January 2019 | DC Beacon

The I N

F O C U S

FREE

F O R

P E O P L E

O V E R

More than 200,000 readers throughout Greater Washington

VOL.31, NO.1

With age comes Wizdom, hip-hop

The roar of the crowd The audience reaction has been strong.

At the Wizdom’s debut, noted Derric Whitfield, the dance team director, “the fans were cheering so loud you’d think we won the game.”

Diane recalled, “when I walked up to my seat after performing for the first time, I was stopped by 10 to 15 people saying, ‘You did a great job. We are so proud to see seniors getting out there. You give us hope for what we can do.’”

Whitfield noted the Wizdom dance team is part of a larger revamping of entertainment at Wizards games, along with the introduction of coed dance teams.

He’s had experience with older dancers,

JANUARY 2019

I N S I D E …

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS

By Barbara Ruben In her early 20s, back in 1977, she took to the basketball court at half-time as part of the first cheerleading-dance team for the Washington Bullets. For the next four years, she was a Bullette, wearing high-cut red hot pants and red wedge shoes to shimmy across the court.

Some years later, the Bullets rebranded as the Wizards, and the Bullettes became the Wizard Girls. When that dance team went coed this season, they became the Wizard Dancers.

And now, Diane (dancers are asked not to use their last names) is back out on the court dancing during basketball games — as part of a new group of dancers over 50 called the Wizdom Dance Team.

Of course, musical styles have also evolved over the years, so Diane has found herself learning to dance to a different beat: hip-hop music.

“This grandma had never twerked before!” said Diane, who lives in Gaithersburg, Md. “It’s a challenge to learn a different style, and learn quickly. At 63, it’s a great challenge to remember step after step after step, and how to do it correctly, sometimes. But it’s good for your memory.”

So far, the Wizdom has danced at a timeout and at a half-time holiday show with the Wizard Dancers, and with a youth dance team called — what else? — the Wizkids. They have also performed with the Capital City GoGos, the Wizards’ affiliated minor league basketball team.

5 0

SEE SPECIAL INSERT Housing & Homecare Options following page 20

ARTS & STYLE

This season, the Washington Wizards debuted a new dance team called Wizdom, comprised of 20 older adults who entertain at some of the basketball team’s games.

In front, dancer Sharon ends a performance with the splits, a move she learned more than 40 years ago as a cheerleader in ninth grade.

as he used to coach a similar dance group for the Houston Rockets. “It’s all about entertainment,” he said. “Who doesn’t want to see these older adults performing?

“They’ve been great, and up for the challenge,” he added of the new team’s members. “They are getting more confidence, which is great. And the response has been overwhelming.”

AARP sponsors the team, providing video services and publicity by featuring the team on its website.

“We’re always on the lookout for really good examples of showcasing people 50+ disrupting aging and challenging people’s current beliefs,” said Barbara Shipley, AARP’s senior vice president for brand integration.

“The main thing for us is, it doesn’t matter how old these dancers are, but that they are

doing it. They are really surprising people, and we’re really proving it’s not about age, it’s about your experience, it’s about your enthusiasm, it’s about your passion,” Shipley said.

Miss Saigon at the Kennedy Center; plus, books for the new year, and Bob Levey on late-life divorce page 31 TECHNOLOGY

4

FITNESS & HEALTH 8 k Acupuncture has many uses k Do hip/knee replacements last?

The local auditions Back in September, 55 dance team hopefuls auditioned at Trinity Washington University. Whitfield said he was so impressed with their talent that he selected 20 dancers rather than the 15 he had intended to hire, including a sole male member of the team.

The dancers range in age from 50 to 76, live throughout the Washington area, and are paid for their part-time work.

For Diane, joining the team felt like coming full circle, reprising her youthful See WIZARDS, page 34

SPOTLIGHT ON AGING k Newsletter for D.C. seniors

18

LAW & MONEY 21 k Brighten portfolio with utilities LEISURE & TRAVEL 26 k Unusual cruise options abound k Roving retirees explore the world ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

39

PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE

2

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Ready for a riddle?

I’m not generally a riddle lover. But I’m throw a ping-pong ball so that it goes a listening to a book on tape that my wife en- short distance, comes to a dead stop, then returns back to him. And he joyed, Elastic: Flexible Thinksays he can do this without ing in a Time of Change, by bouncing it off anything, Leonard Mlodinow (m-lod’tying anything to it, or giving nov). it spin. How? The book is about the While you consider those, human brain and the multiple I’ll note that these kinds of methods by which we think riddles can be challenging be— something science has cause we tend to think analytonly recently come to underically most of the time, and stand.

The book addresses what especially when trying to solve problems. he calls our brain’s elasticity: FROM THE When we think analytically, an ability to think creatively, PUBLISHER to consider perspectives be- By Stuart P. Rosenthal our brain tries to travel the shortest path to a solution, so yond our own, and to draw connections between radically different we tend to rely on what we already know (or think we know). In fact, these riddles ideas in a non-logical manner.

In order to illustrate what he means, he are designed to encourage exactly that kind opens one chapter with a challenge to the of approach.

But it’s logical thinking that actually reader: Can you solve these riddles? As I listened to the book while navigating makes these riddles difficult to solve! We through traffic, I took him up on it. Are need to think outside our normal patterns, and even refuse to follow straightforward you ready to give some a try? #1. A man is reading a book when the logic to get to the answers.

In the first riddle, the man is reading lights go out. Even though the room is pitch dark, he continues reading. How? from a book. But it’s written in Braille, so he’s reading with his fingers.

(Note: it’s not an electronic book.) #2. A magician claims to be able to The magician isn’t tossing the ping-pong

Beacon The

I N

F O C U S

F O R

P E O P L E

O V E R

5 0

The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Washington DC area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Howard County, Md. and Richmond, Va. Readership exceeds 400,000.

Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($36) or third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. D.C. and Maryland residents: add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below.

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

• Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher ..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President of Operations ....Gordon Hasenei • Vice President, Sales & Marketing ....Alan Spiegel • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Art Director ........................................Kyle Gregory • Director of Operations ........................Roger King • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock, .................................. Dan Kelly, Barbara Koscielski, ........................................................Hubie Stockhausen • Assistant Editor ..........................Rebekah Alcalde

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (301) 949-9766 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 39 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

© Copyright 2019 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

ball against a wall or across the floor, as we might first imagine. He’s throwing it straight up into the air, so it reverses direction and comes back to him thanks to gravity.

The reason for including such riddles in the book is not to trick us, but to illustrate how our minds can jump to the wrong conclusions. When we intently focus our analytical powers, we sometimes miss the point.

Ironically, our brains often make the most creative connections, and find solutions to problems that otherwise evade us, when they act without conscious direction so our thoughts can roam freely.

One way to become more in touch with our elastic brain involves a different kind of effort. Mlodinow describes how he purposely tests his most closely held beliefs in order to widen his perspective and engage more of his brain.

He selects a deeply held value or belief (some might call it a prejudice) and tries to see it from the side of a person of good intention who holds the opposite belief.

He knows he’s not fooling himself, and he doesn’t expect to change his own opinion.

But by working to understand why others believe what they believe, and how they might view his opinions, he usually comes to accept that there can be different positions on the matter, and that those who disagree with him are not truly evil, as he might originally have felt.

To me, this is one of the major insights of the book. Though it’s natural and gener-

ally helpful for our brains to take the easy route to a decision, it’s important to use all our faculties when we want to understand another person’s perspective, politics, culture or beliefs.

We tend to be rigid and judgmental when we think analytically. So when that fails us, as it sometimes does when trying to communicate with others, we need to think more elastically.

We will come to understand ourselves and others better — and maybe even regain a more civil society — when we can train ourselves not to retreat to our most comfortable logic.

The book deserves more than this brief description of one point. There are many more insights in it. So I encourage you to read it (or listen to it) yourself.

I predict it will put you in a frame of mind to be more open to new ideas and concepts — and to be more tolerant of your fellow human beings.

A NOTE TO READERS: Have you had your DNA tested and learned something interesting about your family? If so, please contact our managing editor Barbara Ruben at (301) 949-9766 or barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com to help us with an upcoming story. Thank 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: You warn seniors of scam threats. What about fake news? I refer to page 44 of the December 2018 edition of your publication.

There are two articles with headlines and text, and their formats look pretty much the same, but one of them is really an advertisement.

The lead is catchy, and I started to read the text without realizing it was an ad.

Then I glanced at the end and saw ordering information. Ad, not news.

It was only later that my eye caught the “paid advertisement” notice in small letters at the bottom of the page. In fairness

to readers, wouldn’t this notice be better placed in larger letters at the top?

Scott L. Smith Bethesda, Md. Editor’s response: You make a good point.

We think long-time readers know that our own stories typically begin at the top of a page, unlike advertorials of this sort, which are grounded on the bottom of the page and are enclosed in a border.

But to make it clear to all readers, we will move the “Paid Advertisement” notice to the top of such ads in the future.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 17

HOSPITAL FUNDRAISER DANCE

Lifeline Assistance presents its fund-raiser “White HOT” on Thursday, Jan. 17 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Vinson Hall, 1735 Kirby Rd., McLean, Va. To support seniors and neighbors in need, take the occasion of Betty White’s (97th!) birthday to celebrate in style with music, dancing, a silent auction and more. The Lifeline Assistance Fund enables at-risk & in-need individuals to receive subsidized Lifeline Services, allowing them to remain in their homes with confidence and safety. Tickets cost $35 in advance, $45 at the door. For more information, visit: www.virginiahospitalcenter.com/WhiteHot or call (703) 558-6859.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon

INDEPENDENT RETIREMENT LIVIN G

If it is true that love v is patient and love is kind, k then there is no morre obvious an example than the story of Wa anda and Oliver Carte er. Their tale is a journey fr f om tragedy to a true ±ĹÚ åĹÚƚųĜĹč ųŅĵ±ĹÏåţ FƋ ĜŸ ± ĬŅƴå ƋʱƋ ĀĬĬŸ ƋĘå Ęå±ųƋŸ ±ĹÚ Ę±ĬĬŸ Ņü 8±ĬÏŅĹŸ X±ĹÚĜĹčţ We invite you to experience a connection n that can be found through ugh the common bond of service to coun ntry.

To learn more about this extraordinary story visit ffalconslanding.or alconslanding.org/love-story.

WWW.F FALCONSLANDING.ORG – 20522 F FALC ALCONS LANDING CIRCLE POTOMAC F FALL ALLS, VA 20165 – (703) 293-5054

3

4

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Technology &

Innovations Foldable phones: A tablet in your pocket

By Michael Liedtke For the past few years, the smartphone industry has been searching for a breakthrough to revive a market mired in an innovation lull and a sales slump. A potential catalyst is on the horizon in the form of flexible screens that can be folded in half without breaking.

Samsung and several rivals are preparing to roll out such screens to make devices more versatile for work and pleasure.

The foldable screens could increase display space to the size of a mini-tablet, but fold like a wallet so they revert to the size of regular phones. But there are questions about price and durability.

If the new phones fulfill their makers’ ambitions, they will become a leap ahead for an industry whose origins can be traced to the old flip phones that consumers once embraced as cool and convenient. Foldable-screen phones, though, won’t need hinges because they have continuous displays that can bend.

Not easy to make In an indication of how difficult it is to make a flexible screen that’s also durable, Samsung first announced plans to build a folding-screen phone five years ago. It wasn’t until late 2018, though, that Samsung finally provided a glimpse at what it’s been working on.

“We have been living in a world where the size of a screen could only be as large as the device itself,’’ said Justin Denison, Samsung’s senior vice president of mobile product marketing. “We have just entered a new dimension.”

Except for a fleeting look at a device he held in a hand, Denison provided scant information about the phone. Samsung says it will be ready to hit the market at some point this year.

Smartphone makers are looking for something to excite consumers as they replace phones less often because new models are pricey and aren’t that much different from their predecessors beyond slightly better cameras and batteries.

That’s the main reason worldwide smartphone sales have fallen from the previous year for four consecutive quarters, according to IDC. Add it all up, and smartphone sales declined by 4 percent during the 12 months ending in September.

Samsung, the world’s leading seller of smartphones, suffered a 7 percent decline in shipments during that period, based on IDC’s calculations.

Useful, but costly But it’s not clear whether flexible-screen phones will have mass appeal, especially when the bendy devices are expected to cost more than $1,000.

Royole Corp., a small Silicon Valley company, is hoping to sell early versions of its FlexPai foldable-screen phone for $1,300 to $1,500 once it comes to the U.S. later this year. For now, it just became available in China in December at a price equivalent to about $1,300.

The company says it provides a tabletsized 7.8” color display unfolded, but folds

180 degrees to fit in a pocket. The flexible screen also won’t break when dropped.

While the idea of a device being able to bend into different shapes may sound good, IDC analyst Ramon Llamas is skeptical about how practical and durable they will be.

One of the biggest questions is whether the quality of the screens will degrade as they get repeatedly folded. “Are people really going to want to watch a Netflix show on these devices if there is a crease down the middle of it?’’ Llamas said.

Royole said its FlexPai can be bent more than 200,000 times without deteriorating.

Other foldable-screen phones running Google’s Android software are expected to be available, too. Huawei confirmed last month that it is working on a phone with a flexible screen.

LG Electronics is widely expected to unveil one at the CES gadget show in Las Vegas this month. LG didn’t respond to a request for comment.

— AP

Tech aims to make disabilities disappear

By Danica Kirka Hadeel Ayoub slips a black glove onto her hand before beginning the swish of sign language that is meaningless to the untrained observer.

Then she pushes a button on her wrist, and a small speaker relays the message her hand drew in the air: “Let’s Dance!”

“My dream is to give a voice to those who can’t speak,” said the 36-year-old inventor who is developing her BrightSign glove while working toward a Ph.D. in assistive technology at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Ayoub’s glove is just one example of a bigger trend as entrepreneurs, startups and companies like Microsoft and Google try to harness the power of artificial intelligence to make life easier for people with disabilities.

The initiatives come as the World Health Organization estimates that the number of people needing assistive devices — ranging from wheelchairs to communication technologies — will double to 2 billion by 2050.

Improvements in artificial intelligence, combined with the decreasing cost of

hardware, are making it possible for inventors to develop new products without the need for the deep pockets of governments or corporations.

With the help of 3D printers and the increased processing power of home computers, they are creating devices designed for people with motor, vision, hearing and cognitive impairments.

Supporting innovation Microsoft and Google are trying to spur work in this area, offering a total of $45 million in grants to developers of assistive technologies. Microsoft said it hopes to identify promising projects that can eventually be incorporated into widely available services.

“We’re certainly seeing an explosion of new technology that is looking to support people with disabilities,” said Zvika Krieger, head of technology policy and partnerships at the World Economic Forum. “There are a lot of innovators out there.”

While Ayoub hopes her efforts pay off financially, she said she is driven by a desire to create a world where disabilities be-

come meaningless. Based in Britain, she is trying to raise 1 million pounds to bring BrightSign to the market, estimating her gloves will cost “a few hundred dollars” each, compared with $2,000 or more for existing technology.

“My dream for BrightSign is to be the extension of the senses for the people... who want to voice their feelings and opinions without having to always look for someone to help them out — to give them the independence that they need and control over their own communication,” she said.

The need for such products is only going to increase as the world’s population ages, increasing the number of people with physical, cognitive, vision and hearing problems, according to a WHO report published last year.

The challenge is to develop new technologies while also increasing the availability of simple devices like spectacles and wheelchairs that many people can’t afford.

financial potential of the market, as these innovations can improve products sold more widely, said Hector Minto, who has the unusual title of “accessibility evangelist” at Microsoft.

For example, Microsoft last year launched its free Seeing AI app, which turns a smartphone into a “talking camera” that helps visually impaired people do things like scan and read aloud text, recognize faces, and identify product bar codes.

Similar technology goes into the company’s text Translator service, which costs businesses $10 to $45,000 a month, depending on the number of transactions.

“Absolutely I think there’s a unique business case on its own, but definitely there’s a much larger business case for Microsoft in that the tools of the future quite often will come through a disability lens,” he said.

It’s important to remember that all of us have impairments at times, said Robin Christopherson, head of digital inclusion at the British charity AbilityNet, which

For the visually impaired Companies are starting to recognize the

See DISABILITY TECH, page 6

Virginia ❏ Ashby Ponds (See ads on pages B-2 & B-15) ❏ Chesterbrook Residences (See ads on pages B-8 & B-11) ❏ Crossings, The (See ad on page 10) ❏ Culpepper Garden (See ad on page 30) ❏ Falcons Landing (See ad on page 3) ❏ Greenspring (See ads on pages B-2 & B-10) ❏ Gum Springs Glen (See ad on page B-5) ❏ Herndon Harbor House (See ad on page B-5) ❏ Lockwood House (See ad on page B-5) ❏ Morris Glen (See ad on page B-5) ❏ Overture Fair Ridge (See ad on page B-5) ❏ Potomac Place (See ad on page 29) ❏ Shenandoah Senior Living (See ad on page B-2) ❏ Sommerset Retirement (See ads on pages B-6 & B-8) ❏ Waltonwood (See ads on pages B-6 & B-8) ❏ Wingler House (See ad on page B-5)

★ F R E E

Health Studies ❏ Flu Research Study (see ad and article on page 15) ❏ Hearing Research Study (see ad on page 15) Name_________________________________________________ ____________

City______________________________________State______Zip________________ Phone (day)__________________________(evening)_________________________ E-mail_________________________________________________________________

Please mail this form to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 or fax to (301) 949-8966 WB1/19

You may return this form together with the free ticket drawing form on page B-9.

I N F O R M A T I O N

Address_______________________________________________________________

✃

I N F O R M A T I O N F R E E ★ I N F O R M A T I O N F R E E ★ I N F O R M A T I O N F R E E

❏ Alfredhouse (See ad on page 17) ❏ Aspenwood Senior Living (See ads on pages B-4 & B-15) ❏ Brooke Grove (See ads on pages B-8, B-10, B-15, B-16, 20) ❏ Charles E. Smith Life Communities (See ad on page 13) ❏ Churchill Senior Living (See ad on page 16) ❏ Covenant Village (See ads on pages B-5 & B-15) ❏ Emerson House (See ads on pages B-5 & B-10) ❏ Five Star Premier Residences (See ad on page 9) ❏ Homecrest House (See ads on pages B-10 & B-12) ❏ Homewood (See ad on page 9) ❏ Landing of Silver Spring, The (See ad on page B-13) ❏ Landow House (See ad on page 13) ❏ Park View Bladensburg (See ad on page B-14) ❏ Park View Columbia (See ad on page B-14) ❏ Park View Emerson (See ad on page B-14) ❏ Park View Laurel (See ad on page B-14) ❏ Riderwood (See ad on page B-2 & B-10) ❏ Ring House (See ad on page 13) ❏ Springvale Terrace (See ads on pages B-8 & B-12) ❏ Victory Court (See ad on page B-4) ❏ Victory Housing (See ads on pages B-3 & B-10)

I N F O R M A T I O N

★

Maryland

F R E E

I N F O R M A T I O N

❏ Chevy Chase House (See ads on pages B-8 & B-11) ❏ Friendship Terrace (see ads on pages B-7 & B-15) ❏ 1221 Van (see ad on page 13)

★

F R E E

The free browser extension uBlock Origin prevents the bits of tracking text commonly known as cookies from latching on to your browsing history so that advertisers can’t create a profile of your preferences as you browse.

UBlock makes it easy to allow, or “whitelist,” ads from sites you’d like to support or sites that require showing ads to function, like Hulu. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency.

District of Columbia

I N F O R M A T I O N

Keep all your accounts safe and sound with a service that will generate strong, individual passwords that it stores for you, all secured behind a single master password.

LastPass is affordable ($24 a year for the premium plan), easy to use, and supported across nearly every major platform. The company has stepped up in recent years by making some formerly paid

Ad blocker

Housing Communities

F R E E

Password manager

When it comes to privacy, not all instantmessaging platforms are created equal. If secure communication is a must, consider Signal.

With end-to-end encryption, the free-touse, ad-free app locks down everything about your conversations, from the words you use to the people you’re contacting, using a lock even the company can’t break.

Messages can also be sent with a selfdestruct timer, deleting themselves after an interval you choose.

★

When using public Wi-Fi, virtual private network (VPN) services can shield your computer’s IP address as you surf the Internet, encrypting your browsing information and preventing most (though not all) would-be snooping.

IVPN, with broad platform support and fast Internet speeds, is well worth its $100 annual fee, and discounts are common.

Instant messaging

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

★

FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★ FREE INFORMATION ★

VPN service

features — such as synchronization across all your devices — free.

MAIL OR FAX FOR FREE INFORMATION

I N F O R M A T I O N

Security failure, password breaches, phishing attacks and phone scams — if you follow the news, these can seem like the unavoidable pitfalls of life today. But there are plenty of tools out there that can protect you from digital crime.

Here are some of the most trustworthy services that won’t empty out your wallet:

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

Best online security services

5

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

6

Technology & Innovations | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

ACCESSIBLE PARKING PODCAST

On this edition of Fairfax 50+, a podcast series featuring discussions on issues, services and activities of interest to residents 50 and over, host Jim Person talks with advocates for accessible parking who will discuss how to make parking more accessible by eliminating abuse of disabled parking tags and license plates. For more information about accessible parking, go to accessibleparkingcoalition.org. To listen to the podcast, visit http://bit.ly/FairfaxPodcastAccessibleParking.

Jan. 12

EBOOKS CLASS

Accokeek Library presents an e-book basics class on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. The library is located at 15773 Livingston Rd., Accokeek, Md. This class will show you how to access databases Overdrive and Libby, as well as how to download books to your personal devices. For more information, call (301) 292-2880.

!"#$%&'()$*))+),*-.'$/+,0$,'.0-%1%234 • <%)"'#4!5#.!#9!5';!)9#%=!!>-+#%?/9&!2!!>-#)'9#%@)7)A&'%-6 • B%.#.!#>'!5#.4%#C)".-#!(#.4%#3!$C/.%"#)'9#4!5#.!#/-%#.4%$6 • =%3!$%#C"!D3&%'.#5&.4#-$)".#9%,&3%-#)'9#&E)9-6 • F&-3!,%"#4!5#.!#/-%#-!G5)"%#.!#3"%).%#"%-/$%-6 • =!""!5#)#;)C.!C#(!"#&'H;&2")"8#/-%6 !"#$!"%#&'(!"$)*!'+#,&-&.#!'%#!(#!/"#01#2")'34%-#!"# 5556$!'.7!$%"83!/'.8$967!,:;&2")"8

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Disability tech From page 4 helps older people and those with disabilities use computers.

He explains it like this: a person with perfect sight might have a visual impairment when trying to read a smartphone in bright sunlight, or a person with perfect hearing can struggle to understand a phone call when on the street outside.

As a result, technology that helps people with permanent vision or hearing problems also makes products better for everyone. In the past five years, AbilityNet’s team of experts who test products to ensure they work well for those with disabilities has grown from six people to 22.

Innovation has not yet produced products good enough to offer complete freedom for the impaired, said Tom Kamber, executive director of Brooklyn-based Older Adults Technology Services, a nonprofit that helps seniors use technology.

But there is reason for optimism because investors are actively looking for the next big thing in technology, he said.

“There’s no shortage of people in Silicon Valley that will take your call,” Kamber said. “The sector has advanced to the point that a lot of money is going to be made.”

Innovating existing tech The Holy Grail is for such technology to be integrated into off-the-shelf products, so people with disabilities can get the help they need without extra cost, said Christopherson, who is blind. He cited the iPhone, which allowed him to swap a backpack full of equipment and cables for one device.

And then there’s the opportunity for technology to help people with impairments experience the world in completely different ways.

Ford Motor Co. worked with the Aedo Project, an Italian startup, to create a device that helps blind people “feel the view” outside a car window by turning light into vibrations that, when combined with audio description, convey a sense of the scenery passing by.

While the technology is only in the prototype stage, one blind man who worked on the project described his amazement when he tried out the device for the first time.

“My first sensation when my finger went from the mountain to the sky felt like I had ended up in cream, something milky, something soft,” Antonio Bruni said.

“They told me: These were clouds.”

— AP

BEACON BITS

Jan. 14

JOB & CAREER ACCELERATOR

goDigital presents a Job & Career Accelerator, a 1.5-hour presentation of a dynamic database that provides online resources related to finding your career match, exploring various occupations, searching for jobs and internships, Internet tools for getting hired and more, on Monday, Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. in room 102 at Library Express, 1990 K St. NW, Washington, D.C. Seats are limited to 12 participants, and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Arrive a half-hour early to sign in for a seat at one of the 12 workstations. A library card, the ability to read and comprehend English well, and skills acquired in the PC Basics class and Word I Basics are required. For more information, call (202) 727-0324 or visit www.dclibrary.org/node/62257.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Age-Friendly Montgomery “I invite you to take part in all the resources our County has to offer.”

County Executive Marc Elrich

Finding Employment or Volunteer Roles Seeking Employment:

Exploring Volunteer Resources:

JCA Career Gateway, a job-search training program for professionals age 50+ can help!

• Several five-day sessions are available in 2019 – January (Session III), March (Session IV), April (Session V), June (Session VI). Cost for each five-day session is $75.

• Classes are held at Jewish Council for the Aging, 12320 Parklawn Drive, Rockville • For more information, contact Jodie Rasch, 301255-4215, or jodie.rasch@accessjca.org

50+ Volunteer Network. Need guidance finding the volunteer opportunity that meets your needs?

Through personal consultations, the Montgomery County Volunteer Center’s new 50+ Volunteer Network connects skilled volunteers with nonprofit and government agencies that can benefit from your lifetime of experience. Trained Program Advisors help identify opportunities that mesh with your interests, skills, and availability. In less than a year, the 50+ Volunteer Network has already helped scores of County residents find successful matches! For more information, email 50plus@ montgomerycountymd.gov

JCA Free 50+ Employment Expo assists those age 50+ to reenter the job market.

• April 15, 2019, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville • For additional information contact Micki Gordon at 301-255-4231 Montgomery County Public Libraries offers free online courses in software, technology, business skills, web design, photo editing, test preparation, job search, grant writing, creative writing, languages and much more. Check it out!

• With your library card, access classes at https:// montgomerycountymd.libguides.com/education

Montgomery County Volunteer Center’s Database.

Want to explore opportunities on your own? Visit the Volunteer Center’s searchable database at www. montgomeryserves.org You can search more than one thousand opportunities by organization, keywords, location, and date.

MLK Day Volunteer Fair. Interested in learning about volunteer opportunities directly from agencies? Attend the Volunteer Fair during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on January 21, 1 - 3 p.m. at the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center.

