"Thankful for the expertise and guidance, so needed during our loss." -JAMES K. "Thankful for the expertise and guidance, so needed during our loss." -JAMES K. Visit us at 3016 75th St. Kenosha SR102022 February 27, 2025 Volume 23 - #5 GAMBLING ADDICTION SOARS WITH ONLINE SPORTS BETTING... ... IS THE GENIE OUT OF THE BOTTLE?
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t s e c g " t g oWf Gf t a t wa o2 SMART READER February 27, 2025 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F Gambling addiction online searches soar with legal sports betting Millions of Americans have sought help for gambling addiction in the wake of a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed states to legalize sports betting. That's among the key findings in a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. "Sportsbooks have expanded from a single state to 38 states, with hundreds of billions of wagers, mostly online, coinciding with record-breaking demand for help with gambling addiction as millions seek help," study senior author John Ayers said in a news release. He's deputy director of informatics at the University of California San Diego Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute and a scientist at UCSD's Qualcomm Institute. His team reported that sports wagers rose from $4.9 billion in 2017 to $121.1 billion in 2023. Almost all of these bets -- 94% -- are now placed online. "Sports betting has become deeply embedded in our culture," said study coauthor Matthew Allen, a third-year medical student. "From relentless advertising to social media feeds and in-game commentary, sportsbooks are now everywhere," he added in a news release. "What was once a taboo activity, confined to the fringes of society, has been completely normalized." The researchers noted that major industry shifts, including the rebranding of Caesars Entertainment as Caesars Sportsbook and Casino, signal that sports betting (sportsbooks) is being positioned as the future of gambling. For the study, they combed through Google search data from 2016 to 2024, looking for queries that mentioned gambling, addiction, addict or anonymous hotline. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling, such queries jumped 23%, the study found. That translated to an estimated 6.5 million to 7.3 million searches nationwide for gambling addiction help. Queries also rose in states that opened sportsbooks -- Illinois (35%), Massachusetts (47%), Michigan (37%), New Jersey (34%), New York (37%), Ohio (67%), Pennsylvania (50%) and Virginia (30%). "The significantly higher search volumes observed in all eight states make it virtually impossible that our findings occurred by chance," said study coauthor Atharva Yeola, a student researcher at the Qualcomm Institute. "Statistically speaking, the probability of these results happening randomly is less than one in 25.6 billion," he added in a news release. The study also found that online sports betting appears to pose an even greater risk than in-person sportsbooks. For example, in Pennsylvania, the launch of retail sportsbooks resulted in a 33% increase in gambling addiction help-seeking searches. When online sportsbooks became available, searches surged 61% -- a significantly greater and more sustained increase that persisted for years. "This pattern highlights the amplified risks associated with the accessibility and convenience of online sports betting," said study coauthor Adam Poliak, an assistant professor of computer science at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. Researchers called for stronger safeguards against gambling, including: • Using sportsbook tax revenues to boost funding for gambling addiction services. • Stricter advertising regulations, similar to those Smart Reader is published bi-weekly by Carmichael Communications Editor & Publisher/Frank J. Carmichael • Assistant to the Publisher/Reanna Stockdale Sales/Kim Carmichael, Elaina Myers • Editorial Manager/Jason Hedman Ad Design & Layout/Kristin Monticelli, Glen Kelly Reception/Sarah Coleman Carmichael Communications 1420 63rd St. Kenosha, WI 53143 February 27, 2025 Volume 23 Number 5 262-564-8800 • 1-800-568-6623 • www.hap2it.com Researchers reported that sports wagers rose from $4.9 billion in 2017 to $121.1 billion in 2023. Almost all of these bets -- 94% -- are now placed online. story continues on page 3 NCAA president Charlie Baker wants states with legalized sports gambling to ban prop betting on collegiate athletics, he announced. "Sports betting issues are on the rise across the country with prop bets continuing to threaten the integrity and competition and leading to student athletes and professional athletes getting harassed," Baker wrote in a statement. "The NCAA has been working with states to deal with these threats and many are responding by banning college prop bets." Proposition (prop) bets are those unrelated to the score of a game. They can include an individual player's expected points, rebounds and more. Earlier this month, Baker said, the NCAA will contact officials in states that still allow the best and ask them to join Ohio, Vermont, Maryland and others in removing college prop bets from betting markets. "The NCAA is drawing the line on sports betting to protect student-athletes and to protect the integrity of the game -- issues across the country these last several days show there is more work to be done," he said. The NCAA prohibits betting activity and providing information to those involved in betting in relation to collegiate, amateur and professional sports competitions., The NCAA announced March 19 that it launched a "Draw the Line" campaign. The campaign provides student athletes with education on the effects of sports gambling, while also addressing additional issues with gambling. The American Gaming Association estimated earlier this month that American adults would legally wager $2.72 billion on the 2024 NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments. A 2023 NCAA study found that 67% of 18- to 22- year-olds on college campuses have engaged in sports betting. Several people -- including coaches and athletes -- have been disciplined in recent years because of sports gamblingrelated incidents. The NCAA states on its website that "player-specific prop bets create circumstances where student-athletes and other athletics personnel received targeted harassment by bettors." The NCAA's 2023 study found that 10% of respondents from Division I said they have been harassed online or in person by a person with gambling interest. By Alex Butler NCAA president wants ban on college sports prop bets NCAA president Charlie Baker wants states to ban prop betting related to collegiate athletics.
U.S. online gambling losses to surpass $1 trillion by 2028, group says Experts are saying that losses to online gambling in the United States will surpass the $1 trillion mark in the next few years at the expense of American consumers. U.S. lawmakers and government regulators "cannot continue to rely on the theory of responsible gambling, which shifts the burden of harm prevention onto individuals," Derek Webb, founder and chief funder of the Californiabased Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said in a release. Gambling is legal in some form in more than 80% of the nearly 200 nations around the globe, according to a recent report by a public health commission which also sounded the alarm on the danger of the online gambling industry to public health. The independent gambling reform organization Campaign for Fairer Gambling has expertise in lobbying practices with both British and American-based gambling businesses, and claim to be powered by the "best available evidence, advancing data-driven policymaking." It's estimated that roughly 16% of adults and 26% of adolescents who use an online gambling platform have a gambling disorder. The commission report added that 9% of adults and 16% of adolescents who use sports betting products, likewise, have a gambling problem. Now the World Health Organization is saying that its recent estimates project the legal aspects to the online gambling market will hit $700 billion globally on an annual basis as early as 2028. It added that U.S. consumers and the economy, likewise, are projected to lose at least $1 trillion to the 25-year-old online gambling market by 2028, as well. A 2021 United Nations report had indicated that up to $1.7 trillion was already estimated to be lost on illicit betting markets every year. Meanwhile, a 2022 Pew Research survey found that 19% of U.S. adults placed a sports bets either in person or online in the last year. The WHO emphasized the need for "universal, populationwide public health policies" designed to combat the harm of gambling and its known addictive qualities. The District of Columbia and 38 states have legalized sports betting following a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a ban, according to the American Gaming Association. Among the WHO's seven recommendations is to end gambling advertising, promotion and sponsorship of sports and other activities. However, Webb pointed out that states largely appear to ignore World Health Organization strategies to keep the harm of online gambling at bay. "States giving tax breaks to any form of gambling or gambling promotion should consider whether they are exposing themselves or their regulators to litigation risk," Webb added. Operators of online gambling schemes often utilize a series of offers or other tacts aimed to not only entice new customers, but intensify any gambling addiction. DraftKings currently is the subject of a lawsuit that alleges a gambler's addiction was "nurtured" by the company. The gambling software company YieldSec was commissioned by CFG to look into the topic of dangers to Internet gambling. Meanwhile, a select number of state's chief law enforcement officers have so far issued "cease and desist" letters to illegal operators such as Bovada, which is licensed on the Caribbean island of Curacao. YieldSec, short for "yield security," estimated that in 2023 the illegal online gambling market in the U.S. by that point was valued at more than $40 billion. But enforcement remains problematic and when Bovada, for example, exits a state, "other illegal operators often step in to fill the void in the absence of rigorous federal enforcement," according to officials. "Promoting legalization as a way to reduce gambling addiction or eliminate illegal gambling is misleading and unsustainable," Webb wrote Wednesday. By Chris Benson Gambling is legal in some form in more than 80% of the nearly 200 nations around the globe. Gambling searches for tobacco and alcohol. • Clinical training programs to help healthcare professionals diagnose and treat gambling addiction. • Stronger safeguards for online sportsbooks, such as betting limits, age restrictions and restrictions on credit card use for gambling. • Expanded public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage early intervention. "Despite gambling addiction as a recognized disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it remains largely overlooked in healthcare and public health with no formal ongoing surveillance," co-author Dr. Kevin Yang, a third-year resident physician at UC San Diego Health, said in a news release. "Without systematic surveillance, we are flying blind while millions bet on sports." Lead author Ayers concluded by calling for urgent legislative action. "Sportsbook regulations are lacking because the Supreme Court, not legislators, legalized them," he said. "Congress must act now by passing commonsense safeguards." "History has shown that unchecked industries -- whether tobacco or opioids -- inflict immense harm before regulations catch up," Ayers noted. "We can either take proactive steps to prevent gambling-related harms or repeat past mistakes and pay the price later." 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s t ct S w N n a i F 4 SMART READER FEBRUARY 27, 2025 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 China’s DeepSeek impresses. But is a ‘fast follow’ good enough in AI? American stock markets shuddered last month, prompted by China’s announcement that it has created a capable, cheap, artificial intelligence machine. It’s the biggest cloud yet to darken the West’s blue-sky enthusiasm over AI, calling into question the efficacy of America’s export controls and the billions of dollars the United States is pouring into the technology’s expensive cutting edge. China startup DeepSeek says its AI assistant uses less advanced chips than its rivals’ models do, and it costs less to train. Unlike the West’s billions, the Chinese model was developed for just $5.6 million, by one estimate. “Are we going to spend $500 billion to get to the frontier so that China can find a way to copy our homework for pennies on the dollar?” asked Gregory Allen, director of the Wadhwani AI Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, on a podcast. On Wall Street, leading AI company stocks fell hard. The price of Nvidia, the leader in AI chips, plunged about 17%, as rattled investors evaluated the prospect that Chinese players could threaten U.S. tech profits. The S&P 500 fell nearly 1.5%, and the techheavy NASDAQ fell 3%. But experts cautioned against panic. It’s important not to overstate the Chinese threat, analysts say. DeepSeek’s new AI model is both genuine achievement and Beijing hype. It shows China’s ability to simplify U.S. models, creating a way for fewer and less powerful computer chips to deliver answers that rival America’s more expensive models. DeepSeek said last week that its latest model can compete with a version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT released four months ago. In many ways, DeepSeek’s model parallels China’s “knock-off” manufacturing prowess. And in this case, DeepSeek has put its product on the public domain, which means anyone can use it for free. It had become the top-rated free app on Apple’s app store. Testing export controls, propaganda tools DeepSeek positions China as a fast follower of American technology. But that’s a far cry from challenging the U.S. position at the cutting edge, analysts say. The “concern is overstated since, based on available data, we believe DeepSeek’s model … relies on larger foundation models to be developed first,” according to a Bank of America/Merrill Lynch research noted. Followers, in other words, can’t be leaders. The technology also serves as a propaganda tool for Beijing. By showing China’s capability, the regime hopes to prove that U.S. export controls don’t work. But analysts suggest that they merely show the failure of the 2022 export controls under President Joe Biden. Those controls have since been tightened. It is perhaps no coincidence that DeepSeek announced it had put its AI software in the public domain last week after Mr. Biden issued three new rounds of export restrictions aimed at further curtailing China’s ability to access the most advanced chips. “As the Land of Liberty, America – not China – must lead the world in the development of AI,” thenPresident Biden said in his farewell address on Jan. 15. Analysts say export controls can’t stop the flow of technology. But they can make it harder and more expensive for China to compete and keep up with the technology, especially with President Donald Trump’s new public-private joint venture that could invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure. Public domain and silver linings for U.S. firms And while putting DeepSeek’s model in the public domain was a propaganda win in the short term, it may backfire. U.S. companies now have the Chinese code to simplify their own search engines. And with better access to powerful chips, the Americans can create their own near-cutting edge AI models at much lower cost and offer them, perhaps, for free. Which model will the global market adopt? Technology that might give the Chinese government access to their data? Or Western private-sector products where, presumably, geopolitical risks are lower? The bigger question DeepSeek poses is for investors. If many companies can operate with cheaper, good-enough AI, how much investment should flow into the technology’s cutting edge? At present, those investments are losing money. If history is any guide, it will take several years to turn a profit in an intense race that may winnow the leaders to one or two. Think Microsoft’s Windows in personal computers. Or Google in Web search. One thing is sure. The DeepSeek cloud of doubt on investors’ horizon could grow if investors begin to weigh more carefully the promise of AI against the costs to create it. By Laurent Belsie China’s DeepSeek chatbot rose to be the most downloaded free app in the Apple App Store in the United States, rattling American tech investors Igloo recalls more than 1 million coolers due to threat of finger amputation, crushing Igloo recalled 1 million coolers made in the United States due to the potential of fingertip amputation or crushing. The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall notice on Thursday for more than 1 million Igloo coolers made in for the 90- quart Flip & Tow rolling coolers, warning that the tow handles have the possibility to cause injury by pinching a user's fingertips against the cooler. Igloo said it is offering free replacement handles for the recalled coolers. "With consumer safety as our top priority, we have voluntarily issued a recall on the [90-quart] Flip & Tow Rolling Cooler and have provided consumers with a proper course of action that includes free replacement handles," Igloo said, according to ABC News. The commission said the coolers were sold in multiple body and lid combinations. The cooler tied to the recall was made before January 2024. Some of the body colors include tactical gray with a slate stonelid; and a white body with a white lid. According to the commission, the company received 12 reports of injuries with the cooler, some included bone fractures, fingertip amputations, and lacerations. The commission said that users should contact Igloo immediately if they have the recalled item. By Clyde Hughes Vivek Ramaswamy announces bid to be Ohio's next governor Businessman, former presidential candidate and President Donald Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy has announced he is running to be the next governor of Ohio. "President Trump is reviving our conviction in America; we require a leader here at home who will revive our conviction in Ohio, and that is why today I am honored to announce that I am running to be the next governor of a great state at the heart of the greatest nation known to man," Ramaswamy said during a rally in Cincinnati. The announcement was long expected. In November, Trump tapped Ramaswamy and Elon Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, but left the position upon the president's January inauguration amid reports stating that he would seek election to the Ohio mansion. During his speech, Ramaswamy vowed that under his leadership, Ohio would become the top state in the country for new businesses and raising a family, where children will get "a world-class education in math, reading, writing, critical thinking and physical education." "We will lead Ohio to be the top state in the country where we embrace capitalism and meritocracy instead of apologizing for it," he said. "We will lead Ohio to be the top state in the country that takes a hatchet to red tape, overregulation and bureaucracy." A Cincinnati native, Ramaswamy, 39, is a entrepreneur and founder of a biotech company who became known in conservative circles through the publication of his books Woke, Inc. and Nation of Victims. He has championed culture wars, specifically attacking the so-called woke, and ran for president in the 2024 election, before dropping out and endorsing Trump. Ramaswamy's announcement comes a month after Dave Yost, Ohio's Republican attorney general, announced his candidacy for the state's governor. Dr. Amy Acton, a Democrat and the state's former health director, is also in the race. The election is scheduled for November 2026. By Daryl Coote Vivek Ramaswamy
