FOR YOUR HEALTH: When Planning International Travel, Measles Vaccination is Peace of Mind for the Whole Family

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Before you travel with kids, it’s a good idea to make sure they’ve been vaccinated against measles.

by Dr. David Sugerman

(NAPSI)—As a parent, I know that preparing for international travel with kids is more than just packing a suitcase. Whether we are visiting relatives we haven’t seen for a long time or helping our children see the world, we all can agree that protecting our family’s health is the top priority. As a doctor, I know that beyond sorting out missing socks and packing suitcases, there is another important step to prepare for international travel: measles vaccination. Your whole family needs to be protected by measles vaccination, including babies as young as six months old.

While the risk for measles in the U.S. remains thankfully low due to high rates of immunization, measles can occur anywhere in the world, and you can be exposed during international travel. Every year, U.S. residents who are unvaccinated get measles while traveling internationally and get sick after they come home, often spreading it to others. Measles is more than just a little rash; it’s a serious disease that can cause severe complications, especially in young children. Measles is also highly contagious. If one person has it, up to nine out of 10 people nearby can become infected if they are not vaccinated.

The good news is that two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provide safe, long-lasting protection against measles. While most children receive their first dose of MMR vaccine around one year old, babies as young as six months old who are traveling overseas should get an early dose to help protect them when they are the most vulnerable. And while most children get their second dose after the age of four, children between one and four years of age should get a second dose before traveling internationally to provide the best protection.

Why risk being exposed away from home when you can protect the whole family by vaccination? It takes about two weeks to develop protection from the vaccine, so now is the time to plan before you take a trip. If your trip is less than two weeks away, you can still get a dose of MMR vaccine. As a reminder, college kids or young adults traveling might need a dose, too, if they didn’t get all of them as a children. As a doctor, I hope you will talk with your own doctor, nurse, or clinic about measles vaccination to protect the whole family. As a dad, I might never find that missing sock – but I’ll have peace of mind knowing my family is protected from disease by vaccination.

You can learn more about measles vaccination and how to plan for travel here at: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/travel/index.html.

Dr. David Sugerman is a medical officer in the Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Poet: Roberta Chester

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Roberta Chester

Still living in her 80s, poet Roberta Chester has written articles for different newspapers in Maine and taught English at UMO, College of the Atlantic and in Israel.

With respect to the Pine Tree State, she wrote the following in the 1989 Maine Speaks anthology:

“Now that I live in Maine, the intense beauty of the Maine landscape has been a constant inspiration. I can’t think of a better place to be a poet than Maine, where each of the seasons arrives with so much passion that all of our senses are awakened. If we’re poets we have to respond.”

One poem of Ms. Chester that is included in the above-mentioned anthology, Succoth (Bangor 1982), alludes to an episode of antisemitism, although where and when remains unclear.

But first a little context.

Succoth is a harvest holiday celebration directly following Rosh Hashanah and the Yom Kippur day of fasting in an outdoor hut in which people are feasting and living. The shofar or ram’s horn is blown to announce beginning of the fast on Yom Kippur in which sins are atoned and resolutions made with hope that each individual remains in the Book of Life for the coming year.

The shul is another name for synagogue.

Now the poem:

“After the last blast of the shofar
and the hard fast, the promises
and prayers for a good year,
it takes us by surprise
when we are in the season
of apples and honey cakes
and wine, when we eat in huts
open as birds to the stars,

it takes us by surprise
to see a swastika
drawn on the wall of the shul,
painted red and razor sharp
the women whisper,
there can be no mistake.
They know the sign.

It makes me think
we have been found out
although we’ve been here
for years, our candles shining
at the windows, the smell of challah,
the bittersweet sounds of Shabbas songs
escaping from out the windows and doors
and into the streets between the bridge
and the old brick church.

