Here’s How

Here’s How: Install recessed lighting in home office

Dear James: The There are two design lighting is bad in my home office, and I plan HERE’S choices you must make. First, if the recessed light to add some recessed lighting. I need it HOW is in a ceiling under the attic, it is wise to select a primarily over my sealed, airtight design for computer. What is the energy efficiency. It is not best type of recessed light to use? – Donald H. JAMES safe to insulate a standard recessed light fixture, be

Dear Donald: Recessed DULLEY cause it is not designed for the heat buildup. light is a good choice If there is a second floor for your home office, above the fixture, this is not particularly over your computer area. an issue. With the lighting coming down from Next, decide if you want a fixed or directly above, there should be very an adjustable recessed light fixture. little reflected glare on the monitor. Fixed fixtures look nicer because Studies have shown adequate lighting the lightbulb is totally recessed in the is also good for concentration and fixture. Its drawback is you cannot creativity. change the direction of the light. Some

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bulbs have a 135-degree range of light, so even a fixed one illuminates a fairly large area.

An adjustable recessed light fixture is designed similarly to a fish-eye bulb with a spherical section extending downward from the primary canister. By rotating the fish-eye section, which actually holds the bulb, the direction of the light can be changed.

If you are installing just one recessed light, select a fish-eye design. A fixed one may satisfy your current lighting needs, but if you move anything, the lighting will be in the wrong location.

If you install several recessed lights, select fixed ones, and space them appropriately so there is overlap.

Most bedrooms already have some type of light fixture in the ceiling that is controlled by a wall switch, so use this as your source of electricity.

If there is no existing light fixture, and you have to run a wire to the new light fixture, you might consider using track lighting instead. This is easy to install on the ceiling surface, and it does not require fishing a wire through the ceiling.

Determine where you want to locate the recessed fixture(s). All recessed light fixtures include a paper template showing the size of the hole to be cut in the ceiling. Tape the template up on the ceiling.

Before starting to cut the hole in the ceiling drywall along the template, drill several small holes around the perimeter of the circle.

Poke a long wood or plastic stick up through the holes to make sure you are not hitting a ceiling joist, plumbing or wiring. It is easy to fill the small holes with spackling compound if you have to find another location for the light.

Another method to check inside the ceiling is to drill a hole in the center of the template. Bend a stiff wire at a right angle, making one leg the radius of the template. Stick the wire up through the hole, and spin it around. You will feel if it hits anything inside the ceiling.

Install the fixture per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Send your questions to Here’s How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244, or visit dulley.com. To find out more about James Dulley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at creators.com.

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Here comes the space junk!

Dear EarthTalk: Elon Musk plans to put thousands of new satellites into space to blanket Earth with high speed Internet. What are the environmental implications of this? – M. C., Atlanta. GA

Putting sat-ellites up into the ionosphere – the layer of our atmosphere extending from 50-600 EARTH TALK miles above the surface DOUG where a high concentration MOSS of ions and free electrons facilitate the reflection of radio waves – isn’t anything new.

The Soviets beat us to the punch when they launched the first satellite, Sputnik, in 1957, but these days there are more than 9,000 satellites overhead, the majority from U.S. Some 9,000 satellites already orbit the ionosphere hundreds of miles above Earth’s surface, shedding parts that turn into hurtling “space junk.” Credit: Pixabay.

companies and government agencies. But with Elon Musk’s SpaceX poised to launch tens of thousands of new ones in the next few years, many people wonder whether putting all this technology overhead is such a good idea.

This beach ball-sized satellite started it all on Oct. 4, 1957. Actually, this is a replica of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite in outer space. The replica is stored in the National Air and Space Museum. Public domain photo.

One concern is that all this hardware eventually breaks down and shed parts.

Peter Greenstreet of the Institute of Physics reports that this so-called “space junk” orbits at some 7.5 kilometers per second – so fast that even the tiniest pieces create a potential hazard for space stations and other man-made or natural objects making the same rounds.

Greenstreet adds that space junk falling to Earth’s surface is less of a concern, given that most of it breaks down into tiny pieces due to the heat and friction encountered upon entry to our atmosphere and thus stands little to no chance of hurting any people or property below.

Another environmental issue with satellite proliferation is so-called “sky pollution.”

