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Leisure & Travel Explore Alaska’s glaciers, wildlife and parks | Skip I-95 | Plan a trip with the grandkids | Save money on your next trip 23 PHOTO BY LAURA STURZA

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Arts & Style Potomac writer publishes 9/11 novel | Summer books about music | Rolling Stones release new album | Bob Levey on teaching teens to drive 28

People of all ages visit Planet Word, a free D.C. museum dedicated to language. The interactive museum, which opened in 2020, is the brainchild of Ann B. Friedman, a retired Montgomery County public school teacher. See story on page 31. PHOTO BY DUHON PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY OF PLANET WORD

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Let’s save their stories When I read the other day that televi- ber whether I took the pills or didn’t.” sion’s absentminded Lieutenant Columbo Hardly anybody remembers German padied in 2011, I scratched my tient Auguste Deter, whose head. Somehow I had missed doctor, Alois Alzheimer, examthe news of Peter Falk’s deined her in the early 1900s. mise, but a list of other notaWhen asked to write her bles who died of Alzheimer’s name, she stopped a couple of brought me up to speed. Rita letters in and said, “Ich hab Hayworth, Jimmy Stewart, mich verloren” (I have lost myPat Summitt and Perr y self). Como shared Falk’s fate of At the moment, the Alzheigradual disappearance. mer’s Association estimates Ever since my dad passed GUEST COLUMN that over 5 million Amerifrom the disease in 2012, I’ve By John Coleman cans have lost themselves. developed a special sympaI’ve watched this heartbreakthy for members of his unfortunate tribe. ing search firsthand. Nancy Reagan’s “long, long goodbye” to At his Florida home, Dad would stare Ronnie reached across every aisle with at a wall of framed photographs — chilits heartbreak. Tough guy Charles Bron- dren, grandchildren and other relatives. son was no match. The coiffed Margaret Still mostly in possession of himself, he Thatcher succumbed. explained his mission: “I don’t want to My favorite writer, E. B. White, said in lose you.” his last years, “[I] am dependent on seven But Alzheimer’s has no off-ramp. Sitting different pills to stay alive — can’t remem- on my porch the evening before he moved

Correction: In our July issue, our review of Signature Theatre’s Pippin incorrectly identified its setting. The show ran in the The Max, Signature’s 299-seat theater, not The Ark, its smaller venue. We regret the editing error.

A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

into assisted living, my father stared into the distance, baffled and defeated. I said, “Dad, would you like me to tell you about your life?” His eyes stayed blank. “Boy, I sure wish you would.” Denny Coleman was a Wesleyville Bulldog who scored a game-high five points on the basketball court in the early 1940s. He enlisted in the Navy toward the end of World War II but saw no action. He married Dolly Miller and had four children. “I’m your youngest, Dad.” Sometimes I was his cousin or brother, on a good day his son. I kept talking, but the details melted away immediately. He divorced my mother and remarried. He was president of his snowbird condominium association for many years. His standard response was, “Well, if you say so.” The only thing he knew for sure was that I belonged to him. Each time he spotted me coming his way (at the ironically named Independence Court), he raised his eyebrows, let out an “aww” of relief and put out his arms as if for a life preserver. This image of my father going under is haunting, but it yielded a blessing. During

my pastoral career, my work frequently took me among souls who more or less admitted, “Ich hab mich verloren.” They told the same stories over and over again, and after a time I found them beautiful. I heard it all: love, victory, defeat, joy, birth, death. My old friends would start off a memory with, “Did I ever tell you about ... ?” I responded with a fib: “Gosh, I’m not sure. Tell me again, just in case.” What happened next was a privilege. As they spoke, it was as if they blew dust off a cigar box, took out a charm bracelet or a Purple Heart, and held it out to me. As we examined each memory, I understood that the box had maybe two or three treasures left, and nobody knew when they’d be stolen. Whatever the plot, my friends all said the same thing: “I’m losing myself, but I still have this story. It’s all I have left. Let me tell you.” As I received a memory of love or a grief so old and profound that speaking it was a burden lifted, I made a silent promise: “When you can’t find yourself anymore, I’ll keep your stories safe. Every now and then I’ll see your face and listen to the gifts you kept giving me. Don’t be afraid. I won’t let you disappear.”

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinions on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social i ssues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, 3720 Farragut Ave., Suite 501, Kensington, MD 20895, or email to info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

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The Beacon, 3720 Farragut Ave., Suite 501 Kensington, MD 20895 (301) 949-9766 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 10th of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 39 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

Dear Editor: As a former Library of Congress volunteer interviewer of War II, Korea, Vietnam and Gulf War veterans, I greatly appreciated your article about the Veterans History Project (“Veterans History Project collects stories,” July 2026). Some veterans spoke about their war experiences for the very first time since the war. They were never, ever able to previously share their stories with their family. Some veterans cried while sharing their long-ago military service experiences. They brought in medals, maps, letters, photographs, souvenirs; some even came in uniform. One veteran requested that we have an American flag in the room, which he saluted while singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” What a life-changing experience for our volunteer team! Naomi Dornfeld Platt Silver Spring, MD Dear Editor: Regarding Bob Levey’s “Come on, were you really at Woodstock?” (July 2026), yes, I was at Woodstock (sort of). My sister and I purchased tickets, left our children with the grandparents and headed up, only to get stuck in nonmoving traffic. We parked the car in a rock quarry lot and started walking.

However, as people were leaving, they warned us not to go: “The bathrooms are a disgrace; food and water are no longer available; officials aren’t prepared for the massive crowd,” etc. In addition, there was no gate or fencing, so a valid ticket was useless. We made the decision not to go into the site. To this day, any mention of Woodstock makes me wonder what would have occurred had we made it. Barbara A. Hanser Via email Dear Editor: Thanks for the Northern Virginia edition! Have always thought the original one was swayed toward Maryland. Gloria Barrett Via email Dear Editor: I disagree with your reasoning for creating separate MD/DC and VA editions. Many people travel regularly between Maryland and Virginia to take advantage of things across the not-so wide Potomac. I’m in Virginia but often visit Maryland and D.C. And many listed events are online, so location hardly matters. Please return to being a regional resource. Gabriel Goldberg Falls Church, VA

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Health Fitness &

HOLD THE SALT Check labels for hidden sodium and limit high-salt restaurant meals SNACK TIME Protein-rich snacks, including yogurt and nuts, can keep cravings at bay SUMMER FATIGUE Tired in the heat? Perk up with water, vitamin D and electrolytes BETTER BEEF Try a plant-based meat that has healthy oils and low saturated fat

Why you shouldn’t scratch insect bites By Lauran Neergaard You’ve likely heard it since childhood: Don’t scratch that bug bite or rash; you’ll make it worse. But why would something that feels so good be bad? A lot of things can cause itchiness, including serious diseases. Whatever the cause, doctors have long warned that scratching too much can damage the skin. Now researchers better understand why even a mildly annoying itch could put you on an itch-and-scratch cycle if you give in. How did they find out? In part by putting tiny “cones of shame” onto mice to uncover what happens on a cellular level when an itch gets scratched — or left alone. They also gained insight into why a good scratch — at least at first — brings a sigh of relief. After all, not just people and other mammals scratch; even fish do. The commonality suggests there must be some evolutionary reason and the mouse experiment hints at a little germ protection — but still not a reason to scratch.

More swelling, itching

Dr. Daniel Kaplan, a University of Pittsburgh dermatologist whose lab studies immune reactions in skin, was exploring

a run-of-the-mill type of itch called allergic contact dermatitis, caused by irritants such as poison ivy or nickel in jewelry. Kaplan’s research team put a rashinducing irritant on the ears of mice. Normal mice scratched and inflammatory immune cells rushed to the site, increasing swelling. The rash was much milder in mice bred with defective itch-sensing nerve cells. But was the difference really the scratching? Normal mice put into collars like those veterinary “cones of shame,” so they itched but couldn’t scratch, gave the answer: They, too, had much less swelling and fewer inflammatory cells. Kaplan said that evidence matches people’s everyday experiences that show scratching really can make things worse. Ignore a mosquito bite, and the itch is “gone in five or 10 minutes for most people,” he said. “But if you start scratching it, it’s your friend for a week,” getting itchier and more inflamed.

Immune system response

To understand what was happening in the skin, Kaplan’s team took a deeper look at mast cells, among the immune system’s first responders. When called into action, they release compounds that can help fight germs or toxins — or, through a compound called histamine,

trigger itchy allergic reactions. Scientists have long known that allergens can activate mast cells. But other signals can summon mast cells, too, including pain. And when we scratch, “we tend to scratch until it starts to hurt,” Kaplan noted. Pain-sensing nerve cells release a chemical messenger called substance P. In findings published last year, Kaplan’s team reported that substance P can activate mast cells through a different molecular pathway than allergens do — a double whammy that explains why scratching further inflames itchy rashes or bites. Then why does a little scratching feel good? If we experience pain like touching a hot stove, we’ll learn not to do that again. Yet relief from a good scratch, in evolutionary terms, is positive feedback. Why? One long-held theory is that it may help creatures slough off parasites like fleas or mites. But Kaplan also was intrigued by other labs’ findings that mast cells could fend off a common type of skin bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (staph). So his team infected mice and then repeated the “cone of shame” itch experiment. Sure enough, those that scratched had lower levels of that germ on their ears, maybe because of the extra inflammation

or some other mast cell-related compound. But that’s not enough of an upside to change the health advice. “Ultimately, scratching is deleterious,” Kaplan stressed. “You should avoid scratching,” he said, although acknowledging that it’s “easier said than done.”

How to handle a minor itch

What fights an itch depends on its cause, and there’s a need for better treatments. For now, antihistamines and certain other drugs for hives can tamp down some itchiness triggered by mast cells. Drug companies are experimenting with other approaches called MRGPRX2 blockers that target the pathway Kaplan’s team linked to scratching. Kaplan hopes that a better understanding of the pathway eventually could help skin diseases such as chronic eczema. For the summer itchiness of bug bites, poison ivy and other types of contact dermatitis, dermatologists recommend anti-itch balms such as hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion or oatmeal baths. Another trick: Menthol-containing creams can temporarily fool the skin into sensing cold instead of itch, just long enough that “if you don’t scratch, then you break that itch-scratch cycle,” he said. “It’s like a cheat code.” —AP

Keep your indoor air clean during wildfires By Devi Shastri The eerie glow of an orange sun through thick wildfire smoke might be unnerving, but the biggest risk from the haze is something much harder to see. Tiny particles in the air can cause a range of short-term and chronic health issues, experts say. Wildfire smoke can settle over cities for days — like the recent blanket over parts of the U.S. from burning fires in Canada, which has created hazardous air for millions of people across multiple states. Health officials advise people to stay indoors — and to take steps to keep the air in your home clean.

How to safely run your AC

If you have central air conditioning, it

should clean the air in your home. Make sure filters are replaced on schedule and are of the highest level of filtration your system can handle. Filters rated MERV 13 or higher are ideal. Set the air to recirculate, and close any vents that pull air from outside if you can. The University of Oregon’s Center for Wildfire Smoke Research and Practice recommends running the system’s fan through the entire smoke event, not just when cooling. If you buy a portable air filter, look for a HEPA air filter or one that says it traps small particles of pollution. Ensure it does not generate ozone, another harmful air pollutant. If you can only afford one portable air filter, use it to create a “clean room” in

your house where you can spend most of your time. “The basic message is that something is better than nothing,” said Amy Kalkbrenner, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Do-it-yourself filters

There’s good evidence that DIY filters made by duct-taping furnace air filters to a box fan work. They’re simple, relatively affordable, and scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency have found they are just as good at removing fine particles of pollution from the air as a small commercial air purifier. “The good news is they really work,” Kalkbrenner said. All you need to have to make one is:

• Four 20-by-20-inch (50.8-by-50.8-centimeters) furnace air filters rated MERV 13 or higher • One box fan • Cardboard and duct tape The fan should blow out, and the arrows on the filters should point in. Make sure everything is taped up airtight. The EPA’s website shows how to make one (see epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/diyair-cleaners).

Using your window AC

Many window air conditioners, minisplit heat exchangers and portable air conditioners don’t have the filters needed to remove fine pollution particles. But See WILDFIRE SMOKE, page 6

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

Ways to lower your LDL cholesterol By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I am a 61-year-old woman with a family history of heart disease. My doctor says my blood pressure and cholesterol are great. My latest LDL cholesterol was 98, and my HDL was 65. I exercise regularly and I try hard to stick to a Mediterranean-type diet. Is there anything else I should do? A: Congratulations! You’ve already covered the primary lifestyle approaches to a healthy heart (assuming that you don’t smoke). From your question, I assume you have no worrisome symptoms when you exercise, such as chest pain, feeling more short of breath than usual, breaking out in a cold sweat or getting dizzy. If confirmed you don’t have these symptoms, it sounds like you are the type of person who is willing to take things to the next level. Here are some ideas: First, start with increasing your duration and intensity of exercise. Per basic recommendations, we should all get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week (not all at once). But most experts suggest you get 45 to 60 minutes most days of the week to promote heart health. For someone like you, I’d add a mix of these activities into your workout routine: • Endurance aerobics • Interval training, with short bursts of high-intensity exercise (otherwise known as HIIT) • Resistance training using machines and/or free weights About your diet: a Mediterranean-style

diet is a perfect place to start. Get at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Or aim higher — for example, 8 to 10 servings a day. Don’t eat too much red meat. It’s best to eat fish, especially those rich in omega fats. And if you don’t drink alcohol, there is no health reason to start. Otherwise, limit it to no more than one drink per day. Since your blood pressure is normal, you don’t have to cut down on salt. But there is no downside to watching how much you take in. I recommend two additional tests for patients with a similar family history as yours: a blood test for Lp(a), which is short for lipoprotein (a), and a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score done with a fast, lowdose radiation CT scan of the heart. The American Heart Association now recommends that adults get a one-time Lp(a) blood test. Our Lp(a) level is genetically determined and not influenced by diet or exercise. A high Lp(a) level reflects an elevated heart disease risk. The CAC test can tell if a person has fatty plaque buildup in the arteries that supply oxygen and nutrients to our heart. Depending on the results of these two tests, you might need to have an LDL goal level of less than 70 mg/dL. To attain a lower LDL level, your doctor would likely recommend starting a statin drug. Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, see health.harvard.edu. © 2026 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Strategies for scaling back on sodium By Julie Corliss Even if you rarely salt your food, chances are you consume way more sodium than is healthy. That’s because 70% of the sodium (a major component of salt) in the typical American diet comes from processed, prepared and restaurant foods. The biggest sources include bread, deli meats, pizza, burritos, tacos, soups and salty snacks. The average American consumes around 3,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium daily, which far exceeds the recommended sodium intake of 2,300 mg per day. Eating too much salt causes your body to hold on to extra water to dilute the excess. As a result, the fluid inside your blood vessels increases, raising your blood pressure and your risk of cardiovascular disease. But even small cuts in sodium can help, according to two studies that explored the potential health impact of sodium reduction efforts in France and the

Wildfire smoke From page 4

heat can also be dangerous. “When smoke and heat occur together, the impacts on your health are even greater than when they occur by themselves,” said Jess Downey, a researcher

United Kingdom. In 2021, the FDA began phasing in voluntary sodium-reduction targets for food manufacturers, with a goal of eventually cutting sodium intake in the United States by 20%. In the meantime, track your daily sodium intake and avoid foods high in sodium. “For people who’ve had a heart attack or a heart procedure, we recommend no more than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day,” said Frances Parpos, a registered dietitian at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Health perks of low sodium

reductions in baguettes and other bread products in France. Beginning in 2022, the slight reductions — which cut sodium by 17% to 35% in those staple foods — went unnoticed by the French population. The resulting small drop in blood pressure could cut annual heart attack and stroke rates by about 1% each, saving more than 1000 lives, the researchers estimate. Similar changes to packaged foods (such as bread, cheese and meat) and takeout meals (such as burgers, curries and pizza) could lower daily sodium intake in the United Kingdom by about 18%, according to the other study. Over two decades, that could prevent more than 100,000 heart disease cases and 25,000 strokes.

