,000.

Essentially, most cards will cover the typical car a family might use for vacation or a businessperson would drive. If you

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have an occasion to rent a high-end antique vehicle, a sports car or luxury model, then you need to be sure to clarify your coverage. Also know that most cards don’t cover pickup trucks.

Many also exclude certain countries, so if you’re traveling abroad be sure to check the card’s coverage list to verify that you’re driving in a location that’s covered.

The bottom line is if you plan on relying on this coverage, carefully read the fine

print of your credit card agreement first.

Confirm exactly how long you’re covered and what the exemptions might be.

You can call the card’s customer service line to get details, but it’s always best to confirm your coverage in writing. Rather than rely on what you’re told over the phone, ask that person to point you to the relevant provisions of your card agreement.

— AP

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

Cards for travelers to keep in their wallet Medicare card and supplement card Although you see lots of “don’t leave home without them” lists of things you need (or other medical insurance card if you’re under 65). Obviouson a trip, only a few are truly esly, you’ll need ID if you should sential. When you’re outfitting need medical attention while your wallet or purse for your upyou’re traveling. coming trip, you need to carry Beyond that, however, no more than six cards. and commuter systransit ATM card for cash. Don’t tems in around half of the run the risk of carrying a lot of major U.S. cities offer significash or the hassle of getting cant senior discounts, and and signing endless travelers’ most accept a Medicare card checks. Plan on using an ATM as ID. Many senior transit (debit) card for whatever cash discounts are 50 percent; you need along the way.

TRAVEL TIPS public transit is free to senIf you normally use a nation- By Ed Perkins iors in Pennsylvania, except wide bank, use that card in its branches for no-fee withdrawals. If your during rush hours.

Medicare doesn’t work outside the U.S., bank doesn’t operate where you’re heading, open a small account — enough to so if you’re traveling abroad, take your supplement card. Even better, buy travel cover your trip — at a bank that does.

If you’re heading out of the country, con- insurance with medical benefits, and go for sider an account with Bank of America, a policy with primary benefits.

America the beautiful senior pass. which allows no-fee withdrawals from This pass, which replaces the Golden Age ATMs operated by Scotiabank in Canada, Santander Serfin Bank in Mexico, Barclay’s Passport, is arguably the world’s best travBank in Britain, BNP Paribas in France, el value.

For travelers age 62 or over, the pass Deutsche Bank in Germany, Westpac in the provides no-fee entrance to more than South Pacific, ABSA in South Africa, and 2,000 federally-managed recreation sites, China Construction Bank in China.

For other countries, seek out a small including all U.S. national parks, monubank credit union that doesn’t assess ments, historic sites, recreation areas, and wildlife refuges, as well as sites managed charges for foreign cash withdrawals.

by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and some Corps of Engineers and TVA sites.

Where admissions are based on vehicles, the pass covers the holder plus any others in the car. Where admission is perperson, it covers the card holder plus up to three others.

The price? A one-time fee of $10, and that’s for a lifetime. Without it, you pay far more than that for just a single entry to such blockbuster parks as Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. The pass also provides discounts on a lot of in-park facilities and activities.

Buy it at any participating federal location.

If you’re under 62, check out the America the Beautiful Annual Pass, which provides essentially the same features to travelers of any age for $80 per year.

AARP card. As I’ve noted, AARP hotel

discounts, for the most part, are underwhelming; you can often do better through a range of other discount programs.

Still, sometimes AARP is as good as you can get — especially at low-cost accommodations along the interstates and major highways. Although no hotel has ever asked me to show an AARP card, you never know when someone will.

Roadside assistance card. If you plan any driving — in your own car or a rental — you need a roadside assistance program. Although AAA is probably the biggest program, these days you can enjoy roadside benefits through lots of programs. I still like AAA because of its hotel discounts, directories and maps, but you can benefit from any good program.

Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. © 2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

BEACON BITS

May 28

WALK INTO HISTORY

Take a guided walking tour of the National Park Seminary Historic District in Silver Spring, Md., starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 28.

The tour begins across from 2755 Cassedy St., in front of the gymnasium of a former girls school that is now being renovated into condominiums. Detailed directions are available at www.saveourseminary.org, or by calling Save Our Seminary at (301) 589-1715. Reservations not required. A $5 donation is requested. The tour involves moderate walking outdoors; some interiors with stairs included.

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5 0 MAY 2011

I N S I D E …

PHOTO COURTESY OF LINDA CRILL

By Barbara Ruben When Linda Crill was widowed six years ago, she tried to follow the advice of friends on how to move beyond her grief.

They encouraged her to focus on eating well and getting lots of exercise and sleep.

Crill started bicycling up to 120 miles a week, sleeping nine hours a night, and “eating more holistically than Whole Foods.” None of it helped.

“I was still miserable 18 months later,” said Crill, who is now 62 and lives in Reston, Va. “I finally blew up one day and said, ‘I’m an overachiever and it’s not working.’ I thought, what is the most extremely opposite thing I could think of to all this advice?”

So Crill bought a BMW touring motorcycle, and within a month joined a group of bikers on a 2,500-mile ride along the Pacific Coast.

Despite her initial feelings of utter terror at riding in rush-hour traffic — not to mention riding up the steep ramp of a ferry boat in Vancouver and on a road that suddenly deteriorated to hazardous, tire-spewing gravel in California — Crill became a convert and found a way to recover joy in her life.

“When I’m riding on back roads…you don’t let your mind just wander like in a car. You’re constantly there.

That’s what so many of us like.

“The joy of motorcycling isn’t to get somewhere. It’s to enjoy the ride,” Crill said. She’s also made many new friends on her trips through the U.S. and Mexico.

Linda Crill discovered motorcycling in her An added bonus of taking late 50s, taking off up motorcy- down the Pacific coast just on a 2,500-mile trip a month after learning cling was that her daughter to ride. Baby boomers thought she was younger riders two to one, and outnumber women over 50 are cool. “My daughter was in catching the spirit as college and at the well. age where many people don’t want to bring Motorcycles go mainstream their friends home to meet their parents. younger motorcycle owners There may once have been two to one.

“As soon as they found a stereotype out I went mo- of And though motorcycling motorcyclists as “toughs” torcycling, all of them wanted is still primaor “hood- rily a male sport, to meet me. lums,” more women are joining but that has changed as I became sort of a status motorcy- them on the road. symbol for her,” cles have become more According to the MotorCrill recalled. mainstream cycle Safety Foundation, means of transportation and recreation. more than 4 milCrill, a former executive coach, writes a lion women in the U.S. know Since 1998, 1.25 million blog about her experiences how to ride.

American housecalled “Blind holds Gaby Rudderow rode have added a motorcycle a small Honda Curves” (www.blindcurv to their fam- motorcycle es.com). Recent through college, business ily’s vehicles, according entries have titles like “Welcoming to the Motorcycle school, the voice Industry and even to work as a young Council. And Harley-Davidson of fear,” and “First aid for adult. lost passion.” re- But when she got married, ports that their average she was conThe online blog has brought rider today has an vinced her many income to sell her bike. of $80,000 to $90,000. fellow travelers and interested readers, “My husband…didn’t like With their “who me? and has led her to compile that I rode. I I’m not getting was very her many sto- older” upset by that, but I told mentality, it’s not surprising ries into a memoir she myself, hopes to publish that ‘I’m going to have baby boomers make up children and I’m not soon with the title Blind a majority of moCurves. torcyclists. Today, boomers outnumber

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LEISURE & TR AVEL

The good life in the heart of Italy; plus, cool summers on Adirondack lakes, rental car insurance concerns, and cards to keep in your wallet while traveling page 37

FITNESS & HEALTH k Diabetes cure on the horizon?

