Staff Reporter

Health Care Genesis Health Sys | Healthcare & Nurse Jobs

February 28, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Health Care Genesis Health System Nursing Assistant (Multiple Openings) Position Duties: Resident Personal Care: dressing / undressing; bathing; oral hygiene; grooming; toileting or bedpan / catheter bag change; collection of stool/urine specimen. Resident Physical Care: transfer in / out of bed, wheelchair, etc.; exercise; back rub; placement of supportive pad or protectors; assist fallen residents. Resident Medical Care: weigh Resident; take vital signs; external eye cleansing; apply warm / cold packs; report any change in condition to supervising physician or nurse; chart; Resident information; give input on care plan; answer call light; provide hospice care. Resident Home Care: distribute meal trays; feed Residents; distribute / gather utensils; collect / distribute linens and clothing; change bedding; tidy Residents bedstands, closets, and rooms; empty linen barrels; clean wet floors and disinfect bathtubs. Will work full-time at one of the employer’s healthcare facilities. The nursing assistant will not oversee any employee; LPN and / or CNAs. Employees may be required to work at unanticipated locations. Rate of pay: $28,163. Where to report: 1227 E. Rusholme St., Davenport, IA 52803.

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exercise air pollution: How exercising during even moderate air pollution levels can harm your brain

February 28, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Work out in polluted air and you may miss out on some of the brain benefits of exercise, according to two, large-scale new studies of exercise, air quality and brain health. The studies found that, most of the time, people who ran and rode vigorously had larger brain volumes and lower risks for dementia than their less active peers. But if people exercised in areas with even moderate levels of air pollution, the expected brain improvements from exercise almost disappeared.

The new studies raise questions about how to balance the undeniable health gains of working out with the downsides of breathing in bad air and underscore that our environment can change what exercise does — and does not do — for our bodies.

A large body of evidence demonstrates that, on the whole, exercise bulks up our brains. In studies, active people generally sport more gray matter in many parts of their brains than sedentary people. Gray matter is made up of the brain’s essential, working neurons. Fit people also tend to have healthier white matter, meaning the cells that support and connect neurons. White matter often frays with age, shrinking and developing Swiss-cheese-like lesions even in healthy adults. But fit people’s white matter shows fewer and smaller lesions.

Partially as a consequence of these brain changes, exercise is strongly linked with lower risks for dementia and other memory problems with age.

But air pollution has the opposite effects on brains. In a 2013 study, for example, old-age people living in areas with high levels of air pollution showed bedraggled white matter on brain scans and tended to develop higher rates of mental decline than older people living elsewhere. And in a 2021 study of rats housed in cages placed near a heavily trafficked, exhaust-clogged road tunnel in Northern California, most of those bred with a predisposition to a rodent analogue of Alzheimer’s disease soon developed dementia. But so did another set of rats with no genetic inclination to the disease.

Few studies, though, had explored how exercise and air pollution might interact inside our skulls and whether working out in smoggy air would protect our brains from noxious fumes or undermine the good we otherwise gain from working out.

So, for the first of the new studies, published in January in Neurology, researchers at the University of Arizona and University of Southern California pulled records for 8,600 middle-aged adults enrolled in the UK Biobank. A huge trove of health and lifestyle records, the Biobank holds information on more than 500,000 British adults, such as their ages, home locations, socioeconomic status, genomes and extensive health data. Some of the participants also completed brain scans and wore activity monitors for a week to track their exercise habits.

The researchers focused on those who had worn a monitor, had a brain scan and, according to their trackers, often exercised vigorously, such as by running, which meant they breathed heavily during workouts. The heavier you breathe, the more air pollutants you draw in. The researchers also included some people who never worked out vigorously, for comparison.

Using established air quality models, they then estimated air pollution levels where the people lived and, finally, compared everyone’s brain scans.

Disappearing Benefits
As expected, vigorous exercise was linked, in general, to sturdy brain health. Men and women who lived and presumably worked out in areas with little air pollution showed relatively large amounts of gray matter and low incidence of white matter lesions, compared to people who never exercised hard. And the more they exercised, the better their brains tended to look.

But any beneficial associations almost disappeared when exercisers lived in areas with even moderate air pollution. (Levels in this study were mostly within the bounds considered acceptable for health by European and American air quality standards.) Their gray matter volume was smaller and white matter lesions more numerous than among people living and exercising away from pollution, even if their workouts were similar.

Extending these findings in a second, follow-up study published in February in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the same scientists repeated aspects of this experiment with another 35,562 older UK Biobank participants, comparing people’s exercise habits, local pollution levels and diagnoses of dementia, if any. The data showed the more people exercised, the less likely they were to develop dementia over time — provided their local air was clear. When it was moderately polluted, though, they had an increased long-term risk of dementia, whether they exercised or not.

‘Alarming’ Finding

“These data are of significant importance in terms of our understanding of modifiable risk factors for brain aging,” said Pamela Lein, a professor of neurotoxicity at the University of California, Davis, who led the earlier study of rats and pollution. She was not involved with the new studies. “The observation that air pollution negates the well-established beneficial effects of exercise on brain health is alarming and increases the urgency for developing more-effective regulatory policies” related to air quality.

The studies have limitations. They are observational and show links between exercise, pollution and brain health, but cannot prove that bad air directly counteracts the brain benefits of exercise, or how this might occur. They also did not look into where people worked out, only that some lived in places with iffy air.

But the results do intimate that the quality of the air influences the results of the workout and that for the sake of our brains, we should try not to exercise in bad air, said David Raichlen, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Southern California and co-author of the new studies.

Boosting Brain Health

In practice, a number of measures may help to bolster the brain benefits of exercise, experts say.

— “Stay away from busy highways, if at all possible,” Raichlen said. Automobile exhausts are among the worst pollutants for human health.

— Check local conditions at airnow.gov, which uses the color-coded Air Quality Index to rate air quality by ZIP code. Most weather apps also include the local AQI. Aim to workout in air quality rated as Green, which is Good. Air quality changes throughout the day, so check back in a few hours if conditions seem unfavorable at first.

