Beware of Health Scams That Can Affect Your Pocketbook and Your Well-Being

By Robert G. Graw, Jr., M.D. 

Snake oil salesmen have been around for decades, if not centuries, and modern technology has allowed them to be even more professional in their attempts to sell hype to the unsuspecting public. Unfortunately, seniors are often the targets of such scams. 

The universal appeal of products that promise longevity, vigor or a cure-all makes it easy to fall for persuasive sales pitches. After all, who wouldn’t want a miracle product to increase life expectancy? 

More than a way to lose money, health scams can be dangerous. They may interfere with medications prescribed by your doctor and can even prevent people from getting the legitimate medical treatment they need. Many of these treatments have not been through clinical trials or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is the best way for scientists and doctors to measure their effectiveness. 

A recent heartbreaking example is the story of Steve Jobs, the entrepreneurial visionary who co-founded Apple, Inc. Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003 and delayed receiving potentially lifesaving surgery for several months in favor of a concoction of nonmedical remedies. Before his death a few months ago, Jobs acknowledged his earlier attempt at self-healing that included herbal cures and online treatments had cost him valuable time. 

It’s easy to fall for sales pitches that promise quick fixes and false hope. For many seniors, the remedy of swiftly relieving pain or costing less money than traditional treatments is too irresistible to pass up. By preying on people who are hurting or scared for their future health, scam artists can sell their ideas and products. 

Furthermore, there are now more ways than ever to push untested products. Television infomercials, printed advertisements, direct mail solicitations and the Internet all provide opportunities to sell miracle cures with overnight magic. 

Anti-aging medications have gained popularity, but it’s important to remember that aging is a normal process and nothing has ever been proven to reverse it. Dietary supplements and special treatments are often promoted to somehow suspend the natural progression of growing older.

Questionable health products are often advertised to cure diseases that have no cure, such as arthritis, diabetes and dementia. Vitamins and minerals, amino acids and enzymes and herbs are sold alongside magnets and copper bracelets. But, while some herbal, nontraditional remedies have been shown to help certain symptoms, none of these products are scientifically known to cure any type of disease. 

Even dubious health insurance plans exist. Some companies target people who either cannot afford standard insurance or have a pre-existing condition that prevents them from receiving it. Then, they over-promise coverage. 

Trust your instincts when you consider buying a new product for your health. Be wary of outlandish claims and understand the media that carry these advertisements don’t always check to make sure they are correct. 

Look for red flags when blanket statements are made about making people feel instantly better. Read the fine print at the bottom of print ads or on your television screen. Tricks used by scammers include: a quick or painless cure; a secret formula; testimonies from satisfied customers; a money-back, no-risk guarantee; additional free gifts or giveaways; a limited supply of the product; requiring advance payment; and claims to heal a disease that has not been previously cured by conventional science. 

The two government agencies that work to protect the public from health scams are the Federal Trade Commission, which monitors fraud, and the Food and Drug Administration, which oversees the safety of prescription medicine, medical devices, food, cosmetics and radiation-emitting products. 

Lastly, your doctor is the single best resource for your health concerns. If you have questions about a product that piques your interest, talk to your doctor first. 

Above all, remember the tried-and-true measures for good health in the golden years. Stay active, keep a healthy diet, limit alcohol and avoid tobacco products are still the best advice for seniors.

Dr. Graw, a grandfather of four, is a practicing physician and the founder and CEO of Righttime Medical Care. He can be reached at rgraw@myrighttime.com

Five Easy Steps to End Sugar Cravings 

By Ellen Kittredge 

Have you noticed these past couple months that you craved a little more sugar than usual? If so, that is entirely normal, as we’re offered so many sugar loaded treats over the holidays and with a chill in the air we need more carbohydrates to fuel our bodies. Plus, it can be hard to turn down that offer of an extra piece of pie or those wonderful holiday cookies that someone went to great effort to create. And sometimes once we start eating sweets, we just can’t stop! 

However, we’ll soon be thinking of those warm days of spring when we want lots of energy to get out there and do our best.   This change of seasons, as your body prepares for the transition into spring, can be the perfect time to recommit to treating your body well, by giving up the sugar habit! 

Would you like to rid yourself of sugar cravings once and for all? 

Before we get to the simple and practical steps for claiming independence from sugar cravings, let’s first determine if your body might be suffering from a sugar overload. There are at least 44 documented adverse reactions to sugar consumption. I share 14 of these with you below. 

Do you see yourself in any of these descriptions? 

* Mood swings

* Drowsiness

* Overwhelming fatigue

* Sweet cravings

* Headaches

* Difficulty concentrating

* Depression

* Dizziness and vertigo

* Nightmares

* Severe PMS

* Cold hands and feet

* Ravenous hunger between meals

* Joint pains

* Muscle pains
How could sugar be involved with these conditions? Sugar qualifies as an addictive substance. This is for two reasons: 

 – When you have some sugar – even just a little, you crave more. If you’ve been staying away from sugar and then indulge, your cravings will come right back. 

– When you take it away you experience withdrawal symptoms. You may experience fatigue, anger, depression or a variety of other symptoms. 

Luckily there are lots of ways to get rid of sugar cravings. The first step is to recognize the cravings. The next step is to recognize all the ways that your body feels when you eat sugar.  