By reflecting the light of the sun, satellites cause streaks of light across the sky where astronomers would prefer darkness for peering into the heavens and where everyday people will be robbed of their own views of a dark sky.

But despite these drawbacks, there are plenty of good reasons to like satellites if you care about the environment.

“From the International Space Station (ISS) to hundreds of other observational satellites, remote sensing allows for climate and environmental monitoring,” reports Daisy Gill on Earth.org. “These imaging satellites are an incredible source of data for climate change research, enabling us to see the global changes on the planet that are happening more frequently, and with data freely available for anyone to view and use.”

Examples include tracking changing oceanic temperatures, currents and sea level.

Satellites are also key to understanding global and local precipitation and flooding patterns, how wildfires start and spread, the distribution of wildlife populations, and other indicators of environmental health. Satellites are also useful as early warning systems for natural disasters and extreme weather events.

If we can figure out ways to clean up space junk, we can use satellites with less guilt. NASA’s e.DeOrbit project is focusing on seeking out and removing satellite debris in the upper reaches of the ionosphere.

Meanwhile, the European Space Agency is hard at work on its own “capture mechanisms” to pick up space debris such as nets, harpoons robotic arms and tentacles. Only time will tell if these technologies can help restore the heavens above – or at least the ionosphere—to a more pristine state.

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine. com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.

Can diet intensify serious body odor?

Q: My husband has horrible body odor. He showers ev ery day, but he still smells terrible. It’s - PEOPLES PHARMACY digestive upset or fatigue. Guidelines from the Inter national Society of Hyper- tension recommend start- ing treatment with an ACE - not only his under- inhibitor like lisinopril or an arms; it’s his whole body. I think it’s JOE & TERESA ARB such as losartan (Hyper tension, June 2020). - coming from the in side. Could certain - GRAEDON You can learn more about the pros and cons of these foods be causing it? medications and many Please help. nondrug approaches in our

A: We don’t know why your eGuide to Blood Pressure Solutions. husband smells. However, there is This online resource is available a condition called “trimethylamin- through the Health eGuides section uria” in which a person’s sweat, at PeoplesPharmacy.com. breath and urine smell like rotten Q: It’s summer and the “wear fish (Drug Discovery Today, July sunscreen” drumbeat is loud and 2020). clear. I live in the South where local

This condition is rare, and scien- ponds and open storm drains make tists have not done much research mosquitoes a big problem. I am on its treatment. The smell can more concerned about Zika, West be controlled in part by avoiding Nile virus and chikungunya than fish, poultry, eggs and red meat in wrinkles and skin cancer. So DEET the diet and washing with a low is my skin application of choice. pH cleanser such as Alpha Hydrox Do we know anything about the moisturizing body wash, Cetaphil, combination of sunscreens and CeraVe foaming facial cleanser or DEET? Is there reason to suspect Sebamed. that using both makes either less

In mice, a garlic compound called effective or more harmful? allicin helped reduce the buildup A: Dermatologists have found of TMAO that causes the bad smell. that applying the insect repellent We don’t know if eating garlic DEET together with sunscreen re- would help humans, however. You sults in greater absorption of both may need to find a health profes- compounds (Journal of Dermatologi- sional who is familiar with trimeth- cal Treatment, January 2016). ylaminuria diagnosis and treatment According to these scientists, to see whether this is responsible picaridin would be a better choice for your husband’s problem. for repelling insects if you also need

Q: I have been taking atenolol sunscreen (which you mostly do). for some time now, and I am feel- Although DEET is the gold stan- ing very foggy and tired. My doc- dard, picaridin is about as effective tor suggested I change to losartan. and appears less likely to cause side I have read a number of patient effects. When used together with reviews about the side effects of sunscreen, it reduces absorption of losartan, and I am concerned. Is both compounds. there any data about the relative You’ll find picaridin in sev- safety of the two drugs? eral commercially available insect

A: Atenolol is an old-fashioned repellents. They include Sawyer beta blocker heart medicine. It is Picaridin Insect Repellent, Natrapel no longer considered a first-line 12-hour Insect Repellent, Repel Tick blood pressure treatment unless Defense and Ranger Ready Picaridin the patient has angina or irregular 20 Percent. heart rhythms (American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs, July 25, 2020). Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters Side effects such as fatigue, slow from readers. Write to them in care heart rate, lethargy and depression of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, are not uncommon. Orlando, FL 32803, or email them via

