Celebrity Extra
Where can I see the new “Road House” movie? It’s not playing in local theaters, as far as I can tell. The original movie with Patrick Swayze is one of my favorites. — D.D.
A:The remake of the 1989 cult classic isn’t at your local movie theater. Instead, it’s available now exclusively through Amazon’s Prime Video streaming app. The new “Road House” stars Jake Gyllenhaal (“Brokeback Mountain”) as a former UFC fighter working as a bouncer at a bar in the Florida Keys. There is also a romance (just like there was with Patrick Swayze and Kelly Lynch in the original), this time with a nurse played by Daniela Melchior (“Fast X”).
There are also plenty of fights — lots and lots of fights. Gyllenhaal sports abs of steel as he faces off against real-life UFC pro Conor McGregor, who plays a mouthy hitman in the film. Keep an eye out for another celebrity-turned-actor — Post Malone — as well as familiar actors like Lukas Gage (“The White Lotus”), Billy Magnussen (“No Time to Die”) and Jessica Williams (“Shrinking”).
Hopefully, he did find true love, but if not, then his newfound fame might lead to a career as a tennis commentator on television.
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According to an article on IndieWire, Amazon gave the filmmakers and Gyllenhaal a choice between a $60 million budget and a big-screen release or an $85 million budget and a streaming-only release. They chose the latter, which “typically means a larger upfront payday for the filmmaker and their star(s).”
Q:I saw the actress who played Blair on “The Facts of Life” recently, and she hasn’t aged a bit. Is she still acting? — C.S.
West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre Inc.
***
Q:
Who is the current star of “The Bachelor”? On the commercials, they said he was a tennis player, but I don’t recognize him. — G.W.
A:Joey
Graziadei is a 28-year-old instructional tennis pro who is originally from Pennsylvania. He first appeared as a suitor on Charity Lawson’s season of “The Bachelorette,” where he was the runner-up. Before this, he played tennis in college at West Chester University, where he majored in communication and media studies. He then moved to Hawaii, where he taught tennis before being cast on the ABC reality shows.
Graziadei’s finale choice will have been revealed by the time you read this.
there is a counsellor in Eston
A:Lisa Whelchel is best known for her role as snooty Blair Warner on the ’80s sitcom “The Facts of Life.” She actually debuted the role on an episode of “Diff’rent Strokes,” but before this, she was a Mouseketeer on “The New Mickey Mouse Club,” a series which ran in 1977.
Her acting career stalled for a while once “Facts” ended, but she had a resurgence about a decade ago with roles in several Christmas movies. Also, in 2012, she appeared as a contestant on the competitive reality show “Survivor: Philippines,” and she currently hosts “Collector’s Call” on the MeTV channel. The new season about “surprising collections, fascinating collectors and exciting trades” premieres on Sunday, April 7.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
Jake Gyllenhaal (“Road House”) Depositphotos
Submit your event to: kate@yourwestcentral.com or text 306-463-2211
ALSASK
FRIDAY, APRIL 12
• Community of Alaska presents Dart & Kaiser Tournament. Doors open at 5:00 PM. Games from 6:00 PM - 1:00 AM. Must pre-register by calling Sara at 306-460-4303. - Drop-in Pickleball 7:00 PM at the Alaska Rec Centre. All ages are welcome. $5 drop-in fee.
COLEVILLE
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
• Coleville Licensed Daycare Development Committee presents Surf and Turf for Tots at the Coleville Community Hall. Cocktails at 6:00 PM. Lobster and Kabob Supper at 7:00 PM. Silent Auction to follow. All funds raised aid in facilitating the development of a licensed daycare in the community of Coleville. Tickets available at the Village of Coleville ofce. Contact Stacey Neumeier 306-430-7788 for more info.
EATONIA
TUESDAY, APRIL 16
• Eatonia Oasis Players are in the process of developing an executive board to oversee operations of the drama club. is is being developed to ensure the longevity and continued path forward for the club. 7:00 PM at Eatonia Community Hall. For more info call Delia Massey 306-430-7779 or Maryanne Becker 306-460-5632.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17
• Eatonia Agencies Ltd. along with SGI invite you to Eaton School to hear Sandra LaRose, Road and Safety Speaker. She will be sharing her emotional and important story of her daughter Kailynn losing her life from the devastating e ects of distracted driving. e talk will be held at the Eaton School Gym at 1:00 PM.