Once you feel inspired to let go of sugar, I’d suggest starting by trying to add healthier foods to your diet. A healthy well-balanced diet that is high in minerals will give you enough sweetness from fruits and vegetables to satisfy your cravings. The sugar roller coaster that many of us are on is caused by imbalances in our nutrient intake. But there are many other effective means for addressing sugar cravings. Here are my favorites: 

Five Easy and Effective Tips for Getting off the Sugar Roller Coaster:
1. Drink more water 

Dehydration manifests in the body as hunger before the body realizes you are actually just thirsty. Keep your daily water intake at one-half your body weight in ounces, and you’ll notice many positive effects, including a reduction in sweet cravings. 

2. Minimize or Reduce Caffeine Intake

Caffeine causes blood sugar swings and can directly contribute to sugar cravings, so if you are consuming caffeine, either consider quitting the habit, minimizing intake or consuming your caffeinated beverages with food to minimize the effect on your blood sugar. 

3. Eat More Sweet Fruits and Veggies 

What a glorious time to increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables. The farmers’ markets are still bursting with fresh fruits of the summer, and the nutrient-loaded sweet root vegetables and winter squashes will be appearing soon. Forgo the pastries and increase your consumption of these delicious and nutritious fruits and veggies, and you’ll notice those sweet cravings start to dissipate right away. 

4. Examine your consumption of the grounding foods like salt, red meat, eggs and heavy proteins

When you eat too many foods that have a grounding effect on the body, your body automatically strives to balance with a lighter food. Sugar is a “light” food. It makes us feel happy and energetic (at least initially) and provides the perfect balance to something like salt. (Caffeine is also a “light” food, and frequently these grounding foods will cause caffeine cravings too). Try it and see. Eat a few handfuls of potato chips. Do you automatically reach for a soda? A beer? A sweet fruit or baked good? Or perhaps a sweetened iced coffee?  

Pay attention to how your sweet cravings are linked to your consumption of the foods just mentioned, and if there is a link, either consider limiting these foods, or pairing them with a more gentle sweet food, something like a piece of fruit. For instance, if you’re having salty eggs for breakfast have a piece of fruit with the eggs to deter any cravings for a harsher sweet (candy, cookie, etc.) that you otherwise would have later that morning. 

5. Find sweetness in non-food ways

Last, but certainly not least, we can all use more hugs, more kind words, more massages and more time spent relaxing with loved ones. Slow down and make time for these things in your life, and you will find you are not reaching into that candy bowl quite as often.

I’d suggest committing to try these tactics for one week. I’ve taken enough clients through this process of getting off the sugar roller coaster that I can guarantee you’ll see a difference if you give it a try. Once you’ve committed for one week, the second week is easier, and the third week is a breeze. 

Ellen is a nutrition and health counselor who helps her clients experience real and lasting weight loss, eliminate cravings, gain more energy and improve overall health and well-being. She can be contacted at www.ellenkittredge.com

Variety is the Spice of Life

 Growing Philodendrons

There are two types of philodendrons, the climbers and nonclimbers. The climbers need strong support as they grow upward, like a trellis, or a moss-covered stake in a flower pot. The sweetheart plant, aka, heart-leaf philodendron, is one such climber and can survive a little neglect from the well-meaning homeowner. The first botanists, noting its climbing, tree-like nature, named it after the Greek philos, meaning “loving,” and dendron, meaning “tree.”

Nonclimbers can get quite massive and believe it or not aren’t as suitable to the home as the climbers. Tree philodendron, for example becomes unsightly and unwieldy if not kept in a small pot to curtail its growth. 

There are some beautiful plants to choose from including blushing philodendron, elephant’s ear philodendron, black gold philodendron and fiddleleaf philodendron.         

If you’re looking for variety, check out the different types of philodendrons in your local supermarket, floral shop and other outlets. Although they are generally grown indoors, they can be placed outdoors around your Bay home if kept out of direct sunlight, that is, after the temperatures rise above 50 degrees. They also thrive in humid greenhouses and arboretums where the day temps are around 70 degrees and nighttime temps 10 degrees lower.

Plant your philodendron in a six-to-eight-inch pot with a quality potting soil. Spread the roots around the interior of the pot, then fill the pot with potting soil, firming it with your hand over and around the roots. Leave about an inch of space at the top of the pot for watering. Provide an initial fertilizer, such as a slow-release plant food like Osmocote and or a light feeding with an all-purpose fertilizer. Don’t worry if the roots are somewhat crowded, philodendrons don’t mind.

If planting directly in the ground outside, either permanently or for the summer months, plant in a soil rich in organic matter, i.e., compost, and/or sphagnum peat moss. Remember, these plants need a partial shade environment and something to climb to thrive outdoors.

Light: As mentioned above, they need to be kept out of direct sunlight either indoors or out. A few feet from a spacious window out of the direct rays of the sun is ideal.

Temperature: Like most houseplants, philodendrons don’t like conditions very dry or real hot so keep away from heat sources from furnaces, air ducts, etc. It is better to have conditions that are cool and moist as opposed to very warm.

