May 2014 | Howard County Beacon

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He helps (and makes) millions

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT FISCHELL

By Robert Friedman It was just another 11-hour workday for Robert Fischell, 85, who was putting in time recently on a medical device that he says will lower blood pressure by at least 30 points.

After having brought relief to sufferers of heart disease, epileptic seizures, diabetes and migraines, among other ailments, physicist-inventor Fischell is now focusing on hypertension.

Fischell, who lives in Dayton, Md., has been credited with improving the health of millions and saving the lives of countless others through the medical instruments he has invented or perfected.

In his innovative 15-minute procedure to lower blood pressure, “three steel needles will each deliver a drop of alcohol into the nerves surrounding the renal artery…which will dramatically reduce both the systolic (the top number) and the diastolic (bottom number)” readings, Fischell said.

The procedure will “decrease pill usage and dramatically improve the lives of hypertension sufferers,” he said.

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Pacemakers and stents That’s only the latest in a string of problem-solving inventions.

In 1962, Fischell developed the first widely-accepted rechargeable pacemaker.

The device, implanted in heart disease sufferers, had lifetime batteries and was onetenth the size of competing designs.

He then invented the implantable insulin pump, which delivered the drug internally to diabetics, rather than requiring patients to inject themselves.

Fischell devised flexible coronary stents that open clogged arteries to keep blood flowing from the heart. The Fischell invention accounts for most of the coronary stents now used worldwide. More than 10 million of them have been placed, he noted.

He and colleagues have come up with a device that can stop or diminish epileptic seizures. The device is implanted in the cranial bone, wired to that part of the brain that senses an oncoming seizure, and prevents it from happening.

And then Fischell created a device implanted like a pacemaker with a wire into the heart that vibrates like a cell phone to warn of a heart attack.

ARTS & STYLE Robert Fischell’s medical inventions, from pacemakers to insulin pumps, are credited with improving the health of millions of people. His device to zap away migraines is now under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“The warning will be provided even before the patient has any symptom …which is really vital to the 25 percent of all patients who never get any warning that they are having a heart attack,” Fischell said.

Conquering migraines And that’s not all, folks. The work on life-changing instruments continues.

Fischell has put the final touches on an invention that stops migraine headaches at their inception. The portable device is held against the back of the head, a button is pressed, and two magnetic pulses, 15 seconds apart, tell the neurons of the brain to hibernate and forget about causing the migraine.

“The patients feel a not unpleasant tingle in their scalp,” he said, from the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) produced by the Spring TMS device.

The Food and Drug Administration, not known for rushing its approval on new drugs or medical devices, has been looking at the invention for the past five years. The agency is expected to give its final approval this summer. It is already available in Europe, Fischell said.

What this will mean, he said, is that migraine headaches will be a scourge of the past for many, and current sufferers will no longer have to buy expensive pills. And, See INVENTOR, page 8

Toby’s Dinner Theatre presents everyone’s favorite green ogre in Shrek the Musical; plus, visit the nation’s largest sheep and wool festival page 26

FITNESS & HEALTH k Get a colonoscopy on the run k Is “expired” food dangerous?

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THE SENIOR CONNECTION 15 k Howard County Office on Aging newsletter LAW & MONEY k Investing for the long-term k Innovative companies

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M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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Once more, with feeling Those of you who have been reading my so? Wouldn’t my more objectively remonthly column for a few years know that searched columns — or my carefully reaI occasionally write about my soned (and reasonably arparents’ experiences with gued) positions on matters of healthcare, finances, moving the day — be more likely to and the like. elicit response from readers?

You also know that my faWhy should I get more posther, may he rest in peace, itive feedback to personal died a few weeks ago, just shy columns laced with angst or of his 94th birthday, and that pathos or vented anger, when my 84-year-old mother has they seldom had answers to moved to this area from Texas the questions I raised? to be near my brother and me.

I think I am only recently, The first time I wrote about FROM THE and gradually, coming to unmy parents in this column, I PUBLISHER derstand why this may be so. was concerned that readers By Stuart P. Rosenthal When it comes to major might think it odd that I changes in life — the various would discuss personal matters in this turning points we all experience — all the space. After all, the Beacon generally focus- objective information in the world cannot es on topical news and objective informa- really prepare us for what we will ention, rather than personal accounts. counter.

But I received many favorable comments I have spent 25 years working with our — from friends and strangers alike — to staff to write, select and edit articles meant that first column. And indeed, later columns to cover every aspect of our lives after 50: the that touched on my personal experiences health conditions and challenges, financial and those of my parents continued to gen- hurdles and legal matters, family matters, erate an unusual amount of response. employment issues, housing options, even For years, I’ve wondered: Why was this entertainment and travel opportunities.

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The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of Howard County, Md. and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Md., Greater Washington DC, and Greater Palm Springs, Calif.

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

• Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal • 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, ................................................ Steve Levin, Jill Joseph • Publishing Assistant ....................Rebekah Sewell

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While we were gathering and sharing all this practical knowledge, I thought I was also absorbing everything I would need to know to prepare myself and my family for the future. I wasn’t going to be blindsided by unexpected problems or feel helpless or uninformed!

But the columns I wrote about my family, as I look back on them, were not crowing about how everything fell into place beautifully.

On the contrary, they generally shared my frustrations and disappointments in how real life often didn’t match up to my expectations. It was the surprises, the challenges, the failures of our systems that moved me to write those columns.

Many readers saw their own reality mirrored in my words. Others were happy just to see me recognize that an individual’s experiences may differ — sometimes greatly — from the “typical” or regular case.

And everyone, I think, appreciated having human feelings added into the mix.

One ingredient often missing from our otherwise well-written and helpful articles is how it feels to experience a change.

There’s just no substitute for experience when you want to know not what the best

“answer” or option is, but how it will feel when you choose it.

Each of us will face life’s challenges in our own personal way. But when we get a glimpse into how other people live their lives, and how each decision they make truly affects them and their family, we gain a new and valuable perspective.

So I plan to continue writing, occasionally, about my family’s experiences. I can tell you now that, despite my state-of-the-art knowledge about many topics, in these few weeks since my father passed away, my mother has daily enlightened me as to how it feels to cope with the loss of a spouse (after 63 years of marriage), the move to another state, the separation from one’s friends and support network, and the adjustment to a new community.

Needless to say, there is fodder here for several columns.

I hope many of you will, in turn, share your thoughts and personal experiences with me and our readers as well.

Thanks, as always, for reading this column and for reading the Beacon.

Letters to the editor 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 e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

Dear Mr. Rosenthal: Your eulogy to your dad was so touching.

He had to be the greatest kind of person.

How lucky for him to have you for a son.

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Helen Santoni Baltimore Dear Mr. Rosenthal: Although your father has passed away, he encourages me through your tribute at his funeral.

I also take my nutrition by stomach tube since November 2011. Since then, I have been getting better nutrition than I had be-

fore, and am much stronger.

I live alone and daily use five cans of liquid food over seven feedings, two hours apart.

I have been unable to find anything [written] on long-term tube feeding by self-care. Information about how long your father was doing so would be helpful.

Robert Fisher Baltimore Dear Mr. Rosenthal: Thank you for the beautiful story about your dad, “A man of valor.” May his memory be a blessing. I know it will.

Leslie Kassal Baltimore

BEACON BITS

June 21

ORIOLES AT YANKEE STADIUM

Join Eyre Tour & Travel on Saturday, June 21 as they travel to Yankee Stadium in New York. The Yankees will take on the Baltimore Orioles. The trip departs from Long Gate Park & Ride in Ellicott City as well as Cromwell Bridge Park & Ride in Towson. The $135 trip includes terrace seating close to the infield at the game. For more information, call (410) 442-1330, ext. 4.

May 14

CHOIR CONCERT

Enjoy the smooth melodies of the Howard Community College/Bain Senior Choir at their spring concert. The performance will take place in the lobby of the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia, and light refreshments will be served. RSVP at the front desk, or call (410) 313-7213.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

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Health Fitness &

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NOT SO SWEET Too much sugar can raise blood pressure and cause early death OLDIES BUT GOODIES Food expiration dates don’t necessarily mean the food is unsafe to eat A BIG IMPROVEMENT More Medicare recipients can get therapy even if they don’t improve LOW-SODIUM WHOLE GRAINS Try less-processed oats, rice and wheat to lower salt intake

Smile! Your colon is on candid camera

By Matthew Perrone A kinder, gentler approach to one of the most dreaded exams in medicine is on the way: U.S. regulators have cleared a bitesize camera to help screen patients who have trouble with colonoscopies.

The ingestible pill camera from Given Imaging is designed to help doctors spot polyps and other early signs of colon cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently cleared the device for patients who have had trouble with the cringe-inducing colonoscopy procedure, which involves probing the large intestine with a tiny camera embedded in a four-foot long, flexible tube.

The Israeli company’s technology, developed from missile defense systems, uses a battery-powered camera to take high-speed photos as it slowly winds its way through the intestinal tract over eight hours. The images are transmitted to a recording device worn around the patient’s waist and later reviewed by a doctor.

While Given’s wireless, image-beaming

system may sound like science fiction, it’s actually more than a decade old. In 2001, the company received FDA approval for a similar device used to get a close-up view of the small intestine.

At that time, analysts expected Given’s approach to grow into a direct competitor to traditional colonoscopy. But company studies found that images taken by the mini-camera were not quite as clear as those from the in-office procedure.

As a result, the company has pursued a more limited market for its device: patients who have trouble undergoing standard colonoscopies.

lysts estimate the new PillCam could grow to sales of over $60 million in North America by 2019, with room for expansion as the technology improves.

MorningStar analyst Debbie Wang said the company has shrewdly positioned the device as another tool in the gastrointestinal specialist’s kit, rather than a direct competitor.

“Given’s management understands that the traditional colonoscopy is the gastroenterologist’s bread and butter right now,” Wang said. “So they didn’t want to do anything that would position this as a substitute.”

Not for everyone

Cheaper, but prep is same

In February, the FDA cleared the company’s PillCam Colon for patients who have experienced an incomplete colonoscopy.

Given estimates 750,000 U.S. patients are not able to complete the procedure each year, due to anatomy issues, previous surgery or various colon diseases.

Even with this limited indication, ana-

Wang notes that Given’s PillCam costs $500, significantly less than the roughly $4,000 rate for colonoscopy. Eventually, she thinks doctors may use the device to attract adults who avoid regular screenings due to fears of pain, embarrassment and general discomfort.

However, the preparation is similar to

that for a colonoscopy, and the PillCam procedure may require up to three more cups of bowel prep solution during the day of the procedure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines currently recommend regular colonoscopies beginning at age 50 and continuing through age 75, though most U.S. adults don’t follow the recommendations.

In December, Irish medical device firm Covidien said it would buy Given for about $860 million. Given Imaging, headquartered in Yoqneam, Israel, markets seven lines of medical devices and surgical supplies, including PillCams to screen the esophagus and small intestine. PillCam Colon was previously approved in 80 other countries, including in Japan, Europe and Latin America.

To see a video of the PillCam Colon’s journey through an intestine, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMbC B2_vCt0.

— AP

Women face additional risks for stroke

By Marilynn Marchione Just as heart attack symptoms may differ between men and women, so do stroke risks.

Now, the American Heart Association has issued its first guidelines for preventing strokes in women. They focus on birth control, pregnancy, depression, and other risk factors that women face uniquely or more frequently than men do.

The advice applies to patients like Denise Miller, who suffered a stroke last year that fooled doctors at two northeast Ohio hospitals before it was finally diagnosed at the Cleveland Clinic. She was 36 and had no traditional risk factors.

“There was nothing to indicate I was going to have a stroke,” other than frequent migraines with aura — dizziness or altered senses such as tingling, ringing ears or sensitivity to light, Miller said.

These headaches are more common in women, and the new guidelines flag them as a concern. Miller recovered but has some lingering numbness and vision problems.

Each year, nearly 800,000 Americans have a new or recurrent stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel to the brain is

blocked by a clot or bursts. Stroke is the third-leading cause of death for women and the fifth-leading cause for men.

The key to surviving one and limiting disability is getting help fast, and recognizing symptoms such as trouble speaking, weakness or numbness in one arm, or drooping on one side of the face.

New guidelines for women Stroke risk rises with age, and women tend to live longer than men. Women are more likely to be living alone when they have a stroke, to have poorer recovery, and to need institutional care after one.

Certain stroke risks are more common in women, including migraine with aura, obesity, an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, and metabolic syndrome — a combo of problems including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.

General guidelines for stroke prevention currently focus on controlling blood pressure and diabetes, quitting smoking, getting more exercise and healthy diets.

The new ones add gender-specific advice, said Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, stroke chief

at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. She led the panel that wrote the guidelines, published in Stroke, a Heart Association journal.

Birth control pills: Women should be checked for high blood pressure before starting on oral contraceptives because the combination raises stroke risks. The risk is small but rises steeply in women ages 45 to 49. More than 10 million American women use birth control pills.

Pregnancy: Strokes are uncommon during pregnancy but the risk is still higher, especially during the last three months and soon after delivery. The big worry is preeclampsia — dangerously high blood pressure that can cause a seizure and other problems. “It doubles the risk of stroke later in life, and it quadruples the risk of high blood pressure” after pregnancy, Bushnell said.

Aspirin: It’s usually recommended for anyone who has already had a stroke, unless the stroke was caused by bleeding rather than a clot, or if bleeding risk is a concern, Bushnell said. Aspirin also is often recommended for people with dia-

betes to lower the risk of stroke and other problems.

A low-dose aspirin every other day “can be useful” to lower stroke risk in women 65 and older, unless its benefit is outweighed by the potential for bleeding or other risks, the guidelines say.

Migraines: Women are four times more likely to have migraines than men, and they often coincide with hormone swings. Migraines alone don’t raise the risk of stroke, but ones with aura do. Using oral contraceptives and smoking raise this risk even more, so the guidelines urge stopping smoking.

Irregular heartbeat: Women over age 75 should be checked for atrial fibrillation.

Doctors do this by taking a pulse or listening to the heartbeat.

Menopause: Hormone therapy should not be used to try to prevent strokes.

The new guidelines put women’s issues “on the table” so more doctors talk about them, said Dr. Shazam Hussain, stroke chief at the Cleveland Clinic. “Gender does make a difference. The medical community has neglected it for some time.”

— AP

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M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Sugary diet can triple risk of early death

By Lindsey Tanner Could too much sugar be deadly? The biggest study of its kind suggests the answer is yes, at least when it comes to fatal heart problems.

It doesn’t take all that much extra sugar, hidden in many processed foods, to substantially raise the risk, the researchers found. Most Americans eat more than the safest amount.

