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High triglycerides, widely known as an enemy of the aging heart, may not be as threatening to older adults' brains, new research suggests. The study, of over 80,000 older adults, found those with triglycerides in the "high-normal" or moderately high range were less likely to develop dementia, versus their peers with lower triglyceride levels. Over six years, 3% of older folks with the highest triglyceride levels developed dementia -- half the rate seen in the study group with the lowest triglycerides, at 6%. Experts stressed some important caveats around the findings, published Wednesday in the journal Neurology. The main one is the study doesn't prove that triglycerides somehow shield the aging brain. "This particular study is not enough to derive recommendations and claim with certainty that changing triglyceride levels will affect future dementia risk," said Dr. Nikolaos Scarmeas, a neurologist at Columbia University in New York City. The findings are still important, though, said Scarmeas, who cowrote an editorial published with the study. He noted that blood "lipids" -- cholesterol and triglycerides -- can be easily modified with diet or medication. So, if further studies show they directly affect dementia development, that would offer one way to lower the risk. Zhen Zhou, a research fellow at Monash University in Australia, led the study. She said there could be various explanations for why low triglycerides were linked to higher dementia risk. In older people, Zhou said, low triglycerides may be related to weight loss, malnutrition, health conditions or frailty. That's distinct, she noted, from the situation during middle age, when high triglycerides may feed the development of heart disease. Older adults with relatively high triglycerides may be better nourished, or have fewer health conditions, than their peers with low levels. High triglycerides linked to lower risk for dementia Smart Reader is published bi-weekly by Carmichael Communications Editor & Publisher/Frank J. Carmichael Assistant to the Publisher/Reanna Stockdale Sales/Kim Carmichael, Donny Stancato Editorial Manager/Jason Hedman Ad Design & Layout/Kristin Monticelli, Glen Kelly Reception/Sarah Coleman Carmichael Communications 1420 63rd St. Kenosha, WI 53143 November 2, 2023 Volume 21 Number 22 262-564-8800 • 1-800-568-6623 • www.hap2it.com Millions of older Americans may be unaware they have memory and thinking impairments -- mostly because their doctors aren't diagnosing them, new research suggests. After analyzing Medicare data covering 40 million older Americans, researchers found that only a small percentage of expected cases of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were actually diagnosed. The upshot was that more than 7 million cases went undetected. Mild cognitive impairment refers to problems with memory, judgment, language and other mental skills that are not disabling, but go beyond the occasional slips that are expected with age. MCI may turn up as forgotten appointments, regularly misplacing things, trouble following the plot of a book or movie, or difficulty navigating wellknown places. Some older adults with MCI eventually develop Alzheimer's -- around 10% per year, according to the Alzheimer's Association. But more often, MCI has other, often reversible causes, said Dr. Saket Saxena, a geriatrician at the Cleveland Clinic who was not involved in the new research. Those causes run the gamut, Saxena said -- including medication side effects, low thyroid hormone, depression, untreated sleep apnea, uncontrolled health conditions like diabetes, mobility limitations and social isolation. "It is not a foregone conclusion that you're going to develop dementia," said senior study author Soeren Mattke, director of the Brain Health Observatory at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. And the fact that MCI has treatable, or reversible, causes is a big reason for primary care doctors to look for it, Mattke said. In reality, his team found, that is rarely happening. Looking at Medicare data from 2017 to 2019, the researchers found that U.S. primary care doctors detected only about 8% of expected cases of mild cognitive impairment among their older patients. Based on patient demographics, the researchers predicted about 8 million cases of MCI in the study group. The low detection rate meant that about 7.4 million of those cases went undiagnosed. "We expected it to be bad, but not that bad," Mattke said. The findings were published in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. To be fair, Mattke said, a lack of formal diagnoses in Medicare records does not necessarily mean that doctors aren't talking to patients about their memory complaints or other symptoms. And no one is saying that primary care doctors are simply ignoring older patients' cognitive health. They face a lot of obstacles, said Rebecca Edelmayer, senior director of scientific engagement for the Alzheimer's Association. In a 2022 survey, the association found that 77% of primary care doctors 7 million Americans have undiagnosed mild cognitive impairment story continues on page 5 story continues on page 5 2 SMART READER November 2, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 $ 20 OFF SR110223 YOUR CERTIFIED GM SERVICE CENTER... WE USE GENUINE GM PARTS WE ALSO SERVICE ALL VEHICLE MAKES AND MODELS PALMEN BUICK GMC CADILLAC Cannot be combined with any other coupons. See advisor for details. 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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER November 2, 2023 3 Stopping diabetes drug metformin early may raise risk for dementia Millions of people with diabetes take the drug metformin to control their blood sugar levels. Meant to be taken for the long term, new research now suggests that stopping it early may up the risk of developing thinking and memory problems as patients age. "We found that staying on metformin prevents or delays dementia onset, and this is very encouraging," said researcher Sarah Ackley, an epidemiologist at Boston University. People who stopped metformin early were 21% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia when compared to folks who stayed on the drug, the study showed. "Metformin has broad benefits, which is why it's given first in diabetes treatment, and it's recommended people stay on it unless it's contraindicated," Ackley said. People might stop using metformin due to side effects such as kidney problems or because they prefer to manage their blood sugar without medications. For the study, researchers looked at new cases of dementia among people with type 2 diabetes, including 12,220 people who stopped taking metformin and 29,000 who stayed the course in a large database from the Kaiser Permanente Northern California healthcare system. The study wasn't designed to say how, or even if, metformin may prevent age-related memory changes. A subsequent increase in blood sugar levels or use of insulin after stopping metformin did not seem to play a role. "Metformin's other effects are likely responsible, and this understanding could help the field identify effective interventions and preventive strategies in future research," said study author Scott Zimmerman, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco. If you are taking metformin and considering stopping, talk to your doctor first, he said. "Many factors need to be balanced for each individual, including individual dementia risk, severity of metformin side effects and what the patient wants," Zimmerman said. "The benefits of metformin beyond just preventing diabetes complications could be part of the conversation." The findings were published in the journal JAMA Network Open. The results align with existing literature that suggests metformin lowers the risk of developing dementia, said Yuko Hara, director of Aging and Alzheimer's Prevention at the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation in New York City. Metformin is used with diet and exercise to manage type 2 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes is a well-established risk factor for dementia, explained Hara, who was not part of the new study. "Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease share several characteristics, including impaired glucose uptake into the brain, [and] glucose is critical for brain function," she said. In addition, the two conditions are linked to insulin resistance and higher levels of oxidative stress. "If you have type 2 diabetes, effectively managing it with metformin or with other anti-diabetic medications plus lifestyle interventions may reduce dementia risk and protect your brain from cognitive decline," Hara noted. It's too early to say that stopping metformin will increase the chances of developing dementia, said Dr. John Buse, director of the Diabetes Care Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There may be other factors driving the findings: There have been concerns that metformin can reduce vitamin B12 levels, and lower levels of B12 can increase risk for memory and thinking issues, said Buse, who was not involved with the study. "Metformin stopping may be a symptom and not a cause of dementia," he noted. The bottom line? "This is a brilliant idea worthy of more study, but certainly not a strong signal that stopping metformin is a bad idea," Buse said. There are reasons to stop taking metformin, including kidney problems. But, "if there is no good reason to stop metformin, clearly it is about as effective and safe a medication as exists, and one should think about continuing it," Buse added. By Denise Mann Hot flashes and night sweats top the list of bothersome symptoms for women going through menopause. Now, a new study suggests that hot flashes, especially during sleep, may be more than a nuisance: They may foreshadow Alzheimer's disease. And the more hot flashes a woman experiences during sleep, the greater her risk for developing Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia. "Women with nighttime hot flashes should see them as a wake-up call to do what they can to take care of their health," said study author Rebecca Thurston, director of the Women's Biobehavioral Health Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh. "[This includes] adequate sleep, diet, physical activity, moderating alcohol use, treatment of any [high blood pressure] and diabetes, and taking care of any mental health conditions." Previous research has shown that hot flashes -- particularly those that occur during sleep -- may travel with poorer memory and small vessel disease in the brain, which has been linked to risk for future problems with memory and thinking, Thurston said. The new research connects the dots even further by linking hot flashes to blood biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: "We found that women with more hot flashes [during sleep] had greater markers of amyloid, a component of the biology of Alzheimer's disease," she added. For the study, close to 250 older women were monitored for hot flashes during the day and while asleep. The researchers also analyzed blood samples for certain markers of Alzheimer's disease including amyloid β (Aβ) 42/40 ratio. "Decreased ratio of betaamyloid 42/40 is a strong marker of Alzheimer's disease and can be detected early in the disease progression," Thurston said. These findings held even after the researchers controlled for other factors that could affect risk for Alzheimer's disease, including levels of the female sex hormone estrogen and sleep. Exactly how hot flashes during sleep may increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease is not fully understood yet. "There may be something particularly important about these nocturnal hot flashes that we have not appreciated up to this point," Thurston suggested. The findings were presented during the Menopause Society annual meeting in Philadelphia. Findings presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until they are published in a peerreviewed journal. It's too early to say whether treating hot flashes with hormone replacement therapy would lower the risk for dementia, but what's good for the heart is good for the brain, said Dr. Stephanie Faubion, director of women's health at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. The best way to lower the risk for Alzheimer's disease is to manage heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. One can also stop tobacco use, eat healthy, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight, Faubion added. "Staying socially connected and keeping your brain stimulated are good strategies to maintain brain health," said Faubion, who has no ties to the research. 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4 SMART READER November 2, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 I recently had a plumbing emergency in my own home. The main drain pipe under the basement floor got clogged with toilet paper. The culprit is a newer low-flush toilet in a basement bathroom. I’ve been a master plumber since 1981, and I used my flexible drain-cleaning snake to clear the clog. While I shoved the snake into the cleanout, I chastised myself for not buying 50 or 100 old-fashioned toilets made before the 1.6-gallon toilets became the new nasty normal. Let’s talk about water before we go any further. In particular, let’s talk about Mother Nature’s plumbing system. It just so happens my college degree is in geology with a focus on both geomorphology and hydrogeology. Study a map and you’ll discover that most big cities are located on major rivers. You’ll almost always discover that most small towns are on smaller tributaries. Water is the most basic need for life after all. You may live in a city where you get your water from a public water system. That water almost always comes from a nearby river, large lake, or deep wells that tap into the massive hidden underground rivers that flow slowly through thick beds of sand and gravel. If you’re a city dweller, your drain pipes connect to the city sewage system. Have you ever thought about what happens when you flush a toilet in your home? The instant the water starts to swirl in the toilet bowl, an equal amount of water enters the toilet tank. I call it the circle of water. On a large scale, for every gallon of water taken from the river, lake or aquifer in your city, a gallon of water almost always is put back into the body of water where your huge sewage treatment plant disgorges treated sewage back into the river. If this didn’t happen, the sewage treatment plant would flood from having too much sewage and no place to put it. The same thing happens at my house in rural New Hampshire. Each time I flush my toilet, I get 1.6 gallons of water from my well and an equal 1.6 gallons of water flows back into the ground via my septic system. This is why we should still have 3.5- gallon flush toilets. There is no water shortage. Water is constantly put back into the system. But I digress. The drain pipes in your home should mimic what Mother Nature does. Lazy rivers have a current as the water travels towards the sea or ocean. While it might not seem like the water can move objects at this speed, it can with great efficiency. The drain pipes in your home should slope at least 1/8 inch per foot of run. For even better flow, shoot for 3/16 inch. But beware, don’t put too much slope on a pipe. If a drain pipe or sewer has too much slope, the liquids in the pipe can outrun the solids. The plumbing drain pipes in your home mimic Mother Nature with respect to sizing. Think of how smaller streams connect to larger ones. This happens because the accumulating water needs a channel with more capacity. Sinks in your home use a small 1.5-inch diameter pipe, while toilets require a 3 inch pipe. All of the fixtures in your home typically connect to a large 4-inch pipe under your basement floor or house slab, or in your crawlspace. This large pipe runs to your septic tank or connects to an even larger 6-inch pipe that runs under your property to a city sewer. What about that pipe that pops out through your roof? That’s a vital part of your plumbing system. It’s a vent pipe. You may have more than one. Many homeowners think plumbing vent pipes are like smokestacks in factories. They think the purpose of the vent pipe is to expel sewer gas outside. While that does happen each time the wind blows across the top of the vent pipes, the real purpose is to provide replacement air back into the plumbing system each time you send water to the septic tank or sewer system. When no water is running in your home, the plumbing drain pipes are just filled with air. As soon as you flush a toilet, you introduce 1.6 gallons of water into the pipes. This water displaces the air and often pushes it ahead of the rushing water just like an elevator pushes air in an elevator shaft. Surely you’ve felt this air pouring through the closed doors in the lobby of a high-rise building. If you don’t have air enter the system via the vent pipes, your plumbing system goes hunting for the air. The weight of the water from a flushed toilet is so powerful it can suction the water from a nearby shower, tub or sink trap to get the needed air. Perhaps you’ve heard this slurping sound before and not connected the dots. If you hear that sound, it means your vent pipes are clogged or your plumbing pipes were not installed correctly. While I can’t come to your home to unclog your pipes, I can offer you help with your plumbing dilemmas. Just visit my www.AsktheBuider.com website for help or to ask me a question on my Ask Tim page. Everything you need to know about plumbing drains and vents 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 Tues., Nov. 21st at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP 5125 6th AVE. KENOSHA Nov. 25 • 7:30pm • $10 Pat’s next performance - Dec. 16 SINATRA, SAMMY, SOUL & SUCH Pat McCurdy Milwaukee icon Pat McCurdy has been entertaining audiences in Wisconsin, the Midwest, and across the nation for decades. He brings his unique style of improvisational comedy, music and audience interaction. S o o 6:30pm - 9:30pm 7:00pm - 9:00pm All Star Join Us Every Wednesday! 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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER November 2, 2023 5 A variety of risks can make it more likely that someone develops Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. Now you can add neighborhood environment to that list. A new study finds low income levels and a lack of green spaces are among the factors that can harm brain health. "Social determinants of health have a major impact on cognition, as well as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health," said lead author Lilah Besser. She's a research assistant professor of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine's Comprehensive Center for Brain Health. "Understanding these interactions is crucial in developing interventions to improve brain health in individuals living in disadvantaged neighborhoods," Besser explained in a university news release. Past research has shown that a type of brain damage known as white matter hyperintensities has been linked to higher risks of Alzheimer's disease and dementias, as well as stroke. Other studies have found an increased risk of dementia in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. This study built on that, using MRIs of 1,260 people. The participants were cognitively normal and age 65 or older. Scans were taken approximately five years apart. The researchers measured changes in white matter hyperintensities and brain ventricle size. They also assessed associations between neighborhood green space, neighborhood income and the MRI scans. "We found that white matter worsening was more likely for individuals in lower green space/lower income neighborhoods than higher green space/higher income neighborhoods," Besser said. "This combination may be a risk factor for brain health, but further research is needed." Neighborhoods become increasingly important as people retire, drive less and have medical issues, Besser noted. "Green spaces can provide quiet moments for older adults to refresh their brains, reduce chronic stress and increase physical activity," she said. "It is one of the social determinants of health that can be modified by policy interventions, such as creating more parks and planting more trees." By Cara Murez In general, a triglyceride level below 150 is considered healthy for adults. Numbers between 150 and 199 are borderlinehigh (or high-normal), while levels of 200 or more are considered high. Some past studies have found a similar "inverse" relationship between older adults' triglycerides and their dementia risk: That is, the higher the blood lipid, the lower the dementia risk. But some other studies have found no link. For the new study, Zhou and her colleagues wanted to dig deeper. They pulled data from two large research projects that involved older adults from Australia, the United States and United Kingdom. All were free of dementia, as well as heart disease or stroke, at the study's outset. One study followed over 18,000 older adults for an average of six years. During that time, 823 were diagnosed with dementia. When the researchers looked at things by triglyceride level, there was a clear pattern: Dementia risk was highest in the 10% of seniors with the lowest triglycerides. (Their triglycerides were below 62.) At the other end of the spectrum were the 10% of seniors with the highest triglycerides (above 186). The rest of the study group, whose triglycerides ranged from 62 to 186, had dementia rates that were somewhere in between, at 4% to 5%. The second study included over 68,000 older British adults who were followed for 12 years. Again, dementia risk declined as participants' triglyceride rates rose. The researchers were able to account for a number of other factors -- such as people's cholesterol levels and blood pressure, smoking and drinking habits, and body weight. Even then, the triglyceride-dementia link remained intact: Seniors with the highest triglycerides in the first study had a 36% lower risk of dementia, versus those with the lowest triglycerides. Zhou stressed that even among older adults with the highest triglycerides, very few had severely elevated levels -- the kind that could harm the heart or pancreas and are often treated with medication. Instead, she said, the findings mainly pertain to older folks with triglycerides in the high-normal or "slightly" high range. Beyond that, it's not clear what study participants' lifelong triglyceride levels were, or how those levels at younger ages might relate to dementia risk years later. "The impact of triglycerides on dementia risk can change depending on when it's measured in a person's life," Zhou said. "A reading taken in one's 40s might relate differently to dementia risk than a reading taken in one's 70s." If triglycerides do somehow contribute to dementia risk, the reasons remain unclear. One past study found that older adults with low levels of certain triglyceride components had more atrophy in brain regions involved in memory, Zhou's team pointed out. But again, that doesn't prove causeand-effect. By Amy Norton Triglycerides continued from page 2 Impairment continued from page 2 found MCI difficult to diagnose, and many said that patients are reluctant to pursue a diagnosis. On top of that, primary care doctors have so much to cover with older patients during a short appointment that a cognitive evaluation may not be doable. "More needs to be done to support primary care doctors, by providing the information, tools and resources to increase early and accurate diagnosis," Edelmayer said. Saxena agreed that primary care doctors are "not well-prepared to diagnose MCI" -- in part due to a lack of guidance on the issue, but also because there is an assortment of screening tests out there. Saxena called it something of a "Wild West." He also stressed that screening is only step one: Are primary care doctors then able to go to the "next step" of weeding out the potential causes of a patient's cognitive symptoms? It's "extremely important," Saxena said, that all of the underlying possibilities be considered. The study was partially funded by drugmaker Genentech. Mattke has received consulting or speaker fees from various drug companies, including Biogen, maker of the new Alzheimer's drugs Leqembi and Aduhelm. The recent availability of those medications adds another layer to the MCI detection issue. The drugs, and others under development, are for people in the early stages of Alzheimer's, Edelmayer said. So early detection is "critical," she said. However, Edelmayer pointed out, determining whether MCI is due to early Alzheimer's takes more than a screening test. There has to be biological evidence of Alzheimer's, too. To get the new (and very expensive) drugs Leqembi and Aduhelm, people have to undergo testing -- usually a brain scan or spinal tap -- to see whether they have signs of amyloid "plaques" in the brain. The drugs target those abnormal protein deposits, with the aim of slowing Alzheimer's progression. All three experts agreed, though, that given the many underlying causes of MCI, older adults need to discuss their personal situation with their doctor. By Amy Norton Low income, lack of green space linked to higher risk for dementia $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. 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6 SMART READER November 2, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Hamas recent atrocities against Israelis exacerbated the U.S. Congress’ abdication of adult voices. A vacuum in leadership is the last thing we need during a Middle Eastern crisis. And yet, here we are, without a U.S. ambassador to Israel. Mark the takedown of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy as another notch on the tally of the absurd coming from the GOP in Washington. Approving ambassadorships is the role of the Senate. But Washington is still reeling, waiting for the House to quit its deadlock and choose a new speaker. Even the needs of a crucial Middle East partner like Israel fell to the wayside during the tit-for-tat childishness that’s overtaken Congress. A small contingent of farright members can’t get along with anyone it seems. Voting out McCarthy was an unprecedented action. What was the reason for this irrational move? It was because McCarthy played well with Democrats. He made a deal with them to keep the government open and the nation’s credit intact. Now there’s a war raging. The State Department has confirmed that 30 Americans were killed in the Hamas attacks on October 7. Americans could be among the approximately 200 hostages being held by Hamas. A humanitarian crisis for Palestinians trapped in Gaza is imminent. And the Israel ambassador post has been vacant since summer. President Joe Biden nominated former U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew in early September. Members of Congress pushed back, which was understandable initially as their reservations were based on Lew’s track record. Serving under former President Barack Obama, Lew helped negotiate a deal A dysfunctional Congress strikes again, leaving Israel without an ambassador with Mary Sanchez Readers can reach Mary Sanchez at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @msanchezcolumn. When Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was struggling over when to order the DDay invasion of Europe in 1944, he wrestled with uncooperative weather, but also worried that any more delays beyond the one- day delay he had already ordered could possibly lower morale and reduce troop readiness. For Israel, more delays in invading Gaza and destroying Hamas’ ability to commit new acts of terror against the Jewish state is only one of several considerations faced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his military leaders. Israel is at a moral disadvantage because it cares about preserving human life, while its enemies celebrate death in the pursuit of eliminating the Jewish state and ultimately the best-case scenario for them, which is martyrdom. Here are just some of the difficult choices Israel must make, none of them good. – Invade now and risk the deaths of more than an estimated 200 hostages, along with considerable Israeli troop casualties. – Invade now and risk opening a new front on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, potentially facing a barrage of missiles from that terrorist group’s large stockpile. – Invade at a future date, possibly losing troop readiness and lowered morale, but also losing support from nations that initially condemned the terrorist attack. – Pay a ransom for t he release of hostages in money or in a terrorist prisoner exchange (or both), which in the past has done nothing to quench the thirst for more blood by its enemies. Israel faces continued threats from its many enemies, which include much of the world’s media that almost always faults Israel for anything bad that occurs in the region. The New York Times’ reporting on the supposed Israeli attack on a Gaza hospital that allegedly killed hundreds of people was taken directly from the Palestinians and not factchecked. When Israel proved the report a lie, the Times felt it necessary to print an “editor’s note” which said its false report “ left readers with an incorrect impression about what was known and how credible the account was.” Who would have thought that a false report might leave an incorrect impression? The Times’ bogus report and screaming headline also added fuel to the fire, causing worldwide demonstrations against Israel before the truth was revealed that a misfired Islamic Jihad rocket was to blame. Hamas and its terrorist allies appear to have studied at the Josef Goebbels school of propaganda. His most famous line has been appropriated, not only by Hamas, but also by many in the media: “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” And not just the State, but even terrorist organizations that manipulate the media and many of our once- great universities that suppress the truth about many things. Whatever Israel decides to do – or not do – it will almost certainly be condemned. If it goes into Gaza, it will be blamed for killing civilians. No matter that Hamas uses them as human shields and has prevented many from leaving Gaza for that purpose. If Israel fails to go in, it risks repeated attacks in the future, as it has in the past. It is almost a no-win situation. Israel’s difficult choices 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 Members of Congress are led in prayer by Margaret Grun Kibben, the chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, during a vigil for Israel on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building on Oct. 12, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Morning bombing attack on Gaza. story continues on next page

