June 2024 | Baltimore Beacon

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A luxury cruise along the Southeastern coast; plus, Salzburg in summertime, and how to eat healthy at airports page 16

A tradition for six generations One Maryland farm has been selling its produce in the city for six generations. Pahl’s Farm in Woodstock, Maryland, in Howard County, first started selling vegetables from the farm at historic Lexington Market.

“I can remember my father-in-law talking about his parents taking the horse and wagon down to Lexington Market to set up and sell,” Pam Pahl said. One customer told her husband, “My grandmother used to buy from your grandfather.”

Pahl was there on the opening day of the Baltimore Farmers’ Market in 1977.

“It was crazy. It was really busy, and we didn’t know what to expect,” Pahl remembered. “It was really the first farmers market in the area. It’s gone gangbusters.”

Pahl’s four children grew up going to the Baltimore Farmers’ Market, and her daughter still accompanies her on Sundays, rising at 4 a.m. to make the half-hour drive.

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A shopper selects farm-fresh vegetables at one of the 130 vendors at the Baltimore Farmers’ Market, located under the Jones Falls Expressway. Since its founding in 1977, the market has added artists, musicians, wineries, vintage shops and food trucks. This spring the market introduced quiet hours in the early mornings.

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State’s largest farmers market

By Margaret Foster Every Sunday morning, an asphalt parking lot under the Jones Falls Expressway blooms with color.

In the pre-dawn darkness, farmers arrive in their trucks, bringing fragrant fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Local artists and musicians trickle in. Their colorful creations brighten the urban canvas, and their music echoes off the overpass and cement pillars.

The Baltimore Farmers’ Market, which celebrates its 47th season this year, is the largest farmers market in a state known for them. Around 130 vendors sell their wares here every week — everything from berries to dog biscuits to macaroons.

“It’s like a festival every Sunday,” said Delaney Cate, special event and farmers market manager of the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts, which oversees the Baltimore Farmers’ Market. “We’re there, rain or shine.”

One of Charm City’s many claims to fame is that it’s home to America’s oldest market system. Of the 11 public indoor markets in the network, six remain, including Broadway Market (1786), Hollins Market (1877) and the most famous, Lexington Market, which first opened in 1782.

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“From the time they were six months old, they were at market, in playpens and backpacks,” Pahl said. “It’s really neat. You have a following.”

One fellow vendor became godfather to Pahl’s oldest daughter. Customers have watched the Pahl children grow up, and Pahl, too, sees new generations appear.

ARTS & STYLE

Local author publishes first novel, a coming-of-age story about a young woman who comes to Baltimore to sing with a big band page 19

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FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k How much sleep do you need? k Medicare weight loss coverage LAW & MONEY k Retirement ain’t what it was k Scam expert offers tips

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I’m not a doctor, but…

I’ve reached the stage in life where I and up laser treatments, saving my sight.

But post-surgery, I was told to sleep sitmany of my friends are no longer self-conting up for a week, and I scious about having an awoke with terrible back “organ recital” when we get spasms. The first doctor I together: you know, a convercalled prescribed muscle resation where we eagerly relaxants, which only made me count our latest physical aildrowsy and loopy while doing ments and medical issues. nothing to reduce the pain.

It’s not my intention to When my wife’s cousin — a bore you with one right now practitioner of an acupres(at least not in all its gory desure-like healing technique tail), but I want to share a few called Jin Shin Jyutsu — things I’ve learned from exheard about my condition, perience about coping with FROM THE PUBLISHER she came right over and ofmedical issues. If you have already come to these conclu- By Stuart P. Rosenthal fered to help.

She pressed on various sions on your own, you can just nod along as I go (and share your spots of my body that would seem to have nothing to do with my back, and after an story with us afterwards).

Go to medical professionals for di- hour, the spasms relaxed immediately and agnosis and treatment. But there may permanently. A former skeptic about alterbe side issues that call for other ap- native treatments, I became a believer in that one! proaches.

If your first diagnosis and treatment I was in my early 30s, without any symptoms, when my ophthalmologist discovered go nowhere, it’s probably time for a my left retina was becoming detached. He second opinion.

A few years ago, I started experiencing was an excellent specialist who not only correctly diagnosed my condition but per- sciatica — shooting pains down my leg formed the successful operation and follow- from the hip. I was referred to an orthope-

Beacon The

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Baltimore area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Howard County, Md. and Greater Washington, D.C. Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. Maryland residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below.

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

Publisher/Editor – Stuart P. Rosenthal

dist, who ordered an MRI. The radiologist who read the MRI noticed nothing out of the ordinary for someone my age, so my doctor said a few weeks of physical therapy ought to fix me up.

That actually made things worse. So bad, in fact, that the PT sent me to a pain specialist who, after prescribing pain meds that didn’t stop the pain (but led to swelling in my legs), recommended a cortisone injection. That only magnified the pain!

Finally, I got a referral from several friends to a particular doctor, who took one look at the original MRI and immediately pointed out that a cyst on my spine was most likely the problem. No one before him had ever noticed or mentioned that before.

I now believe I would have avoided weeks of agony and unnecessary (indeed, counterproductive) treatment if I had made more of an effort to find a truly experienced doctor with a good reputation in the first place.

Sometimes it’s the simple, low-tech solution that solves your problem.

After a vacation where I walked miles every day carrying a rather heavy backpack, I developed a painful case of plantar fasciitis in my right foot.

I told my troubles to a retired podiatrist friend, who offered to take a look. After a brief evaluation, in which he uncovered some other sensitivities in my knee and hip, he said it was highly likely that my problem was due to having legs of slightly different length (which, apparently, is rather common).

He inserted a small pad in my left shoe to even out my stance, and the pain and sensitivities went away. I now keep the pads in all my shoes and haven’t had a

problem with my foot (or a twinge in my hip) since.

My friend, it turns out, had written a book about these problems intended both for medical professionals as well as lay people. Unfortunately, it didn’t exactly take the world by storm.

Perhaps this and other solutions proposed in his book were too low-tech and inexpensive to make them worth adopting widely in our current healthcare system.

Don’t dismiss placebos, but don’t use unnecessary meds as one.

Sometimes when I tell my Jin Shin Jyutsu story, people say dismissively, “Oh, that was just the placebo effect.” I like to respond that placebos are nothing to sneeze at.

Even if what gets you the relief is a placebo, that doesn’t mean it didn’t work.

The “effect” of the placebo was to solve the problem, so that means it was effective!

On the other hand, doctors often complain that patients won’t leave their office without a prescription, even when the condition is likely to resolve without one.

I suggest you tell your doctors that you will take whatever medicine is truly necessary, but you don’t want to take a drug just for its psychological value.

For such situations, there ought to be a prescription pad that says, “Take two chocolates and call me in the morning.”

For those wanting more info about Jin Shin Jyutsu, read The Touch of Healing.

For Dr. Stuart Goldman’s book, visit walkingwellagain.com. Both books are available on Amazon.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinions on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or email info@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal Executive Vice President – Gordon Hasenei Managing Editor – Margaret Foster Art Director – Kyle Gregory Vice President of Operations – Roger King Advertising Representatives – Steve Levin, M.K. Phillips, Alan Spiegel Marketing & Operations Manager – Ashley Griffin Assistant Editor – Ana Preger Hart

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 23 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

© Copyright 2024 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

Dear Editor: I enjoyed your April “From the publisher” column, “I can see clearly now.”

I am retired and need glasses for reading and TV, but I enjoy my quiet time and ME time. Sitting on my balcony just resting my eyes on the trees on the road, early morning sunrises, birds chirping, etc. brings my life into focus. A trip to a park or a farm is an added gift, [when] one of my children takes me.

Yes, time spent with nature, the gentle breezes of morning clouds and sunrise, awaken the spirit and set life aright.

I’ll be 91 next month, and even though I have many aches, each day is a gift I am grateful for. Just enjoy the beauty of every

moment, sing and eat ice cream!

Rosemarie LoMonaco Via email Dear Editor: The April 2024 crossword puzzle clue has an error. The PSAT was created by the College Board and first administered in 1959. I took the PSAT in 1966, so I knew 1971 was wrong!

The National Merit Scholarship Program, a privately funded initiative that began in 1955, adopted the PSAT as its qualifying test in 1971.

So 1971 was something, but not the first year.

S. T. Shapiro Via email

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JUNE 2024

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Ask the Ho H me Care Exper xpert Tom Smith, To h, Reegional gional Manager, Bu Business D Dev evelopm elopment, Family & Nursing ng Carre e

S

ince 1968, Family & Nursing Care has helped tens of thousands of families by providing access to caregivers w wh ho help older adults with activities of daily living — including bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, errands, meal prep, light ht housekeeping,

medication reminders, ders, companionsship and more.

Now servving the Baltimore region region, Fam Family mily & Nursing Care is a leading resource for private duty home care services, providing clients and their families with access to

compassionate and a expert-level caregiv to help older adults caregivers maintain their independence and quality of liffee as th they ey age. age Ninety-eight percent off surveyed clients have said they would w recommend these serviices to a friend or family member.

This mon nth, we asked T To om Smith, Regiional Manager, Business Deevelopment at Family & Nursing Care, C Care to provide more inffo ormation about the unique role the company’s client services team plays in the home care experience.

Q: How do client services managers help guide clients and their families through the home care experience?

all clients’ home care needs, both practical and emotional.

Their responsibilities include making personal visits to clients at home, or in the hospital or other setting.

Through visits, they get to know the client as well as the client’s preffeerences and priorities so that they can help guide clients through any challenges they may face.

Above all, client services managers are dedicated to maintaining ongoing communication to ensure all a client’s ho ome care needs are continu ually being met.

Q: Is there a nurse n who oversees s client care?

about a client’s well-being, supervisory nurses also visit clients in their homes to provide ongoing support and education for caregivers. They re-assess the plan as needed.

This nurse oversight is welcomed by the clients’ family members, who find the extra attention comffo orting. Many family members live out of the area. Even if they live close by, y, their schedules may not allow for the personal oversight of their loved one’s care.

A: At Family & Nursing Care, every client services manager has a high level of training to serve as a liaison, educator, active listener and problem solver ffo or clients p and their families. Everyy step of the way, y, they serve as the primary point of contac t ffo or

A: Family & Nursing Care Select assigns a superviisory nurse to every client. Upon U starting care, a nurse meets m with the client and their fam mily to profe fessionally assess th heir needs and create a fu fully custo omized plan of care fo for the careegiver(s).

In addition to routin nely checking in with caregiivers

d Ę s¾ for Balttimore Ę

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410-697-820 00 famiilynursingcare.c com Members of the Family & Nursing Care client services team.

