Smart Reader 121423

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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Patients in the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis might develop certain symptoms that offer an early clue to the degenerative nerve disease, researchers report. Depression, constipation, urinary tract infections and sexual problems are all more likely in MS patients five years before their official diagnosis, compared with people who never develop MS, researchers found. Those conditions are also more likely to occur in people with other autoimmune diseases like lupus or Crohn's disease, results show. These early signs "would not necessarily lead to earlier diagnosis of the disease in the general population, since these conditions are common and could also be signs of other diseases, but this information could be helpful for people who are at a higher risk of developing MS, such as people with a family history of the disease or those who show signs of MS on brain scans but do not have any symptoms of the disease," said researcher Dr. Celine Louapre, an associate professor of neurology at Sorbonne University in Paris. MS occurs when the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers, causing progressive interruption of nerve signals between the brain and the body. For the study, Louapre and her colleagues compared more than 20,000 people newly diagnosed with MS with nearly 55,000 people who do not have MS. Each MS patient was matched with three healthy people of the same age and sex. They also compared the MS patients to nearly 30,500 people with Crohn's disease and more than 7,300 patients with lupus. The researchers specifically reviewed medical records, looking for 113 different diseases and symptoms that the patients might have had in the five years before and after their diagnosis. People with MS were: • 22% more likely to have depression. • 50% more likely to have constipation. • 38% more likely to have urinary tract infections. • 47% more likely to have sexual problems. • 21% more likely to have bladder infections. About 14% of MS patients had prescriptions for antidepressants five years before diagnosis, compared to 10% of those without MS. By five years after diagnosis, 37% of MS patient had been prescribed antidepressants compared with 19% of those without MS. The findings were published in the journal Neurology. "Of course, not everyone who has these symptoms will go on to develop MS," Louapre said in a journal news release. "We're hoping that eventually these early signs will help us understand the biological mechanisms that occur in the body before the actual symptoms of the disease develop." By Dennis Thompson Symptoms of MS may appear years before diagnosis Smart Reader is published bi-weekly by Carmichael Communications Editor & Publisher/Frank J. Carmichael Assistant to the Publisher/Reanna Stockdale Sales/Kim Carmichael Editorial Manager/Jason Hedman Ad Design & Layout/Kristin Monticelli, Glen Kelly Reception/Sarah Coleman Carmichael Communications 1420 63rd St. Kenosha, WI 53143 December 14, 2023 Volume 21 Number 25 262-564-8800 • 1-800-568-6623 • www.hap2it.com Stem cells injected into the brains of multiple sclerosis patients appear to protect them against further damage from the degenerative disease, a new study shows. MS occurs when the body's own immune system attacks and damages the protective sheath around nerve fibers, called myelin. This disrupts messages sent around the brain and spinal cord. MS patients who received a fetal stem cell injection into their brains did not show any increase in disability or worsening of symptoms during a yearlong follow-up period, researchers reported in the journal Cell Stem Cell. "We desperately need to develop new treatments for secondary progressive MS, and I am cautiously very excited about our findings, which are a step towards developing a cell therapy for treating MS," said co-lead researcher Stephano Pluchino, a professor of regenerative neuroimmunology at the University of Cambridge in the U.K. More than 2 million people live with MS worldwide, researchers said in background notes. Twothirds wind up progressing into a debilitating secondary phase of the disease, where their disability grows steadily worse. But experts said the new study offers hope. "This was a very small, early-stage study and we need further clinical trials to find out if this treatment has a beneficial effect on the condition. But this is an encouraging step towards a new way of treating some people with MS," said Caitlin Astbury, research communications manager at the MS Society. The new study involved 15 highly disabled patients with secondary MS, most of them wheelchair-bound. The patients were recruited from two hospitals in Italy. Previous mouse studies from the Cambridge team had shown that brain stem cells transplanted into the central nervous system can help reduce damage and potentially might repair damage done by MS. Researchers injected the patients with brain stem cells taken from a single miscarried fetal donor. The Italian researchers involved in the study have shown the possibility of producing a virtually limitless supply of these stem cells from a single donor. During the 12-month follow-up period, none of the patients reported symptoms that would suggest a relapse. In addition, none suffered no significant worsening of their cognitive function. The researchers argue this points to a substantial stabilization of the patients' disease, although their high levels of disability make it difficult to confirm. "We recognize that our study has limitations -- it was only a small study and there may have been confounding effects from the immunosuppressant drugs, for example -- but the fact that our treatment was safe and that its effects lasted over the 12 months of the trial means that we can proceed to the next stage of clinical trials," Pluchino said. Tests showed that higher doses of stem cells produced higher levels of fatty acids in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, which might be one potential explanation of the protective effects seen in this study, the researchers said. By Dennis Thompson Stem cell injection may protect against decline in MS Depression, constipation, urinary tract infections and sexual problems are all more likely in MS patients five years before their official diagnosis, compared with people who never develop MS, researchers found 3 SMART READER December 14, 2023 $28 Eye Exam 262 - 554 -1121 • 3701 Durand Ave. Racine $18 Eyeglasses Place SR090822 Eyeglasses exam $49 without purchase of eyeglasses. See store for details. TORCASO And So Much More... Purses • Backpacks • Belts and most leather goods 3305 60th Street • 262-654-3839 Now Open Mon. - Fri. 9:30am-5pm • Sat. 9:30am-1pm Full Service Repairs Done In House SR100622 Paula Ray Get Ready For Winter!

4 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 A new study is strengthening the evidence that stem cell transplants can be highly effective for some people with multiple sclerosis -- sending the disease into remission for years, and sometimes reversing disability. Researchers found that of 174 MS patients who underwent stem cell transplants -- with cells from their own blood -- two-thirds had no evidence of "disease activity" over 10 years. That meant no symptom relapses, no worsening disability and no signs of new damage in their brain tissue. In fact, of patients who'd already developed disabilities before the procedure, more than half saw improvements afterward. The findings were published recently in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. Experts said the study bolsters evidence that stem cell transplantation is a good option for some people with MS. "We do know that this treatment works and it can be performed safely," said co-author Dr. Joachim Burman, a neurologist at Uppsala University Hospital in Sweden. However, stem cell transplants are not for everyone. From a safety standpoint, relatively younger patients are likely to fare better, Burman said. And people with "highly active" MS -- including flare-ups despite medication -- stand to benefit most. The vast majority of people with MS initially have what's called the relapsingremitting form, which means symptoms flare for a time and then ease. Most people, though, eventually transition to a progressive form of the disease, and their disability worsens over time. Why treat MS with a stem cell transplant? The basic idea is to "reboot" the faulty immune system, said Bruce Bebo, executive vice president of research programs for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The procedure involves removing stem cells from a patient's own blood, then using powerful chemotherapy drugs to knock down the existing immune system. After that, the stored stem cells are infused back into the patient, and the immune system rebuilds itself over time. Bebo, who was not involved in the new study, said the results are "very consistent" with past studies following MS patients who've undergone stem cell transplants. "We feel the evidence really has reached a tipping point," Bebo said. In 2020, he noted, a National MS Society advisory committee published recommendations on which people are the best candidates for a stem cell transplant. They include people who are younger than 50, have had relapsing-remitting MS for fewer than 10 years, and have suffered symptom flares or developed new brain lesions despite being on an optimal MS medication. The younger age recommendation, Bebo noted, is aimed at safety. A stem cell transplant is no simple matter. It requires a hospital stay and leaves people initially vulnerable to infections. The infection risk is highest in the few days after the procedure. "After 10 days or so, you can safely be discharged from the hospital," Burman said, "and after three months you can get back to work." The patients in this study -- median age: 31 -- all underwent the procedure at one of seven Swedish transplant centers, dating back to 2004. Overall, 73% showed no signs of disease activity at the five-year mark, and 65% were still in that category after a decade. Of 149 patients who'd had disabilities before the stem cell transplant, 54% showed improvements afterward. Burman said no one knows why that happens. One theory is that the chemotherapy reduces inflammation in the brain, leading to a regression in some disabilities. "That remains to be proven, however," Burman said. By Amy Norton Stem cell transplants may reverse disability for some MS patients Patients who get treatment for multiple sclerosis at the earliest signs of disease may have a lower risk of disability later, new research suggests. Among nearly 600 patients, there were lower odds of disability and progression among people diagnosed and treated within six months of symptoms onset, researchers report in their new study, published recently in the journal Neurology. "When it comes to MS treatment, the earlier the better," study author Dr. Alvaro Cobo Calvo said in a journal news release. He's with the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Catalonia and the Autonomous University of Barcelona in Spain. In MS, the body's immune system attacks myelin, a fatty white substance that insulates and protects the nerves. Symptoms include fatigue, numbness, tingling or difficulty walking. The researchers examined the impact of early treatment in a study of 580 people after they had a first episode of symptoms and received at least one disease-modifying drug. The patients were divided into three groups. The first was 194 people who had their first treatment with an MS drug within six months after the first episode of symptoms. The second was 192 people who had a first treatment between six months and 16 months after symptoms emerged. The third group, of 194 people, had their first treatment after more than 16 months elapsed. For an average of 11 years, researchers monitored people's disability levels and brain scans for damage to the brain and spinal cord from the disease. Participants had disability scores that ranged from zero to 10, with higher scores indicating more disability. Those treated earliest had a 45% lower risk of reaching a score of 3 by the end of the study compared to those who were treated latest. With a score of 3, you can still walk unassisted but have moderate disability in one of eight areas, such as motor function, vision or thinking skills, or mild disability in three or four areas. Among those in the earliest treatment group, 23% had a score of 3, compared to 43% in the latest treatment group. Those who received the earliest treatment also had a 60% lower risk of moving to the next stage of the disease, the study found. Called secondary progressive MS, in this stage disability gets steadily worse. About 7% of people from the first group were diagnosed with secondary progressive MS compared to 23% in the last treatment group. Also, people with the earliest treatment were 50% more likely to remain stable at their disease level one year after their initial treatment than their latetreatment counterparts. People from the earliest treatment group also selfreported a lower disability progression rate and lower severe disability. "Altogether, our results support the robustness and effectiveness of very early treatment to halt long-term disability progression, and stress that earlier detection and treatment is encouraged," Cobo Calvo said. The research only included patients between ages 16 to 50 at the time of first symptoms. Findings may not apply to those over age 50. By Cara Murez Early treatment for MS may lower risk of disability later FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER December 14, 2023 4 Kenosha Funeral Services and Crematory Prepay for your funeral now and the price will be guaranteed. 8226 Sheridan Rd. Kenosha, WI 53143 (262) 652-1943 www.kenosha-funeral-services.com 102623 Quality • Value • Service When you need it the most When you need it the most Complete Funeral…… $7,300 Includes: Professional Service Fee, Embalming, Other Preparations, 1 Hour Visitation, Funeral Service, Graveside Service, Use of Funeral Coach & Other Necessary Vehicles, 20 ga. Steel Non-Sealing Casket. 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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 I live in rural New Hampshire. When I drive to town, I pass by a house that has a very tall outdoor shed. Every now and then, impressive nor’easters lash us with high winds and rain. We also get our fair share of powerful gales. After one of these storms hit, I always wonder if the shed is going to be on its side or maybe in the neighbor’s side yard. I say this because I’ve been blown over before carrying a piece of plywood on a windy day. Have you ever thought about the best way to secure a deck to a concrete pier? What about securing a large barn to a foundation? Tall barns present a huge face to wind and can blow over in a windstorm. There are all sorts of metal connectors you can use to ensure things you build don’t blow away. I happen to prefer vertical hold-down anchors that are bolted to a substantial concrete pier with a 5/8- inch diameter anchor bolt. Long galvanized lag bolts pass through the metal anchor and are tightened securely to the wood post leg. It’s really important to use approved galvanized bolts that are rated for direct contact to treated lumber if you’re using these bolts outdoors. When these bolts get wet and the metal is in contact with treated lumber that contains copper as a preservative, a chemical brew is created that can corrode steel and iron that’s not protected. You studied this in high school chemistry class when galvanic reactions were discussed. I see mistakes all the time when I view photographs sent to me by homeowners like you. One big one is using roofing nails to attach joist hangers on decks or inside a home. Roofing nails are not structural fasteners. They work well to secure shingles to roofs or tar paper to wall and roof sheathing but that’s about the extent of their usefulness. It’s far better to use approved galvanized small structural screws to attach joist hangers to beams and ledger boards. A drill/driver can be used to drive these rapidly. If you’re going to use nails on the joist hangers, be sure to use approved heavyduty structural nails that have the proper coating to prevent corrosion. You don’t want the nails to rust years from now and have the joist fail. Three-inch long coated screws are easy to find at home centers and hardware stores. These are excellent fasteners to attach two pieces of wood that you never want to come apart. Over time, some nails can lose their holding power as lumber shrinks. A screw that’s not overdriven will hold the two pieces of wood together for many decades. Large-diameter timber screws with large bugleshaped heads are now mainstream. These can be used much like the lag bolts of old. Some have very aggressive coarse threads and are perfect for securing larger dimensional lumber together. Through bolts are, in my opinion, the gold standard. A through bolt is different from a lag bolt or large timber screw. The through bolt requires that you drill a hole completely through the two pieces of lumber you want to secure to one another. Lag bolts only require a small-diameter pilot hole. Some timber screws require no pilot hole. The hole diameter should match the diameter of the bolt shaft. This requires you to hammer the bolt through the lumber. Once the bolt passes through the pieces of wood, you slide a flat washer over the threads then rotate a nut onto the threads. A wrench or socket on a ratchet is used to tighten the nut and pull the pieces of wood together. This makes for a stronger connection than you’d achieve using a lag bolt. Lag bolts can be over-tightened by an inexperienced person. When this happens, they lose a significant amount of holding power. For a through bolt to fail, the entire bolt, washer, nut, or bolt head has to be pulled through the lumber. It’s either that or the bolt has to shear off. Through bolts offer great peace of mind and many structural engineers specify them. I once had to use 1-inch diameter through bolts to secure rafter ties at the bottom of rafters on a steep 17/12 pitch roof. The architect had specified these. Little did I know that he had arranged for an inspection by a local structural engineer once I had framed the roof. One day the engineer showed up at the job site unannounced. I knew him and we were friends. He said, “Tim, do you mind if I borrow two of your adjustable wrenches?” I obliged and he proceeded to back off the nuts on a few random connections. He was testing to see if I had taken a shortcut by drilling a larger hole through the lumber. Trust me, it’s no easy chore to install long 1-inch bolts through a 1-inch hole in southern yellow-pine 2x12s! I had drilled 1-inch holes and after inspecting about four bolts, he gave me an A+ grade on my framing. Make sure you do the same as I did each time you install through bolts. Don’t be tempted to take a shortcut. If you want to talk to me about structural problems or any other conundrum you face, just go to: https://go.askthebuilder.com /coaching. The right hardware is crucial to connecting things in your home 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. Dec. 26 at 10:20am on AM1050 WLIP 5 SMART READER December 14, 2023 COMEDY EVENTS 5125 6th Avenue, Kenosha If It’s Not Live, You’re Not Living! If It’s Not Live, You’re Not Living! FOR EVENT TICKETS & MORE ACTS VISIT HAP2IT.COM STOP IN 1420 63RD ST. M-F 10AM-4PM OR CALL (262)564-8800 No Drink Minimum! UPCOMING: JAN 26 & 27 DR. BILL MILLER • FEB 9 & 10 MR. SHOWTIME 121423 DEC CHRIS BARNES 22/23 IT’S HIS BIRTHDAY & WE’LL BE SERVING UP A NIGHT OF MEMORABLE LAUGHS & A SLICE OF BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR EVERYONE! 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6 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Many U.S. teens report using social media 'almost constantly,' study says A new survey finds U.S. teens continue to use online platforms at high rates, with many using YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram "almost constantly," despite growing concerns about the effect of social media. The new Pew Research Center survey of U.S. teens, released Monday, shows that while YouTube is the most widely used platform among 13- to 17-year-olds -- at 90% -- TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram also remain popular with between 59% and 63% of teens viewing those sites everyday. While 70% of teens say they visit YouTube daily, 16% reported being on the site "almost constantly." The same cannot be said for Facebook and Twitter, which was renamed X in July. Both platforms dropped from 71% of the most visited sites among teens in 2015 to 33% this year. Overall use of the Internet shows nearly half of all U.S. teens saying they are online "almost constantly," which is about the same number from last year's survey. About nine out of every ten teenagers said they use the Internet at least daily. "Teens are more likely to say social media has had a negative effect on others rather than on themselves," said Monica Anderson, a lead researcher on the Pew report. "There's a lot of cultural debate over the impact on their mental health. For us to understand the impact, it's important for us to get these baseline measures." "Many teens are on TikTok, including some who use the app "almost constantly," the Pew Research Center wrote Monday in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "Overall, teens largely dislike the idea of the U.S. government banning the platform: Half say they would oppose this, far higher than the 18% who would support it. Another 31% are unsure," the center wrote, while also examining the views of adults who use the platform. Teen girls report "almost constantly" using TikTok and Snapchat, much more than boys, with 22% vs. 12% for TikTok and 17% vs. 12% for Snapchat. For YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, reports of "almost constant" use is shared equally among the genders. By race and ethnicity, larger shares of Black and Hispanic teens report using YouTube, Instagram and TikTok compared to White teens. Age also makes a difference, with those closer to 17 reporting higher use of all social media platforms when compared to those users closer to the age of 13. The study also analyzed which devices U.S. teens have access to, with an overwhelming 95% saying they connect with others online using a smartphone. When it comes to a desktop or laptop computer, that drops to 90% and 83% for a gaming console. Device usage depended heavily on average household income with smartphone ownership nearly universal among teens regardless of gender, age race, ethnicity or economics. By Sherri Walsh SMART READER December 14, 2023 6112323 Party Mary Mack Featuring a full night of non-stop entertainment! Amazing price for an all in one package! For More Information Visit Hap2it.com or Call 262-564-8800 M-F 10AM-4PM Nathan “Tricky” Allen Yesterday’s Children Overnight play & stay package starting at $119 plus tax Call 262-654-3281 5125 6th AVE. KENOSHA Yesterday’s Children Mary Mack Nathan “Tricky” Allen 7:30pm Doors Open 7:30pm-8:30pm Light Snacks 8:00pm-9:30pm Comedy Show with Mary Mack 8:30pm-12:00am DJ, Dancing & Karaoke 9:30pm-10:30pm Nathan "Tricky" Allen (Magic/Comedy) 9:30pm-12:30am Yesterday's Children (Band) 10:00pm-11:30pm Hot & Cold Hors d’oeuvres 11:00pm-12:00am Nathan "Tricky" Allen (Magic/Comedy) Comedy ONLY Option Come out for an early performance of headliner Mary Mack at 5:00pm plus feature comedian and be back at home in your PJ's before the ball drops! Ring in the new year with a fun filled night of comedy, magic, live music, karaoke, dancing plus hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. $24 $59 There is so much to do and it is all included in 1 low price! Early Bird Show ONLY Overnight play & stay package starting at $119 plus tax Call 262-654-3281 Call 262.653.9132 SR121423 JR PROPERTIES 2409 52nd Street, Suite 3 • Kenosha 1, 2 & 3 Bedrooms Available In Kenosha & Racine John and Shelley Rogowski, Owners DT2023-2

