Columns
What makes a Black Friday deal worth it?
LAUREN SCHWAHN NerdWallet Black Friday sales are everywhere. Judging by retailers’ advertisements stuffed with language like “must-have deals” and “can’t-miss epic finds,” you’d be led to believe that every deal is too good to pass up. But what actually makes a Black Friday deal worth pursuing? An item’s reduced price, availability and affordability are key…
Read MoreBe prepared for long-term care costs
Like everyone, you’d like to enjoy a long, healthy, independent life. But the future is unknowable, so it’s a good idea to prepare for a variety of outcomes – including the possible need for long-term care. Consider the following: – Someone turning age 65 today has almost a 70% chance of eventually needing some type…
Read MoreSome reduced-carb diets may decrease diabetes risk, but others may raise it
Laura Williamson American Heart Association News When it comes to reduced-carb diets, it may be quality, not quantity, that matters most. New research finds that animal-based, low-carbohydrate eating was associated with a higher Type 2 diabetes risk, whereas plant-based, low-carb eating was associated with a lower diabetes risk. The research, recently presented in Chicago at…
Read MoreMore research needed in promising Lupus Car T-Cell therapy
Dear Doctors: Our daughter is 24 years old. She struggled with her health for several years before finally being diagnosed with lupus. I’m reading as much as possible about this disease and have seen a study with a potential cure called CAR T-cell therapy. What is it, and how does it work? Dear Reader: For…
Read MoreEmployee unexcited to travel to Ex’s city for work
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am from Los Angeles. Last year, I was in a long-distance relationship with a man from New York City. I hadn’t really been to New York before I started seeing him, but I visited three times last year just to spend time with him. We broke up earlier this year, and I…
Read MoreTeachings on sin changing? Priest in Ireland disagrees
Terry Mattingly For centuries, Irish Catholics have heard priests deliver sermons about sin, hell, repentance, grace and heaven. Times have changed, and an 80-year-old priest in County Kerry didn’t get the memo. “How will people know that God wants to forgive them if we don’t tell them?” said Father Sean Sheehy, preaching as a substitute…
Read MoreMinister’s Message
Rev. Brennan Hurley Associate Pastor, First United Methodist Church in Taylorville Pastor, Stonington United Methodist Church Jesus was out telling parables one day, and some kids were making too much noise. The good religious people scoffed! “Where are their parents?! Don’t they know that they need to be respectful of Jesus?!” They tried to block…
Read MorePassenger refuses stranger’s request to switch seats
DEAR HARRIETTE: I always choose a window seat on flights. I enjoy being able to rest my head by the window, and I do not like being shoulder-to-shoulder with two strangers. I was recently on a flight on which I was seated next to a mother and her young child. The mother tapped my shoulder…
Read MoreA new route to keeping women in rural communities healthy
Thor Christensen American Heart Association News A community health program that included exercise classes and hands-on nutrition education helped women living in rural areas lower their blood pressure, lose weight and stay healthy, according to a new study. Compared to women in urban areas, women in rural communities have higher cardiovascular disease risk, are more…
Read MorePFAS column sparks several follow-up questions
Hello again, dear readers, and welcome to our monthly letters column. We’re headed into the season of indoor gatherings, so it’s time to think about strategies for preventing COVID-19 and the flu. We’ll discuss this soon in an upcoming column. For now, we urge everyone to please get your flu vaccine and the new bivalent…
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