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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 3 SMART READER May 16, 2024 SMART READER March 09, 2023 3 Smart Reader is published bi-weekly by Carmichael Communications Editor & Publisher/Frank J. Carmichael Assistant to the Publisher/Reanna Stockdale Sales/Kim Carmichael, Elaina Myers Editorial Manager/Jason Hedman Ad Design & Layout/Kristin Monticelli, Glen Kelly Reception/Sarah Coleman Carmichael Communications 1420 63rd St. Kenosha, WI 53143 May 16, 2024 Volume 22 Number 9 262-564-8800 • 1-800-568-6623 • www.hap2it.com The short post-pandemic uptick in U.S. births may be over, with 2023 numbers showing a decline in births. According to provisional data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just under 3.6 million babies were born in America in 2023, about 76,000 fewer than the year before. It's also the lowest number of births recorded in the United States since 1979. Demographers weren't surprised, since the U.S. birth rate had been falling for more than a decade before the pandemic. Births did chart a slight rise in the two years after the pandemic (2021 and 2022), perhaps because some couples had put off pregnancies until the crisis eased. However, the 2023 numbers "seem to indicate that bump is over and we're back to the trends we were in before," Nicholas Mark told the Associated Press. He's a University of Wisconsin researcher focused on social factors influencing health and fertility. For American women generally, the decision to have a child seems to have shifted to later in the lifespan, as more women focus on education and careers prior to childrearing. Birth rates have steadily fallen for women in their teens and 20s, but have risen among women in their 30s and 40s over time, the statistics show. However, in 2023 birth rates fell across the board - - they declined among women younger than 40 and were largely unchanged for women in their 40s, the CDC stats showed. Declines in births were also observed across all races and ethnicities. The new data was published online as a National Vital Statistics Services Rapid Release. By Ernie Mundell U.S. births fall in 2023 to lowest number since 1979 Infertility increasing among married American women The percentage of married American women under the age of 50 who are infertile rose between 2011 and 2019, new government statistics show. Data from the National Survey of Family Growth show that "the percentage of married women ages 15- 49 who were infertile rose from 2011-2015 (6.7%) to 2015-2019 (8.7%)," according to researchers. There was a slight rise in infertility (including vasectomies) among men across the same time period -- from 11.4% during the 2011-2015 survey to 12.8% in the 2015-2019 survey. The study was coauthored by Colleen Nugent and Anjani Chandra, of the National Center for Health Statistics. It wasn't designed to offer up reasons as to why changes in infertility rates might be occurring. Researchers looked at data based on over 21,000 interviews with women and men ages 15 to 49. Infertility among women was defined as "a lack of pregnancy in the 12 months before the survey, despite having had unprotected vaginal intercourse in each of those months with the same husband or cohabiting partner." The analysis also looked at what the researchers called "impaired fecundity" - - this was defined as "physical difficulty in either getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to live birth." So, impaired fecundity could be based on the woman and/or her partner being infertile, or it could also be based on difficulties in carrying a baby to term. Overall, rates on impaired fecundity were stable between 2011 and 2019, Nugent and Chandra reported. Among married women ages 15 to 44, 15.5% had impaired fecundity in the earlier survey, compared to 16% in the later survey. The report estimates that by 2019 over 8.5 million American women ages 15 to 44 had some form of fertility problem. Among men who said they were currently infertile, the proportion for whom vasectomy was the reason for their infertility rose sharply with age. For example, the vasectomy rate among this group was 0.3% for men ages 15 to 24, but 40.5% among those ages 45 to 49, the data showed. The findings were published online as a National Health Statistics Report. The researchers stressed that an inability to have a child was not necessarily a medical concern for many of those surveyed. "An individual or couple can remain infertile or fulfill the definition for impaired fecundity for years after they have stopped trying to have a child or they may not wish to have a child at all," according to Chandra and Nugent. "There is a wide range of responses to fertility problems that may not involve medical services to have a baby." By Ernie Mundell According to provisional data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just under 3.6 million babies were born in America in 2023, about 76,000 fewer than the year before. Infertility among married women ages 15-49 rose from 2011-2015 (6.7%) to 2015-2019 (8.7%), a new report shows. STARTING AT Stop in and slect the fabric of your choice! Steelcase Chairs $ 369 RESTORED Stop in and slect the fabric of your choice! $ 369 We Restore Steelcase Think, Leap & Amia Chairs - Includes New Foam Scat & New Fabric Of Your Choice. Steelcase Chairs Locally Owned & Operated for Over 30 Years 5403 52nd Street • Kenosha Phone (262) 656-1717 www.bandlofficefurniture.com 022224 A CUSTOM MADE QUALITY CHAIR WITHOUT THE CUSTOM PRICE! A CUSTOM MADE QUALITY CHAIR WITHOUT THE CUSTOM PRICE! Trust Your Local Expert! 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4 SMART READER March 09, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER May 16, 2024 4 Childhood illnesses linked to higher risk of remaining childless in adulthood Remaining childless throughout adult life might be tied, in some cases, to illnesses experienced in childhood, new research suggests. Childlessness isn't just about fertility. As a University of Oxford news release on the study noted, "multiple social, economic and individual preferences have been studied" to understand why some adults never become parents. "Various factors are driving an increase in childlessness worldwide, with postponed parenthood being a significant contributor that potentially heightens the risk of involuntary childlessness," lead author Aoxing Liu explained in the news release. Could certain childhood illnesses play a role? A team led by Liu -- a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki's Institute for Molecular Medicine in Finland at the time of the study -- sought to find out. Researchers pored over data on more than 2.5 million Finnish men and women born from 1956 through 1973. Most had finished their "reproductive years" by 2018. Liu's group focused on about 71,500 pairs of full sisters and almost 78,000 pairs of full brothers, where one sibling was childless and the other had had one or more kids. The study found that 1 of every 4 men in the Finnish cohort were childless by 2018, compared 16.6% of the women. Education emerged as a prime factor in childlessness, with lesseducated Finns less likely to have kids, according to the study. But certain illnesses of childhood also appeared to raise the odds for adult childlessness. Looking over 414 early-life diagnoses, 74 were significantly linked to whether or not a child would grow up to become a childless adult. About half were classed as " m e n t a l - b e h a v i o r a l " disorders, Liu's team said. But effects varied by sex -- for example, schizophrenia and a history of acute alcohol intoxication in childhood were more strongly associated with childlessness in men than women, the study found. Non-psychiatric illnesses or conditions of childhood also played a role in being childless later on. For women, obesity diagnosed in a girl's teen years, rather than later on, was associated with high odds of becoming childless. Diabetes-related diseases in childhood as well as birth defects had stronger associations for childlessness among women than men. Diagnoses of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in early life appeared to up risks for childlessness generally. What's the link? According to the news release, "the absence of a partner played a substantial role in the connection between diseases and childlessness, accounting for an estimated 29.3% in women and 37.9% in men." People who went through life without children were twice as likely to be single as those who had had kids, the study found. And among people who were partnered, six different childhood illnesses in women, and 11 in men, appeared linked to being childless, the Finnish group found. Senior author Andrea Ganna said the study "paves the way for a better understanding of how disease contributes to involuntary childlessness and the need for improved public health interventions." Ganna is group leader at the University of Helsinki's Institute for Molecular Medicine in Finland. His team acknowledged that more data is needed to determine which people were childless by choice and which were involuntarily childless due to infertility or other life factors. The study was published in Nature Human Behavior. By Ernie Mundell Looking over 414 early-life diagnoses, 74 were significantly linked to whether or not a child would grow up to become a childless adult. Kenosha Funeral Services and Crematory Prepay for your funeral now and the price will be guaranteed. 8226 Sheridan Rd. Kenosha, WI 53143 (262) 652-1943 www.kenosha-funeral-services.com Quality • Value • Service When you need it the most When you need it the most Make An Appointment To Pre-Plan Your Funeral Today Cremation with Rental Casket & Services..$6,775.00 Includes: Professional Service Fee, Embalming, Dressing, Casketing, Cosmetology, 1-hour Visitation, Funeral Services, Transfer of Remains to our Facility, Cremation Fee, and Rental Casket. 042023 Call 262.653.9132 SR121423 JR PROPERTIES 2409 52nd Street, Suite 3 • Kenosha 1, 2 & 3 Bedrooms Available In Kenosha & Racine John and Shelley Rogowski, Owners TORCASO And So Much More... Purses • Backpacks • Belts and most leather goods 3305 60th Street • 262-654-3839 Now Open Mon. - Fri. 9:30am-5pm • Sat. 9:30am-1pm Full Service Repairs Done In House SR042122 Paula Ray $28 Eye Exam 262 - 554 -1121 • 3701 Durand Ave. Racine $18 Eyeglasses Place SR090822 Eyeglasses exam $49 without purchase of eyeglasses. See store for details.
FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 5 SMART READER May 16, 2024 SMART READER March 09, 2023 5 Given recent headlines, one might be excused for thinking electric vehicles are in trouble. From reports about Ford’s financial losses on its much-hyped electric F-150, to questions about the real eco-friendliness of EVs, to recent news of Tesla’s mass layoffs and questions about its supercharger program, the take-away seems to be that the electric revolution is stalling. But it’s not. The reality is that EV sales are growing rapidly, the technology is evolving briskly, and everyone from policymakers to auto executives to consumers is putting EVs at the center of long-term planning. Experts say a transition from a transportation sector based on the internal combustion engine to one that is electrified is all but inevitable. “The trajectory is clear,” says Gernot Wagner, a climate economist at Columbia Business School. “None of this is ‘if’; it is ‘when.’” According to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the first quarter of 2024 saw a 25% growth in global EV sales over the same time period in 2023. That may be slower than the year before, and the slowdown was sharper still in the United States, but the overall pace is still impressive, experts say, and expected to continue. “It’s not like automakers are saying, ‘Oh, we’re going to go back to internal combustion engine vehicles,’” says Joel Jaeger, senior research associate for the World Resources Institute’s systems change lab and climate program. “They’re just taking a little longer to get to their EV plans.” But how much longer, and how that transition takes shape, has a slew of implications for American workers, international trade, domestic policies – and the Earth’s climate. The spate of recent negative news points to the difficulties inherent in making a complicated shift to a still-developing technology. Heading toward an EV mass market The transportation sector is the largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That’s largely from gasoline exhaust. But some critics point out that emissions also occur in car manufacturing, including for EVs, and there are negative environmental impacts from lithium and rare-earth mineral mining. Still, despite increasing questions about the green credentials of EVs, multiple studies show that over their life spans, EVs have a lower climate impact than fossil fuel-based cars. “You’ll still have some remaining emissions,” says Sergey Paltsev, a senior research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who is deputy director of the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change. “You need to mine the elements. You need to transport them. You need to produce a battery, you need to produce a car, and you need to also transport that car. ... Still, if you compare the overall emissions in the life cycle of an internal combustion vehicle to an electric vehicle, it’s clear that electric vehicles are better.” The difference becomes even starker when a consumer uses renewable energy sources for electricity, he says. But how quickly Americans will embrace this cleaner tech is unknown. Mr. Jaeger says the American EV market seems to be following an “S-curve” typical of many new technologies. Early adopters rush to buy the cool new thing at a high cost, sales growth slows until manufacturers can produce the technology more efficiently, and then the mass market begins to purchase the item and sales increase again. That mass market adoption has already started in China, which in many ways has had a head start on EVs, investing years ago in battery plants, charging networks, and EV subsidies. More than 40% of Chinese car purchases in 2024 will be electric, according to the IEA. (In the U.S., the group projects, that number is 11%, and it’s 25% in Europe.) Part of this is because of cost, analysts say. Chinese automaker BYD, which temporarily passed Tesla as the global leader in EV manufacturing last year, offers electric models for less than $15,000. (Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that the company will have its own, lower-priced EV by 2025.) There are also far more charging networks in China. Using World Bank population data and IEA charging infrastructure data, Mr. Jaeger calculates that as of 2023, China had 191 public charging stations per 100,000 people, compared with 55 public chargers per 100,000 people in the U.S. Charging networks: Federal dollars are flowing Cost and range anxiety are two of the most-cited reasons that Americans shy away from EVs. But Ingrid Malmgren, senior policy director for Plug In America, an EV advocacy nonprofit, says both of these challenges will lessen in coming years. The $7.5 billion allocated by Congress in 2021 for charging stations is starting to bear fruit, she says. The money has been distributed to the states, which are in turn starting to build out charging networks, which promises to reduce consumer worries about getting stuck with a depleted battery pack. “Like any big infrastructure project, it’s just a slow process,” she says. “There’s a lot of groundwork that had to be laid. I expect for it to be ramped up from here.” Indeed, the number of public chargers increased in the U.S. 43% between 2022 and 2023, according to the IEA. But they are unevenly spaced around the country, and drivers are still wary of charge times. Over the past half-year or so, most automakers have announced that their cars will be compatible with the Tesla supercharging system, now called the North American Charging Standard, which was originally only for Tesla vehicles. The move paves the way for more universal and faster charging, analysts say – although many are also wondering about the impact of Mr. Musk’s recent decision to lay off most of the team dedicated to making those superchargers. The Tesla CEO hasn’t publicly explained his move, but has said he was going to go “hard core” on staffing to balance lower sales numbers. Meanwhile, there is continued work on both motor and battery technology, says Matthias Priendl, associate professor of power electronic systems at Columbia University. Research teams across the country are devoted to reducing or eliminating some of the rare-earth minerals currently used in battery production, and to developing motor technology that will continue to expand the range of EVs. “The exciting thing about electric vehicles is that we’re still at the early stages of mass production and scaling up,” he says. Risks if carmakers pivot too quickly – or too slowly But that early stage has left American automakers with a challenge. They can push to quickly scale up EV production with current technology and risk getting ahead of supply chains and consumers. Or they can make a slower transition, with the hope of a more streamlined process in the future, but delay the cost benefits of large-scale production and risk losing customers to Chinese competitors. “It’s a really important moment right now for the automakers,” says Ian Greer, a research professor at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. “And they don’t have much time to figure this out before their competitors find strategies that work to mass-produce EVs for North America and European markets.” The fear of a rapid transition goes beyond profits. Existing autoworkers in internal combustion engine plants worry about losing jobs – and Congress has not acted to protect workers, says Dr. Greer. Meanwhile, some Americans worry that the federal government is going to ban their gas-powered trucks and cars – a concern seized upon and repeated by some politicians even though experts see no such move occurring. (Indeed, even if automakers rapidly transitioned to EVs, the existing gas-powered fleet would stay on the road for years, if not decades, Mr. Jaeger points out.) The real mindset shift may come as more Americans drive EVs themselves, Ms. Malmgren says – something she sees happening as more people give electric cars a test drive. After she leased her first EV, she never went back, and not just for the environmental reasons. “The technology, the efficiency, the performance – there’s just no comparison,” she says. “I think change is a little messy sometimes. And it can be a little scary for people. But it can end up being wonderful.” By Stephanie Hanes Tesla news looks grim. But the bigger picture for EVs is a bright one Liam Sawyer of Indianapolis, charges his 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E at an electric vehicle charging station in London, Ohio.
