March 2014 | Baltimore Beacon Edition

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African American quilting today is about diversity, according to Robinson.

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Historic roots

MARCH 2014

More than 125,000 readers throughout Greater Baltimore

Piecing together black history

By Carol Sorgen Members of the African-American Quilters of Baltimore admit the group’s name may be a bit of a misnomer.

Founded in 1989 by three women who wanted to enjoy the camaraderie of other fabric artists, today the 44 members are not all African American, they’re not all from Baltimore, and they’re not even all quilters.

(And actually, they’re not even all women; there is a lone man among the group.)

Some are needle-pointers, some seamstresses, some bead artists, some knitters, and more. What they all have in common though, said longtime member Rosalind Robinson, is that “we’re all artists.”

Not necessarily professional artists, though. Robinson is a retired family consumer science teacher, fellow member Sandra Smith, 61, is an IT trainer, and group president Valeri McNeal, 63, is a civil rights investigator.

Some members, like Robinson and Smith, accept commissions and sell their quilts, while others, like McNeal, are relative “newbies” to the art.

“I want to quilt,” said McNeal. “I just haven’t done it yet.” In fact, said McNeal, some of the members are downright “needle, thread, and fabric challenged!”

So why does someone join such a group if she (or he!) doesn’t quilt. “It’s inspirational,” said McNeal. “It’s an opportunity to appreciate others’ artistic talents. And it’s an opportunity to learn.”

Indeed, education is one of the missions of AAQB. Its members participate in projects in schools, libraries and museums in keeping with their “Each One Teach One” philosophy.

On Sunday, March 9, for example, members of the guild will participate in Women’s History Month and Beyond at Hampton National Historic Site in Towson when they present “The African American Quilt Aesthetic,” from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The members will discuss what the African American quilt aesthetic is, if indeed there even is one, and will demonstrate and display a variety of quilting styles — such as story quilts, appliqué, handstitching, paper piecing and more.

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L E I S U R E & T R AV E L

Hiking along an ancient pilgrim route in France; plus, avid older skiers stick with their passion page 25

Sandra Smith, a member of the African-American Quilters of Baltimore, made her first quilt 30 years ago, and has exhibited her stunning work across the country.

Members of the group will give a presentation on quilts and African-American history on March 9 at the Hampton National Historic Site in Towson.

Traditional African American quilts made in the early days of this country and during slavery were utilitarian and fashioned from discarded remnants of fabric that were no longer useful.

As African American quilts evolved, especially after emancipation, a popular pattern was the Pine Cone or Pine Burr quilt — a three-dimensional quilt made of overlapping triangles that were laid out in a circular pattern starting at the center, giving the look of a pine cone.

According to the writings of quilt historian Cuesta Benberry, “From early to late 20th century, the Pine Cone quilt was popular among southern African American quilters,” and the style was considered a “masterpiece” work, on the par with the

fine appliqué work done in Caucasian communities.

Perhaps most famous among African American quilts were those created by a group of women in Gee’s Bend, Ala. Their quilting tradition dated back to the 19th century, when the community was located on the site of a cotton plantation owned by Joseph Gee. Thought to be influenced in part by patterned African textiles, female slaves used strips of cloth to make bedcovers. In the post-bellum years and into the 20th century, the women of Gee’s Bend made quilts to keep themselves and their children warm as they lived in primitive shacks.

See QUILTERS, page 33

ARTS & STYLE

Finding a lot to laugh about in Spamalot; plus, Man of La Mancha tilts toward Baltimore page 30

FITNESS & HEALTH k Vitamin E slows Alzheimer’s k Diet can alter genetic destiny

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LAW & MONEY 17 k Free income tax help k Four stocks to fall in love with VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS 22 k Relay raises funds for cancer PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE

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Feeling vulnerable Every day, more aspects of our lives be- that, occasionally, disable critical systems. come intertwined with the Internet, and And nations with long-range missile things we take for granted technology are testing their grow more dependent on its ability to shoot down orbiting ground and satellite infrasatellites, which are essential structure. not only for military purposConsider our telephone, es but also global communiemail and text conversations, cation. our air traffic control, our naBut even more disturbing tional defense (the military to me is the recently revealed now guides many of our troops vulnerability of our nation’s and even airplanes remotely), electricity grid. and our businesses. Many eleWhat aspects of presentments of these are now based FROM THE day life would be the same in “the cloud” — and the cloud PUBLISHER without power? Think of the is, like its name, so evanes- By Stuart P. Rosenthal few days we’ve had to go withcent, so vulnerable. out power in recent years — The transmission of our most sensitive spoiled food, unbearably cold (or hot) data — personal financial information and homes and offices, an inability to pump gas, even private calls among heads of state — make cell phone calls, or charge electric are an open book for both those who seek gadgets, elevators and subways out of servto protect us and those who might seek to ice, hospitals and nursing homes functionrob us. ing in emergency mode using generators.

A recent survey found that more than 60 Now ramp that up to a situation where percent of Americans have had personal there is no electricity available anywhere in data stolen at some point, many through America for months. theft of digital records.

Am I reading too much science fiction?

Corporate and government data are Actually, I’m referring to a recent news resubject to hacking attempts 24/7, includ- port in the Wall Street Journal. ing efforts originating in other countries One of its reporters noted that our na-

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tional electricity grid is dependent on a relatively small number of substations (and their transformers) that function as critical links in power transmission.

Last April, a substation serving California’s Silicon Valley was targeted by unknown snipers, armed with assault weapons, who incapacitated 17 transformers in less than half an hour.

Not only are these transformers expensive, they are made to order, and it takes weeks to build and install one. (They weigh 500,000 pounds each.) They are also easily visible and relatively unprotected, typically behind chain link fences.

While power was rerouted to Silicon Valley from elsewhere on the grid, it took nearly a month before the targeted station was operational again.

We still don’t know who did this or why, but it isn’t far-fetched to imagine that last April’s attack might have been a dry run for a coordinated attack on our county’s electric grid as a whole.

The Journal report quoted Rich Lordan, senior technical executive for the Electric Power Research Institute, as saying it “appears to be preparation for an act of war.”

The implication is that a small number of trained commandos could, in a matter of minutes, take our country back to the 1800s — where we’d stay for months.

Why, you might ask, are we in this vul-

nerable position for such a critical part of our infrastructure? Two reasons. First, it would be costly for public utilities to protect their equipment from this potential but, until recently, far-fetched scenario, and they have no economic incentive to do so individually.

Second, no federal agency currently has the authority to require nonprofit or investorowned utilities (other than nuclear power plants) to pay for such added security.

It seems to me this is a situation where the potential harm is enormous and the potential solution is quite obvious and, relatively speaking, affordable. In fact, it’s one of those situations where we can’t afford not to act.

I urge you to call your senators and representative (as well as the heads of your local electric utility and public service commission) and urge them to take immediate steps to protect the most vulnerable links in our electric grid — even if this means a surcharge on our electric bills.

There are too many groups out there who wish America harm, and it’s far too easy to imagine them succeeding beyond their wildest dreams and our wildest fears.

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 Editor: I’m a retired middle school teacher, and I always read the Beacon from first to last page.

I was absolutely in awe of your February editorial, “The power in numbers.” I know your attention is aimed at seniors, but when I read this, I thought it could spark a fantastic discussion for middle

school and high school students.

I’m sure many retired readers will be talking about it, but I hope you’ll also find a way to share it with school-age kids. They would learn a great deal from discussing it. It was awesome!

Nancy Coleman Via voicemail

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SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT

The Chesapeake Sustainable Business Council (CSBC) is a business-led educational and advocacy organization whose mission is to promote sustainable business viability, awareness, and impact within the Chesapeake region (Md., Washington, D.C. and Va.). Become a member or volunteer by contacting steve@csbcouncil.org.

Mar. 28

BUS TOUR OF WOMEN’S HISTORY

The Maryland Women’s Heritage Center is sponsoring a bus tour of sites pertinent to Baltimore women’s history on Friday, March 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The $60 fee includes visits with on-site performers and presenters at the Jewish Museum of Baltimore, Orchard Street Church, lunch at the Women’s Industrial Kitchen, Mother Seton’s House and the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center. The trip leaves from and returns to the center, 39 W. Lexington St. For more information, visit www.mdwomensheritagecenter.org or call (443) 996-1788.

BALTIMORE BEACON — MARCH 2014

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LIBIDO DRUG IN LIMBO The female Viagra still eludes researches, but the FDA is also a barrier INNOVATIONS FOR DIABETICS Miniaturized glucose monitors are in development, including a contact lens NEED MORE ENERGY? Many so-called energy boosters don’t really work to perk you up; make your own PROs OF PROBIOTICS Probiotics may improve your immune system and boost metabolism

Vitamin E may slow Alzheimer’s decline

By Marilynn Marchione Researchers say vitamin E might slow the progression of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease — the first time any treatment has been shown to alter the course of dementia at that stage.

In a study of more than 600 older veterans, high doses of the vitamin delayed the decline in daily living skills — such as making meals, getting dressed and holding a conversation — by about six months over a two-year period.

The benefit was equivalent to keeping one major skill that otherwise would have been lost, such as being able to bathe without help. For some people, that could mean living independently rather than needing a nursing home.

Vitamin E did not preserve thinking abilities though, and oddly, it did no good for patients who took it together with another Alzheimer’s medication. But those taking vitamin E alone required less help from caregivers — about two fewer hours each day than others in the study.

“It’s not a miracle or, obviously, a cure,” said study leader Dr. Maurice Dysken of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

“The best we can do at this point is slow down the rate of progression.”

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs sponsored the study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Not recommended yet No one should rush out and buy vitamin E, several doctors warned. It failed to prevent healthy people from developing dementia, or to help those with mild impairment (“pre-Alzheimer’s”) in other studies. And one analysis suggested high doses might even increase the risk of premature death.

Still, many experts cheered the new results after so many recent flops of oncepromising drugs.

“This is truly a breakthrough paper, and constitutes what we have been working toward for nearly three decades: the first truly disease-modifying intervention for Alzheimer’s,” said Dr. Sam Gandy of Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. “I am very enthusiastic about the results.” The cost of Vitamin E is also much less than other treatments.

About 35 million people worldwide have dementia, and Alzheimer’s is the most common type. In the U.S., about 5 million have Alzheimer’s. There is no cure, and current medicines just temporarily ease symptoms.

An antioxidant effect?

Researchers don’t know how vitamin E might help, but it is an antioxidant, like those found in red wine, grapes and some teas. Antioxidants help protect cells from damage that can contribute to other diseases, says the federal Office on Dietary Supplements.

Many foods contain vitamin E, such as nuts, seeds, grains, leafy greens and vegetable oils. There are many forms, and the study tested a synthetic version of one — alpha-tocopherol — at a pharmaceutical grade and strength, 2,000 international units a day.

Years ago, another study found that the same form and dose helped people with more advanced Alzheimer’s, and many were prescribed it. But vitamin E fell out of favor after a 2005 analysis of many studies found that those taking more than 400 units a day were more likely to die of any cause.

The new study involved 613 veterans at 14 VA centers. Nearly all were male, 79 years old on average, with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. All were already taking Aricept, Razadyne or Exelon, a class of drugs widely used to delay mild to moderate Alzheimer’s.

Participants were placed in four groups and given either vitamin E, a dementia medicine called memantine (its brand name is Namenda), both Vitamin E and memantine, or dummy pills (placebo).

After a little more than two years of follow-up, those on vitamin E alone had a 19 percent lower annual rate of decline in daily living skills compared to the other three groups.

“It’s a subtle effect, but it’s probably real,” Dr. Ron Petersen, the Mayo Clinic’s Alzheimer’s research chief, said of the benefit on daily living from vitamin E. “That has to be weighed against the potential risks” seen in earlier studies, he said.

Heather Snyder, director of medical and scientific operations for the Alzheimer’s Association, said the group’s position is that “no one should take vitamin E for Alzheimer’s disease or other memory issues except under the supervision of a physician,” because it can interfere with blood thinners, cholesterol drugs and other medicines.

The new results also need to be verified in a fresh study that includes more women and minorities, she said.

— AP

Healthy diet may alter our genetic destiny

By Sharon Palmer, R.D At one time, if your mother had cancer, your genetic destiny for this disease seemed to be etched in stone. At least that was the old way of thinking about genetic predisposition for diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.

But there’s been a paradigm shift in the way experts understand our inherited genetic profile, according to Roderick H. Dashwood, Ph.D., who spoke on genetics and nutrition at the 10th Annual Nutrition and Health Conference in Seattle last year.

Just as we pass down genes for eye color and body frame from generation to generation, so also we pass down genes for disease susceptibility.

But Dashwood reports that scientists now know that genes can be switched on and off. DNA and other proteins in the gene contain molecular “tags” that instruct a gene to be active or inactive. Environ-

ment and lifestyle can trigger these tags to be added or removed — essentially turning the gene on or off.

Basically, you can alter your gene expression — the process by which inheritable information from a gene is translated and made into a functional gene product in the cell — and thus suppress the path of disease.

For example, in the case of a genetic risk for cancer, Dashwood noted, “This has led to the idea that we might be able to drive cancer cells the other direction. You can turn on tumor suppressor genes to silence cancer cells.”

A new field: nutrigenomics Our understanding of genetics took a giant leap forward because of the Human Genome Project, a landmark endeavor that called upon a team of international researchers to map all of the genes — to-

gether known as the genome — of our species. Completed in 2003, it gave scientists the ability to read our genetic blueprint, and also opened up our knowledge of how we can modify the negative effects of our genetic profiles.

