December 2012 Howard County Beacon Edition

The Howard County

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Dentist is an astronomy rock star

5 0 DECEMBER 2012

I N S I D E …

PHOTO BY FRANK KLEIN

By Anne Ball The affable dentist who goes by the moniker Star Doc works with precision using delicate instruments and focusing on the minutiae of each patient’s mouth.

That’s his day job.

But at night, Dr. Joel Goodman, 59, relaxes by pulling out a telescope and searching the vastness of the night sky, occasionally cursing the “light pollution” thwarting his view.

He shares his fascination with everyone who will listen, especially youngsters and their parents who have attended his Celestial Searchers after-school classes over the past 15 years.

For that work with the after-school astronomy clubs — and for putting in more than 275 volunteer hours last year helping the new Robinson Nature Center in Columbia grow in scope, programming and reputation — Goodman was named Howard County’s Volunteer of the Year this fall.

“I am truly humbled by this recognition,” he said. “To be given an award for doing something I enjoy so much is amazing.”

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Costa Rica’s myriad natural wonders; plus, how to avoid holiday travel price gouging page 23

Sharing his love of stars The nature center’s program director, Meagan Leatherbury, nominated Goodman for the award. She cited his untiring efforts promoting the inclusion of a digital planetarium set-up at the center and, once it was established, following up with long hours on the computer programming the shows.

“He’s just amazing,” Leatherbury noted.

“He’s very passionate about his work, so giving of his time, and he puts so much enthusiasm into everything he does. And that enthusiasm is passed on to everyone who attends the programs, whether adult or youngster.”

With her nomination, she included a quote from a thank-you note she received from a second grader at Swansfield Elementary School in Columbia after a recent field trip to the nature center: “My favorite thing I learned was about the first dwarf planet …Ceres. I learned Ceres is really an asteroid, but it is called a dwarf planet. I was very happy in the planetarium and sad when I had to leave.”

And John Byrd, director of the county’s Recreation and Parks Department, likens Goodman to “a giant magnet.”

ARTS & STYLE

Dentist and astronomer Joel Goodman stands before the planetarium dome at the new Robinson Nature Center in Columbia. Goodman’s work introducing school children to the stars earned him Howard County’s Volunteer of the Year award this fall.

Dancing to the oldies with the Retro-Rockets; plus, Tom Wolfe talks about his new novel, and a fond farewell to a remarkable cat page 26

“Everyone who works with him or goes to one of his programs is hooked,” Byrd said. “He’s a rock star volunteer for the department.”

Goodman in turn acknowledges the encouragement of the late Gary Arthur, former head of the county’s Recreation and Parks Department, who had overseen the development of the center. With Arthur’s encouragement, Goodman created more than 45 original presentations for the new center’s Nature Sphere/Planetarium.

coming year with more astronomy and sky-awareness activities. And not just in the evenings — he wants to make it his full-time endeavor.

He’s planning to sell the dental practice he opened at Ten Oaks Plaza in Glenelg in 1983, but will remain with the practice as an associate. He expects to use the additional time to pursue more daytime astronomy activities at the Robinson Center and to ramp up his work with the Howard Astronomical League (HAL).

HAL is known for its monthly family-ori-

More time for astronomy Goodman is looking ahead to filling the

See ASTRONOMER, page 11

FITNESS & HEALTH 3 k Is your online pharmacy legit? k A bull market for testosterone THE SENIOR CONNECTION 16 k Howard County Office on Aging Newsletter LAW & MONEY k Today’s best investments k Test your financial literacy

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The time is ripe We’re told the need to address our fed- and converted to intra-government debt, eral budget deficit (over $14 trillion and that is, debt owed by one part of the govgrowing by $4 billion a day) ernment to the other. is about to push us over a “fisThe surplus was thus spent cal cliff” that would send us and transformed from “savback into recession or worse. ings” into a financial obligaAmong the many steps Contion. Social Security’s $2.7 trilgress is being urged to take to lion trust fund is actually a cope with this crisis is the component of the $14 trillion modification of Social Security. national debt we are faced Does one have anything to with today! do with the other?

In addition, the payroll tax Certainly not, say those reduction holiday all workers who point to the fact that So- FROM THE have benefited from for the cial Security is a self-financ- PUBLISHER past two years, part of Presiing program where current By Stuart P. Rosenthal dent Obama’s stimulus packworkers pay withholding age, has speeded up the need taxes to support current retirees. to tap the trust fund debt to make Social SeThese people also note, correctly, that curity’s ends meet. those taxes have generated $2.7 trillion in So, while the Social Security program is surplus payments over the past few not technically “at fault” for the deficit (and decades — money that is held in trust in probably should never have generated the form of Treasury bills, the world’s such huge surpluses without a system to most secure government debt. hold onto them in some way), it is wrong Aha! say the others. So you admit that to say that Social Security does not conthe so-called “trust funds” for Social Secu- tribute to the deficit. rity are simply more debt! This is also true.

Furthermore, even if the trust funds did Every year that surplus Social Security consist of cash with which to pay current taxes were paid in by workers, the extra benefits, they would still not last us funds were deposited into the General through the boomer retirement years.

Fund (where they were promptly spent) Without some adjustments, Social Security

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of Howard County, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Greater Washington, and the Coachella Valley in California.

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• Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal • Vice President, Operations........Gordon Hasenei • Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel • Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King • Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben • Graphic Designer ..............................Kyle Gregory • Advertising Representatives ........Doug Hallock,

will only be able to pay about 75 percent of promised benefits starting in 2033.

The last time Social Security was overhauled was in 1983, when the system’s trustees informed Congress that push had come to shove, and the system was about to be unable to pay current benefits.

Why did it take such a crisis to get Congress to act? There’s a reason Social Security is referred to as the third rail of politics: no politician wants to touch it. It’s a hugely popular program that has helped wipe out formerly high poverty rates among our nation’s seniors.

And that’s another reason Social Security is being addressed in the context of the fiscal cliff. It has taken this somewhat manufactured crisis to force Congress to even consider doing what it has delayed for too long, namely, getting our national house in order.

We need to live within our means as a country. Continuing to borrow more than a trillion dollars a year from foreign governments and individuals worldwide, even at ridiculously low interest rates, is not a viable long-term strategy. Eventually, the debt will need to be repaid, and the longer and faster it grows, the more pain we pass on to future generations.

It appears the American people are finally willing, even eager on some level, to tackle our huge financial problems.

It remains to be seen just how willing we are to take our medicine and how long we will tolerate the politicians who feed it to us. But for the moment, there is a brief glimmer of opportunity. So now is absolutely the best time to address all our financial problems at once.

There are a number of adjustments that can be made to Social Security to cope with the fact that the number of workers paying taxes is declining relative to the growing number of baby boom retirees (who will turn 65 at the rate of 1,000 per day for the next 18 years).

Among the most obvious solutions: raising the age at which future retirees become eligible for benefits, raising the rate of the withholding tax, raising the level of income on which the tax is paid, adjusting the cost-of-living formula, and others.

Making gradual and relatively small adjustments to all of these things would spread the pain among workers, employers and retirees over time.

Most importantly, the Social Security trustees tell us it is possible to set the system on a sustainable course while completely protecting current retirees (and workers within a decade or so of retirement) from any of these changes.

But in order to avoid hurting current retirees, Congress must act now. Kicking this can down the road for another year or ten will ensure that we will be unable to protect those already retired.

Most Beacon readers — today’s Social Security beneficiaries and those close to retiring — thus have no reason to object to responsible adjustments to the system.

The changes will not cost most of us a dime, and if you are about to say you’re fighting changes to Social Security “for my children and grandchildren,” then you’ve missed a key point.

It’s failing to adjust Social Security today that will impose unnecessary burdens on our children and grandchildren.

If we leave things as they are, our progeny will have that much larger a problem to cope with, and they will be unable to avoid bearing much of the suffering themselves.

Now — while our national mood is briefly accepting of steps to help us secure the future — is precisely the time to support changes to Social Security.

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

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

BEACON BITS

Nov. 30+

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT LAUREL MUSEUM

The Laurel Museum will host its traditional three-day holiday open house, Friday to Sunday, Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. The event will feature jewelry by local crafters and Maryland-made kitchen textiles. The museum shop will also feature hand-made toys for children, crafted by a local wood artist, and the Laurel Garden Club will offer hand-decorated wreaths. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The museum is at 817 Main St., Laurel. For more information, call (301) 725-7975 or visit www.laurelhistoricalsociety.org.

................................................ Steve Levin, Jill Joseph

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial and advertising is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 31 for classified advertising details.

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Dec. 10

CIVIL WAR VETERANS EXPLORED IN LIBRARY PROGRAM

Maryland’s Union and Confederate veterans’ organizations, and the last joint reunion, held in Gettysburg in 1938, will be the subject of a presentation by Dan Toome, 7 to 8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 10, at the Miller Branch of the Howard County Public Libraries. The branch is at 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. For more information, call (410) 313-1950.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2

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Health Fitness &

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HIGH HYPE FOR LOW-T Testosterone is being mass marketed to older men, but is it necessary?

DRY EYE DISTRESS Avoid low humidity and certain medicines to help alleviate dry eyes MORE MEDICARE AT HOME People in rehab will be able to receive Medicare services longer ARE YOU ANEMIC? Johns Hopkins is looking for older adults with anemia for several studies

FDA warns of risks of online pharmacies

By Linda A. Johnson The Food and Drug Administration is warning U.S. consumers that the vast majority of Internet pharmacies are fraudulent and likely are selling counterfeit drugs that could harm them.

The agency has launched a national campaign, called BeSafeRx, to alert the public to the danger, amid evidence that more people are shopping for their medicine online, looking for savings and convenience.

Instead, they’re likely to get fake drugs that are contaminated, are past their expiration date, or contain no active ingredient, the wrong amount of active ingredient, or even toxic substances such as arsenic and rat poison.

Such drugs could sicken or kill people, cause them to develop a resistance to their real medicine, cause new side effects, or trigger harmful interactions with other medications being taken.

“Our goal is to increase awareness,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said, “not to scare people away from online pharmacies. We want them to use appropriate pharmacies.”

Which ones are legitimate?

That means pharmacies that are located in the U.S., are licensed by the pharmacy board in the patient’s state, and have a licensed pharmacist available to answer questions.

In addition, the pharmacy must require a valid doctor’s prescription for the medicine. Online drugstores that claim none is needed, or that the site’s doctor can write a prescription after the customer answers some questions, are breaking the law.

Research by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, which represents state pharmacy boards, found that of thousands of online pharmacies it reviewed, only about 3 percent follow state and federal laws. In fact, the group’s website lists only a few dozen Internet pharmacies that it has verified are legitimate and following the rules.

Most consumers don’t know that. An Internet survey, conducted by the FDA in May, questioned 6,090 adults. It found that nearly one in four Internet shoppers has bought prescription drugs online, and nearly three in 10 said they weren’t confident they could do so safely.

The campaign comes after some high-

profile cases of counterfeit drugs reaching American patients earlier this year from their own doctors.

In February and again in April, the FDA warned doctors and cancer clinics around the country that it had determined they had bought fake Avastin — a pricey injectable cancer medicine, from a “gray market” wholesaler. The fake Avastin vials originated in Asia or Eastern Europe and were transferred through a network of shady wholesalers before being sold to clinics by a wholesaler claiming to be in Montana.

In another case, the FDA issued a warning in May after learning consumers shopping on the Internet had bought fake versions of generic Adderall, a popular medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

No deaths or serious injuries have been linked to those fakes, but Hamburg notes that when drugs don’t help patients get better, doctors usually blame the disease or assume a different medicine is needed.

That means most fakes aren’t detected.

How to spot the fakes So the FDA, which has put increasing

focus on the counterfeiting problem, launched a website, www.FDA.gov/BeSafeRx, that shows consumers how to determine if an online pharmacy is safe.

It includes tips on how to spot illegal pharmacies, links to state databases of licensed pharmacies, and explanations of all the dangers of rogue pharmacies.

Besides likely getting fake drugs, dangers include the risk that they will infect your computer with viruses, sell your personal and financial information to other rogue websites and Internet scammers, or charge you for products you never ordered or received.

Many rogue pharmacies claim to be in Canada — because Americans know medicines are cheaper there and assume that’s why they’re getting a deal. Many fraudulent sites even put the word Canada in their name, or display the Canadian flag prominently on the site.

Their web storefronts are slick and look professional. And they all offer prices that are unbelievably low. “If the low prices seem too good to be true, they probably are,” Hamburg said.

— AP

Ten ways to reduce chronic inflammation

By Holly Pevzner Chronic inflammation plays a significant role (as either a cause or effect) in many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, and the three top killers in the United States: heart disease, cancer and stroke. And emerging research is focusing on the link between inflammation and brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The good news is that diet, exercise and lifestyle changes can be powerful tools against inflammation. Here are 10 ways you can help stave off — or tamp down — inflammation: 1. Balance your omega fats. Americans are gorging on too many inflammation-promoting omega-6 fats (found in vegetable oils, such as sunflower and corn, and processed and fast food made with them) and not consuming nearly enough inflammation-soothing omega-3 fats (found in salmon, tuna, flaxseeds, walnuts,

canola and olive oils). In short: a diet high in omega-6s and low in omega-3s increases inflammation in the body, said Chilton.

To better balance your omega fats, opt for as much fresh, unprocessed food as possible, swap your omega-6-rich corn or sunflower oil for omega-3-packed canola, and load your plate with omega-3-rich foods.

If it proves difficult to get the recommended 1 to 4 grams of omega-3s daily through food (3 ounces of salmon delivers about 2 grams, 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed has 3 grams), ask your doctor about taking a supplement.

A 2011 Ohio State University study found that taking fish-oil pills daily (at a dosage of 2.5 grams/day of omega-3s) reduced stress-related production of interleukin-6, a prominent inflammatory marker, by 14 percent.