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
• Eatonia Spring Market at the Eatonia Community Hall from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
THURSDAYS
• Every ursday from 11:30 AM -1:30 PM come to the Eatonia Library for puzzles, visiting and grab your books for the week!
- Check out our TOPS Chapter … it’s free to try! Every Wednesday. Weigh in: 5:45 PM. Meeting: 6:00 PM at the EOL Meeting Room. Contact Marie 306-2546 or Mila 306-4802035.
ESTON
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
• Celebrity Sports Dinner & Auction at the Eston AGT Community Centre Curling Rink. In support of the Eston & District Recreation Committee Fairgrounds Project and Eston Lions Swimming Pool. Contact the Town Ofce for tickets 306-962-4444.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
• Join the Eston 95 Lions Ladies Night Out for an evening of Greased Lightning featuring the Bromantics. $75/ticket. Cocktails 6:00 PM. Supper 7:00 PM. Entertainment and prizes to follow. Must be in attendance to win a prize.
- Eston Wheatland Centre Chase the AceDraws every Wednesday at the Centre. Ticket sales 4-7 PM. Draw at 7:30 PM. See our Facebook page for details. Lic#LR23-0068.
- Wheatland Centre Potluck Supper fourth Friday of each month 6:00 PM. $5.00. Bring your own utensils. Co ee & tea provided.Wheatland Centre Bingo - 1st & 3rd ursday of the month 7:00 PM. Regular Bingo plus Bonanza, 50/50 Draw. Must be 14 years of age. Call 306962-7117 (ask for Linda) for more info.
KINDERSLEY
FRIDAY, APRIL 12
• Kindersley Trivia Nights 7:00 PM at the Norman Ritchie Community Centre, To reserve a table email us at kindersleytrivianights@gmail.com
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
• Spring Cra & Trade Fair at Caleb Village 12:00-4:00 PM. Everyone is welcome.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
• Kindersley & District Co-op Kids Club presents “Trolls Band Together” at the Sunset eatre. Show Times: 11 AM and 1:30 PM. Each Kids Club member will receive a free snack pack including a drink.
- FREE! Drop-In Soccer (Ages 15-99) Westberry School Gym every ursday at 8:00 PM; Elizabeth School Gym every Friday at 7:00 PM. All welcome. Contact Kevin for more info: 306430-4103 or email: kindersleysoccerboard@ gmail.com
- Parkinson’s Support Group Meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month 2:00 PM at the Kindersley Hospital. Everyone is welcome! For more info call Nancy at 306-463-4514.
- Monday Night Jam Sessions at the Norman Ritchie Community Centre. Doors open at 6:30
to set-up, then the fun begins at 7-11 PM. Call Keith 306-460-8633.
- Interested in a support group for weight management? TOPS meetings; every Monday at 6:00 PM in the Kindersley Senior Centre OR contact Jill at 306-463-4210.
- PickleBall every Sunday & Wednesday 7:009:00 PM at Elizabeth School $50 per season or $5 drop in. More info call 306-460-8356.
- Prairie Crocus Quilt Guild meet the second Tuesday of the month (September to May) at the Pensioners Hall (3rd Ave. E., Kindersley) at 7:00 PM. For more info contact Donna at 306463-4785.
LEADER
- Mondays are Family Fun Night (open to all ages) at the Leader Library 6:30-7:30 PM.
- Tuesdays & ursday Stretch Exercises 10:00 AM at the Leader Friendship Centre.
- Wednesdays Toddler Time (ages 1.5 to 3) at the Leader Library 10:30-11:00 AM.
- ursdays Baby & Me at the Leader Library 10:30-1:00 AM 0-2 years old (older siblings welcome)
- Adult Volleyball every Tuesday 7:30 PM at LCS Gymnasium (student parking lot door). Participants must be Grade 10 or older. Call Shelley 306-628-7643 for more information.
