Breaking News

Viewpoints

An Open And Shut Case

Sometimes what I find on the internet surprises me. There are times, when writing these columns, I feel as if I’m stuck in wildflowers and all of those seemingly have something good to offer me. I will accept – and appreciate their beauty and variety while knowing others – not I – are aware of their health benefits. Perhaps you are even one. It’s certainly simple to find all the stuff you’d need to know on the internet. This time, however, when I typed in Evening Primrose, the pharmaceutical offerings popped up long before I could access any notes for the flower itself. So ...

Drew Carey – In Jamestown, N.Y.?

I’m a big fan of Drew Carey. I have been since I watched his sitcom, The Drew Carey Show religiously during its nine year run (September 1995 – September 2004), always singing along with the show’s original opening song, Moon over Parma, and then that song’s successor, Cleveland Rocks. I had a sweatshirt sporting a Carey caricature with the words “Moon Over Parma,” I have an autographed picture of Drew Carey hanging in my man cave, and another I snapped of him in an Indians cap and jersey, taken prior to him throwing the first pitch before a Tribe game. I have a Drew ...

Anyone Can Form A ‘Kidney Connection’

When I was trained as a pilot, I was always amazed about the redundancies in an airplane. There were two magnetos to keep the engine running, two radios for communication, two control sticks to steer the airplane, two systems (electric and vacuum) to run the instrument panel. Everything was designed as a backup for safety. What is similarly true is that the human body also has a lot of redundancy. Two eyes, two ears, two lungs — and, yes, two kidneys. We can sometimes can get along with only one if we need to. Recently, at a young age, a member of our family experienced total ...

Don’t Stress About The Dress

Dear readers, I recently took a chance on a shorter dress at a thrift store. When I say short, I mean to my knees. I’m one of those ladies who hates my legs, so I’m constantly hiding them with pants, capris and leggings. But friends, Sunday was hot. I mean — hot! We went to the beach and I dutifully wore my capris just above my ankles — and I was boiling. So, when I got home, I pulled the teal dress with brown and blue flowers out of the laundry and put it on. You could see my calves, for goodness sakes! And my whole arms! What on earth would anyone in public think of a ...

What Injections Are Covered By Medicare?

Question: Why wasn’t the tetanus shot I received covered by Original Medicare? Answer: Vaccine and injections prescribed by our physicians are covered differently depending on what the injection is for. Original Medicare Part A would cover any injection given as part of a hospital stay. Medicare Part B covers outpatient services including some injections and vaccines; the Flu shot, Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal and COVID-19. These vaccines are administered either in a doctor’s office, health clinic or pharmacy and are covered in full by Medicare Part B with no deductible and no 20% cost ...

A Shortage Of Workers, Is Failure Of Gov’t.

Lots of things make me angry these days, but nothing makes me madder than seeing places close because no one wants to work anymore. We’ve weathered all kinds of changes in our country, but the deterioration of the American work ethic should send out alarm bells that are heard in every corner of this country. America was founded on a set of values called Puritan Ethics, and yes, I know those Puritans could be a joyless bunch, but their devotion to the necessary toils of life was the foundation of what America would become: a country of hard workers that set their sights high—a ...