Having a cinnamon roll with your morning coffee, a super-sized sugary soda at

lunch, and a scoop of ice cream after dinner would put you in the highest risk category in the study. That means your chance of dying prematurely from heart problems is nearly three times greater than for people who eat only foods with little added sugar.

For someone who normally eats 2,000 calories daily, even consuming two 12ounce cans of soda substantially increases the risk. For most American adults, sodas and other sugary drinks are the main

source of added sugar.

Lead author Quanhe Yang of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called the results sobering, and said it’s the first nationally representative study to examine the issue.

Sugar raises blood pressure Scientists aren’t certain exactly how sugar may contribute to deadly heart problems, but it has been shown to increase blood pressure and levels of unhealthy cholesterol and triglycerides. It also may increase signs of inflammation linked with heart disease, said Rachel Johnson, head of the American Heart Association’s nutrition committee and a University of Vermont nutrition professor.

Yang and colleagues analyzed national health surveys between 1988 and 2010 that included questions about people’s diets.

The authors used national death data to calculate risks of dying during 15 years of follow-up.

Overall, surveys of more than 30,000 American adults, age 44 on average, were studied.

Previous studies have linked diets high in sugar with increased risks for non-fatal heart problems and for obesity, which can also lead to heart trouble. But in the new study, obesity didn’t explain the link between sugary diets and death. That link was found even in normal-weight people who ate lots of added sugar.

added to processed foods or drinks, or sprinkled in coffee or cereal. Even foods that don’t taste sweet have added sugar, including many brands of packaged bread, tomato sauce and salad dressing.

Naturally occurring sugar found in fruit and some other foods wasn’t counted.

Most health experts agree that too much sugar isn’t healthy, but there is no universal consensus on how much is too much. U.S government dietary guidelines issued in 2010 say “empty” calories, including those from added sugars, should account for no more than 15 percent of total daily calories.

The authors divided participants into five categories based on sugar intake, from less than 10 percent of daily calories — the safest amount — to more than 25 percent.

Most adults exceed the safest level; and for 1 in 10 adults, added sugar accounts for at least 25 percent of daily calories, the researchers said.

The researchers had death data on almost 12,000 adults, including 831 who died from heart disease during the 15-year follow-up. They took into account other factors known to contribute to heart problems, including smoking, inactivity and excess weight, and still found risks for sugar.

As sugar intake increased, risks climbed steeply. Adults who got at least 25 percent of their calories from added sugar were almost three times more likely to die of heart problems than those who consumed the least — less than 10 percent.

Added to many foods The researchers focused on sugar

See SUGARY DIET, page 5

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For those who got more than 15 percent — or the equivalent of about two cans of sugary soda out of 2,000 calories daily — the risk was almost 20 percent higher than the safest level.

Sugar calories quickly add up: One teaspoon has about 16 calories; one 12-ounce can of non-diet soda contains about 9 teaspoons of sugar or about 140 calories.

See HEALTH SHORTS, page 6

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From page 4

Many cinnamon rolls have about 13 teaspoons of sugar. One scoop of chocolate ice cream has about 5 teaspoons of sugar.

Dr. Jonathan Purnell, a professor at Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cardiovascular Institute, said while the research doesn’t prove that “sugar can cause you to die of a heart attack,” it adds to a growing body of circumstantial evidence suggesting that limiting sugar intake can lead to healthier, longer lives.

— AP

People who have had a heart attack are at significant risk of having another one. If this happens, calling an ambulance and rushing to the nearest hospital that has a catheterization lab is crucial.

But the nearest hospital is often not the same as the one the patient previously visited, and medical records might not be available.

The new CathMaps+ app for Android and iPhone devices stores documentation of the patient’s cardiac medical history so that it can be easily presented to the at-

tending physician in an emergency situation.

Patients can also use the app to locate and receive directions to the nearest catheterization labs in many countries around the world, shown on an interactive map.

CathMaps+ was created by Danny Oberman, who himself experienced a cardiac incident in 2013. Because of this experience, and his personal understanding of what it means to live with an elevated risk of a heart attack, Oberman envisioned creating a tool that would help alleviate the associated anxiety.

“By cr eating and launching the CathMaps+ app, it is my hope that heart disease patients and their families will be equipped with a sense of normalcy and

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Sugary diet

New app for heart patients

I N F O R M AT I O N

Distinguishing between prescription pill bottles is a difficult task for blind and visually impaired individuals. Deciphering dosage instructions is even more difficult.

But special labels called ScripTalk, embedded with a tiny antenna and microchip, can read all the information on the label aloud, including warnings and prescription number, using a special reader. The reader, by En-Vision America, has an adjustable volume and can read the label in multiple languages.

CVS/pharmacy now offers the ScripTalk

America, call 1-800-890-1180 or go to http://bit.ly/talkinglabel.

— Barbara Ruben

F R E E

Prescription drug labels that ‘talk’

labels on prescriptions ordered online at CVS.com. Customers can also obtain a free ScripTalk reader from En-Vision America that will enable them to listen to the information on the ScripTalk label.

“The lack of accessible labels on prescription drug containers puts people with vision loss at serious risk of medication mishaps,” said Paul Schroeder, vice president of programs and policy at the American Foundation for the Blind. “We applaud CVS/pharmacy for taking steps to provide speech access to label information for customers with vision loss, along with its willingness to evaluate methods to improve large print labels.”

To request the labels with a prescription ordered through cvs.com, call 1-888-2273403.

For more information on the reader and to order a free device from En-Vision

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Health shorts From page 5 peace of mind as they go about their daily lives, and even travel,” he said.

“As a life-or-death condition, the idea of suffering a repeat [heart attack] can be an almost constant concern. This app will help offset patient anxiety while also serving as a valuable tool for cardiologists and the medical community overall.”

— Barbara Ruben

M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Online doctor reviews aren’t too popular; doctors are glad Ratings of doctors are less popular than those of toasters, cars and movies, when it comes to online consumer sites. That’s according to a survey that found most adults hadn’t checked online physician reviews

BEACON BITS

May 7

FREE VARICOSE VEIN SCREENING Johns Hopkins vascular surgeon Dr. Richard Feinberg will conduct

free vein screenings on Wednesday, May 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at his office in the Johns Hopkins Vascular Surgery and Vein Center, Little Patuxent Specialty Care Center, 11065 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia. For further information call (410) 740-7601.

— and most said a conveniently located office and accepting patients’ health insurance was more important.

Still, the sites do appear to be swaying opinions. About a third of patients who viewed online sites sought out or avoided physicians based on their ratings.

The findings come from a nationally representative Internet-based survey of 2,137 adults. Results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

More than one-third of those surveyed had checked out online reviews for movies, restaurants, appliances or electronics, and more than 1 in 4 viewed online car ratings. But less than 1 in 5 said they had viewed online physician ratings.

The 2012 sur vey may overestimate awareness among the general population, since about 1 in 5 Americans don’t have Internet access. But the researchers attempted to compensate for that by providing free Internet-connected computers for consumers without access.

MORNING DRIVE.

The results suggest that online doctor ratings have gained popularity since earlier surveys. That’s a concern, since there’s no way to know if a review is real or fake, or what might have motivated the reviewer, said lead author Dr. David Hanauer, a pediatrician and associate professor at the University of Michigan.

Consumer reviews of doctors can be found on dozens of online sites, including some that rate only doctors, as well as some, like yelp.com, that cover a panoply of goods and services. Most reviewers don’t include their full names or remain anonymous.

Some other sites with doctor reviews include Healthgrades.com, Zocdoc.com, RateMDs.com and Vitals.com.

Some doctors who oppose the idea of online reviews make their patients sign “gag orders” agreeing not to post comments about them online. Hanauer said he doesn’t do that. He added that he hasn’t found any reviews of himself online.

The American Medical Association — the nation’s largest physicians’ group — is wary of the sites. “Anonymous online opinions of physicians should be taken with a grain of salt, and should certainly not be a patient’s sole source of information when looking for a new physician,” Dr. Ardis Dee Hoven, AMA’s president, said in a statement.

— AP

BEACON BITS

May 22+

NEW CANCER SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS

A new series of meetings designed for men and women with Stage IV cancer or metastatic disease will begin on Thursday, May 17 at 7 p.m. at the Howard County General Hospital Medical Pavilion, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. Call (410) 964-9100, ext. 5 to register or for more information.

May 13+

FREE SKIN CANCER CHECK

A dermatologist from Howard County General Hospital will examine one or two areas of concern about possible

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skin cancer in a free screening on Tuesday, May 13 and Thursday, May 15 at the Medical Pavilion, 10710 Charter Dr., Columbia. For additional information call (410) 964-9100.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

7

Food expiration dates aren’t about safety

By Margaret Lampert Emily M. Broad Leib directs the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic. Here are excerpts from a recent Kiplinger interview with Leib regarding food packaging: Q: In your recent study “The Dating Game,” you argue that date labels on food are misleading and unclear, and say Americans throw away billions of pounds of food as a result. What is this costing us?

A: We know a family of four spends between $1,365 and $2,275 per year on food that is wasted. A study out of the United Kingdom found 20 percent of total household food waste was caused just by confusion over dates — not because food went bad or was inedible.

And over a billion dollars’ worth is thrown away annually in the U.S. before it even gets to consumers because of expira-

tion dates. Retailers don’t sell the items, and as a result, they bump up the prices on other food items.

Q: Why are the labels confusing?

A: People believe expiration dates are related to safety. But the dates are not defined by law; they’re a manufacturer’s best guess of when the food is at peak quality.

There’s no saying a few days later it won’t still be at top quality.

The “sell by” date in particular leads to waste because it’s an indicator from manufacturers to retailers that they can sell food up to this date, and it’s still going to be fresh for consumers. But people can generally add on five to seven days to that date.

Q: What can we do to avoid throwing out edible food?

A: Expiration dates can provide some guidance. But for foods such as milk and cheese, first smell them or taste a tiny bit.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 26

EARTH DAY TREE PLANTING

Bring a shovel, work gloves, youngsters and other friends to plant trees for Earth Day on Saturday, April 26 at 9 a.m. at Hammond Park, 10700 Glen Hannah Dr., Laurel. In case of inclement weather, call (410) after 7:30 a.m. to check on the status of the planting. Rain date is May 3. For more information or to pre-register, call Shante Berry at (410) 313-4704 or email sberry@howardcountymd.gov.

Apr. 26

MS CHARITY WALK

On Saturday, April 26, the Maryland Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will hold a three-mile walk at Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. The walk will help to raise over $1 million for research, programs and services for the 6,500 Marylanders living with MS. With registration at 9 a.m., the walk will begin at 10 a.m. To register, visit walksmaryland.org or katie.amos@nmss.org, or call (443) 641-1209.

If the food doesn’t taste good, don’t eat it.

Foods such as cereal and crackers might get stale, and you can choose whether or not you want to eat them, but they’re not unsafe.

People get really nervous about meat and poultry. But if they go bad and smell before you cook them, that should be your indicator.

Q: How can we make the most of our food budgets?

A: Plan meals in advance and think about how to use leftovers. People forget how many things you can freeze successfully.

And many don’t keep their refrigerators cool enough; that leads to a lot of waste.

Shelf-life guides, such as the Food Mar-

keting Institute’s “Food Keeper” guide and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Kitchen Companion Safe Food Handbook,” are helpful.

Q: What do you make of retail outlets for expired foods that are springing up, such as the one planned by former Trader Joe’s president Doug Rauch, in Boston?

A: You can get good bargains by buying food past their dates, if you’re willing to take the risk that food will not be at top quality. But remember that these dates are about quality and not safety, so they are not a safety risk. © 2014, Kiplinger. All Rights Reserved.

Distributed By Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Inventor From page 1 unlike so many medications advertised on TV, there are no side effects from its use.

The device, he noted, could fit into a pocketbook and will come in several colors. There are reportedly some 36 million migraine sufferers in the nation; three out of every four of them are women.

Fischell expects medical insurers to cover the cost of the device, which would require a doctor’s prescription. Fischell said the annual leasing cost for the device will be about $2,800, approximately the same price as for yearly Botox injections to relieve migraines.

In another recent effort, Fischell and a University of Maryland colleague are working on a way to significantly reduce brain concussions among football players

by connecting the helmet to the shoulder pads. He said the National Football league and Under Armour Corp. are considering funding development of the design.

A brilliant mind For a person to think up one of these devices and bring it to market would be a major accomplishment. How does Fischell produce so many, and retain his creative abilities into his 80s?

His answer may at first sound impertinent or egotistical: “When I see a medical problem, my mind often sees the solution, often in less than a minute,” he said.

But it takes much more time and effort to turn the idea into a working prototype that can be mass produced and commercialized.

William Bentley, chairman of the Fischell Department of Bioengineering at the University of Maryland, shared his view of

M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Fischell with the Baltimore Sun. “Bob has an amazing mental acuity that allows him to just parse the noise and cut to the chase,” Bentley said.

This unique ability has not only made him a highly sought after inventor, but also a wealthy man. He and his family reportedly earn a $12 royalty on the sale of each stent based on his designs. With more than 10 million sold, that amounts to more than $120 million.

Not surprisingly, Fischell uses much of his money, like his brain power, to help others.

In 2006, he and his family contributed $31 million to endow the University of Maryland department now named for him. He and his wife, Susan, also recently donated $1 million to Howard County General Hospital.

“You can even make some money by helping people,” Fischell noted. “This gives you the ability to be philanthropic.”

rector of the space department, he helped devise some 50 satellites, including the Global Positioning Satellite, now used on devices all over the world as a direction finder.

He left the lab in 1997 to devote all his time to inventing medical devices. Fischell now holds more than 200 U.S, and foreign patents, and has started up 10 medical device companies.

Among his many honors: in 1984, named by the Intellectual Property Owners Association as the Inventor of the Year in the USA; in 2002, inducted into the Space and Technology Hall of Fame; in 2005, he won the first $100,000 (now one million dollar) TED Prize, “awarded to an extraordinary individual with a creative and bold vision to spark global change.”

So, as he is happy to point out, despite the lack of a role model and parental predictions otherwise, the poor boy from the Bronx has turned out more than OK.

Rough start Fischell didn’t begin life in a world of privilege. He started out as a “poor kid, growing up in the Bronx,” who worked hard and got “lucky.” He didn’t even have much in the way of role models or support from his family.

His father, he said, didn’t think that he would ever be successful. In fact, his parents mostly ignored him when he was a child. “So I set out to prove I was going to be OK,” Fischell recalled.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University in 1951, he got his master’s in physics from the University of Maryland (which later awarded him an honorary doctoral degree in 1968).

After graduation, he spent eight years as a civilian engineer for the Navy, then moved to the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, where he worked for 32 years.

