Sleep expert Brandon Peters-Mathews returns to Skyline once again to update us on a subject near and dear to us: What goes on during that one-third of our lives while we sleep? Brandon is a Virginia Mason neurologist who has authored numerous articles and several books. He has expertise in all aspects of sleep including insomnia. The talk tomorrow will be about the “epidemic” of sleep apnea and what it means to aging and our health. Please come with your questions!
Thanks to Pam P.
“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, it’s unlikely you will step up and take responsibility for making it so. If you assume that there’s no hope, you guarantee that there will be no hope.” Noam Chomsky
Thanks to Mary Jane F.
Thanks to Pam P.
Maria Prymachenko, A Dove Has Spread Her Wings And Asks for Peace, 1982
Have you heard of Maria Prymachenko? She was an internationally acclaimed self-taught artist who drew from traditional Ukrainian folk art. What distinguishes her works are bright colors and imaginative ornamental forms, often expressing the struggle between good and evil. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the timeliness of her pacifistic works could not be more powerful. Prymachenko’s exquisite artworks are currently shown in the Saatchi Gallery in London.
Prymachenko was born to a peasant family in 1908 in the Ukrainian village of Bolotnia, 30 km from Chernobyl, where she spent her whole life. Her family taught her a variety of traditional Ukrainian crafts such as embroidery and the traditional way of decorating Easter eggs (Pysanka). Later in life she used traditional Ukrainian patterns and mixed them with her amazing imagination. In 1937 she was awarded a golden medal at the Paris World Fair, where her appearance gathered a lot of attention. Pablo Picasso visiting a Prymachenko exhibition said:
I bow down before the artistic miracle of this brilliant Ukrainian.
The year 2009 was declared the Year of Maria Prymachenko by UNESCO. (continued)
Here’s why: by Paul Offit (thanks to Ed M.)
In May 1997, a 3-year-old boy died in Hong Kong of influenza. His death wasn’t unusual. Every year in every country in every corner of the world healthy children die from the disease. But this infection was different; health officials couldn’t figure out what type of influenza virus had killed the boy. The CDC sent a team of scientists to Hong Kong to investigate. Standing in a wet market, where local farmers slaughtered and sold their chickens, they found the source of the deadly virus.
The H5 strain of influenza virus that infected birds in Southeast Asia—named for the type of hemagglutinin on the viral surface—was particularly deadly, killing seven of every ten chickens. On December 30, 1997, health officials, to control the outbreak of bird flu before it spread to more people, slaughtered more than a million chickens. But the virus continued to spread. Bird flu attacked chickens in Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Then, to the horror of local physicians, the virus infected 18 more people, killing six: a death rate of 33 percent. (Typically, influenza kills fewer than two percent of its victims.) Soon the virus disappeared. Officials waited for an outbreak the following year, but none came. And it didn’t come the year after that or the year after that.
In late 2003, six years after the initial outbreak, bird flu reappeared in Southeast Asia. This time health officials found the virus even harder to control. Again, the virus first infected chickens. Officials responded by slaughtering hundreds of millions of them. Despite their efforts, bird flu spread from chickens to ducks, geese, turkeys, and quail. Then the virus spread to mammals: first to mice, then to cats, then to a tiger in a Thai zoo, then to pigs, then to humans. By April 2005, bird flu had infected 97 people and killed 53: a death rate of 55 percent. (continued)
From the Japanese Heian Period: 794-1185 CE (thanks to Mike C.)
Thanks to Christine A.
You’ll enjoy visiting popular attractions such as the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Arts and Crafts, Zutto Vintage & Antiques, and more! There are various restaurants in the nearby areas, notably Doc’s Marina Grill, where you can enjoy the waterfront views from their patio.
Thanks to Pam P.
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Recent research makes it clear that any amount of drinking can be detrimental. Here’s why you may want to cut down on your consumption beyond Dry January.
Ed note: When I developed A-fib, I asked my cardiologist if there was a common lifestyle causative factor. He said that alcohol was highly suspect. I said, “What?! I thought red wine was protective!” He shook his head saying, “it may help socially, but there’s no proof that it helps your heart.”
By Dana G. Smith in the NYT
Sorry to be a buzz-kill, but that nightly glass or two of wine is not improving your health.
After decades of confusing and sometimes contradictory research (too much alcohol is bad for you but a little bit is good; some types of alcohol are better for you than others; just kidding, it’s all bad), the picture is becoming clearer: Even small amounts of alcohol can have health consequences.
Research published in November revealed that between 2015 and 2019, excessive alcohol use resulted in roughly 140,000 deaths per year in the United States. About 40 percent of those deaths had acute causes, like car crashes, poisonings and homicides. But the majority were caused by chronic conditions attributed to alcohol, such as liver disease, cancer and heart disease.
When experts talk about the dire health consequences linked to excessive alcohol use, people often assume that it’s directed at individuals who have an alcohol use disorder. But the health risks from drinking can come from moderate consumption as well.