Since then, the field of nutrigenomics — the study of how foods affect our genes, and how individual genetic makeup can make people respond to foods and nutrients in different ways — has grown.

One of the most exciting aspects of nutrigenomics is its potential for opening up new avenues for preventing diseases that people are genetically predisposed to — such as diabetes, obesity, inflammatory disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

What you put on your plate may make a big impact on your genetic profile — and even on that of your children.

Animal studies have shown that a moth-

er’s diet can impose long-term alterations in the genetic expression of her offspring.

For example, a high-fat maternal diet can change the offspring’s gene expression and behavior toward a desire for more palatable foods, according to a 2010 article in the journal Endocrinology.

Your overall diet pattern, calorie intake, consumption of particular compounds and nutrients in foods, exposure to food chemicals, as well as lifestyle may affect how your genes function.

While many foods and nutrients are being studied, here are some of the most exciting areas of interest in the field of nutrigenomics: 1. Diet pattern A healthy diet pattern may shift your genetic expression towards cancer protection, according to a 2013 study published See NUTRIGENOMICS, page 4

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Nutrigenomics From page 3 in Nutrition Journal. Canadian researchers compared the effects on genetic profile of a healthy diet — which included high intakes of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and low intakes of refined products — with a Western diet, which included high consumption of refined grains, sweets and processed meats.

Gene expression profiles pointed towards a potential increase for cancer risk with the Western diet and decreased risk of cancer in the healthy diet group.

2. Lifestyle An overall healthy lifestyle may have an even more significant impact on your genome. Research shows that physical activity alone has a pronounced impact on genes, lowering risk for type 2 diabetes and obesity.

And in a 2008 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a lifestyle plan that included a

healthy plant-based diet, moderate exercise, and stress management techniques altered the expression of over 500 genes in men with early-stage prostate cancer, indicating that these changes could help slow the progression of cancer.

3. Fruits and vegetables We know that eating lots of fruits and vegetables is good for a number of health benefits, and now you can add genes to the list. A 2010 Norwegian study showed that antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables induced changes in gene expression that optimized the body’s defense processes.

And research has zeroed in on the impact of specific plant foods on the genome.

Scientific findings presented at the Annual Nutrition and Health Conference indicate that sulforaphane, a compound in broccoli, appears to turn on tumor inhibitor genes to suppress cancer.

Other dietary components appear to have similar action, including iosthiocyanates, which are found in sulfur and

MARCH 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, broccoli and watercress; organoselenium compounds found in garlic; biotinrich foods such as chard and egg yolk, and alpha lipoic-acid-rich foods, such as green leafy vegetables.

Other possible cancer suppressants include resveratrol in grape skins and red wine, isoflavones in soy, and bioactive compounds in walnuts, which might promote alterations in gene expression.

4. Micronutrients Many essential vitamins, such as B-vitamins, folic acid and choline, provide important compounds called methyl groups that help create genetic tags that turn genes on or off. If your diet is lacking in these nutrients, you may not be able to express the genes needed for good health, according to Lynn Adams, Ph.D., a Science and Technology Fellow with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

5. Food chemicals Adams reports that some chemicals in

the food system, such as bisphenol-A (BPA), found in food packaging and containers, can interfere with genetic expression in regions of the brain and reproductive organs, according to preliminary research.

It’s worth noting that the research in nutrigenomics is still in its infancy, and it’s too soon to know for sure how effective dietary changes are in altering gene expression on an individual basis.

The good news is, the research coming in supports what we already know: An optimal diet for disease prevention is a Mediterranean eating pattern, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and low in highly refined grains, sweets and processed meats.

Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 800-829-5384. www.EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Feb. 26

ENHANCE FAMILY COMMUNICATION

Good communication is the key to any good relationship, especially those with family members. Learn better ways to get your message across and listen to others in this program at the Catonsville Senior Center on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 9:30 a.m. The center is located at 501 N. Rolling Rd., Catonsville. For more information, call (410) 887-0900.

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MEET THE NEIGHBORS Northwest Neighbors

Connecting is a “village” of interdependent, diverse, caring individuals who give and receive services, supporting each other’s ability to age in place and enhancing their physical, emotional and social well-being.

Programs and activities are hosted on a monthly basis, and volunteer opportunities and service provider opportunities are available. For more information, call (410) 662-6620.

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COPING WITH TRANSITION Baltimore City Health

Department of Aging offers a series of lectures throughout March on the topic of coping with life’s transitions.

For a schedule of dates and locations, visit www.baltimorehealth.org or call (410) 396-2273.

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New Senior Apartments Opening Summer 2014

❏ Alta at Regency Crest (see ad on page 22) ❏ Atrium Village (see ad on page 23) ❏ Augsburg Lutheran Village (see ad on page 27) ❏ Bay Forest (see ad on page 26) ❏ Brightview at Perry Hall (see ad on page 14) ❏ Charlestown Assisted Living (see ad on page 24) ❏ Charlestown Independent Living (see ad on page 29) ❏ Charlotte Hall (see ad on page 7) ❏ Glen Forest (see ad on page 26) ❏ The Greens at English Consul (see ad on page 21) ❏ The Greens at Logan Field (see ad on page 32) ❏ Heritage Run at Stadium Place (see ad on page 5) ❏ Meadows of Reisterstown (see ads on pages 8 & 26) ❏ New Life Healthy Living (see ad on page 32) ❏ Oak Crest Assisted Living (see ad on page 24) ❏ Oak Crest Independent Living (see ad on page 29) ❏ Park Heights Place (see ad on page 20) ❏ Park View Catonsville (see ad on page 31) ❏ Park View Dundalk (see ad on page 31) ❏ Park View Rosedale (see ad on page 31) ❏ Park View Taylor (see ad on page 31) ❏ St. Mary’s Roland View Towers (see ad on page 29) ❏ Wayland Village (see ad on page 8) ❏ Westminster House Apts. (see ad on page 30)

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Regular exposure to mild cold temperatures may be a healthy and sustainable way to help people lose weight, according to a new article in the journal Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism. On the flip side, that means our warm and cozy homes and offices might be partly responsible for our expanding waistlines.

“What would it mean if we let our bodies work again to control body temperature?” asked lead author Wouter van Marken Lichtenbelt of Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands.

“We hypothesize that the thermal environment affects human health, and more specifically, that frequent mild cold exposure can significantly affect our energy expenditure over sustained time periods,” he said.

In short, when we’re cold, our bodies burn off excess body fat. Heat-generating, calorie-burning “brown fat” isn’t just for babies. Adults have it too, and some more than others.

A research group from Japan found a decrease in body fat after people spent two hours per day at 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit for six weeks.

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Stay cool to lose weight

The Netherlands team also found that people get used to the cold over time.

After six hours a day in the cold for a period of 10 days, people in their study increased brown fat, felt more comfortable and shivered less at 59 degrees.

In young and middle-aged people at least, non-shivering heat production can account for a few percent up to 30 percent of the body’s energy budget, they say.

That means lower temperatures can significantly affect the amount of energy a person expends overall.

But lowering the thermostat might take some convincing. “Indoor temperature in most buildings is regulated to minimize the percentage of people dissatisfied,” the researchers write. “This results in relatively high indoor temperatures in wintertime.

“This is evident in offices, in dwellings and is most pronounced in care centers and hospitals. By lack of exposure to a varied ambient temperature, whole populations may be prone to develop diseases like obesity. In addition, people become vulnerable to sudden changes in ambient temperature.”

— Cell Press

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Health shorts From page 5 U.S. government says it has found no evidence that common anti-bacterial soaps prevent the spread of germs, and suggests they may in fact pose health risks to consumers.

Scientists at the Food and Drug Administration announced in December that they are revisiting the safety of triclosan and other sanitizing agents found in soap in countless kitchens and bathrooms. Recent studies suggest triclosan and similar substances can interfere with hormone levels in lab animals and spur the growth of drugresistant bacteria.

“I suspect there are a lot of consumers who assume that by using an anti-bacterial soap product, they are protecting themselves from illness, protecting their fami-

MARCH 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

lies,” said Sandra Kweder, deputy director in the FDA’s drug center. “But we don’t have any evidence that that is really the case over simple soap and water.”

Under a proposed rule, the agency will require manufacturers to prove that antibacterial soaps are safe and more effective than plain soap and water. Products that are not shown to be safe and effective by late 2016 would have to be reformulated, relabeled or removed from the market.

The government’s preliminary ruling lends new support to outside researchers who have long argued that the chemicals are, at best, ineffective and at worst, a threat to public health.

While the rule applies only to personal hygiene products, it has implications for a broader $1 billion industry that includes thousands of anti-bacterial products, including kitchen knives, toys, pacifiers and

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The FDA rule affects virtually all soap products labeled anti-bacterial, including popular brands from CVS, Bath and Body Works, Ajax and many other companies.

The rule does not apply to hand sanitizers, most of which use alcohol rather than antibacterial chemicals.

Most of the research surrounding triclosan’s safety involves laboratory animals, including studies in rats that showed changes in testosterone, estrogen and thyroid hormones. Some scientists worry that such changes in humans could raise the risk of infertility, early puberty and even cancer.

FDA scientists stressed that such studies are not necessarily applicable to humans, but the agency is reviewing their implications.

— AP

Boost omega-3s in your diet The latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend increasing “the amount and variety of seafood consumed by choosing seafood in place of some meat and poultry.”

The main reason is that fish and other seafood contain two omega-3 fats associated with a reduced risk for heart problems: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Science suggests that eating about 8 ounces of a variety of seafood each week may convey these heart-healthy benefits.

Problem is, most of us aren’t getting the

recommended amounts of these omega-3s.

Try the following ideas to help you get more: 1. Go for omega-3-rich fish. While all seafood contains some omega-3 fats, fatty cold-water fish have higher concentrations. Popular omega-3-rich picks include salmon and sardines (both provide more than 1,000 mg. per 4-oz.serving) and light tuna (about 250 mg. per 4 oz.).

2. Try some seaweed. Need a reason to eat sushi? Seaweed (nori) and kelp (wakame, kombu or dulse) are both algae, which provide some DHA/EPA. 3. Consider fortified foods. More and more food products for tified with DHA/EPA are finding their way to supermarket shelves. The following are foods that you might find for tified with DHA/EPA: a) Eggs: Eggs are fortified by adding flaxseed and/or algae supplements to hens’ feed. One large egg may contain up to 500 mg. omega-3s (some of which is DHA/EPA). b) Milk: Some brands of milk add fish oil or algal oil to give a DHA/EPA boost (don’t worry, you can’t taste it!). 1 cup of this fortified milk delivers up to 50 mg. of DHA/EPA. c) Peanut butter: As with milk, some brands are adding fish oil. A 2-tablespoon serving provides about 30 mg. DHA/EPA. 4. Talk with your doctor about supplements. If you don’t eat a lot of fish, taking an omega-3 supplement might be a smart choice. Talk with your doctor about whether supplementation might be right for you and, if so, what to look for on labels.

— Eating Well

BEACON BITS

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Potential risks include, but are not limited to, loosening, dislocation, fracture, wear, and infection, any of which can require additional surgery. For additional information on the Oxford® knee and the Signature™ system, including risks and warnings, talk to your surgeon and see the full patient risk information on oxfordknee.com and http://www.biomet.com/orthopedics/getFile. cfm?id=2287&rt=inline or call 1-800-851-1661.

Oxford® and Signature™ are trademarks of Biomet, Inc. or its subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated. * Compared to total knee replacement. Refer to references at oxfordknee.com. ** A collaborative partnership with Materialise N.V. † Subject to terms and conditions within the written warranty.

REGIONAL RESOURCES

“Guiding Your Path to Resources in the Region” is a Baltimore City/Baltimore County Regional Resource Directory. This publication is a comprehensive listing of agencies and organizations to educate consumers about resources and benefits they may be eligible for and other important service options. Special added features in the directory include hotlines, websites and financial eligibility guidelines. You can obtain a copy at your nearest senior center, download the PDF document online, or contact Baltimore City Maryland Access Point at (410) 396-2273.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — MARCH 2014

A female libido drug remains in limbo

By Matthew Perrone The 15-year search for a pill that boosts sexual desire in women has hit another roadblock, raising questions about the future of efforts to develop a female equivalent to Viagra.

Sprout Pharmaceuticals said it has reached an impasse with the Food and Drug Administration over its drug, flibanserin. The daily pill is designed to increase libido in women by acting on brain chemicals linked to mood and appetite.

The FDA questions whether the drug’s benefits outweigh its risks, considering its “modest” effectiveness and side effects, including fatigue, dizziness and nausea.

Sprout said it is appealing an October letter from the FDA that denied approval and asked for more information. But chances for approval appear slim: Of the 17 appeals FDA considered in 2012, 14 were denied, according to government figures.

An elusive goal The agency’s letter is the latest challenge for companies working to develop therapies for women who report stress due to lack of libido. It’s a market drugmakers have been trying to tap since the success of Viagra, an erectile-dysfunction drug that was developed in the late 1990s to increase blood flow to the genitals.

But unlike sexual problems in men, most of women’s sexual issues are psychological, not physical. As a result, there are a number of alternate causes doctors must consider before diagnosing female sexual desire disorders — including relationship problems, hormone disorders, depression, and mood issues caused by other medications. Likewise, these other factors must be considered when treating it.