Contact Us Today

• Aging & Disability Resource Line 240-777-3000

• 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311 for County programs and services; 9-1-1 for emergency • www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior

• “Seniors Today” airs on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 6 p.m. on Comcast/RCN 6, Verizon 30

7

8

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Health Fitness &

GET HIP TO JOINT REPLACMENT Most artificial hips and knees last 20+ years, but there are no guarantees TRUTH ABOUT FAKE FLAVORS Our foods are full of artificial flavors.

Some are seeking more regulation GOT MILK (OR SOY)?

Dairy products provide important nutrients, but so do many substitutes A BETTER FLU VACCINE Consider joining a study that hopes to augment flu shots with stem cells

Acupuncture can treat many conditions Dear Mayo Clinic: I started chemotherapy last month, and my healthcare provider suggested I tr y acupuncture for nausea. How does acupuncture work? Is there any risk to trying it?

Answer: Traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, dates back more than 2,500 years. Acupuncture involves inserting thin, single-use, sterile needles through the skin to identify and correct imbalances within the body’s “energy” flow, called “qi” or “chi.”

Acupuncture as a form of medical treatment has become more popular in the U.S. in recent decades. It may be useful as a stand-alone treatment for some conditions, but it’s increasingly used as part of an integrative medicine approach in conjunction with conventional (Western) medical treatments, as in your case.

Evidence suggests that acupuncture

may provide a range of health benefits. In the U.S., acupuncture most often is used to treat acute and chronic pain disorders; emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression; digestive complaints; and neurological conditions, such as migraine or stroke.

It has been used to treat respiratory conditions, gynecological disorders and infertility. There is also evidence to support its use to treat fatigue and addictions.

A general sense of well-being often is promoted through the balancing of the energy of the body. Thus, treatment can maintain that state of well-being.

How does it work?

There are multiple scientific theories about how acupuncture works. It may work at the site of application or at a distance, with the help of sensory neurons that signal changes within the peripheral

and central nervous system.

One theory is that acupuncture may promote the release of the body’s own natural painkillers (endogenous opioids), alleviating or easing pain.

Insertion of acupuncture needles also may block the transmission of pain signals through the nerves to the brain. In addition, acupuncture may stimulate the release of certain brain and nerve chemicals that can ease symptoms of depression.

Acupuncture is generally safe when performed properly by an experienced practitioner. It has few side effects, especially compared to many drugs.

The most common side effects of acupuncture are soreness and minor bleeding or bruising at the needle sites.

Less common risks or complications are infection or, rarely, puncture of the lung.

When not to use Certain conditions may increase your risk of complications. Your chances of bleeding or bruising from the needles increase if you have a bleeding disorder or you take anti-clotting drugs, such as warfarin (Coumadin). So let your acupuncturist know if you are on any of these medications.

Also, tell your acupuncturist if you have a pacemaker. Acupuncture that involves applying mild electrical pulses to the needles may interfere with a pacemaker’s operation.

If your white blood cell count is low, such as after certain types of chemothera-

py, your healthcare provider may recommend against any disruption of your skin to prevent infection.

Each practitioner of acupuncture has a unique style. Your practitioner may ask you about your symptoms, behaviors and lifestyle. The practitioner may closely examine the parts of your body that are painful, or the strength, rhythm and quality of the pulse in your wrist.

This history gathering and physical exam will help your practitioner determine the type of acupuncture treatment that will help you the most.

This initial evaluation may take up to one hour. Subsequent appointments usually take about 30 to 60 minutes. A common treatment plan typically involves one or two treatments a week to start.

The total number of treatments will depend on the condition being treated and its severity, but six to eight treatments are common. There’s evidence that acupuncture works best in people who expect it to work.

What to expect Acupuncture needles are thin, so insertion usually causes little discomfort. However, you may feel a slight aching sensation that usually lasts less than 30 seconds.

Between five and 20 needles are used in a typical treatment.

Your practitioner may gently move or twirl the needles after placement, or apply See ACUPUNCTURE, page 11

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

9

Costly difference: Inpatient vs. observation When person enters the hospital be- more than 48 hours may expect that she will cause of required medical treatment, she is be categorized as an inpatient. But that is generally not concerned about not the case for many patients. how she is classified as a paFor many years now, hospitient. But what may seem like tals have been deeming more an arbitrary classification can and more patients to be in obbe very costly for people with servation status, and they Medicare. have even used that categoHospitals classify each parization for patients who stay tient’s status as either “inpafor a week or longer. tient” or “observation.” Inpatient The Medicare standard is status implies severe problems the so-called “two midnights” requiring highly skilled care. rule: If a patient passes two conObservation status implies less THE SAVINGS secutive midnights in the hossevere problems and a shorter GAME pital, she merit’s inpatient staBy Elliot Raphaelson stay. tus. Unfortunately, things often Under current practices, don’t work out that way. In fact, most hospitals will not notify a patient that hospitals have the right to retroactively she has been categorized as in observation change a patient’s status to observation. status until discharge. Then, a hospital My wife recently had a pacemaker inrepresentative presents a document for stalled at a Florida hospital, and she rethe patient’s signature indicating that she ceived excellent treatment. She spent two understands that the classification has days in the hospital. been observation status.

Her procedure was planned weeks in advance. I expected that she would be categoNo real way to know rized as an inpatient. She was not. She was A patient who enters the hospital for an provided with paperwork an hour before emergency and only stays for a short peri- dismissal for her to sign indicating that she od of time may understand that she is con- had been in observation status. This meant sidered an outpatient. that she was covered not under Part A of However, a patient who plans a procedure Medicare but under Part B. well in advance and stays in a hospital for Fortunately, she has Part B and Medigap,

so most of her expenses will be covered. If she did not have Part B or Medigap, she would have faced significant expenses.

However, Part B does not cover medications, so she will be billed for them. She does have Part D, which covers prescription drugs, so some of the drug expenses may be covered. However, if she had been categorized as an inpatient, most if not all of her hospital expenses would have been covered.

This is not the first time that a family member has spent two or more days in the

hospital and only found out at discharge that they were not categorized as an inpatient.

Frankly, I think the existing hospital policy in this regard is shameful. A patient should know as soon as possible what their status is. This is especially important for people who don’t have Part B coverage or its equivalent. They have a right to know the hospital expenses they will be facing depending on their patient status.

See HOSPITAL COSTS, page 10

GLOBETROTTER. SEVEN CONTINENTS. 65 COUNTRIES. WALTER HAS BEEN ON THE MOVE FOR DECADES AND HE ISN’T SLOWING DOWN. WHEN HE COMES HOME IT’S TO THE FIVE STAR PREMIER RESIDENCES OF CHEVY CHASE.

This is luxury living.

A soft place to land after weeks abroad. A comfortable place for family visits—or a simple day with a great book. Classes to exercise your mind and body. !"#$%&#'!()*$+),&($-./+$0,&$ star cuisine, fully equipped gym, swimming pool, garage parking. Exceptional senior concierge living minutes from all 1)'+.(2/!(3$45653$+)'$/!$!7&#5

To learn more about our rental community, call 301-907-8895.

8100 Connecticut Avenue Chevy Chase, MD 20815 www.FiveStarPremier-chevychase.com

INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING

10

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

When considering hip or knee replacement

By Dr. Robert M. Shmerling How long will a hip or knee replacement last? For people considering this type of surgery, it’s something they want — and need — to know.

In the U.S. alone, surgeons perform more than 600,000 knee replacements and about 330,000 hip replacements each year.

These operations can provide a major improvement in quality of life and function for those with severe arthritis.

On the other hand, there are risks asso-

ciated with the operation (as is true for any major surgery), there is a long road to recovery even when all goes well, and these operations aren’t cheap.

For knee replacement surgery alone, an estimated $9 billion or more is spent each year in the U.S. (although economic analyses suggest the surgery may actually be cost-saving over the long run).

So, if the first joint replacement is unsuccessful for some reason (such as infection or loosening), a second (or even

AVOID KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY Discover the 5 crucial things you must consider before ever agreeing to knee surgery or another cortisone shot.

Plus, you’ll learn the simple secrets to ending your knee pain safely and naturally.

Join the thousands who’ve already gotten relief from their knee pain.

Call 24/7 to receive your FREE Knee Pain Relief Guide: 1-866-852-8589

third) operation may be necessary.

And that’s a big deal, especially since “revision surgery” is technically more difficult, recovery can take longer, and success rates may be lower than first operations.

There’s no guarantee Unfortunately, no one can be sure that a hip or knee replacement will be the last operation needed on that joint. No operation is 100 percent successful, and nothing lasts forever.

In addition, a number of factors — including surgical technique and surgeon

Hospital costs From page 9

Rehab coverage also affected Another example: Assume a person has been a patient at the hospital for three or more days. If he had been categorized as an inpatient, he could be admitted to a rehab facility and be covered by Medicare for 20 days there.

However, if he had been categorized as observation status, Medicare would not cover any of the rehab expenses because he had not been an inpatient. He would be on the hook for rehab, and that cost would run into many thousands of dollars.

experience, how many operations a particular hospital or surgeon performs each year, and patient factors (including age, weight and activity level) — can all have powerful effects on how long a replaced joint lasts.

But we do have an idea of how long a joint replacement will last based on data from past surgeries. During my training in the 1980s and 1990s, the teaching was that up to 90 percent or more of hip or knee replacements would last at least 10 to 15 years. We still quote similar numbers. But See JOINT REPLACEMENT, page 11

Unfortunately, Medicare policies and hospital policies in this area are ambiguous. Because of cost pressure from Medicare, hospitals are deeming observation status more frequently in the last several years, and most patients are not aware of the cost implications.

Congress needs to establish fairer and better defined policies, and better protection for Medicare patients. I urge you to contact your congressional representatives. The current practices don’t protect patients at all.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2018 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Acupuncture From page 8 heat or mild electrical pulses to them. If at any time you have discomfort, let your practitioner know.

In most cases, the needles remain in place for 15 to 30 minutes while you lie still. There’s usually no discomfort when the needles are removed.

Some people feel relaxed and others feel

Joint replacement From page 10 it might be better than that.

With better preparation prior to surgery (including “prehab” exercise and loss of excess weight), improved materials in the replacement, better surgical techniques and anesthesia, and better physical rehabilitation after surgery, your joint replacement of the knee or hip is more likely to be successful and last the rest of your life than ever before. At least we hope that’s the case.

Good data hard to find It’s difficult to predict how long a joint replacement will last for several reasons.

One is that it can take a decade or more to collect data on past operations to predict the success of future operations.

Another challenge is that, in recent years, there’s been a tendency to operate on younger people, including baby boomers, who are more active in their 50s and 60s and may expect more of their new joints than prior generations.

Age is of particular importance, because a person with a life expectancy of 15 years has a much better chance of avoiding a future operation than a person with a life expectancy of 30 years. In addition, younger patients tend to be more active and put more stress on their new joint.

For these reasons, some surgeons advise

11

energized after a treatment. However, not everyone responds to acupuncture. If your symptoms don’t improve within a few weeks, acupuncture may not be right for you.

If you’re considering acupuncture, take the same steps you would to choose any healthcare provider. Ask people you trust for recommendations. Check the practitioner’s training and credentials.

Most states require that non-physician acupuncturists pass an exam conducted by

the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

In addition, talk to the practitioner and ask what’s involved in the treatment, how likely it is to help your condition, and how much it will cost. In some cases, insurance covers treatment.

A growing number of healthcare providers use acupuncture as part of their clinical practice, including specialists at Mayo Clinic.

— Kirsten Paynter, M.D., Physical

Mecine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Ariz.

Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinicQ&A@ mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org. © 2018 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

younger patients to put off surgery as long as possible, even if that means suffering with pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.

their results, so if you’re considering hip or knee replacement and your surgeon’s results are truly better, or worse, than average, hopefully you’ll be able to find out.

So when a person’s replaced hip or knee joint is “worn out” and conservative treatments (such as medications and exercise) aren’t helpful enough, there aren’t many good options other than a second replace-

ment. But based on the numbers published in this new report, some people may decide to delay or even forego the second surgery.

Robert M. Shmerling, M.D., is a faculty editor at Harvard Health Publishing. © 2019. President and fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

New hip and knee data A recent study examined how long knee or hip replacements last, and how their durability is affected by the person’s age at the time of surgery. As published in the April 2017 edition of the medical journal The Lancet, researchers found that: — Among more than 60,000 people who had a hip replacement, only 4.4 percent required revision surgery in the first 10 years after surgery, but by the 20-year mark, 15 percent required revision.

— Among nearly 55,000 people who had a knee replacement, only 3.9 percent required revision surgery within 10 years of surgery; by 20 years, 10.3 percent required revision.

— Age did matter. Of those over 70 having hip or knee replacement, the lifetime risk of having a second operation on the replaced joint was about 5 percent. But this risk was much greater in younger individuals, especially for men. Up to 35 percent of men in their early 50s required a second operation.

Some orthopedic surgeons might scoff at these findings and say, “My patients do better than those in this study.” And that may be true.

But increasingly, hospitals and surgeons are being required to make public

RELAX WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT STANDING BACK UP The Ascent Lift Chair is a comfortable and elegant recliner. It features a discrete lift mechanism that helps you stand up when you are ready.

We proudly carry both Healthy Back and Golden Technologies brand lift chairs

Sale Ends 1/31 Save up to $800 on the Ascent lift chair

25% OFF

LIFT CHAIR

LIFT CHAIRS

HOME SEATING SALE OFFICE CHAIRS

|

MATTRESSES

HealthyBack.com

|

INVERSION

|

888-469-2225

PILLOWS

|

LUMBAR SUPPORTS

/HealthyBack

12

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

What’s the truth behind artificial flavors?

By Candice Choi Six artificial flavors are being ordered out of the food supply in a dispute over their safety, but good luck to anyone who wants to know which cookies, candies or drinks they’re in.

The dispute highlights the complex rules that govern what goes in our food, how much the public knows about it, and a mysterious class of ingredients that has evolved over decades largely outside of public view.

On food packages, hundreds of ingredients are listed simply as “natural flavor” or “artificial flavor.” Even in minute amounts, they help make potato chips taste oniony or give fruit candy that twang.

They are ubiquitous. “The food system

we have is unimaginable without flavor additives,” said Nadia Berenstein, a historian of flavor science based in New York.

The flavors are also at the center of a dispute over how ingredients should be regulated.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is giving companies two years to purge their products of six artificial flavors — even though the FDA made clear it believes the ingredients are safe in the trace amounts they are used.

The six artificial flavors in question, with names like methyl eugenol, benzophenone, ethyl acrylate and pyridine, are used to create cinnamon or spicy notes, fruity or minty flavors, even hints of balsamic vinegar.

BURGER MONDAY $ 5.99 CLASSIC BURGERS

W/ SEASONED FRIES

TACO TUESDAY $ 5.99 TWO TACOS

W/ CHIPS & SALSA

RIB WEDNESDAY $10.99 HALF PORTION, CORNBREAD & SEASONED FRIES

NACHO THURSDAY $ 5.99 HALF ORDER OF CHILI NACHOS

FRIDAY FISH FRY $ 9.99 DINE IN ONLY

$ 5 OFF $ 25 WITH THIS COUPON. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, DISCOUNTS OR PROMOTIONS. ONE COUPON PER TABLE, PLEASE. VALID AT ALL LOCATIONS IN NOVA, MD AND WV. EXPIRES 3/31/19.

G002

SEE WWW.GLORYDAYSGRILL.COM/LOCATIONS FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF LOCATIONS.

The FDA and the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, an industry group, did not respond when asked for examples of products the six ingredients are used in. But they noted in statements that the compounds have natural counterparts in foods like basil, coffee, grapes and peppermint, and that the action does not affect the naturally-derived versions.

Lawsuit compelled FDA action The FDA said it had to order the artificial versions out of the food supply because of a lawsuit brought by consumer advocacy groups that cited a 60-year-old regulation known as the Delaney clause.

The rule prohibits additives shown to have caused cancer in animals, even if tested at doses far higher than what a person would consume.

In a statement, the flavor industry group said the Delaney Clause doesn’t allow regulators to assess an ingredient’s risk based on modern scientific understanding, but that changing it would require an act of Congress. As far back as 1981, the Government Accountability Office issued a report saying the clause should be re-examined because of its inflexibility.

But Christopher Kemp, a professor of cancer biology at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, doesn’t think the rule is necessarily too strict a threshold.

He said animal studies provide the strongest evidence about cancer risk in humans, and that it is better to err on the side of caution.

Erik Olson of the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the groups that sued over the six ingredients, said it’s also unknown what effect they might have when used in combination with other ingredients. And since they’re listed only as “arti-

ficial flavor,” he said people don’t know in what concentrations they’re used in particular products.

“It’s all secret. You can’t pick up an ice cream or chewing gum or a baked good and have any idea what chemicals are in there,” he said.

Berenstein, the flavor science historian, said the ingredients in flavors don’t have to be specified in part because regulators decided long ago that listing the names of compounds on packages might just confuse people.

And she stressed that flavors are used in infinitesimal amounts. In 2015, the flavor industry estimates just 40 pounds of one of the now banned artificial ingredients was produced.

But Bernstein said a more robust regulatory system might inspire greater public confidence about flavors.

Who gets to decide what’s safe?

In a separate but related lawsuit, the FDA is also facing a challenge over its oversight of the universe of ingredients companies can put into foods, including artificial flavors.

New flavors, sweeteners and other ingredients can go through an FDA petition process to be approved as food additives.

But another option lets manufacturers deem their own ingredients to be “generally recognized as safe (GRAS).”

There’s no clear rule for when ingredients should take one path or the other. The artificial sweetener Splenda is an approved food additive. Another sweetener, stevia, which is derived from a plant, was declared GRAS by manufacturers.

The six artificial flavors in question See ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, page 14

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

13

Why you still need milk (or substitutes)

By Kiera Carter You probably grew up guzzling milk. It’s a solid source of protein, and it helps you build strong bones.

Flash-forward a few decades, though, and it’s no longer front and center in your fridge — if it’s in there at all. More and more people are going vegan or paleo, and ditching dairy.

Even if your diet doesn’t prohibit milk, concerns about its link to acne, allergies and heart disease may have made you nix it.

Other foods have stepped up to fill the gap. The USDA, which suggests three servings of dairy a day, now includes substitutes like soymilk as sources of calcium.

However, recent studies on the health perks of dairy raise the question: Is it really necessary to give up dairy completely?

Pros and cons of dairy Turns out, milk still deserves its oncestellar reputation. “Dairy is an incredibly easy way to get a very high dose of essential vitamins and minerals,” said Taylor Wallace, Ph.D., a professor in the department of nutrition and food studies at

George Mason University.

Dairy is a complete protein, with all the essential amino acids your body requires to function. Plus, dairy is fortified with vitamin D, which is crucial to helping your body absorb calcium.

Not only that, dairy is an excellent choice for active people. Low-fat chocolate milk has been shown to help with muscle recovery after endurance exercise, and people who drank two cups of skim milk after lifting weights lost more fat and gained more muscle than those who drank soy, according to a McMaster University study.

One of dairy’s biggest negatives? The stomach problems it causes. Many people have trouble digesting it because they’re intolerant of lactose, the type of natural sugar that milk and other dairy products contain.

Acne is another major concern for many people, who say they break out when they eat dairy. While there hasn’t been a definitive study proving that dairy causes pimples, a growing volume of research suggests there’s a link, according to a review in Practical Dermatology.

Substitutes to consider If you choose to follow a dairy-free diet, you can get the benefits of milk elsewhere.

“Most nondairy options are fortified with comparable amounts of calcium and vitamin D, and they’re easy for your body to absorb,” said Wallace. For all the essential amino acids your body needs, drink soymilk, which is also a complete protein.

Prefer almond or coconut milk? Enjoy it with some whole-wheat toast. “Whole grains provide the other amino acids you require,” said Wallace.

“B12, which keeps your red blood cells healthy and prevents anemia, is almost solely found in meat and dairy, so most vegetarians need a supplement [2.4 mcg. a day],” he added.

“Dairy is also high in choline, which helps your body communicate with your brain, and may prevent neurological disorders.”

You’ve got a good start if you eat eggs (one egg has about 150 mg. choline), but be sure to take a supplement if you’re vegan (425 mg./day is usually adequate).

If you want to add dairy back into your diet, Wallace suggests three 8-ounce servings of low-fat milk a day. Or mix and match foods to get your fill: snack on a cheese stick and eat Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.

Shape magazine is dedicated to helping you live a healthy and happy life. Online at www.shape.com. © 2018 Meredith Corporation. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Please tell our advertisers, “I saw you in the Beacon!”

Looking for a holiday short-term stay or a respite care option this winter?

Let us host your loved one this winter. !"#$%&'#!%"(')*%+',%-')%."$%*"/!%"01"$*"2!%'3%')#%045%!#!$*%#!674*!% '7*4'$6%"*%84$2%9')6!:% "$0',%9')6!%"$0%;'+!$<8'6!$%9')6!=% >)#%#!674*!%7#'2#"&6%'5%!#%."#!241!#6%"%&).+%$!!0!0%(#!"/%"$0% !$6)#!%7!".!%'3%&4$0=%>)#%6+'#*<*!#&%2)!6*6%!?7!#4!$.!%"@@%'3%*+!%A%$!% "&!$4*4!6%;+"#@!6%B=%C&4*+% 43!%;'&&)$4*4!6%+"6%*'%'5%!#=

;"@@%)6%*'0"-%*'%A%$0%')*%&'#!%4$3'#&"*4'$D For independent living | 301-816-5012 For assisted living | 301-816-5050

www.smithlifecommunities.org

14

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Monkey bread is fun to make with kids Monkey bread is a knotty-looking loaf of sweet bread made from balls of dough coated with cinnamon, sugar and melted butter. It’s traditionally served warm so that the sticky baked pieces can be pulled apart.

The name “monkey’’ refers to how you eat this sweet treat — with your hands.

Your grandchildren may also have as much fun making the bread as eating it.

Monkey Bread Servings: 8 Start to finish: 2 to 3 hours (Active time: 10 minutes) Ingredients: 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled Vegetable oil spray 1 pound pizza dough, room temperature 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar 2 teaspoons milk In small bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place melted butter in second small bowl. Spray 8-inch round cake pan with vegetable oil spray.

Spray counter lightly with vegetable oil spray. Place dough on greased counter and pat into 6-inch square. Use kitchen shears to cut dough into 36 pieces approximately 1-inch square.

R E N TA L S AT

Rockville Civic Center Park Theatre and Events 240-314-8660 • www.rockvillemd.gov/Glenview • Glenview@rockvillemd.gov ♥♥ All are welcome.

603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, Maryland

Roll each piece of dough into a ball. Dip each ball in melted butter to coat, roll in brown sugar mixture, then place in greased pan. Cover bottom of pan with dough balls in a single layer.

Cover pan tightly with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place until dough balls are puffy and have risen slightly (about 1/2 inch), 1 to 2 hours.

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 F. Remove plastic. Place pan in oven and bake until top of monkey bread is light golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

Use oven mitts to remove monkey bread from oven (kids should ask an adult to help). Place pan on cooling rack and let

monkey bread cool for 5 minutes (but no longer).

Place large plate on top of pan. Carefully flip out monkey bread onto a plate. Remove pan. Let cool for 10 more minutes before glazing.

In third small bowl, stir confectioners’ sugar and milk until smooth. Use spoon to drizzle glaze over monkey bread. Serve warm.

Nutrition information per serving: 280 calories; 90 calories from fat; 10 g. fat (6 g. saturated; 0 g. trans fats); 23 mg. cholesterol; 443 mg. sodium; 43 g. carbohydrate; 1 g. fiber; 18 g. sugar; 3 g. protein.

— America’s Test Kitchen via AP

Artificial flavors

meant for basic ingredients like salt and vinegar, not highly engineered ingredients. The advocacy groups suing the FDA say the GRAS option has turned into a loophole that lets companies approve all sorts of ingredients without public scrutiny, including artificial flavors.

In September, a judge allowed the legal challenge to move forward.

— AP

From page 12 were approved food additives, along with dozens of other synthetic flavors. The flavor industry group also regularly declares other ingredients like them to be GRAS, without formal review by the FDA. Critics say GRAS determinations were

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FREE PARKINSON’S DANCE CLASSES

The award-winning Bowen McCauley Dance Company offers free music, seated dance and stretching classes for people with Parkinson’s disease. Classes take place in the Davenport Room at Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C. on Fridays from 3 to 4 p.m.; at Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. on Fridays from 1 to 2 p.m.; at Maryland Youth Ballet, 926 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring, Md. on Tuesdays from 2:45 to 4 p.m.; at Residences at Thomas Circle, 1330 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. on Fridays from 11 a.m. to noon; at Kenmore Middle School, 200 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, Va. on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.; and at Grand Oaks Assisted Living, 5901 MacArthur Blvd. NW, Washington, D.C. on Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. No pre-registration or experience is required. For more information, visit www.bmdc.org or call (703) 910-5175.

Caring for your aging parent or loved one?

It’s nnot all up to you.

Call us.

240 0-777-3000 ADS@ @ MontgomeryCountyMD.gov

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

8:30am – 5:00pm 8:30am – 7:30pm

A free service of your County Government

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Health Studies Page

15

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Didn’t get a flu shot yet? Join this study

By Barbara Ruben Last winter, the flu killed 80,000 Americans, the highest death toll in more than 40 years. Many had not been vaccinated, and those that were, particularly older adults, may not have gained enough protection.

Now, researches at six locations around the U.S., including Rockville, Md., are looking at a possible new way to boost the flu vaccine’s effectiveness by using stem cells.

Stem cells serve as kind of internal repair system in the body by developing into many different cell types to replenish other cells.

The study being conducted by Optimal Research uses mesenchymal stem cells, which are derived from adult bone marrow.

In addition to examining immune response in the flu study, other researchers are looking at using this type of stem cell to regenerate bone cells, develop insulinproducing cells for type 1 diabetes, and repairing damaged heart muscle following a

heart attack with cardiac muscle cells.

However, the FDA has not yet approved these and other stem cell treatments.

“The research is being conducted to see if stem cells are effective in improving immune response,” said Holly Hoefer, director of marketing and patient recruitment for Optimal Research. “We’re really looking to see if stem cells will improve and extend [a person’s] health and ability to fight disease.”

Qualifying for the study To take part in the study, you must be between 65 and 90, and be in general good health. However, the study is seeking those who may be less robust than they once were, perhaps walking more slowly or less physically active. Hoefer said that tests at the first visit to the study will help determine who might fit in this category.

An important caveat: Those in the study cannot have gotten this season’s flu vaccine yet.

