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TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Irregular heartbeat often can be normal

Lifestyles

DEAR DR. ROACH: You recently used the term “abnormal irregular heartbeat.” I’ve had an irregular heartbeat for decades without seemingly ill effects. My doctors haven’t put any restrictions on my vigorous cycling or any other activities that I do at 84 years old. Does this mean that I have normal irregular heartbeats? Is there an implied difference by your use of “abnormal”? — S.B. ANSWER: The answer is more complicated than it might seem. A perfectly regular heartbeat is, perhaps counterintuitively, not normal. The heart should respond to subtle changes in chest ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: Use sock to fix any scratches on glasses

Lifestyles

DEAR HELOISE: If your magnifying glasses keep getting scratched, try putting the glass part (or plastic part) into a snug-fitting sock. It stays on well and does the trick. Also, for short pieces (up to approximately 5 inches, per se) of metal or plastic, small bars, dowel rods, small pipes, etc., I tie together several PVC pipes, which are usually 4 inches long. I use conduit strapping, which comes in a roll and has small and big holes in it already; I cut a piece of strapping to go along the front of the PVCs (making it longer than the PVCs I have lined up) and screw the strapping ...

Group gift busts budget of family member

Lifestyles

DEAR ANNIE: My siblings and I usually go in on gifts for my parents for birthdays and holidays. Since there are five of us, we can pool enough for something really nice, such as new golf clubs or a weekend away, rather than five smaller separate gifts. My dad’s birthday is coming up, and my sister sent around her usual text to coordinate. The problem is my finances are especially tight this year. My car needed a ton of work last month, my landlord just raised the rent, and I’m still paying off student loans. I don’t want my dad to think I care less, and I don’t want my ...

10/8/26 BRIDGE — BY STEVE BECKER

Lifestyles

This deal from a team contest demonstrates one of the more subtle areas of sound defensive play. The final contract at both tables was three notrump, but only one of the defenders found the way to derail declarer. At the first table, West led the heart six. Declarer won East's jack with the ...

Songwriter series features country hitmakers

Life

Liberty native Bob DiPiero brings his American Made Singer-Songwriter Series to Youngstown State University. The concert will feature DiPiero and some of his fellow country songwriters performing some of the tracks they’ve written and sharing the stories behind their creation. DiPiero is ...