Cutting just a little salt from prepared foods on a national level could prevent large numbers of heart attacks and strokes, according to two studies in the March 2026 issue of Hypertension. One study focused on modest sodium

When shopping, choose brands low in sodium — ideally less than 140 mg per serving. That’s especially important for foods like breads and cereals, which peo-

at the University of Oregon’s Center for Wildfire Smoke Research and Practice. Downey said the ideal scenario is running the AC unit and using an air purifier or a DIY box fan filter to clean the air. Make sure your AC is well-sealed in your window frame, she added. Make sure the window units are set to

recirculate air. Portable units with a single hose should be used sparingly, according to the University of Oregon wildfire smoke center. If you don’t have AC, any reprieve from hot, smoky air is important. Head to the library, shopping mall or other space with clean, cool air.

ple tend to eat frequently, Parpos said. Cereals that have added sugar may also have added (but often undetectable to your tastebuds) amounts of sodium. Don’t be misled by high-sodium foods marketed as “light in,” “reduced” or “less” sodium. “One popular brand of less-sodium soy sauce still has about 600 milligrams of sodium per tablespoon,” Parpos said. Although label statements offer clues about a product’s sodium content, check the Nutrition Facts panel (found on the product’s back or side) to find the actual amount. • If the label says sodium-free or saltfree, it means less than 5 mg sodium per serving. • If the label says very low sodium, it means less than 35 mg sodium per serving. • If the label says low sodium, it means

Seek out lower-sodium products

See SALT, page 7

recommend avoiding anything that burns — candles, fireplaces, even gas stoves — so plan ahead with some meal prep.

How wildfire smoke affects the body

Exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to shortness of breath, chest tightness, headaches or a burning sensation in the nose and eyes. “When you ever start to feel those symptoms and they’re not severe, it’s important to acknowledge, ‘Oh, my body is responding to this. I need to move away from it. I need to move inside,’” Gates said. If you’re wheezing, can’t catch your breath or are in distress, get to the emergency room immediately, she said. —AP

Ways to seal up a home

Whether it’s with a towel or tape, plug areas where air could enter from outside. “You can liken it to trying to keep the cold air out,” said Dr. Khalilah Gates, a lung doctor with Northwestern Medicine. “Any areas in which air can come in, consider sealing up those areas to reduce the amount that’s coming into the home.” When smoke levels are high, experts

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These afternoon snacks can curb cravings By Ria Bhagwat The time between lunch and dinner can feel like a marathon. When you’d like to wait until an appropriate dinner time, snacks are a great option to help you feel full. “When it comes to building a snack that will help you feel full throughout the afternoon, it’s important to consider protein and fiber,” said Amanda Blechman, RD, CDN, registered dietitian at Danone North America. We asked registered dietitians to share their go-to snacks that will keep you full until dinner without ruining your appetite. 1. Mixed nuts: Whether it’s almonds, walnuts or pistachios, nuts are a great option for some pre-dinner snacking. According to Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, registered dietitian and education specialist at EKP Nutrition Communications — whose nut of choice is pistachios — they’re a great source of protein and fiber. “One ounce of pistachios (49 nuts) has six grams of protein and three grams of fiber, which makes them perfect to enjoy on their own or to use as a nutrient-dense ‘sprinkle’ on top of oatmeal, cottage cheese, or yogurt,” she said. “You can also toss them into an easy trail mix with dried fruit and whole grain cereal for a filling snack on the go.” 2. Yogurt bowl: Add berries and nuts to yogurt for a sustaining snack. “Yogurt provides complete protein, which means it gives you adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids that the human

body needs but can’t make on its own,” Blechman said. “I like to use Greek yogurt, which has 15-17 grams of protein per serving, and pair it with fresh berries and ground flaxseed for fiber for a quick and delicious yogurt bowl that’s packed with protein and fiber.” A bowl of yogurt will ground your stomach without ruining your appetite, and that’s exactly what we want. 3. Protein shake: Maybe you’ve made dinner reservations and need a snack to hold you down on your commute, or it’s going to be a while before you make it home and cook yourself some food. Either way, protein shakes are a foolproof pre-dinner snack. “If you’re on the go, a shelf-stable protein shake can be a great option,” Blechman said. “I recommend finding one that’s

a good source of both protein and fiber.” 4. Avocado toast: While mashed avocado on toast is traditionally a fueling breakfast, it can do wonders as a quick snack. “Many people know that whole-wheat bread can be a good source of fiber, but you might be surprised to learn that two slices can also give you about 8 grams of protein,” Blechman said. “I top mine with avocado, Greek yogurt and some flaky sea salt and enjoy it with a side of fruit.” 5. Cereal with protein-rich milk: Not all cereals are created equal — in fact, some of them could make for a healthy pre-dinner snack, said Vanessa King, M.S., RDN, registered dietitian at Queen’s Health System.

“This is the powerhouse energy combo of complex carbs, lean protein, and hydration,” she said. “Choose a wholewheat cereal with a heart-healthy label for less saturated fat plus more fiber. Pair it with a fat-free or low-fat dairy milk or soy milk.” If it’s more your speed, you can also opt for plant-based milks — just make sure they’re fortified or enriched with protein, King said. Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at realsimple.com. © 2026 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Salt

From page 6

Restaurant tricks

Deli sandwiches often contain close to 1,000 mg of sodium, thanks to the roll, cold cuts, cheese and pickles. Instead of processed meat, use grilled chicken, nosalt-added canned tuna or eggs, Parpos suggested. To trim sodium from pizza, choose a thin-crust version with vegetable toppings. On tacos and burritos, opt for less meat and cheese but extra corn and guacamole. Chain restaurants that have more than 20 locations in the U.S. are required by the FDA to include nutrition information on their websites, so scope out the lower-sodium options in advance. Salad dressings, condiments and sauces tend to be salty, so get them on the side. “If you’re going out to dinner, make sure your breakfast, lunch and snacks are low in sodium, which can help you stay within your daily sodium budget,” Parpos said. © 2026 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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less than 140 mg sodium per serving. • If the label says light in sodium, less or reduced sodium, it’s not necessarily low in sodium, just lower in sodium than their standard counterparts.

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Is it possible to prevent a hunched back? By Lynne Christensen Having the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis puts you at risk for developing an excessive forward curve in the upper spine called hyperkyphosis, sometimes referred to just as kyphosis. But osteoporosis is not the only factor: Age-related degenerative changes in the spine and poor posture can also cause or worsen the condition. Plus, genetics plays a role in your risk. You can’t change your genes or stop the aging process. Still, “even if you’re destined to have hyperkyphosis, you can slow down the process or reduce it to some degree,” said Nancy Capparelli, a physical therapist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Lahey Health.

What causes hyperkyphosis?

With osteoporosis, low bone density can lead to small breaks (compression fractures) in the vertebrae of the spine, often in the front part of these bones. Over time, some vertebrae can collapse, causing the spine to curve forward. Shock-absorbing spacers (discs) sit between the vertebrae of the spine. Over time, these discs dry out and break down a bit, explaining why we lose height as we age. The force of gravity on degenerating discs also can cause you to bend

forward at the upper spine. Poor posture and weak muscles in the back and neck can also lead to spinal curvature or worsen it.

Maintain bone health

To minimize the chance you’ll develop kyphosis later, adopt these habits to help maintain your bone health. Stay up to date on bone-density scans, which for women should start at age 65 (or earlier for breast-cancer survivors) and for men at age 70. People with risk factors for osteoporosis should start screening earlier. Talk to your doctor about the timing. Get adequate amounts of calcium, vitamin D and weight-bearing exercise to keep bones strong. Recommended daily intake of calcium is 1,200 milligrams (mg) for women over 50 and men over 70, and 1,000 mg for men ages 51 to 70. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 600 international units (IU) for people up to age 70 and 800 IU after age 70. Weight-bearing exercises are activities in which your body actively supports its weight and works against gravity, such as walking, running, dancing, and using an elliptical trainer. If you have low bone density, your doc-

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“One of the most important things you can do, sooner rather than later, is to pay attention to your posture and ergonomics,” Capparelli said. Don’t wait for your spine to start curving. Avoid prolonged sitting. When working at a desk, take breaks about every 30 minutes. Use a chair with good back support. Practice maintaining an upright posture while sitting, standing and walking. Keep your head up and aligned over your spine. Don’t spend long periods hunched over, staring at your device.

Strengthen postural muscles

The key to maintaining good posture is strengthening the muscles in the upper back, neck and core. Doing this can also help prevent a curved spine from worsening. “The stronger your postural muscles are, the easier time they’ll have holding you up,” Capparelli said. “I often see people start an exercise program by doing biceps curls and other exercises that only work the muscles in the front of the body,” she said. “They don’t work the upper- and midback muscles enough, so these people get muscle imbalance, which can contribute to hyperkyphosis.” A physical therapist can help you design a suitable program of exercises. Here are a few possibilities:

Standing row: This strengthens the upper back muscles. Shoulder extensions: Using a door anchor, secure the center of a resistance band overhead in front of you. Stand with your arms extended forward and your palms facing inward, holding the ends of the band. Pull your arms down to your sides, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Bring your arms back up, then repeat. Do a total of three sets of 10 repetitions. Plank: This strengthens the core muscles and is also a weight-bearing exercise. Hold this position for 15 to 60 seconds. When performing exercises, keep your head and neck straight and look ahead. “It’s common for people to want to look down,” Capparelli said. “But that accentuates the curve in the upper back and neck.”

What to avoid

Some exercises and positions should be avoided if you have osteoporosis because they can increase the risk of compression fractures. For example, refrain from exercises and other activities that require you to repeatedly bend the spine forward, such as curl-ups (in which you lie on your back and lift your upper torso off the floor) and toe touches from a standing position. Curving the spine forward while holding a weight should also be avoided. © 2026 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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D.C. residents can register for the 2026 D.C. Senior Games from now until Sept. 1. Compete in track and field events, swimming, cornhole and more. Events take place August through November. For more information to register, visit dcseniorgames.splashthat.com.

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Take charge of your health with screenings By Jesse Bracamonte Dear Mayo Clinic: My husband, who is in his 50s, never goes to the doctor. I tell him he needs to be seen for preventive care purposes, but he’s stubborn. I can’t get through to him. I think he’s afraid they’ll find something wrong with him. How can I convince him it’s important to go in for a checkup? A: You and your husband are not alone in this struggle. Statistically, men have been less likely than women to seek medical care, even when experiencing health issues. Men are also less likely to go in for regular checkups and undergo preventive screenings. Screenings are tests that are completed in the absence of active disease symptoms. As a family healthcare clinician, it is necessary for me to discuss the importance of screening measures with patients, such as screening for diabetes, elevated blood

pressure and high cholesterol. Screening can detect many preventable diseases, such as heart disease and certain cancers, including lung cancer for those with a smoking history and colon, breast, cervical and prostate cancer. There is a wide range of screening tests available. Patients of different ages and genders require different screenings, and your healthcare team can tell you what is appropriate for you. For example, screening for colon cancer, such as a stool sample or colonoscopy, begins at age 45. Cervical cancer screenings, such as Pap smears, typically begin at age 21 for females. Men can discuss the pros and cons of prostate screening with their healthcare clinician. Screening for hepatitis C, which can cause liver damage, cirrhosis and eventually cancer, is a simple blood test. If found early through screening, these diseases can be easily and effectively treated. Screenings can prevent severe

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disease and its consequences. Diseases found in the late stages, unfortunately, have the highest death rates as seen in those who have neglected routine screenings for years. If you’ve put it off, it’s always better to go in sooner rather than later. Certain populations, unfortunately, do not get the screening they deserve. Some people have a higher death rate because access to screening isn’t available. Overall, screening is extremely important. From cancers to heart disease, these illnesses are prevalent in our society and can be prevented if caught early. We know that disease can be prevented by establishing everyday changes such as having a healthy diet, maintaining an appropriate weight and exercising.

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Those habits, along with annual checkups and necessary screening, are among the most important things you can do. You can tell your husband that taking care of himself — which includes getting screened — will ultimately make him spend less time in doctors’ offices. — Jesse Bracamonte, D.O., Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. This Mayo Clinic Q&A represents inquiries this healthcare expert has received from patients. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org. © 2026 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Egg-based breakfasts can boost energy By Family Features Eating healthier doesn’t have to be complicated or out of reach. With the right inspiration, healthy food can be delicious, nutritious and convenient. The three egg recipes below are part of the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good Eat Smart initiative, nationally supported by Eggland’s Best. Quiche with sweet potato crust offers a better-for-you twist on ready-made or traditional crusts made with butter. For a protein-rich dish any day of the week, Broccoli and Cheese Egg White Scramble on whole-wheat English muffins can help solve the morning rush. Or for a true timesaver, Egg “Muffin” Cups with Turkey Sausage and Mushrooms can be made over the weekend and frozen or refrigerated for quick, go-to meals throughout the week. To find more healthy eating tips and recipes that help you eat smart, move more and live healthier, visit Heart.org.

Turkey Bacon and Spinach Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust Courtesy of the American Heart Association with support from Eggland’s Best Servings: 5 Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray

1 medium sweet potato, peeled 1 teaspoon canola or corn oil 1 medium yellow onion, diced 6 slices uncured, nitrate-free turkey bacon, thinly sliced 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed ¾ teaspoon dried dillweed, crumbled ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper 4 large egg whites 2 large eggs ¼ cup fat-free milk 1 ½ tablespoons fat-free feta cheese Directions: Preheat oven to 400° F. Lightly spray 9-inch pie pan with nonstick cooking spray. In medium bowl, using box grater, grate sweet potato. Measure out 2 cups. Gently press sweet potato on bottom and up sides of pan, forming crust. Sweet potato will be loose but will hold together once cooked. Bake 20 minutes, or until crust is cooked. Remove from oven. Let stand to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 350° F. In medium skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat, swirling to coat bottom. Cook onion 6 minutes, or until almost translucent, stirring frequently. Add turkey bacon. Cook 3-4 minutes, or until

onion and bacon begin to brown, stirring frequently. Add spinach, dillweed, salt and pepper. Cook 1-2 minutes, or until water from spinach is released. Remove from heat. Transfer mixture into sweet potato crust. In medium bowl, whisk egg whites, eggs and milk. Pour over mixture in crust. Sprinkle feta over top. Bake 35-40 minutes, or until knife inserted into center comes out clean. Transfer to cooling rack. Let cool 10 minutes before cutting into wedges.

Broccoli and Cheese Egg White Scramble Courtesy of the American Heart Association with support from Eggland’s Best Servings: 4 Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray 1 ½ cups finely chopped fresh or frozen broccoli florets, thawed if frozen ¼ cup water 8 extra-large egg whites ½ cup fat-free milk ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper ¼ cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese 2 whole-wheat English muffins Directions: Lightly spray large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat. Cook broccoli and water 4-5 minutes, or until broccoli is tender. Transfer broccoli to dish. Wipe skillet clean. In large bowl, whisk egg whites, milk and pepper until combined. Lightly spray skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat. Pour in egg white mixture. Cook 2-3 minutes, or until almost firm, stirring constantly with spatula. Stir in broccoli and cheddar

cheese. Remove from heat. Just before serving, split and toast English muffins. Transfer to plates. Spoon egg mixture onto muffins.