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER November 2, 2023 7 Three points need further elaboration and understanding why what is happening in Israel is not just a war from hell. That war is hell is often dismissed or appreciated by those who never fought one. The second is that Gaza is the world's largest IED for improvised explosive devices. And last, while a full-fledged Israeli invasion will be disastrous, a long-term occupation will be catastrophic and the nightmare from hell. Since Vietnam, American forces have not taken very heavy casualties, realizing that even one is a tragedy for the victim and his or her family. In the first Gulf War, from 1990 to 1991, the United States lost 149 service personnel in action and 849 wounded in Operation Desert Storm. This was an extraordinarily low number, as some 600,000 U.S. forces were engaged, most not seeing combat. In the second Iraq War, beginning in 2003, the U.S. Department of Defense reported 4,431 Americans died in battle and 941 due to non-hostile action. In Afghanistan, 2,254 Americans died in action, 505 for non-hostile reasons. In Desert Storm, media reporting on precision strikes in which collateral damage to civilians was minimal lulled many in Congress and the public that immaculate warfare had arrived. America and its allies could overwhelm conventional armies, navies and air forces while suffering few casualties. When the United States invaded Afghanistan in October 2002 in response to 9/11, American special forces riding horseback calling fires from B-52s, combined with Afghanistan's Northern Alliance providing land power, collapsed Taliban rule. The image was one of imaginative immaculate war for our side. When the United States initiated Operation Iraqi Freedom two years later, U.S. Army and Marine forces swiftly advanced to Baghdad, eviscerating Saddam Hussein's army along the way. Then reality took hold in Afghanistan and Iraq. Insurgencies sprung up. And the United States could not defeat them, even with precision strike. But the lessons of war became unmistakably clear in Ukraine. Russia has lost about half its military capacity, suffering at least 150,000-200,000 casualties, a majority probably killed in action. Ukraine has not released a casualty list. However, casualties may number between 100,000- 150,000. What happens if or when Israel chooses to attack en masse. The Ukraine war will be a better predictor of intensity and casualties than Afghanistan or Iraq. And the examples of post-war occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq should not be ignored. The distinction is that Hamas has turned Gaza into the world's largest IED, perhaps making it a more formidable and longer-term enemy than in Iraq and Afghanistan. Whether Israel will stay that course is as unknowable as to if or when it decides to invade Gaza. What is knowable is that the casualties, both of combatants and civilians, and levels of destruction could approach those in Ukraine. These two points reinforce the last one. No invasion or war can be immaculate. No invasion can limit casualties on all sides, given the nature of urban and city warfare. Since Hamas is integral to Gaza and endemic to the population, weeding it out is akin to treating cancer that has spread throughout every major organ and part of the body with surgery. That will not work. Consider what a strip of land of 140 square miles might look like after an Israeli offensive. Gaza could be even more demolished than Berlin and Tokyo, or worst case, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, had conventional weapons obliterated both in 1945. Its population would be in critical need of food, water, shelter and medical assistance. Even if electricity could be generated, how can it access people needing it in the rubble? And a further nightmare from hell could be a million or more Gazans having lost everything turning against the occupiers. Vladimir Lenin raised the question of what is to be done. The strategic and commonsensical response is not to invade. Instead, blockade Gaza; selectively target Hamas to the point of making it impotent; cobble together a government, perhaps headed by the Palestinian Authority; and rely on international aid. However rational, that is doomed to fail. Israelis do not have the resources or patience for such a long-term strategy. Precision strike will not prevent collateral damage. Any blockade will take a significant toll on civilians. This will advantage Hamas' propaganda and public relations strategies. And Israel will face a long-term attrition strategy it may not be able to sustain. Plans B, C, D and F are welcome. Yet the desperate reality is that there are no options. This then would truly be the nightmare from hell. No good options for ending IsraelHamas nightmare 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., Nov. 16th at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP Soldiers from the military rabbinate unit open containers full of bodies and body parts of people slain in the Hamas attack on Israel at the military morgue on the Shura Army Bae near Ramla. with Iran that allowed for the lifting of some U.S. economic sanctions in exchange for the Iranian regime agreeing to cease its development of nuclear weapons. In recent days, Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, called Lew an Iranian sympathizer. The churn now is that Iran backs Hamas. Tehran’s role in Hamas’ slaughter of 1,300 Israeli citizens – many of them women and children – is still being debated. But Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lauded the killings in a public address. In fairness to Lew and deference to the importance of this ambassadorial role, more than a cursory hearing in the Senate is necessary But there’s little time. The Biden administration is attempting to push through the nomination this week. On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to hold a confirmation hearing on Lew. The swiftest he could be confirmed would be Thursday, October 19. Members of Congress who had reservations about Lew and wanted more background information on him are relenting. It will be a rushed decision, a rushed confirmation. But in recent days critics upset over the lack of an ambassador to Israel have been getting louder. Politico reported that Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat of Delaware, called it “political malpractice.” In a Kansas City address to civic and political leadership, David Harris, former CEO of the American Jewish Committee, decried the void. Ambassadorships aren’t a ribbon cutting, with the confirmed saying a few graceful words from a podium. Ambassadors have plenipotentiary powers, which means that in addition to representing the U.S. and offering guidance to the president, they can also sign treaties and have some decision-making authority. Americans in Gaza have been left stranded at the border with Egypt, after being told they would be allowed to cross into safety. The threat of the war spreading into other parts of the Middle East is very real as the Israeli military has vowed to eliminate Hamas. It’s a nightmare backdrop for the Senate to begin fasttracking a confirmation. Even if the Biden administration is successful in quickly pushing the confirmation of Lew through the Senate, it’s already a game of catch-up. The terrorists, amid the impending humanitarian crisis in Gaza, have a huge head start. Sanchez continued from page 6