MAJOR
SATURDAY, APRIL 6
• Major Rec Board Steak Shoot.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
• Kinjo & Young concert at the Major Hall. Fundraiser for Kindersley Crisis Centre. Tickets $40 available at Bicks Drugstore, Kerrobert, Major Credit Union or at the door. Cash Bar, Door Prizes, Silent Auction. Contact Fiarra to book a designated driver 306602-0472.
PLENTY
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
• Comedian Sean Lecomber at the Plenty Community Hall. Doors open 8:00 PM. Show starts at 9:00 PM. Contact Helena Olson 306831-0007 for tickets or more information.
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
• 5th Annual Spring Fling Quilt Show 10AM4PM at the Plenty United Church on Main St. Quilts by local quilt makers and special exhibits and vintage artwork by local artists.
www.yourwestcentral.com
ingly ignored. Try for a better balance between your home and work commitments. Start with a romantic weekend getaway.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) New opportunities spring up for the Arians. Kick up those heels and go, go, go for them. Remember, someone special will be rooting for your success.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
Indulge in your love of beauty. Buy something marvelous for your home, then plan a romantic dinner at a special place with your special person.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Your diligent search for the truth pays off. You can now go ahead and make a decision fully armed with the facts. But expect some resistance to your plans.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Travel is favored, but be prepared to be flexible in planning your trip. A family situation may cause you to delay your original departure date.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Be careful to whom you confide in with your secrets. While you certainly have your admirers, you also have detractors who would love to puncture the Lion’s pride.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A certain family problem still needs your attention. It would be unwise at this time to let things slide. Things start to look more promising on the job.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your mate seems to feel increas-
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Missed opportunities usually come from miscommunication, but it’s not too late to correct the wrong assumptions. A timely call can help reestablish important contacts.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your usually keen sense of direction needs some sharpening this week. Stay focused on your goals despite some pesky distractions. Your efforts will soon pay off.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Don’t automatically reject suggestions from friends and family members. Some of their ideas might be helpful. Check them out before you decide to chuck them out.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Expect to be pleasantly startled when a promise from the past finally comes through for you. Use this as an opportunity to restart a long-delayed project.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) An air of conspiracy dominates the workplace. Avoid taking sides. This is one time when you need to concentrate on being your own best friend.
BORN THIS WEEK: You despise hypocrisy. Your honesty is admired, although your friends sometimes feel you could be less blunt and a little more diplomatic. You love living life to the fullest.
© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
Apex Distribution Inc. 306-356-2116
Belitski Contracting Ltd. www.belitskicontracting.ca
Big Sky Steel Fabricators (2002) Ltd. bigskysteel@sasktel.net
Big Valley Sales www.bigvalleysales.ca
Bow-Way Electric www.bow-way.ca
Brock Oil Ltd. (Red Sky Resources) 306-460-7102
Bumper to Bumper 306-463-6232
Canalta Kindersley 306-463-1570
Carl’s Mobile Welding 306-372-4420
Dennis’ Welding Ltd. www.denniswelding.ca
Family Oilfi eld Services Ltd. familyoilfield@sasktel.net
Fountain Tire (Kindersley) 306-463-4655
Full Tilt Holdings www.fulltiltholdings.ca
Get A Grip Tire and Performance 306-463-7215
Good To Go Rentals www.goodtogokindersley.ca
Good To Go Trucking www.goodtogokindersley.ca
GPE Fluids Management www.goodtogokindersley.ca
Great Plains College www.greatplainscollege.ca
H & G Motel 306-463-0440
Holland’s Hot Oiling www.hollandshotoiling.ca
Insight Sign & Decal www.insightsign.ca
