F R E E

VOL.9, NO.1

I N F O C U S F O R P E O P L E O V E R 5 0JANUARY 2012More than 100,000 readers throughout Greater Baltimore

By Carol SorgenWendy Rosen is “completely surprised”

at how her life has evolved over the pastthree decades. In her 57 years, the formergraphic designer-turned advertising exec-utive-turned successful business ownerhas, along the way, also become a publish-er, the founder of a trade association —and now a candidate for a U.S. Congres-sional seat from Maryland’s First District.

It was at the age of 25, after selling ad-vertising for the (now defunct) NewsAmerican, as well as Baltimore magazineand the Towson Times, that Rosen first re-alized she loved helping small businessessolve their problems.

The idea for her own business cameabout when she was attending an art fairand suggested to several of the exhibitorsthat they could promote their work at theshow by having a hospitality suite.

“They didn’t even know what [a hospi-tality suite] was!” said Rosen during an in-terview in her office at the Mill Centre.(Rosen helped develop this former CivilWar mill in the Jones Falls Valley into acomplex of offices and artists’ studios.)

From that conversation close to 30 yearsago, the Rosen Group was born. Throughworkshops, visits to art schools and skill-building programs, the service offers busi-ness planning tools to help artists sell theirworks to art dealers, museum stores andupscale retailers nationwide, “not just intheir own neighborhood.”

Today, the company serves about 2,000artists and micro-manufacturers (start-ups who produce handmade items)throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The business side of craftsIn 1981, when she started the Rosen

Group, she also established the BuyersMarket of American Craft, which remainsone of the top trade shows in America,connecting artists with galleries, craftshops and retailers.

Through the years she has also au-thored a book, Crafting as a Business, ad-dressing business start-up topics forartists; produced a documentary, “Craftingan American Style,” tracing the evolutionof crafts from their functional origins totheir contemporary status as works of art;and created two magazines that she still

publishes — AmericanStyle and NICHE.Even as Rosen was encouraging artists

to take steps to grow their own businesses,she came to realize that she also wanted toadvocate on their behalf to create new mar-ket opportunities for American-made prod-ucts. At the same time, she felt it importantto inform legislators and consumers aboutthe importance of buying American.

That became the impetus behind found-ing the American Made Alliance, a non-profit trade association supporting thestart-up and growth of micro-enterprise inthe professional craft sector.

Some of the association’s accomplish-ments in 2011 include: meeting with thestaffs of legislators involved in the Made in

the USA movement, sponsoring an Arts Ad-vocacy Day, partnering with the AmericanSustainable Business Council to brief theWhite House on sustainable business anddomestic policy issues, and reviewing andreporting on the retail practices of gift storesthat don’t “sell American,” including shops atthe Grand Canyon and the Smithsonian.

On her soapboxBut despite her efforts, it was Rosen’s

growing disillusionment with the lack ofjobs, the reliance on foreign goods and man-ufacturers, and what she calls the “obstruc-tionist” Congress that has led this former

I N S I D E …

LAW & MONEY 4k Five retiree money mistakesk Fast food stocks on upswing

FITNESS & HEALTH 10k “Super broccoli” to the rescuek An app for better vision

VOLUNTEERS & CAREERS 20k Cooking up a career

PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACONBITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE

A R T S & S T Y L EThe Lion King roars back intoBaltimore; plus, where to findlifelong learning classes, andLinda Lavin talks about herbusy career and new CD

page 26

L E I S U R E & T R A V E LVisiting Confucius’ home townin China; plus, how to becomean airport VIP on the cheap

page 22

Crafting a new career in politics

Wendy Rosen has devoted her multi-faceted career to helping American artists selltheir works, to improving the market for U.S.-made crafts, and to advocating thatlegislators and consumers buy American. Her growing concern about global trade hasnow led her to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.

PH

OTO

BY

JIM B

UR

GE

R

See POLITICAL CAREER, page 21

2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

Scientists have long experimented onmice and rats to test new drugs and treat-ments for human illnesses.

I’ve always imagined thatthere must be many similari-ties between our species — atleast on a cellular level or inorgan systems — for that tomake sense. But I haven’tbeen much bothered by thefact that these physical similar-ities exist because I subscribeto the notion that we humansare part beast/part divine.

So, if experimentation onrats could help us developcures for human diseases, I could acceptthe notion of some kinship with rats.

But I’m still coming to terms with theconclusions of the latest experiments, pub-lished last month in the journal Science,which you may have read about.

Researchers at the University of Chica-go believe they’ve proven that rats (partic-ularly female ones) feel empathy for thesuffering of other rats. Furthermore, theyappear to have shown that rats behave al-truistically in coming to the aid of their fel-low creatures, even sharing treats (choco-

late chips) with them. In the experiments, free rats were

placed in an area with anoth-er rat they were familiar with,but the latter was trapped in asmaller plastic cage. The freerats learned how to releasetheir fellow imprisoned rats,and repeatedly did so.

Furthermore, when anoth-er cage containing chocolatechips was placed in the samearea, the rats often freed theirfellows first, then opened thetreat cage and proceeded toshare the chocolate with the

former captive. My first reaction to scientists ascribing

what I have long considered uniquelyhuman traits or moral behavior to rats is toget a little touchy. After all, I know plentyof people who probably think twice beforeoffering to share their chocolate chips!(No, honey, I don’t mean you.)

But then I read a quote from Jeffrey S.Mogil, a McGill University neuroscientistwhose experiments apparently demon-strated that rats feel each other’s pain. (Hecalls it “emotional contagion.”)

When asked by the Washington Postwhether a rat frees a trapped comrade torelieve its own stress or the stress of theother animal, Mogil replied, “It’s morelikely to be the former. But even if it is theformer, I’m not sure that’s so differentfrom humans.”

Well, I took even more umbrage at that– until I thought about it and discussed itwith my wife. Isn’t the point of a moral ed-ucation to make people feel uncomfortableabout doing immoral things, or about notdoing the right thing when they could butdon’t want to?

We want our children to have an inter-nal compass that makes them emotionallyinclined to act as they should and to feelbad when they don’t. So is it less moral totake an action to help another becauseNOT taking the action causes us stress?

In the case of the rats, Peggy Mason,one of the researchers, was quoted as say-ing she believed the rats were acting in a“sub-cortical” fashion. That is, rats showempathy in more of a reflexive mannerthan a thoughtful or moral one.

The underlying idea is that empathic be-havior supports the survival of the speciesand thus gets passed down through evolu-

tionary processes. Maybe that’s how we humans also devel-

oped. Is empathy hard-wired or learned? In many issues of the Beacon, we write

about volunteers who devote hours, weeksand years of their lives to helping others.Some do this throughout their lives; oth-ers find it a way to make their retirementyears more meaningful.

But nearly everyone we’ve ever writtenabout will say at some point in the inter-view, “I get at least as much — or more —out of volunteering as do those I help.”

People do good things for others be-cause it feels good. It’s nice to be appreci-ated, yes. But it even feels rewarding to dogood when it’s not directly or obviously re-warded by others. It feels good inside.

This may be because of our genes, be-cause of our education, or both. Perhapsfurther experiments will help us decide.

In the meantime, there’s one conclusionwe don’t need researchers to corroborate:that it’s nice to reward oneself with a fewchocolate chips now and then.

Of rats and men

FROM THEPUBLISHERBy Stuart P. Rosenthal

Dear Editor:A few years ago I wrote an article that

appeared in the Beacon about the prostatecancer surgery I had in 1998 at the age of49. I would like your readers to knowagain the importance of keeping a checkon the prostate area after surgery.

Because of increased PSA readings, Idiscovered about a year ago that prostatecancer had returned. My urologist is keep-ing a watchful eye on my readings and issuggesting hormone therapy to slow thegrowth of the cancer.

He is very hopeful about my conditionimproving as well.

Thank God for His guidance and theurologist Dr. Gutow at Good SamaritanHospital, a very fine doctor who reallycares about each and every patient. He lis-tens patiently to any concerns or issues Imay have at each appointment.

Men, please keep a check on yourprostate by having PSA tests done as oftenas your doctor thinks is necessary.

I would suggest that all men beyond age40 maintain good prostate health screen-ings. It’s worth the time and effort. Take itfrom me.

Dr. Timothy M. ModlinParkville

BeaconThe

I N F O C U S F O R P E O P L E O V E R 5 0

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915(410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.comSubmissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of themonth preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the monthof publication. See page 31 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

© Copyright 2012 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

2010 Outstanding Publication Award

The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedi cated to inform, serve, and en ter tain the citi zens of the GreaterBaltimore area, and is pri vate ly owned. Other editionsserve Howard County and Greater Washington.Subscriptions are available via third-class mail

($12), pre paid with order. MD residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send sub scrip tion order to theoffice listed below.

Publication of advertising contained hereindoes not necessarily con sti tute en dorse ment.Signed col umns represent the opinions of thewriters, and not necessarily the opinion of thepublisher.

• Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal

• Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal

• Vice President, Operations........Gordon Hasenei

• Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel

• Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King

• Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben

• Contributing Editor..........................Carol Sorgen

• Graphic Designer ..............................Kyle Gregory

• Advertising Representatives ............Ron Manno,

........................................................................Steve Levin

Letters to the editorReaders are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressedin the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mailyour 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.

SENIOR LEGISLATIVE FORUM

The 35th Annual United Seniors of Maryland Senior Legislative

Rally will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 24 in Annapolis. Government officials will

address senior issues, followed by visits with Baltimore county delegates and

senators. Registration is $15, which includes continental breakfast and box

lunch. For tickets or more information, call (301) 565-2005. BCASCO, the

Baltimore County Association of Senior Citizens Organizations, will be providing

transportation from several county locations for $30 (which includes the registra-

tion fee). For more information, contact Beth Wiseman at (410) 484-6866.

BEACON BITS

June. 24

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com 3

Please take a few moments to complete and return this survey, in which we ask how the eco-nomic turmoil of recent months has affected you.

While some of these question are sensitive, weassure you that your answer will be kept strictlyconfidential and not associated with your name.

Also, we never sell reader information to thirdparties. We ask for your name and address so wecan notify you if you win.

Thank you for your participation!

Please indicate which of thefollowing actions you have taken in the PAST six months in response to economic conditions:

1. HOUSING (Check all that apply, if any)

� I have put my house on the market or sold it

� I have taken my house off the market

� I have started looking for a new house or

apartment

� I have stopped looking for a new house or

apartment

� I have remodeled/renovated my present

home or have decided to do so

� I have postponed plans to remodel/renovate

my present home

� I have moved (or decided to move) to a re-

tirement community

� I have decided not to move to a retirement

community at this time

� I am considering moving (or have moved)

in with extended family

� I am considering moving (or have applied)

to subsidized housing

2. INVESTMENTS (Check all that apply, if any)

� I have purchased stocks whose price has

fallen

� I have sold stocks whose price has fallen

� I have transferred funds from my bank to

another institution

� I have purchased new CDs

� I have cashed out or not renewed CDs

� I have purchased bonds

� I have sold bonds

� I have contributed extra funds to my retire-

ment accounts (IRAs, etc.)

� I have withdrawn extra funds from my

retirement accounts

3. MEDICAL CARE (Check all that apply, if any)

� I have not gone to doctors I otherwise

would have visited

� I have not purchased medicine I otherwise

would have purchased

� I have not hired home healthcare or person-

al assistance I otherwise would have hired

� I have not purchased or retained Medigap

insurance I otherwise would have bought

� I have let (or am considering letting) my

term life insurance expire

� I have let (or am considering letting) my

long-term care insurance expire

Please indicate which of the following purchases you expect tomake in the COMING six months:

4. HOME RELATED (Check all that apply, if any)

� furniture � major appliance

� carpet or flooring � window treatments

� home renovations

� home cleaning service

� lawn care or landscaping � yard fence

� asphalt or concrete driveway

5. ENTERTAINMENT RELATED(Check all that apply, if any)

� theatre or concert tickets

� sporting event tickets

� day trip � multi-day vacation

� cruise � fancy restaurant meal

� flat-screen television � satellite dish

� expanded cable service � stereo

� iPod or MP3 player � smartphone

� hi-speed Internet service

6. OTHER (Check all that apply, if any)

� new car � used car

� toys for grandchildren

� computer � cell phone

� PDA (Blackberry, Treo, etc.)

� health club membership

� home gym equipment/treadmill

Please help us by answering the following personal questions. Your answers will be kept confidential andwill NOT be associated with your name.We do not sell any information aboutour readers.

a. Your age

� Under 50 � 50-64 � 65-75 � 75+

b. Your gender

� Male � Female

c. Your approximate annual income:

� Under $30,000 � $30,000-$49,999

� $50,000-$75,000 � Over $75,000

d. If you own (or are paying a mortgage on) your home or apartment, what do you believe is its current fair market value?

� Under $199,999

� $200-$399,999

� $400-$599,999

� Over $600,000

The questions below are designed to help us better understand how the economic downtown has affected our readers.Please take a moment to answer all questions and return this page to the Beacon.All completed surveys will be entered into a random drawing to win $100 cash.

Note: We do not sell reader information to third parties. Your answers are kept in strict confidence and you will not be contacted. Thank you!

Please provide your name, zip code, and telephone numberor e-mail address so we may

contact you if you win the drawing.

Name:

Zip Code:

Telephone:

E-mail address:

Complete this page in full and mail to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227,

Silver Spring, MD 20915

FEEL FREE TO INCLUDE IN THE SAME ENVELOPE OUR

FREE INFORMATION COUPONFOUND ON PAGE 5.

THANK YOU!

�

MoneyLaw &

4 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

FINANCIAL ADVICE ABOUNDSThere are many reliable sources of financial information and useful advice.You just need to know how to separatethe wheat from the chaff. We offer suggestions for investments, insuranceand estate planning

WHITHER SOCIAL SECURITY?A public trustee of Social Security andMedicare answers reader questions aboutthe program and its future

By David PittFor retirees to maintain their desired

lifestyle without a paycheck — possibly fordecades — they need a solid financial plan.They also need to steer clear of seriousmistakes that could compromise their fu-ture income.

Here’s a look at some common pitfallsretirees encounter, and ways to steparound them to avoid financial disaster. 1. Helping children too much Problem: Retirees with children or

grandchildren are often too willing to helpout financially; sometimes at the risk oftheir own well-being.

Even though many baby boomersworked to put themselves through collegeand the experience developed good finan-cial skills, they don’t want their kids tostruggle as much, said Wayne Copelin,president of Copelin Financial Advisors inSugar Land, Texas.

If you try to tell parents that it’s a mis-take to bail adult children out of creditcard debt or help them with other financialmistakes, they get very mad, said Copelin. Solution: Don’t underestimate your

longevity. Make sure you have enoughmoney to last the rest of your life by layingout a financial plan. With a plan in hand,you can then determine how much youcan afford to spend on children and grand-children. If you don’t take this step, youcould very well run out of money and needto turn to your children for help.

Also be very careful about co-signingloans, because any default or late paymentscan hurt your credit rating. What’s more,be aware that significant gifts could be con-sidered taxable — this year’s limit on tax-free gifts is $13,000 per person. Read theIRS rules at http://tinyurl.com/4uncnxx.2. Underestimating healthcare costs Problem: One of the biggest pitfalls

facing the retirees of the next few decadesis unanticipated and unplanned healthcarecosts.

According to various experts, a healthycouple in their mid-60s will need around$300,000 to cover healthcare in retirement.A couple in their mid-50s should plan onspending around $500,000 in out-of-pockethealthcare costs.

Most retirees will not have saved any-

where near that amount. The average401(k) account balance for 55-year-old work-ers contributing for at least 10 years is$234,000, according to Fidelity Investments. Solution: One way to be prepared is to

purchase long-term care insurance, whichcan help cover the cost of home care ornursing home care, should the need arise.

Couples in their 50s and in good healthlikely can buy a policy for an annual premi-um of around $2,500 if they shop for thebest rates. Waiting until their 60s to buycan be expensive, with premiums rising toas much as $4,000 to $5,000 a year.

To look at options for long-term careplanning, check out this site provided bythe federal government: www.longterm-care.gov/LTC/Main—Site/index.aspx.3. Taking Social Security benefits

too soon Problem: No one knows exactly how

long they’ll live, and these days it’s verycommon to outlive our own expectations.About one in four 65-year-olds today willlive past 90. One in 10 will live past 95.

It’s difficult to know how much to setaside for retirement. It’s equally difficult to

know whether to take Social Security assoon as one is eligible or wait a few yearsand get a fatter check. Solution: A worker at the full retire-

ment age of 66 will be entitled to a monthlySocial Security benefit of $1,000. That’s re-duced to $750 a month if benefits begin at62, the earliest one can begin to drawchecks. However, the same worker waitinguntil age 70 will get $1,320 a month.

Deciding when to take benefits dependson age, health, how long you’ll keep work-ing, how much is saved and other factors.The Social Security Administration offers abenefits calculator at: http://www.ssa.gov/oact/anypia/index.html. 4. Failing to ask for guidance Problem: Trying to handle retirement

savings and investments without help. Solution: Many retirees and those near-

ing retirement who manage their ownmoney often micromanage their accounts bywatching the market’s movement every day.

They tend to pull money out when theyget scared and keep it out until too late,

Five big money mistakes retirees make

See MONEY MISTAKES, page 5

By Mark JewellStep into the McDonald’s in Port

Chester, N.Y. on a Saturday, and there’s agood chance you’ll see Jon Burnham din-ing on the cheap with his wife. They’re Mc-Donald’s regulars.

“Where else can two people go and havea really nice lunch or dinner for $10?”Burnham asked.

He knows how to spot a value, aftermore than five decades in the financialservices industry and 16 years as a mutualfund manager.

The economy is in a tough spot, andBurnham expects consumers will continueto embrace low-cost menus at fast-foodchains. He’s a particularly strong believerin McDonald’s stock, one of the top fiveholdings in his fund.

Its shares are trading at an all-time high,up 22 percent in a year when the stockmarket has edged up just 2 percent. That’sone reason why Burnham Fund (BURHX)has outperformed 94 percent of its large-

blend stock category peers this year, re-turning more than 3 percent.

A bigger contributor is Burnham’s sec-ond-biggest holding, Chipotle MexicanGrill. Its shares have surged 62 percent thisyear, lifted by sales that are rising at a fasterpace than at more established chains.

The sizzling results for restaurantchains extend beyond those two names.Strong performers include Panera Breadand Starbucks, both up 34 percent; TimHortons, 22 percent; Wendy’s, 12 percent,and Yum Brands, 11 percent.

But will gains continue?Unfortunately, investors looking to

spice up returns by adding those names totheir portfolios now may find their poten-tial is limited because the stocks have per-formed so well recently.

Industry profits are being constrained byrising costs for ingredients such as beef andcoffee, which have triggered price increas-es at several chains. Still their menu prices

remain low enough that the chains hold ap-peal at a time when many consumers arewary of spending too much to eat out.

Fund managers investing in fast foodsay they’re also drawn by the relative sim-plicity of the chains’ business models. Andmany chains have expanded into fast-growing emerging markets like China.

Fast-food chains offer relatively pre-dictable growth prospects at a time whenthe outlook for economic growth in theU.S. and Europe is dim, said Ron Rohn, co-manager of the John Hancock GlobalLeaders Growth Fund (USGLX), whosetop holding is Yum Brands, owner of KFC,Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

Restaurant stocks to consider Below we look at three top fast-food

stocks, and perspectives from managers atfunds with big stakes in them: 1. McDonald’s Corp. The biggest burger chain is an industry

bellwether, with more than 33,000 loca-

tions. With a market value of $95 billion,McDonald’s is a widely held stock, andone of the 30 names that make up the DowJones industrial average.

McDonald’s increased its third-quarterdividend by 15 percent, and expects to returnabout $6 billion to shareholders this yearthrough dividends and share repurchases.