South Korea will offer "necessary protection and support" to North Korean prisoners of war captured in Ukraine who want to come to the South, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said after a local media report quoted a captured soldier who wishes to defect. "North Korean soldiers are our citizens according to the Constitution," a ministry official told UPI in a text message. "Respecting an individual's free will regarding repatriation of prisoners of war is in line with international law and practice," the official said. "They should not be repatriated to a place where they are threatened with persecution." "Therefore, the government will provide necessary protection and support if they request to come to South Korea in accordance with related laws and the basic principle of accepting all requests," the official said. Seoul has conveyed this position to Kyiv and will continue to hold necessary consultations, the official added. The statement came after the Chosun Ilbo newspaper published an interview with a 26-year-old North Korean sniper who was captured by Ukrainian forces last month during combat in Russia's southwestern Kursk region. The soldier, identified by the surname Ri, told the newspaper that he believed he was being sent to Russia for training, not to fight Ukrainian forces. Ri said that he would face difficulties if he returned to North Korea, claiming that "being captured is seen as betrayal." "I've made up my mind about 80%," he told the interviewer. "I'm planning to apply for asylum and go to South Korea. Do you think they'll accept me?" Ri is one of two injured North Korean soldiers who were captured while fighting alongside Russian forces last month, later seen in footage shared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on social media. North Korea has sent some 12,000 troops to Russia, according to Washington, with many joining battles on the frontlines in Kursk Oblast. However, casualties have been high, with one recent report estimating 1,000 soldiers have been killed and another 3,000 injured or missing. The large number of casualties is due to the North Koreans' "lack of understanding of modern warfare," Seoul's National Intelligence Service said in a January briefing with lawmakers. Footage reviewed by the spy agency revealed the North Korean troops engaging in "pointless" shooting at long-range drones and launching attacks without fire support from the rear. Moscow and Pyongyang have grown closer since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The two signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in June, which includes a mutual defense clause that calls for mutual military assistance in the event either country is attacked. In addition to troops, North Korea has sent munitions and missiles to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. The United States has warned that Moscow intends to provide advanced satellite and space technologies to Pyongyang in exchange. By Thomas Maresca South Korea tells Ukraine it is willing to accept North Korean POWs South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2023. South Korea told Ukraine it was willing to accept North Korean prisoners of war, following a NASA: 1.6% chance local media report of a soldier who wished to defect. newly discovered asteroid will impact Earth in 2032 NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has declared a 1.6% chance that a large asteroid would strike the Earth on Dec. 22, 2032. Scientists at NASA and the European Space Agency are among those closely watching the asteroid that measures between 130 and 300 feet in diameter and whose trajectory gives it a slight chance of impacting Earth in late 2032, the ESA reported. "An asteroid this size impacts Earth on average ever few thousand years and could cause severe damage to a local region," the ESA said in a news release on Jan. 29. "As a result, the object rose to the top of the ESA's asteroid risk list," the ESA said. "Since early January, astronomers have been carrying out priority followup observations using telescopes around the world and using the new data to improve our understanding of the asteroid's size and trajectory." Scientists have named the asteroid "2024 YR4," which observers in Rio Hurtado, Chile, first spotted in December using advanced telescopes. The scientists who first glimpsed the asteroid in January gave it a 1.2% chance of impacting the Earth but raised the risk level to 2.3% this month, Sky News reported. NASA scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope give the asteroid a slightly lower chance of impacting Earth, CBS News reported, but the chance of impact makes it the most significant impact threat to the Earth. Astronomers are trying to reduce the uncertainty regarding the potential for an impact based on their current understanding of the asteroid's orbit. The asteroid first was sighted on Dec. 27 after triggering collision warnings and will disappear from view over the next few months until becoming visible again in 2028. The asteroid follows an elongated orbit around the Sun and currently is moving away from Earth in a nearly straight line. Scientists are hoping to rule out any chance of the asteroid impacting Earth in 2032 before it disappears from view. In September 2022, NASA successfully crashed a vending machine-sized spacecraft into the asteroid Dimorphos while testing ways to change its course if an Earth-threatening asteroid, such as 2024 YR4, is discovered. By Mike Huer 0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER February 27, 2025 5 5125 6th Avenue You Don’t Want to Miss an Evening of Comedy, Music & Conversation at the Wyndham with 012325 Get your advance tickets at Hap2it.com or stop in at 1420 63rd St. Kenosha between 10am-4pm Mon-Fri Call for more information 262-564-8800 MARCH 7 & 8 8PM JOE PISCOPO A Kenosha Comedy Club Production @ the Live 5125 6th Ave. For Event Tickets & More Acts Visit Hap2it.Com, Stop In At 1420 63rd St. M-F • 10am-4pm Or Call 262-564-8800 PAT MCCURDY THE BELOTTI PROJECT Opening Act: JULIA GRAVES MARCH 16th 7:00PM MARCH 7th 7:30 PM PAT MCCURDY022725
6 SMART READER February 27, 2025 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F OPINION America’s yearning for an inkling of sanity to prevail within the Trump administration might be soothed from an unlikely, even unwilling, actor. It’s Marco Rubio himself, the newly minted U.S. Secretary of State. Rubio must maintain one foot in reality, unlike others who President Donald Trump has chosen to surround himself with. It’s his job description as Secretary of State. Rubio must meet, face-toface, with the presidents and diplomats of nations that Trump and Elon Musk are disrespecting, undercutting, and in some instances, all out trying to cheat. There’s no room in Rubio’s packed schedule for sequestering in Washington D.C., surrounded by genuflecting aides, lobbyists, and the group-think of congressional Republicans these days. The role separates him a bit from the handmaidens in the president’s in-coming cabinet and unelected players, like Musk. Rubio’s recent whirlwind trip through Latin America is an example. In a span of a week, he visited five countries: Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. In Panama, he had to maneuver around Trump’s boasts of taking over the canal. In Guatemala, he had to dance around the dismantling of the humanitarian relief from the U.S. Agency for International Development, claiming that “it is not our intention” to yank the agency’s staff back from global outposts. Yes, he said that, even though that is exactly what Musk has called for — nothing like being abroad in countries benefiting from U.S. foreign aid, while your nation is gutting the programs. A few days later, a federal judge temporarily barred the administration from ordering 2,700 USAID workers to go on paid leave. A few days after that, Rubio insisted “we’re not walking away from foreign aid” in an interview with Scott Jennings on SiriusXM Patriot 125. He specifically pointed out aid that he believes is “done right.” He discussed funds to Guatemala to help that nation’s police stop the flow of fentanyl, aid that can avert famine, and a program to stem the spread of HIV globally. Maybe Rubio secretly prayed the courts would save the day, at least temporarily. Consider also Rubio’s exchange with Alicia Ortega, OPINION In his 1951 farewell address to Congress and the American public (known as the “old soldiers never die, they just fade away” speech), Army General Douglas MacArthur said something the Trump administration should recall as it seeks to end the war between Russia and Ukraine: “… once war is forced upon us, there is no other alternative than to apply every available means to bring it to a swift end. War’s very object is victory, not prolonged indecision. In war there is no substitute for victory.” While MacArthur was referring to wars engaged in by the U.S., his philosophy could also be applied to the war between Russia and Ukraine. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth appeared to let the cat out of the bag when he wrongly stated even before peace negotiations begin that Ukraine should not expect to regain territory lost to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the sovereign nation. Putin has said he won’t give an inch of Ukrainian land he has seized. European leaders have expressed alarm that they have not been consulted or included in negotiations, even while President Trump wants them to “do more” when it comes to helping Ukraine while simultaneously assisting in ending the war. Has everyone forgotten what Neville Chamberlain told Adolf Hitler at their 1938 meeting in Munich? Chamberlain delighted the cunning Hitler, saying the fuhrer could keep the Sudetenland (now the Czech Republic) he had invaded, thinking that would satisfy his ravenous territorial yearnings and bring “peace for our time.” World War II came in large part because Hitler regarded the West as weak, preferring an illusory “peace” rather than his defeat. When negotiating, especially with an evil adversary – Nazi Germany then and Russia’s Vladimir Putin now – the worst strategy is to make concessions before talks formally begin. And to exclude Ukraine, the victim of the invasion, at least in initial talks, is like allowing an opponent in poker to have an extra ace. President Trump promised to end the war on his first day in office, which seemed presumptuous, as well as impossible. It’s now approaching his 30th day in office and the fighting continues. Being a successful negotiator in business is one thing, as Trump thinks he has been. Doesn’t he immodestly say that about himself? On the world stage it is quite different and more dangerous because lives are in danger, not just in Ukraine, but in other countries should Putin diagnose the West as lacking resolve and effectively giving him, as he might see it, a green light to invade other sovereign states in pursuit of his stated goal of “re-claiming” Russian territory lost following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Wall Street Journal columnist William McGurn is right when he asks “Will Ukraine be Trump’s Vietnam? Consider the 1973 Paris Peace Accords. (National Security Adviser Henry) Kissinger won a Nobel Prize, but Saigon fell.” If victory is not the goal, what else is there? General MacArthur characterized anything short of victory as “prolonged indecision.” That lane only invites the spread of evil and harm to other nations if Ukraine’s “allies” refuse to stand in the gap, or don’t contribute enough to Kiev’s protection. If the Trump administration is not cautioned by what happened in 1938 when an evil monster was allowed to have his way with one state before invading others and launching the Holocaust, perhaps it needs another reminder of what occurred in 1973. Accommodating evil never ends well. No substitute for victory 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 story continues on page 7 A reason to cheer ‘little Marco’ Rubio’s first steps onto the global stage with Mary Sanchez Readers can reach Mary Sanchez at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @msanchezcolumn. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth holds his closing press conference at the end of defense ministers' meetings at NATO headquarters on February 13, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a photo opportunity with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty ahead of a meeting in the U.S. State Department Building on Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington, D.C th fa as st St ha se na of of an U th In th IS A im in la in an Sa Ro ro na ap br an kn he de as at C be T c c c w a th V C h q ju to N m se u u ga b sa to a Mco
0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER February 27, 2025 7 OPINION Sergey Rogov died earlier this month. Because he was far better known in Russia as a keen strategist and student of the United States and Europe, only a handful of Americans -- senior officials engaged in national security in and out of government -- will know of him and his passing. For 50 years, Rogov was an integral part of the USSR's and Russia's leading think tank, known as the Institute for the Study of the U.S. and Canada, or ISKRAN. Rogov was what many Americans probably would imagine as a typical Russian intellectual and academic. A large, unkempt man indifferent to stylish dress and with a pronounced Santa Claus-like mustache, Rogov would amble into a room, usually smoking a nasty Russian cigarette. But appearances are deceiving. Possessing a keen, indeed brilliant intellect, Rogov had an encyclopedic arsenal of knowledge that he never held back in discussion and debate. We first met in 1971 as doctoral students attending a conference in Cambridge, Mass. That began a friendship that lasted until recently. Smoking may have been his downfall. Often, when he came to dinner at my home, my wife would not tolerate his smoking. So, on too many inclement evenings, I would find myself shivering in the rain or cold on our patio deck, discussing great matters of state while Rogov enjoyed his cigarette. Above all, Rogov had great integrity. How he managed to rise so quickly among the Soviet elite and then in the Russian Federation, while still keeping his objectivity, was remarkable. That did not mean he thought or acted like an American. But he forcefully made his case when he believed the United States was wrong by using logic and fact and not propaganda that was too common in the superpower dialogue. Over the past few years, Rogov put in place the NATO-Russian dialogue that brought together specialists in the fields of national security from all points of the compass to discuss and debate how to improve this relationship. After Russia's second invasion of Ukraine in 2022, managing relations with the West became more vexing. Yet, to a surprising degree, Rogov tried to depoliticize the agenda when East-West relations were deteriorating. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Rogov was on a plane to America to see what ISKRAN could do to support the United States. I remember we were both scheduled to see Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld at the Pentagon, but at different times, to discuss Afghanistan. I suggested to Rumsfeld's executive assistant that we might save time by combining the meetings. He agreed. Rumsfeld, who was quick with a flip phrase, said we were attempting to doubleteam him. Rogov replied that he hoped so. And then he went on to describe to Rumsfeld what a mess the Soviet Union had made in its nearly decade-long intervention into Afghanistan. Rumsfeld was grateful for the warnings and gave the impression that the U.S.-led coalition was not going to repeat those errors. He was dead wrong. The last time I saw Rogov in Moscow was just before the COVID-19 pandemic, when he arranged a meeting for me with Sergey Shoigu, then Russian defense chief. Rogov drove me to a building where we were to meet and said he would collect me later. But I was confused. Instead of facing a building rife with soldiers, guard and defenses, as the Pentagon would become, I looked down a long alleyway, perhaps 100 yards to a guard post manned by a single figure. As I approached, I saw the sentry was armed only with a knife. The building was virtually empty as the minister's aide escorted me to his office. Afterward, I asked Rogov how he was able to set me up with this obviously contrived display of indifferent security. He protested that this was the way things were. And until I was able to walk up unescorted to the Foreign Affairs headquarters, did I believe him. Rogov was a great friend, colleague and comrade. He will be sorely missed. And I do not know who will replace him as trying to span the divides that separate his country and mine. The death of a close friend, colleague and comrade with Harlan Ullman my turn Harlan Ullman is UPI's Arnaud deBorchgrave Distinguished Columnist, senior adviser at Washington's Atlantic Council and principal author of the doctrine of shock and awe. His next book co-written with General The Lord David Richards, former U.K. Chief of Defense and due out late next year, is Insanity: The Absence of Strategic Thinking in a Dangerously Combustible World. The writer can be reached on Twitter @harlankullman. Harlan Ullman joins Happenings Q&A on Thu, Mar. 6th at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP Possessing a keen, indeed brilliant intellect, Sergey Rogov, who died this month, had an encyclopedic arsenal of knowledge that he never held back in discussion and debate. an investigative journalist in the Dominican Republic. “You have described Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba as enemies of humanity,” Ortega said, questioning why the U.S. had just seized a plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Ortega continued, “What message is the United States sending to these undemocratic countries under this administration?” The explanation Rubio gave was that the plane had been used in violation of sanctions, including traveling to Iran. That began a back and forth about whether sanctions had been aggressive enough in the past for results, a good question for Rubio, who is of Cuban descent. The State Department sends out vetted scripts of what is said during these visits. But it’s difficult to know the full scope. But the countries that Rubio faced in his first official visit are ones that Trump routinely defames – like Trump’s constant lie that Latin American countries have emptied their jails of violent murderers, sending them to the U.S. to cause carnage. There’s no truth to the contention. But Rubio was able to arrange some agreements about future deportations. His fluency in Spanish, no doubt, helped. Meanwhile, the rest of Trump’s cabinet and his many defenders in Congress twist and turn facts to stay in the White House’s good graces. Rubio did this too, but he’s less able to get away with it while acting as the president’s chief foreign affairs adviser. He does not exhibit the intellect of someone like Henry Kissinger, Hillary Clinton, or Madeleine Albright. However, some of his attributes make him distinctive, if he’ll lean into them. For one, he is bi-cultural and a student of life in ways that most members of Congress are not. It’s a gift. For all the striving to erase any mention of “diversity,” Rubio knows the necessity of honoring it. Again, he’s Cuban, born in Miami. But he spent his teenage years in Las Vegas, when the family uprooted to find work. His father, a bartender, was part of a union in Vegas that went on strike. There, Rubio was exposed to anti-Black racism, and became close to MexicanAmerican and Black schoolmates. So much so, that when the Rubio family returned to Miami, he didn’t fit in at one school. The other students called him a "gringo." Later, he attended college at a tiny rural campus in Northwest Missouri. Those early memories, told by a reflective Rubio, are part of many revealing anecdotes in his 2012 memoir, “An American son.” Rubio dedicated it, “To the memory of my father and grandfather, whom I wish were here to read this book.” Respect for one’s elders, and a bit of what some mindsets might sniff at as over-the-top sentimentality, are explained as a part of who Rubio is, in his soul. In Latino culture there is an imperative to honor one’s ancestors, as a way of remaining grounded. Respect for them is displayed by seeing yourself as one rung, the present generation’s addition, in a long chain of related people moving forward. Rubio writes of this, of his own gradual acceptance of the concept. The Americas – North, South and Central – are anxiously awaiting signs that a responsible adult is present in the Trump White House. Rubio has been routinely pilloried by critics for his baby face, even though he’s 53. A common theme in social media posts is of “little Marco,” followed by a taunt. And yet, just maybe, he’ll be the one – forced out of necessity – to represent the White House globally and while doing so, maintain a sense of dignity for our nation. Mary Sanchez continued from page 6