LAW & MONEY k How to tap into the bull

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SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

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ARTS & STYLE k Kathleen Turner’s divine

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PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE

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

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You’re on top of your medications.

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

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

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Arts &

Ben Vereen talks about his career and giving back. See story on page 48.

A comic send-up of mysteries and critics MetroStage has re-assembled one of its more successful past casts, the trio responsible for winning a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Ensemble a few seasons back with Heroes, a little gem of a play Stoppard translated from its original French.

Ralph Cosham and Michael Tolaydo portray the critics, Moon and Birdboot, while John Dow is one of the denizens of the secluded English country manor where mystery abounds.

Cosham and Tolaydo are a tart mix.

Cosham skillfully underplays the role of the resentful, affected Moon — a secondstring critic whose fate is to pinch-hit for his publication’s star writer.

By contrast, Tolaydo veers further into parody with his depiction of Birdboot — a pompous hack who uses his position to, er, audition the charms of local actresses.

The duo effectively plays off the foibles of each other’s characters, with the disparate approaches keeping their exchanges dimensional and freshly comic.

Unfortunately, director John Vreeke doesn’t always take such a measured approach with the six other cast members (plus an alternating line-up of actors playing a silent, immobile corpse).

Dow, as Major Magnus Muldoon, “the wheelchair ridden half-brother of her ladyship’s husband,” as he’s described, is confined by the plot to being something of a cipher, but Vreeke has some of the other actors ham it up as much as possible.

MetroStage’s production of The Real Inspector Hound, which lampoons stuffy murder mysteries, stars (left to right) Emily Townley (as Cynthia Regional), Michael Tolaydo and Ralph Cosham (as theater critics Birdboot and Moon), and John Dow (as Magnus Regional).

Some go overboard The play doesn’t need that, as Stoppard has made the plot exceedingly silly already by overusing every hackneyed plot contrivance of the murder mystery.

For instance, he skewers clumsy exposition with lines such as the one Mrs. Drudge, the housekeeper (played with See STOPPARD, page 46

Music, Madness, and Mozart

“Gripping and fascinating…delicious wit.”

—Saturday Review

AMADEUS May 11 – June 5 Tickets: 240.644.1100 or ROUNDHOUSETHEATRE.ORG Bethesda

Artwork by Bill Black

Stellar ensemble cast

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By Michael Toscano With The Real Inspector Hound, celebrated playwright Tom Stoppard has either crafted an incisive deconstruction of society’s sense of order and individual identity or, perhaps, just whipped together a sometimes funny lampoon of hidebound murder mysteries.

You can judge for yourself, as performances of the 1968 work continue through most of May at Alexandria’s MetroStage.

Oh, by the way, pretentious theater critics, such as one who might have written that comment about the “deconstruction of society’s sense of order,” are also spoofed.

In this work, two critics gossip and offer pompous commentary on a third-rate murder mystery transpiring before them and us, until they are themselves overtaken by the action onstage.

Rest assured your reviewer here comes down solidly on the “funny lampoon” side of things, while adding that the comic view Stoppard offers of two provincial theater writers is wickedly closer to reality than we in the trade might like to admit.

The Real Inspector Hound is short, coming in at a mere 70 minutes, and performed without intermission. But even then Stoppard has stretched a two-joke show perilously close to the breaking point.

Still, fans of Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries will find laughs aplenty as Stoppard sends up the genre’s hackneyed conventions and tosses his little play-within-the-play into a surrealistic swirl.

46

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Stoppard From page 45 brilliant panache by MetroStage favorite Catherine Flye) uses to answer the telephone: “Hello, the drawing room of Lady Muldoon’s country residence one morn-

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

ing in early spring.”

Flye successfully plays it straight, proving than with farce, less if often more. She wrings far more comedy out of the smallest moments than do other cast members striving mightily for big laughs.

A mere twist of her mouth or roll of her

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ders how much of their dialogue may be rooted in conversations Stoppard either overheard or participated in during his pre-playwright days as a theater reviewer in England.

Some of the comments are so realistically pungent and pompous (present company excluded, let me hasten to say to any colleagues who might be perusing this column) that they seem to be reality-based.

That all dissolves as the “fourth wall” separating actors from audience is completely dispensed with and the critics get sucked into the action onstage. At that point, the plot becomes labored, more melodrama than farce, and the laughs come harder.

It’s enjoyable enough until then, however, and Catherine Flye’s performance alone is worth the price of admission.

The Real Inspector Hound continues through May 29 at MetroStage, 1201 N. Royal St. in Alexandria, Va. Free, on-site parking is available.

Showtime Thursdays and Fridays is 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 5 and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $45 to $50 (students: $25) and can be reserved by calling 1-800-494-8497 or visiting www.boxofficetickets.com. For more information, visit www.metrostage.org.

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eyes can completely upend the atmosphere on Daniel Pinha’s clever “theater stage” set and overpower the flashier work and sight gags of her fellow performers.

Flye deftly manages a Cockney accent to hit every hilarious line with flawless timing and emphasis.

Stoppard’s satire on the stylized dialogue of the English murder mystery needs little artificial oomph from the actors to tote up comic points. For example, there’s not much an actor can or should try to add to this exchange: “I’ll phone the police.” “You are the police.” “Thank God I’m here.”

Artificial posturing and energetic overacting do get tiring, and it wears thin at times, especially with cast members whose work here lacks resonance.

Vreeke does good work with the staging, putting critics Moon and Birdboot at the rear of the stage, facing us, the “real” audience, rather than putting them in our midst or in the front row as some directors opt to do.

The latter may be more realistic, but it robs audiences of the opportunity to see the actors’ faces, which would be a shame with such delightfully expressive thespians as Cosham and Tolaydo.

Speaking of their interaction, one won-

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

47

Bernadette Peters

Art by Fraver

Jan Maxwell

Danny Burstein Bernadette Peters Danny Burstein

Jan Maxwell Ron Raines

FOLLIES Y: BILIT A L I AVA 30 BEST E. AT 7: & 7:30 TU 1:30 :30 . AT WED HU. AT 7 T

Book by JAMES GOLDMAN Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Originally produced on Broadway by Harold Prince Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick

Starring

Elaine Paige as Carlotta Also Starring

Terrence Currier, Christian Delcroix, Rosalind Elias, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Lora Lee Gayer, Michael Hayes, Florence Lacey, Linda Lavin, Régine, David Sabin, Kirsten Scott, Frederick Strother, Nick Verina, Susan Watson, and Terri White

Ron Raines

By special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh

Music Direction by James Moore Choreography by Warren Carlyle Directed by Eric Schaeffer FOLLIES is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019

Follies is made possible through the generosity of The Adrienne Arsht Musical Theater Fund. www.MTIShows.com

Elaine Paige and Régine are appearing with the permission of Actors’ Equity Association

May 7–June 19, 2011 | Eisenhower Theater Tickets at the Kennedy Center Box Office or charge by phone (202) 467-4600 ORDER ONLINE AT KENNEDY-CENTER.ORG

TTY (202) 416-8524 GROUPS (202) 416-8400

Major support is provided by The Shen Family Foundation, Perry and Marty Granoff, and the HRH Foundation.

