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First surgery center for seniors

Caring for centenarians While receiving his surgical training at Massachusetts General Hospital, Katlic cared for several 100-year-old patients. He wrote a small paper, “Surgery in Centenarians,” that was published in 1985 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “That changed the course of my career,” said Katlic.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF SINAI HOSPITAL

By Carol Sorgen After Gloria Levin had been hospitalized five times earlier this year with a severe hiatal hernia and complications, she was told she was not a candidate for surgery, and there was nothing more that could be done for her. They recommended that hospice care be arranged. “They gave up on me,” said the 83-yearold Pikesville resident. “They told me to go home and die.” Fortunately, Levin’s family physician had another idea. He referred her to Dr. Mark Katlic, surgeon-in-chief at Sinai Hospital and director of its groundbreaking Center for Geriatric Surgery. The surgical center is the nation’s first dedicated exclusively to providing specialized surgical pre- and postoperative care for patients age 75 and older. “By rights, I should be dead,” said Levin. But after an extensive pre-op evaluation, Katlic, a thoracic surgeon, agreed to do the surgery Levin needed, and she’s doing just fine now. “Every day between 8,000 and 10,000 baby boomers turn 65, and soon they will be the greatest force affecting healthcare in the United States,” said Katlic. “I am passionate about making sure that the quality and length of life for older patients are the best that they can be.” Katlic, 62, added that he is also dedicated to educating other medical professionals about the unique challenges that geriatric surgery entails. Levin doesn’t know exactly why the first hospital she visited wouldn’t perform the surgery she needed, but she suspects it was because of her age. That’s not uncommon, according to Katlic, but it’s a mindset he has set out to change in the 30 years that he has been championing the health rights of elderly patients.

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Gifts for the travelers on your shopping list; plus, take a cue on learning the game of pool, and what travel insurance to buy page 21

Sinai Hospital’s Center for Geriatric Surgery repaired Gloria Levin’s hiatal hernia when other physicians were unwilling to operate on the 83-year-old. The surgery center, the first of its kind in the nation, offers intensive pre- and post-op care to help older adults have more successful operations.

His paper was publicized throughout the world and eventually caught the eye of a publisher who asked him to write the book — literally — on geriatric surgery. Principles and Practice of Geriatric Surgery was published in 1990; since then, four other textbooks and numerous peer-reviewed journal articles have followed. Katlic joined the staff of Sinai two-and-ahalf years ago, having served most recently as director of thoracic surgery at Geisinger Health System, Northeast, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. “The idea of a Center for Geriatric Surgery had been percolating in my mind for some time,” said Katlic, who attended medical school at the Johns Hopkins Uni-

versity School of Medicine. “Sinai was interested, and the time was right.”

Specialized pre-op care While the conditions that often require surgery — cancer, atherosclerosis, degenerative joint disease, cataracts, prostate disease and gallstones — increase in incidence with increasing age, so do the risks of surgery, including complications, lengthier hospital stays and even death. That doesn’t mean, however, that surgery can’t or shouldn’t be performed, said Katlic. But it does mean that older patients need to be more carefully evaluated and See SURGERY CENTER, page 8

ARTS & STYLE

A tour of Baltimore’s historic houses of worship; plus, the Reginald Lewis Museum lands a major new black history exhibit page 26 FITNESS & HEALTH 3 k Pros and cons of preservatives k Reduce stroke risk LAW & MONEY 13 k Profit from the oil and gas boom k Why foreign funds are on fire VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS k This store is all in the family

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At your fingertips Most people I speak with — regardless found that people comprehend and recall of their age — tell me they prefer reading a text better when it’s read on paper rather real newspaper (on paper) than a screen. rather than a virtual one on a Compared with paper, peocomputer screen. ple find reading on a computer, They like the “old-fashsmartphone or tablet screen to ioned” tactile experience, be more taxing — both menwhere they can tur n the tally and physically. Prolonged pages, skim the headlines, reading on screens also causes choose which ads to read, clip more eyestrain, headaches articles of interest, and generand blurred vision than readally feel like they have accoming printed paper. plished something when they I think this is all true. And are through. (You’re some- FROM THE we like to point out these facts how never “through” with on- PUBLISHER when speaking with those ad line media.) By Stuart P. Rosenthal agencies and potential adverBeing the publisher of a tisers who believe that the printed newspaper, it’s possible that I, per- only place to advertise today is online. haps unconsciously, choose to speak with (Obviously, advertisers you see in the people who are likely to agree with me on Beacon do not share that bias, for which this. we are grateful, as there would be no BeaBut there is evidence that a preference con without them.) for reading on paper rather than screens is But even I have to admit that there are widely shared. Scientific evidence. Scientif- times and places where having access to a ic American evidence, even. broad range of reading material in one’s In its November issue, that premier mag- pocket can come in handy: waiting for a azine of scientific research published an ar- train, sitting in a doctor’s office, standing ticle titled, “Why the Brain Prefers Paper.” It in line and, as the British say, “on the loo.” reports that, in many studies conducted I own a smartphone and admit to using over the past 20 years, researchers have it to read various news sources in those sit-

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

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uations. I also just obtained my first tablet (an iPad). While I marvel at its beauty, I am still figuring out how and when I will use it. So why did I buy it? Drum roll, please. Because the Beacon has recently unveiled our first “mobile app” for both tablet and smartphone users and, believe it or not, not a single member of our 13-person staff owned a tablet on which to check it out! Let me pause for a moment to define “app” for the more technologically challenged folks who may be reading this. An app (short for “application”) is a software program that enables your smartphone or tablet to do something particularly useful for you. For example, there’s an app to convert your phone or tablet camera into a document scanner, or its flash into a powerful flashlight, or to make your device function as an alarm clock or stopwatch or radio or sound machine or GPS or...well, you get the idea. So what does the Beacon app enable you to do? Well, basically it provides versions of our website, newspapers and Resource Guides that are designed to be easier to read on a smartphone or tablet. If you’re familiar with our website, you know that it features many options, including feature articles from our four editions, blog posts from me and our managing editor, an events calendar, comics, puzzles, videos and more. Using a smartphone, you can open and view our website, but you’d better be holding a magnifying glass if you want to read anything on it! But now, if you access our website through a smartphone or tablet, you should get a message inviting you to download our free “mobile app,” which makes it much easier to scroll through a list of stories and topics and to pick one article at a time to read. You can also view our archives and select any of our editions (Greater Washington, Greater Baltimore, Howard County, or Palm Springs, Calif.) to view them exactly as they appear in print. You “flip” through the pages

by swiping the image with your finger. Even though you can significantly expand the size of the text (and ads) to make viewing easier, I don’t think you’ll prefer reading the Beacon in this manner to picking up a paper. But the app can certainly give you an overview, help you find something from a past issue, or call up an ad to remind you of a special offer or phone number while you’re out and about. And you may find reading our print editions on a large tablet can be helpful, especially if you’re out of town or otherwise unable to pick up a printed copy now and then. Our mobile app will also let you access other sections of our website in a simple format, such as videos, information about upcoming Expos, and the like. We will be adding more functions to the app as time goes on. Please don’t be alarmed. Our app will not be taking the place of our printed product! You will continue to be able to pick up our paper from thousands of free local distribution sites. We do expect, however, that younger people, travelers and out-of-towners will discover the Beacon more readily thanks to this app. In fact, we are already seeing some evidence of this. Our new app went “live” just two weeks ago, and we have not even announced it publicly. This is my first reference to it in print. But as I write this column, 96 people have already downloaded it. To download our app, visit http://beacon.mobapp.at, or search for The Beacon Newspapers at the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. I will keep you informed as we make progress. And if you choose to read the Beacon on a mobile device, please return the favor: Let us know what you like (or don’t like) about it, and what else you’d like to see our new app do for you.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: As a change of pace to the usual letter to the editor concerning contemporary issues, such as social and economic matters, crime, corruption, etc., perhaps your readers may find interest and humor in the following quotes: 1. Speaking without thinking is like shooting without aiming. 2. They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

3. Those who consider themselves too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. 4. Charity begins at home, but should not end there. 5. When a player can’t see the man who is dealing the cards, it is best to stay out of the game. 6. The only certain thing in life is that nothing is certain. William H. Stevens Perry Hall

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Health Fitness &

REDUCE STROKE RISK Lose weight, drink less alcohol and consume less sodium to cut stroke risk GIVING VOICE For those who can’t speak due to illness, free communication tools can help SCREENINGS OVERDONE Whole-body CT scans and some other tests can do more harm than good NO MORE STUFFING Outwit your family dynamics to avoid overeating at holiday gatherings

Preservatives: How much is too much? By Sharon Palmer, R.D. “Natural” foods, free of preservatives, continue to trend. But is avoiding preservatives really necessary? If you keep a loaf of homemade bread on the counter for a few days, the telltale signs of spoilage begin: mold, discoloration and an off taste. The same thing will happen if you leave most perishable food products — such as cooked vegetables, meat or eggs — at room temperature for too long. Bacteria, microorganisms and enzymes begin to do their job by essentially “feeding” on the food, resulting in decay. That’s why food companies add preservatives to foods — to extend shelf life, maintain high quality and prevent spoilage. Before the advent of modern chemical preservatives used by the food industry, such as sodium benzoate and sulfites, our ancestors used other means of preservation, like drying foods and adding salt. We know that too much salt in preserved foods isn’t good for us, but what about synthetic preservatives? While many preservatives appear to be safe and perform an important function in

our food system, some of them may be of concern.

Many benefits of preservatives Many of our modern preser vatives were introduced in the 1970s. “Before then, you couldn’t leave foods out at room temperature for long,” said Roger Clemens, internationally recognized food science expert and professor of pharmacology at the University of Southern California. “The addition of preservatives has changed our behavior on how we store and use food.” Now we have the ability to purchase larger amounts of foods less often, and fewer foods need to be refrigerated. Chemical preservatives function to preserve food in many ways, including preventing the growth of microorganisms, reducing moisture content, increasing acidity, preventing the natural ripening process, and acting as an antioxidant. The biggest advantage of using preservatives is lowering food waste. “We’re losing up to 50 percent of our food supply around the world due to food waste,” said Clemens.

“We’re in a bit of a conundrum; we want healthy food that will last a long time, but if you don’t put preservatives in it, you lose food due to spoilage.” Preservatives also can help protect our health by decreasing the risk of foodborne illness caused by microorganisms in food. They also play a role in lowering oxidation in the body, which may occur as a result of ingredients in foods that become oxidized (or rancid). Oxidized compounds in food products can promote the formation of free radicals in the body, which produce oxidative stress. It’s well known that oxidative stress is linked with the development of diseases like cancer and heart disease.

Questions raised on some The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for ensuring the safety of foods, but is not required to review preservatives currently in use that are considered “generally recognized as safe.” Many food preservatives appear to be completely safe, including alpha tocopheral (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), calcium propionate, nisin, tartaric acid and

TBHQ. On the other hand, several food additives have been banned, because — after many years of use — they’ve been deemed unsafe. Others have been called into question because of potential carcinogen or allergen risks. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI) has petitioned the FDA to reevaluate the safety of some food additives. Clemens reports that the FDA hasn’t made a move on this issue yet. The following additives have been questioned regarding their safety, according to CSPI: 1. BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers this chemical to be “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” 2. Propyl Gallate. Animal studies suggest that this preservative might promote cancer, however additional research is needed. 3. Sodium Nitrite/Nitrate. These are used as preservatives in processed meats, linked to increased cancer and heart disSee PRESERVATIVES, page 5

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Ways you can reduce your risk of stroke Strokes don’t usually come out of the blue. True, nobody can predict the precise time when a stroke will strike, and more than two dozen factors make it more likely a person will suffer a stroke. But even when family history or an underlying medical condition puts you at risk, you can do more than you think to avoid a fatal or debilitating stroke. “Stroke is potentially one of the most devastating illnesses that we see, and it’s especially tragic when simply taking good

care of one’s blood pressure or some other preventive measure might have averted it,” said Thomas Lee, M.D. of Harvard. If you’ve already had a stroke or ministroke (a transient ischemic attack, or TIA), cutting your stroke risk isn’t so much an option as a lifeline. Sadly, far too many people who’ve suffered a stroke or heart attack don’t heed the warning.