Integra Tire 306-463-2277
J & H Rentals Ltd. www.hollandshotoiling.ca
Jorann Safety www.jorannsafety.ca
To be listed in our 2024 West Central Energy Directory, please complete our online Google Form at www.yourwestcentral.com/energy
Kindersley Auto Value
www.mypartstore.ca
Kindersley Bearing www.kindersleybearing.ca
Kindersley Inn www.kindersleyinn.ca
Kindersley Machine Services 306-604-9984
Kodiak Sand & Gravel www.kodiaksg.ca
Kyote Energy Services www.kyoteenergyservices.com
Lufkin Downhole Pumps www.lufkin.com
Mayhem Mechanical Ltd. mayhemmechanicalltd@hotmail.com
McKinnon Oilfi eld Ltd. www.mckinnonoilfield.com
Merrington Safety 306-463-3468
Mid Plains Diesel Ltd. www.midplainsdiesel.ca
Nova Inn Kindersley 306-463-4687
OK Tire Luseland 306-372-4389
Pro-Plus Sales & Rentals www.proplusrentals.ca
Reinbold Electric Ltd. www.reinboldelectric.ca
Safety Evolution www.safetyevolution.ca
Sequel Energy Services www.sequelenergyservices.ca
Shh... It Happens Septic Service www.ithappens.com
Sim-Con Oilfi eld Equipment Ltd. 306-463-4938
Tarnes Electric Ltd. www.tarneselectric.com
TGB Industries Inc. www.omtprojects.com
Tirecraft Dodsland www.tirecraft.com/tirecraft-dodsland
Weese Electric Ltd. 306-932-2001
PHOTOS BY BRAIN ZINCHUK
•
•
Lithium Bank sells Estevan area land to unnamed buyer
Twice last week, SaskEnergy set new daily natural gas usage records, and we can thank Alberta for most of our supply
By Brian Zinchuk
BY BRIAN ZINCHUK brian.zinchuk@pipelineonline.ca
e past weekend proved to be a closerun thing for the Alberta electrical grid, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is making statements resolving he won’t allow that to happen here.
LithiumBank announced on April 1 that it sold its lands in the Estevan area for $15 million, minus the $8 million paid when the company put down a non-refundable deposit when it entered an option agreement late last year.
Not only was Saskatchewan setting electrical consumption records during the cold snap of last week of December, we also set two consecutive natural gas consumption records, too.
Speci cally, a er having nearly completely divested itself of coal- red power production, Alberta’s dramatic buildout of wind and solar proved impossible to keep the lights on in that province when the chips were down and temperatures hit -35 C, or worse.
According to SaskEnergy in a Dec. 31 release, “Extreme cold weather across Saskatchewan this week resulted in record-breaking natural gas demand in the province. On December 28 and 29, natural gas consumption surpassed the previous daily record of 1.57 petajoules (PJ) which was set in February 2021.
Back on Dec. 20, the company said it had entered into an option agreement which provided another company the option to one or more of the company’s three lithium brine projects located in Saskatchewan: Estevan, South and/or Kindersley.
“A new daily record of 1.62 PJ was set on December 28 and broken again on December 29 with total system delivery of 1.64 PJ. Delivery numbers for December 30 and 31 are not yet finalized, but are also expected to exceed 1.6 PJ.”
“In Saskatchewan, we will not attempt the impossible when it comes to power production in our province,” Moe said in a post on X and other social media the evening of Monday, Jan. 15.
The natural gas records coincided with record power consumption. On Dec. 29, SaskPower set another record in power consumption for Saskatchewan. At 5:27 p.m. on Dec. 29, 2021, Saskatchewan homes and businesses reached 3,868 megawatts (MW) in power use, according to the Crown corporation. The previous record of 3,792 MW was reached four years ago to the day, on Dec. 29, 2017.
e unnamed buyer is a subsidiary of a public company that is arm’s length to the company, according to LithiumBank. Essentially, they put money down to have their pick of the three areas LithiumBank had been assembling in Saskatchewan. ey picked the area north of Estevan, paying out the balance of the option.
“We will not risk plunging our homes, schools, hospitals, special care homes and our businesses into the cold and darkness because of the ideological whims of others.
“To support the ongoing power demands across western Canada, Boundary Dam 4 has been restarted to ensure families can continue to keep the heat on. Net zero by 2035 is not only impossible, it’s irresponsible as it would leave Saskatchewan and Western Canadian families freezing and in the dark.”