8 SMART READER November 2, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Unless you have been hiding underneath a rock, you know that interest rates have been marching higher since the Federal Reserve began its inflation-fighting campaign. Although the central bank only controls short-term rates, intermediate and longer-term rates have followed suit. Over the past two years, the yield of the benchmark 10-year treasury has gone from about 1.5 percent in October 2021 to a recent high of just over 5%, a level not seen since July 2007. The increase means that the U.S. government must pay higher interest for borrowed funds. But there’s a reason that the 10-year is called the “benchmark.” It is the bond on which a lot of other lending rates are derived, like mortgage rates, student loan rates, and car loans, all of which have been rising in concert with the yield of the 10-year. As a reminder, a bond purchase is essentially a loan to an entity, which can be a government, a state, a municipality, or a company. The loan is established for a predetermined period, at a fixed rate of interest. Borrowers are on the hook for interest payments, either at periodic intervals (usually every six months), or at the end of the agreement, when they repay the obligation in full. Because bonds deliver a consistent stream of income, investors have seen them as an integral part of diversified portfolio. In fact, fixed income investments have historically provided ballast against stocks, which tend to be more volatile. But investors have learned that prices for bonds can fluctuate. As an example, if you purchased a 10-year bond that paid 1.5% a couple of years ago, it will be worth less now, when new bonds issued by Uncle Sam are paying almost 5%. Conversely, if you owned a bond that is paying 10% and your friend can purchase a new bond at 5%, your bond is more valuable today than the prevailing bonds she can purchase. In other words, bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of prevailing rates, regardless of the bond type. With all of this said, you may be wondering why rates have jumped so dramatically, especially over the past 90 days or so. The answer, according to Madison Faller, Global Investment Strategist at JP Morgan Chase, is due to “inflation, growth, and uncertainty.” Inflation was the main culprit for bond prices tanking (and yields rising) last year. Inflation means that a bond’s fixed stream of interest payments is worth less over time due to rising prices. But Faller thinks that inflation is not the main catalyst in the current bond market action. She argues that better than expected growth — powered by strong consumer spending, a resilient labor market, and an uptick in productivity could mean “that the Fed will keep interest rates ‘higher for longer,’ even if it’s pretty much done hiking.” Adding to the growth story is uncertainty, which can come in the form of worries about terrorism/war and renewed concerns about the federal budget deficit, which swelled to $1.7 trillion in 2023. Uncertainty causes investors to demand higher rates (and pushes prices down) to compensate them for the risk of locking up their money for ten years. While “it hurts to see the value of your bonds fall,” says Brenna McLaughlin, of Wealthstream Advisors, “those bonds will continue to pay the same coupon and will be redeemed at the agreed upon maturity value, even though their market value may suffer in the short term.” And if you are sitting on cash, McLaughlin points out that “this could be a great opportunity to shift into bonds and lock in attractive yields for the longer-term.” Bond yields surge with Jill Schlesinger jill on money 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]. Because bonds deliver a consistent stream of income, investors see them as an integral part of diversified portfolio, writes Jill Schlesinger Before COVID, the annual October ritual of announcing the following year’s Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients was a sleepy event. But since the inflationary spike that started in 2021, millions have been waiting breathlessly for the news. A bit of historical context: Although President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the law that enacted today’s Social Security system on August 14, 1935, it was not until decades later that Congress added an extra provision which accounted for rising prices. Before that, benefits were increased only when Congress enacted special legislation. The COLA provision was part of the 1972 Social Security Amendments, and automatic annual COLAs began in 1975. The problem with COLA is that the future year’s increase is based on what happened in the previous year – and we know that conditions can change quickly. Officials use a measure of the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W), which can differ slightly from the headline or core rate that you see reported on a monthly basis. According to the BLS, “the CPI-U is a more general index and seeks to track retail prices as they affect all urban consumers,” while CPI-W is a more specialized index, which “places a slightly higher weight on food, apparel, transportation, and other goods.” The criticism of CPI-W is that the lower weight on medical care and housing are two categories that eat up a lot of a retiree’s annual budget. Earlier this year, the nonpartisan Senior Citizens League (TSCL) released research that found that older Americans have struggled to keep pace with inflation. “The buying power of Social Security benefits finds that older adults who retired before 2000 (now age 85 and older) have lost 36 percent of their buying power and would need an extra $516.70 more per month ($6,200 more in 2023) than they are currently getting to maintain the same level of buying power as in 2000.” Amazingly, the total loss of purchasing power includes the two decades prior to COVID, when CPI-W was muted, and the average annual COLA was 2.6%. That changed dramatically in 2022, with a 5.9% COLA increase, followed by last year’s 8.7% spike, which was the biggest jump in 40 years. (The record COLA occurred in 1980 at 14.3%.) And now, drum roll, please… the Social Security COLA for 2024 will be 3.2%, which means an average increase of more than $50 per month starting in January. For those nearing retirement, the takeaway from the past five years is to be careful about life decisions that are predicated on best-case assumptions. In the ten years leading up to the pandemic, I would hear from many who were crunching retirement numbers, presuming that inflation would remain at 2% for decades in the future. When I would suggest choosing a higher rate of inflation, “just in case,” I was tagged as a Debbie Downer. I get it — using a higher rate of inflation (and a lower rate of investment return) — might mean that preretirees might have to wait a few more years to call it quits. One of the best defenses against an uncertain future, one that could see inflation rise or markets tumbling at the wrong time, is to work longer, even if it is just a few years or part-time. Not only does this allow your nest egg more time to grow, it also means that you might be able to wait to claim your Social Security benefit beyond your Full Retirement Age (66-67, depending on the year of your birth) to age 70, when you can receive credits for delaying filing that can boost retirement savings significantly. 2024 COLA fizzles out with Jill Schlesinger One of the best defenses against an uncertain future is to work longer, even if it is just a few years or part-time, writes Jill Schlesinger.

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER November 2, 2023 9 Keep the whole grains coming. Not only do they help with diabetes, but new research finds they may improve heart health as well. Earlier research has found that higher consumption of whole grains may help reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal in July 2020. The study looked at oatmeal, popcorn, wholegrain bread and brown rice, as well as other whole-grain foods also rich in fiber, antioxidants and B vitamins. Using data from 158,259 women and 36,525 men who did not have Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cancer when the study began, researchers evaluated the relationship between whole grain intake and Type 2 diabetes over the course of four years. Researchers found that participants who consumed the most whole grains (one or more servings a day) had a 29% lower rate of Type 2 diabetes compared with those who had less than one serving per month. New research finds that consuming whole grains, such as whole-grain bread, brown rice and quinoa, over refined grains, such as white rice and white bread, may improve your heart health as well. The November study was published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Researchers found consuming whole grains improved total cholesterol and decreased triglycerides. For every 16-gram serving of whole grains (which is equal to one slice of whole grain bread or a half-cup of brown rice), cardiovascular related deaths declined by 9%. When 48 grams (three servings) of whole grains were consumed every day, rates of cardiovascular death declined by 25%. So, what is a whole grain? It's a grain that has the bran, endosperm and germ. In refined grains, the bran and germ -- which contribute fiber, magnesium, selenium and other vitamins -- have been removed. The bottom line? Choose brown rice over white; whole-wheat bread and pasta over white; quinoa, wheat germ, oats and stone-ground, whole-grain crackers. Those are choices that can make a huge difference. Q and A Q: Because grapes are so sweet, can they be good for you? A: Fresh grapes are prized for their taste, convenience, versatility and health benefits. The health benefits of grapes come from polyphenols. Polyphenols protect the cell function and health, promote antioxidant activity and influence cell communications. All three colors of grapes (red, green and black) contain polyphenols. Eating grapes my help counter the harmful inflammation and oxidative stress that can lead to many chronic diseases. While grapes taste sweet, they have a low glycemic index, which makes them a good choice even for diabetics. They key is portion control -- a serving of grapes is 1 cup, or about 2 handfuls. Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU Med School in Springfield, Ill. food & recipes Whole Grains for Health Nutrition News with Charlyn Fargo 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, with liquid 2 garlic cloves 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste) 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 3/4 cup pumpkin, canned or cooked, pureed 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika Optional garnish: additional extra-virgin olive oil, additional smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds Drain the chickpeas, reserving the liquid. Put the chickpeas into a blender or food processor. Add the garlic, lemon juice, tahini, black pepper, olive oil, pumpkin, cumin seeds and smoked paprika. Blend, gradually adding enough of the reserved chickpea liquid to make a smooth, thick, creamy dip. Pour the dip into a serving dish, and garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of smoked paprika and pumpkin seeds, if desired. Serve with whole-grain pita bread, sliced into wedges and fresh vegetables. Serves 8. Per serving: 100 calories; 4 grams protein; 11 grams carbohydrate;5 grams fat; 0 grams cholesterol; 3 grams fiber; 150 milligrams sodium. Smoky Pumpkin Hummus Makes about 30 clusters 2 cups small pretzels, broken into 1-inch pieces 1 cup salted dry-roasted peanuts 8 ounces white chocolate, melted but warm 1/2 cup mini M&M candies Note: This recipe works with milk chocolate too. 1. Mix clusters: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine pretzels and peanuts in medium bowl. Stir in white chocolate until combined. 2. Shape clusters: Spoon tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle 4 or 5 M&Ms over each cluster. Refrigerate until chocolate hardens, about 15 minutes, and serve. (Once hardened, clusters can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.) If you’re like us, you tend to buy Halloween candy that you wouldn’t mind snacking on yourself and certainly wouldn’t mind having as leftovers. Here’s a fun recipe idea that uses a favorite Halloween treat: M&M clusters! M&Ms added bright color, crunchy texture, and a chocolate flavor to this little snack. We used melted white chocolate — either chips or chunks — to “glue” the clusters together. Salted dry-roasted peanuts provided the best flavor of all the options we tested. M&M Clusters

10 SMART READER November 2, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Dear Cathy, I have a nineyear-old Shih Tzu who has never barked. I think I’ve heard him bark once. I am wondering if maybe he has nothing to say. What’s your opinion? — Barkless, Kings Park, New York Dear Barkless, It’s normal to be concerned when a dog doesn’t bark since most dogs love to bark quite enthusiastically. But the concern should be if a dog once barked a lot and then suddenly stopped barking, as that can be a sign of injury or illness to the larynx. Of course, that’s not what’s happening in your case since your dog has only barked once in nine years. When it comes to dogs, some breeds don’t bark, like Basenji and Borzoi. They may whine though or make other noises. While some small breed dogs have a reputation for being yappy, that is not the case for Shih Tzus, who are known for being on the quiet side. (There are always exceptions.) So, if your Shih Tzu has always been quiet and your veterinarian hasn’t found any associated diseases through the years, there is no need for concern. It just means you have a “softspoken” dog. Dear Cathy, I read your recent column on puppy mill dogs and the difficulties in raising one that’s been there for a long time. I got a “Frenchie” from a northwest puppy mill that had used her as a breeding female. We got her at about two years old due to some post-birthing problems she experienced. Your ideas and insights in the column were spot on. We tried everything to socialize her and stop her from running away every time she got loose. It’s taken five years, but Maggie is finally adapting to a regular pet life. She’s still afraid of other people, but allows strangers to touch her little by little. The only real problem left to conquer is about once a week, she walks over to her bowl at feeding time and then walks away. She won’t eat until maybe the next day or so. Any advice? — Mike, Mesquite, Nevada Dear Mike, If she has always eaten enthusiastically and suddenly shows less interest in her food, that is a sign that she needs a vet exam to rule out health problems. Dogs can occasionally lose their appetites when they have upset stomachs, which they may associate with their current diet. Dogs make a connection between their food and how they feel. When they do that, they are less interested in eating that particular food – sometimes even refusing it altogether. If “Frenchie” has a clean bill of health, maybe talk to your vet about changing her diet and prescribing something to increase her appetite. Dear Cathy, You have recently received several letters about dog barking problems, with animal control and the police offering little help. There is another solution: municipal noise ordinances. Zoning officers enforce these ordinances. Typically, the noise ordinances are both general (broken air conditioner making noise all day) and hour-specific (neighbor mowing lawn at 5:00 a.m.). The zoning ordinance enforcer will go to your house with a sound pressure meter and measure the noise at your property line. If a neighbor's dog violates the zoning noise ordinance, the owner is issued a notice of zoning violation with an order to cease. Noncompliance may result in criminal charges against the dog owner/neighbor for violating the order, with fines and possible (unlikely) jail time. There is one caveat, though. Not all municipalities have noise ordinances. Typically, cities do; rural communities often don't. Call your local zoning department to determine if your municipality has noise ordinances. — Robert, West Hartford, Connecticut Dear Robert, It's true that many communities have noise ordinances that barking dogs can fall under if they are excessively noisy. I thought I mentioned this in a previous column. If I didn't, it's good advice. I would hope animal control officers and police officers let residents calling about barking dogs know that noise ordinances are also an option in some communities. Dear Cathy, Katherine, my dog, has a malignant tumor. She tries hard to pee and finally gets a few drops out. Now, it seems she has no control over when she has to go. Are there diapers for her, and is that a good idea? — Tony, Lynbrook, New York Dear Tony, I don't know where her malignant tumor is located or how it might impact her urinary health. If you have taken her to your veterinarian and have a plan for treating or making her comfortable, however, doggie diapers can be an easy solution for incontinence. Pet World with Cathy Rosenthal My dog has never barked. Should I be worried? 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]. A large study aims to follow pet dogs for 10 years or longer to track how genes, diet, exercise and the environment affect aging -- and the findings may shed light on human health. The Dog Aging Project seeks to recruit mixed breed and purebred pets of every age. "Dogs age very much like people do," Daniel Promislow principal investigator of the project, told UPI in a telephone interview. Promislow is a professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology and the Department of Biology at the University of Washington in Seattle. His research focuses on the genetic variation of aging patterns in fruit flies, dogs and humans. The Dog Aging Project, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is a partnership between the University of Washington, Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences in College Station and more than two dozen other institutions. "As people age, the risk of most diseases increases quite dramatically," Promislow said. "Dogs get many of the same diseases as we do. They share our environment and they have a sophisticated health care system like we do." But dogs age much faster than humans. So, what researchers learn about how their biology and environment influence aging is likely to help them understand the role those factors play in human aging. So far, the study has collected survey data from about 46,000 dog owners and blood, hair and other samples from about 7,500 dogs. The findings, such as the contribution of exercise to healthy cognitive ability, have been illuminating, Promislow said. As dogs age, they can suffer from canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, which is similar to dementia in the elderly. Dogs with this condition "become lost in familiar spaces, seem to fail to recognize familiar people and lose their normal sleep-wake cycle," Dr. Kate Creevy told UPI via email. Creevy is the chief veterinary officer of the Dog Aging Project and a professor of small animal internal medicine at Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. The researchers hope to better understand biological or environmental factors that may slow or prevent cognitive decline. They also may find similarities between dogs and humans that affect arthritis and heart function. "Dogs can teach us a lot not only about dogs, but also about ourselves," Promislow said. "We're really just at the beginning of this study, and we continue to welcome dogs of all ages to enroll in our study." Dogs develop the same cancers as humans, so it's important to identify genes that increase susceptibility, Elaine Ostrander, of the National Human Genome Research Institute in Bethesda, Md., told UPI via email. Ostrander, who is not involved in the Dog Aging Project, is the distinguished senior investigator and chief of the institute's Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch. "We find that genes which are relevant for canine cancer are inevitably important for human cancers as well," she said. "The advantage of studying cancer in dogs, however, is that some breeds have a huge excess of particular types of cancer, while in other breeds, it might be absent. "For example, one in four Bernese mountain dogs will get histiocytic sarcoma, a typically lethal cancer. But it is unheard of the toy breeds. This makes the genetics much easier than when studying humans. Cancer also is a disease of aging in dogs and humans, and by studying cancer, we continue to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding aging." Participants in the Dog Aging Project complete an online survey and share stories about their dogs' lifestyle and health. Some owners receive a kit for their veterinarian to collect blood and hair samples and a cheek swab, Promislow said. Researchers use the samples to sequence the dogs' genome. Some genes are associated with variation in dogs' size and shape, while others determine whether their hair is curly or straight, long or short. But the researchers' focus is on finding genes that influence changes that occur with aging, such as the increasing risk of certain diseases, or changes in behaviors. "The owners become participants in science," Promislow said. "We find that people really enjoy that. As we collect more health-related data in the coming years, we will be Pet dogs shed light on human health, researchers say story continues on page 18