Eliminate lifestyle stroke risks Smoking is the No. 1 risk factor for

stroke. What’s more, smoking makes just about all your other stroke risks worse. If you smoke cigarettes, you know what you need to do. Nothing will help you prevent a stroke more than quitting. Other important ways to lower your odds of having a stroke: 1. Lose weight. Get down to what your doctor considers a healthy weight for you. 2. Drink less alcohol. If you drink, keep it moderate (that’s no more than two drinks a day for a man, no more than one a day for a woman), and remember that a drink is only an ounce and a half of liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer. And no binges on weekends, even if you don’t drink at all on weekdays. 3. Consume less sodium (salt). Limit sodium to no more than 2,300 mg. per day — and no more than 1,500 mg. per day if you’re over age 51, African-American, or have diabetes, kidney disease, or certain other chronic conditions. 4. Eat a healthy diet. Cut way back on saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol, but don’t be afraid of foods with healthy unsaturated fats. Eat less sugar and red meat. Your mealtime mainstays should be vegetables, fruits, fat-free or low-fat dairy, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds and nuts. 5. Exercise. Are you sitting down? Get

up! Your couch may be one of your biggest stroke risks. Find kinds of physical activity you enjoy. Talk with your doctor about how much exercise is right for you. Spend less time in front of screens and more time walking.

Reduce medical stroke risks Many underlying medical conditions add to your risk of stroke. By keeping these conditions under control, you minimize that increased risk. “It’s now clear that many of these measures also reduce your risk of heart disease and other medical problems, so they make sense for virtually everyone,” said Dr. Lee. High blood pressure. Most people can control high blood pressure by eating a low-salt diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits, by getting regular exercise, and by taking blood pressure medications exactly as prescribed. High cholesterol and atherosclerosis. High cholesterol levels build up fatty plaques that reduce blood flow in the arteries — a condition called atherosclerosis, which can lead to a stroke. If diet and exercise don’t bring your cholesterol levels down far enough, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs that can See STROKE RISK, page 7

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Of greater concern may be the sheer amount of preservatives we’re getting. Many health experts fear that with our increasing intake of highly processed foods, we’re inadvertently upping our intake of these additives. According to Clemens, when you consume too many foods with preservatives, it may cause problems (as is true for most things in our diets) Ironically, problems can also be caused by using too little preservatives. A 2010 study by Swedish researchers found that when a small amount of a common preservative was added to different types of pork meat, it increased the amount of toxins produced by the bacteria in food. The toxins from food microorganisms are generally responsible for making you sick when you acquire a food-borne illness. The scientists reported that the preservatives may cause the bacteria to become

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ease risk. 4. Sodium Benzoate. While these chemicals appear to be safe for most people, some report severe allergic reactions. 5. Sulfites. Though sulfites appear safe for non-sensitive people, they can cause severe allergies in some.

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stressed, which means they produce more toxins. However, when a larger amount of preservative was added, the bacteria did not survive. The solution to eating a healthful diet seems clear. “Eating less packaged food is ultimately the solution,” said Gerri French, nutrition educator at Sansum Clinic, Santa Barbara, Calif. “Enjoy more fresh foods, including [those with] healthy fats, such as avocados, nuts, seeds and quality oils, and eat less [processed] food products. “Eat more dried fruit and nuts rather than nutrition bars; plain yogurt with fresh or frozen fruit rather than ‘fruit-flavored’ yogurts; milk in coffee rather than artificial creamer.” When you do use packaged foods, avoid the preservatives that are of the greatest concern. “Read the ingredients on food labels in the foods that you frequently use,” French said. “The next time you shop for those foods, look for a substitute that does not contain the ingredient you’d like to avoid. There might be refrigerator options with fewer food additives for products like bottled salad dressings.” Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 1-800-8295384. www.EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2013 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Health Shorts Communicating when you can’t talk A range of problems, from stroke to dementia, can hamper speech. Add the stress of being in the hospital, and communication can be nearly impossible. Boards with pictures and phrases can help patients get across their message without speaking a word. They can be downloaded in paper form from several websites for free. The pages can be laminated or placed in sheet protectors. “The use of images with medical person-

JANUARY 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

nel and family can help people understand and remember what is said to them. I have been to many emergency rooms and hospitals and am usually surprised that more isn’t done to help patients communicate. Everyone is [so] busy focusing on medical needs, that the communication needs of individuals are often overlooked,” according to Joan Green, a speech therapist in Potomac, Md. One of the downloadable communication boards for use in the hospital states, “I need help with something…” at the top, and includes 30 simple drawings — from “sit in chair” to “nurse call button” to “clean glasses.” Another says “This is how I feel…” with such choices as “sore throat” and “too hot.” To download these and other free boards, go to www.amyspeechlanguagetherapy.com/communication-boards.html. Another resource are the “cue cards”

created by Eastern Health. They can also be downloaded for free after entering your email address. They are available at http://www.easternhealth.org.au/services/cuecards/default.aspx. — Barbara Ruben

Sleep keeps your brain healthy When we sleep, our brains get rid of gunk that builds up while we’re awake, suggests a study that may provide new clues to treat Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders. This cleaning was detected in the brains of sleeping mice, but scientists said there’s reason to think it happens in people, too. If so, the finding may mean that, for people with dementia and other mind disorders, “sleep would perhaps be even more important in slowing the progression of further damage,’’ Dr. Clete Kushida, medical director of the Stanford Sleep Medicine Center, said in an email. Kushida did not participate in the study, which appeared in the journal Science. People who don’t get enough shut-eye have trouble learning and making decisions, and are slower to react. But despite decades of research, scientists can’t agree on the basic purpose of sleep. Reasons range from processing memory, to saving energy, to regulating the body. The latest work, led by scientists at the

University of Rochester Medical Center, adds fresh evidence to a long-standing view: When we close our eyes, our brains go on a cleaning spree. The team previously found a plumbing network in mouse brains that flushes out cellular waste. For the new study, the scientists injected the brains of mice with beta-amyloid — a substance that builds up in Alzheimer’s disease — and followed its movement. They determined that it was removed faster from the brains of sleeping mice than awake mice. The team also noticed that brain cells tend to shrink during sleep, which widens the space between the cells. This allows waste to pass through that space more easily. Though the work involved mouse brains, lead researcher Dr. Maiken Nedergaard said this plumbing system also exists in dogs and baboons, and it’s logical to think that the human brain also clears away toxic substances. Nedergaard said the next step is to look for the process in human brains. In an accompanying editorial, neuroscientist Suzana Herculano-Houzel of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro said scientists have recently taken a heightened interest in the spaces between brain cells, where junk is flushed out. It’s becoming clearer that “sleep is likely to be a brain state in which several important housekeeping functions take See HEALTH SHORTS, page 7

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Finally, a treatment program that builds your brain’s capacity to resist memory loss and cognitive decline. The early signs of cognitive decline can seem inconsequential. However, the symptoms can be the first indication of more severe problems on the horizon. The NeurExpand Brain Center can assess your risk and create a treatment plan shown to measurably improve memory, focus, and cognitive performance in patients. Developed by renowned neurologist Majid Fotuhi, M.D., Ph.D., this clinical program, covered by Medicare and most insurance plans, is your best chance to ensure that your mind and memory remain sharp. Call NeurExpand today. 1205 York Road, Lutherville, MD 21093

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2014

Stroke risk From page 4 significantly cut your stroke risk. Atrial fibrillation. “A-fib” is an important cause of stroke, and unfortunately it tends to cause larger strokes. Treatment with medications that prevent blood clots reduces this risk. “Many people with atrial fibrillation who would benefit from blood-thinning medications are not being treated,” warned Dr. Richard Lee. “This is especially true for people with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation — this is when the atrial fibrillation occurs once in a while, and not all the time. They should be treated as if they had

Health shorts From page 6 place,” she said in an email. The study was funded by the National In-

atrial fibrillation all the time.” Diabetes. Diabetes quadruples stroke risk. Two-thirds of people with diabetes eventually die of a stroke or heart attack. For people with type 1 diabetes, close monitoring of blood sugar and careful insulin use helps reduce risk of complications. Those with type 2 diabetes, in addition to diet and exercise, may need metformin (Glucophage, others) or other diabetes drugs. Managing high cholesterol and high blood pressure is extremely important for people with diabetes. —Harvard Heart Letter ©2013. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. stitute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. In a statement, program director Jim Koenig said the finding could lead to new approaches for treating a range of brain diseases. — AP

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

TAI CHI FOR BETTER BALANCE Tai Chi for Better Balance is a Baltimore County Department of

Aging program that empowers older adults 60 years and older to carry out health behaviors that improve balance, strength and physical performance; improve postural stability and walking; reduce the risks of falls; improve self-management; and increase quality of life. For more information, call (410) 887-3423.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

ACTIVE LIVING EVERY DAY Active Living Every Day is a behavior change program that helps

participants overcome their barriers to physical activity and make positive changes in their health and well-being. Participants learn to set goals and find activities they enjoy. Programs will be scheduled in southeast area Baltimore County Senior centers (Ateaze, Edgemere, Essex, Fleming, Overlea-Fullerton, Parkville, Rosedale, Seven Oaks and Victory Villa) through October 2014. For more information, visit www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/aging/healtheducation/ or call (410) 887-2594 or the individual senior centers.

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Surgery center From page 1 monitored so that they can benefit from surgery to improve the length and quality of their lives. As part of the center’s clinical program, Katlic and his staff provide a tailored, individualized treatment plan for each patient. This starts with a comprehensive screening and assessment, which will determine a course of action based on the particular patient’s needs. “There is growing recognition in the medical community that [the traditional]

preoperative heart and lung testing in elderly surgical patients may not be sufficient, and that other ‘softer’ tests may be valuable in determining surgical risk,” said Katlic. The center’s clinical coordinators and full-time nurse practitioner perform an evaluation that includes a routine physical examination and laboratory studies, plus additional testing to evaluate frailty, activities of daily living, delirium risk, cognition, nutritional status, fall risk and current medications. They also do a specialized evaluation for the primary caregiver to see if he or she is

JANUARY 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

up to the challenge of caring for their recuperating loved one. According to Katlic, the results of this extensive evaluation are studied to determine what factors are most important in evaluating the risk of surgery to each patient. “The guiding principle of the Center for Geriatric Surgery is ‘just-right care’ — not too little, not too much, not too limited and not too aggressive,” said Katlic. Each patient works with a dedicated clinical coordinator to serve as his or her advocate during the inpatient postoperative stay, helping with daily medication review, family communication and discharge planning.

Hundreds of patients seen Approximately 400 patients have been evaluated since the center opened a little more than a year ago. The oldest patient the center has seen so far was 104 years old, and she suffered from breathing problems. If a patient’s pre-op evaluation raises red flags, his or her surgeon will be notified. That doesn’t necessarily mean the surgery won’t be performed, Katlic observed, but it gives the surgeon and the pre-op and post-op teams additional information that can help with decision-making and plan of care. “Our end goal is to optimize treatment,” said Katlic. Furthermore, he added, treat-

ment isn’t always about prolonging life, but often about offering a better quality of life. In addition to providing comprehensive clinical care for the elderly surgical patient, the center has an academic arm as well. Katlic noted that there is tremendous interest in the topic of geriatric surgery, not just in this country but also worldwide. So he plans to share the knowledge gained at the center with other medical professionals through clinical studies, articles, lectures and symposia, and a fellowship program. Word about the center is starting to get out: It has received coverage not only in the local media but in the New York Times as well. Katlic was recently named a 2013 Innovator of the Year by the Daily Record for his pioneering work in caring for older adults. Because of Katlic’s initiatives, hospitals around the country are developing centers similar to Sinai’s. And, as with Gloria Levin, other hospitals are beginning to send their older surgical patients to Sinai. “We’re geriatric-friendly,” said Katlic with a smile. As for Levin, the result of her experience at the Sinai Center for Geriatric Surgery speaks for itself. “I’m alive,” she said. “What else can I ask for?!” For more information about the Sinai Center for Geriatric Surgery, call (410) 601-WELL (9355) or visit www.lifebridgehealth/geriatricsurgery.

Talking on the phone can be easy again. You have our word.