Additional support is provided by The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation and The Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation.

The Kennedy Center welcomes patrons with disabilities.

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

Ben Vereen gives all, not only on stage

By Carol Sorgen Entertainer Ben Vereen has a schedule that other performers would envy — and probably have trouble keeping up with (other than maybe Betty White!).

To name just a few of his current gigs, Vereen crisscrosses the globe touring his one-man show, “Ben Vereen Sings Broadway and More,” is filming a documentary of his life, working up a play about Muhammad Ali, creating a CD, appearing on television (on such shows as “How I Met Your Mother” and “Grey’s Anatomy”) and is active on the lecture circuit, speaking on topics ranging from overcoming adversity, to arts in education, black history, and recovery.

The legendary song-and-dance man, who won 1973’s Best Actor Tony Award for his role in Pippin, is now 64 and has no intention of slowing down.

“There’s time to slow down when you’re in the grave,” he said, adding that he “can’t wait” to turn 65 in October. “Get me that [Medicare] card!” he exclaimed.

Early start fired his passion A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Vereen now lives in California. Entertaining was not in his family genes, but he had encouraging parents and got an early start.

The first money he ever earned as a performer — $5 when he was 10 years old — came from singing U.S. Bonds’ “Quarter to Three” at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in his neighborhood.

“Wow, they pay you for this, I thought,” Vereen recalled, and that was the beginning of his stage ambitions — what he calls his “first love and passion.”

“The theater was my first training ground,” he said. “It taught me discipline, dedication and appreciation of hard work and values that will stay with me a lifetime.

The stage sharpens the creative instrument and encourages you to go deeper inside and try new things.”

In addition to his star-making turn in Pippin, Vereen has appeared on Broadway in Wicked, Fosse, I’m Not Rappaport, Hair,

Pull out and keep this month’s Housing Options magazine found after page 28.

Jesus Christ Superstar, Grind, Jelly’s Last Jam, and A Christmas Carol.

Of his role in Pippin, renowned drama critic Clive Barnes wrote, “Ben Vereen — unquestionably one of the finest performances seen on Broadway.”

Vereen sees his work on stage as a metaphor for his work in life. “Life is art,” he said. “Whatever we do in life — whether it’s performing or teaching or writing or raising kids — is a form of art.

“Whatever you do, if you embrace it, it will move you to the next level,” he said.

Because Vereen credits many of his mentors, including Sammy Davis, Jr., and Frank Sinatra, with setting him on the right path, he likes to do the same for other young people. That’s true whether they’re entertainers, like the R&B superstar Usher, or youngsters living with diabetes, from which Vereen himself suffers as well.

“Young people need to be empowered,” said Vereen. “I try to teach them to ‘love thyself,’ as well as ‘know thyself.’”

To give people the tools to do that, Vereen has also founded the Angels of Love Spiritual Center in Culver City, Calif.

The center is for all people, no matter what their religion, said Vereen. “I simply want to give them the tools to lead a better life.”

something else in store for you.

“You can set a plan in motion, but then you need to let it go,” he said. “Trust that when the time is right — which may not be when you think it’s right — it will all work out for the highest good.”

Apart from looking forward to his prized Medicare card, Vereen is also sanguine about old age. “Getting older is a treasure,” he said. “We should be proud and stand strong. We are wise and we know the way.

“Let’s keep our eye on the prize…healing ourselves, our family, our community, our society and our planet.”

Vereen will appear in Baltimore at a benefit for the Edward A. Myerberg Center on Monday, May 16, at 7 p.m. Tickets for “An Evening with Ben Vereen” are $40 general admission; $125 for patron seating, which includes a CD signing and a dessert-and-wine reception with Vereen. For more information and reservations, call (410) 358-6856 or visit www.myerbergseniorcenter.org.

Overcoming adversity

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Despite his professional successes, Vereen has had his share of personal struggles. A teenage daughter was killed in an automobile accident in 1987, leading Vereen — a recreational drug user for years — into a serious cocaine addiction.

He entered drug rehab, became clean, and later founded Celebrities for a DrugFree America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating young people about the dangers of drugs.

In 1992, Vereen underwent another crisis when he was hit by a car. He needed several operations and months of physical therapy to recover.

Once again healthy, Vereen has “quite a few things in the cooker,” as noted above, but said that even though he makes plans, he accepts that life might always have

Veteran singer and dancer Ben Vereen will bring his one-man show to Baltimore on May 16 as a senior center fundraiser.

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

2010–2011 Season

49

Join the NSO for a thrilling season of music to live by.

MAY AND JUNE CONCERTS Neeme Järvi, conductor Yefim Bronfman, piano GLAZUNOV, Concert Waltz No. 1 TCHAIKOVSKY, Piano Concerto No. 1 PROKOFIEV, Symphony No. 6 Thu., May 5 at 7 p.m.

Fri. & Sat., May 6 & 7 at 8 p.m.

The Blue Series is sponsored by United Technologies Corporation

Thomas Dausgaard, conductor Nikolai Lugansky, piano

FRIDA MATIN Y EE

SIBELIUS, En Saga BEETHOVEN, Piano Concerto No. 4 NIELSEN, Symphony No. 4 “The Inextinguishable”

JENNIFER KOH

Thu., May 19 at 7 p.m.

Fri. May 20 at 1:30 p.m.

Sat., May 21 at 8 p.m.

Christoph Eschenbach, conductor Jennifer Koh, violin

John Axelrod, conductor FRIDA Samuel Pisar, narrator MATIN Y EE Kelley Nassief, soprano Cathedral Choral Society J. Reilly Lewis, music director Children’s Chorus of Washington Joan Gregoryk, artistic director KERNIS, Musica Celestis BERNSTEIN, On the Waterfront–Suite BARBER, Agnus Dei BERNSTEIN, Symphony No. 3 “Kaddish” Thu., June 2 at 7 p.m.

Fri. June 3 at 1:30 p.m.

Sat., June 4 at 8 p.m.

Jon Secada and Tito Puente Jr. Marvin Hamlisch, conductor

SCHUMANN, Die Braut von Messina— Overture AUGUSTA READ THOMAS, Violin Concerto No. 3 “Juggler in Paradise” U.S. Premiere—NSO Co-Commission SCHUMANN, Symphony No. 2

Get ready to move to a Latin beat when Tito Puente Jr., son of the legendary percussionist, pounds out rhythms on the timbales and the sensational Cuban American crooner Jon Secada takes the microphone. The New York Times calls Secada “an aggressive physical performer who…conveys feverishly impassioned intensity.” Puente is known for his “overwhelmingly high-energy, festive show” (San Antonio Express-News).

Thu., May 12 at 7 p.m.

Fri. & Sat., May 13 & 14 at 8 p.m.

More with Marvin: Thu., May 12 performance followed by a free discussion with Marvin Hamlisch and special guests.