It takes us by surprise
and yet the trouble is so old
it echoes in my blood
with the sound of my grandfather
climbing the stairs of a building
on the lower east side
and pressed against the wall
by someone with a knife
who held the blade
against his neck and said,
‘Swear, swear you are not a Jew,
and I will let you free!’

And from my grandfather who refused
just as they were both surprised
by an angel in disguise who opened a door
in that long, dark hall,
I learned never to be too much in love
with a roof over my head,
that houses are made of sticks and glass,
that they break like the works of our hands,
and that we should be ready to fly
up into the night with parcels and children
and scrolls under our arms
on the back of the wind.”

Disney anthology

In 1976, Ronco released an LP anthology, The Greatest Hits of Walt Disney, featuring 24 original soundtrack recordings and also including song lyrics and eight cutouts of Disney characters (Ronco R-2100). Like other anthologies from the label, it was heavily promoted on television. The selections include Bare Necessities, Whistle While You Work, A Spoonful of Sugar, Ballad of Davy Crockett, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, etc.

Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart

I recently rewatched for the 50th time the classic Humphrey Bogart 1946 film classic The Big Sleep via a nicely mastered DVD. Bogart as detective Philip Marlowe, his fourth and last wife Lauren Bacall as the “spoiled, exacting, ruthless Vivian Sternwood who falls in love with Marlowe and, among the distinguished cast, cowboy star Bob Steele and character actor Trevor Bardette, as two cold-blooded killers contributed vividly to its infinitely rewatchable qualities, with Henry Hawks directing and Mississippi novelist William Faulkner providing the script.

 

 

 

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CRITTER CHATTER: A new chapter at Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center

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by Jayne Winters

As noted in last month’s article, rehabber Don Cote at Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center was hospitalized for a week in late May. I’m relieved and happy to report that his recovery at home is going well and as we expected, it didn’t take long before he started taking calls about orphaned and injured critters. In fact, we recently purchased a new answering machine with a volume enhancer so he doesn’t miss any!

Although he isn’t admitting wildlife for extended care, he will continue to answer questions, provide advice and make referrals to other wildlife rehabbers. Duck Pond is now serving primarily as a drop-off site for folks to bring in the small injured or abandoned wildlife they’ve found, with other rehabbers coming by almost daily to transport the animals to their own facilities for additional treatment and care. Duck Pond prefers not to accept fawns, but Don can help people connect with and/or coordinate transfer with nearby rehabbers.

Currently, there are two fox kits in an outside pen that will be released together later this summer. A gray squirrel that had come into contact with a ‘hot’ CMP wire seemed to be improving, but sadly suffered a couple of seizures and did not survive. On a happier note, a young woodchuck (uninjured, but apparently orphaned and raiding a garden) that had been housed in an open tote in Don’s kitchen made great progress this past week, moving on from syringed electrolytes and proteins to solid foods, including fresh dandelion greens and clover. “Woody” was just released and will be busy tasting other items on Mother Nature’s menu!

I think I can safely say that as he nears his 87th birthday, Don is now semi-retired. Being a wildlife rehabber has been a way of life for him for over 50 years and his commitment to care for critters will never go away. Taking care of even a couple of squirrels or chipmunks is part of his daily routine and gives him a sense of purpose, which we all need, no matter our age.

Don has been working primarily with the following wildlife rehabbers: Misfits Rehab, in Auburn (207-212-1039; FYI, Jen accepts bats and mice), Wilderness Miracles, in Bowdoin (207-720-0074), Bridget Green, in Wiscasset (207-631-0874), Critterville Wildlife, in Brooklin (845-549-2407), and Saco River Wildlife (207-702-1405). Mid-coast Maine has a newly-licensed turtle rehabber! Pam Meier relocated from Connecticut and can be reached at The Turtle’s Back (203-903-2708). As you can imagine, wildlife rehabbers are inundated with their own rescue calls at this time of year, especially for young animals that require extra feedings and care, and Don greatly appreciates their assistance with Duck Pond rescues. Please remember to check these websites for someone close to you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html In addition, you can contact your local Animal Control Officer through your town office.

– Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: What’s the difference between a cobweb and a spider web?

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

This may not have anything to do with nature, but I think it qualifies.

Nothing is more irritating, to me, at least, than walking into a cobweb as I’m exiting the house or camp. So, that prompted the question, what is the difference between a cobweb and a spider web?

The term “spider web” is typically used to refer to a web that is apparently still in use (i.e., clean), whereas “cobweb” refers to a seemingly abandoned (i.e., dusty) web. However, the word “cobweb” is also used by biologists to describe the tangled three-dimensional web of some spiders of the family Theridiidae.

File this one under “T ”, for “Today I Learned….” Despite emitting from the same arachnid derrière, spider webs and cobwebs are not the same thing. Spider webs are the sticky traps spiders set to capture their supper; cobwebs are but a shadow of their former spider web self.

Typically, a cobweb is an abandoned spider web. The sticky silk of a spider web is excellent at catching insects, so naturally, it’s great at collecting dust. This is especially possible in hard-to-reach areas, like ceiling corners, that are infrequently dusted.

Cobwebs are tangled and irregularly designed webs. Spider webs are more elegant and sophistically designed. Cobwebs are also comprised of a different type of silk than the spider web.

Unlike spider webs, which spiders use to catch and trap their prey, cobwebs are vacant “homes” spiders have abandoned to move on to greener pastures – in this case, usually just a new area of your house. The stray spider silk left behind is incredibly sticky and a magnet for pollen, dust particles, and other debris. This is why, when you discover cobwebs, they appear dirty and loose, instead of elastic and tight as a new spider web.

While they may not pose any real danger, these sticky nuisances certainly don’t add to the aesthetics. Moreover, they tend to accumulate dust, making your space feel less inviting. If your house is starting to resemble a spooky Halloween scene with cobwebs adorning every corner, it’s time to take action. Dust and clean your home regularly. This doesn’t allow a spider to build a web. Dusting regularly doesn’t just keep the webs away, but also ensures other insects attracting elements are cleaned from your house, keeping the prey away, also.

If you’re seeing a lot of spiderwebs in and around your home, it’s likely you’ve incurred a pretty sizeable spider infestation. Spiders typically hide until they have no choice but to come out into the open, so there could be a lot more than you think.

Ways to spider-proof your house:

– Lemon peels. Spiders hate the smell of citrus fruits such as lemons, limes and oranges. …
– Peppermint Oil. This makes a surprisingly great, natural bug repellent. …
– Keep your house clutter-free.
– Close windows at night. …
– White vinegar. …
– Limit lights.

Now, this may sound strange, and it might even be directed at some of our friends, since my wife strongly believes Vicks VapoRub can be used for many cures.

Because of this, Vicks VapoRub is the perfect deterrent – it uses eucalyptus and menthol to open your nasal passages, which is much too strong of a scent for an arachnid. In addition to peppermint, which was mentioned earlier, you can try using essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus, as spiders tend to dislike these scents. You can create a homemade spider-repellent spray by mixing a few drops of these essential oils with water and applying it to spider-prone areas.

The smell of cinnamon also repels these arachnids. Spiders prefer to maintain a fair distance away from them. Ultimately, cinnamon oil will also fight other insects and keep them away, so it’s not for spiders only. Mix cinnamon oil with water, dip a cotton ball in, then wipe the mixture in spider-prone areas.

How about moth balls? My wife and I use them liberally when closing up camp in the fall to discourage mice from entering the shelter. Contrary to what many believe, these moth balls really work. So…

As the mothball disintegrates, the chemical is released into the air. The foul scent that is released becomes a spider repellent and gets rid of spiders. They are repelled by this naturally occurring scent. With that being said, spiders will avoid mothballs at all costs.

Will dryer sheets work? Dryer sheets are rumored to protect against much more than static cling. But there is no scientific research to back up these claims.