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Health Fitness &

TRENDY BEVERAGES Can soda with mushroom extract or juice with cannabidiol improve your health?

WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS Medicare covers Ozempic and Mounjaro, but only for those with diabetes WORKING IN WORKOUTS Stairs, gardening, laundry count towards your daily 20 minutes of exercise GLOWING SKIN FROM THE INSIDE Foods that are high in antioxidants can help protect and beautify your skin

How much sleep do you actually need?

By Matthew Solan On average, how many hours do you sleep each night? For most healthy adults, guidelines suggest at least seven hours of slumber. But these are general recommendations and not strict rules.

“Some people need less than seven hours, while others might need more,” said Eric Zhou of the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

We get it: You know people who swear they only need five hours of sleep per night, yet you feel foggy unless you log eight to nine hours. The major reason for individual differences is that we often look at sleep the wrong way.

“Instead of focusing exclusively on the number of hours we sleep per night, we should also consider our sleep quality,” Zhou said.

Sleep quality means how well you sleep during the night. Did you sleep straight through? Or did you have periods where you woke up? If so, did it take you a long time to fall asleep? How did

you feel when you woke up?

“If you awaken refreshed and feel like you have the energy to get through your day, then I would worry less about the exact number of hours you’re sleeping,” Zhou said.

Sleep quality affects health Sleep quality is vital for our overall health. Research has shown that people with poor sleep quality are at a higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

And that’s not all. “Poor sleep also can increase daytime fatigue and make it more difficult to enjoy life,” Zhou said.

Yet it’s normal for people’s sleep patterns to change over time. “Many people are not going to sleep in their 50s and 60s exactly like they did in their 20s,” he said.

Many of these changes are age-related.

For instance, your circadian rhythm — which regulates many bodily functions,

including our sleep-wake cycle — can naturally get disrupted over time. This means people spend less time each night in restorative slow-wave sleep.

Production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, also gradually declines with age.

“As a result of these changes, when we get older, we may start to wake up earlier than we did when we were younger or wake up more frequently during the night,” Zhou said.

tion to see if you can identify certain patterns that may be affecting your sleep quality, then make adjustments,” Zhou said.

For example, if you have trouble falling asleep, go to bed half an hour later than usual but maintain the same wakeup time.

“It is common for people struggling with their sleep to try to get more sleep by staying in bed longer,” Zhou said, “but this disrupts their sleep patterns and diminishes their sleep quality.”

Track your sleep quality How can you better understand the factors likely contributing to your sleep quality? One way is to keep a sleep diary where you track and record your sleep.

Every day, record the time you went to bed, how long it took you to fall asleep, whether you had any nighttime awakenings (and if so, how long you were awake), and at what time you woke up.

Also, keep track of how you feel upon awakening and at the end of the day.

“After a week or two, review the informa-

Three key strategies Other strategies that can help support good sleep quality include: • maintaining a consistent wake time, especially on weekends • limiting daytime naps to 20 to 30 minutes and at least six hours before the desired bedtime • being physically active When it comes to sleep quality, consisSee SLEEP, page 5

The science behind trending beverages

By The Associated Press Functional beverages — or drinks promoted as offering mental or physical benefits beyond hydration — are growing in popularity around the world. Hundreds of companies have jumped into the market, hoping to get some buzz with trendy and sometimes unfamiliar ingredients.

Here are some of the latest ones found in functional beverages and what scientists say about them:

Adaptogens — What are they? Plants and mushrooms that may help your body respond to stress, anxiety and fatigue or enhance feelings of well-being. Examples include American and Asian ginseng (an herb), ashwagandha (an evergreen shrub), eleuthero (a shrub), Rhodiola rosea (a flowering plant) and chaga (a mushroom).

— What does the science say? The Cleveland Clinic says adaptogens are known to trigger chemical reactions that can return the body to a more balanced state. Side effects from adaptogens are rare but depend on the plant.

Studies show that adaptogens work best

for a short duration (less than six months) because the body can build a resistance to them, making them ineffective over time.

users should consider their overall health and whether nootropics could affect any other medications before ingesting them.

Nootropics

Probiotics and prebiotics

— What are they? Also known as “smart drugs,” nootropics are substances that can improve human thinking, learning and memory. Among the most common nootropics are caffeine, L-theanine (an amino acid found in tea), creatine (an amino acid naturally found in meat and fish), Bacopa monnieri (an herb), Gingko biloba (a tree) and lion’s mane (a mushroom). Some adaptogens may also have nootropic properties, like ashwagandha.

— What does the science say? In a study last year in the journal Plants, researchers said that most plant-based nootropics are not immediately effective after a single dose and must be taken for an extended period before any measurable improvement occurs.

One problem in research on these natural substances has been standardizing the form they are taken in, as well as the dosage, the study said.

Side effects are rare and usually mild, but

— What are they? Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain live microorganisms intended to maintain or improve the “good” bacteria in a person’s gut or other parts of the body. They are naturally found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese, kombucha and sauerkraut.

Prebiotics are food for the bacteria and other organisms that live in the gut. Prebiotics can be found in whole grains, bananas, greens, onions, garlic, soybeans and artichokes.

— What does the science say? The Cleveland Clinic says probiotics, in theory, work alongside the beneficial microbes in the human body to fight off harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites.

Researchers know that unhealthy microbiomes can contribute to chronic diseases like irritable bowel syndrome. They may also influence mood, pain tolerance and fatigue.

The Cleveland Clinic and the Mayo Clinic say there is a lot of active research into the microbiome and the impact of probiotics and prebiotics, but not enough evidence to draw solid conclusions about their effectiveness.

Side effects are rare except for people with weak immune systems, whose bodies might not be able to fight off a probiotic that inadvertently contains harmful microbes.

CBD — What is it? CBD, or cannabidiol, is an active ingredient in cannabis. While it is one of hundreds of components in marijuana, CBD doesn’t cause a high by itself.

CBD has been used to treat epilepsy and may also help alleviate anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain and addiction. Side effects could include nausea, fatigue and irritability.

— What does the science say? In an article published in April, Harvard Medical School said CBD appears to be a helpful, relatively non-toxic option for managing anxiety and other issues. But it said more research is needed to pinpoint effective doses.

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BALTIMORE BEACON — JUNE 2024

Medicare limits coverage for weight loss

Sleep From page 4 tency is vital.

“People with good sleep quality often have a predictable sleep window where their sleep occurs,” Zhou said. “Good sleepers are likely to sleep around the same number of hours and stay asleep through the night.”

However, it’s unrealistic to expect perfect sleep every night. “If you have trouble sleeping one or two nights during the week, that can be related to the natural ebbs and flows of life,” Zhou said.

“You may have eaten a big meal that day, drank too much alcohol while watching football, or had a stressful argument with someone.

“When tracking sleep quality, look at

your overall sleep health week-to-week, not how you slept this Tuesday compared to last Tuesday.”

If you are doing all the right things for your sleep but still do not feel rested upon waking, talk to your doctor. This can help you rule out a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, or another health issue that can interfere with sleep, such as acid reflux or high blood pressure.

Other factors that can af fect the quality of your sleep include taking multiple medicines, depression, anxiety, loneliness and environmental changes like temperature, noise and light exposure.

Matthew Solan is executive editor at Harvard Men’s Health Watch. © 2024 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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behavioral therapy designed to help you lose weight by focusing on diet and exercise.

Medicare also covers certain types of bariatric and metabolic surgery for morbidly obese beneficiaries who have a BMI of 35 or above and have at least one underlying obesity-related health condition, such as diabetes or heart disease.

You must also show that you’ve tried to lose weight in the past through dieting or exercise and have been unsuccessful.

These procedures make changes to your digestive system to help you lose weight and improve the health of your metabolism.

Some common bariatric surgical procedures covered include Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, which reduces the stom-

ach to a small pouch that makes you feel full even following small meals.

Another is laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, which inserts an inflatable band that creates a gastric pouch encircling the top of the stomach.

What’s not covered Unfortunately, original Medicare does not cover weight-loss programs such as fitness or gym memberships, meal delivery services, or popular weight-loss programs such as Jenny Craig, Noom and WW (formerly Weight Watchers).

Medicare also does not cover any weightSee WEIGHT LOSS, page 6

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Dear Savvy Senior, estimate of your body fat based on your Does Medicare cover any weight-loss height and weight, must be 30 or higher. treatments for overweight A BMI of 30 or above is conretirees? I just turned 65 sidered obese and increases and need to lose about 100 your risk for many health conpounds and would like to ditions, such as some cancers, know if Medicare can help. coronary heart disease, type 2 —Overweight Owen diabetes, stroke and sleep Dear Owen, apnea.

Traditional Medicare does To find out your BMI, the cover some weight-loss treatCDC has a free calculator that ments, like counseling and you can access online at certain types of surgery for bit.ly/CDCBodyMass.

SAVVY SENIOR overweight beneficiaries.

By Jim Miller But unfortunately, it doesn’t What’s covered cover weight-loss programs or If you find that your BMI is medications. Here’s what you should know.

30 or higher, Medicare Part B will cover up to 12 months of weight-loss counseling conWho’s eligible ducted by a medical professional in a priFor beneficiaries to receive available mary care setting (like a doctor’s office).

Medicare-covered weight-loss treatments, Most counseling sessions entail an initial your body mass index (BMI), which is an obesity screening, a dietary assessment, and

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Ways to make time for aerobic exercise

By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I know I need to get more exercise. But my day gets so busy I don’t see how I can find 30 minutes to do it. Suggestions, please.

A: Standard exercise guidelines call for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. But like you, many people have trouble reaching this mark.

Often the barrier is thinking these requirements take too much time and effort.

In addition, other people don’t enjoy aerobic workouts or have physical or medical issues that make traditional cardio exercise a challenge.

The first step to overcoming these obstacles is to break down the time commit-

ment into manageable segments. For example, 150 minutes is 2.5 hours, which comes to 30 minutes five days a week, or about 20 minutes daily.

And you don’t have to do those 20 to 30 minutes all at once. You can further divide into two or three 10-minute daily segments.

Next, change your perception of “moderate intensity.” People automatically feel overwhelmed because it sounds difficult, but this level of exertion is not as physically demanding as people may think and is quite doable.

A simple measure of moderate-intensity exercise is the “talk test.” You’re at the right level if you’re exercising hard enough to break a sweat but can still comfortably hold a conversation.

Tell them you saw it in the Beacon!

Any kind of movement that gets the heart rate up, speeds up your breathing, and makes you sweat a little counts as aerobic exercise.

The best exercise is the one you enjoy.

But don’t assume you are limited to traditional activities like running, cycling, swimming or tennis. There are other options that may better fit your interests, comfort level and ability. Here are some examples: Brisk walking. Walking at a brisk pace is a simple moderate-intensity workout.