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER November 2, 2023 11 House speaker ordeal: How will it play in swing districts? When it comes to politics, childhood friends Angie Russell and Robin Callahan don’t agree on much. Ms. Callahan, a retired teacher who lives in Virginia Beach, voted for President Joe Biden in 2020 because she couldn’t bring herself to vote for former President Donald Trump. Ms. Russell, also retired and living in Lynchburg, says she was “Trump all the way.” Both plan to vote the same way next year, when the two men are expected to face off in a rematch. But when it comes to the prolonged speakership fight that paralyzed Capitol Hill for almost all of October, the two friends walking along Virginia Beach’s boardwalk are equally dismayed. “It makes us wonder: How can you solve any of the problems going on in our country or the world?” says Ms. Callahan. “We look weak, and our enemies see that,” says Ms. Russell. The recent election of Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson as House speaker put an end to the unprecedented drama, allowing Congress’ lower chamber to finally open for business. After three weeks of infighting, Republicans on Capitol Hill were eager to put the whole episode behind them. “The American people, at one time, had great pride in this institution. But right now, that’s in jeopardy,” Mr. Johnson said in a speech on the House floor. “We have a challenge before us right now to rebuild and restore that trust.” That might be easier said than done. In interviews with almost two dozen Republican and Democratic voters in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, many acknowledge that memories are short, and they will likely be focused on other issues come Election Day 2024. And some Republicans here see the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the election of a more conservative replacement as a positive outcome, despite the painful process. But there’s also no doubt that the ordeal left a bad impression – and, in the short term at least, may make voters less likely to give Republicans the benefit of the doubt. In this swing district that voted for President Biden in 2020 and then in 2022 replaced a Democratic representative with GOP Rep. Jen Kiggans, voters agree much will depend on where the House GOP goes from here. If the infighting continues or leads to a government shutdown next month, when the current funding is set to run out, Republicans’ narrow majority could be in jeopardy. A useful analogy, says Republican pollster Whit Ayres, may be the government shutdown of 2013 led by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. The 16-day shutdown at the hands of Republicans in October of that year caused the party’s favorability ratings to drop by 10 points. But they had a year to recover, and in November 2014, Republicans retained control of the House of Representatives and gained seats in the Senate. “It’s hard to imagine that this chaos at the moment is going to have a substantial effect on the midterms. The Trump trials may have more of an effect,” says Mr. Ayres. “It all depends on what happens between now and then, and what kind of job Speaker Johnson does. Can he keep the government open, get aid to Ukraine and Israel, and secure the border? It all depends on how he defines his role. His constituents are now the entire country and not a deep red district in the deep South.” More conservative than Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Johnson is already being attacked by Democrats for his role in Mr. Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion. If he leads his conference further to the right, it could make things more difficult for the dwindling number of moderate Republicans – particularly the 18 who represent “crossover” districts, or districts that Mr. Biden won. When GOP Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents a swing district in New York, voted for Mr. Johnson on the House floor Wednesday, a voice from the Democratic side of the aisle said, “Byebye.” Before Mr. Johnson was elected, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, a hard-line conservative who is a popular figure among the GOP base, lost three successive speaker votes on the House floor in part because 11 holdout Republicans from crossover districts refused to support him. Several of those members – including Ms. Kiggans from Virginia’s 2nd District – received threats over their stance. “I was a helicopter pilot in the United States Navy. ... Threats and intimidation tactics will not change my principles and values,” Ms. Kiggans posted on X, formerly Twitter. Explaining her vote against Mr. Jordan in another X post, Ms. Kiggans said she couldn’t support someone who would cut the defense budget or shut down the government as a negotiating tactic, given the district she represents. With the largest concentration of military personnel outside the Pentagon, Virginia’s 2nd District feels the impact of actions in Congress more immediately than most. If the federal government shuts down, it affects Virginia Beach’s almost 97,000 active-duty military members and their families. And Congress’ response to the current wars in Europe and the Middle East are also salient, say residents. One of the aircraft carrier strike groups stationed in the eastern Mediterranean amid the Israel-Hamas war – the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower – came from the Virginia Beach coastline. Still, some of Ms. Kiggans’ constituents were unhappy about her votes against Mr. Jordan, which they viewed as a slight to the conservative movement. “I wish Matt Gaetz had had more of a plan for who should replace McCarthy, but it’s a shame about Jim Jordan because he would have been such a good speaker,” says Bob Totty from Chesapeake, who recently retired from health care sales. “I know thousands of people were calling into her office supporting him.” His wife, Deb Totty, was also disappointed with her congresswoman’s votes. “She turned out to be the same as the rest of them in Washington,” says Ms. Totty, a retired special events coordinator. When asked about the blowback that Ms. Kiggans might be getting at home over everything that went on in Washington this month, former 2nd District Rep. Scott Taylor just laughs. “I know for a fact that Kiggans is getting grief because I know the district well,” says Mr. Taylor, a Republican who held the seat between 2017 and 2019. “It’s not easy for her,” he adds. “She’s a freshman congresswoman.” Still, Ms. Kiggans may have complicated her message somewhat by voting first for Mr. McCarthy, then for acting Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry, and finally for Mr. Johnson. “She didn’t do herself any favors by being wishy-washy,” Mr. Taylor says. “I guess the whole process was wishy-washy.” Mr. Taylor, who was elected to Congress the same year as Mr. Johnson, says he has already texted his friend congratulations. “Mike is a good choice. He’s a sensible guy. He’s more conservative than McCarthy, but if you don’t agree with him, he’s never disrespectful,” says Mr. Taylor. If Mr. Johnson is able to avoid a government shutdown and demonstrate a steady hand, he predicts “it won’t affect Kiggans or others next year.” Even if there is a government shutdown, the bigger threat to Ms. Kiggans might be a primary challenge to her right. The district was reconfigured to be more Republican during the 2020 redistricting – creating a threat that “absolutely” increased in the wake of the speakership fight, says Mr. Taylor. At the same time, Ms. Kiggans might gain some votes on the other side of the aisle. Some Democratic and independent constituents here say they were pleased with her votes against Mr. Jordan. Steve, a retired CEO who lives in downtown Virginia Beach and declined to give his last name, voted for Mr. Biden in 2020 and then Ms. Kiggans in 2022. Despite finding the whole speaker fight “disappointing,” he says he thinks Ms. Kiggans handled it well, “doing the best she can.” He also hopes the GOP will face a reckoning for all the chaos it caused. “I hope there are repercussions for all the Republicans in Congress because they are all a part of this mess,” he says. “The Republican Party is no longer the party that I know.” How does a political reporter go about gathering vox pop that’s meaningful – authentic personal perspectives that contribute value to stories, and don’t just parrot pre-cooked talking points? Story Hinckley speaks with host Clay Collins about the persistence, balance, and respect that the work requires. Whether swing voters like Steve will carry this sentiment over into Virginia’s state legislature elections next month remains to be seen. At the Virginia Beach GOP headquarters, Carol Hickman and two other volunteers assemble yard signs for a Republican state senate candidate, while in the background a TV plays Mr. Johnson’s acceptance speech. Ms. Hickman says she was “dismayed” that the House was effectively immobilized for three weeks. In the end, however, she says she would rather have Republicans take the time to choose the right person for the job. Hopefully Republicans learned the “difficult lesson” that if you vote someone out of a position, you should have a backup plan in place, says Ms. Hickman. Now, it’s about looking forward. “Every single Republican should take this to heart: You have a job to do.” By Story Hinckley Rep. Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, takes the oath to be the new House speaker in Washington, Oct. 25, 2023 Sit or Stand Desk 5403 52nd St. • 262-656-1717 Kenosha, WI 53142 • bandlofficefurniture.com102623 Locally Owned & Operated for Over 30 Years New and Like New SAVE NOW PUMPKIN SPICED OFFICE FURNITURE STOP IN & CHECK OUT OUR 35% OFF

12 SMART READER November 2, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 The calendar has turned to November and that means the Merry & Bright holiday event season is upon us. I highly recommend you refer to VisitKenosha.com/Holidays throughout the coming weeks for holiday events and activities – as well as ideas of where to shop locally for presents. Consider making gifts to give loved ones this holiday season. If this is the route you decide to go, NOW is the time to start planning! Avoid the stress and hassle of making a mess at home and visit one of the DIY art studios in the area. Walk in to Alpaca Art when they are open (no appointment necessary), choose from the wide selection of products, sit, relax, and paint. You go back later to pick up the finished piece. There are ornaments, candy plates, snowmen, elves, reindeer, mugs, platters, picture frames, vases, figurines, banks, boxes, and more to choose from. This is a great family activity! Book a session at Hot Mess Studios LLC. The session alone is a gift. It’s about your group making fun memories and enjoying the process of creating splatters. Unleash your inner artist! You leave with your Jackson Pollock inspired masterpiece after simply letting the paint fly. Try painting with darts, a ladle, or water guns! For a guided painting class, go on Pinot's Palette’s website, pick a theme that interests you, and book the class. Upcoming classes include: Frosty Ornament Wine Bottle, Christmas Time in the City, Festive Gnome, Jolly Peekaboo Gnome, Dreaming Of A White Christmas, Little Rudolph, Holiday Cow, Snow Globe Family, Holiday Truck, and many more. If you have experience working with clay, check out the Clay Studio at Lemon Street Gallery & Artspace. This is a self-serve workspace designed for artists ages 16 and older. Basic tools and potters wheels are available for use. The clay costs $3.00 per pound, and this includes glazes and firing. Not feeling your creative, artistic side? You can still give locally crafted, handmade gifts. The Holiday Craft Fair at the Woman's Club of Kenosha is November 4. Support local crafters and purchase original gifts. (Don’t forget there is a parking lot on the west side of the building off of Sheridan Road.) The Artistree Giftable Art Show runs from November 25 to December 24 at Lemon Street Gallery & Artspace. The “Brick Gallery” is transformed into a winter wonderland full of local, handmade gifts. On December 9, the gallery hosts the event: Café Crafting, and Christmas. In addition to Lemon Street Gallery, Anderson Arts Center, ArtWorks / Pencillarium, Nature’s Gallery, and Pollard Gallery are art galleries with one-ofa-kind gifts. Find localthemed coloring books at Studio Moonfall! You can also find handmade gifts at Kenosha Winter HarborMarket and the Kenosha Public Market Indoor Winter Market. Both will be hosting expanded holiday markets this season as well. Take time this holiday season to give a helping hand to those who may need it. Visit Kenosha is once again collecting new and gently used coats, gloves scarves, and hats, as well as new socks for its "Bundle Up Kenosha" winter-wear collection drive. All items donated will remain in our community. Donations are being accepted November 1 through January 15 at our Visitor Information Center at 600 52nd Street, Suite 140, and the Wisconsin Welcome Center – Kenosha we staff at I-94/41 and Hwy 165. Find fun faster at VisitKenosha.com – which is a hub for events, things to see and do, and places to eat and stay at in the Kenosha Area. Visit Kenosha has been Kenosha’s official travel resource since 1986. Locally Crafted, Handmade Gifts by Meridith Jumisko, Visit Kenosha Meridith Jumisko is Public Relations Director at Visit Kenosha. Contact her at [email protected] AUTU M N 2 0 2 COMEDY 3 EVENTS 5125 6th Avenue, Kenosha If It’s Not Live, You’re Not Living! 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 No Drink Minimum! UPCOMING: DEC 15 & 16 NICKY SMIGGS DEC 22 & 23 CHRIS BARNES • JAN 26 & 27 DR. BILL MILLER MR. SHOWTIME DAVID SCOTT JOHN DIRESTA 110223 NOV 17/18 TIM MEADOWS NOV 10/11 NOV 3/4 NOV 24/25 “My New favorite comic” -Tim Allen 3rd Show Added ROCKY LAPORTE DWAYNE KENNEDY DEC 1/2 2019 EMMY AWARD WINNER

