August 2023 | DC Beacon

‘Big Tree Man’ branches out

By Margaret Foster

Do you have a favorite tree? Joe Howard, known as the “Big Tree Man,” does.

Howard, 93, leads popular “tree tours” several times a year, giving the public a close-up look at some of the biggest, oldest trees in Montgomery County, Maryland.

For example, he gives his groups a peek at the “triple-trunk tulip,” a massive tulip tree with three trunks, located on private property in Aspen Hill.

“I’d love to show you that tree. It’s a treat,” said Howard, a member of the county’s forestry board, in a recent interview with the Beacon

His favorite species of tree is the bristlecone pine, found on the West Coast. Scientists believe it is the oldest living species on earth, with some trees being nearly 5,000 years old.

Howard’s eyes light up and he smiles when he remembers a windswept bristlecone pine in Great Basin National Park in Nevada. “It’s just such a fabulous tree… When you’re in a pine forest, it’s kind of magical…But I love all trees,” he quickly added.

Eastern Shore roots

Growing up in the 1930s in Easton, Maryland, Howard spent many hours outdoors with his brother and their father, a house painter who was often out of work during the Depression.

They’d fish, hike and explore loblolly pine forests. They’d also make forays to a nearby town to see the famous Wye Oak, a massive tree that inspired Maryland’s champion tree program. (A tree is considered a “champion” if its measurements meet certain criteria.)

Howard received his bachelor’s degree in education from Salisbury State Univer-

sity and then a master’s in education at the University of Maryland in College Park.

He returned to the Eastern Shore to work as an elementary school principal. Because teachers had to do double duty as bus drivers, he also drove a school bus.

Every morning, he’d promise the kids, “If we finish early today, we can stop to see

the Wye Oak” in the afternoon, he recalled. “The kids were always impressed with that.”

The tree collapsed during a severe thunderstorm in 2002, at an age somewhere between 400 and 500 years.

PHOTO BY DONNA WILL

Tree enthusiast Joe Howard has many nicknames: Big Tree Man, local treasure, tribal elder. At 93, Howard continues his lifelong work in outdoor education by hosting bus tours to the oldest trees in Montgomery County, Maryland.

What to make of AI?

Efforts to develop computer systems capable of “artificial intelligence,” or AI, have been underway and making progress for decades.

What is AI? In brief, it’s the ability of computer applications to understand language and answer questions or solve problems in a human-like way.

Some signs of the success of these efforts include the current embedding of AI into our daily lives through smartphone voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri, the ability of computers to turn speech into text, and the way websites can offer instant translation of their text into a myriad of languages.

thing new and different, even original.*

AI programs can also generate music, pictures and video automatically from text prompts.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

Since the internet encompasses billions of website pages filled with information — including most published literature, many educational texts and academic research papers, and artwork of all types — the ability of machines using tremendous computing power to absorb most of human knowledge has enabled them to learn from that and indeed imitate how humans think, talk, write and make art.

to think they are speaking with other human beings. There are reports of people who develop deep personal relationships with AI personas.

Some of these people have concluded that computers using AI are themselves sentient (that is, self-aware, feeling beings) and that we, therefore, owe them certain moral obligations as a result.

Looking at the same facts differently, some note that computers that are smarter than we are, and are capable of “manipulating” humans into falling in love with their personas, may hold tremendous power over at least some human beings.

If foreign nations or criminal elements can program computers to foster mass hysteria, goad nations into war, or bring about any of a million other dystopian scenarios, the potential for generating worldwide havoc through AI is clearly there.

produce accurate diagnoses — in some cases, more accurately than trained physicians — could erode the entire medical specialty and cost many their jobs.

Each of these possibilities can be viewed in a positive or negative light. Wouldn’t it be a good thing if people didn’t need to spend time on rote, repetitive tasks that required them to produce basic computer code or draft simple contracts all day so they could find something more creative and fulfilling to do?

And wouldn’t patients benefit if, instead of having to be lucky enough to have found the brightest, most intuitive physician to diagnose their medical condition, any average doctor could reach the same conclusion by utilizing AI as an aid?

So why is the subject of AI suddenly all the rage (and I mean that literally, in some cases)? Today, it’s hard to avoid hearing or seeing reports suggesting that AI may be about to threaten the continued existence of humanity on Earth.

In brief, it’s the recent release to the public of a (currently) free service called ChatGPT. GPT stands for “generative pre-trained transformer,” which indicates a technology that can generate human-like writing through an algorithm that has incorporated much of the text available over the internet and is able, through what’s called “deep learning,” to turn that information into some-

When OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, released an earlier version of GPT four years ago, it was deemed interesting but didn’t come to the attention of the public in a serious way.

But last fall, when they released the user-friendly ChatGPT and made it widely available free of charge, it finally dawned on more people that this technology raises serious questions for humanity as a whole.

What sort of questions? Well, if computers can think and write as well as humans — in fact, better than the average human — does that make them our equals in some sense?

For example, computers using AI can engage in conversations that lead people

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A more immediate, though not necessarily less dire, possible consequence is that the ease and low cost of utilizing AI to create images and draft basic documents, speeches, contracts, and even computer code — all faster and, often, better than human beings can do it — is going to have a huge and very rapid negative impact on the careers of millions of people. The fear of it has already led to a national strike of writers in film, TV and radio.

Companies are asking why they should pay a human being a living wage, including insurance, workers comp, Social Security and the like, when they can turn to a computer and get pretty much the same work product faster and at a fraction of the cost.

A radiologist friend of mine says he’s worried that the ability of AI to “read” Xrays and other forms of medical scans and

Of course, even such potentially beneficial results would destabilize many professions and upend the job market for millions in the short term.

There are many bigger questions AI raises, along with tremendous fears and utopian fantasies. In this column, I am barely able to scratch the surface.

I hope to return to the topic soon with more to say. But first, I might want to have a conversation with ChatGPT to see what s/he thinks about all of this.

I’m also interested in what our readers think. Please send us an email or letter to the editor and share your views.

*Note: I am an amateur trying to understand and simplify these concepts myself, so almost everything above is subject to revision and correction.

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 to info@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

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

Dear Editor:

The wildfire haze across the United States is a reminder that we have no time to waste on climate change.

I know that Americans like me are disproportionately responsible for the climate crisis.

One solution is for Congress to pass permitting reforms that will speed up clean energy projects while also allowing local communities to weigh in on projects that affect them.

Such reforms could protect frontline communities and also save years of time. We don’t have years to waste.

Emily Koester

Washington, DC

Loans for higher education could be repaid by serving in the military or working in schools, hospitals, police and fire departments (where there are shortages of workers).

I don’t think workers with lower education should pay for people with college degrees who make more money.

Mina Mohajer

Alexandria, VA

Dear Editor:

About President Biden’s loan forgiveness proposal: These students knew that they would have to pay their loans back. I think if we use taxpayer dollars, they should be used to provide free two-year community college.

Dear Editor:

Happy 75th birthday to Bob Levey.

I remember when Mr. Levey was a journalist for the Washington Post. He is still the optimistic, sophisticated and friendly columnist for the Beacon.

Bob Levey has the gift of gab and the gift of God.

Larry Calhoun Capitol Heights, MD

CELEBRATE CARNEGIE DAY

1:00 PM

Presented in partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Center at Johns Hopkins University, this engaging lecture and discussion by Dan Sherman, PhD, will highlight the enduring appeal of this beloved film as it celebrates 80 years. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to celebrate Casablanca and its exciting milestone!

We are delighted to invite you to join us in celebrating “Carnegie Day,” on August 10, 2023 as designated by the City of Gaithersburg’s leadership. The Carnegie cherishes the artistic, intellectual and farm-to-table culture Gaithersburg and its surrounding communities have to offer, and we are so grateful to call this incredibly diverse, vibrant and culturally rich city home. In honor of this special day, we invite you to experience a few local gems with us. DUE

Learn the ins, outs and in-betweens of long-term care as the experts at Amada Homecare present an informative “how-to” on navigating the daunting task of enacting a policy. As a bonus, Amada has graciously offered a complimentary Long-Term Care Review for Carnegie Day attendees, available at the location of your choice.

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As part of our partnership with Gaithersburg Book Festival and Gaithersburg Parks and Recreation, The Carnegie brings together older adults and students for Intergenerational Book Clubs throughout the year. To further support these literary efforts, and to give back to our wonderful community, we invite you to join us as we paint Free Little Libraries that will be placed around Gaithersburg, providing 24/7 access to reading and bringing community members together to share their joy of the written word. This is a family-friendly event, so feel free to bring the grandkids!

THE CARNEGIE AT WASHINGTONIAN CENTER

Fitness &

NUTRITION MYTHS DEBUNKED

Frozen foods are as healthy as fresh food (or more so), and other surprises

WHEN IT’S MALIGNANT

Targeted radiation helps stage 4 prostate cancer patients live longer

FIZZY FIZZLES OUT

Caffeinated sodas are popular but may be linked to osteoporosis in women

RINGING IN THE EARS

Tinnitus can be caused by a variety of medications or medical conditions

Weight loss surgery relieves joint pain

By Chika Anekwe, M.D., MPH

Weight loss surgery has many proven benefits, including reducing blood pressure, improving blood sugar and reducing cardiovascular risk.

Now, data from a large multicenter study of bariatric surgery in the U.S. suggest long-lasting improvement of pain and physical function can be added to this list.

The study followed nearly 1,500 people for up to seven years after they had either Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, the two most common bariatric surgery procedures.

Most of the participants were female (80%) and white (82%), with Hispanic (4%) and Black participants (11%) less well represented. Their ages ranged from 38 to 55, and all had been diagnosed with severe obesity (a body mass index of 35 or greater).

Before their surgery, participants completed questionnaires reporting their physical abilities, pain, health and quality of life. Many also were tested for measures of physical function and mobility, such as being able to walk 400 meters in seven minutes or less. Some reported severe or disabling knee or hip pain, a symptom of

osteoarthritis. Assessments were repeated annually for up to seven years.

Pain decreased; mobility increased

When the study concluded, 41% to 64% of participants reported improvements in body pain and physical function, as well as objectively measured walking ability.

Additionally, 65% to 72% of those with osteoarthritis symptoms felt less knee and hip pain. And 41% of those unable to walk 400 meters in less than seven minutes before surgery were now able to do so.

Not all measures were better; for example, medication use for back pain before weight loss surgery and at the end of the study remained the same. It’s also worth noting that not everyone experienced improvements in pain and physical function.

And the lack of a control group that did not have weight loss surgery makes it hard to know whether positive changes were due to surgery, and whether one type of surgery was better than the other.

Why are the results impressive?

We know that the improvements in health and physical function after bariatric

surgery are greatest in the first one to two years after surgery.

Between three and seven years after surgery, the positive effects on weight, cardiovascular and diabetes health metrics and health-related quality of life generally decline, even though the net effect remains positive overall.

Most studies of joint pain, physical function and work productivity after weight loss surgery are limited to no more than two years of follow-up. As a result, until now, it has been unclear how long people are able to sustain the improvements they make after surgery.

This study shows evidence of long-term positive changes in important clinical outcomes that matter in daily life: how much body or joint pain people experience, what tasks they can perform for themselves, how mobile they are, and how they feel about their quality of life.

Obesity puts pressure on joints

Obesity contributes to damage of the soft tissues in the joints, which can lead to osteoarthritis — a progressive disease caused by wear and tear on the joints. The hips and knees are most commonly affected.

Each pound of body weight puts four to six pounds of pressure on each knee joint, and people with obesity are 20 times more likely to need a knee replacement than those who are not overweight.

The bottom line: Obesity has harmful effects on the joints. Bariatric surgery, an effective treatment for significantly reducing body weight, can improve pain and physical abilities and reduce hip and knee osteoarthritis symptoms.

In addition, for those considering total knee replacement surgery, weight loss from bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of complications (such as infection, blood clots, stroke or heart attack). Better still, it lowers the chance of needing total knee replacement at all.

Together, these results show that bariatric surgery can have long-lasting effects beyond those we normally think of in improving blood pressure, blood sugar and general health. It can reduce pain and improve physical function and quality of life.

Chika Anekwe, M.D., MPH, is a contributor to Harvard Health Publishing as well as a member of the Editorial Advisory Board. © 2023 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Poor sense of smell linked to depression

By The Gerontological Society of America

In a study that followed more than 2,000 community-dwelling older adults over eight years, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have significant new evidence of a link between decreased sense of smell and the risk of developing late-life depression.

Their findings, published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, do not demonstrate that loss of smell causes depression, but suggest that it may serve as a potent indicator of overall health and well-being.

“We’ve seen repeatedly that a poor sense of smell can be an early warning sign of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, as well as a mortality risk.

“This study underscores its association with depressive symptoms,” said Vidya Kamath, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

“Additionally, this study explores factors

that might influence the relationship between olfaction and depression, including poor cognition and inflammation.”

How the study worked

The study used data gathered from 2,125 participants in a federal government study known as the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. This cohort was composed of a group of healthy older adults ages 70 to 73 at the start of the eight-year study period in 1997 and 98.

Participants showed no difficulties in walking 0.25 miles, climbing 10 steps or performing normal activities at the start of the study, and were assessed in person annually and by phone every six months. Tests included those for the ability to detect certain odors, depression and mobility assessments.

In 1999, when smell was first measured, 48% of participants displayed a normal sense of smell, 28% showed a decreased sense of smell, known as hyposmia, and 24% had a profound loss of the sense, known as anos-

mia. Participants with a better sense of smell tended to be younger than those reporting significant loss or hyposmia.

Over follow-up, 25% of participants developed significant depressive symptoms. When analyzed further, researchers found that individuals with decreased or significant loss of smell had an increased risk of developing significant depressive symptoms at longitudinal follow-up than those in the normal olfaction group.

Researchers also identified three depressive symptom “trajectories” in the study group: stable low, stable moderate and stable high depressive symptoms. A poorer sense of smell was associated with an increased chance of a participant falling into the moderate or high depressive symptoms groups, meaning that the worse a person’s sense of smell, the higher their depressive symptoms.

These findings persisted after adjusting for age, income, lifestyle, health factors and use of antidepressant medication.

“Losing your sense of smell influences many aspects of our health and behavior, such as eating enjoyment and sensing spoiled food or noxious gas.

“Now we can see that it may also be an important vulnerability indicator of something in your health gone awry,” Kamath said. “Smell is an important way to engage with the world around us, and this study shows it may be a warning sign for late-life depression.”

How our brains process odors

Humans’ sense of smell is one of two chemical senses. It works through specialized sensory cells called olfactory neurons, which are found in the nose.

These neurons have one odor receptor that picks up molecules released by substances around us, which are then relayed to the brain for interpretation. The higher the concentration of these smell mole-

, page

Justice For Clergy Abuse Survivors

In April, Maryland passed a law giving survivors of child sexual abuse the right to file civil lawsuits against the organizations and institutions that helped perpetrators commit, or concealed, their abuse.

The law was passed after the Maryland Attorney General issued a report concluding that the Catholic Church had assisted more than 160 priests and clergy commit and cover up decades of horrific abuse to hundreds of children.

Those survivors can now seek financial damages without worrying about it being too late.

Be Heard, Be Believed and Get Justice

At D’Amore Personal Injury Law, we have assembled a team of experts to help survivors of clergy abuse pursue significant financial compensation.

Our number one priority is to ensure your safety, confidentiality and to keep you in control. You may even choose to remain anonymous in any action.

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Busting widely repeated nutrition myths

By Matthew Kadey

Nutrition is a hotly contested topic. Scrolling through social media, reading your favorite food blogs, and listening to podcasts exposes you to endless information about nutrition and health — much of which is a little suspect, to say the least.

Myths that were previously passed through word-of-mouth now spread like wildfire through these channels, making it difficult to tell what’s truly evidence-based.

You’ve likely heard these three myths repeated at one time or another. Let’s set the record straight.

Myth No. 1: Fresh is best. From strawberries to broccoli, fresh produce has a natural appeal to many people. “Fresh” just sounds healthier than “frozen,” doesn’t it?

But just because something is sold as fresh doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more nutritious. While there can be some differences between fresh and frozen veggies and fruits for select nutrients, overall, the nutritional content is similar.

Since frozen produce is flash frozen in its ripened state, it may have higher levels of some nutrients and antioxidants than fresh options that have been in storage for several days. Plus, there can be considerable cost savings when using out-of-season frozen items like berries and cauliflower.

The fact: Strive to eat more of all fruits and veggies — fresh, frozen or canned.

Myth No. 2: Fasting is the best for weight loss. Intermittent fasting, time-restricted eating, whatever you call it, this

eating pattern is promoted as a better way to drop pounds than simply cutting back on calories. But the differences are more minor than you would think.

Studies have shown that intermittent calorie restriction — where you only eat your calories during a narrow time frame each day — doesn’t necessarily lead to bet-

Sense of smell

From page 4

cules, the stronger the smell, and different combinations of molecules result in different sensations.