February is a big month for health: It's both American Heart Month and National Cancer Prevention Month. And whether we're talking about cancer, heart disease, diabetes or other chronic diseases, healthy eating applies to all. When it comes to cancer, we know that foods high in antioxidants are key to helping reduce cancer risk. But what are they and where are they found? Antioxidants are the antidote to oxidative stress, according to Karen Collins, nutrition adviser with the American Institute for Cancer Research. That oxidative stress occurs when highly reactive molecules, known as free radicals, rise to unhealthy levels. When levels are high, they create cell damage that increases susceptibility to cancer and other chronic diseases. Free radicals come from exposure to environmental hazards like pollution and secondhand smoke. The goal is not to eliminate them all. It's the rising levels of free radicals that trigger our bodies to amp up our complex antioxidant system and turn on cancerprotective defenses. The health risk comes when the level of free radicals overwhelms antioxidant defenses. Aren't more antioxidants the answer? Many believe that and take extra vitamins A, C and E (essential antioxidants). But it's more than vitamins; antioxidants are found in phytochemicals too. Phytochemicals naturally occur in plant foods. Studies have shown links between eating more produce and lower cancer risk, but the number of antioxidants reaching the body's cells can depend on how much is lost is cooking and how well compounds are absorbed. Here's the bottom line for cancer prevention: Don't just focus on antioxidants alone. Focus on balance, variety and moderation. Choose plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses (like dried beans and lentils) and nuts. Add variety by eating the rainbow -- dark green, deep orange, white, purple, yellow and red foods. It doesn't matter if it's fresh, frozen or canned -- they all provide benefit. Make these the biggest portion of your eating choices, and you'll crave less processed food, processed sugar and processed meat. Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU Med School in Springfield, Ill. food & recipes Antioxidant Power Nutrition News with Charlyn Fargo Chocolate Eclair Cake Servings: 10 2 pounds lean ground turkey 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce 1 (15.5-ounce) can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1 (15.5 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped 1 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon dried parsley 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 2 bay leaves Garnishes: (optional) 2-3 fresh limes, quartered; baked tortilla strips; 1 green onion, finely diced Cook and stir ground turkey in a large pot over medium heat until crumbly and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add poultry seasoning and continue to brown the meat. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, pinto beans, cilantro, onion, bell peppers and garlic. Season with chili powder, cumin, parsley, oregano, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 2 hours. Remove the bay leaves and garnish chili with multicolor baked tortilla strips, green onions and a squeeze of fresh lime juice, if desired. Serve 1 cup of chili with a side salad. Serves 10 (Serving size: 1 cup). Per serving: 310 calories; 27 grams protein; 31 grams carbohydrate; 8 grams fat (2 grams saturated); 60 milligrams cholesterol; 7 grams fiber; 5 grams sugars; 770 milligrams sodium. White Bean Turkey Chili This no-bake dessert is typically made by layering a mixture of instant vanilla pudding and Cool Whip between graham crackers and topping it with chocolate frosting. We loved the convenience of these store-bought items, but our enthusiasm waned when confronted by their flavor. With a couple of easy techniques (a quick stovetop pudding, whipped cream, and a microwave-and-stir glaze) and very little active time, we produced a from-scratch version that easily trumped its inspiration. Serves 15 1 1/4 cups sugar 6 tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon salt 5 cups whole milk 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces 5 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 tablespoons water 1 1/4 teaspoons unflavored gelatin 2 3/4 cups heavy cream, chilled 14 ounces graham crackers 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 5 tablespoons light corn syrup 1. Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in a large saucepan. Whisk milk into sugar mixture until smooth and bring to boil, scraping bottom with rubber spatula, over medium-high heat. Immediately reduce heat to medium-low and cook, continuing to scrape bottom, until thickened and large bubbles appear on surface, 4 to 6 minutes. Off heat, whisk in butter and vanilla. Transfer pudding to a large bowl and place plastic wrap directly on the surface of pudding. Refrigerate until cool, about 2 hours. 2. Stir water and gelatin together in a bowl and let sit until gelatin softens, about 5 minutes. Microwave until mixture is bubbling around edges and gelatin dissolves, 15 to 30 seconds. Using a stand mixer fitted with whisk, whip 2 cups cream on medium-low speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Increase speed to high and whip until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Add gelatin mixture and whip until stiff peaks form, about 1 minute. 3. Whisk one-third whipped cream into chilled pudding, then gently fold in remaining whipped cream, 1 scoop at a time, until combined. Cover bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with a layer of graham crackers, breaking crackers as necessary to line bottom of pan. Top with half of puddingwhipped cream mixture (about 5 1/2 cups) and another layer of graham crackers. Repeat with remaining pudding-whipped cream mixture and remaining graham crackers. 4. Microwave chocolate chips, remaining 3/4 cup cream, and corn syrup in a bowl, stirring occasionally, until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Cool glaze to room temperature, about 10 minutes. Cover graham crackers with glaze and refrigerate cake for 6 to 24 hours. Serve. Recipe note: Eclair cake can be refrigerated for up to two days. Areas like this where snowstorms are fairly common in February, chili is a staple on the menu. Here's a white bean turkey chili, from Today's Dietitian magazine, that offers plenty of fiber and protein. 8 SMART READER February 27, 2025 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F VttttWw
0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER February 27, 2025 9 The Trump Administration has all but shuttered the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). In an email sent on Saturday February 8, the newly installed White House budget director, Russell Vought, who is also the acting director of the CFPB, instructed CFPB employees to stop investigating and processing consumer issues and to suspend any rules that were finalized, but not officially put into action. (To eliminate the agency would require a separate act of Congress, which is unlikely to occur.) It’s worth reflecting on how the CFPB came into existence and what its defanging means for consumers. In the aftermath of the 2007-2008 financial crisis, the Obama administration enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, with a goal of strengthening the oversight of financial institutions. The reforms included the establishment of a new federal agency, the CFPB, which would be focused on creating rules for protecting consumers. The Obama Administration noted that “before CFPB was established, seven different Federal agencies were responsible for various aspects of consumer financial protection. No single agency had effective tools to set the rules or oversee the whole market.” The agency was the brainchild of now-Senator Elizabeth Warren, who was instrumental in the creation, building and launch of the agency. In her 2011 testimony before Congress, Warren said “by law, the CFPB is obligated: 1) To ensure that consumers have timely and understandable information to make responsible decisions about financial transactions. 2) To protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts or practices, and from discrimination. 3) To reduce outdated, unnecessary, or overly burdensome regulations. 4) To promote fair competition by enforcing the federal consumer financial laws consistently. 5) To advance markets for consumer financial products and services that operate transparently and efficiently to facilitate access and innovation.” The CFPB has enacted rules that have enhanced consumer protections with regard to credit cards, mortgages, student loans, auto loans, credit reports and scores, and payday loans. True to its goal, the CFPB’s work has provided a single point of accountability, when consumers interact with established large institutions and the smaller independent companies that often fell through the cracks. The agency also has supervisory and enforcement power, which according to the website (the front door of the website was unavailable at the time of this writing, but other parts were still available), has resulted in approximately $19.7 billion in consumer relief and $5 billion in civil money penalties. The CFPB was also a central portal for financial education and for Americans to submit complaints about a financial product or service. With the Trump Administration’s desire to defang the agency through job eliminations and a stoppage of all work, Americans will lose a critical government agency, whose sole focus is to protect them. There has already been a lawsuit filed to restore the CFPB, but that will take time to wind through the system. In the interim, here are other federal and state agencies that may help, if you encounter bad actors in the financial world: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) If you suspect a company or individual of perpetrating a scam or fraud, go to ftc.gov/complaint. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) If you have an investorrelated issue, including “complaints against brokers, brokerage firms, investment advisers, transfer agents, mutual funds, and other market participants”, go to https://help.sec.gov/s/investo r-complaint. The Employee Benefits Security Administration If there is an issue with your 401(k), profit sharing, defined benefit, or other retirement plan, you can go to askebsa.dol.gov/ WebIntake/. State regulators Anticipating sweeping changes, the CFPB notified state regulators that they should be alert to consumer complaints arising. Each state has a securities, bank and insurance regulator. I am still surprised at how many partners in committed relationships have no idea what is going on in their financial lives. While I appreciate that many have clear divisions of labor to manage their busy lives, it is no longer acceptable to say, “Oh, my husband/wife handles that!” With a nod towards Valentine’s Day, it’s time for my annual nudge to prompt conversations and an exchange of information that will serve every couple over the long term. If you are married, in a long-term partnership, or moving from dating to serious mode, here’s what you need to know: Discuss your relationship to money We all come to adulthood with a certain amount of money baggage, so it’s best to own those emotions and share them with your significant other. These conversations only work if you are honest and non-judgmental, but done correctly, they should deepen your understanding of one another, and hopefully, help you navigate future tense moments, when the feelings arise. Share, but only when you are certain that this is ‘the one’ If you did not catch CBS News chief correspondent Jim Axelrod’s deep dive into the romance scam world last year, I encourage you to do so. More than 64,000 Americans were defrauded out of over $1.14 billion by romance scammers in 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission — a figure experts say likely vastly underestimates the amount of damage done. Do not loan or give money to any romantic partner, or share passwords, until you are absolutely sure that you are in a committed relationship with a person that you can trust. When ready to commit, discuss financial goals/create a plan During the process, you should share the total amount of outstanding debt that you are each carrying, the amount of money in savings or investment accounts, retirement holdings, and credit scores. Determine whether to maintain separate or joint accounts Either way can work, but to be clear: Separate accounts should never be secret! Each of you should know how to access the other’s account, in the event of an emergency. Commit to consistent, money meetings As you begin your joint financial journey, schedule a sit down every three to six months to review your cash flow, your balance sheet (what you own and what you owe), your investments, and any changes in your financial lives. Once you have a clear understanding of the game plan, you can reduce the number of meetings, maybe one after the tax filing season and then another at the end of the year. Agreements Consider a pre-nuptial (before marriage), postnuptial (after marriage), or no-nuptial (for those who are not legally married) agreement. These legal contracts contemplate how a couple would divide their financial lives in the event that the relationship does not work out. Couples with complicated circumstances, like children from previous marriages; owners of closely held businesses; those who have a large disparity in wealth may want to consult with a matrimonial attorney to discuss ways to navigate this thorny topic. Pay attention to red flags A Bankrate survey found that 40 percent of U.S. adults who are in committed relationships (married, in a civil partnership or cohabitating with a romantic partner) have committed financial infidelity, defined as spending more money than their spouse or partner would be OK with, keeping a secret expense, debt, credit card and/or checking or savings account from their current partner. Forensic accountant Tracy Coenen says these are common warning signs that something nefarious is going on: • Making several, unexplained ATM withdrawals • Blocking access to financial information • Spending large amounts of money without telling you first • Maintaining a secret account Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is a CBS News business analyst. A former options trader and CIO of an investment advisory firm, she welcomes comments and questions at [email protected]. jill on money RIP CFPB with Jill Schlesinger Love, money and infidelity with Jill Schlesinger Elizabeth Warren speaks at a rally to protest the closing of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau outside its headquarters on Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington, D.C. SR032124
FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F President Donald Trump and his new efficiency head, Elon Musk, are taking aim at government fraud as part of their campaign to reshape and streamline the federal bureaucracy. So far, the duo has hinted at widespread fraud without posting true evidence. For example, they have said that Social Security payments may be going out in the names of tens of millions of dead centenarians. Lee Dudek, the administration’s new head of the Social Security Administration, said that is not the case. Still, they are onto something. Every year, the federal government could be losing between $233 billion and $521 billion to fraud, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). At the high end, that is about 8% of the $6.75 trillion the federal government spent in its last fiscal year. A rush of pandemic spending contributed to the problem. At a congressional hearing this month, Haywood Talcove, a CEO of LexisNexis Risk Solutions, estimated that COVID-19 relief programs were defrauded of more than $1 trillion, much of it going to overseas criminals. If it focuses effectively on combating fraud, the Trump administration has the chance to create common ground in its controversial streamlining efforts. “As citizens, as taxpayers, we want to ensure that our dollars are well spent,” says Joseph Mauriello, director of the Center for Internal Auditing Excellence at the University of Texas at Dallas. “We may not agree, politically speaking, with how those dollars are spent,” but Americans should be able to rally around keeping them out of the hands of fraudsters. The surge in fraud is one factor that has given President Trump and Mr. Musk the political momentum to focus attention on the federal bureaucracy, reviewing budgets of different government agencies and departments. One month into the process, they have also used it to highlight waste and abuse, a separate problem and one that is often in the eye of the beholder. It’s not clear whether they’ll initiate the hard work of rooting out actual fraud. If they don’t tackle fraud, it represents a lost opportunity to crack down on criminal activity that siphons off billions of dollars a year in federal payments. It could also lead to a worse situation than exists today, auditing professionals say. “This could be a thoughtful way to begin a serious conversation” about what services the government should provide, suggests Shivaram Rajgopal, professor of accounting and auditing at Columbia Business School, in a written response to questions. “However, ‘Move fast and break things’ may not be a wise strategy for a lumbering old giant that is accountable to 300 million people.” Some auditing professionals peg overall fraud, as a share of federal spending, closer to the private sector’s typical 3% to 5%. The total has surged in recent years in part because of pandemic-era emergency spending that included fraudulently obtained loans, credits, and payments meant for American workers, families, and small businesses under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. High costs of detecting and prosecuting fraud Estimating the scale of the problem matters because detecting and prosecuting fraud does not come cheap. If the federal government spends $10 million to prosecute fraud worth $1 million, that might not be worth the effort. This can involve judgment calls. According to Mr. Dudek, the Social Security Administration decided not to upgrade the antiquated system that apparently confused Mr. Musk because it would cost upwards of $9 million. That is why auditing professionals say anti-fraud teams should follow the money. Targeting big federal agencies and those with a history of poor recordkeeping is likely to yield the biggest payoffs, such as with the Defense Department and Medicare. President Trump’s streamlining effort, called the Department of Government Efficiency, has instead spread its fire. DOGE has targeted Social Security and reportedly looked into data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (which issues Medicare checks) and the National Institutes of Health, both part of the Department of Health and Human Services. It has also gotten read-only access to Treasury Department records, which show where other federal payments have gone. Outside of that, it has targeted much smaller departments, such as the Education Department (4% of the budget), and a host of even smaller agencies that spend about 1% or less of the budget. Then there’s the time factor. If the GAO were to initiate an agency audit, it would use a standardized process that involves gathering the right group of people, meeting with interested parties to iron out goals and get feedback, collecting and examining evidence, reviewing comments on drafts and findings, and writing a comprehensive report. In all, the process might take nine months. “It’s a really rigorous process,” says Rebecca Shea, a director in GAO’s Forensic Audits and Investigative Service. “Every word in the report, every line, every number, is indexed and referenced. It is tied back, linked back, to a piece of evidence that we have collected.” A meticulous or meteoric path DOGE, by contrast, has started down a much different path. Instead of deliberation, it has moved with entrepreneurial speed. Instead of the fact-checking rigor of a GAO audit, Mr. Musk has made unsubstantiated claims, some of which have turned out to be false. “Nobody’s going to bat a thousand,” he told reporters in a recent press briefing. He promised to quickly fix any problems. Mr. Musk’s own status within DOGE is nebulous. Although a White House court filing describes him as a senior adviser to the president with no authority over DOGE, President Trump said last Wednesday he had put Mr. Musk in charge of the project. One feature of the government’s initial response to the pandemic was that Congress emphasized payout speed over accountability. That allowed criminal gangs, often overseas, to steal Americans’ identities and apply for benefits under their names. Since then, the federal government has made some progress in addressing these losses. In fiscal year 2022, four other agencies joined the 10 already compliant with federal standards for reducing improper payments, which include fraudulent ones. On the fraud front, the Biden administration created the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force in 2021. As of April 2024, it had recovered $1.4 billion in fraudulent claims and charged more than 3,500 defendants, leading to 250 indictments, including for members of gangs and overseas crime rings. But that’s a drop in the bucket compared with the estimated hundreds of billions of federal dollars that were stolen in recent years. And it illustrates what many reformers have long urged. It’s far securer and cheaper for agencies to better verify recipients of payments before they actually send the funds. Needed: better front-end information Technology could help. “The tools that are used in the private sector aren’t used in the public sector,” Mr. Talcove of LexisNexis told the congressional subcommittee. If the government would implement such processes as front-end identity verification, “You will see the fraud rate go down dramatically.” Artificial intelligence and other technologies might also allow agencies to detect more fraud, with fewer staff hours required. But “When you find evidence of fraud, you still have to build a case,” says Robert Bixby, executive director of The Concord Coalition, a nonpartisan organization that encourages fiscal responsibility in Washington. “You have to develop the evidence and present it in court and get a conviction. You still need people to do that.” Amid the move to fight fraud, waste, and abuse, the Trump administration fired more than a dozen inspectors general at federal agencies. IGs are the watchdogs within agencies who make sure taxpayer money is well spent. That layoff “seems like an odd thing to do if you’re going after fraud,” Mr. Bixby says. By Laurent Belsie & Caitlin Babcock Trump and Musk cite fraud, but what does a government audit really look like? Elon Musk speaks during an event in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 11th Musk is leading controversial efforts to make government more efficent. 10 SMART READER February 27, 2025
0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 ’t r,” is al e d es y e n d ht o h d ll ys e d n at al n o d a d ht e d n al e es er n e y ie k Dear Cathy, I have two small dogs, neither of which are housetrained – a five-year-old “shorkie” I got four years ago, and a 10- year-old Shih Tzu mix that I just added to the family. When I first got the “shorkie,” I tried to crate train him, but he would go berserk. He had been thrown out of a car, so was likely very traumatized. Now that I have another dog, it's getting to be too much cleaning up pee and/or making sure they both have diapers on. The diapers are costing me a fortune and not everyone in my house remembers to put them on, so I'm still cleaning up pee five and six times a day. And yes, I let them out very often. Do you have any suggestions? — Sharon, Islip Terrace, New York Dear Sharon, Start by retraining both dogs. Establish a schedule where you take them outside at regular scheduled intervals — after meals, playtime, naps, etc. When they “go potty” outside, immediately praise and reward them with treats or affection. Dogs thrive on consistency, so keeping this routine steady will help them understand expectations. To help things move along more quickly, introduce clicker training. A clicker is a small device that makes a distinctive sound, marking the exact moment your dog does something you want to reward. You will need to teach your dogs how to associate the sound with something positive. Hold the clicker and have a handful of small, tasty treats. Click the device and immediately give your dog a treat. Repeat this during short sessions over a few days. Soon, they will know the clicker means, "Here comes a treat!" Once the clicker is established, teach your dogs to respond to their names. The moment they make eye contact, click and reward. Practice this until they reliably respond to their name when called. Next, introduce "sit." Hold a treat above their nose and slowly move it back toward their tail. Their nose follows the treat, so their bottom will naturally lower to the ground. The moment they sit, click and reward. Next, use the clicker outside to mark the moment when they go potty. Over time, they'll understand that pottying outside earns rewards, too. Use clickers that make different sounds for each dog to avoid confusion. If different-sounding clickers aren't available, train them separately so they don't mistakenly think they'll be rewarded for something their sibling did right. Alternatively, if managing clickers feels too much, assign each dog their unique reward word instead. For example, you could use "Bingo" for one dog and "Bravo" for the other. Always pair the word with a treat or praise immediately after the desired behavior so they learn it means, "You did something right; here's your reward!" Keeping their cues distinct helps avoid confusion and ensures a smoother training process. Consistency is key so get everyone in the family on board with the training. Dear Cathy, Regarding your column on declawing, my family has had five indoor cats over the years, during which time we also had a cocker spaniel. One of the cats loved to hide under the tablecloth while sitting on a dining table chair and wait for the dog to stroll by. He would then reach down and slap the dog. Two times this resulted in a claw hitting the dog’s eye, which required vet treatment. This was expensive, and we feared the dog’s sight could be compromised, so we had the cat’s claws removed. This was hard on the cat as he was nine at the time, but after he healed, he went back to smacking the dog with no damage. We have had two cats since that were declawed when they were small kittens. Both were done by laser which meant so little bleeding that the vet told us no tourniquet was needed. Healing was very fast. I hope you will suggest laser declawing in a future column. — Caroline, Missoula, Montana Dear Caroline, I appreciate you taking the time to explain your experiences and why you made this decision. While laser declawing has improved aspects of the procedure and recovery, it remains a complex issue with potential implications for a cat’s physical and emotional health. Cats, regardless of the method used, reportedly may develop increased biting or avoidance behaviors as a result of losing their primary form of defense. While there are always extenuating circumstances, I believe it’s important to focus on exploring alternative solutions for behavior issues whenever possible, such as frequent nail trimming (weekly), soft claw covers, or behavior training, that can often help avoid situations that require declawing. Thank you for sharing your experience. Pet World with Cathy Rosenthal Tips for re-housetraining your dogs 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]. 'Sassy' pony leads Indiana troopers on hoof chase State troopers in Indiana ended up in a hoof chase with a "sassy" pony spotted wandering on a highway median. Sgt. Ted Bohner, public information officer, said troopers responded to a report of a pony in the median. The equine fled before troopers arrived, and after more than a half hour of searching they located the pony. "The pony wasn't ready for this adventure to end and continued on even though both troopers said 'hay,' stop," Bohner wrote. The hoof chase finally came to a close when the pony got itself tangled in some vines. "The pony, identified as Sassy, was finally in custody," Bohner said. "The troopers were able to contact Sassy's owners. It was learned that Sassy had been a bit sassy earlier in the day and charged at her owner and escaped." 'Remarkably rotund' beaver becomes an online celebrity A Chicago nonprofit is asking social media users to help name a "remarkably rotund" beaver caught on camera in the city. Urban Rivers, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring Chicago's waterways and protecting the native wildlife, shared a video showing the "huge" beaver caught on camera in the city. "She's gotten especially large the last few weeks, probably due to pregnancy, but she's been remarkably rotund for longer than a beaver pregnancy lasts." The group said the beaver also has a reputation for being "tough." "The spots she hangs out at are absolutely filled with coyotes, and we can't figure out how she hasn't been eaten," officials wrote. Sammie Clark, beaver researcher with Urban Rivers, said officials are hoping the rodent's size is indeed evidence of pregnancy. "Seeing this individual looking so plump, especially this time of year, gives us hope that it could be the female pregnant again," Clark told WGN-TV. Vulture that 'loves people' escapes nature show in Georgia A rescued black vulture escaped from his home with a Georgia nature show and has been seen wandering loose south of Atlanta. Robin Pressley, operator of Animal Adventures, said the 1-yearold vulture, named Buzz, escaped from a flight cage. Pressley said on social media that Buzz was raised by humans and is extremely friendly. "Buzz loves people, cuddles and 'upies' and may try to fly to you, but he is not dangerous," Pressley wrote. Pressley said she is more concerned that someone might harm Buzz than she is worried the bird could harm a person. "I just want people to know that he's not aggressive, so I don't want anyone to hurt him," she told Fox 5 Atlanta. Buzz was last spotted in a Columbus resident's yard, but he left before Pressley arrived. 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w a fe o w in o a H G M o t c y w m s p u G la F B h s S m o c s s a taM h g b h m y h w t t h toin m c c w r b m g c s I c s w w e s C t A 12 SMART READER February 27, 2025 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F Attacks on the media have long been part of President Donald Trump’s political playbook, from his relentless mocking of “fake news” to him singling out reporters and withholding access over coverage he deems unfair. Now, one month into Mr. Trump’s second term, his war on the press seems to be entering a new phase, with the president and his allies taking more aggressive actions – and notching clear wins. Mr. Trump has sued several media outlets in the past year, winning a settlement against ABC News that shocked many industry observers. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has been gleefully canceling government subscriptions to news publications. The new chair of the Federal C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Commission has opened an investigation into whether taxpayer dollars should continue to go to NPR and PBS, and the Pentagon has booted legacy media outlets from their permanent workspaces in the building to make room for more Trump-friendly outlets. Perhaps most controversially, the White House has gotten into a tense standoff in recent weeks with The Associated Press over Mr. Trump’s executive order renaming the “Gulf of Mexico” the “Gulf of America.” After the AP announced it would continue using the “Gulf of Mexico,” while acknowledging that President Trump has renamed it the “Gulf of America,” the administration barred AP reporters from attending Oval Office and some other events and flying on Air Force One. The Monitor, which follows the AP Stylebook with some exceptions, will be using similar language. Both the AP and the White House Correspondents’ Association say the Trump administration’s actions are a violation of the First Amendment, and the AP filed a lawsuit on those grounds Friday against three administration officials. The administration has countered that there is a big difference between giving an outlet access to limited spaces and preventing it from publishing the news as it sees fit. So far, most of the leverage seems to be on the president’s side, against a press corps that’s weaker than it has been in decades, with fragmented audiences and shrinking subscriptions. And whether or not the administration is overstepping its authority in this case, observers see larger reasons to be concerned about the freedom of the press, a critical component of a healthy democracy. A battle over a name – and over press freedom Many other newsrooms are also still using the “Gulf of Mexico” in their reporting. But the AP has been the focus of the president’s ire, in part because of its widely adopted stylebook, which has been the authoritative guide on grammar and terminology for scores of newsrooms since the 1950s. Trump allies, among others, have complained that the AP Stylebook has employed increasingly ideological phrasing in recent years – such as using the term “gender-affirming care” when describing medical treatments for transgender people, and capitalizing “Black” but not “white.” The Gulf drama isn’t just about the Gulf, White House officials told Axios this week; it’s another example of the AP using language “to push a partisan worldview.” It’s fine for the administration to offer that kind of criticism, experts say. But when officials take actions to pressure an outlet to produce a certain type of coverage, it becomes more problematic. For now, many constitutional law experts say the administration isn’t violating the First Amendment, though it may be edging closer to that line. “As much as I oppose the [AP] exclusion personally, I am skeptical that it is unconstitutional,” says Eugene Volokh, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. “This is something we say as law professors all the time: ‘The fact that something is a bad idea doesn’t mean it’s unconstitutional.’” If the Trump administration goes beyond barring AP journalists from “invitation-type events” and starts revoking their White House credentials or barring them from big public events, that’s where the First Amendment conversation “really gets elevated,” says Mr. Goldberg. A tough time for the news industry Mr. Trump may have been emboldened to take stronger action against the press in his first month in office in part because of recent wins in the courtroom. In December, ABC News opted to settle Mr. Trump’s defamation lawsuit over George Stephanopoulos’ on-air statement that the president had been found liable for rape in the E. Jean Carroll case. The jury had found Mr. Trump liable for sexual abuse, not rape. The president is engaged in another suit against CBS News over an interview it aired with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, which Mr. Trump contends was deceptively edited. There has been speculation that Paramount, CBS’ parent company, may be moving toward a settlement as well. Mr. Trump is also suing the Des Moines Register and its recently departed pollster, Ann Selzer, over a preelection survey that showed Ms. Harris with a lead in Iowa (Mr. Trump won the state by 14 points). The president’s true victory in the ABC case may not have been the $15 million “charitable contribution” made toward his future presidential library, but the fact that “it shows the media is scared,” says David Enrich, a New York Times reporter. Overturning that case has become “one of the leading goals of the conservative legal movement” as well as a key goal of Mr. Trump’s, says Mr. Enrich. Without that court precedent, media organizations would face a far greater threat of lawsuits. And while that could in theory lead to more careful, nonpartisan coverage, it could also have a widespread chilling effect if legal action is used to intimidate media organizations and drain their already limited resources. By Story Hinckley A gulf widens between Trump and the press, with high stakes for free speech President Donald Trump talks with reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House, Jan. 30, 2025. 