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“So glad we preplanned, all I had to do was make a phone call. Everyone should do this.” -Jeff S. “So glad we preplanned, all I had to do was make a phone call. Everyone should do this.” -Jeff S. Visit us at 3016 75th St. Kenosha 010424 Your Eye On Kenosha... Both City & County! June 27, 2024 Volume 22 - #13 ARE WE READY FOR THE NEXT GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS?

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FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 3 SMART READER June 27, 2024 SMART READER March 23, 2023 3 Smart Reader is published bi-weekly by Carmichael Communications Editor & Publisher/Frank J. Carmichael Assistant to the Publisher/Reanna Stockdale Sales/Kim Carmichael, Elaina Myers Editorial Manager/Jason Hedman Ad Design & Layout/Kristin Monticelli, Glen Kelly Reception/Sarah Coleman Carmichael Communications 1420 63rd St. Kenosha, WI 53143 June 27, 2024 Volume 22 Number 12 262-564-8800 • 1-800-568-6623 • www.hap2it.com Nation needs to prepare for next pandemic, even if it's not bird flu The United States must prepare for the next pandemic, even though many people remain fatigued from the last one and there's no indication that bird flu -- once thought likely to be the cause of a global health crisis -- will spread widely among humans, experts told UPI. "There are going to be more pandemics, and they could absolutely be worse than anything we've seen to date, so we have to be better prepared," Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said in a phone interview. That said, "the virus that's going to cause the next pandemic is likely going to be one that's not currently around," he added. As the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated, even experts who have been following infectious diseases such as influenza or coronaviruses "can't say with certainty" what virus will cause the next pandemic or exactly when it will happen, Osterholm said. Still, given the potential impacts of a pandemic on public health and safety, as well as the economy and society in general, now is not the time to lower the guardrails. COVID-19 'still here' By now, most know the grim statistics. Nationally, to date, nearly 112 million confirmed cases of COVID19 have been reported, and more than 1.2 million people have died from the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between April 13 and June 1, the country saw a slight uptick in positive tests for COVID-19 and in emergency room visits and hospitalizations among those sickened, the agency reported. The virus accounts for less than 1% of all deaths in the United States, it estimated. "For COVID-19, I think we've moved from pandemic to epidemic, in that we seem to have moved past the first huge waves and now have additional waves of transmission that surface and recede," Dr. Tony Moody, a professor of immunology at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina, told UPI in an email. "It's moving toward something like influenza where there are waves, but I don't think we've hit a stable pattern yet for COVID-19," he said. Although much of society has moved on from the most recent pandemic "COVID19 is still here and new variants may emerge," according to Brandon Brown, a professor of social medicine, population and public health at UC Riverside School of Medicine, told UPI in an email. "It's a lot like sunsets -- when is the sunset officially over? Is it when the sun falls below the horizon?" Osterholm added. "What I can say with certainty is that the vast majority of the impacts of the pandemic are behind us, but I can't say we won't see another curveball from [the virus]," he said. Time to plan is now Even though it may be too soon to consider the last pandemic truly history -- it "took years" for the last major pandemic, 1918's Spanish flu, to stabilize, according to Duke's Moody -- the time to plan for the next one is now, experts say. Conventional wisdom holds that COVID-19 marked the first pandemiclevel virus since 1918, but this isn't actually the case, Osterholm said. In fact, he said, the world saw flu pandemics in 1957, 1968, 1976 and 2009. "You can't count on [a pandemic being a once-in-acentury event] at all," Osterholm said. "It's random and unpredictable, and the world's conditions favoring influenza and coronavirus pandemics have only increased with time, with more opportunities for contacts with animal populations that will result in spillovers." The CDC has had a formal pandemic plan in place since at least 1997, but "the federal response to COVID-19 has been mixed, at best," according to a report from the Manhattan Institute released in February. Working with private industry, the federal government's "Operation Warp Speed" led to the development of vaccines against the virus, the report says. However, the CDC "issued disappointing recommendations ... [that] often lacked a credible scientific basis ... [which] led to flawed or outright wrong guidance," it notes. "Some of the trust in public health has been broken due to inconsistent messaging from different levels of government," UCRiverside's Brown said. Overcoming that will take time, money and resources, Moody said. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, who headed the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022 and helped to spearhead the battle against COVID-19, details in his new memoir, "On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service," what he calls America's disastrous response to the pandemic. The book was published thjis month Fauci's criticisms range from a lack of understanding of the disease by then President Donald Trump, as well as an inability by the CDC to quickly track cases and introduce effective testing technologies. Much of that is addressed in the President's Budget for fiscal year 2024, which allocates $20 billion in mandatory funding over the next five years for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. The fund earmarks resources for enhancing early detection and warning systems, securing safe and effective supplies and medical countermeasures, strengthening public health systems and core capabilities, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Examples of initiatives this money could support include improved testing facilities and increased inventories of supplies such as masks. It could also help bolster availability of medical equipment and medication to treat those sickened, experts said. Some of the $20 billion in the President's Budget is earmarked for the development and distribution of vaccines, HHS says. Bird flu spreads What will happen with bird flu is uncertain, public health officials said. About 100 dairy herds in the United States -- in 12 states -- have been infected with H5N1 bird flu, according to the World Health Organization. While deadly to chickens, turkeys and other poultry -- causing flocks where it is detected to be destroyed -- dairy cows' symptoms generally have been limited to reduced appetite and milk production. Daily experts said the cows generally recover with supportive care. There have been three reported human cases, although 500 others are being monitored for the virus, the agency says. Still, the virus has not shown signs of having acquired the ability to spread easily among humans, which is why the agency deems the risk to public health as low. However, given those three confirmed cases among humans across the country, some in the public health field have called for a stockpiling of human vaccines against the virus. The CDC has already contracted with a firm in North Carolina to produce 5 million doses of a vaccine that works against H5N1, otherwise known as avian influenza, or bird flu. However, stockpiling vaccines effective against the virus in its current form may be useless in the future, given that it is likely to mutate before, or if, it becomes a pandemic threat, Osterholm said. "The thing CDC and others are looking for is evidence of infection passing between people -- that would be the trigger," Moody added. "There's lots of data showing that farmworkers who have animal exposure are incidental hosts for infections in those animals and most of them are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic -- it's only when they start spreading among people that it becomes a serious concern." By Brian Dunleavey p a p S g a d w a Call 262.653.9132 SR121423 JR PROPERTIES 2409 52nd Street, Suite 3 • Kenosha 1, 2 & 3 Bedrooms Available In Kenosha & Racine John and Shelley Rogowski, Owners 0

4 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F5 "T ap an a co sa tr su fatfro sh P s 19 ris ad U w C m ac st ot ev on le w pe kn co pr U te th th re fro da C co av ha ca 13 fo m as ho lin an de a M ho ad th fa sh L co Japan sees record spike in infections caused by tissue-damaging bacteria Japan is reporting a record spike in infections caused by a rare and deadly tissuedamaging bacteria. According to Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases, cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome -- or STSS -- hit 977 on June 2. That is significantly higher than the record 941 cases reported for all of last year. "Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is a highly fatal infectious disease characterized by rapid and dramatic disease progression," NIID wrote in a risk assessment earlier this year. A total of 77 people in Japan died from the infection during the first three months of this year. Last year, Japan's NIID reported 97 deaths due to STSS, which was the second-highest number of fatalities in the past six years. "Even with treatment, STSS can be deadly. Out of 10 people with STSS, as many as three people will die from the infection," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "At the current rate of infections, the number of cases in Japan could reach 2,500 this year, with a mortality rate of 30%," said Ken Kikuchi, a professor of infectious diseases at Tokyo Women's Medical University. "Most of the deaths happen within 48 hours," Kikuchi added. "As soon as a patient notices swelling in their foot in the morning, it can expand to the knee by noon and they can die within 48 hours." STSS symptoms start as a fever, muscle pain and vomiting, but as the bacterial infection spreads into deep tissues and the bloodstream the symptoms can become life-threatening with swelling, low blood pressure and organ failure. Most cases are caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria, or GAS disease, which produces a sore throat and fever in children. Strep A can become invasive if the patient has other health factors that can prevent them from fighting infections. Strep A can also cause "flesh-eating" disease, which can lead to loss of limbs. While medical experts have not been able to determine the exact reason for the infection spike, they say the bacteria began to spread after Japan relaxed COVID-era restrictions. "We are not expecting pandemic-level infections," Hitoshi Honda, a professor and an infectious disease expert at Fujita Health University's School of Medicine in Aichi Prefecture, said in April. "It's not the kind of infectious disease that would require travel restrictions -- at all." To slow the spread, people are being urged to keep their hands washed and to treat any open wounds. Japan is one of a number of countries that has seen recent outbreaks of group A streptococcus -- or GAS disease -- since the end of COVID-19 restrictions. At least five European countries reported an increase in invasive group A streptococcus to the World Health Organization in 2022. By Shari Ross Report details widespread, complicated effects of long COVID Long COVID continues to plague millions of Americans as the health costs of the pandemic linger four years later, a new report warns. In a hefty document released this month, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, a nongovernmental group that advises federal agencies on science and medicine, detailed the damage that long COVID has wrought. "Diagnosing, measuring and treating long COVID is complicated. This disease, which has existed in humans for less than five years, can present differently from person to person and can either resolve within weeks or persist for months or years," Dr. Paul Volberding, chair of the committee that wrote the report, said in a news release announcing the findings. "Our report seeks to offer a clear summary of what research has found so far about diagnosing long COVID, and what the disease can mean for an individual's ability to function in their daily lives," added Volberding, who is also a professor emeritus in the department of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. What did the report discover? "Long COVID can impact people across the life span, from children to older adults, as well as across sex, gender, racial, ethnic and other demographic groups," it stated. And the damage it inflicts can be widespread and complicated. "Long COVID is associated with a wide range of new or worsening health conditions and encompasses more than 200 symptoms involving nearly every organ system," the report added. Here are some of the key findings from the committee of 14 doctors and researchers, as reported by the New York Times: Nearly 18 million adults and nearly 1 million children have had long COVID at some point. Surveys showed that its prevalence decreased in 2023 but has inexplicably risen this year. As of January, data showed nearly 7 percent of adults in the United States had long COVID. There is still no standardized way to diagnose the condition and no treatments to cure it. story continues on page 4 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER June 27, 2024 4 Kenosha Funeral Services and Crematory Prepay for your funeral now and the price will be guaranteed. 8226 Sheridan Rd. 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05 SMART READER JUNE 27, 2024 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER March 23, 2023 5 "There is no one-size-fits-all approach to rehabilitation, and each individual will need a program tailored to their complex needs," the report said. Some of the most troublesome symptoms, such as brain fog and chronic fatigue, can prevent people from returning to work and should make them eligible for disability payments. "Long COVID can result in the inability to return to work [or school for children and adolescents], poor quality of life, diminished ability to perform activities of daily living, and decreased physical and cognitive function for six months to two years or longer," the report noted. People who had more severe COVID are more likely to develop long COVID. Those who were sick enough to be hospitalized were two to three times as likely to develop long COVID. Still, "even individuals with a mild initial course of illness can develop long COVID with severe health effects," the report said. Women are nearly twice as likely to develop long COVID. Other risk factors include not being adequately vaccinated, having preexisting medical conditions or disabilities and smoking. Children are less likely than adults to develop long COVID and are more likely to recover from it, but some youngsters "experience persistent or intermittent symptoms that can reduce their quality of life," the report said. There's some evidence that many people's symptoms do diminish after a year. But other research suggests that recovery slows down or plateaus after that first year, the report said. "Long COVID appears to be a chronic illness, with few patients achieving full remission," the report said. Some symptoms mirror other conditions that emerge following infections, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The biological cause of long COVID is unclear. Theories include inflammation, fragments of remaining virus and immune system dysregulation. Long COVID presents more obstacles for people who face economic challenges or discrimination because of their race or ethnicity, where they live or how much education they have. By Robin Foster Pot use seems to contribute to more severe cases of COVID-19, study finds Among patients diagnosed with COVID19, those who used marijuana had a higher risk of hospitalization and intensive care unit admission, a new study indicates. The study, conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, was published in JAMA Network Open. Researchers found a greater chance of COVID-19-related complications among marijuana users than abstainers, even after accounting for cigarette smoking, vaccination status, two or more co-existing diseases, and other risk factors. "These findings suggest the need to evaluate the potential impact of cannabis use on COVID-19 outcomes, given the growing legalized use of cannabis," the study's authors wrote. "For cannabis, there is this general perception of it being safe. We wanted to know the actual impact," the study's corresponding author, Dr. Li-Shiun Chen, a professor of psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine, told UPI in a telephone interview. "That's the only way we can do better in the future -- by looking and learning from all the patients," Chen said, adding that the researchers were fortunate to have data from a very large health system. Researchers used electronic health record data from Washington University Medical Center from Feb. 1, 2020, to Jan. 31, 2022, to conduct their investigation. They included 72,501 people, with an average age of 48.9, who were identified as having COVID-19 during at least one health care visit to a large academic medical center. Of these patients, 59.7% were female, 13.4% were current smokers, 24.4% were former smokers and 9.7% had present-day marijuana use. Current tobacco smoking was significantly associated with increased risk of hospitalization. Cannabis use also was greatly linked to heightened risk of hospitalization and intensive-care admission, but not with death from all causes. Those who smoked tobacco currently had a 72% greater risk of hospitalization. Marijuana users had an 80% higher risk of hospitalization and a 27% greater risk of ICU admission. "This is really striking," Chen said, adding that "substance use is a very important factor that can put people at risk that we should not forget." She highlighted that it's comparable to other well-known COVID-19 risk factors, such as obesity. Despite legalization of recreational marijuana in more states, including the area surrounding this academic medical center, there has been limited research into its use and COVID-19 outcomes, Chen and her colleagues noted in the report. However, "some evidence has suggested that people who use cannabis are more likely to contract COVID-19 and less likely to survive the virus than nonusers," the study's authors wrote. This data conflicts with other evidence that "suggests a protective effect of cannabis use on COVID mortality." As a result, "further research may aid in guiding interventions, such as substance use prevention and treatment, that would benefit patient outcomes moving forward in the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated heath consequences it will have in our communities," the authors said. Chen said the researchers still want "to keep an open mind about cannabis" while monitoring any possible effects on health. With this study, "we just opened the door for many more questions that can be answered" about the potential harm or the level of safety arising from marijuana use. The study's findings about marijuana should be interpreted "with a bit of caution as indicated by the authors in the limitations section" of their report, said Stephen Lankenau, director of the Medical Cannabis Research Center at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health in Philadelphia. He was not involved in the study. Only patients who volunteered information about marijuana use had it recorded, said Lankenau, who also is a professor in the Department of Community Health and Prevention. Admissions of marijuana use "could be biased" if they came from heavy users or people with other health complications related to the substance while leaving out healthier users, he added. Also, there was no indication of when an individual used marijuana, how often or the mode of intake -- whether it was edible, vaped or smoked. Without these details, "it's impossible to know what kind of behaviors related to cannabis use members of the public need to potentially avoid as it relates to COVID-19," Lankenau said. However, Dr. Luke Archibald, an addiction psychiatrist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., said "the large numbers of patients included in the study and the strength of the associations are impressive." These factors "add to the evidence that cannabis use is associated with worse outcomes from COVID-19 infection," Archibald said, even though researchers tapped into electronic health records for data as opposed to designing a randomized, controlled trial that followed participants forward in time. Marijuana users with other risk factors, such as current or prior cigarette smoking, lack of vaccination and advanced age, may be particularly at risk for COVID-19-related complications, Archibald said, noting that compounds in the cannabis plant play "an important role in our immune response in ways that are not yet fully understood." While many people responding to surveys say they perceive marijuana as "either good for you or relatively harmless," this highquality study reveals that it makes COVID-19 worse, said Stanton Glantz, a retired professor of medicine at the University of California-San Francisco. "It's looking more and more like tobacco" in terms of marijuana's potential to inflict harm. "That's the bottom line," said Glantz, who established and directed the university's Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education for two decades. Dr. Robert Reed, a pulmonologist and professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, said the study provides "compelling evidence" that marijuana use exacerbates COVID-19 infections. "As marijuana is increasingly available legally for both recreational use as well as for purported medical benefits, it's important to understand the health consequences of using it," said Reed, who also is medical director of the University of Maryland's lung transplantation program. "As a physician who takes care of patients every day who suffer from breathing problems, it's incredibly clear that the only safe thing to inhale is good, clean air." By Susan Kreimer Long COVID continued from page 3 4102623 ay