6 SMART READER March 09, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Each May, seven days are designated as National Travel and Tourism Week by the U.S. Travel Association. This year, the dates are a little later than usual. The week will be recognized Sunday, May 19 through Saturday, May 25. Keep in mind, tourism provides jobs, lowers personal taxes, improves our local economy, and provides a positive community image, which is critical for economic development. Travel is essential to every state and countless destinations across the nation, just like here in Kenosha! Did you know that in 2022, Kenosha County tourism accounted for 3,130 jobs? (2023 data will be released in June.) Visit Kenosha celebrates the week with Tourism Week Free Days. We are partnering with local attractions and shops to provide FREE admission and products during this week. A different offer will be available each day. Residents are encouraged to “Be A Tourist In Your Own Town”, while visitors can discover – and/or rediscover – the fun things there are to explore in the Kenosha Area as they take advantage of these free promotions. Find more details on the offers and any updates at VisitKenosha.com/Tourism Week. Here’s the list: Sunday, May 19, bring your pup to any (or all) of the Kenosha County Dog Parks on this day and get free single-day admission. The parks are Carlisle Family Dog Park at Petrifying Springs Park, Harris Family Dog Park at Old Settlers Park, and Warren Close Bark Park at Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Dogs must have current license/vaccinations. Monday, May 20, climb the Southport Lighthouse tower, which is part of the Southport Light Station Museum, for free. Climbers must be at least 8 years old. The museum will be open on a Monday just for Tourism Week. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, stop by A Summer’s Garden Florist for a free single stem carnation to brighten your day – or someone else’s day. The offer is available for the first 100 people. The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, all guests receive free admission to The Civil War Museum’s main exhibit “The Fiery Trial”, which is an immersive exhibit with a 360-degree film “Seeing The Elephant”. The other areas of the museum are always free. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 23, stop by Mars Cheese Castle for a free individual piece of Mild Cheddar Cheese. The offer is available for the first 100 people; the hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 24, stop by Blue House Books for a free bookmark and sticker. The offer is available for the first 100 people and the hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 25, ride an authentic Electric Streetcar for free. Enjoy a scenic trip along the Lake Michigan shore as well as through historic districts and Downtown Kenosha. Saturday hours are 10:35 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Every day, May 19 through May 25, the Wisconsin Welcome Center – Kenosha at I-94/41 and Hwy. 165 will be offering free sausage and cheese samples (while supplies last), courtesy of Brat Stop. At the same time, pick up free travel literature to plan your next Wisconsin vacation. Visit Kenosha staffs this center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be additional giveaways on the Visit Kenosha social media channels during Tourism Week as well. Visit Kenosha has been Kenosha’s official travel resource since 1986. Don’t forget, while our mission is to bring visitors to the community, we are also a resource for residents. When looking for #KenoshaFun, use VisitKenosha.com and the Official Kenosha Area Visitors Guide! Tourism Week Free Days May 19-25 by Meridith Jumisko, Visit Kenosha Meridith Jumisko is Public Relations Director at Visit Kenosha. Contact her at [email protected] SMART READER May 16, 2024 6 C O M E D Y E V E N T S 5125 6th Ave. Kenosha 125 6th Ave. Kenosha If It ’ s N o t Liv e , Yo u ’ r e N o t Livin g! If It’s Not Live, You’re Not Living! FOR EVENT TICKETS & MORE ACTS VISIT HAP2IT.COM, STOP IN 1420 63RD ST. M-F 10AM-4PM OR CALL (262)564-8800 PLAY & STAY! Don’t go home, stay with us! Call now to book a room at a great rate! (262) 658-3281 051624 MIKE BALL TAMMY PESCATELLI MAY 31 JUN 1 Magician/ Comedian Kevin Hart’s LAUGH OUT LOUD! No Drink Minimum! Live Comedy EVERY Friday & Saturday! Live Comedy EVERY Friday & Saturday! JAMES CAMACHO MAY 17/18 MAY 24/25 NATHAN “TRICKY” ALLEN JUNE 7/8 VINCE CARONE JUNE 14/15 As seen in Breaking Bad as Steven "Gomey" Gomez, Hank Shrader's DEA partner and best friend! STEVEN MICHAEL QUEZADA JUNE PHIL SELMAN 21/22 UPCOMING: JULY 26/27: Brian Hicks & Brian Noonan, AUG 2/3: Jim Florentine, AUG 9/10: Mr. Showtime, AUG 16/17 Joe Machi, AUG 23/24 Mike Palascak, AUG 30/31: Mike Ball JEFF RICHARDS JUNE 28/29 JULY BRET RAYBOULD 5/6 JULY 19/20
FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 7 SMART READER May 16, 2024 SMART READER March 09, 2023 7 The Biden presidential campaign is shelling out more than $1 million in bilingual political ads in May alone to rap the knuckles of Latino machismo. Too bad the ad campaign sidesteps who wears the pants – so to speak – in Latino culture. A Latina might have more sway. An abuela, a grandmother with a sweet disposition and a sharp sense of wit and timing, would have been a better choice to adjust a few male attitudes. Or maybe a mother figure, someone with the memory of what her son was like swaddled and still pooping in diapers. She could speak with influence to her now adult son. In all seriousness, men do hold the power to influence (whether they realize it or not) the behavior of other men. And that’s what the Biden campaign is hopeful to tap in an attempt to lure more Latino votes in the presidential election. There are 4 million more Latino votes to be had than the last presidential election, with 36.2 million eligible Latino voters. But it’s Latinas who govern much of family life. They are the matriarchs who are rarely as subservient as people outside of the family unit, and those who offer quick takes on the culture, might assume. Biden’s ad campaign is called “Tough” or “fuerte” in Spanish. Its focus is former President Donald Trump’s sexist views of women, which unfortunately for the women around him, have been abundantly displayed through the years. Need a refresher? Well, you could tune in to the current New York criminal trial where Trump was chastised by the judge for cursing and grumbling as adult-film actress Stormy Daniels testified. Trump is accused of paying off Daniels to stay quiet about their alleged sexual affair in an attempt to protect his 2016 bid for the White House. Her testimony puts the “alleged” part to rest, at least from her vantage point. And then there’s the Access Hollywood tape where Trump used a crude name for female genitals, claiming that when you are famous, women gladly let men like him do whatever they want to them. There’s any number of other examples – no need to draw up the laundry list now. In the ad, Biden’s message that real men aren’t like Trump is delivered by a U.S. Marine, a man who did multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Facing the camera, Cesar Carreon says, “I’m a marine. I know what tough is. And a guy like Donald Trump that attacks women, and brags about it, that’s not tough.” Carreon adds: “I’m with Joe Biden. Because he’ll give my daughters their freedom back.” Yes, the bilingual ads are intended to signal Biden’s promise to restore federal protections for abortion. But the advertisement doesn’t mention abortion. Nor does it refer to reproductive rights, access, maternal healthcare, or any of the words that might clue a viewer to the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The administration apparently intended the script to be more subtle. It’s possible it tried to Biden campaign – Ask a Latina what we think of Trump with Mary Sanchez Readers can reach Mary Sanchez at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @msanchezcolumn. The year was 1966 and Ronald Reagan was running for governor of California. A major part of his platform was to “clean up the mess at Berkeley” and other college campuses throughout the state that were experiencing protests and strikes over issues that included the military draft, civil rights and “women’s issues.” While not on a scale of the pro-Hamas, anti-Israel, anti-America and Jewish hatred we are witnessing now on several college campuses, Reagan’s response could instruct current college presidents and admissions officers to quell the unrest. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History has preserved Reagan’s remarks and later actions as governor. In a campaign speech, Reagan said many leftist campus movements had transcended legitimate protest, with the actions of "beatniks, radicals and filthy speech advocates" having more to do "with rioting, with anarchy" than "academic freedom." He faulted university administrators and faculty, who "press their particular value judgments" on students, for "a leadership gap and a morality and decency gap" on campus, and suggested a code of conduct be imposed on faculty to "force them to serve as examples of good behavior and decency." Morality, good behavior and decency appear to be electives, not requirements, on too many of today’s university campuses whose “students” (and apparently not all are students) are now running the institutions of what might be called lower learning. Six months after becoming governor in 1967, Reagan wrote a letter to Glenn Dumke, chancellor of San Francisco State College, who opposed the unrest occurring on many California campuses. In it, Reagan condemned “these people and this trash” who used “the excuse of academic freedom and freedom of expression” to justify continuation of the protests. “We wouldn’t tolerate this kind of language in front of our families.” He called on Dumke to “lay down some rules of conduct and promised “you’d have (all the) backing I could give you.” We need to hear more of this type of talk to counter the anarchists and hatred of Jews and Israel and support of terrorist organizations on today’s college campuses. Even more than talk, action is needed. Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Ira Stoll says the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Open Society Foundation headed by George Soros have been contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to leftist organizations that funnel money to groups that are behind these campus upheavals. At a minimum the IRS should take a look at their tax-exempt status to see if they have violated regulations pertaining to what is allowable for nonprofits. The government should also look at whether any of those shouting antisemitic and anti-American slogans are here on student visas. If they are those visas should be revoked and the students deported. Others who are found guilty of giving aid and comfort to terrorists should be expelled. Some wealthy donors to Columbia University and other schools have pledged to withdraw financial support if order and decorum are not restored. All of this feeds the view that America is coming apart. Where are the leaders like Ronald Reagan who label this behavior for what it is and then do something about it? Reagan ended his letter to Dumke with a question that should answer itself: “Hasn’t the time come to take on those neurotics in our faculty group and lay down some rules of conduct for the students comparable to what we’d expect in our own families?” If that time had come in 1967, surely it is long past due in 2024. Lessons from other campus protests with Cal Thomas Readers may email Cal Thomas at [email protected]. Look for Cal Thomas’ latest book “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America" my turn President Joe Biden waves as he walks to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Washington, D.C., for a short trip to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. Palestine flags with the names of recently killed Palestinians are seen at the students pro-Palestinian "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" on the West Lawn of Columbia University on April 24, 2024, in New York City. story continues on next page
8 SMART READER March 09, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER May 16, 2024 8 To put it charitably, America and Americans suffer from a bad case of strategic amnesia. This condition has affected not only how the U.S. is responding to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. More importantly, how the U.S. is dealing with its "enemies" is very concerning. Despite forgetting history, a bit of recall is instructive. During the Eisenhower years, the U.S. panicked over the so-called "missile gap" with the Soviet Union. Soviet power was not merely exaggerated. Much of the so-called nuclear weapons Moscow allegedly had, did not exist. Of course, the U.S. repeated that blunder in 2003 with the Iraq invasion to eliminate Saddam's weapons of mass destruction. A corollary of the missile gap was the myth of a monolithic Godless Communist threat linking the USSR and PRC. When the Kennedy administration took office in 1961, this led to major military rearmament that was not needed, and to the president's commitment to pay any price and bear any burden in supporting freedom. Vietnam became the test case. And the cause celebre, like the missile gap and Iraqi WMD, was North Vietnamese PT boat attacks against two U.S. Navy destroyers in international waters that did not occur. About Gaza, Vietnam is relevant. Hamas, a despicable terrorist organization, must be neutralized. But if the cost of destroying Gaza entails imposing many tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties in urban warfare that cannot be waged without collateral damage, is that acceptable? Many states would not agree. So what is the alternative? In August 1965, the Marines burned down the village of Cam Ne, a practice that would accelerate as the war escalated. What of the villagers? The phrase of destroying a village to save it underscored this paradox. Israel has every right to defend itself. Yet, as Hamas is ingrained in Gazan society, how can this be done without overly punishing Palestinians? As the Cold War ended and the USSR imploded and China modernized, the American expectation was that both countries would join the Western community of states and the international system and rules based order that were in place. But was that a sensible expectation? And when it turned out not to be the case, Russia and China became revisionist adversaries in league with Iran and North Korea. Beyond the second Iraq War, America's greatest strategic blunders were made against Russia and China. For no apparent reason and with little advance notice, in 2011, the Obama administration announced its strategic pivot to Asia. Allies were bewildered and fearful. China was angered. And the Obama Administration presented its national security strategy that was predicated on "containing, competing, deterring and if war came defeating" a range of possible enemies headed by China and Russia. The Obama administration did enter into the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran. An unprecedented surveillance system was imposed on Iran. And provided all signatories followed the JCPOA, Iran would never have nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, critics of the JCPOA refused to accept these realities assuming Iran would always cheat. The Trump administration would abrogate the JCPOA. Worse, not understanding international economics, to rectify an imbalance in the current account that covers goods and services and ignoring the capital account in which China had invested billions in the U.S., the Trump administration imposed tariffs on China. That not only infuriated China. The U.S. consumer picked up the costs. That President Joe Biden is considering imposing more tariffs on China follows this erroneous path. While tensions between the U.S. and PRC are improving, China remains the consensus enemy certainly on Capitol Hill. Why? As with the missile gap and other misperceptions, are we repeating these conceptual errors? About Ukraine, the Biden team has been conservative in restricting certain long range weapons systems to Ukraine. But unlike earlier wars, single members of Congress have been able to prevent the passage of aid for months to Ukraine. Ironically, one member may have done more damage to Ukraine than the Russian army. A combination of strategic amnesia and a seemingly irreversibly politically divided public has placed the United States in extreme jeopardy. The November election is unlikely to close these differences and could well exacerbate them if Donald Trump loses and does not accept the outcome. There may not be a cure for amnesia. And as long as history has no role, in temporizing U.S. thinking, is the U.S. consigned to repeating these and other strategic blunders in perpetuity? One wonders. Strategic amnesia, political division put U.S. in extreme jeopardy with Harlan Ullman my turn Dr Harlan Ullman is senior adviser at Washington's Atlantic Council, the prime author of "shock and awe" and the book "The Fifth Horseman and the New MAD: How Massive Attacks of Disruption Became the Looming Existential Danger to a Divided Nation and the World at Large." Harlan Ullman joins Happenings Q&A on Thu., May 30th at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP The Amercian flag flies on the east side of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on October 24, 2023. steer clear of many Latinos’ faith in Catholicism, which does not condone abortion; to the contrary, it considers it a moral evil. The hope is that Latinos who might be attracted to the pseudo tough-guy veneer of Trump will see the light and want to step away from supporting him. And in doing so, the ad suggests, they will show that they love their daughters and want what’s best for them. Such a message is a stretch at best. They should have featured a Latina. Because it’s more likely that a woman could tell a man, Latino or not, a few things about how everything that Trump brags about, disgusts women. First, realize that machismo is not necessarily a negative trait. In its healthier forms, it doesn’t seek to degrade women. Rather, it’s merely a code of conduct that depicts the man as protector, but not because a woman is viewed as weak. He’d offer her his best out of respect and love. When it’s twisted or becomes an overblown sense of self, that’s where the aggressive, hyper-sexualized version of masculinity takes over. This version involves a misogynistic dominance in a way that degrades even other men who are seen as not up to par. Machismo’s counter – its symbiotic twin for females – is Marianismo. It’s lesser known but studied, and does help accentuate how important women are in Latino culture, especially within family life. Again, this characteristic pulls from strict gender codes intended for heterosexual Latinas. And it too, can become unhealthy, when taken to extremes. It’s a long way to November and there’s likely much more planned in the Biden campaign to influence Latino voters. It shouldn’t take advertisements. Anyone willing to open their eyes and look somewhat objectively should be able to see that Trump is no role model at all, certainly no hero. But ask a Latina if an extra voice is called for to convince voters. She’ll deliver a resounding message about the inappropriateness of Trump. And she’ll do it with grit and grace. Sanchez continued from page 6
FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 9 SMART READER May 16, 2024 SMART READER March 09, 2023 9 DEAR MAYO CLINIC: A co-worker was diagnosed with kidney disease last year. He is now on dialysis three times a week as he waits for a kidney transplant. He shared his hope to get a living donor, explaining that he will have a longer wait since there are not as many diverse people signed up as organ donors. Can you explain why this is and what can I do to help? ANSWER: More than 103,000 people in the U.S. are currently waiting for an organ transplant, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Nearly 60% of people on transplant waiting lists come from minority communities. Higher rates of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes are present in minority communities, contributing to more kidney failure. Almost 89,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant. Though organs are not matched based on race and ethnicity, certain criteria, including blood type and specific antibodies, must be matched to find a compatible organ. People from various ethnic groups will have a better outcome with a donor organ from someone of a similar background. In general, wait times in the U.S. to receive a deceased donor kidney vary based on region, but can be anywhere from three years up to 10 years. Only about 30% of donor organs are from people of color, so diverse organs are less available. So, unfortunately, your colleague is correct in that he would likely have a longer wait time for a transplant if waiting on a deceased donor. Finding a living kidney donor is often a faster route to transplant. Kidney donation is the most common type of livingdonor transplant. Donors give one of their two healthy kidneys to the recipient. People only need one kidney to live a healthy, active life. In 2022, more than 6,400 lives were saved thanks to the generosity of living donors, according to Donate Life America. However, there is a longstanding distrust of the healthcare community in certain minority groups, and many myths have been propagated about the process around organ donation, which has resulted in people being less likely to become organ donors. Some of the common things I hear from patients include: Myth: If I agree to donate my organs upon death, the hospital staff won’t work as hard to save my life. Fact: People who are organ donors will be cared for if they are in the hospital as any other person. When you go to the hospital for treatment, the healthcare team will focus on providing care for you to save your life until your injury or condition is determined to be nonrecoverable. A transplant team will not become involved before your condition is deemed as unsurvivable. Myth: People who donate organs or tissues can’t have an open-casket funeral. Fact: Donors’ bodies are treated with care and respect. And they’re dressed for burial. No one can see that they donated organs or tissues. Myth: I’m too old to donate. Nobody would want my organs. Fact: There’s no defined cutoff age for donating organs. The decision to use your organs is based on strict medical criteria, not age. Don’t prematurely disqualify yourself. Let the doctors decide at the time of your death whether your organs and tissues are suitable for transplantation. Myth: My family will be charged if I donate my organs after death. Fact: The organ donor’s family never pays for their donation. The donor family pays for all the medical care once you are determined to be a possible donor. Sometimes, families think those costs are for organ donation. But the person who gets the organs for transplant pays the costs for removing the organs. Myth: Becoming a living donor is a lengthy and costly process. Fact: Anyone interested in becoming a living donor will have to undergo online screening and an in-depth physical and psychological evaluation process to ensure they are a good candidate for donation. The recipient’s insurance always covers the cost. However, there are some programs available to compensate potential donors for time lost from work or school or to help with travel or dependent care expenses. Once a donor is approved, the time frame is up to the donor, recipient and the respective care teams. Myth: Being a living donor will shorten my lifespan. Fact: Most healthy people can live with only one kidney. We expect a person to live a full and normal life following their donation. At Mayo Clinic, we have living donors who have gone on to do incredible athletic feats, including climbing Kilimanjaro, running marathons and having children. Myth: As a living donor, I must be on medication for the rest of my life. Fact: Living donors do not have any long-term medication requirements after donation. Myth: I can only be a living donor if I’m a match for someone. Fact: Even if someone wants to be a donor for a relative or friend but is found to be incompatible, they can still donate as part of a paired kidney donation chain. This process allows two or more donors to be matched with appropriate recipients in an exchange. You can help your colleague by sharing information about organ donation and encouraging others — particularly those with diverse backgrounds — to consider becoming donors. It truly is a gift of life. Go to the Donate Life America website to learn more about signing up to be an organ donor. — Shennen Mao, M.D., Transplant Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida Mayo Clinic Myths about minority organ donation health Nine of 10 American adults are in the early, middle or late stages of a syndrome that leads to heart disease, a new report finds, and almost 10% have the disease already. "Poor cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health is widespread among the U.S. population," concludes a team led by Dr. Muthiah Vaduganathan of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. Researchers looked specifically at rates of what the American Heart Association has dubbed cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic (CKM) syndrome -- interrelated factors that progress with time and, if left unchecked, lead to heart disease. CKM syndrome is divided into four stages: Stage 1: Excess fat buildup in the body (a risk factor for poor health) Stage 2: Emergence of other metabolic risk factors (for example, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes) Stage 3: Emergence of high-risk kidney disease and/or a high predicted risk of heart disease being diagnosed within the next 10 years Stage 4: A diagnosis of full-blown heart disease, with or without kidney disease To find out how many Americans might fall into one of these four categories, the Boston team tracked U.S. federal health survey data for 2011 through 2020. Among adults age 20 or older, only 10.6% did not have some level of CKM syndrome, the researchers reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. About 26% fell into the early stage 1 category, meaning they were gaining dangerous levels of body fat. Nearly half (49%) of adults fell into stage 2 CVM syndrome, and 5.4% were stage 3. According to the study, 9.2% of adults were in stage 4, with full-blown heart disease and, in some cases, failed kidneys. All of these numbers were roughly unchanged throughout the nine-year study period. Not surprisingly, the severity of CKM syndrome rose with age: 55.3% of people 65 or older were in an advanced stage of CKM syndrome, compared to 10.7% of those aged 45 through 64, and 2.1% of those aged 20 through 44, the study found. The young were at risk, too. Most Americans ages 20 through 44 (81.8%) were already affected by these heart and kidney risk factors, Vaduganathan's team noted. Race also mattered, with Black Americans 38% more likely to be burdened with CKM syndrome compared to Whites people. The bottom line: "Almost 90% of US adults met criteria for CKM syndrome (stage 1 or higher) and 15% met criteria for advanced stages, neither of which improved between 2011 and 2020," according to the Boston researchers. By Ernie Mundell Nine in 10 U.S. adults have syndrome that leads to heart disease
10 SMART READER March 09, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER May 16, 2024 10 Are Americans prepared for retirement? It depends on who you ask. The Alliance for Lifetime Income (ALI) released a study with an eye-catching headline: Two-thirds of peak Baby Boomers are not financially prepared for retirement. However, results of EBRI’s 2024 Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS) found “two-thirds of the workers and three-fourths of the retirees are very or somewhat confident about having enough money to live comfortably in retirement.” Two retirement surveys, two different results? Not so fast. The ALI survey crunches retirement numbers while EBRI asks how we feel about our retirement readiness, and there can be a chasm between the two. ALI focused on “Peak Boomers,” defined as those Americans who will turn 65 between 2024 and 2030, of which there are 30.4 million. According to the study, more than half of these soon-to-be retirees will rely primarily on Social Security for income, which was intended to replace about 40 percent of annual preretirement earnings. ALI went deeper to determine if assets accumulated (the median retirement savings for Peak Boomers is $225,000) would augment Social Security and last up to 20 or more years in retirement. The answer is that two-thirds of Peak Boomers “will be challenged to maintain their lifestyles in retirement.” Conversely, the RCS asked people how confident they felt in their ability to live comfortably throughout their retirement. While 68% may feel confident, only about half have run the numbers. If they did, the results might be similar to ALI, because “a sizable percentage of workers say they have very little or no money in savings and investments.” Forty-seven percent report that the total value of their savings and investments, excluding the value of their primary home, is less than $100,000. (RCS relies on workers to selfreport, EBRI relies on Federal Reserve data.) Ultimately, the two surveys may be closer than their respective headlines would indicate. The notion that millions of Americans are facing an uncertain retirement reality is the focus of a new book by economist and author Teresa Ghilarducci. In Work, Retire, Repeat: The Uncertainty of Retirement in the New Economy, Ghilarducci dives into the numbers and finds a two-tiered retirement system, where only “21% of Americans aged 62-70 have enough money to maintain their standard of living in retirement.” Of the 79%, “51% are retired but can’t maintain their preretirement standard of living. And the rest, 28%, are working and cannot afford to retire.” Perhaps you are wondering why these people didn’t save more or work longer. Ghilarducci says “most retirees lament retiring earlier than planned because they were laid off, forced out, or their health or their spouse’s health drove them out of the labor force.” I have spoken to many of these folks and have found that they were not spendthrifts, rather they were often unlucky and had to find lower paying jobs to meet their obligations. For those facing a shaky retirement, getting the most out of the Social Security system should be a priority. Although you can claim benefits as early as age 62, doing so will permanently reduce your income for the rest of your life. This may also impact a non-working spouse who is relying on your record for their benefits. Instead, people should try to wait until Full Retirement Age, which for anyone born after 1960, is 67, or until age 70, when benefits max out. Doing so allows you to get Delayed Retirement Credits, which increases benefits by 8% per year. Ghilarducci says these credits are “the best financial deal on the planet… waiting to claim from age 62 to 70 raises one’s monthly lifetime benefits by more than 30%.” For years I have bemoaned the fact that many financial professionals were not always required to act in the best interest of their clients, i.e., they were not required to adhere to the fiduciary standard of care. Instead, brokers and insurance reps who sold securities products were held to a lower standard of care called “suitability,” which meant that what they recommended had to clear the low bar of what is suitable, though not necessarily in your best interest. Recently, there was progress towards requiring financial service representatives to adopt the fiduciary standard. The Department of Labor (DOL) issued its Retirement Security Rule, updating the definition of an investment advice fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA, which is the law that sets minimum standards for private industry retirement and health plans), and the Internal Revenue Code. The process started in 2010, when government officials began studying the fiduciary issue. The DOL and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pursued fiduciary concurrently, which led to different outcomes. In 2016, the DOL issued a broad rule, which would have required professionals who provided retirement investment recommendations or solicitations, to act in the best interest of their clients. However, in 2018, the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned the DOL Fiduciary Rule, saying that the Department exceeded its authority. The SEC created a less onerous variation with Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. After industry pushback and negotiation with regulators, Reg BI went into effect on June 30, 2020. It established a higher standard of conduct for investment professionals “when they make a recommendation to a retail customer of any securities transaction or investment strategy involving securities, including recommendations of types of accounts.” For its part, the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards announced a change to its Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct in 2019, mandating that CFP® professionals must act in the best interest of the client at all times when providing financial advice. OK, back to the new rule… The 2024 DOL version updates the definition of a fiduciary and would apply it “when trusted financial services providers give compensated investment advice to retirement plan participants, individual retirement account owners and plan officials responsible for administering plans and managing their assets.” It is supposed to take effect on Sept. 23, 2024, but like its predecessor in 2016, it is likely to face industry pushback and another legal challenge. Within hours of the DOL’s new rule announcement, Wayne Chopus, President and CEO of the Insured Retirement Institute, an insurance industry lobbying group chimed in. “It appears that the regulation will make it much more expensive and difficult, if not impossible, for many consumers to access reliable professional assistance.” My translation: If this rule goes into effect, our members will not be able to sell people expensive and commissionladen retirement annuities. Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su notes that the new rule attempts to protect “retirement investors from improper investment recommendations and harmful conflicts of interest.” In fact, analysis by the Council of Economic Advisers of just one product — fixed index annuities — “suggests that conflicted advice could cost savers up to $5 billion per year.” Regardless of the outcome of the new DOL fiduciary rule, you should be clear about whether or not the person providing you with financial advice on a retirement or investment account (or is trying to sell you an insurance product) is putting your best interest first. To find out, just ask: “Are you held to the fiduciary standard?” If so, get this pledge in writing and make sure that it applies all of the time and to all accounts. Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is a CBS News business analyst. A former options trader and CIO of an investment advisory firm, she welcomes comments and questions at [email protected]. jill on money Two-tiered retirement with Jill Schlesinger Progress on fiduciary with Jill Schlesinger SR032124 Tune In To Happenings Q&A Radio On AM 1050 WLIP Weekdays From 9am-11am When Frank Carmichael And Happenings Staff Members Visit With Interesting Guests, Both Local And From Around The Country. SR050224 “Jeremy Johnson of Modern Woodmen is simply the best! I have been really happy with my retirement IRA, as well as life insurance for my family. I wouldn’t trust my financial future with anyone else.” -Mark Lesnik, A long standing customer. “Jeremy Johnson of Modern Woodmen is simply the best! I have been really happy with my retirement IRA, as well as life insurance for my family. I wouldn’t trust my financial future with anyone else.” -Mark Lesnik, A long standing customer. We can review and discuss your 401K rollover or help you explore your retirement options; you owe it to yourself to meet with a financial professional. I can help you plan for life. Let’s talk. I can help you plan for life. Let’s talk.
FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 11 SMART READER May 16, 2024 SMART READER March 09, 2023 11 Are you frustrated with peeling exterior paint? Maybe it’s a fence, a picnic table, a bench, your house siding, a shed, outdoor furniture or a pergola. You might also share Jan’s misfortune. She visited the Ask Tim page AsktheBuilder.com seeking help. Here’s what Jan wrote: “Our problem now is our front porch that is subject to the elements here in Des Plaines, Illinois. I am SO tired of repainting every other year or, at a minimum, touching up worn spots every spring. The paint flakes off the railings, stairs and even floorboards. We have gone as far as stripping it down to bare wood, using primer and then two coats of oil-based porch paint. Unfortunately, it lasted no longer than the water-based paints, which were easier to work with. The snow and rain hits the stairs and railings but usually not the decking. Although, a few times the snow has blown up the five stairs to our door. Any idea what we can do to save our backs and knees?” Jan sent me a set of photos that allowed me to diagnose her peeling paint problem in just seconds. She lives in an older home. The porch is raised above the soil, as are her wood steps. The underside of the porch has little or no ventilation. Walls covered with the same wood shingles as the house extend from the porch down to the soil. Illinois is east of the Mississippi River and gets quite a bit of rainfall each year. Invisible water vapor wafts up from the soil and enters the wood. The paint doesn’t stand a chance. Here’s why. I started a business with a good friend after I graduated from high school. We painted houses in the summer. John went on to get a PhD in chemistry. He spent his entire career working in a lab for one of the largest paint companies in the USA. When John was in graduate school, he started gravitating toward a career in the paint industry. One day we were eating lunch together and he handed me a scrap of paper with a chemical formula on it. He asked, “Do you have any clue what this common item is?” I was a geology major not a chemist, “I’m clueless. What is it?” John responded: “It’s the formula for common yellow carpenter’s glue you use all the time. Now look at this other formula.” He handed me a second scrap of paper with a long formula. I looked, and it was nearly identical to the glue one. I said, “Well, this must be the white glue kids use in school.” John said, “No. It’s the chemical formula for a very standard water-based exterior house paint.” A light bulb went on in my head. Why, of course! Paint does stick to things like glue. It’s hard to get out of my clothes, it’s hard to get off my paint brush ferrules as well as ladders. Paint is just colored glue. Paint expands and contracts. So does metal, plastic and wood. But different materials have different expansion and contraction rates. Of all the common things you have in and outside your home, wood and plastic move the most. Heat causes plastic vinyl siding to expand. Water, or water vapor, causes wood to grow in size. It gets worse. Water can travel with ease through wood. If you recall some of your high school physics, you might remember a class on vapor pressure. In Jan’s case, water vapor from the soil is entering the underside of all the wood that makes up her porch and steps. The odds of the original carpenter painting and sealing all the sides of each piece of wood before he built the porch are pretty low. Water seeps into Jan’s porch wood and works its way to the underside of the paint. When the sun hits the painted wood and warms it, it creates a difference in vapor pressure. The vapor must get out, so it pushes the paint off the wood. If your wood gets wet from rainfall or lawn sprinklers, it can swell. The swelling may be greater than the extent to which the paint can expand. If so, the adhesive bond between the paint and the wood fails. This is but one reason that paint peels. Other common reasons for peeling paint are on the paint can label. Can you recall the last time you read the label on a paint can? Most say, “Apply to a clean, dry, dust-free and oil-free surface.” Adhesive tape doesn’t stick well to dusty or dirty surfaces. I’m sure you’ve had tape fail. It’s no wonder paint will fail if a thin coating of dust or dirt is on the surface you’re trying to paint. Always clean things you’re about to paint as you would your car. Get a bucket of soapy water and rub the surface with a sponge or brush and then rinse and dry. Good luck! Subscribe to Tim’s FREE newsletter at AsktheBuilder.com. Tim offers phone coaching calls if you get stuck during a DIY job. Go here: go.askthebuilder.com/coachi ng Why you struggle with exterior paint peeling Ask the Builder with Tim Carter Subscribe to Tim’s FREE newsletter at AsktheBuilder.com. Tim offers phone coaching calls if you get stuck during a DIY job. Go here: go.askthebuilder.com /coaching Tim Carter joins Happenings Q&A on Mon. May 20th at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP H5N1 avian flu is now infecting U.S. dairy cows and the federal government on Friday announced myriad initiatives aimed at preventing the virus' mutation and spread in humans. The illness is typically not fatal in bovines, but monitoring and prevention on the nation's farms is costly, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the aid will make it cheaper and easier for farmers to deal with H5N1 when it is discovered infecting a herd. "Today, USDA is announcing assistance for producers with H5N1 affected premises to improve on-site biosecurity in order to reduce the spread," the agency said in a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services. "In addition, USDA is taking steps to make available financial tools for lost milk production in herds affected by H5N1." USDA also wants to safeguard the health of dairy workers, who could become human reservoirs for the H5N1 virus. Right now, its very tough to transmit bird flu personto-person, and only one human, a Texas dairy worker, is known to have contracted a (mild) case of the disease during the latest outbreak. But the threat of H5N1 mutating inside people so that it can be easily transmitted weighs heavily on the minds of infectious disease experts. That's because -- in the rare cases around the world where it has occurred -- the illness has killed half of those infected. So, USDA said it plans to now give $2,000 "per affected premises per month" to supply personal protective equipment to farm staff to help keep H5N1 infection in people at bay. Money will also be earmarked to help train farm workers in biosecurity, and to cover the costs of protecting people such as milk haulers, veterinarians, feed truckers and AI technicians who often move between various farms. Another $2,000 will be earmarked to help farms pay for "heat treatment to dispose of milk in a bio secure fashion," USDA said. "Heat treatment performed in accordance with standards set by FDA is the only currently available method considered to effectively inactivate the virus in milk." Finally, $10,000 per farm will be budgeted to pay for veterinary bills incurred because of the need for H5N1 monitoring and testing, and for the care of infected cows. "Taken together, these tools represent a value of up to $28,000 per premises to support increased biosecurity activities over the next 120 days," USDA and HHS said in a joint statement. Compensating farmers If milk is deemed to be at risk for infection and must be dumped, USDA will help "compensate producers for loss of milk production," the agency said. "While dairy cows that have been infected with H5N1 generally recover well, and there is little mortality associated with the disease, it does Federal government announces new initiatives to monitor, prevent bird flu story continues on page 12 Andrew Farnsworth ,Senior Research Associate in the Center for Avian Population Studies at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Calling, joins Happenings Q&A on Thu. May 23rd at 10:20am on AM1050 WLIP
12 SMART READER March 09, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER May 16, 2024 12 'Pandas' at Chinese zoo are chow chow dogs in disguise A Chinese zoo is being criticized online after visitors complained the animals in a "panda" exhibit aren't bears at all -- they're painted chow chow dogs. Visitors to the Taizhou Zoo in Jiangsu Province said they were surprised to discover the so-called "panda dogs" that went on display May 1 are dogs with their fur trimmed and dyed to closely resemble the iconic Chinese bears. A zoo spokesman explained the zoo put the dogs on display because it does not have any resident pandas, but he denied the fur dying process was in any way dangerous or harmful to the canines. A zoo employee told state-run media outlet The Global Times that the "panda dogs" aren't meant to be deceptive, as signage posted at the enclosure explains they are chow chows in disguise. Dear Cathy, My kind daughter rescued kittens a few years ago. I took one in, and she has been a wonderful companion. She has a scratch pad with catnip, but instead she shreds curtains, carpets, and furniture. I trim her nails regularly. Bitter Apple spray does not work. Is declawing a reasonable option for my indoor cat? I have heard there are techniques that make it less painful. It is not ideal, yet I would adopt more cats if these real issues could be addressed. — Julie, Chesterton, Indiana Dear Julie, I recently addressed the topic of declawing, and while I typically avoid revisiting the same issue so soon, a reader's feedback prompted me to be more emphatic about why it's not a practice I support. Declawing is an antiquated and barbaric procedure, illegal in several countries, and for good reason. The procedure involves amputating the last bone of each toe, comparable to removing the tip of our fingers at the last joint. This surgery can lead to long-term pain and discomfort for your cat. Cats rely on their claws for various natural behaviors such as stretching, climbing, and marking territory. Removing their claws can result in frustration, anxiety, and behavioral changes as they lose these essential outlets for their instincts. Additionally, cats use their claws for defense, and without them, they may feel vulnerable and stressed in dangerous situations. Moreover, declawing can alter a cat's gait and balance, potentially causing long-term musculoskeletal issues. There are also risks associated with the surgery, including infection, nerve damage, and prolonged healing time. Fortunately, there are numerous alternatives to declawing. Alongside regular nail trimming, introduce your cat to various scratching posts or pads, offering a range of textures and orientations to match their natural scratching preferences. For instance, my cat prefers horizontal scratchers. Use catnip or treats to attract them to it, and utilize treats and positive reinforcement to reward them for using it. You can also use deterrents like double-sided tape or aluminum foil on furniture to discourage scratching in undesirable areas. Engage your cat in play sessions three to four times a day for 10 minutes each to stimulate their natural instincts, provide environmental enrichment, and redirect their energy away from destructive scratching. After a few weeks of consistent training, consider adopting another cat if you like. They may tire each other out, further alleviating this destructive behavior. Dear Cathy, I have had many indoor house cats and have never had them declawed. Instead, I put a couple of outdoor, bristle type door mats inside and the cats scratch the door mats and never scratch anything else. The doormats are the cheap brown bristle type mats found at most home stores. It’s a humane, inexpensive solution to declawing. — DD, Rapid City, South Dakota Dear DD, Providing appropriate scratching surfaces like outdoor mats is a wonderful way to satisfy a cat's natural scratching instincts without resorting to declawing. Thanks for sharing your clever idea. Pet World with Cathy Rosenthal Is declawing acceptable? As well as being a recuring guest on Happenings Q&A, Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 30 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to [email protected]. Deputies chase down loose goat Sheriff's deputies in Florida conducted a hoof pursuit of a goat on the loose -- and ended up rescuing a second goat from a fence entanglement. The Marion County Sheriff's Office said on social media that Deputy Hammons and Deputy Peguero responded to a call about a goat on the loose. "'Billy the Kid' was feeling a bit 'baaa-d' that day and made a valiant effort to avoid them," the post said. "After about five minutes of a comedic hoof pursuit, Deputy Hammons apprehended the 'hoove-nile' delinquent." The goat was returned to its owner, but the deputies were then told of another goat entangled in a chain-link fence nearby. "After returning the young goat to its enclosure, they located the trapped animal, which had recently given birth. Deputy Hammons was able to untangle the chain-link fence and freed the mama to care for her newborns," officials wrote. Snake on a train causes delays The East Japan Railroad Co. said about 2,700 passengers experienced delays when a snake was spotted about a commuter train. The company said a passenger on a train in Tokyo informed personnel at Shibuya Station that a snake had been spotted in the eighth car of the 11-car train. The train was stopped and passengers were evacuated so staff could search for the stowaway serpent. The snake was not located and the train was returned to service after about 15 minutes, but passengers were kept out of the car where the sighting was reported. The train made its last stop and was then taken to a maintenance center to be thoroughly searched. An employee found the nearly 8-inch snake hiding under a seat in the car. The animal was turned over to police, who identified it as a young, non-venomous Japanese rat snake. Officials said the snake would be released in the wild. Railroad officials said about 2,700 passengers experienced brief delays as a result of the sighting. Goat helps rescue loose sheep Animal rescuers in Ireland said a sheep spotted running loose near a busy highway was successfully captured with the help of a pet goat. Charity group My Lovely Horse Rescue said a search party was dispatched when reports came in about a loose sheep headed toward traffic on the busy N4 highway. The search party included rescue personnel and a goat named Lilly. "We finally found the poor little man in a ditch, we got him out and to the MLHR farm," the group said on social media. The sheep did not have any identifying tags and is being treated for an infection, officials wrote. "He's safe, he'll have sheep friends and never have to worry. We have called him Philip," the post said. Cathy Rosenthal joins Happenings Q&A on Tue. May 28th at 10:20 on AM1050 WLIP. IUP General Feed Store 2429 Sheridan Road • Zion, IL 60099 847-731-3333 Your local stop for... Your local stop for... IUP General Feed Store 2429 Sheridan Road • Zion, IL 60099 SR040424 • Wild Birdseed • Dog & Cat Food • Grass Seed • Garden Seeds • High Quality Dog Treats • Homemade Soaps • Honey AUGUST 2nd , 3rd & 4 A th UGUST 2nd , 3rd & 4th Summer Is Just Around The Corner ummer Is Just Around The Corner SAVE THE DATE! AVE THE DATE! DT 2024-1 DOCKSIDE CKSIDE Dog Walking Vacation Pet Sitting Drop-in Visits Puppy Care Pets home alone while you are at work or on vacation? 