021325 Green Ridge Cemetery reen Ridge Cemetery 6604 7th Avenue, Kenosha WI • 262-652-1631 [email protected] SR103124 • BURIALS • CREMATION GRAVES • TRADITIONAL GRAVES • COLUMBARIUM NICHES BURIALS • CREMATION GRAVES • TRADITIONAL GRAVES • COLUMBARIUM NICHES New Columbariums Are Here! 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Last fall I traveled with my wife across the USA. We arrived in Los Angeles and a few hours later got to hold our newest granddaughter. It was magical, to say the least. My youngest daughter inherited her mother’s love of gardening. It was decided a day trip to the magnificent Huntington Botanical Gardens located in San Marino, California, was in order. The adventure was the highlight of the trip. I can’t begin to share with you the tranquility that washes over you when you meander through paths surrounded by countless plants of all types and sizes. Our circuitous route led us through the Japanese Garden. I was attracted to a large paved patio at the Freshwater Pavilion. Beneath my feet were hundreds of thousands of small, rounded stones. Skilled workers created a mosaic pattern by carefully orienting the oblong colored stones. These stones were set in cement stucco that bonded them to a large concrete slab. I blinked my eyes and was taken back over 45 years. My bride of just a few years had asked me to build her a goldfish and lily pond in the backyard of our second home. I was filled with energy as my 30th birthday was still years away. I would come home from work and then work until dark doing all that was necessary to create the pond. We were fortunate to have enough fall on the lot to allow me to install a drain in the pond. This would make cleaning it a simple chore. My wife asked me to create a kidney-shaped water feature. Steelreinforced concrete would be the perfect material. My wife showed me a magazine photograph of a garden path that was created using small colored stones set in mortar. I knew I could reproduce that look. I hand-mixed the concrete, making it quite stiff. I was able to shape it with no problem. It helped working in the cool of the evening. I visited a local masonry supply business that sold sand and gravel. They had an assortment of colored, rounded glacial gravel that would be perfect. I purchased a small sample and my dear wife approved them. Many were the size of grapes. Bonding these small stones to the concrete was easy. I mixed medium sand and Portland cement. My mix was 3 measures of sand to 1.5 measures of Portland cement. I added enough water to make stucco the consistency of applesauce. I’d only mix up enough stucco to last me one hour. Before I applied it to the concrete, I spritzed the dry concrete with water. Years later, I discovered that it would have been even better to apply a thin coat of cement paint to the concrete just before applying the stucco. Cement paint is made by mixing Portland cement with clear water until it’s like a thin paint. I would trowel on a 3/4- inch thick layer of the cement stucco to an area about 1-foot square. My wife would hand me the stones and tell me where to position them. We were a great team and she made sure the colors were random. My only regret is I never took photos of the process or the finished job. What can you do at your home to add some color and texture in your outdoor paving? You are so much luckier than I was. I had one photo as a guide. You have countless photos on the Internet. You can search design websites or use any search engine’s image search to help you find what you like. You’ve also got amazon.com or local landscaping businesses that often stock lots of different colored gravel. You can purchase bags and boxes of colored glass beads to set in stucco. Some are crystals that will glitter in the sunlight. Imagine covering 1-foot square concrete pavers from a big box store with colored stones, glass beads, or even weather-resistant ceramic tile. These finished blocks can be set into a new concrete patio or sidewalk. You can use them as simple stepping stones in a miniature garden. Your possibilities are endless. Spend several hours scouring the Internet for inspiration. Visit local public gardens to see if they have paving like what I saw in California. The time you spend getting the exact look that dazzles you will pay off in spades. Colored rocks, glass chips and other interesting things to add to outdoor stucco 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 0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER February 27, 2025 13 ts er, a at a on ue ay 5 le rd al “it ,” w as ng ve a ys at ia a of at to an ve if to ia in ed ey SR103124 g SR061519 30 GUARANTEED DAY LOWEST PRICE WE WILL MEET PRICE BEAT OR ANY ADVERTISED ON ANY TIRE WE SELL WITH THE PURCHSE OF 4 TIRES FREE LIFETIME ROTATIONS OVER 18 BRANDS INCLUDING BFGOODRICH, BRIDGESTONE, MICHELIN, GOODYEAR & MORE! 262-694-1500 7110 74th PL, Kenosha, WI “Located next to Menards” YOUR CERTIFIED GM SERVICE CENTER... 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14 SMART READER February 27, 2025 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F DEAR MAYO I’m a people-pleaser by nature and have difficulty saying no or setting limits in my relationships. How can I start to create healthier boundaries in a kind yet firm way? ANSWER: People have various types of relationships, including partners, spouses, children, friends, co-workers, neighbors and acquaintances. Different relationships involve different interactions, responsibilities and influences. Every relationship has boundaries or rules of engagement. You may be deliberate and conscientious about these boundaries, or they may have formed subconsciously. Developing and maintaining healthy boundaries helps you establish and build healthy relationships and avoid unhealthy connections with people. Setting healthy boundaries is necessary for your health and the health of your relationships. Living within these boundaries you create is crucial to lowering stress and increasing satisfaction in life, particularly with the responsibilities and tasks in your personal life and work. Anxiety and stress develop when you take responsibility for others’ emotions, behaviors and thoughts. Many anxieties people experience are due to poor boundaries. A principle I refer to is the "law of relationships." It identifies that you can’t control what others think, feel or do, and you are solely responsible for what you think, feel and do. Identifying and stating the boundaries in relationships that support this law clarifies where your responsibilities and authority stop, and the other person’s responsibilities start. Consider how you feel when you’re given a task to complete but not given the resources you need to do the task. That can leave you feeling anxious and worried. The same feelings can happen when someone tries to give you responsibility for their emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Healthy boundaries are critical for your well-being. Boundary-setting can be challenging at first, especially when your education, training or personal experiences may have led you to establish unhealthy boundaries. Boundaries are driven by our view of our value as a person. Your value shouldn’t be based on your performance. It’s necessary to recognize how you presently value yourself and determine if that view is accurate. For example, consider how a parent loves their child versus how they respond to their child’s behavior. Nothing the child does can change the parent’s love for them. The parent may sometimes be displeased with the child’s behavior, but their love is not altered based on the child’s behavior. Focus on practicing behaviors that support your positive self-worth. Determine healthy boundaries that you can clearly define. Mapping out boundaries for various aspects of your life takes time and attention. Think about your relationships with your partner, parents and children; your job and co-workers; and your finances. Answer these questions to help you define the boundaries you want to set for yourself: • What relationships are bringing me stress and anxiety? • Am I attempting to control someone’s emotions, thoughts or behavior? • Do I feel mistreated or taken advantage of? • Does the value I feel from others change based on how well I fulfill their requests or obligations? Also, identify false beliefs that have driven you to have unhealthy boundaries in the past. You can do this by determining what experiences caused you to have feelings of guilt or disrespect. Think of times you have felt you would upset someone or cause anger if you didn’t do a specific task. Anxiousness involves anticipating something bad will happen and not having a healthy response to that feeling. Take note of what you can and can’t control, and again, remember that you are not responsible for other people’s emotions, actions or thoughts. Unhealthy boundaries often are driven by believing you can’t say no. Validating for yourself that saying no is a way you can grow your healthy boundaries. Saying yes to the activities and tasks within your boundaries is meaningful only when your no is equally valued. Saying no to things outside your boundaries will likely cause more pressure to say yes. Have an action plan for how you will respond in a healthy way to something that violates your boundaries. Your action plan may include practicing saying no in a firm, yet kind, way or choosing not to talk to someone who doesn’t respect your boundaries. Initially, healthier boundaries require much effort to establish and maintain. Over time, you’ll find they become more habitual and require less effort. Your previous hurt from unhealthy boundaries will fade away. You also will notice that the pressure to appease others will diminish. Regularly review your actions to ensure you are following the boundaries you’ve created, especially during stressful or busy times. A weekly or monthly check-in can help you track your goals and priorities. Mapping out clear boundaries in your life will positively affect your selfesteem and overall wellbeing. Building your selfesteem will help establish healthier relationships.― Rich Oswald, Psychiatry & Psychology, Eau Claire and Menomonie, Wisconsin Mayo Clinic Setting boundaries for your well-being health Want to thrive in tough, stressful times? Stay playful. That's the take-home message from a new study of who fared best, in terms of mental resiliency, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers said the findings have relevance to weathering any sort of trying times. "Playful" people differ from others in that they display "greater optimism when envisioning future possibilities," are more creative when it comes to solving problems, and attempt to "infuse quality and enjoyment into everyday activities," explained study lead author Xiangyou "Sharon" Shen of Oregon State University in Corvallis. Her team's study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, tracked the mental health outcomes for 503 individuals throughout the pandemic. Psychologists already acknowledge playfulness as an important personality trait, and there's even a Playfulness Trait Scale to measure it. According to Shen, during the pandemic folks who scored high on the scale "actively altered challenging situations, found creative substitutes for what was lost, viewed obstacles as opportunities for growth and maintained a strong sense of control over their responses." More playful people tended to stress out less during the COVID19 years, compared to less-playful types, the study found. Shen said that playful folk did not necessarily engage in different activities or do any particular activity more often. Instead, they became more deeply involved in whatever activity they were in; were more active generally; and derived more fun out of whatever they were doing. "This is essentially making lemonade from lemons, and it's connected intimately with resilience," said Shen, who directs the Health, Environment and Leisure Research Lab at OSU. "[Playful people's] unique combination of realistic assessment and flexible problem solving emerged as a powerful formula, offering a vivid demonstration of how personality traits like playfulness shape our responses under stress." It wasn't that playful folks were looking at the pandemic with rosecolored glasses, either. "Highly playful people were just as realistic about COVID-19 risks and challenges as others, but they excelled at 'lemonading' -- creatively imagining and pursuing the positive, discovering ways to create moments of joy even in difficult circumstances," Shen said in a university news release. She stressed that people aren't necessarily born with playfulness; it can be cultivated, too. Researchers offered some ways to gather more playfulness into your life. Consider: • Looking for activities that "spark joy and curiosity." • Mixing things up when it comes to new ways to carry out routine activities. • Looking for avenues to "spontaneous, unstructured exploration." • Meeting up with folks who keep your spirits up and who love play, too. • Never shying away from life's "sillier" moments. • Including time for playfulness, even 10 minutes per day, as part of your routine. "True playfulness doesn't require a playground, games or toys," Shen said. "It's about bringing a spirit of openness, flexibility and fun to everyday moments." By Ernie Mundell Stay playful to weather tough times, study advises T "Fr fro 20 on un po N gro ane newuse K un tre stu so qu H nev pro sup newAm An F the nu mi op use Do " int gre ane soc ane wa A up m ho th se Ce Pr de sayth CO m Un in TV th sa lin pa to an dis pe re th "E th F
0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER February 27, 2025 15 ff lThe tragic early death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry from a ketamine overdose in 2023 has swung a spotlight on the dangers of unsupervised use of the potent anesthetic. Now, America's leading group representing anesthesiologists is issuing new guidelines on proper use of the drug. Ketamine also has come under increasing scrutiny as a treatment recently, with studies suggesting that for some patients it might quickly ease depression. However, people should never take ketamine without proper dosing and medical supervision, according to new guidelines from the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Following Perry's death, there have been "a growing number of false or misleading statements and opinions in the press on its use," said ASA president Dr. Donald Arnold. "Ketamine was originally introduced and has its greatest use as an anesthetic," he explained in a society news release. "As anesthesiologists, we felt it was important to increase awareness of how to use it appropriately. "People who have struggled with mental health issues and are understandably excited about a new treatment may not realize that they are risking their lives by receiving treatment without medical supervision in unaccredited clinics or offices without established safety standards." The bottom line, as Perry's case so tragically demonstrated, is that ketamine can have potentially life-threatening effects if used improperly. These include high blood pressure, slowed breathing, respiratory failure, cardiac issues and seizures. As the ASA noted, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has never approved ketamine for any use other than anesthesia. Still, there's been a recent surge in "off-label" use of the infused or injected drug for depression and other purposes. That's led to the rapid growth of unlicensed inperson clinics or online clinics that supply ketamine by mail, according to the ASA. Patients might be instructed how to administer the ketamine they receive, but any monitoring and guidance stops there. However, according to the ASA's news release, "Patients should only be prescribed the drug for a medical indication as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, by an appropriately trained and licensed medical professional who monitors the patient with periodic face-to-face visits." Ketamine, given either via IV drip or injection, also should "only be administered in a monitored setting under the care of a licensed health professional where appropriate rescue equipment is immediately available," according to the ASA guidance. Other points in the guidance: • Ketamine should have a clear therapeutic "endpoint" and a defined course of therapy. • Medical professionals should monitor patients to make sure ketamine is being used properly -- any nonmedical uses should not be tolerated. • Ketamine should only be used at a "minimum dose necessary to achieve a desired clinical effect." • Patients should be educated about the possible hazards of ketamine use. • Ketamine doses should never rise to a level where they "produce excessive sedation, unconsciousness or unresponsiveness," unless this is done under the supervision of a licensed medical professional and a safe setting. "Anesthesiologists are working with psychiatrists via joint research, training programs and other initiatives to advance mental health treatment using these drugs," the ASA's Arnold said. "People who believe ketamine might be helpful in addressing their mental health issues should talk with their primary care physician or mental health professional," he added. By Ernie Mundell Anesthesiologists warn about proper use of ketamine The current flu season is shaping up to be the worst in a decade. So far, there have been at least 29 million illnesses and 370,000 hospitalizations related to the flu -- the most since the 2015-2016 season, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's weekly flu report. There have also been 16,000 deaths caused by the flu, the CDC says. "Just recently, for the first time this year, flu deaths have surpassed COVID deaths," Dr. Lauren Siewny, medical director of the Duke University Emergency Department in Durham, N.C., told HealthDay TV. There are a few reasons for why this season has been so bad, she said. "Some of it may be some lingering effects from the COVID pandemic -- that we're just starting to see folks out and about more and spreading communicable disease," Siewny said. "I think some of it is just that it's peaking late this year, and so it's really feeling like it's dragging out that winter season," she added. "Everyone that I know feels like they've had some sort of viral illness in the last month." However, Siewny thinks that the flu season has now reached its peak, and cases should start subsiding soon. "We have hit the peak, at least in this area. It looks like the peak was around the first week of February," Siewny said. "Again, that's a little later than last year. Last year was more around the holidays time." How bad the season has been varies depending where you live, Siewny added. "Actually, compared to last year, we have had fewer hospitalizations," Siewny said of her region, in central North Carolina. "Some of it is how you define how busy the flu season is. If you look at hospitalizations, those are a little bit down from last year. But if you look at overall emergency department visits, those have been high." Even though the season might have peaked, Siewny still recommends getting the flu vaccine if you haven't already. "It is absolutely not too late. We still recommend it," Siewny said. "The flu vaccine is the best protection we have, particularly at preventing those hospitalizations in the folks who are more susceptible to influenza complications, such as the elderly, the immunocompromised and very young children." She also recommends that people get prompt treatment for the flu, which now can include antiviral drugs that are likely to shorten a person's illness. "There's absolutely a window," Siewny said. "If you think you have the flu, if you test positive for the flu, and you're in one of those conditions that would be potentially susceptible to severe disease, we really want to get that medication started within the first 48 hours." Likewise, people should head to the ER if they develop severe symptoms, she added. "The things that we really want to see in the emergency department are shortness of breath -- that is going to be the number one for us every time -- confusion, severe dehydration, chest pain," Siewny said. "Those are the things that I would kind of bypass urgent care and come to the emergency department for evaluation." By Dennis Thompson Flu season worst in a decade