2. Get your om on. A 2010 study in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that women who had regularly practiced 75 to

90 minutes of Hatha yoga twice-weekly for at least two years had markedly lower levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP), two key inflammatory markers, compared to those who were new to yoga or practiced less frequently.

“A central tenet of yoga is that practicing can reduce stress responses,” explained Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, Ph.D., study co-author and professor of psychiatry and psychology at the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at Ohio State University College of Medicine. Researchers think that yoga’s benefit is that it minimizes stress-related physiological changes.

3. Up your soy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has indicated that eating 25 grams of soy protein daily helps reduce your risk of inflammation-driven cardiovascular disease. But according to two 2009 studies, even as little as half that may be helpful.

“We saw a reduction in inflammation after drinking just two [12-ounce] glasses

of soymilk a day for three months,” said study co-author Elvira de Mejia, Ph.D., associate professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois at Urbana.

Apparently, lunasin, a peptide found in soymilk and tofu, in combination with other soy proteins, can quell inflammation.

(If you have a hormone-sensitive condition, such as breast cancer or endometriosis, check with your doctor before increasing the amount of soy in your diet.)

4. Enjoy a massage. A massage isn’t just a treat — it can be part of staying healthy. Receiving a 45-minute Swedish massage can greatly lower levels of two key inflammation-promoting hormones, according to a study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

“Massage may decrease inflammatory substances by [appropriately] increasing the amount of disease-fighting white blood cells in the body,” said Dr. Mark Hyman See INFLAMMATION, page 4

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Inflammation From page 3 Rapaport, M.D., co-author of the study. “It may also lower stress hormones. Either way, these inflammation-lowering results can be seen after just one massage.”

5. Limit bad fats. The famed Nurses’ Health Study out of Harvard University (well known as one of the largest and longest-running investigations into women’s health) found that trans-fatty acids are linked to a significant bump in total body inflammation, especially in overweight women. Trans fats can be found in items including fried foods, packaged cookies, crackers, margarines and more.

And buyer beware. “Even if a food label reads 0 grams trans fats, it can still contain less than 0.5 gram per serving, so if you eat multiple servings, you could be eating a few grams,” warned Erin Palinski, R.D., C.D.E. Instead, check the ingredient list for

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

partially hydrogenated oil. If you see this, the product contains trans fats. While you’re trimming the fat, cut back on the saturated variety, as well, replacing butter with olive oil and being choosy about your protein sources.

6. Eat your greens. Here’s yet another reason not to skimp on green leafy vegetables, whole grains and nuts: they are all rich in magnesium, a mineral that about 60 percent of us don’t consume enough of.

“I encourage anyone who’s susceptible to inflammation to assess their magnesium intake,” said Forrest H. Nielsen, Ph.D., a research nutritionist at the USDA’s Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota. (Ask your doctor to check your magnesium levels with a blood test.)

“There’s a lot of evidence that people with high inflammatory markers often have low magnesium levels. Plus, people who have conditions associated with inflammation, like heart disease and dia-

betes, also tend to have low magnesium levels,” Nielsen said. [See “Most of us don’t get enough magnesium,” on page 15.]

7. Keep stress at bay. Frequently frazzled? You may be opening the door to inflammation. A recent study in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity found that people who have a strong emotional reaction to stressful tasks (you bite your nails when you have to make a presentation at work or get tense when someone presses your buttons) experience a greater increase in circulating interleukin-6 during times of stress than those who take stressful tasks in stride.

While stress harms your body in many ways, Cannon puts it like this: “Stress increases blood pressure and heart rate, making your blood vessels work harder.

Essentially, you’re pounding on them more often and creating damage. If that damage happens over and over, inflammation persists.”

8. Sleep more. If you’re not clocking at

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least 6 hours of restful sleep a night, you’re more susceptible to inflammation than those who have a solid night of slumber, according to research presented at the American Heart Association 2010 Scientific Sessions in Chicago. Getting less than 6 hours of sleep was linked to significantly increased levels of three key inflammatory markers — interleukin-6, CRP and fibrinogen.

9. Exercise often. Losing excess weight via exercise (or eating better) is a great way to lower inflammation. Working out, however, can lower inflammation even if you don’t drop one single pound. The reason? Exercising at about 60 percent to 80 percent of your maximum heart rate — think brisk walking where you can still talk but it would be difficult to carry on a conversation — lowers levels of the key inflammation marker CRP, Chilton said.

10. Drink green tea. Even if coffee is your beverage of choice, you might not want to bag tea altogether — especially the green variety. Green tea is full of potent antioxidants that help quell inflammation. In fact, researchers from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock recently found that green tea can inhibit oxidative stress and the potential inflammation that may result from it.

EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com. © 2012 EatingWell, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 29

STOP SMOKING PROGRAM

The Howard County General Hospital Wellness Center will offer a free support and education program on successfully giving up a tobacco habit, 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 29. Tips for quitting and mastering long-term success will the focus of the presentation, which is designed for individuals wanting to quit and those who already have. The center is at 10710 Charter Dr., Suite 100, Columbia. For registration or more information, call (410) 7407601 or visit www.hcgh.org.

Ongoing

CALLING PARKINSON’S PATIENTS TO DANCE

Dance has been shown to improve balance, gait and mood in those with Parkinson’s disease. Vantage House offers a free program to seniors with Parkinson’s and their care partners from 2 to 3 p.m. every Thursday.

Vantage House is at 5400 Vantage Point Rd., Columbia. For enrollment and more information, call Megan Wallnofer (410) 992-1691 or visit www.vantagehousepd.eventbrite.com.

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I N F O R M AT I O N F R E E ★ I N F O R M AT I O N F R E E

Housing Communities ❏ Alta at Regency Crest (see ads on pages 7 and 13) ❏ Brooke Grove (see ads on pages 16/17 and 32) ❏ Heartlands (see ad on page 20) ❏ Homecrest House (see ad on page 21) ❏ Morningside House Ellicott City (see ad on page 4) ❏ Park View at Colonial Landing (see ad on page 27) ❏ Park View at Columbia (see ad on page 27) ❏ Park View at Ellicott City (see ad on page 27) ❏ Park View at Snowden River (see ad on page 27)

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

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❏ Shriner Court (see ad on page 6) ❏ Somerford Place (see ad on page 9)

Health Study Volunteers ❏ Anemia Studies (see article on page 12) ❏ Falls Prevention Study (see ad on page 12)

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Just like age-defying baby boomers, older adults have seen a surge in knee replacement surgeries, driven partly by a desire to

Consumer group sues over safety of Alzheimer’s drug

See HEALTH SHORTS, page 6

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Knee replacements soar among older adults

about the high-dose risks on two lower doses, 5 and 10 milligrams. The low doses are available under both the Aricept brand, made by Japan’s Eisai Co. Ltd., and as inexpensive generic pills.

The FDA has yet to act.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, asks the court to declare the FDA’s failure to act unlawful and to order the agency to decide within 30 days of the court’s ruling whether to approve Public Citizen’s request. The suit also seeks attorneys’ fees.

Marcia Diljak, a spokeswoman at drug company Eisai Inc. of Woodcliff Lake, N.J., said the company was aware of the complaint filed against the FDA but won’t comment on the litigation.

“We stand by the FDA’s decision” to approve high-dose Aricept as a safe, effective

F R E E

If there weren’t enough good reasons to exercise, here’s another one: A new study finds that exercise improves memory and reduces the risk for cognitive decline as we get older.

The study included 86 women ages 70 to 80, some of whom had mild cognitive impairment — a loss of memory and mental function that often precedes Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The women were randomly assigned to do resistance training, aerobics, or balance and toning exercises twice a week.

After six months, 77 women remained in the study. Women in the resistance-training group performed much better on tests of attention, conflict resolution and memory than those in the balance and toning group, according to results published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The aerobic training group didn’t see as much of an improvement in mental function, although their physical function did improve.

This study suggests that firming your muscles can also tone up your mind. Before starting any resistance training program, check with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you to exercise.

— Harvard Women’s Health Watch

and Drug Administration to remove the highest dose of an Alzheimer’s disease drug from the market is suing the agency for what it calls “foot-dragging.”

Public Citizen said that the FDA’s own medical and statistical reviewers found that high-dose Aricept doesn’t work better at controlling symptoms of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s than two lower dose levels.

However, the group said the high dose has more dangerous, potentially deadly, side effects including vomiting, which in Alzheimer’s patients “can lead to pneumonia, massive gastrointestinal bleeding, esophageal rupture or death.” Other side effects more common at the high dose are nausea, diarrhea, anorexia and confusion.

Public Citizen filed a petition in May 2011 with the FDA. The group urged the agency to halt sales of the 23-milligram dose of Aricept and put safety warnings

12/12 HC

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Exercise is good for your memory

stay active and by joint-damaging obesity.

The findings are in a study of more than 3 million Medicare patients, 65 and older, who got artificial knees from 1991 through 2010.

Almost 10 percent of the operations were redos — replacing worn-out artificial joints.

The number of initial knee-replacement surgeries each year on these older patients more than doubled during that time, rising to nearly 244,000 in 2010. Patients were in their mid-70s on average when they had surgery.

The aging population and rising numbers of Medicare enrollees contributed to the increase. But the per capita rate also increased, from about 3 surgeries per 10,000 enrollees in 1991 to 5 per 10,000 in 2010.

“There’s a huge percentage of older adults who are living longer and want to be active,” and knee replacement surgery is very effective, said lead author Dr. Peter Cram, an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Iowa.

The pace of growth slowed in more recent years — possibly because increasing numbers of younger adults have also been getting artificial knees, which typically last 15 to 20 years. The troubled economy may also have slowed demand for an operation that costs about $15,000, the study authors said.

About 600,000 knee replacement surgeries are done each year nationwide on adults of all ages, costing a total of $9 billion, the authors said. A journal editorial said measures are needed to control costs of these operations, noting that demand has been projected to rise to as many as almost 4 million knee operations annually by 2030.

— AP

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Testosterone mass marketed to older men

By Matthew Perrone “Are you falling asleep after dinner?”

“Do you have a decrease in libido?”

“Have you noticed a recent deterioration in your ability to play sports?”

“It could be Low-T.” Welcome to the latest big marketing push by the nation’s drug companies. In

this case, it’s a web page for Abbott Laboratories’ Androgel — a billion-dollar selling testosterone gel used by millions of American men struggling with the symptoms of growing older that are associated with low testosterone, such as poor sex drive, weight gain and fatigue.

Androgel is one of a growing number of

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prescription gels, patches and injections aimed at boosting the male hormone that begins to decline after about age 40. Drugmakers and some doctors claim testosterone therapy can reverse some of the signs of aging — even though the safety and effectiveness of such treatments is unclear.

“The problem is that we don’t have any evidence that prescribing testosterone to older men with relatively low testosterone levels does any good,” said Dr. Sergei Romashkan, who oversees clinical trials for the National Institute on Aging, a part of the National Institutes of Health conglomerate of research centers.

Normal? Or a condition to treat?

Low testosterone is the latest example of a once-natural part of getting old that has become a target for medical treatment.

Bladder problems, brittle bones and hot flashes have followed a similar path — from inconvenient facts of life, to ailments that can be treated with drugs.

The rise of such therapies is being fueled by both demographics and industry marketing. Baby boomers are living longer and looking for ways to deal with the infirmities of old age: Life expectancy in the U.S. today is 78 years, up from 69 years a half-century ago.

And so companies have stepped up their marketing to the older crowd: Spending on print and television ads promoting testosterone by firms like Abbott and Eli Lilly has risen more than 170 percent in the last three

Health shorts From page 5 Alzheimer’s treatment, she wrote in an email.

According to Public Citizen, Eisai

years to more than $14 million in 2011, according to advertising tracker Kantar Media.

Doctors say that’s led to an increase in men seeking treatment for low testosterone. Prescriptions for the hormone have increased nearly 90 percent over the last five years, according to IMS Health.

Last year, global sales reached $1.9 billion.

Former marathon runner Damon Lease, 50, had been complaining of low energy and depression, for which his doctor prescribed a combination of four psychiatric drugs. But since he started taking twice-aweek testosterone injections in May, he said he’s been able to stop taking two of those medications and hopes to eliminate them completely. He said he has more energy, improved mood and concentration.

“I spent 27 years running long distances, I like biking, I like hiking, and I guess every guy wants to have an active sex life ... I want to keep doing those things as long as I can,” said Lease, who works as a software company executive. “I feel 20 years younger.”

Despite its rising popularity, testosterone therapy is not completely new. Testosterone injections were long used for men with hypogonadism, a disorder defined by low testosterone caused by injury or infection to the reproductive or hormonal organs.

But the latest marketing push by drugmakers is for easy-to-use gels and patches that are aimed at a much broader populaSee TESTOSTERONE, page 7

sought approval of the higher Aricept dose ahead of the November 2010 expiration of the patents for the two low doses. The ensuing generic competition would have slashed their sales.

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Testosterone From page 6 tion of otherwise healthy older men with low testosterone, or androgen deficiency.

The condition is associated with a broad range of unpleasant symptoms ranging from insomnia to depression to erectile dysfunction. Drug companies peg this group at about 15 million American men, though federal scientists do not use such estimates.

Watson Pharmaceuticals now markets its Androderm patch, which slowly releases testosterone into the bloodstream. Abbott has its gel that can be applied to the shoulders and arms. And Eli Lilly’s Axiron is an underarm gel that rolls on like deodorant. Androderm, launched last year, had $87 million in sales, and Axiron, which was launched in 2010, had sales of $48 million last year.