6 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F fu de w dr ha ala po H co law im to w m at ar do en th to be trafo pr ‘ a w w an w re su du ca st co in be “s op Ill to ra H 20 ev in w in by vo “f co on ho oc D W d w Jimmy Carter's long stay in hospice dispels myths about end-of-life care Former President Jimmy Carter's being in hospice for 16 months makes him an "outlier," but it also highlights the multifaceted nature of end-of-life care and dispels myths about that care, experts told UPI. Carter, who is to turn 100 in October, entered hospice in February 2023 after deciding to discontinue aggressive treatment for metastatic melanoma. Despite his decision, his surviving with the disease for more than 5 years, at his advanced age, should be considered a success, said Dr. Joan Teno, a former hospice provider and an expert in geriatric care. "President Carter is an outlier in that only a small percentage of hospice patients survive more than 15 months," she told UPI in an email. "The fact that he has lived so long on hospice is testament to his excellent medical care at home and, if I had to guess, his will to live." It also illustrates the core focus of hospice, which is typically geared toward people with an anticipated life expectancy of 6 months or less, for whom curing their underlying illness isn't an option, Teno added. The approach emphasizes symptom management -- most notably for pain -- and quality of life. "While Hospice Foundation of America has worked for more than 40 years to educate people about the many benefits of hospice care, most Americans don't engage in advance care planning and know little about care options at the end of life," Angela Novas, the organization's senior medical officer, told UPI via email. "Because of that, there is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about what hospice is, the care it provides, who qualifies and how to access care," she said. Defying the odds More than 90% of patients who enter hospice care die within the first six months, and nearly 40% die within the first week, according to the National Institutes of Health. Since entering hospice, though, Carter has celebrated his 99th birthday and grieved the death of his wife of 77 years, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, and was even able, with assistance, to attend her funeral. "I suspect that President Carter is following the disease trajectory of [metastatic melanoma, which leads to] progressive fragility, where he needs help in his everyday functions and uses a wheelchair," said Teno, who has no direct knowledge of his health status. Citing recent interviews with family members, the former president is likely spending most of his days sleeping, she said. In general, hospice patients who are "not alert and sleeping more" are close to dying, said Teno, who is also an adjunct professor of health services, policy and practice at the Brown University School of Public Health. "About two-thirds of [these patients] drift peacefully to sleep [as they die] -- I suspect that is what is happening," she added. What end-of-life care entails The nuts and bolts of hospice vary by patient, but most providers adhere to Medicare guidelines and engage a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals trained to address the physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients with terminal illnesses. They also provide support to family members and other "intimate, unpaid" caregivers, according to the Hospice Foundation of America. Teams typically include a hospice physician, nurse, medical social worker, home health aide and, if applicable, chaplain and/or spiritual adviser, the foundation says. Services include medication for symptom control, including pain relief, medical equipment, such as a hospital bed, wheelchairs or walkers, and supplies, such as oxygen, bandages and catheters, as needed. Many hospice patients receive physical and occupational therapy to maintain strength and mobility, as well as speechlanguage pathology services so that they can continue to communicate. They also receive dietary counseling, which debunks "one of the most unhelpful myths" about hospice care that providers "limit nutrition and fluids or refuse to treat illnesses, such as an infection, that may occur while in hospice care to speed the dying process," the foundation's Novas said. "This is simply not true," she said. In some cases, "as part of the natural dying process, appetite diminishes significantly and patients frequently either refuse food and fluids or can no longer swallow safely without coughing and choking or aspirating food and fluids into their lungs, resulting in pneumonia," Novas said. However, for as long as patients like Carter can tolerate food and fluids and find eating pleasurable, they are typically offered small portions of their favorite meals when they ask, she added. "At end-of-life, hospice and family caregivers typically go with the flow of the day, which is dictated by how the hospice patient is doing," Novas said. "It is likely that Mr. Carter has good days and bad days with waxing and waning of symptoms and abilities," she added. Although she doesn't know specifics on the former president's daily regimen, on bad days, he may sleep for most of the day with little interaction with family or caregivers and a poor appetite, On good days, he may be alert, asking for food and be able to be out of bed and be engaged in life, Novas said, "We have seen many photos of him during the time he has received hospice doing just that, and the hospice providing his care is highly focused on helping those opportunities happen," she said. "Many hospice patients enjoy these good days or hours reminiscing with family and friends, reading, watching their favorite films or TV shows, or enjoying music," she added. Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter in 2015. story continues on page 7 Rita Hagen, Executive Director of Hospice Alliance, joins Happenings Q&A on Tue. 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0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 7 SMART READER June 27, 2024 SMART READER March 23, 2023 7 This is how bad ideas, fueled by politicians desperate to curry favor with Donald Trump, can turn draconian. Behold “Project 2025.” Immigration attorneys have long been sounding the alarm about a 900-page policy draft written by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Our nation’s system of laws and policies governing immigration isn’t the only topic addressed, but it is one where it’s easiest to see how misinformation, nativist attitudes and frankly, racism, are baked into the document. Consider this fact alone: If enacted, legal immigration, the kind most people claim to have no issue with, would be severely cut back. Project 2025 is a transition plan, a blueprint for Trump if he wins the presidential race. It was written with the input of many, most of whom see opportunity and who play to Trump’s ego and ineptitude. The plan is a conservative effort to sideline the likelihood of another circuslike Trump administration, and get to the business of substantially upending the federal government. Democrats also tee-up such administration wish lists. But they don’t tend to include giving more powers to the president, gutting federal agencies, or neutering investigative arms like the FBI. Project 2025 hopes to do this, and more. Contemplate just about every backward idea, especially those that would distract the nation from managing real world problems, and you get the general drift of the document. Here’s a few of its points that have been dissected and criticized: It calls for lifetime caps on Medicaid, a change that would shove an estimated 18.5 million people out of coverage, mostly lowincome, like the blind or otherwise disabled. This one spins from the conservative, but hardly Christian idea, that some people are takers and others are providers. And the takers are ne’er-dowells, “losers” in Trumpian verbiage. Renewable energy is treated as hogwash by Project 2025. Rather, the plan supports leaning further into fossil fuels. The plan calls to eliminate the Department of Education, pushing instead towards vouchers and charter schools, which under some outlines, can take public taxpayer dollars and send them to religious-based schools. Never mind that this would also dismantle the constitutional mandate that every child deserves a quality public education, not only those whose parents can get them into a charter school. Said more bluntly: A lot of Latino and African American children would be left in low quality schools under this plan. A huge warning needs to be made about the plan’s ideas for federal career civil servants. These are the legions of nonpartisan workers. They work through differing administrations, not loyal to either party, but rather to the work of running the nation. The plan calls for those people to be more readily replaced by political appointees, people who would be beholden to Trump or his spineless political allies. Yes, Project 2025 takes “make America great again” and showcases how much of that belief is fueled by a message that depicts America as less multicultural and more aligned with the vision of a 1950s mostly white middle class. Immigration, a constant talking point for Trump, fits into that MAGA mantra. Compliance will be gained, not by just trying to make life unbearable for immigrants, but for anyone who seeks to aid them. For example, under the plan, states that offer in-state tuition to undocumented children would risk losing federal financial aid. This ‘Project 2025’ – A fair warning of a Trump presidency with Mary Sanchez Readers can reach Mary Sanchez at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @msanchezcolumn. People of a certain age will recall a time when after an election the losing side would usually accept the results and initially give support to a new president during what was then called the “honeymoon” stage. Richard Nixon conceded to John Kennedy in 1960, although he believed the election was “stolen” by Kennedy operatives in Cook County, Illinois. Al Gore conceded to George W. Bush in the razor- close 2000 election. Hillary Clinton conceded in 2016, despite strong evidence of election interference by Russia, while Donald Trump is still in denial that he lost 2020 by more than 7 million votes. The days of concession “for the good of the country” are gone. Not only is there no honeymoon, the “divorce” occurs first. While claiming that Donald Trump would be a “threat to democracy” should he win in November, Democrats and the left are plotting how to oppose his every policy, including Trump’s plan to deport millions of migrants. To Democrats, apparently, it doesn’t matter if President Biden’s margin of victory is small or large, they believe they have a standing and perpetual right to govern, even if a majority vote differently. Damn the voters. One might arguably conclude such behavior makes them the real threat to democracy. A New York Times story reveals their strategy, including lawsuits to prevent deportations and Democrat governors who are stockpiling the abortion pill. What is it about Democrats and abortion? Let me see if I have this right. If Trump wins, he will be a threat to our Constitution, the law, the environment and just about everything else. We are a constitutional republic, not a pure democracy, but since Democrats keep using the word, let’s look at its definition: “ government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.” Are Democrats saying that if a majority of Americans vote for Trump and/or a majority of electoral votes go to the former president, that is not democracy, but if Biden wins, that is democracy? Those are contradictions, aren’t they? This is the arrogance of the left which believes it has a divine right (if they believed in the divine) to rule perpetually regardless of the outcome of an election. Yes, we witnessed some of the same attitude demonstrated by Trump supporters during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but those people, many of whom were arrested and sentenced to prison terms, do not seem to be plotting lawsuits and other strategies to thwart a second Biden term. In the not-too-distant past the losing side in an election would lick their wounds, study what went wrong, and live to fight another day. Those days are over. It’s now year-round warfare. It is not good for the country and emboldens our adversaries. From the Times article: “ Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesman, denounced these efforts as a way to pre-empt Mr. Trump from being able to implement a legitimate policy agenda. ‘ It’s not surprising Biden and his cronies are working overtime to stymie the will of the American people after they vote to elect President Trump and his America First agenda,’ Mr. Cheung said.‘ Their devious actions are a direct threat to democracy.’” Whether one is pro or anti-Trump, Mr. Cheung has a point. Elections can’t be legitimate only if your side wins and illegitimate if the other side is victorious. That attitude is the fastest way to undermine the United States into divided states and a perpetually divided people.” Who’s a ‘threat to democracy’? with Cal Thomas Readers may email Cal Thomas at [email protected]. Look for Cal Thomas’ latest book “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America" my turn Mary Sanchez joins Happenings Q&A on Mon. July 1st at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP Former president Donald Trump leaves the New York State Supreme Court during the civil fraud trial against the Trump Organization in New York on Dec. 7, 2023. story continues on next page a , r f , y g r , g 76 ? 062724 g: 0m8s

8 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F Make no mistake: America's democracy is really and truly at risk! Let me repeat that: America's democracy is really and truly at risk. Why? For the first and only time since 1776, both presidential candidates and their parties assert and believe the other is a clear and present danger to democracy. Worse, many Americans of both political parties believe this. President Joe Biden has called twice-impeached and once-convicted felon Donald Trump a "dictator" who will impose his own style of autocratic government on the nation. For those who want hard evidence, read the ultraconservative Heritage Foundation's report "Project 2025" or those of former Trump adviser Russ Vought's views on radically changing the Constitution that propose actions a second Trump administration would take if re-elected. In response, Trump sees Biden as the "worst president in U.S. history." Vowing retribution and revenge if elected, Trump claims that means he will have a successful presidency. But most see a darker side to this promise. Republicans claim that Democrats have weaponized the Justice Department to prevent or derail the Trump campaign through lawfare and the sham New York trial over hush money. Democrats fear that Republicans will be even more aggressive in retaliating against them if returned to office. Both parties as well as most Americans are irreparably divided over virtually every issue. Hate and venom have banished civility and respect from the public discourse. And compromise and dignity have been "disappeared" from politics. With just under five months to the general election, conditions can only deteriorate. As an aside, readers should appreciate the irony that the election is set for Nov. 5 -- known as Guy Fawkes Day in Britain and the infamous Gunpowder Plot to destroy Parliament in 1605. A crisis of legitimacy now exists in American politics where most of us are highly distrustful of all or most institutions and even of fellow citizens. Polls across American society clearly demonstrate the magnitude of this distrust. Even the once-sacrosanct Supreme Court is trapped in this quagmire as actions by justices from flying flags and accepting millions of dollars in "hospitality" gifts come under closer scrutiny. A political system based on checks and balances cannot function without trust and legitimacy. A possible breaking point is after the election. Trump did not and does not accept the results of the 2020 presidential election. Nor do many of his base. And despite attempts to imply otherwise, Trump is not prepared to accept 2024 unless he wins. And what if he loses? This could lead to the most intense crisis since 1861. Both parties have declared and deeply believe that the other is a menace and threat to democracy. Could either party accept defeat when that loss, in this view, could mean an end to America as we know it? It would be naive to expect that either party would accommodate to losing given the level of animosity and even mutual hatred. The notion of good sportsmanship winning through is folly. Then could the events of Jan. 6 and the riots that led to an occupation of the Capitol metastasize into an American version of Israel's Oct. 7, escalating into massive armed violence. While Americans would not repeat the despicable tactics of Hamas in perpetrating bestial crimes, it is not inconceivable that hostages could be taken in attempts to change Electoral College votes. The predicate is what happened after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis policeman in 2020 except on a scale far greater across the nation. The legal presence of hundreds of millions of firearms and powerful destructive devices and other weapons presents several terrifying scenarios. Some will argue that extreme and possibly ubiquitous violence is not possible because of constitutional checks and balances and the ultimate reluctance of Americans to commit violence on other Americans. But would Americans apply restraint especially if there is such mutual conviction that the other party will indeed wreck democracy? Why entrust government to a party that will destroy it? That becomes an unanswerable and potentially existential question if these animosities go unchecked. What can be done? Cooling down the rhetoric is like King Canute demanding to roll back the ocean to demonstrate his impotence. The rhetoric will become more inflamed, passionate and probably more irrational as the election approaches and both parties become more desperate to win, possibly at all cost. As Ben Franklin observed, "You can have a republic for all long as you can keep it." Nov. 5 may test that advice. U.S. democracy is really and truly at risk with Harlan Ullman my turn Dr Harlan Ullman is senior adviser at Washington's Atlantic Council, the prime author of "shock and awe" and the book "The Fifth Horseman and the New MAD: How Massive Attacks of Disruption Became the Looming Existential Danger to a Divided Nation and the World at Large." Harlan Ullman joins Happenings Q&A on Thu, July 11th at 9:20am on AM1050 WLIP alone could strip federal aid from two-thirds of America’s students. Building the wall at the southern border is in Project 2025. It’s been reiterated a bazillion times, but a nearly 2,000-mile long wall is nonsensical and completely ignores how technology and simply having a working immigration system could accomplish so much more in terms of national security. Work visas, now crucial to agriculture, the construction industry, restaurants and so many other industries would be undercut. It’s simply demographics. The nation needs more workers, at all levels, in skilled trades, manual labor and yes, for jobs requiring college and post-college degrees. But anger and misinformation about immigrants and what they offer the country is an old trope, easy to dust off during each election cycle. Project 2025 spins from this fact: Trump is a vindictive man who holds grudges. Each instance where he felt someone did him wrong – his former attorney generals, his staff’s inner circles, the federal agencies that had a role in investigating him – all of them are ripe for elimination or neutering within the goals of Project 2025. That’s a whole lot of payback that could come. But to codify one man’s vices into policy, to change laws and completely reorder the federal system of government to fit Trump’s worst traits is ludicrous. Thankfully, there’s still time to stop it. Sanchez continued from page 6 Hospice means home Being in hospice means that Carter, and others like him facing terminal illnesses, are able to stay at home, in comfort, surrounded by loved ones, according to the Hospice Foundation of America. The service is provided primarily in the patient's home, whether that is a private residence, nursing home or community living arrangement, it says. Hospice practitioners believe that being at home is best for people at end-of-life, both for reasons of comfort, as well as the reduced risk for hospital-acquired infections, which can add to suffering and reduce life expectancy, Novas said. Still, hospice providers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond if the patient needs care. Most hospice patients are eligible for Medicare, which covers all aspects of end-of-life care, and Medicaid offers similar coverage In addition, many commercial health insurance plans offer a hospice benefit, but the extent to which they cover care and services may vary. "Certainly, Mr. Carter's choice to elect hospice care versus futile treatment has shone a spotlight on the value of hospice and palliative care and the important role it has in our healthcare system," Novas said. "By outliving his initial prognosis and by receiving hospice care for over a year now, he has done much to dispel the myth that hospice is only for people who are bedbound and actively dying." By Brian Dunleavey Carter continued from page 5 SMART READER June 27, 2024 8