Stair climbing. Set a timer for five to 10 minutes and go up and down stairs at a casual pace.

Treadmill. The trusty treadmill can be an excellent cardio tool, as you can adjust the incline and speed to reach the required intensity.

Marching in place. You don’t need a

To o-Do List & Skiip The T Starrt Yo Your T To oo-Fu un List.

Sttart a New Cha apter Focused d on YOU.

lot of space for cardio. For instance, try marching in place when you are on the phone or watching television.

Housework. Many household chores count as moderate-intensity exercises. Examples include mowing the lawn, raking leaves, digging and planting, washing the car, and vacuuming.

Weight training. Guidelines also recommend doing weight training on at least two days of the week to help build and maintain muscle mass. But this also can be a way to add in some moderate-intensity aerobics.

Doing weight training exercises in a circuit fashion, where you move from one exercise to the next with little to no rest, can elevate the heart rate enough to provide cardio benefits.

Almost any kind of movement can qualify if done with enough effort. © 2024 Harvard University

Weight loss From page 5 loss drugs, but it does cover FDA-approved diabetes drugs that have unintentionally become very popular for weight loss.

Medicare Part D plans cover Ozempic and Mounjaro for diabetes only, not for weight loss. So, your doctor will need to prescribe these medications for diabetes in order to get them covered.

Medicare also does not cover Wegovy or Zepbound because they’re approved only for weight loss.

The reason behind the weight-loss drug omission is the Medicare Modernization Act, which specifically excluded them back when the law was written 20 years ago. They also excluded drugs used for cosmetic purposes, fertility, hair growth and erectile dysfunction.

Without insurance, weight-loss medications are expensive, often costing $1,000 to $1,300 a month. To help curb costs, try websites like GoodRX.com or SingleCare.com to find the best retail prices in your area.

Or if your income is limited, try patient assistance programs through Eli Lilly (LillyCares.com), which makes Mounjaro and Zepbound, or Novo Nordisk (NovoCare.com), the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy.

Medicare Advantage

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If you happen to be enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage plan, you may have coverage for gym memberships and some weight loss and healthy food delivery programs.

These are considered expanded supplemental benefits and have gradually been added to some plans to provide coverage for nutrition, health and wellness. Contact your plan to see what it provides.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — JUNE 2024

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Foods that can interact with medications When I visited a nursing home the other avoidance is advised due to the long-last- Pomegranates: Sweet but serious population on prescription drugs, awareday, I realized that everyone there takes so ing effect of the interaction, making it inPomegranates can also inhibit the ness and understanding of potential dietsufficient to merely adjust CYP3A4 enzyme, affecting the metabolism drug interactions are critical for ensuring many medications. I’m pretty medication timing. sure there could be a lot of of blood pressure medications and statins, medication safety and effectiveness. food-drug interactions going When starting new medications, always and increasing the risk of side effects. on that no one is aware of.

Bananas: PotassiumRecommendation: Consult with health- discuss dietary habits and potential interrich risks In the United States, an care providers on whether to moderate or actions with healthcare providers. Monialarming trend shows that Bananas, high in potassi- avoid pomegranates based on your med- toring changes in health or symptoms nearly half of us are on preum, can be problematic when ication regimen. after dietary adjustments is also vital for scription medication, raising consumed with ACE inmaintaining well-being. concerns about potential inhibitors or angiotensin recep- Cranberries: A delicate balance I have a longer version of this article teractions with everyday ditor blockers (ARBs), leading with more information. To have it emailed, Cranberries, especially when consumed etary choices. to hyperkalemia — a condi- in large amounts or as juice, can amplify just sign up for my free weekly newsletter DEAR As people age, the likelihood PHARMACIST tion with potentially severe the effects of warfarin, a blood thinner, at suzycohen.com. of being prescribed multiple By Suzy Cohen heart rhythm complications.

This information is opinion only. It is raising the risk of bleeding. medications, a condition known Recommendation: Moderanot intended to treat, cure or diagnose Recommendation: For warfarin users, as polypharmacy, dramatically increases. tion is key when consuming high-potassi- moderation in cranberry consumption is your condition. Consult with your doctor This is particularly prevalent among older um foods like bananas, especially for indi- safe, but consistency in dietary habits is before using any new drug or supplement. adults in long-term care, who may consume viduals on ACE inhibitors or ARBs. Regu- crucial to avoid medication efficacy isSuzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and up to 15 different medications daily. lar potassium monitoring through blood sues. author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Drawing from my seven-year experi- tests is essential for safe management.

With a substantial portion of the U.S. Solutions from Head to Toe. ence as a consultant pharmacist in such settings, I’ve observed firsthand the significant influence of diet on medication effectiveness and safety, with fruit interactions standing out as a noteworthy concern.

The interaction between our diet and medications can profoundly affect the latter’s safety and efficacy. Food components CSI Support & Development is a resident/member controlled organization may alter how our bodies absorb, metabothat utilizes a cooperative management system and engages its lize or eliminate drugs, leading to reduced effectiveness or increased side effects. resident membership in decision-making at every level of its operations.

Fruits, with their complex biochemical profiles, are significant contributors to these interactions.

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Grapefruit and similar citrus fruits, like Seville oranges and pomelos, contain substances that inhibit CYP3A4 enzymes in the small intestine. These enzymes are crucial for metabolizing many drugs, including statins, anti-cancer drugs such as tamoxifen, and some blood pressure medications.

This inhibition can elevate drug levels in the bloodstream, enhancing the risk of adverse effects, such as muscle pain or damage from statins.

Recommendation: For those on medications affected by grapefruit, complete

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JUNE 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Ways to improve skin from the inside

By Kelsey Ogletree Your skin is the biggest barrier between your body and the outside world.

It works hard to protect against the sun and environmental pollutants that can cause damage.

All that hard work can begin to show on your face — literally — through freckles, sunspots, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and sagging, and even lead to development of skin cancer, said Felice Ramallo, RDN, lead dietitian at Allara in Rochester, New York.

Antioxidants for skin, however, can reduce and reverse the oxidation in skin cells caused by UV damage and stress to the skin over time, she pointed out.

The good news: Following a balanced diet filled with plenty of antioxidants — along with getting enough sleep, exercising and managing stress — is one of the best ways to improve the appearance and health of skin from the inside out.

Here are the best antioxidant foods to add to your diet for glowing skin: 1. Extra virgin olive oil. A staple of the Mediterranean diet, extra virgin olive oil is packed with polyphenols that have been shown to help protect skin and reverse aging. Some studies also show olive oil antioxidants for skin can help eliminate free radicals — molecules linked to cancer and chronic disease.

2. Almonds. Full of natural fatty

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acids, polyphenols, vitamin E and other phytochemicals with antioxidant properties, almonds (as well as other nuts like pecans, walnuts and cashews) may help to reduce the severity of wrinkles, studies show.

3. S a l m o n a n d s h r i m p . Pink seafood, like heart-healthy salmon and shrimp, has high levels of a certain carotenoid with antioxidant properties known as astaxanthin.

Supplementation of astaxanthin has been associated with reducing fine lines and wrinkles as well as decreasing agerelated skin deterioration and pollutioninduced skin damage, according to Natalie Yin, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist formerly at U.S. Dermatology Partners in Colorado.

4. Green tea. This ancient tea contains a powerful antioxidant called EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), which has been shown to combat signs of aging by decreasing the breakdown of collagen, thus helping to maintain the plumpness of skin and minimize wrinkles.

5. Kale. Yet another reason to load up your plate (or your blender) with greens: Leafy kale is also high in vitamin C, making this vegetable among the best antioxidants for skin. Kale is also a good source of vitamins A, E and K and has

Have confidence in every conversation.

Do you find it difficult to use a standard phone? Do people ask you to repeat yourself during telephone conversations? Do you miss important calls because you can’t hear the phone ring? The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program is here to help by giving Maryland residents the opportunity to apply for State-provided telecommunications equipment to independently make and receive calls. Once you qualify, a skilled evaluator meets with you to determine the best device to support your day-to-day communications. The MAT program has a variety of equipment solutions to support clearer communication, including: • • • • • •

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been shown to increase collagen and elastin levels in the skin.

6. Guava. If you really want a boost for your skin, grab a guava. This tropical, fiber-rich fruit has more vitamin C than any other food, Ramallo said, with more than four times our daily requirement in just one cup. Fun fact: You can eat the whole thing — even the rind and seeds are edible.

7. Chia seeds. Containing antioxidant-packed polyunsaturated fats, monounsaturated fats and protein, chia seeds have been shown to reduce skin aging.

And they contain omega-3s, which also benefit our body’s largest organ.

8. Cocoa. Good news for chocolate lovers: Cocoa is among the most powerful antioxidants for skin on this list due to its flavanols, Ramallo said. These compounds have been shown to help increase skin blood flow, hydration, density and elasticity, as well as reduce sun damage, roughness, wrinkles and redness.

Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine and website devoted to ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden, plus recipes and entertaining ideas.

Online at bhg.com. © 2024 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

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9

Myths and facts about urinary infections

By Ross Avant, M.D. Dear Mayo Clinic: As a woman in my mid-60s, I have been diagnosed with a urinar y tract infection for the first time ever. I was surprised to find out that I don’t need antibiotics because I don’t have any symptoms.

There’s a lot of conflicting information online about UTIs, like whether every infection needs to be treated and if sex causes an infection. Can you help me distinguish between UTI myth and fact?

A: Urinary tract infections, also called UTIs, are the most common infection for women in the U.S., so you are not alone.

About 40% of women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime, and 1 in 10 postmenopausal women had a UTI in the last year.

A UTI is an infection that occurs in the urinary system, such as the bladder, ureters and kidneys. Most infections involve the bladder, which is known as the lower urinary tract.

Similar to your experience, UTIs don’t always cause symptoms. But when they do, the symptoms may include a strong urge to urinate, a burning feeling while urinating, urinating more often, red or bright pink urine, or pelvic pain.

Some patients experience chills, marked fatigue, fever or flank pain along the side of

the torso below the ribs. These symptoms indicate that the infection has extended beyond the bladder, possibly to the kidney or into the bloodstream.

Here’s the truth about six UTI myths you should know in case you develop another infection: Myth: Only women can get a urinar y tract infection.

Fact: UTIs can affect both men and women. Women are at greater risk for a UTI because the urethra is shorter than in men, so it’s easier for bacteria to travel to the bladder.

UTIs also are more common in postmenopausal women because changes in vaginal and urethral tissue due to low estrogen levels increase the risk of infection.

Myth: All UTIs cause symptoms.

