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January 8, 2025Volume 24 - #1VENEZULA: HOW WILL IT PLAY OUT WITH “AMERICA FIRST” VOTERS IN NOVEMBER?SR COVER.qxp_Layout 1 1/6/26 1:25 PM Page 1Visit us at 3016 75th St., KenoshaSo glad we pre-planned, all I did was make a phone call.Jeff S.SR010826

2 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800Trump’s forayinto Venezuela carries politicalrisk at homeThe slogans are emphatic:“No forever wars” and“America First.”President Donald Trumppromised both in his 2024campaign, and they remaincore tenets for the MAGAbase that fueled his electionand continues to empowerhim.But his dramatic Jan. 3invasion of Venezuela andcapture of President NicolásMaduro, who appeared incourt on Monday in NewYork on charges of narcoterrorism, pushes thosepromises into new territory.Will Mr. Trump’ssupporters stick with him ashe navigates U.S.involvement in a SouthAmerican nation overalleged international drugtrafficking, anti-democraticpractices – and a desire toreclaim oil reserves he sayswere stolen years ago frommajor U.S. companies?The answer could affectNovember’s midtermelections, in whichDemocrats stand anexcellent chance of retakingcontrol of at least the Houseand checking Mr. Trump’sdominance of Washington.Much will depend on howlong and costly the U.S.engagement in Venezuelawinds up being. Is thepresident serious about“running” Venezuela, as hesaid after Mr. Maduro’sarrest, or will the UnitedStates simply be enforcing anexisting oil blockade, asSecretary of State MarcoRubio maintained over theweekend? Either way, theadministration actedwithout congressionalapproval, so Mr. Trump will“own” the outcome.Polls show Americans aredivided over Mr. Trump’shandling of Venezuela, with39% of Americans approvingand 46% disapproving,according to a Jan. 4 YouGovpoll. Another survey, by theWashington Post, showed a40%-42% split.How those numbersevolve over time will hinge,in great part, on how Mr.Trump proceeds. The fewRepublicans in Congress toraise concerns so far havebeen predictable – Rep.Marjorie Taylor Greene ofGeorgia, whose last day inCongress was Jan. 5; Rep.Don Bacon of Nebraska,who is not running forreelection; and Rep. ThomasMassie of Kentucky, whofaces a Trump-backedprimary opponent this year.But analysts don’t see Mr.Trump’s support crateringover Venezuela anytimesoon.“The calculation DonaldTrump is making is, ‘I can dowhat I want. Who is going tostop me?’ And so far, theanswer is no one.” saysChris Edelson, a politicalscientist at AmericanUniversity in Washington,noting that that couldchange.Months ago, Mr. Trumphad already broadened thedefinition of “America First,”when he told the Atlanticthat it stands for whateverhe wants it to.But the president’s abilityto keep enough of the public– or at least his coresupporters – with him canonly go so far. In lastNovember’s off-yearelections, Democrats sweptthe major races, perhaps ahint of the GOP challengeahead in this year’smidterms, when Mr. Trumpwon’t be on the ballot.If the affordabilitychallenges that fueledDemocratic successes lastyear persist, contributing toGOP losses this November,Mr. Trump’s ability to passmajor legislation in the finaltwo years of his presidencycould be severelyconstricted.That’s where “AmericaFirst” and “No forever wars”could matter.“Americans have longbeen skeptical ofdemocracy-building,” writesKarlyn Bowman, an experton polling at the AmericanEnterprise Institute, in anemail.If Mr. Trump is perceivedas focusing too much onVenezuela – or Ukraine orIran or Israel – frustrationwithin his MAGA base couldhurt him come November,even if it just means adecline in voterparticipation. His vagueassertions that the U.S.would “run” Venezuela untilthere’s a transition of powersummoned memories ofyearslong U.S. militaryoperations in Iraq andAfghanistan.Another element in thebattle for public opinioncomes from the podcastingworld, high-profile voicessuch as Trump ally SteveBannon. Mr. Bannon, whoskews more isolationist thanthe president, wondered onhis “War Room” podcastwhether the Venezuelaoperation was “harkeningback to our fiasco in Iraqunder [President GeorgeW.] Bush.”Among Democrats, theresponses have been largelynegative – though mostbegin by noting that Mr.Maduro is a bad actor whowasn’t duly elected, andcheering the fact that theVenezuelan people are rid ofhim. Democratic lawmakersdecry the fact that Mr. Trumpdid not gain the consent ofCongress before launchingSmart Reader is published bi-weekly by Carmichael CommunicationsEditor & Publisher/Frank J. Carmichael • Assistant to the Publisher/Reanna Stockdale Sales/Kim Carmichael, Madison Giannini • Editorial Manager/Jason Hedman Ad Design & Layout/Glen Kelly, Dylan Valenta, Francis Flex Reception/Sarah ColemanCarmichael Communications 1420 63rd St. Kenosha, WI 53143January 8, 2025Volume 24 Number 1262-564-8800 • 1-800-568-6623 •www.hap2it.comstory continues on next pagethwinDmjuaDcestdwmwpbVwcoVMachado hails Trump operation as'huge step for humanity'Venezuelan oppositionleader Maria CorinaMachado praised U.S.President Donald Trump forousting former PresidentNicolas Maduro, calling it agiant achievement forhumanity, for which Trumpshould rightly receive theNobel Peace Prize.\"Jan. 3 will go down inhistory as the day justicedefeated tyranny. It's amilestone, and it's not onlyhuge for the Venezuelanpeople and our future, I thinkit's a huge step for humanity,for freedom, and humandignity,\" Machado told FoxNews on Monday night.She said Trump's action tobegin dismantling Maduro's\"narco-terrorist regime,\"bringing him to justice, andwith it, bringing democracywithin reach for 30 millionVenezuelans, proved beyonddoubt that he deserved theNobel Peace Prize, saidMachado, herself therecipient of this year's peaceprize.However, she issued awarning to the Trumpadministration that thewoman who was sworn in asMaduro's replacement,interim president DelcyRodriguez, was not to betrusted, accusing her of being\"one of the main architectsof torture, persecution,corruption, narcotrafficking,\" in Venezuela.\"She's a main ally andliaison of Russia, China, Iran,certainly not an individualwho could be trusted byinternational investors andshe's really rejected by theVenezuelan people.\"Trump said Monday nightthat Rodriguez wascooperating with hisadministration but insistedthere had been no deal withany individuals or groupinside Venezuelan to takedown Maduro.He said there was nocommunication withRodríguez prior to Fridaynight's military operation tocapture Maduro, adding thata decision was imminent onwhether earlier sanctionsimposed on her wouldremain in place.He also strongly deniedthat his preference forRodriguez had anything todo with the fact he beleivedthe peace prize should havegone to him, rather thanMachado.Trump supporters and protesters stand outside the president'sMar-a-Lago estate following the capture of VenezuelanPresident Nicolás Maduro, in Palm Beach, Florida, Jan. 3, 2026.Venezuelan opposition leader Maria CorinaMachado warned the Trump administrationthat its choice of Vice President DelcyRodriguez as interim leader was not wise.ParedointoadstevbaasscinTMMlaancoMpDbMthGrepcoMcostory continues on next page SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 1:08 PM Page 2

3 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800tr.odefspfgethe incursion into Venezuela,which they say likely violatedinternational law. ManyDemocrats have said themove could providejustification for similaractions by China or Russia.One prominent FloridaDemocrat with a sizableconstituency of Venezuelanexiles made clear in herstatement that she was notdefending Mr. Maduro in anyway. But she also delivered amessage that Republicanswould surely be leery of: apitch for nation-building.“The capture of thebrutal, illegitimate ruler ofVenezuela, Nicolás Maduro,who oppressed Venezuela’speople is welcome news formy friends and neighborswho fled his violent, lawless,and disastrous rule,” saidRep. Debbie WassermanSchultz, co-chair of theHouse Democratic Steeringand Policy Committee andformer chair of theDemocratic NationalCommittee. “However,cutting off the head of asnake is fruitless if it justregrows. Venezuelansdeserve the promise ofdemocracy and the rule oflaw, not a state of endlessviolence and spiralingdisorder.”By Linda Feldmann &Victoria Hoffmanncontinued from page 2VenezulaedortoedveanPresident Donald Trump speaks to reportersaboard Air Force One, Jan. 4, 2026.The Wall Street Journalrepored Monday that Trumpdetermined Rodriguez andother members of Maduro'sinner circle were best placedto head a transitionadministration and keepstability in Venezuela in theevent Maduro lost power,based on a CIA intelligenceassessment of variousscenarios.The classified report was,in part, responsible forTrump's decision to supportMaduro's vice president overMachado.Publicly, he has said shelacked sufficient \"support\"and \"respect\" in her homecountry, despite the fact thatMachado won thepresidential primary inDecember 2023, but wasbarred from running byMaduro.Machado was replaced onthe ballot by EdmundoGonzales, who is widelyregarded to have won thepresidency by most Westerncountries.Machado, who is inNorway after being smuggledout of Venezuela inDecember to travel to Osloto collect her award, vowedto return to Venezuela assoon as possible and that heropposition movement, whichhad the 2024 election stolenfrom it by Maduro, wantedthe transition to democracyto move forward.\"We won an election by alandslide under fraudulentconditions. In free and fairelections, we will win over90% of the votes, I have nodoubt about it,\" saidMachado.However, Trump quashedspeculation that electionscould be held as soon asnext month, saying Venezuelahad to be fixed first.\"You can't have anelection. There's no way thepeople could even vote. No,it's going to take a period oftime. We have -- we have tonurse the country back tohealth,\" said Trump. By Paul GodfreyMachadocontinued from page 2ge Maduro’s capture was dramatic,but was it legal? 4 questions.After the stunning latenight capture of VenezuelanPresident Nicolás Maduroand his wife, Cilia Flores, bythe U.S. military at theirhome in Caracas, Secretaryof State Marco Rubio askedthe public to think of theoperation in simple terms.“At its core, this was anarrest of two indictedfugitives of Americanjustice,” he said during apress conference Jan. 3 atPresident Donald Trump’sMar-a-Lago estate.The U.S. military, headded, “supported theDepartment of Justice inthat job.”Within hours of thearrests, the JusticeDepartment unsealed a2020 indictment and asuperseding indictmentlisting Mr. Maduro and hiswife among severaldefendants, including his son,charging them with drugsmuggling and gunpossession crimes.But is it that simple?Experts in internationaland military law – includingsome who witnessedanother controversial U.S.intervention in LatinAmerica – say the situationis more complex.Lawmakers on both sides ofthe aisle have criticized theTrump administration’sactions.Instead of a simple arrestof a runaway fugitive, thiswas an arrest, in his owncountry, of a de facto headof state. Under internationallaw, as stated in the charterof the United Nations, headsof state generally haveimmunity from foreigncriminal prosecution. Mr.Maduro was sworn in for athird term as president inJanuary 2025 after anelection that was widelyconsidered, including byinternational observers, tobe fraudulent. The UnitedStates and the EuropeanUnion do not recognize Mr.Maduro’s government.His arrest in Caracasfeatured support from allbranches of the U.S. militaryand months of preparation.President Trump and Mr.Rubio said prior notificationof Congress was notnecessary, given theirframing of it as a lawenforcement operation. The1973 War PowersResolution directs apresident to report to thelegislative branch within 48hours of deploying U.S.forces. It’s an effort to divideauthority to wage warbetween Congress and thepresident, as the U.S.Constitution ordains.Mr. Maduro’s legal journeywill now follow the typicalpath toward a federal trial –though possibly with theadded twist of prisoner-ofwar rights. One thing thecourts will likely notscrutinize is how Mr. Maduroand his wife, the formerpresident of Venezuela’sNational Assembly, came tobe in U.S. custody. Once adefendant is on U.S. soil,courts have said it doesn’tmatter how they came to bethere.What legaljustification has theadministrationprovided for thearrest?The Trump administrationhas not provided a specificlegal reasoning for its actionsduring the early hours of Jan.3. But experts believe thattwo strands of reasoninghave emerged from officials’public comments.First, administrationofficials argue, PresidentTrump’s constitutionalposition as commander inchief gave him the authorityto launch the militaryoperation without notifyingCongress.Mr. Trump has cited thisauthority in recent monthsas his administration haslaunched lethal airstrikes onalleged drug traffickers ininternational waters, killingover 100 people. America isin an armed conflict withLatin American drug cartels,the administration hasargued in public statements.The Justice Departmentindictment accuses Mr.Maduro of leading a drugcartel, Cartel de los Soles,for decades.Second, as SecretaryRubio and other officialshave said, the operation wasnot Mr. Trump committingAmerican troops to anarmed conflict. The troopswere, in fact, supporting aneffort to enforce U.S.domestic law on foreign soil.(FBI agents were on theground in Caracas, meaningAmerican law enforcementpersonnel were involved.)“You don’t get to avoidjustice for drug trafficking inthe United States becauseyou live in a palace inCaracas,” Vice President JDVance said on social mediahours after the arrests.There is a degree of legalprecedent for this. When theU.S. invaded Panama in 1989,William Barr – then head ofthe DOJ Office of LegalCounsel and eventually Mr.Trump’s attorney general –wrote a controversial memoclaiming that the FBI couldlegally arrest the country’sdictator, Gen. ManuelNoriega. The memoconcluded that the presidenthas “inherent constitutionalauthority” to order the FBIto arrest individuals forviolations of U.S. law, “even ifthose ... arrests are notconsistent with internationallaw.”The president can ignorethe U.N. charter “and otherunexecuted treaties ortreaty provisions that havenot become part of thedomestic law of the UnitedStates,” the memo claimed.Legal memos are advisoryand have no precedentialforce in the courts. NoTrump administration officialappears to have publiclycited the memo, which legalstory continues on page 4Ousted Venezulan President NicolasMaduro is photographed while beingtransported aboard the USS Iwo JimaSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 3:21 PM Page 3FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800Kenosha Funeral Services and CrematoryPrepay for your funeral now and the price will be guaranteed. 8226 Sheridan Rd. 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4 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800Wa sesuatsahahiUPrwprgrpo$5– AsgrthprshhirebemthragoWsigDanfobeDanintBoa coupanhaecas“cspprBiprthspDDmBushabpundits are widely discussing as alegal justification that theadministration may cite.There is also historical precedentfor U.S. presidents to order militarystrikes without congressionalapproval. In 2011, President BarackObama authorized airstrikes inLibya, and in 1999, President BillClinton coordinated an aircampaign in Serbia with otherNATO countries.What are critics saying?The administration says that Mr.Maduro’s ouster did not requirecongressional approval since it “wasnot an extended military action”but rather “a very preciseoperation that involved a couplehours of action,” as Mr. Rubioargued on NBC News’ “Meet thePress” on Sunday. But critics see itdifferently.The operation included roughly150 military aircraft launched from20 military bases, as well as dozensof U.S. Navy ships and the Army’sDelta Force, a special operationsdetachment with expertise inpinpointing high-value targets. “Soof course this was a military action,and pursuant to the Constitution,only Congress has the power todeclare war,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries,a New York Democrat who servesas the House minority leader, told“Meet the Press.”At least 32 Cubans who serve inmilitary and intelligence roles inVenezuela were killed in theoperation, Cuban officials saidSunday. Mr. Trump told “Fox &Friends Weekend” that while “acouple” of U.S. members of theoperation were injured, no one waskilled.One reason some lawmakersweren’t more forceful in demandingoversight in the run-up to U.S.military operations in the region isbecause of explicit assurances fromTrump officials that theadministration was not planning aninvasion or regime changeoperation, says Katherine YonEbright, a counsel specializing inwar powers at the Brennan Centerfor Justice at the New YorkUniversity School of Law.The U.S. constitutional systemand the War Powers Resolution aredesigned to compel presidents to“loop in Congress” and makepublic their cases for the use ofmilitary force, she adds. “None ofthat has happened here.”Trump supporters, includingHouse Speaker Mike Johnson, haveargued that the War PowersResolution is unconstitutionalbecause it violates the Article 2powers of the commander in chief.Article 1, Section 8 of theConstitution gives Congress thepower to “declare war,” “raise andsupport armies,” and “provide for anavy,” in addition to its power ofthe purse.Yet even among lawmakers whosupport Mr. Maduro’s ouster, thereare concerns about how U.S.adversaries could interpret theprecedents that Mr. Trump issetting.Rep. Don Bacon, a NebraskaRepublican and retired Air Forcebrigadier general who sits on theHouse Armed Services Committee,said in a statementthat he believesthe operation is “great for thefuture of Venezuelans.”He added, however, “My mainconcern now is that Russia will usethis to justify their illegal andbarbaric military action againstUkraine, or China to justify aninvasion of Taiwan. Freedom andrule of law were defended lastnight, but dictators will try toexploit this to rationalize theirselfish objectives.”What happened in Panama?The U.S. strike in Venezuela came36 years to the day after the U.S.removed another regional dictator.Tensions between the U.S. andPanama had been rising for yearsbefore grand juries in Floridaindicted Mr. Noriega on charges ofdrug trafficking in 1988. A year later,Mr. Noriega voided the presidentialelection in Panama and declaredhimself “maximum leader” of thecountry. Panama’s NationalAssembly declared war on the U.S.soon after.The U.S. had a sizable militarypresence in the country at thetime, stemming from theconstruction of the Panama Canalin the early 1900s. By the late ’80s,about 10,000 personnel werestationed in Panama, according tothe U.S. Southern Command. InDecember 1989, a U.S. servicemanwas shot and killed in Panama City.President George H.W. Bushordered an invasion of Panama,citing Panama’s declaration of waragainst the U.S. that week and thekilling of the U.S. serviceman. Mr.Noriega eventually surrendered toU.S. forces and went on trial. In1991, he was convicted of drugtrafficking charges and sentencedto 40 years in prison.The two operations share somesimilarities. Both Mr. Noriega andMr. Maduro were de facto heads ofstate under indictment in the U.S.Both were accused of conspiring totraffic drugs to the U.S. Beyondthat, however, the twoapprehensions have little incommon, says Geoffrey Corn, a lawprofessor at Texas Tech Universitywho was serving in the country atthe time as an intelligence officer.“We went into Panama out oflegitimate concern that the lives ofAmericans were in danger,” headds. “We didn’t invade a countryto arrest somebody.”What happens now?Mr. Maduro and his wifeappeared in court on Monday afterspending Saturday en route to NewYork City and Sunday in jail. Theyboth pleaded not guilty, with Mr.Maduro saying in Spanish that hewas “captured” and “a decent man,the president of my country.”The DOJ indictment chargesthem with four counts related todrug trafficking and the possessionof “machineguns and destructivedevices.” It lists Mr. Maduro and hiswife as co-defendants along withhis son, two other Venezuelangovernment officials, and the leaderof the Tren de Aragua gang. (Ms.Flores, Mr. Maduro’s son, and theTren de Aragua leader were alladded to the supersedingindictment released last week.)According to the indictment, Mr.Maduro “sits atop a corrupt,illegitimate government that, fordecades, has leveraged governmentpower to protect and promoteillegal activity, including drugtrafficking.”Per the indictment, Mr. Madurohas used his official powers, since1999 when he was in the NationalAssembly, to partner with a halfdozen drug cartels across LatinAmerica and “distribute tons ofcocaine to the United States.”Mr. Maduro could make severalpretrial arguments in future courthearings. Like Mr. Noriega beforehim, he could claim immunity fromprosecution as a foreign head ofstate.The courts approved of theprosecution of Mr. Noriega becausethe U.S. government did notrecognize him as the legitimateleader of Panama. The same is truein the case of Mr. Maduro andVenezuela. In fact, multipleDemocratic and Republicanadministrations have refused torecognize Mr. Maduro asVenezuela’s lawfully elected ruler.The European Union also hasn’tformally recognized him; 10 nationsin Latin America refused torecognize his controversialreelection last year.Mr. Maduro could also claim thathis arrest was unlawful, but thatargument appears to be foreclosedby legal precedent. Two U.S.Supreme Court decisions – knowncollectively as the Ker-Frisbiedoctrine – held that courts havejurisdiction over criminaldefendants even if they were notlawfully apprehended.Mr. Maduro could also ask to beclassified as a prisoner of war. Thiswould entitle him to morecomfortable confinement than for atypical criminal defendant and theability to wear a uniform duringcourt appearances, but not muchelse. By Henry Gass Minnesota officials: Child care centers were 'operating as expected'Nine child care centersshown in a viral videoalleging fraud wereinspected and operatingnormally, Minnesota officialssaid.Officials with Minnesota'sDepartment of Children,Youth and Families in a newsrelease said stateinspections of the daycarecenters showed those thatwere open had childreninside of them and wereoperating as expected.\"Children were present atall sites except for one --that site was not yet openfor families for the day wheninspectors arrived,\" DCYFofficials said.They did not indicate ifthe inspections providedadvanced notice to therespective daycares, and thenews release referenceddoes not appear on thedepartment's webpage fornews releases.The most recent newsrelease available is dated forOct. 27, 2025, anddepartment officials did notimmediately respond to aUPI request for commentand access to the cited newsrelease.DCYF officials alsoprovided information on thenine child care centers andthe amounts they receivedthrough the state's ChildCare Assistance Programduring the 2025 fiscal yearthat ended on Sept. 30.The Future Leaders EarlyLearning Center received$3.68 million, followed byMinnesota Best Child CareCenter, $3.4 million, andMinnesota Child CareCenter, $2.67 million. Allthree are located inMinneapolis.Quality Learning Centerreceived $1.9 million, MiniChild Care Center $1.6million, and Sweet AngelChild Care $1.54 million.The Tayo Daycarereceived $1.09 million, ABCLearning Center $1.04million and Super KidsDaycare Center $471,787.The DCYF said the MakoChild Care Center closed in2022.The agency saidinvestigators are taking acloser look at four of thenine daycare centers listedbut did not identify whichones.The DCYF released theinformation on the ninechild care centers featuredin the YouTube video postedby Nick Shirley that wastitled: \"I InvestigatedMinnesota's Billion DollarFraud Scandal.\"The 42-minute video hadmore than 3.1 million viewseight days after it wasposted to the social mediasite.The video spurred theHealth and Human ServicesDepartment halt all fundingto Minnesota child carecenters pending a federalreview.The FBI and Departmentof Homeland Securityinvestigate fraud claims.\"The onus is on the stateto provide additionalverification,\" Andrew Nixon,HHS deputy assistantsecretary for mediarelations, told CNN.Minnesota officials haveto provide the Trumpadministration withinformation verifying thenames of children enrolledat the respective child carecenters and their parents.HHS officials also arerequiring supportingevidence from day carecenters that receive federalfunding in all states to betterensure no fraud is occurring.By Mike HuerMadurocontinued from page 3SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 3:21 PM Page 4

