August 2025 | Howard County Beacon

The Howard County

Chef Cindy Wolf cooks with heart

By Tina Collins

“To know how to eat is to know how to live.”

— Georges Auguste Escoffier

There are those who cook and those who understand the art of cooking. Not merely the alchemy of heat and ingredients, the delicate balance of salt and fat, but the unspoken language of hunger itself — the yearning for comfort, for memory, for a communion that transcends the mere act of eating. Chef Cindy Wolf understands.

In Baltimore’s busy Harbor East, where the cobblestones meet the water and the skyline glows amber at dusk, Wolf’s Charleston stands as an elegant temple to gastronomy. There, French tradition meets Southern warmth. The plate becomes a canvas; the meal, a celebration.

In the ever-changing landscape of culinary trends, Wolf adheres to excellence and an unwavering dedication to her craft, as she has for nearly three decades. She and her former business and life partner, Tony Foreman, were the main architects of Baltimore’s renaissance as a destination for fine dining.

In 2025, Charleston was awarded the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. This national recognition capped off 25 Beard nominations for the restaurant and its team.

Despite her stature, Wolf prefers to live outside the spotlight. She remains humble and grounded, focused on the food. “I love the look, the feel, the smell of each ingredient — I love every part of it,” she said.

Food as a family value

Born in Virginia and raised in North Carolina, Wolf grew up in a home where food — particularly her mother’s Pennsylvania Dutch cooking — was the centerpiece.

LEISURE & TRAVEL

Tour the “summer cottages” of Newport, Rhode Island; plus, beat the heat with a road trip to Michigan page 10

“We were the family that ate dinner at the table every night. My sister and I always washed the dishes in the summer since we had no homework. My mother was a loving taskmaster, assigning chores and life lessons that made me who I am today. When we went out, my father knew where to eat; at home, we were taught how to live.”

Wolf’s father, a master butcher at 17 like

his father, went on to become a restaurant industry executive, including vice president of Hardee’s in North Carolina and vice president of Ponderosa in Indiana. Wolf often accompanied her father on his trips to Chicago, where elite French restaurants like the Whitehall Club and

ARTS & STYLE

Take the grandkids to see Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Toby’s Dinner Theatre page 19

Chef Cindy Wolf won a 2025 James Beard Award for her fine dining restaurant Charleston, which opened in 1997. “I’m ever growing my knowledge — always reading, always eating, particularly in Europe, to improve my skills and my palate,” she said.

Invisible realms surround us

So much of the world around us is undetectable by human senses. We see only a narrow slice of the light spectrum. Our hearing? Just a small band of sound. Many animals perceive far more than we do.

But through technology, we’ve learned to harness parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that we can’t see or hear. With the right tools, we translate those invisible waves into everyday essentials: radio, television, cell phones, GPS. We never perceive the waves directly, but we trust they exist. How else would our devices work?

tual realm. Maybe it’s all around us, but we lack an internal “device” to perceive it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

That same logic might apply to the spiri-

Some scientists and philosophers are now exploring the idea that our brains function more like filters than receivers of truth — tuning out much of reality so we can focus on just what we need to survive.

In this view, the brain isn’t the pinnacle of evolution, but a narrow-band radio picking up only essential stations: eat, sleep, find shelter, get along with others. Everything else — including potentially vast spiritual dimensions of the universe — gets screened out.

This theory finds support in some sur-

MUSIC TEACHER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The MusicLink Foundation is looking for music teachers in Maryland to share their passion and expertise with children. Students interested in music but unable to afford lessons are paired with qualified teachers willing to reduce their fees by at least half. The time commitment is at least one hour per week. For more information, visit musiclinkfoundation.org or call (703) 534-9490.

Beacon The

The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Howard County area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Md. and Greater Washington, D.C. Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. Maryland residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.

Publisher/Editor Emeritus – Stuart P. Rosenthal

President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal

Executive Vice President – Gordon Hasenei

Editor – Margaret Foster

Art Director – Kyle Gregory

Vice President of Operations – Roger King

Advertising Representatives –Jill Joseph, Steve Levin, M.K. Phillips, Alan Spiegel

Assistant Editor – Ana Preger Hart

Editorial Assistant – Tori Cleveland

Editorial Intern – Luke Sanelli

prising places. Studies of brainwaves in people undergoing psychedelic experiences, for example, show not the hyperactivity most scientists expected, but rather a quiescent brain almost bereft of electrical impulses.

Many people on a “trip” see vivid colors, hear music, feel as if they’re floating through space, merging with the universe, and accessing deep truths they can’t quite explain later. And these rich experiences inexplicably arise when their brain’s usual electrical activity seems to fade away.

Could it be that when our brains — designed to pick up only a narrow sliver of reality — quiet down, we become more open to other spiritual, emotional or intuitive frequencies? Maybe what we call a mystical experience is just the widening of our perceptual bandwidth.

This might explain why belief in a spiritual realm remains strong among American adults. According to the Pew Research Center’s 2024 Religious Landscape Study, roughly eight in 10 — including many who identify as religiously unaffiliated — believe there is something spiritual beyond the physical world.

Around 83% say they believe in God or a universal spirit, and 86% overall (including

74% of those under 30) believe humans have a soul or spirit.

Throughout most of history, belief in unseen realms was nearly universal. But it’s somewhat surprising to see such beliefs holding steady today.

Maybe it’s less surprising to find this among older adults, since it is said that, as we age, people tend to become more religious or spiritual. That observation is often attributed to older people contemplating the end of life.

But maybe it’s not just fear of death that draws us toward spirituality. As we slow down or leave behind high-pressure lifestyles, released from the need to focus our brains on raising children and making a living, maybe we naturally begin to tune into different frequencies.

Are you finding yourself more spiritual than you used to be? Are there moments when you feel connected to something larger — even if you can’t quite name it?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your reflections with us by mail, email or through our website. I look forward to tuning in, and to sharing your experiences with other readers.

Letters to the editor

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

Dear Editor:

Regarding Victor Block’s interesting article on the Amtrak Auto Train [“The Auto Train is part of your vacation,” July 2025], I am an experienced traveler on the Auto Train and can comment from a coach perspective.

Being tall, I’ve never had any trouble sleeping in the coach areas, and coach seating is much less expensive. If you do consider coach, here are some tips:

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com

Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the

Avoid the busiest months (January traveling south and mid-April through the end of May traveling north). That way, you’ll have an empty seat next to you, which allows you to stretch out while sleeping.

Bring your own dinner. Unfortunately, the food Amtrak provides for coach passengers ranks about the same as a typical microwave meal. A good continental breakfast is still provided in the morning.

Though the train is relatively quiet, earplugs, eye patches and melatonin can help one stay asleep. Bring a small pillow, as Amtrak no longer provides them to the coach passengers.

David Bisant via email

Dear Editor:

Loyal Beacon readers and I were discussing the publisher’s “vanishing” into the ether of strange music after reading your March column “Music from the ether.” We were all relieved to have found you again in “As others see us” in July.

You hit the epicenter of what adults should be pondering as we transition from one life to another. I have personally interviewed people that have had out-ofbody near-death experiences, and they all have much in common. Their point of view of themselves and others changes dramatically.

Many people avoid thinking about, much less answering, these startling questions: Who are you, really? What are you here on Earth for? What matters most?

Review your life and try to see yourself as others see you. It’s not about what you have, but what you have become. To that end, your article was spot-on, thought-provoking and a great read. Welcome back from the ether.

Richard Todd Washington, DC

Fibromyalgia Feels Like a Life Sentence — But

Imagine waking up every morning feeling like you’ve run a marathon in your sleep. Your muscles ache, your joints feel stiff, and your energy is at an all-time low. You’re exhausted not just physically, but mentally, too. You try to push through, but simple tasks like getting dressed, making a meal, or even focusing on a conversation feel impossible.

This is the daily reality for people with fibromyalgia. The name alone often sends a ripple of discomfort through those who know its pain too well. For many, it’s a long road to diagnosis — one filled with uncertainty, frustration, and the feeling of being misunderstood by the medical community.

The pain can be felt in every corner of the body or in some cases has a favorite haunt. In other words, for some suffering there is no one spot of pain — it’s everywhere, while in others it presents as a constant ache in their shoulders or back pain that just won’t give.

At AIM Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine of Maryland, they see this struggle every day.

“I would wake up with my shoulders and hips feeling sore, like I had been hit by a truck,”

says Amy, a patient who first visited AIM Maryland after years of unrelenting discomfort. “I had so much fatigue, but it wasn’t the kind of tiredness you can sleep off. It was like my body was constantly in overdrive, and my mind wasn’t far behind. The worst part? No one had an answer for me. I’d seen doctor after doctor, but the pain persisted.” Many fibromyalgia patients, like Amy, live with symptoms that are difficult to explain, let alone diagnose. The pain can come in the form of twitches, cramps, tingling,

It Doesn’t Have to Be

or even a burning sensation. Sometimes it’s localized, other times, it’s all over the body. And these sensations can change from day to day, making it even harder to pin down a clear diagnosis.