There, as chief engineer and associate di-

Retirement not an option Health-wise, Fischell said he feels almost the same as when he was 35, except that when he gets up from a long stint at his desk, his legs stiffen up somewhat.

He plays doubles tennis about three times a week and works out in his home gym with a personal trainer, who visits twice a week.

His three sons — a physicist, a cardiologist and a business executive — work with him on developing and marketing his many medical devices.

When he has spare time, he mostly concentrates his reading on books about history. “It’s interesting to see how humans have acted over the centuries. The same things compel people in all ages: the desire for power, money, sex, control,” he noted.

Fischell may go out to the movies “about twice a year,” but he is a steady TV viewer, especially of crime shows like “Law See INVENTOR, page 9

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

9

Longer Medicare for therapies, home care

By Barbara Ruben After losing a federal class action lawsuit, Medicare has done an about-face on a policy requiring beneficiaries to show that their conditions are improving in order to receive coverage of skilled nursing care and therapy services.

For decades, patients with such chronic conditions as Alzheimer’s, arthritis and Parkinson’s disease, would have their care terminated if they weren’t doing better.

The settlement “makes it absolutely clear that skilled care is covered by Medicare for therapy and nursing to maintain a patient’s condition or slow decline — not just for improvement,” said Judith Stein, executive director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit Now that this so-called “improvement

standard” has been abolished, it is easier for patients to get coverage for physical, speech and occupational therapy, as well as home health and nursing care — and coverage is available retroactively to the date of the lawsuit.

If patients paid for care themselves because their claim was denied between Jan. 18, 2011 and Jan. 24, 2013 (between when the lawsuit was filed and when it was settled), they must submit a request for a new review by July 23, 2014. For review of denied claims filed from Jan. 25, 2013, through Jan. 23, 2014, the review form must be submitted by Jan. 23, 2015.

The for m can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/claim_review_form. The form is titled “Request for re-review of Medicare claims related to the settlement agreement in Jimmo v. Sebelius.”

Inventor

rhetorically.

“I feel that when I get an idea that could dramatically improve the life of a human being, I’m obligated to [develop it]. Besides, working makes me happy.”

If Robert Fischell could write his own epitaph what would it be?

He laughed, thought a few seconds — about as long as it took him to come up with some inventions — then said: “He did well by doing good.”

From page 8 and Order,” which he likes to watch in bed with his wife, Susan.

Well, isn’t it about time for him to retire?

Not on your life, which he still may save one day.

“If you have the ability to improve the health of tens of millions of people, do you have a right to stop working?” he asked

A fact sheet on the process is available from Medicare at http://bit.ly/medicareobservation.

Not widely publicized Medicare has not widely publicized these changes, however. The agency updated its policy manual last December and informed healthcare providers, Medicare Advantage plans, bill processors and others on the medical and payment end of the process. But Medicare wasn’t required to

inform beneficiaries.

Other Medicare limits to nursing home care remain the same, and a doctor must prescribe skilled nursing home care for coverage. Home care also requires a doctor’s order.

Medicare caps the amount it will pay for physical and speech therapy at $1,920 a year. Occupational therapy has a separate $1,920 limit. Providers can get the cap raised to $3,700 for these services if they are medically necessary.

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M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

Health Studies Page

11

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Can your smartphone help outsmart IBD? Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) specialists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are recruiting patients for a study to determine whether a smartphonebased telemedicine system decreases disease activity and improves quality of life.

The “TELE-IBD” study targets patients with a confirmed diagnosis of either ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or indeterminate colitis, and who have had a flare-up of their condition in the last two years.

“We are getting better at treating Crohn’s and colitis, but patient outcomes are still less than ideal,” said Dr. Raymond Cross, associate professor of medicine and director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and co-director of the Digestive Health Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

“We anticipate that TELE-IBD will improve outcomes through more frequent monitoring, better adherence to medications, improved education, early detection of side effects, and more rapid initiation of medical therapy for a flare.”

Inflammatory bowel diseases, comprised of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s dis-

ease, are chronic, inflammatory conditions of the intestines that affect nearly 1.5 million people in the United States.

IBDs are auto-immune disorders When people have an IBD, their body’s immune cells attack the intestinal lining, causing inflammation and ulcerations, which can produce gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain and cramping.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease both affect young people, with the peak onset in the 20’s and 30’s, although they can affect children and older people as well.

Cross explained that the cause of IBD is speculative. “Genetics play a significant role, but other factors, including diet, the environment, antibiotics, smoking, anti-inflammatory drug use, and the composition of bacteria in our intestines all may contribute to IBD,” he said.

While there is currently no cure for IBD, Cross said existing medications are able to help alleviate symptoms and prevent flares of the disease.

“A patient can have essentially a normal life on medical therapy,” he said. “Never-

theless, their symptoms may affect them throughout their lifetime, with times of remission and other times of flares. The goals of our medical therapy are to eliminate flares, or if flares occur, to make them less severe than they’ve been in the past.”

A previous pilot study confirmed that telemedicine technology to monitor patients with IBD is feasible and resulted in improved clinical outcomes.

Researchers will be examining several potential benefits in this study — decreased disease activity, better quality of life, decreased utilization of healthcare services, improved patient education, decreased depression and anxiety, and improved patient self-management.

Volunteers needed Patients will be randomized into three groups.

No intervention group: Patients will receive the current standard of care, including routine and as-needed office visits and phone calls, and education fact sheets from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.

Weekly home monitoring group: Partici-

pants will receive weekly text messages from the TELE-IBD system to answer questions about disease symptoms, side effects, to check body weight, and to receive medication reminders and educational content. Participants receive action plans after each self-testing session. Alerts are generated to a nurse coordinator if certain clinical criteria are met.

Bi-weekly home monitoring group: Same as above, but every other week.

Participants must be age 18 or older, with a confirmed diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or indeterminate colitis.

They cannot have had flares of the disease in the last two years or have an ileostomy or colostomy. Those with uncontrolled medical or psychiatric disease, a degenerative neurologic condition, unstable angina Class III/IV, severe congestive heart failure, or severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cannot take part in the study.

The goal is to enroll 375 participants.

The estimated study completion date is October 2015.

To learn how to enroll in the study, call (410) 706-3397 or (410) 706-5943.

BEACON BITS

Apr. 30

CELEBRATING CHILDREN

The county’s Office of Children’s Services will hold its 15th annual “Celebrating Successes for Children” award program on Wednesday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ten Oaks Ballroom, 5000 Signal Bell Ln., Clarksville. The program honors and recognizes the people, programs and businesses that have a positive impact on the lives of Howard County children. For further information call Debbie Yare, Office of Children’s Service, (410) 313-1940.

May 4

NATIVE PLANT PROGRAM

On Sunday, May 4 from noon to 4 p.m. the Robinson Nature Center will host “Native Plant Palooza,” a sale of plants native to Maryland and guest speakers providing information on the “how to” of using native species. The sale benefits educational programs at the Center, 6692 Cedar Ln., Columbia. See www/howardcountymd.gov/RNCplantnative.htm or call (410) 313-0400 for additional information.

Have You Fallen?

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 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 of time per visit

CaLL Today!

Are You Experiencing Memory Problems?

Enroll now in a clinical study at the NeurExpand Brain Center.

Principal Investigator and Medical Director, Dr. Majid Fotuhi, is conducting a clinical study evaluating the effects of two dietary supplements, Fruitflow w® (Tomato extract) and Resveratrol (Grape extract) on memory, blood flow to the brain, and fitness.

To be eligible you must: t #F CFUXFFO BOE ZFBST PME t )BWF NJME NFNPSZ DPNQMBJOUT t #F JO HPPE IFBMUI BOE IBWF B primary care physician Compensation will be provided to eligible participants for their time and also for referring other participants who enroll.

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For more information, please call 410.494.0193 www.NeurExpand.com

12

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M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Getting whole grains without high sodium Q: I’d like to eat more whole grain about 500 mg. of sodium per serving), products, but I need to limit sodium, choose plain, unseasoned whole grains (0 and many are surprisingly mg. sodium) and add your own high in sodium. What do herbs, lemon juice and other you suggest? sodium-free flavorings.

A: It’s true that an easy way Some whole grains that to consume whole grains is cook in less than 15 minutes with breads and cereals, include bulgur, quick-cooking though whether whole grain or brown rice, whole-wheat not, these often contain high couscous, quinoa and wholeamounts of sodium. So, to keep grain pasta. Try wild rice, milsodium in check, try expandlet, barley, wheat berries, ing your vision of whole grains amaranth and freekeh (“freeNUTRITION to less processed options. kuh”) when you have more Compare labels to find lower WISE time for cooking. sodium options like old-fash- By Karen Collins, If some of these grains are ioned or one-minute oatmeal MS, RD, CDM unfamiliar to you, check the rather than instant, and shredWhole Grains Council website ded wheat rather than higher-sodium types http://wholegrainscouncil.org/wholeof cereals. grains-101/whole-grains-a-to-z or recipes Instead of prepared whole-grain mixes, from the American Institute for Cancer Relike boxed seasoned brown rice, that include search www.aicr.org/reduce-your-cancerlarge amounts of sodium (some contain risk/diet/reduce_diet_recipes_test_kitch

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en.html for ideas. Then have fun experimenting!

Q: Do pedometers really help if you want to be more active?

A: They can. Overall, studies suggest that using a pedometer tends to produce a greater increase in physical activity than simply having a goal of walking 30 or 40 minutes a day.

That’s important because being moderately active at least 30 minutes a day is one of the top recommendations to lower cancer risk from the American Institute for Cancer Research. And health benefits accrue even when physical activity occurs in blocks of 10 or 15 minutes rather than all at once.

But it can be hard to keep track of these small blocks. This is a problem pedometers may solve.

Studies show that simply wearing a pedometer might lead to only small improvements for many people if they do not have a goal and do not track progress toward that goal.

Some programs recommend a target of 10,000 steps a day from the start, which is associated with meeting the recommended 30 minutes of moderate activity a day. If

someone’s goal is weight loss, a target of 11,000 to 12,000 steps a day may be more effective.

To reach these targets, some experts recommend setting individualized gradual increases to avoid getting physically or psychologically overwhelmed. They suggest taking a week to establish a baseline average, and then creating a new target each week by adding 500 or more steps a day beyond the previous week’s target.

Just wearing a pedometer isn’t magic, but it can increase awareness of your activity level, track your progress toward a specific goal, and (perhaps most importantly) increase your self-confidence that you really can achieve a healthy level of physical activity.

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.

BEACON BITS

June 1

COLUMBIA HOUSE TOUR

The fifth annual self-guided Columbia House Tour organized by the Columbia Association will be held on Sunday, June 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The five homes featured this year include residences in the villages of Harper’s Choice, Oakland Mills and Owen Brown, and a penthouse in Town Center. Tickets are $20 in advance and available from any of the 10 village community associations whose addresses can be found at www.columbiaassociations.org. Proceeds benefit Rebuilding Together Howard County. For more information, visit ColumbiaHomeTour.org or call Celeste Olinger at the Columbia Association, (410) 423-4110.

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

13

Some natural alternatives to common meds Dear Pharmacist: What are some pop- offer effects like natural aspirin and natuular medications and their natural ral (weak) opiate drugs (respectively). counterparts?

Antacids — Slippery elm, — A.T. marshmallow root, digestive Dear A.T.: enzymes, DGL and probiotics This is a great question, are my go-to supplements and there are a lot of different here. It’s not that they directly things that come to mind. reduce acid (they don’t), but For example, when I think of they help reduce gut inflammapopular medications, I think of tion and other problems that allergy drugs (antihistamines), could trigger the burn. pain relievers, antacids, blood There is also the possibility pressure drugs, cholesterol reyou need more acid to digest DEAR ducers and sleeping pills. your food, in which case you PHARMACIST That covers a lot of ground. By Suzy Cohen might try betaine HCL with I’ll give you some options here, pepsin supplements. but these natural choices do Blood pressure drugs — not work as strongly as a drug, and I’m not Grape seed extract can help reduce sysrecommending you stop your drugs and tolic blood pressure (the top number). take these, either. That sort of decision is Potassium citrate found in foods and supbetween you and your doctor. With that plements can do so, too. Be careful said, here are some interesting ideas.

Allergy drugs (antihistamines) — Quercetin, a supplement that occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables, is a powerful mast cell stabilizer, which means that it helps reduce histamine in the body.

Think of it as a natural version of loratadine, a popular, effective drug used to treat allergies. As a benefit, quercetin may help with other things like stress-induced anxiety, asthma and inflammatory pain syndromes.

Pain relievers — Willow bark and California poppy are two herbal remedies used to relieve pain by holistic physicians.

There are drug interactions and side effects to herbs, too. But these two herbs

though, not everyone can take potassium, it has interactions.

Magnesium is a strong anti-hypertensive as well. You’ll want to eat more basil, and perhaps garlic. I recommend eating garlic, or taking “aged garlic” supplements.

Cholesterol reducers — I think of natural “statins” here, such as Red Yeast Rice or vitamin C, particularly “liposomal C.” Coenzyme Q10 can help, as can a cup of Tulsi tea each day.

Sleeping pills — This category is perhaps the hardest. As humans, we sleep thanks to melatonin and GABA. To get this pathway running, you have to go slowly and carefully, under supervision.

Supplements of 5-HTP turn into serotonin, then melatonin (provided you have good B vitamin status), but I suggest low doses.

Special “phenylated” GABA supplements may help, like “Kavinace” sold on-

Serenity.

Just around the corner.

BEACON BITS

May 3

SEGWAY THROUGH WASHINGTON

The Department of Recreation and Parks is offering a Segway tour of Washington, D.C. via a bus leaving on Saturday, May 3 at 8 a.m. and returning at 4 p.m. Fee is $99, lunch on your own. For further information, call (410) 313-7275.

Apr. 26

TAKE A TAE BO CLASS Billy Blanks, creator

of the Tae Bo full-body workout, will conduct two classes during an open house on Wednesday, April 26 at the Supreme Sports Club, 7080 Deepage Dr., Columbia. The first one will begin at 8 a.m., the second at 10 a.m.

There is a fee of $30 for each class.

For more details including other activities scheduled that day, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/BillyBlanks or call (410) 381-5355.

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In the heart of Columbia. havenonthelake.org

line. Lemonbalm, hops and passionflower are other natural relaxation herbs to discuss with your doctor.

In summary, there are many choices you can consider. I’ve only touched the surface.

I love natural options, but your safety comes first. While natural, and expected to be safer than pharmaceuticals, botanicals may cause similar interactions, allergies and setbacks.

Always discuss changes to your health regimen with your doctor because each of us is different.