5 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800What’s for dinner? If it’s beef, it’ll cost you.If you served roast beef ata gathering this holidayseason, you may havesuffered fromsticker shockat the grocery store. Thesame goes for steaks andhamburgers as beef priceshit record highs in theUnited States, rattlingPresident Donald Trump,who has vowed to bringprices down.The average price forground beef hit $6.30 apound in September, up from$5.50 at the start of the year– an increase of almost 15%.As recently as May 2023,ground beef retailed for lessthan $5 per pound. Steakprices have risen even moresharply in recent months,hitting retailers andrestaurants alike. Higherbeef prices are squeezingmargins at restaurant chainsthat have been reluctant toraise prices.The price of beef hasgotten the attention of theWhite House. Mr. Trumpsigned an executive order onDec. 6 to examineanticompetitive behavior infood supply chains, includingbeef production. The JusticeDepartment has also begunan antitrust investigationinto meatpacking companies.Both measures are framed asa response to risingconcerns over beef prices.Polling shows that votersupset about the cost of beefand other everyday itemshave soured on Mr. Trump’seconomic management, evenas he claims that he has“crushed” inflation thatspiked under hispredecessor, President JoeBiden. “They caused the highprices, and we’re bringingthem down,” he said in aspeech in Pennsylvania onDec. 9, referring toDemocrats. The most recentmonthly report from theBureau of Labor Statisticsshowed inflation at 3%,above the Federal Reserve’starget rate of 2%.Some ranchers arecomplaining about Mr.Trump’s trade policies,including his agreement toquadruple beef imports fromArgentina and his on-offtariffs on Brazilian beef. Therollback of specific tariffs hasbeen aimed at bringing downconsumer prices. (TheBrazilian tariff relief includescoffee, the price of whichwas up 41% in Septembercompared with the previousyear.) But most of the 28billion pounds of beefconsumed annually in theU.S., especially cuts of steakand roasts, is domesticallyproduced.Experts say the price ofbeef depends less on tweaksto the administration’s tradepolicy and more on the lackof competition in themeatpacking industry, whichis a much knottier problemto fix and one that haseluded previousadministrations. The upshotis that beef prices are likelyto stay high for a while.Why are beef pricesso high?Simply put, it’s about a lackof supply. The number ofcattle being raised forslaughter in the U.S. hasfallen to the lowest levelsince the 1950s. Rancherscut their herds during andafter the pandemic amidprolonged droughts in statessuch as Texas and higherfeedstock costs. The totalherd of beef cattle was 28.7million in July, according tothe U.S. Department ofAgriculture.Beef producers can’trespond to higher prices asquickly as consumers maywish since it takes aroundtwo years for a newborn calfto reach maturity. “I expectprices are going to remainhigh until we start producingmore cows,” says JamesMacDonald, a researchprofessor at the Universityof Maryland’s College ofAgriculture and NaturalResources. “It takes a longtime to rebuild herds.”The suspension ofMexican cattle imports inMay after an outbreak ofscrewworm has furtherrestricted supply.Screwworm, a tropicalparasite, was eradicateddecades ago in the U.S.Reopening the border toMexican cattle would boostsupply, but would be riskyunless the parasite iscontained, says ProfessorMacDonald.As U.S. beef productiondrops, the meatpackingindustry has been trying toproduce more beef from thecattle it slaughters. “Byhistoric standards, we’re stillproducing a lot of beef.We’re just doing it withfewer cows,” Glynn Tonsor, aprofessor of agriculturaleconomics at Kansas StateUniversity, told NPR.So far, demand for beef haslargely held up, despite thehigher prices. Per capitaconsumption is forecast at58.5 pounds this year,according to the USDA,down slightly from 2024.What is the Trumpadministration doingabout it?Mr. Trump has asked hissenior advisors to find morepolicy levers he can pull tobring down beef prices, theWall Street Journalreported. He has consultedwith trade organizations,governors of farm states, andthe meat industry. Hisexecutive order directs theJustice Department and theFederal Trade Commissionto examine competition inU.S. food supply chains.Ranchers, consumergroups, and farm-statelawmakers have complainedfor years aboutanticompetitive practices inbeef processing. Four majorprocessors dominate theindustry: Tyson Foods,Cargill, and two Brazil-basedcompanies: JBS and MarfrigGlobal Foods. Together, theyslaughter around 85% ofgrain-fattened cattle in theU.S.In November, Mr. Trumpalleged on social media thatforeign-owned meatpackerswere colluding to manipulateU.S. beef prices, withoutproviding details. During hisfirst administration, theJustice Department openedan investigation into the beefindustry that continued intothe Biden administration.That probe recently ended,but a new one has beguninto potentialanticompetitive behavior,according to The Wall StreetJournal.Responding to Mr. Trump’ssocial media post, anindustry group said in astatement that beef packershave been operating at a lossfor the past year due to tightcattle supply. “U.S. beefprocessors welcome a factbased discussion about beefaffordability and how best tomeet the needs of Americanconsumers, who are theindustry’s most importantstakeholders,” Meat InstitutePresident and CEO JulieAnna Potts said.Do meatpackers havea monopoly?Meatpackers say largereconomies of scale allowthem to produce moreanimal protein cheaply andthat lower consumer pricesstimulate demand. Critics sayconsolidation hurts ranchersby reducing the number ofbuyers for their cattle,resulting in lower prices.Before the pandemic,meatpackers had begun toincrease their profits basedon what they paid for cattleand wholesale beef prices.This spread “doubled ortripled after 2016,” saysProfessor MacDonald, aformer senior researcher atthe USDA.In December 2021, theBiden administrationreported that the fourlargest meatpackers – ofbeef, chicken, and pork – hadseen a 120% rise in grossprofits since the pandemicbegan. (The companiesdisputed the finding.)President Biden thenannounced a $1 billion planto increase competition inthe sector by supportingindependent meatpackerswith grants and loans.An employee stocks ground beef into a display case at a Walmart Supercenter retailstore in North Bergen, New Jersey, Nov. 21, 2025. The average price for groundbeef is up almost 15% this year, while steak prices have risen even more sharply.alftinofralrtremofheseotteuendleantoaser.n’tnstoalatated.S.wnievealotbehisrer ahengchass bealtyealn,taephedeegealrg.rstory continues on page 10SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 1:18 PM Page 5SR060525Call Alex at 262-344-6736For a free estimateCall Alex at 262-344-6736For a free estimateAlex Fence & Repairs lex Fence & RepairsWhy settle for wood posts when you can get lifetime steel posts. Our best seller!No dig, no mess and at a low price.Why settle for wood posts when you can get lifetime steel posts. Our best seller!No dig, no mess and at a low price.WE BEAT ANY PRICETOP QUALITY WORKONE DAY LEAD TIMENEXT DAY INSTALLATIONS25% OFF ANY WRITTEN ESTIMATESW E BEAT ANY PRICETOP QUALITY WORKONE DAY LEAD TIMENEXT DAY INSTALLATIONS25% OFF ANY WRITTEN ESTIMATES

6 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800OPINIONThe Kansas City Chiefs’deal to move to Kansas willbe a stress test for taxpayertolerance. Kansas, longknown as host to the Wizardof Oz, just pulled back thecurtain, providing a glimpseat the wizardry behind thebusiness of the NFL.This is a lesson in thesports business. It can bebrutal for taxpayers.Increasingly, generations oftaxpayers are being asked topony up when professionalsports teams want new digs,like the $3 billion domedstadium Kansas just agreedto build for the Chiefs.Billionaires usually controlteam ownership, setting up alopsided scenario of the uberrich increasing theirgenerational wealth withcontracts that squeezerevenues from a public farfurther down the economicscale.Fans are expected togratefully accept deals likethe one the Chiefs inked, likeit’s all akin to buying moreteam swag, the latest jerseyor trinket.The Chiefs are owned bythe Hunt family. They areheirs of the savvy late LamarHunt, who not only helpedfound the American FootballLeague, but coined the term“Super Bowl,” in addition tohis roles in promotingprofessional basketball,tennis and soccer.Lamar Hunt is a huge partof the loyalty and devotionthe Chiefs organizationthrives on, and why it wasable to draw a bidding warbetween Kansas andMissouri.For now, Kansas isgloating.Bragging rights have beenearned for pokingneighboring Missouri.The Chiefs will relocate tothe Kansas side of ourshared state line by thebeginning of the 2031 NFLseason, with the promise of anew $3 billion domedstadium, and a $300 millionpractice facility and teamheadquarters.A majority of the costs,60%, at least $1.8 billion forthe stadium alone, will bepaid in public subsidies, arecord in taxpayer gullibilityif the deal stands. This meansthat Kansans are going to beOPINION“What’s past isprologue” wrote WilliamShakespeare in “TheTempest,” a thoughtprofound enough to beengraved on the NationalArchives building inWashington.As America prepares tocelebrate its 250thanniversary, a blip onhistory’s ledger comparedto many other nations, wewould do well to re-visiteven the recent past as aguide to what can provideus a better future. That’sbecause even thoughtechnology changes, otherthings do not.At the end of each year, Ienjoy exploring the eventsof a century ago, a period inwhich my parents andgrandparents lived.When it comes topolitical unrest, 2026 hasnothing on 1926. Therewere protests, coups,invasions and changes ingovernments all overEurope. In Britain a generalstrike paralyzed the nationand was front page newsfor months. Poland,Portugal and Lithuania hadtheir governmentsoverthrown. In Italy, futuredictator Benito Mussoliniincreased his power andinfluence despite, orperhaps because of,numerous assassinationattempts.The future QueenElizabeth II and FidelCastro were born. So wasNorma Jeane Mortenson,who would change hername to Marilyn Monroe.Calvin Coolidge, a taxcutter and deficit hawk, waspresident. Unemploymentwas just 1.8 percent, taxrates were falling and thenational debt was $19.6billion. The boomingeconomy helped pay downthe debt, somethingPresident Trump has saidwill happen again. Will thespendthrifts in Congressget the message?A century ago, land onBroadway and Wall Streetin New York City wasselling at a record $7 persquare inch, depending onlocation.Robert H. Goddard, whowould later become acentral figure in America’sspace program, launchedthe first liquid fuel rocket inAuburn, Massachusetts. Itachieved a height of 41 feetin its 2.5 second flight.John Logie Bairddemonstrated the firsttelevision. Given the lowquality of much of today’sTV shows I wonder if hewould regret it?United Airlines, foundedas Varney Air Lines, becamethe first scheduledcommercial airline in thecountry. There was likelymore legroom then.Henry Ford inauguratedthe 40-hour work week.Explorer Richard E. Byrdand Navy Chief Aviationpilot Floyd Bennett becomethe first verified explorersto traverse the North Pole.There were no reports ofSanta Claus sightings.America celebrated its150th birthday with aworld’s fair in Philadelphia.Not enough people cameand the fair organizationwent into receivership. Itsassets were sold at auctionthe following year. That’sunlikely to happen in 2026.The U.S. and Panama signa treaty. During the Carteradministration that wouldagain become controversialas ownership of thePanama Canal was turnedover to the country.(President Trump says hewants it returned toAmerican control andownership).American Olympic goldmedalist Gertrude Ederlebecomes the first womanto swim across the EnglishChannel from France toEngland.Rudolph Valentino,among the greatest stars ofthe silent film era, dies fromsepsis caused by a rupturedstomach ulcer. The next day60,000 mourners cause ariot in New York as they tryto reach Valentino’s body. Afixation on celebritiescontinues.A category 4 hurricanehits Miami. Hundreds dieand damage is estimated at$100 million. Later, TheHavana-Bermuda hurricanekills more than 600 people.No one blames “climatechange.”Thomas Edison, inventorof the light bulb and somany other things in usetoday, declares the radio acommercial failure.Babe Ruth becomes thefirst player to hit threehome runs in a single gameagainst the St. LouisCardinals.This and much moreoccurred in 1926. Politics,celebrity, sports,technological innovationslike AI and media continueto gain our attention. Badthings will continue tohappen for the next 100years (if we survive thatlong as a nation). That’sbecause while many thingschange, human natureremains the same.As for the good, that toois up to us and those yet tobe born. May they learnfrom history.An old and a new yearwith Cal ThomasReaders may email CalThomas [email protected] for Cal Thomas’ latestbook “A Watchman in theNight: What I've Seen Over50 Years Reporting onAmerica\" (HumanixBooks).my turnevminJ. chKedivunaKeCAFohitoKeWthceincrsoandoneHcuKeLaPewacAAineepranaslibIcwstory continues on page 7Wishing a Happy New Year to the Hunt family of billionaires — with love, Kansaswith Mary SanchezReaders can reach MarySanchez [email protected] follow her on [email protected] Olympic gold medalist, swimmer GertrudeEderle (1905 - 2003) poses in the sea at Brighton,training for her cross English Channel swim, July 2, 1925. pdevstdSaInncdinacpstgea McoFireworks explode over the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowlbanner prior to the game against the Denver on Dec. 25, 2025.Mary Sanchez joinsHappenings Q&A on Mon Jan 12th at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIPSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:18 AM Page 6

