Smart Reader 101923

"Very, very pleased, the extra bit of personal touch was so appreciated." -Joanne J. "Very, very pleased, the extra bit of personal touch was so appreciated." -Joanne J. Visit us at 3016 75th St. Kenosha SR120122 Volume 21 - #21 October 19, 2023 SURVEY: TEENS ARE SPENDING ALMOST 5 HOURS A DAY ON SOCIAL MEDIA

2 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SR101923

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Just over half of U.S. teens said in a Gallup Poll that they spend at least 4 hours a day on social media sites such as Tok Tok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X. Gallup found 51% of teens averaged 4.8 hours a day. "Across age groups, the average time spent on social media ranges from as low as 4.1 hours per day for 13- year-olds to as high as 5.8 hours per day for 17-yearolds," Gallup said in a statement. "Girls spend nearly an hour more on social media than boys (5.3 vs. 4.4 hours, respectively)." Data was collected from 6,643 parents and 1,591 adolescents who were the children of those parents. YouTube and TikTok were teen favorites, according to the poll. The poll took a look at individual personality traits of teen social media users. Those "Big 5 personality traits" include conscientiousness, which pertains to selfcontrol and self-regulation. The poll found that least conscientious teens spent an average of 1.2 hours on social media than teens who are highly conscientious. With declining teen mental health, Gallup said scholars have studied social media's role and impacts on teen lives. According to Gallup, teens who spend more time on social media rate themselves as less conscientious and have parents less likely to restrict social media time. And those characteristics tend to predict poor mental health. Gallup's teen social media use poll also showed that when parents "strongly agree" that they restrict screen time, teens spend on average 1.8 hours less time per day on social media. Gallup said parental restrictions on teen social media time is closely related to political ideology. The poll found 41% of very conservative parents strongly agree that they restrict screen time while just 26% of conservative parents and 23% of moderate, liberal or very liberal parents agree. By Doug Cunningham 51% of U.S. teens spend 4.8 hours a day on social media Smart Reader is published bi-weekly by Carmichael Communications Editor & Publisher/Frank J. Carmichael Assistant to the Publisher/Reanna Stockdale Sales/Kim Carmichael, Donny Stancato Editorial Manager/Jason Hedman Ad Design & Layout/Kristin Monticelli, Glen Kelly Reception/Sarah Coleman Carmichael Communications 1420 63rd St. Kenosha, WI 53143 October 19, 2023 Volume 21 Number 21 262-564-8800 • 1-800-568-6623 • www.hap2it.com Half of U.S. parents think social media is bad for their kids' mental health, a new survey reveals. The finding highlights growing concerns about how these platforms affect children's and adolescents' well-being, according to the On Our Sleeves Movement for Children's Mental Health, which had the Harris Poll conduct the survey. The program encourages parents to help their kids by talking regularly about how using social media makes their children feel. While in the past year some platforms like TikTok have introduced new safety measures and lawmakers have talked about limiting access, that's not enough, the researchers said. "This is a positive step, but parents can't trust that this is enough," said Dr. Ariana Hoet, clinical director of On Our Sleeves and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio. "Social media has the ability to increase anxiety and depression in children when used inappropriately, as well as potentially open them up to inappropriate sharing, hurtful language, bullying and more." The survey questioned more than 2,000 U.S. adults, including more than 700 parents of children younger than 18, in late March and early April. The survey found that the number of adults who said social media has a positive impact on children's mental health fell to just over onethird. It was 43% in 2022. "Be curious about what your child is doing on social media. Taking an active role in their social media engagement, instead of simply limiting their exposure, can help them feel comfortable to ask questions, report concerns and seek help when they need it," Hoet said in a hospital news release. Despite the results, fewer parents now said they were comfortable talking with their kids about mental health -- 86% compared to 91% in 2022. On Our Sleeves offers free guides with tools to start conversations about social media, as well as strategies on how to set boundaries and keep kids safe. Parents and caregivers can ask kids to show them their favorite video, channel or online influencer, and then follow up with openended questions, making sure to listen. Developing a family social media plan can minimize conflict, support good choices and address misuse. Talk to kids about how to seek help from a trusted adult if they feel like something unsafe is happening. Tell them which parental controls and settings will be in place for social media use and why. By Cara Nurez Half of U.S. parents worry about social media's toll on kids' mental health A Gallup poll showed 51% of U.S. teens spend an average of 4.8 hours a day on social media. Girls spend nearly an hour more per day than boys do on social media. 3 SMART READER October 19, 2023 101223 WHERE TRADITION LIVES See Our Full Menu & Order Online At LuigisPizzaKenosha.com Call 262-694-6565 Celebrating 60 Years In Kenosha! • Pizza • Pasta • Chicken • Mojo’s & More 7531 39th Ave. Tues - Sat at 4pm Sunday at 11am DINING ROOM IS OPEN Tues - Fri 11am Saturday 4pm Sunday 11am SR101923 Open for Carryout or Delivery Celebrating 60 Years In Kenosha! WHERE TRADITION LIVES Tues - Fri 11am Saturday 4pm Sunday 11am Open for Carryout or Delivery See Our Full Menu & Order Online At LuigisPizzaKenosha.com • Pizza • Pasta • Chicken • Mojo’s & More

4 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Cutting back on social media may improve mental health of college students Cutting back social media to a spare 30 minutes per day could be the key to reducing anxiety, depression, loneliness and feelings of fear of missing out, researchers say. That was true for college students in a new study who self-limited social media -- often successfully and sometimes squeezing in just a bit more time -- for two weeks. "I think on the one hand, the results are kind of counterintuitive, right? If you talk to many people, they would tell you that social media is how they manage their stress, how they keep themselves entertained, how they stay connected with other people. So, I think the typical perception is that people use social media to cope," said lead author Ella Faulhaber, a doctoral student in humancomputer interaction at Iowa State University. Faulhaber said researchers gained interesting insights when they asked participants about their experience. "Lots of them said, 'I had trouble at first but then I realized how much I better slept, how I actually connected more with people in real life, how I found myself keeping busy with other things,'" Faulhaber said. The study dovetailed with recent health advisories from the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association, which warned that young people's mental health has suffered as their use of social media has surged. Faulhaber's team worked with 230 college students, asking half to limit their social media to 30 minutes each day. They received daily reminders. At the end, these students had significantly lower scores for depression, anxiety, loneliness and fear of missing out compared to the control group, which was not asked to limit social media. This group also had a brighter outlook on life. Faulhaber said she was excited to find that participants' well-being improved in all these dimensions. Even students in the selflimiting group who didn't strictly adhere to the 30- minute limit experienced psychological benefits. "We will never be perfect, but really putting in that effort does really make a difference," Faulhaber said. Allowing participants to self-limit gave them more personal accountability. "You're creating awareness. You're setting a timer. Maybe you're just becoming aware of your usage," Faulhaber said. "I feel like most people don't even know how much time has passed when they're aimlessly scrolling. And we also need to keep in mind that most social media platforms have been designed or created to foster that." Faulhaber calls this the "age of anxiety." Spending time with people on social media or Zoom just can't replace in-person contact, she said. Other research suggests that active use of social media, such as commenting on a friend's post or sending a direct message, has fewer negative consequences than just scrolling and consuming, she said. "To me, the takeaway is this is definitely doable," Faulhaber said. "This experiment really shows you that if you try to limit your social media usage, it is effective and you might actually feel better." Psychiatrist Dr. Howard Liu, chairman of the American Psychiatric Association's Council on Communications, reviewed the findings. Liu said people are social creatures, and even before the pandemic, were experiencing a lot of loneliness, as the U.S. Surgeon General has pointed out. "I think we all ache for connection, and social media seems to offer that, but it's not quite the same as the real thing," he said. Fear of missing out often makes social media difficult to put down once you've logged on, Liu said. He said he appreciated the real-world experiment in this study. "Half an hour is a reasonable, a pretty easyto-remember thing: I think that was really positive," Liu said. "The bottom line is people seem like they're overall just a bit happier and I think that's important," he added. Although there may not be enough therapists to meet college students' need for mental health therapy, this study offered a helpful example of what prevention could look like, Liu said. He also suggested the buddy system might work in limiting social media as a team. In the time saved by cutting back on social media, a person could exercise, which has been shown to reduce anxiety and is good for brain health, Liu said. Exercising outdoors is even more helpful from a mental health perspective, he added. Making real-life connections with others could also be a good way to spend the reclaimed time, Liu said. That could be getting coffee with a roommate or calling a loved one on the phone, he said. Mindfulness meditation can also be a valuable activity, even if you simply close your eyes and focus on your breathing for five minutes. Sleep can also help, Liu said, and it's a better alternative than scrolling on the phone at bedtime, taking in light that's interfering with the body's circadian rhythm. "There's a lot of things that don't take a whole lot of time that we could easily substitute," Liu said. The research was published recently in the journal Technology, Mind, and Behavior. By Cara Nurez Students who limited their social media use to 30 minutes a day had significantly lower scores for depression, anxiety, loneliness and fear of missing out compared to the control group, which was not asked to limit social media. 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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Do you have homeowners insurance? How much do you know about your policy or contract? Your policy is just a contract between you and the insurance company. When was the last time you read your policy cover-tocover? If you’re like me, you purchased a policy sight unseen assuming that you and your possessions are protected in case of a fire, flood, storm, water leak or other calamity. If you have a loss, there’s a very good chance you’ll suffer a secondary shock when you discover your policy has more holes in it than the colander in your kitchen cabinet. I know because it just happened to me. Seven months ago, a mouse caused an overnight water leak in my home. The hardwood floor in our bedroom buckled and a floor beneath it was also damaged. The drywall had to be repaired and replaced. All the flooring on the first floor of my home had to be refinished to match the replacement hardwood installed in the bedroom. The total loss was just under $30,000. I soon discovered several things. First and foremost, my insurance agent was worthless. She told me on the phone she couldn’t do anything about the claim and that I had to deal with the insurance company. My insurance company then offloaded me to a thirdparty adjuster. If I had questions, the adjuster was to answer them even though my contract was with the insurance company. The damage occurred on March 23, 2023. I didn’t get a written estimate from the adjuster until May 18. The adjuster encouraged me to get bids when he visited my home days after the leak. It’s a good thing I didn’t sign any contracts because his stern, authoritative letter that came with his estimate informed me that if the repair cost was higher than his estimate, the insurance company would not pay for the overage unless it was pre-approved. Three weeks before the adjuster’s estimate arrived, I did get a check from the insurance company for a little over $14,000. That was $1,000 lower than just the cost to do all of the floor restoration work. Before I go on, let me ask you something. Do you happen to have $10,000, $15,000 or $30,000 in a checking or savings account you can tap into without causing you financial stress? I’m talking about money you could use to pay contractors to do work on your home. My insurance company expected me to have this, and if I didn’t they told me to take out a loan or pay the contractors with my credit card. After the restoration work was complete, I submitted all the invoices to the adjuster. His company came back and said, if you want all the money due to you, you need to provide us with the canceled checks you wrote to the contractors. I said, “I can’t pay the contractors until you give me the money you owe me.” It was a Catch-22 A month of back-andforth communications got me nowhere. Out of frustration, I filed a complaint with the New Hampshire Insurance Department. Within 48 business hours of their intervention, a FedEx driver handed me an envelope with the money I had deserved to get months before. The bitter experience with my insurance company lit a fire inside me. I reached out to my state representative. She was keenly interested, and three weeks later I was sitting in a chair next to the New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner and his top staff members. The commissioner wanted to know exactly what happened with my claim, and he was most interested in the reforms I proposed. My first suggestion was to require insurance agents to do what real estate agents are required to do in most states. An insurance agent should be forced to produce a one-page agency document that informs you that their fealty is to the insurance company, not you. It should clearly state what the agent’s responsibilities are and where they end. My second idea is that insurance companies should be forced to produce a simple bullet-point list of all the things that are and are NOT covered in the policy you’re about to purchase. In your lifetime have you ever received this list before purchasing a policy? Can you see how valuable this would be, allowing you to compare one policy against another? I then recommended that the insurance companies should release money much faster. It should be just like in the home-building industry. When I delivered notarized affidavits to a lender, they issued a check to that contractor or supplier. My insurance company, once the heat was turned up by my state insurance department, cut a check in 30 minutes and I had it the next day! Lastly, insurance agents and companies should be forced to give you, the day you file a claim, a roadmap of what to do, what not to do and how long the process will take under normal circumstances. I had no guidance whatsoever. Get involved. See if you can’t help make these changes possible in your state. Making a homeowners insurance claim? Get ready for a big surprise Ask the Builder with Tim Carter Subscribe to Tim’s FREE newsletter at AsktheBuilder.com. Tim offers phone coaching calls if you get stuck during a DIY job. Go here: go.askthebuilder.com /coaching Tim Carter joins Happenings Q&A on Tues., Nov. 21st at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP California bans four food additives linked to health issues California has become the first state to ban four chemicals commonly added to food that are linked to health issues. Although the law, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, only bans the additives in his state, it's possible the chemicals could be removed from products across the country, NBC News reported. The chemicals are red dye No. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil and propylparaben. All four are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but they are illegal in the European Union and some other parts of the world, NBC News reported. "The additives addressed in this bill are already banned in various other countries," Newsom said in a statement. "Signing this into law is a positive step forward on these four food additives until the United States Food and Drug Administration [FDA] reviews and establishes national updated safety levels for these additives." Assembly member Jesse Gabriel introduced the bill with Assembly member Buffy Wicks. Gabriel said that the law won't eliminate the foods these additives typically go in -- ranging from orange soda to hamburger rolls and candies -- but the manufacturers will need to make "really minor" changes to ingredients. "We have incredible confidence that consumers are still going to be able to enjoy all the products that we know and love here in the United States, just without those harmful chemicals," Gabriel told NBC News. The law will go into effect in 2027, NBC News reported. This gives brands time to revise recipes and "establishes national updated safety levels for these additives," until the FDA makes changes, Newsom said. "The state is stepping up to protect people," Gabriel said. The Environmental Working Group, a research and advocacy health organization, said manufacturers are likely to swap out these ingredients nationwide for up to 12,000 products, NBC News reported. The agency has continued to stand by allowing the ingredients in food, though it is working on a proposed rule to remove authorization for brominated vegetable oil, according to an FDA spokesperson. The spokesperson told NBC News that the agency "evaluates and regulates ingredients added to food to ensure that the authorized use of these ingredients is safe." Gabriel noted rule changes can take years. "The first and foremost objective is to protect kids and families and consumers in the state of California," he said. "But a secondary objective here was to make a point and to send a message to the FDA and to folks in Washington, D.C., about just how badly the FDA process is broken." Red dye is used to color foods. Potassium bromate is added to flour to help bread rise higher. Brominated vegetable oil is an emulsifier used in citrus drinks. Propylparaben is a preservative. Among them, the products have been associated with behavioral problems in children, cancer in lab animals, reproductive issues in animals and endocrine disruption, NBC News reported. The National Confectioners Association, a trade association for candy makers, spoke out against the bill. "Governor Newsom's approval of this bill will undermine consumer confidence and create confusion around food safety," the group said in a statement. "This law replaces a uniform national food safety system with a patchwork of inconsistent state requirements created by legislative fiat that will increase food costs." By Cara Murez 5 SMART READER October 19, 2023

