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VOL.27, NO.10

Gail Sheehy’s latest passages

OCTOBER 2015

I N S I D E …

PHOTO COURTESY OF GAIL SHEEHY

By Barbara Ruben The phrase “Don’t you dare,” is anathema to Gail Sheehy. Daring defines her. The best-selling author of Passages and more than a dozen other books built her career as an intrepid rule breaker, forsaking the confines of an early position where she wrote for “the women’s pages” at the New York Herald Tribune to “march across enemy lines into the all-male testosterone preserve of the city room” to pitch a weightier story idea. In her on-the-scene reporting, she came perilously close to being shot on what became known as Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland while writing about “the Troubles” for New York magazine. Sheehy once plunged herself into an “electrical bath” zapped with a mild current to get a better handle on why Margaret Thatcher found the practice rejuvenating. Most recently, she donned a leopard print mini skirt and drove an RV to the Burning Man festival in Nevada — a raucous annual event in which upwards of 70,000 people head to the remote desert, build a temporary city, and create dozens of art installations, which they ultimately tear down and burn. Sheehy wrote about her experience in September in an article titled “Diary of a 70-Year-Old Burning Man Virgin,” for the Daily Beast — a news website that’s heavy on political and entertainment reporting.

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LEISURE & TRAVEL Gail Sheehy, best-selling author, journalist and popular lecturer, interviewed thousands of men and women over the past 50 years as she wrote 17 books exploring the issues facing all of us as we age — from her classic best-seller, Passages, to her book about menopause, The Silent Passage, to Sex and the Seasoned Woman, to her recent memoir, Daring: My Passages. Sheehy will speak about her life’s work, and the importance of courage and daring, at the Beacon’s 50+Expo on Oct. 25 at Ballston Mall in Arlington, Va.

For wholesome entertainment and live music, try Branson, Missouri; plus, wineries abound in nearby Middleburg, Va., and airport lounges worth a visit

A compelling memoir Last year, Sheehy, who is actually 77, wrote her memoir, titled Daring: My Passages. [She will be speaking about the memoir and her life’s experiences at the Beacon’s 50+ expo on Sunday, October 25 at Ballston Common Mall in Arlington, Virginia.] “It took me three years to write the book, pulling apart my ribs and digging deep into the quicksand to find out what was the meaning of my life,” she said in an interview with the Beacon. “From the title of my book, you might think I was born fearless. Nothing could be further from the truth,” Sheehy said. “In fact, I am a naturally fearful person. I’ve been known to have a panic attack. So I had to find a way to use my fear to compel me to act.” And act she did. As a 12-year-old girl,

page 41 she would sneak out of her New York City suburb and take the train 25 miles to Grand Central Station, telling the ticket seller she was off to a tap dance class. In reality, she would walk around and gawk at the city that would become her home for most of her adult life. She became a “protégée” of anthropologist Margaret Mead while in graduate school at Columbia University after Sheehy won a fellowship to study there. Mead was both a neighbor and mentor to Sheehy, who said that, “It was when I came under [Mead’s] tutelage that my intellectual life began to take shape.” Sheehy raised her daughter Maura alone in the 1960s after she was blindsided by her husband’s infidelity and divorced him.

Then, in the late 1970s, she wrote a story for the New York Times on the dire refugee crisis in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge regime. While reporting in Cambodia and Vietnam, Sheehy met a 12year-old orphaned girl she couldn’t get out of her mind. Maura had just left for college, and Sheehy felt a void in her life. Sheehy worked for a year to bring the girl she renamed Mohm to the United States and adopt her. In what she calls a “daredevil exercise,” on the one day that a loophole opened in a law that had forbidden immigration of the refugees, she was able to get Mohm into the country. The bedlam of New York with its sirens, See SHEEHY, page 50

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Get expos-ed in October While the month of May is known as U.S. Older Americans Month, the month of October is the metro area’s Month of 50+Expos. Over a 12-day period this October, there will be 5 days of entertaining and informative events within easy driving distance of readers who are over 50 or love someone who is.

high-dose; free with your Medicare card), pick up information from (and ask questions of) dozens of government agencies and nonprofit organizations, and visit booths of a wide variety of area businesses providing services and products of interest to older adults and their families. Microsoft will be offering an opportunity to try out its Beacon 50+Expos Surface tablet device in our The Beacon is proud to FROM THE computer education lab, and present our 16th annual PUBLISHER our keynote speaker, Tammy By Stuart P. Rosenthal 50+Expos, taking place at loDarvish, Vice President of cations in Maryland and VirPenFed, will be speaking ginia. And, unlike the Expos taking place about mid-life career change. in Howard County and Baltimore (see Exercise and dance demonstrations, below), our events occur on the weekends live entertainment, and door prizes round for those of you who may work or are oth- out our program. erwise occupied during the week. Our N. Virginia expo takes place the folOn Sunday, October 18, our 50+Expo lowing Sunday, October 25, again from will be at the Silver Spring Civic Center in noon to 4 p.m., on the third level of Balldowntown Silver Spring from noon until 4 ston Mall (near the movie theatre) in Arp.m. lington, Va. You can obtain a number of free health The same types of services and exscreenings, get your flu shot (regular or hibitors will be found at our Ballston event:

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Washington DC area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Howard County, Md. and Greater Palm Springs, Calif. Readership exceeds 400,000. Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($36) or third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. D.C. and Maryland residents: add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. • Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President of Operations ....Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock, ................................................Dan Kelly, Rena Pensky • Editorial Assistant ........................Rebekah Sewell

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nonprofit and government resources, business exhibitors, flu shots, health screenings, live entertainment, etc. Our keynote speaker at Ballston will be best-selling author Gail Sheehy, who also happens to be our cover story subject this month. Sheehy will be speaking about her latest book, a memoir called Daring: My Passages. She will also be signing copies of her books and speaking about her new Daring Project, for which she is interviewing women from around the country about their most daring moments and where they led. Many exhibitors will be offering free giveaways and holding drawings for prizes. And we will have live entertainment and door prizes as well. Both Beacon 50+Expos are free. Please come, enjoy and bring your friends.

In Columbia On Friday, Oct. 16, is the Howard County 50Plus Expo, taking place at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia. More than 150 organizations and businesses are expected to exhibit and provide free information and giveaways. There are also speakers on a variety of topics, all day entertainment, flu vaccines, health screenings and more. The expo runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $1 (new this year), and there is a free shuttle bus from parking areas near Sears at the Columbia Mall.

In Baltimore Last, but not least, the Baltimore County Department of Aging presents its annual two-day extravaganza at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium towards the end of the month. The Baby Boomer and Senior Expo will take place Wednesday, October 28 (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Thursday, October 29 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at the Cow Palace on the fairgrounds. There will be exhibitors, speakers and exercise demonstrations, vaccinations and health screenings, an art fair, an employment fair, and a Veteran Resource Muster, with resources and referrals for veterans wanting to know more about their benefits. Entertainment includes music for dancing as well as for listening, including the Mahoney Brothers, who will be impersonating the Beatles, Neil Diamond, Elvis, Elton John and more on Oct. 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. Admission is $2; free with a donation of two cans of nonperishable food. So much to see and do in October! I hope you will look for the Beacon at all these events, and I invite you to visit one (or both) of our own 50+Expos this year. If you do, please come up to me to say hello.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or email to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: I was very disappointed and dismayed by your September cover story (“Mastering mid-life career change”). The author of the article chooses to focus upon the rehabilitation of Tammy Darvish, the daughter of the family that owns Darcars. The protagonist of the article chooses to ignore and deny the intergenerational pain and sadness of the event in terms of the harm done to the family for at least three generations. The punitive nature of the patriarchal system seriously denies a look at the role of Tammy’s earned success as a competent human being. The clear examples from the theatre stage can be learned from such works as Dividing the Estate, by Harrison Foote and the iconic play, A Long Day’s Journey into Night, by Eugene O’Neill. Many women will be able to fill in their back story with similarly specific details of sibling rivalry, parental favoritism, and the power of economic success. The human cost leaves me with great sadness and

compassion for all the people who are caught in this punitive web. This article badly needed an external balance point, and I hope you take it in that spirit. Dr. John Breeskin Takoma Park, Md. [Editor’s Note: The author indicates he has been a professional family therapist for over 50 years.] Dear Editor: The article “Think you’ve been hacked? Do this now” in the August Beacon is redundant to what is already out there in the marketplace guiding readers into the system of go-nowhere calls and time lost. Fact is that by the time you learn of the hack, your identity has been bought and sold so many times it makes heads spin. Besides, contacting government agencies through websites exposes the email author to future hack victimization. Better solution: reduce your online participation. Nothing beats pencils, paper, See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 57

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Technology &

Innovations ‘Tech neck’ a hazard of the electronic age When Mom nagged you to “sit up straight,” she likely had no idea how important that advice would become, thanks to our reliance on smartphones and tablets. One study suggests that the average person spends two to four hours every day on electronic devices. That’s thousands of hours every year spent in a position that puts several extra pounds of stress on the neck. Heavy users of handheld technology aren’t the only ones at risk. Other activities, from reading to driving, can strain your neck, as well. Bill Boissonnault, associate professor at the University of Wisconsin (UW) School of Medicine and Public Health, and Lori Thein Brody, physical therapist with UW Sports Medicine and Spine Center, share the following tips to give your neck a break.

Supporting your head The human head weighs an average of 12 pounds, and your body is designed to hold it up all the time. It’s actually the inclination, or angle, of your neck that worries

many physicians. Brody said the problem — and the solution — lies in simple physics. The more you tilt your head down, the farther you’re separating the axis of rotation (in this case, the neck) from the mass of the limb (the head). This creates more work for the back of your neck as it tries to hold your head up. Boissonnault uses the analogy of a bowling ball to break down the science. If you grab a 12-pound ball in one palm, and bend your elbow so the ball is close to your torso, it’s easy enough to hold for some time. But as soon as you start to straighten that elbow, and your hand moves farther away from your body, the ball feels heavier. Only in recent years have people begun using smartphones and tablets for several hours a day. And because the effects of maintaining the same posture for long periods of time can take years to manifest, researchers aren’t yet sure how this will affect users long-term. Even so, Boissonnault has serious concerns. As seen in other instances of poor pos-

ture, muscles can fatigue and cause soreness and pain. If the muscles tire too much, he said, they may stop supporting the neck’s ligaments and joints altogether and put more weight on discs and joints, which in turn could increase the risk of arthritis. Brody wonders whether younger generations who start using electronics at ever earlier ages will essentially train their neck muscles to become stronger. “Will humans evolve to have stronger neck muscles in response to this kind of load?” she asks. So, you say, you’re not addicted to electronics? If you don’t pay attention and straighten up once in a while when reading books or newspapers, driving, or even cooking — repeated over months and years — you could put yourself at risk. “(Maintaining) any single posture for prolonged periods of time, (or repeating) a certain activity over and over, can get people into trouble,” Boissonnault said. He also urges extra awareness of “tech neck” for anyone with a previous neck injury, or whose work requires them to sit at a desk

for long periods of time, with the head in a forward position.

Tips to straighten up To avoid straining your neck: 1. Bring your device (or reading material) higher and closer to your face, allowing your head and neck to stay erect. 2. Try using a hands-free bookstand, music stand or pillow. The key is to bring whatever you’re looking at closer to your face, and up to eye-level. 3. Prop a hand under your chin so your neck muscles are not supporting the weight of your head all alone. 4. Move around. Try these stretches and postures to get unstuck: • Gently roll your head to its normal position, roll your shoulders and squeeze your shoulder blades together and down. • Keep an eye on your hips, too. Boissonnault said posture problems often start with the hips and lower back, so it’s important to stay balanced (keeping your hips in a vertical line with the rest of your body), and not slump into the low back. See TECH NECK, page 7

Facebook features you may not know about By Barbara Ortutay Did you know you can add a pronunciation guide to your name on Facebook? Overlay colorful text on the photos you post? How about mark the end of a relationship without your 500 closest friends getting notified? Many of these tips and tricks aren’t well known, even to veterans of the 1.5 billionstrong people-connector and time-waster website. Facebook is constantly updating its service, adding new features or tweaking old ones. A lot can slip through the cracks even if you are scrolling through your friends’ updates several times a day. Here are a few ways to enhance your Facebook experience:

To add a pronunciation guide, go to the “about” section of your profile and click on “details about you,” (called “more about you” on mobile) then “name pronunciation.” Here, Facebook will offer suggestions for your first and last name that you can listen to before selecting. If none work, you can also type in your own phonetic pronouncer.

How do you say that?

Unsubscribe

More than 83 percent of Facebook’s users are outside of the U.S. and Canada, and they use over 80 languages to communicate with friends and family. That’s a lot of people, and a lot of different ways to say your name.

Anyone who’s commented on a popular Facebook post, or belongs to a particularly chatty group, knows that those notifications telling you that “Jane Doe and 4 others also commented on a post” can get a bit annoying.

One-time password Logging in from a public computer? If you don’t feel comfortable typing in your password on a shared machine that might have malicious software, Facebook lets you request a temporary one by texting “otp” to 32665. You’ll get an eight-character passcode that works for the next 20 minutes and cannot be reused.

You can turn off notifications for individual posts by clicking on the globe icon on the top right corner of your Web browser, then on the “X” next to the individual notification. You can also change your notification settings here to get fewer or more of them for each group that you belong to. To do this on mobile, click to view the original post, then click the down arrow in the top right corner of the post. You’ll see an option to “turn off notifications.”

Go to your profile and click on the “about” section, then “family and relationships on the left.” Under relationship, you’ll see a gray icon that probably says “friends,” or maybe “public.” Change it to “only me.” Then change your relationship status. After a while, you can change it back if you wish. Your hundreds of acquaintances will be none the wiser, unless they are stalking your profile to see if you are single.

Keep it on the down-low

Picture perfect

Announcing engagements and marriages on Facebook is fun. Post and watch the likes and congrats roll in. Bask in the love and glory. Fast-forward a few years for some couples, and the glory fades, not to mention the love and marriage. In this case, you might not want to announce the irreversible breakdown to 450 of your closest friends. Thankfully, you can still mark the end of a relationship without notifying everyone.

Thanks to a popular but little-known new feature, Facebook lets you spruce up the photos you post by adding text and quirky stickers, such as drawings of scuba gear, sunglasses or a corn dog. This tool is available on iPhones and is coming soon to Android devices. To use it, choose a photo to upload and click the magic wand icon. Here, you’ll find text overlay options as well as the same stickers you can use in other parts of Facebook. See FACEBOOK, page 7

Oct. 20+

LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER’S

Virginia ❏ Arbor Terrace of Herndon (See ad on page 26) ❏ Ashby Ponds (See ads on pages B2, B9 & 56) ❏ Chesterbrook Residences (See ads on pages B9, B14) ❏ Culpepper Garden (See ad on page 8) ❏ The Fairfax (See ad on page B16) ❏ Falcons Landing (See ads on pages B7 & B14) ❏ Greenspring (See ads on pages B2, B10 & 56) ❏ Great Falls Assisted Living (See ads on pages B14 & B17) ❏ Gum Springs Glen (See ad on page B8) ❏ Herndon Harbor House (See ad on page B8) ❏ Lockwood House (See ad on page B8) ❏ Morris Glen (See ad on page B8) ❏ Potomac Place (See ad on page B6) ❏ Tall Oaks (See ads on pages B2 & B19) ❏ Tribute at Heritage Village (See ads on pages B9 & B13) ❏ Tysons Towers (See ad on page B16) ❏ Vinson Hall (See ads on pages B5 & 68) ❏ The Virginian (See ads on pages B-5, 60) ❏ Waltonwood (See ads on pages B10 & B15) ❏ Wingler House (See ad on page B8)

I N F O R M A T I O N

Montgomery County presents A Community Discussion on Domestic Violence on Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the East County Regional Services Center, located at 3300 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring, Md. and on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Pl., Silver Spring, Md. This free presentation will provide information about services that are available and how to help friends and family in relationships affected by abuse. For more info, call the Commission for Women at (240) 777-8333.

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F R E E

❏ Diabetes Studies (See ad on page 24) ❏ High Cholesterol Studies (See ad on page 24) ❏ Allergy/Anaphylaxis Study (See article on page 24)

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I N F O R M A T I O N F R E E ★

❏ Arden Courts (See ad on page 22) ❏ Brooke Grove (See ads on pages B9, B17, B20 & B21) ❏ Charles E. Smith Life Communities (See ad on page 47) ❏ Churchill Senior Living (See ad on page 16) ❏ Covenant Village (See ads on pages B8 & B17) ❏ Emerson House (See ads on pages B5 & B8) ❏ Homecrest House (See ads on pages B5 & B12) ❏ Mrs. Philippines Home (See ad on page B8) ❏ Olney Assisted Living (See ads on pages B3 & B19) ❏ Park View Bladensburg (See ad on page 39) ❏ Park View Columbia (See ad on page 39) ❏ Park View Emerson (See ad on page 39) ❏ Park View Laurel (See ad on page 39) ❏ Riderwood (See ads on pages B2, B5 & 56) ❏ Solana (See ad on page B2) ❏ Springvale Terrace (See ads on pages B3 & B19) ❏ The Village at Rockville (See ads on pages B18 & 28)

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TALKS

Maryland

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The National Capital Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association presents Living with Alzheimer’s, a free educational and interactive three-part program to hear from others who have experienced Alzheimer’s. Topics include, what to know, what to plan for, and what to do to navigate the rest of your life. The sessions will take place on Tuesdays, Oct. 20, Oct. 27 and Nov. 2 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Rd., Rockville, Md. Registration is required. For more info or to register, call (240) 773-9410.

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The Langston Brown Senior Center, 2121 N. Culpeper St., Arlington, Va., offers free technology help with a savvy high school teen. For more info about dates and times, call the center at (703) 228-6300.

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TEEN TECH HELP

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Ongoing

❏ Friendship Terrace (See ads on pages B5 & B6) ❏ Knollwood (See ads on pages B10 & B12) ❏ Residences at Thomas Circle (See ads on pages B4 & B17)

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Holiday Park Senior Center presents a free e-learning seminar on Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. Learn how to expand your knowledge through free online learning opportunities. The center is at 3950 Ferrara Dr., Wheaton, Md. For more info, call (240) 777-4999.

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LEARN ABOUT E-LEARNING

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Oct. 15

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BEACON BITS

For free materials on housing communities and health studies, just complete and clip this coupon and mail it to the Beacon. Housing Communities

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Another recent addition to Facebook’s trove of tools is a “security checkup” that guides users through a checklist aimed at making their account more secure. This includes logging out of Facebook on Web

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Security check

I N F O R M A T I O N

From page 6

browsers and apps they are not using, and receiving alerts when someone tries to log in to their account from an unfamiliar device or browser. To use it, go to https://www.facebook. com/help/securitycheckup on your computer — this feature is not yet available on the mobile app. — AP

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Facebook

MAIL OR FAX FOR FREE INFORMATION

I N F O R M A T I O N

• Tight pectoral muscles can pull your torso into a rounded posture. Try stretching your front with this exercise: Face a corner with your elbows extended, grab the corner and lean in, leading with your chin.

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

From page 6

WhatDoctorsKnow is a magazine devoted to up-to-the minute information on health issues from physicians, major hospitals and clinics, universities and health care agencies across the U.S. Online at www.whatdoctorsknow.com. © 2015 Whatdoctorsknow.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Tech neck

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

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What to ask before you use a robo adviser By Alex Veiga Some of Wall Street’s newest investment advisers don’t have a degree in business or a corner office in Manhattan. They’re also not human. Dubbed robo advisers, they are automated investing services that rely on computer models to manage investor portfolios. While investment advisers have relied for years on computer models to fine tune their clients’ portfolios of mutual funds, for exam-

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ple, the advent of fully automated investing services emerged just in the last five years. Users typically access their accounts online or on mobile devices. By not enlisting the services of an investment professional, the robo advisers cost less than traditional investment accounts. “Your adviser may take you to lunch, go to the ball game, whatever, but ultimately they’re going to determine an allocation based on some questions and then put it in play,” said Frank Trotter, executive vice

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president at EverBank. “Robo advisers do much the same thing.” Is this investment approach a good fit for you? Here are four questions to ask yourself when considering whether to have a robo adviser handle your investments: 1. Are you a hands-on investor? When working with a robo adviser, investors at the outset answer questions meant to assess their risk tolerance, investment goals, years left before retirement and other factors. The responses are then used to come up with an asset allocation crafted to deliver returns in line with the investor’s financial goals. As the investors provide more money over time and as the factors driving the market shift, the computer models auto-

matically buy or sell shares to rebalance portfolios. “If you personally wish to be an active investor, make a lot of decisions, or be in and out of different securities, these things are not for you,” Trotter said. 2. How complex is your portfolio? Some robo advisers link to retirement accounts or allow users to transfer money from their bank accounts. Generally, they are suited to investors who want to set up a stream of income into an investment account. This can get more complicated when the investor has a portfolio that includes trusts, charitable giving and other investments beyond stocks. See ROBO ADVISER, page 10

BEACON BITS

Oct. 28

COMMISSION ON AGING MEETING This year’s Montgomery County Commission on Aging

Stakeholder Meeting will take place Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Silver Spring Civic Building at 1 Veterans Plaza. The meeting brings legislators, nonprofits, businesses and family caregivers together to make suggestions to assist family caregivers. For info or to reserve a seat, contact Tremayne Jones at (240) 777-1120 or tremayne.jones@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

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

Beware: Not all online shopping is alike By Andrea N. Browne I’m an avid online shopper, but last year I had an online shopping first: I made several purchases through third-party sellers on Amazon.com and Etsy.com. [Thirdparty sellers are usually small businesses or individuals operating their own miniwebsites within a larger online operation.] You can tell whether an item is being offered by a third-party seller on Amazon by checking the “sold by” and “fulfilled by” fields on a product page. Products that aren’t fulfilled by Amazon typically only list the “sold by” information on the product page. In contrast to Amazon, all items on Etsy are sold by third parties. The entire site is like a mall for independent sellers of hand-

made products and art. My experiences with both sites were rather frustrating. Looking back, I partly blame myself. My issues ultimately were resolved, and I received full refunds. But had I done my homework first, I probably could have avoided the problems altogether. Here are five things you should keep in mind before buying from a third-party seller on Amazon or Etsy: 1. Past customers can be your best guide. Do some research on a third-party seller before you commit to a purchase. Start by checking the seller’s customer ratings and reviews via their store page. “Read through the kinds of experiences

York, when in fact they shipped from China. Needless to say, my order took much longer to arrive than expected. Instead of four to seven days, it took two weeks. To help avoid this type of inconvenience, contact the seller directly before you buy. Ask upfront where its products ship from. On Etsy, you can narrow down your store options to sellers who are located near you by using the Etsy Local function. This is helpful if you’re in a time crunch and need to boost the odds of a product arriving by a certain date. 3. Amazon Prime membership doesn’t guarantee free shipping. See ONLINE SHOPPING, page 10

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Oct. 24

other people have had interacting with these stores, because the reality is you’ll have to deal with them directly, not with Amazon or Etsy [if your transaction goes awry],” said Seth Barnes, head of marketing for Savings.com, a coupons and deals website. When using Amazon, for example, customers should look for sellers with detailed product information on their listing pages, as well as clear information on shipping options and costs so there aren’t any surprises, said Erik Farleigh, a spokesman for Amazon. 2. There’s no such thing as a standard shipping policy. One of the biggest issues I had was dealing with a seller who had listed on its storefront page that its items shipped from New

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Robo adviser From page 8 In such a case, relying on a robo adviser may be limiting, said Eric Godes, chief wealth advisory officer at Federal Street Advisors in Boston. “Robo advisers fall short when you’re trying to coordinate your various financial needs and various financial accounts to make sure that they’re all working in concert with each other,” Godes said. 3. Do you need an ear? Does a wild market swoon make you

Online shopping From page 9 Free two-day shipping on purchases is one of the biggest draws of a $99-a-year Amazon Prime membership. However, what some members may not realize is that only items sold by Amazon (as well as

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

dial up your investment adviser in search of some reassurance or someone to bounce ideas off? That’s generally not an option with a robo adviser. Consider if that would be a problem for you, say, if the market experienced another major downturn as it did following the financial crisis in 2008. Would you feel more comfortable knowing you could call upon your adviser to discuss their strategy or touch on their prior experience in similar market downturns? With robo adviser services, you’re not paying for that type of access.

4. Are the fees reasonable? Low cost investments have been a big draw for investors in recent years, and that that’s a big selling point of robo advisers. Charles Schwab & Co. launched its own robo advisory service earlier this year. Dubbed Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, the service creates a portfolio of ETFs, or exchange-traded funds. Investors only pay fees related to operating expenses on the ETFs. Another robo adviser, blooom, offers to take over management of investors’ 401(k) accounts for between $1 and $15 a month, depending on the size of the account.

Then there’s WiseBanyan, which doesn’t charge any management, trading or portfolio rebalancing fees. The New York-based company, which caters to younger investors and invests in ETFs, instead expects to make money off a la carte services such as a tax-loss harvesting — a process that involves selling investments that have declined in value at a loss so that the investor can use them as a write-off against their taxable income. WiseBanyan plans to roll out the service later this year. — AP

many items fulfilled by Amazon) qualify for that option. Look for the Prime logo. If it’s not there, the product is not covered for free shipping. Products sold and fulfilled by third parties do not qualify for Prime shipping and should display this note: “Not eligible for Amazon Prime.”

In addition, according to Amazon policy, comingling purchases isn’t a loophole. If you place an order that contains some items that are eligible for free Prime shipping and some that aren’t, you’ll be charged shipping fees for the ineligible items. 4. Returns are at a seller’s discretion.

When dealing with major retailers, there’s comfort in knowing that if you don’t like a purchase, you can always exchange it or get a refund. Sure, some return policies are more generous than others, but these retailers offer some form of recourse for unwanted items. That’s not always the case when you buy an item online through a third-party seller. On both Amazon and Etsy, thirdparty sellers set their own return, refund and exchange policies. It’s important to read a seller’s return policy in its entirety before making a purchase. 5. You’ll need to try to settle disputes yourself. Because neither Amazon nor Etsy has direct access to order information for transactions sold and fulfilled by thirdparty sellers, they encourage customers to work through any issues directly with the seller before they’ll step in. A dispute could be something like requesting a refund from a seller with a noreturns policy for an item that looks drastically different in person than it did online. This can be especially common with artwork, as colors don’t always appear true on your computer screen. This process can be time-consuming, especially if you’re dealing with an international seller. As I mentioned, one of the sellers I bought from was overseas. It took hours to get responses to my inquiries, largely due to the time difference. I’d send a message in the morning and get a reply back at midnight. Be sure to document correspondence with a third-party seller just in case you have to escalate the situation to customer service at Amazon or Etsy. All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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

Asbury Methodist Village 409 Russell Ave, Gaithersburg, MD

301-987-6291

COOL, INTERESTING & FUN WEBSITES

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 10 # 391 Mon Oct. 19 9:30am-11:30am Do you always visit the same old websites? Learn about sites you probably didn’t know existed and how the World Wide Web can open up new experiences.

THE “CLOUD” & YOUR COMPUTER

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent and access to the Internet Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 10 # 392 Tues Oct. 20 9:30am-11:30am You probably have heard of the cloud. This course shows you what you can do with Microsoft’s OneDrive® cloud service. MOVING UP TO

WINDOWS® 10

Prerequisite: Windows 7 or Vista PC Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 10 # 443 Tues Nov. 3 — Dec. 8 9:30am-11:30am If you have upgraded to Windows 10, this course will show you what is familiar, how to take advantage of new features, and how Windows 10 can improve your computing experience.

ASSISTED PRACTICE

FREE sessions: an integral part of your learning. You must be registered for at least one class to participate. No Fee Wed Sept. 9 — Oct. 14 9:30am-1:30pm Wed Nov. 4 — Dec. 16 9:30am-1:30pm

JCA Bronfman Center 12320 Parklawn Dr, Rockville, MD

240-395-0916

COMPUTER BASICS WITH WINDOWS® 7

Prerequisite: Windows 7 or Vista PC Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 8 # 396 Thurs Nov.5 — Dec. 17 10:00am-12:00pm This course is for students who want to refresh or expand their computer skills. It covers the start menu and taskbar, files and folders, the World Wide Web, and use of applications such as the word processor.

DO MORE WITH WINDOWS® 7

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 8 # 397 Thurs Oct. 29 — Dec. 10 1:00pm–3:00pm This is the perfect class for Windows 7 users who have mastered the basics and want to explore further topics. Topics include managing files and folders, un-

derstanding and customizing the start menu, Aero Display functions, control panel, user accounts, disk utilities, operating system updates, backups and more!

MICROSOFT WORD: PART 1, THE BEGINNING

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $35 2 sessions Limit: 8 # 398 Mon Oct. 19 — Oct. 2610:00am-12:00pm Learn basic word-processing skills using Microsoft Word, including hands-on experience creating documents of varying levels of complexity.

MICROSOFT WORD: PART 2, THE NEXT LEVEL

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 2 sessions Limit: 8 Fee: $35 # 399 Mon Nov. 9 — Nov. 16 10:00am-12:00pm Learn advanced word-processing skills, such as illustrating documents with graphics, using templates, creating tables and advanced formatting.

YOUR IPAD® AND YOU

Prerequisite: iPad needs to be updated to IOS 7 and have an Apple® ID and password Bring fully charged iPad to class 4 sessions Limit: 8 Fee: $65 # 401 Thurs Oct. 8 — Oct. 29 10:00am-12:00pm Learn the basics about what you can do with your iPad and how using a tablet is different from using a desktop or laptop computer. Topics include basic navigation, apps and where you get them, how to set up your email account, managing your contact list, taking and sharing pictures, listening to music, how to keep your iPad safe and running efficiently, and how to back up data.

10 AMAZINGLY USEFUL WEBSITES YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $20 # 402 Tues Oct. 13 1:00pm-3:00pm # 403 Tues Dec. 8 1:00pm-3:00pm Learn about a wide range of useful websites. Tired of waiting for a company’s help desk to answer? There’s a website that gets them to call you! Print web pages without all the ads, find a manual for that appliance that needs repair, get great recipes and nutritional information, FREE coupons, FREE books and more! IPHONE®,

AN INTRODUCTION PART 1

Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $20 # 404 Fri Oct. 16 10:00am-12:00pm Take the first steps to learn about navigating your iPhone, receiving and making phone calls, and using the Safari® browser. IPHONE®,

AN INTRODUCTION PART 2

IPHONE®,

PHOTOGRAPHY

Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 405 Fri Oct. 23 10:00am-12:00pm Learn about mail, settings (including privacy and security settings), iCloud find my iPhone, and organizing favorite apps. Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class

Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 406 Fri Nov. 13 10:00-12:00pm Learn how to use your iPhone to take, edit and share great photos.

SMART PHONES AND TABLETS USING THE ANDROID OPERATING SYSTEM WORKSHOP

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $ 20 # 407 Wed Oct. 7 10:00am-12:00pm Learn what the Android operating system is and how to work with its direct manipulation interface and see demonstrations of popular applications (apps) that run on Android.

MEET THE TECHNOLOGY GURUS! BRING US YOUR PROBLEMS!

Fee: $30 per individual session Limit: 8 # 408 Date and time to be determined by Tech Guru Have a 1:1 lesson with our Tech Gurus. Experts are available to help individuals with hardware or software issues. Topics: iPhone®/iPad®, backing up the cloud, laptop/desktop Issues, photos/videos, PowerPoint® and more. Your session will last 2 hours. After you register, you will be contacted to select a date and time for your session and to discuss the questions or issues you will be working on with one of our Tech Gurus.

 NEW  NEW  NEW 

TECH TUESDAY

PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS ON HOT TOPICS IN TECHNOLOGY CUTTING THE CABLE – TV WITHOUT THE PRICE OF CABLE 1 session Limit: 25 Fee: $20 # 409 Tues Oct.13 1:30am-3:30pm With the availability of high-speed broadband internet, it is possible to enjoy television without the high price of cable TV. Learn about programs that are available online and how to watch on a standard HDTV set. BUYING YOUR NEXT COMPUTER OR SMART DEVICE 1 session Limit: 25 Fee: $20 # 410 Tues Oct. 27 10:00am-12:00pm Not long ago buying your next computer usually meant deciding between a desktop and laptop. Today we have additional options such as tablets, smartphones and smartwatches. In this overview, you will learn about the pros and cons of these options and some of the popular software available on various devices.

continued next page

JCA SENIORTECH Bronfman Center continued

Learn to set up computer features (folders, shortcuts, etc.) responsive to personal needs and preferences.

USING THE INTERNET TO PLAN AND BOOK TRAVEL Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 25 # 411 Tues Nov. 3 10:00am-12:00pm Get started on the road to being your own travel agent! In this class, you will learn about user-friendly tools to locate and book travel services such as airline and train tickets, hotel rooms, tours, tickets to attractions and more.

TOURING THE INTERNET

INTRODUCTION TO THE CLOUD Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 25 # 412 Tues Nov. 17 1:30pm-3:30pm There has been a lot of talk about “the cloud” recently. Learn what the cloud is and how to use it for storage, backup and sharing of files, pictures and music.

GUIDE TO BUYING A PERSONAL COMPUTER (WORKSHOP)

ORGANIZING, ENHANCING AND SHARING YOUR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 25 # 413 Tues Dec. 8 10:00am-12:00pm Learn about the tools available on your computer and the Internet that can be used to increase the enjoyment you obtain from digital pictures. Using free software tools available on the Web, the instructor will show you how to organize and manage and enhance photos, and how to share them by creating web albums, photo books and more.

Crystal City

1750 Crystal Dr Shops, Suite 1638B Crystal Square Arcade, Arlington, VA

703-941-1007

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

Prerequisite: Bring a flash drive to class Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 8 # 415 Tues Nov. 3 — Dec. 8 10:00am-12:00pm This course is for persons seeking to refresh or expand computer skills. It covers the start menu and taskbar, files and folders, the World Wide Web, and use of applications such as the word processor. *The Sept/Oct class will meet 6 sessions (6/1, 6/8, 6/22,10/13,10/17, 10/27). It is extended due to holidays when the training center is closed).

INTERMEDIATE PC, WINDOWS® 7 AND WINDOWS®8.1

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 8 #417 Wed Nov. 4 — Dec.16 10:00am-12:00pm This course continues the exploration of Microsoft Windows 7 begun in Computer Basics. It will also deal with how Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 work together.

DISCOUNT! STUDENTS RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT WHEN BILL IS PAID IN FULL 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE START OF CLASS. If you have questions, call 240-395-0916 or email seniortech@accessjca.org

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $85 6 sessions Limit: 8 # 418 Mon Nov. 2 — Dec. 7 1:00pm-3:00pm Learn about important Internet tools and resources, including sending and receiving email with and without attachments, using address books, browsers, Internet and email security, search, shopping, travel, entertainment, and Web-based government resources.

Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 419 Thurs Dec. 3 1:00pm-3:00pm Learn about important issues to consider and features to look for when purchasing your next personal computer.

KEEPING YOUR COMPUTER SECURE

Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 420 Mon Oct. 19 1:00pm-3:00pm Learn about important security issues, including how hackers choose computers, phishing, spam email, website drive-by, botnets, passwords, administrative accounts, keeping applications updated, keeping the operating system updated, and malware protection.