7 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800ts,orbeatynsbeoeaeeeses,s,sedo0at’sgseoonOPINIONOf all the extraordinaryevents of 2025, one of themost amazing andinexplicable is why DonaldJ. Trump seems to bechanneling John FitzgeraldKennedy.Despite the exceptionaldisplay of bad taste andvulgarity by inserting hisname above that ofKennedy's in renaming theCenter for the PerformingArts, that was no accident.For reasons known only tohimself, is Trump attemptingto remake himself inKennedy's image?Consider the evidence:While the Kennedys madethe White House thecenter of culture withinvitations to the mostcreative members ofsociety in the arts, scienceand other fields, Trump isdoing the same with thenew East Wing ballroom.He is trying to bring thecultural splendor of theKennedys with a Mar-aLago twist to 1600Pennsylvania Ave.But, more importantly,while Trump is crafting hisactions in line with MakingAmerica Great Again andAmerica First, is he statingin a profoundly different, yeteerily similar way, JFK'spromise \"to pay any priceand bear any burden ... toassure the survival ofliberty\"?Consider Trump's mostrecent use of force in thatcontext with the Kennedypromise.In Venezuela, as inVietnam, Trump is trying toprotect Americans from thescourge of drugs just asKennedy intended to stopthe equally dangerousspread of communism atthe Mekong and not theMississippi.While Lyndon Johnsoninherited the mantle ofassuring liberty, he orderedthe retaliatory bombing ofNorth Vietnam in August1964 to punish Hanoi for aPT boat attack it did notmake against two U.S.destroyers. Aside from theUnited States sinkinghapless speedboats, the CIAjust attacked an east coastVenezuelan port withdrones.But Venezuela -- just asNorth Vietnam did notlaunch an attack against U.S.warships -- is not sendingdrugs to America. So whythe escalation? And if theVietnam analogy continues,do we expect to see U.S.special or clandestineforces on the ground inVenezuela much like weconducted a not-so-secretwar in Southeast Asia?There is one hugedifference.President LyndonJohnson operated underthe Tonkin Gulf Resolutionthat authorized force.Trump does not believe heneeds one as commanderin-chief. And Republicans inCongress do not seeminclined to carry out theirresponsibilities or toenforce the War PowersAct that requirescongressional approval forthe continued use ofmilitary force beyond 60ydays. And Trump is notlimiting his Kennedychanneling.Over last weekend,Trump approved cruisemissile strikes againstNigeria's Boko Haramterrorist organization,retaliating for its killing ofChristians. Why Trump didthat either reflects JFK todefend the liberty ofChristians or the need toplacate his born-againChristian supporters.In Venezuela and nowNigeria, it would seem thatphysical military attacksagainst those bases weresome form of a declarationof war. Trump alsoauthorized cruise missileattacks against ISIS targetsin Somalia.While this churn wasoccurring, Iranian PresidentMasoud Pezeshkiandeclared that his country isengaged in a \"full-fledgedwar with America, Israel,and Europe.\"In a sense, this isbecoming a tragicomedyand farce and a throwbackto the 1960s. Recall theKingston Trio's Merry LittleMinuet, with the final versethat went: \"They're riotingin Africa; There's strife inIran; What nature doesn'tdo us; Will be done by ourfellow man.\"An even better parallel isthe 1959 film that madePeter Sellers famous, TheMouse that Roared.The imaginary kingdomof the Duchy of Fenwickhad only one product: wine.A California winery made aknockoff product thatcaptured the market. Adesperate Fenwick decidedthat the only solution wasto declare war on theUnited State and then besaved by losing.Instead, the haplessFenwickians, en route toWashington via New Yorkto surrender, stumbled onthe infamous U.S. Q-bomb -- the deadliest weapon inthe world -- and becamethe most powerful state onEarth. But it was only amovie!Perhaps Trump is notreally channeling JFK. Butwhat Trump has been doingso far might better beexplained by verse andmovie. Yet, this is deadlyserious. The United Statescannot continue to bombor attack any and all placesof its choosing withoutjustification or purpose.This then becomes farce.And farce is no way to runa country, especially whenlives are at stake.Is Trump channeling JFK?with Harlan Ullmanmy turnHarlan Ullman is UPI'sArnaud de BorchgraveDistinguished Columnist; senioradviser at Washington'sAtlantic Council, chairman of aprivate company and principalauthor of the doctrine ofshock and awe. His next book,co-written with Field MarshalThe Lord David Richards,former U.K. chief of defenseand due out next year, is WhoThinks Best Wins: PreventingStrategic Catastrophe. Thewriter can be reached on [email protected] Ullman joinsHappenings Q&A on Thu Jan 15th at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP7paying for at least severaldecades. And that’s ifeverything goes as planned.Kansas is one of threestates that have an economicdevelopment process calledSTAR bonds, for Sales Taxand Revenue Bonds.Here’s how it works:Investors buy the bondsnecessary to beginconstruction. They aredrawn by the tax-freeinterest the investment canaccrue. The bonds are to bepaid back primarily by newstate sales tax revenuegenerated by the projects ina carefully drawn specialdistrict. But an early draftshows a gargantuan district,encompassing nearly a wholecounty and huge portions ofanother.That’s a lot of divertedsales tax revenue.Here’s where the mathgets fuzzy, and it’s wonky notonly because the agreementhasn’t been finalized. KansasGovernor Laura Kelly is fondof stressing that the dealcalls for no new state taxes.Correct.But the deal expectsfuture incremental generalsales tax revenue, not justfrom the state, but also twocities. An early test of thepublic’s willingness to forkover those municipalrevenues will come soon,during public hearings.And eventually, the stateof Kansas’ annual reportingon STAR bonds will show ifthe jubilation over landingthe team outshinesconsternation that some ofthat sales tax money couldhave gone to other, far morepressing needs. You know…to fund housing, healthcare,education, and roads.In 2024, there were 11STAR bond districts withsuch funding across Kansas.It’s the financing schemebehind the politicians’promise of “this project willpay for itself!” The ChiefsKansas agreement is toutedas a historic public-privatepartnership, invoking the60/40 split of costs.The wording is alsointended to imply a sense ofdual buy-in and, therefore, ofshared dividends.But this type ofpartnership can never beequal. On one side, there isthe generational oil and realestate wealth of the Huntfamily, worth at least $24.8billion, according to Forbes.On the other side of thisequation are taxpayers.The team has longpromoted the Kansas Citymetropolitan region asChiefs Kingdom, as if we’reall a bit like royalty.But the fans/taxpayers arethe plebeians here, expectedto applaud the gift of theChiefs’ presence, with fewquestions asked, even whenthey uproot and leap acrossthe state line.Fans are told that theHunt family is only thinkingof them, of futuregenerations, of providing atop-notch experiencethrough a state-of-the-artstadium and mixed-useofferings of adjacententertainment, restaurants,hotels, office space andmore.True, happy fans spendmoney. But a more honesttruth is that the Huntfamily’s ownership is a legacy.It comes with thetremendous responsibility toprotect the stability of theChiefs as an organization,but also to ensure and growthe Hunt family’sgenerational wealth.This dual reality has notcompletely set in, here in theHeart of America. TheMissouri side of the stateline is nursing a woundedego. People on that side arehighly aware of the financialbeating that’s ahead with theshuttering of the famedArrowhead Stadium.Kansas is beginning tograpple with what it’s gained:the tangible, the less easilyaudited, and quite possibly,the regrettable portions ofits new deal.Mary Sanchezcontinued from page 6wl5.SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:18 AM Page 7

8 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800If your New Year's goal isto get into the habit ofworking out, you might bewondering if you need toeat more protein. The best answer isperhaps not eating moreprotein, but spreading theprotein you do eatthroughout the day. Timingmatters.But first, how muchprotein do we need? TheDietary Guidelinesrecommend 0.8 grams perkilogram of body weight,regardless of age or activity.For a 150-pound personthat would be 54.5 grams ofprotein; a 180-poundperson would need 65.5grams of protein. If you want to buildmuscle, you may want tolook at consuming a littlemore protein: 1 gram perkilogram of body weight, or68 grams for a 150-poundperson and 81 grams for a180-pound person. Theexact amount you needdepends on several factors,such as age, weight andactivity level. Protein needscan be as much as 1.2 to 2grams of protein perkilogram of weight,according to the AmericanCollege of Sports Medicine. Not only is proteinimportant for sculptingmuscles, but it's also criticalfor preventing muscle lossthat occurs naturally as weage -- up to 1% a year aftermiddle age sets in. Losing muscle mass canhave consequences ofreduced mobility, increasedrisk of falls and decreasedquality of life. We know thatmuscles need protein tomaintain their size andstrength. If we don't eatenough, especially later inlife, our bodies will burnexisting muscle tissue forfuel. Too little protein canalso mean it takes longer torebuild damaged muscles. It's important to eatfoods rich in protein tokeep muscles strong andhealthy, like meat, fish, dairy,eggs, beans, lentils, nuts,seeds and soy foods. It's also important toconsume protein at everymeal. This allows the bodyto use protein from eachmeal to repair muscles andbuild lean mass. A 2019study in the journalNutrients found thatspreading proteinthroughout the day canincrease muscle size andstrength while reducinghunger. The bottom line isnutrients -- protein,carbohydrates and fat --become more important aswe age and as we push ourbodies to exercise.Nutrient-rich foods areimportant in every meal tofuel our bodies andworkouts. Aim for yourmeals to include protein,whole grains, fruits,vegetables and lean dairy. Charlyn Fargo is aregistered dietitian withSIU Med School inSpringfield, Ill. food & recipesProtein andWorking OutNutrition News with Charlyn FargoChocolate Almond Butter BrowniesMakes 24 2-inch square brownies3/4 cup all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt3/4 cup unsalted butter4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, broken into pieces1/2 cup almond butter2 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs1 teaspoon vanillaTo finish:1/4 cup almond butter, softened 15 seconds in themicrowavePowdered sugar, for garnish1. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a smallbowl. Reserve.2. Butter a 9–by-13-inch baking pan. Preheat the ovento 350 F.3. In the top of a large double boiler over medium heat,combine the butter and chocolate and melt. Add thealmond butter and mix well.4. Remove the chocolate mixture from the heat. Addthe sugar and whisk vigorously. Don’t worry if themixture looks grainy. Add all of the eggs and the vanillaand whisk them until they are completely incorporatedinto the chocolate mixture. Add the reserved flourmixture to the chocolate mixture and whisk until justincorporated. The mixture should be a shiny batter-likeconsistency.5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Dot the topof the brownie mixture with the 1/4 cup of almondbutter, swirling it with a knife, making sure that thealmond butter is evenly distributed. Bake for 25 to 30minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centercomes out slightly fudgy.6. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack, then sliceinto 2-inch square brownies. Sprinkle lightly with thepowdered sugar before serving.Advance preparation: The brownies may be preparedone day ahead and covered in an airtight container.Brownies are the classic all-American dessert — a sweet that crosses allgenerations, from young to old. Brownies might have a cake- or fudge-like texture,depending upon the amount of flour and fat called for in the recipe. They can becut into big squares or rectangles and are often dusted with powdered sugar.I am partial to a fudgy brownie texture and love the delicious surprise of swirledin almond butter. An extra bonus is it’s a one-pot recipe. You’ll need to use a largedouble boiler insert or a large mixing bowl atop a pot of simmering water for thisrecipe.Chocolate and almond butter create a unique flavor for brownies. While thesebrownies are delicious on their own, you can dress them up with a scoop of vanillaice cream on top of the brownie and garnish with toasted almonds. Bring these toany meeting, gathering or event and watch how fast they disappear.By Diane Rossen WorthingtonmshMdewovicevfacanTrhuloan20fro$1immlo$1sctonoprdeantoChchthsaprfinNAfeFoarenw– yestCRfewhecoPeyoreInYestarrepefrthFbFbServings: 41 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half1 large shallot, thinly sliced3 garlic cloves, minced1 small lemon, thinly sliced into rings2 tablespoons olive oil, divided3/4 teaspoon kosher salt4-ounce block feta cheese1 1/2 pounds tilapia1 tablespoon Italian seasoning1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or standard paprika)2 tablespoons drained capersFinely chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnishFresh ground black pepperPreheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Chop the tomatoes, shallot, garlic andlemon. Place the chopped vegetables and lemon slices in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and mix with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt,and fresh ground black pepper. Crumble the feta cheese into rough chunksand add it to the pan, tossing gently to combine. Pat the tilapia dry. Rub itwith 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, split between thefilets. Place it on top of the vegetables and feta in the pan. Sprinkle filletswith the Italian seasoning and a few grinds fresh ground black pepper, thenadd the red pepper flakes and smoked paprika. Sprinkle the capers over thetop. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes (depending onthe thickness of the fish), until the fish is flaky and the internal temperatureis 145 degrees. Garnish with chopped parsley and remove the lemon sliceswhen serving. Serves 4. Per serving: 320 calories; 39.2 grams protein; 6.3 grams carbohydrates;16.2 grams fat (6.3 grams saturated); 1.2 grams fiber; 3.7 grams sugars.Baked Tilapia with Tomatoes and FetaSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:18 AM Page 8

9 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800ure.retondurn,ts,My mother recently calledme to discuss a “strange” callshe had received fromMedicare. From the basicdetails she provided, I wasworried that she was avictim of a scam.After all, there is ampleevidence of elder fraud, afact underscored by a recentanalysis from the FederalTrade Commission.The FTC report shows ahuge jump in scam-relatedlosses reported by people 60and over. “From 2020 to2024, the number of reportsfrom older adults who lost$10,000 or more toimposter scams increasedmore than fourfold, and thelosses of more than$100,000 from imposterscams increased eight-fold…to $445 million in 2024.\"Although my mother wasnot a victim, her callprompted an all hands-ondeck meeting with her, me,and my sister. Our goal wasto create a Family CFO —Chief Financial Officer —checklist, which would allowthe three of us to get on thesame page with information.The most powerfulprotection against mostfinancial fraud isn’t asophisticated securitysystem or an expensivemonitoring service. It’s aconversation among familymembers who can flag issuesbefore they becomeproblems.The Consumer FinancialProtection Bureau (CFPB)recommends that you askthree essential questions aspart of this process:1. Do you know all yourfamily’s account numbersand how to access them?This includes banks, creditunions, investment accounts,credit cards and retirementfunds. Without thisinformation, it is difficult tomonitor for suspiciousactivity or assist duringemergencies.2. Do you understandwhat property andinvestments your loved onesown, and who thebeneficiaries are?3. Do you know where allhousehold income isdeposited? Understandingthe flow of Social Security,pensions, and other incomesources helps identify whensomething goes wrong.Once you have gatheredthe information, it’s time toput the safety measures intoplace. You don’t have to be ajoint owner of an account tohelp with monitoring. Rather,you can be added as a“trusted contact” at anyfinancial firm. This will allowthe financial institution toalert you if they noticesuspicious activity. As anadded precaution, you canalso ask to receive copies ofstatements.Our next step was tofreeze mom’s credit record.A credit freeze restrictsaccess to your credit file,making it harder for identitythieves to open newaccounts in your name.You will need to enact thefreeze at all three majoragencies, either via theirwebsites or by phone.Equifax: (888) 298-0045,Experian: (888) 397-3742,TransUnion: 800-916-8800.Just remember that during afreeze, the person herselfcan’t apply for new credit, soif your relative is applying fora loan, you will need tounfreeze the account andthen freeze it after theprocess is complete.In addition to finances, italso makes sense to drilldown on medical and healthinformation, includinginsurance, contactinformation for doctors andspecialists, prescriptionrecords and list of allergies,medical and vaccinationrecords.Most providers use someform of electroniccommunication or portal, soconsider adding someonefrom the family to gainaccess so they can monitordoctor’s visits andcommunicate directly withproviders.To help navigate Medicare,the covered person mustsend a letter that providessomeone with the ability tospeak and act on theirbehalf. The wording shouldbe that this permission “is anongoingrelease/authorization.”Once you have gatheredyour Family CFO Checklist,it should be locked away orstored digitally with strongpassword protection.And while it is far fromperfect, establish robocallblocking and SMS blocking.Most phone serviceproviders offer these tools.And remind your loved onesNOT to click on any textmessages or answer phonecalls from random numbers.As we look ahead to theNew Year, nearly half ofAmericans say they arefeeling financially pressured.Forty-eight percent say theyare more stressed at theend of this year than theywere at the start of the year– that’s up from 43% lastyear, according to a newstudy from the AllianzCenter for the Future ofRetirement.It’s hard to manage thosefeelings, so instead of sittingwith the anxiety, it may behelpful to exert somecontrol over your situation.Perhaps this is the year thatyou create a few financialresolutions.According to FidelityInvestments’ 2026 NewYear’s Financial Resolutionsstudy, 64% of respondentsare considering a financialresolution for 2026, an eightpercentage point increasefrom a year ago.How can you be one ofthe few who actually stickto a resolution?The key with any financialgoal is to make it specific,measurable, achievable,relevant and timebound, inother words, “SMART.”And let’s add a basic,annoying fact to the mix:Every financial goal requiresyou to understand howmuch money is coming in –and going out of yourhousehold.So maybe the mostimportant resolution shouldbe to track where yourmoney is going for 90 days.Most banks offer ways to doso, and many apps have freeversions, like PocketGuard,GoodBudget, and Honeydue— the latter is gearedtowards couples. Regardlessof method, the goal is toidentify the amount ofmoney you can allocatetowards your specific goal.With that information inhand, avoid a vagueresolution like “save more,”and instead consider abetter alternative, like “buildup my emergency reservesso that I can cover 6 to 12months of living expenses.Then, establish an automatictransfer of a set amount ofmoney from your checkingaccount to build this fund.You should also useliquid, available accounts tofund any large expenses thatwill occur over the next 12months, like a car purchaseor a home downpayment.Although interest rates havecome down over the pastyear, it is worthwhile tospend some time to findhigh yield savings accounts,money market funds, andCDs, some of which areyielding 3-4%.For those who are stillstruggling to pay down debt,ditch the “get out of debt”resolution, redirect thoseautomatic payments toaccelerate your debt paydown, chipping away at thehighest interest debt firstand working your waydown. Don’t forget toinclude those student loansas part of your debt paydown strategy.As you beef up yoursavings and pay down debt,you also need to exertsome energy on long-termgoals, like retirement. Try tocontribute at least to youremployer’s match, if youhave one, or establish anautomatic transfer into anIRA or Roth IRA with oneof the financial institutionsthat offer low-cost mutualor exchange-traded funds.The 2026 limit for workbased retirement plans(401(k), 403(b), 457) hasincreased to $24,500 andthe catch-up contributionlimit for employees aged 50and over will rise to $8,000.One extra benefit: Undera change made in SECUREAct 2.0, there is a highercatch-up contribution foremployees aged 60, 61, 62and 63 who participate inthese plans. For 2026, thishigher catch-upcontribution limit is $11,250instead of $8,000. The IRAlimit for both Roth andtraditional will be $7,500,and the over-50 catch-up is$1,100.Pick one or tworesolutions that will havethe biggest impact on yourfinancial situation and focuson those first. Once theybecome habits, you can layeron additional goals. The keyis progress, not perfection.Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is a CBSNews business analyst. Aformer options trader and CIOof an investment advisory firm,she welcomes comments andquestions [email protected]. jill on moneyFamily CFO checklistby Jill SchlesingerFinancial resolutions for 2026by Jill SchlesingerThe most powerful protection against most financial fraud isn't asophisticated security system or an expensive monitoring service.It's a conversation among family members, writes Jill Schlesinger.Pick one or two resolutions that will have thebiggest impact on your financial situation andfocus on those first, writes Jill Schlesinger.SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:19 AM Page 9