“All of a sudden you’ve got these big players with a lot of money using consumer-directed marketing to change the landscape,” said Dr. Natan Bar-Chama, a male reproductive specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. “They see the potential, they see the market growth annually and it’s very impressive.”

rently conducting an 800-man trial to definitively answer whether testosterone therapy improves walking ability, sexual function, energy, memory and blood cell count in men 65 years and older. But those results aren’t expected until 2014.

Side effects and serious risks In addition to concerns about testosterone’s effectiveness, the long-term side effects of the hormone are not entirely understood because most trials to date have only followed patients for a few months.

But the most serious risks include heart problems and prostate cancer.

In 2010, researchers at Boston University’s school of medicine halted a large study of testosterone in senior men because patients taking the hormone were five times more likely to suffer a serious heart event, including congestive heart failure, than those taking placebo.

And a review of 19 testosterone trials in 2006 found that prostate cancer was signif-

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icantly higher among men taking testosterone. All testosterone drugs carry a warning that the hormone should not be given to men who have a personal or family history of prostate cancer.

Also in 2006, the Endocrine Society published the first physician guidelines for prescribing testosterone for men with androgen deficiency. All six of the co-authors had received consulting fees or research funding from drugmakers that market testosterone.

Despite those ties, the authors took a cautious tone, stressing the difficulty of accurately diagnosing low testosterone and acknowledging that they were unable to reach an agreement about when doctors should begin therapy. They also recommend doctors have an “explicit discussion of the uncertainty about the risks and benefits of testosterone therapy.”

History has shown that hormone replacement therapy can be dangerous. That hit home for women in 2002 when a landmark study shook up the conventional wisdom

about the benefits of estrogen replacement therapy for menopause.

— AP the period when women stop producing eggs and estrogen.

The federal study found that women taking hormone pills were more likely to suffer heart attacks, breast cancer and strokes.

Doctors now generally recommend hormones only to relieve severe menopause symptoms — in the lowest possible dose and for the shortest possible time.

In the case of testosterone, Abbott Laboratories said Androgel and other drugs like it are an important treatment option for men with low levels of the hormone.

But the company acknowledges that more study is needed.

“Abbott believes that the long-term effects of testosterone replacement therapy should be studied, which is why we continually fund and support additional clinical trials, such as the National Institute of Aging’s testosterone trial,” the company stated.

What level is too low?

But government researchers worry that medical treatments have gotten ahead of the science.

Male testosterone is mainly produced in the testes and affects muscle mass, sperm production and various sexual characteristics. The hormone can easily be checked with a blood test, but doctors can’t agree on what constitutes a low reading in older men.

Typical testosterone levels for younger men range between 300 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter, but once levels begin dropping there is little consensus on what makes a “normal number.”

Some doctors believe testosterone levels below 300 lead to sexual dysfunction in older men, but the rule does not cover all cases. A 2010 study by researchers at the University of Manchester and other European institutions found that 25 percent of men with testosterone levels above that threshold had the same sexual problems used to diagnose low testosterone.

Adding to the ambiguity is that testosterone levels change by the hour, so a man who takes a blood test for testosterone in the morning may get a completely different reading when tested in the afternoon.

Adding to the confusion over what defines “low testosterone,” there’s not much understanding of whether testosterone replacement therapy actually improves men’s symptoms.

Evidence of the benefits of testosterone is mixed, and the potential health risks are serious. The largest study conducted to date, a 2008 trial involving 230 patients in the Netherlands, found no improvement in muscle strength, cognitive thinking, bone density or overall quality of life among men taking testosterone. Muscle mass increased 1.2 percent, but not enough to improve physical mobility.

The National Institute on Aging is cur-

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Treating severe dry eyes, loss of hearing

By Dr. Robert Shmerling Q: I’ve been diagnosed with recurrent corneal erosion. My eyes are dry all the time. One eye doctor suggests putting small plugs in the ducts that drain tears from my eyes, which should make the tears stay in my eye longer and make my eyes moister.

I use artificial tears all day long and an ointment at night. Will the plugs help prevent further eye damage?

Also, I have a dry mouth and wonder if I have Sjogren’s syndrome. If I have it, would the plugs still help?

A: Placing “punctal plugs” has become a common procedure for patients with severe dryness of the eyes. These plugs block your tears from draining, so the tears you make last longer in the eye. Your condition sounds severe enough that this approach seems appropriate to consider.

The dryness could be an isolated problem or part of Sjogren’s syndrome (see below).

Whatever it’s from, punctal plugs can help relieve symptoms and protect the cornea.

Other ways to help avoid dry eye include: • Using artificial tears frequently • Steering clear of low-humidity environments • If possible, avoiding medicine that makes dryness worse (such as diuretics, antihistamines and certain antidepressants).

There are a variety of eye drops that may reduce irritation and help prevent corneal damage from not making enough tears.

Doctors commonly recommend artificial tears and cyclosporine (Restasis). Your ophthalmologist can determine the best care for your eyes after a full evaluation.

Sjogren’s syndrome Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune dis-

ease. That’s a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks its host. People with Sjogren’s syndrome have dry eyes and mouth, and inflammation in multiple organs, including the eyes, joints and skin.

Antibody tests can help diagnose this condition. Diagnosis is important because you may need more than just eye drops.

For example, drugs that stimulate saliva production or drugs that suppress the immune system may be helpful.

Dry mouth increases the risk of cavities. So your dentist may recommend frequent dental cleaning and an oral rinse with fluoride.

Based on the symptoms you describe, I would suggest you see an ophthalmologist, dentist and rheumatologist for evaluation.

Dr. Robert H. Shmerling is a practicing physician in rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass.,

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Hearing loss is common You’re not alone if you have trouble hearing and you’re not doing anything about it.

An estimated 27 million Americans could benefit from the use of hearing aids but aren’t currently using them, according to a recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Researchers found that from 1999 to 2006, only 14 percent of adults 50 and older who needed a hearing aid actually used one.

“There’s a stigma attached to wearing hearing aids, suggesting one is aging,” said Dr. Robert Schreiber, a geriatrician and instructor at Harvard Medical School.

“Accepting this fact is often difficult for some people.”

But hearing loss is a fact for 10 percent of people ages 65 to 75, and 25 percent of people age 75 and older, according to Schreiber.

We are able to hear conversation, music or an airplane overhead because sound waves cause tiny bones in the ear to move and stimulate nerve endings. Hearing loss is often caused by conductive hearing problems (affecting the tiny bones) or by sensorineural hearing loss that is the result of nerve damage.

A common type of sensorineural hearing loss is a progressive inability in both ears to hear high frequencies. It often affects the ability to hear speech in a noisy environment, or high-pitched sounds and voices.

All hearing loss can have serious consequences. When driving or walking across busy streets, for example, it can be dangerous. More subtle but important problems also can result from uncorrected hearing loss.

“You may not be able to hear conversations, or important directions or reminders. That can lead to family discord, social isolation, and loss of self esteem,” said Dr. Schreiber.

Consider hearing aids If there is hearing loss in both ears, you may be a candidate for a hearing aid. The devices come in different styles and sizes, with a wide range of features. Some have digital or analog features. Some are programmable.

Analog devices are less expensive than digital hearing aids and provide acceptable See LOSS OF HEARING, page 9

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2

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Home Medicare coverage to be expanded

Thousands could benefit

Loss of hearing From page 8 quality for many people. Newer digital devices have better sound, are smaller, and are more easily customized.

Hearing aid costs range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Some insurance plans pay for the devices. Medicare generally does not. The audiologist who examines your hearing can help you find an op-

Semantics spell change In court papers, Medicare denied that it imposes an inflexible standard that patients must continue to improve to keep receiving rehab services. Indeed, there is no such requirement in law.

Medicare said other factors come into play, such as the patient’s medical condition and whether treatment is reasonable and necessary. Government lawyers called the policy change a clarification.

“This settlement clarifies existing Medicare policy,” said Erin Shields Britt, a spokeswoman for the federal Health and Human Services department. “We expect no changes in access to services or costs.”

tion for your budget.

While hearing aids do not restore hearing to normal, they usually improve hearing by half of the loss, Schreiber said.

Restoring even that can profoundly impact your quality of life.

For additional consumer health information, please visit www.health.harvard.edu. © 2012 President and fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Nonetheless, the Medicare policy manual will be changed to spell out that coverage of rehabilitation services “does not turn on the presence or absence of a beneficiary’s potential for improvement from the therapy, but rather on the beneficiary’s need for skilled care,” according to the proposed settlement.

Deford said it could be several months before the settlement is finalized in court, and perhaps another year before Medicare formally completes the policy change. But

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patients may start seeing a change sooner.

“I’m hoping the new coverage rules will de facto take effect before they are formally revised,” said Deford.

Most of the immediate beneficiaries will be the parents of the baby boom generation and younger disabled people, who are also entitled to Medicare coverage. But the change could have its greatest significance for the boomers, many of whom are expected to try to live independently into their 80s and 90s.

— AP

C.

The agreement was filed with Chief Judge Christina Reiss of the U.S. District Court in Vermont. It is expected to affect tens of thousands — maybe hundreds of thousands — of patients nationally.

Those who stand to benefit include not only people with intractable conditions like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and chronic lung disease. It could also help those who are growing weaker

because of advancing age, placing them at greater risk of falls and other problems.

The impact on Medicare’s budget is unclear, partly because program rules are not always rigidly enforced. Even with a requirement that patients must continue to show improvement, billing contractors sometimes defer to the clinical judgment of doctors and therapists.

A patient’s underlying disease may be advancing, but therapy might help them keep up strength up and do more to take care of themselves. Still, that’s no guarantee that Medicare will pay.

“That’s what the point of this case is,” said Deford, adding that his center has represented many people repeatedly denied coverage for rehabilitation services. “This will allow them to have access.” Advocates say Medicare could break even financially, if patients don’t have to go to the hospital.

A

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar Thousands of patients with severe chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s would get continuing access to Medicare-funded rehab and other services under a change agreed to by the Obama administration.

The proposed agreement in a national class action suit would allow Medicare patients to keep receiving physical and occupational therapy and other skilled services at home or in a nursing home so they can remain stable, said Gill Deford, a lawyer with the Center for Medicare Advocacy.

That’s been a problem for some because of a longstanding Medicare policy that says patients must show “improvement” to keep getting rehab. Deford’s group and other organizations representing patients challenged it.

“If you have a chronic condition, by definition you are not improving,” said Deford, the lead attorney on the case. “Our view is that Medicare regulations were intended to allow people to maintain their health status. They don’t have to show they are getting any better. The point is to allow them not to get any worse, if possible.”

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

014331RXX11

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2

Astronomer From page 1 ented Star Parties and its promotion of new ordinances to control excess artificial lighting that inhibits the viewing of stars in the night sky.

Goodman said that one of the league’s early events will be the opening of a publicly accessible observatory at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville. The building will contain a circular platform with a wheelchair lift, made possible by a state grant, fundraising by members and in-kind donations.

On exhibit in the observatory will be the hefty sky blue telescope built in the late ’30s or early ’40s by Paul Watson, then president of the Maryland Academy of Sciences. The historic telescope is currently stored in the basement of Dr. Goodman’s Clarksville home.

In his “retirement,” Dr. Goodman is also looking forward to spending some extra time with his wife Sally Lentz and stepson Jacob Cowan. Another stepson, Max Cowan, died four years ago at age 16.

Goodman credits Max as an inspiration for continuing his volunteer work.

Inspiring young stargazers A Baltimore native but longtime resident of Howard County, Goodman said he had some interest in amateur astronomy as a youngster, taking notice as an 8-yearold when President John F. Kennedy in 1961 announced plans to put a man on moon within the decade.

And when Neil Armstrong did walk on the moon eight years later, Goodman was working as a camp counselor. He was so excited that he woke up the campers in his charge to witness the grainy black and white telecast that reached Earth late at night.

“They were grumbling about losing sleep, but I let them know this was truly a unique event in the entire history of mankind,” Goodman said, laughing as he recalled the situation.

A few years later, enrolled at Duke University, he considered astronomy for a short time. Though strong in math, he decided he just did not have the interest in the theoretical aspects of math and physics to be an astronomy major.

Instead he moved in the direction of health careers, eventually landing at the University of Maryland School of Den-

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tistry in Baltimore, where he graduated with honors in 1989.

But the interest in amateur astronomy never left him. Fast forward to 1997, when the Hale-Bopp comet was making news.

Goodman put together a program on sky watching for two classes at Bushey Park Elementary School in Glenwood.

“Small kids are always interested in dinosaurs and space,” he said. “Eventually dinosaurs go away. But space is always there, continuing to interest and inspire.”

Building on that philosophy, and with the help of parents, teachers and the Bushey Park PTA, he developed a once-a-month

11

program on astronomy for elementary and middle school students and their parents.

They held a contest to name the group, and two of the participants, ages 7 and 9, won with “Celestial Searchers,” which remains the group’s name.

And Goodman believes that, for young people, the study of the universe is “more important now than ever…It is centering, very centering. We need the cosmos,” he said.

“In today’s society we have this amazing connection to iPods and cell phones. But what is really important is our connection to what is bigger than us — the universe.”

Other volunteers honored for service The 2012 Howard County volunteer recognition ceremonies honored several other county residents and organizations whose work enriches the community.

The Lifetime Achievement Award honored Mae Beale, who has volunteered in the county more than 30 years, averaging 30 to 40 hours a week.

With her main focus on improving educational opportunities for all residents, she has actively worked to help raise scholarship funds for the Howard County Foundation for Black Educational & Cultural Achievement.

The Community Group Volunteer Award was presented to the Rotary Club of Columbia/Patuxent, the largest Rotar y Club in the county.

Drawing on its diverse membership of business and professional leaders for financial assistance and community service, its work has touched dozens of local nonprofit organizations as well as individuals with emergency needs.

