February 218 | Fifty Plus Richmond

Published by The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

www.fiftyplusrichmond.com

FEBRUARY 2018 • FREE

2

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS

A bitter pill indeed A seemingly innocuous request recently He said they discount the drug and absorb the led me to a bout of righteous indignation and co-pay, and he would call the prescription in to a passionate battle. them. If I decided I wanted it, At the end of an appointment they would mail the pills to me with my orthopedist, I asked him free of charge. to refill my prescription for an I left feeling somewhat unNSAID pain reliever. Though it comfortable about the whole happens to be available over-theexchange, but took the samples counter at a reasonable price, the with me. prescription is a 12-hour version, Back home, I read the fine and its cost (to me and to my inprint on the packaging. It exsurance company) is even less plained that the new drug, called than OTC retail.

Vimovo, was basically a highThe physician assistant asked dosage NSAID coated with a if I wouldn’t prefer a different pill FROM THE common proton-pump inhibitor that’s coated to avoid stomach PUBLISHER (to reduce stomach acid). upset. I said no thanks. That’s By Stuart P. Rosenthal I realized this was another of one problem I don’t have (yet). those increasingly common situBut he pushed a bit, saying the new pill is ations where a drug company combines two supposed to be helpful, and wouldn’t I like to older drugs available in generic form into one try it? Again, I said no, adding that I once was branded pill. That allows them to patent the prescribed something like that in error, and combination and to charge a significantly it had a horrendous co-pay. higher price for the convenience.

He said, “Oh, there’s no co-pay at all for I tried the new pill and didn’t find it any this drug! And I have some samples. Why better than my trusty generic. So I decided don’t you take some home and try it?” to forget the whole thing.

He gave me the samples and a piece of Over the weekend, I found a voicemail on paper with the name and phone number of a my cell phone from the family pharmacy, particular “family pharmacy” I hadn’t heard of. seeking to confirm my address so they could

a publication of

The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

Editorial Mission: Fifty Plus is dedicated to providing readers with accurate information, professional guidance, and useful resources. Our publication is intended to both reflect and enhance fifty-plus lifestyles, and to encourage reader dialogue and input.

Fifty Plus is published monthly and distributed free of charge. The advertising deadline is the 20th of each month for the upcoming issue. The entire contents of Fifty Plus are © 2018, The Beacon Newspapers, Inc. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without the express written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed by writers and columnists do not necessarily represent those of Fifty Plus or its staff.

Publisher/Editor: ........................Stuart Rosenthal Vice President, Operations: ..........Gordon Hasenei Vice President, Sales and Marketing: ..Alan Spiegel Managing Editor: ..........................Barbara Ruben Assistant Editor: ..........................Rebekah Alcalde Art Director: ....................................Kyle Gregor y Director of Operations: ........................Roger King Advertising Representative: ................Wendy Bond

Fifty Plus Richmond • PO Box 2227 • Silver Spring, MD 20915 PH: 804-673-5203 • info@fiftyplusrichmond.com © Copyright 2018 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

mail me the prescription. Since I didn’t plan to order it, I ignored the call.

Two days later, a small package arrived in the mail. Inside was a bottle of Vimovo, plus a return mail envelope and a receipt with instructions to “sign and return this form in acknowledgement of receipt of correct prescription.”

OK, now my suspicions had grown.

Combining the PA’s eagerness to push me to try it, and the pharmacy’s presumptuousness in sending me the pills without my asking, I felt there was something fishy going on.

So I scrutinized the mailing. The receipt included my name, the Rx#, the name and quantity of the drug, and “co-pay: $0.00.” But what did they charge my insurance company, I wondered?

So I looked closely at the label of the pill bottle packaging. It showed something shocking: “co-pay: $0.00. Ins. paid $2,236.76.”

Whoa! I expected to see a brand-name kind of price there, but more than $2,000? I was spitting nails. By what right are they charging hundreds of times the real cost of the ingredients?

And why did my insurance company pay such an outrageous price without complaint? I had no illusions: insurance rates for the Beacon, like for the rest of the country, have been going up much faster than inflation. Costs like this ultimately get passed on to us, the customers.

I was on the phone within seconds to the pharmacy, giving them a piece of my mind.

They kept trying to calm me down by reminding me, “but there’s no co-pay! You don’t have to pay a cent!”

That just made me angrier. In the end, I’m paying; we’re all paying! I insisted they take the pills back and credit my insurance company for the full charge.

To their credit, they sent me a postagepaid return slip so I wouldn’t incur mailing fees, and once they got the bottle back, they called me to confirm they had refunded my

insurance company.

In the meantime, I called my orthopedist’s office to find out if they were part of this scheme, or maybe just the victim of a drug company marketing rep.

When I reached the head of the practice, I told him what happened, and he was as flabbergasted as I had been. He asked me to repeat myself, then he slowly repeated the same thing back to me, clearly growing more and more incredulous at the outrage.

He called over the PA and asked him if he had any idea what those pills cost. The PA said no, he didn’t.

The doctor repeatedly thanked me for bringing this to his attention, and said he would immediately warn his staff about the situation and the pharmacy.

After that conversation, I went online to see what Vimovo’s standard retail price was, and I was floored yet again: $2,650 is the average retail cost. To my amazement, the family pharmacy was indeed “discounting” the drug!

But that didn’t change the fact that the price sought by the drug company is, to my mind, unconscionable and exploitative.

I was relieved that my doctors were as shocked as I, and that they were determined to take the price into account before ever prescribing the drug again. But this lack of knowledge about the cost of drugs on the part of doctors is as appalling as it is common.

I didn’t think it was the responsibility of patients to inform our doctors about the costs of drugs. But apparently there’s no one else with the incentive to do so. Not even our insurance companies or Medicare Part D plans. (However, just recently, CVS Health announced it will start informing doctors about drug costs in an effort to avoid patient sticker shock at the pharmacy, and to reduce the number of patients who don’t fill their prescriptions.)

See FROM THE PUBLISHER, page 25

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed in Fifty Plus as well as on political and social issues of the day.

Mail your Letter to the Editor to Fifty Plus, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or e-mail to info@fiftyplusrichmond.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

Dear Editor: Fifty Plus continues to amaze. I read at least a half-dozen articles in the January issue, but one really stands out: “An alternative to Medicaid spend-down.”

My wife and I are 78, and, thankfully, neither of us needs a nursing home. Several years ago, I attended a free seminar on the subject of trusts. I’m glad I didn’t go forward with an annuity trust at that point.

Author Eleanor Laise nails it down. As soon as one of us is in a nursing facility for a month, the other should purchase an immediate annuity, at least for half of their joint liquid assets, in a Medicaid-compliant annuity for the number of months the non-institutional spouse is expected to live based on mortality tables.

See LETTERS TO EDITOR, page 25

3

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FIFTYPLUS — FEBRUARY 2018

Feature Story

Mural artist makes the city his canvas Through elementary, middle and high school, Thornhill was not stimulated by most traditional academic subjects. “Things were too slow,” he said.

But early on, perceptive teachers spotted his artistic talent, and invited him to decorate the school cafeteria and bulletin boards. He jumped at the chance.

He attended Bainbridge and George Wythe High Schools, and then Open High School, which had an alternative curriculum that appealed to creative students like Thornhill.

After high school, he served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he learned all about electricity as well as plumbing, carpentry and blueprint reading.

Next, starting as a laborer, he worked at Phillip Morris USA, Inc. for 34 years. Company officials soon recognized his artistic talents and asked him to prepare posters, t-shirt designs, drawings, pamphlets and other company materials. He decorated the company’s stage for Christmas plays.

He retired in 2008. “It was an adjustment to not have to answer to anyone,” he said. But when asked, “Is there a life after Phillip Morris?” he didn’t hold back. “Hell, yeah!”

Soon after leaving that company, Thornhill started a t-shirt printing business, the Word Shirt, and ran it for seven years. He could print 250 t-shirts an hour.

He also studied design, photography, water color, stagecraft, scene design and fashion illustration. He traveled to Ghana, Nigeria and Jamaica because he “felt a spiritual calling to learn about my culture, my past, Africa.”

Thornhill is single and has four grown children. Two daughters are in college, one daughter is a teacher, and his son is a graphic artist.

Making murals and more

See THORNHILL, page 23

MAIL OR FAX FOR FREE INFORMATION For free materials on housing communities and real estate services, just complete and clip this coupon and mail it to Fifty Plus. ❏ Crossings at Hanover (see ad on page 8) ❏ David Mize Real Estate (see ad on page 5) ❏ Dominion Place (see ad on page 16) ❏ Greenfield Residences (see ad on page 15) ❏ Guardian Place (see ad on page 13) ❏ Heritage Oaks (see ad on page 7) ❏ Sandston Plateau (see ad on page 7) Name______________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ City______________________________________State______Zip________________ Phone (day)__________________________(evening)_________________________ E-mail_________________________________________________________________

Please tear out and mail this form to: Fifty Plus, c/o The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 or fax to (301) 949-8966

FP2/18

Thornhill’s life since his “official” retirement has been a creative one. His artworks explore color, light, shapes, movement and texture.

Bold colors leap off walls and canvases.

Backgrounds often provide cultural context.

Most murals tell human stories. Faces gleam, dream, ponder and question.

When inspired to paint a mural on a building, Thornhill approaches the owner, who usually agrees. He then assembles a team of four or five painters who work on scaffolds, cherry pickers or lifts for eight to 12 hours a day for two weeks to a month.

James Thornhill’s mural on the Jamerican Market and Restaurant portrays the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Birmingham jail, together with a quote from MLK’s well-known Letter about that experience. Thornhill incorporated the iron security grillwork on the building’s back door to serve as the bars of King’s cell.

✃

Early start in art

PHOTO BY GLENDA C. BOOTH

By Glenda C. Booth When he sees a nondescript wall or side of a building, “Sir” James Thornhill sees art. To him, it’s like a blank canvas waiting for artistic reinvention.

Thornhill literally “paints the town,” with colorful murals that honor heroes and heroines — especially local notables associated with the historic district of Jackson Ward, a section of Richmond known as the “Birthplace of Black Capitalism.” His murals brighten the interior and exterior of more than 30 Richmond buildings.

Standing in a drab parking lot and studying the south end of a concrete building, Thornhill, 62, mused, “That building talks to me.”

In vivid hues, the building’s 45-by-60-foot side features Marshall W. “Major” Taylor, dubbed the Colored Cyclone. He was an AfricanAmerican cyclist who was barred from U.S. bicycle races in the early 1900s because of racial segregation. Denied the opportunity to race in his home country, Taylor went to Europe and broke records, earning the title, “Fastest Man in the World.”

In Thornhill’s bigger-than-life mural, shadowed by images of other competing cyclists, Taylor projects energy, intensity, strength and perseverance.

Thornhill’s third-floor home studio is located on the same block as Jackson Ward’s historic Hippodrome Theater. Surrounded by large, colorful paintings — some completed, some in the works — he said, “This is where the magic begins.”

But the final works belong somewhere else: “I like painting big. The street is my gallery,” he said.

Thornhill’s magic comes to life in large portraits and bold colors, using oils, acrylics, pencil, graphite and other media. He also does figurative drawing and photography.

In each area, “I push the medium as far as I can,” he said. “I’m not afraid to push the envelope.” He also believes that “visualization is important. If you walk out the door and see nothing, then you think nothing.”

What about that “Sir” that precedes his name? He’s never been knighted, nor has he even met the Queen of England.

When his daughters Googled their father’s name, they found an English painter, Sir James Thornhill, who coincidentally painted Italian baroque murals and cathedral paintings in the 1600s and 1700s, including inside the dome of London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral.

So Richmond’s James Thornhill borrowed the “Sir.” And it stuck, well, like paint on a wall.

4

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS

Fitness &

Health

CANCER BLOOD TEST A new blood test may help doctors predict breast cancer recurrence SAFER SUPPLEMENTS The FDA wants to crack down on homeopathic remedies that may be toxic DRUGS AND DRINK A little wine is fine with most antibiotics.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist CARPAL TUNNEL PAIN Why carpal tunnel syndrome causes wrist pain, and what to do about it

Getting stronger can help prevent falls Dear Savvy Senior: toms of many chronic conditions, such as I’ve fallen several times over the past arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, back year, and my doctor has recpain, depression and obesity. ommended that I start a And some studies even show strength-training program to that it helps improve cognitive help prevent future falls. function, too.

But at age 72, I’ve never Here are some simple ways lifted weights before and to help you get stronger. could use some help. What can you tell me?

Getting started — Looking for Help After you get your doctor’s Dear Looking: okay, consider working with a Weak leg muscles and poor professional trainer or physical balance are two of the biggest fac- SAVVY SENIOR therapist for a few sessions to tors that cause older adults to fall. By Jim Miller help you develop a safe and efAfter age 40, most people lose fective routine you can continue about one percent of their muscle mass each on your own. year, which really adds up over time.

Or go to www.growingstronger.nutrition.

But study after study has shown that it’s tufts.edu for a free program from Tufts Uninever too late to rebuild muscle through versity in Boston and the Centers for Disease strength training. Regular resistance or Control and Prevention. strength training can help you build muscle Also see www.go4life.nia.nih.gov, a restrength, increase your bone density and im- source created by the National Institute on prove your balance, coordination and stam- Aging, that offers a free exercise guide that ina, and will help prevent falls. provides illustrated examples of exercises It can also help reduce the signs and symp- you can do at home to strengthen your body.

You can order a free copy online or by calling 1-800-222-2225.

To improve your strength, you have to keep stressing your muscles, so you’ll need to exercise at least two or three days a week for 30 to 45 minutes, and increase resistance and the number of repetitions over time.

But be sure you give your muscles a day off between workouts. It makes the muscle stronger and more able to resist future injury.