— Working out indoors may be no better. “The available evidence suggests pollution levels indoors are about the same as those outside,” Raichlen said, unless a building, such as a gym, has installed extensive air filtration systems. Pollutants can readily enter buildings through open doors or windows or cracks in the structure, and the government doesn’t routinely monitor indoor air quality. You can learn more at the Environmental Protection Agency website.

— Masking might help. Both surgical and N95 masks filter some unhealthy particulates, such as soot and other matter, said Melissa Furlong, an environmental public health researcher at the University of Arizona and co-author of the two studies. “If you don’t mind wearing a mask while exercising,” she said, “this would likely result in a reduction of exposure to particulates.”

— Most important, keep exercising. Exercise has multiple benefits for cardiovascular health, and “we do not want to discourage people from being physically active,” Raichlen said, even if air conditions are not ideal. In the new studies, the brains of people who exercised in polluted air looked no better, he pointed out — but their brains were also no worse than those of people who did not exercise at all.

So, if your only opportunity to exercise is with some pollution hanging in the air, don a mask and go. Then check your local AQI forecast to look for clearer conditions in the future. The better the air quality is around you as you exercise, Raichlen said, the better the workout will be for your brain.

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Even in water-rich Michigan, no guarantee of enough for all | News, Sports, Jobs

February 28, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Dale Buist stands beside a large water tank inside his commercial greenhouse in Allendale Township, Mich., on Feb. 1, 2022. It’s part of a system he installed to capture rainwater for his plants after irrigation wells did poorly. Some homeowners, farmers and developers have reported shortages of groundwater in the township and surrounding Ottawa County. Experts say the problem results from rising demand and a geological quirk that prevents rainfall from recharging groundwater. (AP Photo/John Flesher)

AP Environmental Writer

ALLENDALE — Dale Buist knew running a commercial greenhouse would pose challenges. He just never expected a water shortage to be among them. Not in Michigan, with its vast aquatic riches.

Yet a couple of irrigation wells yielded only a trickle. And one quickly ran dry.

He installed equipment to capture rainwater for the plants. Then a drinking water well failed. Finally, Buist spent $350,000 connecting to a pipeline that supplies nearby Grand Rapids.

Adam Elenbaas, supervisor of Allendale Township, Mich., stands near the township’s water tower on Feb. 1, 2022. Some homeowners, farmers and developers have reported shortages of groundwater in the township and surrounding Ottawa County in recent years. Experts say the problem results from rising demand and a geological quirk that prevents rainfall from recharging groundwater. (AP Photo/John Flesher)

“My greenhouse sits 12 miles from Lake Michigan, one of the greatest sources of fresh water in the world,” the Ottawa County grower said. “And I didn’t have enough.”

His struggle, resulting from a geological quirk and heavy demand from farmers, developers and homeowners in a surging section of southwest Michigan, is a cautionary tale for a state counting on its reputation as a water paradise to be a competitive economic advantage as climate change afflicts hotter, drier regions.

Some futurists depict Michigan and the Great Lakes as “climate havens” that will lure people and businesses weary of worsening drought, wildfire, hurricanes and other disasters. Not so fast, skeptics say. Amid images of abundance lurk problems with pollution, overuse and deteriorating infrastructure.

Outsiders “see these five enormous lakes and assume there’s more than enough water for everybody,” said David Dempsey, an environmental analyst for government agencies and activist groups. “But we have tons of unresolved problems.”

BLUE-ECONOMY

BLUES

The Great Lakes region is striving to shed its worn out Rust Belt image by developing a “blue economy” that leverages its abundant fresh water. Around the lakes, many cities are promoting water-based tourism and technologies while converting urban riverfronts from industrial wastelands to parks and condominiums.

The strategy would seem especially suited to Michigan. Surrounded on three sides by four of the Great Lakes, it also boasts 11,000 inland lakes and 76,000 miles of rivers and streams.

“We are a state geographically and culturally defined by our water,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said at a conference last year.

But clean, affordable water isn’t as available as it seems.

Lead pollution has made the cities of Flint and Benton Harbor symbols of neglect disproportionately harming poor, largely minority communities.

Water bills are soaring in some areas as infrastructure deteriorates, a recent University of Michigan study found.

Toxic chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, contaminate wells around the state. Industrial waste, farm runoff and sewage trigger algae blooms and prompt occasional warnings about swimming in the lakes or eating too many of their fish.

And while Michigan does not share the growing crisis with depleted reservoirs and aquifers that haunts the West, that situation may be about to change — at least in high-demand areas.

The reason: Despite all that surface water, nearly half of Michigan’s residents get their supplies from underground. The state has the most household wells in the U.S.

Collectively, the Great Lakes region is believed to have enough groundwater to fill another Lake Huron. But it isn’t evenly distributed or accessible.

“This resource is vast but it’s finite and the public isn’t aware of that,” said David Lusch, a geography professor emeritus with Michigan State University. “We’ve all grown up with this bias that we’re the water wonderland and how could we possibly have a shortage?”

Glaciers that scoured the landscape before melting to form the Great Lakes left a jumble of subsurface rock formations, some holding more water than others, said John Yellich, director of the Michigan Geological Survey. Where soils are rich with sand and gravel, rain oozes deep underground, replacing water sucked out for irrigation, industry or home uses.

But in spots, thick clay prevents surface water from replenishing aquifers. Heavy pumping can send levels perilously low — and draw up salty remnants of oceans that covered the continent eons ago.

Michigan is behind on detailed mapping of its underground waters, so the extent of its vulnerability is unknown, Yellich said.

“For some parts of the state it’s a crapshoot,” he said.

In at least one place, the danger is clear.

SO CLOSE,

YET SO FAR

Ottawa is the fastest growing county in Michigan and Allendale Township its boomtown — a Grand Rapids bedroom community home to Grand Valley State University. The main thoroughfare is lined with chain restaurants and stores. The Grand River, longest statewide, winds toward Lake Michigan past blueberry farms and cornfields mingled with newer subdivisions.