16 SMART READER February 27, 2025 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F Stephen King: Five upcoming adaptations for film, TV PRINT & E-BOOKS NONFICTION PRINT & E-BOOKS FICTION 1. Onyx Storm (Yarros) 2. Scythe & Sparrow (Weaver) 3. Deep End (Hazelwood) 4. Fourth Wing (Yarros) 5. Paranoia (Patterson/Born) 6. Iron Flame (Yarros) 7. The Crash (McFadden) 8. The Housemaid (McFadden) 9. First-Time Caller (Borison) 10. We All Live Here (Moyes) 1. Outlive (Attia/Gifford) 2. On Tyranny (Snyder) 3. The Anxious Generation (Haidt) 4. Source Code (Gates) 5. The Body Keeps the Score (van derk Kolk) 6. The Sirens’ Call (Hayes) 7. Hillbilly Elegy (Vance) 8. Framed (Grisham/McCloseky) 9. The Serviceberry (Kimmerer) 10. Believe (Douthat) NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERS Iconic horror author Stephen King will see several of his stories adapted for TV and the big screen in the coming months. A film adaptation of King's short story The Monkey opens in theaters Friday, while his novel The Running Man is getting a movie remake that opens in November. Carrie, previously brought to life in an iconic 1976 film, will now become a series. Read on to learn more about upcoming adaptations of King's works. 'The Monkey' The 1980 horror short story by Stephen King follows a man whose family is haunted by a cursed monkey toy that causes deaths and other catastrophes throughout the years. The story is being adapted as a new film written and directed by Osgood Perkins (Longlegs) and starring Theo James in dual roles of twin brothers Hal and Bill. Tatiana Maslany and Elijah Wood also star. The Monkey opens in theaters Friday. 'The Life of Chuck' Stephen King's novella, which is composed of three linked short stories, was published in his 2020 collection If It Bleeds. The novella moves backward in time, starting with the character Chuck's death, then exploring moments from his life. Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep, The Haunting of Hill House) is helming a film adaptation, which stars Tom Hiddleston as Chuck. The movie, like the novella, is broken into three parts, and also stars Karen Gillan, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mark Hamill. Neon is distributing the film, but an official release date has not yet been announced. 'Carrie' King's 1974 horror novel follows teen outcast Carrie White, "who gradually discovers that she has telekinetic powers," according to an official book synopsis. The story inspired Brian De Palma's 1976 film of the same name, starring Sissy Spacek, John Travolta and Piper Laurie. Mike Flanagan and Amazon MGM Studios are developing a new series inspired by Carrie. The show is described as "a bold and timely reimagining" of King's story. The series does not yet have a release date. 'The Running Man' King's 1982 dystopian thriller, released under the pen name Richard Bachman, predicts a grim future. The story is set in 2025 and follows Ben Richards, a father trying to generate the money he needs to cure his sick daughter. "His last chance is entering a game show called The Running Man where the objective is to elude police and specially trained trackers for a month," an official synopsis reads. Edgar Wright (Last Night in Soho) will direct, which stars Glen Powell, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin, Katy O'Brian and Daniel Ezra. The book inspired the previous 1987 film adaptation starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Running Man is slated to open in theaters Nov. 7. 'The Long Walk' Like The Running Man, King's 1979 novel was released under his Richard Bachman pen name. The story takes place in a dystopian future where each year, 100 teenagers take part in a contest where they walk from Maine to Florida and are killed if their pace falls below four miles an hour. Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) will direct a film adaptation starring Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Roman Griffin Davis, Judy Greer and Mark Hamill. Filming is complete, but a release date has yet to be announced. By Jessica Inman Anne Tyler’s trademark wit and empathy shine in ‘Three Days in June’ Anne Tyler’s 25th novel, Three Days in June, is a valentine to readers. It’s funny and touching. The story features a divorced couple thrown together by their daughter’s wedding – one ex-spouse is incorrigibly spontaneous, the other rigid – plus an old, overweight rescue cat. This may be Tyler lite, not as complex as “A Spool of Blue Thread” or “French Braid,” but there isn’t a wrong move in it. It’s the literary equivalent of a box of chocolates with no duds. The novel, like a wellmade play, spans three acts: the day before, the day of, and the day after the wedding of Debbie, Max and Gail Baines’ only child. The Baineses have been divorced for 21 years, and we eventually learn why. The narrator is 61-yearold Gail, whom no one would ever call easygoing. Her day, which will end with the rehearsal dinner, gets off to a bad start when her boss calls her into her office. Marilee is headmistress of a private girls’ school in Baltimore where Gail has been assistant head for 11 years. Gail is enraged to learn that she’s being passed over for promotion when Marilee retires at the end of the year. Marilee tries to reason with her: “Face it: this job is a matter of people skills. ... And surely you’ll be the first to admit that social interactions have never been your strong point.” Gail storms off in a huff. She is also miffed about missing her daughter’s “Day of Beauty,” set up by the groom’s mother, even though she had never before heard of such a thing. In fact, the last time Gail went to a hairdresser, she was in high school. She heads home to stew in the small house she moved into after her divorce. But who should show up but her former husband, over from Delaware’s Eastern Shore for the weekend’s nuptial events, lugging a duffel bag and pet carrier. Here’s how Tyler introduces him, through the eyes of his exwife: “Max was nowhere near fat, but he was weighty, broad-shouldered; he always gave the impression of taking up more than his share of room, although he was not much taller than I was.” Gail asks why he’s there. Well, he was supposed to stay at their daughter’s, but it turns out her fiancé is “deathly allergic” to cats. Why did he bring his cat? Well, she wasn’t his cat, but her older owner had died, and he’d picked her up at the Delaware shelter where he volunteers, and he couldn’t very well leave her alone, could he? In fact, he is hoping that Gail will adopt the cat. Fat chance. “I didn’t even want a houseplant,” Gail explains. “I had reached the stage of life when I was done with caretaking.” That’s the setup, and Tyler clearly has fun with it as she returns to a favorite theme: how a marriage, even a failed one, plays out over decades. She throws in a few twists, including some unfortunate dirt on the groom that nearly derails the wedding. The fact that we pretty much know where this is going doesn’t matter, because Max and Gail’s conversations are hilarious, especially when they grope for elusive words. We learn a lot about these two people in just 176 pages. Both are devoted educators. Neither cares about fancy clothes or food. One lacks boundaries, while the other, by her own admission, “was all about boundaries.” One is giving and forgiving, the other judgmental. One is irrepressible, the other bottled up. But years after their split, they still share some inside jokes. The narrative chronicles Gail’s gradual recognition that her inflexible standards have impinged on her happiness. At one point she recalls the time Debbie asked why she was an only child. “I explained that we couldn’t afford more children – not if she wanted the very best college education,” Gail tells us. She reports that young Debbie replied, “See there? You’re always trying to do things perfect, when I’d rather do things just soso but have lots of brothers and sisters.” And what was Gail’s response? “’Perfectly,’ I corrected her.” The moral of this story? Cut people some slack and forgive their shortcomings – and your own, too! Another takeaway: If you’re looking for a deeply humane writer abounding in wit and wisdom, read Anne Tyler. By Heller McAlpin Colman Domingo Theo James p n b A T K fi a t w la u v T b b r jo S c e t t w in v w h e m w m t in is F T W a m d f c J b V D t e o p t W N A s f B a t r c I d la s i a s
0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER February 27, 2025 17 While we are quick to celebrate the first person to achieve something, Eliot Stein notes that we rarely honor the last. In his book Custodians of Wonder: Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive, Stein travels to five continents to tell the stories of 10 artisans practicing ancient crafts. Sharing these cultural treasures, he asks what might we lose if these custodians prove to be the last. Part travelogue, part memoir, his book unfolds crafts that flourished in an isolation virtually impossible to replicate today. These include the world’s rarest pasta, a bridge woven from grass, and soy sauce brewed following the original 700-year-old recipe. As he writes with the integrity of a journalist and the artfulness of a storyteller, Stein’s accounts express compassion, curiosity, and respect. He shares the experiences of each custodian in a manner that enables readers to appreciate the treasures rapidly disappearing from our world. “When localism gives way to internationalism, we often lose the distinct vestiges that make our world so wonderfully diverse – and this global homogenization is happening before our eyes,” he observes. One can be found in Sardinia where Stein meets Paola Abraini, one of only four women in the world who can properly make a pasta dish known as su filindeu, “the threads of God.” Composed of 256 individual strands of pasta, the finished dish is said to resemble stitched lace and is considered the rarest pasta in the world. The recipe has been passed down to the women of one family for more than 300 years. The ingredients are no mystery – semolina flour, water, and salt. But it is the skill and the process that raises the dish to a work of art. Others have tried to replicate the techniques – including representatives of the Barilla company – but none is considered to have succeeded. Abraini has even been accused of altering the recipe to foil imitators. But, as Stein observes, “As with so many handmade wonders, the only ‘secret’ is in the sense of touch, an invisible instinct born from thousands of repetitions until it courses through her veins like memory.” Process is also key to producing soy sauce faithful to the original 700-year-old recipe. Yasuo Yamamoto, a fifth-generation Japanese soy sauce brewer, has been working to educate people about the authentic taste of soy sauce. In short, the true flavor is nothing like that of the condiment most people know. Authentic soy sauce must be brewed in a kioke, a cedar barrel. More than a vessel, the kioke provides the essential ingredient: The porous wood harbors millions of microbes that ferment the sauce, imparting a richer flavor than can be obtained any other way. Today, less than 1% of the world’s soy sauce is produced this way, although 75 years ago, almost all of it was. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, the government was driven to rescue the nation’s economy. So officials directed companies to abandon the kioke and adopt steel vats, which produce what many consider to be an imitation. Yamamoto has made it his life’s work to recapture the ancient methods and reintroduce the authentic sauce. His motives extend beyond the culinary. He cherishes the fact that soy sauce, the oldest condiment in the world, is woven into the history and identity of Japan. Another custodian featured in the book is a Peruvian bridge master named Victoriano Arizapana, who is entrusted with overseeing the annual construction of a rope bridge woven from grass. For 500 years, members of the Inca nation created such bridges, which were strong enough to support a marching army. It’s estimated that there used to be 200 of these bridges spanning the Apurimac River in the Peruvian highlands. Today, there is one. It was a picture of one of these bridges that first opened the ancient Inca civilization to the rest of the world. In the early 20th century, the explorer Hiram Bingham saw the image and set out in search of the bridge. He stumbled upon the abandoned Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, a site that has become far better known to the world. But some might consider the bridge to be the marvel. Consistent with tradition, the 22-meter structure is rebuilt each year to ensure that it is safe. A three-day process, the construction involves 1,100 people who cut and braid blades of a strawlike plant, q’oya ichu, into cables as strong as steel. When the new bridge, pulled into place by teams working on opposite sides of the canyon, is complete, the old one is severed and is simply left to decompose. Practically speaking, the bridge is not necessary. There are others in the area, made of modern steel and suitable for vehicles and pedestrians. But members of the community told Stein that they prefer to use the traditional bridge, feeling that it connects them to their ancestors and to the ancient culture. He observes how crafting it embodies the Inca peoples’ ethos: “fragile by themselves but invincible when they join forces.” By Joan Gaylord Makers of the world’s rarest pasta and soy sauce inspire awe Find your winter escape with the 10 best books of February The Riveter, by Jack Wang Jack Wang’s debut novel about a Chinese Canadian man serving his country during World War II offers a fresh perspective on an oftcovered conflict. Logger Josiah Chang leaves the backwoods to work in Vancouver’s shipyards. Driven by a love affair and the hope of citizenship, he enlists. Whether he’s in training or in battle, Josiah’s principled decency powers the absorbing tale. Waiting For the Long Night Moon, by Amanda Peters Amanda Peters’ powerful short-story collection, the follow-up to her novel “The Berry Pickers,” stares down and sifts through painful truths – the legacy of residential schools, the current scourge of missing Indigenous women, the devaluing of First Nations lands and lives. Many of the stories are deeply sad (and, in some cases, violent), yet awe, care, and community still emerge. Going Home, by Tom Lamont A trio of unlikely British men are tasked with unexpected fatherhood duties in the care of a delightfully inquisitive 4- year-old named Joel. The novel’s unforgettable characters and emphasis on caregiving and friendship spread a poignant and joyful message. Isola, by Allegra Goodman Allegra Goodman’s novel follows the story of real-life French noblewoman Marguerite de la Rocque de Roberval in 1542. Orphaned at 3 years old and robbed of her fortune, she’s dragged aboard a ship sailing for New France by her guardian, only to be abandoned on a desolate island. Her transformation – and ignited faith – is astonishing. Three Days in June, by Anne Tyler A long-divorced couple are thrown together by their daughter’s wedding. The novel spans the day before, the day of, and the day after the ceremony. It’s not as complex as some of Anne Tyler’s other books, but it’s delightful – frequently hilarious, yet also touching. We All Live Here, by Jojo Moyes Lila’s life implodes when her cheating husband walks out, her mother dies, her manuscript is due, her stepfather moves in, and the children are acting up. In this beautifully written novel, Jojo Moyes explores resilience, forgiveness, and community. Maya & Natasha, by Elyse Durham Two Soviet-era dancers – twin sisters – vie for a single slot at the famed Kirov Ballet. The lengths to which either sister will go to derail the other’s career testifies to the desperation of artists hemmed in by a repressive government. Ambition, love, cruelty, and the longing for forgiveness circle one another warily in Elyse Durham’s darkly atmospheric debut novel. Harlem Rhapsody, by Victoria Christopher Murray The 1920s saw the emergence of Black artists and writers in what became known as the Harlem Renaissance. This historical novel tells the story of reallife educator and author Jessie Redmon Fauset, who discovered and mentored the literary dreams of writers such as Langston Hughes and Nella Larsen. Fauset’s remarkable career and tempestuous relationship with civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois are explored in Victoria Christopher Murray’s dynamic tale. One Day, Everyone Will Always Have Been Against This, by Omar El Akkad Journalist Omar El Akkad takes on the West’s “glaring disconnect between cultural self-image and pragmatic reality” in his luminous, heartbroken new work. Whether describing what he sees as the abysmal treatment of Arabs post9/11 or the annihilation of Palestinians in Gaza today, he “agitates against silence” and advocates for change. This is moral outrage on steroids. Last Seen, by Judith Giesberg For decades after the Civil War, formerly enslaved people placed advertisements in newspapers seeking information about family members from whom they’d been separated in the antebellum South. Historian Judith Giesberg has created an archive of thousands of these ads; her affecting book focuses on 10 cases that powerfully illuminate the inhumanity of slavery.