It has raised its payout each year sincepaying its first dividend in 1976. The cur-rent dividend yield is about 3 percent.

McDonald’s has been repositioning it-self as a health-conscious option, addingsalads and oatmeal. Earnings have risenfor nine consecutive quarters, capped by a9 percent third-quarter gain. But the com-pany hinted that it may need to raise menuprices for the third time this year to helpoffset higher ingredient costs.

The stock is the top holding at the TwoOaks Diversified Growth Fund (TWOAX),whose manager argues McDonald’s is in

Big returns from fast food in slow market

See FAST FOOD, page 5

good position to offset those costs. BlakeTodd points to the chain’s expanded bever-age lineup, including fancy coffee drinks.

Beverages are typically sold at higherprofit margins than burgers, and ingredi-ent costs are lower, helping to insulate Mc-Donald’s from spiking commodity prices,Todd said.

He also credits McDonald’s for adaptingto local tastes overseas, where menus varywidely from those here. The U.S. now ac-counts for just 31 percent of McDonald’srevenue. 2. Yum Brands Inc. Yum’s KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bill chains

give the company a diversified approach.Yum has more than 38,000 restaurants world-wide. With a $25 billion market cap, thestock’s dividend yield is about 2.1 percent.

The company recently said that it expectssales to drop in the fourth quarter in its strug-

gling U.S. business, particularly at Taco Bell. But Yum is faring well overseas, where

it gets two-thirds of its operating profit.Nearly half comes from emerging marketslike China. This year, the company expectsto open 1,500 restaurants, maintaining lastyear’s pace of about four new restaurantseach day outside the U.S. 3. Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. The chain of nearly 1,200 restaurants

has expanded rapidly, employing a fast-ca-sual service model, and emphasizingfresh, healthy ingredients in its burritosand tacos. It targets middle-class con-sumers willing to pay $8 to $10 a meal.

The 18-year-old company remains pri-marily a U.S. chain, but recently expandedbeyond Mexican fare with new ShopHouseSoutheast Asian Kitchen locations. Itsstock debuted in 2006 at $45 a share. Thecompany doesn’t pay a dividend.

Shares now trade for about $340, mak-ing the stock unusually expensive relativeto the earnings the company generates.

Chipotle’s price-to-earnings ratio of 53 isabout triple the average P/E of stocks inthe Standard & Poor’s 500 index. McDon-ald’s P/E is about 18, and Yum’s is 21.

One reason Chipotle’s stock is priced sorichly is the company’s strong growth.Sales at restaurants open at least a yearrose 11.3 percent in the third quarter,more than twice the 4.4 percent figure atMcDonald’s U.S. locations.

Burnham said Chipotle’s managementhas a knack for adding restaurants in ideal

locations, and the chain’s emphasis on nat-ural and high-quality ingredients is clearlya hit with consumers.

He’s happy to hold onto the stock, whichmakes up about 7 percent of his fund’s port-folio. But he worries that any broad setbackin the stock market could cause investors tostart selling growth stocks like Chipotle, infavor of safer names.

“I think of McDonald’s as a core holding,”Burnham said. “But Chipotle needs to bewatched, because it’s not so cheap.” — AP

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Law & Money 5

Susquehanna Trust & Investment Company can help you with:• Estate and gift concerns• Investment management• Tax strategies• Financial recordkeeping• Bill payments from

your account• Sale of a home as an

account service

To learn more, call Ken Hoefer, Senior Vice President, at 410.316.0240, or email him at Kenneth.Hoefer@susquehanna.net.

Doing what counts. | susquehanna.net

Let us help youwith life’s changes.

SECURITIES AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE:• NOT FDIC INSURED

• MAY LOSE VALUE

• NOT BANK GUARANTEED

• NOT A DEPOSIT

• NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENTITY

missing any chance for recovery when themarket picks up. This happened to mil-lions of retirement savers as the marketcollapsed in 2008. Many 401(k) accoun-tholders lost a third of their money.

The reverse is also true, as many puttheir investments on auto pilot and give

them no attention at all. A financial planner can help make sure a

portfolio is properly diversified and thatrisk is adequately reduced as retirementapproaches.

With such low interest rates today, it’sdifficult to make any money in cash invest-ments. So a strategy of using bonds withvarying maturities, mixing in dividend pay-ing stocks and looking at newly designed

annuity products, is important. 5. Investing too conservatively Problem: Retirees want to protect their

savings from losses, but also need to be suretheir money is working for them. Investmentreturns are a vital part of their balance sheet. Solution: Retirement can last for

decades. It’s important to recognize that in-flation will cause expenses to rise over time,all while retirees are living on a fixed income.

Also it’s a mistake to assume that totalexpenses will decline in retirement. Withmore leisure time expenses can rise, andmedical costs will certainly increase.

This means that it would be a mistakefor retirees to invest solely in fixed-incomesecurities. Instead they need to continue tomaintain a diversified portfolio, with astrategy that gradually limits their risk oflosses as they get older. — AP

Money mistakesFrom page 4

Fast foodFrom page 4

� FREE INFORMATION � FREE INFORMATION � FREE INFORMATION �FR

EE

I

NF

OR

MA

TI

ON

�

F

RE

E I

NF

OR

MA

TI

ON

�

F

RE

E I

NF

OR

MA

TI

ON

�

F

RE

E I

NF

OR

MA

TI

ON

�FREE INFORMATION � FREE INFORMATION � FREE INFORMATION �

FR

EE

I

NF

OR

MA

TI

ON

�

F

RE

E I

NF

OR

MA

TI

ON

�

F

RE

E I

NF

OR

MA

TI

ON

�

F

RE

E I

NF

OR

MA

TI

ON

�

Name____________________________________________________ _____________

Address________________________________________________________________

City______________________________________State______Zip________________

Phone (day)________________________(evening)________________________

E-mail____________________________________________________ _____________

Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this form to:The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915

or fax to (410) 248-9102.

Feel free to mail this form together with the reader survey on page 3.

MAIL OR FAX FORFREE INFORMATIONFor free materials on housing communities and health studies, just complete and clip this coupon

and mail or fax it to the Beacon.

Housing Communities� Alta at Regency Crest (see ad on page 11)� Atrium Village (see ad on page 7)� Charlestown (see ad on page 24)� Charlotte Hall (see ad on page 26)�Meadows at Reisterstown (see ad on page 8)�Oak Crest (see ad on page 24)� Park View at Catonsville (see ad on page 23)� Park View at Columbia (see ad on page 23)� Park View at Dundalk (see ad on page 23)� Park View at Rosedale (see ad on page 23)� Pikeswood Park Apartments (see ad on page 9)� Renaissance Gardens (see ad on page 19)� St. Mary’s Roland Park Towers (see ad on page 21)�Westminster House (see ad on page 24)�Woodholme Gardens (see ad on page 9)

Health Study Volunteers� Diabetes & Exercise Study (see ad on page 16)� Fall Prevention Study (see ad on page 17)� Knee Pain/Sleep Study (see ad on page 17)� Parkinson’s Memory Study (see article, page 17)� Sleep Apnea Study (see ad on page 17)

BB1/12

6 Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

“I’m 79 years old and live alone in a small town. I own and wear the firstSTREET Medical Alarm button. The Medical Alarm has saved my life not once but three times! Thefirst incident was on May 15th,when I had astroke. The second incident wason Oct 15th, I found myself on the floor, with a knot on my head and a hole in the wall. The thirdincident was on Oct 23rd, I felt strangesitting in the chair. I could not movemy right arm or leg. I learned that thehole in my heart (from birth), wasforcing the high blood pressure throughthe hole and right up to my brain, thiswas the reasons for all three strokes. Ican walk and talk with the exceptionof a weak right arm. If it was not forthe Medical Alarm, who knows whatthe outcome could’ve been.”

W. Blackledge

Why wait, it’s simple to install and

use. Unlike other products that

require professional

installation, thisproduct is“plug andplay.” The

unit is designed

for easy use in an emergency, with

large, easy-to-identify buttons.

Plus it’s reliable. From the waterproof pendant to the sophisticated base unit to thestate-of-the-art 24/7 call center,the entire system is designed to give you the peace of mind in knowing you are never alone in an emergency. You get two-way communicationwith a live person in our Emergency Response Center, andthere’s a battery backup in case of a power failure.

Best of all, it’sa f f o r d a b l e .There is noe q u i p m e n tcharge, no acti-vation fee, andno long termcontract. Callnow and within

a week you or someone you lovewill have the peace of mind andindependence that comes withthis remarkable system.

5681

9

Designed For Seniors®

Medical Alarm Please mention promotional code

43855.

1-866-565-3495

“My Medical Alarm saved my life 3 times!

I’m sure glad I didn’t wait.”

Copyright © 2011 by firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Designed For Seniors® Medical Alarm provides emergency notification that is simple, reliable and affordable. It’s simply the best value on the market today.

Don’t wait until its too late… read a real life saving story below!

Order now and receive free shipping and

a free gift – valued at $35. It’s yours to keep.

FREE

GIFT

value

d at $

35

Simple, Reliable, and Affordable

Equipment Cost

Activation

Contract

UL Approved Call Center

Senior Approved™

Warranty

Free Shipping

Competition

$30-$300

$10-$30

1-2 Years

Some

No

Varies

?

Designed For Seniors®

MedicalAlarm

FREE

FREE

NONE

YES

YES

LIFETIME

YES

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

Wear as a pendant, or

on your belt, or on your wrist

Help when you need it most:Medical Emergency – Accident – Fire – Burglary“Good morning. This is

Nancy with Medical Alarm. Do you need assistance

Mrs. Smith?”

Regardless of how well educated youare, it’s unlikely that you can plan yourfamily’s financial future with-out some professional advice.

Much of what you need todo to manage, protect andpass on your wealth — thingslike investing, buying insur-ance and drawing up a will —can be done cheaply and in astraightforward manner.

But you’ll be much betteroff if you seek guidancewhere your competency islimited, especially when yourneeds are complex.

Do-it-yourself investingConsider the example of investing. If you

have the time, and are willing to put in theeffort, you can be your own financial plan-ner. As a basic guide, I recommend Makingthe Most of Your Money Now by Jane BryantQuinn (Simon and Shuster, 2009).

To stay up-to-date, I recommend read-ing the Wall Street Journal, Money Maga-zine, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance maga-zine and Barron’s newspaper.

There are many excellent blogs andwebsites, too, including those run by in-vestment firms, such as Pimco.com andwww.Vanguard.com. Vanguard has videosand articles that discuss the issues sur-rounding all the major investment options.

Finding a professionalOf course, if you have no interest in

being your own financial planner, you canhire one. However, it is important to checkreferences and to use one who has theproper credentials, because anyone canclaim to be a “financial planner.”

A certified financial planner (CFP) has

passed a comprehensive examination andmust stay up-to-date in several subject

areas. Some CFPs sell finan-cial products on commission,so their efforts may be some-what biased.

Others are fee-only plan-ners. They sell no productsand generally charge you foran initial plan, and bill hourlyafter that. Such planners aremore likely to recommendproducts such as no-load fundsand low-load insurance thatwill be cost-effective for you.

If you have a significantportfolio, you will find that

many of the major no-load funds will pro-vide you with planners at low (or no) cost.

For life insuranceAs with investments, there are ways to

reduce commissions when buying certainkinds of life insurance. So-called “low-load”policies are available for universal, variableuniversal, and second-to-die insurance.

Low-load policies provide you with larg-er cash values in the early years of the pol-icy. Accordingly, investment values anddeath benefits accrue much faster, andthese policies have low (or no) surrendercharges.

Life insurance is a complex subject, andyou really need to educate yourself beforeyou shop for a policy. Here again I recom-mend Jane Bryant Quinn’s book.

You will also find a great deal of informa-tion on the Internet, including at the web-sites of the Insurance Information Institute(www.iii.org/individuals/lifeinsurance)and the LIFE Foundation (www.lifehap-pens.org/life-insurance). The latter sitehas a great calculator for helping you de-

termine the ideal amount of coverage. James Hunt, an actuary, former insur-

ance commissioner and noted consumeradvocate, offers a great service at a nomi-nal fee evaluating prospective policies forconsumers (visit his site at evaluatelifein-surance.org).

After you decide what type of policy youwant, comparison shop via phone or the In-ternet. Using the same parameters, youcan determine which policy is best by com-paring the cash value after specific timeframes.

Some highly rated companies offeringlow-load policies directly are Ameritas Ad-visers (ameritasdirect.com), TIAA-CREF(tiaa-cref.org) and (if you or certain familymembers have a military background)USAA Life Insurance Co. (usaa.com).

If your life insurance needs are com-plex, consider using a chartered life under-writer, who is more qualified than the aver-age agent.

For health or LTC insuranceIf you require health, disability or long-

term care insurance, you’re best off contact-ing a health insurance agent or your localSenior Health Insurance Program (SHIP).

SHIP offices are part of a nationwidenetwork supported by the Older Ameri-cans Act, and offer one-on-one advice from

well-educated volunteers. For an appointment with your local

SHIP office, call the appropriate number: Baltimore City (410) 396-2273Baltimore County (410) 887-2594Anne Arundel County (410) 222-4257

Estate planning adviceAs for wills, if your estate plans are

straightforward, you can use any compe-tent attorney.

A straightforward will is one in whichyou leave all of your assets to your spouse,and vice versa. If your spouse predeceasesyou, all assets when you die go to yourchildren. You also want to make sure yourspouse’s name is specified on all benefici-ary forms for your retirement plans.

If your estate plans are more complex,use an attorney who specializes in estateplanning. Some examples: You are beingmarried for the second time, and both part-ners have children from previous mar-riages; you wish to set up a trust for a fami-ly member who is handicapped; you areleaving assets to minors, and you want toselect a trustee to allocate funds to them; oryou believe your spouse needs assistancehandling money, and you prefer a trustee toinvest the proceeds from your estate and al-

Good financial advice is readily available

THE SAVINGSGAMEBy Elliot Raphaelson

See FINANCIAL ADVICE, page 8

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Law & Money 7

JASON FRANK,ESQ. KANDACE SCHERR, ESQ. MARY O’BYRNE, ESQ.

MedicalAssistancePlanning

Asset Protection

Guardianship

Powers ofAttorney

AdvanceMedical

Directives/Living Wills

Trusts/Estate PlanningAdministration

DisabilityPlanning/

Special NeedsTrusts

1400 FRONT AVE., SUITE 200 · LUTHERVILLE, MD 21093Salisbury, MD · Columbia, MD

410-337-8900 · 1-888-338-0400www.frankelderlaw.com

ELDER LAW, ESTATEAND SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING

locate the funds to your beneficiary.Before hiring a professional in any of

these fields, remember: Always check ref-erences. Don’t hesitate to ask friends forrecommendations.

You should have a face-to-face meetingwith any professional you consider using,and he or she should be willing to meetwith you initially without charging a fee.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questionsand comments at elliotraph@gmail.com.

© 2011 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed byTribune Media Services, Inc.

Editor’s Note: The following questionsand answers are drawn from remarks madeby Dr. Charles Blahous, public trustee of So-cial Security & Medicare, at the Beacon50+Expo in November.1. What do the public trustees of

Social Security do?There are two public trustees, and their

positions were created by Congress aspart of the last major rescue of Social Se-curity in 1983, when the program was onthe brink of insolvency, literally monthsaway from not being able to send out thechecks.

Last-minute, bipartisan agreementsaved the program. There had been con-cern over the previous several years thatthe financial projections made by the gov-ernment trustees — cabinet secretariesfrom Treasury, Labor, Health & HumanServices and the Commissioner of SocialSecurity — had been too rosy, forcing leg-islators back time and again to solve finan-cial problems.

So Congress created the public trusteepositions to oversee projections, sign offon them as reasonable, and increase pub-lic confidence in the projections. 2. Why do we have a pending short-

fall in Social Security’s ability to paybenefits? Isn’t it a self-financing sys-tem?

If each generation paid enough payrolltaxes to fund its own benefits, or if thatgeneration’s benefits were limited to its taxcontributions plus earnings, there wouldbe no shortfall. But that’s not how SocialSecurity was set up.

The first generation to receive Social Se-curity was given benefits while only mak-ing very small contributions, and theamount of benefits was not limited to thevalue of those contributions.

As a result, the vast majority of theirbenefits had to be paid for by the next gen-eration of workers. And the system hascontinued to operate that way ever since:Current workers pay for most of the bene-fits received by current retirees.

Now that can continue to work if, andonly if, the ratio of workers to beneficiariesnever declines below the level required tosustain the previously established benefitand tax formulas. The huge boomer gener-ation now entering retirement didn’t haveas many children as their parents did, sothere will not be enough workers to main-tain this arrangement.

We used to have the payroll taxes ofthree or more workers to support each in-dividual receiving Social Security. Thatratio is now declining below three, and in20 years there will be only two workerspaying taxes per beneficiary.

In addition to the change in fertility pat-terns, today’s retirees live much longerthan people used to, and hence collectmore years of benefits.

Keep in mind that Social Security isbased on two different — and unrelated —formulas set down in law: One formula de-termines the taxes you pay while working;another formula determines the benefitsyou receive based on lifetime earnings.

Because of the demographic changesmentioned above as well as some benefitexpansions made in the 1970s, the benefitscurrently promised by the benefit formulawell exceed the taxes generated by the taxformula. Hence, our growing shortfall.3. Is there any reason to rush to

make changes to Social Security?Yes. Those who are either on Social Se-

curity or on the verge of it should definite-ly want Congress to fix the problems assoon as possible.

I believe that some senior advocacy or-ganizations who are taking to airwaveswith a “hands off Social Security” messageare doing a terrible disservice. Deferringreforms for much longer would bring

about the worst possible outcome for theirmembers.

For example, if we were to deferchanges until 2036, the year the Social Se-curity Trust Fund is currently estimated torun out, across-the-board benefit cuts of 23percent of benefits would be required.These cuts in benefits would not only af-fect new retirees in 2036, but everyone, in-cluding the poorest of the poor and thosewho’d been on the rolls for decades.

Suppose you wanted to protect the bene-fits of those already in retirement in 2036and confine changes to those newly com-ing on the rolls then? By that point, evencompletely eliminating benefits for all newbeneficiaries wouldn’t solve the problem!

On other hand, if we act sometime in thenext few years, we can protect people cur-rently in retirement, those on the verge ofretirement, those with low incomes, andeven allow benefits to rise relative to infla-tion going forward. 4. Does Social Security contribute to

our current or future federal deficits? Yes, both. This year’s tab for Social Se-

curity is $738 billion. Income from currentpayroll taxes plus taxes paid on Social Se-curity benefits by wealthier retirees totalsonly $587 billion. So, this year’s Social Se-curity payments are adding $151 billion to

8 Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Answering your Social Security questions

Financial adviceFrom page 7

See SOCIAL SECURITY, page 9

All Pet Crematory, Inc.(410) 552-0703 or 1(888) 552-0703 (toll free)

• open directly to the public

for private cremations only

• caring & professional staff

• memorial urns and

merchandise available

“Pet Lovers Serving Pet Lovers” | WWW.APCrematory.com

Are you online? So are we!

You’ll find topical articles, as well as blogs, recipes, useful links, games, puzzles and event listings.Add your event to our calendar.

Visit our website:www.theBeaconNewspapers.com

Also –

www.facebook.com/BeaconNewspaper

300 Cantata Court • Reisterstown, MD 21136www.firstcentrumcommunities.com

$0Application

Fee

$0Security Deposit

MOVE IN BY 1/31/2012 AND GET A FLAT SCREEN TV

our unified deficit. The gap is especially large this year be-

cause of the recession (which has loweredemployment and hence payroll tax collec-tions) and because the administration andCongress cut payroll taxes this year by 2percent as a stimulus measure. (PresidentObama proposes to continue and even ex-pand this payroll tax cut next year.)