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

1 session Limit: 8 Fee: $20 # 431 Thurs Oct. 29 10:00am-12:00pm # 432 Thurs Dec. 10 10:00am-12:00pm This workshop will highlight the major new features of the Microsoft Windows 8.1 operating system, concentrating on its “Tile” mode of operation. Student computers at the training center have Windows 7, so bring your own Windows 8.1 laptop, or come and see Windows 8.1 demonstrated by the instructor.

GRAPHICS EXPLORERS

Prerequisite: Knowledge of Photoshop® Elements software Elements 10 or 11 software Fee: $35 ongoing sessions Limit: 8 # 434 Mon Nov. 2 – Dec. 21 10:00am-12:00pm Graphics Explorers is a series of meetings with no fixed agenda or syllabus. There is no instructor. Students use Photoshop Elements 10 or 11 to enhance photographs, using several workbooks. Students provide their own copies of Photoshop Elements and workbooks.

TAMING WORD (WORKSHOP)

FACEBOOK IS EASY Prerequisite: Bring a picture of yourself and a picture you’d like to share in digital form (jpg). Fee: $20 1 session Student Limit: 8 #442 Thur Oct 8 10:00am–12:00pm Find out how set up a Facebook account and keep it as private or public as you want. Share pictures, thoughts, or quotations with chosen friends.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR APPLE IPAD® (WORKSHOP)

No Fee Limit: 8 FREE sessions: an integral part of your learning. You must be registered for at least one class to participate. When no classes are being offered, volunteers are available to help registered students practice what they learn in classes and workshops. Speak with your instructor for details.

Prerequisite: Basic computer knowledge and mouse skills Fee: $35 2 sessions Limit: 8 # 422 Tues Dec.15 – 22 10:00am-12:00pm Learn how to make Microsoft Word your personal tool for word processing. Prerequisite: Bring a fully charged Apple iPad to class Fee: $50 3 sessions Limit: 8 # 424 Thurs Oct. 29 – Nov. 12 1:00pm-3:00pm This course demystifies the iPad, starting with the hand gestures used to operate the device and the purpose of external buttons and switches, and progressing to hands-on use of a variety of standard iPad applications.

USING YOUR APPLE IPHONE® (WORKSHOP)

Prerequisite: Bring fully charged iPhone to class Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 425 Mon Oct. 26 1:00pm-3:00pm # 426 Mon Dec. 14 1:00pm-3:00pm Learn how to use your iPhone to surf the Internet, take and share photos, play games, read books – and much more.

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

Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 427 Wed Oct. 28 10:00am-12:00pm # 428 Thurs Dec. 3 10:00am-12:00pm Learn how to use the free Skype application to communicate with relatives and friends.

VIEWING MOVIES ON YOUR PC (WORKSHOP)

Prerequisite: Basic computer skills Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 8 # 429 Thurs Oct. 1 1:00pm-3:00pm # 430 Thurs Nov. 19 1:00pm-3:00pm This is your chance to find out how to view movies in your home without contracting with cable companies – and pay little or nothing for viewing.

WINDOWS® 8.1 DEMONSTRATION

Prerequisite: None, but you may bring your own laptop with Windows 8.1

ASSISTED PRACTICE

Microsoft at Westfield Montgomery Mall

7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD

301-765-3080

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

WINDOWS® 10, AN INTRODUCTION Fee: $35 # 435 Thurs

2 session Limit: 6 Nov. 12 – Nov. 19 10:00am-12:00pm

Microsoft at Tysons Corner 1961 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA

703-336-8480

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

POWERPOINT® PRESENTATIONS

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent 1 session Limit: 6 Fee: $20 # 437 Wed Oct. 28 — Nov. 4 10:00am-12:00pm In this introduction to PowerPoint presentation software, you will learn how to develop and use simple presentations. Knowledge of Windows is required.

continued next page

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

Microsoft at Tysons continued LINKEDIN®, AN INTRODUCTION

Prerequisite: Solid computer skills and an active email account Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 6 # 438 Wed Nov. 18 10:00am-12:00pm Introduction to LinkedIn: what it’s for and how to develop a profile. You must have an email address.

For more information, call 240-395-0916.

OVERVIEW OF MICROSOFT OFFICE WORD, EXCEL®, POWERPOINT®

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 6 # 440 Wed Dec. 9 10:00am-12:00pm In this high-level introduction to Microsoft Office programs, you will learn about the commonalities among the programs, with a brief look at how to use each one. Knowledge of Windows required.

ATTENTION:

Instruction, course materials and all computer language settings are in English. Courses are taught with Windows computers.

DESCRIPTION AND GUIDELINES

SeniorTech

COMPUTER TRAINING

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

REFUND POLICY:

Students who wish to withdraw and receive a full refund must notify JCA at least 48 hours before the first class begins. A 50% refund is given after the first class.

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

WAYS TO REGISTER: BY MAIL:

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

NOTE: ALL REGISTRATIONS ARE DUE 7 DAYS PRIOR TO START OF CLASS. Name: ___________________________________________________________ Age: _____________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________ City: _________________________________________ State: _______ Zip Code: _______________ Phone#: __________________________ Email: ____________________________________________ I have taken a JCA SeniorTech class before: ____ Yes ____ No Student ID (Office use only)_______

I WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER FOR: Class #

Class Title

Location

Start Date

Start Time

Fee

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

TOTAL $ ________

PAYMENT METHOD:

❒ Master Card ❒ VISA ❒ American Express ❒ Check (Make Checks payable to JCA SeniorTech.) Name as it appears on card: ____________________________________________________

Card Number

__________ __________ __________ ___________

Exp. Date

______ /______

Sec. Code

WB10/15

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

✃

SENIORTECH REGISTRATION FORM

INTRODUCTION TO WINDOWS® 10

Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent Fee: $20 1 session Limit: 6 # 439 Wed Dec. 2 10:00am-12:00pm Overview of the latest Microsoft operating system. Knowledge of a previous version of Windows required.

JCA SENIORTECH

__________

OFFICE USE ONLY Course #____ Paid____ Registration #_____ Date_______

Course #____ Paid____ Registration #_____ Date_______

NOTICE: WITHIN THE LIMITS OF ITS RESOURCES, JCA SERVES PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS AND FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. INDEED, WE TRY TO BE AS INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE IN ALL THAT WE DO. SOMETIMES, HOWEVER, JCA MAY DENY A PERSON OR GROUP THE OPTION TO ENROLL OR TO CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL OR PARTICULAR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DO SO, AT OUR SOLE DISCRETION, SHOULD WE BELIEVE THAT OUR ACTION IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR PROGRAM OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON NOT PRECLUDED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

Each contribution or remittance of payment by check is considered authorization to convert that particular check into an electronic fund transfer. If your check is unable to be converted, it may be processed as a Check Replacement Document drawn against your account. When we use information from your check to make an electronic fund transfer, funds may be withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day you make your payment, and you will not receive your check back from your financial institution. You have the right to opt out of Electronic Conversion. If you choose to exercise this right, write the words ‘Opt Out’ in the memo field of your check and JCA will process it as a draft against your account.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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

Health Fitness &

THE SECOND TIME AROUND One in five cancer patients will also get another kind of cancer SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT There are many safe ways to whiten teeth, from drugstore kits to the dentist LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE Beets, walnuts and flaxseed can lower blood pressure, as can going meatless BUBBLES AND BONES While some carbonated beverages may not affect bone health, colas can

Genetic predisposition to obesity found By Marilynn Marchione Scientists have finally figured out how the key gene tied to obesity makes people fat — a major discovery that could open the door to an entirely new approach to the problem, beyond diet and exercise. The research was led by scientists at MIT and Harvard University and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The work solves a big mystery: Since 2007, researchers have known that a gene called FTO was related to obesity, but they didn’t know how, and could not tie it to appetite or other known factors. Now experiments reveal that a faulty version of the gene causes energy from food to be stored as fat rather than burned. Genetic tinkering in mice and on human cells in the lab suggests this can be reversed, giving hope that a drug or other treatment might be developed to do the same in people. The gene glitch doesn’t explain all obesity. It was found in 44 percent of Europeans but only 5 percent of blacks, so other genes clearly are at work, and food and exercise still matter. Obesity affects more than 500 million people worldwide and contributes to a host of diseases. In the U.S., about one-third of adults are obese and another one-third are more modestly overweight.

Having the glitch doesn’t destine you to become obese, but may predispose you to it. People with two faulty copies of the gene (one from mom and one from dad) weighed an average of 7 pounds more than those without them. But some were obviously a lot heavier than that, and even 7 pounds can be the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy weight, said Manolis Kellis, a professor at MIT.

Two types of body fat The FTO gene turns out to influence obesity indirectly, functioning as a master switch that affects two other genes that control thermogenesis, or burning off energy. It’s long been known that brown or beige fatty tissue — the so-called “good fat” — burns calories, while the more common white fat stores them. The body constantly makes fat cells, and the two genes determine whether they become brown or white ones. In one experiment described in the medical journal, researchers blocked the faulty gene’s effect in mice and found they became 50 percent leaner than other mice despite eating a high-fat diet, and burned more energy even when asleep. In other tests on human cells, blocking the gene’s effect increased energy burn-

ing in fat cells. Editing out the problem gene in human cells in the lab also restored normal metabolic function. Researchers don’t know the impact of having just one faulty copy of the gene, but think it has less of an effect than having two copies. Several companies are trying to develop treatments to stimulate brown fat, and the new research suggests a novel approach. “It’s a potential target” for drug development, said Dr. Sam Klein, an obesity researcher at Washington University in St. Louis. He called the work “an amazing study” and “a scientific tour de force.” Some earlier research suggests the FTO gene may also influence other aspects of obesity, such as behavior and appetite. “It’s possible there are several mechanisms being affected,” and that fat-burning is not the whole story,” said Dr. Rudolph Leibel, an obesity expert at Columbia University in New York.

Could lead to new drugs The discovery challenges the notion that “when people get obese it was basically their own choice because they choose to eat too much or not exercise,” said study leader Melina Claussnitzer, a genetics specialist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel

Deaconess Medical Center. “For the first time, genetics has revealed a mechanism in obesity that was not really suspected before” and gives a third explanation or factor that’s involved. Independent experts praised the discovery. “It’s a big deal,” said Dr. Clifford Rosen, a scientist at Maine Medical Center Research Institute and an associate editor at the medical journal. “A lot of people think the obesity epidemic is all about eating too much,” but our fat cells play a role in how food gets used, he said. With this discovery, “you now have a pathway for drugs that can make those fat cells work differently.” Several obesity drugs are already on the market, but they are generally used for short-term weight loss, and are aimed at the brain and appetite; they don’t directly target metabolism. Researchers can’t guess how long it might take before a drug based on the new findings becomes available. But it’s unlikely it would be a magic pill that would enable people to eat anything they want without packing on the pounds. And targeting this fat pathway could affect other things, so a treatment would need rigorous testing to prove safe and effective. — AP

Slowly phasing out artificial food dyes By Candice Choi Mozzarella cheese at Panera restaurants won’t be as glaringly white. Banana peppers in Subway sandwiches won’t be the same shade of yellow. Trix cereal will have two fewer colors. Food makers are purging their products of artificial dyes, as people increasingly eschew anything in their food they don’t feel is natural. But it isn’t always possible to replicate the vivid colors Americans have come to expect by using natural ingredients like beets and carrots. In fact, General Mills couldn’t find good alternatives for the blue and green pieces in Trix, so the company is getting rid of those colors when the cereal is reformulated later this year. The red pieces — which will be colored with radishes and strawberries — will also look different.

“We haven’t been able to get that same vibrant color,” said Kate Gallager, General Mills’ cereal developer.

Not any easy fix The shift away from artificial dyes represents the latest chapter for food coloring in the U.S., which has had a rocky history. As recently as 1950, the Food and Drug Administration said children became sick after eating an orange Halloween candy that contained a dye. The agency eventually whittled down its list of approved color additives after finding several had caused “serious adverse effects.” Now, more companies say they are replacing artificial dyes with colors made from fruits, vegetables and spices — which are widely considered “natural,” although the FDA doesn’t classify them that way. But these present more challenges

than artificial dyes. In addition to costing more, colors from fruits and vegetables can be sensitive to heat and acidity. And since they’re used in higher doses to achieve boldness, tweaks to other parts of recipes may be needed to maintain flavor. Such adjustments can be tricky for companies that manufacture on massive scales. Still, companies want to court people like Heather Thalwitzer, a 31-year-old homemaker in Melbourne, Florida. Thalwitzer avoids artificial colors because she wants her 6year-old son to eat quality food, and she said red dye has been linked to “mania.” She has tried alternatives like naturally colored sprinkles from Whole Foods, which her husband thinks taste like fish. But she can get along without such products. One year, she made cupcakes topped with a sin-

gle blueberry for her son’s birthday. There are times when Thalwitzer makes exceptions, such as when her son is at a friend’s party. “I’ll let him have the birthday cake,” she said. “But I’ll cringe.”

Natural colors evolve Part of the challenge with colors from natural sources is that the range of hues has been limited. Natural blues, for instance, weren’t widely available the U.S. until 2013. That’s when the FDA approved a petition by candy maker Mars Inc. to use spirulina from algae extract as a coloring in gum and candy. Spirulina can now also be used in ice creams, drink mixes and other products. “That was a big thing for us,” said Stefan Hake, CEO of the U.S. division of natural See ARTIFICIAL DYES, page 16

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Lots of options for flu vaccines this year By Lauran Neergaard Give flu vaccine another chance: This year’s version got a recipe change that should make it more effective after last winter’s misery from a nasty surprise strain of virus. “It doesn’t matter which flu vaccine you get. Just get one,’’ Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said before rolling up his own sleeve for a regular shot last month. Typically, flu vaccine is 50 to 60 percent effective. Flu-related hospitalizations of seniors last year were the highest recorded in the decade that CDC has counted. The H3N2 flu subtype is always harsh, especially for older adults. And last year’s vaccine was only 13 percent effective against the mutated version that caused most of last year’s illnesses, he said. Fortunately, “so far the strains in this year’s vaccine seem likely to match,’’ Frieden said, stressing that CDC is closely monitoring genetic fluctuations to see if that changes. The vaccine protects against three or four different strains, depending on the brand, said Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University, who noted that even if one strain mutates, vaccination remains “the best defense against flu.’’

Who should be vaccinated Everybody starting at 6 months of age, the CDC says. Flu is especially dangerous for people over age 65, young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions, such as asthma or heart disease. But healthy young people can get seriously ill, too, as well as spread the disease. CDC said at least 145 children died of flu last year. That was above the yearly average of 100, a number Frieden called an underestimate. Only about half of children who die from flu have underlying health problems, noted Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson of Seattle Children’s Hospital. Only about half of Americans get an annual flu immunization. CDC says, on average, flu kills about 24,000 people a year in the U.S. New CDC data shows vaccination rates last year were highest for children ages 6 months to 23 months — at 75 percent, the only age group to meet public health goals. Children ages 2 to 4 weren’t far behind, at 68 percent, and 62 percent of 5- to 12-year-olds were vaccinated. About two-thirds of seniors were vaccinated. But only about a third of adults ages 18 to 49 were, making them the least protected group. About half of pregnant women get im-

munized — important not only for mom’s health, but because the vaccine also protects her baby during its first six months of life, Swanson noted.

When to get vaccinated About 40 million of this year’s doses already have been shipped to doctors, drugstores and other locations, and vaccinations are under way. It takes about two weeks for protection to kick in, and while flu typically peaks between December and February, there’s no way to predict when outbreaks will begin. Most are covered by private and government health insurance, often without a copay. For those paying out of pocket, prices

can range between $32 and $40.

Which kind to choose One option this year is a needle-free device called a jet injector that forces the vaccine into a stream of fluid that penetrates the skin. It is recommended for adults 18 to 64. The CDC said it can result in some of the same soreness as a traditional shot. The nasal spray is the most widely known alternative to the traditional shot, and can be used by healthy people ages 2 to 49. Other choices are targeted to different age groups and health conditions, and include the “intradermal’’ or skin-deep shots See FLU VACCINES, page 16

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Artificial dyes From page 14 color maker GNT. At the company’s office in Tarrytown, N.Y., Hake demonstrated how to get blue from spirulina by pouring a liquefied version of it through a coffee filter to isolate the right color components. The approval of spirulina extract also opened up the world of greens, which can be made by mixing blue and yellow. It turns out plants like spinach turn brown in heat and aren’t ideal for coloring. Getting approval for a new color source can take years, but it’s one way companies can fill out their palette of natural hues. In coming weeks, an industry group plans to submit a petition to use the carthamus in safflower for yellow, according to color maker Sensient Technologies.

“It’s just one more that might be another crayon in the crayon box,” said Steve Morris, Sensient’s general manager of food colors for North America. Sensient also developed a “deodorizing process” to remove flavors from ingredients. That allowed it to introduce an orange for beverages made from paprika. Morris declined to detail the company’s process. But since the ingredient is not “fundamentally changing the form,” he said the ingredients are still within FDA guidelines of permissible color sources. Sensient said three-quarters of its new projects for clients in North America involve natural colors. Globally, its sales of colors — natural and synthetic — comes to about $300 million.

Synthetic colors still popular There are seven synthetic colors ap-

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

proved for broad use in foods. But these dyes can be mixed to create a wide range of colors. The colors are made by synthesizing raw materials from petroleum, according to the FDA. Synthetic colors still dominate in the U.S., but some cite a study linking them to hyperactivity in children in calling for them to be phased out. Lisa Lefferts at the Center for Science in the Public Interest says artificial colors can be used in deceptive ways. “They mask the absence of ingredients,” she said. Tropicana’s Twister in Cherry Berry Blast flavor, for instance, lists apple and grape juice concentrates, but no cherries or berries. A synthetic color gives it the appearance of having the latter fruits. Of course, natural colors also are used to make foods more appealing and send visual signals about the ingredients they contain. Subway says it will stop using a synthetic dye on its banana peppers, but will maintain their bright yellow look with turmeric.

Some say a switch to natural color sources isn’t yet possible because it might turn off customers, although they’re looking into how to change. “We have to deliver bold colors and flavors, or people will stop buying,” said Will Papa, chief research and development officer at Hershey, which makes Jolly Ranchers, Twizzlers and Reese’s. Mars, which makes M&M’s and Skittles, said it isn’t yet using the spirulina extract it petitioned to have approved. Not everyone thinks getting rid of artificial colors hinges on finding exact matches with natural alternatives. Panera is betting people won’t mind that its mozzarella cheese might have a yellowish hue after the removal of titanium dioxide. For cookies with candy-coated chocolates, the natural colors it is testing are also duller. Over time, people will get used to the more muted hues of foods with natural ingredients, said Tom Gumpel, Panera’s head baker. “You have to remove some of your expectations,” he said. — AP

Flu vaccines

Frieden said. The bigger goal is to create a “universal vaccine’’ that could work on many flu strains. In August, researchers reported a small step toward that goal by targeting vaccines to a slightly different spot on the flu virus. But Frieden cautions that more broadly effective flu vaccines are “a few years away at best.’’ Both regular and high-dose flu vaccines will be provided by CVS Pharmacy at the Beacon 50+Expos this month: at Silver Spring Civic Center in downtown Silver Spring, Md., on Sunday, Oct. 18, from noon to 4 p.m., and at Ballston Mall in Arlington, Va., on Sunday, Oct. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. Shots are free with your Medicare — AP card or insurance coverage.

From page 15 that use tiny needles; a version for people allergic to the chicken eggs used in brewing most flu vaccine; and a high-dose version for people 65 and older, whose immune systems typically don’t respond as robustly to flu vaccine as younger people’s. The vaccine is changed yearly to keep up as influenza viruses mutate, and production takes months. It protects against two Type A strains — H3N2 and the H1N1 subtype, such as the swine flu so common a few years ago — plus either one or two milder Type B strains, depending on the brand. CDC is working with manufacturers to cut vaccine production time, giving more time to spot it if a mutation is forming,

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Three words describe the new Holy Cross Germantown Hospital:

Your Very Own.

Joy Is No Longer Living in Fear Expert Gynecologic Surgery at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital Joy Gerst has everything she ever wanted —and a couple of things she prefers to live without. The 61 year old from Germantown is a mother and grandmother, and her career in education is nearing the 30-year mark.

screen guided Dr. Steren’s hands. And as he predicted, scar tissue had formed on the organs surrounding her ovary and fallopian tube. But he disentangled them and completed the minimally invasive surgery successfully.

She also has a family history of ovarian cancer—and a greater risk of developing the disease. “I had been meaning to have my ovaries removed for some time,” Joy says. “But life got in the way.” Life included previous gynecologic surgeries—and scar tissue that complicated any further procedures. “I told my gynecologist I was ready to have my remaining fallopian tube and ovary removed,” she explains.

For patients who may need to spend the night, the private rooms at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital have comfortable furniture, private bathrooms, cable television and Internet access.

In order to perform Joy’s complex surgery using minimally invasive techniques, she would need the skills of an experienced gynecologic surgeon. Holy Cross Health specialists at Holy Cross Hospital and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital perform more than 1,100 gynecologic and gynecologic oncology inpatient surgeries each year, more in Maryland than any other health system or hospital. Our minimally invasive gynecologic surgery program is recognized for excellence, quality and innovation and has earned a reputation for groundbreaking clinical care and research. “Scarring from previous surgeries makes any procedure trickier,” says Albert Steren, MD, medical director, Gynecologic Oncology and

“After the procedure, Dr. Steren came by and the minute I saw his big smile I knew that all went well,” Joy remembers. “Just hours after surgery I was resting at home.”

“I’m so grateful to the nurses and doctors at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital who are great—caring and accommodating,” says Joy Gerst. “And, the hospital is gorgeous. It’s brand new and sparkles.”

Minimally Invasive Gynecology, Holy Cross Health. “Scar tissue causes organs to stick to one another. So before we can remove a patient’s ovaries and tubes, or uterus, we need to separate other organs and vessels from the adjacent structures to create a good visual field,” he explains. Joy came to Holy Cross Germantown Hospital for her procedure. During her surgery, several small incisions were made in her abdomen, creating ports to thread a video camera and surgical instruments through. Real-time images on the video

Two weeks after her surgery, Joy was back to her routine, feeling good—and more than a little relieved to have it all behind her. Gynecologic surgery is one of many specialties available at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital. Orthopedic, urologic, ENT, spinal, thoracic, colorectal and general surgery procedures are also performed by our team of experts.

To find a physician or surgeon at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, visit HolyCrossHealth.org or call 301-754-8800.

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New cancers form in 1 of 5 cancer patients By Marilynn Marchione Second cancers are on the rise. Nearly 20 percent of new cases in the U.S. now involve someone who has had the disease before. When doctors talk about second cancers, they mean a different tissue type or a different site — not a recurrence or spread of the original tumor. Judith Bernstein of suburban Philadelphia is an extreme example. She has had eight types of cancer over the last two decades, all treated successfully. “There was a while when I was getting one cancer diagnosis after another,” including breast, lung, esophageal, and the latest — a rare tumor of her eyelids, she said. “At one point, I thought I had cancer in my little finger.”

About 19 percent of cancers in the United States now are second-or-more cases, a recent study found. In the 1970s, it was only 9 percent. Over that period, the number of first cancers rose 70 percent while the number of second cancers rose 300 percent. Strange as it may sound, this is partly a success story: More people are surviving cancer and living long enough to get it again, because the risk of cancer rises with age.

Why multiple cancers occur Second cancers also can arise from the same gene mutations or risk factors, such as smoking, that spurred the first one. And some of the very treatments that help people survive their first cancer, such as radiation, can raise the risk of a new

cancer forming later in life, although treatments have greatly improved in recent years to minimize this problem. Psychologically, a second cancer often is more traumatizing than the first. “I think it’s a lot tougher” for most people, said Julia Rowland, director of the federal Office of Cancer Survivorship. “The first time you’re diagnosed, it’s fear of the unknown. When you have your next diagnosis, it’s fear of the known,” and having to face treatment all over again, Rowland said. Robert Ulrich, 58, a contractor and building inspector in Wasilla, Alaska, said that when doctors told him in 2013 he had advanced colon cancer, two decades after he had overcome Hodgkin’s lymphoma, it was like “they put a time stamp on your existence ... it makes your head spin.” He is making end-of-life plans, while fighting the disease with aggressive chemotherapy. “My outlook on it is, I got 30 years out of the first go-round, which gave me an opportunity to raise my family and enjoy my bride. So whatever time I get forward here I consider free time,” he said. Imagine what it has been like for Bernstein, 72, the Philadelphia-area woman who has had skin, lymphoma, breast, two types of lung, esophageal, thyroid and now the eyelid cancer, a form of lymphoma. She went to a psychiatrist after one diagnosis, and “spent four days very upset” after the latest one. But she said that exercising has helped her feel well through treatments, and that having endured many tragedies among her friends and family has given her resilience. “She is so upbeat,” said Barbara Rogers, a nurse practitioner at Fox Chase Cancer Center who has treated Bernstein for more than a decade. For most patients, “it is harder the second time around, or third.”

Fewer treatment options Medically, second cancers pose special challenges. Treatment choices may be more limited. For example, radiation usually isn’t given to the same area of the body more than once. Some drugs also have lifetime

dose limits to avoid nerve or heart damage. “The body has a memory for the radiation or chemotherapy” and can’t endure too much of the same type, said Dr. Alan Venook, a colon and liver cancer expert at the University of California, San Francisco, who treats Ulrich, the Alaska man. A second cancer means doctors need to assess genetic risk to the patient and possibly the family, Venook said. “We’ve failed if a woman who had a BRCA1 mutation and had breast cancer develops colon cancer,” he said. The gene mutation means she should be monitored and screened often enough for other cancers to have any precancerous colon growths removed, he said.

How to cope Experts have this advice for cancer survivors: • Have a formal survivorship plan — a blueprint for the future that includes a detailed summary of the treatment you received and what kind of monitoring is needed. “Anyone who’s had a first cancer needs to understand what kinds of symptoms they need to be alert to and what kind of medical follow-up” they need, said Elizabeth Ward, an American Cancer Society researcher who authored a recent report on second cancers. • Don’t neglect screenings for other forms of cancer besides the one you were treated for. Make sure to get any recommended tests, such as colonoscopies, mammograms, and HPV or Pap tests. • If you get a second cancer, “take a deep breath,” Rowland said. Treatments improve every day; there are more resources, including social media, for support, and doctors are more used to treating cancer more than once. “No one’s giving up on you,” she said. To learn more about research on second cancers, see: • http://tinyurl.com/opoq6ss • http://tinyurl.com/nkwglrm • http://tinyurl.com/obvyeuf Advice for survivors can be found at: • www.journeyforward.org • www.asco.org/practice-research/cancer-survivorship — AP

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Teens and retirees have a lot in common Our teen columnist, Alexis Bentz, writes proach retirement. For both seniors and about a topic that can generate discussion teens, the future may seem scary or unsure. with young people in your famTeens are concerned about ily or circle of friends. their entire future, while senFor many years, my grandiors may wonder how their mother was an award-winning lives will change when no elementary school teacher who longer working full-time, plus was beloved by her students. how long a future they may When she decided to stop have after retirement, and if teaching, she often tells people, they will have enough finanshe learned that being a retiree cial and health resources to is “like being an adolescent support their choices. without the angst.” Of course, there are differI recently asked her what GENERATIONS ences as well between the she meant by that, and she ex- TOGETHER teenage and retirement years. By Alexis Bentz plained that, when she reOlder adults have already extired, she felt like she did perienced the feelings, emowhen she was a teenager but without the tions and experiences that teenagers are same stress. So, in this column I’d like to going through, and they have learned that compare retirement and the teen years. they will survive and often thrive. Because of Among the similar feelings shared by this, they are not as anxious as teens. retirees and adolescents are confusion, exSeniors have also already met such recitement, and questions about the future. sponsibilities as working, raising a family, etc. For teens, a list of common questions Because of their lifetime experiences, seniors may include: also realize that there are many opportunities • What will I want to do when I grow up? to explore their interests and use their skills • What will college/work be like? and strengths in a variety of fields. • What if I make the wrong decision? Whether you have retired or are still • Is it okay to be nervous, excited and hard at work, an easy and beneficial thing scared all at once? that you can do to connect with a younger Older adults may be asking themselves friend is to simply sit down and talk with many of the same questions as they ap- them about what is in store.

Since you have already experienced many life stage changes and the emotional ups and downs they create, you can offer advice, thoughts and guidance, and offer answers to questions about the future that your younger buddy might have. You can also tell stories about your life, the choices you made, and how they turned out. I love listening to stories my grandparents tell me about their lives, and I have really benefitted from their advice. For example, whenever I attempt something new and feel nervous about it, my grandfather, who is a very wise man, always says, “What do you have to lose?” He said that to me when I wanted to get my book, Think Smart! Ideas for Problem-

Solving By a Kid Like You, published when I was 10 years old, and when I wrote a letter to the editor of the Beacon asking if I could write this monthly column. I listened to him and was able to make both things happen. You might find it interesting to hear about the anxieties of today’s teens, and discuss how your experiences compare. Who knows? You might get some good advice from us, too! I think both older and younger generations can use a little encouragement as they try to navigate what’s coming next. Let’s learn from each other as we look toward the future. Alexis Bentz is an 8th grader at Robert Frost Middle School in Rockville, Md.

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Safe choices available to whiten teeth Dear Mayo Clinic: What’s the most effective way to whiten teeth? Is it worth it to pay for treatment from a dentist, or do the

over-the-counter options work just as well? Are they safe for your teeth? Answer: There are quite a few choices available if you want to whiten your teeth.

The approved products — both those you can buy at drugstores and those available from your dentist — are safe. Just make sure you follow the directions carefully. Many teeth whiteners are quite effective, particularly if you use them for an extended period of time. If cost is a concern, try the over-the-counter options first. If those don’t give you the results you want, then talk to your dentist about other choices he or she offers. One of the simplest options is whitening toothpaste. It whitens teeth by removing surface stains, such as those caused by drinking coffee or smoking. Some whitening toothpastes contain the chemical called blue covarine. It stays on the surface of the teeth and makes them appear less yellow. When used twice a day, whitening toothpaste takes about two to six weeks to make teeth appear whiter. Whitening toothpaste that contains blue covarine can have an immediate effect. The effects of whitening toothpaste usually are not dramatic, however. It can’t change the natural color of your teeth, or lighten a stain that goes deeper than a tooth’s surface. Many of the other products you can buy without a prescription, such as whitening strips, involve bleaching your teeth. They are generally safe, and often provide better results than just using whitening toothpaste.

Help from your dentist

The care you need to get you back to your life.

If you’d like your teeth to be whiter than can be achieved with these products, several choices are available from a dentist. These whitening methods tend to be more effective and last longer than nonprescription products, but they are more expensive. One option many dentists offer is an athome treatment. The dentist makes an impression of your teeth and uses it to create a tray in which you place a solution that contains a bleaching agent called car-

bamide peroxide. You wear the tray on your teeth at night. After about two weeks, many people see a significant difference in the whiteness of their teeth. The results usually last about two years. The other choice is a treatment performed in the dentist’s office. This typically involves using a solution that contains hydrogen peroxide to bleach your teeth. The whitening can often be accomplished in a series of about four visits to your dentist, with the appointments usually lasting less than 30 minutes. One drawback is that the solution can burn your gums, so your dentist needs to carefully protect your gums with a barrier during the procedure.

Tooth sensitivity may increase Another risk associated with all bleaching options is that they can make your teeth more sensitive. Many manufacturers have tried to minimize this problem, though, by adding substances such as potassium nitrate and fluoride to their products that help minimize tooth sensitivity. It’s important to understand that none of the teeth-whitening options currently available are permanent. Over time, food and drink, along with the natural process of aging, will cause your teeth to darken again. That means whatever whitening method you choose, eventually you’ll need to repeat the process if you want to maintain the whiteness of your teeth long-term. — Phillip Sheridan, D.D.S., Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinicQ&A @mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org. © 2015 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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October - November 2015

UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS at Brooke Grove retirement village

As an expert in senior care and memory support, Brooke Grove Retirement Village is pleased to offer seminars and events that promote physical, spiritual and mental well-being. All seminarss and a d events vee ts will wil be held at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation ilitation ti andd Nursing Center, located on the Brooke Grove Retirement Village Campus. te at 18131 Slade School Road R G us at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org. Please register with Toni Davis D 38 Assisted living open house October 8, 10 a.m. -12 noon Explore our residential-style homes and gardens. Discover our innovative approach and programs designed to stimulate memory. Meet our staff, trained in assisting those with Alzheimer’s and memory loss. Enjoy our 220-acre campus and live-in pets. FREE. RSVP by October 5. Support for the Caregiver Seminar: When is it time to ask for help? October 13, 2-3 p.m. Learn to recognize when the time has arrived to ask for help and explore the many ways in which to find proper support. FREE. Register by October 12.

Living Well Seminar: Medicare 2016 - What you need to know to get the best benefits November 4, 6:30-8 p.m. Get answers to questions such as “What do Medicare A and B cover?” and “What state and federal programs am I eligible for?” Light complimentary dinner at 6:30 p.m. Seminar begins at 7 p.m. FREE. Register by November 2. Support for the Caregiver Seminar: becoming an Alzheimer’s whisperer November 10, 2-3 p.m. Discover the link between brain damage and specific challenging behaviors—and interventions to manage them. FREE. Register by November 9.

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 301-260-2320 www.bgf.org

Independent living assisted living rehabilitation memory support long-term care

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

These foods may lower blood pressure By Lindsay Westley Two out of three Americans over age 60 have hypertension, which puts them at risk for health problems like heart disease or stroke. Always check with your doctor first, and if they approve, try these foods to naturally reduce your blood pressure:

gests that eating nitrate-rich foods like beets and green leafy vegetables could help people with hypertension by widening blood vessels and aiding blood flow. Try it: Besides sipping beet juice, slice and roast beets to top a salad, along with goat cheese.

Beets

Walnuts

Don’t just eat ‘em; drink ‘em, too. When people with high blood pressure drank 8 ounces of beet juice, their blood pressure dipped an average of 10 points for up to 24 hours afterwards, according to a study published in Hypertension. While the study was relatively small (and beet’s long-term effects on blood pressure weren’t studied), research sug-

Research in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition suggests that walnuts, long touted as healthy, may also lower blood pressure. When adults ate about ½ cup of walnuts daily for four months, they had better blood flow, lower blood pressure and smaller waists. Plus, they didn’t gain weight even though they added over 350 calories of

walnuts daily! Walnuts deliver healthy fats, magnesium and fiber, which may be the reason they’re good for blood pressure. Try it: They’re yummy solo, or try subbing walnuts for pine nuts in pesto.

Flaxseed Eating three tablespoons of these nutty seeds daily for six months helped people with hypertension lower their blood pressure an average of 10 percent, according to a study published in Hypertension. People who didn’t eat flaxseed saw no change, or even a slight increase in their blood pressure. Researchers believe the anti-inflammatory effect of the seeds’ omega-3 fats, in combination with lignans (a phytoestrogen) and fiber, may be the reason flax is good for blood pressure. Try it: Sprinkle ground flaxseeds into your

yogurt, smoothie or homemade granola.