18 SMART READER February 27, 2025 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F Vast numbers of workers suffer from chronic conditions Chronic health conditions are having a serious, negative impact on the welfare of the country's workers and their output, a new Harvard poll shows. More than half of employees suffer from chronic conditions, and three-fourths of them need to deal with their illnesses on the job, according to the poll conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston and the de Beaumont Foundation in Bethesda, Md.,. Even so, a majority -- 60% -- have not formally revealed their disorder to the employer, the poll found. "We know that chronic illnesses are one of the top health problems facing employers today, yet the dayto-day impacts on employees and their work often remain hidden," Gillian SteelFisher, the poll's director, told UPI. The researchers undertook the nationally representative poll of working U.S. adults "to understand the bigger picture of employees' challenges and experiences with managing their chronic conditions and working," said SteelFisher. "We hope these results highlight new opportunities for employers to support and strengthen their workforce," she said. The poll's findings also highlight the challenges that many federal employees and others may encounter under return-to-work policies, the researchers said. The poll uncovered that more than half of U.S. employees report living with physical chronic health conditions, such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and asthma. Meanwhile, more than one-third of U.S. employees with chronic conditions, 36%, note forgoing medical appointments or postponing care to avoid interrupting work in the past year. Employers or managers can take several measures to better serve their workers, the researchers noted. "Many workers with chronic conditions say they need more flexibility, breaks, time off to see their doctors and paid leave to adequately manage their conditions," said SteelFisher, who has a doctorate in health policy. She added that "you shouldn't have to choose between your job or your medical care, yet that is the sad reality millions of U.S. workers are facing today." The poll found "wide and very concerning gaps between the everyday realities that most workers with chronic conditions face, and the limited amount of flexibility and benefits that many employers have provided to meet their needs," SteelFisher said. The researchers acknowledged they were surprised by how often employees reported missing out on opportunities or receiving negative feedback due to ongoing health conditions. "Though having these conditions is so common in America, the huge stigma experienced by large fractions of workers shows that there is a need to shape workplaces that don't punish workers for having chronic illnesses.," SteelFisher said. Other experts noted the poll's value in shedding light on the toll that chronic health conditions take on America's workers. "Chronic health conditions have become an important part of our longer lives," said Dr. Moïse Desvarieux, an associate professor of epidemiology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City. "The impact gets even bigger as we grow older, but it affects us all," Desvarieux said, while adding that "people often do not only have one, but two or three chronic conditions," which increases the risk of death and compounds the complexity of juggling multiple medications and appointments with different specialists. "How do we prevent people from having the first, and then the second or third chronic condition?" he said. "It is in the interest of employees and the employer to have healthy workers and workforce, so leaving people time for prevention [and] facilitating that prevention and care when needed is a win-win." Dr. Erika Hutz, a geriatrician at Endeavor Health in the Chicago area, said there is "ongoing tension between personal health needs and workplace demands." Supportive employment environments and policies that recognize and accommodate chronic health conditions are becoming more vital as people "navigate return-towork strategies and prioritize public health," Hutz said. By Mike Huer S n a o K t D h b e f a p t s w p i a a l h P M R M t V C A f s D ( h s REMINDER: Maximum 3 Listings Per Person. MISC MODEL TRAIN SWAP MEET SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 9 AM TO 1 PM. KENOSHA UNION CLUB, 3030 39TH AVENUE. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 2 6 2 - 3 3 1 - 0 3 9 2 . . G E R M A N CONVERSATIONALIST GROUP - KENOSHA/RACINE If you speak German or are enthusiastic about the German language and culture, come and join us. There are no membership fees and attendance is whenever you are available to join. Meetings will be held in the Kenosha and Racine area. This is an excellent group to practice speaking German as members' language skills are from beginners to advance and we all have a good time. Please contact me if you are interested in joining - Susan Blust [email protected]. LIONS CLUB BINGO Come have some fun! Doors open at 4:00. Raffles, pull-tabs and pregames start at 6:45. Bingo 7:00-9pm. Wednesdays. 2700 9th St., Schlader Building, Winthrop Harbor. Food Sale FOR SALE Garmin etrex HC series personal navigator (GPS) used once or twice in like new condition, operates with 2 AA batteries, DC adapter plug, usb port ,In like new condition, includes original packaging, unit, case, lanyard, and owners manual. Gary, 262 914 4470, [email protected] $45 Lots of American Fostoria for sale. Please contact:Karon Baumgarten 317-764-7662 [email protected] Waterbed heater new. $55. 262-498-4021. Contact info: Val Zamecnik email address:[email protected] phone:262-498-4021. One burial lot in Northshore Garden of Memory in North Chicago. Very nice location. Discounted price. BowFlex exercise unit like new. All there including leg exercise unit and book. 600.00. Call Herb at 847-305-0897. Please leave message if I miss your call. Treadmill ¾ GE Motor and Power Rider exercise machine. Both $50 Call Jim 262-857-9650 leave message Ariens Snowblower; 5 HP, 24" cut. $175 Call Jim 262-857-9650 leave message Various Farics, prices start $1/yr (262) 629-0291 New Air Fryer $35 Coffee Table $20 (262)771-8764 Discounted Burial Lot Pair Private Owner of (2) (side by side) Sold as a pair Section H Lot 355 Sunset Ridge Memorial Park Kenosha WI Selling for $10k OBO! Bob 262- 694-5374 Beautiful Sunset Ridge Memorial Park Kenosha. Located in lovely setting in the Garden of The Last Supper. Section H, Lot 113. 5&6, pair $1,800 OBO. Please contact Mary at 262-496-9711. Wi-Fi Router D-Link AC 1200 High Power Gigabit Wi-Fi Router ! $25 / 847-372-6722 Kettle Pedal Car, Nash/AMC parts and accessories Call Charlie 262- 771-6966 (2) grave sites in All Saints Cemetery. I'm asking for $1,000 each plus transfer fees. Call (608) 317-9518 Elizabeth Smith [email protected] CUB CADET LAWN tractors, old 1962 to 1976. Decks and other attachments. Glenn at 262-891-2377. Leave message Amana 21.3 cubic foot. Black electric stove, self cleaning. Asking 300 each or 500 for the pair 414 419 7978 John Deere Tractor Lawn Mower with Briggs & Straton engine and Frame Cutting Deck FOR sale for PARTS ONLY 847-244-9256 NO texting - Please leave a voicemail Large Craftsman table saw, $100 OBOEldridge peddle sewing machine, early 1900's, best offerMilwaukee Plumbers band saw, $50 OBO Call Tom (224) 219-3645 Lake Front Property Ready to rebuild existing home & Garage 1.48Acre on Large Spring Feed Lake in North East WI near Green bay WI. Located in Marinette county in the town of Lake Great Fishing, & water skiing Tubing Jet skiing Air Boat all Water sports activities call (847) 244-9256 Various Fabrics - Price per yard. Call for info(262) 629-0291 Beanie Babies 200+ $200. Proform Treadmill, new belt $300. 7' vinyl boat with new motor, 4-cylinder with accessories $500. (262) 652-5929 TREK 900 TANDEM 26" 21 speed. Updated tires and rims. Excellent condition. Two new helmets plus accessories. $500 OBO 262-883-4210 Sears ZigZag sewing machine and cabinet. Fine condition, All attachments. Model #1750 Asking $60 (262) 657-6049 3 OUTSIDE ALUMINUM screen doors. 1- 30 in. wide, 2-36 in. wide $ 30.00 each. all hardware call 262-652-2649; leave message ENTIRE CONTENTS OF HOME will be sold. Call or text to see if I have what you are looking for. I will give a price. 262-902-5663 SELLING OLD MAGAZINES! Many titles from the 1930's-1950's. Most in good condition. All subjects! Call Kent at 262-960-0621 or <[email protected]>, the more you buy, the better the deal! CEMETERY PLOTS for sale in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park in Kenosha. Located in Garden of Last Supper, section H, $1000 or OBO. Please contact Mayva at 2 6 2 - 8 1 8 - 1 4 9 9 WANTED. Mobile Mig Welder Small job need to complete by MKE Airport. Negotiable rate. ( 7 3 4 ) 7 6 8 . 0 3 3 8 jacobsendaniels.com Cut grass and weeding. Call 2628980605 Singer and narrator wanted for Roger Miller tribute.Call 262-554- 8205. Ask for Marv. WANTED TO BUY: Vintage Movie Posters, Comic Books, LP Records, Vintage Toys, Horror VHS, Horror Memorabilia, Science Fiction Pulps & Magazines, Video Store Promotional Items. PH 262-237- 0318. WANTED TO BUY: Old Post Cards, B&W Photos, B&W Photo Albums, Vintage Advertising, Old Hunting Licenses & Advertising, Scrapbooks, Old Misc.Paper, Old Automobile Advertising, Fountain Pens, Gillette Razors & More. Local Collector/Neutral Safe & Secure Site to meet if desired. Cash Paid. Call or Text Stan 262- 496-1822 LOOKING FOR NURSES Aid for in home care. Call Barbara 262-455-3953 SERVICES. “Tax Preparation & Advisory Services. 20+ Years Experience. Virtual Or In-Person. For Appointment Call Or Text 262-496- 2208. I Will Do Seamstress Work, Run Errands, Do Shopping & Dr. Appointments., Etc.If Interested Please Call Gayle At 262-748-4748 I'M LOOKING FOR house to share for reasonable rent in exchange for household needs for a senior vet consideration. 847-340-3446 Ron. Kenosha/Union Grove area. LAWN MOWING SERVICES Reliable lawn care services in Kenosha & Pleasant Prairie. call/text 262-914-9796 [email protected] TAX & MEDICARE EXPERT. Appointments only. Se Habla Español. 262.833.7070 CHINESE LANGUAGE / CALLIGRAPHY LESSONS: Fun, fascinating and very cool. Beginning and advanced - all ages! Text Dr. Tim at 520.704.3832. FOR RENT Finished Suite private, in-home entrance, in Kenosha. For details call between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, 262-843-1630. DRUM LESSONS Private instruction. Band, orchestra, marching and drum set. Rock and many other musical styles. Learn to read music. Call Tom for details. 262-818-2869. PROFESSIONAL LED TEETH WHITENING for a fraction of the price! $99 at cabana tan spa. call to book: 262-843-2411. 20 minute session = a bright white smile! mycabanatan.com SFAST COMPUTER SERVICE including network support, spyware removal, upgrades and PC repair. For friendly service with a smile, call Vikkex today! Phone 262-694-7746 BABYSITTING YOUNG LADY good with kids can watch 1 or 2 children call 262-620-4745 House cleaning woman + a bucket - reliable, dependable. Also clean vacant houses. Call for estimates - Sandy 262-221-2289 Houses And/Or Business Sun Shine Klean Is Having A Special This Month For First Time Customers Free Upholstery Cleaning With At Basic Cleaning For Only $39.95 262-287-5103 VEHICLES0 2017 FORD F150 One Owner 4wd 4 Door See In Kenosha At 4121-7th. Ave. 217k Miles 262-237-1343 Russ Call Text Or Stop By $7495 Very Nice Truck DUAL EXHAUST SYSTEM Ram V6 dual exhaust system custom built. Make offer. 262-942-1266 2009 JEEP LIBERTY 4WD SEE AT 4121-7TH. AVE. 53140 KENOSHA RUSS 262-237-1343 CALL OR TEXT 195K MILES $4450 NICE JEEP READY FOR WINTER 2013 CHRYSLER 200 Loaded Limited See At 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 Russ 262-237-1343 Call Or Text 189k Miles $4950 2002 XK8- White Jaguar Convertible Good Condition - 38K Miles $18,500 obo Call or Text Bob 262-945-9224 1999 - Sebring Convertible - good Condition $2,850 obo Call or text Bob (262)-945-9224 1981 Datsun/Nissan 280ZX low mileage Loaded Glass T top's Hatch Back Stainless Steel MFG wheels New Clutch New break System New thermostat & radiator 5 speed New Interior Exterior Blue/Silver call 847-244-9256 Please leave a message 2003 GMC Envoy 142K miles Great Shape, Garage Kept 1 owner, Leave Message $6000 obo 262-515-4386 1994 Honda Goldwing Aspencade 64K miles Great Shape, Black, Leave Message $6000 obo 262-515-4386 2003 Chevy Trail Blazer LT SUV many new parts tows 5200lbs good condition interior excellent Low Mileage for year call 847- 244-9256 2017 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN GT SEE IN KENOSHA AT 4121-7TH. AVE. 53140 RUSS 262-237-1343 CALL OR TEXT $7950 LOADED NICE VAN Mercury Cruiser Iron Duke race engine. Best offer. Antioch (224) 518-6491 1940 Ford pick-up (red) Street ride V8 automatic Ready to drive and add to your car perfect collection. 65K 262-620-8230 FREE CLASSIFIEDS! E-mail your 170 character classified to: [email protected] Please include your contact information in the classified. (Name and Phone number / e-mail address) First 3 words will be boldface type. NO ANIMALS. • NO PERSONALS ALLOWED. CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025 AT 12 NOON FREE CLASSIFIEDS! Employment/Opportunities • Lost & Found • Miscellaneous Real Estate • Rentals • Rummage Sales • Vehicles • Wanted
0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER February 27, 2025 19 health lifestyle community Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center news February 27, 2025 Reduce Your Falls Risk with Stepping On Wisconsin is ranked #1 in the nation for falls that lead to death among older adults. More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling. Kenosha County wants to change those statistics with Stepping On! Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center is hosting a Stepping On course beginning on Thursday, April 1. Stepping On is a no cost, six-week educational series, to help reduce falls in older adults. Donations are accepted to help support ongoing programs. In Stepping On, you’ll learn how to build and maintain the physical strength and balance you need to walk confidently. From footwear to prescriptions, you'll learn what increases your risk of a fall, how to avoid it, and make an individualized action plan to stay on your feet and living life the way you want. The in-person sessions will be held at Aurora Health Center, 12500 Aurora Drive, Pleasant Prairie, on Tuesdays, April 1 through May 13, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Registration is required by Tuesday, March 25. For questions or to register call the ADRC at 262-605-6646. In-person or Virtual Caregiver Coffee Club ADRC offers support group for those caring for someone with dementia Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offers a support group to help family caregivers who care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia. Join others engaged in helping their loved ones manage day to day living. Relax, chat and learn helpful tips and strategies. The Caregiver Coffee Club meets the first Wednesday of each month from 10-11 a.m., the next meeting will be on March 5. The support group is available inperson or virtually. Facilitated by Alex Troupis, Dementia Care Specialist with the Kenosha County ADRC. To register call 262-605- 6646. Memory Café The Memory Café is a monthly gathering for persons living with Mild Cognitive Impairment, earlystage Alzheimer’s, or a related dementia, and their care partners to socialize and have fun. Join the Kenosha County ADRC's Dementia Care Specialist, Alex Troupis, for a Memory Café at the Kenosha Neighborhood Southwest Library, 7979 38th Avenue. Meetings are offered the second Tuesday of every month from 1-2 p.m. The next meeting will be on March 11, 2025. For questions and to register call the ADRC at 262-605-6646. Be a Volunteer Guardian! Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity? You could be a Volunteer Guardian! The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center provides training for community members to advocate in health, welfare and/or financial issues for vulnerable adults. Volunteers are then court appointed as the legal decision maker. The program provides training, support and on-going assistance for the volunteer guardian to successfully and capably perform their responsibilities. In as little as one hour each month, you can positively impact the quality of life of an at-risk adult. For more information or to apply, call the ADRC at 262-605-6646. Going on Medicare? Learn about the decisions you’ll need to make The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offers no-cost, unbiased, Medicare workshops for those new to Medicare, or who want to learn more. Trained benefit specialists will be available to answer your questions and discuss the decisions you’ll need to make, including the basics of Medicare coverage, options for private health and drug coverage, and public benefits that can help with health care costs. If possible, sign up for a workshop 3- 4 months before your Medicare starts. UPCOMING MEDICARE 2025 WORKSHOP: Kenosha County Job Center, 8600 Sheridan Road, Entrance A, Kenosha 53143 Wednesday, April 23, 10 a.m. – noon, Room N2 Thursday, May 22, 10 a.m. – noon, Room N2 Thursday, July 24, 1 – 3 p.m., Room N2 Kenosha County Center, 19600 75th Street, Bristol, WI 53104 Thursday, March 20, 10 a.m. – noon, Conference Room A Twin Lakes Twin Lakes Community Library, 110 S. Lake Avenue, Twin Lakes 53181 Wednesday, June 25, 1 – 3 p.m., Community Meeting Room Due to limited seating, reservations are required. Call the ADRC at 262-605-6646 to make a reservation or to learn more. A me ery ng 03 er At es Or k am om 66 EE 40 43 ES OR ed ve. all uar - or e - all ow p's FG ak iaior 56 es 1 00 ng eat ge UV bs ent 47- RAAT SS XT ke ch ed) tic our 5K
h d d g le h w c h d a s le agto d fa a e th w a tr le k w to h fo n fa h lo D th o se d o fa u to w T th m th m g o fo h is c th se m A d w s w 20 SMART READER February 27, 2025 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F