Egg “Muffin” Cups with Sausage and Mushrooms Courtesy of the American Heart Association with support from Eggland’s Best Servings: 6 Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray ½ tablespoon canola or corn oil 1 yellow onion, finely chopped 1 package (8 ounces) sliced white mushrooms 1 package (6.4 ounces) frozen, cooked, nitrate-free turkey sausage links or vegetarian links, thawed 7 large eggs ¼ cup fat-free milk ¼ teaspoon pepper 1 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese Directions: Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly spray 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. In medium nonstick pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook onions and mushrooms 10 minutes, or until soft, stirring occasionally. Warm sausage according to package directions and chop into bite-size pieces. Stir into onion mixture until well blended. Spoon into muffin cups. In small bowl, whisk eggs, milk and pepper. Pour egg mixture into muffin cups. Top with cheddar cheese. Bake 25 minutes, or until eggs are set. Let cool slightly. To easily remove muffins from pan, run knife around edges of each muffin.

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Why you may be more tired this summer

Every summer I hear the same thing, come less reliable. Add outdoor activi“I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but ties, exercise, air travel, caffeine, alcohol or summer heat, and it beI’m exhausted.” comes surprisingly easy to To be honest, I hate the fall behind on hydration. heat and feel the same way! Summer also means more While hot and humid weather activity: gardening, vacacan certainly beat you down tions, swimming, golf, hiking faster, it isn’t the whole story. or chasing kids or grandchilSometimes summertime just exposes an underlying issue dren. That increases your that was already there. need for nutrients, especially One of the biggest culprits the B vitamins that help conis electrolyte loss. When you DEAR vert the food you eat into ussweat, you lose more than wa- PHARMACIST able energy. ter. You also lose minerals By Suzy Cohen If you’ve been sleeping well such as sodium, potassium but still feel like you’re dragand magnesium. These are needed to ging, you may be short on B vitamins. maintain healthy blood pressure and boost This can easily happen if you take medicaenergy. When they fall out of balance, you tions that gradually deplete them, what I may feel weak, tired, dizzy, mentally foggy, call “drug muggers.” It can also happen if anxious — or even notice heart palpita- you drink wine or alcohol. tions. Inflammation can also quietly drain Certain medications, like acid blockers your reserves. Whether it’s related to for reflux, some diuretics, and other com- poor sleep, chronic stress, excess weight, monly prescribed drugs, can quietly de- joint discomfort, chronic pain or an inplete nutrients over time, making sum- flammatory diet, your body uses energy mer fatigue more noticeable. to manage these processes. Dehydration is another common probLet’s talk vitamin D and sunshine. lem, and it doesn’t always make you feel Many people assume their D levels are thirsty. Sometimes it shows up as fatigue, better in summertime (because of the sunshine), but that’s not necessarily true. headaches, constipation or dry skin. Plus, as we age, our thirst signals be- Many of us spend much of the day in-

doors, avoid direct sunlight or consistently wear sunscreen. Others have genetic polymorphisms or reduced enzyme activity that affect the liver and kidney hydroxylation pathways needed to convert vitamin D into its active form. Low vitamin D is one possible contributor to fatigue, reduced muscle function and changes in mood. It’s worth a blood test to check levels. Over the years, I’ve watched people chase fatigue for months (sometimes even years) only to discover they simply needed better hydration, a healthier electrolyte balance, improved nutrition, a few less pounds to carry around in the summer heat or a review of the medications

they were taking. If you’ve been feeling unusually tired this summer, don’t automatically blame your age or the heat and humidity. Make some of these small changes, and you may see surprisingly big improvements. For more practical health tips, wellness articles and access to exclusive supplement coupons, visit me at suzycohen. com and stay in touch. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe.

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How to choose the healthiest plant-based meat By Ria Bhagwat Whether you’re trying to eat less meat or you’re a vegetarian or vegan, having a plant-based meal once (or a few times) a week is always a good thing. Research shows that eating a mostly plant-based diet can help reduce inflammation, boost immunity and benefit your overall health in so many ways, including lowering your risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. But there are so many plant-based meats out there, it can be hard to choose. We asked Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, CDN, who recently worked with Beyond Meat to reformulate their products to ensure they’re a healthy choice, what to pay attention to on the label when picking a plant-based meat.

Look for heart-healthy oils

Check the nutrition facts label and look for no more than 2 grams of saturated fat per serving. “One of the reasons to choose a plantbased product is that meat can be high in saturated fat, which is the artery-clogging fat that can raise your cholesterol,” Bauer explained. “You want your source of protein, and your overall meal, to be low in saturated fat.”

Be on the lookout for added sugar

Another ingredient to look for is the type of oil that’s being used. “Coconut oil is high in saturated fat, but avocado and olive oil are the kings of the healthy oils,” Bauer said.

Sugar content is listed under the “Total Carbohydrates” section on the nutrition facts panel. Added sugar content is listed under “Total Sugar,” and it should be zero. “You might get some natural sugar from rice, or if the product contains pomegranates or beets for color,” Bauer said. “Sometimes it’s used for flavoring, but ideally this isn’t the place you should be getting added sugar.” Less is more on an ingredients list, but sometimes more is an asset, depending on what those ingredients are, Bauer said.

Pay attention to protein

Meat, eggs or dairy is usually the main protein source of a meal, so if you’re swapping that out, you want to make sure what you’re eating instead is a good source of protein. “When you think about animal protein, it’s about 7 grams of protein per ounce, so you want something in the ballpark of 20 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving,” Bauer said.

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Keep tabs on salt

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Packaged foods are a big source of sodium in our diets, and overall, we should be watching our intake, aiming to have less than 2,300 mg of sodium daily. “Remember, a lot of the time, a plantbased meat comes pre-seasoned,” she said. And you want to leave room for salt in the other foods and condiments that accompany your meal. So, the lower the sodium content, the better; ideally, the plant-based product you choose has under 400 mg of sodium per serving.

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For example, it’s good to have a diversity of plant proteins such as yellow pea protein, red lentil protein and fava bean protein. Also, make sure there are no artificial colors or dyes. You want to see fruit and vegetable juices or extracts listed for color. Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine and website devoted to ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden, plus recipes and entertaining ideas. Online at bhg.com. © 2026 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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More people are considering ‘green’ burials By Dorany Pineda After Moira Cathleen Delaney was diagnosed with an aggressive form of intestinal cancer, her thoughts soon turned to her eventual death and what she wanted done with her body. Delaney’s love of gardening, birds and the forest inspired her decision to be transformed into soil — literally — through a process known as natural organic reduction. When she died in October at age 57, her family sprinkled some of her remains under her favorite tree and gave some remains to her closest friends and relatives in glass jars to keep or plant things with. “For her, it was a very comforting thought to be able to return to the earth

in that kind of way, and to have her final physical act contributing to the life process,” said Marcos Moliné, her son. Interest in body disposal options that are better for the planet has risen in recent years, according to research commissioned by the National Funeral Directors Association. Some people worry about how conventional death practices such as embalming, fire cremation and casket and vault burials affect the climate, environment and people’s health. Others simply want their final resting place to be in their cherished outdoors. “How we die does lead to a substantial impact on not only the people around us

and our communities, but the Earth itself,” said Mark Shelvock, a psychotherapist and lecturer at Western University in Canada, who co-wrote a paper on green death practices. What’s legal and available varies by country, state and province. Here are some common options.

Conventional practices

Embalming, the process of slowing down a body’s decomposition, involves known carcinogens like formaldehyde that get injected into veins to preserve the body for viewing and services. The EPA determined the gas poses an “unreasonable risk” to public health, with people who work in settings where it’s used at greatest risk. Research has shown the likelihood of the gas contaminating soil and groundwater is low. Fire cremation is the most popular option in the U.S., preferred by nearly twothirds of the respondents to the National Funeral Directors Association. Yet the energy for burning is often derived from fossil fuels. The Cremation Association of North America estimates the energy used in a typical cremation is equivalent to powering a 2,000-squarefoot (186-square-meter) home for a week.

Materials used for caskets and vaults are often made of wood, metal or concrete that require mining or tree-cutting and huge amounts of energy to produce. Concrete, for instance, is responsible for roughly 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions and 2% in the U.S., most of which come from producing and processing the cement to make it. Cemeteries also take up space and require maintenance, which involves energy and resources for mowing, watering or fertilizing. “There’s all of this management that goes into conventional cemeteries that looks very much like a golf course,” said Samuel Perry, a funeral director and president of the nonprofit Green Burial Council.

Natural burials

At Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery in Florida, natural burials are combined with land conservation. Graves are dug by hand and bodies are only buried in caskets or shrouds made of biodegradable materials like bamboo or cotton. Embalmed bodies and vaults aren’t allowed, and cremated remains must be in biodegradable, chemical-free urns. See ‘GREEN’ BURIALS, page 15

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FDA approves cholesterol-lowering pill By Matthew Perrone The Food and Drug Administration has approved a first-of-its-kind pill that can drastically reduce cholesterol in a way that’s previously only been available with expensive, injectable drugs. The drug from Merck was OK’d last month for patients with artery-clogging cholesterol that persists even after taking statins, the standard medications for cutting heart attack risk. Merck will market its pill under the brand name Lipfendra. It’s the first noninjectable medication that works by blocking a liver protein called PCSK9. That protein limits the body’s ability to clear cholesterol from the blood, and biotech injectables target-

‘Green’ burials From page 14

The idea is to let the body decompose naturally. It’s an idea Scott King was skeptical of when his mother, Linda, said she wanted to be buried this way. But the more he researched, the more he understood the beauty of its simplicity. She was buried in a meadow at Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery in Florida last October. “Through death, life begets life,” King said. “She really liked that idea, too, that she can, in her passing, help give life to something else. That was very important to her.” The cemetery partners with a land trust to manage, restore and protect the land from development. They remove invasive species and plant native ones, and perform prescribed burns. As a result, said executive director Heather Grove, the site has more biodiversity and wildlife now. According to the Green Burial Council, a green burial “sequesters” about 25 pounds (11.34 kilograms) of carbon. “If you want to talk about carbon capturing and all that, conservation is key to sequester,” Grove said. Elena Slominski, a researcher who’s

ing it have been available from Amgen and other drugmakers for more than a decade. But patient access has been stymied for years by high prices, insurance restrictions and limited prescribing by doctors. Statins block some of the liver’s production of cholesterol and are the cornerstone of treatment. But even at the highest doses, many people need additional help lowering their LDL, or bad, cholesterol enough to meet medical guidelines.

Two studies showed drops

Merck, which has headquarters in Rahway, New Jersey, won approval based on two studies in high-risk patients who

studied eco-friendly disposal options, said a conservation burial “is by far the best thing you can do because it’s actually technically a carbon sink. It actually restores ecological habitat and protects the land.” But some argue it’s not practical because it takes up space; it’s not a good option where space is at a premium.

Natural organic reduction

Experts said there’s another option if you live in a city where burial space could be limited and more expensive: natural organic reduction. Earth Funeral is a company specializing in the process, also known as terramation and human composting. The body remains in a sealed vessel for 30 to 45 days with mulch, wood chips and flowers. Inside, microorganisms break down the body into soil in a natural process that generates heat to reach temperatures of 131° F (55° C) or higher — enough to kill germs. Some of the soil is given to loved ones, and the rest is donated to conservation or reforestation projects. Fourteen U.S. states, including Maryland, allow such a process, and 15 others have introduced bills to make it legal, according to Earth Funeral. (Its closest lo-

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added the company’s pill to their standard treatment, including statins. In one study of 3,000 patients, those taking Lipfendra saw their levels of LDL cholesterol drop more than 55% after six months. In a second study, patients averaged a reduction of 59% compared with patients who received a dummy pill. That benefit dropped only slightly over a year, and side effects — including dizziness and diarrhea — were similar between those taking the pill or a placebo, researchers found. One caveat: The pill must be taken on an empty stomach. The FDA reviewed the drug under its program that promises ultra-fast reviews for promising medications that serve the

public interest. The pathway was created by then-FDA chief Dr. Marty Makary, who resigned from the agency in May after months of pressure from drugmakers, patients and other outside groups. Heart disease is the nation’s leading cause of death, and high LDL cholesterol, which causes plaque to build up in arteries, is a top risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. While an LDL level of 100 is considered fine for healthy people, doctors recommend lowering it to at least 70 once people develop high cholesterol or heart disease — and even lower for those at very high risk. —AP

cation in the DMV area is in Elkridge, Maryland.)

stones. This process uses about 90% less energy than fire cremation. Perry, with the Green Burial Council, said he’s often asked whether green burials make much of a difference. “The quick and dirty answer is no, I don’t think this one thing is going to change a whole lot. But it’s always about changing industries. And as an industry, if we do better, we are making a bigger impact.” Daniel Kozin contributed to this report. —AP

Using water for cremation

Alkaline hydrolysis is also supposed to mimic and speed up natural decomposition. At the Colorado-based water cremation company Be a Tree Cremation, bodies are put into a vessel with 95% water and 5% potassium hydroxide that is then heated to about 200° F (93° C) for about 18 hours. Skeletal remains are returned to loved ones as powder in an urn or shaped as

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DIRECTOR S MESSAGE By Charon P.W. Hines Dear Seniors, As we welcome the month of August, I hope you are finding meaningful ways to stay active, connected, and safe during these warm summer days. August often brings some of the year’s hottest temperatures, so I encourage everyone, especially older residents, to take extra precautions by staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and checking in on neighbors, friends, and loved ones. Remember, all DACL Senior Wellness Centers serve as cooling centers during operating hours and offer safe, air-conditioned spaces where District residents can beat the heat. For more information about our centers or available services, please contact my office at 202-724-5626. Last month, DACL proudly represented the District on a national stage as members of our senior leadership team and staff traveled to San Diego, CA, to attend the 51st Annual USAging Conference. The conference brought together aging professionals from across the country to exchange innovative ideas, discuss emerging trends, and share successful strategies for supporting older adults. We are excited to bring those insights, partnerships, and best practices back to the District as we continue strengthening the programs and services available to older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers. While at the conference, DACL was also honored to receive a 2026 USAging Aging Achievement Award, which recognizes agencies that develop creative and impactful solutions to help older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers thrive in their homes and communities. DACL’s Senior Ambassador Program was recognized for its outstanding community outreach efforts. Through this initiative, trained Senior Ambassadors connect residents with valuable programs, services, and resources that empower them to age safely, independently, and comfortably in place. This national recognition reflects DACL’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in serving our residents and making the District the best place to age. If you are interested in becoming a change agent for the District and joining the DACL ambassadors, please contact my office at 202-

724-5626 or email dacl.communications@dc.gov. As we celebrate these accomplishments, Team DACL is also preparing for one of our most cherished annual traditions, Mayor Bowser’s 40th Annual Centenarian Salute. Each September, we proudly honor District residents who are 100 years of age and older to celebrate their extraordinary lives, wisdom, resilience, and contributions they have made to our city. If you or a loved one is a District resident who will be 100 years old by September 7, 2026, we invite you to be recognized during this year’s celebration. Please submit the individual’s name,

date of birth, contact information, and a brief biography by August 15, 2026. To register or learn more, please contact my office at 202-724-5626 or email dacl.communications@dc.gov. As always, thank you for allowing DACL to serve you. Together, we will continue building a District where every resident can age with dignity, independence, and purpose. In Service, Charon P.W. Hines Director Department of Aging and Community Living

Living Boldly

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DACL Wins Innovations & Achievement Award at USAging Conference

Living Boldly is published by the Information Office of the DC Department of Aging and Community Living for DC senior residents. Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the DC Department of Aging and Community Living or by the publisher.

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PHOTO BY FERNANDO ZHIMINAICELA/PIXABAY

Money Law &

Personalized medicine may prevent expensive health issues. See story on page 21.

Prevent the latest smartphone scams By Feature Impact The first sign is unexpectedly losing access to your cell phone. Soon after, when you connect to Wi-Fi, the gravity of the situation sinks in: A criminal has gained access to your cell phone number and is trying to siphon money from your credit cards and bank accounts. The scam is called SIM swapping, or SIM hijacking, and it’s a concern for law enforcement in the United States and abroad. More than 5,000 people have reported SIM swapping scams to the FBI since 2022. Older adults, caregivers and families can benefit from understanding the warning signs of SIM swapping and taking simple security steps to prevent it from happening.