“While we know how important getting vaccine is, some people have put it off.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 10

ALZHEIMER’S FORUM

Montgomery County residents are invited to take part in a community forum on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias on Thursday, Jan. 10 from 6 to 8: p.m. at Rockville Public Library, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville, Md. The forum provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to come together to ask questions about the disease, share their personal experiences, learn about available resources, and discover volunteer opportunities to support families affected by the disease. Light refreshments. RSVP requested.

For more information or to register, call 1-800-272-3900 or visit alz.org/nca.

Some [healthcare practitioners] think a later flu shot is efficacious, as the peak of flu cases is from January to April,” Hoefer said.

What the study entails The first study visit will include a physical and tests, including an EKG, and walking and mental evaluations.

Those who are approved to join the study will return for an infusion of stem cells, which takes several hours. The stem cells are harvested and grown from adultdonor bone marrow at the life sciences company Longeveron in Miami.

A week later, participants will get the Fluzone high dose flu vaccine.

Currently, all participants in the study will get both the stem cells and the flu shot. In the future, a control group, which will get a sham transfusion containing no stem cells, may be added, Hoefer said.

Participants will make seven additional study visits over the course of a year, and answer questions about their health over the phone. Compensation up to $1,000 will be paid for participation in the study.

For more information, call (480) 2953754 or see www.optimalsites.net/flustudy.

16

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Some good reasons to eat more oatmeal Most people conjure up an image in their mind about eating oatmeal. It’s usually the vision of someone over the age of 60, seeking the joys of regularity. But it should not be that cliché.

If you’re interested in a good meal that is packed with vitamins and minerals, and even some cancer-fighting phytonutrients, oatmeal should be at the top of your list.

Oatmeal can also help support you in your quest to fight diabetes, obesity and colon problems.

Full of fiber, iron, vitamins Oats are a very healthy source of carbs, fat, protein and fiber.

In a study in the Netherlands with over

2 million people, scientists learned that for every 10 grams of fiber added to the diet, colon cancer risk is reduced by about 10%.

They also noted that no matter when you begin upping your intake of dietary fiber, the benefits to your health are virtually immediate.

Oats also contain many vitamins and minerals, especially iron. What’s nice about this is that iron supplementation can be very hard on your gastrointestinal tract, and can cause stool discoloration, cramps, constipation and severe nausea or vomiting.

So to have a delicious meal and know that you’re getting much needed iron can be a blessing.

A good sized serving of oatmeal imparts vent the urge to snack an hour later beover half your RDA for Vitamin B1, as well cause this grain is relatively low on the glycemic index. as being a rich source for In contrast, most cereals other B vitamins. and morning grains are disB vitamins contribute to the guised as healthy but they production of good mood neucontain a lot of sugar, and rotransmitters, thus lessening they spike your blood sugar. depression, anxiety and inWhen it crashes an hour or somnia. They are also known two later, you are hungry for their role in burning caloagain. ries and food metabolism, as It’s not that way with oatwell as red blood cell producmeal unless you buy the kind tion that is essentially candy, taintThe soluble fiber in oatmeal DEAR PHARMACIST ed with artificial colors or flacan slow down the rate at

By Suzy Cohen vorings and refined sugar. which carbs are broken down Today’s article is about real and digested. This stabilizes your blood sugar, preventing crazy peaks (plain) oatmeal, the steel cut kind. It contains more fiber and keeps your stomach and troughs.

Because it keeps blood sugar stable, oat- feeling full longer so you eat less during meal is theoretically great at preventing the day.

That specifically translates to reduced complications from diabetes or other chronic illnesses. It literally improves in- overall caloric intake, and that’s precisely what you need to start losing weight. sulin resistance.

If you’d like a longer version of my artiOatmeal lovers are less likely to go on statins. That’s because oatmeal can lower cle, sign up for my free newsletter at suzytotal as well as LDL cholesterol. Eating cohen.com and I’ll email it to you. You’ll oatmeal even twice a week can have an im- also get a downloadable copy of my ebook, Spices That Heal. mediate impact on longevity.

This information is opinion only. It is not Increase satiety, lose weight intended to treat, cure or diagnose your conOatmeal, in my humble opinion, is one dition. Consult with your doctor before using food you should embrace when you’re pur- any new drug or supplement. suing additional weight loss. Not only does Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist it make you feel full almost immediately, and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist you carry that feeling of fullness for hours. and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To Eating oatmeal for breakfast may pre- contact her, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

Please patronize our advertisers.

They keep the Beacon free!

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

17

Love means saying youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sorry (often) Dear Solutions: So, apologize. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be teaching your My 8-year-old grandson is living with grandson a valuable lesson. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll learn that us for a while. I think I overpeople, even grandparents, reacted to something he did, make mistakes. And that and I punished him in a way when they do, they apologize that I now think was unfair. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as he should when he My wife is angry at me, makes a mistake. and says I should apologize It wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t undermine your auto him because he thinks I thority. It will increase his redonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t love him. spect for you as a person who I think if I apologize, it is fair. will undermine my authorDear Solutions: ity. And besides, he knows My husband and I were I love him, so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have SOLUTIONS both widowed, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in

By Helen Oxenberg, to say it. a second marriage for 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Grandpa MSW, ACSW years now. We each have Dear Grandpa: adult children from our You know that saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Love means first marriages. never having to say youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sorryâ&#x20AC;?? Sorry, Because of recent deaths in the fambut itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lie. ily, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve become aware of the need to True love often means having to say plan for our own deaths. youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sorry â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the My family has graves in a certain area, grandparent. It means caring enough to and various close family members are apologize when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re wrong. buried there. There is a gravesite there

BEACON BITS

Jan. 26

GLAUCOMA TALK, SCREENING

Nationally recognized glaucoma expert Arthur Schwartz will discuss current information to protect your sight, cutting-edge research, and upcoming advances during a free glaucoma talk on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase, Md. The Prevention of Blindness Society will also offer free screenings from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, call (301) 656-2797.

Feb. 7

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION

Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center hosts a coffee and conversation discussion with visitors to share their thoughts and ideas for the center on Thursday, Feb. 7 from 9 to 10 a.m. The center is located at Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring, Md. For more information, call (240) 777-8085.

26

BCAT $&35*'*&%

ALFREDHOUSE ASSISTED LIVING M E M O RY C A R E

0GGFSJOH CPVUJRVF BTTJTUFE MJWJOH DPNNVOJUJFT TQFDJBMJ[JOH JO NFNPSZ DBSF NFOUBM IFBMUI TVQQPSU BOE NPSF

Schedule your tour today.

XXX BMGSFEIPVTF DPN

for me, and I would like to be buried there.

My husband has that same arrangement elsewhere with his family. But he says that, since we started a new life, we should be buried together.

That means we would both be buried away from our families.

What do you think we should do? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Sylvia Dear Sylvia: You have to look at what burial places are for. Are they for the dead, or are they really for the living children, grandchildren and other descendants who want to visit their families?

Graves and cemeteries have a sense of family history. It certainly helps if your de-

scendants can go to one place.

Being buried separately does not take away from having been alive together.

Your husband could be buried with his family and you with yours â&#x20AC;&#x201D; separate but equal.

You and your husband should think about this and try to come to a mutual decision.

And, anyway letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face reality. If you really want your children to visit, you should be buried at a shopping mall! Š Helen Oxenberg, 2019. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

18

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

VOLUME XXX, ISSUE 1

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

By Laura Newland Executive Director, D.C. Office on Aging Happy New Year! Thanks to everyone who joined us for the many holiday celebrations throughout the city last month, and especially the Mayor’s Annual Senior Holiday Celebration at the D.C. Armory! We had a great time celebrating with you — and celebrating YOU! If you missed it, I hope you’ll plan to join us for the many activities and events we have planned in 2019. Every year we look forward to bigger and better ways to engage with you out in the community. Stay connected with my office in the coming months to learn more about opportunities to get active with the D.C. Office on Aging. Sign up for our monthly enewsletter by calling 202-724-5626 or emailing us at dcoa.communications@dc.gov.

This is especially important during the winter months. With shorter, colder days and wintery weather, we’ll be spending more time indoors.

And with good reason — colder temperatures can be dangerous, and pose some serious health challenges as you age. Here are some safety tips to help get us all through these colder months.

On cold days, avoid strenuous outdoor activities. Freezing temperatures can put increased strain on your heart — which is especially dangerous for residents over the age of 65 who already have a heart condition.

If you need to work outside, remember to dress in layers of dry clothing, wear a windproof outer layer, a hat and gloves. Pay attention to your body temperature, and take frequent breaks to go inside to warm up.

After a snow event, residents over the age of 60 who are homeowners can qualify to receive assistance shoveling snow from their walkway.

Serve D.C.’s Volunteer Snow Program is a free service that matches D.C. seniors with volunteers to shovel their walkways after a snow event. To learn more about the program, or to get on the list to be matched with a volunteer, call 202-727-7925.

During very cold days, stay indoors in a heated space as much as possible. To help your body warm itself, the CDC recommends eating balanced meals, warm drinks and broth, and avoiding alcohol.

Remember that it’s never safe to warm your home using your oven!

You may be putting yourself and your household at risk of fire, serious injuries, and carbon monoxide poisoning. If your heating system isn’t working in your rental apartment building, contact your property management office. If you don’t receive a response, dial 311 for assistance.

During the winter months, we also need to be vigilant in protecting our mental health. Too many days indoors without exercise, coupled with less exposure to sunlight and vitamin D, can leave us feeling a little down.

It’s just as important to schedule some activities that will get us moving and socializing.

I encourage you to stop by one of our six Senior Wellness Centers or a Department of Parks and Recreation site near you, and get involved with some of the winter programming to keep you active and connected. Call

A newsletter for D.C. Seniors

January 2019

Get Involved Tuesday, Jan. 8 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 22 1 – 3 p.m.

Glover Park Citizens Association Meeting Community presentation on resources & services provided by D.C. Office on Aging Benjamin Stoddert Elementary School 4001 Calvert St. NW – Ward 3

Office of Tax & Revenue D.C. Seniors Real Property Tax Workshops Peoples Congressional Church 4704 13th St. NW – Ward 4 Contact: Shirley Fields, 202-746-6082

Wednesday, Jan. 9 noon – 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 23 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Office of Tax & Revenue D.C. Seniors Real Property Tax Workshops Anacostia, Bellevue, Congress Heights AARP Chapter #4870 Covenant Baptist Church 3845 S. Capitol St. SW – Ward 8 Contact: Sandy Allen 202-255-1659

Federal Bureau of Prisons Community Outreach Workshop “Soon-to-be-Released Senior Inmates” that are D.C. Residents U. S. Penitentiary – Hazelton 1640 Sky View Dr. Bruceton Mills, WV

Wednesday, Jan. 16 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

UDC Senior Companion Health & Wellness In-Service Training Community presentations provided by D.C. Office on Aging and our collaborating partners UDC, 4200 Connecticut Ave., NW – Ward 3 Building 44 Room A03

Thursday, Jan. 17 10 a.m. – noon Train to become a DCOA Ambassador D.C. Office on Aging 500 K St. NE – Ward 6 Contact: sadia.ferguson@dc.gov or 202727-0374

Thursday, Jan. 17 noon The Chevy Chase (D.C.) and Georgetown chapters of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) Cleveland Park Library 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, Mtg. Room 1 No charge and all are welcome Contact: ansul2032@verizon.net or 202518-2519

Friday, Jan. 25 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Senior Spa Day Emery Heights Recreation Center 5801 Georgia Ave. NW Contact: Shawn Perry (301) 509-9013

Monday, Jan. 28 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

D.C. Jail community outreach to soon-tobe-released inmates Provided by D.C. Office on Aging and collaborating partners 1901 D St. SE & 1901 E St. SE – Ward 6

Monday, Jan. 28 7 – 8 p.m.

Community presentation provided by D.C. Office on Aging Victory Christian Baptist Church 3100 Adams St. NE – Ward 5

Wednesday, Jan. 30 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

D.C. Office on Aging Sponsored Community Health & Resource Fair Young at Heart Community Club Brentwood Recreation Center 2311 14th St. NE – Ward 5

my office at 202-724-5626 to locate a site near you.

Remember these colder months can be particularly isolating for the frail and seniors who live alone. Take some time to connect with your neighbors and friends, and check-in with each other. If you’re interested in learning more about staying safe, active and healthy during the winter months — or if you’re just looking to talk to someone — DCOA is here for you. Reach out to us at 202724-5626.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Spotlight on Aging

Say you saw it in the Beacon

19

D.C. Seniors Celebrate the Holiday

Mayor Bowser takes a selfie with D.C. Cameo Club members and D.C. seniors.

Thank you to our many volunteers from MPD, DCPS Junior ROTC, U.S. National Guard, U.S. Navy, and PEPCO.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and the D.C. Office on Aging hosted nearly 4,000 seniors for the Mayor’s 20th Annual Senior Holiday Celebration at the D.C. Armory. District residents from all eight wards attended this holiday event, and were greeted by carols from the D.C. Seniors Cameo Club and the “human tunnel” of volunteers that opened up to a colorful venue, decorated in billows of white, silver and tropical teal.

Free health screenings, information on senior resources to help D.C. residents as they age in place, free manicures, facials and giveaways were provided by more than 80 exhibitors during the event.

Seniors also had the opportunity to take free photos alone or with friends with props and a shimmering back drop. The Senior Fit and Well Program led by William Yates and instructors from various sites provided a fitness warm-up for seniors.

A musical performance by the group 4Eva Soul, featuring DJ Fresh, and a tribute to Teddy Pendergrass kept the seniors on the dance floor and reminiscing. Performances by seniors from across the city included the MC Steppers, the API Senior Center Dancers, a Latin dance by Josefina Campos, and Nat King Cole’s “Christmas Song” sung by Ms. Senior D.C. Phyllis Jordan. DJ Nate D. Skate spun many tunes to keep the dance floor crowded, including songs to celebrate the holidays, and music from old to new.

A special thanks to the EOM staff and volunteers from PEPCO, MPD Cadets, the armed services and the D.C. Public Schools Jr. ROTC Programs who volunteered during the event with food service and our great welcoming committee. Thanks also goes to Aetna, which provided the photo booths and giveaways for attendees.

MPD Chief of Police Peter Newsham joined MPD cadets and recruits to welcome D.C. seniors.

Mayor Muriel Bowser greets D.C. centenarian Ms. Lillian Palmer.

The DC Office on Aging staff, sending warm wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year!

Spotlight On Aging is published by the Information Office of the D.C. Office on Aging for D.C. senior residents. Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the D.C. Office on Aging or by the publisher.

500 K St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002 202-724-5626 www.dcoa.dc.gov

Executive Director Laura Newland

Editor Darlene Nowlin

Photographer Selma Dillard

The D.C. Office on Aging does not discriminate against anyone based on actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income, and place of residence or business.

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subjected to disciplinary action.

The Office on Aging is in partnership with the District of Columbia Recycling Program.

Tell us your vision for our future Mayor Bowser has challenged all of us to go into the next four years guided by the question: What would you do if you were not afraid to fail?

• Share your answer with us at dc2me.com • Join the conversation on social media by using #dc2me • Or visit us at the following community engagement locations:

Wednesday, Jan. 2, 10 a.m.

Mayor/Council Swearing-In Ceremony, Ward 2, Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW

Monday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m.

Annual MLK Day Parade, Ward 8, MLK Avenue & Good Hope Road, SE

Sunday, Jan. 27, 4 p.m.

Sherman Circle Social, Ward 4, Sherman Circle Park

20

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

PARKINSON’S POINTERS “Common Misconceptions About Parkinson’s” A free, livestream event followed by a question-and-answer session

Presented by Kelly Mills, MD, MHS, director, Neuromodulation and Advanced Therapies Clinic and Assistant Professor of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital and University

thursday, january 10 • 6:30-8 p.m.

Check-in & Hors d’oeuvres • 6 p.m.

Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center 18131 Slade School Road • Sandy Spring, MD 20860

A host of myths and misconceptions surround the complex issues involved in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Discover the truth on topics such as the tests needed for diagnosis, whether or not Parkinson’s is a genetic disorder, timing for the initiation of levodopa therapy and more.

For more information or to register, contact Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org by January 8.

www.bgf.org

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION

Say you saw it in the Beacon

B-1

B-2

Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Many reasons to consider a home share

By Stuart Rosenthal Julie, 56, lives alone in a nice home. But due to some health issues and high medicine costs, she needed to bring in some income.

The Sepulvedas, a couple in their 40s with two young children, wanted some help with cooking, cleaning and caregiving, and were willing to provide reducedcost housing in their basement for the right person.

Cathryn and her sister were worried about their 91-year-old widowed father, who seemed to be lonely and withdrawing from life. They wanted an amiable person to move in to be a companion, run errands, and in general keep an eye on him and help him thrive.

All three found a practical solution to their needs through a new website called Silvernest, which matches homeowners (or renters) who have room to spare with compatible housemates.

Through the service, Julie found not one, but two fellow boomer women who enjoy sharing her home. “It’s so much more fun than living alone, and it’s also been a blessing financially,” Julie said.

The Sepulvedas found Terie, a semi-retired 60-year-old, who was looking for affordable housing. “Our kids now have a built-in loving and mature grandmother type to look up to, and Terie says she’s energized by living with us,” Cece Sepulveda said.

Terie agrees: “It’s refreshing to live with

a young and lively family. Their energy is rubbing off on me, and we’ve found a nice balance of spending time together and giving each other space.”

Demand is high Over the past 18 months, the Silvernest website has attracted more than 60,000 participants from all 50 states. Most of the homeowners are boomers, retirees, empty nesters and other older adults who want to remain in their homes as long as possible, while getting some help with living on a fixed income.

The typical homeowner earns about $10,000 per year per bedroom, according to Silvernest founder Wendi Burkhardt.

Though a majority of the homes currently on the site are located in Western states and New England, Silvernest is starting a new focus on the D.C. metro area this month, with encouragement from the D.C. Government.

Age-Friendly D.C., a government-led community-wide effort to make the District a better place for all citizens to age, has added “promoting homesharing options” to its strategic plan. There is also an intergenerational component to the plan, as there are more college students in the District than dormitory rooms to house them.

The office of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser

has identified Silvernest as a homesharing solution that can help raise awareness of the option among both older homeowners who wish to remain in their homes and renters of all ages who seek affordable housing.

Burkhardt said Silvernest has been attracting more potential renters than homeowners. “Demand is going through the roof.”

That’s another reason for focusing on this metro area. Home seller/renter website Trulia (part of the Zillow group) recently found the D.C. area ranked highest in percentage of homes with extra rooms available for rent.

“We offer homeowners the opportunity to leverage what is often their largest financial asset, their home, to generate extra income for mortgage payments, home upgrades, taxes and other living costs,” Burkhardt said. “And to benefit from the companionship of others,” she added.

It was in fact just such a situation for her own mother that led Burkhardt to cofound Silvernest with partner Chuck McKenny in the first place.

How does it work?

There is no charge to sign up on the SilSee HOME SHARE, page B-3

Learn about senior living at Ashby Ponds, Greenspring, and Riderwood.

Request your FREE brochure from the premier retirement communities in Ashburn, VA; Springfield, VA; and Silver Spring, MD. Get the facts about our vibrant lifestyle, stylish apartment homes, expert health care, and so much more!

12630253

There’s no risk in learning more!

Call 1-877-575-0231 or visit EricksonLiving.com.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Home share From page B-2 vernest.com website. To create a free profile, the site first asks whether you are a homeowner/renter with space to rent, or a potential housemate looking for a match.

You’ll then be asked a series of questions about your ideal housemate or house. In addition, you’ll be asked about your interests, demographics, preferences, etc., as is common on dating websites.

“All information is kept strictly private, and all communications within the site are secure,” Burkhart said.

Homeowners are also asked to describe their home, upload photos if they like, and indicate the rental price and what that price includes (e.g., private bath, utilities, parking, use of the kitchen, etc.)

Then Silvernest’s software algorithm matches homeowners and housemates based on their behavioral profiles and demographic preferences.

Burkhardt said the typical number of qualified matches is around five, though in areas with high demand they have seen up to 100 matches. As the service is just getting underway in the D.C. area, the pickings may be slimmer at first, but Burkhardt expects that to change quickly.

Up to this point in the process, there is still no charge to either homeowners or housemates. Only when the homeowner

has identified a match with whom they wish to initiate dialogue are they asked to pay a one-time $49.99 membership fee.

The membership fee is good for 60 days of unlimited searches and messaging with all potential partners.

And the service offers a 100% money back guarantee. “If you don’t find a suitable match, or want to discontinue using Silvernest at any time, just ask for your money back and it will be returned,” Burkhardt said.

Is it safe?

When you’re talking about inviting someone into your home, or moving in with a stranger, you want to know as much about the other person as possible, of course.

So Silvernest offers in-depth background checks for an additional $30. Homeowners can require applicants to submit to such a background check as a condition of finalizing the deal.

The background check is performed by a third party company accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners.

The vetting includes a verification of identity — to ensure people are who they say they are — as well as a federal/state/local criminal and misdemeanor history, a sevenyear eviction history, and a check against registered sex offender lists.

Burkhardt also points out that both par-

Let’s Talk Assisted Living

It’s a conversation we’ve been having with seniors and their families for over 30 years. At Victory Housing, you’ll discover our simple and straight-forward approach to assisted living. From all-inclusive rates to individualized care, our award-winning communities offer the ideal setting to call home.

Call or visit us today, let’s talk.

489./::;:<=>.?;";0@.A4BB80;<;=:

Bartholomew House Bethesda • 301-320-6151

Malta House !"#$%&''()*)301-699-8600

Byron House Potomac • 301-469-9400

Marian Assisted Living Olney/Brookeville • 301-570-3190

Grace House Silver Spring • 301-924-4424

Raphael House Rockville • 301- 217-9116

!"#$%&'()&*+#,-!&'-............../.0&,12'&3%.4'-5,#657&,

ties will want to establish a homesharing agreement that carefully describes each party’s obligations, and what should happen in the event of a falling out. The service offers two monthly payment plans to aid with this and other aspects of the transaction.

For a fee of $9.99/month, the “Sharing Plan” offers an online lease drafting tool with provisions appropriate for specific states.

Homesharers can review, digitally sign and then manage the agreement online.

Also included in the fee is an automatic rent payment service, so homeowners and sharers don’t have to deal with asking for or writing checks every month, or deal with bounced payments.

And as for disagreements, the fee includes access to a certified relationship counselor who can help both parties work together better and, hopefully, overcome any issues that might get in the way of cooperation.

In the event there are legal questions — whether about the specifics of the lease, complying with a homeowners association’s rules, or even a disagreement between the parties — Silvernest offers access to a nationwide database of 17,000 trained real estate attorneys.

Access to this “legal concierge” service requires payment of $14.99/month for the “Comfort Plan,” which includes all the services of the Sharing Plan as well. The service includes three 30-minute consulta-

B-3

tions for each specific homesharing related legal issue or question.

Both monthly plans are cancellable at any time.

Matchmaker, matchmaker As for Cathryn’s 91-year-old father, Silvernest found him “someone who wants to develop an amiable and real connection...The two of them sometimes share meals and run errands together,” Cathryn said. “It turns out the companionship that homesharing provides him is as important as the extra income.”

If you’re looking for a place to live around here, among the few dozen homes in this area currently listed on the website, rent ranges from $700 — to share a two-bedroom condo in Silver Spring, Md. with gym and outdoor pool privileges — to $1,800 a month for a private basement studio apartment in McLean, Va. For $850/month you could share a 7,000 s.f. mansion in Ashburn, Va., with your own private entrance, bedroom and bathroom.

Among the area’s owners is one who describes herself this way: “I am a 62-yearold nurse and art docent. I am married and have two kids in college. My husband is a government contractor. We are non-smoking, non-pet owners (allergic), and we drink rarely. We are church-going people who are very quiet.”

See HOME SHARE, page B-5

B-4

Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Housing Notes

By Barbara Ruben and Rebekah Alcalde

Homecare company celebrates 50 years In the fall, Silver Spring, Md.-based Family & Nursing Care celebrated half a century in business with an office move, expansion of service area, and leadership transition.

The company, which provides private duty home care services for older adults, is expanding its service area to include Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, in addition

to the current Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties and Washington, D.C. Family & Nursing Care specializes in caregivers who assist with activities of daily life, companionship, and also skilled nursing care.

Customers can obtain caregivers in either of two ways: through a home care registry of screened Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who can be hired as independent contractors; or by requesting company-employed CNAs operating under nurse supervision.

Caregivers can be placed with consumers in private homes, in retirement communities, in rehabilitation and longterm care centers, or in hospitals.

“This is an exciting time for Family & Nursing Care,” said Neal Kursban, Family & Nursing Care’s CEO. “Our expansion will help us serve more families who can benefit

A NEW YEAR FOR NEW BEGINNINGS 14400 Homecrest Road • Silver Spring, MD 20906

301-598-6424 Live new adventures every day when you make Aspenwood Senior Living home. Join us for a personal visit of our beautiful community and see how our Five Star lifestyle is perfect for a new beginning this year.

DISCOVER: • Five Star Dining with meals prepared by our Executive Chef & Culinary Team • Lifestyle360 program featuring engaging and vibrant activities • Personal Fitness & Rehab Services Onsite • 24-hour Enhanced Care Services offered in Independent Living • Spacious Assisted Living Apartments • Caring & Tenured Team Members delivering exceptional hospitality

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

from our unique approach to home care.

“My transition to CEO [from president of the company] will allow me to focus more on working directly with our professional partners to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare system.” Jeff Zukerman, previously the company’s chief operating officer, has assumed the position of president.

According to Kursban, strategic growth has been part of the company’s plan since his mother, Sandy Kursban, started Family & Nursing Care in 1968. He says now is the time, because private duty home care has shifted from being considered a luxury to becoming more commonplace. Eventually, the company has plans to expand across the mid-Atlantic region.

In 2017, Family & Nursing Care was recognized as one of the top two best private duty home care agencies nationwide (out of 26,000+) by DecisionHealth.

For more information, visit familynursingcare.com or call (301) 588-8200.

Leisure World named best value community Leisure World of Maryland, located in Silver Spring, recently topped the list of best value active adult communities as determined by the website 55places.com.

To identify the best value among communities for residents 55 and over, the website assessed the more than 2,000 communities on its site based on home prices, homeowners association fees, the range of amenities, lifestyle opportunities, financial requirements like golf club dues, and many other factors to come up with a top 25 list.

Leisure World of Maryland topped the list due to a variety of factors, including affordable housing. The community’s con-

dos begin below $100,000. Attached and patio homes range between the $100,000s and $500,000s.

As for amenities, residents have access to various businesses and services peppered throughout the community, including a bank, post office, religious centers and medical facilities. There is also an optional community golf course membership. Close proximity to Washington, D.C. is also a plus.