As Buist battled balky greenhouse wells, local officials juggled reports of salty irrigation water from farmers and spotty supplies in residential developments. Studies found the clay-topped aquifer below had plummeted 40 feet since the 1990s, said Paul Sachs, county director of strategic impact.

It’s a sore point for Chip Rybicki, a fifth-grade teacher whose family was first to occupy a new cul-de-sac in next-door Blendon Township five years ago.

“Nobody said, ‘Hey, do you realize there’s a lack of groundwater and you’re on a well?’” he lamented.

As his lawn sprinkler ran one summer day in 2019, “I heard this spitting and sputtering … like when you go down to the bottom of a glass with a straw,” he said.

“We were running out of water.”

He cut back on sprinkling — “I’d rather have an eyesore than no water” — but many others haven’t.

“People say, ‘Hey, I’m not watering that much,’ but add up thousands of homes and it’s a lot,” said Kelly Rice, president of the Ottawa parks commission.

She has defeated several citations alleging violation of rural “noxious weed” and road vision ordinances after replacing water-gorging turf grass with native shrubs on her 5 acres.

A county plan warns of dire consequences unless things change: dry wells; crop failures; health problems from drinking water with excess sodium.

An advisory board is considering policies such as limiting well-dependent subdivisions, which might encounter resistance in the Republican-heavy county where Donald Trump received 60% support in 2020.

But an Allendale ordinance already requires that new residential projects connect to city water. Residents “will appreciate it when they turn on the faucet,” township Supervisor Adam Elenbaas said.

ONLY THE

BEGINNING?

Some other parts of Michigan have geology like Ottawa County’s and “the potential is there for similar issues,” said Jim Milne, a water supervisor with the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

Demand is rising, particularly where farms are stepping up irrigation.

“Groundwater is a natural resource in peril,” Michigan academics and regulators said in an October report arguing for more protection from overuse and pollution.

Inland communities that run short can’t count on a bailout from the Great Lakes. They supply nearly 300 of the state’s public water systems — but mostly in coastal areas. Pipeline projects are very expensive and must meet rigorous environmental standards. Instead, experts recommend persuading people to take conservation seriously.

“Marketing the blue economy is a good idea,” said Alan Steinman, a Grand Valley State water quality professor. “But we don’t want to go the way of the lumber barons who said they saw a century’s worth of timber in Michigan and wiped it out in 10 years.”

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Cloud Connected Product Gives Homeowners Indoor Air Quality Peace of Mind | 2022-02-28

February 28, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Cloud Connected Product Gives Homeowners Indoor Air Quality Peace of Mind | 2022-02-28 | ACHR News

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The no-fail houseplant | News, Sports, Jobs

February 28, 2022 by Staff Reporter

The use of houseplants is an excellent, yet inexpensive way to enhance and beautify a living and / or work space.

For that reason, I enjoy giving plants as gifts. More than once after gifting a plant, the recipient expressed fear of doom for the plant followed by the wish for an easy plant they might not kill. Enter Pothos, the easy-care houseplant that has great chances for survival and success even for those who only wish for a green thumb.

Pothos (epipremnum aureum) is native to the Society Islands of French Polynesia and has the nickname devil’s ivy. It is so named because of the plants’ sturdy nature, its rapid vinelike growth and ability to tolerate drought conditions due to the occasional forgotten watering. NASA lists pothos as one of the top two plants to clean indoor air, which is another good reason to include plants in indoor spaces.

• Appearance — A vining, trailing habit of smooth, waxy, shiny medium to dark green often variegated leaves. The vines, with patience, can grow as long as 6 to 10 feet. Pothos can be used in hanging planters or can be trained to climb.

• Light — Pothos adapts well to filtered sunlight, indirect and low light environments as well. It does like bright light, but the plant does not like direct or strong sunlight. It does not like cold or cool drafts. It grows well in office spaces without windows and other areas with reduced or florescent lighting.

• Water –Allow the top inch of soil to dry in between watering. After watering, ensure the plant saucer does not retain water leading to soggy roots, diseases and pests. This tropical plant likes the moisture and humidity of bathroom areas.

• Soil — Pothos will thrive in any potting soil. Repot when needed into a pot 1 1/2 to 2 inches larger, especially if root bound.

This almost fail proof plant is easy going, no fuss, little care, adaptable to most if not all living and work areas, making it one of the easiest care houseplants around. Pick one up today from almost anywhere that sells houseplants, from your favorite plant store to the local grocery store.

For details on pothos and philodendron, go to http://go.osu.edu/pothos

Smith is an Ohio State University Mahoning County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.

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Kuching Archbishop’s Lenten message: Pray, Fast, Give

February 28, 2022 by Staff Reporter

In the person of Jesus, our Heavenly father reveals to humanity his mercy and compassion.

Feb 28, 2022

MESSAGE FOR LENT 2022

“Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate.” (Luke 6:36)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Catholic Church arranges the Readings from the whole Bible in a three-year cycle. For 2022, we use the 3rd Cycle known as Year C. During this year, for the ordinary Green Sundays of the year, the entire Gospel of St Luke, chapter by chapter, will be read on Sundays.

The evangelist Luke who wrote the Gospel was a physician and thus uses stories and events of healing to reveal the compassion and mercy of God. “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate.” (Luke 6:36)

Among the many wonderful parables of Jesus, it was only Luke who offers us, “The Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:29-37), and “The Lost Son” often called, “The Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:11-31). In the person of Jesus, our Heavenly father reveals to humanity his mercy and compassion. Jesus commands us to, “Go and do the same ourselves” (Luke 10:37). Let us be good neighbours to all persons in need. We are not to judge, not to condemn, but instead grant pardon and give generously. (Read Luke 6:37-38)

I would like to thank you for your generous donations and offerings for these past two years. With your donations, our Archdiocese could support all parishes and provide full employment for all our full-time catechists, office staff, sacristans, etc. We could keep the CWS Home of Peace at Jalan Landeh running, directly support charities, purchase sanitisers, face masks and disinfecting equipment to keep all our Churches safe. For rural and urban families in need, we donated pandemic food aid, working in partnership with Migrant Ministry, St Vincent de Paul Societies, etc to ensure real needs are met with compassion and food provision.