Losartan is generally well toler- their website PeoplesPharmacy.com. ated, though some people develop (c) 2020 King Features Syndicate, Inc. a cough. Other side effects include

Event held in new emergency room

On Wednesday, Aug. 12, the Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) was pleased to host our most recent Insider Event at St. Luke’s. The event featured their newly renovated, state-of-the-art emergency department set to open this fall. We are honored to have had the opportunity to allow APEX members a sneak peek of the new emergency department prior to its opening to the LOCAL public. “St. Luke’s NEWS has always offered premier care throughout our region and READER the expansion STAFF of their emergency department is a testament to their growth and success,” explained Brian Hanson, APEX President and CEO. “We were proud to be able to host this Insider Event as it celebrated, not only St. Luke’s growth as a facility, but also their mission to provide optimal patient-centered care throughout our region.”

St. Luke’s has been working on the planning, design and development of the new emergency department for more than three years. With the expansion of rooms, amenities and advanced medical equipment, the hospital’s safe and modern facility is focused on keeping patients’ privacy top of mind.

“The new department offers cutting edge equipment and highlights a stateof-the-art, patient-driven design,” said Michael Boeselager, Vice President of Support Services at St. Luke’s. “A lot of planning and preparation went into this facility, including multiple site visits to hospitals like Regions in St. Paul, Gunderson in LaCrosse and the Mayo Clinic. We took our time to define and study best practices while also gaining valuable input from our physicians and care providers who would be usng the department most.”

The Insider Event included a social hour and short presentation that highlighted prominent features of the new facility as well as the progression of the project. After, small groups were taken on a 15-minute walk-through of the new department. Service line leaders were available to talk about trauma care as well as unique aspects of the space, all centered on the patient experience. The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion held a gathering at the not-yetopened renovated emergency room at St. Luke’s Hospital. Submitted photo.

Historically, St. Luke’s emergency department has been on a solid growth pattern, averaging 90 to 110 visits per day in the emergency department. The new space will ultimately allow the hospital to sustain their increasing numbers, care for patients efficiently and effectively, and make a patient’s emergency department visit as comfortable of an experience as possible.

“I think the new emergency department creates a space matching the talent of our care providers, giving them the resources and an environment that they and our patients deserve,” explained Boeselager. “After all, the emergency department is a difficult place to be, so our goal is to help diminish our patients’ anxiety as much as possible by providing comfortable, private rooms backed by professional care they can count on.”

APEX is the private sector led business development engine for northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. For more information on APEX, visit APEXgetsbusiness.com.

Lakeside Early Learning announces campaign

St. Michael’s Lakeside Early Learning has found a way to continue to provide quality child care, but it will take support from the community to make it happen.

In April, when St. Michael’s Catholic Parish announced the school’s closure, a group of parents, community members, and staff formed Lakeside Early Learning to operate the center independently. The new Lakeside Early Learning is working to raise $50,000 to purchase the current school building from the church.

“Our staff and families work together so well and are constantly going out of their way to help and support each other.” said Nichole Reed, Lakeside Early Learning Director. “We have faith that our neighbors will support us too to keep the school open.”

A severe shortage of child care options in the Northland makes keeping the school open vital, not just for the families that rely on Lakeside Early Learning, but for the entire community.

“In the spirit of socioeconomic equity and community service, the program at Lakeside Early Learning worked to become four-star rated by the state so that parents in need could receive scholarships for their children to attend. Closing our school would not only be abandoning our current families to a scarce market, it would mean one less high-quality option for low-income families in Duluth.” said Angela Mejdrich, Lakeside Early Learning’s Board President.

A GoFundMe page has been created to benefit Lakeside Early Learning at gofundme.com/f/lakesideearly-learning. More information about the center can be found at lakesideearlylearning.org.

Historic Cook County seeking members

Welcome to Historic Cook County, a community built on creative and resourceful people who made their living from the land and lakes. In this remote frontier, inspiration came from the beauty and bounty of the natural world. Celebrate Cook County’s heritage this September! Become a new or sustaining member offering regular support for the important services they provide to the community.

