Sunday Signal 081323

Possible Long-Term Allergy Relief Options

Warmer weather means flowers and trees are blooming, but for the millions of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies, it also means coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion and other symptoms aren’t far behind.

Allergies are an immune reaction to a foreign substance. They can develop after an allergen is ingested, inhaled, injected or touched. About one-quarter (25.7%) of adults suffer from seasonal allergies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which are commonly caused by grass, tree and weed pollens.

When allergies act up, many people reach for medications like antihistamines, decongestants and other over-the-counter medicines for quick, yet temporary, symptom relief. While symptoms may subside, there are side effects to prolonged use of OTC medicines such as dry mouth, drowsiness and blurred vision, among others.

Innovative alternatives, such as allergy immunotherapy, are now available from the convenience of a patient’s home. This treatment offers more effective long-term relief compared to antihistamine pills, which only mask symptoms temporarily. Sublingual immunotherapy is an effective option for people who don’t want the inconvenience or safety risk associated with allergy shots.

“More than 120 million people in the U.S. suffer from allergies and their related diseases, making it the most prevalent chronic illness facing our nation,” said Dr. Ken Chahine, Ph.D., J.D., founding CEO of Nectar

Life Sciences.

Recognize Symptoms

Although seasonal allergies typically affect the nose, eyes, mouth and sinuses, the symptoms and triggers can vary among individuals. While itching in the roof of the mouth, hives and watery eyes are considered classic allergy symptoms, others may resemble signs of illness or infection, such as coughing, sneezing, congestion, body aches, pain or a stuffy or runny nose. If these symptoms persist for a week or two, it is possible you are reacting to seasonal allergens. Conversely, if you experience symptoms throughout the year, they might be caused by common allergens found in homes and workplaces, such as dust, mold or pet dander.

Reduce Outdoor Exposure

The best way to avoid allergy symptoms is by eliminating or reducing exposure to triggers. In the case of seasonal allergies, the primary trigger is typically pollen. This may require staying indoors on dry and windy days or choosing to go outside later in the day when pollen counts are generally lower.

Rainfall helps clear pollen from the air, making rainy or cloudy days ideal for outdoor activities. However, many outdoor activities rely on clear and sunny weather. In such situations, taking additional precautions becomes necessary. Try wearing a face mask while doing outdoor chores like mowing, gardening or pulling weeds, which can stir up allergens.

Promptly remove clothes after being outside and take a bath to rinse

off any pollen from the skin and hair. Bringing allergens indoors, especially onto bedding, can worsen symptoms or prolong their duration.

Long-Term Symptom Relief

While allergen avoidance and OTC medications like antihistamines and decongestants can be effective, they may not work for everyone. For those seeking an alternative to antihistamines, allergy immunotherapy offers a viable option.

The concept behind this therapy is to regularly expose the body to the allergen, gradually building immunity and reducing sensitivity, ultimately leading to fewer or even no allergy symptoms.

Sublingual immunotherapy is an innovative form of immunotherapy that is common in Europe and is now available in the U.S. It involves taking two drops per day of a personalized prescription under the tongue to achieve the same long-term relief that allergy shots can provide.

The allergy care platform Nectar offers a comprehensive treatment program that can be conducted from the comfort of a patient’s home. The program begins with an at-home allergy test, which is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-certified and covers a wide range of indoor and outdoor allergens. After carefully reviewing the test results and taking into account the patient’s clinical history and geographic location, a licensed provider determines

the most suitable treatment option.

The personalized prescription is then delivered to the patient every three months. Over time, as the body builds tolerance to the allergens, symptoms generally diminish and fade away.

Keep Indoor Air Clean

To maintain allergen-free indoor spaces, it is advisable to refrain from opening windows in the house or car when pollen counts are high. However, there are other measures you can take to minimize exposure indoors. Using an air conditioner equipped with high-efficiency filters and adhering to regular maintenance schedules for heating and cooling systems are effective strategies.

Additionally, frequent dusting of countertops, shelves and tables is recommended, along with cleaning carpets using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Using a dehumidifier can help maintain dry indoor air and reduce the risk of mold growth. Furthermore, consider installing portable air purifiers with built-in HEPA filters in bedrooms or frequently occupied rooms throughout the home.

To learn more or access online resources that can help you fight allergies, such as the Help Center and Learning Hub, visit MyNectar.com. (Family Features)

Three Healthy Habits to Protect Your Skin

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s the first line of defense against the outside world, skin is the body’s largest organ and takes on an important role in maintaining overall health. While products like sunscreen and moisturizer can help skin thrive, healthy skin starts from within where food and beverage choices can play a key role.

One example is grapes: Emerging research suggests consuming grapes may help protect healthy skin even when exposed to UV light, which is known to be damaging. A study published in the journal “Antioxidants,” in which people consumed 2 1/4 cups of grapes every day for two weeks, showed increased resistance to sunburn and reduced markers of UV damage at the cellular level.

This study reinforced previous and similar findings published in the “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.” Grapes are also a hydrating food with 82% water content; hydration is essential to healthy skin.

To take care of your skin, consider these skin-friendly health tips.

Protect Skin While Outdoors

While perhaps an obvious step to some, one of the most direct ways you can protect skin is by applying sunscreen - most experts recommend 30 SPF or higher - before heading outdoors and reapplying every 1-2 hours. Additionally, consider wearing protective clothing, such as a hat large enough to shade your face and neck. If you plan to spend extended time in the sun, opt for a lightweight, long-sleeve shirt and pants for maximum skin coverage.

Fill Your Plate with Healthy, Hydrating Foods

Nutritious foods, including fruits and vegetables, can play an important role in achieving an overall balanced diet with adequate hydration. Enjoying the goodness of fresh or frozen Grapes from California can provide extra hydration and a boost of beneficial antioxidants and other polyphenols that help protect the health and function of the body’s cells, including those in the skin.

Drink water throughout the day, and for added flavor, infuse with fruits like frozen grapes. Simply rinse, pat dry, remove from the stems and freeze the grapes for 2 hours in a single layer on a sheet pan for flavorful ice cube replacements.

For an easy, refreshing way to add grapes to your menu and stay hydrated on warm days, try this Frosty Grape Hibiscus Slush for a subtly sweet, fruity tea in frozen form.

Manage Stress

Whether it’s caused by a lengthy to-do list or general anxieties, stress can negatively impact skin health while even exacerbating certain conditions. Managing stress can offer a reprieve in multiple ways, including encouraging healthier skin. Some simple ways to relieve stress include exercising,

getting enough sleep, lightening or limiting your workload, scaling back on to-do lists and making time for things you enjoy.