Water: Newly planted philodendrons need a generous watering. Thoroughly soak the soil then let it dry out before watering again. After the plant is established, keep the soil evenly moist.

Feeding: After an initial feeding, provide a light feeding of a soluble fertilizer such as Miracle Grow each time you water for best overall health. This means applying at less than half the recommended rate. 

Additional care: Keep an eye out for insects, including aphids and spider mites. Spider mites are usually a problem in hot, dry environments. Clean the leaves occasionally with a mild mixture of soap and water.

ANTRIM 1844 COUNTRY INN

By Maureen Smith 

          If you need an escape at this time of year, let me suggest an amazing look at a page from the past. Only 70 miles from Annapolis in the town of Taneytown (pronounced Tawneytown), which prides itself on its rich history and small town atmosphere, you will find Antrim 1844, an exquisite country inn.  From the moment you enter the massive doors of this mansion, you are met and pampered by a courteous, warm and well-trained staff. You feel not only like an honored guest during your visit, but part of a family. You are Scarlett and you’ve come home to Tara.

          As you step in the door, a lovely grand foyer filled with beautiful mirrors and portraits surrounds you.  Directly ahead is the breathtaking cherry wood staircase that spirals past the second floor and up to the third floor where a glass-enclosed widow’s walk proudly perches on top of the home. We mounted the stairs to the Boyd Room, one of four lovely bedrooms on that level. Two large draped and shuttered windows gave us a view of the formal garden below. Under the 12-foot ceilings, there is a beautiful king-size, four-poster bed, a bath with a footed tub and shower, two comfortable chairs facing a wood-burning fireplace all set up for the toss of a match.     We took time to settle in before returning downstairs to the matching drawing rooms with 14-foot ceilings, which run the length of the house to the right of the entrance hall.  While admiring the antiques, the plaster moldings, the Persian rugs and the hand-carved white marble mantels, guests are invited to enjoy afternoon tea with scones and little sandwiches. This is when you will have the opportunity to meet with the other guests, some of whom have been regulars since discovering Antrim.  Others who are here for the first time are most often in awe of the beauty of this home.

          After this treat, we opt for a walk to explore the grounds.  Antrim was built in 1844 by Col. Andrew Ege, an immigrant from County Antrim, Ireland.  He gave it to his daughter as a wedding gift.  Unfortunately, the colonel went bankrupt and Antrim was put up for auction.  In 1873 it was purchased by George Washington Clabaugh, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland.  When he died in 1916, the property went to his niece, Helen Clabaugh Lamberton.  The plantation of 2,500 acres stayed in this family for over a century and was used as a summer retreat from Washington, D.C.  At this time there was little plumbing and less electricity.  In 1961 the house and what remained of the land was sold to George Crouse.  It was at this time that Antrim was registered as a National Historic Trust property.

          In November 1987, Dorothy and Richard Mollett came along and saw the potential of this grand Greek Revival mansion with Federal influences.  Fortunately, they had experience after restoring six historic houses, so they embraced the challenge to bring Antrim back to its original splendor — and succeed they did.

          All of the outbuildings including the post house, the ice house, the summer kitchen, the barn, the spring house, the brick outbuildings and the carriage house) are original to the property and supported the lifestyle of a mid-19th century agrarian plantation.  It was fun to soak in the charm of these old buildings.  After the Molletts’ restoration, Antrim has 40 guest rooms in 11 different buildings, a fine dining restaurant with world-class cuisine, and a glass-enclosed pavilion designed for weddings and special events.  Nestled in the gardens, you’ll find a swimming pool, tennis court, putting green and croquet lawn. 

          Soon we were back in our bedroom to rest and freshen up before joining other guests for drinks and hors d’ouevres served by candlelight in the drawing room. There is a flexible dress code and guests are comfortable in a turtleneck or a formal gown at such gatherings.  This is the beginning of a six-course feast prepared by the executive chef, Michael Gettier. 

          If requested, guests can be treated to a tour of the award-winning, internationally recognized wine cellar led by Manager Jay Jung.  His enthusiasm is captivating.  The cellar boasts more than 19,000 bottles of wine.   The most expensive bottle is $4,000.  (We decided not to try that one on this trip. Maybe another time.)  This charming room was set up for a small dinner party that evening, events that need to be requested in advance.

          Dinner was served in the Smoke House restaurant with polished brick floors, a fireplace, pictures of Civil War generals and an unobtrusive piano player who does everyone’s favorites.  The menus are special, carrying the guests’ names in our party and signed by the chef wishing us, ‘Bon appetit’!  It is truly worth framing.

          Choosing an appetizer and entree from the tantalizing list is difficult. I chose crispy quail with a smoked chicken stuffing, served on a bed of creamy gorgonzola polenta. (I don’t normally fix that at home.) A salad of greens was served in a tortilla shell. Fortunately, we were allowed plenty of time between courses — nothing is rushed.  We were even served a palate cleanser before the entree.  Later I discovered that some people ask for a “to go” bag which they refrigerate for you until your departure the next day.  They do think of everything at Antrim.

          After dinner, sated guests can stop by the Pickwick Pub for nightcaps before making their way up to their wonderful feather beds.  Did I mention no televisions or telephones in the rooms, a reminder of your 19th century surroundings.