10 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800I had the distinct pleasureof touring a huge paintfactory in SouthernCalifornia several years ago.I was allowed to peer downinto this massive vat as thesolid components of thepaint were added.Thousands of gallons ofpaint were about to beblended to perfection. I wasstunned at thesophistication of theoperation. Computers,sensors and engineers inwhite lab coats controlledevery aspect of the mixingprocess.I believe I was the onlymember of the press onthat tour who had a deepappreciation of what wewere seeing. It turns out noother editor or media talenton the tour had appliedthousands of gallons of paintover a period of 30 years, asI had. Little did I know howcomplex it was to make adurable exterior paint.You might not realize it,but paint is nothing morethan colored glue. Thechemical formula of manybasic paints is almostidentical to that of strongyellow carpenter’s glue. Myfirst business partner, John,shared this with me whilewe ate lunch one day on ajob site. John and I paintedhouses in the summer. Weused the money to help payour college tuition. Johnwent on to get his physicalchemistry Ph.D and endedup working for the largestpaint manufacturer in theUSA.The adhesive componentof paint is often called theresin. Many differentadhesives can be used tomake paint. Vinyl acetate isone. Acrylic is another. Mypersonal favorite isurethane. Have you evernoticed how clear urethanesticks to wood floors andfurniture like the strongestVelcro strips you’ve evertried to peel apart?I painted my Cincinnatihouse with an exteriorurethane-resin paint in thelate 1990s. Drive by thehouse today, and it looks asgood as the day I applied it.It’s not peeling, and it hasnot faded. I used the samepaint to coat my currenthouse in central NewHampshire 15 years ago. Itlooks like the paint wasapplied last week. Youshould buy paint with thebest resin if you want it tolast.The first step, and I feelmany ignore it, is to take fiveminutes and read theinstructions on the paintcan label. Be sure to followthem to the letter. You’llalmost always see thissentence: “Apply to a clean,dry, dust-free surface.” Let’stalk about clean and what itreally means.Think about cleaning yourbody. When you shower, Idoubt you just stand underthe stream of warm waterand twirl around. Instead,you take your hands and rubyour skin with soap. You mayeven use a washcloth ormicrofiber towel. Thismotion, or agitation, is whatgets you clean. The soaphelps remove dirt and oilfrom your skin.I maintain that pressurewashing your house is thesame thing as just standingunder your shower head. Ican prove it. Take your dirtycar to a carwash equippedwith a pressure-washingwand. Clean and rinse yourcar with the tool. Drive outof the bay and park your car.Let it air dry for a fewmoments. Wherever thedirt was the worst, pull amoist finger across it. Iguarantee you’ll get dirt onyour finger. Dirt thepressure washing leftbehind!I prefer to wash theexterior of a house like Iwash my car. I use awonderful brush that RVowners use to clean thelarge flat surfaces of theirmotorhomes. I pre-treat mysiding with a mixture ofoxygen bleach and liquiddish soap. I always clean inthe shade, not directsunlight. Once finished, mysiding and trim are squeakyclean.Cracks that allow waterto sneak behind siding oralong windows and doorsmust be caulked. It pays topurchase the mostexpensive water-basedcaulk. These products havebetter ingredients, in myopinion.I allow the caulk to curefor 24 hours before paintingover it.Some modern paintsdon’t require primers. Somedo. Pay very close attentionto the label instructions forthe primers. You may seethey dry to touch in as littleas an hour, and can berecoated soon after that.This is a very importantpoint that most overlook.Applying the finish paintas soon as the primer says itcan be recoated is the bestpractice. This ensures theprimer doesn’t get dirty, andyou often get a physical andchemical bond whereby theprimer and finish paintinterlock as if they were onepaint. You only want toprime as much surface areaas you can finish coat on thesame day.The paint label may alsosay to work in the shade.Many years ago, I discoveredthe hard way howimportant it is to do this. Iwas painting the detachedgarage of my second home.The trim color was flatblack. I was painting in themiddle of the afternoon ona hot, cloud-free day. Thesunlight was hitting thegarage trim like a spotlighton a fleeing prisoner.Within an hour ofapplying the paint, blistersappeared on the trim. Thehot sunlight boiled thewater in the paint, creatingwater vapor under the freshpaint skin. It was a hugemess.High-quality brushesmake all the difference. Thepaint will flow better, andyou’ll get a betterappearance. Get the brushwet before you dip it intothe paint. This will helpprevent hardened paintfrom building up on themetal ferrule. Be sure towatch my videodemonstrating the secretand proper way to cleanpaint brushes. I have brushesthat are thirty years old thatlook almost brand new!Time-tested tips for exterior painting Ask the Builder with Tim CarterSubscribe to Tim’s FREE newsletter atAsktheBuilder.com. Tim offers phonecoaching calls if you get stuck during a DIYjob. Go here:go.askthebuilder.com/coachingW'prebipoanlicBe16thtoMihiTtcpDrlmdimrbctwdnWsWJewawthloWmnthoRa cmloBeef pricescontinued from page 5This program has led to a“significant expansion” inbeef-processing capacity at atime when herds of cattleare smaller, says ProfessorMacDonald. “We’re back in aworld of excess capacity andaggressive competitionamong packers to getcattle,” he says.But the concentration ofmarket power discouragescattle ranchers frominvesting because theyworry about the price they’llreceive at theslaughterhouse, says AustinFrerick, an advocate forfood-industry reform andauthor of “Barons: Money,Power, and the Corruptionof America’s Food Industry.”Coupled with persistentdrought that has degradedpastures and rising feedprices, it’s another reasonfor ranchers to hold back –and for consumer beefprices to remain high.“We’re not seeing normalherd expansion becausefarmers don’t think [cattle]prices will be there, and thatgoes back to marketdominance” amongmeatpackers, he says.He’s skeptical that theBiden administration’sincentives for smallermeatpackers, which havecontinued under the Trumpadministration, will loosenthe grip of the larger players,absent antitrustenforcement. “There’s neverbeen an example inAmerican history where youde-concentrate a market bythrowing money at it,” hesays.What impact havetariffs had?Relatively little. In July, Mr.Trump’s imposition ofadditional 40% tariffs onBrazilian imports led to arally in U.S. cattle futures,since Brazil is a major beefexporter. His decision toreverse that policy lastmonth has, in turn, sparkedanger among farm groups.Similarly, his plan to raise thequota for Argentinian beefimports faced pushbackfrom cattle ranchersworried about foreigncompetition.But Argentina’s higherquota would amount to only0.6% of U.S. beefconsumption. Similarly,imports from Brazilrepresent only a fraction ofwhat the U.S. imports fromCanada and Mexico, which iswhy the screwwormoutbreak in Mexico has beenmore consequential for U.S.beef prices.By Simon MontlakeSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 1:11 PM Page 10

11 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800Dear Cathy, I ambeginning to believe thatmost dog owners either donot have the time or theinclination to train theirdog. I used to help with aguide dog organization. Thedogs were trained to poopwith a certain command.And, in many instances todo their business in thesame spot to make it easierfor the person with sightproblems to clean up afterthe dog.I do not understand whypeople cannot train theirdogs to go in their ownyard. Yes, most people cleanup after their dog, but I amso tired of them using myyard. And the people whodo not pay attention (withtheir face in their phone) tothe dog. I have had to yellout to get their dog awayfrom the garden that theyare digging in. Why arepeople so inconsiderate? Isthere anything I can sprinkleon the lawn to make dogsavoid it? — Liz, Newington,ConnecticutDear Liz, You’re notalone in feeling frustrated.Even responsible dogowners sometimes forgetthat not everyone is coolwith pets peeing andpooping in their yard. It’sespecially dishearteningwhen people allow theirdogs to wander into youryard or garden while theycheck their phones insteadof paying attention.Dogs can be trained toeliminate in certain areas,and guide dogs are proof ofthat. But most pet ownersdon’t train to that level ofprecision. So what can you do? Asmall polite sign can go along way toward changingbehavior. Something like,“Please Be Kind. Keep DogsOff the Grass. Thank you.”If the problem persists,you can use a pet-safeoutdoor deterrent spray.Look for natural formulasmade with bitter apple,citrus, or essential oils(mixed with a carrier oil)like lemongrass oreucalyptus, which are safefor pets and plants butunpleasant to dogs’sensitive noses. Spray nearthe sidewalk or curbweekly. Reapply after rainor watering. You might also create anatural boundary, such as alow decorative fence, rockborder, or a small gardenedge with plants likerosemary, lavender, ormarigolds, which many dogstend to avoid. I see dogswalk past these barriers allthe time. These small stepscan help protect your spaceand encourage yourneighbors to be a littlemore mindful of it.Dear Cathy, I just readyour response to Robinabout her allergy to cats,and it lacked onesuggestion: allergy shots. Mytwo cats were 10 years oldwhen I found out that I wasallergic to them. My allergistthought that I should get ridof them. I asked aboutshots and got them forseveral years. With theshots, everything wasrelieved. I still have cats andhaven't had shots for over30 years. — Nancy,Woodbury, New YorkDear Nancy, Allergyshots can be a wonderfuloption for people whowant to keep their pets butstruggle with allergies. Myown son took allergy shotsfor several years, and likeyou, his tolerance graduallybuilt up through those tinymicrodoses. Over time, hissymptoms improveddramatically. I’m so glad youshared your story. It’s goodto let others know thatwith help from an allergist,it is possible to keep ourbeloved cats and breatheeasier, too.Dear Cathy, In arecent column, yousuggested using a showercurtain to cover a bed andkeep cats from urinating onit. Please correct yourstatement by saying a plasticshower curtain.Shower curtains aremade from many thingsthese days. — Fran,MontanaDear Fran, Showercurtains do come in allkinds of materials thesedays, and only a plastic onewould protect a bed fromurine. I should have made itclearer that a plasticshower curtain was whatthe letter writer meant. Iappreciate you catching thatso I could clarify it foreveryone.Dear Cathy, Our 17-year-old terrier had an issuewith being restless at night.I found that leaving her anold slipper of minecomforted her. A friendwho lost his wife had thesame problem with his dogmissing her human mom.He left his wife’s well-wornsweater in the dog’s bedand it calmed her. —Karen, Aquebogue, NewYorkDear Karen, Whengrief, loneliness, orseparation anxiety is thecause of nighttimerestlessness, your idea is asimple and loving way tohelp calm them. Of course,restlessness in older dogscan sometimes have othercauses, such as changes invision, hearing, or cognitivefunction, so it’s always wiseto mention any suddenbehavior changes to aveterinarian.As well as being a recuringguest on Happenings Q&A,Cathy M. Rosenthal is alongtime animal advocate,author, columnist and petexpert who has more than30 years in the animalwelfare field. Send your petquestions, stories and tips [email protected] refuge throws'sweet 16' party forpolar bear's birthdayAn Ontario wildliferefuge held a \"sweet 16\"birthday party for one of itspolar bears, complete withan oversized driver'slicense.The Cochrane PolarBear Habitat said Ganuk's16th birthday party, heldthis month, featured a largetoy car stuffed with tropicalfruit, a pumpkin-basedbirthday cake and wrappedgift boxes loaded withsnacks.\"The sweet 16 justworked,\" habitat managerAmy Baxendell-Young toldTimmons Today. \"The carwas actually something Ipicked up at a local thriftstore quite a while ago,with this birthday in mind.And because when youturn 16, you get a car -- atleast when you're wealthy -- we decided to spoil him.\"Refuge staff created anoversized Ontario driver'slicense for Ganuk, which hepromptly shredded andturned into a comfynapping spot.Monkey causes chaosinside music storeA monkey that wreakedhavoc inside a musicalinstrument store inTennessee fled the scene ofthe incident, but wascaptured later in the day,police said.The Morristown PoliceDepartment said itreceived a call about 8 a.m.last Sunday reporting amonkey running wild anddamaging instrumentsinside the Trade Centermusic store in Morristown.Animal control officersresponded to the store,but the simian, a cinnamoncapuchin monkey, was ableto flee the scene.Police said the monkeywas safely captured at adifferent location later thatnight.A primate keeperlicensed by the UnitedStates Department ofAgriculture reported themonkey was allegedlystolen from a farm inAlabama before being soldin Morristown.\"We are aware of theallegation that the animalwas stolen, and we will becontinuing theinvestigation,\" police said ina statement provided toWATE-TV.When your neighbor’s dog thinks your yard is a rest stopPet Worldwith Cathy RosenthalWallaby escapes sanctuary, visitsWalmartAuthorities in NewJersey are on the hunt for awallaby that escaped froman animal sanctuary andwas spotted hoppingthrough a Walmart parkinglot.The Lots of Love Farm inWilliamstown said on socialmedia that the wallaby,named Rex, escaped fromthe facility. Lots of Love Farmowner Ron Layden saidRex had been brought intoa barn to protect him fromcold winds, but themarsupial managed to getloose.Monroe Township Policeconfirmed officersresponded to multiplereports of a \"kangaroo\"wandering into traffic nearEast Malaga Road andSouth Black Horse Pike, butthey were unable tocapture the animal.Wallabies are smallercousins of kangaroos.Multiple videos wereposted to social mediashowing an animal thatappears to be Rex hoppingthrough the WilliamstownWalmart parking lot.Police said Rex was lastseen in a wooded area nearthe Walmart.SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:48 AM Page 11

12 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800SBdirismspplecheporisgyrismOpeunthhaarWReraecbiaftraviabySavaCoflocrTehafinfoasgranbeneligstthtrMany high school seniorsare currently in the midst ofthe college applicationprocess or are alreadywaiting to hear back fromtheir selected schools.For high school studentsin rural parts of the UnitedStates, the frantic pace of thecollege application processcan look a bit different. Forstarters, some of these ruralstudents might not havelarge numbers of eliteuniversities and collegescoming to admissions fairs intheir areas. They might nothave all of the required highschool courses to attendsome of these schools,either, according to ShenekaWilliams, a scholar ofeducational leadership andrural education whograduated from a small, ruralhigh school in Alabama.Amy Lieberman, theeducation editor at TheConversation U.S., spokewith Williams to understandthe particular experiences ofrural students -- and what,exactly, coming from a ruralbackground can mean asstudents think about college.How are rural highschool students'experiences unique?Nationally, nearly 10million students -- or 1 in 5public school students in theU.S. -- attended rural schoolsin the fall of 2022.Research suggests thatrural students finish orcomplete high school at ahigher rate than urbanstudents.While approximately 90%of rural high school studentsgraduated in 2020, 82% ofurban high school studentsgot their diplomas that year.But rural students' collegeentrance rate is lower thanthat of urban and suburbanstudents.Within four years ofgraduating high school, 71%of rural students attendedcollege, compared to 73% ofsuburban and 71% of citystudents who also went tocollege, according to 2023findings by the NationalCenter for EducationStatistics.Why are rural studentsfinishing high school at ahigher rate than theirsuburban and urban peersbut attending college at alower rate?First, we know that somecolleges are not reallyrecruiting students in ruralareas. If these universitiesdon't know you exist, and ifyour parents haven't gone tocollege and don't know howthe admission system works,you might not have help asyou move closer toattending college. Some ruralschools also do not havecollege counselors.There are other reasonswhy some rural high schoolgraduates are not going tocollege, I have personallyseen. Some students areapprehensive about leavinghome. They have close-knitfamilies and communities,and they might be wonderingwhere they fit in at a schoolin a large place that is muchbigger than where they grewup.Do any of thesescenarios describeyour own educationaljourney?I grew up in a small townin Alabama and was differentfrom some of the otherBlack students, since I camefrom a family of educatorswho had gone to college fortwo generations.But when I did go tocollege, I went to a campusthat was two times the sizeof my hometown, which hasa population of just 12,000. Ittakes a confident student, aswell as encouragement fromparents or mentors, tobelieve that you can go toschool away from home.We had some college fairsin high school, but thevisiting colleges were stateuniversities and regionalschools. You did not haveselective schools coming torecruit.Students today can learnabout schools online, butthere is still the issue thatuniversities are not, on theirown, connecting enoughwith rural students.Do rural students fitinto universities'diversity goals?Only recently have peoplebegun to think and talk moreabout what rural reallymeans. Some people use theU.S. Census Bureau'sdefinition of rural, which is\"all population, housing, andterritory not included withinan urban area.\"But that's a somewhatsurface definition. It's hardfor some scholars to agreeon what counts as rural,including me. It feels likesomething you have toexperience and know, andthat is hard to define. Part ofthe issue is that rural hasbeen defined by what urbanis not, and that makes itseem it doesn't deserve itsown definition.Universities are beginningto think about these ruralstudents more and theparticular challenges theyexperience in school. Thatincludes not necessarilyhaving stable access to highspeed internet, whichapproximately 22.3% ofAmericans in rural areas and27.7% of Americans in tribalareas don't have, comparedto only 1.5% of Americans inurban areas.Another issue is that evenfor rural students who wantto go to college, they mightnot have the rightqualifications, such as certaincourses they havecompleted.I am currently involved inresearch with sociologistsBarbara Schneider andeducation scholars JoeKrajcik and Clausell Mathisabout how some rural highschools in Alabama andMississippi aren't able toteach physics or chemistry.Physics and chemistry areboth gateway courses tocollege, and if you want to bean engineer or STEM major,you have to complete thesecourses in order to have ashot at certain colleges.Rural high schools tend tohave a lack of resources, interms of both budget andtheir staffing. Schools notbeing able to find teacherswho are qualified or certifiedin certain subject areas, suchas science courses, is anationwide problem. But thisissue is tougher in smaller,rural towns.Schools will say they don'thave students interested inthose subjects. But the statesalso aren't requiring thatthese classes are offered.This lack of science courseofferings can create a wholeblock of students who arenot going to college. And ifwe are talking about theSouth, in particular, andstates that have a highpopulation of Black studentsin rural areas, we are talkingabout a whole swath ofstudents who don't have thiseducation and would find it astruggle to get into larger,splashier schools that arenot near home.What do you think aresome of the solutionsto these challenges?There are many localefforts to offer tutoring andthings of that nature forrural high school students.Some of those efforts havebeen blunted becauseschools are funded byproperty taxes, and some ofthem just don't have therevenue to pay for theseadd-ons without federalsupport.I think colleges need to doa better job of recruitingstudents at rural highschools. I also think thatonce these students make itto college, it would help ifthere were support oraffinity groups.Some colleges have notthought enough about ruralstudents. I think thenarrative around ruralstudents and college needsto shift -- these students maywant to go to college, butnobody is looking for them.When you live in small,geographically isolatedplaces, sometimes you onlyknow what you see.By Sheneka WilliamsRural students more likely to graduate, less likely to go to collegeSwiss authorities said thatrevelers' sparklers mighthave ignited a New Year'sblaze that tore through a barat the Crans-Montana skiresort and killed 40.Investigators are lookinginto the use of sparklers bypartygoers, who might haveset the ceiling on fire afterattaching them to bottlesand holding them aloft.A photo shows barpatrons lifting the bottlesand sparklers as flamesspread along the bar's lowceiling.\"We currently assumethat the fire was caused bysparklers attached tochampagne bottles thatcame too close to theceiling,\" Valais AttorneyGeneral Beatrice Pilloudtold media on Friday.Investigators said they arelooking at several possiblecauses.Several witness accountsblamed \"flares\" or \"candles\"on top of champagne bottlesbeing delivered to tables inthe basement area of thebar, which set the ceilingalight, leading to a rapidlyspreading \"flashover\" typefire.Survivors also reportedproblems escaping from thebar, particularly via a narrowflight of stairs up from thebasement section, whileothers were only able to getout by smashing windows.Witnesses walking in thestreet or staying nearbyreported hearing a series ofexplosions.Rescuers continued thesearch Friday for victims of adeadly blaze, which alsoinjured 116, many of them incritical condition with severeburns.More than a dozenhelicopters and 42ambulances rushed victimsto hospitals with specialburns units as far away asMilan, Italy; Germany; andFrance, as authoritieswarned it could take days orweeks to identify thosekilled after fire rippedthrough the ConstellationBar.\"We are painfully awarethat identifying the bodies, aswell as the injured, may stilltake a terribly long time forthe families involved,\" saidValais region Gov. MathiasReynard.The identification processwas being hampered bynumerous factors, includingthat most of the victimswere thought to be youngand were unlikely to havedental implants, pacemakersor other traceable devices.The lack of suchidentifiers requiresauthorities to depend onDNA matching withrelatives, which would befurther complicated byvictims coming from all overthe world.Geneva UniversityHospitals' head ofemergency medicine, Dr.Robert Larribau, told BBCRadio that patients theywere treating had sustainedsevere third-degree burns,some with \"internal\" burns,after inhaling smoke.He said some patientswere \"very young -- between15 and 25 years old.\"Swiss officials warned thedeath toll was expected torise.Head of security in thesouthern Valais region,Stephane Ganzer, said thatpeople with third-degreeburns over 15% of theirbody were at heightenedrisk of dying in the cominghours and days, due tosepticemia.By Mike HuerSwiss authorities say sparklers might have caused deadly bar fireRural students are more likely than city kids to gettheir diplomas, but they remain less likely to go tocollege, a Michigan State University researcher saysSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 1:11 PM Page 12