Smell is processed in the brain’s olfactory bulb, which is believed to interact closely with the amygdala, hippocampus and other brain structures that regulate and enable memory, decision-making and emotional responses.

The Hopkins researchers say their study suggests that olfaction and depression may be linked through both biological (e.g., altered serotonin levels, brain volume changes) and behavioral (e.g., reduced social function and appetite) mechanisms.

The researchers plan to replicate their findings from this study in more groups of older adults, and examine changes to individuals’ olfactory bulbs to determine if this system is, in fact, altered in those diag-

ter weight loss success than a diet where you eat more regularly during the day but make sure that calorie intake is controlled. Overall, calories are calories no matter when you eat them.

The fact: There is more than one way to

NUTRITION MYTHS,

nosed with depression.

They also plan to examine if smell can be used in intervention strategies to mitigate the risk of late-life depression.

This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute of Nursing Research, and the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health: National Institute on Aging.

The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences is a peer-reviewed publication of The Gerontological Society of America (GSA), the nation’s oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging.

The principal mission of the society — and its 5,500+ members — is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public. GSA’s structure also includes a policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society.

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Zapping metastatic tumors with radiation

By Charlie Schmidt

Oligometastatic cancer is an early form of stage 4 prostate cancer that has spread to other organs in the body, but only to a limited degree — generally defined as no more than three to five areas outside the prostate gland, most commonly the lymph nodes or bones.

Barely a decade ago, it was considered universally fatal, and treatment was limited to systemic hormonal therapies that shut down testosterone, a hormone that drives the tumors to grow.

But now, exciting developments in the field are leading to new treatment strategies that are improving patient survival in clinical trials. These strategies are enabled by advances in medical imaging, revealing metastatic tumors that were previously too small to see.

Doctors can now treat the tumors directly with radiation or surgery. This is called

metastasis-directed therapy (MDT), and it is allowing some men with oligometastatic prostate cancer to delay or even completely avoid hormonal therapy, along with its challenging side effects.

Now, results from an important study show that beneficial responses to MDT hold up with long-term follow-up.

The researchers’ methodology

To generate the findings, researchers combined results from two prior studies that randomized men to MDT or observation: one called STOMP and another called ORIOLE.

The men in those studies were treated with a technique called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, which focuses intense beams of radiation on tumors from multiple directions while sparing healthy tissues.

Taken together, the studies showed that

MDT delays cancer progression and the subsequent need for hormonal therapy. After they were published, MDT started becoming more widely adopted.

For this study, the STOMP and ORIOLE subjects were combined into a single group of 116 men with a median follow-up of 52.5 months. The research aimed to compare differences in progression-free survival (the amount of time it takes for the cancer to worsen) between men who were treated with MDT and those who were not.

Results showed a clear benefit from radiation: progression-free survival lasted 11.9 months, on average, among the MDTtreated men, compared to 5.9 months among the untreated controls.

But the researchers also went a step further. They analyzed archived samples of the subjects’ blood and tumor tissues for cancerassociated mutations in five different genes:

ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, Rb1, and TP53.

Again, the data revealed a stark discrepancy: progression-free survival lasted an average of 7.5 months among men with at least one mutation, compared to 13.4 months on average among those who had none.

Remarkably, progression-free survival lasted four years or longer in up to 20% of the MDT-treated men, regardless of their mutational status. But in general, men lacking in the mutations had the best responses. MDT by itself may be initially sufficient for these men, the researchers concluded.

While among those with high-risk mutations, MDT might be more effective if paired with a systemic therapy [such as hormones].

An expert’s reaction

“The authors should be applauded for their respectable follow-up of 52 months,” said Dr. Nima Aghdam, a radiation oncologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and a member of the Harvard Medical School Annual Report on Prostate Diseases advisory board. In the right setting, Aghdam added, MDT can be delivered safely, delaying treatments that often lead to a decline in the patient’s quality of life.

Selecting the right patients for treatment is critical, but the mutations identified “may allow us in the future to determine who will benefit most from MDT,” he said.

It may be, Aghdam said, that MDT given by itself offers a pathway for a long-term, disease-free period among patients treated in community settings.

“This will require longer studies to clarify,” he said, “but the possibility that a good proportion of patients can defer [hormone therapy] for a long time will be broadly appreciated.”

© 2023 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Protect your lungs from wildfire smoke

By Maddie Burakoff

Last month, huge wildfires throughout Canada caused smoke to blanket many U.S. cities. As a haze stretched over parts of the country, health authorities raised the alarm about poor air quality.

A cascade of health effects may become a growing problem in the wake of wildfires, including downwind from the source, said Ed Avol, professor emeritus at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.

Beyond irritated eyes and scratchy throats, breathing in wildfire smoke also can create long-term issues all over the body. Avol said those include respiratory effects like asthma and COPD, as well as impacts on heart, brain and kidney function.

The tiny particles making up the main pollutant of wildfire smoke, called PM2.5, are just the right size to embed deep in the lungs and absorb into the blood.

But while their size has garnered attention, their composition also matters, said Kris Ebi, a University of Washington climate and health scientist.

“There is emerging evidence that the toxicity of wildfire smoke PM2.5 is more toxic than what comes out of tailpipes,” Ebi said.

Here’s how you can protect your health

myths

eat for weight loss, and skipping meals isn’t necessary if it’s not something that pleases you. For you, perhaps breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day.

Myth No. 3: Eating more often boosts metabolism. Unfortunately for grazers, there is little scientific evidence that eating smaller, frequent meals boosts metabolism in a meaningful way.

from the smoky haze:

Stay indoors

The small particles in wildfire smoke can make it harder to breathe. [When smoke is in the air,] it’s important to limit outdoor activities as much as possible to avoid breathing in these particles, health agencies say.

You should especially avoid strenuous activities like going for a run, since heavy breathing will increase the amount of smoke you inhale.

And bring pets inside, too: Animals are also affected by smoky conditions.

Keep inside air clean

When inside, keep doors, windows and fireplaces shut so smoke stays out.

If you have a portable air purifier or HVAC system, run it to help keep the air clean, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends. Check that your filters are high quality and up to date.

Make sure any filters or air conditioners are set to recirculate indoor air to avoid bringing in smoke from outside. If you have a window air conditioner, check that it’s sealed to the window as tightly as possible.

And try to avoid activities that would add

Yes, there is a temporary uptick in your metabolic rate when digesting and processing food (due to the thermic effect of food), but the 24-hour difference that occurs from eating several times a day versus less often is negligible.

The fact: Meal frequency has little to do with overall metabolism. Instead, pay attention to your hunger cues and eat when you feel hungry.

Reprinted with permission from EnvironmentalNutrition.com.

more particles to the air in your home — like smoking, burning candles or frying meat.

Wear a mask

If you go outside in smoky conditions, consider wearing a mask, like an N95, to protect your lungs. The mask should fit over your nose and under your chin and seal tightly to your face to keep out the smoky air.

Know your risk

Some people should be extra careful as they face higher risks from wildfire smoke. Children and older adults are especially sensitive to smoky conditions.

Those with health conditions affecting the lungs or heart — like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — face higher risks from poor air quality, along with those who are pregnant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People in these groups should take extra precautions and monitor for symptoms like coughing, trouble breathing or fatigue.

AP writers Seth Borenstein and Melina Walling contributed to this story.

© 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Preventive screenings Medicare covers

Dear Savvy Senior, How does Medicare cover preventive health screenings? I’m due to get a physical and a colonoscopy this year, but I want to find out what I’ll have to pay for before I go in.

—Just Turned 65

Dear Just Turned, You’ll be happy to know that Medicare covers a wide array of preventive and screening services to help you stay healthy. But not all services are completely covered.

Here’s what you should know:

Free preventive benefits

es are available to all beneficiaries (through Part B) completely free with no copays or deductibles, as long as you meet basic eligibility standards.

SAVVY SENIOR

By Jim Miller

Most of Medicare’s preventive servic-

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Sept. 9+

Mammograms; colonoscopies; shots against flu, pneumonia, COVID-19 and hepatitis B; screenings for diabetes, depression, osteoporosis, HIV, various cancers and cardiovascular disease; and counseling to combat obesity, alcohol abuse and smoking are just some of Medicare’s lengthy list of covered services.

But to get these services for free, you need to go to a doctor who accepts Medicare “on assignment” — which

NORTHERN VIRGINIA SENIOR OLYMPICS (NVSO)

Register by Thurs., Aug. 24 to participate in this year’s NVSO competition. It features more than 40 events, ranging from competitive athletics to non-physical games, being held from Sat., Sept. 9 to Sun., Sept. 24. Participation costs $20 (certain events have an additional fee). For more information and to register, email nvso@gmail.com or visit nvso.us.

means he or she has agreed to accept the Medicare approved rate as full payment.

Also, the tests are free only if they’re used at specified intervals. For example, cardiovascular screening blood tests once every five years; colonoscopy, once every 10 years, or every two years if you’re at high risk.

Medicare also offers a free “Welcome to Medicare” exam with your doctor in your first year, along with annual “wellness” visits thereafter.

But don’t confuse these with full physical examinations. These are prevention-focused visits that provide only an overview of your health and medical risk factors, and serve as a baseline for future care.

Cost sharing services

There are, however, a few Medicare preventive services that do require some out-of-pocket cost sharing. With these tests, you’ll have to pay 20 percent of the cost of the service after you’ve met your $226 Part B yearly deductible.

The services that fall under this category include glaucoma tests, diabetes self-management trainings, barium enemas to detect colon cancer, and digital rectal exams to detect prostate cancer.

For a complete list of services along with their eligibility requirements, visit

Medicare.gov/coverage/preventivescreening-services.

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, your plan is also required to cover the same preventive services as original Medicare, as long as you see in-network providers.

Hidden costs

You also need to know that while most of the previously listed Medicare services are free, you can be charged for certain diagnostic services or additional tests or procedures related to the preventive service.

For example, if your doctor finds and removes a polyp during your preventive care colonoscopy screening, you will pay 15 percent of the doctor’s service fee.

Or, if during your annual wellness visit, your doctor needs to investigate or treat a new or existing problem, you will probably be charged for that too.

To eliminate billing surprises, talk to your doctor before any preventive service procedure to find out if you may be subject to a charge and what it would be.

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.

Control of irritable bowels without drugs

By Robert Kraichely, M.D.

Dear Mayo Clinic: I have been diagnosed with a mild case of irritable bowel syndrome, and I talked to my doctor about managing my symptoms without medication. I am interested in trying to focus more on diet to control my condition. Are there certain things I should be mindful of, or will medication be the only way to manage my symptoms?

A: Although medications can be used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, not everyone who has this disorder will need medication. For some people — particularly those with mild symptoms — lifestyle adjustments such as diet modification, stress management and regular exercise, are enough to control symptoms.

For moderate to severe symptoms, a combination of lifestyle changes and med-

ication may be necessary to manage irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome affects the large and sometimes small intestines. The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract and relax in a coordinated rhythm as they move food through the digestive tract.

When you have irritable bowel syndrome, those contractions may be stronger or more noticeable than normal. That can lead to abdominal cramping and pain as food, gas or stool passes through the intestines.

Irritable bowel syndrome also is associated with bowel irregularity, such as diarrhea or constipation. Other symptoms can include gas and bloating.

In those diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, it’s important to be aware that some abdominal issues are not associated

with this disorder and could signal an underlying problem.

In particular, these symptoms require prompt medical attention: blood in the stool, unexplained or rapid weight loss, unrelenting or severe abdominal pain, unexplained vomiting, significant pain with or difficulty swallowing, or an abdominal mass or lump.

Lifestyle and diet

Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition; symptoms tend to come and go over time. There’s no cure, but symptoms often can be eased with diet, lifestyle and stress management.

More than 60% of people who have irritable bowel syndrome say their symptoms are connected to food in some way. However, because symptoms vary significantly from one person to another, it’s difficult to

give specific dietary advice that works for everyone with this disorder.

In general, though, eating high-fiber foods and drinking plenty of fluids are beneficial for many people with irritable bowel syndrome.

Avoid foods and beverages that contribute to gas and bloating, including carbonated and alcoholic beverages, caffeine, raw fruit, and vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Reducing or eliminating gluten may ease diarrhea related to irritable bowel syndrome.

Research has shown that certain carbohydrates, known as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP for short), can lead to abdominal pain, bloating and gas in people with irritable bowel syndrome.

These are found in certain fruits and vegetables, including wheat, rye, legumes, foods that contain lactose (such as milk, cheese and yogurt) and artificial sweeteners.

Following a diet low in FODMAPs can ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. But because so many foods contain these compounds, it can be difficult for patients to create such a diet on their own.

Finding a dietitian familiar with irritable bowel syndrome can help. A dietitian can review a patient’s symptoms and dietary needs, discuss recommended dietary changes, and develop an individualized food plan to ease symptoms.

Stress reduction and exercise

Stress also affects irritable bowel syndrome, with episodes of higher stress associated with an increase in symptoms. Using stress-reduction techniques and participating in activities that relieve stress, such as yoga and meditation, may decrease stress-related flare-ups.

Working with a therapist or counselor experienced in stress management, mindfulness and behavior modification also may help those with the condition better control stress and ease symptoms.

Regular exercise is recommended for people who have irritable bowel syndrome. Daily physical activity relieves stress, stimulates normal contractions of the intestines, and promotes overall wellness.

If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to keep irritable bowel syndrome from disrupting daily life, talk to your healthcare professional about medication options. Various prescription and nonprescription medications are available to treat irritable bowel syndrome.

— Robert Kraichely, M.D., Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org.

© 2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Is having a slow heart rate a concern?

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: My father sometimes develops a very slow heart rate. He tells me not to worry because he feels OK. What happens inside the heart when the rate gets too low?

A: The steady beat of your heart depends on a crescent-shaped cluster of cells in the upper right portion of your heart. Called the sinoatrial or sinus node, it emits a tiny jolt of electrical current that triggers the heart to contract and pump blood throughout the body.

Because the sinus node determines the heart’s pace and rhythm, it is sometimes called the body’s natural pacemaker.

Age-related degeneration can affect the sinoatrial node and other parts of the heart’s conduction system. As a result, the heart’s normal rhythm (which typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute) may drop below 60, known as bradycardia.

Aug.

Bradycardia can occur when the sinoatrial node falters. If it suddenly stops working, however, the heart has “backup generators” that will take over.

One of these backups is the atrioventricular node, which can maintain a heart rate of about 50 to 60 beats per minute. If the electrical signals passing through this area are slowed or blocked, this is known as AV block or heart block.

Next in the conduction pathway are the left and right bundle branches, which are the final signals telling the ventricles to contract. If a slowdown or complete blockage happens over one of these paths, the other side can often compensate.

If all those backups fail, the heart muscle may still contract, but only about 30 to 40 beats per minute.

Get it checked out

Even though your father says he has no

symptoms, he should make an appointment with his doctor to have an electrocardiogram. Sometimes older people blame fatigue and decreased exercise tolerance on just getting older when these symptoms are actually related to bradycardia.

Because episodes of bradycardia may come and go, the office electrocardiogram may not pick up the problem. Instead, people often need to wear a portable heart monitor that records the heart’s rhythm for a couple of weeks or longer.

Treating bradycardia will depend on the cause and severity. For example, it might be as simple as adjusting his medications. Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers frequently cause low heart rates.

If his medical evaluation shows irre-

versible damage to the heart’s electrical system, he will likely benefit from a permanent pacemaker. These devices are programmed to stimulate or “pace” the heart as needed to keep it beating normally.

As a result, pacemakers can help people stay active. And research suggests that people with pacemakers who do not have other serious health problems tend to live nearly as long as those without pacemakers.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, see health.harvard.edu.

© 2023 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Do carbonated beverages weaken bones?

By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D.

Q: Do carbonated drinks leach calcium from bones? Does this increase the risk for osteoporosis? Can drinking soda make a diagnosed case of osteoporosis worse?

A: The best answer I can give to your

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Sept.

questions is “maybe.”

A number of studies have linked carbonated drinks with osteoporosis. Data from the Framingham Osteoporosis Study looked at carbonated drink consumption among more than 1,400 women and 1,100 men. They found that

GARDEN TALKS AT ARLINGTON CENTRAL LIBRARY

Join the Arlington Public Library for their Garden Talks series to learn helpful tips and tricks in the garden. September’s topics are Garden Herbs for Teas, Flavor and Health, Fruits for Your Tastebuds and Landscape, Microgreens for Your Indoor Garden, and Garlic – Plant it Now! These free sessions begin at 6:30 p.m. and take place every Wednesday in September at Central Library, 1015 North Quincy St., Arlington, VA. For more information, call (703) 228-5990 or visit bit.ly/ArlingtonGardenTalks.

women who drank the most caffeinated cola had the lowest bone density. The biggest effect was seen for those drinking three or more caffeinated cola drinks per day.