Inexpensive equipment If you work out at home, you’ll probably need to invest in some equipment. While some strength training can be done using your own body weight (like push-ups, sit-ups and leg squats), there are many great tools for strength training, including hand weights, ankle weights, medicine balls, and resistance bands or rubber tubing.

You can find all these products at sporting goods stores, or online at Amazon.com for around $10 or less. Cans of soup, water bottles or plastic milk containers filled with water or sand can also be used (like small hand weights) for resistance.

Take a class If you don’t like exercising alone, consider joining a gym. Or call your local senior or recreation center to see if they offer any strength training exercise classes.

You should also check out SilverSneakers (www.silversneakers.com, 888-423-4632) and Silver&Fit (www.silverandfit.com, 877-427-4788) — fitness programs offered in thousands of fitness centers, gyms and YMCAs throughout the U.S. with special classes designed for older adults. These programs are available for free to those who have certain Medicare supplemental policies or Medicare Advantage plans.

Some other good fall-prevention exercises that can help you get stronger include aerobic activities like walking, cycling or water aerobics.

And to improve your balance there’s tai chi, along with a number of simple balance exercises that you can do anytime — like standing on one foot for 30 seconds, then switching to the other foot, and walking heelto-toe across the room.

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

Ways to reduce fall risk and injuries It can happen to anyone at any time. One minute you’re on your feet; the next you’re on the ground. Falls are the leading cause of all non-fatal injuries, and the most common reason for visits to the emergency room.

One in five falls results in a significant injury, such as head trauma or broken wrists, hips, legs or ankles. Falls are also the second leading cause of injury-related deaths behind motor vehicle accidents.

“We often associate falls with children or the elderly, but in fact 50- to 60-year olds experience more falls than older individuals,” said Dr. Allison Averill director of neurorehabilitation, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (www.kessler-rehab.com).

“And while falling at some point in time is inevitable, there are ways to protect yourself from serious injury by creating a safer

environment in and around your home, and also by learning how to fall,” Averill said.

To reduce fall risk: Eliminate clutter. Keep pathways clear by moving furniture or removing throw rugs, toys and other obstacles in the home, as well as tools, hoses and other items outdoors.

Focus on safety. Make sure rooms are well lit, and use handrails on stairways and grab bars in the bath or shower.

Outdoors, pay attention to the pavement or other surfaces and weather conditions. Even at the market or the mall, watch the flooring, displays and other potential hazards.

Build your balance. Developing core strength and flexibility through exercise and/or physical therapy, along with training

like tai chi, may help improve balance.

Check your eyes and your meds. Poor eyesight, certain medications, and even your diet — as well as the effects of arthritis, MS, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, stroke and other medical conditions — can affect balance and coordination and lead to falls. See a physician if you experience any difficulties.

If you start to fall: Understanding the science of falling is critical. Studies have shown that it’s not whether you slip on a wet or icy surface, trip over a rug or a crack in the sidewalk, or fall down a flight of stairs, but rather what you do in those brief seconds before you reach the ground: Protect your head. Falls are the #1

cause of traumatic brain injury in the United States, accounting for nearly half of these injuries. To help minimize the risk, try to tuck your head toward your chest if falling backward, and turn your head to the side if falling forward.

Reach and relax. Although it’s natural to tense up, try to stay loose and reach with your arms bent to help cushion your fall.

Butt first. Falls are the second leading cause of spinal cord injuries. To help distribute the impact of a fall, try to land on the fleshier parts of your body and roll with the fall.

For more information, visit www.kesslerrehab.com. Kessler Institute is one of seven federally-designated model systems in the nation for the treatment and research of both traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Fitness & Health

FIFTYPLUS — FEBRUARY 2018

5

Safely using over-the-counter pain meds Q: Are over-the-counter acetamino- should still be used with caution, as it has the phen and non-steroidal anti-inflamma- potential for severe liver damage if the maxtor y medications safe for imum recommended dose is older adults? exceeded, or if you take acetaA: Yes, non-prescription overminophen with more than the-counter (OTC) medications three alcoholic beverages a are generally safe for older day. adults, but should still be used Symptoms of liver damage cautiously in some individuals. from acetaminophen include Options for OTC pain managedark urine, fatigue, lack of apment can be broken down into petite, upset stomach, nausea two categories: acetaminophen or vomiting, and/or yellow skin and non-steroidal anti-inflammaor eyes. If you have liver distory drugs (NSAIDs), such as DR. RX ease or kidney impairment alibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. By Priscilla Harrison ready, be cautious when using Acetaminophen (one brand acetaminophen and ask your name is Tylenol) may be the safest OTC pain healthcare provider how much is safe to take, medication for older adults. Regular strength if any.

(650 mg.) can be taken every four to six Some rare but serious side effects that hours, up to 3,250 mg. per day. If using extra- may occur with acetaminophen use include strength 1,000 mg., it can be taken every six an allergic reaction (hives, rash, itching, hours, up to 3,000 mg. per day. chest or throat tightness, or swelling of the Keep in mind that acetaminophen can be face, lips, tongue, or throat), inability to urifound in many OTC medications, such as nate as you normally do, or a serious skin recold and flu products. So make sure you con- action called Steven-Johnson syndrome (red, sider the acetaminophen in all the medicines swollen, blistered or peeling skin, and/or you are taking to avoid possible overdosage. sores anywhere in and around your face).

If you find yourself having any of these Cautions with acetaminophen side effects, contact your doctor or get medThough generally safe, acetaminophen ical help as soon as possible.

NSAID options and limits OTC NSAIDs include ibuprofen (200 mg. every four to six hours, may increase to 400 mg. but not to exceed 1,200 mg. per day), naproxen (220 mg. every eight to 12 hours, up to 660 mg. per day), and aspirin (325 to 650 mg. every four hours, up to 4,000 mg. per day).

NSAIDs are safe for older adults as long as you closely follow all cautions and recommendations for each product.

These medications can reduce kidney function. In general, older adults should be cautious when using these medications if you have high blood pressure, kidney problems, heart failure, or are taking steroids or blood thinners.

For adults over 75 years old, there is an increased risk of stomach bleeding and peptic

ulcer disease with NSAIDs. Talk with your healthcare provider to confirm that an OTC NSAID is a safe option for you to use.

Consider these warnings and precautions when deciding on an oral OTC pain medication. Report any other medication use to your healthcare providers, and read the package label carefully for the directions for use, alcohol limits (if provided), and warnings sections. If you have any questions, your pharmacist is always a good information resource.

Priscilla Harrison is a third year Pharm. D. student at VCU School of Pharmacy. She majored in Biochemistry at Christopher Newport University. Her main focus area is in critical care, and she hopes to specialize in neonatal or pediatric intensive care.

M A R K YO U R CAL EN DA R

Ongoing

REGISTER FOR THE VIRGINIA SENIOR GAMES Registration for the Virginia Senior Games is now open. Individuals who register by Feb. 28 save $10 off the $16 fee for Virginia resi-

dents. Registration continues until April 15. The games will take place May 11 to 19. Sports include pickleball, swimming, tennis and many more. The games are hosted by Henrico County Recreation & Parks. Interested participants may register at www.virginiaseniorgames.org.

6

Fitness & Health | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

Health Shorts Blood test helps predict recurrent breast cancer A blood test five years after breast cancer treatment helped identify some women who were more likely to relapse — long before a lump or other signs appeared — a preliminary study found.

It was the largest experiment so far to use these tests, called liquid biopsies, for breast cancer. Results suggest they someday may help reveal which women need longer preventive therapy and which ones can be spared it.

“It could be providing an early warning sign” for some women that cancer is returning, said Dr. Joseph Sparano of Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care in New York, who led the study On the other hand, “if you had a negative test, there was a 98 percent chance you

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS

would not have a recurrence in the next two years,” and perhaps could skip further treatment, he said.

The test — CellSearch, sold by MenariniSilicon Biosystems — looks for stray cancer cells in the blood.

Breast cancer survivors may be tempted to rush out and get it, but doctors say it’s too soon for that. Although it’s been used for about a decade to monitor certain patients with advanced cancer during treatment, its value for helping to predict breast cancer relapse risk is not well established, and insurers won’t pay the $600 to $900 tab.

The study involved 547 women in long-term follow-up from an earlier cancer drug study.

Two-thirds of them had cancers fueled by estrogen, and in most cases it had spread to lymph nodes but not more widely.

All had surgery and chemotherapy followed by hormone-blocking medicines for five years. Guidelines now recommend considering hormone blockers for up to 10 years, but they have side effects and their benefit beyond five years is fairly small. So finding a way to tell who really needs that would be a big help.

Women in the study had a CellSearch test

Please patronize our advertisers.

Get The App

URGENT CARE IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME ON-DEMAND HEALTHCARE 7 DAYS A WEEK

9AM-9PM

TO REQUEST CARE CALL : 80 4.495.0053 I N S U R A N C E AC C E P T E D | M E D I C A R E & M E D I C A I D | D I S PAT C H H E A LT H . C OM

five years on average after their cancer was found and treated.

Among those with estrogen-fueled disease, 5 percent had cancer cells in the blood test, and they turned out to have a 22-fold higher risk of recurrence within roughly two years compared to women whose blood test was negative.

About 65 percent of women with hormonepositive disease and a positive blood test did not have a new breast cancer within two years The blood test seemed to do a good job of identifying which of these hormone-positive patients were at low risk of recurrence, suggesting that women who test negative may be able to forgo an additional five years of hormone-blocking medicines.

The test did not predict recurrence risk in the rest of the women in the study, whose tumors were not fueled by estrogen. They have a lower risk of recurrence after five years to start with.

New diabetic drug helps with weight loss U.S. regulators recently approved a new diabetes drug that reduces blood sugar levels and also helps people lose significant weight.

Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its once-a-week shot for people with Type 2 diabetes. The drug, Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, works by stimulating the body’s own insulin production and reducing appetite.

In one big company-funded study, Ozempic, on average, reduced long-term blood sugar levels at least 2 1/2 times as much as a popular daily diabetes pill, Merck & Co.’s Januvia. It also helped study participants lose two to three times as much weight as those in the comparison group.

Over 56 weeks, patients who got a lower dose of Ozempic lost an average of 9.5 pounds, while those who got a higher dose lost 13.5 pounds. The patients who took Januvia lost an average of 4 pounds.

Novo Nordisk, a leader in diabetes care, has also been testing the drug separately for weight loss alone.

The new drug comes in injector pens, and costs about the same as similar weekly drugs: $676 for a four- to six-week supply without insurance. Novo Nordisk already sells a similar once-a-day shot, Victoza.

Ozempic will compete with other popular once-a-week drugs in the same class, including Eli Lilly and Co.’s Trulicity and AstraZeneca PLC’s Bydureon, which don’t produce as much weight loss.

— AP

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Fitness & Health

FIFTYPLUS — FEBRUARY 2018

7

FDA proposes crackdown on homeopathy

By Matthew Perrone U.S. health officials plan to crack down on a growing number of unproven alternative remedies, focusing on products containing dangerous ingredients that have occasionally been linked to serious injury and death.

The Food and Drug Administration recently issued a new proposal for regulating homeopathic medicines that have long been on the fringe of mainstream medicine.

The agency plans to target products that pose the biggest safety risks, including those marketed for children or for serious diseases.

But under the government’s framework, the vast majority of low-risk products would remain on the market. Popular homeopathic brands include Zicam Allergy Relief and Cold-Eeze.

Once a niche market, homeopathy products have grown into a $3 billion industry, according to FDA figures. [The underlying principle of homeopathy is that “like cures like,” that is, that a disease can be cured by a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people.]

Long regarded by scientists as a form of modern-day snake oil, homeopathic products are treated as drugs under law, but not supported by modern science. Most remedies contain heavily diluted drugs or toxins, as

well as vitamins and minerals.

“People may be putting their trust and money in therapies that bring little or no benefit in combating their ailments, or worse — in products that may cause serious and even irreparable harm,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said.

No FDA safety review Homeopathic products are treated similarly to dietary supplements, in that the FDA does not review their safety or effectiveness before they are sold. But unlike supplements, homeopathic medicines can state that they are intended for specific medical symptoms and conditions, similar to drugs.

A handful of products in recent years have been subject to major safety problems, usually involving potentially toxic ingredients.

In 2016, the FDA warned consumers about the risks of teething tablets marketed by Hyland’s Homeopathic after they were tied to seizures and deaths in infants and children.

FDA testing later confirmed the products contained high levels of belladonna, also called nightshade, a poisonous herb that has long been used at low dosages in homeopathic medicine. The products were recalled last April.

In 2009, the FDA ordered Zicam to stop

marketing three products that contained zinc gluconate after more than 100 users reported losing their sense of smell.

Other dangerous ingredients used in homeopathy products include nux vomica, which contains strychnine. Regulators have issued five warning letters this year to companies selling products with nightshade or nux vomica.

The FDA said its proposal also targets products that claim to treat serious diseases like cancer, or are administered via unconventional routes such as injection or eye drops.

Regulators can issue warning letters, seize products or pursue criminal action against companies that disregard federal guidelines.

The agency will take comments on its proposal until mid-March before beginning to finalize the plan.

Consumer advocates said the FDA plan makes sense for products that are mostly harmless, but can be dangerous if manufacturers stray from traditional ingredients, dosing and manufacturing.

The FDA hasn’t updated its regulations for homeopathic medicine since 1988, when it essentially exempted the industry from basic production standards that are mandatory for traditional drugs, like listing ingredients on product labels.

Hundreds of homeopathic remedies today are sold alongside over-the-counter drugs like Tylenol and aspirin at pharmacies across the U.S. The National Institutes of Health has said there’s little evidence that homeopathic medicine is effective for treating any specific condition.

— AP

M A R K YO U R CAL EN DA R

Feb. 20

OPIOID EDUCATION

REVIVE is a Virginia Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education program that helps people learn how to recognize and respond to opioid overdose emergencies by administering naloxone, or NARCON, a nasal-spray mediation that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The program will hold a session on Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Midlothian Library, 521 Coalfield Rd., Midlothian. For more information or to register, call Debbie Severt at (804) 717-6839 or visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/HYQTZ5Z.