13 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800Stablecoins are the low-risk type of crypto. But they aren’t risk-free for economy.One of the ironies ofdigital money is that theriskiest versions get themost attention with theirspectacular surges andplunges. But someeconomists say the lessheralded, stabler versionspose the greater long-termrisk to the financial system.Consider the latestgyrations of the best-knownrisky version of digitalmoney: bitcoins. In earlyOctober, the cryptocurrencypeaked above $126,000 perunit, plunged by a thirdthrough late November, andhas since recovered toaround $92,000. OnWednesday, as the FederalReserve lowered interestrates in a bid to buoy theeconomy, bitcoins climbed abit in the immediateaftermath. The downturn hasraised fears about theviability of Strategy, headedby bitcoin optimist MichaelSaylor, and also cut in half thevalue of American BitcoinCorp., backed by the familyof President Donald Trump.In that time, the leadinglower-risk version ofcryptocurrencies, known asTether, lost less than 1% andhas fully recovered. Yetfinancial experts see thisform of digital money, knownas stablecoins, as posing thegreatest risk to the economyand consumers. That’sbecause stablecoins are anew and untested entity andlightly regulated whilesteadily integratingthemselves into thetraditional financial system.Bitcoins and stablecoinsdiffer because of the waythey’re backed. Bitcoins are avolatile and speculativeinvestment because they arebacked solely by investors’faith in a string of computercode – and by theassumption that otherinvestors will share thatfaith. Stablecoins, bycontrast, are designed tokeep their value and are fullybacked by assets consideredquite safe. Tether and thesecond-largest stablecoin,Circle USD, are pegged tothe U.S. dollar and are bigbuyers of U.S. Treasury bills,short-term debt, and othersafe instruments often usedby traditional money marketfunds.The risk posed bystablecoins is that if forwhatever reason their valuefalters, investors may cashout, causing a larger collapsein which the companies selloff their holdings, includingtheir Treasury bills. If thestablecoin sector keepsgrowing larger, a downturnin that sector could trigger asharp fall in the value of U.S.debt.How big is thestablecoin risk?Stablecoin issuers werealready the seventh-largestbuyers of Treasury debt overthe previous year ending inJune, according to oneanalysis. As their holdingsgrow, the risks rise, analystsagree. What they don’t agreeon is how pressing that riskis.A run on a stablecoin isremote, about as likely as arun on money market funds,says Campbell Harvey, afinance professor at DukeUniversity in Durham, NorthCarolina. “The bottom linehere is that the systemic riskis greatly exaggerated.”Others are more worried.“We now have privatecompanies issuing what areessentially private dollars,which is a system weabandoned shortly after theCivil War because of a seriesof financial panics that itcaused,” says Corey Frayer, adirector at the ConsumerFederation of America andformer cryptocurrencypolicy expert at the U.S.Securities and ExchangeCommission. “We havealready paved the way forsome pretty serious financialstability threats, and it’s hardto know when those willmanifest” themselves.A more immediateconcern is the risk toconsumers, he adds. As banksand other financialcompanies offer newpayment systems that allowstablecoins to be used,people may start using thecryptocurrencies withoutrealizing that they don’tcome with the financialbacking that the traditionalfinancial system offers, suchas deposit insurance andprotection against fraud.Concerned thatgovernment rules mightslow the innovation andadoption of crypto, theTrump administration andCongress have adopted alight-touch approach toregulating the sector. Forexample, the Senate BankingCommittee is rushing tomark up a crypto marketstructure bill before theSenate leaves on holidayrecess. Republican senatorshave offered concessions toDemocrats, who wantstricter regulation of digitalcurrency. The concessionsreportedly would includeethics language, riskmanagement standards forintermediary companieshandling crypto, andconsumer protectionstandards, among otherthings.A debate aboutcrypto regulationBut the AmericanFederation of Teachers –often seen as influentialbecause of its largemembership – condemnedthe bill in a letter toRepublican committeeleaders. In the letter, CNBCreported, teachers unionPresident Randi Weingartenwrote that the bill “strips thefew safeguards that exist forcrypto and erodes manyprotections for traditionalsecurities. If passed, it willundercut the safety of manyassets and cause problemsacross retirementinvestments.”Others say the cryptoworld should be required tooperate under the samerules that the traditionalfinancial system operatesunder, rather than a cheaper,more lightly regulatedapproach.In some ways, stablecoinsare stabler than banks,because they’re backed bysafer assets. For example, themortgages that banks offerhelp Americans buy homes,which is a boost to growth.But those loans are riskierthan, say, the Treasury billsthat Tether and Circle relyupon. And stablecoins aremore transparent than banksin publishing regularly thesize of their reserves. Thus,they may need less, or atleast different, regulationthan the traditional financialsystem.But the industry’sarguments that it doesn’tneed things like depositinsurance are “just toooptimistic by half,” saysHilary Allen, a professor atAmerican University. “Thesethings look like moneymarket mutual funds, andwe’ve had runs on moneymarket mutual funds.”Few people actually usecrypto to make payments orsend money. In 2023 and2024, it was less than 2% ofAmericans, according to astudy from the FederalReserve Bank of Kansas Citythis fall. In fact, it’s fallen fromnearly 3% in 2021 and 2022,even though roughly a fifth ofAmericans own crypto. IfAmericans don’t take upstablecoins with the sameverve that they’ve invested inbitcoins and other riskycryptocurrencies, thenstablecoins’ march intotraditional financial marketsmay take longer than manyanticipate.By Laurent BelsieA statue of President Donald Trumpholding a bitcoin was temporarilydisplayed on the National Mall inWashington D.C. in September 2025.'tnsateeeifedhtsgofsar,eealdrs.eeyofeealoghatitifrotalealsyutm.l,dymss,s,sneoen,aterdgoerSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 1:12 PM Page 13 SR010826$20 OFF YOUR CERTIFIED GM SERVICE CENTER... WE USE GENUINE GM PARTSWE ALSO SERVICE ALL VEHICLE MAKES AND MODELSPALMEN BUICK GMC CADILLACCannot be combined with any other coupons.See advisor for details. Expires 2/08/26.7110 74th PL, Kenosha, WI • (262) 694-1500 “Located next to Menards”SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN’SLARGEST TIRE DEALERSHIP!Transmission orCoolant Flush10% OFFPALMEN BUICK GMC CADILLACCannot be combined with any other coupons.See advisor for details. 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14 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800DEAR MAYOCLINIC: For a few years,I’ve been getting upfrequently in the night tourinate. It seemed typical fora man in his 50s, so I didn’tmention it to my doctor.Then I had blood in myurine, so I made anappointment. After sometests, my doctor says it’s anenlarged prostate, notcancer. He started me onmedication and says I mayneed surgery. I’m trying toget over my embarrassmentand learn more. What canyou tell me about this?ANSWER: So many timesmy patients say they wishthey had addressed thissooner. It’s really sad toknow that men are sufferingout there, and they just don’twant to complain. It may feelembarrassing to admit thatthere’s a problem. They don’twant to bring it up.However, many effectivetreatments are available forbenign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH). That’s the medicalway of saying the prostate isenlarged. Usually, it is indeedbenign, which means it is notcaused by cancer.Many solutions don’tinvolve a big surgery to takecare of the problem. It canbe as simple as lifestylemodifications ormedications.First, some background.The prostate is a small glandthat helps make one of thecomponents of semen. It’slocated below the bladder.The prostate can get biggerover time and constrict theurethra, the tube whereurine flows.Think of the prostate likean orange with a straw goingthrough the middle. Theprostate enlarges with age.The straw gets compressedby the prostate tissue, whichmakes it harder for thebladder to push urinethrough the urethra toempty the bladder. That canlead to symptoms likeurgency, frequency ofurination, weak stream andincomplete bladderemptying.If you look at men in their40s, about 40% of them havesome degree of prostateenlargement and symptoms.As you go up in decades,more patients aresymptomatic. By the time aman is in his 80s or 90s, 80%to 90% of them will havesymptoms of BPH.Sometimes patients canhave both cancer andprostate enlargement at thesame time. But most of thetime, we’re talking aboutbenign enlargement.The prostate-specificantigen (PSA) test can helpdetermine if the prostate isenlarged or cancerous. Thetest checks the level of PSAin the blood. Higher levelsmay signify a potential riskfor prostate cancer. Youshould discuss your PSA testwith your healthcareprofessional.What age to check PSAdepends on if there’s a familyhistory of prostate cancer.People typically should startsomewhere between ages40 to 45 and check theirPSA every one to two yearsdepending on that initial PSAtest.For the average personwho doesn’t have a risk ofprostate cancer in the family,they should check an initialPSA at age 50, and againcheck it every one to twoyears depending on whatthat initial test showed. It’srecommended not to checkPSA after age 70 because therisks of diagnosing prostatecancer and treating itoutweigh the benefits withadvanced age. A prostateexam is also an importantpart of checking for prostatehealth. Your healthcareprofessional will check theprostate for abnormalnodules.But even benignenlargement can causeproblems. Sleep is disruptedwith frequent waking tourinate. Driving longdistances is difficult becauseof stopping to use thebathroom. So it’s a qualityof-life issue.Treatment options for anenlarged prostate include:Lifestyle modifications: Avoid excessfluids. A lot of caffeine oralcohol, especially beforebed, can cause issues withurination.Medications: There areseveral different drugclasses, but essentially, theywork on relaxing smoothmuscle in the prostate toopen that channel.Medications are not aseffective as surgery, butthey’re also less invasive.Surgery: There aremany different types ofprostate surgeries. Forexample, one type usessteam. Another uses lasers. Apersonalized approach basedon the patient’s specific caseshould be considered.Surgical risks are low but caninclude bleeding and sexualside effects.— Scott Cheney, M.D.,Urology, Mayo Clinic,PhoenixMayo ClinicEnlarged prostate? Don’t suffer in silencehealth Faacthangeanhesythcoknitsyeacab20Canprit ofdrtyfirDseInlaFeWthResearchers say 1 in 4 people have symptoms of gut-stalling disorderDoes it sometimes feellike your supper is sitting likea boulder in your gut?You may have a conditioncalled gastroparesis.About 1 in 4 people havesymptoms of the disorder,which causes the stomach toempty slowly, the NationalInstitutes of Health states.\"Patients don't come intelling you they have agastric delay,\" Dr. BradenKuo, chief ofgastroenterology atColumbia University andNew York Presbyterian, toldNIH News in Health.Feeling full quickly, nauseaor vomiting and belly pain ordiscomfort are among them.These symptoms may becaused by ulcers,inflammation or a blockage -- and doctors must rulethose out first, Kuo said.\"When all those othertests come back negativeand the patient still hascomplaints, then it raises thepossibility of gastroparesis,\"he said.Most of the time, ithappens without anapparent reason. Butsometimes, it stems fromother conditions thatdamage nerves that helpmove food, liquids and wastethrough the digestive tract.The most common one isuncontrolled diabetes. It candamage nerves, including thevagus nerve that signalsstomach muscles to contractor relax. Certainautoimmune diseases andnerve damage from virusescan also cause digestion tostall out.\"Many people get sickduring a viral illness withgastrointestinal upset andmost people recover withina couple of days or a week,\"Kuo said.But, he added, some neverfully get over nausea,vomiting or discomfort. Thevirus somehow changednerve endings in their gutand how they sense things,Kuo explained.For 17 years, a consortiumfunded by the NIH hasenrolled children and adultswith gastroparesis to learnmore and test treatments.One of its studies foundthat abdominal pain is astandard feature of thedisorder -- 90% of folks withgastroparesis have it. And it'ssevere to very severe inabout a third of cases. Otherstudies have investigatedhow often patients wind upin the E.R.Kuo, who is part of theconsortium, is bullish onstudies using tissue samplesthat capture the entirestomach wall.\"We're really beginning toidentify the changes at thecell level, in the nerveendings, and at theinflammatory level that arecontributing to thesepatients' conditions,\" he said.Researchers are followingpatients over time to seehow their symptoms evolve.Kuo is enrolling patients ina study investigating whethercognitive behavioral therapymay help ease symptoms.It teaches patients abouttheir condition and equipsthem with techniques torelax the vagus nerve.Patients also learn toovercome fears of eatingthat often accompanygastroparesis.\"We're giving them toolsthey can control that canmake a big difference in theirclinical outcome,\" Kuo said.He urges people who mayhave gastroparesis to:• Eat smaller meals withless fat and fiber.• Cook and chew foodthoroughly.• Drink lots of water orother liquids.• Take a walk after meals.• Avoid alcohol, fizzydrinks and lying down aftereating.By Carole TanzerUCdehomrethreSttoaswipeseinfreancirwCeanwesethacdedeagroDnuAbout 1 in 4 people have symptoms of the disordergastroparesis, which causes the stomach to emptyslowly and can cause nausea, vomiting and pain. 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15 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800egyhol.stefrsAded.nal.,c,Flu on the rise: Here's how to treat it and when antivirals work bestFlu cases are climbingacross the United States asthe season reaches its peak,and millions of people mayget sick in the weeks ahead.If you catch the flu early,antiviral medications canhelp shorten how longsymptoms last and reducethe risk of seriouscomplications.Influenza, commonlyknown as the flu, is enteringits seasonal peak as the newyear begins. Flu activityacross the U.S. increased byabout 15% in the final days of2025, according to the U.S.Centers for Disease Controland Prevention.If you think it's too late toprotect yourself this season,it may not be. Flu seasonoften unfolds in two phases,driven by different virustypes.Influenza A typically peaksfirst, most often betweenDecember and January. Asecond wave, driven byInfluenza B, usually peakslater -- on average betweenFebruary and April.What to do if youthink you have the fluCommon flu symptomsinclude high fever, chills,cough, body aches, fatigue,and a runny or congestednose. Some people,especially children, may alsoexperience vomiting ordiarrhea. The CDC notesthat not everyone with theflu will develop a fever.Over-the-counter flu testsare available at manypharmacies, and rapid testsat a doctor's office can helpconfirm whether influenza iscausing your symptoms.However, false negatives arecommon, especially veryearly or later in the illness.Testing is most accuratewithin the first three days ofsymptoms.What are thetreatment options forthe flu?If started as soon aspossible, antiviralmedications can shorten theduration of illness and mayreduce the risk ofcomplications. The CDCrecommends startingantiviral treatment withinone to two days of symptomonset for the greatestbenefit.This season, four FDAapproved antiviral drugs arerecommended to treatinfluenza:• Oseltamivir phosphate(available as a generic orunder the brand nameTamiflu®)• Zanamivir (Relenza®)• Peramivir (Rapivab®)• Baloxavir marboxil(Xofluza®)Tamiflu is the most widelyprescribed antiviral and isapproved for patients asyoung as 14 days old,according to the AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics. It istaken as a pill or liquid twicedaily for five days.Peramivir is also approvedfor young children -- asyoung as six months old --but is given intravenously bya healthcare provider,typically in hospital oroutpatient settings.Zanamivir is administeredthrough an inhaler and isapproved for patients 7years and older. Like Tamiflu,it is taken over five days andis not recommended forpeople with certainrespiratory conditions, suchas asthma.Baloxavir is the newest flutreatment, approved by theFDA in 2018. It is a singledose oral medication forearly treatment of flu inpatients 5 years and older. Itis not recommended forpeople who are pregnant,breastfeeding, orexperiencing severe orcomplicated influenza.Why prevention stillmattersGetting a flu shot eachyear helps protect againstboth Influenza A andInfluenza B. Even ifvaccination does notcompletely preventinfection, it can reduce theseverity and length of illness.The AAP and the CDCrecommend an annual fluvaccine for everyone 6months and older.\"Each year, it is possiblethat flu, COVID-19, andother common viruses willspread at the same time,\"Dr. Kristina Bryant, amember of the AAPCommittee on InfectiousDiseases, said in a statement.\"Sometimes, the vaccine isnot an exact match with thestrains in the community. Butthe vaccine still can protectagainst serious illness.\"By Emilee SpeckdryrrU.S. flu activity continues to rise, CDC pushes people to get vaccinatedInfluenza has caused 3,100deaths and 81,000hospitalizations among 7.5million flu cases so far thisrespiratory disease seasonthe number of casesreported in the UnitedStates continues to rise.The number cases is likelyto continue rising for weeksas the United States enterswinter and the most intenseperiod of respiratory virusseason, which, in addition toinfluenza, also sees strains ofrespiratory syncytial virusand COVID-19 increase incirculation each fall andwinter, according to theCenters for Disease Controland Prevention.Eight pediatric deathswere reported so far this fluseason, including five duringthe week ending Dec. 20,according to the CDC.A pediatric death isdefined by the agency as thedeath of someone under theage of 18.The number of flu casesrose significantly inDecember, but the finalnumbers won't be availableuntil Monday due to theNew Year holiday, CDCofficials said.The CDC adviseseveryone who is age 6months and older bevaccinated against the flu andsaid about 130 million dosesof the influenza vaccine havebeen distributed throughoutthe United States.While the vaccine iswidely available, the CDCsaid only 25% of adults and17% of children received fluvaccinations before Dec. 1.Brown Universityepidemiologist JenniferNuzzo also emphasized theimportance for as many aspossible to get a flu shot.\"Bottom line for people, ifthey haven't gottenvaccinated against the flu,they should get vaccinated,particularly young kids andolder adults,\" Nuzzo toldThe Guardian.\"A lot of people aregetting the flu at the sametime, which is always tough,\"Nuzzo said.\"That is actually tougherthan a situation in whichpeople get it and it's spreadout over a longer period,\"she explained. \"It could be aworse season, in partbecause more people aregoing to need more carethan hospitals can easilydeliver.\"Complicating the matter isa new variant, referred to assubclade k, which isspreading rapidly throughoutthe country, according toPBS.The most common fluvariant diagnosed so far thisyear is the Influenza A strain,which accounted for 96.4%of all strains diagnosed, whileInfluenza B accounted for3.6% of diagnosed casessince Sept. 28.Among the influenza Astrains, H3N2 was the mostprevalent, with 84.8% ofthose diagnosed.The H1N1 virus, alsocalled the swine flu,accounted for the remaining15.2% of Influenza A strainsdiagnosed.The CDC did not haveinformation regarding thesubclade k variant ofInfluenza A, but flu activitywas rated as high or veryhigh in 32 states andjurisdictions for the weekending Dec. 20.That figure nearly doublesthe number of states andjurisdictions rated as high orvery high a week early as theannual flu season reaches itspeak.By Mike HuerInfluenza is spreading rapidly across the United States thisrespiratory virus season, but the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention on Friday said most Americans are not vaccinated. Health experts say the flu vaccine can preventsomeone from getting the virus or make thesymptoms easier to overcome.SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:19 AM Page 15