The payroll tax cut constitutes $105 bil-lion of this year’s $151 billion shortfall, andit is being paid for from general accountsbecause the administration and Congressagreed to cover its cost that way.

But even if payroll taxes hadn’t been cut,required benefits payments would (anddid) exceed incoming cash revenues by$46 billion this year.

While it’s true that there are sufficientrevenues due Social Security from intereston its Trust Fund assets to cover that partof the shortfall, the government is current-ly able to make these payments only by is-suing new debt, also adding to the currentfederal deficit.

These annual needs for cashing in TrustFund assets will continue to occur and, in-deed, rise sharply in coming years, in-creasing deficits further and ultimatelyoutstripping the Trust Fund entirely.5. Wasn’t the Trust Fund estab-

lished to collect surplus revenues overthe past few decades so money wouldbe available to cover pending short-falls now and in the future?

That’s a very common misconception,but not true. Neither the Greenspan Com-

mission, whose work ultimately led to the1983 Social Security reforms, nor Con-gress had any intention to set payroll taxrates higher than necessary to meet bene-fit obligations in the near-term.

The goal had been to balance revenuesand benefits over the 75 years following1983, without careful attention to the flowof annual revenues and expenditures.

But it became clear within a very shortwhile after the 1983 legislation that the long-term “balance” it created was actually unbal-anced on an annual basis: revenues wouldrun substantially ahead of expenditures inthe early years, before the deficits we arenow experiencing would arise in later years.

At that point, members of Congress, in-cluding Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan(who had served on the Greenspan Com-mission), proposed to scale back the pay-roll tax rates to eliminate the unintendedsurpluses, noting that there was no effec-tive way to “save” them for the future.

Congress as a whole, as well as the firstBush Administration, however, did not wantto revisit the 1983 agreement, nor to deprivethe government of access to the surpluspayroll tax revenue that was then arriving.

The federal government was thus ableto spend those surpluses, with the resultthat it is now in no better financial positionto redeem the Trust Fund debt than itwould have been if the surpluses hadnever existed. 6. But isn’t it true that the higher

payroll taxes paid by workers since1983 have effectively pre-funded theirbenefits, making it unfair to changethe Social Security benefit formulaprior to 2036, when the Trust Fund

assets run out? Actually, the fairest way to reform Social

Security would be to do so as quickly aspossible.

The reason that the Trust Funds areprojected to last until 2036 is not becausebaby boomers have pre-funded a quarter-century’s worth of benefit payments. Actu-ally, the Trust Funds are never projectedto hold enough assets to fund more thanabout three and a half years’ worth of pay-ments, and that’s about how much theyhold today.

Furthermore, most of those assetstoday are interest that was credited on theunsaved surplus; not surplus dollars them-selves.

From now through 2036, more thanfour-fifths of the funds to finance benefitpayments will be derived from taxes com-ing in from younger workers.

So postponing reforms means the leastfair solutions. If current benefit schedulesare left in place, for example, those nowentering Social Security will lose roughly 4percent of their lifetime wage income toSocial Security, even if they receive all ben-efits now scheduled for them.

If you want the fairest relative treat-ment of dif ferent generations, the in-evitable changes should begin soon, bephased in gradually, and affect the largestnumber of participants. The more thatyou postpone them, the more that you ex-cuse some generations from contributing

anything to the resolution, and you loadup all of the adverse effects on the gener-ations that already stand to be treated theworst.

The most important thing, however, isto get the problem solved soon, even if it’snot my favored solution or yours. Thelonger we go without a solution, the uglierthe eventual solution will look.

Social SecurityFrom page 8

Dr. Charles Blahous, one of the two pub-lic trustees of Social Security andMedicare, believes postponing necessaryadjustments to Social Security will hurtboth present and future retirees.

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Law & Money 9

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

Luxury Apartment Living for Adults 62+

Enjoy worry-free living and great amenities in a building nestled in a country-like setting in the heart of Baltimore County

3801 Schnaper Drive • Randallstown

For more information and a tour call the rental office at 410-655-2400

or by email Jennifer@pikeswood.com

APARTMENTS

•Maintenance Free Living•Free Transportation to Shopping•Elevators • Secure Controlled Access Entry• Social Activities/Trips• Small Pets Welcome•Much more!

One Month

Free Rent Ask for details

10 J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THINGConcerns are growing about overuse of vitamin supplements

GARLIC CAN BE TRICKYHow to maximize garlic’s anti-cancerproperties in your cooking

RINGING IN THE NEW EAR?Many prescription and over-the-counterdrugs can cause tinnitus

PARKINSON’S STUDYResearchers seek patients to test promising treatment methods

HealthFitness &

By Maria ChengPopeye might want to consider switch-

ing to broccoli. British scientists un-veiled a new breed of the vegetable thatexper ts say packs a big nutritionalpunch.

The new broccoli was specially grown tocontain two to three times the normalamount of glucoraphanin — a nutrient be-lieved to help ward off heart disease.

Glucoraphanin works by breaking downfat in the body, preventing it from cloggingthe arteries. It is found in significantamounts only in broccoli.

“Vegetables are a medicine cabinet al-ready,” said Richard Mithen, who led theteam of scientists who developed the newbroccoli at the Institute for Food Researchin Norwich, England,. “When you eat thisbroccoli, you get a reduction in cholesterolin your blood stream,” he told AssociatedPress Television.

An AP reporter who tasted the newbroccoli found it was the same as regularbroccoli. Scientists, however, said itshould taste slightly sweeter because itcontains less sulphur.

Not genetically modifiedTo create the vegetable, sold as “super

broccoli,” Mithen and colleagues cross-bred a traditional British broccoli with awild, bitter Sicilian variety that has no flow-ery head, but a big dose of glucoraphanin.

After 14 years, the enhanced hybrid wasproduced, which has been granted apatent by European authorities. No genet-ic modification was used.

It’s been on sale as Beneforte in selectstores in California and Texas for the lastyear, and hit British shelves this month.Later this fall, the broccoli will be rolledout across the U.S.

The super vegetable is part of an in-creasing tendency among producers to in-ject extra nutrients into foods — rangingfrom calcium-enriched orange juice, to for-tified sugary cereals, and milk with addedomega 3 fatty acids.

In Britain, the new broccoli is sold as partof a line of vegetables that includes mush-rooms with extra vitamin D, as well as toma-toes and potatoes with added selenium.

Not enough data exists to know if any-one could overdose on glucoraphanin, butvitamin D and selenium in very high quan-tities can be toxic.

Clinical trials underwayMithen and colleagues are conducting

human trials comparing the heart healthof people eating the super broccoli tothose who eat regular broccoli or no broc-coli. They plan to submit the data to theEuropean Food Safety Agency next yearso they can claim in advertisements thatthe broccoli has proven health benefits.

“There’s a lot of circumstantial evidencethat points to [glucoraphanin and relatedcompounds] as the most important pre-ventive agents for [heart attacks] and cer-tain cancers, so it’s a reasonable thing todo,” said Lars Ove Dragsted, a professor inthe department of human nutrition at theUniversity of Copenhagen.

Dragsted, who previously sat on panelsat the International Agency for Researchon Cancer, where he examined the link be-tween vegetables and cancer, said gluco-raphanin is a mildly toxic compound usedby plants to fight insects.

In humans, glucoraphanin may stimu-late our bodies’ natural chemical defenses,potentially making the body stronger at re-moving dangerous compounds, he said.

Other experts said eating foods packedwith extra nutrients would probably onlyhave a minimal impact compared withother lifestyle choices, like not smokingand exercising.

“Eating this new broccoli is not going tocounteract your bad habits,” said GlenysJones, a nutritionist at Britain’s MedicalResearch Council. She doubted whetheradding the nutrients in broccoli to morepopular foods would work to improve peo-ple’s overall health.

“If you added this to a burger, peoplemight think it’s then a healthy food andeat more burgers, whereas this is notsomething they should be eating moreof,” Jones said. She also thought thesuper broccoli’s U.K. price — it costsabout a third more than regular broccoli— might discourage penny-pinching cus-tomers.

But that wasn’t enough to deter SuzanneJohnson, a 43-year-old mother of twoyoung children in London. “I’m very con-cerned about the food they eat and wouldhappily pay a bit more to buy somethingthat has an added benefit,” Johnson said.

But for her children, taste is ultimatelymore important than any nutritional value.“Broccoli is one of the vegetables they ac-tually like, so I’m glad it’s the one [scien-tists] have been working on,” she said.“This wouldn’t work [for us] if it had beenmushrooms or asparagus.”

— AP

‘Super broccoli’ said to lower cholesterol

By Marilynn MarchionePeople recovering from a heart attack

or severe chest pain are much less likely tosuffer another heart-related problem or todie from one if they take a new blood-thin-ning drug along with standard anti-clottingmedicines, a large study finds.

But this benefit had a cost: a greater riskof serious bleeding, usually in the diges-tive tract.

Still, some doctors said the drug, Xarel-to, could become a new standard of carefor up to a million Americans hospitalizedeach year for these conditions. A low doseof the drug substantially cut the risk ofdying of any cause during the study.

“Mortality trumps everything,” so adrug that improves survival is a win, saidDr. Paul Armstrong of the University of Al-berta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

He had no role in the study, discussed at

a recent American Heart Association con-ference in Florida and published online bythe New England Journal of Medicine. Thestudy was sponsored by the drug’s makers— Johnson & Johnson and Bayer Health-care — and some researchers work orconsult for the companies.

Older blood thinners differXarelto is approved now at higher doses

for preventing strokes in people with acommon heart rhythm problem and forpreventing blood clots after joint surger-ies. It works in a different way than aspirinand older blood thinners do.

Dr. C. Michael Gibson of Harvard Med-ical School led a study testing it in 15,500patients around the world who were leav-ing the hospital after a heart attack or se-vere chest pain from clogged arteries.

All were prescribed aspirin and an older

blood thinner. One-third also received a lowdose of Xarelto, and one-third got a higherdose. After about a year on average, nearly11 percent of those on just the usual medi-cines had suffered a heart attack, heart-re-lated death or a stroke versus less than 9percent of those on either dose of Xarelto.

The lower dose proved better and safer.Fewer than 3 percent of those gettingXarelto died of any cause during the study,compared with 4.5 percent of those gettingjust the usual medicines. That translates toa 32 percent lower risk with Xarelto.

“Our study group has been going for 27years and we’ve not seen that” magnitude ofbenefit from a drug like this, said Dr. EugeneBraunwald of Harvard-affiliated Brigham andWomen’s Hospital, the study’s chairman.

To prevent a single heart-related death,heart attack or stroke, only 56 peoplewould need to be treated for two years

with a low dose of the drug, Gibson said. However, serious bleeding was nearly

four times more common with Xarelto, in-cluding bleeding in the head, a potentiallydisabling side effect. Fatal bleeding was nogreater with Xarelto, however.

“There’s a trade-off” between thinningthe blood to prevent clots and raising therisk of bleeding, said Dr. Roger Blumen-thal, preventive cardiology chief at JohnsHopkins Medical Center.

An expensive optionCost is another issue. Usual care for

these patients is changing with newerdrugs that have come on the market sincethis study started.

One — ticagrelor, sold as Brilinta in theU.S. and other brands elsewhere — also

New drug cuts deaths after a heart attack

See HEART DRUG, page 11

Training programmay improve

visionEarly next year, a company called Ucan-

si will launch GlassesOff — a computerprogram that could help older people shedtheir reading glasses for at least part of thetime, and may allow others to carry onreading without optical aids for yearslonger than would otherwise be possible.

The software helps people compensatefor deterioration in their eyes’ ability tofocus on nearby objects by training thebrain to process the resulting blurred im-ages.

As we age, the lenses in our eyes be-come less elastic, so they can’t readily ad-just to focus on nearby objects. Known aspresbyopia, the condition is almost ubiqui-tous among people in their early 50s andabove. In addition to the obvious readingproblems, symptoms include tired eyesand headaches.

The software trains users to detect pat-terns called Gabor patches. In a typicaltraining session, the user fixates on awhite circle, which then gives way to arapid succession of images. Some areblank, but others show varied, blurry gray

patches at different places on the screen,one of which will appear where the circlewas.

Users must determine when in the se-quence the pattern appeared at the targetposition. As they become better at thetask, the software adapts to alter the orien-tation of the patterns, place them closer tothe target, or speed up the sequence.

Tests of the software run at the Univer-sity of California-Berkeley found that after40 training sessions, volunteers averaging51 years of age were able to read morethan two lines further down an opticalchart, corresponding to a reduction in“eye age” from 50.5 to 41.9 years. In addi-tion, their newspaper reading speed in-creased by about 4 seconds per sentence.

As expected, there were no differencesin the eyes’ ability to focus after the train-ing. “Every single change is in the brain,”said Uri Polat of Tel Aviv University in Is-rael, co-founder of Ucansi.

Although the experiments were runusing a PC, Ucansi’s first product will bean iPhone app because of the convenienceof the device and its high-quality screen.

The cost of the app is expected to bearound $95, covering an initial training pe-riod of about three months during whichusers will train for 15 minutes, three timesa week. After that there will be a smallmonthly fee for less-intensive “mainte-nance” training.

Given that our eyes eventually lose their

ability to focus on close objects, the app isunlikely to be a panacea for presbyopia.But Lee Duffner, an opthalmologist in Hol-lywood, Florida, who serves as a clinicalexpert for the American Academy ofOpthalmology, suggests that it might delaythe need to adopt reading glasses.

— New Scientist Magazine

Alzheimer’s canprogress

quickly or slowlyPeople with Alzheimer’s disease seem

to lose their cognitive functions eitherquickly or slowly and not deviate from thispath throughout the whole of their illness.The finding could help people to under-stand how quickly they might deteriorate,as well as improve the design of trials forfuture treatments.

Craig Thalhauser and Nathalia Komaro-va, at the University of California-Irvine,used a computer algorithm to analyze clin-ical data gathered over 23 years from al-most 650 people with Alzheimer’s.

The model showed that there are twodistinct types of progression — quick andslow — through each stage of the disease.The average rate of progression throughany one stage was up to two years fasterfor the quick group than the slow group.

The model also showed that people do

not switch rates. “If they are progressingfast then they will continue to do so,” saidKomarova. “The course of progression ispredefined from the start.”

What causes the difference is unclear,although it could be due to genetic factors,such as genes for tau proteins that havebeen associated with the development ofAlzheimer’s, Komarova said.

A person diagnosed with Alzheimer’scould now compare the timing of the firststage of degeneration against Komarova’sdataset to work out which group they be-long to.

The discovery should also help to designmore efficient clinical trials, as the numberof fast and slow patients in placebo and treat-ment groups would affect the outcome.

— New Scientist Magazine

No link between cellphones and

cancerDanish researchers can offer some re-

assurance if you’re concerned about yourcellphone: Don’t worry. Your device isprobably safe.

The biggest study ever to examine thepossible connection between cellphonesand cancer found no evidence of any link,suggesting that billions of people who are

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Fitness & Health 11

Health Shorts

proved beneficial for similar patients tak-ing just aspirin instead of pricier additionalmedicines used in the Xarelto study.

Xarelto’s makers will seek approval tosell it to people like those in this study bythe end of the year, a Johnson & Johnsonspokesman said. A price has not been set,but the higher doses sold now for otherpurposes run more than $7 a day.

The good results with Xarelto contrastwith the disappointing ones from an exper-imental blood thinner by Merck & Co., vo-rapaxar. The drug flopped in a key late-

stage study aimed at preventing heart at-tacks, strokes and other problems in peo-ple similar to those in the study of Xarelto— hospitalized for a heart attack or severechest pain from clogged arteries.

Vorapaxar gave no significant benefitwhen added to standard medicines in astudy of 13,000 patients around the world.It also raised the risk of serious bleeding.

Merck’s senior vice president of cardio-vascular research, Dr. Michael Mendel-sohn, said results due out early next yearfrom another large study testing vora-paxar in different types of patients will tellmore about that drug’s potential.

— AP

Heart drugFrom page 10

See HEALTH SHORTS, page 12

COMMUNITY AMENITIES• Beautiful club room with theaterand demonstration kitchen

• Wellness center• Indoor saltwater pool• Yoga studio & classes• Cooking Classes, and many moreplanned activities

• Movie theater & Billiards Room• Business center• Incredible courtyard and meditationgarden with koi pond and gazebo

Regency Crest is an extraordinarily carefree community because ofthe convenient lifestyle enjoyed by those who live here. We go theextra mile to provide our residents with distinctive amenities andservice that cannot be found in ordinary active adult communities.

3305 Oak West DriveEllicott City, MD 21043410.753.4171

www.RegencySeniorApartments.com

PLANNED ACTIVITIES SUCH ASWATER AEROBICS, RESIDENT MIXERS, COOKING CLASSES,ZUMBA, MOVIE NIGHTS, BBQ’S AND MANY MORE!

BRAND NEW APARTMENT HOMES FOR ACTIVE ADULTS 62 OR BETTER

LEARN ABOUT SURGERY FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) will hold a bariatric

surgery information session on Jan. 11 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Civiletti

Conference Center on the GBMC campus in Towson. Admission is free. Call (443)

849-2000 or visit www.gbmc.org to register.

COMPLIMENTARY MEDICINE FOR LUNG CANCER

“Living with Lung Cancer: Complementary Practices and Healing

Touch: Managing Cancer Side Effects and Symptoms” will be pre-

sented by St. Joseph Medical Center as part of its monthly Dinner Series for

Patients and Caregivers. The session will be held on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m.

in the Multidisciplinary Conference Room in the Cancer Institute on Osler Dr. in

Towson. For more information, call (410) 427-2011 or visit www.sjmcmd.org.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 11

Jan. 12

By Marilynn MarchioneTwo recent studies raised gnawing wor-

ries about the safety of vitamin supple-ments and a host of questions: Should any-one be taking them? Which ones are mostrisky? And if you do take them, how canyou pick the safest ones?

Vitamins have long had a “health halo.”Many people think they’re good for youand at worst might simply be unnecessary.The industry calls them an insurance poli-cy against bad eating.

But our foods are increasingly pumpedfull of them already. Even junk foods anddrinks often are fortified with nutrients togive them a healthier profile. As a result,the risk is rising that we’re getting toomuch. Add a supplement and you may ex-ceed the upper limit.

“We’re finding out they’re not as harm-less as the industry might have us be-lieve,” said David Schardt, a nutritionist atthe consumer group Center for Science inthe Public Interest.

In October, a study of nearly 40,000older women found a slightly higher riskof death among those taking dietary sup-plements — including multivitamins, folicacid, iron and copper. It was just an obser-vational study, though, not a rigorous test.

Another study found that men takinghigh doses of vitamin E (400 units a day)for five years had a slightly increased riskof prostate cancer.

Popular, despite little evidence As many as one-third of Americans take

vitamins and nearly half of people 50 andolder take multivitamins, surveys suggest.Americans spent $9.6 billion on vitamins lastyear, up from $7.2 billion in 2005, accordingto the Nutrition Business Journal. Multivita-mins top the list, at nearly $5 billion in sales.

Yet there is no clear evidence that multi-vitamins lower the risk of cancer, heart dis-ease or any other chronic health problems.No government agency recommendsthem generally, “regardless of the qualityof a person’s diet,” according to a factsheet from the federal Office of DietarySupplements. And vitamins aren’t requiredto undergo the strict testing required ofU.S.-approved prescription medicines.

Some fads, such as the antioxidant crazeover vitamins A and E and beta-carotene,backfired when studies found they gener-ated more, not fewer, health risks.

And studies that find more disease inpeople with too little of a certain vitamincan be misleading: Correcting a deficiencyso you have the right daily amount is dif-ferent from supplementing beyond recom-mended levels.