How SIM swapping works

A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card, or its digital version known as an eSIM, helps connect a phone number to a carrier network. In a SIM swapping scam, a criminal gathers basic information about their victim, such as their name, birthdate and address, to try to move the victim’s phone number to a SIM card or eSIM profile the criminal controls. Once complete, the scammer gains access to accounts you may be logged into on your phone, such as bank accounts or credit card apps, without touching your phone or being near you.

How to protect yourself

Preparation is the best protection against SIM swapping.

• Cell phone users should use strong, unique passwords for each online account — password managers are a helpful tool in creating complex and randomized passwords. • Use two-factor authentication where it’s offered. Two forms of identification add an extra layer of security when accessing sensitive accounts. • Next, consumers should protect personal information they share online, whether on social media or in texts or emails asking for identifying data, such as PIN numbers, birthdates or one-time security codes. • Be wary of anyone pushing you to share personal information, particularly if they’re pushy with their request or make it sound urgent. • Check your mobile carrier to see if it

offers SIM protection. For example, Verizon customers can toggle on a protection feature on the carrier’s website or app to lock lines on their account to help prevent SIM changes. If you get an unprompted notification that your SIM has been changed, or otherwise suspect you’ve been targeted in a SIM swapping scam, contact your banks immediately and have them freeze your accounts, including ones the criminals may not have targeted yet. Next, work with your cell phone provider to help regain access to your mobile device. If you’re able, share as much information as possible with law enforcement so they can investigate, or at least document trends in how often this scam occurs. To find more advice to protect against smartphone scams, visit Verizon.com.

How to educate your IRA beneficiaries By Elliot Raphaelson ments. Regulations about required distriMany readers of my column ask me butions were significantly changed by specific questions regarding beneficia- the SECURE Act of 2019 and the SEries of their individual retireCURE 2.0 Act of 2022. ment accounts. I do my best Sur viving spouses reto answer the questions. tained the option to roll over However, it’s important their inherited IRA to their that owners of IRAs themown IRA, which allows them selves take steps to inform to make withdrawals based and educate their beneficiaon their life expectancy. ries about what their options However, they have other will be once they inherit the options, such as keeping the accounts. inheritance as an inherited The regulations that apply SAVINGS GAME IRA if they are younger than to individuals who inherit By Elliot Raphaelson 59½, which would enable IRAs are complex. The reguthem to take money out of lations that apply to spouses are very dif- the account without incurring an early ferent from other beneficiaries. Owners withdrawal penalty. After reaching 59½, of IRAs should explain to their beneficia- they would still be able to roll over the inries the importance of knowing their op- herited IRA to their own IRA. tions about withdrawals, as well as what Most non-spouse beneficiaries, howreliable resources are available to help ever, are now required to withdraw all them invest their inheritance. the assets in the inherited IRA within 10 First, beneficiaries should understand years, starting from the year after the inwhen they are required to make with- heritance. In some cases, they are redrawals in order to satisfy IRS require- quired to make yearly withdrawals.

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For example, if the deceased owner of the IRA had already reached the age at which yearly minimum distributions were required (known as RMDs), then the non-spouse beneficiary would be required to take yearly withdrawals based on their age, and after the 10-year period, all of the remaining assets would have to be withdrawn. If the deceased owner had not reached the age of RMDs, then the beneficiary would not have to make yearly withdrawals, but would still have to withdraw all the assets remaining in the inherited IRA account by the end of the 10-year period. If the inherited IRA is sizable, and withdrawal at the end of 10 years would push the beneficiary into a high marginal tax bracket, that individual might be better off making yearly withdrawals at a lower marginal tax rate rather than making a large withdrawal at the end of the 10-year period. Beneficiaries who inherit Roth accounts and are subject to the 10-year rule would also be required to withdraw all the assets remaining in the IRA account at the end of the 10-year period. However, because there would not be any income tax liability associated with the withdrawal of assets in a Roth account, it would likely be most beneficial

to that heir to wait until the end of the 10year period before making withdrawals from the Roth IRA account. This simply maximizes the tax-free income and appreciation potential during the 10-year period. Original owners of IRA accounts have the advantage of receiving RMDs (if required) from the account custodians — i.e., the financial institution that maintains the IRA account. Generally, by February each year, custodians notify the owner of each IRA the yearly minimum distribution required by the IRS. By contrast, custodians of inherited IRAs are not required by law to advise beneficiaries regarding RMDs. Reliable sources: Individuals who inherit IRAs and want advice regarding RMDs and/or investment advice can hire a competent certified financial adviser, on a one-time or recurring basis. You can contact IRA expert Ed Slott’s group at irahelp.com if you want a referral in your geographic area. A free source of information regarding inherited IRAs is available at a one-time cost from Bob Carlson’s “Guide to Inherited IRAs” at RetirementWatch.com. Email raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2026 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Ponder the P-word: prenuptial agreement Q: I told my sister my boyfriend re- children, you’ll likely want a prenup. Laurie Israel is an attorney and mediacently brought up the M-word (martor based in Massachusetts, riage) and she asked if he and she’s become a nationally also brought up getting a recognized expert on prenups prenup. He didn’t; should and post-nups. She’s also the he have? We met a few author of three books on the years ago after going topic: The Generous Prenup, through rough divorces The Marriage-Friendly Prenup and both swore we’d and Mediating Prenups. never get married again. I I talked with Israel for a think my sister has a lot LOVE AFTER 50 Dating While Gray podcast more money than I do, if By Laura Stassi episode. She told me that dethat makes any dif ferspite her credentials, “I’m not ence. She’s a widow. —Deborah Anne, Virginia necessarily a pro-prenup person. And for A: Exciting news about the M-word young couples just starting out in their conversation, Deborah Anne, especially careers and who aren’t bringing children considering it once was a loaded word for or significant assets to the marriage, a you and your boyfriend. It seems like you prenup probably isn’t needed. But I think have a lot more talking to do, and yes, at for second marriages, they can be exsome point you both should ponder the tremely useful.” Israel added that “when people get P-word: prenup. A prenuptial agreement is a legally married late in life, there’s kind of a delibinding contract that enables couples to cate issue about how the children will spell out how and to whom they want feel about your marriage, especially if their assets distributed when the mar- you’re going to marr y somebody younger. Not that you’d necessarily inriage ends in death or divorce. When I was younger and married, I volve [kids] in the [prenup crafting] thought prenups were only for wealthy ahead of time. But you may want to aspeople, and usually to protect the family sure them, ‘I’ve thought about you.’” I asked followers of the Dating While money from perceived gold-diggers. (Wasn’t this the plotline of an “LA Law” Gray Facebook page if anyone had an experience with a prenup they wanted to episode?) Now that I’m older, divorced and back share. Liz, who lives in Florida, said she and in the dating pool, I’ve decided if I ever walk down the aisle again, I’ll have a pre- her partner, Mike, negotiated a cohabitanup in place. It’s not because I’m wealthy tion agreement when they moved in tobut because I have two grown kids and a gether. They’re leaning toward marriage and if they finally decide to walk down house I’d like them to inherit. Legally, spouses trump children un- the aisle, they’ll turn the prenup into a less there’s something in writing to indi- post-nup. “The purpose of the agreement is to cate otherwise. If you have assets you’d like to pass on to your children or grand- define what’s his/mine/ours, protect our

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individual estates for our children, and ensure that in the event of death or a disability requiring a move to a care facility, the remaining partner can stay in the house as long as they want to, even until death,” Liz said. “That was necessar y, because we bought the house as joint tenants in common,” Liz added, “meaning we each retain ownership of our 50% of the house. That equity becomes part of our individual estates upon our deaths.” Fortunately, Liz said, “figuring this stuff out was remarkably easy for us, compared to similar decisions I made in my first marriage. It’s one more sign that I have a good partner in Mike.” Susan in California also responded to

the Facebook page callout. She said she and her partner, Mark, “updated our trusts to protect and take care of each other. We talked about a prenup and then decided to have a marriage ceremony and reception but not sign the documents to become legally married.” “With his business and disabled son, it’s easier this way,” Susan added. “We get to celebrate our love and commitment without any potential financial complications down the road.” Laura Stassi is host of the podcast Dating While Gray: The Grown-Up’s Guide to Love, Sex and Relationships and author of Romance Redux: Finding Love in Your Later Years. Send your questions to Laura at newloveafter50@gmail.com.

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Should you claim Social Security early? Dear Savvy Senior, strengthen Social Security. And even if I turn 62 early next year and plan lawmakers don’t act, waiting would still to retire soon after. Most produce a higher monthly advice says I should wait benefit because any acrossto claim Social Security the-board benefit cut would because my monthly beneapply to ever yone. While fit will be higher. But with claiming at 62 means collectall the recent news about ing benefits sooner, it also Social Security’s financial permanently locks in a problems, I’m wondering smaller check. if taking benefits early That said, there are sevmight be the safer choice. eral situations where claimIs there ever a good reaing Social Security at 62 can SAVVY SENIOR make good financial sense. son to claim at 62? —Ready to Retire By Jim Miller Dear Ready, How claiming age You’re definitely not alone in asking affect your benefits this. You can start Social Security at 62, but The latest Social Security Trustees Re- doing so permanently reduces your port projects the retirement trust fund monthly benefit by about 30% compared could be depleted around 2032 if Congress with waiting until full retirement age (67 doesn’t act. If that happens, Social Security for those born in 1960 or later). Delaying would still collect payroll taxes and pay until 70 increases your benefit by about benefits, but retirees could face an across- 24%. the-board cut of about 22%. For example, a $2,000 monthly benefit Before you rush to file, keep things in at full retirement age would drop to about perspective. Most experts still expect $1,400 at 62 or rise to roughly $2,480 if Congress to step in, as it has before, to you wait until 70.

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When claiming early makes sense

For some retirees, claiming at 62 is a practical move. If you’ve stopped working and need income for basic expenses, Social Security can provide a steady check right away. It can also serve as a bridge if you retire early or lose a job in your early 60s while delaying withdrawals from retirement accounts or a pension. Some retirees also claim Social Security early to reduce withdrawals from their IRA or 401(k) during market downturns. The tradeoff is a permanently reduced lifetime benefit. For married couples, timing can be coordinated as part of a broader strategy. One spouse may claim early to bring in income while the other delays to boost their future or survivor benefit. Health is another big factor. Delaying only pays off if you live long enough to collect those higher monthly checks. The break-even point between claiming at 62 and full retirement age is around age 78 or 79. If you’re still working, be careful here too. Before full retirement age, earnings above Social Security’s annual limit can temporarily reduce your benefit, and claiming early locks in that lower amount for life.

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Why delaying helps

For many retirees, waiting means a larger guaranteed monthly benefit for life and often a higher lifetime payout if you live into your late 70s or beyond. It can also provide stronger protection against outliving savings. For couples, delaying the higher earner’s benefit can increase the survivor benefit, which may help provide more financial security for a surviving spouse. Before deciding, it’s smart to review your numbers. You can create a free account at SSA.gov/myaccount to check your earnings record and estimate benefits at different ages. Tools like OpenSocialSecurity.com or MaximizeMySocialSecurity.com (a paid tool with a $49 fee) can also help you compare claiming strategies. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. For most people, waiting still makes the most sense. But if you need income, have health concerns or are coordinating benefits with a spouse, claiming at 62 may be the better choice. The key is to base your decision on your own circumstances — not fear about Social Security’s future. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

Personalized medicine can save money Costs come down to behavior

By Nate Hill Healthcare expenses will always be part of retirement, but not all of those costs are unavoidable. Many of the largest healthcare costs in retirement don’t come from a single emergency. They develop over time, especially when chronic conditions aren’t addressed early or managed in a way patients can realistically follow. When care doesn’t hold up in real life, costs build into what might be called hidden “carry costs” (recurring out-of-pocket expenses such as extra appointments, repeated prescription changes and additional lab work) that aren’t fully captured in most retirement projections. A 65-year-old couple may need roughly $315,000 after tax to cover healthcare expenses throughout retirement, excluding long-term care. While that figure is often used as a baseline, it assumes a relatively stable path. It doesn’t fully account for the variability that can occur when chronic conditions become difficult to manage or care plans break down. So the question isn’t only how much healthcare will cost. It’s how those costs build in the first place.

According to the CDC, nearly 90% of adults over age 65 live with at least one chronic condition, and many manage several. These conditions require ongoing care and consistent follow-through, which is where things can begin to break down. If a care plan is hard to tolerate or doesn’t fit easily into someone’s routine, people adjust in small ways that add up over time. A dose of medication gets skipped, refills get delayed, follow-up visits are postponed, and sometimes the medication is stopped altogether. Medication nonadherence alone has been linked to hundreds of billions in avoidable healthcare spending each year in the U.S. To put that in individual terms, research published in Annals of Internal Medicine estimates that nonadherence contributes to about 125,000 deaths and up to 25% of hospitalizations annually — each of which carries significant out-ofpocket costs for the patient or their family. Whether care is followed consistently is not just a clinical issue; it is a cost driver. Most retirement plans assume regimens will be followed as prescribed. In reality, that’s often one of the least reliable assumptions in the entire plan.

Prevention matters for finances

Personalized medicine can help

Prevention is often discussed as a health goal, but it also has direct financial implications. When chronic conditions are left untreated or managed inconsistently, they tend to become more complex over time. What might have been manageable early on can turn into something that requires more frequent visits, more testing, more medication changes and more intensive care. That progression is expensive. In retirement, when income is typically fixed, repeated out-of-pocket expenses can put real pressure on a carefully planned budget. Prevention, in this context, isn’t just about avoiding illness. It’s about reducing risk and limiting how often manageable problems turn into high-cost events.

In practical terms, personalized medicine, also known as concierge medicine, isn’t about cutting-edge technology. It’s about making sure the patient can follow a a regimen consistently. Two people with the same diagnosis can respond differently to the same regimen, depending on metabolism, sensitivities and daily routine. That’s where a more individualized approach can help. Adjusting dose, timing or delivery method can make care easier to follow consistently. In some cases, providers may also consider a compounded formulation — a medication prepared by a compounding pharmacy in a customized strength or form — when standard options may not meet an individual patient’s needs. Does more individualized care come at a higher upfront cost? In some cases, it

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does (upwards of $2,000 per year). But for some patients, working with their healthcare provider to find a better-fitting care plan may lead to more consistent follow-through over time.

A real-world example

Consider a retiree managing a thyroid condition. A standard medication may address the diagnosis clinically, but if it causes side effects that make daily use inconsistent, instability tends to follow. Doses are missed, symptoms fluctuate, follow-up visits increase and the prescription is adjusted — then adjusted again. Each adjustment often comes with additional lab work, specialist visits and time spent navigating changes in care. A thyroid panel typically costs $50 to $200 out of pocket; an endocrinologist visit can run $200 to $400 without strong insurance coverage. If a patient goes through three or four rounds of adjustments over two years, the ancillary costs alone could easily reach $2,000 to $5,000 — not counting the medication itself or any related hospitalizations. Now imagine that earlier in the process, the patient works with their provider to adjust tolerability and routine. The condition still requires management, but the goal is a more stable expe-

rience with fewer adjustments needed over time. The difference isn’t perfect outcomes. It’s a care plan designed to be more sustainable, which may support greater consistency over time.

A more practical way

Most people nearing retirement ask a simple question: How much will healthcare cost? It’s a logical question, but it’s not the only one that matters. It’s also worth asking where care is most likely to break down and what would make it easier to maintain. Retirement plans aren’t tested only by large, unexpected events. They’re shaped by everyday patterns — including how consistently care is followed, how often it needs to change and whether it becomes stable over time. A retirement plan isn’t just about managing investments. It also depends on whether your healthcare plan is something you can realistically stick with over time. Care that doesn’t hold up is often what makes costs spiral, and that’s a risk worth planning for. © 2026 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Travel Leisure &

Skip I-95 for a more leisurely trip on Route 301. See story on page 24.