0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER March 23, 2023 9 DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’m reaching out because I’m in a tough spot. A close friend rode out Hurricane Ian in Florida last year and it seems to me that he’s struggling now. He’s angry and jumpy, while being numb to what’s happening around him. He told me that he’s not sleeping well, especially when another hurricane is in the news. Is it possible that he has PTSD from the hurricane? I’m not sure how to offer support without making him feel uncomfortable. ANSWER: Posttraumatic stress disorder, also called PTSD, doesn’t just happen to characters on the screen. It’s a normal, natural response to trauma and happens when the nervous system, which is designed to protect you from danger, gets stuck in the fight-orflight response. People may develop PTSD when they experience, see or learn about a shocking experience or event involving harm, threatened death or serious injury. Natural disasters, like experiencing the power and devastation of Hurricane Ian, can trigger PTSD. In addition to natural disasters, other common events that cause PTSD symptoms include accidents, being threatened with a weapon, combat exposure, abuse or receiving a lifethreatening medical diagnosis. PTSD symptoms Some people experience distressing symptoms for a short period after a traumatic event but get better with time and selfcare. For others, the symptoms worsen over time and begin to interfere with daily activities and relationships. Overall, PTSD symptoms usually are grouped into four categories: Intrusive thoughts. Recurrent and unwanted memories of the traumatic event can cause significant emotional distress or physical reactions. The person may experience nightmares or flashbacks, which is reliving the traumatic event again. Avoidance. People with PTSD may avoid talking about the event or steer clear of places, activities or people that remind them of the event. Mood and thought disturbances. This category of PTSD symptoms can mirror depression, with people experiencing hopelessness, negative thoughts about themselves or others, detachment from loved ones, lack of interest in activities, emotional numbness and relationship difficulties. Reactivity. These symptoms may include being easily startled, always on guard for danger and overwhelming feelings of guilt or shame. The person may be irritable or have angry outbursts. They could have trouble sleeping or concentrating and engage in self-destructive behaviors such as drinking too much or taking illicit drugs. It’s important to note that some people may have a few PTSD symptoms but not enough for an official diagnosis of the condition. In these cases, treatment still can be helpful and can guide people toward self-care strategies and coping mechanisms. PTSD treatment The good news for you and your friend is that PTSD is treatable, and many people manage it well or recover from their symptoms. Some protective factors are especially helpful during recovery, including having positive social support from friends like you. PTSD treatment involves addressing both the physical and mental aspects of the condition. Treatment plans developed by a healthcare professional are tailored to meet the needs of each person. Certain treatments calm the nervous system and help people regain control over their physical responses to triggers. These tactics help the person have an automatic physical response to tell their body that a perceived threat isn’t accurate. Examples include grounding techniques, breath awareness and body-focused interventions. For example, short and shallow breaths can be signs of the nervous system reacting to a trigger. Through treatment, people can identify this reaction and learn to take slow breaths, which can calm the physical reactions. Cognitive processing therapy can help your friend identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs related to the hurricane. Other treatments, such as exposure therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing can help as well. Finally, medications may be helpful when used in combination with other treatment options. Positive support I encourage you to discuss your concerns with your friend. Focus on your observations of his behaviors before and after the hurricane. Listen without judgment and don’t minimize his feelings. Suggest that he seek professional help to undergo a thorough exam and have his symptoms evaluated. Finally, I recommend that you learn more about PTSD to get a grasp of what he is going through and why he may react the way he does. Remember that each person’s reaction to a traumatic event is valid, and his trauma shouldn’t be compared to another person’s trauma as “better” or “worse.” PTSD isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a normal response to traumatic events, like a hurricane in your community. With a combination of interventions and professional help, your friend can learn to manage his symptoms and regain control. — Jackie Richter, Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin Mayo Clinic How to diagnose and support someone with post-traumatic stress disorder health 9 SMART READER June 27, 2024 Food! Watershow! Carnival! Music! Fireworks! “Celebrate”... ! THE CITY OF KENOSHA, HAPPENINGS MAGAZINE AND KENOSHA COUNTY PRESENT... PLATINUM SPONSORS THURSDAY, JULY 4TH SHORELINE SOUTH STAGE NOON-2:30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AM / FM 3:30-6:00. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INFATUATION 7:00-9:30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BOYS & TOYS SHORELINE NORTH STAGE 1:00-3:30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LUCKY PICKERS 4:30-7:00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RICHRATH PROJECT 3:13 8:00-10:30 . . . . . . . . . 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10 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F SMART READER June 27, 2024 10 The world recently recognized Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a term that has many applications, depending on the region. In this column, we are focusing on the financial exploitation of older Americans, which can be divided into two categories: financial abuse, which is committed by someone the victim knows, and financial fraud, which is perpetrated by a stranger. These crimes can result in financial, physical, and emotional harm to older adults. To quantify the financial impact, law enforcement agencies have released the damage done in the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center’s 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Last year, elder fraud complaints jumped by 14 percent, and associated losses of those crimes increased by about 11%. (For these types of crimes, the government defines “elder” as individuals aged 60 and older.) The dollars involved in these crimes have ballooned, with elder scams robbing people of over $3.4 billion, or an average of $33,915 per victim. The types of scams involved are wide-ranging, with tech support swindles accounting for the most widely reported kind of elder fraud in 2023. These are events where criminals pose as representatives or fictitious companies. They offer to fix non-existent computer issues, and ultimately gain remote access to victims’ devices and sensitive information. Losses for tech scams amounted to $590 million last year. But it was investment scams that were the most financially devastating kind of elder fraud in 2023, costing victims more than $1.2 billion in losses. There is no single type of investment fraud, according to the FBI. Fraudsters often pitch these ideas as “low-risk investments with guaranteed returns” and include everything from Ponzi and pyramid schemes, market manipulation fraud, real estate investing, and cryptocurrency scams. With crypto, criminals usually rely on building trust and confidence, initiating contact through dating apps, social media platforms or professional networking sites. As the relationship deepens, the criminal slowly lures the victim into a complex cryptocurrency investment scam. Another insidious elder crime starts as a text or call from someone posing as a relative — usually a child or grandchild — claiming to be in immediate financial need. Government officials at the FTC remind us that “scammers are good at faking it,” so it’s important to verify the person’s identity. “Resist the pressure to react and send money immediately. Hang up — or tell the person you’ll call them right back. "If you don’t feel comfortable hanging up, try asking a question only the real person would know the answer to, like ‘What was the name of our childhood dog?’ or ‘Where did you spend Thanksgiving last year?’” If you are seeking a more generalized preventive measure that can help uncover financial shenanigans, either from relatives or outside forces, most banks, credit unions and brokerage firms allow individuals to choose one or more trusted contacts, like an adult child or close friend, who your bank or credit union can reach out to for extra help in emergency situations. If you believe you or someone you know may have been a victim of elder fraud, contact your local FBI field office, submit a tip online, or file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. You will need:Names of the scammer/company; Dates of contact; Methods of communication; Phone numbers, email/mailing addresses, and websites used by the perpetrator; Methods of payment; Where you sent funds, including wire transfers and prepaid cards (provide financial institution names, account names, and account numbers); Descriptions of your interactions with the scammer and the instructions you were given Keep original documentation, emails, faxes, and logs of communications and as a practice, be skeptical and defensive. Parents, it’s not just you: It really does cost a lot to raise a child in the United States. The annual Child Cost Aware of America (CCAoA) report is out and the results are staggering. The national average price of childcare for 2023 was $11,582 – and that’s just the AVERAGE! In many parts of the country, especially those that have seen shortages of labor which have caused childcare facilities to close, prices can swell to two or three times that amount. The report notes “it would take 10% of a married couple with children’s median income to afford this national average price” and it would take 32% of a single parent’s median income to afford the national average price. For context, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that “childcare should not cost families more than 7% of their annual income.” That HHS 7% recommendation seems to be woefully out of date, which is likely why the Department of Labor launched The National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) last year. The NDCP is “the most comprehensive source of local childcare price data… As a share of family income, the NDCP shows that childcare prices are untenable for families across all care types, age groups, and county population sizes.” Of course, this is not breaking news for American families. In fact, the cost of childcare has been steadily rising over many years. Just before the global economy shut down in early 2020, The Atlantic journalist Annie Lowrey described a long term, “multifarious and strangely invisible economic crisis” in which American families were hammered by rising rents, larger out of pocket health costs, skyrocketing college tuition and soaring childcare costs. These trends, which she called "The Great Affordability Crisis Breaking America," occurred amid a strong recovery and yet, “for millions, a roaring economy felt precarious or downright terrible.” The pandemic years exacerbated the childcare issue, because when care centers shut down, their workers left the industry, in search of higher paying jobs. They didn’t have to go far to beat their previous income: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a childcare worker in 2023 was $14.60 per hour or $30,370 per year. One result of costly childcare is that it can push workers out of the labor force, at least until their kids go to school, which can put a dent into their long-term savings. Alternatively, some turn to family for help. Perhaps chipping in for the care of grandchildren isn’t a hardship, but the younger generation is often asking for help well before they have kids of their own. A recent Bankrate survey found that almost half of adults aged 23 or older say they’ve received ongoing financial assistance from parents or guardians for housing, for everyday expenses and for paying down or off debt. Presuming that the older generation is financially stable, providing some assistance should be fine. But 61 percent of the parents say that helping their kids has meant making significant sacrifices in their own lives, like dipping into their emergency savings (43%), paying down/off debt (41%), or pulling back on their retirement savings (37%). If there is an emergency, parents are going to provide a backstop. But when helping kids puts retirement security at risk, that’s a problem. After all, no parent wants to be in the position of asking their children to help them later in life. Before sending money, be sure to have concrete conversations about how long the assistance will last and then create a plan to help the younger generation become financially independent. Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is a CBS News business analyst. A former options trader and CIO of an investment advisory firm, she welcomes comments and questions at [email protected]. jill on money Elder financial abuse is on the rise with Jill Schlesinger The high cost of parenting with Jill Schlesinger SR032124 Tune In To Happenings Q&A Radio On AM 1050 WLIP Weekdays From 9am-11am When Frank Carmichael And Happenings Staff Members Visit With Interesting Guests, Both Local And From Around The Country. SR 030724 If you’re thinking of changing jobs or getting close to retirement . . . . . . you owe it to yourself to meet with a financial professional. If you’re thinking of changing jobs or getting close to retirement . . . . . . you owe it to yourself to meet with a financial professional. We can review and discuss your 401k rollover or help you explore your retirement options I can help you plan for life. Let’s talk. I can help you plan for life. Let’s talk.

