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Keep heart health as top of mind this February

February is American Heart Month, a time for everyone to think about their own heart health and prevention. Heart disease is the number 1 killer in America, and has been for a century. Almost 50% of Americans have at least one of three key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Heart disease prevention is for everyone, and it begins at your yearly checkup. At this appointment, your primary care provider will note important measures that can indicate possible cardiovascular ...

Forty-five Valentine’s Days

A crucial national holiday is looming on the horizon. Ignoring this holiday could imperil your current and future happiness, especially if you’re a guy. Valentine’s Day is a boon for the greeting card, floral, and jewelry industries. Sales could be tripled if their stores’ sound systems played “Mandy” by Barry Manilow on a continuous loop. One guy, after hearing that sap-drenched song for the first time, said, “It made me want to call all of my old girlfriends and beg them for forgiveness.” I mentioned that quote to my wife and she replied, “You darn skippy he ...

League of Women Voters Empowering Voters

Precinct Caucuses are local meetings, held and run by the two major political parties in Minnesota: the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) and the Republican Party (GOP). At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3 the public has the opportunity to meet with neighbors face-to-face, to discuss ideas and actions you support which, if adopted, may become part of the party platform. A party’s platform is a formal, comprehensive document outlining the party’s core principles, goals and policy positions on key issues. A precinct caucus is the opportunity for voters to learn the process, ...

A painful story taken without permission

Dear Annie: I’m a senior citizen. Fifty years ago, another young girl and I were in a juvenile detention facility for very minor infractions that would not lead to incarceration today. I was repeatedly raped by two counselors throughout our months there. This other girl was not mistreated in any way because she was related to the spouse of one of the administrators. We’re not good friends but have stayed in touch over the years because of this shared experience. She’s talked off and on about writing/publishing an autobiography, which I’ve encouraged. Recently, I met someone in ...

No compromise when it comes to the dogs

Dear Annie: I’m one of those people who talks to her dogs like they’re little roommates. I don’t mean baby-talk nonstop, but yes, I tell them, “Good morning.” Yes, I apologize if I step over them. And yes, I know exactly which squeaky toy means “play” versus “comfort.” I have two dogs: Daisy, who’s 12 and moves like an old lady in slippers, and Moose, who’s 5 and believes every delivery driver is his best friend. They were with me through my hardest years -- including a time when I’d come home to a silent house and feel my throat tighten before I even took my ...

Living through century of history

An email recently arrived from a lady named Paula Gorgey, who is a fan of my work. We corresponded a bit and I learned that Paula is 100 years old and had grown up in Hungary. Sensing a good story, I asked if she would consent to a phone interview. Much to my delight, she said yes. “I was born in Budapest on August 24, 1925, just a few years after the Great War,” Paula began. “My father was an officer on a submarine during the war, and it’s a great point of pride that my grandson is currently serving on a nuclear submarine based in Hawaii.” I asked Paula about her ...