The effect was weaker for non-cola and non-caffeinated carbonated drinks. And they saw no link between any of these drinks and bone health in men.

More recent studies have come to similar conclusions. One study found a higher rate of bone fractures among teenagers who drank carbonated drinks compared with those who did not. Another found that among postmenopausal women, drinking more than two soft drinks each day was linked to an increased risk of hip fracture.

But no one knows if there is a true cause-and-effect relationship between carbonated drinks and weak bones.

Your Wellness is Our Top Priority

Something else about soda drinkers may explain this.

For example, maybe soda drinkers exercise less and smoke more than those who don’t drink sodas regularly. Differences like this could lead to more osteoporosis among soda drinkers.

But if there is a direct connection, there are a number of possible explanations:

• Soda drinkers may drink less milk or eat fewer foods that contain calcium.

• The phosphate in carbonated drinks may block or slow how calcium is absorbed (although the drinks do not necessarily “leach” calcium out of the bone).

• Caffeine in sodas may weaken bones by impairing growth and development over time.

Until we know more, I think it makes sense for people with osteoporosis to limit carbonated drinks. Cutting back is unlikely to cause harm and might just help.

Other steps you can take include:

• Getting enough calcium: 1,000 to 1,200 mg./day.

• Getting enough vitamin D: 800 to 1,000 units per day.

• Getting plenty of weight-bearing exercise, such as walking.

• Taking medicines to build up bone, such as alendronate (Fosamax) or risedronate (Actonel), as prescribed by your doctor.

• Not smoking.

• Not drinking too much alcohol.

• Reducing the use of medications (such as corticosteroids) that can decrease bone strength.

Talk to your doctor about your bone health and what you can do to keep your bones healthy. This may include changing what you drink.

For additional consumer health information, visit health.harvard.edu.

© 2023 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Aug. 17

SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE (VIRTUAL)

Learn about Medicare eligibility requirements, enrollment periods, the application process and additional resources in this free online presentation and Q&A from the Social Security Administration, presented by the Montgomery County Public Library. The session is offered in Spanish from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and in English from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thurs., Aug. 17. To register for the Spanish session, visit bit.ly/MedicareSpanish; for English, visit bit.ly/MedicareEnglish.

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What a genetic counselor can do for you

By Sarah Mantia

Dear Mayo Clinic: My grandmother and mother, as well as an aunt and a cousin, have had breast cancer. Another cousin was diagnosed with colon cancer recently.

It has been suggested that I undergo genetic counseling to determine my cancer risk. As a young man, is genetic testing necessary for me? What benefit would I gain from visiting a genetic counselor?

A: Although it can be daunting to have a loved one diagnosed with cancer, having a family history does not mean that you will automatically get cancer. This is one of the reasons why having a discussion with a genetic counselor can be valuable.

A genetic counselor reviews your personal health history and your family’s health history to identify your risk for certain conditions. A genetic counselor can try to determine if there is a pattern or connection among family members’ diag-

noses and how that may affect you.

If your grandmother, mom and cousin are on the same side of the family, that suggests a pattern that could potentially increase your risk, even as a man. Breast cancer affects men, too, though it occurs infrequently.

Only about 5% to 10% of breast cancers have a hereditary cause that can be identified. If a genetic counselor discovers a hereditary cause for breast cancer, however, this condition may increase the risk for other types of cancer, as well.

Other cancers that may have a hereditary connection include ovarian, colon, prostate, uterine and pancreatic cancers.

Concerns for hereditary cancer syndrome rise if people are diagnosed at younger ages, have a personal history of more than one cancer, or have multiple family members with the same or associated cancers.

Benefits and risks of testing

Meeting with a genetic counselor doesn’t immediately mean that you need genetic testing. Rather, the goal of the appointment is to have a discussion that can guide you toward making an informed decision regarding genetic testing.

Discussing the potential risks and limitations of genetic testing is just as important as reviewing the potential benefits of testing.

Another benefit of meeting with a genetic counselor is to learn more about your family risk for certain conditions, which could be valuable in the future.

For instance, understanding your risk for cancer is important, but learning about certain hereditary heart and neurologic conditions, as well as more rare genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis, might help relatives who are planning to have children.

Although it can be challenging to learn

about the details of your family’s health tree, especially if prior generations didn’t share as much or document health concerns, it is important to talk with your family prior to meeting with a genetic counselor if you can.

Family history should be gathered for three or four generations on both sides, and include parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and children.

Helpful information to gather includes:

• Major medical conditions and the age they started

• Cause and age of death

• Birth defects

• Family’s ethnic background, as some conditions can be more prevalent in certain ethnicities. For instance, if someone is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, the risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome is greater than in the general population.

Free online tool

A good resource to help you get started is a free online tool called My Family Health Portrait. This tool is available through the surgeon general’s office. It allows you to collect the information and create a family pedigree that can be printed and shared with healthcare professionals and your family.

As you discuss your family history, don’t forget to talk about conditions that may not have a strictly genetic cause but may have a genetic link. Although there are conditions such as diabetes where a genetic test is not available, it’s important to document the patterns in your family and share them with your primary care provider.

© 2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Is fructose something we should avoid?

By Environmental Nutrition

The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to no more than six teaspoons per day. The reality? Americans, children and adults alike, consume an average sugar intake of 17 teaspoons per day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Western diet is largely made up of processed foods, most of which contain added sugar. Fructose, specifically high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), is the most common type of sugar in processed foods.

Fructose 101

Fructose is naturally present in fruits, vegetables and honey. It makes up about 50% of table sugar (sucrose), along with glucose. It is also used to make HFCS, which contains similar amounts of fructose and glucose.

Glucose is broken down by the body to be used as the main energy source for our cells. Fructose must be made into glucose by the liver before it can provide energy to our cells.

Glucose causes the release of insulin, but fructose does not trigger insulin or the hormones that tell the brain that the body is not hungry. This may lead to overeating and potential weight gain and associated

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Oct. 26

health problems.

Risks of added fructose

Excessive fructose, just like too much of any added sugars, is not healthy. Fructose is converted to glucose in the liver, but if there’s too much, the liver produces uric acid and fat in the form of triglycerides. This may increase the risk of fatty liver disease, gout and heart disease.

Too much added fructose has also been associated with insulin resistance, which can contribute to the development of obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

A recent study links fructose, but not glucose, as the component of added sugar driving metabolic complications including insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension and premature heart disease.

Another study suggests it may be the interaction between fructose and glucose in HFCS that increases the risk for heart disease and diabetes.

Despite the many studies suggesting its ill effects, more research is needed for a definitive conclusion against fructose. Many foods with high fructose also contain other sugars, such as glucose, and they tend to be high in calories, which also contribute to obesity and related negative health effects.

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Natural fructose is different

Fruits, vegetables, fruit juices and honey contain varying amounts of fructose and glucose. Amounts of each of these two natural sugars vary as well, but generally, it’s about half and half.

The difference between eating fructose in its natural form compared to fructose as an added sugar is that whole fruits and vegetables not only have less sugar than foods with added sugar, but they are also packed with filling dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, health-protecting phytochemicals and water.

Due to the overall balanced nutritional profile of these foods, it is highly improbable that one could consume too much fructose from fruit and vegetable sources.

In fact, studies have shown that eating

whole fruits is unlikely to contribute to excess calories and weight gain, and may even play a role in its prevention and management.

The bottom line

Excess added sugars are not good for health, but it is unclear whether fructose alone is to blame. More research is needed.

Fructose in its natural form — in fruits and vegetables — remains a simple way to satisfy your sweet tooth and load up on health-promoting vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals.

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC, 1-800829-5384, EnvironmentalNutrition.com.

Three mistakes to avoid with fresh nuts

By Betty Gold, RealSimple.com

We know nuts are good for you. They’re an excellent source of antioxidants and fiber, pack plenty of nutrient-dense monounsaturated fat, and have been shown to lower cholesterol, inflammation and your risk of heart disease.

Walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds and the lot are tasty treats in trail mix, but their uses are nearly never-ending. Fold walnuts into homemade bread dough, mix cashews into granola, or throw a handful of almonds and a pinch of salt into your food processor for some seriously deli-

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Aug.

GENEALOGY WORKSHOP

cious DIY nut butter.

Now that we’re covered what we know about nuts, read on for some of the (unexpected) mistakes many of us make when shopping for and storing them.

Mistake No. 1: Shopping the bulk bins

The biggest blunder is buying from the bulk bins at your grocery store. It’s nearly impossible to tell how often the shop replaces these nuts or how long they’ve been sitting in the open air.

According to Steve Lindsay, the director

Sharpen your research skills and learn what tools you need to unlock your family’s ancestry through genealogical research at the Spauldings Library, 5811 Old Silver Hill Rd., District Heights, MD. The workshop is free and takes place on Tues., Aug. 15 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. For more information and to register, call (240) 455-5451 or visit pgcmls.org/event/8644359.

WIDOWED PERSONS HAPPY HOUR

Aug.

Join the Widowed Persons Outreach (WPO), a free community organization connecting those who have experienced intense loss, to socialize at a happy hour at Clyde’s of Chevy Chase, 5441 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD. The event begins at 4 p.m. on Sat., Aug 19. To register, contact Kathy Healy at jurithealy@aol.com.

of quality assurance for Diamond Nuts, oxygen is the number one enemy of any nut’s shelf-life. Those sitting in bulk bins are constantly exposed to oxygen.

Your best bet for finding fresh nuts is to buy those sealed in a bag, which will ensure freshness and prevent oxygen from slipping through.

One final word on bulk bins: Some people stick their bare hands directly into the bins to sneak a snack. This exposes the contents to outside germs and bacteria.

Mistake No. 2: Storing them in the pantry

Contrary to popular belief, nuts should be stored in the fridge or freezer. Why? Because nuts contain a high amount of unsaturated fat — a delicate type of oil that makes them highly prone to going rancid.

Spoilage is accelerated even more by light, oxygen and heat. Storing nuts (and seeds) in the fridge or freezer limits their exposure to all three, and will result in your nuts tasting less bitter and more flavorful for a longer time.

According to Lindsay, you can keep an unopened bag of shelled or in-shell nuts in the fridge or freezer for two years (!). Even if the bag has been opened, shelled nuts

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•

should last an entire year, and in-shell nuts will last about a year and a half.

If you’re going to use your nuts in the immediate future, it’s fine to keep them in a cool, dark spot in your pantry. Just make sure they’re in an airtight container, and plan to eat them within a couple of weeks.

Mistake No. 3: Paying too much attention to expiration dates

Expiration dates are problematic for many reasons, primarily because they’re merely suggestions or guesses.

The shelf life of nuts depends on three key factors: storage conditions, shelled or unshelled, and whether or not the package is opened.

A good rule of thumb is to think of nuts as produce rather than a packaged good. Just as you would with fresh spinach or a ripe tomato, give them a sniff before you eat them.

As nuts age, the rancidity will give them a paint-like smell. If you get any harsh or bitter aromas, toss them.

Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at RealSimple.com.

© 2023 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

LOCAL BLACK HISTORY AT OAKLEY CABIN

The site of the restored Oakley Cabin in Olney, MD, housed an African American community from emancipation to the 20th century. View historic artifacts, explore nearby trails, and learn about the rich history of Montgomery County’s African American community at the Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park, 3610 Brookeville Rd., Olney, MD. Open noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, April through Oct. Free guided tours are offered on the second and fourth Saturdays. For more information, call (301) 650-4373 or visit bit.ly/OakleyCabinAfricanAmericanMuseum.

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Health Studies INFORMATION ON AREA

Persistent cholesterol? This study needs you

By Margaret Foster

When we have high levels of bad cholesterol in our blood, plaque builds up in our arteries, leading to blockages, strokes or heart attacks.

BEACON BITS

Aug. 19

This type of heart disease is called atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and it can be deadly. About 2 million Americans are hospitalized each year with the condition, and 400,000 of them die, accord-

ASK A FINANCIAL PLANNER DAY

Do you have questions about financial planning, Medicare, Social Security or other pressing financial issues? Bring them to the free “Ask a Financial Planner Day” at the Silver Spring Civic Center, 719 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring, MD, on Sat., Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Receive one-on-one financial coaching and attend workshops to learn about all things finance — from estate planning to Medicare to college planning. The event is open to the public and registration in advance is encouraged. For more information and to register, contact Belle Osvath at (703) 501-8292 or jbosvath@gmail.com, or visit bit.ly/AskAFinancialPlanner.

Primary Care At Home

Providing primary care medical services in the comfort and convenience of your home for patients who have difficulty traveling to an office.

Ikon Health offers:

• Care coordination with specialists.

• Access to services such as x-ray and blood work, at home.

• Close communication with patients and their loved ones.

• Accepting Medicare, Medicaid and most major supplemental insurance plans.

Participants must:

• Be 18 years of age or older

• Have a history of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD)

• Be on a maximally tolerated lipid-modifying therapy

ing to the American Heart Association.

Now a study is underway to see if a new investigational medication is helpful for treating ASCVD and reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events when taken with your existing medication as compared to a placebo. (An investigational product is a study medicine has not been approved by the FDA for use in the U.S.)

Who qualifies for the study?

To be eligible for the clinical trial, patients must have a history of heart disease, cholesterol buildup in the blood vessels going to the brain or in the legs, or history of stroke or heart attack. In addition, patients must be on a lipid-modifying drug such as a statin.

The study is expected to last approximately 32 months and will require several in-person visits to Annapolis, Maryland. The first two visits last about 90 minutes.

While on the medication, patients will visit the clinical site approximately every three months during the first year of the study; those three follow-up appointments will last around 20 to 30 minutes.

After completing the first year in the study, patients will visit the clinic every six months, and have telephone calls with the

BEACON BITS

Sept. 19+

clinic staff twice yearly until the study completes.

“Participants are compensated for each time they come in for an in-person appointment, and they are compensated for telephone appointments as well,” said Husna R. Baksh, a physician affiliated with the Maryland study.

“Also, depending on where they are coming from, we can set up access to UberHealth [transportation] to get them to appointments if they are not able to drive, or need the assistance for travel.”

In addition to compensation, Baksh said, participants “would help science by providing information for an alternative option for a medication that is effective at lowering cholesterol for patients who cannot take what is already on the market — or are taking a prescription medication but still have high levels of bad cholesterol.

“This is especially helpful for patients who have a history of heart disease, stroke or cholesterol buildup in their blood vessels,” Baksh said.

For more information about this study, or to see if you qualify to volunteer, call (240) 760-1667 or email InfoMarylandEast@JavaraResearch.com.

FREE VIRTUAL EMPLOYMENT EXPOS

Job seekers 50+ are welcome to attend either or both of the JCA employment expos. The Montgomery County event is on Tues., Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Northern Virginia event is on Thurs., Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is required at virtualexpos.accessjca.org. For more information, call (301) 255-4209 or email seniorexpo@accessJCA.org.

SPOTTING SCAMS AND STAYING SAFE

Aug. 15

Learn how to detect scams and keep yourself safe at this free workshop from AARP on Tues., Aug 15 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library, 3260 R St. NW, Washington, DC. To register, visit bit.ly/SpottingScamsAndStayingSafe.

Take Medications and Supplements Safely

If you’re like most older adults, you take one to five or more prescription medications daily. As we age, our bodies react differently to medications and we become at greater risk of adverse drug reactions and interactions.

To protect yourself from these risks

Keep a list of ALL your meds — prescription, over-the-counter and supplements — in your wallet or on your phone. Include the name and dose of the medicine,how often you take it, and the name of the prescriber. Show it to every doctor on every visit.

(such as potential interactions), they will work with you and your doctor to help solve them.

Understand the difference between meds, OTC products and supplements. Both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) are regulated by the FDA and must be proven safe and effective.

However, FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering prescription and OTC drugs. Supplements — which include vitamins, herbals, anti-oxidants and other “natural” supplements — have NEVER been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness or purity.

required to have warnings about side effects or drug interactions. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

If you want to use a supplement, chose one with the USP Verified Mark when possible. This mark means the product contains the listed ingredients at the strength indicated — and is not contaminated with any other substances.

Dispose of unused meds safely

Don’t just throw unused or expired medications (prescription or OTC) in the trash. The safe ways to dispose of these is either at a drug disposal location/box (frequently found at pharmacies), or at a Drug-Take-BackDay event. You can find a disposal site near you by visiting AWARErx.org. Be sure to remove all personal information on pill bottle labels and medicine packaging before you go.

For trusted health information online

Not all health information you find online is accurate. Be cautious when you evaluate information on the internet.

Here are some sites you can trust:

www.safemedication.com — Drug information for consumers in a searchable database from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

www.webMD.com — A URACaccredited website that provides credible information, supportive communities, and in-depth reference material about health subjects.