The best way to get vitamins is to eatfoods that naturally contain them, saidJody Engel, a nutritionist with Office of Di-etary Supplements. “Foods provide morethan just vitamins and minerals, such asfiber and other ingredients that may havepositive health effects.”

Schardt adds: “It’s virtually impossibleto overdose on the nutrients in food.”

Who needs supplements?The following groups may need more of

certain nutrients and should talk with theirdoctors about whether supplementation iscalled for:

• People over age 50 and vegans — mayneed vitamin B12. “As we get older, a num-

Concerns grow over vitamin supplements12 Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

Getting you back to your life.

Dulaney – 410.828.6500Ruxton – 410.821.9600Towson – 410.828.9494

www.manorcare.com

Getting you back to your life.

Dulaney – 410.828.6500Dulaney – 410.828.6500Ruxton – 410.821.9600

©20

11 H

CR

Hea

lth

care

, LLC

Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing

rarely more than a few inches from theirphones have no special health concerns.

The Danish study of more than 350,000people concluded there was no differencein cancer rates between people who hadused a cellphone for about a decade andthose who did not have a cellphone.

Cellphone users were also no more likelyto get a tumor in the part of the brain closestto where phones are usually held against thehead. The study was paid for by the govern-ment’s Danish Strategic Research Council.

“Our study provides little evidence for acausal association, but we cannot rule outa small to moderate increase in risk forsubgroups of heavy users,” said Patrizia

Frei, of the Institute of Cancer Epidemiolo-gy in Copenhagen, Denmark, one of thepaper’s authors.

The advocacy group MobileWise,which believes cellphones pose a healthrisk, said the study wasn’t long enough toconsider the long-term risk, since brain tu-mors can take decades to develop.

Cellphones send signals to nearby tow-ers via radio waves, a form of energy similarto microwaves. But the radiation producedby cellphones cannot directly damage DNAand is different from stronger types of radi-ation, such as X-rays or ultraviolet light.

At very high levels, radio frequencywaves from cellphones can heat up bodytissue, but that is not believed to damagehuman cells.

— AP

Health shortsFrom page 11

See VITAMINS, page 13

MANAGE YOUR DIABETES

St. Joseph Medical Center offers monthly programs for those

managing diabetes or caring for someone with the disease. These workshops are

held the first Tuesday of every month at 1 p.m. on the St. Joseph medical cam-

pus at 7601 Osler Dr. in Towson. To register, call (410) 337-1382 or visit

www.sjmcmd.org.

SUPPORT FOR BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

Mercy Medical Center sponsors Arm in Arm, a breast cancer sur-

vivor support group dedicated to promoting the physical and emo-

tional well-being of women with breast cancer by providing friendship, support

and understanding. Nurses and allied health professionals from the Hoffberger

Breast Center at Mercy support this effort. To learn more, visit

www.mdmercy.com or call (410) 332-9000.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

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.

– Susan, Baltimore

HelPForYourFeet.CoM

As a podiatrist with over 30 years experience, I

have always focused on conservative treatment of

foot and leg pain. I find that most people with foot

or leg symptoms (arthritic, aching, burning, cramp-

ing or difficulty walking) , even those who have had

other treatments, including surgery of the foot (or

back), can be helped, usually in 1or 2 visits.

— Dr. Stuart Goldman

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.

– Alvin, Baltimore

Stuart Goldman, DPM

410-235-23454419 Falls Road, Suite A, Baltimore

4000 Old Court Road, Suite 301, Pikesville

Fellow American College of

Foot and Ankle Surgeons

Marquis Who’s Who in

Medicine and Healthcare

Author, multiple articles on

Foot & Leg Symptoms

Ongoing

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Fitness & Health 13

ber of us no longer produce enough acid inthe stomach to extract the B12 in food,”Schardt said.

• Postmenopausal women — shoulddiscuss calcium and vitamin D to protectbones.

• Women planning on pregnancy — fo-late, or folic acid, can prevent birth de-fects.

• Pregnant women — may need extrairon.

• Breastfed infants and possibly otherinfants — may need vitamin D.

In fact, Vitamin D is a nutrient many ofus may need to supplement. Last fall, theInstitute of Medicine, a panel of scientistswho advise the government, raised therecommended amount but also warnedagainst overdoing it. People ages 1 to 70should get 600 international units a day.Those over 70 need 800 units.

And if you do need a supplement, be-ware: Quality varies. Consumerlab.com, acompany that tests supplements and pub-lishes ratings for subscribers, has found ahigh rate of problems in the 3,000 prod-ucts it has tested since 1999.

“One out of 4 either doesn’t containwhat it claims, or has some other prob-lems, such as contamination, or the pillswon’t break apart properly,” said companypresident Dr. Tod Cooperman.

For example, one gummy bear calciumproduct had 250 percent of the amount ofvitamin D claimed on the label. Another liq-uid product made with rose hips had justover half the amount of vitamin C listed.

“Price is not necessarily linked to quali-ty,” he said. “The quality doesn’t really re-late to where you’re buying it.

“I know many people are surprised bythat or don’t want to believe it, but that isthe case,” Cooperman said. “We find goodand bad products in every venue.”

Mark Blumenthal, executive director ofthe American Botanical Council, suggestslooking for “seals of approval” or certifica-tions of quality from groups that spot-testsupplements, such as the United States Phar-macopeia (USP), NSF International, and theNatural Products Association (NPA).

Some tips from experts• Keep it simple. The more ingredients

there are in a supplement combo, themore chance that one of them will not bethe right amount, Cooperman said.

• Consider a supplement combo tai-lored to your gender and age, the Office ofDietary Supplements suggests. Multivita-mins often contain little iron, and ones forseniors contain more calcium and vitaminD than products aimed at younger adults.

• Take vitamin D with dinner. A studyfound significantly more absorption of thatnutrient when it was consumed at thelargest meal, which tends to have more fat,

than at breakfast, Cooperman said. • Watch out for vitamin K — it pro-

motes clotting and can interfere with com-mon heart medicines and blood thinnerssuch as warfarin, sold as Coumadin andother brands.

• Current and former smokers are ad-vised to avoid multivitamins with lots ofbeta-carotene or vitamin A. Two studieshave tied them to increased risk of lungcancer in smokers.

• For cancer patients, “vitamins C and Emight reduce the effectiveness of certaintypes of chemotherapy,” Engel said.

• People having surgery should knowthat some vitamins can affect bleeding andresponse to anesthesia.

• Ask your doctor before taking anysupplement.

More information is available at thesewebsites: For Vitamin facts: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/list-Vitamins-Minerals and http://ods.od.nih.gov/fact-sheets/MVMS-HealthProfessional

FAQs: http://ods.od.nih.gov/Health—Information/ODS—Frequently—Asked—Questions.aspx

— AP

VitaminsFrom page 12

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SCAMSBCASCO, the Baltimore County Association of Senior CitizensOrganizations, will present “A Conversation with Scam and Fraud

Experts” on Friday, Jan. 13 at the Towson United Methodist Church, DulaneyValley Road and Hampton Lane, Beltway Exit 27B, from 9:45 a.m. tonoon. Attendees are invited to bring their questions and issues. For more informa-tion, contact Beth Wiseman at (410) 484-6866.

CHANUKAH, CHRISTMAS AND EVERYTHING CHINESEJoin the Jewish Museum of Maryland for all things Chinese as itcelebrates the winter holiday season at its annual Dec. 25th fami-

ly event. Play mah-jong, make Chinese lanterns and origami, enjoy Chinesetreats, and view the museum’s exhibit “Chosen Food: Cuisine, Culture andAmerican Jewish Identity.” The cost is $10 for museum members and $15 fornon-members. The museum is located at 15 Lloyd St. RSVP to Ilene Dackman-Alon, (410) 732-6400, ext. 214; or email idackmanalon@jewishmuseummd.org.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 13

Dec. 25

Baltimore Eye Doctor Helps Legally Blind to See AgainADVERTORIAL

Diplomat in Low Vision Caretrains Dr. Thomas Azman tohelp those with age-related macular degeneration withreading and driving.

By Elena LombardiFreelance Writer

Donald Paquette, 72, a former as-sessor from Anaheim, California,thought that his driving days wereover.“I could not read the street signssoon enough and I couldn’t pass thevision test at the DMV office.”

Gonzalo Garcia, 74, Albu-querque, New Mexico, wanted to beable to read and write more easily.He wanted to see the nails andscrews when he tried to use them inhome repairs. He wanted see hisgrandchildren singing in the churchchoir. But he thought those dayswere over when he was diagnosedwith Macular Degeneration.

California optometrist, Dr.Richard J. Shuldiner and Baltimoreoptometrist Dr. Thomas Azman areusing miniaturized binoculars or telescopes to help people who havelost vision from macular degeneration or other eye conditions. “Some of my patients consider us

the last stop for people who have vision loss.” said Dr. Azman, a lowvision optometrist who has just completed training with Dr.Shuldiner in California.“Amazing!” says Donald. “I can

read the street signs twice as far as I did before and even see the television better!”

Macular degeneration is the mostcommon eye disease among the senior population. As many as 25%of those over 65 have some degreeof degeneration. The macula is onesmall part of the entire retina, but itis the most sensitive and gives ussharp images.

When it degenerates, macular degeneration leaves a blind spot right

in the center of vision, which makes it impossible to recognize faces, read abook, or pass the drivers vision test.

The experts do not know whatcauses macular degeneration. Butmajor factors include UV light from the sun, smoking, aging, andimproper nutrition.

Vitamins can help. The results oftwo studies, AREDS and LASTdemonstrated a lowered risk of progression by about 25% whentreated with a high-dose combinationof vitamins. Dr. Azman advises patients on the best nutritional supplements during the low visionevaluation.

Nine out of ten people who havemacular degeneration have the drytype. There is no medical treatmentexcept for vitamins. The wet type involves the leakage of fluid orblood from the blood vessels behindthe macula. Injections of Leucentisor Avastin are very effective in preventing the vessels from leaking.“Our job is to figure out anything

and everything possible to keep aperson functioning,” says Dr. Azman.“Whether it’s driving, reading,watching television, seeing faces,playing bridge… we work with whatever is on the persons “wish list.”

Even if it’s driving.Maryland and California are two

of many states that allow the use oftelescopic glasses for safer driving.

Hank Frese, 69, a former HighSchool Principal from La Palma, California saw Dr. Shuldiner last August. “I could not read the streetsigns soon enough when driving, andI could not read my morning paper.”

Bioptic Telescopic glasses wereprescribed to read signs and seetraffic lights farther away. As Hankputs it, “These telescope glasses notonly allow me to read signs from afarther distance, but makes drivingmuch easier. I’ve also used them towatch television so I don’t have to sitso close. I don’t know why I waitedtwo years to do this; I should havecome sooner”“Telescopic glasses start at

around $1500”, says Dr. Azman,“and low vision prismatic readingglasses start at $500. A small priceto pay for better vision and increasedindependence.”

If you or someone you care aboutis struggling with vision loss, callDr. Thomas Azman for a free tele-phone interview.

You can reach Dr. Azman by dialing (410) 561-8050.

Hank Frese wearing Bioptic Telescope Driving Glasses

Q: Does garlic powder or pre-chopped garlic in oil protect againstcancer as well as fresh garlic?A: Garlic probably reduces risk of col-

orectal and stomach cancers, according toa landmark report from the American In-stitute for Cancer Research.

Researchers are working to understandhow and which of the many substances ingarlic provide the cancer protective bene-fits. At present, it is not clear whether all

forms of garlic provide the same benefitsas the whole food or even how much garlicis needed for cancer protection.

Allicin, and the compounds that areformed from it when the bulb is choppedor crushed, may be the substances thatplay a role in cancer protection. Accordingto the World Health Organization, about1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder providesabout the same level of allicin as one cloveof fresh garlic.

The Natural Medicines ComprehensiveDatabase, however, suggests that freshgarlic could provide signifi-cantly more allicin.

I cannot locate any informa-tion about levels of allicin inpre-chopped garlic sold in jarsof oil, but one protective com-pound formed from allicin isfat soluble, so it may leachinto the oil. If you discard theoil, you may lose some of thebenefit.

When you use fresh garlic,remember that your home“processing” is significant,too. Before you cook garlic,chop or press it and let it sitaway from the heat for at least 10 minuteswhile you prepare the rest of your meal’singredients. Heat prevents the protectivecompounds from forming, but they willform if the chopped garlic is allowed to sitfor 10 to 15 minutes before cooking.Q: If I switch to sugar-free cookies

and candy, will it help me lose weight?A: Switching the type of cookies and

candies you get will probably lead to littleif any weight loss. These products almostalways use, at least partly, a sweetenerknown as a sugar alcohol, such as maltitol.These sugar alcohols provide about halfthe calories of sugar; still a significantamount in sweets.

Besides, most sugar-free sweets containsignificant calories from fat and refinedgrains. For example, a 1.5 ounce bar of Go-diva dark chocolate provides 230 caloriesin its regular form, and 210 calories in itssugar-free version.

Yes, small amounts of calorie savingsthroughout the day do add up to produce

weight loss. But the questionyou need to answer is howoften you have room for treatswith 200 or more calories; ifit’s not often, then the differ-ence in calories will notamount to much.

Here’s another example:one sugar-free Oreo cookie is50 calories; one regular Oreois 60 calories. The sugar-freeOreo label lists two cookiesper serving (100 calories);regular Oreos list a three-cookie serving with 160 calo-ries. The bottom line is that

you cut more calories by eating fewercookies than you do by choosing sugar-free cookies.

You don’t need to cut out all sweets inorder to lose weight, so focus on choosingsweets less often and give up on the idea ofsearching for something you can eat bythe box without paying a penalty. Whenyou do have sweets, savor a small portion:that’s the true calorie-saving secret.The American Institute for Cancer Re-

search offers a Nutrition Hotline, 1-800-843-8114, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday. This free service allows youto ask questions about diet, nutrition andcancer. A registered dietitian will returnyour call, usually within three business days.Courtesy of the American Institute for

Cancer Research. Questions for this columnmay be sent to “Nutrition Wise,” 1759 R St.,N.W., Washington, DC 20009. Collins can-not respond to questions personally.

How to get garlic’s anti-cancer benefits

NUTRITIONWISEBy Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDM

14 Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

I N - H O M E S E N I O R C A R E S E R V I C E S

He’s Always Been An Individual. Why Should His Home Care Be Any Different?

© 2010 CK Franchising, Inc. Each o�ce independently owned and operated.

410-339-7056

W W W. C O M F O R T K E E P E R S . C O M

We help to keep his independent spirit strong. Comfort Keepers® provides compassionate in-home care that helps seniors live happy, ful"lling lives in the comfort of their own homes.

First shift FREE. Call for details.

INHOME SENIOR CARE SERVICES

SafetyChoice® Home Safety Solutions

START-UP EMAIL RESOURCEStartupDigest.com is a weekly email newsletter for businessstart-ups in 40 cities, including Baltimore. Sign up at

www.startupdigest.com.

ONLINE DIRECTORY OF SERVICESThe Maryland Community Services Locator website,www.mdcsl.org, is an interactive online directory that helps com-

munity members locate services that provide assistance with substance abuse,short-term housing, job readiness, adult education, health/mental health, emer-gency food assistance, family assistance, victim services and more. For moreinformation, call (301) 405-9796 or visit the website.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

HOLIDAY TRAIN GARDEN DELIGHTSThe final days of the Holiday Train Garden run from Tuesday, Dec.

27 to Friday, Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fire Museum

of Maryland, 1301 York Rd. in Lutherville. Call (410) 321-7500 or visit www.fire-

museummd.org for hours and ticket prices.

MLK PARADEThe 12th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade will be held on

Monday, Jan. 16 at noon. The event honors not only Dr. King, but

others continuing his legacy. The event steps off at the intersection of Martin

Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and Eutaw St., proceeds south on MLK Blvd. and disbands

at Baltimore St. Visit www.promotionandarts.com for more information.

WOODLAWN LIBRARY BOOK CLUB Join the Woodlawn Book Club on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. for

a discussion of Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. The library is

located at 1811 Woodlawn Dr. Visit www.bcpl.info for more information on this

and other library events.

THE LION KING ROARSThe Essex Senior Center invites you to join them on a trip to the

Hippodrome Theater to see The Lion King on Sunday, Jan. 8.

Tickets are $115. Call (410) 687-5113 for reservations.

BEACON BITS

Dec. 27+

Ongoing

Jan. 16

Jan. 19

Jan. 8

Dear Pharmacist: What can be done to relieve the dis-

comfort of tinnitus? Thecrackling, buzzing and pop-ping in my ear drives me todistraction. I’ve tried several com-

mercially available prod-ucts from the health foodstore, all without relief sofar. What do you suggest?

L.J.Dear L.J.:

When you hear buzzing,clanging, whooshing, musicaltones, humming, ringing, oreven jack hammering — whileno one around you does — you have tinni-tus, and it can drive you absolutely bonkers.

I don’t have it, but I can’t stand the noiseeven when my neighbor fires up his leafblower for 20 minutes. Among the celebri-ties who have confessed to bouts of tinni-tus are Eric Clapton, David Letterman andSteve Martin.

The internal racket can be caused fromexposure to sudden or chronic loud nois-es, free radical damage, age-related hear-ing loss, medication side effects, ear waxand a number of diseases. That’s just forstarters.

All I can do here is give you some infor-mation about options. If your tinnitus does-

n’t yield to simple remedies, see your doc-tor for an evaluation.

Look in your medicine cab-inet. There’s a surprisinglylong list of prescription andover-the-counter drugs thathave been tied to tinnitus:Non-steroidal anti-inflamma-tories (NSAIDs), loop diuret-ics (like furosemide), andmany antibiotics, anti-depres-sant drugs and salicylates(like aspirin).

Auditory-related side ef-fects from one of these mightdevelop all of a sudden, even ifyou’ve been taking the drug a

long time. Discuss this possibility withyour doctor and pharmacist. In cases of re-versible tinnitus, sometimes switchingmedications brings relief.

Stress ramps up the noise! Considerbiofeedback to learn how to relax. Studiessuggest that biofeedback training couldhelp you find your internal “control knob”and turn down the volume.

Deficiencies of specific nutrients —such as zinc, coenzyme Q10, and vitaminsD and B12 — can sometimes affect hear-ing health. Also, magnesium, a mineralfound in spinach and leafy greens, hasbeen shown repeatedly to support audito-ry mechanisms, improve hearing loss and

ease tinnitus. As we speak, the Mayo Clinic is con-

ducting a clinical trial to verify this. And anIsraeli study long ago found that militarypersonnel with tinnitus were often shorton B12.

Those of Asian descent seem to havegood grip on this condition. Chinese medi-cine doctors use acupuncture and a varietyof herbals to deal with tinnitus. Thesetreatments vary considerably, but could bevery effective.

I keep up with Korean news because my24-Hour Pharmacist book is published inthis language. A recent study concludedthat two compounds: Bojungikgitang andbanhabaekchulchonmatang significantlyimprove tinnitus. But American healthfood stores are going to screech and whineif you ask them to order that stuff, so don’teven bother.

A few studies support the herbal supple-

ment gingko biloba, which may help byimproving blood flow and scavenging freeradical toxins.

Other herbs worth looking into includeblack cohosh root and vinpocetine whichimprove blood flow and oxygen to thebrain. Goldenseal could help too, and alsomullein herb which addresses inflamma-tion.

Did you know? People with pale skin (who burn easily)

appear to be more likely to be deficient invitamin D.This information is opinion only. It is not

intended to treat, cure or diagnose your con-dition. Consult with your doctor before usingany new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist

and the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacistand Real Solutions from Head to Toe. Tocontact her, visit www.dearpharmacist.com.