0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 11 SMART READER June 27, 2024 SMART READER March 23, 2023 11 The inspiration for this column came to me one Sunday morning as I was greeting people at our church, where my wife and I are ushers. In between people dashing through the door to avoid the drops of rain falling from the steelgray clouds, I looked across the street. A project at a multifamily building was finally completed. The final job was to erect a new sign near the sidewalk. This sign was covered by a simple roof structure that was anchored to the ground with two rough-sawn 8x8s. They were either oak or cedar. I suspect cedar, based on the nut-brown color. A week before, I had seen all the lumber on a pallet ready to be installed. That’s how I know the posts were solid wood. Cedar contains natural w o o d - p r e s e r v a t i v e chemicals, much like redwood. However, it’s not immune to wood rot. In this case, the architect called for the wood posts to be buried and surrounded by concrete. This prevents the structure from tipping over in a windstorm. Vandals could also push it over if above-ground posts were connected to the piers using normal deck-post hardware. The better solution might have been to use 6x6 treated lumber posts rated for burial and ground contact. A good carpenter, using a table saw, could have easily duplicated the look of a solid cedar post by wrapping the treated lumber posts with four mitered pieces of 3/4-inch cedar. Are you building a new home or a room addition? Will it be built using lumber? If so, it’s vital this wood be protected from water that will leak past brick and stone veneer, vinyl siding, wood or fibercement siding, or any other exterior finish. Many decades ago, builders used 30-pound tar paper to waterproof their woodframe houses. I had the good fortune to work with tar paper early in my career. I cut my teeth in the rehabilitation and remodeling business. I took apart old houses and could see tar paper that was 80 years old and still doing its job keeping wood rot at bay. There are many new products that have taken the place of tar paper. Your job is to get one that allows water vapor to pass through it but not liquid water. Just about every water barrier sold has this capability. Think about the interior areas of your house that might suffer the most from water or water leaks. Bathrooms come to mind. Imagine treating the wood floor joists with copper napthenate. This is a liquid you can paint onto any untreated lumber. Copper is a natural biocide. It’s the primary component in treated lumber you purchase for outdoor use. You can even buy treated plywood for floors if you want to prevent tubs and toilets from falling into the room below. I just bought some last week to use as a false floor in some outdoor planters for my lovely wife. Some engineered subflooring says it's water resistant and maybe waterproof, but I prefer to use real treated plywood. That’s what you’ll find in my outdoor shed. I didn’t want to ever worry if the floor would rot out. Are new windows or exterior doors in your immediate or near future? If you have wood under these, you need to make sure water never gets to the wood. Flashing kits are available for exterior doors. You can also make your own using thin moldable copper. Flashing tapes can be used to create waterproofing under windows. There are quite a few very good videos, including one I recorded years ago, showing how to use this tape under doors and windows. What about your roof? Did you know the vast majority of wood rot on roofs happens near or below roof flashings? Flashings are transitional roofing materials. They connect roofing material to things that are not roofs. Understand that caulk is not a long-term solution for poor flashing jobs. Roofing cement is no better. This black asphalt cement is just a temporary patching material. The sun’s ultraviolet rays work rapidly to destroy exposed asphalt. To prevent wood rot on your roof, flashing work must be superior. Once again, there are lots of great videos online, some by flashing manufacturers, that show you the correct way to create rot-proof roofs. You need to understand the process so when you interview roofers you can see if they know the best way to install the flashings. Building with wood? Here's how to prevent rot Ask the Builder with Tim Carter Subscribe to Tim’s FREE newsletter at AsktheBuilder.com. Tim offers phone coaching calls if you get stuck during a DIY job. 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12 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F g i h e s p h w c s a t O h 8 C 1 i l m t p “ o e i c o g P w t W “ o o H a SMART READER June 27, 2024 12 Dear Cathy, During a recent visit to my son's home, my five-year-old Yorkie mix, Mortie, behaved unusually. My son's large mixed-breed rescue, Shep, seemed to resent Mortie, growling and attacking from the start. Mortie became frightened and submissive. Mortie left food behind, which Shep would then eat. Was this a peace offering? Additionally, Mortie ate Shep's poop and had a vomiting episode. They seemed to reach a detente by the end of our 10-day visit. As I'm 86, I worry about Mortie's future. My son and his wife have offered to take him in, but I'm concerned about the dogs' relationship. Can you advise where Mortie should live after I'm gone? Also, have you addressed poop-eating in a previous column? — Mary, Laramie, Wyoming Dear Mary, I have addressed poop-eating, or coprophagia, in the past, but I'm happy to revisit it here. There are commercial stool deterrent products on the market specifically designed for this purpose that you could give to Mortie during your visits. Probiotics can also help improve his gut health, addressing any digestive issues or nutrient absorption problems that might be causing the behavior. During your visits, your son can help by picking up Shep's feces more frequently to reduce temptation. He can also add certain human foods to Shep’s dog food, prior to and during your visit, to make his feces less appealing to Mortie. Common options include meat tenderizer, pineapple, and pumpkin, which alters the taste of the feces. However, before your son adds any new foods to Shep’s diet, it's important that he consult with his veterinarian to ensure they are safe and appropriate for Shep’s specific health needs. Regarding the relationship between Mortie and Shep, they had a rough start. To ensure Mortie feels more comfortable and secure in his potential new home, try bringing familiar items like his bed, toys, and blankets on your next visit. Additionally, consider having shorter, more frequent visits to acclimate Mortie to his potential new environment. And I recommend canine pheromone collars for each of them on the next visit and spray pheromones to spray on the humans in the house and furniture. It’s not a cure, but it can help reduce tensions. I was initially concerned about the "attacking" you mention, but since you said they reached a detente by the end of your visit, I think there is hope for these future brothers. They don't have to be best friends, but they do need to coexist peacefully, which sounds like there is potential for that to happen. More frequent visits will help them learn to get along, and make you worry less about Mortie’s future. Ensuring a compatible and loving home for Mortie after you're gone is commendable, and with a bit of patience and preparation, I believe the two dogs can learn to coexist peacefully, someday. Dear Cathy, Your column about using positive reinforcement was of great interest because that method is exactly the current accepted method recommended for children as well. As Dr. Phil likes to say, "Don't reward bad behavior," and "Catch them doing something right and reinforce with praise." It works best for animals and kids, apparently. — Sherry, Henderson, Nevada Dear Sherry, I am delighted that you found the column on positive reinforcement relevant. Your insight about how this method applies to various relationships is spot on. Everyone, including pets, children, and even adults, regardless of age or role, thrives on positive feedback. It's a simple yet effective strategy that helps create a supportive and motivating environment. It's wonderful to know that this approach resonates with you. Pet World with Cathy Rosenthal Woman is concerned for her beloved dog's future As well as being a recuring guest on Happenings Q&A, Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 30 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to [email protected]. Authorities in Boston are hunting for a cow spotted wandering through an intersection before giving animal control officers the slip. Boston Animal Control said on social media that a brown-and-white cow was spotted last Saturday evening at the intersection of Stella and Harding roads in the Roslindale neighborhood. Animal control officers responded to the area, but the jaywalking bovine fled and vanished into a nearby wooded area. "Officers canvassed the area, but have been unable to locate the animal," the post said. Officers said the cow remained on the loose last Sunday, with no new sightings reported. Residents were asked not to start a beef with the bovine if it is spotted. "We ask that residents not chase, or attempt to capture the animal, instead please report any sightings," officials wrote. The cow's origins were unclear. Loose cow evades animal control officers Pekingese named Wild Thang wins World's Ugliest Dog A longtime runner-up in California's World's Ugliest Dog Contest finally got his crown. Last Friday, fourth time was the charm for Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese from North Bend, Oreg., who previously placed second in the annual competition three times before. Wild Thang is a survivor of distempter, a viral disease that infects animals' respiratory system and can also suppress the immune system, according to his bio. "He survived, but not without permanent damage. His teeth did not grow in, causing his tongue to stay out and his right front leg paddles 24/7," his bio read, noting that, apart from his health issues his is a happy, "glugly" (glamorous/ugly) pup. He and his owner Ann Lewis walked away with $5,000 in prize money. The Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., has hosted the World's Ugliest Dog Contest for nearly 50 year's, according to the fair's website. "This world-renowned event celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique," a statement on the website read. Last year's king was a 7- year-old Chinese Crested dog named Scooter. Scooter was born with deformed hind legs and was turned over to animal control by a breeder for euthanasia, but fortunately, a member of the shelter Linda Elmquist adopted him, and the two live happily in Tucson, Ariz. "I am overjoyed and incredibly proud," Elmquist said last year. "Despite the challenges he has faced with his deformed hind legs, Scooter has defied all odds and shown us the true meaning of resilience and determination. He has become an inspiration to countless people around the world." IUP General Feed Store 2429 Sheridan Road Zion, IL 60099 847-731-3333 Your local stop for... • Wild Birdseed • Dog & Cat Food • Grass Seed • Wide Variety Of Garden Seeds • High Quality Dog Treats • Homemade Soaps • Honey Your local stop for... 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0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER March 23, 2023 13 Oceans are changing as global temperatures increase, a shift that could have huge consequences for everyone on Earth. But the story of this portion of the planet’s surface is also one of hope and potential, especially when it comes to climate change, according to scientists and environmental advocates. These dual messages are the focus of this year’s World Oceans Day, an international holiday occurring every June 8. First suggested by the Canadian government in 1992, the day has evolved into a global effort to get land-focused humans to pay more attention to the water that covers 70% of our planet. This year the theme is “catalyzing action for our ocean and climate” – an effort to explicitly link the issues of ocean health and climate change. “Most people see the ocean as that wet place they go in a boat,” says Tom Pickerell, a marine scientist who is the global director for the Ocean Program at the World Resources Institute. “But it’s key to our survival.” Humans have explored only a tiny fraction of the ocean. A regular saying among marine scientists is that we know more about the moon than we do about our own watery ecosystem. But we do know some key facts: The ocean is central to Earth’s climate system. And it’s changing as humans alter the atmosphere. How do the world’s oceans affect Earth’s climate? The oceans are the planet’s temperature regulators. They not only absorb most of the heat that comes into our atmosphere from the sun, but also distribute that warmth around the globe through a system of conveyor belt-like currents. This keeps the equatorial regions of the world, which get a disproportionate amount of solar radiation, from being unbearably hot, and the northernmost and southernmost regions from being unbearably cold. (The United Kingdom, for instance, has a mild temperature despite its high latitude thanks, in large part, to the Gulf Stream.) “Life on Earth exists because of the ocean,” says Lisa Suatoni, deputy director of the oceans divisions for the Natural Resources Defense Council. “It moderates our climate so that every point on Earth is habitable.” Around half of the world’s oxygen comes from the ocean (thanks largely to p h o t o s y n t h e s i z i n g phytoplankton). About onesixth of the animal protein that humans consume comes from ocean animals. And this might seem obvious, but the oceans give us ... water. Almost all of the world’s rain comes from evaporating ocean water. That atmospheric moisture gets carried around the globe by trade winds, forms rainstorms, falls on land, and supports the hydrological systems that in turn support us. This complex, churning system is controlled by a slew of different factors: winds, salinity, the Earth’s rotation, the gravitational pull of the moon – and, of course, temperature. What’s climate change doing to the oceans? There’s a lot of talk about how Earth is getting hotter, and how that’s resulting in heat waves such as the one that sent temperatures in India and Pakistan last week soaring above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. But the ocean is actually absorbing most of the extra heat caused by human activity – as much as 90%, says Dr. Pickerell. “Without that buffer, we’d be in a much warmer place,” he says. Last year was the ocean’s warmest year in recorded history, according to NASA. The past 10 years were the warmest decade since at least the 1800s. That heat makes an impact. On a basic physics level, warmer water expands more than colder water, which in the oceans means sea level rise. Warmer water also melts ice. Think about what happens to your ice cubes in a glass of lukewarm water left outside in the summer. Although more complex, on some level that’s what’s happening to sea ice at the poles. That melting ice means even more sea level rise for island and coastal communities. But warmer water and melting ice also affects those finely tuned currents that distribute heat around the world. While scientists have conflicting views about how fast, and even whether, currents such as the cold Labrador Current or the warm North Atlantic Drift will break down, the risk of them doing so is high enough that many researchers are alarmed. (In some scenarios, researchers have predicted extreme storms and frigid weather in the U.K. to accompany a weakening of the Gulf Stream.) It’s not only humans who are affected. Marine species are already migrating rapidly because of changing ocean temperatures. “We’re just seeing really rapid changes in marine ecosystems because of that heat,” says Dr. Suatoni. “Marine animals are coldblooded. They respond more rapidly than other animals. Fish are racing to the poles.” But heat isn’t the only thing going into oceans. Scientists estimate that oceans have absorbed around 30% of the carbon dioxide emitted by humans. This is having a chemical effect in the water, making the oceans more acidic. (The oceans are more acidic now than they have been at any point in the past 2 million years, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.) While humans putting their hands in the water might not notice the shift, the increased acidity is having a big impact on marine life, particularly on the bottom of the food chain. Larvae, for instance, are particularly sensitive to acidity; creatures also have a harder time forming shells. Are there ocean-based solutions to climate change? But even as oceans bear the brunt of climate change, Dr. Pickerell points out, they also offer some of the world’s most hopeful How rising sea temperatures are affecting Earth’s climate An aerial view of a mangrove forest recovered from deforestation in the Guapimirim environmental protection area on Guanabara Bay, Brazil, May 22, 2024. Four years ago, the Mar Urbano nongovernmental organization planted 30,000 mangrove trees in the deforested area, that today reach up to 4 meters high. story continues on page 18 13 SMART READER June 27, 2024 020824 062724 12 ..m 040424 m

