Breaking News

Lifestyles

Mississippi synagogue finds triumph after arson

Black, sweeping lines form an outline of a tree on the brick wall that once displayed the Tree of Life in Mississippi’s largest synagogue. The commemorative brass plaque was damaged but withstood a fire that was intentionally set earlier this year at Beth Israel Congregation’s house of worship in northeast Jackson. Flames traced the trunk, branches and brass leaves that contain inscriptions of congregants’ birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. The plaque has been sent to be restored by specialists, along with five of the synagogue’s Torahs and religious tapestries. For now, ...

When your money buys nothing: deceptive websites

Scammers are criminals who will say and do anything to separate you from your money. A growing category of scams, many skirting the edges of legality, are cleverly named “expert advice” websites luring customers into endless credit-card payments for what amounts to nothing in return. In ...

Tips to manage life after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia affect millions of people across the globe. The organization Alzheimer’s Disease International reports that more than 55 million people worldwide were living with dementia in 2020. ADI also estimates that dementia cases are expected to reach 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050. Alzheimer’s disease affects those diagnosed with the disease and also their families. Family members often assume a caregiving role when a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Such a diagnosis is life-changing for both patients ...

A look at what your medication is doing for you

People have become far more sophisticated when making purchases these days. One of the first things they check is the reviews from other shoppers. How many are there, and how well did the product perform? Objective resources are also helpful. For example, Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization that does its own thorough testing. If you have used Consumer Reports for your own shopping decisions, you know that the information is presented in easy-to-understand tables. There is a lot of information crammed into them. In one recent review of air filters, there were 18 columns of ...

Dear Annie: Trapped by change from co-worker to confidante

DEAR ANNIE: I work in a small office where everyone is friendly, but one co-worker has taken “friendly” to a new level. Over the past year, she’s begun confiding in me about deeply personal issues: her marriage troubles, financial stress, arguments she’s had the night before. At first, I listened out of kindness. But it’s becoming a daily occurrence. These conversations can last an hour or more, and it’s starting to interfere with my work. I’ve fallen behind more than once because I didn’t know how to politely end things. What makes this tricky is that she outranks ...

Hints from Heloise: Keep wig in pristine condition

DEAR HELOISE: For those who wear wigs, I always wear a thin cotton headband under the elastic perimeter of the wig. It absorbs most of the oil and perspiration, especially in warm weather. I rarely have to wash the wig, and when I do, I just wash the edges to avoid soaking the entire wig. In my opinion, they never look quite the same after a major washing. I also have multiple wigs that I rotate, which minimizes the need for washing! I read your column in the Arizona Daily Star. — Wigged Out, in Arizona DEAR HELOISE: Regarding the reader who wrote in regarding how nonsensical ...