6 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Have Hollywood movies run out of original ideas? Not if Nathan Graham Davis can help it. As an alternative to the endless sequels, remakes, and familiar name brands, the screenwriter recently polished up a script titled, “Congratulations, It’s an Alien.” The action-comedy is about a woman who gets pregnant during a one-night stand only to discover that the father is an alien in human form. She tries to find her lover. But an unstoppable killer is on her trail. In short, it’s “The Terminator” meets “Knocked Up.” Budget: $100 million. The Massachusetts-based writer knows he’s unlikely to find a studio willing to midwife such an unconventional screenplay. But amid the writers strike – during which Mr. Davis completed two other unsolicited screenplays – he posted it online. “There’s a lot of buzz that original scripts might have a little bit of a boom and be coming back,” says Mr. Davis, whose action movie screenplay “Aftermath” was filmed last year. “We’ll see if that happens.” Hollywood is gearing up to make the greatest comeback since Norma Desmond. This week, the Screen Actors GuildAmerican Federation of Television and Radio Artists resumed its negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Screenwriters are back at work following a successful contract resolution. On the production side, idea pitches and script sales are back on. So are power lunches at Soho House in Los Angeles. However, it isn’t business as usual. Hollywood is struggling to tamp down runaway production costs and also trying to figure out how to make streaming profitable. At a time of contraction, many believe Hollywood will be tempted to get back on track with familiar formulas. On the surface, conditions may not seem ideal for original storytelling. But the convection currents of creativity deep in the mantle of Hollywood continually create tectonic shifts. Sometimes it’s a gradual movement of the plates. Other times it’s an earthquake that reshapes the landscape. “Twenty years ago it was a lot of the same lamentation and rending of garments about, you know, ‘There’s nothing original and everything is sequels; it’s all presold, and there’s nothing new under the sun,’” says Dade Hayes, the business editor at Deadline, a Hollywood trade publication. “Hollywood just is continually wrestling with that question.” Studios have long banked on movies based on recognizable characters such as Tarzan, Robin Hood, and, well, Moses. During the 1930s and ’40s, they invested in franchises such as “The Thin Man” and “Lassie.” At the same time, American cinema developed into a vitally creative art form for original stories, often influenced by European film. The 1970s brought what some call a golden era for highbrow masterpieces by auteurs such as Stanley Kubrick, Francis Ford Coppola, and Martin Scorsese, as well as inventive popular blockbusters by the likes of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. The two strands, sometimes intertwined, lasted through the 1990s. “I broke into this business in 1995 by selling three original spec feature film scripts within the span of six months,” says Jeff Vintar, a screenwriter for the 2004 Will Smith blockbuster “I, Robot,” in an email. “Now if that sounds like a whole different world, it really and truly was. ... Original work, challenging screenplays, great motion pictures are simply not a goal of the major studios the vast majority of the time.” The tension between conservatism and risk played out at the U.S. box office this past weekend. The top earners were the latest entries in the kid-friendly “Paw Patrol” franchise and the definitely not kidfriendly “Saw” franchise. By contrast, the sci-fi film “The Creator” fell short. So did “Dumb Money,” a true story about an upstart investor who beat Wall Street at its own game. But the macro picture of the 2023 box office presents a more complicated picture. Many recognizable properties – “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and “Fast & Furious” – performed well. But audiences were less enthused by the latest from the “Indiana Jones,” “Mission: Impossible,” and “The Flash” franchises. Instead, they flocked to Barbenheimer – with original stories about a doll (“Barbie”) and a nuclear scientist (“Oppenheimer”) scoring more than $1 billion and $800 million worldwide respectively. The most improbable box office hit of the summer: “Sound of Freedom,” a biopic about combating human trafficking. “Audiences are really signaling that they want more original content, but they do like tried-and-true as well,” says Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. Some producers work within those commercial parameters to develop inventive blockbusters. “Barbie,” which is campaigning for best original screenplay at the Academy Awards, is one example. “Joker,” a psychological portrait of a villain in the Batman universe, is another. Junior executives and talent agents are constantly on the hunt for original scripts, sometimes on behalf of actors seeking challenging material. “What was missing during the writers strike is that the thrill of discovery was gone from the business,” says writer Dean Bakopolous (HBO’s “Made For Love”), who penned two scripts during the work stoppage. “For the producers and creative executives, discovering a new writer, discovering a new project, or finding a writer you’ve worked with who’s done something that’s mindblowing – that’s what everyone wants.” There’s an online venue for remarkable screenplays that haven’t found a home. It’s called The Black List. ‘The thrill of discovery was gone.’ After strikes, will movies get creative? Jeff Vintar, a screenwriter for the 2004 film "I, Robot," on the picket line for the Writers Guild of America in June 2023. story continues page 18 SMART READER October 19, 2023 6 DELIVERY HELP NEEDED Part-time position available to deliver Happenings Magazine. Fill Out An Application At 1420-63rd Street, Kenosha, WI • Dependable individual w/ your own vehicle & automobile insurance • Available on Wednesday afternoons & Thursdays mornings • Able to lift & carry at least 50 lbs Monday - Friday from 10am-4pm 090723 REQUIREMENTS 5125 6th AVE. KENOSHA Oct. 21 • 7:30pm • $10 Nov. 25 & Dec. 16 Pat McCurdy Oct. 25 • 7pm • $10 Season 9 Winner with Frank Viele Lee DeWyze Milwaukee icon Pat McCurdy has been entertaining audiences in Wisconsin, the Midwest, and across the nation for decades. He brings his unique style of improvisational comedy, music and audience interaction. S o o 6:30pm - 9:30pm 7:00pm - 9:00pm All Star Join Us Every Wednesday! 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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 In recent weeks, Elon Musk has made a show of gallivanting around the U.S.- Mexico border under the pretense of seeing “what’s really going on.” He stood apart from the migrants he was observing and promoted himself as a citizen journalist, a selfappointed role he’s been pushing others to take up on the former Twitter site, which he rebranded as X after buying it. Here’s a reporting tip: Speak with the people you claim to be investigating. Don’t just take up the view of politicians and border officials. Meanwhile, in New York, others claimed (without proof) that the political foolishness that dumped thousands of migrant families into the city by bus would soon upend the public school system. It’s time for a history lesson. The political screeching that regularly occurs around immigration is building quickly. And children are falling into the fray. Yes, there have been astounding numbers of migrants arriving in recent months at the southern border, and to borders elsewhere around the world. Think Europe and throughout Africa. It’s a phenomenon that is caused by global upheavals, climate change and political unrest. The hot spots are South America, Europe and Africa which have largely fueled rising immigration in recent decades. But contrary to what’s regularly said about them, the arrivals at our southern border are “doing it the right way,” the legal way, in presenting themselves for asylum. That is the legal process for determining if they qualify. Many will not. That didn’t stop Texas Gov. Greg Abbott from loading up busloads of migrants, many from Venezuela, and sending them off to cities around the nation, but with a special focus on New York City. As the school year began, critics cried that the city’s nearly 1,900 public schools couldn’t handle the estimated 20,000 new children, many of whom would need teachers trained to teach those with limited English. Mayor Eric Adams claimed that the city would be “destroyed” by the influx. Well, we’re weeks into the school year and it’s a good bet that New York City is still standing. There certainly are and will continue to be challenges. Just ask the educators. Musk’s border tour leads to a lesson on educating migrant children with Mary Sanchez Readers can reach Mary Sanchez at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @msanchezcolumn. “It is a great advantage to a President, and a major source of safety to the country, for him to know that he is not a great man.” – Calvin Coolidge Donald Trump is not a great man. His rhetoric, which has included denunciations of those who have served in the military (while he dodged the draft five times with a limp excuse about bone spurs) ought to disgust all but those who are in complete denial of the danger he would pose to the Constitution and the country should he be reelected president. Humility is not part of his vocabulary and words mean something, especially when they reflect character. In the latest “indictment” of Trump’s virulent rhetoric, his former chief of staff, John Kelly, issued a statement in which he says he witnessed Trump insulting wounded veterans and others. Kelly says Trump called such people who gave their lives, limbs, eyes, or were captured by the enemy “losers and suckers.” In a statement to CNN, Kelly said, “What can I say that has not already been said? A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all ‘suckers’ because there is nothing in it for them. A person that doesn’t want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me.’” Kelly also cites Trump’s contempt for Gold Star families and his refusal to visit the graves of American soldiers on a visit to France. On his Truth Social site, Trump posted a sketch someone did of him in the Manhattan courtroom on the opening day of his fraud trail. It featured a rendering of Jesus seated next to him. The implication is clear. Trump is being persecuted as Jesus was persecuted. By any definition, this is blasphemy. What might his devoted evangelical supporters think of that? If they’ve forgiven, or ignored, everything else he has said and done, why would blasphemy bother them? The list of Trump’s incendiary rhetoric is long and growing. Some of his latest suggestions include the execution of former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley, who he effectively said was guilty of “treason” for the way the pullout from Afghanistan was handled, apparently forgetting the buck stopped with President Biden, who made that decision after Trump’s disastrous bungling “severely constrained” his options. Last Tuesday, Trump posted the name, picture and link to a private Instagram account of a law clerk serving presiding Judge Arthur Engoron. In the post Trump referred to the clerk as “Schumer’s girlfriend.” He subsequently deleted the post, but the email blast and screenshot cannot be unsent. Judge Engoron has now imposed a partial gag order on the recalcitrant Trump. Days ago in California, Trump suggested that police officers should shoot all looters. Other statements, while short of suggesting people be killed, are still the definition of incite: “to stir, encourage, or urge on; stimulate or prompt to action.” Trump defenders and apologists like to say the reason they support him is that he’s a “fighter.” But even fighters are constrained by rules, like not hitting below the belt. Trump seems to spend all his time below the belt, and not just rhetorically, if you include his behavior with women and what he has said famous men (like himself) ought to be able to do to them. There are other Republican presidential candidates without his baggage. They have learned to fight, too, but fairly and within the constitutional boundaries and with better deportment. There was a time when grandmothers would threaten to wash a kid’s mouth out with soap for using language that was impolite. If that were applied to Trump, a lot of soap would be needed, so much so that the suds might violate New York environmental laws. Trump is drawing all attention to him, which is his intent. He correctly says that with each new indictment, his poll numbers go up. That says a lot about his followers’ low requirements for high office. People who excuse his extreme self-possession may live to regret it. So will the country should he return to the White House. Trump: Not a great man 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 Mary Sanchez joins Happenings Q&A on Tue. Oct. 31st at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, wearing a black Stetson hat, livestreams while visiting the Texas-Mexico border on Sept. 28, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Former U.S. President Donald Trump appears in the courtroom with his lawyers for the start of his civil fraud trial at New York State Supreme Court on Oct. 2, 2023, in New York City. story continues on next page 7 SMART READER October 19, 2023

8 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Last week's piece on the 1973 Arab-Israeli War seems prescient given the attack launched by Hamas, the terrorist organization in charge of Gaza, Saturday on Israel. Thus far -- and that may change if Hezbollah, another terrorist organization, attacks the northern part of Israel -- this is not the fifth ArabIsraeli war yet. It is the extension of the war between Israel and Hamas that began in 1987 with Hamas' creation. Gaza is a tiny strip on the southwest and Mediterranean side of Israel. It is about 30 miles in length, 140 square miles and has a six-mile border with Egypt. Its 2 million inhabitants make Gaza one of the world's most populated areas. Hamas, which replaced Fatah in 2007 in ruling Gaza, has vowed the destruction of Israel. Clearly, Hamas never recognized the Jewish state's right to exist. Supported by Iran, Hezbollah, Syria and Qatar, it has received assistance from Russia. The degree to which any of those outside actors is directly involved in the current fighting is unclear. While it is too early in this fight to draw farreaching convictions, several observations can frame future understanding. Hamas' attack probably took many months to plan. The attack incorporated an extraordinary coordination of simultaneous sea, air and land strikes using commando tactics employing paragliders, motorboats, bulldozers, motorcycles and thousands of rockets. But that attack reaffirmed history. Surprise in starting a war always works. That has been true dating back to the Trojan horse. Achieving tactical surprise, however, does not always win wars; quite the contrary. Japan learned this twice in the 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War that it started with a surprise attack on the Russian fleet at Port Arthur and ended in a standoff and, of course, Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Adolf Hitler launched a surprise attack against Poland in 1939 and then against the Soviet Union in 1941. That did not go well for the Nazis or for Hitler. As 9/11 shocked America, al-Qaida ultimately was crushed. So declaring the Hamas attack as another intelligence disaster may be an overstatement. Surprise works. While Hamas' strategic aims may not yet be fully understood, it did employ a massive attack of disruption. The attack was designed to disrupt not only Israel but also the increasing likelihood of a peace with Saudi Arabia. And in a malevolent and even bizarre way, Hamas may be provoking Israel to take very harsh measures against Gaza. Cutting off Gaza from food, water and electricity could cause a humanitarian disaster, feeding Hamas' well-organized propaganda machine and a global audience that includes about 1.5 billion Muslims and others unfriendly toward Israel. The Israeli Defense Forces is preparing an offensive to enter Gaza to weed out and destroy Hamas. How it conducts this offensive will have huge impact for good or ill. Israel could overreact in ridding Gaza of Hamas. Civilian deaths and casualties, along with massive destruction of critical infrastructure imposed by Israel could mount. If this were to continue, some of Israel's friends could be persuaded to demand an end to the violence and possibly a U.N.-imposed ceasefire. Escalation is a risk. Should Hezbollah intervene in the north, that in turn could force Israel to retaliate against Lebanon, Syria and Iran, widening the war into a regional conflict. As in 1973, Israel could face a two-front war. Israel also must be prepared for the very public execution of hostages as the Islamic State has done. This would enrage Israelis (and many others) possibly to overreact. It also could pose a huge challenge for the United States if its citizens were killed. Having sailed a carrier battle group to the eastern Mediterranean, the United States does have a substantial hostage rescue capability. Would that be used? No one knows. In the past, the United States has made attempts to rescue hostages. Many succeeded. The mission to Iran to free 53 U.S. hostages seized by Iran at the embassy in Tehran in 1980 was a disaster. And would Israel cooperate with the United States under any circumstances? That is unknowable. The attack only began five days ago. The brutality and viciousness displayed by Hamas is unspeakable. Simply on moral grounds, Hamas should be punished. Yet, that is the dilemma for Israel and perhaps even the United States if it attempts a hostage rescue. What price should Hamas pay? And what might be the cost to Gaza residents who neither support nor like Hamas? These hugely difficult questions are only among many that will need answers as this violence continues. Spark for war with Israel dates back to Hamas' 1987 creation with Harlan Ullman my turn Dr Harlan Ullman is senior adviser at Washington's Atlantic Council, the prime author of "shock and awe" and the upcoming book "The Fifth Horseman and the New MAD: How Massive Attacks of Disruption Became the Looming Existential Danger to a Divided Nation and the World at Large." Harlan Ullman joins Happenings Q&A on Thu., Nov. 2nd at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP American-Israeli families whose loved ones are missing and believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza speak at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel But it is in the best interest of the United States to educate all children, no matter how they arrived in this country, or a particular city. It’s also the law that they be educated, a landmark ruling originating in Texas. In the mid-1970s, the Texas legislature allowed districts to deny enrollment to undocumented students. Later, the school board in Tyler, Texas tried to charge parents of undocumented children $1,000 in annual tuition fees for their children’s education. The Plyler vs. Doe case went to the Supreme Court, which ruled 5-4 that Tyler’s attempt to charge these children for what is free to everyone else was unconstitutional – a ruling based on the 14th Amendment, the equal protection clause. What’s fascinating is that even the dissent made a solid case for educating the students, acknowledging that it “is senseless for an enlightened society to deprive any children” – including unauthorized immigrants – “of an elementary education,” in part because “the long-range costs of excluding any children from the public schools may well outweigh the costs of educating them.” This is according to a summary by the American Immigration Council. Critics have long argued that Plyler is in legal jeopardy, that the original decision only considered the impact of the immigrant children on Tyler, Texas. And that if extrapolated, the costs to the nation would tell a different story. But with the nation approaching a demographic flip in which there are more people over the age of 65 than under the age of five, that viewpoint is especially faulty. We need these children. We need their vibrancy, youth and well-educated minds. They could be a strong pillar of our future workforce. Without migration, there simply will not be enough hands in the labor market. Further, there’s a pettiness to claim otherwise. Remember the famous images of civil rights challenges to education? The snarls on the faces of the white people who jeered at young Black children trying to break the color barrier and desegregate schools? They’re ugly images. Keeping children uneducated has no ground in a civil society. Denying children an education based on factors beyond their control made no economic sense in 1982 when Plyler was decided. And it’s an even more dangerous, backward gamble today. Musk (who is a U.S. immigrant from South Africa) seemingly agreed. He put this out on his social media platform (X): “Illegal immigration needs to stop, but I’m super in favor of greatly expanding and simplifying legal immigration. Anyone who proves themselves to be hardworking, talented and honest should be allowed to become an American. Period.” Elon, go check out some elementary schools. Sanchez continued from page 6 SMART READER October 19, 2023 8

