Free presentation and solar eclipse glasses for October’s annular eclipse

Submitted by Brenda Miner

Ouachita Mountains Regional Library and the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain will host Dr. Gyanwali’s free presentation on the annular eclipse at the Lecture Hall on the UARM Campus, 1100 College Dr., Mena, at 1:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6.

Since the Sun is never completely blocked by the Moon during an annular eclipse, it is not safe to look at the Sun without specialized eye protection. Therefore, everyone in attendance will receive solar eclipse viewing glasses courtesy of STAR Net. To prepare for Western Arkansas’s

WASHINGTON—Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) honored U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) with its 2023 Legislator of the Year award in recog- those who have worn America’s uniform,” Boozman said. total eclipse on Apr. 8, 2024, Ouachita Mountains Regional Library and the University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain’s Lifelong Learning will hold additional presentations in the spring. Watch for details in the coming months. nition of his steadfast commitment to America’s veterans and championing legislation to improve their benefits and services.

In addition to recognizing Boozman’s advocacy for passing legislation enhancing breast cancer screenings for at-risk former servicemembers, making it easier for veterans with service-related conditions to receive the clothing allowance benefit they earned as well as enhancing support for survivors of military sexual trauma, WWP applauded the senator’s leadership in successfully delivering landmark legislation expanding care and benefits for toxic-exposed veterans and their families to the president’s desk.

Ouachita Mountains Regional Library (OMRL) has received NASA approved solar eclipse viewing glasses from STAR Net, and in conjunction with UARM’s Lifelong Learning, OMRL will help residents prepare for the annular eclipse happening on Oct. 14, 2023. Dr. Gyanwali will present information about the upcoming eclipse that will cross North America. It begins in Oregon at 9:13 a.m. PDT and ends in Texas at 12:03 p.m. CDT. It will be visible in in western Arkansas between 11:57 a.m. and 1:32 p.m.

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth at its maximum distance from Earth. It will not have the same impact as April’s total eclipse but is expected to have approximately 65-70% coverage in Polk County.

The United States will not experience another total eclipse until August 23, 2044.

To find out more about the annular eclipse, visit https://solarsystem.nasa. gov/eclipses/2023/oct-14-annular/ where-when/.

To find out more about the total eclipse, visit https://solarsystem. nasa.gov/eclipses/2024/apr-8-total/ overview/ or https://visitmena.com/ events/solar-eclipse-festival.

Seating is limited for Dr. Gyanwali’s presentation so call (479) 394-7622 for more information.

“Senator Boozman has always been there, ready to meet with veterans and address their most pressing needs,” said Jose Ramos, vice president of government and community relations for WWP. “He is an outstanding champion of wounded warriors and the entire veteran community, and we’re so honored to be able to recognize him with our Legislator of the Year award for 2023.”

“Wounded Warrior Project has been a tireless advocate for veterans and their families, and it has been an honor to work together to strengthen benefits and services these heroes earned. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. I look forward to continuing our productive collaboration to ensure our nation fulfills the promise made to

“The ‘PACT Act’ has been one of WWP’s key legislative priorities for years, and the bill faced significant hurdles in the Senate,” Ramos said. “Senator Boozman was with the veteran community every step of the way, and he deserves so much credit for the bill being signed into law.”

As a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee responsible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) funding, Boozman has been a leader in delivering additional resources to support the needs of veterans and their families.

Boozman is currently leading the floor debate on the Fiscal Year 2024 Senate Military Construction and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. In recent days he introduced legislation to preserve veterans’ access to lifesaving emergency medical transportation and a bill to enhance oversight and accountability practices at VA medical centers.

By Richie Lawry

I walked into Dr. Hefley’s office in Little Rock with a few minutes to spare before my appointment. Just a minute after checking in, I was called to the door leading to the exam rooms. The X-ray technician led me to the X-ray room and took images of my knees. When he was finished, I was directed to an exam room to wait for the doctor.

As I waited, I wondered what the process would be. I was changing orthopedic doctors, and this was my first visit. A man in scrubs walked into the room and said, “My name is Kenneth Weaver, and I am a physician assistant. Dr. Hefley couldn’t be here today, so I will examine you.”

My heart sank a little. Would this make the process take longer? Would I have to make more trips to Little Rock? I had been suffering from knee pain for several years and finally decided to have the knee replacement done. Now that I was ready, how long would it take before the surgery would be scheduled?

While I was lost in my thoughts, the doctor examined the X-rays on his computer. When he had finished, he turned to me and said, “You don’t have a leg to stand on.”

I know my left knee has been in bad shape for a long time. Three years ago, my X-rays showed that it was bone on bone. My previous orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Bean, told me the answer was a complete knee replacement. I resisted the idea, and he said to me that when it hurt bad enough, I would get it replaced. But I hadn’t realized how bad my right knee was.

The doctor said, “We need to schedule knee replacement surgery as soon as possible.”

“I have a fiftieth high school reunion to attend,” I told him. “And I have tickets to see the Beach Boys in concert. But after that, I am ready.”

“On your way out, talk to the girl who does the scheduling, and let’s get