Category: current events

  • Back to the Roller Window Shades?

    Back to the Roller Window Shades?

    I just heard about the new regulation banning cords on window shades. I didn’t know that window cords were so dangerous. We recently moved into our new house and need window coverings. We’ve had corded window coverings (mostly blinds) for years wherever we moved. I guess we’ll have to consider other options. This reminds me…

  • FDA Approves Updated Covid-19 Vaccines to Better Protect Against Currently Circulating Variants

    FDA Approves Updated Covid-19 Vaccines to Better Protect Against Currently Circulating Variants

    On August 22, 2024, the FDA authorized new Covid-19 vaccines (2024-2025) “to include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the Omicron variant KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been updated with this formula to more closely target currently circulating variants and provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization…

  • Thoughts on the Homeless Mentally Ill

    Thoughts on the Homeless Mentally Ill

    The homeless man who lives on the sidewalk outside our hotel reminds me of a couple of things. One is Dr. Gerard Clancy, MD who is University of Iowa Health Care Professor of Psychiatry, Professor of Emergency Medicine, and Senior Associate Dean of External Affairs. I remember Gerry, who was in the department of psychiatry…

  • Alcohol is Bad for Old Guys

    Alcohol is Bad for Old Guys

    I took a quick peek at the study published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that a few news agencies are reporting on which says alcohol in moderation is bad for older persons. So much for moderation. Actually, the full abstract is: Ortolá R, Sotos-Prieto M, García-Esquinas E, Galán I, Rodríguez-Artalejo F. Alcohol Consumption Patterns…

  • Thoughts About Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy

    Thoughts About Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy

    I read the Psychiatric Times article “FDA Issues CRL to Lykos for MDMA-Assisted Therapy.” The short story is that the FDA essentially told the drug company Lykos that their study of the efficacy of MDMA-assisted treatment of PTSD needs more work. I tried to wade through the on-line documents of the FDA’s meeting on June…

  • CDC Covid Information

    CDC Covid Information

    Often, I see news agency headlines claiming to have insider information about what’s going on with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), FDA, etc. I respect the opinions of others about government agencies. On the other hand, I like to get information straight from the horse’s mouth. With that in mind, here’s what the CDC…

  • Art in the Parks So Far 2024

    Art in the Parks So Far 2024

    We were driving by the Terry Trueblood Trail on July 28th and Sena noticed there was a new sculpture. We’ve been on the lookout for the new Art in the Parks collection since the announcement in May. The anticipated opening date is August 7, 2024, but it looks like the artists are already getting started.…

  • The Hotel Gets Busy Handing Out Faux Cufflinks!

    The Hotel Gets Busy Handing Out Faux Cufflinks!

    Several days ago, a large wedding guest caravan arrived at the hotel. Fascinating group. The line of people checking in could have stretched outside beyond the front door.  There was this guy who was there for the wedding, but arrived without cufflinks. So, he asked the front desk to help him out. They gave him…

  • Cribbage Tournament at Iowa State Fair Again This Year!

    Cribbage Tournament at Iowa State Fair Again This Year!

    The Iowa State Fair will again have the Cribbage Tournament this year! It’s on August 18 (the last day of the fair) from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m at the Oman Family Youth Inn. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m.

  • Happy 4th of July!

    Happy 4th of July!

    Here’s wishing everybody a safe and happy 4th of July!