Visit GrapesFromCalifornia.com for more information on grapes and health and delicious recipes.

(Family Features) 

Frosty Grape Hibiscus Slush

Prep time 15 minutes, plus freezing overnight

Servings 6 (1 cup each)

9 hibiscus tea bags

6 cups boiling water

3 cups Grapes from California puree (green, red, black or mixture)

4 1/2 tablespoons frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice (optional)

Steep tea bags in boiling water. Remove tea bags and stir in grape puree, lemonade concentrate and lime juice, if desired.

Pour into ice cube trays and freeze overnight until firm.

In blender, blend until slushy, stirring as needed.

Notes: If no ice cube trays, freeze mixture in large container about 1 1/2 inches deep. Let soften slightly then break into pieces with knife before blending and serving. (Family Features) 

Avoiding, Ridding Your Home of Pesky Fruit Flies

By Jim Walker Signal Staff Writer

The current invasive fruit fly infestation of 79-square miles in Santa Clarita means you may or may not have had to deal with fruit flies outside or inside your home.

If you live in the produce quarantine area — bordered on the north by Castaic Junction, on the south by Oat Mountain, on the west by Del Valle and on the east by Honby Avenue — you are not allowed to move fruit from your home.

The fruit can be used but if you want to dispose of it, they need to be double bagged in plastic bags and thrown out.

If you’re in the quarantine area, you most likely have had fly traps placed around your property. But what can you do if they get inside? Or, if you just want to make sure you don’t get an infestation?

First Things First

The experts note that fruit flies do their best reproduction at temperatures from 75 to 80 degrees F, which just happens to be the typical temperature inside an energy-conscious SCV home when the outside weather is warm.

Under ideal conditions, fruit flies can complete an entire reproductive cycle in 10 days. And a female fruit fly can lay hundreds of eggs in a cycle.

Fruit flies can enter your home in many ways, but one of the most common is aboard fruit you bring in and then set up nicely in an attractive fruit bowl. Ripe bananas are a favorite. And you’d think this would be easy enough to track and control, but fruit flies are attracted to any fruit, sugary substances, anything fermenting and even alcoholic beverages.

What to do?

You should know that there are other little annoying flies, such as drain flies (which hatch in drains) and fungus gnats (which hatch in potting soil), that you might confuse with fruit flies. Fruit flies pretty-much look like tiny house flies, while fungus gnats look more like tiny mosquitoes, and drain flies appear more like tiny moths.

If you suspect you have a fruit fly problem, your first course of action is to try and eliminate their food source. Definitely check out your fruit bowl and any other uncovered sugary items, especially those in dark corners/cupboards. However, in many cases, your problem will be in that kitchen trash, or other trash cans.

Dump that trash every few days, and you’ll stay ahead of the fruit fly reproductive cycle. But, also, scour the trash can, including crevices. Fruit fly pupae crawl away from the wet garbage and adhere to the can, itself, especially the underside of the lid. If you just stuff a new trash bag in a can full of pupae, you’re not fixing anything.

And then there are the adults. You don’t want

them hanging around, waiting to reproduce in your new trash bag. Besides, the adult stage is the annoying one. They like your breath and your computer screen glow. That’s why the space between your cell phone screen and your nose is a fruit fly buzzing zone.

But here is the fun part. If your pesky guests are fruit flies, you have easy access to their kryptonite. And that is vinegar! Fruit flies are attracted to vinegar. They simply can’t resist it. And so, it provides a powerful bait or lure for fruit fly traps, either homemade or store-bought.

Such traps should be placed close to the concentration of adult fruit flies, be it the trash can or fruit bowl, or any other location where they hover. And a TV or computer screen on continuous screensaver glow is another great trap location.

As noted, the trap bait is vinegar. This goes in the bottom of your trap. Some experts recommend only apple cider vinegar, others also like white vinegar. And if you add a touch of sweet, via a pinch of brown sugar or some red fruit juice, that is just frosting on the flies’ end-cake.

Now the vinegar doesn’t kill the flies, drowning does. Especially if you add a drop of dish soap to reduce the vinegar’s surface tension, the flies crawl to the liquid or land in it and get stuck, eventually sinking to the bottom.

With a store-bought trap, such as a Terro trap, little holes in the top allow the flies in, but make it harder for them to fly out of the confined space above the vinegar. With a homemade trap (vinegar in a bowl), you can cover the top of the bowl with plastic wrap and poke holes in the wrap to accomplish the same thing.

Both homemade traps and Terro traps work, though the Terros are definitely more attractive.

Homemade Traps

A homemade trap requires vinegar, dish soap, plastic wrap and a bowl.

Pour the vinegar in a bowl. Add a drop of dish soap to trap the flies. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Add a few holes in the top for the flies to get to the vinegar.

However, your only cost with a homemade trap is the vinegar.

Oh, and one last point: Know that fermenting Jack-o’-lanterns provide great fruit fly food.

PHOTOS COURTESY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

PHOTO BY JIM WALKER / THE SIGNAL

Terro Fruit Fly Trap allows flies to enter the trap through the holes in the top. PHOTO BY JIM WALKER / THE SIGNAL

Mark Your Calendars — Community Fun and Helping Great Local Causes

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Wroter

With children back in school can event season in the Santa Clarita Valley be far behind? Consider attending a few fun and worthy charity fundraisers as well as other attractions as we head towards Fall. There are still a few weeks remaining, through Aug. 26, to end the summer in style with Concerts in the Park on Saturdays at Central Park.

Aug. 26

Heart of the West

Info www.carouselranch.org/heart-of-the-west

Tickets for the in-person Heart of the West, to benefit Carousel Ranch, an equine therapy riding ranch for children, are sold out, but you can join the waitlist or attend the virtual event for $100 per person. The virtual experience includes a barbecue dinner and gift bag to be picked up at a local restaurant.

Sept. 8

WiSH Education Foundation’s Cocktails on the Roof

Hello Subaru of Valencia, 24000 Creekside Rd. 91355

Info www.wisheducationfoundation.org/cocktailson-the-roof

Support the programs of the William S. Hart Union School District with an open air party on a warm, late summer night. There will be some 30 festival tents that offer a wide range of food and cocktails, specially created just for the event. One price, all inclusive. You can also dance to music provided by a live DJ.