8

Fitness & Health | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS

A little alcohol OK with most antibiotics

By Dr. Robert H. Shmerling Q: My doctor prescribed a 10-day course of antibiotics for a persistent sinus infection. I usually have wine with

the dinner. Do I need to stop drinking?

A: I’d heard the warning to avoid mixing alcohol and antibiotics from friends and family while growing up. But during medical school,

M ARK YO UR CALE NDAR

Feb. 24

CIVIL WAR SYMPOSIUM

The American Civil War Museum presents its annual symposium at the Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St., on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The symposium will explore the impact of the Civil War and narrate the stories of individuals who navigated the challenges and opportunities.

Admission (includes boxed lunch) costs $65 for adults, ($40 for members), $20 for students. Reservations and pre-payment required by Feb. 21 to obtain lunch. For more information, contact: John Coski at (804) 649-1861, ext. 131, or jcoski@acwm.org.

Mar. 16+

GEM AND JEWELRY SHOW

The Gem, Mineral and Jewelry will take place on Friday through Sunday, March 16 to 18 at the Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Ave. Vendor items will include 14K and sterling silver, classic, estate, fashion and handmade jewelry, art jewelry, loose stones, beads and more. The show will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults; free for children 16 and under. For more information, visit www.treasuresoftheearth.com.

Mar. 2+

FINE ARTS STUDENTS EXHIBIT

Richmond Public Library presents “Leading with Our Art,” an art exhibit in the Gellman room featuring photography, painting and drawings completed by Virginia Union University fine art students.

The library is located at 101 E. Franklin St. For more information, contact Lynn Vandenesse at (804) 646-7223.

I only heard it in reference to a specific antibiotic, metronidazole (Flagyl). People who take metronidazole and drink alcohol can become quite sick with nausea, vomiting, palpitations and facial flushing.

The concern about combining alcohol and antibiotics is not related to the effectiveness of the antibiotic. It’s more about side effects.

Of the commonly prescribed antibiotics, very few of them warn against drinking. If you’ve filled a prescription for amoxicillin, Augmentin or cephalexin (Keflex), you may have noticed that there is no warning sticker about alcohol.

Alcohol reliably causes trouble when mixed with only a handful of other antibiotics.

In addition to metronidazole and its close relative tinidazole (Tindamax), avoid drinking while taking: • Furazolidone (Furoxone), an antibiotic used for intestinal infections • Griseofulvin (Grisactin), an antifungal drug used to treat ringworm and other skin or nail infections • Quinacrine (Atabrine), an older antibiotic used to treat malaria and giardia (an intestinal parasite) These drugs represent a tiny minority of the millions of antibiotic prescriptions written each year. As mentioned, there is no specific

advice to avoid drinking alcohol with most commonly prescribed antibiotics.

However, some of the most common side effects of antibiotics (stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea) can overlap with trouble that alcohol can cause (such as stomach inflammation, also called gastritis).

Since gastrointestinal side effects are quite common with erythromycin and related antibiotics (and many others), that’s something to be aware of — but it’s not generally a dangerous or reliable enough problem that everyone taking erythromycin is advised to abstain from alcohol consumption.

While it’s best not to drink while taking certain antibiotics, there are few if any risks associated with drinking in moderation while taking most antibiotics. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about potential interactions between your medicines, including antibiotics, and your diet.

Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Clinical Chief of Rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. For additional consumer health information, visit www.health.harvard.edu. © 2017 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Feb. 20+

YOGA FOR OLDER ADULTS

Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation offers yoga for older adults on Tuesdays, Feb. 20 through March 20 from 2:15 to 3 p.m.

The class costs $25 and takes place at Huguenot Road Baptist Church, 10525 W Huguenot Rd., North Chesterfield. For more information, call (804) 748-1623.

Feb. 15

ARE YOU RAISING YOUR GRANDKIDS?

Kinship Connection will meet on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Come and join with grandparents and other kin who are raising a child to network, share stories and help each other. Child care is provided. This event is open to anyone and will take place in the Chesterfield Community Development Building, 9800 Government Center Parkway, Chesterfield. For more information, visit http://chesterfield.gov/seniorevents, call (804) 768-7878 or email SeniorAdvocate@chesterfield.gov

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Fitness & Health

FIFTYPLUS — FEBRUARY 2018

9

When carpal tunnel pain requires surgery Dear Mayo Clinic: I have carpal tunnel syndrome that used to bother me only at night. Wearing a splint helped, but now my symptoms are noticeable throughout the day as well.

Does this mean surgery is inevitable, or are there other things I can do to help lessen the tingling and numbness it’s causing?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve that’s in the front of your wrist. Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome usually starts with splinting, selfcare measures and, if needed, a corticosteroid injection. If that provides only temporary relief, then surgery may be recommended.

The carpal tunnel is a small passageway on the palm side of your wrist. Nine tendons and the median nerve travel through the carpal tunnel. Those tendons are like ropes that control the movement of your fingers.

The median nerve serves as a pathway for the sensations you feel in your palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger and outer border of your ring finger. It also sends the nerve signals that move muscles around the base of your thumb.

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the space in the carpal tunnel becomes smaller,

or the tendons in the tunnel thicken, placing pressure on the median nerve.

In its early stages, symptoms may include tingling or numbness in your thumb, index finger, middle finger and outer border of your ring finger.

A wrist splint typically is the first step in carpal tunnel treatment. A splint can be particularly helpful for people whose symptoms bother them at night. Wearing a splint during the night can keep the wrist from bending while you sleep. That can relieve the nerve pressure and eliminate nighttime discomfort.

When symptoms persist during waking hours, wearing a splint during the day can be useful. You also may be able to ease daytime symptoms by taking frequent breaks from repetitive activities. Throughout the day, take time to rotate your wrists, and stretch your palms and fingers.

Taking a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin, may help lessen the inflammation of carpal tunnel syndrome.

If those steps aren’t enough, then a corticosteroid injection into the carpal tunnel may reduce tingling and numbness. Corticosteroids lower inflammation and swelling within the carpal tunnel, which can relieve pressure on the median nerve.

Are You A Veteran? +

Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center is a Long-Term Care & Short-Term Rehab Facility that opened in -DQXDU\ 7KLV IDFLOLW\ ZDV EXLOW VSHFLĆ“FDOO\ IRU RXU 9LUJLQLD 9HWHUDQV Located conveniently on the campus of the McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, this state-of-the-art facility is owned and operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and is a recent recipient of a 5 Star Rating from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Surgical options For those with severe symptoms, or whose symptoms come back after an injection, surgery may be an appropriate option. The goal of carpal tunnel surgery is to relieve pressure on your median nerve by cutting a ligament, called the transverse carpal ligament, pressing on the nerve.

Traditionally, surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome has been performed as an open surgery in which a surgeon makes a small incision in the palm of the hand over the carpal tunnel and then releases the ligament.

Alternatively, this procedure can be performed via endoscopic surgery. With that approach, the surgeon uses a telescope-like device with a small camera attached to it, called an endoscope, to see inside the carpal tunnel. The surgeon cuts the ligament through one or two small incisions in the hand or wrist.

Ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release is another alternative treatment in which a surgeon or a qualified physician uses ultrasound images to guide an instrument into the carpal tunnel through a small incision in the fore-

arm, and then cut the ligament.

As the techniques for ultrasound carpal tunnel release continue to evolve, the procedures may be able to be performed in a doctor’s office under local anesthesia.

Treat sooner rather than later Effectively treating carpal tunnel syndrome as promptly as possible is important. The longer the median nerve remains compressed, the more damaged it can become.

If the nerve is compressed for too long, it may not recover even once the pressure is relieved. Eventually, that could lead to permanent weakness and lack of coordination in your fingers and thumb. — Jay Smith, M.D., Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail questions to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org. Š 2017 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Please tell our advertisers, “I saw you in Fifty Plus!�

10

Fitness & Health | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS

Comforting lentil soup doesn’t need meat

By Melissa D’Arabian Rich bean soups are classic winter comfort food. They are filling, healthy and inexpensive, making them a worthy addition to the menu rotation.

The downside to dried bean cookery is the time it takes to soak and then cook beans.

Canned beans are a reasonable substitute, although they cost more than three times the price of their dried, bagged counterparts.

An easy, money-saving solution is lentils, which you can find easily at any grocery store, next to the dried beans. Brown lentils — the type you’ll most likely find in inexpensive bags next to the rice — don’t require any soaking (although a good rinse is recommended), and are cooked to tender perfection in about a half hour.

Don’t let the cheap price fool you: the

everyday brown lentil is a nutrition powerhouse. One serving has over 8 grams of filling fiber, 9 grams of protein, and a nice array of vitamins and minerals, including over half the daily requirement of folate and nearly 20 percent of our daily iron.

Lentils themselves have an earthy, mild flavor, so they easily take on the flavors of other ingredients. Today’s recipe for Smoky Lentil Soup is all plant-based, which means it’s truly jam-packed with health-boosting foods, but it’s also full of flavor. It gets its smokiness from smoked paprika instead of the traditional ham bone, and little bit of cumin.

Finely chopped mushrooms add meaty depth of flavor, and I use small cubes of butternut squash instead of classic carrots for just a touch of sweetness. A bonus: the entire dish cost about $10 to make, and you’ll probably

M ARK YO UR CAL EN DAR

Feb. 15

CRIMES AGAINST SENIORS

Chesterfield Triad is holding a talk with AARP about its programs, which work to enhance the quality of life for, and to reduce crimes against, seniors. The talk will be on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 7500 Hull Street Rd., North Chesterfield. For more information, visit http://chesterfield.gov/seniorevents, call (804) 768-7878 or email SeniorAdvocate@chesterfield.gov.

have leftovers. Meatless Monday fans, this may be your new favorite dish.

Smoky (Vegan) Lentil Soup Servings: 8 Start to finish: 45 minutes, including cook time 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups chopped) 1 stalk celery, chopped (about 1/2 cup chopped) 4 ounces white mushrooms, finely chopped (about 1 cup chopped) 1 1/4 cup cubed butternut squash (1/2inch cube) (or substitute chopped carrot) 5 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 1 teaspoon chili powder 2 teaspoons dried Italian herb seasoning (or dried oregano) 3 cups vegetable stock 2-3 cups water 1/2 pound dried brown lentils, rinsed and picked through (about 1 1/4 cup) 1 bay leaf 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (or wine vinegar) 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, if needed

In a large heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven, soften the onion, celery and mushrooms in the olive oil over medium heat, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the squash, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder and Italian herbs and cook for another five minutes, stirring frequently.

Onion should be quite soft now.

Add the stock, 2 cups of the water, the lentils and bay leaf, and bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Reduce heat, cover partially with a lid, and let simmer until lentils and squash are tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. If the mixture gets too thick, add up to another cup of water.

Once soup is cooked, remove 1 to 2 cups of the soup to a blender and very carefully blend on low until somewhat smooth. Pour the thickened, blended soup back into the pot and stir.

Stir in vinegar and taste for salt. Add the salt only if needed.

Chef’s note: green lentils may also be used, but add about 10 minutes of cooking time.

Nutrition information per serving: 155 calories; 22 calories from fat; 3 g. fat (0 g. saturated; 0 g. trans fats); 0 mg. cholesterol; 328 mg. sodium; 27 g. carbohydrate; 7 g. fiber; 4 g. sugar; 8 g. protein.

— AP

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Fitness & Health

FIFTYPLUS — FEBRUARY 2018

11

Facing violence and guilt in relationships Dear Solutions: Tell her to remember this: The first time you I’m ver y concerned about my grand- get hit, you’re a victim. The next time, you’re daughter, who is considera volunteer. ing marrying her boyfriend.

Dear Solutions: She is confiding in me and I’ve been seeing a man, asked me, “Can someone and although I like him, I love you and still hit you at don’t feel as connected to the same time?” him as he seems to be to me.

She says she knows her One of his children and boyfriend loves her and one of mine live in Califorwants to marry her, but when nia, and I haven’t seen my he gets very angry he lashes son for many months. out at her physically. They’re Now my boyfriend has ofmaking wedding plans, but SOLUTIONS fered to take me to California she says that last week he By Helen Oxenberg, for a birthday celebration at punched her in the face, and MSW, ACSW his daughter’s house and she still has the bruise. wants to come with me to visit He says he loves her and promised my son and his family. I will spend time that it won’t happen again. She asked me at his daughter’s house, but I want time if she should believe him. Please help alone with my son, who’s going through a me answer her. divorce, and with my little granddaughter.

— Aggravated My friend always wants to spend as Dear Aggravated: much time as possible with me, so I Tell her to look in the mirror and believe don’t know what to say to him about not her face! Tell her that violence is not about coming with me to visit my son. I feel love. It’s about control. He wants her to do guilty doing this because he’s paying for what he wants her to do no matter what, and the whole trip. he doesn’t know how to handle anger.

How do I tell him, and what do I do He needs to get a lot of professional help with the guilt? before she can even consider marrying him.

— Ellen

Dear Ellen: Put the guilt in an envelope and give it to a friend to hold for you until you get back from the trip. Your boyfriend is doing this for both of you. He wants you to share the birthday with him at his daughter’s house, so it’s his choice to pay for the trip.

Be clear before you go. Accept this gift graciously, but tell him that you hope he’ll understand your need for time alone with your son since you haven’t seen him in a long time. This will also give him time alone

with his daughter, which she probably wants.

So there’s something in it for both of you.

And if you miss the guilt, you can pick it up from your friend on the way back from the airport. Enjoy! © Helen Oxenberg, 2018. 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.