Dear Eric: My husband has been deceased for nearly a decade. Recently, I was going through his leftover files. For years he insisted that his exwife had lied to his children, telling them that he abandoned the family, didn't want the children and never paid child support. I have found letters, from 60 years ago, that his lawyer sent to him verifying that he did not abandon the family but paid for airplane tickets for the ex-wife and four kids to the coast where his wife's family lived. Letters also verified that he was trying to get custody. What to do with these letters? Three of the four kids had nothing to do with their father, except to guilt money out of him. He was asked to pay for weddings or trips but not included in any of the family events. The ex-wife has been deceased longer than my husband. Do I keep letters, burn them or contact the wife of one of the children to see if there is any discussion of their father over holidays and special family events? – Shared History Dear History: I understand your impulse to set the record straight with the adult children. There’s a world where this new information might be a comfort. But I think the danger of a more negative impact is greater. So, please hold off on sharing the letters for now. Since neither your husband nor his ex-wife is alive to give the letters context or to help heal the trauma of the separation, they could do more harm than good. Additionally, had your husband wanted to, he could have given the letters to his children himself at some point in the 50 years between their composition and his passing. Whatever his reasons for keeping them private, it’s better to honor that with discretion. Dear Eric: My brother-in-law (never married, age 63) has been financially irresponsible as long as I've been married to his brother. He has accumulated tens of thousands of dollars in debts. He currently has no addictions, no mental health issues, but lives with his mother who is aging but continues to pay for his necessities. He gives his money away and people take advantage of him. His parents have always bailed him out and feel like he's a victim. He has had steady jobs over his lifetime and gone to college – many reasons why he should have savings for retirement. My concern is that, when she dies, my husband and I will be responsible for him and his debts. Any inheritance will be split three ways between him, his youngest sister and my husband. His share of it will be squandered and, being accustomed to having someone bail him out, he will come to us. My mother-in-law always tells the family that my husband's responsibility is for the family's well-being and to care for everyone when she's gone. I don't think we are responsible for his financial fiascos because of her permissive mothering and think he should finally be accountable for his actions. In good conscience, can we just give him the tools to manage his debts and learn to live with less rather than paying off debts to cover his tracks? We are entering retirement and need our income to live, and I am too old to take care of his needs, physically, emotionally and financially. – Burdened by Parenting Adult Child Dear Burdened: While there are surely complicated family dynamics that might make your husband feel responsible for his brother, and guilty if his brother fails to manage his finances, it’s not your responsibility to manage his life now or in the future. Talking with him about his plans and helping him access tools to budget and settle debts is quite enough. What seems most pressing to a discussion between you and your husband about your concerns? Are you aligned in your thinking? If you share finances but he’s tempted to bail his brother out eventually, this is going to create a big problem in your relationship. However, if you can talk it through now and come up with a game plan that meets your needs and your husband’s, you’ll be better prepared to coach your brother-in-law while maintaining a healthy financial and emotional boundary. This will be c o m p l i c a t e d , nonetheless. He lives with his mother, so there are going to be questions about him remaining in the house. If it’s left to all three siblings, then they’ll need to discuss what’s fair in terms of covering the costs of maintenance, any outstanding mortgage payments and the like. Your brother-in-law may be accustomed to others bailing him out, but you can and should make it clear that there are other options – debt counseling, financial education, even conservatorship – that he will have to explore first. Dear Eric: My son, who is 31, still lives at home. He is a great person and is not antisocial. He has a job that doesn’t pay much. I want him to start his own life. I push him to get a better job so that he can afford to live on his own, but he is very resistant to my pleas. His mother and I are so worried that he is missing out on life. I don’t want to throw him out of the house. My father did that to my siblings and it was ugly and damaged his relationship with his children. I know that I am too soft on him, and I coddled him growing up. My wife and I blame ourselves, which we know isn’t healthy. What can I and his mother do? – Worried Father Dear Father: I’m glad that you’re choosing a different route from your own father’s tactics. There is so much middle ground between throwing an adult child out and coddling. By showing compassion and empathy to your son, you’ve set yourself up to be a trusted resource for him and to reinforce the bedrock of your relationship, which is love. The decisions your son is making about his life may not be the ones you or your wife would prefer for him. Part of parenting, especially being the parent of an adult, is letting your child make their own mistakes sometimes. And, most importantly, letting them learn from them. But because he’s under your roof and because you care, it’s right to say something. Part of it can be a financial conversation. Is he paying rent or otherwise contributing to household expenses? If not, he should, as another adult in the house and as someone who probably could use some practice in budgeting. Decide on a fair rate and present it to him. You might also dig into the why behind his resistance to getting a better-paying job. Maybe he feels you’re pestering him; maybe he feels trapped in his industry; maybe he simply likes his job. See if you can have a conversation about what his desires are for his life without putting your desires for his life on it. This might give you some insight into his thinking and help you find another way in. Perhaps the job is neither the real problem nor the real solution right now. A d d i t i o n a l l y , understanding where he’s coming from will help you and your wife to stop blaming yourselves. Because this isn’t your fault. We don’t make bad choices because we are too loved. We make choices because of the options we believe we have and the internal blocks we need to overcome. You can help him make better choices by closing off some options, while not closing the door completely. asking eric Decades after divorce, second wife wants to share the truth with children Bestselling author R. Eric Thomas brings his signature wit and warmth to “Asking Eric,” an advice column tackling life’s quandaries. Drawing on his stint as Slate’s “Dear Prudence,” Thomas dishes out insightful, humorous guidance for navigating relationships, work, and everything in between 0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER February 27, 2025 21
22 SMART READER February 27, 2025 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F Many readers have been emailing me asking for my help in understanding the allegations made by Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency about sloppy recordkeeping at the Social Security Administration. Here are three typical questions. Q: What is going on with the DOGE reports about Social Security recipients who are supposedly 120 years old? Q: Elon Musk says that there are millions of people in Social Security files who are at least 150 years old. Who is cashing all the checks sent to these obviously nonexistent people? Q: I've heard that millions of people well over 100 years old are being sent Social Security checks every month. What's going on? Let me begin by making this key point. The Social Security records in question are NOT Social Security benefit payment records. Those records are meticulously maintained and updated constantly. Every single study I've ever seen, by both government and private sector oversight groups, has shown that Social Security benefit payments are remarkably correct -- with about 99.8% accuracy. So, despite all these ridiculous rumors to the contrary, Social Security benefit checks are NOT being sent to people who died a long time ago. The mismanaged records in question belong to a completely separate set of files maintained by the Social Security Administration. They are the Social Security number files. Internally (within the SSA), it is called the Numident file. This is a file of every Social Security number that has ever been issued and some corresponding data about the person to whom that number was issued. I'm in that file. You're in that file. Anyone who has ever had a Social Security number is in that file. The data in that file comes from the form you filled out when you got your first Social Security card. To refresh your memory (because most people reading this probably got their SSN card 50 or 60 years ago), the form asked for your name, your date and place of birth and your parents' names. So, all those records (hundreds of millions of them) make up the Numident file. Now, I can't stress enough that the Numident file has nothing to do with other key files maintained by the SSA, such as earnings record files for all working Americans and the beneficiary payment files for everyone getting a monthly Social Security check. The problem is that even though Social Security earnings records and beneficiary payment records are constantly maintained and updated, especially when someone dies, those reports of death did not always get transferred over to the Numident files. I can think of an example of how that might happen. Say John Doe was born in 1900 and got a Social Security number in 1935. Then, he died in 1938, having never been married or had children. Back then, there was no need to report that death to the Social Security Administration because there were no benefit payments to stop and no survivor benefits to apply for. So, the Numident file for John Doe will show no date of death. And that means you could look at that file and say that the SSA has a record of a guy (John Doe) who is 125 years old. And then you multiply that John Doe story by a million other instances like that and you come up with a Numident file that has not been properly maintained. (But to be fair and put things in perspective, those incorrect files are a small percentage of the whole universe of SSN records.) On the one hand, you could say, "What's the big deal if John Doe's date of death is not recorded in the Numident file if it has nothing to do with the SSA's other, more important files such as earnings records and beneficiary payment data?" On the other hand, it is still a case of sloppy recordkeeping by the SSA, and those Numident files should be updated to show proper dates of death for everyone. Here's another way of looking at this story. Suppose Betty Crocker was proud of the fact that she maintained an absolutely immaculate house. Every room is meticulously cleaned each day, everything is in its place and there is never a spot of dust to be found anywhere. But Betty does have one room down in the corner of the basement that she rarely enters. It's a storage room of sorts where, because of her scrupulous habits, everything is mostly in order. But she still has some stray clutter in it that she's been meaning to get to someday. Because Betty spends so much time keeping the rest of her place in tiptop shape, she just hasn't had the time to get down to the storage room to clean it. Then, one day, Betty learns that the people at Good Housekeeping Magazine are coming over to inspect her house. When they arrive, she proudly opens the door, ready to show off all her hard work. But lo and behold, they head straight for the basement and go into her storage room. They are shocked by the disarray and proceed to write a story accusing Betty of being a sloppy housekeeper. The story goes viral, and now poor Betty is shamed across the country. Furthermore, the Good Housekeeping people are threatening to send in their own people to clean up Betty's alleged mess. Of course, in that little story, Betty is the Social Security Administration. Her meticulously kept home is all of the SSA's many data files. But that basement storage room is the Numident file. The Good Housekeeping people are Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency. It's just too bad for Betty that Good Housekeeping has dwelled on the only unclean room in her home and besmirched her reputation. And it's too bad for the Social Security Administration that its reputation for benefit payment accuracy has been muddied by a DOGE story taken out of context. Having said all that, it obviously would be wise for Betty to clean her storage room and for the SSA to clean up its Numident files. social security Clarifying the DOGE Allegations About Social Security with Tom Margenau If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas.margenau @comcast.net. and you A Brazilian couple whose wedding was in 1940 officially took the Guinness World Record for the longest marriage for a living couple. Manoel Angelim Dino, 105, and Maria de Sousa Dino, 101, were awarded the title when Guinness World Records and LongeviQuest, a website that tracks data about centenarians and supercentenarians, verified they had been married for 84 years and 77 days as of Valentine's Day. The duo met in 1936 and were married at the chapel of Boa Ventura in Ceará, Brazil, in 1940. The couple raised 13 children, and now have 55 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren and 12 greatgreat-grandchildren. The longest marriage ever lasted for 88 years and 349 days. David Jacob Hiller and Sarah Davy Hiller were married in 1809 in Canada. Brazilian couple celebrate 84 years, 77 days of marriage A New York woman celebrated her 104th birthday by crossing an item off her bucket list: visiting the local jail. The Livingston County Sheriff's Office said the woman, named Loretta, told staff at the Avon Nursing Home that she wanted to celebrate her 104th birthday with a visit to the Livingston County Jail. The Sheriff's Office agreed to the request, and Loretta was treated to a tour of the lock-up facility. "Before her tour, we celebrated with some coffee and cake," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post. "And she told the sheriff that the secret to living a long life is to 'mind your business!'" The post said Loretta "had a great time touring our jail facility." "We are so glad that we were able to make her birthday wishes come true," officials wrote. "Thank you for all the laughs today and for being a great sport!" 104-year-old woman celebrates birthday by going to jail
0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER February 27, 2025 23 Kenosha Restaurant Week continues through March 2. This is a nine-day celebration of our community's delicious dining scene. A recordnumber 70+ locally owned restaurants, supper clubs, cafés, coffee shops, upscale bistros, pubs, and specialty food shops throughout Kenosha County are participating. More than 20 of these are first-time participants! There are Daily Breakfast/Brunch, Weekend Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner Specials. There’s a Sweets, Treats & Spirits category. There are also Family-Style Meals, Take & Bake/Heat Meals, and Vegan/Vegetarian options available. No tickets, passes, or coupons are required. During Restaurant Week, you simply visit/order from participating restaurants and ask for the special Restaurant Week menu. Each venue is creating its own specials/discounts. Go to VisitKenosha.com/RW for the list of participating venues and their menus. After Kenosha Restaurant Week, there are many more foodie events to look forward to this year! The Bowls & Books Soupfest Contest takes place on March 26. All proceeds go toward the continued renovation of Rhode Center for the Arts, where the event takes place. The Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival is April 12 at Brat Stop / Parkway Chateau. The annual event benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha. It features a variety of Wisconsin cheeses and over 100 types of beers. There will be local breweries and home brewing clubs there. The Empty Bottle Boys and One-Shot Jane will be performing. The two year-round Saturday Farmers Markets move back outdoors in the downtown area on May 10. Both are inside through April: Kenosha Public Market at Kemper Center and Kenosha HarborMarket at the Woman's Club of Kenosha. The third annual Kenosha Taco Fest is Friday, June 27 from 3 to 9 p.m. Presented by the Kenosha History Center, the event takes place at Kennedy Park. Food trucks will compete for votes to be named “Kenosha Taco Fest Champion”. The event is free to attend (tacos and other menu items will be available to purchase from participating vendors). The food trucks competing will set their own menu and pricing. Customers can vote for their favorite taco at the event. A winner will be announced that evening. The event coincides with the Kenosha History Center’s popular Friday Night Classic Car Cruise-in. On June 27, the cruise-in will take place at Kennedy Park. All classic cars and spectators are welcome. Also in June, the Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast will take place at a local farm. July 25-27, Taste of Wisconsin takes place on the Lake Michigan shore. Also during the summer, you can expect to find special events at the biergartens at Petrifying Springs Park and Hansen Park, as well as pop-up biergarten events to enjoy. This is just a sampling of the food (and beverage) events taking place in the Kenosha Area this year. Be sure to use the Visit Kenosha Events Calendar at VisitKenosha.com/Events throughout the year to plan your leisure time! While thinking of all these foodie events may make us hungry, please think of those who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Consider making a donation to one of these hunger-relief organizations in our community – Shalom Center, The Sharing Center, Kenosha County Food Bank, or The Salvation Army of Kenosha County. These are the official nonprofit partners of Kenosha Restaurant Week. We list the organizations and their donation links on the Dine & Give page at VisitKenosha.com/RW. Be sure to use our website VisitKenosha.com when looking for local events, attractions, shops, restaurants, lodging, and more. Also find Visit Kenosha on social media. Visit Kenosha has been Kenosha’s official travel resource since 1986. Foodie Events by Meridith Jumisko, Visit Kenosha Meridith Jumisko is Public Relations Director at Visit Kenosha. Contact her at [email protected] FOR EVENT TICKETS & MORE ACTS VISIT HAP2IT.COM, STOP IN AT 1420 63RD ST. M-F 10am-4pm OR CALL 262-564-8800 022725 5125 6th Ave. No Drink Minimum! If It’s Not Live, You’re Not Living! Live Comedy EVERY Friday & Saturday JIMMIE “JJ” WALKER March 14 & 15 “Dyn-O-Mite!” MR. SHOWTIME March 21 & 22 PETER ANTONIOU April 4 & 5 MARY MACK March 29 ZANE LAMPREY May 10 CHRIS KATTAN April 11 & 12 JOE PISC0PO March 7 & 8 It’s an evening of comedy, music & conversation at the Wyndham with “PSYCHIC” COMEDIAN PLAY & STAY - DON’T GO HOME, STAY WITH US! CALL NOW TO BOOK A ROOM AT A GREAT RATE! 262-658-3281 TRACEY MACDONALD Feb 28 & Mar 1 TODD GLOVER March 28 STAND-UP THROW DOWN 2 MILLENNIAL COMICS VS. 2 GEN X COMICS PRESENTS Money Back Guarantee If not satisfied
24 SMART READER February 27, 2025 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SERVERS & DISHWASHERS HELP WANTED Please stop in to apply. GGlloriaoria && JJaayy 021325 Our Private Banquet Room is Available for Showers, Weddings, Funeral Lucheons, ect. Open for Lunch & Dinner 7 DAYS A WEEK YOU R PARTIES Please call for resevations. Kenosha’s Supper Club a tradition since 1973 Any order of $25 or more. Dine In Only. One coupon per table. Valid through 02/15/25-03/31/25. Any order of $50 or more. Dine In Only. One coupon per table. Valid through 02/15/25-03/31/25. $5 OFF .00 $10 OFF .00 2129 Birch Road Kenosha, WI For more information call 262-551-7171 www.casacapri.com 022224 Lenten Specials Friday Fish Fry Try our incredible beer battered or in house hand breaded Additonal Lenten Specials are available, also serving our complete menu. Complete Dinner $14.95 Lenten Specials Friday Fish Fry 013025 SR061324 We buy Stereo & Hi-Fi components, laptops, desktop computers and all non-ferrous material! SR021325 Never Pay Retail! Wholesale Discount Prices Paints and Carpets 2415 - 60th Street • Kenosha, Wisconsin Next to Andreas • 654-5328 Mon. - Fri. 8am - 5pm, Sat. 8am - 4pm Buy where the professionals buy their paint at discount prices. Your Ticket to Local Events