Sept. 9

Michael Hoefflin Foundation’s Cheers for Charity

Canyon Country Community Center, 18410 Sierra Highway 91351.

Info www.mhf.org

September is National Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month and the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer is hosting its inaugural Cheers for Charity: Beer, Wine and Concert Festival on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Music will be provided by the Peaceful Easy Eagles Tribute, featuring the songs of the most popular band of the 1970s. Also performing will be Surfin’ — The Beach Boys Tribute.

The event will be hosted by KRTH 101 radio personality Brian Beirne. The event has partnered with Lyft to offer a special discount code for guests, with the goal of making event transportation safe and easy.

For more than 25 years, the Michael Hoefflin Foundation has been providing resources to families battling cancer, including care packages, counseling services, college scholarships, bereavement support and more.

Tickets are $15 children, $25 designated driver, $30 general admission and $50 VIP.

All VIP and general admission guests will receive a complimentary tasting glass. All money raised from the Cheers for Charity event will go directly to help families struggling with pediatric cancer.

Sept. 9

Metavivior Met Gala

Porsche Santa Clarita, 23645 Creekside Rd. 91355.

Info www.metgalascv.com

Travel back in time to the glamorous Roaring 20s at this dazzling gala, illuminating the fight against metastatic breast cancer. Join event chairs Eva Miranda Crawford and Santa Clarita City Councilman Bill Miranda.

Doors open and cocktail hour starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and a live auction. Dress code is the Roaring 20’s glam, past or present. Tickets are $200 each. Sponsorship and auction donations are being sought.

Sept. 23

Soroptimist International of Valencia Bras for a Cause

Hyatt Regency Valencia 24500 Town Center Drive 91355.

Info sivalencia.org

Soroptimist International of Valencia will present the 20th annual breast cancer awareness fundraiser “Bras for a Cause.” This year’s theme is “BeYoutiful,” in honor of all women.

This signature fundraiser for SI of Valencia will feature live models displaying hand-decorated themed bras created by members, paired with live auction baskets. Silent auction baskets will also be available for bid.

Individual tickets are $150.

SI of Valencia is part of a global women’s organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.

Sept. 30-Oct. 1

Hart of the West Pow Wow and Craft Fair William S. Hart Regional Park and Museum, 24151 Newhall Ave. 91321.

Info friendsofhartpark.com

Friends of Hart Park Mansion and Museum, the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation will present the 29th Anniversary Hart of the West Pow Wow.

The Hart of the West Pow Wow gives Native American families a chance to get together while giving spectators an opportunity to experience heritage and culture with native dances and hymns. This gathering is all about singing and dancing, with breaks to talk about the culture.

The event offers vendors, food, crafts and Native American culture. Open Gourd dancing, all dancers and drums welcome. 

Heart of the West PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Bras for a Cause

Hart of the West Pow Wow

Read 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten!

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

Early childhood literacy is a critical foundation for a child’s intellectual, emotional and social development. Recognizing the significance of fostering a love for books and reading in young children, the Santa Clarita Public Library has proudly launched the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program at all three branches and online. This program’s innovative approach to promoting early literacy will help parents and caregivers guide their children from birth to kindergarten, integrating five subjects which include singing, talking, reading, writing and playing.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a simple and creative initiative that helps encourage parents, caregivers and teachers to read 1,000 books to their children before they start kindergarten.

The concept is based on the understanding that exposing children to an array of books from an early age can enhance their language skills, vocabulary and comprehension abilities. The program will also help instill a passion for books, as well as strength-

en the bond between parents and their children through reading, playing and being together.

Encompassing a one-year calendar, the Library has created daily tasks that you and your child can complete together, that involve different types of educational and fun activities.

Each task will coincide with one of the five subjects, such as trying new foods, playing with blocks, picking a new topic to read about, writing a poem, playing a memory game — and of course, visiting the Library. Parents and caregivers will be given premade calendars that children can mark off their days and in return, get them excited to read and play.

Also included are different programs to visit at the Library. From Storytime’s offered in English and Spanish, to crafts on the patios, parents can visit the Library’s event calendar to find a variety of free activities for their children.

One of the primary objectives of this engaging program is to help children develop a love of reading. By introducing children to a diverse set of books at an early age, they are then entering a world full of imagination, educational content, emotional connections and more.

This early exposure helps develop a positive asso-

¡Hola, SCVi!

Tuition-free public charter school serving grades TK-12.

Chart a practical path to linguistic opportunity for your child through SCVI’s Dual Language Immersion Program. With the support of expert facilitators from Spain, Mexico, and the U.S., your child will develop bilingual fluency in Spanish and English.

Proven benefits of enrollment in a Dual Language Immersion Program:

Obtain high proficiency in a second language

Enhance cognitive learning and memory skills

Increase social and cultural awareness

Enrollment in our Dual Language Immersion Program is open to learners in grades K-5.

ciation with reading, making it more likely for children to continue visiting the Library and reading as they grow.

Fostering a sense of community, this program aims to bring families together, both at home and in the Library. Whether family night involves everyone reading a book, or a Saturday morning is spent picking out new titles at our Library branches, we encourage everyone with a child in our community to take part in this new and inclusive program.

Free and available in both English and Spanish, we are excited to offer our residents a new way to stay connected with the Library and become closer to their children, especially during their most formative years.

The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program officially launches at the Santa Clarita Public Library branches on September 18. To learn more about the program, or to download the calendar with daily activities, please visit SantaClaritaLibrary.com.

Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@santa-clarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal. 

Simplify School Nights with Easy, Cheesy Meals

Putting a delicious, kid-friendly meal on the table in an hour or less is goal No. 1 for many families. When the hectic schedules of back-to-school season are in full effect, saving some precious time in the kitchen can make all the difference.

Take a homework timeout and bring loved ones running to the dining room for family favorites like Sweet Heat Pickled Beet Grilled Cheese. This modern take on a childhood classic pairs sourdough bread with brie cheese, a spicy-sweet hit of hot honey and juicy Aunt Nellie's Diced Pickled Beets.

If letting your oven do the work is an even more appealing solution, try an easy recipe like Bacon Wrapped Potato Stuffed Chicken. As a meal and side dish all in one, this simple weeknight dinner starts with cutting a pocket into boneless, skinless chicken breasts before filling with cheesy goodness. Layer cheddar cheese slices inside the chicken then spoon in READ German Potato Salad made with thinly sliced potatoes, bacon and a sweet-piquant dressing. Finally, fold the chicken breasts closed, wrap with bacon slices and bake 40 minutes to tender, juicy perfection with a final broil to crisp the bacon.