16 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800A smorgasbord of books enlivens the 10 best books of winterPolitical philosopher Lea Ypi,while visiting Greece, mentionedto a young intellectual that shewas there to research her lategrandmother’s life in thegovernment archives. “Womenand archives,” he replied. “Goodluck with that. You’re better offwriting a novel.”In a way, Ypi has. Indignity: ALife Reimagined charts herattempts to locate informationabout her grandmother, LemanYpi, in the declassified records ofcommunist Albania’s secretpolice, among other places. In1936, at age 18, Leman gave up aprivileged existence in Salonica,Greece – where her family waspart of an ethnic Albanianminority – to move, alone, to theAlbanian capital of Tirana.To compensate for the manygaps in the archives, Ypi, aprofessor at the London Schoolof Economics, has created anarresting hybrid work. “Indignity”features nonfiction chaptersdetailing her investigation intoLeman’s life, reproductions ofhistorical documents pertainingto her family, and fictionalizedsections in which she imaginesher grandmother’s experiences asshe navigated a tumultuoushistorical era.A stranger’s post on socialmedia prompted Ypi to write thebook. The post featured aphotograph, unfamiliar to theauthor, of Ypi’s paternalgrandparents on theirhoneymoon in the Italian Alps in1941. The photo was unsettling toYpi, as her grandmother, withwhom she was close, appearsrelaxed and smiling even as WorldWar II raged and Mussolini’s Italywas allied with Nazi Germany.(Leman died in 2006, while Ypi’sgrandfather, Asllan Ypi, died in1980, when the author was aninfant.)The author's grandparents,Asllan and Leman Ypi, spent theirhoneymoon in the Italian Alps in1941, during World War II. Thephoto turned up online, withclaims that Leman had been acommunist spy. Theirgranddaughter, Lea Ypi, went on aquest to learn about whathappened to the couple in theyears leading up to Asllan'simprisonment by Albaniandictator Enver Hoxha, who hadbeen a schoolmate.Ypi was further unsettled byreactions to the photo, which waswidely shared in Albania becauseof the author’s prominence. (Herfirst book, 2021’s “Free,” amemoir in which Ypi recallsgrowing up in an Albaniatransitioning from communism tocapitalism, was a bestseller thatalso made her a target of criticismin her native country.) Some ofthe commenters condemned Ypi,but one zeroed in on Leman,claiming that she was “acommunist spy. And before that, afascist collaborator.” Ypi writes,“What if those anonymous userscommenting on the photo haveuncovered something that hasbeen hidden from me?”“Indignity” represents her effortto answer that question.The vivid fictional chapterselaborate on family stories told toYpi by her grandmother years ago– a great-great-grandfather whodied after gorging himself onbaklava, a great-aunt desperate toescape an arranged marriage. Theauthor creates scenes explainingwhy the fiercely independentLeman left Greece for Albania, acountry she had never seen,suggesting that Leman herselfhoped to avoid an unwantedmarriage.These are the fictiontitles the reviewers of theChristian Science Monitorliked best this month.When the FirefliesDance, by AishaHassanAisha Hassan’s novelfollows Lalloo, akindhearted 20-year-oldscraping by in Lahore,Pakistan, as a driver for awealthy clan. His goal issimple and, readers soonlearn, nigh impossible: tosave enough money to freehis family from theirindentured labor asbrickmakers. The fastmoving story rebukes anunjust system, with heart tospare. –Erin DouglassThe Living and theDead, by ChristofferCarlssonSet in Sweden,Christoffer Carlsson’sabsorbing tale of a teenageboy’s murder after a latenight party investigates notmerely a crime, but theecosystem of missteps –sloppy professionals, buriedsecrets, compromiseddecisions, and vengeful acts– that dogs the communityand its young men in theyears that follow. There’smuch to ponder aboutclass, guilt, and obfuscation.–Erin DouglassThe List of SuspiciousThings, by JennieGodfreyWhen 12-year-old Mivsets out to identify theYorkshire Ripper, the serialkiller who haunted Englandin the 1970s, herinvestigation uncovers thesecrets that adults concealevery day, including racismand infidelity. The comingof-age novel unwinds a talenot only of lost innocencebut also the sustainingpower of friendship andfamily bonds. –Joan GaylordYours for the Season,by Uzma JalaluddinWhen lawyer SameeraMalik meets chef TomCooke at a holiday party,they later make animpromptu cooking videothat goes viral, and aromance rumor grows. Afaux-mance could benefitboth their careers. Whentheir families maneuverthem to Alaska atChristmas, the anticsmultiply. Uzma Jalaluddin’swarmth and wit make this adelightful intercultural romcom. –Stefanie MilliganThe Italian Secret, byTara MossWhen privateinvestigator Billie Walkerdiscovers a box harboringfamily secrets, she sails on aluxury liner from Sydneywith her mother topostwar Naples to learnmore. This noirish historicalmystery delivers intrigue,glamour, and romance, asBillie’s professional workbecomes dangerouslypersonal. –Stefanie MilliganThe Heir Apparent,by Rebecca ArmitageHaving rejected royal lifein favor of pursuing amedical career, Lexi lovesher life in Australia. She’sdiscovered that she’s fallingin love with her best friend,Jack. Suddenly called toLondon, she learns herfather and brother havedied, leaving her next in lineto the British throne.Rebecca Armitage’s royalexpertise infuses thismodern fairy tale withemotional honesty and richstorytelling. –StefanieMilliganbooksCivil servant or fascistspy? Hunting for thetruth about herAlbanian grandmother.Bcontinues on page 18frturedistcocenaphdrbifloasbedealthwsothteinspBPDWnephhaohaphcobeMstinblbaarfathphofimbiG(ClaFamily stories are often half-rememberedby the tellers. But sometimes, facts are left out and questions remain unanswered,especially when the family history inter- sects with war, dictatorship, and survival.continues on page 18SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:20 AM Page 16

17 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800rtrstogooontohengntan,elfdtoervenene.yalhisthchieBirds, butterflies, botanicals, and coastal wonders8The best art books offerfresh discoveries with eachturn of the page, helpingreaders see the worlddifferently. This year’sstandouts include fourcoffee table books thatcelebrate an aspect ofnature’s beauty inphotographs, paintings, anddrawings. They showcasebirds, butterflies, commonflowers, and coastal habitatsas you’ve never seen thembefore. All are sure to sparkdelight and awe. But theyalso serve as a reminder ofthe fragility of the naturalworld. Bird photography hassoared in the 21st century,thanks in part totechnological advances,including faster shutterspeeds. Aviary: TheBird in ContemporaryPhotography byDanaé Panchaud andWilliam A. Ewing, isneither a book of naturephotography nor ahandbook for birdersorganized by species orhabitat. Instead, thesephotographs highlight thecomplex relationshipbetween birds and humans.Many are carefully lighted,staged studio portraits ofindividual birds. Set againstblack or whitebackgrounds, thesearresting portraits evokefashion photography morethan wildlife photography.The work of severalphotographers stands out,often in strikingly differentimages of birds in the samebiological family. LukaszGwizdziel’s “Lazy Morning(Cranes),” a wonderfullandscape shot of a flock ofcranes silhouetted againstan exquisite pink andpurple sky, creates quite acontrast with Randal Ford’stwo studio shots of a pinkpowder puff-plumedAfrican Crane. New York City ParksCommissioner ThomasHoving was reportedly thefirst to call rock dovepigeons “rats with wings,” aphrase that became popularfrom Woody Allen’s 1980movie “Stardust Memories.”No one would say thatabout the spectacularpigeon species featured in“Aviary.” Tim Flach, whose“Victoria Crowned Pigeon”adorns the book’s cover, isa British photographerknown for stylizedportraits of animals thathighlight their personalitiesand human aspects. In his“Red Splash JacobinPigeon,” the bird, clearlyready for its closeup, gazesout from its spectacularhooded “fur” collar like aPark Avenue socialite.Randal Ford’s “BantamWhite Polish Hen” lookslike she just got out of bedand hasn’t yet brushed hertousled white hair. But sometimes whatshines through a portrait ismore color than mien.Leila Jeffreys’“Nicobar Pigeon” is allabout the extraordinaryrange of iridescent bluesand greens she’s capturedin the bird’s plumage. In TimFlach’s “Mandarin Duck andWood Duck,” it looks likeNature went to town witha huge box of crayons. You’d be hard put to findmore magnificentlandscapes and seascapesthan in Peter andBeverly Pickford’sWild Ocean: AJourney to the Earth’sLast Wild Coasts. Themarried wildlifephotographers spent fouryears of far-flung travel andintrepid fieldwork toproduce this gorgeousrecord of some of the mostremote places on Earth.The Pickfords set offfrom their home on thewest coast of South Africato visit marine habitatsstretching from SouthAfrica’s Transkei Coast tothe icy waters of BritishColumbia and Alaska, andfrom the reefs of the SouthPacific Coral Triangle to theKing Penguin breedingcolonies in thesubantarctic. Their bookeloquently captures whathumanity stands to lose ifthese stunning locales arenot protected. In the Indian Ocean’sNingaloo Reef in WesternAustralia, the authorsencountered swarms ofwhale sharks attracted bythe corals. They alsomanaged some beautifulshots of a juvenile polkadotted barramundi anddainty lemon damselfishpoking contentedly throughbountiful cabbage coral. In the Jardines de la Reinain Cuba, a lilac and goldbasslet stands out against apatterned carpet of coralthat looks like a WilliamMorris design. The couple’stravels through Alaska tookthem close – sometimestoo close for comfort – togrizzlies, walruses,humpback whales, harborseals, and wolves. Theseoffered a sharp contrast tothe giant tortoises,mockingbirds, iguanas, andflamingos populatingEcuador’s Galapagos Islandsthat they also captured. The word “breathtaking”aptly describes both thePickfords’ often-scaryscuba dives and the book inwhich they havedocumented theirincredible journey.With Butterfly:Exploring the Worldof Lepidoptera,Phaidon Editors repeatthe winning formula of“Bird” (2021) bychronicling the titularsubject through images thatspan centuries and culturesand run the gamut fromancient relics to fine art,fashion, jewelry, andadvertisements.The appeal of this booklies in the diversity andunexpectedness of its finds,which convey a sense of thebutterfly’s broad allurethroughout history, often asa symbol of beauty orfragility. Highlights include aremarkably well-preservedfossilized butterfly fromabout 34 million years ago,a Tiffany inkstand anddiamond bracelet, andpaintings by Vincent vanGogh, Pablo Picasso,Hokusai, Andy Warhol, YayoiKusama, and Faith Ringgold,among others. All featurethese cherished butincreasingly endangeredinsects – which evolvedfrom their less-belovedfellow lepidoptera, moths.Many of the book’sselections are amusing. Theeditors have juxtaposedRea Irvin’s famous 1925New Yorker cover of adandy peering through hismonocle at a butterfly witha whimsical butterflystrewn parasol designed byElsa Schiaparelli in 1937 onthe facing page. In FridaKahlo’s self-portrait from1940, two gossamerlepidoptera have alightedon her head. A JeanDubuffet collage from 1955incorporates a mosaicconstructed from varioustypes of butterfly wings. A detailed anatomicaldrawing of a butterfly wingby Vladimir Nabokov, 20thcentury novelist andlepidopterist, along withtrays of pinned specimensfor study remind us of theserious business ofclassification. A contenderfor the book’s mostpeculiar entry is aphotograph taken inBotswana in 2007 byHermann Brehm thatfeatures a gathering oflovely green, black, andwhite butterflies all aflutterover what we learn is afresh mound of elephantdung, which is completelyobscured by the feastinginsects. “Butterfly” offers adifferent kind of feast.Hilma af Klint:What Stands Behindthe Flowers, edited byJodi Hauptman, waspublished by The Museumof Modern Art as thecatalogue for its recentexhibit of the Swedishartist’s botanical drawings.These exquisitely detailedwatercolors reward evencasual browsers, though artlovers who haverediscovered af Klint’sintriguing works will findthem especially interesting. In 1919-1920, after yearsspent creating the colorfulabstract paintings filled withgeometric and organicforms for which she is bestknown, af Klint, then in her50s, produced a portfolio ofnature studies in her nativeSweden. What distinguishesthem from traditionalbotanical drawings are themarginal abstract diagrams– colorful spirals, nestedsquares and graphs – thatrepresent the spiritualPRINT & E-BOOKS NONFICTION PRINT & E-BOOKS FICTION1. The Housemaid (McFadden)2. The Correspondent (Evans)3. The Widow (Grisham)4. The Secret of Secrets (Brown)5. Project Hail Mary (Weir)6. Theo of Golden (Levi)7. Heated Rivalry (Reid)8. Alchemised (SenLinYu)9. Mona’s Eyes (Schlesser)10. Brimstone (Hart)1. 1929 (Sorkin)2. The Look (Obama/Koop)3. Poems & Prayers (McConaughey)4. How to Test Negative for Stupid (Kennedy)5. The Gales of November (Bacon)6. 107 Days (Harris)7. To Rescue/American Spirit (Baier/Whitney)8. Nobody’s Girl (Giuffre)9. The Body Keeps the Score (van der Kolk)10. A Marriage at Sea (Elmhirst)NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERScontinues on page 188SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:20 AM Page 17