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 9 SMART READER October 19, 2023 Over the past year, I have been helped settle one estate and have served as coexecutor on another one. The process has caused me to rethink my usual approach to National Estate Planning Awareness Week (October 16 – 22), which has previously been one-part encouraging coach and onepart nudging aunt. It’s time to put my cards on the table and to be blunt: The process of estate settlement is timeconsuming and exhausting in the best of circumstances. The point of properly planning an estate is to head off difficult decisions at the end of your life and to help transfer your assets to your intended heirs without too many snags. The three basic documents that help you accomplish this herculean task are: Will A document that ensures that assets are passed to designated beneficiaries, in accordance with your wishes. In the drafting process, you name an executor, the person or institution that oversees the distribution of your assets. If you have minor children, you will also name a guardian. Health care proxy Appointment of someone to make health care decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to do so. Power of attorney Appointment of someone to act as your agent in a variety of circumstances, like withdrawing money from a bank, responding to a tax inquiry, or making a trade. With the basics covered, here some lessons that I have learned first-hand about estate planning: Avoid drafting documents after receiving a diagnosis It is hard enough to process devastating medical information in real time, but asking patients and their families to make a series of difficult financial decisions on top of the health issues puts them under immense emotional stress. Of course, if you have done nothing up to the day you get the bad news, there is little choice but to plough ahead. Consider a letter of instruction This document can cover certain things that are outside the will, like the disposition of your remains and your desired funeral arrangements, which can be important if you are choosing something that is contrary to your family’s tradition. Utilize Transfer on Death (TOD) accounts Many more financial institutions offer the ability to designate a beneficiary of non-retirement bank and investment accounts, which allows ownership of the account to be transferred to the designated beneficiary upon your death and generally avoids probate. Weigh the value of a trust A trust comes in two forms, revocable (changeable) or irrevocable (not changeable). While trusts can be useful, depending on family and tax situations, they can also overly complicate the planning process and add to the cost of the estate plan. Mind the real estate If you are leaving real estate to a non-spouse, there are a number of costs that need to be factored in: the on-going payment of a mortgage, taxes, utilities, maintenance, to name a few. You may want to leave extra money to the heirs of the real estate so that they do not have to pay for these costs out of pocket, while the asset is being prepared for sale. Communicate the plan As hard as it may be to talk to your loved ones about this emotional topic, have these conversations while you still are able to do so. Remember that this process is a gift to your heirs — something that will help them manage the disposition of your estate without extra hassle. It is also a gift to yourself because completing the process (and updating the documents when there are life events or reviewing them every 3-5 years) will provide you with peace of mind. Estate planning — A gift to you and your heirs with Jill Schlesinger jill on money Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is a CBS News business analyst. A former options trader and CIO of an investment advisory firm, she welcomes comments and questions at [email protected]. Check her website at www.jillonmoney.com Estate planning is a gift to your heirs — something that will help them manage the disposition of your estate without extra hassle, writes Jill Schlesinger. Here we go again… although Congress voted to keep the government open, averting a shutdown, it’s just for 45 days. We should be used to the dysfunction – there have been 21 government shutdowns since 1976. Here are questions that I have fielded about these recurring events: How would most Americans experience a shutdown? Federal workers would bear the brunt of the stalemate, with about 500,000 furloughed, and 500,000-1,000,000 being forced to work temporarily without pay. More than one million active-duty military personnel could forego pay during a shutdown. All government and military worker’s wages will eventually have to be repaid when the government reopens. For travelers, most national parks and museums would shutter and the process of getting through the airport could get tougher, because TSA agents would be working without pay and some would likely not show up. The same is true of passport applications, which could slow down. What about Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid? All three are authorized through separate laws, so checks and benefits would continue to flow. Military pension benefits would be paid, and Veterans’ Hospital facilities would be expected to remain open. Recipients of other benefits like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), would likely stop after a few days and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would be impacted if a closure would last longer than 30 days. Do I get a break on my quarterly tax estimates? No dice — the IRS fully expects you to pay your taxes. In case you are one of the dwindling few who rely on snail mail for those taxes, post offices would be open and postal workers would deliver your mail! What is a credit rating downgrade, and should I care about it? A credit rating measures the ability of a company or a government to repay its debt. Until 2011, the U.S. maintained the highest rating from all three of the big agencies, Standard & Poor’s, Fitch, and Moody’s. During the 2011 debt ceiling standoff, S&P cut its rating (and has never restored it), and then in August, Fitch did the same – mostly due to the political dysfunction that has led to these moments. Recently, Moody’s put the world on notice that it could also issue a downgrade. How does a shutdown impact investors? A shutdown would not affect the government’s payments to bondholders, but the debate added pain to a rough September, when stocks and bonds suffered. There is big concern that amid high interest rates, the trifecta of spiking energy prices (up by 34 percent since June production cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia), restarting student loan payments, and a looming government shutdown could cause an economic slowdown and eat into the gains that stocks have made so far this year. How does all of this affect the Federal Reserve? A shutdown could be an issue for the Fed because the collection of economic data would halt. That means that various employment and inflation reports, on which the Fed relies, would not be released. Without these and other data points, the central bank may be more cautious and do nothing at its policy meeting on October 31- November 1. The Fed could also choose to delay their meeting if they cannot get timely data. What is the overall economic impact of a shutdown? The Congressional Budget Office analysis of the 34-day 2018-19 shutdown found that growth (as measured by real GDP) was dented by 0.1% in Q4 2018 and by 0.2% in Q1 2019. Economists from Goldman Sachs were projecting similar results this time around, with expectations that the trend would reverse in the subsequent quarter, when the government reopens. Shutdown-o-nomics with Jill Schlesinger U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) speaks to members of the media in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023.

10 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER October 19, 2023 10 It may come as a surprise, but what we choose to eat can affect our mood. And as we head into the holiday season, it may be important to think about what you're eating. Fill up on antioxidants and minerals from fruits and vegetables, along with lean protein and healthy fats, and it will be easier to smile at life and your loved ones. A 2017 analysis of studies published in the journal Psychiatry Research found that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats and whole grains was associated with a decreased risk of depression. On the flip side, comfort foods like sweets may seem like they make you feel better, but in reality, they lead to a sugar crash that can cause irritability. Limit your sugar and alcohol to lessen depression. Here are some foods to add to your holiday list of to-dos: Probiotics. Preliminary evidence indicates a positive association between friendly gut bacteria (which probiotics promote) and a good mood. Add some kefir, kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut, tempeh or yogurt. Antioxidants. A 2012 study found that those with depression had lower levels of antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. Snack on almonds, berries, bell peppers, carrots, grapefruit, leafy greens, oranges and tea. Tryptophan. This is an amino acid (found in turkey) that converts to serotonin, a brain chemical associated with improved mood. Serotonin is also associated with calmness, which is why some people think they relax, or even get sleepy, after eating a turkey dinner. Along with turkey, it's found in broccoli, chicken, eggs, leafy greens, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds and soybeans. Magnesium. Studies have linked low magnesium intake to depression, especially among younger adults. Have plenty of almonds, black beans, brown rice, cashews, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds and spinach. Omega-3s. These goodfor-you fatty acids help take the edge off and simply help us be more agreeable. They are abundant in salmon, tuna, sardines, walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds. Protein. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which plays a crucial role in brain function and mental health. The best sources of protein are meat, poultry, seafood, beans, chickpeas, eggs, Greek yogurt, legumes and nuts. Q and A Q: How healthy is pumpkin? A: Pumpkin is high in vitamin A, low in calories and high in fiber. There are 7 grams of fiber in one cup of canned pumpkin -- more fiber than you get in two slices of whole-grain bread. That fiber makes you feel fuller for longer, which can help with weight loss. The problem is with the added sugars and white flour in many pumpkin recipes. If you're going to make pumpkin bread, try substituting half the white flour with whole-wheat flour, and cut the sugar in half. Chances are you won't even notice the difference. Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU Med School in Springfield, Ill. For comments or questions, contact her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRd. food & recipes Foods and Depression Nutrition News with Charlyn Fargo 1 (15.5-ounce) can navy beans, undrained, divided 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 cups chopped poblano chile 1 1/2 cups onion, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, finely chopped 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 3/4 teaspoon salt 2 1/2 cups unsalted chicken stock, divided 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour Mash 1/4 cup of the navy beans with a fork; place in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add chicken, poblano chile, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, 2 1/4 cups stock and remaining navy beans to cooker. Whisk together flour and remaining 1/4 cup stock until smooth; stir into mixture in cooker. Cover and cook on low until chicken is done and mixture is slightly thickened, 3 to 4 hours. Remove chicken from cooker; coarsely shred and return chicken to cooker. Ladle chili into 6 bowls. Top with reduced-fat sour cream, cilantro, black pepper or sharp cheddar cheese, if desired. Serves 6 (serving size: 1 1/2 cups). Per serving: 224 calories; 25g protein; 23g carbohydrates; 3g fat (1g saturated); 5g fiber; 3g sugars (0 added); 627mgs sodium. White Chicken Chili with Poblanos 2 pounds outside skirt steak, 3 to 4 inches wide and ½ to 1 inch thick, trimmed 5 tablespoons soy sauce 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided 1 1/2 tablespoons gochujang 1 1/2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger 2 pounds skirt steak, 3/4- to 1-inch thick, trimmed and cut with grain into 3- to 4-inch-long steaks 1 scallion, sliced thin 1 teaspoon sesame seeds 1. Slice steak with grain into 3- to 4-inch-long steaks. Whisk soy sauce, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, the gochujang, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger together in a large bowl. Transfer 2 tablespoons marinade to the second bowl; set aside. 2. Place steaks in the first bowl with marinade and toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Remove steaks from bowl, pat dry with paper towels, and place on plate; discard marinade. 3. Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add half of the steaks and cook until browned on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. 4. Continue to cook, flipping steaks about every 30 seconds, until steaks are well browned and register 130 to 135 degrees, 2 to 4 minutes longer. Transfer steaks to the prepared rack, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for at least 5 minutes. Wipe skillet clean and repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and steaks. 5. Slice steaks thin against grain and transfer to platter. Pour any accumulated juices from the cutting board and sheet over steaks. Drizzle with reserved marinade and sprinkle with scallion and sesame seeds. Serve. Because it has a high ratio of exterior surface area to interior area, skirt steak takes exceptionally well to marinating. Marinades don’t penetrate deeply into the meat, but in the case of this relatively thin cut, they don’t need to. In just 10 minutes, the bold, flavorful mixture of soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, gochujang, garlic and ginger imparted loads of flavor. The sugar in the gochujang not only balanced the saltiness of umami-rich soy sauce but also aided in browning, meaning that the thin steaks achieved a flavorful caramelization without risk of overcooking. Flash-Marinated Skirt Steaks with Gochujang, Sesame and Scallion

