The Basics Of A Solar Eclipse
The natural world is wondrous to behold. In a given day, there is no shortage of events to capture human attention & imagination, and such occurrences are free of charge. A solar eclipse is one phenomenon that never ceases to amaze. Millions of people will get a chance to experience this stunning phenomenon on April 8, 2024, when a total solar eclipse will be visible from Texas to Maine, according to the National Park Service. In anticipation of the eclipse, readers can learn about these unique events.
What is a solar eclipse? According to NASA, a solar eclipse occurs when the sun, the moon & Earth line up, either fully or partially. During a solar eclipse, the moon passes between the sun & Earth, casting a shadow on the planet. That shadow either fully or partially blocks the sun’s light in certain areas.
How frequently do solar eclipses occur? NASA reports that solar eclipses happen only occasionally. That’s because the moon does not orbit in the exact same path as the sun & Earth.
Are all solar eclipses the same? All solar eclipses are not the same. When a solar eclipse occurs, it may be categorized as a total solar eclipse, an annular solar eclipse, a partial solar eclipse, or a hybrid solar eclipse.
• Total solar eclipse: A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun & Earth & the face of the sun is completely blocked. According to NASA, the sky darkens during a total solar eclipse, just as if it is dawn or dusk. The outer atmosphere of the sun, also known as its corona, is typically invisible because the sun is so bright. However, the corona is visible during an eclipse.
• Annular solar eclipse: An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun & Earth when the moon is at or near its farthest point from the planet. That distance is why the moon does not completely cover the sun. NASA notes an annular solar eclipse makes the moon appear as a dark disk on top of larger, bright disk. This creates the awe-inspiring impression that there is a ring around the moon.
• Partial solar eclipse: During a partial solar eclipse, the moon passes between the sun & Earth at a time when all three are not perfectly lined up. NASA notes that the visual effect of this is that only part of the sun appears to be covered, giving it a crescent shape.
• Hybrid solar eclipse: As its name suggests, a hybrid solar eclipse features characteristics of two different types of eclipses. NASA notes that the curved surface of Earth helps to create a hybrid solar eclipse, during which a shift between annular & total eclipse occurs.
A total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024. NASA urges all individuals who intend to witness this aweinspiring phenomenon for themselves to wear eclipse glasses or to utilize an alternative safe solar viewing method, such as a pinhole projector. More information about solar eclipses & how to view them safely can be found at science.nasa.gov.
Eclipse Viewing Party
The Ida Public Library along with the Boone County Conservation District will be hosting an Eclipse Viewing Party at Spencer Park on Monday, April 8th from 12:00 PM - 3:30 PM. They will have glasses for those attending the event & the doors to the Rec Hall will open at 12:15 PM to pick them up. There will be activities on the lawn as well as a Live Stream of the Eclipse available. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch or treat yourself to the food trucks that will be available. Spencer Park is located at 899 Appleton Road, Belvidere. For more information, go to the Boone County Conservation District Facebook or Instagram Page. Glasses provided by StarNet S.E.A.L.
5 Common Identity Theft Scams
Consumers can never let their guard down when it comes to identity theft. Personal information is much more accessible in an increasingly digital world. Consequently, instances of identity theft & consumer fraud continue to grow.
• The Identity Theft Research Center (ITRC) reported a record number of data compromises in the United States in 2021, amounting to a 68% increase over 2020.
• The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network received more than 5.7 million reports of fraud & identity theft in 2021.
• Many North Americans have been victims of COVID-19-related fraud, including scams involving fake testing, vaccines & treatments, & charities.
The FTC says identity theft is when someone uses your personal or financial information without your consent. Commonly stolen data includes addresses, credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, or medical insurance numbers. Though thieves can gather information by intercepting it through digital channels or simply by stealing mail or going through trash, many times people inadvertently share personal information with scammers themselves. Here’s a look at five common scams.
1. Phone scams - Phone scams may involve telemarketers trying to sell you something in exchange for personal information given over the phone, as well as people impersonating government agencies or credit card companies. “Please confirm account information” or “We’ll need your financial information to process” are some of the phrases these scams utilize. Never give out personal information over the phone.
2. Text links - The Pew Research Center says 81% of adult mobile phone users use text messages regularly. Scammers utilize text messages to try to gain information. The text includes a link to a site that will request personal information. Do not respond to such texts & avoid clicking on the links.
3. Phishing emails - Phishing emails look like they are coming from legitimate sources, but they often contain malware that can infiltrate computers & other devices to steal identity data. Phishing increased during the COVID-19 lockdowns as more people were working from home, according to the ITRC.