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER November 2, 2023 13 . y , n n / s y --t d a d t h d n y g y e d , s e r s r e r r e n a y. t s o t a n l Sidney Powell promoted the false assertion that in November 2020, some U.S. voting machines secretly switched ballots for thenPresident Donald Trump to Joe Biden, subverting the election. Kenneth Chesebro helped organize slates of fake Electoral College electors to wrongly claim Mr. Trump had won key states that he actually lost. Jenna Ellis drafted memos insisting that Vice President Mike Pence had the authority to halt Mr. Biden’s victory, a theory widely disputed by legal experts, as well as Mr. Pence himself. In August, these three lawyers were all charged by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis as codefendants with Mr. Trump in her sweeping Georgia election interference case. But over recent days, all have pleaded guilty and accepted plea deals, potentially reshaping the case’s legal context and boosting prosecutors’ efforts to flip more defendants into cooperators. The full stories that Ms. Powell, Mr. Chesebro, and Ms. Ellis might tell at trial remain unknown. Their 2020 election efforts appear to be only tangentially related to one another. However, their accounts could help connect the dots between various aspects of the alleged plot to overturn the vote – a sprawling racketeering conspiracy that lies at the heart of the Georgia charges. “They connect parts of the conspiracy together,” says Anthony Michael Kreis, a constitutional law professor at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Dwindling number of defendants When Ms. Willis first filed her election case on Aug. 14, its scope surprised many legal experts. Based on Georgia’s expansive RICO anti-racketeering law, it contained 41 criminal counts and targeted 19 criminal defendants. By contrast, the federal case brought by special counsel Jack Smith targets only Mr. Trump as a defendant, with six unindicted and unnamed co-conspirators. But in recent weeks one benefit to prosecutors of Georgia’s bigger approach has become apparent: Worried by their legal exposure, some lower-level defendants have pleaded guilty, creating pressure on others higher up the ladder to do the same. Ms. Willis’ case is now down to 15 defendants. Last month Scott Hall, a Georgia bail bondsman, pleaded guilty to five misdemeanors. Then last week Ms. Powell similarly pleaded guilty to misdemeanors. She was followed in quick succession by Mr. Chesebro and Ms. Ellis, who both pleaded guilty to a felony. All avoided a prison sentence. It is quite possible that this was part of Ms. Willis’ plan from the beginning, says Caren Morrison, a former assistant U.S. attorney in New York and now a Georgia State University law professor. Ms. Willis may not have really wanted to bring 19 people to trial, but to shrink and bolster her case with testimony from flippers. “That’s the beauty of RICO. You can tell a complete story, and it’s also a way of getting more witnesses and building a stronger case,” says Professor Morrison. It is likely the case will get narrower still. On Wednesday, CNN reported that six additional defendants have discussed plea deals with Fulton County prosecutors. Some experts counter that the plea deals actually reveal a weakness at the heart of the Georgia case. So far, none of the deals have required the pleaders to acknowledge they are guilty of the central RICO conspiracy to overturn the vote, according to Andrew C. McCarthy, a former assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and columnist for National Review. Instead, they have accepted responsibility for much lesser infractions. Ordinarily prosecutors require the first cooperators in big cases to plead guilty to the major charges, with sentencing leniency, wrote Mr. McCarthy earlier this week. “Willis wildly overcharged the electioninterference case and is now picking off some defendants on minor charges,” he wrote in National Review. Who might plead guilty next? In a sweeping criminal case, each flipped defendant can create a time dilemma for others. First movers get the sweetest deals. Subsequent pleaders often get steadily stiffer terms. In addition, the defendants left standing need to consider the information flippers might have. If it implicates them, does that mean the risk of going all the way to trial is greater? “They all need to be wondering, I suspect, what each one of these witnesses is prepared to say when testifying under oath, what each is willing to share, documents, emails, that the government does not yet have,” says Kay Levine, a professor at Emory University School of Law in Atlanta. Ms. Powell, for instance, was charged in Georgia in connection with an incident of unauthorized access to sensitive election equipment in Coffee County following the 2020 election. She allegedly dispatched a team from the Atlanta data forensics firm SullivanStrickler to download data from voting machines that she thought might be designed to secretly switch votes. Former Coffee County elections director Misty Hampton remains a charged defendant in the Georgia RICO case. She was present in the county election office when the team was admitted on Jan. 7, 2021. She was also caught on video the next day allowing two men who were active in challenging the election outcome into the office for hours. Ms. Hampton would be a likely flipping target for prosecutors. According to CNN, she has been in touch with Ms. Willis about a possible deal. Mr. Chesebro was charged in the Georgia case with organizing fake Electoral College electors, an effort that spread across the nation to six other states: Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. He might be able to provide information on whether other defendants who were participants in the scheme – Georgia state Sen. Shawn Still, Georgia GOP chairman David Shafer, and former Trump White House aide Michael Roman – knew it was illegal. Mr. Roman has also been involved in plea talks, according to CNN. Inside information Ms. Ellis and Ms. Powell together might be able to provide prosecutors something of high value: inside information on the thinking of the highestranking defendants, up to and including Mr. Trump himself. “It seems to me that Sidney Powell ... and Jenna Ellis were in the room where it happened, where important conversations took place,” says Professor Levine. Ms. Powell, for instance, was a key participant in a raucous Oval Office meeting on Dec. 18, 2020, in which she argued for an executive order to seize voting machines and the appointment of herself as a special counsel to investigate election fraud allegations. White House lawyers argued heatedly against these ideas in front Trump’s lawyers plead guilty. What does that mean for Georgia case? Former Trump attorney Jenna Ellis pleads guilty to a felony count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings insdie a Fulton County courtroom on Oct. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. story continues on page 18 WHERE TRADITION LIVES See Our Full Menu & Order Online At LuigisPizzaKenosha.com Call 262-694-6565 Celebrating 60 Years In Kenosha! • Pizza • Pasta • Chicken • Mojo’s & More 7531 39th Ave. Tues - Sat at 4pm Sunday at 11am DINING ROOM IS OPEN Tues - Fri 11am Saturday 4pm Sunday 11am SR101923 Open for Carryout or Delivery Celebrating 60 Years In Kenosha! 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14 SMART READER November 2, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Heated yoga classes can help some people with depression feel a lot better within a couple months -- even if they practice just once a week, a small clinical trial suggests. The study, of 65 people with moderate-to-severe depression, found that those randomly assigned to heated yoga classes saw a greater symptom improvement over eight weeks than those assigned to a waitlist. Overall, 16 patients, or 59%, "responded" to the yoga classes -- meaning the severity of their depression symptoms dropped by at least half. Only two patients on the waitlist (6%) saw their symptoms improve that much. Beyond that, 12 patients in the yoga group, or 44%, saw their depression go into remission. The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, add to evidence that yoga can help people deal with mental health conditions. The twist was the heat. Study participants took class in a room heated to 105 degrees and followed a traditional Bikram yoga sequence -- a set of 26 postures that is the same each class. It's not clear, though, whether the heat was the key ingredient, said lead researcher Maren Nyer, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and director of yoga studies at Massachusetts General Hospital. Because the comparison was a waitlist, she said, the benefits could have come from the yoga, the heat or both. Nor is it clear whether performing yoga postures is any better than other forms of physical exercise. "We have no idea which component of this was helpful," Nyer said. But, she added, a whole body of exercise research does make one thing clear: "If you don't like it, you won't do it." So, if heated yoga appeals to you and it's available, try it. If yoga without the heat is more your speed, try that. Nyer said that standard therapy for depression is often effective, but many people need additional tools. "I'm all for whatever people can use to help themselves," she said. At the same time, Nyer noted, there's good reason to put yoga to the test in clinical trials: If there's scientific proof that it can ease depression symptoms, it might become more of a m a i n s t r e a m recommendation -- and possibly even covered by health insurance. A number of previous studies have suggested that non-heated yoga can help people with depression. Yoga "styles" vary, but in general they combine physical postures with breathing practices and, often, meditation. For the latest trial, Nyer's team initially recruited 80 people with moderate-tosevere depression -- mostly women with an average age of 32. They randomly assigned half to heated yoga classes and half to a waitlist. The yoga classes were one hour and 40 minutes and involved a standard Bikram sequence of 26 poses, with a breathing exercise before and afterward. Study participants who were already on an antidepressant or in "talk therapy" were told to stick with it. Heated yoga classes may ease symptoms of depression A recent study found that those randomly assigned to heated yoga classes saw a greater symptom improvement over eight weeks than those assigned to a waitlist. Getting a certain number of steps each day can help people improve their fitness, but new research shows it also can pay off in the operating room. The odds of complications within 90 days after hospital discharge were reduced by half if a patient was getting more than 7,500 steps a day before their procedure, the study found. These postoperative complications typically occur after a patient returns home. About 30% of patients suffer these problems, which can include infection, blood clots and wound complications. "I think it's probably more an assessment of an individual's overall fitness and their health generally," said study co-author Dr. Anai Kothari, an assistant professor with a specialty in surgical oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. "We use a lot of information to try to decide and think through surgical risk. My hope is that this is an additional point of reference that practitioners can use." Surgeons can already better understand a person's risk by knowing they have certain health conditions, such as diabetes, Kothari said. Knowing how active that patient is could add information about their risks. What do the results tell doctors? "[The] first is we can actually use wearable devices to give us insight into a domain of their health and fitness that we may previously not have had an opportunity to do. This can be a useful adjunct to thinking about surgical risk," Kothari said. "The second is there's likely something about the level of activity itself that plays into this. That still remains understudied." In the study, his team analyzed health data for 475 people who were participating in the All of Us Research program sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The program is focused on the relationship between lifestyle, biology and environment in diverse populations. Participants in the study used a Fitbit wristwatch device that measured their daily steps. The number of daily steps recorded served as a proxy for physical activity. The steps were recorded dating back as far as months or years before surgery. The surgeries these patients had ranged from general to orthopedic and neurosurgery. The authors found that about 12.6% of study participants had a surgery complication. The odds of having a complication within the first 30 days were 45% less for those regular walkers than those who had fewer than 7,500 daily steps. "Increased fitness is part of an overall healthy lifestyle and can improve postoperative risk and some of the things that we think about from a surgical standpoint, but longer term it's a positive health activity so increasing physical activity is beneficial for multiple reasons," Kothari said. Patients may also learn more about their overall health through wearable devices, Kothari suggested, noting that some track a person's sleep. "I do think that having some objective information about overall fitness is helpful," he said. The findings were presented this week at the American College of Surgeons annual meeting, in Boston. Findings presented at medical meetings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. It's well-established that people who are in better physical shape before surgery have fewer complications, said Dr. Paul Toste, a thoracic surgeon for UCLA Health in Santa Monica, Calif. That the researchers were able to use a simple, common marker of physical activity and correlate that with postoperative complications was interesting, Toste said. "I think from this study, the main takeaway is that people who are in better shape before surgery have a lower risk for complications, so anything that you can do to improve your physical fitness before an upcoming planned surgery is beneficial," Toste said. And there are many reasons that fitter patients may fare better. They may be able to get up and move around more quickly post-surgery reducing the risk for blood clots. They may take deeper breaths when they're up and moving, reducing the risk for pneumonia, Toste said. They may also start out with a better nutritional status which is good for healing. "Pre-habilitation" is a term that's getting more notice Toste said. The idea is to help patients get into better shape before an elective surgery, so they can have better outcomes. It includes getting more steps, doing breathing exercises and optimizing nutrition. "It's really basic stuff, but it can make a difference," Toste said. By Cara Murez Walking 7,500 steps before surgery may cut risks of complications health story continues on next page

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER November 2, 2023 15 DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease but did not have any symptoms, so far as I knew. Are there early symptoms that I missed? Is this hereditary? Should I be advising family members? Is this curable? Am I at risk for other issues? ANSWER: In its early stages, chronic kidney disease rarely causes noticeable symptoms. Kidney disease happens when the kidneys have been damaged and no longer work as they should. Kidneys are two beanshaped organs, each about the size of a fist, located in the back of your abdomen on either side of your spine. The main job of the kidneys is filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood into what becomes urine. Kidneys also perform other tasks, such as adjusting the balance of minerals and acids in the blood, regulating blood pressure, and sending signals to bone to make red blood cells. Although genetics may play a role in its development, chronic kidney disease is most commonly the result of either diabetes or high blood pressure. When diagnosed early, there are often steps that can minimize the damage and slow the progress of chronic kidney disease. As in your situation, it’s common for kidney disease not to cause any noticeable symptoms when it first develops. As the disease worsens, symptoms may appear, although they often are vague and may be overlooked. Symptoms may differ depending on the cause of kidney damage or how advanced the damage may be. Symptoms can include fatigue; shortness of breath; poor appetite; nausea; and swelling of the hands, legs and ankles. Persistently foamy urine can be a telltale sign of damage of the filtering apparatus in your kidneys. As your kidneys filter blood, they take out waste products, while keeping substances your body needs, such as proteins. When your kidneys are damaged, they may not be able to retain proteins properly, and high levels of protein pass into your urine. The extra protein causes urine to become foamy. This typically happens in kidney disease states such as glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the tiny filters in your kidneys), vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels in the body) or advanced diabetic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease tends to run in families, so some people are genetically more likely to develop the disease. Genetic disorders, such as autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, can lead to kidney failure in multiple family members. Chronic kidney disease is more common in certain groups, including African Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and Asian Americans. People with mutations in the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene have a higher chance of kidney disease, and these mutations have been found in persons with ancestors from Africa. A more significant risk factor for chronic kidney disease than genetics alone, however, is having a medical condition that could harm your kidneys. The two most common conditions are high blood pressure and diabetes. If left untreated, over time, these diseases can weaken the tiny blood vessels within the kidneys that filter waste from the blood, making them unable to work properly. It is important, if you have been diagnosed with diabetes or high blood pressure, that you work with your health care team to ensure these conditions are under good Mayo Clinic Understanding chronic kidney disease health p e y, d r d r y a , m , p r e e e g g t e zNot everyone completed the eight-week study, with more people dropping out of yoga than the waitlist. In the end, the researchers had enough data on 65 participants for the final analysis. Overall, they found, people who stuck with yoga were much more likely to see their depression symptoms ease or go away. And it did not take a big yoga dose: On average, participants took 10 classes over eight weeks -- barely more than once per week. "I think this study is encouraging and adds to a growing body of research indicating that movement, including yoga, may help alleviate depressive symptoms," said Dr. Gregory Scott Brown, director of the Center for Green Psychiatry in Austin, Texas. Brown, who was not involved in the trial, said that in the real world, people will generally start at the place where they're comfortable. Someone who is new to yoga, he said, may not feel comfortable jumping right into a heated version of it. "In my view," Brown said, "one of the unique qualities of yoga that can help improve mental health is the combining of breath with movement. There are several types of yoga that allow us to do that." Nyer first became interested in heated yoga through her personal experience with it. She said she'd tried non-heated yoga, but found her mind continually wandered during class. The "intensity" of heated yoga, Nyer said, seemed to help her stay present in her body. According to Nyer, it may be that heated yoga is a "more potent" intervention, but that doesn't mean it's for everybody. There's also the "access issue," Nyer said. Yoga classes, in general, are often expensive. With standard yoga, livestream classes or videos can help make the practice more accessible. But heated yoga is tougher to replicate in your living room. By Amy Norton Hot yoga continued from page 14 FDA warns to stop using eyedrops amid unsanitary manufacturing conditions Federal regulators are warning consumers to stop using eyedrops and gels from several major brands after finding unsanitary conditions in a manufacturing plant. Twenty-six eye care products are part of the alert. Contaminated products have the potential to cause eye infection and blindness because drugs applied to the eye can bypass some of the body's defenses. Those concerning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are branded CVS Health, Leader (Cardinal Health), Rugby (Cardinal Health), Rite Aid, Target Up & Up and Velocity Pharma. The FDA urged the manufacturer to recall all lots of these products. CVS, Rite Aid and Target are pulling products from shelves and websites. Although there were no reports of infection, bacterial tests were positive in critical drug product areas of the plant. The FDA's list of eye products to avoid is here. Patients and providers should report any issues to the FDA. Consumers should discard products involved in the recall at a drug take-back site. They can also check the FDA's flush list to see if they can be safely discarded at home, the New York Times reported. Certain products -- those branded Leader, Rugby and Velocity -- may still be available for purchase in stores and online. Don't buy them, the FDA advised. Rite Aid is removing "applicable Rite Aid branded products" from store shelves, a spokeswoman said. CVS "immediately stopped the sale in-store and online of all products supplied by Velocity Pharma within the CVS Health Brand Eye Products portfolio," a spokeswoman said, adding that customers could return those products for a full refund. These are not the first in recent reports of unsanitary conditions at facilities making eye care products. EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears were linked to a drugresistant strain of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, leading the FDA and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to warn consumers to stop using them in January. That situation was linked to at least four deaths and vision loss in 14 patients. Then in March, Canadian drug company Apotex recalled prescription eyedrops after some developed cracks in the bottle caps. By Cara Murez story continues on page 18