          At 8 a.m. a wooden valet arrives at your door with a thermos of coffee, two amazing muffins (cranberry and walnut on this day), some sliced fruit and a newspaper. There are warm robes provided to snuggle into while enjoying your morning repast in front of the fire. But remember this is only the starter breakfast. At 10 a.m. (or sooner), it is time to proceed to the dining room for the complementary full breakfast.  We chose eggs and bacon with a mini waffle.  We can diet tomorrow. We were impressed that our young server referred to the owners as Dort and Richard. The staff is a family and you are part of that family when you enter those lovely massive doors.

          This little piece of utopia ends all too soon, but in this bucolic setting a short hop will take you to Gettysburg, Pa., New Oxford, Pa., Emmitsburg, Md., Frederick, Md., or New Market, Md., all places to explore and enjoy. There are also museums, parks, shopping, skiing and wineries close by. 

          To learn more about Antrim, visit their website at www.antrim1844.com

“Let’s Talk Turkey”       

By Kathryn Marchi 

The time for turkey, the holiday bird, may have come and gone, but the timing for Turkey, the country, is just right. 

Turkey, as history tells us, was an integral part of the Byzantine Empire, which began as the eastern half of the Roman Empire. It flourished and expanded long after the fall of Rome in AD 476. Istanbul, now Turkey’s largest city, had a colorful history in this era:  It was first known as Byzantium and remained so for 1,000 years.  As Rome was failing as the center of civilization, it is said that the Roman Emperor Constantine I had a vision which brought him east to Byzantium.  In AD 324, he renamed the city Constantinople.  This city served as the capital of the Byzantine Empire until the Ottomans captured it in 1453. In 1930, the city was renamed Istanbul.  

Modern day Turkey has an interesting location in the world which is important to note.  It actually occupies two continents: Europe to the southwest, a space the size of Massachusetts, and Asia on the southeast, an area the size of the state of Texas.  Interestingly Istanbul is the only city in the world that straddles two continents.  It is located on the Bosporus Strait that separates Europe and Asia and links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.  Indeed, the location of Istanbul from the beginning was due to this deep water harbor which helped it become a cultural and commercial center for the area. 

Today the city of Istanbul is a modern, vibrant city where contemporary buildings stand side by side with the structures of antiquity.  Residents are proud of both their Western and Eastern heritage.  More than 135 mosques with their domes and minarets dot the horizon and the call to prayer can be heard echoing throughout the city.  It’s a beautiful and fascinating place! 

Following are the not-to-be-missed sites that are part of most tours: 

v Blue Mosque:  The atmosphere inside is actually blue due to the many azure blue tile mosaics on the inside of the dome and walls. 

v Topkapi Palace:  Occupied by the Sultans and the royal court until the mid 19^th century, the jewel collection in the National Treasury is spectacular.

v Hagia Sofia:  Begun by Emperor Justinian in the sixth century, this was the world’s largest Christian church for 1,000 years.

v Hippodrome:  Roman statues and an Egyptian obelisk are placed in this area.  A fascinating Roman underground cistern and aqueduct is beneath this space.

v Grand Bazaar:  This is a shopping delight!  You can find all things Turkish:  rugs, scarves, jewelry, Turkish Delight candies, T-shirts, jackets and “Evil Eye” trinkets.

v Spice Market:  Merchants have laid out a virtual patchwork quilt of spices in front of their shops.  The fragrance is remarkable!  A favorite to buy is saffron.

v Turkish Night Club:  Dinner and belly dancing are the favorites here. 

The exquisite city of Ephesus was well-known for its riches and luxuries between 1-4 AD.  With a population of around 225,000 during that time, Ephesus had one of the most advanced aqueduct systems in the ancient world.  

Many of the tour ships dock at the port city of Kusadasi, which is said to be one of the most attractive cities on the Aegean.  From here bus tours are offered through a rugged area of mountains and olive groves in order to reach Ephesus: 

v  The House of the Virgin Mary: Located outside of Ephesus, it is said to be the place where Mary lived out her last years.  A visit to the house, which is now a shrine, is a profound experience.  In the mountainous area nearby, St. Paul is said to have preached to crowds of Ephesians.

v Ruins of Ephesus:  Walking along an ancient paved road, the magnificent ruins of the city rise up and surround visitors.  Significant buildings include the Odeon, the Baths, the Great Theater, and the Celsus Library.  At this time, the newly excavated “Terrace Houses” are open to the public. 

This is just a tip of the iceberg of what can be seen and learned in Turkey.  Others have shared their experiences of seeing more historic ruins in the interior of the country.  Indeed, the ancient ruins of Turkey rival those in Greece and Italy.  

If you have an interest in touring Turkey, there are many ways to plan a trip.  Most cruise lines offer Mediterranean cruises which include Istanbul and Ephesus.  They also provide travelers with the required visa for their stay at these sites.  Of course, there are other travel agencies that will help set up tours according tourists’ specific needs. 