The Cook County Historical Society was established in 1924, before the road to Grand Marais was completed and during a time when visitors still arrived by steamship or dog sled. Since that time, the organization has fulfilled its mission to collect, preserve and share the history of Minnesota’s northeastern-most county.

Historic Cook County is counting on you! Through the month of September, they’ll be sharing the stories from the past that still stir the imagination. Tune in to WTIP on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the best of “Moments in Time” series, check their website each Tuesday evening to connect to livestreamed interviews with elders sharing their memories.

But most importantly, become a member and show your support for local history. Those who become sustaining members or new members this month will be entered in a drawing featuring wonderful prizes from area businesses. Visit cookcountyhistory.org to become-a-member.

Blood needed to meet shortage

Amid the ongoing challenges of recruiting blood donors during the COVID-19 pandemic, local nonprofit Memorial Blood Centers (MBC) is facing a shortage of blood and platelet donations.

The need for blood is constant, but the number of donors decreases during the summer. To replenish supplies for Northland hospitals, trauma centers, and air ambulance bases, more healthy donors are needed at blood drives and donor centers in the coming weeks. Appointments can be made online at MBC.ORG or by calling 888-GIVE-BLD (888-448-3253).

Memorial Blood Centers also continues to collect COVID-19 convalescent plasma at all Northland donor centers, to build up the public supply of this potential treatment for patients with severe or life-threatening coronavirus disease (MBC.ORG/CPdonor).

More than 50% of the blood supply was lost when community blood drives were cancelled due to COVID-19 this year, and the supply remains low (less than a 3-day supply of all blood types). Blood drives are resuming, with additional precautions at all donation sites;

The Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad announced this week that it will remain closed for the season. Submitted photo.

appointments are preferred to help maintain social distancing, and donors are required to wear a face mask or face covering.

Blood donation is safe and essential, and MBC has a COVID-19 self-screen- ing policy in addition to general eligi- bility guidelines.

Visit MBC.ORG to find your near- est drive or donor center, or to make an appointment at one of the public blood drives below. • Aug. 21 – Boswell energy Center, Cohasset, 9:31 am-4 pm. • Aug. 24 – Carlton Communicty Cen- ter, 124 Chestnut Ave., 9 am-5 pm. Aug. 26 – Kolar, 4781 Miller Trunk Hwy, Duluth, 9:30 am-5:30 pm. • Aug. 27 – Eldercircle, 1701 5th Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, 1-6 pm. • Aug. 28 – Eldercircle, 1701 5th Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, 9 am-2 pm. • Aug. 31 – Elm Lutheran Church, Bar- num, 2:30-6:30 pm.

Tourist railroad closed for the season

In consideration for the health and safety of our valued customers and crews, the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad made the difficult decision to cancel all passenger excursions for the remainder of the 2020 season.

The difficulties of remaining compli- ant with recommended and relevant Covid-19 safety measures, the ability to maintain sufficient crews of volun- teers who may be at high risk, and the probability of not generating sufficient passenger revenue to cover operating expenses has led the LS&M Board of Directors to the following decision: “In the best interest of safety for all passengers, crews and operations vol- unteers, the excursion opening will be postponed until the 2021 Season.”

During this season of down-time, the Volunteers will focus available resourc- es on tasks such as build/repair tracks, equipment maintenance, restoration of coaches & cars and preparing for an exciting and safe 2021 season.

New volunteers are welcome to join the volunteer crew as we continue with our projects. Check the website lsmrr. org or call 218-624-7549 for informa- tion.

Needs-based child development grants

The Minnesota Department of Health announced new health eq- uity grants for preschoolers. Working toward greater health equity is a key priority for the State of Minnesota, and a novel partnership with members of American Indian communities and communities of color seeks to acceler- ate that work with a new grant pro- gram focused squarely on improving outcomes for children in these com- munities.

The Community Solutions for Healthy Child Development grant pro- gram is a new approach where mem- bers of American Indian communities and members of communities of color play a lead role in selecting grantees based on the needs of children identi- fied in their communities. The grant program will award approximately $1.5 million each year from state fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2023. The Minnesota Legislature made the fund- ing available during the 2019 legisla- tive session.

The grantees will provide various services to the community to improve early childhood development for com- munities of color and Indians.