16 SMART READER November 2, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 books The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters After their youngest daughter, Ruthie, vanishes during a summer of berry-picking in Maine, a Micmac family from Nova Scotia struggles to move forward. Indigenous Voices Award winner Amanda Peters delivers an un-put-downable novel of identity, forgiveness, and insistent hope. Tremor by Teju Cole Tunde, a Nigerian professor living in the United States, grounds Teju Cole’s novel of ideas, moods, views, and questions. A trip to Lagos amplifies a chorus of other voices; they’re quirky and ordinary, sometimes profane, always human. The result is probing – and often revelatory. Beirut Station by Paul Vidich Lebanese American CIA agent Assad joins a plot to assassinate a terrorist holed up in Beirut in 2006. She and her partners – a Mossad agent, an old CIA hand, and a journalist – plan and parry. This well-plotted thriller deftly mixes spy craft with questions about identity and justice. The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng This atmospheric novel, set in 1920s Malaysia, tells of a famous author bent on uncovering secrets for storytelling fodder. Tan Twan Eng weaves love, duty, betrayal, colonialism, and redemption into the narrative. The Other Princess by Denny S. Bryce A young Black African princess who was orphaned, kidnapped, and enslaved by a rival king goes on to become the goddaughter of Queen Victoria in England. Denny S. Bryce honors the life of the real Sarah Forbes Bonetta with meticulous storytelling, not shying away from the racism and oppression that Sarah encounters. The Reformatory by Tananarive Due Tananarive Due’s harrowing speculative thriller – an homage to a family member’s experiences at the notorious Dozier School for Boys – tracks Black siblings as they search for safety and justice in 1950s Florida. Imprisoned in a brutal reform school on cooked-up charges, 12-year-old Robert must survive sadistic administrators, ruthless peers, and specters both benign and tormented, while his sister races to free him. Horrors abound; fortitude wins. The Soul of Civility by Alexandra Hudson What can the world’s oldest book teach us about civility today? Alexandra Hudson’s thoughtful and eloquent treatise on how to live well together draws on literature from “The Teachings of Ptahhotep,” written 4,500 years ago in Egypt, to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail.” These Walls by Eva Fedderly Journalist Eva Fedderly’s compelling debut focuses on New York’s infamous Rikers Island jail complex, which is slated to be replaced by smaller penal institutions throughout the city. Using this initiative to consider both the history and future of incarceration, she profiles “justice architects” who design humane jails, prison abolitionists, and individuals who are incarcerated. Going medieval: A novelist discovers her muse Growing up in Yorkshire, England, Nicola Griffith felt the pull of the past: “Every horizon has a mark of history on it,” she says. A visit to Whitby Abbey first acquainted her with St. Hilda, the seventh-century noblewoman who founded the abbey. Little is known about her life, other than a tantalizing description of her as an adviser to kings. So began the author’s decadeslong passion to write the story of Hilda, or Hild, as she was also known. The young woman she imagines is no saint – yet. Ms. Griffith spoke about the character’s trajectory, from the first book in “The Hild Sequence,” 2013’s “Hild,” to Menewood, published this month, about Hild’s secret community, which she hopes to keep safe from warring kings. When did you first learn about the real Hild? I love old abbeys, old castles, all that kind of thing. But I had never been to [the ruins of Whitby] Abbey until I was in my early 20s. I crossed the threshold of the abbey, and it was like stepping into Narnia. The world just changed. You know when some people talk about the skin of the Earth being thin in some places, this sense of immanence? It was like that for me. I read in a tourist pamphlet about St. Hilda of Whitby, who founded the abbey, and I wanted to learn more, but there were no books about her. My question was, why is this woman, from a time when we’re told that women had no power, no influence, no significance whatsoever, still remembered 1,400 years later? Nobody could tell me. I was on fire to find out; I thought what we knew of history must be wrong. This could not have happened if what we think of as history is actually true. So I basically started this enormous controlled experiment. I rebuilt the seventh century. I mean, I researched before I even wrote a word. I’d been researching that book [“Hild”] for 20 years. I’d been reading everything you could possibly think of, all the medieval plants, everybody’s lists of grave goods. I followed all the archeology magazines and blogs and journals, and I read about the weather. I researched the flora, fauna, jewelry, making textiles. And then the day before my birthday, I thought, I cannot start another year without having done this book. So I sat down and said, I’m going to write one paragraph. And so I did. And there was Hild. And she was 3 years old and sitting under a tree. And I thought, that’s how I’m going to do it. She’s going to learn the world along with the reader. When you came to write the character, how did you imagine her? Hild is not a saint. I mean, yes, she becomes known as a saint, but she is not a saintly person growing up. She kills people [when necessity dictates]. ... She is not always as kind as she could be. But she can see how [her] actions affect people. She can see how terrible some choices are for [those] who are caught in the crossfire of powerful people. Still, she really loves life. She loves to wring every drop of joy from life that she can. What does Menewood signify? Hild has this inkling that trouble is coming. And so she makes this haven. Menewood is a secret [community]; it’s safe, it’s all hers – no one can mess with it. And it all just grows organically. It’s not like she sat down [and envisioned] a Utopian space. That’s not what she’s doing. It begins as a kind of selfish impulse, a survival strategy, and then gradually it becomes clear that in fact, people work better if they’re well fed and feel happy and have a say in decisions. In a book that’s over 700 pages long, many characters come and go. How did you think about the ancillary characters? The books I love best are the generous books where you get a sudden, deep, focused dive into a person that you will never see again. And it doesn’t have to be long; it’s maybe two sentences. Suddenly, you know who they are, what their life is like. And it adds to this reality, this texture of the world. There was tremendous violence in Hild’s world, that she witnessed and participated in. People were fighting for control of territory and it was quite brutal. Hild is part of that world and can speak that language. But it feels like she would avoid the violence if she could. Or would she? She wouldn’t choose to kill people. It’s not fun for her, but [killing is] very much a tool. It’s a necessary tool. There is a sense of necessity to certain sets of violence [in this era]. It’s not that violence is enjoyable or that it’s casual, but it is not as abhorrent as it would be to most of us now. Hild knew how use weapons, she understood military strategy, and she was highly competent in so many areas. Do you think that women in the seventh century were more competent than they are given credit for being? I can’t imagine how society would have worked if women were not allowed to be physically competent. It was women who handled the sheep and did the massive physical work of textile production. They were acknowledged to be strong. In the early seventh century, the world was precarious enough that everybody needed to pull their weight. The battle scenes are cinematic. Were you playing them in your head? I have an active imagination. [Laughs] For example, the big battle toward the end of “Menewood,” I have read Bede’s account of that. And of course he believes that the winner was able to win because of God. And I’m like, OK, so if we take God out of the equation, what happened? Really, what could have happened? How could this have been possible? Because on paper it’s impossible. What happened was impossible except by divine intervention. And so I thought about, OK, where was this battle? What time of year was it? What would it be like to stand on one of those hills? To look at these rivers and birds. What would it feel like? What would it smell like? Are there lessons for today in the kind of life that Hild is leading and how she leads? What Hild lives is applicable to everyone everywhere, which is basically treat everybody as a real person. Everybody has their own feelings. And the other important part is that no one can do it on their own. You need your friends; you need your family; you need your community. Will there be more to Hild’s story? I think the next book is going to take her to the beginning of her religious life. And then the fourth book will be about her religious life. What do you like best about the character? Hild never dithers. She can be in fear for her life, but she’s never anxious. She doesn’t second guess herself all the time. I think I’ll be writing Hild for the rest of my life. I love it. It’s the work of my life. By April Austin Courage, justice, and fortitude: Favorite autumn reads story continues on next page

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER November 2, 2023 17 How To Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair Acclaimed poet Safiya Sinclair’s searing and lyrical memoir describes her upbringing in Jamaica in a strict Rastafarian household ruled by her autocratic father. As his dreams of reggae stardom wither, he becomes increasingly rigid and violent; through poetry, she imagines a different life for herself. Dwell Time by Rosa Lowinger In this inventive and engaging work, art conservator Rosa Lowinger considers how her professional expertise in repairing damage can be applied to life as well as to art. She traces her family’s history, including losses reaching back to the Holocaust and the Cuban Revolution, seeking to understand and to heal intergenerational trauma. How cats teach their humans to be – well, more humane All manner of cats and their chosen humans – and the otherworldly bonds between them – are tearfully and joyously spotlighted in The Goodbye Cat by Hiro Arikawa. The award-winning Japanese novelist delighted readers with her 2017 book, “The Travelling Cat Chronicles,” which inspired the 2018 film of the same title. The seven soul-renewing stories in “The Goodbye Cat” were translated by Philip Gabriel, lauded for his renderings of legendary Japanese authors including Haruki Murakami. His skills enable English-speaking readers access to Arikawa’s gentle, snarky, aloof, life-giving furry heroes. The titular “The Goodbye Cat” opens the collection and introduces the feline Kota, deemed the Sakubara family’s “third son.” Rescued initially by the father, Kota becomes protector of younger son Hiromi; for 23 years, Kota has kept Hiromi safe. The cat has been diligently practicing his pawprint seal in preparation for officially signing his contract, which must be arriving any day, to become a nekomata (cat spirit) and remain forever by Hiromi’s side. In every story, cats find ways to teach their humans to be – well, more humane. In “Bringing Up Baby,” manga artist Keisuke discovers an unweaned kitten in a discarded box while his wife is at her parents’ home giving birth to their daughter. Saving the kitten teaches Keisuke to be a better father, husband, even artist. In “Good Father/Bad Father,” Tora arrives as a previously discarded cat into a family that wanted a kitten. When Tora dies, Dad, who prefers hyenas possibly over his own children, is hardly affected, but Mom suffers the loss terribly. To the family’s surprise, Dad rescues a kitten that turns out to be more wildcat than fluffy companion. Ten, as she’s called, eschews all others, but remains surprisingly devoted to Dad, even after his death. In “Cat Island,” a mysterious older woman helps a young visitor understand his father and stepmother’s relationship, before she reveals her own feline part in their falling in love. In “Night Visitor,” a cat wakes up his human every morning at 3 a.m., leading to the bemused consternation of said human. Tired as the human may be, he can’t say no to Tom’s wee-hour entreaties because Tom’s constant companionship is how they’ll survive the pandemic together. The final two stories are arguably the highlights, a poignant gift to Arikawa’s audiences already familiar with “The Travelling Cat Chronicles.” Readers need not worry about reading the books in order; both titles are interwoven. The penultimate story, “Finding Hachi,” sublimely reveals how a tiny, abandoned kitten with a crooked tail was discovered by two best friends. They name the kitten Hachi, because the marking on his forehead resembles the Japanese character for 8. The boys effectively raise Hachi together: Kosuke wanted him first, but his father adamantly refused to allow a cat in their home; Satoru gets him by default but Kosuke visits regularly. A horrific tragedy tears Hachi from his beloved Satoru, but the cat lands with the family of a distant relative in which the youngest child is Satoru’s age – and just as needy for Hachi’s protection. The final story, “Life Is Not Always Kind,” reintroduces the cat Nana, his name a nod to his hooked tail, which looks like the Japanese symbol for 7. Nana begins by imitating “the greatest-ever cat in Japan, the one in Natsume Soseki’s famous book ‘I Am a Cat.’” Nana recounts his latest journeys with Satoru, who, for a heartbreaking reason, resumes the search begun in the earlier book for a perfect new home for Nana. This time, they’ll return to Tokyo with a photo memorializing their tender, unbreakable bond. The final line of the story – as well as the book – also becomes a promise: “But that’s another story.” Admittedly, Arikawa is not a literary writer. Her sentences tend to be straightforward, but perhaps that’s also her greatest strength. Her directness inspires emotional responses – even from non-animal lovers – while somehow bypassing sentimentality. More than her human protagonists, her furry characters exude distinct, memorable, impossible-to-ignore personalities. From one tale to the next, tissues might get soggy and eyes puffy, but the hope that there will be more stories will surely lift readers’ hearts. By Terry Hong PRINT & E-BOOKS NONFICTION PRINT & E-BOOKS FICTION 1. The Exchange (Grisham) 2. Fourth Wing (Yarros) 3. Lessons In Chemistry (Garmus) 4. Two Twisted Crowns (Gilling) 5. Wildfire (Grace) 6. A Little Life (Yanagihara) 7. Tom Lake (Patchett) 8. Judgement Prey (Sandford) 9. Icebreaker (Grace) 10. The Housemaid (McFadden) 1. Killers of the Flower Moon (Grann) 2. Prequel (Maddow) 3. Enough (Hutchinson) 4. Worthy (Smith) 5. Behind the Seams (Parton/Warren) 6. Elon Musk (Isaacson) 7. Democracy Awakening (Richardson) 8. Killing the Witches (O’Reilly/Dugard) 9. Going Infinite (Lewis) 10. The Body Keeps the Score (van der Kolk) NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERS “The Goodbye Cat,” Hiro Arikawa’s follow-up to “The Travelling Cat Chronicles,” celebrates the unbreakable – and sometimes unearthly – bonds between felines and their adoring owners. Producers of new 'Goosebumps' series grew up on R.L. Stine books Executive producers Pavun Shetty and Conor Welsh say they want their new Hulu/Disney+ series, Goosebumps, to stay true to the spirit of R.L. Stine's children's horror books, while also imbuing the tales with a 2023 sensibility. The 10- part supernatural series follows a group of five high school students from different friend groups who reluctantly team up to investigate the mysterious death three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle. The adventure pits them against various mystical creatures and forces them to face some unexpected truths about the adults in their lives. The cast includes Justin Long, Rachael Harris, Zack Morris, Isa Briones, Miles McKenna, Ana Yi Puig and Will Price. "Conor and I both grew up on the Goosebumps books," Shetty said in a recent Zoom interview. "We look back on them with a sense of nostalgia, while these kids are getting scared for the first time," Shetty said. "We wanted to harness all of those feelings and put them into a show that really, genuinely appeals to both kids and adults equally. That was our main goal in revitalizing the franchise." Welsh's daughter is currently working through the series, which includes dozens of books, and he kept her and her reactions to the stories in mind while he was helming the TV adaptation. "We wanted to create a show that she could watch by herself, that we could watch together and that, similar to the books, is a little bit scarier and a little bit funnier than you might have guessed and something that feels like a youngster maybe shouldn't be watching it, even though it is appropriate," Welsh said. Although the series is a thriller first, it also deals with a lot of issues teens might be facing in real life such as identity, insecurity, crushes and the pressure to succeed. "A lot of the comedy comes from being an awkward teenager," Shetty said. "When we were developing the show, Freaks & Geeks was one of our [inspirations] for it. Obviously, we added a lot of frightening elements." The show also explores what the kids' parents and teachers are dealing with. "A lot of times those things are awkward and messy and we just wanted to make them feel super-real to anyone who's watching this," Shetty said. Welsh added: "All of the hauntings and horrors are grounded in those very relatable, very real teenage and adult issues and then sort of elevated by the monsters and curses and mysterious happenings to make it feel bigger and more cinematic." Season 1 of the show tracks the same group of characters through adventures based on five different Stine books -- Say Cheese and Die, The Haunted Mask, The Cuckoo Clock of Doom, Night of the Living Dummy and Go Eat Worms -- but the perspectives of the narrative shifts depending on who is at the center of each story. The Disney-owned streaming services have access to all of Stine's books. "There's a lot of them, so, hopefully, we'll have multiple seasons of this. So, you'll get to see elements from all of them," Shetty said. "There are Easter eggs and elements for Goosebumps fans throughout the entire season."" By Karen Butler New books continued from page 16