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 11 SMART READER October 19, 2023 Dear Cathy, When our 10- year-old ShihTzu sees my wife and I approach the front door, he tries to prevent us from leaving. I have tried picking him up, and sometimes can get him into his kennel, but he often snaps at me. Any suggestions? — Norman, Plainview, New York Dear Norman, First, train your dog to go into his kennel on command. When he does, say a reward word, like "bingo," give him a treat, and close the door for about 20 minutes. Second, tell him “kennel,” then "down" and give him a treat only after he lays down in the kennel. Then, close the door for about 20 minutes. Third, repeat these commands, but ask him to "stay." Close the door again for 20 minutes. When you open the door each time, say "release," so he knows he is free to go. When he has learned these commands, you can now manage him as you approach the front door. Give all three commands, but this time, leave a high value treat inside his kennel that he doesn’t get at any other time. Reinforce “stay” and walk to the door. As you leave, say "release" so he knows he can leave the kennel when ready. Training improves overall behavior, and keeps a dog’s mind busy, so he is not focused on you leaving the house. Dear Cathy, We recently rescued a nine-year-old Puli dog, part of a five-dog pack. They were all let outside three times daily, and never walked on a leash to eliminate. My dog urinates on a leash, but does not know that she needs to poop outside. Any suggestions? — Irene, Massapequa Park, New York Dear Irene, Begin by training her as if she is a puppy. Take her outside to relieve herself immediately after she eats, plays, and wakes up from any sleep. Dogs pee before they poop, so give her plenty of time to sniff out a place to relieve herself. When she does poop, say a reward word, like "bingo," and give her a treat, so she can begin learning what you want her to do. Next, if you feed her the same amount of food at the same time every day, she will likely poop at predictable times, and you can estimate when this will happen and take her outside at those times as well. You also can scoop up some of her "accidents" and put them outside where you want her to go. Sometimes, if a dog smells their poop in the yard, they also will want to relieve themselves in that area. Dear Cathy, For the last seven years, we've been feeding a cat that showed up in our backyard. He lives outdoors year-round and acts terrified of us. I taught him to come in through a cat door (in the laundry room), where I provide dry food and water. He never expresses interest in the rest of the house or even the food bag if his bowl is full. He eats and leaves. I've tried several times to trap him with no luck. Lately, he looks thin and scruffy. I am afraid he will die under the deck. I want to catch him, but I am afraid of getting scratched. Any ideas? — J., Columbia, Maryland Dear J, If this cat has been comfortable coming into your home to eat but is too scared to stay, trapping and keeping him in the house will make him miserable. While you could trap him with a humane trap and take him to the vet, the vet would likely have to anesthetize him to examine him or take blood work. I don't know if you ever fixed this cat or got his rabies vaccine, but cats also can get diseases like panleukopenia, distemper, and leukemia if not vaccinated. So, he may be sick. Talk to your vet to see if he can do anything if you bring him in. If you want to bring him into the house because you think he's friendly but just scared, get a humane trap to catch him and give him a room that is all his own, complete with a bed, food, and litter box. Then, leave him alone and let him be the one to venture out when he is ready. He may never adjust to life inside if he is feral, though. If that's the case, return him to the outside and take care of him the best you can. You have done an admirable job looking out for him all these years. Sadly, outdoor/community /feral cats leave our lives much sooner than indoor cats. Pet World with Cathy Rosenthal How to train a 10-year-old dog to let YOU go outside 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]. Bears (real ones, not the football team) in the news Security cameras were rolling at a Connecticut home when a bear wandered inside, stole a lasagna from the freezer and climbed out a window. Helena Houlis said she received an alert on her phone that her refrigerator door had been left open, leading her to check the footage on her Ring cameras. The cameras recorded a bear wandering through the house to the kitchen, where it opened the freezer door. The bear snatched a lasagna from the freezer and then used the open door as a step to reach an open window. The bruin burglar then wandered away from the property with its frozen pasta treat. Security cameras at a British Columbia gas station recorded a gummy bear heist by an unusual shoplifter -- an actual bear. The cameras at Tipton Gas Bar on Vancouver Island captured footage as the black bear wandered into the store, took a pack of gummy bears off a rack and left. "Mr. Bear then went out in the parking lot and ate it," Jay deGoesbriand, who owns the store with his wife, Karen, told CBC News. DeGoesbriand said he watched as the bear enjoyed its illgotten gummies. "This little bugger has the nerve to sit at the end of my driveway, look at me and eat it," he told the Vancouver Sun. The couple said the bear did not act aggressively during its visit. "He had a sweet tooth," Karen deGoesbriand said. "I know it's a wild animal -- I just wanted to give it a hug. I just thought it was awesome." A Florida man interrupted a big bear's snack when he found the animal stealing fish sticks and strawberry syrup from his garage. Andrew Scheirer said he went out to his garage in the Preserve at Astor Farm subdivision in Sanford when he heard a loud noise, and discovered the cause was a beefy bruin that had knocked over his garage refrigerator. Scheirer recorded video as the bear opened the package of strawberry syrup and lapped up its contents. "I love strawberry syrup and so does he," Scheirer can be heard saying in the video. He said the bear also feasted on a package of fish sticks before leaving. Loose peacock dubbed 'jailbird' Sheriff's deputies in Georgia apprehended a peacock seen repeatedly running into traffic in Cherokee County. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post that the peacock was reported to have repeatedly ran into traffic in the New Light Road area. "Use caution if traveling in the area. Fowl play is suspected," the post said. The sheriff's office said the peacock was apprehended by deputies and is now a "jailbird." Cat found was missing for 12 years A cat that turned up in a California animal control officer's back yard was reunited with his family 12 years after being reported missing. Riverside County Animal Services said in a news release that Animal Control officer Dalton Churchwell found a cat roaming in his back yard in Blythe and scanned him for a microchip. The microchip revealed the feline, named Butters, had been reported missing from his family's San Diego home in 2011. Churchwell contacted Butters' family, who had since relocated to Stanwood, Wash. "It was just unbelievable. I'm so grateful to Officer Churchwell to have Butters identified. The officer just really went out of his way. You know, he did this on a Sunday night, on his time off," owner Angelo Castellino said in the news release. The Castellanos said Butters is now settling in at home with his brother, Barnacles. Butters' whereabouts for the missing 12 years are unknown, and the Castellinos said they have no idea how their cat made the more than 200-mile journey from San Diego to Blythe. Dog dubbed 'Cheeto' after rescue from plastic container A dog seen wandering with a plastic cheese ball container stuck over its head for at least three days was freed by animal rescuers in Michigan. Tom Walsh, who runs the Last Stop Animal Rescue & Sanctuary in Carleton with his wife, Sue, said the dog, nicknamed Cheeto, was seen wandering for at least three days with its head stuck in the plastic jug. Walsh said a member of the public was able to catch the dog and brought him to the rescue, where the jug was finally removed. Cheeto did not have any ID tags or a microchip when he was found, but the rescue is now hoping to find the canine's owner.

12 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER October 19, 2023 12 SR061622 5403 52nd St. • 262-656-1717 Kenosha, WI 53142 • bandlofficefurniture.com 101223 New and Like New Thank you for supporting our small family owned business! When you buy from us no assembly is EVER required! LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED FOR OVER 30 YEARS 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... WE USE GENUINE GM PARTS WE ALSO SERVICE ALL VEHICLE MAKES AND MODELS SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN’S LARGEST TIRE DEALERSHIP! $ 20 OFF $ 20 OFF $ 10 OFF 10% OFF Transmission or Coolant Flush PALMEN BUICK GMC CADILLAC Cannot be combined with any other coupons See advisor for details. Expires 11/19/23. 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According to Americans for the Arts, the creative industries remain among the most vital sectors of the American economy - providing new opportunities for developing cities, creating jobs and economic activity, and making communities attractive to business development. In Kenosha, we are fortunate to have so many opportunities to experience theater, dance, music, visual art, history, and more! We have the Lakeside Players, Kenosha Symphony Orchestra (whose new season opens October 21), Kenosha Pops Concert Band, UW-Parkside, Carthage Collage, Kemper Center, Bristol Renaissance Faire, five museums, many art galleries, DIY art studios, outdoor public art pieces, a comedy club, an acting studio, and additional nonprofit organizations here in our community to enhance and enrich our lives. Every place would welcome your support. Event attendees, financial donors, and volunteers are appreciated. If you attend an event, help the organization out with positive word-ofmouth. It costs you nothing more! Let your social media followers or morning coffee group know about the great time you had. If you’re interested in volunteering, often no experience is necessary as volunteers will be trained. Volunteers are frequently the first friendly faces a visitor to the venue will see! Besides knowing you are providing a service, volunteering can come with perks – such as discounts, volunteer-only events, or free tickets – and flexible hours. Here’s a sampling of volunteer opportunities: The Kenosha History Center could use volunteers at their front desk to greet people. The museum could also use volunteers to lead their school tours - retired teachers would be perfect for this! Kenosha Area third grade students – as well as students from other age groups and locations – visit our museums. Speaking of the Kenosha History Center, its Chili Cook Off is back and happening October 21! The Kenosha Public Museum, Civil War Museum, and Dinosaur Discovery Museum have ongoing volunteer opportunities, including as greeters and docents that provide short, guided tours of the exhibits. Volunteers are also needed to help with programs and events – by guiding children through crafts and games providing hospitality services, and so on. Kemper Center/ Anderson Arts Center has many volunteer opportunities. You can be a greeter at Durkee Mansion or Anderson Arts Center You can help at art exhibition openings, the Music at Twilight Concert Series, the Lakeside Lounge Concert Series, or the Haunted House. (By the way, the Kemper Haunted House continues on October 21 and October 28.) Do you love Christmas at Kemper? You can be a holiday decorator at Durkee Mansion or help at the Gallery of Trees and Opening Night Gala. Have a green thumb? Be a gardener on the Kemper Center grounds. Lakeside Players is a 100% volunteer driven organization. Volunteers are used as ushers, in the box office, and in the concessions area. You can be part of the organization’s 50th season … and Rhode Center for the Arts is a beautiful place to spend time at! The next production is “Blithe Spirit”, October 27 through November 5 (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays). Let us all do what we can to show our appreciation for the arts in our community. Just like art comes in many forms, so too can our support. Find fun faster at VisitKenosha.com – which is a hub for events things to see and do, and places to eat and stay at in the Kenosha Area. Visit Kenosha has been Kenosha’s official travel resource since 1986. Arts & humanities in Kenosha by Meridith Jumisko, Visit Kenosha Meridith Jumisko is Public Relations Director at Visit Kenosha. Contact her at [email protected] A few of the board members at Lemon Street Gallery and ArtSpace

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 October is National Arts & Humanities Month – as proclaimed by the Americans for the Arts. It’s said to be the largest annual celebration for the arts and humanities in the nation. According to Americans for the Arts, the creative industries remain among the most vital sectors of the American economy - providing new opportunities for developing cities, creating jobs and economic activity, and making communities attractive to business development. In Kenosha, we are fortunate to have so many opportunities to experience theater, dance, music, visual art, history, and more! We have the Lakeside Players, Kenosha Symphony Orchestra (whose new season opens October 21), Kenosha Pops Concert Band, UW-Parkside, Carthage Collage, Kemper Center, Bristol Renaissance Faire, five museums, many art galleries, DIY art studios, outdoor public art pieces, a comedy club, an acting studio, and additional nonprofit organizations here in our community to enhance and enrich our lives. Every place would welcome your support. Event attendees, financial donors, and volunteers are appreciated. If you attend an event, help the organization out with positive word-ofmouth. It costs you nothing more! Let your social media followers or morning coffee group know about the great time you had. If you’re interested in volunteering, often no experience is necessary as volunteers will be trained. Volunteers are frequently the first friendly faces a visitor to the venue will see! Besides knowing you are providing a service, volunteering can come with perks – such as discounts, volunteer-only events, or free tickets – and flexible hours. Here’s a sampling of volunteer opportunities: The Kenosha History Center could use volunteers at their front desk to greet people. The museum could also use volunteers to lead their school tours - retired teachers would be perfect for this! Kenosha Area third grade students – as well as students from other age groups and locations – visit our museums. Speaking of the Kenosha History Center, its Chili Cook Off is back and happening October 21! The Kenosha Public Museum, Civil War Museum, and Dinosaur Discovery Museum have ongoing volunteer opportunities, including as greeters and docents that provide short, guided tours of the exhibits. Volunteers are also needed to help with programs and events – by guiding children through crafts and games providing hospitality services, and so on. Kemper Center/ Anderson Arts Center has many volunteer opportunities. You can be a greeter at Durkee Mansion or Anderson Arts Center You can help at art exhibition openings, the Music at Twilight Concert Series, the Lakeside Lounge Concert Series, or the Haunted House. (By the way, the Kemper Haunted House continues on October 21 and October 28.) Do you love Christmas at Kemper? You can be a holiday decorator at Durkee Mansion or help at the Gallery of Trees and Opening Night Gala. Have a green thumb? Be a gardener on the Kemper Center grounds. Lakeside Players is a 100% volunteer driven organization. Volunteers are used as ushers, in the box office, and in the concessions area. You can be part of the organization’s 50th season … and Rhode Center for the Arts is a beautiful place to spend time at! The next production is “Blithe Spirit”, October 27 through November 5 (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays). Let us all do what we can to show our appreciation for the arts in our community. Just like art comes in many forms, so too can our support. Find fun faster at VisitKenosha.com – which is a hub for events things to see and do, and places to eat and stay at in the Kenosha Area. Visit Kenosha has been Kenosha’s official travel resource since 1986. Arts & humanities in Kenosha by Meridith Jumisko, Visit Kenosha Meridith Jumisko is Public Relations Director at Visit Kenosha. Contact her at [email protected] A few of the board members at Lemon Street Gallery and ArtSpace 13 SMART READER October 19, 2023 AUTUMN 2 02 COMEDY 3 EVENTS 5125 6th Ave. Kenosha 5125 6th Ave. Kenosha If It’s Not Live, You’re Not Living! If It’s Not Live, You’re Not Living! FOR EVENT TICKETS & MORE ACTS VISIT HAP2IT.COM STOP IN 1420 63RD ST. M-F 10AM-4PM OR CALL (262)564-8800 No Drink Minimum! MARSHA WARFIELD UPCOMING: JAN 26 & 27 - DR. BILL MILLER 27/28 GREG SCHWEM OCT MR. SHOWTIME DAVID SCOTT CHRIS BARNES JOHN DIRESTA 20/21 OCT 101923 17/18 NOV TIM MEADOWS 10/11 NOV 3/4 NOV 22/23 DEC IT’S HIS BIRTHDAY & WE’LL BE SERVING UP A NIGHT OF MEMORABLE LAUGHS AND A SLICE OF BIRTHDAY CAKE!