For More Information: 

“Lost to the West” by Lars Brownsworth is a great book to read before traveling to Turkey. For more information on trips to Turkey, Google these websites:

www.hollandamerica.com

www.princess.com

www.cruises.com

www.allaboutturkey.com 

www.bluediamondcruising.com

Peace Corps:  Seniors Are Showing Up

By Tricia Herban 

Remember the old expression, “Join the Navy to see the world?”  That’s a good slogan and self-explanatory.  But what about the Peace Corps?  Recently, the Peace Corps came to Annapolis on a recruiting trip and OutLook had the opportunity to speak with two regional recruiters, Janet Schuhl and Jessica Lampron. 

For an answer to the question, Who joins the Peace Corps?  We looked around as the room filled: nine men and 14 women.  Four heads were conspicuously gray! We wondered how common this was. 

OutLook: Give us a brief history of the Peace Corps?  Didn’t it begin with President Kennedy? 

Peace Corps: Yes. Kennedy first mentioned the idea in a campaign speech at the University of Michigan in the early ‘60s and the thought was to engage recent college graduates in a mission of peace and friendship throughout the world.  Kennedy felt that it was important to provide sustainable assistance on a very basic level, working person to person, not through government bureaucracies. 

OutLook: And the basic facts today are? 

Peace Corps: There are more than 4,000 volunteers.  The commitment is for 27 months, the first three of which are spent in intensive cultural and linguistic training. Over the life of the program, there have been more than 200,000 volunteers. 

OutLook: Do recruits get to “request” a particular location?  For example, if I am fluent in French, could I expect to go to a French-speaking country?  Or if I wanted to learn a new language, such as Spanish, could I go to a country where Spanish is the native language? 

Peace Corps: That is a very common question because, of course, it is natural to want to use the language skills that you have and it is also natural to want to “get something out of” the experience of serving. However, the answer is that you can “request,” but in fact, decisions about placement are primarily based on your skill set and the needs of the developing countries. 

OutLook: Would you explain how that sorts out? 

Peace Corps: Well, for starters, we currently serve in 77 countries.  Our programs fall into six broad categories: education (33 percent), youth and community development (18 percent), health and HIV/Aids (18 percent), business and information and communication technology (17 percent ), agriculture (8 percent), and environment (7 percent). So, to get specific, you can see that if your professional background was in health care, the overriding placement decision would be to locate you in an area requesting help with health care. 

OutLook: Which parts of the world have the greatest needs for Peace Corps support? 

Peace Corps: 41 percent of our efforts are dedicated to the African continent.  Latin America receives 23 percent, followed by Eastern Europe and Central Asia at 17 percent.  The least aid goes to the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands, North Africa and the Middle East. It is important to bear in mind that we only go where we are invited. Beyond that, the country must be safe for our volunteers and offer an appropriate opportunity for our programs to be successful.  This is critical because we are not giving money, we are giving skilled aid on a personal basis. 

OutLook: If I were thinking about joining up, what would you tell me? 

Peace Corps: First, I would encourage you with the fact that about 20 percent of our volunteers are over 50.  Our oldest current volunteer is 85 and serving in Morocco. Next, I would ask if you are a flexible and adaptable person who is comfortable with all sorts of people. Then, I would stress that success is very dependent on being able to “listen first, act second.” Finally, I would point out the benefits of serving as an “elder.” You frequently are treated with great respect and you can count on having an adventure beyond your imagining, an experience that will keep you young! 

OutLook: So what is the process for applying? 

Peace Corps: The application is submitted online. You will receive a response in three to 12 months. 

OutLook: So this is a long process?

 Peace Corps: Yes. The entire program will be close to a five-year commitment. 

OutLook: If I qualify on the basis of my paper application, what happens next? 

Peace Corps: You will have a personal interview.  If you pass that, an intensive physical review will follow, which can take three to six months. Your health is critical because you may be located in an area with no medical support or health care facilities. Once you receive medical approval, you will have one more personal interview which will be followed by an “invitation to serve.” This is the moment of truth. You will be told the location of your assignment and the program service area. You have 10 days to accept or refuse. 

OutLook: Eureka!  I get accepted and I decide to go.  But I don’t speak the language, I have scarcely heard of the country. What next? 

Peace Corps: First you have a one-day session with your fellow volunteers, usually a group of 30 to 50 others who are going to the same country.  Then you pack your bags and spend three months in your host country, staying with a local family who will provide you with a 24/7 language immersion experience. Your days will be filled with language classes and cross-cultural training, which will tell you what you need to know for your safety, security and health. During this time, you will become part of the community and you will already be representing America. 

OutLook: Then I go on my assignment? 

Peace Corps:  Yes.  You will move to another location where you may be the only volunteer.  But you will have the support of a community contact who speaks English and can help you make connections within the community. You will live like a native and you will begin to define your job: what you can do and with whom.  

OutLook: This sounds rather vague.  

Peace Corps: It is.  Unless you are specifically tasked with teaching English as a foreign language or something high-tech, you will need to assess how best to address the needs you have been requested to help meet.  You have two years in which to work yourself into and out of a job, as the goal is always to develop sustainability within the community so that needs can be met locally without ongoing support. 

OutLook: It sounds overwhelming. 

Peace Corps: In one way, it is a big assignment, one worthy of the best you have to offer.  However, it is the experience of a lifetime.  We have volunteers who keep in touch with their host families or communities over many years.  We also have volunteers who re-up for additional assignments. The Peace Corps is best described as an adventure — “The toughest job you’ll ever love!”