“Risk starts to go up well below levels where people would think, ‘Oh, that person has an alcohol problem,’” said Dr. Tim Naimi, director of the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research. “Alcohol is harmful to the health starting at very low levels.”
If you’re wondering whether you should cut back on your drinking, here’s what to know about when and how alcohol impacts your health.
“Excessive alcohol use” technically means anything above the U.S. Dietary Guidelines’ recommended daily limits. That’s more than two drinks a day for men and more than one drink a day for women.
There is also emerging evidence “that there are risks even within these levels, especially for certain types of cancer and some forms of cardiovascular disease,” said Marissa Esser, who leads the alcohol program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The recommended daily limits are not meant to be averaged over a week, either. In other words, if you abstain Monday through Thursday and have two or three drinks a night on the weekend, those weekend drinks count as excessive consumption. It’s both the cumulative drinks over time and the amount of alcohol in your system on any one occasion that can cause damage. (continued)
Aptly named rose decorating the 4th floor patio in the Cascade Tower – a hybrid tea rose known both for its beauty and fragrance.
Thanks to MaryLou P.
Click here for the Memory Hub newsletter.
Community Stories, Brain Health, News, Brain Health Awareness Month
Neighboring organizations come together to promote brain health for this second annual event
From 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday July 10, head to Seattle’s First Hill for the second annual Brain Health Block Party! This special event promoting brain health features outdoor “brain-healthy” activity stations spread throughout the neighborhood. As you walk from site to site, solve a puzzle, make your own trail mix, play games, create art, and more! Read about last year’s Brain Health Block Party.
Initiated by the Memory Hub, a community center operated by UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, the fun neighborhood event celebrates easy steps we can take to promote brain health – like staying active, reducing stress, challenging our minds, connecting with others, and eating a healthy diet. It’s also a unique way to build awareness about memory loss and dementia.
“We are enthusiastically counting down the days until the 2nd Annual Brain Health Block Party!” states Katie Zeitler, program manager for the Dementia Friends public awareness program with the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center. “Brain health and social connection are important for everyone, and we look forward to celebrating brain health with our community.”
Nine organizations are partnering to produce this year’s event, offering activities at the following locations:
Each of the participating organizations has a commitment to supporting older adults and the community at large. Ildiko Pikali, Director of Life Enrichment for Horizon House, notes: “Horizon House is excited to be a part of raising awareness about brain health and aging by participating in the First Hill Brain Health Block Party in partnership with like-minded organizations. We hope to demonstrate the unique and enriching lifestyle that exists in this diverse community, as well as how it contributes to overall well-being and mental health.”
Jessica Baloun, Community Engagement & Outreach Manager with Town Hall Seattle, agrees: “As an arts and culture organization dedicated to fostering an engaged community, Town Hall is thrilled to join our First Hill neighbors and participate in the Brain Health Block Party this year. We hope to see familiar faces and meet new community members as we enjoy activities that promote cognitive health!”
Visiting all 9 stations is about 1 mile. The event is free, family-friendly and all ages – with a special invitation to adults age 50+.
Pick up an event map at any participating location on the day of, or download it in advance here. Collect stamps at each station, and visit at least 3 stations for a chance to win a special brain-health raffle prize.
For more information about this website, please contact mbwc@uw.edu
Yet Trump Disavows Project 2025 Transition Plan
BY ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON / AP from Time Magazine
Miami — Donald Trump distanced himself Friday from Project 2025, a massive proposed overhaul of the federal government drafted by longtime allies and former officials in his administration, days after the head of the think tank responsible for the program suggested there would be a second American Revolution.
“I know nothing about Project 2025,” Trump posted on his social media website. “I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they’re saying and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them.”
Project 2025 outlines a dramatic expansion of presidential power and a plan to fire as many as 50,000 government workers to replace them with Trump loyalists. President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign has worked to draw more attention to the agenda, particularly as Biden tries to keep fellow Democrats on board after his disastrous debate.
Trump has outlined his own plans to remake the government if he wins a second term, including staging the largest deportation operation in U.S. history and imposing tariffs on potentially all imports. His campaign has previously warned outside allies not to presume to speak for the former president and suggested their transition-in-waiting efforts were unhelpful.
Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts said on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast Tuesday that Republicans are “in the process of taking this country back.” Former U.S. Rep. Dave Brat of Virginia hosted the show for Bannon, who is serving a four-month prison term.
“We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be,” Roberts said.
Those comments were widely circulated online and blasted by the Biden campaign, which issued a statement saying Trump and his allies were “dreaming of a violent revolution to destroy the very idea of America.”
Some of the people involved in Project 2025 are former senior administration officials. The project’s director is Paul Dans, who served as chief of staff at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management under Trump. Russ Vought, who was director of the Office of Management and Budget under Trump, wrote one of the chapters. John McEntee, a former director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office in the Trump administration, is a senior adviser. (continued)
Thanks to Mary Jane F.
