VOL.10, NO.6

I N F O C U S F O R P E O P L E O V E R 5 0JUNE 2013More than 125,000 readers throughout Greater Baltimore

I N S I D E …

By Carol Sorgen“You can be happy, or you can be a star,”

a long-ago manager in essence told Balti-more jazz singer Ethel Ennis. For Ennis,the decision was easy, both then and now.

“I’d rather be happy,” said the 80-year-old native Baltimorean who, despite neverhaving actually sought the spotlight — “Ican advise people on how not to be a star!”she laughed — has nevertheless enjoyedenough of its glow throughout the years tohave no regrets.

“Happiness is success,” Ennis declared,sitting alongside her husband of almost 47years, former journalist and author EarlArnett.

The two met when Arnett, working onan article for the Baltimore Sun, went to in-terview Ennis. The article never got writ-ten, but five months later, they were mar-ried. (More about that later.)

On June 13, the couple will be honoredfor their contributions to music and cul-ture in Baltimore at a gala fundraiser forConcert Artists of Baltimore.

Getting startedMusic began as a hobby for Ennis when

she took piano lessons as a young girl.Then she started playing in a local band.

It wasn’t until she was asked to sing oneevening at a gig the band was playing inRandallstown that Ennis’s life changedcourse and her long, if unorthodox, careeras a singer began. (Along the way, she at-tended business college with the idea ofbecoming a business secretary.)

After graduating from high school in1950, Ennis began touring with a number ofjazz and rhythm-and-blues artists through-out the United States and in London.

Her first full-length LP, “Lullabies forLosers,” was released in 1955. Two morealbums, A Change of Scenery and Have YouForgotten?, followed in 1957 and 1958, re-spectively.

In 1958, she became internationallyknown when Benny Goodman selectedher as his female vocalist for an “all-starband” that toured Western Europe and ap-peared at the Brussels World’s Fair.

Over the course of her long career,Ennis performed with such accomplishedjazz and R&B artists as Louis Armstrong,

Count Basie, Duke Ellington, WyntonMarsalis and Ray Brown, and continued torecord albums.

A star-spangled innovationIn 1973, following the release of her

album, 10 Sides of Ethel, Ennis, a lifelongDemocrat, was invited to sing the nationalanthem at the second inauguration of Pres-ident Richard Nixon.

Her a cappella rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” — the first time it wassung without musical accompaniment atan inauguration — was cheered by manybut decried by others. “But now, that’s theway it’s done,” said Ennis, speaking with amixture of pride and humility.

One might think singing at a presiden-tial inauguration would be a highlight ofone’s career, if not one’s life. Not for Ennis.

“A car picked us up, took us to Washing-ton (the couple hasn’t owned a car in years),brought us home, and Ethel cleaned out therefrigerator,” Arnett recalled, laughing.

That’s just one example of how the couplehas followed through on a conscious deci-sion to live modestly and simply. They know“it goes against the American grain, and wedon’t have a lot of resources,” they acknowl-edged. But as Ennis said, “I have to be me.”

They also continue to live in the sameMondawmin rowhouse where Arnett first

Jazz singer and recording artist Ethel Ennis and Earl Arnett, her manager and a jour-nalist, have been married for 46 years. The couple will be honored in “A Night atEthel’s Place,” a benefit for Concert Artists of Baltimore, on June 13.

See ENNIS, page 14

They chose happiness over fame

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SEE SPECIAL INSERTon Housing &

Homecare Options following page 14

Recently, a friend brought to my attentiona relatively minor change being proposed tocurrent immigration law thatcould have a significant impacton the daily lives of olderAmericans and their families.

As I write, the Senate ismarking up new legislationthat would, among otherthings, eliminate the annualgreen card (or “diversity”) lot-tery that allows into the U.S. upto 55,000 people from a groupof nations with otherwise lowrates of immigration to the U.S.

The lottery is for workerswith a high school degree ortwo years’ work experience (and without acriminal record) and their immediate fami-lies. The vast majority admitted are un-skilled or low-skilled workers from Africannations and the Caribbean, though someare from the Middle East and Asia.

These green cards are highly soughtafter. Nearly 8 million people abroad applyeach year for these 55,000 slots, and thosewho get one really do feel as if they have“won the lottery.”

But this opportunity for ordinary people tocome to America to work and start a new life

may come to an end due to a bipartisan com-promise that seeks to transfer those green

card slots to higher skilledworkers and immigrants withhigh-tech knowledge.

Many businesses in Ameri-ca today say they are unable tofind enough new employeeswith the education and skills toperform sophisticated work.Too few American studentsexcel at math and science orpursue those fields as a career.So we need to import thelabor, the argument goes, andsave our green cards for thosewith these qualifications.

But don’t we also hear from industries atthe other end of the spectrum — thosethat hire less skilled laborers and workerswho care for our sick and elderly — whosay too few Americans are willing to takejobs paying low wages and involving de-manding or disagreeable physical labor(think: helping people with toileting or car-ing for a combative Alzheimer’s patient)?

We need to import this labor force as well,it is said, or we will have no one to performthe relatively menial (and demandingly com-passionate) work of child and elder care.

A significant portion of green card lot-tery winners, I am told, go into the latterjobs. I certainly have seen anecdotal evi-dence of that in meeting many certifiednurses’ aides and home care aides hailingfrom African and Caribbean countries.Visit any skilled nursing facility or assistedliving community in this area and you willsee what I mean.

Not only do these immigrants fill a greatneed, they do so at a price that, while oftenbeyond the means of those who need it, isstill considerably less than the pay of theaverage American worker.

Certainly the availability of inexpensivelabor is an issue for industries other thanelder care. And it is debatable whetherhaving a class of immigrant workers earn-ing such low salaries is a good thing. (Ofcourse, many do gradually work their wayup the income ladder, as immigrants toAmerica have done for centuries.)

But even viewed through this narrowprism, we can see that ending such asource of workers is likely to decrease thesupply of home care workers even as de-mand for them increases, leading to aspike in costs and hardship for thousandswho need the services.

Keep in mind that Medicare does notcover custodial long-term care expenses.

When these services are needed — andthe need is growing leaps and bounds asour longevity increases — they must bepaid for out of pocket.

It is sad to me that, with a 7.6 percent un-employment rate in this country, we have togo abroad to find people willing and able toperform the highest and lowest paid jobsthat keep our nation and families afloat.

But this does seem to be the case. I amguessing the companies looking for high-tech workers are investing more in lobby-ists to expand immigration slots for theirneeds than are those companies that hirethe less- or unskilled.

So if we want to protect this source of es-sential labor — while also offering the op-portunity of a new and better life to a di-verse group of people who seek to escapecrushing poverty, civil war or worse — Ithink we ordinary individuals will have tospeak up.

I encourage you to contact your politicalrepresentatives. And please also send yourthoughts to us as a letter to the editor viamail, email, or through our website,www.theBeaconNewspapers.com.

Who will win this lottery?

FROM THEPUBLISHERBy Stuart P. Rosenthal

Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter addressed inthe Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your

Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915,or e-mail to barbara@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your

name, address and telephone number for verification.

Letters to the editor

Dear Editor:Your publisher’s thoughtful editorial in

April on the virtues of automated, driverlesscars for seniors must be attracting a lot of at-tention. There is no doubt they would makea huge improvement to the quality of theirlives.

Yet one cannot help feeling nervousabout how helpless a frail, elderly personwould be if one of these automated sys-tems went wrong. And if a drunk, hit-and-run driver smashed into one of thesecars, [a driverless car passenger] could takeno avoiding action. Too awful to think about!

The concept is brilliant. The question is:Will time perfect it?

David WiesenbergBaltimore

Dear Editor:Your May article, “Mediterranean-style

diets beats low-fat ones” in prevention ofheart disease, based on research pub-lished in the New England Journal of Medi-cine, needs clarification.

What constitutes a low fat diet? Dr. DeanOrnish (who has pioneered the low fat dietin reversing coronary artery disease), re-butted the research you wrote about in ablog post on April 20 in the Huffington Post.Excerpts from his “Does a Mediterranean

Diet Really Beat Low-Fat for Heart Health?”are below. His blog can be read atwww.huffingtonpost.com/dr.../mediterranean-diet_b_2755940.html.

“In the ‘low-fat’ group, total fat consump-tion decreased insignificantly, from 39 per-cent to 37 percent. This doesn’t even comeclose to the American Heart Associationguidelines of a low-fat diet (<30 percentfat) or ours for reversing heart disease(<10 percent fat)….

“Also, the researchers appear to havedone everything they could to bias the out-come in favor of the Mediterranean diet byencouraging the “low-fat” diet to increaseconsumption of foods that are known to in-crease the risk of cardiovascular disease,including bread, potatoes, pasta, and rice,and not to limit their intake of sodas (whichalso increase cardiovascular disease risk).”

Dilip Ray, M.D.Baltimore

Dear Editor:I have to tell you, your May cover arti-

cle, “The secrets to healthy aging,” by Bar-bara Ruben was outstanding! It was notonly interesting, but got right to the sub-ject of aging and Dr. Ferrucci. Great job!

Elizabeth O’ConnorTowson

2 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

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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 27 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

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• Publisher/Editor ....................Stuart P. Rosenthal• Associate Publisher..............Judith K. Rosenthal• Vice President, Operations........Gordon Hasenei• Director of Sales ................................Alan Spiegel• Assistant Operations Manager ..........Roger King• Managing Editor............................Barbara Ruben• Contributing Editor..........................Carol Sorgen• Graphic Designer ..............................Kyle Gregory• Advertising Representatives ............Steve Levin, ........................................................................Jill Joseph

• Publishing Assistant ....................Rebekah Sewell

By Marilynn MarchioneHave a heart problem? If it’s fixable,

there’s a good chance it can be done withoutsurgery, using tiny tools and devices that arepushed through tubes into blood vessels. Heart care is in the midst of a transfor-

mation. Many problems that once re-quired sawing through the breastbone andopening up the chest for open heart sur-gery now can be treated with a nip, twist orpatch through a tube. These minimal procedures used to be

done just to unclog arteries and correctless common heart rhythm problems.Now some patients are getting such re-pairs for valves, irregular heartbeats,holes in the heart and other defects —without major surgery. Doctors are eventesting ways to treat high blood pressurewith some of these new approaches. All rely on catheters — hollow tubes

that let doctors burn away and reshapeheart tissue or correct defects. They areinserted into the body through small holesand threaded through blood vessels. “This is the replacement for the sur-

geon’s knife. Instead of opening the chest,we’re able to put catheters in through the

leg, sometimes through the arm,” said Dr.Spencer King of St. Joseph’s Heart andVascular Institute in Atlanta. “Many patients after having this kind of

procedure can go home in a day or two”rather than staying in the hospital while abig wound heals, he said. It may lead tocheaper treatment, although the initialcost of the novel devices often offsets thesavings from shorter hospital stays.

Safer for frailer patients Not everyone can have catheter treat-

ment, and some promising devices havehit snags in testing. Others on the marketnow are so new that it will take severalyears to see if their results last as long asthe benefits from surgery do.But already, these procedures have al-

lowed many people too old or frail for anoperation to get help for problems that oth-erwise would likely kill them. “You can do these on 90-year-old pa-

tients,” King said. These methods also offer an option for peo-

ple who cannot tolerate long-term use ofblood thinners or other drugs to manage theirconditions, or who don’t get enough help

from these medicines and are getting worse. “It’s opened up a whole new field,” said

Dr. Hadley Wilson, cardiology chief at Car-olinas HealthCare System in Charlotte.“We can hopefully treat more patientsmore definitively, with better results.” For patients, this is a crucial point:

Make sure you are evaluated by a “heartteam” that includes a surgeon as well asother specialists who do less invasive treat-ments. Many patients now get whatevertreatment is offered by whatever specialistthey are sent to, and those specialistssometimes are rivals.

New fixesHere are some common problems and

newer treatments for them: Heart valves. Millions of people have

leaky heart valves. Each year, more than100,000 people in the United States alonehave surgery for them. A common one is the aortic valve, the

heart’s main gate. It can stiffen and nar-row, making the heart strain to push bloodthrough it. Without a valve replacementoperation, half of these patients die withintwo years, yet many are too weak to under-go one. “Essentially, this was a death sentence,”

said Dr. John Harold, a Los Angeles heartspecialist who is president of the College

New tools fix hearts without major surgery

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com 3

HealthFitness &FEELING FORGETFUL?Alcohol, medications and thyroid problems can lead to memory lapses

END GERD FOR GOODA bracelet of magnets implantedaround the esophagus can stop GERD

FIX YOUR KNEE WITH PTPhysical therapy can be just as good assurgery for many knee woes

CUT SIDE EFFECTS NATURALLYSupplements like CQ10 may help mini-mize hypertension drug side effects

See HEART REPAIR, page 4

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Gorgeous 11-acre campusStimulating fun activities

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–Daughter, Judy

Please accept my personalinvitation for a complimentarylunch and a personally guided

tour of College Manor.

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A HOME-STYLE RESIDENCEWITH A FAMILY FEEL

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EXTENDED FAMILYASSISTED LIVING

By Dr. Daniel Pendrick Worried that you’re getting more forget-

ful as you age? Ironically, worry itself cantrigger memory slips. It might take a conversation with your

doctor to pinpoint the cause of your memo-ry lapses — especially if the change is sud-den or uncharacteristic.“If it’s worse than it was a few months

ago, or somebody is asking you about it,that would definitely be something to see adoctor about,” said Dr. Anne Fabiny, chiefof geriatrics at Cambridge Health Allianceand an assistant professor of medicine atHarvard Medical School.

Some ordinary reasonsIf you consult a medical reference on

possible causes of memory loss, you’ll findan assortment of possibilities — frombrain tumors and infections to syphilis andmigraine headaches. But hiding among them are a few ordi-

nary causes worth serious consideration:1. AlcoholHaving more than the recommended

number of daily drinks can contribute tomemory loss. For men, the recommendedlimit is no more than two standard drinksper day, defined as 1.5 ounces (1 shotglass) of 80-proof spirits, a 5-ounce servingof table wine, or a 12-ounce serving ofbeer. The limit for women is one drink perday.2. MedicationsTranquilizers, certain antidepressants

and some blood pressure drugs can affectmemory by causing sedation or confusion,which interfere with your ability to payclose attention to new things. Talk to yourdoctor or pharmacist if you suspect that anew medication is taking the edge off yourmemory.3. Thyroid disorderFaltering thyroid hormone levels could

affect memory, as well as cause sleep dis-turbance and depression, both of whichcontribute to memory slips. Although thy-roid function is usually not the cause, yourdoctor may want to rule it out.4. Stress and anxietyFor older adults, disturbances in mood

are among the most common causes of

memory problems. The cause of the prob-lem could be an illness in the family — orsomething with more positive overtones,like moving to a new home. In either case,the new life stressor can make it harder foryou to keep on top of things.Stress and anxiety affect memory be-

cause they make it harder for you to con-centrate and lock new information andskills into memory. You may end up forget-ting something simply because you werenot really paying attention or had toomuch on your mind.5. DepressionThe symptoms of depression often in-

Forgetfulness can have multiple causes

of Cardiology. That changed just over a year ago, when

Edwards Lifesciences Corp. won approvalto sell an artificial aortic valve flexible andsmall enough to fit into a catheter and bewedged inside the bad one. At first it was just for inoperable pa-

tients. Last fall, use was expanded to in-clude people able to have surgery but athigh risk of complications. Catheter-based treatments for other

valves also are in testing. One for the mi-tral valve — Abbott Laboratories’ Mitra-Clip — had a mixed review by federalFood and Drug Administration advisersrecently; whether it will win FDA approvalis unclear. It is already sold in Europe. Heart rhythm problems. Catheters

can contain tools to burn off or “ablate”bits of heart tissue that cause abnormalsignals that control the heartbeat. Thisused to be done only for some serious orrelatively rare problems, or during sur-gery if a patient was already having an op-eration for another heart issue.

4 Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Heart repairFrom page 3

See FORGETFULNESS, page 7

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health 5

Now catheter ablation is being used forthe most common rhythm problem — atrialfibrillation — which plagues about 3 millionAmericans and 15 million people world-wide. The upper chambers of the heartquiver or beat too fast or too slow. That letsblood pool in a small pouch off one of thesechambers. Clots can form in the pouch andtravel to the brain, causing a stroke. Ablation addresses the underlying rhythm

problem. To address the stroke risk frompooled blood, several novel devices aim toplug or seal off the pouch. Only one has ap-proval in the U.S. now — SentreHeart Inc.’sLariat, a tiny lasso to cinch the pouch shut. It uses two catheters that act like chop-

sticks. One goes through a blood vesseland into the pouch to help guide place-ment of the device, which is contained in asecond catheter poked under the ribs tothe outside of the heart. A loop is releasedto circle the top of the pouch where itmeets the heart, sealing off the pouch. Heart defects. Some people have a

hole in a heart wall called an atrial septaldefect that causes abnormal blood flow. St.Jude Medical Inc.’s Amplatzer is a fabric-mesh patch threaded through catheters toplug the hole. The patch is also being tested for a

more common defect — PFO, a hole thatresults when the heart wall doesn’t seal

the way it should after birth. This can raisethe risk of stroke. In two new studies, the device did not

meet the main goal of lowering the risk ofrepeat strokes in people who had alreadysuffered one, but some doctors were en-couraged by other results. Clogged arteries. The original

catheter-based treatment — balloon angio-plasty — is still used hundreds of thou-sands of times each year in the U.S. alone.A Japanese company, Terumo Corp., isone of the leaders of a new way to do it thatis easier on patients — through a catheterin the arm rather than the groin. Newer stents that prop arteries open

and then dissolve over time, aimed at re-ducing the risk of blood clots, are also inlate-stage testing. High blood pressure. About 75 mil-

lion Americans and 1 billion people world-wide have high blood pressure — a majorrisk factor for heart attacks. Researchersare testing a possible long-term fix for dan-gerously high pressure that can’t be con-trolled with multiple medications. It uses a catheter and radio waves to zap

nerves, located near the kidneys, which fuelhigh blood pressure. At least one device isapproved in Europe and several companiesare testing devices in the United States. “We’re very excited about this,” said

Harold, the cardiology college’s president.It offers hope to “essentially cure highblood pressure.” — AP

Heart repairFrom page 4

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By Dr. C. Daniel SmithDear Mayo Clinic: I saw a story on the news about mag-

nets being used to treat patients withGERD. Is this treatment safe? How doesit work? I’ve taken prescription drugs forGERD for years and would love to notneed it anymore.Answer: The treatment you heard

about is a new therapy now available forpeople with persistent gastroesophagealreflux disease, or GERD. It involves placing around the lower end

of the esophagus a device that looks like abracelet and is made up of magnetic beads.The device allows food to pass into thestomach, but prevents acid and other di-gestive juices in the stomach from getting

up into the esophagus.Normally a ring of muscle called the

lower esophageal sphincter, located at thebottom of the esophagus and the top of thestomach, stays closed when you’re not eat-ing. This keeps the acid that’s in yourstomach out of your esophagus. If those muscles become weak or relax

when they shouldn’t, acid can work its wayinto the esophagus. This acid reflux leadsto the painful burning and regurgitationsymptoms known as heartburn. The com-bination of acid reflux with heartburn,when they last over time, is GERD.

When drugs don’t helpIn the past, treatment for GERD has re-

lied mainly on medicine to reduce stomach

acid. But that’s not always effective in con-trolling the disorder. This new treatment is intended for peo-

ple whose GERD symptoms continue toflare up even when they take a daily doseof medication.Effective control of GERD is important

because, if left untreated, excessive acid candamage the esophagus and lead to a precan-cerous condition known as Barrett’s esopha-gus and, eventually, to esophageal cancer.The purpose of putting the bracelet de-

vice around the esophagus is to reinforcethe lower esophageal sphincter. The de-vice is placed in the same area as that ringof muscle. The magnetic force betweeneach bead holds the bracelet snug aroundthe esophagus.

How it worksWhen a person implanted with this de-

vice swallows food, pressure within theesophagus pushes the food down. When the food reaches the bracelet of

magnetic beads, the pressure causes themagnetic force between each bead tolessen. The bracelet then pops open, foodpasses into the stomach, and the magneticforce pulls the bracelet closed again.Surgery to implant the device usually

lasts one to two hours. The procedure isminimally invasive and typically requires

only an overnight hospital stay. Recoverytakes about a week.

Some individuals report difficulty swal-lowing with the device in place. But formost people, that fades over time. Thebracelet is designed to be a permanent so-lution for GERD. So unless there are prob-lems, it is not removed.A recent study, published in The New

England Journal of Medicine, followed 100people who had this treatment for threeyears. Ninety-two of the people in the studyreported fewer GERD symptoms. Eighty-seven percent of the study participantswere able to completely stop using acid-low-ering medications, and 94 percent reportedbeing satisfied with the treatment.In March 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration approved the device fortreatment of GERD in the United States. Ifyou have GERD and daily antacid is notenough to control your symptoms, thistreatment may be a good fit for you. Talkto your doctor or contact a physician whospecializes in GERD to learn more.

— C. Daniel Smith, M.D., Surgery, MayoClinic, Jacksonville, Fla.

To submit a question, write to med-icaledge@m ayo.edu.

© 2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Ed-ucation and Research. All rights reserved.Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Implanted device relieves GERD for good6 Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

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“Everyone was so wonderful. I’m glad I came here.”

- Mary

Mary came to ManorCare Health Service – Woodbridge Valley debilitated from an infection. Mary couldn’t even get out of bed!

She told us ‘I didn’t know hat to expect. I’ve never

been hospitalized.’

After our rehab team worked with Mary, she was up on her own two feet,

managing all of her own needs and, in no time, was discharged and back to her regular routine.

As an added bonus, ManorCare’s exercise regimen jump-started a weight loss which helped her to resolve her diabetes. Mary says, “Thanks to ManorCare, I feel great!”

Mary came to ManorCare Health Service – Woodbridge Valley debilitated from an infection. Mary couldn’t even get out of bed!

She told us didn’t know

been hospitalized.’

After our rehab team worked with Mary, she was up on her own two feet,

managing all of her own needs and, in

Dulaney 410.828.6500

Roland Park 410.662.8606

Rossville 410.574.4950

For more information, please call the location nearest you or visit www.manorcare.com:

Ruxton 410.821.9600

Towson 410.828.9494

Woodbridge Valley 410.402.1200

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As a podiatrist with over 30 years experience, Ihave always focused on non-surgical treatment offoot and leg pain. I find that most people with footor leg symptoms (arthritic, aching, burning, cramp-ing or difficulty walking) , even those who have hadother treatments, including surgery of the foot (orback), can be helped, usually in 1or 2 visits.— Dr. Stuart Goldman

I am a patient who had severefoot pain for 2 years, with no relief in sight....by the end of the4 days I was 85% pain free inboth feet. I thank God for Dr.Goldman and his passion for research in healing people withfoot and leg pain.– Alvin, Baltimore

Stuart Goldman, DPM410-235-23454419 Falls Road, Suite A, Baltimore 4000 Old Court Road, Suite 301, Pikesville

Fellow American College of Foot and Ankle SurgeonsMarquis Who’s Who in Medicine and HealthcareAuthor, multiple articles on Foot & Leg Symptoms

Treating Difficulty Standing or Walking, attributed to Arthritis, Spinal Stenosis, Neuropathy, Poor Circulation or Poor BalanceHow fortunate I feel to have found a doctor whocould not only diagnose an underlying problem that manyspecialists missed, but who hasbeen able to find a painless andrapid method of relieving theworst symptoms.