Tricia can be reached at triciah@erols.com  

Peace Corps contact information:

Main number: 800 424.8580

www.peacecorps.gov

1525 Wilson Boulevard – Suite 100

Arlington, VA 22209

dcinfo@peacecorps.gov

Benefits Go Unclaimed

By Wayne Zussman and Karen Baer 

Hundreds of local, state and federal programs offer benefits to seniors. Most people are familiar with Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, but what about smaller, lesser known, but no less valuable benefits?  Many seniors could take advantage of such opportunities, if only they were aware that these programs existed.  

Where to Start?

One of the most comprehensive websites (www.benefitscheckup.org) was developed by the National Council on Aging and provides a free, easy-to-use interface to determine what programs and services a person is eligible for. By typing in information such as age, marital status, income and medications taken, this website provides a list of potential programs, complete with contact numbers.  The process is anonymous and provides information on local, state, and federal programs. Seniors can learn more about COBRA subsidies, property tax relief, home care options, meals and reduced utility bills. BenefitsCheckUp compiles information on “more than 1,800 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.” 

If you choose the comprehensive option when looking for benefits (instead of choosing only prescription drug assistance or the senior housing locator, for example), the information-input process will take 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how comfortable you are filling out Internet forms. For those who are more comfortable with hard copy forms, you can print out a copy of the questionnaire.  It’s important to note that a site like this one do not make decisions on whether a person will receive benefits.  Rather, it serves as clearinghouses for information and for the application process, pointing people in the right direction to find the benefits. The final decision rests with the granting agencies. 

More Options 

State boards. Many states have a board, administered through the state health and human services department, that focuses on getting benefits to seniors. A quick search of your state’s website will usually send you in the right direction. The state board can help you find local agencies and nonprofit groups that can provide help to seniors and their families.  

Utility relief. You can learn about some discounts for seniors, such as help paying utility bills, weatherizing homes and so on, by talking to your service provider, even if you get power or heat from a private company. The provider will know where to send questions about senior discounts and will often have links on its website that will lead you to a state or municipality site where you can find an application or phone number to learn about eligibility for assistance programs. 

Veterans Affairs. The VA pension is available to wartime veterans who are 65 or older (or permanently and totally disabled) and on a limited income. The income limits depend on whether

the veteran has a spouse or child, needs aid or is housebound. Some expenses, such as education and health care, are taken into consideration when figuring household income, and an application form needs to be filled out.  The VA also offers a burial allowance, even when the cause of death is not related to military service. This benefit does not apply to people who were dishonorably discharged from service. Certain other conditions must be met. Check the VA website (www.va.gov) for more information. 

Business and membership organizations. Many senior associations, such as AARP (www.aarp.org) and the American Senior Benefits Association (www.asbaonline.org), offer members help in navigating the benefits maze. These organizations mail or e-mail tips to their members throughout the year about discounts on products and services, and offer newsletters and promotions that can open up opportunities for travel or education. Some organizations even offer cross-generational benefits, including information about scholarships for grandchildren of members or grants for adult children.  Some organizations charge for membership, others are

Free. Some associations also have a lobbying arm or provide legislative updates as bills that affect seniors travel through Congress or local legislatures. Before joining such groups, seniors should research them carefully and decide whether they represent the seniors’ interests in a way in which they approve. 

Every Little Bit Counts 

Some of the best benefits can come in the form of everyday transactions. Seniors shouldn’t be shy about asking about discounts at restaurants, hotels, car rentals and other businesses. You’ve earned the benefit, now it’s time to collect. 

Triton Wealth Management is an independent, fee-only financial planning and investment management firm that can provide resources to help seniors make the financial decisions that will see them safely through retirement. Triton has offices in Annapolis, Kent Island and Gaithersburg, Maryland, and can be reached at 410 202-2110 or by e-mail at info@TritonWM.com Please also visit us on the Web at www.TritonWM.com

                          BAY CREATURES: THE AMERICAN OYSTER

It’s hard to explain our hunger for oysters. How could we possibly crave something that looks as though it was dredged from the depths of a spittoon? The first person to sample an oyster must have been uncommonly brave—or famished.

          But humans have been eating oysters for eons. Prehistoric shell heaps rim coastlines worldwide. By the late 19^th century, when the legendary gourmand, Diamond Jim Brady, was reportedly devouring several dozen oysters a day, Americans had a huge appetite for these bivalves. Chesapeake Bay’s oyster landings averaged 25 million bushels a year and both demand and supply seemed inexhaustible.

          Those days are gone, and not just because of Diamond Jim. Bay watermen now bring in less than 1 percent of peak landings a century ago. What happened? Overharvesting, pollution, disease and habitat destruction have all played a role in the mollusk’s demise. Today the local oyster fishery seems to be on life support.

          But there are signs that oyster populations may be on the rebound. More about that later. First, a little background about this popular seafood.

          Chesapeake Bay’s signature shellfish, the American or Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica), is fundamentally a hardy creature, able to withstand wide ranges of temperature, salinity and oxygen levels. It can survive long periods out of the water (oysters in the shell may be refrigerated for up to a week and still be good to eat if still lively).