Thu., June 9 at 7 p.m.

Fri. & Sat., June 10 & 11 at 8 p.m.

AfterWords: Fri., June 10 performance followed by a free discussion with Christoph Eschenbach, Jennifer Koh, and NSO Director of Artistic Planning Nigel Boon.

The Blue Series is sponsored by United Technologies Corporation

Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor Steven Isserlis, cello WALTON, Portsmouth Point–Overture WALTON, Cello Concerto SHOSTAKOVICH, Symphony No. 10

JON SECADA & TITO PUENTE JR.

Thu., June 16 at 7 p.m.

Fri. & Sat., June 17 & 18 at 8 p.m.

Kennedy Center Concert Hall

Tickets from $20 at the Box Office or charge by phone (202) 467-4600 Order online at kennedy-center.org | Groups (202) 416-8400 | TTY (202) 416-8524

David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of the NSO. The NSO Music Director Chair is generously endowed by Roger and Vicki Sant.

General Dynamics is the proud sponsor of the National Symphony Orchestra Classical Season.

The Beacon Newspaper is the proud media partner of the NSO.

The Kennedy Center welcomes patrons with disabilities.

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

Kathleen Turner’s recent roles are divine

By Mark Kennedy Kathleen Turner is as confused as anyone about the heavenly detour her roles have taken lately.

She’s making her first appearance as a Roman Catholic nun in the play High, which opened last month on Broadway.

And, in a divine bit of coincidence, the actress best known for Body Heat and Romancing the Stone also stars as a suburban mom striving to be named Catholic Woman of the Year in a new film that opened at the same time at the Tribeca Film Festival.

“For some reason, this year it’s my year of Catholicism. Who knew?” said the 56year-old actress in her rose-filled dressing room at the Booth Theater, where she’s putting the finishing touches on Matthew Lombardo’s play.

“I must confess that I don’t believe in any organized religion,” she said. “I happen to think that they’re all men putting words in God’s mouth. That doesn’t work for me, but I certainly believe in belief and faith.”

The first of back-to-back devout Catholic roles has Turner playing Sister Jamison Connelly, a foul-mouthed recovering alcoholic who is asked to treat a 19-year-old crystal meth addict and prostitute.

The three-character play explores the battle between addiction and faith as the nun tries to help a young man perhaps beyond forgiveness or redemption. It requires her to be devoid of glamour in shapeless clothing and a ponytail.

Lombardo, the playwright, had someone in mind. “When I was starting to get the idea of this play going — before I even put it on paper — I wanted a Kathleen Turner-type,” said Lombardo. “I needed a broad to play this role.”

Strong characters He got the perfect one — a Broadway veteran with a distinctive, husky voice who

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has earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. Lombardo also got an actress not scared of dropping F-bombs or showing a savage side.

“I am very drawn to women who simply just don’t accept how things are,” said Turner. “Don’t ask me to play a victim. It’s not going to work. I would stink at that. Give me a woman with a fight on her hands.”

Turner also brought something else to the feisty role that Lombardo only gradually learned: a sad familiarity with substance abuse. About a decade ago, Turner admits she was abusing alcohol to calm the grinding pain of rheumatoid arthritis.

“I didn’t realize the extent I was selfmedicating. You know, I was in that strange place where I wouldn’t take pills because I was afraid they’d screw up my mind, but I’d take another drink,” she said.

“And alcohol kills pain. It really does.

When I realized how insane this thinking was, I checked myself into a clinic to figure out what was going on. And I learned a lot.”

Turner took High on a pre-Broadway tour — there were workshops in Hartford, Conn., Cincinnati and St. Louis — and learned she wasn’t alone. From hundreds of audience members who stayed to chat after performances came tales of families torn apart by addiction.

“I’m starting to think we have a huge national dirty little secret here,” she said.

Her own addiction may have helped her get in touch with the emotions associated with substance abuse, but Turner dismisses the suggestion that being an addict is a requirement for the part.

“I’ve played hookers but I’ve never been out on Hollywood Boulevard, OK?” she said, laughing.

The play marks Turner’s first return to Broadway since her 2005 Tony Award-nominated spin in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Her other notable Broadway roles include Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate in 2002 and Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1990.

When she was playing Mrs. Robinson on stage, Turner famously appeared nude.

This time the clothes stay on, even if playing Sister Jamison Connelly has often meant a different kind of stripping.

“It’s so intensely personal that it feels very, very, very vulnerable. I don’t know how to shield myself from some of that material, which is good and is essential for the material to work, but it’s hard,” she said. “If you’ve ever had a phobia about like standing up naked in front of everybody, that’s what it feels like.”

A focus on theater Turner has also been focusing on onewoman shows, including Sandra Ryan Heyward’s Tallulah, and playing newspaper columnist Molly Ivins in Red Hot Patriot, which she debuted in Philadelphia last year and hopes to tour with next year.

She also found time to play a Catholic mom with a secret in the new independent See TURNER, page 52

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

51

A technology dinosaur and proud of it The lobbying started on little cat feet.

I couldn’t see why I’d ever need one.

The children: “Daddy, you’ll really love it.”

If I needed to place a call quickly? That’s The spouse: “It wouldn’t cost why I always carried a pocket all that much.” full of quarters. Just find a pay A well-meaning friend: phone and I’d be in business.

“These days, it’s expected.”

Need to receive bad news But I haven’t been a dinosaur quickly? That might be an inthis long without a stout spine. ducement, I had to admit.

Why, oh, why, do I need a But how often would such a smartphone or one of its spacecall arrive? If it were once a age cousins? year, the phone wouldn’t pay for I don’t. itself. In any case, the bearer of Hadn’t the world managed to HOW I SEE IT bad news could always call me spin on its axis just fine — for By Bob Levey at home or work and leave a centuries, no less — without inmessage. It worked that way in stant access to music and stock market quo- 1951, 1961, 1971. Why not now? tations?

I saw the cell phone craze for what it Hadn’t I managed to survive without see- was: a naked attempt to speed up the ing every grandchild’s picture the second it world and diminish my storehouse of was e-mailed to me from Timbuktu? quiet think time. Not to mention another And if a spasm of consumer lust happened monthly bill that had nothing to do with to strike, couldn’t I resist making a purchase food or shelter. until I was actually standing in a store?

But the lobbying was costing me more Yet the lobbying has picked up steam. It think time than the phone ever could. So I has progressed from little cat feet to enor- went along, under protest. mous, thumping, pumping pressure.

I still have never taken a photograph with My family wants me to cave. My pals want my phone or sent a text message. A dinosaur me to cave. The flyers in my mailbox want me has his pride and his standards, after all. to cave. The ads on my TV want me to cave.

This all happened about six years ago. In So far, no cave. But it’s all beginning to re- that short span of time, cell phones have bemind me of a previous battle that I fought and come automatic — as much a part of anylost — getting my first cell phone. one’s leave-the-house arsenal as keys and

eyeglasses.

And who is leading the charge? People over the age of 55.

They find they can leap over their technological discomfort. They find that texting really isn’t all that hard as long as they spend 30 seconds learning how. They find that they generally use a cell phone only when they must — so it hasn’t broken the bank. And they welcome the knowledge that a police officer or a dinner reservation is only a couple of finger-punches away.