Fact: Most UTIs cause symptoms like pain or a burning sensation when urinating or a feeling like you need to urinate often.

As you discovered, though, it is possible to have bacteria in the urinary tract but not have any UTI symptoms. This is called asymptomatic bacteriuria, and it is more common in older adults or people who use a catheter to empty their bladders.

Myth: All UTIs must be treated with antibiotics.

Fact: Not all UTIs require antibiotics.

Those with asymptomatic bacteriuria usu-

ally don’t require antibiotics as the bacteria is not causing issues. This is probably why your healthcare team didn’t recommend treatment for your recent UTI. There are a few groups of people that may require treatment, including people who are pregnant, people with planned urologic surgery, and people with weakened immune systems.

Antibiotics are used to treat UTIs when the person is experiencing painful or bothersome symptoms and bacteria is present in the urine.

Myth: A UTI will go away on its own.

Fact: Asymptomatic bacteriuria, which is a UTI without symptoms, could go away without treatment. However, UTIs with symptoms rarely resolve on their own.

If you begin experiencing UTI symptoms, like burning, pain or frequency, talk with your healthcare team about obtaining a urine culture and the right treatment for you.

Myth: UTIs can be passed to your

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partner.

Fact: UTIs are not contagious or passed between partners by sexual or casual physical contact.

Myth: UTIs are sexually transmitted infections.

Fact: Sexual activity can increase the risk for UTIs, but it does not cause them.

Therefore, UTIs are not classified as sexually transmitted infections.

The act of intercourse can cause bacteria to get close to or into the urethra, the small tube that empties your bladder.

Lower your risk by urinating after intercourse to remove some of the bacteria.

Talk with your healthcare team if you start to experience UTI symptoms, like painful or burning urination, pelvic pain, a strong urge to urinate, fever, chills, disorientation, or back or side pain. © 2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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JUNE 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Health Studies INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS What’s in it for health study volunteers?

By National Institutes of Health Clinical research is medical research that involves people like you. When you volunteer to take part in clinical research, you help doctors and researchers learn more about disease and improve healthcare for people in the future.

Types of clinical research include:

Epidemiology, which improves the understanding of a disease by studying patterns, causes and effects of health and disease in specific groups.

Behavioral, which improves the understanding of human behavior and how it relates to health and disease.

Health ser vices, which looks at how

Cognition And Metabolism in Prediabetes (CAMPS) Study Are you 50 years or older?

Are you relatively healthy, without a diabetes diagnosis?

If so, you may be eligible for a new research study in which you learn about your daily blood sugar fluctuations and cognitive abilities.

Receive $100 for participating.

For information call 410-605-7179.

Mention “CAMPS”

Individuals who have trouble sleeping (trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, or not getting enough sleep) are invited to participate in a compensated research study examining the connection between sleep and daytime functioning.

Why participate?

People take part in clinical trials for many reasons. Some are healthy, while others may have illnesses. Healthy volunteers say they take part to help others and to contribute to moving science forward.

People with an illness or disease also

take part to help others, but also to possibly receive the newest treatment and to have added (or extra) care and attention from the clinical trial staff. Clinical trials offer hope for many people and a chance to help researchers find better treatments for others in the future There are different types of clinical trials: Prevention trials look for better ways to prevent a disease in people who have never had the disease or to prevent the disease from returning. Approaches may include medicines, vaccines or lifestyle changes.

Screening trials test new ways for detecting diseases or health conditions.

Diagnostic trials study or compare tests or procedures for diagnosing a particular disease or condition.

Treatment trials test new treatments, new combinations of drugs, or new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy.

Behavioral trials evaluate or compare ways to promote behavioral changes designed to improve health.

Quality of life trials (or supportive care trials) explore and measure ways to See STUDY VOLUNTEERS, page 11

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Clinical trials, which evaluate the effects of an intervention on health outcomes.

Clinical trials are part of clinical research and at the heart of all medical advances. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Clinical trials can study: • New drugs or new combinations of drugs • New ways of doing surgery • New medical devices • New ways to use existing treatments • New ways to change behaviors to improve health • New ways to improve the quality of life for people with acute or chronic illnesses.

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11

Grilled chicken and asparagus, fruit dessert

Grilled Tequila-Lime Chicken with Grilled Asparagus Servings: 4 Ingredients ¼ cup tequila or white vinegar 2 teaspoons lime zest ½ cup fresh lime juice 2 medium garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon chipotle pepper canned in adobo sauce, minced, plus 2 tablespoons adobo sauce 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, fat discarded nonstick cooking spray 3 bunches asparagus spears, trimmed ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided 2 tablespoons canola oil, corn oil or olive oil

Study volunteers From page 10 improve the comfort and quality of life of people with conditions or illnesses.

Healthy volunteers needed Research procedures with healthy volunteers are designed to develop new knowledge, not to provide direct benefit to those taking part. Healthy volunteers have always played an important role in research.

Healthy volunteers are needed for several reasons. When developing a new technique, such as a blood test or imaging device, healthy volunteers help define the limits of “normal.” These volunteers are the baseline

Directions In small bowl, stir tequila, lime zest, lime juice, garlic, chipotle pepper and adobo sauce. Pour into large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken and seal bag tightly; turn bag to coat. Refrigerate 2 to 12 hours.

Preheat grill (or stove, if you’re using a grill pan) to medium-high heat. Lightly spray grates with nonstick cooking spray.

In large dish, sprinkle asparagus with salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Drizzle with oil. Turn asparagus over to coat.

Remove chicken from marinade. Discard marinade and wipe most of it off chicken.

Sprinkle chicken with remaining pepper.

Grill 8-12 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Transfer to plate and cover with aluminum foil.

Place asparagus on grill or grill pan, facing opposite direction of grates. Grill 7 minutes, or until tender crisp.

Serve asparagus with chicken.

Frozen Yogurt and Fruit Bark Servings: 8 against which patient groups are compared and are often matched to patients by age, gender or family relationship. They receive the same tests, procedures or drugs the patient group receives. Researchers learn about the disease process by comparing the patient group to the healthy volunteers.

Factors like how much of your time is needed, discomfort you may feel, or risk involved depends on the trial. While some require minimal amounts of time and effort, other studies may require a major commitment of your time and effort, and may involve some discomfort.

The research procedure(s) may also carry some risk. The informed consent process for healthy volunteers includes a

Ingredients 1 ½ cups 2% low-fat plain Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons chopped, unsalted almonds ½ cup chopped mango ¼ cup blackberries or raspberries ½ cup blueberries Directions In medium bowl, mix yogurt and honey.

Line 9-by-13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Use spatula or knife to spread yogurt over entire bottom of dish.

Sprinkle chopped nuts over yogurt. Use fingers to slightly press into yogurt. Top yogurt with mango, blackberries and blueberries and slightly press into yogurt.

Cover with plastic wrap or foil and place in freezer overnight.

To serve: Lift parchment paper from

baking dish onto cutting board. Cut bark into triangular or rectangular pieces.

Find more heart-healthy recipes and tips for lowering cholesterol at heart.org/cholesterol.

detailed discussion of the study’s procedures and tests, and their risks.

Only through clinical research can we gain insights and answers about the safety and effectiveness of treatments and procedures. Groundbreaking scientific ad-

vances in the present and the past were possible only because of participation of volunteers, both healthy and those with an illness, in clinical research.

To find a health study in your area, visit clinicaltrials.gov.

PHOTO BY FAMILY FEATURES

By Family Features Healthy eating doesn’t have to be difficult or require you to take favorite meals off your family’s menu.

Here are some tasty and healthy recipes, courtesy of the American Heart Association:

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JUNE 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Money Law &

Rare books can be wise investments.

See story on page 15.

It’s not your parents’ retirement anymore

By Kate Ashford Now that retirement spans more years than ever, you might need to rethink how you envision that stage of your life.

Although Americans are retiring a little later than they did 30 years ago, they’re also living longer. Retirement isn’t a blip on the life radar — it’s a significant chunk of time.

While your parents may have retired and never worked another day in their lives, you may find that part-time work when you get older fulfills your mental needs and helps your retirement savings last.

You also may have to be more aggressive with your investments than you expected. And staying healthy is crucial.

“The questions I’m being asked are different, and the conversations clients are bringing to me are different,” said John McGlothlin III, a certified financial planner in Austin, Texas.

Here are the ways retirement might be shaping up for you:

Keep more money in stocks People used to enter retirement with a conservative-leaning portfolio that held a solid chunk in bonds and cash alternatives.

Although advisers aren’t suggesting clients throw caution to the wind, they’re tweaking the investing plan at this life stage.

“We may just stay a little more aggressive because the day you retire, you don’t need all this money,” said Jonathan Swanburg, a CFP in Houston. “Some of this money is for 30 years from now; some of it is for your kids and grandkids because you’re never going to touch it.”

McGlothlin encourages his clients to exit target date funds at retirement because he thinks they get too conservative.

“The moment you hit that retirement date, they all of a sudden go to 50% bonds, and within a few years you’re at 60% and 70% bonds,” he said. “While bond yields are much better than they were a few years ago, I don’t necessarily think I can get clients 20 to 30 years of sustainable withdrawals if I’m that bond-heavy.”

Consider working longer The number of adults age 65 and older who are working is almost twice the number who were working 35 years ago, according to a 2023 Pew Research report.

Consulting or part-time work in retirement allows you to withdraw less from your savings and potentially delay taking Social Security, and your investments have more time to grow.

“It gives us flexibility in our asset spenddown picture,” said Catherine Valega, a CFP in Winchester, Massachusetts. “The

thought of moving to no more income coming in — that’s really stress-provoking.”

Valega also encourages clients to pursue work and other activities so they don’t go stir-crazy. “You’re going to have 10 hours in the day that you didn’t have before,” she said. “You can exercise, and that’s great and you should, but beyond that, you need some amount of mental stimulation.”

Save for in-home care Most adults age 55 and older want to age in place, according to a 2023 survey from the McKinsey Health Institute.

Eighty percent wish to live in their own homes, and 71% of older adults who aren’t living in their own homes wish they could.

With home health aides having a national median cost of $27 an hour, according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care data, planning for in-home care may require working longer to build the nest egg to pay for it or even relocating to a city where home services are cheaper.

Renovations to make a home more accessible or to enable single-story livable are also helpful.

“I think the generation that’s retiring right now, they’ve seen their parents or their family members go into nursing facil-

ities or assisted living facilities and are pretty much unanimously like, ‘I really don’t want that,’” McGlothlin said.

You’ll want to stay healthy The average 35-year-old woman today can expect to live to about age 81 — which means many will live even longer. David Foster, a CFP in St. Louis, now includes articles related to physical fitness and health alongside financial tidbits in his email newsletters to clients.