Using voice recognition technology, a Captioned Telephone operator makes it possible for you to receive on-screen captions of what your caller says as you listen. You may qualify for a Captioned Telephone, amplified phone, or other devices through the Maryland Accessible Telecommunications program at no cost.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2014

Ways to avoid overeating at gatherings By Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDM Q: How can I avoid overeating in response to people pushing food at me during family gatherings? A: Family dynamics vary, so an approach that works in one family might not do well in another. Is your family one in which eating rich foods in large amounts is seen as an essential part of gatherings, and not doing so is met with resistance? Rather than making a major statement that you don’t want to eat that way, you might try to let your healthy eating quietly fly under the radar. Especially if you are busy helping, or not sitting right next to the person most likely to push food at you, your lack of overeating may go undetected if you don’t make a big deal of it. If people do urge you to take more than you are comfortable eating, try for responses that don’t put them on the defensive. You might compliment the food and say that you are so full you’d like to wait until later for more. If you refuse in a way that makes others feel guilty by implying that they are eating excessively, or that the food they have served you is unhealthy, they may be offended and push further. Remember that the health impact of a food varies with its portion. If you help with serving, or the meal is family style, you can choose the portion that’s right for you. Try to find some vegetables or other healthful choices to savor slowly, so that if others are going back for third or fourth portions, you still have something to munch. Don’t let other people derail your efforts to take care of your health. Nevertheless,

try to be sensitive when you are dealing with people for whom you know refusing food feels like you are refusing their love. Q: Do those elastic tubes and bands really work for strength training? A: Yes, elastic tubes and bands are now available for virtually all levels of strength training, and they’re inexpensive and easily stored. You need to use the right band or tube to match your strength level and the particular muscle group being exercised. Chest presses, for example, need more resistance than the arm curls that exercise your upper arms. When working with an elastic tube or band, you secure it under your feet or around a heavy piece of furniture or a pole. Focus on squeezing the muscle in use when you encounter resistance as you pull on the tube/band. Stop and pause, keeping the muscle tight when you’ve completed the pulling motion. Then keep the muscle working as you release the weight slowly, rather than letting it spring back as you return to starting position. Just as when strength-training with free weights or stationary machines, good posture and proper technique is important to work the muscle appropriately and to avoid injury. You can use many of the same exercises you may have learned with other forms of strength training, but if you haven’t received instruction, it’s best to learn good technique by meeting with a certified fitness trainer at a local facility. If this isn’t possible, check out a recognized fitness organization’s DVD or website. For example, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) offers a free suggested routine with elastic tubing at http://bit.ly/elas tic_band_exercises.

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You also can see how to use a resistance/stretch band in this video from AICR: http://bit.ly/elastic_band_video. Courtesy of the American Institute for

Cancer Research. Questions for this column may be sent to “Nutrition Wise,” 1759 R St., NW, Washington, DC 20009. Collins cannot respond to questions personally.

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JANUARY 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Health Studies Page

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Simple test helps predict heart attack risk By Carol Sorgen While it’s certainly beneficial to your health if those all-important “numbers” — cholesterol, blood pressure and blood

•

sugar — are in the normal range, that doesn’t mean you’re not at risk for developing heart disease. According to Baltimore internist Boris

!"#$%&'("&%$)$"%

Johns Hopkins University investigators seek healthy adults ages 40 and up to participate in research studies designed to investigate ways to improve cognitive abilities. You will be compensated for your time. For more information call:

Julia Hernandez (410) 955-7789 Protocol Number: NA_00015657 PI: Barry Gordon, M.D., Ph.D.

Approved August 22, 2013

Kerzner, research has shown that for more than 50 percent of people, the first symptom of asymptomatic coronary artery disease is sudden death or a heart attack. But now, a simple noninvasive finger sensor test has been shown to be “highly predictive” in identifying the risk of a major cardiac event, such as a heart attack or stroke, even in people otherwise considered at low or moderate risk.

Measures blood flow The finger test device, known as EndoPAT, was developed by Itamar Medical, an Israeli company. It evaluates the health of your arteries by measuring what the company calls a PAT (Peripheral Arterial Tone) signal. The lining of your arteries, known as the endothelium, regulates blood flow and acts much the way a layer of Teflon does in a nonstick pan. When the endothelium is functioning normally, it protects the blood vessels from atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and plaque buildup. However, if the endothelium is damaged from such lifestyle choices as smoking, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and too much stress, what develops is known as endothelial dysfunction, which is the earliest indicator of cardiovascular disease. The presence of endothelial dysfunction strongly predicts cardiovascular events in people in the early stages of heart disease, even if they don’t have other recognizable risk factors, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Its effects also go beyond coronary disease, and have been implicated in other serious illnesses, such as sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, renal disease and dementia. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic and Tufts-New England Medical Center in

Boston used EndoPAT to test 270 patients between the ages of 42 and 66, and followed their progress from August 1999 to August 2007. Forty-nine percent of patients whose EndoPAT test indicated poor endothelial function had a cardiac event during the seven-year study. The study was presented at the 2009 American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session. Prior to the EndoPAT, there was no simple test for endothelium function, according to Dr. Amir Lerman, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist who was the senior author of the study.

Available locally The test uses a standard blood pressure cuff and finger probes, takes 15 minutes, and can be conducted in a doctor’s office. It is available from certain doctors around the country. Kerzner, the Baltimore internist, supports continuing research in the area of endothelial dysfunction. He also believes the EndoPAT is a significant tool in the fight against cardiovascular and other systemic diseases. “By predicting the risk of a heart attack — up to 7 years before it could happen — many more lives could be saved,” he said. Kerzner is the only doctor in the Baltimore area who currently offers the EndoPAT test. Kerzner’s office is located at MDVIP/Health Trends Research, 2700 Quarry Lake Dr., Baltimore, (410) 4155811. Because it is an elective test, its cost may not be covered by health insurance plans. Be sure to check with your own insurance carrier. It is covered by Medicare if the patient has vascular disease. For more information on EndoPAT, see www.itamar-medical.com/EndoPAT.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2014

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

Some screenings do more harm than good Certain health screenings, such as colonoscopies and cholesterol checks, are wise preventive measures. But other common tests may be unnecessary. “I think we’re doing too much overscreening,” said geriatrician Dr. Suzanne Salamon, an instructor at Harvard Medical School. “This leads to the discovery of too many harmless variations of normal body parts, which then lead to expensive, anxiety-producing and often painful further over-testing and unnecessary procedures.” Here are the top five tests experts from Harvard say you can probably forgo: 1. Electrocardiogram In this test, also known as an ECG (or EKG), technicians place electrodes on your chest to check for abnormalities in your heart’s electrical activity. But for healthy people without heart disease symptoms or risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking or diabetes, the test is not recommended. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said there’s no evidence that routine ECG screening offers any benefits, and that it might pose some risks if further unnecessary tests are done. “Even though an ECG is extremely safe and relatively inexpensive, the cumulative costs add up if everyone gets one,” said cardiologist Dr. Deepak Bhatt, a professor at Harvard Medical School and editor in chief of the Harvard Heart Letter. 2. Whole-body CT scan This test uses x-ray computed tomography (CT) to look inside your body for early warning signs of conditions such as heart disease, aneurysms, cancer, osteoporosis and lung disease. But these scans cost hundreds of dollars, aren’t usually covered by insurance, and involve radiation exposure. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said there’s no scientific evidence that whole-body scans of individuals without symptoms provide more benefit than harm. “These pick up all kinds of ‘incidentalomas’ that lead to needless anxiety and expensive screenings, as well as excessive radiation. I don’t think doctors order them. I think people see ads in magazines and sign up for them,” said Dr. Salamon. While it’s possible that technological im-

provements could make such scans a good idea someday, that’s not the case today. 3. Coronary calcium score This test uses CT to scan your arteries for signs of calcium deposits that put you at risk for heart attacks. Dr. Bhatt said studies have shown that it may be useful when used in patients who are at intermediate risk, according to traditional risk factors, since abnormal results can push a person into a high-risk group. “Perhaps knowing that they have a high calcium score would encourage them to lose weight or stay on their statin, for example, though the data supporting this are mixed,” he said. But because of radiation risk and the risk of additional unnecessary tests and procedures, he recommends against this test for routine screening, as does the American Heart Association. 4. Chest screening The American Lung Association recommends low-dose CT to detect early signs of lung cancer for current or former heavy smokers ages 55 to 74 with a smoking history of at least 30 pack-years. But if you’re not in this group, you should not have a routine screening. The risk from radiation exposure and potential unnecessary follow-up testing is not worth the small chance of benefit. 5. TB skin test A skin test can detect if you’re been infected with the tuberculosis (TB) bacteria. But if your doctor suggests a routine screening, make sure to ask why. The TB skin test is recommended only for people who have spent time with a person with TB; who have a weakened immune system from HIV or another medical problem; who have TB symptoms such as fever, cough and weight loss; who use illegal drugs; or who are from or work in countries where TB is common. (Russia is one example.) If you don’t fall within those categories, a skin test is likely an unnecessary expense. But what if your doctor recommends it? “That is what makes medicine not just a science, but also an art. Ultimately, you have to trust your doctor’s judgment,” said Dr. Bhatt. If a risky or expensive test or procedure

is recommended and you feel apprehensive, you might consider a second opinion. —Harvard Health Letter

Diabetes Research Study 50-80 year old men & women with Type 2 Diabetes are needed to participate in an exercise research study at the University of Maryland/Baltimore VA Medical Center. Parking and compensation for your time will be provided. Call 410-605-7179. Mention code: EPC-DM.

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

JANUARY 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Better solution to the ‘bedroom problem’ Dear Pharmacist: I have a bedroom problem. I took Viagra for several years, and it stopped working, so I was put on Cialis. Sometimes that helps, sometimes not. I’m too embarrassed to ask my doctor again. He says this is a part of aging because I am 58. Any suggestions? — T.M., Bethesda, Md. Dear T.M.: I have many! I’m stunned that your doctor hasn’t mentioned bio-identical hormone replacement for you, as in testosterone or “T.” The reason most men develop erectile dysfunction in the first place is because they are low in their natural ‘manly’ hormone, which starts to decline with age. The declining T causes a relative increase

in circulating estrogen, a hormone found in higher concentrations in women. Restoring testosterone puts balance back, so it’s my best recommendation for increasing mojo. Giving a man one of those super sex pills like Viagra, Levitra or Cialis is the equivalent of jump starting the car every two miles, rather than just fixing the battery. Why do men medicate themselves every weekend, when they can fix the root cause by balancing their hormones? A good physician should evaluate your hormones and neurotransmitters, and decipher if your problem is low testosterone, low dopamine, high cortisol, high estrogen, low progesterone, high insulin, low DHEA or oxytocin. Whether you’re a man or a woman, if

you’ve ‘lost that lovin’ feelin’, you need to You think it’s just me saying that to alarm evaluate and replenish your hormones. you? Not a chance. I would never scare you, Prescribed sex pills, as useful that’s not how I roll. as they are, can’t balance horA study published in March mones. 2010 in Circulation concluded, There’s another reason I get “Erectile dysfunction is a pohot under the collar about this tent predictor of all-cause topic. Men are dying every day death and the composite of from heart attack and stroke cardiovascular death, myocarthat may have been prevented. dial infarction, stroke and The clue that you’re headed for heart failure in men with cartrouble is erectile dysfunction. diovascular disease.” Think that out, it’s not hard Replacement therapy is DEAR to understand. If the blood isn’t controversial. Some studies PHARMACIST effectively flowing down south suggest the very use of testosBy Suzy Cohen to your penis, it isn’t flowing up terone increases heart attack north either, to your heart. risk, but I find flaws with those When your blood vessels are clogged, that studies. Balance is key. could cause erectile dysfunction years be[Editor’s Note: Last month, a review of fore a massive heart attack occurs. veteran medical records published in the What does conventional medicine do? Journal of the American Medical AssociaPrescribe a quick fixer upper so you can tion found an increased risk of stroke, heart have a night of fun, instead of helping you attack or death among male heart patients clear your arteries, improve vessel flexibili- with low-T who had T supplementation.] ty, correct hormonal imbalances and manThis information is opinion only. It is not age cholesterol. (They don’t even measure intended to treat, cure or diagnose your concholesterol correctly, but that’s another col- dition. Consult with your doctor before using umn.) any new drug or supplement. I think there is an incomplete knowlSuzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist edge or understanding of physiology or and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist hormones, because sex pills should not be and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To your go-to drug for erectile dysfunction. contact her, visit www.dearpharmacist.com.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2014

Say you saw it in the Beacon

FOREIGN FUND FRENZY Inventors are pouring money into international funds, but beware of risks

Money Law &

FEWER HAPPY RETURNS Stores are being less generous about returns, so follow rules carefully COOL HIGH HEATING COSTS Gas and electricity prices are rising; how to save energy and money GET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER Prepare key financial documents and instructions now to help your spouse

Profiting from the new oil and gas boom By Kathy Kristof Decades of importing crude from the vast Arabian deserts left many people believing that America’s dependence on foreign oil was as inevitable as the tide. But sweeping changes in the way oil and gas are extracted are challenging that assumption. The United States, which was once so dependent on imported oil that energy laws were designed to conserve domestic reserves, is now expected to be energy-independent by 2020. In fact, the nation is rapidly overtaking Russia to become the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas. As anyone who has seen the classic 1956 film Giant or the TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies” knows, drilling for oil in America is as old as the hills. But that history means that opportunities for landbased drillers are limited. “The largest onshore oil fields have been developed,” said Todd Scholl, an analyst at Wunderlich Securities. “All the lowhanging fruit is gone.”