To find more family-friendly meals fit for busy weeknights, visit AuntNellies.com and READSalads. com. (Family Features)

Sweet Heat Pickled Beet Grilled Cheese

Recipe courtesy of MacKenzie Smith of “Grilled Cheese Social”

Prep time 5 minutes

Cook time 12 minutes

Yield 2 sandwiches

4 slices (3 ounces each) sourdough bread

2 tablespoons hot honey

1 small wheel (8 ounces) brie, at room temperature, cut into thin strips

8 ounces Aunt Nellie's Diced Pickled Beets (1/2 jar or 2 individual diced pickled beet cups)

2 tablespoons fresh basil, cut into thin strips

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste

Place two bread slices on cutting board. Drizzle with hot honey then add 4 ounces brie evenly across bread.

Drain beets and pat dry. Add evenly on top of brie followed by basil and remaining brie.

Spread 1 tablespoon butter on one side of remaining bread slices. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt. Place top piece of bread on each sandwich.

Heat cast-iron or frying pan over medium-low heat then add sandwiches butter sides down. Butter top sides and add remaining garlic salt.

Cook about 5 minutes on each side, or until bread is golden brown and cheese has melted, flipping halfway through.

Once sandwiches have cooked on both sides, remove from heat and serve.

Bacon Wrapped Potato Stuffed Chicken

Bacon Wrapped Potato Stuffed Chicken

Recipe courtesy of "EZPZMealz"

Prep time 20 minutes

Cook time 40 minutes

Yield 8 servings

2 pounds (approximately 4 large) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

8 slices sharp cheddar cheese

1 can READ German Potato Salad with sauce

8-12 bacon slices nonstick cooking spray freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Using sharp knife, slice pocket or slit into each chicken breast and fold open.

Place two slices sharp cheddar cheese in pockets then spoon 4 ounces potato salad onto cheese.

Fold chicken over and close so cheese and potatoes are inside pockets.

Take 2-3 bacon slices and completely wrap stuffed chicken breasts, tucking loose ends of bacon on undersides of chicken.

Spray baking dish with nonstick cooking spray then place bacon wrapped chicken on tray. Season chicken with pepper, to taste.

Bake approximately 40 minutes until internal temperature of chicken reaches 160 F.

Turn oven to broil on high (500 F) and broil 2-3 minutes to crisp bacon until chicken reaches 165 F. Remove from the oven and rest 5 minutes then serve.

Sweet Heat Pickled Beet Grilled Cheese

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Alice Hart’ is Inspirational and About Female Empowerment

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘The Lost Flowers Of Alice Hart’

 1/2 (out of four)

A seven-part series on Fridays on Prime Video

Secrets and lies.

The Amazon Prime limited dramatic series “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart” is filled with characters who are harboring deep secrets and often protect themselves and the ones they love with elaborate lies, to the point where we’re often not sure if someone is a hero or a villain, or perhaps a little of both.

Based on the widely acclaimed debut novel by Holly Ringland and filmed on location in breathtakingly beautiful stretches of Australia, this series will not be for everyone, given its numerous, crushingly brutal scenes of domestic abuse and the

devastating consequences of such pure evil actions. Still, by the time we reach the finale and one of the most moving closing sequences of any series this year, “Alice Hart” has earned its place as an important and inspirational story of female empowerment and the incredibly resilient nature of women who have endured so much and yet refuse to let anyone dim their shining light.

Skipping along timelines, based in three primary geographic locations and featuring a myriad of complex and intriguing characters who are connected in ways that are not always immediately revealed, “Alice Hart” can be a bit of challenge to keep up with, so let’s walk through the pathways while stepping around spoilers.

In the opening episode, nineyear-old Alice Hart (Alyla Browne) is living what initially appears to be a sun-dappled and magical storybook life in a seaside home with her pregnant mother, Agnes (Tilda Cobham-Hervey), and her father,

Clem (Charlie Vickers) — but even when Alice joins her parents for an exhilarating dance to Bryan Ferry’s “Let’s Stick Together,” there’s something almost too intense, too forced about the revelry. Soon enough, we see the bruises on Agnes’ arms, the fear in Alice’s eyes every time her father returns home, the rage in Clem that explodes into horrific violence. Alice and her mother are prisoners in their own home.

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T h e M i r a c l e c l u B C S u n : 1 0 : 2 0 A M A g r o u p o f I r s h l a d i e s e m b a r k o n a d r e a m t r p t o L o u r d e s , F r a n c e , b u t t e n s o n a r i s e s w h e n t h e y ’r e j o i n e d b y a n a c q u a i n t a n c e w h o r e c e n t l y r e t u r n e d h o m e a f t e r a f t e r d e c a d e s i n t h e U S M i s s i o n : i M p o s s i B l e - d e a d r e c k o n i n g p a r T o n e C 1 2 : 5 0 4 : 0 0 7 : 1 0 I n M i s s i o n : I m p o s s i b l e - D e a d R e c k o n i n g P a r t O n e , E t h a n H u n t ( To m C r u i s e ) a n d h i s I M F t e a m e m b a r k o n t h e r m o s t d a n g e r o u s m i s s o n y e t : To t r a c k d o w n a t e r r i f y i n g n e w w e a p o n t h a t t h r e a t e n s a l l o f h u m a n i t y b e f o r e i t f a l l s i n t o t h e w r o n g h a n d s

A fire sweeps through the property, leaving Alice alone in the world. A local librarian named Sally Morgan (Asher Keddie), who lost a daughter about the same age as Alice, tries to convince her police officer husband (Alexander England) that they should take care of Alice — but in swoops Alice’s estranged grandmother — Clem’s mother, June Hart (Sigourney Weaver). She announces Alice will be living with her on her expansive flower farm, which is also a haven for women June calls “The Flowers” — survivors of domestic abuse who have come to live and work on the farm in a space of healing, safety and support.

Leah Purcell is the warm and caring and tough-as-nails Twig, who is June’s longtime partner, and Frankie Adams is their adopted daughter, Candy Blue. Alice has stopped speaking since the tragedy, but June teaches her to communicate through the bounty of Australian native flowers and trees and plants on the stunningly gorgeous farm. (Each episode of

“Alice Hart” begins with a title card listing a flower and its meaning, e.g., “Wattle” meaning “Always With You,” “Lantern Bush” meaning “Hope May Blind” and “Desert Oak” meaning “Resurrection.”)