Other tips: Go meatless: Vegetarians had lower blood pressure compared to omnivores by an average of 7 points systolic (the top number) and 5 points diastolic, according to a JAMA Internal Medicine review. Put a ring on it! Married couples experienced lower dips in blood pressure readings overnight than single people, according to a new study published in the Journal of Hypertension. Researchers chalk the drop up to better social support, or the tendency for married couples to have better overall health. EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com. © 2015 Eating Well, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Ongoing

VITAL LIVING GUIDE

The Vital Living Network and the Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services present the “Vital Living Networker,” an online guide to living well while aging in Montgomery County, Md. The featured resources are offered by county and city governments, area nonprofits and colleges, local hospitals and others. Topics include ways to get enriched and fit through library programs, educational opportunities, and recreation and fitness opportunities. To view or download the guide, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior/Resources/Files/VitalLiving-Networker_2015.pdf.

Free Dementia Education Events from Arden Courts “Coping with Losses in the Midst of Caregiving Journey” Rosemary Allendar, LCSW- C, C-ASWCM, Founder, Family Eldercare Management Thursday, October 22, 2015 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“The Recipe for Successful Dementia Care: Environment, Medication and Behavior Modiﬁcation” Stephanie Chong, LICSW, C-ASWCN, Director, Community Outreach & Education, Lifematters Both events are from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

“Weighing a Difﬁcult Decision. The WHEN of Making a Move to a Memory Care Community” Susy Elder Murphy, BA, CMC, Owner, Debra Levy Eldercare Associates

Thursday, October 29, 2015 Arden Courts of Fair Oaks 12469 Lee Jackson Mem Hwy • Fairfax, VA 22033

Wednesday, December 2, 2015 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Arden Courts of Potomac 10718 Potomac Tennis Lane • Potomac, MD 20854

Arden Courts of Kensington 4301 Knowles Avenue • Kensington, MD 20895 “Music Therapy and Dementia” Thursday, November 5, 2015 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

“Navigating Your Way Through Dementia Caregiving” Panel Discussion

“20th Birthday Celebration” Friday, November 6, 2015 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Fairfax Presbyterian Church 10723 Main Street • Fairfax, VA 22030

Arden Courts of Silver Spring 2505 Musgrove Road • Silver Spring, MD 20904

RSVP for these events by calling (301) 637-7215 or e-mailing RSVP@arden-courts.com arden-courts.com

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Fears about bubbly or caffeinated drinks By Dr. Howard LeWine Q: Do all carbonated beverages rob the bones of calcium? How about club soda or sparkling mineral water? A: Warnings about the harmful effects of carbonated beverages on bone emerge from time to time. The theory is that the phosphoric acid (phosphate) used to enhance flavor in some carbonated beverages can interfere with calcium absorption and result in the loss of calcium from bone. Fortunately, there’s no good evidence that a high phosphate intake affects bone metabolism or bone density. Teenage girls who drink a lot of carbonated beverages are more likely to have lower-than-expected bone density. But that’s most often because of insufficient intake of healthier beverages that provide calcium and vitamin D. The picture is less clear in adults. Researchers at Tufts University examined data from 2,500 women and men (ages 49 to 69). They assessed dietary intake, and measured bone mineral density (BMD). Non-cola carbonated drinks were not associated with low BMD. Cola and other caffeinated beverages are still suspects. In the Tuft’s study, cola intake was associated with lower BMD at

the hip in the women, but not in the men. The more cola a woman drank, the lower her BMD. Women who drank more cola didn’t drink less milk, but they did have a lower intake of calcium. We have less direct information regarding carbonated water. The results of one small study comparing bone metabolism in women who drank noncarbonated vs. carbonated mineral water showed no difference between the two groups. It seems likely that you can enjoy carbonated water without worry. But don’t overdo the caffeinated beverages, whether carbonated or not. And if you suspect that you are drinking a lot of carbonated water or other soft drinks, you may be reducing your intake of healthy beverages. Make sure you get enough calcium (1,000 to 1,300 milligrams per day) and vitamin D (600 to 1,000 IU per day) from other sources to compensate. Howard LeWine, M.D., is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, please visit www.health.harvard.edu. © 2015 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Oct. 14

DEMENTIA TALK

The Senior Connection presents “Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior” on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. at Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring, Md. Learn how to decode behavioral messages, identify common behavior triggers, and develop strategies to intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s. For more info and to RSVP, email volunteer@seniorconnectionmc.org or call (301) 962-0820.

Caring for your aging parent or loved one? It’s not all up to you. Call us. 240-777-3000 ADS@ MontgomeryCountyMD.gov

Aging & Disability Services Mon and Fri: Tue, Wed, & Thur:

8:30am – 5:00pm 8:30am – 7:30pm

A free service of your County Government

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Health Studies Page

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

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Drug may reduce dangerous anaphylaxis By Barbara Ruben After eating such foods as peanuts or shellfish, or being stung by a bee, some people experience a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. It can result in a rash or hives, difficulty breathing and terrible nausea. Prompt treatment with epinephrine and other medications can lessen symptoms, and allow full recovery from an attack. And avoiding the triggers can prevent recurrence. But some who experience this lifethreatening condition have no idea what

causes it — so they don’t know what to avoid to prevent it from happening again. This is called idiopathic anaphylaxis, and 30 to 50 percent of people who experience anaphylaxis have this form. About half of those with idiopathic anaphylaxis are already allergic to foods or other substances that don’t cause such a severe reaction. Sixty percent of sufferers are women. People can develop the condition any time during their lifetime. While those who have allergies whose origin is known can get shots that slowly

acclimate them to the substance that causes their anaphylaxis, those with idiopathic anaphylaxis don’t currently have any preventative treatment options.

after, they will continue to receive the injections on an outpatient basis for up to six months.

Qualifying for the study Can an asthma drug help? Researchers at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., are now studying an asthma medication to see if it can reduce the number of times patients experience idiopathic anaphylaxis. In addition, the study will investigate whether patients with anaphylaxis have unique genetic mutations in their mast cells —part of the immune system — that are rich in histamine, which is released during allergic reactions. The drug, Xolair (omalizumab), is already approved to treat moderate to severe asthma that is caused by allergies, as well as hives of unknown origin. The medicine must be injected by a healthcare professional. During the study, all participants will undergo a clinical evaluation, blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy. They will then be randomly divided into two groups; one will receive Xolair every two to four weeks, while the other will receive a placebo injection with no active ingredients. The first two injections will be given to participants as hospital inpatients. There-

To take part in the study, patients must be between 18 and 70 years old and have been diagnosed with idiopathic anaphylaxis. They must have had mild to severe anaphylaxis episodes documented at least six times within the past year, including at least one within the last four months. They must have visited the emergency room at least once for the idiopathic anaphylaxis or been hospitalized. If patients have a known cause for their anaphylaxis, they cannot take part in the study. They also may not have a number of conditions, including coronary artery disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, HIV or a history of cancer. Compensation for time and travel may be available. For more information about the study, contact Robin R. Eisch, RN, at (301) 4431720 or email eischar@mail.nih.gov. You can also call the NIH Clinical Center Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office at 1-800-411-1222. Refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00890162.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 22

HOPE CONNECTIONS BENEFIT EVENT Hope Connections for Cancer Support is sponsoring A Toast to

Hope, a wine, cheese and chocolate party to benefit their free support programs, on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Guests will sample wines, cheese from Bowers Fancy Dairy Products, and chocolates from SPAGnVOLA. Guests can also order from the vendors for holiday gifts with 20 percent of proceeds donated to the cause. Tickets cost $75. At the Pepco Edison Place Gallery, located at 702 8th St. NW, Washington, D.C. For more info or to register, visit www.hopeconnectionsforcancer.org/events or call (301) 634-7500.

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

Avoid these common Medicare mistakes By Kimberly Lankford Medicare can be so complicated. Watch out for the following common mistakes when signing up for coverage or, if you’re already eligible, choosing among prescription drug, Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans each year. Mistake 1: Keeping your Part D (prescription drug) plan choice on autopilot. Open enrollment for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 every year, so now is a good time to review all of your options. The cost and coverage of your policies can vary a lot from year to year — some plans boost premiums more than others, increase your share of the cost of your drugs, add new hurdles before covering your medications, or require you to go to certain pharmacies to get the best rates. And if you’ve been prescribed new medications or your drugs have gone generic over the past year, a different plan may now be a better deal for you. It’s easy to compare all the plans available in your area during open enrollment. Go to the Medicare Plan Finder at https:// www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/ home.aspx and type in your drugs and dosages to see how much you’d pay for premiums plus co-payments for plans in your area. Mistake 2: Automatically buying the same Part D plan as your spouse. There are no spousal discounts for Medicare Part D prescription-drug plans, and most spouses don’t take the same medications. One plan may have much better coverage for your drugs while another may be better for your spouse’s situation. You can each type in your drugs and dosages on the Medicare Plan Finder to estimate out-of-pocket costs for each of you under the plans in your area. Just be careful if you and your spouse sign up for plans with different preferred pharmacies; some plans only give you the best rates if you use certain pharmacies, so you could end up paying a lot more if you get your drugs somewhere else. Mistake 3: Not checking that your doctors, hospitals and other providers are still covered by your Medicare Advantage plan each year. If you choose to get coverage through a private Medicare Advantage plan — which covers both medical expenses and prescription drugs — you usually need to use the plan’s network of doctors and hospitals to get the lowest co-payments (and some plans won’t cover out-of-network providers at all, except in an emergency). As with any PPO or HMO, it’s important to make sure your doctors, hospitals and other providers are covered in your plan from year to year. You can switch Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment each year, and you can compare out-of-pocket costs for your medications and general health condition under the plans available in your area by

using the Medicare Plan Finder. After you’ve narrowed the list to a few plans, contact both the insurer and your doctor to make sure they’ll be included in the network for the coming plan year. Mistake 4: Not realizing that you may be able to switch Medicare Advantage plans after open enrollment. Even though open enrollment for Medicare Advantage plans runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, you may still be able to change plans during the year. For example, you can switch plans outside of open enrollment if you have certain life changes, such as moving to an address that isn’t in your plan’s service area. And if you have a Medicare Advantage plan in your area with a five-star quality rating, you can switch into that plan anytime during the year. Also, you can switch from a Medicare

Advantage plan to traditional Medicare plus a Part D prescription-drug plan from Jan. 1 to Feb. 15 (although you could be denied Medigap coverage or charged more for it). Mistake 5: Not picking the right Medigap plan when you first enroll. If you buy a Medicare supplement plan within six months of enrolling in Medicare Part B, you can get any plan in your area even if you have a pre-existing medical condition. However, if you try to switch plans after that, insurers in most states can reject you or charge more because of your health. Some states let you switch into certain plans regardless of your health, and some insurers let you switch to another one of their plans without a new medical exam. Find out about your state’s rules and the plans available at your state insurance department Web site. You can also find more information about Medigap policies in

your area at Medicare.gov or speaking with your local SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) experts. Mistake 6: Forgetting that you can sign up for Medicare at 65, even though the full retirement age for Social Security is now at least 66. If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when you turn 65 (although you can turn down Part B coverage and sign up for it later). But if you aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll need to take action to sign up for Medicare. If you’re at least 64 years and 9 months old, you can sign up online. You have a seven-month window to sign up — from three months before your 65th birthday month to three months afterward See MEDICARE MISTAKES, page 26

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Medicare mistakes From page 25 (you can enroll in Social Security later). You may want to delay signing up for Part B if you or your spouse has coverage through your current employer. Most people sign up for Part A at 65, though, since it’s usually free — although you may want to delay signing up if you plan to continue contributing to a health savings account. See the Social Security Administration’s Applying for Medicare Only at www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/justmedicare.html for more information. If you work for an employer with fewer than 20 employees, you must sign up for Part A, which will become your primary insurance (ask your employer whether you can delaying signing up for Part B). Mistake 7: Not signing up for Part B

at 65 if you have retiree or COBRA coverage. When you turn 65, Medicare is generally considered to be your primary insurance, and any other coverage you have is secondary, unless you or your spouse has insurance through a current employer with 20 or more employees. But the coverage must be with a current employer. Other employerrelated coverage, such as retiree coverage, COBRA coverage, or severance benefits, isn’t considered to be primary coverage after you turn 65. That means if you don’t sign up for Medicare, you may have gaps in coverage and be subject to a lifetime late-enrollment penalty of 10 percent of the current Part B premium for every year you should have been enrolled in Part B but were not. You may also have to wait to get coverage. If you miss the window for enrolling

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

when you turn 65 or eight months after you leave your job, you can only sign up for Medicare between January and March each year, with coverage starting on July 1. For more information, see the Medicare Rights Center’s Medicare Interactive page at www.medicareinteractive.org about enrolling in Part B. Mistake 8: Forgetting about the deadline for signing up for Part B after you leave your job. If you have coverage through an employer with 20 or more employees, you don’t have to sign up for Medicare at 65. Instead, you may choose to keep coverage through your employer so you don’t have to pay the Part B premiums. But you need to sign up within eight months after you leave your job or you may have to wait until the next enrollment period (January through March, for coverage to begin on July 1). That means you could go for several months without coverage. You may also get hit with the 10 percent lifetime late-enrollment penalty. Mistake 9: Making financial moves that boost your Medicare premiums. Most people pay $104.90 per month for Medicare Part B premiums. But if you’re single and your adjusted gross income is more than $85,000 (or more than $170,000 for joint filers), you’ll have to pay from $146.92 to $335.70 per month! And you’ll have to pay a high-income surcharge for your Part D prescription-drug coverage,

too, which can boost your premiums by $12.10 to $69.30 per month. If you’re near the income cutoff, be careful about financial moves that could increase your adjusted gross income and make you subject to the surcharge, such as rolling over a traditional IRA to a Roth, or making big withdrawals from tax-deferred retirement accounts. Mistake 10: Not contesting the highincome surcharge for the year you retire. Your Part B and Part D premiums are higher if you earned more than $85,000 if single or $170,000 if married filing jointly. The Social Security Administration uses your most recent tax return on file (generally 2013 for 2015 premiums) to determine whether you’re subject to the surcharge. But you may be able to get the surcharge reduced if your income has dropped since then because of certain life-changing events — such as marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, retirement or a reduction in work hours. Mistake 11: Signing up for Medicare Part A if you want to keep contributing to a health savings account. You can’t contribute to a health savings account after you sign up for Medicare, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to stop making HSA contributions at age 65. If you or your spouse has health inSee MEDICARE MISTAKES, page 27

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

Easy chicken with apples, fresh spinach Quick and easy meals that are delicious and nutritious are always welcome, and this recipe fits the bill. Apples and spinach are at their seasonal peak, abundant at farmers’ markets and grocery stores. This month, we combine them with chicken in a one-pan dish. Searing chicken first enhances flavor and produces moist, tender bites. Seasoning with mustard gives the chicken a deeper, earthier flavor, which contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the apples. Adding fruit to main dishes is becoming more popular because they add a nutritional boost and more flavor and texture. The tart quality of the Granny Smith apples balances the sweetness of the red apples. Apple cider is the perfect acidic liquid to pull together the flavors of garlic, mustard, apple and chicken. Tossing in spinach at the end of cooking lets it just wilt while keeping its bright green color and nutrients. Spinach is a nu-

tritional powerhouse loaded with fiber, vitamins K, A, C, folate, iron, magnesium, and many health-promoting carotenoids including beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. It is purported that in the 1930s, United States spinach growers credited the cartoon character Popeye, the sailor man with a 33 percent increase in consumption. Popeye knew the power of spinach, I’m strong to the finich, cause I eats me spinach… and apples.

Medicare mistakes

er has fewer than 20 employees. Be careful about your contributions in the year you leave your job and sign up for Medicare — you must prorate your HSA contributions based on the number of months before you were covered by Medicare. © 2015, Kiplinger. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 26 surance through your current job, you can delay signing up for Part A and Part B and keep contributing to an HSA. This isn’t an option if you’ve already signed up for Social Security or your employ-

Chicken with Spinach & Apples Serves 4 2 Tbsp. olive oil 4 (4-oz.) skinless, boneless chicken breasts Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 2 large cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp. spicy brown mustard 2/3 cup apple cider 1 medium granny smith apple, sliced lengthwise 1/8-inch

1 medium red apple, sliced lengthwise 1/8-inch (e.g., Gala, Fuji or Pink Lady) 8 cups packed fresh baby spinach In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sear chicken, cooking 6 to 7 minutes on each side until browned. Remove chicken and let sit a few minutes. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces, cover and set aside to keep warm. To skillet, add garlic, mustard and cider and stir to combine well. Add apple slices and reduce heat to medium. Let simmer 5

to 6 minutes, stirring often. Return chicken to skillet. Stir occasionally as sauce thickens, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add spinach to skillet. Stir until spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes. Serve hot. Per serving: 257 calories, 9 g. total fat (1 g. saturated fat), 17 g. carbohydrate, 28 g. protein, 3 g. dietary fiber, 139 mg. sodium. Courtesy of the American Institute for Cancer Research.

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

When grandpa should weigh in, keep quiet Dear Solutions: Encourage them to talk about their friends I think I’m being a really good and their activities: What do they like, grandpa, and then I get hit what do they hate, what are with complaints. they scared of? Both my son and daughProvide a place for them to ter-in-law work long hours. talk about themselves, and also They don’t have a lot of time tell them you want to know to spend with their children, about young people today. So let so I try to fill in and help the them tell you their jokes, play kids keep up with their their music, play their games, schoolwork. etc. They would probably be inOnce a week, I have them terested in what their father was over for a “Hamburger Fest,” like as a little boy, so you could SOLUTIONS and I check up on the schooltell them some stories also. By Helen Oxenberg, work. Now my daughter-inYou don’t have to be their MSW, ACSW law tells me they don’t like to judge, you don’t have to be come because I “grill” them. their critic, and the only teachShouldn’t they — including my daugh- ing you have to do is to teach them how to ter-in-law — appreciate what I’m doing? spell Grandpa: L-O-V-E! — The Grandpa Dear Solutions: Dear Grandpa: I don’t know whether my problem is Grill the hamburgers, not the children! with my daughter-in-law or with my Sure, it’s great that you’re willing to spend grandson. He’s 4 years old and my time with them, but not if they feel that daughter-in-law has him enrolled in they’re “doing time” when they’re with you. every activity possible. Since their parents are such high achievHe has dancing class dates, tutoring ers, it’s likely that your grandkids are con- dates, swimming dates, play dates, stantly in an atmosphere of achieve, achieve, etc. Now he’s refusing to go to the achieve. What they need from you is uncon- swimming class, but my daughter-inditional love and appreciation of them as indi- law insists he should go, and when he viduals, no matter how they do in school. gets there, he won’t go in the water. When they’re with you, listen to them. She thinks if he doesn’t go, he’ll never

get over his fear. I think she should leave him alone. — Just call me Grandpa Dear Grandpa: It just goes to show — you can lead a child to water, but you can’t make him swim! I think your grandson is overwhelmed and may be too young for this intensive dating game. He could probably benefit from a “do-nothing date.” Children’s imagination and creativity have a chance to develop when they have some time to just invent their own play activity, with no adult telling them how. I would advise your daughter-in-law to back off for a while. He can get in the swim later, when he’s ready. Dear Solutions: I’m a 70-something widower. When my wife was alive, we both wanted to go on an “around the world” cruise, but we kept putting it off. Now I would like to go, but until last week I had no one to go with. At a senior group meeting, I met a woman who said she would like to go as well and had no one to go with. I’m thinking we could go together and take separate rooms. I like this woman, but I feel guilty going when my wife never had the chance. Also, someone said, “Wouldn’t you feel guilty spending your children’s money?”

The thought of going is very exciting, but then I get pulled back by all these other feelings. What do you think? — Harry Dear Harry: You have a golden opportunity for a giltedged trip depending on how you spell it. Gilt? Guilt? Let’s try being rational: 1. It’s sad that your wife didn’t have the opportunity to go. However, since you both postponed the trip, the first thing you have to do — unless you murdered her — is to give up responsibility for her missed trip. You can feel bad and cry over it, but when you finish, ask yourself, “If I don’t go now, will that give her back the lost opportunity?” 2. If you like the woman who wants to go with you, think of her as a friend or companion, not a date. Whether you take separate rooms or not is entirely up to the two of you, and nobody else’s business. 3. Leaving money to one’s grown children is a gift, not a given. You are entitled to fulfill your dreams and, hopefully, your children will be happy for you. So go, Harry! If not now, when? © Helen Oxenberg, 2015. Questions may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

Dealing with Dementia Informative series for caregivers WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 5-6:30 p.m. Coping with the Diagnosis of Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease

FREE TO THE PUBLIC THE VILLAGE AT ROCKVILLE, CLASSROOM 9701 Veirs Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 All events 5-6:30 p.m. | Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Space is limited.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 5-6:30 p.m. Setting Limits in Caregiving: Avoiding the Martyr Syndrome

Contact | Sharon Flowers-Williams 301-354-8444 sflowerswilliams@thevillageatrockville.org Please note that no CEUs are offered.

9701 Veirs Drive | Rockville, MD 20850 | 301-424-9560 | www.thevillageatrockville.org Celebrating 125 Years, The Village at Rockville is sponsored by National Lutheran Communities & Services, a faith-based, not-for-profit ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving people of all beliefs.

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

Celebrating 40 Years

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING

Spotlight On Aging VOLUME XXVI, ISSUE 10

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

DEPUTY MAYOR’S MESSAGE By Brenda Donald Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Interim Director, D.C. Office on Aging I know many of you have been wondering about who the next permanent director will be for the D.C. Office of Aging (DCOA). The Mayor has been committed to finding the best candidate for DCOA and continues her national search with the advisement of the D.C. Commission on Aging. The Mayor has set a high standard for the new director because the residents of the District deserve the best. Whoever the new director is, you can be confident that DCOA will continue to provide the core services you and your neighbors have come to rely on.

Celebrating 40 years This month, DCOA is celebrating our 40th anniversary as an office in the District of Columbia. In October 1975, the Council of the District of Columbia passed legislation establishing the D.C. Office on Aging and the D.C. Commission on Aging. Before that time, the majority of the services for the elderly were handled through the Division of Services to the Aging within the Department of Human Resources. DCOA was established to administer the provisions of the Older Americans Act (OAA) and to promote the welfare of persons age 60 and older. DCOA was designated by the Mayor as the State and Area Agency on Aging with the mandate to plan, develop and implement programs and services for residents age 60 and older. The law defined the services as nutritional programs; transportation and legal services; health and financial assistance; employment and housing programs; recreational opportunities; and information referral and counseling services. Today, we have a senior service network of providers (Office on Aging Senior Service Network) consisting of 20 community-based nonprofit organizations (including three universities) that operate more than 33 programs for adults age 60 and older: · Adult Day Care · Alzheimer’s Services · Caregiver Support · Case Management · Counseling · Emergency Shelter · Employment · Group Homes · Group Mid-Day Meals · Health Insurance Counseling · Home Delivered Meals · In-Home Support · Legal Services

· Long Term Care Ombudsman · Multi-Purpose Senior Centers · Nursing Homes · Nutrition Counseling · One–Stop Resource Center · Recreation and Socialization · Respite Aid Services · Transportation · Wellness Centers Since 2008, DCOA has also operated the District’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). ADRC provides a single, coordinated system of information and access for individuals seeking long-term services and supports by providing District residents unbiased, reliable information, counseling, and service access to older adults (60 years and older), individuals with disabilities (18 to 59 years old), and their caregivers. In 2012, ADRCs were put in all 8 wards to ensure that aging and disabled residents age 18 and older had services and resources available to them citywide.

D.C. Moves Toward an Age-Friendly City Age-Friendly D.C. has the goal of ensuring all D.C. residents are active, connected, healthy, engaged and happy in their environment. It involves every aspect of life, from transportation, to housing, to health and social participation. The District completed the AgeFriendly D.C. Strategic Plan in December 2014 after engaging nearly 4,000 residents through community forums, focus groups, surveys, and neighborhood walks. Over its first nine months, the Bowser administration has been hard at work refining strategies and getting transformative projects off the ground that will make it easier for all of us to age comfortably in DC. Later this month, Age Friendly DC will release its 2015 Progress Report, outlining some of these early accomplishments and ways for you to get involved with the initiative. Stay tuned to www.agefriendly.dc.gov and follow @AgeFriendlyDC on twitter to stay up to date on the release of this important report. In our 40th anniversary year, you can see that we have a lot to celebrate! I also want to thank the residents of the District for helping us get here through your partnership and advocacy. You continue to hold DCOA and the District to the highest standard – and I hope you agree that we’re meeting the challenge. Here’s to another great 40 years!

October 2015

Social Security Disability Helps People Get Back to Work By Charles Dunlap

People with disabilities are challenged with both overcoming barriers and with convincing others that those barriers do not define them. That’s why we wanted to mark this October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month by reminding you that Social Security is an earned benefit for millions of disabled individuals, and we can assist them in going back to work. The Social Security Disability Insurance program, or SSDI, is perhaps the most misunderstood program of Social Security. Some people may think that SSDI recipients have never worked and are taking advantage of the system by receiving money for minor impairments. Nothing could be further from the truth. First, anyone who qualifies for SSDI must have worked enough to pay into the system and be “insured.” Second, Social Security has some of the strictest requirements in the world for disability benefits. To qualify, a person must not only have an impairment that will last one year or more, or result in death, but they must be unable to perform any substantial work. Consequently, Social Security disability beneficiaries are some of the most severely impaired people in the country, and they greatly depend on their benefits. You can learn more by visiting the Faces and Facts website at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityfacts. At the website, you will find many personal stories of those who have benefitted from Social Security when they needed it most.

We also have incentives that give beneficiaries with disabilities — who are able — the opportunity to return to work. These work incentives include continued cash benefits for a period of time while you work, continued Medicare or Medicaid coverage, and help with education, training and rehabilitation to start a new line of work. In some cases, we may even be able to deduct certain impairment-related work expenses from your countable income, making it possible to earn more and also remain eligible to receive benefits. Examples of these expenses are wheelchairs, transportation costs, and specialized equipment needed for work. Social Security also offers the Ticket to Work program, which gives participants a “ticket” to go back to work while keeping their disability benefits. This program is free and voluntary. Ticket to Work gives access to an employment network, which offers assistance with job searches and placement, vocational rehabilitation and training. Those who enroll find the Ticket to Work program makes it easier to explore whether going back to work is right for them. Some even find that they are able to eventually get back to work and earn far more than the disability payments they once received. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ work for more information on the Ticket to Work program and work incentives. You may also call 1-866968-7842 (TDD 866-833-2967). Charles Dunlap is the district manager of the Anacostia Field Office in Washington, D.C.

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D.C. OFFICE

AGING NEWSLETTER

Senior Villages Help You Age in Place A Village is a neighborhood-based nonprofit membership organization that makes it easier for older neighbors to keep living safely, comfortably and actively in their own homes and remain connected with their neighbors. Villages also provide services that help their members find useful community resources, reliable professionals and licensed vendors. The following is a list of villages in the District of Columbia that may be helpful to you as you continue to age in place. The descriptions are written by members of the village.

Capitol Hill Village Our vision is quality life on Capitol Hill. We work hard to ensure that our members have the confidence and practical means to stay in their own homes throughout their lives. With one phone call or e-mail message, Village members gain access to a range of professional and volunteer services and a variety of educational and social programs. Volunteers and staff provide free transportation to events and appointments; medical and legal advocacy; advice on seniorfriendly home renovation updates; vendor recommendations for repair and maintenance projects; and a monthly list of programs and activities. Individuals and households of all ages are encouraged to join. Members must reside on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The boundaries are H Street NE to M Street SE, North and South Capitol Streets to 19th Street, SE and NE. Contact: 202-543-1778, info@capitolhillvillage.org, www.capitolhillvillage.org

Cleveland & Woodley Park Village Members live in apartments and houses in the Cleveland Park and Woodley Park neighborhoods. They range in age from 54 to 98, and some members are also volunteers! Our members benefit from volunteers who provide: • household and yard tasks • social visits • computer and cell phone assistance • rides to doctors, shopping, and more Together, members and volunteers enjoy social activities and outings and new friendships. Contact: 202-615-5853, info@clevelandwoodleyparkvillage.org, www.clevelandwoodleyparkvillage.org

Dupont Circle Village We are a vibrant and diverse community, with members who share a sense of connectedness. We support our local busi-

nesses, organizations, and activities, and we are interested in learning how to live our best lives in this community for as long as we desire. We are a small organization with a big vision and mission to support planning as we tackle new decisions that come with aging. A newsletter, list serve, and monthly seminars keep us informed. Museum tours, concerts, group dining in the neighborhood, and potluck gatherings keep our calendars full. Yoga, walking groups, and exercise and fall prevention classes help with staying fit. Neighbors help neighbors as volunteers for simple requests, like changing a light bulb, pet sitting, garden landscaping, and more. We exist to help each other remain an active part of this energetic, inclusive community. Contact: Dupont Circle Village, 2121 Decatur Pl. NW, Washington, DC 20008, 202436-5252, info@dupontcirclevillage.net, www.dupontcirclevillage.net

East Rock Creek Village We work hard to ensure that our members have the confidence and practical means to stay in their own homes throughout their lives. With one phone call or email message, Village members gain access to a range of professional and volunteer services, and a variety of educational and social programs. Volunteers and staff provide free transportation to events and appointments, medical and legal advocacy, advice on senior-friendly home renovation updates, vendor recommendations for repair and maintenance projects, and a monthly list of programs and activities. Individuals and households of all ages are encouraged to join. Members must reside in one of seven neighborhoods in the northern part of Ward 4: Colonial Villages, North Portal Estates, Shepherd Park, Takoma, Manor Park, Brightwood, or Crestwood. Contact: 202-341-7775, info@eastrockcreekvillage.org, www.eastrockvillage.org

Foggy Bottom West End Village Being connected to a village community creates opportunities to enjoy group activities, make new friends, and obtain reliable information on service providers of all types, while also creating a place to turn in time of need — whether as a member, volunteer, or donor (or all three!). Members have access to a range of services and benefits that help them live independently for the long term. Our Village serves residents of singlefamily homes and the 60 or so high-rise

buildings in the DC ANC2A area that corresponds to zip code 20037. We have no minimum or maximum age, since our goal is to enable area residents to live independently in their homes, regardless of age and whether the need is temporary or permanent. Contac: Foggy Bottom West End Village, 2430 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20037, 202-333-1327, http://www.fbwevillage.org

Georgetown Village Georgetown Village was established to help senior neighbors age in place by providing them with the practical means and services to do so. Such services may include providing transportation to appointments, home visits, and concierge services. We work with trained volunteers and professional service providers to meet our members’ needs. The needs and desires of members will continue to shape the services we offer. Georgetown Village also provides opportunities to meet neighbors at our social activities and group meetings. Please join us, and participate in the wide variety of activities we offer to enhance your daily living. Contact: Georgetown Village, 3000 K St. NW, Suite 310, Washington, DC 20007, 202-999-8988

Glover Park Village A small group of neighbors and volunteers has been working hard since 2010 to create a neighborhood in greater Glover Park where intergenerational connections flourish, neighbors help neighbors, and no one is forced to move prematurely because of disability or frailty. Through Glover Park Village, we hope to accomplish this by: • Building on existing neighborliness, connecting those with the ability to give with those in need of help; • Providing residents of all ages opportunities to give back to the community, volunteer their time and skills, and make enduring connections; • Providing both information and connections to the myriad services available in Washington, D.C.; • Providing opportunities for persons of all ages to socialize easily within Glover Park; and • Fostering a livable community. Contact: Glover Park Village, PO Box 32255, Washington, DC 20007, 202-4365545, Info@GloverParkVillage.org

Mount Pleasant Village We are a new, community-based nonprofit that mobilizes multi-generational resources to enrich the lives of neighborhood resi-

dents. Our neighbor-to-neighbor volunteer services and social, wellness, educational and cultural programs help members remain independent in our homes as we age. Mount Pleasant Village boundaries generally correspond to the borders of Mount Pleasant’s ANC 1D: Piney Branch Road (N), 16th Street (E), Harvard Street (S), Adams Mill Road (W). Mount Pleasant Village will tailor its offerings to members’ needs and provide services such as: local transportation and shopping, friendly visits, light house and yard chores, respite for family caregivers and basic computer help. Activities include exercise programs, outings and social activities. Contact: Mount Pleasant Village, 1735 Lamont St. NW, Washington, DC 20010, mpvillageinfo@gmail.com, website under construction.

Northwest Neighbors Village We are a community-based nonprofit that helps residents of northwest DC remain independent at home as long as they can safely do so. By offering services, educational programs, social events and professional referrals, NNV creates a neighbor-to-neighbor network of support. Contact: Northwest Neighbors Village, 4901 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 277, Washington, DC 20008, 202-777-3435, nnvillage@gmail.com, www.nwnv.org

Palisades Village Palisades Village is a Washington, D.C. community focused on enabling older adults to remain in their homes, living independently, comfortably and safely as long as possible. We are aligned with the national “Aging in Community” movement, which aims to help older adults and baby boomers continue to reside at home without burdening their family members with caretaking responsibilities as they age. We help our residents thrive in their community by providing access to a network of volunteers who help with requests, and hosting social events and gatherings. Our organization was founded in 2007 and has continued to grow each year. The neighborhoods that our village serves are: Berkley Foxhall Kent Palisades Spring Valley Wesley Heights Contact: PO Box 40403, Washington, DC 20016-0403, 202-244-3310, phil.potter@verizon.net, www.palisadesvillage.org

Spotlight On Aging continues on page 31, following the Housing Options Magazine section at the right Please pull out and keep the Housing Options section. You may also pull out and keep Spotlight on Aging.

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SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION

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

Moving my mother into assisted living By Jill Joseph If I could pick one word to describe my mother, it would be “independent.” But as she has aged, chronic orthopedic issues and COPD slowly claimed her ability to move comfortably. We recently made the difficult decision that the best living situation for her is in an assisted living community. This is the story of how she found her new home. While I have always stood by, ready to help in any way I could, it was only after my mom had a mild stroke in 2013 that she and my stepdad began to accept my offers of assistance. When her back surgery in April 2014 resulted in multiple nerve issues, her mobility decreased even more. Mom then began

to drag her right foot, and I became very concerned about her safety. Her gait was unbalanced, and she was having trouble navigating the tight spaces in the house. I suggested we hire a home care service to assist her, but she rebuffed the idea. Through my work at the Beacon, I’ve become acquainted with many committed people who serve seniors. The friends I’ve made in the industry all testify that most people won’t get the help they need until “Something” happens. And, indeed, something happened. My mother fell and broke her hip. During post-surgery rehab, Mom was adamant that she intended to return home. I was equally adamant that — if she was not able to walk safely and consistently — her home was unsafe.