Hallelujah! Thank you to my creative friends for all these great Biblical math problems. They’ll really help the Oklahoma school superintendent’s goal of inserting biblical content into math and science! I’ve collected a multitude of the problems into one post for ease of reading:
1) Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3).
If he lay with one wife or concubine every night, but took off one day per week for rest, how many days would it take him to lay with all of his wives and concubines?
2) David captured the foreskins of 200 Philistines (1 Samuel 18:27).
If David split those foreskins into baskets of 40 foreskins each, how many baskets would he need? (continued)
If passed, Initiative 2117 would repeal the state’s new Climate Commitment Act, which has raised more than $2B for projects like electrifying transit.
by John Stang in Crosscut
The M/V Guemes crosses the channel between Anacortes and Guemes Island. The 45-year-old vessel is scheduled to be replaced by a newer model, paid for with cap-and-invest dollars, unless voters decide to kill that program in the fall election. (John Stang for Cascade PBS)
It takes about five minutes to cross the channel between Anacortes and Guemes Island. But the trip seems a lot longer to the people waiting in their cars to board the ferry that takes them across.
On a recent Tuesday afternoon, traffic backed up on both sides of the channel, waiting for the ferry. The 45-year-old vessel can handle 21 cars and 100 passengers per trip. When the ferry left the dock with a full load, about 12 to 15 vehicles had to wait another 25 minutes for the M/V Guemes to make the round trip.
Although wide enough to need a ferry, the channel is also so narrow that you can hear the ferry engines rev up as the M/V Guemes leaves the opposite shore. Guemes Island is home to 700 to 900 people, with a rustic general store/gas station/tavern, a couple parks and a bunch of artist studios. Unless you have your own boat, it costs $13.50 per car to get to the island; nothing to get off. A 2013 study said the M/V Guemes had 10 years remaining before its innards would start to fail.
Last January, the ferry shut down for one-and-a-half weeks due to a cracked bracket that holds an underwater propulsion thruster used to maneuver the ferry. During that downtime, a passenger-only ferry took over the route, though it was threatened at times by high winds and waves.
The Skagit County Public Works Department, which operates the ferry, believes it would be cheaper in the long run to get a new ferry than just replacing broken parts, said Jennifer Rogers, the department’s spokeswoman.
The price tag for a new Guemes Island electric ferry is $45 million. With $10 million from cap-and-invest revenue allocated by the Legislature to build a new ferry, the project is on its way.
The money being raised by Washington’s new Climate Commitment Act — the formal name for the cap-and-invest program — is doing more than shore up the state budget. The more than $2 billion collected from quarterly carbon auctions is being used to address climate change and for climate-adjacent projects like the ferry system. (continued)
by Heather Cox Richardson
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Thanks to Mike C.
The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve World Heritage property protects key overwintering sites for the monarch butterfly. The overwintering concentration of butterflies in the property is a superlative natural phenomenon. The millions of monarch butterflies that return to the property every year bend tree branches by their weight, fill the sky when they take flight, and make a sound like light rain with the beating of their wings. Witnessing this unique phenomenon is an exceptional experience of nature.
Criterion (vii): The overwintering concentration of the monarch butterfly in the property is the most dramatic manifestation of the phenomenon of insect migration. Up to a billion monarch butterflies return annually, from breeding areas as far away as Canada, to land in close-packed clusters within 14 overwintering colonies in the oyamel fir forests of central Mexico. The property protects 8 of these colonies and an estimated 70% of the total overwintering population of the monarch butterfly’s eastern population.
Integrity
The property includes more than half of the overwintering colonies of the monarch butterfly’s eastern population. They provide a good sample of the areas that are essential for maintaining this superlative natural phenomenon. The maintenance of the standing forest and the microclimates that they create is the key management requirement, thus any threat to the forests is of utmost concern. Illegal logging is a known threat to the property with potential direct impacts on its Outstanding Universal Value. Public use has been increasing and the levels of visitation and infrastructure provided require careful control both in relation to impacts on the ecosystem and the quality of experience provided by the property to visitors. Due to its migratory nature, the maintenance of the overwintering phenomenon also requires attention to the conservation of the monarch butterfly by those countries through which it travels during its life cycle.
Requirements for Protection and Management
The principal focus of protection and management should be to prevent illegal logging in the property. Priorities to achieve this include concerted planning and action between all relevant federal, state and local agencies, and work with local communities on environmental protection and the provision of alternative livelihoods to logging. As the overwintering phenomenon is a significant attractor to visitors, management also needs to be directed to achieving sustainable public use of the property. This should respect the quality of the visitor experience and promote benefit-sharing mechanisms for local communities as an incentive to enhance their support to the conservation of the property. Continued investment in coordinated continent-wide management of the migratory phenomenon is a further important dimension of site management. Achieving all of these priorities requires the provision of adequate and sustained institutional and financial support.
Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson
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