Venture into Alaska’s wilderness refuge

Kenai Riverside Lodge

Our journey started with a drive in a roomy van down the Turnagain Arm, a long fjord lined by mountain peaks and dense forest. We arrived in the late afternoon at the Kenai Riverside Lodge on the banks of the fast-flowing Kenai River. Situated just off the highway, it’s the largest and busiest of Alaska Wildland Adventures’ lodges. Although most guests were there to fish, we used it as a convenient jumping-off point to visit the other two lodges. We began our trip by floating on a raft down the Kenai River to the Backcountry Lodge, past dozens of fishermen in chesthigh waders standing in the glacier-fed river, casting their lines and hoping to hook the much-prized king salmon. It was a mellow float, with occasional runs of Class II whitewater, past thick forests with the occasional eagle surveying the scene from a high perch in the trees. In the distance, mountain ridges were still streaked with the remnants of

the past winter’s ice and snow.

Kenai Backcountry Lodge

When we reached Skilak Lake, we transferred to a small boat to take us across to the Backcountry Lodge, a rustic retreat accessible only by boat. The lodge was originally built in 1935 as a hunting cabin and expanded many years later. In the two days we spent at the lodge, I saw no other signs of human life except for one other boat. The lodge and nine guest cabins are scattered throughout the edge of forest near the beach. The log buildings are basic but comfortable, with heat, private baths, comfortable beds, a deck with rocking chairs and at least a partial view of the lake. On the beach are chairs and tables for hanging out. I spent the rest of that first day lounging by myself on one of the chairs with an ice-cold beer, gazing at the 15-mile-long lake, lush, forested hills and snowy mountains. After dinner, I moved to the rocking chair on our porch. There were no sounds other than birds chirping and waves lapping on the beach. It is for moments like this that I work so hard to reach the planet’s most isolated places. That night I slept very well. The main activity the next day was an uphill hike on a rough, rocky, root-strewn trail through the forest to a scenic overlook above the tree line. We kept our eyes peeled for bears and moose and were both relieved and disappointed that we didn’t see any. Our guides carried bear spray just in case. After a mile or so, the geezers in the group, including me, decided to head back to the lodge. The others continued uphill for a view of the lake. When they returned, I asked a very tired Aaron about the rest of the hike. “We were the only people in sight,” he said. “It was a lot of work getting there, but it was worth it.”

Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge

On the last two days of the trip, we stayed at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge in the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park. In Seward, the gateway to the park, we hopped on a small private boat for a four-

PHOTO BY DON MANKIN

By Don Mankin There is more to Alaska than Denali and the cruise up the Inside Passage. In the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, a vast but accessible wilderness region in south central Alaska just a three-hour drive from Anchorage, you’ll see some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. Nearly two million acres in size, Kenai is like a mini version of Alaska, with spectacular lakes, glaciers and mountains — perfect for hiking, kayaking and wildlife viewing, especially eagles, moose, whales and bears. I traveled to Kenai in June to explore some of its most remote attractions via Alaska Wildland Adventures’ weeklong tour. Our group of a dozen people, from three multigenerational families, ranged in age from 11 to 84. As the oldest, I was traveling with my 28-year-old grandnephew, Aaron, on the latest in a series of joint adventures. We stayed in three remote lodges built by the tour company: the Kenai Riverside on the Kenai River, the Kenai Backcountry on Skilak Lake and the Kenai Fjords Glacier, the only lodge in Kenai Fjords National Park. The last two are the only human-built structures for miles around.

Pedersen Glacier and the Kenai mountains create a picture-perfect view from the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, an ecotourism hotel in coastal Alaska. Located in a national park, the 3,000-square-foot lodge and its eight cabins are accessible only by sea.

hour ride to the lodge, pausing along the way to check out otters, whales, mountain goats, puffins and the Gulf of Alaska’s coastline of jagged cliffs, sheer sea stacks and yawning sea caves. We landed on a beach and walked a mile to the lodge on a sandy, rocky trail. On the way, we spotted a bear in the tall grasses and weeds less than 50 yards away. Fortunately, he was more interested in the grass and weeds than us, so our guides’ bear spray stayed holstered. On the deck of the main lodge, rocking chairs overlook a lagoon with a glacier and a line of mountain peaks in the distance — one of the best views of the trip. It wasn’t long before we were in a canoe, paddling around the lagoon. We spotted at least three bears on the shore during our one-hour paddle. Another bear moseyed on the lawn in front of the lodge shortly after dinner. The highlight of our visit to the lodge, and possibly the entire trip, was our allday kayak to Aialik Glacier, a massive tidewater glacier about a mile wide and 300 feet tall. We ate lunch in view of the vast glacier, swathed in silence except for subdued chatter and the occasional thunderous crack as huge chunks of ice calved off the face of the glacier and crashed into the water. The eerie pall of the cloudy day cast a surreal glow over our surroundings. The

quiet, broken up by occasional claps of glacial thunder, the rhythm of the long paddle back, the satisfying weariness of muscles exerted for a good cause — days like that are the reason I travel great distances and endure physical pursuits that sometimes make me feel as if my lungs will burst. Every time I start to think I’ve had enough travel — enough packing, airports, crowded flights and jet-lagged sleepless nights in strange beds — I take a trip like this that reminds me there is more to see, more wonders to experience, more beauty to contemplate. Then I start thinking about my next adventure. I am sure there will come a time when I’ve had enough. But not quite yet, not quite yet.

If you go

Roundtrip airfare to Anchorage with one stop is about $700, while a nonstop flight on United is almost $1,200 in the summertime. We stayed at the quaint, conveniently located Copper Whale Inn in Anchorage before and after the trip (copperwhale.com). The cost of the seven-day Alaska Wildland Adventure Collection trip starts at $6,995 for adults, $5,695 for children (alaskawildland.com/adventures/alaska-wildland-collection). Aaron and I were hosted by Alaska Wildland Adventures.

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A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

For a peaceful drive, swap I-95 for 301 By Glenda C. Booth Interstate highway 95 between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia, is notorious for its near-constant congestion. Flanked by monstrous heavy-duty trucks, white-knuckled drivers must navigate the notorious Occoquan bottleneck, often through construction zones. I prefer the less ulcer-generating Route 301 from Maryland through Virginia’s Northern Neck peninsula. Stretching from Delaware to Florida, the highway passes through small towns, bucolic countryside and many historic sites.

Lincoln history

For an interesting start, begin in Waldorf, Maryland, at Dr. Samuel Mudd’s farm. There, the doctor treated President Abraham Lincoln’s fleeing assassin, John Wilkes Booth, and set his broken leg bone. Most of the furnishings in the 1830s farmhouse are original from 1859 to 1911, including the bed where Booth slept. Route 301 generally tracks Booth’s attempted escape. You can follow Booth’s route south to Port Tobacco, Maryland, where he bought a wagon. Much earlier, in 1608, Captain John Smith encountered the indigenous village of Potopaco here, and English set-

tlers later anglicized the name. By 1729, Port Tobacco was a thriving Colonial town with a tobacco inspection station, exporting the product to England. During the Revolutionary War, “It was a happening place,” historian Alison Bode told me. “Baltimore was nothing then.” Visitors can tour three of Port Tobacco’s remaining 18th-century buildings: a replica of the 1727 courthouse, Stagg Hall and the restored Burch House. Stagg Hall, built in 1766, was a store selling British goods, like candles, fabrics, dishes and sugar, all on display today. The Burch House, home of Henrietta and Washington Burch, a prominent Black bailiff, has a striking white exterior of milk paint. Today’s motorists cross the Potomac River on the Harry Nice Bridge, a much easier feat than Booth’s erratic paddle in the dark of night. Confused, he ultimately ended up near Port Royal, Virginia, at the Garrett Farm, where he died from a gunshot wound. Today, a roadside Virginia historical marker titled “Where Booth Died” stands near the former farm just south of Route 17. In King George, Virginia, stop by the Dahlgren Heritage Museum, which showcases U.S. Navy history. There I learned about inventions conceived, pro-

duced and tested at Dahlgren during the last century, like a Norden bombsight, which sat in the nose of World War II planes and calculated a bomb’s drop point. “Engineers come up with a gizmo to solve a problem,” Mike Barker, a retired base physicist and volunteer, told me.

Off the beaten path

There’s more history at Belle Grove Plantation in King George. Built in 1791 on the Rappahannock River and the birthplace of President James Madison, the mansion is now a bed and breakfast. The property smacks of the plantationera Old South; 275 people were enslaved here. But its current owners have given the place an offbeat spin: tea and bingo with an Elvis impersonator and paranormal workshops. Quirky Americana greets travelers in Port Royal, Virginia. A roadside dinosaur, bear and tin man looming alongside Route 301 lured me in. I explored oodles of paraphernalia in Port Royal’s three antique shops: the Trading Post, the Minnow Bucket and the General Store, all crammed with miscellany from multiple dealers. At the Port Royal Museum, I absorbed more history, studying fossilized poop likely from a crocodile-like animal, as well as the more modern White House china dishware collection from multiple U.S. presidents, one of the largest of these collections anywhere. The small museum also displays Civil War weapons and Confederate money.

Home cooking

Horne’s Restaurant & Gifts at the intersection of routes 301 and 17 is irresist-

ible. It is a 1950s throwback with a formica counter, stools and booths and a hodgepodge of “novelties, sundries and gifts” like Virginia peanuts, plush toys, suncatchers, rabbits’ feet, magnetic bracelets, wind chimes, coconut macaroons, gum drops and candy cigarettes, for example. “All the food is good. It’s real home cooking,” Karen Arnest, who lives near Hornes, told me. Another local recommended country-fried steak, beef liver and onions, meatloaf and the Virginian: quail with slab of country ham. “It’s a good place to sit, talk and eat,” he said. I bought some honey jalapeno bacon jam when I was there and moved on. The 10-mile drive through the Army’s Fort A.P. Hill near Bowling Green is a peaceful stretch with only towering oaks, sycamores and pines as distractions, a good time to recoup from the stimulation of Horne’s.

Civil rights history

Next, I explored Caroline County, home to Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple who married in 1958. They were arrested and convicted of violating Virginia’s 1924 Racial Integrity Act banning interracial marriages. To stay together and avoid prison, they left Virginia but won their right to be married and return to their hometown after their historic win in the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967. In February, three sites here associated with the Lovings became part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail: the jail, sheriff’s office and courthouse. Caroline County proudly touts its See SKIP I-95, page 27

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Ways to save money on your next trip By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I are retiring later this year and hope to travel more while we’re still healthy and active. Our budget will be tighter, so every dollar counts. Are there worthwhile senior travel discounts you can tell us about, and at what age do they begin? —Ready to Roam Dear Ready, Retirement is the perfect time to start checking destinations off your wish list. Senior travel discounts can make a real difference. Whether it’s airfare, hotels, cruises, train tickets or attractions, the savings can add up — sometimes hundreds of dollars per trip — if you know where to look and compare.

Ways to save

One of the best ways to uncover senior travel deals is through membership organizations. AARP, with membership starting at 50, offers the deepest travel discounts, including savings on hotels, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. AAA also provides travel-planning services and member savings on lodging and car rentals to adults of any age. Another simple but often overlooked strategy is to ask. Many hotels, tours and

attractions don’t advertise senior discounts but may offer one if you inquire. Keep in mind, though, that the “senior rate” isn’t always the lowest price. Promotional sales, advance-purchase fares and seasonal specials can sometimes be cheaper, so compare before booking. Flexibility is another money-saving tool. Traveling midweek, avoiding peak holidays, booking during shoulder seasons, or adjusting your dates slightly can significantly lower costs. You may also find last-minute deals on cruises, rail trips and guided tours, especially during slower travel periods when companies are eager to fill unsold space. Here’s a rundown of some different discount deals currently available: Airlines: Senior airfare discounts are less common than they once were, but some still exist. AARP members can get discounts on select British Air ways flights, about $65 off economy and up to $200 off business class. United and Delta may offer limited fares for travelers 65 and older on select routes if booked by phone or using “senior” search tools. Trains: Amtrak offers about 10% off for travelers 65-plus on many routes, with some cross-border discounts starting at 60. Rail passes and multi-city tickets may provide additional savings.

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Rental cars: AARP members can save up to 30% with companies like Avis and Budget, often with perks like a free additional driver and reduced rates on optional coverage. Hertz offers discounts through its 50 Plus Program. Hotels: Many hotel brands offer senior or AARP rates, typically 10% to 15% off. Examples include Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Choice Hotels. Booking directly or through AARP usually ensures the rate. Cruises: Some lines offer discounted fares for travelers 55-plus on select sailings, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC and Viking River Cruises. AARP members may receive additional onboard credits through affiliated providers. Off-peak sailings often

provide the best value. Restaurants: Many chains offer senior menus, complimentary beverages or discounts for ages 55 or 60-plus, including Applebee’s, Arby’s, Burger King, Chili’s, Chick-fil-A, Denny’s, IHOP, Boston Market and Cicis Pizza. Participation varies by location. Entertainment: Museums, theaters, zoos, aquariums and golf courses often offer reduced admission for those over 65 or sometimes even over 60; just ask. One of the best bargains is the America the Beautiful Senior Pass from the National Park Service. For $20 per year or $80 for a lifetime pass (available at 62), it provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.

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Plan a multi-generational family vacation

The planning phase

Admittedly, multigenerational trips are a bit more tricky to plan. For example, to

accommodate young children, older adults or those with disabilities, activities and lodging may need to be stroller- and wheelchair-accessible. You may need to limit activities to meet the energy levels of everyone in the group. Lodging may need to have certain amenities, such as accessible entrances, a kitchen, a bathtub, an elevator or beds of a certain size and height. Easy access to medical care and pharmacies may be crucial when traveling with infants, young children and older adults. The core challenge of multigenerational family travel is managing opinions, “because ever ybody has one,” said Kirsten Maxwell, founder of Kids Are A Trip, a travel website that inspires families to explore the world. We’ve gathered advice on how to plan a trip that suits the tastes and needs of each traveler and fosters more bonding and joy than tension and exhaustion.

Strategies for success

Communication is key as you organize your vacation. To get started, gather the family you’d like to travel with for a joint video call, allowing everyone the chance to offer their ideas and suggestions. Or send a group email so everyone can chime in. “You have to get everybody on the

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By Emma Patch The flames of a crackling fire pit cast a warm glow on your family’s faces. Your newest grandchild drifts off to sleep, snuggled in his aunt’s arms while his parents begin to doze beside them. You recline into your seat next to your spouse, gazing up at the clear night sky. You’re on the perfect trip. Meaningful shared experiences with adult children and their families are valuable to many grandparents. In fact, 49% of boomers and 40% of those older than 80 would rather spend money on the family trip of a lifetime than leave an inheritance to their children, according to 2025 data from Booking.com. And when it comes to funding these trips, about 80% of boomers are happy to pay for their kids and grandkids in order to travel together. Parents in their childrearing years are also eager to go on trips that bring together generations. Nearly 60% of parents want to start new family traditions centered around vacations with grandparents, according to a 2024 study of North American families by Beaches Resorts.