O A K B a E D o r a c M o t r c t D a c y a r m m o a f S a S t a o o of President Trump. Ms. Ellis worked closely with former Trump lawyer and current Georgia defendant Rudy Giuliani to organize an appearance before Georgia legislators after the 2020 election in which presenters rolled out a litany of wild, false claims, including the assertion that 10,000 dead people had voted. In her tearful appearance in court Tuesday at which she pleaded guilty, Ms. Ellis said, “I relied on others, including lawyers with many more years of experience than I, to provide me with true and reliable information.” That seems a finger pointed directly at Mr. Giuliani. It might also implicate John Eastman, a Trump lawyer and Georgia defendant who wrote a central memo arguing that then-Vice President Pence could overturn the results of the electoral certification of Mr. Biden’s victory during a joint session of Congress. Mark Meadows, former Trump chief of staff, has also spoken at least three times with federal special counsel Mr. Smith’s prosecutors after being granted immunity to testify under oath, ABC News reported this week. He testified that he repeatedly told President Trump that claims of significant voter fraud coming in were all baseless, according to ABC. Mr. Meadows remains a defendant in the Georgia case. In the end, the value of the Georgia plea deals will be judged by how important the testimony of flippers is and how it lands with a jury if the prosecution opts to put them on the witness stand. “If their testimony is powerful, we could say in hindsight the prosecution got the best of these deals. ... If they’re not providing the assistance [prosecutors] might like, we might be looking at these pleas a little differently,” says Shane Stansbury, a former federal prosecutor and distinguished fellow at Duke University School of Law in Durham, North Carolina.” By Peter Grier Trump, Georgia continued from page 13 Dogs and human health continued from page 10 able to identify genes that are risk factors for health problems and that information could eventually help us with treatment and prevention of disease." By studying the genetic and environmental factors in all dogs whose owners choose to volunteer, researchers can ensure that what they find is applicable to all canines. In the past, most veterinary studies -- and human ones-- only included participants who frequented particular research hospitals or had specific conditions, Creevy said. They hope to identify lifestyle factors -- such as components of dogs' diets, physical activity or social interactions -- that promote healthier aging for longer periods of time. "Such findings would enable us to keep dogs healthier into their senior years, and delay or reduce the need for treatment of disease and disability," Creevy said. So far, the team has begun to describe the rates of disease occurrence in aging dogs and the most common causes of death reported by their owners. Researchers also have evaluated factors that affect owners' end-of-life decisions for their pets, as well as identified some of the most frequent signs of old age that they recognize in their dogs. The information obtained through this research has the potential to benefit humans, too. "Because dogs are social animals who share human homes, food, water and habits, many things we learn about aging in dogs translate directly to people," Creevy said. "Dogs are exposed to the same pathogens, air pollutants and water quality as their owners. "Dogs often exercise with their owners -- and don't exercise if their owners don't. The ability to study a dog's entire life over a period of 10 to 15 years means that discoveries about healthy aging in dogs could be rapidly investigated in humans." By Susan Kreimer Kidney disease continued from page 15 control. Other conditions that can lead to chronic kidney disease include polycystic kidney disease, recurrent kidney infections, obstruction of the urinary tract, and disorders that cause inflammation within the kidneys, such as glomerulonephritis and interstitial nephritis. Some medications can affect kidney function too. Finally, chronic kidney disease becomes more common as people age. If a medical condition that affects the kidneys goes untreated, chronic kidney disease generally will worsen over time. Once kidneys have been damaged, it may not be possible to restore the function that’s been lost. But if an underlying medical condition is identified and successfully treated, that often will help slow the progression of kidney disease. With some conditions, such as glomerulonephritis, kidney disease can be cured with treatment. This is particularly true when kidney disease is identified in its early stages. Medication and lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and eating less animal protein and salt, also may be necessary to keep kidney disease in check. Fortunately, newer therapies to treat diabetes also may delay progression of kidney failure. In planning for the future, there is a lot of research underway looking at cellbased therapy, and clinical trials are testing the safety of novel therapies, like stem cells, in patients with chronic kidney disease. If you have not already done so, I would recommend establishing care with a nephrologist — a physician who specializes in kidney care — as he or she can work with you to identify specific steps and tailored treatment for you to help control your chronic kidney disease — LaTonya Hickson, M.D., Nephrology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida 18 SMART READER November 2, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 REMINDER: PLEASE RESUBMIT AD TO RUN FOR EACH ISSUE. Maximum 3 Listings Per Person. MISC MODEL TRAIN SWAP Meet. Sunday, November 1. 9am To 1pm. Kenosha Union Club, 3030 39th Ave. For More Information Call Bill @ 262-331-0392 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 at [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 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 BEADS. Boxes and boxes Of New Beads. All Sorts And Sizes. $49.00 For All. Phone 262-657-6049 CHILDREN'S ITEMS: Vintage 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. Sports Items: Pinnacle Sports Bbb Baseball Quadcore Technology Baseball Bat With Lizardskin Grip- $25; Men's Bike Shorts-$2; Men's Brewer Cap (Gently Worn) $10; Men's Badger Cap (Never Worn)- $22 (Regularly, $30); Men's Golf Jacket (Worn Once)-$5; Men's Nb Tennies-$5; Kelsyus Inflatable Beach Mat With Mesh Backpack Bag- $20; Indoor Golf Training Aid- $3; Speedo Mask & Snorkel (Unopened)- $15; New Golf Balls- $2; Softball-$3. Call Or Text 262-902-5663. Winter Items: Women's Elan 763 Downhill Skiis-$200; Women's Ski Pant-$25; Women's Edelweiss Ski Pant-$60; Salomon Sx52 Lady Ski Boots-$235; Men's Figure Skates- $10; Boy's Figure Skates-$10; 2 Pair Cross Country Ski Poles $10 Each; Men's Snowpant-$10. 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 M&M Stand, large, new $60 Kewpie Doll, original $15 Rockwell Plates $10 each Air Fryer, new $50 Call 262-771-8764 VINTAGE TOYS- Many toys from the 1970s such as Sesame Street; some from the 1980s such as Tonka. If you are interested, please, call or text 262-902-5663 to find items and price BASEBALL CAPS- Brand new Badgers Cap for $22 bought for $30 plus tax; gently used Brewers Cap for $10 bought for $20 plus tax! Call or text 262-902-5663 MEN'S FOOTWEAR-New Balance Tennis Shoes gently worn $5; Tingley over-the-shoe Boot never worn $10. Both fit a size 91/2 foot. 262-902-5663 DECORATIVE THROW PILLOWS- $2 pair; two bought in Thailand- $10 pair. Call or text 262-902-5663. MEN'S ITEMS: Zippered short sleeve XL shirt-$5; Harley Davidson Las Vegas Large Shirt-$5; Columbia Shorts XL-$5; Champs Shorts-size 38 $3; CTCA size M shirt $2; a variety of L & XL shirts $2; Chrysler Engine Plant logo shirts- many red, black, never worn L & XL $5; Australia muscle T $2; many shorts- $2; warm caps-$1; LEE jeans size 36-38/30" $2; warm up pants-$3; bike shorts-free; casual/dress slacks- $3; Milwaukee Brewers cap-$10; sweatshirts-$2; ties-$2 Call or text 262-902-5663. OUTDOOR ITEMS FOR SALE: LARGE BIRDFEEDER ON A POLE- $15; Many Tees & Golf Balls-$5; Mud Flap-$5; Many Mongoose Bike Parts-$5; Ski Tote-$10; Boy's Figure Skates-$10; Men's Figure Skates- $10; Pinnacle Wood Bat-$25; 2- sets Cross Country Ski Poles-$10; Cement Cure & Seal-$5; Catcher's Mit & 11 Balls- $10. Call/text 2 6 2 - 9 0 2 - 5 6 6 3 . Barb Connaughton 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] Two side-by-side burial plots at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park, section H, privately owned. Willing to negotiate on price. Please call Ed - 262-914-5977 V.F.W. VINTAGE BANNER Veterans Of Foreign Wars banner with logo, Professionally framed under glass. Very large & in great condition. $175. Leave message if no answer. 262-914-4767 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. STREET PAVER BRICKS wanted Please call 262.697.3545 and leave a message. 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 NURSING CARE /CONSULTATION: $35.00/hour. Call or text to (262)758-1974 FAST 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 TYPING. I am an experienced legal secretary with excellent typing skills wanting to type for you at home. Please contact Alicia at 2 5 6 - 6 5 8 - 4 4 8 4 . VEHICLES0 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 2007 CHEVY TRUCK F O U R - W H E E L D R I V E SILVERADO DUALLY 8' Stake body Dump bed 75,000 miles Needs major engine work Best offer - As is Call Steve 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM 262-694-2051 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. 1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible 75K in great condition Contact Bob: 262-484-4848 or text 262-945-9224 1973 FORD F250, Camper Special2wd,California Original, Rebuilt Motor/Trans, Auto, Ac, New Interior, Can Send Pics. $13,500 Obo. 630-945-8320. 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA See In Kenosha At 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 262-237-1343 Russ Call Or Text 212k Miles $2950 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN See In Kenosha At 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 Russ 262- 237-1343 Call Or Text Nice Car At A Nice Price $5450 174k Miles . 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 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023 AT 12 NOON FREE CLASSIFIEDS! Employment/Opportunities • Lost & Found • Miscellaneous Real Estate • Rentals • Rummage Sales • Vehicles • Wanted

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER November 2, 2023 19 health lifestyle community Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center news November 2, 2023 Your Kenosha ADRC Update Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans Kenosha County ADRC Benefit Specialists offer free assistance Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period is now through December 7. It’s an important time of year for those on Medicare to review current coverage and see if any changes are needed for the coming year. Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plan details often change every year. Sorting through all the options to find the right plan for prescriptions can be confusing but Benefit Specialists at the Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center can assist. There are four basic reasons to check your plan: • Your plan may cost more next year • Your plan may no longer cover all your medications • Your plan may have put restrictions on some of your medications • You may be taking different medications now ADRC Benefit Specialists offer objective and reliable information and assistance. There is no charge for this service. The Benefit Specialists do not sell or endorse any insurance plans. Benefit Specialists at the ADRC are trained to carefully review current coverage and compare plans with other options based on medications and other details. Benefit Specialists also check to see if beneficiaries qualify for programs or benefits that can save money. Sign up for one of the free workshops offered throughout Kenosha County now! Westosha Senior Center, 19200 - 93rd St., Bristol • Tuesday, Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave., Kenosha, Rm. A • Tuesday, Nov. 29, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Festival Foods Community Room, 2nd floor 3207 80th St., Kenosha • Thursday, Nov. 30, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Southwest Neighborhood Library, Rm. A. 7979 - 38th Ave., Kenosha • Thursday, Nov. 9, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. • Tuesday, Dec. 5, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Job Center, 8600 Sheridan Rd., Kenosha, Door A • Tuesday, Nov. 7, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. (Rm. N3) • Wednesday, Nov. 15, 9:30 - 12:30 p.m. (Rm. N2) • Tuesday, Nov. 28, 9:30 - 12:30 p.m. (Rm. N2) It’s recommended that participants bring their own laptop, tablet or smart phone if possible. For further information or to make reservations call the Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center at 262-605-6646. Memory Café 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, and the Alzheimer's Association on the second Tuesday of every month, 1-2 p.m. The next meeting will be on November 14, 2023, Kenosha Southwest Neighborhood Library, 7979 38th Avenue. Registration is required for new members. Call Alzheimer's Association 800-272-3900.