Browne gives a remarkably expressive performance as the mostly silent young Alice, while the regal Weaver is magnificent as June, who will do anything to protect the women on the farm, including taking the shotgun down from the mantle. (Still, when June confronts an abusive man threatening to find and hurt his ex, who lives on the farm, it’s not done in conventional, action-movie fashion. It’s more realistic and in some ways more devastating.)

In the fourth episode, Alice (now played by Alycia Debnam-Carey) is in her early 20s and has fled the farm after learning of a terrible betrayal by June — an act so cold and cruel it’s almost out of a horror movie, and it knocks us off balance as a viewer. There’s no justification for June’s behavior, though we eventually learn details from June’s own past that at least provide a measure of explanation.

Alice makes her way to the Northern Territory (one cannot overstate the stunning colors and depths of the visuals), where she finds work as a park ranger in the desert and connects romantically with the seemingly dashing and charming Dylan (Sebastian Zurita) — who turns out to be just as much of a coward and a monster as her father.

Virtually every main character in “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart” has a deep secret that has been buried for years. Storylines that run on parallel paths are eventually connected. (We see some of the reveals coming a mile down the road; others are truly shocking.) With Weaver delivering yet another virtuoso performance in a storied career, we come to see that while June is deeply flawed and has made some huge mistakes in her life, she is a legend who saved hundreds of women through the decades and gave them the opportunity to flower and flourish on their own.

PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

Habits to Help You Improve Your Longevity

Americans are optimistic about their longevity. A recent survey by MDVIP — a national network of primary care doctors focused on preventive medicine — and Ipsos found that 67% of Americans want to live longer than their parents and 87% want to take steps to live healthier for longer. However, 74% of Americans failed a basic 20-question quiz on the lifestyle factors that influence aging and longevity.

Living longer doesn’t happen by accident or by the grace of genetics alone. “Study after study has shown that our lifetime of decisions about what we eat, whether we exercise or whether we’re managing stress have a considerable impact on how well we age,” said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP.

Another thing to consider is that extending your lifespan shouldn’t be the only goal. You want to focus on maximizing the number of healthy years of your life. By increasing your “healthspan” — how many years you live without serious disease — you can enjoy your life well into your 80s and beyond.

Here are three simple but essential habits you can incorporate into your life to help improve your healthspan. Invest in your health like you do your finances. According to the survey, 54% of Americans admit they plan more for their financial future than their health. To invest in your health, you need to learn more about your family’s medical history and how lifestyle changes can improve your healthspan.

Investing in your health doesn’t require overhauling your life in one night. You can talk with your doctor about your current health status and work with them on setting realistic goals and benchmarks you can work toward over time. By creating a plan and making small incremental changes to your lifestyle, you can reap dividends in healthier years now and in the future.

Prioritize socializing and happiness. When you think about your health, you likely think about what you, as

an individual, can do to improve your wellness and longevity. However, your health can be greatly impacted by the relationships you form and maintain throughout your life. That’s because having healthy, stable and strong relationships positively impacts your happiness.

According to an 85-year-long study by Harvard University, there is a direct correlation between social connections and longevity. People who have strong social ties with their friends, family and community are happier, healthier and live longer than those who are less well-connected.

Find a primary care physician. Establishing a relationship with a primary care physician (PCP) and getting annual check-ups is vital to improving your healthspan. A PCP will get to know you and monitor any changes to your health that could otherwise be missed if you don’t have a regular doctor.

Another advantage of having a PCP is that you can talk about your risk factors and ways to prevent disease instead of reacting only to health problems as they appear. MDVIP-affiliated physicians focus on personalized care, early detection and preventive medicine. These PCPs have smaller practices, so they can spend more time and partner with patients to improve their health.

If you want to lead a healthier, more vibrant life, visit MDVIP.com/LongevityIQ and take the Longevity quiz to understand more about the factors that influence aging. There you can also learn what steps you can take to help extend your healthy years.

(BPT) 

Steps That Can Help You Lay Tile Like the Pros

Updating the flooring can help infuse new life into tired, outdated bathrooms. For an upscale, polished look that doesn’t have to break the bank, consider installing tile flooring.

Before you get started, you’ll want to make some decisions about the look and feel of your flooring:

Ceramic or stone? Weigh factors such as porosity, how slippery the surface may be when wet and how well it retains heat or cold. Ultimately, your decision hinges on the needs and uses of your family.

Complement or contrast? Define the overall style you want as well as the colors and tones that will help best achieve your vision.

Big or small? Generally, the larger the tile, the fewer grout lines, and too many grout lines in a smaller space can create the illusion of clutter. However, smaller tiles can eliminate the need to make multiple awkward

cuts, and small tiles are perfect for creating accent patterns or introducing a splash of color.

When you’ve got your overall look and materials selected, keep these steps in mind as you begin laying the flooring:

Prepare your subfloor Use a level to check for uneven spots; you need an even surface to prevent cracks in the tile or grout as well as rough spots that could pose tripping hazards. Use patching and leveling material to create a consistent surface. Apply a thin layer of mortar then attach your cement backer board with screws. Cover joints with cement board tape, apply another thin layer of mortar, smooth and allow to dry.

To ensure square placement draw reference lines on the subfloor using a level and carpenter square. Tile should start in the middle of the room and move out toward the walls, so make your initial reference lines as close to the center as possible. Mark

additional reference lines as space allows, such as 2-foot-by-2-foot squares. Do a test with your chosen tile by laying it out on the floor. There are color variations in most tile patterns, so you’ll want to verify each tile blends well with the next.

Mix tile and use the thin side of a trowel to apply mortar at a 45-degree angle. Use the combed side to spread evenly and return excess mortar to the bucket. Remember to apply mortar in small areas, working as you go, so it doesn’t dry before

you’re ready to lay the tile.

When laying tile, use your reference as guides. Press and wiggle tile slightly for the best adherence.

Use spacers to create even lines between tiles, removing excess mortar with a damp sponge or rag.

As you complete a section of tile, use a level and mallet to verify the tiles are sitting evenly.

Let mortar 24 hours before grouting.

Remove then apply grout to joints, removing excess as you go.

Allow grout to per the manufacturer’s instructions then go back over tile with a damp sponge to set grout lines and clean grout residue.

Once grout has cured — usually at least a couple weeks — apply sealer to protect it.