During this Season of Lent – commencing on Ash Wednesday 2 March until Good Friday 15 April 2022 – I encourage you to live the Lenten observances by PRAYING, FASTING & PENANCE and ALMSGIVING.

So, in short, during this Lent:
1. Eat Less
2. Eat Simple
3. Give $ Money saved to the poor and needy

Let the lesson of the poor widow with her last two pennies teach us how to trust the Lord’s mercy and providence. Jesus teaches: “I tell you truly, this poor widow in her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4)

So, during this Lent, though each of us may be struggling from the impact of this pandemic on our economy over the last two years, we can always share what we have. Let us give out of our poverty as we trust in our generous Lord who wants to bless and generously supply our spiritual, emotional and physical needs.

“Give and there will be gifts for you; a full measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out will be the amount you will be given back.” (Luke 6:38)

+ Archbishop Simon Poh
Archdiocese of Kuching

Today’s Catholic

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AprilAire Takes Aim at Radon | 2022-02-28

February 27, 2022 by Staff Reporter

AprilAire Takes Aim at Radon | 2022-02-28 | ACHR News

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Delaware River water could be used for fracking under proposal

February 27, 2022 by Staff Reporter

The Delaware River Basin Commission is preparing for another major fracking-related vote, following its outright ban of the natural gas extraction process last year.

The public comment period for proposed rules regarding the movement of water and wastewater ends on Monday, Feb. 28, just over a year after the commission voted to ban fracking in the watershed.

That fracking ban and the upcoming decision apply to the full watershed, a 13,539-square-mile area surrounding the river in Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

The proposed rules would allow water from the basin to be exported for use in fracking outside the watershed, under certain conditions. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, involves the usage of millions of gallons of water to break apart underground shale so that natural gas can be extracted.

The rules would also ban the discharge of fracking wastewater within the watershed, but would not entirely ban wastewater from being brought into the region, to the disappointment of environmental advocates concerned about spills and accidents.

The rules would not “regulate the transport or storage of wastewater originating outside of or within the Basin,” the DRBC said in its FAQ on the proposed rules. “These activities are regulated by other administrative agencies of our member states and the United States.”

From 2021: Delaware River Basin Commission votes to ban fracking in the watershed

The DRBC has held five public hearings on the matter, most recently on Feb. 3, when more than a dozen speakers called on the commission to take a stronger position against fracking. None of the speakers were in favor of fracking.

Allowing water from the basin to be used elsewhere “deprives the streams, tributaries and main stem of the river of critical flows and quality,” said David Pringle, speaking for Empower NJ, a coalition working to reduce fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions. The practice also allows fracking to occur where sufficient water might not otherwise be available, he added.

With these rules, “the DRBC is not only threatening the region’s food and farm economy, it is in fact furthering and supporting the fracking industry by meeting its needs so that it can continue to expand outside of the watershed,” said Hilary Baum, a Philadelphia resident involved in environmental and food advocacy.

“How can it be acceptable elsewhere when you have determined that it is not acceptable here?” she asked.

The Marcellus Shale Coalition, which represents natural gas interests, blasted the DRBC’s previous action on fracking, and said that a high rate of water recycling reduces the need for additional withdrawals.

“The Commission has trampled on constitutionally protected private property rights and ignored sound science and our industry’s leadership in water recycling and reuse technology. Pioneered in Pennsylvania, 93 percent of water used by the industry is recycled, dramatically reducing the need for freshwater withdrawals. While the commissioners advance priorities of environmental extremists, a decade of evidence from the neighboring Susquehanna River Basin indicates that safe, responsible natural gas development has no detrimental effect on water quality or quantity,” Marcellus Shale Coalition President David Callahan said in a statement.

A date for the vote on water and wastewater regulations has not been set yet. The rulemaking process began a year ago, with a resolution approved at the same meeting as the vote to ban fracking.

That vote took place more than three years after the proposed rules were released. The official ban followed a de facto moratorium on fracking, since the DRBC voted in 2010 to put off considering well pad dockets until regulations were adopted, and no fracking applications had been submitted since then.

Kathryne Rubright is a reporter covering the environment, northeast Pa. politics, and local news. She is based at the Pocono Record. Reach her at [email protected].

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What drivers said at Auto Club Speedway – NASCAR Talk

February 27, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Here is what NASCAR Cup Series drivers said after a wild race at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday.

Kyle Larson, winner: “It’s always fun here to win in the home state. Hard work all weekend there. Didn’t feel great in practice yesterday. Cliff (Daniels, crew chief) and everybody made some good adjustments overnight, and the car handled a lot better. There were definitely some guys that were quicker than us, but they had their misfortunes. Just kept our heads in it all day. Long race. Just restarts were crazy. The whole runs were crazy. Definitely wild but cool to get a win here in California and hopefully get on a little streak.”

Austin Dillon — Finished second: “Huge credit to the Lord and our pit crew. Man, they were unbelievable all day. They kept us in this race. We had to make a bunch of adjustments. We were terrible at the beginning. Just kind of learning the car myself and then communicating with Justin (Alexander, Crew Chief), we just made it better and better.”

Erik Jones — Finished third: “It was good. It feels good to be interviewed after the race, too. It’s awesome, but it’s frustrating too. You’re that close and you have a car that you feel like can do it. The No. 43 FOCUSFactor Chevrolet definitely had it today. It was a matter of getting up front and taking advantage of clean air, and we did that a couple of times. A couple restarts just didn’t go our way. I probably could have done a better job here and there, and it just didn’t add up. I just haven’t raced up front a lot in the last year and a half. There are some things I need to be better at. Hopefully I have a lot of time to work on that. We want to keep running upfront and if we keep doing that, we’re going to win some races.”