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A change of plans At first, she began to make enough progress in therapy to make her move back home seem feasible, if not ideal in my eyes, and we were given a discharge date. Then her progress stalled, and the therapy team revised the recommendation: She would need assistance during all waking hours. Unfortunately, my stepdad is not physically strong enough to help her move, and I knew I would need to help her and hire a home healthcare aide for times I could not be there. [For more on this subject, see “Finding caregivers to help you at home,” on page B17.] I originally focused on keeping mom in her home and didn’t consider assisted living options. But it turned out that staying in her home would quickly become detrimental — to all of us: My mom was readmitted to the hospital Sunday morning, not even two days after coming home. The hours before that were exhausting for both of us, emotionally and physically. At times over the weekend, she was incapable of moving her legs and feet, and was clearly terrified of falling in her tricky home environment. I was scared she would get hurt on my watch. Tearfully, I told her, “I can’t do this by myself.” I also couldn’t help but think of the impact on my own life. I have a wonderful husband and work for very under-

standing employers, but meeting Mom’s needs in her home would require time and focus, depleting my energy for work and a life of my own. Minutes before her aide arrived Sunday morning, I heard my mother moaning in her bedroom. She was unable to communicate what was wrong, and could or would not cooperate when I tried to get her out of bed. I called 911 shortly after our aide arrived. This time, my mother and stepdad both agreed that coming home after her hospitalization and rehab stay was not an option. I contacted Care Patrol, a senior housing referral agency, which gathered information on Mom’s health, financial and location needs. This tremendously streamlined the process of finding assisted living.

Choosing the right place There were several factors I knew would be important to my mother — a private space, wheelchair transportation and good meals. Because she is mostly wheelchair-bound and incontinent, she needed a community offering Level 3 assisted living, so some local options were eliminated. There were also factors that were important to me. I wanted a non-institutional environment for Mom, and an activity See ASSISTED LIVING, page B-3

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

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Making the move to independent living By Rebekah Sewell When Mary Gonzales decided to retire from her career as a pediatric nurse and move here from New York last year, she knew she was in for some big changes. Gonzales wanted to spend time with her daughter, who had moved to the D.C. area long ago. “She’s my only child, and my decision was that when I retired, I would move here, especially since I have two grandchildren, age 3 and 5,” she explained. Gonzales and her daughter began researching affordable housing and came across Tysons Towers in Vienna, Va., which has apartment-style living for seniors. As soon as she walked in, Gonzales thought, “I’m going to live here,” she said. For those who do not require the care offered by assisted living facilities — such

as help with bathing, dressing, and keeping track of medications — independent living communities, like Tysons Towers, are an attractive option. And the D.C. area has many to choose from.

Assisted living

joys greatly and some she doesn’t particularly care for, but that is the case for other residents as well, and no doubt for those in other communities, too. I try to help her put things in perspective and encourage her to speak up when she has needs that aren’t being met. She also participates in activities at Brightview, such as bingo, “happy hours,” and some of their exercise classes. She even bought a bathing suit in preparation for bus trips to the local YMCA. Mom has always liked to stay in her comfort zone, which has gotten smaller and smaller over the years. But I am hopeful that with time she will find a better quality of life in her new environment. And although I am still struggling with some guilt about being unable to help her remain in her home, I certainly sleep better knowing she is safe. Jill Joseph is a Beacon advertising representative.

Times have changed, but our mission to provide personalized, affordable services and housing to seniors has remained constant. Our care options include Independent Living, Enhanced Living, and Assisted Living services, all under one roof and just a heartbeat away from downtown Silver Spring and the Red Line Metro Station.

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schedule to help her meet people and engage more in life. Though the final choice was obviously hers, I knew my enthusiasm for Brightview in Baltimore affected her decision to move there. Fortunately, she and my stepdad were able to spend some time there prior to her move. We visited as a family, met the staff, had lunch, and she chose the studio apartment in which she would live. It helped dissipate her nerves and sadness about living without my stepfather. Overall, though, her attitude was positive. We are still in the early stages of Mom adjusting to life in assisted living. My husband and I have spent a lot of time giving her apartment a home-like feel, and my stepdad is comfortable during his daily visits. There are some staff members Mom en-

While there is much diversity and variety among the choices, all independent living communities have a few things in common. First, they have been developed to accommodate the preferences and needs of active seniors — sometimes defined as residents over 55, but in many cases geared to those 62 and older. These communities are for people who are able to take care of their personal needs, but don’t want the trouble and chores of maintaining a house and yard.

CEL

From page B-2

Security, activities and more

So they offer a variety of practical services, either included in the rent, for an additional monthly fee, or on a fee-for-service basis. Among the most important services offered at independent living facilities is 24hour security. Those on sprawling campuses are often gated communities. Individual buildings also typically have controlled access. In addition, a residential counselor and/or activities coordinator is typically on staff. They also tend to offer their residents a variety of amenities, such as beauty salons, exercise rooms, movie theaters, business centers and more. Communities come in all shapes and sizes. There are high-rises and low-rises, detached homes and villas. Some are in

the heart of downtown areas, while others are in more suburban or even rural areas. Some have freestanding homes or apartment units you purchase, but most offer apartments for rent. What Gonzales enjoys most about her new home at Tysons Towers is the view of the woods from her window. “I fell madly in love with the view,” she said. “I feel like I have a seat right in the middle of the forest.” After walking and taking the subway everywhere for many years in New York, Gonzales is no stranger to public transportation. She often takes the bus, which stops on campus, or rides the Metro on the newly completed Silver Line to Tysons See INDEPENDENT LIVING, page B-4

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A step-by-step guide to downsizing By Eric Stewart As we get older, may people consider downsizing to a smaller residence. However, downsizing can be particularly overwhelming when you think of letting go of cherished items and memories of them you’ve accumulated over a lifetime. Here are some tips to help make downsizing a less intimidating experience.

Change your mindset Downsizing should not be a considered something negative. In fact, when I discuss

Independent living From page B-3 Corner Mall for shopping, dining and eating. “I still don’t have a car,” she noted. Tysons Towers holds many activities, which helped quell the loneliness of leav-

MY GRANDSON CAN COME BY ANYTIME

downsizing with my real estate clients, I call it “rightsizing” — which is the process where you adjust your current home or relocate to a new home to fit your needs and empower yourself to live your preferable future. You want to be in a living environment where you are not held back or burdened by your home and possessions, but rather live where your home and possessions suit your needs now and in the future. Through a simple exercise contained in my Rightsizing Guide (see http://bit.ly/rightsizing_guide), you can start to envision how the

ing her friends behind and moving to a new area. She recently started taking Zumba, a dance class that has become popular for exercise. For Gonzales, meeting new friends has been a blessing. “Going out to shows or doing activities, you wind up meeting peo-

future you want may look, and how downsizing can help achieve those goals.

Preserve memories If you’ve lived in the same house for 30 to 40 years, various household items associated with family events that occurred there may have meaningful significance, but may not be used or needed on a regular basis. How can you preserve the memories without retaining all the possessions? Make a movie!

ple. You start socializing, which is extremely important when you get older,” she said.

Mother-daughter living Magruda Randolph, 96, used to live at Oaks at Olde Towne in Gaithersburg, Md.,

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With a digital video camera (and perhaps the help of your children), you can go through your home and film it just the way it is, recalling out loud memories of particular possessions or life milestones. Set aside old photos to be put in a scrapbook or to be scanned digitally and saved. These are cathartic activities that will help ease the downsizing process, and the video and scrapbook can become gifts to pass on to younger generations. See DOWNSIZING, page B-6

but recently moved to Covenant Village, also in Gaithersburg. “It was time for me to be where my daughter was,” she explained. With her apartment on the third floor and her daughter Margaret on the first, they spend the majority of their time together. They were always a close-knit family, and now the pair live almost like roommates. “My daughter stays with me most of the time,” she said. “She’s a little leery of me staying by myself at night.” Like Gonzales, Randolph had a hard time leaving her friends behind when she moved. “The good thing about it is, my friends still come to visit and invite me back. And the people here are very nice and kind.” Randolph and her daughter frequently participate in the community’s programs, like arts and crafts, get their hair done at the beauty parlor, and sit in the common areas and community room to meet the other residents. “I’ve made a quite a few friends already,” she said.

Staying independent Caroline Boston, now 87, moved into Friendship Terrace 15 years ago, after retiring from her position as an administrative assistant at a university. A native Washingtonian, she wasn’t content in retirement and eventually resumed work at a private school. Boston is now officially retired and mainly spends her time on the Friendship Terrace campus. Boston enjoys the communal living she shares with the other residents. “It’s almost like being in a college dorm,” she joked. “I don’t go out as much as I used to, so I have to rely on the activities in the building,” she explained. “We socialize, we talk, and we have good times together.” Friendship Terrace has a dining room where the residents can mingle over their meals. They also hold many planned activities like movie nights, lectures and poetry night. For Boston, it was especially important to be in control of the type of community in which she lives. “I wanted to make decisions about the last days of my life,” she said. “By moving into a retirement community, I could remain independent longer, and I wouldn’t have to be a burden on my daughters.” Additional reporting by Tamar Janus.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

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9229 Arlington Boulevard Fairfax, VA 22031

3140 Graceﬁeld Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 EricksonLiving.com

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. We offer age in place apartments ideally suited for mixed level-of-care couples. 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.

Remove winter from your retirement. Riderwood offers worry-free living all year long. Winter is just another season at Riderwood, a vibrant retirement community for seniors 60-plus. Located in Silver Spring the gated campus provides maintenance-free independent living, plus continuing care health services should your health needs change. Warm up to a wealth of amenities like a heated, indoor pool; fitness center; restaurants; and even a medical center—all connected by climate-controlled walkways. Thanks to a predictable Monthly Service Package, you can cozy up to lower energy costs. Riderwood will even help you move before winter! Call 1-800-664-5792 for a FREE brochure.

INDEPENDENT & PERSONAL CARE COMMUNITIES INDEPENDENT LIVING

Emerson House 301-779-6196

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

5999 Emerson Street Bladensburg, MD 20710

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

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.

Homecrest House is a non-profit, affordable subsidized community offering two options: independent and personal care services. PERSONAL CARE offers: assistance with bathing, daily meals, weekly housekeeping and laundry services with optional medication administration. Homecrest is nestled on ten beautiful acres with its own pond and neighbors Leisure World. Residents may qualify approximately 30% of their adjusted income for rent, and personal care subsidies. Homecrest offers a full array of activities both in-house and around the metro area via our van service. Our computer lab, beauty shop, exercise room, library and social halls are just a few amenities our residents enjoy at Homecrest House. Call today for a personalized tour or visit us on the web at www.homecresthouse.org.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Seabury at FRIENDSHIP TERRACE 202-244-7400

Vinson Hall Retirement Community 703-536-4344

4201 Butterworth Place NW Washington, DC 20016 www.friendshipterrace.org

6251 Old Dominion Drive McLean, VA 22101 www.vinsonhall.org

Active, affordable senior living close to stores, restaurants, transportation and entertainment can be found at Seabury at Friendship Terrace! Located in a quiet, tree-lined northwest Washington neighborhood, Friendship Terrace is just two blocks from the Tenleytown Metro station. The community offers affordable senior living with subsidy assistance to those who are eligible, as well as exciting on-site events including performances, lectures, holiday observances, socials, and more. A rooftop deck, greenhouse, library, lounges, and a dining room overlooking an outdoor courtyard are highlights of the community. If needed, additional on-site care can be arranged. Com e for a tour and learn how to make Friendship Terrace your new home.

Our nonprofit continuing care retirement community enhances the lives of our residents through person-centered care and services while fostering dignity, security, and friendship. As an innovative retirement community, we attract leaders in the field of aging who pilot new initiatives and technology to improve the lives of our residents and seniors everywhere. Vinson Hall Retirement Community provides all levels of care. Our independent living is open to commissioned military officers and their immediate family. Everyone is welcome at Arleigh Burke Pavilion, where we provide assisted living, skilled nursing, and private pay nursing care services; and at The Sylvestery Memory Support, where we offer assisted living care for those with memory impairment or other forms of dementia.

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Downsizing

choice of item to the person who drew number one, then let number two choose, and so on until everyone has had one pick. The next round starts with number two and ends with number one. Next round, start with number three and so on, until everything is gone. The third category is for items with intrinsic monetary value, but little or no sentimental value, that can be sold. I recommend hiring an appraiser or estate sale company to help you determine the value of items you no longer need or want. The fourth category is for giveaway items. Donate to charity things that neither you nor your family has any use for, but might be of use to someone else. The fifth and final category is the most important of all: Trash! Don’t be afraid to throw away things that you have not used in years. If you don’t need it and it has no

From page B-4

Separate the wheat from the chaff Now, it’s time to start sorting through your accumulated possessions. I recommend allocating a room in the house to be your staging area, or what I call your loading zone. Within the loading zone there will be five different areas: The first area, or category, are the items that you will take with you when you move. These will most likely be family heirlooms, photos, books, etc. The second category will be things that other family members might benefit from or want to keep. Allow them to come and take turns choosing items. If there are tables full of stuff, you may want to try the following idea: Each family member gets a number. Give the first

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

sentimental value, you can probably toss it. If you are unsure whether an item should be kept or discarded, ask yourself the following three questions: Do you need it? Do you love it? Do you use it? If you can answer “yes” to two or more of those questions, keep it. If you only answer “yes” to one question, then offer the item to family members, and if they don’t want it, sell, give, or throw away the item. Another idea is to use color-coded sticky notes to tag items as you sort through them. For instance, a green sticky note would be for items you plan to take with you, yellow sticky notes are items for family members, orange sticky notes are items to be sold, etc.

Don’t go it alone If there are not enough family members or friends to help with downsizing, and you have the financial means, you may want to consider hiring a senior move manger.

You Deserve It All And you’ll find it at Potomac Place! “The people at Potomac Place are the nicest people. They always greet you with a smile or a hug.” Dorothea Alexander {resident since 2012}

They are equipped to help you through the scaling down and moving process. Senior move managers can assist with: sorting through your possessions in your current home, mapping out where everything should go in your new home, packing and transporting the items and furniture you plan to take with you, and unpacking everything and putting things in their proper place after the move. Moving is never easy. But with the right approach and a good plan for dealing with your furniture and years of accumulation, it doesn’t have to be so difficult. Eric Stewart is an associate broker with Long & Foster Real Estate and is also a Senior Real Estate Specialist. He has been hosting The Eric Stewart Show on WMAL AM 630/105.9 FM for the past 11 years. He serves the Washington, D.C. metro area and has offices in Rockville, Md., Washington, D.C. and McLean, Va. For more information, visit www.ericstewartgroup.com.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 9+

Call 703-494-3817 today. PotomacPlace.com

2133 Montgomery Ave., Woodbridge

TRUMAN CAPOTE PLAY

The Greenbelt Arts Center presents Tru, a play about Truman Capote, the friends who spurned him, and his subsequent self-destructive behavior. The production follows him over two days, while he talks about life and how he hopes to rejoin high society. The show will run on Fridays, Oct. 9 and 16, and Saturdays, Oct. 10 and 17, at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees will run on Oct. 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. The center is at 123 Centerway, Greenbelt, Md. Tickets cost $16 for seniors; $20 for others. For more info, visit www.greenbeltartscenter.org or call (301) 441-8770.

Coordinated Services Management, Inc. - Professional Management of Retirement Communities since 1981

celebration

years

serving seniors

Mary Sharp has called Seabury at Friendship Terrace her home for 28 years making her the community’s longest-tenured resident and, as many might say, one of the happiest. Her secret? “Get out everyday. Walk everyday. Read books and the daily newspaper. Take part in the activities that Friendship offers. It’s all here for you.” Embrace the convenient, affordable, and active lifestyle that has benefitted Washington, DC seniors for 45 years and counting.

Call 202-244-7400 (TRS 711) today to schedule your personal visit. Friendship Terrace—Redefining Retirement

202-244-7400 (TRS 711) FriendshipTerrace.com 1-800-643-3769 DC RELAY SERVICE 1-800-643-3768 TTY 4201 Butterworth Place, NW Washington, DC 20016

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

B-7

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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 24-hour emergency maintenance, full activities programs, spacious floor plans, affordable rents, caring and dedicated staff, and much more. We are conveniently located near shopping, including grocery stores and pharmacies. Let us help you live life to the fullest. Call or visit our web site to view these communities:

Lockwood House 600 North Madison Street, Arlington, VA 22203

7010 Schoonmaker Court Alexandria, VA 22310

703-538-6000

703-719-7268

Rent based on income

From $856

873 Grace Street Herndon, VA 20170

703-904-9444 From $910

7837 Richmond Highway Alexandria, VA 22306

703-780-9072 From $966

Wingler House Apartments

Childless or not, we all need a safety net By Susan B. Garland Childless and divorced, Linda Wiesman, 67, is apprehensive about her future. With two knee replacements, the retired accountant is having trouble negotiating the stairs in her three-story townhouse in Gaithersburg, Md. Wiesman said she and several friends who live in different cities have “seriously thought of communal living” — a Golden Girls arrangement of mutual help. [See “Share your home like the Golden Girls did,” July Beacon, housing section.] Not long ago, Wiesman witnessed a bit of what life could hold in store for her. When her single and childless uncle broke his back several years ago, he turned to Wiesman and her sister for help. They moved him into a nursing home near his house in North Carolina. After he recovered, they sold his house, brought him to an independent living facility in Maryland, and hired caregivers. Following a fall and a fractured hip, he moved into a group home, where he died a year later. Who will care for her, Wiesman now wonders. “I worry about dementia and longevity because they run in the family,” she said. Perhaps, she said, she can turn to her three nieces.

Who will help when needed? Aging seniors face all sorts of uncertainties. But older childless singles and couples are missing the fallback that many other seniors take for granted: adult children who can monitor an aging parent and help navigate a complex system of healthcare, housing, transportation and social services. As baby boomers age, the number of childless seniors, both couples and singles, is rising. Close to 19 percent of all women ages 80 to 84 will fall into that category in 2050, up from 16 percent in 2030, according to a study by the AARP Public Policy Institute. Recent research by a geriatrician at the North Shore-LIJ Health System in New York coined a name for these seniors: “elder orphans.” People without children “need to start thinking early about their future housing and future caregiving,” said Lynn Feinberg, senior strategic policy adviser with the AARP institute and a co-author of the study. She suggests that they consider “what life will be like when they can’t live without assistance.” To be sure, even those with progeny See SAFETY NET, page B-9

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20900 Runny Meade Terrace Ashburn, VA 20147

703-858-9507 From $903

5999 Emerson Street Bladensburg, MD 20710

301-779-6196 Rent based on income

Mrs. Philippines Home for Seniors, Inc. 18889 Waring Station Road Germantown, MD 20874

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

6428 Bock Street Oxon Hill, MD 20745

301-540-1162

301-567-9537

From $1,015 for 2 bedroom

Rent based on income

5101 River Road, Suite 101 • Bethesda, MD 20816

301-941-8040 www.qpmgmt.com Professionally managed by Quantum Real Estate Management LLC T/A Quantum Property Management

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VINSON HALL RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Vinson Hall Retirement Community is located in idyllic McLean, VA and offers !"#$%$"#$"& '$(!#$"&!)* *!+!", -.' /!*!&)'0 .-12$'(3 their immediate family, and select government employees of equal rank. Our apartment residences offer all the luxurious comforts of home within a vibrant Continuing Care Retirement Community. Arleigh Burke Pavilion Assisted Living and The Sylvestery Memory Support !"#!$"%&'()%&"*)+)$,%-",./"+),$)!#0

!"#$"%&'(( )*+!,*-*"+%.$--/"!+0 supported by Navy Marine Coast Guard Residence Foundation%

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

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

Safety net From page B-8 can’t always count on their adult children to lend a hand. For those parents as well as for childless seniors, it’s essential to start weaving a safety net that can last for years to come. The support system could include a network of friends and relatives who can keep tabs on you, advocates to help negotiate the healthcare system, a team of legal and financial professionals, and senior-friendly housing.

Choose your legal “agents” One of the first steps aging adults should take is to draft legal documents that will protect them if they become incapacitated. On the financial front, you should create a durable power of attorney and choose an agent who will manage your financial, legal and tax affairs should you become unable to handle these tasks yourself. Childless seniors often pick a niece or nephew to whom they are close — or a trusted friend, cousin, sibling or clergy. Because of the potential work involved, “include in the document that the person should be compensated,” said Wynne Whitman, an estate-planning lawyer at Schenck, Price, Smith and King, Florham Park, N.J. If you don’t have someone reliable who can take on the job, you could set up a rev-

ocable trust and assign a bank or trust company as trustee, said Martin Shenkman, an estate-planning lawyer in Paramus, N.J. You would move your assets to the trust, and the company would eventually take on financial tasks you assign to it — including paying bills and caregivers, processing medical claims, and overseeing your home if you’re hospitalized or in a nursing facility. Whether you use an institution or a power of attorney, it’s essential to build in checks and balances. You could direct the trustee or agent to send monthly statements to your accountant. If you create a revocable trust, you can appoint a cotrustee or, in many states, a “trust protector,” who may be given the power to monitor, and perhaps override, a trustee’s decisions.

Healthcare directives You’ll also need to draw up healthcare directives. One is a living will, which will define your healthcare wishes under certain medical conditions. You’ll also need to name a healthcare proxy, who will make decisions on your medical care if you become incapacitated. As you age, the proxy’s role could intensify. He or she must keep an eye on your mental and physical state, hire caregivers, and arrange for you to move to new housSee SAFETY NET, page B-10

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There’s no better time to make the move to Chesterbrook Residences. Our residents enjoy great services and amenities in the fall and all year long! 24/7 licensed nurses on-site • Affordable monthly leases • Delicious, chef-prepared meals • Gazebo and outdoor gardens • Fun, engaging activities and trips

!"#$%&'#!%"(')*%+,!-*!#(#''.%/!-01!$2!-3 Call 703-531-0781 today to schedule your personal visit.

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2030 Westmoreland Street • Falls Church www.chesterbrookres.org !!"#$%&'(#)*("+$,(-).&%&/(0(%'1)2%,3)4)5"!6(--$!%&7).&%&/(0(%')!6)8('$"(0(%') !009%$'$(-)-$%,():;<:

B-9

ASSISTED LIVING/MEMORY CARE

Tribute at Heritage Village 703-468-1475 13650 Heathcote Boulevard Gainesville, VA 20155 hello@tributeatheritagevillage.com If you are looking for an Assisted Living and Memory Care community in Prince William County, you don’t have to look any further. Prince William has been anticipating a community with a high level of luxury in senior living, featuring advanced care systems for accurate and accountable care. While care is at the core of Tribute at Heritage Village, an excellent quality of life is an essential feature of the community. We have a Director of Excitement whose only job is to keep residents anticipating what’s next and what excitement tomorrow will bring. Whether it’s activities on the third floor open-air terrace, or adventures in the luxury motor coach, residents stay active in meaningful pastimes. Call to schedule your exclusive hard hat tour to learn more today!

ASSISTED LIVING

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-260-2320 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org This community hums with warmhearted camaraderie and a zest for life shared by residents and staff alike. Experience all that makes assisted living at Brooke Grove extraordinary. Cozy, homelike dwellings with easy access to beautiful courtyards and walking paths. Caring staff trained in using memory support techniques, building independence and lifting selfesteem. Innovative LIFE® Enrichment Programming with meaningful activities and off-site adventures. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing care retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Ashby Ponds 703-723-1999 or 1-800-564-0155 21170 Ashby Ponds Boulevard Ashburn, VA 20147 EricksonLiving.com Remove winter from your retirement. Ashby Ponds offers worry-free living all year long. Winter is just another season at Ashby Ponds, a vibrant retirement community for seniors 62-plus. Located in Ashburn, VA, the gated campus provides maintenance-free independent living, plus continuing care should your health needs change. Warm up to a wealth of amenities like a heated, indoor pool; fitness center; restaurants; and even a medical center—all connected by climate-controlled walkways. Thanks to a predictable Monthly Service Package, you can cozy up to lower energy costs. Ashby Ponds will even help you move before winter! Call 1-800-533-8415 for a FREE brochure.

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Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

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

Safety net From page B-9

Knollwood 202-541-0149 or 1-800-541-4255 6200 Oregon Avenue NW Washington, DC 20015 www.armydistaﬀ.org Knollwood is a continuing care retirement community owned and funded by the Army Distaff Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. Located in Washington, DC, the continuum of care includes independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care and memory care and is home to approximately 300 residents. The community offers apartments ranging from 500 sq. ft. to 2800 sq. ft. for independent living, and handicapped accessible apartments for assisted living. It also features multiple dining options, a salon, library, a fitness center and pool, several music rooms and art studio. Coming soon are newly renovated, state-of-the-art wellness and fitness centers, independent living apartments, front lobby and a lounge. As the first military retirement community of its kind, Knollwood has provided quality retirement living to military officers and their relatives since opening in 1962.

INDEPENDENT/ASSISTED/MEMORY CARE

Waltonwood Ashburn 571 982-6318 44144 Russell Branch Parkway Ashburn, VA 20147 www.Waltonwood.com Social opportunities and luxury amenities await you at Waltonwood Ashburn, a community from Singh Development opening early 2017 with independent living, assisted living and memory care communities. Our broad range of amenities includes a spa, saltwater therapy pool, fitness and wellness center, movie theatre, cafe, convenience store and more. Enjoy chef prepared meals in our elegant dining room, plus personal care services and courtesy transportation. You will love our beautifully appointed studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartment homes. Visit our on-site information center for tours 7 days a week. It's located on Russell Branch Parkway near the intersection of Ashburn Village Blvd. and Russell Branch Parkway. We look forward to your visit. The priority waiting list is now forming.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Greenspring 703-913-1200 or 1-800-788-0811 7410 Spring Village Drive Springﬁeld, VA 22150 EricksonLiving.com Remove winter from your retirement. Greenspring offers worry-free living all year long. Winter is just another season at Greenspring, a vibrant retirement community for seniors 62-plus. Located in Springfield, the gated campus provides maintenance-free independent living, plus continuing care should your health needs change. Warm up to a wealth of amenities like a heated, indoor pool; fitness center; restaurants; and even a medical center—all connected by climate-controlled walkways. Thanks to a predictable Monthly Service Package, you can cozy up to lower energy costs. Greenspring will even help you move before winter! Call 1-800989-1409 for a FREE brochure.

ing if necessary. Your proxy “should be someone you have ultimate faith in and connection with,” said Elinor Ginzler, senior director of the Center for Supportive Services at the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington, in Rockville, Md. If you don’t have someone who can pick up the role, you may be able to hire a professional. Some elder law attorneys can become a healthcare proxy. And depending on the state where you live, you may be able to hire a professional fiduciary to oversee your affairs. Wiesman’s sister is her financial agent and healthcare proxy, but her sister at some point could become too old to continue in that capacity. Wiesman is close enough to her three nieces to consider asking one of them to take over in the future — perhaps moving to the city where the niece lives. It’s a good idea for those who don’t have children or close relatives to widen their circle of potential helpers — people and organizations that can keep an eye on you and pitch in if need be. Your network could include friends, volunteer organizations you work with, neighborhood groups and senior centers.

Turn to a team of experts A cornerstone of your support system should be a professional advisory team. The team would include a certified public accountant, a financial planner, an estateplanning lawyer or elder law attorney, and perhaps a geriatric care manager, said Lynn Evans, president of Northeastern Financial Consultants, in South Abington Township, Pa. The financial planner would develop a blueprint to pay for long-term care and other services. A care manager could look for signs of dementia and arrange for services, such as home care. (You can find a care manager at the website of the Aging Life Care Association at www.aginglifecare.org.) You could direct team members to exchange information, especially if your mental capacities decline. They could also watch out for financial elder abuse. Your safety net should include an array of aging-related community services. While you may not need resources now, you can start investigating what’s available. Services could include care managers, visiting chefs, handyman firms, escorted transportation, home aide agencies and senior centers.

Find the right place to live You also should visit various types of senior housing to get an idea of the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable living. File the information in a folder that you or your designated helpers can use in the future. Wherever you live, you’ll need easy ac-

cess to health facilities, transportation and senior-related services. That may involve moving to a new location that “provides the support that enables you to live the way you want to live,” AARP’s Feinberg said. More than 350 communities have been designated as aging-friendly by the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging, a think tank in Santa Monica, Calif. (Check http://successfulaging.milkeninstitute.org.) Criteria include senior housing options, hospitals offering geriatric services, and investment in public transportation. You can assess your own community’s aging friendliness and compare it to others by using AARP’s Livability Index at www.aarp.org. [See “What factors make a community ‘livable,’ in the July Beacon housing section, for this area’s rating.] If you want to live at home alone, build in extra support to preserve your independence as long as possible. A care manager can conduct a periodic assessment. If the time comes for more help, the care manager can work with your healthcare agent to find a home aide, assisted living or a nursing facility. You also can install medical-alert technology, which will notify a designated person if you fall, or if you don’t seem to be following your normal routine. Another option is to live in one of 200 “villages” — neighborhood groups that, for a membership fee, provide residents with services such as transportation to doctor appointments, home repairs and meal delivery. You could consider, as Wiesman is, living with friends in such a village. But understand that these are “interim steps,” said Andrew Carle, director of the Senior Housing Administration program at George Mason University, Fairfax, Va. “Over time, a lot of people will outgrow what the villages are capable of offering,” he said. And shared living arrangements may fall apart as housemates become infirm or develop dementia, he said. If you can afford it, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) may be the best option for childless seniors to establish a support system, Carle said. Instead of hiring different people to, say, prepare meals, do housekeeping and find a nursing facility, by moving to a CCRC, Carle said, “you can buy all the services in one package.” [See “CCRCs pair housing with health benefits,” in the January Beacon housing section.] CCRCs typically charge an entrance fee and then monthly fees that cover an independent living unit, meals, recreational activities and other amenities. The community may move you (either at no extra charge or for an increased monthly rate, depending on your choice of entrance plan), to an on-site assisted-living unit or skilled-nursing facility if you need care. © 2015, Kiplinger. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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

B-11

FREE HOUSING AND OTHER INFORMATION For free information from advertisers in this special section, check off those that interest you and mail this entire page to the Beacon. Please do not request info if you are not interested. All replies have an equal chance to win. To be eligible for Cake Off tickets, your reply must arrive by October 31, 2015.

HOUSING COMMUNITIES:

❑ Springvale Terrace . .B-3 & B-19 ❑ The Village at Rockville . . .B-18

WASHINGTON, DC

VIRGINIA

❑ Friendship Terrace . . .B-5 & B-6 ❑ Knollwood . . . . . . .B-10 & B-12 ❑ Residences at Thomas Circle . . . . .B-4 & B-17

❑ Ashby Ponds . . . . . . . .B-2 & B9 ❑ Chesterbrook Residences .B-9 & . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-14 ❑ Fairfax, The . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-16 ❑ Falcons Landing . . . .B-7 & B-14 ❑ Great Falls Assisted Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-14 & B-17 ❑ Greenspring . . . . . . .B-2 & B-10 ❑ Gum Springs Glen . . . . . . . .B-8 ❑ Herndon Harbor House . . . . .B-8 ❑ Lockwood House . . . . . . . . .B-8 ❑ Morris Glen . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-8 ❑ Potomac Place . . . . . . . . . . .B-6 ❑ Tall Oaks . . . . . . . . .B-2 & B-19

MARYLAND ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Brooke Grove . . .B-9, B17 & B20 Covenant Village . . .B-8 & B-17 Emerson House . . . . .B-5 & B-8 Homecrest House . . .B-5 & B-12 Mrs. Philippines Home . . . . .B-8 Olney Assisted Living .B-3 & B-19 Riderwood . . . . . . . . .B-2 & B-5 Solana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-2

❑ Tribute at Heritage Village .B-9 & . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-13 ❑ Tysons Towers . . . . . . . . . . .B-16 ❑ Vinson Hall . . . . . . . . .B-5 & B8 ❑ The Virginian . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5 ❑ Waltonwood . . . . . .B-10 & B-15 ❑ Wingler House . . . . . . . . . . .B-8

HOME CARE SERVICES: ❑ Best Senior Care . . . . . . . .B-16

HOUSING REFERRALS: ❑ New Lifestyles . . . . . . . . . .B-13 ❑ Care Patrol . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-15

REVERSE MORTGAGES: ❑ Jefferson Mortgage . . . . . . .B-13 ❑ Mortgage Center of America B-12

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 free info coupon on page 7. One entry per household please. Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________E-mail_______________________________________________ City _______________________________________________________ State ______________________ Zip ____________________ Phone (day) _______________________________________________ (eve) ________________________________________________ Please provide your telephone number and e-mail address so we may contact you promptly if you win the drawing.

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B-12

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

Reverse mortgages let your home pay you By Rebekah Sewell and Carol Sorgen Jane Wright, 72, has operated a home healthcare business from her home for many years. She wasn’t ready to retire, and her mortgage payments were becoming burdensome. A reverse mortgage obtained with the help of Jefferson Mortgage’s George Omilan turned out to be the solution. “I spent a lot of money on my children, and my regular retirement [check] is small. I still have money, but I didn’t want to lose a

big chunk every month,” said Wright. Omilan recommended Wright look into a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), which is government-backed.

How they work Reverse mortgages are a financial tool that allow you to access your home’s equity while you still own and live in it. The funds acquired are considered a loan against the equity you have in your home. Homeowners are still required to pay

for property taxes and homeowner’s insurance, despite some potentially misleading advertising to the contrary recently pointed out by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The difference between a regular mortgage and a reverse mortgage is that with a conventional mortgage, you make monthly payments to the lender. With a reverse mortgage, on the other hand, you receive money from the lender, and are not required to pay it back for as long as you live in your home. The loan is repaid when you die, sell your home, or when your home is no longer your primary residence. There are no restrictions on how the money is spent, and the funds are not considered taxable income since it’s a loan. You can choose to have the funds made available in a lump sum, through monthly payments, or via a line of credit that can be accessed as needed. While Wright was considering a reverse mortgage, she was still in the peak of health and independence. “I take care of all my own needs,” she explained.

Reverse mortgage requirements

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6200 Oregon Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20015 Knollwood, a continuing care retirement community, is owned and operated by the Army Distaff Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization committed to providing a safe, permanent home for uniformed officers and family members.

It is not difficult to obtain a reverse mortgage, explained Omilan, as long as you can demonstrate that you have adequate funds to pay property taxes and homeowner’s insurance. If there is a lien on the home, it must be paid off when the reverse mortgage closes. For example, when Wright selected a standard reverse mortgage, she received a lump sum and used it to pay off her mortgage immediately upon closing, thus putting an end to the need to make monthly mortgage payments. “It was the best situation for me,” she said.

How much you can borrow depends on your age, the appraised value of your home, and current interest rates. In general, the older you are, the more your home is worth, and the more equity you have in it, the greater the amount you can borrow. If a couple obtain a mortgage, the amount they receive is based on the age of the youngest borrower. While there are age restrictions on a reverse mortgage — applicants must be 62 or over — there are no income limitations. Homeowners must also participate in financial counseling sessions approved by the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development in order to be considered for a government-insured mortgage. Financial counseling is essential because counselors educate homeowners about the process and can recommend the best course of action.