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

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit www.dearpharmacist.com.

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M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

How to shield a son from his no-good dad Dear Solutions: My daughter is going back and forth trying to make a decision about how to handle something with her 20-yearold son.

Since she never married, she and my grandson lived with me for many years as he was growing up.

She is asking me for advice, and since I’m unsure, I’m asking you.

She’s afraid her son is going to have a problem with rejection if he tries to

contact or even see his biological father.

She was never married to his father because she found out after she was pregnant that he was already married.

She once tried to contact him when my son was small and was sick, and he threatened to sue her for slander if she named him as the father. He was really nasty to her.

So she took care of herself, and she did well without him.

My grandson asked about his father doing it, I resent them. If I had a sisonce when he was younger, and she ter or brother, it would be easier. told him that the person Besides, I don’t know wasn’t responsible enough what to plan even if I deto be a husband or father. cide to do something. Any Now that he’s a young adult, suggestions? he may want to contact him.

— Phil How should she prepare Dear Phil: him to be welcomed or to So you feel stuck between a have the door slammed in rock and a hard place? If you his face? don’t do it, you feel guilty be— Unsure cause they’ve been good to Dear Unsure: you, and they’re getting older.

SOLUTIONS She should not do anything If you do it, you resent the fact

By Helen Oxenberg, unless or until her son asks. that they never supplied you MSW, ACSW Then honesty is her only opwith sisters or brothers to help tion. you out.

You say she’s done well, so I assume her First, count the advantages you’ve gotson has a good self image, which will help ten from being an only child — no sibling him deal with rejection. He must be reas- rivalry, all the attention and love, and oh sured that, if he is rejected, it has nothing yes, all the money. You can count the disto do with him but only with the unfortu- advantages if you want to waste your time. nate character and fears of this man.

Instead, round up the usual relatives Your daughter’s job now is to be flexible, and friends of theirs and ask them to help give her son a lot of love, and be there if he you plan this and to help you carry it out needs her.

— aunts, uncles, cousins, surrogate sibDear Solutions: lings. So start making travel plans.

My parents live across the country. © Helen Oxenberg, 2014. Questions to be Their 40th anniversary is coming up, considered for this column may be sent to: and I don’t know whether I should The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, plan a celebration for them.

MD 20915. You may also email the author When I feel like I won’t do it, I get at helox72@comcast.net. To inquire about guilty feelings. But when I think of reprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

BEACON BITS

May 8

“ We moved to Charlestown for the peace of mind and convenience.”

CYCLE2HEALTH KICK-OFF Join in the start of the second season of Howard County’s

Cycle2Health program, a cycling program for older adults in Howard County that offers daytime rides for cyclists of all levels. The kick-off on Thursday, May 8 at 10 a.m. features free bike safety checks and other activities for beginning and experienced riders and takes place at the East Columbia 50+ Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. The first ride of the season departs from the East Columbia parking lot at 10:30 a.m. (you must pre-register to participate). A one-

—Bernard and Mary Sikora, moved from Ellicott City

time fee of $10 applies. Contact Jennifer Lee, (410) 313-5940 or visit www.howardcountyaging.org/cycle2health for registration information.

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

Say you saw it in the Beacon

VOLUME 4, NO. 5 • MAY 2014

A Message from the Administrator

By Dayna Brown, Office on Aging Administrator Happy Older Americans Month!

This year’s theme, “Safe Today.

Healthy Tomorrow,” echoes not only the Howard County Office on Aging’s mission but also my passion: getting county residents to what’s possible — living in this community as long as possible, as safely and independently as possible, in the least restrictive setting.

To accomplish these goals, we will focus our efforts over the next year on the following: • Developing a Master Plan to address the future needs of Howard County’s aging population with input from staff, the Commission on Aging, other county departments and community partners, and residents. It’s very important to us that older adults in our community are actively involved in the planning process, especially since the aging population is the fastest growing segment in Howard County.

• Enhancing the role of our senior centers. We will work to expand programming and implement other initiatives to increase attendance as we strive to meet the needs and desires of our very diverse county.

• Continuing to support the ability of older adults and adults with disabilities to age in place in the community. We’ll continue to focus our efforts on promoting and providing a full range of options to help residents maintain and maximize independence and choice, as well as providing support and resources to help caregivers remain successful in their role.

• Working with the county and the library system on two new facilities. We are pleased to report that the Ellicott City Senior Center Annex is expected to be completed by October-November and that plans are progressing to build a new Elkridge Library and Senior Center.

Each May, the Office Aging is proud to join the nation to celebrate Older Americans Month, recognize older Americans for their contributions and provide them with information to help them stay healthy and active. And while I encourage you to take part in the many activities planned for your enjoyment this month at senior centers, I want to assure you that the health and well-being of older adults in Howard County remains our number one priority every day of the year!

Cycle2Health to Kick Off Second Season May 8th Howard County attracts cyclists of all ages and abilities with its miles of pathways, accessible parks and scenic open roads. For older adults, biking is one of the best forms of exercise since it is easier on the knees than walking or running. But until the launch of Cycle2Health (C2H) last May, Howard County’s older adults had to look elsewhere for cycling programs designed with their needs in mind.

Coordinated by the Office C2H Ride leader Laura Woods (pictured, left) on Aging, Cycle2Health became and new member Sheila Thomas the first non-competitive, peeron Thursday, May 8 at 10 a.m. at the East led, bicycling club developed for older Columbia 50+ Center, located at 6600 adults in Howard County to feature Cradlerock Way in Columbia. Join us to weekday rides during daytime hours.

Volunteers Jose Luis Puchol-Salva and Saul learn more about C2H, register for the 2014 season, meet the Ride Leaders and Zuckman, both avid cyclists, worked take part in free bike safety checks and tirelessly with staff to develop a plan that mini clinics hosted by Race Pace and Mt. would blend healthy cycling activities with plenty of opportunity for social interaction. Airy Bicycles, Princeton Sports and the “C2H provided experienced riders See CYCLE2HEALTH, page 18 with a unique opportunity to participate as ride leaders and contribute to a biking program specifically designed for well-being of older Howard County residents,” said Puchol-Salva. “At the same time, new or returning The Senior Connection is published monthly riders were able to develop their by the Howard County Department of Citizen Services’ Office on Aging. cycling skills and participate in rides We welcome your comments and suggestions. with others at their own level.”

To contact us, or to join our email subscriber list, email More than 70 individuals seniorconnection@howardcountymd.gov participated in the inaugural season, with “subscribe” in the subject box. ranging in age from 16 to 78 (which !"#$%&'!()*+&,-./0&!)&123)2 included one grandchild, providing 4567&'!8(9:3#&;#*0"#+&<$= an intergenerational opportunity). '!8(9:3#>&?<&@7AB4 The group rode almost every week B7ACD7DC4B7A from May through mid-November, """=E!"#$%/!()*+#23)2=!$2 averaging 15 participants per ride. """=F#/0:!!G=/!9H !'!'3*3I0) Rides varied in length and difficulty <#+)#&?=&J$!")>&1%93)3K*$#*!$ and departed from various Howard Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by County locations. the Howard County Office on Aging or by the publisher.

C2H kicks off its second season

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M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

SPRING is now SeniorsTogether SPRING has changed its name! As of April 2014, the SPRING peer outreach program is now called SeniorsTogether. In making this change, the Office on Aging hopes to build on SPRING’s solid foundation while moving the program forward to meet the needs of Howard County’s growing senior population.

“The name SeniorsTogether better represents the mission of the Office on Aging’s peer outreach efforts, bringing older adults together, and validates their role as the core of the program,” says Karen Hull, the Office’s Mental Health Coordinator.

“Although the name has changed, the goals and outreach of the program remain the same: to provide older adults with well-defined programs and activities to promote peer interaction,” says Hull.

Over the last 27 years, the SPRING program has offered Howard County’s older adult population countless opportunities to come together for personal development, education, and mutual support.

“SeniorsTogether programming will expand and enhance these opportunities for growth, continuing our popular core groups and adding other ways for older adults to not only interact with one another but also give back to the community.”

As we move forward with our planning process, we welcome your input as to what kind of peer outreach opportunities would appeal to you, now and in the future. We encourage you to attend one of upcoming SeniorsTogether events and join in our group discussions.

“The Art of Aging” meets for four weeks beginning May 8 at the

SeniorsTogether blends new programming with old favorites like gettogethers at area restaurants, pictured. Join us at our next luncheon at the Peking Chef in Hickory Ridge on Thursday, June 19!

Glenwood 50+ Center; see the Calendar of Events, opposite, for details. We encourage you to attend an upcoming SeniorsTogether event and join in our group discussions.

A non-competitive, PEER-LED BICYCLING CLUB for adults of all ages and abilities featuring WEEKDAY rides during DAYTIME hours from VARIOUS Howard County locations.

Please Join Us for the 2014

CYCLING SEASON KICK-OFF! Learn More About C2H • Meet the Ride Leaders Free Bike Safety Checks & Mini-Clinics hosted by Race Pace Bicycles and Princeton Sports

Thursday, May 8, 2014 • 10 a.m.

East Columbia 50+ Center In the parking lot at 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045

Register Now and Join Us for the 1st Ride of the Season!

To register, contact Jennifer Lee, Program Coordinator 410-313-5940 • jlee@howardcountymd.gov

www.howardcountyaging.org/cycle2health

This is a recreational program for participants to experience the benefits of exercise while exploring the natural beauty and sights of Howard County. A $10 annual fee is required and will be collected at registration and applied to the spring through fall riding season.

Rides vary in length and difficulty.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

Say you saw it in the Beacon

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Tuesdays at 1 p.m.

Zumba • East Columbia 50+ Center

Thursday, May 8, 3 to 5 p.m.

Sip & Swap • Glenwood 50+ Center

Dance your way to fitness with this aerobic exercise performed to Latin music. Call 410313-7680 for more information or to register.

Join us for a clothing and accessory swap; just $5 and 5 items (dress, casual and workout clothes, purses, belts, and more) gets you in.

Call 410-313-5440 for details.

Thursday, May 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Law Day • Howard County Senior Centers

Friday, May 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Spring Plant & Book Sale • North Laurel 50+ Center

Make an appointment with a volunteer attorney to draft a medical directive document to ensure that your preferences for medical treatment are honored if you become incapacitated or unable to express your wishes. Free service; call 410-313-5980 to find a senior center near you.

Shop for pots, flats and hanging baskets of annuals and perennials for your garden or for Mother’s Day. Plus, browse our collection of gently used books. For more information call 410-313-0380.

Tuesday, May 6, 1 p.m.

At Your Service, Mr. President • Ellicott City Senior Center

Friday, May 9, 10:30 a.m. to noon Mother’s Day Brunch • Bain Center

Former White House butler Alan DeValerio shares the inside details about White House entertaining and displays his collection of White House memorabilia. Sign up at the Front Desk or call 410-313-1400.

Our Mother’s Day event (featuring the Retro Rockets) will honor all mothers and women who care for others! Cost: suggested lunch donation. Call 410-313-7213 to reserve tickets while they last.

Wednesday, May 7, Noon to 1 p.m.

Six Word Challenge • East Columbia 50+ Center

Friday, May 9, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Mother Knows Best Flower Show • Ellicott City Senior Center

Larry Smith’s bestseller, Not Quite What I Was Planning, challenged us to express our feelings about life in six words. Join us as Life Coach Mary Cadden, LCPC, inspires you to write your own six word memoir. Call 410-3137680 to register.

The Howard County Garden Club presents their Small Standard Flower Show. Free; all are welcome. Call 410-313-1400 for details.

Wednesday, May 7, Noon Elkridge Furnace Inn Afternoon Tea • Glenwood 50+ Center Join us for a delightful and delicious afternoon tea at the Elkridge Furnace Inn. Cost: $28.50; call 410-313-5440 for tickets.

Wednesday, May 7, 7 p.m.

Paws4Comfort Pet Evaluations • Bain Center Want to volunteer with your pet?

Paws4Comfort pet evaluations and information sessions are held the first Wednesday of each month. Call Ingrid Gleysteen at 410-313-7461 for more information.

Wednesday, May 7, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Medicare 101: What to Expect from Medicare • Bain Center Learn what to expect from Medicare. Free; call 410-313-7391 to register.

Thursday, May 8, 10 a.m.

Cycle2Health Kick-Off • East Columbia 50+ Center Learn more about C2H, attend bike mini clinics, register and join the 1st ride of the season, departing at 10:30 a.m. Call 410-313-5940 for details or visit www.howardcountyaging.org/Cycle2Health.

Thursdays, May 8-29, 10:15 to 11:45 a.m.

The Art of Aging • Glenwood 50+ Center Join a weekly group discussion on what the later years bring, with opportunity for connection, growth, and new insight.

Presented by Marcella Wilding and Pattee Fletcher; sponsored by SeniorsTogether. Free; for more info contact Karen Hull, 410-3137466; to register, call 410-313-5440 by May 5.

Tuesday, May 13, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Spring Clean Your Diet • Bain Center Join Nutritionist Rona Martiyan for a special catered lunch as she discusses adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Pick up your ticket at the front desk by May 6th in order to attend. Lunch donations accepted.

Details: 410-313-7213.

Sunday, May 18, 2 p.m.

The ShowTime Singers LIVE • Ellicott City Senior Center Don’t miss the Show Time Singers’ a cappella and accompanied vocals of Broadway tunes and popular standards. Free tickets available at the front desk; supported by grants from the Howard County Arts Council and Howard County Government. Donations accepted to benefit the Linwood Center. Details: 410-313-1400.

Wednesday, May 21, 11 a.m. (concert), noon (lunch) Older Americans Month: Fish Fry & Blues • North Laurel 50+ Center Join us to honor the contributions of older adults to the community. Enjoy a fish fry feast and live Blues music. Cost: lunch contribution. Reservations required; call 410-313-0380 by May 12.

Wednesday, May 21, 11 a.m. to noon Finding My Happiness Keeps Me Healthy • Elkridge Senior Center Dr. Dan Storch shares practical tips to help you embrace the joy from within and live a happier and healthier life. Free; call 410-313-5192 to register.

Wednesday, May 21, 1 to 2 p.m.

Power Over Pain • North Laurel 50+ Center Join a group for those living with chronic pain; focus on sustaining a positive attitude, find information/resources, learn how to cope with pain, and share your concerns. Free; to register, call 410-313-0380 or Karen Hull, 410-313-7466.

Wednesday, May 21, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Medicare 102: Why Medicare Isn’t Enough • Bain Center

Wednesday, May 14, 11 a.m.

The Soundtrack of our Lives • East Columbia 50+ Center

Learn about Medicare Part C/Health Plans and Medigap Plans. Free; call 410-313-7391 to register.