– Susan, Baltimore

,

clude forgetfulness. Most people think ofdepression as a stifling sadness, lack ofdrive, and lessening of pleasure in thingsthat you ordinarily enjoyed. But the signscan change with aging.“Depression in older people often pres-

ents with physical symptoms,” Fabiny ex-plained. “People don’t come in and saythey are really depressed. They say myshoulder hurts, I have a headache, I havestomach pains, I don’t sleep very well.”6. Sleep deprivationLack of restful, high-quality sleep is per-

haps the greatest unappreciated cause ofmemory slips. Sleeplessness can becomemore of an issue with aging.“Older adults spend less time in the

deep stages of sleep, which are the mostrestful,” Fabiny said. “As a result, they maynot feel as rested upon awakening in themorning because they haven’t slept well.”Lack of restful sleep can also trigger

mood changes. Anxiety is one possibility.“It’s not uncommon for people to be-

come anxious because they can’t sleep, orto not sleep well because they are anx-ious,” Fabiny said. “Both can leave you inthe same place.”

When to seek helpIf you think you are sleep deprived, see

a doctor about it. Don’t succumb to themyth that older people need fewer hours

of slumber, Fabiny said.“If you were a 9-hour-a-night sleeper

when you were 29, you will still be whenyou are 79. But sleep quality may changewith aging,” he said. You may wake moreoften, for example, and find it more diffi-cult to get back to sleep.It can also help your memory to give

your brain a break. “As you get older, itmay become more difficult to maintain ahigh level of attention for several things atonce,” Fabiny said. “Dividing your atten-tion can definitely cause you to think youare having memory problems.”Finally, remember that fatigue that in-

terferes with memory — and life in gener-al — is not normal. Inadequately treatedpain, sleep disorders, or low thyroid hor-mone levels in your blood could be at theroot of a pooped-out and forgetful de-meanor.“If you are feeling fatigued or lacking

in energy, it’s important to have a con-versation with your doctor,” Fabiny said.

“It’s possible that an existing medicalproblem needs more attention or that anevaluation for a new condition is war-ranted.”

— Harvard Men’s Health Watch© 2013 President and fellows of Harvard

College. All rights reserved. Distributed byTribune Media Services, Inc.

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health 7

ForgetfulnessFrom page 4

Please patronizeour advertisers.They keep theBeacon free!

The Sinai Center for Thrombosis Re-search, under the direction of Dr. PaulGurbel, has been actively fighting heartdisease by designing and conducting clini-cal trials investigating novel drug thera-pies and devices. The center is currently conducting a

clinical trial with the support of the Nation-al Institutes of Health to examine the ef-fects of an investigational drug called PZ-128 on patients ages 18 to 75 with a docu-mented history of vascular disease (pe-ripheral vascular disease, carotid artery

disease or coronary artery disease) or twoor more coronary artery risk factors. Coronary artery risk factors for this

study include the following: diabetes, highcholesterol, high blood pressure, currentsmoking and obesity.

Intravenous drug benefitsPZ-128 was designed to prevent the blood

from forming clots, which can block vesselsin the body and lead to heart attack or stroke. Existing drugs like Plavix, Brilinta and

Prasugrel, all tested at Sinai, are given orally

to patients undergoing coronary stenting fora blockage in the heart arteries. Thesedrugs remain in the body for days, posing apotential bleeding risk. Conversely, PZ-128 is administered di-

rectly into the bloodstream, allowing it tobe immediately active and reversible with-in a few hours.On a microscopic level, the drug works

to block a receptor by passing throughblood cell walls, something no competingdrugs on the market currently do. Whileit’s not clear whether that will mean moreeffective treatment, it does explore a drugdelivery method that is new to coronaryartery disease therapy. In this initial phase of clinical trials, re-

searchers at Sinai will look first and fore-most for evidence of the drug’s safety,along with signs of effectiveness. Approxi-mately 34 participants are being recruitedfor the study.

Overnight visit required The study will include a screening visit, a

hospital stay for one night, one follow-up visitat the study site, and a telephone call approx-imately 30 days after the last hospital visit.

Study participants will receive:• Reimbursement of up to $590 for time

and expenses.• Specialized platelet function testing

(These tests are not part of routine studiesthat can assess your risk of forming bloodclots.)• Physical exam with cardiologist and

complete laboratory blood work-up.The information learned about the study

drug and how it works may be helpful to pa-tients with heart disease in the future.For more information, or to see if you

qualify to participate, contact the SinaiCenter for Thrombosis Research at (410)601-4795 or email Kevin Bliden at kbli-den@lifebridgehealth.org.

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

Study testing clot prevention medication

8 Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

HOW TO AVOID ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION The Maryland Department of Aging and Baltimore City Health

Department Office on Aging present a free all-day workshop on Elder Abuse at

the Waxter Senior Center, 1000 Cathedral St., Baltimore. Speakers will address

the full spectrum of abuse and exploitation, how to protect older adults, dealing

with family violence, neglect in long-term care facilities, legislative protections

and more. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on June 12. For more infor-

mation or to register, contact Aisha Ross at (410) 396-4932 or aisha.ross@balti-

morecity.gov.

HEART HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE SCREENING LifeBridge Health will offer a heart health and lifestyle screening

at the Catonsville Senior Center, 501 N. Rolling Rd., on

Wednesday, June 12, at 9 a.m. The screening is for men and women over age 18

and includes blood pressure, cholesterol/triglycerides, comprehensive metabolic

panel blood profile, body composition analysis, personal lifestyle questionnaire,

and brief health education counseling with a registered nurse. Appointment

required. Cost is $20. If interested, call (410) 601-9355.

BEACON BITS

June 12

June 12

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

Have You Fallen?Seeking Men and Women to participate in a research study at the

University of Maryland & Veterans affairs of Baltimore to betterunderstand balance and the prevention of falls in aging individuals.

you will receive:• Health evaluation

• Balance, step, strength, and/or flexibility exercises• Compensation for your time

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

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

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

CaLL Today!

Fix your kneewith PT, not

surgeryYou might not want to rush into knee

surgery. Physical therapy can be just asgood for a common injury and at far lesscost and risk, the most rigorous study tocompare these treatments concludes. Therapy didn’t always help, and some

people wound up having surgery for theproblem, called a torn meniscus. But thosewho stuck with therapy had improved asmuch at six months and one year later asthose who were given arthroscopic sur-gery right away, researchers found. “Both are very good choices. It would be

quite reasonable to try physical therapy firstbecause the chances are good that you’ll doquite well,” said one study leader, Dr. JeffreyKatz, a joint specialist at Brigham andWomen’s Hospital and Harvard MedicalSchool. Results were published online bythe New England Journal of Medicine. A meniscus is one of the crescent-

shaped cartilage discs that cushion theknee. About one-third of people over 50have a tear in one, and arthritis makes thismore likely. Usually the tear doesn’t causesymptoms, but it can be painful. When that happens, it’s tough to tell if the

pain is from the tear or the arthritis — orwhether surgery is needed or will help.Nearly half a million knee surgeries for atorn meniscus are done each year in the U.S. The new federally funded study com-

pared surgery with a less drastic option. Re-searchers at seven major universities andorthopedic surgery centers around the U.S.assigned 351 people with arthritis and

meniscus tears to get either surgery orphysical therapy. The therapy was nine ses-sions on average, plus exercises to do athome, which experts say is key to success. After six months, both groups had simi-

lar rates of functional improvement. Painscores also were similar. Thirty percent of patients assigned to

physical therapy wound up having surgerybefore the six months was up, often be-cause they felt therapy wasn’t helping them.Yet they ended up the same as those whogot surgery right away, as well as the rest ofthe physical therapy group who stuck withit and avoided having an operation. — AP

Time for another whooping cough

vaccineYou might have assumed that you no

longer need to be vaccinated for diseases thatnormally strike in childhood, including per-tussis, or whooping cough. Yet a study pub-lished in the December 2012 journal ClinicalInfectious Diseases underscores the need forolder adults to also get vaccinated, as rates ofthis disease have risen in all age groups.When researchers in Australia looked at

a database of pertussis records, they foundthat the incidence of this disease wasabout 30 percent higher in women — andolder adults who are infected are morelikely to need hospitalization.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention said the actual number ofadults over age 65 with pertussis may bemuch higher than we realize, becausemany cases go unreported. As of February2012, the Advisory Committee on Immu-nization Practices began recommendingthe Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertus-sis) vaccine for all adults age 65 and older.

— Harvard Women’s Health Watch

Heart-lungmachines safe for older adultsOne of the scariest parts of bypass sur-

gery — having your heart stopped andgoing on a heart-lung machine while doc-tors fix your clogged arteries — is safeeven in those 75 and older and doesn’tcause mental decline as many people havefeared, two landmark studies show. Bypass surgery is one of the most com-

mon operations in the world. There is

great debate about the best way to do it,and patients often are given a choice. Usually doctors stop the heart to make it

easier to connect new blood vessels tomake detours around blocked ones. Butsome patients later complain of “pump-head” — mental decline thought to be fromthe heart-lung machines used to pumptheir blood while their hearts could not. So surgeons started doing “off-pump”

bypasses on beating hearts. Nearly onequarter of bypasses are done this way now.But that brought a new complaint: Results

Health Shorts

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health 9

See HEALTH SHORTS, page 11

STUdIES oN aNEMIa

• Several new research studies are being designed by researchers atJohns Hopkins University specifically for older adults with anemia.

• By volunteering to join our anemia registry, you will be kept up todate on anemia research studies that match your situation.

Are you 65 years or older?Have you been recently diagnosed with anemia?

OR Have you had anemia in the past?

en you may be interested in:

“THE JOHNS HOPKINS registry of older adults with anemia”

Call us at 410-550-2113to join the Anemia Registry today!

We can conduct the study in your home. No travel is required. If you choose to come to Bayview to participate, your parking will be paid.

We look forward to hearing from you!Principal Investigator: Dr. Jeremy Walston, MD. IRB application No: NA_00035307

at 410-601-4795

Dear Pharmacist:I keep having to stop my blood pres-

sure medications because of side ef-fects — mainly fatigue, dizziness andleg cramps. Please help me solve thisproblem, or recommend different med-icine.

—A.P. Dear A.P.:This is a great question, especially since

high blood pressure (a.k.a. hypertension)now affects one in every three Americanadults. That’s a staggering 78 million people,and the American Heart Association saysthis number will continue escalating. Please don’t stop your medicine “cold

turkey” because there can be backlash.

Rather, ask your doctor if it’s better towean slowly. As a pharmacist for 23 years, I’ve

watched my customers endure uncomfort-able side effects while trying to controlblood pressure with various medications. Fortunately, there are affordable solutions

that should bring relief and allow you to stayon your medication more comfortably. I’vecategorized the information based on med-ication category. Discuss everything withyour physician.Beta blockers. As implied by their

name, these drugs block “beta” receptorson cells of your heart, arteries and all over,causing symptoms head to toe. Two of themost popular beta blockers are atenolol

and propranolol. A common side effect of beta blockers is

vivid dreaming or nightmares.That also happens to peoplewho become deficient in mela-tonin, a sleep-promoting com-pound you make in your brain.Guess what? Beta blockerssuppress melatonin levels,shown in 1999 by a study pub-lished in the European Journalof Clinical Pharmacology. CoQ10 is also depleted,

which may cause chronic fa-tigue, depression, restless legsor cramps. Beta blockers arewhat I call “drug muggers” ofmelatonin and CoQ10. Hence, restoring levels may be your

side effect solution. Take CoQ10 in themorning (it’s energizing) and melatonin atbedtime. Diuretics. These include loop, thiazide

and sulfonamide diuretics. They cause youto urinate more fluid, reducing pressure inyour ‘pipeline.’ Furosemide and HCTZ arepopular ones. This drug category causes side effects

of fatigue, weakness and leg cramps,twitches or muscle spasms. It happens dueto the loss of an important mineral or elec-trolyte from all that excessive urination;

it’s often magnesium or potassium loss.CoQ10 is also reduced.

The side effect solution in-cludes potassium, CoQ10 anda magnesium supplement.Also coconut water, which re-stores electrolytes. ACE Inhibitors and An-

giotensin II Receptor Block-ers. Medications in these twocategories ultimately dilateblood vessels, thus reducingpressure. Enalapril and losar-tan are examples. A common side effect is

dizziness. It can be caused bythe sheer drop in blood pres-

sure, so try taking your medicine at nightso you can sleep through the wooziness.Get up very slowly in them morning toavoid feeling faint, sometimes termed “or-thostatic hypotension.” Body aches and pains are common side

effects, too. That’s because these medica-tion categories are drug muggers of mag-nesium. You become deficient. Try magne-sium malate (or aspartate) about 300 mg.taken twice daily, or whatever your practi-tioner says. I have helped millions of people feel well

Reducing medicine side effects naturally

DEAR PHARMACISTBy Suzy Cohen

10 Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

See DEAR PHARMACIST, page 11

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

The Green House Residences is the perfect place to get you backon your feet following orthopedic and cardiac procedures. Our goalis to get you back home!

Offering the following amenities:•All Private Rooms•All Private Bathrooms•Home-StyleDining•Occupational Therapy•Speech Therapy•PhysicalTherapy•24/7 Nursing Coverage•TV, Cable, wirelessInternet•Lovely Screened-In Porches

For your personal tour, call 443-414-6218

All faiths welcomed

A whole new approach to long-term and rehabilitative care

on the blood vessels seemed not as good. The new studies were aimed at testing

all these factors in a rigorous way to seewhich method was best. Dr. Andre Lamyof Canada’s McMaster University led astudy of 4,752 people in 19 countries. Theywere randomly assigned to have bypasseswith or without the use of heart pumps. After one year, there were no big differ-

ences in the rates of death, heart attack,

stroke or kidney failure in the two groups.Slightly more people who had bypasseswithout a heart-lung machine needed a fol-low-up procedure to open clogged arter-ies, but the difference was so small it couldhave occurred by chance alone. Mental sharpness and quality of life also

was similar in the two groups. That sug-gests that whatever decline people experi-ence is temporary or a result of anesthesiaor something other than the way the oper-ations were done, said Dr. Timothy Gard-ner, a surgeon and an American Heart As-

sociation spokesman. That was true even in people 75 or older,

a group most worried about going on aheart-lung machine. The second studytested the two bypass methods in 2,539 ofthese patients in Germany. Again, themethods proved equally safe and effectivea year later.

— AP

ECG? There’s anapp for that

People with heart disease will soon be

able to provide vital information abouttheir heart rhythm to their healthcareprovider without making a visit to the doc-tor’s office.Last December, the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration approved a mobile electro-cardiogram (ECG) device that attaches toan iPhone 4 or 5. To record an ECG, theuser simply presses the fingers of bothhands onto the electrode pads.The information is analyzed by an app,

then transmitted digitally for storage onthe company’s website, where it can be ac-cessed by a doctor.

— Harvard Heart Letter

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Fitness & Health 11

Health shortsFrom page 9

again by restoring the right vitamins andminerals when medications rob your bodyof what it needs. More can be found in mybest-selling book, Drug Muggers, avail-able on my website.

This information is opinion only. It is notintended to treat, cure or diagnose your con-dition. Consult with your doctor before usingany new drug or supplement.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacistand the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacistand Real Solutions from Head to Toe. Tocontact her, visit www.dearpharmacist.com.

Dear PharmacistFrom page 10

ANNUAL SENIOR LUNCHEON Join the Baltimore County Association of Senior CitizenAssociations (BCASCO) on Friday, June 14 at 11:30 a.m. for its

35th annual luncheon. The keynote speaker is Joanne Williams, director of theBaltimore County Dept. of Aging. The cost is $30 per person. Checks must bemailed to BCASCO, Attn: Melody Burton, 34 Tearose Dr., Baltimore, MD 21220and received by Monday, June 3. The lunch will be held at Columbus Gardens,4301 Klosterman Ave. To receive a registration form or more information, callBeth Wiseman at (410) 484-6866 or email bwiseman84@hotmail.com.

BEACON BITS

June 14

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“Untreated hearing loss may increase your risk of Alzheimer’s” ARCHIVES OF NEUROLOGY (FEBRUARY 2012)

“Hearing loss is twice as common in adults with diabetes” ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE (JULY 2008)

“Older people with mild hearing impairment are nearly twice as likely as those with normal hearing to develop dementia” CNN HEALTHLINE (FEBRUARY 2011)

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12 Fitness & Health | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

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 Carol SorgenMore than 30 years ago, Liz Turnbaugh

first heard about the Classic CasseroleProgram at Our Daily Bread (ODB),Maryland’s hot meal program that servesmore than a quarter million meals to hun-gry Baltimore City residents each year. Aprogram of Catholic Charities, ODBserves nutritious lunches every day of theyear, and breakfast each weekday, to sen-iors and individuals with disabilities.

The program is located in the Our DailyBread Employment Center at 725 Fall-sway, which houses a number of CatholicCharities programs, including job trainingand employment counseling, case manage-ment, and an intensive residential programcombining all the nonprofit’s services.

Calling cooks and non-cooks alikeThe Classic Casserole Program has

been the backbone of ODB’s feeding pro-gram serving the poor and homeless since1981. Individuals and groups alike makecasseroles (recipes are available online; ifyou don’t cook, a family-size frozen meal,such as macaroni and cheese, is also wel-come) and deliver them to the center.

Turnbaugh started out decades agomaking five casseroles a month, alongwith other members of her parish, St.

Charles Rectory in Pikesville. She will be89 in July, and has now cut back to makingtwo casseroles a month. But she still goesdown to ODB once a month to deliver themeals and help out in any way she can.

“Daily Bread is a big part of my life,”said Turnbaugh. “I just thank God that Iam as fortunate as I am and that I can helpthose who are less so.”

Turnbaugh is so dedicated to ODB thatseveral years ago she held a pre-funeralparty for herself. “If I’m going to pay for myfuneral, I want to enjoy it,” said the Pikesvilleresident. She asked her guests to make con-tributions to ODB, and she raised $2,600.

“Everyone knows how I feel about DailyBread,” said Turnbaugh. “Helping othersmeans so much to me. I keep praying thatI can continue going down there.”

Jack Nolan feels the same way. “It’s a priv-ilege,” he said of his efforts serving meals atthe center. The 87-year-old Baltimore Cityresident began volunteering at ODB 20years ago, and “one week led to another.”

A retired teacher, Nolan has impressedhis children and grandchildren with howmany people he has served on his weeklyWednesday trips.

“People will come up to me on thestreets of Baltimore and give me a hug,”he said, adding that when he’s not able to

go, “they miss me.”In addition to serving meals, Nolan has

also begun collecting gently used maga-zines and bringing them to the peopleserved at Our Daily Bread. “I bring 90 to100 magazines every week,” he said.“They read everything I bring.”

Volunteering is a “humbling” experi-ence, said Nolan, who is troubled by thosewho turn their back on the homeless.“There are people who will cross the streetrather than walk by a homeless person,”he said.

Nolan said he was first inspired by twovolunteers, one of whom was 89, the other90. “If they can come, I can make it too,” hetold himself. “Everyone has to have a pur-

pose in life, and this is my contribution tosociety.”

Become a volunteerTo become a part of the Classic Casse-

role Program, either on a one-time basis oras a regular participant, call the volunteerline at (443) 986-9031 to let them knowwhen and what casseroles to expect.

In addition to Our Daily Bread, CatholicCharities runs 80 programs serving morethan 160,000 Marylanders each year. Morethan 15,000 volunteers serve the organiza-tion in a variety of ways. You can volunteer asan individual, family, business or group. Allfaiths and ages are welcome. For more infor-mation, visit www.catholiccharities-md.org.

B A L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon 13

CareersVolunteers &

Volunteers cook casseroles for homeless

Volunteers at Our Daily Bread put the finishing touches on meals for the homeless.Our Daily Bread is a project of Catholic Charities.

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TE

SY

OF

OU

R D

AIL

Y B

RE

AD

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.

interviewed Ennis (“and kept coming backand coming back,” Ennis chuckled).

Keeping things in perspective is a guid-ing principle of the couple’s life. “I’ve neverbeen very adventurous or ambitious,” saidEnnis. “Things just happen.” Yep, thingslike singing before the president of theUnited States!

Working as a teamEnnis has continued to record sporadi-

cally through the years and is currentlyputting together a compilation of her fa-vorite songs.

They both consider Arnett as Ennis’ part-ner, not as her manager. “She sings, and Itake care of the logistics,” said Arnett.

In 1984, the couple opened Ethel’sPlace, a supper club across the street fromthe Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The clubnot only gave Ennis herself a place to per-form, but brought a wide range of interna-

tional talent to town, including WyntonMarsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, Stephane Grappelliand Doc Watson.

Though the musical entrepreneurs didsome live TV and radio broadcasts fromthe club, it never turned into the produc-tion facility they had envisioned. So in 1988they closed it down. “We ran out of bothenergy and money,” said Arnett.

Which is not to say they’ve been sittingidly by since then. “Ethel’s still singing(“here and there, now and then,” she inter-jected, laughing), and I’m still writing,”said Arnett.

Arnett, who will be 73 in July, left theSun in 1980, and is the author of Maryland,A New Guide to the Old Line State, and afictional companion, Lovely Lady. He hasalso taught writing, liberal arts and musiccriticism at the University of Baltimoreand Peabody Conservatory.

He’s currently working on a book on thecouple’s life within the context of theirtimes. A mixed race couple, Ennis and Ar-nett were married in 1967 when interracial

unions were still illegal. (The law wasstruck down later that same year).

Despite having grown up as an Armybrat in a liberal household, Arnett’s fatherdisowned him for nine years, “much toeveryone’s surprise,” Arnett recalled.

Ennis was eventually welcomed by herfather-in-law into the family. “I think he fi-nally saw that none of his predictions werecoming true, and that it was time to get hisson back,” Arnett said.

These days the couple lives a quiet life,enjoying their projects (“We’re never look-ing for something to do!”), their music andtheir books, cooking, watching films ontelevision, and occasionally traveling.

Arnett is also active in community af-fairs, and the couple has served as Balti-more’s cultural ambassadors to Rotter-dam, the Netherlands, and Xiamen, China.

Feelings for BaltimoreThough Baltimore has been home for

all these years, they’re contemplating mov-ing someplace where the lifestyle is evensimpler and less expensive. “We justhaven’t found where that might be!”

Were it up to Ennis, she’d probably becontent to remain in Baltimore. “This is agood pace for me,” said the lifelong Balti-morean who, apart from her travels, hasnever lived more than two miles fromwhere she was born.

“You can bloom where you’re planted,”she said by way of explaining why shenever felt the lure of bright lights and bigcities.

Was it possible for her to have the kindof musical career she wanted in Balti-more? She gives a simple one-word re-sponse: “Yes.” Though, of course, Ennisacknowledged that she never really want-ed the trappings of show business that ap-peal to so many performers in the firstplace.

Many critics faulted her for that deci-

sion. Even now, online comments accom-panying her many recordings suggest thatEnnis could have/should have been amuch bigger star than she was (with manyperhaps assuming that racism was the ex-planation).

But what people don’t seem to under-stand is that Ennis herself never soughtstardom.

“It’s hard to maintain that kind of musi-cal career,” she said, adding that she want-ed more artistic and logistical control overher work, her schedule…indeed, her life.

Instead, Ennis calls herself an “infotain-er.” “I like to inform people through mymusic,” she said. “I want to teach them tobe kind to themselves, not to be dazzled byoutside forces. To think about what’s with-in…If I can ignite that spirit in someone,then I’m happy.”

For Arnett, who was headed out Westwhen he first met Ennis, his wife has al-ways been, and remains, the attraction ofBaltimore for him.