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 7 SMART READER December 14, 2023 Most Americans never met the storied diplomat and foreign policy expert, Henry Kissinger. They likely knew his voice, that gravely rasp and the lingering reverberations of his native German. Or Kissinger’s burly frame, his highly recognizable silhouette. But did they know the man himself, and the policies he had a large hand in crafting? Likely not. Now that Kissinger has passed, we take a moment to assess his 100-year life. We have the accounts of military historians, political pundits and foreign policy experts who dove deeply into episodes of the world history that framed Kissinger’s work: the Vietnam War, Cold War policies, arms control agreements, the collapse of the former Soviet Union, the opening of relations with the People’s Republic of China, military coups and the rise of Latin American dictators. And yet, virtually everyone in the U.S. has likely met some of the legions of people whose lives he upended, who became refugees, as collateral damage of Kissinger’s work. America is touted as a land of immigrants, but those who arrive as refugees have a special status. Unlike many others, they don’t choose to emigrate. They’re forced to do so. They wind up being assigned to the U.S., part of a global relocation process involving refugee camps and official head counts to determine who lands where and which nonprofit agencies have the capacity to help them resettle. Entering the U.S. with the special immigration status as “refugee” means that the person had no other choice but to leave the land of their birth due to political or religious persecution, often displaced by war and yes, the threat of genocide. Kissinger was disastrously adept at sowing such global chaos. He was famously quoted as saying, “I came here as a refugee,” a statement he made in 2017, noting that his Jewish family fled Nazi Germany for the U.S. in 1938. This is why weighing the impact of Kissinger’s life doesn’t necessitate a trip to the library, where one could check out any one of his more than 30 books. Kissinger wrote many of his tomes long after he stepped away from his roles as U.S. Secretary of State (1973-‘77) and National Security Advisor (1969-‘75). Gaining a first-hand, accurate assessment might be as easy as stepping out for lunch, or going to a salon. Or needing any number of products from manufacturing and processing plants, where many refugees often first toil, lacking a better command of English or U.S. credentialing to continue what had been their career abroad, perhaps as doctors or lawyers. There are hundreds of thousands of former refugees and their descendants living in the U.S. who have Kissinger to thank, or sometimes to despise, for their lives here – Cambodians, Hmong, Vietnamese and many others. One list, which became popular on social media since Kissinger’s death on November 29 and is credited to The International magazine, chronicles Kissinger’s less stellar impact. Titled “Henry Kissinger’s Crimes,” the list goes like this: 1. Cambodia bombing: 500,000 killed. 2. U.S. support for East Timor invasion: 200,000 deaths. 3. Chile government overthrow: U.S.-backed Pinochet dictatorship. 4. Bangladesh killings: 3 million deaths. 5. Argentina’s “Dirty War”: 30,000 killed and 30,000 disappeared. 6. Laos Bombing: 200,000 deaths. 7. Vietnam War total: 2.5 to 3 million deaths. Notice anything? The countries and regions listed are all populated primarily by people of color. They’re from nations that did not hold high political clout, but generally were useful to the U.S. in geopolitical terms (for example, the bombing of Laos and Cambodia, which the U.S. approved as support for its aims in Vietnam). Often, Kissinger was dismissive of these nations and their citizens as he focused on overarching concerns like ending the Vietnam War. Ask southeast Asians, who were affected by Kissinger’s policies, how and when their families arrived in the U.S. It’s likely that you’ll first hear statements of gratitude. Immigrants know that Americans prefer Horatio Alger tales and are soothed by either speaking or hearing of the new “opportunities” that living in the U.S. confers to refugees. But if you’re lucky enough to be welcomed further, refugees would reveal far more significant and personal insights. Trauma is endemic to being a refugee. A credible fear of persecution is required. To understand Henry Kissinger’s legacy, talk to a refugee with Mary Sanchez Readers can reach Mary Sanchez at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @msanchezcolumn. The worthies attending the United Nations COP28 climate summit in Dubai are mostly not eating meat. That’s because they believe and have been told that meat leads to flatulence and flatulence leads to “global warming.” Instead, they’re getting mostly plant-based food. In another fitting irony, some attendees came from European countries where there is heavy snow and cold temperatures. Their private jets emit far more CO2 than many steaks. In a press release, The United Arab Emirates environment minister, Mariam Almheiri, said: “We know that our food systems are intrinsically linked to the fate of our natural world, and so we have made the progressive decision to ensure that we explore how the catering provided across the event can be responsible and climate conscious.” Where have we heard versions of this apocalyptic nonsense before? From just about everywhere elites gather and attempt to regulate, increasingly tax us, and limit our freedoms. Global warming is the secular holy of holies and those who don’t embrace their “faith” are to be cast into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. King Charles III ratcheted up his already high hyperbole about climate change when he said at the gathering: “ The Earth does not belong to us, we belong to the Earth.” Was he referring to the Genesis account of creation? Probably not. In 2009, then-Prince Charles said we had only 96 months to avert “irretrievable climate and ecosystem collapse.” Two thousand seventeen came and went and we have yet to see a collapse. Neither have any of the other numerous predictions from various climate change apostles come true. It doesn’t matter. Just as we have now learned from the British Medical Journals that masking children during the Covid- 19 pandemic had no “realworld effectiveness,” we should take the alarmist claims coming from Dubai with a grain of salt substitute. U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, who flew in on his private jet, said he thinks coal plants should not be “permitted anywhere in the world.” Kerry, who is not a climate scientist and basically repeats and adds to what he has been told by people who reinforce what he already thinks, has made repeated end- of-the-world predictions. Like Nostradamus and modern religious and secular false prophets, none have come true. But we should believe Kerry now because he said he is becoming “more and more” militant about climate policy. That’s because, he says, people are avoiding responsibility. Facts from real experts, not more militancy, is what we need. Avoid believing a “scientific consensus” on climate change. Remember Dr. Anthony “I am science” Fauci’s claims that subsequently proved untrue? How much more of this should we take? Government leaders and bureaucrats are constantly looking for new “crises” to impose their will on us while largely not obeying the laws and regulations they pass. When their forecasts of disaster fail to come true, they quickly move on to the next one. The fast food chain Chick-fil-A has a billboard ad depicting a cow that says “eat more chicken.” Maybe the climate alarmists should adopt that slogan as they continue to promote a false doctrine that if adopted will cost trillions of dollars and not achieve the ends they claim. Doesn’t this represent something akin to the old central planning systems of Soviet Russia? We know how that turned out, including a forced famine under Joseph Stalin. Let them eat chicken 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 Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger attends a luncheon at the US State Department in Washington, DC, on Dec. 1, 2022. story continues on next page