Experts say that developing drugs for female sexual dysfunction is so difficult

BEACON BITS

Apr. 29

DINING ADVENTURE

Join Parkville AARP chapter #3090 on Tuesday, April 29 for a progressive dining adventure in Chesapeake City, Md. Enjoy a sample of the cuisine of four premier restaurants in the Chesapeake City area, and a bus tour of the town and neighboring thoroughbred horse farm. The bus leaves Carney Park & Ride at 9 a.m. and returns at 6 p.m. Cost is $90. For reservations, call (410) 256-4318.

Oct. 7+

TOUR OF IRELAND

CCBC will host a tour of Ireland from Tuesday to Sunday, Oct. 7 to 19, including Dublin, Waterford, Ring of Kerry, Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Donegal, Derry and more. The cost is $3,649 per person double; $4,049 single.

For more information, visit www.ccbcmd.edu/internationaltravel or call (443) 840-1933.

because of how little we understand the underlying causes.

“Erectile dysfunction is a really easy thing to measure,” said Emory University researcher Kim Wallen. “Motivation is a hard thing to measure and, quite honestly, we don’t know enough about what creates sexual motivation to manipulate it.”

Dr. Virginia Sadock, a psychiatrist, said the idea that a single pill can restore female libido oversimplifies the problem. Even if the FDA eventually approves a drug for female sexual dysfunction, she said it will likely be used with non-drug techniques to reduce stress and improve self-image.

“A pill just doesn’t take care of it,” said Sadock, who teaches human sexuality at New York University’s School of Medicine. The same is true of other conditions, See LIBIDO DRUG, page 8

Radio Mass of Baltimore for this Lenten Season

Cordially invites you to prepare for Easter with us by tuning in to our weekly live celebration of the Mass every Sunday at 9:00 am on WBAL 1090AM Begun in 1946, Radio Mass is a sixty-eight-year-old Baltimore Jesuit tradition. We cater especially to the homebound, nursing facilities, imprisoned, and those who otherwise can’t attend Mass in person.

Please join us.

7

8

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Libido drug From page 7 she avers. “You may take a statin drug to control your cholesterol, great. But you should also exercise, and you should also watch your diet.”

Different approaches tried Drugmakers have made several unsuccessful attempts at tweaking their approach to boosting female libido over the years. Initially, Pfizer tested Viagra on women, hoping that the drug’s ability to increase blood flow to genitals would in-

MARCH 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

crease sex drive in women.

When that didn’t work, drugmakers turned to hormones, including the male hormone testosterone. In 2004, an FDA panel rejected Procter & Gamble’s testosterone patch, Intrinsa, due to questions about its long-term safety — despite evidence of effectiveness.

Sprout’s flibanserin is the first drug to approach the problem through brain chemistry. Sprout acquired flibanserin from Boehringer Ingelheim in 2011, after the German drugmaker abandoned development of the pill following an FDA rejection letter.

Researchers believe the drug works by boosting dopamine — a brain transmitter associated with appetite — while lowering serotonin — another transmitter linked with feelings of satiation.

Studies of the drug show that it boosts sexual desire, reduces stress, and increases “sexually satisfying events” reported by women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, or a lack of sexual appetite that causes stress.

The FDA has twice rejected flibanserin since 2010. A key issue for the agency is that women taking the drug reported only 1.7 more satisfying sexual experiences per

month than women taking placebo.

Sprout executives argue that number is statistically significant and warrants approval for their product, considering there are no other drugs approved for the condition.

“We’ve now got 24 drugs for men for either testosterone replacement or erectile dysfunction,” said Cindy Whitehead, Sprout’s chief operating officer. “Yet there are zero drugs for the most common form of sexual dysfunction in women.”

The FDA, which does not comment on drugs under appeal, is expected to make a decision on Sprout’s appeal by April.

— AP

BEACON BITS

Feb. 25+

REGISTER FOR CATONSVILLE CLASSES Registration for spring classes at Catonsville Senior Center will take place Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 25 through 27.

Remember to have the center’s orange membership card and a separate check for each class. For more information and a catalog of classes, visit www.catonsvilleseniorcenter.webs.com or call (410) 887-0900. The center is located at 501 N. Rolling Rd.

Feb. 27

ELIZABETH PATTERSON BONAPARTE’S STORY Carol Berkin, award-winning historian and author of Revolutionary Mothers, will examine the remarkable life of Elizabeth Patterson

Bonaparte, the Baltimore woman who caused a scandal when she married Napoleon’s younger brother. The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Rd. For more information, visit www.theivybookshop.com or (410) 377-2966.

Treating Difficulty Standing or Walking, attributed to Arthritis, Spinal Stenosis, Neuropathy, Poor Circulation or Poor Balance I am a patient who had severe foot pain for 2 years, with no relief in sight....by the end of the 4 days I was 85% pain free in both feet. I thank God for Dr. Goldman and his passion for research in healing people with foot and leg pain.

How fortunate I feel to have found a doctor who could not only diagnose an underlying problem that many specialists missed, but who has been able to find a painless and rapid method of relieving the worst symptoms.

– Alvin, Baltimore

– Susan, Baltimore

As a podiatrist with over 30 years experience, I have always focused on non-surgical treatment of foot and leg pain. I find that most people with foot or leg symptoms (arthritic, aching, burning, cramping or difficulty walking) , even those who have had other treatments, including surgery of the foot (or back), can be helped, usually in 1 or 2 visits.

Stuart Goldman, DPM

410-235-2345

4419 Falls Road, Suite A, Baltimore 4000 Old Court Road, Suite 301, Pikesville

— Dr. Stuart Goldman Fellow American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Marquis Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare Author, multiple articles on Foot & Leg Symptoms

H elP F orYour F eeT.C oM

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — MARCH 2014

9

Medical test surprises: Too much info?

By Lauran Neergaard It’s a growing side effect of modern medicine: A test for one condition turns up something completely unrelated. It might be a real danger, or an anxiety-provoking false alarm.

Doctors dub this the dreaded “incidentaloma” — so-called incidental findings that tell people more than they bargained for, things they might not need, or want, to know.

A U.S. presidential advisory council said it’s time to be more up-front about that risk with patients, before their next X-ray or gene test turns up a disturbing surprise.

“Incidental findings can be life-saving, but they also can lead to uncertainty and distress,” cautioned Amy Gutmann of the University of Pennsylvania, who chairs the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues.

It is an issue that “will likely touch all of us who seek medical care, participate in research, or send a cheek swab to a company for a peek at our own genetic makeup,” Gutmann said.

What should patients be told?

It may seem obvious that if the family doctor orders X-rays for a broken rib that also spot signs of cancer, the patient will be

told. But the report notes that not every medical condition that can be found should be — and there’s conflicting advice about how to disclose and manage incidental findings.

Consider: Ten percent of brain scans spot something unrelated that may require more testing, said bioethics panel member Dr. Stephen Hauser, neurology chairman at the University of California, San Francisco.

Anywhere from 30 to 43 percent of abdominal CT scans turn up incidental findings, according to studies cited by the commission. In fact, the bioethics report said that, at trauma centers, high-powered scans that aim to find subtle injuries are more likely to make an incidental finding instead.

And say a doctor maps a child’s genes to help diagnose some puzzling muscle symptoms — but also discovers genes that may trigger breast cancer after she has grown.

That incidental finding has implications for the child and for other relatives, too.

Sometimes, surprise findings can be lifesaving — for example, in the case of an athlete whose brain is scanned after a concussion and radiologists spot a tumor, Hauser said.

Other times, nothing can be done. That same brain scan might show early signs of an incurable condition, Hauser said, and

“this young person now needs to live with the knowledge that she may someday develop this neurologic disease.”

Another problem: Follow-up testing of an incidental finding may do harm. In the panel’s worst-case example, doctors see a suspicious spot on a lung while testing an elderly patient’s risk of a stroke. A biopsy determines the spot is nothing, a benign scar — but that biopsy makes the lung collapse, triggering cardiac arrest.

Nor do patients necessarily want to

know everything the doctor learns. A cancer survivor may agree to be X-rayed for broken bones after a fall. But if she doesn’t want to know about any signs of returning tumors, it’s ethical for the doctor to respect that decision, Gutmann said.

Report recommendations The bioethics panel is urging better anticipation of and communication about See MEDICAL TESTS, page 11

BEACON BITS

Mar. 9

LEARN HOW TO “GEOCACHE”

Looking for a fun, family-friendly way to exercise both mind and body? Try geocaching, the fast-growing sport that’s akin to a modern-day treasure hunt. This free introduction to the sport will be held on Sunday, March 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Robert E. Lee Park, 1000 Lakeside Dr. To reserve a GPS unit for use during the program, notify the organizers when registering. The number of units is limited. To register, call (410) 887-4156 or email releepark-rp@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Free one-to-one support for Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis The Crohn’s and Colitis Advocate Program* is here for you if you have Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis.

Sign up and get: • Personalized support from a specially trained Patient Advocate • Educational resources and information • Useful tools to have more productive conversations with your doctor Thousands of people have taken advantage of the Crohn’s and Colitis Advocate Program. Now you can, too.

Simply visit CDandUC.com to learn more and sign up. *Advocates can provide you with education and resources and offer support, but cannot provide medical advice or replace your conversations with your health care provider.

Crohn’s & Colitis C r o h n s A n d C o l i t i s I n f o . c o m

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Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

MARCH 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Health Studies Page

THE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Testing a targeted drug for breast cancer

By Carol Sorgen Mercy Medical Center’s Prevention and Research Center is one of 75 sites across the nation currently enrolling women in the BELLE-2 clinical trial.

BELLE-2 is designed to investigate a new class of drugs known as “PI3K Inhibitors.” These drugs target a protein called PI3K, which plays an important role in the growth and survival of cancer cells.

Drugs that block PI3K may be able slow or stop cancer growth.

The BELLE-2 trial will enroll more than

•

1,000 study participants globally. Volunteers are sought who are post-menopausal and who have advanced breast cancer that has progressed while taking a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors (AIs), which includes anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara) or exemestane (Aromasin).

AIs are targeted drugs that interfere with estrogen’s ability to promote the growth of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers. The enzyme aromatase is necessary to produce estrogen in the body.

Blocking the activity of aromatase lowers

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Johns Hopkins University investigators seek healthy adults ages 40 and up to participate in research studies designed to investigate ways to improve cognitive abilities. You will be compensated for your time. For more information call:

Julia Hernandez (410) 955-7789 Protocol Number: NA_00015657 PI: Barry Gordon, M.D., Ph.D.

Approved August 22, 2013

estrogen levels and inhibits the growth of cancers that need estrogen to grow.

The purpose of the BELLE-2 study is to determine whether the daily addition of an investigational PI3K inhibitor to the aromatase inhibitor fulvestrant (Faslodex) is effective and safe in treating patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

A targeted approach Fulvestrant is used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in women who have experienced menopause and whose breast cancer has worsened after they were treated with anti-estrogen medications.

Traditionally, medicines have been developed with a “one-size-fits-all” model. Approximately half of all patients who take medicines do not respond to them, leaving researchers to conclude that there is a critical need for a more targeted approach to drug discovery and development.

Targeted cancer therapies, such as the investigational drug that will be used in this study, are being studied for use alone, in combination with other targeted therapies, and in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy.

Studies such as BELLE-2 aim to develop targeted therapies. The goal with targeted therapies is to tailor the treatment and dose to the patient’s specific disease and genetic profile.

Taking part in the study Patients enrolled in the BELLE-2 trial will receive either Fulvestrant, (the drug most post-menopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer receive when their disease progresses) and a placebo, or Fulvestrant and the investigational PI3K inhibitor. Patients will not

know which combination they will receive.

The investigational drug (or the placebo) is taken as a daily capsule. Fulvestrant is given as an intramuscular injection on a regularly prescribed cycle.

Studies are conducted in 28-day cycles.

Participants will be asked to come in prior to the study for screening. If enrolled, participants will be asked to come for visits at day 1, day 15 and day 22 of Cycle 1.

After that, they will be asked to visit the study doctor during cycles 2 and 3 every two weeks. Then, starting with cycle 4, participants will need to visit the study doctor on the first day of each cycle.

There will be an “end of treatment” visit once they have completed the treatment phase, and they will continue to be monitored with study visits every three months after completion of the study visit.

In order to participate in this study, patients will need to be seen by Mercy Medical Center staff. Screening tests will be performed to make sure patients are eligible for the study.

Participants will not be paid for taking part in this study. They will not be charged for the investigational drug while participating in this study.

All procedures performed solely for research purposes — that is, those that are required only for this study, and that are not part of participants’ regular medical care — will be provided at no charge. Participants or their health plan will need to pay for medicines and clinic, hospital and doctors’ services that are part of regular medical care.

Participation is voluntary. For more information, or to volunteer to be considered for the study, email Sara Ruff at sruff@mdmercy.com, or Lisa McConnell at lmcconnell@md mercy.com, or call (410) 332-1200.

The study takes place at Mercy Medical Center, 227 St. Paul Place, Baltimore.

For health study details, return coupon on page 5.

BALTIMORE BEACON — MARCH 2014

Medical tests From page 9 how professionals and patients should handle these surprises. Among the recommendations: • Doctors, researchers and direct-toconsumer companies alike should inform potential patients about the possibility of incidental findings before they undergo a medical test. They should clearly explain what will and won’t be disclosed, so patients can make an informed decision about whether and how to proceed.

• Professional groups should develop guidelines about incidental findings common to different tests, and how to handle them.