M A R K YO U R CAL EN DA R

Feb. 20

BECOME A FOSTER PARENT

Do you have room in your heart and home for a child in need? HopeTree Family Services’ Foster Care program provides the training and support that enables you to be the foster parent that kids throughout Virginia need. Attend the next Foster Parent Information Session on Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Baptist General Association of Virginia, 2828 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond. To learn more, call (804) 201-9006 or email ShannonU@HopeTreeFS.org.

Feb. 17

AFRICAN AMERICAN WAR STORIES

Hear the stories and history of African Americans who served in World War I and World War II on Saturday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m.to 12:30 p.m., at Chesterfield County Museum, 6813 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield. Through lecture and discussion, also learn about conditions of service in the United States and abroad, and honor Chesterfield County servicemen and servicewomen by learning their stories. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.chesterfieldhistory.com.

Personalized care to keep you safe and well at home • Age 55 and older • Live in the service area of a PACE organization • Eligible for nursing facility care in Virginia • Able to live safely in the community with the support of PACE services

Call us today and learn more about PACE

804-977-5900 riversideonline.com/pace

804-355-3013 1620 N. Hamilton Street Richmond, VA 23230 PACE is a program of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Federal Government.

12

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS

Tired of struggling on the stairs?

Introducing the Affordable Easy Climber® Elevator

Can be placed virtually anywhere in your home.

Home Improvement that actually improves your LIFE! SAFE !

Equipped with weight, balance and obstruction sensors !

Works even in a power outage

America’s Most Popula r Home Elevator

VERSATILE !

Can be placed almost anywhere in your home !

Quick Professional installation CONVENIENT !

Footprint is slightly larger than a refigerator !

Compact and Quiet

• No more climbing up stairs • No more falling down stairs • Plenty of room for groceries or laundry • Perfect for people with older pets • Ideal for Ranch houses with basements

Revolutionary elevator can give you– and your home’s value– a lift

“We are tickled about our new elevator. This is the first time I’ve seen the second floor of my home! It’s like an early Christmas present.”

Stan W. US war veteran and retired professor

team without an expensive shaft-way. Its small “footprint” and self-contained lift mechanism adds convenience and value to your home and quality to your life. It’s called the Easy Climber® Elevator. Call us now and we can tell you just how simple it is to own.

For many people, particularly seniors, climbing stairs can be a struggle and a health threat. Some have installed motorized stair lifts, but they block access to the stairs

and are hardly an enhancement to your home’s décor. By contrast, the Easy Climber® Elevator can be installed almost anywhere in your home. That way you can move easily and safely from floor to floor without struggling or worse yet… falling.

Why spend another day without this remarkable convenience? Knowledgeable product experts are standing by to answer any questions you may have. Call Now!

Call now to find out how you can get your own Easy Climber Elevator.

Please mention promotional code 108565.

For fastest service, call toll-free.

1-888-395-6961

Residential installations only. Not available in all areas. Call to see if you qualify. © 2018 Aging in the Home Remodelers Inc.

82838

Elevators have been around since the mid 19th century, and you can find them in almost every multi-story structure around… except homes. That’s because installing an elevator in a home has always been a complicated and expensive home renovation project… until now.

Innovative designers have created a home elevator that can be easily installed almost anywhere in your home by our professional

Imagine the possibilities

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FIFTYPLUS — FEBRUARY 2018

Money

13

TECH TITANS Prices are surging for tech stocks around the globe, and strong growth is expected.

But is it like the tech boom of the 1990s?

GIVING AWAY THE STORE Think twice when offered a store credit card, which can cause your credit score to drop in several ways

Simplify finances — for you and your heirs

By Liz Weston Simplifying and organizing our financial lives can make things easier for us while we’re alive and for our survivors when we’re not.

This task becomes more urgent as we age.

Our financial decision-making abilities generally peak around age 53, researchers have found, while rates of cognitive decline and dementia start to climb at age 60.

Over time, we tend to become more vulnerable to fraud, scams, unethical advisers and bad judgment, said financial literacy expert Lewis Mandell, author of What to Do When I Get Stupid. Cleaning up our finances early can help protect us.

Some steps to take:

Consolidate financial accounts Fewer accounts are easier to monitor for suspicious transactions and overlapping investments, plus you may save money on account fees.

Your employer may allow you to transfer old 401(k) and IRA accounts into its plan, or you can consolidate them into one IRA. For simplicity, consider swapping individual stocks and bonds for professionally managed mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (but check with a tax pro before you sell any investments held outside retirement funds).

Consider moving scattered bank accounts under one roof, but keep in mind that FDIC insurance is generally limited to $250,000 per

depositor per institution.

Automate payments Memory lapses can lead to missed payments, late fees and credit score damage, which can in turn drive up the cost of borrowing and insurance.

You can set up regular recurring payments in your bank’s bill payment system, have other bills charged to a credit card, and set up an automatic payment so the card balance is paid in full each month.

Head off bounced-transaction fees with true overdraft protection, which taps a line of credit or a savings account to pay over-limit transactions.

Prune credit cards Certified financial planner Carolyn McClanahan in Jacksonville, Fla., recommends her older clients keep just two credit cards: one for everyday purchases and another for automatic bill payments.

But note: Closing accounts can hurt credit scores, so wait until you’re reasonably sure you won’t need to apply for a loan before you start dramatically pruning.

Set up a watchdog Identify someone you want making decisions for you if you’re incapacitated. Use softSee SIMPLIFY FINANCES, page 14

804-355-3013 1620 N. Hamilton Street Richmond, VA 23230

14

Law & Money | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS

Is more tech in mutual funds a good thing?

By Stan Choe As technology takes over more of people’s daily lives, it’s also taking over ever-bigger chunks of their retirement accounts.

Surging prices for technology stocks around the world mean the industry is making up a larger proportion of global markets.

In the United States, Apple, Google’s parent company, and other tech companies account for nearly 24 percent of the Standard & Poor’s 500 index. A decade ago, they made up less than 17 percent of S&P 500 index funds.

The makeover is even more dramatic overseas, where ascendant companies like China’s Tencent and Alibaba have quickly stormed into the ranks of the world’s largest.

As a result, investing in many stock funds

Simplify finances From page 13 ware or a lawyer to create two durable powers of attorney — one for finances, one for healthcare. You don’t have to name the same person in both, but do name backups in case your original choice can’t serve.

Consider naming someone younger, because someone your age or older could become impaired at the same time you do, said Carolyn

has increasingly become a bet on technology companies. That could be reassuring for investors, given how tech companies have been able to deliver big profit growth for years, even when global economic growth was only middling.

But it’s also a concern for skeptics who see tech stocks as overly pricey and primed for a pullback. The worries came into starker relief late last year, after tech stocks tumbled more than the rest of the market.

To see how the tech takeover is changing investing, consider mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that focus on stocks from emerging markets. These kinds of

funds offer access to growth in China and other developing economies.

A decade ago, these funds were dominated by hulking telecoms, energy companies, and the commodity producers that feasted on fast growth in construction and factory activity.

They included China Mobile, the Brazilian oil giant Petrobras, and Russia’s Gazprom natural-gas company.

In late 2007, technology companies made up less than 11 percent of Vanguard’s Emerging Markets Stock Index fund. But in the ensuing years, tech companies like Tencent and Alibaba grew to serve hundreds of millions of users buying things with their mobile phones, chatting online and listening to music.

Now the Vanguard fund, which is the

largest emerging-market stock fund by assets, has almost twice as much of its portfolio apportioned to technology stocks. Its biggest single holding is Tencent, the company behind the popular WeChat messaging app and other products.

“It’s a sign of the times,” said Patricia Ribeiro, senior portfolio manager at the American Century Emerging Markets and Emerging Markets Small Cap funds. “In the emerging space, it’s a story about the consumer.”

The shift toward technology stocks and away from old-economy companies is a result of the rise of emerging markets’ middle

Rosenblatt, an elder-law attorney in San Rafael, Calif., who runs AgingParents.com. Grant online access to your accounts, or at least talk about where your trusted person can find the information she’ll need, Rosenblatt recommends.

Also create “in case of emergency” files that your trusted person or heirs will need.

These might include: • Your will or living trust • Medical directives, powers of attorney, living wills

• Birth, death and marriage certificates • Military records • Social Security cards • Car titles, property deeds and other ownership documents • Insurance policies • A list of your financial accounts • Contact information for your attorney, tax pro, financial adviser and insurance agent • Photocopies of passports, driver’s licenses and credit cards

A safe deposit box is not the best repository, because your trusted person may need access to its contents outside bank hours.

A fireproof safe bolted to a floor in your home, or at minimum a locked file cabinet, may be better, as long as you share the combination or key (or its location) with your trusted person.

Scanning paperwork and keeping an encrypted copy in the cloud could help you or someone else recreate your financial life if the originals are lost or destroyed.

— AP

Tech in emerging markets

2_18FP

See TECH STOCKS, page 16

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Law & Money

FIFTYPLUS — FEBRUARY 2018

15

Store card could torpedo your credit score

By Bev O’Shea When a sales clerk cheerfully asks, “Would you like to save 20 percent on your purchases today by opening a card with us?” you may think you’re getting a bargain.

But the reality sounds a lot less cheery: “Would you be interested in a low-limit card that could damage your credit standing?”

Credit expert John Ulzheimer warns that opening a new store card could hurt your credit score by: • Having an outsize impact on your credit usage, which is a big factor in credit scores • Causing an inquiry on your credit • Reducing the average age of your credit accounts

Lower limit, higher usage The credit limits on retail cards that you use only at one store or chain are typically about 10 percent of those on comparable general-use credit cards, Ulzheimer said.

Let’s say you open a store card to get 20 percent off a $250 purchase. After the discount, your balance is $200. A few days later, you spend $150 more. You’re still well below the card’s $1,000 limit — but your balance is 35 percent of your credit limit.

How much of your credit limit you use has a major influence on your credit scores. The

only thing that matters more is paying on time.

Credit experts advise staying below 30 percent of the limit on any card. Consumers with the very best scores typically use less than 10 percent.

To keep your usage low, credit card expert and author Beverly Harzog suggests paying your bill before the issuer reports the balance to the credit bureaus. Call the customer service number on the card to find out when that is. Or get in the habit of making online payments as soon as you purchase something. That way, your charges never stack up.

A retail card doesn’t just affect your scores by spiking your credit usage. “When you apply for a new card, the card issuer is going to want to pull one of your credit reports,” Ulzheimer said.

That helps the issuer assess whether to approve your application, but it can cause a small, temporary dip in your score. “That’s problematic — I wouldn’t call it catastrophic,” he said.

The bigger problem comes if you’re approved. That new account causes the average age of your credit cards to decrease. Credit age is a minor factor in scores, but every point counts.

The worst decision of all might be to apply for card after card as you shop to snare multiple discounts. Each application can ding

Greenfield Residences

at Monument Avenue

CATERED CARE AT YOUR SERVICE Experience a B&B style of senior living at the historic Shenandoah Building, located in the heart of Richmond’s Historic Fan District. !"#$%%&'%()"*%+,)%&-%+".!"

Monument Avenue, we provide total resident care in a way !/.!"0,(("$%)%'&%" and transform the senior living experience. !""#$"%&'(")*&"#+")',-'./#01"#-'23"#0" /%0/))*)1$(02*,*%"03+..4%*15 501 North Allen Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220

804-441-9336 !"#$$%&$'()$%*+#'*,*%"!-+.

your score, and each new approval drops your overall age of accounts.

save $200, you spent $800.” And if you carry a balance instead of paying in full, interest will eat into that discount.

Limited usability, limited services On top of potentially hurting your credit scores, retail cards have usability issues.

They’re often good only at one store or retail chain, usually have high interest rates, and typically have less robust security alerts than traditional cards.

You might be better off using an existing credit card, especially if you have a rewards card that offers cash back on every purchase, not just the initial one.

“In the grand scheme of things, 20 percent off your purchases, one day ever, isn’t that big of a deal. Even if you spent $1,000 — which I doubt most people will do — that’s a $200 discount,” Ulzheimer said. “Really, you didn’t

Avoid snap decisions If you shop at a particular place often enough, it might be worth opening a store card to access ongoing discounts, presales and insider benefits. But resist deciding that in the checkout line.

And if you already have a store card? Don’t close it — that also would hurt your average age of accounts.

Better to use it lightly and pay on time.

Both actions have a positive effect on your credit scores.

And make the most of any exclusive deals the card offers.

— NerdWallet via AP

M A R K YO U R CAL EN DA R

Feb. 20

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

The Chesterfield Planning Commission will hold a public hearing, called “Northern Jefferson Davis Special Area Plan” during its February meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20. The plan is a guideline for the area’s future, and a work session begins at 3 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Public Meeting Room at 10001 Iron Bridge Rd., Chesterfield. For more information, visit www.chesterfield.gov/jeffdavis.

16

Law & Money | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

Tech stocks From page 14 classes, which are increasingly going online and also benefiting from the world’s voracious demand for technology, she said.

Ribeiro has 33 percent of her Emerging Markets fund invested in technology stocks, more than any other sector. Some of her recent acquisitions include Momo, a Chinese dating app, and AAC Technologies, a Chinese supplier for Apple.

M ARK YO UR CAL EN DAR

Ongoing

TAX HELP AARP Virginia and Senior Connections will provide free tax help for

older adults and persons with disabilities who are eligible to request assistance. The tax aide assistance is provided at the Resource Center on the first floor of Senior

S

Connections’ downtown office, 24 East Cary St., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Assistance will be provided for 2017 State and Federal tax returns. Appointments are required. For more information or an appointment, call Pat Giesen at (804) 343 3059 or Cheryl Arrington at (804) 343 3023.

Feb. 21+

TABLET CLASS Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation offers a tablet class for beginners on Wednesdays, Feb. 21 and 28, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Learn the differences between e-readers and tablets, how to turn your tablet on and

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS

A decade ago, the fund invested more money in financials, raw-material production and other areas of the market. The portion devoted to tech was just 12 percent.