Finally, my wife and I use small electronic devices to discourage spiders from entering our camp. You can buy them at The Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Agway and Aubuchon Hardware. They are small plug-ins that have a small blinking red light, and the sound of a “tick” every few seconds. They work very well.

So, we’ve learned quite a bit about spiders, their webs and repellants today. Now, if you’re not a fan of spiders, like I, get to work.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

What “curse” prevented the Red Sox winning the World Series for 85 years?.

Answer
Curse of the Bambino. (A supposed curse placed on the Red Sox when they traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.)

MERIT: If we build it, will they save?

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by André Chassé
Volunteer State President,
AARP Maine

When Maine set out to develop a way to make retirement savings accessible to more workers, it was somewhat of a “field of dreams” moment for all those who had advocated for the Work & Save program including AARP Maine. We knew that access to an employer-based retirement plan would be critical for building financial security. In addition, with roughly 40% of Maine’s private sector employees having no way to save for retirement on the job, we believed a solution was needed to our state’s retirement savings crisis. However, as we entered the final stages of implementation, we found ourselves asking: if we build it, will they save?

The answer is a resounding “yes.” I am delighted to share that more Mainers have started building a secure financial future for themselves by saving for retirement, thanks to the notable success of the Maine Retirement Investment Trust (MERIT). In a landmark achievement, MERIT recently announced that Maine employees have collectively saved an impressive one million dollars for their retirement within just six months of its statewide launch in January of this year. This milestone reflects the commitment and hard work of both the program and the participants as they strive to build a stable financial future for themselves and their families.

MERIT was created in 2021 by the Work and Save Bill, sponsored by Senator Eloise Vitelli, to improve access to retirement savings programs. The public-private retirement savings option was established to provide an efficient and transparent retirement savings option for the over 200,000 workers in Maine who do not have access to a workplace retirement savings plan.

The initiative has proven to be a critical step toward promoting responsibility and long-term planning for Maine workers. By providing a streamlined enrollment process, MERIT enables employers to offer a valuable tool that significantly enhances employee satisfaction and financial security. MERIT allows workers to set their own contribution percentage. There is no cost or match requirement for employers. Funds are invested in a Roth IRA that employees can take with them from job to job. Through the MERIT portal at meritsaves.com, employees can change their contribution percentage, view and change investment options and identify their beneficiaries.

MERIT addresses a vital need for Maine residents who face uncertainty about their retirement savings. Retirement savings options that help workers become savers are needed now more than ever. According to an AARP survey conducted earlier this year, one in five Americans 50-plus have no retirement savings, and over half worry that their savings won’t last in retirement.

Until now, too many workers in Maine have not had access to a retirement savings account at work, leaving them unprepared for the future. But with the recently met MERIT savings benchmark, we have a million reasons to believe that together, we can bridge this gap and ensure a more secure future for Maine’s workers.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: The Time Thief Affecting More Than Half of Americans: Poor Mental Health

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Courtney Nugent struggled with anxiety so debilitating it led to multiple hospitalizations.

(NAPSI)—The latest GeneSight® Mental Health Monitor survey shows that nearly half of Americans feel they have lost time in their lives due to poor mental health.

Courtney Nugent suffered a decade-long struggle with anxiety. At first, medication helped manage her anxiety. However, after a surgery, she found her medication was no longer keeping her anxiety in check. She began a trial-and-error journey of seven different medications to try to get back to “normal.”

“I had to call off my wedding to focus on my mental health,” said Nugent. “My mental health crisis was six months on paper, but for every second of every day, I was fighting to stay alive. That’s time I can’t get back.”

Of those diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression, 50 percent said they have lost years of their lifetime because of poor mental health—and 12 percent said they’ve lost decades.

About a third of those with anxiety and/or depression said they’ve missed significant events due to ineffective mental health treatments. The “treatment as usual” approach to mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, is often associated with medication trial-and-error, which can also add to lost time. The GeneSight test is a tool clinicians can use to inform mental health medication treatment plans and may help shorten their patients’ road to wellness.