Relive the 1950s in a program that combines music and media to recapture events in American history. Call 410-313-7680 to register.

Thursday, May 29, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Salute to Older Americans: Fabulous ‘70s • Elkridge Senior Center

Wednesdays, May 14-28, 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Yoga for Cyclists • Bain Center

Join us for a day filled with music, dancing, homemade lunch, games, and prizes for the best ‘70s costume. Cost: $5; call 410-313-5192 to register.

Cyclists often experience tightness in their calves, quads, hamstrings, hips, shoulders and neck. Yoga can help stretch, strengthen and relax muscles while increasing flexibility, core strength, balance and more. Free demo; call 410-313-7213 to register.

Tuesday, June 3, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

A Moment to Honor • Bain Center

Friday, May 16, 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Art Workshop: Glass Painting • North Laurel 50+ Center

Honor the significant people in your life who are no longer with us. Featuring a guest speaker, quiet reflection to music, individual sharing and a group activity. Free and open to all; light refreshments served. RSVP to Elaine Widom, 410-313-7283.

Express your creativity in this spring workshop to paint glassware of your choice.

No experience necessary. Cost: $8 (includes all supplies & refreshments).

Thursday, June 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

SeniorsTogether Luncheon • Peking Chef, Hickory Ridge Village Center

Friday, May 16, 11 a.m. to noon Older, Wiser? Life Keeps Booming • Bain Center

Join us for lunch! Choose an entrée: House Triple Delight, General Tso’s Chicken, or Vegetable Lo Mei, then call 410-313-7283 to RSVP by June 12.

Cost: $17.50, includes spring roll, tea, dessert and gratuity. Partial scholarships are available. Call HT Ride at 800-270-9553 to arrange transportation.

Watch three thought-provoking vignettes on life transition issues; audience interaction is encouraged. Free; light refreshments served.

To register, call 410-313-7213.

To request accommodations to attend any of these events, call 410-313-5980 one week in advance.

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Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Cycle2Health From page 15

League of American Bicyclists. To participate in the first ride of the season, which departs from the East Columbia parking lot at 10:30 a.m., you must register in advance. There’s a $10 annual registration fee for all riders. Visit www.howardcountyaging.org/Cycle2Health or contact Jennifer Lee at 410-313-5940 or jlee@howardcountymd.gov.

Cycle2Health welcomes adults of all ages and riding abilities, but organizers are making a special effort this year to reach out to new riders or those just returning to the sport. The N2R (new to riding) group will offer a series of five instructional clinics led by experienced volunteers with a thorough knowledge of bicycle mechanics and safety who want to share their love of cycling with new members.

N2R registration and the first clinic will take place at the kick-off on May 8.

“The N2R Program is about bringing people together who have a desire to get that old bike out of the back of the garage and regain the thrill of riding in the open air,” says N2R coordinator Kathy O’Rourke. “For some people it may mean getting their first bike and gaining the confidence and know-how to ride with a group.” O’Rourke, who’s also a ride leader, encourages new riders to come out and give the first clinic a try.

After that, the N2R group will meet on the next four Mondays at 10 a.m. at Western Regional Park, with riding skills practice in the park and on nearby low traffic roads.

“Riders will be paired with mentors who’ll provide one-on-one guidance and encouragement, and can address any concerns people may have. We’re looking forward to building lots of lasting C2H friendships as we cycle to a healthy lifestyle.”

DĂLJ ϴ͕ ϭϱ͕ Θ ϮϮ ϱ͗ϯϬ ƚŽ ϳ͗ϯϬƉŵ

dŚĞ ĂŝŶ ĞŶƚĞƌ ϱϰϳϬ ZƵƚŚ <ĞĞƚŽŶ tĂLJ ŽůƵŵďŝĂ͕ D ϮϭϬϰϰ

^ƉŽŶƐŽƌĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ WĂǁƐϰ ŽŵĨŽƌƚ ĂŶĚ ^ĞŶŝŽƌƐdŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ,ŽǁĂƌĚ ŽƵŶƚLJ KĸĐĞ ŽŶ ŐŝŶŐ

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ƌ͘ ĂǀŝĚ dĂLJŵĂŶ͕ s ŽůƵŵďŝĂ ŶŝŵĂů ,ŽƐƉŝƚĂů ĞƚŚ :ŽLJ͕ hŶůĞĂƐŚĞĚ :ŽLJ

dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ DĂLJ ϭϱ͗ dŚĞ ,ƵŵĂŶ-WĞƚ ZĞůĂƟŽŶƐŚŝƉ /ŶŐƌŝĚ 'ůĞLJƐƚĞĞŶ͕ ,ŽǁĂƌĚ ŽƵŶƚLJ WĂǁƐϰ ŽŵĨŽƌƚ

dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ DĂLJ ϮϮ͗ tŚĞŶ tĞ >ŽƐĞ KƵƌ WĞƚ

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Ăůů DĂƌLJůĂŶĚ ĐĐĞƐƐ WŽŝŶƚ Ăƚ ϰϭϬ-ϯϭϯ-ϱϵϴϬ ŝĨ LJŽƵ ŶĞĞĚ ƚŚŝƐ ŇŝĞƌ ŝŶ ĂŶ ĂůƚĞƌŶĂƚĞ ĨŽƌŵĂƚ͘ dŽ ƌĞƋƵĞƐƚ Ă ƐŝŐŶ ůĂŶŐƵĂŐĞ ŝŶƚĞƌƉƌĞƚĞƌ Žƌ ŽƚŚĞƌ ĂĐĐŽŵŵŽĚĂƟŽŶƐ ƚŽ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ͕ ĐĂůů ŽŶĞ ǁĞĞŬ ŝŶ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞ͘

As always, FREE ADMISSION and there’s something for everyone!

An exciting day designed to inspire women to live a more balanced, healthier and fulfilled life!

FEATURING KEYNOTE SPEAKER Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN, will present “The Dish on Plant-Centered Eating: Enticing Ideas for Creating Healthful Entrées Without Meat” at 1:30 p.m. Her latest cookbook – The With or Without Meat Cookbook – will be available on-site for purchase/author signing. FREE admission; tickets available on-site for this presentation.

90+ EXHIBITORS, FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS AND THESE GREAT SEMINARS: Fashion That Flatters • It’s Thyme to Boost Your Immunity! • Lil’ Ms. Fix It More Trash, More Treasure • Weigh 2 Go PLUS, Sally McKenney, baking addict and food blogger from Sally’s Baking Addiction will be on location to sign her new cookbook!

Saturday, April 26, 2014 10 am - 3 pm Gary J. Arthur Community Center at Glenwood 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, MD 21723

PREMIER SPONSORS

For more information: 410.313.5440 or www.howardcountyaging.org/womenfest SIGNATURE SPONSORS

ADVANCED RADIOLOGY • ANTI-AGING & LONGEVITY INSTITUTE • CENTRAL MARYLAND UROLOGY ASSOCIATES • HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE INSHAPEMD • LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE • MEDSTAR ORTHOPAEDICS • OASIS SENIOR ADVISORS • RIGHTTIME MEDICAL CARE • YOUR STYLE IQ MEDIA AND IN-KIND SPONSORS

CORRIDOR PRINTING • FOCUS ON WOMEN MAGAZINE • HER MIND MAGAZINE • HOWARD MAGAZINE • THE BEACON NEWSPAPERS THE BUSINESS MONTHLY • THE UMBRELLA SYNDICATE • TODAY’S 101.9 • WOMEN’S JOURNAL

If you need accommodations to attend this event, contact MAP at least one week in advance at 410-313-5980 or map@howardcountymd.gov.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Money Law &

19

INVESTMENT REPORT PRIMER A lexicon for learning to read a company’s annual 10-K report THE MOTHER OF INVENTION Familiar companies, like 3M and General Electric, are also innovators TRY BEFORE YOU BUY Buying online? Try on glasses, shoes, clothes and more for free

Don’t be mislead by funds’ 5-year returns

By Stan Choe Fabulous can have a flip side.

It’s something investors should remember as mutual funds’ five-year return figures grow more eye-popping by the day.

Many funds have more than doubled over that time, but that’s due in part to the calendar hitting the five-year anniversary of the March 9, 2009 bottom for the market.

That means the darkest days of the financial crisis are no longer counted in fiveyear returns, leaving only the recovery that sent the Standard & Poor’s 500 index to a record high.

The anniversary was a key milestone because many potential investors scrutinize a fund’s five-year record when deciding whether to buy a fund. It’s important, though, to put those stellar performance numbers in context and to temper expectations.

Market conditions are stacked against both stock and bond mutual funds having such strong returns over the coming five years, analysts say. Plus, some of the funds with the best five-year returns led the pack because they focused on the riskiest invest-

ments. Many conservative managers, meanwhile, got left behind in the bull market.

To see how big (and potentially misleading) the numbers are, check the performance of the largest mutual fund by assets.

Vanguard’s Total Stock Market Index fund (VTSMX) has a five-year annualized return of 23.2 percent, according to Morningstar. At the end of 2012, its five-year annualized return was 2.2 percent.

To be sure, investors already have some experience with this effect. Something similar happened with funds’ three-year returns in early 2012.

A fund’s three- and five-year returns are typically the numbers that average investors find most important, said David Mertens, a principal at Jensen Investment Management. Its mutual funds include Jensen Quality Growth (JENSX), which has Morningstar’s gold medal analyst rating.

Mertens would prefer that investors give greater weight to a fund’s returns over 10 years or even longer. But “people tend to buy what’s just happened,” he said.

“People buy yesterday’s story.”

Before you invest, here are some key considerations to put that story in perspective:

Repeat performance doubtful Stocks are unlikely to rise as dramatically, in part because they don’t look as cheap as they did in 2009. One popular way to measure whether a stock is expensive is to divide the price of a stock by its earnings per share over the last 12 months.

Robert Shiller, a professor at Yale University and one of the winners of the Nobel Prize in economics last year, takes it a step further. He thinks it’s misleading to look at just one year because earnings can surge or drop in an economic cycle. To smooth out distortions, he looks at the S&P 500’s level versus its average earnings per share over the prior 10 years, adjusting for inflation.

By that measure, the S&P 500 in March 2009 was at its cheapest level in 23 years.

Now, it’s nearly twice that level and back above its average since World War II. That suggests future gains for stocks won’t come from a further rise in price-earnings ratios as much as from growth in earnings.

This year, analysts forecast earnings per share for S&P 500 companies to rise 7.9 percent.

For bond funds, strategists are more pessimistic given expectations that interest rates will rise from their relatively low levels. Five years ago, the yield on the 10year Treasury note was 3 percent and on its way down. Falling interest rates help bond mutual funds because they push up prices for existing bonds.

Now, the 10-year Treasury’s yield is below 2.7 percent, but strategists say it’s on its way up. Many bond mutual funds in 2013 had their first down year in more than a decade amid rising interest rates.

Last five years have rewarded risk The top-performing stock fund over the last five years has been the Direxion Monthly NASDAQ-100 Bull 2x fund (DXQLX), which has a 60.7 percent annualized return. But it’s not what most people would consider a core investment. The See 5-YEAR RETURNS, page 20

How to be a successful long-term investor I have frequently emphasized the impor- economies of China and India, and provides tance of a diversified portfolio and of hav- information that will provide guidance for ining a significant portion of vesting in these economies. He common stocks in your portdevotes a lot of attention to folio, even in retirement. global markets, discussing the Although I have been retired nature and size of these marfor 18 years, I still maintain kets and sharing his long-term about half of my portfolio in projections. He also emphasome form of common stocks sizes the importance of includ— either the shares theming global investments in your selves or mutual funds or exportfolio. change-traded funds (ETFs).

Guidelines for growth In a prior column, I recomThe most important chapter mended Stocks for the Long THE SAVINGS for most investors takes up the Run by Jeremy Siegel (Mc- GAME subject of structuring a portfoGraw-Hill) for investors who By Elliot Raphaelson lio for long-term growth. Siegel wanted to invest in common stocks. Siegel is a professor of finance at specifies guidelines for successful investthe Wharton School of the University of ing, which requires maintaining a longterm focus and a disciplined investment Pennsylvania.

He has revised and updated the book, strategy.

Here are some of the principles he recnow in its 5th edition. I have reviewed the latest edition, and I believe it contains valu- ommends, with my commentary. able information for investors who expect • Keep your expectations in line with to continue to invest in the stock market. history: Over the last two centuries, stocks In this edition, Siegel analyzes the have returned between 6 and 7 percent after

inflation, including re-invested dividends.

Furthermore, stocks have sold at an average price/earnings (P/E) ratio of about 15.

In the future, he points out, there may be reasons that the stock market may rise to a higher P/E ratio than 15, such as lower transaction costs and lower bond returns.

A good rule to remember when you are projecting the future is “the rule of 72.” If you divide 72 by the expected total annual return, the result is the number of years for your investment to double in value.

Thus, an 8 percent return will double your investment in nine years.

• Stock returns are much more stable in the long run than in the short run: Investments in stocks will help you compensate for future inflation; bond investments will not.

There will be years in which the overall stock market will be negative.

That should not prevent you from maintaining a significant portion of stocks in your portfolio following a fall in stock prices. Investors who bailed out of stocks completely following the stock market fall in 2008 found

it very difficult to get back in the stock market, and as a result they missed excellent returns in the last few years.

• Invest the largest percentage of your stock portfolio in low-cost stock index funds. This may be one of the best recommendations, especially for investors who don’t have a huge portfolio. In this way, even if you have a small portfolio, you have the same diversification as a large investor in the same fund.

A good example of this principle in action is the track record of a broad-based fund such as Vanguard’s Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (which I have invested in for many years), and which returned approximately 30 percent in 2013.

• Invest at least one-third of your equity portfolio in international stocks, specifically those not based in the United States. Siegel cautions investors not to overweigh your portfolio in high growth countries whose P/E ratio exceeds 20.

See LONG-TERM INVESTOR, page 21

20

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

5-year returns From page 19 fund is meant more for short-term traders than long-term investors.

It uses leverage in its attempt to double the monthly results of the Nasdaq 100 index, before fees and expenses. While that supercharges gains when the market is strong, it also accelerates losses during downturns.

The fund lost 82.8 percent in 2008.

The reward for risk taking can also be

M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

seen among target-date mutual funds, which many savers depend on for their retirement accounts. These funds own mostly stocks when an investor’s retirement date is far off, and automatically migrate toward bonds as the date nears. But some have less in stocks than others, even if they’re targeted at the same year of retirement.

The Wells Fargo Advantage Dow Jones Target 2025 fund, for example, is more conservative. That’s why it’s in the bottom 3 percent of its peer group for five-year returns.