Daniel Suarez — Finished fourth: “We’re going to win a few races very soon here. I just can’t thank everyone enough in my team. We had a fast car, but we went through a lot of adversity. We had a few issues. We hit the wall once. We had an issue with a diffuser. My pit crew, those guys are legends; it’s unbelievable. It’s the best pit crew I’ve ever had, and it’s a lot of fun to race like that. … I can tell you that I’m going to work very, very hard to go to Victory Lane very, very soon here.”

It stings but I’m so proud of this team. Thanks for giving me a shot @TeamTrackhouse … Those guys left their hearts out on the racetrack today.

— Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) February 28, 2022

Joey Logano — Finished fifth: “The guys did a great job of getting the car fixed after I wrecked in qualifying and we were fast right off the get-go. We were okay. The short runs weren’t really our cup of tea with our Auto Club Mustang here. We had a shot there at the end though going down the backstretch two-wide and I thought it was my chance. It was a low-percentage move and it was kind of too late down the straightaway to make the move but I thought I had a big enough run that I could maybe get position going in. It was just too late and I couldn’t get my amigo Daniel Suarez there to get far enough back on my quarter.

“He was on my door and I had to start chasing it. I don’t know. I probably could have finished second or third if I didn’t make that move but you have to go for the win. We were so close. I probably would do it again but maybe checked up the entry a little bit anticipating him washing up into Larson. But hey, I tried.”

Aric Almirola — Finished sixth: “We sure had our hands full. It was a crazy day, wow. These cars are certainly a handful and we worked on it all day and made it to where it was driving better. Then we got some damage and the guys worked on it and got it fixed. It was a solid day for us to come out and have a good start to the west coast swing and keep our cars in one piece.”

Kevin Harvick — Finished seventh: “We actually had a really good car and then every time we would get close we would have something go wrong. So we just had so many things go wrong that it was hard to keep our track position but I am really proud of my team. They did a great job of battling through everything and giving us a shot out there.”

Kurt Busch — Finished eighth: “I can’t describe what we went through today with all the adversity, all of the problems – the self-inflicted things, the oddball scenarios. Wow. What a top 10. That is a statement piece for us at 23XI, to get our top 10 like this with everything we have been through. I’ve got to thank all of my guys for staying focused. They showed me the way, and I showed them on what we’ve got to do this year to keep chiseling away. I think we are the highest finishing Toyota, so we know we have some work to do, and the restart fell our way on that last one, but that was the best our car had handled since the first stage, so lots to learn. Lots to go through.”

That’s not MPH… that’s # of cars passed.

Fought hard all day and it paid off! We were able to overcome everything thrown our way and check off the Top 10 box the hard way. P8, we’ll take it! pic.twitter.com/fkTgQFjJYm

— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) February 28, 2022

Daniel Hemric — Finished ninth: “What a day! I felt like we had a really good car, and we were able to maintain good speed and move forward. Unfortunately, we had an issue with our shifter and lost six laps. I can’t believe we got all of them back and were even able to contend there at the end. I’m super proud of everyone on this No. 16 Poppy Bank Chevy team, My crew chief, Matt Swiderski, and everyone else at Kaulig Racing put together an incredible race car. It was really good and super fast – it was just a matter of being back on the lead lap.”

Cole Custer — Finished 11th: “I was really happy with the progress our team made. We made really good adjustments all day and got our car better. We got a little off there at the end and I wish I did a few things different on the restarts but overall it was a solid day and we got some stage points and we can take that into the next one.”

Austin Cindric — Finished 12th: “It was a really solid day in our Menards Quaker State Ford Mustang getting points in both stages and being a contender in the top-10 the entire race. I felt like I was a bit married to the top lane. I will have to understand why that is and look over how I can be better on the bottom and do a better job on the restarts. It wasn’t our day as far as being involved the wrong things and even recovered back to the top 10 and got a wheel stuck on. We have some things to clean up but it was overall a solid performance and it was good to be in the top 10 all day.”

Chase Briscoe — Finished 16th: “I think dirt guys like Larson and Reddick and me, we like it slick and worn out and you can move around and search for grip. I felt like I was able to try different lanes and try to find grip. I felt like our car was really good too and that obviously helps. But yeah, this place has always been really good for us guys and I think that is just because of how slick it is.”

Had a fast car today, led some laps, and passed a lot of cars. Looking forward to this season. Just gotta finish it off.

— Chase Briscoe (@ChaseBriscoe_14) February 28, 2022

Ryan Blaney — Finished 18th: “We had really good speed today in our No. 12 WURTH Ford. It felt like the balance was pretty good and we were able to make our way through the field. Unfortunately, we’re still learning on the setup stuff and how that impacts the ability to get the wheel off quickly during a pit stop. We’ll learn from it and go to Vegas next week and hopefully carry over the speed we had today.”

Wow craziest race weekend ever.What a day,so thankful for the opportunity to drive this car! Green flag was lap 10 in the #NextGen car 😬

Career best 21st place cup finish!

Awesome to see some 1/4 midget drivers at the track today too! #PatienceNeverGiveUp #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/vJSrVUElWn

— Garrett Smithley (@GarrettSmithley) February 28, 2022

Justin Haley — Finished 23rd: “Overall it was a good race. We stayed on the lead lap and raced in the top 15 quite a bit. We made the car better with each stop as the race went on, so l’m proud of everyone the No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevy team for working hard all day. At the end, we were racing hard for 11th or 12th and made contact with the 12 car. It wasn’t the finish we wanted, and the car is a little torn up, but I’m happy with the performance of the car and the gains we made.”

Tyler Reddick — Finished 24th: “Absolutely gutted by how our race unfolded but I couldn’t be prouder of this whole team and what we were able to do a majority of this race today. We will learn from this; we will become stronger from this and be hungrier than ever before. It was really fun having all of the Lenovo guests here today and it was really exciting to have such a strong run for them today. We will keep this momentum going to Las Vegas next week.”