“Patients who have lost time due to depressive episodes or periods of anxiety often feel a sense of loss, which further complicates their mental health situation,” said Sharon Philbin, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.

A person’s genes may play a role in their outcomes to certain mental health medications. Practitioners like Philbin order the GeneSight test (a simple cheek swab) to help patients understand how they may metabolize or respond to several mental health medications based on their individual genetics.

“GeneSight has been one of the tools I’ve used to help my patients feel better and take control of lost time so that those living with anxiety and depression can enjoy their lives,” said Philbin.
Courtney was prescribed a new medication based partly on her GeneSight test results and began to feel like herself again. “I have a new job and a new lease on life. I do not think I would be alive without the GeneSight test,” said Courtney.

It wasn’t until her clinician personalized her mental health medication treatment with the help of the GeneSight test that she got back on track. Learn more at https://genesight.com/mental-health-monitor/.

PLATTER PERSPECTIVE – Actor: Dana Andrews; Conductor: Arturo Toscanini

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Dana Andrews

Dana Andrews

Actor Dana Andrews (1909-1992) had considerable screen presence in such classic 1940s films as The Ox-Bow Incident, Laura, State Fair, The Best Years of Our Lives and, a special favorite of mine more for Susan Hayward (1917-1975) than for Andrews, the 1949 My Foolish Heart.

1956 brought Beyond a Reasonable Doubt where he winds up on Death Row with a surprising plot twist at the end. 1965’s satire on the funeral home racket, The Loved One (very loosely based on an Evelyn Waugh novel), had Andrews appearing as an U.S. Air Force colonel being given a tour of the casket room by Jonathan Winters as the “Divine Reverend Wilbur Glenworthy”.

A 1958 LP, And God Said (Epic 5LN 3534), features Andrews as the narrator of a Biblical music presentation on the Old and New Testaments and his spoken words were delivered with vivid resonance while the music itself, sounding a bit like the special and rather schmaltzy church cantatas so often heard in the Protestant churches of my 1950s childhood, was composed by Dickson Hall, sung by the Frank Raye Singers and arranged and conducted by James Peterson, all of whom are names previously unfamiliar to me but who did good work.

The album has illustrations of scenes from the Bible – the creation of light , Cain slaughtering his brother Abel, the 40 days and nights of rain, etc. Its main attraction is that of a time warp 1950s period piece.

When I was still living in Houston, I taught a course in American literature for Houston Community College at its Bellaire High School campus then utilized, as were other middle and high schools, for its evening programs. The school corridor had photos of a former principal who was a brother of the actor.

Another historic detail – the auditorium of the high school was used as the venue for a concert of Arturo Toscanini conducting the NBC Symphony during its 1950 nationwide tour.

Arturo Toscanini

Arturo Toscanini

Speaking of Toscanini, his 1953 RCA studio recording of Dvorak’s New World Symphony with the NBC players has a bristling intensity well worth hearing and is accessible on YouTube .

A trumpet player in the Orchestra told of a performance of the Brahms 4th Symphony, a work the Maestro devoted a lot of painstaking labor on and conducted numerous times, leaving also an NBC studio recording and broadcasts with the BBC and Philharmonia Orchestras in London.

The gentleman stated the performance of one evening was perfection, except for barely noticeable details in which the brass section at the end of two quarter notes failed to cut off half of the second note. They were summoned to the Maestro’s dressing room.

For at least 20 minutes, Toscanini paced back and forth, back and forth.

Then he said, “You all go home tonight, eat dinner, be with family, go to bed. Me, I can’t do any of that. I keep hearing those two notes without the cutoff. I toss and turn all night, suffering because of those two notes without the cutoff. ”

The musicians were then allowed to leave.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Have you seen this invasive plant hopper?

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The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Have you seen one of these?