Ask your pharmacist to give you a free review of all your meds. They will explain how each medicine works, answer your questions, and help you prepare questions to ask your other healthcare providers. If the pharmacist finds any problems www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior

People often think of supplements as safe. But they lead to about 23,000 emergency room visits every year. “Natural” doesn’t mean “safe.” Poison ivy is natural. Plus, supplements aren’t

www.RXlist.com — Part of the WebMD network that provides information on drugs and supplements, as well as a pill identifier and symptom checker.

A simple summer salad of tasty tomatoes

By America’s Test Kitchen

If you’re an avid gardener and have been blessed with a bounty of ripe tomatoes, a simple summer salad is a great way

to make the most of (and use up) this garden favorite.

Salting the tomatoes before mixing them into the salad brings out their juices,

which make a base for the dressing. There’s also no need to peel homegrown tomatoes here, because their skins are usually thin and unassuming.

Tomato Salad with Feta and Cumin-Yogurt Dressing

Serves 6

Ingredients:

4 to 5 large vine-ripened tomatoes (about 1½ pounds)

½ teaspoon table salt

3 tablespoons plain Greek-style yogurt

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice from 1 lemon

1 small clove garlic, minced or put through garlic press

1 teaspoon ground cumin

3 small scallions, white and green parts, sliced thin

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

leaves

Ground black pepper

1 small chunk feta cheese (about 3 ounces)

Directions:

1. Core and halve tomatoes, then cut each half into four or five wedges. Toss wedges with salt in a large bowl. Let rest until a small pool of liquid accumulates, 15 to 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, whisk yogurt, oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, scallions, oregano and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Pour mixture over tomatoes and accumulated liquid; toss to coat. Set aside to blend flavors, about 5 minutes.

3. Crumble feta over tomatoes and toss to combine. Adjust seasonings and serve immediately.

For 25 years, home cooks have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. The family of brands — which includes Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country — offers reliable recipes for cooks of all skill levels. See more online at americastestkitchen.com/TCA.

© 2023 America’s Test Kitchen. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

FREE FINANCIAL COUNSELING IN GAITHERSBURG

City of Gaithersburg residents of all income levels can receive free, oneon-one financial counseling for anything from debt to financial planning at the Gaithersburg Financial Empowerment Center, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., 2nd Floor, Gaithersburg, MD. The center is open on Fridays every other week from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For dates and more information, call (240) 454-5199 or email FEC@gaithersburgmd.gov.

MAKE YOUR GARDEN A BIRD OASIS (ONLINE)

Are you an avid gardener? Do you enjoy birdwatching? Learn which trees and shrubs provide ample habitat and food resources for birds in your area to both enhance your yard and provide a sanctuary for feathered friends in this online program from the Loudon County Public Library System. The session lasts from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 7. For more information, visit bit.ly/BuildABirdOasis.

Hurricane & rainy season is coming , and that means

Heard about tinnitus? It has a ring to it

Tinnitus is a condition characterized by hearing some kind of noise or ringing in the ears, often described as buzzing, roaring, clicking, hissing or humming, when no external sound is present.

Tinnitus is not a disease itself but rather a symptom of an underlying health issue, which could involve the ear, the auditory nerve, or other areas of the brain. Coping with it is very difficult sometimes!

According to the American Tinnitus Association, the condition affects approximately 15 to 20% of the population in the United States, which equates to around 50 million people! Among these, 2 million have extreme and debilitating cases.

2. Meniere’s Disease: This is an inner ear disorder characterized by ringing in the ear, a spinning sensation (vertigo), and some degree of hearing loss.

3. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: This occurs when the eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the nose, don’t open or close properly. This can cause a variety of symptoms including noises in the ear.

Some of the most common drugs include:

1. Aspirin or salicylates, especially in high doses

2. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen

3. Antibiotics: certain ones have been linked to tinnitus

4. Antimalarials: such as chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine

5. Antidepressants: tinnitus can be a side effect of certain ones

If you suspect that a medication is causing tinnitus, speak to your doctor.

potentially useful. Magnesium is probably the most exciting natural option.

I have more information about the condition, its causes, and various treatments (both prescription drugs and natural treatments) in a longer version of this article at my website, suzycohen.com.

If you have symptoms of tinnitus, see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor or an audiologist. More information is also available at www.ata.org.

By Suzy Cohen

4.Medications: Certain medications, especially in high doses, can cause tinnitus as a side effect. (See more below.)

5. Earwax Buildup: Sometimes, a simple buildup of earwax can cause tinnitus.

Some natural remedies could help. For example, ginkgo biloba may increase blood flow to the head and neck. It may also backfire, so use under the guidance of a doctor.

Melatonin, B vitamins and zinc are also

This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.

Risk factors for the condition include age (believed to be due to cumulative effects of noise exposure over time), chronic exposure to loud noise or sudden exposure to very loud noise, certain medical conditions, certain medications, and ear and sinus infections (which sometimes cause temporary tinnitus).

Let’s go through eight common causes for tinnitus.

1. Pulsatile Tinnitus: This type of tinnitus matches the heartbeat. It can be due to various causes, including high blood pressure, changes in the blood vessels near the ear, or increased blood flow near the ears. See a doctor if you have this; it can indicate a dangerous condition.

6. Blood Vessel Disorders: Conditions such as atherosclerosis or an arteriovenous malformation can sometimes cause tinnitus. Also, over-thinning the blood, usually through the use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, can alter the flow of blood through the vessels and be a cause.

7. Middle Ear Conditions: Problems with the bones in the middle ear can cause tinnitus.

8. Anemia: A low red blood cell count can sometimes cause a person to hear the blood flowing through their ears.

Now let’s talk about the medications that are commonly associated with tinnitus. It’s incorrect to assume that you have to take these medications chronically to trigger an episode. It could happen faster than that.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe 4435

VA

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

Dear Seniors,

Just last month, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the USAging Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. This four-day event, held from July 16 -19, brought together professionals from various fields, all united by a common goal: to ensure that every Older American, regardless of their background, color, or Zip code, has access to the resources and services they need to live boldly and thrive in the communities they know and love.

The commitment and passion I witnessed in my fellow attendees reaffirmed my belief in the immense potential for positive change in the aging sector. Throughout the conference, I had the opportunity to participate in a wide range of thought-provoking sessions. From “Capitalizing on Partnerships to Extend the Reach of Kinship Navigator Programs” to “Innovative Strategies to Address Staffing Shortages,” every session provided invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities we face in our mission to improve the lives of older adults.

One particular session that stood out to me was “Access to Services for People with Dementia Aging at Home.” It shed light on the pressing need to develop comprehensive support systems for seniors living with dementia, allowing them to age gracefully in the comfort of their homes while maintaining their dignity and independence.

Another session was “Tackling Recurring Abuse and Neglect Through Technical and Systems Innovation.” As we strive to create safe environments for our

most vulnerable residents and improve the work of our Adult Protective Services Unit, innovative solutions and collaborations with technology providers are essential in combating abuse and neglect effectively.

In addition to the conference sessions, I had the pleasure of visiting a senior wellness center in Salt Lake County. Witnessing firsthand how our counterparts in the West provide critical services to their seniors was both inspiring and insightful. It underscored the importance of continuously exchanging knowledge and experiences to ensure best practices are implemented nationwide.

As I return from this transformative experience, I am more determined than ever to lead with compassion and empathy, building my capacity and my leadership toolkit, while continuing to advocate for a brighter future for DC’s oldest residents. My resolve to foster partnerships, embrace innovation and address challenges is stronger, knowing that these efforts will positively impact the lives of countless seniors across the District.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to attend the USAging Conference, and I extend my appreciation to all the organizers and participants who made this event possible. Together, we will work tirelessly to create a Washington, DC where every older adult can live boldly and thrive, regardless of the obstacles they face.

In Service, Charon P.W. Hines

Last month, Director Hines represented Washington, DC at the USAging 48th Annual Conference & Tradeshow in Salt Lake City, Utah. Emphasizing the theme “Answers on Aging,” Director Hines joined thousands of aging professionals throughout the four-day event, all dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Older Americans across the nation. Her attendance reaffirms our city’s unwavering commitment to fostering a thriving and inclusive aging experience for all.

Last month, Director Hines joined Mayor Muriel Bowser and fellow Lamond Riggs community members to break ground on Riggs Crossing Senior Residences, a new 93-unit senior affordable housing development coming to the Riggs Park community. Riggs Crossing Senior Residences is the second phase of a two-phase project at the intersection of Riggs Road and South Dakota Avenue NE. DACL is incredibly grateful for the Mayor’s commitment to creating affordable housing for DC seniors, not just in Ward 4 but across all eight wards.

Money Law &

GROCERY STORE BLUES

A 77-year-old re-enters the job market — with decidedly mixed results

RUN THE NUMBERS

Ask a financial advisor about Medicare choices, long-term care insurance

MEALS IN A BOX

Hello Fresh, Blue Apron and other homedelivered meal kits may save time, money

THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW Concierge doctors charge steep fees, but same-day access is a benefit

To fix Social Security yet protect benefits

In the May 15 issue of Barron’s, Burton Malkiel, an expert in investments, wrote an article that should be mandatory reading for all members of Congress.

Many readers of my column who are dependent on Social Security are concerned — and rightly so — that some Social Security benefits may be reduced in the future.

There is no question that the trust funds for Social Security have reserves to pay all scheduled benefits only until 2033. If Congress fails to take action in the next few years, Social Security benefits may be reduced for all Social Security beneficiaries.

listed in his Barron’s article.

Fix Congress first

I find it interesting that one thing members of Congress who are proposing reductions in Social Security benefits are not discussing is changing the favorable regulations that control their own retirement benefits.

Currently, only the first $162,250 an individual earns is subject to the payroll tax. The regulation can be changed so that all wages are subject to this tax. According to Malkiel, 63% of the long-run funding gap could be closed by this change.

THE SAVINGS GAME

By Elliot Raphaelson

For example, under current regulations, members of Congress are entitled to full pension at age 62 after only five years of federal service. The rest of U.S. workers have to work at least 10 years under Social Security in order to be eligible for retirement benefits.

This change will not have a significant impact on the lifestyle of family units with incomes over $162,250. An across-the-board reduction in Social Security benefits, however, will have a dramatic effect on lower-income families that depend on Social Security.

Malkiel also recommended that the retirement age could be increased by one month a year until, in 24 years, it will have been increased by two years to “reflect in small part” the long-run increases in longevity.

Bottom line: There are many solutions that a responsible Congress should be considering. In my opinion, there is no reason why some of the proposed solutions referred to in this article should not be addressed now, rather than waiting until 2031. [See also page 2 of the April Beacon.]

Most families in the U.S. that receive Social Security benefits depend on them to maintain basic living expenses. Retirees who have contributed to Social Security all their lives should not be penalized because there will be fewer workers working under Social Security and because of longer life expectancy.

There are many reasons for the likely deficiency in the trust funds. However, the main reason is that there will be fewer workers working under Social Security in the future than there will be retirees dependent on Social Security benefits. Another significant factor is the increased longevity of American workers.

It is easy for members of Congress to say there is no other solution to the deficiency in the trust fund other than to reduce benefits. There are solutions, however, which Malkiel

Also, under current regulations, members of Congress can retire with a reduced government pension at ages 55-57 with 10 years of government service. The rest of us are not eligible for reduced Social Security benefits until age 62.

Potential solutions abound

One of Malkiel’s recommendations, which has been made by many others, is to increase the limits on wages that are subject to the Social Security payroll tax.

Under this plan, there would be no change for current retirees, and only modest effects for those near retirement. For workers who perform manual labor, the age limits could remain unchanged.

Malkiel pointed out that, according to estimates from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, raising the retirement age by two years (to age 69), and then indexing it to longevity, would close 39% of the 75-year funding shortfall.

Another option is to expand Social Security to include state and local government workers.

Members of Congress have had many years to fix this problem. I urge every taxpayer to write to their Congressional representative and demand that they find a solution now to fix the trust fund problem without reducing Social Security benefits.

Any congressional representative who recommends taking away Social Security benefits without looking at reasonable solutions should lose his or her job.

Maybe the first thing they should be looking at is their own retirement benefits.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com.

© 2023 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

Mailed checks are fueling fraud schemes

By Ken Sweet

Check fraud is back in a big way, fueled by a rise in organized crime that is forcing small businesses and individuals to take additional safety measures or to avoid sending checks through the mail altogether.

Banks issued roughly 680,000 reports of check fraud to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, also known as FinCEN, last year. That’s up from 350,000 reports in 2021.

Meanwhile the U.S. Postal Inspection Service reported roughly 300,000 complaints of mail theft in 2021, more than double the prior year’s total.

Check’s in the mail? Not good

Early in the pandemic, government relief checks became an attractive target for criminals. The problem has only gotten worse, and postal authorities and bank officials are warning Americans to avoid mailing checks if possible, or at least to

use a secure mail drop such as inside the post office.

Meanwhile, as the cases of fraud increase, victims are waiting longer to recover their stolen money.

Check usage has been in decline for decades, as Americans have largely switched to paying for their services with credit and debit cards.

Americans wrote roughly 3.4 billion checks in 2022, down from nearly 19 billion checks in 1990, according to the Federal Reserve. However, the average size of the checks Americans write rose from $673 in 1990 — or $1,602 in today’s dollars — to $2,652 last year.

“Despite the declining use of checks in the United States, criminals have been increasingly targeting the U.S. Mail since the COVID-19 pandemic to commit check fraud,” FinCEN wrote in an alert sent out in February.

Large criminal gangs

Today’s check fraud criminals are sophisticated criminal operations, with participants infiltrating post office distribution centers, setting up fake businesses, or creating fake IDs to deposit the checks.

“Walkers,” or people who actually walk in to cash these checks, receive training in how to appear even more legitimate.

In one case in Southern California last year, nearly 60 people were arrested on charges of committing more than $5 million in check fraud against 750 people.

Criminals are getting the checks or identification information by fishing mail out of U.S. postal boxes, looking for envelopes that appear to be either bill payments or checks being mailed.

The most common type of check fraud is what’s known as check washing, where a criminal steals the check from the mail and uses a method to remove ink so they

can change the payee’s name on the check and, additionally, the amount of money.

Some criminals are going further and using the information found on a check to gather sensitive personal data on a potential victim.

There have been reports of criminals creating fake entities out of personal data obtained from a check, or even opening new lines of credit or businesses with that data as well.

That’s why check fraud experts are saying Americans should avoid sending checks in the mail or at least take additional safety steps to avoid becoming a victim.

“If you need to mail a check, do not put a check in your residential mailbox and raise the flag to notify the postman. Drop off checks inside a post office if you have to,” said Todd Robertson with Argo Data, a

From housing stability and financial assistance to keeping seniors connected, AARP DC worked hard to advance priority programs that support District seniors, achieving these victories:

● $43 million in 2024 funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program.

● $250,000 to provide over a thousand iPads that help seniors stay digitally connected.

● $71,000 in the Grandparent Caregivers Program and removing Supplemental Security Income from household income calculations.

Lessons learned from a job search at 77

By Taya Jackson

I’m female, 77 years old and, so far, retired. For the past couple of years, my finances have been going backward, thanks to some expensive decisions, i.e., concierge medical services, along with the rising prices everyone is facing.

Maybe it was the residual effect of the pandemic, but it was clear something had to change. I nagged myself daily that I needed more order in my life. I needed a job.

I searched the websites of major retail stores, restaurants and retirement homes for employment: positions offered, salaries, how to apply, etc. But each site was less “intuitive” than the one before.

My work history as an advertising/marketing writer made posting my resume

nearly impossible, and my fill-in-the-blank answers did not jibe with the potential employers’ systems.

Red lines questioned my unexpected numbers and work history. This would go on for hours into the night. Was AI at fault? Who knows?

Getting face to face

The advice I had given others over the years haunted me: “Just go in and speak with a manager.” How could I think my approach would work if I didn’t attempt it myself?

But first, I did a bit of in-store reconnaissance, asking both the oldest and youngest employees questions about how they got hired. While willing to talk, their recall was not impressive.

When asked how to mention unwelcome dates and work history, one of them suggested that I “make up answers. ‘They’ never check.” Really? I hit the bricks.

Dressed in neat, casual attire, I entered my favorite suburban supermarket and asked to speak with a manager. He quickly emerged from a one-way glass office, steps away.

I stated my case and after a hurried sitdown at a backroom computer, where I struggled with yet another employment program alongside an assistant manager, I was “in the system.” I had arrived with my Social Security card and ID in hand. I was hired.

Time to get oriented

Orientation took place at another supermarket location. It began at 5 p.m., but I arrived early, as did a few others. We were ushered upstairs to a break room to wait for the tardy orientation leader. As others trickled in, we sat silently, staring at our phones.

The core group: a painfully shy 17-yearold boy; a visibly energetic young woman with ornate braids; an overweight woman who sought a cigarette break; a very rumpled, stringy-haired middle-aged woman; and a handsome 20-year-old man who would, by his demeanor, definitely go places.