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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 13 SMART READER May 16, 2024 SMART READER March 09, 2023 13 Some patients with traumatic brain injuries who died after life support was withdrawn may have recovered if given more time, a new study indicates. The findings of the study, conducted at Mass General Brigham in Boston, were published in the Journal of Neurotrauma. A more cautious approach is needed in making early decisions on withdrawal of life support after traumatic brain injuries, according to the researchers from Mass General Brigham, a leading biomedical research organization the includes several Harvard Medical School teaching hospitals. "Severe traumatic brain injury -- resulting for example, from a car accident -- is a major cause of hospitalizations and deaths around the world," impacting more than 5 million people annually, the study's senior author, Dr. Yelena Bodien, an assistant professor in the department of neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, told UPI via email. While many people recover consciousness over a few hours or a day, others remain in the intensive care unit, relying on life support, such as a breathing tube, said Bodien, who also is an assistant professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown, Mass. "Predicting who will recover following severe traumatic brain injury, and to what degree, can be challenging. Yet, families are often asked to make decisions about continuing or withdrawing life support, such as mechanical breathing, within just 72 hours of the injury," Bodien said. "This decision is based largely on whether the clinical team believes that recovery is possible," she added. "It is unknown whether some people who died because life support was discontinued could have survived and recovered had life support been continued." Currently, no medical guidelines or precise algorithms determine which patients with severe traumatic brain injury are likely to recover. The most common reason families opt for withdrawing life support measures is physicians relaying information that suggests a poor neurologic prognosis. In the study, researchers found that some patients for whom life support was withdrawn may have survived and recovered some independence a few months after injury. Postponing decisions on withdrawing life support may be helpful for some patients, they noted. Using data gathered over a 7 1/2-year period on 1,392 traumatic brain injury patients in intensive care units at 18 U.S. trauma centers, the researchers designed a mathematical model to calculate the likelihood that life-sustaining treatment would be discontinued. They based their model on d e m o g r a p h i c s , socioeconomic factors and injury characteristics. Then, they paired patients continuing on life-sustaining treatment to individuals with similar model scores, but for whom life-sustaining treatment was stopped. Based on follow-up, the estimated six-month outcomes for a significant proportion of the withdrawn group were either death or recovery of at least some independence in daily activities. Of the survivors in the notwithdrawn group, more than 40% recovered at least some independence. In addition, the research team found that remaining in a vegetative state was an unlikely outcome by six months after injury. None of the patients who died was pronounced brain dead, so the results are not applicable to brain death. Researchers suggest that clinicians assume patients will do poorly based on outcomes data. This leads to withdrawal of life support, which then increases poor outcomes rates and leads to even more decisions to remove life support, the study's authors noted. What's needed are additional studies consisting of larger sample sizes that allow for more precise matching of patients for whom life support is withdrawn and those for whom it isn't. This would help researchers understand variable recovery trajectories for people who sustain traumatic brain injuries, the researchers said. Dr. Ariane Lewis, a professor in the departments of neurology and neurosurgery at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, said she would like to "congratulate the authors on this important work." "It has long been recognized that our understanding of recovery after acute brain injury has been jaded by nihilism and the self-fulfilling prophecy -- the expectation of a bad outcome leading to premature withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, which results in death," said Lewis, who also is director of neurocritical care. She added that it can take many months for patients to recover. Multiple complications can ensue and patients are unable to return home because they need artificial support for breathing and nutrition for a long period of time. "Views about prolonging life in the setting of disability and dependency, even if subsequent recovery is feasible, are very personal and can change over time," she said. "People should discuss these wishes with family and friends to ensure they are followed in the unfortunate event of acute brain injury precluding decision-making capacity." In the study, older patients with traumatic brain injury appeared to have poor outcomes, while a significant proportion of younger patients seemed capable of recovering and regaining valuable independence, said Dr. Julio Chalela, a professor in the neurosurgery department at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Based on the study, "doctors should be very careful about withdrawing life-sustaining therapies in patients, particularly in the first 72 hours after a traumatic brain injury," Chalela said, describing the new research as "intriguing." However, Dr. Erol Veznedaroglu, a professor and chair of the department of neurosurgery at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, said that "this study offers little insight into the care of this patient population." "The fear is that, in fact, it may give many families false hope and confuse decisionmaking for the great majority of patients who have little hope of meaningful recovery," Veznedaroglu said. He added that "every family must make decisions based on quality of life for that individual, not quantity. It is impossible to quantify this in general terms as it is unique to each patient and family. BySusan Kreimier Brain-injured patients who died after life support ended may have recovered Some patients with traumatic brain injuries who died after withdrawal of life support may have recovered if given the chance, a new study indicates. dramatically limit milk production, causing economic losses for producers with affected premises," the USDA said. The agency also plans to put in place safeguards that would limit the movement of dairy herds state-to-state, to help prevent the spread of H5N1. "USDA will make $98 million in existing funds available ... to fund these initiatives," the agency said. "If needed, USDA has the authority, with Congressional notification, to make additional funds available." Viral monitoring The Department of Health and Homeland Security has also earmarked more than $101 million to better understand and help fight H5N1. "Public and animal health experts and agencies have been preparing for avian influenza outbreak for 20 years," the agency said. "Our primary responsibility at HHS is to protect public health and the safety of the food supply, which is why we continue to approach the outbreak with urgency." H5N1 outbreaks in animals will be closely monitored, and there will also be "CDC monitoring of the virus to detect any changes that may increase risk to people," HHS said. "CDC has also asked health departments to distribute existing PPE stocks to farm workers, prioritizing those who work with infected cows," the agency added. Additional CDC funding totaling $93 million is targeted "to bolster testing and laboratory capacity, surveillance, genomic sequencing, support jurisdictions and partner efforts to reach high risk populations and initiate a new wastewater surveillance pilot," according to the news release. This will include the production of "one thousand additional influenza diagnostic test kits (equaling nearly around one million additional tests) for virologic surveillance." Another $14 million is earmarked to further the genomic sequencing of viral strains by the CDC. It's especially important to "analyze circulating H5N1 viruses to determine whether current Candidate Vaccine Viruses (CVVs) would be effective and develop new ones if necessary," the news release said. Finally, $3 million in extra funding is being targeted to more widespread and better testing of wastewater -- a valuable tool in monitoring the development and potential spread of new strains of H5N1. By Ernie Mundell Bird flu continued from page 10 SR051624
14 SMART READER March 09, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER May 16, 2024 14 The 2023 predictions were scary. Artificial intelligence would: • Replace 300 million fulltime jobs worldwide over time. • Encroach on tasks of 2 in 5 workers. • Drive a bigger wedge between rich people and poor people. So far, the impact of AI on the U.S. economy has proven far more limited. Examples of massive layoffs are less frequent than some expected. Some researchers now say the technology could help low-skilled workers more than it will hurt them. New technology always brings change and some people will lose their jobs even as new opportunities appear. But if the process unfolds over decades rather than a few years, then many employees and employers have time to adjust. “Disruption is something we’ve seen over and over,” says Daniel Keum, a management professor at Columbia University. “Over time, new industries emerge. People learn how to be productive with the technology. ... But again, the bad news hits first.” Jay Johnson, who works in advertising in Chicago, was laid off recently. His industry is pushing hard to incorporate AI chatbots, which understand and generate humanlike speech, to analyze marketing trends and generate ad copy. As the sole provider for his wife and his two young children, he’s now looking for another job. “Challenges always exist,” he says. “It’s how we adapt and move through them.” How companies are incorporating AI Companies are adopting the new technology in various ways. Some emphasize efficiency. In March, IBM disclosed a “workforce rebalancing,” reportedly in marketing and communications, that will lay off several thousand employees. Another multinational company is using AI to step up its marketing game in South America, says Dr. Keum. Instead of launching one marketing campaign per month per country, it now targets specific consumers within those countries and updates the plans weekly. One sector feeling the heat: customer service. In February, Swedish consumer finance firm Klarna announced that AI was now handling twothirds of its online chats with customers, doing the work of 700 full-time agents. Since the company uses contractors, Klarna didn’t have to fire anybody. It announced a hiring freeze instead. The company still relies on experienced workers to handle complex or sensitive cases, according to a spokesperson. It’s this human-machine collaboration – rethinking and redesigning work in light of AI – that will separate winners from losers, says Erik Brynjolfsson, director of Stanford University’s Digital Economy Laboratory and co-founder of Workhelix, a consulting firm. In a research paper published last year, he and six coauthors found that the introduction of an AI assistant not only improved productivity of customer support workers at a large software firm, but also led to better customer satisfaction and reduced worker turnover. Moreover, the technology didn’t drive a wedge between the most- and least-skilled workers; it instead helped bridge the knowledge gap, Dr. Brynjolfsson adds. AI boosted productivity for new workers and the least skilled workers by 34%, while it had negligible effects for the most skilled. By investing in retraining and work redesign, while keeping people in charge, “you can create a huge amount of value for the customers,” he says. “That is a pretty optimistic story.” Where job losses are landing Which story is winning out – layoffs or happier, more productive employees – is hard to discern. Tech sector layoffs surged in 2023 as Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, and Microsoft poured billions of dollars into AI. The pace of firings has barely diminished this year with more than 75,000 employees laid off worldwide, according to Layoffs.fyi, a tracker of tech layoffs started by a Bay Area entrepreneur. While companies point to various factors, such as postpandemic restructuring and cost-cutting, they’re increasingly hesitant to mention AI. Why? Companies may want to avoid public backlash for replacing people with machines, said Andrew Challenger, senior vice president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, in a company press release in March. The Chicago-based outplacement firm started tracking AI-related layoffs last year and found 3,900 in a single month. By the first quarter of this year, that total had dwindled to 383 for all three months. Job losses are only part of the problem. Workers may find new jobs, but if those positions pay substantially less, their standard of living falls. That’s what happened to many manufacturing workers in the 1980s and 1990s, displaced by robotics and a wave of globalization. It’s happening now for a new class of well-educated workers. 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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 15 SMART READER May 16, 2024 SMART READER March 09, 2023 15 News flash: You don't need special, expensive foods to build a healthy diet. Surprised? Most of us buy into the myth that eating healthy costs more. But the United States Department of Agriculture has a plan to help you eat healthy -- at an affordable rate. It involves choosing healthier foods such as carrots and pinto beans over ice cream and cakes -- and spending less to do that. Here are a few practical tips to do that. No. 1: Plan ahead, and cook from scratch. Planning ahead allows you to only buy what you need, take advantage of sales and avoid using fast food for lunches. The cheapest meal you will fix is the one already in your freezer. Check your pantry, fridge and freezer to build meals around things you've already purchased. Cut down on food waste by repurposing leftovers and freezing extras for another meal. You can save money buy purchasing frozen fruits and vegetables and making meat an accent rather than the main event. No. 2: Skip more expensive organically grown plants. All fruits and vegetables (fresh or frozen, cooked or raw, or organic or conventional) are healthy choices. The important thing is to include lots of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Buy what's in season, whether that's at the grocery store, farmers market or grown in your own garden. No. 3: Skip gluten-free unless you have been diagnosed with celiac disease. For most people, there is no research that gluten-free foods are healthier than foods containing gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, which is a valuable contributor to dietary fiber intake in our diets. It is more important to opt for whole grains rather than refined products, whether wheat or gluten-free. No. 4: Buying in bulk can save money -- if you have a plan to use the food rather than let it go to waste. Bulk items work best if they have shelf life, such as canned beans or lower-sodium canned tomatoes or lowersodium chicken broth. Bulk frozen items (packaged individually) can also be money savers. No. 5: Cook it yourself. If you cook a meal yourself, you can save the extra expense of buying more expensive already-prepared meals in the freezer case or deli counter. And you have more control over the foods you eat. Studies show meals at home are healthier than those purchased in a restaurant because they often include fruits and vegetables. Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU Med School in Springfield, Ill. food & recipes The Cost of Healthy Eating Nutrition News with Charlyn Fargo Servings: 4 1/3 cup feta cheese, cubed 1/3 cup red onion, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon lemon zest 2 tablespoons lemon juice Pinch of red pepper flakes 2 cups seedless watermelon, cubed 1 cup fresh blueberries 1 cup cucumber, chopped 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil, thinly sliced Toss together feta, red onion, oil, lemon zest, lemon juice and red pepper flakes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Toss together watermelon, blueberries, cucumber and basil. Transfer to a small serving platter. Top with feta marinade. Per serving: 150 calories; 3 grams protein; 15 grams carbohydrates; 10 grams fat (3 grams saturated); 2 grams fiber; 10 grams sugar (0 added); 115 milligram sodium. Blueberry & Watermelon Salad w/Marinated Feta Serves 4 Notes: If using wild salmon, which contains less fat, cook the burgers to 120 degrees (for medium-rare). Age affects the flavor of asparagus enormously. For the sweetest taste, look for spears that are bright green and firm, with tightly closed tips. If the weather cooperates, take the fish and veggie outside to the grill! 6 tablespoons mayonnaise, divided 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley divided 2 scallions minced, divided 1 tablespoon lemon juice Salt and pepper 1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces 1 pound skinless salmon fillets cut into 1-inch pieces 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons capers, rinsed and minced 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil 4 hamburger buns 4 leaves Bibb or Boston lettuce 1. Combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon parsley, half of scallions, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until serving. 2. Adjust oven rack 4 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Pulse bread in food processor to coarse crumbs, about 4 pulses; transfer to large bowl. 3. Working in 2 batches, pulse salmon in food processor until coarsely ground, about 4 pulses, transfer to bowl with bread crumbs and toss to combine. Add mustard, remaining scallions, remaining 2 tablespoons parsley, capers, remaining 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper to bowl; gently fold into salmon mixture until well combined. 4. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Divide salmon mixture into 4 equal portions and gently pack into 1-inch-thick patties, about 3 1/2 inches wide. Place patties on 1 side of the prepared sheet. Toss asparagus with oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and spread in a single layer on the empty side of the sheet. 5. Broil until burgers are browned on top, 4 to 6 minutes. Flip burgers and asparagus and continue to broil until burgers register 125 degrees (for medium-rare), and asparagus is lightly browned and tender, 3 to 6 minutes. 6. Transfer salmon burgers and asparagus to a platter. Discard foil and arrange buns, cut side up, in a single layer on the now-empty sheet and broil until lightly browned, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Top bun bottoms with lettuce, burgers, lemon-herb sauce, and bun tops. Serve with asparagus. Salmon Burgers with Asparagus and Lemon-Herb Sauce A food processor makes quick work of chopping not just the fish but also our fresh bread crumbs for these salmon burgers. We use just enough bread and mayonnaise (plus some choice flavorings) to bind the burgers together while letting the salmon still shine through. Broiling the salmon burgers on a sheet pan in the oven allowed us to prepare a roasted vegetable side dish in the same pan, but you can also grill them together outside if the weather is nice. Q: I read that drinking a glass of wine can lower your risk for cataract surgery. Is that really true? A: Apparently, it is. Researchers at the University of Cambridge found out drinking low to moderate amounts of alcohol, particularly wine, may actually reduce your risk for cataract surgery. The study, published in the February Journal of Ophthalmology, included two groups totaling nearly 493,000 participants. The participants, whose average ages were 56 and 59, were followed for eight and 16 years, respectively. One group drank alcohol; the other group did not. Researchers found the strongest protective association was with wine drinkers. Wine drinkers' risk for needing cataract surgery was 23% lower in the first group and 14% lower in the second group.