Last month, my cell phone even provided me with self-esteem.

While on the road one evening, I tried to fetch a saved message. In the process, I accidentally snapped the phone shut. When I reopened it, the dratted machine was frozen.

Locked up. Unusable.

I was about to seek expert help when an idea struck. Maybe I could jostle the phone back to life.

I approached a man on the street. Yes, he had a cell phone. I gave him my number and asked him to call my phone. He did so.

The vibrations from the ring shook my phone back to life.

Amazing. Maybe I belong in the 21st century after all.

But this story says more about resourcefulness than about my need for more and fancier technology. I just made a lucky guess,

didn’t I? Why does that argue for junking the cell phone and buying Apple’s latest piece of whizbangery?

It doesn’t.

But lobbyists never take a day off.

The children: “Daddy, you can get the baseball scores whenever you want them!”

The spouse: “Our cell phone plan comes open for a new contract in a few weeks. This would be the right time...”

The well-meaning friend: “It’s even more expected than the last time we discussed this.”

That sound you just heard was a dinosaur leaning.

He hasn’t fallen yet — either from grace or from his stubborn perch. But he is beginning to try the idea on for size.

He is beginning to understand that it isn’t about needing to be wired every second of every day. It’s about having that ability if you need it.

Wasn’t the car an improvement on the horse? Wasn’t the radio an improvement on smoke signals? Wasn’t the computer an improvement on paper and pencil?

I’ve just looked up the hours for the closest Apple store.

The dinosaur may be about to take a big, digital tumble.

Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

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

Turner

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

From page 50 film The Perfect Family, co-starring Emily Deschanel and Jason Ritter.

Turner has found more roles in the theater as big film projects dry up. She has been nurturing High for almost two years as it made its way to Broadway.

Lombardo said she turned down any special treatment along the way, declining to stay at five-star hotels if it meant breaking up the team.

“She just wanted to be with the company. It’s rare that you find an actress who’s willing to do that kind of work,” he said.

“What makes her different from the rest is that she understands the creative process.

How many actresses of her caliber would schlep through three cities?”

Turner said she did it because she’s growing sick of revivals and is happy to champion good new works. “I thrilled at the thought that I’m helping to place a new piece in the library,” she said.

And after years of safe choices on Broadway, Turner thinks better, riskier times are ahead. Along with High, she loved David Lindsay-Abaire’s darkly comic new play Good People and laughed out loud with her daughter at The Book of Mormon.

“I think people are getting their guts back,” she said.

For more on High, see www. highonbroadway.com.

— AP

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Letters to Editor

Beacon The

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NEWS & FEATURES • LAW & MONEY • FITNESS & HEALTH LEISURE & TRAVEL • ARTS & STYLE • VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS We are pleased to offer both First-Class and Third-Class subscriptions:

$36/year via First Class Mail* $12/year via Third Class Mail* Please send my subscription to: Name:____________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________ WB 5/11

City: _____________________State:_____Zip: ___________ ❐ ONE YEAR First-Class rate ($36 in VA and out of the area; $38.16 in D.C.; $38.16 in MD)

❐ ONE YEAR Third-Class rate ($12 in VA and out of the area; $12.72 in D.C.; $12.72 in MD) ❐ Check here if this is a gift subscription. A gift card will be sent in your name: _________________ Return form with check made payable to The Beacon, to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 *D.C. residents: add 6% for sales tax; Maryland residents: add 6% for sales tax.

I am an 81-year-old young man, but somehow I lost my driver’s license. It must have jumped out of my billfold, like many things in my life just disappear (like the cordless phone on occasion, which acquires feet and hides from me).

Off I went to the Glenmont MVA. I expected inefficiency, waiting forever, to then be told I must go to Gaithersburg to get a replacement driver’s license. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

I walked in on a Tuesday afternoon, got a number and sat down. Lots of folks there, but was I surprised: Eight counters with hardworking MVA employees. A kind, efficient young man took my photo, and in a few minutes I was walking out with a new, duplicate license.

So here’s to that kind, efficient young man who waited on me and to the MVA. I hope you treat your senior citizens as well as a young man of 81 like me.

Frank A. Jose Silver Spring, Md.

Dear Editor: Apropos of “Old certificates may still have value,” in the April issue, I consider that capital gains and losses should have a time limit for reporting. Stock bought over 25 years ago (an arbitrar y time limit) should no longer be subjected to capital gains or losses tax reporting.

Not only have many companies been absorbed by other corporations, but stock spinoffs have occurred. A particular case has been AT&T, where the breakup, the reformation and the splitting off of additional companies by the breakup companies — with the need to assign a percentage value to the various companies — have made reporting a nightmare, impossible to fathom even by the Wall Street Journal.

Give us a break and allow any sales based on stock purchases over 25 years ago to be treated as no profit or loss but only return of capital.

Nelson Marans Silver Spring, Md. Dear Editor: Thank you so much for including the announcement for “Consider the Conversation” in last month’s Beacon Bits. While we had hoped for at least 200 participants, there were nearly 300 in attendance. We feel that the attention given this event was due in part to its having been spotted in the Beacon.

Elizabeth Brooks-Evans Montgomery County Commission on Aging

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

CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box below.

CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment.

Business & Employment Opportunities DC CELEB, a live concert event company, is looking for investors. Opportunity to make your investment plus 50% of the profit. We require three things from anyone interested. Must be willing to sign a non-disclosure before we discuss the idea. Must prove that you have three times the investment amount to the venue/arena. Must not be afraid of a little risk. eventcompanydc@gmail.com or call 703-623-8725.

PUBLISHER NEAR SILVER SPRING Metro seeks phone sales reps for online/print grants and aging news services. Not hard-selling. 15-30 weekday hours. Flex scheduling. Friendly, “older” office. $10/hour + 20% commission. Fay: 301-588-6380 x281 or jobs@cdpublications.com.

ALL CASH VENDING ROUTE Be your own boss 25-machines/candy all for-$9,995. 1-877-9158222 “S.S.REGNO.299” AINB02653 Void in AK,CT,KY,ME,NE,NH,SD,WA,LA,VA 880 Grand Blvd, Deerpark, N.Y. PASS THE GED, ASVAB, ATB, College Entrance Test GUARANTEED -Prepare 100% Online. As Low as $19! Study guide, practice tests, online classes! Your future starts NOW! 800-736-9313.

PROCESS MAIL! Pay Weekly! FREE Supplies!

Bonuses! Genuine! Helping Homeworkers since 1992! Call 1-888-302-1522 www.howtoworkfromhome.com.

DATA ENTRY/TYPISTS NEEDED immediately. $400-$800 weekly. Flexible schedule. Work on own PC. 800-310-0154.

ACTORS/MOVIE EXTRAS - $150-$300/Day depending on job. No experience. All looks needed. 1-800-281-5185-A103.

AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified - Housing available CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (866)4536204.

Caregivers CAREGIVER AVAILABLE Live-in/out days/nights or weekend, car, cook, experience, excellent references. MD/DC/Northern VA. 703408-1347.