“Active adult living doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and amenity-rich communities shouldn’t be reserved for those with more money,” said Bill Ness, CEO and founder of 55places.com.

“Leisure World of Maryland and the other communities on this list...offer world-class amenities, great locations, and exciting lifestyle choices without breaking the bank. A quality active adult lifestyle is available to everyone, no matter their price point.”

One other Washington-area community made the top 25 list: Heritage Harbour in Annapolis, Md. The community has a variety of single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes and condos, as well as a clubhouse and nine-hole golf course. There are waterfront activities and a boat storage area.

To learn more about the top 25 communities, go to http://bit.ly/best-value-activeadult.

Friends House starts major renovation Friends House Retirement Community in Sandy Spring, Md., began a $30 million redevelopment and expansion project in September. It includes construction of 47 new apartments and cottage homes, and See HOUSING NOTES, page B-5

Maintenance-Free Living for Seniors 62+ Two-bedroom apartments starting as low as $1,899 a month

• All of this available under one roof.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO READ REVIEWS FROM RESIDENTS AND FAMILIES.

Bring in the new year with a NEW home!

Spacious, Modern Apartments Experienced Management Staff Resident Social Activites

www.AspenwoodSeniorLiving.com INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING INDEPENDENT LIVING ENHANCED CARE SERVICES ©2019 Five Star Senior Living

Convenient to Shopping and Dining 209 Monroe Street, Rockville, Maryland 20852 Call Today! 301-294-1111 www.VictoryCourt.com TTY: 711

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Close to Public Transportation Pet Friendly - restrictions may apply

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Housing notes From page B-4 new amenities, including additional dining venues, a fitness center and interior courtyard.

Three new lodges will feature 33 apartment homes, and seven new duplexes will add 14 residences. Many current residents are avid outdoor gardeners, so the community is adding additional gardening areas and green space.

Separate from this project, Friends House also plans to construct mixed-in-

Home share From page B-3 Homeowners and potential housemates interested in participating can visit Silvernest.com to add their profiles to the system. The company is offering half-price participation to those in the D.C. area for the next few months.

“Many people have watched their family members and other loved ones move out of their long-time homes, and perhaps have difficulty finding another suitable living arrangement or retirement community,” Burkhardt said.

“Boomers and empty nesters today want an alternative. They want to stay where they’ve lived for a long time, remain in their communities, and enjoy aging in place. Silvernest was born to help address that need.”

come housing options through a partnership with Homes for America (HFA), a nonprofit housing development organization. The mixed-income housing is expected to break ground by the end of the year.

“Our new expansion embraces the Quaker traditions of environment stewardship, community, simplicity, equality and self-determination,” said Kevin Harrington, executive director of Friends House.

The expansion is projected to be complete by mid-2020. To learn more, see friendshouse.com or call (301) 924-5100.

There are several other websites that are aimed at helping older adults find housemates or homes to share. One is seniorhomeshares.com, a nonprofit that offers a free nationwide matching service for homeowners and tenants, and links to other companies that offer lease and legal assistance.

Another is the goldengirlsnetwork.com, which doesn’t offer help with matching, but allows the listing of homes available for sharing. They also help homeowners find a suitable home companion to provide services. For more information about this group, based in Bowie, Md., see “Share your home like the Golden Girls did,” from the July 2015 Beacon, at bit.ly/GoldenGirlsBeacon.

For the half-price discount on Silvernest.com, use code BEACON50 when paying.

62+ APARTMENT HOMES

The people are what make Overture” Lou & Pam, Overture Residents

APARTMENT HOMES STARTING AT $1,900*

“Our granddaughter is a magnet, so we wanted to relocate here. When we took a tour, I asked one of the residents how do you like it?…and he said ‘What’s NOT to like?’ and that stuck with me.”

*Pricing & availability subject to change.

Discover carefree and maintenance-free living that’s modern, spacious, and spontaneous.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Saturday, January 23 • 4-7

• Modern residences • Active amenities • Innovative programs Lots of new friends and neighbors

Winter Wonderland Senior Prom

RSVP for an event or schedule a visit to experience Overture today!

Live Band, food and fun!

3955 Fair Ridge Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033

RSVP by 1/18

OvertureFairRidge.com

844-899-9408

Overture is an equal housing opportunity. Amenities and services vary by location. Photo of Overture resident(s). See a Greystar representative for details.

B-5

B-6

Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Your kids don’t treasure your treasures?

By Carol Sorgen Kim Martin and her husband recently moved from North Carolina to Alexandria, Va., for her husband’s job. They downsized from a three-bedroom house with a fenced backyard to a 980-square-foot condo.

“It was difficult and time-consuming,” said Martin, saying that not only did she and her husband have their own things, but she had her son’s belongings, as well as items from her parents and mother-in-law.

“It was emotional to put my hands on items and think about whether I really needed them and what to do with them,” said Martin.

“Lots of items were given to Goodwill or other charities, as I could not store them in a much smaller home. My college-age son

told me frankly that there were a lot of things he didn’t want [nor had the space to store them].”

Martin’s advice to others going through the same process is to first acknowledge that it’s going to be a difficult task — both physically and emotionally.

Then start going through each room and ask yourself whether you use the item, if you are enjoying it (or is it already packed away and half-forgotten), and if you’d use it in your new environment?

“I had to become non-emotional about the process, and really be honest with myself,” said Martin. “The reality was that many of the items that were given away did have value — whether financial or sentimental — but were not used.”

Start the New Year With Us! Waltonwood Ashburn is the Premier Active Adult Community in Loudoun County • Upscale senior living offering a worry-free lifestyle • Friendly neighbors and convenient amenities • Forever fit program and life enrichment opportunities

Ask us about our current incentives!

Call and schedule a tour today (571) 982-6318

A SHBURN Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care 44141 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn, VA 20147

Waltonwood.com | SinghJobs.com

The first thing Martin did when it came to downsizing (increasingly known these days as rightsizing) was ask her family and friends what they wanted. What many people like Martin these days are finding out, however, is that their family and friends don’t especially want any of their “stuff.”

Fewer things, more experiences “Lladros, Hummels, stamps...you name it, we collected it,” Matthew Quinn said of his fellow boomers and their parents.

Quinn, an owner of Quinn’s Auction Galleries in Falls Church, Va., observed that for many people, collections were a symbol of prosperity. “But today, wealth is no longer connected with objects.”

If you have a collection you love, but your kids or grandkids don’t, Quinn advised keeping just one piece. “You don’t need 50 of something. You have your memories.”

“A lot of kids — and kids can range from millennials all the way up to baby boomers — would rather have money in the bank or to spend on an experience,” said Ron Samuelson, CEO of the family-owned Samuelson’s Diamonds & Estate Buyers in Quarry Lake in Baltimore, Md.. “They’re asking themselves, ‘Would you rather have this ring or $20,000?’”

According to the Mayflower 2018 Mover

Insights Study, approximately half of millennials surveyed aren’t keeping family heirlooms to pass down to their children.

And their parents don’t particularly want their parents’ stuff either.

“Adults from all generations are embracing the value of decluttering through the minimalist movement by shifting away from collecting things, and moving toward creating simple, stress-free lives,” according to the survey.

One reason for the “less is more” approach, the survey reports, is that minimalism is a hot design trend for modern homes. But it’s also a way of life, with more people embracing the habit of decluttering.

And then there’s also the economic factor. Many millennials can’t afford to purchase a home, and don’t have the space to keep their family’s heirlooms. Meanwhile, their boomer-age parents are often selling their larger homes, and don’t have the amount of space they once did.

Florida-based senior move manager Jenn Neumann, president of Neu Spaces, sees many older adults who assume their children and grandchildren will appreciate their possessions.

“That’s my cue to have a conversation See TREASURE OR STUFF, page B-7

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Paring down your possessions So your daughter isn’t interested in your collection of cat figurines, and your son has no room for the dining room table you inherited from your mother. Now what?

If you’re working on streamlining all the stuff you’ve collected over the years, you have a number of options.

Go to Google and enter your location and the various types of venues that might be of help — from consignment stores to auction houses — and you will find a number of leads to pursue.

Selling your things If you have gently worn clothing with higher-end labels, or furniture that’s in good condition, you may be able to sell it at a consignment store. These stores continually mark down the price of unsold items over time until they go.

Keep in mind: They pay you only if and when your stuff sells, keeping a portion of the sale price as their commission. Sometimes, if an item doesn’t sell in a fixed period of time, they’ll donate it or you can retrieve it.

Auction houses will sell valuable furniture, jewelry, books and other items if they feel there will be a market for them.

Check www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/directory for a listing of more than 4,000 auction houses across the country.

Another option is selling online. You can post your items on eBay, and either sell to the highest bidder or set a fixed price with its “Buy It Now” feature. See www.ebay.com.

A number of bookstores will buy in-demand books and even pay for shipping, but be prepared not to make a lot of money.

Enter the ISBN number of a book into

Book Scouter (https:// bookscouter.com), and the site searches 35 book buyback vendors for the best offer.

Donating your items If you itemize your taxes (although fewer people will find that financially advantageous this year), you can deduct the fair market value of all goods you donate.

To determine fair market value, use thrift store prices, a used-car guide, or other appropriate reference for used items. Some online tax preparation programs will suggest values for the most common donated items.

To claim a tax deduction, you must complete a form if your total donations are worth $500 or more, and must have a recent appraisal of any donated items you claim are worth $5,000 or more.

You can search a listing of a number of organizations accepting donations at www.thethriftshopper.com.

While Goodwill and Salvation Army take some furniture, donations may be more welcome at nonprofits specifically geared to take them. Habitat for Humanity has several ReStore locations that accept donations of furniture, household goods and building materials. See www.habitat.org/restores/donate-goods to find one near you.

In the Washington area, a Wider Circle is seeking furniture donations. In addition to providing furniture to those who can’t afford it, the nonprofit organization provides a variety of other services to those in need of stable housing.

See http://awidercircle.org/get-involved.

— Barbara Ruben

Teasure or stuff From page B-6 with them,” said Neumann, a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers. “I have to let them know that no one wants your treasures,” she said, adding that this shouldn’t be taken personally.

“Most of their children haven’t seen these items in many, many years, and forgot they even existed. They’ve already emotionally detached from the items long ago.”

What to keep, sell, trash Samuelson helps clients who are downsizing make decisions about what to keep, what would be a good investment for family members to hold on to, or what can be let go without dithering too much about it.

“If a piece is sentimental but doesn’t have a lot of financial value, we advise keeping it,” he said, adding that old jewelry frequently has value and can usually be repurposed to be more in keeping with today’s styles. Coins are also worth holding onto, Samuelson advised.

Other items, like furniture, not so much.

Large pieces such as dining room breakfronts are being dumped on the market and sell for next to nothing, said Quinn, “We see it every day,” said Quinn, who frequently speaks to senior groups about downsizing. “Between our parents living

B-7

longer and boomers aging themselves, there’s a lot of stuff out there.

Trying to “guilt” your family members into taking your things isn’t a good idea, Quinn observed. “They’ll keep it for a while until the guilt wears off, and then they’ll call me [to try to sell it].

“Give your loved ones one piece of your collection so they have something that will remind them of you. But don’t burden them with too much.”

When downsizing, Quinn advised focusing on three questions: What do I need every day? What will it cost to move an item? What’s the best charity for me to donate items to?

Dara Bunjon has been widowed for over two years. Her goal is to move out of her house and into a high-rise apartment.

Bunjon’s husband was an inveterate collator, and she said it could well take her the rest of her life to sell off all his things.

When Shelley Shannon remarried recently, she went from a five-bedroom house to a two-bedroom furnished condo in Baltimore City.

“We’re still trying to fit the few things I brought in,” said Shannon, who either sold or gave away 85 percent of her belongings.

“If they aren’t important for this lifetime, they aren’t important,” she said. “When you really want something — and I really love my husband and wanted to be with him — it’s easy to part with the past and look forward to the future.”

Regardless of the Weather Outside,

It's Always Cozy Here.

Stay warm and comfortable, regardless of the season!

That’s what Friendship Terrace is for—we eliminate the hassles of winter, allowing you to do the things you enjoy! No more shoveling snow or driving on icy roads to get to the grocery store.

Our maintenance-free apartments, experienced team members, and on-site dining options allow you to stay safe and secure, regardless of the weather. And if you’re concerned about “cabin fever,” you’ll !"#$%&'!"()#!'&*+,-%.#/!"#/#0&"'#1/%&'2)#-$#/32&1&2&'.#/1/&(/,('#2-# keep you entertained.

Learn more about affordable, independent senior living!

Call 202-244-7400 (TRS 711) to schedule a visit.

FriendshipTerrace.org 1-800-643-3769 DC RELAY SERVICE • 1-800-643-3768 TTY 4201 Butterworth Place, NW, Washington, DC 20016

B-8

Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

REHABILITATION

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

Chevy Chase House (202) 686-5504 5420 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20015 www.meridiansenior.com/chevychasehouse

Visit our beautifully renovated community and tour our luxury residences! Our residents enjoy a wealth of social opportunities and enriching activities. Updated, full-sized accommodations provide an easy transition from homeownership to luxury senior living. You’ll find all-inclusive amenities, bright living spaces, a full social calendar and a dedicated staff … everything you need and desire to live life to the fullest. From your luxurious new home at Chevy Chase House, you'll experience premier city living with all of its benefits. Your day awaits.

Call or visit Chevy Chase House today. Ask about our value priced studios at $4,499. Take a tour and enjoy lunch on us! .

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-260-2320 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org Imagine an extraordinary staff and the best therapies and equipment — in a beautiful environment that rejuvenates and restores. Physical therapy spaces bathed in sunlight. The quiet comfort of a garden walk or relaxing massage. Imagine getting back to the activities that matter to you. Our new, state-of-the-art rehab addition at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center offers innovative therapy services for seniors, including NeuroGym® Technologies mobility training, the Korebalance system and much more. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing-care retirement communities in the state. Rehab here is simply different… because what surrounds you really matters.

INDEPENDENT/PERSONAL CARE/ASSISTED LIVING INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Seabury at Springvale Terrace 301-587-0190

Sommerset Retirement 703-450-6411

8505 Springvale Road Silver Spring, MD 20910 www.springvaleterrace.org

22355 Providence Village Drive Sterling, VA 20164 www.Sommersetretirement.com

Discover Seabury at Springvale Terrace, inside and out?

Our Assisted Living offers a lifestyle you will love! Affordable value, that can only be found at our community, providing wonderful care, exercise, music, art, a host of daily activities and social events, as well as special entertainment for all residents. Enjoy the benefits of Independent Living just steps away from downtown Silver Spring.

Within blocks, you will have access to the Silver Spring Civic Center, Library, AFI Silver, Whole Foods, CVS pharmacy, movie theaters, shopping, restaurants, and more! Come take a fresh look at Seabury at Springvale Terrace. Assisted Living apartments are available now, but space is limited. Call to schedule your visit today.

At Sommerset Retirement Community, located in the heart of Sterling, Virginia, you’ll experience exceptional independent living at its best, with a comfortable, fulfilling, secure and active lifestyle. Sommerset’s unique amenities include restaurant-style dining, housekeeping, 24-hour front desk personnel and private transportation. Enjoy the convenience of being just minutes from medical services, shopping, banking and entertainment.

For two years in a row now, Sommerset has been voted by the readers of Virginia Living Magazine as one of the best retirement communities in Northern Virginia! Call us or visit our website to request more information or to schedule your tour and complimentary lunch.

INDEPENDENT/ASSISTED/MEMORY CARE

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

Waltonwood Ashburn 571-982-6318 44141 Russell Branch Parkway Ashburn, VA 20147 www.Waltonwood.com Social opportunities and luxury amenities await you at Waltonwood Ashburn, a brand new community from Singh Development with independent living, assisted living and memory care communities. Our broad range of amenities includes a beauty salon, saltwater therapy pool, fitness and wellness center, movie theatre, cafe, convenience store and more.

Enjoy chef prepared meals in our elegant dining room, plus personal help services and courtesy transportation. You will love our beautifully appointed and spacious studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartment homes. Independent, assisted living and memory care are available now. Visit us for tours 7 days a week and take advantage of brand new, luxury senior living. Ask about current incentives!

Chesterbrook Residences 703-531-0781 2030 Westmoreland Street Falls Church, VA www.chesterbrookres.org At Chesterbrook Residences, you will be able to live with dignity, grace and security, close to the people and places you love in a comfortable, neighborhood setting. We offer an active assisted-living lifestyle for those 62 and over. A variety of one- and two-bedroom floor plans are available. Enjoy our community living room with fireplace, beautiful views, and chef-prepared meals in our gracious main dining room. Rehab services are available 5 days a week, offering physical, occupational and speech therapy, most of which are covered by Medicare Part B. We also have an on-site wellness center with visiting physician and podiatrist. We are a mixed-income nonprofit, so our rates are affordable and all inclusive.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

FREE HOUSING AND OTHER INFORMATION

#

#

For free information from advertisers in this special section, check off those that interest you and mail this entire page to the Beacon. Please do not request info if you are not interested.

All replies have an equal chance to win. To be eligible for the Gilbert & Sullivan tickets, your reply must arrive by February 4, 2019.

HOUSING COMMUNITIES: WASHINGTON, DC ❑ Chevy Chase House . . . . .B-8 & B-11 ❑ Friendship Terrace . . . . . .B-7 & B-15

MARYLAND ❑ Aspenwood . . . . . . . . . . .B-4 & B-15 ❑ Brooke Grove Retirement Village . .B-8, . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-10, B-15 & B-16 ❑ Covenant Village . . . . . . .B-5 & B-15 ❑ Emerson House . . . . . . . .B-5 & B-10 ❑ Homecrest House . . . . . .B-10 & B-12 ❑ Landing of Silver Spring, The . . .B-13 ❑ Park View Bladensburg . . . . . . . . . .B-14

❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Park View Columbia . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-14 Park View Emerson . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-14 Park View Laurel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-14 Riderwood . . . . . . . . . . . .B-2 & B-10 Springvale Terrace . . . . . .B-8 & B-12 Victory Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4 Victory Housing . . . . . . . .B-3 & B-10

❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Morris Glen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5 Overture Fair Ridge . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5 Shenandoah Senior Living . . . . . .B-2 Sommerset Retirement . . . .B-6 & B-8 Waltonwood . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-6 & B-8 Wingler House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5

HOME CARE SERVICES: VIRGINIA ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Ashby Ponds . . . . . . . . . .B-2 & B-15 Chesterbrook Residences . .B-8 & B-11 Greenspring . . . . . . . . . . .B-2 & B-10 Gum Springs Glen . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5 Herndon Harbor House . . . . . . . . .B-5 Lockwood House . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5

❑ Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . . . . .B-13 ❑ Bright Hope Home Care . . . . . . .B-13 ❑ Debra Levey Eldercare . . . . . . . . .B-7

HOMESHARING SERVICES: ❑ Silvernest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-3

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

You may also include the free info coupon on page 5.

One entry per household please.

Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________E-mail_______________________________________________ City _______________________________________________________ State ______________________ Zip ____________________ Phone (day) _______________________________________________ (eve) ________________________________________________ Please provide your telephone number and e-mail address so we may contact you promptly if you win the drawing.

WB119

B-9

B-10

Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Victory Housing 301-493-6000

Riderwood 1-877-742-4390

Six Maryland Locations www.victoryhousing.org

3140 Gracefield Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 EricksonLiving.com

Assisted living begins with a conversation. For more than thirty years, Victory Housing has been a leader in this discussion. Together we will have an upfront talk about lifestyle at our community including resident needs and wants, resident suite options, and the peace-ofmind that comes from individualized care. We’ll also address financial considerations including our no-surprise pricing. Unlike other providers, we do not charge extra for additional care services — ever. We understand that considering assisted living is an important decision. Discover Victory Housing’s straight-forward approach and our non-profit, award-winning communities. Call or visit us today, let’s talk.

INDEPENDENT & PERSONAL CARE COMMUNITIES

B’nai B’rith Homecrest House 301-244-3579 14508 Homecrest Road Silver Spring, MD 20906 www.homecresthouse.org Homecrest House is a non-profit, affordable, subsidized community offering two options: Independent & Personal Care Services. PERSONAL CARE offers: assistance with bathing, daily meals, weekly housekeeping & laundry services with optional medication administration. Homecrest is nestled on 10 beautiful acres & neighbors with Leisure World. Residents may qualify approximately 30% of their adjusted income for rent & may qualify for personal care subsidies.

Homecrest offers a full calendar of activities & scheduled weekday van trips. Our Computer Lab, Salon, Fitness Center, and Convenience Store are just a few of the amenities our residents enjoy. Contact Princetta at 301-244-3579 or marketing@homecresthouse.org for a personalized tour or visit us at www.homecresthouse.org.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Greenspring 1-877-589-9570 7410 Spring Village Drive Springfield, VA 22150 EricksonLiving.com For almost 20 years, active seniors have chosen Greenspring in Springfield as their new address for vibrant, maintenance-free living.

The 58-acre campus boasts a wide variety of stylish apartment homes; three amenity-packed clubhouses; and an unparalleled health and wellness program exclusively for older adults. Residents can age in place with confidence, knowing that assisted living, memory care, and nursing care are available right on campus if they need extra support in the years to come. Most importantly, Greenspring’s inclusive Monthly Service Package and 90% Refundable Entrance Deposit* make this lifestyle affordable for most retired homeowners. Call 1-877-589-9570 for a free brochure! *As per the Residence and Care Agreement.

How to find the right retirement lifestyle for you With so many senior living options available, how do you determine the best fit for your lifestyle, finances, and future?

Riderwood, the premier continuing care retirement community in Silver Spring, offers this advice: Find a community that helps you stay active. At Riderwood, you’ll enjoy a wealth of amenities and 100-plus clubs, classes, and activities. Get the most value for your money. Many people are surprised by all that’s included at Riderwood, such as maintenance, most utilities, and flexible meal plans. Plan ahead for future needs.

With continuing care at Riderwood, you’ll have access to multiple levels of support should you ever need it. To learn more, call 1-877-742-4390 or visit RiderwoodCommunity.com.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Emerson House 301-779-6196 5999 Emerson Street Bladensburg, MD 20710 Our community features bright onebedroom apartments in a nine-story elevator building for today’s active and independent seniors who are 62 or older. Emerson House is subsidized for low- to moderate-income households. Activities are yours to choose from: gardening, Bingo, Wii bowling league, movie night, parties, bus trips, exercise classes, learning to line dance — it’s all waiting for you and more! Emerson House offers an in-house Resident Service Coordinator to assist with finding helpful resources.

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

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-260-2320 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org This community hums with warm-hearted camaraderie and a zest for life shared by residents and staff alike. Experience all that makes assisted living at Brooke Grove extraordinary. Cozy, homelike dwellings with easy access to beautiful courtyards and walking paths. Caring staff trained in using memory support techniques, building independence and lifting self-esteem.

Innovative LIFE® Enrichment Programming with meaningful activities and off-site adventures. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing care retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

B-11

A glut of area homes when boomers sell?

By Barbara Ruben A George Mason University report predicts that some baby boomer homeowners in the Washington region who try to sell soon may have trouble getting the price they want.

The report, released last summer by the university’s Stephen S. Fuller Institute for Research on the Washington Region’s Economic Future, points out that people have been predicting a nationwide housing sell-off tied to aging boomers since 2013, but it hasn’t happened yet.

That may be due in part to the recession, which delayed retirement of some older workers. And more older adults are still paying off mortgages than they were in 2000.

But when boomers do starting selling their homes in greater numbers, it could shake up the local housing market, according to the report, “Demographic and Eco-

nomic Factors Affecting the Upcoming Home Sales Market in the Washington Region.”

Large number of boomer owners On average, people 52 to 70 years old made up almost 42 percent of all homeowners in the “near-in Washington region” during the period from 2014 to 2016.

The report defines the region as including D.C.; Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland; and Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William counties, along with cities such as Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas and Manassas Park, in Virginia.

More than 273,540 households headed by someone 50 years old or older had at least two more bedrooms than people in their home during the 2014-2016 period.

This accounts for one-quarter of all owners.

The report says if just 20 to 30 percent of D.C.-area baby boomers choose to try to sell their homes in the next few years, it would add more than 100,000 homes to the market. That would be more than the total number of homes sold in the D.C. region in 2017, which was 85,720.

The study cautions that longtime homeowners who try to sell in the next few years may have trouble doing so for as much money as others in their neighborhood who have sold recently, especially if a large number of other aging owners nearby put their homes on the market at the same time.

D.C. has longtime homeowners The report takes an in-depth look at hous-

ing trends, including the percentage of longtime homeowners in each ZIP code, as well as changes in home prices by ZIP code.

The two neighborhoods with the highest number of homeowners who have been in their homes since at least 1989 are both in Northeast Washington: 20017 in Brookland, with 39.9 percent, and 20019, near Benning Road and Rt. 295, with 37.7 percent.

The next highest ZIP codes are 20905 (36.7 percent) in the Cloverly and Colesville areas of Silver Spring, Md.; 20020 (36.2 percent) in the Hillcrest area of Southeast D.C.; and 22151 (33.9 percent) in N. Springfield, Va. To read the full report, go to http:/ /bit.ly/boomer-housing.

Visit to View Our Beautiful, Full Renovation

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FITNESS INSTRUCTORS NEEDED

Fairfax County is looking for fitness instructors for Zumba gold, yoga, tai chi and chair yoga classes at senior centers throughout the county. For more information or to apply, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/older-adults and search “Volunteer Solutions.”

Jan. 13+

MASTER NATURALIST CERTIFICATION

The Virginia Master Naturalist program is looking for volunteers to provide education and outreach to help conserve and steward natural resources and public lands. Volunteers gain certification through natural history courses taught by recognized experts in ecology, botany, herpetology, ornithology, forest and aquatic ecosystems and more. You need to commit to at least 40 hours of service and an additional eight hours of continuing education annually to remain certified. There will be an information session at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, Va., from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13. Applications are due Friday, Jan. 18. Trainings begin Feb. 26 and continue through June 11 on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m. at Long Branch Nature Center, 33 N. Fillmore St., Arlington. For more information and to complete an application, visit www.armn.org.

Get Excited!

New

Residential Living

Winter With Us NO WORRIES THIS SEASON! Enjoy Luxury Assisted Living on a Short-Term Basis: Spacious, Fully Furnished Residences•Fine Dining Physical Therapy On Site•Exceptional Care Exciting Location in Chevy Chase, DC Social, Educational, and Wellness Activities

CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION

202-798-7498

Chesterbrook Residences is excited to offer a new option that seniors have been asking for: residential living.