Saskatchewan’s power production has increasingly shifted from coal to natural gas as a fuel source. In December, Boundary Dam Unit 4, a coal-fired generating unit, was retired, reducing the Boundary Dam Power Station to 672 megawatts capacity. On the natural gas side, Saskatchewan has seen the construction of several new natural gas-fired power plants. They include the baseload North Battleford Power Station (289 megawatts), Yellowhead Power Station peaking plant (also at North Battleford, 135 megawatts), the baseload Chinook Power Station at Swift Current (353 megawatts) and peaking plant Spy Hill Power Station (89 megawatts). Another 353 megawatt baseload
It was in response to the extraordinary events that occurred in Alberta over the weekend, in which Saskatchewan played a key part. And it was also a tacit acknowledgement that as much as SaskPower’s been trying to wean itself o coal, it just can’t do it yet. We still need it to keep the lights on.
e Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) declared four “grid alerts,” over four days in a row, starting the a ernoon of Friday, Jan. 12. Desperately cold temperatures drove up demand for power, just as the same
“ e exercise of the Estevan land purchase option for a total of CAD $15 million in non-dilutive capital by the optionee is a testament to LithiumBank’s value creation model,” Paul Matysek, Executive Chairman of LithiumBank, said in a release “We have sought to acquire district-scale landholdings with prospective lithium brine geology, e ciently de-risk the assets, and structure mutually benecial transactions with major project developers. is transaction is evidence of the merits of our model and our ability to build shareholder value. We will continue to advance the remainder of our portfolio in Alberta (Boardwalk and Park Place) and Saskatchewan (South and Kinders-
COLEVILLE, SK
plant, very similar to Chinook, is under construction at Moose Jaw.
ley) through advanced engineering, with large scale DLE pilot testing of our Alberta brines expected to commence in the next quarter at our Calgary facility.”
All of this added natural gas-fired power generation has, in turn, driven higher usage of natural gas during times of high electrical consumption.
The Crown noted that increased demand from SaskEnergy’s industrial customers, including natural gas use for power production, was the main driver of this week’s record-setting consumption.
temperatures reduced wind power generation to nothing at times, and close to nothing for most of the weekend. And since the mass of cold air stretched from the Yukon to Texas, every grid operator in between was in the same boat – high demand but short supply. e Southwest Power Pool, which incorporates parts of 14 states from south of Saskatchewan to the Texas Panhandle, as well as Texas grid operator ERCOT, all put out various forms of alerts suggesting their clients reduce electrical consumption.
According to the map in the LithiumBank March presentation, those properties are between Estevan and Stoughton, straddling Highway 47 but extending eastward past Lampman towards Highway 9.
SaskEnergy said it measures daily natural gas consumption for the 24-hour period from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. A PJ is a unit of measurement equivalent to one million gigajoules (GJ) of natural gas. An average Saskatchewan home consumes about 100 GJ of natural gas each year.
“SaskEnergy’s natural gas system design can accommodate additional capacity to manage increased consumption even on peak days,” SaskEnergy president and CEO Ken From said in a release. “Throughout the year, SaskEnergy employees inspect, maintain and enhance the system to support safe and reliable natural gas delivery in all weather conditions. In addition, employees monitor the system 24 hours a day to ensure sufficient system capacity to meet customer demand across the province.”
This province is now largely dependent on neighbouring Alberta to fulfill roughly two-thirds of our natural gas needs.
Staring into the abyss e rst three of Alberta’s grid alerts ran from mid-a ernoon until late evening, but the fourth occurred for an hour on Monday morning, as the workweek began. e second of those grid alerts turned out to be the most signi cant. On Saturday, Jan. 13, Alberta came within a half-hour of rotating blackouts, an Alberta Electric System Operator spokesperson told CBC News on Jan. 15, con rmed by Alberta A ordability and Utilities Minister Nathan Neudorf the same day.
LithiumBank said it retains the Kindersley and South lithium brine projects as the option agreement’s exercise period has concluded. e “South” project area is in close proximity to Arizona Lithium’s land base near Torquay. e Kindersley area is adjacent to Denison Mine’s lands, recently purchased from Grounded Lithium in late January. e company’s principal focus has been its Boardwalk project, centred around Valleyview, Alta, and Park Place project, between and Edson Fox Cree, Alta. It had not done any drilling in Saskatchewan to date. It has set up a pilot plant in Alberta to do testing there.
When natural gas prices took a tumble roughly 14 years ago, Saskatchewan’s domestic gas production fell off a cliff. Targeted gas drilling went essentially extinct, with next to no gas-specific wells being drilled in this province for most of the past decade. Our domestic gas production is now largely based on associated gas production that comes with oil production. As a result, Saskatchewan went from being a net gas exporter for the period of 1988 to 2009 to a net importer that year.