“That probably just wouldn’t have been on top of people’s minds 30 or 40 years ago because they weren’t likely to live until they were 90,” Foster said. “Exercise is good for avoiding cognitive decline and helping with your heart.”

Although it may feel a long way off, safeguarding your health now can lower medical costs later and help ensure you can work (and play) as long as you’re able.

That means exercising regularly, eating reasonably healthy foods, and getting enough sleep, among other things.

“You can’t do anything else if you don’t have your health,” Foster said.

This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. The content is for educational and informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice.

How to leave a Medicare Advantage plan

By Kate Ashford About half of Medicare Advantage members left their plans by the end of five years, according to a 2023 study from Brown University School of Public Health.

Most switched to another Medicare Advantage plan, but not necessarily because they liked Medicare Advantage.

Returning to Original Medicare can be tricky after you first sign up for Medicare Advantage because you may not be able to get a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan, known as Medigap.

But for people with serious or chronic health conditions who have Medicare Advantage, limited provider networks and prior authorization requirements may make it difficult or expensive to get the care they need. It’s helpful to understand your options.

When Medicare Advantage isn’t the right plan Medicare Advantage plans typically require members to get healthcare from doctors and hospitals within a network. Members might have trouble if their doctor falls out of network or they want to see a specialist who doesn’t take their plan.

Medicare Advantage plans also may require you to get approval before they cover some services or medications.

While most Medicare Advantage enrollees are in plans with a $0 premium, getting medical care costs money, and Medicare Advantage plans can have an annual out-of-pocket maximum as high as $8,850 in 2024.

Joanne Giardini-Russell, owner of the insurance agency Giardini Medicare in Michigan, recalls a client who had a Medicare Ad-

vantage plan and got cancer. “He was hitting his max out-of-pocket year after year,” she said. “And then throw in prior authorizations, which he wasn’t a fan of.”

When you can change plans If you have Medicare Advantage and you want to switch plans or go back to Original Medicare, there are two annual opportunities: Medicare’s fall open enrollment from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 and Medicare Advantage open enrollment from Jan. 1 to March 31.

However, if you want to return to Original Medicare and you have health issues, you may not qualify for Medigap, which helps keep Original Medicare affordable.

In most states, after Medigap’s initial enrollment period — in which you can buy any plan from any insurer, regardless of

health status — companies can decline to cover you.

“Everybody thinks the open enrollment in the fall is going to save them,” GiardiniRussell said, remembering a client with a Medicare Advantage plan who couldn’t qualify for Medigap due to a heart condition.

“She said, ‘I thought in November, you could just change [plans] during open enrollment,’” Giardini-Russell said. “She didn’t have any way to get out.”

What are the exceptions?

There are two “trial rights” scenarios in which someone with Medicare Advantage can switch back to a Medigap plan without a medical exam: See MEDICARE, page 14

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13

Spending retirement savings confidently

By Jacob Schroeder It can be difficult for financially conservative people to spend retirement savings after a lifetime of cautious saving.

Finance personality Dave Ramsey stirred controversy recently by advocating for an 8% retirement withdrawal rate, double the traditional 4% rule. Although some of the criticism was warranted, it did highlight an interesting issue: While many people aren’t saving enough for retirement, some retirees aren’t spending as much as they could, either.

According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s (EBRI) 2022 Spending in Retirement Survey, over 40% of retirees plan to only minimally spend down their assets, if at all. Surprisingly, 14% even aim to grow their savings during retirement.

This conservative approach isn’t solely due to limited assets. Another EBRI study compared the spending rates of groups of retirees in different asset levels over the first 20 years of retirement. It found the group with the highest asset level, with $500,000 or more, had the lowest rate of spending, and that a third of retirees had more money after 20 years than they started with.

Certainly, there’s nothing wrong with being cautious with your hard-earned savings. However, excessive caution poses its own risk: a life not fully lived, where the primary beneficiary of your savings be-

comes the adviser paid to manage them.

The study’s authors suggest a major reason for the reluctance to spend is the uncertainties of retirement — the unknown duration of life, the longevity of assets, health prospects, market performance.

Psychological research indicates that uncertainty naturally induces fear, prompting many to avoid unknowns and cling to what’s familiar. Thus, some retirees find comfort in continuing to save rather than spend.

To better manage these challenges, let’s explore three effective ways to build comfort with spending in retirement.

1. Accept and embrace uncertainty Psychologists suggest the power uncertainty has over us is of our own making. We can limit its negative impact by accepting and embracing it rather than worrying about it.

Understand that no plan can completely eliminate uncertainty; it’s an inherent part of life. Acknowledge that while you can’t control every aspect of your future, you’re not rendered powerless.

The key is to focus on what is within your control. This includes adhering to a sensible withdrawal rate and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which can significantly mitigate feelings of helplessness.

Accepting uncertainty isn’t about resignation; it’s about finding strength in adaptability and making informed choices with-

in the scope of what you can influence.

By recognizing what is within your control and accepting what you can’t control, you can better direct your attention to pursuing what brings you joy.

2. Adjust to a shift in identity It’s true; your frugality might be a lifelong companion, as old habits notoriously die hard. However, retirement marks a profound shift in identity, steering you away from a professional persona that may have been your anchor for years.

In fact, many retirees define retirement as a new chapter. This transition calls for a redefinition of self, which can significantly influence how you view and use money.

Navigating this change effectively means exploring and embracing new facets of your identity. Ask yourself: What passions have I set aside? What new pursuits excite me?

Emotional resilience plays a crucial role in this journey. Research says building this resilience — possibly through mindfulness, positive thinking or leaning on social networks — can help you adapt to these life changes more gracefully. Therefore, it can equip you to handle the uncertainties of retirement with greater confidence.

3. Cultivate a more positive relationship with money Behavioral psychology reveals our tenden-

cy to prioritize negative over positive information, a phenomenon known as negativity bias.

This bias significantly influences our financial decisions, often leading us to focus more on avoiding negatives than pursuing positives.

When told by an advisor there’s a 99% chance of a successful retirement, many of us fixate on the 1% risk of running out of money.

A way to counter this is through positive reframing. It involves redefining money as a tool for joy and fulfillment, not just a shield against potential downsides. This shift in perspective encourages us to see money as a means to enrich life experiences.

That doesn’t only mean consumption, but rather recognizing the happiness that can come from using money purposefully, such as through charitable giving or supporting loved ones. Research suggests we gain more happiness from spending on others than on ourselves.

Assessing the value and impact of purchases, rather than just their cost, can help reshape spending habits. So, try this: after spending money, reflect on your feelings.

Did the purchase bring joy or add convenience to your life? Such reflections can guide and ease future financial decisions. © 2024 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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How identity thieves exploit your trust

By Sandra Block Con artists are disguising themselves as well-known brands to steal your money and personal information. Want to know what to do about it?

Kiplinger spoke with Doug Shadel, managing director for Fraud Prevention Strategies, LLC, a Seattle-based consulting firm.

He served as strategy director for AARP’s Fraud Watch Network for nearly 20 years.

You’ve been on the front line of fighting fraud for more than 30 years.

What has changed in that time? Have we become any better at protecting consumers?

There’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that over that 30-year period, fraud has gotten precipitously worse. It’s the new crime of the century.

The good news is that there are a lot of people focusing on fraud prevention. As re-

cently as 10 years ago, it was hard to get law enforcement interested. Now, stopping hackers, phishing and other scams is all anybody is talking about, and a lot of people are paying attention.

One of the most recent trends is imitating trusted brands, such as banks and major retailers, to trick consumers into giving up personal information. Why is that effective?

I’ve interviewed more than two dozen con artists about their strategies, and they all say the same thing: Gain the victim’s trust, get them “under the ether” and create urgency.

Getting them under the ether — a slang term all the con artists use — means getting people into such a heightened emotional state that they’re no longer thinking rationally.

It used to be that the number-one tactic

was promising wealth. Now, the vast majority use the fear of loss — they’ll try to convince you that somebody hacked into your bank account or got your Social Security number, for example.

Whether they’re saying something too good to be true or too bad to be true, either will get you into the ether state. If you get a text message or see a social media post that causes you to become anxious or nervous, that’s a red flag.

Who is most vulnerable to fraud?

With some scams, age matters. For older people, it’s tech-support scams because they’re uncertain about how to use their computers.

But I spent 20 years looking for a magic demographic description that makes people vulnerable, and I couldn’t find it. The closest we could come was people who had experienced stressful life events.

The really skilled con artists spend the first conversations looking for the victim’s Achilles’ heel — the loss of a child, for example — to ratchet up the ether.

Con artists often use social media to scam people. How can we protect ourselves short of leaving social media altogether?

On Facebook, make sure you’ve adjusted your privacy settings so that only close friends and relatives can see what you’re posting. We’ve surveyed people about whether they’ve changed the privacy settings on their Facebook account, and 40% say, “What’s a privacy setting?”

Lots of people belong to Facebook groups, and you trust people in the group because they’re your peers. That leads to what’s known as affinity fraud.

Medicare

Original Medicare and the Medigap plan you dropped, as long as the company still sells it.

If you work with an insurance agent, they might also know which Medigap company would approve you based on your health. “There are some that will treat certain conditions differently than others,” said Adam Hyers, an insurance broker and founder of the insurance

agency Hyers and Associates in Columbus, Ohio. “We keep a list of who might be more likely to accept a client who is in a gray area.”

In four states, residents have a chance at least once a year to buy a guaranteed-issue Medigap plan: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New York.

There are also quirky exceptions: In 2022 and 2023, Blue Shield of California offered an “underwriting holiday” during which California residents could join Medigap Plan G without medical underwriting.

[Ed. Note: In Maryland, those who already have a Medigap plan can switch to another company without underwriting during the 30 days after their birthday each year.]

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois offers guaranteed-issue Medigap plans to Illinois residents. “Obviously, the premiums are going to be higher because they’re going

to have higher claims,” said Cynthia Pruemm, founder and CEO of SIS Financial Group in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

In the worst-case scenario, moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s service area grants you another chance at guaranteed-issue Medigap.

From page 12 — If you start with a Medicare Advantage plan when you first qualify for Medicare, you have 12 months to go back to Original Medicare with any Medigap plan.

— If you have a Medigap plan and drop it to try a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time, you have 12 months to return to

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If it’s not possible to get Medigap, you may have to find the best Medicare Advantage plan for your needs. Don’t get sidetracked by perks; pay attention to doctors and drug coverage.

For guidance, call a broker rather than the providers directly. “You want to talk to somebody who’s independent, that represents all of the companies,” Pruemm said.

This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet.