This entire 6 crew put it in the work today. We showed a lot of potential, just need to put it together at the end… and we’re close. #6NeverQuits pic.twitter.com/TsxsBlTpyi

— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) February 28, 2022

Ross Chastain — Finished 29th: “To use a backup car and start the race without any laps on it was a handful. We were really loose to start and I was not sure if we’d be able to get on the other side of it. My crew chief Phil Surgen and the Trackhouse team kept changing a lot of things on the car and got the balance where I could drive it. At the beginning of the race, I was pretty worried that we were just going to be loose and slow all day. Obviously, we got a lot better and had a shot at a top five and I messed up. I made an unforced error running around the sixth spot. I was just riding along and hit a bump wrong and didn’t catch it in time. A mistake on my part. Seeing the transition from the beginning of the race to the end gives me a lot of hope.”

Well..today was eventful. Cut a left rear tire early in the race, spun and lost 3 laps. Gained ALL of our laps back just to cut another tire and lose another 3 laps. 🥴 Appreciate the never give up attitude from @SpireMotorsport. See y’all in Vegas

— Josh Bilicki (@joshbilicki) February 28, 2022

Harrison Burton — Finished 33rd: “It just looked like they stacked up in front of us there. I don’t know how many crashed but there was a lot of smoke and I couldn’t see where I was going. I kind of had to take a guess on where they wouldn’t be and ended up finding the 23 I think. It was a frustrating day. It felt like we weren’t running as well as we needed to be anyway. I guess those things happen when you don’t have great track position. We were fighting in the teens and 20’s all day and we need to be fighting further up to be able to avoid that mess.”

William Byron — Finished 34th: “So frustrated I made that mistake for our team today. What a fast car and we were making our way back to the front. I got loose getting under the No. 8 (Tyler Reddick) who had a flat. Thankful for such a fast car and I know we’ll be back stronger next week.”

Chris Buescher — Finished 35th: “That was certainly a disappointing way to end our race. The Fastenal Ford was fast today and we were getting stronger as the day went on. We’ll just have to take what we learned here today and move on to Las Vegas where I’m confident we will continue to improve.”

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Clever things for your home you’ll wish were invented sooner

February 27, 2022 by Staff Reporter

The phrase “the greatest thing since sliced bread” often gets tossed around as a way of saying that something is awesome. But it always makes me wonder when people went from tearing off hunks of bread (or sawing through it themselves) to buying bread already sliced. It happened in 1928, apparently, when the bread slicing machine was invented. Sliced bread is pretty ideal and I’ll bet everyone who bought that first loaf, already sliced, wished it had been invented sooner. In the spirit of that kind of innovation — the kind that makes daily tasks easier — I present these also very clever things for your home that you’ll wish were invented sooner.

There is nothing here as complex as a bread slicing machine but, in the same way that I imagine the sandwich lovers of 1928 felt, you will wonder how you lived without them for so long. There are items here that can improve the efficiency of everywhere from the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, to the garage. Whether your quest involves finding an excellent and compact colander to more easily strain pasta or wash produce, some innovative lighting for your kitchen or cabinets, or a more luxurious shower experience, you’ll find it here. Read and discover.

1. A set of nesting metal bowls with airtight lids

Expand your mixing, prep, and storage options with this set of stainless steel bowls that nest easily inside each other for storage, and come with a lid for each bowl. Whip some cream, then put a lid on the bowl you whipped it in to store the finished product in the fridge with no waste and extra dirty dishes. These are super handy, and better than that, easy to store. Even the lids nest so you can fit the whole kit into a small space.

2. The super absorbent dishcloths that are better than paper towels

If you love the way paper towels grab liquid fast but want to cut down on waste, these weird Swedish dishcloths — made from cellulose and cotton — will help. They are super absorbent, have the flexibility of cloth, and are a little scrubby when dry so they handle all the situations you turn to paper for, and then some. Just put them in the dishwasher or washing machine to clean them and use them over and over.

3. This simple wireless doorbell with so many ringtones

Installing this wireless doorbell is super easy and the result is astonishingly good. Just mount the bell at your entry and plug the receiver into any indoor plug. Then choose your doorbell tone from the 50 available. It comes with two doorbell buttons so you can cover front and back doors, has a 1,000-foot range, and is powered by an included battery that lasts three years. It withstands all sorts of weather, and lights up to make pressing the bell easy.

4. A cold brew solution that’s elegant & efficient

Making your own cold-brew coffee is easy and will save you so much money. And this cold brewer is the elegant tool that will do it beautifully. The glass carafe is solid and stylish, the sleeve that holds grounds is a fine mesh that keeps sludge out of your brew, and the spill-proof lid makes it easy to store your supply in the fridge. It comes with a scoop and a funnel to make brewing easy.

5. This slick strainer that perches over the sink

This clever strainer expands until it rests on the edges of your sink to make straining pasta, washing produce, or even drip-drying a few glasses super easy. The drain holes are small enough that you can even use it to wash rice or other grains. When you aren’t using it, push it closed to store it compactly. When compact, it’s even cute enough to use as a fruit bowl. It comes in six colors.

6. A lap desk so you can work comfortably on the couch or bed

Instead of sweating under a hot laptop that’s never quite the right angle to work on the couch, set this lap desk down on your lap and put your laptop on it. Its built-in heat shield will keep the heat of your machine away from your legs, and the grippy surface holds the computer in place. There is a slide-out mouse pad on either side so you can give your hands a break from the glide pad and it slips easily into your laptop bag.

7. An easy-to-assemble bamboo plant stand

When a plant is too big for the window sill but too small to sit on the floor, this bamboo plant stand steps in to give it the perfect place to live. It elevates a 10-inch pot (there are also stands for 8- and 12-inch pots) off the floor so it looks more substantial and can better reach the rays coming in the window. The stand’s two pieces screw together in just a minute and the result is sturdy and attractive.

8. This showerhead for great water pressure & a rainfall-like deluge

Improve everything about your shower by unscrewing your old showerhead and screwing in this high-pressure rainfall shower head instead. It boosts water pressure and reduces water use (if you install the water restrictor) while bathing you in an absolute downpour of fast-moving water for an incredible shower. It does it by forcing water through 90 narrow, silicone nozzles. It comes with everything you need to install it, including Teflon tape and water filters.