In connection with the exercise of the option, LithiumBank has agreed to pay a $112,000.00 cash nder’s fee to Kepis & Pobe Financial Group Inc., being 1.6 per cent of the purchase price, less the deposit.
As of the time of writing, none of the other prominent lithium players with land in Saskatchewan had issued a press release on the same day indicating they were the buyer.
Indeed, the province stood at the brink of the abyss Saturday night, as rotating blackouts would have impacted di erent areas of the province for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, as temperatures ranged from -30 to -45 C, depending on where you were in the province. As the province’s grid-scale batteries neared depletion, and there was nothing le to call upon, the AESO and provincial government put out an emergency alert to all cellphones and TV screens, asking Albertans to shut o and unplug everything they could, from electric vehicle chargers to ovens to bathroom fans.
* On April 15, 1945, British troops liberated the German Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where they discovered thousands of dead and rotting corpses, and many more thousands of sick and starving prisoners con ned to severely overcrowded and dirty compounds. e prisoners were su ering from acute typhus, typhoid and tuberculosis due to a lack of running water. More than 30,000 others had died in the previous months, many from typhus, but even more from starvation.
* On April 16, 1964, e Rolling Stones’ debut album, “ e Rolling Stones,” issued in the U.S. as “England’s Newest Hit Makers,” was released. e band consisted of lead singer Mick Jagger, rhythm guitarist Brian Jones, lead guitarist Keith Richards, bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts.
* On April 17, 1985, the U.S. government announced a campaign to increase organ donation awareness with the hope of making the procedure as widespread as donating blood, following similar campaigns from other countries around the world as organ transplants became more common.
* On April 18, 1997, major oods in Grand Forks, N.D., caused by the Red
River’s breaching a dike, necessitated the evacuation of 50,000 residents from their homes. In some areas, only the roofs of their houses were visible.
* On April 19, 1897, the world’s oldest annual marathon run took place for the rst time. Today the Boston Marathon ranks among the world’s most prestigious road racing events, with an average of 20,000 participants, and is one of ve members of the World Marathon Majors, which also include the cities of London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.
* On April 20, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI visited Ground Zero in New York, the scene of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the city’s Twin Towers, at the end of his six-day tour of America. He greeted survivors, re and police workers, and relatives of some of the 2,749 people who died at the scene, and prayed for the rescuers and victims, as well as “those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred,” before celebrating Mass at New York’s Yankee stadium.
* On April 21, 1918, Baron Manfred von Richthofen, the German ace pilot popularly known as the “Red Baron” and credited with 80 con rmed air combat victories, was killed in action during World War I.
Slower Heart Rates Are More Common in Athletes
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a question about a resting heart rate, specifically when it is considered too slow for one’s health. I am a 67-yearold male who, from an early age to the present time, has always been physically active every day. Now retired, I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I work out. The endorphin boosts and benefits to my body are my daily rewards.
Recently, I received a fitness watch that tracks my heart rate. My nightly sleep sessions show a range of 39-58 bpm over the past month. During a dental visit a while ago, I was told by the hygienist that she knew of an athlete who died in his sleep, and his heart rate was so slow that it just stopped. Is this possible? — D.M.
ANSWER: This really wasn’t a great thing for the hygienist to say, as there is very little truth to it. Most people who exercise do have a slower heart rate, and it’s a good sign of a healthy heart. However, some older people can develop heart block when the electrical impulse from the natural pacemaker of the heart fails to pass to the ventricles. This is an occasional cause of sudden cardiac death.
Your heart rate suggests, to me, that it’s more likely the healthy heart rate of an athlete than it is a disease of the electrical conduction system, but a visit with your regular doctor or cardiologist can separate this through a simple electrocardiogram in most cases. Some people just have slow heart rates, but they can be treated with a pacemaker if they’re symptomatic.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 79-year-old man with diabetes and high blood pressure. What are your thoughts on taking a supplement designed for horses by humans?
My son-in-law takes l teaspoon of this every other day for building his body and suggests that it might help me. — Anon.