The hardest part of fibromyalgia for many patients is the journey to understanding what’s happening with their body.

It’s not unusual for someone to see up to 20 different healthcare professionals in just one year, trying to find a solution to their unexplainable symptoms.

Most often, these patients are told they have nerve pain or simply need to rest more. They might be given painkillers, which rarely help, especially in cases of nerve pain.

start to get better. It’s like a lightbulb moment, but it takes time to get there.”

At AIM Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine of Maryland, they specialize in treating people who might have spent years bouncing from any answers. Their approach patients to gently address the symptoms they are experiencing – whether it’s shoulder pain, fatigue, brain fog, or other sensitivities. They take the time to understand the whole person, rather than simply diagnosing a symptom.

“When I came to AIM Maryland, I was dealing with so much more than just pain,” says Claire, another patient.

Find The Relief You Deserve

This is why fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed for five years or more. People with fibromyalgia will find themselves meeting with neurologists for numbness or tingling, or pain specialists for chronic pain issues that seem to get worse no matter what medications they try. It can be incredibly disheartening. When patients finally make it to AIM Maryland, it’s a huge relief,” explains Dr. Kristin Huza, DAC, Founder of AIM Maryland. “They realize that all the various symptoms — pain, fatigue, concentration issues — don’t need to be treated separately. They can finally

so overwhelming. At AIM Maryland, they approach

They start by treating the most immediate symptoms — shoulder pain, fatigue, and brain fog — and then talk with their patients about what else they might be experiencing.

“They were careful and compassionate when they Amy. “They didn’t push me into anything, but simply explained that what I was experiencing might be part of a bigger picture. It gave me hope that I wasn’t just imagining my pain.”

As Dr. Huza puts it, “Every and yet it’s wildly unique at the same time. It’s not easy to categorize, but once we understand the full scope of someone’s experience, we can really begin to help them.”

For patients like Claire, the journey is worth it. “After working with AIM Maryland,

life back. It’s not perfect, but

“I was fatigued, I couldn’t focus, and my body felt like it was constantly buzzing. I thought I was just stressed, it was much

listen to me. We started with my shoulder pain and then slowly worked through everything else.

“I never realized how much my body had been struggling until I felt relief.”

a sensitive condition, they tread lightly when discussing it with patients. Many are in pain, but also reluctant to accept a diagnosis that seems

I’m no longer living in a constant state of pain and confusion. I can focus, I can I’m being heard.”

If you’ve been living with unexplained fatigue, pain, or strange body sensations, it’s time to visit AIM Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine, they are ready to listen, to support,

you deserve.

Call them today at (410) 730-5370 to schedule a consultation and see how their treatments can help you feel like yourself again.

For more information and incredible success stories, visit AimMaryland.com

& Fitness &

Health

Health

Sitting less and moving more is good for the heart. Stand up at least once an hour

To protect your kidneys, stay hydrated, limit alcohol, use ibuprofen sparingly

More older Americans are falling, which can lead to a cascade of other health problems

Pikesville researchers are enrolling patients in early Alzheimer’s studies

Mid-Atlantic has lowest dementia rates in U.S.

By Christy Bieber

The risk of dementia varies surprisingly across the United States. People in certain areas, like the Southeastern states, have dementia rates as much as 25% higher than the baseline.

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, conducted a large-scale study of more than 1.2 million older veterans enrolled in the VA medical system from 1990 to 2021. Participants were studied for a period of 12.6 years, and dementia rates were calculated per 1,000 person-years.

The data, which was published in JAMA Neurology, revealed that the lowest rates of dementia occurred in the Mid-Atlantic region. Within this region of the country, which includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia, there were 11.2 cases of dementia per 1,000 person-years.

Dementia hot spots

Since our region had the lowest incidence rates, it became the baseline against which other regions were compared, revealing shocking geographic disparities. Specifically:

• The Southeast region had dementia

rates 25% higher than the Mid-Atlantic baseline.

• Both the Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions saw 23% higher rates.

• Rates in the South were 18% higher.

• Rates were 13% higher in the Southwest.

• Both the Midwest and South Atlanta had 12% higher rates.

• Rates were 7% higher in the Northeast and the Great Lakes.

Researchers accounted for other factors affecting dementia risks, such as age, rates of cardiovascular disease, race and rural versus urban living, as rural areas tend to see higher rates of dementia. Even after adjusting for these factors, the regional differences persisted.

Why the stark disparities?

This study did not provide conclusive answers as to why there is such significant regional variation in dementia diagnoses. However, authors have several theories.

“Quality of education, early life conditions and environmental exposures may be among those factors,” said Christina Dintica, Ph.D., one of the study authors.

Past research has also suggested that fac-

tors such as labor market conditions, environmental hazards, structural racism and overall adult health can make an impact.

Other studies have shown that the difference in diagnosis rates can be largely explained by differences in health systems rather than by an actual disparity in dementia rates.

Just because more people are diagnosed in a particular location does not mean that more people have the condition. Rather, it may be that more people are likely to seek help in that region — or doctors there are more likely to identify the issue.

Reduce your dementia risk

The good news is that you can still reduce your risk of dementia. According to the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, up to 45% of dementia cases are preventable.

Here are some ways the commission recommends to reduce your risk:

1. Complete your secondary education.

2. Get a hearing aid.

3. Lower your cholesterol if it is elevated.

4. If you have been diagnosed with depression, get treatment.

5. Avoid traumatic brain injury by wearing helmets, seatbelts and avoiding falls.

6. Aim for 75 minutes (at the very minimum) of aerobic activity per week.

7. Avoid type 2 diabetes or get treatment for diabetes and prediabetes.

8. Don’t smoke, or quit if you do.

9. Treat high blood pressure.

10. Maintain a healthy weight.

11. If you drink, do so only in moderation.

12. Avoid social isolation and loneliness.

13. Keep your eyes and vision healthy.

14. Reduce your exposure to air pollution by monitoring your local air quality index and limiting your outdoor activities on days with poor air quality. This is especially important if you live in areas affected by wildfires.

The real estate listing company Redfin has published property-level air quality data, so you can see your home’s overall risk. Just click on “air factor.”

Other studies have recommended keeping your mind active with games, puzzles, and lifelong learning.

© 2025 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Exercise boosts colon cancer survival

By Carla K. Johnson

A three-year exercise program improved survival in colon cancer patients and kept disease at bay, a first-of-its-kind international experiment showed.

With the benefits rivaling some drugs, experts said cancer centers and insurance plans should consider making exercise coaching a new standard of care for colon cancer survivors. Until then, patients can increase their physical activity after treatment, knowing they are doing their part to prevent cancer from coming back.

“It’s an extremely exciting study,” said Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who wasn’t involved in the research. It’s the first randomized, controlled trial to show a reduction in cancer recurrences and improved survival linked to exercise, Meyerhardt said. Prior evidence was based on comparing active people with sedentary people, a type of study that can’t prove cause and effect. The new study — conducted in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Israel and

the United States — compared people who were randomly selected for an exercise program with those who instead received an educational booklet.

“This is about as high a quality of evidence as you can get,” said Dr. Julie Gralow, chief medical officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. “I love this study because it’s something I’ve been promoting but with less strong evidence for a long time.”

Study followed chemo patients

The findings were featured in June at ASCO’s annual meeting in Chicago and published by the New England Journal of Medicine

Researchers followed 889 patients with treatable colon cancer who had completed chemotherapy. Half were given information promoting fitness and nutrition. The others worked with a coach, meeting every two weeks for a year, then monthly for the next two years.

Coaches helped participants find ways to increase their physical activity. Many peo-

ple, including Terri Swain-Collins, chose to walk for about 45 minutes several times a week.

“This is something I could do for myself to make me feel better,” said SwainCollins, 62. Regular contact with a friendly coach kept her motivated and accountable, she said. “I wouldn’t want to go there and say, ‘I didn’t do anything,’ so I was always doing stuff and making sure I got it done.”

After eight years, the people in the structured exercise program not only became more active than those in the control group but also had 28% fewer cancers and 37% fewer deaths from any cause.

“When we saw the results, we were just astounded,” said study co-author Dr. Christopher Booth, a cancer doctor at Kingston Health Sciences Centre in Kingston, Ontario.

Affordable way to live longer

Exercise programs can be offered for several thousand dollars per patient, Booth said, “a remarkably affordable inter-

vention that will make people feel better, have fewer cancer recurrences and help them live longer.”

Researchers collected blood from participants and will look for clues tying exercise to cancer prevention, whether through insulin processing or building up the immune system or something else.

Swain-Collins’ coaching program ended, but she is still exercising. She listens to music while she walks in the countryside near her home in Ontario.

That kind of behavior change can be achieved when people believe in the benefits, when they find ways to make it fun and when there’s a social component, said paper co-author Kerry Courneya, who studies exercise and cancer at the University of Alberta. The new evidence will give cancer patients a reason to stay motivated.