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Investing in rare books and manuscripts If you are a bibliophile, you may want to If you are the type of investor who is fasconsider collecting rare books and manu- cinated with short-term trading, and buyscripts. ing and selling stocks with The markets for rare books quick turnovers, rare books and manuscripts are currently are not the type of investment very active. For example, in you are likely to do well with.

2022, book and paper auction sales totaled $1.06 billion, acDetermining value cording to Rare Books Hub. Experts in the field are likeI’ll explain some issues to ly to tell you that the most imconsider if you are interested portant factors determining in investing in rare books and value are the importance of papers. the author, the rarity of the THE SAVINGS One advantage of investing GAME book (how many were originalin this field is diversification. By Elliot Raphaelson ly printed), whether it is a first As you know, the values of eqedition or inscribed, the book’s uities, bonds and cryptocurrencies can be condition, provenance (i.e., its record of very volatile. Investment in books is likely ownership), and whether the book is considto be more stable. ered among the author’s best work.

Regarding condition, if the book is not in good condition, serious collectors will Where to start A good first step is to visit a variety of an- not be interested. The book will be more tiquarian bookstores, book fairs, reputable valuable if there is an undamaged dust dealers and experts in the field. jacket, there are no stains or signs of When you visit any of these, ask the per- mildew, and the pages are not torn and do son how he or she got into the business, not seem worn.

Provenance is very important. This is what specific areas he/she is most interested in, and how he/she determines what defined as the recorded history of ownersegments of the market are likely to be the ship and custody of the book. Naturally, if the owner of the book had a close relationmost promising in the future.

If you are interested in rare books as an ship with the author, it is very important. investor, this is an area in which you The value will be much greater when should be taking a long-term approach. provenance is authenticated.

Identity theft From page 14 Anytime somebody reaches out to you out of the blue, whether it’s from your Facebook knitting group or your bank, it’s a red flag.

What are the most effective ways to shield yourself from fraud outside of social media?

If you use a peer-to-peer payment app, never send money to someone you don’t know.

Update antivirus software on your devices, freeze your credit, and use callblocking tools to prevent scammers from

contacting you by phone.

As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, you need to reduce the likelihood you’ll be targeted because AI makes it increasingly difficult to detect who is a fraudster and who isn’t.

AI can make the voice of somebody in the Philippines sound like they are a sheriff in Texas. If scammers using AI this way can’t reach you, you don’t have to worry about that.

This item first appeared in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. © 2024 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed

by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Not without risk

You can become educated in this field by reading articles published by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association and the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America. You can also contact them to determine if there are any upcoming seminars or talks, and ask to be placed on their mailing lists.

You can contact auction houses that specialize in this field, such as Bonhams and Christies, to get on their mailing lists for subsequent auctions. Other sources for online auctions are AbeBooks and Biblio.

Contact them for information regarding upcoming auctions.

A safe way to purchase books is to use a dealer who has been in the field for many years and guarantees authenticity.

Other sources that may be cost-effective would be estate sales, community garage sales and thrift stores. You can contact local companies that conduct estate sales in your area to be placed on their mailing lists. In addition to finding possibly valuable books, you are likely to find quality furnishings and artworks at reasonable prices.

If you plan to buy rare books or manuscripts as investments, beware of these risks: —The market for rare books is not very liquid.

—The rare books market is relatively small in comparison to other investments, whether you are buying or selling.

—The maintenance costs are high if you have a large collection. Preserving the good condition of books requires proper storage and maintenance. Obtain an estimate of costs before you acquire a large collection.

Bottom line: Investing in rare books can be a rewarding and exciting experience, especially if you are interested in literature and history.

There is potential for financial gains, but you must understand the financial risks, be willing to do the required research and develop proper relationships.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2024 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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PHOTO © MINNYSTOCK | DREAMSTIME.COM

Travel Leisure &

The hills are alive in Salzburg, Austria.

See story on opposite page.

Cruising to charming Southern locales On-shore excursions Our ship docked at some of the South’s most charming cities and towns, and the selection of outings at each port appealed to many tastes and interests.

For starters, we checked out the American Prohibition Museum in Savannah, the only one of its kind in the nation. Exhibits, dioramas and other displays bring the “Roaring Twenties” back to life in an immersive way.

Visitors enter into a street scene: A beer truck is parked amid a mob of angry, signcarrying protesters (mannequins). A soundtrack broadcasts evangelist Billy Sunday railing against both “king alcohol” and Savannah — “the most wicked city in the world.”

A portrait of August Anheuser Busch Sr., the brewing magnate, suddenly comes alive and engages in a spirited debate with the nearby picture of a female member of the Temperance League, arguing the benefits of moderation versus prohibition.

After you view the exhibits, you can choose a side: There’s a fully stocked bar in the museum’s speakeasy.

In addition to the Prohibition Museum, we could take trolley or walking tours of Savannah. Those who went ashore at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, could visit alligators at a wildlife preserve or take a dolphin-watching cruise.

In Brunswick, Georgia, cruisers could visit a rice plantation that operated from

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN CRUISE LINES

By Victor Block During a recent journey through several southeastern states, I knocked on an unmarked wood door, uttered a secret password, and was admitted into a throwback Prohibition-era speakeasy in the heart of Savannah, Georgia.

My wife Fyllis and I also took a horsedrawn carriage ride through Beaufort, South Carolina — a small, picturesque town (pronounced BYOO-fert) that has served as the backdrop for more than 100 movies and television shows.

We were on a cruise to history-rich Savannah, Beaufort and other towns, relaxing as we traveled aboard the American Eagle, an American Cruise Lines ship.

Our eight-day voyage took us from Florida’s Amelia Island to Charleston, South Carolina, via the Intracoastal Waterway, a 3,000-mile-long stretch of river, canals and bays that runs from Massachusetts to Florida and then on to Texas.

The channel was so wide in some places that the marshes, sandbars and sawgrass lining the shorelines almost faded into the distance. In others, the ship slowed to a crawl as it navigated narrow, shallow sections, providing close-up views of gulls, pelicans and other wildlife.

While our 100-guest ship often had the water to itself, we occasionally spotted a barge or another boat carrying passengers whose friendly waves we returned. Dolphins seemed to enjoy following in our wake.

PHOTO © JON BILOUS | DREAMSTIME.COM

Colorful historic houses line Savannah’s Forsyth Park. Savannah is among the popular ports of call where cruise line patrons disembark to take a variety of tours.

With room for more than 100 passengers, the American Eagle is one of 20 American Cruise Lines ships and riverboats that take tourists through our country’s waterways with stops at towns and cities of interest.

1800 until 1915, or ride on a retired shrimping trawler.

Fyllis and I opted for the shrimp boat.

As its captain hauled in a net loaded with wriggling shrimp, crabs, pufferfish and other denizens of the deep, guests could handle the catch before it was returned to the ocean. Fyllis delighted in getting close up and personal with a baby manta ray.

Our penultimate stop, Beaufort, had a small-town atmosphere, streets lined by graceful antebellum homes, and overhead canopies of Spanish moss-festooned oak trees.

Hollywood’s love affair with Beaufort began in 1914 when scenes for the film The Americans were shot there. Viewing it all from a wagon pulled by a straw hatwearing horse named Bandit added to the ambiance.

On the last day of the cruise, we took a tour of Charleston’s cobblestone streets and squares. Founded in 1670, the city’s architectural style is the unique “single house,” with a narrow, one-room-width side facing the street, our tour guide explained. That design was necessary during the Colonial era, when a wall enclosed the miniscule, 62-acre town, and space was limited. Pointing to a church that was built in 1855, our guide referred to it as “new.”

A long list of other tours was available to passengers. In Charleston, they included a

visit to the magnificent Magnolia Gardens and Plantation, founded in 1676, and Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.

Food, lectures, trivia Between ports, we could choose from almost around-the-clock activities available on the ship. Experts and guest lecturers described the next day’s shore excursions, and delved into topics like the Music of the Civil War, the Civil War at Sea and Early American Religion.

Other activities included bingo, trivia, and arts and crafts. A Veterans Appreciation Ceremony honored passengers who had served in the military, and those traveling on their own could attend a solo travelers meetup.

Evening entertainment was equally varied, including live music, a talented ventriloquist, and an equally gifted Gullah woman. She described and demonstrated the unique culture, customs and cuisine of that African American ethnic group from the coastal Southeast.

Of course, cruises are known for their abundant food options. Fresh-baked cookies were served twice a day; nibbles and drinks were available in the Sky Lounge; and a snack bar served light breakfasts See CRUISE, page 17

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17

The sounds of music remain in Salzburg

By Rick Steves Salzburg is forever smiling to the tunes of Mozart and The Sound of Music. Thanks to its charming old town, splendid Baroque churches, and one of Europe’s largest medieval fortresses, Salzburg feels designed to keep its visitors happy.

With around eight million sightseers prowling its cobbled lanes each year, the city can feel pretty touristy. You don’t go to Salzburg to avoid the tourists. You go to experience a town which, in spite of the crowds, is thoroughly enjoyable.

Most of the happy tourists probably wouldn’t be here if not for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who spent much of his first 25 years in Salzburg.

While some devotees make a pilgrimage to his birthplace (Geburtshaus), I prefer Mozart’s Residence (Wohnhaus) — a reconstruction of Mozart’s second home (his family moved here when he was 17).

It’s the most informative Mozart sight in town.

In the main hall, used by the Mozarts to entertain Salzburg’s high society, you can hear original instruments from Mozart’s time. Other rooms feature real artifacts that explore his loves, intellectual pursuits, travels and more.

After seeing where he lived, visit where

he was baptized and later performed: Salzburg’s Cathedral, one of the first Baroque buildings north of the Alps. Built in just 14 years (1614-1628), the huge church amazed me with its harmonious architecture. When Pope John Paul II visited in 1998, some 5,000 people filled the cathedral (it’s 330 feet long and 230 feet tall).

Sit under the dome — surrounded by the tombs of 10 archbishops from the 17th century — and imagine all four organs playing, each balcony filled with musicians, creating a glorious surround-sound effect.

Mozart, who was the organist here for two years, would advise you that the acoustics are best in pews immediately under the dome.

Castle with a view While the cathedral is in the center of town, Salzburg’s Hohensalzburg Fortress towers 400 feet above the city. One of Europe’s mightiest castles, this fortress was never really used. That’s the idea. It was a good investment — so foreboding, nobody attacked the town for a thousand years.

The city was never taken by force, but when Napoleon stopped by, Salzburg wisely surrendered. After a stint as a military barracks, the fortress was opened to the public in the 1860s. Today, it dominates

Salzburg’s skyline and offers commanding views.