In the end, 16 diverse individuals made up the crew. I admired all of us simply for being there.

Mike, our enthusiastic leader, introduced himself and explained his career trajectory, from a local radio and TV personality to supermarket stocker who worked hard to become a manager.

We played orientation games as we read through our training sheets. We were split into two teams to play more games, revealing what we had learned.

Ultimately, I crushed the tie-breaking team competition question, and our group erupted into cheers. And now, it was time to start the job.

A week on the job

Monday: Five hours of video training and testing at my store. I learned every step of the way that keeping customers happy and returning to the store are our priorities. No matter how wrong or rude a customer is, you should say, “I’m sorry.”

Tuesday: Up at 5:30 a.m. for my 8 a.m. shift. My first day at the cash register was guided by a solidly built, long-haired, youthful 50-year-old woman who had worked there for 30 years.

She told me she was “too smart” for the job and had a B.A. in psychology. After college and several volunteer positions, though, she became disillusioned with her

• turbocharge your resume

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2023 Sessions: #1:*September 11, 13, 14, 18, 20 (Interactive and Online)

2024 Sessions: #2:October 30 & November 1, 3, 6, 8

#3:January 16, 17, 19, 22, 24

#4:February 26, 28 & March 1, 4, 6

#5:April 8, 10, 12, 15, 17

#6:June 3, 5, 7, 10, 11

All classes (virtual or in-person) meet from 9AM until 4PM each day. Check whether future sessions will be in-person or virtual.

PLUS: Optional employment-related tech classes available.

We have had great success conducting these sessions as an interactive, Zoom, online experience. The format for future sessions may continue to be offered virtually or may be offered in-person. Check, when registering, whether the session will be held virtually or in-person at our JCA facility, 12320 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD. Call or Email to check the program's status.

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®

Check fraud

From page 26

financial data provider.

Banks are on the alert

Banks, keenly aware of the problem, are increasingly watching for signs of fraud at

Job search

From

field of study, snagged a temporary position at the supermarket, and had been there ever since.

The day flew by, facing mostly older adults, many of whom were ready to complain and huff and puff at me for no reason. I politely busted one shoplifter with a pack of pork chops carefully tucked under her fake Gucci purse.

But for the most part, I was too busy taking directions from my trainer — and making far too many mistakes.

Wednesday: In the self-service aisle, an attractive young woman exploded in anger, cursing at any employee who tried to assist her because the UPC on a package of chicken would not scan.

It was a terrifying 10-minute tirade so bizarre that I wondered if the meltdown was part of a scam. Was someone using this diversion to steal a shopping cart full of steak and lobster? Aside from some eyerolling, everyone stood silently stunned.

branches and through mobile check deposit services, including large check deposits.

They’re training branch employees to take steps such as looking at check numbers, because checks are typically written in order, or noticing when a check is being written for a much larger amount than previous history would indicate. Banks also

I had Thursday off. What a relief to do laundry and errands! And with more joy and enthusiasm than usual.

Friday: Again, so many customers, so many unpleasant people. They seemed to have saved all their venom for me — dirty looks, sotto voce comments.

It was not the time to ask questions about the multitudes of codes that had to be keyed into the cash register.

I found that older women can be the worst customers. Generally, men are at least civil. Often, they seem to want to entertain with their own brand of homegrown jokes.

I began to think that maybe a job that includes satisfying people who need to prove their importance by acting out is not for me.

Saturday: Halfway through the morning, my lack of due diligence became obvious. I had thought buying and selling groceries would be a pleasant exchange, with customers getting fresh food, their bonus points and a smile, and me, a few bucks to take home.

But it’s way too few to take the abuse for

now deploy software at their branches to flag suspicious checks.

But those systems become moot if criminals are able to persuade tellers — often at the front lines for check acceptance — to look past any red flags.

“These fraudsters are much more aggressive than they were in the past, and

$13.25 per hour, with more than $11 daily going to the union and gas for a nearly one-hour round trip.

My hat is off to all the pleasant cashiers who can recall hundreds of codes, pack thousands of bags, appear concerned about customers, and leave it all at work when they clock out.

Maybe I’m no longer resilient enough to deal with the public. After not even a week, it was time to seek out the manager again — only this time, to quit.

they are pressuring tellers to override internal systems that might flag a potentially suspicious transaction,” said Paul Benda, a senior vice president at the American Bankers Association.

AP Small Business Writer Mae Anderson contributed to this report. © 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

What’s next?

I realize other 77-year-olds are ringing up customers at this very moment. My failure to conform could simply be founded on my intolerance of bad behavior.

But after leaving the grocery business behind, these days, I have a better, more realistic sense of what I’m looking for in a job. I’m leaning towards working with plants.

The search continues. Wish me luck.

Ask these questions of financial advisers

By Kate Ashford

Using a financial adviser for your investment needs is 100% on brand, but what about the other parts of your retirement life?

For example, a third of people ages 64 and up have a financial adviser, but only 2% of them asked their adviser to help with their Medicare choices, according to a July 2022 report from healthcare consulting firm Sage Growth Partners.

But Medicare and other non-portfolio topics — like travel and long-term care — can affect your finances.

“We are actively bringing these ideas to our clients, but there are still plenty of advisers out there that are not,” said Crystal Cox, a certified financial planner (CFP) in Madison, Wisconsin. “They’re still focused just on the investments and the portfolio.”

Here are some questions to ask at your next meeting:

1. What retirement decisions do I need to think about?

Your life in retirement may not continue as it has in the past. Do you plan to travel? Do you intend to move to a different state or downsize? How often will you want to buy a new vehicle?

“Most people just think, ‘I need a certain amount of money to live on,’” said Daniel Lash, a CFP in Vienna, Virginia. “What about all the ancillary things that come along with living? All the things you want to do?”

Mapping your retirement plans can help you and your adviser pinpoint when and how you’ll need cash.

“Do you have an idea of where you’re going to move, and what does real estate look like in that general area?” Lash said.

“They’ve thought about retiring, not ‘What am I going to do when I retire?’”

2. What should I know about Medicare?

Although you generally can’t sign up for Medicare until you’re nearly 65 years old, your income in the years beforehand will affect what you pay for coverage.

Each year, both Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D base their premiums on your reported modified adjusted gross income from two years prior. So, if you filed individually making more than $91,000, or filed jointly making more than $182,000, you’ll pay additional amounts each month.

“Because there’s a lookback on earnings for Medicare premiums, we’ll adjust plans accordingly, because clients might be paying considerably more the first couple of years in retirement than later in retirement,” Lash said.

It’s also wise to consider guidance on Medicare choices in general, because you sometimes can’t change coverage later if your health situation shifts — and Medicare is complicated.

“We do an annual meeting with somebody that specializes in Medicare,” Lash said. “All clients are invited to attend.”

3. Can I afford to self-insure for long-term care?

A person turning 65 now has about a 70% chance of needing some kind of longterm care, and costs are steep: Median costs in the DC metro area average more than $60,000 a year for an assisted living facility and $125,000 for a shared room in a nursing home, according to insurance company Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

“Some people are well enough off that they’re comfortable self-insuring,” said

Kevin Brady, a CFP in New York City. “Others have more limited assets.”

No matter what is the case, it’s crucial to discuss potential costs and whether you have the savings to manage them.

If you don’t, you’ll need to run the numbers on products like long-term care insurance or a hybrid policy that combines permanent life insurance with a long-term care rider.

“We’re always working with an expert to do projections and see what makes sense,” Brady said.

4. Do I have enough money to have some fun?

A successful retirement isn’t always about the tangibles. For many, it’s a time to realize dreams of travel and other experiences. But spending too frugally can get in the way.

“Often clients are overly conservative for fear of running out of money, but in the process, they shortchange the retirement experience,” said Kevin Lum, a CFP in Los Angeles. “By the time they realize their abundance, they’re too old to spend it.”

Talk to your adviser about your big-ticket wishes and whether you have enough money to splash out a little before you settle into quieter spending.

Actual retirement spending looks more like a smile than a straight line, Lum said, with more spending at the beginning on things like travel, and more spending at the end on long-term care needs.

“I’m not saying people should spend irrationally,” Lum said. “But thinking about retirement spending as a fixed calculation that doesn’t change across the retirement life isn’t a smart idea.” —AP/NerdWallet

What meal kits offer and what they cost

By Patricia Mertz Esswein

No more figuring out what to do with a giant bunch of parsley or a tub of sour cream before it spoils.

A meal kit — a box of chef-created recipes and premeasured ingredients delivered to your home — will help reduce food waste and spice up your cooking with a dollop of convenience on the side.

We looked at three of the largest meal kit companies — HelloFresh, Sunbasket and Blue Apron — to get an idea of cost, convenience and nutrition.

What we learned is that some kits offer flexibility to customize dishes and even eat healthy, but a different kind of meal planning is still required.

Subscription required

Each of the big three requires a subscription that renews automatically. You receive a delivery based on how many people you’re serving, the number of meals you want each week and your dietary preferences.

HelloFresh and Blue Apron start at $12 per serving, but the more you order, the lower the cost. Sunbasket charges $12 per serving or more, depending on the recipe, regardless of the number of servings. Shipping is generally $10 per box.

Will you save money? At a minimum, meal kits are probably cheaper than takeout

or dining out. HelloFresh claims to be 75% cheaper than grocery shopping, in part because it buys directly from suppliers, which eliminates middlemen. [But see https://eatpallet.com/is-hellofresh-cheaper-than-groceryshopping for a different opinion.]

Beware of the promised savings from initial discounts, which are a way to lure you into becoming a subscriber. After analyzing a HelloFresh discount that promised free meals, watchdog Truth in Advertising discovered that consumers had to spend hundreds of dollars to realize their savings. The group reported HelloFresh to the Federal Trade Commission for false advertising in June 2022.

Lots of variety

There’s no shortage of dishes or choices. Blue Apron and Sunbasket provide more than a dozen recipes each week, and HelloFresh more than 30.

Reviewers at TheSpruceEats.com who used and reviewed the kits found that HelloFresh offered “delicious, gourmet meals” but required “time-consuming preparation” and “lots of clean up.”

Blue Apron provides “upscale modern American cuisine” but limited dietary accommodations.

Sunbasket “accommodates a range of diets” and is “simple and easy to prepare,”

but flavors were occasionally “muted.” It promises that its ingredients (except meat and fish) are 99% organic.

Menus change weekly, but you can view them in advance, along with the recipes, nutritional information and preparation time. You choose the recipes you want, or receive a default selection based on your preferences.

Plans can be customized by eliminating ingredients, swapping them or upgrading to more expensive ones. Each box includes everything you need except pantry staples,

like oil, butter, sugar, salt and pepper.

The box is insulated, and the food is chilled with ice packs to ensure freshness. If delivery is delayed by the carrier, however, the ingredients may spoil.

When ingredients are unacceptable or missing, you may be able to receive a credit or refund, but you’ll have to buy your own replacements.

© 2022 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

What’s concierge medicine? Is it worth it?

By Kate Ashford

My primary care doctor recently left her practice and invited me to join her at her new gig — a concierge medicine group. There, for a membership fee, I’d have better and more personal access to her services, including same-day appointments and long conversations.

Concierge medicine — a model in which patients pay a membership fee for a more direct relationship with a primary care doctor — used to feel like a perk for the super-wealthy. But as fees have come down and people have gotten more frustrated with the state of traditional primary care, concierge services may not seem like such a pie-in-the-sky option.

There’s less waiting, more access, longer visits and greater coordination of care. However, the fees can be high, and if you don’t have complex medical needs, it may not feel worth the expense.

Annual up-front fee

Concierge medicine is an arrangement in which a patient pays a membership fee to gain access to a doctor’s practice.

Your fee may cover a wide range of services, with insurance covering any needs you have outside the practice, or your fee may cover basic preventive care, and the practice might accept insurance for the rest.

But your overall experience is more personal. Concierge medicine typically offers same-day appointments and 24/7 access to your doctor (who, by the way, isn’t rushed during visits).

Patients like it because they have more time with their provider, said Terry Bauer, CEO of Specialdocs, a company that helps doctors transition to concierge medicine.

People with a medical situation after hours can call, text or email their doctor directly. “They have that doctor, in essence, on speed dial,” Bauer said. “It makes people a lot more comfortable and a lot less anxious.”

What does it cost?

Membership fees for concierge medicine vary widely. For one large concierge network with doctors in 44 states, the fee is typically between $1,800 and $2, 200 per year (or between $150 and $183 per month).

Other practices can run much more. “I know a couple that charge $4,000 a month,” Bauer said.

Doctors who charge those prices may be board certified in two specialties — cardiology and internal medicine, for instance — or they may be in an extremely wealthy area of the country, he said.

The good news is that if you have a flex-

ible spending or health savings account, you can use those pre-tax funds to pay your annual membership fees as long as they go toward wellness benefits.

Advantages

There’s plenty to like about concierge medicine.

“With a smaller patient roster, your doctor can take the time to know you and your health history intimately, which can lead to more personalized and effective care,” said Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, a practicing internal medicine physician and host of the TED Health podcast.

“Concierge doctors can focus more on preventative care, which could potentially catch health issues early and save costs in the long run.”

Disadvantages

The biggest stumbling block for most people is the price tag. “For people on a tight budget or those without substantial health care needs, this could be a significant cost without enough perceived benefit,” Ungerleider said.

On top of the cost, there are practical concerns: Concierge doctors are still a small percentage of the medical field, so your options for care may be limited.

And while a concierge doctor can man-

age your regular or chronic concerns, you’ll still pay for visits to the hospital or emergency room, major surgeries and visits to other specialists.

“It does not negate the need for health insurance,” said John Hansbrough, an employee benefits consultant with the LBL Group, an insurance and financial services company. “You need the insurance because bad stuff can still happen.”

Advocates argue that concierge preventive care can save you money overall. Consider the scenario where a text exchange with your doctor saves you a 2 a.m. trip to the emergency room, for instance.

Yet, concierge medicine isn’t a slamdunk for everyone. If you can’t afford the membership fee or are an infrequent healthcare user, this model probably isn’t a good fit.

But it can be a game changer for patients with chronic illnesses who would benefit from the higher level of care. And for people who are frustrated by the conventional medical system, concierge care offers an alternative.

AP/NerdWallet

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

© 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Leisure & Travel Leisure &

Mexico’s exclusive resorts near Cancún

By Alice Shapin

Years ago, my future husband Paul and I traveled to Cozumel and loved it. More than three decades later, we were ready for another Mexican vacation. But where?

After some research, we found two attractive, secure resorts near Cancún on the Yucatán Peninsula, very close to Cozumel. As it turns out, Cancún is America’s favorite destination in all of Mexico.

We chose two resorts: the Fairmont Mayakoba, a large, all-inclusive resort, and Etéreo, an intimate, serene boutique resort whose name means ethereal, spiritual, heavenly.

What we loved about Etéreo was that, in keeping with its name, the resort offers many activities that highlight the Mayan culture and tradition of the area.

After passing through Etéreo’s massive stone gate, we were greeted by the guia, our personal concierge, plus a shaman trumpeting a conch shell.

The hotel is perched above a protected mangrove forest, overlooking the calm, turquoise Caribbean. Since the resort is small, with only 75 rooms, everything is an easy stroll away.

Etéreo was built using all-natural materials — lava stone, copper and indigenous Tzalam — so it blends perfectly into the environment. Water parallels the walkways throughout the entire resort, making it feel afloat.

The shaman told us that water was important to the ancient Mayans, who believed that life springs from water. The resort has two pools — an infinity pool and a larger one with in-pool lounges. We never had to get up early to reserve a lounge or umbrella; there were plenty.

Pampered dawn to dusk

The beach, dotted with cabanas, is where you can sit or rent a paddleboard, kayak or canoe. Just 250 feet offshore is the region’s largest reef. We saw many groups out there snorkeling, but we chose to stay on dry land.

An on-property spa, Sana, uses local indigenous ingredients prepared by hand. In addition to the traditional treatments, there are detoxifying Mayan clay wraps and crystal healing sessions.

We loved dining alfresco and had plenty of opportunities. Taco night was so much fun. Our waiter happily brought more of our favorites.

At breakfast, I couldn’t resist the French toast with grilled pineapple. And when I asked the bartender for a drink with coffee and some cream, he came up with a delicious concoction.

Each evening as the sun sets, a shaman leads guests in a ritual meant to open the heart to connection and happiness. We gathered on the natural wooden walkway

to the beach. As he chanted holding cacao, ginger or cinnamon, as well as shells and stones, we were instructed to face north, south, east and west.

There were many more learning activities — Mexican cooking classes, tequila tastings, and a spiritual jewelry-making workshop. But alas, it was time to leave.

Resort hopping

Some might think we’re crazy to visit two resorts during one vacation, but because each has a different vibe and offerings, we loved experiencing both.