“Now we can say definitively exercise causes improvements in survival,” Courneya said.

Surprising health benefits of cherries

By Andrea Mathis, M.A., RDN, LD

Bursting with a perfect combination of sweet and tart flavors, fresh cherries are one of summer’s most perfect offerings. These small stone fruits also boast some impressive health benefits — making them an even sweeter summertime treat.

Health benefits of cherries

Besides being extremely tasty, cherries — both sweet and sour — are a great source of vitamin C and also have some potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and folate. Together, these vitamins and nutrients help maintain your immune system, keep your skin healthy, regulate your blood pressure, help your muscles contract and help maintain muscle and nerve function, among other benefits.

They’re also rich in fiber (about 3 grams per cup), which helps promote healthy gut bacteria and can help keep you regular.

Aug. 9

Cherries have anti-aging properties

Cherries are rich in antioxidants, which help to fight free radicals and oxidative stress that contributes to the aging process. According to a review of cherry nutrition research, people who ate cherries and cherry products experienced reduced oxidative stress while enjoying the benefits of a diet rich in antioxidants.

They’re an anti-inflammatory snack

Struggling with arthritis, gout, cardiovascular disease or another ailment linked to inflammation? Cherries can actually help to reduce these symptoms, due to their high concentration of polyphenols that provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Studies show that polyphenols, melatonin, carotenoids

FREE GUIDED BUTTERFLY WALK

Howard County Bird Club leads this free guided walk around Mt. Pleasant trails and gardens at the Howard County Conservancy. Learn how to identify butterflies on Sat., Aug. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at 10520 Old Frederick Rd., Woodstock. Register at bit.ly/HowardButterflyWalk. For more information, call (410) 465-8877 or email programs@howardnature.org.

Aug. 11+

FREE YOGA IN THE PARK

Enjoy a free outdoor yoga class at the Chrysalis in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. This class is suitable for people of all abilities and skill levels. It takes place on Mon., Aug. 11, 18, and 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. at 10431 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. For more information and to reserve your spot, visit bit.ly/ParkYogaSummer2025.

and vitamins E and C contribute to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cherries. These nutrients help to suppress inflammatory proteins and uric acid build-up that can lead to swelling and pain in your joints. Tart cherry juice is also associated with faster recovery postworkout.

Cherries

can help you sleep

Cherries (particularly tart cherries) are naturally high in melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone that can help you nod off faster and stay asleep longer. Some researchers recommend eating a handful of cherries a day to reap the melatonin benefits; other studies suggest that a glass of Montmorency tart cherry juice may also help improve sleep.

Cherries may promote weight loss

In addition to being low in calories, cherries are a great source of fiber, which may help to control hunger and keep you feeling full and satisfied between meals. Cherries are also a low-glycemic food, which means they only cause a small rise in blood sugar and insulin levels. So how can this help? Studies suggest that a simplified approach to weight reduction that emphasizes an increased fiber intake — rather than a complicated diet regimen — may be a reasonable alternative for people who have trouble adhering to traditional “diets.”

EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at eatingwell.com.

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

For free materials about area housing communities, just complete and clip this coupon and mail, or take a picture and email, to the Beacon.

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Clinical Health Studies

o Smell Test Study (see ad on page 8)

the boxes you’re interested in and return this form to: The Beacon, P.O.

BEACON BITS

Ways to keep your heart, kidneys healthy

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: I keep hearing we should sit less. But what’s the evidence that it makes a difference, and how should you go about doing it?

A: That’s an important question because whenever you make any type of lifestyle change, it’s helpful to know not just what you’re adding but also what you’re subtracting. For example, when people eat more fruit, they may eat fewer cookies, and both shifts are beneficial. Likewise, people are better off when they move more and sit less.

A study published in the European Heart Journal in November 2023 provided estimates about the potential advantages of choosing different activities — including sleeping — in place of sitting. The article included data from more than 15,000 people. Their average age was 54, nearly 55% were women, and most (88%) rated their health as good or better.

Researchers assessed the participants’ heart health based on their BMI (a measurement that incorporates both weight and height), waist circumference, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and HbA1c (a measure of blood sugar used to assess dia-

betes risk). About a third were taking medication to control cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes, and about 10% had been diagnosed with heart disease.

Participants wore special activity monitors that attach to the front of the thigh. These monitors are more accurate than those worn on the hip or the wrist for discerning between sitting and standing.

Based on a week’s worth of data, the average participant’s day consisted of 7.7 hours sleeping, 10.4 hours sitting, 3.1 hours standing, 1.5 hours doing light physical activity, and 1.3 hours doing moderateto-vigorous physical activity.

Not surprisingly, researchers found that moderate-to-vigorous activity proved most beneficial for heart health, while sitting was the worst. Next, they created statistical models to estimate what would happen if a person swapped one behavior for another.

Replacing even just five minutes of sitting with moderate-to-vigorous activity (such as brisk walking, running or cycling) could have a tangible effect on heart health, they reported.

While adding longer, more intense bouts of exercise can reap greater re-

Peace of Mind is Priceless

wards, even small, modest changes can make a difference. For instance, replacing sitting with standing led to positive changes across all the health parameters.

While the researchers’ model suggests that even sleeping is better than sitting when it comes to heart health, it’s not quite that simple. For example, indirect factors that lead to weight gain (for example, snacking while watching television) may explain why sitting appears worse than sleeping.

Your smartphone, a fitness band or smart watch can help you keep tabs on your daily activity. Some models include default reminders to stand up at least once an hour for at least 12 hours per day.

Q: My blood test showed a slightly high blood creatinine level. What are some natural ways I can help keep my kidneys healthy?

A: Doctors use a blood creatinine level to assess kidney function. Creatinine is released from muscle cells into the bloodstream. Creatinine is one of the things that the kidneys filter from the blood. If the kidneys start to lose some function, blood creatinine level rises.

This minor reduction in kidney function may be temporary. But even if it is permanent, there’s a lot you can do now to slow and even prevent future damage.

Keep blood pressure well controlled. High blood pressure is a major contributor to kidney disease progression and can damage the kidney’s filters and small blood vessels.

Control blood sugar levels. Slightly elevated blood sugar levels often mean a person has prediabetes, a precursor for Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is the top cause of chronic kidney disease because persistent excess sugar exposure damages tiny blood vessels in the kidney.

Reduce salt. The sodium in salt can cause your body to retain fluid, and excess

sodium raises blood pressure in many people. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day.

Limit alcohol intake. Don’t have more than one drink per day. Regular excessive alcohol drinking increases the risk for high blood pressure, contributes to weight gain and makes the kidneys work harder.

Lose weight if you need to. Obesity makes the kidneys work harder than they need to. This can ultimately cause the kidney filters to break down.

Stop smoking . Smoking damages blood vessels, including those providing oxygen and nutrients to the kidneys.

Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise — the kind that makes your heart and lungs work hard, like brisk walking — helps blood vessels stay healthy, flexible and able to expand and contract well.

Stay hydrated. Getting enough fluids each day — from water or watery foods like fruit and soup — helps the kidneys flush out toxins from the body.

Limit painkillers. High doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), can cause kidney damage and worsen existing kidney disease. Follow the dosing directions carefully.

Watch your protein intake . Too much protein forces the kidneys to work overtime. Whether a high-protein diet actually causes kidney damage is hotly debated. Still, it’s safest to stick closer to a standard protein intake of about 0.36 grams per pound of body weight.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, please visit health.harvard.edu. © 2025 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Fatal falls increase for older Americans

By Mike Stobbe

Older U.S. adults are increasingly dying from unintentional falls, according to a new federal report published in June, with white people accounting for the vast majority of the deaths.

From 2003 to 2023, death rates from falls rose more than 70% for adults ages 65 to 74, the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The rate increased more than 75% for people 75 to 84, and more than doubled for seniors 85 and older.

“Falls continue to be a public health problem worth paying attention to,” said Geoffrey Hoffman, a University of Michigan researcher who was not involved in the new report. “It’s curious that these rates keep rising.”

The CDC researchers did not try to answer why death rates from falls are increasing. But experts say there may be a few reasons, like gradually improving our understanding of the role falls play in deaths and more people living longer — to ages when falls are more likely to have deadly consequences.

More than 41,000 retirement-age Americans died of falls in 2023, the most recent

year for which final statistics based on death certificates are available. That suggests that falls were blamed in about 1 of every 56 deaths in older Americans that year.

More than half of those 41,000 deaths were people 85 and older, the CDC found, and white people accounted for 87% of deaths in the oldest category.

A fall can lead to other problems

Falls can cause head injuries or broken bones that can lead to permanent disability and trigger a cascade of other health problems.

A number of factors can contribute to falls, including changes in hearing and vision and medications that can cause lightheadedness.

Death rates varied widely from state to state. In 2023, Wisconsin had the highest death rates from falls, followed by Minnesota, Maine, Oklahoma and Vermont. Wisconsin’s rate was more than five times higher than the rate of the lowest state, Alabama.