An affordable option for those who desire the support of a community, but don’t yet require assisted living, it’s the best of both worlds.

Call today to schedule your visit! 703-531-0781

Assisted Living Community

2030 Westmoreland Street | Falls Church 703-531-0781 | chesterbrookres.org Coordinated Services Management, Inc.—Professional Management of Retirement Communities since 1981.

5420 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20015 www.meridiansenior.com/chevychasehouse A MERIDIAN SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

B-12

Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Medicare to offer some in-home support

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar Medicare is experimenting with a new direction in healthcare. Starting this year, Medicare beneficiaries in many states will be able to get additional services — such as help with chores and respite for caregivers — through private Medicare Advantage insurance plans.

There’s a growing recognition that such practical help can have a meaningful impact on patients’ well-being, and reduce some costs for taxpayers.

A couple of hundred dollars to install grab bars in the shower can prevent a fall leading to a broken hip — a life-changing injury. That may also help people stay in their homes longer.

The newly covered services are similar to what people might need if they required long-term care, said Howard Gleckman, a senior researcher at the nonpartisan Urban Institute think tank in Washington, D.C. “It begins to break down the wall between long-term care and Medicare, which, with very few exceptions, has never paid for long-term care,” Gleckman said.

Change is starting slowly. Policymakers have yet to figure out how to bring similar benefits to traditional Medicare, which remains the choice of 2 out of 3 beneficiaries.

Available in Virginia The new services are being offered by some Medicare Advantage plans in more than 20 states this year, including Virginia, but not yet Maryland or the District of Columbia. More states are expected to be added over time.

There has to be a health-related reason to qualify, and costs will vary. In some plans, there’s no added cost. But limits do apply. For example, a plan may cover one day per week at an adult day care center.

Nearly 23 million Medicare beneficiaries, or more than 1 in 3, are expected to be covered by a Medicare Advantage plan next year. The private plans generally offer lower out-of-pocket costs in exchange for limits on choice of doctors and hospitals, and some other restrictions — such as the need for prior authorization for services.

It’s a growing business for insurers.

Medicare Advantage open enrollment for 2019 ended in early December, but Medicare recipients should keep this in mind for the next enrollment period, which will start in October.

For years, Medicare has permitted private plans to offer supplemental benefits not covered by the traditional program.

Think free gym memberships, transportation to medical appointments, or home-delivered meals following a hospitalization.

We Put the Life in senior living Expanding Our Market and Changing for the Better!

Yearly Incomes of $49,260 and Above are Now Accepted!

Y SStill the Most Affordable Senior Living Community in the Area SSteps Away from Downtown Silver Spring Wellness and Life Enrichment Programs W Assisted Living Studios, Level II and III, are available now, but limited and going fast!

Call Gina or Tracy today at 301-587-0190 to schedule your visit.

The new benefits take that to a higher level, with Medicare’s blessing.

“It is a big concept, in the sense that it is officially encouraging plans to get across the line into the many, many things that affect the health and well-being of beneficiaries,” said Marc Russo, president of insurer Anthem’s Medicare business. “I, for one, who have been in and around Medicare for decades, believe it pays.”

Acupuncture to home care Insurers under Anthem’s corporate umbrella offer different packages in 12 of 21 states where they operate Medicare plans.

They can include adult day care center visits, a personal helper at home, or alternative medicine, like acupuncture.

Other major insurers like UnitedHealthcare and Humana are also participating.

It’s a calculated gamble for insurers, who still have to make a profit.

And the limited new benefits are no substitute for full long-term care coverage, which many people need for at least part of their lives and remains prohibitively expensive.

Seniors trying to get long-term care through Medicaid, the program for low-income people, must spend down their life savings first.

“Medicare policy has not kept up with the times,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., one of the authors of bipartisan legislation seen as a catalyst for expanded services through Medicare Advantage.

Wyden said he’s working to bring similar options to traditional Medicare. “Clearly this is going to have to be an effort that is going to have to be built out,” he added.

The changes represent a rare consensus at a time when healthcare is among

the most politically divisive of issues. Republican and Democratic lawmakers, as well as Seema Verma, the Trump administration’s Medicare chief, are pulling in the same direction.

The idea of broader services through Medicare Advantage was embodied in a bipartisan Senate Finance Committee bill to improve care for chronically ill seniors. The Trump administration issued regulations in the spring trying to accelerate the changes.

According to Medicare, 12 insurers will be offering expanded supplemental benefits this year through 160 plans in 20 states. In four other states and Puerto Rico, such benefits may be available to seniors with certain health conditions.

Medicare estimates that some 780,000 beneficiaries will have access to the new benefits. In-home helpers and support for caregivers are the most popular.

Consumer advocates recommend that seniors carefully weigh whether Medicare Advantage is best for them. If they don’t like it, they can go back to traditional Medicare, but those with a pre-existing condition may not be able to buy a Medigap policy to help cover out-of-pocket costs. They can also switch to another Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare doesn’t pay the insurers more for offering added benefits. Under a complex formula, they’re primarily financed out of the difference between bids submitted by insurers and Medicare’s maximum payment to plans. If the companies bid below Medicare’s rate, they can return some of that to beneficiaries in the form of added benefits.

— AP

Please patronize our advertisers.

Two Unique Affordable Housing Communities Both with available Subsidies based on eligibility Stein & Moskowitz Independent Living:

Edwards Personal Care:

·4-Course Dinner Meals

·Weekly Housekeeping &

·Full Calendar

·Engaging Activity Program

·Daily Meals

of Activities & Van Trips ·Computer Lab & Fitness Room ·On-Site Beauty Salon & Convenience Store

Laundry

·Bathing Assistance ·Optional Medication Administration ·24-Hour On-Site Staff

Call (301)-244-3579 Residential Living • Enhanced Living • Assisted Living

SpringvaleTerrace.org • 1-800-552-7724 MD RELAY SERVICE 8505 Springvale Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910

or email marketing@homecresthouse.org For video tour and application: www.homecresthouse.org TTY MD Relay 7-1-1 2018 PACE Award Winners

14508 Homecrest Road Silver Spring, MD 20906

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

B-13

Find help with home chores and small jobs Dear Savvy Senior: when she would like the worker to show up.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best way to find good, trustThe software then matches your request worthy, qualified people who and provides you a list of qualican help folks with home fied, feedback-rated workers chores or small jobs? (including their hourly rate) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Looking for Mom from which to choose. Once Dear Looking: the job is complete, payment is Getting help at home for done through the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s any number of household app. tasks is a lot easier than it You should also know that all used to be, thanks to a numTaskRabbit and Takl workers ber of web-based tools that go through a thorough vetting can quickly and easily conprocess, including extensive nect you and your mom to a SAVVY SENIOR background checks, before wide variety of skilled, care- By Jim Miller they can be recommended. fully vetted workers.

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what you should know:

Finding qualified help One of the best ways to find qualified, reliable, trustworthy people that can help with home chores and other small jobs is through referrals from people you trust.

But if your friends or family donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any recommendations, there are a number of online companies you can turn to now, like TaskRabbit.com and Takl.com.

These are on-demand service companies that can quickly and easily connect you to skilled workers for such things as cleaning and housekeeping, moving and packing, lawn and yard cleanup, handyman tasks, grocery shopping, running errands, furniture assembly, picture hanging, closet organizing, and much more.

TaskRabbit currently has more than 60,000 Taskers (workers) in 47 U.S. cities, while Takl currently serves 75 U.S. cities with around 35,000 workers. Both serve the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas.

All you need to do is download their app, or go to their website, and select the service your mom wants done. Then set a time

If, however, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find a skilled worker through TaskRabbit or Takl, or if they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t serve your area, another option is Amazon Home Services at Amazon.com/services. Like TaskRabbit and Takl, Amazon will connect you to qualified workers that handle dozens of household chores and other small jobs.

Amazon also screens all workers through media searches, online interviews, reference checks and background checks. And all experts need to have appropriate licenses and insurance.

To purchase and book a service, you can either buy a pre-packaged service with a fixed price (for example, two hours of cleaning) or you can submit a custom request and receive estimates.

When booking, you select three different dates and time frames, and the worker responds to confirm an appointment. All payment is done through your Amazon account.

If your mom primarily needs a tradesman like a plumber, electrician, painter, roofer or carpenter for home repairs or remodeling projects, you should also check HomeAdvisor.com and AngiesList.com.

Both of these sites can connect you with

prescreened, customer-rated service professionals in your area for free.

Help for older adults

Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Savvy Seniorâ&#x20AC;? book.

Another option you should know about is AskUmbrella.com, which is a fee-based membership service for those 65-plus. It provides qualified, vetted workers to do small jobs in and around the house for only $16 per hour. Currently available only in New York, they are expanding nationally over the next year.

If your mom is on a tight budget, you should also contact her nearby Area Aging Agency (call the Eldercare Locator at 800677-1116 if you need their number). They will refer you to services in her area, if available.

For example, some communities have volunteer programs that provide chore and handyman services to help seniors in need. And some local nonprofits offer residential repair services that offer seniors minor upgrades and adaptations to their homes. In Baltimore, try Rebuilding Together at rtbaltimore.org.

Send your questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O.

To subscribe, see page 37.

Assisted Living Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020; Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x203A; Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fit for aâ&#x20AC;Śwell, you know.

Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it about time you were treated like royalty?

You bet it is. Come see for yourself just what assisted living Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020; Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x203A; Â&#x2026;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021; with A Whole Lotta Heart is all about. Please call 301.200.0928 now to schedule a personal visit Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D; Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â? Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;.

OPENING 201Ĺ­ â&#x20AC;˘ INFO CENTER NOW OPEN

By appointment only. Call 301.200.0928 to schedule.

13908 New Hampshire Ave â&#x20AC;˘ TheLandingofSilverSpring.com

B-14

Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Is it smart to pay off your house early?

By Mary Kane Colette Leavitt faced a difficult financial decision a few years ago, as she approached her 60s. She originally planned to retire early, at age 62, with her mortgage paid off. She would be free and clear of the financial burden of monthly payments.

“It would open up some income to do things for enjoyment, as opposed to obligation,” said Leavitt, of Hooksett, N.H. But in the end, Leavitt, now age 60, decided to keep her loan. She owes just $49,000, at a rock-bottom 3.25 percent interest rate. Despite the low balance, she felt the peace of mind of building up her savings and keeping cash in hand for future expenses outweighed her initial desire to be mortgage-free.

Although she worked with her longtime financial planner, Peter Canniff, who is

with Advanced Portfolio Design, in Westford, Mass., it was still a hard choice to make. Dealing with mortgage debt isn’t always just about the finances. The decision is often emotional.

“You think about it, think about it, and think about it,” said Leavitt, an administrative assistant at a utility company. “It can cause a lot of anxiety.”

These days, more retirees are carrying mortgage debt into retirement. About half of all retirees 65 to 69 were mortgage-free in 2015, down from nearly 60 percent in 2000, according to mortgage giant Fannie Mae. But you’ll need to carefully consider whether carrying a mortgage into retirement is right for you.

You may be in a position similar to Leavitt’s, wondering whether to pay off your mortgage, particularly if you are a few years away from the payoff date and have

the balance whittled down.

Should you pursue the relief of having no monthly payment hanging over your head anymore, or find other uses for your money that could potentially be more beneficial to your bottom line?

You can start to answer that question by considering a variety of factors, such as whether you plan to stay in your house, your cash flow needs in retirement, and how much investment risk you can tolerate.

Your feelings about debt and financial security could affect the decision you make.

Investing in stocks may deliver a higher return than paying off a mortgage with a low interest rate, but you may not be able to sleep well at night. And changes under tax reform also may affect your choice.

Take a look at taxes Under the new law, the standard deduc-

We Turn Addresses

into homes

MOST COMMUNITIE S ARE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

The Greens at Hammonds Lane: 410-636-1141 Park View at Furnace Branch: 410-761-4150 Park View at Severna Park: 410-544-3411

Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673 Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886 Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363 Park View at Towson: 410-828-7185 Park View at Woodlawn: 410-281-1120

BALTIMORE CITY Ednor Apartments I: 410-243-0180 Ednor Apartments II: 410-243-4301 The Greens at Irvington Mews: 410-644-4487 Park Heights Place: 410-578-3445 Park View at Ashland Terrace: 410-276-6440 Park View at Coldspring: 410-542-4400

EASTERN SHORE Park View at Easton: 410-770-3070

HARFORD COUNTY Park View at Bel Air: 410-893-0064 Park View at Box Hill: 410-515-6115

tion is significantly more generous, while some housing-related itemized deductions have been squeezed.

The standard deduction for a married couple this year is $24,000, with an additional $1,300 for each spouse over age 65.

So a couple with both partners over age 65 will get a $26,600 standard deduction.

Those who itemize deductions face a $10,000 cap on the write-off for state and local taxes, which includes property taxes on the house; that cap applies to both individual and joint filers. In addition, interest on up to $750,000 of new mortgage debt is deductible, while the prior cap was interest on $1 million of mortgage debt.

A homeowner with sizable charitable deductions or medical expenses may still find it advantageous to itemize deductions.

But many people who have itemized in the past likely will find themselves switching to the standard deduction for their 2018 taxes. Not itemizing means losing the tax benefit of a mortgage, because the taxpayer won’t be able to write off the interest on the loan.

“The new laws obviously change the dynamic on this,” said Lyle Benson, president of LK Benson and Co., a financialplanning firm in Towson, Md. For retirees who are homing in on their mortgage payoff date, the loan may not be throwing off enough tax-deductible interest to help make itemizing worth it.

If your original mortgage had a balance of $350,000 and it’s down to only $60,000, most of the monthly payments will be principal, said Michael Landsberg, director of Homrich Berg, an Atlanta wealthmanagement firm. Mortgages throw off the most interest — and provide the most tax benefits — on the front end, so an older mortgage won’t provide much of a mortgage interest deduction. “The hurdle for itemizing becomes even higher,” he said.

BALTIMORE COUNTY Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344 Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660 Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888 The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000 The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100 The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000 The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988 Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464 Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665 Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375

HOWARD COUNTY Park View at Colonial Landing: 410-796-4399 Park View at Columbia: 410-381-1118 Park View at Ellicott City: 410-203-9501 Park View at Ellicott City: II 410-203-2096 Park View at Emerson: 301-483-3322 Park View at Snowden River: 410-290-0384

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Park View at Bladensburg: 301-699-9785 • 55 & Better Park View at Laurel: 301-490-1526 Park View at Laurel II: 301-490-9730

Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour. www.rhomecommunities.com MOST COMMUNITIES ARE PET-FRIENDLY

Review interest and investment rates If you won’t benefit from itemizing, paying off the loan could be a sensible route tax-wise. But if you snagged a low interest rate for your mortgage, consider where the money you would use to pay off the loan is coming from and how much it earns.

If you’re earning about 4 percent or so on the bonds in your portfolio, and paying about the same or less in mortgage loan interest, “you really have to step back and ask, ‘Am I better off paying off my house and reducing my bond portfolio a bit?’” said Robert Keebler, a partner with Keebler & Associates, a tax advisory firm, in Green Bay, Wis. If you are considering drawing from your portfolio, assess your asset allocation. If your portfolio is overweighted in stocks, you might pull cash out to pay off the mortgage when you rebalance. Or if you are takSee PAY OFF HOME, page B-15

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Pay off home From page B-14 ing required minimum distributions from your retirement accounts, consider using that money to pay off a mortgage early.

But before you pay off your mortgage, take a look at any other debts you have. If the interest rates are higher, consider knocking those debts off first.

If you have a home equity loan, you might want to pay it off before the mortgage. The new tax law doesn’t allow a deduction for interest on either old or new home equity loans, except when used for home improvements.

And don’t forget to factor in the opportunity costs for the money you are using to pay down your mortgage. You could invest it instead, if you feel confident that you can generate higher returns than your mortgage rate. Or, like Leavitt, you could put it toward your living expenses and an emer-

gency fund.

Even if the numbers don’t favor paying off the mortgage, finances may not be your only consideration. Some older homeowners feel more secure with their homes totally paid off. Others worry about running out of money in retirement, so they want a paid-off home as a lifeline, said Canniff.

If you are still a decade or so away from retirement and are sure you don’t want a mortgage in your future, take some steps now to reach that goal.

Make an extra mortgage payment each year, apply a bonus or other windfall to your mortgage payments, or refinance into a 15year mortgage to pay it off as quickly as possible, while you have income, said Ann Thompson, a senior vice president at Bank of America. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options

B-15

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Ashby Ponds 1-877-664-5445 21170 Ashby Ponds Boulevard Ashburn, VA 20147 EricksonLiving.com If you haven’t driven by Ashby Ponds in Loudoun County lately, you may be surprised at how much the community has grown. High demand for their all-inclusive senior lifestyle prompted Ashby Ponds to add exciting new amenities and hundreds of stylish new apartment homes to their 132-acre Ashburn campus. Few seniors-only communities offer so many benefits!

Ashby Ponds boasts five restaurants, two fitness centers, a glorious all-season pool, a salon, day spa, and even a fully staffed on-site medical center. It’s no wonder they’re the area’s most sought-after address for active retirement living. Call 1-877-664-5445 for a free brochure!

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-260-2320

Covenant Village Senior Apartments 301-540-1162

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bfg.org

18889 Waring Station Road Germantown, MD 20874 www.qpmgmt.com

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

• Spacious 1- and 2-bedroom plans with washer/dryer in each apt.

• Shuttle bus for shopping and local trips • On-site fitness, game, and craft rooms, movie theatre, library, beauty salon, and courtyard garden plots.

It's about our residents, said Management staff, Debra and Trisha.

They always ensure that they have interesting and exciting things going on. Some of the fun includes: Garden Party Cookouts, Trips to Washington, DC to see the Cherry Blossoms, the Franciscan Monastery, and the National Zoo, Black Hills Pontoon Boat Ride, Low-Impact Fitness Classes, Resident Birthday Celebrations, Craft Classes and Potlucks. Also, many guest speakers are invited to speak to our residents on topics that are relevant to them.

INDEPENDENT/ASSISTED LIVING

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Aspenwood Senior Living (301) 598-6424

Seabury at FRIENDSHIP TERRACE 202-244-7400

14400 Homecrest Road Silver Spring, MD 20906 www.aspenwoodseniorliving.com

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

Welcome to Aspenwood Senior Living, where you will find comfort, flexibility, security and choice in a delightful setting with every convenience at your fingertips. Imagine the luxury of a spacious apartment, coupled with fine dining, a full range of favorite programs, friendly neighbors and a caring staff. In addition, as your needs change, Aspenwood offers a variety of services to meet your healthcare and social desires. Since 1989 Aspenwood Senior Living has been the premier choice for Independent and Assisted Living to many seniors and their families. The wonderful rhythm of life here sets us apart from other communities, but the wealth of service options makes us a leader in the senior housing industry.

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

B-16

Housing Options

PULL OUT & KEEP THIS SECTION

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

T S TTH TI TIS THE HE HE SSEEA SEASON EASO SON FFOOR

Waar W Warmth a&rCCh mth m t th h Che heeerr he Assisted ssisted e Living vvin ing att Brooke Br oke Grove G v offers oofferrrs comfo comforts omf s that th h feel fe like l ke h ho home alo alon long w wi witth with th a vib vvibrant i nt li llifeestyle es le that tha tth haat h hat at enc en nccourages o rages aage ge residents ges resid re dents nts ts too rrema emain physically p ph y and an ndd socially oc a aactive ocially tiv ive throughout through h u ho hoou hout the he cold ol winter win in r mont montths. th h

OUUR OUR U AMEN M ITIES IT Private P r e roooms filled d wii h natuural lig w with light igh gght fro rom rom over-sized d window w wss and d skylig k liights ky kylig ghts ght ts

MEMO M RY RY SUPPO SUP ORT RT PPROGRA R RRAAAMM For re residents ntss wi wit ith th Al Alzheimer’ h err’’s or o dementia, em nt we w offe offeerr a special of pecial assisted aass i ted ted liv ngg op living ooption on n wi wiith ith:

Live-in n peets et

Specially Specia a trained memory or suppo uppo port o t staff

Secure ur coourty tyard ards rd an and ndd walkiing ng ppaths ths h hs

An inte interactive tive lifestyle f fest that at ma m maximizes max choice ch hoice and n independence eppendence pen nden

24-h 4-hour ur oon n-sit ite clin linical nic nica nic n suppoorrtt frrom lic l ccensed ceenseedd and carin carin ngg nu n rses nur ses

Taailored il LIFE enri nrichmen iic ent ichm n pprrog programming m thaat conn onn nne neect cs eac acch ach h resi sident e to his h or or he her h er ppastt

Warm, rm friiiendly ie stafff m mbers members mb to assist with t the activi viitiess oof ddaily life fe

Pi noss firep Pianos, fir places, and a d gamee and craft aftt rooms oms ms promote p te invaluable invaluable bbl social s soc experiences i that at stimulate stim mulate memory m

18100 181 0 Slade School h R Road oad Sandy S dy Spring, S ri MD 20860 0860 301 01-260-2320 01 260 2 6 or 301-924 3 -92424-28 4-28 4 81 11

www..bgf.org b f rg

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

21

STILL ITEMIZING? With a much higher standard deduction, many will find it doesn’t pay to itemize MORE FOR YOUR IRA This year, IRA contribution limits rise again, as do ROTH income limits TURBULENCE TO CONTINUE A less-optimistic Wall Street expects more ups and downs this year MASTER THE MARKET CYCLE A new book offers tips on understanding market trends to maximize returns

Play defense: add utilities to your portfolio

By Ryan Ermey Since the bull market began in 2009, shares in utilities — water, gas and power providers — have lagged Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index.

But recent rockiness in the stock market bodes well for the traditionally defensive utilities sector. From the S&P 500’s peak in late September to mid-December, the index surrendered 13.1 percent, including dividends. But shares in utilities firms returned 3.3 percent over the period.

As slow-growing, steady dividend payers, utilities are quintessential safe-haven stocks, which explains why they were overlooked for much of the stock market’s

historic rise.

Rising interest rates didn’t help. Utilities must compete for investor attention with climbing market yields. Often called bond proxies, utility shares can struggle when rates are rising.

Interest is growing But sentiment might be turning in favor of utilities. As the bull market moves into bear territory, investors are becoming more interested in defensive sectors.

Historically, utilities have bested the broad market during bear runs. During the 2007-09 downturn, for instance, utilities stocks lost 45.5 percent, or 9.75 percentage

points fewer than the S&P 500 lost.

Fidelity Select Utilities (FSUTX) aims to beat its benchmark utilities index by focusing on faster-growing firms trading at reasonable prices. Manager Douglas Simmons favors firms that consistently raise their dividends, by at least 6 percent per year, over those that shell out the biggest payouts.

He sees opportunities in companies at the forefront of renewable energy, which he said are poised to boost earnings and dividends at a faster rate than the rest of the sector. One such firm, NextEra, is the top holding in the fund’s 30-stock portfolio.

The fund yields 1.56 percent.

American Century Utilities (BULIX)

isn’t a pure utilities fund. The managers start with the Russell 3000 Utilities index, which tracks 85 stocks, including a big slug — 30 percent of the bogey — in steady, high-yielding communications-services companies.

They whittle the index down to a 35stock, actively managed portfolio, favoring bargain-priced stocks with rising share prices and high dividend yields. Though utilities firms make up most of the portfolio, communications giants AT&T and Verizon represent 25 percent of assets. © 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Companies pay investors record dividends

By Stan Choe It pays more than ever to be an investor.

U.S. companies sent a record amount of cash to their shareholders as dividends in 2018, as their profits continued to pile higher.

The increase is key for shareholders, offering a bit of stability in what was a stomach-churning year for the stock market. The S&P 500 index twice plunged by 10 percent, and by Dec. 17 had lost 150 points for the year. After including dividends, though, its total return was 2.3 percent.

Wall Street is forecasting the choppiness to continue in 2019, partly because of slower growth in economies and corporate profits around the world. So any cushion

for investors would be a welcome one.

Three years ago, for example, dividends were the sole reason investors got anything out of their S&P 500 index funds. The index dropped 0.7 percent that year, but with dividends its total return was 1.4 percent.

As of mid-December 2018, companies in the S&P 500 index had topped 2017’s record of $419.8 billion in total dividends paid, according to Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices.

Tyson Foods, Anadarko Petroleum and D.R. Horton all announced dividend hikes of at least 20 percent in November. The biggest payer in the S&P 500 is AT&T, and

Silverblatt said it may announce a boost to its payout in coming weeks to make it 34 consecutive years of increases.

Companies have the wherewithal to do all this because their profits continue to surge. Across the S&P 500, earnings per share jumped nearly 26 percent during the

summer from a year earlier, for the strongest growth in eight years.

Besides dividends, companies have also been setting aside more of their profits for repurchases of their own stock as methods See DIVIDENDS, page 22

A Gift That Pays You Income!

Charitable Gift Annuity Age: 75 $25,000 Fixed Annual Payments at 6.2%* $1,550 8.5% Effective Annuity Rate** *Rate as of January 2019 based on age. **Includes all tax savings.

www.childrensnational.org/planagift

Call today!

Rita S. Corwin 301-565-8524

22

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

To itemize or not is the question for 2018

By Tina Orem As the new year begins and taxpayers contemplate another round of 1040s, many are pondering The Big Question: Do I take the standard deduction or spend time hunting for receipts and filling out extra forms to itemize?

The decision largely boils down to whether itemizing will reduce your taxable income more than the flat, no-questionsasked standard deduction will, thus saving you money.

But a major plot twist may make the issue even more vexing for some this tax season: The standard deduction nearly doubled in 2018 to $12,000 for single filers, $18,000 for heads of household, and $24,000 for joint filers.

Generally, that means that a married couple filing jointly, for example, would now need to cobble together at least $24,001 in various tax deductions for itemizing in order to lower their tax bill more than taking the standard deduction would.

ESTATES & TRUSTS

Resolved to plan this year?

Now is the time to make a new will or trust, make major gifts, or develop a succession plan for a business, farm or other important family asset. Ĺ&#x2DC; \HDUV RI H[SHULHQFH Ĺ&#x2DC; Planning for individuals, families, or businesses Ĺ&#x2DC; &RQVXOWDWLRQ LQ RXU RIĹľFH LQ \RXU KRPH RU E\ SKRQH

PAUL F. RIEKHOF Estates & Trusts 240.399.7899 Rockville, MD priekhof@jgllaw.com jgllaw.com

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a change thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sure to leave some longtime itemizers wondering whether the standard deduction is actually the thriftier option this year.

Here are four things tax pros say could indicate that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to stop itemizing and take the standard deduction: 1. You didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay a lot of mortgage interest The tax deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes have been boons to itemizers because they often add up to more than the standard deduction, said Andrew McCue, a certified public accountant at Weiss & Company in Glenview, Illinois.