Grassroots Day Resource Center was named the Non-Profit Volunteer Organization of the Year for its provi-

sion of a safe haven and welcoming community for individuals needing basic medical support, hot meals, canned goods, clothing, hot showers and access to social services.

Teacher Janelle McIntyre received the Power of One Award for her hundreds of volunteer hours with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF) over the last five years. An avid runner herself, McIntyre trains cancer patients and their families through the organization’s TEAM FIGHT program.

Athena Kan, a sophomore at River Hill High School, received the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for more than five years of working with her church in outreach efforts for inner city children and pregnant women.

Recognizing a correlation between socioeconomic factors and obesity in children, Athena co-founded the public awareness program Coalition Healing Obesity in Children Everywhere (CHOICE), and helped to develop a public school lesson plan for the county on childhood obesity prevention.

— Anne Ball

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LEARN HOW TO REDUCE KNEE PAIN

Orthopedic specialist Daniel Tang will explain how to reduce knee pain and increase mobility in a free presentation, 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28. Topics will include knee injuries, degenerative conditions such as arthritis, and medical and surgical treatment, including arthroscopy and knee replacement. The program will be held at the Wellness Center Medical Pavilion, 10710 Charter Dr., Suite 100, Columbia. For more information, call (410) 964-9100.

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Health Studies Page

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Researchers study anemia in older adults

By Barbara Ruben About 1 in 10 adults over age 65 has anemia — a condition in which their blood contains a below-normal level of iron-rich hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body).

Those with mild anemia may not have any symptoms, while those with a more severe form may tire easily or experience

shortness of breath.

Chronic inflammatory diseases and slow internal blood loss are the most common causes of anemia in older adults. But in 20 to 35 percent of the cases, a cause cannot be determined.

Doctors at Johns Hopkins are now looking for volunteers with anemia of unexplained origin to study how well supplemental iron, given intravenously, can help.

BEACON BITS

Dec. 10

FREE HEARING SCREENING

Audiologist Dr. Mary Carson will perform free hearing screenings, 9 a.m. to noon, Monday, Dec. 10, at the Ellicott City Senior Center, 9401 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. For an appointment or more information, call (410) 313-1400.

Ongoing

LAUGH YOUR CARES AWAY

Join a laughter club for laughter exercises and group sharing, at 9 a.m. every Monday at the Bain Center. The club, for individuals 55 and over, allows members to release joyful expression more easily and more often. It lifts enthusiasm, morale and motivation; encourages improved relationships; and brings about changes in members’ health and personal lives. A $2 per-week fee applies. The center is at 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. For more information, call (410) 313-7213.

All get iron treatment During the study, all participants will be treated with an iron infusion once a week for five weeks. However, one group will be randomly selected to begin treatment immediately, while the rest of those in the study will be observed for 12 weeks prior to beginning treatment.

Those in the group that starts the iron drug Venofer right away will be followed for 19 weeks after the five weeks of weekly infusions. They will be assessed at the start of the study, a week after iron therapy has ended, and 18 and 24 weeks after the start of the study. Those in the delayed start group will visit at the same intervals.

At each visit, all participants will have tests to measure the amount of iron in their blood, how far they can walk in six minutes, cognitive skills and frailty.

Qualifying for the study To qualify for the study, participants must be at least 65 years old and have un-

BEACON BITS

Dec. 6

Do You Have Knee Arthritis and Difficulty Sleeping?

Volunteers NEEDED for a Clinical Trial on New Non-drug treatment for problem sleeping Researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine are looking for volunteers to participate in a research study examining new ways of treating insomnia, in people with osteoarthritis in their knee.  To participate in this study, you must be: • At least 50 years of age OR 35 years of age and older with prior diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis • Have frequent knee pain • Interested in sleeping better  This study involves: • Sleep studies conducted in your home • Sensory testing and knee exam at Johns Hopkins • Meeting with sleep specialist to discuss ways to improve sleep • Additional optional medical tests • All examinations, parking, & tests are provided at no cost.  Compensation up to $870.00

Approved 8/16/10

Michael T. Smith, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Protocol: NA_00011802 Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

For information, please call (410) 550-7906

explained anemia, with a serum ferritin level between 20 and 200 ng/mL. They must be able to walk without the use of a walker, motorized device or the assistance of another person.

Those who have had a blood transfusion or used IV iron in the last three months may not take part in the study. Participants also cannot have a history of unstable angina, heart attack or stroke within the last three months.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure (diastolic blood pressure greater than 100 or systolic blood pressure above 160 on two separate occasions) also disqualifies volunteers from participating.

This study is one of several clinical trials of anemia in older adults for which Johns Hopkins is seeking volunteers. Those over 65 can join Hopkins’ anemia registry to learn more about their anemia research studies. Some studies can be done at home.

For more information, call (410) 5502113.

VOCAL GROUP PRESENTS HOLIDAY SONGS

Camerata Musica, a Howard County a cappella vocal group that has performed for more than 25 years at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, will present seasonal music from around the world at a free performance, 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 6. The concert will be held at the East Columbia 50+ Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. For more information, call (410) 313-7700.

Dec. 13

SEE D.C.’s BOTANIC GARDENS & PAGEANT OF PEACE

Holiday time in D.C. will be the focus of a Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks trip, 4 to 10 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 13. At the Botanic Gardens, plants, flowers and beautiful decorations will be joined by the Starlight Express train display and holiday music. The Pageant of Peace in the Ellipse area will feature the National Christmas Tree. A walk through the “Pathway of Peace” will take the group through trees dressed to represent each of the 50 states. Tickets are $45, and participants should bring their own meals to eat on the bus ride into the city. For reservations or more information, call (410) 313-7279.

Want to Prevent Falls in the Elderly?

Seeking Men and Women to participate in a research study at the University of Maryland &Veterans Affairs of Baltimore to better understand balance and the prevention of falls in aging individuals.

You will receive:

• Health evaluation • Balance, step, strength, and/or flexibility exercises • Compensation for your time If interested call: 410-605-7179 & Mention code: LIFT at Baltimore VA/University of Maryland Gerontology Recruitment Line *You must be at least 65 years old and in good health *Participants will be seen at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and University of Maryland School of Medicine *You will attend approximately 41 visits for 1 to 4 hours each per visit

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Processed meats increase diabetes risk Q: I know sausage and other processed a metabolic environment that can lead to meats are linked with colon cancer risk. type 2 diabetes.

Is it true that they’re linked Q: I love to go out for with risk of diabetes, too?

Greek food, and I know A: Yes, several large populathe Mediterranean diet is tion studies now link greater very healthy. How reasonconsumption of processed meats able are the calories in the with increased risk of type 2 diarestaurant options? betes. Processed meats are A: Traditional Greek and those that are salted, cured or other Mediterranean eating smoked, or contain preservapatterns are extremely tives such as nitrite- or nitratehealthy because they focus based products. on plant foods like vegetaC o m m o n e x a m p l e s o f NUTRITION bles, beans and grains (which processed meat are bacon, WISE traditionally were nutrientsausage, hot dogs, processed By Karen Collins, rich whole grains). The pricanned meats, ham and pack- MS, RD, CDM mary source of fat is olive oil, aged lunchmeats. a healthy choice.

Scientists have identified several potenUnfortunately, the amount of fat that tial mechanisms that could explain the restaurants use in some dishes is extremely convincing link between processed meats high. Steer clear of options like moussaka, and greater risk of colorectal cancer. with rich ground meat and oil-drenched Risk of type 2 diabetes increases with eggplant baked in a creamy sauce. being overweight, so processed meats’ high Focus on lean, vegetable-laden choices content of fat (and therefore calories) could like chicken souvlaki or fish served with explain part of the link to diabetes risk. grilled vegetables, or the many lentil- and However, even after adjusting for weight bean-based soups. and some other aspects of eating habits, For a delicious Greek salad without expeople who consume the most processed cessive calories, order it light on the feta meat show at least 45 to 60 percent greater cheese (especially if you are ordering anrisk of developing type 2 diabetes. other dish that will supply your protein).

Researchers hypothesize that nitriteJust because you’re offered a large porbased preservatives form nitrosamine com- tion of rice and unending pita bread does pounds within our gut that increase cancer not make it a good idea to eat it all. Alrisk. These nitrosamines may also damage though tzatziki sounds healthy (Greek yothe cells of the pancreas responsible for pro- gurt with cucumber and garlic), it’s often ducing insulin. made with full-fat yogurt that’s concentratAnother potential explanation for the dia- ed in calories, so watch your portion. betes link involves formation during meat Greek restaurants offer delicious meals processing of compounds called advanced that may inspire you with new ideas for glycation endproducts (AGEs) that seem to preparing beans and vegetables at home. increase low-grade inflammation and oxida- Just don’t let the “halo” effect of how tive stress. Both of these conditions promote healthy it seems lead you to forget the im-

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pact of portion size if you are trying to keep calories moderate.

The American Institute for Cancer Research offers a Nutrition Hotline, 1-800843-8114, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This free service allows you to ask questions about diet, nutrition and

cancer. A registered dietitian will return your call, usually within three business days.

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

Write a letter to the editor.

See page 2.

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VOLUME 2, N O. 12 • D ECEMBER

2012

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A Message from the Administrator

By Dayna Brown, Office on Aging Administrator My first year as Administrator of the Office on Aging has certainly been a memorable one. We survived a devastating derecho in July, Super Storm Sandy last month, and the 14th annual 50+EXPO in October (my first one!). And I couldn’t be happier about working and living in Howard County.

Over the past 12 months, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and forge strong relationships with staff, the Commission on Aging, other county departments, a host of community partners, and residents from all over the county.

Through a series of Listening Sessions held since August, I have gained valuable insight into the issues and concerns that county residents are facing now or thinking about for the future. Together, we explored topics ranging from Aging in Place to Zumba!

I am very proud and lucky to work with such an amazing staff — people who are dedicated and work hard every day to help Howard Countians live in their communities as long as possible, as independently as possible, in the least restrictive setting possible.

I hope this holiday season will bring you peace and joy.

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Carbohydrates‌ Good or Bad?

By Rona Martiyan, MS, RD, LDN, Office on Aging Nutritionist Lately, we hear lots of talk about carbs: Should we eat them or not? Which ones are better than others?

Let’s start with the facts. Carbohydrates are essential to our health; they are the body’s fuel, much like gas is for your car. Without carbohydrates, your body will not run properly.

Plants foods are the biggest source of carbohydrates, including fruits, vegetables, grains of all kinds, nuts, beans and legumes and seeds. Dairy products also contain carbs.

Since the body can only store about six hours’ worth of carbohydrates at a time, you need to consume them every day. Ideally, 50 percent of your daily caloric intake should come from carbohydrates and 50 percent

from protein and fat. It’s the combination of these 3 macronutrients that keeps our bodies running.

So which carbs are good and which are bad? • Carbs like white bread, white potatoes, white rice and regular pasta aren’t bad for us, but whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta, and brown rice and sweet potatoes provide more nutrients and are better for us. • Avoid sodas and sweet drinks; they are “empty caloriesâ€? with no nutrients. • Dairy products are made up of carbohydrates, protein and fat. Choose those low in fat or fat-free.

As we age, it’s vital to make all of our calories count, so choose foods packed with nutrients. We need carbs every day‌just choose wisely! Your health will be better for it.

By Bill Salganik, Counselor, Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Medicare’s annual enrollment period, for prescription coverage and for Medicare Advantage (HMOs and other full health insurance plans), ends Dec. 7. There are, however, other enrollment periods you need to know about, that give you options after the Dec. 7 deadline.

Basic Medicare (Parts A and B). The annual general enrollment period for Medicare Parts A and B is Jan.1 to March 31.

(You can sign up outside that period when you’re turning 65, or when you’re leaving employer coverage.) If you missed the chance to sign up when you turned 65, this is your opportunity to get in. Your enrollment will be effective July 1.

Switches for people in assistance programs. If you’re enrolled in the federal Extra Help or the state’s Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program, you can switch prescription or Medicare Advantage plans outside the regular enrollment period. If you’re eligible for assistance programs but haven’t applied, you can do so any time. You can be

eligible if your annual income is below $33,510 for an individual or $45,390 for a couple.

Switching out of Medicare Advantage. If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, but want to return to Original Medicare, you can do so between Jan. 1 and Feb. 14. The change takes effect the first of the month after your new enrollment. You can also drop your first Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare if you do so within 12 months of enrolling.

Discontinued plan. In Maryland, Medicare Rx Rewards Plus ended its contract with Medicare. If you were in this plan, you have until Feb. 28 to enroll in a different plan.

Medigap. Medigap (sometimes called Medicare supplementary) policies don’t have a specific enrollment period, so if you need Medigap, you can contact the insurance companies at any time.

For more information about these and other Medicare questions or to make an appointment for one-on-one counseling, call the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 410-313-7392.

Some Options Continue After Medicare’s Dec. 7 Deadline

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2

Coming Events

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The Senior Connection

Wednesday, Nov. 28, 11 a.m. – 10,000 Years of History, Glenwood 50+ Center Archeologist Lee Preston presents a talk with hands-on artifacts highlighting Indian sites in Howard County. Call 410-313-5443 to register.

Friday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m. – Gifts from the Kitchen, Glenwood 50+ Center Join us to create delicious treats for holiday and hostess gifts. Program cost: $6 (includes making, tasting and packaging). Call 410-313-5443 to register.

Saturday, Dec. 1, 2 to 3 p.m. – The Nutcracker Live, The Bain Center Don’t miss the Columbia Chamber Ballet’s presentation of The Nutcracker, a holiday mustsee full of magic and marvels. Bring the entire family; children are welcome! Free; call 410313-7213 to reserve your seat(s) by Nov. 26.

Tuesday Dec. 4, 11 a.m. – Leo & Lynn, Ellicott City Senior Center Kick off the holidays with Christmas music sung by this fabulous duo. Call 410-313-1400 for details.

