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Show :• <.•.--••».;•. j ; - • •• - c".: . •J-*•'.:•; ; ' E i . -.". The Beaver Press - December 31, .300,9 • page 2. " s iV T •1" 7 r i n ^' l l * " Published-every Thursday1 in ? Beaver, Utah by The Beaver Press" Second Class Postage Paid Beaver Utah 84713 . Marlow L. Draper Sue Draper . • Publisher/Editor Bus. Mrjr. SUBSCRIPTION RATES - In Beaver County Beaver County Senior Citizens '.'-.- • Outside Beaver County ., $17.00 $15.00 $20.00 . Postmaster please send change of address to: The Beaver Press, B.ox 351, Beaver, Utah 84713 bpress@xmission.Gom Phone: (435)438-2891 • Fax: (435)438-8804 40 East Center Street, Beaver, UT 84713 Make Yourself Slightly Better In 2010 By Daniel B. Kline For 2010, I resolve, to always answer the question, "how are you?" (and its variants) honestly. I'm not sure that doing this will improve my life (it will likely make it worse) but I'm eager to spend the year being brutally honest with people who were just being polite. This follows years in which I strived to "be a little nicer" (I was) and, my personal favorite, the year in which I devoted myself to eating more risotto (I did). For 2010, in addition to answering polite queries with unneeded detail, I also plan to make tiny improvements to my major faults. ' Basically, I'm taking personal improvement at a very slow pace making myseif incrementally better on a yearly basis. If I stick to this plan (Operation Modest Expectations is the working title) then should I live to be 100, I will likely be an absolute delight to be around IVe set this admittedly easily attainable goal based on a theory my frie'nd Jeff and I created in college where we would always put some easy-to-do things on our to-do lists. If we added "take a shower" and "have lunch" next to rwrite paper .for history class," we could, at the end of the day, say we had accomplished two thirds of our lists. While I'm a decent enough fellow, the list of things that I might improve would not fit in this column. Though I'm sure my wife and my staff could fill more than a few columns listing my faults, my obvious ones are that I'm easily angered, I'm better at starting a project than finishing one and I'm unable to leave work at work. Given my goal of only making myself incrementally better, I only plan to slightly work on these faults this year. Making huge changes is j\o\ only unrealistic, but it would be jarring for people used to the current me - like if I started coming to work in hip hop gear or adopted a British accent. So, let's look al what I plan to do to make myself imperceptibly better. Since I have been easily angered my entire life and see no obvious way to find more patience. Instead, I plan to only get mad about stuff that's worth getting mad about. That means perhaps I will get angry when a hotel has lost my reservation, but I will try not to get angry when Lady Gaga makes a yearend best-of list or somebody tells me they like CoSdplay. some pesticide and lots of fertilaccount the findings from a -^'7$V izer. Gregg Easterbrook quotes number of published, peer f\ -:i; have tftuse ^ Borlaug saying the following in reviewed studies from over the * •$'• '.'clearly 6ft'tKe4r6htTddb^/iSekt to • J the 1990s: last 70 years, an independent -v.; |V . it or above it),6p errieriency' • "(Most Western environteam of scientists, arid ; ' 1;. responders can easily locate it. mentalists) have never experiresearchers hailing from such • Purchase a reliable flashlight.' . By Jarrett Skorup enced the physical sensation of institutions as the Harvard As simple as a flashlight is, it t Called "arguably the greathunger. They do their lobbying School of Public Health, have can become a very imtfortantf \ est American in the 20th centufrom comfortable office suites in found that in more humid envitool during and after disaster ry" during his 95 years, Norman Washington or,Brussels. If they ronments, the flu virus survival strikes. Keep otie in your 12\.••! Borlaug probably saved more ? lived just one month amid the time is markedly decreased. hour kit as well.. ' > . lives than any other person. He misery of the developing world, Specifically, the research • Create an emergency phone is one of just six people to win as I have for50 years, they'd be showed that homes kept'at 40 number list. Each home should . the Nobel Peace Prize, the crying out foK tradtors and fertilto 60 percent humidity are likely have a list of such phone num- . Congressional Medal of Honor, izer and irrigation canals and be to have fewer flu viruses lurking bers posted near the phone or ; and the Presidential Medal of outraged that fashionable elitin the air and on often-touched in the front of a phone book. Freedom. And yet Dr. Borlaug, ists in wealthy nations were trysurfaces like sink faucets, door Disaster can strike quickly. ' who died this past September, is ing to deny them these things." handles and countertops. While Following these practical sugscarcely known in his own counThere's an old proverb: "He the typical flu virus can survive gestions and being properly pretry, :: • * who has bread has many prob- on surfaces and in the air for up pared can bring peace of mind. '.