The fund has ranked in the top 8 percent of its category for returns over the last five years, according to Morningstar.

In the United States, tech stocks in the S&P 500 doubled the gain of the index through 2017’s first 11 months. A slump in the sector toward the end of the year reminded investors that tech stocks are historically prone to price swings and expensive of late, based on several measures of value.

Analysts attribute the drop in tech stocks — nearly 4 percent in a little more than a week in December — to investors looking for reasons to sell and take profits.

Washington’s push to overhaul the tax system served as a trigger. Tech stocks stand to gain less from lower tax rates than other industries, so some investors moved money out of tech and into those sectors expected to be tax-overhaul winners, such as financial companies and retailers.

off, how to access Wi-Fi, about the settings on your tablet, and how to install apps.

This class includes practicing what you learned and asking questions of the instructor. Bring your own tablet, fully charged and ready to go, to Huguenot Road Baptist Church, 10525 W Huguenot Rd., North Chesterfield. The class costs $26. For more information, call (804) 748-1623.

Strong growth expected But technology companies are in the midst of reshaping several industries, from retail to media, and proponents see even more growth D ahead. Ken Allen, portfolio manager at the T. Rowe Price Science & Technology fund, calls it “being on the right side of

change.”

Plus, the pace of adoption is accelerating.

It took Microsoft’s Windows nearly 26 years to get to 1 billion users. For Google’s Android operating system, it took less than six years.

Many mutual-fund managers seem to agree. After looking at 495 mutual funds that invest $1.9 trillion, strategists at Goldman Sachs found that actively managed funds generally have even more invested in the technology sector than index funds do.

The margin has been shrinking a bit recently, but the preference nevertheless remains.

A big difference between tech stocks of today and the last time the industry was such a dominant force in the market during the late 1990s is how much profit they’re making.

Tech companies are not only making money, they’re delivering some of the strongest gains as customers continue to snap up iPhones and click on ads in Facebook. Tech stocks in the S&P 500 reported 21 percent growth in earnings per share in the third quarter of 2017, triple the rate of the overall index.

That’s a far cry from 2000, when tech stocks made up nearly 35 percent of the S&P 500 at the height of the dot-com bubble and investors were more interested in capturing “eyeballs” and web traffic than in something as mundane as sales or even earnings.

— AP

Housing designed and built to meet the needs of the elderly, handicapped and disabled.* • All-Paid Utilities • Social Activities • 24-Hour Maintenance • Convenient Location

Now Accepting Rental Applications 1025 W. Grace Street (in the Fan) For more information call

355-9114 *Based on Income Managed by Beacon Residential Management

!

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FIFTYPLUS — FEBRUARY 2018 PHOTO BY SKREIDZELEU

Travel Leisure &

17

Visit Lima, Peru instead of Barcelona for a bargain vacation without the crowds.

See story on page 18.

Love stories from five Virginia presidents for independence was at a standstill, he asked her to join him at his encampments. She made arduous journeys — to Cambridge, Valley Forge, Philadelphia, Morristown, Newburgh — to join him, which historians say boosted troop morale as well as the general’s.

The address of the Washington’s home at Mt. Vernon is 3200 Mt. Vernon Ave., Mt. Vernon. Admission is $20; $17 if purchased online. Those 62 and older can save $1. www.mountvernon.org, (703) 780-2000.

Nearby is the 45-room Federalist style Morrison House hotel at 116 S. Alfred St., Alexandria. Rooms start at $140 a night. www.MorrisonHouse.com, (703) 838-8000.

George Washington Picture the nation’s first president as an ardent, 17-year-old admirer of feminine charms.

Although George Washington was very fond of his best friend’s bride, Sally Cary Fairfax, it was the wealthy widow Martha Custis who captured his heart (in a single evening, it is said).

Within a year, they were married and went off to live at Mount Vernon with her two young children, whom Washington raised as his own.

Once George assumed command of the Continental Army in 1775, Martha’s life changed forever. During long winter months, when the war

Thomas Jefferson

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE EDITH BOLLING WILSON BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM

President Woodrow Wilson and Edith Bolling Wilson are portrayed by re-enactors at the First Lady’s birthplace museum in Wytheville, Va., one of only eight historic sites across the country dedicated to the interpretation of a First Lady. A photo of Bolling Wilson is shown behind them.

Rebecca Burwell of Williamsburg captured the heart of a lanky, red-haired law student named Thomas Jefferson, who affectionately called her “Belinda.” By the time he spoke his heart, at a dance in the Apollo Room of Williamsburg’s Raleigh Tavern, his clumsy vows of love were what he later called “a few broken sentences uttered in great disorder.”

But it was the beautiful, 23-year-old, childless widow, Martha Wayles Skelton, who accepted his proposal of marriage. After their wedding, a few miles west of Williamsburg on Jan. 1, 1772, the couple made their way to Jefferson’s Monticello property outside the city of Charlottesville. As they traveled, a snowstorm raged, with the final eight miles being completed on horseback in the dark.

Reaching Monticello late into the night, the Jeffersons lit a cozy fire in a one-room, brick cottage, found a bottle of wine behind a stack of books, and celebrated their first night.

Here in this tiny cottage, 868 feet above sea level, with the rolling countryside below them, the Jeffersons spent the early months of their marriage. Travelers enjoy seeing the “honeymoon cottage,” now known as the South Pavilion. It is situated near the main house, which Jefferson designed and built over a period of 40 years.

Unfortunately, the Jeffersons’ marital happiness was short-lived. Upon Martha’s death 10 years after their marriage, Jefferson re-

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SHERWOOD FOREST PLANTATION FOUNDATION

By Martha Steger With Valentine’s and Presidents’ Days approaching, curiosity turns to what U.S. presidents were like as sweethearts and husbands.

Readers and travelers can gain insight into five “romantics in chief” from Virginia — birthplace of eight U.S. presidents — by visiting the related presidential sites in the Commonwealth.

We’ve also listed some nearby romantic inns if you’d like to turn a daytrip into an overnight stay.

President John Tyler retired to his Virginia plantation, Sherwood Forest, in Charles City, Va. The photo depicts the home’s drawing room. His grandson continues to live in the grand home.

portedly stayed in his room for three weeks, grieving and pacing the floor.

Never remarrying, he later wrote to an acquaintance of his “ten years of unchequered happiness” with his wife, who was “the cherished companion of my life.”

Monticello is located at 931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville. Tickets are $23 ($21 online) in February, and $29 ($26 online) from March through October. www.monticello.org, (434) 984-9800.

Just down the road from Monticello is the white pillared Clifton Inn overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains at 1296 Clifton Inn Dr., Charlottesville. www.Clifton-Inn.com, (434) 971-1800.

James Madison James Madison and his gregarious wife, Dolley Payne Todd Madison, honeymooned in 1793 at Belle Grove — a manor house built

by James Madison’s sister and her husband.

Situated in Middletown, in the upper Shenandoah Valley, the property is now part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and offers activities for visitors throughout the year.

When not serving the emerging nation as the United States’ third “first couple,” James and Dolley lived and entertained at Montpelier, another National Trust property in Orange County near Charlottesville. The 2,750-acre estate includes a recently restored manor house and museum, farmland, race courses, a two-acre formal garden and a National Landmark Forest.

There are few letters between James and Dolley because they were rarely apart, according to Hilarie Hicks, a member of Montpelier’s research team.

Admission to Montpelier is $22 ($20 online), $1 less for those 62 and over. It is located at 11350 Constitution Highway, Montpelier Station. www.montpelier.org, (540) 672-2728, ext. 450.

The Holliday House B&B, built in 1830, is three miles down the road in nearby Orange.

Rooms range from $169 to $249. www.HolladayHouseBandB.com, (540) 672-4893.

John Tyler Following his term as 10th president, the See LOVE STORIES, page 19

18

Leisure & Travel | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS

Try bargain vacations for smaller crowds

By Miriam Cross Hordes of tourists swarming the world’s most popular destinations can make travel unpleasant. For example, Barcelona and Venice are so crowded that disgruntled residents have staged protests over the influx of visitors.

Governments looking for ways to reduce the crowds in Barcelona and Dubrovnik are considering limiting hotel construction or capping the number of cruise ships that unleash swells of day-trippers.

If your heart is set on viewing Paris from atop the Eiffel Tower or skiing at a chic Colorado resort, the crush of people with the same idea may not deter you. But if you prize a less-crowded experience, consider these alternatives to popular vacation spots around the world.

One way to avoid the crowds is to travel during the off-season. But scheduling time off from work or school, and risking rainy and cold weather, aren’t for everyone. So we chose places that are less packed all year

round and offer good value even in peak season. Here are two suggestions.

Snowbasin, Utah instead of Vail Colorado has a slew of ski resorts that draw plenty of season pass holders and other visitors, thanks to a variety of terrain, highquality facilities and plentiful lodging. To spend more time on the slopes and less time shivering in line for the lift, venture further afield.

The facilities at Snowbasin, an hour’s drive from the Salt Lake City airport, were revamped for the 2002 Winter Olympics (the resort hosted the downhill, Super G and combined races). But its location is just remote enough to put off the masses.

Trails are suitable for all levels of skiing across more than 3,000 acres, and the terrain is varied, too. “Snowbasin has bits of Utah all in one place, from the rolling mountains of Park City to the steep, rugged terrain of Cottonwood Canyons,” said Evan Reece, CEO of Liftopia, an online seller of lift tickets.

Please patronize our advertisers.

They keep Fifty Plus free!

An excursion to the nearby ski resort of Powder Mountain can be tacked on to the same trip. Facilities there are not as fancy as Snowbasin’s, but it has more than 8,464 skiable acres — more than any other resort in the U.S. You’ll also pay less to schuss down the slopes. A lift ticket for a Saturday in February at Vail recently cost $164 online. For the same date, you could buy a lift ticket for $89 at Snowbasin or $79 at Powder Mountain.

There are condos and rentals near both mountains. But in nearby Ogden, you’ll have your pick of accommodations and apres-ski activities, including indoor skydiving, rock climbing and stand-up comedy.

Public buses connect both Snowbasin and Powder Mountain with several stops in Ogden ($7.20 for a 24-hour pass). The bus ride takes about 45 minutes each way.

Lima, Peru instead of Barcelona Fans of architect Antoni Gaudi may settle for nothing less than a trip to Barcelona, where his sculptural buildings and towering Sagrada Familia Church enliven the city. Barcelona also features dozens of museums, Catalan cooking, a thriving nightlife and sandy beaches.

But you will be far from alone: The city hosts more than 30 million visitors each year.

If you simply want to spend a few days reveling in art, architecture and cuisine in a lively city, head south to Lima, Peru, instead. (You’ll also avoid the Catalonia turmoil in Barcelona.)

The old colonial town of Lima comes to life in its historic center, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can tour the catacombs at the San Francisco Church and Convent for $3, or watch the changing of the guard outside Government Palace, the former residence of Francisco Pizarro, a Spanish explorer and founder of Lima.

Or explore Huaca Pucllana, 1,500-year-old ruins that rise up in the upscale Miraflores district. On the artsy side, pre-Columbian objects and textiles are on display at the Lima Art Museum and the Larco Museum.

We found flights from the Washington area in May in the $500s, or in the $600s later in the summer (which is Lima’s mild winter).

Four-star hotels averaged $138 a night in the summer of 2017, compared with $233 in Barcelona, according to rates from Expedia.

Rooms at Hotel Dazzler, in the Miraflores district, recently started at a discounted rate of $132 per night for July 2018 if booked online 60 days in advance. © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.”

— J. Fitzgerald, VA

Sit up, lie down — and anywhere in between!

Long Lasting DuraLux Leather Tan And there’s more! The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. The high and low heat settings along with the multiple massage settings, can provide a soothing relaxation you might get at a spa – just imagine getting all that in a lift chair! It even has a battery backup in case of a power outage. Shipping charge includes white glove delivery. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away! You get your choice of fabrics and colors – Call now!

Chocolate Burgundy

Black

Blue

DuraLux II Microfiber Burgundy Cashmere

Fern

Chocolate

Indigo

The Perfect Sleep Chair

®

1-888-891-7629 Please mention code 108562 when ordering. © 2018 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

46471

Our Perfect Sleep Chair® is just the chair to do it all. It’s ’s a chair, true – the finest of lift chairs – but this chair is so much more! It’s designed to provide total comfort and relaxation not found in other chairs. It can’t be beat for comfortable, long-term sitting, TV viewing, relaxed reclining and – yes! – peaceful sleep.

Our chair’s recline technology allows you to pause the chair in an infinite number of positions, including the Trendelenburg position and the zero gravity position where your body experiences a minimum of internal and external stresses. You’ll love the other benefits, too: It helps with correct spinal alignment, promotes back pressure This lift chair relief, and encourages better posture puts you safely to prevent back and muscle pain. on your feet!

Easy-to-use remote for massage, heat, recline and lift

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Leisure & Travel

Woodrow Wilson Wilson was an ardent and passionate writer of love letters. He wrote hundreds while courting his first wife, Ellen Louise Axson, and during their 29-year marriage, according to Jennie Cohen of history.com.

After Axson died in 1914, a year into his

PUBLIC NOTICE

APPLICATION FOR NEW FREEDOM/5317 PROGRAM

Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging serving Virginia Planning District 15 intends to submit an application to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) for the FY 2019 New Freedom/5317 Program.

The intent of the application is to request funds for the Ride Connection Program to provide Mobility Management and Transportation Services for older adults and persons with disabilities as well as funding to serve as the District’s first official Human Service Transportation Coordination Entity as recently recommended by the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission. For further information, please contact: Mr. Tony Williams, Mobility Manager Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging 24 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219 804-822-3068 twilliams@youraaa.org

Breakthrough technology converts phone calls to captions.

M

From page 17 55-year-old John Tyler retired to his Virginia plantation, Sherwood Forest, with his second wife, Julia Gardiner Tyler, more than 30 years his junior. A collection of Julia and John’s love letters and poetry is at The College of William and Mary’s Swem Library in Williamsburg.