Wednesday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Bain Holiday Craft Fair, The Bain Center Get your holiday shopping done early – a selection of art and craft work created by our very own members will be on sale in the lobby. Call 410-313-7213 to reserve your table for a $5 donation (Bain members only; all others inquire at the front desk).

Wednesday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. – iPhone Photo Craze, Glenwood 50+ Center Karen Messick presents a short program on how to take your iPhone photography to the next level.

Enhancing, cropping and more! Cost: $5; call 410-313-5443 to register.

Wednesday, Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Basket Weaving for the Holidays, East Columbia 50+ Center Weave a holiday basket to give or treasure.

Cost: $35; includes all materials. Call 410-313-7680 to register.

Wednesday, Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Holiday Gift Bingo, Elkridge Senior Center Bring a wrapped gift valued at $5-$10 and join us to get in the spirit of the holiday season with some bingo fun! Call 410-313-5192 to register.

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. – Holiday Madrigal Songs with Camerata Musica, East Columbia 50+ Center You’ve seen them at The Renaissance Festival; now enjoy the warmth of their holiday music. Free; refreshments served. Call 410-313-7680 for more information.

Friday, Dec. 7, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Cooking with Becky, Elkridge Senior Center Watch Becky prepare a delicious holiday dish and enjoy free samples! Call 410-313-5192 to register.

Tuesday, Dec. 11, 10:30 a.m. – Cookie Sale & Holiday Party, Ellicott City Senior Center Join us for a holiday celebration with a special catered meal. Tickets $15; call 410-313-1400 for more information.

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Holiday Party, North Laurel 50+ Center Enjoy beautiful plants and treats at our holiday poinsettia & cookie sale, and a festive holiday lunch at noon. Gift wrapping is available for a small donation. Call 410-313-0380 for lunch reservations.

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – How to Forge A New Life After Retirement, East Columbia 50+ Center Chart a meaningful course for the next stage of your life in our retirement workshop. Free; call 410-313-7680 for information.

Thursday Dec. 13, 11 a.m. – Bushy Park Chorus Concert, Ellicott City Senior Center Get in the spirit at our annual holiday concert featuring the Bushy Park Elementary School Chorus, under the direction of Lisa Boss. Free; call 410-313-1400 for information.

Friday, Dec. 14, noon to 1 p.m. – Celebrating Hanukkah, North Laurel 50+ Center Join us for a lunch celebration featuring delicious and traditional Hanukkah desserts. Please call 410-313-0380 by Dec. 4 for lunch reservations.

Monday, Dec. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Gingerbread Houses, Elkridge Senior Center Students from the ARL School will join us to help create homemade gingerbread houses! Free; bring your imagination! Call 410-313-5192 to register.

Tuesday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m. – Bain Christmas Party, The Bain Center Reserve your seat early for this festive annual event, featuring friends, food, fun, and musical entertainment by the Goldenaires. Nominal lunch donations accepted. Call 410-313-7213 to register

by Dec. 11.

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. –

The Senior Connection is published monthly by the Howard County Department of Citizen Services’ Office on Aging.

We welcome your comments and suggestions. To contact us, or to join our email subscriber list, email seniorconnection@howardcountymd.gov with ‘subscribe’ in the subject box.

Howard County Office on Aging 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046

410-313-6410

www.howardcountyaging.org www.Facebook.com/HoCoCitizen Dayna Brown, Administrator Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the Howard County Office on Aging or by the publisher.

Share the magic of the holidays by visiting nursing home residents with your pet. Arrange to have your pet evaluated, and become a volunteer with Howard County Pets on Wheels. Our next regularly scheduled evaluation will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Bain Center. To register, or learn how to get started, call Ingrid Gleysteen at 410-313-7461 or e-mail igleysteen@howardcountymd.gov.

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Money Law &

New LED light bulbs may seem pricey, but they last for more than 20 years and cast a warm glow. See story on page 21.

Protecting your portfolio from inflation The Federal Reserve announced in Sep- economy with money could eventually untember that it would engage in its third round leash inflation in the future — an event of “quantitative easing” by puragainst which every retirement chasing $40 billion per month investor must guard. The key of mortgage-backed securities is to attempt to grow your portto spur economic growth and folio at a quicker pace than the help reduce unemployment. rate of inflation, while staying Whether or not the plan focused on the total risk level will work is subject to debate. you are willing to assume. Not What is not debatable is that an easy puzzle to solve! the Fed’s action is stirring And here’s one more soberfears of inflation. ing thought: There has not Inflation occurs when the RETIRE SMART been any single asset that acts prices of goods and services as a perfect inflation hedge.

By Jill Schlesinger rise, meaning every dollar you spend in the economy purchases less. Options to use sparingly The following are the assets most freThe annual rate of inflation over the past 60 years or so has averaged about 3.8 per- quently used to protect portfolios against cent annually. That may not sound like inflation: Commodities: When inflation rises, the much, but consider this: Today you need $8,693.55 in cash to buy what $1,000 could price of commodities like gold, energy, food and raw materials also increases. Therebuy in 1952.

Currently, inflation is running well fore, many investors turn to investments in below the long-term average pace. As of these assets for protection. However, as a August, the government’s measure of in- former commodities trader I must warn flation, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), that this is a volatile asset class that can also has increased only 1.7 percent over the stagnate or, worse, lose money over long last 12 months (1.9 percent without food or stretches of time. So investors would be wise to limit commodity exposure to 3-6 energy costs included).

However, the Fed’s strategy to flood the percent of their total portfolio value.

Real estate investment tr usts (REITs): The ultimate “real asset,” REITs, which typically own shopping centers, office buildings and other commercial real estate, tend to perform well during inflationary periods due to rising property values and rents. But the nation’s housing bubble has cured most of us of the notion that one “can’t lose with real estate.” Real estate prices could stay depressed for a long period of time.

Stocks: Many investors don’t think about stocks as an asset class to combat inflation, but the long-term data show that stocks, especially dividend-producing stocks, tend to perform well in inflationary periods. That said, during short-term inflationary spikes stocks can plunge quickly before reverting to the longer-term trend.

Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS): Bonds are susceptible to inflation because rising prices can diminish a bond’s fixed-income return. But the U.S. government directly offers investors inflation-indexed bonds, or TIPS, which provide a fixed interest rate above the rate of inflation, as measured by the CPI. Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, because the expectation of future inflation is currently running high, investors are pay-

ing up for TIPS, which has driven the interest rate on these bonds below zero.

That’s not a typo: Investors are so worried about inflation, they are willing to pay the government now to protect them later.

The current pricing of TIPS makes them hard to recommend, even as an “insurance policy” vs. inflation.

International bonds: One of the dangers of inflation is that it destroys the value of the U.S. dollar. As a result, there is an argument to allocate a portion of a bond portfolio to a small percentage of international bonds, which are denominated in a foreign currency. This is another one of those asset classes that tends to be volatile.

While inflation may be looming, it’s important to underscore that a diversified portfolio, which takes into account your time horizon and risk tolerance, will go a long way toward providing protection. If you are worried about inflation, these other asset classes should be used sparingly to round out your overall allocation.

Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is the Editor-atLarge for www.CBSMoneyWatch.com. She welcomes comments and questions at askjill@moneywatch.com. © 2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

The best investments when rates are low

By Mark Jewell Risk-averse investors, prepare to be disappointed a good while longer. Expect interest rates to remain low at least three more years, with investments earning very little unless you’re willing to accept plenty of risk.

Money-market mutual funds are likely to continue paying barely above zero, with 10-year U.S. Treasurys yielding less than 2 percent.

That’s the outlook after the Federal Reserve’s latest move to stimulate the economy by prodding Americans to spend and borrow more, and invest in stocks again.

The program announced in September has been dubbed QE3 — a third round of what economists call quantitative easing, aimed at helping a slow recovery gain momentum.

This program goes further than previous ones. The Fed made an open-ended commitment to buy $40 billion of mortgage securities per month until the job

market improves “substantially.”

The central bank also extended its pledge to keep short-term interest rates super-low at least into mid-2015. That’s six months longer than the Fed had previously planned.

Many shun stocks Chairman Ben Bernanke made it clear after the announcement that the Fed’s bondbuying is intended in part to lift stock prices.

Stock gains increase Americans’ wealth, he noted, which makes people and businesses more likely to spend and invest more.

Yet reluctance to invest in stocks, a likely source of frustration for Bernanke, has been a hallmark of a market recovery that’s been under way three and a half years. Stock prices have doubled from the market’s low in March 2009, but Americans are still withdrawing cash from stock mutual funds in favor of less risky options.

The latest evidence: Stocks rose 7 per-

cent from June through August. Yet investors pulled cash from stock mutual funds each month — $24 billion in net withdrawals, according to industry consultant Strategic Insight.

Some of that cash went into bond funds, which offer less potential for sharp gains or losses. Indeed, bond funds have attracted cash for 12 consecutive months.

The movement of cash illustrates how nervous investors are about market volatility and the economy four years after the financial crisis.

“Stock investors remain in a holding pattern, with many watching the rising stock prices with regret or disbelief,” said Avi Nachmany, research director with Strategic Insight.

That cautious mindset is one reason Wasif Latif doesn’t expect the Fed’s latest move will be enough to get average investors to return to stocks.

“You need to have sustainable stability, both in the economy and in the markets, for the traditional long-term investor to get back in,” said Latif, a co-manager of asset allocation funds at USAA Investments that invest in stocks and bonds. “And that is not necessarily going to happen overnight.”

He notes that the stable returns that most bonds generate are likely to continue to appeal to the growing ranks of riskaverse investors. Many are retired, and rely on investment income to help cover living expenses. They worry about the possibility of another sharp decline in stock prices.

Lower-risk investments If that describes your current attitude about investment risk, but you’re also looking to generate income, here are three relatively low-risk investment options to See INVESTMENTS, page 20

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Financial literacy means financial security A theme I have discussed in past C. SEC (Securities and Exchange Comcolumns is the need for improved financial mission) literacy. Those who lack a D. SIPC (Securities Investor sound understanding of perProtection Corporation) sonal finance principles will E. None of the above likely fail to make the right de4. Which of the following cisions about saving, investstatements are true regarding, minimizing expenses, seing small claims court? curing good insurance, and A. You are not required to estate planning, which are esbring a lawyer if you are a sential to their financial wellplaintiff. being and that of their famiB. If you do not bring a lies. lawyer (as plaintiff), the deI thought it might be enlight- THE SAVINGS fendant is not allowed to ening to present a quiz so read- GAME bring one.

By Elliot Raphaelson ers can test their knowledge.

C. If you win your case (as The first three questions come plaintiff), the judge will make from a similar exercise compiled by FINRA, sure you are paid. a securities regulatory body. (You can find D. If you win your case (as plaintiff), the that quiz at http://apps.finra.org/quiz/1/in- judge may (depending on state law) award vestorquiz.aspx.) The other questions, and you court costs and legal fees you paid. the commentary in the answer key, on page 5. Which of the following statements 20, are my own. are true regarding reverse mortgages?

1. In general, if interest rates go A. As long as you continue to reside in down, then bond prices... your home, maintain it, and pay real estate A. Go down. taxes and homeowner insurance on time, B. Go up. you can stay in the home even if the value C. Are not affected. of the property decreases substantially.

2. Which of the following is the best B. There are substantial fees associated definition of a “junk” bond? with obtaining a reverse mortgage.

A. A bond that is rated as “below investC. Many financial institutions have ment grade” by rating agencies stopped offering reverse mortgages.

B. A bond that has declined substantialD. If only one spouse obtains a reverse ly in value mortgage, even if he/she dies, the survivC. A bond that has defaulted ing spouse can continue to reside in the D. A bond that is not regulated home under all circumstances.

3. Which of the following organiza6. Which of the following statements tions insures you against losses in the are true regarding convertible bonds? stock market?

A. If the common stock of the issuing A. FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance corporation increases significantly in Corporation) value, the bondholder can convert the B. FINRA (Financial Industry Regulato- bond into common stock and accordingly ry Authority) make a profit.

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B. The interest rate on the bonds is higher than the rate for comparable (i.e., same credit rating) corporate bonds that are not convertible.

C. Convertible bonds are generally issued by corporations with high credit ratings.

D. Once convertible bonds are issued, the interest rate paid to owners of the bond is fixed.

7. If you purchased a home for

$150,000, with the expectation that homes in that area will increase in value 8 percent per year, what would you expect the value of the home to be in 27 years?

A. $300,000 B. $600,000 C. $900,000 D. $1,200,000 Answers on page 20.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 28

MEDICARE GAP COVERAGE WORKSHOP

Gaps in Medicare coverage and methods of covering the gaps will be the focus of a free workshop at the Bain Center, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28. Medi-gap plans and employer group coverage as well as Medicare Health Plan options (Part C) will be discussed. Sponsored by the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) of the Howard County Office on Aging, the program will help participants determine whether their insurance packages are meeting their needs. The center is at 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia.

For registration or more information, call (410) 313-7391.

Dec. 19

LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR SENIORS 60+

Legal services for preparing traditional wills, living wills, powers of attorney, small estates and deed changes will be available at the Bain Center to Howard County residents 60 and over from 1 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 19. The cost of document preparation will be based on the income of the individual or couple receiving the assistance. The center is at 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. For an appointment or more information, call (410) 313-7213.

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Investments From page 18 consider in this low-rate environment: 1. Dividend stocks Invest in dividend-paying stocks or funds that specialize in them and you can expect steady income, along with potential gains from rising stock prices.

Dividend-payers tend to rise more slowly during market rallies, but suffer smaller losses when stocks decline. So if a market downturn is around the corner, dividends will offer some protection. Just remember that companies often cut dividends when the economy skids, as they did in large numbers to conserve cash after the 2008 market meltdown.