Find more ideas and tips for updating your bathroom at eLivingtoday. com. (Family Features) 

Prevent Pests from Spoiling Your Backyard Event

Summer inspires many families to host outdoor gatherings at their homes. Those backyard moments can be the highlight of summer weekends. However, you may find some unwanted guests like ants, spiders, flies and mosquitoes at your gatherings.

But with some careful planning, you can help alleviate the worry about pests crashing the party. Here are five tips to help reduce pests at your summertime gatherings.

Keep your yard clean It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Get ahead of pests by removing places where they can breed and thrive in your backyard.

As the weather warms up, clean up your yard. Remove debris or standing water, which can attract mosquitoes, flies and other pests. Don’t forget to keep your trash cans covered.

Serve food and drinks indoors

While outdoor dining is great, food and sweet drinks serve as invitations to flies and other insects. To help keep pests away, serve food and drinks indoors. Guests can grab their plates, cups and cutlery; load up on delicious food and beverages; and head outdoors to enjoy a feast in the sun or under the moon.

If you do serve food outdoors, keep it in sealed

containers. Not only will this keep pests away, but it can also help keep your food fresher for longer. Use plant-based insecticides Nature has evolved powerful bug-fighting plants like lemongrass, mint and rosemary. When extracted, these botanicals can be incredibly effective at keeping bugs away from your guests. STEMTM, a pest control brand, offers a full line of products formulated with these botanicals, making them safe to use around people

Meet Nick

Nicholas Martinez whose lifelong love of the railroad has brought him to the Sunburst Train. As the manager, he over sees the operation and staff that help make the customer experience enjoyable. Nicholas’ almost 10 years of railroading experience including the former Fillmore & Western Railway and now Mendocino Railway, will help expand the operations in the future for the Sunburst Train.

and pets when used as directed. Packed with plantbased active ingredients, STEMTM insecticides effectively fight nature with nature without any added dye, fragrance or harsh chemical odor.

Invest in outdoor fans If you live in a hot and humid climate, gathering outdoors with guests can be a bit uncomfortable. This weather is also incredibly favorable to mosquitoes. To keep your guests cool and comfortable while keeping mosquitoes and other flying insects at bay, consider investing in outdoor fans. Using a long, grounded outdoor power cord, you can easily set up fans on your deck, patio or porches. Enjoy a little bit of a breeze while you brunch without bugs getting in the way. Install screens or netting If you have a covered patio or outdoor kitchen, you can install screens or netting to keep flying insects like mosquitoes away from your summer gathering. Guests can sit and enjoy food and conversation without insects settling on them or their meals.

Enjoy your personal slice of nature without worrying about getting bitten or bombarded by bugs. Using these five tips, you can comfortably host backyard get-togethers and help keep insects and other pests away from your summer fun. (BPT) 

HEALTH

Play-it-Safe Tips to Protect Young Athletes’ Feet, Ankles

In today’s competitive youth sports landscape, injuries are common, and when they do occur, young athletes are often pressured to play through the pain.

“The back-to-school season is prime time for foot and ankle injuries from fall sports like soccer, football and cross country,” says Richard Baker, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon and Fellow Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).

“Fortunately, there are many steps parents, coaches and young athletes can take to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place and to discourage kids from playing through pain.”

Here are eight play-it-safe tips from the foot and ankle surgeon members of ACFAS to help prevent injuries and to treat them properly when they do occur.

1. Get a pre-season checkup. A pre-season medical evaluation can

help identify whether your child could possibly benefit from using an orthotic or wearing a supportive ankle brace while playing. This is especially important for those with previ-

ous sprains and injuries.

2. Start the season with new shoes. Old shoes can wear down and become uneven, causing the ankle to tilt. And, as your child’s feet may have grown between seasons, their old shoes may not fit.

The smart move is to replace athletic shoes at the start of each season. While children under 10 should wear all-purpose sports shoes, older youth athletes should wear sport-specific footwear.

3. Train for the season. It’s important that your child’s feet and ankles are accustomed to the level of activity required for the sport. Adequate conditioning in the off-season can help maintain a player’s ability to meet these demands, reducing their risk of injury and improving their perfor-

mance during the season.

4. Encourage warmup exercises. Calf stretches and light jogging before competition help warm up ligaments and blood vessels, reducing injury risk.

5. Check fields for dips, divots and holes. Ninety percent of ankle sprains are due to poor playing conditions. That’s why some surgeons recommend walking the field, especially in non-professional settings like public parks, looking for spots that could catch a player’s foot. Alert coaching officials to any irregularities.

6. Watch their technique. A difference in the way your child is moving is often a tell-tale sign that something is wrong. Playing with pain is never a winning strategy so encourage kids to be honest about pain or discomfort.

7. Be mindful of other physical activities. Your child doesn’t need to be involved in a formalized athletic program to be vulnerable to sports-related injuries.

Foot and ankle surgeons warn of common injuries like plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, fractures and Achilles tendonitis due to repetitive, forceful motions, which can occur in activities such as skateboarding.

When skateboarding or engaged in other non-formal activities, always wear protective gear, including supportive shoes, and seek treatment when there is pain or injury.

8. Remember RICE. Often, an injured foot or ankle can be treated with rest, ice, compression and elevation. Those with foot or ankle pain should take a break from playing and allow time for recovery.

If pain persists, something more serious may be happening, such as cartilage injuries or broken bones in the foot. Consult a foot and ankle surgeon for a complete evaluation, proper diagnosis and treatment plan. The sooner rehabilitation starts, the sooner your child can safely get back into the game.

For more information on pediatric foot care or to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealth Facts.org, the patient education website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. (SPT) 

Navigating a Salary Negotiation

Women are vital components of the global workforce. Despite the contributions of women, Pew Research Center’s analysis of median hourly wages of both full- and part-time workers indicates that women earn less than their male counterparts — even when they’re doing the same work and have the same educational backgrounds.

The gender gap has remained relatively stable in the United States over the last 15 years, with women earning 84% of what men earned in 2020. Estimates indicate it would take a woman an extra 42 days of work to earn as much as a male colleague.

Salary negotiations can be intimidating for any employee. But for women already at an earnings deficit, such negotiations can be even more difficult. Here are some tips to make salary negotiations go more smoothly.

Speak Up

It would seem that any promotion would automatically come with a pay raise, but this is not always the case. When the time comes to consider taking a promotion, it is important to have a salary number in mind. Saying nothing may not earn you a raise, or your boss may not give you what you believe you deserve.