“And they said it wouldn’t work,” Ennislaughed, adding, “We complement eachother in so many ways. And we still likeeach other, even after all these years.We’re fortunate that way.”

They’re also happy that the latest recog-nition to come their way — being feted byConcert Artists of Baltimore in a musicalevening, “A Night at Ethel’s Place” — is atribute to both of them.

“We’ve never been honored together,”said Ennis, reaching for her husband’shand with a smile. “This is a first for us.”The benefit for Concert Artists of Balti-

more will take place on Thursday, June 13,at 6:30 p.m., at the Doubletree Hilton inPikesville. The event will include cocktails,light dinner, dessert and a musical tribute tothe honorees. For tickets, which are $125 per person,

visit www.cabgala.com or call (410) 625-3525.

14 Volunteers & Careers | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

EnnisFrom page 1

EVENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDInterested in helping bring together a fun, family-oriented eventthat helps save lives? Help the American Cancer Society Relay for

Life in Parkville-Carney this year on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2. Volun-teers are needed to help develop the event, as well as set up on event day. Formore information, call Katie Weber at (410) 933-5101 or email Katie.weber@can-cer.org. More information is available at www.relayforlife.org/parkville-carneymd.

BEACON BITS

June 1+

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon B-1SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION

B-2 Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

By Carol SorgenWhen Pauline Watson needed help with

her computer, she could have called atechnician and paid the going rate for therepair. Instead, the Upper Park Heightsresident called Northwest NeighborhoodConnecting (NNC), and a volunteer cameto her home, spent four hours, and got hertechnological life back on track. “Without NNC, that could have cost me

a couple of hundred dollars at least,” saidWatson.That’s just one of many scenarios that

NNC is hoping to address in its mission tohelp seniors “age in place.”NNC is based on a growing national

grassroots movement of do-it-yourself sen-ior living that’s friendlier, more au-tonomous and less expensive, and de-signed so that seniors can age with dignityin their own homes and communities. Through nominal membership fees that

encourage membership across all eco-nomic spectrums, the grassroots “village”model provides everything from social ac-tivities to transportation, grocery shop-ping and home repairs.Seniors who become members of NNC

pay a small annual fee, based on a slidingscale (currently, that works out to $5, $25,or $50 a month), to help fund programsand services. NNC is only the second suchmodel in Baltimore, and will serve theGlen, Cheswolde, Cross Country and Fall-staff neighborhoods.

Roland Park area villageThe other village in Baltimore, Village at

Home, which is unrelated to NNC, serves23 neighborhoods bounded by Mt. Wash-ington to Oakenshawe and Roland Park toRuxton. Members of Village at Home pay$800 a year for an individual membership,or $1,200 for a household (the fee can bepaid in monthly installments). There is no paid staff. The organization,

which started in 2011, is run completelyby volunteers, who provide help with gro-cery shopping and menu planning, ridesto appointments, taking out recycling rak-ing leaves, light gardening, organizing pa-pers and technology assistance. There arealso walking and exercise groups.Vetted vendors provide commercial

services to Village members at a discount-ed rate, including a car service, medicaltransport, prepared meals, handymanservices, house cleaning, bill paying andmany other services.Transportation and computer help have

been the two most popular volunteer serv-ices, said Village at Home’s Executive Di-rector Susan Newhouse.“It’s been lovely to see the relationships

that develop with the volunteers and olderresidents,” she said. “People are reallylooking out for one another.”For some residents, it’s the accumula-

tion of little problems that may keep them

from staying in their own homes as theyage, Newhouse said.“Maybe there’s a leak somewhere, but

you don’t know where, or [you don’t have]a plumber to call who’s going to get it fixedright. It’s a great boon to people to knowthere’s somewhere to call to get a plumberwhose been vetted by the Village andwho’s not going to rip you off.”

Getting startedSince forming about a year and a half

ago, Village at Home has slowly built upa cadre of volunteers to help the resi-dents who need it. But it is looking forways to let more people know of its exis-tence.NNC is even newer. The idea for NNC

came about almost a year ago when 30 res-idents of the Upper Park Heights area metto plan an initiative for their community.They came up with the following missionstatement:“Northwest Neighbors Connecting is a

support system comprised of individualsoffering and seeking support in the North-ern Park Heights community. We engageeach other, professionals, volunteers andcommunity organizations, to provide a“round-the-clock” network to assist us andour neighbors with social interaction,transportation, household upkeep, andday-to-day activity. We envision an interde-pendent community in which all residentsare safe, secure and connected.”Officially launched in March, NNC is

getting the word out to grow its member-ship (200 people attended the launchparty). Members drive each other to ap-pointments, teach each other skills, holdsocial events, make friendly check-in calls,prepare for emergencies and more.“NNC wants to be the force in Northern

Park Heights that transforms the way wecare for one another,” said Lane Levine,Community Network Director of CHAI:Comprehensive Housing Assistance Inc.,which is overseeing the initiative. (UnlikeNNC, Village at Home has no institutionalsupport.)

Promoting diversity and cooperationThough CHAI is an agency of the Asso-

ciated: Jewish Community Federation ofBaltimore, NNC serves all members of theUpper Park Heights community, which ispredominantly a mix of Jewish and AfricanAmerican residents.The goal is for NNC to be the first of a

series of organizations in Northwest Balti-more that will serve as an interdependentsupport system to help seniors age well intheir community by getting support fromtheir neighbors.According to Levine, a lot of the support

people need as they age is the kind best

Village model bringsneighbors together

See VILLAGE MODEL, page B-4

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Park View at Ellicott City 410-203-95018720 Ridge RoadEllicott City, MD 21043parkviewellicott@sheltergrp.com

Park View at Ellicott City I and Park View Ellicott City II extends aninvitation to those 62 or better to enjoy a carefree lifestyle. Thecommunities are conveniently located near shopping, HistoricEllicott City, and local senior centers. The buildings haveelectronically controlled access, elevators for the residents’convenience, plus many amenities for social and recreationalactivities. Call 410-203-9501 or email parkviewellicott@sheltergrp.comtoday to arrange for your personal visit. We look forward towelcoming you to our community!

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Park View at Laurel301-490-15269000 Briarcroft LaneLaurel, MD 20708parkviewlaurel@sheltergrp.com

Park View at Laurel is newly renovated and simply offers the best incarefree living for those 62 or better. Located just off of Route 198 inLaurel, this community is convenient to everything you want andneed. Residents enjoy a spacious community room, mail deliverylounge and media room with library, as well as a computer center,fitness center, salon, and many social activities including bus trips.Our apartment homes feature stylish kitchens, new baths, and EnergyStar appliances. Our controlled-access elevator community has somany amenities to enhance your living experience you need to calltoday and see for yourself. Call 301-490-1526 or emailparkviewlaurel@sheltergrp.com today to arrange for your personalvisit. We look forward to meeting you!

Weinberg VillageCampus410-581-7878 3430 Associated WayOwings Mills, MD 21117www.weinbergvillage.net

This lovely campus of five buildings offers you the opportunity tomaintain your healthy and active lifestyle. While living in one ofthe spacious apartments, you will have access to many amenities,which include a convenience store, hair salon, and communityrooms that are supplied with computers, games, community garden, televisions and books. In addition, residents take part indaily activities planned by resident volunteers and staff members.Located in a quiet corner of Owings Mills, you will have easy access to many shopping, dining and entertainment businesses.Weinberg Village has a community shuttle bus that makes regulartrips to many local attractions.

INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING

By Helen L. FlynnSelling a house one has lived in for 15 or

50 years is a major event. It is not like relo-cating for a job or moving up to a largerhome. There are emotional, physical, spiri-tual, financial and social ramifications.And, it comes at a point in life when one’sphysical and/or emotional strength maybe depleted.Here are some questions to ask yourself

if you are considering a move:1. Is my home safe and convenient

for my current and expected physicalneeds?

Stairs: Do you have a steep flight ofsteps to enter the house or multiple stepsin the house that are becoming increasing-ly difficult to navigate? Perhaps you are liv-ing only on one floor of your home or in acouple of rooms because it is difficult tomove around. By the way, check that the railings are

secure and that stairways are well lit.Sometimes our glasses create a hazardwith steps, not to mention the dangers ofsnow and ice.

Bathrooms: They can be extremelydangerous due to the presence of waterand possibility of slipping on hard sur-faces. Can you maneuver in the bathroom if

you should need a walker or other assis-tance? Showers can be retrofitted for safe-

ty, but perhaps the danger lies in using thebathroom alone without an emergency callsystem.

Access: What is the proximity to neigh-bors and to emergency help? Living in thecountry or in the woods is lovely, but cansomeone get to you easily if necessary?How close are you to your doctors,church, friends, etc.? Is driving somethingthat is becoming an issue?

2. What is the age and condition ofyour home? If major systems such as heating and air

or the roof and windows need to be re-placed, the cost can be considerable. Main-taining the lawn and garden may havebeen a joy at one time, but it may become aburden. Likewise, cleaning and maintaining the

interior of a home can become increasing-ly difficult, especially during times of ill-ness or other incapacity. Little by little thehouse may deteriorate and its value dimin-ishes.Do you get out of the house and interact

with other people frequently and have reg-ular physical activity? So often I see peoplegradually becoming prisoners in theirhomes; not being able to get out and notwanting visitors to come in. Loneliness can be a major problem for

seniors, especially if they are living alone,and it has real physical consequences.

When should you move?People often wonder if they should wait

until the market is better before they sell.You should consider selling when the an-swers to the above questions indicate thatchange is necessary. The answer also depends on when you

purchased your home and how much equi-ty you have. Most mature sellers havebeen in their homes for a number of years.Disregard the false equity of 2004-2006. Itwill be several years before we see a signif-icant increase in home prices, even though

the market at this time is improving.Discuss your options with family, doc-

tors, lawyers and accountants or financialplanners to make the decision that is bestfor you. Then be aware that your decision may

change in a month, a year or a moment.Thinking and planning ahead is so impor-tant. It puts you in control of your futurecircumstances, rather than letting circum-stances control you.

B A L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options B-3

8482819

MOM STAYS SAFE & HAPPYwith Assisted Living at

Charlestown and Oak Crest

Assisted Living at Charlestown and Oak Crest offers your loved one everything she needs to live a rewarding life. Your mom will benefit from an entire community filled with great neighbors, top-notch on-site health care and lots of fun things to do.

Learn more today. Call for your free brochure and activities calendar.

CharlestownCatonsville, MD410-988-4985

Oak CrestParkville, MD

410-734-2592

EricksonLiving.com

How to decide whether to sell your home

See SELL YOUR HOME, page B-5

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

• Bus Trips and Social Events and many more amenities!

• Only 2 blocks from Hampden’s ‘The Avenue’

*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!

Spectacular View

Rooftop Restaurant

You’re healthy enough to live in yourown apartment, but perhaps you still needhelp with your medications, bathing ordressing. If you’d like such help whenever needed

plus the added benefits of a full social lifeand meals in a comfortable dining room,an assisted-living facility may be a good fit.But navigating the assisted-living mazecan be a challenge.First, there are all the options to consid-

er. Some facilities house as few as 10 olderadults in a home-like setting, while othersare home to several hundred residents in ahigh-rise building. Care services can vary, as well. Facili-

ties may offer advanced services such asphysical therapy and skilled nursing — orprovide little care at all. Even the names differ from place to

place: adult homes, retirement residences,board and care, and congregate care.Regulatory oversight also varies by

state, leading to quality problems at somefacilities. Issues range from outright abuseto medication errors.“I’m seeing some excellent quality of life

and quality of care in assisted living, butwe see some serious problems, as well,”said Alice Hedt, Maryland’s long-term-care ombudsman.Given the disparity in quality and servic-

es, prospective residents and family mem-bers must conduct their own due diligencebefore choosing a facility. That means vis-iting several places, reading the fine printof residential agreements, and asking nu-merous questions of managers, aides andresidents.

Assisted living basicsOne million Americans live in assisted

living — a midway point between inde-pendent living and a nursing home. Typi-cally, residents lease apartments — from astudio to a two-bedroom — by the monthand eat in a common dining area. Facilitiesalso offer healthcare monitoring and assis-tance with activities of daily living, and res-idents can participate in recreational andfitness programs.Even if a person doesn’t need much

daily attention, “they benefit from the over-all support — not having to cook, socialcontact, someone to notice if something iswrong,” said Suzanne Modigliani, a geri-atric-care manager.After a stroke at age 80, widower Don-

ald Campbell could manage fairly well atfirst but needed help with eating andhousehold chores, said his daughter Eliza-beth Campbell of Denver, Colo. “He could no longer stay at home, but

didn’t need nursing-home care,” she said.Her father moved from North Carolina toan assisted-living community near Camp-bell’s home and lived there for nearly fiveyears before he died in 2008.When her father became ill, Campbell

didn’t have much time to check her op-tions. She visited several nearby facilities,relying on gut feelings.“Most of the places I went to didn’t feel

good,” she said. Although her father wascomfortable at the facility she chose, Eliza-beth said she wishes she’d consulted alocal geriatric-care manager for guidanceand an elder-law attorney to sort out “a lotof the technicalities.”For instance, said elder-law attorney

Michael Amoruso, contracts could give“the landlord more rights than tenants interms of eviction,” compared with typicalrental agreements. Another legal issue: If an adult child

without a power of attorney signs anagreement on behalf of the parent, thechild could be financially liable.

Ask the right questionsWhen you start your quest, look only at

facilities with a state license. Ask each cen-ter for its agreement outlining services,prices, extra charges and staffing.“Ask how much help is available, at

what time and to what level,” Modiglianisaid. Facilities may differ on the amount ofhelp they can offer with using the toilet,eating and other activities of daily living,for example.Seniors who have a particular concern

with falling should make sure they can get

B-4 Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

provided by neighbors — a favor here andthere, rides to appointments and some so-cial connection.Pauline Watson not only appreciates the

services, such as computer repair, that herNNC membership has made possible, butalso the opportunity to build relationships,especially with neighbors she might nototherwise have met.“This isn’t just a relationship-building ef-

fort,” she said, “but a diversity-building oneas well.” Watson, who is African American,

said she has felt “embraced and included”by NNC’s Jewish members. She was eveninvited to the recent wedding of the son ofNNC project volunteer Risyl Edelman.“I’ve gotten so much love from every-

one in NNC,” said Watson. “They’ve be-come like family.”For more information about NNC, email

nncbaltimore@gmail.com or call (410)662-6620. For more information about Village at

Home, see www.villageathome.org, emailinfo@villageathome.org, or call (410) 225-3171.Additional reporting by Barbara Ruben.

Village modelFrom page B-2

Considering assistedliving? Shop around

See ASSISTED LIVING, page B-5

Park View at Towson410-828-718520 Dunvale RoadTowson, MD 21204parkviewtowson@sheltergrp.com

Park View at Towson offers carefree living for those 62 or better. Located in the heart of Towson, this community is convenient to Dulaney Plaza and Towson Town Center, as well as the specialtystores and restaurants Towson offers. Residents enjoy many social,recreational and educational activities including bus trips. Our con-trolled-access community offers lounge areas for socializing, multipleclothing care centers, and a lending library. Our residents receive upto four hot, nutritional, low-cost meals per week in conjunction withthe on-site Baltimore County Eating Together Program. Call 410-828-7185 or email parkviewtowson@sheltergrp.com today to arrange foryour personal visit. We look forward to welcoming you to our community!

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Glen Forest Senior Apartments410-969-2000 7975 Crain Hwy Glen Burnie, MD 21061www.firstcentrum.com

Glen Forest is centrally located to thenumerous conveniences of the region, including Baltimore Washington International Airport, the Baltimore & Annapolis Trailand North Arundel Hospital. This independent living community forpersons 62 years of age or better is also convenient to local shoppingand dining that can be found throughout the Glen Burnie and Balti-more area. A shopping mall is located right across from the property which includes grocery, clothing and other shopping stores,banks and restaurants. While living at Glen Forest, you will enjoymany activities hosted by the resident association, a senior center nu-trition site that serves a hot lunch Monday through Friday for a nomi-nal fee and carefree 24 hour emergency maintenance service. Comevisit and see why our residents love it here at Glen Forest.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

ASSISTED LIVING

Charlestown1-800-554-9865715 Maiden Choice LaneCatonsville, MD 21228www.ericksonliving.com

Charlestown has a brand new look!

The best destination for a vibrant retirement just got evenbetter. Charlestown has now been Catonsville’s premierlocation for a maintenance-free retirement for 30 years—andwe’re celebrating with a multimillion-dollar renovation!Discover the beautiful new apartment homes in the Edgewoodbuilding—plus a newly renovated clubhouse featuring a pool,fitness center, marketplace and restaurant opening later thissummer. Don’t wait to experience Charlestown’s stunningadditions. Call 1-800-554-9865 to schedule a tour or requestyour free brochure today.

extra help while they’re dressing orbathing. Make sure all special require-ments and wishes, including favorite socialactivities, are documented in a personal-care plan.Eat a meal, and ask whether there are

menu choices. Also note if staff membersare attentive and kind to residents. Speakwith residents and their visiting familymembers about their experiences.Find out about the training the center

provides for its staff, and make sure the fa-cility conducts criminal backgroundchecks on employees. Because of lowwages, turnover is typically high industry-wide. Compare the turnover levels foreach center as well as the staff-to-residentratio.Still, there are no hard-and-fast rules on

staff levels. “Assisted-living communitiesare staffed based on the level of care andservice needed by the residents,” said Jami-son Gosselin, a senior vice-president of theAssisted Living Federation of America. For example, he said, there will be fewer

caregivers per resident in a communitythat “serves a pretty independent group ofseniors” than at one where residents needmore assistance.Review the contract’s provisions on the

facility’s discharge policies. After a resi-dent leaves for a stint in a hospital or reha-bilitation, the facility will decide whetherthe resident can return. The residentcould be charged for food or other servic-es if gone for an extended period. “Evenfor death, a resident may owe a fewmonths,” Modigliani said.

How much does it cost?Because assisted-living arrangements

don’t provide round-the-clock skilled-nurs-ing care, they typically run about half thecost of nursing homes. In 2012, the aver-age “base rate” — a one-bedroom unit, atleast two meals a day, housekeeping andminimal personal-care assistance — in Bal-timore was $4,307 a month, according tothe MetLife Mature Market Institute.But costs vary widely. Most facilities

offer several pricing tiers, each with itsown set of services. A resident needing lit-tle assistance would be at the lowest tier,

or base price. You will need to find outwhat services are included in each tier,such as the number of meals each day, andhow much it will cost if your relative needsmore care in the future.As her father’s needs grew over five

years, his monthly costs rose to $6,000 amonth, from the initial $3,000, said Eliza-beth Campbell. Eventually, her fatherneeded help dressing and managing hismedicines, and took his meals in his apart-ment. Because Medicare doesn’t pay assisted-

living costs, most residents pay the entiretab out of pocket. Elizabeth said her fa-ther’s long-term-care insurance policy cov-ered most of the costs.Regulatory oversight varies by state.

Ask to review complaints made to stateagencies, as well as all state-inspection re-ports. For information on your state’s reg-

ulatory agency, contact the Assisted LivingFederation of America at www.alfa.org or(703) 894-1805. You can also find a state’s ombudsman

at the National Long-Term Care Ombuds-man Resource Center, www.ltcombuds-man.org or (202) 332-2275.Information on assisted living regula-

tion in Maryland can be found athttp://dhmh.maryland.gov/ohcq/SitePages/Home.aspx. The Maryland state ombudsman’s of-

fice can be reached at (410) 767-1108 orwww.aging.maryland.gov/Ombudsman.html. For Baltimore City, call (410) 396-3144;

Baltimore County, (410) 887-4200; AnneArundel County, (410) 222-4464.

— Kiplinger’s Retirement Report © 2013, Kiplinger. All rights reserved.

Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options B-5

Assisted LivingFrom page B-4

Potential benefits of selling There are a number of benefits to sell-

ing your home that enter into the equa-tion. • You may be able to diversify funds

and receive a greater return on yourmoney for the future. • You may be spending less without

property taxes and insurance. You may re-duce expenses for maintenance and up-keep of the property, not to mention the re-

duction of physical exertion and stress dueto snow and leaf removal and yard work. • You may have more free time. • You may have less need to drive. • You may have more security in a med-

ical crisis. • Your family members will have less

worry. • You may have more freedom to travel.Excerpted from Selling Your Home: A

Guide for the Mature Seller and Their Fam-ilies. Helen L. Flynn is a real estate agentwith Real Living Evergreene Properties inAshburn, Va.

Sell your homeFrom page B-3

Pull out and keep this section!

Towson410-823-5310

Baltimore 410-367-9100

Baltimore410-664-5551

Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances accepted.

Orthopedic Surgery Rehab • Cardiac Surgery RehabDialysis and TPN therapies for Long-term care • Therapy Gym

Mental Health wing for younger people • New RenovationsNew Fine Dining Program • Family Reception Areas

TV, cable, wireless Internet • Private bathrooms. Social events Locked dementia and Alzheimer's care • Buffet-style dining

Private bathrooms • Private and 2 person-only rooms

Call Julie today to schedule your personal tour at 410-979-4822.

Looking for a Skilled Nursing/Rehab Facility?

Here is just some of what we offer.

B-6 Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Change is one constant with assisted living

By Leslie MorganAmong my favorite truisms is, “All that

remains the same is change.” In many di-mensions of our lives, we expect — andsometimes even welcome — change. In contrast, our views about change

shift in our roles as consumers. When webuy a car or select a cable service, we ex-pect consistency in that product or serv-ice; we expect the features or options wechose at the time will not change. However, this sort of consistency can-

not be expected in another important andcostly “product” some of us purchase —assisted living care. While assisted living seems like a sta-

ble, known service with a set of listed serv-ices and options, research conducted bythe Center for Aging Studies at UMBC in18 varied assisted living settings showsthat change, not stability, is the norm. As a result, assisted living consumers,

whether residents, family members orfriends, may be taken aback when changesoccur. Based on more than nine years of re-search, this article shares some insightsunlikely to be addressed if you tour assistedliving communities trying to find the rightplace for Mom, your Uncle Bill or yourself.When the time comes to move, often be-

cause remaining at home is no longerpractical or safe, an alternative must beidentified — sometimes in a hurry. Thelearning curve is steep when the end of ahospital or rehabilitation stay, or a prob-lem at home, triggers a search for an as-sisted living (AL) community. Searching involves reviewing lists of op-

tions, identifying those with available space,quickly followed by tours intended to seerooms, observe care, and ask questions. Thechoice is based on the best fit to the person,the location, the cost and other personal pref-erences (e.g., religiously oriented, homey or“glitzy,” small or large, quiet or busy).

Changes to expect While you can learn a lot by visiting, the

“purchase” of an assisted living setting isunlike other product selections you make,because you should expect the product tochange. Change can affect the physical environ-

ment, the ownership or leadership, theturnover of staff, the change in the traits ofother residents, or the type of services of-fered. A few of these change areas are de-tailed below.

1. Change in the business environ-ment. Growth in the AL sector has, untilrecently, meant increasing competition.Competition drove a number of ALs in ourstudies to change their focus to specializein dementia care. Others, in an effort tokeep rooms filled, permitted people to re-main longer with more fragile states ofhealth or cognition, putting greater de-

mands on limited numbers of staff. Future economic upturns may bring

more potential clients, which then mightprompt the ALs to push those with higherneeds into nursing homes. This most recent recession has meant

fewer people are able to afford AL hous-ing, shrinking the ALs’ bottom lines, andin turn the number of staff or range ofservices provided.