, y / s r a n r. t e t e e e d n r t a e e d a r r % n e x e e s e a d t , h , n n r t o n – , d n t s e As Republicans try to move past the speakership drama that’s been immobilizing the House of Representatives, they are grappling with deep internal divisions, as well as rules that make it hard to govern in an age of narrow majorities. They are also still grappling with what to do about one member in particular: Matt Gaetz. The Florida congressman with the gelled hair and penchant for popping up on television was responsible for introducing the motion to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last week. Only seven other Republicans wound up joining him, but it was enough, in concert with the votes of all 208 Democrats, to bring Mr. McCarthy down. Mr. Gaetz claimed he was driven by broken promises that Mr. McCarthy had made on spending and other matters. The former speaker, for his part, accused Mr. Gaetz of being unhappy about a pending House ethics investigation. Even as House Republicans took an initial step toward selecting a McCarthy replacement on Wednesday, nominating Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise for House speaker, many GOP lawmakers remained incensed at Mr. Gaetz. “It makes us look weak and ineffective when we have a member of the conference who is trying to foster this chaos,” says New York Rep. Mike Lawler, one of several members who have voiced support for expelling Mr. Gaetz from the GOP conference. Such a move would require the backing of two-thirds of House Republicans, while expelling him from Congress would require two-thirds of the full House. To Mr. Lawler and others, allowing Mr. Gaetz to go unpunished for what they view as an act of brazen disloyalty sets a dangerous precedent. Yet the reality is, with just a four-seat majority, Republicans probably can’t afford to lose the telegenic Floridian’s vote – or the votes of any other hardliners. As of press time, Mr. Scalise was still struggling to secure the necessary votes within his own party to win the speakership, though Mr. Gaetz himself indicated he would support him or an alternative nominee, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. In many ways, Mr. Gaetz represents a breed of c o n t ro ve r s y - c o u r t i n g lawmakers with whom both parties are increasingly having to contend. Drawing political power not from seniority or legislative chops but from celebrity status among the base, Mr. Gaetz has embraced the attacks launched against him by fellow Republicans, even incorporating them into his fundraising appeals. He says the speakership drama has only served to boost his popularity with GOP voters back home, a point echoed in interviews with party stalwarts in Florida’s 1st Congressional District. “He probably damaged his political career among his colleagues in Washington, but his constituents here will vote for him again and again,” says Mary Howard, vice president of Walton Republican Women Federated in the district’s Walton County. “Gaetz didn’t cause the chaos of the Republican Party. The fiscal recklessness caused the chaos.” Building a personal brand First elected to Congress in 2016, the same year that former President Donald Trump won the White House, Mr. Gaetz rose to prominence as one of Mr. Trump’s most ardent supporters – and imitators. Despite being the son of a former president of the Florida Senate and previously serving in the Florida House, Mr. Gaetz casts himself as a political outsider intent on disrupting Washington, even if that means upsetting – or firing – longtime leaders of his own party. When asked on NBC’s “Meet the Press” last Sunday if he was concerned about possibly losing his job over recent events, Mr. Gaetz responded confidently that he was elected with support from about 70% of his district’s voters and that “anyone trying to kick me out of Congress because they didn’t like me would have a bone to pick with them.” Sharon Regan, a lawyer from Gulf Breeze, Florida, and chair of the Santa Rosa County GOP, says she was “proud as can be” watching Mr. Gaetz in Congress last week, and that Republicans would be “out of their minds” to remove him from their conference. “He is their greatest, most courageous hero. He is the voice of the next generation,” she says. “Those people don’t get it.” Ms. Regan suspects that most local Republican voters have a similarly positive view of their congressman, noting that Santa Rosa County is a “very red” area. Maybe 10%, she allows, would “call him a showboat.” This is, in fact, a common charge from critics. Like Mr. Trump, Mr. Gaetz is a fixture on cable TV, with various past profiles chronicling his use of pancake makeup and obsessive tracking of his TV appearances. “Mr. Gaetz is all about himself, focusing on cableTV appearances, socialmedia posts, and urgent email appeals for campaign funds in one of the safest Republican districts,” wrote Karl Rove, deputy chief of staff for former President George W. Bush, in a Wall Street Journal Op-Ed titled “Give Matt Gaetz the Silent Treatment.” To which Mr. Gaetz has all but responded: guilty as charged. “Speaker of the House Paul Ryan once knocked me for going on TV too much, without considering that maybe his own failures as a leader stemmed from spending too much time in think tanks instead of in the green rooms where guests wait to appear on TV, and are thereby connected to the dinnertime of real Americans,” Mr. Gaetz writes in the first chapter of his 2020 book, “Firebrand.” “It’s impossible to get canceled if you’re on every channel,” he continues. “Why raise money to advertise on the news channels when I can make the news? And if you aren’t making news, you aren’t governing.” Asked if she sees any similarities between Mr. Gaetz and Mr. Trump, Ms. Howard with Walton Republican Women Federated doesn’t hesitate. “They both make for good TV,” she says. “That’s powerful – and that’s dangerous, because they can get their message out.” Ambitions to be governor? Lately, the hoopla on Capitol Hill has given new fuel to rumors that Mr. Gaetz plans to run for Florida governor in 2026. The congressman himself has not confirmed this. But when asked about his gubernatorial ambitions on a Rumble livestream with Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle, he said he would “enjoy that job so much,” adding that he would “never leave it” like current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with his presidential campaign. “We are seeing trend lines in Florida that make it safer and safer in the Republican column, so if you are a candidate for future office, the reality is that voters are very concerned about spending,” says Matt Terrill, a former consultant for the Republican Party of Florida and former chief of staff to Sen. Marco Rubio’s 2016 presidential campaign. “Much of Gaetz’s rhetoric is something GOP voters will rally behind.” With a 19-point Republican edge in Cook Political Report rankings, the 1st Congressional District is the reddest in Matt Gaetz has made enemies. That’s part of his pitch Rep. Matt Gaetz arrives to join House Republicans meeting in an attempt to agree on a nominee for the next speaker of the House, in the Longworth House office building in Washington on October 11th. story continues on page 18 14 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER October 19, 2023 14 101223 6806 317th Ave.Wheatland, WI  LuisasPizza.co • 262-537-4795 Dine-in, Carry Out, Delivery, & Catering Available 4pm - 9pm Wednesday-Sunday Thank you, Kenosha County, for voting us BEST PIZZA WEST OF THE I 13 YEARS IN A ROW! BEST PIZZA WEST OF THE I 13 YEARS IN A ROW! Also, recognizing us as Hometown Favorite for Best Bar! Thank you to everyone for your votes! Thank you to all our vendors and business partners! 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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 15 SMART READER October 19, 2023 A new global study suggests that 42% of patients with skin disease suffer from sleep disturbances. The findings were to be presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress in Berlin. The findings were derived from a comprehensive, international research initiative, the ALL Project, which analyzed more than 50,000 adults across 20 countries on five continents to evaluate the impact of skin diseases. The project revealed that these sleep disturbances have broader implications on patients' quality of life. Nearly half -- 49% -- of patients with skin disease reported decreased productivity at work, in contrast with only just one in five -- 19% -- participants without a skin disease. The main symptoms that affected the sleep of patients with skin disease were itching at 60% and burning sensations or tingling at 17%. In addition, patients with skin disease experienced a feeling of fatigue more often upon waking up (81% versus 64% in the non-skin disease population); periods of drowsiness during the day (83% versus 71%); tingling sensations in the eyes (58% versus 42%); and repeated yawning (72% versus 58%). First of its kind "Our study is the first to highlight the considerable impact of sleep disorders on the physical functioning of patients with skin disease," lead author Dr. Charles Taieb told UPI via email. "They lead to a significant deterioration in quality of life. These results highlight the need for early detection and effective management of sleep disorders." Taieb is the research director at European Market Maintenance Assessment in Paris, which arranged and managed the ALL Project for Pierre Fabre's Patient Centricity department. The department's idea was to study all types of skin, skin colors and skin conditions -- hence, the name ALL. "In the future, healthcare providers should be encouraged to include questions about sleep disorders in the examinations of patients suffering from skin conditions, to promote a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of skin diseases," he said. "The ALL project also aims to shed light on the impact of skin diseases and patients' experiences of them, so that we can mitigate these damaging effects and improve patients' quality of life." Painful skin condition This study also explored the impact of living with hidradenitis suppurativa -- a painful, long-term skin condition that causes skin abscesses and scarring that affects about 1 in 100 people. The condition occurs near hair follicles where there are sweat glands, such as around the groin, bottom, breasts and armpits. The exact cause is unknown, and it is often difficult to control, although symptoms may improve or eventually stop with treatment. Findings from the study indicated that 77% of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa reported a feeling of stigmatization due to their condition, with 58% experiencing ostracization or rejection from others. More than half of patients noted that others avoided touching them (57%) and approaching them (54%) because of their condition. These experiences resulted in major consequences for patients, affecting their selfperception, relationships and daily lives, the study indicated. Patients who reported feelings of stigmatization were more likely to avoid taking selfies (52%), compared with those without the condition (84%), and tended to manage their appearance whenever they encountered a mirror (72% versus 34%). Nearly 79% of patients who showed poor adherence to therapy also reported a feeling of stigma. See impact daily Dr. Naina Rengarajan, who was not involved in the study, told UPI via email that it is one of the largest to evaluate the association between skin disease and sleep disturbances. Rengarajan is a dermatologist and physicianscientist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. "As dermatologists, we see daily how much skin diseases affect our patient's quality of life. These burdens are sometimes underappreciated by public health organizations and funding resources," she said. "This kind of epidemiological data from the ALL Project is crucial to draw attention to the emotional, social and eventually financial burden that skin disorders pose. It's key for researchers to advocate for more funding to study skin diseases that have such a significant impact on our patients' day-to-day lives." Sleep disturbances are surprisingly common in patients with skin disease, Rengarajan said. "A majority of the common skin disorders cause either skin pain, itch or sometimes an odor that affects a patient's ability to rest," she said. "The emotional and psychological consequences of disorders that are visible to people around us also lead to insecurity and shame, which will undoubtedly affect sleep." All skin conditions eyed Dr. Erin Barrett, also not involved in the study, told UPI via email that while sleep disturbances have been investigated in selected skin diseases -- including eczema, hives, generalized itching disorders of the skin and some inflammatory conditions -- this study is unique in its assessment of sleep across all skin conditions. Barrett is an associate professor in the department of dermatology at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where she is the director of clinical trials in dermatology and inpatient dermatology services. Her practice primarily focuses on treating inflammatory skin diseases, specifically autoimmune blistering diseases. "Almost all of my patients have sleep disturbances either due to itching, pain or a medication side effect, such as from prednisone," she said. "However, there are few studies specifically looking sleep disturbances and how to best measure it in dermatology patients. Practitioners also do not routinely ask about sleep disturbances in these patients." By Susan Kreimer Can't sleep? Your skin might be to blame, study says A new global study suggests that 42% of patients with skin disease suffer from disturbances. health For Event Tickets & More Acts Visit Hap2It.com Or Stop In At 1420 63rd St., M-F 10AM-4PM Or Call (262)654-880 Listen to AM1050 WLIP on October 12 at 9:20am when Lee DeWyze joins Happenings Q&A. An Intimate Evening With American Idol Season 9 Winner Lee DeWyze Qaam1050WLIP & Wednesday, October 25 7PM $10 cover Frank Viele with special guest 100523 (General Admission) Website: Jackpot.Rentals E-Mail: [email protected] 12 Yard Dumpsters For: • Remodeling Projects • Basement & Garage Clean-Outs • Estate Sales • Deck & Patio Projects We Do Not Allow: Roofing Shingles, Cement, Asphalt, Electronics Or Hazardous Waste Website: Jackpot.Rentals E-Mail: [email protected] 12 Yard Dumpsters For: • Remodeling Projects • Basement & Garage Clean-Outs • Estate Sales • Deck & Patio Projects We Do Not Allow: Roofing Shingles, Cement, Asphalt, Electronics Or Hazardous Waste 101923