16 SMART READER March 09, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER May 16, 2024 16 d Despite available treatments, attentiond e f i c i t / h y p e r a c t i v i t y disorder, or ADHD, often goes undetected in adults, wreaking havoc on their personal and professional lives. The abbreviation represents a class of n e u r o d e v e l o p m e n t a l disorders commonly diagnosed in school-age children, but they can affect any age group. "ADHD is notoriously underdiagnosed in adults, especially in women, minorities and those older than 40," Ari Tuckman, a psychologist in private practice in West Chester, Pa., told UPI via email. Only 10% to 25% of adults with the disorder obtain an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment, according to an article posted in October on Psychiatrist.com. That month, investigators from 10 institutions in Europe, Africa and Australia published a review in Psychiatry Research, which estimated that 3.1% of adults have ADHD. "An ongoing pattern" of symptoms includes inattention -- "difficulty staying on task, sustaining focus and staying organized," the National Institute of Mental Health says. Meanwhile, hyperactivity also may be prevalent, resulting in excessive fidgeting, tapping or talking. And impulsivity can lead someone to "interrupt others or make important decisions without considering long-term consequences," the institute notes. The Psychiatry Research study identified three subtypes of ADHD -- ADHD-I (inattentive type of ADHD-I), ADHD-HI (hyperactive type) and ADHD-C (combined type). "The results indicate that ADHD is relatively high in adults, with ADHD-I remaining the most common subtype," the study's authors wrote. "Attention should be given to preventing, reducing, identifying and managing ADHD in adults." Even when mental health professionals treat adults for other psychiatric disorders, ADHD often goes unrecognized, experts say. "If one has the idea of ADHD being a hyperactive boy, then adults who are no longer hyperactive will slip by. Or those who have the more inattentive type of ADHD will tend to slip by," said Tuckman, who also is the conference co-chair for Children and Adults with AttentionD e f i c i t / H y p e r a c t i v i t y Disorder, a national advocacy organization. As a result, adults' struggles with ADHD often are attributed to other reasons, such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems and substance overuse. Untreated ADHD can exacerbate these conditions, he said. However, Tuckman noted that increasing awareness of ADHD in adults has led more people to identify with the symptoms and seek out treatment for this disorder specifically, not just the anxiety, depression and other mental health issues that often accompany it. Problems in relationships, college studies or the workplace eventually compel people to consult with a mental health professional in hopes of finding relief from ADHD symptoms with which they have lived since childhood, said Dr. Lisa MacLean, an adult psychiatrist at Henry Ford Health in Detroit. Sometimes, adults with the symptoms turn to mental health professionals after their children are diagnosed with ADHD, said MacLean, who also is chief clinical wellness officer for the Henry Ford Medical Group. "A light bulb goes off in their head and they see how their child's struggles are similar to theirs," she said, adding that the disorder has a genetic component. "Untreated ADHD can negatively impact the educational level a person can achieve," MacLean said. For mental health professionals to diagnose someone with ADHD, they must determine that "several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were present prior to age 12," according to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. "If an adult started to have symptoms clearly in adulthood, then it is unlikely to be ADHD as a primary psychiatric diagnosis," said Dr. Britta Ostermeyer, OU health chief of psychiatry in Oklahoma City, Okla. Other medical or psychiatric ailments may be responsible for the onset of inattention in adulthood, such as depression, substance abuse, sleep disorders, lung conditions, cardiac conditions or brain diseases, Ostermeyer said. The reason ADHD is more likely to go undetected in adults than children stems in part from the "lack of daily contact with people adept at recognizing ADHD, such as schoolteachers," she said, noting that adults also have fewer hyperactive symptoms than children. Medications are the primary form of treatment for ADHD, not psychotherapy, experts say. The medications that work best are stimulants, such as Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse, Focalin and Adderall. For patients who can't take stimulants, nonstimulant options are available, Ostermeyer said. "It may take several visits to find the best medication and fine-tune the dosage while also working on other behavioral treatment goals," said Dr. Jeremiah Hopkins, a psychiatrist and medical director of Healthy Minds University, a clinic that focuses on students' mental health at WVU Medicine in Morgantown, W. Va., told UPI via email. That's why "managing expectations and knowing the limitations can be helpful, so that you do not become frustrated with treatment after one or two appointments," Hopkins said. "Treatments are extremely effective, and almost all patients who stick with the treatment plan over time realize significant improvements in their condition," he said. When used along with medications, psychotherapy can help educate a patient about symptoms of ADHD and emphasize the importance of following a prescribed drug regimen, help with important organization and planning skills, and teach how to best cope with distractions in daily life, Ostermeyer noted. "Always seek professional help to receive a proper evaluation, diagnosis and personalized treatment plan," she said. If someone with ADHD is experiencing a lot of stress, experts say cognitive behavioral therapy may be helpful. "Learning behavior modification techniques like making lists, using your smartphone alarm to remind you of upcoming appointments and breaking projects down into smaller pieces can help," MacLean said. Other interventions she recommends involve good self-care, such as eating a healthy low-sugar diet, engaging in regular exercise and pursuing meaningful relationships. In addition, she said, supplementing the diet with omega-3 fatty acids can play a major role in ADHD prevention and treatment, while practicing meditation can hone the brain's ability to focus. "Many patients do very well with consistent treatment," MacLean said. "People should not approach treatment thinking that medication alone will solve all their issues." She added that "they also need to actively work on developing strategies to help them succeed. Getting well is not a passive process. People must take an active role in their mental well-being." By Susan Kreimer ADHD often goes undetected in adults, experts say Only 10% to 25% of adults with ADHD obtain an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment, according to a study published in Psychiatry Research. Demand for skilled AI workers Those with high-level AI skills are in strong demand from companies eager to take advantage of the technology. “We’re hiring dozens,” says Robert Murphy, chief economist for Infineo, a tech company aiming to revolutionize life insurance through AI and blockchain technology. Some companies pay the most skilled workers $900,000 or more in salary and benefits. Three-quarters of knowledge workers say they already use AI on the job, nearly double the share of just six months ago, according to a Microsoft/LinkedIn survey of workers and employers in the United States and 30 other countries released Wednesday. “2024 is the year AI at work gets real.” Other well-educated workers have found themselves on the wrong side of the technology. After earning her Ph.D in art history in 2017, Allison Harbin became a researcher for academic journals. Once ChatGPT was released publicly in 2022, a fifth of her income dried up. She took a job doing “prompt engineering” – editing AI chatbots’ responses during their training. But the pay was low, and even with a new job, her income still isn’t stable. “I’m not even going to put this on my résumé,” she says. “Old jobs are going to be eliminated,” says Dr. Brynjolfsson of Stanford. “There’s just a lot of creative destruction and churn. [However], the tools [of AI], when used correctly, will help rebuild the middle class and will help create more widely shared prosperity.” By Laurnet Belsie & Leonardo Bevilacqua AI continued from page 13
FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 17 SMART READER May 16, 2024 SMART READER March 09, 2023 17 books A primer on climate change that tackles both hope and despair The letter C might be for Climate Change. But it is also for Complicated. And Challenging. Such is the take-away from H Is for Hope: Climate Change From A to Z. This alphabetical collection of essays, written by Elizabeth Kolbert and vividly illustrated by graphic artist Wesley Allsbrook, gives a primer of sorts on key climate topics, from green concrete to electrification to international treaties, one for each letter of the alphabet. Kolbert is one of America’s preeminent science journalists, whose book “The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History” won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction. She has written about everything from carbon capture technology to electric aviation for The New Yorker, and many of the essays in “H Is for Hope” are shortened versions of those articles. For a broad audience, this works. The information is digestible, if not as intricately crafted as her long-form pieces, and her essays introduce the breadth of topics that are commonplace in today’s mainstream climate conversation. But there is something inherently provocative about a beautiful book focused on an existential crisis, and at times Kolbert seems to lean into this. It can leave one slightly unsettled. Is “H Is for Hope” a coffee-table book or a misnomer? A graduation gift or a piece of subversive art? An encyclopedia, an essay collection – or perhaps a paradox, like global warming itself? Take the actual C entry. It comes, of course, after A, which Kolbert gives to Svante Arrhenius, who created the first climate model in 1894, and after B, echoing climate activist Greta Thunberg’s 2021 “Blah, blah, blah” speech. The teen, speaking at the Youth4Climate summit in Italy, criticized world leaders for talking a good game about mitigating climate change but doing little. C, here, is for Capitalism. And in a breezy, sevenparagraph essay, Kolbert summarizes the primary critiques lobbed against the world’s dominant socioeconomic system – arguments familiar to those of us who write about climate change – and explains how they are connected to global warming. “Climate change can’t be dealt with using the tools of capitalism, because it is a product of capitalism,” she writes, detailing one school of thought. Critics have argued that mainstream climate journalism tends to lean Democratic and progressive, and, with essays like this one, Kolbert’s book follows this trend. But climate journalism can also be C for Contradictory. The unequivocal reality of a warming Earth (see T for Temperatures) can crash into subjective politics (R for Republicans) and scientific debates (W for Weather). Optimism can turn into despair – although despair itself has become, among climate activists, a forbidden place to land. Indeed, in “H Is for Hope,” there are two sentences under D, each highlighted on their own blank pages. The set of essays includes topics such as innovation, technological development, and humanity’s ability to overcome, illustrated by line drawings of smokestacks, birds, lightbulbs. But then, lest we get too comfortable with these optimistic essays, Kolbert points out that these are all Narratives (N). They are the stories we tell ourselves to keep discouragement at bay. She quotes climate researchers who say that tales of “doom and gloom” hinder climate action, while positive narratives empower. She references Christiana Figueres, the Costa Rican diplomat who paved the way for the Paris climate accord. “Do you know of any challenge in the history of humankind that was actually successful in its achievement that started out with pessimism, that started out with defeatism?” Figueres asks. “There isn’t one.” But it’s hard not to sense a bit of journalistic, or perhaps Thunberg-like, skepticism on Kolbert’s part. On the one hand, a reader senses that Kolbert wants to be positive, but on the other, she seems unconvinced of the success-story narratives when it comes to climate change. In her final essay, “Zero,” Kolbert is standing by the Hoover Dam and the dwindling Colorado River. Her Z, it turns out, is not about Net Zero or Zero Carbon or any of those other buzzwords of climate resilience; it is for Ground Zero. “Climate change isn’t a problem that can be solved by summoning the ‘will,’” she writes. “It isn’t a problem that can be ‘fixed’ or ‘conquered,’ though these words are often used. It isn’t going to have a happy ending, or a win-win ending or, on a human timescale, any ending at all. Whatever we might want to believe about our future, there are limits, and we are up against them.” By Stephanie Hanes PRINT & E-BOOKS NONFICTION PRINT & E-BOOKS FICTION 1. King of Sloth (Huang) 2. Funny Story (Henry) 3. The Women (Hannah) 4. A Court of Thorns and Roses (Maas) 5. Only the Brave (Steel) 6. Home Is Where The Bodies Are (Rose) 7. A Calamity of Souls (Baldacci) 8. A Court of Wings and Ruin (Maas) 9. Fourth Wing (Yarros) 10. Just For The Summer (Jimenez) 1. The Demon of Unrest (Larson) 2. The Anxious Generation (Haidt) 3. Uncomfortable Conversations... (Acho/Tisby) 4. An Unfinished Love Story (Goodwin) 5. For Love of Country (Gabbard) 6. The Age of Grievance (Bruni) 7. The Body Keeps the Score (van der Kolk) 8. Braiding Sweetgrass (Kimmerer) 9. Love, Mom (Saphier) 10. The Wager (Grann) NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERS Who are we? How do we decide what’s important to us – and become who we are? What’s a “real” American? These are some of the questions Rachel Khong probes in Real Americans, her riveting, multigenerational saga about class, race, genetics, values, and ambition. “Real Americans” is Khong’s sophomore novel – following her heartwarming 2017 debut, “Goodbye, Vitamin” – but it reads as if she skipped right to postdoclevel work. Khong is hardly the first writer to broach the subject of what it is to be or become American. But unlike, say, Anne Tyler, who wrote about assimilation and foreignness in her 2006 novel, “Digging to America,” Khong is primarily concerned with what she perceives as the American pressure to be exceptional. Khong’s novel, which spans three generations of two intertwined families, flags problematic attempts to shape and control identity through political, parental, personal, academic, and genetic manipulations. The Chens are geneticists who fled China in the late 1960s, during Mao’s Cultural Revolution. The Maiers are American-born heirs to a pharmaceutical fortune. The novel’s first section features the scientists’ daughter, Lily Chen. We meet her in 1999, during her senior year at New York University. An art history major, she has yet to find a driving passion like that of her parents. But she is haunted by her mother’s voice, constantly urging her to find meaning and excel. In the meantime, Lily struggles to make ends meet as an unpaid intern in the art department of an online travel magazine. At the company’s holiday party, her boss introduces her to his handsome blond nephew – and they immediately click. Matthew, enviably at home in his skin, works in private equity and can fly to Paris on a whim. Lily feels out of her depth but is too dazzled by glimpses of Matthew’s luxe life to turn away immediately. Without giving away too much, I can say that the second section of Khong’s three-part novel jumps ahead to 2021. It is narrated by Nick Chen, who has been raised by his devoted single mother on a small island off Seattle, where they live a bare-bones existence. Lily works at a lowRachel Khong is the author of the novel “Real Americans” story continues on page 17 ‘Real Americans’ explores the pressure to be exceptional
18 SMART READER March 09, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER May 16, 2024 18 Blue House Books is an independently owned bookstore located in downtown Kenosha. The store hosts many author signing events and multiple book clubs each month! The main book club, Blue House Book club, meets the last Tuesday of every month in the store. Each meeting is comprised of customers, friends of customers, coworkers, or people in the area who have heard of the club through their Facebook posts. There is never the same number of people at each meeting; it really depends on how much interest the book of the month wracks up. But it is almost guaranteed that you will meet someone new at each meeting! The club meetings are streamed on Facebook live, so everyone who can’t physically attend has an opportunity to participate and watch online. This livestream originated during the pandemic, so the group could still get together virtually, and it has stuck around ever since. Sam Jacquest, the owner of the store, saw that there was a need for more open book clubs in the community for book lovers who didn’t have the ability to join or start others. Melissa Morovich, a moderator of the club, stated that she encourages anyone who loves to read and has the desire to do it socially to come to a meeting because she was once in the same boat and couldn’t imagine a better club to get involved with. One title that the book club collectively loved at a meeting was Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, which was read at the early stages of the club. They all got a kick when Netflix turned the book into a movie a year later! On the flip side, Melissa mentioned she was the only one out of 25 people who liked Joe Hill’s horror book Heart-Shaped Box. Being Stephen King’s son, Joe has a very unique writing style that the other members found challenging to get into. The book choices are typically driven by holidays, celebrations or certain groups that are honored during the month, such as Black History or Pride month. Sam wants the club to be very hands on, so she posts three different yet related books on the Facebook page that all members can vote on; the book with the most votes is what they will read in the coming month! An author that multiple reoccurring members mentioned they’d love to meet is Ann Patchett because they read her book The Patron Saint of Liars for April and loved it! There have been multiple local authors who have made an appearance at meetings as well and Sam plans to continue bringing authors in to join the discussions. In May, the club will be reading The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander month. Feel free to read along with them if you’d like and if you want to be a part of the conversation stop by their next meeting at the end of May! By Elaina Myers Blue House Book Club welcomes all local book lovers to attend their meetings Moderators of the club Sam Jacquest and Melissa Marovich paying job, but her life, unburdened by expectations, “was small, and rich, and entirely hers.” Teenage Nick expresses frustration that he has no cellphone, computer, or PlayStation because of his mother’s “attempt to instill in me a sense of antimaterialism.” In order to play video games, he hangs out at his best friend’s house. This friend, puzzled by Nick’s blond hair and blue eyes, wonders if he was adopted, or the result of an IVF mixup. The boys get jobs at a local oyster farm to finance DNA tests. It’s the first of many secrets Nick withholds from his mother. “Real Americans” bogs down a bit during Nick’s overly long immersion in Ivy League college tours, undergraduate social hierarchies, and Yale’s Skull and Bones club, meant to highlight issues of class. (Khong is a Yale graduate.) Torn by conflicting emotions, Nick repeatedly shifts allegiances between various relatives and friends, as if he’s fiddling with hot and cold valves. Fortunately, the narrative regains its momentum in its moving final section, in which we finally hear from May, Lily’s mother. For more than half a century, May, in her determination to become a full-fledged American, has never spoken of her early years in China. Nor did she teach her daughter Chinese or cook Chinese food. But in a last-ditch attempt to connect with Lily, the old woman recounts her life story. It’s captivating. May (formerly Mei) opens up about her impoverished childhood working in China’s rice paddies and the famine brought on by enforced communal farming and industrialization during Mao’s Great Leap Forward, which began when she was 13. A scholarship to study biology at Peking University was her salvation. But May’s time in Peking, during which she met the love of her life, ended in 1966 with the Cultural Revolution, whose mandate was to “Destroy the four olds: ideas, customs, habits, and culture.” She describes the brutality of the Red Guards and confesses the regrettable decisions she made in order to flee China. Finally, she apologizes for her “indefensible” and “unforgivable” genomics experiments, which so upset Lily. Khong, who depicted older characters with such warmth in her first novel, brings a similar empathy to her portrayal of May – and indeed, to all her characters, even at their most pigheaded. In “Real Americans,” she makes a case for the importance of not just self-definition, but also compassion and a moral compass strong enough to resist a societal push to stand out at any cost. By Heller McAlpin Real Americans continued from page 16 SR050224 Your Ticket to Local Events Tune In To Happenings Q&A Radio On AM 1050 WLIP Weekdays From 9am-11am When Frank Carmichael And Happenings Staff Members Visit With Interesting Guests, Both Local And From Around The Country.
FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 19 SMART READER May 16, 2024 SMART READER March 09, 2023 19 Fertility rates expected to fall worldwide, pushing population down By 2050, three-quarters of the world's nations will see fertility rates fall to below replacement levels, meaning their populations will be steadily shrinking, a new study predicts. And by 2100, almost all countries (97%) are expected to have fertility rates below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, the same report concludes. This trend will not happen everywhere all at once. Richer countries will be hit first and hardest by falling birth rates, with poorer nations maintaining higher birth rates. That's according to researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. All of this means big shifts in where the world's babies are being born. According to the report, 29% of babies were born in sub-Saharan Africa in 2021. But by 2100, over half (54%) of all infants will be born in that region, should current trends persist. The findings were published in The Lancet journal. "We are facing staggering social change through the 21st century," said study senior author Stein Emil Vollset, from IHME. "The world will be simultaneously tackling a 'baby boom' in some countries and a 'baby bust' in others," he explained in a journal news release. "As most of the world contends with the serious challenges to the economic growth of a shrinking workforce and how to care for and pay for aging populations, many of the most resource-limited countries in sub-Saharan Africa will be grappling with how to support the youngest, fastest-growing population on the planet in some of the most politically and economically unstable, heat-stressed and health system-strained places on earth." As Vollset's team noted, much of the decline in fertility rates has already long been underway. In 1950, the average woman globally gave birth to about five children; by 2021 that had shrunk to 2.2 (just over replacement level), with 110 of 204 countries already charting fertility rates below replacement level. In some countries, such as South Korea or Serbia, fertility has fallen to levels as low as 1.1, according to the report. In contrast, the fertility rate of the sub-Saharan nation of Chad stood at 7 in 2021. There are a lot of positive reasons that many women - - especially those in more affluent countries -- are having fewer children. "In many ways, tumbling fertility rates are a success story, reflecting not only better, easily available contraception but also many women choosing to delay or have fewer children, as well as more opportunities for education and employment," Vollset explained. Those are changes that, if replicated in Africa and elsewhere, might help curb burgeoning populations in resource-poor nations. Meanwhile, some richer nations are already promoting "pro-natal" policies to boost their fertility rates. The Seattle researchers say those policies probably can't bring birth rates back up to replacement levels, but they might stop them from hitting serious lows. "There's no silver bullet," said co-lead author and IHME lead research scientist Dr. Natalia Bhattacharjee. "Social policies to improve birth rates such as enhanced parental leave, free childcare, financial incentives and extra employment rights, may provide a small boost to fertility rates, but most countries will remain below replacement levels." What's clear is that in coming decades, what the study authors describe as a 'demographically divided world' will place pressure on rich and poor nations alike -- especially when it comes to emigration and immigration. "Once nearly every country's population is shrinking, reliance on open immigration will become necessary to sustain economic growth," Bhattacharjee said. "SubSaharan African countries have a vital resource that aging societies are losing -- a youthful population." By Ernie Mundell By 2100, almost all countries (97%) are expected to have fertility rates below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman REMINDER: PLEASE RESUBMIT AD TO RUN FOR EACH ISSUE. Maximum 3 Listings Per Person. MISC G E R M A N CONVERSATIONALIST GROUP - KENOSHA/RACINE If you speak German or are enthusiastic about the German language and culture, come and join us. There are no membership fees and attendance is whenever you are available to join. Meetings will be held in the Kenosha and Racine area. This is an excellent group to practice speaking German as members' language skills are from beginners to advance and we all have a good time. Please contact me if you are interested in joining - Susan Blust [email protected]. LIONS CLUB BINGO Come have some fun! Doors open at 4:00. Raffles, pull-tabs and pregames start at 6:45. Bingo 7:00-9pm. Wednesdays. 2700 9th St., Schlader Building, Winthrop Harbor. Food Sales. FOR SALE Kitchen Table w/4 chairs-$100 obo Coffe Table-$25 262-771-8764 Sears ZigZag sewing machine and cabinet. Fine condition, All attachments. Model #1750 Asking $60 (262) 657-6049 1946 ZENITH RADIO, FM, and Record Changer. (good condition) $75. Rattan Fan Back Peacock Chair, (very good condition) $375.Call Mark @ 262.859.2364, and leave a message. 3 OUTSIDE ALUMINUM screen doors. 1- 30 in. wide, 2-36 in. wide $ 30.00 each. all hardware call 262-652-2649; leave message ENTIRE CONTENTS OF HOME will be sold. Call or text to see if I have what you are looking for. I will give a price. 262-902-5663 SELLING OLD MAGAZINES! Many titles from the 1930's-1950's. Most in good condition. All subjects! Call Kent at 262-960-0621 or <[email protected]>, the more you buy, the better the deal! CEMETERY PLOTS for sale in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park in Kenosha. Located in Garden of Last Supper, section H, $1000 or OBO. Please contact Mayva at 262-818-1499 WINTER SPORTS: Women's Edelweis ski pants $25; Women's ski pants $60; Women's Salomon SX52 Lady ski boots $235; Women's ELAN Downhill skis $140; Tingley Men's Medium Size Rubber Over The Shoe Boots $10; Men's Boots$10; Jeep Jacket $200; Boy's Figure Skates $10; Men's Figure Skates $10; Cross Country Ski Poles- 2 pairs $10 each; Men's Snow Pants $10. Call or text 262- 902-5663. Snow Blower 24” Like New 262-771-7860 Beer Cans For Sale 262-694-7573, Leave A Message. Crystal round platter 12 inch diameter $10.00 perfect condition Great for the holidays 317-764-7662 CHILDREN'S VINTAGE ITEMS: Riding Wonder Horse-$100; Eddie Bauer Beach Sport Bag With Many Sand Play Toys Included-$8; Speedo Dive Snorkel And Mask (Unopened) $15; Mini Indoor Basketball Hoop- $3; Plastic Kitchen Toys- All For $2; Many Legos- All For $3; Star Trek, The Motion Picture Vhs SeriesAll 8 Tapes-$25; Many Toys (Call With What You Are Looking For!) Call Or Text: 262-902-5663. Two Bicycles, Schwinn $100 OBO and Autobike by CSA, 6-speed $175 OBO Call 262-654-6485 Please leave message Original $15 Rockwell Plates $10 each Air Fryer, new $50 Call 262-771-8764 Save 50% ON Burial Plots! Private Owner Of Two (2) (Side By Side) Section H Sunset Ridge Memorial Park Kenosha, Wi. Dont’ Pay $11,390.00... I’ Selling For $5,695.00 Obo! (262)914-5977 Ed Barbie doll, remote control corvette, that fits two Barbie dolls, about 25 in long x 10 in wide, best offer. Other small auto models available from classic days. Ron 847-340-3446. Beanie Babies - large inventory, includes McDonald's line, price varies. Call 262-654-6485 - please leave message Sony Reel To Reel Tape Decks! TC-630 & TC-580 $200 OBO for both. Call Kent 262-960-0621 [email protected] WANTED. Experienced Grill Cook Flexible Hours, Fun Atmosphere. Lakeside Deck At The Wyndham Hotel Call Kim 262-496-7182 Singer and narrator wanted for Roger Miller tribute.Call 262-554- 8205. Ask for Marv. WANTED TO BUY: Vintage Movie Posters, Comic Books, LP Records, Vintage Toys, Horror VHS, Horror Memorabilia, Science Fiction Pulps & Magazines, Video Store Promotional Items. PH 262-237- 0318. WANTED TO BUY: Old Post Cards, B&W Photos, B&W Photo Albums, Vintage Advertising, Old Hunting Licenses & Advertising, Scrapbooks, Old Misc.Paper, Old Automobile Advertising, Fountain Pens, Gillette Razors & More. Local Collector/Neutral Safe & Secure Site to meet if desired. Cash Paid. Call or Text Stan 262- 496-1822 ARCADE DRIVERS SCHOOL is looking for classroom & driver instructors. Starting pay $17.00 per hour. If interested please call 262-637-9193 or email us at [email protected] LOOKING FOR NURSES Aid for in home care. Call Barbara 262-455-3953 SERVICES. “Tax Preparation & Advisory Services. 20+ Years Experience. Virtual Or In-Person. For Appointment Call Or Text 262-496- 2208. I Will Do Seamstress Work, Run Errands, Do Shopping & Dr. Appointments., Etc.If Interested Please Call Gayle At 262-748-4748 I'M LOOKING FOR house to share for reasonable rent in exchange for household needs for a senior vet consideration. 847-340-3446 Ron. Kenosha/Union Grove area. LAWN MOWING SERVICES Reliable lawn care services in Kenosha & Pleasant Prairie. call/text 262-914-9796 [email protected] TAX & MEDICARE EXPERT. Appointments only. Se Habla Español. 262.833.7070 CHINESE LANGUAGE / CALLIGRAPHY LESSONS: Fun, fascinating and very cool. Beginning and advanced - all ages! Text Dr. Tim at 520.704.3832. FOR RENT Finished Suite private, in-home entrance, in Kenosha. For details call between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, 262-843-1630. DRUM LESSONS Private instruction. Band, orchestra, marching and drum set. Rock and many other musical styles. Learn to read music. Call Tom for details. 262-818-2869. PROFESSIONAL LED TEETH WHITENING for a fraction of the price! $99 at cabana tan spa. call to book: 262-843-2411. 20 minute session = a bright white smile! mycabanatan.com SFAST COMPUTER SERVICE including network support, spyware removal, upgrades and PC repair. For friendly service with a smile, call Vikkex today! Phone 262-694-7746 BABYSITTING YOUNG LADY good with kids can watch 1 or 2 children call 262-620-4745 House cleaning woman + a bucket - reliable, dependable. Also clean vacant houses. Call for estimates - Sandy 262-221-2289 Houses And/Or Business Sun Shine Klean Is Having A Special This Month For First Time Customers Free Upholstery Cleaning With At Basic Cleaning For Only $39.95 262-287-5103 CNAS TO JOIN wellness team at Barton of Zion, five star assisted living. Send resume [email protected] apply within at 3500 Sheridan Road Zion, IL 60099 847-872-1500 FREE HOME HEATING Fuel Oil Removal I will remove your unused home heating fuel oil for free..clean and safe . Inquire about tank removal also ... 262 818 1967 ..ask for Dave VEHICLES0 1981 Honda CM400A motorcycle, automatic transmission, well maintained, new battery, smooth and quiet running engine, electronic ignition 63K Miles $1200 OBO call Ed (262) 637-4207 2017 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN GT SEE IN KENOSHA AT 4121-7TH. AVE. 53140 RUSS 262-237-1343 CALL OR TEXT $7950 LOADED NICE VAN Mercury Cruiser Iron Duke race engine. Best offer. Antioch (224) 518-6491 1940 Ford pick-up (red) Street ride V8 automatic Ready to drive and add to your car perfect collection. 65K 262-620-8230 2011 FORD F150 143K MILES SEE IN KENOSHA AT 4121-7TH. AVE. 53140 RUSS 262-237-1343 CALL OR TEXT. NEWER TIRES AND BRAKES. READY TO DRIVE ANYWHERE $7950 NICE TRUCK 2008 HONDA CRV One Owner Well Maintained See In Kenosha At 4121-7th Ave. 53140 Russ 262-237-1343 Call Or Text Very Nice Car $5750 2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SEE IN KENOSHA At 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 Russ 262-237-1343 Call Or Text. Awd 190k Miles 3 Row Seating $9495 3.5 Liter 6 Cly 2003 soft tail Harley Davidson 18000 miles $5000 worth of chrome added in 2006. Perfect condition Asking $7500 Call Lloyd at 262 694 7359 or 262 515 1366. Located In Pleasant Prairie 95 CAMERO convert green/tan top. many newer parts best offer will trade for other vehicle, negotiate price. 847-340-3446 Ron - dealers welcome to participate. FREE CLASSIFIEDS! E-mail your 170 character classified to: [email protected] Please include your contact information in the classified. (Name and Phone number / e-mail address) First 3 words will be boldface type. NO ANIMALS. • NO PERSONALS ALLOWED. CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2024 AT 12 NOON FREE CLASSIFIEDS! Employment/Opportunities • Lost & Found • Miscellaneous Real Estate • Rentals • Rummage Sales • Vehicles • Wanted RENTAL/REAL ESTATE LOOKING FOR GOOD CHRISTIAN MAN TO RENT A ROOM IN RACINE. HANDYMAN WORK AVAILABLE. CALL (262) 898-0605
20 SMART READER March 09, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER May 16, 2024 20 health lifestyle community Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center news May 16, 2024 Your Kenosha ADRC Update Older Americans Month 2024 Celebrating Older Americans Month: Powered by Connection Research shows the profound impact that meaningful connections have on the well-being and health of older adults. And so, it is fitting that the theme of this year’s Older Americans Month is “Powered by Connection” — a phrase that puts a focus on the role that connectedness plays in the lives of our elders. Established in 1963, Older Americans Month is celebrated every May. Led by a federal agency, the Administration for Community Living, it’s a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in our communities. “It's not just about having someone to chat with,” said Heather Vanoss, Kenosha County Aging and Disability Resource Center’s Manager of Elder and Disability Services, “It's about the transformative potential of community engagement in enhancing mental, physical, and emotional well-being.” According to Vanoss, by recognizing and nurturing connectedness, we can mitigate issues like loneliness, ultimately promoting healthy aging for more Americans. The ADRC connects older adults to services and supports every day. Organizations such as the Westosha Senior Center, the Kenosha Senior Center and Kenosha Area Family & Aging Services focus on connecting seniors to activities, volunteer opportunities, senior dining and more. “At the Westosha Senior Community Center, we doubledown on mind-body connection by offering 16 activities like Tai Chi and Creative Arts per week, shared Sandy Jacoby, a member of the Westosha Senior Center’s Board of Directors. “Seniors, along with families and youth, in 2023 created positive impact by volunteering 7,523 hours of work. Intergenerational connections like these develop community for gardeners of fresh vegetables, event happenings for fundraisers, and team leaders for groups. Jacoby noted that the Westosha Senior Center also partners with the ADRC and KAFASI on elderhealth-focused classes and the Senior Dining program. “Reduced dementia, reduced falls, reduced depression, and even lower blood pressure are benefits seniors reap from mind-body and people connections, as many health studies show,” Jacoby said. “We seniors are living longer, stronger, healthier lives at the Senior Center.” “Communication with our clients is an exchange of our humanity”, shared Ron Tatum, Executive Director of KAFASI. “We believe through our programs, that connection has even more potential to heal. This is why we love what we do. Through programs such as Friendly Visitor, a companionship program, and Meals on Wheels, volunteers develop meaningful connections with clients, which are often the only connection these individuals have for days.” The Kenosha Senior Center is another organization doing important work in this space. “For over 50 years, The Kenosha Senior Center has helped older adults stay active, independent, and socially connected,” said Denise Jacob, Program Director. “There are classes, activities, events, and day trips where older adults can make new friends, share common interests and building meaningful personal growth and lifelong connections.” Connection is at the heart of human existence. It’s what binds us together as a community, as family, as friends. It sustains us when we are going through difficult times and lifts us up. We are indeed, Powered by Connection. Paula Clark is the Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center’s Marketing and Programs Supervisor. Interested in connecting to one of these organizations? They are only a phone call away! • Westosha Community Senior Center: 262-891-3436 • KAFASI: 262-658-3508 • Kenosha Senior Center: 262-359-6260 • Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center: 262- 605-6646. By Paula J. Clark
FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 21 SMART READER May 16, 2024 SMART READER March 09, 2023 21