9. The bath pillow that helps you relax in the tub

If the hard edges of your bathtub take some of the muscle-melting relaxation out of your hot-water soak, stick this soft and cushy bath pillow onto that hard surface before you lie down. It traps a layer of air between you and the hard tub to create a soft pillow so you can soak for longer. Six big suction cups hold it in place in the tub, it has its own zippered travel case, and it comes in three sizes.

10. These elegant glass storage jars for your pantry

This set of four borosilicate glass canisters is the perfect way to organize your pantry. The thick, clear glass is safe for all foods and lets you see what’s inside so you don’t need labels. The stainless steel lids look great, unscrew easily, and form an airtight seal so nothing goes stale. The wide mouths make it easy to get food in and out. They come in four sizes, ranging from 27 to 72 ounces.

11. This banana hanger for ripe fruit without clutter

Bananas — and most fruits that grow in trees — ripen best when they are hanging. This banana bungee hanger gives them what they want. And, since you can mount it anywhere, it also keeps your bananas off the counter. Attach it under a cabinet, from the mug rack, or from the passthrough. Your gently ripening bananas — one or an entire bunch — will be within reach but out of the way.

12. A waterproof sink organizer to keep counters dry

This silicone organizer mat with rivulets to trap water keeps your counters free of the drips and suds that are shed from soap bottles and sponges. And it looks good doing it. At four inches deep, it fits behind the sink in most kitchens to provide a durable, easy-to-clean surface to set all your dripping clutter on. Put it in the dishwasher occasionally to keep it clean. It comes in nine colors.

13. These puck lights you can control with a remote or by touch

This simple solution for kitchen, closet, shelf, and cupboard lighting is transformative. Simply stick the puck lights (this is a 3-pack) where you want light and put harsh overhead fluorescents and confusing accessory lighting systems behind you. You can turn them all on — and choose the brightness level — with the remote. Or tap a single light right where you want better illumination. They run on batteries, throw a warm white light, and the LEDs never need to be replaced.

14. A tidy place for the mops, rakes, brooms & cleaning tools

Mount this clever rack to the inside of a door, a wall in the mudroom, or somewhere in the garage and stop tripping over stray mops, brooms, and rakes. Their long handles snap into the three clamps while four hooks hold rags, hand tools, and dusters. What once required an entire closet now fits tidily on a small stretch of wall.

15. This pair of sturdy magnetic shelves that stick to the fridge

Create a spice rack or a place for your most-used condiments right on the fridge with this two-pack of metal shelves with powerful magnetic backs that stick them firmly on. They will turn that big wasteland of space — the side of your fridge — into a useful storage area in seconds. “They’re super sturdy, hold a ton, and are the perfect size,” said one reviewer. “We loaded one with bottles to see how much it could hold and it did not budge!”

16. A tiered rack with a drawer for better cupboard organization

This three-tiered storage rack immediately solves so many in-cupboard problems. Set your canned goods, jars of condiments, or spices on the steps so you can see what’s in the back and use the drawer for hard-to-store items like bullion and condiment packs. The shelf has three steps and there are two compartments in the drawer.

17. These laundry bags to keep clothes safe in the wash

Put shoes, delicates, or anything you want to keep separate from the zippers and other textures in your load of wash into one of these three laundry bags that let soap and water in while wrapping delicates in a protective layer of honeycomb mesh. They keep whatever is inside them safe and sound — or protect the rest of your load from shoes, hats, or other rough items — and can go from the washer to the dryer with their contents inside.

18. A salad & vegetable spinner that makes washing fast & easy

There will be no more wet salad in your life once you own this high-quality salad spinner. Fill the inner basket with greens or vegetables and rinse them clean. Then set that basket into the spinner and pull the handle to spin the basket to use centrifugal force to remove all the water. You will have a dry salad in seconds. A brake button stops the spinning and the water pours right out through the spout.

19. This set of 10 reusable silicone straws in a travel bag

This set of straws will quickly update all the straws for your travel bottles while also stocking your kitchen with plenty of drinking straws for home use. They are made of silicone, which feels soft on your teeth (without melting like paper) and can go in the dishwasher for disinfecting. The colors are muted and pretty. And they come with a straw-cleaning brush and a storage bag so you can bring them all with you to a picnic.

20. These cable clips so your chargers stay where you want them

Instead of setting a stapler or book down on your charger cable so it’s still there when you look for it, stick one of these six cable clips to that spot and snap the cable into it. That way you can actually use the stapler without losing your cable. Each of these six clips holds one cable, peels and sticks to the desk, counter, or bedside table, and holds a cord right where you want it.

21. This smart light bulb that’s also a speaker

Install ambient lighting effects and a Bluetooth speaker in your room simply by changing the bulb with this LED lightbulb with integrated Bluetooth speaker. Just screw it in and use the remote to choose lighting color, brightness, or effect. Then connect it to your phone and it will play music. It’s a great way to add music and light to a workroom, closet, or kitchen and reviewers love it, giving it almost 6,000 five-star ratings.

22. The dish drying rack you can roll up & stick in a drawer

This brilliant combination of sturdy stainless steel, silicone, and engineering brilliance brings you the convenience of a drying rack that fits over your sink, doubles as a heat-resistant trivet or cooling rack, and rolls up for storage. It’s perfect for small kitchens but useful in a kitchen of any size. Choose the size — there are four options — that fits your sink.

23. A wall shelf that brings instant order to the bathroom

If you want a place for everything so you can put everything in its place, this wall-mounted shelving unit designed for the bathroom is that place. There are covered hooks for your toothbrushes, cups that magnetically hang upside down, a toothpaste dispenser that’s easy to clean, a shelf for your sundries, and a drawer to secret away small items. It comes with a peel-and-stick mounting system.

24. The cute plant that’s actually a rechargeable desk lamp

It might look like a plant, but this adorable lamp is the one throwing the light, not seeking it. The gooseneck stalk bends in any direction to point the natural-looking LED where you want it. There are three brightness levels — just touch the leaves in the pot to adjust them. And it has a built-in rechargeable battery so you can take it wherever you want it. There’s even a well in the pot for your pencils or other tools.

