Almost 91-year-old Connie Wimer went skydiving on September 10th to support Above + Beyond Cancer. Within the past month, 18 Central Iowa business leaders philanthropy, health, government and more tandem parachuted. Because of this more than $123,000 has been raised to support cancer survivors, families and caretakers. Connie was quoted in the article written by Nicole Grundmeier. The quote stated this strong inspiration,

“Every time you take a risk of any kind, you grow stronger and more confident – therefore more comfortable taking the next risk,” Connie Wimer gives the advice.

Then the article changes pase and asks a question which I think is a good use of space as it causes the reader to do some self reflection. The question is,

“How can women get started taking risks if they’ve never taken risks previously? How do you personally distinguish between a calculated risk and a foolish one?“

The news article is now changing into a self reflection page and encourages women to take more calculate risks and in return become more fearless and resilient. The risk that is foolish is one taken without any knowledge about the risk itself. Risks need to be thought out and taken often to build strength.

The ending paragraph I love because it shoots to inspire women to take risks. When Connie was asked to skydive for a charity and immediately said yes we wonder how she acquired such assertion and confidence. She said that it comes from taking lots of risks throughout her lifetime and most of them turned out and the ones that did not she learned from.

“Statistically, I think skydiving is relatively safe – maybe safer than driving on the interstate?” we are left with this ending quote that throws a big call to action at the readers which I liked because the reading is not like stagnant water leaving us dull and empty. The article flows from action into a to call to action and one feels good after reading the inspiring story. It also leaves one with hope for the long future ahead of them as Connie Wimer accomplished this great feat as an almost 91 year old. Connie being one of the first women to pave the way for women in leadership roles in Iowa. She leads the way for others to take risks.

Casey Kruger worked all summer, late May until early August, as a server at a restaurant named Ollie & Hobbes. Some odd week in July Casey served three British tables in one week. He thought it was strange and wondered if there was some kind of convention going on. He thought it was strange that of all places they were in Omaha Nebraska. With the last British table he served he asked them why they were in Nebraska and he found out that they were visiting a medical center known for specializations.

“The couple came across the world,” Casey pointed out. “It was cool because it opened my view, I forget there is more than corn here,” Casey said. When ask what his favorite part of his job was Casey exclaimed “the instant money,” he gets cash in his pocket at the end of each night from receiving tips which he really likes.

Instead of using pen and paper like most places Casey used a tablet which made his job easier he thinks. It’s a craft kitchen and it was easy for Casey to know the menu because of the tablets. He found this job after his mom recommended it to him and he applied for it on indeed. He it technically still employed so he can work for holiday breaks or anytime he likes to go home and he can make more of the “instant money.”

Two men wearing ski masks robbed a store at 450 Stanley Street last night and they were armed. Barney Joseph Jr. 43 years old the owner was held at gunpoint by one robber and the other robber emptied the cash register. The time was approximately 8:30pm. The men left in a car that was parked with the motor running on the curb.

Joseph had a pistol under the counter but decided not to use it. The robbery was over in less than a minute. The reasons he did not resist are attributed because more than 25 years ago Joseph’s father was held at gunpoint and resisted and was shot to death. Joseph had this in mind when he did not resist. Because after all ones life is not worth $382.65.

According to the SIOUX CITY JOURNAL, Police released video footage Monday of a high school band director getting tased after he refused to have his band stop playing. The high school football game in Birmingham Alabama had gotten over and the band directors of each team were prompted by police to conclude their playing. The home team stopped and the opposing team continued. The director ended up in prison later that night. The altercation occurred at the end of the Thursday football game between Minor High School and Jackson-Olin High School.

There was an over exaggeration of power. The video shows officers approach Minor band director Johnny Mims as the band plays in the stands after the game. Mims was asked several times to stop his band but refused. Mims continues to direct the band and replies to the officer, “get out of my face.” He tells the officers, “We’re fixing to go. This is their last song.”

There should be no debate whether Mims was right or wrong in continuing to play. The taser simply should never have been drawn in front of his students. The altercation grasped attention on a national level as there was an alarming abuse of power. The situation should have been deescalated but instead a man was unable to practice his civil rights.

SIOUX CITY JOURNAL

Our world is increasingly having a higher number of people living with memory issues such as dementia. Dr. Mario Mendez was asked this question, the natural wonder of “am I losing it?” memory that is. Dr. Mario Mendez, director of behavioral neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at U.C.L.A. explains it this way in a New York Times article. Memory changes, he says.

In a study of nearly 50,000 people, researchers found that short term memory peaks around age 25. “But starting in your fifties,” Dr. Mendez said, “the part of your brain in charge of memory is less efficient.” This is significant because there is an increasing number of people living with dementia in the United States as the demographic of people becomes older.

“Dementia is a disease of the mind that affects every day activities and the ability to perform daily activities,” the World Health Organization explains. The World Health Organization expands on the subject and says that there are currently more than 55 million people worldwide that have dementia every year there are nearly 10 million more cases. Dementia is also the 7th leading cause of death and is one of the major causes of dependency and disability in older adults.