Not too far away, in Playa del Carmen, was our next destination, Fairmont Mayakoba, which had been recently renovated. Once again, we passed through a private gate into an elegant lobby for check-in.

Beyond a huge black jaguar statue was a terrace overlooking the jungle and mangrove forest. The concierge warned us not to try to buy drugs from anyone. But since the only drugs we take are Nexium and Crestor, that was not a problem.

This resort is large — 401 guest rooms nestled in a tropical forest surrounded by lush lagoons — and it offers an all-inclusive dining option, which we took.

The breakfast buffet offered an endless array of choices, and there were plenty of

places to grab lunch and sit down for dinner. Full disclosure: I couldn’t help but stop by the ice cream shop several times.

“Mayakoba” comes from the Mayan words “Maya” and “coba” or “city on water.” Amazingly, Mayakoba, where the Fairmont and other resorts are located, has an underground river system, which a team of biologists discovered decades ago under the limestone.

Our room looked out on a canal, where habitats protect 150 species of birds and 300 species of wildlife, including turtles, crocodiles and iguanas. We couldn’t wait to take the guided boat tour along the canal and walk the nature paths.

Water sports, classes and more

The Fairmont Mayakoba offers dozens of activities to keep you as busy as you want, including complimentary bikes, non-motorized water sports (kayaking, paddleboarding and catamarans), plus tennis, an extensive network of nature trails, multiple pools and the beach. There’s a kids’ club, too, and we saw many intergenerational families on vacation.

For a fee, you can take cooking classes, relax at the indoor-outdoor spa (with a rooftop mineral pool), play golf, or take a

A mahogany tree rises through the bar of the Etéreo, a 75-unit boutique hotel located in a protected mangrove forest in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The award-winning resort has a private beach, spa and top-tier restaurants.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ETEREO, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION

For ways to save money on a cruise, see page 36.

See MEXICO, page 35

Water surrounds the Fairmont Mayakoba, a five-star gated resort with a Greg Normandesigned golf course. Guests can take a free boat tour through its waterways, home to 240 species of wildlife.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FAIRMONT MAYAKOBA

Cape May harks back to Victorian days

By Victor Block

After strolling along a lovely stretch of Atlantic Ocean beach that fronts Cape May, New Jersey, my wife Fyllis and I decided to check out some of the town’s other attractions.

We dropped by the towering lighthouse, which has beamed warnings to ships since 1859. We visited a World War II lookout tower built to help aim coastal artillery at German submarines that ventured too close to shore.

We strolled through Cape May Point State Park, a mix of dunes, marsh and forest that’s a resting place for sea and shore birds during their annual migration.

All of this was before we immersed ourselves in the primary appeal that brings many visitors to the area: its renowned collection of Victorian architecture.

Native Americans lived on the peninsula when English explorer Henry Hudson showed up in 1609. He was followed by Cornelis Mey — a Dutch adventurer, captain and fur trader who, charted the region in the early 1600s and for whom the town is named.

By 1630, the Dutch West India Company purchased land from the Native Americans and established a fishing and whaling settlement.

New popularity in modern times

Fast-forward about two centuries, and

Cape May began to adopt its role as a popular summer resort due to convenient water transportation by sloops and steamboats from nearby cities.

Private wooden cottages and hotels were constructed. When a massive fire destroyed about half of them in 1878, the town was rebuilt as the architectural treasure it is today.

Because the ornate Victorian style was in vogue at the time, many structures exhibit that vernacular, with intricate detailing, gable roofs, round towers and other wild, and at times whimsical, adornments. Bold colors add the finishing touch.

Because of this concentration of Victorian architecture — more than 600 beautifully preserved buildings — Cape May is designated as a National Historic Landmark District, the only American city so recognized.

Fyllis and I spent hours meandering through this eclectic collection of fun and fanciful homes, shops and B&Bs. We oohed and aahed at the so-called Painted Ladies — brightly colored, multi-hued homes that stand out even amid the colorful setting because of their elaborate, playful details.

We explored the Emlen Physick Estate, a magnificent 18-room mansion built in 1879, Cape May’s only Victorian house

museum. The family kept cows on the property, and when I asked to visit the restroom, I was directed to what originally served as a milking shed.

Harriet Tubman Museum

A personal favorite was the modest but moving Harriet Tubman Museum, which shares stories of slavery in New Jersey, abolitionist activism and Tubman herself.

She lived for some time in Cape May, working in hotels and as a family cook to help fund her missions to guide enslaved people to freedom in the north.

Exhibits include an 1824 map that pinpoints African-American families and Black-owned businesses in Cape May, photos of Tubman, and hand-written notes

by William Still.

Still was an African-American abolitionist who assisted hundreds of enslaved people to freedom and kept meticulous records about many of their escapes. What we found even more moving were heavy metal shackles of the kind that were used to bind enslaved people.

Tourists with other interests also have much to explore and enjoy at Cape May. We spotted flocks of migrating birds that show up each spring and fall, and tested our palates at wineries, breweries and distilleries.

A stroll down the Washington Street Mall introduced us to a line-up of nearly 100 oneof-a-kind shops, galleries and eateries.

See CAPE MAY, page 35

Cape May’s Beach Avenue dazzles with restored Victorian mansions, including the Sea Mist, center, built in 1873. Beachgoers can rent apartments in the iconic waterfront landmark.

Mexico

From page 33

day trip — snorkeling and diving from the island of Cozumel or a visit to see ancient Mayan ruins.

We had seen the ruins and snorkeled in Cozumel years ago, so we skipped those activities. But we did sign up for the canal tour.

As we glided along the jungle canals, Miguel, our knowledgeable guide, headed to a nesting ground. Along the way, birds flew overhead and herons perched along

Cape May

From

“Della’s 5¢, 10¢, $1 and up” store offers merchandise reminiscent of the 1940s, along with an old-fashioned soda fountain.

That’s but one of the numerous sites in Cape May that transport visitors back in time.

If you go

Some of Cape May’s hotels, motels, inns and Airbnbs are located in Victorian buildings.

The Virginia, where we stayed (25 Jackson St.; 1-800-732-4236), combines historic ambiance with luxurious modern amenities. It was built in 1879 by ships’ carpenters. Many locals and visitors alike rate the renovated 24-room hotel, which also offers several nearby cottages, as “the place to be” in town. Rates begin at $130 a night.

Its sister hotel, Congress Hall, was built

the shore. Large turtles waited patiently under birds’ nests, hoping to catch an egg for dinner.

Miguel pointed out a male bird with blue eyes that turned yellow when he met his mate. Anyone looking for an unattached mate may wish humans did that too.

Then it was on to our next adventure: entering a cenote (pronounced say-NOtay). Cenotes are underground freshwater pools formed by limestone erosion.

Usually found in caves, they were considered sacred by the Mayans. (Be sure to

in 1816 and reconstructed after the fire of 1878. The hotel’s Blue Pig Tavern (200 Congress Pl.; 609-884-8422), named after a gambling club that once stood on the property’s expansive lawn, features local sustainably raised food and a comfortable wood-paneled environment. The fare ranges from hamburgers and fish-andchips to seared Atlantic salmon. All are served with side dishes, and many entrées are large enough to share.

If your preference runs to casual spots favored by town residents, overlook the name of The Ugly Mug (426 Washington St., 609-884-3459), which is related to the huge selection of steins hanging over the bar. Its food choices include pizzas, salads and seafood.

The best source of information for planning a visit is Cape May Mac (Museums, Arts, Culture), a nonprofit that offers numerous tours of historic sites, gardens and more. A year-round schedule of festivals

wear sneakers, as a cenote can be steep, uneven and slippery.)

Inside, the ceiling was filled with stalactites and sleeping bats. Cenotes come in all different sizes — some you can swim in, and some are open to the sky.

We decided we’d definitely come back to Mexico to explore bigger, deeper cenotes where we could swim. Next time we’d love to see a cenote that is open to the sky.

If you go

Southwest flies nonstop from BWI to

and events ranges from music and craft beverages to crafts and collectibles. For more information, visit capemaymac.org.

Cape May is a four-hour drive from Washington, D.C. A ferry from Lewes, Delaware will save you an hour of driving, but take a bit longer (the ferry ride takes

Cancún; fares start at $660 roundtrip. United flies nonstop from Dulles to Cancún for around $387 roundtrip.

Note: Some areas of Mexico are on the U.S. State Department’s “do not travel” list, so check before you go.

The Cancún area has many other hotels to choose from, at all different price points. A studio at Etéreo Auberge starts at $899 per night; see aubergeresorts.com. Prices for rooms at Fairmont Mayakoba start at $441. For more information, visit fairmont.com.

80 minutes). Roundtrip ferry rates start at $67 for a car, plus $14 and up for individual passengers. Rates are higher on weekends and holidays. Visit cmlf.com for details. For more about the Jersey Cape, visit escapetothejerseycape.com or call 1-800227-2207.

How to save money on booking a cruise

By Ellen Kennedy

Booking a cruise for a family vacation or romantic getaway? Cruises can be a great way for extended families to enjoy time together, as they offer activities for kids, adults and seniors.

And if you book a cruise strategically with travel rewards credit cards or cash back cards, you can save money and get extra perks for your trip.

Kiplinger editors have found three methods for saving money on cruises.

Using credit card rewards

If you are a veteran cruiser, you know that booking a cruise can be a complicated ordeal, especially if you are trying to earn or redeem credit card rewards at the same time.

“The best strategy is to keep it simple and flexible,” according to Ted Rossman of Creditcards.com.

Rossman recommends avoiding cruisebranded credit cards, which typically deliver meager rewards and lock you in to only one cruise line. Instead, he advises using a flexible travel rewards card or a cash back card.

Booking with a travel rewards credit card can help you get travel-related perks, like travel assistance and no foreign transaction fees. Here are some of Rossman’s favorite travel cards for maximizing the points you earn when booking a cruise:

• The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns five points for every dollar booked through its travel portal. And as of the publishing date, the card comes with a bonus offer worth $750 for new cardholders after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening the account. (The card has a $95 annual fee.)

Instead of booking directly through the Chase travel portal, you must call a Chase cruise specialist at 1-866-331-0773. Chase works with almost every cruise line (except for Disney) and will match the price of any package you find on a partner cruise website.

• The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns five miles for every dollar booked through Capital One Travel and two miles per dollar on all other purchases. It also has a $95 annual fee.

New cardholders can get 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening the account. You can also book a cruise without using the Capital One Travel platform and get reimbursed at the rate of one cent per mile.

If the thought of managing points or miles for booking and redeeming travel sounds like a hassle, keep it simple with one of the best cash back credit cards.

• One of the best options for travelers is

the Wells Fargo AutographSM Card (no annual fee). Earn unlimited three points back on each dollar spent on travel, restaurants, gas and other categories, and one point back on everything else. Earn a welcome bonus of 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months,

worth a $200 cash redemption value.

Wholesale club memberships

If you’re a fan of Costco Memberships, check out the company’s travel discounts.

See BOOK A CRUISE, page 37

Cruisers on the Regent Seven Seas Navigator get a close-up view of the Alaskan coastline. To save on a cruise, book through a travel agent or wholesale grocery club.

Book a cruise

From page 36

Costco cruise packages, especially those under the store’s Kirkland brand, are some of the cheapest on the market. Costco also partners with Disney and other major cruise lines. An entry-level Costco membership costs $60 per year.

BJ’s Wholesale Club members receive up to a $500 BJ’s gift card when they book a cruise through the company’s travel portal. BJ’s offers discounts on major cruise lines, as well as everything you may need to get you to the departure dock, like airfare, rental cars and hotel. The lowest membership tier costs $55 per year.

Both Costco and BJ’s provide last-minute deals on cruises, some of which are incredibly cheap. For example, Costco is advertising a four-night Caribbean cruise on a Carnival ship for $585 per person, plus taxes and fees. BJ’s touts a seven-day MSC cruise to the Bahamas and Florida for $419 per person. Both of these deals are for “interior” rooms with no windows or portholes, which are ideal for cruisers on a budget.

When to hire a travel agent

Remember travel agents? The internet

BEACON BITS

Aug. 15+

certainly decimated the industry, but it has adapted to offer real value to clients while saving them time and hassle. This is especially true when booking a cruise, which is exceptionally complicated.

A good travel agent can help you find a great deal, understand pricing tiers and perks, and help you keep track of multiple payment deadlines. And best yet, you don’t pay the travel agent any direct fees — those are typically covered by cruise lines’ commissions.

To find a reputable agent, ask family and friends who cruise if they have any recommendations. Vet agencies by reading reviews from the Better Business Bureau, and consider looking for an accredited agent, such as through the American Society of Travel Agents’ consumer website, TravelSense.com.

Before you lift anchor

The cruise industry is not always pretty; just think of recent norovirus or Covid out-

breaks that put passengers at risk and ruined vacations. Cruises are also very polluting, with a typical ship having a carbon footprint of 12,000 cars.

If environmental issues are important to you, look for a cruise line with a higher rating in the most recent Cruise Ship Report Card from Friends of the Earth. The toprated lines in 2022 were Regent Seven

Seas and Disney.

For a sense of how clean and sanitary a cruise ship or cruise line is, you can conduct a search on the CDC’s Advanced Cruiseship Inspection Search tool at bit.ly/CDCCruiseshipInspection.

All contents © 2023 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

ENTERPRISE RESIDENTIAL

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE OUTREACH

Are you considering furthering your education? Bring your questions and curiosities to the Montgomery College Office of Community Engagement at the Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD. The session lasts from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tues., Aug. 15 and Wed., Aug. 16. To learn more, contact (240) 773-9490 or visit mcpl.libnet.info/event/8314267.

Sept. 14

DECLUTTERING TIPS AND TRICKS (ONLINE)

Are you looking to declutter but don’t know where to start? Attend this free virtual event featuring author, speaker, teacher and film producer Chris Palmer to learn how reducing your possessions can improve quality of life. The session lasts from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 14. To register, call (301) 3203267 or visit littlefallsvillage.org/Declutter.

Sept. 20

DISCOVER VIRGINIA HISTORY

Learn about Oliver Cromwell’s role in Virginia history and how the state was unique from the rest of the 13 colonies in this presentation at the Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Rd., Chantilly, VA. The lecture lasts from 2 to 3 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 20. To register, visit librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/ event/10785813.

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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

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886

Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363

Park View at Towson: 410-828-7185

Park View at Woodlawn: 410-281-1120

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

Park View at Colonial Landing: 410-796-4399

Park View at Columbia: 410-381-1118

Park View at Ellicott City: 410-203-9501

Park View at Ellicott City II: 410-203-2096

Park View at Emerson: 301-483-3322

Park View at Snowden River: 410-290-0384

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Park View at Bladensburg: 301-699-9785 • 55 & Better

Park View at Laurel: 301-490-1526

Park View at Laurel II: 301-490-9730

Arts & Style

New memoir tells of family’s life in China

By Robert Friedman

Shanghai-born Cultural Revolution survivor Qin Sun Stubis, 63, has a story to tell. It’s about her ancestors, who survived the Great Chinese Famine, historic upheavals, generations-old family curses, demeaning traditions and the Communist-led government.

Qin, as she prefers to be called, describes her family’s often tumultuous times in a new memoir, Once Our Lives: Life, Death and Love in the Middle Kingdom.

“It covers four generations of Chinese women — my family’s struggle to survive,” she said in a recent interview with the Beacon

Officials twice jailed Stubis’ father, once “for the ‘crime’ of using the wrong words,” she said. He headed the equivalent of a worker’s union, she said. Her mother was left to raise four daughters alone, selling precious family heirlooms to survive.

In the book, Qin describes her upbringing in a shantytown, and how she managed to leave China and arrive in the U.S.

Qin had graduated from the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Languages with bachelor’s degrees in English and 19thcentury English literature. Because her English was excellent, Qin worked as a government translator for visiting dignitaries.

She wanted to continue her studies in the U.S., and was able to contact Sen. John McCain through friends. “He wrote a letter on my behalf,” Qin said, which led to a student visa for graduate work in English

at the University of Arizona.

So, at age 29, “with two suitcases and a dream of opportunity,” she recalled, as well as her love of English literature, Qin departed her birthplace for her adopted homeland.

After Arizona, Qin lived for some 20 years in Great Neck, Long Island. Along the way, she became a U.S. citizen and married Mark Stubis, then chief communications officer for American Humane, an animal welfare organization.

In 2011, his career brought them to Bethesda, Maryland, with their two teenage children: a son, Keaton (now 29) and daughter, Haley (now 24).

Qin began writing Once Our Lives while her children young, stealing moments at their swim practice to write in spiral notebooks. The book took some 20 years to complete. In June, the 350-page paperback was published by Toronto-based Guernica World Editions.

At a June reading from the book at Politics & Prose in Washington, D.C., Qin said she was compelled to write down her ancestors’ stories.

“All the characters in the book, they were the writers. I was the messenger,” she told the audience of more than 50 people.