Ice and wintry weather may partly explain why fatal falls were more common in states in the upper Midwest and New England, but experts also pointed to other things at play, like differences in how well

falls are reported and to what extent they are labeled a cause of death.

“We’ve yet to unravel why you see such differences in state rates,” said Hoffman, who studies falls among the elderly.

Racial gap

Researchers also can’t yet explain why white seniors die of falls at higher rates than people in other racial and ethnic groups. In the 85-and-up age group, the death rate for white Americans is two or

three times higher than any other group, while older Black people had the lowest fall-related death rate.

“Kind of a flip of the traditional disparity lens,” Hoffman noted, referring to the fact that for most other rates of illness and injury, people of color are disproportionately affected.

Staying active can help people avoid falls, experts say.

© 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Health Studies INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Alzheimer’s researchers enrolling participants

By Margaret Foster

Did you forget where you parked your car? Lost your keys again? Forgot your neighbor’s last name?

Some of those memory slips are par for the course. After all, between 40 to 50 percent of people over age 50 report memory concerns, according to the National Institute on Aging. So how to do you know if your “senior moments” are a normal part of aging or a sign of a more serious condition such as mild cognitive impairment or

even Alzheimer’s disease?

Nearly seven million Americans age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, 13 million may have the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. And there’s no cure yet.

Early detection is important

If you’re concerned about your memory, talk to your doctor because early detection can help.

Pharmasite Research, located in

Savage Farmers Market is back for its second season! Visit this lively local market every Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Baldwin Common (South Portion), next to Carroll Baldwin Hall, 9035 Baltimore St., Savage. Enjoy locally grown produce, handmade items, food trucks, ready-to-eat foods and family-friendly activities with community partners — all set in the scenic area near historic Savage Mill. For more information and weekly schedules, visit saveagefarmersmarket.com or email info@savagefarmersmarket.com.

Pikesville, Maryland, invites anyone aged 55 to 90 years to call and learn more about its studies. The site, operated by Headlands Research, is currently recruiting for two clinical trials, and more studies will open later this year.

“Our current clinical trials are focused on exploring new treatment possibilities for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Through early screening, we can identify individuals who may benefit from participation,” said Dr. Dima Hnoosh, principal investigator.

The focus of Pharmasite’s current research is on the very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, through the mild to moderate range. Qualified participants may be eligible for a free, in-person consultation to see if they are eligible. Afterwards, they can determine whether participation in a research study is right for them.

Pharmasite’s clinical trials can last between six months to two years. Participants usually visit the Pikesville office between once a month and once every three months, depending on the study design. Free parking and compensation are available.

Hope for the future

Enrolling in a clinical trial may sound daunting, but many patients find that it’s safe — and rewarding.

“It’s important to be aware that so much goes into reviewing these trials,” said Dr. Christopher Romero, principal investigator and medical director of Headlands Research. “If you’ve ever taken a medication, if you’ve ever used a medical device — these things have only come about because of clinical research.”

Participants are critical to finding a future treatment (or, more likely, treatments) for Alzheimer’s disease.

“Individuals who volunteer in clinical trials are the pioneers who are driving the science forward and are mission critical to us to one day have effective treatments to stop the ongoing onslaught of Alzheimer’s disease,” Romero said. “We would never develop these new therapeutics without volunteers that are willing to contribute to the science.”

For more information on memory-related studies or to schedule a free memory test, call (855) 367-8834.

the

from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is exploring this link. We’re calling on everyone with and without Parkinson’s to request a simple scratch-and-sniff test and contribute to important research.

Request your test at 877-525-PPMI (7764) mysmelltest.org/beacon or scan the QR code.

your test at

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Travel Leisure & Newport’s Gilded Age mansions still dazzle

By Sandi Barrett

Newport, Rhode Island, has long been a summer playground for the rich and famous. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the city evolved as Gilded Age tycoons built their “summer cottages” there in the late 1800s. Yachters began hosting the America’s Cup races offshore beginning in 1930. That highsociety vibe continues today with sailing regattas, luxury hotels and high-end shops.

I visit Newport often because my extended family owns a historic sailing captain’s home there, affording me a place to land when exploring this community on Narragansett Bay. Each time I visit, I discover a new historic site, hiking trail or café.

Tour the cliffside mansions

The main attractions are The Breakers, The Elms and other historic mansions, many of which are now open to the public.

One such mansion, considered to be one of the first palatial Newport homes, Châteausur-Mer (Castle by the Sea), debuted in 1852. The Italianate-style mansion set the tone for the summer season for Newport’s elite residents. In 1969, the Preservation Society of Newport County bought the estate at auction and opened it as a museum.

Newport’s most iconic mansion, The Breakers, was built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II between 1893 and 1895. The Italian Renaissance-style palazzo is a must-visit. Its opulent, over-the-top décor and glorious Great Hall, with its 50-foot ceiling, showcase Vanderbilt’s status as one of the

wealthiest men in America.

My favorite Gilded Age mansion is The Elms. Inspired by the French Château d’Asnières, the house is filled with beautiful pieces of fine art. Its expansive terraces are home to ornate fountains, lavish gardens and beautiful sculptures. I suggest booking the “Servant Life Tour,” which offers a peek into the lives of the property’s invisible staff. This back-of-thehouse tour reveals how workers discreetly fulfilled the mundane tasks and quirky requests of their wealthy employers.

You can also visit the stunning Rosecliff, known for its gorgeous heart-shaped staircase. At Marble House (which is, as its name suggests, brimming with the polished stone), stop in the Chinese Tea House that anchors the sweeping lawn. Round out a mansion tour with visits to Chepstow, Hunter House, Kingscote or the Isaac Bell House.

A good way to glimpse the exteriors of the mansions is via the waterfront 3.5-mile Cliff Walk, which is free and open to the public daily. Many of the mansions are open for the summer season only. During the Christmas season, several mansions are decked out in their finest glitz. All the details can be found at newportmansions.org.

Newport’s sailing history

At the Sailing Museum & National Sailing Hall of Fame, you can delve into the history of this sport and learn about the master sailors who shaped it.

Newport hosted its first America’s Cup race in 1930. Since then it has been home to many sailing races, including several more America’s Cup competitions.

The America’s Cup, a trophy for the world-famous sailboat race, has its roots in England. In 1851 the New York Yacht Club sailed the schooner America across the Atlantic to compete in the Solent Races, answering a challenge from Great Britain’s Royal Yacht Squadron. After America took home the 100 Guineas Cup, the award for winning a 74-mile race around the Isle of Wight, the club renamed the coveted trophy the America’s Cup.

If you’d like to try your hand at maneuvering an America’s Cup competition yacht, look to America’s Cup Charters (americascupcharters.com). Guests work as crew alongside seasoned sailors on one of their acclaimed yachts.

My personal preference is for a more laidback water experience. A sunset sail on a beautiful schooner where I can enjoy the panoramic coastline views with an adult beverage is perfect. Newport Classic Cruises (sail-newport.com) offers a wide range of harbor sailing tours to enjoy a relaxing sail.

Stroll through historic downtown

As for shopping and dining, Newport’s

Thames Street is a lively, upscale historic district. With cobblestone streets and trendy shops, the downtown is reminiscent of Boston’s classic brownstone neighborhoods.

Acknowledged as the “oldest operating restaurant in the United States,” the charming White Horse Tavern opened in 1673. The iconic building is the epitome of historic Newport architecture, with red clapboard siding, pediment doors and a gambrel roof. The interior decor of Windsor chairs, aged wood and white linens transports guests to a centuries-old tavern with delectable food.

With a flower show in June, a classical music festival in July and a jazz festival in August, there’s always a good time to visit.

If you go

Newport, Rhode Island, is a seven-hour drive away. Often you can find a nonstop flight to Providence, 45 minutes north, for less than $200.

Plan an immersive visit with a stay at one of the city’s historic inns or B&Bs. Many are the former homes of ship captains and are beautifully restored. Their charming innkeepers are a valuable resource when exploring the city.

For more information, see the tourism website at discovernewport.org.

The Breakers, built by the Vanderbilts in the 1890s, has 70 rooms, including 48 bedrooms. The 13-acre property is one of 11 estates in Newport, Rhode Island, that is open to visitors.

Turnip Rock in Lake Huron is on the “thumb” of Michigan’s “hand.” See story on opposite page.

PHOTO BY PURE

MICHIGAN

Bannister’s Wharf, located on Newport’s Thames Street, has it all: live music, restaurants, bars and unique shops. Tourists can also hop aboard a schooner for a short cruise.

Beat the heat in Michigan’s small towns

By Alice Shapin

As an East Coast person, I have to admit I had given little thought to visiting the Midwest. When my daughter went to the University of Michigan, though, my husband Paul and I took a road trip to Michigan — an eye-opening experience.

It’s hard to believe, but Michigan is in the same time zone as Maryland. Since it’s located on the western edge of the Eastern time zone, the state has longer days and later sunsets compared to places further south or east. When spring hits in Michigan, it’s light until almost 11 p.m.