BEACON BITS

May 28

INTERNET JOB-HUNTING Learn how to master online tools to help search for new employment opportunities on Wednesday, May 28 at 7 p.m. at the

Charles E. Miller Branch Library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. For more information about the program, call the library at (410) 313-1950.

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But in 2008, its greater emphasis on bonds helped to cushion the stock market’s losses, and it was in the category’s top 7 percent.

The good news is that investors don’t have to look back too far to see how a fund manager performed in a variety of markets, according to David Lafferty, chief market strategist for Natixis Global Asset

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Since the late ‘90s, stocks have undergone three bull markets (the dot-com boom, the housing bubble, and the most recent recovery for stocks) and two bear markets (the dot-com bust and the financial crisis).

— AP

How to read a company’s annual 10-K report If you own stock in a U.S. corporation, you have probably received a copy of its Form 10-K — the annual filing required by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Don’t be put off by the form’s intimidating appearance. There is important information in there you might want to be familiar with. Here, we highlight some key sections — and what to focus on in each.

Business. The first part of the 10-K provides a thorough look at what the firm does or makes, its divisions, and where its products are made and sold.

It also gives information on key customers and competitors, and where the company stands in its industry.

Risk factors. Listed in order of importance, these are the factors that may adversely affect the company’s business. Much of this section may seem obvious, such as P&G’s disclosure that “our businesses face cost fluctuations and pressures that could affect our business results.” But read carefully, and you may ferret out less-obvious risks, such as a disproportionate share of sales coming from a single product or customer.

Management’s discussion and analysis. In Part II of the 10-K, the company reports and analyzes its performance over the past year compared with the previous year’s results.

Income statement. This is a basic report of sales, expenses and profits.

Ideally, you want to see a trend of rising sales and earnings. A 10-K typically shows three years of results, as well as

a five-year summary in the section called “Selected Financial Data.”

Focus on the trend in net earnings rather than earnings per share, in part because share buybacks, which cut the number of outstanding shares, can skew earnings per share and thus camouflage a drop in overall profits.

Balance sheet. This is a snapshot of the company’s assets (such as cash and inventory) and its liabilities (such as outstanding debt). Zero in on how much long-term debt the firm carries and whether retained profits — the earnings a company reinvests in its business — have grown in each of the past three years.

Notes to financial statements. To some people, the 10-K notes matter as much as the statements. That’s because Note 1 describes the accounting methods used to prepare the financial statements. If a company has made a change to its methodology from the previous year, that renders a comparison of the current year’s financial statements with the previous year’s useless.

Auditor’s report. Look for this key sentence: “In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly...the financial position of the company.” That means the company has honestly described its finances over the past year to the best knowledge of the accounting firm that is auditing the 10-K. — Nellie S. Huang, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. © 2014 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

21

Consider shares in innovative companies

By Anne Kates Smith If we knew what the next big thing was, we’d all make a fortune, right?

Maybe the next-best thing for investors is to seek out the innovators. These are the companies that dream up the new things — or new ways to make them or get them to customers.

You’ll find innovators in such esoteric fields as genomics and cloud computing, of course. But other innovators create products that may be as familiar to you as the office supplies in your desk drawer or the car in your garage.

3M (symbol MMM, $132). Since 1948, this industrial conglomerate has encouraged employees to spend 15 percent of their work time on their own projects. It was through one of these efforts that PostIt Notes came to be in the early 1970s.

More recently, Popular Science named 3M’s Enhanced Combat Helmets one of the 100 best innovations of 2013.

Investments in new products and manufacturing have pinched profit margins lately. Still, the company, which sells thousands of products ranging from special films for LCD displays to Scotch tape,

Long-term investor

cal pitfalls that cause poor market performance. It is too tempting to buy when everyone is bullish and sell when everyone is bearish.

Worried that the stock market is due for a correction? Siegel offers the following guidance for 2014: “This bull market is not over, although gains won’t be as large as 2013. Stock returns likely to average 6 percent to 7 percent over the next three to five years.”

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at elliotraph@gmail.com. © 2014 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From page 19 • Tilt your portfolio toward value stocks by buying passive indexed portfolios of value stocks. Siegel points out that value stocks, which have lower P/E ratios and higher dividend yields, have had better results and lower risk than growth stocks. I agree completely. I have consistently invested in this type of index fund, and the results have been very good.

• Establish firm rules to keep your portfolio on track. Siegel devotes a chapter to discussing the common psychologi-

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

LIBRARIES LAUNCH ONLINE COURSES Howard County Library System has added Learn4Life to its web-

site, including interactive courses led by nationally known authors. The online catalog includes courses to support business professionals, beginner to advanced computer and technology, parenting, hobbies, arts and crafts, and health and wellness. A link to the portal can be found at www.hclibrary.org/eresources. For more information, call (410) 313-7781.

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hiked its quarterly dividend 35 percent in December, to 85.5 cents a share. The stock yields 2.6 percent.

General Electric (GE, $25). GE has operations in everything from aviation and oil and gas to healthcare and home appliances.

Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch consider it the leader in building out the “industrial Internet.” The phrase, coined by GE, refers to networked machines embedded with sensors and other instruments that collect and analyze huge

amounts of data in order to adjust the machines’ performance — even in real time.

The company is also focusing on clean energy and is a dominant player in the wind-turbine business. The stock trades at 15 times estimated 2014 earnings (just a bit more than the overall U.S. stock market) and yields an attractive 3.4 percent.

Ford Motor (F, $15). Investors hammered Ford shares in December when the See INNOVATORS, page 22

22

Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

BEACON BITS

Innovators

May 19

AARP DRIVER SAFETY COURSE

From page 21

This driver safety course will review the current rules of the road,

company warned that pretax profits in 2014 would be lower than 2013 levels as a result of the most aggressive product-launch schedule in its history. The carmaker also said that sluggish economies in Europe and South America put it behind schedule in meeting mid-decade financial goals.

But investors overreacted, according to Morningstar analyst David Whiston. He thinks the stock’s fair value is about $26 per share, a whopping 69 percent above

defensive driving techniques, and how to operate your vehicle more safely in today’s increasingly challenging driving environment. Learn how to manage and accommodate for common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time. The class will be held Monday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. Bring your own bag lunch or sign up for lunch at the Bain Center by May 12. The cost of the class is $15 for AARP members/$20 nonmembers. Call (410) 313-7213 for more information.

the current price. (Other analysts see the stock trading at about $20 within a year.)

Whiston said that Ford’s focus on quality is paying off. “Ford now makes cars that people actually want to own, instead of vehicles that are purchased only because of heavy incentives.”

Anne Kates Smith is a senior editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. And for more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com. © 2014 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

May 7

HOME BUYING AND SELLING TIPS Real estate broker and attorney John F. Toner discusses how to

avoid common pitfalls in buying and selling residential real estate on Monday, May at 7 p.m. at the Charles E. Miller Branch Library, 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City.

His talk will include information on marketing, contracts, negotiations and inspection, and financing. For more information call the library at (410) 313-1950.

Ongoing

RECREATION & PARKS MAY HAVE PART-TIME OPENINGS Opportunities may be available for applicants interested in developing curricula and instructing in art, cooking, dance, drama, lan-

guages and other subjects included in the wide range of Recreation & Parks programs. For an up-to-date listing of possible job needs within the department, visit howardcountymd.gov and click on Recreation & Parks or call (410) 313-4450.

Coalition of Geriatric Services We’re a coalition of nonprofits, agencies, businesses and professionals who come together to advocate for and help older adults.

May Meeting date: time: location:

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Copper Ridge – EMA 710 Obrecht Road, Sykesville, MD 21784

speaker:

Dr. Stephen Grill, Neurologist and Movement Disorder Specialist, Parkinson's & Movement Disorders Center of Maryland

topic:

Parkinson's Disease

learn more by calling (410) 997-0610 or visit www.cogsmd.org Thank you to our 2014 Executive Members PlatinuM MeMber Howard County General Hospital – A Member of Johns Hopkins Medicine The Beacon Newspapers

Gold MeMbers Being There Senior Care, LLC • Howard County Office on Aging

silver MeMbers Brooke Grove Retirement Village • Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr, LLP Copper Ridge – EMA • Deborah L. Herman, CPA • Oasis Senior Advisors The Bob Lucido Team, LLC

bronze MeMbers Earl Wilkinson, M.D., ENT • Gentiva Health Services • Home Instead Senior Care Homewatch CareGivers • Lighthouse Senior Living Village at Ellicott City Paladin Advisor Group • Professional Healthcare Resources, Inc.

Patron MeMbers Alzheimer’s Association – Greater MD Chapter • Candle Light Funeral Home by Craig Witzke Home Call of Maryland • Home With You Senior Care • Ivy Manor Normandy, Inc. New Life Assisted Living • Right At Home In Home Care & Assistance • Visiting Angels

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Travel

23

Leisure &

All about riding the rails around the world. See story on page 25.

Geyser and grizzly gazing in Yellowstone Mesmerized by a shallow, baby blue pond resembling a child’s finger painting, my friend Julia said, “I want to jump in the jacuzzi.” Tempting, but it’s a no-no.

These are very hot spots that can scald humans and most animals. The hottest temperature recorded is 459 degrees Fahrenheit, 1,087 feet below the surface.

You wonder how anything could live there, yet rangers say that the colors are created by microbes living in extreme conditions.

© ROUSSIEN | DREAMSTIME.COM

By Glenda C. Booth They spew, they gurgle, they boil, they froth. Some spurt, some burp, some suddenly erupt. Geyser-rich Yellowstone National Park is the land of hydrothermals and thermophiles, a geologist’s paradise, where deep forces inside the earth seem to both eke out and leap out at will.

Early 19th century adventurers who happened upon the mysterious area, such as American author Washington Irving, told tales of “hidden fires, smoking pits, noxious steams, and the all-pervading smell of brimstone.”

Old Faithful, which gurgles and steams steadily and jets out a 150-foot-or-so plume, is Yellowstone’s most famous geyser. But there are more than 10,000 thermal features in the park — geysers, hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles — making it the largest collection of hydrothermal features on the planet. Among them are scalding pools, hissing vents, bubbling chocolatecolored puddles, seething crevices, and squiggly streams that look like skim milk or runny scrambled eggs.

In this land of extremes, each has its own “personality.” The magmatic heat that powered volcanic eruptions approximately two million, 1.3 million and 640,000 years ago, continues to power this broad cauldron of geologic activity. Rangers say that every year new hot springs and geysers appear and others become dormant.

A geological wonderland Established in 1872, 2.2 million-acre Yellowstone National Park is the world’s first national park and certainly qualifies as a “bucket list” candidate. It lies in northwest Wyoming, with one percent in Idaho and three percent in Montana.

The Grand Loop Road, circling 142 miles inside the park, can be traveled in a day and a half, but full immersion in the Yellowstone experience takes several days. You will miss much of it if you don’t leave your car and set out on foot.

The geyser basins — Norris, Porcelain, Upper and others — are other-worldly landscapes. Steam rises from seen and unseen holes, cracks and vents. Broad desert-like expanses are tinted with shades of turquoise, emerald, yellow, red and brown. Aquamarine, limey green and orange rivulets snake across what to Earthlings seems like Martian land.

Geysers have names like the Morning

Buffalo roam across a road in Yellowstone National Park. The park is also home to big horn sheep, grizzly bears, wolves, moose and antelope, not to mention its famous geysers.

© LANE ERICKSON | DREAMSTIME.COM

Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States and one of the biggest in the world. Microbes in the hot spring produce the vibrant hues.

Glory pool, Grand Prismatic Spring, Dragon’s Mouth, Sapphire Pool, Mustard Spring, Black Growler and Whirligig. All live up to their names. Even the glop, glop, glop of the mudpots bedazzle. This liquidy netherland tickles all the senses. Some exude a sulfury rotten-egg smell.

Old Faithful spits out 3,700 to 8,400 gallons of boiling water every 60-100 minutes (a sign predicts eruption time), expelling steam, water and microbes on a more reliable “schedule” than any of the other big geysers.

A circular bench attracts a regular audience of geyser watchers fixated on steamy wisps and puffs that spurt out, speed up, then become five-foot splashes, and climax into a roaring watery column reaching 106 to 184 feet and lasting one to five minutes. The person next to me commented, “It’s like someone pushed a button.”

Hot springs, frigid lake Mammoth Hot Springs is a staircase resembling a wedding cake with white frosting and skim milk flowing over the layers, one of the world’s best examples of limestone travertine terraces. Some formations look like soft, cottony mounds. Water constantly seeps over and down the layers.

The volume of water remains relatively constant, but the terraces — like living sculptures — change constantly. Here, too, heatloving microorganisms flourish, creating tap-

estries of white, orange, green and tan. Visitors can climb to the top on a series of boardwalks. Bison and elk usually wander nearby.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is a 20-mile-long canyon of yellow, pink and orange-brown cliffs that plunge down 1,200 feet on each side. Two waterfalls roar through the canyon. Visitors can get great views from overlooks along the rim.

A new generation of lodgepole pines is replacing those destroyed by the 1988 fires that scorched 1.2 million acres in Yellowstone. Lodgepole pines are adapted to, and indeed depend on, the natural cycles of fire. Their pine codes release seeds, to start the next generation, only when temperatures reach 113 to 120 degrees.

Yellowstone Lake — 20 miles long, 14 miles wide and 132 square miles of surface area — is North America’s largest mountain lake (Lake Tahoe is bigger, but lower).

An 1869 visitor, David Folsom, described the lake’s “crystal waves dancing and sparkling in the sunlight as if laughing with joy for their wild freedom.”

Even though the lake has 110 miles of shoreline, the National Park Service discourages swimming because summer water temperatures rarely get above 60 degrees. Interesting Yellowstone factoid: The lake drains into the Gulf of Mexico, via the See YELLOWSTONE, page 24

24

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Yellowstone From page 23 Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.

Wowed by wildlife The Northeast section of the park, from Mammoth Hot Springs to the Northeast entrance, is the least visited part of Yellowstone, the quieter side. It has broad vistas, sagebrush-dotted valleys, fields and ponds.

The area is a favorite place for spotting wildlife, including elk, moose, bears and sandhill cranes. Don’t miss the petrified tree.

“Yellowstone animals are not tame,” National Park Service materials make clear.

People have been gored by bison and elk.

That aside, wildlife viewing is the lure of Yellowstone for many. At least 67 types of mammals live in the park.

The park’s grizzly bear population has rebounded, with probably around 700 in

M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

the region — the second-largest concentration in the lower 48 states. The park has black bears, too. Hikers beware: Always carry bear-repellent pepper spray.