John and his young, vivacious wife started their family at the home between Williamsburg and Richmond on State Route 5. The 301-foot-long house includes a 68-foot ballroom designed for dancing the Virginia Reel, the popular dance of the Tylers’ day.

Today, President Tyler’s grandson — born in 1924 when his father was 71 — lives at Sherwood Forest with his family. The house is open only by appointment, but the grounds are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located on State Rt. 5, 14501 John Tyler Highway, Charles City, 30 minutes from Williamsburg and 45 minutes from Richmond. www.sherwoodforest.org, (804) 829-5377

first term as president, he became smitten with a widow and fellow Virginian, Edith Bolling Galt. In their correspondence, he addressed her as “My sweet darling,” and signed his name “Tiger.”

The two wed on Dec. 15, 1918, boarded a train, and honeymooned at The Homestead, the renowned four-season resort in Hot Springs, Virginia.

The Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum, in Wytheville — the only birthplace of a U.S. first lady open to the public in Virginia — is one of only eight such homes nationwide dedicated to the interpretation of a first lady.

A visit reveals how and why Edith Bolling Wilson, in a pivotal period during World War I, earned the epithets, “The First Woman President” and “The Secret President.”

Entrance to the museum at 145 E. Main St., Wytheville is free. There is a $5 fee for tours of the Bolling Family Home. www.edithbollingwilson.org, (276) 223-3484.

Across the street is the Edith Bolling Wilson Hotel, built in 1927. Rooms start at $109. www.bollingwilsonhotel.com, (276) 223-2333.

The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum is located in the President’s birthplace at 20 N. Coalter St., Staunton. Admission is $14 ($12 for those 60 and over). www.woodrowwilson.org, (540) 885-0897 As the slogan “Virginia is for Lovers” suggests, any time is a good time to discover the romance of Virginia and her presidents.

o ct N t ra e n Fe Co No ly th on

Love stories

19

New amplified phone lets you hear AND see the conversation.

The Hamilton® CapTel® Captioned Telephone converts phone conversations to easy-to-read captions for individuals with hearing loss.

Do you get discouraged when you hear your telephone ring? Do you avoid using your phone because hearing difficulties make it hard to understand the person on the other end of the line?

For many Americans the telephone conversation – once an important part of everyday life – has become a thing of the past. Because they can’t understand what is said to them on the phone, they’re often cut off from friends, family, doctors and caregivers.

Now, thanks to innovative technology there is finally a better way.

A simple idea… made possible with sophisticated technology. If you have trouble understanding a call, captioned telephone can change your life. During a phone call the words spoken to you appear on the phone’s screen – similar to closed captioning on TV. So when you make or receive a call, the words spoken to you are not only amplified by the phone, but scroll across the phone so you can listen while reading everything that’s said to you. Each call is routed through a call center, where computer technology – aided by a live representative – generates voice-to-text translations. The captioning is real-time, accurate and readable. Your conversation is private and the captioning service doesn’t cost you a penny. Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP

SEE what you’ve been missing!

CTS) is regulated and funded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is designed exclusively for individuals with hearing loss. To learn more, visit www.fcc.gov. The Hamilton CapTel phone requires telephone service and high-speed Internet access. WiFi Capable. Callers do not need special equipment or a captioned telephone in order to speak with you.

Finally… a phone you can use again.

The Hamilton CapTel phone is also packed with features to help make phone calls easier. The keypad has large, easy to use buttons. You get adjustable volume amplification along with the ability to save captions for review later. It even has an answering machine that provides you with the captions of each message.

See for yourself with our exclusive home trial. Try a captioned telephone in your own home and if you are not completely amazed, simply return it within 60-days for a refund of the product purchase price. It even comes with a 5-year warranty.

Captioned Telephone Call now for our special introductory price!

Call now Toll-Free

1-888-299-8933 Please mention promotion code 108564.

81135

FIFTYPLUS — FEBRUARY 2018

The Captioning Telephone is intended for use by people with hearing loss. In purchasing a Captioning Telephone, you acknowledge that it will be used by someone who cannot hear well over a traditional phone. Hamilton is a registered trademark of Nedelco, Inc. d/b/a Hamilton Telecommunications. CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc.

20

Sunshine Tours

Leisure & Travel | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

DATE Jan 21-23 Feb 4-7 Feb 10-16 Feb 16-19 Feb 17-25 Feb 18-20 Mar 2-4 Mar 4-7 Mar 8-10 Mar 10 Mar 10 Mar 11-20 Mar 13-20 Mar 17 Mar 31 Apr 8-10 Apr 13-15 Apr 18-May 6 Apr 20-21 Apr 21-29 Apr 23-May 4 Apr 28 May 1-4 May 2-5 May 4-6 May 7-28 May 8-11 May 9-12 May 10-11 May 12 May 19-27 May 21-23 May 22-26 May 25-29 June 1-13 June 2-9 June 3-9 June 5-10 June 6-9 June 9-16 June 13-17 June 13-22 June 15-17 June 15-30 June 17-20 June 19-23 June 21-23 June 21-23 June 23-Jul 1 July 1-10 July 2-17 July 3-6 July 7-23 July 7-Aug 5 July 14-21 July 18-29 July 20-21 July 21-Aug 6 July 22-25 July 26-28

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS

2018 Tour Schedule

PER PERSON PRICE TOUR Sands Casino & Resorts / Bethlehem, PA ..........................................295 Atlantic City, NJ / Resorts Casino & Hotel ..........................................370 Mardi Gras / Mobile............................................................................1025 **Daytona 300 XFINITY / Daytona 500................................................795 Florida / Winter Escape......................................................................1750 Sands Casino & Resort / Bethlehem, PA ............................................295 Winter Wildlife Cruise / VA Beach ........................................................375 Atlantic City, NJ / Resorts Casino & Hotel ..........................................370 Philadelphia Flower Show ..................................................................475 “Million Dollar Quartet” / Altria Theater ................................................150 Highland Maple Festival ........................................................................60 Southern Comforts ............................................................................1595 Baseball Spring Training / Phoenix Fly ............................................2495 Highland Maple Festival ........................................................................60 “Dirty Dancing” / Altria Theater ............................................................150 Sands Casino & Resort / Bethlehem, PA ............................................295 **Washington DC / Cherry Blossom Festival ......................................450 Southwest & California Motorcoach ..................................................2975 “Jesus” / Lancaster, PA ......................................................................350 Charleston / Savannah / Jekyll Island ..............................................1375 Texas “The Lone Star State” ............................................................1995 “The Wiz” Ford’s Theater / Washington ..............................................190 Cape May New Jersey ........................................................................795 All About Atlanta ..................................................................................695 New York City / Springtime ................................................................995 San Francisco, CA & Pacific Northwest ............................................3195 Tulip Festival / Holland, Michigan ......................................................750 Creation Museum / Ark Encounter ......................................................595 “Jesus” / Lancaster, PA ........................................................................350 Tangier Island .................................................................................... 100 Branson / America’s Music Show Capital ..........................................1475 Sands Casino / Bethlehem, PA ..........................................................295 Baseball / Three Stadiums ................................................................1050 Nashville / “Music City USA” ..............................................................725 America’s Northwest / Fly / Land ......................................................3095 Niagara Falls / Montreal & Quebec ..................................................1325 Florida’s NE Shore / Amelia Island ....................................................995 Kentucky / Bluegrass State ..............................................................1075 Creation Museum / Ark Encounter ......................................................595 Michigan & The Grand Hotel ............................................................1795 Hall of Fame / Sports & Music ............................................................775 Nova Scotia & The Atlantic Provinces ..............................................1725 Mystery Tour SSHHH! It’s A Secret ......................................................395 Alaska & Canada Fly / Land / Northbound ........................................4750 Atlantic City, NJ / Resorts Casino & Hotel ..........................................370 Baseball / Four Stadiums ..................................................................1095 “Jesus” / Lancaster, PA ......................................................................525 Chincoteaque Island ..........................................................................450 Branson / America’s Music Show Capital ..........................................1475 Hawaii / Honolulu /Waikiki ................................................................3495 Alaska & Canada Fly / Land / Southbound ......................................4750 Baseball / Fourth of July / Washington DC ........................................775 Canyonlands / Our Most Scenic Tour ..............................................2895 Alaska & Canada’s Yukon by Motorcoach ........................................5595 Summer New England / Martha’s Vineyard ......................................1525 Pacific Coast Fly / Land ....................................................................3750 “Jesus” / Lancaster, PA ......................................................................350 Newfoundland / Labrador / Nova Scotia ..........................................2775 Sands Casino & Resort / New York City ..............................................475 “Jesus” / Lancaster, PA ......................................................................525

DATE July 26-30 July 30-Aug 10 July 30-Aug 20 July 31-Aug 4 Aug 3-6 Aug 11 Aug 12-18 Aug 13-24 Aug 13-17 Aug 14-18 Aug 16-18 Aug 18-25 Aug 20-23 Aug 24-26 Aug 25 Sept 1-7 Sept 2-4 Sept 5-8 Sept 5-8 Sept 6-7 Sept 7-9 Sept 8-16 Sept 14-15 Sept 15-16 Sept 15-22 Sept 16-22 Sept 20-23 Sept 21-24 Sept 24-30 Sept 28-30 Sept 29-Oct 10 Sept 30-Oct 3 Oct 2-17 Oct 4 Oct 4-10 Oct 5-23 Oct 6 *** Oct 7-28 Oct 13-17 Oct 18-20 Oct 18-22 Oct 18-20 Oct 20-21 Oct 20-28 Oct 22-25 Nov 2-4 Nov 12-19 Nov 15-18 Nov 21-24 Nov 25-28 Nov 26-29 Nov 28-Dec 2 Nov 29-Dec 3 Nov 30-Dec 2 Dec 1-9 Dec 6-8 Dec 7-9 Dec 7-9 Dec 14-15 Dec 26-31

TOUR PER PERSON PRICE Nashville / “Music City USA” ..............................................................725 America’s Southwest Fly / Land ........................................................2995 San Francisco, CA / Pacific Northwest ............................................3195 Amish Acres Festival / Napanee, Indiana ............................................685 “The Crooked Road” / Virginia Music Trail ..........................................625 Tangier Island ......................................................................................100 Elvia / Tupelo / Memphis ....................................................................950 The Great Lakes ..............................................................................2395 Baseball Three Stadiums ....................................................................975 Wisconsin / Racine / Milwaukee ........................................................825 “Jesus” / Lancaster, PA ......................................................................525 Niagara Falls / Montreal & Quebec ..................................................1325 Dover Downs / Foxwoods ..................................................................495 Smokey Mountain Railroad / Cherokee ..............................................550 D-Day Memorial / Smith Mountain Lake ............................................110 New England / Vermont / New Hampshire ........................................1350 Sands Casino & Resort / Bethlehem, PA ............................................295 Creation Museum / Ark Encounter ......................................................595 Mystery Tour – “We are still not telling!” ..............................................675 “Jesus” / Lancaster, PA ......................................................................350 Ohio Amish Country ............................................................................525 Branson / America’s Music Show Capital ..........................................1475 Tygart Flyer / Gandy Dancer Theater ................................................350 **Baseball / Atlanta Braves ................................................................275 Niagara Falls / Montreal & Quebec ..................................................1325 Agawa Canyon Railroad ..................................................................1225 Loretta Lynn’s Homeplace / Pikeville, KY ..........................................550 Long Island New York ........................................................................675 New England In The Fall ..................................................................1195 Neptune Festival / VA Beach ..............................................................525 Nova Scotia & New England / Fall ....................................................1950 Atlantic City, NJ / Resorts Casino ......................................................370 Hawaiian Islands / Four Island Tour ..................................................5575 Cass Railroad / National Observatory ................................................100 New England / Fall ............................................................................1195 Southwest & California / Motorcoach ................................................2975 Graves Mountain Harvest Festival ........................................................80 Australia / New Zealand ....................................................................9995 *Niagara Falls / Toronto ......................................................................825 “Jesus” / Lancaster, PA ......................................................................525 Nashville / “Music City USA” ..............................................................725 ***Biltmore Estates / Lake Lure, NC ..................................................550 New River Amtrak Fall Excursion ........................................................450 Branson / America’s Music Show Capital ..........................................1475 Dover Downs / Foxwoods ..................................................................495 Sunshine Tours Family Reunion ........................................................550 Olde English Christmas / Omaha, NE ..............................................1195 Biltmore / Smoky Mountain Christmas ................................................775 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ....................................................1325 Sands Casino & Resort / New York City ..............................................475 Christmas Mystery ..............................................................................650 Charleston / Savannah Christmastime ..............................................975 Nashville / Country Christmas / Opryland ........................................1275 New York / Radio City Christmas Show ............................................1175 Branson, MO / Ozark Christmas ........................................................1450 “Jesus” / Lancaster, PA ......................................................................525 Myrtle Beach / Christmas ....................................................................450 New York / Radio City Christmas Show ............................................1175 “Jesus” / Lancaster, PA ......................................................................350 Florida / Christmas at Disneyworld ..................................................1295

Prices shown are for Double (2 to a Room) Occupancy. Quad (4 to a Room) and Triple (3 to a Room) Occupancy is Available at a Slightly Lower Per Person Price. Single (1 to a Room) is also available at a Slightly Higher Per Person Price. All Tours Include Roundtrip Transportation by Modern, Air-Conditioned, DVD and Restroom Equipped Deluxe Motorcoach, Hotel Accommodations and Admission to the Listed Attractions. Baggage Handling is provided at each night’s lodging as indicated in the catalog. Cancellation Insurance is NOT REQUIRED on any Sunshine tour, as we will REFUND ALL PAYMENTS (FLY TRIPS 45-DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE) FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER if you find it necessary to cancel your reservation AT ANY TIME before the tour leaves.