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53

Caregivers

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

CARING HANDS OF MARYLAND – quality home care you can trust. Affordable & professional. We are an agency that has the experience, the power, and the Caring Hand you need to stay at home. Home care is about trust, honesty, companionship, loyalty and integrity. This is what Caring Hands of Maryland stands for.

240-314-0553 www.CaringHandsHomeSupport.com.

LEISURE WORLD® - $119,500. 2BR 1 FB “Hampton” model with access to Broadwalk.

Wood floors, upgraded carpet, recent updates.

1200 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors, 301928-3463.

REMODELED ONE BEDROOM Basement apartment. Furnished or unfurnished. Separate entrance. $895 plus utilities. 301-233-4722.

CHEVY CHASE HOME CARE – reliable certified caregivers at time of illness, infirmity, loneliness. Personal assistance, ALL AGES, 4- to 24-hour shifts, homes, hospitals, nursing homes. MD, DC, No. VA. Tel.: 202-374-1240. www.ChChHomecare.com.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CAREGIVER/companion with decades of experience is available for nights. Live-out. Reliable, honest, excellent references. Laverne, 301-996-1385.

VERY RELIABLE, compassionate, aide, 20 years experience, available now. M-F, FT/PT, Live I/O. CNA, GNA, MedTech licensed. Very punctual and caring. Please call 240-550-2584.

NURSING GRAD (MSN) student & licensed, experienced CNA seeks full-time, overnight caregiving position. Pet friendly with stellar references. If interested, call 301-787-3555.

Computer Services EXPERIENCED A+ CERTIFIED TECH can help with computer networking, program installation, wiring, repair, protective firewall for security. Best prices, free consultation. accuratecomputer.com 202-445-0970.

PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. HOME. BUSINESS. Call: D. Guisset at 301-642-4526.

Entertainment PUT THE MUSIC YOU LOVE BACK IN YOUR LIFE! Enjoy live jazz and swing on the first Friday of the month at Hollywood East Café, Westfield Wheaton Shopping Mall, 7 to 10 PM. Listen to the Night & Day Combo perform the classic standard songs of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, from Cole Porter, Gershwin, et al. Great music, great food, no cover charge! http://nightanddaymusic.com/clubpage.html.

Financial Services SECRET STRATEGY YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR DOESN’T KNOW Find out how you can have retirement income that is not subject to market risk and is 100% contractually guaranteed!

PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE TOMORROW BY CALLING TODAY: 301-823-8020 or 1-877-265-6739. www.TheFinancialInsdier.com.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate LOOKING TO TAKE THE LEAP? I’ll take you on a tour of the community, show you floor plans, discuss campus amenities, & offer how to best coordinate your move. I will preview units & contact you with a match. I also offer exceptional service selling your home. I’m a Seniors Specialist, Buyer Broker, Top 1% of Agents Nationwide, and a Leisure World resident! You can see my current listings on page 26.

Contact me: 301-580-5556, SueHeyman@aol.com, www.SueHeyman.com, Weichert, Realtors.

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

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C P H A R M O A C K O V H I E R A W B E E I A N N E S S E T S S T I C B E L L R E E L I M O A T B I S E S L E R

C A R E E R S S K A T E R S

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LEISURE WORLD® - $99,000. 2BR 1 FB 2 HB “Berkeley” townhouse with new appliances, fresh paint and carpet, custom Florida sunroom.

1600 sq ft, Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $84,900. 1BR 1FB “A” model in “Fairways”. New paint and carpet, new countertop. Great view. Close to elevator. 850 sq ft.

Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $58,500. 2BR 1 FB “Carlyle” model coop. Renovated, new appliances, new windows. 1035 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $89,000. 1BR 1 FB “A” in “Greens”. New paint and carpet, view of trees enclosed balcony, close to elevator. 850 sq ft.

Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $99,000. 2BR 1FB 1HB “Elizabeth” model. Rare first floor location with custom patio enclosure, Extras and upgrades.

1308 Sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $219,000. 2BR + den, 2FB “R” model in “Fairways”. Ceramic tile enclosed balcony, table space kitchen, garage parking, new carpet. 1420 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $119,000. 2BR 2FB “Riviera” model. Loaded with extras and upgrades, covered carport parking. 1273 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $117,000. 2BR 2 FB “F” in “Greens”. Close to elevator, table space kitchen enclosed balcony, extra storage, golf course view. 1120sq ft, Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - RENTAL $975. 1BR + Den, 1 FB “Arbor” model. Walk-in closet, washer and dryer in unit. .803sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $154,900. 2BR 2FB “H” model in “Greens” with GARAGE + storage room, upgrades throughout, lots of light. 1225 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-9283463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $123,900. 2BR 2 FB “E” model in “Greens”. Garage. Close to elevator.

Enclosed balcony. 990 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors, 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $174,471. 2BR 2FB 1HB “Berkeley condo. Upgraded throughout, golf course view. New windows, new HVAC. 1445 sq. ft. Stan Moffson, 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® - $199,000. 2BR 2FB E” model in “Villa Cortese”. Table space kitchen, enclosed balcony with view of trees and park.

Extra storage. 1350 sq ft. Stan Moffson, 301328-3463.

ROOMS FOR RENT in a private home, shared facilities, only non-smoking female, fully furnished, no pets. $495 per month plus utilities.

301-233-4722

RETIRED FLORIDA LIBRARIAN/writer requires quiet room with bath in home in Alexandria (preference Hollin Hall or close) Sept. or Oct., 3-4 weeks. Reasonable rate. Susanefl@hotmail.com or (cell) 727-748-5120. Visiting Alexandria May 20-22. Could meet/exchange references.

MORTGAGE LOANS! Have 620+ Credit Score? Need $100k+ to Borrow or Refinance?

Call (800) 637-8377 for Best Rates. ***FREE FORECLOSURE LISTINGS*** OVER 400,000 properties nationwide. Low down payment. Call now 800-250-2043.

LAND LIQUIDATION 20 Acres $0 Down, $99/mo. Only $12,900 Near El Paso, TX, Owner Financing, No Credit Checks! Money Back Guarantee FREE Color Brochure. 800-755-8953 www.sunsetranches.com.

STOP RENTING Lease option to buy Rent to own No money down No credit check 1-877-3950321.

AVAILABLE NOW!!! 2-4 Bedroom homes Take Over Payments No Money Down/No Credit Check Call 1-888-269-9192.

For Sale USED CAR/USED COMPUTER SALE Montgomery County Students Automotive and Information Technology Foundations. Saturday, May 7, 9-11 a.m., Thomas Edison HS of Technology, 12501 Dalewood Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20906.

301-929-2190; www.foundationsoffice.org. Maryland State Inspected Vehicles. Pre-approved vehicle financing available, for qualified persons, through MCT Federal Credit Union 301-9489880. Computers as low as $69, plus MD state tax.

USED 14 STEP CHAIRLIFT with single flip arm, seat belt, and stations for top and bottom of stairs. Buyer must arrange and pay for removal and installation. Additional Wheelchair included. All for $500. Call 703-683-2887.

DIRECT to home Satellite TV $19.99/mo.

FREE installation, FREE HD-DVR upgrade.

New customers - No Activation Fee! Credit/Debit Card Req. Call 1-800-795-3579.

FREE HD FOR LIFE! DISH Network. $24.99/mo. - Over 120 Channels. Plus $500 BONUS! Call 1-800-915-9514.