When we first glimpsed Lake Michigan, it looked more like an ocean than a lake. The far side of the lake is nowhere to be seen, and cute beach towns dot the shore.

Our first stop was Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Perched way above Lake Michigan, the park has miles of beach and hiking trails. Don’t attempt walking down the dunes, as the drop to the lake can be 450 feet. A sign warns, “Rescues could cost $3,000,” which was enough to discourage most people from trying, especially those of us over 65.

Next stop was Traverse City, an area with two of our favorite treats: cherries and wine. The vineyards are located on the 45th parallel, the same latitude as the Bordeaux and Piedmont wine regions of

France. Insulated from extreme weather by Lake Michigan, the area has fertile soil, and long hours of sunlight ensure an extended growing season.

We did tastings at several wineries and took a few winery tours. Later we sat outdoors with our wine and cheese, overlooking the spectacular shoreline.

Michigan, known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” has some of the best cherries in the country. The season starts in July and can last into August. Each July, the National Cherry Festival attracts more than 500,000 visitors over eight days. Although we missed the festival, we bought plenty of cherries at roadside stands.

Exploring the Hand

About an hour and a half from Traverse City is Petoskey, located on the shores of Little Traverse Bay, near the top of the Michigan “Hand.”

Its claim to fame is Petoskey stones, the state stone of Michigan. They’re not really stones at all; they’re fossils of a coral reef that existed before the dinosaurs, during a time when a warm, shallow sea covered most of the Great Lakes region, around 350 million years ago.

We checked into a hotel downtown, wandered through the shops and had lunch at one of the many restaurants. Af-

terwards we took an evening stroll along the waterfront at Petoskey State Park for more fantastic Lake Michigan views.

From there, we headed to Harbor Springs to see the Tunnel of Trees. Driving beneath these northern hardwoods creates the feeling of traveling through a tunnel. Along the way, dramatic turns and curves on this 27.5-mile drive provided us with more lake views. People say it’s even more spectacular in the fall, when the changing hues form a brilliant canopy.

Island visit

Next was Mackinaw City, where we hopped on the ferry to Mackinac Island, located between the lower and upper Michigan peninsulas. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the island. As we stepped off the ferry, the first thing that caught our eye was a horse and buggy carrying furniture. It was like travelling back in time.

We explored Mackinac on foot. We strolled through the charming downtown, with its boutiques, restaurants, bars and sweet shops. Since Mackinac Island calls itself the “Fudge Capital of the World,” we had to have some. There’s even a Fudge Festival here in October.

A must-visit is the Grand Hotel, a National Historic Landmark. Built in 1887, it drew wealthy vacationers and notables, in-

cluding Thomas Edison, Mark Twain and several presidents. The 1981 film “Somewhere in Time,” starring Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer, was filmed in the hotel, and people visit each year because of the movie. Rocking chairs line the 660-foot-long front porch, the world’s largest. We loved the breathtaking views of the Straits of Mackinac and Mackinac Bridge from the hotel, which blooms with more than 150 varieties of flowers.

Great golf courses

Surprisingly, Michigan is ranked the second-best state for public golf in America, with 738 public courses. Being golfers (or hackers), before heading home we decided to stop and play at Shanty Creek Resort, which has five golf courses. We played The Legend by Arnold Palmer. It had a little of everything — elevation changes, doglegs, water hazards and well-placed traps. Finally we headed home, but we will return in the fall, to see the season’s beauty.

If you go

Round-trip flights to Detroit start at $177 on Southwest. By car it’s eight hours to Detroit and four hours more to Mackinaw City. During summer and early fall, it’s best to make hotel reservations in advance.

Upcoming Programs for 50 Years + Recreation & Parks

To view all of our programs and activities, visit www.HowardCountyMD.gov/rap.

Special Events

Nite Bite Fishing

Have you ever wanted to fish at Centennial Lake at night? Now’s your chance! Join Howard County Recreation & Parks for a unique opportunity to fish the lake after hours. Fish from 6pm until midnight. Bring your own fishing pole, bait, tackle, bug repellant, flashlight or lantern, and chair or boat. On-site registration only; all anglers must be checked in by 7pm. Those under 16 years old must be accompanied by a registered adult. Complete details available at www.howardcountymd.gov/nightfishing. Our remaining 2025 Nite Bite fishing dates are: 8/8, 8/22, 9/12, 9/26, 10/10, 10/24. All ages

Centennial Pk South Boat LaunchF$5

Sensory-Friendly Sunday

These events are designed for families with kids, teens, and adults with sensoryprocessing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities. Exhibits, trails and outdoor play area is open early. Enjoy self-paced activities that include sensory bins and pathways, scavenger hunts, crafts, or games. Planetarium open from 11am to noon.

Info: 410-313-0400 or www.howardcountymd.gov/RobinsonNatureCenter.

All agesRobinson Nature CtrPreregistration recommended Free, ctr member & 0-2 yrs; $3, 3-17 yrs; $5, 18 yrs + RP4876.401Wild in WaterAug 1010:30am-noonSu

Blockbusters at Belmont

Join us at Belmont Manor & Historic Park for family-friendly, outdoor movie nights this summer! On the third Thursday of the month through October, our large inflatable screen is set-up in the formal gardens behind the manor house, providing a serene backdrop for movie goers of all ages. This month’s movie is Ratatouille. You are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair. The movie starts at dusk. Advance registration is encouraged as parking is limited. Sponsorships available (email: belmontmanormd@howardcountymd.gov). General Info: 410-313-0200.

All agesBelmont ManorFree (donations are welcome)

RP9901.403Aug 218pm (Dusk)Th

Rockburn Open Car Show

Come celebrate the beauty of classic, antique, hot rods, and modified cars on display outdoors at Rockburn Branch Park. Food available for purchase. Info: Susan Harry, sharry@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-4635. All agesRockburn Branch PkFree to visitors, exhibitor fees below Aug 910am-2pmSa Car entries

RP4099.401$10, preregister; $15, on-site registration Car flea market vendor

RP4099.402$25, preregister; $30, on-site registration Car sales

RP4099.403$20, preregister; $30, on-site registration

Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/activeaging50 for more 50 yrs + programs!

Belmont Manor or Waverly Mansion

Cooking

• Info: Melissa Byrne, mbyrne@howardcountymd.gov.

NEW! Delicious Havana Cuban Dishes with Chef Alba

When you can’t travel, cooking food at home can bring you to that destination and its local traditions. Cuban food is simple to make with easy to find ingredients. Join Chef Alba and cook along to explore delicious Havana Cuban dishes you can make over and over. Menu: Cuban pork chops with pineapple, Cuban black beans and rice (Moros y Cristianos/Arroz Congri) and cinnamon, brown sugar grilled pineapple for dessert. Class is hands-on, cook in your own kitchen. Recipes and prep instructions are emailed beforehand.

18 yrs +Classes: 1

RP0514.401OnlineAug 126-8pmTu$39

NEW! Lemony Amalfi Dishes with Chef Alba

Amalfi seduces us with art, narrow streets, and contrasting colors between its blue sea, green trees, and bright yellow fragrant lemons. Pucker up and join Chef Alba to create delicious and aromatic dishes from the region where she was born. Our menu: Crema di Ricotta e Limone Pasta, Stracciatellas di Pollo al Limone e Vino Bianco, Insalata di Olive con Limone, and for dessert, lemon mousse. Class is part hands-on, part demo.

18 yrs +$18 material feeClasses: 1

RP0515.401Ellicott Mills MSAug 146-8:30pmTh$48

NEW! Best of Asia with Chef Ravi

Asian cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines in the world and without doubt always brings the wow factor. The bold flavors, the combination of spices and sauces, bring the final product to another level. Join us as we make the popular General Tso’s chicken (China), chicken adobo sa Gata (Filipino dish - adobo with coconut milk), and the fascinating Nasi Goreng with veggies and chestnuts (Indonesian fried rice). Vegetarian options are available upon request. Class is demonstration. Students may purchase a pre-measured organic spice kit that includes turmeric, coriander, chili powder, cumin, whole garam masala, garam masala powder and saffron for an additional fee.

A Tandoori Marinade available for an additional materials fee.

18 yrs +Classes: 1

$35 materials fee OR $56 (materials fee, spice kit & Tandoori Marinade)

RP0503.401Arc of Howard CountyAug 206:30-8pmW$39

Fitness

• Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

Pop Up Yoga with Kathy Greisman

Relax while you take in the sights and surrounding beauty of nature as you get fit and improve your health in this outdoor yoga class. Classes held under the tent at the Belmont Manor and Historic Park. Join us for the classes that fit your schedule. 50 yrs +Classes: 1

RP3541.410 Belmont Manor Aug 11 9-10amM$14

RP3541.411 Belmont Manor Aug 189-10amM$14

RP3541.412 Belmont Manor Aug 259-10amM$14

Park Ranger Programs

• To register for a program, call: 410-313-7275 or go to www.HowardCountyMD.gov/rap.

Bats Amazing!