          Oysters reproduce prolifically. In early summer fertile females release successive clouds of eggs, producing 100 million eggs or more in a single season. The eggs, fertilized by discharged sperm from adult males, soon become free-swimming larvae. In two to three weeks larvae grow a “foot,” settle on a hard surface (oyster shells are preferred), and secrete a substance that cements them in place. The sedentary juvenile oysters are known as spat.

          Seemingly sexually conflicted, oysters start out as males but, by the second year, when most oysters are mature, half or more have become female. Sex inversion can continue as oysters grow older. When males are scarce, some females may switch back to the opposite sex.

          Oysters feed by pumping seawater through their gills, straining out food particles. A single adult can filter up to 50 gallons of water daily. In their heyday the Chesapeake’s teeming oyster populations could filter the entire bay volume—ten trillion gallons—in less than a week.

          So these mollusks are hardy, adaptable, well-armored, prolific breeders and prodigious eaters. Small wonder that they have survived, almost unchanged, for 200 million years. Still, very few larvae make it to adulthood. The developing shellfish are done in by predators (notably crabs, snails, starfish, fin-fish, marine worms and humans), disease (especially the parasites, MSX and dermo), pollution and extreme weather conditions. In the last several decades, overharvesting and deteriorating water quality have accelerated the decline of oysters in the Chesapeake.

          But it is not yet time to write the bivalve’s obituary. Though the jury is still out, our local stocks may be recovering. For one thing, they seem to be developing natural resistance to MSX and dermo—mortality from diseases has recently declined significantly. And the Bay’s water quality is gradually improving, even if the changes are frustratingly slow.

          Equally important, programs to rebuild the Bay’s oyster populations are beginning to bear fruit, especially in Virginia. Restoration efforts include reef-building, hatcheries and aquaculture. Reefs, consisting of accumulating layers of oyster shells, are critical for the survival of the species. Shells provide suitable settling areas for spat, and the elevated surfaces help keep growing oysters above smothering sediments. But the Bay has lost 90 percent of its oyster reefs since the 19^th century. Using recycled oyster shells, Maryland and Virginia are trying to establish new reefs in sanctuary areas temporarily closed to harvesting.

          Hatcheries produce juvenile oysters in carefully managed facilities. The young shellfish are later seeded into the Bay. The University of Maryland’s Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge is the world’s largest oyster hatchery with the capacity to produce two million oysters a year.

          Aquaculture—farming the sea—has particular promise for rejuvenating the Bay’s commercial oyster industry. Worldwide, farming produces more than 4 million tons of oysters annually, worth more than $3 billion, but the enterprise is still in its infancy in Chesapeake Bay. That is changing. Virginia is actively promoting oyster cultivation by streamlining the permitting process, providing grants and supporting the development of sterile oysters that grow to market size in one year, two years faster than in the wild. Virginia oyster farmers now lease more than 100,000 acres of Bay bottom. Maryland recently passed legislation to facilitate permits for this emerging business opportunity.

          It is too soon to judge the effectiveness of these efforts. But two things seem certain. Restoration of Chesapeake Bay’s threatened oyster populations will help revitalize the region’s maritime economy and improve the quality of the Bay’s fertile waters.

~ Henry S. Parker

Smart Phones

By Scudder Sodergreen 

          Yesterday, as I was shopping for a new phone, and obviously under a tight budget, I was looking for one that called and texted, both of which are essential to my life.  When I entered the store, I was greeted by Miss Perma-Smile. She asked me what kind of phone I wanted. Android? iPhone? Smart phone in general? Do I want roaming capabilities? How strong a camera did I need? and so on.

          Pretending to be way out of touch with current trends, I answered, “I want one that texts and calls.” She looked me dead in the eyes and laughed. Now I personally didn’t see the humor in my answer, but I was soon told that if your phone doesn’t text, it’s not a phone. Well this was news to me as I had never texted anyone from my house phone before. So she took me down the line of all the latest and greatest smart phones which she tried to tactful say were smarter than me. Thanks for the support.

          Smart phones are the next generation of phones and these things do everything! From emailing, games, agendas, word documents, anything that you could do with your computer, you can now do with a smart phone, which of course includes texting and calling. A smart phone is mainly based off of its operating system or OS. You’ve probably heard of it in connection with the recently released Apple software, but the operating system is what runs your phone, how it runs and all the new features it has on it. Think of a smart phone as a hand-held computer with phone capabilities!

           Another feature of these smart phones are apps. Apps are the small programs that can be easily installed and used, for education, entertainment and work. Of course, now the Internet seems to be a given when it comes to phones, and smart phones are no different, Phones gain their Internet from the 3g network, which is just a high-tech way of saying the wireless signal the phone receives in order to make calls. (We now have 4g as well, but it hasn’t quite caught on yet.)

          The Web has gotten so big on phones that they now make phones that have high-speed Internet.  And for everyone who hates that annoying keyboard on normal phones, almost all of the smart phones have a QWERTY keyboard which is a techy way of saying it’s identical to the keyboard on your computer or typewriter.