But if you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay much in property taxes, had a small mortgage, or were at the tail end of your mortgage (where the payments were mostly toward principal and not much interest), these itemized deductions may not save you as much this year as the standard deduction could. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If those are adding up to a substantial amount, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when you want to look at it and compare to the standard deduction,â&#x20AC;? he said.

2. You used the deduction for state and local taxes The federal deduction for state and local income taxes is popular among itemizers, but a new cap of $10,000 for joint filers this

year means some people may be better off taking the standard deduction instead, McCue said.

But even with the cap in place, taxpayers who also have deductible mortgage interest might still save more by itemizing this year, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Illinois, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not hard for me to say Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got $6,000 of property taxes, but that varies a lot state to state,â&#x20AC;? he said. Add in another $6,000 for mortgage interest, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;just with those two items, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at the standard deduction for an individual,â&#x20AC;? he said.

3. You didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t donate a lot to charity Charitable donations are a well-known tax deduction for itemizers, but if this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s higher standard deduction gets you a bigger tax break, the tax-deductibility of your gifts may be a moot point, said Kasey Pittman, a CPA at Newport News, Virginiabased accounting firm PBMares. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to see that added benefit from donations, and I think once they figure that out, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll learn to plan their donations and to be more thoughtful about what year they give in and such,â&#x20AC;? she said.

For example, giving $5,000 to a favorite charity once every five years could save more money than giving $1,000 every year

Dividends

Janus Henderson. The $354.2 billion in total dividends was up 5.1 percent from a year earlier, and growth was particularly strong in emerging markets.

In China, big increases by banks, insurers and energy companies helped drive Chinese payouts up 14.6 percent, for example. That marked a return to growth following three years of declines. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; AP

From page 21 to return cash to shareholders. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been to the chagrin of critics pushing for higher pay for workers.

The dividend increases arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just in the United States. Globally, payouts hit a third-quarter record in 2018, according to

See ITEMIZE, page 23

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

23

IRA contribution limits are higher in 2019

By Kimberly Lankford How much can I contribute to my IRA and 401(k) in 2019? What are the income limits to qualify for a Roth?

Answer: You’ll be able to contribute slightly more to your retirement savings in 2019. The contribution limit for a 401(k), 403(b), 457 plan or the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan rises from $18,500 to $19,000 in 2019. You can continue to contribute an extra $6,000 if you’re 50 or older.

IRA contribution limits (whether for traditional or Roth IRAs) are increasing for the first time since 2013, from $5,500 to $6,000 for 2019. You can continue to add an extra $1,000 catch-up contribution if you’re 50 or older.

The income limit to contribute to a Roth IRA increases slightly this year. Single filers and those filing as head of household can contribute the full amount to a Roth IRA if their modified adjusted gross income is less than $122,000, with the contribution amount gradually phasing out until their income reaches $137,000 (up $2,000 from 2018).

Itemize From page 22 for five years. That’s because “bunched” donations, when combined with other itemized deductions, could get you over the higher standard-deduction threshold and make itemizing worthwhile financially, Pittman said.

4. You didn’t have huge medical expenses In general, unreimbursed medical expenses that are more than 7.5 percent of your 2018 adjusted gross income may be deductible if you itemize, said Travis McMurray, a CPA at accounting firm Blackburn, Childers & Steagall in Tennessee.

But the higher standard deduction could still be a better option.

“Quite honestly, you’d have to have a pretty significant medical event for that to kick in, or your income must be pretty low,” he said.

— AP

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

UTILITY HELP FOR D.C. RESIDENTS

This year, D.C. Water customers will be able to work with the D.C. Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC) if they have questions about their bills. This new customer service program was just approved by new legislation that will allow OPC to assist water ratepayers in the District with any billing or customer service, and become involved in formal hearings or adjudicatory processes where customers contest their bills. OPC also helps customers with their Washington Gas and Pepco bills. For more information, visit www.dcwater.com.

Joint filers can contribute the full amount to a Roth if their modified adjusted gross income is less than $193,000, with the amount gradually phasing out until their income reaches $203,000 (up $4,000 from 2018).

Single taxpayers and head of household filers who are covered by a workplace retirement plan can deduct their traditional IRA contributions if their income is less than $64,000, with the amount gradually phasing out until their income reaches $74,000 (up $1,000 from 2018).

For married couples filing jointly, if the spouse making the IRA contribution is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the income phase-out is $103,000 to $123,000 (up $2,000 from 2018).

If you are not covered by a retirement plan at work but your spouse is, you can deduct your full contribution if your joint

income is less than $193,000, with the deduction gradually phasing out until your income reaches $203,000.

You can deduct your full traditional IRA contribution if you are single or file as head of household and you are not covered by a retirement plan at work (or if you file jointly and neither you nor your spouse

is covered by a retirement plan at work).

For more information about the income limits for deducting traditional IRA contributions in 2018 and 2019, see the IRS’s IRA Deduction Limits page. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 18+

ICE HOUSE FUNDRAISER

Washington Gas is conducting its Second Annual WAFF Ice House fundraiser benefitting the Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF), which helps pay the heating bills of low-income residents. The company is currently building a house made of blocks of ice at District Pier at the Wharf, 101 District Sq. SW in Washington, D.C. from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18 and from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19. This fundraiser illustrates the incredible challenges you feel when you cannot heat your home. Come visit the ice house and spend 30 minutes in it to help you understand the need for heat. Contributions of any amount are welcome. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/WashingtonGasIceHouse.

24

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Expect 2019’s market ride to be stressful

By Stan Choe No matter which way the stock market goes in 2019 — and Wall Street has ample arguments for either direction — expect it to be another gut-wrenching ride.

The market is facing a long list of challenges this year, from expectations for slower economic growth around the world to the restraining effect of rising interest rates. And the global trade war is still creating uncertainty as investors guess how much pain it will ultimately inflict.

All those risks have market strategists along Wall Street forecasting another turbulent year for stocks, and potentially one of the most difficult years for investors since the bull market began its record-setting run in 2009.

That follows up on a 2018 where swings of hundreds of points within a single afternoon became fairly common for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Higher risk, lower reward As 2018 showed, higher risk doesn’t always mean higher rewards. As of late December, all major U.S. stock indexes were down more than 8 percent for the year.

And many strategists are forecasting a subdued performance for stocks in 2019.

“One would expect higher returns with higher risk, but for the past two years we’ve underscored a slightly more treacherous environment for investors: higher risk and lower returns,’’ Vanguard’s global chief economist Joe Davis said as he unveiled his forecasts.

All the cross-currents pushing and pulling markets have analysts along Wall Street recommending a contrasting array of strategies.

Some suggest focusing on stocks from emerging markets, where proponents say particularly sharp drops in price have left them looking cheap.

Others say high-quality bonds look like the safest bet given all the expected turbulence. And some optimists are forecasting a big bounce-back year for U.S. stocks, which they say no longer look expensive relative to corporate earnings.

As investments of all types dropped this year, investor psychology underwent a reset.

For most of the last decade, markets powered higher in a largely smooth and gradual way. That meant big rewards for investors who saw any dip as an opportunity to buy at lower prices. The market recovered from every wobble to set records again and again, often quite quickly.

But 2018 was different. As of late December, the S&P 500 was down 9.6 percent and on pace for its first down year in a decade after including dividends. It also created a lot of heartburn getting there,

with two separate drops of 10 percent over the course of the year.

A year ago, Wall Street was broadly optimistic about stocks and was forecasting moderate gains, largely because economies around the world were growing in sync.

But the optimism fell apart as the year progressed and growth rates diverged, in part because of rising trade tensions.

Further expansion or recession?

Much will hinge on how resilient the U.S. economy remains in 2019. It has been accelerating since emerging from the Great Recession in 2009, and it got a big boost this past year from tax cuts, which helped corporate profits surge at their fastest rates in eight years.

The current economic expansion will surpass the 1991-2001 stretch as the longest on record if the economy avoids a recession through July. In the economy’s favor are the still-strong job market and consumer confidence.

But concerns are rising that a recession may be possible in 2020 or even the latter parts of 2019. The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates — it indicated two more increases may arrive in 2019 following four this year— and other central banks are stepping off the accelerator on stimulus for their economies, which remove big supports.

And if inflation spikes unexpectedly higher, it could push the Fed to get more aggressive about raising rates, which would further hinder growth.

Analysts are likewise forecasting a slowdown in U.S. corporate profit growth, though still positive. That’s key because stock prices tend to track with corporate earnings over the long term.

Wall Street expects S&P 500 earnings growth to drop by more than half from last year’s 20.3 percent rate, in part because companies will no longer be getting the boost of the first year of new tax rates, according to FactSet. But the expected 7.9 percent growth rate is still a good one this far into an economic expansion. It’s this gain that has many strategists forecasting at least modest gains for stocks. Some strategists are forecasting the S&P 500 could end 2019 as high as 3,000, which would be a 24 percent leap from late December 2018.

At UBS Asset Management, the expectation is that U.S. market could return about 4 percent as global economic growth continues. European stocks could also return about 6 percent, said Ryan Primmer, head of investment solutions.

But such gains would come with that one big catch. “With higher volatility,’’ he said, “it’s going to feel a lot worse.’’

—AP

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

25

Book explains market cycle and trends

By Elliot Raphaelson Most stock-market experts don’t claim that they can predict market highs or lows.

However, one expert investor and writer believes there are ways to understand market trends, and his success in managing mutual funds for Oaktree Capital Group, a company he cofounded, makes believers out of even the most successful investors.

Warren Buffett says that if he gets any mail from Howard Marks, it’s the first thing he reads.

Marks has recently written Mastering the Market Cycle: Getting the Odds on Your Side (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), and the book has received positive reviews by Buffett, Burton Malkiel, Ray Dalio and other market experts.

Trends are the key What most impressed these reviewers is Marks’ insight into understanding market trends. If you can predict market trends better, your investment results will improve.

Marks argues that it is very important to be able to predict when to be defensive and when to be aggressive. He believes this instinct is more important than the selection of equities in your portfolio.

If you can do a better job of predicting whether you are still in a bull market, de-

spite small corrections, or in a bear market, in which case you should be defensive and maintain a larger cash position, then your long-term performance will be better.

Lawrence Strauss, a writer for Barron’s, recently interviewed Marks and asked him to expand on some of the points in his book, as well as to comment on the current cycle.

In the interview, Marks indicated that he no longer believes that we are in an “optimistic phase of the market.” He said he couldn’t tell whether we are in the start of another “wobble” in the market or whether it’s the start of a down market.

He does not think that the stock market is highly overvalued. But when Strauss asked whether investors should be aggressive or defensive now, Marks said it is time for defense — though not 100 percent.

Investors should worry more about losing money now, as opposed to missing opportunities. It’s time for caution, he said.

He recommended that investors consider mutual funds that have outperformed other funds in down markets.

the cycle — which means that prices are higher relative to values, in general — the probability distribution of future returns shifts, meaning it is easier to lose money.

He also points out that if you buy when we are low in the cycle — which means the prices of stocks are low in comparison to intrinsic value — then it is harder to lose, and expected returns are higher.

He discusses how he determines the cycle we are in by examining many factors, such as how individuals are reacting to news, and how investors obsess over positives and ignore negatives, and vice versa.

He believes that “keeping your emotions under control” is crucial. He goes on to say that all the emotional cues in the investing environment can cause you to do

the wrong thing: to buy when things are going well and to sell when things are going poorly, when prices are lower.

A good example is the bitcoin market.

When the prices went sky high, many new investors jumped in at exactly the wrong time — and lost a considerable amount of money.

I recommend the book highly. Marks has succeeded in managing mutual funds because he understands market cycles.

You will become a more successful investor if you learn how to understand these cycles better.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2019 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

How to evaluate cycles In the book, Marks points out the importance of managing risk. He believes that the main determinant of risk is where you stand in the cycle.

His graphs illustrate that as we rise in

The Career Gateway! features small classes, 30 hours of intensive training over two weeks, a long-term mentor, and valuable take-home materials This hands-on, five-day course will help you: • turbocharge your resume • hone your interviewing skills • learn how to network

• discover the hidden job market • develop personal job search plans...and more

Optional employment-related tech classes available.

WHEN: 2019 Sessions: #3: #4: #5: #6:

January 22, 23, 25, 28, 30 March 4, 6, 8, 11, 13 April 22, 24, 25, 29 and May 1 June 11, 12, 14, 17, 19

WHERE: 12320 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD 20852 FEE: $75 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Call (301) 255-4215 or e-mail Career.Gateway@AccessJCA.org Funded by Montgomery County Aging & Disability Services, e Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, and the Jewish Council for the Aging.®

®

Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA)® www.AccessJCA.org

26

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Travel Leisure &

Some retirees buy RVs and travel the country doing good deeds. See story on page 30.

Cruises abound for almost any interest

Unique onboard experiences The Prestons are passengers on an American Cruise Lines boat sailing on the Mississippi River out of New Orleans.

Along with the battlefield tour, they visit plantations and other sites along the way.

On-board activities include informative lectures by historians and naturalists. The company offers river and coastal trips to 25 states. For more information, call (800) 460-4518 or visit americancruiselines.com.

Betsy and Andy Cross are exploring a very different locale. Their voyage aboard the Motor Yacht Tucano penetrates the vast Amazon rainforest which is home to some 15,000 species of wildlife. Launch rides and land hikes provide animal sightings and visits to isolated villages along the shoreline. The boat offers comfortable ac-

commodations for up to 18 passengers.

For more information, call (800) 510-5999 or see latinamericanescapes.com.

The Norwegian Cruise Line ship that Lauren Davis and Jim Goodman chose exemplifies the expanding choice of activities available at sea. Passengers may zip around a Go-kart track at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. The Ocean Loop water slide propels thrill seekers through a series of twists and turns, including a transparent section that extends over the side of the vessel. Call (866) 234-7350 or see ncl.com for details.

The choices are equally imaginative aboard some ships of the Royal Caribbean line. If glow-in-the dark laser tag and bumper cars don’t provide enough excitement, there’s the highest slide at sea and simulated sky diving. Call (866) 562-7625 or visit royalcaribbean.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MAINE WINDJAMMER ASSOCIATION

By Victor Block Civil War buffs Tom and Elaine Preston wander through reconstructed forts where a major battle of that conflict was fought.

Betsy and Andy Cross follow a guide slogging through a dense rainforest. Lauren Davis and Jim Goodman enjoy an exciting Go-Kart track and exhilarating water slide.

As inviting as these disparate experiences are, they have something in common. All take place during cruises that appeal to people who are seeking something a bit different.

Passengers on this wind-powered tall ship can try their hand at steering and learn the basics of nautical navigation as they sail along the picturesque coast of Maine.

For crafty sailors The pace is much slower on sailings touted as “Cruising with a purpose.” Craft Cruises specializes in planning voyages for people who share a penchant for knitting, crocheting and similar pastimes. Along with the usual cruise ship activities, they take classes from experts in their area of special interest. Learn more at (877) 9727238 or craftcruises.com Learning opportunities aboard Maine PHOTO COURTESY OF MYTHS AND MOUNTAINS

A boat modeled after a traditional Asian “junk” plies the calm waters of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, which is surrounded by limestone peaks and studded with tiny islands.

Cruisers aboard enjoy comfortable accommodations and sumptuous buffet meals.

windjammer boats focus on nautical pursuits.

Passengers may try their hand at steering, get instruction in navigation, and participate in other sailing tasks. As they do, the graceful wind-powered tall ships sail along the picturesque coast of Maine. The 13-member vessels of the Maine Windjammer Association also offer special interest trips that focus on themes ranging from whale watching and birding, to chocolate and wine. Call (800) 807-9463 or visit sailmainecoast.com.

boats that ply the calm water, ranging from rowboats and kayaks to fishing craft and bamboo vessels.

The ship that I called home for several days and nights, as part of a Myths and Mountains tour, replicated a traditional “junk,” yet provided very comfortable accommodations and served sumptuous buffet meals. Call (800) 670-6984 or visit mythsandmountains.com.

Freighter travel From the Arctic to Asia Much further north, people line the deck of a nuclear-powered ship as it crushes through North Pole ice, then go aloft in a helicopter and tethered hot air balloon to search for polar bears, walruses and seals.

Arctic cruises are among more than 600 itineraries available from Expedition Trips, whose vessels travel to some of the most remote corners of the Earth. The company’s specialists help people arrange both cruises and land trips based on their interests and budget. Call them at (877) 412-8527 or see expeditiontrips.com.

What may be the most other-worldly body of water anywhere is Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. Its 600-square-mile seascape is punctuated by soaring jagged spires, limestone islands, caves and inlets.

Mother Nature’s formations dwarf the

We close with a brief questionnaire. Do you have time to go to sea for weeks or even months? Can you make do without the fancy, upscale amenities of a modern cruise ship? Are you happy as a member of a small group, rather than mingling with hundreds or thousands of other passengers?

If so, you may be a good candidate for freighter travel. A tiny percent of oceangoing vessels carry passengers along with cargo. They include container ships whose decks are laden with truck-size metal boxes and general cargo carriers that transport an A (automotive parts) to Z (zucchini) alphabet of goods.

Passenger cabins usually are more spacious than on regular cruise ships and feaSee SPECIALTY CRUISES, page 27

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

27

Where to find reliable hotel reviews online

By Miriam Cross When you’re splurging on a vacation, other travelers’ opinions can help you decide where to go. Their online reviews can point you toward hotels with great ambiance and ultra-comfortable beds, and away from those marred by poor upkeep and noisy surroundings.

Online reviews are more up-to-date than print guidebooks, and reflect a more realistic experience than Instagram-famous travel “influencers.”

The problem with reviews But scrolling through comments from strangers online has downsides: You might have to wade through dozens of overblown complaints — “Beach is too sandy,” for example — or vague praise — “I loved it” — to glean valuable information. Or a suspiciously effusive review could be a plant by the business owner, a friend or a hired promoter.

Specialty cruises From page 26 ture a private bathroom and air conditioning. Some provide a mini-refrigerator, TV and DVD player. Other amenities might include a library, exercise room and even a swimming pool.

One appeal for freighter fanciers is the opportunity to observe and get to know crew members. Passengers and officers usually share the same dining room, which provides an opportunity to hear maritime stories and anecdotes.

Of course, there are also what some consider downsides to freighter travel.

First and foremost, some shipping lines have lower, and upper, age limits. The

Travel websites Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, HomeAway, Hotels.com, Priceline and Viator allow only “verified” reviews, meaning the writers must have reserved through the site and completed their stay or activity before their assessment is posted.

But at TripAdvisor and Google, reviewers don’t need to prove they experienced whatever they’re evaluating. Both sites say they look for and remove bogus reviews; TripAdvisor even participated in an investigation that resulted in a fake-review peddler in Italy being sentenced to prison last June.

Also, phony reviews have less impact today than several years ago because they’re crowded out by the huge volume of legitimate reviews.

Sean O’Neill, an editor at Skift, a travel industry news site, said the most-reliable surveys report that as much as 15 percent of TripAdvisor reviews are suspect, so “even in the worst case, most reviews are legitimate.”

Look beyond the stars Sites often rate hotels and destinations using a star or numerical system, but this only tells part of the story. “Those scores are a great way to weed out the chaff,” said Chris Anderson, a professor at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. “But a 4.2 versus a 4.0 is useless.”

A classic old hotel, say, may receive a middling score because some visitors loved the historical experience while others expected modern amenities. You wouldn’t know that unless you read the reviews.

Sort reviews by date because things in the hospitality industry change frequently, said Ulrike Gretzel, of the University of Southern California’s Center for Public Relations.

Focus more on reviewers whose travel style is similar to yours than on authors who contribute a lot of reviews, she added. On Booking.com, TripAdvisor and other sites, you can filter by reviewers who traveled as a

family, a couple, solo or for business.

Your best bet is to cross-check the same hotel, activity or tour on multiple sites for consistent observations.

A few lesser-known review sites are worth a look as well. Oyster.com sends professional “investigators” to review hotels in 76 countries and cruises on about 100 ships.

For a highly curated look at hotels and resorts in 100 countries, Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report sends anonymous reviewers to luxury hotels and resorts, and recommends only its favorites.

You’ll pay a steep $395 per year ($250 for a digital-only membership), but receive services such as updated online reviews, a printed monthly report, regional guidebooks and exclusive perks when booking through a partner travel agency. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

number of passengers usually is 12 or fewer — the maximum a ship can carry without having a doctor on board.

Ships may spend as little as a half-day or as long as several days in ports, and there are no planned shore activities for passengers. Therefore it’s best to do your own research about scheduled ports of call and how you would like to spend time there.

A good source of information and bookings is Maris, a freighter cruise specialist that operates a membership club offering discounts on voyages and periodic newsletters. Call (800) 996-2747 or see freightercruises.com.

Another helpful contact is Stride Travel.

It includes listings of river and small ship cruises among thousands of packages of-

fered by hundreds of tour companies. Especially helpful are trip and company reviews by both professional experts and other travelers.

Another benefit is that Stride members receive a cash bonus on select trips when they reserve through the company. Membership is free. See more at stridetravel.com.

PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW, March 7 ......................................................................... $105pp "Flower Power". Visit the largest indoor flower show in the world!

NEW ORLEANS, March 9 – 17 ........................................................................................ $1399pp Includes: Motorcoach Transportation, 8 nights hotel, 12 meals, Guided tour Price based on double occupancy of the French Quarter, Riverwalk & Jackson Brewery, Plantation & garden tour, WWII Museum & MUCH MORE!

BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF INDUSTRY, March 26 ............................................................ $99pp View more than 1 million artifacts from workers & small business owners who built our history.

3 course family style lunch included in Little Italy.

28

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Travel mistakes and how to avoid them My friends at Travelers United recently the beach if you can. If you’re headed for posted a list of the top travel mistakes and an important city, stay in the city center. how to avoid them. Although My take on this topic is based some of them are so obvious on the idea of “travel overhead.” as to be in the “well, duh” catI’ve figured that the cost of just egory, even savvy travelers being in a vacation area can occasionally make them. run between $10 and $100 per I particularly highlight the hour of available time you have first four on this list: each day for sightseeing, eat1. Cheaping out ing, recreation or relaxing.

All too often, travelers go Just being in London or for the cheapest option when New York can cost around it’s counterproductive. I’ve $30 an hour. And you don’t TRAVEL TIPS harped on this for years, espewant to waste those expensive

By Ed Perkins cially for international or rehours riding subways or comsort trips. muter trains from outlying areas.

If you’re going to a beach resort, stay at I also note that cheaping out on a rental

Going Home Cremation Service Beverly L. Heckrotte, P.A. Personalized

Professional

Dignified

Affordable

• Specializing in direct cremation • Return of the urn and memorial merchandise to your home • Serving Maryland, Washington, D.C., and N. Virginia

(301) 854-9038

or 1 (866) 728-4663 (toll free) call for your FREE information package

Visit us at www.GoingHomeCremation.com

car is a very bad idea for groups of more than two people. The rear-seat space in a typical compact car is inadequate for even one adult, let alone another couple. Get at least an intermediate for three or more adults.

Cheaping out on airfare is also problematic. On the cheapest tickets, you might not be able to pick seats in advance, and you stand a chance of winding up in a middle seat — maybe two middle seats in different rows, if you’re a couple.

On a long trip, today’s regular economy seats just aren’t roomy enough for any sort of comfort. At least consider moving up to extra-legroom stretch economy, available on all big domestic lines, or even premium economy. If your airline offers last-minute upgrades at good prices, consider going for it.

2. Traveling with just one credit card These days, you rely heavily on a credit card for almost everything on your trip.

And if you carry cards from only one account, a loss or theft of that card, or problem with the account, can leave you with few, if any, resources.

And as a corollary, make sure you have enough available credit to take care of anticipated needs. Yes, you can always transfer credit from your checking account. But I prefer not to access my accounts from unsecured hotel Wi-Fi networks, and you should be wary, too.

3. Schlepping with baggage On my recent trip to France, I had to change from the Gare de l’Est to Gare Montparnasse, on the other side of the city center. Yes, Metro line 4 connects those two

stations, but with a suitcase and backpack and the need to schlep up and down many stairs and along long corridors, I went for a taxi, which I viewed as $20 well spent.

When you’re traveling with baggage, sometimes a cab is better than dealing with trains, subways and buses.

4. Avoiding public transit The corollary to point three is, when you aren’t schlepping, use public transportation if it’s available and efficient. I well remember my first visit to Paris, when I was too timid to dive into the Metro.

Now, decades later, I use metros and commuter rail lines almost everywhere I go.

Now I know the Paris Metro, London’s Underground, and transit systems in most big U.S. cities well enough to give directions to other visitors and even locals.

Look for unlimited-ride all-day tickets, which are often available and let you use the transit system as if it were an on-off bus.

5. The others Make sure your passport is valid at least six months beyond your return date and that it has enough pages.

Allow plenty of time to catch flights.

Arrange an appropriate international roaming plan for your mobile phone.

Make sure you have the right adapters on an international trip.

And last but not least: Don’t worry about forgetting minor items. They’re available almost everywhere.

Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Also, check out Ed’s new rail travel website at www.rail-guru.com. © 2019 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 26

MEDIATION BOOK TALK Professional mediators Carolyn Miller Parr and Sig Cohen will dis-

cuss their new book Love’s Way, which aims to help families navigate the challenges associated with aging parents, overcome past hurts and resentment, and talk openly with one another. Hear them on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. at Chevy Chase House Assisted Living Residence, 5420 Connecticut Ave. NW., Washington, D.C. For more information, call (202) 686-5504.

• Eye Care for All Ages • Specialists in Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Degeneration • Contact Lens Specialists • Plastic & Reconstructive Eye Surgery

Full In-House Optical Department Outpatient No-Stitch Cataract Surgery • Laser Surgery MEDICARE ASSIGNMENT ACCEPTED LENARD H. HAMMER, M.D., F.A.C.S. GORDON LUI, M.D. SCOTT B. BECKER, M.D. BRIAN J. WINTER, M.D.

VANESSA LIMA, M.D. CRISTINA F. ROUILLER, O.D..

410-997-9900

8860 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suite 101, Columbia, MD

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

29

Consider hiring help to make travel easier

By Mary Kane For many older adults, retirement frees up time to travel, perhaps exploring places and sights long included on a bucket list.

Or retirees plan visits with adult children who have relocated across the country.

But for some seniors, travel is not that simple. Those with medical problems, physical limitations, or dementia or other cognitive illnesses face some challenges if they want or need to hit the road.

You may have your heart set on going to a family reunion hundreds of miles away or attending a grandchild’s wedding on the opposite coast. Driving may be out of the question, but flying presents its own problems. You’ll have to get through a security line with a carry-on bag, or rush through the airport to transfer flights. You may have a wheelchair or oxygen to contend with.