25. An armchair tray that’s an easy place to set your drink

If there is no convenient place to set a cocktail or cup of coffee when you’re relaxing on the couch or in your favorite recliner, lie this clever arm-chair tray over the arm. The felt underbelly and flexible sides keep the flat tray in place on arms of any shape. And the rubbery surface of the tray doesn’t let beverages slip. It comes in six colors.

26. This set of salt & pepper shakers with 3 pouring options

This beautiful set of stainless steel and glass salt and pepper shakers will do more than spruce up your table. They make getting salt and pepper onto your plate an accurate and pleasurable process. There are three pouring options — just dial in the one you want — along with a closed setting to keep spices fresh. They also hold half a cup so one fill-up lasts a long time.

27. This rack so you can store stemmed glass anywhere

Free up some cupboard space by moving your stemmed glassware to the underside of a shelf, cupboard, or anywhere you can attach this clever wine glass rack. The three rows of the rack can hold three to nine glasses, depending on the size, turning them from a storage challenge to a decorative element. It comes with all the mounting hardware needed and is available in three finishes.

28. The Nespresso pod dispenser with built-in sugar bowl

Streamline your morning brew with this smart Nespresso pod dispenser and sugar bowl that also looks gorgeous on the counter. It turns your sleek coffee pods into a display, and makes choosing a brew easy. The canister in the center is the perfect place to keep sugar — or whatever you sweeten your cup with — and comes with a matching spoon.

29. These towel hooks that stick where you put them

These low-profile, adhesive towel holders stick anywhere to hold a hand or dish towel within easy reach. Just peel and stick them where you want a towel, then press the fabric’s edge into the cross-shaped jaw. The towel stays there but is easy to remove when you need it. “The simplicity of this product was exactly what I needed,” says one reviewer. “It was easy to install and easy to use. The towel does not fall out when drying hands.”

30. This handy utensil rest that holds all your tools

Put this silicone utensil rest on your counter so that when you stir, taste, or serve your creations, you’ll have a place to set the tool you used without making a mess on the counter. It will hold four utensils at once, elevated so the sauces don’t mix, and catches all the drips on the lipped tray below. It comes in 20 colors and two sizes.

31. This bag cincher that’s easier than the one that comes with the bread

If your impulse is to toss (or lose) that irritating bag tie that came with your bread, do it! Use these well-designed cinchers instead. Just press the button to open them, give the bag end a twist, and close them over the twisted bag. They hold tight, are fun to reclose, and you can keep using them forever. This is a three-pack.

32. A phone charger with a flat plug for behind the furniture

When there’s no room for a bulkier charger that sticks out from the wall, use this thin and flat USB wall plug. It is less than an inch thick and has two USB plugs that come out of the bottom so it will fit snugly behind the bed, bedside table, or shelves. And its 12-watt output will also charge your phone quickly.

33. This chopper that makes fast work of food prep

Prep a meal — or an entire week’s worth of meals — super fast with this quick food chopper. Just set your cheese, fruits, or vegetables on one of the three blades and press the pusher down. It will chop the entire thing with that one movement, and catch the cut pieces in the bin. The blades snap in and out easily so you can quickly change the size of your pieces. And a handy lid turns the catch basin into in-fridge storage.

34. A bamboo & microfiber mattress cover that protects & cools

Cover your mattress with this deluxe bamboo and microfiber cover to protect it from spills and messes while adding a delightful cooling comfort to your bed. The deep pockets hold onto even a thick mattress so it won’t pop off. And the rayon microfiber and bamboo fabric, along with the honeycomb baffling, circulate air to help keep you cool and dry. It’s easy to machine wash and available in six sizes.

35. A sleek food scale that measures in grams or ounces

When you’re baking, trying to eat healthier, or just need to know what things weigh, this digital scale is a simple solution. Set any container on it and zero out to eliminate its weight from the measure, then add your food and weigh. It measures weights up to 11 pounds and switches easily from grams to ounces. It comes in nine colors that will look great in your kitchen.

36. This set of protective silicone oven mitts & pot holders

This set of four oven mitts and pot holders will protect your hands and counters from hot pans. The two gloves go high up on your arm for extra safety, and the glove’s hands are covered in a heat-resistant silicone that’s grippy and easy to wash. The two silicone pot holders bend easily around a pan or handle and sit neatly on counters so you can set hot things on them. You can choose from seven colors.

37. The soap pump that’s easy to use when hands are dirty

The wide pump top of this attractive soap dispenser makes it easy to get a dollop of soap into your hands even when they’re covered in meat juices or dirt you don’t want to spread onto the dispenser. Just use a wrist or the heel of your hand to pump. The dispenser holds 12 fluid ounces and is finished in three elegant color combinations.

38. A lighted keyboard for a slicked-up computer rig

This full-size backlit keyboard with multicolored LED lights will dress up your rig whether you’re using it to play games or to work. Tap a few keys to turn on the rainbow breathing mode for a cool lighting effect. The effects turn off after a few idle minutes but turn on again when you tap the keys. It’s fun and better for your hands than typing on a laptop.

39. This under-door draft stopper that moves with the door

Slide this draft stopper under your door to keep your heating and air conditioning inside and exterior noises and drafts outside. It’s easy to install. Just cut the memory foam tubes right to the size of your door and slide them into the heavy-duty cotton sleeves. Then slide it under your door. Two inches of foam insulate your interior not only from drafts but also from smoke, sounds, dust, and light.

40. The splatter screen that’s also a strainer & cooling rack

Set this high-quality splatter screen down over a pan to stop grease and messes from getting all over the stovetop. It lets the steam out so it won’t change the way food cooks, but the fine mesh keeps oil in the pan. It also doubles as a strainer, letting water through the mesh while keeping food in the pan. And, if you flip it over, the feet elevate the screen so you can use it to cool cookies and other baked goods. Almost 23,000 people give this versatile kitchen tool five stars.

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Originally Appeared Here