Breaking News

Life

Unexpected hazard on the highways

Lifestyles

For thousands of years, humans lived with minimal exposure to manmade chemicals. Today, though, we are surrounded by tens of thousands of such compounds in products we use every day. For decades, many people assumed that the pesticides put on fruits and vegetables just disappeared, especially if you rinsed them. Most individuals didn’t worry about plasticizers in intravenous tubing and food or beverage packaging. The idea that endocrine-disrupting chemicals might be absorbed into the body seemed far-fetched. Today, however, there is general recognition that PFAS forever chemicals ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: How you can keep your skin healthy

Lifestyles

DEAR HELOISE: Every skin care company claims to have the perfect solution to staying young, but the truth is that lines and wrinkles are going to show up sooner or later. For many people, plastic surgery, skin peels and $200 creams are out of reach and might not do anything to remove the lines on your face. The best thing you can do for yourself is to prevent these lines in the first place. Wear sunblock during the summer and winter; moisturize your skin (don’t forget your neck); never sleep in your makeup; and eat a healthy, balanced diet. Add to this a little exercise and try to ...

DEAR ANNIE: Your first job doesn’t have to be your last job

Lifestyles

DEAR ANNIE: I’m a recent college grad, and I’ve always wanted to be a writer like you. I’ve applied to more jobs than I can count at newspapers and magazines but haven’t landed a single offer. Everyone keeps saying “the job market is tough right now,” but knowing that doesn’t pay rent. I still live with my parents, and I’m dying to get my own place. I don’t want to give up on writing, but it’s been six months with no offer, and I need to start making some money. What do I do? —Unpublished DEAR UNPUBLISHED: Writing skills aren’t limited to bylines — ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Man, 76, scared over high CAC score

Lifestyles

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 76-year-old Caucasian male who’s in excellent health. (Or so I thought.) Recently, my cardiologist suggested a coronary artery calcium (CAC) test, and my score was a frightening 1,241! I’m now extremely concerned about my heart health. I’ve been extremely active all my life, and I routinely work out — about 10 hours per week. My resting heart rate is about 50 bpm, and my blood pressure has long been about 110/70 mm Hg. Once or twice a week, I’ll raise my heart rate to a measured 162 bpm during a HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workout and feel ...

Music evolves and piano stays the same for Simpson

Ticket

In some ways, Brian Simpson is a creature of habit. The jazz pianist, who headlines Saturday’s Youngstown Jazz & Wine event at Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, released his first album, “Closer Still,” in 1995. He recently finished his 13th, which doesn’t have a release date yet. ...