The fortress visit has three parts: the fortress itself (with its chapel, towers and fine views from its courtyard ramparts); the museums (fortress, marionette and Rainer Regiment museums, plus the fortress armory); and the Regency Rooms — the richly painted and decorated royal apartments.

Beyond its museums and castles, Salzburg is a world-class destination for live music performances. Each summer it hosts its famous Salzburg Festival (salzburgerfestspiele.at).

But Salzburg is busy throughout the year, offering classical concerts in its palaces and churches. Pick up the events

calendar at the tourist information office or check the events calendar at Salzburg.info.

I’ve never planned in advance, and I’ve enjoyed great concerts with every visit.

One excursion everyone seems to recommend is the Sound of Music tour, which is offered by several companies. They usually include a quick but good general city tour and then hit the movie’s highlights, including the stately home, flirtatious gazebo and grand wedding church.

Of the many companies providing such a tour, consider Bob’s Special Tours (bobstours.com) and Panorama Tours (panoramatours.com). I took this tour skeptically but actually liked it, even though rolling See SALZBURG, page 18

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Cruise From page 16 and lunches on the deck.

The evening feast included a pre-dinner cocktail hour with more-than-ample hors d’oeuvres, and peaked in the white-tablecloth dining room. The dinner menus reflected the culture and tastes of the region: crabcakes, barbecued pork chops and shrimp and grits.

One evening, I overheard Jason, the executive chef, giving a pre-dinner briefing to his waitstaff. He listed the ingredients of each entrée displayed on a tray as the servers took notes and asked questions.

That attention to detail pervaded every aspect of our experience aboard and left us wishing our cruise had been longer.

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Seven things nutritionists eat at airports

By Madeleine Burry Airport terminals are like a giant impulse aisle, full of temptations you may usually resist. That can lead to regrets later in the day: Opting for unhealthy snacks can result in gastrointestinal upset or feeling hangry.

Fortunately, there are plenty of goodfor-you eats available at airports these days. We spoke to nutrition experts to find out which foods they eat before a flight.

1. Snacks from home. “Even if I can’t pack a whole meal, I like to at least bring some snacks to tide me over,” said Autumn Ehsaei, RDN. “These often include snap peas (fresh and crunchy), mandarins (easy to peel and hydrating), raw nuts (good pro-

tein and healthy fats) or homemade trail mix with whole-grain popcorn, raw almonds and no-sugar-added dried fruit.”

2. Fruit and vegetables. Even at a small terminal, you’re likely to spot a mound of apples or a basket of bananas beside a cash register somewhere. “I always try to seek out fresh fruits or vegetables at the airport because it gives me a little boost…and helps me feel energized, not weighed down, before I board,” Ehsaei said.

3. Yogurt. “If I don’t have time for breakfast before the airport or if it is just too early, I will grab a plain Greek yogurt from [an airport market] and have it with a banana. Ideally the yogurt will be full-fat for satiety and metabolism. But if nonfat is

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my only option, I will grab a small bag of raw nuts or a nut butter packet for some healthy fat,” said Sydney Greene, RD, at Greene Health.

4. Smoothies. If you’re both hungry and thirsty, opt for a smoothie, suggested Claire Martin, RD, co-founder of Being Healthfull. It’ll satisfy both needs without too many calories, and they’re usually easy enough to find at airports.

5. Nuts and seeds. Readily available in pre-portioned bags, nuts and seeds provide protein, healthy fat and fiber, making them a great option for airport eating — with a few caveats.

“Just be aware, if you are watching your sodium intake, to try unsalted,” said Amanda Markie, RDN, an outpatient dietitian at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center.

6. Salad. On the more meal-like side of

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the spectrum, salads are a strong contender for the healthiest airport option.

Stop somewhere you can craft your own salad, if available. That can help you avoid the unexpected calories of prepackaged or restaurant salads, drenched in creamy dressing or loaded with crunchy noodles, said Susan Weiner, RDN, owner of Susan Weiner Nutrition.

7. Water. Yes, we know — water isn’t a food. But every nutritionist we spoke to recommended guzzling it since flying is dehydrating. “Start your day with a bunch of water, buy a water bottle after passing through security to fill up at fountains (or bring an empty, reusable one in your carry-on), and try to stick with water while on the plane,” Ehsaei said.

Health delivers relevant information in clear, jargon-free language that puts health into context in people’s lives. Online at Health.com. © 2024 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Salzburg From page 17

MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

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

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

HOWARD COUNTY

BALTIMORE COUNTY Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344 Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660 Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888 The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000 The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100 The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000 The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988 Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464 Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 • 55 & Better Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665 Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375 Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673

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through the Austrian countryside with 30 Americans singing “Doe, a deer” is pretty schmaltzy.

Be warned: Salzburg is addicted to the tourist dollar and can never get enough.

Virtually all hotels are on the take when it comes to concert and tour recommendations, influenced more by their potential kickback than by what’s best for you. Take their advice with a grain of salz.

Experience a biergarten To see Salzburg at play, take a hike to the Augustiner Bräustübl — a huge 1,000seat beer garden northeast of the city center (augustinerbier.at). On busy nights, it’s like a Munich beer hall with no music but the volume turned up.

When it’s cool outside, you’ll enjoy a historic setting inside beer-sloshed and smoke-stained halls. On balmy evenings, it’s like a Renoir painting — but with beer breath — under chestnut trees.

Local students mix with tourists, eating hearty slabs of schnitzel with their fingers or cold meals from the self-serve picnic counter, while children frolic on the playground. Servers only bring beer; they don’t bring food. Instead, go up the stairs, survey the hallway of deli counters, and assemble a delectable meal.

With its musical legacies, magnificent scenery and rich history, Salzburg is a symphony — and you don’t have to climb every mountain to enjoy it.

Rick Steves writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio and organizes European tours. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com, follow him on Facebook or visit RickSteves.com. © 2023 Rick Steves. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Makes a great gift!

BALTIMORE BEACON — JUNE 2024

Style

19

Arts &

A new book is set in 1970s Baltimore.

See story below.

Author crafts novel from life experiences

Baltimore scenes Old-time Baltimoreans will recognize the places and performers in the novel.

Some scenes take place in Little Italy, for instance, where the swing band is based.

Burgess describes the now-shuttered Famous Ballroom, which was located on North Charles Street, and the Café Park Plaza in Mount Vernon. Those night spots headlined jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald, Baltimore-raised Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane.

“A lot of people don’t realize Baltimore was a swinging place,” Burgess told the “Jayne Miller Podcast” in April, when her novel was published. “It just had a freer sound.”

Not every musician had the same freedoms. In the 1970s, some private country clubs banned Black performers. Burgess, who is white, interviewed Black musicians about the obstacles they faced.

“It shocked me, it hurt me, but I wanted to incorporate that in this book,” she told the podcast.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEAN BURGESS

By Robert Friedman Maryland author Jean Burgess sang and danced with a swing band in the 1970s, performed in and directed plays in local theaters, taught drama and acting to high schoolers, and earned a Ph.D. in educational theater from New York University in 2002.

Now, at age 68, she’s had her first novel published.

The book, That Summer She Found Her Voice: A Retro Novel, follows the life and hard times of vocalist-dancer Margie Stevens — a 23-year-old who leaves her Eastern Shore home in 1978 to sing and swing with a big band. Along the way, she encounters racism and sexual harassment, slowly finding her place in the world.

“The story has been swirling around in my brain for a long time,” Burgess said in an interview with the Beacon. “The educator in me is elated to offer a story that encourages readers to question the status quo.”

Lifelong actor, teacher Burgess carefully researched the Baltimore music scene of the 1960s and 70s because she never witnessed it firsthand.

Born in Ohio, she dreamed of being an actor. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication arts/theater from Ohio’s Ursuline College and a master’s degree in theater arts from Northwestern University.

Burgess moved to the Baltimore area in 1990 and became a professional actor, performing in Theatre on the Hill summer stock and at Spotlighter’s Theatre in Baltimore.

She directed academic productions at Garrison Forest Academy, Catonsville Community College, and Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, a summer program at Morgan State University.

A lifelong teacher, she taught for 23 years at high schools in Frederick, Maryland and at Carroll Community College

Jean Burgess signs a book for a friend at the April 17 launch party for her first novel, That Summer She Found Her Voice. The book features local landmarks such as Vaccaro’s, St. Leo’s Church and the Famous Ballroom.

and McDaniel College.

While pursuing her doctorate from New York University, Burgess lived in a humble apartment in Greenwich Village “like a starving actor,” she said. Writing her dis-

sertation gave her the confidence she needed to write books, she said.

Now living in Westminster, Maryland, See NOVEL, page 21

OPE E NS JUNE E 21

Cars, boats, furniture, antiques, tools, appliances Everything and anything is sold on

Radio Flea Market

Filled with h chart-topping hits in ncluding “Sherry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off O f You, o ” “Big Girlss Don’t Cry,” and many more!

Heard every Sunday, 7-8:00 a.m. on 680 WCBM

To obysDinnerTh heatre.com CELEBRATING 45YEARS

20

Arts & Style | Subscribe online! See how on p. 22

Market From page 1 “There’s one guy who was born the year the market started. I remember him running around to all the farmers, climbing up in the trucks. Now his son is doing the same thing,” Pahl said.

Specialty food, arts and crafts The biggest change since opening day,

Pahl said, has been the addition of different kinds of vendors, including artists, food trucks, wineries and distilleries.

“It’s amazing how things have changed.

It’s gone from strictly farmers to crafts” and hot food, she said.

One of those new food vendors is the mother-daughter company called The Salad Lady. Debbi Mims and her daughter, Keli Chase, sell Chase’s popular chicken salad — and a dozen other salads — every

BEACON BITS

June 22

FREE WILLS, DIRECTIVES, MORE

The Pro Bono Resource Center volunteer attorneys will prepare free wills, advance medical directives, and power of attorney documents for low-income homeowners on Sat., June 22 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. You must make an appointment by calling (443) 703-3052. The appointments last about two hours and are held at the Poe Room, Central Library, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore.

CALL AND VISIT ISOLATED ADULTS

Ongoing Baltimore County Home Team volunteers provide friendly in-home and telephone visits to adults 60 and over who lack social support and are at risk of social isolation. This position has a six-month commitment of approximately one hour per week. For more information and to apply, call (410) 887-4141 or email hometeam@baltimorecountymd.gov.

MENTOR K-12 STUDENTS

Ongoing Junior Achievement is looking for volunteers to mentor K-12 students in person, online or in a hybrid environment. Training is provided, and flexible scheduling means you can make your own time commitment.

Sign up at centralmaryland.ja.org/volunteer/volunteer-now. For more information, call (443) 394-7211.

JUNE 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Sunday. Mims encouraged her daughter to start a company in 2015.