Explore the incredible world of our favorite flying mammal, the bat! Learn about their amazing adaptations, their role in healthy ecosystems, threats to their conservation, and take home tips for bat-friendly habitats. End with a night hike while scouting for nocturnal neighbors.

All ages

RP9971.402Font Hill PkAug 158-9pmFFree

•

Info: Tracy Adkins, 410-313-7279 or tadkins@howardcountymd.gov.

Washington, D.C. –

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Experience a powerful living memorial visited by more than 40 million since its dedication in 1993. This amazing and emotionally-moving memorial provides documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history. It is dedicated to helping leaders and citizens of the world confront hatred, prevent genocide, promote human dignity, and strengthen democracy. The museum’s Permanent Exhibition contains over 900 artifacts, 70 video monitors, and four theaters showing historic film footage and eyewitness testimonies. Lunch on your own at the on-site café.

18 yrs +Bus provided RP4588.401Aug 14 9am-5pmTh $89

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest museums in the U.S. and ranks among the top comprehensive art museums. Its collection includes 5,000 years of art from around the world. Enjoy a delicious and relaxing lunch on your own at the on-site Amuse Restaurant or Best Café!

18 yrs +Bus provided RP4791.401Aug 21 8:30am-5pm Th $99

Fall Escape: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Enjoy comfortable transportation, five days/four nights of accommodations, breakfast, and three dinners as Cape Cod’s wonders unfold before you! Relax by the serene waters of Hyannis Harbor, tour the bustling city of Boston, shop at Quincy Market, or find a treasure in the artist town of Provincetown. Historic sites, landmarks, sandy dunes, seaside cottages, artsy towns, and quaint shops make Cape Cod the “something for everyone” destination! This trip sells out quickly! Moderate walking is required. Plan for an early morning departure on Sunday, September 7, 2025.

18 yrs + Bus Provided from Bain 50+ Ctr

RP4553.501Single OccupancySep 7-11Su$1,449

RP4553.502Double OccupancySep 7-11Su$1,129

DementiaLive ®

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MoneyMoney Law & Protect yourself from the latest scams

By Adriana Morga

Most of us need a refresher course on how to protect ourselves from scams.

“Scams have become so sophisticated now. Phishing emails, texts, spoofing caller ID, all of this technology gives scammers that edge,” said Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center.

A quick way to remember what to do when you think you’re getting scammed is to think about the three S’s, said Alissa Abdullah, Mastercard’s deputy chief security officer.

“Stay suspicious, stop for a second (and think about it) and stay protected,” she said.

Know the most common scams

Simply being aware of typical scams can help, experts say. Scammers often imitate someone in authority, such as a tax or debt collector. They might pretend to be a loved one calling to request immediate financial assistance for bail, legal help or a hospital bill.

Robocalls in particular frequently target vulnerable individuals like older adults, people with disabilities and people with debt.

“If you get a robocall out of the blue playing a recorded message trying to get you to buy something, just hang up,” said James Lee, chief operating officer at the Identity Theft Resource Center. “Same goes for texts — anytime you get them from a number you don’t know asking you to pay, wire or click on something suspicious.”

Lee urges consumers to hang up and call the company or institution in question at an official number.

Don’t pick up unknown incoming calls, recommends Ben Hoffman, head of strategy and consumer products at Fifth Third Bank. As a general rule, banks don’t normally call their customers, he pointed out.

“Banks don’t ask you for your password,” Hoffman said. If you believe your bank is trying to reach out, hang up and give them a call at a number listed on their website.

Romance scams

So-called “romance scams” can take place over longer periods of time — even years.

Kate Kleinart, 70, who lost tens of thousands of dollars to a romance scam over several months, said to be vigilant if a new Facebook friend is good-looking, asks you to download WhatsApp to communicate, attempts to isolate you from friends and family, and/or gets romantic very quickly.

“If you’re seeing that picture of a very handsome person, ask someone younger in your life — a child, a grandchild, a niece or a nephew — to help you ‘reverse-image search’ or identify the photo,” Kleinart said.

Quiz scams

When you’re using Facebook or scrolling Google results, be aware of quiz scams, which typically appear innocuous and ask

about topics you might be interested in, such as your car or favorite TV show. They may also ask you to take a personality test.

Despite these benign-seeming questions, scammers can then use the personal information you share to respond to security questions from your accounts or hack your social media to send malware links to your contacts.

To protect your personal information, the FTC simply recommends steering clear of online quizzes. The commission also advises consumers to use random answers for security questions.

“Asked to enter your mother’s maiden name? Say it’s something else: parmesan or another word you’ll remember,” advised Terri Miller, consumer education specialist at the FTC. “This way, scammers won’t be able to use information they find to steal your identity.”

Investment scams

An investment scam constitutes any getrich-quick scheme that lures targets via social media accounts or online ads.

Investment scammers typically add different forms of “testimony,” such as from other social media accounts, to support that the “investment” works. Many of them also involve cryptocurrency.

To avoid falling for these frauds, the FTC recommends independently researching the company — especially by searching the

If you’re concerned about the future of Social Security, tell Congress. See column below.

company’s name along with terms like “review” or “scam.”

Best practices

There are many tools at your disposal that can be used to protect yourself from scammers.

— Use a password manager to ensure you’re utilizing a complex password that scammers can’t guess.

— Regularly check your credit report and bank statements to see if someone has been using your bank account without your knowledge.

— Turn on multi-factor verification to make sure impersonators aren’t able to access your social media or bank accounts.

When in doubt, call for help

As scams get more sophisticated, it’s difficult to know who to trust or if a person is actually real or an impersonator.

Organizations like the Identity Theft Protection Center and the AARP Fraud Watch Network offer free services for people who need help identifying scams or knowing what to do if they’ve been a victim of a scam. Contact the ITRC at 888-400-5530 or at idtheftcenter.org. The AARP Fraud Watch Network hotline (877-908-3360) is free; you don’t have be an AARP member to use it. If you or a family member are a victim of a scam, report it on the FTC’s website at reportfraud.ftc.gov. —AP

Americans have to save Social Security

The Social Security system is efficient. It is not a Ponzi scheme, as former White House adviser Elon Musk has characterized it.

Millions of Americans depend on the survival of Social Security in its current form, and the American public should be telling members of Congress that they should be doing everything they can to prevent the system from failing. It has been proposed that individuals can no longer make appointments with Social Security (SSA) by phone, and they must visit a local Social

Security office. But SSA plans to cut its workforce by 7,000 people.

THE SAVINGS GAME

By Elliot Raphaelson

Social Security is understaffed now. If staff is reduced, local offices are closed and individuals can’t contact Social Security by phone, what is next? What is next is that the Social Security system as we know it will collapse, and payments to Social Security beneficiaries will stop being sent on time.

You should not believe the lies that Social Security is inefficient or corrupt. There is almost no record of errors in which individu-

als who are not entitled to Social Security benefits are receiving benefits.

It has been claimed that illegal immigrants are receiving benefits they are not entitled to. That is false. People who are living in the United States without legal status are not eligible for Social Security benefits. What’s more, many of them who work in the United States are required to pay FICA taxes, which fund Social Security and Medicare, two programs from which they will never benefit as long as they are undocumented.

Undocumented immigrants paid more than $25 billion in payroll taxes in 2022, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. In other words, far from defrauding Social Security and Medicare,

undocumented immigrants are subsidizing these programs.

Meanwhile, immigrants who are here legally and work for reliable employers are paying FICA taxes into Social Security, and they generally are only entitled to benefits after they have worked under Social Security for 10 years.

We cannot allow Social Security to fail. And that is what will happen if we allow DOGE to continue to destroy an efficient system that millions of Americans depend upon, and millions more expect to depend on the future.

There is broad support across all demo-

Social Security

From page 16

graphics and political parties for strengthening the program, which is an effective system that should be improved to be financially secure for decades to come.

I recommend that every American who wants to see Social Security strengthened write to their representative in the U.S. House and to their senators, and demand that they stop the proposed actions that prevent individuals from calling local Social Security offices for appointments; they must also stop closing local Social Security offices and stop firing of Social Security staff without regard to merit.

If we allow Social Security staff, offices and services to be cut further, it will become impossible for individuals who have earned sufficient work credits to apply for benefits. In addition, the waiting time to be approved for disability benefits will increase dramatically.

Solutions

It is true that, in order to continue to maintain benefits at existing levels on a long-term basis, Congress will have to find ways to increase funding. But there are several ways that can be accomplished. For example, Congress could raise the income thresholds for FICA taxes. It could also change the age at which individuals are entitled to full benefits.

Not only should you write to your congressional representative and senators, but you should tell all your relatives, friends

August

MARYLAND VEGAN RESTAURANT MONTH

Curious about vegan meals?

Celebrate plant-based eating all August during Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month. Participating restaurants will serve healthy, plantbased and vegan dishes (without animal products) on their menus. For more information and a list of participating locations, visit mdveganeats.com.