2. Changes in ownership or leader-ship. A linchpin in many of the AL settingswe studied was a leader or key staff personwho made a great deal of difference in howdaily life unfolded. For example, a “handson” executive director, who knew staffmembers’ jobs and made herself widelyavailable to everyone, differed dramaticallyfrom one who managed from an office andworried more about the bottom line. Any AL, if it is part of the dominant for-

profit sector, can be bought by new owner-ship, which may change leadership, thelist of services, or significantly alter dailyroutines for staff and residents. Sometimes these changes bring improve-

ment, but in other cases, they are disruptiveand their outcomes are mixed or negative.During the time of our studies, many ALs inour sample changed ownership, leadership,or both — sometimes more than once.

3. Changes in the social context ofeveryday life. As each resident spendsmonths or years in AL, they witness peo-ple arriving and leaving, sometimes in-cluding ones who’ve become friends. Forthose who remain, physical and cognitivehealth may change their vigor, social en-gagement, or capacities in ways that re-shape the experience of life. If those with dementia, whose families

often prefer for them to age in place, re-main for a long time, it may leave a mental-ly vigorous resident with few people ableto converse or share in a card game. Thesocial environment that seemed suitablewhen it was chosen may gradually transi-tion into one that may be less suitable. As “people-intensive” organizations, ALs

bring together many groups of people (resi-dents, care staff, administration, etc.), eachwith diverse backgrounds and ages, and di-verse roles and goals. Given this diversity, aswell as the unpredictability both within andbeyond AL, users should anticipate and pre-pare for changes to take place during an ALstay and work with staff and family to makethe most of the changes that will come. Leslie Morgan, Ph.D., is a professor in

the UMBC Department of Sociology andAnthropology and co-director of theUMB/UMBC Ph.D. program in Gerontol-ogy. Morgan is a fellow of the GerontologicalSociety of America and charter fellow of theAssociation for Gerontology in Higher Edu-cation. This article is based on researchfunded by the National Institute on Aging.

St. Mary’s Roland View Towers410-889-82553888/3939 Roland Avenue Baltimore, MD 21211www.smrvt.com

Located in the heart of Hampden, St. Mary's RolandView Towers is a complex of two, high-rise apartment buildingsexclusively for households that are 62 years of age or older. Since1964, SMRVT has provided affordable, comfortable and safeapartment living. There are 360 apartments at the property,including efficiencies, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms, at a rentstructure that is lower than comparable apartments in the Baltimorearea, and utilities are included in the rent!SMRVT is within walking distance to grocery shopping andpharmacies. An impressive list of features include- 24/7 on-sitemaintenance, library, beauty/barber shop, social activities, church services, rooftop restaurant, and 24/7 reception desk.Call Arthur or Laura Ruby for your personal tour.

ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITY

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Park View at Dundalk410-288-5483103 Center PlaceDundalk, MD 21222parkviewdundalk@sheltergrp.com

Park View at Dundalk offers carefreeliving for those 62 or better right in theheart of historic Dundalk. Just a blockfrom Dundalk Avenue, this community has easy access to publictransportation, shopping and restaurants. East Point Mall and JohnsHopkins Bayview are just minutes away. Residents enjoy many social,recreational and educational activities including bus trips. Our resi-dents receive up to four hot, nutritional, low-cost meals per week inconjunction with the on-site Baltimore County Eating Together Pro-gram. This controlled-access elevator building offers such amenitiesas a community room, clothing care center, and fitness center. Call410-288-5483 or email parkviewdundalk@sheltergrp.com today toarrange for your personal visit. Come see what you’re missing!

North Oaks410-486-9090725 Mt. Wilson LanePikesville, MD 21208www.northoaks.net

North Oaks is a warm and welcoming,newly renovated Life Care livingcommunity conveniently located in Pikesville, Maryland. When youlive here, you are thoroughly connected in all the ways that reallymatter. Connect to a rich cultural, social and intellectual environmentthat distinguishes life at North Oaks. Connect with a community ofinteresting neighbors and a skilled and supportive professional staff.Expect to remain wonderfully connected to family and friends, and tothe broader community outside North Oaks. Expect to make manynew friends right here. When you live here, you enjoy not only a comfortable, secure andmaintenance-free apartment home, but also the security of our LifeCare program, offering peace of mind and financial predictabilityshould your care needs ever change. Call today for your tour.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Folks write poems about Mom, nametheir kids after her, and even sport tattoospraising her glory — and now the resultsof a new national survey should makemoms feel even more special. The poll, commissioned by home care

agency Visiting Angels, surveyed morethan 1,100 adults, age 40 and older withboth living parents. It reveals that 70 per-cent of adult children do not want theirparents moving in with them. But if theyhad to choose, 67 percent would prefer tomove in their mom over their dad.

Sorry, DadMost say Mom would:• Help more than Dad with cooking and

cleaning (86 percent)• Help more than Dad with the kids (79

percent)• Be neater (73 percent)• Be a better listener (64 percent)Most say Dad:• Has worse hygiene than Mom (75 per-

cent)• Is more likely than Mom to say inap-

propriate things (75 percent)• Is sloppier than Mom (70 percent)• Is lazier than Mom (68 percent)• Would want to control the TV more

than Mom (69 percent)When asked what they fear about one or

both parents moving in, respondents say:

• Not enough room (55 percent)• Lack of privacy (49 percent)• It would cause conflict (46 percent)• They fear they’d have less

intimacy/sex with partner (21 percent)Forty-one percent say they would prefer

their parents remain in their own homewith a caregiver, over moving them in totheir home (31 percent) or moving them toan assisted living facility (17 percent) ornursing home (2 percent). More than half(58 percent) believe their aging parentswould prefer to stay in their own home.

Money concernsTwo-thirds (66 percent) of those polled

say they cannot afford to move their par-ents in with them. Yet more than half (51percent) say they would move them in any-way. And here’s some heartwarming news —

85 percent say money is no motivator; thatthey would NOT be more inclined to moveparents in if they got more of the inheri-tance. And more than three-quarters of those

polled (76 percent) say they would pay outof their own pocket if their parents neededcare. “This survey shows children don’t want

their aging parents to move in, but theywill do whatever it takes to take care ofthem, even if it means picking up the tab,”

said Larry Meigs, CEO of Visiting Angels,one of the country’s largest in-home seniorcare franchises. “People prefer their par-ents stay in their own home surroundedby the things that make them feel comfort-able and safe.”

Little planningThe survey reveals children mean to do

well by their parents, though many haveno game plan whatsoever. Almost three-quarters of respondents

(72 percent) say they don’t have a plan forhow they’ll care for their aging parents.More than half (54 percent) say theyhaven’t even had a conversation with theirparents about the type of care they want asthey age.Why? Many respondents say this ques-

tion could cause a family feud. Forty-sixpercent predict some kind of conflict whendeciding how to care for aging parents.

B A L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options B-7

Discovery Dayat Broadmead

• Take advantage of significant savings

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• Tour our beautiful redesigned Center

• Enjoy delicious light fare and refreshments

R.S.V.P. 443-578-8008 to reserve your spot for an exciting afternoon of DiscoveryEQUAL HOUSING

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1:30-4:00 pm

13801 York RoadCockeysville, MD 21030www.Broadmead.org

615 CHESTNUT AVENUE, TOWSON, MD 21204WWW.PICKERSGILLRETIREMENT.ORG • 888-920-2447

For more than two centuries, PickersgillRetirement Community has had onevision—providing value, independenceand confidence for seniors.

We are the area’s only rental, continuingcare community, with no entrance fee

or turnover of assets, and a not-for-profit mission that allows us todeliver extraordinary value.

Access to onsite rehab and two levels of assistance promotes ongoingindependence, with the confidenceof knowing that higher levels of careare available right here on campus,if and when needed. Value. Independence. Confidence.

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Call us at 888-920-2447to arrange a personal tour.

Common threads in thefabric of retirement freedom

Before you consider living with your kids

See FAMILY SURVEY, page B-9

B-8 Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

By Craig SmithA generation of Americans who em-

braced communal living in the 1960s isagain considering that concept and otherways to coexist as they near retirement. This time, they’ve traded peace signs

for dollar signs. “By force of sheer volume, the [baby

boomers], who in 1968 thought theywould change the world by 2028, actuallywill,” said Andrew Carle, founding directorof the Program in Senior Housing Admin-istration at George Mason University inFairfax, Va. Over the next three decades, one in five

U.S. citizens will turn 65 or older, Carlesaid. They’ll control more than half of thediscretionary income, influencing enter-tainment, travel, food, retail, technologyand housing. Even now, seniors are redefining their

living arrangements through cohousingcommunities, cooperative households andniche communities, experts said. Baby boomers, those born between

1946 and 1964, might be more open tosuch ideas, having tried similar arrange-ments when they were younger, saidRobert Schulz, director of the Universityof Pittsburgh’s Center for Social andUrban Research. And there’s a practical side. “As baby boomers age, getting appropri-

ate support will be a challenge,” Schulzsaid. “Traditionally, children supply thatsupport for their parents, but babyboomers had few children, so group hous-ing has the potential for people to providefor and support each other.”

Cohousing communitiesOne option is cohousing, which can be

multi-generational and emphasizes privacybut with social contact among members,advocates say. Residents live in privatehomes but share facilities such as a com-mon house, courtyards, playgrounds orgardens. People typically gather at least once a

week for a meal. There are about 100 suchcommunities up and running across thecountry.“What’s the best thing about cohous-

ing? We know our neighbors really, reallywell,” said Joani Blank, 75, of Oakland,Calif., a former board member of the Co-housing Association of the United States“What’s the worst thing? We know ourneighbors really, really well.”There are at least a dozen cohousing

communities in the Greater Baltimore andGreater Washington areas, according tothe Cohousing Association of the UnitedStates. A directory of such communitiesacross the country can be found atwww.cohousing.org/directory.Most are mixed ages, but some include

only older adult residents. One such com-munity, ElderSpirit in the southwestern

Virginia town of Abingdon, offers a nonde-nominational spiritual environment for itsmembers.“We knew what we wanted, and we

wanted to live in a self-managed communi-ty. It has worked out better than I everthought it could, said Dene Peterson, 83, afounding member.

She said she sought to create an envi-ronment where, “You know all your neigh-bors. You know them well. You feel se-cure.” Residents are encouraged to live simply

and share their belongings, both to fostercommunity and save money.ElderSpirit opened in 2006 and features

29 homes, a common house and a spiritualcenter.Another reason Peterson said she is

drawn to cohousing is the ability to age inplace with like-minded people, and “thepossibility of dying at home” rather than inan assisted living or other traditional com-munity.Others opt for mixed-age communities.

In 2004, Joan and Ed King sold their homein Takoma Park, Md., to their daughter infavor of cohousing at Eastern Village inSilver Spring. They were the eighth couplethat joined.Ed, 73, explained that they were drawn

to cohousing because, “We have alwaysbeen interested in the idea of community,being surrounded by people who wouldbring energy and joy to our lives.” As partof a 56-unit neighborhood, neighbors arenever in short supply.Many cohousing communities have

opted for going green. Joan, 73, said thiswas a motivating factor because “we want-ed to leave a smaller carbon footprint.”Eastern Village was named Green Projectof the Year by the National Association ofHome Builders in 2005. The community does not currently have

“internal arrangements for aging in place,”but strategies are in the works to accom-modate their aging residents, Ed said.Carroll County’s Liberty Village, in Lib-

ertyville, Md., is the closest cohousingcommunity to Baltimore and the oldest inthe region. The 15-year-old multigenerational com-

munity includes 18 energy efficient homesso far, with another 20 planned. Weekly op-tional community dinners take place in acommon house, along with other social ac-tivities. Other Washington-area cohousing com-

munities include Potomac Valley Cohous-ing in Gaithersburg, Md.; Takoma Villagein Washington, D.C.; and Blueberry Hill inVienna, Va.

Cooperative householding The concepts behind cohousing can

also be scaled down to small groups shar-

Another option foryou: communal living

See COMMUNAL LIVING, page B-9

Augsburg Lutheran Home and Village1-888-347-70086811 Campfield RoadBaltimore, MD 21207www.Augsburg.org

Augsburg is a nationally accredited, non-profit,continuing care community, featuring independentliving, assisted, skilled nursing and rehabilitationservices. Nestled on a beautiful 52-acre campus in Baltimore County,we have been a leader in providing affordable quality senior livingsince 1892. Our apartment-style independent living allows you toenjoy the comforts, privacy and independence of your own homewithout the concern of home ownership. We offer spacious studios,one- and two-bedroom apartments with a variety of floor plans. For those needing assisted living, Augsburg residents enjoy privaterooms, an individualized care plan and a bed-and-breakfast stylesetting. Skilled nursing services with various levels of care are alsoavailable in a progressive neighborhood style model designed withcomfort in mind. Call today for your tour!

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

SKILLED NURSING AND REHABILITATION

White Oak Health Care 410-979-4822 921 E Fort AvenueBaltimore, MD 21230

White Oak Health Care is a premier Nursing and Rehabilitation Center consulting company. The company manages seven facilities in Maryland and West Virginia. Blue Point, Northwest, and Holly Hill areconveniently located in the Baltimore region. These facilities specializein short-term nursing care after hip, knee, and any joint surgeries. They can also assist in rehabilitation after a stroke or accident. Thesecenters pride themselves on the great therapy and nursing care given totheir patients. If you are considering a joint surgery, or find that it becomes necessary, call the admissions department for more information on scheduling a tour, selecting your room, and meeting the therapy staff prior to your surgery. For a rapid response, please call Julianna Hawthorne at 410-979-4822.

Progressive Home Care410-337-52001407 York Road, Suite 207 Lutherville, MDwww.progressivecareathome.com

Progressive Care at Home is a private duty non-medical homecare agency serving seniors in Harford, Baltimore and Howardcounties with Companions and Certified Nursing Assistants.Care at Home is a division of Progressive Nursing Staffers,offering compassionate, quality health care services for 25 yearsunder one committed owner. Our caregivers are screened beyond industry standards. Ouremployees must pass rigorous screening and recruitmentprocesses. We are available 24/7/365 and can customizeschedules to meet your unique needs.Call today to set up your FREE consultation with a RegisteredNurse so you can see firsthand the quality and integrity we bringto your home and to your life. There is no obligation. Call for anappointment at 410-337-5200. Let our family care for your family.

HOME CARE

Twenty-eight percent expect conflict witha parent, 25 percent with a sibling, and 11percent with a spouse or significant other. So who bears the most responsibility for

aging parents? Thirty-two percent say thechild that lives closest, 27 percent say thechild with the fewest other responsibili-ties, (e.g., no spouse or children), and 19percent say the child with the most money.Surprisingly, only 3 percent said the childwho got the most growing up.

“There can be a lot of conflict in familiesover how to care for aging parents. Part ofthe problem is that most families decideabout their parents’ care in crisis, when it’stoo late; emotions take over, and it’s diffi-cult to think logically and clearly,” saidMeigs. “You need to meet now with your par-

ents and siblings to decide on a solutionthat appeals to everyone involved. Oftenthe family will agree that the best solutionis in-home care, where parents can stay athome and get the care they need withoutoverly burdening anyone in the family.”

ing a single house. For three women fromMt. Lebanon, Pa., helping one anotherstarted with a cat. Louise Machinist, Jean McQuillin and

Karen Bush began their experiment in co-operative householding eight years agowhen Bush, 64, a consultant, neededsomeone to watch her cat during a trip tothe West Coast. Machinist, 66, a psychologist, volun-

teered to watch Beardsley. A one-monthtrip stretched into a year, and Bush beganrepaying her friend by taking her on trips.Before long, the three divorced, profes-sional women — McQuillin, 67, is a nurse— established their “Old Biddies Com-mune.”

They bought a house together andshare the costs of maintenance, utilitiesand other bills. They hope their unique “in-tentional community” becomes a model. “We want people to learn from this,” said

Bush, 64. So the women wrote a book, MyHouse, Our House: Living Far Better for FarLess in a Cooperative Household. An updat-ed, expanded edition of their book, pub-lished by St. Lynn’s Press, originally pub-lished in 2011, will be available June 15.

Academic community living University-based retirement communi-

ties offer people a chance to return to theiralma maters or another campus where theycan participate in school programs — fromclasses to concerts and sporting events. Perhaps 50 to 75 such communities cur-

rently exist across the country, said Carle,

who is trying to confirm the number. Thepotential for their growth is large, sincethere are about 4,400 colleges and univer-sities in the U.S. The Village at Penn State, an apartment

and cottage complex within walking dis-tance of the State College campus, catersto people in their 70s. It is the closest suchcommunity to Washington and Baltimore.“This is an active, vibrant community.

The residents are so busy,” said LucilleDeFronzo, vice president of sales and mar-keting for owner Liberty Lutheran.“There’s a great camaraderie here.”

Learn about some of the college-basedcommunities built by the Kendal Corpora-tion at www.kendal.org/living/communi-tiesincollegetowns.aspx.Niche communities are another emerg-

ing concept for which experts see poten-tial. Grateful Dead fans? Someone couldbuild a retirement community just for you. “These are not goofy ideas,” Carle said.

“When you have 78 million [baby boomers],you have critical mass to do whatever youwant.”

— AP with additional reporting by theBeacon

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options B-9

Communal livingFrom page B-8

Family surveyFrom page B-7

TUTORS NEEDEDPathways is a community outreach tutoring program of Towson

United Methodist Church dedicated to serving youth in the

Greater Baltimore area. The group’s primary mission is to provide for the academic

betterment of young people, with an emphasis on tutoring, encouraging and men-

toring. To learn more, visit www.pathwaystutoring.org or call (410) 592-5442.

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IN-HOME CARE SERVICES STATE OF THE ART SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

Comfort Keepers® provides in-home care that helps seniors and others live safe, happy and independent lives in the comfort of their own homes.

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

Care – Beyond Compare!

(410) 795-7495 or Toll-Free (855) 809-6512

©2013 Each o�ce independently owned and operated.

Call to schedule your FREE no obligation consultation with our aging specialist

By Patricia Mertz Esswein It’s a corollary of Murphy’s Law: When

you are least able to afford a major ex-pense, something big is bound to breakdown. The solution: Take preventive ac-tion before a breakdown turns into anemergency. To help you plan ahead, we give you an

overview of what to expect for six majoritems. (Note: Total cost is for a 2,000-

square-foot home or to install a singleunit.)

Furnace/boilerExpected life: Boiler, 13 to 21 years;

furnace, 15 to 20 years.Total cost: Forced-air furnace, $1,693

to $2,020; split system, $1,604 to $2,290; oilboiler, $2,773 to $3,069.

It’s time if: You need frequent repairs

or have rising energy bills, rooms that areconsistently too hot or cold, humidityproblems, or excessive noise. If your fur-nace or boiler is more than 15 years old, anenergy-efficient replacement will cut yourutility bills.

Where to start: Use search tools at theAir Conditioning Contractors of America(www.acca.org) and Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association(www.phccweb.org).

Hot water heaterExpected life: 10 years for gas or elec-

tric; 20 years for tankless.Total cost: $548 to $915 for energy-effi-

cient model; $739 to $1,240 for tankless;$2,658 to $3,443 for heat-pump waterheater.

It’s time if: The unit is 10 years old ormore, leaks around the base, or works er-ratically.

Where to start: Use the guide at Ener-gyStar.gov to determine what type willwork best for you and to get buying guid-ance. You can buy from home-improve-ment retailers or plumbing contractors.

RoofExpected life: 20 for asphalt shingles.Cost per square foot: $5.43 to $7.05.It’s time if: You have cracked, curled or

missing shingles, and you’re losing miner-al granules (look in your gutters). In theattic, check the underside of the roof forstains or wet spots. Inside, you may seediscolored plaster or drywall and peelingwallpaper.

Where to start: Use the search tool onthe website of the National Roofing Con-tractors Association (www.nrca.net) to findcontractors who are members.

Central air conditioningExpected life: 10 to 15 years.Total cost: $2,460 to $3,245; split sys-

tem (with interior and exterior compo-nents), $1,604 to $2,290.

It’s time if: You need frequent repairs orhave rising energy bills, rooms that are con-sistently too hot or cold, humidity problems,or excessive noise. Note: If your AC usesyour furnace’s blower motor, you may alsohave to replace the furnace for your new ACto achieve its rated energy efficiency.

Where to start: Look for equipmentrated by Energy Star. Seek contractorswho are certified by the Air ConditioningContractors of America or who are mem-bers of the Plumbing-Heating-CoolingContractors Association.Patricia Mertz Esswein is an associate

editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance mag-azine. Send your questions and comments tomoneypower@kiplinger.com. © 2013 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

B-10 Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

At North Oaks, we never stop improving on our ability to keep the people who live here connected to the best in life. Now, we’re in the midst of some exciting renovations that will add a new look and an exciting

new dimension to daily living at this LifeCare™ retirement community. Other features, including new amenities, are being added to help promote health and wellness, which are, of course, hallmarks of life here. While it’s true that many things are changing, the important things are staying the same.

Visit www.NorthOaks.net/Rejuvenation to download a copy of our successful aging brochure or call (410) 486-9090 today to schedule a personal appointment.

How long do a house’s major systems last?

DONATE YOUR CAR TO SUPPORT KIDNEY HEALTHDonate your outdated automobile to Kidney Cars and become eli-

gible for a tax deduction while helping the National Kidney Founda-

tion of Maryland get more mileage out of its education and prevention programs.

All donated vehicles are either sold at auction or for parts. The foundation will

pick up used cars, trucks, motorcycles or boats in almost any condition free of

charge. To make a donation, visit www.kidneycars.org or call 1-800-488-2277.

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FREE HOUSING AND OTHER INFORMATIONFor free information from advertisers in this special section, check off those that interest you, and mail this entire page to the Beacon. Please do not request info if you are not interested.

All replies will be entered into a random drawing for Toby’s Dinner Theatre tickets to be held July 19, 2013.

BB 6/13

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

You may also include the free info coupon on page 5.One entry per household please.

Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________E-mail_______________________________________________

City _______________________________________________________ State ______________________ Zip ____________________

Phone (day) _______________________________________________ (eve) ________________________________________________

Please provide your telephone number and e-mail address so we may contact you promptly if you win the drawing.

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CONTINUING CARE � Augsburg Lutheran Village . .B18� Broadmead . . . . . . .B7 and B18� Heartlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B5� North Oaks . . . . . . .B6 and B10� Pickersgill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B7� Roland Park Place .B17 and B18

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B-12 Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Selling long-time homecan be emotional

By Helen L. FlynnYour home may hold precious memo-

ries of a family growing up. Sometimes thegrowth charts are still visible on a wall.Every room and everything in each roomtells a story of one kind or another aboutthe people who lived in the house. Visitors may see old-fashioned gold-

flocked wall paper, but to the homeowner itreflects a time of hope and family celebra-tion as well as perhaps a dream fulfilled. The home may be a reminder of the

presence of a deceased spouse. Picturesmay be extremely important, not to men-tion burial flags. Usually there is a mixtureof happy and sad memories; both are diffi-cult to leave. If it’s time to sell, you might find it bene-

ficial to video the house room by room,narrating stories as you film and then stor-ing these on a CD.Moving may feel like, or be, a surrender

to the fact of declining health or mobility.Depending on the reason for the move, theseller may feel a tremendous loss of control. There may well be a great deal of fear as-

sociated with moving to a retirement com-munity, a smaller residence, or in with adultchildren. The “what if’s” are tremendous.The move also involves letting go of

“stuff,” which may have little or no mone-tary value, but much sentimental value.Each piece disposed of feels like anotherbit of life slipping away.