The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive planthopper that feeds on a wide range of plants, including grapes, hops, stone fruits, and hardwood trees. When the spotted lanternfly feeds, it excretes a sticky, sugary fluid that causes sooty mold, which can further damage plants. Its preferred host is tree of heaven. Today 17 states have some degree of infestation.

The spotted lanternfly is a hitchhiking pest that is native to Asia. It lays its eggs on any hard surface including grills, vehicles, trailers, firewood, outdoor furniture, bikes and toys. The pest was first detected in 2014 in Pennsylvania. It likely arrived in the United States on goods shipped from overseas.

The spotted lanternfly can harm our fruit and forest industries. Early detection is a critical step to mitigating economic and ecological losses. Residents in SLF quarantine areas should check outdoor items before traveling to new areas. Here’s what to look for:

Nymphs (juvenile spotted lanternflies) are black with white spots and turn red as they develop.

Adults, roughly one-inch long and 1/2-inch wide, have a yellow, black-barred abdomen. With large, visually striking wings, adult spotted lanternflies can be easier to spot than other pests. They have brown forewings with black spots at the front and a speckled band at the rear. Their hind wings are scarlet with black spots at the front and white and black bars at the rear.

Newly laid egg masses (holding 30-50 eggs) resemble wet, gray putty before turning dull and brown, mirroring a smear of cracked mud. The one-inch long egg masses can be seen in fall, winter, and spring on a variety of smooth surfaces, such as trees, bricks, stones, fences, grills, equipment, and vehicles.

When spotted lanternflies feed on plants, they leave behind a sticky, oozing residue called honeydew. This substance attracts other insects, causes mold growth, and further hurts plants.

As honeydew ferments, it can develop an intense, rotten smell.

One of the best places to look for these pests is on a tree-of-heaven, a favorite plant for spotted lanternflies. The tree has a cantaloupe-like texture, with bark that appears light brown to gray. The leaves are large, one to four feet in length. These leaves are made up of many smaller leaflets on both sides of a central stem.

Spotted lanternflies (both nymphs and adults) frequently gather in large numbers when feeding. They’re easiest to spot at dusk or at night as they migrate up and down the trunk of a plant. During the day, they tend to cluster near the base or canopy of a plant, making them more difficult to see.

While there is no active infestation of the spotted lanternfly in Maine, spotted lanternfly eggs were discovered in the Pine Tree State in 2020. Spotted lanternfly has also been seen in neighboring New Hampshire.

Not sure if you’ve seen a spotted lantern fly? If you think you see any of the life stages of the spotted lanternfly, please report it to Bugwatch@maine.gov.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

In the 1971 Olympics, Nadia Comaneci was the first gymnast to record a perfect score. What country was she representing?

Answer
Romania.

PLATTER PERSPECTIVE: Violinist Jascha Heifetz

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Jascha Heifetz

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Jascha Heifetz

Violinist Jascha Heifetz (1901-1987) held a series of televised master classes at UCLA in 1962; I recently watched the first one on YouTube and was quite fascinated by his personality and teaching style for its entire 1 hour.

He had a half dozen students sitting with what seemed to be a combination of fear and anticipation and, by stating that he promises not to perform himself, provoked relaxed laughter. During the first hour, only two would play while his longtime accompanist Brooks Smith (1912-2000) served as pianist .

The first student performed a short piece by the 19th century virtuoso/composer Wienawski. Heifetz would listen, telling the student to phrase with more expression, to speed up the tempo in order to sustain the rhythmic excitement or to slow down. At times, he would play a passage from memory to demonstrate what he wanted from the student. At other moments, he would be following his own score with a pencil, silently beating time.

The second student was Erick Friedmann (1939-2004) who would record Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins with Heifetz for RCA Victor around the same time and who became his most well-known protégé. He played sections of the Brahms Violin Concerto while Heifetz listened with at times smiling admiration and then joined Friedmann for the last movement of the previously mentioned Bach.