SUNSHINE TOURS

4430 Cleburne Boulevard * P. O. Box 2149, Dublin, VA 24084 VA DMV Permit No. 180

PICK-UP POINTS FOR TOURS LISTED:

Staunton, Charlottesville, Richmond

NOTE: * Richmond ONLY | ** Staunton ONLY | *** Richmond & Charlottesville ONLY

FOR A FREE CATALOG OF TOURS, PLEASE CALL TOLL FREE:

1-800-552-0022 • www.GoSunshineTours.com

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FIFTYPLUS — FEBRUARY 2018

Style

21

Arts &

Azaleas are among the blossoms that one can “force” to bloom indoors well before they flower outside. See story on page 24.

Exhibits highlight black photographers seen in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ small-scale photography exhibition, “Like a Study in Black History: P.H. Polk, Chester Higgins, and The Black Photographers Annual, Volume 2,” on view until May 6.

In 1973, 1974, 1976 and 1980, African American artists in New York City published The Black Photographers Annual — portfolios of their photography. The idea developed out of the Kamoinge workshop, a collective of artists whose name derives from the Kikuyu language of Kenya meaning “to work together.”

The Kamoinge workshop was formed in 1963 to support artists working toward equality in the photography industry, and contin-

ues to guide artists today. Many notable artists have been involved, including Higgins, Roy DeCarava and Beuford Smith.

Focus on a Richmond native Dr. Sarah Eckhardt, associate curator of modern and contemporary art at the VMFA, first became interested in Kamoinge and The Black Photographers Annual through her research on photographer Louis Draper, who was born and raised in Richmond.

In 2016, the VMFA acquired 35 photographs by Draper, as well as his complete archive, and in 2020 the VMFA will present a large-scale exhibition of Louis Draper and the early years of the Kamoinge workshop.

TECHNOLOGY SIMPLIFIED – BIGGER AND BETTER

Wow! A Simple to Use Computer Designed Especially for Seniors!

Easy to read. Easy to see. Easy to use. Just plug it in!

There is finally a computer that’s designed for simplicity and ease of use. It’s the WOW Computer, and it was designed with you in mind.

This computer is easy-to-use, worry-free and literally puts the world at your fingertips.

From the moment you open the box, you’ll realize how different the WOW Computer is. The components are all connected; all you do is plug it into an outlet and your high-speed Internet connection. Then you’ll see the screen. This is a completely new touch screen system, without the cluttered look of the normal computer screen. The “buttons” on the screen are easy to see and easy to understand. All you do is touch one of them, from the Web, Email, Calendar to Games– you name it… and a new screen opens up. It’s so easy to use you won’t have to ask your children or grandchildren for help. Until now, the very people

who could benefit most from E-mail and the Internet are the ones that have had the hardest time accessing it.

Now, thanks to the WOW Computer, countless older Americans are discovering the wonderful world of the Internet every day. Isn’t it time you took part? Call now, and you’ll find out why tens of thousands of satisfied seniors are now enjoying their WOW Computers, emailing their grandchildren, and experiencing everything the Internet has to offer.Call today!

Call toll free now and find out how you can get your own WOW! Computer.

As Eckhardt explains, “Kamoinge was such a huge part of Draper’s life that researching the group helps to give dimension and context to his life and work.”

As she began researching Draper and the Kamoinge workshop, Eckhardt became intimately familiar with The Black Photographers Annual and decided to present four small exhibitions about each of the volumes.

“I was struck by these amazing documents.

They weren’t part of the photo history I had learned,” she said. “Because we are acquiring works by African American artists, this is a good tool for learning more about which phoSee PHOTOGRAPHERS, page 22

NEW Now comes with...

Larger 22-inch hi-resolution screen – easier to see 16% more viewing area Simple navigation – so you never get lost Intel® processor – lightning fast Computer is in the monitor – No bulky tower Speech to Text translation – You talk, It types for you

Text to Speech translation – it can even read your emails to you!

U.S. Based Customer Service

FREE Automatic Software Updates

81177

By Cathy Brown In an arrestingly beautiful photograph, the crescent-shaped opening of a niqab, a Muslim face cover, reveals a woman’s dark skin, the white of the garment mirroring the whites of her probing eyes. The tight composition and simplicity of the image highlight the woman’s intent gaze.

In an interview about his photographic portraits, artist Chester Higgins once said, “What I find most interesting is the spirit within...I seek to produce a photograph that presents the obvious, sometimes the ordinary, but goes further to reveal what’s hidden and makes the subject extraordinary.”

This image and others by Higgins can be

1-888-865-5724 Mention promotional code 108563 for special introductory pricing. © 2018 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

22

Arts & Style | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS

COURTESY VMFA AND THE ADOLPH D. AND WILKINS C. WILLIAMS FUND

COURTESY VMFA, © CHESTER HIGGINS

Photographers Annual Volume One.” The exhibit’s name came from a quote from Toni From page 21 Morrison’s preface explaining the mission driving the publication: “It was conceived as tographers were showing at the time.” a commitment to the community of Black artists, executed as a glorious display of their See all the photos online The exhibition rotations do not exclusively craft and their perception…[it] hovers over show art depicted in the actual publication, but the matrix of black life, takes accurate aim they do include artists who are either featured and explodes our sensibilities.”

Eckhardt agrees that The Black Photograor were active during that time. A digitized verphers’ Annual played an imsion of the publication will portant role: “The works be available in the gallery, are stunning and beautiful,” and visitors can see all four she said, “but they also anvolumes online through swer a real need. There the VMFA Library website: were not opportunities for www.vmfa.museum/collecblack photographers at that tions/stories/the-blacktime; Gordon Parks’ relaphotographers-annual/ tionship with Life MagaAlmost all the works in zine was the exception the exhibitions come from rather than the rule.” the VMFA’s collection.

Although The Black PhoMany are recent acquisitographers’ Annual was well tions from the past year or known within the African few years, giving commuAmerican art community, it nity members the opportuwas not as well known nity to see works that have “The Boss,” 1932, by Prenwithin the art world at large, not yet been on view. tice Herman Polk said Eckhardt. “It deserves The first rotation was on display from Feb. 16 to Oct. 1, 2017 and in- to be part of the larger story when we talk cluded works by Draper, Beuford Smith, about the history of photography.”

Ming Smith and Shawn Walker, among others. The exhibition was titled “A Commit- Photographs that echo paintings The current exhibition highlights Higgins ment to the Community: The Black

Photographers

wife, Margaret Blanche and P.H. Polk, who served Polk, have a painterly effect. as official photographer at When describing his work, Tuskegee University and the artist talked about makmentored Higgins during ing photographs “from the his time there. In conjuncshadow side,” bringing form tion with the exhibition, out of shadow in the same Higgins will give a public way that Rembrandt did. talk at the VMFA on Feb. The next rotation coming 16 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in May will explore the third to discuss his work and volume, which included a life. variety of artists and adHiggins’ introduction dressed the issue of race in to Polk’s work inspired America. In his essay for the the Kamoinge photograpublication, James Baldwin phers to pursue a second “New York City, A young wrote, “This book is heavy mission: to showcase with the past.”

African American photog- Moslem woman in Brooklyn,” The final rotation is tiraphy from the past. The 1990 by Chester Higgins tled “Patience and Persistessay about Polk in the second volume begins with a quote attributed ence” after a quote from an interview in the to students at Tuskegee, who said that “look- fourth volume with James Van Der Zee. The ing at the works of P.H. Polk was like a study exhibition will pair works by the Harlem Renaissance photographer with those by artists in Black history.”

When he initially enrolled in Tuskegee In- of a younger generation, like Jules Allen. That stitute, Polk wanted to be a painter, “like van exhibition will lead into the large-scale exploGogh or Rembrandt.” The school discour- ration of Louis Draper and the Kamoinge aged that pursuit, suggesting instead that he workshop.

The VMFA is located at 200 N. Boulevard, become a house painter. After meeting with the school’s official photographer, however, Richmond. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Polk decided to become a photographer.

In his photographs, Polk worked to convey Thursdays and Fridays. Admission is free. the diverse African American experience. Many For more information, see www.vmfa.muof his images, like the 1946 photograph of his seum or call (804) 340-1405.

Sh ip pi ng

The best selling auto-loading scooter in Europe is now available in the US!

ed ud cl In

Finally... A scooter that loads itself in and out of your car.

Introducing the Quingo® Flyte - the powerful, portable mobility scooter that you never have to lift. Now featuring patented 5-Wheel Anti-Tip Technology.

Available in portable, auto-loading and luxury models

mini-vans, crossovers and hatchbacks.

Quingo® Flyte can load and unload itself in less than 60 seconds using an innovative ramp and a simple remote. The built-in guide rails can be installed in minutes and safely direct your scooter to ground level.

This scooter provides 5-Wheel Anti-Tip Technology for stability, agility and comfort with its unique wheel configuration. The patented 5-wheel BumpmasterTM design by Quingo enables it to ride safely over a wide variety of surfaces. It uses 4 ultra slim powerful batteries providing a range of up to 23 miles on a single charge.

The best selling auto-loading scooter in Europe is now available in the US! Don’t wait to take advantage of this exciting new technology, call today to find out more.

“For the first time in years I’ve been able to go with my granddaughters to the mall. A crowd gathers every time I unload my scooter from my car!”

– Judi K, Exeter, CA

Winner of the 2015 International Innovation Award

featuring 5-Wheel Anti-Tip Technology

Call now toll free for our lowest price.

1-888-896-1969 See it in action at www.QuingoUSA.com Medicare and Medicaid no longer subsidize scooter sales. Today, cheaper scooters are cheaper for a reason. Get the most out of your investment with the best scooter on the market today.

Please mention code 108561 when ordering. © 2018 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

83719

It’s a sad fact. Many people who have mobility issues and could benefit from a scooter aren’t able to use them away from home. Struggling to get it into a car or loading it onto a bumper-mounted lift just isn’t worth the effort. Now, there’s a better scooter, the Quingo® Flyte. It’s easy to use, even for one person, and requires no more effort than closing a car’s tailgate. Clever design enables it to fit into SUV’s,

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Arts & Style

FIFTYPLUS — FEBRUARY 2018

From page 3

PHOTO BY GLENDA C. BOOTH

His team, the Sir James Thornhill Global Arts Initiative, has painted 32 murals around Richmond, including at Bremo Pharmacy and Franklin Military Academy. Most are outside. Mentoring the next generation Thornhill also mentors aspiring artists, If a mural has not been commissioned, he has to raise $20,000 to $30,000 through Face- from age 10 to 92. With residents in assisted book, GoFundMe, corporations, the city and living communities, he often teaches water color painting. private donations to cover his costs.

But a real priority is boosting young people.

Thornhill is especially motivated to bring beauty to Jackson Ward and to honor its no- Drawing on his own challenges growing up, he tables. That’s what led him to paint a portrait conducts after-school programs for youngsters, of Maggie Walker, an African American and hoping to convert graffiti artists to “real artists.” the first woman banker of any race to charter Under his tutelage, they create puppets, African masks, clay figures, paintings, drawings and a bank.

Walker had a bank, newspaper, department more.

He offers these art programs at eight sites store, even a Girl Scout troop. She started businesses and organizations to serve blacks after school hours, visiting one site a week. when white establishments refused to. Her He also works with the Mayor’s Youth Acadhome in Jackson Ward is now a National His- emy for kids 13 to 15 — a program offering apprenticeships in which professionals teach toric Site.

Thornhill’s subjects also include Rev. Mar- subjects like painting, photojournalism and tin Luther King, Jr., Bob Marley, and gospel culinary arts.

“I let the kids make the decisions, to cresingers Larry Bland and Marie Goodman ate. It encourages them not to be afraid,” Hunter.

He cleverly incorporates parts of the build- Thornhill said.

To learn more or to purchase or commission a ings into his designs. For example, on the side of the Jamerican Market and Restaurant, piece, email Sir.Jamesthornhill@gmail.com or visit a scene shows Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his website: https://sirjamesthornhill.weebly.com. the Birmingham jail literally behind bars — You can also follow Thornhill on Facebook.

More information about the Jackson Ward actually a door’s iron security grillwork. Next to the portrait of the famous 1960s civil rights Historic District is available at http://dig.lileader, Thornhill painted a quotation from brary.vcu.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/jwh.

King’s Letters from the Birmingham Jail: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

“I love Jackson Ward,” Thornhill commented, recalling that when he grew up on Duval Street, residents got regular deliveries of ice and coal.

He remembers that when he was a boy there, people grew vegetables in the rich soil. When digging, he would find Civil War relics buried all around.

He plaintively highlights two painful chapters in the neighborhood.

In the 1950s, the Maineto-Florida Interstate 95 split the community in two and destroyed many structures.

Later, “crack tore up J a c k s o n Wa r d , ” h e lamented. “No one Thornhill poses with the mural he painted of Harriet Tubwould come here.” man. His many murals focus on African Americans, both But today, Jackson well known and ones who have not been in the public eye.

PHOTO BY GLENDA C. BOOTH

Ward, once called “the Harlem of the South,” is a rebounding, happening place. To Thornhill, it is “a hub of creativity.”

“Why am I back?” he asks rhetorically.

“Just look at the murals.”

Thornhill

23

24

Arts & Style | www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS

Making flowers bloom during the winter completed their winter dormancy requirement. Materials cut after January 15 usually open well indoors. You may have experience forcing bulbs such as paperwhites and amaryllis indoors.

Early spring flowering trees and shrubs form their flower buds in the fall before the

plants go dormant. After a period of at least eight weeks of temperatures below 40 degrees, branches can be cut and forced into bloom.

Depending on the species, you can force branches to bloom in January, February or March (approximately one to two months before their normal flowering).