Hire a travel companion If you or a loved one has health issues or concerns about not being up for the rigors of travel, hiring a medical or other travel companion service is one route to consider. These firms ensure that older parents or loved ones navigate the airport, are comfortable on a flight, and arrive safely at their destination.

The services aren’t cheap, because you typically pay for a companion’s travel costs in

addition to yours, along with other expenses.

But the trade-off can be peace of mind or the opportunity to be at an important family or other event that you just don’t want to miss.

Some services also will assist in arranging for a caregiver to help out during the entire visit. “The family shouldn’t have to worry about getting grandma to the bathroom in the middle of the wedding,” said Cindy Schaefer, a registered nurse and owner of Travel Care and Logistics, a medical companion flying service.

In other cases, adult children are hiring travel companions to help a parent relocate from a distant home to an assisted-living community closer to them. Companion services can also help snowbirds move back home when the seasons change.

Companies to consider Flying Companions (flyingcompanions.com) provides door-to-door service for seniors traveling alone or those in need of an extra helping hand, according to owner Doug Iannelli.

A companion will drive an older adult to the airport, help get through security, sit beside him on a flight, and drive him to his destination. Fees for domestic travel range from $3,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the number of flight transfers and trip length.

Laura Swicker Barber, age 55, used Fly-

ing Companions to help bring her wife, who is in the early stages of dementia, from St. Augustine, Fla. to an assisted-living community in Westfield, N.J. Iannelli joined the two on the trip, calling ahead for a wheelchair and securing the last three adjacent seats on a flight.

He took care of all the baggage and the rental car. Then he unloaded the bags at the assisted-living community and helped her check in.

“There’s no way I could have done this

alone and maintained her dignity,” Barber said.

Flying Companions does not provide medical care. If you or a loved one requires medical help, be sure to ask a service upfront if it’s available.

Travel Care and Logistics (yourflightnurse.com), for example, is staffed by registered nurses who evaluate a traveler’s condition and consult with a physician beSee CONSIDER HELP, page 30

Ring in the New Year AT P OTO M AC P L AC E

Save $2019 a month for three months!

(A total savings of $6057.)

New leases only through January 31, 2019.

Savings apply to rent only.

Call 703-494-3817 today for all the details.

703-494-3817 PotomacPlace.com 2133 Montgomery Ave. Woodbridge,VA 22191

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

30

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Exploring the world as a roving retiree

By Eleanor Laise Eager to hit the road, Roxanne and David Draves decided to retire early.

Ten years ago, Roxanne gave up her real estate appraisal work, and David left his job doing lift maintenance for a ski area. They rented out their house in Carbondale, Colo., which they later sold, and bought a motor home.

Since then, they’ve been crisscrossing the U.S., working on 43 Habitat for Humanity building projects in 19 states, watching the Daytona 500 and a Space Shuttle launch in Florida, following Revolutionary and Civil War trails up the east coast, and helping their daughter build a home in Montana.

Roxanne, 63, and David, 69, have no in-

tention of settling down. “Every place has something beautiful to it, and it’s such a joy to meet new people,” Roxanne said.

“It’s hard to sit still for too long.”

Technology makes it easier A growing number of retirees agree.

The rise of technology that makes it cheap and easy to stay connected anywhere in the world, home-sharing sites that offer low-cost accommodations, and longer life spans promising many active years in retirement are all inspiring a generation of retirees to make travel a lifestyle rather than an occasional splurge.

Some, like the Draveses, find new purpose in far-flung volunteer projects, while others pursue second-act careers as travel

Please patronize our advertisers.

They keep the Beacon free!

WHAT'S IN YOUR ATTIC?

TM

Quinn's got $2,700 for this jar!

Free Appraisal Day January 16 1-3 p.m.

bloggers or photographers, or simply tick some boxes on their bucket list. And many find they’re spending less money than they did as homeowners.

“You can do this on a shoestring — or do it on a private jet,” said David Kuenzi, a financial planner in Madison, Wis., whose clients include many expatriate Americans.

Some things to consider It’s not all nomadic nirvana. You’ll need to plan carefully to stay within your budget, and constantly research new destinations and accommodations.

Before making a full-scale commitment, and certainly before selling your house, “take several months off and give it a try,” said Lynne Martin, a globe-trotting retiree and author of Home Sweet Anywhere (Sourcebooks, $15).

Use websites such as NomadList.com and Numbeo.com to research costs of living before deciding on a destination.

To save on travel costs, consider basing yourself in a region — such as Europe — where there’s cutthroat budget airline competition, said Kathleen Peddicord, publisher of website www.liveandinvestoverseas.com.

Or take “repositioning” cruises — discounted one-way voyages offered when cruise lines are relocating ships.

Find affordable accommodations on sites such as HomeAway.com and Airbnb.com.

Or get free accommodation by housesitting.

Get started at sites such as TrustedHousesitters.com or HouseCarers.com.

Overseas is more complex If you’re traveling overseas, extra homework is required. You may need additional health coverage. Medicare typically won’t cover you outside the U.S. Review each country’s visa rules on the U.S. Department of State website so that you don’t overstay your welcome. And research the country’s residence rules to ensure you won’t become subject to taxation there.

If you stay in Italy for more than 183 days in a year, for example, your worldwide income will be subject to Italian tax, Kuenzi said. And remember that U.S. citizens must always file U.S. tax returns, no matter how long they live abroad.

But those nagging details can’t dampen the pleasures of life on the road, roving retirees say. And though you may be far from loved ones, you’re likely to develop many close bonds as you go.

The Draveses say they’ve formed many friendships working with Habitat for Humanity’s RV Care-A-Vanners — a group of about 6,000 volunteers, mostly retirees, who travel the U.S. and Canada in their motor homes building houses.

About half are full-time RVers, and they tend to team up with the same volunteers on many different building sites, said Habitat spokesperson Bryan Thomas.

“We couldn’t give it up,” said Roxanne Draves. Her husband finishes her thought: “It would be like abandoning your family.” © The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(One item per person only)

(703) 532-5632

Consider help From page 29 www.quinnsauction.com

fore a trip. Staff can dispense medicine and handle medical emergencies.

Travel Care and Logistics recently helped a woman in her 70s diagnosed with dementia to fly from Washington state to a favorite niece’s graduation at Emory University in Atlanta. The company also arranged for a caregiver to stay with her for the five-day event. Costs, which are based on trip lengths and physical and

medical needs, start at about $2,500.

Other flying companion services include Travel Helpers (gotravelhelpers.com) and FirstLight Home Care (firstlighthomecare.com).

Make flying easier for yourself by asking the airline for a gate pass that lets a loved one help an older traveler through security. Pack medicines in a carry-on bag, and choose plane seats near the bathroom. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Award-Winning Senior & Assisted Living Community

Where Quality Meets Affordability

C G

ulpepper arden

!

360 South Washington St. Falls Church, VA 22046

4435 N. Pershing Drive Arlington, VA 22203 703-528-0162 VA Relay # 800-828-1120 www.culpeppergarden.org

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

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Style

31

Arts &

Try these books to help foster a healthier, happier new year.

See reviews on page 32.

Miss Saigon seen through first-timerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes The basic story line When remaining U.S. troops are evacuated from Saigon at the end of the war, the 17year-old Kim (Emily Bautista), who believes she will be going to America with her Marine lover, finds herself left behind, with tender memories and a sweet little boy child.

Ex-G.I. Chris (Anthony Festa), who returns home and acquires an American bride, is convinced by a war buddy who works to reunite Vietnamese â&#x20AC;&#x153;street childrenâ&#x20AC;? with their American fathers to return to Vietnam to see the son he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know he had. Chris brings along his wife, Ellen.

Needless to say â&#x20AC;&#x201D; so I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go into it for potential first-time viewers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; tragedy occurs.

Through much of the action, a character known as the Engineer (played by Red Concepcion) dances and prances. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the lowlife nightclub owner, half-French, halfVietnamese, who plays everyone off everyone else strictly for his own benefit.

The book and music by the French team of Claude Michael SchĂśnberg and Alain Boublil â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who collaborated on Les Miserables, another Broadway blockbuster â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is full of songs reaching for, and sometimes attaining, truly emotional heights.

JA N UA RY 1 7 - M A R C H 1 7

Let Me En Enterta ntert in i Yo You!!

M A R C H 2 1 - M AY 1 9

410-730-8311

TobysDinnerTheatre.co m Due to the nature of theatriccal bookings, DOO VKRZV DQG GDWHV DUH VXEMHFW WR FKDQJH Â&#x2021; 7RE\ÂľV 'LQQHU 7KHDWUH &ROXPELD 0'

PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY

By Robert Friedman Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lots of sturm und drang being played out at the Kennedy Center in the new production of the musical Miss Saigon, which melodically blasts, electronically blazes, and dramatically tugs at audience emotions for almost three hours on the Opera House stage.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an ode to the odiousness of the Vietnam War, to the broad and brash Broadway musical, and to Madame Butterfly (on which it is based).

Miss Saigon revolves around the love affair between a G.I. and a young Vietnamese bar girl. For those unfamiliar with the musical, the action is fully played out in song and dance, many of the settings are in funky nightclubs, and the Asian bar girls act like, well, how Asian bar girls probably acted in 1975 Saigon and 1978 Bangkok.

Miss Saigon premiered in London in 1989, and opened on Broadway in 1991. It had a 10-year run in both cities. It was revived on Broadway last year, and has been presented multiple times in national tours, such as the one now at the Kennedy Center.

In the Kennedy Center production of Miss Saigon, Emily Bautista, as peasant girl Kim, and Anthony Festa, as American Marine Chris, sing â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last Night of the Worldâ&#x20AC;? before Chris is hurriedly evacuated by helicopter at the end of the Vietnam War. The musical continues at the Kennedy Center Opera House through Jan. 13.

Two in particular are â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sun and Moon,â&#x20AC;? a simple love duet sung by Chris and Kim after their first meeting, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe,â&#x20AC;? a potential lost-love lament expressed with a sad strength by American wife Ellen (Stacie Bono).

The standout musical number, for this cyn-

ical reviewer at least, is called â&#x20AC;&#x153;The American Dream.â&#x20AC;? It is performed by the Engineer and his dancing girls at the bright and crass Moulin Rouge nightclub in Bangkok.

He longs to go to America to make lots of unclean money and to have a new Cadillac See MS. SAIGON, page 32

32

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Books to help usher in a healthy new year

By Dinah Rokach The start of the year is a great time to lose weight, improve our health, expand our minds, and take on a new hobby. Informative books by expert authors can help us keep our New Year’s resolutions.

Gordon Ramsay’s Healthy, Lean & Fit: Mouthwatering Recipes to Fuel You for Life, by Gordon Ramsay, 288 pages, Grand Central Life & Style hardcover, 2018 A gourmet diet cookbook may sound

like an oxymoron. But cooking from scratch puts dieters and health conscious eaters in charge of what they consume.

Under Chef Ramsay’s direction, healthy dishes are flavorful too.

Healthy, Lean & Fit is divided into three sections: healthy — nutritious dishes; lean — for dieters; and fit — for those engaged in strenuous exercise.

Each section is further subdivided into recipes for breakfast, lunch, supper, and sides, snacks and treats. Calorie counts

and nutrients per serving are provided.

The large format book is visually appealing with full color photographs of almost all of the 108 dishes. The recipes are easy to follow.

Chef Ramsay uses British nutritional guidelines. Those appear to be in complete accord with standards set by the U.S. government to whose website he refers readers. There are one or two Britishisms (e.g., runny honey, meaning clear honey) which you can Google. The measurements

employed are those with which we’re accustomed.

Many of us know Gordon Ramsay from his reality television cooking shows, such as “Hell’s Kitchen.” Having been motivated to lose weight by the untimely death of his father, Ramsay took up marathon running and competing in triathlons. The Ramsays live in California six months a year. Many of the recipes reflect food

Ms. Saigon

chopper carrying the last Americans out of Saigon ascends into the theater wings while the Vietnamese left behind try to climb the closed gates of the U.S. Embassy — all this happening amidst roaring motors, with lights flashing and flickering on and off stage.

There are also attention-grabbing scenes of soldiers, dragons and acrobats marching and flipping through the air while singing and dancing in 1978 Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon).

The cast and crew are pros, all the way.

Director Laurence Connor earlier staged the show in London and New York.

With the help of lighting designer Bruno Poet, sound designer Mick Potter and other behind-the-scenes artists, Connor creates a highly dramatic world that — when it is not indulging in somewhat

stereotypical boy-meets/loves/loses/regains/loses-girl scenes — can move the audience to deep sympathy for the characters and their plights.

through the songs, the words are not very easy to understand. At first, I thought it was my growing hard-of-hearing self. But I have since learned that others in the audience also had trouble making out the lyrics.

There are two options offered by the Kennedy Center for those who anticipate a problem hearing clearly. A limited number of Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) are available free on a first-come, first-served basis at the ALD desk in the Hall of States starting approximately one hour prior to performances.

At certain performances, there is an LED screen onto which the words being spoken or sung are projected. This sign is placed on the right side of the theatre, where a special section is set aside for those who need the service. You need to specify when purchasing tickets that you want to sit in this section.

This reviewer would like to suggest that such signs be placed on both sides of the stage for the benefit of the audience as a whole. Or maybe the lyrics could be projected above the stage as is common at opera performances.

Miss Saigon continues at the Kennedy Center Opera House, 2700 F St. NW, Washington, D.C., through Jan. 13. Tickets are $49 to $175. For more information, see kennedy-center.org or call (202) 467-4600.

From page 31 and many blonde, busty American girlfriends: What’s that I smell in the air?

The American dream, sweet as a new millionaire; The American dream, pre-packed, readyto-wear; My American dream; fat, like a chocolate éclair as you suck out the cream.

Special effects over the top A confession: this is the first time I’ve seen this show, so I have not grown so cynical that the famous helicopter scene didn’t floor me.

Let’s just say it is really thrilling as the

THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND WA S H I N G T O N , D . C . !"!#$"%&!#%'()!*$"+,% !--.#+$/%.#+% !#+0(1!/

2019 ConcertBand

Standout singing (not acoustics) Bautista, who plays Kim, the sweet onceinnocent peasant girl, shines in her semi-operatic musical numbers. Festa shows a touching, somewhat flawed humanity as Chris, the Marine who loses his love in the panicked escape from Saigon.

Concepcion is wonderfully rotten as the scene-stealing Engineer, while Bono is touchingly and confusedly understanding as Ellen, Chris’ all-American wife.

J. Daughtry has sympathetic moments as wartime buddy John, who convinces Chris to return to Vietnam, and Jinwood Jung perfectly fills the role as Kim’s childhood boyfriend turned Viet Cong menacer.

Cheers also to conductor Will Curry, who leads the pit orchestra in 28 singing and dancing numbers.

Now for a playgoer’s — as opposed to a snooty critic’s — complaints. There was nothing in the playbill that gave a hint of the plot. I suggest that first-time viewers go to Wikipedia before attending the show.

That’s also because, as the plot evolves

See NEW BOOKS, page 34

F REE CONCER T!

Schlesinger Concert Hall | Alexandria, Virginia

Allen Vizzutti

THURSDAY, JAN. 24 AT 8 P.M. world-renowned trumpeter

for FREE tickets, please visit: www.usafband.eventbrite.com

SAVE THE DATES! Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 at 8 p.m. featuring David Childs, euphonium Thursday, Apr. 18, 2019 at 8 p.m. featuring Joe Lulloff, saxophone

‘Great Performances in the Neighborhood’ Rockville Little Theatre presents

The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 6 Performances | Fridays & Saturdays, Feb. 1, 2, 8, & 9 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, Feb. 3 & 10 at 2 p.m.

Tickets: $22 Adults; $20 Seniors (62+) and Students

Theatre F. Scott Fitzgerald

Victorian Lyric Opera Company presents

The Gondoliers 6 Performances | Fridays & Saturdays, Feb. 22, 23 & March 1, 2 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, Feb. 24 & March 3 at 2 p.m.

Tickets: $28 Adults; $24 Seniors; $20 students

Tickets Online: www.rockvillemd.gov/theatre Box Office: 240-314-8690

AT RO C K VI L L E CI VI C CE NTE R PA R K

Rockville Civic Center Park • 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, MD

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

NSO Pops: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (film with live orchestra)

January Events

Steven Reineke, conductor Played live by the NSO, hear John Williams’s iconic Academy Award®–nominated score like never before as Luke Skywalker faces Darth Vader one last time, with the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance on the big screen.

Jan. 22–24 | Concert Hall

NSO Pops: An Evening with Brandy Steven Reineke, conductor 45#6'7#879)#&!::(;!7()<!5#=<)6#(#:<>'#!7&6'9)7(?#)6'# multi-platinum, Grammy®-winning singer/actress performs favorites from her iconic career.

Jan. 25 & 26 | Concert Hall

Trifonov plays Beethoven’s “Emperor” Gianandrea Noseda is joined by Daniil Trifonov playing Beethoven’s most famous Piano Concerto

Jan. 31–Feb. 2 | Concert Hall

Brahms, Schumann & Liszt Schumann’s Piano Concerto with Nicholas Angelich, whose commanding technique is not to be missed

Feb. 7 & 9 | Concert Hall

Gianandrea Noseda conducts Romeo & Juliet A richly romantic program features works from Berlioz, Wagner, and Tchaikovsky

Feb. 14 & 16 | Concert Hall

Renée Fleming sings Schubert

NSO Pops: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (film with live orchestra)

@'5E'#F:'G<5H#(5A#I<(5(5A7'(#J!9'A(#)!H')6'7#K!7#)6'#879)#)<G'#=<)6#)6'#JL$

Emil de Cou, conductor Immerse yourself in John Williams’s powerhouse Oscar®-nominated score played live by the NSO as )6'#@'9<9)(5&'#(5A#B5:<C':D#6'7!'9#7(&'#)!#85A#)6'# location of Luke Skywalker and defeat the villainous First Order on the screen above.

Jan. 18 & 20 | Concert Hall

Feb. 21–23 | Concert Hall

Kennedy-Center.org

Groups call (202) 416-8400

For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales !"#$%&'#()#*+,+-#./0123.,

AARP is the Presenting Sponsor of the NSO Pops Season.

The Blue Series is sponsored by United Technologies Corporation.

(202) 467-4600

David M. Rubenstein is the Presenting Underwriter of the NSO. The NSO Music Director Chair is generously endowed by Vicki and Roger Sant.

33

34

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

New books

recovery from major illnesses.

To arm readers with the know-how to From page 32 quiz their medical providers, Doctor You provides scripted scenarios of imagined trends popular there.

Doctor You: Introducing the Hard conversations between patients and their doctors. Examine why palliaScience of Self-Healing, tive care may actually proby Jeremy Howick, 304 long life and be a better alterpages, Quercus hardcover, native than complex surgical 2018 intervention.

Think twice before taking Understand the imporprescription medication, ask tance of being under the care your doctor specific questions of an empathetic, articulate about treatment options, and physician. The old-fashioned put yourself at the center of idea of medicine as the art of maintaining and restoring healing is broached, as is the your own physical and emoconcept of the mind-body tional well-being.

THE connection.

This is the sage advice of BIBILOPHILE This book will give you an University of Oxford senior re- By Dinah Rokach incentive to start the year searcher, clinical epidemiologist and medical ethicist Jeremy Howick, with renewed purpose and provide a proven approach to replacing bad habits Ph.D. Learn about the widespread extent of with healthy behavior.

Painting with Bob Ross: Learn to the placebo effect. The role of relaxation, meditation and mindfulness in overcoming paint in oil step by step!, by Bob Ross stress and maintaining good health is de- Inc, 128 pages, Walter Foster Publishlineated. The importance of social connec- ing paperback, 2018 For some, learning a new creative skill tions and a positive attitude in recovering may be best accomplished in private rather from illness is examined.

Find encouragement to change your than in a formal class setting. Painting with bad habits, exercise and volunteer. Read Bob Ross gives beginners a perfect format about the new field of epigenetics and re- to gain mastery creating landscapes in oil. cent discoveries of neuroplasticity. Find The medium, which can be intimidating, is out how research in the frontiers of medi- made more accessible using the Bob Ross cine has the potential to greatly improve Wet-on-Wet Technique.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

The late art instructor Bob Ross was the mellow host of the popular series “The Joy of Painting,” which aired on PBS from 1983 to 1994. Keep in mind his famous admonition: There are no mistakes; only happy accidents.

The book includes lessons for painting sixteen landscapes of mountains, lakes, surf and trees with complete step-by-step instructions from start to finish. The size of all but one of the canvases is 18 inches by 24 inches. One is an oval measuring 14 inches by 20 inches.

Bob Ross-brand paints, brush sets, tools and materials are recommended, but the book reassures that you needn’t use them to follow along. Completing the lessons will give you the experience to embark on your own creative endeavors.

The fun you’ll have in the process — not to mention your utter absorption in the act of putting brush to canvas — will fill many hours of leisure time. When you’ve created your own work of art, the sense of accomplishment will surely enhance your life.

Jeopardy!* 2019 Day-to-Day Calendar; Sports Jeopardy!* 2019 Dayto-Day Calendar, 736 pages, Andrews McMeel Publishing, boxed

edition 2018 Exercise your brain and expand your knowledge with a challenging question from either of these two desk calendars.

Both Jeopardy! and Sports Jeopardy! follow the format of the TV game show, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

Each day of the year, you’ll find an answer as well as a category and dollar amount — just like on the televised game board. The back of each page provides the correct question-response. Daily doubles are part of the mix.

On Saturdays, you can make your wager for the final Jeopardy! question on Sunday.

That category is disclosed, just like it is for contestants on the show.

There is room for accumulating your winnings and entering wagers on each calendar page. The lower right hand corner shows the day of the week, the month and day in black. Holidays are entered above the dates.

Each calendar is gift boxed and measures 5 square inches. The pages are bound at the top and sit in a black plastic holder which can be placed upright or flat as you wish. It’s the answer to the question: “What’s great fun for trivia buffs?”

Wizards

‘When are you performing again?’ They were falling in love with us, like we were stars or something that night. When I went back to my seat, people started clapping for me.”

And the dancers have a special camaraderie. “It was just an instant friendship with all of us. We act like teenagers” with each other, she said.

From page 1 cheerleading at Bullets games.

But she also does it for her health.

When she was 48, she found out she has a genetic predisposition for heart disease.

“Staying fit and active, and moving my muscles with weight-bearing exercise, has importance for my longevity,” she said. “I want to live a long life for my children and grandchildren.

“My cardiologist was absolutely thrilled [I joined the dance team]. He sees the joy I find in dance and entertaining.”

Still doing splits For Wizdom team member Sharon, who is 56 and lives in Alexandria, Va., joining the team was a matter of good timing.

Her friend’s sister had recently auditioned for a similar team affiliated with the Golden State Warriors in California. A Wizards season ticket holder, Sharon checked for a Wizards senior dance team and discovered auditions were about to be held.

So she signed up, despite the fact she had no dance experience. The closest she came was being a junior varsity cheerleader in the ninth grade. But she could still do splits.

“My mom and my sisters had the dancing genes in my family. They just laughed at me,” said Sharon, who recently retired from Verizon. “But I wanted to do something different, challenge myself.”

She was worried nerves would get the best of her before the first performance in November. But she knew after hours of practice, some following along with videos on DVD, she was prepared. She even performed her splits, front and center on the floor.

“Fans were coming up to us, saying,

Love of the limelight Another dancer, Dottye, has been a member of the MC Steppers, a dance group at the Model Cities Senior Wellness Center in Washington, D.C. that performs frequently at events of the D.C. Office on Aging.

When she was younger, Dottye was an actor, performing with the Negro Ensemble Company in New York and touring with them.

She also had numerous spots as an extra and doing bit parts in soap operas and other television shows, in addition to her day job as a physical therapist for a home care company.

But before joining the MC Steppers, Dottye hadn’t danced since she was in her 20s. After she retired, she took yoga, jazz dance and ballet classes.

She was nervous during the first Wizdom performance, until she heard the approving roar of the fans. She said the attention has made her take another look at her appearance, buying new clothes and making sure her hair looks good when she goes out.

“You never know, you may find a boyfriend,” she quipped. “I just pray I get kept on [the team] until I’m in a walker and can’t walk across the floor,” she said.

“God waited until I was 64 to get me where I’m happy and on the floor dancing.

My prayers are answered. I have a big smile on my face. I’m just loving this time of life.”

35

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Sad when a long-time marriage dissolves It had been years since I’d seen my for- cent of all marriages that have hit the 40mer co-worker Jim, so I didn’t want to start year mark. Thirty years ago, that percentwith “How’s your wife?” age was less than one perMaybe she was ill. Maybe cent. she had died. So I trotted out I told Jim that this was the old standard: “What’s new?” none of my business, but I “Oh, not much,” said Jim. was concerned about him.

His smile was wide. But his What the heck happened? eyes gave him away. They flitHe assured me that neither ted — was it with guilt? With he nor his former spouse had discomfort? acquired a new honey bun.

And then he said: “What’s He assured me that this new is that my wife and I aren’t HOW I SEE IT wasn’t caused by sudden bad living together anymore.” (or unexpectedly good) finanBy Bob Levey Jim and his Sally had been cial factors. He assured me married for 44 years. They agreed to split that it wasn’t that old saw — “We stayed toa few months ago. gether for the sake of the kids, but now that No rancor, no shouting, no lawyers scrap- they’ve grown up and gone…” ping over every pewter candlestick, Jim No, said Jim, it wasn’t any one big thing. told me. “We just ran out of gas,” he said.

It was a collection of small things.

Late-in-life separation is becoming more For openers, they weren’t talking much common in America with each passing anymore. decade. According to the Census Bureau, “We would sit at dinner and not say a divorce now occurs in more than five per- word to one another, not even look at one

another,” he said. Sure, either of them could have made it a point to speak, or to glance. “But neither of us did. And that’s just the point. Neither of us really wanted to.”

Then there was the annoying habits issue.

“It sounds crazy to say this, but for the last 30 years, she had been upset with me about how I squeezed a tube of toothpaste,” Jim said. The day they agreed to split, she said that she would look forward to squeezing from the bottom and rolling up the tube, not squeezing from the middle and never rolling.

How to spend their post-retirement years? That was a biggie, Jim said.

“I saw no reason to leave what we had always had and had always known,” he said.

“She felt that the past was the past, and that we should start over somewhere else

Jan. 21

Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center presents the annual Let Freedom Ring! concert, part of the Millennium Stage free daily performance series, features Tony winners Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell, and the Let Freedom Ring Choir in a concert honoring the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. Free general admission tickets (up to two per person) will be distributed in the Hall of Nations, beginning at 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (202) 467-4700 or visit kennedy-center.org.