8 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER December 14, 2023 8 As the Christmas season rapidly approaches, it is Ebenezer Scrooge and not Santa Claus who may dominate the holiday. Consider what a mess we collectively are in -- at home and abroad. President Joe Biden declares the greatest ideological struggle today is between autocracies and democracies, with the former in the ascent over the latter. Is he correct for the wrong reason? After all, more than a few Americans believe that Donald Trump represents the greatest threat to democracy since Adolph Hitler. The war in Ukraine remains deadlocked. As Israel continues its offensive to destroy Hamas, no matter the precautions it takes to limit collateral damage, Gaza is being destroyed. How does this end? To the degree polls matter, about 2/3 of Americans believe that the American Dream no longer is obtainable. Three-fourths of us see the country on the wrong track and do not want 2024 to be a rerun of Biden vs. Trump. Popular support for Congress is barely in double figures. The expulsion of Rep. George Santos led wags to hope one down, 433 more to go. By any metric, the U.S. government has become dysfunctional and, to some, destructive. That leads to a crucial question. When government becomes destructive, is it the right of the people to alter or abolish and establish a new one? Some may think this admonition comes from Marx or Lenin. Indeed, that sentence predates both by a century. It may surprise some. But the author was Thomas Jefferson. And the document was the Declaration of Independence, in which that phrase became the basis for the revolution to end the rule of George III. Is government so destructive today that a future Jefferson might make that case for another revolution? That occurred in 1861 with the Civil War. The Confederate States could not tolerate the federal government's control over states' rights. Slavery, of course, was the specific case. What might be today's cause celebre for abolishing, altering and establishing a new government? Or is that a flight of fancy? Amending the Constitution has no real chance of occurring given the super majorities that are needed and the political polarization that divides that nation precluding a compromise. Those who fear a Trump presidency believe, if elected, he will put in place a campaign of retribution and revenge. Trump has said he would try his former attorney general and has accused his former chairman of the joint chiefs of treason. Trump has declared he would use his government to attack his enemies and deconstruct the "deep state." Given Trump had four years to learn how to manipulate the U.S. government, in a second term, he would be far better prepared to execute his policies than four years ago. And Trump would know whom to appoint to high office to support him. To Trump's enemies and critics, this is frightening in the extreme. Whether or not a majority of Americans share this apocalyptic view or express concerns that Trump may actually carry out the most outrageous of his statements is unclear. However, Trump is another symptom of a political process that could spin out of control. It seems that the more indictments brought against him, the more popular he becomes. Many Americans will not vote for Biden, believing his age and physical capacity limit his ability to serve; a vice president who is perceived as incapable of taking the top spot; and a son whose reckless behavior has endangered his father's presidency by, thus far, unproven criminal activities. So what is America's condition today? It is far from united. Obviously, this is not 1776. Nor has the nation held another Boston Tea Party. Whether the support of Generation Z for the Palestinian cause and not Israel reflects a mini-revolution, it is baffling how the murderous strategy of Hamas has disappeared without seeming trace from the minds of America's young. For a quarter-millennia, America has emerged from each crisis and destructive period stronger -- so far. Never in the past has the United States and its allies faced as adversaries both an economic and nuclear superpower. Never before has a former president, indicted on 91 counts, run for office explicitly calling for a regime of retribution and revenge. All this sounds like destructive government. But who or where are the people who will alter or abolish it and establish a new, more effective one? It ain't Don and many doubt Joe. George, Tom, John, Ben and Alex, where are you? When government becomes destructive, it may be time for a new one with Harlan Ullman my turn Dr Harlan Ullman is senior adviser at Washington's Atlantic Council, the prime author of "shock and awe" and the book "The Fifth Horseman and the New MAD: How Massive Attacks of Disruption Became the Looming Existential Danger to a Divided Nation and the World at Large." Harlan Ullman joins Happenings Q&A on Thu., Dec. 28th at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP By any metric, the U.S. government has become dysfunctional and, to some, destructive. Cambodians might recount hiding from the murderous Khmer Rouge. Hmong can speak about the so-called “secret war” the U.S. carried out under Kissinger, involving massive bombings and use of the C.I.A. to disrupt supply chains that the North Vietnamese used in Laos during the Vietnam War. Chileans speak of losing family businesses, land, stature, their very lives, when the U.S. supported a dictator over the democratically elected socialist government of Salvador Allende. Many families would share stories of executions, torture and forced disappearances. Kissinger’s imprint changed the world, in some ways ushering in positive change, helping to uplift some nations economically, stabilizing others and literally helping to end wars. But Kissinger’s statement that “there are no just wars” could be written on his memory plaque. War always leads to civilian casualties, humanitarian crises and leaders who try to rationalize away immense suffering. If you want to understand the full impact of Kissinger’s life, both the stately and reviled aspects, get to know refugees and their extended families. Sanchez continued from page 6 The Kenosha Shrine Club was proud to present a check for $52,000 to The Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Chicago - and said they couldn’t have done it without the great support of Kenosha!

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 9 SMART READER December 14, 2023 Like overeating and watching your favorite holiday movie/show (mine is A Charlie Brown Christmas), it’s time for everyone’s favorite seasonal activity: year-end tax and financial planning! Sure, focusing on money is a tough sell at this time of year, but a little bit of energy now could help you save or make some money in the future. At the very least, it will help you get better organized for tax season. IRS changes One benefit to inflation is that the IRS must increase some of the basic thresholds of the tax code. The highlights for 2024 include an increase in the standard deduction to $29,200 for married couples filing jointly, $14,600 for singles, and $21,900 for heads of households. Additionally, the contribution limit for retirement plans will rise to $23,000 for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plans, as well as the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan. The limit on annual contributions to an IRA will increase to $7,000, up from $6,500. (Catch up contributions remain the same for all plans.) Side Hustler note: Uncle Sam sent gig workers an early holiday gift: another delay in the new rule, which mandated that payment platforms like Venmo, Stripe or StubHub were required to submit 1099-K tax forms for any users who received more than $600 from any number of transactions. The rule was supposed to go into effect last year and once again, the IRS announced a delay: for 2023, the threshold remains at $20,000 and more than 200 transactions on the payment platforms. In 2024, the threshold drops to $5,000, as the IRS moves toward the eventual $600 limit. With those facts and figures at your fingertips, consider the following actions before we close out 2023. Get a jump on your taxes NOW Use the IRS’s withholding estimator to see if you have had enough money set aside to pay your tax bill in April. If not, notify your payroll department to increase your withholding through the end of the year. If you are not working or are selfemployed, you may want to make an estimated tax payment to reduce or eliminate potential tax penalties. Take your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) If you are over age 72 and have a pre-tax retirement account, you must take a distribution and pay the tax due on that amount — or else face a whopping 50 percent excise tax on the amount not distributed as required. The IRS has a handy chart, which outlines the dates and rules for IRA and defined contribution plan RMDs. Consider a Roth conversion If you had lower income in 2023 or you think that tax rates are likely to rise in the future, it may make sense to convert to a Roth IRA. When you do so, the amount that you convert will add to your taxable income. Considering that tax rates are historically low, paying the tax due now may be wise. Once you convert to a Roth, the money grows taxfree and when you retire and withdraw it, there is no tax due. Because Roth plans are not subject to RMDs, using them can help control future taxation of Social Security benefits and/or increased costs of Medicare, which are income tested. Your losers are winners If you have a taxable investment account, sell losing positions and use those losses against sales of winning positions. If you have more losses than gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 of losses against ordinary income. If you have more than $3,000, you can carry over that amount to future years. Taking losses is a great way to rebalance your account with Uncle Sam’s help. Year-end money 2023 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]. Focusing on money is a tough sell at this time of year, but a little bit of energy now could help you save or make some money in the future, writes Jill Schlesinger. According to Giving USA’s Annual Report on Philanthropy, Americans were a little less generous last year than they were amid the height of COVID in 2020 and 2021. Total giving (individual and corporate donations, bequests and foundation giving) slid by 3.4 percent to $499.33 billion in 2022 from 2021 and the decline was a steeper 10.5%, when adjusted for inflation. While individuals continue to account for nearly twothirds of total giving, the rotten year for stocks and bonds, as well as inflation, put a dent into the results. “Giving by individuals totaled an estimated $319.04 billion, declining 6.4% in 2022 (a decline of 13.4%, when adjusted for inflation).” Additionally, Americans gave 1.7% of their personal disposable income to charity in 2022, the lowest level they had given since 1995. (The high-water mark was 2.4% in 2005.) Despite the slide, people are still incredibly generous. With Giving Tuesday kicking off the year-end charitable season, here are some updated giving tips for 2023: Only itemizers get a tax benefit Past tax law changes require you to itemize your deductions, if you want to claim a tax benefit for charitable giving. Only about 10% of tax filers itemize, but in a given year — perhaps one where you have made more money — you can try to “bunch” deductions to push you above the itemized deduction threshold and accelerate charitable giving for that particular year. Additionally, if you have a taxable investment account, you can gift highly appreciated securities to charities. You’ll write off the current market value, not just what you paid, and avoid capital gains taxes. Retirees can avoid taxable income and feel virtuous If you’re over 70½, consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), which allows you to gift up to $100,000 directly from your IRA to a public charity (not to a private foundation, a charitable supporting organization or a donor advised fund), without having to include the distribution in your taxable income. If you use the QCD, you can’t deduct the amount as a charitable contribution, but if you are lucky enough to not need the money for cash flow, a QCD will allow you to avoid paying taxes on the distribution, and it may also satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution. Consider Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) DAF accounts allow you to contribute cash, appreciated assets, or investments, take an immediate tax deduction on the contribution, and then grant to an eligible IRSqualified public charity in the future. DAF funds can be invested for tax-free growth and allow you to give in a year when you have had higher than expected income, or when you are trying to bunch deductions. Many financial firms and community foundations make DAFs available. Be sure to check on fees as well as account minimums. Be cautious and vet your charity Do not donate over the phone or give anyone your credit card or other personal information until you verify it’s legit with the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. The tool provides information about an organization’s federal tax status and filings. To see how much of your donation goes to supporting programs (versus overhead), access resources like the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Watch, GuideStar, Charity Navigator and GiveWell. Keep good records For any cash or property valued at $250 or more, you must have a receipt (bank record, payroll deduction or written communication) identifying the organization, the date and amount of the contribution and a description of the property. If you are facing the end of year deadline, use a credit card, so the donation is deductible as of the date the account is charged. Charitable giving 2023 with Jill Schlesinger While individuals continue to account for nearly two-thirds of total giving, the rotten year for stocks and bonds, as well as inflation, put a dent into the results, writes Jill Schlesinger.

10 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER DECEMBER 14, 2023 10 This is the season when we turn to that magic diet that will help us drop those unwelcome COVID-19 and holiday pounds. There is no shortage of headlines guaranteeing success to anyone who follows the latest diet. Some, such as the Mediterranean or the DASH diet, are well balanced and sensible. Others, especially those that promise a 10-pound weight loss in a week, lack healthy attributes. Many that scream from the grocery store checkout lines can be downright extreme. At the end of the day, it's the ratio of calories in to calories out that determines weight loss. If we burn more calories than we consume, we will lose weight. One of the increasingly popular diets these days is intermittent fasting, where you refrain from eating after a certain time of day (after 3 p.m. until 8 a.m. the next day, for example) or a mix of regular eating days and days of fasting or very low calorie intake (such as two 500-calorie days a week). In a new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, 141 participants in a randomized clinical trial lost about the same amount of weight and had similar cardiometabolic benefits whether they practiced intermittent fasting or ate three meals a day. Neither group received any nutrition education or behavioral counseling. After 12 weeks, there was no significant difference in weight change between the groups. But there was a difference in lean muscle mass. The intermittent fasting group lost more lean muscle mass than the threemeals-a-day group. Other studies have found intermittent fasting to be as effective for weight loss as other diets, but there haven't been long-term studies. And few studies have compared muscle mass. A high-quality diet and plenty of physical activity — including resistance training — are critical for our good health, and nothing replaces these recommendations. Intermittent fasting is merely a tool, an approach that can be quite effective for weight loss for some folks. The bottom line is if you want to lose weight, do what works best for you. There is no one-size-fits-all diet plan. It could be lowfat; low-carb; intermittent fasting; or simply eating less, counting calories and exercising. If you choose a diet rather than a healthy eating plan, take a multivitamin to ensure you get all the nutrients you need. The key is still calories in versus calories out — creating a calorie deficit — but it's important to make sure the calories you take in are full of nutrients rather than empty calories. Those 1,500 calories of sweets, fast food and chips don't give your body the same nutrients as 1,500 calories of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, low-fat dairy and whole grains. If you want to perform at your peak in 2021, you'll need to focus on putting food packed with nutrients into your body instead of empty calories. Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU Med School in Springfield, Ill. food & recipes No Magic Diet Nutrition News with Charlyn Fargo Servings: 4 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 cups cauliflower, cut into 1-inch florets 3 cups broccoli, cut into 1-inch florets 1/2 yellow onion, peeled and finely minced 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika 2 tablespoons honey 4 tablespoons water Zest and juice of 1 lemon Fresh ground black pepper, to taste Heat olive oil in large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add cauliflower, and spread in single layer. Cook without stirring until the undersides are lightly browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Flip each floret, and continue cooking, undisturbed, until evenly browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Add broccoli, onion, red pepper, paprika, honey, water, lemon zest, lemon juice and pepper. Cook an additional 6 to 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Transfer to serving dish. Per serving: 140 calories; 3 grams protein; 18 grams carbohydrate; 7 grams fat; 0 grams cholesterol; 4 grams fiber; 40 milligrams sodium. Caramelized Broccoli and Cauliflower Serves 4 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/8 teaspoon plus 1/2 teaspoon table salt, divided, plus salt for cooking pasta Pinch cayenne pepper 8 ounces orecchiette 2 slices bacon, chopped fine 10 ounces Brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved, and sliced thin 1 (15-ounce) can navy beans, undrained 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/3 cup sour cream 1. Bring 2 quarts water to boil in a large saucepan. While water is coming to boil, combine oil, panko, mustard, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and cayenne in a 12-inch nonstick skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until panko is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool completely (do not wash skillet). 2. Add pasta and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to boiling water and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of cooking water and drain pasta. Return pasta to pot and cover to keep warm. 3. While pasta is cooking, cook bacon in the now-empty skillet over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until crispy, 4 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel to drain, leaving fat in the skillet. 4. Add Brussels sprouts, 1 tablespoon water, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir to coat. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until sprouts are crisp-tender and bright green, about 4 minutes. Stir in beans and their liquid, 1/4 cup reserved cooking water, vinegar, and pepper and cook until bubbling. 5. Add Brussels sprout mixture and sour cream to pasta and stir until all ingredients are combined. Adjust consistency with remaining reserved cooking water as needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide among four shallow bowls. Sprinkle bread crumbs and bacon over pasta. Serve. Orecchiette and Navy Beans with Brussels Sprouts and Spicy Mustard Bread Crumbs This meal is economical, nutritious comfort in a bowl. In this recipe, we boiled the pasta in a small volume of water, which left the water extra-starchy and thus ideal for building a creamy, full-bodied (but light) sauce. The starchy canned bean liquid helped in the same way. A small amount of bacon imbued the Brussels sprouts with a subtly meaty smokiness and added even more crunch to the mustardy crumb topping.