For the family memberHow do adult children or grandchildren

deal with these emotions experienced bytheir parents? • Recognize and acknowledge the fear,

sadness or loss of control. Telling a parenthow happy they will be in their new home

will not help. It eventually may be true, butyou need to acknowledge the feelings theyhave right now. • Be patient. You may be dealing with a

health crisis, dementia or a death. Yourparent is not going to reorganize and pro-ceed at the pace you are. • Be respectful of their dignity. They

may have always been in charge of theirown affairs, and not to be so now is painful.• Ask for help. It just may not be practical

for you to be in charge of downsizing or themove. It will likely require much more timethan you have and result in frustration for allinvolved. There are professionals availableto assist in every aspect of the transition. • Carefully assess options for the move.

Involve your parents in the discussionsand research as much as possible.• Listen to what your parents are say-

ing. They may be adamant about staying intheir home. If so, help them to do so aslong as possible, if this is a safe option. • Visit communities of all types and

consult when necessary with profession-als who can assist in finding the right resi-dence. There are companies that special-ize in this service. Geriatric care managerscan be invaluable. • Seek help from an elder care attorney

for important documents such as livingwills, guardianships, powers of attorney,etc., as well as guidance on a variety oflegal issues.• Seek help from a geriatric-care man-

ager if you are dealing with serious healthissues and multiple care providers.• Maintain balance in your personal life

so you have the mental and physical re-sources to help your parents.Excerpted from Selling Your Home: A Guide

for the Mature Seller and Their Families.

VOLUNTEER WITH PRO BONO COUNSELING PROJECTThe Pro Bono Counseling Project assures that all Maryland resi-dents requesting mental health care, regardless of income, are

linked with volunteer licensed mental health professionals. For more informationon volunteering, call (410) 825-1001, ext. 102.

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ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITY

The Greens at Irvington Mews 410-644-4487 4300 Frederick AvenueBaltimore, Maryland 21229

The Greens at Irvington Mews offers charming new, affordable one-and two-bedroom apartments for seniors 62 and over located inbeautiful historic Irvington, Baltimore City, Maryland. Ourprofessionally managed community features exciting amenities, as wellas a convenient location near parks, shopping and medical services.Our residents enjoy the many amenities we have to offer, such as aCommunity Room overlooking Mount St. Joseph High School FootballField, Inviting Hospitality Suite, Relaxing Library and Business Center.Residents can also enjoy Shuttle Van trips to local retail shops andrestaurants and numerous and diverse activities with the community,including seasonal celebrations, arts & crafts, and much more. Please join us for Coffee Hour on May 20th @10:30a.m. An Equal Opportunity Community

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Park View at Taylor410-663-03634102 Taylor Ave.Baltimore, MD 21236parkviewtaylor@sheltergrp.com

Park View at Taylor simply offers the best in carefree living forthose 62 or better. Located just north of 695 off of Belair Road, thiscommunity is minutes away from everything you will want andneed. Our residents appreciate our community room with fireplace,computer center with free Internet access, fitness center, salon, andmany social activities including bus trips. Spend an afternoon chat-ting with friends on the veranda, reading a book in the library orjoin an exercise class. You have so many choices. Our controlled-access elevator community is designed for you. Call 410-663-0363or email parkviewtaylor@sheltergrp.com today to arrange for yourpersonal visit. We look forward to serving you!

Bay Forest Senior Apartments410-295-7557 930 Bay Forest Ct. Annapolis, MD 21403www.firstcentrum.com

Love to be close to the water? Then you will love it at Bay Forest Senior Apartments. An affordable independent community for persons 62 years of age orbetter! A beautifully landscaped country setting with plenty of parking for you and your visitors. Only 10 minutes from AnnapolisHistoric City Dock, which offers a variety of stores, restaurants,banks and the Watermark Cruises boat tours. Just a few minutes’drive from the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and walking distanceto the Quiet Waters Park. You’ll love the 24-hour emergency maintenance service, many activities hosted by the resident associ-ation and the convenience of joining fellow residents at the nutri-tion site located in the community room for a hot lunch Mondaythrough Friday. Come visit Bay Forest soon. We’re waiting for you!!

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

By Alex VeigaLow mortgage rates have made buying

a home more affordable and turnedrentals into an attractive option for in-vestors. Throughout the downturn in the hous-

ing market, average investors, sometimespooling their money, have bought foreclo-sures at a sharp discount and turned theminto rentals. Many homeowners have alsopurchased a second home and rented outtheir first property. Although the housing market is show-

ing signs of recovery, demand for rentalhousing is expected to remain strong. Thenational unemployment rate remains highat 7.6 percent, banks are still workingthrough a backlog of foreclosures, andtight lending requirements prevent manyrenters from becoming homeowners. And the Federal Reserve has said it will

keep its short-term interest rate, the feder-al funds rate, at a record low until U.S. un-employment falls below 6.5 percent, some-thing many economists don’t expect tohappen until late 2015 at the earliest. “In this market, at this point, it’s a sweet

spot,’’ said Chris Princis, a senior execu-tive at financial advisory firm Brook-Hol-low Financial and owner of two rentalproperties in Chicago. “You’re getting themarket where it’s just starting to rebound,but still at the bottom, with what’s lookingto be a great recovery.’’ Here are six tips on becoming a land-

lord or investor in rental property: 1. Understand what it means to be

a landlord Residential real estate generally pro-

vides three possible ways to get a returnon your investment: when it’s sold, assum-ing it has grown in value, by collectingrent, and through tax savings, such as themortgage interest deduction.

So, if you elect to buy a property for thelong-term investment potential, the goalshould be to ensure that the rental incomecovers the cost of your mortgage andmonthly maintenance costs. If you buy a foreclosed home, you’ll

have to factor in the cost of repairs to getthe home ready to rent. And if you have amortgage on the property, you’ll need tobe prepared to cover the costs for howeverlong it takes to find a tenant. “Real estate is a great investment if peo-

ple are paying their rent,’’ said Princis. “Ifthey’re not paying their rent, it’s a horribleinvestment.’’

2. Buy in an area with a history ofstrong rental demand Neighborhoods near universities are a

good option. For homes in residentialareas, proximity to schools can be a gooddraw for families. Condominiums and similar properties

in communities with a homeowners’ asso-ciation can be a great option because theassociation arranges for upkeep on theproperty. But check the fine print on your mort-

gage and homeowners’ association rulesto make sure turning your property into arental isn’t forbidden. If you’re going to buy a foreclosure, be

prepared to compete with other investors,many of them paying in cash. And becausemany properties require upgrades and re-pairs, expect that it will take longer untilyou’ll be generating rental income. Websites like Zillow.com and Trulia.com

list foreclosures, as well as rentals in agiven area. Foreclosure tracker RealtyTrac Inc. re-

cently ranked U.S. metro areas with a pop-ulation of 500,000 or more according to thesupply of available foreclosures for saleand their discount versus other homes,

among other criteria. Among the top 20cities deemed the best places to buy:Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia, El Paso,Texas, and Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Claire Thomas, a retiree in Phoenix who

owns 10 rental condos in Las Vegas, saidthat landlords looking to keep their prop-erties as income-generating rentals formany years should look into areas that arenot too expensive. “I would rather have a middle-of-the-

road rental that stays rented than a higher-end (property),’’ she said.

3. Consider using a management firm Determine whether you want to select

the tenant and handle property issues orhire a company to do it for you. If you takeon the responsibility, you are obliged to fixany problems (leaky faucets, broken fur-

nace, etc.) or find professionals to do it. “Are you prepared to do all of this on

your weekends or evenings or get callswhile you’re at work because a pipe burstand it’s flooding?’’ asked Jim Warren, chiefmarketing officer for property manage-ment company FirstService ResidentialRealty. Hiring out the hands-on landlord job

also makes sense if your rental property isnot in the same city where you live. Property management firms can charge

a percentage of the rent, sometimes 10percent or more.

4. Do the math Although prevailing rental prices will go

a long way toward determining what you

B A L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options B-13

How to buy and rent a home for extra income

See BUY FOR INCOME, page B-15

The Meadows of Reistertown offers the maintenance-free, independent lifestyle you’ve been

looking for in a retirement community.

• Social, Educational and Recreational Events

• Patios or Balconies• Individual Climate Control• Convenient to Shopping, Banking and Restaurants

• Emergency Response System• Controlled-Access Entry• Hair Salon• Elevators• Smoke Free• Small Pets Welcome

Live the carefree life you’ve been waiting for, and let us take care of all the details!

For more information call410-526-3380

300 Cantata Court • Reisterstown, MD 21136

www.firstcentrumcommunities.com

930 Bay Forest Ct. • Annapolis, MD 21403

410-295-7557

7975 Crain Hwy. • Glen Burnie, MD 21061

410-969-2000

ONE MONTH FREE RENT AVAILABLEat The Meadows of Reisterstown

B-14 Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Resources help filldriving need for ridesBy Rebekah SewellWhile the vast majority of people want

to remain in their homes as they age, oneof the key factors keeping them fromaging in place successfully is the lack ofability to get out and about. Maybe glaucoma has narrowed vision

to a point where driving is dangerous, orarthritis limits the dexterity needed forsafely navigating behind the wheel. Fortunately, a network of volunteers, dis-

counted taxi service and public transporta-tion can help people find a ride when theyneed one. Here is an overview of such serv-ices in the Greater Baltimore area.

Elderly & Handicapped TaxicardProgram The Baltimore City Commission on

Aging and Retirement Education(CARE)’s Elderly & Handicapped Taxi-card Program provides low-cost “taxi-cards” for taxi transportation to city resi-dents 60 and older. Adults under 60 withdisabilities are also eligible. Fares are calculated based on income.

There is a low monthly fee for services,and money can be added to the card eachmonth for fare. Wheelchair accessibletaxis are available.Visit www.caretaxicard.com for more in-

formation or call (410) 664-1123.

CountyRideIn Baltimore County, the Department of

Aging offers CountyRide, which providesspecialized transportation services to Bal-timore County residents 60 and older andpersons with disabilities ages 18 to 59. Destinations include medical appoint-

ments, shopping and other general pur-pose trips. CountyRide’s buses have easy,low-step entrances, and all can accommo-date wheelchairs. Escorts may accompanyriders needing special assistance at no ad-ditional cost. Ticket books are used for payment and

should be purchased ahead of time. Eachbook contains six tickets and costs $15($2.50 per ticket). Trips within the countycost one ticket each way. Trips crossingthe city/county line cost two tickets eachway. Books of tickets may be purchased at

the office, at any Baltimore County SeniorCenter or by mail. Riders may also pay by cash, check or

money order, but at a higher rate. Withinthe county, each way costs $3. Outside ofthe county, each way costs $6. Exactchange is required. CountyRide does notaccept credit cards. For inquiries, email countyride@balti-

morecountymd.gov or call (410) 887-2080.Registration forms may be faxed, mailedor hand delivered to the CountyRide officeat 611 Central Ave., Towson, Md. 21204.

MTA programsThe Maryland Transit Administration

features a reduced fare program for sen-iors. Those 65 and older can ride local bus,light rail and metro subway routes for ap-proximately one-third the regular fare, andapproximately one-half the regular fare onMARC Train service. A valid ID card is re-quired for participation. Call (410) 767-3441 or apply at http://

mta.maryland.gov/disabled-reduced-fare-program.The MTA Taxi Access Service is available

to MTA-certified mobility customers whomeet the eligibility requirements. The costincludes a fixed $3 fare per trip, as well as theamount over $20 on the taxi meter. Registra-tion is required. Call (410) 764-8181 for moreinformation or visit www.taxiaccess.org/.MTA’s Mobility/Paratransit is a special-

ized, wheelchair-accessible, curb-to-curbservice for people with disabilities who areunable to use local bus, metro or light railservice. This service is provided within three-

quarters of a mile of any fixed-route serv-ice in Baltimore City as well as Baltimoreand Anne Arundel Counties. An applica-tion is required. Trips cost $1.85 each way. Call (410) 764-8181 for more information

or go to http://mta.maryland.gov/mobility/.

Medical Assistance transportationThe Office of Field Health Services at

the Health Department provides help withtransportation so that Maryland MedicalAssistance recipients who live in Balti-more City can receive needed health serv-ices.Baltimore City residents who have an

active red and white Maryland MedicalAssistance card are eligible. The appoint-ment must be for a “covered medical serv-ice” under the Maryland Medical Assis-tance program. This free service is meant to be a last re-

sort if there is no other means of trans-portation. To enroll, call (410) 396-6422.A similar program exists in Baltimore

County. The Medical Assistance Trans-portation Grant Program coordinatestransportation services for Medical Assis-tance recipients who reside in BaltimoreCounty and are in need of transportationto access medically necessary services. This program provides no cost, “last re-

sort” transportation for ambulatory,wheelchair, and stretcher-bound recipi-ents who have no other means available oftransport to get to and from medical ap-pointments. For more information, call(410) 887-2828.

FreedomCar FreedomCar offers chauffeured passen-

ger transportation services to individualsand groups, for both local and out-of-statetrips. Among other services, FreedomCar

See TRANSPORTATION, page B-15

Park View at Fullerton410-663-06654300 Cardwell Ave.Fullerton, MD 21236parkviewfullerton@sheltergrp.com

Park View at Fullerton is newly renovated and simply offers thebest in carefree living for those 62 or better. Located just north of695 off of Belair Road in Fullerton, this community is convenientto everything you want and need. Residents enjoy a stunning com-munity room with fireplace, computer center with free Internetaccess, fitness center, salon, and many social activities includingbus trips. Our apartment homes feature stylish kitchens, newbaths, and Energy Star appliances. Our controlled-access elevatorcommunity has so many amenities to enhance your living experi-ence, you need to call today and see for yourself. Call 410-663-0665 or email parkviewfullerton@sheltergrp.com today to arrangefor your personal visit. We look forward to meeting you!

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITY

Meadows of ReisterstownSenior Apartments410-526-3380300 Cantata CourtReisterstown, MD 21136www.firstcentrum.com

Enjoy carefree leisure living at The Meadows—an affordable seniorapartment community for seniors 62+. Each spacious one- and two-bedroom apartment features a fully equipped kitchen, roomy closetsand a balcony or patio. You can exercise the mind in the library andmedia room or the body in our fitness area. Keypad entry and theemergency response system provide peace of mind. The atmosphere is filled with gracious living. Here, you will

appreciate not having to worry about maintenance chores. At thesame time, you can take advantage of nearby shops, library, banks,postal services, grocery store and convenience to I-695.We invite you to tour The Meadows of Reisterstown.

Aigburth Vale SeniorCommunity410-698-4749 212 Aigburth RoadTowson, MD 21286

Looking for convenience in a peaceful setting? Aigburth ValeSenior Community is nestled on a quiet neighborhood streetideally located in the heart of Towson. We offer modern one-bedroom apartments for moderate income seniors aged 62+renting for only $743 per month. All units in our secure buildingfeature fully equipped kitchens, air conditioning, carpeting andwalk-in closets. Residents have access to laundry facilities, a gameroom and a party room. Professionally managed by St. AmbroseHousing and subject to annual income limitations of $36,000. Call us today for your tour.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

provides medical transportation for non-ambulatory passengers to any medical fa-cility. This commercial service has no eli-gibility requirements and is not wheel-chair accessible. Fees are calculated based on time, but

also vary according to type of vehicle andlocation. For a local trip by car, Freedom-Car charges $58 per hour. No gratuitiesare accepted. All costs are included in thehourly rate, except parking and toll fees. For details, visit www.freedomcar.net.

can charge, getting the best return onyour investment starts with making sureyou’re going to get enough rent to, ideally,cover expenses and costs. Princis’ formula is charging 15 percent

above monthly mortgage and maintenancecosts. So if those costs add up to $1,000,he’ll look to charge $1,150. Of course, flexibility might be called for

if you’re unable to get a tenant in formonths and months. Experts recommend starting with popu-

lar rental listings in newspapers or on Websites such as Craigslist.com, Trulia and Zil-low, to see what comparable apartments orrooms are going for. Another option is rentanalysis website Rentometer.com. The good news: Rents for single-family

homes rose 2.3 percent last year from2011, according to Trulia.

5. Screen tenants thoroughly Once your rental starts drawing in-

quiries, it pays to screen prospective ten-ants by asking for previous landlord refer-ences and running a credit and a criminalrecords check. Experts also recommend asking for a

deposit equal to one month’s rent, plusextra if the tenant has pets. That will helpcover any damage to the property, and pro-

tect you if a tenant moves without payingrent. Also, have a walkthrough of the unit

with the tenant, and ask that they sign offon the condition of the property beforethey move in. That will help avoid conflictsover the security deposit if there are dam-ages once they’re ready to move out.

6. Get familiar with landlord laws As a neophyte landlord, it’s important to

know your exact responsibilities under thelaw. Two good resources for rental rules are

the U.S. Department of Housing and UrbanDevelopment’s Web site (www.hud.gov),and the Landlord Protection Agency(www.thelpa.com), which includes state-spe-cific rental guidelines and standardizedforms for rental agreements.An attorney or the Landlord Protection

Agency also can help you craft a well-writtenlease, which is crucial to protect your prop-erty. It will help you evict a tenant or holdthem accountable for damage if necessary.

— AP

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options B-15

Buy for income From page B-13 LEGAL SERVICE FOR NURSING HOME ISSUES

Free legal information and representation in cases involving nurs-

ing homes is available through the Nursing Home Program, Legal Aid Bureau, Inc.,

29 W. Susquehanna Ave., Ste. 305, Towson. For more information, call (410) 296-

6705 or (800) 367-7563.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

TransportationFrom page B-14

VOLUNTEER AT THE ZOO

Taking care of the animals may seem

like the only job at the Maryland Zoo,

but volunteers can be superstars

doing other work too, keeping gar-

dens beautiful, helping staffers stay

ahead of the paperwork, or leading

tours. The zoo takes special pride in

the education and interpretation pro-

gram, giving every guest the chance

to ask questions and learn about ani-

mals and conservation. For more in-

formation, call (443) 552-5266 or

email volunteers@marylandzoo.org.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

B-16 Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

The challenges and rewards of living aloneLiving on your own can be empowering,

but you need to stay safe and socially in-volved.Many of us have always shared a home

with someone else. We grew up with ourparents and siblings, moved in withfriends during college, and then created ahousehold with our spouse or partner.Later in life, living arrangements

change. Nearly 40 percent of older women(8.1 million) live alone — more than twicethe number of older men in the same liv-ing situation, according to the Administra-tion on Aging. Much of the reason forwomen’s solo habitation is longevity.“A lot of the women I see live alone be-

cause women live longer than men do,”said Dr. Suzanne Salamon, an instructor inmedicine at Harvard Medical School andassociate chief for clinical geriatrics atBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.“But I also see a lot of divorced women andwomen who have never married.”No matter why you’re living by yourself,

this lifestyle has its ups — and downs.

The pros and cons of solo lifeAfter sharing everything from your bed

to your meals with at least one other per-son for much of your life, living alone canbe a wrenching change. But it can also feelempowering to be on your own. “Most women I see do not complain

about being lonely. They rather enjoy theirindependence,” Salamon said. You can eatwhen and what you want, sleep when theurge strikes you, and have total controlover the TV remote, just to name a fewbenefits.There are also downsides to being on

your own. Safety is an issue for any womanwho lives alone. Staying healthy can be-come a problem, too.A couple of recent studies noted in-

creased health problems among peoplewho live alone. In the REACH (Reductionof Atherothrombosis for ContinuedHealth) study, which was published lastJuly in Archives of Internal Medicine, peo-ple with or at risk for atherosclerosis (thecause of most heart attacks and manystrokes) were more likely to die if theylived alone than if they shared a home. Another study in the same journal found

that people who were lonely — regardlessof their living situation — were less able tocare for themselves and more likely to die.There are a couple of reasons why living

alone can be detrimental to your health,said Dr. Deepak Bhatt, a professor of med-icine at Harvard Medical School, directorof the Integrated Interventional Cardiovas-cular Program at Brigham and Women’sHospital, and senior author of the REACHstudy.When you live alone, it’s easier to forget

or neglect to follow the treatment regi-mens your doctor prescribed. You can alsomiss the signs that your health is startingto fail.

“If there’s someone else at home — acaring spouse, child, or even a roommate— they can say, ‘Something must bewrong. I’m taking you to the doctor,’”Bhatt said.Not everyone who lives alone is lonely,

but those who are lonely can become anx-ious and depressed. “And those thingsaren’t good for overall health. They alsoaren’t good for mental health,” he added.

Preventing lonelinessEven if you’re very independent, com-

ing home to an empty house and spendinghours on end by yourself can eventuallymake you feel lonely — and that’s exactlywhat you want to avoid.Salamon offers several suggestions for

staying active and socially engaged whenyou live alone:

• Join a senior center. Many seniorcenters host day-long activity programsthat include social gatherings, as well asexercise and art classes. Often they willpick you up at home so you don’t have todrive. Your local library and communitycenter might also have special programsfor older adults.

• Volunteer. Donate your time to acause that’s important to you. Not only willvolunteering get you out of the house andhelp you meet new friends, but it’s also arewarding way to spend your time. Senior Corps is one organization that

can help match you with volunteer oppor-tunities that fit your skills and interests.For more information, call 1-800-942-2677(or visit seniorcorps.gov).

• Ask for help. Have someone come into help you cook or clean for a few hours aweek, or hire a driver to take you to thestore. If money is an issue, ask friends orfamily to stop by, or turn to a volunteer or-ganization such as Meals on Wheels(mowaa.org).

• Buy a computer. When you livealone, your computer can become a vitalconnection to the outside world. On theweb, you can learn ways to improve yourhealth, find job and volunteering opportu-nities, and connect with friends living allover the world via targeted social mediasites like Gen Kvetch (genkvetch.com).

• Get out of the house. Every day,try to get outside and exercise. Taking a30-minute walk will help keep your body— and mind — in better shape. Find aworkout buddy to provide some compan-ionship along with your walks.Make a daily call. “Try to talk to some-

body every day on the phone,” Dr. Salam-on recommended. Just hearing the soundof someone’s voice can help you feel lesslonely.

Staying alone safelySafety is a big issue, especially as we

age. “I think it’s very important for anyone

See LIVING ALONE, page B-17

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Overlook at Monarch Mills410-381-07697570 Monarch Mills WayColumbia, MD 21046

Overlook at Monarch Mills offers those62 or better a beautiful and convenientplace to call home. Residents can enjoymusical entertainment at Merriweather Post Pavilion, shop at TheMall in Columbia, and dine in the most popular local restaurants. Thisamenity-rich facility has an exercise room, beauty salon, arts andcrafts room, library and cyber-center, as well as a community roomfeaturing a fireplace and kitchen. Call 410-381-0769 or emailmonarchmills@sheltergrp.com today to arrange for your personalvisit. We look forward to meeting you!

Park View at Rosedale410-866-18861315 Chesaco Ave.Rosedale, MD 21237parkviewrosedale@sheltergrp.com

Park View at Rosedale is newly renovated and offers tremendousvalue in carefree living for those 62 or better. Our residents appreciateacres of greenery in a quiet residential neighborhood, yet are justminutes away from everything they want and need. You too can enjoya stunning community room with fireplace, computer center with freeInternet access, fitness center, salon, and many social activities including bus trips. Our apartment homes feature stylishkitchens, new baths, and Energy Star appliances. Our controlled-access elevator community has so many amenities to enhance yourliving experience, you need to call today and see for yourself. Call 410-866-1886 or email parkviewrosedale@sheltergrp.com today toarrange for your personal visit. We look forward to meeting you!