4. Medicare card verification - Older individuals long have been targets of criminals. Seniors are now being called, emailed or even visited in person by scammers claiming to represent Medicare. Perpetrators of this scam offer new services or new chipped Medicare cards in exchange for verification of Medicare identification numbers. Medicare numbers should be carefully guarded, & seniors should keep in mind it’s highly unlikely Medicare representatives will contact them in this way.
5. Data breaches - It’s not just a home computer or phone breach you need to worry about. According to ARAG Legal, security experts indicate many major companies are being breached. By the time it’s discovered that data was stolen, your personal information, which usually includes credit card numbers, email addresses & home addresses, has been circulating for some time. While it’s impossible for private citizens to prevent this type of data breach, a credit monitoring service can alert consumers if their information shows up where it seemingly doesn’t belong.
Identity theft is an ever-present threat & consumers must exercise due diligence to protect their information.
A Brief History Of Earth Day
Earth Day is celebrated each April & draws attention to a range of issues affecting the environment. Earth Day aims to raise awareness in the hope of inspiring change. Earth Day is observed on April 22. According to National Geographic, the first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson was inspired to begin a national celebration uniting the environmental movement after witnessing environmental activism in the 1960s. With the help of Denis Hayes, a graduate student at Harvard University, Nelson organized the first Earth Day. Twenty million people participated in events across the United States & strengthened support for environmental legislation like the Clean Air Act & the Endangered Species Act. Earth Day was expanded to a global initiative in 1990 under guidance from Hayes. Nearly 200 million participants in more than 140 countries now join together in the name of protecting the planet. Awareness continues to be raised each year regarding renewable energy & climate change.
One of the hallmarks of Earth Day celebrations is the planting of trees. Researchers estimate roughly 15 billion trees are cut down each year across the globe. By planting a tree every Earth Day, people can make a difference. Trees absorb carbon dioxide & release oxygen & bolster ecosystems for wildlife. Shade trees can reduce reliance on fans & air conditioning systems.
The main message of Earth Day 2024 is the need to commit to ending reliance on plastics, says EarthDay.org. The goal is a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040. Plastics are bad for the environment a growing body of research indicates they have an adverse effect on the major systems of the body, including immune, respiratory, digestive, & hormonal systems. Everyone can do their part to promote the ideals behind Earth Day. For 54 years, millions of people have been advocating for change to benefit the planet & human & animal health, & that fight is ongoing.
Boone County Health & Services Community Fair
Mark your calendar for April 25th. Join our local healthcare & service agencies for a free, interactive community fair on Thursday, April 25th, from 11 AM - 1 PM at Rivers Edge Recreation Center, 1151 W. Locust Street, Belvidere. This event is sponsored in part by Heartland Hospice, Heritage Woods of Belvidere and UW Health. Take this opportunity to visit with healtchare and service organizations all in one location.
Note: Canned chicken or salmon would also work great in this recipe. *Choose low sodium barbecue sauce when available. Nutrition analysis done using 100% whole wheat hamburg buns & low sodium barbecue sauce.
What Pet Owners Should Know About Heartworm
Pets owners go to great lengths to ensure their animal companions are happy & healthy. Nutritious diets & routine visits to a veterinarian are two ways to keep pets healthy. Pet owners also can educate themselves about various conditions that can adversely affect their pets’ health, including heartworm.
What is heartworm? The American Heartworm Society notes heartworm is a potentially fatal disease caused by foot-long worms that can live in the heart, lungs & associated blood vessels of affected pets. A pet affected by heartworm can develop severe lung disease, heart failure & organ damage.
Are all pets vulnerable to heartworm? The American Veterinary Medical Association® reports that heartworm primarily infects dogs, cats & ferrets. However, wild animals like foxes & wolves also can be infected, as can animals like raccoons & opossums that many people see in their backyards & local parks. Humans also have been infected with heartworm, though the AVMA® notes such instances are rare.
Heartworm & dogs - The AHS notes dogs are a natural host for heartworms. Heartworms that live inside a dog can mature into adults & even mate & produce offspring while inside the dog. Numbers increase if the dog is not treated for heartworm. Even if a dog is treated, the effects of heartworm infection can linger after the worms are gone, contributing to lasting damage to the heart, lungs & arteries.
Symptoms of heartworm infection in dogs may not manifest early on. The AHS notes that it’s more likely symptoms will develop the longer the infection persists. Such symptoms may include:
• A mild, persistent cough • Reluctance to exercise
• Fatigue after moderate activity
• Decreased appetite • Weight loss
According to the AHM, active dogs, dogs with heavy heartworm infections or those with additional health problems frequently exhibit pronounced clinical signs.