• The government should fund more research into the costs, benefits and harms of identifying, disclosing and managing different incidental findings.

• Health workers should explore the pros and cons of test results with patients ahead of time, in what’s called shared decision-making, to learn what they don’t want to be told.

The ability to preemptively opt out of hearing results differs from guidelines issued earlier this year by the American College of Medical Genetics. That group says laboratories should automatically notify doctors if genetic tests turn up any of about 50 genes linked to two dozen diseases that might be treatable or preventable if discovered early.

“When people go into these kinds of tests, you never think...that you’re the one that’s going to have something found,” explained ACMG Executive Director Michael Watson.

“We didn’t think they should opt out of hearing about those results prior to the test.”

People should be educated about incidental findings in time to consider how they’d

BEACON BITS

Mar. 16

HOW WOMEN CHANGED THE LANDSCAPE Progressive women Eliza Eichelberger Ridgely (1803-1867) and

Helen West Stewart Ridgely (1853-1928) used their knowledge and vision to transform the landscape on the Hampton Estate, 535 Hampton Ln., Towson. Join Curator Gregory Weidman on Sunday, March 16, at the Hampton National Historic Site from 2 to 3 p.m. for an informative discussion about these historic women.

For more information, visit www.nps.gov/hamp or call (410) 823-1309.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

want to handle one, said Dr. Sarah Hilgenberg of Stanford University, who told the bioethics panel about her own experience.

As a medical student, Hilgenberg enrolled in a study of memory that scanned her brain. Researchers weren’t obligated to reveal the suspicious spot they found,

11

but did — letting her get treatment for an abnormality that otherwise might have triggered dangerous bleeding.

“I would imagine it doesn’t ordinarily cross people’s minds,” said Hilgenberg, who praised the recommendations.

— AP

Lost strength and mobility with age?

A local muscle strength research study for people 70 and over may provide at no cost: • Study medication • Study-related care from a local doctor • Reimbursement for time and travel

Call 866-441-6368 or visit www.MuscleLossTrial.com

12

Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

MARCH 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

A glucose monitor inside a contact lens

By Martha Mendoza Brian Otis gingerly holds what looks like a typical contact lens on his index finger. Look closer. Sandwiched in this lens are two twinkling glitter-specks loaded with tens of thousands of miniaturized transistors. Plus, it’s ringed with a hair-thin antenna.

Together these remarkable miniature electronics can monitor glucose levels in tears of diabetics, and then wirelessly transmit them to a handheld device.

“It doesn’t look like much, but it was a crazy amount of work to get everything so very small,” Otis said.

During years of soldering hair-thin wires to miniaturize electronics, Otis burned his fingertips so often that he can no longer feel the tiny chips he made from scratch in Google’s Silicon Valley headquarters. It’s a small price to pay for what he says is the smallest wireless glucose sensor ever made.

In the beach town of Santa Cruz, Calif., high school soccer coach and university senior Michael Vahradian, 21, has his own set of fingertip callouses. His come from pricking himself up to 10 times a day for the past 17 years to draw blood for his glucose meter. A cellphone-sized pump on his hip attaches to a flexible tube, implanted in his stomach, which shoots rapid-acting insulin into his body around the clock.

“I remember at first it was really hard to make the needle sticks a habit because it hurt so much,” he said. “And there are still times I don’t want to do it — it hurts and it’s inconvenient.

“When I’m hanging out with friends, heading down to the beach to body-surf or going to lunch, I have to hold everyone up to take my blood sugar.”

The idea that all of that monitoring could be going on passively, through a contact lens, is especially promising for the world’s 382 million diabetics who need

insulin and keep a close watch on their blood sugar.

Years from the market The prototype, which Google says will take at least five years to reach consumers, is one of several medical devices being designed by companies to make glucose monitoring for diabetic patients more convenient and less invasive than traditional finger pricks.

The contact lenses were developed during the past 18 months in the clandestine Google X lab that also came up with a driverless car, Google’s Web-surfing eyeglasses, and Project Loon, a network of large balloons designed to beam the Internet to unwired places.

But research on the contact lenses began several years earlier at the University of Washington, where scientists with National Science Foundation funding worked. Until January, when Google shared information about the project with the Associated Press, the work had been kept under wraps.

“You can take it to a certain level in an academic setting, but at Google we were given the latitude to invest in this project,” Otis said. “The beautiful thing is we’re leveraging all of the innovation in the semiconductor industry that was aimed at making cellphones smaller and more powerful.”

American Diabetes Association board chair Dwight Holing said he’s gratified that creative scientists are searching for

solutions for people with diabetes but warned that the device must provide accurate and timely information.

“People with diabetes base very important healthcare decisions on the data we get from our monitors,” he said.

Other innovative monitors Other non-needle glucose monitoring systems are also in the works, including a similar contact lens by Netherlands-based NovioSense; a minuscule, flexible spring that is tucked under an eyelid; Israel-based OrSense has already tested a thumb cuff, and there have been early designs for tattoo and saliva sensors.

A wristwatch monitor was approved by the FDA in 2001, but patients said the low level electric currents pulling fluid from their skin was painful, and it was buggy.

“There are a lot of people who have big promises,” said Dr. Christopher Wilson, CEO of NovioSense. “It’s just a question of who gets to market with something that really works first.”

Palo Alto Medical Foundation endocrinologist Dr. Larry Levin said it was remarkable and important that a tech firm like Google is getting into the medical field. He’d like to be able to offer his patients a pain-free alternative from either pricking their fingers or living with a thick needle embedded in their stomach for constant monitoring.

“Google, they’re innovative, they are up See HI-TECH MONITORS, page 13

BEACON BITS

Mar. 13

CARE FOR YOUR KIDNEYS March is National Kidney Month, and March 13 is World Kidney

Day. Our kidneys work around the clock to filter 200 liters of blood daily, removing two liters of toxins, wastes and water in the process. When the kidneys are damaged, they may not be able to keep you healthy, and as kidney disease progresses, wastes can build to high levels in your blood and make you feel sick.

Prevention and early detection of kidney disease is critical. For information about early detection and treatment of kidney disease, visit the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org.

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!

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — MARCH 2014

Hi-tech monitors From page 12 on new technologies, and also we have to be honest here, the driving force is money,” he said.

Worldwide, the glucose-monitoring devices market is expected to be more than $16 billion by the end of this year, according to analysts at Renub Research.

The Google team built the wireless chips in clean rooms and used advanced engineering to get integrated circuits and a glucose sensor into such a small space.

Researchers also had to build in a system to pull energy from incoming radio frequency waves to power the device enough to collect and transmit one glucose reading per second. The embedded electronics in the lens don’t obscure vision because they lie outside the eye’s pupil and iris.

Google is now looking for partners with

experience bringing similar products to market. Google officials declined to say how many people worked on the project or how much the firm has invested in it.

Dr. David Klonoff, medical director of the diabetes research institute at MillsPeninsula Health Services in San Mateo, worked with Google to see whether glucose is present in tears and whether the amount of glucose is proportional to the amount of glucose in blood. He’s still analyzing, but optimistic about his findings, while he warns there are many potential pitfalls.

“Already this has some breakthrough technologies, but this is a moonshot, there are so many challenges,” he said.

One is figuring out how to correlate glucose levels in tears as compared with blood. And what happens on windy days, while chopping onions or during very sad movies?

As with any medical device, to win FDA

approval it would need to be tested and proved accurate, safe and at least as good as other types of glucose sensors available now.

Karen Rose Tank, who left her career as an economist to be a health and wellness coach after her Type 1 diabetes diagnosis 18 years ago, also is encouraged that new

glucose monitoring methods may be on the horizon.

“It’s really exciting that some of the big tech companies are getting into this market,” she said. “They bring so much ingenuity; they’re able to look outside the box.”

— AP

BEACON BITS

Mar. 8

LIFE OF BENJAMIN BANNEKER’S SISTER Bring the family and join the Friends of Benjamin Banneker

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MARCH 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

So many benefits come from probiotics

By Suzy Cohen Dear Pharmacist: What is your go-to supplement for immunity? I want to get through the season without getting sick this year. — L.S. Dear L.S.: My answer is probiotics, because your immune system is in your GI tract. Probiotics also improve energy and metabolism by activating thyroid hormone. This makes you feel energetic and helps you lose weight.

Your microbiome includes beneficial bacteria that extract vitamins and minerals from your food, thus ‘feeding’ your cells. A person can eat and eat, and it won’t support you nutritionally at a cellular level unless the nutrients are extracted from your meals. This is why overweight people are actually malnourished at the cellular level.

Probiotics improve allergic conditions by retraining your immune cells to tell the difference between harmful and nonharmful things you are exposed to. This is

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particularly helpful to asthmatics.

Probiotics relieve constipation, and that reduces headaches, because if you eliminate waste properly, then toxins don’t build up in your body.

My rule is, if toxins build up in your blood, they back up in your head. These toxins are “migrenades,� they go off in your body like a grenade, causing migraines. Probiotics get rid of some migrenades.

Probiotics help rid you of excess neurotransmitters. If you are stressed, nervous, sad, overwhelmed, or you cry easily, I suggest taking probiotics.

They influence hundreds of genes in your body, including the genes that help you fight infection, which is a terrific perk this time of year.

I suggest taking them while you’re on an antibiotic. Many people wait until they are done with their entire antibiotic course before starting probiotics, but this causes a lot of damage to the gut in terms of lost beneficial bacteria.

Here’s how to take them at the same time. After you swallow prescribed antibiotics, they eventually exit your gut and enter your bloodstream. That’s the time to take your probiotic supplement. So wait about two hours after taking your medicine, then take your probiotic.

High-quality probiotic products are sometimes fermented to combine different strains. Here are some of the most popular strains found in supplements: Bifidobacterium breve — Prevents diarrhea and supports natural antibody production.

Bifidobacterium infantis — Fights E. coli and protects against inflammation of the colon and stomach.

Bifidobacterium longum — Protects

you from the negative effects of nitrates in food, eases lactose intolerance, diarrhea and food allergies.

Enterococcus faecalis or TH-10 — Very potent against some deadly organisms, this strain also removes toxins in the colon, digests proteins (proteolytic) and helps allergies.

Lactobacillus acidophilus — Neutralizes yeast, campylobacter and some flu strains, while helping to lower cholesterol levels.

You often see this in yogurt, though I am not convinced it’s alive for long in yogurt.

Lactobacillus bulgaricus — May help digestive problems and acid reflux.

Lactobacillus plantarum — Protects against some gram-negative bacteria and produces natural antibodies. Often found in sauerkraut and pickles.

Streptococcus thermophilus — Possesses strong antioxidant activity due to “superoxide dismutase,� an enzyme known to have anti-tumor activity.

These long words may sound intimidating, but all you have to do is read the label and see if these strains are listed on your product. Most are common.

Among the brands that have some of these strains are Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic by Essential Formulas (contains TH-10 strain), ProBio by Enzymedica, and KyoDophilus by Kyolic. You should be able to find these brands in health food stores and pharmacies across the country.

In addition to taking these when you are on antibiotics, you can use these every day for immune health and digestive support.

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.

Contact her at www.dearpharmacist.com.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health

BALTIMORE BEACON — MARCH 2014

15

When a ring has a string attached to it

By Helen Oxenberg, MSW, ACSW Dear Solutions: I’m a widow, and when my grandson became engaged, I gave him my engagement ring, which was in a very special setting. It was my gift to him to give to his fiancé.

He did, telling her that he would really like it if she kept it with the original setting, as it had been an heirloom, but, of course, it would be her choice. She did keep it that way.

Then, after being married just a year and a half, she left the marriage, and they’re divorced.

I would like her to return the ring to me. After all, it was really a gift from me to my grandson. He is very upset about the breakup of the marriage.

I understand she now wears it on her right hand as just another piece of jewelry. Should I ask for it back?

— Aggravated Dear Aggravated: Evidently, you wanted a string on the ring, and that the string should be attached right back to you.

Let’s face the facts. When you gave it to your grandson, it became his, and he could do with it as he pleased. When he gave it to his fiancé, it became hers, representing her promise to marry him. And she did

marry him, and so she and the ring kept their promises.

I know you’re upset, and it’s very sad that the marriage didn’t work. But the engagement did — they did get married after being engaged.

You could, of course, ask your grandson how he would feel about this. Or you could, very nicely, contact her, mention that the ring was an heirloom, and ask if she would consider returning it.

Steel yourself to just accept a rejection, and start to focus on helping your grandson to move on and look for better fortune in the future.

Dear Solutions: I have different kinds of friends, and one of them who I love dearly is loud and not too cultured or refined, but good hearted and loads of fun.

One of my old friends from school days told me recently that I should be aware that people will judge me as being the same as her if I keep being friends with her. “You know,” she said with a very smug look, “birds of a feather...”

I’m having a party, and I was planning to invite both of these friends.

Should I tell them they’re both invited?

— Renee Dear Renee: You’re your own bird. Don’t worry about

being judged the same as your “loud” friend.

When birds of a feather “flock together” they can be pretty boring because they’re all the same. A different feather enlivens the scene.

Invite them both without any apologies or request for permission. If your smug friend doesn’t like it, open the window so she can fly away.

Dear Solutions: We’re both widowed, and we’ve been going out with each other for a while now. I think we would be great together, and I think he really does, too.

How do I get him to talk marriage?

He says he loves me and wouldn’t want to lose me, but every time the subject comes up, he says, “I don’t

know. I don’t think I’m ready.”

I love him, but I don’t know whether to walk away or to hang around waiting.