Running out of funds Under the right circumstances, a reverse mortgage can be a worthwhile solution for retirees and seniors, since it can help those with home equity obtain access to it while remaining in their home. In Wright’s case, her decision was largely preemptive since she was still working. Another of Omilan’s clients wasn’t so lucky. Ann Pacholec, 92, lived in her home but required a full-time aide, and she had simply run out of financial options. She didn’t have the funds to move to assisted living. Fortunately, Pacholec’s close friend and neighbor Linda Wilkinson had heard about reverse mortgages. Omilan suggested a HECM ARM — an adjustable rate reverse mortgage. In this case, “she had a significant level of home equity, but she only needed to acSee REVERSE MORTGAGE, page B-13

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

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

Reverse mortgage From page B-12 cess a potion of it upfront and arrange for the remainder to be available at a later date as needed,” explained Omilan. Wilkinson says she is certain that the loan is what saved her friend’s living situation. She knew Medicare wouldn’t cover all the costs of Pacholec’s full-time homecare. “It was the only option,” she said. “A reverse mortgage gave her the ability to live in her home.”

Perceived risks Reverse mortgages sometimes have a bad reputation, but its opponents may be misinformed of the risks, Omilan said.

“A reverse mortgage has significant appeal because it is a non-recourse loan,” said Omilan. “There is no personal liability to the homeowner.” Many seem to fear that if they remain in their home too long, their loans will exceed the remaining home equity, and they will be forced out early, but this is inaccurate. If they are forced to leave the home, it is most likely because they have not paid homeowners insurance or property taxes, which are still required. A HECM reverse mortgage is also protected by mortgage insurance premiums paid by the homeowner. In cases where the house is sold upon end of life and the proceeds aren’t enough to pay the lender back in full, MIP ensures the bank “eats

B-13

gage, the Federal Trade Commission, one of the government’s consumer protection agencies, says to be aware that: • oney to cover these ongoing costs. • Interest on reverse mortgages is not deductible on income tax returns until the loan is paid off in part or whole. • Before applying for a reverse mortgage, you must meet with a trained counselor from an independent government-approved agency. Try to include in these meetings anyone who would have any interest and/or expertise in your affairs, such as your children, an eldercare attorney or financial advisor.

the loss, and the heirs and the estate are completely unaffected,” explained Omilan. In other words, homeowners and their heirs will not be held responsible if their loan value exceeds their remaining home equity. If you want to bequeath your home to your children with a significant amount of equity remaining, a reverse mortgage might not be for you. Upon death, heirs would need to pay off the reverse mortgage if they wanted to inherit the house. Their other inheritance would remain unaffected.

Understand the rules If you’re considering a reverse mort-

COURTESY OF ERICKSON LIVING

Welcome Center Now Open. Suites are limited

Loudoun County’s CCRC Ashby Ponds recently open a brand new independent living building called Magnolia Place. For more information on the property, see the Housing Note on page B-15.

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ASSISTED LIVING/MEMORY CARE

Great Falls Assisted Living 703-421-0690 1121 Reston Avenue Herndon, VA 20170 Imagine a memory care specific community with open spaces, walking paths, and a family feel. Add security, an experienced team, and 24/7 licensed nursing care. Top it off with robust programming, outings, and activities tailored to the individual and you have Great Falls Assisted Living! Our mission is to promote independence and dignity for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. This commitment is reflected in the design of our community and through everything we do. A family member recently said, “Great Falls has been wonderful. I no longer feel alone in caring for my dad, I feel like I have a team with me now.” Schedule your tour today and experience the feeling for yourself.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Falcons Landing 703-439-1521 20522 Falcons Landing Circle Potomac Falls, VA 20165 www.FalconsLanding.org/DreamsComeTrue Luxurious Living after a Career of Service. Nestled near the Potomac River in scenic Northern Virginia, Falcons Landing is a vibrant hub for residents who have retired from work, but not from life! We continually strive to provide the best experiences for our residents. Come see our new expansion, which includes a new Wellness and Fitness Complex, contemporary Woodburn Café and stylish Compass Club! Falcons Landing is a community of retired military officers of all branches of service, senior-level federal employees, their spouses and surviving spouses, as well as those officers honorably discharged with any length of service. At Falcons Landing, the adventure continues! Call us to schedule a lunch in our new Woodburn Cafe!

ASSISTED LIVING

Chesterbrook Residences 703 531-0781 2030 Westmoreland Street Falls Church, VA 22043 www.chesterbrookres.org At Chesterbrook Residences, you will be able to live with dignity, grace and security, close to the people and places you love in a comfortable, neighborhood setting. We offer an active assisted-living lifestyle for those 62 and over. A variety of one- and two-bedroom floor plans are available. Enjoy our community living room with fireplace, beautiful views, and chef-prepared meals in our gracious main dining room. Rehab services are available 5 days a week, offering physical, occupational and speech therapy, most of which are covered by Medicare Part B. We also have an on-site wellness center with visiting physician and podiatrist. We are a mixed-income nonprofit, so our rates are affordable with uncomplicated all-inclusive pricing. No additional fees for medication administered by a registered nurse or specialized diets.

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

Housing Notes By Barbara Ruben and Rebekah Sewell

Obtain services in your own home The new Goodwin House at Home program is designed for older adults living in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. who want to combine the independence of living at home with the security of life care benefits found in a continuing care community (CCRC). It is the first program of its kind in the metro area, and only one of 21 such programs in the country. According to research conducted by Goodwin House at Home, 77 percent of those 65 and over in the D.C. metro area want to remain in their home as they age. Goodwin House at Home is a program of Goodwin House, a faith-based, nonprofit organization with two residential properties in Northern Virginia. Goodwin House at Home helps ensure the same healthcare, social engagement and daily life support as the Goodwin House communities, but at residents’ homes. Participants pay a one-time membership fee to join the program, followed by a monthly fee. Most of the fees are pre-paid healthcare costs and may be tax deductible. As care needs increase, the monthly fees do not. “It’s like long-term care insurance, but better because it is effective as soon as a member needs help with one activity of daily living,” said Colleen Ryan Mallon, vice president of marketing and mission expansion with Goodwin House. Services are coordinated by a resource manager who meets with the members on a regularly scheduled basis. In addition to home care services, the resource manager assists members with scheduling services that might be required for the upkeep of their homes, relying on a network of referrals from pre-screened preferred providers. For more information, see www.goodwinhouse.org or call (703) 820-1488.

New assisted living community to open Tribute at Heritage Village, a new memory care and assisted living community, is scheduled to open soon in Gainesville, Va. The new facility incorporates technology into many facets of the community. For example, each memory care suite features motion monitors to assure resident safety. Tribute also includes community-wide Wi-Fi and social media updates, along with senior friendly computers available to residents so they can keep in touch with loved ones online. At the same time, it also encourages family members to attend special events in person, volunteer and have meals at

Tribute on regular basis. The community employs a full-time credentialed wellness director, as well as a position called Director of Excitement. Tribute offers comprehensive health services, housekeeping and laundry, a full-ser vice beauty and barber salon, movie theater with bistro, and a library with fireplace. Three meals a day are available in the dining room. The Tribute at Heritage Village welcome center is open by appointment only. Call (703) 468-1475 to schedule a visit.

National Lutheran celebrates 125 years National Lutheran Communities is hosting a year-long celebration for its 125th anniversary. The first community, the National Lutheran Home, was founded by Sarah Utermehle, who purchased the land in Washington, D.C. in 1890. She moved its first residents into a cottage she built there five years later. Over the years, the National Lutheran Home expanded several times to accommodate its growing population of residents, and in 1980, the community moved to its present location in Rockville, Md. The new home included a 300-bed skilled nursing facility, independent living cottages, as well as respite, hospice and rehabilitation services. In 2010, the community changed its name from the National Lutheran Home to the Village at Rockville to reflect its “growth as an organization,” said Courtney Malengo, director of communications. It also illustrated the growth of the community brand and its family of now four communities, and its inclusion of seniors of all faiths. All year, the National Lutheran Homes — which include the Village at Rockville in Rockville, Md.; the Village at Crystal Spring in Annapolis, Md.; the Village at Orchard Ridge in Winchester, Va.; and Legacy at North Augusta in Staunton, Va. — have been commemorating the anniversary with a series of events. For more information on the Village at Rockville, call (301) 354-8486 or see www.thevillageatrockville.org.

Apply online for affordable housing The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) recently launched HOCHousingPath.com, its new online portal that allows anyone interested in obtaining housing assistance to apply online. HOCHousingPath.com then matches applicants to programs for which they fit the criteria, without the applicant needing to know in advance the programs for which they qualify. The new portal replaces paper applications entirely, and users can access the See HOUSING NOTES, page B-15

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

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

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Eat well with grocery and meal delivery By Barbara Ruben If you’ve just had surgery or have chronic health problems like arthritis, walking up and down the supermarket aisles can feel like a marathon. Even with a motorized cart, lifting and toting the bags of groceries can be overwhelming, not to mention the effort to cook the food once you have it home. Luckily, a variety of resources are available to help — from grocery delivery services to meal delivery programs.

Shop from home Several local grocery chains allow you to use their online sites to select groceries you want and have them delivered to your door. There is often a curbside pickup option for buyers who can drive but may not

be able to load groceries into the car. Giant’s Peapod requires a minimum order of $60. Orders less than $75 have a $9.95 delivery fee ($7.95 for orders between $75 and $100; $6.95 for orders over $100). Peapod is currently offering free delivery for 60 days after your first order. For more information, see www.peapod.com or call 1-800-5-PEAPOD. Peapod also allows buyers to pick up their groceries at a designated location. Customers order ahead and select a time window for pickup. An associate will greet them and place the groceries in their car. Safeway’s minimum delivery purchase is $49, and fees range from $6.95 to $12.95 depending on the delivery time chosen. Delivery is free on your first order. Learn more at www.safeway.com or call 1-877-505-4040.

Harris Teeter offers a service called ExpressLane, in which you order groceries online and then pick them up curbside at the store. The service costs $4.75 per order or $16.95 for unlimited monthly orders. For more information, see www.harristeeter.com or call 1-800-432-6111.

Ordering groceries by phone Shoppers who aren’t tech-savvy may struggle with ordering online through Peapod or ExpressLane, and may prefer to order groceries via telephone. Telegrocers offers telephone ordering and delivery for residents in 15 states and localities, including Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The company charges $7.50 for delivery on orders less than $100, and $9.50 for orders between $100 and $200.

For more information or to learn how to get started, visit www.telegrocers.com or call 1-888-902-SHOP (7467).

Shopping help and meal delivery Fairfax County’s Volunteer Solutions program has drivers who will take older adults to the grocery store or shop for them. For more information, contact Information on Aging, Disability and Caregiver Resources at (703) 324-7948. In Montgomery County, the nonprofit Senior Connection provides volunteers to shop for seniors. To be eligible for this program, the participant must be 60 or older, meet an income requirement, and have no one in the home available to do the shopSee DELIVERY SERVICES, page B-16

From page B-14 wait list from home and at any Montgomery County Public Library branch, as well as all 14 HOC office locations. Previously, HOC has maintained separate waiting lists for each program, and applicants would need to apply to each program individually. Now there is a single consolidated waiting list that will remain open year-round. Applicants create an account once to pre-apply, and that will determine their eligibility for all HOC rental programs. Completing the online pre-application should take no more than 30 minutes. Users can designate in their contact information a proxy — whether a caseworker or a family member — who can act for them if they can’t be reached or cannot

G IN N 7 E P 2 01

Housing notes

use a computer.

New independent living building In August, a new building called Magnolia Place opened at Ashby Ponds, a continuing care retirement community in Springfield, Va. The building includes 83 one- and twobedroom independent living apartments. Apartment amenities include stainless steel kitchen appliances, granite countertops, open floor plans, and upgraded lighting and flooring options, as well as full-size side-by-side washers and dryers. Many of the apartments feature a screened-in porch or a patio. For more information, call (703) 722-6763 or see www.ericksonliving.com/ashbyponds.

Fall Open House Saturday, October 24th 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 25th 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Stop by our on-site Information Center and help us celebrate fall with hot mulled cider and cinnamon doughnuts. While here you can preview our community floor plans and learn more about the carefree lifestyle we’ll offer.

A SHBURN

RSVP for our Fall Open House or schedule a personal tour today. (571) 982-6318

44144 Russell Branch Pkwy., Ashburn

www.facebook.com/waltonwoodseniorliving

www.Waltonwood.com

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Delivery services From page B-15 ping. For more information, call (301) 9620820 or see www.seniorconnectionmc.org. Jewish Social Service Agency’s (JSSA) Shoppers Program is another volunteer shopping service. On a regular basis, usually weekly, volunteers in the Washington area shop for groceries and other household items for frail elders. Some shoppers take their older friends to the store; others pick up a list and money and return with groceries and change. To receive service, call the JSSA intake line at (301) 816-2633 to set up a social work assessment. The service is free, but there is a sliding scale fee for the assessment. Food and Friends provides meals, groceries and nutrition counseling to people

who have a serious illness, such as cancer or AIDS, and a limited ability to prepare meals. There are no requirements for income or insurance coverage. Food and service are entirely free. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, including 11 special diets, are delivered daily, Monday through Saturday, to a limited area in the Washington, D.C. area. Groceries are delivered weekly or every other week to people outside the freshlyprepared meals delivery area and to those healthy enough to prepare their own meals. Recipients get two bags of non-perishable groceries, frozen soups, entrees and liquid nutritional supplements. Call (202) 269-2277 or visit www.foodandfriends.org. Meals on Wheels also provides meals Monday through Friday. Volunteers bring at least two cooked meals, one hot and one cold, to each recipient. There are numerous

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

local Meals on Wheels programs throughout the Washington region, and fees and eligibility vary from program to program. To find one, go to www.mowaa.org or call (703) 548-5558. There are also a number of companies that offer frozen meals for delivery that can be ordered online or by phone. Magic Kitchen (www.magickitchen.com, 1-877516-2442) caters to the dietary needs of

seniors. It offers a wide variety of nutritious meals, with prices ranging between $8 and $12 per meal. Similar ser vices include Schwan’s (www.schwans.com, 1-888-SCHWANS), DineWise (www.dinewise.com, 1-800-7491170) and FamilyChef (www.familychef.com, support@familychef.com). With additional reporting by Rebekah Sewell

Top Banana closes Top Banana Home Delivered Groceries, a nonprofit organization that has offered meal delivery for seniors and individuals with disabilities, closed its doors permanently at the end of September. During the business’s 33 years of service, its storehouse carried a variety of name brand products, frozen goods, fresh meats, produce and dairy, as well as home, personal and pet supplies, and delivered them weekly to area residents. Top Banana’s emphasis on individual attention was most valued by the community, and many will remember the one-on-one assistance they received from the delivery drivers —

from opening jars to putting groceries away. It was also the only local delivery grocer who accepted food stamps. Executive director and founder Jean Guiffré explained that Top Banana is closing because it is losing money, but the business is grateful for all the support it has had from the community. “We are so thankful to the thousands of area seniors and others who opened their doors to our program and allowed us to help them with this basic chore of everyday life. It would not have been possible without the help of so many who supported Top Banana’s work,” she said.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 13

YIDDISH CULTURE CLUB The local Yiddish Culture Club has been reinstated and will hold

Welcome Home to The Fairfax

its next meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon at Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Dr., Silver Spring, Md. Singer Karen Dale will perform. Future meetings will take place on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. For

Luxury retirement living in Fort Belvoir, VA It’s all about maintenance-free living at The Fairfax, one of Northern Virginia’s finest retirement communities. Located adjacent to Fort Belvoir, our gorgeous 60-acre campus is the premier choice for retired military officers and their families. We provide peace of mind—so you can enjoy every day to the fullest.

“My “M My son son said id to to me, ‘Thanks, ‘Th ‘T hanks, k M Mom. Y You ou ttook ou ookk a llot ott off worry worr y off f f off me.’” ff ’” –Anne Arnhart h t “ “This is a … very congenial environment. We love our neighbors.” – riga –Brigadier –Bri –B gadi dier er G Gen General ener eral al LLeo eo B Bro Brooks rook okss an and d Mr Mrs Mrs. s. N Nao Naomi aomi mi B Bro Brooks rook okss

more info, call Fannie Eisenberg at (202) 362-1628.

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WB 10/15

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

Finding caregivers to help you at home “Homecare” is a simple term that encompasses a wide range of health and social services. These services are delivered at home to recovering, disabled, chronically or terminally ill persons in need of medical, nursing, social or therapeutic treatment and/or assistance with the essential activities of daily living. Generally, homecare is appropriate whenever a person prefers to stay at home but needs ongoing care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends. More and more older people, electing to live independent, non-institutionalized lives, are receiving homecare services as their physical capabilities diminish. Homecare services generally are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Depending on the patient’s needs, these services may be provided by an individual or a team of specialists on a part-time, intermittent, hourly or shift basis. Types of homecare providers include home health agencies; homemaker and homecare aide (HCA) agencies; staffing and private-duty agencies. There are also registries that refer workers with various skills to those needing help. And, of course, one may hire one’s own caregiver directly. Here are descriptions of the ways in which these different types of agencies and referral sources work, and the degree of regulation and legal liability each one is subject to, if any.

can provide Medicare- and Medicaid-reimbursed home health services. Individuals requiring skilled homecare services usually receive their care from a home health agency. Due to regulatory requirements, services provided by these agencies are highly supervised and controlled. Often these agencies deliver a variety of homecare services through physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, homemakers and HCAs, durable medical equipment and supply dealers, and volunteers. Other home health agencies limit their services to nursing and one or two other specialties. Home health agencies recruit and supervise their personnel; as a result, they assume liability for all care.

Homemaker and homecare aide agencies Homemaker and HCA agencies employ homemakers or chore workers, HCAs and companions who support individuals through meal preparation, bathing, dressing and housekeeping. Personnel are assigned according to the needs and wishes of each client. Some states, including Maryland, require these agencies to be licensed and meet minimum standards established by the state. Most homemaker and HCA agencies recruit, train and supervise their personnel and thus are responsible for the care rendered.

Staffing and private-duty agencies Home health agencies The term home health agency often indicates that a homecare provider is Medicare certified. A Medicare-certified agency has met federal minimum requirements for patient care and management, and therefore

Staffing and private-duty agencies generally provide individuals with nursing, homemaker, HCA and companion services. Most states do not require these agencies to be liSee HOMECARE, page B-19

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CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

The Residences at Thomas Circle (202) 626-5761 1330 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20005 www.ThomasCircle.com The Residences at Thomas Circle is an exceptional senior living community located in the heart of the district in Washington, DC. Here, residents enjoy a stimulating lifestyle filled with activities and entertainment as well as the company of a diverse group of interesting people. The excellent location means residents can easily visit area attractions, museums, theater, special events and more via the Metro or a short walk. In addition to Independent Living, The Residences at Thomas Circle is the only in-town senior living community to offer an on-site continuum of health services: Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, and Memory Care. Visit www.ThomasCircle.com to learn more or call 202.626.5761.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-260-2320 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org You’ll feel it as soon as you drive onto our 220-acre campus of lush pastures and hardwood forest—all that makes independent living at Brooke Grove different. Beautiful cottages in a truly picturesque setting. Maintenance-free living, with more time for what you really want to do. Personalized fitness programs, meals prepared by talented chefs, clubs and social events. Neighbors who share your interests and passions. Come for a visit and see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

Innovative Memory Care...

By Design !"#"$%&!'(%#!)*#'+,'!'$""-.+/&0!1%#(/!2(33)!4()!5##.! /4$-64/7-33&!8#)+6.#8! 9+/4! /4#! .##8)! $7! &$-%! 3$:#8! $.#!+.!"+.8;!!<#8+'(/#8!/#("!"#"5#%)!$77#%!'(%#!+.! 7$-%!-.+=-#!.#+645$%4$$8)!/4(/!(%#!'$>&!(.8!+.:+/+.60! .$/!$:#%94#3"+.6;!!?-%!%#)+8#./)!#@*#%+#.'#!)#'-%#8! 7%##8$"!()!9#33!()!(!4#(%/A4#(3/4&!8+#/0!9(3B+.6!*(/4)! (.8!*(/+$)0!(.8!C+7#!D.%+'4"#./!*%$6%(")!E+.'3-8+.6! (%/0!"-)+'0!(.8!8(.'#E)#:#.!8(&)!(!9##B;

Call to schedule your personal visit: 703-421-0690 1121 Reston Avenue | Herndon, VA www.GreatFallsAssistedLiving.com Coordinated Services Management, Inc. Professional Management of Retirement Communities since 1981

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Covenant Village (301) 540-1162 18889 Waring Station Road Germantown, MD 20874 www.qpmgmt.com • Spacious 2-bedroom plans with washer/dryer in each apt. • Covenant Village shuttle bus for shopping and local trips • Fitness room, billiard room, game/crafts room, movie theatre • On-site beauty salon, garden plots It’s all about our residents, says Kathy the Property Manager. The staff ensures that the residents always have interesting and exciting activities going on. Some of the fun includes movie nights, new resident meet and greet, holiday parties, fashion shows, and community dinners. Attendance at the wine and cheese and ice cream socials is close to 100%. Covenant Village was recently awarded a trophy by the Property Management Association for being Maryland’s Best Affordable Community in their category! Please call today to make an appointment for a tour.

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

Helping your child buy a home? Some tips By Alex Veiga Rising prices and a dearth of homes for sale in many markets have made it harder for many looking to buy their first home. One of the biggest obstacles many are facing is saving up for a down payment, particularly in hotter markets where competition for the more affordable homes can quickly drive up prices and put pressure on buyers to bring more cash up front.

That trend is prompting many parents to step in, some opening their wallets, others welcoming their adult children to live with them again temporarily while they save money or pay down debt. Some 13 percent of parents with children between the ages of 20 and 38 helped their child buy a home in the last five years, according to a survey conducted by GfK Custom Research North America for PHOTO COURTESY OF NATIONAL LUTHERAN COMMUNITIES.

National Lutheran Homes is celebrating 125 years since the founding of their first home. Their flagship community, Village at Rockville, recently celebrated the event with a ceremony and ribbon cutting. See the Housing Note on page B-14.

lender loanDepot. Of those, 65 percent contributed the down payment and 24 percent assisted with closing costs. The survey included responses from 1,000 parents and has a margin of error of 3 percent. Whether it’s a cash gift or another form of aid, it pays for parents to consider how to best aid their children without placing their own financial well-being at risk. Here are some factors parents should weigh when helping their children buy a home:

Assess your finances Parents may be tempted to pitch in financially to help get their children into their first home, but they shouldn’t do so before going over their own finances and ensuring they can they can afford to live without the funds. This is particularly important if the parents are close to retirement, when they will have to live on their assets, savings and investments. “Do not in any case put your retirement security at risk just to get your child into a home,” said Elizabeth Grahsl, a private banker at Prosperity Bank in Dallas. “He or she will have plenty of chances to own real estate, but you probably don’t have time to catch up if your retirement is derailed.”

An accountant or financial adviser can help figure out whether you can afford to make a sizeable contribution to your children’s homeownership fund. Another option is to use an online retirement calculator to estimate the impact that any big withdrawals would have on your retirement savings. Try this one from Bankrate: http:// www.bankrate.com/calculators/retirement/ retirement-plan-calculator.aspx

Go with cash If you decide to kick in some money toward your child’s down payment or other costs, it’s best to go with discretionary cash, say, from a savings account. That’s because it’s likely not earning much in the way of interest, so you’re not losing much in potential gains on the money. If you’re under 59 1/2, avoid withdrawing funds from individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Generally, the IRS will tack on a 10 percent tax for anyone who withdraws funds from their IRA if they’re under 59 1/2 years old. But there are exceptions, including one allowing parents to withdraw up to $10,000 toward their child’s first home purchase. Even so, you’ll have to pay taxes on that $10,000 at your normal income-tax rate. So if See HELPING CHILDREN, page B-19

New Assisted Living Memory Support

Now Accepting Reservations!

The Village at Rockville— the area’s greatest value in Continuing Care Retirement You probably didn’t realize that The Village at Rockville included a friendly neighborhood of one- and two-bedroom cottage homes within a beautiful 30-acre enclave. You get all the benefits of home ownership without the burden of upkeep and maintenance—we take care of all of that for you, inside and out. An additional benefit: You have access to our highly-rated continuum of care, including memory support Assisted Living suites (NOW OPEN!), Long Term Care, as well as myPotential Rehabilitation in newly-renovated private rooms.

Upcoming Event Fall Festival & Community Tours Saturday, November 14, 2015 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tour Times: 11 a.m., 12 noon, & 1 p.m. To RSVP, visit our website or call.

Would you like to learn about The Village at Rockville? Call 301-354-8486 to schedule your personal tour of our community. 9701 Veirs Drive | Rockville, MD 20850 | 301-354-8486 | www.thevillageatrockville.org Celebrating 125 years of service, The Village at Rockville is sponsored by National Lutheran Communities & Services, a faith-based, not-for-profit ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving people of all beliefs.

301-354-8486 www.thevillageatrockville.org

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

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

Homecare From page B-17 censed or meet regulatory requirements. Some staffing and private-duty agencies assign nurses to assess their clients’ needs to ensure that personnel are properly assigned and provide ongoing supervision. These agencies recruit their own personnel. Again, responsibility for patient care rests with each agency.

Registries Registries serve as employment agencies for homecare nurses and aides by matching these providers with customers and collecting finder’s fees. These organizations usually are not licensed or regulated by government. Registries are not required to screen or background-check the caregivers they refer customers to, but some do undertake these tasks routinely. In addition, although not legally required to, some registries offer procedures for patients to file complaints. Customers select and supervise the work of a registry-referred provider. They also pay the provider directly and must

Helping children From page B-18 your child needs $10,000, you’ll end up paying more to cover the portion lost to taxes.

A loan or a gift? Some parents may decide they can’t afford to give their children a large sum of money, instead preferring to do it as a loan. But that can have an impact on the borrower’s ability to qualify for a mortgage. Mortgage lenders generally allow borrowers to use funds received as a gift from a relative to cover their down payment, closing costs or to add to their savings. But if the money is being borrowed, the homebuyer is required to disclose that loan to the bank, which could alter their evaluation of the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio. That’s a calculus banks use to help determine the borrower’s ability to pay back a mortgage. If the funds are given as a gift, they don’t count as debts that have to be repaid. Parents can help give their children a financial leg up on their home purchase, but there are other ways to do so beyond just giving them cash.

comply with all applicable state and federal labor, health and safety laws and regulations, including payroll tax and Social Security withholding requirements.

Independent providers Independent providers are nurses, therapists, aides, homemakers and chore workers, and companions who are privately employed by individuals who need such services. Aides, homemakers, chore workers and companions are not required to be licensed or to meet government standards except in cases where they receive state funding. In this arrangement, the responsibility for recruiting, hiring and supervising the provider rests with the client. Finding back-up care in the event that the provider fails to report to work or fulfill job requirements is the client’s responsibility. Clients also pay the provider directly and must comply with all applicable state and federal labor, health and safety requirements. Excerpted from the website of the National Association for Homecare and Hospice. For more information, see www.nahc.org or call (202) 547-7424. Local charities sometimes offer firsttime buyers incentives to save by offering matching contributions. That’s also a good approach for parents to take, say, by offering to match their children’s savings toward a down payment. Another option is to make sure their children are exploring down-payment assistance programs run by state and local housing authorities. These programs can be found in all states, and provide an average down-payment assistance of $11,565, according to an analysis of 2,290 such programs by real estate data firm RealtyTrac. Most of the programs essentially lend the borrowers the money for the down payment, collecting on the loan when the home is sold, said Rob Chrane, CEO and founder of Down Payment Resource, which tracks the programs. “There may be some programs that are targeted to certain census tracts or certain neighborhoods, but basically there is something out there for everybody who qualifies,” he said. Search down payment assistance programs in your area: http:// downpaymentresource.com/are-you-eligible. — AP

BEACON BITS CHRYSANTHEMUM EXPO The National Chrysanthemum Society presents a free convention and expo to showcase the nation’s best mum growers at the Hyatt at Fair Lakes on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Events include a national competition and a floral design competition. Exhibits include horticulture from 13 different mum shapes, chrysanthemum bonsai and more. The Hyatt is at 12777 Fair Lakes Circle, Fairfax, Va. For more info, visit www.mums.org.

Oct. 24

Oct. 10

TAKOMA PARK DAY

Takoma Park presents its 2nd Annual Lifelong Takoma Day Event on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring workshops, health and wellness screenings, presenters, community conversation, fitness class demos, giveaways, healthy snacks and more. This intergenerational event will take place at the Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave. For more info, visit www.takomaparkmd.gov/lifelongtakoma or call (301) 891-7232.

B-19

ASSISTED LIVING/MEMORY CARE

Tall Oaks Assisted Living 703-834-9800 12052 N. Shore Drive Reston, VA 20190 TallOaksAL.com

Tall Oaks Assisted Living has proudly served Reston and the Metropolitan DC area since 1991 by providing quality Assisted Living and Memory Care to seniors. From superb and delicious dining to engaging activity programming and 24-hour licensed nursing care, our goal is to exceed expectations in every aspect of community life. The friendliness of our leadership team gives families peace of mind knowing that their loved one’s care is in experienced hands. Call Today to schedule your personal tour and see for yourself why Tall Oaks has been Rising Above the Ordinary since 1991. INDEPENDENT/PERSONAL CARE/ASSISTED LIVING

Seabury at SPRINGVALE TERRACE 301-587-0190 8505 Springvale Road Silver Spring, MD 20910 www.springvaleterrace.com The team at Springvale Terrace is excited to debut a new look and feel, thanks to a recently completed $5.4 million renovation project. Located in the heart of Silver Spring, Springvale Terrace blends affordability with convenience, style and quality care. Independent apartments are available and enhanced senior living is complemented with personal care services including three meals a day, housekeeping, laundry, and medication administration. And, if additional care is needed, Springvale Terrace also has beautiful assisted living apartments. This range of services—combined with low monthly rates—provides just the right amount of assistance to meet your needs while allowing you to live in an apartment you’ll love. Call today to learn more and schedule your personal tour.

ASSISTED LIVING/MEMORY CARE

Olney Assisted Living Memory Care by Design

301-570-0525 16940 Georgia Avenue Olney, MD 20832 www.olneymemorycare.com A memory care specific community, Olney Assisted Living offers compassionate care in an environment designed specifically for those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Each building trait and feature has been selected to foster independence and freedom. This includes cozy interior “neighborhoods,” a central Town Center featuring a beauty/barber shop, and individual memory display cases outside of each resident’s room to help with recognition. Daily life enrichment programming is provided with the goal of enhancing cognition, feelings of accomplishment, and quality of life. Licensed, on-site nursing care is provided 24 hours a day by a team of experienced professionals. Families seeking memory care will feel right at home in this brand new community, which is filling quickly. For more information, call 301-570-0525 today.

Housing Options

ASSISTED LIVING OPEN HOUSE

B-20

SPECIAL SECTION. PULL-OUT & KEEP

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

simply

DIFFERENT

because what surrounds you really matters.

Thursday, October 8, 2015 10 A.M. – 12 noon The meadows assisted living • 1635 hickory knoll road • Sandy Spring, MD 20860

For more than 65 years, Brooke Grove Retirement Village has built a history of excellence in Montgomery County. Explore our residential-style homes, gardens and secure walking paths. Discover our innovative approach and programs including those designed to stimulate memory. Meet our staff, trained in assisting those with Alzheimer’s and memory loss. Enjoy our 220-acre campus and our live-in pets.

Please RSVP to Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org.

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 301-260-2320 or 301-924-2811 www.bgf.org

Independent living assisted living rehabilitation memory support long-term care

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

D.C. OFFICE

AGING NEWSLETTER

Spotlight On Aging, continued Continued from page 30, preceding the Housing Options Magazine at the left.

Falls Prevention Awareness Day The D.C. Office on Aging (DCOA), in conjunction with the Falls Free Coalition, hosted the Third Annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day at the District’s six senior wellness centers, a senior program, and three senior residential buildings across the city. According to the National Council on Aging, every 13 seconds, an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a falls-related injury. A disastrous fall in June, that led to ER visits and many doctor’s appointments, prompted a local resident in her seventies to brave the “gummed up” traffic situation caused by the Papal Visit to attend the event in Foggy Bottom. She shares her experience here. “I first saw a physical therapist who gave me two tests one a TUG assessment to see if I could get up five times in a row without grasping the arms of the chair in which I sat. Then I was charged with walking three meters and back in under 15 seconds, the same time as for the TUG test. I did both in under 15,” said Valentine P. According to the TUG Test, if her score was more than 15 seconds, that would represent a fall risk. Slower walking and rising could indicate that an individual is not picking up their feet enough or lacks the strength to get up without falling. TUG stands for STand Up and Go! Participants had their blood pressure taken by a nurse and were asked about the types of medications they may have been taking. “I discovered that most of those that might put one at risk for a fall are ironically pain and blood pressure medications, although an extensive list is provided,” added Valentine P. “I had a short information session with Michelle Early, the Care Coordinator of Right at Home, an agency on 1818 New York Avenue NE dedicated to keeping DC residents safely in their homes. She informed me right up front, as I suppose she has to do, that, ‘I’m not certified in anything,’ akin to that old disclaimer, ‘I’m just a secretary.’ (www.RigthAtHomeDC.net - and this is from someone who never thought until recently that she would be referring anyone to websites in a million years!) But Michelle is very well informed, and also distributes a great variety of literature, including a home diagram with pitfalls — clutter, inaccessible telephone, rolled up rug, etc. (sounds like my home to me), yet the genius who designed this illustrates safe conditions on the other side. Equally valuable is a sheet with diagrams on how to get UP from a fall despite one’s best efforts not to suffer one in the first place, as well as a referral list of optometrists. (Think about it!) “So all in all a morning well spent, and I even got a glimpse of The Holy Father on the way down, so I like to think that I am protected on various fronts. By the way, the fall I took earlier could NOT have been prevented even with any of the above advice, however valuable. I fell into an unmarked, uncordoned-off hole. Next time, they (the property owners) should be invited to this most helpful, memorable

Evangeline Paredes, 99 years old, has her blood pressure checked as part of the screening at the Falls Prevention Awareness Day at Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center. The independent senior passed her TUG test with flying colors as well!

and perhaps life-saving program,” concluded Valentine P. The Falls Prevention Day 2015 participating agencies include the Falls Free Coalition, Legal Counsel for the Elderly, National Council on Aging, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Howard University, George Washington University, George Washington University Hospital, Transitions Healthcare, Right at Home, So Others Might Eat, Community Preservation and Development Corporation, Capitol City Pharmacy MRC, Agewell Biometrics, George Washington University, Iona, local optometrists, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Sibley Hospital, and American Optometric Association. DC’s Falls Prevention Awareness Day included falls prevention education/awareness, speakers on home safe-

ty, TUG and strength tests by PTs and OTs, medication reviews by pharmacists, vision testing by optometrists and an ophthalmologist, and an overall review of risk factors. Participating agencies for the event were Falls Free Coalition, Legal Counsel for the Elderly, National Council on Aging, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Howard University, George Washington University, George Washington University Hospital, Transitions Healthcare, Right at Home, So Others Might Eat, Community Preservation and Development Corporation, Capitol City Pharmacy MRC, Agewell Biometrics, George Washington University, Iona, local optometrists, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Sibley Hospital, and American Optometric Association.