Travel writer Ann Cochran and her husband splurged on a trip to Tuscany with their children and grandchildren.

same page,” Maxwell said. That initial conversation should establish who pays for what and, if costs will be shared, how much everyone is willing to pay. Gather expectations for lodging as well as the amenities family members may need, and discuss preferences for activities: Is the group seeking a slew of options for active adventures and sports, a focus on relaxing and unwinding together, or something in between? As you’re choosing excursions, having

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honest conversations about each traveler’s abilities will go a long way, said Jennifer Pharr Davis, adventurer, speaker and author of Families on Foot. Discuss “what the maximum output for the least fit or able member of the family looks like,” she said. On a cruise, for example, some European cobblestone streets can be challenging for travelers using walkers or wheelchairs, even if the ship itself is fully

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famous “native son,” the champion thoroughbred Triple Crown winner racehorse, Secretariat. Today fans can visit his foaling shed at The Meadow (now called The Meadow Event Park). In the visitors center, I watched videos of his three famous races under the skeleton of a Miocene baleen whale found in 1990 in the Carmel Church quarry.

Family vacation From page 26

accessible, according to Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of the cruise-review site Cruise Critic. To avoid overtiring the group, a good rule of thumb is to limit planned activities to one per day. You might arrange an optional event, such as a boat ride or a cooking class. Or try scheduling a daily “choose your own adventure” time. At a national park, some family members can rest while others hike. Later, everyone regroups for an evening ranger program, suggests Pharr Davis. When you book tours, opting for private excursions may be most comfortable if, say, you want to make sure that young children in your group don’t disrupt others or that the length of the tour is appropriate for everyone.

Restored tavern, antiques

Take a break at one of America’s oldest taverns, Hanover Tavern in Hanover, to sip Martha Washington’s favorite libation, Cherry Bounce. Originally built in 1733 on a former stagecoach route across from the courthouse, the tavern was the center of 18th- and 19th-century social life. Today the renovated building is a 155seat theater and restaurant serving corn fritters, fried green tomatoes and Virginia oysters. Tavern-goers can see the cage

bar, typical of those in the 18th century, designed to keep people from stealing liquor. As 301 approaches Richmond, you’ll find more antique stores, including the West End Antiques Mall on Staples Mill Road with 250 booths of furniture, art and collectibles. I ended my sojourn in Richmond, home to many excellent museums, including the free Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Valentine and the Poe Museum. I got some rest in Richmond’s Quirk

Hotel, a 1916 dry goods store with a sunny lobby of soaring arches and large windows. The hotel is convenient for exploring on foot the city’s famous Broad Street, restaurants, shops and sites like the Virginia Repertory Theatre, the Maggie Walker statue, the Elegba Folklore Society and the Institute for Contemporary Art. Snug in my Richmond hotel, I was grateful that I had avoided the headaches of Interstate 95 by taking Route 301.

to your family’s liking, consider visiting national parks, which are affordable and family-friendly, too. Cruises: Besides ease of budgeting and planning, cruises can also be attractive to families for their flexibility with lodging. “There are a lot of cabin types,” McDaniel pointed out. “Grandparents might invest in a suite, and parents might choose something more cost-effective.” Kids’ clubs (onboard childcare and ac-

tivity areas) are standard on major cruise lines. Teens often have a separate lounge. Resorts: Booking a stay at an allinclusive property can keep your planning to a minimum and eliminate decision fatigue about where to eat. When you think of an all-inclusive resort, a beachfront property in the Caribbean probably comes to mind. But such resorts come in other flavors, too, including mountain resorts or dude ranches out West.

Many resorts have villas or other multi-bedroom lodging options available. Often these resorts provide activities and excursions for families in some of their packages. Like cruises, they may have kids’ clubs that offer childcare. A longer version of this article first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine. © 2026 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Splitting the costs

If you intend to pay for most or all of each family member’s expenses, be clear about which ones you plan to cover and which, if any, you won’t. For example, if you want to pay for lodging, activities and meals but let your adult children and their families cover their own transportation, communicate this early. If family members will share the costs, discuss not only how you’d like to divide them up but also how you will keep track of those expenses. You can use an app such as Splitwise, which helps groups record and split shared costs, or document expenses in a shared spreadsheet. Peer-to-peer payment services, such as Zelle or Venmo, are useful for sending money to one another. Overwhelmed? Some tour companies, such as Trafalgar, specialize in family trips. Road Scholar offers three-generation trips for grandparents, their children and their grandchildren in which each traveler can enroll and pay individually.

Trips that stand out

Although many types of vacations can be a good fit for multiple generations, some are especially well suited to groups of varying ages, abilities and budgets. “The easiest options are going to be cruises and all-inclusive resorts,” Maxwell said. These vacations allow you to pay a fixed price up front for your accommodations and most meals, and they usually provide a broad range of amenities and activities. If an outdoor adventure is more

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Style Arts &

The Rolling Stones, now 83, 82 and 79 years old, have a new album. See story on page 32.

Caroline Bock champions local writers Writers’ Publishing House, which publishes works by local authors. “It’s been the greatest second act ever,” Bock said.

Early love of writing

As a child, Bock was raised by her father after her mother suffered a debilitating stroke. The oldest of four children, Bock grew up in a middle-class neighborhood in New Rochelle, New York. “I was that lonely little girl who read all the time,” Bock said, “and I soon realized I loved to write.” She earned her undergraduate degree in communication and English from Syracuse University, studying with renowned writers, including Carver, Gallagher and Tobias Wolff. After college, Bock moved to New York City and spent 20 years in PR and marketing for cable TV. Between her job and raising two children, she set aside her own creative work. “In my 40s, the lightbulb went off,” she said. “I had not written anything.” Luckily, she also had a husband “who believed I could have a second act.”

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By Laura Sturza Raymond Carver used to tell his students at Syracuse University, “Make sure you’re never boring. Get right to the emotional truth. Cut everything else out except the heart,” former student Caroline Bock recalls. “That was one of his favorite quotes.” Carver and his wife, Tess Gallagher, made a big impression on Bock in the 1980s, sending her letters to encourage the young writer. “He was an intense teacher,” Bock, now in her 60s, told a standing-room-only crowd at Politics and Prose in June, noting that his classes would last until 11 p.m. Bock’s dream of writing fiction was sidelined for decades, however, by a career in marketing and public relations in New York City. Now living in Potomac, Maryland, Bock has published four books and numerous articles, poems and essays. Her latest book, The Other Beautiful People, was released in June. She reads her work at literary events, teaches writing and works as a volunteer co-president of the nonprofit Washington

Potomac author Caroline Bock hosted a reading on June 2 at Politics & Prose, Northwest Washington’s beloved bookstore. Her new novel, The Other Beautiful People, was published this year.

So, at 48, she earned an MFA in fiction from the City College of New York in 2011 and published her first of two young-adult novels that same year. When Bock, a lifelong New Yorker, moved to Potomac 13 years ago for her husband Richard’s job, she knew no one. She took advantage of everything the DMV offers to writers and readers and discovered a “vibrant literary community,” she said. Bock took a few classes at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, where she met fellow authors who, 13 years later, still write and critique one another’s work.

Support for writers

After workshopping her writing with that group, Bock finished and submitted a collection of short stories, Carry Her Home, to Washington Writer’s Publishing House (WWPH). She was thrilled when the book won the press’s 2018 fiction prize, which included publishing her book. WWPH is a 51-year-old, volunteer-run cooperative, so Bock, like other authors the literary press publishes, was responsible for judging prospective books for See CAROLINE BOCK, page 31

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Light reading for music lovers of all ages By Joshua Z. Rokach August means vacation (or staycation). These three books can help us unwind and understand the Grand Ole Opry and MTV, and how music is intertwined with American history. 100 Years of Grand Ole Opry: A Celebration of the Artists, the Fans and the Home of Country Music, by Craig Shelburne, Harr y N. Abrams 2025, 352 pages Nashville, Tennessee, resident Craig Shelburne’s first book underlines the iconic role of the Grand Ole Opry on the American music scene. The Opry started in 1925 on WSM 650 AM in Nashville as a venue for an insurance company’s ads. George Hay, its radio host, recoiled from canned music; every Saturday night, Barn Dance (which Hay renamed the Grand Ole Opry) staged live shows. Sometimes the required Saturday night performances kept stars from joining or shortened their tenures. Shelbur ne presents chronological chapters on the Opry’s eras, from its relocation to a historic former church and un-airconditioned Ryman Auditorium to its current Grand Ole Opr y House (at whose opening Richard Nixon appeared). We learn of the expanding repertoire and costume innovations, along with vagaries of diversifica-

tion: a theme park, television station and museum. The book captures the stories of members who realized their dreams listening to WSM or watching TV, from Black musicians DeFord Bailey and Charley Pride to the Jewish group The Isaacs. Best of all, the book contains a chapter on the fans, the main ingredient. Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu, by Tom Freston, Gallery Books 2025, 320 pages This month, the 45th anniversary of the launch of the music television channel MTV, we have the pleasure of reading an inside account straight from the horse’s mouth: MTV co-founder Tom Freston, 80. His engaging memoir contains a travelogue of Asia and Africa as well as business insights. Both a flower child and straight arrow, Freston excelled in business school while absorbing the 60s revolution. After quitting his traditional job, he moved to India to find himself and ended up inventing a global supply chain from Asian craftsmen to American department stores. When protectionism returned, Freston, with his innate people skills, talked his way into a job at what became Warner Communications at the dawn of cable television. There, he pushed two brilliant insights: “narrowcasting” (tar-

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geting demographic and geographic submarkets) and music videos. Acquisition of MTV by Viacom’s narcissistic, authoritarian Sumner Redstone in 1987 led to Freston’s departure. The author provides a vivid, enjoyable account of Redstone and other personalities, Viacom’s business failures and the threat streaming poses to cable. He maintains honesty without settling scores. Now retired and living in New York and Los Angeles, Freston retraces some of his youthful travels and compassionately describes his current charitable work. On the Record: Music that Changed America, by Anna Harwell Celenza, W. W. Norton & Company 2026, 352 pages As part of a larger cultural history, Johns Hopkins faculty member Anna Harwell Celenza charmingly details how the wives of prominent politicians pushed to censor lyrics. In turn, their husbands forced record companies to attach warning labels, with mixed results for artists.

Celenza traces this tradition back to the founding of the Republic. Who knew that a drinking song became John Adams’s campaign melody and the tune for the “Star-Spangled Banner”? Its martial spirit competed with more benign compositions for the national anthem. On the eve of U.S. entr y into World War I, Woodrow Wilson chose the song as the anthem by executive order. We learn how introvert Charles Ives’s musical ruminations inspired post 9/11’s “Migration of Souls;” George Gershwin’s absorption of New York culture became “Rhapsody in Blue” and how Duke Ellington responded; Aaron Copland’s evocation of an idyllic past spurred humanitarianism; and the U.S. government’s role in popularizing jazz globally. Sadly, she points out, Leonard Bernstein’s laziness in creating West Side Story contributed to mistreatment of Puerto Ricans. Celenza ends the book on a happy note: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s rap musical Hamilton emerged as a force to unify America.

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A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

COVER STORY

How Ann Friedman made a museum for words

Spark that started it all

About 10 years ago, Friedman was a retired Montgomer y County schoolteacher, volunteering to keep busy. One day she happened to read a story in the New York Times about a math museum, National Museum of Mathematics, and had a lightbulb moment. “I started reading about how museums have changed, and that now you can have experiential, participatory museums and I said, ‘I can do that; I have ideas,’” she said. “I could do it with language, which is way more important now in our democracy than math.” Friedman gathered a team of experts — geniuses, she calls them — to put together Planet Word. The collaboration with designers, artists, curators, engineers and voice actors has been a joy, Friedman, now 72, said. “I can’t tell you how intellectually rewarding it’s been. I’m way too old to be doing this, but it just keeps you alive and thinking.”

Childhood love of reading

Friedman (then Bucksbaum) grew up in Iowa, where her father built shopping centers and co-founded a real estate investment trust once valued at $4 billion. She and her brother, John, grew up in a “book-filled home,” she said. Plagued with childhood allergies, Friedman preferred books to sports. “I really didn’t like to go outside and play; I liked to read,” she said. She would venture outdoors occasionally to bike to the library. Favorite books were The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, Eloise and The Secret Garden. One summer in typing class, she typed a rather long list of all the

books she had ever read (she still has that list). The family traveled extensively, and in ninth grade Ann helped plan their first trip to Europe, choosing castle destinations from her books. She had learned several languages, too. As a teenager, she spent a summer on a farm in Fermo, Italy, living with a family who she still keeps up with. Several years later, she led a trip of teenagers to France’s Dordogne. She graduated from Stanford University a year early and moved to the UK to get a master’s degree in international relations at the London School of Economics. That’s where she met her husband, Thomas (Tom) L. Friedman, now a New York Times columnist. (Mutual friends encouraged them to meet.) After marrying in London, in 1979 the couple moved to Beirut so Tom could report on Lebanon’s civil war for the wire service United Press International. Meanwhile, Ann took a job as a FrenchEnglish translator and began learning colloquial Arabic, adding another language on top of her Spanish, Italian, French and Hebrew. They avoided the war zones. “We mostly knew how to stay safe, but you heard fighting and explosions all the time,” she said. As the civil war worsened, Americans were targeted. In 1984, a suicide bomber blew up the U.S Embassy, just blocks from the Friedmans’ apartment, killing 24 people. The following month, another bomber destroyed the U.S. Marine Corps barracks, killing 241 servicemen. Jolted awake on a Sunday morning, she had to drive her husband toward — not away from — the destruction. “It was a very searing kind of experience,” said Friedman, who was evacuated to New York, where she then worked as a magazine copyeditor. Fortunately, Tom Friedman got a new assignment in Jerusalem, where their two daughters were born. After four years there, in 1998 the family moved back to the States, settling in Bethesda, Maryland, for Tom’s position at the New York Times. The couple still lives there today, with two grandchildren in California and two nearby in the DMV.

Teaching days

Once her daughters moved out, Friedman went back to school yet again, earning a master’s in teaching from American University. Channeling her grandmother, who had been an English teacher, she took a job as a long-term substitute teacher, then was a fifth-grade teacher in Gaithersburg and finally a first-grade reading specialist at Burning Tree Elementary School in Bethesda.

PHOTO BY DUHON PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY OF PLANET WORD

By Margaret Foster When people first walk into Planet Word, a museum near the National Mall, they enter a room with a large, blinking globe. The soft chatter of languages from German to Tagalog to Piscataway emanates from several tablets. “When the elevator doors open and you hear people gasp, adults and children, it’s just the nicest reaction you could get,” said Ann B. Friedman, founder and CEO of Planet Word, which, since its 2020 opening, has welcomed more than half a million visitors. As the first museum dedicated to language and words, Planet Word has a “magical” library, an audience-led show about the origins of the English language, a talking tree and other exhibits. “You know in The Lorax, ‘I speak for the trees’? I like to say to myself, ‘I stand for the words,’” Friedman said, admitting, “I didn’t know it was going to end up this way at all.”

A decade ago, Bethesda philanthropist Ann B. Friedman envisioned a museum for words and language. In just five years, she gathered a team of “geniuses” and opened Planet Word in the historic Franklin School in downtown D.C.

“I was fascinated by everything to do with reading new books and learning,” she said. “I never ever imagined that I would teach first grade — I never even was a babysitter — but it was the greatest job, and everything led to me starting Planet Word.”