14 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F t c T ju im N m w h t a e U t fa o S s g c w c o h d W Y N w Adults with a history of low back pain were able to avoid a recurrence for far longer if they walked regularly compared to those who did not, a new study has found. The WalkBack study, conducted by Macquarie University's Spinal Pain Research Group in Sydney, Australia, was published in The Lancet. In 2020, low back pain affected 619 million people worldwide, with a projection of 843 million cases by 2050, according to last year's report in Lancet Rheumatology. It's a leading cause of disability and decreased quality of life, experts said. The current best practice to manage and prevent back pain suggests combining exercise with education. However, many people can't access or afford some types of exercise due to high cost, complexity and need for supervision. As a result, the Australian researchers decided to examine whether walking could be a helpful, costeffective, accessible intervention. For between one and three years, the researchers tracked 701 adults with recent recovery from an episode of low back pain. They randomly assigned participants to an individualized walking program and six physiotherapist-guided education sessions over six months or to a control group. Their findings could have a profound impact on the management of low back pain, the study's senior author, Mark Hancock, a professor of physiotherapy at Macquarie University, said in a news release. "The intervention group had fewer occurrences of activity limiting pain compared to the control group, and a longer average period before they had a recurrence, with a median of 208 days compared to 112 days," Hancock said. "Walking is a low-cost, widely accessible and simple exercise that almost anyone can engage in, regardless of geographic location, age or socio-economic status," he added. He suggested that walking is highly effective for back pain prevention due to the combination of "gentle oscillatory movements, loading and strengthening the spinal structures and muscles, relaxation and stress relief, and release of 'feel-good' endorphins." Walking also confers many other benefits to an individual's well-being, such as cardiovascular health, bone density, lower weight and an improved mental state, researchers said. In addition to providing participants with longer pain-free periods, the program "reduced their need both to seek health care support and the amount of time taken off work by approximately half," Natasha Pocovi, the study's lead author and a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Health Sciences at Macquarie University, said in a news release. "There is currently such a heavy focus on treating an episode of low back pain, with much less emphasis on prevention. We expect this study to shift the focus more to prevention," she told UPI via email. "There is a widespread belief that protecting the back is important and movement can cause harm. We now understand this to simply not be true. Instead, keeping sensibly active within the limits of pain and trying to keep to your usual routine as best possible will result in a quicker recovery." Previously explored e x e r c i s e - b a s e d interventions to prevent back pain typically were group-based and needed close clinical supervision and expensive equipment, so they were much less accessible to the majority of patients, she noted. "Our study has shown that this effective and accessible means of exercise has the potential to be successfully implemented at a much larger scale than other forms of exercise," Pocovi said. To expand their research, team members said they hope to explore how to integrate the preventive approach into the routine care of patients experiencing recurrent low back pain. "This trial represents welcome progress toward improved support for people with recurrent episodes of back pain," United Kingdom-based physiotherapists Diarmuid Denneny and Jackie Walumbe wrote in a commentary that accompanied the study. "Affordable and accessible interventions that reduce recurrences of back pain and associated social and economic effects are important," the physiotherapists noted. "Further work evaluating this intervention with broader and diverse populations, where people with comorbidities and those experiencing socioeconomic deprivation are included, is necessary to evaluate real-world application and outcomes," they said. Dr. Thomas Schuler, chair of the National Spine Health Foundation, said "physical activity, even as simple as a progressive walking program, can be beneficial in preventing the recurrence of low back pain." He was not involved in the study. "One could apply that same logic to preventing a first episode of low back pain or in the management of low back pain. Sedentary lifestyles are counterproductive to reaching these goals," said Schuler, a spine surgeon and founder of the Virginia Spine Institute in Reston, Va. These findings align with previous studies revealing that aerobic exercise decreases pain and disability, while improving mental health in patients with back pain, said Dr. D. Scott Kreiner, first vice president on the North American Spine Society's board of directors. "This study demonstrates that walking alone is enough Walking brings huge benefits for low back pain, study finds Australian researchers decided to examine whether walking could be a helpful, cost-effective, accessible intervention. They found it could. story continues on page 18 SMART READER June 27, 2024 14 SR062724 $ 20 OFF SR062724 YOUR CERTIFIED GM SERVICE CENTER... WE USE GENUINE GM PARTS WE ALSO SERVICE ALL VEHICLE MAKES AND MODELS PALMEN BUICK GMC CADILLAC Cannot be combined with any other coupons. See advisor for details. Expires 07/27/24. 7110 74th PL, Kenosha, WI • (262) 694-1500 “Located next to Menards” SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN’S LARGEST TIRE DEALERSHIP! Transmission or Coolant Flush 10% OFF PALMEN BUICK GMC CADILLAC Cannot be combined with any other coupons. See advisor for details. Expires 07/27/24. Parts & Labor on any add-on GM Accessory $ 10 OFF PALMEN BUICK GMC CADILLAC Cannot be combined with any other coupons. See advisor for details. Expires 07/27/24. 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0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 15 SMART READER June 27, 2024 SMART READER March 23, 2023 15 Since the prevalence of the Atkins and keto diets, carbs have gotten a bad rap. The truth is, the right carbs, just like the right fats, improve your overall diet. New research finds they may even help you lose weight -- and help your heart. Cardiovascular disease is the underlying cause in approximately one out of every three deaths in the United States. And while there are many contributing factors, diet is certainly one of the most important. Several observational studies have found that greater whole grain consumption is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and even death. But here's the problem -- most Americans consume less than one serving of whole grains daily. A serving, by the way, is a slice of whole wheat bread or a half cup of brown rice. In a study published in the Journal of Nutrition on July 13, 2021, researchers found that older adults who ate at least three servings of whole grains every day experienced smaller increases in waist size, blood pressure and blood sugar compared with those who consumed less than one-half serving per day. Researchers used data collected from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Framingham Heart Study. Researchers measured the waist sizes of adults in their mid-50s over a fouryear period and found those who ate at least three servings of whole grains daily added only a half inch to their waist size. By comparison, adults in the "low-intake" group added one inch, on average. In addition, study participants, on average, had blood pressure readings of approximately 125 over 75, but those who consumed at least three servings of whole grains daily measured, on average, 122 over 74. "Our findings suggest that eating whole-grain foods as part of a healthy diet delivers health benefits beyond just helping us lose or maintain weight as we age," study coauthor Nicola McKeown said in a press release. And because weight and Type 2 diabetes can be contributing factors to heart disease, this study matters. The bottom line is adding at least three servings of whole grains to your meals each day can make a difference. Your heart -- and your waistline - - will be glad you did. Just what is a whole grain? Think brown rice, quinoa, barley, whole-wheat bread and high fiber cereals like oatmeal -- foods that have fiber because they contain the entire grain (the germ, bran husk and endosperm). When grains are refined -- making white flour from wheat, for example, or making white rice from brown rice -- the process removes the outer husk and bran layers and sometimes the inner germ of the grain kernel. Because the bran and germ portions of the grain contain much of the dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, the nutrient content of the whole grains is far superior to that of refined grains. Some food manufacturers add iron thiamin, riboflavin, folate and niacin back to white flour through enrichment but typically they don't add back the dietary fiber and nutrients such as vitamin B6, calcium, phosphorus potassium, magnesium and zinc, which are lost in processing. Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU Med School in Springfield, Ill. food & recipes Whole Grains and Your Heart Nutrition News with Charlyn Fargo Servings: 4 1 pound chicken breast cutlets 1 teaspoon salt, divided 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, divided 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 6 cups green beans (about 1 pound), ends trimmed 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, plus leaves for garnish 1/4 cup unsalted chicken broth 1/4 cup dry white wine 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts Lemon wedges for garnish Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken, turning once, until it reaches 165 degrees, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and green beans to the pan. Sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally until tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Stir in garlic, lemon zest and thyme; cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth, wine and lemon juice and return the chicken and any juices to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced by half, about 1 minute more. Serve topped with pine nuts, more thyme and lemon wedges, if desired. Serves 4 (3 ounces chicken and 1 cup green beans each). Per serving: 296 calories; 27 grams protein; 11 grams carbohydrate; 16 grams fat (2 grams saturated); 63 milligrams cholesterol; 4 grams total sugars (0 grams added); 4 grams fiber; 652 milligrams sodium. Lemon Garlic Chicken w/Green Beans Serves 4 18 ounces frozen artichoke hearts Salt and pepper 4 (10- to 12-ounce) bone-in split chicken breasts, trimmed, brined if desired 5 tablespoons olive oil 12 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 garlic clove, minced 1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano Pinch red pepper flakes 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. 2. Toss artichokes with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pinch pepper in a bowl. Microwave, covered, until artichokes begin to soften, 5 to 7 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking. 3. Meanwhile, pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Carefully lay chicken, skin side down, in the skillet and cook until well browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Flip chicken and continue to brown lightly on the second side, about 3 minutes. 4. Transfer chicken, skin side up, to a baking dish and bake until thickest part of chicken registers 160 to 165 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes. 5. While the chicken bakes, drain microwaved artichokes well. Add 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet and return to mediumhigh heat until shimmering. Add drained artichokes and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and capers and cook until tomatoes are lightly wilted, about 2 minutes. 6. Transfer artichoke mixture and chicken to a large serving platter. Whisk remaining 3 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and pepper flakes together. Drizzle over chicken and vegetables before serving. Pan-Roasted Chicken Breasts with Artichokes and Cherry Tomatoes The chicken achieves a perfectly roasted hue and crispy skin from cooking first in the skillet, and once the chicken is moved to another dish to finish cooking in the oven (a must for bone-in chicken breasts to cook evenly), the skillet is left with a savory fond that is ideal for either making a rich pan sauce or flavoring pan-roasted vegetables, like artichokes. Q: Are there health benefits to caffeine? A: Caffeine does help people feel less tired and can increase energy levels. Additionally, a healthy amount of caffeine may also improve mood and brain function, help boost your metabolism, speed up reaction times and even help with memory. However, too much caffeine can lead to caffeine dependency, anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues and fatigue once it leaves your system. So how much is the right amount? Healthy adults should aim to have no more than 400 mg of caffeine each day. This will reduce the likelihood of negative side effects like jitters, fast heartbeat or muscle tremors. 14SR062724 S

16 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F fo s la L C fr a t o R o stt fo C S is w w p te h li A A L Q 1 stG C o S a f SMART READER June 27, 2024 16 d m e s f s t s f d , e e , d d n , d n At their annual meeting in Texas, shareholders of Tesla took the latest step in a strange corporate tale of outsize pay for – and faith in – an unconventional CEO. A majority approved, for the second time, a recordbreaking pay package that could exceed $45 billion for Elon Musk. It was a personal triumph for the highly successful serial entrepreneur and a rebuff to the Delaware judge who rescinded the original package that shareholders approved in 2018. Tesla will use the symbolic vote as evidence to persuade the judge to approve the package. The move also poses in the starkest terms a question that companies and economists have wrestled with for decades: How much is a CEO worth? Pro and con views of high CEO pay Last year, the median CEO pay – the middle amount among S&P 500 companies – was about $16 million. That’s higher than what most CEOs receive in other countries and nearly 200 times what the median American worker takes home in a year, according to a new analysis for The Associated Press. Such sums might seem patently unfair. Many progressives point out that the gap further widens the already yawning divide between America’s richest and regular workers. In 1980, counting in a slightly different way, the average CEO earned only about 40 times the average employee’s pay and benefits. On the other hand, the best CEOs create enormous value: new products and services for consumers, bigger profits for shareholders, and more jobs for workers. Many conservatives ask, aren’t multimillion-dollar pay packages worth it if they help America’s biggest companies – and, by extension, the U.S. economy – grow by multibillion-dollar leaps and bounds? How Musk’s pay package at Tesla works Mr. Musk’s recordbreaking pay package at Tesla makes a point for both sides in this debate. For starters, his compensation at Tesla is huge but not guaranteed. Like that of many CEOs these days, his compensation depends on meeting long-term goals. But while many CEOs get a large salary in addition to stock, Mr. Musk’s deal is all stock, which means he earns no money for 10 years unless he meets the corporate goals set for him for 2028. Those targets, set in 2018, were ambitious. He had to boost Tesla’s market value elevenfold and grow profits to $14 billion before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Those are goals he’s already achieved (though Tesla’s value and profits have then fallen, which has prompted some of the shareholder suits against the original pay package and could spawn more). If Mr. Musk meets his targets, he will earn far more than any other CEO of a publicly traded company in history. Last year’s best-compensated chief executive – Hock Tan of Broadcom – pulled in only a little over $160 million, according to AP. Mr. Musk would earn the equivalent of around $5 billion per year depending on the value of Tesla stock. “It’s an order of magnitude more egregious than the most egregious ever dared to ask for,” says Andrew Behar, CEO of As You Sow, a leading nonprofit in shareholder advocacy. It’s not surprising that Mr. Musk’s pay would increase. Academic studies show that CEO pay increases proportionally to the size of the companies they lead. And when executives underperform, shareholders make their disappointment known. Apple’s Tim Cook took a one-third pay cut last year after fewer than two-thirds of shareholders approved his pay package. Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher hasn’t seen a pay raise for two years after shareholders rejected his pay package in 2003. Do CEOs have too much influence over boards? All this suggests that market forces are mainly responsible for setting pay at the top, many economists say. But others say CEOs can manipulate the process to boost their pay if they can wield influence over the company board. Here again, Mr. Musk’s situation at Tesla stands out. A 2017 study found that the average CEO of a large company owns less than 1% of the stock. Mr. Musk, like many high-tech entrepreneurs, owns substantially more of the company. With the new pay package, his stake would jump to more than 22%, according to one estimate. And Mr. Musk has asked for more. “I am uncomfortable growing Tesla to be a leader in AI & robotics without having 25% voting control. Enough to be influential, but not so much that I can’t be overturned,” he wrote on X earlier this year. “Unless that is the case, I would prefer to build products outside of Tesla.” Some analysts find such control – and especially his threat of leaving Tesla – as clear evidence of CEO manipulation. Tesla shareholders approve record pay for Musk. Are pricey CEOs worth it? Elon Musk arrives at the 10th Breakthrough Prize Ceremony April 13, 2024 in Los Angeles story continues on page 18 C O M E D Y E V E N T S 5125 6th Ave. Kenosha 125 6th Ave. Kenosha If It ’ s N o t Liv e , Yo u ’ r e N o t Livin g! f I It ’ s N o t Liv e , Yo u ’ r e N o t Livin g! If It ’ s N o t Liv e , Yo u ’ r e N o t Livin g! I If t ’ s N o t Liv e , Yo u ’ r e N o t Livin g! t If I ’ s N o t Liv e , Yo u ’ r e N o t Livin g! ’ If It ’ s N o t Liv e , Yo u ’ r e N o t Livin g! s If It ’ s N o t Liv e , Yo u ’ r e N o t Livin g! If It ’ s N o t Liv e , Yo u ’ r e N o t Livin g! N If It ’ s N o t Liv e , Yo u ’ r e N o t Livin g! o If It ’ s N o t Liv e , Yo u ’ r e N o t Livin g! t If It ’ s N o t Liv e , Yo u ’ r e N o t Livin g! If It ’ s N o t Liv e , Yo u ’ r e N o t Livin g! 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0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 17 SMART READER June 27, 2024 SMART READER March 23, 2023 17 books There’s nothing minimalist or lightweight about Claire Lombardo’s novels. Like her engrossing 2019 debut, “The Most Fun We Ever Had,” her latest, Same As It Ever Was, is a capacious, tender family drama and ode to marriage set in the Chicago area from which she hails. Once again, Lombardo zeroes in on the vicissitudes of a supportive and loving, but by no means perfect, multidecades union. Her focus this time is less on sibling relationships and more on how her characters are marked by their childhoods, and how the baggage they carry affects their relationships with their spouses and children. Julia Marini Ames is the frequently shaky centerpost of the novel. She is a wife, mother of two, and soonto-be grandmother who has spent her life trying to make up for a childhood “characterized primarily by distance and need.” After her father disappeared when she was 7 years old, she was raised by her erratic single mother, who made her feel unloved. For reasons revealed late in the novel, her home life deteriorated significantly in her teens, leading her to pick a distant college, never to return. By her own reckoning, Julia often feels inadequate and not “an especially happy person, generally.” She regrets that her default mode is negativity, and rues her proclivity for ruining things and “hurting the people who cared for her.” But most of the time, Julia recognizes that one of the best things that ever happened to her was meeting her husband, Mark Ames. She was 30 when the tall, affable stranger came to her rescue on a Chicago street, proffering coins for her parking meter and inviting himself to crash her weekly solo Korean dinner. Lombardo depicts this “person who’d always moved easily through the world” with descriptions that provide a sharp contrast to Julia: “the nicest man in the world,” a “humble nerd,” “a carer,” an “empath.” Even so, Julia nearly destroys their marriage with several selfsabotaging moves – which I’ll leave for readers to discover. We meet Julia, who’s in her late 50s, grocery shopping for her husband’s 60th birthday dinner. She’s shaken when she runs into an old friend, Helen Russo, now in her 80s, whom she’d hoped never to see again. Our interest is immediately piqued, wondering what happened between these two women more than 18 years earlier to cause such a rift. Lombardo is a great fan of flashbacks; her preferred narrative ploy is to dangle hints of past upsets, which are gradually revealed by jumping back in time. While this builds suspense, it also leads to frequent repetitions. By the time the novel returns to Julia’s school years, we’ve already got the basic gist (excepting one particularly dark revelation). Repetition – along with excessive detail – also bloated Lombardo’s hefty first novel. “Same As It Ever Was” is another 500-pager that would be stronger if it were significantly shorter. That said, Lombardo is a writer who lavishes attention on her characters. She excels at capturing not just the intricacies of marital interactions that include stony stretches, but also how living with a disdainful, brooding, “mean and gorgeous” teenager gearing up for college can put an entire household on edge. Lombardo’s portrait of the acute loneliness of new motherhood and “the deadly ennui of the day-inday-out” is particularly sharp. It’s at this low point that 30-something Julia, killing time on an especially rough day by visiting the botanical gardens with her 3-year-old son, meets Helen, a docent. The compassionate older woman, a retired lawyer and mother of five grown sons, takes teary Julia under her wing, and their friendship flourishes over the course of several months with the intensity of a love affair. “You know you’re allowed to be having a hard time, right?” Helen asks Julia, who has expressed guilt for complaining about “the easiest life in the world.” “Same As It Ever Was” is a fine-grained portrait of a woman determined to learn how to be a mother, wife, daughter – and person. It builds to a moving climax, encompassing along the way unexpected weddings, funerals, reconciliations, and losses. Like life itself. By Heller McAlpin Claire Lombardo’s ‘Same As It Ever Was’ delves into a longtime marriage PRINT & E-BOOKS NONFICTION PRINT & E-BOOKS FICTION 1. The Housemaid is Watching (McFadden) 2. Swan Song (Hilderbrand) 3. Not In Love (Hazelwood) 4. Eruption (Crichton/Patterson) 5. The Women (Hannah) 6. Camino Ghosts (Grisham) 7. A Court of Thorns and Roses (Maas) 8. The Housemaid (JMcFadden) 9. You Like It Darker (King) 10. Funny Story (Henry) 1. The Demon of Unrest (Larson) 2. The War on Warriors (Hegseth) 3. The Anxious Generation (Haidt) 4. The Situation Room (Stephanopoulous/Dickey) 5. The Friday Afternoon Club (Dunne) 6. The Wager (Grann) 7. What This Comedian Said Will... (Maher) 8. The Body Keeps the Score (van der Kolk) 9. When the Sea Came Alive (Graff) 10. An Unfinished Love Story (Goodwin) NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERS 'The Breakdown' The 2017 psychological thriller novel by B.A. Paris follows Cass, a schoolteacher who begins to question her sanity after failing to help a woman on the road who is later found murdered. The book is being adapted as the new film Blackwater Lane, starring Minka Kelly as Cass, Dermot Mulroney as Cass' husband, Matthew, and Maggie Grace as Cass' best friend, Rachel. Blackwater Lane opens in select theaters and is now available on digital and on demand. Lionsgate shared a trailer for the movie in May. 'The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism' The 2006 book by Paul Kengor examines president Ronald Reagan's efforts to dismantle communism and overthrow the Soviet Union. The book is the inspiration for the new film Reagan, starring Dennis Quaid as Reagan. The movie is told through the perspective of Viktor Petrovich (Jon Voight), a former KGB agent. The cast also includes Penelope Ann Miller, Nick Searcy, C. Thomas Howell, Kevin Dillon, Skip Schwink and Mena Suvari. Reagan opens in theaters Aug. 30. 'Land of Women (La tierra de las mujeres)' The 2014 novel by Spanish author Sandra Barneda is being adapted as the Apple TV+ series Land of Women. The new comedy-drama follows Gala (Eva Longoria), a wealthy New Yorker whose life is turned upside down when her husband fails to repay a debt to the wrong people. Gala, her mother Julia (Carmen Maura), and her teenage daughter Kate (Victoria Bazúa), travel to Julia's hometown in northern Spain, where they hope to start life anew and keep their identities hidden. Santiago Cabrera and Gloria Muñoz also star. Land of Women had a two-episode premiere June 26. Apple TV+ released a trailer for the show this month. 'My Lady Jane' The 2017 alt-history novel by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows reimagines the fate of Lady Jane Grey, a real-life Tudor noblewoman who ruled as Queen of England for nine days before being beheaded in 1553. The book is being adapted as a Prime Video series starring Emily Bader as Lady Jane, Edward Bluemel as Guildford Dudley, Jordan Peters as King Edward, Dominic Cooper as Lord Seymour and Jim Broadbent as the Duke of Leicester. My Lady Jane premieres June 27. Prime Video shared a Dennis Quaid will portray President Ronald Reagan in an upcoming film based on a book by Paul Kengor story continues on page 17 Summer reading: 10 books being adapted for film & TV 16