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Fitness & Health 15

Your First New or Transferred PrescriptionNeighborCare® Professional Pharmacy. Limit one per person. Offer not valid for prescriptions from other NeighborCare Pharmacies. No Cash Value. Per federal law, offer not valid if any portion of prescription is paid for by a governmentprogram. *BB - SP2011

For Internal Use OnlyNew Customer Existing Customer

Store Location No. Prescription No.

$10 off

Area Locations -

A Patient FocusedPHARMACY

Remedies to try for ‘ringing in the ears’

DEAR PHARMACISTBy Suzy Cohen

SENIOR BOX OFFICE TRAVELS TO KENNEDY CENTER

See Billy Elliot at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with

lunch on your own on this trip on Sunday, Jan. 8. Tickets for this Senior Box

Office-sponsored trip are $130. Call (410) 882-3797 for reservations.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 8

MALL WALKING

Franklin Square Hospital Center sponsors an ongoing senior well-

ness walk at White Marsh Mall and Eastpoint Mall every Thursday from 9 to 10

a.m. The walks are led by a certified exercise instructor. Free blood pressure

screening is also provided. Call (410) 931-7100 for more information.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

Towson410-823-5310

Baltimore 410-367-9100

Baltimore410-664-5551

Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances accepted.

MAY THE HOLIDAY SEASONFILL YOUR HOME WITH

JOYYOUR HEART WITH

LOVEAND YOUR LIFE WITH

PEACEFrom the residents, staff and administration of

Happy Holidays

Dear Solutions: My children are scattered around the

country, but they all come home atChristmas for the one intimate familydinner I make each year. My son, di-vorced, has a new girlfriend who is invit-ed.But the girlfriend wants me to include

a couple and their baby because they areimportant friends of hers, and they’regoing to be in town around Christmas. Idon’t know them, and I don’t have extra

room for others. There are friends of mine whom I’d

like to invite, but I don’t because I liketo have just the family.My son says she told him if she was

married to him, I would invite herfriends. I’m making two big turkeys, so

there’ll be enough food, but that’s notthe point. I feel as if I’m being manipu-lated by her. Do you think I’m wrong?

— Mable

Dear Mable: Don’t let this turkey gobble you up! This

is your dinner party, and youare entitled to do it your way.You certainly don’t have to in-vite people you don’t know.

Is your real concern thatyour son won’t come? Tellthem both how much everyonein the family wants them there,and you hope she’ll makearrangements with her friendsbefore and after that day. Standfirm now or you’ll always bevulnerable to others’ demands.Dear Solutions: My darling daughter,

whom I love very much, has just sug-gested something I’m very uneasyabout. I’m a senior but I’m healthyand active and think I’ll hang aroundfor a while longer. My daughter called and wants to

come over and pick out the jewelry thatshe wants me to leave her when I die!Although I’ll probably leave some thingsto my daughter-in-law, I was intendingto leave my only daughter most of thestuff anyway. I’m taken aback. She says it will be

easier in the long run if things arespelled out now. Isn’t this premature?

— PhoebeDear Phoebe:

Even though your daughter is jumpingthe gun, you should invite her to come tolook at the jewelry. But while she is there,open up a discussion about some more seri-ous issues.

People need to think about, plan and dis-cuss with their adult children what theirwishes are for end-of-life treatment, espe-cially while they’re still healthy.

Do you have a living will, also called anadvance directive, spelling out what kindof medical intervention you would accept?Have you written down for her what typeof funeral you’d like, where your importantpapers are, etc.?

Instead of being angry or annoyed atyour daughter, thank her for this opportu-nity to help her come to terms with the re-ality of life and death issues.

Dear Solutions: I’m in a second marriage. My hus-

band, who’s retired, goes tovisit his children andgrandchildren almost everySunday because they livenearby. I go with him oncein a while, but mostly Idon’t because I love tohave that day to myself.He doesn’t object, but

other people say it’s notright, and I’m not showinghim respect by not goingwith him. So now I feel guilty every

time Sunday comes around.I guess people think I’m cold. Are theyright?

— AliceDear Alice:

Wrapping yourself in the guilt quilt willnot make you feel warm. The only personyou should concern yourself with is yourhusband, and he doesn’t object. I’ll bet helikes to have that day to himself, too.

Don’t worry about what other peoplesay. Just smile and say, “That’s ourarrangement” or say nothing. When Sun-day comes around, kiss your husband,wish him a good day — and enjoy yourself!Dear Solutions: I have nothing to do, and I think I

could be a subject for your column.I’d like to talk to you and discuss yourcolumn, so please call me.

— JohnDear John:

I would be happy to read any questionsyou may have, but I cannot call you.

You, however, can become a write-inand tell me why you have nothing to do. Isthis a problem for you? I’d guess it is oryou wouldn’t have mentioned it.

So, start by doing something. Go direct-ly to the post office. Do not pass up an op-portunity to deal with your problems.© Helen Oxenberg, 2011. 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 authorat helox72@comcast.net. To inquire aboutreprint rights, call (609) 655-3684.

Not-yet-relatives already making trouble

SOLUTIONSBy Helen Oxenberg,MSW, ACSW

16 Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

SAIL THE EASTERN CARIBBEANCruise on The Enchantment of the Seas to the Dominican

Republic, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Tortola with the Pikesville

Senior center from Monday, March 19 through Saturday, March 31. Call (410)

484-5285 for more details and pricing.

COUNTDOWN TO NEW YEAR’S EVE Bring in the New Year with friends at the Edgemere Senior

Center. The event on Tuesday, Dec. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

includes finger foods, hats, tiaras, blowers and music. The center is located at

6600 N. Point Rd. The party costs $5. Make your reservation in advance by call-

ing (410) 887-7530.

BEACON BITS

Mar. 19+

Dec. 27

Learn how to makeLearn how to make

Every time you use the phone.If any disability makes it difficult for you to usethe telephone, you may qualify for FREE assistive telephone equipment through the Maryland Accessible Telecommunications program.

Even though you may be able to carry on a conversation

with someone in person, you may have difficulty communicating by standard telephone.

The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program, a serviceof Maryland Relay, provides assistive telecommunications equipment —free of charge — to people who qualify. Training on how to use theequipment is available.

To learn more about the free equipment, including hands-free phones,amplified phones, voice activated phones and more, simply call Maryland Relay Customer Service at 1-800-552-7724. You may also visit our website, www.mdrelay.org.Click on Free Equipment for more information on how to apply

50-80 year old men & women with type 2 diabetes are needed to participate in an exercise research study at the University of

Maryland/Baltimore VA Medical Center. Call 410-605-7179. Mention code: EPC-DM.

Diabetes Research Study

Exercise Research StudyHealthy men & women 50-80 years old are needed to participate in an exercise research study at the University of Maryland/Baltimore

VA Medical Center. Participation involves medical evaluations, blooddraws, fitness tests, and 2 weeks of exercise sessions. Compensation for

your time is provided. Call 410-605-7179. Mention code: EPC-X.

Parkinson’s disease affects about 1 mil-lion people in the United States and Cana-da. Most people begin to develop symp-toms in their late 50s or early 60s, al-though the condition can occur in youngerpeople.

Parkinson’s disease affects the brain’sability to produce dopamine — the neuro-transmitter that permits brain cells respon-sible for motor control to communicate.Physical symptoms include tremor, mus-cle rigidity and slowness of movement.

There are also non-motor symptoms,such as changes in memory ability, sleepdisturbances and depressed mood.

Researchers from the University ofMaryland School of Medicine and the Bal-timore VA Medical Center have launched astudy of exercise and computerized mem-ory training to see if those activities mayhelp people with Parkinson’s disease avoidmemory changes.

The type of memory that will be exam-ined is known as “executive function,”which allows people to take in informationand use it in a new way. Many Parkinson’spatients develop problems with executivefunction, which can prevent them fromworking and may eventually require acaregiver to take over more of the complextasks of daily living.

Can computers and treadmillshelp?

“Studies of normal aging show thatmemory and executive function can be im-proved with exercise, such as walking sev-eral days a week,” said Dr. Karen Ander-son, principal investigator and an assistant

professor of neurology and psychiatry atthe University of Maryland School of Med-icine.

She added, “We want to see if exercisecan slow or reverse some of these memorychanges in Parkinson’s patients. We willalso investigate whether a computer gamedesigned to improve executive functionmay make a difference as well.

“The other question is, what happenswhen you put these two interventions to-gether — if there is memory improve-ment, will it be even better [with both]than with one of the interventions? Or is itmore efficient to do just one or the other?”

Participating in the studyThe researchers plan to enroll about 90

patients between the ages of 40 and 90.They will be randomly divided into threegroups: exercisers walking on a treadmill,memory game players, and those doingboth exercise and memory games.

Participants in each group will receive amemory assessment at the beginning ofthe study. They will come in three times aweek for their training for three monthsand will then be tested again.

Three months after that, the researcherswill test the participants again to see if theremay be longer-term benefits to the training.

“Parkinson’s patients are eager to knowif there is anything they can do to givethem greater control over their condition,”said Dr. Lisa Shulman, a professor of neu-rology at the University of MarylandSchool of Medicine and co-director of theMaryland Parkinson’s Disease and Move-ment Disorders Center.

“Mobility and memory are the two keycomponents to preserve independence. Ifthese treatment strategies are found to beeffective, we will learn important new ap-proaches to delaying disability,” she said.

The treadmill training will take place atthe Baltimore VA Medical Center in theMaryland Exercise and Robotics Center ofExcellence — a gym facility with special-ized equipment for people with physicallimitations or balance issues. For safety,participants will wear a safety harnesswhile walking on the treadmill. Experi-

enced exercise physiologists will super-vise each training session.

The computerized memory traininggame will take place both at the VA and Uni-versity of Maryland School of Medicine.

The researchers have conducted similarstudies in stroke patients. That researchfound that regular exercise on a treadmillcan improve stroke patients’ walking abili-ty even years after they’ve had a stroke.

Parkinson’s patients interested in en-rolling in the exercise and memory studymay call (443) 827-0677.

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Fitness & Health 17

Health Studies PageTHE PLACE TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Memory study seeks Parkinson’s patients

PLAY THE SLOTS AT DELAWARE PARK CASINOJoin the Parkville Senior Center as members travel to theDelaware Park Casino on Tuesday, Jan. 10. A ticket costs $27,

but includes $30 free play. Call (410) 882-6087.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 10

Knee arthritis pain?

Volunteers are needed for a

research study conducted at

Johns Hopkins Bayview

To study sleep in patients with osteoarthritis of the

knee. To participate, you must be 50 years or older.

Both good and poor sleepers are needed. Parking, and

tests are provided at no cost. Compensation is provided.

Call 410-550-7906and/or visit the website at

www.SleeplessInBaltimore.com

Principal Investigator: Michael T. Smith, Ph.D.

Protocol NA_000118021Approved

08/24/2009

Principal Investigator: Devon A. Dobrosielski, PhDIRB# NA_00040314

For more information, please call 410-550-5428 or 410-550-5429 or 410-550-6997.

Research Study

Johns Hopkins Medicine is conducting a research study in persons who maysnore and are not currently being treated for snoring. Eligible participants mustbe over 60 years of age, overweight, not smoking, and not regularly exercising.

All visits are free, including parking, at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

Have you been told you snore? Do you need to lose weight?

If interested call: 410-605-7179 & Mention code: LIFT atBaltimore VA/University of Maryland Gerontology Recruitment Line

*You must be at least 65 years old and in good health*Participants will be seen at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and

University of Maryland School of Medicine*You will attend approximately 41 visits for 1 to 4 hours each per visit

CALL TODAY!

Want to Prevent Falls in the Elderly?Seeking Men and Women to participate in a research study

at the University of Maryland &Veterans Affairs of Baltimore to better understand balance and the

prevention of falls in aging individuals.You will receive:

• Health evaluation• Balance, step, strength, and/or flexibility exercises

• Compensation for your time

18 Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

You’re on top of your medications.But we make a good back up.You know it’s important to stay on your medications exactly as prescribed. However, if you miss a dose, want a lower-cost alternative, or experience any side effects, we can answer any questions. Speak to your local CVS Pharmacist to learn more.

Find a store near you at www.cvs.com

014331RXX11

By Jim MillerNew Medicare premium, deductible

and co-pay charges for 2012 were all an-nounced recently, and the news was actu-ally pretty good. Here’s a breakdown ofwhat retirees can expect to pay forMedicare starting in January.

For most Medicare beneficiaries whoenrolled in 2009 or earlier, your monthlypremiums for Part B (which covers doctorvisits and outpatient care) will increaseonly $3.50 to $99.90 in 2012. That’s muchless than was predicted by the governmentearlier in the year.

The increase is the first in four years formost people with Medicare, mainly be-cause of the federal law that freezes Part Bpremiums when there’s no Social Securitycost-of-living adjustment (COLA), whichwas the case in 2010 and 2011. But, SocialSecurity recently announced a 3.6 percentCOLA for 2012.

That 3.6 percent increase will boostmonthly Social Security checks by an aver-age of about $43 for retirees next year. So,even after your Part B premiums get deduct-ed from your Social Security checks, you’llstill have about $40 more every month.

Some premium prices drop The news for younger retirees is even

better. Medicare Part B beneficiaries whoenrolled in 2010 and have been paying$110.50 per month, and those that enrolledthis year who are currently paying $115.40per month, will see their Part B premiumsgo down to $99.90.

And for high-income beneficiaries,who’ve been paying higher Part B premi-ums because their annual incomes aremore than $85,000 (or $170,000 for joint fil-ers), they too, will see their monthly PartB premiums drop in 2012. Here’s a break-down of what they will pay next year basedon their income level:

• Individuals with incomes of $85,000 to$107,000, or married couples filing jointtax returns with incomes of $170,000 to

$214,000 will pay $139.90 per person permonth for Part B. That’s a $21.60 monthlyreduction from this year’s premium.

• Individuals earning $107,000 to$160,000, or married couples with incomesof $214,000 to $320,000, will pay $199.80 –a $30.90 monthly reduction.

• Individuals with incomes of $160,000to $214,000, or couples with incomes of$320,000 to $428,000, will pay $259.70 – a$40.20 monthly reduction.

• Individuals earning over $214,000 orcouples above $428,000 will pay $319.70each per month for Part B. That’s $49.40less per month than this year.

Other Medicare changes you need toknow about that will affect all beneficiariesincludes the Part B deductible, which willbe $140 in 2012, a decrease of $22. And thedeductible for Part A, which covers inpa-tient hospital care, will rise by $24, to$1,156 next year.

For more information on all theMedicare premiums and coinsurance ratesfor 2012, see www.medicare.gov/cost orcall 1-800-633-4227.

Help with premiums If you’re a high-income beneficiary and

your income has fallen since 2010 (the taxyear used to determine your 2012 premi-ums), you may be able to reduce or eliminateyour Medicare Part B premium surcharge.

To qualify, your income loss must betied to a life-changing event, such as a mar-riage or divorce, a job loss or reducedwork hours (including retirement), loss ofincome from income-producing property,or cuts in pension benefits. To learn more,see www.ssa.gov/pubs/10536.html.

And for lower-income retirees who arehaving a difficult time paying theirMedicare costs, help is available throughMedicare Savings Programs.

These are Medicaid-administered pro-grams that pay Part B premiums and, de-pending on your finances, may even pickup the tab on your copayments and de-

ductibles. To find out if you qualify, contactyour local Medicaid office (call 1-800-633-4227 for local numbers). Send your senior questions to: Savvy Sen-

ior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, orvisit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a con-tributor to the NBC Today show and authorof The Savvy Senior book.

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Fitness & Health 19

“ Seeing Mom safe and happy makes me happy too.”

Renaissance Gardens is the extended care neighborhood at Charlestown in Catonsville and Oak Crest in Parkville. Here, you’ll feel confident knowing Mom has everything she needs for a rewarding life.

7699350

Call today for your free brochure. Remember, your loved one doesn’t have to be a current resident of Charlestown or Oak Crest to come here.

TheCareExperts.comAssisted Living Dementia Care Nursing Care

Inpatient & Outpatient Rehab

Charlestown 410-988-4985

Oak Crest 410-734-2592

How much will Medicare cost you in 2012?

PROCRASTINATOR’S NEW YEAR’S EVE BALLCelebrate 2012 a few days after the year begins with EssexSenior Center. The event on Wednesday, Jan. 4 starts with an

appetizer station from 4 to 4:30 p.m. plus a champagne toast. The dinner menuprepared by the chef from Riverview Rehab and Health Center includes shrimpscampi, tossed salad, chicken and sausage jambalaya, and peaches flambé overice cream. Tickets are limited and must be purchased by Dec. 30. Tickets are$12 for members and $15 for guests. The center is located at 600 Dorsey Ave.,Baltimore. For more information, contact Ben Hoffman at (410) 887-0267.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 4

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS

This delightful family opera will be presented at St. John the

Evangelist Catholic Church, 13305 Long Green Pike, Hydes on Sunday, Jan. 8, at

3 p.m. The ticket cost is $10, or $25 for the entire family. Reserve your seats at

(410) 592-6206 or sjehydes@sjehydes.org.

BONE DENSITY SCREENING

Find out if you are at risk for osteoporosis by participating in a

free bone density screening at Essex Senior Center on Friday, Jan. 6 from 10 a.m.

to noon. The center is located at 600 Dorsey Ave. Make your appointment at the

front desk or call (410) 887-0267.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 8

Jan. 6

Diabetic foot examsCorns/calluses Wound/infection careToenail fungus

Gentle Foot Care in Your Home

Dr. Richard Rosenblatt DPMOver 25 years experience

Same Day, Weekend and Evening appointments. Most Insurance Accepted

410-358-05446606 Park Heights Avenue Baltimore, MD

20 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

By Carol SorgenDara Bunjon is the first to admit that

neither she nor her home would make thecenterpiece of a style magazine. (“I’m afashion don’t!” she laughed.)

But what she does guarantee is that ifyou came to her home, you’d eat some re-ally great food. Food has not only been alifelong passion for the 64-year-oldPikesville resident, but has also fueledboth her career and her charitable efforts.

Professionally, Bunjon’s culinary en-deavors have included being a regularcooking personality on WBAL-TV’s earlynews in Baltimore, serving as president ofthe Epicurean Club of Maryland, andworking as marketing and public relationsdirector for Vanns Spices.

Then about six years ago, she gave thecorporate world the heave-ho and startedher own home-based business: Dara Does It— Creative Solutions for the Food Industry.

Bunjon now applies her broad range ofculinary skills as a food stylist on behalf ofchefs and cookbook authors. She alsoplans culinary events and implements pub-lic relations and marketing activities forrestaurateurs and food-related businesses.

In addition, she is a contributing writer toFoodservice Monthly and Examiner.com,has written for numerous lifestyle publica-tions, maintains an award-winning food-re-lated blog called Dining Dish (she just post-ed her 1000th entry), and co-authored herfirst cookbook, Yum! Tasty Recipes fromCulinary Greats.

An early focus on foodBunjon’s passion for food was originally

inculcated by her family during her child-hood. Growing up, Bunjon recalled, herfamily would come to the table for dinnerand share their news of the day.

“There were no smartphones, no tex-ting, no TV,” she said. “It was just all of useating together. And this, to me, was an ex-pression of love.”

As a young single woman, Bunjon en-joyed trying out new recipes on friendsand neighbors. “It’s no fun cooking for justone,” she said.

Eventually — inspired by a similar clubshe read about elsewhere — she foundedthe Epicurean Club, which organized cook-ing classes in local restaurant kitchens.(The club operated for about 13 years.)

After winding down her successful cor-porate PR career, Bunjon decided it wastime for a change. “I wasn’t planning on re-tiring,” she said, “but with the house andthe cars paid off, no kids and no debt, Ithought it would be a good time to leavethe security of a regular paycheck.”