Off-shore investments Drilling at sea, on the other hand, offers a new frontier, especially as rigs and

drilling techniques become more sophisticated and are better able to probe into deeper waters. Scholl is especially bullish on offshore contractors that don’t own the wells but hire out their crews and equipment for offshore exploration. Most offshore producers also have onshore operations. We’ve identified two companies with major water-based projects that are certain to play a key role in their growth. One of them is Anadarko Petroleum (symbol APC). Some of its most promising projects are located in the Gulf of Mexico and off the shores of Brazil, Colombia, Kenya and Mozambique. Analysts praise Anadarko for its skill in finding large-scale discoveries at a low cost. At $97, the stock sells for 18 times projected earnings — not terribly expensive in view of Anadarko’s expected longterm earnings growth rate of 22 percent. The other company, Apache Corp. (APA), has gone through a rough patch over the past couple of years. Shares of the Houston exploration firm, which peaked at $133 in April 2011, sank to $69 two years later, thanks to a combination of low gas prices and operational missteps. Investors

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also fretted that political instability would derail Apache’s joint ventures on some 10 million acres in Egypt. But Apache launched an aggressive restructuring program this year, selling off one-third of its Egyptian assets as well as fields in Canada and the Gulf of Mexico. It is using the $7 billion in proceeds to pay off debt and buy back shares. Apache said that recently completed wells in the North Sea contributed 16 percent of the company’s worldwide production revenue in 2012. The firm is also developing projects in Alaska’s Cook Inlet and off the shore of Australia. At $90, the stock is cheap, trading for just 12 times projected profits.

thousand cubic feet in 2005, was selling for $3.41 in July. That’s partly because domestic use of energy is on the decline, leaving newly prolific producers with more supply than demand. U.S. companies are also hampered in their ability to sell gas overseas, where prices are far higher. Opening the export market would boost demand and create greater parity between international and domestic prices, a move almost certain to boost domestic gas prices. But because no one knows when supply and demand will come into better balance, your best bet is to invest in low-cost producers that can make money even when gas prices are low.

New natural gas extraction One reason for the turnaround is the use of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in horizontal wells, which allows for vastly increased amounts of oil and gas extracted from shale. This ability to pull gas out of previously unfriendly rock has been a boon for production but — at least from an investor’s viewpoint — a bane for prices. Natural gas, which sold for $10.91 per

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Companies to consider Three attractive producers are Range Resources (symbol RRC), Cabot Oil & Gas (COG), and Southwestern Energy (SWN). All three have stakes in the Marcellus Shale basin in southwestern Pennsylvania, which produces prolific amounts of energy for a relative pittance. See OIL AND GAS, page 14

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Elder Law, Estate & Special Needs Planning Medical Assistance Planning and Eligibility Advance Medical Directives / Living Wills Trusts / Estate Planning Administration Wills / Powers of Attorney Disability Planning / Special Needs Trusts Guardianship

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JANUARY 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

How to cool the cost of high heating bills By Jonathan Fahey After two years of flat or lower fuel prices, many residents will pay sharply more to heat their homes this winter, according to government forecasts. Fortunately, there are a number of ways residents can blunt the expected rise in heating bills — beyond putting on a turtleneck. Staying warm is expected to cost more because fuel prices are rising and forecasts call for cooler weather, in some areas, after two relatively warm winters. Natural gas, propane and electricity prices are expected to rise, affecting 94 percent of U.S. households. Heating oil users will catch a slight price break, but still pay near-record bills to heat their homes. One obvious way to lower your heating bill is to lower the thermostat — sleep under a few more blankets, watch TV in a sweater, and use a programmable thermo-

stat to turn the heat down when you are away or fast asleep. The Energy Department estimates that a resident can save 1 percent on their heating bill for every degree a thermostat is set back.

a hot shower, and use cold water to do laundry and rinse dishes. Also, insulate pipes that move hot water around the house.

Prices on the rise Energy-saving steps Here are a few other ways to lower costs: • Think of the sun as a heater, and your drapes as a blanket: Open drapes when you are getting direct sunlight, then close them at night to keep heat from escaping. • Make sure the damper in your fireplace is closed when you aren’t using it. • Keep air vents clean and uncovered so heat can easily flow throughout your home. • Shut off kitchen fans and bathroom fans as soon as they are no longer needed. • It takes more energy to heat water in cold weather. You can lower the temperature of your water heater a bit and still get

A look at the government’s forecast for winter fuel costs shows why homeowners will want to use some cost-cutting measures this winter. Natural gas customers will pay an average of $679 this winter for heating, up 13 percent from last year. Electricity customers will pay $909, up 2 percent. Propane customers in the Northeast will pay $2,146, up 11 percent. Heating oil customers will pay $2,046, down 2 percent. At the same time, funding for low-income heating assistance is falling. In 2010, Congress set aside $5.1 billion for heating assistance. This year Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Di-

rectors Association, is expecting $3 billion. Many states and utilities offer incentives for home energy audits and home weatherization programs that include things like adding insulation, installing more efficient windows, and replacing an old boiler or furnace with a new one. These investments can pay for themselves in heating savings in just a few years, especially when energy prices are high. Switching from oil heat to natural gas is expensive — it costs $5,000 to $10,000, depending on how much workers have to do to reconfigure the heating system. But the Energy Department says the average heating oil customer will pay a whopping $1,367 more this winter than the average natural gas customer — and that gap is expected to remain wide. If it does, the payback for a switch would be four to seven years. — AP

Oil and gas From page 13 All three are growing and profitable. And earnings could soar if gas prices rise to $4.50 to $5 per thousand cubic feet. Range, which has a one-million-acre shale-bearing property in the Marcellus region, predicts that its gas production will soar seven- to tenfold over the next few years. The Fort Worth-based company reported that revenues rose 50 percent and profits soared 159 percent in the second quarter from the same period in 2012. Its stock isn’t cheap, however. At $77, Range sells for 42 times projected earnings for the next 12 months. Still, if the projected growth rates hold, Range’s stock price could prove to be a bargain. Cabot sells for a similarly lofty price, trading for 30 times estimated year-ahead earnings. The Houston concern expects to boost gas production in the Marcellus region by 30 to 50 percent annually over the next several years. Southwestern started to lease Marcellus land in 2007, making it one of the newer players in the region. Overall, Southwestern’s growth rate is slower, so its stock, selling for 17 times forecasted year-ahead profits, is less pricey than the other two. Kathy Kristof is a contributing editor to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. And for more on this and similar money topics, visit www.Kiplinger.com. © 2013 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

Good financial advice that’s available free By Anya Kamenetz We live in a time when there are more avenues than ever for learning about what to do with your finances. The problem is simplifying all that information so you can make decisions based on what’s most important to you. Recently, I came across two resources worth sharing that do just that. One is a list that’s gone viral on the web. It came out of a conversation between Washington Post contributor Harold Pollack and journalist Helaine Olen, who has written an exposé of the personal finance industry. Olen’s book Pound Foolish: Exposing the Dark Side of the Personal Finance Industry (Portfolio, 2012) has been called a “shocking” narrative of the misleading advice given by big-name money gurus. One reason many people dread managing their money is that the huge financial services industry promotes the impression that it’s harder than it is. That’s a crucial part of getting you to pay for their advice. As Pollack wrote on his blog: “The financial industry’s most basic dilemma: The best advice fits on a 3-by-5 index card and is available for free at the library.” A reader challenged him and Olen to produce the card. The following (edited just a bit) is the advice they came up with: Maximize your 401(k) or equivalent. Buy inexpensive, well-diversified mutual

funds such as Vanguard target-date funds. Never buy or sell an individual security. Save 20 percent of your income. Pay your credit card balance in full every month. Maximize tax-advantaged savings vehicles like Roth, SEP and 529 accounts. Pay attention to fees. Avoid actively managed funds. And that’s it. Of course, the problem with acting on information like this is that it’s not necessarily complete and customized to your individual circumstance. Target-date funds don’t constitute a fully diversified portfolio for everyone; some prefer even cheaper index funds. Some people don’t earn enough to save 20 percent of their income while also paying off their credit cards. If you’re looking to go a bit deeper, the smart choice is to internalize the principles behind such advice in order to make your own bets. For that, there’s a new free resource available online: http://online.stanford .edu/course/rauh-finance. Josh Rauh, a finance professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, is teaching a free and open video-based version of his graduate course on the finance of retirement and pensions.

Some of the videos are available on YouTube now, and you can sign up for the eight-week class starting in January at the site Novoed.com. There are ten 45-minute lectures in the course, broken up in to very manageable chunks of 3-8 minutes. By watching just one of them, I learned a couple of interesting principles behind the standard stock market advice. One is risk and return. Very simple. The reason we invest in stocks is that they offer potential returns over inflation. But any investment that offers potential returns over inflation also has the potential for losses in equal measure. No risk, no return. A second is reversion to the mean. This is the idea that, over time, stocks and many

other assets return from high or low periods to something close to the moving average. That means if you are retiring into a down market — say, in 2009 — it would make sense to hold off cashing out your portfolio for a couple of years in the hopes of a recovery. Reversion to the mean is a widely held theory, but it’s only a theory. Japan’s history, Rauh said, may be a counterexample: its stock market, the Nikkei, peaked just shy of 40,000 in 1989, a generation ago, and is only slightly above 14,000 today. I’ve been writing about personal finance for almost 10 years, and there is always more to learn, even if the basics are simple. © 2013 Anya Kamenetz. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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JANUARY 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

More investors looking to foreign funds By Stan Choe Willkommen, investors. Domo arigato for the cash. Investors are piling into mutual funds that invest outside of the United States. The lure of Japan’s soaring market, Europe’s nascent economic recovery, and the potential for stronger economic growth in developing economies have led investors to pour a net $91 billion into world stock mutual funds through the first eight months of the year. That’s nearly six times what they’ve put into domestic stock mutual funds, according to the most recent data from the Investment Company Institute. It’s a continuation of a trend that’s been going for years, both by average investors and by mutual fund providers, in the search for a more diversified portfolio. Stocks from other countries can zig when

U.S. markets zag, offering a smoother ride for investors. That’s why fund companies have bulked up on foreign stocks in their target-date retirement funds, which are built to take care of investment decisions for savers. The average target-date fund designed for those aiming to retire in 2040 had 36 percent of its stock portfolio in foreign companies at the end of 2012, up from 24 percent at the end of 2005, according to Morningstar. The split in interest has become even more pronounced this fall: Investors added a net $924 million to world stock funds during the two weeks ended Oct. 2. Over the same time, they turned their backs on domestic stock funds and pulled out a net $8 billion.

Larger dividends abroad One attraction has been the bigger dividend yields that foreign stocks offer.

Stocks from developed markets around the world carried a dividend yield of 3.1 percent at the end of September, according to the MSCI EAFE index. Stocks from Brazil, China and other developing economies in the MSCI Emerging Markets index had a yield of 2.7 percent. That compared with a 2.1 percent yield for the Standard & Poor’s 500 index and a 2.6 yield for a 10-year Treasury note. Investors who bet on Japanese stocks have done well this year. A big push of stimulus by the Bank of Japan has invigorated the country’s market, and the country’s Nikkei 225 index has surged 37 percent this year. But even better buys are available in Europe, where stocks have lagged the U.S. market since the recession, said Phil Camporeale, client portfolio manager at J.P. Morgan. He helps run the $7.9 billion JPMorgan Income Builder fund (JNBAX), which invests

“Whatever needs to be done I’m ready to do.”

in stocks and bonds from around the world. The fund keeps about 17 percent of its assets in Europe, which is close to the highest it’s been since the fund’s inception in 2007. “They’re where the U.S. was three years ago,” Camporeale said. The European Central Bank has shown that it will be the lender of last resort and will support the economy, which recently had its first quarter of growth in its last seven. Stocks across Europe and other countries are also trading at lower prices relative to their book values than their U.S. counterparts, said Bill Nasgovitz, one of the managers of the Heartland International Value fund (HINVX). That can provide investors with a stronger safety net in case volatility hits the market again. Investors who have focused on emerging-market stock mutual funds struggled in the summer. Worries about slowing economic growth and a possible pullback in stimulus by the Federal Reserve dragged down markets from Brazil to China. But that also put many emerging-market stocks on sale, proponents say. To be sure, investing in international stock mutual funds carries risks, of which investors should be mindful. They include:

Currency changes

I’m here for you. Naum Tizenberg, lead security valet at North Oaks, is the kind of person whose job title only begins to tell the story. Security duties, yes. But when something needs fixing or someone needs a hand doing something, count on him to be right there – often beyond his regular work hours. Tinker with a computer, repair a fan, you name it. Residents think of Naum as one of the family, and he sees them that way as well. Every retirement community should have a Naum. Live here and you’ll have one as well.