Heartworm & cats - The AVMA notes diagnosis of heartworm in cats is more difficult than it is with dogs. Unlike dogs, cats are not natural hosts for heartworms, & the AHS reports most worms in cats do not make it to the adult stage. In fact, many cats with heartworm have no adult worms. That contributes to the difficulty of diagnosis, & it does not protect cats against harmful side effects of heartworm, including a condition known as heartworm associated respiratory disease (HARD).
The AHS notes that signs of heartworm in cats can be subtle or very dramatic. Sadly, the AHS also reports that the first sign of heartworm in some cases is the sudden collapse or sudden death of the cat. If cats exhibit symptoms, those signs may include:
• Coughing • Attacks that mimic an asthma attack • Periodic vomiting • Lack of appetite • Weight loss
• Difficulty walking • Fainting or seizures • Fluid accumulation in the abdomen
Heartworm poses a potentially serious threat to cats & dogs. Pet owners are urged to speak with their veterinarians about heartworm prevention & what to do if a pet becomes infected.
Ida Public Library Bookmobile
The Ida Public Library’s Bookmobile is an on-the-go extension of the library! You can check out adult, teen & children’s books & other materials such as movies & play-aways on the Bookmobile! You can also return items from the library to the Bookmobile and visa-versa! Don’t have a library card? No problem. They can get you one right there on the bus!
Be sure to like Ida Bookmobile on Facebook or visit their webiste at idapubliclibrary.org>bookmobile for the most up-to-date calendar and locations. Anytime you see them out, they are open!
3rd Annual Jack Wolf Memorial Golf Outing
Submitted By: Kelly Hillan, Exec. Director of The Keen Age Center Boone County Council on Aging (BCCA) is on a mission to enrich and improve the lives of older people in our community. Thanks to the generosity of people & businesses in our community we have been growing our impact on older adults for over 50 years!
We are presenting the 3rd Annual Jack Wolf Memorial Golf Outing on Friday, May 17, 2024. BCCA is especially grateful for Kunes Auto Group of Belvidere’s partnership, as they continue to honor Jack Wolf’s love for his community & commitment to supporting BCCA. Our friends at Timber Pointe Golf Club will once again host the event, with a Noon tee time. Golfers & sponsors help us raise funds to support the services we provide to older adults in our community. If you are interested in participating in the event or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Steve at (779) 552-7246 or visit our website at www.keenage.org. We are looking forward to a beautiful day & hope to see you there!
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Health Conditions
M a y 1 7 , 2 0 2 4 May 17, 2024
N o o n T e e T i m e Noon Tee Time
Linked To Alcohol Use
Alcohol is one of the most widely consumed beverages across the globe. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol is a psychoactive substance that is a nervous system depressant. Alcohol contains dependence-producing properties, which means there is the risk for addiction. Although alcohol has been widely used in many cultures for centuries, over consumption of alcohol can cause various diseases. In fact, the WHO says alcohol is a casual factor in more than 200 diseases, injuries & other health conditions. Here are some health conditions tied to alcohol usage.
• Liver disease: The National Institutes of Health says 90% of absorbed alcohol is metabolized in the liver, so it is extensively exposed not only to alcohol, but toxic alcohol metabolites. Hepatitis, which is inflammation of the liver, is one alcohol-related liver disease. ALD is a major contributor to morbidity in the United States.
• Brain changes: Excessive alcohol consumption may cause irreversible brain damage depending on how much a person drinks, says the Alcohol Rehab Guide.
• Immune system disruption: The NIH says alcohol can interfere with multiple aspects of the immune response; the result can be decreased protection against infection.
• GERD: Drinking alcohol can cause an increased risk of gastrointestinal reflux disease.
• Various cancers: The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention indicate alcohol can lead to cancers of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, & rectum.
• Mental health issues: Alcohol usage can exacerbate existing mental health issues, such as depression & anxiety, or potentially lead to them.
• Cardiovascular disease: The Mayo Clinic warns that heavy drinking can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure & stroke.
• Alcohol poisoning: Alcohol poisoning is an acute condition of heavy binge drinking. This illness can cause brain damage, seizures & hypothermia, all of which can lead to death.
• Alcohol use disorders: The CDC warns that drinking can eventually lead to dependence on alcohol & the development of alcohol use disorder, which is the term now used in place of alcoholism or alcohol dependence. Many health professionals warn that drinking more than one alcoholic beverage per day for women & two for men, is considered moderate drinking, can lead to health complications. Currently the sentiments are there is no safe amount of alcohol, & people may want to consider avoiding it entirely in the name of good health.