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Oak Crest1-800-986-08598820 Walther BoulevardParkville MD 21234www.ericksonliving.com

Retire in style at Oak Crest!We have floor plans to match your taste and budget. When itcomes to maintenance-free retirement living, one size doesn’t fitall! Oak Crest offers over 20 unique apartment designs with avariety of exciting features. Looking for a cozy studio or onebedroom home? We’ve recently upgraded several floor plans withgleaming granite countertops, stackable washers and dryers andother premium finishes.Is a large, luxurious home more yourstyle? Then tour our spacious two bedroom, two bath apartmenthomes, featuring elegant hardwood flooring, stainless steelappliances, granite countertops, crown molding and more. Only ahandful of these larger homes remain. Call 1-800-989-0859 foryour free brochure and schedule a personal tour!

living alone to have a medical alert sys-tem,” said Dr. Salamon. “If you fall down —which any of us can do in the shower —and you can’t move, you can literally liethere for many days without anyone find-ing you.”She recommends getting a medical

alert system that you wear around yourwrist or neck. If you fall or feel sick, youcan summon help at the push of a button.Other safety steps you can take:Turn on a nightlight. Plug in nightlights

upstairs and downstairs. They’ll help youfind your way if you have to go to the bath-room or kitchen in the middle of the night.Install non-skid surfaces and grab bars.

Reduce slips by adding these safeguards

to your shower, tub and toilet.Keep a three-day supply. Stock your

pantry and cabinets with everything you’llneed to sustain yourself if you get stuck athome in a storm or other emergency — in-cluding canned food, bottled water, gra-nola bars, flashlights, batteries, extra blan-kets, and your medicines.Get a pet. Having a pet is a big responsi-

bility, but it’s one that can really pay off.For example, dogs provide love and com-panionship, and their bark can warn off po-tential prowlers.Have a family member or friend watch

out for you. “It’s sort of a buddy system,”Dr. Salamon said. Arrange for your “buddy”

to call or email you every day to check howyou’re feeling and make sure you’ve takenyour medicine. “This method can go a longway toward making sure that somebodywho is living alone isn’t just dwindling awayuntil it’s too late,” Dr. Bhatt said.Stay on top of your own health. Make

sure you’re seeing your doctor and special-ists for all of your regular check-ups. Alsobe sensitive to any changes in your health.“Be aware that if you’re starting to havesymptoms, no one else is going to call thedoctor,” Dr. Bhatt said. Don’t feel embar-rassed to call 911 if you’re feeling very

B A L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options B-17

We bring your retirement plans to life!

Let’s get started!

9193326

Move to Charlestown or Oak Crest and spend your days enjoying life, not worrying about home maintenance.

Bedroom

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The open living area is ideal for family gatherings.

the BrightonLarge one bedroom

Call the community nearest you for a free brochure.

Best Seller!

1-800-989-1658 | Catonsville

1-800-219-1098 | Parkville

EricksonLiving.com

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ROLAND PARK PLACE [ A Non-for-Profit Life Care Community ] 

410.243.5700   |   www.rolandparkplace.org

[ W E L O V E C I T Y L I F E ]       |      830 West 40th St. Baltimore, MD 21211

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To do’s Call Bob & Lilyon Tuesday about Friday’s game at Camden Yards

To do’s

Call 855-807-1085 | www.bayada.comCompassion. Excellence. Reliability.

Bayada Nurses is now BAYADA Home Health Care. BAYADA specialty practices include Home Health Care, Pediatrics, Hospice, and Habilitation.

With a broad range of services and a team of professionals who are committed to keeping people of all ages safe at home, BAYADA provides:

“Vida helps me in so many ways.” – Virginia S., Client

With BAYADA Home Health Care…

BAYADA Home Health Aide Vida Okine with client Virginia S.

Living aloneFrom page B-16

Living alone and looking to get in-volved in the larger community? Tryone of these resources.

Join a senior centerFor a list of Baltimore City Senior

centers, visit www.baltimorecoun-tymd.gov/Agencies/aging/centers/centers.html.For Baltimore City Senior Centers,

visit www.baltimorecity.gov/Residents/Neighborhoods/PublicFacilities/SeniorCenters.aspx.For Anne Arundel County Senior Cen-

ters, visit www.aacounty.org/Aging/ orcall (410) 222-4464.Baltimore County and Baltimore City

have partnered to create “CommunityResources 2013,” a single directory forseniors in the Baltimore area. This re-source is now available online at www.bal-

timorecountymd.gov/Agencies/aging/publications/resources.html.

VolunteerThe Retired and Senior Volunteer Pro-

gram (RSVP) may be a good way to do-nate time and energy to a good cause,while meeting new friends. To learn moreabout volunteering in Baltimore County,call (410) 887-3101 or e-mail volun-teers@baltimorecountymd.gov. RSVP alsoprovides volunteers throughout BaltimoreCity. To contact them, call (410) 361-9400.

Help with mealsMeals on Wheels of Central Mary-

land serves the Baltimore area to pro-vide nutritious meals for homebound in-dividuals. It can also help with groceryshopping. For more information, call(410) 558-0827. — Rebekah Sewell

Local resourcesSee LIVING ALONE, page B-18

B-18 Housing Options | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Hoarding: When keepingstuff gets out of hand

It’s good to keep essentials on hand for thefuture. But some people take this to an ex-treme, acquiring and accumulating objects ofdubious value (to others) in such large anddisorderly quantities that their living space isfilled and normal use of the home becomesdangerous or impossible. The problem isknown as compulsive hoarding.Paper is an especially common object of

this stockpiling — vast stacks of old news-papers, magazines, books, mail and liststhat may leave no space to cook or sleepcomfortably. Worse, people are occasional-ly injured when papers catch fire or pilesof them shift and topple.In the past, this problem often remained

out of sight, partly because compulsivehoarders tend to avoid having visitors andrarely seek help. More recently, televisionshows such as “Hoarders” and “Hoarding:Buried Alive” have increased public aware-ness by presenting a vivid picture ofhoarding to millions of viewers. Mental health professionals have also

taken a fresh look at the problem and de-cided to make “hoarding disorder” a dis-tinct category in the diagnostic manualused by psychiatrists.Until now, hoarding has been classified

psychiatrically as a symptom affecting upto 20 percent of people who have obses-sive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Butmore than 80 percent of hoarders lack thecompulsions and repetitive behaviors thatcharacterize OCD, and sometimes hoard-ing becomes a problem for a person withno psychiatric illness (as currently de-fined) or psychiatric history.So in the new edition of the manual, to be

classified as having hoarding disorder aperson would need to have the followingsymptoms: persistent difficulty discardingpossessions, regardless of their actualvalue; strong urges to save items and dis-tress when discarding them; an accumula-tion of possessions such that living areasare no longer usable as intended; impairedfunctioning in areas such as safety and so-cial interaction because of the hoarding;and the absence of any other medical or

mental disorder that would account for thesymptoms.To help diagnose compulsive hoarding, re-

searches at Yale University School of Medi-cine and Smith College developed a briefquestionnaire called the Hoarding RatingScale Interview (HRS-I). In a 2010 study, HRS-I showed promise in distinguishing hoardingparticipants from those with OCD; it was alsouseful in determining the severity of compul-sive hoarding. (To see the questionnaire, goto www.health.harvard.edu/hoarding.)

What’s behind hoarding?It’s unclear where compulsive hoarding

comes from; research has shown that itisn’t correlated with material or emotionaldeprivation earlier in life. Psychologistshave identified a pattern of cognitive andemotional difficulties that underlie hoard-ing symptoms. These include:

Indecisiveness and fear of makingmistakes. By never choosing to throw any-thing out and constantly accumulating things“just in case,” the hoarder tries to avoid mak-ing wrong decisions or having regrets.

Difficulty categorizing. A person whohas a hard time sorting objects into cate-gories can find it difficult to decide whichdrawer something belongs in. For a per-son who has difficulty distinguishing be-tween valuable and worthless items, keep-ing old supermarket flyers may seem assensible as keeping last year’s tax return.

Concerns about memory. A hoardermay have unjustified doubts about the relia-bility of her memory and therefore avoidputting things away for fear of not being ableto find them again. Dresser drawers remainempty while clothes pile up on furniture andthe floor. Old newspapers and magazines aresaved for fear the information in them will beforgotten if they’re not kept on hand.

Emotional attachment to objects. Ahoarder often comes to see beauty andvalue in clutter and develops a sentimentalattachment to it. This heightens her enthu-siasm for acquiring things and reluctance

sick. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

When it’s time to move onYou want to stay independent and in your

own home for as long as possible, but even-tually you might need to look at other op-tions. Start to consider a move if yourhouse is getting too big for you to handle,you’re less able to care for yourself, oryou’re not in good health — for example, ifyou’ve already had a heart attack or stroke.As a first step, hire someone to come in

for a few hours each day to help you out.The next step may be to downsize your

home, move in with family or friends, orconsider a community setting. A continuing care retirement communi-

ty can be a good bridge between yourhome and an assisted living facility. “Youcan go into your own apartment, and asthe need arises you can move into the as-sisted living or nursing home part of thefacility,” Dr. Salamon said. She recommends going to a place

where some of your friends already live.Or, move when you’re still relativelyyoung, so that you can start building a net-work of friends that you can take with youinto the years to come.© 2012 Copyright Harvard Health Pub-

lications

See HOARDING, page B-19

Living alone From page B-17

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to discard them.Need for control. The hoarder usually

doesn’t want anyone else to make deci-sions about her possessions, so it can bedifficult for the family to help.

An escalating problemOver the years, compulsive hoarding

takes an increasing emotional, financial andsometimes physical toll. The home becomesunsafe. The stove may be piled with junk andthe hallways blocked. Accumulated dust andmold may trigger asthma and other allergicreactions. Guests may be forbidden.“Family members are much more likely

to seek help than the hoarder. Hoardersare reluctant to change. And they’re usual-ly upset about their hoarding only if peopleare putting lots of pressure on them tochange,” said Dr. Michael Jenike, profes-sor of psychiatry at Harvard MedicalSchool and founder of the hoarding clinicat Massachusetts General Hospital.Family interventions don’t always help.

The hoarder may resist efforts to get herto hire a professional cleaner. Extra stor-age units may simply be filled up. Relativesor friends may try to strong-arm a hoarderinto getting rid of her stuff, but that tacticoften ends disastrously, causing lifelongresentments. “You need someone to negotiate for

you,” said Jenike. “In some cases, a personisn’t going to deal with this until the Boardof Health gets involved.”

Treating hoardingWhat to do? A lot depends on whether

the hoarder wants to change. A motivatedperson with relatively mild symptoms maybe able to use a self-help program or workwith a professional organizer. But most hoarders need professional

therapeutic help. Treatment can be diffi-cult and lengthy and may require severalapproaches.First, it’s important to find a good physi-

cian, mental health professional, or neurolo-gist who can determine whether the hoard-er has any underlying or contributing con-ditions that can be treated along with thehoarding itself. As we noted earlier, OCD is

one such condition. There are others.In a 2011 study published in Depression

and Anxiety, researchers found that 28 per-cent of compulsive hoarders have a formof attention deficit disorder, which canmake it difficult to focus long enough tomake headway in clutter removal. Half of hoarders suffer from major de-

pression, which saps their energy andmakes it difficult for them to do anythingabout the problem. Hoarding can also re-sult from several other conditions, includ-ing schizophrenia, dementia, eating disor-ders, head injuries and certain personalitydisorders.There are no specific anti-hoarding

medications. Drugs that are used to treatOCD may help, especially selective sero-tonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepres-sants or tricyclic antidepressants. Butcompulsive hoarders often don’t respondto these medications. Studies show that people with OCD are

less likely to respond to SSRIs if hoardingis one of their symptoms. On the otherhand, these drugs may be useful for treat-ing the depression and anxiety that oftenaccompany hoarding.

Changing thoughts, behaviorsTraditional cognitive behavioral therapy

(CBT) hasn’t worked well either, often be-cause patients are reluctant to participate.Therapists have been getting better re-sults with specially designed behavioraltherapy programs. In a controlled trial based at Boston Uni-

versity (published in Depression and Anxi-ety, May 2010), a CBT intervention forhoarding showed substantial benefit. After26 sessions, three out of four patients wererated as “much” or “very much” improved. The therapy helps hoarders identify and

confront distorted thinking or beliefs, bol-ster their organizational and decision-mak-ing skills, and cope with (and lessen) theiranxiety about discarding or organizingpossessions. Therapists may also makehome visits to help with sorting, organiz-ing, and discarding.“We learned that the therapy works

pretty well for many people, but at the end,they aren’t symptom-free, and the processis long. Twenty-six sessions was much bet-ter than 12 sessions, but 12 sessions beats

doing nothing or reading a self-help book.With a book, you’re presented with thesame skills, but you may not practicethem,” said Dr. Gail Steketee, dean ofBoston University’s School of Social Work.TV shows — particularly those that em-

phasize cleanup services rather than ther-apy — can present a distorted picture ofthe serious work involved. Cleanup alone

is almost never a long-term solution.To find a therapist with experience in the

treatment of hoarding, check the treatmentprovider listing in the hoarding section ofthe International OCD Foundation Web site.

— Harvard Women’s Health Watch© 2012 President and fellows of Harvard

College. All rights reserved. Distributed byTribune Media Services, Inc.

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Housing Options B-19

How to help a hoarder1. Listen. Let the person tell his/her

story. Respect the person’s perspectiveand attachment to the possessions.Don’t tease or criticize.

2. Go slow. There’s no need to rushchanges unless the person’s living situa-tion is unsafe or she needs to move tosmaller quarters or a nursing facility.

3. Engage. Involve the hoarder indecisions about where to put things andwhat to throw out.

4. Notice other changes. If there aresigns of other cognitive or emotionalproblems, arrange for a professional eval-uation. For example, hiding belongingsor spending a lot of time rummaging

through stuff can be a sign of dementia.5. Provide structure and emotional

support.During the de-cluttering process,keep the person company and helphim/her stay focused on one area at a time.

6. Lift and tote. An elderly hoardermay need family, friends or professionalcleaners or movers to help with han-dling the clutter.

7. Work with others. More than 75communities have hoarding task forcesthat address psychiatric, legal, geriatricand housing concerns. One possiblesource of information is your local AreaOffice on Aging.— Harvard Women’s Health Watch

HoardingFrom page B-18

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Pull out and save this section or share with a friend.

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PERFORMANCE. PEOPLE. PRIDE.

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COMING SOON NOVEMBER 2013

Readers continue to ask how they caninvest without a great deal ofrisk and still obtain reason-able income.

I have often pointed out thatinvestors who need incomecannot expect high incomefrom investing in Treasurybills, money-market instru-ments and short-term savingsaccounts. Such investmentspreserve capital but do notkeep up with inflation.

Alternatives that providemore income include real-es-tate investment trusts(REITs), Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), intermediate-term bonds, master limited partnerships(MLPs) and high dividend commonstocks. These provide more income thanthe most conservative investments, butthey are certainly are not risk-free.

Consider preferred stockAnother alternative is preferred stocks.

These are more like bonds than a commonstock. They are hybrid securities with

characteristics of both bonds and equities. Preferred stocks pay a fixed

interest, generally at a higherrate than bonds issued by thesame company. The currentyield of preferred stocks isabout 6 percent. Corporationsissuing preferred stock cannotpay dividends on their com-mon stock without paying theinterest due on the preferredstock.

Preferred stock prices gen-erally fluctuate based on theirdividend yield, credit ratingand maturity date (where ap-plicable). Increased interest

rates generally will depress the value ofpreferred stock, since investors could pur-chase new issues of preferred stock andbonds at higher interest rates. Also, if acorporation’s financial condition orprospects deteriorate, the value of its out-standing securities will fall.

Corporations that issue preferred stockare those that require substantial capital.Most issuers are financial institutions, util-ities and communications companies.

Not all of these companies have stellarcredit ratings. As a result, there is not a largesupply of high-quality preferred. For thatreason, in order to minimize risks, investorsshould consider buying a diversified portfo-lio of preferred stocks through ETFs ratherthan purchasing individual company shares.

Advantages and disadvantagesAn advantage of preferred stocks is that

they have a low correlation to other fixed-price securities such as TIPS, REITs andMLPs.

A major disadvantage, according to JoshPeters, equity strategist of Morningstar, isthe risk of recall. Most issues may be re-called within five years. If interest rates godown, the issuer will likely recall the stock.

Another disadvantage is there is noguarantee you will receive the price youpaid for the stock. With individual bondpurchases, at maturity, you will receive theface value of the bond back. Corporatebonds have maturity dates; most preferredstocks do not.

Another disadvantage is the lack of anactive market. When you do decide to sell,there may be a large gap between the bid

and ask price for an individual security.That is another reason to buy preferredstocks in an ETF.

The price of preferred stock will gener-ally not increase when the income of thecorporation increases. Income growth willbenefit common stock holders. You do notpurchase preferred stock in order to ob-tain capital growth.

Some recommendationsAbby Woodham, an analyst at Morn-

ingstar, recommends ETF iShares S&PU.S. Preferred Stock Index (PFF), indicat-ing it has the lowest expense ratio of theETFs at 0.48 percent. Over the last fiveyears, the fund returned an average of 5.5percent. The return for the last year was18.2 percent. The current yield is approxi-mately 6 percent.

If you hold your account outside of a re-tirement account, you should consider thetax implications. For example, some pre-ferred stock dividends are qualified, whichmeans that they are taxed at no more than20 percent. If the dividends are not quali-

A way to higher returns at moderate risk

THE SAVINGSGAMEBy Elliot Raphaelson

FUNDS THAT BEAT THE MARKETSmall-cap foreign funds have consistentlyposted larger returns than index funds

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAPIf you’re returning to the stock market,buy into stocks gradually, and considertarget date and balanced funds

ARE YOU A TREND TRACKER?Startup company Motif Investing enablescustomers to buy groups of stocks thatfollow a trend

MoneyMoneyLaw &

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon 15

See HIGHER RETURNS, page 16

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By Mark JewellThink you can tell the difference be-

tween a fad and a trend with stayingpower? Look around, and you might comeup with some decent investing ideas.

If you’ve noticed that lots of your friendsare using tablet computers instead of PCs,it might be a good time to consider stocksof companies driving the tablet revolution.

See evidence that Americans are gettingmore serious about their weight prob-lems? Consider stocks of fitness center

chains and weight-loss clinics. On the other hand, if you’re convinced

that we’ll never get disciplined about ourdiets, try the opposite approach and investin fast-food chains.

For average investors hoping to beat themarket, buying several stocks fitting a broadinvestment theme is probably a better op-tion than assessing which individual compa-nies to buy. Few have the know-how to rou-tinely make good stock picks, let alone thepatience to do the required research.

Do-it-yourself, sort ofWith those realities in mind, a Silicon Val-

ley startup last year launched a websiteaimed at do-it-yourself investors who consid-er themselves savvy trendspotters. The com-pany, Motif Investing, enables customers tobuy baskets of up to 30 stocks that fit various“motifs,” as the company calls them.

The bigger player a company is in thatinvesting theme, the larger its weighting isin the basket of stocks. For example, Wal-Mart makes up nearly one-quarter of theportfolio in a retail stock motif called “Dis-count Nation.”

The website has a menu of more than

100 motifs. Some are fairly conventional,such as offerings focusing on dividend-pay-ing stocks and diversified bond portfolios.

But most are trend-oriented, such as a“Tablet Takeover” motif geared toward tabletcomputing, a “Fighting Fat” basket of weightloss-themed stocks, and a “Junk Food” motifof fast-food and soft drink stocks.

If social change is important to you, a“No Glass Ceilings” motif owns stocks ofcorporations run by female executives. An-other invests in companies with gay-friend-ly workplace policies.

Startup helps DIY investors buy cheaply

fied, the marginal tax rate can be as highas 39.6 percent.

Woodham points out that the Power-Shares Financial Preferred (PGF) ETFproduces 100 percent qualified income. Itsexpense ratio is 0.66 percent, higher thaniShares EFT; however, if you hold theshares in a non-retirement account, thePowerShares ETF may provide a higherreturn due to tax savings.

Too many investors still invest too muchin money-market instruments and savings

accounts. You have to accept some risk toget high income.

I do not recommend that a significantportion of your fixed income portfolioshould be in preferred stocks. However, ifa significant part of your portfolio is cur-rently earning less than 1 percent, consid-er adding a preferred stock ETF to yourfixed-income portfolio. You should earnclose to 6 percent without a great deal ofrisk.

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

© 2013 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed byTribune Media Services, Inc.

16 Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Higher returnsFrom page 15

See DIY INVESTING, page 18

By Mark JewellAn annual scorecard of mutual fund per-

formance is in, and it’s generating more ofthe negative headlines that fund managershave become accustomed to in recent years.

The key finding: Two-thirds of managedU.S. stock funds failed to beat the market in2012, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.For all their stock-picking skills, the vast ma-jority of managers couldn’t claim an edgeover low-cost index funds and exchange-traded funds that seek to match the market.

It was the sixth time in the last 10 yearsthat average annual returns of managedfunds fell short of the market’s overall per-formance. Faced with such persistentlydisappointing results, it’s understandablethat an investor might consider giving upand rely exclusively on index funds.

But look deeper into the latest annualscorecard, and there’s a positive takeawayfor investors. Funds specializing in stocksof small foreign companies have beatentheir market benchmark year after year.

In 2012, 85 percent of this small group offunds posted larger returns than an S&Pindex of stocks from foreign developedcountries. Returns for the five-dozen fundsin the international small-cap category av-eraged 21.7 percent, compared with 15.4percent for the index.

An ongoing trendIt wasn’t a one-year fluke: Ninety per-

cent outperformed over three years, and79 percent over five years.

Those results are far better than thelong-term numbers for other stock fundcategories, suggesting that internationalsmall-cap is the go-to category for market-beating fund performance.

“It’s kind of like an overlooked child,” saidAye Soe, an S&P Dow Jones Indices re-

searcher who authored the company’s latestscorecard. “There are lots of opportunitiesthere, and active managers can find them.”

Stocks of small companies based overseasgenerate less attention from investment man-agers and stock analysts than the big U.S.names in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index.That under-the-radar status creates greateropportunity to find stocks that are under-priced relative to their earnings potential.

That’s reflected in the wide variations inreturns among small-cap internationalstocks. The gap between the best andworst performers is typically larger than inother market segments.

“That creates more opportunity for ac-tive managers to add value,” Soe said.

Some winning picksA couple examples of top-rated small-

cap international funds, and stocks thathave generated strong recent returns:

Franklin International Small Cap Growth(FINAX) found a gem in Jumbo SA, whichwas recently the fund’s third-largest hold-ing. Shares of the Greece-based retailer ofchildren’s products have surged 43 percentover the past 12 months.

For Invesco International Small Compa-ny (IEGAX), a key contributor has beenTotal Energy Services Trust. The Canadi-an energy services company is a longtimeholding and the stock has more than dou-bled over the past five years.

One word of caution: Investors whodon’t have the stomach for volatile returnsmight want to avoid international small-cap funds. Sharp ups and downs are morelikely with foreign stocks than with theU.S. market, especially among small-caps.

But for consistency in generating mar-ket-beating returns, international small-cap funds stand out.

Last year, just two out of 13 categories ofmanaged U.S. stock funds posted average re-turns better than their market benchmarks.

The two: funds specializing in large-capgrowth stocks, and funds investing inproperty-owning real estate investmenttrusts. But going back over three and fiveyears, the vast majority of funds in bothcategories failed to beat the market.