— Grace Dear Grace: Unless you want to end up as a “lady in waiting,” you’d better set a limit on your “hang around” time. Be clear and say what you want.

Then give “I don’t know” six months to change to “I know” — one way or another.

Ambivalence doesn’t buy time, it just kills time. Good luck. © Helen Oxenberg, 2014. Questions to be considered for this column may be sent to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915. You may also email the author at helox72@comcast.net.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon

17

COMPUTER-DRIVEN CARS Safer self-driving cars are on the horizon; some features, like collision avoidance, are already available

Money Law &

LESS TAXING TAXES Low-income seniors may not have to file taxes; for those who must file, free help is available SHORT AND SWEET Short-term bond funds offer higher rates, but buy those with high ratings to reduce the risk of losing money

How to find and use the best credit cards

By Elliot Raphaelson For most financial institutions, extending credit (and collecting interest from the credit card holders) represents a significant portion of their income. Their objective is to develop products that will maximize their profit.

Your objective, on the other hand, should be to use the credit they offer to maximize benefits for you. Here are some suggestions.

First, make every effort to pay down your outstanding credit card balances to reduce interest charges — and eventually carry no balance and avoid all interest charges. Use money from savings accounts earning low interest to reduce your outstanding credit card balances, which probably charge you considerably higher interest.

Keep in mind that if you do not pay your credit card balance in full each month, it is likely that you are incurring interest charges as soon as you purchase something.

If you are unable to pay your balance on any card in full at the end of the month, use a different credit card (with no annual fee) for new purchases, and pay the bill in

full at the end of the month. This way you will not incur additional interest costs.

Take advantage of rewards Rewards cards can be another way to take maximum advantage of credit. What’s best for you will depend on your spending habits. There are several no-fee credit cards (some of which I list below) that provide significant cash or statement credits, and no interest charges as long as you pay your balance in full.

Target’s REDcard offers a 5 percent immediate credit on all purchases, and offers very good prices, especially on staple grocery items. [Editor’s note: Target’s recent problems with hackers’ theft of shoppers’ private information might be a concern. But presumably they’re on their guard now.]

Chase Freedom Visa changes its promotions every three months, selecting a few categories to pay back 5 percent cash or credit, and offering 1 percent back for all other purchases. For example, during the first three months of 2014, there is a 5 percent credit for gas stations, movies and Starbucks. New cardholders will receive a $200 bonus for spending $500 in the first

three months.

If you have an account with Fidelity, the Fidelity Rewards American Express Card offers a 2 percent credit for all purchases.

The Capital One QuicksilverCash Rewards (Visa) card offers 1.5 percent cash or credit for all purchases, with a $100 bonus for spending $500 in the first three months.

The Blue Cash American Express Card offers a 3 percent credit for supermarket purchases (up to $6,000 per year), 2 percent for gas, and 1 percent for all others, with a $50 credit if you spend $1,000 in the first three months.

The bottom line is that you can use multiple cards and receive at least a 1.5 percent discount for all purchases if you are

selective. There is no downside in using multiple cards if you pay your balance each month.

Cards for medical bills Another way to use credit cards to your advantage is paying for medical expenses.

Some credit cards available for medical expenses have received poor press lately.

My experience with CareCredit has been very good. I use it whenever I have major expenses, because as long as I pay the bill within the designated period (sometimes 12 months, sometimes 18 months), it is interest-free. It is crucial to See CREDIT CARDS, page 18

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MARCH 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Computer-driven cars have big benefits

By Joan Lowy In some ways, computers make ideal drivers: They don’t drink and then climb behind the wheel. They don’t do drugs, get distracted, fall asleep, run red lights or tailgate. And their reaction times are quicker.

They do such a good job, in fact, that a new study says self-driving cars and trucks hold the potential to transform driving by eliminating the majority of traffic deaths, significantly reducing congestion, and providing tens of billions of dollars in econom-

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ic benefits.

But significant hurdles to widespread use of self-driving cars remain, the most important of which is likely to be cost.

Added sensors, software and engineering, as well as power and computing requirements, currently tally over $100,000 per vehicle, clearly unaffordable for most people, the study said. But large-scale production “promises greater affordability over time,” it concluded.

Questions also remain about public acceptance, liability in event of an accident, and the ability of automakers to prevent car computers from being hacked.

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Nevertheless, the advantages of selfdriving cars are such that if only 10 percent of cars and trucks on the road were self-driving, they could reduce traffic deaths by 1,000 per year and produce nearly $38 billion in economic and other sav-

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Credit cards From page 17 pay your balances in full by the deadline; otherwise, interest will be charged for the whole period at high interest rates.

It is also very useful to have a line of credit available. One option, if you own your home, is a home equity line of credit.

I rarely use mine, but there was no fee for opening it, and the interest rate is quite low.

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ings, said the study by the Eno Center for Transportation, a foundation dedicated to improving transportation.

If 90 percent of vehicles were self-driving, as many as 21,700 lives per year could be saved, and economic and other benefits could reach a staggering $447 billion, said the study, a copy of which was provided to the Associated Press.

“There will be many steps before we get to that, but it does feel like there is a whole new world that completely changes everything in terms of our perspective on driving that could emerge eventually,” said Joshua Schank, Eno’s president and CEO. For example, the passenger compartment may be transformed as former drivers safely work on laptops, eat meals, read books, watch movies and call friends.

And cars that can be programmed to pick up people, drive them to their destinaSee SELF-DRIVING CARS, page 19

Lenders, especially credit card issuers, earn significant income when consumers do not pay their full balance. If you pay in full each month, credit cards can be very useful. Unfortunately, about 50 percent of consumers always carry a balance. This is good for the issuers, but not for you.

As a court mediator, every week I see the unfortunate result of lawsuits initiated because consumers are unable to make even minimum payments. Use credit wisely. It’s too easy to pay only the minimum each month, and find your balances out of control.

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

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Self-driving cars From page 18 tion, and then park by themselves may change the lives of older adults and those with disabilities by providing much-needed mobility.

Once a critical mass of self-driving cars is on the road, they can start “platooning” — driving closely together, but keeping a steady distance between each other, without the fuel-burning, time-wasting, stopand-go typical of traffic congestion. That could smooth traffic flows, reduce commute times, and increase highway capacity.

Eliminating human error Government research indicates driver error is likely the main reason behind over 90 percent of all crashes. Over 40 percent of fatal traffic crashes involve alcohol, distraction, drugs or fatigue. Because selfdriven vehicles wouldn’t fall prey to such human failings, they offer the potential for

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at least a 40 percent reduction in fatal crashes, the study said.

Crashes can also be due to speeding, aggressive driving, over-compensation, inexperience, slow reaction times, inattention, and various other human driver shortcomings, the report noted, suggesting that computers could also eliminate the problems that result from them.

But Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the consumer advocacy group Center for Auto Safety, cautioned that while selfdriving cars hold great promise for reducing accidents caused by driver error, much will depend upon the safety standards the government sets for the vehicles and how well manufacturers make them. Otherwise, he said, “you could be substituting computer errors for human errors.”

Spurred by what some see as the future direction of the auto industry, carmakers are stepping up their research. General Motors and Nissan are furthest along, but Audi, BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Toy-

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

ota, Volkswagen and Volvo have also begun testing driverless systems. Google’s self-driving cars have clocked over 400,000 miles on California public roads.

Some features now available Many of the features that go into creating a self-driving car are already available, especially in high-end cars: Adaptive cruise control adjusts speed faster or slower in response to traffic.

Lane departure systems warn drivers when they’re drifting out of their lane, and some can even automatically steer the car back.

Collision avoidance systems automatically brake to prevent front-to-rear crashes.

Parking assist systems range from rearview cameras that show drivers what is behind them to vehicles that can actually park themselves.

The hardest part will likely be making self-driving cars “cost effective to the point where this is not just a gadget that some

19

people enjoy, but becomes mainstream,” Schank said.

For example, hybrid and electric vehicles still haven’t overcome their price gap with conventional vehicles, and so remain at a smaller share of the auto market than people had anticipated they would be at this point, he said.

States are already seeking to prepare the way for self-driving cars to join other vehicles on the road. California, Florida and Nevada have passed laws to regulate the licensing and operation of self-driving cars. California has directed that licensing requirements be ready by 2015.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has urged states to establish procedures for testing self-driving cars on public roads, but has also cautioned states against licensing sales of the vehicles to the general public. The agency is also conducting its own research on the vehicles.

— AP

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MARCH 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Tax season approaches: how to get help

By Jim Miller Q. What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for seniors this tax season? My income dropped way down when I retired last year, so I’m wondering if I need to even file a tax return this year.

Recently Retired Dear Recently: Whether or not you are required to file a federal income tax return this year depends on your gross income, as well as

your filing status and age. Your gross income includes all the income you receive that is not exempt from tax, not including Social Security benefits, unless you are married and filing separately.

To get a detailed breakdown on federal filing requirements, along with information on taxable and nontaxable income, call the IRS at 1-800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you a free copy of the “Tax Guide for Seniors” (publication 554).

You can also download a copy to your

computer through the IRS website at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p554.pdf.

In the meantime, here’s a rundown of the IRS filing requirements for this tax season. If your gross income from 2013 was lower than the amount listed in your filing status, you probably won’t have to file. But if it’s over, you will.

• Single: $10,000 ($11,500 if you’re 65 or older by Jan. 1, 2014).

• Married filing jointly: $20,000 ($21,200 if you or your spouse is 65 or older; or $22,400 if you’re both over 65).

• Married filing separately: $3,900 at any age.

• Head of household: $12,850 ($14,350 if age 65 or older).

• Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child: $16,100 ($17,300 if age 65 or older).

Be aware that there are some special financial situations that require you to file a tax return, even if your gross income falls below the IRS filing requirement.

For example, if you had net earnings from self-employment in 2013 of $400 or more, or if you owe any special taxes to the IRS, such as alternative minimum tax or IRA tax penalties, you’ll probably need to file.

To figure this out, the IRS offers a resource on its website called “Do I Need to File a Tax Return?” It asks a series of questions whose answers will help you determine if you’re required to file, or if you should file because you’re due a refund.

You can access this page at www.irs.gov

/uac/Do-I-Need-to-File-a-Tax-Return%3F, or you can get assistance over the phone by calling the IRS helpline at 1-800-8291040.

Tax prep assistance If you find that you do need to file a tax return this year, and are having difficulty completing the forms, you can get free face-to-face help through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program. Sponsored by the IRS, TCE provides free tax preparation and counseling to middle and low-income taxpayers age 60 and older.

Call 1-800-906-9887 for eligibility details and to locate a service near you.

Also check with AARP, a participant in the TCE program, which provides free tax preparation at dozens of sites in the area. To locate an AARP Tax-Aide site, call 1-888-227-7669 or visit www.aarp.org/findtaxhelp. You don’t have to be an AARP member to use this service.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program serves people of all ages with incomes of $52,000 or less. There are 12 VITA locations in Baltimore City and County. For more information, see http://bit.ly/baltimorevita or call (443) 692-9487.

To get a list of both VITA and TCE locations near you, use the search form at the IRS website at http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep.

Send your questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.

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Short-term bond funds offer higher rates

By Carolyn Bigda Low yields, combined with talk of the Federal Reserve scaling back its easymoney policies, have left bond investors with a big headache.

So it’s no surprise that investment firms are rolling out short-term high-yield bond funds to try to ease the pain. At least four companies, including Fidelity, did so in 2013.

Like other junk bond funds, the new products invest in debt issued by companies with a lower-than-investment-quality credit rating. The relatively high interest payments from the bonds provide a cushion against rising interest rates. (Bond prices and rates generally move in opposite directions.)

In addition, the new funds’ short maturities (about 3.5 years, on average) should further insulate their share prices from rising rates.

“When you shorten the investing time frame, you can have much more confidence in a company’s credit story,” said Matt Conti, lead manager of Fidelity Short Duration High Income (symbol FSAHX), which launched in November.

The big catch is that most short-term junk funds don’t have much of a record.

Moreover, the flurry of new funds is coming at a time when junk’s yield advantage has shrunk.

At the end of 2013, the gap between short-term junk bonds and comparable Treasuries was a bit more than 4 percentage points. A year earlier, the spread was 6.6 points.

If the economy stumbles and investors get nervous about the ability of companies to repay their debts, junk bond prices could fall, said Chris Cordaro, chief investment officer at RegentAtlantic Capital.

How to choose the funds So stick with funds that favor bonds rated BB (the highest quality of junk) and B. Wells Fargo Advantage Short-Term High Yield Bond (STHBX), which has a record of more than 16 years, is a good bet. The fund yields 2.1 percent, and over the past year it produced a total return of 3.7 percent.

That’s nothing to brag about. But when the junk bond market swoons, the fund tends to beat its peers. In 2008, for example, Advantage lost 5.8 percent, compared with a plunge of 26.4 percent for the average junk bond fund.

Fidelity does a good job with bonds, so its new fund bears watching. The fund aims to keep about 10 percent of its assets in high-grade bonds, providing a bit more protection against market shocks.

Prefer a longer track record? Consider Fidelity Floating Rate High Income (FFRHX), which buys bank loans made to low-quality firms. Interest rates on those loans reset every 30 to 90 days, so the fund is well protected from rising interest rates.

The fund yields 2.5 percent.

Carolyn Bigda is a contributing editor to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. ©2014 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Careers Volunteers &

Does your organization use senior volunteers or do you employ a number of seniors?