Health CASH PAID for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS - up to $17/Box! Shipping paid. Sara 1-800-371-1136. www.cash4diabeticsupplies.com.

Classifieds cont. on p. 55.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES

Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 20th of each month.

Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards.

Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, offer a personal service, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $15 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word.

Commercial Party Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing commercial business enterprise. Each ad is $35 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word.

Note: Each real estate listing counts as one commercial ad.

The Beacon, Classified Dept.

P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227

Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

For information about display advertising, or to request a media kit, call (301) 949-9766.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Puzzle Page

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

Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus The Architects

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Jumble Answers Jumbles: SMOKY BLIMP POISON ELICIT Answer: what the band considered the skinny guitar player - SLIM PICKIN'S

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1. Recipient of TARP bailout funds 5. Narc’s discovery 8. The Love Boat’s bartender 13. Aquatic Monster, with 35 Down 14. Shrinking Asian sea 15. Soup of the day, maybe 16. Scintilla 17. NFL head coach Jim, or his son, NFL head coach Jim 18. “A rusty nail placed ___ faithful com pass, will sway it from the truth”: Walter Scott 19. The architects’ favorite meal 22. Hurry up 23. Toward the sunrise 24. Contractor’s guess (abbrev.)

25. Crop in the architects’ garden 30. Be in the red 31. Partner of -ites and -ers 32. ___ and shut case 36. Diplomacy 38. Modify a financial report 41. Picnic crashers 42. Marquis de ___ 43. Part of T.G.I.F. 44. The architects’ doodles 49. Weep 52. The first name of the First Lady of Song 53. Big Mac component 54. The architects 60. W.W. II nautical menace 61. ___ mortals 62. The 2nd or 4th of Henry VIII 63. Type of pollution 64. Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack Warner 65. “___ first you don’t succeed...”

66. Tenth US president 67. Mach 1 breaker 68. What a detective connects

1. Superficially smooth 2. Anchor 3. Overture follower 4. Latin dance 5. Ont. or B.C. 6. Subject of What Color is Your Parachute?

7. Two-dimensional 8. Strike a match 9. Canal to the Red Sea 10. Astonish 11. Cadabra lead-ins 12. Roll downhill 14. Experts at division 20. New Zealanders 21. Trident-shaped letter 25. Furniture store offering 26. Bed size 27. Monthly expense, for many 28. Ideal dir. from home plate to second base, per MLB rules 29. Drunkard 33. K-K-9-7-3, for example 34. The far end of a kitchen 35. See 13 Across 37. Twisting road 38. UK military branch 39. Items in a rations kit 40. Smooth transition 42. They may have three axels 45. Wobble 46. Feeling queasy 47. Ascends Everest 48. Outstanding 49. Knievel event 50. “That sounds great” 51. Prepare a steak 55. ___ of use 56. Race pace 57. What a detective gathers 58. Tiny irritant 59. Realigns pins

Answers on page 53.

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

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55

Health

Personal Services

Wanted

Wanted

FREE PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT CARD Save 10%-60% on your prescriptions. Pets included. Use at over 60,000 pharmacies nationwide. To get your free card call 888-559-5524.

For business opportunity 800-480-2095. Then call Steve 240-406-3845.

MOTHER WILL DRIVE YOU to your appointments, do your shopping, clean your house, cooking, personal assistant. Do you need to plan an event? Also does Elder Care. Honest, reasonable rate, and references provided. 240-5957467.

DONATE TO EDUCATE Donate your vehicle to the MCSATF, a non-profit foundation, for use by Montgomery County Automotive Technology students. Provide Automotive students with valuable educational experience; give yourself a tax deduction. 301-929-2190; www.autocareers.org.

CASH FOR RECORDS & CDs. BEST PRICE GUARANTEED. Free appraisals. All types of music, 33, 45, 78 & CDs. Call Steve 301-6465403. Will make House Calls.

Home/Handyman Services

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

HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES. Compare my price before you sell! Serving entire metro area. Call for a free consultation, and professional service. I will purchase one piece or your entire estate. Including Furniture, Artwork, Glassware, Jewelry, Rugs, Costume, Gold and Silver, Watches, Sterling Items, Flatware, Lladro & Hummel Figurines, All Military Items, Guns, Swords, Helmets, Bayonets, Medals, Scout Items, Clocks, Music Boxes, Toys, Baseball Memorabilia, Trains, All String Instruments, Including Guitars, Banjos, Mandolins, Fishing Rods and Reels, Lures, Historical Items, American tools, Posters, Outside Iron Furniture. I am a very reputable dealer with two locations in Silver Spring and Bowie, MD. Please call Christopher Keller 301-408-4751 or 301-262-1299. Thank you.

MICHAELS HAULING Clean-outs, scrap & debris removal yard waste, etc. Mulch, dirt & stone delivery, lite dump truck, 20’ trailer & bobcat. Fully insured. 240-388-1898.

MR. REPAIRMAN: Save money on heating, plumbing, air conditioning, roofing, painting, remodeling, siding, electric, deck, concrete, floors, masonry. Call 202-445-0970 Guaranteed Quality, Licensed in DC & Bonded.

MAGIC CLEANING SERVICE Residential and Commercial Cleaning. We service the Washington area with more than 15 years of experience. Extremely Efficient. Excellent References.

Free Estimates. Licenced/Bonded/Insured. Available Weekends! (mobile) 703-254-7181 (office) 703-582-7085.

Miscellaneous PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? You choose from families nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions. 866-413-6292, 24/7 Void/Illinois.

DONATE YOUR CAR. FREE TOWING. “Cars for Kids”. Any condition. Tax deductible outreachcenter.com, 1-800-597-9411.

TOP CASH FOR CARS, Any Car/Truck, Running or Not. Call for INSTANT offer: 1-800-4546951.

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from home.

Medical, Business, Paralegal, Accounting, Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial aid if qualified. Call 800494-3586 www.CenturaOnline.com.

PASS THE GED, ASVAB, ATB, College Entrance Test GUARANTEED -Prepare 100% Online. As Low as $19! Study guide, practice tests, online classes! Your future starts NOW! 800736-9313.

Personal Services CABIN JOHN ORGANIZING Household organizing, bill paying, and paperwork for seniors and those with ADHD or chronic disorganization. Member NAPO, GROWS, AADMM, www.cabinjohnorganizing.com. 301-263-9482 or Melanie@dorsetwest.com.

MY MOBILE ASSISTANT “Not Just Your Driver. Your Mobile Assistant.” Preferred personal transportation provider for individuals seeking the freedom, flexibility and independence to do what they want, go where they want, when they want with the assistance of someone they know, trust and can depend on. Member of GROWS, JCA Preferred Transportation Provider, SeniorChecked Certified. 301-3321900 www.mymobileassistant.org.

DO YOU HAVE A NOVEL IN YOU? Awardwinning writer with 25 years experience with help you write, edit, and help find agents and publishers for your work of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or your memoir. Hourly rate reduced for senior citizens. Phone Jack Ryan at 703-5601015, or email to jryan12558@aol.com.

WOW! GREAT HAIRCUT at a great price!

Professional family hair salon conveniently located in Bethesda, MD. State board certified.