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 11 SMART READER December 14, 2023 Dear Cathy, Our Belgian Malinois, trained in a dog club for obedience, reacted to a bark collar and bit me. I immediately told him, “Crate," and he got in his crate, which allowed me to get to the hospital. He nipped me one other time when I wouldn't let him go out the door when a stranger was there. Because we have young grandchildren, we felt we couldn't keep him and gave him to a dog club member. When we visited him at club activities, he didn't wag his tail, respond to petting, or show any affection to us as he used to do before. He still obeyed commands, though. Is there any research on anger or grief for dogs? — Flower, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Dear Flower, Research has shown that animals experience a range of emotions. But there is no research on anger specifically since that behavior is interpreted as aggression in the animal world. I think you are asking, though, if the dog could be angry at you for rehoming him. My response to that is, no, he’s not angry or holding a grudge against you for rehoming him. If you recently rehomed him, he could still be sad, confused, or grief-stricken over the change in his life. Animals like routine, and when those routines are interrupted, each have their own way of handling the disruption to their lives. He may simply need more time to acclimate to his new home, but he’s not angry or holding a grudge at you for the change. Until we understand pets better, it can be challenging to know what our pets are thinking and feeling. For example, when he reacted to the bark collar and bit you, it was out of fear for what he was feeling — the shock of the collar – and not malice towards you. While he might remember that memory and associate it with you, there could be many other reasons for his indifference. It could be a part of his personality. He sounds like a protective dog, and protective dogs tend to be very hyperfocused on their surroundings. That means he might not react to the people around him in certain settings the same way he does when he is at home with his family. He sounds like a dog who thinks he has a "job" to do. He also could be tired, sick, or anxious about something at that moment. Next time you see him, talk to him in a sweet voice rather than pet him. Let him approach you if he wants to be petted. Dear Cathy, In the letter with the sloppy drinker, we have had that issue for years. We solved 90% of the problem by using a deep bucket. Drinking bowls have little water retention on the sides, so splashing and withdrawal land on the floor. The mat under the bowl may help, but only a little. With the bucket, there is no splashing and much less of a withdrawal issue. — Dean and Bunny, Oro Valley, Arizona Dear Dean and Bunny, I received many letters with tips for Beverly from Juneau, Wisconsin, with the sloppy drinker. In the picture you sent, I noticed the bucket is large, wide, flared, and has handles. The handles are essential so one can pick up a water container this size for filling and cleaning, and the flared sides will likely catch more water than a regular bucket. Marsha from Las Vegas, Nevada, suggested an extralarge washable run under the bowls and a runner where the dog leaves a water trail. Julie Doud from Winston Salem, North Carolina, suggested using a plastic-coated rubberized placemat under the water bowl and maybe "using more than one," she said. "You still have to wipe it up, but at least it's off your flooring." Michele, from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, said, "We had a sloppy drinker, too. He seemed to drink against the far side of the bowl and left a mess, along with walking away with a mouthful of water. I read somewhere about using a glass bowl with a lid with a hole cut out of the lid. It worked! I used a regular glass bowl with a plastic lid. I cut a hole into the middle of the lid about half the circumference of the bottom of the bowl. It left about two inches of plastic around the edge of the bowl. It was a large bowl. It worked like a charm!" Thank you to all the readers who sent in suggestions. Hopefully, Beverly can also try some of these things to see what works for her sloppy drinker. Pet World with Cathy Rosenthal Rehomed dog seems indifferent to previous owners 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]. Skiers avoid bear on the slopes A black bear ran through a group of skiers at a California resort and one man caught his near-miss with the bruin on camera. A video posted to TikTok by user @Tao7570 shows the bear appear from some trees alongside Ridgerun Trail at Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe. The bear dashes through the group of skiers, narrowly missing a collision with Tao7570 by a matter of inches. The TikTok user said the bear reunited with its mother on the other side of the trail. Traffic-blocking turkey beloved by some residents in Michigan town In a story that may rekindle the memory of many Kenoshans, a wild turkey has taken to chasing cars and blocking traffic in a Michigan neighborhood -- and some locals love him for it. The turkey, seen most commonly around an intersection in Kentwood, was dubbed "Gary Jr." by locals in honor of a turkey named Gary that previously frequented the area before his death in early 2022. A Facebook group started by local woman Kayla Smith to document sightings of the original Gary saw a spike in activity after a dormant period when Gary Jr. arrived on the scene. "It's something that brings some positive light to dark times," Cathy Kutschinski told WXMI-TV. She said Gary Jr. Is a worthy successor to his namesake. "He's following in his footsteps," Kutschinski said. "Same antics of stopping traffic, chasing cars, blocking people from getting out of their driveways." Escaped reindeer returned to Santa A pair of reindeer named Blitzen and Blue were reunited with Santa Claus after escaping from a Christmasthemed attraction in England. Majestic Reindeer, which owns the animals, said the antlered duo escaped from a Santa's grotto event at the Elveden Estate farm in Suffolk. The reindeer prompted the closing of the A11 highway when the animals wandered into traffic. The two deer managed to give police the slip and the roadway was reopened after about three hours. Blitzen and Blue were safely captured the following day when Majestic Reindeer brought a third reindeer to put the runaways at ease. "They went for quite a run," an Elveden Estate spokesperson told the BBC. 'Beyond rare' white alligator born at Florida park An alligator park in Florida announced the rare hatching of a solid white leucistic alligator at the facility. Gatorland Orlando announced in a Facebook post that the hatchling is the first solid white alligator to be documented since a nest of leucistic gators were discovered in Louisiana about 36 years ago. "This is beyond rare, it is absolutely extraordinary and the first one in the world," the post said. Park officials said only seven leucistic alligators are known to still survive in the world, and three are housed at Gatorland. Leucism is a rare genetic condition in alligators. The condition "causes white coloration, but they often have patches or splotches of normal coloration on their skin. Without the darker skin pigmentation, they can't have direct sunlight for long periods of time because they sunburn easily," Gatorland said. Leucistic alligators are different from albino alligators, which completely lack pigment and have pink eyes instead of the bright blue eyes sported by their leucistic counterparts. The female baby, and her normal-colored brother, will go on public display early next year, the park said. Black bear attacks Christmas decoration A black bear in Florida played Grinch to a Longwood family by attacking a lifesized reindeer decoration and dragging it from the yard. EJ Levin said his family was preparing for dinner when his wife alerted him to the spectacle unfolding outside. "I didn't even see it. It wasn't until my wife called and said, 'Did you see what happened?'" Levin told WSVN-TV. The family's security cameras recorded as the bear wandered up to the light-up reindeer. "It's like they're all there, next thing you know, the camera turns on, the bear comes in and paws it down," Levin said. The bear knocks over two of the deer decorations and drags one out of view of the camera, but Levin said it was later found at the end of the home's driveway, with just slight damage from its encounter with the bear. Levin said the bear's visit has already become a classic Christmas memory for his family. "The kids love it! As soon as I showed them, they were like, 'Oh my god! It's so great! They just go crazy with it,'" he said.

12 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Inspiring ideas for last-minute holiday shoppers It's unlikely that anyone aspires to be a last-minute holiday shopper. Putting off shopping until the last minute can make for a stressful lead-up to the holiday itself, and there's no guarantee store shelves won't already be picked clean. As the clock winds down this holiday season, there are still ways you can pick up the perfect gift, and also support our local businesses. Gift cards Gift cards may never earn a distinction as the most sentimental item to give a loved one during the holiday season, but they are surprisingly sought-after. In fact, a survey from the National Retail Federation found that 54 percent of participants identified gift cards as the most-wanted gift of the 2022 holiday season. Many local favorites offer gift card specials this time of the year, so in addition to buying for friends and family, buy yourself a few gift cards and save $$ in 2024. Food and Drink The holiday season is a popular time to indulge in some great food and wash it down with a favorite beverage. That makes food and beverages a great holiday gift. Take a loved one out to a favorite restaurant, prepare a homemade treat, or create a custom gift basket by purchasing foods and drinks from some of our fantastic local eateries. Experiences People of all ages enjoy experiences. Your loved one will surely enjoy a night out with you at the Rhode Center for the Arts, the Kenosha Comedy Club, or one of the other fantastic entertainment venues here in town rather than another pair of slippers. Last-minute holiday shopping can be stressful. However, some of the best gifts you can give are never sold out at the stores - they are right there at your local establishments all yearround! Have a wonderful holiday season! By Jason Hedman A personalized gift basket full of local gift cards, foods, drinks, and tickets to events is something that is remarkably easy and memorable. SMART READER December 14, 2023 12 Mon. - Sat. 7am - 2pm Sun. 7am - 1pm 120723 Amount GCN To From Notes Authorized Signature Date 2529 75th St 262.942.9400 THECDWAREHOUSE.COM GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE NEW LOCATION! WAREHOUSE CD 4326 7th Ave Kenosha • (262)657-4444 aplacapottery.com OPEN Wednesday through Sunday from Noon-6pm The Gift of Peace & Relaxation Buy $ 50 Worth Of Gift Cards Get A Free $ 10 Gift Card (In Store Only) Offer Expires 12/23/23. GC2023 2111 12th St. • Kenosha, WI 53140 Corner of Hwy. 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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 Supreme Court justices appear torn on Purdue Pharma bankruptcy deal Supreme Court justices appeared torn during oral arguments on whether Purdue Pharma's bankruptcy settlement plan, which would protect the Sackler family ownership from civil liability in exchange for $6 billion in opioid relief funds, has legal standing. More than 95% of the victims who brought lawsuits against Purdue, the developer of the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin, voted to support the settlement plan. Since OxyContin came on the market in 1996, over 645,000 people have died from opioid overdose. "The billions of dollars that the plan allocates for opioid abatement and compensation will evaporate, creditors and victims will be left with nothing and lives literally will be lost" if the high court rules against the company, Purdue's lawyer, Gregory Garre, argued. Purdue, often blamed for starting the lethal opioid epidemic, filed for bankruptcy in 2019 after thousands of civil lawsuits against the company and the Sacklers from states, hospitals and individuals affected by their addictive pill. The lawsuits collectively sought over $40 trillion in damages. More than 130,000 plaintiffs, including individual victims and family members, have filed claims against Purdue and the Sacklers. A bankruptcy court put lawsuits against Purdue and the owners on hold and approved the company's settlement in 2021. The plan would require the Sacklers to relinquish ownership of the company and contribute $6 billion of their own assets towards opioid recovery efforts. The Department of Justice's bankruptcy watchdog, the U.S. Trustee, asked the Supreme Court to take up the case. The federal government expressed concern that approval of Purdue's plan would empower bankruptcy courts to issue blanket relief to responsible individuals via bankruptcy settlements. At the core of the recent two-hour session was whether the Bankruptcy Code, the federal law governing all bankruptcy cases, authorizes nonbankrupt individuals tied to a bankrupt party to escape legal liability via a bankruptcy settlement, as Purdue has outlined for the Sacklers. Justices highlighted the "catch-all" section of the Bankruptcy Code when probing Purdue's counsel and the trustee, which allows "any other appropriate provision" to be included in a settlement. Justices debated whether the term "appropriate" grants the broad authority to offer legal protections to the non-debtor Sacklers. "It conflicts with the basic nuts and bolts of the Bankruptcy Code's comprehensive scheme. It permits the Sacklers to decide how much they're going to contribute," said Curtis Gannon, a lawyer representing the U.S. Trustee. Despite the vast majority of victims supporting the deal, Gannon and some justices expressed concern that without full consent, the liability release included in the current bankruptcy plan would infringe on the rights of victims who oppose the plan to sue the Sacklers. "It would raise serious due process concerns," Justice Neil Gorsuch said. Protesters outside the court, many of whom said they were victims of Purdue's opioid products and opposed the settlement, chanted, "Sacklers lie, people die." The court also weighed the importance of the Sacklers' funds, noting that absent the current settlement, the wealthy family would not be required to contribute any of its assets toward opioid recovery efforts. "Your opening never mentioned the opioid victims. The opioid victims and their families overwhelmingly approve this plan because they think it will ensure prompt payment," Justice Brett Kavanaugh said to Gannon. "When thinking about the term 'appropriate,' I'm not sure why we should cast aside that concern so readily," the justice added. Justice Elena Kagan also expressed concern about how denying this settlement may contradict the basic purpose of bankruptcy law. "You're supposed to maximize the estate and you're supposed to do things that will effectuate successful reorganizations," Kagan said. "It seems as though the federal government is standing in the way of that." The ramifications of this case have heavy implications for both the opioid crisis and the future of such settlements. "What I came to realize, throughout this whole process is that we're not going to put the Sacklers in jail," said Cheryl Juaire, who lost two of her children to opioid-related deaths and is a member of the trusteeappointed victims' committee represented Monday. The committee supports the Purdue settlement. "And at this point in time in this epidemic, we need that $6 billion." Juaire founded Team Sharing, an organization that leads peer support groups for families who have lost loved ones to addiction. She warned that without the settlement, individual victims and states will be pitted against each other to fight for remaining funds. From a legal perspective, experts say this is the most significant bankruptcy case to come before the Supreme Court in the past 30 years. "Implicit in that is this extremely powerful grant of essentially the power to create your own little bankruptcy process for nondebtors," said Ralph Brubaker, a law professor at the University of Illinois College of Law. Brubaker, who filed a brief in support of the government, said the ruling will have an impact on the "larger systemic issue" of using the bankruptcy process as a way to escape liability. Based on the recent discussion, experts note that the justices are grappling with the various intricacies and concerns surrounding both sides of a future decision. "There were those justices that were skeptical that statutory authority exists for this dramatic use of the Bankruptcy Code and even wondering if there might be constitutional problems, said Edward Morrison, a professor of law at Columbia Law School in New York. And on the other hand, you have justices who are aware that reversing this case and preventing the kind of settlement we see here could have devastating implications for the victims." The court is expected to rule on the case by the summer of 2024 while Purdue, the Sacklers and victims await their fate. By Shravya Pant Demonstrators, including opioid victims, stand outside the Supreme Court to criticize Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy proposal that would secure legal protections for the Sackler family. 13 SMART READER December 14, 2023 110923 120723