20 SMART READER November 2, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Kenosha County Caregiver Coalition Offers Family Caregiver Appreciation Luncheon at no Charge In recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, the Kenosha County Caregiver Coalition is offering a free luncheon for family caregivers. November is an important time to honor and recognize those who often go unnoticed yet have taken on the extra responsibility of caring for an adult with a disability or an older adult. Family caregivers often provide “around the clock” hands-on care and support for many years. Some caregivers partner with other friends and family to support the needs of a family member, friend, or neighbor. In America alone, there are 53 million unpaid family caregivers. According to AARP it is estimated that family caregivers provided an economic value of $600 billion in 2021. While the economic impact is incredibly beneficial, most importantly these seemingly simple tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, snow shoveling and running errands, provide and sustain a better quality of life for the individual receiving the care. Caregivers and care receivers come from a wide range of environments. Most people don’t think of themselves as caregivers. They simply see themselves as the wife, husband, daughter, brother, aunt, uncle, neighbor, or friend they are. The person receiving care can be living at home (in the community) or in an assisted living facility, adult family home, or nursing home. Kenosha County Executive, Samantha Kerkman, will be a guest of honor and will provide the National Family Caregivers month proclamation. The luncheon will also offer resources, support, and valuable information for caregivers. Haleigh Couch, Health & Wellness Coordinator with the Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center, will present information on falls prevention and free health wellness programs offered by the ADRC. Cori Marsh, Aging Programs Supervisor at the ADRC of Rock County, will present, “Seriously, Go Ahead and Laugh.” Marsh’s presentation shines a light on the serious tasks of caregiving, yet the importance for caregivers to allow themselves grace, while also finding humor in stressful caregiving situations, and life in general. The buffet luncheon will be served on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha. Carthage College nursing students will provide respite by engaging with care receivers in an adjacent room and provide them with lunch. Requests for respite must be made at the time of registration. All guests, caregivers, and receivers alike, will dine on a luncheon of broasted chicken, mostaccioli, oven roasted potatoes, green bean almondine, dinner rolls and dessert. Please join us at this free event to learn more about the importance of taking care of ourselves so we can take care of those who need our support. Space is limited, so registration is required. Call the Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center by Thursday November 9, 2023, to register at 262-605-6646. Senior Group Offers Lecture Adventures in Lifelong Learning (ALL), an organization of mostly retired people ages 55 and older, offers lectures on various topics. Next Lecture: Friday, November 17, 2023 2:00 PM in person and live-streamed at UW- Parkside - The Rita, Room 131 Topic: Social Isolation, Especially in the Elderly Speaker: Haleigh Couch, Aging and Disability Resource Center Haleigh will be talking about Social Isolation using the Healthy IDEAS program to help improve the Quality of Life for Seniors. Healthy IDEAS is an individual program to help bring awareness to depression and help find some techniques to manage isolation to help live life to the fullest. Presenter Bio: Haleigh received her bachelor’s degree from Waldorf University in 2019. She majored in Health and Wellness and Exercise Science. She has been working with the Aging and Disability Resource Center since 2022, and is in charge of Fall Prevention, as well as Health and Wellness Programs. She is originally from the Chicago area and moved up to Kenosha in 2020. Lectures are free to members Adventures in Life Long Learning is an active senior group with a wide variety of educationoriented activities, a friendly environment, and lots of interactive opportunities. An annual membership fee of $50 includes access to Lectures, Focus groups, Classes and Day trips at a cost. Learn more at www.uwp.edu/ALL or call 262-595-2793. Your Kenosha ADRC Update

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER November 2, 2023 21 e s r s & y, n d 0 e y n p y g e o s e e d n d e . e -d l o t l Adventures in Lifelong Learning - Celebrating 25th Anniversary! Adventures in Lifelong Learning (ALL) Members are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the organization at UW-Parkside in the Ballroom of the Student Center on Wednesday, November 15 from 1-3 p.m. Early arrivers will be treated to two slideshows. The program that starts at 1p.m. features an entertaining walk down ALL’s memory lane with old photos and memorabilia. Guest speaker, Mark Marlaire, was the director of Continuing Education at Parkside when he helped establish Adventures in Lifelong Learning. Founding members and past presidents will share their memories. While this is a free event for past and present members and guests, members need to register themselves and guests online by November 9, 2023 to assure an accurate count. Members who cannot attend in person will have access to a zoom link after registration. Memory Screen Mondays The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offers free, confidential memory screens every Monday, 8 a.m. - noon. Memory screens are suggested for anyone concerned about memory changes, at risk of Alzheimer’s disease due to family history, or who wants to check their memory now for future comparison. Some memory problems can be readily treated, such as those caused by vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems. In general, the earlier the diagnosis, the easier it is to treat memory loss. Memory screening can: Provide relief for individuals concerned about normal memory loss Lead to diagnosis of treatable conditions Offer the ability to make lifestyle changes early when they have the greatest potential for positive effect and the opportunity to participate in making future decisions Warning signs of dementia include forgetting people’s names and events, asking repetitive questions, loss of verbal or written skills, confusion over daily routines, and personality changes. Screening results are not a diagnosis, and individuals who have concerns are encouraged to pursue a full medical exam. Appointments are recommended. Interested persons may call the ADRC at 262-605-6646 to make an appointment. Caring for an adult family member or friend? Family Caregiver Support Group Meets in-person and virtually Family caregivers often don’t see themselves as caregivers, they simply think of themselves as the husband, sister, daughter or friend. Defined, a family caregiver is a person who provides support for an adult who needs assistance with daily living activities, such as cooking, driving, shopping, laundry and paying bills. The role of a family caregiver, while rewarding, can also be challenging when trying to balance life’s responsibilities along with supporting the needs of another individual, family member or friend. The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offers a Family Caregiver Support Group, the first Thursday of every month. If you are a family caregiver, this group is for you! Join fellow caregivers, either virtually or inperson, as you share your experiences, ask questions and learn from others. The group is facilitated by the ADRC’s Margaret Ricchio, Caregiver Support Specialist, and Susan Johnson, Dementia Care Specialist. The next meeting will be Thursday, December 7, 4-5 p.m. In-person location is 8600 Sheridan Road, entrance D. To register, learn more or to receive the virtual link, call the Kenosha County ADRC, 262-605-6646. Your Kenosha ADRC Update

22 SMART READER November 2, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 I usually like to have a theme to my columns. For example, I might write a column that centers on widow's benefits. Or another column might explain the Social Security disability program. But today, I'm just going to reach into my mailbag (well, actually I'm opening up my email folder) and I'm just going to answer random questions. Q: I was planning to start my Social Security benefits when I reach my full retirement age in November 2023. But a friend told me I could collect up to six months in retroactive benefits. I've done the math and even though I would get as slightly smaller monthly rate, the big back pay check I'll get more than makes up for that. So how do I set this up? A: Sorry, but you won't be able to set anything up -- as far as retroactive benefits. Why? Because the law doesn't allow the payment of retroactive benefits before your full retirement age. And as long as I'm on the topic of retroactivity, I'm always puzzled by those who choose that option after reaching full retirement age. Here is an example. Let's say Alice, whose full retirement age is 66, was going to start her Social Security at age 70 in October 2023. But when she filed for benefits, she learned she could take the option of up to 6 months in retroactive benefits. So, she jumped at the chance to get that big retroactive check, even though it would mean a slightly smaller ongoing monthly benefit rate. In effect, it would be as if Alice chose April 2023 (six months before October) as her starting month. Of course, Alice can do whatever she wants. So why am I puzzled? Well, if Alice wanted April to be her starting month, why didn't she file for benefits in April? Why did she let the government hang on to her money for 6 months, and then file for those benefits in October and get the money back -- without interest? Oh well, I guess it's just the idea of that big retroactive check that is so tempting. But to repeat the point I made at the start of this answer: no retroactive benefits can be paid prior to your full retirement age. Q: I was planning to file for Social Security in March 2024. But I also want to get the benefits of the 2024 cost-of-living increase of 3.2%. Do I have to be getting benefits in 2023 in order to get the 2024 COLA increase? A: No. You'll get the 2024 COLA no matter when you file for benefits. If you were getting benefits in 2023, you'd get the COLA increase in January 2024. If you don't file for benefits until sometime in 2024, the 3.2% increase will just be figured into your benefit computation formula. Q: All of my older friends are getting widow's benefits. I also am a widow. But I don't get any of my husband's Social Security because my own benefit is more than his was. This doesn't seem fair. A: Well, the law has always said that when you are potentially due benefits from two different Social Security accounts, you get the one the pays the higher rate. Your career earnings must have been higher than your husband's because your Social Security benefit was higher than his was. Perhaps you are advocating that you should get both your own Social Security benefit plus a widow's benefit on your husband's account. I've heard this proposal made many times over the years. But I've always responded with this point. If you should be allowed to get benefits on two accounts, why shouldn't everyone? For example, should I be allowed to get my own Social Security benefit plus a husband's benefit on my wife's record? And then for that matter, should my wife get her own Social Security benefit plus a wife's benefit on my record? Also, we have a friend who is a fairly well-to-do widower who gets a very generous Social Security retirement benefit. Should he be allowed to get that and also receive a widower's benefit on his deceased wife's account? My goodness. If Social Security had always paid these double benefits to everyone, the system would have gone belly up many years ago! One final point to help other readers understand the rules. When I said you get the benefit that pays the higher rate if you are due benefits on two accounts, a better way to phrase that would be to say you get an amount equal to the higher benefit. For example, if one of your friends was due $1,200 on her own account and $2,000 in widow's benefits, she would be paid her own $1,200 retirement benefit and then she would get $800 in widow's benefits to take her total benefits up to her husband's $2,000 rate. She ends up getting one monthly check for $2,000 and probably doesn't even realize that on the Social Security Administration's books, it's coming off of two accounts. social security Mailbag Hodgepodge 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. In a word: ‘Slithy,’ ‘chortle,’ and other portmanteau words I have enjoyed writing this column over the past five years. I can't imagine a kinder, more enthusiastic readership anywhere, and I have learned a lot from you all. In looking over potential topics, I realized that I have never written about English speakers' favorite way of creating new words. For this final column, then, let's talk about portmanteaus, or portemanteaux if you want to be French about it. In the 19th century, a portmanteau was a kind of suitcase made of stiff leather and divided into two equal parts. Lewis Carroll laid claim to the term for language lovers in his 1875 "Through the Looking Glass," the sequel to "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland." According to Humpty Dumpty, the word slithy from Carroll's poem "Jabberwocky" is a combination of slimy and lithe: "It’s like a portmanteau," the egg expounds – "there are two meanings packed up into one word." Portmanteau is itself a portmanteau, as it comes from the French porter ("to carry") plus manteau ("coat"). Slithy never caught on, but portmanteau did – it is more memorable than blend, the name linguists use for these combos. Carroll also coined two portmanteau terms that did spread: chortle (to "laugh or chuckle especially when amused or pleased," according to Merriam-Webster) and galumph ("to move with a clumsy heavy tread"). The fun of portmanteau words is that they can be decoded – the parent words are recognizable in the offspring. Chortle is a combination of chuckle and snort, while galumph is apparently gallop + triumph. Some portmanteaus are utilitarian and widely used. In the early 20th century, scientists named the thick, pollutant-filled air in urban areas smog (smoke + fog). The motel (motor + hotel), located on the outskirts of town with plenty of parking, developed in response to burgeoning car culture in the 1920s. Brunch is of course breakfast + lunch, but does the blend refer to the timing of the meal or the menu? I was happy to discover that at least when the term was popularized in 1895, brunch was a lunchtime feast of breakfast food, not a couple of sandwiches eaten at 10 a.m. Over the past hundred years or so we’ve gotten hangry (angry because of hunger), had bromances (intense male friendships), and dealt with frenemies (friends who are also rivals). We’ve made guesstimates (estimates on the basis of little information) at work and contemplated things that are so huge that they are not just gigantic, not just enormous, but ginormous. From the ephemeral to the essential, portmanteaus demonstrate English speakers' creativity and love of wordplay. By Melissa Mohr and you

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER November 2, 2023 23 Dear Amy: I am a man in my early-70’s, and I drink too much. I started when I was 16 and have continued my entire life. Five or six cocktails (80 proof) each evening is the norm for me. I haven't looked into Alcoholics Anonymous for the following reason: I don't have anyone to apologize to. Everything you hear about AA involves atoning for all the people you have hurt, but alcohol hasn't caused problems for me. I'm a happy drunk.  I sit in my chair and drink and watch ball games. It hasn't caused any marital, family, or legal issues. I never missed work due to a hangover. People tell me I am the easiest-going guy they have ever met. I coached my two sons for years in baseball. I never drank before games or practices.  I never drink before any type of public function, and never drive drunk. Since retiring from my career in 2016, I have been operating a very successful business from my home. The last physical I had (five years ago) revealed that my liver is fine. I am healthy, and cycle about 50 miles a week. I doubt I could quit cold turkey.  I have the shakes when I wake up in the morning and I usually have one drink before noon just to keep my heart from pounding out of my chest. I'm also a stubborn old coot when it comes to taking advice, but this problem has me stumped. A lot of people in my age group have lots of health problems. I just keep motoring along, but I know this amount of alcohol is bound to catch up with me. I know I should quit. Your advice? – Happy Drunk Dear Drunk: I genuinely appreciate the fact that you know you need to address your addiction. Although your reason for avoiding it is the very essence of a specious denial, AA is not the only venue through which to confront your drinking. AA does not treat addiction, but is a support and fellowship group for alcoholics. Your claim that you are a “happy drunk” is somewhat contradicted by the evidence you present. You are obviously addicted, you’ve got the shakes, and you need to have alcohol in order to function physically, so I suggest that your addiction has in fact affected your life and relationships in profound ways. You are relying on a five-year-old physical for evidence that you are healthy. Your first step should be to have a thorough checkup; describe your alcohol addiction frankly and honestly with your physician, and ask for advice on how to address it. There are medications available to treat alcohol use disorder, but because you seem to live alone, surrounded in your home by a lifetime of addictive habits and triggers (as well as your drug of choice) – intensive, medically supervised in-patient rehab might be the best course for you. Dear Amy: A couple of years ago I overheard my sister ask one of her teen grandsons if he had found a  girlfriend yet. Later, I explained how uncomfortable that question had made me when I was a gay teen who had not yet come out. I suggested  that if she had to delve into a young person's love life, that she should reword the question so that it doesn't assume that the person is a heterosexual,  maybe instead asking, "Have you found a special someone in your life, yet?” She blew me off, saying that if the boy was gay, he would have told her. Last week I witnessed her doing the same thing to yet another grandson (the original boy's cousin). I lack the words to describe to her the fear of rejection by their families and friends that many (most?) young LGBT+ people go through while working up the courage to come out to their families. Every time a family member says something assuming that they are heterosexual, it just makes it that much harder to share the truth – if the young person is not heterosexual. I would hope that people who love the young folks in their lives give those youngsters the message that it is OK to be who they are by not assuming they are straight. – Out and Proud Dear Out: Thank you for highlighting how potentially damaging this assumption can be – especially for a young person. I need to add that – honestly – I find that the overt curiosity about any teenager’s romantic life on the part of grandparents (and other adults) can seem unduly intrusive. Let a teen volunteer this information, if they are inclined. ask amy ‘Happy drunk’ thinks it’s time to stop 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 SR110223 SR051922

24 SMART READER November 2, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Senior Citizens Receive a 10% DISCOUNT SR121720 Your Ticket to FW2023 Local Events 101923 GGlloriaoria && JJaayy Our Family has been serving great food and offering warm hospitality here for 50 years. Yes, it’s true the building is for sale... but we are absolutely here to serve you well into 2024. Please stop by & cozy up to the fireplace for a delicious meal, or give us a call to book your next gathering or holiday party! The Tradition Continues - 090723