          One downside to the smart phones is the $30 data usage fee per month, which basically means if you turn on the phone, they are allowed to charge you this. Smart Phones are taking over, and it’s annoying for people like me, who want a cheap phone, that just texts and calls. I have indeed found a phone like this; it was in the back corner of the store, covered in dust. But it works like a charm, so I won’t complain, Smart phones are great little machines, and can really help if your days are busy and you’re never home. But me? I’ll stick to my phone, it hasn’t failed yet. 

Scudder has spent the better part of his life trying to keep his grandparents apprised of the latest technology. He thinks he’s making headway. He can be reached at sasodergreen@aol.com

The Price of Spice

By Melissa Conroy 

The scent of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger are heralds of the holiday season: What would pumpkin pie be without these lovely spices? Imagine cinnamon rolls or apple pie without cinnamon or egg nog without a dash of nutmeg. Indeed, imagine food without spice at all. How dull our lives would be without cardamom, paprika, bay leaf, allspice, chili powder, turmeric, dill weed and other lovely aromatic sprinklings that lend their zip and savor to our foods.

Since most households have a spice rack somewhere in the kitchen and containers of spices are available at any grocery store for a few dollars, most of us easily overlook the fact that throughout much of human history, wars were waged and desperate ventures risked for the piquant herbs and powders. The history of spices is fascinating and complex and it should make you deeply thankful that you can easily purchase a jar of ground cinnamon at the store or don’t have to take out a second mortgage to add pepper to your meal. 

There are countless spices grown and gathered across the world, and different cultures adapt them for their needs, so let’s focus on a handful of common ones and talk about their diverse histories. 

Pepper: No table in the US is complete without a container of ground pepper. The user of pepper dates back to before 2000 BC in India, but the Romans were particularly fond of it. Pepper became such a highly valued commodity and spice that the Dutch had a word peperduur (pepper expensive) to describe a particularly expensive item. In 1468, Duke Karl of Bourgeoisie displayed 380 pounds of pepper at his wedding feast to showcase his wealth, much as a celebrity today might flaunt a $1 million dollar diamond ring. 

Nutmeg: Nutmeg is the seed of several varieties of myristica genus trees whereas mace is the covering coating the seed. Long valued because of their extreme rarity, nutmeg and mace were highly prized during medieval times. This is little wonder because the trees that produced nutmeg were only found on nine islands in the Banda Sea. During plague times, people used nutmeg in hopes that it would protect them from illness, and Arabic writers long touted the spice as an aphrodisiac that could also ease stomach problems. 

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is perhaps as old as pepper, and both spices are mentioned in the Old and New Testaments. Like all spices, cinnamon was incredibly expensive, so much so that Nero was said to have burned a year’s supply of Rome’s cinnamon at the funeral of his wife Poppae Sabina to honor her. 

Cloves: Although cloves only grew on a few islands, the world discovered the spice and people in Europe were using it before the first century AD. In China, people often chewed cloves before an audience with the emperor to insure that their breath was pleasant. The word “clove” comes from the French “clou” meaning “nail,” since a clove does look like a nail. 

Ginger: Use of this funny-looking root dates back more than 3,000 years ago. Although the spice was well-known in Rome, use of it all but disappeared in Europe until Marco Polo brought it back from the Orient and repopularized it. Queen Elizabeth I is said to have created gingerbread men when she presented visiting dignitaries with gingerbread shaped in their likeness. 

While today we have access to a great variety of inexpensive spices, throughout much of human history, spices were enormously costly, primarily because of the effort involved to get them into the hands of customers. Bill Bryson in his excellent book At Home: A Short History of Private Life notes that “By the time they reached European markets, nutmeg and mace fetched as much as sixty thousand times what they sold for in the far east.” The demand for spices was largely what spurred so many travels to foreign lands as dauntless explorers sought better trade routes and easier ways to get the spices their customers demanded. Bryson notes, “For centuries spices were not just the world’s most valued foodstuffs, they were the most treasured commodities of any type.” 

However, the challenges facing these spice merchants were enormous. Travel over land meant crossing mountains and deserts under the constant threat of robbery. Sea voyages were long and perilous, and many a ship sank below the water with a priceless cargo of spices on board. In 1453, the Turkish Empire cut off the land route from Asia to Europe, forcing explorers to find alternative routes to bring their spice cargo to waiting customers. Thus such adventurers as Perdro Alvares Cabral, Christopher Columbus, Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco de Gama and Ferdinand Magellan tackled the oceans in attempts to find a way to reach the Spice Islands via boat.

 With new trading routes open, European countries quickly began jockeying for power over the spice trade. The Dutch-Portuguese War was one such conflict and part of this war involved the Dutch seizing the island of Ceylon which was the largest cinnamon supplier, only to have it taken from them by the French and then English in 1795. Many battles and conflicts that raged across the world for centuries can be tied directly to spices. Countless men died in battle and thousands of others wearily transported spices from one end of the earth to the other, risking untold hardship and danger. It is small wonder that Bryson concludes “I can tell you at one that nothing you touch today will have more bloodshed, suffering, and woe attached to it than the innocuous twin pillars of your salt and pepper set.” 

Happily today, we have easy access to inexpensive, high-quality spices from around the world. Imagine a 4-ounce jar of pepper costing as much as a car. Think of how much a pan of cinnamon rolls or an apple pie would cost if spices were at medieval prices.