Bison graze and wander freely, often near people and buildings. While they can seem docile and tame, bison can sprint three times faster than people can run, say officials.

Yellowstone is home to bighorn sheep, wolves and pronghorns. Pronghorns, America’s antelopes, can sprint 60 miles per hour.

There are also bats, pikas, beavers, marmots, voles and porcupines. Brightly colored dragonflies swirl.

Killdeer, a bird with a double banded “necklace,” nests on bare ground in the geyser basins. Its name reflects the sound of its call. Rangers can advise where to see wildlife and optimal times.

How to visit Yellowstone The towns of Cody and Jackson Hole,

BEACON BITS

May 3

BROOKEVILLE HOUSE TOUR

The Historic Brookeville House Tour on Sunday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will feature a dozen homes and other historic buildings in the small Montgomery County town near Howard County that served as the nation’s capital for the day in 1814 when President James Madison stayed there as the British were burning the White House and other buildings in Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812. Tickets for the self-guided tour are $30 and may be purchased on the tour day at the Brookeville Academy, 5 High St., Brookeville. For more information or to order tickets in advance, visit uscapitalforaday.org/house-tour-lunch or call (301) 570-4465.

Wyo., Bozeman and Billings, Mont., and Idaho Falls, Idaho, have airports. The park has five entrance stations in Montana and Wyoming. See http://www.nps.gov/yell /planyourvisit/entrances.htm to plan your travel. United has flights from BaltimoreWashington International Airport to Jackson Hole in mid-May for around $550 round trip.

You need a car to explore at your own pace. Some commercial companies provide bus tours in the park in summer. See http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/tr anspinpark.htm.

From early November to early May, most park roads are closed. Services re-open in mid-May. Temperatures may be cool then.

In the spring, rejuvenation is underway.

Wildlife rear their young. Reddish baby bison emerge. Grizzlies are fresh out of hibernation, perhaps digging gophers out of holes. In June, wildflowers display their splendor.

Summer is the most popular season to visit, when the geyser areas are without snow. Summer activities include fishing (permit required), hiking, horseback riding and wagon rides. Roads are often under construction and crammed with crawling, family-filled vehicles, as the curious scan for wildlife.

Fall weather can be unpredictable. The elk rut, or mating period, peaks in late Sep-

BEACON BITS

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tember. Visitors may catch some antler wrestling and bugling as male elk try to establish dominance and attract females. Fall is also the height of migration of birds of prey.

Winter transforms Yellowstone into broad snowy landscapes, with crisp temperatures and steaming geyser basins. Visitors can take snow coach tours.

Winter can be optimal wolf-watching time because the wolves stand out against the snow. After being extirpated, there were no wolves in the park in 1994. Now, after they were reintroduced, there are over 300.

For winter travel, thoroughly research Yellowstone and the National Park Service website for road conditions and services.

The park has nine lodges and five reservation campgrounds. See www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com or call 1-866439-9375. The Old Faithful Inn, a national historic landmark that opened in 1904, brings the outside in, with its multi-story lobby of lodgepole pine, including twisted lodgepole supports, and an 85-foot stone fireplace. There are many lodging options outside the park in the gateway communities.

Information is available at the four visitor centers in the park, online at www.nps.gov /yell and www.yellowstoneassociation.org, and by calling (406) 848-2400.

LANCASTER TRIP

Recreation and Parks is sponsoring a trip to Lancaster, Pa., for lunch and a performance of Moses at Sight and Sound Theatre.

The bus will leave at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7 and return at 7:30 p.m. Lunch is included in the $125 ticket. To learn more and reserve tickets, call (410) 313-7275.

May 15

PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART

The Department of Recreation and Parks will offer a trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Tuesday, May 13. The bus will leave at 7 a.m. and return at 7 p.m. Lunch is included in the $125 ticket.

Call (410) 313-7275 for more information.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

25

A roundup on rail passes around the world Traveling by train is far more pleasant counts, so these are good deals when you than traveling by economy-class air in just qualify. about any part of the world Canada. VIA rail routinely that has a good rail system. offers modest, variable systemSeats are wider, legroom is wide discounts to riders age 60 better, you avoid the time and or over and to youth ages 12 to expense of getting to/from air25. They usually apply to sleepports, you avoid security haser accommodations as well as sles, and you see some great coach. scenery out of wide windows.

But several times a year, Relative costs vary — in VIA rail offers 50 percent-off many places, trains are cheapsystem-wide deals in all classer than flying; in others, rail es to travelers of any age, and TRAVEL TIPS fares are higher. Many rail sysits last-minute “express” deal

By Ed Perkins tems offer discounted rates to discounts are even bigger. If seniors, youth and members of various or- you’re flexible, you’re better off with the ganizations, but “sale” fares for travelers of any-age discount deals. any age are sometimes better.

Europe/UK. Senior railpasses, for travUSA. Amtrak routinely gives 15 per- elers age 60 or over, are available for the cent discounts on coach tickets, system UK, France and Romania in first class only, wide, to riders age 62 or over, members of and in either class for Ireland.

Student Advantage or student card holdThe Britrail Senior pass costs about 15 ers, and members of Veterans Advantage. percent less than the any-age first-class Members of AAA and the National Associ- pass, but it’s 20 percent higher than the ation of Railroad Passengers get 10 per- any-age second-class pass. The French cent discounts, regardless of age. first-class senior railpass is a somewhat These discounts do not apply to week- better deal, as it’s only a few dollars more day Acela Express trains, business class, than the any-age second-class adult pass. sleeper accommodations, and some rail Most railpasses offer reduced-price services. Membership discounts may re- youth versions in second class for travelquire three-day advance purchase. ers age 4 to 25.

Amtrak seldom offers system-wide disFor extended stays or trips when you ex-

pect to take lots of short trips, some countries sell senior and youth cards that provide discounts for a full year on most tickets: The UK senior and youth RailCards, 30 pounds for either (about $48), offer 30 percent discounts on almost all tickets; the French Carte Senior, 60 euros (about $80) offers standard-class discounts of 50 percent on some trains and 25 percent on all trains, or 40 percent on all first-class tickets on TGV and intercity trains, and the corresponding youth Carte Jeune, at 50 euros, offers 25 to 60 percent discounts.

The problem with these railcards is that, although you can buy them online, the French system will not mail them to addresses in the United States or Canada.

And if you wait until you arrive to buy, you find that you’ve missed out on some even better advance-purchase deals for travelers of any age. Your best bet is to arrange for someone in France to receive the mail and then express it to you.

Other areas. Many countries around the world offer reduced fares for children as old as 16. But as far as I can tell, the extensive rail systems in China, India, Japan, Taiwan and New Zealand offer no senior or youth deals.

Australian railways offer a “backpacker” discount of approximately 20 percent on the six-month unlimited travel Explorer passes.

The outstanding rail website www. seat61.com reports an interesting quirk for buying tickets for New Zealand train trips.

If you buy from your own computer, the New Zealand office detects that you’re in the U.S. and fails to show the lowest fares.

Seat61 tells you how to fool the system into thinking your request comes from a computer within New Zealand. This trick might be useful for other areas, as well — if you’re enough of a computer pro, give it a try.

Send email to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. © 2014 Tribune Content Agency

BEACON BITS

May 11

CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY

Enjoy the traditional Mother’s Day Brunch at the Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda on Sunday, May 11. The Department of Recreation and Parks will provide a bus leaving at 9 a.m. and returning at 2 p.m.

Cost is $76. For more details, call (410) 313-7275.

26

M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Style Arts &

Up close and personal at the nations’s largest festival devoted to the wooly ungulate. See story on page 27.

Shrek: A jolly green giant of musical fun matters. Along the way, ogre and princess discover they have a few things in common and they save each other from isolation.

Broad comedy, upbeat music The music is upbeat, if not particularly memorable, and the jokes come tumbling out one after the other. Characters and comedy are broadly drawn, as physical antics predominate. Discerning adults among us can savor some clever double entendres and sly satirical jabs at show-biz figures and conventions, however.

The show has a strong pedigree. It was nominated for eight Tony Awards in 2009, including Best Musical. Book and lyrics are from brilliant playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, a Pulitzer Prize winner for his incisive, penetrating drama Rabbit Hole.

The music is by Jeanine Tesori, who has created music for such sublime plays as Caroline, or Change, and such disappointing productions as Violet the Musical, which recently played at Ford’s Theatre.

Her music for this show is more Violet and less Caroline, but the excitement generated by a stage full of flamboyantly cos-

Two Hilarious Shows Coming to Toby’s!

NOW PLAYING

OPENING JUNE 26

Bring the kids...the grandkids... and celebrate your Easter with us!

Based on the Oscar®-winning film!

Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular comic opera!

Wacky, irreverent and entertaining!

TOBY’S DINNER THEATRE OF COLUMBIA • CALL 410-730-8311 Based on availability. Due to the nature of theatre bookings, all shows, dates and times are subject to change.

D in

TobysDinnerTheatre.com

ner & S h o w

RESERVE YOUR SEATS TODAY!

PHOTO BY KIRSTEN CHRISTIANSEN

By Michael Toscano Grandparents alert!

Shrek the Musical, currently in a long run at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, provides a way to spend some quality time with the grandkids, with a guarantee both the oldsters and the youngsters will have some fun.

There are few things as heartwarming as seeing a kid, in my case, our 8-year-old son, convulsed with genuine belly-laughs.

The sheer joy generated in the heart of an 8-year-old boy by jokes involving noisy bodily functions or an exploding bird is great fun to experience. The show is OK, too. But best enjoyed in the company of kids.

Yes, this is the Shrek made famous in the fabulously successful movies, the green-faced ogre with the heart of gold.

The musical is based on the first film.

Shrek is a lonely ogre (is there any other kind?) who tries to save the swamp he calls home by rescuing a princess and delivering her to a lord who needs her to become a king.

Never mind the details of that; it’s the journey, not the destination or plot, that

Russell Sunday (left) plays the title ogre in Shrek the Musical at Toby’s Dinner Theater.

Shown with him are Calvin McCullough as Donkey and Coby Kay Callahan as Fiona.

tumed fairy tale characters dancing and singing is generally enough to keep things rolling along.

Fairytale favorites And there really is quite a roster of familiar figures coming to life from the world of fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

There’s Peter Pan, Pinocchio, the Three Blind Mice, the White Rabbit, the Ugly Ducking, the Big Bad Wolf, the Pied Piper, and even Humpty Dumpty.

Add in the Shrek gang, including his

pal, the Donkey, the silly prince, the lovelywith-a-secret princess, a smoke-generating dragon and a talking gingerbread cookie, and it is an expansive ensemble.

Directors Lawrence B. Munsey and Kevin McAllister, with substantial assistance from choreographer Shalyce Hemby, keep the cast of 22 moving, always moving, in a swirl of high energy that drags even the most listless of the two dozen songs into something resembling See SHREK, page 28

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

27

One festival where you won’t get fleeced In the parking lot, cars from New York, Pennsylvania, the South and the Midwest are scattered among those with Maryland license plates. And it’s hard to miss the vanity plates, like Lambie, Woolly, Spinner and Weaver.

This celebration of everything sheep and wool is organized by the Festival Committee of the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association. The committee is headed this year by Carroll County sheep farmer and fiber arts teacher Gwen Handler.

Mary Streaker of Clear View Farm in Poplar Springs chaired the festival committee and Handler served as co-chairman when the first event was held at the Carroll County Fairgrounds near Westminster 41 years ago, and they have continued to work together ever since.

Small start Streaker, now 82, recalls that during

BEACON BITS

Apr. 26

PHOTOGRAPHY’S GOLDEN HOUR

The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area is hosting a 2.5 mile hike during the “golden hour” — the time when the forest and its inhabitants transition from day to night. Members of the Central Maryland Photographers Guild will join the hike to provide tips on photographing the dusklit forest. The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area is located at 5795 Trotter Rd., Clarksville, and the hike will begin from that entrance. The fee is $10 per person, and pre-registration is required by calling (410) 313-0400.

Apr. 27

COLUMBIA ORCHESTRA CHAMBER GROUPS PERFORM

Small ensembles of Columbia Orchestra members will present a free concert of chamber works on Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia. For more information, call the church at (410) 381-9365.

May 31

LOCAL ARTISTS SHOW SUPPORTS DAY CENTER

The Willowbrook Painters of Clarksville will hold a sale of their watercolors, acrylics, prints, cards and other visual arts selections on Saturday, May 31 from noon to 3 p.m. at Oliver’s Carriage House, 5410 Leaf Treader Way, Columbia. Admission is free, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Grassroots Day Center in Howard County. There is a preview of the show and sale on Thursday, May 29 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and an opening reception on Friday, May 30 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, call Allison Korn at (410) 446-7584.

those early years, the festival consisted of a few tables featuring knitting and weaving crafters and their products, along with some live sheep as well as shearing and spinning demonstrations.

A few years later, as it grew in numbers of booths and attenders, the festival was moved to Howard County’s Fairgrounds for its more accessible and centralized location in the state and the larger display areas both indoors and out.

“We started small at Howard Fairgrounds, too,” she said. “But Gwen and I developed a catalog with advertising, and we began promoting it to get information and registraPHOTO COURTESY OF GWEN HANDLER

By Anne Ball Approaching the Howard County Fairgrounds on the first weekend in May, there’s no doubt about it. Something really, really big is going on here.

Police direct heavy traffic on all the roads from every direction, and parked cars in long, tight rows cover the surrounding hillsides. Old school buses and tractors pulling open wooden trailers with benches shuttle spectators around the parking lots and into the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival — the largest event of its kind in the country.

This year’s festival takes place on May 3 and 4. Chairman Gwen Handler reports there were some 50,000 visitors last year for the festival’s 40th anniversary, drawing sheep raisers, spinners, weavers and urban families reveling in the opportunity to touch, feel, smell and admire real sheep.

And, yes, to feast on them, too.

Martha Polkey of Leesburg, Va., shows off her horned ram at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. This year’s festival, the largest of its kind in the country, will be held at the Howard County Fairgrounds May 3 and 4.

tion forms out in advance. More members of the association from other parts of the See SHEEP AND WOOL, page 28

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Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Sheep and wool From page 27 state became interested and signed on.

“Then one year, the farm of one of our members was featured in an issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine, and the article mentioned the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. We had been recognized nationally, and attendance at the next festival really took off!” Streaker recalled.

Admission this year continues to be free, but donations are appreciated, and yellow collection boxes are available at the main entrance and at scattered locations around the grounds.

There is one big no-no, however, promi-

nent in all the festival’s advertising: “No Dogs — Please leave your pets at home.”

The fairgrounds walkways are comfortably crowded, with lots of folks wandering in and out of the barns and show arenas, bumping into old friends like Beth and Ken Cobleigh of Dayton.