- Born in. Iowa in 1914, lems. He who has no bread has to 24 hours, the survival time in Borlaug spent most of his life in only one problem." Today, the a more humid environment is impoverished nations inventing, talk Is all about demands for significantly lower. improving, and teaching the massively intrusive government T h e flu virus is all around "Green Revolution." His idea interventions requiring trillions us this time of year - at the was simple:. Make developing of dollars to address deeply countries self sufficient in food speculative problems 100 years office, in schools, on public by teaching them how to use hence, supported by highly sus- transportation, if the flu virus Is modern agricultural techniques picious computer models and in your home due to a sick famthat are simple to implement. data.-Much less is said about ily member or visitor, you want Utah Educational Savings Borlaug spent most of his time solving real current problems to do everything you can to Plan Year-end Tax Deadline in Mexico, Pakistan, and India, using proven methods pio- shorten its life span," says Dr. Fast Approaching ' neered by Norman Boriaug that Ted Myatt, senior scientist at , (Salt Lake City) Reminder to, ar\6 focused on five areas: crop Environmental Health and cultivars (seeds), irrigation, fer- • require much smaller sums. •U{ah taxpayers-^-only a few Engineering, Inc. and co-author tilizersj pesticides, and mechaMore than 40 years ago, of the new report "We've days left to take advantage of Borlaug wrote, "One of the always known that humidifiers, 2009 college savings tax bene-' nization. His successes were greatest threats to mankind are a great way to soothe cold, fits. Save on your .Utah state, remarkable. In'19507 Mexico imported today is that the world may be and cough symptoms, but using income taxes by contributing to over half of its food. Thanks to choked by an explosively peryour Utah Educational Savings Borlaiijg's efforts to convince vading but well camouflaged a humidifier can also help to Plan (UESP) college savings farmers there to try his techbureaucracy.11 maintain proper humidity levels account. Far 2009, Utah taxpay-' niques, Mexican food producin your home." .' Some things never change. 6FS can claim a 5% tax credit on Jarrett Skorup is a former T h e research suggests that '[ UESP contributions up to. f tion increased ten-fold by 1970, student fellow, sit The Center for a proper level of relative humid- \ . $1,740 per beneficiary for single' ' and the country' had become a net exporter. . in, India and Vision &, Values and, a '2009 ity in your home can really make * filers ($3,480 per beneficiary for' ' Pakistan,.production doubled. In graduate of Grove City College a difference in the survival of the joint filers). To receive the cred1999, the Atlantic Monthly estk , with a dual major in history and flu virus," adds Jim McDevitt, it, the beneficiary on the account mated • that > Borlaug's efforts, political science'. He is a instructor at the Harvard School *"-' must have been designated as combined'with those'he trained research associate at the of Public Health and a certified such before turning age 19. and equipped, saved'thelives of ,. Mackiriac Center for Public industrial hygfenist by the ~: . • "With the year-end tax one billion human beings. Policy, a research and educa- American Board of Industrial deadline approaching, now is tional institute headquartered in Hygiene. "If you can maintain Shockingly, the Green the time to remind Utahhs that Midland, Mich. Mr. Skorup can those levels, the number of flu Revolution was almost entirely saving for college with the Utah be reached at Skorup(5>mack- virus particles in the air and on * " funded by-developing countries Educational Savings Plan tnac.org. and private'charities ••(notably' surfaces are likely to decrease." ~J •'• .shows our children that the deci- [ the Rockefeller and Ford Because flu season strikes sion to seek a college education Foundations), rather than by the at what is, for many areas of the is ,as important ^s the decisions governments of prosperous country, the driest time of the we make regarding a career and nations. At the time, the overyear, you can combine your ... family," said William Sederburg, whelming view of academic and' efforts to combat the flu with the .' ' Commissioner of t h e . Utah political elites jri the, wealthy recommended steps to make ' System of Higher Education. "It countries was that it .was your home environment more .'; requires long-term planning and already too late. comfortable. It's not uncommon preparation." Paul Ehrlich's 1968 bestfor winter humidity levels to dip "The Utah state tax credit (ARA) .-. KVprime.fiu'sear.. " a s low as.20 percent, which can .„ seller 'The Population Bomb" o deadline is a reminder to Utahns -•• typified this attitude. Efiflicn" r "son, and eacS -year w e hear frie^ "lead to" dry skin, chapped lips, w. to prepare financially for college same advice: get your flu shot, wrote,,'The battle to feed all of parched throats and other disexpenses," said Lynne Ward, wash your hands frequently and humanity is over.... In the 1970s comforts. Director of the Utah Educational cover your mouth when you ' and 1980s hundreds of millions The most essential tool for . ' Savings Plan. "It is easy to open sneeze. Flu particles can linger of people will starve to death in increasing relative humidity lev- .. . a UESP account and simply ' in the air and on the surfaces we spite of any crash programs els is a good humidifier, if you .'