Still, many investors are finding the potential returns and income worth the risks. Investors deposited a net $22.5 billion into dividend-stock funds — usually labeled ‘equity

income’ funds — over the 12-month period through August, according to Strategic Insight. During that period, a net total of $114 billion was withdrawn from all other stock fund categories.

2. High-yield bonds These bonds are issued by companies with credit problems. High-yield investors expect higher returns because there’s a greater risk of default than with companies possessing investment-grade ratings. And they’ve gotten them recently.

Mutual funds specializing in high-yield bonds have produced an average return of 15 percent over the latest 12-month period, according to Morningstar. That’s the best performance among all bond fund categories, and only slightly lower than the average returns for most categories of diversified stock funds.

High-yield bonds are typically less volatile

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

than stocks, but they’re a high-risk option relative to other bonds. Current risks include the possibility that Europe’s debt problems will spin out of control. That could put the domestic economic recovery at risk, potentially leading to a spike in corporate defaults and losses for high-yield investors.

3. Municipal bonds Investments in the bonds issued by state and local governments typically won’t make you rich, because returns are generally low.

But muni bond interest payments are exempt from federal taxes. That protection may extend to state taxes if the munis are issued by the state in which the investor lives.

Those tax breaks can be especially important for those in higher income brackets.

Munis have been strong performers recently. Returns have averaged of 6.4 percent

over the last 12 months for funds investing in intermediate-term munis, according to Morningstar. That’s roughly double the return that funds investing in intermediateterm U.S. government debt have posted.

Muni bond prices have rebounded from a market scare in late 2010, when the poor financial condition of many states and cities left investors nervous about a surge of defaults. Although many governments remain troubled, there has been no default surge, and municipal bankruptcies declined last year.

Risks include a setback for the economic recovery, which could put more pressure on government budgets, possibly leading to a jump in defaults. Any rise in interest rates also could crimp bond returns.

— AP

Answers to financial literary quiz 1. B. When interest rates decrease, new bond prices have a lower rate, and accordingly older bonds with a higher fixed rate appreciate. Conversely, when interest rates go up, the value of existing bonds depreciate. Long-term bonds depreciate by a much higher percentage than short-term and intermediate-term bonds, regardless of quality. Even if you purchase long-term Treasury bonds, if interest rates increase, the value of longterm Treasuries will decrease in value.

2. A. Junk bonds, also known as highyield bonds, generally pay much higher interest rates than U.S. Treasury bonds.

However, they are riskier because the company may default on the interest or go bankrupt. I recommend that you invest in conservative high-yield funds such as Vanguard if you invest at all in this type of bond.

3. E. FINRA and the SEC ensure that security rules and regulations are followed, and punish violators. SIPC returns funds and securities to investors if brokerage firms become insolvent. No agency insures you against stock market losses.

4. A and D. Re: B, either party may bring an attorney if they wish. Re: C, the judge cannot force the defendant to pay even if you win. He can enter a judgment against the defendant, but you will have to take steps to collect.

5. A, B and C are true. Regarding D, if only one spouse enters into a reverse mortgage agreement, the surviving spouse is not protected. Both spouses should enter into the agreement if the intention is for both parties to reside in the home after the death of the other spouse.

6. A and D. Re: B, convertible bonds generally pay a lower rate of interest than corporate bonds issued with comparable ratings. That is one reason why corporations issue convertible bonds, because they can issue them with a lower interest rate, thus reducing their interest costs. Re: C, convertible bonds generally are issued by corporations that do not have the highest credit ratings, although there are exceptions.

7. D. The Rule of 72 can be used to compute future expected value. If you divide 72 by the expected interest rate, it will result in the number of years it takes to double in value (using the assumption of compound interest). In this example, the value of the home will double three times. You can use this formula also for predicting the future value of a fixed investment in common stocks or other investments.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. © 2012 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed

by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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21

Some facts about the new LED light bulbs

By Patricia Mertz Esswein They’re pricey, but they promise to shed a lot of light and cost you less over time.

1. Incandescents are dead. As manufacturers phase out traditional light bulbs that don’t meet new federal standards for efficiency, the first to go are 100-watt bulbs in 2012. The phase-out continues with 75watt bulbs in 2013 and 60-watt and 40-watt bulbs in 2014. You could substitute halogens or compact fluorescents (CFLs), but LEDs (short for light-emitting diodes) will take you straight into the future of lighting.

2. Long live LEDs. Well-designed and well-manufactured LED bulbs are rated to last 25,000 hours — or at least 22 years based on three hours’ use a day — and use about 80 percent less energy than incandescents to

produce the same amount of light, as measured in lumens. (CFLs use about 75 percent less energy; halogens, 30 percent less.)

3. They’re not cheap. The cost of an LED bulb — $15 to $40, depending on the equivalency — may give you pause. But the cost per bulb has fallen from just two years ago, and it will continue to fall with improved technology and ramped-up production. The Department of Energy (DOE) found that CFLs (which cost about $5 per bulb) beat LEDs by only $10 in net savings over their lifetime.

BGE offers $10 in instant savings on LED bulbs at selected stores to help offset the steep price. See www.bgesmartenergy.com/residential/lighting-appliances/ lighting-discounts.

4. What you’ll like. LED bulbs can be designed to cast a warm glow or a bright, white light. They emit no ultraviolet radiation and produce very little heat. Flip a switch, and the bulb comes on instantly and fully. When dimmed (the bulb must be compatible with the dimmer in your fixture), it won’t hum, flicker or change color.

LEDs are resistant to vibration and breakage, and they come in a variety of specialty styles and shapes. Replacement bulbs for lamps are available in 40-, 60- and 75-watt equivalents; 100-watt equivalents are likely by early 2013.

5. Research your investment. Look for manufacturers that have Energy Star endorsements, and manufacturers and re-

tailers that participate in the DOE’s LED Lighting Facts program (see the fact sheet at www.lightingfacts.com/content/consumers). The bulbs should carry a warranty of three to five years.

6. Start slowly. Try using LED bulbs in hard-to-reach spots or heavily used areas, such as the kitchen, family room and porch.

LEDs may seem brighter than the incandescents they’re designed to replace, so instead of a 60-watt-equivalent bulb, try a less-costly 40-watt-equivalent. You may ultimately need to buy and try a few LEDs to find a model that works for you.

Patricia Mertz Esswein is an associate editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. © 2012 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

How to shop in era of high food prices

By Lisa Gerstner Anyone who witnessed the browned and stunted farm fields in drought-stricken states over the summer could tell you that this year’s harvest won’t be up to par.

Though the worldwide outlook for food and grains seems healthy, smaller yields in the U.S. will likely lead to a bump in prices on supermarket shelves in the coming year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently predicted that higher crop prices would push prices for fats and oils up by as much as 5 percent this year, and prices for cereals and bakery products up by as much as 4 percent in 2013.

Prices for dairy products, poultry, pork and beef are also expected to spike. Cows produce less milk in extreme heat, and higher prices for corn and soybeans make it more costly to feed livestock.

What to stockpile now But shoppers who make space in their freezers and pantries now will find a silver lining. As cattle become too expensive for farmers to feed, more cows are going to slaughter early. That means beef supplies will increase for the short term, causing prices to dip temporarily before shooting up as supplies eventually decrease.

More modest price hikes for processed foods won’t hit fully until well into 2013.

But stockpiling now could help you avoid paying more later.

Stephanie Nelson, founder of CouponMom.com, suggests being flexible about what you buy as price tags tick up. Prices on frozen foods may run lower than fresh.

Purchasing a large cut of meat — such as an entire pork loin rather than just chops, and having the store’s butcher cut it up for

you — could save you 50 percent per pound.

Invest in an ETF Want to offset the cash you leak at the grocery store? Consider investing in an exchange-traded fund linked broadly to agriculture production, such as Market Vectors Agribusiness ETF (symbol MOO).

The fund’s holdings, such as Monsanto and Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, could benefit as farmers purchase drought-resistant seeds or more fertilizer to coax yield out of surviving plants, said Dave Nadig, director of research for IndexUniverse.

Lisa Gerstner is a staff writer at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. © 2012 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

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Leisure &

How to cope with price gouging during holiday travel. See story on page 25.

Costa Rica preserves its natural wonders

© BRIAN LASENBY | DREAMSTIME.COM

close at hand. Because so much of the miniscule country is preserved in its natural state, human development is never far from Mother Nature.

More than 1,000 species of butterflies dot the landscape with myriad colors.

About 850 types of birds have been spotted, more than 600 of them permanent residents.

Fortunately, we escaped encounters with the nearly 100 different kinds of mosquitoes that find Costa Rica’s damp environment to their liking.

Even wildlife that prefers to live in isolation has few places of refuge unreachable by people determined to admire animals on their home turf.

Wishing to experience as much as possible of what Costa Rica has to offer in the limited time we had available, my wife Fyllis and I chose to go there with a tour operator we had traveled with before. We went with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT), the self-styled “Leader in small groups on the road less traveled.”

The trip itinerary allowed us to pack as many experiences as possible into every hour of every day. And packed with action every waking hour was.

For example, one typical day included a visit to an OAT-sponsored school where the children greeted the group with a charming folkloric presentation, a traditional lunch with a local family, and a guided horseback ride through a dense forest.

Another began with a hands-on tortilla-making lesson followed by two opportunities to view giant crocodiles at close range, and ended with a visit to one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches.

A preservation pioneer Costa Rica’s remote Monteverde Cloud Forest covers 26,000 acres and is home to 3,000 kinds of plants, including 500 types of orchids, the most anywhere on Earth.

Much time was spent being introduced to the country’s major claims to tourism fame — animal watching and exploring vast

© HUGOHT | DREAMSTIME.COM

By Victor Block I knew before traveling to Costa Rica that it has a well-deserved reputation for preserving its magnificent environment. I was aware of the diversity of landscapes and multiplicity of animal and bird life.

But only after spending time in what I found to be a virtual Garden of Eden did I fully appreciate the fact that so much variety is compressed into an area slightly smaller than West Virginia.

The setting changes quickly and frequently in the compact Central American country. An uphill climb can transport you from an Amazon-like jungle environment to an alpine woodland reminiscent of Switzerland.

Both dry stretches of forest and pockets of verdant wetlands lie in the shadow of volcanoes, several of which occasionally remind those within sight and earshot that they’re still active.

No matter where you are, an astounding array of animal, bird and plant life is always

Two spider monkeys show off their human-like expressions in Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica. They are among the thousands of species of wildlife that live in the country, which prizes its preservation efforts.

stretches of the unspoiled environment.

Those two activities are inexorably intertwined, for the major emphasis the country puts on preservation provides the diverse landscapes that sustain the tremendous variety of wildlife.

While Costa Rica today is renowned for being at the forefront of efforts to protect and preserve nature, that was not always the case.

Several decades ago, it was one of the most deforested countries in the Western Hemisphere, with major problems of pollution. Forests were being cleared by loggers, highlands were threatened by coffee growers, and the Pacific lowlands were being devastated by cattle ranchers and cotton farmers.

Reacting to those challenges in a way that could, and should, be a model for other nations, the government responded efficiently and effectively. It clamped down on the export of more than 60 species of trees and began to require permits for timbering. It established a commission to prescribe remedies for the country’s growing environmental problems.

The results have been dramatic and successful. About 28 percent of Costa Rica’s land is set aside in national parks, wildlife refuges and reserves. Nearly one-third of

funds derived from the tax on gasoline goes toward conservation.

Among many laws passed to protect the environment is one that requires people who cut down trees for certain uses to plant several more in their place.

Some credit for these accomplishments must be given to Costa Rica’s army — or, more accurately, the fact that it does not have one. In 1948, the government disbanded its military and redirected funds it had been spending on defense to environmental and social programs.

One result of this widespread effort is that in 2009, Costa Rica was named the “greenest” and “happiest” country in the world. This designation was bestowed by the New Economics Foundation, an independent organization in London that promotes innovative solutions to environmental, social and economic issues. In that same listing, the United States was ranked 114th.

This emphasis upon preservation is used to market Costa Rica as the ecofriendly destination it is. For example, nearly 250 hotels, tour companies and other travel vendors have received Certification for Sustainable Tourism, a muchsought-after honor that recognizes and reSee COSTA RICA, page 24

24

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Costa Rica From page 23 wards their commitment to that goal.

The results of these efforts are evident everywhere, and we got to observe a variety of them first-hand. We saw small plots of wooded land owned by low-income people who in the past would have sold the trees to raise money. Now they receive a subsidy from the government to retain them in their natural state.

We hiked in Manuel Antonio National Park, which is both one of the smallest preserves in Costa Rica and one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world. Its varied terrain includes a luxuriant rain forest, bird sanctuaries and four inviting beaches.

A forest in the clouds Most awesome to Fyllis and me was time spent in the Monteverde Cloud For-

est, a 26,000-acre preserve that spills down both the Caribbean and Pacific slopes of the Tilaran mountain range. We reached the entrance to this jungle-like setting after an 18-mile, 90-minute drive over a road that is more ruts and potholes than gravel.

Andres Herrera, our jovial and very knowledgeable OAT guide, explained that the road is maintained in that condition as one way of discouraging too many visitors from descending upon the forest and threatening its fragile ecosystem.

The environment into which we entered lives up to its name. Warm air rising from the tropical coast condenses into a persistent fog and mist, more like a constant drizzle than rain.

Because sunlight has a difficult time breaking through the thick veil of clouds and dense tree canopy, plant life reaches upward, covering every tree trunk and branch with a proliferation of velvet-like green accented by

BEACON BITS

Dec. 11

TOLL HOUSE AND TEMPLE LIGHTS TRIP

The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks plans an evening trip for those 55 and over to Mrs. K’s Toll House restaurant in Silver Spring and the Mormon Temple Visitors’ Center in Kensington. The 4 to 10 p.m. outing on Tuesday, Dec. 11, will include dinner at the restaurant, followed by a tour of the more than 450,000 colored lights and other holiday decorations at the visitors’ center. Tickets are $78. For reservations or more information, call (410) 313-7279.