Among managed U.S. stock funds lastyear, 66 percent failed to beat a broad meas-ure of the market, the Standard & Poor’s

Composite 1500. Although that may soundbad, it’s a marked improvement from the 84percent that underperformed in 2011. Thelast year that a majority of managed fundsbeat the market was in 2009.

Such poor numbers are a key reasonwhy investors have been pulling theirmoney out of managed funds in recentyears. Among all U.S. stock funds — themajority of them managed funds, rather

B A L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money 17

See BEAT THE MARKET, page 18

Small-cap foreign funds beat the market

NOTICE TO SENIORS, VETERANS AND THE DISABLED

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Motif launched last June, and recentlyannounced a new feature enabling individu-als to create custom motifs and share themwith other customers. Eventually, Motifplans to adopt a royalty system, allowingsomeone creating a motif to earn small pay-ments when other investors buy it.

Customers can post investing ideas on-line for all to see, or friends or colleagues

can exchange tips privately.

Other creative websitesMotif is among a small number of young

companies trying to challenge traditionalinvestment advisory firms through noveluses of the Internet and social networking.Others include Covestor, MarketRiders,Wealthfront, ShareBuilder and Betterment.

Although none has become a significantplayer in the industry, some could eventual-ly catch on with certain types of investors.

“There’s room for these niche players ifthey can get some traction,” said DavidSchehr, an analyst at research firm GartnerInc. Motif’s likely target audience, he said,is investing enthusiasts who actively tradesmall portions of their invested savings.

Motif isn’t disclosing how many cus-tomers it has or how much money they’veinvested. The company raised $26 millionin venture capital funding and has somebig backers. Board members includeArthur Levitt, former chairman of the Se-curities and Exchange Commission, andSallie Krawcheck, a former executive withBank of America and Citigroup.

Low fees, easy to useLow costs are one of Motif’s chief sell-

ing points. After meeting a minimum in-vestment of $250, there’s a $9.95 charge tobuy a single motif of up to 30 stocks. That’scomparable to the commissions that tradi-tional brokerages charge to buy a singlestock (although some offer free ETF

trades with certain restrictions). For $4.95, a Motif customer can buy addi-

tional shares of an individual stock or ETF ina motif, thus customizing holdings so they’redifferent from the default motif. And, in con-trast with mutual funds and ETFs, there areno ongoing investment management fees.

After getting a demo of Motif from co-founder and CEO Hardeep Walia, I’m im-pressed with how easy the site is to use. In-formation on the investment options is pre-sented in user-friendly language. Photos il-lustrate each investing motif. Commandscan be executed with a few mouse clicksor taps on a touch-screen.

That said, investing isn’t a game, andthere’s a potential negative to Motif’s easeof use. As you tap away, it could be easy toget carried away with money that you maybe depending on for retirement.

Also, some of the motifs are geared to-ward potentially short-term trends that areunsuitable investment ideas for anyone withlong-term goals. For example, one motifcalled “Rebuilding After Sandy” invests inhardware store chains and utilities servicesfirms that saw demand spike after Hurri-cane Sandy hit the East Coast last October.

Stocks such as Home Depot and Lowe’soutperformed the broader market in thedays after the storm, but its impact on thecompanies’ bottom lines will be temporary.

With such potential shortcomings in mind,Gartner’s Schehr suggests that anyone con-sidering Motif or rival websites invest onlysmall amounts of their savings, reserving themajority for traditional diversified portfolios:“Just take a taste,” he advised, “and don’t signup for the full banquet.” — AP

18 Law & Money | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

DIY investingFrom page 16

than index products — withdrawals haveexceeded deposits for six years in a row.

Last year, investors withdrew a net $95billion from managed large-cap stockfunds, according to Morningstar. In con-trast, a net $61 billion was deposited intolarge-cap index mutual funds and ETFs.

Other standout fundsDespite the overall performance num-

bers, there have been standout managedfunds in recent years. Consider the top di-versified U.S. stock funds of last year: LeggMason Capital Management Opportunity(LMOPX) returned 39.6 percent andFairholme Fund (FAIRX) gained 35.8 per-cent. Those results were more than doublethe 16 percent total return for the S&P 500.

What’s more, a small minority of fundshave delivered market-beating returns overperiods of 10 years or longer. And Soe notesthat several fund managers successfully ex-ecuted defensive strategies in 2008, limitingtheir losses in a year when stocks plunged38 percent amid the financial crisis.

“Just because a majority of active man-agers underperform doesn’t mean activemanagement is completely dead,” Soe said.“It really depends on market conditions, andhow skilled those managers are at taking ad-vantage of those conditions.” — AP

Beat the marketFrom page 17

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B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 3 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com 19

TravelLeisure &TravelLeisure &

Tired of schlepping your bags? Airlinesand services will deliver them to you —for a price. See story on page 20

By Victor Block Bejeweled women dressed in the latest

fashions strolled into the likes of Gucci,Neiman Marcus and Tiffany intent onadding to their chic wardrobe and collec-tion of costly adornments. Not far away, mywife Fyllis — wearing blue jeans, boots anda cowgirl hat — was learning to lasso cattle.

My afternoon was spent exploring arugged wilderness of giant cacti, toweringmesas and vast stretches of barren land-scape. There I discovered that what ap-peared to be a dry, dead desert actually ishome to thousands of plants and animalsthat have adapted to life in searing tempera-tures and an almost complete lack of water.

The first impression that Fyllis and I hadduring a visit to Scottsdale, Ariz., was thediversity of attractions in and around thatsmall city. The shopping experience aloneprovided an introduction to the something-for-everyone variety.

World famous top-of-the-line stores areneighbors to one-of-a-kind specialty shopsand boutiques. And in a city whose sloganis “The West’s most Western town,” it’s nosurprise to pass store after store sellingcowboy hats, boots and everything wornbetween them.

Of course, where there were cowboysthere usually were Native Americans, andtheir influence also remains strong. Oneshop alone, the River Trading Post, sellsNative American art and artifacts created

by people from more than 50 tribal nations.

Cowgirl for a dayNor has the cowboy influence faded, as

Fyllis learned while playing the role of aworking cowgirl, at least for a few hours.She was a part-time student at the ArizonaCowboy College, which serves up a tasteof life on the range without touristy frills.

Most city slickers go through a two-dayorientation followed by four days at aranch rounding up cows, searching formissing steer, branding, vaccinating anddoing other cowboy-like chores. Hearingthat description prompted me to inquire,“And they pay for that?”

The one-day introduction to life on therange that Fyllis attended included learn-ing to clean hooves and groom and saddleBillie, the brown mare she was assigned.That was followed by instruction in ridingon a Western saddle.

As Fyllis and Billie circled a ring, ElainePawlowski, the ranch manager andteacher, shouted out reminders: “Heelsdown. Lighten up on the reins. Sink yourbutt into the saddle.”

Later came a lesson in roping a waywardcalf. Rather than a live animal, this exer-cise used a metal mini-cow on wheelswhich, after several errant tosses, mynewly Westernized wife was able to ringseveral times in a row.

The cowgirl experience ended with a rideover the rocky wasteland that surroundsScottsdale and nearby Phoenix, loping oversandy, rocky terrain past cacti in a variety ofshapes and sizes.

Desert denizensThe trail in the Sonoran Desert over

which Fyllis rode, and the somewhat largerarea that I had explored, represented just asliver of that vast wilderness. It stretchesthrough Arizona, California and northernMexico, covering an expanse eight timesthe size of Maryland.

Descriptions of the desert often includewords like bleak and drab. Fyllis reportedthat her horseback ride passed through amonochromatic panorama of gray and tan,broken occasionally by the muted green ofa cactus.

For anyone who favors that kind ofplant, Arizona and its Sonoran Desert arecactus heaven. The majestic saguaro (pro-

nounced suh-WAHR-oh), the most familiarand identifiable kind, can grow to 50 feetand live as long as 200 years. They existonly in the Sonoran Desert, and thesaguaro blossom is the official state flower.

Numerous other species of cactus alsohave found the Sonora’s arid conditions totheir liking. Their colorful names — likepurple prickly pear, organ pipe and teddy-bear cholla — add to their appeal.

One of many fascinating stories thedesert has to tell is how both plant and ani-mal life have adapted to its harsh environ-ment. What appears to be a seemingly un-inhabitable wasteland is home to some 60mammals, 350 kinds of birds, over 100types of reptile and even 30 species of fish.Their survival techniques are among na-ture’s more intriguing stories.

For example, many cactus plants have aroot system that grows outward rather thandown in order to absorb surface moisture,and some have stems that expand to saverainwater for later use. The saguaro canstore enough water to last as long as a year.

Many animals sleep in shade during hotdays and venture out to feed during the coolernights. Some rabbits and other small mam-mals are able to survive primarily on waterthey get from what they eat. The WesternBanded Gecko stashes away both food andwater in its long tail for later use when needed.

More outdoorsy adventuresThe desert is also a treasure-trove of

human history, ranging from prehistoricruins and remnants of Native American lifeto abandoned mining encampments.

A wide choice of alternatives awaits visi-tors interested in exploring this other-world-ly setting. On land, that can mean hiking, bik-ing, horseback rides, and off-road guidedtours via Jeep, Hummer and luxury SUV.

Those who prefer to take to the air maychoose a gentle hot-air balloon ride orclamber aboard an airplane, helicopter oreven a seaplane for a flight that includes alake landing.

Some of the desert’s magic and magnifi-cence is captured in several sanctuaries andmuseums that Fyllis and I took time to visit.

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is amini-wilderness that stretches over 21,000acres and provides an excellent introduc-tion to the entire desert. It’s home to hun-dreds of types of plants and animals, aswell as 60 miles of trails.

Entering the more formally organizedDesert Botanical Garden, Fyllis and Iglanced around, looked at each other and ex-claimed “Wow” in unison. Never had we real-ized there are so many, very different kindsof cactus, each quite beautiful in its own way.

Five thematic loop trails meanderthrough an amazingly varied collection ofarid plants from deserts around the world.Each path focuses upon one topic, includ-ing plants of the Sonoran, desert wildflow-

The Western wonders of Scottsdale, Ariz.

Outside Scottsdale, Ariz., hikers in the Sonoran Desert pass numerous types of cactus, including the towering saguaro, which is unique to that locale. Surprisingly,the desert is also home to 60 types of mammals, over 100 sorts of reptiles and 350 kinds of birds that have adapted to its hot, dry environment.

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See SCOTTSDALE, page 21

The Arizona Cowboy College in Scotts-dale imparts such skills to visitors asrounding up cows, vaccinating livestockand branding. Here, Fyllis Hochmanpractices using a lasso to rope a calf.

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United Airlines is emulating rival Ameri-can in featuring a baggage-de-livery service at your arrivalairport.

Although you have to getyour bags to the departure air-port and check them by your-self, when you arrive at yourdestination airport, you handyour bags over to a deliveryrepresentative and go past thebaggage claim to your hotel,office or other local destina-tion, where a local service de-livers your bag.

The fine print: United says it already offersthe service at Boston, Chicago, Honolulu,Houston, Los Angeles and Orlando, and itwill be available at 190 domestic airports“over the next few months.” Delivery serviceis available to addresses within a 100-mile ra-

dius of each airport, with expected baggagearrival within four to six hoursafter your flight’s arrival, de-pending on the distance.

The standard rate for deliv-ery within a 40-mile radius is$29.95 for one bag, $39.95 fortwo, and $49.95 for three toeight bags. Delivery beyond40 miles is at extra cost de-pending on distance.

To arrange the service, in-dicate you want it either whenyou reserve or later, and a linkon the airline’s website directs

you to BagsVIP, the outfit that does the ac-tual schlepping.

American’s existing program is essen-tially identical. It’s currently available at200 domestic airports.

American adds that it’s available even on

international flights from the nine Bahami-an, Canadian and Irish airports where U.S.Customs provides pre-clearance. The priceof the service is in addition to checkedbaggage fees, if any.

Although American and United are theonly two airlines I could find that featurethis baggage delivery through their ownwebsites, BagsVIP actually “partners” withAirTran, Alaska, Copa, Delta, JetBlue,Southwest, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet. Youjust have to arrange the pickup separately.

It also offers similar services with severalcruise lines, hotels, convention centers andother locations. For more information, logonto the BagsVIP website at www.maketrav-eleasier.com.

What about home pick-up?BagsVIP does not pick up baggage for

your departure. If you want a completely

“no hands” door-to-door pickup and deliv-ery service, you need to go with one of theseveral outfits that offer this service.

Options include Luggage Concierge (1-800-288-9818, ww.luggageconcierge.com),Luggage Forward (1-866-416-7447, www.lug-gageforward.com), and Luggage Free (1-800-361-6871, www.luggagefree.com).

Each company (or a subcontractor)picks up your baggage wherever you des-ignate, does all the paperwork necessaryfor shipment, arranges for delivery to adesignated address at your destination,and tracks the shipment’s progress. Allhave websites where you can enter tripand bag data for an immediate cost quote.

All of the companies give you price optionsdepending on how far ahead you can get yourbags ready — delivery from overnight air tofive days ground. Although the actual ship-ment is usually by UPS or FedEx, the bag-gage company makes all the arrangements.

Similar pricingPrices from all three are about the

same. My standard test is for two mediumsuitcases (20 pounds each) from theSmarterTravelMedia office (02129) inBoston to Walt Disney World (32830) bythe least expensive ground option.

The lowest quote I found was $120 fromLuggage Free, the same as two years ago.The others asked from $128 to $138.Overnight air was about triple those costs.

This service is clearly more expensivethan the airline deal of $39.95 for two suit-cases. But if you fly an airline that chargesfor checked baggage, you’d save on thosefees as well. That makes the door-to-doorprice not such a bad deal if you don’t mindeither packing five days in advance or wait-ing five days for your stuff to arrive.

Another option is to ship your stuff your-self by FedEx or UPS ground. Costs vary byweight and distance. A 20-pound packagefrom a UPS Store near the Boston addressto a hotel near Walt Disney World wouldcost about $25 for three-day delivery; morefor a pick-up at an office or residence.

All in all, whether you want to avoidschlepping just at your destination or atboth origin and destination, someone willhappily help you — for a fee. And giventoday’s airline checked-bag fees, the door-to-door option is looking better all the time.

Send e -ma i l t o Ed P e r k i n s a teperkins@mind.net.

© 2013 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Airlines will schlep your bags for a price

TRAVEL TIPSBy Ed Perkins

20 Leisure & Travel | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N

NEW YORK BOUND!Join the Liberty

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ers and conservation. I found most interesting the exhibits of

how people learned to live in the hostile envi-ronment. Native Americans learned to use avariety of plants, including cactus andmesquite, for food, medicine and other needs.

Along the way, Fyllis and I paused at agrinding stone to pound mesquite beans intoflour, a muscle-tiring exercise that gave us anew appreciation for store-bought bread.

We also stooped to step inside a round-house of the kind constructed by NativeAmericans who once inhabited this area.

Additional reminders of the native resi-dents are everywhere.

A vast collection of Native American artand artifacts is the main feature at theworld-class Heard Museum (based inPhoenix, and with a satellite location inNorth Scottsdale). The lovely sculptureand native plant garden at the Scottsdalesite is a perfect place to relax and rest fol-lowing a sightseeing excursion.

The Pueblo Grande Museum and Arche-ological Park also is worth a stop and stroll.The complex sits atop remains of a villageof the Hohokam people, who lived in thearea from about 450 to 1450 CE. They werethe first to cultivate the land of the SonoranDesert, using a vast system of irrigationditches. Some of those trenches, and an ex-cavated ball court, are still visible today.

Reproductions of pit houses, mud andadobe-covered structures placed in a shal-low depression, demonstrate how thedwellings provided insulation against theextremes of desert temperatures.

Old and new townsThe neighborhoods in and around

Scottsdale combine interesting historicaltidbits with an array of shopping and recre-ational opportunities.

The center of much action is the OldTown neighborhood. Located on the origi-nal site from which the community expand-ed, it‘s a hub of museums, historic struc-tures, dining, night life and a shopper’s para-dise. From cowboy wares to Native Ameri-can jewelry to international brand-namehandbags, any shopper who can’t find waysto spend money there just isn’t trying.

Old Town is also crammed with many ofthe city’s estimated 125 art galleries. Eventhe streets serve as an outdoor museum,with dozens of works — including a giantlizard, a metal rider astride a buckinghorse and a number of less identifiable ab-stract sculptures — on display.

Very different in atmosphere and appealare tiny enclaves on the outskirts of Scotts-dale. Cave Creek (population about 5,000)was settled in 1870 by miners and ranch-ers, and served as a stopping point for U.S.Cavalry troops. The town clings stubborn-ly and proudly to its Western heritage, ashome to shops selling cowboy gear, sever-

al saloons and periodic rodeos. If Cave Creek keeps vestiges of the Old

West alive, the adjacent village of appropri-ately named Carefree represents the pres-ent. It was built as a planned community ofhomes, some now valued at millions of dol-lars, which line streets with names likeEasy, Tranquil, Ho and Hum. Locals de-scribe this juxtaposition of Old and NewWest as the “home of cowboys and caviar.”

That same comfortable marriage of oldwith new, casual with chic is experiencedeverywhere. It’s common in and aroundScottsdale to see men and women wearingjeans and Western hats strolling out of shops

that would feel comfortable on New York’sFifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive in BeverlyHills, laden down with high-end purchases.

Some residents refer to a gourmet ham-burger restaurant, where the parking lotoften is packed with top-of-the-line automo-biles, as “Burgers and Bentleys.” For Fyllisand me, this combination of upscale lifewith a laid-back attitude added to thecharm and appeal of Scottsdale.

If you goFor more information about a visit to

Scottsdale, call (800) 782-1117 or log ontowww.experiencescottsdale.com.

B A L T I M O R E B E A C O N — J U N E 2 0 1 3 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com | Leisure & Travel 21

ScottsdaleFrom page 19

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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.

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APARTMENT HOMES FOR ACTIVE ADULTS 62 OR BETTER

By Michael ToscanoBam! In the Heights hits the stage at full-

throttle, a high-energy blast of Grammy-win-ning salsa and Latin pop, swirling choreog-raphy and quickly recognizable characters.

Now at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Co-lumbia, the Tony Award-winning Best Mu-sical of 2008 never lets up in its fervent at-tempt to ingratiate itself with the audience.And it usually succeeds.

While the story is set in the ethnicallySpanish-speaking enclave of WashingtonHeights in Manhattan’s upper reaches, andthe sensibilities of its street setting is urban,the show’s themes resonate with anyone whohas ever marveled at the American dream.

The music (and lyrics) from Lin-ManuelMiranda, who conceived the show andstarred in its long Broadway run, is superb.The score blends Latin pop with hip-hop andadds a layer of old-fashioned Broadway showtunes, perhaps making the Latin rhythmsand mild hip-hop-inspired lyrics and deliveryaccessible and agreeable for ears not alreadyattuned to them.

Portrait of a neighborhood The show opens at dawn with the electrify-

ing title song, beginning three days in thelives of a neighborhood and its denizens.Bodega owner Usnavi (David Gregory)takes us on a tour of the street and its stories,highlighting the hopes and the dilemmas col-oring daily life in a neighborhood on the cuspof change.

With vigorous choreography from co-di-rectors Toby Orenstein and Lawrence B.Munsey and choreographer Christen Svin-gos, the two-dozen-member company givesus a vibrant introduction to a series of inter-twined vignettes. And the vigor of the per-formances never lets up.

A mix of newcomers and Toby’s regu-lars, the cast immediately gets to the coreof their characters in what is essentially asoap opera, and wins us over. That’s essen-tial in overcoming the rather flawed bookby Quiara Alegria Hudes, which reliesheavily on exposition and broadly writtencharacters and story lines.

The vignettes all seem familiar, recycledthrough Latino-infused vernacular and atti-tude. Some of the exposition — telling, ratherthan showing a story — takes place in thesongs, but any awkwardness there is offsetby the hip-hop nature of some of the selec-

tions, which allows characters torap their way, more or less natu-rally, through plot details.

Still, the stories are stale, en-livened primarily by the emo-tive music and vivid acting andchoreography. Clumsily con-structed emotional manipula-tion of the audience actuallysucceeds because each of theleading actors is able to reachwithin and offer us somethingthat feels real.

Usnavi and his grandmother,Abuela Claudia (Crystal Free-man), dream of returning tothe Dominican Republic. Spirit-ed college freshman Nina(Alyssa V. Gomez) is seekingboth the nerve and the moneyto return to Stanford Universi-ty after dropping out. Her hard-working parents Kevin (DavidBosley-Reynolds) and Camila(Tina Marie DeSimone) faceselling their gypsy cab compa-ny to help her.

Their African-American em-ployee Benny (Marquise White)struggles to win their accept-ance as he and Nina fall in love. Usnavi,meanwhile, loves Vanessa (Nadia Harika),who longs to escape the neighborhood,along with her bad credit score and alcoholicmother.

Throw in a sub-plot of a winning lottery

ticket, and some other characters whomostly provide comic relief, and the over-all effect — the blend of story, characterand music — is a pleasing theatrical mural.

Arts & Style The Spotlighter Theater has been the spotfor intimate Baltimore productions formore than 50 years, including this produc-tion of Cinderella. See story on page 24.

Extended through June 8!

TOBY’S DINNER THEATRE OF BALTIMORE CALL 410-649-1660

OPENINGJULY 26

Two Amazing Shows You Won’t Want To Miss!

Dinner & Sho wTobysDinnerTheatre.com

RESERVE YOUR SEATS TODAY!

Based on availability. Due to the nature of theatre bookings, all shows,dates and times are subject to change.

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A madcap revue that satirizesconvent life with a hystericalanything-goes sense of fun.

Benny (Marquise White), Sonny (Ryan Alvarado) andUsnavi (David Gregory) hang out at the neighborhoodbodega in the Toby’s Dinner Theatre production ofthe Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights. Inthe show, store owner Usnavi takes the audience ona tour of Washington Heights and its denizens.

Show takes American dream to new heights

See IN THE HEIGHTS, page 23

22 Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Radio Flea Market

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

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Emotional and compelling songs“It Won’t be Long Now,” an Act One

song featuring Vanessa, Usnavi and Sonny(Ryan Alvarado), a teenage employee atUsnavi’s bodega, is more schmaltz thansalsa, but Harika’s outsized performanceadds grit and emotional heft to the showtune. It’s intense, compelling and ultimate-ly uplifting. “Paciencia y Fe” (“Patienceand Faith”) is a stirring exploration of theclash of aspiration and struggle, as Free-man’s Abuela leads the company in a floor-filling mélange of melody and melodrama.

Act Two opens on a somber note, follow-ing a somewhat cataclysmic ending to thefirst act. It seems like a bleak dawn afterthe festive first act. But we know the innatehumanity of the people in this neighbor-hood will overcome tribulation, and we’renot disappointed.

Soon enough, it’s time for “Carnival delBarrio,” another high-energy productionnumber featuring Santina Maiolatesi inher happy Toby’s debut as Daniela, wise-cracking owner of a beauty salon who iseager to re-locate her shop to a better area.

I say production number, but here atToby’s, that means a floor filled with danc-ing and singing, with just a few minimalprops, as it’s theater-in-the-round, and thatround space has to serve food just prior tothe show. Still, the dance is so eye-catch-

ing and vibrant, and the singing so joyous,and the music so pulsating, that nothingelse is really needed.

The music, as always at Toby’s, comesfrom a small live band tucked away in acramped room, augmented with syntheticsounds emanating from a keyboard.