ANSWER: Please don’t take products designed for other animals. The dosing that is healthy for some animals can be toxic for others. I looked up the product — it contains vitamins and minerals that are important for humans, but the dosing isn’t right.
Supplements are not an effective treatment for diabetes or high blood pressure. Strong data show that people who eat well don’t benefit much, or at all, from vitamin and mineral supplementation, but if you choose to do so, choose one designed for humans, not horses.
***
DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column on overactive bladders. Like many middle-aged and older women, I’ve progressively had more and more trouble with frequent urination and bladder control. I saw a urologist who diagnosed me with bladder spasms. I got very good improvement on an expensive drug called Myrbetriq.
A few years later, an abdominal scan done for another reason revealed a large uterine fibroid. I eventually had a hysterectomy a year ago. Now at 75, I don’t have any bladder spasms and don’t take any medication. — C.J.R.
ANSWER: Fibroid tumors and other pelvic masses can press on the bladder and cause symptoms that feel like an overactive bladder. These aren’t common causes, but I am glad you wrote in about this cause and that your symptoms have gone away after surgery. Since the medicine worked, I suspect that the mechanical pressure of the fibroid triggered bladder contractions.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@ med.cornell.edu.
• Seniors may also be able to split part of their CPP retirement benefits with their spouse. This can be done when applying for CPP benefits.
Decorative silver
Collectors and makers alike know that there are many ways to decorate silver. It can have an engraved design or monogram. It can be pierced or reticulated with lace-like cutouts. A textured design may be hammered, gadrooned, repousse or made with another technique. Some of the most elaborate and complex decorations on silver are applied; that is, made separately and then attached to the silver piece. Applied pieces may be functional, like handles or finials, or strictly decorative. Three-dimensional figures, especially natural elements, human figures or mythological creatures, are popular.
This Italian silver plate bowl was listed as the “Sealife bowl” at a Rago auction, where it sold for $1,188. Its design is more complex than a typical decorative silver bowl; instead of being applied directly onto the bowl, the three-dimensional silver sea creatures are “caught” in a wirework net attached to the rim.
Another feature of this bowl, its gilt enameled interior, may serve a purpose besides decoration. As any collector knows, silver is prone to tarnish, especially when exposed to substances like salty, acidic or sulfurous foods. Some tableware is coated with gold or enamel on the interior, which protects the silver as well as adding decorative value.
* * *
Q:I
bought some toys at an estate sale. One is a 4 1/2-inch by 2 1/4-inch box that contains six smaller boxes that form puzzles. The boxes can be turned to make two different pictures. Each of the smaller boxes contains a tiny bisque doll. I would like to know more about these tiny dolls in puzzle boxes.
A:We’ve seen a set like this marked “made in Japan,” which means it was imported into the United States. The 2-inch dolls are painted wearing various costumes. The set was probably made in the 1930s. It’s listed for $125 but hasn’t sold yet, so
Three-dimensional figures of animals and wildlife are often seen on elaborate silver pieces. This bowl takes a slightly different approach, with figures of sea animals attached to a wire net.
the price is probably too high.
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TIP: Be sure to remove salt and pepper from shakers and dishes after use. Wash, then store. * * *
CURRENT PRICES
Poster, travel, 1964 New York World’s Fair, Come Back to the Fair, mother, father and two children with balloons, linen backing, 16 x 11 inches, $110.
Quilt, applique, Bear Paws pattern, 16 squares, each with a small square center and bear paw corners, red on cream and cream on red printed fabric, Long Island City, 1910-1920, 72 x 72 inches, $245.
Wooden sailor’s chest, mahogany, brass mounts, escutcheon and latch, hinged top, side handles, 18th century, 14 x 36 x 22 inches, $535.
Sewing machine, table top, Goodspeed & Wyman, single thread, C-shape frame, hand crank wheel, black metal, gilt decoration, 1800s, 8 x 12 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches, $765.
Stoneware crock, cobalt blue stripes and twisting vines, stamped E. Lulley, 616 Penn. Ave., Washington, D.C., rolled rim, two applied ear handles, 4 gallons, 14 3/4 inches, $1,240.
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Kindersley & District CO-OP