If you do and you’d like to be considered for a story in our Volunteers & Careers section, please send an email to info@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

Overnight relay event takes aim at cancer

A personal connection Irwin first became involved with Relay for Life after the mother of a friend of hers

died of breast cancer. Irwin’s brother is also a cancer survivor, and now a police officer whom she knows is confronting breast cancer herself.

“Everyone you know knows someone who has been touched by cancer,” said Irwin.

Besides Irwin’s own driving personality, she has a little help from her team mascot, a stuffed polar bear. Its cuteness factor initially was used to entice people to make donations to support Irwin and the “Freeze Brigade,” a group of hearty souls who take the Polar Bear Plunge every year.

Now the plush pal is doing double duty as the mascot of Irwin’s relay team. “He gets around,” she laughed. Irwin hopes to sign up 25 to 30 people for her team.

Several events The Relay for Life of North Baltimore County Towson is one of many relays held between April and June to honor cancer survivors, raise awareness about what we can all do to reduce our cancer risk, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease.

Among other relays in the area: The Relay for Life of Parkville High School will

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be held March 15. Loyola University and Eastern Technical High School in Essex will hold their relay on March 29. Johns Hopkins University will hold one on April 5, and UMBC on April 11.

Irwin’s relay will take place on June 7 at Goucher College in Towson. It will begin at 6 p.m.

The event includes an opening ceremony to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, to inspire hope by sharing recent accomplishments and progress, and to remind everyone that while we are winning this battle, fighting cancer is a year-round priority.

In addition, there will be a Survivors Lap in which cancer PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE IRWIN

By Carol Sorgen When she was a Baltimore County police officer, Jane Irwin took the community’s well-being seriously. Recently retired, Irwin continues doing so, but on a different level.

Previously a participant in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the 50year-old Irwin is now leading a team of her own this year at the Relay for Life of North Baltimore County Towson, to be held on Saturday, June 7.

The relay is an organized community fundraising walk that takes place overnight.

Teams of people camp out around a track, and team members take turns walking around the track.

Each year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries participate in the Relay for Life, raising more than $400 million worldwide.

As a team leader, Irwin is recruiting team members through social media efforts, as well as among her former law enforcement colleagues and others.

Jane Irwin, together with her polar bear team mascot, works to raise money for cancer programs through the Relay for Life of North Baltimore County Towson. Relay for Life events will be held throughout the area this spring.

survivors take the first lap around the track to celebrate their victory over cancer, a lumiSee CANCER WALK, page 23

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Volunteers & Careers

BALTIMORE BEACON — MARCH 2014

23

Older workers find home healthcare jobs

By Matt Sedensky Paul Gregoline lies in bed, awaiting the helper who will get him up, bathed and groomed. He is 92 years old, has Alzheimer’s disease, and needs a hand with nearly every task the day brings.

When the aide arrives, though, he doesn’t look so different from the client himself — bald and bespectacled. “Just a couple of old geezers,” jokes Warren Manchess, Gregoline’s 74-year-old caregiver.

As demand for senior services provided by nurses’ aides, home health aides and other such workers grows with the aging of baby boomers, so are those professions’ employment of other seniors. The new face of America’s network of caregivers is increasingly wrinkled.

Largest group is 55+ Among the overall population of directcare workers, 29 percent are projected to be 55 or older by 2018, up from 22 percent a decade earlier, according to an analysis by the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI), a New York-based nonprofit.

PHI advocates for workers caring for the

country’s elderly and disabled.

In some segments of the workforce, including personal and home care aides, those 55 and older are the largest single age demographic.

“I think people are surprised that this workforce is as old as it is,” said Abby Marquand, a researcher at PHI. “There’s often people who have chronic disease themselves who have to muster up the energy to perform these really physically taxing caregiving needs.”

Manchess came out of retirement to work for Home Instead Senior Care after caring for his mother-in-law, who also had Alzheimer’s and whom he regarded as his hero. The experience, though taxing, inspired his new career.

Three days a week, he arrives at Gregoline’s house, giving the retired electrician’s wife a needed break. He carefully

Mar. 27

PARK VOLUNTEER TRAINING

If you like sharing nature with children, Cromwell Valley Park is looking for volunteers to help with school field trips. No experience is necessary, and training is provided.

The next training session is Thursday, March 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch is provided. Contact Maureen Larkin at (410) 887-3014 or maureen@cromwellvalleypark.org.

Ongoing

NEW WIG DONATIONS NEEDED

The American Cancer Society is in need of new wigs to help cancer patients cope with hair loss brought on by chemotherapy. Email jen.burdette@cancer.org or call (410) 7816909.

See HEALTHCARE JOBS, page 24

AT ATR I U M V I LLAG E

From page 22

BEACON BITS

his beloved Bears, and sometimes pulls out dominoes or puzzles to pass the time.

Gregoline is rather sedate this afternoon, relaxing in his favorite chair while occasion-

Welcome Spring

Cancer walk naria ceremony to remember people lost to cancer, and a closing ceremony to celebrate the commitment of all participants to fight the disease. There will also be a full schedule of entertainment and activities.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to bring people together,” said Irwin. “It’s not only fun, but it’s inspirational as well.”

To become a team member or leader, contact Sheila Staub, Event Chair, Relay for Life of North Baltimore County, at (410) 4722340, email bmoreinvolved@gmail.com, or visit www.relayforlife.org/NBCMD.

shaves and dresses his client, prepares breakfast and lunch, cleans the house, and quickly remedies any accidents.

He does the laundry and swaddles Gregoline in a warm towel from the dryer, reads him the sports page to keep him updated on

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Healthcare jobs From page 23

ty well. Maybe I didn’t seem to be too much out of the ordinary.”

Around the country, senior service agencies are seeing a burgeoning share of older workers. About one-third of Home Instead’s 65,000 caregivers are over 60.

Visiting Angels, another in-home care provider, says about 30 percent of its workers are over 50. And at least one network, Seniors Helping Seniors, is built entirely on the model of hiring older caregivers.

Like most occupations, some of the growth in older caregivers is driven by the overall aging of the population and the trend of people working later in life.

But with incredibly high rates of turnover and a constant need for more workers, home care agencies have also shown a willingness to hire older people new to the field who have found a tough job market as they try to supplement their

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

retirement income.

Physically demanding, low pay The jobs are among the fastest-growing positions in the U.S., but are also notoriously physically demanding, with low pay and high rates of injury.

Manchess has had spinal surgery, and says he’s especially careful when vacuuming. He’s not sure how many years he’ll be able to continue this work, and he acknowledges it can be tough.

“Halfway through my shift, I’m a little weary myself,” he said. “It takes its toll.”

Manchess had worked as an Air Force pilot, then in real estate, then as a school bus driver before becoming a professional caregiver. As Gregoline contentedly nibbles on his ham sandwich, Manchess wraps up his shift, turning reflective when considering his life’s careers.

“I think this [job] is about as rewarding, if not more rewarding, than any of them,” he said.

— AP

AP PHOTO/DARRON CUMMINGS

ally offering glimpses of his trademark wit.

Asked if he remembered anything about the Army, he says: “It was a bitch!” Offered the chance to go outdoors, he responds: “No! I’ll freeze my ass off out there!” Describing an abrasive personality of long ago, he offers: “He followed me around like a bad conscience.”

Manchess has worked for Gregoline for about a year, and the men are at ease around each other. Past aides to Gregoline have been in their 20s, but Manchess says he thinks his age is an asset.

“Age can be an advantage,” he said, pointing to the common conversation points and life experience, including his own health troubles, and aches and pains that can come with age. “We hit it off pret-

MARCH 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

COURT-APPOINTED ADVOCATES NEEDED A court-appointed special advocate or “CASA” is a trained volun-

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BALTIMORE BEACON — MARCH 2014

Say you saw it in the Beacon

Travel

25

Leisure &

Older skiers spend more time on the slopes. See story on page 27.

Tracing an ancient pilgrim route in France

Why walk “The Way”?

I first learned about “The Way” in 2010 when I saw the movie of that name starring

Martin Sheen. Sheen played an American doctor who learns much about the meaning of life through the people he meets walking the pilgrimage.

While that was my introduction, the pilgrimage itself has been known since at least the 9th century C.E., and has been followed in whole or in part by many thousands of people who have walked the network of ancient pilgrim routes that stretch across Western Europe.

The routes eventually converge and end at the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela at the western-most tip of Spain. There, according to tradition, the remains of the apostle St. James were buried after being transported by boat from Jerusalem.

Historically, most people made the pilgrimage for religious reasons. Others had a more worldly agenda.

Some people in the Middle Ages set off on foot after being promised that their debts would be forgiven if they completed the journey. For others, it provided a temporary escape from the rigors of village life. Then there were those who saw the pious pilgrims trudging along as easy targets to rob.

A diversity of reasons continues to this day. A young French couple named Lucie and Sebastian explained that they recently made the trek because “it has always been our dream to walk hundreds of miles through breath-taking scenery.”

A school teacher from New Hampshire, who has walked on stretches of the trail a number of times, keeps a list of reasons

PHOTO BY VICTOR BLOCK

By Victor Block Until recently, I would have said that St. Francis of Assisi, Shirley MacLaine and I had little in common. That was before my wife Fyllis and I took a memorable walking trip through southern France, following stretches of one of the most popular and historically important pilgrimage routes in the world.

St. Francis, the Italian friar who is one of the most venerated religious figures of all time, made the pilgrimage in the 13th century. For Shirley MacLaine, the long trek was part of the spiritual self-exploration for which she is known.

Fyllis and I followed short sections of “The Way,” as the trail is known, for a more mundane reason. We were on a “walking through history” tour that provided an introduction to the fascinating story of that wellknown religious route, and much more.

The pre-trip information that we received from the New England Hiking Holidays tour company also promised visits to remote medieval villages and walled cities, fortresses and castles, and an immersion in the history and culture of a region unfamiliar even to many French people.

Added to that were memorable accommodations, some in centuries-old castles, and food and wine that my taste buds still recall with delight. No surprise there; after all, we were in France!

PHOTO BY VICTOR BLOCK

Participants in the eight-day "walking through history" tour led by New England Hiking Holidays walk several hours each morning and afternoon at a slow but steady pace along paved roadways through scenic, rural France.

The medieval town of Conques, at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains in southern France, is a stopping point for those walking The Way of St. James, a network of religious pilgrimage routes across Western Europe.

people tell him they made the journey. It includes among the stated goals hoping to give up smoking and to lose weight.

While much of the network of trails is flat and on good paths, there are places that are steeper. After huffing and puffing up a few of them, I figured that weight loss is a fact for virtually everyone who makes the trek. There were times when I gratefully accepted the suggestion of our guide Richard Posner that trip participants could walk at their own pace.

During the eight-day trip, we usually walked about two to three hours in the morning, had a picnic lunch and then walked about two more hours. We kept a slow but steady pace, pretty much geared to the slowest walkers. If someone wanted to skip a morning, afternoon or both hikes one day, they could.

After climbs up gentle rises in country roads, and somewhat steeper hills traversed by walking trails, we were rewarded with views rivaling those in any travel brochure.

Distant mountains served as backdrops for fields of multi-hued wildflowers. Fields planted in beans and barley surrounded vineyards whose grapes are destined to provide outstanding wines. Here and there, the silhouette of small towns dotted the landscape.

Through the Middle Ages At stops to admire the scenery, and even as we walked, Richard kept up a running

commentary that provided an introduction to the passing parade of people in the Middle Ages who came to this corner of France, each leaving their imprint.

First to arrive were the Visigoths, Germanic groups that flourished during the period of the late Roman Empire. They settled in what today is southern France, and ruled over a kingdom that lasted from the 5th to the 8th centuries C.E. They were followed by the Knights Templar, a religious military order that fought in the Crusades and remained powerful during the 12th to 14th centuries.

Their stay overlapped with the Cathars, a movement of Roman Catholics who differed in several core beliefs from their church, which eventually renounced them.

Among their convictions were that Jesus was a spiritual leader but not divine, and that people were saved because they lead a holy life rather than their belief in Jesus dying on the cross.

Despite their varying beliefs, cultures and customs, these groups left one common legacy in the area. They each built imposing castles and fortresses that continue to serve as reminders of their stay.

For example, the Queribus Castle was originally constructed by the Romans, then repaired and refurbished by the Cathars in the 13th century. Perched along See PILGRIMAGE, page 26

26

Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Pilgrimage From page 25 the top of a soaring vertical cliff for added protection from attack, as were many fortresses, it rises up over the countryside from the highest peak for miles around.

Another Cathar stronghold, Peyrepertuse (which means “pierced rock”), consists of two castles that are linked by a staircase. The main part of the structure, which is set on a 2,600-foot-high cliff, resembles the prow of a ship. Like many of the fortresses, the building seems to grow out of the rock on which it stands, making it difficult to tell from a distance where one starts and the other stops.

Medieval towns and villages Most impressive is Carcassone, a fortress town built by the Visigoths on a hilltop that earlier had been fortified by the Romans. The

entire medieval city was (and still is) encircled and protected by nearly two miles of double walls topped by 52 watch towers. Inside is a maze of meandering cobblestone walkways, tunnels and stone buildings that comprised the largest fortified city in Europe.

A permanent population estimated at about 2,000 people lived within the walls, and historians tell us that during times of attack, perhaps as many as 12,000 residents from the surrounding countryside crowded inside for protection.