Swings in foreign currency values can hurt returns for investors after translating them back into dollars. Indonesia’s stock index is up 4 percent this year in terms of the Indonesian rupiah, for example. But in U.S. dollar terms, it has dropped nearly 13 percent. Currency swings can also slow an otherwise quick ride for markets. Japanese stocks have shot up 37 percent this year, roughly double the 18 percent gain of the S&P 500. But much of the gain has been due to the yen’s falling value against the dollar. Investors expect the devaluation of the yen to help Japanese exporters by inflating the value of their overseas sales. After adjusting for the currency changes, the Nikkei 225 is up a more modest 20 percent in U.S. dollar terms. Some mutual funds try to mitigate effects of currency swings by hedging their portfolios. They do this by entering complicated contracts, but funds incur costs to do so, and there’s still the risk that they’ve guessed See FOREIGN FUNDS, page 17

BEACON BITS When you live in this senior living community, you’ll enjoy a close connection with staff members whose work and wishes are to connect you to the best in life. Please call (410) 486-9090 to learn more. 725 MOUNT WILSON LANE

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Jan. 24

SAVE FOR YOUR GRANDCHILDREN’S EDUCATION

Learn about how you can help save for your grandchild’s college education from a talk at the Arbutus Senior Center at 12:45 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24. The center is located at 855A Sulphur Spring Rd. in Arbutus. For more information, call (410) 887-1410.

BALTIMORE BEACON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; JANUARY 2014

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

Stores are getting stingy about returns By Kaitlin Pinsker As youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re double-checking your holiday shopping list, tack on a reminder to read each storeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return policy before making your purchase. Some retailers are feeling a little less generous when it comes to returns. Such stingier policies are intended to combat return fraud. Fraudulent returns cost retailers $8.9 billion in 2012, according to the National Retail Federation, $2.9 billion of which occurred during the holiday season. Customers can expect tougher return policies to spread. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As retailers see competitors or stores with some of the most lenient policies tighten up, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to signal to them that they can do the same,â&#x20AC;? said Phoenix retail consultant Jeff Green. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to see a shift toward a shorter, 30-day return policy in 2014.â&#x20AC;? Customers can also expect added scrutiny when taking back merchandise without a receipt.

Clerks may ask for state-issued identification, such as a driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license, before you can make a return. Nearly 10 percent of retailers require ID for returns made with a receipt, and 73 percent require ID for returns made without a receipt. Some scan the ID into their own system; others send the info to a third party. If you exceed a retailerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s limit for the number of returns within a given time frame or for the value of returned products, you could be denied more returns for a period of time (typically 90 days). If you are given a warning or denied a return, the Retail Equation, a company that collects return information for 27,000 merchants in North America, will provide you with the information in its return-activity report over the phone. To request your report, visit www.theretailequation.com/consumers.

their return policies for the holidays, and similar promotions are expected this year. Lenient online return policies â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and acceptance of returns in stores for items bought online â&#x20AC;&#x201D; will likely continue. Look for more stores to offer free shipping for both purchases and returns. As policies shift, the key to keeping your returns hassle free will be staying organized. The ReturnGuru app, free for iPhone and Android, lets you snap pictures of your receipts and reminds you as

the deadline approaches to make returns. The new rules may take some getting used to. But if you expect great deals, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part of the trade-off. Kaitlin Pinsker is a reporter at Kiplingerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Personal Finance magazine. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. And for more on this and similar money topics, visit www.Kiplinger.com. ÂŠ 2013 Kiplingerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Personal Finance

Holiday returns are easier Retailers want to identify the bad actors. To do so, some companies are gathering data on customers who return merchandise, watching for suspicious patterns, and warning or denying repeat offenders.

Foreign funds From page 16 wrong on the direction of currencies.

Volatility and politics Foreign stocks can have more severe swings than U.S. stocks, particularly those from less developed economies. Brazilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bovespa index plunged 11 percent in June amid worries about economic growth and protests in the streets, for example. The S&P 500 fell a more modest 2 percent during the same month. Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Despite the general trend toward Grinchier return policies, some retailers are giving shoppers a break during the holidays or when shopping online. Last year, 10 percent of retailers relaxed

stock index dropped 9 percent in August, compared with the S&P 500â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3 percent loss. Other risks include the fact that companies in other countries may use different accounting standards than U.S. companies, and the fear that governments in some countries could expropriate private assets. Fund managers closely follow elections and other political changes that could quickly affect investors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can have somebody win an election and create better or worse tax environments for dividends for these companies,â&#x20AC;? JPMorganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Camporeale said. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; AP

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Careers Volunteers &

Does your organization use senior volunteers or do you employ a number of seniors? If you do and you’d like to be considered for a story in our Volunteers & Careers section, please send an email to info@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

For business owners, it’s all in the family By Carol Sorgen At 60, Pamela Berwager has no intention of retiring anytime soon, if ever. So when her longtime interior design career was no longer as enjoyable as it had once been, the native Baltimorean started casting about for her next adventure. The idea of opening an elegant boutique where she could use her eye for design was appealing, but having no retail experience, she wasn’t convinced that made much sense. Then one day, her daughter, Gabrielle

Paredes, called to say that a storefront in a small enclave of upscale shops in Stevenson Village had become available. “I dropped what I was doing and ran over there,” said Berwager. Within two weeks she was negotiating a lease, and in September 2012, Berwager “took the leap” into her new career as a boutique owner. She called her shop Sprezzatura. It’s an archaic Italian word meaning studied nonchalance, or the perfect conduct or performance of something (such as an artistic endeavor) without apparent effort.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FREE HELP AT SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER

The Small Business Resource Center offers assistance to entrepreneurs with everything from preparing business plans to finding insurance for their employees. The center is free to the public and has a PC-based business library with literature and videos. Visit at 1101 E. 33rd St., Suite C307, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (443) 451-7160 or visit www.sbrcbaltimore.com.

Ongoing

WALKING FOR WELLNESS

Woodlawn Senior Center members walk for fitness every Wednesday at 10 a.m. The center is located at 20 Gwynn Oak Ave. in Gwynn Oak. For more information, call (410) 887-6887.

APARTMENT HOMES FOR ACTIVE ADULTS 62 OR BETTER Regency Crest is an extraordinarily carefree community because of the convenient lifestyle enjoyed by those who live here. We go the extra mile to provide our residents with distinctive amenities and service that cannot be found in ordinary active adult communities.

COMMUNITY AMENITIES • Beautiful club room with theatre • Indoor saltwater pool • Yoga studio & classes • Movie theatre & Billiards room 3305 Oak West Drive • Business center – 24 hours Ellicott City, MD 21043 • Incredible courtyard and meditation garden with koi pond and gazebo 855.446.1131 www.RegencySeniorApartments.com • Guest suites • Bingo, and many more planned activities

“It’s a fun word,” said Berwager, explaining the choice for the shop’s name, and it’s the ambience she wants to convey. “Of course, there were a lot of people who thought it was going to be a spaghetti house,” she said, laughing. Berwager admits that with no experience herself as a shop owner, there have been challenges along the way. “It’s been daunting, and we’ve made mistakes — like knowing how much inventory to carry — and we probably still are. But we’re growing in the right direction,” she said. It probably helps that Paredes, 38, who is now a partner in her mother’s store, has worked for the venerable Saks Fifth Avenue.

Poised for expansion The business has been growing, and will soon add a second location nearby that will specialize in items for corporate events and weddings. Berwager credits the shop’s increasing success not only to her own belief that if you want something strongly enough, you can make it happen, but also to her daughter’s effervescent personality, sense of style, energy and computer skills. She also credits the fact that, as of a few months ago, her husband Brent, “who’s great at everything,” joined the business as well. A professional fundraiser, Brent, who is See ALL IN THE FAMILY, page 19

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

DYSLEXIA TUTORING PROGRAM NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Make a difference by giving someone the joy of reading. The Dyslexia Tutoring Program’s mission is to teach reading to low-income children and adults with dyslexia or a language-based learning difference. Clients are assessed and then tutored weekly by volunteers who have been trained in the Orton-Gillingham method of reading, writing and spelling. Check the website at www.dyslexiatutoringprogram.org or call (410) 889-5487.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Volunteers & Careers

BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2014

All in the family From page 18 also 60, still maintains a consulting business. But he’s now in the store every day, helping out in any way he can. As with all families, things can get tense sometimes, “but we all have a good sense of humor, which helps,” said Berwager, “and we know that we’re here for each other.”

An eclectic inventory The jewel box of a shop — just 700 square feet of retail space — reflects the Berwagers’ love of travel, and Pamela’s “thrill of the hunt.” “I’m excited to see new things and to discover beautiful objects,” said Berwager, adding that she strongly believes in the power of aesthetics and beauty. “What you surround yourself with doesn’t have to be expensive,” she said. “But if you live with things that make you feel good, you have a sense of hope. That’s the message I try to spread in the store.” Tapping into the eclecticism of her clientele, whose styles range from traditional to contemporary to bohemian chic, Berwager tries to offer something for everyone — “for her, for him, for baby, and for the home.”

And that goes for the price range, too. “We want to keep the taste level high, but the price range broad,” she explained. “If you want to buy a gift that you’d be proud to give, but you only want to spend $25 or so, you can do that here.” (And if your pocketbook allows, you can also spend more!) Berwager has also tried — and successfully, it seems — to create a neighborhood gathering place. Because many of the nearby residents don’t get mail delivery at home, they come to the local post office in the Village every day. Many frequently stop into the shop to say hello to the entire family and to any other friends and neighbors who happen to be passing by, as well. “We want people to feel that they’re coming by to see old friends,” said Berwager. She believes creating goodwill and a lowkey atmosphere is much better for sales in the long run than a hard sell. With the latter, “you might make a sale, but chances

are you won’t make another one,” she said. Though every now and then Berwager thinks, “Am I out of my mind to do this at my age?” the answer is always, “What else

would I be doing? “I’ve combined my love of travel, love of finding beautiful things, and love of my family,” she added. “It’s a win-win.”

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from m Baltimo ore City Health h Departtment Office of Aging & CAR RE Servicces

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

MENTOR A REFUGEE FAMILY

The International Rescue Committee of Baltimore is a nonprofit, non-sectarian refugee resettlement agency dedicated to working together with legally admitted refugees. Family mentors are individually matched up with newly-arrived refugee families, providing support as they adapt to life in the United States. A focus is placed on practicing English language skills, exploring the community, and becoming self-sufficient in their new home. A commitment of two to three hours per week for six months is requested. Mentors are currently being sought for refugee families and individuals from Darfur, Eritrea, Bhutan, Myanmar, Iraq and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For more information, call (410) 327-1885 or visit www.rescue.org/us-program/us-baltimore-md.

Ongoing

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SENIOR DAY PROGRAM

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of elders? Volunteer opportunities are available in the activities and administrative departments at Easter Seals Adult Day Care in Windsor Mill. Call (410) 277-0940 for more information.

Incentive for New Enrollees! TaxiCard is a transportation program that provides a monthly subsidy to eligible Baltimore City residents age 60 and older and individuals with disability under the age of 60 with a completed medical form. First month free. New enrollees will receive $25.00 on their card with new registration. What is the Cost? Participant cost is based upon income. Low (L) income under $900.00 per month or Moderate (M) income over $900.00 per month. Payment Code “L”

Payment Code “M”

CARE Your Monthly + CARE = Total Money added to Your Monthly + = Total Money added to TaxiCard Subsidy your CARE TaxiCard Payment TaxiCard Subsidy your CARE TaxiCard Payment

$6.00 $12.00

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$25.00 $50.00

$12.00 $24.00

$13.00 $26.00

$25.00 $50.00

How Do I Register? Call TaxiCard Customer Service Monday-Friday from 8am to 5pm at 410-664-1123 or visit our website www.caretaxicard.com Participating Cab Companies: A.A. County Cab Connection Checker Cab of AA County Arrow Cab County Cab

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TaxiCard can be used with participating taxicab companies for fare payment 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

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TAXICARD PROGRAM, 1501 Sulgrave Avenue, SuitF t Baltimore, MD 21209

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2014

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Travel

Leisure &

Playing pool is a popular pastime and competitive sport. See story on page 22.