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

D.C. OFFICE

AGING NEWSLETTER

Community Calendar October 5th • 11 a.m. and 6th • 1 p.m. Melanie Laughinghouse will present “Get2Breast Care Phase 2,” a breast cancer education seminar. On Oct. 5, it will be at Delta Towers Apartments Nutrition Center, 1400 Florida Ave. NE, and on Oct. 6, the presentation will be at Edgewood Apartments Nutrition Center, 635 Edgewood St. NE. For more information, call 202-529-8701.

5th • noon to 2 p.m. The Hayes Senior Wellness Center will hold a flu shot clinic at the center, 500 K St. NE. For more information, call Sherrell Briscoe at 202-727-0357.

13th • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center will host a Community Health, Wellness & Informational Fair, plus a flu clinic. The center is located at 3500 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. SE. To learn more, call William Richie at 202-563-7225.

13th • 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. MedStar Washington Hospital Center’s Eye Center will present a program titled “Understanding Eye Pain.” To register and reserve a light lunch, leave a message for Michelle Duncan at 202-877-6159. Ask about parking. The talk will be at 110 Irving St., Suite 1A-19.

13th, 27th • noon 7th • 11 a.m. to noon Monica Veney, a community outreach specialist with the U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Columbia, will present a seminar titled “Know Your Rights.” It will take place in the dining room of Petersburg (Fort Lincoln 3), 3298 Fort Lincoln Dr. NE. For more information, call 202-529-8701.

10th • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attend a Community Health, Wellness & Informational Fair at Zion Hill Baptist Church, 841 Shepherd St. NW. There will be a free clothing giveaway for the entire family. For more information, call 202-535-1321.

The D.C. Caregivers Online Chat at Noon is a great resource for caregivers. Log on for advice, resources and tips to assist you with your caregiving responsibilities. If you are not available at noon, check back at your convenience and hit replay to see the entire chat. Join the discussion at www.dcoa.dc.gov/page/caregiverchat. For more information, contact Linda Irizarry at 202-535-1442 or linda.irizarry@dc.gov.

15th • 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The D.C. Office on Aging (DCOA) Ambassador Program is a FREE, interactive, member-based program designed to reach out to older adults

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.

500 K St., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 202-724-5622 • www.dcoa.dc.gov Interim Director Brenda Donald Editor Darlene Nowlin Photographer Selma Dillard The D.C. Office on Aging does not discriminate against anyone based on actu-

al 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.

and their caregivers to help them learn about the services and resources available to them through DCOA. If you are interested in expanding your network and educating older adults about the services and resources available to them, join the next Ambassador Training Workshop. All workshops include an overview of Office on Aging programs and services, information on how to access resources, and guidance on your role as an advocate. Call 202-724-5622 to register today.

15th • 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Verizon and Model Cities Senior Wellness Center present a free Senior Technology Demonstration Fair. This event brings together community and government leaders, service providers, seniors, area residents and others for a day of helpful information, giveaways, food and fun. To RSVP or for more information, contact Stacie Thweatt at sthweatt@provhosp.org or 202-635-1900.

17th • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 4th Annual Hillcrest Day will feature line dancing, pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts, a basketball tournament and more. It will take place at the Hillcrest Recreation Center, 3100 Denver St. SE. For more information, call 202-535-1321.

18th • noon to 4 p.m. The 13th annual Foggy Bottom/West

End Neighborhood Block Party will take place at 22nd and I Streets NW. For more information, call 202-535-1321.

19th • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vida Senior Center will host a flu clinic. The center is located at 1842 Calver t St. NW. Contact Miguel Guerrero 202-483-1508 for information.

19th • 11:30 a.m. Medstar Washington Hospital Center will give a talk called “Understanding Cancer” in the dining room at Gettysburg (Fort Lincoln 1), 2855 Bladensburg Rd. NE. For more information, call 202-5298701.

20th • 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Verizon and Washington Seniors Wellness Center present a free Senior Technology Demonstration Fair. This event brings together community and government leaders, service providers, seniors, area residents and others for a day of helpful information, giveaways, food and fun. To RSVP or for more information, contact Tamika Tyree at ttyree@erfsc.org or 202-581-9355.

21st • 10:30 a.m. to noon There will be a Ward 5 Mini-Commission on Aging meeting at 2900 Newton St. NE. For more information, call 202-529-8701.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Breast cancer is the secondmost commonly diagnosed cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. The good news is that many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. Talk to a doctor about your risk for breast cancer, especially if a close family member of yours has had breast or ovarian cancer. Your doctor can help you decide when and how often to get mammograms. Project WISH recommends women 40 and over have a yearly mammogram — unless otherwise recommended by a practitioner. Take time to care for you.

Project WISH Project WISH (Women Into Staying Healthy) is a District breast and cervical cancer screening program for women in the D.C. metropolitan area. Free breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic follow-up services are offered to eligible women 21 to 64 years of age who have limited health insurance, no health insurance, or only Medicare Part A. Project WISH also provides patient navigation, transportation assistance, and cancer education to all women enrolled in the program. Call Project WISH to find out if you are eligible at 202-442-5900.

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

MERCK’S MERITS Shares of Merck & Co. offer both dividends and the potential for growth CLAIMING WHAT’S YOURS Don’t pay to find out if you have unclaimed tax refunds and other money DUMP EMERGING MARKET FUNDS? Some of the losses have been steep, but there are reasons to hold FREEBIES FOR FIDO How to find free recreation, treats, health info and more for your dog

Consider some less-volatile mutual funds By Nellie S. Huang It’s one of the golden rules of investing: Make a plan and stick with it. But when share prices head south (the risk of which increases as the bull market continues to age), many investors panic and chuck their stocks at precisely the wrong time, when prices are down. One excellent defense against such boneheaded behavior: Cushion your portfolio against shocks with funds that keep you on track but offer a steadier ride. We have nine funds that can help you do just that. Balanced funds One of the easiest ways to cut risk is to trim your portfolio’s allocation to stocks. Most investors should have been doing that in recent years when they rebalanced their portfolios. In most years, that meant selling stocks, which performed well, and moving the proceeds into bonds, which did okay but not as well as stocks. But rebalancing isn’t always as simple as it seems to be. “Not only does it take time, but it also takes strong conviction to sell stocks when prices are rising, as they are today,” said Fran Kinniry, a principal in Vanguard’s Investment Strategy Group. That’s one reason he likes balanced funds, which typically hold 60 to 70 percent of their assets in stocks and the rest in bonds, and do the rebalancing for you. Vanguard Balanced Index 1-Year Return: 9.7% 3-Year Return: 10.9% 5-Year Return: 10.4% Expense Ratio: 0.23% Vanguard Balanced Index (symbol VBINX) has a consistent record of aboveaverage returns with below-average volatility. The fund keeps its mix steady: 60 percent in stocks and 40 percent in bonds. It does not invest in other Vanguard index funds. Rather, it directly holds stocks (3,354 at last report) and bonds (6,012) in an attempt to capture the performance of indexes that track the entire U.S. stock and bond markets. Over the past five years, the fund has been 14 percent less volatile than the typical balanced fund and 40 percent less jittery than Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index. Fidelity Balanced 1-Year Return: 11.4% 3-Year Return: 12.4% 5-Year Return: 11.1%

Expense Ratio: 0.56% Fidelity Balanced (FBALX), which is actively managed, has been slightly more volatile than Vanguard Balanced and has delivered slightly greater gains. Not surprisingly, the Fidelity fund holds more in stocks — nearly 70 percent of assets at last report. Robert Stansky, who leads the stock side of the portfolio, favors big companies but recently had nearly one-fourth of the fund’s stock assets in midsize firms. At last word, Balanced devoted 92 percent of its bond assets to high-grade debt, compared with 81 percent for the typical balanced fund. Limiting ups and downs What if you could own stocks but suffer fewer of the market’s bumps? That’s the idea behind low-volatility exchange-traded funds, which typically home in on the steadiest stocks within a particular index. PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility 1-Year Return: 10.9% 3-Year Return: 14.4% Expense Ratio: 0.25% Since PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility (SPLV) launched in May 2011, the ETF has been 24 percent less volatile than the S&P 500 itself. But its 14 percent annualized return since inception is just an average of 0.5 percentage point per year shy of the gain of the S&P 500. The ETF tracks an index containing the S&P 500’s 100 least-volatile stocks over the previous 12 months. Stocks with the lowest volatility get the heaviest weighting in the index, which is revised once a quarter. A low-volatility strategy has worked even better overseas in recent years. For example, iShares MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (EFAV) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility (EEMV) track subsets of indexes for developed foreign markets and emerging markets, respectively. Over the past three years, each fund has been 21 percent less volatile than the affiliated conventional index, but each has beaten its benchmark. The EAFE low-volatility fund edged the MSCI EAFE index by an average of 0.3 percentage point a year, and the emerging-markets ETF beat the MSCI Emerging Markets index by 2 points per year. iShares MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (developed foreign markets) 1-Year Return: 9.5% 3-Year Return: 12.0%

Expense Ratio: 0.20% iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility 1-Year Return: 9.9% 3-Year Return: 5.3% Expense Ratio: 0.25% Alternatives funds If you expect turbulent markets, you want “to own things that will not look or act or feel like stuff you already own,” said Katherine Nixon, Northern Trust’s chief investment officer for wealth management. That’s where funds that use alternative strategies (merger arbitrage, for example) or invest in alternative asset classes (currencies and commodities) come in. Funds that hold many kinds of assets — foreign and U.S. stocks and bonds, currencies, commodities and real estate investment trusts — work well in volatile markets, said Kristina Hooper, a U.S. investment strategist for Allianz Global Investors, because their managers can shift in and out of groups depending on what looks most attractive. But many of these funds are pricey. The typical multi-alternative fund charges 1.69 percent in annual expenses. William Blair Macro Allocation 1-Year Return: 7.0% 3-Year Return: 9.6% Expense Ratio: 1.35% William Blair Macro Allocation (WMCNX) is a better deal than most. The fund, which can invest in different kinds of assets all over the globe, charges 1.35% a year. The managers, Thomas Clarke and Brian Singer, start with a big-picture assessment of the world; themes might include currency trends and political events, and the way they will affect different asset classes. Then Clarke and Singer use ETFs to bet on or against a particular market or investment category. Over the past three years, the fund earned 9.6 percent annualized, which is modest compared with the S&P 500’s return of nearly 17 percent a year. But the fund has been 23 percent less volatile over the period and ranked in the top 4 percent of multi-alternative funds. Merger Fund 1-Year Return: 1.9% 3-Year Return: 2.9% 5-Year Return: 2.8% Expense Ratio: 1.23% Merger Fund (MERFX) won’t deliver the returns of the William Blair fund, but

neither will you experience anything close to typical stock market volatility. In 2008, when the S&P 500 lost 37 percent, Merger lost just 2.3 percent. The fund, a member of the Kiplinger 25, invests in stocks of takeover targets after a deal has been announced. The goal is to capture the final bit of appreciation between the post-announcement price and the price at which the deal is consummated. In truth, Merger’s results have been underwhelming of late. Over the past five years, it returned 2.8 percent annualized. But it did so with 80 percent less volatility than the S&P 500. IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF 1-Year Return: 6.1% 3-Year Return: 4.3% 5-Year Return: 2.4% Expense Ratio: 0.76% If you prefer an indexed approach to deal investing, consider IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF (MNA). It tracks an index that currently holds 41 stocks targeted in mergers and buyouts. Over the past five years, it has experienced about 60 percent less volatility than the S&P 500. And with an annual expense ratio of 0.76 percent, it’s about a half-percentage point cheaper than Merger Fund. Over the past five years, IQ trailed Merger Fund slightly, but its 6.1 percent return over the past year tops Merger’s gain by 4.2 percentage points.

IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF 1-Year Return: 3.9% 3-Year Return: 4.1% 5-Year Return: 3.4% Expense Ratio: 0.91% Have you had a hankering to invest in hedge funds but been turned off by exorbitant fees and the occasional blowup? The next best thing may be IQ Hedge MultiStrategy Tracker ETF (QAI), which seeks to track popular hedge-fund strategies by buying and selling short other ETFs. The 0.91 percent expense ratio is high for an ETF, but it’s a lot less than the typical hedge-fund charge of 2 percent of assets annually and 20 percent of the profits. Over the past five years, IQ gained 3.4 percent annualized, but it did so with only 60 percent of the S&P 500’s volatility. © 2015 Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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

Merck: a great dividend stock for retirees By Daren Fonda Dividends are the lifeblood of Big Pharma stocks. The payouts ensure a steady income stream even when a company’s shares stagnate. But a healthy dividend isn’t the only reason to consider the shares of Merck & Co. (symbol MRK). Not only does the drug maker’s stock deliver a 3.3 percent yield, it also has potential for gains. With more than $39 billion in annual sales, Merck makes money from more than 50 pre-

scription medicines. Top sellers include Januvia, a blockbuster diabetes drug, as well as drugs to treat cancer, high cholesterol and other ailments. Vaccines and animal health products round out Merck’s lineup. Sales have dipped from a peak of $48 billion in 2011, partly because Merck sold its consumer-products business in 2014. Analysts expect profits per share to inch up by just 3.5 percent over the next 12 months (compared with earnings in the 12-month period that ended June 30). The stock has

lagged far behind such rivals as Pfizer (PFE) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY), trailing each by more than 20 percentage points over the past year. But Merck could be on the cusp of breaking out of its rut. The Kenilworth, N.J., company recently spent $8.4 billion to acquire Cubist Pharmaceuticals, a leading maker of antibiotics, including drugs to treat “superbugs” that can cause pandemics. Merck said Cubist will add more than $1 billion to revenue in 2015 and bolster earnings per share in 2016. But more compelling from a profit perspective is Merck’s pipeline of new products, including several with potential for more than $1 billion in annual sales.

Merck’s next blockbusters? Leading the way is Merck’s cancer drug Keytruda, part of a new class of “immunooncology” medicines that harness the body’s defenses to shrink tumors. Already approved to treat melanoma, a form of skin cancer, Keytruda has shown effectiveness in treating some types of advanced lung cancer — a potentially much larger market. The Food and Drug Administration is slated to rule on Merck’s application for Keytruda to treat non-small-cell lung cancer in early October. Assuming Merck gets the green light and receives FDA ap-

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provals for other uses — two big ifs — Keytruda sales could reach $9 billion by 2023, estimates Bank of Montreal Capital Markets analyst Alex Arfaei. Other potential hits include a new drug for hepatitis C; a weekly diabetes drug (potentially expanding Merck’s share of the diabetes-treatment market); and an anesthesia drug that has already been approved in Australia, Europe and Japan, and is under review by the FDA. All told, Merck is “on the verge of five to six years of strong growth,” said Arfaei, who recently upgraded the stock from a rating of “neutral” to “outperform” and raised his 12-month price target to $70 per share — more than 40 percent above Merck’s closing price on Sept. 25 of $49.62. Merck still faces tough competition. Keytruda and other drugs vie for sales against rivals, and pressure from insurance companies could force Merck to lower prices, reducing profitability. Moreover, although future products look exciting, some may never reach the market. And there’s always the chance that doctors will favor treatments made by other companies. Yet investors aren’t paying a steep price for Merck’s future profit potential. The See MERCK, page 35

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

Don’t pay to recover unclaimed property You may be contacted by a company in- complex. There is no statute of limitations forming you that you have unclaimed for claiming assets held by a state. If you have been the beneproperty held by state authorificiary of an estate, access ties. The company may tell the database of the state of you the property is available to the decedent and enter the you for a fee, such as 10 pername of the individual who cent or more of the value. bequeathed you assets. The But there is no reason to executor of the state may not pay a fee to any entity without have been aware of all the assearching on your own first, sets of the decedent, and which you can do easily and at some assets may have been no cost. turned over to the state. According to the National For example, a relative of Association of Unclaimed Prop- THE SAVINGS erty Administration (NAUPA), GAME mine died, and members of assets worth more than $35 bil- By Elliot Raphaelson my family, including me, lion are held by various states were beneficiaries. Probate and can be claimed by rightful owners. was filed, but it turned out that my relative These assets are typically derived from owned a certificate of deposit without namsources such as savings and checking ac- ing a beneficiary. The executor was not counts, common stocks, uncashed divi- aware of that asset, and accordingly did dends, refunds, payroll checks, trust distri- not distribute the proceeds of that CD to butions, travelers’ checks, uncashed the beneficiaries named in the will. money orders, life-insurance proceeds, anSubsequently, the asset was turned over nuities, security deposits, certificates of to the state of Florida. A few years after the deposit or safe deposit proceeds. estate was settled, I accessed Florida’s database, entered the name of my relative, Free online databases and determined that there was property State laws require that, under specific turned over to Florida (the value of the circumstances, financial institutions and CDs). other organizations turn over unclaimed My relatives and I turned over the reassets to the state. For example, if you quired information to the state — namely, have a savings account that has become a copy of the will — plus the names and addormant (as defined by state law), the fi- dresses of all the beneficiaries, with signanancial institution must turn the asset over tures. Within 30 days we received the proto the state after a public notice is issued. ceeds, which exceeded $3,000. Every state maintains a free access database that identifies the owner of the asset. If Find lost savings bonds If you believe that you may have lost you go to the NAUPA website (www.unclaimed.org), you can access the database. track of savings bonds you own, visit the Another free website is missingmoney.com Department of Treasury website Treawhich contains information for multiple suryDirect.gov and use the feature “Treasury Hunt.” It will inform you whether you states. I recommend that you use different are the owner of a savings bond that has spellings of your and your relatives’ stopped earning interest but has not been names, in case of record-keeping errors. cashed. You will have to provide proof that the asThe site provides information regarding sets belong to you, but the process is not Series E and Series EE bonds issued in

Merck From page 34 shares trade at 14 times estimated earnings of $3.60 per share over the next 12 months. That’s roughly in line with the price-earnings ratios of Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). But investors may be underestimating the value of Merck’s pipeline of new prod-

ucts, said Morningstar analyst Damien Connover. Even if the stock doesn’t bounce over the near term, investors can collect that healthy dividend yield as they wait for all those drugs to reach pharmacy shelves. Copyright 2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors All contents copyright 2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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Oct. 19

1974 or later. You only have to enter your Social Security number. If you aren’t sure who the registered owner of the bonds is, enter the Social Security numbers of all members of your family. There is no advantage in holding onto savings bonds that are no longer earning interest. If you had bonds that were lost or

stolen, you can submit Form PDF 1048, available from the TreasuryDirect website. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. © 2015 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Housing Counseling Services, Inc. offers a Veterans Resource Workshop on Monday, Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. There will be information on how to search for affordable housing, understanding what landlords are looking for, budgeting, credit repair, and tenant rights and responsibilities. Housing Counseling Services, Inc. is at 2410 17th St. NW, Suite 100, Washington, D.C. For more info or to reserve a seat, email info@housingetc.org or call (202) 667-7006.

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Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

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

Contrarian advice on emerging markets By Bernard Condon and Matthew Craft If you think investors in U.S. stocks have had it rough, consider the hapless folks who followed Wall Street’s advice to buy emerging-market stocks. The MSCI Emerging Markets index has lost 25 percent over the past year, while the most widely held U.S. fund, the Vanguard Total Stock Market index, is down less than 1 percent. After the financial crisis, plowing money into emerging markets seemed like a sure bet. China was gobbling up raw materials from Brazil, Indonesia and Russia, and their stock markets were soaring. Wall Street cranked up its marketing machine, creating 246 funds to ride the boom. “Whatever is hot, Wall Street will race

out with new products to catch the investor’s eye,” said Larry Swedroe, head of research at Buckingham Asset Management. The blitz worked. In the five years through 2013, investors poured $104 billion into emerging-market stock funds. The amount of money in these funds more than quadrupled. Now, in classic fashion, investors are reversing course: They’ve yanked $40 billion from emerging-market stocks this year, a record pace of withdrawals, as a slowdown in China has hammered companies that supply raw materials. But the selling has also created real value, some savvy investors say. It costs half as much to buy a dollar of earnings from emerging-market companies now as

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it does to buy a dollar of earnings from U.S. companies. The zigzagging fortunes of emerging markets reveal the pitfalls of chasing the hot new thing, and how the best time to buy may be precisely when everyone else is selling.

Emerging market funds Betting on emerging markets has never been for the faint of heart. Values soar as money floods in from investors hoping to profit from rapid economic growth. Along comes a crisis, currencies collapse and inflation spikes. Values plummet and money rushes out. Why they’re falling now: Fear that Chinese demand for Brazilian steel, Indonesian coal, Chilean copper and other goods could slow further. Sliding currencies in these countries squeeze companies trying to pay back loans taken out in dollars. Memories of the 1997 Asian financial crisis aren’t helping. Back then, investors fled Thailand, Indonesia and other Asian tigers, and the fallout threatened to spark a global recession. Why investors may be wrong: Companies in developing countries have taken out more loans in their own currencies, so they’re better prepared when their currencies fall against the dollar. Manufacturers in South Korea and Taiwan import a lot of raw materials, so they benefit from falling commodity prices. And many big Indian companies rely on local customers, providing banking services and consumer goods to the country’s swelling middle class. The value case: It will cost you $13.23 to buy a dollar of their average annual earnings over the past decade, less than the $14 it cost during the panic selling of

the 2008 financial crisis, according to Chris Brightman, chief investment officer at Research Affiliates. Before that crisis, investors paid $35 for a dollar of earnings, nearly triple the price now. The problem is, prices could get cheaper still. Brightman warns that investors tend to overshoot during busts, just as they do during booms, because they think “what is happening currently will go on forever.”

Commodity funds The drops are stunning. Oil falling by more than half in the past year, iron ore plunging by a third, coal and copper off by more than a quarter. Even prices for wheat and corn — people can’t stop eating, can they? — have fallen by more than half in two years. Pimco’s largest raw materials fund, the Commodity Real Return Strategy fund, has lost a third of its value over the past year. That’s after a rocky ten years, during which the fund rocketed as high as 30 percent and plunged as much as 60 percent. Why they’re falling now: Too many companies pulled too much out of the ground before the financial crisis. China’s massive stimulus program fueled even more drilling and digging. With the big investments already made, companies figure they might as well keep pumping oil and extracting ore. Investors speculate that supply may overwhelm demand for a long time yet. Why investors may be wrong: Small drillers and miners are starting to go out of business as prices fall below their cost of production. That should ultimately squeeze supply, and lead to prices stabilizing. See EMERGING MARKETS, page 39

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

Lucky dogs get free grooming, treats, more By Robert Long The cost of caring for Fido is so doggone expensive these days: The ASPCA says the minimum annual budget to care for a small dog is $1,314. Bigger dogs cost more, and unexpected veterinary care — plus boarding and dog-walking fees if you’re away from home for long stretches of time — can hike those costs considerably. So dog owners should take advantage of every freebie they can. We’ve rounded up eight free goods and services for your dog — no purchase necessary. My beagle Bailey and I have taken advantage of nearly every one of these freebies. Take a look.

Public pools and happy hours This once-a-year freebie comes up at

the end of summer, so keep it in mind for next year. Public swimming pools across the country generally close to humans around Labor Day weekend. But many municipalities, before cleaning and shutting down their outdoor pools for the season, allow dogs in to splash and practice their doggie paddling on one special day. Pools in Alexandria, Va., and Montgomery County, Md., among others, offer the swim locally. In many big cities, Rover and his canine pals can enjoy free treats and water — as their humans consume discounted food and drinks — during happy hour at a variety of popular establishments. Some restaurants even have entire menus for dogs or give away branded water bowls. Try Jackson 20 in Alexandria, Catina

BEACON BITS

Oct. 17

Marinia in SW Washington, D.C. and Helix Lounge in NW Washington.

Free health resources, grooming You can better understand Sparky’s routine health care needs, and learn how to spot symptoms of distress, at no cost via trusted pet-care Web sites. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends WebMd’s Pet Health Community, which includes an A to Z di-

rectory of conditions and symptoms afflicting dogs, plus discussion boards where licensed vets respond to users’ queries. Also bookmark the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center for proactive and reactive guidance on toxins Sparky might ingest. But in an emergency, don’t waste time trying to diagnose Sparky’s ills yourself, See DOG TREATS, page 38

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

the AVMA’s Michael San Filippo. “When you notice signs of illness or that something’s not right — a change in behavior, appetite or appearance, for example — contact your veterinarian.”

From page 37 even with the help of online guides. “You know your pet better than anyone,” said

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Just as beauty schools for humans offer discounted haircuts and other services for customers willing to take a risk with student practitioners, veterinary schools may offer free basic grooming services for your dog — tooth brushing, hair brushing, nail clipping. Donations are generally encouraged. Contact your local shelter, or look up local veterinary schools to ask about upcoming grooming events.

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When you drive away on your next road trip, don’t stick Snoopy in an unfamiliar kennel — at a cost of $50 per night or more. Instead, scout out dog-friendly hotels along your route, and bring your best friend along for the ride. But note: There’s a difference between “dogs allowed” and “dogs stay free.” Some hotels will tack on a fee of $25 to $50 per night, plus perhaps a cleaning fee of as much as $100 at the end of your stay. Others, such as Red Roof Inns and the Kimpton hotels, do not add a fee. (Some Kimpton locations even employ four-legged “directors of pet relations” to greet your dog.)

scribed theater listings. The dial-in service is interactive and permits callers to use their touchtone phones to skip and scan through the news articles much as print readers can. Volunteers are asked to give at least two hours per week. A short audition is required of all applicants. For more info, contact Rene Schecker at (301) 681-6636.

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decal and a fridge magnet with a phone number for pet poison-control specialists. At Petco’s Unleashed stores, take advantage of a free, 30-minute training seminar for adopted dogs and their owners. Learn basic commands, such as “sit” and “down,” as well as how to provide positive reinforcement to correct behaviors common in rescued dogs. For dogs of all kinds, the stores offer other free seminars that focus on specific training topics — such as interacting with kids or excessive barking. Be ready for an up sell for one of Unleashed’s six-week training classes to build on the basic lessons of your free session. Check with your local Unleashed location for dates of upcoming seminars. Novice, well-intentioned dog owners determined to pick up Spot’s every poop might be tempted to plunk down $5 to $10 a month for a package of poop bags from, say, Target or Petco. Hey, they’re biodegradable. Hey, look at the cute design — dog bones all over the bag! Snap out of it — you’re paying $100 a year for plastic. Trust me, you can find enough poop bags for free in your life — perhaps delivered to your doorstep once daily with the morning newspaper, or handed to you every time you bring home take-out. All contents © 2015 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Verizon Washington, D.C. Lifeline Plans: Verizon Washington, D.C.’s Lifeline service, known as “Economy II,” offers reduced rates on Verizon’s monthly telephone bill and one-time discounts on the cost of installing phone service. Additionally, toll blocking is available to Economy II customers at no charge. Economy II Service*: $3.00 per month for unlimited local calling. Value-added services are not included (e.g., Call Waiting, Caller ID). No connection charges apply. Also, customers will not be charged for the federal subscriber line charge. Economy II customers who are 65 years of age or older can have this service at a further reduced rate of $1.00 per month. • Full terms and rates for these services, including terms of eligibility, are as set forth in federal and in Verizon’s tariffs on file with the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia. All rates, terms and conditions included in this notice are subject to change and are current at the time of printing. Contact Washington, DC Lifeline Program at 1-800-253-0846 to apply To learn more about the Lifeline program, visit www.lifelinesupport.org. Economy II is a Lifeline supported service. Lifeline is a government assistance program. Only eligible consumers may enroll. You may qualify for Lifeline service if you can show proof that you participate in certain government assistance programs or your annual income (gross and from all sources) is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. If you qualify based on income, you will be required to provide income verification. Proof of participation in a government assistance program requires your current or prior year’s statement of benefits from a qualifying state or federal program; a notice letter or other official document indicating your participation in such a program; and/or another program participation document (for example, benefit card). Proof of income requires your prior year’s state or federal tax return; current income statement from an employer or paycheck stub; a statement of Social Security, Veterans Administration, retirement, pension, or Unemployment or Workmen’s Compensation benefits; a federal notice letter of participation in General Assistance; a divorce decree; a child support award; and/or another official document containing income information. At least three months of data is necessary when showing proof of income. In addition, the Lifeline program is limited to one discount per household, consisting of either wireline or wireless service. You are required to certify and agree that no other member of the household is receiving Lifeline service from Verizon or another communications provider. Lifeline service is a non-transferable benefit. Lifeline customers may not subscribe to certain other services, including other local telephone service. Consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain the Lifeline benefit can be punished by fine or imprisonment, or can be barred from the program.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

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

Emerging markets From page 36 The value case: The commodity glut is hardly a secret, so prices may already reflect it. Market strategists at Northern Trust wrote in a recent report that prices are looking more compelling, and recommended that investors consider the FlexShares Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources fund, which contains 120 commodity producers. They like the fund’s exposure to food giants such as Bunge and Archers Daniels Midland. It’s not for the timid, though. The fund is in the middle of a three-year losing streak, capped by a 19 percent drop in the last three months. In fact, these investments may need five to 10 years before they become truly attractive, said Rudolph-Riad Younes, a portfolio manager at R Squared Capital Management. Buying now is “a loser’s game.”

Governments in Brazil, Turkey and other developing countries had scaled back their borrowing, and with their economies expanding rapidly, it seemed they would have no trouble making their payments. In the four years after 2008, the amount of money these bond funds had at their disposal tripled to $77 billion. Why they’re falling now: Brazil and Russia have fallen into deep recessions, and emerging-market currencies have plunged around the world. The sorry history of emerging markets suggests a wave of corporate defaults, a jump in inflation, and rising political instability as anger spreads on the streets. After the Asian financial crisis, student protests in Indonesia, one of the hardest hit countries, helped depose the country’s ruler after three decades in power. Why investors may be wrong: These countries are better prepared for financial shocks. They have lower debt burdens than many developed countries, and built

up foreign reserves to defend their currencies. “You would have seen social instability and bank runs” in previous years, said Samy Muaddi, a portfolio manager at T. Rowe Price. “But that’s not happening today. I take it as a positive sign.” The value case: Just 2.3 percent of emerging-market companies that rating agencies consider the riskiest missed a

payment so far this year. That’s just a hair above the 2.2 percent default rate for similar U.S. companies. That default rate could jump, of course, but investors get paid more to take that risk. According to Barclays Capital, emerging-market bonds yield 5.7 percent, a full percentage point higher than a year ago. — AP

Emerging-market bonds Enticed by higher interest rates than in the U.S., investors plowed into emergingmarket bond funds in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis. Warnings that the U.S. government would struggle to pay its rising debts added to their appeal.

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Oct. 29

AVOID IDENTITY THEFT

Arlington County presents a talk on how to avoid identity theft on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 1 to 2 p.m. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, and seniors are often targeted. Learn how to protect personal assets and identity. This seminar will take place at Walter Reed Senior Center, 2909 S. 16th St., Arlington, Va. For more info, call (703) 228-0955.

Oct. 15

MEDICARE 101

A Medicare 101 information session will take place on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon. Learn the facts about health insurance for seniors at Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Rd. in Reston, Va. For more info or to register, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/vicap.htm or call Karen Brutsché at (703) 390-6157, TTY 711.

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Celebration Singers, a women’s show choir that performs in Northern Virginia, is looking for new singers. Practice is held during the day on Wednesdays in Burke, Va. For more info, contact Gayle Parsons at (703) 644-4485 or gparsons3@cox.net.

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon

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Leisure &

Many wineries in Loudoun County, Va., are offering special tastings and tours in October for Virginia Wine Month. See story on page 43.

Branson, Mo. — family fun on grand scale Missouri town in the Ozark Mountains to soak up entertainment in 50 theaters and fill 57,000 seats. Many fans hold season tickets and forge first-name-basis friendships with the nearly 1,000 performers. Home of movie heartthrob Brad Pitt, Branson is a proving ground for many performance artists — country, pop, swing, rock ‘n’ roll, gospel and classical music; Broadway-style productions; comedy acts; acrobatics and magic shows. “There’s a lot of talent here,” one local offered. “More talent than Nashville.” Mike Patrick, a native, is in his 25th year as the master of ceremonies at the Grand Jubilee, a country music venue. “I grew up here,” he told me. “This is all I ever wanted to do.” His approach to MCing is to make friends and win them over. “It’s a party after that,” he said. The town, population 10,600, prides itself on wholesome, family fun. There’s a show for every taste (except there’re no Vegas-style strip shows), and in many restaurants, no alcohol is served. Eight million visitors fill up 40,000 hotel rooms in the area each year. And they aren’t in Branson just for the shows — there are museums, a theme park and other attractions.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANSON CVB

By Glenda C. Booth A gaggle of excited women filled the auditorium’s front row, thrusting gift bags, bouquets and wrapped gifts into the outstretched arms of the tall, slender performer, a haul so bountiful that it spilled over onto the grand piano. The applause subsided and then came the encore — “It’s Not for Me to Say” — and the audience of 2,500 fell silent. It was the gentle, romantic, mellifluous Johnny Mathis at age 79, still thrilling his fans, many of whom were reliving their teens. His honeyed, tenor voice sounds as it did in the 1950s and ‘60s. He’s “aged well,” several people commented. He enchanted a full house for two hours with oldies like “The Twelfth of Never” and “No Love (but Your Love),” seamlessly moving from one favorite to another. Mathis crooned; fans swooned. Welcome to Branson, Missouri, Entertainment Capital of the Midwest. After his 2014 show, Mathis devotees lined up to buy tickets for his Nov. 13 and 14, 2015, show. “I don’t think about retiring. I think about how I can keep singing for the rest of my life,” he says on his website, www.johnnymathis.com.

Entertainment mecca The Mathis show is one of around 130 (!) every day in the summer; 30 in the winter. Busloads of tourists flood this southern

How it all started The entertainment bug bit here when a 505-foot-deep limestone cave was discovPHOTO COURTESY OF BRANSON CVB

The twin-paddle Showboat Branson Belle is the size of two football fields and offers lunch and dinner cruises on Tablerock Lake with plenty of entertainment.

Music and entertainment fans flock to Branson, Mo., where more than 100 live music venues vie for attention. This tribute group is performing at Silver Dollar City, a theme park with interpreters who illustrate life in the 1880s — plus musical groups and roller coasters.

ered when a bear and a brave fell into a sinkhole, according to a legend of the Osage Nation of Native Americans. When a torrent of bats zoomed out, it was named Devil’s Den. Later, mining hopefuls thought the cave had marble, so they called it Marble Cave, a moniker that evolved into Marvel Cave. In the 1950s, cave owners staged entertainment for tourists who lined up to enter. From that hole in the ground, Branson grew to become entertainment central of the Midwest. It named itself the “Live Music Capital of the World.” There are shows on land and water. The twin-paddle wheel, football-field-sized Showboat Branson Belle chugs along at a top speed of 12 miles per hour, scene of a threepart show on Tablerock Lake. First out is Christopher James, who started doing comic acts at age 3 with his grandfather. “Taking selfies is the most activity many of you get,” he quips. Topping shows (literally) is Janice Martin, presumably the world’s only aerialistviolinist, who trained at the Julliard School and served in the U.S. Army. Fit, sinewy and agile in her shiny bright leotard, Martin opens by twisting down a knotted drapery from a half moon suspended over a grand piano and then struts

around the stage playing her violin, spellbinding guests who are filling up on generous helpings of mashed potatoes, steak and baked chicken. Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater’s Legends in Concert is a true nostalgia tour, home to performance or tribute artists (don’t call them impersonators) who resemble the stars they portray. In 2014, a tall, mellow “Nat King Cole” wowed fans with “Unforgettable” and “Mona Lisa.” This winter you can hear tributes to Barry Manilow, Whitney Houston, Kenny Chesney and The Blues Brothers. The evening’s climax is…drum roll…The King. From a high stool, “Elvis” opens with favorites like “Suspicious Minds” and “Love Me Tender,” and fawning fans do indeed. Then he contorts and gyrates around the stage, arms whirling, knees jiggling, invoking all the titillating Elvis moves to “Jailhouse Rock” and “All Shook Up.” After the show, Elvis invites lines of fans for pictures with sexy come-ons like, “Come here, baby.” The theater restaurant’s “greatest hits” are the fried pickles, Wango Tango nachos, and a five-inch-high Heathbar pie.