M ARK YO UR CALE NDAR

Feb. 23

How to get started

JAZZ CONCERT

Jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant recently won the 2018 Best Jazz Vocal Album Grammy for her album Dreams and Daggers. She will perform in the Camp Concert Hall in the Booker Hall of Music at the University of Richmond, 28 Westhampton Way, at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23. There will be a preshow discussion with Salvant and WCVE jazz host Peter Solomon at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $34 for adults, $31 for those 62 and older, and $17 for children. For more information, visit modlin.richmond.edu or call (804) 289-8980.

Ongoing

DONATE GOWNS AND DRESSES

Cinderella Dreams Project is looking for donations of prom dresses that will help low-income young women dress for the night of their dreams. Donations can be dropped off at any YMCA or Puritan Cleaners in Richmond. Each year, the sponsors set up a temporary “shop” where those who need dresses can obtain one. This year shopping takes place on Friday March 16, Sunday, March 18 and Saturday, March 24. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/CinderellaDreams.net or email info@cinderelladreams.net.

Remember that by cutting branches, you will be reducing the plant’s natural spring display outdoors. Follow good pruning principles when cutting branches from the crowded areas of the plant. Cut about 1/4 inch above a side bud or branch, leaving no stub. Cut the branches six to 18 inches long.

After you bring the branches inside, make a second cut on a slant just above the previous cut. If the temperature is below freezing when you cut the branches, immerse the entire branch in cool water for several hours or overnight to keep the buds from opening prematurely. A large tub or basin may be helpful.

If the weather is above freezing, there is no need for a soak.

Next, put the branches in a container that will hold them upright. Add warm water (110 degrees) no higher than three inches on the stems. Place the container in a cool (60-65 de-

Perfect Choice HD Ultra™ is simple to use, hard to see and easy to afford…

IT’S NOT A HEARING AID

Now you don’t

If you are one of the 48 million Americans suffering from hearing loss, we have great news for you. An innovative team of doctors and engineers have teamed up to create a truly revolutionary personal sound amplifier. It’s not a hearing aid– those require trips to the audiologist, hearing tests and can cost as much as $5,000.

It’s also not a cheap amplifier that just makes everything louder, making it virtually impossible to hear conversations. It’s Perfect Choice HD UltraTM… and it may be the perfect solution for you.

Perfect Choice HD UltraTM is the first PSAP that features Dynamic Speech Optimization (DSO). This technology enables the device to prioritize the spoken word over other sounds. These noises are generally in different frequencies than voices, but they can drown out the words and make conversations hard to understand. This invention targets the frequencies of the human voice and amplifies the words. It’s even designed to diminish feedback even at higher volumes, so you can customize your hearing experience to meet your needs. Just imagine how great it will feel to be able to understand what people are saying… the first time they say it.

Perfect Choice HD UltraTM is perfect for...

• Watching TV • Restaurants • Dinner parties • Lectures• Outdoor conversations • Sermons …and other times where you need to turn up the volume That’s only the beginning. This unit is small and lightweight at less than an ounce, so it hides discreetly and comfortably behind your ear. The only way people will know you have it on is if you tell them. Plus, its moisture resistant coating make it durable– you could even leave it in when you take a shower! There’s no fitting or hearing test required, so it’s ready to use right out of the box.

Once it’s arrived, a helpful product expert will provide a one-onone set up over the phone so you’ll get the maximum benefit from this new technology. Call now, and you’ll find out for yourself why so many people love their Perfect Choice Ultra. If you aren’t completely satisfied, you can return your purchase and only pay a small restocking fee depending on the condition of the product.

Call Today, and be sure to ask about special discounts for Seniors and Military personnel!

It’s Better SOUND QUALITY

Call now toll free.

Less than 1 ounce

COMFORT

1-888-891-0621

Excellent: Optimized for speech

FITTING REQUIRED?

No

ONE-ON-ONE SETUP

Free

SENIOR AND MILITARY DISCOUNTS

Some of the easiest to force are shrubs such as forsythia, quince and pussy willow.

Purple-leafed plum and cherry trees are also excellent forcing specimens, with plum blooming a little earlier than cherry.

Azalea, witch hazel and Scotch broom can be cut as early as January. Some species, such as lilac and redbud, should not be cut until March, however.

Place different types of stems in each arrangement, since some, such as forsythia, will bloom more quickly than others. Forsythia usually opens within a week, while flowering quince and apple may take 10 to 12 days.

Lela Martin is a Master Gardener with the Chesterfield County office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Dynam ic S Optim peech izatio n

PERSONAL SOUND AMPLIFICATION PRODUCT (PSAP)

Now you see it...

Try these trees and shrubs

NEW

Invention of the Year Understand what people are saying... the first time

grees), partially shaded location. Replace the water, keeping it at its original height.

Some gardeners like to add bleach to the water to control bacteria growth (approximately one tablespoon per gallon). Finally, when the buds show color (which may take from one to five weeks depending on the plant), move the branches to a lighted room, out of direct sunlight. Remove them from the storage container and arrange them as desired.

Please mention promotional code 108560.

Now With DSO!

1998 Ruffin Mill Road, Colonial Heights, VA 23834

Yes Perfect Choice HD Ultra is not a hearing aid. If you believe you need a hearing aid, please consult a physician.

81211

By Lela Martin Avoid going to the Dark Side in the dead of winter. Brighten your home by forcing branches to awaken indoors and flower now before spring.

“Forcing” describes the process of coaxing flowers into bloom indoors, after they have

From the publisher From page 2 So I urge you: take a look at your prescription receipts and note what your insurance pays. If it seems out of whack, or if there are cheaper alternatives you are willing to try, let your doctor know.

And those with Medicare Part D are not off the hook. While such plans can negotiate drug prices, if you are taking a more expensive version of a drug than you need, it’s contributing to the overall problem.

There are many reasons healthcare costs in America are rising much faster than infla-

tion. One might point to surgeries (such as the nearly 500,000 knee and hip replacements done each year), and the extraordinary costs for the latest treatments for cancer and genetic diseases.

But the price we all pay for our prescriptions drives at least part of the rising cost. Be vigilant and speak up. It might be a small thing in itself, but I can tell you from experience: It can make your day!

M A R K YO U R CAL EN DA R

Feb. 19+

From page 2 My assumption is that it would be wise to have a specific law firm in mind ahead of the need. Could also be worth the cost of an initial consultation to make sure the attorney in mind has some experience in Medicaid-compliant annuities. (By the way, I am not a lawyer.)

William S. Hogat Henrico Dear Editor: My daughter Heidi and I so much enjoyed your article, “How to feed backyard birds this winter” in the January issue.

MAKE YOUR OWN GREETING CARDS Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation is holding a greeting card

making program on Mondays, Feb. 19 and 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $15 for supplies (check or cash only). Students will go home with eight handcrafted cards. The program takes place at Huguenot Road Baptist Church, 10525 W Huguenot Rd., North Chesterfield. For more information, call (804) 748-1623.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Feb. 22+

Letters to editor

25

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Arts & Style

FIFTYPLUS — FEBRUARY 2018

I have since long ago established a “friendship” with the large black birds that seem to live around here year round. When I open the door in the morning to toss out food, they are waiting to swoop down. I almost feel they say to me in bird language, “Hello, friend.”

Heidi prefers proper birdfeeders frequented by the smaller yard birds. There is the pretty cardinal, usually in the front line, and a variety of small flyers whose name we can only guess at.

We enjoy watching them, and we so much enjoy reading Fifty Plus!

Frances Nunnally Richmond

FROM PAGE 26 ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

TOWER OF POWER PERFORMS

Tower of Power, an American R&Bbased horn section and band, is holding its 50th Anniversary Tour and will perform at the Beacon Theatre on Thursday, Feb. 22 and Friday, Feb. 23.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $50. The theatre is located at 401 N Main St., Hopewell. For more information, visit http://thebeacontheatreva.com or call (804) 446-3457.

S W A P

S P I R E

H I O R C A N C U B A

A S A P

I L L E R

R A L E I G G H O L L D U P L L L A T E

S T Y X P A M T E R R I V O T Y I S P U S P S

A S P E N

C H E R I S T H O L U E N E I M L P I T A Y

M I N I C A L M A P S E S

E R K N E E N C O A K N N U S E S E S Y L R E T L O R T E S N I O N

P O L I T B U R O

I V A N

G A N G

R A L G T U R

E A S E A

E N A C T

S T Y E

26

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS

Crossword Puzzle

CLASSIFIED ADS FiftyPlus is now accepting classified ads in the following categories: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; Financial; For Sale; Health; Home/Handyman Services; Legal Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Real Estate for Sale/Rent; TV/Cable; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted.

Ad text and prepayment due by 20th of preceding month.

Private party ads are $10 for 25 words; 25 cents for each additional word.

Business ads are $25 for 25 words; 50 cents for each additional word.

Questions? Call (804) 673-5203.

Send your ad text with check or money order, payable to The Beacon, to: FiftyPlus Classifieds; The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227

Financial

Miscellaneous

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.

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 1844-302-3754, mention code 51689JCT or visit www.omahasteaks.com.

GOT AN OLDER CAR, VAN OR SUV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 1-844230-2952.

Health STOP OVERPAYING for your prescriptions! SAVE! Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy, compare prices and get $25.00 OFF your first prescription! CALL 1-888981-7657 Promo Code CDC201725.

HAVE MUSIC/WILL TRAVEL Mobile music program will visit your childcare center or senior center for a 1 hour lesson 2x week. $250/month. 804447-1762. The Music Lady.

TV/Cable

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.

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%! 1-844-5605837.

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.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY? Up to $2,671/mo. (Based on paid-in amount.) Free evaluation!

Call Bill Gordon & Associates. 1-866970-0779. Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington, D.C. Office: Broward Co. FL., member TX/NM Bar.

Place a classified ad today.

They’re only $10!

M ARK YOUR CALE NDAR

Feb. 28

1

2

3

FREE MUSIC LECTURE

University of Richmond Modlin Center for the Arts presents a free lecture on music, “Accompaniment as Social Practice,” on Monday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Brown Alley Room in Weinstein Hall. Dr. George Lipsitz will speak about the use of musical accompaniment as not just a formal musical practice.

Weinstein Hall is located on the Richmond Campus at 28 Westhampton Way. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/MusicLecture.

5

4

12

13

16

17

19

20

22

23 25

32

33

28

37 41

44

45

47

48 51

50 60

53

52

63

64

65

66

67 69

Across 1. Lancelot and Mix-a-Lot 5. Summit 9. Fabled home builder 12. Water balloon toss failure 13. Evade responsibility 15. Egg cells 16. Biff Loman’s dad 17. Tube-shaped pasta 18. PC linkup 19. With 31, 42, and 57 Across, a Customer Serve-Us line that starts “We” and ends “to us” 22. Start to -scope or -meter 23. Boyhood nickname of Darth Vader 24. A matter of Life (cereal) 25. Brit. timezone baseline 27. Commonality in “sack”, “sick”, and “sock” 30. Last third of an SSN 32. Our options have changed; the line now continues at 32 Across 38. Gold, panned in a Mexican river 39. Mexican river used to pan for gold 40. “___ Miserables” 41. Abbrev. for Regiment 42. To give up on this puzzle, press 1; or to continue the line, press 2 46. ___.edu (website for the National Defense University) 47. One plus two plus three plus four 48. Letter sequence found in only two English words: “already”, and “milreis” 49. Toilet paper thickness measure 51. Visit the dining hall 53. Directors Spike and Ang 57. Before turning the page, please take our brief survey about the conclusion of the line 62. Letters on an Apollo rocket 63. Orange juice solids 64. Writing assignment 65. Sale item at the Mets’ team store 66. Cut off your nose, proverbially 67. Caroline Kennedy, to Bobby 68. One of the Kongs - Donkey or King

54

55

56

61

62

68

31

36 40

59

11

15

30

29

35

58

10

24

43

49

9

8

18

39

42

7

14

27

34

38

57

By Steven Sherr 6

21

26

46

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.

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.

Customer: Serve Us

Personal Services

DENTAL INSURANCE. Call Physicians Mutual Insurance Company for details. Not just a discount plan, real coverage for 350 procedures. 844-3661003 or http://www.dental50plus.com /320 Ad# 6118.

Legal Services

Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus

70

69. What Simon does 70. “Channel 2 news comes ___ 11:00” Down 1. Index fingernails, when performing “Here’s the church; here’s the steeple...”

2. Ahead, in the ER triage line 3. Research Triangle’s biggest point 4. River to the underworld 5. Colorado home to the Winter X Games 6. Dote on 7. Knee-baring skirt 8. Marine eagle 9. Communist leadership committee 10. ___ the Terrible 11. West Side Story group 12. Parent Trap ruse 14. Numbers game 20. Member of the Superbowl LI champs 21. Coke machine contents 26. Game-show founder Griffin, who proposed one called “Let’s Do Crosswords” 28. Storm preceder 29. Greet the king 31. Prego taste test foe 32. Ad ___ committee 33. Its official language is Persian 34. Make the ordinary appear special 35. “I ___ ya’ so” 36. Winner of 80 Olympic golds in ‘80 37. It’s inside an env. (or one of its words) 43. Conversational gap 44. Containing some material 45. Boris ___, predecessor of Putin 50. Puppy sounds 52. Domed cathedral areas 54. Use aloe to ___ sunburn 55. Convert a bill to a law 56. Eye sore 57. Finalist in the first World Baseball Classic, in 2006 58. “Don’t wait for me to say all the words!”

59. Dines at dusk 60. Hip bones 61. Nevada gambling town

Answers on page 25.

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FIFTYPLUS — FEBRUARY 2018

CIT Y

Utility Buddy is Richmond’s friendly life-sized gas meter.

OF

RICH MON D

DEPA RTMEN T

OF

PUB L I C

UT IL IT IES

YOU DIG? CALL 8-1-1

Before you do.

Making You Aware. Keeping You Safe.

Richmond’s Natural Gas Safety Awareness Program

27

28

www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com

FEBRUARY 2018 — FIFTYPLUS