18 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800manbesashFeEasofofroscastuwundiMicdeBep.frtopiscdomscinbuprdiGVie WManKeRedacodicofrobeKewValthTMMcoMcoininneMbeNmcbVqualities she assigns to each blossoming plant. The show’s curatorshave studied the artist’s notebooks and translated her obscuresymbolic diagrams in order to reveal the traits she associates witheach plant. Orange calendula, for example, is said to reflect a love oftruth, while hairy violet and sweet violet convey willpower andhumility, respectively. These assessments may strike many as baffling, and more indicativeof af Klint’s personality than the flowers’. For those who want to divefurther, this thorough book includes excerpts from her notebooksalong with explanatory essays. But the watercolors alone – like theother images in these four outstanding art books, provide plenty tomarvel at.By Heller McAlpinBest winter bookscontinued from page 16Birds, butterfliescontinued from previous pageThese are the nonfiction titles our reviewers liked best thismonth.Family of Spies, by Christine KuehnIn this work of nonfiction, former journalist ChristineKuehn investigates her family’s murky past. She unveils eyepopping truths about her German grandparents’ slide intoNazi ideology and their work as Japan-financed spies onOahu, Hawaii, in the run-up to the Pearl Harbor attack.Famous – and infamous – figures dot the compellingaccount, as do difficult questions about complicity,innocence, and redemption. –Erin DouglassLin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of anArtist, by Daniel Pollack-PelznerThis book about the whiz kid who brought the hip-hopmusical “Hamilton” to life is a jubilant celebration of thecreative process. You don’t have to love musicals toappreciate the energy and collaborative spirit that LinManuel Miranda brings to his work. –April AustinThe Sea Captain’s Wife, by Tilar J. MazzeoTilar J. Mazzeo tells the forgotten story of Mary AnnPatten, who, in 1856, when 19 years old and pregnant, tookcommand of a merchant vessel after her captain husbandfell ill near Antarctica. In addition to the gripping story, thebook provides compelling context covering everythingfrom seafaring and navigation to the era’s gender norms. –Barbara SpindelAin’t Nobody’s Fool, by Martha AckmannMartha Ackmann’s engaging biography of Dolly Partonbegins with the country musician’s impoverished childhoodin Tennessee and traces her achievements as a singer,songwriter, actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Theauthor chronicles bumps along the way but focuses on thetalent and ambition that propelled Parton to lasting fame.–Barbara SpindelIn Tirana, Leman found work as acivil servant and met Asllan, son ofXhafer Bey Ypi, who briefly served asAlbania’s prime minister. Unlike hisfather, who supported fascist Italy’soccupation of Albania during WorldWar II, Asllan was a leftist. He wasalso old school friends with EnverHoxha, the communist dictator whowent on to rule Albania for fourdecades beginning in 1944.Leman was introduced to Hoxhaone afternoon with Asllan at a cafe;she pulled her chair away from him toescape the “unbearable” combinationof the smell of his lavender hairpomade and the raw onion on hisbreath. “Later,” Ypi writes, Leman“would revisit this moment withanxious precision, the sort ofprecision with which onereconstructs past events in one’s lifewhose significance is not at allobvious at the time, but becomesundeniable in the light of whatfollows.”What follows, after Hoxha came topower, was a ruthless purge thatincluded Asllan’s arrest in 1946 oncharges of collaborating with Britishintelligence officers; he wasimprisoned until 1960. Leman, who agovernment informant claimed mightbe spying for Greece, was assigned toforced labor while raising their son,Zafo – the author’s father – on herown. Reflecting on the fact that shewould not have been born had hergrandmother not moved to Albania,Ypi writes, “In the end, my life is owedto the harm she endured. I came intobeing not despite but because of it.”Many of the answers Ypi seeksabout Leman remain out of reach. Butthe book was also inspired by theauthor’s concern that the photographof her grandmother, picked apart byonline trolls, was turning her into “acaricature,” somebody “stripped ofcontext, memory, evidence, or eventhe basic sympathy we extend tostrangers when we encounter themin person.” In addition to penetratingsome of the mysteries of hergrandmother’s life, Ypi writes ofLeman’s most painful experienceswith compassion and empathy. Aboveall, she is interested in defending hergrandmother’s dignity, and in that shehas succeeded.By Barbara SpindelIndignity: A life rememberedcontinued from page 16SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:50 AM Page 18REMINDER: Maximum 3 Listings Per Person. MiscKENOSHA CAR CLUB monthly breakfasts are at 8am on the first Tuesdays of each month at the Gateway Cafe, 3619 30th Avenue GERMAN CONVERSATIONALIST GROUP - KENOSHA/RACINE If you speak German or are enthusiastic about the German language and culture, come and join us. There are no membership fees and attendance is whenever you are available to join. Meetings will be held in the Kenosha and Racine area. This is an excellent group to practice speaking German as members' language skills are from beginners to advance and we all have a good time. Please contact me if you are interested in joining - Susan Blust [email protected]. LIONS CLUB BINGO Come have some fun! Doors open at 4:00. Raffles, pull-tabs and pregames start at 6:45. Bingo 7:00-9pm. Wednesdays. 2700 9th St.,Schlader Building, Winthrop Harbor. Food Sale Rita Rinelli Memorial Mass: 12 noon on Saturday, June 21 at St. Elizabeth Church, Eighth Avenue at 48th Street.REMEMBERING SILVIO RUGANI - July 20, 1893 / August 29, 1975.FOR SALESofa w/Oak trim, excellent condition/quality. Smoke/Pet free home. $250.00 Curt 262-865-0193 2019 Kodiak Model travel trailer Price 15,900 Exterior White Discrimination Has 3 Queens size beds Refrigerator, fridge and stove, toilet, and shower and heating and air conditioning. Everything works perfectly Contact 262 620-6755 Snowmobile Trailer, 3 place Triton with winch. $3,200 OBO 262-948-1864 please leave message Lots of American Fostoria for sale. Please contact:Karon Baumgarten 3 1 7 - 7 6 4 - 7 6 6 2 [email protected] heater new. $55. 262-498-4021. Contact info: Val Zamecnik email address:[email protected] phone:262-498-4021.Left-handed golf club set. Wilson Pro-Staff clubs and Knight bag. Barely used. $125.Call or text 262-960-5477One burial lot in Northshore Garden of Memory in North Chicago. Very nice location. Discounted price. BowFlex exercise unit like new. All there including leg exercise unit and book. 600.00.Call Herb at 847-305-0897. Please leave message if I miss your call. Gas Tank, new for 73-87 GMC Blazer $100 Transfer case for 73-87 GMC $100 Milk Cans $15 Call Alex 262-945-1275Ariens Snowblower; 5 HP, 24\" cut. $175 Call Jim 262-857-9650 leave messageVarious Farics, prices start $1/yr (262) 629-0291 New Air Fryer $35 Coffee Table $20 (262)771-8764 Two ramps for vehicles, Beanie Babies (Regular and McDonalds), and Two Schwinn bicycles. BEST OFFER. Call 262-654-6485.Beautiful Sunset Ridge Memorial Park Kenosha. Located in lovely setting in the Garden of The Last Supper. Section H, Lot 113. 5&6, pair $1,800 OBO. Please contact Mary at 262-496-9711. (2) grave sites in All Saints Cemetery. I'm asking for $1,000 each plus transfer fees. Call (608) 317-9518 Elizabeth Smith [email protected] CADET LAWN tractors, old 1962 to 1976. Decks and other attachments. Glenn at 262-891-2377. Leave message Amana 21.3 cubic foot. Black electric stove, self cleaning. Asking 300 each or 500 for the pair 414 419 7978 John Deere Tractor Lawn Mower with Briggs & Straton engine and Frame Cutting Deck FOR sale for PARTS ONLY 847-244-9256 NO texting - Please leave a voicemail Large Craftsman table saw, $100 OBOEldridge peddle sewing machine, early 1900's, best offer- Milwaukee Plumbers band saw, $50 OBO Call Tom (224) 219-3645 Lake Front Property Ready to rebuild existing home & Garage 1.48Acre on Large Spring Feed Lake in North East WI near Green bay WI. Located in Marinette county in the town of Lake Great Fishing, & water skiing Tubing Jet skiing Air Boat all Water sports activities call (847) 244-9256 Various Fabrics - Price per yard. Call for info(262) 629-0291Beanie Babies 200+ $200. Proform Treadmill, new belt $300. 7' vinyl boat with new motor, 4-cylinder with accessories $500. (262) 652-5929TREK 900 TANDEM 26\" 21 speed. Updated tires and rims. Excellent condition. Two new helmets plus accessories. $500 OBO 262-883-4210Sears ZigZag sewing machine and cabinet. Fine condition, All attachments. Model #1750 Asking $60 (262) 657-60493 OUTSIDE ALUMINUM screen doors. 1- 30 in. wide, 2-36 in. wide $ 30.00 each. all hardware call 262-652-2649; leave message FUN FAMILY BOAT 2006 Bayliner 175 Capris Bowrider w/trailer, Mercruiser 3.0L 135HP I/O motor, custom covers, Bimini w/cover, power trim & steering, stereo, Dave 262-455-1079 leave message ROOMS FOR RENT Shared LR, Kitchen, bathroom by Silver Lake $480 a mo. includes wifi and laundry please call for more info (262) 758-136Collectibles for sale watches, clocks, pens and more. Call Don 262-694-7573 47\" diameter round table $30, girls bike $50 Call Kathy 262-909-7968BABY CAR CARRIER&Pack 'n Play crib[excellent condition],carriage[used good condition], cat carrier[medium]Cy 262-351-0129 4835 5av 08 RAM too many new parts to list. Serious inquiries only. Text message to 262-705-9999. Chad SekurisLIKE NEW TIRES SEE IN KENOSHA AT 4121-7TH. AVE. 53140 RUSS 262-237-1343 CALL, TEXT OR STOP BY. $4440 NICE ECONOMICAL WELL MAINTAINEDAuto Tune-up Equipment - Dwell/Tach meter, timing light, compression, vacuum pump, ignition testers, inductive pick up ammeter, tune-up books. $110 Call 262-924-5227 Lionel Train Set - Complete 1953 Set plus a Seaboard Diesel Engine, Maine Boxcar, 3 pr. switches, original boxes & instructions, 43 tracks, and miscellanious Lionel items. All clean, runs great. $525 Call 262-924-5227WANTED. Mobile Mig Welder Small job need to complete by MKE Airport. Negotiable rate. ( 7 3 4 ) 7 6 8 . 0 3 3 8 jacobsendaniels.com Cut grass and weeding. Call 2628980605MODEL TRAINS. All scales. Call for a quote upon viewing. 262-331-0392. WANTED TO BUY: Vintage Movie Posters, Comic Books, LP Records, Vintage Toys, Horror VHS, Horror Memorabilia, Science Fiction Pulps & Magazines, Video Store Promotional Items. PH 262-237-0318. WANTED TO BUY: Old Post Cards, B&W Photos, B&W Photo Albums, Vintage Advertising, Old Hunting Licenses & Advertising, Scrapbooks, Old Misc.Paper, Old Automobile Advertising, Fountain Pens, Gillette Razors & More. Local Collector/Neutral Safe & Secure Site to meet if desired. Cash Paid. Call or Text Stan 262-496-1822 LOOKING FOR NURSES Aid for in home care. Call Barbara 262-455-3953 Old Computers Wanted. Call, text, or voicemail on (262) 595-7556 and ask for Mike.SERVICES. . Krause Lawn Care offers dethatching, aerating, overseeding, mulching & weekly mowing! Call or text 262-612-9142 for your FREE estimate today! “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 262-748-4748I'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] & MEDICARE EXPERT. Appointments only. Se Habla Español. 262.833.7070CHINESE LANGUAGE / CALLIGRAPHY LESSONS: Fun, fascinating and very cool. Beginning and advanced - all ages! Text Dr. Tim at 520.704.3832.DOLL CRAFTERS! FREE REMNANTS...IDEAL FOR MAKING DOLL CLOTHES. ALSO VARIOUS DOLL CLOTHES PATTERNS.CALL - 262-551-8478 AND LEAVE A MESSAGE IF NO ANSWER.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 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 Computer Installation. Call, text, or voicemail Mike at (262) 595-7556. VEHICLES0 142K MILES LIKE NEW TIRES COLD A/C SEE IN KENOSHA AT 4121-7TH. AVE. 53140 RUSS 262-237-1343 CALL, TEXT OR STOP BY $25002005 Mercury Sable, 90k miles, leather interior. Has vacuum leak, needs tow. Clean title in hand. Great project car. $1500 OBO. Call/text 262-612-91421999 Sebring Convertible Very good condition $2,590 OBO Call or test Bob @262-945-9224 2003 Subaru Baja - Good running condition$4,950 OBO Call or text: Bob @262-94592242017 FORD F150 One Owner 4wd 4 Door See In Kenosha At 4121-7th. Ave. 217k Miles 262-237-1343 Russ Call Text Or Stop By $7495 Very Nice TruckDUAL EXHAUST SYSTEM Ram V6 dual exhaust system custom built.Make offer. 262-942-12662009 JEEP LIBERTY 4WD SEE AT 4121-7TH. AVE. 53140 KENOSHA RUSS 262-237-1343 CALL OR TEXT 195K MILES $4450 NICE JEEP READY FOR WINTER2013 CHRYSLER 200 Loaded Limited See At 4121-7th. Ave. 53140 Russ 262-237-1343 Call Or Text 189k Miles $4950 2002 XK8- White Jaguar Convertible Good Condition - 38K Miles $18,500 obo Call or Text Bob 262-945-92241999 - Sebring Convertible - good Condition $2,850 obo Call or text Bob (262)-945-92241981 Datsun/Nissan 280ZX low mileage Loaded Glass T top's Hatch Back Stainless Steel MFG wheels New Clutch New break System New thermostat & radiator 5 speed New Interior Exterior Blue/Silver call 847-244-9256 Please leave a message 2003 GMC Envoy 142K miles Great Shape, Garage Kept 1 owner, Leave Message $6000 obo 262-515-4386 1994 Honda Goldwing Aspencade 64K miles Great Shape, Black, Leave Message $6000 obo 262-515-43864X4 4DOOR SEE IN KENOSHA AT 4121-7TH. AVE. 53140 RUSS 262-237-1343 CALL, TEXT OR STOP BY $9995 1/2 TON NICE TRUCK AT A NICE PRICE 1991 CHEVROLET CORVETTE one owner, yearly maintenance, 12,000 original miles, original parts $38,000 Email [email protected] GMC Box Truck 1986 OH Door 35 V8 (nearly new) solid body, 2\" oak floor in box, needs some work $1200. Snowblower $100262-857-2695 Leave message or email [email protected] 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA $4950 ONE OWNER FLEET MAINTAINED LIKE NEW TIRES 287K MILES KENOSHA AT 4121-7TH. AVE. 53140 RUSS 262-237-1343 CALL, TEXT. 2011 Toyota Sienna Silver 8-pas- senger Minivan, strong engine, smooth riding, 184k miles, excellent for winter driving, it also has a backup camera. $5,495, text Don at 920-809-0833 FREE CLASSIFIEDS!E-mail your 170 character classified to: [email protected] Please include your contact information in the classified. (Name and Phone number / e-mail address) First 3 words will be boldface type. NO ANIMALS. • NO PERSONALS ALLOWED.CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS MONDAY, DECEMBER 29TH, 2025 AT 12 NOONFREE CLASSIFIEDS! Employment/Opportunities • Lost & Found • Miscellaneous Real Estate • Rentals • Rummage Sales • Vehicles • Wanted

19 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800It’s a new year and thatmeans it’s time to plan whatannual events you want tobe in town for! Here’s asampling of what youshouldn’t miss:The Snow DazeFestival is January 24.Each winter, this issomething fun to lookforward to. The event isfrom 1 to 3 p.m., while thesculptures will be up as longas the weather allows.Downtown Kenosha willturn into a winterwonderland with dozens ofunique ice sculptures ondisplay. At VeteransMemorial Park, there will beice sculptingdemonstrations by ArtBelow Zero beginning at 1p.m., as well as familyfriendly music with DJs,toasty s’mores by the firepits (while supplies last), andsculptures on display.Be sure to stroll throughdowntown to view evenmore ice sculptures! Thesculptures will be on displayin front of participating localbusinesses, which are alsopromoting special deals anddiscounts during the event.Go toVisitKenosha.com/SnowDaze for the list of locations.Kenosha RestaurantWeek is February 21-March 1. Held annuallyand produced by VisitKenosha, KenoshaRestaurant Week is a nineday celebration of ourcommunity's deliciousdining scene. As I write this, we arecollecting the special menusfrom participating food andbeverage venues throughoutKenosha County. As theweek approaches, go toVisitKenosha.com/RW forall the details.Register to compete inthe cheesiest race around!The WisconsinMarathon along LakeMichigan is April 25. Itconsists of a Marathon, HalfMarathon, and 5k. You cancompete in two marathonsin one weekend – this onein Kenosha and one thenext day in Kalamazoo,Michigan. Do so and you’llbe completing The MittenChallenge or the Half andHalf Challenge!I wait for two significantevent announcements tohappen every December.Can you guess which two?I’ll give you a hint - oneinvolves baseball. Of course,I’m talking about when theKenosha Kingfishschedule is released! Theteam’s 2026 season startson the road May 25 inRockford. The first homegame is May 29.The other bigannouncement is alwayswho the CountryThunder headliners willbe! This year’s dates areJuly 16-19 withheadliners Gavin Adcock,The Red Clay Strays, RileyGreen, and Keith Urban.Many more country artistswill be performing as well.Visit the award-winning,iconic BristolRenaissance Faire.July 11-12 is the openingweekend. It continuesthrough September 7, everySaturday and Sunday, as wellas Labor Day. The immersiveliving history attraction isset on a summer day in1574 when Her MajestyQueen Elizabeth visited theEnglish city of Bristol.Taste of Wisconsin isJuly 24-26 at HarborParkCelebration Place. If you’venever been to Taste, youdon’t know what you’remissing! You can expect avariety of food, drinks, livemusic, and children’sactivities – all in one placeon the beautiful LakeMichigan shore. The event isproduced by the KiwanisClub of Western Kenosha,who uses the event as itsmajor fundraiser for theyear. Back in October,PROST! Das FestWisconsin named theKenosha CountyFairgrounds as itspermanent home. This livelyGerman-Americancelebration will take placeJuly 31-August 2,offering a vibrant mix ofauthentic music, dance,food, and culturalexperiences.The festival has raisedthousands of dollars forlocal charities over theyears. It took place at theKenosha CountyFairgrounds for the firsttime last year.Speaking of thefairgrounds, plan to attendthe Kenosha CountyFair between August 19and 23. Nine events tomark on thecalendarby Meridith Jumisko, Visit KenoshaMeridith Jumisko isPublic Relations Directorat Visit Kenosha. Contact her [email protected]_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:21 AM Page 19