Many of the structures within the town today house souvenir shops and cafes which, along with throngs of tourists, detract from the setting. However, a visit in the early morning or evening, before most sightseers arrive or after they’ve left, allows the mind to conjure up images of medieval times.

Visits to massive fortresses like these bring to life pictures of violence, combat

MARCH 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

and destruction. Some castle staircases, which are narrow, steep and winding, gave an advantage to men with swords and spears seeking to defend rather than to attackers trying to battle their way single file to the next level. Drawbridges and heavy iron grates add to visions of battles that were fought centuries ago.

In contrast to the imposing forts are the charming medieval villages that are sprinkled throughout the region. The houses often are clustered around a small castle that once was occupied by a nobleman who served as both the local government and protector of the settlement.

The little homes of today’s residents still line the narrow, twisting, cobblestone streets.

Many of them are festooned by flowers, which add an explosion of color to the scene.

Picturesque Conques A major stopping point for pilgrims over the centuries, and for other visitors to the region (including today’s tourist), is the delightful town of Conques. Nestled in a densely wooded valley near the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains, Conques is a true jewel of medieval France.

Sections of the original walls, punctuated by fortified gateways, are still visible.

The muted colors of traditional timberframed houses are accentuated by the red sandstone and bronze limestone of other structures, set off by blue slate roofs. Lush plantings of roses and wisteria add to the

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painter’s palette of colors.

The center of attention in town is the imposing Abbey Church of Sainte Foy (Faith). It was built during the 11th and 12th centuries to commemorate the memory of a young girl who, according to legend, was martyred at the time of the Roman Empire. Because she refused to renounce Christianity, she was tortured to death, and is now listed in church catalogues of martyrs and saints.

An image of the girl, bowing before the hand of God, holds a central place on a tympanum — a semi-circular arch over the main entrance into the church — which depicts the Last Judgment.

The remarkable carved stone decoration, measuring 22 feet wide and 12 feet high, includes 124 characters and is one of the major surviving art works of the 12th century. As Jesus welcomes the Virgin Mary accompanied by saints into heaven, Satan presides over the grotesque figures of people being punished in hell for their pride, vanity, greed and other earthly sins.

The other treasure of Conques is, in fact, a treasure. Housed in a small room that resembles a crypt, it consists of portable altars, chests, cameos and other religious artifacts, many gold plated and covered with precious stones. The collection is considered to be one of the most important displays of works by medieval goldsmiths, and is the only one in France.

See PILGRIMAGE, page 27

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

BALTIMORE BEACON — MARCH 2014

27

Avid older skiers stick with their passion

By Karen Schwartz If you’ve walked into a ski lodge the past few years, likely as not you’ve seen tables filled with gray-haired skiers wearing sweaters so old they’re back in style.

That’s because the number of skiers on the far side of 50 — some on the very far side — has been creeping up each year, according to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA).

Credit advances in artificial hips and knees that make it possible for skiers to continue enjoying the sport; shaped skis, along with better snowmaking and grooming that make skiing easier; and highspeed lifts and luxury touches like ski valets that make it more pleasant.

“There are no excuses,” said 93-year-old Klaus Obermeyer, the Aspen-based skiwear designer. Despite breaking his leg in a wipeout two years ago, Obermeyer still skis each day.

Sure, younger people still make up the majority on the slopes — the average skier is 38.5 years old — but, “The person who skis the most in a given year is 65 and older,” said Michael Berry, president of the NSAA, based in suburban Denver.

Bragging rights go to those age 68 and older, who averaged 9.5 days skiing last season. Boomers — those age 50 to 68 this year — also skied more than the national average of five times per year, according to an NSAA survey released in August.

Pilgrimage

place May 23-31. The $4,095 price includes almost all meals, accommodations and extras like a wine tasting.

The unique accommodations are an important part of the experience. For example, they include the Castle des Ducs de Joyeuse, which was built during the 16th century for the governor of the area, and Chateau de Mercues, a magnificent castle that was the summer residence of counts and bishops for several centuries.

For more information about this and other trips offered by New England Hiking Holidays, call 1-800-869-0949 or log onto www.nehikingholidays.com.

As for flights, the best start and end point for the hiking trip is Toulouse. The least expensive round-trip flights in mid-February start at $804 on Turkish Airlines and $976 on Brussels Airlines from Dulles International Airport.

For more general information, see the websites for the French tourism office at www.francetourism.com, and for The Way at www.americanpilgrims.com.

From page 26 For people on a journey along The Way, the story of a peasant girl who died for her religious beliefs can be as powerful as the site where one of the apostles is said to be buried.

The remains of soaring castles contrast sharply with tiny nearby houses of peasants who lived in them centuries ago, and which continue to be occupied today.

This represents the diversity that awaits those following in the footsteps of countless pilgrims who have walked on The Way for more than 1,000 years. It’s possible to experience part of their quest, and much more, during a Walking Through History trip in Southern France.

Travel information Despite its name, New England Hiking Holidays organizes trips throughout the United States and to several countries in Europe. Its 2014 Walking Through History – Medieval Southern France tour will take

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“You don’t want to sit in your rocking chair and look at the view,” said 70-yearold Billy Kidd, who won a silver in the slalom at the 1964 Olympics. “You want to remember your days of youth, and you love that feeling of adrenaline and dealing with the variables of skiing.”

Clearly, others old enough to remember Kidd in his heyday feel the same way. Those ages 45-54 made up 20 percent of skiers last winter, up from 14 percent in the 1997-98 season; the 55-64 age group made up 12 per-

cent, up from nearly 5 percent, and those 65 and older rose to 5.5 percent from 2.5 percent, according to the NSAA study.

Innovative gear Kidd, who skis almost daily in his role as an ambassador for the Steamboat Ski Resort, said one thing that has changed as he’s gotten older is his gear.

Indeed, Kidd is a walking billboard for See SKIERS, page 29

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MARCH 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Leisure & Travel

BALTIMORE BEACON — MARCH 2014

Skiers From page 27 the latest innovations. His skis and poles are lightweight carbon fiber. His Osbe helmet does away with goggles and replaces them with a built-in visor that provides better peripheral vision.

He traded in traditional ski boots for soft Apex boots, which provide support through an external frame. (For putting on traditional ski boots, many older skiers swear by the Ski and Snowboard Boot Horn.)

“At 20 years old, I didn’t care about comfort,” Kidd said. “I still have to have con-

trol...but the top priority for me is comfort.”

Certainly, there are challenges as skiers age, not the least of which is finding friends who are also still skiing.

Clubs like the 70+ Ski Club, based in North Kingstown, R.I., with more than 4,000 members, and the Over the Hill Gang International, based in Colorado Springs with 3,000 members, offer camaraderie, discounted tickets and ski trips near and far.

Even those who retire to Florida still pursue their passion. The Florida Ski Council has 17 clubs in the state and at least one trip going every week of the ski season. The largest club, the Tampa Bay

Snow Skiers and Boarders, takes about 1,000 people a year skiing, said Clair Quenzler, the council president.

These dedicated watchers of the discounts for skiers agree that the perks seniors used to get from ski resorts have been reduced as their numbers increase.

Several resorts have raised the eligibility age for discounted lift tickets, or they’ve limited deals to weekdays.

Ski tips So what suggestions do experts have to help us keep on skiing for decades?

• Stay in shape.

• Try to choose slopes with less traffic, so you can safely ski a little slower.

• Think about afternoon sun and shadows. A west-facing slope will have better definition.

• Be cognizant of higher altitude and hydration.

• Walking in ski boots can be more challenging than skiing, so companies have developed lightweight shoes, like Pakems, that you can carry with you during the day for a quick change.

• Consider taking a gondola or chair lift down the mountain if weather sets in or — AP you’re tired.

AP PHOTO/70+ SKI CLUB

Dee Wang, 89, a member of the 70+ Ski Club, skis with her great-grandchildren in Park City, Utah. The National Ski Areas Association says the number of older skiers on the slopes has been rising each year, and those skiing the most days a year are 65 and older.

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Style Arts &

Man of La Mancha comes to the Lyric on March 14 and 15. See preview on page 32.

Finding a lot to laugh about in Spamalot eat ham, and jam and Spam a lot.”

The Holy Grail film premiered in 1975.

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King Arthur legend retold Spamalot is based very loosely on the King Arthur legend, complete with a nascent Knights of the Round Table (which the King rounds up throughout the show), a search for the Holy Grail, and romance

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with the lovely Guinevere, referred to for most of the show as the Lady of the Lake.

Arthur is aided by his pretend horse Patsy, played by an actor who mimics the clip-clop of a horse’s hooves by knocking two coconut shells together.

The show’s numerous catchy musical numbers start off with “Fisch Schlapping Song,” which entails much slapping in the face with fish by residents of a Finnish vil-

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The Lady of the Lake, played by Priscilla Cuellar, raises the Holy Grail, found after a long, comic quest in Spamalot, now playing at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia.

In the background, the Knights of the Round Table (led by Lawrence B. Munsey playing King Arthur) pay tribute.

MARCH 14 & 15TH

Jeanne Robertson

lage. Wait, the show is supposed to be about England not FINland. Let the puns begin!

Another fun song is “I Am Not Dead Yet,”

PHOTO BY KRISTINE CHRISTIANSEN

By Barbara Ruben Rubber chickens, Vegas, disco and gay marriage in Camelot? Richard Burton would not be amused. But the current musical Spamalot at Toby’s Dinner Theatre is two letters and five decades removed from the venerated 1960 Broadway production And audiences are not just amused, they guffaw and snort with laughter at every double entendre, every pun, no matter how puny, and every fart joke.

This is, after all, Camelot by way of Monty Python, the British (low) comedy group. As the program notes, the musical is “lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” The show title is plucked from a line in the movie: “We

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For tickets visit the Modell Lyric Box Office (M-F 10a-4p).

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.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON — MARCH 2014

Spamalot From page 30 with perhaps the world’s first zombies. The show takes place in the year 932, after all. In what appears to be a cart piled with bodies ravaged by the plague, the undead suddenly bounce up and start singing.

Standout performers The Lady of the Lake, played by Priscilla Cuellar, enters the show in a sea green gossamer dress, seaweed clinging to her hair, with a posse of skimpily clad cheerleaders, aptly named the Laker Girls.

Cuellar is the show’s standout performer, hamming it up one minute, and unleashing her powerful voice the next in songs like “Come With Me.” Cuellar, who won a Helen Hayes award for her work in Toby’s production of Legally Blonde, draws the attention of the audience in every scene she’s in. In fact, after a number of scenes go by without her, she even gets to lament her absence in a song, “What Happened to My Part?”

It is The Lady of the Lake who presents a swaggering King Arthur with Excalibur, the sword given to the man meant to rule England.

Lawrence B. Munsey plays King Arthur with a slap-happy buffoonery. He attempts to invade a castle with a large wooden rabbit in the style of a Trojan horse, only to discover he failed to secret any of his knights inside.

He even manages to turn the show’s perky song about death, “Look on the Bright Side of Life,” into a laugh when he’s unable to whistle the chorus with the rest of his men.

And what story of Camelot is complete without a Sir Lancelot or Sir Galahad?

These parts are ably played by David Jennings and Nick Lehan. Like many other actors in the show, each portrays several different parts.

If you like your comedy broad, there is a lot of humor here. The audience member sitting next to me laughed pretty much non-stop through the whole show. “It’s stupid humor,” he said. “But it’s so funny.”

There’s also the requisite political incorrectness here and there. For example, there’s a scene in which a band of scoundrel knights demands that King Arthur put on a Broadway musical. He replies that he can’t because you need Jews for a successful Broadway show. The song “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway” includes a number of Fiddler on the Roof parodies, and Arthur sets off in search of Jews.

In addition to the animated actors relishing every easy laugh, another laudable part of the production is the costumes.

The show includes change after change of clothes, from drab peasant gear, to skintight purple disco-style bell bottoms, to a half dozen brides in teeny lace dresses.

Costume coordinator Munsey (yes, King Arthur) has done a stellar job.

(By the way, at Toby’s the actors also serve as waiters before the show and during intermission. Their tips make up a large part of their pay.)

The music from a small orchestra, comprised of keyboards, violin, drums trumpet and guitar, provides a rich accompaniment to the songs.

Unfortunately, the microphones worn by the actors sometimes muffled the punch lines of the jokes, occasionally diluting what surely would have been a funnier scene if you heard every word.

Spamalot ends with a reprise of the stirring anthem, “Find Your Grail.” And if your grail is to have an evening filled with slapstick humor, then you’ve found what you’re looking for in Spamalot, where you’ll almost certainly laugh a lot.

Spamalot continues through March 23 at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, 5900 Symphony Woods Rd., Columbia.

Ticket prices, which include an all-youcan-eat buffet, are $53 Sunday through Thursday evenings and Wednesday matinees. The price on Friday evenings is $54.50, Saturday evenings cost $56, and Sunday matinees are $51.

In addition to the regular buffet entrees of steamship round, roast turkey breast and baked Virginia pit ham, there is also a Spamalot special called Sir Loin of Loaf

(meatloaf with mushroom gravy).

For tickets or more information, see www.tobysdinnertheatre.com or call (410) 730-8311 or 1-800-888-6297.

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MARCH 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

Man of La Mancha tilts toward Baltimore Don Quixote is both a familiar and beloved part for Curenton, who is reprising the role he first played 38 years ago. “I think Man of La Mancha is one of the top 10 Broadway shows of all time,” said Curenton, who added that he was inspired by the attitude of Don Quixote even before he knew who Don Quixote was.