Aug. 21

OPEN MIC IN COLUMBIA

Check out the Open Mic at Columbia’s Busboys and Poets for spoken word artists, open mic newcomers and musicians, too. The fun takes place on Thu., Aug. 21, from 8 to 10 p.m. at 6251 Mango Tree Rd., Columbia. Tickets are $5 (plus taxes and fees online) or $8 flat at the door. For more details and to buy tickets, visit bit.ly/ColumbiaOpenMic.

and acquaintances throughout the United States that they should be doing the same thing. You can find contact information for all the House members and senators at congress.gov/members/find-your-member.

It’s not often that I use this space to discuss political issues or urge you to contact your congressional representatives. Indeed, every week I try to educate readers on how they can save and invest to achieve a secure financial future.

The vast majority of Americans have faithfully contributed to the Social Security system, and they count on a benefit as a substantial part of their financial planning for retirement. However, any chance for financial security and dignity in old age will be taken away from millions of Americans if the program is driven into the ground. America cannot afford to let Social Security fail.

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

© 2025 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Aug. 2+

HOWARD COUNTY FAIR

The Howard County Fair returns for its 79th season. It runs daily from Sat., Aug. 2 through Sat., Aug. 9 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd., West Friendship. Tickets are $10 for individuals 13 and older and $5 for those 62 and older; children 12 and under get in free. For more information, including the full schedule of exhibitors and entertainment, visit howardcountyfairmd.com, call (410) 4421022 or email info@howardcountyfairmd.com.

FREE CONCERT IN DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA

Aug. 16

Visit the Columbia Lakefront for carnival games, treats and a free high-energy concert by the progressive-rock orchestra NYChillharmonic. This event, hosted by the Columbia Association, takes place on Sat., Aug. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 10275 Wincopin Cir., Columbia. For more information, visit columbiaassociation.org/events or LakefrontLive.org.

Ongoing

BUY OR SELL A CEMETERY PLOT

Cemetery Plot Listings makes buying and selling burial plots easier with its website, cemeteryplotlistings.com. Visit the site to see plots listed for Dulaney Valley Memorial Garden in Cockeysville or to sell your plot in Maryland. For additional details, email admin@cemeteryplotlistings.com.

MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

The Greens at Hammonds Lane: 410-636-1141

Park View at Furnace Branch: 410-761-4150

Park View at Severna Park: 410-544-3411

BALTIMORE CITY

Ednor Apartments I: 410-243-0180

Ednor Apartments II: 410-243-4301

The Greens at Irvington Mews: 410-644-4487

Park Heights Place: 410-578-3445

Park View at Ashland Terrace: 410-276-6440

Park View at Coldspring: 410-542-4400

BALTIMORE COUNTY

Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344

Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660

Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888

The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000

The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100

The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000

The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988

Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464

Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 • 55 & Better

Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665

Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375

Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886

Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363

Park View at Towson: 410-828-7185

Park View at Woodlawn: 410-281-1120

EASTERN SHORE

Park View at Easton: 410-770-3070

HARFORD COUNTY

Park View at Bel Air: 410-893-0064

Park View at Box Hill: 410-515-6115

HOWARD COUNTY

Park View at Colonial Landing: 410-796-4399

Park View at Columbia: 410-381-1118

Park View at Ellicott City: 410-203-9501

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

Park View at Emerson: 301-483-3322

Park View at Snowden River: 410-290-0384

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

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

Park View at Laurel: 301-490-1526

Park View at Laurel II: 301-490-9730

BEACON BITS

E Than ti nk Yo M ou CO b OGS ! Execuutive Memmbers

Gold Me M Meembers

Silver M Members Bronze

Arts & Style

Cool off under the sea with The Little Mermaid

By Mark Dreisonstok

“We must not imagine that there is nothing at the bottom of the sea but bare yellow sand,” Hans Christian Andersen wrote in his 1837 fairytale The Little Mermaid. “For on this sand grow the strangest flowers and plants…Fishes, both large and small, glide between the branches.” Fathoms below, of course, live the Sea King and his mermaid daughters.

This summer, Toby’s Dinner Theatre invites us into this strange undersea world with its latest production, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, running through August 17. With exquisite mermaid costumes, artful lighting and set designs, floating bubbles and even stylized jellyfish descending from the ceiling, the musical whisks the audience to an aquatic nether realm.

In the Disney musical based on its 1989 animated feature film, the mermaid Ariel rescues Prince Eric, her “prince charming,” and wants to follow him and explore the human world.

To do so, she disobeys her father, King Triton, and falls under the influence of Ursula, an evil but charismatic sea witch who tempts the vulnerable Ariel into making a pact: In exchange for her beautiful voice, she can grow legs and become human. Yet if she fails to share true love’s kiss from Prince Eric within three days, her soul is eternally doomed to be imprisoned by Ursula.

Has Ariel any hope of emerging unscathed from this Faustian bargain? In the

original fairytale, no — but thankfully, Disney provides a happy ending.

Strong vocal performances

Abby Middleton sings wonderfully as Ariel, notably in “The World Above,” “Part of Your World” and her lament “If Only.” When Ariel trades her voice for legs, the talented actress, no longer able to burst into song, communicates well with facial expressions and gestures.

Accompanied by two slick demonic eels on roller skates, the sea sorceress Ursula, played by Lynn Sharp Spears, performs the solo “Poor Unfortunate Souls” in the style of Kurt Weill in The Threepenny Opera. Indeed, Spears appeared in several productions of that classic musical.

“There is a lot of depth in Ursula’s character. She was betrayed by her family and…sees the opportunity to get revenge,” Spears told the Beacon. Hers is a “twisted, dark, funny and delicious, yummy role” of “someone whose banishment deprives her of what she sees as rightfully hers.”

An equally strong performance emerges from Elijah Henderson as Ariel’s chaperone, Sebastian the crab, whose tour-deforce moments come in the songs “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl.”

Toby’s mainstay Jeffrey Shankle stands out as Scuttle the seagull, especially in the number “Positoovity.” Carter Crosby plays an affable Prince Eric, who is guided by the wisdom of Grimsby, played by an

The

the

direction and choreography of Mark Min-

earnest David James. Adam Grabau is nothing short of majestic as King Triton.

talented cast is aided by

superb

nick, effective musical direction of Ross Scott Rawlings, atmospheric lighting design

Lynne Sharp-Spears plays the sea witch Ursula, who dupes Abby Middleton, playing the young mermaid Ariel, in a revenge plot. The spectacular musical Disney’s The Little Mermaid runs at Toby’s through August 17.

PHOTO BY JERI TIDWELL

PHOTOGRAPHY

From page 1

Le Perroquet served as her classrooms in haute cuisine.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Wolf trained in classical French technique but found her voice in the dishes of the American South.

“I became a chef because I love good cooking and was exposed to it as a child,” she said. “It seems I was born to be a chef.”

Teaching and learning at Charleston

Wolf has been working as an executive chef since she was 25 years old. Ten years later, in 1997, she opened Charleston.

Rooted in French fundamentals and infused with flavors from South Carolina’s Lowcountry, her cuisine is a study in restraint and reverence.

Wolf believes in the power of being a good mentor while retaining the enthusiasm of a lifelong student. “I’m ever growing my knowledge — always reading, always eating, particularly in Europe, to improve my skills and my palate.”

On her trips to France, many French master chefs inspire her, but she said, “I don’t try to duplicate a recipe. A chef must make the dish their own.”

Wolf finds joy in total immersion and appreciation of her medium. This sensory

engagement tempers her “drive for perfection,” she admitted.

“I’m very particular. I want our food to be the very, very best it can possibly be, from getting the finest products in the door to placing the finished plate on the table. The only way to be excellent in the kitchen is to have a high level of discipline all day, all night, all the time.”

This ethos extends to her leadership. Wolf trains her staff with the same care she gives to her cuisine. She demands excellence but offers thoughtful guidance. The result is a masterful team, a brigade de cuisine, that has grown and thrived with her over the decades.

Wolf balances her unflinching standards with patience, humility and grace under pressure. There is no kitchen drama at Charleston. Food is prepared in silence with calm precision.

“Let the food speak for itself,” she said.

Rough patches

In life as in cooking, Wolf knows how to adapt and persist. During two serious bouts of cancer, she went to the kitchen every day, fully committed to her vocation: “It was my sanctuary.” The very thing that gave her life meaning also helped save it, she said.

At one point, Wolf was associated with multiple establishments in Baltimore, including Petit Louis, Cinghiale and The Milton Inn. The amicable dissolution of the Foreman Wolf brand last January frees her

to focus exclusively on Charleston. It represents not an ending but a distillation — and a return to what she loves most.

Farm life

These days, when Wolf ventures outside the kitchen, you will most likely find her wandering her recently acquired 85-acre farm in Baltimore County.

“Lately, my life is all about enjoying the farm, walking the farm, working the farm, planning the farm, digging in the garden, introducing my rescue cats to the farm. I don’t even mind the heat and crazy humidity — I love it so much.”

At home, she cooks with the seasons, just as she does in her professional life.