20 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800healthlifestylecommunityKenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center newsJanuary 8, 2025Make a Difference –Become aVolunteerGuardian!Are you looking for a meaningfulway to give back to yourcommunity? Consider becoming aVolunteer Guardian through theKenosha County Division of Agingand Disability Services. As aVolunteer Guardian, you’ll receive acomprehensive, self-paced, 3-hour,online training to advocate forvulnerable adults in matters relatedto their health, well-being, and/orfinances. Once trained, you’ll beappointed by the court to serve as alegal decision-maker for someone inneed.The division offers ongoing supportand guidance to help youconfidently fulfill your role. With aslittle as one hour per month, youcan make a lasting, positive impacton the life of an at-risk adult in yourcommunity.Interested? Call the ADRC at 262-605-6646 or email,[email protected] formore information or to apply today.Caregiver CoffeeClub for those caring for someonewith dementia ADRC offers support groupfor those caring forsomeone with dementiaFamily caregivers often don’t seethemselves as caregivers, theysimply think of themselves as thehusband, sister, daughter, or friend.Defined, a family caregiver is aperson who provides support for anadult who needs assistance withdaily living activities, such ascooking, driving, shopping, laundryand paying bills. The role of a family caregiver, whilerewarding, can also be challengingwhen trying to balance life’sresponsibilities along withsupporting the needs of anotherindividual, family member or friend.The Aging and Disability ResourceCenter (ADRC) of Kenosha Countyoffers a Family Caregiver SupportGroup the first Thursday of everymonth. If you are a family caregiver, thisgroup is for you! Join fellowcaregivers, either virtually or inperson, as you share yourexperiences, ask questions and learnfrom others. The group is facilitatedby Margaret Ricchio, ADRCCaregiver Support Coordinator. Thenext meeting will be Thursday,February 5, 4-5 p.m. In-person location is 8600 SheridanRoad, entrance D. To register, learnmore or to receive the virtual link,call the Kenosha County ADRC,262-605-6646.Memory ScreenMondaysThe Kenosha County Aging &Disability Resource Center (ADRC)offers free, confidential memoryscreens every Monday, 8 a.m. -noon. Memory screens aresuggested for anyone concernedabout memory changes, at risk ofAlzheimer’s disease due to familyhistory, or who wants to check theirmemory now for futurecomparison.Some memory problems can bereadily treated, such as those causedby vitamin deficiencies or thyroidproblems. In general, the earlier thediagnosis, the easier it is to treatmemory loss. Memory screeningcan:Provide relief for individualsconcerned about normal memorylossLead to diagnosis of treatableconditionsOffer the ability to make lifestylechanges early when they have thegreatest potential for positive effectand the opportunity to participatein making future decisionsWarning signs of dementia includeforgetting people’s names andevents, asking repetitive questions,loss of verbal or written skills,confusion over daily routines, andpersonality changes.Screening results are not adiagnosis, and individuals who haveconcerns are encouraged to pursuea full medical exam. Appointmentsare recommended. Interestedpersons may call the ADRC at 262-605-6646 to make an appointment.Going on Medicare?Learn about the decisions you’ll need to make The Aging and Disability ResourceCenter (ADRC) of Kenosha Countyoffers no-cost, unbiased, Medicareworkshops for those new toMedicare, or who want to learnmore. Trained benefit specialists willbe available to answer yourquestions and discuss the decisionsyou’ll need to make, including thebasics of Medicare coverage,options for private health and drugcoverage, and public benefits thatcan help with health care costs. Ifpossible, sign up for a workshop 3-4months before your Medicarestarts.UPCOMING MEDICARE2026 WORKSHOPS: Kenosha County Job Center, 8600 Sheridan Road, Entrance A,Kenosha 53143• Wednesday, January 21, 10 a.m. – noon, Room N2• Wednesday, February 18, 1 – 3 p.m., Room N2•••Kenosha County Center, 19600 75th Street, Bristol, WI 53104• Thursday, March 19, 1 – 3 p.m., Conference Room ADue to limited seating, reservationsare required. Call the ADRC at 262-605-6646 to make a reservation orto learn more. TKEdsuoInfoncaPanTgeinIn• • • • smKLSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:21 AM Page 20

21 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800heysaveuetsed2-t.?cetyretornwillurnshege,ugatIf-4rens2-orThe Aging and Disability Resource Center ofKenosha County (ADRC) Durable MedicalEquipment Loan and Supply Closet providesdurable medical equipment as well as nutritionalsupplements and incontinence products forolder adults and adults with disabilities.Individuals needing durable medical equipmentfor either short-term or long-term use, who arenot enrolled in one of Wisconsin’s long-termcare programs, such as Family Care, IRIS andPartnership may contact the ADRC to requestan item. The Loan and Supply Closet is supported by thegenerosity of community donations. The closet isin need of the following:Incontinence products:• Chux (disposable underpads)• Wipes• Women’s bladder Pads• Men’s, Women’s, and Unisex Pull-ups, sizes:small, medium, largeMobility for Standard and Bariatric:• Wheelchairs• Transport Chairs• Rollators• Transfer Boards• Standard Knee Scooters • Portable RampsBathroom Essentials:• Shower Chairs and Stools (Bariatric andStandard)• Transfer Benches (Bariatric and Standard)• Commodes• Toilet RailsIf you have items you wish to donate, or are inneed of medical equipment or supplies, pleasecall the ADRC at 262-605-6646 to makearrangements. The ADRC is open Monday –Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Appointments preferred.While the ADRC takes additional steps insanitization, for everyone’s safety, we ask that allitems be cleaned and sanitized prior to donation.The Aging and Disability Resource Center ofKenosha County (ADRC) Durable MedicalEquipment Loan and Supply Closet providesdurable medical equipment as well as nutritionalsupplements and incontinence products forolder adults and adults with disabilities.Individuals needing durable medical equipmentfor either short-term or long-term use, who arenot enrolled in one of Wisconsin’s long-termcare programs, such as Family Care, IRIS andPartnership may contact the ADRC to requestan item. Kenosha County Durable Medical Equipment Loan and Supply Closet in NeedREGULAR SENIOR DINING SITES• Meals include dessert and beverage• Suggested donation: $5• Open to anyone age 60+ and aspouse regardless of age• Reservations must be made by10am the day priorKenosha Senior Center2717 67th StMonday - Friday, 11:30amReserve at 262-351-6246Parkside Redeemer Church2620 14th PlaceMonday - Friday, 11:30amReserve at 262-552-7737Lakeside Towers5800 Third AveMonday - Friday, 11amReserve at 262-455-7919Westosha Senior Center19200 93rd StMonday - Friday, 11:30amReserve at 262-358-5554Village Pub of Silver Lake307 N Cogswell DriveWednesday & Friday, 11:30amReserve at 262-358-5779SR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:21 AM Page 21

22 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800I rccgwtoNPwnybdhbhdbsrathyyyybrMtoosryrBmeetiledblewfapnathtgbadsaOssIt has been my customfor most of the past 28years to write a year-endcolumn summarizing theSocial Security updatesscheduled for thefollowing year. I alreadydiscussed some of theseupdates in a column backin October when theywere first announced.But it doesn't hurt torepeat them here. (Theyall grow out of the annualcost-of-livingadjustments that havebeen part of the programsince 1973.) However, before Iproceed, I need toaddress a related andmisleading ad thatappears almost daily onmy cell phone and iPad,and I'm sure it does onyour devices as well. Theheadline goes somethinglike this: \"Here are 6major changes to SocialSecurity coming in 2026that you probably don'tknow about.\" If you openit up (and maybe getsucked in by all the otherads on the site), you willlearn that those \"majorchanges\" are just theroutine COLAadjustments that havebeen part of the programfor over 50 years now.I'm sharing those routineadjustments with youtoday -- without all thehype. Almost all SocialSecurity beneficiaries arefamiliar with the mostpopular and publicizedupcoming change: theincrease in monthlybenefit checks for 2026due to the automatedcost-of-living adjustment,or COLA. As all of youare already aware, theincrease will be 2.8%. I always dreadmentioning COLAs inthis column becauseevery single time I do, Iam flooded with emailsfrom readerscomplaining that theincrease is not enough. Yet here's the rub:many economists andsocial planners believeSocial Security COLAsare too generous! (I'veexplained why in pastcolumns, but don't havethe space to get into thatargument today.) That'swhy many discussions oflong-range reform forSocial Security includeproposals to reducecost-of-living increases.OK, back to the 2026Social Security COLA.Due to these increases,the average monthlyretirement check will be$2,071 in 2026, a $56increase from the 2025level. The maximumSocial Security check fora worker turning fullretirement age in 2026will be $4,152, comparedto $4,018 in 2025. Andplease note that $4,152is the maximum forsomeone turning fullretirement age in 2026.That does not mean it isthe maximum SocialSecurity payment anyonecan receive. Millions ofSocial Securitybeneficiaries get muchmore than that, primarilybecause they workedwell past their FRAand/or delayed startingtheir benefits until age70.Here's anotherimportant point aboutthe COLA. Many readershave been asking me ifthey must file for SocialSecurity benefits in 2025in order to get theCOLA that's paid inJanuary 2026. The answeris no. The COLA will bebuilt into the benefitcomputation formula. Soeven if you don't file forSocial Security until2026, or somesubsequent year, you'llstill get the 2.8%increase.Although this is aSocial Security column, Imust mention theupcoming increase in theMedicare Part Bpremium, which isdeducted from SocialSecurity checks for mostpeople. In 2026, the basicPart B premium will be$202.90. And as has beenthe case for 20 yearsnow, wealthy people willpay more than the basicpremium.I don't want to get intothe complicated issue ofMedicare premiumsother than to make thisquick point. Even thoughthey are linked in theminds of most seniorcitizens, Social Securityand Medicare are entirelyseparate programs,administered by entirelyseparate federal agencies,and they have entirelyseparate rules andregulations regardingtheir benefit andpayment structures. Forexample, the Part BMedicare premiumincrease has nothing todo with the SocialSecurity COLA. Instead,by law, it must be set at alevel that covers 25% ofthe cost of running theprogram. Taxpayers pickup the remaining 75%.(And again, wealthypeople pay more thanthe 25% share.)Another measuringstick called the \"nationalwage index\" is used toset increases to otherprovisions of the law thataffect Social Securitybeneficiaries andtaxpayers. Specifically, thisincludes increases in theamount of wages or selfemployment incomesubject to Social Securitytax; the amount ofincome needed to earn a\"quarter of coverage;\"and the Social Securityearnings penalty limits.The Social Securitytaxable earnings base willgo up from $176,100 in2025 to $184,500 in2026. In other words,people who earn morethan $184,500 in 2026will no longer have SocialSecurity payroll taxesdeducted from theirpaychecks once they hitthat threshold. This hasalways been a verycontroversial provisionof the law. (Elon Muskpays the same amount ofSocial Security tax as hisplumber!) I think it's apretty good bet that anyeventual Social Securityreform package willinclude an increase inthat wage base. Most people need 40Social Security workcredits (sometimes called\"quarters of coverage\")to be eligible for monthlybenefit checks from thesystem. In 2025, peoplewho were workingearned one credit foreach $1,810 in SocialSecurity taxable income.But no one earns morethan four credits peryear. In other words,once you made $7,240,your Social Securityrecord has been creditedwith the maximum fourcredits or quarters ofcoverage. In 2026, theone credit limit goes upto $1,890, meaning youwill have to earn $7,560this year before you getthe maximum fourcredits assigned to yourSocial Security account. People under their fullretirement age who getSocial Securityretirement or survivor'sbenefits but who are stillworking are subject tolimits in the amount ofmoney they can earn andstill receive all theirSocial Security checks.That limit was $23,400 in2025 and will be $24,480in 2026. For every twodollars a person earnsover those limits, onedollar is withheld fromhis or her monthlybenefits.There is a higherearnings threshold in theyear a person turns fullretirement age thatapplies from thebeginning of the yearuntil the month theperson reaches FRA.(The income penaltygoes away once a personreaches that magic age.)That threshold goes upfrom $62,160 in 2025 to$65,160 in 2026.A couple of otherSocial Security provisionsare also impacted byinflationary increases. Forexample, people gettingdisability benefits whotry to work can generallycontinue getting thosebenefits as long as theyare not working at a\"substantial\" level. In2025, the law definedsubstantial work as anyjob paying $1,620 ormore per month. In2026, that substantialearnings level increasesto $1,690 monthly.Finally, theSupplemental SecurityIncome basic federalpayment level for oneperson goes up from$967 in 2025 to $994 in2026. SSI is a federalwelfare programadministered by theSocial SecurityAdministration, but it isnot a Social Securitybenefit. It is paid for outof general revenues, notSocial Security taxes.social securitySocial Security Updatefor 2026with Tom MargenauIf you have a SocialSecurity question, Tom Margenau has twobooks with all the answers.One is called \"Social Security-- Simple and Smart: 10Easy-to-Understand FactSheets That Will Answer AllYour Questions About SocialSecurity.\" The other is \"SocialSecurity: 100 Myths and 100Facts.\" You can find the booksat Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or youcan send him an email [email protected] youSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:45 AM Page 22

23 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800Dear Eric: Why shouldI go to my 50th high schoolreunion? I received a phonecall from a formerclassmate who wouldn'tgive me the time of daywhen we were in schooltogether. “You need to go!”No, thank you.The cost is outrageous.Plus, most of the people Iwould like to see are eithernot going or are deceased.During my high schoolyears, I was not treated wellby some of the students. Idefinitely did not like myhigh school years. If I wasn'tbullied, I definitely wouldn'thave been absent so manydays. I would have hadbetter grades and maybe asix-figure income.So, once again, is there areason to go? – No Way toa ReunionDear Reunion: Nope!There are some thingsthat are unresolved fromyour time in high schoolyears. But it’s unlikely thatyou’ll find the resolutionyou seek at a reunionbecause that’s not whatreunions are for, generally.Moreover, you don’t wantto go. In the grand schemeof things, not wanting to dosomething is a perfectly finereason not to do it. Yes,your 50th high schoolreunion only happens once.But if it’s going to do youmore harm than good,emotionally oreconomically, once is onetime too many.Dear Eric: I recentlylearned that I have a fataldisease, although there maybe some treatments tolessen my symptoms for awhile.I don't want to tell myfamily anything about myplight until January, so asnot to spoil their holidays.I want to tell my twoadult children but allowthem to decide when to telltheir children (mygrandchildren). Or is itbetter for me to tell themall together?What is the best thing todo? – Family NewsDear News: Thesimple (perhaps too simple)answer is to do whateveryou need to feel cared forand supported. It’s verythoughtful of you to thinkof how this news willimpact your loved ones, butyou don’t have to carry thisweight for a second longerthan you want to. Yourloved ones would surely doanything in their power tomake this moment easierfor you, so hold that idea inyour mind as you decidewhen and how to deliverthe news.A less simple but morepractical answer is that youshould consider telling yourchildren first. They’re goingto have different questionsthan their children will andthe conversation you havewith them will workdifferently than a groupconversation. You may findthat you’ll need to managethe grandchildren’s feelingsand responses more, asmight your children.Whereas in a conversationwith just the adults, youmay find you all havecapacity to feel howeveryou feel and hold eachother. This also allows yourchildren time to processfirst, which then betterprepares them to talk withtheir kids.No matter what youdecide, please rememberthat this diagnosis isn’t yourplight alone. This issomething that is happeningto you, but it’s alsohappening to your family. Inmoments when it feels toocomplicated, scary, oroverwhelming, know thatyou’re not alone and youdon’t have to hold backwhat you’re feeling.Dear Eric: I am gettingolder. I have lived in myhome more than half mylife. I raised my children,educated myself, had acareer and launched mykids while living here as along-divorced person.In the last few years, mybody has changed. I nowuse a walker. My mindworks just fine. Manyconfuse mobility issueswith thinking issues.Today, a neighbor’s son,visiting for the holidays, juststarted shoveling my walkwithout consulting me. Ihad already made snowremoval arrangements withsomeone else. I asked if Icould pay him. He said no. Itold him that the person Imade arrangements withwas counting on theshoveling income.I thanked the neighbor'sson for his kindness and heleft. I can no longer do yardwork or remove snow.Please help meunderstand why most folksthink I am incapable oftaking care of my home andyard. I have beenunmarried, successful andindependent for a very longtime.Help me walk this fineline between kindness andintrusion. – UnwarrantedHelpDear Help: Manypeople think of snowremoval and yard work asonerous, and evendangerous, and thereforeideal ways to spreadkindness to neighbors andloved ones. Try not to thinkof these acts asdisempowering. It’s unlikelythat anyone who clears apath for you thinks thatyou’re incapable of takingcare of yourself. Isn’t itmore likely that they’rethinking that having a clearsidewalk or driveway makeslife easier and keeps yousafer? This would be truefor anyone, regardless oftheir physical ability.I do want toacknowledge that you wantto be consulted first, as isyour right. Though yourneighbor’s son didn’t dothis, I’d suggest that it wasan innocent oversight.Snow needs to be cleared,and he may have simplyseen an opportunity.However, this doesn’t stopyou from paying the otherperson if you’d alreadybudgeted the funds and youknow the other personneeds the money. Youreceived some kindnesswith nothing asked inreturn and you can pass iton, too.Dear Eric: My daughteris getting married inOctober. The immediatefamily have rooms in thesmall inn at the venue.For many reasons, bothgreat and small, my husbandand I no longer share abedroom. On a busywedding weekend, Iespecially need a goodnight's sleep and theoccasional quiet that comeswith my own room.My daughter wants me togive her friend my room. Isaid no. Am I beingunreasonable? P.S. We’repaying for everything. –Mother of the BrideDear Mother:Heavens no, you’re notbeing unreasonable. Is thisroom the only room in thetown? Is the friend unableto stay down the street oraround the corner? Iunderstand that it’s yourdaughter’s special day andshe may want things just so,but it’s not like you’re usingthe second room to storeclothes. You have a needand you’re meeting thatneed. And it will help youshow up better for yourdaughter. But, even if it wasjust because a good night’ssleep is what you need,that’s reason enough. Thereare plenty of other optionshere. Sleep well.asking ericOld resentmentsour 50th highschool reunionBestselling author R. EricThomas brings his signaturewit and warmth to “AskingEric,” an advice columntackling life’s quandaries.Drawing on his stint asSlate’s “Dear Prudence,”Thomas dishes out insightful,humorous guidance fornavigating relationships, work,and everything in betweenerheullathearheA.tyone.)uptoernsbyornghollyseeyaInednyorInialeshetyralneminralmhetyistyutotSR_editorial_.qxp_SS Layout 1/6/26 9:46 AM Page 23Saturday, February 14 • 7:00PMFor advance tickets visit hap2it.com, or stop in at 1420 63rd St., Kenosha between 10am - 4pm M-F5125 6th Avenue KenoshaTo be assured a good seat, purchase tickets early. However, limited tickets will also be available at the door the night of the show.SR010826@ theLiveYESTERDAY’S CHILDRENYESTERDAY’SCHILDREN

24 SMART READER January 8, 2028 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800Your Ticket toLocal Events010826 013025SR061324We buy Stereo & Hi-Fi components,laptops, desktop computers and all non-ferrous material!SR010826SR 010826March 27th 8PM5125 6th Ave. KENOSHAYou Don’t Want To Miss...MARY MACK010826Get your advance tickets atHap2it.com or stop in at1420 63rd St. Kenoshabetween 10am - 4pm Mon. - Fri.Call for more information262-564-8800wtih Jimmy FallonMarch 27th 8PM5125 6th Ave. KENOSHAYou Don’t Want To Miss...MARY MACK010826Get your advance tickets atHap2it.com or stop in at1420 63rd St. Kenoshabetween 10am - 4pm Mon. - Fri.Call for more information262-564-8800wtih Jimmy FallonMarch 27th 8PM5125 6th Ave. KENOSHAYou Don’t Want To Miss...MARY MACK010826Get your advance tickets atHap2it.com or stop in at1420 63rd St. Kenoshabetween 10am - 4pm Mon. - Fri.Call for more information262-564-8800wtih Jimmy Fallon

SR 010826