14 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 If you’re still looking for gift ideas … keep reading. Treat a loved one to some me-time at Faded Barbershop for Men, Moda Bella Salon and Spa, Perfect 10 Salon & Spa, Salon On Sixth, or Tune Up The Manly Salon. Gift someone a class at Santosha Yoga – or a membership to the Kenosha YMCA. Support a local nature or cultural organization by purchasing memberships for those on your list. A membership comes with its own benefits and perks for the recipient. Think of what their interests are. An outdoorsy person would appreciate a membership to Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum or Pringle Nature Center. A streetcar/transportation fan would like a Kenosha Streetcar Society membership. A theater enthusiast would enjoy being a member of Lakeside Players, Inc. History buffs would welcome a Kemper Center membership or a museum one. One membership covers both the Kenosha History Center and Southport Light Station Museum. A Friends of the Kenosha Public Museums membership includes the Kenosha Public Museum, Civil War Museum, and Dinosaur Discovery Museum. Think ahead to warmer days! Purchase tickets and/or gift certificates to attractions like Boundless Adventures, Brighton Dale Links, Kenosha Charter Boat Association, Kenosha Community Sailing Center (for a kayak or pedal boat outing next summer), Kenosha Kingfish, Lakeshore Pedal Tours, or Petrifying Springs Golf Course. Wilmot Mountain offers gift cards as well. Purchase tickets to a show at the Kenosha Comedy Club or a Kenosha Symphony concert. Through January 3, Bristol Renaissance Faire has an online Holidazzle Sale going on. Save $10 per adult ticket and there are no processing fees; tickets are valid on select dates. Book a time to go together to Hold My Beer for indoor axe throwing, or to Tavern on 6th or Brat Stop to enjoy their golf simulators. Give the gift of creativity, such as a gift card to Pinot's Palette, Alpaca Art, or Hot Mess Studios LLC. How about the gift of your undivided attention over a scrumptious meal at a local restaurant? Make a reservation for this month. Or put it on the calendar to do in the new year – maybe for Kenosha Restaurant Week, Feb 24 - March 3. Gift cards to local restaurants or shops are also greatly appreciated. Consider giving a Visit Kenosha or Downtown Kenosha gift card. These digital gift cards serve as a universal payment for dozens of area stores, restaurants, and attractions. When at a participating business, the gift card can be presented on a mobile device or printed out; go to VisitKenosha.com/Swag to purchase. One last idea: how about treating your family to a staycation? Make a reservation now for an overnight stay during the holiday season, a random weekend, or Spring Break! Combine the stay with visits to local restaurants and attractions you haven’t been to before or in a while. As you purchase gifts this holiday season, consider giving a helping hand to those who could use it. Support a local nonprofit organization of your choice. Or donate new and gently used coats, gloves, scarves, and hats, as well as new socks for Visit Kenosha’s "Bundle Up Kenosha" winter-wear collection drive. Donations are being accepted at our Visitor Information Center at 600 52nd Street, Suite 140, and the Wisconsin Welcome Center – Kenosha at I-94/41 and Hwy. 165. Find fun faster! Be sure to use our website VisitKenosha.com when looking for #KenoshaFun. Go to VisitKenosha.com/Holidays for the Merry & Bright Events Calendar and to VisitKenosha.com/Santa for Santa’s Calendar. Visit Kenosha has been Kenosha’s official travel resource since 1986. Give the gift of local experiences by Meridith Jumisko, Visit Kenosha Meridith Jumisko is Public Relations Director at Visit Kenosha. 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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 15 SMART READER December 14, 2023 DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I often struggle to fall asleep at night, and then I have difficulty staying asleep. This pattern tends to occur more in the springtime. A friend suggested I try melatonin. Are there any side effects to worry about with melatonin use? Are there other things I can do to help get more rest? ANSWER: Getting a good night’s sleep is important. It can be frustrating when you struggle to fall and stay asleep. Work, household responsibilities and family commitments sometimes take priority over sleep. Factor in a partner’s snoring or unexpected challenges, such as financial worries or an illness, and quality sleep might be even more elusive. While there are many selfcare things you can do to improve your sleep, overthe-counter sleep aids, including melatonin supplements, may be valuable. Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by your body, which plays a role in the sleep-wake cycle. Your body's melatonin levels increase as darkness approaches, peak during the night and decrease as dawn arrives. Certain things can throw off this cycle. For instance, being exposed to light when you’d normally be sleeping — like during shift work — can affect this rhythm. Chronic illnesses, increased age and medications also can decrease melatonin production. Melatonin supplements may be helpful for people who have trouble sleeping, in part because they may increase low levels of melatonin. In these people, research suggests that melatonin supplements can: • Reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. • Increase total sleep time. • Improve the quality of sleep. One study found that a relatively low, over-thecounter dose of melatonin was enough to improve nighttime sleep without added drowsiness the next day. Some research suggests that melatonin supplements also may provide some relief from insomnia and jet lag. Melatonin is considered fairly safe in the short term. Although some people may experience daytime sleepiness and tiredness after waking, the supplement has fewer side effects than prescription sleep drugs. Melatonin doesn’t cause dependence, for example. The most common melatonin side effects include: • Headache • Dizziness • Nausea • Daytime drowsiness Other, less common melatonin side effects might include: • Vivid dreams or nightmares • Short-term feelings of depression • Irritability • Stomach cramps • Diarrhea • Constipation • Decreased appetite • Urinary incontinence at night • Increased risk of falls • Increased risk of seizures • Confusion or disorientation • Mood swings • Reduced alertness If you’re considering taking a melatonin supplement, talk with your health care professional to decide what dose is right for you. This is also important since melatonin can interact with certain drugs, including those commonly used to prevent seizures and manage high blood pressure, diabetes and immunosuppressants. Your health care team may recommend adjusting your medication or supplement dosages for the best effects. Also keep in mind that, as with any supplement, melatonin shouldn’t be the first or only remedy you use to try to resolve a health concern such as insomnia. It needs to be coupled with lifestyle choices that create a solid foundation for good health, including good nutrition, daily exercise and good sleep practices. Consider these tips that can help with your sleep habits: • Stick to a schedule. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, including weekends. Being consistent reinforces your body’s sleep-wake cycle. • Pay attention to what you eat and drink before bed. Don’t go to bed hungry or stuffed. Avoid heavy or large meals within a few hours of bedtime. And limit the intake of nicotine, caffeine and alcohol, as the effects can interfere with sleep. • Create a restful environment by keeping your bedroom cool, dark and quiet. Consider using room-darkening shades, earplugs, a fan, or other devices to keep your room cool, dark and quiet. Exposure to light in the evenings might make it more challenging to fall asleep. • Additionally, limit technology use because prolonged exposure to screens can be disruptive. Instead, focus on calming activities before bedtime, such as taking a bath, meditation or journaling, which can help ease anxiety and promote better sleep. If you are still struggling to sleep after trying melatonin or are experiencing other challenges, speak with your health care team about a sleep study. — Compiled by Mayo Clinic staff Mayo Clinic Can a supplement help you sleep? health Weight-loss drug Zepbound now available at U.S. pharmacies The newly approved weight-loss medication known as Zepbound is now available for patients to take, drugmaker Eli Lilly announced. "Today opens another chapter for adults living with obesity who have been looking for a new treatment option like Zepbound," Rhonda Pacheco, group vice president of Lilly Diabetes and Obesity, U.S., said in a company news release. "The availability of Zepbound in U.S. pharmacies is the first step, but we have to work hand-in-hand with employers, government and healthcare industry partners to remove barriers and make Zepbound available to those who need it," Pacheco added. "We are excited to see growing [insurance] coverage in the marketplace, giving millions of Americans access to Zepbound." It was only last month when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Zepbound as a weight-loss medication. Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, had already been approved by the FDA as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes called Mounjaro. To trigger weight loss, tirzepatide mimics two hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, which stimulate the release of insulin in the body. It quells appetite and slows the rate at which food moves through the stomach, helping patients feel full. Novo Nordisk's weight-loss medication, Wegovy, uses semaglutide, which only focuses on GLP-1. That difference translated to greater weight loss with Zepbound than Wegovy, a recent study found. Zepbound has been found to prompt up to a 20.9% drop in weight at higher doses, while Wegovy patients typically see a 15% reduction in weight. According to the FDA, Zepbound's most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. The drug's label will also have warnings about the potential for inflammation of the pancreas, gallbladder problems, low blood sugar, acute kidney injury, damage to the retina in people with Type 2 diabetes, and suicidal behavior or thinking. How widely Zepbound will be covered still remains unclear, CNN reported. Medicare and Medicaid can't cover obesity medications, but Lilly said it is offering a savings card for people with private insurance to get Zepbound for $25 for a oneor three-month prescription if their plans cover it. For those whose plans don't cover Zepbound, the savings card would lower the cost to $550 per month, or roughly half the list price, the company said. Amid skyrocketing demand for weight-loss drugs, many of these wildly popular drugs have faced supply shortages in recent months. By Robin Foster Games like football, soccer and rugby come to mind when thinking about sports-related concussions. But a smashing tennis shot could cause a traumatic brain injury if the ball whacks a player's head, a new study argues. Concussions can happen if a tennis ball traveling faster than 89 miles per hour hits someone on the head, researchers report. The average serve speed in professional tennis often exceeds 100 mph for both men and women, according to the website TennisUniverse. Amateur players can't hit the ball nearly as hard as that, but tennis ball injuries are possible, if rare, even among amateurs, the researchers said. "Understanding and protecting against head injuries induced by tennis ball impacts is very important, given that tennis is a worldwide sport with tens of millions of participants every year," said researcher Xin-Lin Gao, a mechanical engineering professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Head injuries from a tennis ball is also more likely if the ball strikes the side of the head or if it strikes at a direct 90-degree angle, Gao Study explores risk of traumatic brain injury in tennis story continues on page 18

16 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER December 14, 2023 16 You can make a difference with every ring Volunteer bell ringers are crucial to The Salvation Army’s holiday fundraising efforts. When you ring bells at the iconic Red Kettles, you know that all of the money stays in the Kenosha area helping to provide food, shelter, and other essentials to your neighbors in need. Registering to ring is as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4 1. Visit RegistertoRing.com and select “I’m ringing as an individual” 2. Follow the prompts to find bellringing opportunities in your area. 3. Confirm your shift(s) and receive instructions with further details via email. 4. Spread the word with friends and family that bell-ringing shifts are available. For more information, contact The Salvation Army - Kenosha County Auxiliary Captain David Hamilton, [email protected] (262) 564-0286 ext. 110

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 17 SMART READER December 14, 2023 books In 2016, Ross Gay set out to write an essay every day about something that delighted him. He wrote quickly and by hand to capture a moment, chronicle an encounter, marvel about the natural world, or ruminate on the mysteries of human behavior. That collection of charming essayettes turned into the 2019 bestseller “The Book of Delights,” in which he reflects on kindness, dreams, racism, books, politics, pop music, his garden, and more. Gay found that the discipline of daily writing engendered a kind of “delight radar” simply by compelling him to pay greater attention to what he loved. And in 2021, he decided to reinvigorate the yearlong practice into a lifelong project. With his latest compilation, “The Book of (More) Delights,” we are gifted with essays that are just as quirky, engaging, wryly humorous, and sometimes strikingly profound as the first set. These missives are not a cloying gratitude list, as the title might lead one to expect, and they offer a provocative, episodic read that makes a strong case for looking for joy in the everyday. Every delight, he writes, “is a delight of record, even if you don’t record it with your pencil; it lodges in the body, particularly if you give it some lodging by noting it – is another little gnomic bit of truth, a mini haiku in all caps spray-painted on the rusty corrugated siding of a building that seems abandoned but who knows.” This time around, Gay is a little older and perhaps just a wee bit more cynical. He is a tad darker at times, noting a book of delights exists amid ample instances of “undelights.” But he is still as unpredictable and eclectic, unfurling his prose in an unpretentious tone full of “dudes” and cheeky vernacular. Essays often read like a chat with your most entertainingly anecdotal pal. Gay, an award-winning poet who also has written the book “Inciting Joy” and four collections of poetry, is still living in Bloomington, Indiana, where he teaches at Indiana University. Much of the book is a chronicle of life in a college town – including the little wonders he notices wandering the sidewalks of his community, chance meetings with friends and strangers, and discoveries of nature’s treasures in his own backyard. But many of the essays are memories, musings on dreams (in both senses of the word), and ponderings on everything from hickeys to hummingbirds. He writes about a perfect notebook, the power of scent, a walking-stick lending library (“Oh, this is a thing,” he marvels). One essay is a lovely elegy of his feisty Nana, another is a charming ode to Bright colors, warm messages: Kids’ books to read and give A stick creature offers an “alien” a tour of his beautiful corner of the world. A package of ramen noodles desperately wants to be popular like spaghetti. A collection of fairy tales from far-flung lands explores cultures and offers unique lessons. These reads, and two more, all offer fresh outlooks, different perspectives, and new frontiers to explore. They show the beauty and growth that comes with viewing the world through someone else’s eyes. They also make the loveliest holiday gifts for the children in your life. A bond that transcends words From the colored-pencil illustrations by Chuck Groenink to the tender prose by Tanya Rosie, “Grandpa Is Here!” is a touching tale about grandparents and a heartwarming ode to longdistance family relationships. When Grandpa finally arrives, he’s brought a suitcase full of Persian spices, herbs, limes, walnuts, and saffron to make yellow rice. His beloved granddaughter, in turn, takes him on a tour of her world: woodland paths and grassy hilltops, friendly frogs and hungry horses. Despite their differences, grandfather and granddaughter forge a deep, special bond. She observes, “We speak different languages, Grandpa and I, but how we laugh and laugh and laugh.” Quiet and contemplative, this book holds special resonance for readers of all generations who have welcomed family members from abroad. For me, it brought back sweet memories of a visit from Baba, my grandfather who journeyed from Hyderabad, India, laden with sweets and chocolate, to visit our upstate New York home. And for my kids, it’s a living story of regular visits from their Indian grandparents, Dada and Dadi, which include after-dinner romps in the yard and daily lessons in rolling fresh rotis and flaky parathas. Like our pigtailed protagonist and her kindly, mustachioed grandfather, my kids speak a different language than their grandparents, but their bond transcends words. Being your own special self “I Want To Be Spaghetti,” by Kiera Wright-Ruiz and illustrated by Claudia Lam, is for all the kids who want blond hair and blue eyes, a name everyone can pronounce, a packed school lunch that isn’t torbogee or tikki or tamales. In other words, it’s for the kids who want to fit in. Ramen wants to fit in, too. She wants to be spaghetti. Beloved, popular, beautiful spaghetti. But when Ramen is taken home from the grocery store, bathed in warm broth, and introduced to friends such as Nori, Chashu, and Narutomaki, who join the ramen party, she realizes how great it is to be herself. Lam’s mangalike illustrations punctuate the story with humor and energy, a refreshing take on the story’s simple, direct message. “I Want To Be Spaghetti” represents a full-circle moment for the author, who based it on her experience growing up and thinking she looked too different to be accepted. “I hope wherever you are right now that you know this,” Wright-Ruiz says in her author’s note. “You are perfect as you are.” I hope that my kids – who are growing up in a world more accepting of different skin colors, languages, and foods – know this, too. Sending readers on a quest “Books Make Good Friends,” written and illustrated by Jane Mount, is a joyful celebration of books. Centered around a bookish protagonist named Lotti who loves to read but struggles to connect with those around her, this scrapbook-style picture book is packed with delightful surprises. Both my older kids, ages 7 and 10, found the vibrant art, hand-lettered commentary, and illustrated stacks of books wildly fun. Throughout the book, readers spy Lotti reading a different book in a variety of settings: “Charlotte’s Web” in bed, “The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth” on a picnic blanket during a hiking break. Like nosy commuters on a train, we wonder what she’s reading. An inset “recommended read” box quenches that curiosity with a sketch of the cover and a summary of the book, inviting readers to search out titles of interest. My young readers found those stacks irresistible and spent stretches of time scrutinizing every title, exclaiming every time they recognized one. With its immersive format and prompts for kids to explore different titles, “Books Make Good Friends” sent both my older kids, one an avid reader, the other less so, on quests to find recommended reads. Every page of this interactive book offers a treat, even the endpapers, which contain a recipe for Lotti’s Friend-Making Cookies, chock-full of oats, pecans, and chocolate. (We tried the recipe together; it’s a keeper.) Folk tales spread kindness If “Grimms’ Fairy Tales,” “Aesop’s Fables,” and “1,001 Arabian Nights” had a globe-trotting, peacemaking grandchild, it would be “Folktales for a Better World: Stories of Peace and Kindness,” by Elizabeth Laird, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini. This collection of seven stories sweeps the world, offering readers glimpses of kindness and humanity in conflict-ridden lands. The tales are both instructional and inspirational. ‘The Book of (More) Delights’ charms with quirky insights story continues on page 18 story continues on page 18