With her reinvented career as a businessowner, Bunjon keeps a whirlwind of a sched-ule but couldn’t be happier. “At my age, Ishould be doing the things I love to do, notthe things I ‘should’ be doing,” she said.

One of those things, as we said, is cook-ing for others. So, twice a week she travelsto Washington, D.C., at the break of dawn,to put in a full day as a kitchen assistant fora friend who prepares meals for visiting

scholars at the Cen-ter for Hel lenicStudies.

Bunjon will setup for lunch, prepthe salad, cook orwash dishes…what-ever is asked of her.“It’s not glamorous,but my friend is agreat cook, so I eatwell!”

Bunjon also en-joys sharing her culi-na r y sk i l l s andknowledge with oth-ers. She serves as aboard member forthe Restaurant Asso-ciation of MarylandEducation Founda-tion, as a mentor tohigh school studentsstudying for careersin the food industryat the Carver Centerfor the Arts andTechnology, and as amember of the na-tional public rela-tions committee for Women Chefs andRestaurateurs.

“There are many great causes to be in-volved with,” said Bunjon, “but most of mycharities are food-related. My motivation ismaking sure that nobody’s plate is empty.”

Why food’s a popular businessTo Bunjon, it is not surprising that so

many people harbor fantasies of workingin the food business. Food pulls people to-gether, Bunjon believes. “It’s something

CareersVolunteers &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 ourVolunteers & Careers section,

please send an email toinfo@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

A passion for food leads to a new career

Dara Bunjon has parlayed her love of food into a home-basedbusiness. Among her activities are an award-winning blog, acookbook and mentoring culinary students.

See FOOD, page 21

VOLUNTEER AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The mission of the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce is to

promote, grow and sustain a diverse and healthy business community that will en-

rich the quality of life and enhance prosperity in the Baltimore region. To see how

you can help, call (410) 825-6299 or visit www.baltcountycc.com.

HELP WITH FOOD DONATIONS

Volunteers at Eastern Interfaith sort, pack and distribute food to those

in need in the Essex area. Through donations from local churches,

companies and the federal government, the group distributes more than 20,000 tons

of food annually to more than 2,800 residents. The pantry is open Monday, Wednesday

and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Call (410) 391-6181 to volunteer.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

Ongoing

PH

OTO

BY

VIN

CE

LU

PO

– D

IRE

CT

ION

ON

E

Radio Flea Market

Cars, boats, furniture, antiques, tools, appliancesEverything and anything is sold on

Heard every Sunday, 6:30-8 a.m. on 680 WCBM

we can all relate to and we can all talkabout.”

There are numerous avenues into thefood industry — from becoming a person-al chef, to catering, to developing a prod-uct line and selling items online orthrough local stores. “The door is wideopen if you have the skills and are passion-ate about what you do,” said Bunjon.

She adds that it’s not necessary to knowevery detail about running a business.“Surround yourself with a good team thatincludes people who can support you,” sheadvised. “You don’t have to do everythingyourself.”

Still, she’s quick to point out that if youthink you’re going to become a celebritychef with your own TV show on the Food

Network, you should know from the out-set the chances of that happening are slim!

To really get to know the food business,Bunjon suggests asking a local restaurantif you can volunteer in its kitchen. “It’schallenging and physically demanding,”she said, “but you’ll get a great educa-tion.”

One of the perks of Bunjon’s work ishaving the opportunity to meet some ofthe country’s most prominent chefs anddine in some of the poshest restaurants.

But these days, Bunjon is just as happyto be at home with a pot of chicken stockor pasta sauce simmering on the stove, oreating at one of Baltimore’s local ethnicrestaurants.

“I’m all about back-to-basics now,” shesaid. “Nothing pleases me more than asimple boiled lobster or a bowl of soup.Simple food is really the best.”

Republican to throw her proverbial hat inthe ring and run for Congress as a Democ-rat.

She is contesting the 1st CongressionalDistrict seat currently held by RepublicanAndy Harris. The district encompasses theEastern Shore as well as parts of AnneArundel, Baltimore and Harford Counties.Rosen lives in Cockeysville.

Though she has previously worked onpolitical campaigns, Rosen has never runfor office herself. Her opponent first suc-cessfully ran for office in 1998, but Rosenisn’t fazed by his experience.

To the contrary. “I think the time hascome to think twice about those who are

‘career politicians’ or lawyers,” said Rosen.(Harris himself is a physician.) To Rosen’sway of thinking, this is not the best train-ing for coming up with creative and re-sourceful solutions for many of the chal-lenges facing the country today.

One issue Rosen is particularly vocalabout is the need for enforcement of tradelaws. She said that in today’s global econo-my, domestic manufacturers have to com-pete in a marketplace where most gifts,housewares, jewelry and accessories aremarked with removable paper stickers —instead of permanent and indelible labelsthat indicate country of origin.

She said that a law written more than 80years ago — but all too often not enforced— requires permanent labels. Many retail-ers remove these stickers, leaving con-

sumers in the dark about where the prod-ucts they are buying are actually made.

“The injury is magnified when these la-beling practices are used on imports thatmimic the designs of American and Na-tive American artisans,” she said. She be-lieves that country-of-origin fraud has de-stroyed livelihoods by flooding marketswith imports made to look like hand-made baskets, Christmas ornaments,perfume bottles, paperweights and folkart.

“Passed off as authentic, these decep-tively labeled imports crowd domestic,locally produced, handmade and tribal-made goods off the shelves, driving the[authentic] makers out of business,” saidRosen.

“If every consumer would spend just $3

more a day on something made in the U.S.,we would see the creation of millions ofjobs,” said Rosen, who is a strong proponentof buying local or searching for American-made goods on sites such as www.etsy.comand www.findinamerica.com.

From her kitchen table start-up 30 yearsago, Rosen never would have foreseen en-tering the political arena. “I was never mo-tivated to run for office before,” she said.“I thought I could get more accomplisheddoing what I was doing.”

But whereas Rosen once believed that itwas better to work outside the system tocreate change, she now thinks that changehas to come from within.

“We need some ‘right-brained’ people inCongress,” she said. “We need more cre-ative solutions.”

B A L T IMORE B E A CON — J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Volunteers & Careers 21

Senior ApartmentsLIVE WELL FOR LESSRoland View Towers

•One- and Two-Bedroom as wellas Efficiencies

• Rents from $443-$744*

Utilities Included! • 24/7 on-site Maintenance and Reception Desk

• Beauty/Barber Shop on premises

• Rooftop Restaurant • Bus Trips and Social Events and many more amenities!

*All residents must meet specific income guidelines.

For your personal tour contactArthur or Laura Ruby at

410-889-8255St Mary’s Roland View Towers

3838/3939 Roland Ave • Baltimore MD 21211www.smrvt.com

Mention the Beacon forFirst Month’s Rent FREE!

Political careerFrom page 1

FoodFrom page 20 VOLUNTEER WITH RAILROAD MUSEUM

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum: Ellicott City Station is the

oldest surviving railroad station in America. Greeters, docents and interpreters

greet visitors, present public programs and interpret museum exhibits and collec-

tions. The station is a living history site and volunteers are invited to dress in peri-

od clothing. The museum is located at 2711 Maryland Ave., Ellicott City. To learn

more, call (410) 461-1945 or visit www.ecborail.org.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION TRAINING

Become an outreach volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association.

Choose one of the following dates: Tuesday, Jan. 10, 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan.

12, 9 to 11 a.m., or Thursday, Jan. 19, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Training will take place at

1850 York Rd., Suite D, in Timonium. For more information, call (410) 561-9099

and ask for Sally Drumm.

HELP OUT AT THE HOSPITAL

The Emergency Department at Northwest Hospital is looking for

volunteers to support staff and provide customer services to pa-

tients and their families. Weekday and weekend hours are available. Training will

be provided. The hospital is located at 5401 Old Court Rd., Randallstown. For

more information, call (410) 521-5911.

HISTORY BUFFS WANTED

The Ballestone Preservation Society was founded to preserve the

Ballestone-Stansbury House and the collection of American Decora-

tive Arts displayed in its recreated period rooms. Volunteers are dedicated to keep-

ing the house open and to planning events. The house is located at 1935 Back River

Neck Rd. Call (410) 686-5821 or visit www.ballestonestansburyhouse.org.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 10+

Ongoing

Ongoing

22 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

TravelLeisure &TravelLeisure &

By Victor BlockThroughout the city of Qufu (pro-

nounced Chew-foo), China, numerous stat-ues and posters depicting Confucius gazeout at the scene. If those portrayals wereto come to life, they might frown at what istaking place in the birthplace of the vener-ated philosopher and teacher.

Brought up in poverty some 2,500 yearsago, Kong Fuzi — the Chinese namewhich from “Confucius” evolved —stressed that no laws or moral guidelinesshould be broken in the quest for wealth.Based on that counsel, some of his follow-ers came to regard profit itself as immoral.

Given current developments, that cer-tainly isn’t true of most Chinese peopletoday. As the nation evolved over the past30 years from a state-controlled socialisteconomy to a partly capitalistic one — or,as the Chinese government puts it, “a so-cialist market economy with Chinese char-acteristics” — a dash for cash has becomethe goal of many, especially the younger

generation.Automobiles now clog the streets of

cities that were built when bicycles werethe primary mode of transportation. Signslining highways that once touted the bene-fits of socialism have been replaced by ad-vertisements for designer clothes, luxurycondominiums and the latest electronicgadgets.

Vendors sell dumplings, noodles andother traditional street food off ricketywooden carts parked in front of KFC, Mc-Donald’s and other imported fast foodrestaurants.

A land of contrastsEven in the face of these and other

changes, the “old” China lies beneath theveneer of rapidly expanding cities, andcontinues to keep many smaller towns andvillages in the countryside firmly in itsgrasp. After all, it’s not easy to erase 5,000years of history in a few decades.

To my wife Fyllis and me, it is largelythese and countless othercontrasts that keep draw-ing us back to China, mostrecently for our ninth visitover the past 23 years.Anyone planning a trip tothat fascinating countryshould consider includingShandong Province intheir itinerary.

Shandong, a coastalprovince, lies betweenBeijing (342 miles north ofQufu) and Shanghai (492miles south of Qufu).

Innumerable vestiges ofChina’s long history,which make ShandongProvince a virtual museumof the country’s past, min-gle with evidence of itsfrenzied transformationinto a modern society.Some of Mother Nature’smost magnificent accom-plishments compete for at-tention with myriad man-made treasures.

In an area not muchlarger than Maryland,D.C. and Virginia com-bined, visitors may enjoy

much of what China has to offer, includingattractions that should be included on any“must-see” list.

Confucius’ home town The life and teachings of Confucius

serve as a magnet for tourists from all ofChina and the world. Americans whose fa-miliarity with him is confined to sayings infortune cookies may be surprised to learnthat he was the author of what today isknown as the Golden Rule. Among teach-ings he shared with his students was theadmonition, “Never do to others what youwould not like them to do to you.”

Exploring the city of Qufu immerses vis-itors in the life of the sage. The Temple ofConfucius, originally built about the timeof Kong Fuzi’s death, which most sourcesdate to 479 B.C., occupies the site of themodest three-room home where his familylived. It has been expanded over hundredsof years to include 466 rooms and pavilionsthat sprawl over 46 acres.

The adjacent Confucian Family Man-sion, begun in 1038 A.D., is almost as vast.Now comprising 152 buildings, it hasserved as home to senior male heirs.

The third major Confucian site is thelargest family cemetery in the world,where the tombs of more than 100,000 de-scendants of Confucius surround his sim-

ple grave site. Thousands of ancient treesgive the site a forest-like appearance.

As the capital and transportation hub ofShandong Province, Jinan (Dze-nahn) isone logical starting point for a tour. Over-seas visitors to this part of China usuallyfly to the capital city Beijing, then take oneof the frequent domestic flights or high-speed trains to Jinan.

Jinan is a large, bustling city perched ina valley near the Yellow Sea. Its majorclaim to fame is its reputation as a “City ofSprings,” with more than 100 naturalpools, many embellished with gardens andpavilions. In keeping with the Chinesepropensity for colorful names, they in-clude Five Dragon, Black Tiger and Rac-ing Horses springs.

A few hours outside Jinan is Mount Tai,a major destination for Chinese visitors aswell as those from abroad. For at least3,000 years, it has been a place of worshipin both the Taoist and Buddhist religions.

Many ancient emperors came to offersacrifices at the mountain’s Jade EmperorPeak and Sun Viewing Peak. The latter, asits name implies, is a popular spot fromwhich to watch the first rays of the morn-ing sun. A treasure-trove of elaborate an-cient pavilions, towers and stone inscrip-

You don’t have to be a VIP to take advantage of airport VIP lounges. See story on page 24.

Germans occupied the city of Qingdao for 15 years, starting in the late 19th century,building houses with red-tiled roofs and establishing the brewery that makes Tsingtaobeer. Qingdao was the host city for the 2008 Olympics sailing regatta.

© S

UN

XU

EJU

N/

DR

EA

MS

TIM

E.C

OM

Residents of the small village of Hanqiao in China’s Shan-dong Province shuck corn, which will then be made intobread.

PH

OTO

BY

VIC

TOR

BL

OC

K

See CHINA, page 23

Reasons to go to — or revisit — China

tions carved on cliffs cover the 5,069-foothigh mountain.

In my opinion, a number of other citiesthroughout Shandong Province have moreto offer. For example, in addition to the fa-mous beer that is produced in Qingdao(Ching-dow) and sold as Tsingtao, that cityis known for an unexpected collection ofbuildings in German-style architecture.

The bright red tiled roofs and half-tim-bered exteriors stand out from the sur-rounding Chinese-style structures. Thatjuxtaposition resulted from 15 years of oc-cupation of the port city by Germany be-ginning in 1898, not long after which(1903) the uninvited guests establishedthe brewery.

Given its location overlooking the Yel-low Sea, Qingdao was the site of the sailingevents during the 2008 Olympics held inChina. The Olympic Sailing Center in-cludes a museum devoted to that occasion.

Wine, rather than beer, is the focus inand around Yantai (Yan-tie), known as “thecity of grape wine.” While archaeologicalfindings indicate that wine was used forsacrificial ceremonies in China as long as9,000 years ago, modern production beganin 1892, when the Changyu Pioneer WineCompany was established in Yantai.

During the past 30 years, a number ofother wine makers have found conditionsfor growing grapes around Yantai, andelsewhere in Shandong Province, to bebeneficial.

The growth of China’s middle class dur-ing the past three decades has provided adomestic market for locally made wine. Ofapproximately 500 wineries in the country,about 140 are located in ShandongProvince. A number of them offer opportu-nities for tours and tastings.

The Changyu Wine Culture Museum inYantai is one popular stop. Even after tak-ing more than our share of winery toursover the years, Fyllis and I found much ofinterest there.

Never before had we descended to awine cellar that was constructed morethan 100 years ago, seen such an extensivedisplay of primitive vessels used in ancientwine making, or observed almost eerilylifelike dioramas portraying such wineproduction activities as making aging oakbarrels and cutting bark from cork trees toseal the bottles.

Village lifeAs elsewhere in China, evidence of the

nation’s split personality is everywherethroughout Shandong Province. In cities,modern office and condominium sky-scrapers stretch as far as the eye can see.

Members of the “millennial generation”sporting the latest fashions in trendy cloth-ing are as glued to their cell phones astheir counterparts in the United States.

Yet, travel just a short distance outsideany metropolitan area, and you also travelback in time. In many villages, tiny housesline narrow, labyrinthine dirt streets, and

people carry heavy loads on shoulderyokes as generations of their forebearsdid. In nearby farm fields, men and womentill the soil with basic implements not verydifferent from those used centuries ago.

It was not far from Yantai that Fyllis andI delved into a sampling of such village life.Speeding over a six-lane divided highwaytoward our next destination, we spotted atiny hamlet not far off the road and askedour guide if we could go there.

Soon we were strolling through the nar-row lanes of Hanqiao (Han-kwee-au), snap-ping pictures and nodding to villagers whostared at us with curiosity.

Men and women of all ages were work-ing in the streets, preparing corn to bemade into meal for bread. Several peoplewere breaking up tree branches thatwould become fuel during winter. Ateenage boy tended a cabbage patch plant-ed in a narrow strip of soil beside his mod-est house.

Throughout China, in villages like Han-

qiao, life is little changed from decades agoand sometimes longer. Introductions to in-triguing historical tidbits stretching muchfurther back in time are available at a num-ber of outstanding museums that proliferatein cities, towns and more isolated venues.

We came upon one museum that is as in-teresting for its location as for what’s ondisplay. The collection at the Museum ofAncient Chariots between Qufu and Yantaiincludes replicas of ancient horse-drawncarts that were used for tasks ranging fromhauling crops and fighting wars to trans-porting emperors and other dignitaries.

We found intriguing a camel-drivingchariot of the type used in the Liao Dy-nasty (907-1125 A.D.), and oversize cartsthat were pulled by elephants broughtfrom India.

The star of the collection is a line of half-buried chariots, each attached to the skele-ton of a horse by a harness. We learned thatthe chariots and horses, which had beendrugged and buried alive, were placed

there some 2,600 years ago to transport adeceased dignitary to the next world.

When workers constructing a highwaydug into the burial chamber, the archaeo-logical discovery was left intact and theroad was completed above it. The loudrumble of cars and trucks passing over-head was a bit unnerving, until I was as-sured that the ceiling of the undergroundmuseum was adequately reinforced.

With a history of pottery making datingback 8,000 years, it’s fitting that ShandongProvince is home to a Museum of Potteryand Porcelain. Highlights include displaysof very fine chinaware pieces that are asmuch works of art as functional items.

Even more appealing to Fyllis and mewas a whimsical collection of more than3,000 clay pieces, stretching over 90 feet inlength, depicting people engaged in everyaspect of pottery making as it was done acentury ago. The display also included jug-

B A L T IMORE B E A CON — J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Leisure & Travel 23

Professionally managed by The Shelter Group. www.thesheltergroup.com

Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour or email seniorliving@sheltergrp.com.

Designed and managed for today· s seniors at these locations:

NOW!*55 or Better

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

‡ Furnace Branch 410-761-4150‡ Severna Park 410-544-3411BALTIMORE CITY

‡ Ashland Terrace 410-276-6440‡ Coldspring 410-542-4400BALTIMORE COUNTY

‡ Catonsville 410-719-9464‡ Dundalk 410-288-5483‡ Fullerton 410-663-0665‡ Miramar Landing 410-391-8375‡ Randallstown 410-655-5673‡ Rosedale 410-866-1886‡ Timothy House (Towson) 410-828-7185‡ Taylor 410-663-0363‡ Woodlawn 410-281-1120

EASTERN SHORE

‡ Easton 410-770-3070HARFORD COUNTY

‡ Box Hill 410-515-6115‡ Bel Air 410-893-0064HOWARD COUNTY

‡ Colonial Landing 410-796-4399‡ Columbia 410-381-1118‡ Snowden River 410-290-0384‡ Ellicott City 410-203-9501‡ Ellicott City II 410-203-2096‡ Emerson 301-483-3322PRINCE GEORGE· S COUNTY

* Bladensburg 301-699-9785‡ Laurel 301-490-1526‡ Laurel II 301-490-9730

AN

‡

‡

BA

Your New Lifestyle Begins Here

www.ParkViewSeniorLiving.com

See CHINA, page 24

ChinaFrom page 22

glers, a barber shaving a customer’s head,and a man riding a single-wheel bike.

A more open cultureAmerican tourists are welcome in

China, and those who have been there be-fore are likely to experience a new open-ness on the part of many people.

While expressing love for their countryand the same sense of patriotism commonin the Unites States, several of the menand women whom we met felt free to voicesome criticism of their government. Weeven heard some gentle jokes about theirnation’s leaders.