Do Your Research

Some jobs come with a standard pay rate across the board. These include government and civil service jobs, union jobs, or hourly positions. However, you can determine if a job is negotiable by researching data on sites such as Payscale and Glass-

door to figure out what positions are worth. Arming yourself with information makes you ready to present data supporting your salary demands.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

Even if an offer seems acceptable, it is alright to ask for more money, according to The Balance: Careers. A company may actually increase the base pay or offer other perks such as larger bonuses, stock options or full 401(k) matching.

Avoid ‘Imposter Syndrome’

Thoughts, beliefs and feelings can hold you back, especially when it comes to salary negotiations. Most professionals at some point in time experience what’s often referred to as “Imposter syndrome.” This is a name given by a team of psychologists in 1978 that referred to people who had difficulty acknowledging their achievements, although their peers respected them. Doubting capabilities, worrying about someone calling your skills “fake” or discounting your achievements are symptoms of imposter syndrome. Comparing yourself to others — especially those who are more advanced — may lead to uneasiness as well. Focus more positively on what you do at work and be proud of what you have achieved. This will help you sit more confidently in front of employers negotiating for your benefit.

Workers need to advocate for themselves and ask for salaries they believe are commensurate with their skill levels and positions. It can be daunting to negotiate for a better salary, but there are many ways to simplify such negotiations. (MC) 

ed that he didn’t believe it was possible.

By Dana Jackson

Q:I recently started rewatching the Netflix show “Suits,” the one Meghan Markle acted in before she married Prince Harry. Are they going to have new episodes or just reruns? —

K.L.

A“Suits” is the latest series to amass a huge audience after Netflix began making the original episodes available to its subscribers. It ran for nine seasons on the USA Network, ending in 2019, and was then made available to subscribers of Peacock and Amazon Prime Video. However, this past June, the streaming giant Netflix acquired it, and the ratings soared, making it “one of the biggest shows on the planet,” according to TVLine.

“Suits” is just one of several series that expanded its audience by millions once it hit Netflix. Other nota-

BOOK REVIEW

ble ones include “Lucifer” and “Manifest.” Gene Klein, executive producer of “Suits,” told TVLine that he’s not currently aware of any planned revival of the show with new scripts and new episodes (once the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild strikes get resolved), but that he wouldn’t be surprised if he got a call someday with a proposal. When asked if Markle would be among the returning cast members, he conclud-

BookTrib’s Bites

Radical Business

By David Gaines

Do you have, work for, or dream of starting a business or organization that positively impacts the world while also turning a profit? Here’s a blueprint for business owners and businesses to usher in a newer, practical form of doing business — learning more about what a social enterprise is and how it can apply to any business, employee, activist, consumer, or citizen.

Gaines provides real-life business insight with case studies of successful companies that have taken action to grow their profitability and positive impact. He provides actionable steps toward making a positive impact with in-depth analysis of supply chain, employee, customer, competitor, communal, and environmental interactions.

As the world rapidly changes, it needs more businesses that do good. Radical Business can help leave the world better than we found it.

The Diagnosis Diaries

By Susan Kelley

A frank, funny, and poignant book for anyone touched by chronic disease. Susan Kelley, a suc-

QIs it true that Katie Holmes was almost cast as the lead in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”? How many years was this before “Dawson’s Creek”? —

out of high school in real life and said it was “awful.” The part ended up being perfectly cast with actor Nicholas Brendon.

C.L.

AYes, according to a recent story by TV Insider, Katie Holmes is one of several now-famous stars who were almost part of the “Buffy” universe. This was around 1996, before “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” premiered on UPN the next year, but Holmes reportedly turned down the role because she chose to finish high school instead. Sarah Michelle Gellar was subsequently chosen, and it’s hard to imagine anyone other than her in the role. Meanwhile, in 1998, Holmes debuted as Joey on another series, “Dawson’s Creek,” and went on to become a big star in Hollywood.

Future A-lister Ryan Reynolds said he turned down the chance to play Buffy’s wisecracking pal Xander because he “didn’t want to play a guy in high school.” Reynolds had just come

QHow is Madonna doing after she nearly died a few months ago? Was she in a coma?

— H.H.

AMadonna was rushed to the hospital after being found unresponsive at her home on June 24. Fortunately, the singer-actress lived to see another day, but had to postpone her tour, which was set to launch a few weeks later. She spent several days in intensive care, where she was intubated for a serious bacterial infection, but she appears to have made a full recovery. She plans to reschedule her U.S. tour dates to follow the European leg of her tour, which begins in October.

Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Three Fascinating Reads from Business to PenPals

move forward. Here’s an honest, courageous, and brilliantly comic account about one woman’s real-life challenges to face a life-changing diagnosis.

Soulmates & Strangers

By Judith Umlas

Soulmates & Strangers takes the reader on an intimate journey of two soulmates who first connected as teens and remained kindred spirits for the rest of their lives.

cessful author of humor and relationship books and veteran of the talk show circuit – including an appearance on Oprah, until recently she was living with her artist husband between homes in Florence and Sarasota. Susan thought she was invincible. Then she fell off a train, and had other bad falls. Searching for answers, she started to chronicle her journey with no idea what could be causing the problem.

She saw doctors and specialists. Her often-amusing and always frustrating quest led to a definitive diagnosis – a progressive condition with no treatment or cure. Now she had to figure out how to

Before email or Facetime, Sylvia, a 15-year-old girl from the Bronx, connected with a pen pal named Claudia, from Lyon, France. Their writings to one another preserve a precious time in the past while inspiring generations of the future.

This is the heart-warming book based on the packet of letters treasured and saved by the French pen pal from her American friend. In this moving memoir, the reader is taken on a journey of discovery with two teenagers as they experience food and housing shortages during World War II, the early Hollywood film industry, an exchange of magazines, recipes, and poetry, and descriptions of their lives and loves over 60 years.

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

Katie Holmes (“Dawson’s Creek”) ©Depositphotos

Furry Friends Can Cause Distracted Driving

Summer is winding down, school is starting and we may be finding ourselves doing more of those short trips around town. Those trips likely include the family’s fourlegged friends.

While we love having them near, dogs aren’t always safe passengers. A recent poll commissioned by Selective Insurance, a leading home, auto and business insurance carrier, found that in the past 12 months, dogs caused a majority of drivers to be distracted on U.S. roadways.

The study, conducted online by The Harris Poll, found that of licensed drivers who over the last 12 months drove with their dogs, 91% admitted to interacting with them while driving, including interactions requiring the driver to take their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road. Forty-eight percent acknowledged that they are more distracted when their dog is in the vehicle than when it is not.