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

colorful flowers. More than 3,000 kinds of plants call Monteverde their home, including over 500 types of orchids, the largest diversity of that flowering plant in the world.

We explored this dream-like setting by means of six suspension bridges, one almost 1,000 feet long, that wind their way through the high tree canopy about 425 feet above ground level. This provides both a bird’s-eye outlook over the forest below, and close-up views of the plant, bird and animal life that thrives in the mysterious treetop world.

Andres explained that the plants that blanket tree trunks are called epiphytes.

They grow above the ground, using every trunk and limb as a ladder in their quest for sunlight. Vines that would prompt Tarzan to howl with delight festoon the setting.

Adding to the wonder is the opportunity to spot wildlife that thrives in this otherworldy environment. A sign at the entrance to the Cloud Forest notes that 126 species of mammals and 448 types of birds live there.

Mammals include jaguars, pumas, ocelots, sloths and tapir. We heard the roar-like sounds of accurately named howler monkeys reverberating from treetops, but had trouble spotting those noisy but elusive critters.

When Christopher Columbus reached this land in 1502, he chose the name Costa Rica, or “rich coast,” because he believed the land would yield a vast treasure of gold. However, Spanish conquistadors

soon realized they would not discover the mineral wealth they had hoped to find.

Visitors today discover wealth of a very different kind. No matter what their expectations, they — like Fyllis and me — are likely to leave Costa Rica with memories of a magnificent natural setting, extraordinary assortment of wildlife, and people who value and protect the riches that Mother Nature has bestowed upon them.

If you go While Fyllis and I often travel on our own, we agree that some destinations are best visited with a tour company. Group travel combines the convenience of having all logistics and transportation taken care of with the vast knowledge of seasoned guides.

Overseas Adventure Travel boasts a 35year history, offers trips to nearly six dozen countries from Albania to Zimbabwe, and limits land excursions to a maximum of 16 people.

It will offer a choice of three 13-day itineraries to Costa Rica during 2013, with prices beginning at $2,395 for trips that include airfare. Trips are priced about $500 less if you arrange your own air transportation to Costa Rica. From BWI, the lowest airfare is $503 roundtrip on Spirit Airlines in mid-December. Tour prices include most meals.

For more information, log onto www.oattravel.com or call 1-800-955-1925.

Victor Block is the Beacon’s travel writer.

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Coping with travel gouges at holiday time With Christmas and New Year’s Days falling on Tuesdays, many of you will also be taking the two Mondays off from work, meaning two successive four-day weekends and an 11-day period with only three working days.

A vacation clearly beckons.

But travel suppliers can also look at the calendar, and many hike their rates for what they expect to be top-demand times.

a very busy season at many others. Airlines and hotels command top dollar.

But business travel generally comes to a complete halt during the holidays, so many big-city hotels that normally cater to business travelers are hungry to fill rooms. Some just cut rates; some offer packages that include shopping deals with entertainment.

A quick Google search came up with NutcrackerTRAVEL TIPS Best days to fly hotel packages in more than a

By Ed Perkins Every year, Priceline posts a dozen cities this year, and report on the “best” and “good” days to fly that’s just a start. during the holiday season, based on its • For hotel accommodations, take a own airfare database. (Visit http://trav- look at vacation rentals as well as ordinary ela.priceline.com/promo/deals/winter_h hotels. Although most price seasonally, olidays/deals.html.) This year, the only you may find a bit less gouging. “best” day to fall within the holiday period • Include air-hotel, air-car, or air-hotelis Jan. 1; going into the holidays, the closest “best dates” are Dec. 16 and 18, too early for many of you.

“Good” days give you a somewhat better choice, including Dec. 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, 27, 31 and Jan. 2. Not surprisingly, weekend days before, during and immediately after the holidays are neither “best” nor even “good.”

Priceline’s conclusions are generally supported by Hotwire’s TripStarter data (see www.hotwire.com/tripstarter/index.jsp). It shows fares actually paid, but the charts do not provide the daily detail that Priceline does. Still, its clear fares to many popular winter destinations increase dramatically.

Last year, fares to a handful of warmweather destinations went up strongly during the last half of December, with some more than doubling. And, over the years, these year-to-year patterns track very closely.

Hotwire’s data show that hotel rates follow the same patterns.

Rental car companies can really gouge visitors at some popular destinations. Last year, CheapCarRental (www.cheapcarrental.net/press/christmas11.html) reported that agencies hiked rates for the cheapest available car during the Dec. 23-28 period, compared with January rates, by outrageous increases of 268 percent in Miami, 216 percent in Orlando, and 194 percent in Honolulu, with increases of 70 percent to 135 percent in Boston, Chicago, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, Philadelphia and San Diego.

What gouges can you avoid?

The big question, of course, is how to avoid price gouges and full occupancies. Beyond the frivolous answer of “stay home,” here are some ways you can sometimes avoid the worst gouges: • If you can, try to find an airfare to fly on one of Priceline’s “good” days. Bending the vacation schedule a day or two can have a big payoff on airfare.

• Avoid the most popular warm-weather destinations. The year-end holiday period is the busiest time of the year in many destinations — among them Hawaii — and is

car packages in your searches. Most big airlines and the big online travel agencies put together packages that can often come to a lower total than arranging the individual parts on your own.

On a quick test, for example, I found that an air-rental car package on Allegiant from Eugene, Ore., to Honolulu for the holiday week added $372 more than airfare for a one-week car rental, compared with the best car-only deal available on Expedia at more than $600.

In times past, I’ve been able to find airhotel packages to Hawaii or the Caribbean during the top holiday season when the

hotels all showed they were out of available rooms.

• Also, consider Europe or Asia. Although airfares to such blockbuster destinations as London, Paris and Rome show a minor spike for mid-December, they’re well under summer levels, and hotel rates are generally low.

Clearly, you can’t totally avoid gouges and still travel to an attractive destination.

But you can at least minimize those gouges — and still have a great vacation.

Send e-mail to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. © 2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

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Style Arts &

Farewell to a one-of-a-kind feline. See column on page 29.

Retro-Rockets keep audiences dancing

19th Annual

Symphony of Lights Festivities Symphony Woods, Columbia, MD

more/Central Maryland area bands, the half-dozen members of Retro-Rockets rock and roll in place as they perform. Those on the dance floor and folks seated on the sidelines sing along with the vocalists, segueing from “At Last” to “Mack the Knife” to “Stand by Me.” At a recent performance at the Holiday Park Senior Center in Wheaton, the Retro-Rockets played to an audience dressed for the occasion, some women wearing fringe-trimmed ‘60s style cocktail dresses, some in the straight skirts of the “sock hop” genre, and others in shorter skirts that spun out in circles as they twirled.

audio and video systems in churches and other places of worship), had played with See RETRO BAND, page 28

Building the band It all began five years ago when Dave Armbruster on bass and Dave Kroop on keyboard were playing together in a praise band at Bethany United Methodist Church in Ellicott City.

Kroop, 69, a retired scientist who lives in West Friendship and still does consulting with technology companies, played with bands in Chicago and Baltimore in his earlier years. He also worked as a

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Drive Through the Light Displays Open 7 days a week from 6 p.m.–10 p.m.; closed December 31.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19–SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2013

The Retro-Rockets, a group composed of seasoned veterans of other area bands, plays golden oldies at community and senior centers. Shown in the front row (from left): Glenn Bullion, lead vocalist and guitar; Bob Jones, drums; Dave Armbruster, bass. Back row (from left): Dave Kroop, keyboards; Iris Hirsch, lead vocals; Larry McCoy, saxophone.

Columbia Pro Cantare

Dazzle Dash

36TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON 2012-2013

A run/walk through the lights.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17: Runners only!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18: Walkers only!

FRANCES MOTYCA DAWSON, CONDUCTOR

Blinkin’ Binkies

December 2, 2012, 7:30 PM – HANDEL: MESSIAH – Jim Rouse Theatre Tickets: Advance $23 Adults; $20 Seniors/Students; $2 more At Door; Group discounts available

A family “stroll” through the lights.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6

Tail Lights A dog-friendly walk through the lights.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11

Generously supported by

Midnight at 7 A family fun New Year’s Eve celebration with fireworks at 7 p.m.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31 To learn more about the festivities, visit hcgh.org/symphonyoflights or call 410-740-7840.

booking agent in Chicago for bands that opened for some famous ‘70s groups.

Armbruster, 69, who lives in Catonsville and owns Armbruster AV (which installs PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RETRO-ROCKETS

By Anne Ball “Sentimental Journey,” “Misty,” “Rock Around the Clock” — most of the couples on the dance floor were in their teens and 20s when these tunes were topping the weekly Hit Parade selections.

The dancers are smiling, but they’re concentrating on their moves, too.

Swinging arms high, hands clasped with their partners, they sway, twirl and dip.

A few minutes later, they shake and shuffle to “The Electric Slide” and “Loco-Motion.”

The saxophone player swaggers onto the dance floor, his instrument bopping away, never missing a beat. He’s back with the band for the next number, then a few minutes later out into the crowd again to lead some lively hand jive.

It’s another retro dance at a senior/community center or VFW hall, fired up by the Retro-Rockets, last month recognized by WJZ-TV as Baltimore’s Best Retro Band.

A relatively new genre of bands, retro bands play music from the ‘40s through the ‘80s-plus, bringing back memories and creating new ones for their audiences.

Seasoned veterans of other Balti-

December 9, 2012, 3:00 PM – “A Christmas Noël” – with the CPC Chamber Singers. Christ Episcopal Church, Dobbin & Oakland Mills Road, Columbia. Tickets: Advance $17 Adults; $15 Seniors/ Students; $2 more At Door

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Tom Wolfe, 81, talks about his new novel York. Back to Blood features Wolfe’s usual cocktail of sex, class and color, from a Cuban-American policeman to a WASP newspaper editor to a Russian oligarch.

First-hand research You don’t have to ask what Wolfe’s been up to the past few years. For the most part, it’s in the book. Not just a strip club, but City Hall and Little Havana, the Miami Art Museum and Fisher Island. A favorite memory was when police let him ride on a “Safe Boat” around Biscayne Bay. “These things across the water at 45 miles an hour, which is fast when you’re on the water, and these boats are unsinkable.

Nobody has ever been able to turn one over. The bottom of the boat was like an enormous mattress. It was built for safety, and that gave me the idea for the whole first chapter of the book,” he said, adding that another highlight was witnessing the Columbus Day Regatta.

“Unfortunately, when I went, the police had begun to crack down. It was no longer an orgy on the water. They used to line up boats, as many as 10 to 12 boats lashed together, so you had one enormous uneven deck.

“And they’d have really wild parties, ending with boys and girls down on the deck having at it, and pornographic movies on the big sails of the schooners.”

Wolfe is a National Book Award winner, a best-seller and a mixed bag. He is a giant among nonfiction writers, but the rap on him as a novelist is that he thinks wide and not deep.

The New Yorker’s James Wood disparaged the new novel’s “yards of flapping exaggeration.” The New York Times’ Michiko Kakutani thought the story “filled with heaps of contrivance and cartoonish antics,” while praising Wolfe’s “new and improved ability to conjure fully realized people.”

Wolfe doesn’t like to admit it, but reviews get to him. He remembers John Updike panning A Man in Full as “entertainment, not literature,” and John Irving callSee WOLFE, page 28

A P P H OTO / L I T T L E , B R O W N A N D C O M PA N Y, M A R K S E L I G E R

By Hillel Italie Like a prize-winning reporter, fame follows Tom Wolfe, even when he swaps the white suit for a blue blazer, even when he visits some strip club in Miami as research — yes, research — for his new novel.

“I was the only man with a necktie,” he said with a chuckle, back in his trademark white during a recent interview at his Manhattan apartment.

“They seat you in these little couches, and it was like a furniture show room — all these pieces of furniture would stretch long for maybe 40 feet. So I’m sitting there and this guy, must have been a bouncer, came over and said, ‘Hey, you’re Tom Wolfe aren’t you?’”

Millions know the meaning of “Tom Wolfe”: The Bonfire of the Vanities and The Right Stuff, the “Me” decade and “radical chic,” the punched-up prose and the blaze of white.

At age 81, his hair is thinned and his posture stooped, but the face remains impish and his manner wide-eyed and boyish at all the amazing things that happen — the kinds of stories, he likes to say, that you can’t make up.

His latest scoops appear in Back to Blood, his first novel in eight years. It’s another big city tale in the tradition of Bonfire, his gleeful panorama of 1980s New

Author Tom Wolfe immersed himself in Miami’s culture, from strip clubs to Little Havana, for his new book Back to Blood, his first novel in eight years.

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Wolfe From page 27 ing the same book “journalistic hyperbole described as fiction.”

Wolfe’s response: He does aim to please (and provoke), and he does think like a newspaperman.

His prescription for the American novel remains what he has suggested for decades: Don’t just sit there. Get out and report your story, capture the public and the private, the way Emile Zola did back in the 19th century.

He continues to look down on contemporary fiction, although he doesn’t follow it as closely as he did back in the 1980s when he

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 2 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

condemned the “anesthetic solitude” of minimalists and other authors of the time.

He has little to say about such 21st-century novelists as Michael Chabon, David Foster Wallace and Jeffrey Eugenides.

Wolfe does have a few nice words for Jonathan Franzen, whose Freedom is a broad take on American life during the George W. Bush administration.

“Franzen does get into the social scene to some extent,” Wolfe said. “I give him credit for that.”