In addition, some newspapers and mag-azines now print stories about proteststhroughout the country, as well as govern-ment officials who have been caught andpunished for corruption — a freedom injournalism that was unheard of only a fewyears ago.

The best way to visit China is on a groupor individual guided tour, with English-speaking guides, accommodations andother arrangements provided.

For more information or help planning atrip, log onto www.travelshandong.com, orcall Night Hawk Travel, which specializesin tourism to Shandong Province, at (800)420-8858.

Victor Block is a Washington, D.C.-basedtravel writer.

For most of us, big airports are among theworld’s most hostile environments. Crowds,noise, long lines, inadequate seating, and gar-bled announcements are the norm.

Fortunately, even occasional travelerscan avail themselves of the road warriors’refuges: VIP airline lounges. Mostly, you’llhave to pay, but an oasis of calm can beworth a few bucks.

Most large airlines maintain a chain ofVIP lounges at their more important air-ports. Typically, they feature a quiet envi-ronment with comfortable seating. Mostnow offer drinks and snacks free of charge.

For entertainment, they provide lots ofmagazines and newspapers, several TVs,computers with printer, and WiFi Inter-

net access. If you need help, most are staffed with

agents who can arrange seat assignments,upgrades, cope with missed connections,and such — typically, more quickly thanagents on the outside can.

Most lounges are on the “air side” of secu-rity, near the sponsor airline’s terminal orgate area, but a few are “land side” as well.

Memberships and day passesIf you’re a frequent traveler, you proba-

bly already know about the lounge pro-grams of the big three domestic airlines.They pitch annual memberships, whichprovide unlimited access to lounges intheir own system plus those of any lines

belonging to their major alliance. The drawback here is a very stiff yearly

fee — typically $400 to $500 ayear for an individual and anadditional $200 or $300 for aspouse. The fees are highenough to discourage once-or-twice-a-year vacation travel-ers. Most large foreign linesfeature similar programs, alsoat high prices.

Smaller lines — includingAlaska, Hawaiian, Frontierand Virgin America — operatesmall-scale lounge programsat somewhat lower fees, but even those arepretty stiff.

Fortunately, you don’t have to pony up$500 to get into a lounge for just one or twotrips. Most of the big U.S. lines sell one-day membership passes for $40 to $50 apop. You can buy them online or at thedoor. Some lines even let you pay with fre-quent flyer miles.

You’ll also see them advertised on eBayor Craigslist. As I’m writing this, eBay islisting one-day passes for Delta ($14.99bid) and United ($27.99 “buy it now.”)

In addition, many airport-run loungeclubs around the world offer one-time ac-cess. Several websites, including UK-basedLounge Pass (www.loungepass.com) andTripExtras (www.tripextras.com/airport-lounges), provide search functions listingairport lounges available on a one-timebasis at major airports around the world.

Participating lounges are a mix of air-line and independent locations. Typicalfees are in the range of $30 (officiallypriced in pounds) per visit.

Credit card perksFor many of you, however, a premium

credit card or an independent programmay be the more useful approach:

• Priority Pass (www.prioritypass.com)is the largest independent airport club op-

eration, with more than 600participating lounges at morethan 300 airports worldwide,including many in the U.S.Some are airline-run lounges;others are independent VIPcenters.

Priority Pass offers threemembership options: $99 ayear plus $27 per visit; $249per year, including 10 visits;and $399 per year for unlimit-ed use; guests of members al-

ways pay $27 for entry.• American Express Platinum Card pro-

vides no-charge access for you and up totwo guests at participating worldwide air-port lounges operated by American, Deltaand US Airways on the day of flight whenyou’re ticketed on the airline, with loca-tions in most big U.S. airports. This cardalso offers no-extra-charge enrollment inthe top level of Priority Pass.

• Premium credit cards from Continen-tal and United (soon to be combined) in-clude admission to the combined lines’lounge clubs.

• Diners Club gets you and guests intomore than 250 airport lounges around theworld, but for a fee of around $30 each time.

Obviously, if you’re really keeping coststo a minimum, a lounge club is an extrava-gance. But for many of you, finding addedpersonal service plus peace, quiet andcomfort is well worth the cost. Try it oncefor yourself.

Send e -ma i l t o Ed P e r k i n s a teperkins@mind.net. Perkins’ new book forsmall business and independent profession-als, Business Travel When It’s Your Money,is now available through www.mybusi-nesstravel.com or www.amazon.com.

© Tribune Media Services

24 Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

7633153

Sure, downsizing was a chore,but

making room for new opportunities

WAS SIMPLE

“

“

With Erickson Living’s realty and moving services, the process can be easier than you’d think. Find out how easy a move to an Erickson Living community can be!

With Erickson Living’s realty

“ I wish I had done it sooner.”

Alva Holcombe Erickson Living® resident

Call today for your FREE Guide to Erickson Living.Charlestown

Catonsville1-800-615-3940

Oak Crest Parkville1-800-313-1335

EricksonLiving.com

ChinaFrom page 23

TRAVEL TIPSBy Ed Perkins

Become an airport VIP at a sensible price

See useful links and resources atwww.TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Choose affordable housing for seniors, right in the heart of Baltimore's cultural district...in historic Mount Vernon... only steps from concerts, theater, the library, local churches, grocers, shops and fabulous restaurants. Why look anywhere else? Call today!

410-837-0180www.westminsterhouseapts.org524 North Charles Street

(utilities included, underground parking available)

Westminster House Apartments

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Leisure & Travel 25

BEST-SELLING PRODUCTSf o r S e n i o r s i n 2 0 1 1

Thanks to its revolutionary design, the Talking Atomic Watch gives you accuracy to withina billionth of a second. It gets its signal from the US Atomic Clock, the standard for time keeping worldwide. Plus, all you have to do is push a button, and the watch will “tell” you the time in a clear, easy-to-understand voice. It will even tell you the day and date. Travelling? Touch a button to switch it to any time zone. It’s lightweight and attractive… and it’s always accurate. The Talking Atomic Watch was . . . $89.95. Now $49.95 + S&H.Call today. 1-888-715-7729 Please mention Promotional Code 43850.

The wristwatch you neverhave to set… or even see.

“Ten-ten AM, Thursday,

December 15th,2011”

Our Lighted Full-Page Magnifier is hands-free and huge!

Our one-of-a-kind magnifying floor lamp combines powerful FULL-PAGE magnification with flexibleadjustability and clear, even Balanced Spectrum light. Twelve high-powered LEDs provide ample lightfor close work and reading. The super-large lens provides 2.5X-plus variable magnification, to easilycover an entire page without glare or hot spots. The ultra-flexible gooseneck positions the lens exactlywhere you need it. And unlike that magnifier in the drawer, you’ll always know where this one is. Magnifying lens dimensions are a whopping 7.375” x 10”. AC operated. Lighted Full Page Magnifierwas . . . $99.95. Now $79.95 + S&H Call today. 1-877-505-4273 Please mention Promotional Code 43851

Are you in love with your home, but afraid of your staircase?

If you or someone you love lives in a home with more than one floor, the staircase can be more thanan inconvenience, it can be a health threat. Whether it's due to mobility issues or cardiac concerns,why risk your life climbing stairs when an easy solution is only a phone call away? You’ll be surprisedhow easy, simple, and affordable the Easy ClimberTM is. It features a reliable, aircraft-grade cable drivethat’s been tested over 30,000 cycles. It’s also designed for basements and outdoors. It’s simple enoughfor most people to install on either side of the stairs, a snap to use, and comes with an exclusive lifetime warranty on the drive train. Call our toll-free number now, and a friendly, knowledgeableproduct expert can answer all of your questions and help you get on the road to independence andsafety in the home. Call today. 1-888-690-0784 Please mention Promotional Code 43853

A floor lamp that spreads sunshine all over a room.

The Balanced Spectrum’s 27-watt compact bulb is brighter than a 100-watt ordinary light bulb. With the lamp’s sharp visibility, you will see with more clarity and enjoyment in close tasks such as reading, writing, sewing, and needlepoint. It is especially helpful for aging eyes.

Experience sunshine indoors at the touch of a switch. This amazing lamp is not only easy on the eyes,it is easy on the hands as well, featuring a special “soft-touch, flicker-free” rocker switch that is easierto use than traditional toggle or twist switches. And its flexible gooseneck design enables you to getlight exactly where you need it. The high-tech electronics, the user-friendly design, and a bulb thatlasts 10 times longer than an ordinary bulb–all these features make the Balanced Spectrum® floor lampa must-have. Balanced Spectrum® floor lamp Only $59.95 each + S&H or buy two lamps for $99 + S&H.Call today. 1-877-666-4597 Please mention Promotional Code 43852

By Carol SorgenDisney’s dazzling musical The Lion King

is in residence at the Hippodrome Theatreuntil Jan. 8. I can understand how themany youngsters in the audience openingnight might never have seen the stage pro-duction before, but I’m not sure how I havemanaged to miss it all these years.

All I can say is, better late than never.And whether you have seen it before ornot, it is well worth a look.

Brilliantly colored African garb, lifelikemasks and jaw-dropping puppetry createmagic on the stage and bring the savannahto life.

The score features music by Elton Johnand Tim Rice with music that blends

American popular song with Africanrhythms. Songs include the popular,Oscar-winning “Can You Feel the LoveTonight?” and “The Circle of Life.”

Journey to the throneFor the handful of people who may not

be familiar with either the Broadway musi-cal or the movie on which it is based, thesimple plot revolves around Simba, son ofMufasa, the Lion King. Mufasa’s brother,Scar, resents Simba, since he has replacedhim as next in line for the throne.

Time passes, and Scar has been plottingthe deaths of his brother and nephew. Scarorchestrates a stampede and manages tokill Mufasa. He convinces Simba that Mu-

fasa’s death was Simba’s fault and urgeshim to run away and never return. Scar or-ders that Simba be killed, but the hyenascharged with the task decide to let him goinstead.

The remaining animals in the Pridelandmourn the loss of their king and believethat Simba has been killed as well. Scar ap-points himself ruler of the land.

In the meantime, Simba, convinced thathe is responsible for his father’s death,runs away, eventually finding a new homewith Timon, a wisecracking meerkat, andPumbaa, a big-hearted warthog.

In the ensuing years, Scar’s heartlessrule leads to devastation of the animals’land, with starvation just around the cor-ner. Simba’s childhood friend, Nala, now ayoung lioness herself, runs away fromScar’s rule (and his intentions of makingher his bride), and stumbles across Simba.

When they recognize each other, shetells him he must return and assume hisrightful position as king. Still feeling guiltyover his father’s death, Simba at first refus-es, but eventually follows Nala back to hishomeland. A battle with Scar ensues, Scardies, and Simba assumes the throne.

This being based on a Disney film thatpreceded the Broadway production, nei-ther the simplicity of the story nor thehappy ending can hardly be a surprise.

But if the fairy tale plot is easy enoughfor a child to follow, it also carries enoughmessages of love, hope and perseverance

in the face of despair to resonate with audi-ences of any age.

Though Baltimore audiences may notbe familiar with the show’s actors, that’snot a cause for concern. The performersare uniformly strong, from J. AnthonyCrane as the devious Scar to Dionne Ran-dolph as the great warrior Mufasa, JelaniRemy as the lion prince Simba, and Syn-dee Winters as the loyal lioness Nala.

Special effects starBut it is the costumes and stagecraft

that makes The Lion King such a spectacu-lar...well, spectacle without ever trying todeceive the audience.

There is no attempt to cover up thewheels and cogs that make it all happen.The actors who control the puppets andwear the masks atop their heads are fullyseen. In short, the audience is invited toblend the animal with the human.

As Julie Taymor, director of the originalproduction, explained, “When the humanspirit visibly animates an object, we experi-ence a special, almost life-giving connec-tion. We become engaged by both themethod of storytelling as well as the storyitself.”

From the gasps of admiration from thewide-eyed kids to the almost as unbeliev-ing adults, it is evident that The Lion Kinghas lost none of its mesmerizing appeal

The Lion King roars back into Baltimore

26 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Arts & StyleLinda Lavin is busy off-Broadway andbeyond. See story on page 29.

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TE

SY

OF

TH

E H

IPP

OD

RO

ME

In the stage musical The Lion King, actors wear masks atop their heads, blendinghuman and animal. The Disney spectacle based on the movie of the same name con-tinues at the Hippodrome through Jan. 8.

See LION KING, page 27

skilled nursing // assisted living // rehabilitation // alzheimer's care // respite care

800-522-VETSwww.charhall.org

SERVINGTHOSE WHO SERVEDAND THEIR ELIGIBLENON-VET SPOUSES

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Arts & Style 27

By Carol SorgenIf the winter doldrums are setting in, it

may be time to stretch both your legs andyour mind at any of a number of continuingeducation programs offered around town.From aerobics to zoology, there is sure to besomething to pique your interest.

Here are just a few to consider. Call thoseof interest for more details, including topics,dates, times and fees. Osher Lifelong Learning The mission of the Osher Lifelong Learn-

ing Institute at Towson University is to offeradults 50 and older opportunities for contin-ued learning, along with programs and activi-ties for social and cultural enrichment in acongenial and supportive environment.

Courses are offered in such areas as thefine arts, movies, humanities, social sciences,natural sciences, languages, current events,and a book club.

Attend a preview of the classes on Jan. 19,at Goucher College, Merrick Lecture Hall,1021 Dulaney Valley Rd. Check in begins at9:30 a.m., and the free program is from 10a.m. to noon. For more information or tomake a reservation, call (410) 704-3688.

To get more general information aboutOsher, call (410) 704-3535, email osher@tow-son.edu, or visit www.towson.edu/out-reach/osher.Renaissance Institute at Notre Dame

of Maryland UniversityThe Renaissance Institute is an active

group of men and women 50 and over whoare interested in pursuing lifelong learningand intellectual growth. Courses include pub-lic affairs, literature, writing, history, philoso-phy, music, art, languages, t’ai chi, film, sci-ence, computers, water aerobics, dance andacting, and more.

For more information, call Linda Kuehn at(410) 532-5351, email lkuehn@ndm.edu, orvisit www.ndm.edu. Kaleidoscope Lifelong Learning at

Roland Park Country SchoolThe goal of Kaleidoscope is to foster a life-

long love of learning. More than 100 Kaleido-scope programs with more than 1,000 partic-ipants are held each semester in the fall,spring and summer. Programs include booktalks; local, regional and international travel;creative pursuits; technology; culinary arts;personal development; and more.

For more information, call (410) 323-5500ext. 309 or visit www.rpcs.org. Maryland Institute College of Art

(MICA)The School for Professional and Continu-

ing Studies at this renowned art school offersa wide range of fine arts and design courses,as well as professional development opportu-nities for creative professionals.

Continuing study classes are offered in the

fields of photography; drawing, painting andgeneral fine arts; ceramics, fibers and sculp-ture; printmaking; and jewelry (there is also ajewelry certificate course).

To learn more, call (410) 669-9200 or visitwww.mica.edu.Continuing Education at the Commu-

nity College of Baltimore County (CCBC)Life enrichment classes for all ages run the

gamut from arts to boating, fitness, outdooractivities, crafts, health and wellness, hob-bies, languages and more.

There is a separate division for seniors,with courses offered in such areas as thearts, computer, history/politics, and humani-ties and culture. For more information, call(443) 840-4700 or visit www.ccbcmd.edu. Women’s Institute of TorahThe Rebbetzin Frieda K. Hirmes Women’s

Institute of Torah (WIT) provides continuingeducation courses and programs to thewomen of the Baltimore Jewish community.

Courses and programs are designed to en-hance personal knowledge and enrich one’sJewish experience. Special lectures and abook club are also offered. For more infor-mation, call (410) 358-2545, email witbalti-more@verizon.net, or visit www.witbalti-

more.org. Institute for Christian and Jewish

StudiesThe Institute for Christian and Jewish

Studies (ICJS) is a non-profit organizationthat concentrates on disarming religious ha-tred and establishing models of interfaith un-derstanding.

Founded in 1987 by an interfaith coali-tion of laity and clergy, the ICJS offers a va-riety of educational programs that high-light the distinctiveness of the Christianand Jewish traditions and confront the mis-understandings that have evolved in thecommunities.

To learn more, contact Mary Krastel atmkrastel@icjs.org or (410) 494-7161, or visitwww.icjs.org. Odyssey Non-Credit Liberal Arts Pro-

grams at Johns Hopkins UniversityOdyssey has a wide selection of courses,

workshops and lecture series delivered byJHU faculty and community experts. Person-al enrichment programs are offered in fieldsranging from science to art, writing to pho-tography. For more information, call (410)516-4842, email odyssey@jhu.edu, or visitwww.odyssey.jhu.edu.

!"#$%&"'())))

!"#$%&'()!*!+(,*+$,"-+.&"/0&12!3"4567

8"9&7.:3&;"*$+"<$,*$+0"=3;"!3;&1&3;&3>&

8"-3?$("0@&"/1=2#.A&"-B1&+.&3>&"/=*&C("D.0@"E5+"/0&12!3"9$$+

8"F=3;2F&C;"/@$D&+"D.0@"G.+?&0"'=77=:&"*$+"H=.3"I&C.&%.3:"4@&+=1(

-.//'011 !!"#$%&"'()"*+,&!-

.%/%0&,"12-0320"4&)30&

*+2234'5)66'!07)3'89:' );"'-.//'

<$...$/<.$=>?@

"

... ... .

since it first opened on Broadway in 1997and earned six Tony Awards. The play hasalso earned more than 70 other major artsawards and it’s easy to see why.

The Lion King last played in Baltimorein 2005. If you missed it then, do yourself a

favor and catch it this time around. Youwon’t be sorry.

Ticket prices start at $25 and are avail-able at the Hippodrome Theatre Box Officeand Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticket-master at (410) 547-7328), or online atwww.broadwayacrossamerica.com. For acomplete listing of performance dates andtimes, log on to www.ticketmaster.com.

Lifelong learning classes from A to Z

Lion KingFrom page 26

ADD SOME MAGIC TO YOUR LIFEMagician Mike Rose entertains members of Jacksonville SeniorCenter and their guests on Thursday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. The cen-

ter is located at 3605A Sweet Air Rd., Phoenix, Md. For more information, callBarbara Franke at (410) 887-8208.

NEW GALLERY OPENSLocal film director and photographer David Simpson has openedan art gallery inside Greetings & Readings of Hunt Valley. Thestreet-front gallery space will feature local artists, including

Simpson, who has published the best-selling book, Loch Raven Photography. Formore information, visit www.davidsimpsongallery.com.

BEACON BITS

Dec. 29

Ongoing

28 Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

LifeChecksm

When we fill your prescription, our LifeCheckcomputer system lets our pharmacists triplecheck your prescriptions.*

Satellite Linksm

Since all of our Pharmacies are linked bysatellite network, we can access your prescription profile and fill your prescription at any location.*

Refills By PhoneRefills just got easier. Call the Pharmacynumber on your prescription bottle, enter the prescription I.D. number printed on the labeland we will tell you when it will be ready.

Internet RefillsWith Internet Refills, you can order your pre-scription without ever leaving the house. Justgo to www.riteaid.com and click “Refill Now”,select Store Pick-up or Mail Delivery andsimply enter prescription information.

Rite AdviceWith every prescription, you will receive written information on the dosage, sideeffects and potential drug interaction.

Vitamin ProgramOnly Rite Aid pharmacists are speciallytrained to know vitamins. Ask your Rite Aid pharmacist for a personal vitamin profile.

“Being injured on the job is hard enough. Your Rite Aid Pharmacist is here to personally help youalong your road to recovery.” Ask us about ourWorkers’ Compensation Prescription Program.There are no hassles, no delays and no out-of-pocket expenses.