16 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER October 19, 2023 16 DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have had allergies since childhood, suffering during both the spring and fall seasons. This past month, however, I am experiencing more congestion and mucus, and I even have some facial pain. I’m beginning to wonder if my symptoms are really from allergies or if they may be caused by a sinus infection instead. How can I tell the difference? ANSWER: Allergies and sinus infections often are mistaken for one another. But they are two separate conditions. By paying close attention to the specific symptoms you have, you can usually identify which one is more likely to be causing the problem. When someone has allergies, it means their body is negatively reacting to allergens, such as pollen, dust mites or pet dander. This reaction happens when the immune system releases certain substances, such as histamine, into the bloodstream. This leads to allergy symptoms, which may include itching, sneezing, sinus pressure, nasal congestion and discharge. Although allergies can produce many of the same symptoms as a sinus infection, the condition is different. A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, affects the cavities around your nasal passages. The infection causes your sinuses to become inflamed and swollen. The swelling makes it hard for your sinuses to drain, and mucus builds up. You become congested and have trouble breathing through your nose. Sinusitis often causes thick nasal discharge. In addition, you may experience headaches as well as pressure around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead. Though more uncommon, cough and a sore throat can accompany sinusitis, too. One of the telltale signs to discern if you have allergic rhinitis or a sinus infection is if you have itchy, watery eyes along with other symptoms. Itchiness is rarely a symptom of a sinus infection. Contrary to popular belief, the color of your mucus does not help tell the difference between allergies or sinus infections. Given that you have noted seasonal allergies, pay attention to the timing of your symptoms. This also may help decide if they likely are caused by allergies. For example, tree pollen is most common in the spring. Grass pollen is common in late spring and early summer, while ragweed pollen is prevalent in the fall. Mold and fungi spores are usually more plentiful in warm-weather months. Of course, the seasons may be different, depending on the region of the country where you live. Finally, medication response also can help you determine if you need additional medical care. For allergies, over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines, can be quite effective in relieving allergy symptoms, particularly itching and a runny nose. You also may try adding an overthe-counter nasal corticosteroid daily to help with allergy symptoms. These nasal sprays help prevent and treat nasal inflammation and congestion, especially if you have seasonal allergies and use them just as the allergy symptoms begin. If you suspect your nasal congestion and other symptoms are the results of sinus problems rather than allergies, you just may need to be patient. In most cases, viruses cause sinusitis. These viral infections usually go away on their own within a week to 10 days. Self-care measures, such as extra rest and fluids, saline sinus rinses, and over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestants, can help. But if symptoms are persistent or severe, antibiotics may be needed to treat the infection. If your symptoms are increasing, do not improve with current therapy or last for more than two weeks, you could benefit from a visit with your primary care clinician or an allergist. There are other options to help alleviate symptoms and address ongoing allergies or recurrent sinusitis. — Jacqueline Squire, M.D., Allergy and Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida Mayo Clinic Is it allergies or a sinus infection? health More than two-thirds of Americans report loss of sleep over job worries Americans are losing sleep over worries about money, a new survey reveals. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) polled about 2,000 U.S. adults, finding that 69% reported lost sleep due to concerns about job security and 75% were kept up with thoughts about whether the United States would enter a recession. "Persistent, anxious thoughts can make it difficult to fall asleep and impact sleep quality, so it's understandable that a substantial number of Americans are losing sleep during this period of economic instability, inflation and job market insecurity," said Dr. Susheel Patil, sleep medicine physician and spokesperson for the AASM. Still, suffering prolonged sleep disturbances can have some negative side effects in work and life, including decreased productivity, impaired decision-making and an increased risk of mental and physical health issues, according to the AASM. This anxiety can worsen at night, just when someone should be winding down. The AASM suggests measures to improve slumber, including keeping a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking at the same times each day, including weekends and holidays. Some other tips include: • Try to get at least seven hours of sleep a night. • Make your bedroom a peaceful sanctuary, with limited noise and distractions. It should be quiet, dark and cool. Only use your bed for sleeping, not watching TV or reading. • Your nightly routine should also be relaxing, with 30 minutes to unwind before bed. This could include reading, meditating or taking a warm bath or shower. • Minimize exposure to news and social media near bedtime. • Consider journaling about what's on your mind as a way to bring you calmness and a sense of control. By releasing your worries onto paper, you're less likely to be holding onto those thoughts when you climb into bed. "Good sleep habits can help break the pattern of sleepless nights and stressful days, but those experiencing persistent sleeplessness should seek help from a sleep medicine team at an AASM-accredited sleep center," Patil advised in an AASM news release. The survey was conducted in March. By Cara Murez call 262.653.9132 SR032423 JR PROPERTIES 2409 - 52nd Street, Suite 3 • Kenosha 2 Bedrooms $875 Includes: FREE Cable Heat & Water John and Shelley Rogowski, Owners TORCASO And So Much More... 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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 17 SMART READER October 19, 2023 books War reporter Jane Ferguson explains that she wrote her memoir, “No Ordinary Assignment,” to answer a question she’s often asked: Why does she do this dangerous work? Ferguson has covered conflicts and humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, and more, at great personal risk. Her compelling and candid book links her determination to succeed as a journalist to her difficult, lonely childhood on a small farm in Northern Ireland. An engaging new biography of photographer and reporter Dickey Chapelle explores similar territory. “First to the Front: The Untold Story of Dickey Chapelle, Trailblazing Female War Correspondent” by Lorissa Rinehart also features an extraordinarily courageous woman who had few female role models. Chapelle began working during World War II, and she died while on assignment in Vietnam. One wonders whether Ferguson, a special correspondent for “PBS NewsHour” and a contributor to The New Yorker, is familiar with Chapelle’s story; while Rinehart believes that Chapelle should be a household name, she isn’t widely known. Ferguson, born in 1984, was instead emboldened by reading the biography of pioneering war reporter Martha Gellhorn and by seeing women on TV reporting from around the globe for the BBC. Looking back, Ferguson believes that her severe upbringing prepared her for such an unusual career. “I was never comforted, so I learned to live with fear as a kind of presence, under the weight of which I grew impenetrably strong,” she recalls. Ferguson left the United Kingdom to study Arabic in Yemen, a country she grew to love. From there she landed a job as a reporter for an English-language daily newspaper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, but after covering sports and business, she had an epiphany: “I wanted to be out on the road, telling stories that really mattered.” She began traveling on her own to some of the world’s most dangerous locations, working as a freelancer. She says that being “disposable and brave” were her two primary assets early in her career. The author recounts occasions when she smuggled herself into unsafe places, as she did at the start of Syria’s brutal civil war, in order to shine a light on what was happening. One of the things that stands out is her compassion. “The thing that truly spoke to me, that I adored most about my work, was talking to civilians and finding the humanity in troubled places,” she writes. Ferguson is open about the agonies of her job. She recalls filming in a makeshift hospital in Mogadishu in 2010, when Anna May Wong blazed a trail for Asian actors in Hollywood Before Asian actors Lucy Liu, Michelle Yeoh, and Awkwafina graced screens big and small, there was Anna May Wong. Working in and out of Hollywood from the mid1910s until the early 1960s, the groundbreaking Chinese American actor cut a distinct path in entertainment history. She appeared in more than 60 movies – as well as plays, TV series, and vaudeville shows – at a time of limited roles, shoddy contract terms, and rampant stereotypes for Asians working in Hollywood. In Daughter of the Dragon: Anna May Wong’s Rendezvous With American History, writer and scholar Yunte Huang offers the final volume in his trilogy that explores, as he puts it, “the Asian American experience in the making of America.” Aiming his curiosity and penchant for research at Charlie Chan, conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker, and now Wong, Huang delves into individuals who soared into the pop culture consciousness of their day despite political tumult, racial bias, and xenophobia. Wong’s story feels particularly relevant today. Born in Los Angeles at the dawn of 1905, Wong Liu Tsong started life on South Flower Street near Chinatown (she would adopt the Anglicized moniker Anna May as a teen). Her father, Sam Sing, owned and operated Wong Laundry, behind which the family – mother Gon Toy, older sister Lew Ying (Lulu), and five younger siblings – lived, studied, and dreamed. Beyond the Wongs’ front door, a climate of antagonism simmered. AntiChinese violence ran rampant, and the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act – which shut America’s door to immigrants from China and denied citizenship to those already in the country – was in full, poisonous effect. Early on, Anna May was captivated by the lively movie sets, big-name stars, and jampacked film houses dotting Los Angeles in the early 20th century. “At a very young age, I went movie crazy,” she later said. Chinatown was hot stuff in America’s cultural imagination, at once a place of fascination and stereotype, driving Hollywood to shoot films with names like “Parade of Chinese” and “Rube in an Opium Joint” on location. Anna May would skip school to watch moviemakers at work in the neighborhood, hoping to get noticed. Her break came in 1918 during the filming of “The Red Lantern,” a big-budget flick in need of 600 Chinese extras. A local reverendcum-technical adviser picked Anna May, who, after a day of crowd shots, received an invitation from the director to play one of three lantern carriers. Huang notes that while the experience – and the onscreen results – were anticlimactic, the acting bug still bit. Her debut coincided with the rise of “yellow films” in Hollywood, which narrowly cast Chinese actors “as opium addicts, white slavers, lawbreakers, thugs, and debauchers.” This prejudiced approach – further soured by industry rules prohibiting on-screen kissing between Chinese and white actors – dogged the actor throughout her career. Despite these head winds, Anna May persisted. For the next two years, she acted in bit parts, rubbed shoulders with industry bigwigs, and even had a romantic fling with director Marshall Neilan. Dazzled by the teen up-and-comer, Neilan wrote a part expressly for her in his 1921 work, “Bits of Life”; the movie garnered strong reviews and landed on the year’s best films list but tanked financially. In what would become a dismal pattern, Anna May’s co-star in “Bits of Life” was a white actor sporting yellowface. This practice of applying facial makeup or alterations to non-Asian performers portraying Asians frustrated – and later angered – her; it’s why she refused to participate in the predominantly Caucasian-cast movie adaptation of “The Good Earth” more than a decade later. By 1925, Wong faced a dilemma. “It is hard to get into the pictures,” she remarked, “but it is harder to keep in them. ... You see there are not many Chinese parts.” Diversifying her opportunities, the actor successfully gave vaudeville a try, before accepting a five-film contract with a German director in Berlin. This leap abroad proved fruitful for Wong. From 1928 to 1930, she worked in Germany, France, and England to increased acclaim if not always favorable reviews. Once in London, Wong braved live theater, her first step in the bumpy transition from silent films to “talkies.” She also dedicated herself to learning German and French, later performing admirably in both languages to the delight of her fans. The key to her longevity: She adapted, attempted, and adjusted. Huang presents the second half of Wong’s life – including a lifechanging trip to China, her struggles with addiction and loneliness, and yet another career transition from film to TV work – with continued attention to the historical setting, as well as concern for the increasingly troubled star. Still, readers may wish for a bit more time devoted to Wong’s relationships with both family members and romantic partners. (For a fictionalized account of Wong’s life that effectively ticks these boxes, check out Gail Tsukiyama’s novel “The Brightest Star,” which was published in June.) Compelling and eyeopening, “Daughter of the Dragon” applauds Wong as a true American individual – averse to being pigeonholed, dedicated to her work, unafraid of reinvention, and a paragon of perseverance. By Erin Douglass Women war correspondents marched to their own drummer Dickey Chapelle photographs Marines at Camp Pendleton in California in 1958. A 1935 portrait of Wong emphasizes the “exotic Oriental” stereotype that she came to resent, and to resist. story continues on next page

18 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Somalia was wracked by violence and famine. “To stand in a hospital with a camera and not a stethoscope, to offer no tangible help to the person suffering in front of you, to voyeuristically witness their suffering – all of this is grotesque,” she writes. She has struggled to make peace with the limitations of her vocation while still believing in its importance. As for her role, she writes, “In all honesty, the only question I can answer is, Did I do my part?” Readers are likely to come away convinced that she did. Chapelle’s courage was also remarkable. She once wrote, “Good correspondents are created out of the simple compulsion to go see for themselves what is happening.” That compulsion led her to embed herself with American service members during World War II; she was the first American woman to cover the Pacific Fleet, photographing the action at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Her presence was so surprising that the men often demanded, “How the hell did you get here?” With her male colleagues more likely to get the big assignments, Chapelle at first had trouble making a living. But she was dogged both in pursuing editors and in chasing stories, from the Pacific theater in World War II to conflicts in Algeria, Laos, and Cuba. Her articles and photographs eventually appeared in Reader’s Digest, National Geographic, and Life, among others. Like Ferguson, Chapelle often found herself in dangerous situations. She was arrested by Soviet border guards during Hungary’s revolution in 1956 and held in solitary confinement in Budapest for five weeks. She was traumatized by the experience, but within a few months she’d resumed taking dangerous combat assignments. She didn’t always maintain journalistic distance. During eight months embedded with a Cuban exile militia in Miami, Chapelle seemed to be as much participant as reporter. Rinehart describes her living under an assumed name and helping the militia build an arsenal. It’s hard to imagine a journalist today blurring such lines. Chapelle learned to parachute so she could jump out of planes with troops in Vietnam. Rinehart writes, “She came under fire nine times, endured clouds of mosquitoes so thick they clouded her glasses, and watched deadly snakes slither by her boots as she stood motionless for fear the smallest sound might alert the enemy to their location.” In November 1965, marching with Marines in Viet Cong territory, Chapelle was struck by an improvised explosive device. She was 47 and the first female American journalist to be killed while covering combat. She had often said, “When I die, I want to be on patrol with the Marines.” By Barbara Spindel Women of war continued from page 14 ‘The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store’ weaves a tale of love and community James McBride, one of today’s great American novelists, cares about his characters. In a recent episode of “The New Yorker Radio Hour” podcast, the awardwinning author professed that he’s not someone who “creates characters, and runs them up a tree, and throws cans at them.” It’s a spot-on assessment. Eschewing cheap shots, McBride favors a careful, winding excavation – reaching into history for the whys and wherefores of his novels’ crowded casts, while delivering whopper stories with electric finales. And he’s done it again. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, McBride’s triumphant novel that follows the widely acclaimed “Deacon King Kong,” serves up a riot of life crammed into a cacophonous corner of 1920s America – the Chicken Hill neighborhood of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. McBride works well in tight spaces. As he proved with the streets of south Brooklyn in “Deacon King Kong” and the life of James Brown in his 2016 biography “Kill ’Em and Leave,” constraint breeds depth. There’s a world of work, hurt, absurdity, and hope in Chicken Hill, offering McBride ample ways to ponder the appeal and elusiveness of the American dream. The novel opens in 1972 when state troopers find a human skeleton at the bottom of a well linked to a long-gone synagogue. They question “the old Jew” who lives on-site and tag him as a suspect, miffed by his cryptic, defiant responses and curious why a mezuza, usually found mounted to a doorjamb, rested near the remains. The next day Hurricane Agnes strikes, and “God took the whole business – the water well, ... the skeleton, and every itty bitty thing they could’a used against them Jews – and washed it clear into the Manatawny Creek,” says the narrator. Justice, it’s clear, has been served. So, what happened? Rewind 47 years to the early days of Moshe Ludlow, the young Jewish manager of Pottstown’s AllAmerican Dance Hall and Theater, an establishment serving the immigrant Jewish and Italian community, Black people, and white people. The entertainers range from klezmer greats to the Count Basie Orchestra. A snafu with the advertising for an upcoming show puts the fear of God and financial ruin into Moshe; in search of solace, he heads to Chicken Hill’s sole Jewish market, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, where he meets the owner’s daughter, Chona. A munificent beauty with a physical disability – one leg is shorter than the other following a childhood illness – Chona captures Moshe’s heart with her easygoing warmth. Four weeks later, they marry. To Moshe’s chagrin and the synagogue gossips’ delight, Chona continues to work at the store, providing a welcoming haven for her longtime Black customers, even as Jewish neighbors start leaving Chicken Hill. They don’t go far. Heeding the siren call of the whiter, more affluent parts of town, the Chicken Hill Jews head 10 blocks downslope, despite the antisemitism that awaits. This urge to differentiate and define appears throughout the novel; so, too, do bias and bigotry. The plot comes to a boil when a deadly attack at the grocery store leads to the lockup of an exuberant boy named Dodo, who is deaf. The denizens of Chicken Hill rally, all too aware that the mental institution where Dodo is wrongly imprisoned has a reputation for abuse and worse, particularly for anyone young, disabled, and Black. Be warned: Scenes in this section of the story, rife with menace, are intense. McBride unfolds the efforts to rescue Dodo, plus side plots involving crackpot business schemes and sleazy bigwigs, with his trademark skill, brio, and frank talk. The results are immersive, delightfully discursive – and thoughtprovoking. Whom, exactly, is the American promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for? As made plain, the pervasive intolerance and discrimination of the 1920s and 1930s were dispiriting facts of life for a long list of individuals. Even so, McBride insists, light shines in the gloom. By the end of the novel, a bit of evil has been squashed, just deserts have been served, and new community has been formed – all without the tossing of a single bruising can. By Erin Douglass PRINT & E-BOOKS NONFICTION PRINT & E-BOOKS FICTION 1. Judgement Prey (Sandford) 2. Wildfire (Grace) 3. Fourth Wing (Yarros) 4. Second Act (Steel) 5. Holly (King) 6. Dark Memory (Feehab) 7. Lessons In Chemistry (Garmus) 8. Trust (Diaz) 9. 12 Months to Live (Patterson/Lupica) 10. Icebreaker (Grace) 1. Going Infinite (Lewis) 2. The Democrat Party Hates America (Levin) 3. Killers of the Flower Moon (Grann) 4. Killing the Witches (O’Reilly/Dugard) 5. Elon Musk (Isaacson) 6. Enough (Hutchinson) 7. Making It So (Stewart) 8. Astor (Cooper/Howe) 9. Democracy Awakening (Richardson) 10. Outlive (Attia/Gifford) NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERS In his triumphant novel “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store,” James McBride explores the appeal and elusiveness of the American dream. Michelle Williams narrates Britney Spears' audiobook 'The Woman in Me' Michelle Williams will narrate the audiobook of Britney Spears' memoir The Woman in Me, set for release Oct. 24. The five-time Oscar-nominated actress voiced her support for Spears in a statement. "I stand with Britney," Williams said. Spears will read an introduction on the audiobook. "This book has been a labor of love and all the emotions that come with it," Spears said in a news release. "Reliving everything has been exciting, heart-wrenching, and emotional, to say the least. For those reasons, I will only be reading a small part of my audiobook. I am so grateful to the amazing Michelle Williams for reading the rest of it." A Simon & Schuster synopsis calls the book "a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith and hope." A Los Angeles judge ended Spears' 13-year conservatorship in November 2021 after a widely publicized legal battle, in which the pop star accused her father, Jamie Spears of conservator abuse, including using her estate and finances for his own benefit and attempting to control her career and personal life. "Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears' groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love -- and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last," the synopsis reads. SMART READER October 19, 2023 18