Watching Robert Kennedy’s funeral on TV, Curenton remembers Sen. Edward Kennedy quoting his brother’s campaign theme, “Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.”

“That’s the ideal of Don Quixote as well,” said Curenton, “and one I strongly believe in. You have to make a difference in the world.”

Familiar songs and plot Curenton thinks audiences, especially baby boomers like himself, will enjoy the nostalgia of the show. “Everyone is familiar with the story, and such songs as ‘Impossible Dream,’” he notes.

But he also thinks families should introduce a new generation to the show. “It’s important for kids to see that you can joust

at windmills,” he said.

Man of La Mancha is considered one of the great theater successes of modern times. Opening on Broadway in 1965, it played for 2,328 original performances in New York, and has since been revived on Broadway several times.

See MAN OF LA MANCHA, page 33

PHOTO BY CAROL ROSEGG

By Carol Sorgen When the touring production of Man of La Mancha rolls into town this month, Jack Curenton will be thinking of his grandfather, who grew up in Baltimore and worked at the Continental Can Company.

“I didn’t live in Baltimore myself,” said the 62-year-old Los Angeles resident who plays Don Quixote, “but I feel connected to it.”

Curenton, who acted as a young man and then had a successful business career, returned to acting in 2005. “It’s been nonstop ever since,” he said, while being interviewed sitting in a bus stuck in the midst of a Midwest snowstorm, as the acting company tried to make it to its next performance venue.

Jack Curenton stars as Don Quixote during the touring production of Man of La Mancha, playing at the Patricia and Arthur Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric March 14 and 15.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style

BALTIMORE BEACON — MARCH 2014

Quilters From page 1 Along the way, the quilts became known for their distinctive improvisational and simple, geometric style.

Hooked on quilting Today’s African American quilts reflect the diversity of the community and may tell a story, reflect a quilter’s travels, provide comfort on the loss of a loved one and more.

“There really are no rules,” said McNeal.

Man of La Mancha From page 32 The musical creates a play-within-a-play based on Miguel de Cervantes’s novel, Don Quixote. The conceit of the musical is that Cervantes, who is portrayed as an aging failure, has been thrown into a Spanish dungeon where he awaits trial by the Inquisition for an offense against the Church.

But first he is tried by a “kangaroo court” of his fellow prisoners: a motley crew of thieves, cutthroats and ladies of ill repute who plot to steal his meager pos-

BEACON BITS

Mar. 10

FREE IRISH MUSIC CONCERT

The Irishman Chorale performs a free concert at the Arbutus Senior Center, 855 A Sulphur Spring Rd. on Monday, March 10 from 1 to 2 p.m. The group was founded in 1985 and is one of the largest all male Irish choruses in the United States. For more information, call (410) 887-1410.

Mar. 6+

AFFORDABLE ART CLASSES

A Beginner’s Zentangle Art Class using colored pens will be offered at Arbutus Senior Center, 855A Sulphur Spring Rd. on Thursdays, from March 6 to April 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. The fee is $24, and the class is limited to 15 people. To reserve, call (410) 887-1410.

FROM PAGE 34

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD D E A L S V A L U E D R A G Q U U R D R O P I N R I P E N S S P E D D R A G O P E P T A O N D R O P O U O F T H I S R A Y O N E V E N T D A T E S

A C E I T

F R E S H

T O N

E K D E A N D R A A T O F A R D R A R E T Y D S

A B I R D

C O S T U M E R

L I L A C

K O O U S S S C H C O G R A E X S E

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Robinson, a lifelong sewer who was always interested in clothing construction, found that out when she first became interested in quilting after attending one of the group’s biannual shows. “My jaw dropped,” she said. “These were not Grandma’s quilts.”

Robinson left the show thinking, “I have to do this,” and she first learned the basics from a fellow faculty member who taught an after-school quilting class for other teachers.

“But then she got a promotion and left the school, and I was on my own,” said Robinson with mock indignation.

When Robinson attended another AAQB show a year later, she mentioned to one of the members that she didn’t know how to finish the quilt she had started.

“Someone sat down with me on the spot and taught me what to do,” said Robinson.

After that, she was hooked, and now “not much gets in the way” of her attending the monthly meetings, during which members do a “show and tell” of projects they’re working on, get help with any problems they’re having, and make plans for upcoming exhibits, lectures and the like.

For Sandra Smith, who has her own quilt-

ing website at www.sandrasmithquilts.com, membership in the guild gives her the opportunity to get together with people with similar interests and talk “ad nauseum” about that interest “without boring others.”

The group meets the first Saturday of each month, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (except for July and August), at St. Bartholomew’s Church at 4711 Edmondson Ave. New members are always welcome. For more information, see www.aaqb.org or call (410) 566-6423.

“It will get your creative juices flowing!”

McNeal promised.

sessions, including the unfinished manuscript of a novel called Don Quixote.

In an effort to save his work, Cervantes proposes to his fellow prisoners a form of entertainment. They agree and watch in amazement as Cervantes and his faithful manservant transform themselves into his novel’s protagonist, Don Quixote, and his sidekick, Sancho Panza.

The two proceed to play out the story (with the aid of prisoners playing other characters), where Quixote and Panza proceed on a path to restore the age of chivalry, to battle evil, and to right all wrongs.

The original Man of La Mancha won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, along with the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and the

Outer Critics Circle Award.

The current touring production will play at the Patricia and Arthur Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, 1401 Mt. Royal Ave., on Friday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 15 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets begin at $49. For more information, visit www.lyricoperahouse.com or call (410) 547-SEAT.

Seventh Annual Governor’s Leadership in Aging Awards — Nomination Form For Excellence and Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Aging and Quality of Life for Seniors Categories Trailblazer: An individual, community group, business or organization that has demonstrated leadership in advocacy or developed an innovative program, research or training for seniors.

Visual or Performing Arts: An individual 60 or older, or a group (members must be 55 or older) who has demonstrated excellence in the visual or performing arts.

Health and Vitality: An individual 60 or older, who demonstrates a commitment to healthy living, and who serves as a role model to others.

Nomination Information Select a category. Submit a nomination form (below) and a 500-word-or-less description or recommendation (why the nominee meets the criteria). Visual Arts nominations must be accompanied by photos, slides or a CD of artwork.

Performing Arts nominations must be accompanied by a DVD or web link to a video sharing site (e.g., YouTube).

Nominations that do not require supporting materials may be faxed to Wesley Wood at (410) 333-7943.

Download additional nomination forms at www.aging.maryland.gov. For more information, call (410) 767-2075 or 1-800-243-3425.

Nomination Form Person or Group Nominated: Name:___________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Daytime Phone:__________________________ Evening Phone:__________________________ Fax:__________________________ E-mail:____________________________________________ Category of nomination: ____________________________________________________________ Nominator Information: ❒ Self Nomination (check box if you are nominating yourself) Name:___________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Daytime Phone:__________________________ Evening Phone:__________________________ Fax:__________________________ E-mail:____________________________________________ E-mail form with your recommendation (500 words or less) and supporting materials to: wesley.wood@maryland.gov

Or mail to: Mr. Wesley Wood Maryland Department of Aging Governor’s Leadership in Aging Awards 301 W. Preston St., #1007 Baltimore, MD 21201

NOMINATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED OR E-MAILED BY MARCH 28, 2014

34

MARCH 2014 — BALTIMORE BEACON

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Carry clumsily 1. Car salesman’s offers 5. Shiner, on Project Runway designs 6. Toward her back side 6. Do well on a test 9. Chime, less melodically 7. Just out of the oven 14. Esteem 8. Weight of a large horse or a small car 15. ___-Magnon man 9. Theatrical fashion designer 16. Wildcatter 10.

Purple flower 17. Mascara purchaser, perhaps 11.

It cost about $7 million in 1867 19. Bluish gray shade 12.

Cleared after taxes 20. Author of QB VII 13. Holds out one’s hand 21. ___ of Honey (singers of 18. Coffee servers Boogie Oogie Oogie) 21. It is more highly valued in a hand 22. Small potatoes 22. Salk and Pepper, abbr.

27. Becomes sweeter 23. Grave letters 28. North Korean leader 29. Infomercials, and shorter versions 24. Newspaper page 25. 3-time Cy Young winner Martinez 30. Put the pedal to the metal 26.

Squeaked by 31. One of her three Golden Raspberry 31. It proves paternity with 99.99% awards was for Bolero accuracy 33. Computer editing technique 32. Small colorful ball 38. It often requires a prima donna 34. Names 39. The first stage of Life (Cereal) 35. “___ out!” (John Birch Society slo42. A son of Poseidon (or acronym for gan) the band Art of Noise) 36. “I smell ___” 45. Bake sale org.

37.

Spanish nickname for Francisco 46. Start of a boat in Boston harbor 40.

Excessively 48. Emulate Steve Jobs or Bill Gates 52. “I am nothing special;___ I am sure” 41. TV show that starts in one week and ends in another (Nicholas Sparks) 42.

Thought the world of 53. California-based gas retailer 43.

Recipe: “Add edamame, lima, ___ 54. Fiber created from wood pulp beans” 55. International Hot Rod Association 44. Soon, maybe contests 46. Org. that posts shore signs 60. Happening 47. Time units, per Abe Lincoln 61. Eligible to withdrawal from a 401K 49. Princess, crowned by Bell in 1959 62. Jubilate 50. Paddled 63. History class facts 51. Grps. with secret handshakes 64. Units in an NFL game 55. Free of alcohol 65. Appears 56. Weapon in the The Shining Down 57. Starting signal 1. Netflix mailer 58. Nightmarish street 2. Dumbo’s wing 59. N. and S. Carolina

Across

Answers on page 33.

BALTIMORE BEACON — MARCH 2014

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.

Financial Services ACCOUNTING, BOOKKEEPING, TAXES – conscientious CPA, 37 years experience, reasonable rates, looking for additional business, personal and eldercare clients. Call 410-653-3363.

For Sale 4 CEMETERY LOTS IN LORRAINE PARK Cemetery. Owners asking $1,500 per lot currently selling for $3,000. Contact Bud, 443-324-3188 or bshertzer@carefreeindustries.com.

4 CEMETERY LOTS, Garden of Faith Nottingham/Overlea Maryland. Way of the Cross Station. Value $12,000, asking $6,000 or best offer. 410-828-7552.

TWO SIDE-BY-SIDE CRYPTS in Cloisters Mausoleum at Dulaney Valley Gardens. Retail value $15,000. Sell for $8,000 or best offer. 410870-1442.

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.

Home/Handyman Services SANFORD & SON HAULING Trash removal, house & estate clean-outs, garage cleanouts, yard work & cleanups, demolition, shed removal. 410-746-5090. Free Estimates. Insured. Call 7 days a week 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

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

Grammatical. Private lessons. Reasonable Rates.

Tutoring students. 443-352-8200.

ESTATE SPECIALIST, experts in estate cleanouts and preparing your house for sale. Trash removal, house cleanouts, light moving, demolition, yard work, cleaning. 410-746-5090. Free estimates. Insured. Call 7 days, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

GARDENVILLE – Large bedroom & bath on 2nd floor of private home for rent in safe, quiet neighborhood. Reasonable – 410-485-1702.

HAIR/NAIL/MAKEUP SERVICES on-the-go.

Perms/roller-sets/color/cuts/more. We come to you! Licensed professionals 20+years.

410-531-6854. Tommystylingstation.com. Tommystyling@yahoo.com. For original art etsy.com/shop/awaq.

WE BUY HOUSES FOR CA$H – Call today, 240-670-6797. Iwant2helpyou.com.

Wanted

For Sale

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

For Rent

40 POCKET WESTERNS – Like new, mostly

by Louis L’Amour - $30. Also: Duckpin bowling balls and bag - $20. 410-866-2373.

35

Say you saw it in the Beacon

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED 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.

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

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

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P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 Wanted

Wanted

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.

WE BUY OLD AND NEW JEWELRY, Coins, Silver and Gold, Paper Money Too. Watches, Clocks and Parts, Military Badges and Patches Old and New. Call Greg, 717-658-7954.

OLD AND NEW WE BUY Sterling Silver Flatware, Tea Sets, Single Pieces, Fountain Pens, Lighters, Tools, Cameras, Glassware, Art Work.

Toys From Trains to Hotwheels to Star Wars.

Call Greg, 717-658-7954.

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.

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“I’d like a cell phone to use in an emergency, but I don’t want a high monthly bill” Jitterbug has a plan to fit your needs… and your budget.

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IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc. Your invoices will come from GreatCall. All rate plans and services require the purchase of a Jitterbug phone and a one-time set up fee of $35. Coverage and service is not available everywhere. Other charges and restrictions may apply. Screen images simulated. There are no additional fees to call Jitterbug’s 24-hour U.S. Based Customer Service. However, for calls to an Operator in which a service is completed, minutes will be deducted from your monthly balance equal to the length of the call and any call connected by the Operator, plus an additional 5 minutes. Monthly minutes carry over and are available for 60 days. If you exceed the minute balance on your account, you will be billed at 35¢ for each minute used over the balance. Monthly rate plans do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges. Prices and fees subject to change. We will refund the full price of the GreatCall phone and the activation fee (or set-up fee) if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition. We will also refund your first monthly service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage. If you have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will be deducted from your refund for each minute over 30 minutes. You will be charged a $10 restocking fee. The shipping charges are not refundable. Jitterbug and GreatCall are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. ©2014 Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC. ©2014 GreatCall, Inc. ©2014 by firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.