See BRANSON, page 42

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Branson From page 41

Beyond the shows The Titanic Museum looms up out of an asphalt parking lot, a diminished but convincing replica of the fabled, “indestructible” ship that was the world’s largest manmade object in 1912. It houses a replica of the grand staircase, first-, third-class and steerage cabins, and memorabilia of passengers collected from survivors and families, including the actual life jacket of Madeleine Talmadge Astor, wife of John Jacob Astor. There are items recovered from the sea, such as silver table settings, and letters written from aboard ship. One passenger wrote: “There is hardly any motion, she is so large.” A French passenger noted that there were “a lot of obnoxious, ostenta-

tious American women.” Visitors also can experience what life was like on board. You can hear a soundtrack of the ship hitting the iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean on a moonless night, and relive the last minutes standing out on the sloping deck. You can sit in a replica lifeboat and, by poking your finger in icy water the temperature of that night’s sea, learn why most who did not make it aboard one did not survive for long. One film recounts the boat’s construction and opulent style, and another tells the story of how Bob Ballard found it in 1986 when he spotted the ice-crusted bow 2.5 miles down.

Massive amusement park For a different sort of replica, there’s Silver Dollar City. Its promoters insist that it’s a theme park, not an amusement park.

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

Two million visitors a year experience the “1880s village,” with blacksmithing, glassblowing, and an actual homestead cabin where interpreters cook on a 1880s Majestic wood-burning stove. Six episodes of the Beverly Hillbillies were filmed in the park. Adventurous visitors can try the Outlaw Run roller coaster — the “world’s most daring wood coaster” and a Guinness world record holder because of its steep drop. Cars go into a barrel roll like a corkscrew. Fireman’s Landing, a new themed area of the park, has 10 attractions, including a ride with an eight-story drop, which promoters call a “controlled ride.” Or you can ride in four-seat balloons and help “spot fire dangers.” Eating is an adventure at Silver Dollar City as well — hand-patted burgers, kettle corn, red velvet funnel cakes, and succotash. The park claims it is the largest buyer of okra after the Pentagon, as it’s the central ingredient of its succotash, based on an employee’s recipe. They make and sell 90,000 pounds of candy and 9,000 gallons of ice cream a year. Another claim to fame: the park won a prize at the International Association for Amusement Parks and Attractions for its frosted nuts and pretzel dog — a foot-long, homemade pretzel wrapped around a hotdog. The cave that started it all, today in the heart of Silver Dollar City, is a refreshing respite from the entertainment and eating

frenzy. Amateur spelunkers navigate 700 steps and several ramps taking them half a mile down and up (except for a short train at the end when ascending). There is no elevator. Equivalent to a 50-story building, “You could hide the Statue of Liberty in here,” said the guide in the 204-foot tall Cathedral Room. The cave has a steady temperature of around 60 degrees; warmer at deeper depths. Critters like the Ozark blind salamander, a cave cricket, a cave crayfish and around 80,000 bats hibernate amid the limestone-calcite formations that grow one cubic inch every 100 years. The 200 million-year-old Liberty Bell formation has a crack. Blondie’s Throne is an 80-foot “waterfall,” one of several. Silver Dollar City is closed in January and February, reopens for weekends in March, and opens every day starting April 1.

Things to buy Into shopping? The must-see place is Dick’s 5&10 Cent Store, an old-fashioned five-and-dime at 103 W. Main St. Crowds squeeze through shelves packed with more than 50,000 items, including quilt kits, harmonicas, Cavalry battle flags, camouflage beer cozies, Duck Dynasty bobble heads, and Marilyn Monroe eyeglass cases. The See BRANSON, page 43

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

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

Who knew wine country was so close by? By Stacy A. Anderson Virginia is home to more than 250 wineries — from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. Two dozen of them are in Loudoun County, in the state’s Middleburg area, so close to Washington that it calls itself “D.C.’s Wine Country.” Middleburg is about an hour’s drive from downtown Washington — perfect for a day trip or even a long weekend for metro area residents. October is Virginia Wine Month, with special events to take in autumn foliage and milder weather.

Tastings and tours Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg is named after the town of Cana of Galilee, where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding feast.

Branson From page 42 same family has run Dick’s for 53 years. While downtown, stop by the Branson Centennial Museum at 101 Veterans Blvd., and pick up a brochure for a self-guided walking tour of historic downtown. Or take the free trolley. Branson Landing on the waterfront offers more upscale shopping. As for other diversions, there’s golf, the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, the Hollywood Wax Museum, Branson Scenic Railway rides, a tiger sanctuary, lake kayaking, wineries, the world’s largest toy museum and more.

Holiday happenings November is Branson’s second busiest month (after July). The town will honor veterans Nov. 5 to 11 with a wreath laying,

The winery offers the best bang for your dollar with eight tastings for $10, plus a souvenir glass. Here you could have a traditional cabernet or merlot, but why not try their uniquely crisp and tart Blueberry Apple wine or Rhapsody in Red, a semi-sweet pinot noir? The winery — perched on a hill that overlooks the Bull Run Mountains — hosts live bands every Saturday and Sunday. Greenhill Winery and Vineyards dubs itself the boutique destination winery. There’s a historic stone house and outdoor seating on the 128-acre property, great for picnics (and dog-friendly, to boot). A sampling of seven wines in the tasting room costs $14. “Grapes to Glass,” a twohour, private tour through the vineyard and barrel room with a wine tasting, is $35 per person. Sales and marketing director Rebekah

Pizana said first lady Michelle Obama has visited the winery and is a fan of Greenhill’s 2013 and 2014 off-dry (mildly sweet) seyval blanc. (The first lady’s office declined to comment.)

remembrance ser vice, banquets and shows. The largest Veterans Day Parade in the U.S. will start at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, recognizing Armistice Day, the end of World War I. Lynn Berry, Branson’s director of public relations, said that the town has five seasons: winter, spring, summer, fall and Christmas. Christmas arrives on Nov. 1 with holiday shows. The Adoration Parade has been held at dusk on the first Sunday in Dec. since 1949. A giant nativity scene lights up Mount Branson’s peak. On Nov. 14, a celebrity will lead another parade. From Nov. 7 to Dec. 30, Silver Dollar City, explodes with five million lights, 1,000 decorated trees, and the twice-daily Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade of musical floats and 33 costumed characters.

The park’s centerpiece is the five-story Christmas tree with lights synchronized to music. Theaters stage “A Wonderful Life” and “A Christmas Carol” twice daily. Craftspeople hand-make holiday items.

Where to stay Luxury accommodations in the region include the Salamander Resort and Spa, which opened in 2013. It was founded by entrepreneur Sheila C. Johnson, cofounder of Black Entertainment Television. Facilities include a cooking demonstration studio, wine bar, billiards room and a full-service equestrian center with a riding arena. Bring your own horse or ride one of Salamander’s horses. You don’t need to be staying at the resort to book a trail ride. Salamander’s spa includes a salon, fitness center, steam room, heated stone

If you go Start at www.ExploreBranson.com for basics on show dates, tickets, deals and lodging. Don’t forget to order a vacation guide.

lounge chairs, and courtyard with a pool and private cabanas. Rooms at the resort start at $425 during the peak months of April, May, June, September and October. Watch for specials, like a $149-a-night deal during Super Bowl festivities. For a more quaint stay, try the Red Fox Inn and Tavern. The inn — which opened in 1728 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places — has 15 guest rooms plus the Middleburg House, a two-bedroom home. The inn is within walking distance of many Middleburg businesses and shops on the main drag along Washington Street. The Martha Washington, an averagesize room with a king bed and shower only, could run about $245 during peak season. Its Tavern offers more than 40 See WINE FESTIVAL, page 44

Branson is served by the nearby Branson Airport, and by the Branson-Springfield Airport in Springfield, 50 miles north. Round-trip flights from Washington area airports start at $336 on American Airlines. Fall temperatures are in the 60s and 70s; in November and December, temperatures are in the 40s and 50s. In January and February, about 12 theaters and all the museums are open.

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT LOUDOUN

A worker harvests grapes at Tarara Winery in Leesburg, Va. It is among the more than 250 wineries in the state, 24 of which are within an hour’s drive of Washington, DC.

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aarp.org/caregiving To share your story and connect with others visit

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Wine festival From page 43 local wines and dishes, including peanut soup, fried chicken and crab cakes. Deltone L. Moore was inspired to open his Popcorn Monkey shop by memories of eating popcorn while watching baseball games as a kid in the 1970s. The store has more than 20 varieties of the snack, including caramel corn, green apple, banana, lemon, strawberry, blue cheese, Buffalo wing, dill and Old Bay. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday. For a little history and culture, visit the National Sporting Library and Museum. The museum’s collection includes paintings, sculpture, works on paper, and objects highlighting horsemanship and racing, shooting, fox-hunting, polo, coaching, fishing and wildlife. Current exhibits include photos by Colin Barker in “Part of the Pack: The Hunt at Petworth,” and paintings of horses

EVERY DAY MILLIONS OF AMERICANS perform a great labor of love by helping their parents and loved ones remain at home. Caregivers face challenges every step of the way, whether that’s helping a loved one manage a chronic condi•on at home, suppor•ng a pa•ent during a hospital stay, helping them recuperate from an illness, or trying to keep them comfortable at the end of life. AARP understands the challenges you face and can help. The AARP Caregiving Resource Center is an easily accessible place available around the clock with tools and informa•on to help you care for your loved one and yourself.

in “Beverley Sanford McConnell: Portraits in Poetry.” The Middleburg Film Festival, from Oct. 22 to 25, will feature movie screenings plus question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers and actors. The festival’s film slate typically ranges from Oscar nominees to indies, foreign films and documentaries.

For more information Tourism: Loudoun County, http:// www.visitloudoun.org/. Virginia wine country: http://www.virginiawine.org. Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg: 38600 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg, (703) 348-2458, www.canavineyards.com. Greenhill Winer y and Vineyards: 23595 Winery Lane, Middleburg, (540) 687-6968, http://greenhillvineyards.com. National Sporting Library and Museum: 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg, (540) 687-6542, http://nationalsporting.org. Popcorn Monkey: 2 1/2 E. Federal St., Middleburg, (540) 687-6539, www.popcornmonkeyllc.com. The Middleburg Film Festival: Oct. 22-25, https://middleburgfilm.org. Salamander Resort & Spa: 500 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg, (844) 3032723, www.salamanderresort.com. — AP

BEACON BITS

Nov. 18

THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS DAYTRIP

The Laurel Senior Friendship Club (LSFC) will take a day-long bus trip to the Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pa. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, to see The Miracle of Christmas. The $125 cost (due at sign-up) includes motor coach transportation, a smorgasbord lunch, the show, and tax and gratuity. The bus will depart from the Laurel Regional Hospital employee parking lot, at 7300 Van Dusen Rd., Lauren, Md. at 9 a.m. and will return at 8 p.m. For more info or to reserve a spot, call (301) 206-3380.

Oct. 10

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE

Sommerset Retirement Community will host an open house on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event includes games, music, activities and free food, and will be held in conjunction with SterlingFest, a community street festival. The open house takes place at 22355 Providence Village Dr., Sterling, Va. For more info, call (703) 450-6411 or see www.sommersetretirement.com.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

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

Airport lounges make travel less stressful My recent trip to the Mosel Valley start- pendent lounges are a relatively new deed out with a (delayed) flight on United velopment here in the United States. Here’s a sampling of some: from my home airport, Med• AmEx has full Centurion ford, Ore., to San Francisco, Lounges in Dallas-Ft. Worth, followed by a long layover at L a s Ve g a s , M i a m i , N e w San Francisco. York/LaGuardia and San FranAlthough I had a coupon for a visit to a United Club, I decidcisco, along with a smaller “Stued to try out the new American dio” in Seattle-Tacoma. PresumExpress Centurion Lounge, ably, more are in the works. also located in United’s post-seAccess is no-charge for travcurity area. elers who hold AmEx platinum And it’s a real winner: Facilcards, along with one or two ities include a shower suite TRAVEL TIPS guests. Holders of other AmEx and a computer bar, along with By Ed Perkins cards can get in, along with the expected array of hot and children under 18, for a $50 fee. Locations other than LaGuardia are airside. cold eats, no-charge beverages, and Wi-Fi. • Priority Pass operates more than 700 The more I travel, the more I find that airport lounge access is one of the most lounges around the world, some independvaluable features of a premium credit card ent, some operated by airlines. Coverage is — and sometimes a reasonable option stronger outside North America than here. The program includes airside locations even when you have to pay up to $50 for of Alaska Airlines Boardroom lounges at one-time non-member entry. Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland and Independent lounges Seattle; seven The Club locations, and Big airlines have operated their own other airline or independent lounges at lounge networks since American opened Baltimore, Boston, Chicago/O’Hare, Colthe first Admirals Club in 1939. But inde- orado Springs, Honolulu, Houston, Los

Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York/JFK, Orlando and Washington/Dulles. Price options are $99 a year plus $27 per visit, $299 per year, including 10 visits, or $399 per year for unlimited visits. AmEx Platinum and Diners Club cards include Priority Pass membership, but Diners is not currently open for new members in the U.S. or Canada. • The Club operates lounges airside at Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Jose and Seattle-Tacoma airports. One-day passes cost $35. • Plaza Premium operates lounges airside at Edmonton (USA departure area), Toronto and Vancouver, with Winnipeg in the works, along with 29 other locations

around the world, mainly in Asia. Fees vary. About 50 Plaza Premium lounges are available to holders of some AmEx cards. • Executive Lounges operates facilities airside at Calgary and Montreal. One-day passes start at $35. • Airspace Lounges operates facilities airside at Baltimore, Cleveland, JFK Terminal 5 (JetBlue), and San Diego, with one-day fees starting at $25.

Airline-specific lounges Airline-run lounge systems include Air Canada’s Maple Leaf, Alaska’s Boardroom, American’s Admirals Club, Delta’s Sky See AIRPORT LOUNGES, page 47

Contact MC311 for Montgomery County Government M Information and Services Call 311 to Get it Done! Tweet @311MC311 Visit MC311.com Call 240-777-0311

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

WASHINGTON, DC (202) 289-2236 • 400 Massachusetts Avenue NW WASHINGTON, DC (202) 396-2331 • 320 40th Street NE WASHINGTON, DC (202) 337-4848 • 1403 Wisconsin Avenue NW WASHINGTON, DC (202) 628-0720 • 1199 Vermont Avenue NW WASHINGTON, DC (202) 785-1466 • 6 Dupont Circle NW WASHINGTON, DC (202) 338-6337 • 2125 E Street NW WASHINGTON, DC (202) 829-5234 • 6514 Georgia Avenue NW WASHINGTON, DC (202) 537-1587 • 4555 Wisconsin Avenue NW WASHINGTON, DC (202) 944-8671 • 2226 Wisconsin Avenue NW WASHINGTON, DC (202) 939-5735 • 1418 P Street NW WASHINGTON, DC (202) 296-9876 • 2240 M St NW

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

Airport lounges From page 45 Club, Hawaiian’s Premier Club, United’s United Club, and Virgin America’s Loft and Clubhouse, with locations at their major service points. The big foreign-based lines operate similar lounge networks. WestJet offers reduced-price admission at Plaza Premium and a few other lounges. Typically, membership costs $300 to $500 per year, plus extra-fee spouse cards, with reduced rates for elite frequent flyers. Day passes cost $35 to $50 per person. Top-level credit cards co-branded by American, Delta and United include lounge membership at annual fees that are less than regular membership fees. United’s Mileage Plus Club Card, with a $450

annual fee, is the most generous of the airline cards. But choice of lounge program and credit card should obviously be governed primarily by which airline you fly the most. After all, a United card doesn’t make much sense if United doesn’t fly to your home city. Yes, $50 a pop or up to $500 a year are stiff prices. But you can offset the prices by what you might otherwise spend for food and beverages. All in all, I’m glad I have access, and once in a while, you might just agree. Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Perkins’ new book for small business and independent professionals, “Business Travel When It’s Your Money,” is now available through www.mybusinesstravel.com or www.amazon.com. © 2015 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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BEACON BITS

Oct. 31

OLIVER DAYTRIP

Arlington County presents a daytrip to Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. to see the Tony Award-winning musical Oliver, the story of the innocent orphan thrown into the dark world of double-dealing thieves and conmen of 19th century London, on Saturday, Oct. 31. The bus will depart from the Thomas Jefferson Center, at 3501 2nd St. S in Arlington, Va., at 6:30 p.m. and will return at 11:30 p.m. The cost is $70 for residents and $81 for non-residents. For more info, visit bit.ly/ArlingtonTrips or call (703) 228-4744.

Oct. 21

MOUNT VERNON VISIT

Vienna Parks & Recreation presents a daytrip to Mount Vernon Plantation in Mount Vernon, Va. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Take a 60-minute guided walking tour highlighting the lives and contributions of the enslaved community who built and operated Mount Vernon. Dinner will be at the Mount Vernon Inn. Expect to hear ghost stories, mythology and legends about the area. The bus will depart from the Vienna Volunteer Fire Station, at 400 Center St. S, Vienna, Va., at 2 p.m. and will return at 9 p.m. The cost is $99 for residents; $124 for non-residents. For more info or to register, call (703) 2556360.

Charles E. Smith Life Communities offers informative programs on memory care, caregiver support, elder abuse, and other topics at no charge. Events with a registration fee or minimum donation benefit seniors at Charles E. Smith Life Communities, a leading senior services provider offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, post-acute services, and long-term care to Washington-area seniors for more than 105 years. Please join us: In OCTOBER 4

Home Run 10K, 5K, 1 Mile, and Fun Run

15 An Evening with Roz Chast, car toonist and author of Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? 18 Bagel Brunch, with panel on long-term care insurance; FREE 27 President’s Circle Dinner, National Por trait Gallery and Smithsonian American Ar t Museum 29 Seminar and Luncheon for Clergy of all faiths; FREE Faith and Safety: Partnering with Faith Leaders to Support Older Victims of Abuse 29 *Remember This Lecture with Paul Dash, MD; FREE Update on Alzheimer’s Treatments In NOVEMBER 4

*Mah Jongg and Bridge for Fun at Ring House 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., $5 includes lunch.

11 An Evening with Michael Wilbon, ESPN Commentator 12 *Remember This Panel Discussion; FREE Spiritual Approaches to Memory Care In DECEMBER 10 Celebrate! @AMP by Strathmore Featuring comic mind reader Eric Dittelman

RSVP and learn more about these upcoming events at www.smithlifecommunities.org or 301.770.8329 *RSVP to Mah Jongg and Remember This at 301.816.5052

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

Style Arts &

Former anchorman Dan Rather has new endeavors — including being portrayed by Robert Redford in a movie. See story on page 52.

A sudsy telenovela of destiny and desire plays, including The Book Club Play and Mariela in the Desert, as well as one of my favorites: her adaptation of How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent.

Over-the-top fun Here she delves fully into broad comedy based on richly and deliberately stereotypical characters. With help from director José Luis Valenzuela, Artistic Director of the Latino Theater Company of Los Angeles, and a superb all-Latino ensemble, those characters are plumped up with multi-layered nuance in their over-the-top performances. That adds to the zing of plot twists and surprising reveals of character traits. Add salsa-infused songs (original music from Rosino Serrano, who is also music coordinator here) and eye-catching, lusty dance (choreographed by Robert Barry Fleming) and you have a zesty, fun show. The telenovela aspect of the play is a side feature giving the playwright form on which to hang her story. The conventions are there: the dramatic flourishes of plot development accompanied by dramatic, dark chords and meaningful, lingering

cake off

PHOTO BY C. STANLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

By Michael Toscano It was a dark and stormy…no, wait. It was a stormy and rainy or a stormy and windy night. That’s where the story line of Destiny of Desire — the faux-telenovela comedy currently running at Arena Stage — begins, and where it transitions at overheated turning points in the story. This is a world premiere production from D.C. playwright Karen Zacarias, part of the area theater community’s Women’s Voices Theater Festival. Concentrate on the “Festival” part of that, because that’s what Zacarias provides here — a fiesta of deeply played comic characters and plot. She sends up not only the Spanish-language, serialized TV melodramas that are overwhelmingly popular with Latino audiences, but also the messages related to gender roles and expectations based on sex. (That’s “sex” meaning both gender and, well, you know, sex.) Many of those messages extend far beyond the confines of the telenovela, of course, and into real life everywhere in the world. So we can both laugh and learn, or, one hopes, be reminded. Zacarias has written award-winning

Destiny of Desire is a steamy send-up of Spanish television soap operas (or telenovelas), now playing at Arena Stage. Nicholas Rodriguez (playing Sebastian Jose Castillo) and Esperanza America (playing Pilar Castillo) are among the stars in this wild, switched-at-birth tale of deceit and seduction.

looks; the periodic denouement of a plot point (even if fleeting), regularly timed as if to coincide with a commercial break; the breathless excitement of building sexual attraction, and the outlandish story lines

built on deceit, impossible coincidence, and overlapping secrets. Blend in a bit of magic realism, and this soap opera beSee DESTINY OF DESIRE, page 49

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Destiny of Desire From page 48 comes a Niagara Falls of sexy suds. As the production begins, we, the audience, may be in a Spanish-language TV studio, watching a taping of the latest telenovela. We see actors breezing in, dealing with costume and casting issues, all silently. Just when I thought I was beginning to see what this play was about, the novella itself began, and everything changed from the plebian aspects of TV production to something quite different. Throughout the show, actors not involved in the action remain on stage, as if waiting in the wings, singing background in the musical numbers, or operating a spotlight. Occasionally, one will grab a microphone to declaim some fact or tidbit of information. These actually seem tacked on, perhaps to make this play seem more like something we are to learn from in a “Women’s Voices” event. Example: “Over 200,000 women in the U.S. are in prison; two-thirds are mothers.” That’s both interesting and startling, but the play takes place in a poor town in Mexico, not the United States, and we all pretty much know the mother in jail in the story will probably get out. After all, we believe her to be pure of heart. More trenchant is this bit of dialogue that comes shortly before that information-bulletin: Poor mother to daughter: “Why do you defy me?” Daughter: “Because you are my mother.” And that is organically linked to the characters and the story, and is both meaningful and funny. Some of the other information bulletins may or may not be true, which would be unfortunate if so, because we may not believe the odder-sounding ones awkwardly inserted into this comic setting.

Switched at birth Some folks have to know about plot before they decide to see a show, so here is a glimpse. A scheming, selfish trophy wife of a powerful man shows up at a hospital in a Mexican province. She’s notable primarily for the casino the woman’s husband owns. She’s about to give birth. Simultaneously, a poor-but-noble couple shows up, with a birth also imminent.

Due to the rich woman’s scheming and the help of a dishonest doctor, the babies are purposely switched and are raised in the wrong households. Years later, the chicks come home to roost, as it were. Backstabbing, deceit, lust, and lies-within-lies and secrets-withinsecrets are ultimately revealed in a swirl of color, music and laughs. There’s even a Cinderella-at-the-ball moment. The title could just as easily be “Desire of Destiny,” it seems.

Entertaining cast It’s great fun, as director Valenzuela keeps the pace zipping along. You’ll love the cast and their work. Local heartthrob and Arena stalwart Nicholas Rodriguez (Mother Courage and Her Children, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!) lends his pecs and his rich voice to induce a proper level of swooning. Gabriela Fernandez-Coffey (who was in the Round House Theatre production of How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent) is appropriately evil but insecure as the trophy wife. But Esperanza America and Elia Salda a, both from Los Angeles, own the show as the two switched babies who grow up with fates eternally intertwined. They offer a look at the nature vs. nurture debate over how we develop as people. Each sings beautifully and inhabits their role fully, blending sexual charisma with innocent charm. But then everyone in the 10-member cast makes a vivid impression. You will be entertained just about every moment. While channel surfing, I have stopped for a gander at a telenovela several times over the years. Even though I could understand only some of the Spanish dialogue, I was always entranced by the conventions of the genre: the looks, pauses, music, the seemingly pure characters versus the purely evil, etc. It’s all brought to life here, only more so. Enjoy. Destiny of Desire runs through Oct. 18 in the Kreeger Theater of Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, located at 1101 6th St. SW, in Washington, D.C. Show times are Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Noon matinees are scheduled

BEACON BITS

Oct. 22

ALZHEIMER’S BENEFIT

Insight Memory Care Center presents Paintings and Pairings on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. This event is a benefit to sponsor the education, care and support MCC provides to those with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments, and includes paired hors d’oeuvres with seasonal wines, a three-course dinner, a live and silent auction, and local paintings and art work for sale. Tickets cost $125; additional donations are welcome. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit www.InsightMCC.org.

Oct. 31

SILENT FILM SCREENING

McLean Community Center presents a spooky screening of the silent film The Man Who Laughs on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. in the Alden Theatre. The film will be shown on 16 mm film with an intro by film historian Bruce Lawton, and a live, improvised score by composer Ben Model. The center is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, Va. The cost is $8 for district residents and $12 for non-residents. For more info, visit www.mcleancenter.org/alden-theatre/performance or call (703) 790-0123.

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for Tuesday, Oct. 6 and Wednesday, Oct. 14. Open-captioned performances are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. There will be post-show discussions featuring artists and staff after these performances: noon and 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6; noon, Wednesday, Oct. 14; and 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. Ticket prices range from $40 to $90 and may be purchased online at www.arenastage.org, by telephone at (202) 4883300, or at the theater’s sales office, Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. While there are no senior discounts, a

limited number of half-price tickets are sold prior to most performances of Arena Stage productions, subject to availability. These HOTTIX go on sale 30 minutes before curtain. HOTTIX must be purchased in person at the sales office. Limit of two per person. Assistive-listening technology, accessible seating and entrances, and limited handicapped parking (by reservation) are available. Arena Stage offers free valet service to patrons with accessibility needs who call in advance. For more information, visit www.arenastage.org or call (202) 488-3300.

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Sheehy From page 1 neon and skyscrapers meant that the girl had to traverse a yawning cultural gap, but with the help of Sheehy, Mohm worked diligently, learned English, and soon adapted to their new life together.

Immersive reporting Language has also been a cornerstone of Sheehy’s life. Beginning with her grandmother’s biography, which she wrote while still a child, Sheehy’s work has centered on the written word. She has written about experiences such as flying with Bobby Kennedy on his campaign plane days before his assassination, to pulling on white go-go boots to better fit in with the call girls she wanted to interview as she reported about prostitution in New York. Her immersive style of reporting propelled her to the upper echelons of what became known as New Journalism in the 1960s

and ‘70s, along with such well-known writers as Tom Wolfe and Hunter S. Thompson. “The old journalism, with its who-whatwhen-where-why rigidity, was inadequate to convey the wild gyrations of gender and politics, music and mind-blowing drugs in that era. It would be like filming Woodstock in black and white,” she writes of the emerging style of journalism in Daring. But in the intervening 50 years, writing has changed tremendously, she told the Beacon. Today, she worries about the compression of complex ideas into tweets and sound bites. “In a Twitter and Facebook world, there is no room, no patience to read anything more than 140 characters or 200 words. There is no room to develop scenes and character and dialogue that make a great story,” Sheehy said. “I find that most disturbing in terms of the decline of love of language. Language is what we are. It is what makes us human. To be required to use very abbreviated lan-

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

guage or emojis to express things is dumbing down our capacity for expression.”

Decades of Passages Despite the changing landscape for writers, Sheehy said she thinks books will always have a place. Best known for her classic best-seller, Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life, Sheehy has written 16 other books on subjects ranging from caregiving to Hillary Clinton. In Passages, Sheehy put together a roadmap for stages of adulthood. It was a new idea in 1976, when doctors and psychologists delineated the phases of childhood, but stopped after the teen years. Sheehy, who wrote the book in her late 30s, picks up with what she calls the Trying 20s, move on to the Deadline Decade of the mid-30s to mid-40s, when people worry their lives are half over and they need to make their mark, and the Switch 40s, where men feel they are stagnating, while women feel more independent as

Building a Healthier Community

their children grow up. But the book ends abruptly at the half century mark. “I made a very clear decision to stop it at 50 because I could not imagine being at that stage of life,” said Sheehy. “I think I made the right decision, and painted a very full vision of a mid-life passage. That was really what people needed to know. “I posited a female adult life cycle...Until then, there was only the male life cycle, and women were expected to make do and dodge and weave around it. There was indeed a female life cycle, and it helped a lot of women see there was a new potential in their lives.” As she grew older, Sheehy went on to write additional Passages books. In New Passages, 20 years later, she included the Flailing 50s and Surge 60s. There was also Menopause: The Silent Passage, a subject that until then had been a taboo, she said, and Passages in Caregiving, drawn from caring for her husband Clay Felker, creator of New York magazine, whom she met when he was her editor at the Herald Tribune. “I think Passages in Caregiving is one of the most helpful books I’ve written,” Sheehy said. “The most important message is, you can’t do this alone. No one can.” Caregiving is “an overwhelming emotional, physical, intellectual task, because you end up running a business trying to deal with multiple doctors, insurance, getting the services your loved one in entitled to but you have to fight for. And all the while you have to keep some semblance of your own life going,” Sheehy said. But she admitted that the life stages she has so carefully outlined in her past books may be blown to smithereens by the millennial generation, born between about 1980 and 2000. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as she’s learned from her three grandchildren. “What’s interesting to me now is that the millennials don’t relate to the typical life stages. To them, there are no boundaries. “Why should they have to wait until they’re 40 to be a big success, when they can try to copy [Facebook founder Mark] Zuckerberg, who became a zillionaire before 30 and passed the octogenarian Warren Buffet as the primary philanthropist? “They don’t see boundaries as to when they can marry, how late they can have children, or how early they can do a digital start up that grows and grows and allows them to change the world,” she said.

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Visit: www.carefirstcommitment.com An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Share your daring moments At the same time, Sheehy herself is working to make a difference in the lives of older women with her new Daring Project. She has met and interviewed dozens of women who took a leap of faith and dared to plunge into the unknown, from feminist Gloria Steinem to fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. Now, she wants to hear the stories of your courageous moments. Sheehy invites See SHEEHY, page 52

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

Jean-Yves Thibaudet March 11

Love matinees? Then we have the perfect music experience for you— introducing brand-new Coffee Concerts!

4 FRIDAY CONCERTS AT 11:30 A.M.

Miloš Karadaglic´ October 9

James Ehnes November 13

OCTOBER 9 Classical guitarist Miloš Karadaglic´ makes his NSO debut in Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez on a program of classics from France and Spain.

Nikolaj Znaider April 1

NOVEMBER 13 Violinist James Ehnes makes his NSO debut in Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 on a program of music from Russia and Italy.

MARCH 11 NSO favorite Jean-Yves Thibaudet plays Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 on a program that also includes Brahms’s Symphony No. 3.

KENNEDY-CENTER.ORG (202) 467-4600 Tickets also available at the Box Office. Groups call (202) 416-8400. Concert packages for entire season at kennedy-center.org/subscribe David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of the NSO. The NSO Music Director Chair is generously endowed by Victoria and Roger Sant.

e Purchas st the breakfa of g mornin cert! your con

APRIL 1 As part of his two-week NSO residency, violinist Nikolaj Znaider plays Brahms’s Violin Concerto on a program with Debussy’s La Mer. Optional continental breakfast buffet menu Served 10–11:15 a.m. in the KC Café • Assorted muffins, scones, and croissants • Bagels, cream cheese, butter, and jam • Freshly cut fruit • Freshly squeezed orange juice • Coffee and tea

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

Rather would rather reinvent than retire By David Bauder At age 83, Dan Rather is starting over. The veteran broadcaster has quietly shut down the “Dan Rather Reports” television newsmagazine he’d been making since leaving CBS News a decade ago. But he’s opened an independent production company with seed money from AXS-TV founder Mark Cuban in exchange for a series of interviews with entertainers. And his “News & Guts” firm is working on a scripted fiction series. Rather has also signed on for reporting and analysis at the website Mashable, where his story urging people not to get too wound up about the early stages of the 2016 presidential campaign appeared recently.

Retirement? Not an option. “I love to work,” Rather said. “I have my flaws and I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I’ve always loved covering news, and I have a passion for covering news. I couldn’t see myself not doing it as long as I have my health.” “I’d much rather wear out than rust out,” he added. Rather moves more slowly and speaks more softly than during his days as chief CBS News anchor. A piece of paper with two of Cuban’s email addresses sits prominently on his desk. Cuban, an Internet entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has been Rather’s patron in his postCBS years. Although widely unseen, Rather’s news-

magazine took on tough topics like underage prostitution, flaws in electronic voting, floating garbage dumps at sea, and temporary housing that made many hurricane victims sick. AXS-TV, formerly HDNet, is available in fewer than half of the nation’s TV homes. The show’s audience, while far more than when Rather started, is a fraction of CBS’ “60 Minutes,” where Rather once figured to spend his last working years. The switch to the music-focused AXS-TV meant the newsmagazine was out of place.

Entertainment interviews Rather now hosts “The Big Interview,” a format that places the hard-bitten former White House correspondent with personalities like Emmylou Harris, Trisha Year-

Sheehy From page 50 women to submit a summary of their daring moments and where they led. She will then select women and interview them for stories on her website, http://sheehydaringproject.com. So far, she has recounted how Arianna Huffington, editor of the Huffington Post, was “terribly ashamed” of her Greek accent, so she applied to become part of the Cambridge Debate Society. Sheehy said Helen Mirren still gets stage fright, but fakes being confident until she truly feels that way. There are also stories of lesser-known women, like Kathryn Tucker, who dared in her teens to become a competitive white water kayaker. Tucker grew up, attended Georgetown University Law School, and went on to argue a case in front of the Supreme Court asking that the injunction against Ore-

wood, Don Rickles, Dolly Parton, Aaron Sorkin, Josh Groban and Weird Al Yankovic for hour-long programs. “We discontinued ‘Dan Rather Reports’ because ‘The Big Interview’ was working so well,” Cuban said. “Dan is the best in the business, and the quality of interviews he is doing is incredible. I wanted more of them.” Watching the courtly Rather interviewing Jack White in Nashville, Tenn., was a culture shock. White is a quirky singersongwriter and founder of Third Man Records. Rather dressed down — suit jacket and open-necked shirt — while the natty White was in a suit and tie. One can imagine the See RATHER, page 53

gon’s law allowing assisted suicide for terminally ill patients be lifted. She won, and over the last 17 years she has gone to court to argue for other right-to-die laws. Tucker credits yoga and meditation with keeping her calm — and her early risks with kayaking with helping her learn how courageous she is. Sheehy looks at her Daring Project as a way to reframe “the concept of courage — which is usually thought of as a male physical attribute — as women’s ways of courage,” she said. “It builds on itself. Once you have taken a daring step and then you try it again and sail forward into something new and wonderful, you can begin to develop a habit, which is what I did.” Sheehy will be speaking about her life, answering questions, and autographing her books from 1 to 2 p.m. on the third level of Ballston Mall on Sunday, October 25, at the Beacon 50+Expo. Free.