Gifts for travelers on your shopping list By Victor Block With the holiday season here, have you finished your gift list, checked it twice and finished your shopping? Or do you still have some presents to buy? If you need ideas for what to get for folks who travel a lot for pleasure or business, a “gift of go” can be the perfect solution. Whether scratching your head about what to buy for someone who visits a different Caribbean island every winter or for Aunt Matilda who’s planning a trip to Europe next spring, the selection is long and varied. If you can’t decide what makes the best present, a gift certificate is a welcome alternative. But to pick up something special that travelers will appreciate, peruse catalogues or websites of companies that specialize in items that make travel more convenient, comfortable or safe. Ordering is convenient, no further away than your telephone or computer. Here are some suggestions:

Safe travels Magellan’s claims to be “Your Trusted Source for Travel Supplies,” and the company comes up with a number of nifty ideas. Luggage scales (analog $12.50, digital $25) can quickly pay for themselves by avoiding overweight airline baggage fees. An inflatable Back Buddy Pillow ($28) provides comfy lower back support in otherwise uncomfy airplane seats, as well as on a train, in a car and even at home. Security-conscious travelers may opt for a Cash Safe Belt ($16), which protects paper money in a hidden zippered pocket. More protection is provided by VaultPro tote bags ($50-$90) made of slash-proof mesh with a cut-resistant carrying strap and locking zippers. There’s even high-tech protection against cyber identity thieves who scan credit card chips remotely to steal the data they contain. For more information or to order a Magellan catalog, call 1-800-9624943.or log onto www.magellans.com. Safety is also the goal of some merchan-

dise sold by TravelSmith Outfitters, which covers all aspects of trips from packing to in-flight and hotel comfort. Smart Pouches — which are great for organizing and packing shoes, soiled or damp articles, toiletries and any number of other things — are transparent for easy viewing and made with a spill-proof lining. A set of four costs $29. In the safety line, the imaginative Travelon Garment Hideaway ($25) offers a place to conceal valuables where would-be thieves are least likely to look. Styled to resemble a woman’s tank top, the ersatz garment has eight concealed pockets for hiding jewelry, documents and other things you don’t want to lose. For more information, call 1-800-7703387 or log onto www.travelsmith.com. Eddie Bauer has been selling quality outdoor clothing since it was established in 1920, and it’s still the go-to place preferred by many outdoor lovers and travelers. With winter here, the choice of fleece jackets, coats, pants and other outer wear for men and women offers something-for-everyone variety. Lightweight, quick drying fabrics combine warmth with ease of packing, perfect for family or friends heading for colder destinations. Women’s zipper jackets with handwarmer pockets ($79.95-$89.95) are designed to provide an excellent warmth-toweight ratio. On the other hand, items like zip pullover jackets ($39.95$49.95) are designed to offer what the company describes as “exceptional price-to-warmth ratio.” For more information, call 1-800-426-8020 or log onto www.eddiebauer.com. Orvis makes gift giving convenient. Among choices on its website are links to pages listing presents for men, women, fly fisherman and even dogs. What frequent traveler wouldn’t welcome a 12-in-1 Multi-Flashlight ($25) that casts a super bright beam and includes two screwdrivers, two knives, a can opener, scissors and other attachments? A four-dial Brass Word Lock ($12) re-

places the usual number combination with an easy to remember word that is set by the user. At the higher end of the price spectrum is a compact Bushnell Backtrack GPS ($89) that guides people back to their starting point whether they’re driving, riding a bike or walking in the woods. For more information, call 1-800-541-3541 or log onto www.orvis.com.

Gadgets galore Sharper Image promises “Gadgets Galore” on its website, and lives up to that pledge. A minuscule, light weight Travel Razor ($39.99), which is smaller than a smart phone, charges from a computer and provides 30 minutes of shave time when at full power. A multivoltage four-port Universal Charger (also $39.99) allows four devices to get juiced up at the same time, and (the catalog claims) “works in over 150 countries.” Light sleepers should welcome a Travel Sound Machine ($89.99) that offers 17 soothing sound options to drown out un-

wanted noise. Among choices are pleasant sounds of ocean waves, rain and a gentle brook. For more information, call 1-877-363-9984 or log onto www.sharperimage.com. Anyone heading for a country where they don’t speak the language is sure to get a lot of use out of an electronic translator. Franklin Electronic Publishers offers an array of compact, lightweight devices ranging in price from a basic Spanish-to-English model ($9.99) to a deluxe 17-language translator ($179.99) that includes both the major languages plus some that are less commonly studied here, such as Korean, Farsi and Hindi. The words and phrases are both displayed on the screen and spoken out loud. It’s also possible to enter into the database in advance some words and expressions that the traveler expects to use while abroad. For more information, call 1-800-266-5626 or log onto See GIFTS, page 23

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Take a cue from these billiards experts ous pocket billiards games generally played on six-pocket tables, including eight-ball (the world’s most widely played cue sport); and snooker and English billiards, which are played on a specific type of table and have their own separate culture and terminology. Though the popularity of pool and billiards died out in the U.S. after World War II, the 1961 film, The Hustler (starring Paul

erly hold the cue, aim and hit the ball, as well as the rules of the game.

Many ways to play Cue sports, which are also known as billiard sports, have a long history, dating back to the 15th century. They are generally believed to have evolved into indoor games from outdoor stick-and-ball lawn games, such as croquet. Today, the term includes a wide variety of games of skill generally played with a cue stick, which is used to strike billiard balls, moving them around a cloth-covered table bounded by rubber cushions. There are three principal types of cue games: carom billiards, played on tables without pockets; pool, a term that covers numer-

Newman and Jackie Gleason), sparked a resurgence. And if your idea of pool players are that they’re, well, hustlers, or that the game is played in smoky bars and pool halls, just take a look at Boyer and his fellow players, or visit many of the Baltimore pool halls that See BILLIARDS, page 23

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLESTOWN RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

By Carol Sorgen You can usually find Charles Boyer at the billiard tables near Charlestown’s Fireside Restaurant. That’s where Boyer, whose enthusiasm for the game is catching on at the Catonsville retirement community, has been teaching the art of the sport to his fellow residents for the past decade. So many of his neighbors have caught the billiards bug that there are now two resident-run Cue Clubs and scores of spontaneous games played regularly. For two hours once each week, Boyer teaches the fundamentals of billiards or pool (the name is often used interchangeably, though there are subtle differences between the two) — such as how to prop-

Charles Boyer teaches the basics of billiards to fellow residents at his retirement community each week. He estimates he has helped about 100 people learn the sport.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2014

Billiards From page 22 tout themselves as “family-friendly,” and in many cases, “alcohol- and smoke-free.”

Senior Olympics winner Clifton Lyons, 66, taught himself the game when he was just a teenager by watching older guys play at the YMCA. Through the years, the Sandtown resident has added skills and learned new tricks. In fact, he has become such an accomplished player that he recently won the Maryland Senior Olympics Billiards Tour-

Gifts From page 21 www.franklin.com. Then there’s Hammacher Schlemmer, which has been selling “the unexpected for 165 years.” That company’s annual holiday gift catalog is fun to peruse even if you have no intention of ordering, for both its product claims and some items themselves. For example, “The World’s Smallest Automatic Umbrella” ($34.95) measures only 8 inches when closed, small enough to fit in many purses and pockets. How have your traveling relatives and friends lived so long without a Flat Fold Travel Mirror ($49.95) which expands from 1-1/2 inches thick when closed to a

nament, held at the Top Hat Cue Club in Parkville. Not one to rest on his laurels, Lyons continues to sharpen his skills, playing three times a week in various local leagues. “There’s always something new and exciting about this game to be learned,” said Lyons. Speaking of leagues, Baltimore is part of the #1 amateur pool league in the country — the American Poolplayers Association (APA) Pool League of Maryland — which boasts more than 1,400 teams and 10,000plus active members. The APA was founded in 1979 by two

professional players who thought pool should have a recreational league system like other sports have. The association now has 250,000 members nationwide. In Maryland, there are two APA franchises, one in Southern Maryland, and the local franchise — which serves Baltimore, Howard, Cecil, Harford, Carroll, Washington and Frederick Counties, along with Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the West Virginia counties of Berkeley and Jefferson. Teams compete in local divisions, where the APA Hosting Taverns are grouped geographically to minimize traveling distance.

The year is divided into three sessions, with each session running between 13 and 17 weeks. Winning teams compete for the right to represent the area in Las Vegas at the APA National Team Championships. Richard Holden, 78, of Southwest Baltimore, plays in the Baltimore Highlands Division. Though he started playing pool casually in his early 20s, Holden acknowledged that he wasn’t very good. Now, though, after more than 30 years of regular play several times a week — “I’ve never missed a session,” he See BILLIARDS, page 24

height of 16 inches? It has 1X and 10X magnification for both close-up and fullface viewing, and each mirror is surrounded by a fluorescent light. The traveler who uses the Power Nap Head Pillow ($99.95) to catch 40 winks on an airplane, in an airport or elsewhere appears to have a pumpkin on his head. The cocoon-like head rest is designed to block out both sound and light, while leaving an opening for the nose and mouth. The soft cushion collapses for easy packing. The question is whether the opportunity to get some sleep is worth the risk of attracting attention, and perhaps guffaws, from fellow passengers or passers-by. For more information, call 1-800-543-3366 or log onto www.hammacher.com.

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BEACON BITS

Jan. 20

INTERGENERATIONAL MLK PROGRAM

The Edward A. Myerberg Center, 3101 Fallstaff Rd., will host an intergenerational program in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 20, from 10 to 11 a.m. Admission is $5 per family. Young children (6 months to 5 years) will participate in a learning adventure with their grandparents during a special PJ Pals Story Time. Register online at www.cjebaltimore.org/pjpals or in person at the Myerberg Center. For more information, visit www.myerberg.org or call (410) 358-6856.

Dec. 31

INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICE

Historic St. Ignatius Church at 740 N. Calvert St. will join Baltimore’s New Year’s Eve scene with its Annual Interfaith Prayer Service encompassing Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions. This will be the 21st gathering of the various faiths to offer thanksgiving for blessings during the past year and to pray for continued blessings in 2014. The musical program will begin at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31. A reception will follow the service. The event is free, and complimentary parking is available in the SHA parking lot on Monument St. between Guilford and Calvert Sts. For more information, call (410) 727-3848.

JANUARY 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Billiards From page 23 said — his skills are “fair to decent.” Holden enjoys the many people he meets at his twice-weekly games, as well as the fact that pool is a sport at which you can continually improve, no matter your age. Everybody gets better if you play long enough,” he said.

Practice makes perfect Boyer, who began playing billiards at the Catonsville Senior Center before he moved to Charlestown 18 years ago, agrees. “That’s why I teach — to get more people interested in the sport. Over the years, I’ve probably taught about 100 or so people.” The lessons are free, and Boyer’s protégés come to him through word of mouth. “There are always new people moving into the community,” said Boyer.

“Many people just stop by when they see us playing, and I’ll invite them to join us.” Many of Boyer’s students are picking up a cue for the first time, or for the first time in years, and they welcome the pointers from Boyer and other more skilled players. “Most of the people that come to me for lessons are ladies,” said Boyer, “many of whom haven’t had the opportunity to play in their lifetime.” He advises the newbies, “It’s not something you can become an expert at overnight. It takes a lot of practice. “I can teach you the rules and show you the proper technique, but you have to put in the time practicing to really get good. Once you get the technique down, it’s just a matter of sticking with it.” So many women have become players that there’s now a women’s cue club at Charlestown — the Eightballers — led by lifelong pool player Betty Clark. “It’s the nicest bunch of women who play,” said Clark. “We just have fun together.”

BEACON BITS

Dec. 23

SAFE MICROWAVE COOKING

Learn how to prepare food safely in the microwave at a seminar on Monday, Dec. 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Rosedale Senior Center, 1208 Neighbors Ave., Rosedale. For more information, call (410) 887-0233.

Dec. 27

FREE COMPUTER TROUBLESHOOTING A Victory Villa Senior

Center volunteer will teach you how to clean up your computer and solve your computer woes in a free program at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 27. The center is located at 403 Compass Rd. For more information, call (410) 887-0235.

Ongoing

MEALS ON WHEELS ONLINE INFORMATION

Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland provides community information about its program and resources for homebound individuals. Visit online at www.mealsonwheelsmd.org or call (410) 558-0932.