18 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F t o h s i s B r 3 d m h n l m t o i b m e o Y C r i p p a h p i Wc RE PL FO 3 L MA 12 EL 8T G CO - spetic an Th an are wil Ra gro Ge sk ad tim are Blu LIO ha 4:0 pre 7:0 9th Wi Be SMART READER June 27, 2024 18 Union Park Tavern Book Club wants you to stop into the bar to help pick their next book of the month The Union Park Tavern book club celebrated their one-year anniversary at the beginning of May! Rachel Young-Sipos and Kristyn Bartlett started the book club as a way for a group of Union Park Tavern (4520 8th Ave) regulars, most they’ve known since high school, to further gather and socialize. The two knew there was a shared interest of reading between the women, with two of the members, Jen Michele and Candice Shatkins, being local Kenosha authors! The members stress that anyone at the bar or interested in joining the group is welcome, they especially would love to get some men to join as it’s only been women at this point. All the information and when meetings will take place can be found on their Facebook site. The club enjoys interacting with the bar by letting other regulars, bartenders, or people who happened to stop in for a drink suggest books to read or pull the next book of the month out of a hat that contains every book suggestion they receive over the year. It’s a fun way for them to read every sort of genre or new authors that they normally wouldn’t gravitate towards. Everyone in the club really loved Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, which mentioned the House on the Rock located in Wisconsin that many of the members had been to or recognized while they were reading! Multiple members mentioned that they would love if he joined a meeting because they have endless questions about his unique style and the amazing books he has written, including Coraline and Bad Omens. One book that was randomly selected from the hat that almost every member thought they would dislike was Trust by Hernan Diaz because they assumed it was about finances. It ended up being a collection of intertwined short stories that explores family wealth and ambition and ended up being one of the group’s favorites of the year. On the flip side, the club had high hopes for the Japanese translated book If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura because it is an international phenomenon that has sold over two million copies, but they simply didn’t resonate with it. Kristyn mentioned they all got the impression that something must have got lost in the translation into English because it felt a little too plain. For May the club read Very Cold People by Sarah Manguso and club member Candice Shatkins’ Haunted Kenosha, which serves as a guide for unknown spirits lurking around this city. For June they will be reading Brett Easton Ells’ Less Than Zero, which is a national bestseller. Feel free to read along with the club and if you have a book suggestion you are dying to share, stop over at the bar and drop it in their hat! By Elaina Myers trailer for the show in May. Hand, Ashton and Meadows' novel is the first book in their Lady Janies series. The second book, My Plain Jane, centers on the Charlotte Brontë character Jane Eyre, while the third, My Calamity Jane, focuses on real-life frontierswoman Calamity Jane. 'The Search for WondLa' The 2010 children's sci-fi novel by Tony DiTerlizzi is the first book in his WondLa series. The novel follows Eva Nine, a 12-yearold girl who emerges from her underground sanctuary for the first time after it is attacked by the creature Besteel. Apple TV+ is adapting the book as an animated series featuring Jeanine Mason as the voice of Eva and Teri Hatcher as Eva's robot caretaker, Muthr. The voice cast also includes Brad Garrett, Gary Anthony Williams, Chiké Okonkwo, D.C. Douglas and Alan Tudyk. WondLa is envisioned as a trilogy, with Season 1 to premiere June 28. Apple TV+ released a trailer for the show this month. 'The Dark Manual' The 2018 novel by Colin O'Sullivan follows Susie Sakamoto, an Irishwoman in Japan struggling with the loss of her husband and son. The character lives with a homebot, a domestic robot designed by her late husband. The book is being adapted as the Apple TV+ series Sunny, starring Rashida Jones as Suzie, an American woman who develops an unexpected friendship with her homebot. Together, they uncover the dark truth of what happened to Suzie's family. Hidetoshi Nishijima, Joanna Sotomura, Judy Ongg, You, annie the clumsy, and Jun Kunimura also star. Sunny will have a two-episode premiere July 10 on Apple TV+. 'Lady in the Lake' The 2019 novel by Laura Lippman takes place in 1960s Baltimore and follows Madeline "Maddie" Schwartz, a housewifeturned-journalist who investigates the death of Cleo Sherwood, a young Black woman. Apple TV+ is adapting the book as a limited series starring Natalie Portman as Maddie and Moses Ingram as Cleo. The cast also includes Y'lan Noel, Mikey Madison, Sean Ringgold, Brett Gelman, Noah Jupe and Mike Epps. Lady in the Lake will have a two-episode premiere July 19. 'Harold and the Purple Crayon' The 1955 children's book is written and illustrated by Crockett Johnson and is the first book in his Harold series. The series follows Harold, a fouryear-old boy who uses a magic purple crayon to create anything he wants by drawing it. The book is the inspiration for a new live-action and animated film starring Zachary Levi as an adult Harold who draws himself into real life. The cast also includes Lil Rel Howery, Zooey Deschanel and Jermaine Clement. Harold and the Purple Crayon opens in theaters Aug. 2. Johnson's book was previously adapted as a 2001 HBO series narrated by Sharon Stone. 'It Ends with Us' The 2016 romance novel by Colleen Hoover centers on Lily Bloom, a young woman who falls in love with the seeminglyperfect Ryle Kincaid. As Lily begins to question the relationship, her first love Atlas Corrigan comes back into her life. The book is being adapted as a new film starring Blake Lively as Lily, Justin Baldoni as Ryle and Brandon Sklenar as Atlas. Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj and Amy Morton also have roles. It Ends with Us opens in theaters Aug. 9. Sony Pictures shared a trailer for the movie in May that is set to the Taylor Swift song "My Tears Ricochet." 'Bad Monkey' The 2013 novel by Carl Hiaasen follows Andrew Yancy, a Miami-Dade police detective who was suspended from the force and now works as a health inspector. The book is being adapted as an Apple TV+ comedy starring Vince Vaughn as Yancy. The cast also includes L. Scott Caldwell, Rob Delaney, Meredith Hagner, Natalie Martinez, Alex Moffat, Michelle Monaghan, Ronald Peet and Jodie Turner-Smith, with Zach Braff to appear as a guest star. Bad Monkey will have a twoepisode premiere Aug. 14 on Apple TV+. By Annie Martin Summer Reading continued from page 16 Jen Sepanski, Rachel Young-Sipos, Kristyn Bartlett, Tricia Jaeger, and Candice Shatkins of the UPT Book Club Tune In To Happenings Q&A Radio On AM 1050 WLIP Weekdays From 9am-11am When Frank Carmichael And Happenings Staff Members Visit With Interesting Guests, Both Local And From Around The Country. AUGUST SR 062724 UGUST 2nd , 3rd AUGUST 2nd & 4th , 3rd & 4th Summer Is Just Around The Corner SAVE THE DATE! AVE THE DATE! DOCKSIDE CKSIDE