Medical News Today explains that “sedentary habits can increase the risk of dementia.” When you sit for more than ten hours a day you increase the risk of dementia the studies have shown. Sedentary lifestyles also increase the risk for diabetes. Being sedentary also increases the risk for cardiovascular issues as well.

A lifestyle that is full of activity will lead to lower blood pressure. Health of the cardiovascular system is linked to lower risks of dementia. Though the world is aging because people are living longer, we know of ways that we can help our loved ones continue to be autonomous and independent. Daily walks and hobbies like horseback riding and golfing are all ways of staying mentally sharp. So whether you are young or old knowing what dementia is and how to combat it are valuable pieces of applicable information. 

Wednesday September 13th commenced an event that aims to connect Siouxland, A story that the Sioux City Journal covers. Celebrate Siouxland is the Latin American festival event that has many opportunities for connections of all ages. A Mexican bingo night was held Wednesday the 13th, a parade will be held Friday the 15th down Dakota Avenue. A Unity in Action staff member, Olga Guevara, said that “There will be bands, floats and participation from many South Sioux City businesses during the parade.” To top it all off there will be on Sunday the 17th a grand closing of the festivities at the Jeffrey Dible Soccer Complex.

The grand closing is a family festival at its core. The family festival is really an opportunity to connect those latin and otherwise non-latin folks. This event will coordinate live music, cultural latin dances, kids zones, arts and crafts, as well as many food trucks taking the opportunity to share their cuisine with the crowds.

All in all this festival gets us out of our comfort zones. Out of our bubbles. Into the streets. Something we all must do to be neighborly. There is the chance for stories to be told, food to be shared and livelihoods to be upheld.

How do we discuss memory issues with a doctor when memory is the issue? This is a question that is being asked by many. Dr. Mario Mendez was asked this question, the natural wonder of “am I losing it?” memory that is. Dr. Mario Mendez, director of behavioral neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at U.C.L.A. explains it this way. Memory changes, he says.

In a study of nearly 50,000 people, researchers found that short term memory peaks around age 25. “But starting in your fifties,” Dr. Mendez said, “the part of your brain in charge of memory is less efficient.”  

Understanding the normal and abnormal characteristics of memory is essential if you want to understand cognitive change. Some people have memory issues at different parts of their life. 48,537 online participants have been analyzed through IQ tests and memory tests. Being less on top of things is different from impairment. However thousands of Americans are living with dementia every day and just don’t know it. 

The sharpness of the mind is like a blade. It needs to be sharpened as it is used.

Forgetting someone’s name or your dorm keys is many times seen as an inconvenient malfunction of the brain. It is simply not. There is so much information being input every day that forgetting is just a natural function of the brain. The brain can only hold so much information some must be dumped.

THERE ARE WAYS TO STAY SHARP

Even though memory changes through life inevitably, there is still good reason to work to keep a sharp memory. Instead of novel tricks like reciting the alphabet to remember a name there are a few core lifestyle changes that can be intergrated. Such as limiting multi-tasking, lowering stress, and sleeping well are all key factors

So to answer the question: How do we discuss memory issues with a doctor when memory is the issue? Don’t be afraid to reach out. To anyone. 

At the height of Danny Masterson’s career in the sitcom he is best known for, “That ’70s Show,” he raped two women more than 20 years ago and is now facing 30 years to life in prison.

“The body is a relentless witness,” one of the accusers spoke of the lastling impact Masterson’s actions have had on them. N. Trout, said in a statement that was read aloud in the courtroom on Thursday. “When you raped me you stole from me,” she said. “That is what rape is, a theft of the spirit.”

The rape may have taken place over 20 years ago but the evidence is convicting. Women need to begin to understand that their voices can be heard though time has gone on. This case and the fact that the perpetrator was found guilty though he is an icon shows that rape victims will be heard.

Yesterday in Sioux City Iowa the east dakota highway patrol ordered hand held radar guns in order to do their jobs but studies say they could develop cancer from the exposure. Admm Smith says there will be procoussions taken and a ban made that affects 70 radar guns that will be withdrawn and will no longer be in service. State troopers will continue to use radar guns mounted on the side of their cruisers.

The unravelling of a celestial delight took place last night, August 30, 2023. A once-in-a-century happening. This will not take place again until 2037. The term, “Super Blue Moon”, refers to a super moon and a blue moon combination. This is when the earth’s natural satellite, the moon, reaches its closest point to the earth.

Many students at Morningside were inside working at this time on reading assignments or typing away at their writing. The Super Blue Moon serves as a light in the darkness of these busy and rambunctious times of starting school up again. The 30th, Wednesday night, marked exactly one week of Morningside’s classes starting back up.

Many photographers took advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime event and captured hundreds of breathtaking photos. Astronomy junkies also set out, particularly for the sights. Morningside’s beautiful campus had many locations for the splendid view perfect for this extravaganza.