“Alabanza,” mourning the loss of a belovedcharacter (more by-the-numbers emotionalmanipulation from writer Hudes), becomesan elegiac anthem and a highlight of Act Two.

Also of note is the too-brief singing of To-bias Young, in the mostly walk-on role of Pi-ragua Guy, who sells piragua, a frozen,syrupy concoction popular in Puerto Rico.He ends Act One with the song “Piragua”and reprises it near the end of Act Two, un-leashing a sweet, soaring voice that weneed to hear more of in future productions.

The show’s story takes place July 3through July 5, and Toby’s productionruns right through the 4th of July holiday.It’s fitting, as this is an American tale, how-ever often it has been told.

Ethnic buffet dishesMaking this production a sensation for

the palate, as well as the eyes and ears,Toby’s has mixed in some Dominican-fla-vored dishes to its usual evening buffetfare, included in the ticket price.

These include “Abuela’s Pork Goulash,”Dominican Chicken, Pasta Del Dia, “Car-naval Corn Medley,” “Benny’s BroccoliCon Queso,” “Caribbean Braised Cab-

bage,” and “Arroz de la Vega,” which is fi-esta rice with spicy tomatoes.

In the Heights continues through July21 at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, 5900 Sym-phony Woods Road, Columbia.

The show runs seven days a week withevening and matinee performances.

Reservations are required. Ticket pricesrange from $35.50 to $54, depending onwhich performance is selected. There isample, free parking on the premises.

For reservations and more information,call 1-800-88TOBYS (888-6297) or visitwww.tobysdinnertheatre.com.

B A L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style 23

EDWARD POLOCHICKARTISTIC DIRECTOR

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In the HeightsFrom page 22

By Dan Collins817 Saint Paul St. That’s the spot. Or to

be more exact, the Spotlighters Theatre,which celebrated its 50th anniversary in

downtown Baltimore this past year. An exceedingly intimate in-the-round

(though technically square) stage, “Spots” asit is affectionately known, has played host to

Tony, Emmy and Obie Award winners, andeven an Oscar nominee, Howard Rollins, Jr.

While much has changed in the pasthalf-century, much has stayed the same,both between the playhouse walls andwithout. Just ask Fuzz Roark, a staple atSpots for 13 years and currently the man-aging director.

“There are so many stories: broken ribsduring a performance, actors getting en-gaged on stage, tackling a cast of 36. I re-member once when an elderly audiencemember started in on one of the actorswho was smoking in a scene (non-tobacco,of course), asking if he could please dothat someplace else, right in the middle ofthe show!

“It’s all that and more, dealing withbeing three-quarters underground in an80-plus year-old building. Still, nothingbeats watching the audience during a per-

formance. When that connection happens,it’s magical,” Roark said.

Long thespian historySpots began as “Stagecrafters” when it

was formed under the auspices of the Bal-timore City Parks and Recreation depart-ment in 1955. When the city canceled thatprogram, the Spotlighters was formed in1962, thanks to the driving force of the lateAudrey Herman, for whom the theatre isnamed.

Located in what was originally therestaurant and ballroom of the old Madi-son Hotel — one of the first “high-rise” ho-tels to open after the Great Baltimore Fireof 1905 — Spots is a testament to what a lotof desire and (very) few dollars canachieve.

“Like today, the economy was tight 50years ago, so Audrey and her cadre of ded-

24 Arts & Style | More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

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Theater has been ‘spot on’ over 50 years

See SPOTLIGHTERS, page 25

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD

FROM PAGE 26

EXPLORE CONTEMPORARY ART Join the Big Table Connections at the Baltimore Museum of Art,10 Art Museum Dr. on the first Saturday of each month from 2 to

4 p.m. for lively explorations of contemporary art. Each session is free and focuseson a different topic with activities, such as chats with artists, demonstrations oftheir work, and art projects you can make yourself. The topic for Saturday, June 1is “Dangerous Language.” Future events will be held on July 6 (“Inside Signs”) andAugust 3 (“Walking Around Words”). For more information, call (443) 573-1832.

A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUMVisit the Walters Museum Thursday night from 5 to 9 p.m. until June2 for Constellation Thursday Nights to see special exhibitions forfree. The Walters is located at 600 N. Charles St. No registration

necessary. For more information, visit www.thewalters.org or call (410) 547-9000.

BEACON BITS

June 1+

Ongoing

icated volunteers got creative,” Roark said.“We joked that the first lighting systemwas by Maxwell, as in Maxwell House cof-fee. They were coffee cans affixed with aporcelain base. And our seats came fromthe old Century Theater, which we got justa few hours before that building was de-molished.”

Spots opened with 108 seats, down to 86in 2001, and 70 today as the theater addeda tech booth, back walls, aisles and moreleg room.

“We raised about $30,000 in 2007 for therenovation of our backstage, creating mod-ern dressing rooms, a prop and costumeshop, and a designated paint-and-buildshop. We also included a kitchenette andlaundry, and a green room,” Roark said.

Roark first came to Spots in 1996 to seea show with a friend. “During intermissionI had the pleasure of meeting Audrey Her-man who, upon hearing I was an actor,swept me up in her whirlwind fashion,down some back hallway and into thegreen room to meet the cast.

“Though I never had the chance to workwith Audrey directly, I have been told thatshe would never criticize with a negative.If you stunk, either on stage or in tech, herfirst response was to see what else shecould find for you to do.

“She also believed with a passion thattheater…has the power to change people,actors and audience,” Roark said.

Roark takes the reinsBorn and raised in South Carolina,

Roark says he was “always a performer” —singing in church, taking tap dance in firstgrade, doing local theater.

He took the obligatory young actor’scrack at New York between college andgraduate school. At university, he received

training in social work and counseling,skills he uses today as a director.

“I often ask myself and the cast, ‘whatmakes your character do or say this?’ Iwant my actors to get into the heads ofthese people, to understand more than justwhere to stand, when to sit, and what tosay.”

Roark, who once participated in a mas-ter’s class in drama led by famed directorJohn Huston, moved to Baltimore in 1993,performing with the New Wave Singersand serving as choir director and worshipleader for the Metropolitan CommunityChurch. There he also did the set, soundand lights for several theatre productions.

In 2000, a friend from church, Terry J.Long, asked him to serve as musical direc-tor for a production of Terrance McNally’sCorpus Christi at Spots.

“I went on to music direct other produc-tions and to finally direct Tim Rice’s Chessat Spotlighters in 2004,” he said.

Today, Spots has an operating budget ofjust under $165,000, up from $50,000 whenthe theater began operating as a nonprofitin 2005. Roark is the only full-time employ-ee, though there are a number of part-timestaff on contract, an arts administration in-tern and a costume intern.

Local high schools and colleges are so-licited for technical and administration in-ternships, and volunteers assist with jobslike ushering.

Roark credits Spots’ continued growthwith the efforts of Mt. Vernon Cultural dis-trict and the City of Baltimore to make thelocal neighborhood a “destination.”

“You’ve got restaurants on CharlesStreet, Centerstage, the Theater Project onPreston, various clubs, concerts, there’ssomething going on constantly,” he said.

Albee show up nextFor Roark, what’s going on now is four-

days-a-week rehearsals with the cast for

Spots’ next production,Edward Albee’s A Deli-cate Balance, scheduledto open May 24 and run-ning through June 30.

“[Albee’s] charactersare bigger than life, butso very real at the sametime. We can see peoplewe know in all of them,and often ourselves.

“I think audiences willenjoy characters Tobiasand Agnes as they face anunnamed, unseen terrorthat Harry and Ednabring. As in life, there issome wonderful humor,both dark and light,”Roark added.

And what does the next50 years hold for Spots?

“Many theaters shyaway from producing awork that may be too cur-rent or too issue-based,but Spotlighters has al-ways been willing andeager to produce worksthat point out the 800-pound gorilla in theroom.

“And Spots will continue to grow and ex-pand the Young Actors Academy — an aca-demic, conservatory approach for children

and youth to learn theater skills,” Roark said.For tickets to A Delicate Balance, visit

www.spotlighters.org or call (410) 752-1225.

B A L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon | Arts & Style 25

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Fuzz Roark, the managing director of the SpotlightersTheater, says he uses his skills as a social worker in hisdirecting work at the theater, which celebrated its 50thanniversary last year.

SpotlightersFrom page 24

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26 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U N E 2 0 1 3 — B A L T IMORE B E A CON

Crossword PuzzleDaily crosswords can be found on our website:

www.TheBeaconNewspapers.comClick on Puzzles Plus

Answers on page 24.

3. Uninvited dinner guests4. “Gilligan’s Island” landing spot5. Airport shuttle, often6. A cursor may target it7. Hot and cold8. Fancy ties9. Night bird10. Kettle companion11. In jeopardy12. One Pound of poetry13. Battled against the gray18. German foe in WWII19. Golden Rule word24. Nap seducer26. Qatari, for example27. Small cul-de-sacs28. His .388 average in 1977 was the highest since 1941

29. Alpha’s bookend30. Drainage region31. Take in a sad movie32. Sum up the story so far33. Snare and steel, but not conga38. “As-Seen-On-TV” co.39. Univ. near Harvard40. Belt or beltway43. ___-cone44. Having low density47. Rules and ___48. One on a soapbox49. Derriere50. Raven’s claws53. Pumps up54. Beach party56. Midwestern reversal of 2 Down58. Like a Bond villain59. Clinton’s Attorney General60. Hammock holder62. Place to stay when out63. 21st century cop show64. Tie-breaking rounds (abbrev.)

Across1. Bobbing barker5. Gift cards are a liability on its balance sheet9. Selected answer (c), perhaps14. Damsel in Distrito Federal (Mexico)15. Henry V has V16. In love (or, maybe, just concussed)17. Multiple choice listing for the firstquestion of the Pop Quiz

20. Cuban coins21. Bar sign22. Crude dude23. The CIA made it disappear25. Use a paper clip28. Pop Quiz choices for question number 234. French toaster35. Prepare onion rings36. Lead voice actor in Pixar’s Up37. Kick into high gear38. “Every Kiss Begins With ___”39. Grp. that tracks slugging percentage41. The closest airport to the FAA’s HQ42. Discharge, bodily44. Part of a book jacket blurb45. Chasm46. Alternatives for question 351. Spanish dance52. Irritant (to a princess)53. Start to carte55. Marvin of Motown57. On one’s toes61. Possibilities for the final question65. Some symptoms66. “Step ___!”67. Number of songs on Thriller68. Member of Islam’s largest branch69. Highways and byways (abbrev.)70. Gin flavoring

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Pop Quiz by Stephen Sherr

Puzzle Page

Scrabble answers on p. 24.

Answers on p. 24.

BA L T IMORE B E A CON — J UNE 2 0 1 3 Say you saw it in the Beacon 27

FOR RENT, NEWLY RENOVATED LovelyOne-Bedroom Apartment in Private Home.Separate Entrance, Washer/Dryer. Quiet Neigh-borhood in Pikesville, Near Transportation.$800. 410-653-2594.

QUIET ROOM, MT. WASHINGTON, ShareKitchen & Bath. $375 (monthly). Security De-posit. References required. Near light rail. 410-542-0550.

PRIDE JAZZY SELECT 6 Ultra Power withcharger unit. Power elevating pan seat withsynergy cushion. Like new – never used. $1,900or best offer. 410-465-5647.

TWO SIDE-BY-SIDE CEMETERY plots inApostles Garden at Dulaney Valley MemorialGardens. $1500 or best offer. Call 410-484-8529.

AMIGO RD SCOOTER, batteries and charger.Model 31000. $300 or best offer. 410-465-5647.

AD FOR MAUSOLEUM – Please be informedthat a two-person vault mausoleum is on sale atthe Druid Ridge Cemetery located at 7900 ParkHeights Ave., Baltimore. The identification of theMausoleum is Atrium Mausoleum X26D4. The cur-rent market price is $17,000 (Seventeen ThousandDollars). Negotiable. Please call 443-416-6887.

MACULAR DEGENERATION READER –Retain reading enjoyment and independence.Magnifies newspapers, letters, books, medicinebottles. Aladdin 13-inch screen with glare shield.Originally $1,845. Now $659. 419-363-2151.

2 SALVADOR DALI woodblock prints fromDante’s Divine Comedy. Signed and framed.Asking $900 for the pair. Can email pictures ifdesired. Call Steve 410-913-1653.

SANFORD & SON HAULING Trash re-moval, house & estate clean-outs, garage clean-outs, yard work & cleanups, demolition, shedremoval. 410-746-5090. Free Estimates. In-sured. Call 7 days a week 7am - 7pm.

PET CAREGIVERS – I will give your pet ex-cellent care while you work, go on vacations orgo out for an evening. Excellent references. 410-625-5937.

FUNERALS & CREMATION – Parkview Fu-neral Home & Cremation Service by Brent Fran-cis, P.A. Family Owned & Operated “CelebratingLife.” Traditional burial, cremation, memorialservices, pre-planning, affordable options for allbudgets. 7527 Harford Rd. (2 block south of Tay-lor Ave.), 410-444-4683. www.parkviewfh.com.

AREA’S BEST CLEANERS – DETAILS,Honest, Dependable, Reasonable. Residentialand Commercial. Excellent References. The Dif-ference is in the “Details.” Free estimates. CallToday: 443-253-5091.

ARTISTIC SLIPCOVERS – UPHOLSTERYCOMPANY. Steve Gulin. Your fabric or mine.45 years experience. References available. 410-655-6696 – Cell: 410-207-7229.

ESTATE SPECIALIST Experts in estateclean outs and preparing your house for sale.Trash removal, house cleanouts, light moving,demolition, yard work, cleaning. 410-746-5090.Free estimates. Insured. Call 7 days 7am - 7pm

$$$$$ NEED CASH $$$$$ WE help clear outand conduct sales for: Estates, Down Sizing,Clutter Clearing, Divorce, Moving, Rental Prop-erties, and More. We Buy, Sell, and Trade Items.Free Estimates. Call David @ 443-514-8583davidbalt7@aol.com.

LEARN ENGLISH – SPANISH – ITALIAN –FRENCH – PORTUGUESE Conversational.Grammatical. Private lessons. ReasonableRates. Tutoring students. 443-352-8200.

HELP YOU SELL any type of large item. Don’tlose the sale we’re there when you can’t be. Werun the ad. Meet with clients, and help with thetransaction. Automotive, Motorcycles, RV’s, largevehicles, and Equipment, Boats, and More. CallDave @ 443-514-8583.

VINYL RECORDS WANTED from 1950through 1985. Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Soul, Rhythm& Blues, Reggae and Disco. 33 1/3 LPs, 45s or78s, Larger collections of at least 100 itemswanted. Please call John, 301-596-6201.

FINE ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS ANDQUALITY VINTAGE FURNISHINGS want-ed by a serious capable buyer. I am very welleducated [law degree] knowledgeable [over 40years in the antique business] and have the fi-nances and wherewithal to handle virtuallyany situation. If you have a special item, col-lection or important estate I would like to hearfrom you. I pay great prices for great things inall categories from oriental rugs to Tiffany ob-jects, from rare clocks to firearms, from silverand gold to classic cars. If it is wonderful I aminterested. No phony promises or messy con-signments. References gladly furnished.Please call Jake Lenihan 301-279-8834. Thankyou.

MILITARY ITEMS Collector seeks: helmets,weapons, knives, swords, bayonets, webgear,uniforms, inert ordnance, ETC. From 1875 to1960, US, German, Britain, Japan, France,Russian. Please call Fred 301-910-0783, Thankyou. Also Lionel Trains.

BUYING OLD BASEBALL CARD COL-LECTIONS Baseball Card Outlet at 7502Eastern Ave near Eastpoint Mall is always inthe market for buying vintage sports card col-lections & memorabilia from 1975 & older. 410-284-4440 Open daily at 10AM.

$$$$$ WE PAY CASH FOR ITEMS $$$$$ Webuy the following items and more: Toys, Collecta-ble Glassware, Dolls (Barbies, Ceramic), Auto-motive and Motorcycle Parts and Related Items,Electronics, Musical Instruments, Trains, Itemsof Any Kind – Just Ask – Vintage or CurrentCars, Trucks, Motorcycles, RV’s and More. CallDave @ 443-514-8583. Davidbalt7@aol.com.

WANTED: YOUR HOUSE! Get a fair priceand fast cash. Estate sales, fixer-uppers, anyhouse in any condition. Call David at 410-274-3295.

CASH BUYER for old costume jewelry, pocketand wrist watches (any condition). Also buyingwatch maker tools and parts, train sets and ac-cessories, old toys, old glassware & coins. 410-655-0412.

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.

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 Oppor-tunities; and Want ed. For sub mis sion guide -lines and dead lines, see the box on the right.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!The Beacon does not know ing ly ac cept ob -

scene, of fen sive, harmful, or fraudulent adver-tising. How ev er, we do not in ves ti gate any ad -ver tis ers or their prod ucts and can not ac ceptre spon si bil i ty for the in teg ri ty of either. Re -spon dents to clas si fied ad ver tis ing should al -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.

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TO PLACE A CLASSIFIEDDeadlines and Payments: Ad text and payment is due by the 5th ofeach month.Note: Only ads received and prepaid by the deadline will be includ-ed in the next month’s issue. Please type or print your ad carefully.Include a number where you can be reached in the event of a ques-tion. Payment is due with ad. We do not accept ads by phone or fax,nor do we accept credit cards.

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

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STOOP STORYTELLING THEATERThe Stoop Storytelling Series presents Eureka: Stories aboutDiscoveries, Breakthroughs, and Brave New Worlds on Monday,

May 20 at Center Stage, 700 N. Calvert St.. Seven very different stories willexplore the thrills, and unintended consequences, of discovery — scientific, politi-cal, and emotional. Cocktails and live music begin at 7 p.m., and the showbegins at 8 p.m. Advance tickets recommended; general admission is $20.Purchase at www.stoopstorytelling.com or call (410) 332-0033.

FALL CLASSESA preview of fall classes of the Osher Lifelong Learning Instituteat Johns Hopkins University will be held on Tuesday, June 4, at 10a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 5407 North Charles St.

Osher at JHU offers classes during the day on Mondays and Wednesdays inColumbia; on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Baltimore. Classes explore art, music,history, literature, religion and politics in two 12-week semesters. There are noentrance requirements, tests or grades; social events and travel opportunitiescomplement the courses. Join current members, faculty and staff for an overviewof membership activities and sample presentations of course offerings at the pre-view. To register or gain more information, call (410) 516-9719.

BEACON BITS

May 20

June 4

REMEMBER ON MEMORIAL DAYEach Memorial Day, Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens holds apublic ceremony honoring members of the Maryland affiliated mili-

tary who have been killed during service. In addition to honoring the recentlydeceased, the ceremony will also pay tribute to those who gave their lives inKorea, Vietnam and World War II. The event will begin at 1 p.m. and take placeat 200 East Padonia Rd., Timonium. For more information, visit www.dulaneyval-ley.com or call (410) 666-0490.

DAY TRIP TO EASTERN SHORE AND CASINOJoin Baltimore’s On the Go Seniors for a day trip to the EasternShore and the Casino at Delaware Park. On the Eastern Shore,

enjoy a crab feast. From there, the group will travel to Delaware Park. On Friday,July 19, busses will depart from the Essex Park-and-Ride on MD-150 at the BackRiver Bridge, near Eastern Blvd. and Virginia Ave. Cost is $70 per person, whichincludes a $30 casino credit to Delaware Park. For more information and to regis-ter, call (410) 882-2920 or (410) 391-0482.

BEACON BITS

May 28

July 19

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

There were a number of legislative victories for Marylanders 50+ during the 2013 Legislative

Session, but there is still work to be done. Elder safety, single point of entry for Home- and

Community-Based Services, expanding healthcare coverage, consumer protections, and

retirement security, just to name a few, will make life easier for aging Marylanders.

Left to right: AARP MD State Director Hank Greenberg, Mideast Regional Vice-President Rawle Andrews, AARP MD Advocacy Director Tammy Bresnahan and AARP MD President Clarence Davis fi nalizing strategy during 2013 Session.

How Marylanders 50+ Fared in the 2013 General Assembly

facebook.com/AARPMD@AARPMD

aarp.org/MD

Victory for Home- and Community-Based Services in MarylandAn alternative to current health care delivery, SB 496 Maryland Medical Assistance Program – Telemedicine, requires the Medicaid program, to reimburse a health care provider for a health care service delivered by telemedicine in the same manner as the same health care service is reimbursed when delivered in person.

Strides Made to Address Elder Abuse in Congregate CareHB 57/SB 355 Offi ce of Health Care Quality - Abuser Registry Workgroup reestablishes the Abuser Registry Workgroup by the Offi ce of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH). Currently, hiring managers in nursing homes, assisted living and other congregate care facilities are not alerted to past convictions or infractions for elder abuse by prospective staff.

Older Marylanders Gain Clarity Around Costs and Billing Implications SB 195/HB 1062 Hospitals - Notice to Patients - Outpatient Status and Billing requires a hospital to provide oral and written notice to a patient regarding: the patient’s outpatient status, the billing implications of outpatient status, and the impact of outpatient status on their eligibility for Medicare rehabilitation services if that patient is not formally admitted. This bill will save 65+ recipients of Medicare thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses.

Single Point of Entry for Community-Based Resources A bill designed to provide access to home and community based resources, SB 83 Department of Aging - Aging and Disability Resource Center Program - Maryland Access Point classifi es the establishment of the Aging and Disability Resource Center Program (ADRC) – known as the “Maryland Access Point” (MAP) – in the Maryland Department of Aging (MDoA).

Palliative Care in a HospitalHB 581 Hospitals - Establishment of Palliative Care Pilot Programs requires the establishment of at least fi ve, geographically based, palliative care pilot programs in 50+ bed hospitals. Palliative care offers patients an alternative to standard medical care with oversight by professional health care staff in a hospital setting.

Patients Have the Right to KnowSB 512 Health Care Practitioners - Identifi cation Badge requires a health care practitioner to wear a name badge or other form of identifi cation when providing health care to a patient. The badge or other form of identifi cation must display in readily visible type the health care practitioner’s name, title and/or role.

Marylanders Gain Access to Health InsuranceA high priority for AARP MD is access to health insurance and health insurance carriers at a fair and reasonable cost for all Marylanders. HB 228 Maryland Health Progress Act of 2013 expands Medicaid eligibility by modifying State law to further implement federal health care reform under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Advanced Directives Registry Becomes LawSB 790 requires the state to develop and hold an advanced directive registry accessible by both citizens and medical professionals to ensure that the wishes of the person in question should be easily accessible especially when that person is unable to make decisions due to unforeseen illness, accident or other situation that makes decision impaired.

Vulnerable Adult Facilities Given Priority during Power OutagesSafety in nursing and assisted living facilities is a necessity and when the lights go out—safety is an issue. HB 1159 Electric Companies - Service Restoration - Prioritized Facilities requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to adopt regulations that implement service quality and reliability standards relating to the delivery of electricity to a “prioritized facility” such as nursing homes, hospice and assisted living facilities.

State Retirement and Pension System EnhancementSB 474/HB 496 State Retirement and Pension System - Funding Method and Amortization of Unfunded Liabilities or Surpluses modifi es the funding model for the State Retirement and Pension System (SRPS). It phases out the corridor funding method over 10 years and replaces the current tiered amortization method with a closed, 25-year amortization period for all existing and future liabilities. Maryland is on course to a fully funded system, this will help sustain the state retirement system.

Although it’s been a good legislative season for older Marylanders, there is more to be done, and AARP MD will continue fi ghting for important aging issues. Questions? Call us at 1-866-542-8163 or email mdaarp@aarp.org.