When Heifetz, at the age of 11, gave a private recital at a home in Berlin in 1912, Fritz Kreisler commented that “we might as well take our fiddles and break them across our knees.”

For hobbies, Heifetz collected books and stamps, played tennis and ping pong and would go sailing off the coast of Southern California. He routinely practiced three to four hours and advised his students against both practicing too much and practicing too little.

When Heifetz recorded the Brahms Violin Concerto in 1955 with Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony, RCA producer Richard Mohr asked the violinist if he was ready to begin the session, he replied, “No, I am not ready, I will never be ready, but we might as well get this over with.” The usually stern Reiner almost broke out giggling.

Along with the 1955 Brahms Concerto, I highly recommend the 1935 Sibelius Violin Concerto collaboration with Sir Thomas Beecham and the Royal Philharmonic; the 1940 Beethoven Concerto with Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony and, again with Reiner/Chicago, the 1957 Tchaikovsky Concerto, all the above and so much else of Heifetz available on YouTube.

Itzhak Perlman paid tribute once by commenting that Heifetz could do things on the violin that were impossible for all of the other violinists. Heifetz’s perfection was often equated with that of God.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Cool Ways to Protect Yourself from Heat-Related Illness

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Extreme heat can be deadly, but you can take steps to stay safe.

(NAPSI)—Much of the U.S. could face hotter than normal conditions this year as the climate crisis drives higher temperatures—but you can keep yourself and those you care about safe.
Consider these facts and figures:

• 2023 was the hottest year on record, and scientists warn that 2024 could break records again.
• Since the 1960s, heat waves have become more frequent, more intense and longer lasting.
• Heat-related deaths are on the rise.

What You Can Do

When extreme heat blankets the country, the American Red Cross recommends you take these steps:

1. Slow down by postponing or limiting outdoor activities, including strenuous exercise. If you must work outdoors, take frequent breaks and try to schedule tasks early or late in the day. Remember, hot cars can be deadly—never leave children or pets in a vehicle.

2. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. Be sure animals have access to plenty of fresh water and shade.

3. Spend time indoors in an air-conditioned place. If you don’t have air conditioning, go to a public library, shopping mall or public cooling center. Call 211 to find an open location. Check on loved ones and neighbors who may be at risk and lack air conditioning to ensure they are safe.

Signs of Illness

You should also know how to recognize the signs of heat-related illness and what to do. It’s critical to react quickly.

• Heat can make anyone ill, especially older adults, the very young, pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions. People who work outdoors, have limited personal resources and live in places without green spaces are also at higher risk.
• Heat cramps are an early sign of trouble and include heavy sweating with muscle pains or spasms. To help, move the person to a cooler place and encourage them to drink water. Get medical help if symptoms last longer than an hour or if the person has heart problems.
• Heat exhaustion is a more severe condition signaled by cool, pale and clammy skin; a fast or weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; tiredness or weakness; or a headache, dizziness or passing out. To help, move the person to a cooler place, loosen tight clothing and encourage them to sip water slowly. Use wet cloths, misting or fanning to cool them off. Get medical help right away if symptoms worsen or last longer than an hour, or if the person vomits or acts confused.
• Heat stroke is a deadly condition that requires immediate medical help. Symptoms include a high body temperature; hot, red, dry or damp skin; a fast or strong pulse; a headache or dizziness; or nausea, confusion and passing out. Call 911 right away if you think someone may have heat stroke. Then move the person to a cool place, and use wet cloths, misting or fanning to help cool them off. Do not give the person anything to drink.

Extreme Weather on the Rise

Along with heat waves, the U.S. is experiencing more frequent and intense disasters. The Red Cross encourages everyone to prepare now by making a plan to stay safe, gathering important supplies and knowing how you’ll stay connected. Visit redcross.org or download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time weather alerts and safety information in English and Spanish. Find the app in smartphone app stores by searching for the “American Red Cross.”