The Cobleighs, who own five purebred Texels and 11 Texel/Suffolk sheep, have been coming to the festival since 1986. The heavily muscled Texel has no wool on its head or legs and originally hails from the Netherlands.

“We have sold wool there for years, and we’ll be selling again this year,” Beth said.

“The festival has become a fun event for all ages with something for everyone to enjoy.”

Tell them you saw it in the Beacon!

M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Lamb cook-off, music and fashion Demonstrations of cleaning and shearing sheep tend to be outside the arenas, or within the display stalls, where passersby may watch and chat with the groomer.

There are a number of events “under cover” as well: the 4-H Hall hosts the Grand Lamb Cook-off beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a lamb cooking demonstration at 1:30 p.m.

Then there’s music most of the day in the pavilion, with a fashion show at noon, and a spinning contest at 2:30 p.m. for anyone under the age of 18. (Bring your own wheel or spindle.)

Handler also suggests that, with 200 vendors and some 1,000 sheep representing more than 40 different breeds on display, there is ample opportunity for visitors to talk directly with the shepherds who tend them, and to watch their companion sheepdogs nudge the sheep into their pens.

On both Saturday and Sunday, in the

Rabbit Barn between 1 and 4 p.m., there will be a variety of fiber arts demonstrations. These will include spinning-wheel, weaving, hand-knitting, crochet, tatting, bobbin lace, needlepoint, felting and sock, flat and double bed knitting machines.

Festival goers are invited to join in these hands-on demonstrations of their favorite fabric arts. There’s even a section showcasing the spinning of fiber directly from angora rabbits!

All told — in buildings, outdoor arenas, tents, field areas, show rings and barns — there are events and sales going on from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. On Sunday, May 4, all activities begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.

The Howard County Fairgrounds is located at 2210 Fairgrounds Rd. in West Friendship, close to I-70 and Md. Rt. 144.

A complete schedule of activities, as well as information on the participating vendors, is available at www.sheepandwool.org or by calling (410) 531-3647.

Shrek From page 26 forward momentum. This is a hard-working group of performers, and you won’t notice any of them letting up on all-out effort for even a second.

Toby’s regulars fill the top roles, with Russell Sunday unrecognizable under his Shrek gear, Coby Kay Callahan as the earthy, grown-up Princess Fiona, and Jeffrey Shankle playing the diminutive Lord Farquaad. Calvin McCullough, seen in Toby’s In The Heights, is Donkey.

Soaring Shrek, sassy Donkey Sunday’s prosthetic encumbrances render him unable to use his face, and Shrek’s songs don’t allow much character expression, but he manages to generate good-natured irascibility and warmth.

It’s not until the Act One closer, “Who I’d Be,” that Sunday gets to unleash his soaring voice. The song is an anthem, but the small band and thin musical arrangement are not able to provide the lift needed to make this the transcendent moment it might otherwise be.

McCullough gives us a sassy Donkey, shining with infectious charm in the early number “Don’t Let Me Go.” He and Sunday effectively create buddy chemistry, accepting each other and their differences.

That underscores the show’s theme of tolerance, which comes to full display in the ensemble number “Freak Flag.” A high-energy salute to the celebration of individuality, it sounds as if Tesori wrote it after listening to the score from Godspell.

Despite its earnestness, it’s fun as performed here.

Shankle makes the most of the sight gag that gives his Farquaad tiny legs, especially as he struts what stuff he has in Act One’s music-hall tune, “What’s Up, Duloc?” His needy lord is self-absorbed, See SHREK, page 29

Shrek From page 28 but not especially selfish, and his grasping nature is rendered inoffensive by Shankle’s playfulness.

As Act One comes to a close, the kids in the audience have more or less forgotten the movie and are acclimated to live performance. They’re laughing and enjoying themselves.

Even the usual dragged-out, interminably long Toby’s intermission doesn’t dampen their enthusiasm, and they get right back into the spirit of the show as Act Two opens with a one-two punch.

First, there is the eye-filling dance number “Morning Person.” It’s heavy on tap dancing and choreographer Hemby has as-

sembled a collection of standard moves that flow nicely with the up-tempo, sunny song.

That’s followed by the riotously funny “I Think I Got You Beat,” in which Fiona and Shrek find romance in gastric eruptions.

Callahan shows deft comedy chops here, propelling both of these songs with a sense of fun and enthusiasm. By this point, the 8-year-old sitting next to me was practically hoarse from laughter, even as I was enjoying the subtler pleasures of Callahan’s voice.

The only other tune of some note is “Make A Move,” which might be thought of as a slightly bluesy version of “Three Blind Mice.” But, again, you don’t go to this show for the music.

In fact, the best song of the night is one not written for the show. It’s borrowed

BEACON BITS

May 5

REGISTER FOR HOSPITAL GOLF TOURNEY

Participants in the Howard Hospital Foundation 24th annual benefit golf classic on Monday, June 2 should register by Monday, May 5 to assure a spot on the morning or afternoon flight. The tournament will be held on Monday, June 2 starting at 7 a.m. with registration, breakfast and a shotgun start at 8 a.m. at the Cattail Creek Country Club, 3600 Cattail Creek Dr., Glenwood. The afternoon flight begins at 12:30 p.m. Registration is $500 per participant and includes breakfast or lunch and the awards reception. All proceeds benefit the foundation that supports the Howard County General Hospital. For additional information or to register, visit hcgh.org/benefitgolfclassic or call (410) 720-8706.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

from 1960s Top-40 radio and used for a roof-blowing finale. The Monkees hit “I’m A Believer” (“I thought love was only true in fairy tales, meant for someone else, but not for me”) never sounded so good, and it really rocks the joint and sends us out into the night happy.

There is a message here, to be sure, about forbearance and inclusiveness. But why worry about that, when the song “I Think I Got You Beat” rhymes “whiny” with “flaming heiny”? Trust me; the kids won’t.

premises.

For reservations and information, call (410) 730-8311 or 1-800-88TOBYS (8886297). You may also visit www.tobysdinnertheatre.com.

FROM PAGE 30

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

Going to the show Shrek the Musical continues through June 22 at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, 5900 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia.

The show runs seven days a week, with evening and matinee performances. The doors open at 6 p.m. for evening shows Monday through Saturday and at 5 p.m. for the Sunday evening performance.

Doors open for matinee performances at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Sundays.

Following the buffet, the evening performances begin at 8 p.m. except Sundays, when show time is 7 p.m. Matinee performances begin at 12:30 p.m.

Reservations are required. Ticket prices ranges from $37.50 (for children under 12 for all performances) to $56 for adults (depending on which performance is selected). Ticket prices include an allyou-can-eat buffet.

There is ample, free parking on the

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD L O T C O B R A C O O T H E W E A L L S C L C H A F A I M E B L A Z S D S J H A V O B L A S O A T H

T O S A G A P R L A Y W E M I A I N T H S E A R U E D L I N G S F A A I M M Y I O C E R E R E S

S A P E T I A D E W E R E E L M E F A M P O S M B E I A D D L N E R O C O N N U O D R N O O N D

T U P A R A U L T P I L O S E

E L A T E S

O D I E

R S E R F S S

P Y R E X

Talking on the phone can be easy again. You have our word.

If you, or a loved one, have difficulty hearing over the phone, Maryland Relay is committed to keeping you connected with services such as Captioned Telephone. Using voice recognition technology, a Captioned Telephone Operator makes it possible for you to receive on-screen captions of what your caller says, as you listen.

Plus! You may qualify for a free Captioned Telephone,* amplified phone or other assistive device through the Maryland Accessible Telecommunications program.

Captioned Telephone t Word-for-word captions t Easy-to-read display t Simple to use Just dial 7-1-1 to make a Relay call.

Visit mdrelay.org to learn more.

800-552-7724 (Voice/TTY) 443-453-5970 (VP)

*Available to qualified applicants with traditional landline service only.

M AY 2 0 1 4 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Puzzle Page

Crossword Puzzle Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Tops of 1974

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Answer: What the sailor with the noisy bunkmate wanted when the ship docked -- “SNORE” LEAVE Jumbles: NAIVE COVEY SWIVEL APPEAR

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1 Quantity of luck 5 Position of this word in this puzzle 8 Demonstrated good dining posture 13 Health ins. continuance 14 Ripen 15 Item in Kate Middleton’s wardrobe 16 ___, Dry Place (1999 Vince Vaughn drama) 17 Opposite of post18 Privileged one at the public pool 19 1974’s number one song 22 Blood-related (suffix) 23 The name of over 500 US streets 24 Cheerleader’s specialty 27 Top-rated TV show of 1974 31 Summa Cum Laude, briefly 32 Navy’s realm 33 Opposite or bear 34 Become agitated 37 Rib seasoning 39 Knocked out 40 Looked through the scope 41 Part of a surfer movie costume 43 “___ sells” 44 Top-grossing movie of 1974 49 Leftist grp. of the 60’s 50 It sets “black box” rqmts.

51 Famed fiddler 52 Top athlete of 1974 57 Chaos 60 Debt letters 61 Less straight-laced 62 Jaded and bored 63 Misquote 64 “__, ands, or buts” 65 Curse words 66 “Better dead than ___” 67 Singles

1 Lake, to an Scotsman 2 English horn’s shorter cousin 3 Bricklayer’s tool 4 Antipasto component 5 Restaurant freebie, usually 6 Relative of Shrek 7 Pint-sized 8 Hollywood hand-outs 9 Girl Friday 10 Sigma succeeder 11 ‘Net identifier 12 A bit of butter 13 He may be hep 20 Chinese philosophical forces 21 Toymaker 24 Covered with long soft hairs 25 Exhilarates 26 Maker of measuring cups 27 “___ shall lead them” 28 Petting zoo participants 29 Trucker’s cargo 30 Pop’s partner 31 Healing signs 35 Shriner’s topper 36 Imposing buildings 38 Ingredient in Tofu Parmigiana 42 Logical beginning 45 Viet ___ 46 Less fresh 47 Taboo Bond villain?

48 2012 Olympic host 52 Tease, good naturedly 53 Time long ago 54 Garfield’s pal 55 FIFA’s card dealers 56 Almost alums.

57 Game of Thrones home 58 Almost Miss.

59 Wine container

Answers on page 29.

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 4

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; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; 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.

Business & Employment Opportunities FREELANCE WRITER, helping businesses and professionals tell their important stories.

Writing, editing, ghostwriting, 20+ years professional writing experience. References. 410531-8012.

Caregivers LICENSED, BONDED CNA with over 12 years clinical experience seeks full-time overnight caregiving position. Extensive resume, stellar references & pet-friendly. If interested, please call Jacqueline at 301-7873555.

Computer Services PROBLEM WITH YOUR PC/MAC OR NETWORK? Computer Systems Engineer will come to you with help. Call: D. Guisset at 301-642-4526.

Financial Services ACCOUNTING, BOOKKEEPING, TAXES – conscientious CPA, 37 years experience, reasonable rates, looking for additional business, personal and eldercare clients. Call 410653-3363.

For Sale: Real Estate CASH FOR YOUR UNWANTED REAL ESTATE – I will pay cash for your unwanted Real Estate. There are never any fees, real estate commissions or other chargers to you.

Any condition acceptable. Please call Neal at 410-419-1289.

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.

More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Home/Handyman Services STARCOM DESIGN BUILD – We are certified aging in place, low-threshold showers, walk-in tubs, first-floor master and in-law suites, ramps, elevators and lifts. We are Howard County’s largest remodeler, in business for over 25 years. Come visit our design Center! Starcomdesignbuild.com. 410-9977700. MHIC# 24247-01.

SANFORD & SON HAULING Trash removal, house & estate clean-outs, garage clean-outs, yard work & cleanups, demolition, shed removal. 410-746-5090. Free Estimates.

Insured. Call 7 days a week 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

BALTIMORE’S BEST JUNK REMOVAL – Clean Outs: Whole House, Emergency, Attics/Basements. Furniture and Junk Removal, Yard Waste Removal, General Hauling, Construction Debris Removal. Free estimates. 10% Senior Discount. Licensed, Bonded and Insured. Call Jesse, 443-379-HAUL (4285).

Personal Services LEARN ENGLISH – SPANISH – ITALIAN – FRENCH – PORTUGUESE Conversational. Grammatical. Private lessons. Reasonable Rates. Tutoring students. 443-3528200.

Wanted 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, 301-5966201.

OLD AND NEW WE BUY Sterling Silver Flatware, Tea Sets or Single Pieces., Furniture, Tools, Cameras, Good Glassware, Artwork Too. Toys From Trains to Hotwheels, Action Figures to Star Wars. Call Greg, 717-6587954.

Deadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 5th of each month.

Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a question. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax, nor do we accept credit cards.

Private Party Text Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items, or place a personal ad. Each ad is $10 for 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word.

Business Text Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise.

Each ad is $25 for 25 words, 50 cents for each additional word.

Note: Each real estate listing counts as one business text ad.

Send your classified ad with check or money order, payable to the Beacon, to:

The Beacon, Howard County Classified Dept.

P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 BEACON BITS

May 4

JAMES ROUSE 100TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

A musical tribute to the founder of Columbia on his centennial birthday will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 4 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. The program will be presented by Toby Orenstein, founder of the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, the Young Columbians and Toby’s Dinner Theater. For additional information on this and other celebrations planned throughout the spring and summer, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org or call (410) 715-3103.

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.

MILITARY ITEMS Collector seeks: helmets, weapons, knives, swords, bayonets, webgear, uniforms, inert ordnance, ETC. From 1875 to 1960, US, German, Britain, Japan, France, Russian. Please call Fred 301-9100783, Thank you. Also Lionel Trains.

BEACON BITS

May 3

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED

CASH BUYER for old costume jewelry, pocket and wrist watches (any condition). Also buying watchmaker tools and parts, train sets and accessories, old toys, old glassware & coins. 410-655-0412.

WE BUY OLD AND NEW COINS, Jewelry, Silver and Gold, Paper Money too. Watches, Clocks and Parts, Military Badges and Patches Old and New. Call Greg, 717-6587954.

DOG DAY AFTERNOON AT HOPEWELL PARK

The Columbia Association will host its eighth annual Dog Day Afternoon for canines and their people on Saturday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hopewell Park, 9200 Rustling Leaf in Columbia. Activities include contests for the best tail-wagger, best bone-eater and Columbia’s cutest canine. A new addition this year is pet communications readings with Emerald DuCoeur and performances by the comedy act Mutts Gone Nuts. Though not required, registration is encouraged by visiting ColumbiaAssociation.org/DogDay or calling (410) 423-1891.

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M AY 2 0 1 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

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