Wolfe sees his job as more than just filling notepads; he has figured out how it adds up. After hanging around with hippies and astronauts, bankers and cops, he has concluded the same questions nag them all: What will my peers think? How am I doing? It’s all about status, something “on everybody’s mind all the time.”

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A believer that one should never exclude himself from his own theory, Wolfe is an old-fashioned striver, a native of Richmond, Va., who was class president in high school and ran the student newspaper. He wanted to be a Great American Writer, in the Greatest American City: New York.

He hustled and wrote and dressed his way to the top. His apartment is a shining wonder, 12 rooms on the 14th floor of a doorman building on the Upper East Side.

Depending on which way you turn your head, you could catch a view of Central Park or a lampshade in his office designed after the author’s signature Panama hat.

Wolfe was interviewed in what might be

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Retro band From page 26 the Sentries, a Baltimore band in the ‘50s and ‘60s that backed such big name recording acts as Chubby Checkers, The Platters, Otis Redding and Ethel Ennis.

“Dave and I were playing together at other churches and community gatherings and got to talking that it might be fun to expand a bit into the oldies,” Kroop recalled. “We were not really sure what we were doing, but we put an ad on Craigslist.”

From that ad and subsequent others, they put together an ensemble that now includes Bob Jones, 65, “The Drumguy,” a founding member of Cindy & the Censations, who also played with the Sentries and taught drumming for 25 years at Bill’s Music House in Catonsville Larry McCoy, 65, also of Catonsville, joined the group as well. McCoy has been playing saxophone for some 30 years with jazz bands (Unit One and Gerrell) as well as Oliver Moore and the Gospel Sounds.

He likes to work into any conversation about his music a shout out to his teacher and mentor Eddie Williams, 89.

Rounding out the instrumentalists, guitarist Glenn Bullion, 60, of Finksburg also played with the Sentries and performed with the group Glenn & The Gemtones.

called a sitting room, or a TV-less living room, or the yellow room — yellow walls, yellow radiators, yellow window shutters, yellow book cases, and Wolfe’s couch of choice, with its yellow corduroy design.

He’s been a novelist for 30 years, but he is also defined as a founder of the “new journalism,” the now standard art of applying the techniques of fiction — dialogue, scene setting, rich, descriptive language — to nonfiction.

His peers have included Jimmy Breslin, Gay Talese and the late Nora Ephron. His current favorites include Mark Bowden, best known for Black Hawk Down, and Moneyball author Michael Lewis.

“He is one of my heroes,” said Lewis, who has been reading Wolfe since he was a boy.

“He led the way in showing how much could be crammed into a work of nonfiction.”

Wolfe is the least sedentary of writers, and seeing him walk gamely around his apartment makes you wonder if he wasn’t ready for one of those quiet, introspective novels he so despises.

But the ideas keep coming. Wolfe said he has at least six projects to keep him busy, including a nonfiction book on Charles Darwin and other evolutionary theorists and a fictional return to New York.

“There are still so many things I don’t know about the city and I’d just like to see what’s out there,” he said. “The Latin American population has increased enormously since Bonfire, and Wall Street has changed enormously. I’ll follow my usual technique of just taking in a scene and seeing what I find.”

— AP

Perfect harmony Bullion supplies the male lead vocals for the Retro-Rockets, while Iris Hirsch, 58, belts out and croons female vocals. Hirsch, retired from Prince George’s County Public Schools, came to the group via a Craigslist ad, too.

“About five years ago, I saw the ad for a male vocalist, and I wrote back asking if they would consider a female instead,” she recalled.

They did, she auditioned, and signed on. She also takes on the secretarial, public relations and marketing chores for the band, and writes its newsletter.

Hirsch, who lives in Columbia with her husband Peter, had sung with Partners in Song and the Baby Boomers, local folk singing and children’s music groups. That energy comes through in her band performances, as she bops around in front of the band, steps in and out among the dancers, mike in hand, clapping or shaking mariachis or a tambourine, depending on the song.

When Peter Hirsch, 61, retired from the federal government, he volunteered to serve as business manager for the expanding group. Today he handles bookings and other logistics-related activities, overseeing a schedule well into the fall of next year.

That schedule is posted along with news and photos of recent performances on the band’s website, www.retro-rockets.net.

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29

The cat who taught me about chutzpah

By Saralee Perel I can still picture the morning I was sitting with a dozen mewing kittens at the local animal shelter. There was a slight movement between two pillows on the far side of the cage.

That’s where I found Eddie. He was on his back trying to get some sleep “in this lousy joint” as I imagined an independent cat like him would say.

He was a plain gray tabby, as common as a housefly.

“He’s the one,” I said to my husband, Bob. Eddie swaggered to the food bowl, pushing four kittens out of the way.

“He’s so ratty,” Bob said, picking him up. “And he only has one whisker.”

Eddie tenderly pressed his face against mine. Then he put his sharp baby teeth around my gold earring and yanked with the strength of a sumo wrestler.

Eddie had chutzpah and he knew how to use it.

That first night home, he was restless. I calmed him with a song from the musical, Oliver. I sang it softly, as a slow ballad, “Food, glorious food, hot sausage and mustard.” He closed his eyes and purred. From then on, that song always soothed him.

Eddie got up before we did. I knew that from the sound of breaking glass.

We found him on the mantel where my favorite glass plate used to be. The floor was covered with glass shards. He quickly put his paw behind a blue china vase and chucked that off the mantel, too.

At first I felt bad. But that didn’t last.

Things are just things. Our pets are family.

While we were sleeping, Eddie bit our earlobes, toes and fingers. He preferred protruding parts. Imagine what poor Bob endured.

When we’d watch TV in bed, he’d

scratch us for attention. Eventually, I learned that there are times when family, friends or pets are more important than TV. And when are those times? Always.

Eddie opened cabinets by putting his paws around the knobs. Vitamin bottles made great rattling noises upon crash landings.

We bought child-proof magnets at the hardware store. Eddie simply tugged a little harder.

Back to the hardware store for hook and eye locks. Eddie flipped the hooks open with one paw.

Back to the hardware store for deadbolt locks. He easily slid those bolts to the side.

The guy at the hardware store already had combination locks on the counter.

Eddie came into my life when, because of an illness, I needed to learn a lot from him. And I did.

To Eddie, obstacles were challenges.

When barriers thwarted him, he never quit trying. Words like “can’t” and “hopeless” were only beliefs. Beliefs can be changed.

For the past two years, Eddie has been sick. I spent lots of time massaging him on either side of his face. He always loved that.

One afternoon, I used my fingers to comb through the lovely full set of whiskers he had eventually grown. That was the day when I saw the one side effect from the medicine he was taking. As I gently rubbed along his face, all of his whiskers came off in my hands, except for one. I placed them in a tiny needlepoint purse my mother had made for me.

He came into our lives with one whisker.

And that is how he would leave.

Three months ago, on a quiet Sunday afternoon, I kissed his forehead and whispered, “I love you.” He looked up at me.

His face showed the love he was never successful at hiding.

As Bob softly sang, “Food, glorious food, hot sausage and mustard,” Eddie took his last breath.

While his body was still warm, I cradled him in my arms and rocked him. I held his head so he was nestled against my neck. “Eddie, you will always be a part of me.”

I didn’t want to let him go from my arms. But Bob, so lovingly and slowly, gently took him away.

And so, I honor the life of my wonderful cat who, from the beginning, stood apart from all the others.

My beautiful cat, my Eddie, just a plain gray tabby, as common as a housefly.

Award-winning columnist, Saralee Perel, welcomes e-mail at: sperel@saraleeperel.com.

Visit her website at www.saraleeperel.com.

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1. Milkshake or beer request 6. Cattle call 9. Big party 13. Energy option 14. ___ pass 15. Pro’s foe 16. War zone 17. Not at all humid 18. They meet the zebras at the watering hole 19. 1970’s carpool carrier 22. Otolaryngologists, more commonly 23. Snow plank 24. ___ 9:00; out by 5:00 25. Fall contest held annually since 1930 30. Water preservers 33. Rocks, to a mixologist 34. And a bunch of other guys (abbrev.)

35. In the style of 36. Resistance unit 39. Purchaser of X-ray equipment 41. They come three per milliliter 42. Indian dress 44. Org. that breaks into cars 46. Gumbo server 48. They too shall pass 52. Lord’s servant 53. Capote-themed play 54. Mexican munchie 58. High fiber selection 61. Theatre offering 62. Place for the sheriff’s star 63. Instrument in a jazz trio 64. Start to scope 65. Kitchen extension 66. Strong suit 67. Songwriter Paul, who composed Johnny Carson’s theme 68. Dorm V.I.P.’s 69. Light beer signs

1. “Have ___ trip” 2. Dumbbell 3. Well-rested 4. Reaches Park Place 5. Golf hazard 6. Spy glass content 7. Mishmash 8. Story tellers 9. Emotional encumbrances 10. Added commentary 11. Shock 12. Quick greetings 14. Tearjerker take-along 20. Belief system 21. At least one 26. Carnival city 27. Be in a cast 28. It may have multiple anchors 29. Ultimatum ending 30. It can really hold its liquor 31. Jai ___ 32. Poker hustler 37. Medical condition which is not caused by cut grass, and does not impact body temperature 38. Bell and Barker 40. Pub brew 43. Lethargy 45. Certifies as true 47. Star of Let’s Dance in 1950 49. Before, briefly 50. Deliver the keynote 51. She’s chaste all through the abbey 55. Rental car option 56. Body of rules 57. They are down in the dumps 58. College applicant, probably 59. Early home video recording format 60. Bridge 61. Hot springs

Answers on page 29.

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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.

Business & Employment Opportunities HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS A Nursing Agency in Baltimore County is hiring.

Needed are RNs, LPNs and CNAs with current experience providing direct pediatric/geriatric care. To apply: 410-779-9162.

Caregivers LICENSED, BONDED CNA with decade of geriatric care experience seeks long-term, fulltime overnight position. Currently a grad student pursuing nursing degree, I come with an extensive resume, sterling references & solid pet-care skills. If interested, kindly call Jacqueline at 301-787-3555.

SKILLED NURSING / PERSONAL CARE SERVICES AT HOME Clearview Medical Services is committed to providing compassionate skilled nursing & personal care services. We have a pool of experienced health professionals (RN, LPN, CNA & Companions) with a track record of excellences. Call us today, for all your nursing & companion needs on 410-779-9162.

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HERE AND NOW HOME CARE – Very reliable and certified caregivers who provide care with quality, dignity and respect. Personal care, companionship and light housekeeping at competitive prices. 24 hours around the clock.

Homes, hospitals, nursing homes. 240-5077120. www.hereandhowhomecare.com.

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

FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND QUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS wanted by a serious capable buyer. I am very well educated [law degree] knowledgeable [over 40 years in the antique business] and have the finances and wherewithal to handle virtually any situation. If you have a special item, collection or important estate I would like to hear from you. I pay great prices for great things in all categories from oriental rugs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silver and gold to classic cars.

If it is wonderful I am interested. No phony promises or messy consignments. References gladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan 301-279-8834. Thank you.

For Rent/Sale: Real Estate COLUMBIA – OVER 50 TOWNHOUSE CONDO 1BR with den, open, airy, wood floors, sunroom, garage, cathedral ceilings. Long & Foster 410-730-3456 EHO. Near Lorien and Hospital. $320,000. Call A. DeTraglia 410-730-9573 to see.

For Sale 2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed.

Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures if desired. Call Steve 410-913-1653.

CEMETERY LOTS Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. Two – 2 grave lots priced lower then cemetery asking price. Call 410-252-7471 or 443-465-7915.

Health BAD KNEES? I stopped my knee pain using natural supplements. Comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. You lose nothing buy pain! 443462-6083. Email: healthyknees@yahoo.com.

Miscellaneous CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS BOOKSTORE Books – Bibles – Gifts – Music – Church Supplies – Murphy Robes – Gift Certificates – Flowers – Gift Baskets – Spanish Resources.

Call 571-765-3558 or order online www.spiritualpraise.net / www.churchfashions.net.

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Call for other services 443-514-8583.

CASH BUYER for old costume jewelry, pocket and wrist watches (any condition). Also buying watch maker tools and parts, train sets and accessories, old toys, old glassware & coins. 410655-0412.

BUYING NUMISMATIC COINS and most gold or silver items including coins, sterling, jewelry, etc. Will come to you with best cash offer. Call Paul: 410-756-1906.

COLLECTOR BUYING MODERN FURNITURE, lighting, art & accessories from the 1940’s – 1970’s. Danish/Scan, Knoll, Herman Miller, Dunbar, Paul Evans, Thayer Coggin, Harvey Probber, Vladimir Kagan, Nakashima ect. Also buying abstract modern art, ceramics, glass and records. Please call 202-213-9768.

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Dec. 1

INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS IN ORCHESTRA CONCERT The Columbia Orchestra will combine the music of classic

Russian composers Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff with the current work of African-American Nkeiru Okoye in its next seasonal concert, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, at Wilde Lake High School’s Jim Rouse Theatre. General admission is $20 to $25; seniors, $16 to $21. A free lecture by Howard Community College music professor Bill Scanlan Murphy will also be presented at 6:30 p.m. The theatre is at 5460 Trumpeter Rd., Columbia. For reservations or more information, call

Personal Services LEARN ENGLISH – SPANISH – ITALIAN – FRENCH – PORTUGUESE Conversational.

Grammatical. Private lessons. Reasonable Rates. Tutoring students. 443-352-8200.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT I do it all. Cook, clean, drive, paint & light computer, etc. Semi-retired male. Part-time. $18/hour. 410-627-6468, Alan.

Wanted BUYING ANTIQUES ESTATES – Cash paid for furniture, art, jewelry, silver, gold, old toys, sports, military, guns, knives, books, etc. Integrity, experience. Please call Tom 240-476-3441.

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