Jan. 1

RESOLUTION RUN Run a New Year’s Day 5k at Patterson Park

to benefit Earl’s Place, a transitional housing program that has helped hundreds of formerly homeless men rebuild their lives. For more information, visit www.charmcityrun.com.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2014

How to find travel insurance that pays off When you start to look at the subject of money you have at risk in prepayments. According to Cook, that last one “causes travel insurance, you find a bimodal distrithe most heartache.” With most bution among both conpolicies, you can’t insure just sumers and travel mavens: part of your risk, and if you unSome say it’s a scam; others derinsure, even just by “roundsay it’s indispensible, at least ing down,” many companies for some trips. can deny your entire claim. Count me in the second group. My overall take for Moreover, as far as I can decades is that trip-cancellation tell, policies vary in terms of insurance is a valuable protecwhether you have to cover the total outlay or just the outlay tion any time you face lots of for nonrefundable services. cancellation penalties, and that travel medical insurance is a TRAVEL TIPS By Ed Perkins Cancellation complaints good idea for many travelers. The number two cause of complaints is I agree, however, that many travelers believe that travel insurance companies cheat- about denials of claims when something ed them out of promised benefits. A recent actually happens that requires you to canrelease by my go-to authority on travel in- cel or interrupt a trip. As Cook points out, trip insurance polisurance, QuoteWright’s John Cook, helps cies are “named peril coverages,” meaning shed some light on the problem.

that they reimburse you only in the case of an event or occurrence specifically included as a “covered” reason in the policy fine print. You experience lousy weather at your golf resort? No coverage unless the resort actually has to close down or the airline can’t fly there. Street demonstrations in a city you plan to visit? No coverage unless the city suffers an actual “terrorist” act. Hardly any policies cover cancellation for work reasons. Taken together, these two problems are why I recommend policies that include a “cancel for any reason” provision. That way, you decide whether to travel, not an insurance company bean counter paid to figure out ways to deny claims. Yes, any-reason policies are usually more expensive than conventional policies, they don’t cover any-reason cancellation within the last 48 hours before scheduled departure, and most of them pay off

less than 100 percent of the value. But the any-reason provision is an add-on to a conventional policy, not a substitute: If you cancel for a “covered reason,” you get the full recovery; the any-reason option kicks in only when your reason isn’t covered. Travel insurance remains a complicated issue. One of the best sources of further information I know is Travel Insurance Ratings and Reviews (travelinsurancera ting.org), an online resource maintained by Cook. As an agent, he obviously carries favorable bias to insurance, but his company arranges policies with all the big insurers and he is unbiased in recommending policies he prefers. Check it out if you’re at all unsure about whether to buy insurance for your next trip. Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. © 2013 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Pre-existing condition problems The number one cause of disappointment (often rage) over travel insurance has been the denial of claims — for cancellation, interruption or medical expenses — due to a traveler’s “pre-existing medical condition.” Most policies include blanket exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions. Typically, pre-existing conditions may be defined as any medical condition for which the traveler has seen a doctor within a period of three to six months previous to buying the insurance. That can be pretty draconian, and insurance company bean counters love draconian. Furthermore, some policies that cover cancellation or interruption due to a problem experienced by a traveling companion (or by close relatives who are not traveling) apply the pre-existing conditions exclusion to them, as well. Fortunately, however, you can get around a large part of the problem. Most good travel insurers waive this pre-existing exemption, provided: • You buy the insurance within a set number of days — typically 10 to 30 days — within making the first payment or deposit for your trip, • You be physically able to travel at the time you buy the insurance and cannot foresee any specific upcoming problems, and • You insure the entire amount of

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Jan. 23

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Style Arts &

A major African American art collection comes to the Reginald Lewis Museum. See story on page 28.

A tour of city’s historic houses of worship the Basilica are available, as are regular services. Berea Temple of the Seventh Day Adventists 1901 Madison Ave. (410) 669-6350 Throughout its history, the Berea Temple has served congregations of different faiths. When the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation moved out of the Lloyd Street Synagogue, it relocated to what was then Bolton Hill’s Madison Avenue Temple, designed by Baltimore architect Charles L. Carson. The Byzantine-style building, constructed in 1891, features an enormous dome and two parallel octagonal towers. In 1951 the Berea Temple of Seventh Day Adventists purchased the temple when Baltimore Hebrew moved to Park Heights Ave. in Northwest Baltimore. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church 1300 Druid Hill Avenue (410) 523-4273 www.bethel1.org Bethel is the oldest independent African-American institution in Baltimore, and was founded after Daniel Payne Coker

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led a group of AfricanAmericans out of a Methodist church because of racially segregated seating. Its current location, formerly St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, was built in 1868. B’nai Israel Synagogue 27 Lloyd St. (410) 732-5454 www.bnaiisraelcongregation.org Situated next door to the Lloyd Street Synagogue, the Victorian Gothic B’nai Israel Synagogue, with its detailed stonework, was designed by Henry Berge and dedicated in 1875 as the Chizuk Amuno Synagogue. The building was pur- This Victorian Gothic synagogue was originally built by the chased in 1895 by the Chizuk Amuno congregation in 1875, but has been the home of the Russian/Polish B’nai Israel congregation since Russian/Polish B’nai 1895. Many historic religious institutions in Baltimore have Israel Congregation, changed hands over the years. which still occupies the First Baptist was founded in 1836 by exsynagogue today. The Jewish Museum of Maryland was built on the lot between the slave and lay minister, Moses Clayton, and was Maryland’s first Black Baptist church. Lloyd Street and B’nai Israel synagogues. The church’s archives feature manuFirst Baptist Church scripts, pictures, articles and memorabilia 525 N. Caroline St. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JEWISH MUSEUM OF MARYLAND

By Carol Sorgen You don’t have to be a regular churchor synagogue-goer to appreciate the many historic houses of worship that can be found throughout Baltimore. For architecture and history buffs, these buildings provide a glimpse into the city’s long heritage of religious tolerance. Here are a few of Baltimore’s significant religious houses. (For a more complete exploration, check out the book, Monuments to Heaven, by Lois Zanow and Sally Johnston.) Baltimore Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 409 Cathedral St. (410) 727-3565 www.baltimorebasilica.org Founded by Cecil Calvert, a Roman Catholic, Baltimore has had a long tradition as a major center for the Catholic Church. The Basilica was designed by Benjamin Latrobe, considered “Father of American Architecture.” Constructed in 1821, it was the first Cathedral built in the United States. It is now a National Historic Landmark and National Shrine. Tours of

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2014

Houses of worship From page 26 dating back to the 1830s. Lovely Lane United Methodist Church and Museum 2200 St. Paul St. (410) 889-1512 www.lovelylane.net Lovely Lane, designed by the famous architect Stanford White in 1884, is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is considered the “mother church” of American Methodism, and was the first meeting place for the denomination’s founders and their congregation. The museum contains portraits, hymnals and memorabilia from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Old Otterbein United Methodist Church 112 W. Conway St. (410) 685-4703 www.oldotterbeinumc.org Old Otterbein is the oldest church in continuous use in Baltimore and serves as the “mother church” of the United Brethren in Christ. The present-day church building was constructed in 1785, with a nearby parsonage built in 1811. The church’s second pastor, Philip William Otterbein, who came to this country to serve German settlers, is buried in the churchyard. Though the interior of the church has been remodeled, its sanctuary is the oldest in continuous use in Baltimore and

the city’s only remaining 18th century church. Sharp Street United Methodist Church 1206 Etting St. (410) 523-7200 www.sharpstreet.org Sharp Street’s current church structure was built in 1898 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The congregation itself was established in 1787, and is the home of Baltimore’s first African-American congregation. It served as host church for early meetings of the NAACP and housed the seminary school that later became Morgan State University. The Zion Evangelical Lutheran 400 E. Lexington St. (410) 727-3939 www.zionbaltimore.org This congregation was founded in 1755 to serve the needs of Lutheran immigrants from Germany, as well as the many Germans from Pennsylvania who moved to Baltimore. The bi-lingual congregation still offers sermons in both German and English. The congregation’s first church was built in 1762 on what is now East Saratoga Street. That was replaced by the current building, constructed from 1807 to 1808. The Lloyd Street Synagogue 15 Lloyd St. (410) 732-6400 www.jewishmuseummd.org Standing just off what is known as Corned Beef Row in Old Town, Baltimore,

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the Greek Revival-styled structure served its founding membership for 45 years until Baltimore Hebrew moved to the Madison Avenue Temple (now Berea Temple of the Seventh Day Adventists) in 1890. The

MARCH 4TH & 5TH

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the Lloyd Street Synagogue, designed by Robert Cary Long, Jr., was completed in 1845. Prior to its construction, the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, founded in 1830, held services in an apartment above a grocery store until 1845. The third oldest synagogue in America,

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JANUARY 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Major black history exhibit visits museum By Lizzy McLellan A nationally renowned exhibit has made its way to Baltimore, where it may bring a surge of visitors to the East Coast’s largest African-American museum.

Curated over 35 years, the Kinsey Collection offers a variety of items that chronicle black history in the United States. The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History &

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

JEWS AND THE CIVIL WAR

The Jewish Museum of Maryland, 15 Lloyd St., presents an exhibition examining the role Jewish Americans played in the Civil War. You can also tour the Lloyd Street Synagogue to see what it would have been like to be a member during those times. The exhibit continues through Friday, Feb. 28. Admission is $8 ($6 for seniors 65+). The museum is open Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (410) 732-6400 or visit www.jewishmuseummd.org.

Ongoing

FRIDAYS AFTER FIVE AT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM

Through March 28, tickets to the National Aquarium, 501 E. Pratt St., are discounted on Friday evenings to $12, with $5 for an optional 4-D immersion film. For more information, call (410) 5763800 or visit www.aqua.org.

NewBegins Here

Culture opened “The Kinsey Collection: Shared Treasures of Bernard & Shirley Kinsey — Where Art & History Intersect” in November, and it will remain at the museum through March 2. Curated by Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, with help from their son, Khalil, this collection offers a variety of items that chronicle black history in the United States. It has been on display in eight museums and has won three national awards, including a President’s Medal. Part of the collection has been on the road since last February, on a tour of three museums — the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco, the Harvey B. Gantt Center in Charlotte, N.C., and now the Lewis museum. The tour came about through a collaboration between the Kinsey family and Wells Fargo, which was seeking a way to

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The exhibit is expected to bring in tens of thousands of visitors during its time in Baltimore, said Helen Yuen, director of marketing for the Lewis Museum. That would be a significant increase in traffic for the museum, which has experienced financial hardship. Its average annual attendance has been about a quarter of what was expected when the institution opened. “Museums are struggling for attendance all over the country,” said Samuel Black, president of the Association of African American Museums. And for a museum that charges admission, like the Lewis, visitors must be compelled not only to visit, but also to pay the fee. “Niche museums like ours face a particular challenge,” said Yuen, so the museum is reaching out past its own geography and cultural expertise.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

EASTERN SHORE

• Furnace Branch 410-761-4150

• Easton 410-770-3070

• Severna Park 410-544-3411

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BALTIMORE CITY

• Bel Air 410-893-0064

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• Box Hill 410-515-6115

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HOWARD COUNTY • Columbia 410-381-1118

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* Fullerton 410-663-0665

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Houses of worship From page 27

*Newly Renovated! • Colonial Landing 410-796-4399

• Catonsville 410-719-9464

Part of that outreach involved Visit Baltimore, which is marketing the exhibit throughout the surrounding area, including See EXHIBIT, page 29

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*Newly Renovated!

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Lifestyle

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celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The Kinsey Collection includes paintings, sculptures, documents and artifacts. Some of the items come straight from the hands of historical figures — letters written by Zora Neale Hurston, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, decisions from Dred Scott v. Sandford and Brown v. Board of Education and, as a centerpiece of sorts, an early copy of the Emancipation Proclamation.

building was subsequently occupied by two Catholic and two Jewish congregations until 1963 when it was abandoned. The Jewish Museum of Maryland purchased and restored the building. The basement contains a traditional matzoh oven and a ritual bath.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

IT’S A HALLMARK MOMENT

• Miramar Landing 410-391-8375

• Emerson 301-483-3322

Through Feb. 3, the Enoch Pratt

• Randallstown 410-655-5673

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Library is exhibiting more than 300

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

greeting cards in its collection dating

* Rosedale 410-866-1886

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back to 1870. The exhibit also shows

The Central Library is located at 400 Cathedral St. For more information, visit www.prattlibrary.org or call (410) 396-5430.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2014

From page 28 Maryland, Washington and Pennsylvania. Visit Baltimore has put considerable effort into promoting the city’s history, said chief marketing officer Sam Rogers, and that effort is paying off. Rogers referenced a 2012 study by Longwoods International, which said that 20 percent of overnight leisure visitors to Baltimore go to a museum — about double the U.S. average. It also showed that 18 percent of Baltimore overnight leisure visitors go to a landmark historic site, versus

BEACON BITS

FROM PAGE 30

Mar. 7

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD P A W S

O L E O

K M A R T

E A T E N

O P E N S E C R E T

K E L P

E M O S

Y W C A

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13 percent nationally. Andy Bertamini, Maryland regional president for Wells Fargo, fostered the connection between the Lewis museum and the Wells Fargo tour. He said he knew the museum was working toward a major improvement when he proposed that the collection come to Baltimore. “I knew we could get enough people to come to the exhibit,” said Bertamini. “We saw this as an opportunity to really turn the museum around.” Khalil Kinsey, who has helped his parents with the collection, agrees that the exhibition could increase the museum’s visibility.