Learning to tell stories

Qin’s love of writing began when she was a child.

“I learned early in life about the power of words,” she writes in the book. “Shunned as political pariahs by family,

neighbors and friends, my family and I sustained ourselves with stories of adventure and past glory.

“Later, with the help of a borrowed radio, an eccentric British teacher, and a lucky assignment as a library assistant, l discovered and fell in love with Western literature, committing to memory the strange but beautiful sounds of Keats, Wordsworth and Lincoln,” particularly the 16th president’s Gettysburg Address.

As Qin explains on her website, her mother would tell her and her sisters stories every night before bed.

“The four of us would listen to our mother, an aspiring actress in the early days of Asian theater, recount colorful tales of pirates, prophesies, fortunes won and lost, babies sold in opium dens.”

A hope for peace

For the past 15 years, Qin has written a monthly column for the Santa Monica Star newspaper. (A friend recommended her to the publisher, who was searching for new ideas for the paper.)

Her column, called “Reflections from the East,” covers “life on the East Coast, Asian

Three mysteries transport readers to another time and place. See reviews on page 40.

Bethesda writer Qin Sun Stubis published a memoir in June about four generations of women in her Chinese family. She grew up in a Shanghai shantytown during the Great Chinese Famine and endured the imprisonment of her father, a union organizer.

PHOTO BY MARK STUBIS

See MEMOIR, page 41

Mysteries offering history, chess, humor

By Dinah Rokach

These three whodunits are set in a variety of times and places: present-day New York; Brighton, England in the late 1950s; and Europe during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 1800s. They will undoubtedly capture your imagination.

Assassin’s Lullaby, by Mark Rubinstein, 328 pages, Thunder Lake Press paperback, 2022

Follow hired assassin Eli Dagan as he takes on an assignment for the Brighton Beach-based Russian Mafia of Brooklyn.

surveillance and furtive stalkers.

He lives moment-to-moment, whether traversing the pedestrian walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge, crossing the vast interior of Grand Central Station, frequenting his favorite trattoria or unwinding at the local Irish pub.

By Dinah Rokach

Dagan, a former Mossad agent, resides in Manhattan under the assumed identity of Aiden West. He puts his life on the line for a payday in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, wired to his offshore account.

Tension mounts as Dagan leaves the safety of his apartment to meet with mobsters, plan the kill and confront his prey. He keeps a wary eye out for technological

Meet the colorful lowlife criminals and high-ranking bosses who inhabit the Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking underworld of Brighton Beach, which is reminiscent of their hometown, Odessa.

The deadly competition among rival gangs forms the basis for this enthralling, suspenseful story. Who will survive to kill another day? Can a killer retire and start life anew? Is it wise to trust a stranger?

Octogenarian Mark Rubinstein is a forensic psychiatrist. In his 11 works of fiction, he dissects the psyches of killers and criminals.

Rubinstein reveals, “Dagan [is] both a hero and an anti-hero…He has a moral

Tell them you saw it in the Beacon!

center and, at the same time, can be ruthlessly efficient when it comes to killing people who are evil.”

Psycho by the Sea: A Constable Twitten Mystery, by Lynne Truss, 303 pages, Raven Books hardcover 2021

Enjoy this fast-paced murder mystery that will find you laughing at the madcap goings-on in seaside Brighton, England. The action takes place in September 1957.

Petty hoodlums, hardened killers and corrupt policemen stumble through a series of ghastly crimes during the rainswept off-season in the British seaside resort. Plans are in the works for a December holiday heist at the local emporium.

Psycho by the Sea is the fourth in a series featuring young Constable Twitten. He has joined the more jaded Inspector Steine and Sergeant Brunswick on the Brighton Police Force. Twitten dreams of a promotion to London.

Author Lynne Truss brings readers up to date on past episodes in a short prologue so you can enjoy this most recent book in the series.

Truss, who is in her 60s, was a finalist for the 2021 British Comedy Women in Print prize. The first Constable Twitter novel was awarded the Last Laugh Award for the best humorous crime novel published in the UK.

Captain Grey’s Gambit: A Novel, by J. H. Gelernter, 256 pages, W. W. Norton & Company paperback, 2023

Follow the exploits of an early 19th-century undercover spy in His Majesty’s Service during the Napoleonic Wars. The courageous Captain Thomas Grey is multifaceted: swordsman, sailor, chess master, pugilist, stargazer and undercover operative. Captain Grey’s Gambit is the second and final book of a series about the fictional hero.

The action takes place in the bloody aftermath of the French Revolution. Learn about the political and diplomatic history of early 19th-century Europe, when the British had a compelling stake in the ultimate outcome of events on the Continent.

Explore the interlocking alliances, the nation-states that are no more, and the strategic importance of naval power in the pre-industrial age. Take a tour of the principalities that were later absorbed into the German Confederation.

Chess aficionados will enjoy games that Gelernter describes move by move. Those who don’t follow chess can skip those very concise paragraphs.

In an endnote, Gelernter points out those parts of his novel that are historically accurate, and where he has taken literary license.

Sneaker wearer confesses his sneakery

Seven years ago, our son tied the knot. My uniform that day was utterly traditional — dark blue suit, white shirt, cautious tie, shiny black shoes. It was the last time I’ve worn those shoes — or any other “real” shoes, for that matter.

Late in life, I’ve adopted two approaches to my feet.

Approach One: They and I deserve to be comfortable, and shoes never achieve that. So, no more shoes, ever, for any reason.

squashed once the laces are tied. Meanwhile, shoes that don’t fit — and that’s most of them — tend to rub and cause blisters. And leather weighs quite a bit, leading to foot fatigue and annoyance.

Put it all together, and it’s no wonder that men come home from wherever and take off their shoes before they do anything else. It’s our cross to bear.

HOW I SEE IT

By Bob Levey

Approach Two: I can fool the world with jet black sneakers whenever I need to seem respectable. I wear the sneaks with suits, with sports jackets, with business-casual outfits. I’ve even worn them to a funeral. No one noticed or objected.

The real wonder is that I didn’t arrive at the no-shoes decision sooner. The evidence is plain.

Regardless of the model, the toe sections of shoes always pinch. If the shoes have laces, the cartilages on top of one’s feet will get

But not for this boy — no, sir, no longer. Now I choose from three informal options: the black sneakers for dress occasions, a pair of comfy rubber-soled sandals for casual moments, and a pair of flip-flops for galumphing around the house. My feet cheer every day.

I’ve even tried to recruit other, ahem, mature men to my way of thinking. At a recent coffee klatch, one of the guys noticed my sandals and asked why I chose them.

Ever the poet, I replied:

“You know the old line about happy wife, happy life? My take is: Happy soles make happy souls.”

They groaned. But they got the idea.

Only once since my son’s wedding have I come close to being embarrassed. That moment came during a sudden rainstorm.

Sporting my trusty black sneakers, I was walking alongside a prospective employer when the heavens opened. My feet began to squeak, as rubber will when it gets wet.

My walk partner might have dismissed my employment prospects right then and there. Too casual, this guy. Too squishy. Too noisy.

But he simply nodded and asked if I always wore sneakers when it rains. I said I

did. I got the job.

Of course, comfort does not belong only to the male of the species. If you’ll pardon the pun, women, too, have voted with their feet: High heels are just about a thing of the past.

The other day, I was at a fairly formal meeting involving a bunch of ranking politicians. Most of the people who spoke were women.

As each one approached the microphones at the front of the room, I happened to notice their footwear.

Flats. Aboard every single one of them.

They say no child would ever be born if

From page 39

culture, translations, Chinese lives in China, recipes for Chinese food, world events, goings-on in D.C., etc.,” she explained.

Qin was able to return to Shanghai several times to see and say goodbye to her parents, but she hasn’t been back for more than a decade. Her sister in Shanghai, and her parents, who died 20 years ago, “are all in my heart,” Qin said.

“I miss seeing my sister, who still lives there, and I would like to visit the cemetery where my parents are buried,” Qin said.

Qin, who refers to herself as ChineseAmerican, hopes the U.S. and China will “find ways to understand each other and improve relations,” she said.

“I do feel that the United States and China will always be different countries, but they still can work things out” on the diplomatic and humane fronts.

At her book talk last month, Qin urged others in the audience to tell their family history, too.

“If you have a story, write it,” she said. “No matter how hard it is.”

Once Our Lives is available at Amazon, Politics & Prose and other bookstores.

Why would I want to listen to a podcast?

By Adam Cochran

Weird Al Yankovic once quipped that he releases a new album every three to five years, so every album is a comeback album.

Like Weird Al’s music, every time podcasting is discovered by another generation, it becomes new again.

The audio and video delivery process known as podcasting has been around since 2000. But it experienced its latest resurgence in 2014, when NPR began producing exclusive podcasts and promoting them along with its regular radio programming.

Podcasting is a delivery platform for audio and video content. If you listen to NPR on the weekend, you likely hear content that is developed primarily for a podcast audience.

Radiolab, Science Friday, TED Radio Hour, Planet Money, etc., are all shows

Bob Levey

From page 41

men had to endure childbirth. Let’s take that one step further: No high heels would exist if men had to wear them.

Over the years, in the name of fashion, women have endured girdles, bustles and crash diets. But to these male eyes, nothing looks quite as impractical or painful as high heels.

that have more podcast listeners than radio listeners.

What makes podcasts special

The internet as a media distribution platform began with blogging.

Online services allowed anyone to set up an easy-to-edit website called a “blog,” short for “web log,” where a person could write personal commentary, local news articles, original literary content and more.

But blogs were more than websites — they contained code that allowed readers to subscribe and receive updates whenever new content was added.

This syndication process is referred to as RSS, or Really Simple Syndication, and it’s the fundamental delivery vehicle for podcasts.

Most people think of podcasts as topical

How do you balance? How do you walk? Whoever decreed that high heels add femininity and style to an outfit? A man, probably.

So, I have begun commenting to women who wear flats. I congratulate them. I encourage them.

They have returned the favor. “You must really love your feet,” said one lady to me recently, as she gazed down at my sandals. “Yes,” I replied, “and my feet really love me back.”

radio-show-style programs that they listen to with their phone or computer’s media player.

But a podcast can be any audio or video file. What makes it a podcast is that it is distributed automatically via RSS syndication so that listeners can subscribe and hear the most current episodes.

Podcasts run the gamut

Like a blog, anyone can create a podcast. There are no official rules or regulatory agencies for podcasting.

Unlike radio shows, podcasts are typically developed for a small, targeted audience rather than a large, general audience. There are podcasts about woodworking, but there are also podcasts specifically about using a scroll saw.

Likewise, there are podcasts about dentistry, xeriscaping, taco trucks, salmon

I admit that I’m being sneaky in dressy situations. On goes the blue suit. On go the shirt and tie. And then on go…. Sneakers? Really, Robert? You trying to get away with something, you old codger?

Yes, I am. And yes, I do. The truth is that, at business conferences and social events, very few people ever look down. If they do, I’m ready with a ringing one-liner.

“My goal in life,” I say, “is to have feet

fishing and virtually any other hobby or lifestyle imaginable.

Podcasts are free to subscribe to. Some may offer premium subscriptions, but the purpose of a podcast is to distribute information or cover a topic that needs more exposure.

Producers of podcasts occasionally make money from advertisers, but most podcast creators do it out of love for the featured topic.

While video podcasts are gaining popularity, it’s unlikely they’ll ever be as popular as their audio counterparts. Video requires more time and energy to both create and consume.

Audio podcasts are popular among commuters and office workers who listen pas-

that smile.” Which produces smiles on the faces around me.

Are they secretly jealous of my rebelliousness? Are they genuinely glad that my arches never scream at me anymore? Are they making a mental note to buy stock in sandal manufacturers?

Doesn’t matter. I’ve cast my lot. Shoes and I are done. My tootsies thank me every day.

Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

Trees

From page 1

Teaching kids about nature

During his years as a teacher-principal in Trappe, Maryland, Howard built an “outdoor classroom” with his students. Every Friday, they’d clear brush and build a semicircle of seats in the woods.

Nature can inspire every student, Howard found. “When we were out there working on the outdoor classroom, the socalled ‘problem kids’ were no problem at all. The kids were just real gung-ho doing that sort of thing,” he said.

A few years later, Howard moved to Montgomery County and took a job as the principal of Four Corners Elementary School. When a teacher asked him for permission to create a nature trail near the school, Howard was enthusiastic.

“I said, ‘Yeah, that sounds like a great idea,’ because I had done very same thing down in Trappe.”

Then, Howard researched other outdoor education programs and found a piece of land where kids could go for a week-long overnight trip in Frederick, Maryland. “It was like a five-day field trip,” he said.

The experiment took off. Today, every sixth grader in Montgomery County Public Schools takes a three-day overnight trip to a wilderness lodge near Frederick, where they hike, explore, play predator-

prey games and learn about nature.

In October, the county will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the program, which has become a highlight of many students’ school years.

One boy wrote a letter home about the pond, hikes and stargazing, Howard recalled. “He wrote, ‘We’re learning a lot, and that’s how they trick you. They teach you and you don’t know it.’ I thought, that’s kind of the way to do it, right?” Howard said.

Between kindergarten and 12th grade, students also take day trips to the Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center in Rockville, which Howard helped establish. (He also happened to meet the woman who became his wife there.)

Howard eventually left his principal job and began working full-time as the first director of the school system’s outdoor ed program.

He started working for the Montgomery County Forestry Board, an advocacy and conservation group, in 1978. Although he retired from full-time work there in 1989, he launched the county’s champion tree program, overseen by the forestry board. He remains an active member of the board.

“I’ve never had any special ability. But the thing I have, as I look back — I’ve always been able to get capable people” to complete a project, he said.

Big tree tours

Botanist Carole Bergmann, a retired for-

est ecologist for the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission, is an old friend of Howard’s.

“We met in a forest about 30 years ago,” she recalled. “I was out in the woods at Rock Creek Park, and he was there picking up trash. That’s a Joe thing — he was out there, in his free time, picking up trash.

“He’s the kind of person who says, ‘Hello!’ and ‘What are you doing here in the woods?’”

Bergmann has long teamed up with Howard for the Big Tree Tours, which always sell out early.

The tours are run by Conservation Montgomery. The group also bestows an annual award to a local environmental advocate, and it’s named after Joe Howard.

“We adore him. He’s a sage,” said Caren Madsen, chair of the board. “He’s one of our tribal elders — witty, knowledgeable.”

Everyone who takes one of Howard’s tours absorbs his passion for the mammoths of the forest.

“I went on a walking tour with him a year ago along the Potomac, and he showed us a state champion sycamore.” recalled Kit Gage, advocacy director and former president of Friends of Sligo Creek.

“You just kind of stand there in the presence of this tree and marvel at it. We all went up and touched it and held it.

“[Howard] is incredibly knowledgeable and the sweetest guy. He’s really a messenger for the importance of trees in the county.”

The next generation of champions

Of course, mature trees eventually pass away.

When the famous 300-year-old Linden Oak in Bethesda was cut down last month, the Washington Post published a photo of the huge white oak. Howard was standing next to it in the photo: a tiny speck next to its massive trunk.

But for all his experience beside champion trees, Howard is also an enthusiast for planting the next generation. After all, he said, “The only way you get big trees is by planting little trees.”

How many saplings has Howard planted in his lifetime? “Personally, I’ve just planted hundreds of trees,” he said modestly.

But, he noted, his students have planted hundreds, if not thousands. Together, they turned 10 acres of meadowland near the Smith Center into mature woods.

These days, Howard is likely to be outdoors — biking, walking in the woods, or visiting the county’s champion trees he’s known all his life.

“They’re like old friends,” he said. “I look forward to coming back and seeing them.”

For a list of all the champion trees in Montgomery County, Maryland, including the publicly accessible ones, visit mcmdforestryboard.org/champion-trees. To sign up for a Big Tree Tour, email info@conservationmontgomery.org.

personsmustattendandcompletepresentationtogether.ParticipantsmusthaveaphotoIDandbelegallyabletoenterintoacontract.Thefollowingpersonsarenoteligibleforthisoffer:employeesofCompanyoraffiliatedcompaniesorentities,theirimmediatefamilymembers,previousparticipantsinaCompanyin-homeconsultationwithinthepast12monthsandallcurrentandformer Companycustomers.Giftmaynotbeextended,transferred,orsubstitutedexceptthatCompanymaysubstituteagiftofequalorgreatervalueifitdeemsitnecessary.GiftcardwillbemailedtotheparticipantviafirstclassUnitedStatesMailwithin10daysofreceiptofthepromotionform.Notvalidin conjunctionwithanyotherpromotionordiscountofanykind.Offernotsponsoredand issubjecttochangewithoutnoticepriortoreservation.OffernotavailableinthestatesofCA,IN,PAandMI.ExceptinthestatesofMD,NYandDC,where thegiftcardofferislimitedto$25.Expires8/31/22.

Scrabble answers on p. 47.