How a museum took shape

During her nine years as an educator, Friedman didn’t have an inkling of the museum she would one day create. After she retired, she volunteered as a reading tutor and served on the boards of several organizations, including the National Symphony Orchestra and Conservation International. When she read about the math museum, something shifted. Immediately she flew to New York to meet with its founders. Inspired, she hired a museum consultant “from what turned out to be the top company,” she said. When its 90-page feasibility study to evaluate “whether a museum like the one I had in mind could be successful” was over whelmingly positive, she was thrilled. “They said yes, and they loved the idea.” The next step was to gather people from all different fields to serve on a board. They put out a request for proposals for a museum designer, and Friedman chose two companies, who worked together on a master plan for Planet Word. For the exhbits, the design studio she

chose “was a match made in heaven,” Friedman said. “They got it; they knew what I wanted to do. The exhibits you see now — almost 100 percent of them — are a result of our collaboration. They’re geniuses.” Perhaps most important was to find a home for the museum. Friedman had read that the city of D.C. was looking for a tenant for the historic Franklin School, designed by Smithsonian architect Adolf Cluss. The building had been a laboratory for Alexander Graham Bell and eventually became a city homeless shelter. Friedman noted that the building wasn’t far from the former home of Frances Hodgson Burnett, who wrote The Secret Garden, one of her childhood favorites. Mayor Muriel Bowser chose Friedman’s proposal in 2017, agreeing to lease the building to Planet Word for free for 99 years in exchange for its renovation. Friedman footed much of the $50 million cost to retrofit the school and build the museum inside. Today Planet Word is a three-story museum with 10 rooms, each with a different look and feel. In one room, visitors can write down their favorite words and pin them to the wall. In another, they can read famous speeches. Friedman’s favorite room is the library, whose books come to life with projected animations and narration. More than 100 different books are available to See PLANET WORD, page 31

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

Caroline Bock From page 28

the next two years. When the president stepped down, Bock heard about the search for a replacement. “If you’re a little bit crazy and full of too much energy, you step forward,” Bock said. So Bock became co-president with poet Jona Colson in 2023. It was the perfect job for Bock, a longtime champion of literature. “It’s really the passion to pay it forward to other writers,” Bock said. “I love discovering other voices.” As presidents, Bock and Carlson call the winning authors to let them know their books will be published. Bock described those calls as filled with cheering, laughter and crying. Many of WWPH’s recently published books are by authors over 50, including memoirist Bernardine Watson and novel-

Planet Word From page 30

“read,” including Corduroy, which is narrated by none other than Friedman herself. “What do buttons do?” she asks. “They bring things together.”

Free museum with broader reach

The same could be said of Planet Word. On a recent Friday afternoon, visitors to the museum included two mothers who listened to their children sing karaoke, two men in their 70s who quizzed each other on advertising’s language tricks, two young women who faced off in the “joke gallery” and a middle-aged man who seemed delighted to discover the poetry room behind a secret door in the library. Wordplay Wednesdays has become a date-night destination for 20- and 30-somethings, and Sunday Storytime, run by the public library, welcomes families. Museum admission is free. Friedman continues to be inspired by the people she works with as well as Planet Word’s mission. “With what’s happening right now politically, it’s so important for us to be present and have a voice and stand up for words. Because how would you feel if we lose our democracy and we said nothing?” she said. As she was planning the museum in 2016, Friedman realized it should be more than a children’s museum. “The increasing relevance of a museum about words and language is what really energized me,” she said. “It’s not just going to be about reading and getting kids to like books and read again; it has a much bigger, much broader raison d’être. “That really was a big change in what this museum was going to be about — and made it more of a calling. Because I don’t have the New York Times as a platform, and I’m not a politician; I’m not a public figure. But this is what I can do.”

ists Varun Gauri and Len Kruger. “It’s extra special when you’re over 50 and you get your first publication,” Bock said.

Before she submitted it to agents and publishers, Bock said, “I ended up having to do about 10 major revisions.”

A 9/11 story

In a typical day, Bock wakes up and writes, she said. “Before I can do anything for other writers, I need to first give myself the gift of my own writing,” she said. Afternoons are spent working on WWPH and other projects, including a column she writes for The Washington Independent Review of Books and theater reviews for DC Theater Arts. By late afternoon, she dives back into “whatever beautiful novel I’m reading.” In the evenings, Bock watches old movies, occasionally attends a play, or participates in one of the many literary events she organizes.

While it’s not her first publication, her latest book marks Bock’s first novel for adults. The Other Beautiful People is a workplace love story set in the weeks after 9/11, featuring a 40-something female protagonist working at a struggling but beloved cable channel that airs classic films (much like Bock’s own experience working for a similar network). About 70 percent of the book is based on her own experiences, Bock admits. She describes the genre as autofiction — a blend of autobiography and fiction. That didn’t make it any easier to write. Bock soon discovered that writing a novel was twice as much work as writing for young adults, but like many writers, she was dogged.

A day in the life

How to start as a writer

As Bock’s life illustrates, it’s never too

late to start writing. She recommends taking classes and attending events at The Writers’ Center, where she’ll teach this fall, or at another institution offering courses, whether online or in person. “Start writing and find a community,” Bock advised. In addition, WWPH offers free events year-round throughout the DMV and opportunities to submit writing. Attending readings at independent bookstores and events like the Gaithersburg Book Festival, the National Book Festival and those run by the Maryland Authors’ Guild are also excellent ways to meet other writers. That’s the formula Bock followed, and it’s given her the chance to forge her path as an author and a force for bringing local writers’ work to publication. As she said at the June 2 book reading. “D.C. is a great place to be a writer.” For more information or to order Bock’s book, visit carolinebockofficialauthor.site.

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A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Rolling Stones expand on a late creative burst of cocktails and wine. “You see I’m really quite polite,” the song goes. Polite is not always the word associated with this 64-year-old band — remember the run-ins with various police departments? These days, Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood are neither rebels nor degenerates — they’re natty multimillionaires. But they’re cheeky enough to add a jab, in “Mr. Charm,” at “mad mogul Mr. Musk.” A compliment, it is not. More seriously, the Stones get downright political in one song on the excellent and eminently listenable Foreign Tongues, an album that expands on an improbable late burst in creativity launched by Hackney Diamonds, their 2023 Grammy-winning album.

“Well I was madly in love with you before we ever met,” the song about America goes. “Watched all your movies, smoked your cigarettes.” But they say things have changed in current-day America, where “there’s al-

ways a scoundrel trying to whip up the crowd” (no current leaders are mentioned by name). “Lady Liberty don’t look so good when she’s wearing a frown.” See ROLLING STONES, page 33

RAPH-PH/FLICKR

By Jocelyn Noveck “When I was oh so young I used to want to go to Mars,” sings Mick Jagger — that staccato voice still remarkably sharp and clear — on Foreign Tongues, the Rolling Stones’ 25th studio album. “Now I’m older,” the frontman notes a few lines later. “I would like to ask you if tonight we could stay at home.” Say what? Are these the Stones, our perennial bad-boy Brits with yet-full heads of hair, our proud Peter Pans of rock ‘n’ roll, singing about growing old? But we’ll allow this slight nod to mortality in the tune called “Mr. Charm,” especially because plans for this evening at home do sound nice — with the promise

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301-949-3551 | interages@jssa.org | jssa.org/interages/ Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts, who died in 2021, take a bow after a show in London in 2018.

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

Rolling Stones From page 32

Guest voices

The album is strikingly consistent, with no true clunker in the bunch, though some tunes are more memorable than others. And as with Hackney Diamonds, there’s

Original music with two covers

Most of the songs, as usual, are by Jagger and Richards, but there’s also a fine cover of Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good,” with Jagger doing double duty on vocals and harmonica. And the album ends on a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Beautiful Delilah.” Like the final Muddy Waters track on Hackney, it feels like a loving nod to a seminal

moment on a train platform. We’re talking, of course, about that 1961 meeting between teenagers named Keith and Mick, a bunch of blues albums tucked under the arm of the future frontman — a moment that launched one of the great partnerships in the history of rock. It’s still, improbably, rocking. And creating. —AP

PHOTO BY JIM PIETRYGA

What does look — or, rather, sound — good is Jagger’s voice. How has it stayed this potent, as he turns 83? In “Jealous Lover,” a breakup song, he even flexes a fierce falsetto, à la “Emotional Rescue.” Richards, unsurprisingly, matches that potency on guitar, and also delivers a truly poignant lead vocal turn in “Some of Us,” about a lover who keeps him on his toes — or actually, on his knees. (“Some of us are on our knees, begging, baby.”) As for Wood, listen to Jagger call out “C’mon Ronnie!” as the guitarist digs into a searing solo on “Back in Your Life.”

an enviable guest contingent: Bruno Mars plays cowbell on “Never Wanna Lose You,” and Paul McCartney guests on bass in “Covered in You.” Steve Winwood has organ duties, and The Cure’s Robert Smith contributes on guitar and backup vocals. The most poignant “guest” of all is hardly a guest — the late, great Charlie Watts appears on “Hit Me in the Head,” his track recorded in Los Angeles before the iconic drummer’s 2021 death at age 80. It’s hard not to feel the goosebumps when you hear him get started. (Elsewhere, Steve Jordan is on drums.) Some songs seem ready for the next arena set, if there’s room among the classics (a big “if”), like the rocking “Divine Intervention” or maybe “Rough and Twisted,” which opens the album with a bluesy growl: “Why don’t you drive me down that rough and twisted road? Why don’t you guide me, ’cause I don’t know which way to go.”

BEACON BITS

Aug. 15

VINYL DAY Join Montgomery County Public Libraries in a family-friendly

music event celebrating different genres of music. Stop by the Rockville Memorial Library at 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville, on Sat., Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information can be found at montgomerycountymd.gov or by calling the library at (240) 777-0140. The Rolling Stones performed in Milwaukee in 2015.

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Listen to my original smooth-jazz-style compositions at StuartsMelodies.com or on YouTube, including: • Visit to a Museum • Latin Nocturne • Waltz of Joy and more!

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A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Let grandparents teach kids to drive

The worry lines beside his eyes gave it wasn’t this hard,” he said. him away. Whether that was ever true, Jeff has Right after I asked my decided to dip into his past. friend Jeff how he was doing, He has asked his father to and he said he was fine, I take over driving lessons for glimpsed the lines. “No, you Miss 16-Years-Old. aren’t,” I said. “Tell all.” Grandpa has leapt into the Then came the truth. He’s job with enthusiasm, Jeff told been teaching his 16-year-old me. He has been patient and daughter how to drive. soothing. He has never It has not gone well. shouted, “We’re all going to The toll so far: One fender die!” as his granddaughter dented in a shopping center HOW I SEE IT fails to brake when she parking lot, one near-murder By Bob Levey should. of the transmission when she “It has been a godsend,” shifted into reverse while still moving Jeff said. forward — and many scream sessions. Could this be a signpost for other fam“When my dad taught me how to drive, ilies? When a parent tries to teach a child

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to drive, much more is on the table than using your directional signals. It can be an emotional minefield. Getting a driver’s license is all about freedom and power. When I got mine at 16, I can still remember the thrill of backing the family Ford out of the driveway, waving ta-ta to my mother and heading off toward glory. No longer would my parents supervise my every move, or expect to. I couldn’t drink or vote yet, but hey, I could tool around the neighborhood with my friends aboard, as we blasted top-40 music. Great stuff! Of course, I still had no solid idea of how to drive, because no 16-year-old has experienced all the hazards of the modern road. I had never merged onto a jam-packed freeway at 60 miles an hour. I had never driven in snow. I had never had to decide in a split second what to do as I was about to miss a turn. Cut across three lanes of traffic and try to survive? Hope? Pray? Unlike Jeff’s family, I had no grandfatherly options. My mother-instructor was camped in the shotgun seat, her hands clasped with tension. Her lack of faith in me was clear. As she spilled instructions — too many instructions — she was actually making

the lessons less safe. Her torrent of anxiety (“Slow down!” “Watch out!”) kept me from focusing as well as I should have. Apparently, I survived (she did, too). But what a gift it would have been to have had a grandfather to my right. For my grandfathers, a car was a tool, not a passport to chasing girls and challenging strangers to a drag race at a red light. My grandpas always looked both ways before crossing a railroad track. They always made sure that they had enough gas. They never, ever violated the speed limit. They drove the right way and would have made sure that I did, too. Nor would they have brought to driving lessons all the baggage that a birth parent brings. Trust between father and teenaged child is a fragile balance. It can fray over the smallest things, especially as the child becomes taller than the papa. If the kid doesn’t pick up her dirty clothes from the floor, the pop quietly wonders if that kid is truly ready to pilot a two-ton car, no matter what a birth certificate might say. Grandpas don’t fall as deeply into those pits of doubt. They’ve been around the block, both figuratively and in cars. See BOB LEVEY, page 37

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WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

HOUSING RESOURCES: Whether you rent, own or share your home, there are many resources available to you. Aging and Disability Services For information on all local Montgomery County resources, start here: montgomerycountymd.gov/ senior. The resource unit at 240-7773000 can provide advice and referrals. Montgomery County Senior Housing Resources For information on property tax credits for older homeowners as well as rental assistance and tax credits for renters, see montgomerycountymd.gov/senior/ housing.html.

RENTERS 1. Renters’ Tax Credit: Renters who pay high monthly rent relative to their total income may qualify for a tax credit (a check of up to $1,000) paid by the state of Maryland. You may qualify if your household income last year was below a certain amount and you are either 60 or older, have children under 18 or are disabled. The Montgomery County’s Renters Tax Credit is managed by the state of Maryland and enhanced by Montgomery County. Renters who qualify will receive two checks: one from Maryland and another from Montgomery County. Checks from Montgomery County are mailed once a year. Visit the Renters’ Tax Credit application website to apply online by the deadline of Oct. 1: dat.maryland.gov/realproperty/ pages/renters'-tax-credits.aspx. You can call 410-767-5915 for details.

2. Rental Marketplace is a new way for the public to search and view information about locations, property-level rent levels and unit sizes reported to the county by each multifamily apartment property, including senior living apartment communities. The public can visit the Rental Marketplace website at ex12. montgomerycountymd.gov/ojn3/ ijn12/marketplace to view rental properties, updated annually. Each listing notes local bus stops, parks, libraries, recreation centers and stores. After identifying properties of interest, individuals can contact each property to learn about current unit availability and rent. 3. The Renters Alliance advocates for policies that increase rental housing affordability, stability and quality, and to build community within apartment complexes. Founded in 2010, the Montgomery County Renters Alliance, Inc. is an independent nonprofit dedicated exclusively to providing renter education, outreach, organizing and advocacy. It can help form tenant associations, improve renter-landlord relations and protect renters’ rights. For more information, call 888-668-7717 or email info@rentersalliance.org.

HOMEOWNERS 1. Tax credits for homeowners. Homeowners with modest income and assets may qualify for a state tax credit. The application deadline is October 1; find the application and more information at dat.maryland. gov. If you have questions, call 410767-5900 or simply 311.

Qualified homeowners aged 60+ also receive a 50% matching tax credit from Montgomery County. For more information about additional property tax credits and exemptions, call 240-777-8860 or visit montgomerycountymd.gov/ department-finance. 2. Property Tax Deferral: If you are age 65 or older and your family income is less than about $80,000, you may be eligible to defer the increase in the County Property Tax portion of your bill. Check montgomerycountymd. gov/seniordeferral. 3. HARP (Home Accessibility Rehabilitation Program) is a free program designed to assist older adults with renovating their homes to make them more accessible. While there are income limits to the program, older adults and individuals with disabilities of any age can qualify. Work will be performed by local nonprofit groups Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together. Find more information at montgomerycountymd.gov/DHCA/ homeowners/harp.html. 4. Home Sharing with the Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP) is an innovative concept where homeowners rent out spare rooms in their homes. Home sharing can reduce social isolation, generate monthly income for homeowners and provide affordable housing. HIP’s program is supported by Montgomery County’s Department of Health & Human Services. HIP requires background checks and credit checks. Visit hiphomes.org/ %20counseling-and-education/ home-sharing/ or call 301-85-SHARE for more information.