“When I have time, I love to cook outdoors. After a lifetime of cooking indoors, often in kitchens, underground, with no windows, it’s a wonderful change.”

Chef Wolf may seem formidable, but

Little Mermaid

From page 19

of Lynn Joslin, charming scenic designs of Shane Lowry, and the highly imaginative and creative costume designs of Sarah King and Janine Sunday.

Whether young or old, new to the story or inveterate fans of the original film or 2023 live-action remake, audience members will marvel at Toby’s dreamy production of The Little Mermaid while testing

down on the farm, she meditates, practices yoga and recaptures the wonder and whimsy of her childhood, when everyone called her Cindy Lou Who. (Credit Dr. Seuss for her love of books.)

Being on the farm gives her time to think about her legacy.

“There is a cookbook in my future. I want it to be a teaching tool, not just a list of ingredients and instructions. I’d love to go into the basics and show how to use good products to make affordable dishes,” she said.

But timing, in life as well as in the kitchen, is key. “I’m going to wait until I’m older. I’m not ready to do it,” she added.

In the meantime, Wolf pours her soul into her work, which also happens to be the love of her life. She’s a quiet fire — steady, brilliant and enduring.

“I’ll be in my 80s and 90s and still cooking my heart out,” she said.

the truth of Ariel’s daring proposition: “What if home isn’t the place where you were born? What if it’s a place you have to discover for yourself?”

Toby’s Dinner Theatre is located at 5900 Symphony Woods Rd., Columbia. Tickets range from $84 to $92 for adults (those 65+ pay $74 for Tuesday evening or any Wednesday performance); children 4 and older are $64 to $67. Tickets are available from the box office by calling (410) 730-8311 or online via Ticketmaster (with a service fee).

Three summer reads about show business

By Joshua Z. Rokach

Making it in show business requires talent and dedication from the producer, performers and writers. Recent biographies of three iconic individuals reveal the struggles behind creating enduring cultural monuments.

Carson the Magnificent, by Bill Zehme with Mike Thomas, Simon & Schuster, 336 pages

As we all remember, Ed McMahon opened “The Tonight Show” with his signature line, “Heeere’s Johnny.” This comprehensive biography, 22 years in the making, raises the more important question, “Who was Johnny?”

subject. Carson hated his mother, and as an adult, he struggled to maintain family relationships. He abused his wives. He drank too much. He alienated his sons. One of them committed suicide, a death his father never got over.

Maybe the answer lies in Carson’s keen lifelong interest in magic and his act as “Carsoni” early in his career. Like a magician, Carson concealed his reality with deliberate effort in his professional, but not private, life.

Come to your own conclusion.

Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live, by Susan Morrison, Random House, 656 pages

ing with big stars with fragile egos and the mixed results of his battles with NBC executives (including his five-year banishment).

The author includes the story of young Lorne’s chance meeting with his future first wife, the daughter of comedian Frank Shuster, of Wayne and Shuster, who hold the record for most appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Shuster taught Michaels the intricacies of standup comedy.

Broadway’s Golden Age.

Some performers project their personalities into their craft (think Zero Mostel). Others hide their insecurity and morph into other personas when the lights go on (think Henry Fonda).

Carson remains more complicated. He presented himself as a humble Nebraskan, the genial host of “Who Do You Trust?”, the droll performer — as in the psychic Carnac the Magnificent — the gentle host (even while eviscerating guests like the Amazing Kreskin).

Off camera, too: In choosing his nightly ensemble, he generously prolonged careers (Jack Benny) and launched others (David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld and many more).

NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” may qualify as America’s most influential television show. Chevy Chase’s pratfalls as Gerald Ford, Steve Martin’s “Excuuuuse me” and other funny moments will live forever.

Where did the show come from? In a new book released in March, timed for this fall’s 50th anniversary of the blockbuster show, Susan Morrison, articles editor of The New Yorker , tells us: from Lorne Michaels (nee Lipowitz) of Toronto.

Bill Zehme, a magazine journalist who died before completing this biography, and Mike Thomas of Chicago, a profiler of celebrities, reveal the dark side of their

The book’s structure follows SNL’s weekly production schedule: Monday through Saturday (and a coda called “After Saturday”).

Morrison describes concept meetings, writers’ scripts, readthroughs, rehearsals, dress rehearsals and live performances. She details Michaels’ involvement, from hiring writers and actors to approving content. We learn of Lorne’s dexterity in deal-

Lorne preferred analyzing audience tastes and proper presentation rather than performance. Changing his mind, he moved from Toronto to the U.S., where he caught two important breaks. Howard Cosell’s ABC variety show took the name “Saturday Night Live” but bombed. Johnny Carson reduced his workload, forcing NBC to transfer his reruns to weeknights. The network saw live TV as the cheapest way to fill the gap, so SNL took off.

Ira Gershwin: A Life in Words, by Michael Owen, Liveright, 416 pages

Born Israel Gershovitz on the Lower East Side of New York, Ira Gershwin was a shy kid who in high school showed a knack for words. Later he served as a lyricist-collaborator to his younger brother, George, and other composers during

Gilbert and Sullivan created the music first, which proved problematic. As their lyricist, Gershwin sometimes had to contort himself, writing coherently to cover the number of musical beats. The opposite problem arose when the words came first. The composer could not always write intelligible music to fit. Ira’s innovation: both at once, true collaboration.

Michael Owen, co-archivist of the Ira Gershwin Estate, richly chronicles his subject’s life while addressing broader issues. What comes first, music or words? How does one cope with the death of a younger sibling, whether at an early age (George) or old age, especially when one thinks, as did Ira, he could have prevented it?

George complained of headaches, which Ira and the family downplayed, until they became terminal cancer. He died at age 38. Ira coped by playing Gershwin songs and promoting George’s legacy. For nearly 50 years, Ira felt his late brother’s presence.

blisher n Pu Beaco

Crossword Puzzle

Across

1. Columbian cottage

5. Parks, who didn’t move

9. Basics

13. Member of Monty Python, with 41 Across

14. Like Voldemort and Vader

15. Host city of the 1900 Olympics

17. Common experience on Elm Street

19. “This is not ___”

20. More like dogs than wolves

21. Ash or platinum

23. Fed. org. that calculates a COLA

24. Oos and ___

26. “Hey, listen to this”

27. Big fuss

28. At the limits of propriety

30. Downhearted

33. Arctic hunter

37. He got 159 electoral votes in 1996

38. Villain’s foe

39. Basic box of crayons

41. See 13 Across

42. Grp. that advocated for the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

43. Jeans, one size too small

45. NYC bus system

46. “Maybe I spoke too ___”

48. Last letters in letters

49. He played Wayne’s friend in Wayne’s World

51. Mini gulf

52. AL East foe of BOS and TOR

55. Scarce

59. “You are such a ___ goose”

61. Reset the blackboards for the next class

62. Avoid hitting below the belt

64. One with a profile on eHarmony

65. Most people live there

66. The lower priced one in a BOGO offer

67. Grasslands

68. It averaged $88 per square foot in Manhattan in 2024

69. Cravings

1. You can round them off your taxes

2. The Barber of Seville contains six

3. Greek letter that looks like a sideways M

4. Tummy trouble

5. Their most streamed song is Losing

My Religion

6. Most cricket fields

7. iPhone’s digital assistant

8. “You don’t have ___ to stand on”

9. Indifference

10. Use a Jacuzzi

11. Option from a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine

12. Spanish ayes

16. “Short Term Rental,” shortly

18. Give Marvin Gardens for two railroads

22. Apple poisoner, probably

25. Migrant worker

27. Perched upon

28. Avoid having to calculate a tip

29. Least valuable part

31. “___ want for Christmas ...”

32. A couple of bucks

33. “Kapow!”

34. “It ain’t the ___; it’s the humility” (Yogi Berra)

35. Attempt to kill bacteria in food

36. Letters on the Ghostbusters’ license plate

37. Baba ghanoush and French onion

40. ___ Team (top-10 TV show from 1982-1985)

44. Rendezvous

46. Contemptuous looks

47. If you only have one, you will go in circles

50. Between Bahamian islands

51. Stop procrastinating

52. Sound the alarm

53. Mork or ALF

54. Stringed instruments, honestly

55. Letters after a proof

56. Russian river

57. Way, way off

58. Prepare to hear a national anthem

60. Full of uncertainty

63. Product sold by John Stetson since 1865

CLASSIFIEDS

The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Legal Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; TV/Cable, Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on the right.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment.

EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS:

We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

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2 CEMETERY PLOTS AT KING DAVID MEMORIAL GARDENS in Falls Church Virginia. (Jewish Cemetery). Reduced sale price $3995.00/ each or best offer 510-326-2493. NEW WINDOWS FROM WINDOW NATION. Special money saving offer zero down, zero payments, zero interest for TWO years AND buy 2 windows and get 2 FREE! Offer is valid for select models. Labor not included. Other restrictions apply. Call Window Nation today! 855-909-2278.

For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

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HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds

Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington edition).

Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this for you.

Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number.

• Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher’s discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

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