22 SMART READER March 09, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER May 16, 2024 22 Three-Year Aging Plan Survey Kenosha County seeks community input Kenosha County is seeking community insight to help improve programs and services for older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers who reside in Kenosha County. Community input in this survey will directly inform the development of Kenosha County's Three-Year Aging Plan for 2025-2027. The survey is available in digital, paper, and PDF form, as well as by scanning the QR code above.. It can also be accessed as a digital form and printable PDF on the Kenosha County ADRC’s website home page, adrc.kenoshacounty.org. The survey is also available at the ADRC office. To mail or pick up a copy of the survey: Division of Aging, Disability & Behavioral Health Services 8600 Sheridan Road Kenosha, WI. 53143 For further assistance participating in this survey or for questions, please contact the Aging & Disability Resource Center at 262-605-6646. This survey will be open until May 31, 2024. Memory Cafe Memory Café is a place for persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment, early-stage Alzheimer’s, or related dementia, and their care partners to socialize and have fun. Join the Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center’s Dementia Care Specialist, Susan Johnson, on the second Tuesday of every month, 1-2 p.m. The next meeting will be on June 11, 2024, Kenosha Southwest Neighborhood Library, 7979 38th Avenue. Registration is required for new members. Call the ADRC at 262-605-6646. Terrified of technology? Are you terrified of technology, or just curious about what it can do to improve your life? If either is true, Kenosha Area Family & Aging Services, Inc., (KAFASI) has a free class for you! Terrified of Technology will be offered on Thursday, May 23, 2 – 4 p.m. The class will be held at KAFASI, 7730 Sheridan Road, Kenosha, in their conference room. The 2-hour class offers an introduction to: • Why seniors shouldn’t be afraid of technology. • How technology can help seniors live the best life possible. • Health-related technology. • How technology can be configured to meet seniors needs. • How to stay safe online. Discover the endless possibilities that technology offers for seniors. About your instructor. Mike Prudhom, is himself a senior. He received an A.A.S. in Computer Engineering Technology from Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1977. He has worked in hard-ware, software, and training. During the pandemic, he accepted the role of Tech- Connect Program Manager for Serving Older Adults of Southeast Wisconsin, where he found his passion lies in helping fellow senior citizens embrace technology. To register for this class, contact, Julie Sosa at 262-764-7245 or email [email protected]. In-person or Virtual Caregiver Coffee Club ADRC offers support group for those caring for someone with dementia Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offers a support group to help family caregivers who care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia. Join others engaged in helping their loved ones manage day to day living. Relax, chat and learn helpful tips and strategies. The Caregiver Coffee Club meets the first Wednesday of each month from 10-11 a.m., the next meeting will be on June 5. The support group is available in-person or virtually. Facilitated by Alex Troupis, Dementia Care Specialist with the Kenosha County ADRC. To register call 262-605-6646. Going on Medicare? Learn about the decisions you’ll need to make The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offers no-cost, unbiased, Medicare workshops for those new to Medicare, or who want to learn more. Trained benefit specialists will be available to answer your questions and discuss the decisions you’ll need to make, including the basics of Medicare coverage, options for private health and drug coverage, and public benefits that can help with health care costs. If possible, sign up for a workshop 3-4 months before your Medicare starts. UPCOMING MEDICARE 2024 WORKSHOPS: Kenosha County Job Center, 8600 Sheridan Road, Entrance A, Room N2 Tuesday, June 25, 2 – 4 p.m. Thursday, July 25, 10 a.m. – noon Tuesday, August 20, 10 a.m. - noon Due to limited seating, reservations are required. Call the ADRC at 262-605-6646 to make a reservation or to learn more. Kenosha County ADRC to Offer Powerful Tools for Caregivers Online Class Next free six-week course to begin July 11, 2024 Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a no-cost, sixweek educational series, intended to teach skills on how to take care of yourself while caring for a loved one. The class helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, communicate feelings better, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources. Donations are accepted to defer costs but are not required. The 6-week classes will be held Thursdays, beginning July 11 – August 15, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Classes will meet at the Kenosha County Job Center, Room South 11, 8600 Sheridan Rd., Kenosha. Registration is required by July 8. To register, call the ADRC at 262-605-6646 or click the red registration button at adrc.kenoshacounty.org. Your Kenosha ADRC Update
FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 23 SMART READER May 16, 2024 SMART READER March 09, 2023 23 Dear Amy: My husband and I, along with a lot of other people our age, have not been able to recover from the pandemic. We are both active 75-year-olds and have been married 55 years. It seems like everyone’s forgotten that most people over 65 are retired and have no young children. They don’t have jobs and colleagues to return to. They don’t have young children to keep them busy through school and extracurriculars. So many of the activities we used to participate in have been shut down. Volunteer opportunities and senior lunches have been discontinued. Cruise ships, which are an easier way for older people to travel, now depart from port cities that are difficult to fly to. Our church has done away with its coffee hour that was the main way to keep up with members. We can’t even go to the movie theater because they blast the sound so loudly that it hurts. With no outlets for socialization, my husband and I spend 24 hours a day together. Although we have hobbies that have kept us busy, the lack of outside human contact makes us unhappy. With no control over all we’ve lost, we are bad-tempered and argue. We see no future. While we know everyone—especially our children—need special attention recovering from the isolation of COVID-19, it seems as if America has forgotten its seniors entirely. Can you suggest any groups inviting older people back “to life” postpandemic? — Still Isolated in Chicago Dear Still Isolated: I appreciate your perspective about the continued isolation you’re experiencing as a result of the pandemic. As you know, isolation is bad for both your mental and physical health. But you live in Chicago (lucky you), which is an extremely social city with short but glorious summers. Now is the perfect time to climb out of your isolation and look around. The experiences you had grown accustomed to have changed. You are going to have to change, too, and make a very real effort to create new experiences and meet new people. My first suggestion is that you should see if you and your husband can revive your church’s coffee hour. Are volunteers needed to coordinate? If so, you should step up and see how you can be helpful. Museums and galleries offer special events for seniors. Your local public library (and especially the Harold Washington Library, downtown) will offer book discussion groups and other free events. The Chicago Ornithological Society sponsors bird watching events and field trips — and includes beginners (chicagobirder.org). Meetup.com is an online site helping people to meet one another along specific lines of interest. Type in “Chicago seniors social” and you can browse through dozens of offerings for elders, ranging from Karaoke and trivia outings to nature walks, according to neighborhoods. Plus … the baseball season is young, which means that the Cubs are still in the running. If you’re able, a visit to Wrigley field should boost your spirits. Dear Amy: In 1964, I met my wife “Laura” and her infant baby “Beth.” (Laura had gotten pregnant with a married man.) Laura and I were married, and I adopted Beth when she was 1 year old. We raised Beth as my biological daughter and never heard a word from her actual biological father. We told Beth about her adoption when she was 8. Her mother invited Beth to ask questions, but Beth didn’t want to talk about it. We had a very loving family and never had one problem. I always considered Beth to be my own child. My wife recently died from breast cancer. Beth did a DNA test after my wife died and discovered that she has many biological relatives. Her biological father died a few years ago. Beth has contacted her newfound biological family. Beth went on social networks announcing her newfound relatives. It has hurt me. I can understand her inquiry, but I am upset with her use of social media to announce the results. Many of my friends never knew that Beth was my adoptive daughter. Am I wrong to be upset with her use of social media? I have let her know my feelings have been hurt, and I have not heard from her for several months. — Jake from PA Dear Jake: You are “Beth’s” father. You should continue to act like her loving father. I’m going to assume that Beth pursued DNA testing after her mother’s death in part to reveal any genetic health issues she might have inherited. She then quite naturally sought out other biological relatives in order to answer some of those questions she had never felt able to ask you. I infer that — aside from that one disclosure — you were not open with her about her adoption during her childhood. You should be open with her now. You are not necessarily “wrong” to be upset about your daughter’s use of social media to announce her newfound biological family members, but this sort of public sharing of what might seem like personal or private business has become almost the norm for people in her generation. At this point you should work much harder to accept it. Holding adoption as a private or secret matter was more common when you adopted your daughter, but people who joined families through adoption have the right to be open about their own history. I hope you will continue to reach out. Express interest about her biological relatives; if she is happy, then you should work very hard to be happy for her. Dear Amy: I am a 77-year-old, retired professional woman who has been widowed for three years following a very happy and very long marriage. I am now ready to begin dating, but am unsure how to proceed. When I was young, the lady never did the asking. I’m not sure if that is still the protocol or whether it is acceptable and expected for me to call a gentleman I know to be single and ask for a date. And if I do that, do I pay for the date, or is splitting the check the norm? — Hoping for Companionship Dear Hoping: Yes — it is completely acceptable and expected for a woman to take the initiative and ask a man out. Good first dates should be simple, inexpensive, and designed for the ease of conversation. A walk in the park followed by coffee, a visit to your local museum, botanical garden or historical society followed by coffee or a drink — chose something nearby and easy. The person initiating the date should offer to pick up the entire check, but splitting the check is the norm — although a man in your generation might want to pick up the check, even if you’ve invited him out. Which reminds me of a moment from a classic movie about adult dating, “Sleepless in Seattle,” that these days if a man offers to pick up the check, women will throw a parade for you. Get out there! And good luck. ask amy Elder couple is isolated post-pandemic You can email Amy Dickinson at [email protected] or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook. seniors edition
24 SMART READER March 09, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER May 16, 2024 24 In today's column, I'm going to talk about Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Despite what many people think, these government programs are not like three peas in a pod. They are more like a pea, a bean and a stalk of celery. In other words, they are all sort of connected because they are government programs that sometimes have an overlapping beneficiary base. But ultimately, they are three very different programs with very different rules and very different management structures. Before I go on, I want to share a story that will seem very disconnected from what I was just writing about. But I promise I will tie it in to the topic at hand. About 50 years ago, when I first started working for the Social Security Administration in one of their field offices in central Illinois, part of my job had me running to local nursing homes to take care of the Social Security needs of their residents. One day, I got to chatting with the administrator of one of those nursing homes. I mentioned the music that was being piped into their sound system throughout the home. The instrumentals were big band era groups such as Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. And the singers were the likes of Perry Como and Rosemary Clooney. I said something about how old-fashioned it seemed. And the administrator told me the residents liked it because it's the music they grew up with. And then she said: "Mark my words. 50 years from now when our generation is in nursing homes, you will hear the Beatles and the Rolling Stones piped into our rooms." I think I said something like, "No way that will ever happen!" (I guess I was thinking that just seemed so inappropriate. And besides, we're never going to get old!) Well, fast forward five decades to just a few days ago. My neighbor asked me to accompany her to a local nursing home where her brother was staying. And lo and behold, as we walked in the front door, I heard the Beatles' "Hey Jude" playing on their sound system. Oh, my goodness! We did get old. And we took our music with us! OK, so what does this have to do with today's topic? Well, while at the home, my neighbor mentioned that her brother's care was being taken care of by his Medicare coverage. I had to correct her and tell her that his nursing home care was very likely being paid for by Medicaid and not Medicare. She said she thought they were simply different parts of the same program. But they are not. And now I will explain. But before I do, I must add this caveat. I'm a retired Social Security guy. As such, I am an expert in almost all Social Security matters. But I am definitely not an expert when it comes to Medicare and Medicaid. However, I know enough about them to give this broad-strokes overview of the programs. So that's what's coming. I'm sure all of my readers are pretty familiar with Medicare. It's the federal health care program for seniors over 65 and for people getting disability benefits. It's managed by an agency called the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It is NOT run by the Social Security Administration, as many people think. Why the confusion? Because CMMS does not have any local field offices, they rely on the SSA to get people enrolled in Medicare. Because of that, and because Medicare premiums come out of Social Security checks, many people think the SSA runs Medicare. Again, they don't. Once you are enrolled in Medicare, the SSA essentially washes its hands of your Medicare experience, and CMMS takes over. Anyway, Medicare has two basic plans. Part A, or hospital coverage, is paid for by the Medicare payroll tax deducted from a worker's paycheck. So, it's essentially free once you turn 65. (And by the way, even though the Social Security full retirement age has climbed to 67, the Medicare eligibility age is still 65.) The other main Medicare plan is Part B, which pays for doctor's visits, lab work, etc. Part B is financed by the a f o r e m e n t i o n e d premium deducted from your Social Security check. The basic monthly premium is $174.70, but it can be much higher for well-to-do seniors. I can't tell you how many times over the years (tens of thousands of times) people have told me something like this: "Yes, I have both parts of Medicare. I have Medicare and Medicaid." But what they meant to say was: "I have both parts of Medicare. I have Part A and Part B." That's just one example of the many ways people confuse Medicare and Medicaid. Before I move on to a brief overview of Medicaid, I must point out that there are other parts to Medicare such as Part C (usually called Medicare Advantage Plans) and Part D, which offers prescription drug coverage. I know almost nothing about these programs, so I'm not explaining them here. I'm simply acknowledging that they exist. So now on to Medicaid. What is it? . Briefly, Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that covers medical costs for people with limited income and resources. Because there is that state tie-in, the eligibility rules can vary from one state to another. So there is simply no way I can explain them in a nationally syndicated newspaper column. Suffice it to say, you've got to be pretty darn poor to get Medicaid coverage. In fact, I'm betting that most readers of this column are getting Medicare, but very few of them are getting Medicaid. I just said there are state-specific eligibility rules for Medicaid. But there is one national program that includes Medicaid eligibility. And that's the Supplemental Security Income program. SSI is a federal welfare program that pays a small monthly stipend (rarely more than about $900 per month) to elderly poor and to poor people with disabilities. And Medicaid eligibility almost always goes along with an SSI check. And another one of the jurisdictional problems is that SSI is managed by the Social Security Administration. And that leads people to think that their Medicaid coverage comes from the SSA. But again, it doesn't. Once the SSA gets you on SSI, then a state social service agency (i.e., welfare office) takes over your Medicaid coverage. So that's a very brief overview of these oftenconfused programs. social security Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security with Tom Margenau If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas.margenau@comcast. net. To find out more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. and you , f , , Live Music Series on Kenosha’s Waterfront Will the show move into the spacious Lakeview Ballroom? Check Facebook just before the show to find out! DT2024-2 Refreshing Drinks, Tasty Food And A Stunning Harbor View! Live Entertainment Every Weekend Including: 5125 6th Ave. Kenosha FOR EVENT TICKETS VISIT HAP2IT.COM STOP IN 1420 63RD ST. M-F 11am-4pm OR CALL 1-262-564-8800 July 6 Yesterday’s Children July 20 Pat McCurdy Also: August 23 Also: July 28 & August 18 Rain in Sight? July 13 Boys and Toys July 19 Relatively Close June 30 June 15 Simply Yacht Rock Sinatra, Sammy, Soul & Such! The Ultimate Disney Tribute Band Bill Serritella & Elliot Wimbush June 25 The Little Mermen We are always adding new acts! For the latest updates go to
FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 25 SMART READER May 16, 2024 SMART READER March 09, 2023 25 Never Pay Retail! Wholesale Discount Prices Paints and Carpets 2415 - 60th Street • Kenosha,Wisconsin Next to Andreas • 654-5328 Mon. - Fri. 8am - 5pm, Sat. 8am - 4pm Buy where the professionals buy their pain t at discount prices. SR022517 2801 30th Ave. (Wood Road) Kenosha, WI 53144 (262) 551-0600 May 25, 2024 7-10PM $50 A Tribute To The King, Starring LOGAN RAMEY To Reserve Call (262) 551-0600 Tickets Include One Cocktail, Dinner, & Show. Cocktail Hour Starts At 5pm, Dinner At 6pm. CCELEBRATE WITH FIRESIDE ELEBRATE WITH FIRESIDE LOGAN RAMEY We will be OPEN THROUGH SEPTEMBER Now taking party reservations!SR051624 Senior Citizens Receive a 10% DISCOUNT SR121720 1718 63RD ST. KENOSHA • 262-652-9929 718 63RD ST. KENOSHA • 262-652-9929 Ask about our Spring Detail Packages! 042524 8 YESTERDAY’S CHILDREN YESTERDAY’S CHILDREN Saturday, July 6th • 7 aturday, July 6th • 7:30 pm 5125 6th Avenue Kenosha For advance tickets visit hap2it.com, or stop in at 1420 63rd St., Kenosha between 10am - 4pm Monday-Friday To be assured a good seat, purchase tickets early. However, limited tickets will also be available at the door the night of the show. SR051624 For advance tickets visit hap2it.com, or stop in at 1420 63rd St., Kenosha between 10am - 4pm Monday-Friday To be assured a good seat, purchase tickets early. However, limited tickets will also be available at the door the night of the show.