“She said, ‘Mommy, everybody’s asking me to make food for them. I think I need to go into business,’ and I said, ‘Go for it.’ It has turned into a great thing.”

They started selling chicken salad, potato salad, pasta salad and more at the market five years ago. “I’ve been there for her since day one,” Mims said.

Another family that has witnessed the market’s growth in the past decades is the Stoecker family, who came to America from Germany and bought land in 1903 in Middle River, Maryland. Four generations later, the Stoeckers are still growing vegetables, which they sell every Sunday at the Baltimore Farmers’ Market.

“My father was one of the original members of that market when he started in 1977. My entire childhood, my father was waking up on Sunday morning and going to that market,” said Rebecca StoeckerDolly, who co-owns Stoecker Farms with her brother.

“We have family photos of both of my brothers in a pack-and-play underneath the tailgate of the big truck when they were itty bitty babies.”

Now Stoecker-Dolly follows in her father’s footsteps, waking up at 3:30 a.m. every Sunday to drive to the market.

“Our Sunday market, that’s our tradition. We’ve seen that market change a lot over the years. If you’re looking for any-

thing and everything, that market is definitely the place to go.”

A second career as a farmer Of course, not all farmers at the Baltimore Farmers’ Market have such long histories.

Mark Ross, who owns Metro Microgreens, came to farming late in life. Ross had a job in corporate sales for decades, but he considered himself a “green thumb kind of a guy. I’m one of those guys who could grow anything.”

When Ross’ children were in elementary school, he asked the principal if he could start a garden on school grounds.

He raised money to plant organic vegetables and, at recess, would “teach the children where the food came from,” he said.

“Most kids just think their food comes from the back of a grocery store.”

After 10 years of teaching more than 1,000 students about the school garden, Ross stepped down from both his volunteer project and his sales job and wondered what was next.

“My wife said, ‘You’re so good at [growing vegetables] — why don’t you do it for a living?’” So in 2017, Mark and his wife, Debbie, launched a growing facility at their Rockville home and now sell sprouts at 21 local farmers markets.

“It’s fun. With farmers markets, it’s a See MARKET, page 21

Makes a great gift! | Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON — JUNE 2024

Novel From page 19 Burgess speaks at writing clubs and holds writing workshops for Carroll County teenagers. She’s also a freelance editor, helping other writers craft their manuscripts.

Positive reviews Burgess first considered writing a memoir or a screenplay but chose the novel format, which she felt allows for more imagination.

The book was published by Apprentice House Press, a Loyola University operation run by students and overseen by faculty members.

So far, the novel has received positive reviews.

In the January issue of the Midwest Book Review, which features small-press titles, critic Michael Dunford called Burgess’ novel “a memorable saga of self-

Market From page 20 happy place. People want to come to them; it’s part of their weekend routine. You see the same people come at the same time every week. It’s a very positive atmosphere,” Ross said.

New: Quiet hours This spring, the Baltimore Farmers’ Market introduced “quiet shopping hours.” From 7 to 9 a.m., people can browse the food stalls without amplified music or boisterous children.

“The market is a bustling place — we are under a highway,” said Cate, the market manager. “We’re trying to make the market more accessible, whether people have hearing issues or sensory issues or just want a quieter shopping experience.”

discover y, social transformation and career-changing paradigms.”

He added: “In bringing alive the issues of Margie’s life and times for current generations, Burgess successfully documents changes and influences that lead to new perspectives in and about self and community.”

On Goodreads, one reviewer who received an advance copy of the novel wrote that the main character comes of age “in an era of change, at a time when feminism was new, while navigating heartbreak, conflict, friendship and family…We can all relate to the struggle to find your authentic voice in a world filled with noise.”

At the end of the novel, Burgess provides “Topics for Discussion” for book clubs and students.

At work on a sequel While this is Burgess’ first novel, it isn’t her first book. She wrote a textbook pub-

That means more time for conversations. After all, the market is a gathering place where people can meet old friends or chitchat with strangers.

For mother and daughter Debbi Mims and Keli Chase, every Sunday is a reunion of sorts. Both of them were born and raised in Baltimore and now live in Columbia.

“We love the atmosphere at the Baltimore downtown Farmers Market,” Mims said. “We don’t live in the city anymore, so we get to see old classmates, old neighbors and old friends.”

Visit the Baltimore Farmers’ Market on Sundays from 7 a.m. to noon from April to December. It is located underneath the Jones Falls Expressway (JFX I-83) at 400 E. Saratoga St. Free parking is available during market hours. For more information, visit farmersmarketbaltimore.org.

BEACON BITS

June 12+ FREE JAZZ AT THE ARMORY This free outdoor summer music series features Baltimore’s best jazz artists. Listen to the sounds of The Rodney Kelley Jazz Experience on Wed., June 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pikesville Armory, 610 Reisterstown Rd., Pikesville. Free on-site parking. For more information and to register for tickets, visit TransformPikesvilleArmory.org/jazz.

FROM PAGE 22 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD O T T O S L I M E B B S D A W N H E R E C L O T O B I T E V I L H O S E D R U N A C L O S E S E C O N D P O L H E E L N O T A P P M A A A O L G O O N A C L E A R N I G H T E L M S O U R U L N A A L M A N A C L A S T P A G E N O G S P A T E E T I P S E L K A P E T A B E R N A C L E C H O I R R O A D A N T I M Y O P E I L I A T U T U K E E P N A C L S T E P I S M S

lished in 2019 by Routledge Press. That book, Collaborative Stage Directing, was “for students and directors to focus on the communication and readership skills involved in stage directing,” she said.

What’s next in the acting-teaching-writing career of Jean Burgess? She’s putting nonfiction on hold to focus on writing her next novel, a sequel to her debut work.

So far, she has written a dozen chapters.

Its main character is still Margie Stevens, this time making her way in New York City in the early 1980s.

“I’m immersed in the fun research stage — pulling photos of The Big Apple during

21

the 80s time period, getting the clothing right, listening to punk music on YouTube, poring over New York Times archives to weave pertinent news items into my plot outline,” Burgess told an interviewer this spring.

Again, the sequel to her first novel may resemble Burgess’ own life story, which has had many twists and turns.

“You could say I’ve been around,” she said.

That Summer She Found Her Voice is available at Bookshop.org, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target.com, Walmart.com and other independent bookstores.

22

Arts & Style | Subscribe online! See below

JUNE 2024 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Crossword Puzzle Find a new crossword every day on our website at www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com/puzzles.

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Scrabble answers on p. 21.

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2. Illicit Across 1. von Bismarck, called “The Iron Chancellor” 3. Bed for an only child 4. Currently available 5. Snug fit of pants 5. Resin used in both woodworking and 9. Peters out candy making 13. NCAA basketball coach, Staley 6. Leftward prefix (and an anagram for 14. “You can’t get there from ___” “LOVE”) 15. Target of anticoagulant medicine 7. Like James Joyce and Bono 16. Biography listed at Legacy.com 8. Donnybrook 17. Like one of a soap opera’s twins 9. Rank in society 18. Cleaned a fire truck 10. Common interest group 20. Get edged out 11. Subatomic particle named for 23. Guest on a Sunday morning talk show Satyendra Nath Bose 24. Achilles’ vulnerability 12.

Dictator’s assistant 25. ___ for the faint of heart 19. Insecticide banned since 1972 26. iPad downloadable 21. The Bride was in one at the start of 29. Billy goat’s observation Kill Bill 31. Web portal co. that inspired the movie 22.

Cook with high heat You’ve Got Mail 26.

Contents of the Gulf of Mexico 33. Advice for someone planning to view 27. Input to a FiveThirtyEight forecast constellations 28. Alphabet quartet, in reverse 40. Lower arm bone 30. One of four acting Baldwin brothers 41. Nightmarish street 32. Struggle with S and Z sounds 42. Like some Skittles 34. Indian flatbread 43. It might contain an index of weather 35. Capital One has one (but it is not a terms capital) 48. Yuletide beverage 36.

“I ___ hungry as a horse” 49. Wellness center 37. “Greatest of All Time,” to a sports fan 50. Casual short sleeve shirt 38. Ginormous 51. Star of a San Diego Zoo Cam 54. Options on a restaurant payment screen 39. Lifeform on Pandora or Endor 44. Imaginary 57. Caribou kin 45. Opposin’ 59. Utah-based musical group 46. Give it some more gas 65. One who can’t see distances clearly 47. The softest mineral on Earth 66. “When you come to a fork in the ___, 51. Sometimes it lets you pick your bill take it” (Yogi Berra) type 67. On the opposing side 52. Ante 68. Pelvic bones 53. Deadly virus named for a Congo river 69. Most of a ballerina costume 55. Auto repair shop supplies 70. ___ CALM AND CARRY ON 56. “You look like a talent ___ for a 71. Chemical formula poured all over this cemetery” (Henny Youngman) puzzle 58. Nonchalant-looking trousers 72. Salsa maneuver 60. Movie with a cast of thousands 73. Schools of thought 61. Past bedtime Down 62. Last column before the decimal point 1. Of all cheeses, Vieux-Boulogne’s is the 63. Part of a collector’s collection strongest 64. Makes jeans more fashionable

Answers on page 21.

Makes a great gift!

BALTIMORE BEACON — JUNE 2024

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Housing

St. Ann Adult Day Services . . . . .13

Affordable Rentals (CSI) . . . . . . . .7 Brightview Senior Living . . . . . .11 Caritas House Assisted Living . . .13 Catholic Charities . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Charlestown/Erickson . . . . . . . . . .9 Christ Church Harbor Apts . . . . .21 Enterprise Residential . . . . . . . . .18 Harmony at Enterprise . . . . . . . .1, 6 Harmony at Waldorf . . . . . . . . . .1, 6 Oak Crest/Erickson . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Park View Apartments . . . . . . . . .18 Pickersgill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 St. Mary’s Roland View Towers . .14

Clinical Health Studies Prediabetes Blood Sugar Study . .10 Insomnia Sleep Study . . . . . . . . .10

Funeral Services Cremation Society of Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 MacNabb Funeral Home . . . . . . .14

Home Health Care/ Companion Services Family & Nursing Care . . . . . . . . .3

Virginia Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Warren Place Apts. . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Westminster House . . . . . . . . . . .17

Medical/ Health Services Hearing Wellness Center . . . . . . . .5

Retail Clean Origin Lab Grown Diamonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Radio Flea Market . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Senior Resources Maryland Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation St. Elizabeth Rehab/Nursing . . . .13

Technology Computer Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Theater/Arts Toby’s Dinner Theatre . . . . . . . . .19

Travel Beltway Motel & Suites . . . . . . . .17 Superior Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

24

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