Flavor RxWe make children’s medicines a lot lessyucky. Ask the pharmacist to add any ofour 20 great flavors to any of your liquidmedications.

That’s why we give you more.Our pharmacists are at the heart

of everything we do.They can counsel you on your medica-

tions, side effects, drug interactions...even vitamins. We give you more thanyour medications; we’ll give you theadvice you need.

Plus a series of pharmacy benefits likeno other drugstore.

Workers’ Compensation

We want to be your Family’s Pharmacy

*If on file at another Rite Aid store.

By Mark KennedyLinda Lavin was in two well-received

productions last season that are on Broad-way this fall: Follies at the Kennedy Centerand Other Desert Cities at Lincoln Center.

So which one is she doing in New York?Neither.

Lavin instead took a strong part in NickSilver’s new play The Lyons, which openedoff-Broadway in October at the VineyardTheater.

“There’re absolutely no regrets. This isa great part. I don’t know when I’ve beenthis satisfied with one role,” Lavin saidover a breakfast of yogurt and fresh fruit.“I’ve never gotten final closure like I dowith this character.”

Lavin, 74, is these days basking in aburst of renewed attention, decades afterthe Golden Globe- and Tony Award-win-ning actress put on a paper hat to play awaitress in Mel’s Diner on the long-run-ning TV sit-com “Alice” (1976-1985).

“That’s just the most amazing thing forme. I’m being invited to all these parties atthis stage in my life and my career,” shesaid. “I’m feeling very, very lucky.”

Besides the Stephen Sondheim musicaland Jon Baitz’s play about a dysfunctionalfamily wrestling with a deep secret, Lavinhas finished a movie, the coming Wander-lust with Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd,and has just released her first CD, “Possi-bilities.”

A meaty starring role In the dark comedy The Lyons, Lavin

played the mother of a family grapplingwith the impending death of its patriarch.It is a central role, one not offered by Fol-lies or Other Desert Cities, and it deeplymoved Lavin.

“I love a short run [the play closed inlate November], and I love being in onsomething at the beginning. So this offer,when it came, was a perfect time,” shesaid. “Nicky’s play offered more meat onthe bones, and it was something I ab-solutely had to do.”

Decision made, she had to walk awayfrom Follies, in which she was singing theiconic song “Broadway Baby,” and fromBaitz’s play, in which she played a lefty al-coholic. Her part in the Sondheim musicalwas given to Jayne Houdyshell, and Judith

Light took her part in the play for Broad-way.

Lavin said Light is a wonderful actresswho will do “great justice” to the role sheleft. As for Follies, Lavin calls it like doing abeloved rock show. “It’s The Rocky HorrorShow of Broadway,” she said. “The showsare much bigger than my participation.”

Mark Brokaw, who directed Lavin inThe Lyons, was happy to have her. “It’s afantastic role with great range, and [wewere] so happy to have her because she isa serious actress with fantastic comicchops.”

A CD of favorite songsWhen the discussion veers to her new

album, Lavin brightens even more. Backedby a jazz band, she sings 12 favorite songs,including “Two for the Road,” “It Might AsWell Be Spring” and “You’ve Got Possibili-ties.”

“Look at me,” she said, beaming. “I’mlike a child about it.” [Lavin celebrates therelease of the album with a concert atBirdland jazz club in New York City on De-cember 5, where she will be joined bythree of her co-stars from The Lyons.]

With Lavin’s twist on standards, the CDboasts two notable additions: liner notesby Hal Prince, whom she calls her firstmentor, and drumming by Steve Bakunas,who happens to be Lavin’s husband.

Prince gave Lavin her first big breakwhile directing the Broadway musical It’sa Bird ... It’s a Plane ... It’s Superman. Shewent on to earn a Tony nomination in NeilSimon’s Last of the Red Hot Lovers in 1969,and the Tony for another Simon play in1987, Broadway Bound. In between, shestarred in “Alice,” singing the theme songand becoming an icon for working moms.

She and Bakunas, an artist, musicianand her third husband, have been togetherfor 13 years and make their home in Wilm-ington, N.C., where they converted an oldautomotive garage into the 50-seat RedBarn Studio Theatre.

It opened in 2007 and their productionsinclude Doubt by John Patrick Shanley,Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet, Rab-bit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire, and TheTale of the Allergist’s Wife by CharlesBusch, in which Lavin also starred onBroadway.

Lavin in recent years has been at Lin-coln Center in Paul Rudnick’s comedy TheNew Century, and earned a Tony nomina-tion last year for her role in Donald Mar-gulies’ Collected Stories. She has also beenrefining her concert show Songs & Confes-sions of a One-Time Waitress.

Lavin said she’s finally re-emerging afterstruggling with too few roles offered towomen over 40. She quotes a verse fromSondheim: “First you’re another sloe-eyedvamp/Then someone’s mother/Thenyou’re camp.”

She has not gotten to camp, but she hasplayed Jennifer Lopez’s grandmother inThe Back-Up Plan. When she is asked for

guidance from up-and-coming actresses,Lavin stresses one thing.

“I won’t give advice — I don’t believe init. I believe in experience and sharingthat,” she said. “I say that what happenedfor me was that work brings work. As longas it wasn’t morally reprehensible to me, Idid it.”

Now she is in the enviable position ofhaving to turn down work.

“I think it’s really, really good fortuneand the fact that there are writers out therewho know the value of women and whatwomen have to say,” she said. “I don’tknow how long it will last, but I’m happy toeat it up while it’s here.” — AP

Linda Lavin on her busy career, new CD

AP

PH

OTO

/B

ON

EA

U/

BR

YA

N-B

RO

WN

, JOA

N M

AR

CU

S, F

ILE

Linda Lavin, who recently starred in the off-Broadway play The Lyons, has also re-cently released a CD of her favorite jazz songs. Last year, she performed in theKennedy Center’s production of Follies.

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Arts & Style 29

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

From page 30.

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

M P G D A B S I D E AM A R E E L L E B R O W NO D I N L E A N L O V E DT O M O O I S B O V I N EO F E A R L R A N T O OR F D C A L F A N D C A L F

Y A H O O E S P I E SA C N E T R U A L S OB L E A T S T R E E SC O W R I P K E N J R A D AS D S T A I E M O T E R

H E A R D O F C A T T L EC R O O N D I R T T E E NN O U N S E L E E E S T AN O R S D Y E D R T E

Return this form with your check, made payable to The Bea con, to:

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227

� One Year = $12 (Maryland residents add 6% for sales tax = $12.72)

� Check here if this is a gift subscription.

Write the recipient’s name above. A gift card will be sent in your

name: _____________________________

Makes a

great gift! BeaconThe

I N F O C U S F O R P E O P L E O V E R 5 0

$12/year via Third Class Mailplus tax

Please send a one-year subscription to:Name:____________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________

City: _____________________State:_____Zip: ___________

BB1/12

30 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Puzzle Page

Scrabble answers on p. 29.

JUMBLE ANSWERS

Jumble Answers

Jumbles: LYING INLET REBUKE BEHIND

Answer: The scouts gathered wood because they had a -

"BURNING" NEEDCrossword Puzzle

Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com

Click on Puzzles Plus

Answers on page 29.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14

15 16 17

18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30

31 32

33 34 35 36 37 38

39 40 41 42 43 44

45 46 47 48 49

50 51 52 53

54 55 56 57

58 59 60 61

62 63 64

65 66 67

2. Prepared (as a pump)3. Columbus’s birthplace4. Barbarous barberess5. Pub potables6. Spill the beans7. Spanish teacher, often8. Monopoly token9. Fit together10. Lamb’s ma11. Ampersand meaning12. Go on a car trip14. Window covers19. Killer whale20. Weathercock24. Bullfight shouts25. “There’s the respect that makes

calamity ___ long life” (Hamlet)28. Movie studio area29. Specialty30. Tax savin’ mavens31. Once around the sun33. Basics34. Oaf35. PBS show, since 197537. Coffee server40. Rams’ opponents in Super Bowl

XXXIV41. Prepare for a bout43. Removed a DVD44. Author Bombeck46. Teased47. Bear witness48. Computer key49. Hockey hall53. The weasel complains “Its always

one tting or tte ___”55. Long, long times56. Opposite of dry, to a cosmetologist57. On the house58. Anderson Cooper’s channel59. Tigger’s pal

Across1. Car sticker stat.4. Gently removes tears8. Brainstorm12. 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta,

for example13. Vogue rival14. Ivy League school15. Norse god of war16. Lanky17. Cherished18. Dairy farmer’s conclusion to

“To err is human”21. Duke ___22. Competed in a marathon23. Excessively26. Mayberry ___27. Future milk and cream producers31. Competitor to Google32. Catches a glimpse of33. Clearasil target36. Play about Capote38. The Sun ___ Rises39. Comments by 10 Down42. Alders and others45. She never missed a day of giving milk47. Orthodontist’s org.50. 1960’s radical grp.51. Mai ___52. Hammy actor54. Knew about Holsteins58. Sing like Bing60. Juicy gossip61. Sufferer of 33 Across, often62. Guns and butter63. Confederate, Robert ___64. “Como ___ usted?”65. Neither neighbors66. Blonde-ified67. Numbered rd.

Down1. Pyramid schemer

Udder Nonsense by Stephen Sherr

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J A NUA R Y 2 0 1 2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com 31

PROCESS MAIL! Pay Weekly! FREE Sup-plies! Bonuses! Genuine! Helping Homework-ers since 1992! Call 1-888-302-1522 www.how-towork-fromhome.com.

PHONE ACTRESSES FROM HOME BestPay-Outs, Busy System Weekends a Must!Land Line/Good Voice 1-800-403-7772 lipser-vice.net.

WORK ON JET ENGINES - Train for handson Aviation Career. FAA approved program. Fi-nancial aid if qualified - Job placement assis-tance. Call AIM (866)453-6204 or visit www.fix-jets.com.

OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL? 18-24 guys andgirls needed. Travel all across America. Paidtraining, travel and lodging. 877-646.5050.

AVOID BANKRUPTCY! Settle debts for less.Call if more than $15,000 of credit card debt.(800) 699-9740.

***FREE FORECLOSURE LISTINGS***OVER 400,000 properties nationwide. Lowdown payment. Call now 800-250-2043.

TAKE VIAGRA? SAVE $500! 100mg,/Cialis20mg. 40+4 FREE, PILLS . Only $99.00 Dis-creet. .1-888-797-9024.

ARTISTIC SLIPCOVER & UPHOLSTERYCOMPANY Your fabric or mine. Since 1966.Steve Gulin, 410-655-6696. Cell: 410-207-7229.

AREA’S BEST CLEANER Honest, depend-able, detailed, reasonable. Handyman servicesalso available. Excellent References. 443-253-5091.

PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOP-TION? You choose from families nationwide.LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Abby’s One TrueGift Adoptions. 866-413-6292, 24/7 Void/Illinois.

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home.*Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice. Jobplacement assistance. Computer available. Fi-nancial Aid if qualified. Call 800-494-3586www.CenturaOnline.com.

PARALEGAL: Experienced in trusts, estatesand will preparation and other letters and pa-perwork. Call 301-565-2917.

LEARN ENGLISH – SPANISH – ITALIAN –FRENCH – PORTUGUESE Conversational.Grammatical. Private lessons. ReasonableRates. Tutoring students. 443-352-8200.

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

FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS ANDQUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGSwanted by a serious capable buyer. I am verywell educated [law degree] knowledgeable[over 40 years in the antique business] andhave the finances and wherewithal to handlevirtually any situation. If you have a specialitem, collection or important estate I wouldlike to hear from you. I pay great prices forgreat things in all categories from orientalrungs to Tiffany objects, from rare clocks tofirearms, from silver and gold to classic cars.If it is wonderful I am interested. No phonypromises or messy consignments. Referencesgladly furnished. Please call Jake Lenihan301-279-8834. Thank you.

STAMPS! U.S. only. Small collector buying sin-gles, sets or collections. Fair price paid. South-west Stamp Club meets Friday, January 20th,2012, 1PM, Arbutus. 410-247-4169.

ESTATE BUY-OUTS / CLEAN-OUTS FROMBASEMENT-GARAGE-ATTIC-STORAGEUNITS. ELECTRONICS, RECORD COLLEC-TIONS, TUBES, HI-FI SPEAKERS, ACCUMU-LATIONS. CASH PAYMENT, PROMPT RE-MOVAL. PLEASE CALL 240-478-1100.

VINYL RECORDS WANTED from the 20sthrough 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm& Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or78s, Larger collections preferred. Please callJohn, 301-596-6201.

CASH BUYER SEEKING WATCHMAKER’S TOOLS & PARTS, wrist & pocketwatches (any condition), costume jewelry andantiques, coins. 410-655-0412.

WANTED JAPANESE MOTORCYCLESKAWASAKI 1970-1980 Z1-900, KZ900, KZ1000, H2-750, H1-500, S1-250, S2-250, S2-350,S3-400 CASH. 1-800-772-1142, 1-310-721-0726usa@classicrunners.com.

TOP CASH FOR CARS, Any Car/Truck, Run-ning or Not. Call for INSTANT offer: 1-800-454-6951.

CASH FOR CARS, Any Make or Model! FreeTowing. Sell it TODAY. Instant offer: 1-800-864-5784.

WANTED DIABETES TEST STRIPS Anykind/brand. Unexpired up to $22.00. ShippingPaid Hablamos espanol 1-800-266-0702www.selldiabeticstrips.com.

YEARBOOKS “Up to $15 paid for high schoolyearbooks1900-1988. yearbookusa@yahoo.comor 972-768-1338.”

WANTS TO PURCHASE minerals and otheroil and gas interests. Send details to P.O. Box13557 Denver, Co. 80201.

CLASSIFIEDSThe Beacon prints classified advertising

under the fol low ing headings: Business &Employment Opportunities; Caregivers;Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale;For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health;Home/ Handy man Services; Miscellaneous;Personals; Per son al Services; Va ca tion Op-portunities; and Want ed. For sub mis sionguide lines and dead lines, see the box on thebottom of this page.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!The Beacon does not know ing ly ac cept

ob scene, of fen sive, harmful, or fraudulent ad-vertising. How ev er, we do not in ves ti gate anyad ver tis ers or their prod ucts and can not ac -cept re spon si bil i ty for the in teg ri ty of either.Re spon dents to clas si fied ad ver tis ing shouldal ways use cau tion and their best judg ment.

EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept

ad ver tis ing in violation of federal, state, andlocal laws pro hib it ing dis crim i na tion based onrace, color, national origin, sex, fa mil ial sta tus orhandicap in connection with employment or thesale or rental of real estate.

Wanted WantedHealth

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIEDDeadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 5th of eachmonth.Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be included in thenext month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully. Include a numberwhere 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 Ads: For individuals seeking to buy or sell particular items orplace a personal ad. Each ad is $10 for 25 words; 25 cents for each additionalword.

Business Ads: For parties engaged in an ongoing business enterprise. Eachad is $25 for 25 words; 50 cents for each additional word.

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

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

The Beacon, Baltimore Classified Dept.

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

Business & EmploymentOpportunities

Financial Services

For Rent/Sale: Real Estate

Home/Handyman Services

Miscellaneous

Thanks for reading!

Personal Services

Wanted

Word of the monthThe curious origins of our words and rituals

Wishbone: The Lucky Break

The custom of making a wish by

pulling and breaking a denuded chicken

or turkey wishbone (the sternum or

breast bone) — with the person holding

the larger half presumed to get his or her

wish — began at least 2,500 years ago

with the Romans who adopted the

custom from the Etruscans.

For various reasons, chickens were considered fortune tellers.

When a chicken was killed, the sacred breast bone was dried and

merely stroking an unbroken bone was believed to make wishes

come true. Having people pull on either side until the bone broke

added an element of competition to the ritual. The English adopted

this superstition from the Romans, and the Pilgrims brought the

custom to the New World, where they changed it to a turkey bone.

The term “lucky break” derives from this ritual.

Prepared for The Beacon Newspapers by Wizard Communications©. All rights

reserved. Want to have a word/phrase or ritual/custom researched? Contact

jpozga@verizon.net.

TV HIT PARADE Have fun remembering the lyrics and music from all those old TVshows, from the ‘50s through the ‘80s. The shows might not have

been very good, but the songs and music are now classics. The free event at theCockeysville Senior Center, 10535 York Rd., Cockeysville, takes place on Friday,Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. and is open to the community. Call (410) 887-7694 for moreinformation.

GERMAN PHOTOGRAPHER EXHIBITThe Baltimore Museum of Art hosts this exhibit called “InteriorWorlds” of 13 works by acclaimed international contemporary

German photographer Candida Hoffer. Visit www.artbma.org or call (410) 396-7101 for more information. The BMA is located on Art Museum Drive.

THE ART OF LOUISE WHEATLEYThe Evergreen Museum and Library of Johns Hopkins Universityhosts the exhibit “Intimate Earth: The Art of Louise Wheatley,”

through Jan. 12. The exhibit includes drawings, prints, reliefs and micro tapestriesby the Maryland artist. The museum is located at 4545 N. Charles St. For moreinformation, call (410) 516-0341 or visit www.jhu.edu.

BEACON BITS

Jan. 20

Ongoing

Ongoing

32 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

WOW…A Computer Designed For YOU,Not Your Grandchildren!

NEW …It’s easy to read. It’s easy to see. It’s even easier to understand and use!Just plug it in!!!

NEWTouch Screen

Technology

Technology Simplified

designed for SENIORS®

Big Bright ScreenOne-touch “zoom” magnification

No bulky tower

Have you ever said to yourself “I’d love toget a computer, if only I could figure outhow to use it.” Well, you’re not alone. Computers were supposed to make ourlives simpler, but they’ve gotten so complicated that they are not worth thetrouble. With all of the “pointing and clicking” and “dragging and dropping”you’re lucky if you can figure out whereyou are. Plus, you are constantly worryingabout viruses, spam and freeze-ups. If thissounds familiar, we have greatnews for you. There is finally acomputer that’s designed forsimplicity and ease of use. It’sthe WOW Computer, and it wasdesigned with you in mind.

This computer is easy-to-use,worry-free and literally puts theworld at your fingertips. Fromthe moment you open the box, you’ll realize how differentthe WOW Computer is. The components are all connected; all you do is plug it intoan outlet and your high-speed Internet

connection. Then you’ll see the screen. This is a completely newoperating system, without the cluttered look of the normal computer screen. The “buttons” on the screen areeasy to see and easy to understand. All youdo is touch one of them, from the Web,Email, Calendar to Games– you name it…and a new screen opens up. It’s so easy touse you won’t have to ask your children orgrandchildren for help.

Until now thevery people whocould benefitmost from Email,and the Internetare the ones that have had the hardest time accessing it. Now,thanks to theWOW Computer,

countless older Americans are discoveringthe wonderful world of the Internet everyday. Isn’t it time you took part? Call now,

and a patient, knowledgeable product expert will tell you how you can try it inyour home for 30 days. Call today.

8019

9C

opyr

ight

© 2

011

by fi

rstS

TRE

ET

for B

oom

ers

and

Bey

ond,

Inc.

All

right

s re

serv

ed.

Call now for our special introductory price!

Please mention promotional code 43854.

1-877-791-8269

Simple navigation,

so you neverget lost!

Simple navigation,

so you neverget lost!

…”surf” the internetGet current weather & news.

…send and receive emails, and video chatKeep up with family and friends.

…play games onlinehundreds to choose from!

I just wanted to tell firstSTREET that I am having a great time on my WOW Computer.I am learning something new everyday. I am79 years old and cannot believe that I amtyping and sending e-mails to all my friendsnow. My daughter and granddaughter areso excited now that I have a computer. Theyuse computers on their jobs everyday, butthey cannot believe what you can do onthis computer. It is wonderful... Thanks.

– Johnnie E., Ellijay, Ga