Call 240-432-7211.

EASY BUSINESS RÉSUMÉS Short résumés, cover letters, typed references. 16 years experience. Marty – mfixman@aol.com 703-768-5254, 9a.m. – 10p.m.

STRESSED? TIRED? OVERWHELMED? Changes in work status, family life, friendships, health and aging can produce increased levels of stress. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with training and experience in cognitive/behavioral therapy. I support people who are undergoing change to help them transform “limitations” into possibilities. Convenient Bethesda location. Accept Medicare. Don’t struggle alone: Call for support today. Judith R. Peres, LCSW-C 301-455-5140.

PARALEGAL: Experienced in trusts, estates and will preparation and other paperwork. Call 301-565-2917.

Personals LOOKING TO MEET NEW PEOPLE, both men and women, who enjoy going to concerts as well as other performing and visual arts programs. I am 68 and the arts are an important part of my life. I also enjoy going to films, eating out, and good conversation. Have to live in Maryland. Please call Carol at 301-754-1289 in the early evening.

ACTIVE WIDOWED CHRISTIAN LADY, white. seeking Christian gentleman, active, 7885. Please reply to P.O. Box 12154, U.S. Postal office, Leisure World Plaza, Silver Spring, MD 20908.

Vacation Opportunities SELL/RENT YOUR TIMESHARE FOR CASH!!! Our Guaranteed Services will Sell/ Rent Your Unused Timeshare for CASH! Over $95 Million Dollars offered in 2010! www.sellatimeshare.com Call (800) 882-0296.

Wanted ESTATE BUY-OUTS ESTATE CLEANOUTS Single piece or entire estate, real estate prep, trash hauling. The Attic, LLC. Licensed, Bonded, Insured. MD/DC/VA. 301-520-0755.

DONATE YOUR VEHICLE ELDERLY NATION DONATIONS is seeking vehicle donations running or not. With your donation we are able to give financial support to our local elderly for medicine, medical devices, food, etc. We are a local non-profit organization. You will receive a tax deduction for you donation. Donate by phone at 410-865-3002 or 877-370-3002. On our website www.elderlynationdonations.org.

WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, ETC. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack (301) 279-2158.

BEACON BITS

May 10+

CATCH A SKETCH Have you always wanted to sketch in cafes? Do you get frustrated

trying to capture people who don’t stay put? Join a two-part café sketching work-

WE PAY CASH for antique furniture, quality used furniture, early American art, pottery, silver, glassware, paintings, etc. Single items to entire estates. Call Reggie or Phyllis at DC 202726-4427, MD 301-332-4697.

MILITARY ITEMS WANTED: Collector seeks to purchase military uniforms; flight jackets, patches, insignia, medals, etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne, and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. ALSO BUYING old Boy Scout, Airline Items, Toys, Lighters. Call Dan (202) 841-3062.

OLD HIFI, STEREO EQUIPMENT PreAmps, Amplifiers, Tuners, Large Old Speakers, James B Lancing, Altec, Tannoy, Quad, Basement-Garage-Attic. Honest Pricing. Please Call Alan 240-478-1100.

FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree] knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation.

If you have a special item, collection or important estate I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from oriental rungs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan 301-279-8834. Thank you.

WANTED: ANTIQUE ELECTRONICS, radio tubes, ham radios, tube HIFI amps; huge old speakers, vinyl records, scientific curiosities, antique computers, calculators. 202-527-9501.

Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va. Fees are $25/members, $30/non-members. Register online at www.theDelRayArtisans.org/cafe or call Katherine Rand at (703) 836-1468.

VINYL RECORDS WANTED from the 20s through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections preferred. Please call John, 301-596-6201.

HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES, ESTATES. FREE evaluations and house calls. We pay the most for your valuable treasures because we get the most money on eBay – the worldwide internet. Serving entire metro area – Maryland, Washington, DC, Northern Virginia. Buying the following items – furniture, art, paintings, silver, gold, old coins, jewelry, vintage wristwatches, military items, including guns, rifles, swords, daggers, knives, musical instruments, guitars, violins, banjos, old toys, dolls, trains, old golf clubs, baseball, football, tennis equipment and memorabilia, old fishing, tools, books, photographs, comic books. I am a resident of Silver Spring. 20 years experience. Please call Tom 240-4763441, Thank you.

COLLECTOR BUYING MODERN FURNITURE, lighting, art & accessories from the 1940’s – 1970’s. Danish/Scan, Knoll, Herman Miller, Dunbar, Paul Evans, Thayer Coggin, Harvey Probber, Vladimir Kagan, Nakashima, etc. Also buying abstract modern art, ceramics, glass and records. Please call 202-213-9768.

WANTED TO BUY old magazines, books, postcards, posters, etc., pre-1975. Also bookends, antique bookcases with glass fronts. Please call 301-946-0941 anytime.

SILVER, Top dollar for your old sterling (925, 800) silver flatware, bowls, candlesticks, etc.

Condition not important. Please call Richard 301-646-0101.

WANTED JAPANESE MOTORCYCLES KAWASAKI 1970-1980 Z1-900, KZ900, KZ 1000, H2-750, H1-500, S1-250, S2-250, S2-350, S3-400 CASH. 1-800-772-1142, 1-310-721-0726 usa@classicrunners.com. $$OLD GUITARS WANTED$$ Gibson, Fender, Martin, Gretsch. 1920’s to 1980’s. Top Dollar paid. Toll Free: 1-866-433-8277.

DIABETIC TEST STRIPS DONATIONS WANTED. New sealed boxes only. Supports JDRF. Post-paid mailer @ 1-877-572-0928. Teststrips4kids.org.

WANTED DIABETES TEST STRIP Unexpired - iPhones & iPads. Up to $16.00. Shipping Paid 1-800-266-0702 www.selldiabeticstrips.com.

BEACON BITS

May 16

ENCORE PERFORMANCE

Enjoy the sounds of Schweinhaut Senior Center’s vocal talent, from the music of Irving Berlin to spirituals. Members of the Encore Chorale will perform on Monday, May 16, 7 to 8 p.m.

The concert is free, but tickets are required. They can be obtained at the reception desk of the Schweinhaut Senior Center at Forest Glen, 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring, Md. For more information, call (240) 777-8086.

May 21

AMERICAN SONG

The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” presents “Roots of the American Songbook” on Saturday, May 21 at 8 p.m. at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St., N.E. Washington, D.C. For more information about this free concert, see www.usarmyband.com or call (703) 696-3399.

shop to learn techniques and gain confidence on Tuesdays, May 10 and 24 from 2 to 5 p.m. Artist Hamil Ma will lead the workshops, which are organized by Del Ray

STAMP COLLECTIONS, AUTOGRAPHS purchased/appraised – U.S., worldwide, covers, paper memorabilia. Stamps are my specialty – highest price paid! Appraisals. Phone Alex, 301309-6637. Stampex1@gmail.com.

May 14

CHAMBER CHOIR CONCERT

The Convivium Chamber Choir, specializing in Renaissance, Tudor and 20th century music, will give a free concert on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. It will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, 3601 Russell Rd., Alexandria, Va. Contact www.gracealex.org or (703) 549-1980 for more information.

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