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

From page 52 White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” booming from Rather’s office as he prepped for the piece. He described White as “one of the great guitar heroes of our time.” Rather kept his questions simple and broad to make the interview appealing to those only generally acquainted with White’s work. The musician, who clearly respected Rather and his background, responded with interesting stories. If Rather considers the interviews as being beneath his former heights, he doesn’t show it. “This is very meaningful work in that it keeps us in business while we look around for other things to do,” he said. “We also continue looking to find a home to do the kind of work that is deepest within me and deepest within the people here — and that is first-class, quality journalism and deepdigging investigative reporting.”

A difficult split from CBS Rather’s exit from CBS was memorably ugly, stemming from his participation in a discredited 2004 story about President George W. Bush’s military service. He stood by the story and sued his former employer for breach of contract, a case thrown out by New York courts after many bitter words exchanged and much money spent. With CBS’ corporate owner-

ship intact, Rather doesn’t expect the relationship to be repaired. “I would hope so, but I have to emphasize there is no empirical evidence anywhere that I can find that it’s likely to happen,” he said. “I don’t think about it much anymore. It was a long time ago.” But it’s back on his mind this fall, with the release of the feature film Truth, in which Robert Redford plays Rather. Truth is based on the 2005 memoir of “60 Minutes” producer Mary Mapes, addressing the network’s report on President George W. Bush’s Air National Guard service during the Vietnam War. It is a bid for the vindication of Mapes and Rather. Appearing on stage after the film’s premiere at the Toronto film festival in September, Rather received a standing ovation. He told the festival that watching the film was “an eerie experience, and I confess that I still haven’t quite gotten my head completely around it.” When an audience member asked if he would have done anything differently, Rather responded that journalism is “on its very best days, kind of a crude art…I’ve certainly made my mistakes, and I have the scars to show for it.” Truth has one notable inaccuracy, he said: “My wife keeps telling me: ‘Robert Redford is too good-looking to play you,’” said Rather. So how much does this controversy drive a man who covered the Kennedy assassina-

tion, Watergate, the disputed 2000 election, and the 9/11 attacks to continue to prove himself to CBS News? Only a psychiatrist would truly know.

What’s next

AP PHOTO/ARTHUR MOLA

Rather

Rather said it’s too early to reveal specific series that News & Guts is working on, for fear some ideas might be stolen. He has 12 people on his production team, down from 22 at its peak. He concedes that finding buyers for his type of reporting is a challenge. “I’m finding it tough to convince anybody who is at the lever of the delivery systems of Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist and my belief that the market for news anchor Dan Rather, 83, now hosts the this kind of news exists,” he celebrity interview show “The Big Interview.” He said. “Time and again, the sub- also reports for the website Mashable and is workject is changed, eyes glaze over ing on a scripted TV series. Robert Redford plays him in the movie Truth, being released this month, and, either spoken or unspo- which is about the controversy that cost Rather his ken, the feeling is, ‘Dan, you chief anchor job at CBS 10 years ago. can’t live in the past.’” Rather’s experience is appre“He really does want to be part of the ciated at Mashable, however, where exec- conversation,” Roberts said. “Other people utive editor and chief content officer Jim in his generation would have slowed down Roberts said he hoped some of Rather’s long ago or, more to the point, wouldn’t old-school approach rubs off on his young want to be part of the conversation. It’s staff. Roberts said he is intrigued by how chaotic, it’s crazy. He really wants to be Rather relates to the personalities of a new part of it. He really wants to be in the thick digital world, and hopes Rather is a good of it.” match for Mashable’s growing video unit. — AP

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

Love matinees? Then we have the perfect music experience for you— introducing brand-new Coffee Concerts! 4 Fridays at 11:30 a.m.

Miloš Karadaglic´, classical guitar

Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano

Lang Lang, piano

James Ehnes, violin

Strauss’s Four Last Songs Elgar’s Enigma Variations

Fireworks!

A RUBENSTEIN FAMILY ORGAN RECITAL

Donald Runnicles, conductor Olga Peretyatko, soprano

MOZART: Die Zauberflöte Overture (“The Magic Flute”) R. STRAUSS: Four Last Songs ELGAR: Serenade for Strings ELGAR: Enigma Variations OCTOBER 1–3 October 1: AfterWords free post-concert discussion

Favorites from France and Spain: Berlioz, Ravel, Dukas, and Rodrigo Ludovic Morlot, conductor Miloš Karadaglic´, classical guitar

BERLIOZ: Les francs-juges Overture RODRIGO: Concierto de Aranjuez RAVEL: Pavane pour une infante défunte RAVEL: Rapsodie espagnole COFFEE DUKAS: L’apprenti sorcier (“The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”) CONCERT Oct. 9 at OCTOBER 8–10

11:30 a.m.

William Neil, organ William Gerlach, Steven Hendrickson, Thomas Cupples, Keith Jones, trumpets Abel Pereira, James Nickel, Scott Fearing, horns Barry Hearn, David Murray, trombones Jauvon Gilliam, timpani & field drum

HANDEL: Organ Concerto Op. 4/2 GABRIELI: Canzon duodecimi toni GABRIELI: Sonata pian’ e forte GABRIELI: Canzon a 7 J.S. BACH: Fantasia BWV 572 HANDEL: Music for the Royal Fireworks FRANCK: Chorale No. 1 WIDOR: Symphony No. 5—Adagio & Toccata

Anne Sofie von Otter sings in Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 Christoph Eschenbach, conductor Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano The Choral Arts Society of Washington Children’s Chorus of Washington

MAHLER: Symphony No. 3 NOVEMBER 5–7 No late seating or intermission.

Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 Gianandrea Noseda, conductor James Ehnes, violin

OCTOBER 14 All tickets only $15!

CASELLA: Elegia eroica PROKOFIEV: Violin Concerto No. 2 RACHMANINOFF: Symphony No. 2

Lang Lang plays Grieg Dvorˇák’s Symphony No. 8

November 12: Organ Postlude free post-concert mini-recital

Christoph Eschenbach, conductor Lang Lang, piano

WAGNER: Tannhäuser Overture GRIEG: Piano Concerto DVORˇÁK: Symphony No. 8 OCTOBER 29–31

COFFEE CONCERT

NOVEMBER 12–14

Nov. 13 at 11:30 a.m.

Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto Mozart’s “Prague” Symphony Jirˇí Beˇlohlávek, conductor Igor Levit, piano

MOZART: Symphony No. 38 “Prague” MARTIN: Symphony No. 6 “Fantaisies Symphoniques” BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor” NOVEMBER 19–21

ALL PERFORMANCES IN THE CONCERT HALL

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of the NSO.

KENNEDY-CENTER.ORG (202) 467-4600

The NSO Music Director Chair is generously endowed by Victoria and Roger Sant.

Tickets also available at the Box Office. Groups call (202) 416-8400.

The Rubenstein Family Organ is made possible through the extraordinary generosity of David and Alice Rubenstein.

The Blue Series is sponsored by United Technologies Corporation.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

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

Facing the trauma of losing a job at 50 I’ve known him since he was 25 — long “Bob,” he said, “I haven’t redone my rebefore his daughters were born, long be- sume since 1995. I haven’t had to. I haven’t fore his steady rise through had a job interview since the career ranks, long before 1996. I haven’t had to. Am I rehis bald spot became more ally going to be able to do like a bald acre. this?” Through it all, the one I put up my palm as a stop thing about Steve that has sign. “Steve,” I said, “let’s take never changed has been his first things first. Have you good will. thought about what you want He is crowding 50, but you to do next?” won’t hear any moaning from He nodded no. “I’ve never him, or see him looking back HOW I SEE IT had to think about that,” he over his shoulder at any woul- By Bob Levey said. da-coulda-shoulda’s. “Well, now you do, through This is a man who has worked for one no fault of your own,” I said. “So let’s start employer for more than 25 years. He goes with the basics. Want to stay in the same to bed content and wakes up content. He’s field?” a paragon, a role model and a rock. Yes, he nodded. But when I bumped into him a few “Have you saved for college for the weeks ago, I learned that his world was girls?” about to turn upside down. He was about to “Some. But who saves enough? I need to smack face-first into one of the most diffi- earn about what I’ve been earning.” cult things that can befall a soon-to-be sen“Have you made a dent in your mortior citizen. gage?” He was about to be laid off. “I’m about a third of the way through it. Yes, his employer would buy him out, And we just paid off both cars.” which means that neither he nor his family “OK, good. Retirement?” would be grocery-less any time soon. He wobbled his right hand from side to Yes, he would be handed a glowing rec- side, in the classic move that means sortaommendation, and maybe even (do they kinda-maybe. “I could be doing more,” he still do this?) a gold watch. said. But no employer can soothe the feelings “And you will,” I said, “because the old that Steve was about to encounter for the saw is right. You have to pay yourself first. first time. Even after you’ve just been laid off.” The feeling of being adrift, and possibly Steve said he’d make sure to do that. worthless. “But my biggest problem isn’t money,” The gnawing sense that he might not he said. “It’s my attitude. I’m moping. I’m get another job right away. feeling sorry for myself.” The fear that turning 50 will forever I told Steve that I understood totally. He change the way prospective employers is a victim like thousands of others. The view him — and the way he views himself. economy is changing so quickly that no Steve asked if I had ten minutes to give employee can feel safe, even if he hasn’t him some advice. We met for coffee at one been handed a buyout notice (yet). of those places where everyone is tapping “Small speech coming up,” I warned on an expensive computer and trying to Steve. He pulled in closer so he could hear look busy. over the wretched piped-in music. Steve arrived late. He looked frazzled. “I know you’re 50. I know you think

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that’s ancient. But please understand that the best thing you’ll have going for you in your new job search is your experience. “That’s what employers want. Sure, if you were trying to be a burger flipper, a kid would be a better bet than you. “But you have 25 years of very responsible executive experience. You’ve handled budgets, people, disasters, politics, the whole gamut. Someone will want you, for sure.” Steve said he’d let me know what hap-

pened. It took three days. “Bob,” said the message on my voice mail, “I start my new job next week. The new boss said the best thing about my application was my experience. Are you psychic or something?” Not psychic, Steve. Just a guy who has seen the old earth whirl a few times, and might have learned a thing or two. Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

Knowledge is Power Whether Buying or Selling, let Sue guide you in her 55+ Community of Leisure! Let her ENERGY, 25 years of experience, floor plans, contractors, staging, color brochures, visual tours, websites & statistics ELECTRIFY your Real Estate Experience!

Top 1% of Agents Nationwide • Seniors and Relocation Specialist

Sue Heyman ★ 301-580-5556 Office: 301-681-0550 x115 • Email: sueheyman@aol.com

JUST LISTED! – Regency “Pine Valley” Home Elegant 11-year old home, on corner lot, HOA only. 4BR, 3FB, sunroom addition, HWDs! $725,000

UNDER CONTRACT! – Turnberry Hi Rise “B” 2BR, 2FB, table-space kitchen open to separate DR, enclosed balcony, lower floor! $159,000

JUST LISTED! – Villa Cortese Mid-Rise “I” Larger 1st floor 2BR, 2FB, end unit, sunroom + gated patio, HWDs, TS kit, sep DR, lux bath! $300,000

JUST SOLD! – Co-op End Townhouse All brick w/ fantastic sunroom, 2BR, 1FB, 2HB, all new carpet, all utilities included in monthly fee. $138,000

COMING SOON! – Arundel Co-op Townhouse All-brick w/ sunroom + enclosed patio, 2BR, 1.5BA, new carpet, all utilities included in monthly fee! $140,000

JUST SOLD! – Villa Cortese “C”+ Garage 2BR, 2FB, manufactured wood floors, enclosed balcony with splendid view! $212,000

COMING SOON! –Turnberry "G" + Garage 2BR+den, 2FB, upgraded fridge and range, ceramic tile backsplash and master BA, wood-look foyer. $299,000

JUST SOLD! – Greens Hi-Rise “J” 2BR, 2FB, table-space kitchen, 2 bonus storage rooms, 1 cage, golf cart space. $160,000

JUST SOLD! – Overlook “L” + UNDER CONTRACT! – Fairways Hi-Rise Garage 3BR, 2.5BA, hwds, gourmet “E”, 2BR, 2FB, new appliances & kit. floor, kit, 2FP, built-ins, golf course view from newer HVAC,1st floor with easy access to balcony & every window! $495,000 bldg. rear & lobby! $133,900

Visit www.sueheyman.com and

Get a JOLT out of her VIRTUAL TOURS!

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PUZZLE PAGE RETIRE FROM WINTER

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 — 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 Four ‘5 Films

Call 1-800-309-5805 for your FREE brochure!

11089809

See our ad on page B-2.

by Stephen Sherr

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2. Small buffalo 3. Doofus 1. Confronts 4. GPA enhancer 6. Partner of Peaches 5. Affirm under oath 10. Answering machine prompt 6. Like a diamond 14. New Thanksgiving guest, perhaps 7. Muse of poetry 15. Opera highlight 8. ___ Famous (potential rap name for 16. Modern-day diary the 37th pres.) 17. “He’s got a screw ___” 9. “Take it easy, man” 18. Prepare the table for 8-ball 10. Ski lift 19. Ethereal 11. Midwestern firestarter 20. 1955 film ... [on the American Film 12. 14th tropical storm, in some years Institute’s list of] ... Top Passions 13. Luxor location 23. Space station’s hourly flight path 21. Inst. in the Research Triangle 24. ___ about (circa) 22. Inst. in the brass section 25. Piper follower 26. Beefcake ingredient 26. Roman god of the sun 27. “___, not again” 29. Air marshal org. 31. Zeus’ typical response, when displeased 28. The NFL’s Jacksonville or Charlotte 30. A new Disney princess (from Frozen) 33. 1965 film ... Top Musicals 32. Archeologist’s attraction 39. Unattractive beginning 34. Benchmarks (abbr.) 40. Less than gross 35. “A book containing a selection of 41. Gross words of a language”, for Dictionary 42. 1975 film ... Top Thrills (abbrev.) 47. Letters in the United States Book 36. von Bismarck Exchange’s web address 48. Count of singers needed for a 15 Across 37. Company sued by Nikon in 1992 for trademark violations 49. Consonants on a weather vane 38. Twelve Deadly ___ (Cyndi Lauper’s 50. Attended a dinner theater hits) 52. “Pronto!” 43. Visitor from hell 55. Good times 44. “Don’t evade the question!” 57. 1985 film ... Top Sci-Fi 45. ___ is enough (phonetically) 63. Leprechaun’s land 46. Turn heads 64. Like some TV housewives 50. Joins the conspiracy 65. Soda size 51. Deck with 78 cards 66. Bag with a strap 53. Mr. T, and pals 67. Fed. agency since 1958 54. Full, new, or crescent 68. The kids are using it, these days 56. Long-legged bird 69. Eye sore 58. Stylish boot height 70. Foreshadowing, in a horror flick 59. Distinctive flair 71. Cultural values 60. Home of the 2002 Winter Olympics Down 61. “The biggest little city in the world” 1. Repurpose a quarry 62. Units of work

Across

Scrabble answers on p. 55.

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Answers on page 55.

Answer: What she may have been after when she called him by his first name -- HIS LAST Jumbles: RAINY RUSTY MUSLIN SHEKEL

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

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

Letters to editor From page 5

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

write, chew and spit. P.S. Give China a break. The Internet is an American government invention released on the world that Americans need to understand was released along with anonymity tools that [let users] give the appearance of “events” being what they are not. Carrie Devorah Arlington, Va. Dear Editor: Although vastly increased government spending on Alzheimer’s is justified on the basis of health and economic concerns, I would not hold my breath waiting for this to occur (“The key to new drugs,” September’s “From the Publisher” column). Government, particularly at the national level, moves very slowly and is not very subject to outside pressure. Instead, both pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies are pouring billions of dollars into research where, if successful, would be extremely profitable. In addition, a number of companies have been funding university research with shared goals. While the days of meaningful government research on medical problems is not over, the marketplace will determine the extent of involvement of corporations, when success will benefit both the consumer and the corporation. Nelson Marans Silver Spring, Md.

Classifieds cont. from page 59. Wanted

BEACON BITS

CASH FOR ESTATE BUYOUTS, estate clean-outs, jewelry to furniture, one item or whole state. Free Estimate, Will Travel. 301520-0755.

Oct. 15

LADY WHO LOVES DISHES and figurines wants to buy yours. Especially Royal Copenhagen, Deco Noritake, Limoges, Herend and English bone china. Do you have a collection of cup and saucers, dog and cat figurines, Royal Doulton ladies or salt and pepper shakers? Also mid-century Scandinavian ceramics and glass, Asian items, silver, paintings and costume jewelry. Anything else old and interesting, please call me. 301785-1129.

Mindy Rosenfeld and Grammy-nomi-

COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, rifles, shot guns, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Large quantities are okay. Will pay top prices for my personal collection. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783. VINYL RECORDS WANTED from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-5966201. 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 202-726-4427, MD 301-332-4697.

FLUTE-LUTE DUO Multi-instrumentalist

nated lutenist Ronn McFarlane will appear in concert as a flute and lute duo playing Baroque, Renaissance and traditional Celtic music from the 18th century. They will also play a Renaissance harp, fife, and a small set of bagpipes called Hummelchen (“little bumblebee”). The concert will take place at Strathmore Mansion, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, Md., on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30. For more info or to reserve a ticket, visit www.strathmore.org/eventsand-tickets/ronn-mcfarlane or call (301) 581-5100.

WB 10/15

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on page 59. CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment. EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

Business and Employment Opportunities DC-BASED PETTING COMPANY seeking weekday midday dogwalkers. Ideal for retirees. Hours for walking range from 10 am-4 pm. We also care for cats, dogs and other pets when petparents travel; already booking for upcoming holidays. Motorized and insured vehicle, smart phone, and computer with internet access required. Attention to detail and experience with animals also key. Email letter of interest and resume to info@furpalspetcare.com.

Caregivers CERTIFIED, LICENSED CAREGIVER SEEKING homecare job – honest, reliable and compassionate. Available 7 days per week, nights or day. Rates negotiable. Call Babeth at 240-351-7295. 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. “A” HOME HEALTH CARE – Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in. Flat rate for live-in care. 15 years experience. 240-533-6599. HYGIENE CARE, MEAL PREPARATION, Housekeeping, Errands, Appointments, Medication reminders, Companionship. I’m a loving, experienced, trusted caregiver available for FT/PT or Live-In care for a flat rate. Call 301-490-1146. CERTIFIED HOME AIDE – Compassionate Home Care Companion available now to care for Senior or Adult with Disabilities. Devoted, reliable, experienced, own car and excellent references. MENTAL HEALTH AIDE/HOSPICE/CPR/FIRST AID Certification. I can provide Respite care, Concierge, plus more services for your loved one. Please call Sadie at 301-263-5695, kindly leave a message. CNA CAREGIVER – Kind, professional, compassionate, dependable, trustworthy and always patient. Hygiene and other personal care, medication tracking as desired, meal preparation, errands, light housekeeping. 18 years experience. Live-in and live-out. Call 240-351-6461. ELDERLY CARE – FEMALE care provider, English speaking, with car. I cook, clean and take to all appointments. I’m experienced in caring for people with MS, Alzheimer’s and other health problems. Excellent references. 301-275-7283. I WILL CARE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES night/day. Own transportation. Good references. Lots of experience. 301-502-2258.

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

Computer Services

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

Personals

PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call: David G at 301642-4526.

LOOKING FOR A QUIET AND FRIENDLY WOMAN between the ages of 55-70 to share my lovely home in a quiet area of Silver Spring, MD. Must be a strict vegetarian, non-smoker and non-drinker. The rent is $600/month including utilities. Call Carol at 301-754-1289 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

AFRICAN AMERICAN IVY PROFESSIONAL in his late 60s. Tall, attractive, fit, medium weight, active, humorous, laidback, man often mistaken for early 50s, regular gym exercise, financially upscale, semi-retired; enjoys, among other activities, dancing, fine dining, travel, ballet, sports, cooking, museums and concerts; seeks attractive, intelligent, communicative 47-plus year old woman of any race. jovialpundit@gmail.com.

Entertainment PICKLEBALL: IDEAL GAME FOR SENIORS. Courts can be set up in 30’x 50’ space and/or tennis courts can be lined. For fee lessons and/or equipment, go to www.pickelballcraze.com or call (703) 281-2899.

Events AMERICAN ARTS ANTIQUE ASSOCIATION: Looking to expand its membership. We meet seven times yearly at 11 am. Location is St. John’s Lutheran Church, on Aspen Hill Road, Rockville, MD. Call Mr. Goldstein for more information. 301-598-5397.

Financial Services CREDIT RESTORATION – WE CAN HELP. Restore your credit score today. Great credit is power. Why enroll? A higher credit score brings better rates on mortgages, refinances, and automobiles, positive results for employment, business and career opportunities. To get started and learn more call Customer Service 1-248848-9065, Option 1, and let them know you were referred by Michael McCollum Agent 341348 or you can enroll online at www.myfes.net/mmccollum1. FINANCIAL EDUCATION SERVICES donates $2 from every FES Protection Plan Payment to the Youth Financial Literacy Foundation. As a member, you’ll not only gain financial benefits for yourself, but participate in creating a financially prepared future for today’s youth. Your FES Protection will include the following Products and Services: Credit Restoration, Credit Builder, Credit Attorney, Smart Credit, FES Debt Zero Lifelock, Life Insurance, Financial Lockbox, Mycare Plan, Discount Shopping, YFL Family Mint, RX Discount Card, FES Travel. To learn more and get started call Customer Service at 1-248-848-9065, Option 2. Let them know you was referred by Michael McCollum Agent 341348 or you can enroll online www.myfes.net/mmccollum1.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate LEISURE WORLD® – $279,900. 3 BR 2FB Cabot patio home, 1-car garage with extra storage space, breakfast room addition, living room with fireplace, new carpet. Utilities included in condo fee. 1193 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $279,000. 2 BR 2 FB “EE” model in Creekside. 1st floor unit with enclosed balcony, open kitchen, separate laundry room. 1433 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $135,000. 1 BR 1 FB “B” with garage in “Greens.” Totally renovated. Window in table space kitchen, separate dining room. 980 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – RENTAL $1550. 2 BR 2 FB “J” in Greens. New paint and carpet, golf course view from enclosed balcony, close to elevator. 1325 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $183,000. 2 BR 2FB “G” with garage in “Fairways.” Updated kitchen, enclosed balcony. 1195 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – RENTAL $1,500. 1 BR 1 FB “B” in “Greens.” Table space kitchen with window, lots of closets, 945 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. LEISURE WORLD® – $269,000. 2 BR + DEN 2 FB “K” in “Greens.” Table space kitchen with large pantry/storage, balcony open to living room and both bedrooms. 1480 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert, Realtors. 301-928-3463. PROFESSIONAL, SINGLE MAN, 70, shop owner, employed full-time, seeks apartmentsharing or house-sharing with single person or couple. I have my own furniture. Home, 301253-3061, cell, 240-938-9694.

NORTH BETHESDA-GROSVENOR$1795/MO – 2 BR, 1 BA apt rental. Rockville Pike, 14th Floor with Balcony. Beautiful View. Utilities included. Available October 1. Grocery & cleaners on premises. Walk to Metro. Security with 24/7 front desk. Fitness center. Swimming pool, Tennis court. Close to 495 & 270. No pets. 301-765-7788 or marcos789@aol.com. LEISURE WORLD RENT OR SELL – Onebedroom Fairways South. Furnished or unfurnished ground floor on golf course. Doreen/Jeff, 301-963-8303. 4-BEDROOM HOUSE TO SHARE with semi-retired working professional. $595, utilities included. References required. 301-2334722. 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 55. Con tact me: 301-580-5556, SueHeyman@aol.com, www.SueHeyman.com, Weichert, Realtors.

For Sale 63 CHEVY 4-DOOR HARD TOP Impala Classic. 283 Motor. 4.6 Liter. 202-829-1035. 2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed. Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures if desired. Call Steve, 410-913-1653.

Health PAID RESEARCH STUDY: Participants needed for a hearing experiments conducted at the University of Maryland, College Park. We are seeking people ages 65-85 with normal hearing. Hearing evaluation included as part of the study. Participation time is 16 hours, with reimbursement of $12/hour. Contact The Hearing Brain Lab (301-405-8362; hearingbrainlab@gmail.com). Please mention the “Neuroplasticity study” when you contact us. PAID RESEARCH STUDY: Participants needed for NIH-funded hearing experiments conducted at the University of Maryland, College Park. Seeking people ages 35-80 with hearing loss who use hearing aids. English must be your first language. The study evaluates the benefits of a computerized training program for hearing aid users. Participation time: ~40 hours, scheduled in visits of 1.5-2 hours; $10/hr. Tota l compensation for completing the study is $500. Contact the Hearing Research Lab (301-4057454; hearingresearch@umd.edu). ARE YOU INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT YOGA? I offer one-on-one Yoga lessons for women of all ages and levels of mobility at my home studio in the Palisades ($40/hour). Esther Bieri, certified Yoga teacher (US Yoga Alliance) and psychotherapist (Swiss Federation of Psychologists), 202-468-3011, www.benjaminrosenbaum.com/yoga.

Home/Handyman Services BILL’S LIGHT HAULING. Garage, basement, attic cleanouts. Junk to the dump, yard debris, storm damage, etc. No job too small. Call Bill, 240-876-1206.

Miscellaneous THE GOLDEN NETWORK offers Jewish seniors and retirees a variety of engaging programs, including lectures, classes, one-on-one learning in person and by phone, concerts, singalongs and more! For more information and details about upcoming events, call 301-732-1773, email info@goldennetwork.org, or see goldennetwork.org.

MEET THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE! Single seniors of all ages nationwide seeking lifetime companionship. For details, call 1-800-884-4246. HUSBAND OF BRAIN-INJURED WOMAN seeks Long-Term Relation with Marriage in Mind. In my late 60s, DC area, active and fit, gentleman. Wife in accident 2 years ago with major brain injury, mental and physical abilities poor, no communication or companionship. Relation reduced to caregiver. No immediate divorce now, but want relation with good lady. Marriage likely. Race irrelevant. Please contact Paul at saver7777@aol.com.

Personal Services READY TO DE-CLUTTER? Sort, donate, discard. Reasonable rates. Call Jan, 301-933-7570. HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE looking to clean your house. Good reference and experience. Please call Vio, 301-706-6317. AFFORDABLE, PERSONALIZED CONCIERGE Services for seniors, working parents, or anyone needing assistance during life transitions. Flexible non-clinical support, including de-cluttering, estate inventories, doctor appointments, errands, friendly visits, patient advocacy, and more. Tournesol Services, LLC can help! Contact Isabelle at tournesolservices@gmail.com, call 301-785-7181, or visit www.tournesolservices.com. “De-stress your life: Turn to Tournesol.” Mention “Sunflower” for free 4th hour after first 3 service hours you purchase. CHERYL’S ORGANIZING CONCEPTS LLC – Professional Organizing Services. Help with all aspects of home organizing. Experienced – References – Member NAPO. All work confidential. Licensed – Bonded. $25 discount on initial appointment. www.CherylsOrganizing.com. 301-916-9022. WILL TYPE YOUR MEMOIRS, manuscripts, etc. For info and rates, call 703-671-1854. NEVER COOK AGAIN! Grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning. Your week’s worth of healthy meals individually packaged and ready to enjoy! Your Kitchen, Our Chef. Call now for more information! 703-894-7630.

Wanted WE BUY JEWELRY, SILVER, GOLD, AND COSTUME. Coins, Paper Money Too. Watches, Clocks, Military Badges and Patches Old and New. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. OLD AND NEW, WE BUY STERLING SILVER FLATWARE, Tea Sets, Single Pieces of Silver, Large pieces of Silver Plate. Attic, Basement or Garage. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. You have something to SELL, we are looking to BUY. OLD PHOTOS, 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY. Stereo views (double photos on cards). Daguerreotypes. Photos in brown cases. Other photos on cards. I can’t drive. I’m in a big downtown Silver Spring apt bldg, early parking. I pay fairly! Call Bruce, 301-767-5249 or montgomerymath@yahoo.com. BUYING MILITARY MEMORABILIA WW2, WW1, Civil War uniforms, weapons, photos and items associated with US, German, Japanese or items of other Military History. DAVE, 240-4640958. HIGHEST CASH PAID FOR ANTIQUES, JEWELRY, ESTATES. I have been advertising in the Beacon for 20 years. Montgomery County resident – will travel to D.C., MD, VA. Buying following items: Furniture, art, jewelry, gold, sterling silver, old coins, vintage pocket and wrist watches, old tools, books, camera, military items – guns, rifles, knives, pocket knives, swords etc. Also buying: old toys, dolls, trains, comic books, photographs, autographs, musical instruments, guitars, violins, etc. Also old sports memorabilia and equipment – baseball, golf, football, fishing etc. Please call Tom at 240-476-3441.

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

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Classifieds continued from page 58 Wanted

Wanted

WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, Guitars, Banjos, Mandolins, etc. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack, 301- 279-2158.

STAMP COLLECTIONS, AUTOGRAPHS purchased/appraised – U.S., worldwide, covers, paper memorabilia. Stamps are my specialty – highest price paid! Appraisals. Phone Alex, 301-309-3622. Stampex1@gmail.com.

SELL YOUR GOLD AND SILVER JEWELRY and old coins. Licensed dealer in Silver Spring buys gold and silver. I will meet you at your home or bank, analyze your jewelry, or coins, and tell you how much I can pay if you should decide to sell. No fees or obligation. Call Bob, 240-938-9694. Gold 4 Good. 8431 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring. License #2327. MILITARY ITEMS WANTED: Collector seeks to purchase military uniforms; flight jackets, patches, insignia, medals, etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne, and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. ALSO BUYING old Boy Scout, Airline Items, Toys, Lighters. Call Dan, 202-841-3062.

FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious, capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree], knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate, I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from Oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful, I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan, 301-279-8834. Thank you.

CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. We make house calls. Ask for Tom. Call anytime 301-654-8678 or 301-654-0838.

Classifieds cont. on page 57.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 20th of each month. Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards. Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $15 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word. Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise. Each ad is $35 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word. Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad. Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

The Beacon, D.C. Classified Dept. P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 For information about display advertising, or to request a media kit, call (301) 949-9766.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Research Studies

Diabetes Clinical Study . . . . . . . .24

Computer Classes

JCA SeniorTech . . . . . . . . . . . .9-11

Dental Services

Friedman, Stephen, DDS . . . . . . .47 Oh, Judy DDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Employment/ Volunteers

Career Gateway . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Events

Beacon 50+Expo . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4

Financial Services

Children’s National Hospital . . . .35 Jefferson Mortgage Group . . . .B-13 Mortgage Center of America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-12 Retirement Life Funding . . . . . . .34 Widow Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Funeral Services

Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Fram Monuments . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Going Home Cremation . . . . . . . .38

Government Services

DC Office on Aging . .33-34, 39-40 Montgomery County Age Friendly Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services . . . . . . . . . .23 Montgomery County Information & Services/311 . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Hearing Services

Advanced Hearing Health Care . .18 Auditory Services, Inc . . . . . . . . . .9 Family Hearing Services . . . . . . .27 Sound Hearing Centers . . . . . . . .20

Home Health Care

AARP Caregiver Center . . . . . . .44 Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . . . .B-16 Elder Caring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Hallmark Home Care . . . . . . . . . .22 Options for Senior America . . . . .36 Virginian Home Health Services. . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Housing

Arbor Terrace of Herndon . . . . . .26 Arden Courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Ashby Ponds/Erickson .B-2, B-9, 56 Brooke Grove Retirement Village . . . . . . .B-9, B-17, B-20, 21 Charles E. Smith Lifetimes . . . . .47 Chesterbrook Residences . . . . . . . . . .B-9, B-14 Churchill Senior Living . . . . . . . .16 Covenant Village . . . . . . .B-8, B-17 Culpepper Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Emerson House . . . . . . . . .B-5, B-8 Fairfax, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-16 Falcons Landing . . . . . . . .B-7, B-14 Friendship Terrace . . . . . . .B-5, B-6 Great Falls Assisted Living . . . . .B-14, B-17 Greenspring/ Erickson . . . . . . . . .B-2, B-10, 56 Homecrest House . . . . . . .B-5, B-12 Knollwood . . . . . . . . . .B-10, B-12 Olney Assisted Living . . .B-3, B-19 Park View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Potomac Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-6 Quantum Property Management B-8 Residences at Thomas Circle . . . . . . .B-4, B-17

Riderwood/Erickson . . .B-2, B-5,56 Solana of Olney, The . . . . . . . . .B-2 Springvale Terrace . . . . . .B-3, B-19 Tall Oaks Assisted Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-2, B-19 Tribute at Heritage Village .B-9, B-13 Tysons Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-16 Village at Rockville, The . .B-18, 28 Vinson Hall Retirement Community . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5, B-8 Virginian, The . . . . . . . . . . .B-5, 68 Waltonwood . . . . . . . . . .B-10, B-15

Housing Referral Service

Care Patrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-15 New Lifestyles . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-13

Legal Services

Eleff Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Law Firm of Evan Farr . . . . . . . .34 Law Offices of Paul Riekhof . . . .37 Legal Counsel for the Elderly . . .27

Medical/Health

BrightLife Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 CareFirst Blue Cross/Blue Shield 50 HealthQare Associates . . . . . . . . .15 Holy Cross Germantown Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Horizon Vascular Specialists .10, 19 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . .18 Run With It Coach . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Seven Corners Medical . . . . . . . .24 Stem Cell Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Pharmacies

CVS/pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Rite Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Real Estate Services

Long & Foster/Eric Stewart . . . . .42

Long & Foster/Inderjeet Jumani . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Weichert/Douglas Brasse . . . . . . .23 Weichert/Sue Heyman . . . . . . . . .55

Restaurants

Original Pancake House . . . . . . . .34 Wrap2Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Retail/Pawn/Auction

Four Sales LTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Quinn’s Auction Galleries . . . . . .20 Wow Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation

Communicare Health . . . . . . . . . .25 Health South Rehab Hospital . . . .26 Manor Care Health Services . . . .20

Subscriptions

Beacon Subscription . . . . . . . . . .57 Washington Jewish Week . . . . . . .38

Theatre/ Entertainment

National Symphony Orchestra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51,54 Signature Theatre . . . . . . . .B-11, 48 Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .48 US Army Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Tour & Travel

Eyre Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Potomac Eagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Tripper Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 US Navy Memorial . . . . . . . . . . .49 Vamoose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Utilities

Verizon DC Lifeline Program . . .38

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