18 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 A poignant memoir unfolds the struggle of Cuban Jewish exiles Throughout “Dwell Time: A Memoir of Art, Exile, and Repair,” noted art conservator Rosa Lowinger illuminates the principles of her field. Conservation is “fundamentally the art of understanding damage,” she observes. “You can’t repair what you don’t comprehend.” Elsewhere, describing works of art with intrinsic defects, she writes, “A conservator can’t reverse such damage; she can only manage it.” Another lesson from her decades of experience: “There are hardly ever perfect solutions.” Lowinger’s painstaking work restoring sculpture, artifacts, and historic architecture yielded these insights. In her beautifully crafted memoir, she applies them not only to her profession but also to her fraught relationships with her Cuban Jewish parents. The result is both cerebral and deeply moving. “Dwell Time” begins with the stories of the author’s mother, Hilda, and her father, Lindy, both born in Cuba in 1932. Hilda and Lindy were each children of Jewish immigrants; their parents had fled the poverty and persecution of their Eastern European homelands during the 1920s, a period when antisemitism and nativism led the United States to curtail immigration from the region. Blocked from entering America, thousands of Jewish immigrants ended up settling in Cuba instead. Hilda’s mother died shortly after Hilda was born. The girl spent part of her childhood in an orphanage in Havana and part with her unreliable father, who struggled with alcoholism. Lindy’s father, meanwhile, was a successful merchant, and his family was stable and comfortable. Lindy, kind and soft-spoken, fell in love with the beautiful, green-eyed Hilda, and they married in 1955 despite his parents’ disapproval; not only was Hilda poor, but she was also hot-tempered and unpredictable. The author was born the following year. When Fidel Castro seized power in 1959, Lowinger’s family agonized over what to do. “They stayed in Cuba for another two years, watching their country devolve from a freewheeling dictatorship into a frighteningly rigid totalitarian system,” she explains. They finally fled Cuba in 1961, days after the U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with the island. “It would be the last time my parents would see their homeland,” Lowinger writes. Like many Cuban exiles, the Lowingers settled in Miami. They’d been forced to leave most of their belongings and assets behind in Havana, so they crowded into an apartment near the beach. Hilda became erratic and violent, and, Lowinger recalls, “our days were marked by her moods.” As a girl, Lowinger was the most frequent target of Hilda’s abuse. “Exile was driving her crazy,” the author writes. “And I received the brunt of her insanity.” Her mother hit and pinched her and pulled her hair. If Lowinger didn’t finish her dinner, Hilda dumped the remaining food onto her head. The author applied to out-of-state colleges to escape her family. She attended Brandeis University, outside Boston, where she initially studied sculpture and printmaking. After being captivated by a medieval art history class, she ended up pursuing art conservation instead. In the ensuing years, she rose in her profession, married, and started a family in Los Angeles. Even so, her formidable mother retained a strong grip on her. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Lowinger began traveling to Cuba, where she encountered “so much wreckage mixed with so much beauty.” She explains the country’s appeal to conservators: Because there was no private property during the Castro regime, there was no incentive for real estate speculation. Historic properties were deteriorating, but they were intact, ripe for restoration. Of course, working in Cuba was especially meaningful to Lowinger because of her heritage. Over time, as she demonstrates, her experiences there helped her better understand her parents and, ultimately, herself. Indeed, she writes about her parents with compassion, acknowledging that there was love and kindness amid the instability of her family life. “It was hard to see it, just as it’s hard to notice anything but the dents and cracks and gouges in an otherwise beautiful sculpture,” she observes, deploying another apt metaphor from her field. How fortunate for Lowinger that she fell into a career that not only provides her with deep satisfaction but also has helped her excavate and mend her own past. Fortunate, too, for readers that she decided to write it all down. By Barbara Spindel PRINT & E-BOOKS NONFICTION PRINT & E-BOOKS FICTION 1. Fourth Wing (Yarros) 2. Iron Flame (Yarros) 3. Unnatural Death (Cornwell) 4. The Exchange (Grisham) 5. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store (McBride) 6. Lessons in Chemistry (Garmus) 7. Icebreaker (Grace) 8. Alex Cross Must Die (Patterson) 9. The Edge (Baldacci) 10. The Little Liar (Alborn) 1. The Woman In Me (Spears) 2. Killers of the Flower Moon (Grann) 3. Friends, Lovers, and the Big... (Perry) 4. My Name is Barbra (Streisand) 5. The Wager (Grann) 7. Endgame (Scobie) 5. The Wager (Grann) 8. Elon Musk (Isaacson) 9. Ghosts of Honolulu (Harmon/Carroll) 10. Behind the Seams (Parton/Warren) NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERS New book looks at the biggest films of Bruce Willis To call Bruce Willis one of the biggest movie stars and action heroes of his time does him a monumental disservice, argue the authors of the new book The Films of Bruce Willis. It’s not that he wasn’t those things, James L. Neibaur and Gary Schneeberger note. It’s just that he was much more than that. Willis first came to America’s notice as a TV star on ABC’s Moonlighting, playing a cocksure private eye known for his ever-present smirk, then became an international superstar as an unlikely action hero in Die Hard, a megawatt critical and box-office success that redefined the action genre in the ’80s and beyond and launched him onto Hollywood’s A-list. But to pigeonhole him for either breakout role overlooks the actor for the gifted actor he was, the authors say. “He consistently delivered in his 30-plus year career winning performances in starring and supporting roles across cinematic genres as diverse as comedy, drama, romance, comic-book adaptations, neo-noir thrillers and science fiction,” Schneeberger explains. “His career was tragically cut short by his frontotemporal dementia diagnosis, of course, but it has also been tragically underappreciated for decades by critics and audiences alike. Our book aims to correct that.” The Films of Bruce Willis, published by BearManor Media, offers the first-ever definitive critical assessment of his work, taking a deep-dive, film-by-film look at his commitment to stretching himself creatively and thematically in some of the most celebrated films of his generation. Unafraid to take risks with his image or the size of his roles, often choosing projects without billing and at a fraction of the salary he came to command, he built a fascinating big-screen legacy encompassing several personas that will live on. Neibaur said the book’s true revelation is Willis’ range as an actor. “He extended far beyond the action hero status by which he is often defined,” he says. “He played many different roles across several genres, and delivered strong, nuanced performances that often were superior to his material. He’d take less pay to do a strong supporting role because it was all about his craft as an actor.” Now that he has been forced into retirement, audiences are left with those films, and the work Willis did in them, as the measure of the man and his filmography -- and of the craft that held it together. “Bruce Willis wasn’t always a serious actor, but he was always serious about acting.” Schneeberger says. “He delivered starring and supporting performances that were as varied as they were memorable in such films as Pulp Fiction, The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Hart’s War, 16 Blocks and Motherless Brooklyn. And that doesn’t even touch on his successful roles in comedies like Death Becomes Her, The Whole Nine Yards and RED.” Adds Neibaur: “We knew this was the first film-by-film study of Bruce Willis’ work, so we wanted it to be definitive. We hope the readers will come away with a greater respect for Willis as a serious actor who always offered his personal best.” Authors James L. Neibaur & Gary Schneeberger join Happenings Q&A on Fri. Dec.22nd at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP. SMART READER December 14, 2023 18