Jan. 16

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

Colonel Don Schofield, Commander and Conductor

9

FREE CONCERT! Schlesinger Concert Hall Alexandria, Virginia

John Fedchock

FRIDAY, FEB. 1 AT 8 P.M. world-class jazz trombonist

for FREE tickets, please visit: www.usafband.eventbrite.com

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD E B O N

A L T A R

T O X I C L O W L Y

C Z E C H

L O O K A F A E T S E E H E R

AIRFAX AGING MEETING

The Fairfax Commission on Aging meets on Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Community Room at the West Springfield Governmental Center, 6140 Rolling Rd., Springfield, Va. The public is welcome to attend and join in the comment period that begins each session.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/FairfaxAgingMeetingJan16 or call (703) 324-5403, TTY 711.

See BOB LEVEY, page 37

FROM PAGE 36

BEACON BITS MLK DAY KENNEDY CENTER CONCERT

— like maybe Montana, or the wilds of Oregon. I’m not built like that.”

And then there was the silly stuff (if toothpaste wasn’t silly enough).

Jim had always wanted to hang a pair of foam rubber dice from the rear-view mirror of their car. “That was a very cool thing to do in the 1950s,” he reminded me.

“Wouldn’t it have been fun in the 2000s, too?”

But Sally thought it was juvenile and perhaps dangerous. They fought about it.

She won, but the damage to the relationship was done. Another little piece of fabric had frayed.

Jim has stayed in the house that he and his wife shared for more than 35 years.

That decision wasn’t as difficult for either of them as you might suspect.

H S L W A O E V N K E L A E A T D R E S P R E T M B I T A A N E T N T O R T Y I N A N M Y G E S

O V E N S T O C K O R E O

T H E A N M D D I S A T V U T Y P O T O R O R E I N N E C O N S T E S

I T E M

F O R E I L G E N G E R A C A E N S K U L P E

ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: UNFIT RIGOR SEWAGE NOTION Answer: His story about the Liberty Bell didn't -RING TRUE

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR THE ARTS CONCERT BAND EVENING CONCERT Friday, Jan. 11, at 8 p.m.

COMMODORES EVENING CONCERT Saturday, Jan. 12, at 8 p.m.

The 41st International Saxophone Symposium, hosted by the U.S. Navy Band, features free performances, lectures and educational opportunities designed for musicians of all ages.

I S N E G E S A N T A

T R Y S T

S T I N T

S P A S

36

Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Total Value 1

2

3

ByStephen StephenSherr Sherr

4

5

6

7

15

16

17

18

19

21 24 28

33

34

10

38

29

30

36

35

31

45 49

52 57

27

50

53

58

54 59

55

60

56 61

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

63

26

47

46

64

62

25

41

44

48 51

13

32

40 43

12

37

39

42

11

22

23

Jumble answers on p. 35.

9

14

20

Scrabble answers on p. 35.

8

Across

Down

1. Create art with acid A 5. Potential appointment opening 9. Good quality phonographs 14. Clown, first televised in 1949 15. Greet from a distance 16. Provide reparations 17. Plow pullers 18. Like most shoe counts 19. Go from two lanes to one 20. Add on unnecessary charges 23. Peek at the answer key 24. Someone who enjoys giving standardized tests (with 25 Across) 25. See 24 Across 28. Bridesmaid’s uniform 31. Crass 33. ___ of the above 36. Considerable sum of money 38. Weaver’s tool 40. “Can I come, ___?”

41. Understands the joke 42. Name near the end of the credits 47. Animal on the Chinese zodiac 48. Molecule of carbon and hydrogen 49. Asian region which anagrams as “ARE OK” 51. Center of BRYAN and MARYANN 52. 52% of an MK3A2 model hand grenade, by weight 54. Ancient Peruvians 57. Total value of this puzzle 62. Healthcare insurer, founded in 1853 64. Metal with atomic number 26 65. Miss a class 66. “I want the world to ___ body” (Marilyn Monroe) 67. Prepare for a new baby 68. Arm bone 69. “___ Johnny!”

70. Doesn’t stay 71. Guinea and pot-bellied pigs

1. Piano key color 2. Like asbestos, to humans 3. Bohemian, now 4. Complained to another driver 5. Suffer from the heat 6. Impractical flooring material 7. Pizzeria appliance 8. Has an inclination 9. Overact 10. List unit 11. Stranger in a strange land 12. Feature of reading and writing (but not arithmetic) 13. Go out with 21. Frontier legend, Wyatt 22. Frontier legend, Crockett 26. Character voiced by John Goodman in It’s a SpongeBob Christmas!

27. Secret meeting 29. ___ good example 30. Keep in inventory 32. Sofa supporter 33. Left at the ___ (jilted) 34. Humble of status 35. Babysit for 37. In The Wiz, he was played by a schnauzer 39. Wharton grad 43. How cafeteria food is transported 44. Farmers’ Market enclosure 45. Gets one’s bearings 46. Start of Troy, NY’s RPI 50. Strong two-pair hand in poker 53. Performing maintenance on sneakers 55. Gymnast’s pain point 56. Tour of duty 58. “My turn; this round’s ___” 59. McFlurry ingredient 60. Carrot, to a snowman 61. Relaxation locations 62. Cigar residue 63. Wide shoe designation

Answers on page 35.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Bob Levey From page 35

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

She always hated their washing machine and dryer, Jim told me with a chuckle. Now she has a spanking new set of them, in a spanking new apartment.

“So maybe she married down 44 years ago, but now she has traded up,” he cracked.

How about their adult kids? They have handled the split very well, Jim said.

Each of their children said that Mom would always be Mom, and Dad would always be Dad. Didn’t really matter where each was living, or whether they were together.

Yes, family occasions would now be strained. But all four would persevere.

More none-of-my-business: Couldn’t you have stayed together under one roof to be there for each other in case of illness or emergency? Not exactly as roommates, but as something like concerned friends?

Jim said each of them has agreed to be chief caregiver for the other if and when there are catastrophes or hospitalizations.

“So, in that sense, we’re still a couple,” Jim said.

Then, more eye flitting — was it sadness? “But we’re not the 360-degree couple we used to be,” he said.

Jim wanted me to know that his hat is off to any pair that sails right past 44 years and aims for 50. He knows that people do it all the time, whether it’s still a joyous journey or not. But he and Sally just couldn’t find the octane any more.

I shook Jim’s hand and wished him the best. I don’t know if he noticed, but my eyes flitted as I said goodbye.

No question what was behind those flits.

I was melancholy about how life can sometimes curdle, like an old quart of milk.

Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 7

POETRY OPEN MIC + CLASSICAL GUITAR

There will be a poetry open mic night on Monday, Jan. 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, Md. The evening, which includes refreshments. starts with classical guitar by Michael C. Davis, then poets Le Hinton and Linda Pastan will read from their work, and an open mic will follow. Admission is free. Metro Rail’s Bethesda stop on the Red Line is a 10-minute walk from the Writer’s Center. For more information, call (301) 654-8664.

Jan. 25

YARDLESS GARDENING

Green Spring Gardens presents a garden talk called “Container Gardens for the Yardless” on Friday, Jan. 25 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Whether in flower pots, hanging baskets or window boxes, container gardens are beautiful, easy and rewarding. Learn how to create a dazzling display with eye-catching perennials and annuals. The gardens are located at 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, Va. Class is $10 per person. For more information or to register, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes and use code DD9.51D6 or call (703) 642-5173.

Ongoing

NY AND PARIS PHOTO EXHIBIT

Photoworks Gallery presents an exhibit of photos from Frank Van Riper’s latest book Recovered Memory New York and Paris 19601980. The exhibit is open through Sunday, Jan. 20. The gallery is open to the public Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 8 p.m.

Photoworks is located at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Md. For more information, visit www.glenechophotoworks.org.

WB119

37

38

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on page 39.

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.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Financial

For Sale

Personals

DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3-Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-844-855-7670.

PARK LAWN MEMORIAL PARK and Menorah Gardens 1200 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, MD 20853, no. 301-881-2151 Four premium burial sites located Block 10, Lot 5, Sites 1-2-3-4.

Prime location must see. Current retail value $36,780. Asking $18,000 or reasonable offer.

Please call Al Briggs, 301-252-7459.

A PRETTY WF, 52, YOUTHFUL, voluptuous lady, non-smoker, down to earth, seeks SWM, 45-65, attractive, large build gentleman nonsmoker for old fashioned fun, friendship, cherished relationship. Share romance, dates, movies, country slow dancing, cozy campfires, outdoor events, etc. Inquire, 301-442-7442. Win my heart with your voice message.

GOT AN OLDER CAR, VAN OR SUV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society.

Call 1-844-230-2952.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate GOLDEN GIRL WANTED, 55-70 wanted for Leisure World community. All amenities included. A room and a private bath. Common areas to share. Contact Kathleen @ 202-7589208.

GORGEOUS ONE-BEDROOM, SPLITLEVEL CONDO available on Bauer Drive in Rockville, MD. Hardwood flooring throughout with washer/dryer, full kitchen, dining room, living room, enclosed small patio for entertaining on bottom floor. Full bathroom, two walk-in closets, linen closet and full-size bedroom upstairs (also hardwood). Comes with electric temperature-controlled fireplace. Walkable to grocery store and shopping center. Very safe and pretty suburban neighborhood — perfect for individual or couple. $1,595/mo includes water and gas.

Visit the full listing at http://bit.ly/BauerRockvilleCondo or call (240) 319-8938 to inquire about the property.

Business and Employment Opportunities

LEISURE WORLD® — $155,900. 2BR 1FB Coop, “Carlisle” model, on entry level. 1035 sq ft.

Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors, 301-928-3463.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH INSOMNIA you may be eligible to participate in this clinical trial using a non-pharmaceutical treatment at Georgetown University Hospital, Department of Neurology. Participating in this study is voluntary and the study will be free of charge; limited spots available. Tel: 202-444-1763.

LEISURE WORLD® — $299,000. 2 BR + Den, 2 FB “K” in the “Green.” Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors, 301-928-3463.

LOCAL ESTABLISHED CONTRACTING COMPANY in Mt Airy, MD seeks help Representing our products at Tradeshows, Home Shows, Fairs and Festivals primarily on weekends in the February through May Show Season and continued availability in the Fall. Hourly Compensation, plus bonuses. Must be mature & responsible, must be outgoing/Friendly/Engaging interested persons and speak clearly and with professional knowledge about minimal product info. Not a Sales Position. Information and appointment collection only.

Flexible schedule, great company to work for, in business 20+ years. Call 301-829-1313 or email homeshows@marylandsunrooms.com or contact us www.marylandsunrooms.com.

LEISURE WORLD® — $235,000. 2 BR 2 FB “C” in Overlook with garage space, 1090 Sq Ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors, 301-928-3463.

LEISURE WORLD® — $457,000. 2 BR + Den, 2 FB “K” in Overlook with garage space, 1520 sq ft. Stan Moffson, Weichert Realtors, 301-9283463.

WAITLIST NOW OPEN! APARTMENTS for seniors 62+ or disabled persons in Vienna.

Newly renovated, new appliances, cabinets, flooring, and more. Amazing amenities! Income limits apply. tysonstowers.net, 888-846-6979, Equal Housing Opportunity.

Caregivers

DOWNSIZING YOUR HOME? If so, our company specializes in solving real estate problems. especially ones that pose a financial burden on you the homeowner. We can solve almost any financial problem that real estate throws at you.

Call The Pundt Group today at 202-681-1227 or visit us at www.pundtrealestate.com.

“A” HOME HEALTH CARE — Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in. Flat rate for live-in care. 15 years’ experience. 240-533-6599.

LEISURE WORLD RENTAL — Large Fairways condo $1625 monthly. 2 BR, 1-1/2 bath. Enclosed balcony. Walk-in closet. Small basement storage area. Parking negotiable. Handsome spacious LR. Parking negotiable. CALL: 301588-8321.

ELDERLY CARE — FEMALE CARE PROVIDER, English speaking with car. I cook, clean and take to appointments. I’m experienced in caring for people with MS, Alzheimer’s and other health problems. Excellent references, 301-275-7283.

CHEVY CHASE HOME CARE — reliable certified caregivers at time of illness, infirmity, loneliness. Personal assistance, ALL AGES, 4- to 24-hour shifts, homes, hospitals, nursing homes.

MD, DC, No. VA. Tel.: 202-374-1240. www.ChChHomecare.com.

A LOVING, CARING, COMPASSIONATE, dependable and reliable caregiver with years of experience and references for your loved ones. Has experience with MS, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and other health problems. Please call 301-908-9134.

Computer Services PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call David G. Computer Services at 301-642-4526.

COMPUTER LESSONS — Personal Computer training at your home. Email, Internet, general computer use, Windows 10. Setup and train on all consumer electronics — Smartphone, Smart TV, tablet, digital cameras, GPS. Troubleshooting & setup new computers. Gentle & patient teacher. Since 1996. Call David, 301980-5840. COMPUTERTUTOR.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO TAKE THE LEAP to a retirement community, try our newly announced Real Estate Partnership: Sue Heyman, Rick Winkler, and Sudha Baxter. Rely on our combined strengths: Top Weichert Producers, plus backgrounds in Teaching, Tax, and Business. We are located at the Leisure World Plaza Weichert Office and have personal knowledge of the Community from the investor and resident perspective. We will take you on a tour of the Community, show you floor plans, discuss campus amenities & offer how best to coordinate your move. We will set up an automated search for you, preview units, and contact you to arrange a showing when there is a match. We also offer exceptional service selling your current home. Call for your free Community booklet. You can see our current listings in this issue.

Office 301-681-0550, Sue 301-580-5556, Rick 301-404-3105, Sudha 202-368-8536.

For Sale FOR TRUE OPERA LOVERS: MARIA CALLAS: The Complete Studio Recordings [70 CD Deluxe Limited Edition]. This is a rare limited edition 70 CD box set in pristine condition.

Packaged in a unique art-deco style polished wooden box, each set includes a numbered certificate of authenticity, art prints, an 80-page book of photographs, letters, and other memorabilia. Price - $375. Call 703-434-0945.

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 CANNABIS HEMP OIL — Medical Marijuana available for some; Cannabis Hemp Oil is Available for ALL! You have seen the articles! This is about Changing The Future Outcome for your health. With over 70 CBD related products, with a Patented CBD Oil, it does not get any better than this!! Our CBD may help with bacteria, blood sugar, the risk of artery blockage, seizures, inhibit cancer growth, psoriasis, muscle spasms, anxiety, etc. I have personally benefited from our CBD Oil — Glaucoma Pressure better, IBS, Night Vision, PSA Score, Sleep, A1C, & Kidney Score improving, Edema. Free, No Fees, Go to DCLiveCBD.com for more information. Includes products Pain, Age, Energy, Weight, Hair Growth and Pets. 5-Star/Top rated Company, BBB-A, 804-301-8798 DENTAL INSURANCE. Call Physicians Mutual Insurance Company for details. Not just a discount plan, real coverage for 350 procedures.

844-366-1003 or http://www.dental50plus.com/320 Ad# 6118.

STOP OVERPAYING for your prescriptions!

SAVE! Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy, compare prices and get $25.00 OFF your first prescription! CALL 1-888-9817657 Promo Code CDC201725.

PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR — May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949.

Legal Services WERE YOU AN INDUSTRIAL OR CONSTRUCTION TRADESMAN and recently diagnosed with lung cancer? You and your family may be entitled to a significant cash reward.

Call 1-888-351-0312 for your risk free consultation.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY? Up to $2,671/mo. (Based on paid-in amount.) Free evaluation! Call Bill Gordon & Associates. 1866-970-0779. Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington, D.C. Office: Broward Co. FL., member TX/NM Bar.

Miscellaneous ENJOY 100% GUARANTEED, DELIVERED to-the-door Omaha Steaks! Save 75% plus get 4 more Burgers & 4 more Kielbasa FREE! Order The Family Gourmet Buffet — ONLY $49.99.

Call 1-844-302-3754, mention code 51689JCT or visit www.omahasteaks.com.

FUNERAL PROGRAMS VIA SMARTPHONE! Respectfully honoring your deceased loved one or beloved pet/companion. Eco-friendly. Elegant Funeral Programs. 1-410-881-3238. www.tinyurl.com/ElegantPrograms.

Personals TURN YOUR SILVER AND OLD GOLD jewelry into cash. Gold 4 Good (8241 Georgia Ave., Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910) buys gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver and silver flatware, gold watches and gold and silver coins. I will come to your house and give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. If you decide to sell, I can buy your items at that time, but there is no obligation. Licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327). Call Bob, (240) 938-9694.

Gold 4 Good pays an additional 5 percent to all sellers who are military veterans (or spouses of veterans). Gold 4 Good is a Maryland licensed precious metals dealership, not a pawnshop or private home-based business.

CUTE, ATTRACTIVE FEMALE, FIFTIES — Looking for single white male, fifties/early sixties, attractive, robust, medium/large build, reliable, warm-hearted, romantic. Enjoy dates, companionship, devoted relationship. If interested, call 240-418-4124, leave voice message/ph#.

DEAR SIR: IF YOU HAVE A COLLEGE degree, reside in MD/DC/VA, are a senior and would like a committed relationship with a retired educator and former model, call (904) 7779616.

Personal Services SELL YOUR SILVER AND OLD GOLD JEWELRY. Gold 4 Good (8241 Georgia Ave., Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910) buys gold and silver jewelry, including broken pieces, all sterling silver and silver flatware, gold watches and gold and silver coins. I will come to your house and give you a free evaluation of what I can pay. If you decide to sell, I can buy your items at that time, but there is no obligation. Licensed with both Maryland and Montgomery County (lic. #2327).

Call Bob, (240) 938-9694. Gold 4 Good pays an additional 5 percent to all military veterans (and their spouses). Gold 4 Good is a Maryland licensed precious metals dealership, not a pawnshop or private home-based business.

HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE. LOOKING to clean houses. Good references and experience.

Please call Vio, 301-706-6317.

NEW LEVEL AUTO SERVICE. EUROPEAN, DOMESTIC, Asian cars. 716 East Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850. Complete auto repair, electrical problems, computer diagnostic.

ASE certified technicians with more than 15 years of experience will prepare your car for the winter at a reasonable cost for service. Call us today (301-762-1200). Ask for Christian. We have senior discounts and a free shuttle to Metro station. www.newlevelautoservice.com.

TV/Cable DIRECTV. CALL AND SWITCH NOW — Get NFL Sunday Ticket for FREE! Every Game.

Every Sunday. CHOICE- All-Included Package.

Over 185 Channels. $60/month (for 12 Months.)

CALL 1- 888-572-4953.

DISH Network. 190+ CHANNELS. FREE Install. FREE Hopper HD-DVR. $49.99/month (24 months) Add High Speed Internet - $14.95 (where avail.) CALL Today & SAVE 25%! 1-844560-5837.

SPECTRUM TRIPLE PLAY! TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed. No contract or commitment. More Channels. Faster Internet. Unlimited Voice. Call 1-888-366-7573.

Wanted LADY WHO LOVES FINE CHINA and crystal would like to buy yours. Especially interested in figurines and dishes by the following makers: Herend, Johnson Brothers, Lenox, Lladro, Meissen, Rosenthal, Royal Copenhagen, Shelley, Spode, Wedgwood, Baccarat, Lalique and Waterford stemware and miscellaneous. Bone China cups and saucers and quality dog and cat figurines. 301-785-1129.

ESTATE LIQUIDATION & COLLECTIBLES: One call solves it all when you hire us to handle your estate liquidation, down-sizing and/or home cleanout. We sell your treasures, take care of charitable donations and provide junk removal. We also purchase partial estate contents/collections. Always buying antiques, jewelry, fine art, vintage toys, collectibles, advertising, sports memorabilia, military items, rare books, Mid-Century Modern furniture and more. Based in Silver Spring, we serve Montgomery County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Washington, D.C., NOVA and beyond. No home, barn or warehouse is too packed for us! Friendly, conscientious staff. Call Chris on cell, 202-731-9447. www.OrionsAttic.com.

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Wanted

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Wanted

BUYING OLD STERO/AUDIO COMPONENTS from 1930s-1980, speakers, receivers, amplifiers, turntables, etc., working or not, also interested in parts. 540-999-1486.

BUYING MILITARY MEMORABILIA WW2, WW1, Civil War uniforms, weapons, photos and items associated with US, German, Japanese or items of other Military History. DAVE, 240-464-0958.

SEEKING FULL/SEALED BOTTLES of Vintage Bourbon and Rye. Do you have full/sealed vintage bottles of bourbon or rye collecting dust in your cabinet. Do any of your bottles have an old red or green tax strip?

Call Alex, 443-223-7669.

WE PAY CASH FOR ANTIQUE FURNITURE, quality used furniture, early American art, pottery, silver, glassware, paintings, etc.

Single items to entire estates. Call Reggie or Phyllis at DC 202-726-4427, MD 301-332-4697.

COLLECTOR SEEKING: ANTIQUES, mid-century furniture, paintings, gold, silver items, quality jewelry, sewing, military, etc.

One piece or estate. Cash paid and quick removal. Chris, 301-262-1299.

CASH FOR JEWELRY: Gold, silver, costume. Buying whole estates. Gary Roman, 301-520-0755. Theatticllc.com. $$$ CASH $$$ FOR MILITARY USMC ARMY USAF USN ITEMS — Buying Military Uniforms, Patches, Medals, Insignia, Flight Jackets, Weapons etc. from the Civil War through Vietnam. Especially Seeking U.S. Army Air Corps, USMC, Airborne and German/Japanese/Italian items from WWII. Call/Text Dan at 202-841-3062 or email MILITBUFF@AOL.COM COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, weapons, knives, swords, bayonets, web gear, uniforms, etc. from all wars and countries. Also Lionel Toy Trains, and coin operated machines. Will pay top prices for my personal collection. Discreet consultations. Call Fred, 301-910-0783.

BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or 78s, Larger collections of at least 100 items wanted. Please call John, 301-5966201.

NEW PROCEDURE FOR PLACING CLASSIFIED ADS All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington and Richmond editions).

Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this for you.

Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number. • Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher's discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

To place your classified ad, visit www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds BEACON BITS

BEACON BITS

Jan. 22

39

Jan. 11+

DANCE CLASS FOR THOSE 40+

TURANGALILA SYMPHONIE The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will perform Messiaen’s

Jane Franklin Dance will offer its Forty+ Project on Tuesdays, Jan.

Turangalîla-symphonie, which takes listeners on a journey of extreme dynamic contrasts, from sensuous whispers to almost deafening force. Marin Alsop con-

22 to March 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Cultural Affairs Building,

ducts more than 100 musicians in this rarely-heard masterwork, featuring the

3700 S. Four Mile Run Dr., Arlington, Va. The eight-class series includes move-

eerie keyboard instrument ondes martenot with its otherworldly sci-fi sounds, as

ment technique and choreography rehearsals for a concert performance. The ses-

well as a dazzling performance by world-renowned pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.

sion is led by choreographer Rebecca Weiss, company member of Jane Franklin

Tickets start at $35 for performances on Friday, Jan. 11 at 8:15 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 13 at 3 p.m. It takes place at Strathmore Music Center, 5301 Tuckerman

Dance. It costs $160. For more information, visit www.janefranklin.com or call

Ln., North Bethesda, Md. For more information, visit www.BSOmusic.org or call 1-

(703) 933-1111.

877-BSO-1444.

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies Flu Research Study ..................15 Hearing Research Study...........15

Computer/ Technology Help TechMedic4u..............................5

Dental Services Friedman, Stephen, DDS .........22 Oh, Judy, DDS .........................16

Employment Career Gateway ........................25 Salesperson Wanted .................22

Financial/Insurance Services Children’s National Hospital....21 First Senior Service....................8

Funeral Services Going Home Cremation...........28

Government Services DC Office on Aging ...........18-19 Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services .....7, 14 Montgomery County Library.....6

Home Health Care/ Companion Services A Second Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . .B-13 Bright Hope Home Care . . .B-13 Debra Levy Eldercare . . . . . .B-7 Fairfax Home Health Care . . .11 Options for Senior America .......6 Senior Call Check ......................6

Housing 1221 Van ..................................13 Alfred House............................17 Ashby Ponds.................B-2, B-15 Aspenwood Sr. Living..B-4, B-15 Brooke Grove Retirement Village. ..........B-10, B-15, B-16 Charles E. Smith Life Communities .................13 Chesterbrook Residences.................B-8, B-11 Chevy Chase House .....B-8, B-11 Churchill Senior Living ...........16 Covenant Village ..................B-15 Crossings, The..........................10 Culpepper Garden ....................30 Emerson House ....................B-10 Falcons Landing ........................3 Five Star Premier Residences.....9 Friendship Terrace........B-7, B-15 Greenspring..................B-2, B-10 Homecrest House .......B-10, B-12 Homewood .................................9

Landing of Silver Spring, The .............B-13 Overture Fair Ridge................B-5 Potomac Place ..........................29 Quantum Property Mgmt..........B-5 R Homes Communities...........B-14 Riderwood....................B-2, B-10 Shenandoah Senior Living .....B-2 Silvernest Home Sharing .......B-3 Sommerset Retirement...B-6, B-8 Springvale Terrace........B-8, B-12 Victory Court .........................B-4 Victory Housing...........B-3, B-10 Waltonwood Ashburn.....B-6, B-8

Legal Services Farr Law Firm ..........................23 Law Offices of Paul Riekhof ...22

Medical/Health

Real Estate Long & Foster/Eric Stewart ..24, 29 Weichert/Sue Heyman..............14

Restaurants Glory Days Grill ......................12

Retail/Pawn/Auction Healthy Back Store ..................11 Maryland Estate Treasure ........21 Quinn’s Auction Galleries ........30

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Brooke Grove Rehab..............B-8 Manor Care Health Services ....17

Theatre/ Entertainment

Arthritis Pain Relief Center .....10 Arya Wellness Center.................8 Herbology ................................15 Lesner Hearing...........................8 Medical Eye Center..................28 Parkinson’s Program ................20 Respite Programs .....................13 Rise Dispensaries ....................12 Silver Spring Medical Center...11

City of Rockville......................14 Ford’s Theatre...........................31 F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre .......32 Kennedy Center .......................33 Toby’s Dinner Theatre ..............31 US Air Force Band .............32, 35 US Navy Band .........................35

Miscellaneous

Eyre Travel ...............................27 Shillelaghs ...............................27 Transeair Travel........................27

Beacon Silver Pages.................40 Senior Zone..............................34 TheBeaconNewspapers.com ....40

Tour & Travel

40

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N