How to leave your digital assets to heirs
My mom, who passed away a few years ago, was a very careful and meticulous person who kept a notebook with all of her online account passwords. Mom was also a Morse code operator in the Royal Air Force during WWII, so all of her passwords were in code.I was lucky: She told me about the book and her codes. If she hadn’t, finding and deciphering her notes would have taken a very long... READ MORE
How not to get ripped off for car repairs
It’s the moment every car owner dreads. The mechanic comes out of the garage to say your ride needs repairs costing hundreds of dollars.Then two big questions pop into your brain: Are the fixes really needed? Am I being overcharged?There might not be a way around getting the car fixed, but there are ways to stay in control of the situation. But it takes some work and planning both... READ MORE
Dreamgirls sparkles and shines at Toby’s
Dreamgirls, the musical melodrama, is glittering again at Toby’s Dinner Theater in a production that is scintillating, exhilarating and, finally, exhausting — though not in a bad way.This is Toby’s third production of the multiple Tony Award-winning play. And the cast, both newly minted and repeat performers, puts heart, soul, guts and more soul into the almost-always... READ MORE
Where and how to enjoy fall foliage’s peak
It’s time to plan and reserve fall foliage trip accommodations and tours. And not just to New England — you can find good fall foliage viewing throughout much of the U.S. and Canada. Peak viewing dates move gradually from North to South between mid-September and mid-November. And you can view foliage displays in your car, on a bus tour, or on a train.Where to go. Start by... READ MORE
Don’t fall victim to fraud after hurricanes
In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, two things are certain: 1) Texans and Floridians will rebuild and repair, and 2) scammers will be lurking — ready to take advantage of victims, their circumstances and the people lending a hand to help. Preventing natural disaster relief scams is impossible. But informed citizens doing their research can avoid falling... READ MORE
What’s behind all the talk about turmeric?
The turmeric plant (Curcuma longa or Curcuma domestica) is a relative of ginger grown in India and Indonesia. This yellow-orange spice not only gives curries their rich color, it also has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years.Research on some of the chemical compounds in turmeric is finding a wealth of potential health benefits, but does turmeric itself live up to the... READ MORE
New technologies to improve your health
“Connected” health technology is a godsend for people who want to grow old in their homes and retain their independence. According to an industry report by MarketResearch.com, the market for connected “smart sensors” is expected to reach $117 billion by 2020. Health tech lets users get help in an emergency with mobile medic alert-like personal emergency response systems; track... READ MORE
Robotic companion can make life easier
Those who live alone and need some assistance to continue aging in place may get by with a little help from a friend — a cute white and blue robot named Rudy.INF Robotics, based in Fairfax, Virginia, has spent the last six years building Rudy specifically to assist older adults and individuals with disabilities with a range of tasks, and to serve as a sentinel in case of falls.Rudy,... READ MORE
Finding a new passion
Long-time readers will note something odd about this issue. Well, maybe several things. But what I have in mind is that our cover story was written by me. I don’t do that very often, you may have noticed. So what moved me to do so this month? My personal story, in brief: I played piano throughout my school years, but pretty much put it aside once I got to college, and certainly... READ MORE
CCRCs update services to attract boomers
Residents of Broadmead relax outdoors on the community's 94-acre campus in Hunt Valley. Broadmead brands itself as a "dynamic lifestyle community," a shift from the term continuing care retirement community (CCRC) that similar facilities use, to help appeal to active baby boomers. Some other CCRCs now refer to themselves as Life Plan Communities. Photo Courtesy of... READ MORE
