To read or search through issues of our publication, click the appropriate cover image.
Subjects Covered
Our cover stories typically highlight a local senior or organization, illustrating their important contributions, creativity or ingenuity.
In addition to our regular topical sections (see below), the publisher writes a monthly column, and we print a selection of letters to the editor.
Based on years of feedback and advice from our readers, the Beacon newspapers now offer the following regular sections:
- Fitness & Health ÷ the latest reports from the fields of medicine, psychology, nutrition and wellness, including question-and-answer columns from a pharmacist, a nutritionist, and a therapist, our "Caregiver's Corner," healthy recipes, and a "Health Studies Page" with information about local clinical studies that are seeking older volunteers
- Law & Money ÷ sensible money tips, financial and estate planning information, plus legislative updates, information about Social Security and Medicare, and question-and-answer columns dealing with investments and consumer issues, including local scams
- Leisure & Travel ÷ domestic and foreign travel stories, with an eye to the interests and needs of older travelers, plus advice for safe travel and cost savings
- Arts & Style ÷ reviews of local theatre productions, interviews with famous stars, and reminiscences about actors of yesteryear
- Volunteers & Careers ÷ highlights opportunities for volunteer service, and offers practical advice about reentering the job market, changing careers, starting your own business, working part-time, etc.
- Spotlight on Aging ÷ in our Washington, D.C. edition, this is the official newsletter of the D.C. Office on Aging including a calendar of events for seniors living in the District of Columbia
- Senior Momentum ÷ in our Baltimore edtion, this is the official bimonthly newsletter of the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education
- Housing Options ÷ a three-month series each May, June and July focusing on the many types of senior housing available in the metro area, with related stories on moving, selling your home, home repair and remodeling, landscaping and more
In addition to stories written by our staff and certain local writers, reviewers and columnists, we reprint stories (with permission) from other noteworthy publications, including the University of California's Berkeley Wellness Letter, and Health After 50, a Johns Hopkins University publication.
We also look for the most pertinent stories from wire services such as Associated Press, and syndication services such as Universal Press Syndicate and Tribune Media Services. In most cases, we edit these articles, adding local information and resources as appropriate.
Freelance submissions are rarely accepted, though writers wishing to propose a story are invited to speak directly with our managing editor to determine interest and obtain a copy of our writers' guidelines.
Beacon Bits
Instead of publishing a monthly event calendar, we condense several dozen of the hundreds of press releases we receive every month into one-paragraph notices we call "Beacon Bits." Beacon Bits are spread throughout the paper, typically in the topical section most appropriate to their subject matter.
Beacon Bits are typically announcements of events, classes, films, open houses, lectures, trips or concerts of particular interest to older adults and their families, often at little or no cost. Volunteer opportunities are also announced in Beacon Bits.
To submit a Beacon Bit for publication, please mail your press release to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227. Because of the volume of mail received, and the fact that Bits are printed on a space-available basis, we regret that we are unable to confirm in advance that any particular announcement will be published.
Readership
More than 95 percent of the 155,000 copies we print and distribute locally each month are picked up by readers from our more than 1,800 free distribution sites.
Based on reader surveys, this pick-up rate translates into a readership of somewhere between 200,000-260,000 people each month.
Approximately one-third of our readers are between 50 and 64 years old, 40 percent are between 65 and 75, and the remainder are either under 50 or over 75.
Testimonials
"We spend more time reading the Beacon than The Washington Post!"
Morris & Sadie S.
Bailey's Crossroads, Va.
"I prefer the Beacon to the daily paper. I find it is "for us" and I enjoy it very much. It has much more information for seniors."
Florence K.
Silver Spring, Md.
"I read the paper from cover to cover. It's a real source of information. The format is easy to read and I like its availability. People look forward to it."
Rhoda M.
Rockville, Md.
As a widely distributed, free community publication, the Beacon is financed almost exclusively through advertising sales.
Among the products and services typically advertised in any given issue are the following:
- housing services (homes and apartments for sale or rent, retirement communities of all sorts, including independent living, assisted living and continuing care retirement communities, real estate agents, home repair and remodeling services)
- healthcare services (various medical specialties, home healthcare agencies, nursing homes, hospices, clinical trials, dentists, hearing aid specialists)
- financial services (banks, investment advisors, annuities, insurance companies, educational seminars, financial publications)
- legal services
- retail services
- travel services
- employers and employment services
- local theatres and entertainers
- non-profit and governmental organizations
- community events
Display advertisements range in size from a full page to 1/12th of a page. Whole page ads or newsletters are also accepted. Spot color and full color are available on many pages. For display advertising rates, call us at 301-949-9766 or (410) 248-9101 and request a current media kit.
Classified ads are placed on the last few pages of the Beacon.
Regular classifieds are accepted under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities and Wanted.
To learn how to place a display or classified ad, call (301) 949 9766 or (410) 248-9101.
Distribution
We are proud of our wide distribution network throughout the metropolitan Washington, D.C. and Baltimore areas, and are always striving to expand and improve it.
Copies are always free of charge at our distribution sites, and mailed subscriptions are available at a nominal price.
The Beacon is delivered to the following types of locations:
- CVS and Rite Aid pharmacies
- Public libraries
- Senior centers and clubs
- Book stores
- Churches and synagogues
- Retirement communities
- Apartment buildings with large older populations
- Doctors' offices/Professional buildings
- VFW, American Legion posts
- Military bases
- Restaurants and retail establishments
To inquire about particular locations, to suggest a new distribution site or to become a distribution site, contact us or call (301) 949-9766 or (410) 248-9101. Please note that all sites must agree to provide appropriate space for at least 40 copies every month. There is no charge for copies or delivery.
Subscriptions
For those wishing to have the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore editions of the Beacon delivered to their mailbox ÷ or to send it as a gift to a friend ÷ subscriptions via third-class mail are available for $12/year. Add 5% for Maryland addresses and 5.7% for D.C. addresses to cover sales tax.
Copies are mailed within two days of printing, but take anywhere from two additional days to two weeks to arrive. This is solely due to delays at the Post Office, which gives third-class mail a fairly low priority.
Therefore, we also offer a subscription via first-class mail for $36/year plus sales tax, if applicable.
Checks should be mailed to The Beacon at P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring , MD 20915-2227.
Awards
The Beacon newspaper regularly wins national awards for excellence in writing and design.
We have received honors in each of the past nine years from the National Mature Media Awards and for the past seven years from the North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA).
In the 2004 NAMPA competition, we won ten FIRST & SECOND PLACE awards including:
* General Excellence
* Overall Design
* Feature Writing
* Profiles
* How-to Features
* Special Section
* Column Reviews
"The Beacon Stands head and sholders above the competition. Not only is it well designed and full of color, but its writing is equally impressive. From no fewer than six topical columns to research-driven features on aging issues, the Beacon is quite an editorial offering"
- University of Missouri School of Journalism
Over the years, the Beacon and its publisher have also been recognized for community service by the American Cancer Society, Montgomery County Government, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Senior Marketing Institute.