“We love our dogs. However, some of their behaviors in the car, such as sitting on drivers’ laps, jumping between seats, or sticking their heads out the window, divert drivers’ attention from operating a vehicle,” said Scott Smith, vice president and director of Safety Management at Selective Insurance. “To help keep our roads safe, drivers need to minimize distractions. That means our beloved pet

passengers should be restrained in the back seat, and if they need tending, drivers should first pull over to a safe place.”

Help minimize driving distractions in your vehicle with these tips from Selective Insurance:

Ride in the Back Have your dog ride in the back seat and consider using a partition between the front and back seats.

Seatbelts Use a dog seatbelt, safety harness or an-

chored crate to prevent distractions and provide your dog with some protection if there is an accident.

A significant 70% of licensed drivers who recently drove with their dogs say their dogs were unrestrained in the vehicle. Yet, 82% of drivers who recently drove with their dogs agree that having an unrestrained dog in a moving vehicle can distract the driver.

Not using a restraint is risky and could put you in violation of the law. Some states have animal restraint laws for vehicles to help keep drivers safe and focused.

However, only 24% of licensed drivers who recently drove with their dogs say they are very familiar with such laws in their state. That’s compared to 34% who say they didn’t know these laws existed.

For additional survey findings, along with tips to keep roadways safe and K-9 companions secure, visit Selective.com. For survey methodology, visit selective.com.

“There are likely more pets in homes, especially since the pandemic, said Smith. “Drivers should understand the risks associated with taking them along for the ride,” said Smith. (SPT) 

© HUMONIA / ISTOCK VIA GETTY IMAGES PLUS.

SOLUTIONS

Trump’s Fate Obvious

I have consistently stated that Donald Trump is a corrupt, immoral, and incompetent individual.

It has been obvious since Jan. 6, 2021, that he is likely to be indicted and prosecuted for criminal acts associated with (the riot at the Capitol).

Then we learned of the Mara-Lago documents fiasco. That resulted in a Department of Justice indictment unsealed on June 7. I read the indictment. It is clearly damaging to Trump.

Trump’s behavior will surely result in a felony conviction.

Clearly, Donald Trump has no idea how important it is to protect our nation’s secrets.

He has compromised intelligence information from our allies and about our enemies. Contrast that with his 2016 campaign speeches that accused Hillary Clinton of mishandling classified information on her home computer.

He promised that if elected he would protect our secrets. He lied. He always lies.

Now there are Republican politicians who are circling the wagons and accusing the DOJ of weaponizing federal law enforcement. They are pandering to the segment of the Trump Cult, which still controls the Republican Party. They should read the indictment. As should all Americans.

Republicans need to find a new candidate to run for president in 2024.

If not, the GOP will be fortunate to survive this mess.

Thomas Oatway Valencia

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

Can We Move Toward Ethical Unity?

By David Hegg

On the official seal of The United States of America there stands a Latin phrase that also appears on the official seals of the president, vice president, both houses of Congress, and the Supreme Court. It is simple and yet profound: e pluribus unum

Originally meant to demonstrate the unity of several states as one nation, it increasingly reminds us that this one nation is comprised of people from many different races, religions, countries and ancestral history.

In fact, this grand idea, that differences could be overcome in favor of a shared and noble purpose, lies at the very heart of the American experiment.

President Abraham Lincoln, in his famous address at Gettysburg, made the serious point that the war in which our nation was then engaged raised the question as to whether “that nation, or any nation so conceived” could last.

He realized that a democracy of the people, by the people, and for the people could only endure if America was united around a common purpose and set of values. The maintenance of unity in the very midst of great diversity demands a mutual commitment to live for something greater than selfishness, as well as a radical determination to live peaceably with those with whom we disagree.

I believe that, were Lincoln alive today, he very well might suggest that the divisiveness so apparent in our land is testing our union even more than his war.

While it has always been the case that political dialogue and disagreement have been robust in our country, they have consistently been carried out with the understanding that all involved were honestly trying to preserve and protect our nation’s best interests. Honor and duty were considered to trump self-centered desire, and at the end of the day, our union was preserved through our unity.

Regardless of our views, we all held to the same basic principles at the end of the day.

But increasingly we are seeing that allegiance to these principles is deteriorating. We are losing the moral core out of which both civility and unity grow.

Whoever would have considered that one day our nation would legalize the destruction of a child in the womb? Who among our founders would have considered that their progeny would have to defend marriage as between one man and one woman? Which of the framers of the Constitution could foresee that the government would one day curtail the ability of citizens to own firearms? Who among them would countenance the notion that the government would consistently spend more than it took in?

And which of them would have suggested that the government could penalize opposing groups for their views,

or secretly spy on representatives of the media charged to hold that government responsible for their actions?

Fundamentally, a lack of consistent ethical belief lies at the foundation of unethical action.

While our citizenry continues to debate these issues, the real issue is ethical. The reason our nation is sliding down the slippery slope of pragmatism is that we’ve largely severed ourselves from any authority other than the desire for personal happiness.

As individuals we are so addicted to our own significance and happiness that we’ve lost sight of the fact that our shared mission is larger than any of us. “We, the people” has been replaced by “Me, the priority” and the danger of this monumental shift is being played out almost everywhere we look.

There is one place, however, where the virtue called self-sacrifice still lifts its head occasionally. We see it when tragedy strikes.

It was obvious on 9-11, in the aftermath of Sandy Hook, Newtown, Boston, Parkland and Uvalde. It happens when a child is lost and the village unites in the common cause of finding a lost lamb. It happens when hurricanes and earthquakes devastate a region and our screens are filled with ordinary people forsaking comfort to find and assist both neighbors and strangers in trouble.

For a few days we forget our struggles and strife, and come together to do something noble. And we experience e pluribus unum.

So, why do we wait until tragedy strikes? Why can’t we learn now what tragedy makes clear? Why can’t we agree fundamentally that life is precious, and people matter more than policies or programs? And why can’t we hold on to the deep truth that giving and serving and loving and upholding right and wrong are what make a life worthwhile?

And why don’t we realize that our lives only have meaning if there is truth to the statement, “In God We Trust?”

I believe we should attempt to push back the advance of “me first” thinking. Ultimately, it is self-destructive, and already it is draining the reservoir of American morality. And while we can’t do everything, we can do something. And what we can do, we should do. And what we should do, “with a firm reliance upon the protection of divine Providence,” we will do. May God bless America.

Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays. 