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 In Sudan, a reversal of fortunes and forgiveness unites an estranged father and daughter. In Ethiopia, peace between warring clans is achieved only when their pride is, literally, thrown in a river. In Yemen, an aging sultan chooses his successor with a simple, but revealing, question. And in Syria, a lion teaches a woodcutter the perils of greed and the meaning of friendship. Award-winning author Elizabeth Laird’s empathetic and emotional stories, and Mehrdokht Amini’s charming, layered illustrations, weave an immersive read that captivated my 7-year-old, who loved the dramatic stories, faraway settings, and concrete lessons. For him, it’s become bedtime reading. I hope it helps him dream of a better world. Eye-opening love of nature In “Stickler Loves the World,” when an otherworldly, helmet-clad visitor appears in his corner of the woods, Stickler, a woodland creature covered in sticks, decides to show him around. Stickler takes his alien visitor on a grand tour, rapturously pointing out the wonders of his world: “Colors, bursting like fireworks! Flowers!” “Feel it? Wait for it. There! ... It’s like a whisper ... but one you feel ... Wind.” “Then there are these things dancing for us, falling, spinning, whirling, twirling, around and around!” Stickler points with glee at a sky full of falling helicopter seeds. When the visitor turns out to be a crow with a can stuck atop its head that is finally dislodged, Crow thanks Stickler for opening his eyes – literally and figuratively. Author and Caldecott honoree Lane Smith’s quirky, endearing illustrations bring mystery and joy to the everyday phenomena that we often ignore: fluffy dandelion pappi; soft, cushy moss; reptilian-textured tree bark. It turns out Stickler, with his delight in the bits and bobs around him, is not unlike my 2-year-old. Reading this book felt like seeing the world through his eyes, where every pine cone, rock, and leaf is a treasure to behold. By Husna Haq dandelions, and yet another is almost a rant against Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Some are laugh-out-loud hilarious, while others can bring tears to your eyes with a surprising stab of recognition and poignance. I love his take on being open to wonder: “Wonder’s opposite emotion is know-it-all-ery. The know-it-all’s job is to put a stake in wonder’s fat and gooey heart.” Gay’s style in this new collection of “delights” has become even more meandering, sometimes frustratingly so. He is the king of digression, from parentheticals that run on so long you almost forget the subject, to full-on tangents that often stray wildly from the initial idea. But you have to hand it to him – when he veers off course, the man commits hard. He also gives in to his love for “fullbodied, full-throated footnotes,” some of which are nearly as long as the body of the essay. But always, always read these – most, like the plea to opt for human rather than digital interaction whenever possible, are so worth the detour. At heart, “The Book of (More) Delights” is about the passage of time and what it means to be alive. It is a wise, insightful, thought-provoking, and appreciative reverie on the complexities of the human condition, fueled by what Gay calls his favorite curiosity – “why we are who we are.” By Karen Campbell Head injuries Book of Delights continued from page 17 Kid’s books continued from page 17 and colleagues reported recently in the Journal of Applied Mechanics. The researchers came to their conclusions using a computer model similar to that which predicts head injuries that might occur in a car accident. The computer model assessed what might happen to a man's head if hit by a tennis ball at different speeds, locations and angles. They specifically focused on whether a tennis ball could cause a traumatic brain injury -- a blow to the head powerful enough to disrupt the normal function of the brain. The research team then compared those results with previous research on traumatic brain injury, to make sure the observations were accurate. Concussions are considered mild traumatic brain injuries because they aren't life-threatening, but they can cause problems like headaches, dizziness and difficulty focusing that last weeks or months. Goa said more research is needed to estimate the risk of tennis to women and children, but said the findings would likely be similar for both groups. By Dennis Thompson continued from page 14 19 SMART READER December 14, 2023 REMINDER: PLEASE RESUBMIT AD TO RUN FOR EACH ISSUE. Maximum 3 Listings Per Person. MISC MODEL TRAIN SWAP Meet. Sunday, December 17, 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 Four Wheeled Walker by NOVA in Kenosha. Asking $50 or best offer. Call or Text 808-359-8474. Sears sewing machine. Model 1750. Zig zag. All attachments included. $99.00. Joan Pucazo 262-656-6048, Kenosha, WI 53140 [email protected]. CHRISTMAS TREES: FAUX Christmas Tree $100; Ceramic Christmas Tree $50; Faux Christmas Tree $5. Many Christmas Items. Just inquire by calling or texting 262-902-5663. WINTER SPORTS: Women's Edelweis ski pants $25; Women's ski pants $60; Women's Salomon SX52 Lady ski boots $235; Women's ELAN Downhill skis $140; Tingley Men's Medium Size Rubber Over The Shoe Boots $10; Men's Boots$10; Jeep Jacket $200; Boy's Figure Skates $10; Men's Figure Skates $10; Cross Country Ski Poles- 2 pairs $10 each; Men's Snow Pants $10. Call or text 262- 902-5663. Snow Blower 24” Like New 262-771-7860 Beer Cans For Sale 262-694-7573, Leave A Message. Crystal round platter 12 inch diameter $10.00 perfect condition Great for the holidays 317-764-7662 BEADS. Boxes and boxes Of New Beads. All Sorts And Sizes. $49.00 For All. Phone 262-657-6049 CHILDREN'S VINTAGE ITEMS: Riding Wonder Horse-$100; Eddie Bauer Beach Sport Bag With Many Sand Play Toys Included-$8; Speedo Dive Snorkel And Mask (Unopened) $15; Mini Indoor Basketball Hoop- $3; Plastic Kitchen Toys- All For $2; Many Legos- All For $3; Star Trek, The Motion Picture Vhs SeriesAll 8 Tapes-$25; Many Toys (Call With What You Are Looking For!) Call Or Text: 262-902-5663. Two Bicycles, Schwinn $100 OBO and Autobike by CSA, 6-speed $175 OBO Call 262-654-6485 Please leave message M&M Stand, large, new $60 Kewpie Doll, original $15 Rockwell Plates $10 each Air Fryer, new $50 Call 262-771-8764 Save 50% ON Burial Plots! Private Owner Of Two (2) (Side By Side) Section H Sunset Ridge Memorial Park Kenosha, Wi. Dont’ Pay $11,390.00... I’ Selling For $5,695.00 Obo! (262)914-5977 Ed Barbie doll, remote control corvette, that fits two Barbie dolls, about 25 in long x 10 in wide, best offer. Other small auto models available from classic days. Ron 847-340-3446. Beanie Babies - large inventory, includes McDonald's line, price varies. Call 262-654-6485 - please leave message Sony Reel To Reel Tape Decks! TC-630 & TC-580 $200 OBO for both. Call Kent 262-960-0621 [email protected] 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 WANTED. Experienced Grill Cook Flexible Hours, Fun Atmosphere. Lakeside Deck At The Wyndham Hotel Call Kim 262-496-7182 Singer and narrator wanted for Roger Miller tribute.Call 262-554- 8205. Ask for Marv. WANTED TO BUY: Vintage Movie Posters, Comic Books, LP Records, Vintage Toys, Horror VHS, Horror Memorabilia, Science Fiction Pulps & Magazines, Video Store Promotional Items. PH 262-237- 0318. WANTED TO BUY: Old Post Cards, B&W Photos, B&W Photo Albums, Vintage Advertising, Old Hunting Licenses & Advertising, Scrapbooks, Old Misc.Paper, Old Automobile Advertising, Fountain Pens, Gillette Razors & More. Local Collector/Neutral Safe & Secure Site to meet if desired. Cash Paid. Call or Text Stan 262- 496-1822 ARCADE DRIVERS SCHOOL is looking for classroom & driver instructors. Starting pay $17.00 per hour. If interested please call 262-637-9193 or email us at [email protected] LOOKING FOR NURSES Aid for in home care. Call Barbara 262-455-3953 SERVICES. “Tax Preparation & Advisory Services. 20+ Years Experience. Virtual Or In-Person. For Appointment Call Or Text 262-496- 2208. I Will Do Seamstress Work, Run Errands, Do Shopping & Dr. Appointments., Etc.If Interested Please Call Gayle At 262-748-4748 I'M LOOKING FOR house to share for reasonable rent in exchange for household needs for a senior vet consideration. 847-340-3446 Ron. Kenosha/Union Grove area. LAWN MOWING SERVICES Reliable lawn care services in Kenosha & Pleasant Prairie. call/text 262-914-9796 [email protected] TAX & MEDICARE EXPERT. Appointments only. Se Habla Español. 262.833.7070 CHINESE LANGUAGE / CALLIGRAPHY LESSONS: Fun, fascinating and very cool. Beginning and advanced - all ages! Text Dr. Tim at 520.704.3832. FOR RENT Finished Suite private, in-home entrance, in Kenosha. For details call between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, 262-843-1630. DRUM LESSONS Private instruction. Band, orchestra, marching and drum set. Rock and many other musical styles. Learn to read music. Call Tom for details. 262-818-2869. PROFESSIONAL LED TEETH WHITENING for a fraction of the price! $99 at cabana tan spa. call to book: 262-843-2411. 20 minute session = a bright white smile! mycabanatan.com 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 6 - 6 5 8 - 4 4 8 4 . VEHICLES0 2008 HONDA CRV One Owner Well Maintained See In Kenosha At 4121-7th Ave. 53140 Russ 262-237-1343 Call Or Text Very Nice Car $5750 1994 Nissan Leopard J Ferie similar to the Infiniti J30 Asking $8500 OBO Low miles and very good condition Text 808-359-8474 with questions SEE IN KENOSHA At 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 Russ 262-237-1343 Call Or Text. Awd 190k Miles 3 Row Seating $9495 3.5 Liter 6 Cly 2003 soft tail Harley Davidson 18000 miles $5000 worth of chrome added in 2006. Perfect condition Asking $7500 Call Lloyd at 262 694 7359 or 262 515 1366. Located In Pleasant Prairie 95 CAMERO convert green/tan top. many newer parts best offer will trade for other vehicle, negotiate price. 847-340-3446 Ron - dealers welcome to participate. 1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible 75K in great condition Contact Bob: 262-484-4848 or text 262-945-9224 1973 FORD F250, Camper Special2wd,California Original, Rebuilt Motor/Trans, Auto, Ac, New Interior, Can Send Pics. $13,500 Obo. 630-945-8320. 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA See In Kenosha At 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 262-237-1343 Russ Call Or Text 212k Miles $2950 FREE CLASSIFIEDS! E-mail your 170 character classified to: [email protected] Please include your contact information in the classified. (Name and Phone number / e-mail address) First 3 words will be boldface type. NO ANIMALS. • NO PERSONALS ALLOWED. CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 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 December 14, 2023 20 health lifestyle community Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center news December 14, 2023 Your Kenosha ADRC Update My Journey to Give Back to the Elderly In 2022 I applied to become a Volunteer Ombudsman to serve older adults living in long term care homes. I didn't know Volunteer Ombudsmen and Ombudsmen existed until our family needed one. The word Ombudsman (Ombudz-man) is Scandinavian. In North America this has come to mean “helper," advocate or “voice of the people."  In Wisconsin, the Ombudsman Program is administered by the State of Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care (BOALTC), and advocacy services are provided at no cost. The mission of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is to seek resolution of problems and advocate for the rights of clients with the goal of enhancing quality of life and quality of care. Volunteer Ombudsmen are volunteers like me who work with residents and their family members to address concerns and complaints by providing support, education, and empowerment. Volunteer Ombudsmen can assist residents by encouraging them to self-advocate or by providing a voice for those who cannot. A Volunteer Ombudsman meets with designated nursing home staff after each visit to share resident’s comments and observations. With resident permission, a Volunteer Ombudsman can report specific complaints to the nursing home staff for resolution. A Volunteer Ombudsman also provides updates and referrals to the Regional Ombudsmen who are full-time employees of BOALTC. For many years my dear mother, of blessed memory, was assisted by an Ombudsman in another state. I am very grateful for all the meetings she attended, even when it was just to be a presence to show that my mother mattered. The Ombudsman was there to listen, support and to explain the federal laws, namely those laws that pertained to the rights of long-term care consumers. She was someone outside of the facility, rehab or hospital that could explain what we didn't understand, and give an honest, down to earth explanation of my mother's rights. An Ombudsman is someone who can be reached out to for assistance. Being a Volunteer Ombudsman for the Board on Aging and Long Term Care is a privilege for me and really does make a difference in the lives of the residents served, as well as myself.Anyone interested in applying to become a Volunteer Ombudsman can call 1-800-815- 0015 for more information. By Ester Milchtein, Volunteer Ombudsman Memory Screen Mondays The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offers free, confidential memory screens every Monday, 8 a.m. - noon. Memory screens are suggested for anyone concerned about memory changes, at risk of Alzheimer’s disease due to family history, or who wants to check their memory now for future comparison. Some memory problems can be readily treated, such as those caused by vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems. In general, the earlier the diagnosis, the easier it is to treat memory loss. Memory screening can: Provide relief for individuals concerned about normal memory loss Lead to diagnosis of treatable conditions Offer the ability to make lifestyle changes early when they have the greatest potential for positive effect and the opportunity to participate in making future decisions Warning signs of dementia include forgetting people’s names and events, asking repetitive questions, loss of verbal or written skills, confusion over daily routines, and personality changes. Screening results are not a diagnosis, and individuals who have concerns are encouraged to pursue a full medical exam. Appointments are recommended. Interested persons may call the ADRC at 262- 605-6646 to make an appointment.

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 21 SMART READER December 14, 2023 Kenosha County Durable Medical Equipment Loan & Supply Closet in Need The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center’s (ADRC) Durable Medical Equipment Loan & Supply Closet provides durable medical equipment as well as nutritional supplements and incontinence products for older adults and adults with disabilities who are in need. Individuals needing durable medical equipment for either short-term or long-term use, who are not enrolled in one of Wisconsin’s long-term care programs, such as Family Care, IRIS and Partnership may contact the ADRC to request an item. The Loan & Supply Closet is supported by generous community donations. Currently stock is extremely low on the following items. • Pull-up incontinence products in size small and medium • Transfer bath benches • Commodes • Shower chairs with back support and handles • Rollators • Knee scooters • Manual and transport wheelchairs If you have gently used or new items you wish to donate, or are in need of medical equipment or supplies, please call Eliza Olvera, Loan Closet Coordinator, at the ADRC, 262-605-6667 to make arrangements. The ADRC is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Appointments preferred. While the ADRC takes additional steps in sanitization, for everyone’s safety, we ask that all items be cleaned and sanitized prior to donation. Caring for an Adult Family Member or Friend? Family Caregiver Support Group meets in-person and virtually Family caregivers often don’t see themselves as caregivers, they simply think of themselves as the husband, sister, daughter, or friend. Defined, a family caregiver is a person who provides support for an adult who needs assistance with daily living activities, such as cooking, driving, shopping, laundry and paying bills. The role of a family caregiver, while rewarding, can also be challenging when trying to balance life’s responsibilities along with supporting the needs of another individual, family member or friend. The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offers a Family Caregiver Support Group, the first Thursday of every month. If you are a family caregiver, this group is for you! Join fellow caregivers, either virtually or inperson, as you share your experiences, ask questions and learn from others. The group is facilitated by the ADRC’s Margaret Ricchio, Caregiver Support Specialist, and Susan Johnson, Dementia Care Specialist. The next meeting will be Thursday, January 4, 2024, 4-5 p.m. In-person location is 8600 Sheridan Road, entrance D. To register, learn more or to receive the virtual link, call the Kenosha County ADRC, 262-605-6646. January ALL Lecture: Current and Future developments in Kenosha  Adventures in Lifelong Learning (ALL), an organization of mostly retired people ages 55 and older, offers lectures on various topics. Mayor John Antaramian will present the next lecture, “Current and Future developments in Kenosha“ will be on January 12, 2024 at 2 p.m. It will be offered both in person and live-streamed at UW- Parkside - The Rita, Room 131 Mayor Antaramian will speak on present and future developments in Kenosha as well as reflect on past events that have occurred during his tenure as mayor. Adventures in Lifelong Learning is an active senior group with a wide variety of educationoriented activities, a friendly environment, and lots of interactive opportunities. An annual membership fee of $50 includes access to Lectures, Focus groups, Classes, and Day trips at a cost. Learn more at www.uwp.edu/ALL or call 262-595-2793. 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 January 9, 2024, Kenosha Southwest Neighborhood Library, 7979 38th Avenue. Registration is required for new members. Call Susan Johnson, ADRC, 262-605- 6646. Your Kenosha ADRC Update MENU FOR SENIOR DINING CURBSIDE PICK UP AT VILLAGE PUB (Menu Subject to Change) Meals are offered for a suggested donation of $4.00 PER MEAL ($8.00 PER DAY PER PERSON). Open to anyone age 60+ and a regardless of age. Reservations must be made by 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning for Wednesday lunch and 10:00 a.m on Thursday for Friday lunch. Call 262-358-5779 to make your reservation. Please pick up between 11:30 ± 1:00. All Participants Receive 2 Meals each Day (1 Hot & 1 to Heat/Eat Later) Friday, Dec 1st Wednesday, Dec 6th Friday, Dec 8th Wednesday, Dec 13th Herb Roasted Pork Cho Au Gratin Potatoes Vegetable Medley Applesauce Italian Beef Sand/Provolon Whole Grain Chips Carrot Raisin Sala d Pudding Cup Herb Roasted Pork Chops Au Gratin Potatoes Vegetable Medley Apple Sauce Meatloaf Mashed Potatoes/Gra Vegetable Medley Mea tball Stroganof Salad Jello/Frui t Bosco Stick Cheeseburger Cassero Roasted Squash/Brusse Sprouts Fresh Fruit Lasagna Garlic Bread Broccoli Tropical Fruit Cu Cheese Ravioli Lettuce Salad Garlic Bread Pudding Cup Friday, Dec 15th Wednesday, Dec 20th Friday, Dec 22nd Wednesday, Dec 27th Chicken Sandwich/Grav Mashed Potatoes Carrots Fresh Fruit RoastTurkey Mashed Potatoes/Gravy Green Bean Casserole Jellied C ranberries Closed Roasted Pork Loin /Gravy Mashed Sweet Potato Mixed Vegetables Beef Panini w /Provolone Seasoned Potato Wedges Broccoli Salad Fruit/Yogurt Cheese Tortellini Al Ceasar Salad Tropical Fruit BoscoStick Closed Spaghetti& Meatballs Broccoli Jello Cup/Fruit Toasted Garlic Brea Friday, Dec 29th Meal 1 Friday, Dec 29th Meal 2 Closed Closed