Crossword Puzzle

Summer Smashes By Stephen Sherr

Across

1. A group of waterfowl (or one watercraft)

5. Hot chocolate holders

9. White elephant party swaps

14. Last worker on a birthday cake

15. 57,600 square feet (on a football field)

16. Weapon on a Valentine’s Day card

17. Summer smash of 1993

19. First lady between Hillary and Michelle

20. Napoleon’s home for nine months

21. Used To Be My Girl

23. Suffix for sex- and symbol-

24. Mesozoic, maybe

26. “Wait; I think I got it now”

27. At the summit of

28. Summer smash of 1983

33. It may uncoil from “SPA” or “PAS”

34. Compete in the giant slalom

35. Prepare to use a cookie sheet

38. Stripped of curse words

41. Protest sign verb 43. Jamborees

44. Accentuated by highlighter, most likely 46. ___ Been Working on the Railroad

48. Matisse piece

49. Summer smash of 1973

53. Subject of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

55. Dir. along I-5 from Sacramento to Los Angeles

56. Extreme, politically 57. Game with 112 cards

58. Suffix with of twenti- and thirti59. US belt, generally north of the bible belt 62. Spurns 64. Summer smash of 1963 69. Albacore and bluefin 70. ___ Too Proud to Beg 71. 1969 crewmate of “Buzz” and Michael 72. Walk like a crab 73. Hornets’ home 74. Common wildcards in video poker

3. ___ like a million bucks

4. Game show host with all the answers

5. Between Avril and Juin, in Paris

6. The most accessed one in 2022 was google.com

7. Hair goo

8. Greets, casually

9. Between “strong breeze” and “storm” on the Beaufort scale

10. Subject of IRS form 5498

11. Picnic staple

12. Canvas for large tattoos

13. Type of wetlands

18. Mindful of stranger danger

22. Install a chandelier

25. Some are “six pack”

26. Harebrained

27. Between ports

28. Like Cinemax’s “After Dark” schedule

29. Johnny Depp bought one after filming in the Caribbean

30. Completely captivated

31. Smaller cousin of a cello

32. Unit or work

36. Delhi dress

37. Barcelona, relative to Madrid

39. Came down to earth

40. Natl. Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month

42. Format to store 17, 28, 49, or 64 Across

45. Mae, who said “I generally avoid temptation, unless I can’t resist it”

47. ___ on the Shelf

50. Refuse receptacle

51. US Marshal Virgil, or his brother, Wyatt

52. School skipper

53. Uses a Swiffer

54. Listlessness

58. In ___ (actually)

60. Gumbo or goulash

61. The Doors, after Jim Morrison’s death

63. AL East foe of BOS and TOR

65. Stretch the truth

66. “Nonconventional” has five

67. Baseball Hall of Famer, Mel

68. Presidential candidates Gore and Sharpton

Podcasts

From page 42

sively. Video podcasts can be more informative and offer a richer media experience, but if commuting, you might hit the car in front of you should the episode be too engaging.

The most common way to listen to podcasts is via an app, such as the “Podcast App” on your iPhone, “Google Podcasts” on your Android smartphone, Spotify, TuneIn and Stitcher.

Each of these free apps allows you to sample and subscribe to any of the thousands of podcasts available.

This article was originally published in the Beacon Senior News of Western Colorado. Reprinted with permission.

Popular podcasts to get you started

Rabbit Hole: A podcast produced by the New York Times about how the internet impacts our lives.

RadioLab : Produced by WYNC public radio, this is probably the highest production-value podcast available. I highly recommend the episode about how Native Americans became a symbol for sportsmanship in American football.

Serial: If you like true crime documentaries, this is the podcast for you.

StartUp: Each season of this debut podcast for Gimlet Media. covers the real-time development of a business startup.

Start With This: In this podcast, each episode ends with two assignments to spur creativity.

—Adam Cochran

Letters to editor

From page 2

Dear Editor:

Silver Spring Village has been named nonprofit of the year by the Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce. Hope you might consider announcing this in the Beacon! I look forward to each issue, always finding nuggets of value.

Carolyn Lauer Silver Spring, MD

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

Dear Editor:

I greatly enjoyed your publisher’s July editorial about acquiring a green thumb later in life, which illustrates the maxim, “If at first you don’t succeed…”

As we age, our earlier eating habits catch up with us in the form of diabetes, heart disease, various cancers, and other threats and

annoyances. So, if at first we failed in our dietary endeavors, we can now succeed.

At 74, I’ve been vegan for eons, but all around me I find other seniors catching on to the news that oat milk beats dairy, and that cutting out all meat, including chicken and fish, opens up a new way of eating as well as our arteries.

Ingrid Newkirk Washington, DC

BEACON BITS

Aug. 19

Dear Editor:

From time to time, I pick up a copy of the Beacon at my Montgomery County public library branch.

Glad I did in June. Great “From the Publisher” by Stuart Rosenthal. “Layers of Reality” was a good read. Please keep up the good work.

Ed Glabus

Via email

FREE CONCERT IN OLD TOWN

Enjoy a concert where American music meets Bohemian Folk in this free collaboration between Anna Matijasic Hennessy and Mary-Victoria Voutsas. The performance starts at 2 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 19 at 201 Prince St., Alexandria, VA. For more information, go to visitalexandria.com/events and search for “afternoon chamber concert.”

Classifieds cont. from page 46.

CD, DVD OR BOOK COLLECTIONS WANTED. House calls possible. Call Nelson at 240 472 4615. Thank you.

I BUY OLD GUNS (Military/Civilian) and MILITARY MEDALS, uniforms, insignia, books & more from the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam to present. I have a Federal Firearms License to purchase firearms from estates and individuals. Located in MD -but will travel. I also buy West Point & Naval Academy memorabilia and items from Generals and Admirals. Client testimonials on my website: www.midatlanticmilitaryantiques.com Call, email or text. Tim Frank 703447-7243 historian1975@gmail.com

PAYING CASH FOR MERCHANDISE pre 1980s. Old toys, records, chess sets, old fishing lures pre 1970s, Asian pottery. If you have old stuff to sell, call Carl 312-316-7553. Location Silver Spring.

LOOKING TO PURCHASE QUALITY BRIC-A-BRAC and smalls. I collect Royal Copenhagen, Herend, Shelley, English bone China cups and saucers and antique Christmas and Halloween decorations. Have recently changed my look a little and developed an interest in Midcentury pottery and glass and Chinese antiques. Need to clean out a house in a hurry? I may be able to help. Please call Susan (301) 785-1129.

The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Obituaries; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on page 47.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment.

EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS:

We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

Caregivers

A CARE AGENCY - Been in business for more than 10 years. Experienced nurses, CNAs, GNAs. Any hours you need. Flat rate for live-in. Duties include cooking, housekeeping, bathing, errands, etc. Tel: 667-231-8235

MOBILE HAIR & NAIL SERVICES - WE COME TO YOU. Professional Licensed Hair Stylist. Women and Men’s Services - All Hair Types. Cuts, Styles, Roller Sets, Color, Perms, Men’s Cuts & Facial Grooming, Manicures & more. Call 301-338-8251 for info.

IS IT POSSIBLE? Are there professional caregivers out there that REALLY care about your personal needs? Try MorningStar Health Systems! We provide compassionate caregivers that will assist you (or your loved one) with various daily activities including: housekeeping, medication reminders, grocery shopping, medical appointments, laundry tasks, etc. Go to www.morningstarhealthsys.com or contact us for more info at 240-424-5683 or 202-539-7274. We look forward to providing your gracious service!

COMPASSIONATE HOME CARE COMPANION - 20+ years experience, available part time serving Montgomery County, A+ references. Please call Sadie (240) 522-9591

HOME HEALTHCARE- Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in care. 15 years’ experience. 2405336599

PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call David G. at: 3013282112 / 3016424526

LICENSED CPA FOR 36 YEARS, reasonable rates, all types of returns. Located in Gaithersburg, MD near Quince Orchard Rd and Great Seneca Hwy. DIANE CHRISTEN CPA; 240-355-1135 cell; dianechristen@aol.com.

PUT ON YOUR TV EARS and hear TV with unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original were originally $129.95 - NOW WITH THIS SPECIAL OFFER are only $59.95 with code MCB59! Call 1-833-934-0843.

TWO CEMETERY PLOTS AT NATIONAL

MEMORIAL PARK, Falls Church, VA. Retails for $6,495 each. Will sell for $1,995 each OBO. Transfer fee to be paid by buyer, but the fee is waived if vault, etc purchased from the park. Contact David at (336) 508-6648

NATIONAL MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY. 4 choice burial sites in desirable block BB. Near George Washington Gardens North. Currently sell for $6995/ea Asking $3495/ea. or $12,000 for all 4. Located in Falls Church. Call or text Gail @ 541-698-0473

BURIAL PLOT FOR SALE. NATIONAL

MEMORIAL PARK on Lee Hwy in Falls Church, Va. TWO Choice Sites / desirable “Garden of the Last Supper”. Double Depth A&B Sites/ Reg $16,995 for both. Sale: $9,995 for both. Contact Jeff at jpolucci@mieleusa.com. I will call you to discuss when I get your email.

NATIONAL MEMORIAL PARK-FALLS

CHURCH. Two choice burial sites in desirable Block M, Regular price $8995, sale price $7000 OBO. One burial site in Block D, Regular Price $6995, sale price $2995 OBO. Contact Catherine Capotosto @ 240-508-6858

2 INTERMENT RIGHT(S) 1 space 2 Rights

Level A & B. 1 Bronze Memorial (24 x 14) with Granite Foundation. Block 28, area B, unit B895. Cost: $15,000.00 or best offer. Contact Info: William A Smith, Jr. Cell: 301-254-1687. Cell: 301-839-6009. Parklawn Memorial Park, 12800 Viers Mill Rd. Rockville, Md. 20851

PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES

TODAY with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-301-960-3174.

OWN A CONDO ON THE BEACH FOR UNDER $90,000. We are selling two efficiencies (sleep 4) In the Surf Club Hotel in Dewey Beach, Del. (surfclubhotel.com). Room 205 is 380 sq ft , and directly faces the beach/ocean; and rm 111 is 480sq ft and faces the beach at an angle. Fractional ownership: you would own the condo one week every month. Positive cash flow if you choose to let paying guests stay there. $89K for 205, $79K for 111. Contact Stuart at 301-9435153, or Laurie at 301-814-4507.

PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR

May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949.

STROKE AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection! Contact Life Line Screening to schedule your screening. Special offer5 screenings for just $149. Call 1-844-485-7035.

NEW HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMPANY is taking the world by Storm to No. 1 Status. Amazing Life-Changing High Quality Products. Incredible Club Discount prices. No Auto-Ship, Nor Monthly Minimums. 90-Day Guarantee. So if you’re looking to help in managing health matters such as: pain, circulation, sexual health, Immunol, blood sugar, sleep, and more without spending a fortune; then look no further... This is a MUST SEE! Exceptional Products! - $$ Too! Take a Free six-minute Tour. LiveToLiveGood.com

THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS for as little as $149/month! BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Limited Time Offer - FREE virtual in-home consultation now and SAVE 15%! Call Today! 1-855-653-0087.

SLOWING DOWN AFTER 41 YEARS OF CONTRACTING. Small to medium jobs mainly residential but will do some commercial. Will work all over DC area. $45.00 an hour from arrival on job. Andy 703-906-5429

DOWNSIZING OR LIQUIDATING AN ESTATE? Doing it yourself? DON’T THROW YOUR MONEY AWAY! Our easy process determines what to keep, gift, sell, donate, or discard. Services include: estate liquidation, downsizing, whole house clean-outs; emptying storage units, junk removal, and estate sales. We buy estates, vehicles, and real estate. Call/text Philip at 301-219-3600 or visit DownsizingSpecialists.com for more information. One person’s trash is another persona’s treasure, and we know the difference!

SAFE STEP. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-866-478-2363.

CONTINENTAL MOVERS. Local long distance moving services. 25 years in the business. $90 x two men plus driving time applied. Free boxes included. 202-438-1489 / 301-340-0602. Cmora53607@msn.com. Www.continentalmovers.net

DON’T LET THE STAIRS LIMIT YOUR MOBILITY! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1866-365-5170.

APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY or Appealing a Denied Claim?

Call Bill Gordon & Assoc. Our case managers simplify the process & work hard to help with your case. Call 1-866-970-0779 FREE Consultation. Local Attorneys Nationwide [Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar.)]

DIRECTV. New 2-Year Price Guarantee. The most live MLB games this season, 200+ channels and over 45,000 on-demand titles. $84.99/mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1888-572-4953.

DISH NETWORK: Only from Dish- 3 year TV Price Guarantee! 99% Signal Reliability, backed by guarantee. Includes Multi-Sport with NFL Redzone. Switch and Get a FREE $100 Gift Card. Call today! 1-844-560-5837.

WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, UKULELES. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack (301) 279-2158, leave message & phone number (please speak slowly).

CASH FOR JEWELRY: Buying jewelry, diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, watches, coins, flatware, etc. Ask for Tom. Call anytime, 301654-8678 (Reg. 883).

COLLECTOR BUYING MILITARY

ITEMS: helmets, antique weapons, knives, swords, web gear, uniforms, WW2 jeep parts, etc. from all wars and countries. also slots/pinball/jukeboxes and all coin op machines. Covid safe. call Fred 301-910-0783

CASH FOR JEWELRY; Gold, silver, costume. Watches, coins, turquoise, dental gold, etc. TheAtticLLC.com. Gary Roman; 301-520-0755. 18SH-004233

WILL BUY MILITARY, WWII, WWI, Civil War memorabilia items. Uniforms, weapons, helmets, photos, war souvenirs, medals, photos or any other items associated with U.S., German, Japanese or other military history. Call Dave (240-464-0958) or email (david.obal63@gmail.com).

CASH FOR ESTATES; I buy a wide range of items. Art, antiques, jewelry, cultural items, furniture, rugs, collections/accumulations. TheAtticLLC.com. Gary Roman; 301-520-0755

TOP PRICES PAID FOR FINE ANTIQUES, ARTWORK and unusual and rare things including decorated crocks and stoneware, antique clocks and music boxes, classic cars, coin operated devices, toys and dolls, furniture, lamps, art glass and pottery. I am 69 years old, well educated [ law degree ] financially capable and have over 40 years in the business. Why pay outlandish auction house, estate agent or consignment store commissions when you can get a fair upfront price for your valuables with no hassle? If you have something rare, unusual and valuable and are prepared to sell it I would like to speak with you. Please call Jake Lenihan 301 279 8834. Thank you.

UP TO $15,000.00 OF GUARANTEED

LIFE INSURANCE! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company - 866-212-1092 or visit www.Life55plus.info/beacon

WESLEY FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 855-626-8703.

ONE STEP MOBILITY - Home Mobility Equipment Sales, Service & Repair! One Step Mobility Can Help You With All Your Home Mobility Needs 24/7: Stair Lifts, Power Chairs, Scooters, Ramps & More. Please call 301-7675070 or visit: onestepmobility.com

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-844366-1003 www.dental50plus.com/320 #6258.

MOBILEHELP, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1240-650-9189.

BEGINNER PIANO LESSONS. Learn to play popular and classical pieces by ear and from music. Teacher with 40 years’ experience.

Price: $40/60 min. Home studio, 2 blocks from Cleveland Park Metro Station, DC. Call or text Neil, 202-669-2962.

SWITCH AND SAVE UP TO $250/YEAR on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. For more information, call 1-833-742-1303.

DECLUTTER, ORGANIZE, DOWNSIZE, AND OFFICE WORK — Personalized services designed for the 55 + community. Take control of your life and your home. Call Christine, Certified Senior Advisor at 301.452.5730, ccallahan@mdseniorhelp.com — visit my website - www.mdseniorhelp.com

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES/ESTATE LIQUIDATION: One call solves it all when you hire us to liquidate and clean out your home. We remove everything! We sell what can be sold (you get the money), donate what can be donated (you get the tax receipts), and haul away the trash. Don’t keep making mortgage payments or delay selling your home and making the big money because you’re wasting time with estate sales and yard sales. See a great 2.5minute explainer video in the Our Services section of www.OrionsAttic.com. No job too big, including hoarder houses. We also buy high-end collectibles of all kinds. Based in Silver Spring MD, we serve the greater DC region. Also provide appraisal services for insurance/estates. Call Chris on cell 202 731-9447.

BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 to 1990 JAZZ, ROCK, BLUES, R&B, DISCO, SOUL, REGGAE, & GOSPEL, ANY VINYL FORMAT 33 1/3 RPM Albums, small 45 RPM’s & some 78 RPM, Also CD’s, Prefer LARGER COLLECTIONS AT LEAST 100 items, PLEASE CALL JOHN 301-596-6201

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds

Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington edition).

Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad:

• $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this amount for you.

Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number.

• Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher’s discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.