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior

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A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Crossword Puzzle

Find a new crossword every day on our website at www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com/puzzles. Flat Where? Flat Where? 1

By Stephen Sherr By Stephen Sherr

51 56

1. Fruit salad component 5. All your lives but this one 9. A dvance from 1 Hearts to 2 Hearts, for example 14. Persian Gulf nation 15. Leave the engine running in “park” 16. The black keys, sometimes 17. President when the Titanic sunk 18. Customs agent 19. Profit from stolen goods 20. Major decision point 23. Airport code in Tuscaloosa, AL 25. Kick out of office 26. “ Great ___ picks up where nature ends” (Marc Chagall) 27. Sigma Alpha Epsilon frat, briefly 28. They usually spin at 33 1/3 RPM 29. Participated in the rehearsal dinner 30. A company’s top tech supporter 33. Signs of betrayal 37. Ingredient in Chicken Lu’au 38. 1/54th of a typical baseball game 39. “___ high standards for myself ” 40. Silver insert for a nepo baby 45. Barbie’s boyfriend, since 1961 46. Marilyn Monroe monogram letters 47. Dir. from Vancouver to Calgary 48. Just the vowels in LAVENDER 49. Part of a PA system 50. Small dog in The Thin Man 51. PC connector 52. Arrangements of this puzzle’s tools 57. Mob scenes 58. Obi-Wan actor in Episodes IV - VI 59. “Hey; that hurts!” 62. Boredom 63. The reddest of all steak options 64. Extremely serious 65. Looks through the keyhole 66. Data at the top of a joint 1040 form 67. “Mr. Roboto” band

Across

Jumble answers on p. 39

Scrabble answers on p. 39

Down

1. Package of emergency supplies 2. It could be Traditional or Roth 3. T ool at a Holiday Inn Express breakfast buffet 4. Backed ___ a corner 5. T rucks with closed cabins and open beds 6. Office that reads Common App essays 7. Write in italics 8. Farmers’ market sun shield 9. One who gives yellow and red cards 10. F irst film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize 11. U2 singer, born Paul David Hewson 12. Early Peruvian 13. Made groovy shirts 21. James Bond, to seven actors 22. Half-a-way into Hathaway 23. “For shame!” 24. Fancy hors d’oeuvre 29. Aft 30. Attire for an outdoor wedding 31. Summer drink, to some 32. “Point taken” 34. ___-doo doll 35. M&M middle, maybe 36. HS science class 41. Archenemy 42. Little devils 43. Dangles a carrot 44. Like Mr. Grinch 49. Misbehave 50. Titan who holds up the world 52. Get ready to cook 53. In the ___ of fire 54. Mark of highest quality 55. Th e African elephant has the largest pair 56. Mercury, Venus, and Mars 60. Enjoy a tearjerker 61. Plot driver on Bewitched

Crossword answers on p. 39

Makes a great gift! | Arts & Style

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

Bob Levey From page 34

They know, better than anyone, that a 16-year-old’s sharp reflexes are exactly what she’ll need to prosper as a driver. They know, most of all, that a steady teaching hand is the key to a good outcome. No threats or ultimatums. Just tell the grandchild, calmly, to adjust the seat and the mirrors, take a deep breath and start the engine. Jeff admits he feels like a failure. “My daughter should have been able to learn how to drive from me,” he said. “But I just couldn’t calm down enough.” Luckily, he found a better path. His dad was not only equal to the task, but eager to perform it. Bottom line: “She got her license last week,” Jeff said. Hooray for all three generations. Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

ONE BIG HAPPY

By Rick Detorie

BEACON BITS

Aug. 14

ALL-STAR COMEDY SHOW

Come to Cabin John Park for a few laughs. An outdoor event, featuring local comedians from Improbable Comedy, takes place Fri., Aug. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 7400 Tuckerman Ln., Bethesda, MD. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Call (301) 495-2595 for more information.

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CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Obituaries; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on page 39. CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly ac cept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept re sponsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment. EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibit ing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

Caregivers A HOME HEALTHCARE - Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in care. 15 years’ experience. 240-533-6599. MOBILE HAIR & NAIL SERVICES — WE COME TO YOU. Senior Stylist provides licensed & insured professional hair and nail services in the comfort of your home. Women’s & Men’s Haircuts, Styling, Sets, Color, Manicures & more. Serving senior living communities and private homes throughout the region for over 10 years. Visit SeniorStylist.com or call 301-338-8251. EXPERIENCED CAREGIVER AVAILABLE. My Name Is Pamela Obioha, and I am a compassionate and a dependable caregiver dedicated to provide quality care for seniors and individuals who need assistance with daily living. Services Include: personal care assistance, companionship, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping. I am trustworthy and committed. For more information or to discuss your caregiver needs please contact Pamela at (301) 891 0001.

Financial UP TO $15,000.00 OF GUARANTEED LIFE INSURANCE! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company - 866-212-1092 or visit www. Life55plus.info/beacon

For Sale BURIAL PLOTS FOR SALE - Three separate side-by-side burial plots available at Parklawn Memorial Park & Menorah Gardens in Rockville, Maryland. Located in Block 4, Lots 379-381, Sites 1 & 2. Six total spaces available. Ideal for individuals, couples, or family planning. $7,500 per plot. Will subdivide. Private owner. Call 240-838-6334 or email hookadeeez@gmail.com for information. Serious inquiries only please. NEW WINDOWS FROM WINDOW NATION. Special money saving offer zero down, zero payments, zero interest for TWO years AND buy 2 windows and get 2 FREE! Offer is valid for select models. Labor not included. Other restrictions apply. Call Window Nation today! 855-909-2278.

A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

Health

TV/Cable

Wanted

RETIREES AND SENIORS: Supplement your income helping others feel better naturally. Work part-time from home with daily pay and free training. No experience needed. Text WELLNESS to 640-202-0791 for more information. REDZONE FITNESS STUDIO-WITH OVER 17 YEARS of successful Personal Training and MEDICAL EXERCISE experience. I get results and treat my clients like family. Please call Anthony at 410-739-3318 to set up a FREE fitness evaluation. I will come to you. DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400 plus procedures. Real dental insurance NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-844-366-1003 www.dental50plus.com/320 #6258

DIRECTV - All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-572-4953.

PAYING TOP CASH FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES. Housecalls made with prompt, courteous service seven days a week and 25 years of experience! Buying toys, trains, militaria, glassware, advertising merchandise, paper items and much more! Contact Mason or Megan at: 443-306-8816. COINS, STAMPS, PAPER MONEY, & AUTOGRAPHS WANTED. Paying top prices. Free estimates — Will travel. No collection too large or too small. 50 years of experience. Licensed. Member of major associations. Call Dirk at 301704-5453 or email dirkkitchin@earthlink.net. WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, UKULELES. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack (240) 731-5353, please leave message & phone number. CASH FOR RECORDS, CDS AND DVDS. Best price guaranteed. Free appraisals. All types of music {33, 45, 78 & CDs.} Also buying turntables and stereo equipment. Will make house calls with CURBSIDE PICKUPS. Call or text Steve at 301-646-5403. CASH FOR ESTATES; moving, downsizing, single item, or whole estate. I buy a wide range of items. Gary Roman, TheAtticLLC.com. 301520-0755. WE BUY CARS, TRUCKS & SUVS! Looking to sell your vehicle? McFadden Autobrokers makes it easy! We come to you, inspect your vehicle, and give you a fair price on the spot. If we agree on a price, we write you a check and take the vehicle away the same day. No hassles, no waiting, you don’t have to worry about a lot of strangers coming to your home. Patrick Mayo 301-461-7045. I BUY LARGE LP RECORD ALBUM COLLECTIONS for top cash! I come to you and haul. Text/call Steve 410-900-5657. Metal, punk, classic rock, alternative, soul/jazz/funk and more!

Home/Handyman Services SETTLING AN ESTATE? Downsizing Specialists, LLC can help with the overwhelm. Our proven process helps you thoughtfully decide what to keep, gift, sell, donate, or discard with compassion and clarity at every step. Services include estate liquidation, downsizing, estate sales, storage unit clean-outs, junk removal. We buy estates, vehicles, & houses. Free estimates. Local. Family Owned. Licensed. Insured. Better Business Bureau A+ Certified Call/Text Philip 301-219-3600 DownsizingSpecialists.com T & C CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LLC. Painting, flooring installation, drywall, carpentry, windows, doors, kitchen and bathroom repairs. License and insured. Free estimate call Tony Smith @ 240-565-9036. MHIC # 141830. NO MORE CLEANING OUT GUTTERS. Guaranteed! LeafFilter is the most advanced gutter protection for your home, backed by a no-clog guarantee and lifetime transferable warranty. Call today 1-855-977-6078 to schedule a FREE inspection and no obligation estimate. Plus get 20% off! Seniors and military save an additional 10%. Restrictions apply, see representative for warranty and offer details. THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS in as little as 1 day. Limited Time Offer - $1000 off or No Payments and No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Call Today! 1-855-653-0087. DON’T LET THE STAIRS LIMIT YOUR MOBILITY! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-866-365-5170.

Miscellaneous THE MEDICAL PRACTICE OF KEVIN M GIL, MD located at 15200 SHADY GROVE ROAD #207 Rockville MD has been transferred to Dr. Phyllis Acquah, MD effective 1 June 2026. This is the date of his retirement from the practice of medicine. Patients will continue to have access to their medical records and may request copies by contacting Dr. Acquah’s office at the same location, telephone number 301-610-0500. This notice will run once a month for two more months. A copy of this notice will go to the Maryland Board of Physicians. CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-833-742-1303. BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing-Trusted by Authors Since 1920. Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution. Call for Your Free Author’s Guide 1-833-992-0110 or visit dorranceinfo.com/beacon

Wanted I BUY GUNS & MILITARY MEMORABILIA (Military/civilian firearms, medals, uniforms & insignia from all wars). Check out Mid-Atlantic Military Antiques positive reviews on Google. 301-201-0241. historian1975@gmail.com. www.midatlanticmilitaryantiques.com LADY LOVES PRETTY AND INTERESTING THINGS: art, bric-a-brac, dishes, figurines, jewelry, pottery and silver. One item or entire estate. Personal favorites include Herend, Royal Copenhagen, Scandinavian pottery and glass and vintage Christmas and Halloween. Call Susan (301) 785-1129. MD PML 2753. WILL BUY MILITARY, WWII, WWI, Civil War memorabilia items. Uniforms, weapons, helmets, photos, war souvenirs, medals, photos or any other items associated with U.S., German, Japanese or other military history. Call Dave (240-464-0958) or email (david.obal63@ gmail.com). WE PURCHASE ESTATES — Large or small. House calls made seven days a week. Buying furniture, art, glassware, pottery, decorative arts, jewelry, silver, coins, etc. High-end vintage preferred. Call Tom, anytime, day or night. All calls returned. 301-654-8678. ALWAYS BUYING Comic Books (1930’s to 1990’s), costume jewelry (pre-1980’s), old coins & paper money....U.S. & Foreign and stamp collections.....hey.... almost anything before 1980 I can hold in my arms... Call or Text Me Now: Alex at 571-426-5363.

BEACON BITS

Aug. 21

EARLY ROCKVILLE WALKING TOUR Celebrate 250 years of Montgomery County with a walking

tour of Rockville’s oldest streets. The free one-hour tour starts at 10 a.m. on Fri., Aug 21 at Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD. Tickets cost $10-$18 and can be purchased at bit.ly/rockvillestreets. Call (301) 762-0096 for more details.

Sept. 12

BLUEGRASS ON THE FARM Enjoy a day of great music and great atmosphere at the Agriculture History Farm Park. Bring your own chairs, food, or

buy food and drinks from available vendors. The Sat., Sept. 12 concert runs from noon to 6 p.m. at 18400 Muncaster Rd., Derwood, MD. Tickets cost $23 and can be purchased from friendsofthefarmpark.org.

Sept. 13

ANNUAL PLAY DAY All adults and kids are welcome to the City of Takoma Park’s

18th Annual Play Day. Organized by Pat Rumbaugh, the “Play Lady,” the event features 30+ activities, live performances and refreshments. Drop by the Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Rd., Takoma Park, MD, on Sun., Sept. 13 from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit letsplayamerica.org or email info@letsplayamerica.org.

Ongoing

MEDICARE HELP Questions about Medicare? Call for assistance from a State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselor. They are

trained to help seniors navigate Medicare, resolving unpaid medical bills and more. D.C. residents can call (202) 727-8370 to get in touch with a counselor. Maryland residents can call (301) 783-1710 for Medicare guidance.

Makes a great gift!

WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N — A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

FROM PAGE 36 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD K I W I P A S T R E B I D I D L E E B O N Y I R A N C M A N F E N C E T A F T F O R K I N T H E R O A D O U S T A R T T C L S A E L P S A T E C I O K N I V E S I N T H E B A C K O U T I S E T T A R O S P O O N I N T H E M O U T H E M S E N E A E E K E N A M P A S T A L A N P L A C E S E T T I N G S R I O T S A L E C O U C H R A R E D I R E E N N U I S S N S S T Y X P E E P S

ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: FILLY VISTA UNWISE FERRET Answer: Usuing a lighter instead of matches was a more -- SUREFIRE WAY

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds. Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month for the Greater Baltimore edition; by the 20th for the D.C./Suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia editions. Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500 • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this amount for you. Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number. • Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher’s discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

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Park View Columbia...... 31 Mont. Co. Age Friendly.35 Park View Emerson....... 31 Mont. Co. Aging & Park View Laurel........... 31 Disability................... 19 Aphasia Study................. 9 Smell Test Study.............. 9 Renewal by Andersen.... 22 Riderwood/Erickson.... 1, 7 Positive Aging Safe Step....................... 26 Sourcebook................ 27 Legal Services Employment/ Shelf Genie................... 14 Farr Law Firm............... 19 Theater/ Volunteer

Opportunities

Career Gateway............. 34 Heyman Interages Center........................ 32 Virtual 50+ Employment Expo.. ......................... 25

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Funeral Services Cremation Society of Maryland.................... 24 Going Home Cremation..... 8 MacNabb Funeral Home... 24

Entertainment Law Offices of Paul Riekhof.. ............. 21 F. Scott Fitzgerald Asbury Dwellings. . .......... 6 Theatre....................... 28 Bethany House.............. 13 Legal Council for the Elderly....................... 20 Senior Zone Radio Brooke Grove Retirement Show.......................... 32 Village.. ...................... 40 Medical/Health/ Stuart’s Melodies........... 33 Insurance Chevy Chase House. . ..... 11 Chesapeake Hearing........ 8 Toby’s Dinner Theatre.... 28 Churchill Senior Living........................ 24 Medical Eye Center....... 15 USAF Band................... 29 Pure Dental Care............. 6 WAMU/88.5.................. 10 Discovery Village Technology Chevy Chase.............. 21 Trinity Health PACE...... 12 Enterprise Residential... 31 Senior Resources TechMedic4U.................. 5 TheBeaconNewspapers.com Grandview, DC Living Boldly Housing

.................................. 37 The/Erickson............ 1, 7 Newsletter............. 16-17 Travel Home Health/Care HIP Home Sharing........ 15 GROWS........................ 29 Homecrest House.......... 10 Kensington Clubs/ Management Vamoose Bus................. 25 Kesher Cafe. . .............. 32 Get Full Care................. 14 Park View Bladensburg.. 31

Subscribe online! See how on p. 33

A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 — WA S H I N G T O N B E A C O N

THIS SUMMER ... Start

a New Journey

Whether it’s strolling winding paths or socializing in sunny courtyards, residents of Assisted Living at Brooke Grove experience a warm, vibrant lifestyle and delight in our charming setting of open meadows and airy trees.

OUR AMENITIES Private rooms filled with sunshine from over-sized windows and skylights 24-hour on-site clinical support from licensed and caring nurses Secure courtyards and walking paths Ornamental koi pond Manicured flower and sensory gardens Playground for visiting kids

Ask about our limited-time discount of up to $10,000 for qualified applicants.

MEMORY SUPPORT PROGRAM For residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia, we offer a special assisted living option with: Specially trained memory support staff An interactive lifestyle that maximizes choice and independence Tailored LIFE® enrichment programming that connects each resident to his or her past Group activities that allow residents to enjoy the outdoors and a thriving social life

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860

301-260-2320 www.bgf.org