0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 19 SMART READER June 27, 2024 SMART READER March 23, 2023 19 Climate change continued from page 14 to decrease the recurrence of back pain episodes and helps physicians direct care," said Kreiner, director of interventional spine and sports medicine at Barrow Brain and Spine in Phoenix. "The simple recommendation of walking 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week, can help with management of back pain," he said. If patients have pain, numbness or tingling in the legs, they should seek medical attention. But for those with a simple episode of low back pain that improves over a week or so, beginning a walking program may help prevent future episodes, Kreiner said. Dr. Peter Whang, an orthopedic spine surgeon at Yale Medicine in New Haven, Conn., said the study's results are "extremely interesting" to him as a practitioner who treats patients with back problems and experiences them himself. Whang added that "back pain is essentially ubiquitous in our society and a large percentage of individuals will develop recurrent episodes, for which reason this problem is associated with significant human and societal costs." While many treatments can manage back pain, a therapeutic plan that combines walking and education "is relatively inexpensive and is highly accessible to most people," he said. "It has the potential to be a very important tool for us to use to address this extremely prevalent condition." Still, the study "should be interpreted in the context of all the other great research that's out there, as well as applying common sense," said Dr. Michael Walsh, regional chief of neurosurgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Before people embark on any treatment program, Walsh said, "It's a good idea to consult with a medical professional." By Susan Kreimer Walking continued from page 13 Elon Musk continued from page 15 “Stockholders cannot cast meaningful votes on Musk’s pay package while his threat hangs, like the sword of Damocles, over Tesla’s future, and thus their own,” wrote Lucian Bebchuk, a Harvard economist, and Robert Jackson, a former commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in an article last week. The Delaware judge who struck down Mr. Musk’s pay package in January found that he improperly skewed the board’s approval process. Also, Tesla shareholders voted in two measures Thursday to wrest some power from board members. They reduced their terms from three years to one and allowed a simple majority to approve future shareholder proposals. The board opposed both resolutions. Whether companies overachieve with pricey CEOs remains an unresolved question. Mr. Behar of As You Sow says his research suggests that the 10 S&P companies with the highest-paid CEOs consistently underperform the other 490 companies in the stock index. But the 2017 study says the evidence is mixed. Most research finds a correlation between a firms’ value and a rise in the stock incentives of their CEOs, while some studies suggest that correlation weakens or even turns negative when CEOs own a big chunk of the company. To many of the Tesla shareholders, none of this mattered, as they voted to keep their unique CEO and his record-breaking pay in place. Many at the annual meeting prefaced their questions to Mr. Musk with gratitude and even adulation. “I love you guys!” Mr. Musk told them after the successful vote was announced. By Laurent Belsie solutions. The world could dramatically lower its net emissions by using oceanbased technology it already has, according to a report by The Ocean Panel, an international group of world leaders focused on ocean health. That includes restoring and supporting ocean ecosystems such as mangroves, which capture large amounts of carbon dioxide. “If we just conserved and restored degraded blue carbon ecosystems – mangrove, seagrasses, sea meadows, and so on, we could reduce emissions by 2.8 gigatons of carbon. That’s like retiring 76 coalfired power plants each year,” Dr. Pickerell says. Ocean-based climate solutions could also involve decarbonizing ocean transport, better managing fisheries, and eliminating food waste. Researchers are looking at other highertech solutions, as well. Scientists and entrepreneurs have tested carbon-capture methods that range from burying seaweed to “storing” ocean CO2 by using chemical reactions and capsules. Offshore wind farms could help supply clean energy, some researchers say. But while there may be potential in these initiatives, some scientists also caution against what they see as a growing industrialization of the ocean. It’s important to make sure that by seeking solutions to the challenge of climate change, we don’t inadvertently make the overall situation for ocean health worse. In fact, some researchers also see potential in the ocean for safe havens. Efforts are growing to develop marine protected areas in both national and international waters. “Climate change is obviously going to profoundly change our marine ecosystems,” says Dr. Suatoni. “But we’d like to give them the chance to adapt to these changes.” By Stephanie Hanes REMINDER: PLEASE RESUBMIT AD TO RUN FOR EACH ISSUE. Maximum 3 Listings Per Person. MISC MASS FOR RITA RINELLI - 12:30 PM FRIDAY 6/28, ST. ELIZABETH CHURCH, 4800 8TH AVENUE G E R M A N CONVERSATIONALIST GROUP - KENOSHA/RACINE If you speak German or are enthusiastic about the German language and culture, come and join us. There are no membership fees and attendance is whenever you are available to join. Meetings will be held in the Kenosha and Racine area. This is an excellent group to practice speaking German as members' language skills are from beginners to advance and we all have a good time. Please contact me if you are interested in joining - Susan Blust [email protected]. LIONS CLUB BINGO Come have some fun! Doors open at 4:00. Raffles, pull-tabs and pregames start at 6:45. Bingo 7:00-9pm. Wednesdays. 2700 9th St., Schlader Building, Winthrop Harbor. Food Sales. FOR SALE Beanie Babies 200+ $200. Proform Treadmill, new belt $300. 7' vinyl boat with new motor, 4-cylinder with accessories $500. (262) 652- 5929  Diamondback off-road bike, like new, best offer. (262) 694-7573 please leave message Coffee Table $20 (262)771-8764 TREK 900 TANDEM 26" 21 speed. Updated tires and rims. Excellent condition. Two new helmets plus accessories. $500 OBO 262-883-4210 Kitchen Table w/4 chairs-$100 obo Coffe Table-$25 262-771-8764 Sears ZigZag sewing machine and cabinet. Fine condition, All attachments. Model #1750 Asking $60 (262) 657-6049 3 OUTSIDE ALUMINUM screen doors. 1- 30 in. wide, 2-36 in. wide $ 30.00 each. all hardware call 262-652-2649; leave message ENTIRE CONTENTS OF HOME will be sold. Call or text to see if I have what you are looking for. I will give a price. 262-902-5663 SELLING OLD MAGAZINES! Many titles from the 1930's-1950's. Most in good condition. All subjects! Call Kent at 262-960-0621 or <[email protected]>, the more you buy, the better the deal! CEMETERY PLOTS for sale in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park in Kenosha. Located in Garden of Last Supper, section H, $1000 or OBO. Please contact Mayva at 262-818-1499 WINTER SPORTS: Women's Edelweis ski pants $25; Women's ski pants $60; Women's Salomon SX52 Lady ski boots $235; Women's ELAN Downhill skis $140; Tingley Men's Medium Size Rubber Over The Shoe Boots $10; Men's Boots$10; Jeep Jacket $200; Boy's Figure Skates $10; Men's Figure Skates $10; Cross Country Ski Poles- 2 pairs $10 each; Men's Snow Pants $10. Call or text 262- 902-5663. Snow Blower 24” Like New 262-771-7860 Beer Cans For Sale 262-694-7573, Leave A Message. Crystal round platter 12 inch diameter $10.00 perfect condition Great for the holidays 317-764-7662 CHILDREN'S VINTAGE ITEMS: Riding Wonder Horse-$100; Eddie Bauer Beach Sport Bag With Many Sand Play Toys Included-$8; Speedo Dive Snorkel And Mask (Unopened) $15; Mini Indoor Basketball Hoop- $3; Plastic Kitchen Toys- All For $2; Many Legos- All For $3; Star Trek, The Motion Picture Vhs SeriesAll 8 Tapes-$25; Many Toys (Call With What You Are Looking For!) Call Or Text: 262-902-5663. Two Bicycles, Schwinn $100 OBO and Autobike by CSA, 6-speed $175 OBO Call 262-654-6485 Please leave message Original $15 Rockwell Plates $10 each Air Fryer, new $50 Call 262-771-8764 Save 50% ON Burial Plots! Private Owner Of Two (2) (Side By Side) Section H Sunset Ridge Memorial Park Kenosha, Wi. Dont’ Pay $11,390.00... I’ Selling For $5,695.00 Obo! (262)914-5977 Ed Barbie doll, remote control corvette, that fits two Barbie dolls, about 25 in long x 10 in wide, best offer. Other small auto models available from classic days. Ron 847-340-3446. Beanie Babies - large inventory, includes McDonald's line, price varies. Call 262-654-6485 - please leave message Sony Reel To Reel Tape Decks! TC-630 & TC-580 $200 OBO for both. Call Kent 262-960-0621 e l e c t r i k e @ w i . r r . c o m WANTED. Cut grass and weeding. Call 2628980605 Experienced Grill Cook Flexible Hours, Fun Atmosphere. Lakeside Deck At The Wyndham Hotel Call Kim 262-496-7182 Singer and narrator wanted for Roger Miller tribute.Call 262-554- 8205. Ask for Marv. WANTED TO BUY: Vintage Movie Posters, Comic Books, LP Records, Vintage Toys, Horror VHS, Horror Memorabilia, Science Fiction Pulps & Magazines, Video Store Promotional Items. PH 262-237- 0318. WANTED TO BUY: Old Post Cards, B&W Photos, B&W Photo Albums, Vintage Advertising, Old Hunting Licenses & Advertising, Scrapbooks, Old Misc.Paper, Old Automobile Advertising, Fountain Pens, Gillette Razors & More. Local Collector/Neutral Safe & Secure Site to meet if desired. Cash Paid. Call or Text Stan 262- 496-1822 ARCADE DRIVERS SCHOOL is looking for classroom & driver instructors. Starting pay $17.00 per hour. If interested please call 262-637-9193 or email us at [email protected] LOOKING FOR NURSES Aid for in home care. Call Barbara 262-455-3953 SERVICES. “Tax Preparation & Advisory Services. 20+ Years Experience. Virtual Or In-Person. For Appointment Call Or Text 262-496- 2208. I Will Do Seamstress Work, Run Errands, Do Shopping & Dr. Appointments., Etc.If Interested Please Call Gayle At 262-748-4748 I'M LOOKING FOR house to share for reasonable rent in exchange for household needs for a senior vet consideration. 847-340-3446 Ron. Kenosha/Union Grove area. LAWN MOWING SERVICES Reliable lawn care services in Kenosha & Pleasant Prairie. call/text 262-914-9796 [email protected] TAX & MEDICARE EXPERT. Appointments only. Se Habla Español. 262.833.7070 CHINESE LANGUAGE / CALLIGRAPHY LESSONS: Fun, fascinating and very cool. Beginning and advanced - all ages! Text Dr. Tim at 520.704.3832. FOR RENT Finished Suite private, in-home entrance, in Kenosha. For details call between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, 262-843-1630. DRUM LESSONS Private instruction. Band, orchestra, marching and drum set. Rock and many other musical styles. Learn to read music. Call Tom for details. 262-818-2869. PROFESSIONAL LED TEETH WHITENING for a fraction of the price! $99 at cabana tan spa. call to book: 262-843-2411. 20 minute session = a bright white smile! mycabanatan.com SFAST COMPUTER SERVICE including network support, spyware removal, upgrades and PC repair. For friendly service with a smile, call Vikkex today! Phone 262-694-7746 BABYSITTING YOUNG LADY good with kids can watch 1 or 2 children call 262-620-4745 House cleaning woman + a bucket - reliable, dependable. Also clean vacant houses. Call for estimates - Sandy 262-221-2289 Houses And/Or Business Sun Shine Klean Is Having A Special This Month For First Time Customers Free Upholstery Cleaning With At Basic Cleaning For Only $39.95 262-287-5103 CNAS TO JOIN wellness team at Barton of Zion, five star assisted living. Send resume [email protected] apply within at 3500 Sheridan Road Zion, IL 60099 847-872-1500 FREE HOME HEATING Fuel Oil Removal I will remove your unused home heating fuel oil for free..clean and safe . Inquire about tank removal also ... 262 818 1967 ..ask for Dave VEHICLES0 2003 GMC Envoy 142K miles Great Shape, Garage Kept 1 owner, Leave Message $6000 obo 262-515-4386 1994 Honda Goldwing Aspencade 64K miles Great Shape, Black, Leave Message $6000 obo 262-515-4386 2003 Chevy Trail Blazer LT SUV many new parts tows 5200lbs good condition interior excellent Low Mileage for year call 847- 244-9256 2012 Triumph Bonneville SE, excellent condition, 10,000 original miles,windshield, new tires,stock and after market exhaust.Asking $3,000 or best offer. Call 262-654-7777 2003 Dakota Quad Cab - Good condition -$3800 obo Bob - 262-945-9224 2000 Dakota Quad Cab Good Condition - $2,800 obo Bob - 262-945-9224 1981 Honda CM400A motorcycle, automatic transmission, well maintained, new battery, smooth and quiet running engine, electronic ignition 63K Miles $1200 OBO call Ed (262) 637-4207 2017 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN GT SEE IN KENOSHA AT 4121-7TH. AVE. 53140 RUSS 262-237-1343 CALL OR TEXT $7950 LOADED NICE VAN Mercury Cruiser Iron Duke race engine. Best offer. Antioch (224) 518-6491 1940 Ford pick-up (red) Street ride V8 automatic Ready to drive and add to your car perfect collection. 65K 262-620-8230 2011 FORD F150 143K MILES SEE IN KENOSHA AT 4121-7TH. AVE. 53140 RUSS 262-237-1343 CALL OR TEXT. NEWER TIRES AND BRAKES. READY TO DRIVE ANYWHERE $7950 NICE TRUCK 2008 HONDA CRV One Owner Well Maintained See In Kenosha At 4121-7th Ave. 53140 Russ 262-237-1343 Call Or Text Very Nice Car $5750 FREE CLASSIFIEDS! E-mail your 170 character classified to: [email protected] Please include your contact information in the classified. (Name and Phone number / e-mail address) First 3 words will be boldface type. NO ANIMALS. • NO PERSONALS ALLOWED. CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, JULY 5, 2024 AT 12 NOON FREE CLASSIFIEDS! Employment/Opportunities • Lost & Found • Miscellaneous Real Estate • Rentals • Rummage Sales • Vehicles • Wanted RENTAL/REAL ESTATE LOOKING FOR GOOD CHRISTIAN MAN TO RENT A ROOM IN RACINE. HANDYMAN WORK AVAILABLE. CALL (262) 898-0605 18 g l ’ a o u e e s,SR 062724

20 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 SMART READER June 27, 2024 20 F health lifestyle community Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center news June 27, 2024 Kenosha County ADRC to Offer Powerful Tools for Caregivers Online Class Next free six-week course to begin July 11, 2024 Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a no-cost, six-week educational series, intended to teach skills on how to take care of yourself while caring for a loved one. The class helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, communicate feelings better, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources. Donations are accepted to defer costs but are not required. The 6-week classes will be held Thursdays, beginning July 11 – August 15, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Classes will meet at the Kenosha County Job Center, Room South 11, 8600 Sheridan Rd., Kenosha. Registration is required by July 8. To register, call the ADRC at 262- 605-6646 or click the red registration button at adrc.kenoshacounty.org Memory Screen Mondays The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offers free, confidential memory screens every Monday, 8 a.m. - noon. Memory screens are suggested for anyone concerned about memory changes, at risk of Alzheimer’s disease due to family history, or who wants to check their memory now for future comparison. Some memory problems can be readily treated, such as those caused by vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems. In general, the earlier the diagnosis, the easier it is to treat memory loss. Memory screening can: • Provide relief for individuals concerned about normal memory loss • Lead to diagnosis of treatable conditions • Offer the ability to make lifestyle changes early when they have the greatest potential for positive effect and the opportunity to participate in making future decisions Warning signs of dementia include forgetting people’s names and events, asking repetitive questions, loss of verbal or written skills, confusion over daily routines, and personality changes. Screening results are not a diagnosis, and individuals who have concerns are encouraged to pursue a full medical exam. Appointments are recommended. Interested persons may call the ADRC at 262- 605-6646 to make an appointment. Going on Medicare? Learn about the decisions you’ll need to make The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offers no-cost, unbiased, Medicare workshops for those new to Medicare, or who want to learn more. Trained benefit specialists will be available to answer your questions and discuss the decisions you’ll need to make, including the basics of Medicare coverage, options for private health and drug coverage, and public benefits that can help with health care costs. If possible, sign up for a workshop 3- 4 months before your Medicare starts. UPCOMING MEDICARE 2024 WORKSHOPS: Kenosha County Job Center, 8600 Sheridan Road, Entrance A, Room N2 Thursday, July 25, 10 a.m. – noon Tuesday, August 20, 10 a.m. - noon Due to limited seating, reservations are required. Call the ADRC at 262-605-6646 to make a reservation or to learn more. Memory Cafe Memory Café is a place for persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment, early-stage Alzheimer’s, or related dementia, and their care partners to socialize and have fun. Join the Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center’s Dementia Care Specialist, Susan Johnson, on the second Tuesday of every month, 1-2 p.m. The next meeting will be on July 9, 2024, Kenosha Southwest Neighborhood Library, 7979 38th Avenue. Registration is required for new members. Call the ADRC at 262- 605-6646.

200FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 21 SMART READER June 27, 2024 SMART READER March 23, 2023 21