ARTICULTURE! IN PHILADELPHIA

Join the Senior Box Office on Friday, March 7, on a daylong trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show. This year’s theme is ARTiculture! Tickets are $69. Call (410) 882-3797 for reservations.

Ongoing

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“I’ve talked to a lot of people who may have heard of it, but they don’t know where it is, or haven’t heard of it at all,” he said. “This is a wonderful facility, a wonderful museum — first-class, and it deserves first-class material.” — The Daily Record via AP

The 1979 painting “Falling Star” by Romare Bearden is part of the Kinsey Collection, a significant collection of African American artwork, artifacts and historic documents that will be displayed at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture through March 2.

COURTESY OF THE KINSEY COLLECTION

Exhibit

JANUARY 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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BEACON BITS

Ongoing

EGYPT’S MYSTERIOUS BOOK OF THE FAIYUM This exhibit at the Walters Museum, 600 N. Charles St., is the first

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to be devoted to the Book of the Faiyum, a lavishly illustrated and well-preserved papyrus from ancient Egypt. The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 ($8 for those 65+). The exhibit closes Sunday, Jan. 5. For more information, call (410) 547-9000 or visit www.thewalters.org.

A Little Batting Advice 1

Dec.

PAINTINGS AT REGINALD F. LEWIS MUSEUM Baltimore artist Amy Sherald’s work is on exhibit at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture,

830 E. Pratt St. Sherald describes her series of paintings as “scenes of social

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ascent and racial descent.” The museum is open Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for those 65+.

by Stephen Sherr 10

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The exhibit closes Sunday, Dec. 29. For more information, call (443) 263-1800 or visit www.rflewismuseum.org.

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Across 1. Resort hotel feature 5. Flame finder 9. Bridge lead, perhaps 14. Purina brand 15. Creature observed in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 16. Grill maker 17. Star of the 1894-1896 NL champion Baltimore Orioles 20. Emilio Estevez, to Martin Sheen 21. Female antelope 22. Medicine men 23. NaCl, more commonly 25. Can calamities 26. Start of 17 Across’ philosophy of hitting 29. Mo. with the most fresh flower sales 32. Noted brand of pepper spray 33. Compete 34. Show up 36. Gillette razors 38. General path from ME to FL 40. Flounder relatives 41. ___ alcohol (demonstrate drunkenness) 43. Amniotic ___ 45. An other Spanish word 46. Demolition acquisition 47. More of philosophy 50. Russian images 51. Optimistic 52. Car dashboard feature, usually 55. Horror director Craven 56. King Kong studio 59. End of philosophy 62. Crazies 63. Chewbacca comment 64. Cool stage name of rapper Tracy Marrow 65. H.S. exams 66. Puts out the china 67. Stat start

Down 1. Goldilocks’ hosts had 12 2. Butter substitute 3. Everybody knows it; nobody says it 4. In the dumps 5. Bolshevik diplomat, whose name inspired inexpensive weapons 6. Look up and down 7. Start of a cycle 8. Chortle sound 9. Mister Rogers’ zip-ups 10. Yellow slippers 11. Competent 12. Venison source 13. Botches 18. Without much activity 19. Country on the equator 24. Opposite of an abyss 25. Imitate, visually 26. Discounter, founded by Sebastian S. Kresge 27. Consumed 28. The University of Illinois at Springfield (in boxscores) 29. Rolling in dough 30. “... ___ saw your face” 31. In a daze 35. Big crosses 37. In flip-flops 39. Simple card game 42. Minimum amount 44. Resume writers’ goals 48. Pays the admission fee 49. Curious, and then some 50. Sweats 52. Plant displayed at The National Aquarium 53. Comedian Philips, and namesakes 54. Org. with motto “eliminating racism; empowering women” 55. Second baseman, per Bud Abbott 57. Banjo holder 58. Palindrome game: “Toot and ___” 60. Footprint feature 61. Basketball force

Answers on page 29.

BALTIMORE BEACON — JANUARY 2014

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 the right. 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.

Home/Handyman Services BALTIMORE’S BEST JUNK REMOVAL – Clean Outs: Whole House, Emergency, Attics/Basements. Furniture and Junk Removal, Yard Waste Removal, General Hauling, Construction Debris Removal. Free estimates. 10% Senior Discount. Licensed, Bonded and Insured. Call Jesse, 443-379-HAUL (4285). SANFORD & SON HAULING Trash removal, house & estate clean-outs, garage cleanouts, yard work & cleanups, demolition, shed removal. 410-746-5090. Free Estimates. Insured. Call 7 days a week 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. FEDERAL HOME SOLUTIONS - Certified Aging in Place Specialists. We are a full-service, custom-remodeling company specializing in modifications for accessibility. 410-409-8128. MHIC# 104589. BASEMENT OR FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? LEVELIFT SYSTEMS, INC. offers honest, professional, no-pressure inspection, consultation & repair quotes for owner-occupied homes with settling, cracking & buckling basement walls. Our 23-yearold Jessup, Maryland-based firm has a spotless record with Angie’s List, Better Business Bureau and Maryland State Home Improvement Commission. Ask for Paul. Office: 301-369-3400. Cell: 410365-7346. Paulm@levelift.com. MHIC #45110. MIKE RUPARD – A FULL SERVICE PAINTING contractor. Interior. Exterior. “No job is too small.” 30 years experience. Free estimates. Fully-licensed and insured. 301-674-1383.

Miscellaneous

Financial Services ACCOUNTING, BOOKKEEPING, TAXES – conscientious CPA, 37 years experience, reasonable rates, looking for additional business, personal and eldercare clients. Call 410-653-3363.

For Rent GARDENVILLE – Large bedroom & bath on 2nd floor of private home for rent in safe, quiet neighborhood. Reasonable – 410-482-1702.

FULL SERVICE PIANO SHOP – sales, service, moving, appraisals, lessons. Crofton Piano Company. Call 410-721-0815.

Personals NICE, 50-YEAR-OLD, SM LOOKING for nice, sweet, loving, well-educated SF, 30-50, friendship/more. Write P.O. Box 33471, Baltimore, MD 21218.

GLEN HAVEN MEMORIAL PARK. 1-space – double vault. Open & closing for 2 people. Headstone. $1,900. 443-618-1263. 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

ESTATE SPECIALIST, experts in estate cleanouts and preparing your house for sale. Trash removal, house cleanouts, light moving, demolition, yard work, cleaning. 410-746-5090. Free estimates. Insured. Call 7 days, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. LEARN ENGLISH – SPANISH – ITALIAN – FRENCH – PORTUGUESE Conversational. Grammatical. Private lessons. Reasonable Rates. Tutoring students. 443-352-8200.

Wanted WORLD’S LARGEST HEALTH AND WEIGHT LOSS company. Incredible results! Now ninety milkshakes for the price of thirty. Safe. Natural. Doctor recommended. www.results44.com. 443-253-2640. Call today!

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 5th 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 $10 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word. Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise. Each ad is $25 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, Baltimore Classified Dept. P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 Wanted

Wanted

VINYL RECORDS WANTED from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201.

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.

OLD AND NEW WE BUY Sterling Silver Flatware, Tea Sets, Single Pieces, Fountain Pens, Lighters, Tools, Cameras, Glassware, Art Work. Toys From Trains to Hotwheels to Star Wars. Call Greg, 717-658-7954. CASH BUYER FOR OLD COSTUME JEWELRY – pocket and wrist watches (any condition). Also buying watchmaker tools and parts, train sets and accessories, old toys, old glassware & coins. 410-655-0412.

BEACON BITS

Dec.

FIVE FABULOUS WOMEN PAINTERS The Steven Scott Gallery at 808 S. Ann St. in Fells Point high-

Personal Services

For Sale

Say you saw it in the Beacon

WE BUY OLD AND NEW JEWELRY, Coins, Silver and Gold, Paper Money Too. Watches, Clocks and Parts, Military Badges and Patches Old and New. Call Greg, 717-658-7954.

lights the work of five talented artists: Kristin Helberg, Ellen Hill, Sheep Jones, Kathryn O’Grady and Hollis Sigler through Sunday, Dec. 29. The gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. For more information, call (410) 902-9300 or visit www.stevenscottgallery.com.

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Dec.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

$12/year via Third Class Mail plus tax

The third annual Power Plant Holiday Light Show Spectacular lights up the Inner Harbor this holiday season with an unforgettable display of lights, lasers and music. One of the waterfront’s most electrifying attractions

Please send a one-year subscription to:

sparkles through Saturday, Dec. 21, and from Thursday, Dec. 26 through

Name:____________________________________________

Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Address:___________________________________________

Feb. 8+

CRUISE THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN Join Senior Box Office on a Royal Caribbean cruise of the Western Caribbean from Saturday, Feb. 8 through Tuesday, Feb. 18. The

cost is $978/double. Call (410) 882-3797 for more information and reservations.

City:_____________________State:_____Zip:___________ ❐ One Year = $12 (Maryland residents add 6% for sales tax = $12.72) ❐ Check here if this is a gift subscription. Write the recipient’s name above. A gift card will be sent in your

Feb. 20

SPEND A DAY IN POMPEII Take a trip to Pompeii via Philadelphia on Thursday, Feb. 20, as

special exhibit, “A Day in Pompeii.” Call (410) 882-3797 for reservations.

Return this form with your check, made payable to The Beacon, to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227

BB1/14

Senior Box Office hosts a visit to the Franklin Institute to see the

name: _____________________________

JANUARY 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; BALTIMORE BEACON

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We wish to thank our 2013 Beacon advertisers for the products and services they provide to older adults and for utilizing the Beacon to reach them. 20/20 Gene Systems, Inc A & F Construction AARP Maryland Absolute Companion Care Aigburth Vale Senior Community Alzheimer's Walk American Bullion Atrium Village Augsburg Lutheran Home & Village Autolog Azman Eye B&B Estate Buyers Baltimore County Dept. of Aging Baltimore Pain Relief Center Bayada Home Health Care Bill Gilde Electric Biomet Mid-Altantic Broadmead Catholic Charities Centenarians Luncheon Charlestown Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Chesapeake Bay Aqua PT College Manor Comfort Keepers Companion Home Care Concert Artists CSI Support & Development CVS/Pharmacy D. Kathleen Rus, Esq. Dance Baltimore, Inc. Debt Counsel for Seniors & the Disabled Dr. Richard Rosenblatt, DPM Dr. Stuart Goldman, DPM Edgewood Management Company Eyre Tour & Travel FirstSTREET Foundations Adult Day Care Frank, Frank & Scherr, LLC GEDCO Governor's Leadership in Aging Awards

Green House @ Stadium Place Greens Consul Logan Habitat America Hamilton Foot Care Harmonius Living Chiropractic HCR ManorCare Hearing and Speech Agency Hearing Services Heartlands of Ellicott City Holly Hill Memorial Gardens Holly Hill Nursing & Rehab Home With You Hopkins Symphony Orchestra Howard County Office on Aging Hubbard Funeral Home IDEAL Study Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Johns Hopkins University Health Studies Johns Hopkins University Odyssey Program Johnson Hopkins Bayview Keswick Multi-Care Center KIMCO Komen Race for the Cure Lion and Lamb Transportation Maryland Pain Specialists Maryland Relay Meadows of Reisterstown Michael Healthcare Mishpacha Dental MJM Innovations Mutual of Omaha Myerberg Senior Center Nancy Kapp & Company Neighborcare Pharmacy NeurExpand Brain Center Neurology Institute New Cathedral Cemetery New Life Healthy Living New Lifestyles North Oaks Oak Crest

Options for Senior America Paladin Advisor Group Parexel Baltimore Park Heights Place Park View Apartments P-B Home Health Care Agency Perry Hall Square Merchants Pharmasite Research Pickersgill Retirement Community Pikesville Thrift Pikeswood Apts Progressive Care At Home Radio Fleamarket Redemptorist Cemeteries Rite Aid Corporation Roland Park Country School Roland Park Place Sanford Kramer Plumbing Savvy Care Sinai Hospital Sinai Lifebridge St. Joseph's Medical Center St. Mary's Roland View Towers Sterling Ashton Schwab Witzke Funeral Home The Bozzuto Group The Dental Center The Lyric The Maples of Towson The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth's Thompson Creek Window Co. Toby's Dinner Theatre Tudor Heights University of Maryland Health Studies University of Maryland, Physical Therapy Walker Mews Wayland Village Senior Apartments Weinberg Senior Living Westminster House Whaddya Got To Sell? White Oak Senior Care