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 19 SMART READER October 19, 2023 O A K B a E D o r a c M Florida. Since being elected in 2016, Mr. Gaetz has won reelection every two years by more than 30 points. This, despite the fact that between 2020 and 2022, he was under federal investigation for sex trafficking, accused of paying an underage girl to travel with him across state lines. Ultimately, the Justice Department declined to bring charges. But an investigation into the matter by the House Ethics Committee is ongoing, and some speculate that Mr. Gaetz’s recent rebellion may serve to refocus attention on that probe. If Mr. Gaetz does run for governor in a few years, that controversy will likely come up again, along with other aspects of Mr. Gaetz’s personal life – like the fact that Mr. Gaetz has claimed to have a teenage Cuban “son” named Nestor. Mr. Gaetz’s office did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Of course, not all the Republicans in his district have as rosy a view as Ms. Howard’s or Ms. Regan’s. “He knows how to play to a crowd – what to say and how to say it, to convince people he is on their side,” says Cris Dosev, a veteran and real estate developer who ran against Mr. Gaetz in the Republican primary in 2016 and 2018. “And he’s very effective at it. I have to give him credit for that.” Mr. Trump can get away with being a provocateur, says Mr. Dosev, who voted for the former president twice and plans to support him again in 2024, because he also gets things done, such as placing three conservative justices on the Supreme Court. By contrast, he sees Mr. Gaetz as more of an “actor.” “There are people in our district who think he is a hero for doing this, for holding McCarthy to account. To me, he’s a chaos agent,” says Mr. Dosev. “He’s learned there is a 15-minute cycle in the news, and after that people move on. I think he’s hoping for that.” By Story Hinckley Gaetz continued from page 13 Hollywood insiders nominate and vote on overlooked scripts in an annual survey. In 2019, Harvard Business School associate professor Hong Luo studied the box office performance of Black List scripts that ended up getting made. She found they tended to generate 90% more revenue than other movies with a comparative budget. “ L e s s - e x p e r i e n c e d [writers] are actually much more likely to be on the list than experienced people, which is not entirely surprising, partly because experienced people are less likely to write spec scripts to start with,” says Professor Luo in a video call. Some predict that Hollywood will be awash with original features and pilots created during the nearly five-month writers strike (which is allowed by the Writers Guild of America). But when strike captain Jessica Sharzer chatted with her agents at United Talent Agency last week, they told her that perhaps only 10% of their clients wrote scripts during the work stoppage. Most were too exhausted by daily marches on picket lines. For their part, studios and streaming companies may be cutting back on expenditures. To the extent that they are spending on acquisitions to make up for lost production time, it’s on independently produced movies that were hits at festivals such as in Venice and Toronto. Indie films, often made for less than the tire budget of a “Fast & Furious” movie, remain a vital outlet for truly original stories. For example, “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” “CODA,” and “Nomadland” all won best picture at the Academy Awards. A24 Films is a big player in this space. So are streaming companies. The likes of Amazon and Apple TV+ have helped audiences who don’t venture to art-house cinemas develop a taste for more adventurous fare. Case in point: Netflix will release “May December,” directed by Todd Haynes and starring Oscar winners Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore. “They shot it in 26 days,” says Mr. Hayes, the Deadline editor, whose most recent book is “Binge Times: Inside Hollywood’s Furious BillionDollar Battle To Take Down Netflix.” “It was very much an indie production. Of course, it ended up getting acquired for $20 million and made a big noise at the festivals.” Mr. Davis, a former bank employee, spent years submitting scripts to social media before he scored a breakthrough. “Aftermath,” about terrorists who commandeer Boston’s Tobin Bridge, was made for $10 million and is now seeking distribution. “That $5 [million] to $15 million spot is a range where movies get made and they’re still profitable,” says Mr. Davis, who posted “Congratulations, It’s an Alien” on his website as a writing sample. “They can pay a writer well enough that they might actually have a chance at making something approaching a living.” increase food costs." By Stephen Humphries Hollywood strike continued from page 5 Writer Dean Bakopolous (HBO’s “Made For Love”) penned two scripts during the work stoppage. REMINDER: PLEASE RESUBMIT AD TO RUN FOR EACH ISSUE. Maximum 3 Listings Per Person. MISC MODEL TRAIN SWAP MEET. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15. 9AM TO 1PM. KENOSHA UNION CLUB, 3030 39TH AVE. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL BILL @ 262-331-0392 G E R M A N CONVERSATIONALIST GROUP - KENOSHA/RACINE If you speak German or are enthusiastic about the German language and culture, come and join us. There are no membership fees and attendance is whenever you are available to join. Meetings will be held in the Kenosha and Racine area. This is an excellent group to practice speaking German as members' language skills are from beginners to advance and we all have a good time. Please contact me if you are interested in joining - Susan Blust at [email protected]. LIONS CLUB BINGO Come have some fun! Doors open at 4:00. Raffles, pull-tabs and pregames start at 6:45. Bingo 7:00-9pm. Wednesdays. 2700 9th St., Schlader Building, Winthrop Harbor. Food Sales. FOR SALE TWO BICYCLES, SCHWINN $100 OBO AND AUTOBIKE BY CSA, 6- SPEED $175 OBO CALL 262-654-6485 PLEASE LEAVE MESSAGE M&M STAND, LARGE, NEW $60 KEWPIE DOLL, ORIGINAL $15 ROCKWELL PLATES $10 EACH AIR FRYER, NEW $50 CALL 262-771-8764 VINTAGE TOYS- MANY TOYS FROM THE 1970S SUCH AS SESAME STREET; SOME FROM THE 1980S SUCH AS TONKA. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE, CALL OR TEXT 262-902-5663 TO FIND ITEMS AND PRICE BASEBALL CAPS- BRAND NEW BADGERS CAP FOR $22 BOUGHT FOR $30 PLUS TAX; GENTLY USED BREWERS CAP FOR $10 BOUGHT FOR $20 PLUS TAX! CALL OR TEXT 262-902-5663 MEN'S FOOTWEAR-NEW BALANCE TENNIS SHOES GENTLY WORN $5; TINGLEY OVER-THESHOE BOOT NEVER WORN $10. BOTH FIT A SIZE 91/2 FOOT. 262-902-5663 DECORATIVE THROW PILLOWS- $2 PAIR; TWO BOUGHT IN THAILAND-$10 PAIR. CALL OR TEXT 262-902-5663. MEN'S ITEMS: ZIPPERED SHORT SLEEVE XL SHIRT-$5; HARLEY DAVIDSON LAS VEGAS LARGE SHIRT-$5; COLUMBIA SHORTS XL-$5; CHAMPS SHORTS-SIZE 38 $3; CTCA SIZE M SHIRT $2; A VARIETY OF L & XL SHIRTS $2; CHRYSLER ENGINE PLANT LOGO SHIRTS- MANY RED, BLACK, NEVER WORN L & XL $5; AUSTRALIA MUSCLE T $2; MANY SHORTS- $2; WARM CAPS-$1; LEE JEANS SIZE 36-38/30" $2; WARM UP PANTS-$3; BIKE SHORTS-FREE; CASUAL/DRESS SLACKS-$3; MILWAUKEE BREWERS CAP-$10; SWEATSHIRTS-$2; TIES-$2 CALL OR TEXT 262-902-5663. OUTDOOR ITEMS FOR SALE: LARGE BIRDFEEDER ON A POLE- $15; MANY TEES & GOLF BALLS- $5; MUD FLAP-$5; MANY MONGOOSE BIKE PARTS-$5; SKI TOTE-$10; BOY'S FIGURE SKATES- $10; MEN'S FIGURE SKATES- $10; PINNACLE WOOD BAT-$25; 2-SETS CROSS COUNTRY SKI POLES- $10; CEMENT CURE & SEAL-$5; CATCHER'S MIT & 11 BALLS- $10. CALL/TEXT 262-902-5663. BARB CONNAUGHTON SAVE 50% ON BURIAL PLOTS! PRIVATE OWNER OF TWO (2) (SIDE BY SIDE) SECTION H SUNSET RIDGE MEMORIAL PARK KENOSHA, WI. DONT’ PAY $11,390.00... I’ SELLING FOR $5,695.00 OBO! (262)914-5977 ED BARBIE DOLL, REMOTE CONTROL CORVETTE, THAT FITS TWO BARBIE DOLLS, ABOUT 25 IN LONG X 10 IN WIDE, BEST OFFER. OTHER SMALL AUTO MODELS AVAILABLE FROM CLASSIC DAYS. RON 847-340-3446. BEANIE BABIES - LARGE INVENTORY, INCLUDES MCDONALD'S LINE, PRICE VARIES. CALL 262-654-6485 - PLEASE LEAVE MESSAGE SONY REEL TO REEL TAPE DECKS! TC-630 & TC-580 $200 OBO FOR BOTH. CALL KENT 262- 960-0621 [email protected] TWO SIDE-BY-SIDE BURIAL PLOTS AT SUNSET RIDGE MEMORIAL PARK, SECTION H, PRIVATELY OWNED. WILLING TO NEGOTIATE ON PRICE. PLEASE CALL ED - 262-914-5977 V.F.W. VINTAGE BANNER VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS BANNER WITH LOGO, PROFESSIONALLY FRAMED UNDER GLASS. VERY LARGE & IN GREAT CONDITION. $175. LEAVE MESSAGE IF NO ANSWER. 262- 914-4767 VIPER GOLF CLUBS, GREAT SECOND SET $100 OBO PLEASE CALL 262-960-0627 COMPOUND MITER SAW 10" $50 OBO PLEASE CALL 262-960-0627 WANTED. EXPERIENCED GRILL COOK FLEXIBLE HOURS, FUN ATMOSPHERE. LAKESIDE DECK AT THE WYNDHAM HOTEL CALL KIM 262-496-7182 SINGER AND NARRATOR WANTED FOR ROGER MILLER TRIBUTE.CALL 262-554-8205. ASK FOR MARV. STREET PAVER BRICKS wanted Please call 262.697.3545 and leave a message. WANTED TO BUY: Vintage Movie Posters, Comic Books, LP Records, Vintage Toys, Horror VHS, Horror Memorabilia, Science Fiction Pulps & Magazines, Video Store Promotional Items. PH 262- 237-0318. WANTED TO BUY: Old Post Cards, B&W Photos, B&W Photo Albums, Vintage Advertising, Old Hunting Licenses & Advertising, Scrapbooks, Old Misc.Paper, Old Automobile Advertising, Fountain Pens, Gillette Razors & More. Local Collector/Neutral Safe & Secure Site to meet if desired. Cash Paid. Call or Text Stan 262- 496-1822 ARCADE DRIVERS SCHOOL is looking for classroom & driver instructors. Starting pay $17.00 per hour. If interested please call 262- 637-9193 or email us at [email protected]. LOOKING FOR NURSES Aid for in home care. Call Barbara 262- 455-3953 SERVICES. TAX PREPARATION & ADVISORY SERVICES. 20+ YEARS EXPERIENCE. VIRTUAL OR IN-PERSON. FOR APPOINTMENT CALL OR TEXT 262-496-2208. APARTMENT FOR RENT: 2 BDR LOWER, SHARED BASEMENT, LAUNDRY HOOK UP, GARAGE. $950 + UTILITIES +SECURITY. CALL 262-654-1869 LEAVE MESSAGE WITH FULL NAME AND PHONE NUMBER. NO EVICTIONS, NO PETS, NO SMOKING. ONE YEAR WORK HISTORY. I WILL DO SEAMSTRESS WORK, RUN ERRANDS, DO SHOPPING & DR. APPOINTMENTS., ETC.IF INTERESTED PLEASE CALL GAYLE AT 262-748-4748 I'M LOOKING FOR house to share for reasonable rent in exchange for household needs for a senior vet consideration. 847-340-3446 Ron. Kenosha/Union Grove area. LAWN MOWING SERVICES RELIABLE LAWN CARE SERVICES IN KENOSHA & PLEASANT PRAIRIE. CALL/TEXT 262-914-9796 [email protected] TAX & MEDICARE EXPERT. Appointments only. Se Habla Español. 262.833.7070 CHINESE LANGUAGE / CALLIGRAPHY LESSONS: Fun, fascinating and very cool. Beginning and advanced - all ages! Text Dr. Tim at 520.704.3832. FOR RENT Finished Suite private, in-home entrance, in Kenosha. For details call between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, 262-843-1630. DRUM LESSONS Private instruction. Band, orchestra, marching and drum set. Rock and many other musical styles. Learn to read music. Call Tom for details. 262- 818-2869. PROFESSIONAL LED TEETH WHITENING for a fraction of the price! $99 at cabana tan spa. call to book: 262-843-2411. 20 minute session = a bright white smile! mycabanatan.com NURSING CARE /CONSULTATION: $35.00/hour. Call or text to (262)758- 1974 FAST COMPUTER SERVICE including network support, spyware removal, upgrades and PC repair. For friendly service with a smile, call Vikkex today! Phone (262-694-7746) BABYSITTING YOUNG LADY good with kids can watch 1 or 2 children call 262-620-4745 House cleaning woman + a bucket - reliable, dependable. Also clean vacant houses. Call for estimates - Sandy 262-221-2289 HOUSES AND/OR business sun shine klean is having a special this month for first time customers free upholstery cleaning with at basic cleaning for only $39.95 262-287-5103 CNAS TO JOIN wellness team at Barton of Zion, five star assisted living. Send resume [email protected] apply within at 3500 Sheridan Road Zion, IL 60099 847- 872-1500 FREE HOME HEATING Fuel Oil Removal I will remove your unused home heating fuel oil for free..clean and safe . Inquire about tank removal also ... 262 818 1967 ..ask for Dave TYPING. I am an experienced legal secretary with excellent typing skills wanting to type for you at home. Please contact Alicia at 2 5 6 - 6 5 8 - 4 4 8 4 . VEHICLES0 2007 CHEVY TRUCK F O U R - W H E E L D R I V E SILVERADO DUALLY 8' Stake body Dump bed 75,000 miles Needs major engine work Best offer - As is Call Steve 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM 262-694-2051 2003 soft tail Harley Davidson 18000 miles $5000 worth of chrome added in 2006. Perfect condition Asking $7500 Call Lloyd at 262 694 7359 or 262 515 1366. Located In Pleasant Prairie 95 CAMERO convert green/tan top. many newer parts best offer will trade for other vehicle, negotiate price. 847-340-3446 Ron - dealers welcome to participate. 1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible 75K in great condition Contact Bob: 2 6 2 - 4 8 4 - 4 8 4 8 or text 262-945-9224 1973 Ford F250, CAMPER SPECIAL2WD,CALIFORNIA ORIGINAL, REBUILT MOTOR/TRANS, AUTO, AC, NEW INTERIOR, CAN SEND PICS. $13,500 OBO. 630- 945-8320. 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA SEE IN KENOSHA AT 4121-7TH. AVE. 53140 262-237-1343 RUSS CALL OR TEXT 212K MILES $2950 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SEE IN KENOSHA AT 4121-7TH. AVE. 53140 RUSS 262-237-1343 CALL OR TEXT NICE CAR AT A NICE PRICE $5450 174K MILES . FREE CLASSIFIEDS! E-mail your 170 character classified to: [email protected] Please include your contact information in the classified. (Name and Phone number / e-mail address) First 3 words will be boldface type. NO ANIMALS. • NO PERSONALS ALLOWED. CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2023 AT 12 NOON FREE CLASSIFIEDS! Employment/Opportunities • Lost & Found • Miscellaneous Real Estate • Rentals • Rummage Sales • Vehicles • Wanted

20 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER October 19, 2023 20 health lifestyle community Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center news October 19, 2023 Your Kenosha ADRC Update Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans Kenosha County ADRC Benefit Specialists offer free assistance Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period is now through December 7. It’s an important time of year for those on Medicare to review current coverage and see if any changes are needed for the coming year. Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plan details often change every year. Sorting through all the options to find the right plan for prescriptions can be confusing but Benefit Specialists at the Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center can assist. There are four basic reasons to check your plan: • Your plan may cost more next year • Your plan may no longer cover all your medications • Your plan may have put restrictions on some of your medications • You may be taking different medications now ADRC Benefit Specialists offer objective and reliable information and assistance. There is no charge for this service. The Benefit Specialists do not sell or endorse any insurance plans. Benefit Specialists at the ADRC are trained to carefully review current coverage and compare plans with other options based on medications and other details. Benefit Specialists also check to see if beneficiaries qualify for programs or benefits that can save money. Sign up for one of the free workshops offered throughout Kenosha County now! Kenosha County Center, 19600 75th St., Bristol • Tuesday, October 24, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Salem Lakes Fire and Rescue, 11252 254th Ct., Trevor • Thursday, Nov. 2, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Westosha Senior Center, 19200 - 93rd St., Bristol • Tuesday, Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave., Kenosha, Rm. A • Tuesday, Nov. 29, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Festival Foods Community Room, 2nd floor 3207 80th St., Kenosha • Thursday, Nov. 30, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Southwest Neighborhood Library, Rm. A. 7979 - 38th Ave., Kenosha • Thursday, Nov. 9, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. • Tuesday, Dec. 5, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Job Center, 8600 Sheridan Rd., Kenosha, Door A • Thursday, Oct. 26, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Rm. N2) • Tuesday, Oct. 31, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Rm. N2) • Tuesday, Nov. 7, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. (Rm. N3) • Wednesday, Nov. 15, 9:30 - 12:30 p.m. (Rm. N2) • Tuesday, Nov. 28, 9:30 - 12:30 p.m. (Rm. N2) It’s recommended that participants bring their own laptop, tablet or smart phone if possible. For further information or to make reservations call the Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center at 262-605-6646. 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.