22 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 F t I’ le 6 d w t b t c L m m E o W r C s “ G b s a F m e c a s w t b y le m h N t a b e m o t h in c lo p H p lo m k (wn w SMART READER June 27, 2024 22 I am always hearing from readers who are hung up on making sure they start their Social Security benefits at precisely their full retirement age. Or at precisely the age of 70. They don't want those benefits a month before. They don't want them a month after. They want to make darn sure that their benefits start at exactly the month they chose as their Social Security starting date. And they almost seem to be losing sleep making sure this is going to happen. They send me emails asking me, almost begging me, to help them make sure they select the right date. I always want to tell these guys (and it always seems to be guys) to chill out. Don't worry. Be happy! You will probably pick the right date. But even if you don't, guess what? The Earth will keep spinning and the sun will come up tomorrow. And you will not be making a huge mistake that will affect your benefits for the rest of your life. I will explain what I am talking about in a minute. But first, let me go over the ground rules. They are really simple. If you want benefits to begin at your full retirement age, then on your Social Security retirement application, you simply indicate the month you reach your FRA as your starting month. So, if your full retirement age is age 66 and 8 months, and you will be age 66 and 8 months in September 2024, then you simply indicate September as your starting month. That's it! But some people overthink this. For example, they know that Social Security checks come one month behind. In other words, the September 2024 Social Security check is paid in October. So, if a guy turns FRA in September, he thinks too hard and he puts October as his starting month. But the Social Security application question isn't asking you which month you want your check to show up in your bank account; it's asking you which is the first month you want to be eligible for a Social Security check. One little bit of clarification: Social Security eligibility always goes by month, not by days. For example, if you were born on Jan. 21, 1958 -- meaning your full retirement age is 66 and 8 months, and that's when you want your benefits to begin -- you don't indicate Sept. 21, 2024, as your eligibility date. You simply indicate September 2024. Some guys have told me that they are afraid to file for benefits early, because they are worried sick they will get benefits before their full retirement age. For example, Bob and I recently exchanged several emails. He was born Jan. 14, 1958. His full retirement age is 66 and 8 months. And he wants to make sure his benefits begin at his FRA, which would be September 2024. He asked me when he could file for benefits. I told him he could start the ball rolling next month, in July. But he doesn't want to do that because he is worried they will use July as his starting date. I told him that assuming he indicates September as his starting date on the application, that is when his benefits will start. But he wrote back to say he was just so concerned about getting benefits on the wrong date that he was going to wait until September to apply. I then sent him a return email with my "the sun will come out tomorrow" message. In other words, even in the extremely unlikely event that his benefit start date ends up being July, the world won't end, and his benefits won't be affected all that much. Let's say Bob's September full retirement age benefit rate is $3,200. If through some fluke, his benefits started two months earlier, he'd get a slightly reduced benefit. Benefits are reduced about 0.5% for each month they are started early. That comes out to a 1% reduction for Bob. So instead of $3,200 per month, he'd get $32 less per month, or $3,168. That's the downside. He'd get $32 less each month. But on the upside, he'd get two extra Social Security checks at $3,168 each, or $6,336. Bob would have to live 198 months, or more than 16 years, before he came out on the losing end of the Social Security stick with that slightly earlier starting date. Bob was a bit relieved by that point I made. But then he told me he had another concern: his wife. She has a lower Social Security benefit on her own record, and assuming Bob dies first, she will get widow's benefits on his record. And he said he wants her to get as much money as possible. So, if Bob ends up with $32 less per month in retirement benefits, then his wife's widow's benefit would be $32 less per month, too. I told Bob that if making sure his wife gets the highest widow's benefit possible was his primary concern, he should consider waiting until 70 to file for Social Security. He would get almost four years' worth of delayed retirement credits added to his benefit rate, and his wife would also get that extra money in the form of widow's benefits. Bob told me he considered that, but he and his wife decided he should not give up all the benefits he'd get between now and age 70. And here is a message for those who plan to wait until 70 to file: Social Security claims filed after full retirement age come with an option of taking up to six months in retroactive benefits. So, let's say you reach 70 in August 2024. When you file, you could say you want your benefits to start in August, or you could elect to take the six months in retroactive benefits. In other words, your Social Security start date would then be February 2024. If you like the idea of a big retroactive check, then go for it, but your ongoing benefit rate will be about 4% less. social security Don't Fret Over Social Security Starting Date with Tom Margenau If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas.margenau @comcast.net. and you In-person or Virtual Caregiver Coffee Club ADRC offers support group for those caring for someone with dementia Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offers a support group to help family caregivers who care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia. Join others engaged in helping their loved ones manage day to day living. Relax, chat and learn helpful tips and strategies. The Caregiver Coffee Club is facilitated by Alex Troupis, Dementia Care Specialist with the Kenosha County ADRC. The group meets the first Wednesday of each month from 10-11 a.m. However, due to the holiday, the July meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 8. The support group is available in-person or virtually. To register call 262-605-6646. Caring for an adult family member or friend? Family Caregiver Support Group Meets in-person and virtually Family caregivers often don’t see themselves as caregivers, they simply think of themselves as the husband, sister, daughter, or friend. Defined, a family caregiver is a person who provides support for an adult who needs assistance with daily living activities, such as cooking, driving, shopping, laundry and paying bills. The role of a family caregiver, while rewarding, can also be challenging when trying to balance life’s responsibilities along with supporting the needs of another individual, family member or friend. The Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offers a Family Caregiver Support Group, the first Thursday of every month. However, due to the holiday, the next meeting will be Wednesday, July 3, 4-5 p.m. If you are a family caregiver, this group is for you! Join fellow caregivers, either virtually or inperson, as you share your experiences, ask questions and learn from others. The group is facilitated by Margaret Ricchio, ADRC Caregiver Support Specialist. In-person location is 8600 Sheridan Road, entrance D. To register, learn more or to receive the virtual link, call the Kenosha County ADRC, 262-605-6646. Your Kenosha ADRC Update

0FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 23 SMART READER June 27, 2024 SMART READER March 23, 2023 23 After 21 years writing the “Ask Amy” column, I’m announcing that I’m leaving this space. I’m healthy, happy, and 64 years old. This is a decision I’ve been wrestling with for more than a year. When I was first hired by the Chicago Tribune to write an advice column after Ann Landers’ death, I was a middle-age, single mother. My daughter, Emily, and I moved from our long-time home in Washington, D.C., and relocated to Chicago. My welcome to Chicago was to deliver a solo performance of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” in front of 35,000 baseball fans during the seventh-inning stretch of a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. This turned out to be a metaphor for my experience writing this column, which has been an exuberant and sometimes nervewracking effort of trying to hit the right notes before a huge audience. After several great years in Chicago, Emily left for college and I moved back to my tiny hometown of Freeville, N.Y., (pop. 505), to spend time with my sisters, aunts and cousins, and to be with my mother at the end of her life. My experiences have mirrored those of many of my readers. For me, these last two decades have been about the intensity and consequences of both love and loss. After returning home, I promptly tumbled into a Hallmark Channel plotline, when I fell in love with and quickly married a man I’ve known since childhood (we grew up on neighboring dairy farms). My husband Bruno and I then blundered into the oftentimes awkward blending of our family of five daughters. I became a stepmother, and then a grandmother, all before I believed I was ready. My mother and her three wonderful sisters are gone now. A niece and nephew died, tragically, while in their teens. Much of my recent life has been absorbed by caregiving, mourning, and recovery. Day in, day out – over the last two decades – readers have generously shared their own vulnerabilities about many of our common experiences. I’m grateful that we’ve been able to help each other. I’ve burned through eight laptops, opened bushels of postal mail, written columns in the car, on planes, in hospital waiting rooms, on my honeymoon, and at my mother’s bedside. During this time, I’ve also written two books, a screenplay, and scores of essays. Doing this work has sent me into therapy. It has inspired me to explore the teachings of world religions, and to seek the insight of thinkers like Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung. I’ve quoted the wisdom of Maya Angelou, Joni Mitchell and Fred Rogers, as well as dozens of poets, social scientists and psychologists. I’ve made my share of mistakes, been wellpranked – at least twice (that I know of), and learned how to apologize, ask for forgiveness, and to forgive other people for their own mistakes. Inspired by readers’ dilemmas, I’ve also worked hard to mend fractured family relationships and to be a better friend. My personal experiences are a reminder that we humans can’t really control what happened before or what happens next. Joy, like grief, comes at you in such unexpected ways. That’s why it is so important to pay attention. I’ve learned to do that. Being an advice-giver has challenged me to be aware of cultural, social, and relationship trends – and to appreciate the quirks of human behavior. When readers get frustrated by my lengthy answers to sometimes petty problems, they will often suggest that I should just tell people to “get a life!,” but I think that wrestling with our questions – from the quotidian to the profound – is living. For the next month, I’ll continue to publish fresh columns and rerun some favorites. After that, my fantasy is to drive an RV across the country, visiting people I’ve met through this work who have challenged me and tantalized readers with their anonymous requests for advice. Sign up for Ask Amy: No-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning. In my hometown, I’m opening a little lending library. You can find me on social media, through my Asking Amy newsletter, at amydickinson.com, or at the Freeville Literary Society on Main Street – talking books with kids and offering advice to anyone who asks. I’m delighted to make way for your newest advice-giver: R. Eric Thomas, whose “Asking Eric” column will continue to foster the engaging relationship we’ve shared. Eric is young, smart, and a talented advice-giver – formerly of the Dear Prudence column. ••• Dear Readers: Since announcing my departure from writing this syndicated column, I have heard from scores of people across various platforms, thanking me for more than two decades of offering advice and wishing me well in my “retirement.” I am very touched and grateful for this outpouring of support. The thing is – I don’t think of myself as retiring. I have led a constant, reliable life. I will read even the worst book to the last page. I have never voluntarily left a relationship, an obligation, or any employment. (I can barely stand to leave a room!) But I’m leaving this s e v e n - d a y - a - w e e k commitment – because I want to, and because it’s time. My intention is to move on and to do other meaningful work. Writing this column has given me a glimpse into thousands of lives. The insight I have gained has inspired and empowered me to listen to my own counsel, to be authentic in my actions, and to – basically – be in charge of my own life, as much as possible. Showing myself the door at this moment reflects the privilege of good health, strong relationships, years of steady employment, and some prudent financial choices. I’m very aware of how lucky I am. My favorite way to envision this work is to picture families reading these columns together at the breakfast table and weighing in with their own points of view before reading mine. And yes, there are still parents and grandparents out there who clip the newspaper and send pertinent columns to kids in college or summer camp, or tape it to refrigerators and bathroom mirrors. I’ve heard from healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters and office workers who say they discuss the issues raised in the column in the break room. I love knowing that, and I’ll miss having coffee with you. The questions raised in this space have been used as teaching tools in middle schools, memory care units, ESL classes and prisons. These are perfect venues to discuss ethical, human-sized dilemmas. On my last day communicating with you in this way, I feel compelled to try to sum up my experience by offering some lasting wisdom, but I’ve got no fresh insight. Everything I know has been distilled from wisdom gathered elsewhere. Boxer Mike Tyson famously said, “Everybody has a plan, until they get punched … .” Punches are inevitable. But I do believe I’ve learned some universal ask amy Exiting with some well-worn wisdom seniors edition After 21 years as a nationally syndicated columnist, Amy Dickinson has announced she is moving on to other things. Although doing the job she calls “amazing” was not physically taxing — she admits to working on it while in bed on many occasions — the constancy of being a seven-day-a week sage and never really being able to step away from it has proven challenging. Dickinson is looking forward to other adventures closer to her home in Freeville, New York continues on next page 22 s s r t s d , f s s s e g l t h t s e a f b d e t s w e o l r e g n , n u u o u e e , t e e g n r l r y y f r k r , ,

24 SMART READER March 23, 2023 FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 262-564-8800 FSR121720Summer is in full swing. Are you being a tourist in your own town? Are you enjoying the free weeknight outdoor concert series? Dining outdoors at local restaurants? Visiting the many parks and nature areas we have? Checking out our local shops, art galleries, and museums? Are you attending the many free festivals and other outdoor events? Big events in the immediate future include Kenosha Taco Fest on June 28 at Kennedy Park, the Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade on June 30, and Celebrate America July 4-5 (fireworks on the Fourth of July). On July 6, Bristol Renaissance Faire opens, Kenosha Pride 2024 is at HarborPark Celebration Place, and Libertyfest is in Twin Lakes. Take time this summer to enjoy Kenosha as if you were an out-of-town visitor experiencing our community for the first time. Appreciate what is here in our own backyard. Shop Local, Dine Local, and Play Local! The same things that visitors love about the Kenosha Area, residents love as well. Did you know that without tourism in Kenosha County and 71 other counties, each Wisconsin household would pay an additional $660 to maintain the current level of government services? Tourism provides jobs, lowers personal taxes, improves our local economy, and provides a positive community image, which is critical for economic development. Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism released its 2023 economic impact data, broken down by county. Kenosha County tourism generated a record-breaking and historic economic impact of $434 million in 2023; a 2.2% increase over 2022. 2023 marks back-toback record years for Kenosha County tourism’s economic impact. Tourism in Kenosha County generated $26.1 million in local and state tax revenue in 2023. Also in 2023, Kenosha County tourism accounted for 3,111 jobs with $106.8 million in related income. Kenosha County currently ranks 16 out of 72 Wisconsin counties for total economic impact of tourism. In 2023, Wisconsin tourism generated a recordbreaking and historic economic impact of $25 billion. Additionally, last year, Wisconsin visitors generated $1.6 billion in state and local taxes. Tourism also supported more than 178,000 full and part-time jobs in Wisconsin, which is 1 in every 21 jobs in the state. Visit Kenosha has been Kenosha’s official travel resource since 1986. We’re a non-profit corporation with the sole purpose of enhancing and growing tourism in the greater Kenosha area. Since November 2009, Visit Kenosha has staffed the Wisconsin Welcome Center – Kenosha at I-94/41 and Hwy. 165. This summer, the Wisconsin Historical Society has brought its traveling History Makers Tour to our welcome center in the form of a free photo opportunity. Of the options provided, our staff chose the water ski pyramid photo that was taken in the Wisconsin Dells, in honor of the award-winning Aquanut Water Shows that take place in Twin Lakes all summer. Stop by to step into a scene that will have you looking like you are a water skier in the pyramid! The installation is in place now and is expected to remain here through the summer. The History Makers Tour is one way the Wisconsin Historical Society is continuing to serve learners and history lovers across the state in the time leading up to the opening of the new Wisconsin History Center in early 2027 in Madison. While at our welcome center, plan your Wisconsin vacation! This location carries approximately 300 guides and brochures for destinations, attractions, and events throughout the state. For more information about Visit Kenosha and the many free resources the organization offers visitors and residents, log on to VisitKenosha.com. Also follow Visit Kenosha on social media to receive updates. Be A Tourist In Your Own Town by Meridith Jumisko, Visit Kenosha Meridith Jumisko is Public Relations Director at Visit Kenosha. Contact her at [email protected] truths that might soften the blows. They are: • Show up for people. • Be gentle with yourself – and with others. • Lead with kindness, and recognize kindness when you receive it. • Reserve your harshest judgment. Sit on your worst thoughts about other people and consider the consequences before expressing them. • Be of service by finding something, or someone, to take care of. • Find creative ways to express your feelings. • Admit to your faults and failings, and resolve to do better. • Ask for forgiveness. • Work hard not to be defined by the worst things that have happened to you. • Recognize even the smallest blessings and express gratitude. • Be kind to receptionists, restaurant servers, dental hygienists, and anyone who needs to physically touch or serve you in order to do their job. • Understand that there are times when it is necessary to give up. • Spend time in nature. • Identify, develop, or explore your core ethical and/or spiritual beliefs. • Recognize and detach from your own need to control someone else. • Respect boundaries – yours and others’. • Seek the counsel of people who are wiser than you are. Ask their advice, and listen. I sometimes supply “scripts” for people who have asked me for the right words to say, and so I thought I would boil these down to some of the most important statements I believe anyone can make. They are: • I need help. • I’m sorry. • I forgive you. • I love you, just as you are. • I’m on your side. • You’re safe. • You are not alone. Now that I’m near the end of my movie, I hope you’ll pay attention to the end credits. Many thanks to Chicago friends and colleagues, including Jim Warren, who found me, Ann Marie Lipinski, who hired me, Steve Mandell, who represented me, and editors Mary Elson, Bill O’Connell and Carrie Williams. Thank you to “Gentleman Jack” Barry, who softened my exit. And especially to Tracy Clark, a talented novelist who has helped to correct my faulty thinking and grammar for many years. Finally, much gratitude to faithful readers, who can find me on social media and through my regular newsletter. Onward! Now that Amy Dickinson has stepped away from her advice column we are excited to welcome in a new era in our next issue with Asking Eric R. Eric Thomas is a national bestselling author, playwright, and screenwriter. His memoir, Here for It, or How to Save Your Soul in America, which Lin-Manuel Miranda hailed as “pop culture-obsessed, David Sedaris-level laugh-out-loud funny”, was featured on Today as a Read With Jenna club pick. His YA novel, Kings of B’more, was named a 2023 Stonewall Honor book by the American Library Association and his latest book of essays, Congratulations, the Best Is Over! was an instant USA Today Bestseller. For four years, he wrote “Eric Reads the News” a daily humor column covering pop culture and politics on ELLE.com, garnering millions of devoted readers. More recently, he gained fans as an interim Prudie for Slate.com’s advice column Dear Prudence. On screen, Eric has written on the Peabody Award-winning series Dickinson on AppleTV+ and Better Things on FX and has multiple film and TV projects currently in development. Eric is also the long-running host of The Moth StorySlams in Philadelphia and has been heard multiple times on The Moth Radio Hour, NPR’s Fresh Air, All Things Considered, and Pop Culture Happy Hour. Introducing new advice ask amy columnist Eric Thomas seniors edition continued from previous page SMART READER June 27, 2024 24

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