22 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER December 14, 2023 22 Dear Amy: My in-laws are wonderful people. They are now elderly. Their complaint over the past five years is that I have no patience with them. This has bled over into my relationship with my wife, who complains that I always have to be the smartest person in the room. Couples counseling proved unfulfilling and solved nothing, because things are even-keeled in our marriage until her parents become involved. How do you go about finding a good psychotherapist? I have not had much luck in doing so. After all, I apparently have a serious problem. I have come to believe that I am incompatible with the human race. – Incompatible Dear Incompatible: Reading somewhat into your query, I sense a distinct “smartest person in the room” vibe. (But wait – this is supposed to be my room!) So first, this: Successful counseling depends to a large degree on you surrendering to the process. This requires a level of humility, along with a willingness to work the program, as well as submitting to a sincere desire to change. It is impossible to do this if you believe (or know for a fact) that you are smarter than your therapist, and if you hold onto this belief as a core value. Is it possible to be smarter than your counselor, and yet still respect the idea that they might know more about counseling people than you do? If so, then finding a competent counselor shouldn’t be too hard. (You can find a therapist through personal recommendations, your physician, your local university, or various online databases. I recommend and use the American Psychology Association’s therapist locator at locator.apa.org.) You say that things are absolutely fine until your elderly in-laws test your patience. I submit that things in your own household might not be fine, and that your marriage could improve – as long as you and your wife are motivated to deal with your stressors and improve your dynamic. So – do you want to change? Or would you really prefer it if your wonderful elderly in-laws changed in order not to be quite so taxing to your patience? Here’s a truth: Your inlaws will not change in ways that favor your preferences. Instead, they will continue to change in ways that test you. I wonder if you are smart enough and brave enough to pass this series of tests. That will be up to you. Dear Amy: My husband and I are in our 70’s. We and most of our friends are a little forgetful. However, we have one  friend who will ask the same question several times during a conversation. For example, the friend will ask about the health of a mutual friend, and then two minutes later might ask basically the same question again. This is just one example of many during a conversation. My question is this: Should we just smile and repeat our answer, or should we tell our friend we are worried because they seem to be getting very forgetful. Is there another solution? – E Dear E: If your friend has a partner or family member nearby, you should reach out and report your concern. A person with an intimate tie to your friend should accompany them for a checkup and assessment. In the moment, you should deal with repeated questions by marshaling your patience and answering the question again. Nudging the person by stating, “You’ve already asked that; don’t you remember?” could bring on further confusion. ask amy Patience with the elderly in-laws is waning You can email Amy Dickinson at [email protected] or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook. seniors edition

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 23 SMART READER December 14, 2023 I was struck by something I heard the other day on a radio show. The host of the program was making the point that he thought people are just getting meaner and nastier. I see examples of that every week when I read emails from people who, for whatever reason, really despise the Social Security disability program. Their meanness and hatred permeate their emails as they describe people getting disability benefits as "deadbeats" and "fakers" and other terms I can't print in this column. I understand there are folks who have legitimate concerns about the program and how it is run. I've addressed those issues in many past columns. But today, I'm talking about people whose concern has been blinded by downright contempt. All this made me think of a column I wrote a couple years ago about this phenomenon. I'm going to reprint it here today. I'm hoping now that we are in the holiday season, a combination of what I write here and maybe some Christmas spirit will open the hearts and minds of these hatemongers. So here is that old column. I was heading into one of our local grocery stores the other day. I noticed a few people gathered around a car that was parked in one of the spots near the entrance reserved for people with disabilities. And I heard someone yelling. As I got closer to the car, I saw an old guy ranting and raving at the driver of the car, a woman maybe in her mid-40s. There was a younger man in the passenger seat. I can't repeat the "colorful" language the guy was using. But here is a snippet of what I heard: "Why the (expletive) are you parking in a handicapped spot? You don't have a sticker and there's obviously nothing wrong with you!" The woman got out of her car. And with a totally unexpected air of quiet dignity, she calmly told this man: "My son has end stage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He has about 3 months to live. I would think that for the last 90 days of his life, he ought to be able to park a little closer to the front door of this grocery store." The jerk slumped away muttering something unintelligible. The small crowd of people were booing him and actually started clapping for the driver of the car. It really was an eye-opening moment. I just wish I could show some of this same dignity when I respond to the frequent emailed rants I get from so many people about the Social Security disability program. I'm always puzzled why so many people simply assume that most folks getting disability benefits, just like people parking in a handicapped spot, are pulling a fast one on the rest of us. Getting a handicapped sticker for your car is one thing. Getting Social Security disability benefits is an entirely different matter. Please, dear readers, believe me: As someone who worked with the disability program for many years, I know you have to be really severely disabled to qualify for benefits. Of course I'm not naive enough to think that out of the millions of Social Security disability beneficiaries, there aren't a few bad apples in that big barrel who are getting benefits they don't deserve. But I assure you their numbers are few and far between. The Social Security disability program is universally recognized as one of the most difficult programs to qualify for. You simply don't get benefits if you have a bad back or a bum knee. You must have a severe physical or mental impairment that is expected to keep you out of work for at least 12 months -- or a condition that is terminal. Having said that, I can tell you from experience that everyone seems to know someone (a brother-in-law, a neighbor, that guy in the handicapped parking space) whom they believe is getting such benefits fraudulently. For example, someone recently complained to me that she knows a woman who is getting disability benefits who takes kickboxing lessons. Someone else saw a neighbor who is on disability cleaning his gutters. Another reader told me about a guy "with a fake disability" who was painting a house. Somehow, those little snippets of daily life proved to them that these folks were cheating the system. Well, just because a woman is taking kickboxing lessons and a guy is cleaning his gutters and another guy is doing some painting does not prove they are healthy and don't deserve disability benefits. Maybe one has cancer, another has some severe mental issues and the other has kidney disease. I don't know. And the point is, these accusers don't know either. You simply cannot make broad assumptions about their eligibility for disability benefits without knowing all the facts. Someone else told me about a guy who was getting disability benefits who "gambles all his money away every month at a local casino." She went on to say: "This proves he's a crook and the system is corrupt." Well, no. It does not prove that. It might prove the guy is a bad money manager. But that's got nothing to do with the fact that he has a disability that qualifies him for monthly benefits. If there was a little old lady who gambled away half of her Social Security retirement check every month, would you say that "proves the system is corrupt?" No. It just proves there is a woman probably not making the smartest decisions about how to spend her Social Security retirement money. And so too there are people who don't spend their Social Security disability money very wisely. But now that I've made those points, I can tell you this. I've been working with the Social Security program long enough (almost 50 years) to know that no matter how much preaching I do, some of you will just not believe me. You are just absolutely convinced that people are cheating the system. Well, if that's so, then let me put the burden on you. If you claim to know someone you think is getting Social Security disability benefits he or she is not due, I challenge you to do something. Turn that person in. Call the Social Security fraud hotline at 800-269-0271. Or go online at www.socialsecurity.gov and click on "Report Fraud" under the "Contact Us" link. Your report can be anonymous. But I also know from experience most people won't do that. Why? My guess is they are really not sure their accusations are right. Like the guy shouting at the poor woman outside the supermarket, they just close their minds and open their yaps and let hate-speak spew out. Well, that was the old column I wrote. Once again, if you are one of these hatemongering tongue-flappers, I hope the holiday spirit rubs off on you. And Merry social security Will the Christmas Spirit Rub off on Disability Haters? with Tom Margenau If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas.margenau@comcast. net. To find out more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. and you Light Up Your Holiday Season with a Lake Geneva Santa Cruise The Lake Geneva Santa Cruise lights up the holiday season for kids and adults from beginning to end with greetings from jolly characters, historic boats decked out with twinkling lights and filled with holiday music and cheer, and live narration of the story of your journey to Santa’s secret lakeside hideaway as you enjoy the variety of lighted displays along the shore. During the 40-minute Santa Cruise, family and friends are kept cozy in enclosed and heated boats as the excitement builds to see Santa’s hideaway where he and Mrs. Claus enjoy some rest and relaxation before Christmas Eve. Children are amazed as the cruise comes to a halt and Santa emerges to wave and read off all of the children’s names on the nice list. This year’s adult-only cruises are one hour long and include holiday trivia and karaoke. The Santa Cruise departs from Lake Geneva Cruise Line’s winter harbor located in Williams Bay at Gage Marine and Pier 290 restaurant (1 Liechty Drive) after ticket holders have had a chance to enjoy a stroll through Santa Cause’s Christmas Tree Festival. The Festival features trees creatively trimmed by local non-profits and opportunities to purchase raffle tickets to win incredible prizes. Patrons may also visit Santa’s bar to enjoy festive beverages that may be brought aboard the cruise. Tours run through December 30 (no tours 12/24 and 12/25). Regular date tickets are $24 for adults, $22 for seniors ages 65 and older and $12 for children ages 4 – 17. Prime date tickets are $30 for adults, $28 for seniors and $18 for children. Children 3 and under are free. Purchase tickets early at santacruiselakegeneva.com.

24 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 How empty nesters can repurpose bedrooms in their homes It can be bittersweet when adult children decide the time has come to move out of the family home. Parents perhaps get their first trial run of this scenario when their children go off to college or enlist in the military. Rooms are left empty, if only for a certain period of time. Eventually, those rooms will remain empty as adult children move out of the house for good. Converting a child's bedroom into an area for adults may take some planning. It can be exciting to regain space, but at the same time, it can be disheartening to convert a child's bedroom once and for all. When the time comes and homeowners are emotionally ready to tackle bedroom conversions, these tips can help the process go smoothly. · Repurpose the space for them. Give a childhood bedroom an adult spin without changing too much. If furniture is in good shape, replace the bedding, change the flooring, swap out artwork, and remove "youthful" items like toys, trophies and other collectibles. When the child comes home to visit, he or she will still feel comfortable in the space. · Create extra storage. The bedroom can be transformed into a walk-in closet or dressing space. According to the design experts at Houzz, many clients request this type of dressing room situation. There's a bonus if the layout allows the space to connect to the owner's suite or bathroom. This is a major overhaul, so homeowners should enlist a professional contractor. · Make a fitness center. A bedroom can be turned into a home gym to make working out more convenient. Homeowners should take inventory of equipment they may have and then figure out where existing and new equipment will go. They may need to consult a structural engineer to ensure that the flooring can bear the weight of additional equipment. · Create a work space. One of the best ways to transform adult children's bedrooms is to convert the spaces into home offices. Those who have been setting up "desks" at dining room tables or elsewhere may be excited about the prospects of finally having a private, dedicated space to work from home. · Turn it into a craft room. The bedroom can be converted into a space to explore hobbies and various other interests. A dedicated craft space, a reading nook, a place to store photography equipment, or another function can serve as a useful way to repurpose an empty bedroom. Empty nesters have many possibilities when it comes to converting their children's old bedrooms into adult spaces. Injury recovery tips for seniors There is no escaping the fact that the human body changes as it ages. Some changes associated with aging are beneficial, such as increased wisdom and knowledge from past experiences. Others, particularly changes to health and wellness, can be disconcerting. Generally speaking, recovering from any injury can be a time-consuming process. For those over the age of 60, the process of recovering from injury can be especially lengthy. According to Restorative Strength, a fitness and personal training service for seniors, elderly adults generally heal from injuries slower than young people. Caring Senior Services says there are a few reasons why healing can be delayed: · Having diabetes is one of the most common reasons why seniors have delayed healing. The disease can negatively impact wound healing because elevated glucose levels narrow the blood vessels and harden the arteries. · The inflammatory response in seniors drastically slows down as people age. This response is the first phase when blood vessels expand to let white blood cells and nutrients reach wounds. When delayed, the wounds heal much more slowly. · Reduced skin elasticity and diminished collagen fibers in seniors can contribute to the body's tissues not being able to return to a normal state after injury. · Sedentary seniors may have lost muscle mass and flexibility, which help physically active individuals regain mobility after an injury. Bones also may be more brittle, particularly if osteoporosis is present. Although it's impossible to reverse the hands of time, there are steps seniors can take to recover from injuries more quickly, and potentially avoid them as well. · Slow and steady physical activity: Exercise, including routine strength-training activities, helps strengthen muscles and bones. According to Pioneer Trace Healthcare & Rehabilitation, when complete bed rest is not advised after an injury, getting up and moving even just a little each day can jump-start recovery. Regular activity prior to any injury also may make the body stronger and more flexible to help reduce the liklihood of injuries. · Maintain a positive mindset. The mind has a role to play in injury recovery. Minimizing stress levels through meditation, and engaging in positive thinking techniques, can make healing and therapies more successful. Reducing stress can boost the immune system, which also will offer healing benefits. · Improve diet. The body needs certain vitamins and minerals to function properly. Eating a wellrounded, healthy diet can provide fuel that facilitates healing. · Work with a qualified professional. Seniors should not take on exercise or recovery efforts on their own. Exercising the right way and following prescribed guidelines can speed up recovery and potentially prevent future injuries. Recovery from injury could take longer for seniors. But with exercise, positive thinking and guidance from health professionals, there are ways to speed up the injury recovery process. SMART READER December 14, 2023 24 NOW OPEN! December Deals $150 Off Lift Chairs or Scooters 2324 18th Street (262)455-0989 aplusmobilitysolutions.com Cannot Be Combined w/ Other Offers. Expires 01/05/24. Owner Ashley Knight NOW OPEN! December Deals 2324 18th Street (262)455-0989 aplusmobilitysolutions.com SR121423

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 25 SMART READER December 14, 2023 Senior Citizens Receive a 10% DISCOUNT SR121720 2801 - 30th Avenue (Wood Road) Kenosha, WI 262-551-0600 Buy $ 100 in Gift Certificates Get $ 15 FREE! 120822 Make Your Holiday Reservations 3103-75th St. 262-694-6055 Our best wishes for a Season filled with moments of love, laughter and goodwill. 120221 Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays! Dr. Rand A. Lee Family Dentistry Total Auto Repair Center 3625 - Roosevelt Rd. • Kenosha • 262-654-0075 & Transmission Specialists “Serving Kenosha Since 1979” SDR Total Auto Repair We thank all our customers for We thank all our customers for the trust they have placed in he trust they have placed in us through out the year and s through out the year and wish all of you a Merry ish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed hristmas and a Blessed New Year in 2024. w Year in 2024. ~ From all of us at 3625 - Roosevelt Rd. • Kenosha • 262-654-0075 “Serving Kenosha Since 1979” 121423 120921 Call or email anytime! In person office visits by appointment only. Please call to schedule. 5401 60th St. Kenosha, WI 53144 262-657-6127 [email protected] Candy Soens May the holiday season bring you peace, joy & happiness. Merry Christmas!! Christmas!! Your Ticket to Local Events