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 21 SMART READER October 19, 2023 October Medicare Minutes How Medicare Works with Military Benefits Medicare Minute presentations are offered monthly by the Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center. These free programs provide information on a wide range of Medicare topics. November’s Medicare Minutes will focus on how Medicare works with military benefits. The program will be offered virtually on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, from 10 – 11 a.m. Medicare Minutes are developed by the Medicare Rights Center as a State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) National Technical Assistance Center service. The Medicare Rights Center is a national, non-profit consumer service organization. They are one of the SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) National Technical Assistance Center partners. To participate and for reservations call the ADRC 262-605-6646. A Zoom link will be provided. 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 November 1, 2023. The support group is available in-person or virtually. Facilitated by Susan Johnson, Dementia Care Specialist with the Kenosha County ADRC. To register call 262-605-6646. You’re There for Them, We’re Here for You Kenosha County ADRC to Offer Powerful Tools for Caregivers Online Class Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a free, sixweek, on-line educational series, intended to teach skills on how to take care of yourself while caring for a loved one. The class helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve selfconfidence, communicate feelings better, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources. The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center is now accepting reservations for its next Powerful Tools for Caregivers course. The online sessions will be held Wednesdays, 4 – 6 p.m., October 25 – November 29. To participate, caregivers must have internet access and access to a computer, iPad or other tablet. To register, call 262-605-6646 or click the registration button at http://adrc.kenoshacounty.org. The ADRC also offers classes in Spanish, call for dates and information! Online Learning Platform for Family Caregivers Offered Free The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center is offering registration support for Trualta. Trualta is a free online educational tool for family caregivers in Wisconsin. Trualta helps caregivers learn about health issues, care techniques, and managing care for loved ones. If you provide care for a loved one, friend or even neighbor, you are a family caregiver. As a family caregiver, it can be hard to find the right resources. Even harder when your time is limited Trualta’s collection of professional content is designed for the family caregiver to make it easier to manage care at home. Trualta is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 364 days a year. With lessons as short as 5 minutes, Trualta makes it easy for you to fit caregiver training in whenever it works for you. Trualta provides practical caregiver tips and techniques that you can start using right away. With Trualta, you can also learn alongside other caregivers in your area and learn from others’ experiences. In addition to learning skills to manage your loved one’s current care, Trualta’s learning library can help you prepare and plan for what the future holds. Discover ways to connect with your loved one and be confident you’re doing your best. To participate, caregivers will need internet access and access to a computer, iPad or other tablet. Participants will receive an email with a link to register. To register, call Margaret Ricchio at the ADRC, 262-605-6650 or email [email protected] Your Kenosha ADRC Update

22 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER October 19, 2023 22 t r y t l a e r a t . s t e a n s u n a r y e r r t r a o l Senior Dining Locations Kenosha Senior Center 2717 67th Street In-Person Dining, Meals served 11:30 am, M-F, Call Irene at 262-351-6246 Parkside Redeemer Church 2620 14th Place In-Person Dining, Meals Served at 11:30 am, M-F Call Sean at 262-552-7737 Lakeside Towers 5800 3rd Avenue In-Person Dining, Meals served at 11:00, M-F Call Rhonda at 262-455-7919 WESTERN KENOSHA COUNTY Westosha Senior Community Center 19200 93rd Street, Bristol In-Person Dining, Meals Served at 11:30 am, M-F Call Cindy at 262-358-5554 SENIOR DINING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • Meals include dessert and beverage • Meals are offered for a suggested donation of $3.00 • Open to anyone age 60+ and a spouse regardless of age. Reservations/cancellations must be made by 10 a.m. one business day in advance. Monday reservations must be called in the Friday before. Indulge Your Taste Buds! It’s time to indulge your taste buds as Kenosha Area Family & Aging Services, Inc. (KAFASI) presents Bowls and Bakers 2023 at the Brat Stop’s Parkway Chateau! Bowls and Bakers is KAFASI’s largest fundraiser and is full of delicious flavors, exciting raffles, a mouth-watering bake sale, and the chance to win a pair of Packers vs. Bears tickets! So, join them with an empty stomach and help support KAFASI and all the services they offer to Kenosha County. The Fundraiser will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Brat Stop’s Parkway Chateau, 12304 75th Street.  Tickets are $20 for those over the age of 60 and $25 for everyone else. Tickets are available in advance, online, or at the door. Visit kafasi.org/bowlsandbakers or call 262- 658-3508 for more information. Memory Café Memory Café is a place for persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment, early-stage Alzheimer’s, or related dementia, and their care partners to socialize and have fun. Join the Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center’s Dementia Care Specialist, Susan Johnson on the second Tuesday of every month, 1-2 p.m. The next meeting will be on November 14, 2023, Kenosha Southwest Neighborhood Library, 7979 38th Avenue. Registration is required for new members. Call the ADRC at 262-605-6646. Your Kenosha ADRC Update

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 23 SMART READER October 19, 2023 There are so gosh darn many myths and rumors circulating out there (mostly online) about Social Security. That's why I wrote a book called "Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts." You can get it at Amazon for less than 10 bucks. Believe me, you'll learn so much if you read that book. But there are two groups of people who really have nothing to do with each other but who both seem to have their own special (and very misleading) Social Security rumor mills. I'm talking about military veterans and prisoners. I'll deal with vets first. Not a week goes by that I don't get emails from veterans who have been led to believe that they are missing out on some extra Social Security benefits allegedly payable to people who served in the military. As is so often the case with these misleading internet come-ons, there is a tiny kernel of truth to the rumor. But then exaggerated claims and false information take over, and things get blown way out of proportion. Here are the facts in a nutshell: If you were in the military anytime up until 2001, the government may add a small amount of additional earnings to your Social Security record. And note that I am NOT talking about extra money added to your Social Security check. These are simply extra earnings incorporated into your Social Security earnings record -- the earnings record upon which your Social Security monthly benefit is based. So the good news is you get these extra earnings put on your Social Security account. But the bad news is these extra credits are relatively minimal and usually will have little or no effect on the eventual amount of your Social Security check. And you also need to know that these extra earnings are automatically added to your Social Security account. There is nothing you need to do to get the extra credits. Now let's back up and give a little more information about military service and Social Security. If you served on active duty or active-duty training in the military service any time after 1956, you paid Social Security taxes on your earnings just like anyone else working at a job covered by Social Security. And since 1988, inactive duty in the armed forces reserves, such as weekend drills, has also been covered by Social Security. That's the simple part. What leads to all the confusion is that Congress decided to add extra earnings credits to the Social Security records of military personnel. And the amount of those credits varies depending on the time served. If you were in the military between 1957 and 1977, the government adds $300 to your Social Security record for each calendar quarter in which you received active-duty basic pay. From 1978 through 2001, the government adds an extra $100 to your Social Security account for each $300 you earned in basic pay, up to a maximum of $1,200 per year. There are times when these extra credits aren't granted. For example, if you enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, and didn't complete your full tour of duty, you won't get the extra credits. Check with the Social Security Administration for more exceptions. So that's the story. There are no big Social Security bonuses for vets. You don't need to go to your Social Security office waving your DD-214 and expect to get a big pile of cash. (Although, as I pointed out above, folks who served between 1957 and 1967 may need to show their discharge papers at the time they file for benefits to get those extra earnings added to their Social Security account.) And finally, it's important that I repeat social security Rumor Mill Misleads Vets and Prisoners with Tom Margenau If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas.margenau@comcast. net. To find out more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. Super seniors: 4 times senior citizens broke records From the racetracks to the open waters to high in the skies, senior citizens have been proving recently that you are never too old to make history -- or the odd news headlines. In tribute to these aged adventurers, here are five stories of seniors who prove that you're never too old to blaze trails and break records. 84-year-old skydiver First up, an 84-year-old Colorado woman who went skydiving for the first time in 1959 is nearing her 600th jump - - and she is aiming for 1,000. Kim Knor, who was a member of the inaugural U.S. Women's Parachute Team in 1962, said she took a 37-year break from skydiving, but got back into the sport after her husband's death in 2003. Knor, who was inducted into the International Skydiving Museum and Hall of Fame in 2013, has gone skydiving with all of her children and grand children, accompanying her youngest grandson on his first skydive in August. The high-flying grandma is aiming for a lifetime record of 1,000 skydives, which would earn her a set of gold wings from the United States Parachute Association. 88-year-old windsurfer Moving on from open skies to open waters, Polish windsurfer Piotr Dudek is seeking to be officially named the oldest person to practice the sport at age 88. Dudek, who has been windsurfing since 1981, was encouraged to seek the record for oldest windsurfer after discovering the current record-holder was only 86 when he received the title in 2000. The sporty senior, whose fellow windsurfers gave him the nickname Junior at age 80, was required by the record's rules to windsurf on at least one occasion for three consecutive months. 98-year-old motorcycle racer Moving on from weight lifting to gear shifting, a New Zealand man participated in a motorcycle race three weeks before his 98th birthday and was named the world's oldest competitive motorcycle racer. Guinness World Records said Leslie Harris, 98, competed earlier this year in the Pukekohe 43rd Classic Motorcycle Festival in Auckland. Harris, accompanied by his son and granddaughter, rode in the Regularity race, which called on competitors to perform the most consistent lap times. He finished in fourth place. Harris said he is planning to compete in more events this year and will return for next year's Pukekohe Classic Motorcycle Festival. 88-year-old crosscountry skier Transitioning from horsepower to fresh powder, Japanese athlete Katsumi Saeki broke her own world record by participating in the crosscountry skiing 2023 Masters World Cup in Austria at age 88. Katsumi Saeki was first named the world's oldest female competitive cross-country at last year's Japan Masters Championships at age 87, and the now-88-year-old surpassed her own feat this year in Austria. Saeki was the winner - - and sole competitor -- in the over-85 category. The skier said she now has her sights set on breaking her own record again at the February 2024 Masters World Cup in Finland. story continues on next page Katsumi Saeki

24 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER October 19, 2023 24 Dear Amy: I'm a 67- year-old man, married for over 40 years. I felt pressured into marrying my wife, all those years ago. We have two children, both middleaged men. I met “Annie” online and we've been chatting and talking for two years now. I really like her! She is a little immature but seems very fun to be around. She's 29 years old. She says she's in love with me, but we've never met. I’m hoping to meet her next month. I've told her many times that I'm too old for her, but she starts to cry and doesn't want to think about not being without me. I've tried various c o m m o n - s e n s e approaches, but she starts to cry. What do you think I should do? Will this be a mistake? I really want out of my marriage, but I don't want to lose my family. This decision is very hard for me because I really care for her. I think I’ve fallen in love! She has told me she feels the same way, and also says she wants to have a baby with me. I’m very confused and would really like your advice. – Lost in Love Dear Lost: First this: I guarantee that you will not like my advice. Where to begin? Let’s start with your marriage. If you want to end it, then end it – as cleanly and ethically as possible. Ditching your wife for the empty promise of an online affair is a rotten, cowardly, low-down way out. If you choose this path, you will lose the esteem of your family. I doubt that your sons will accept your choice to be with a phantom woman a decade younger than they are. Onto this affair. Do an internet search for the term “catfish.” Briefly stated, a catfish is an online romance scam where scammers – many from very remote locations – prey on lonely, bored, or broken people. A romance scammer will run out a relationship for many months – sometimes years – in order to extract an emotional and/or financial payoff. Questions to ask yourself: Has “Annie” asked you for money? Have you provided any credit card or banking information to her? Have you sent gifts to her, ordered things for her, or shared any online accounts with her? Have you video chatted with this person and verified her identity? Have you checked out all social media accounts attached to her name and identity? Because romance scammers often use phony photos to mask their real identity, I am urging you to be extremely cautious regarding this relationship. If you have not verified her identity, Annie might in fact be “Ernie.” Fightcybercrime.org offers information and resources to recognize different ways that scammers work to ensnare people. Do a search on the site for “romance scams” in order to learn more. ask amy Elder man wants to shelve wife for younger model You can email Amy Dickinson at [email protected] or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook. this message: Those seniors edition extra earnings you get for your military service aren't going to make you rich. Because Social Security retirement benefits are figured using a 35-year base of earnings, a few hundred dollars sprinkled here and there into your Social Security account will have little if any effect on your eventual Social Security benefit. And what about prisoners? First, you should know that Social Security benefits cannot be paid for months that a person is confined to a jail, prison or certain other public institutions for committing a crime. Or to be more precise, benefits are suspended if someone is convicted of a criminal offense and sent to jail or prison for more than 30 continuous days. Notice that conviction is the key. Lots of people end up in jails while they are awaiting trial or pleas. But until there is a conviction with prison time involved, benefits will continue. It's also important to note that while the convict's benefits are suspended, if he or she has a spouse or child getting monthly Social Security dependent checks on his or her record, those benefits will continue. Of course, most people don't spend the rest of their lives in prison. When they are released, Social Security benefits will be reinstated effective the month following the month they get out. So, what's the rumor being spread on the prisoner grapevine? It would have younger convicts, or rather, soonto-be ex-cons, believe that as soon as they are released, they can waltz into their nearest Social Security office and sign up for Social Security disability benefits and have those checks start flowing into their bank accounts. There simply is no truth to that rumor. Of course, anyone has the right to apply for Social Security disability benefits. But no one will get those benefits unless he or she meets all of the rather stringent qualifying criteria. For example, they must have worked and paid Social Security taxes in five out of the last 10 years. And they must have a disability that is so severe it is expected to keep them from being able to work for at least a year, or they must have a condition that is terminal. Margenau continued from previous page 091423 SR101923

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 25 SMART READER October 19, 2023 Senior Citizens Receive a 10% DISCOUNT SR121720 Washington Park Municipal Golf Course 2205 Washington Road • Kenosha, WI 262-653-4090 Beautiful 9 Hole Course In the Heart Of Kenosha Beautiful 9 Hole Course In the Heart Of Kenosha Not valid for league play. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. One coupon per person - per visit. Not valid with any other offer. Valid through October 31, 2023. Present this coupon for our twosome special 2 FOR $25 9 HOLES W/ CART FOR TWO PEOPLE $25 FALL SPECIAL 100523 NEW Reserve Your Tee Time @ golfkenoshamuni.com Meet Me At Muni! 101 Years of Fun &  Friends 092823 Your Ticket to Local Events FW2023