. . save what you can, when you touch day in and day out, from embarked upon now." He later think your humidity levels might ~ * can. UESP is a convenient procomputer keyboards and TV said, "I have yet to meet anyone not be up to par - or if you want . . gram that assists, all l)tah famifamiliar with the situation who . remotes to the kitchen sink or to better maintain them - a lies in saving for a higher edurefrigerator door handle. With flu thinks India will be -self-sufficient hygrometer is a handy device cation no matter the household . top of mind this year, there has in food by 1.971," and "India available at most drug stores. income." also been increased interest in couldn't possibly feed" two hun1 Hygrometers provide a digital -:. To receive the 20O9 Utah the science behind how the flu dred million more people by readout of the relative humidity ."",' state tax credit, submit your new virus lives, and history may hold 1980." Required reading at in your home, and are compact '" account applications and contrithe answers. many colleges, Ehrlich's book and low-cost. If you use your . : . butions to the UESP office stated that it was. "a fantasy" to Grandma may have been hygrometer and humidifier > ^ before 5:00 p.m., MT, Thursday, think that India could "ever* feed ahead of her time when keeping together to keep humidity at the Dec. 3 1 , 2009. Contributions itself. t , a tea kettle warming on the ideal 40 to 60 percent level, the ;: ;; can be made online at.uesp.org Ehrlioh, who was wrong stove in winter to moisten the research indicates the flu will ' ;: , mailed to UESP at PO Box about several things, was ignoair. A new, comprehensive scihave less of a chance of surviv145100, Salt Lake City, UT rant of what Norman Borlaug entific research paper has given ing in your home. : 84114-5100 or dropped off at was already in the process of new insight into the lifespan of OESP's office located at The Courtesy ARAcontent ; accomplishing. the flu virus and how humidity Gateway 2, Board of Regents In the introduction to a 2000 plays a significant role in the Building, 60 South 400 West, interview with Borlaug, Reason survival of the virus on surfaces Salt Lake City, UT. magazine science corresponand in the air. Taking into The state tax credit is just dent Ronald Bailey wrote, "In one of the many benefits Utah Pakistan, wheat yields rose UESP account owners repeive. from"4.6 million tons in 1965 to Earnings on the account are 8.4 million, in 1970. In India, they federal, and Utah state tax free rose frbm 12.3 million tons, to 20 when used for qualified higher million. And the yields continue education expenses like tuition, to increase.. Last year [1999], fees, certain room and board India harvested a record 73.5 costs and required books and million tons of wheat, up 11.5 supplies at any eligible educapercent from 1998. Since tional institution that accepts Ehriich's dire predictions in federal financial aid, not just 1968,, India's population has institutions in Utah. more than doubled, its' wheat Online enrollment and con- production has more than A favorite for snacks, s'mores and piecrust, the graham cracker >! tripled, and its economy has tributions make it easy to particwas developed in 1829 by the Rev. Sylvester Graham. The true gra- •:' grown nine-fold." ipate in the Utah Educational ham cracker is made with graham flour, which Is a coarsely ground *;; Savings Plan. Go to uesp.org to . '. In "spite of Ehrlich's claims, wheat flour £: obtain and read a copy of the £orlaug had India feeding itself «** Program Description, to open ' within a mere five years of his The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. an account and to contribute , book release. Also around the —William Rosa Wallace online. Contributions can also *•• time of Ehrlich's misguided be made by check or automatidoom-mongering, Borlaug's colcally withdrawn from a checking leagues at the Consultative or savings account. «** Group- ' oh International All women become like their mothers. That ia their tragedy. No Agricultural Research were To learn more about the man does. That's his, spreading his ideas about highUtah Educational Savings Plan, —Oscar Wilde yield rice thrqugh Asia, causing call 800.418.2551 or visit •** another food-production explouesp.org. sion. Towards the end of his life, Borlaug was working to institute *•* his agricultural revolution in You won't learn to swim on the kitchen floor. -Irish Proverb :• , Africa. Comments or No good deed goes unpun*** Ideas? tshed', so we shouldn't be surprised that Borlaug was Contact Usl attacked by proponents of the *** P.O. Box 351, Beaver trendy new faith of radical enviSlow is every foot on an unknown path. ; 435-438-289V v —Irish Proverb ronmentalism because Green *** Revolution farming requires Norman Bprlaug: An American Hero going for New Coke different, more like when they slightly change Tide and you notice the sticker on the package but your clothes seem no more or less clean. Dante! B. Kline's work appears' in over 100 papers weekly. When he is not writing Kline serves as general manager of Time Machine Hobby New England's largest hobby and toy store, www.timemachinehobby.com. He can be reached at dan@nolastep.com or you can see his archive at dbkline.com or befriend him at facebook.com/dankline. Ask A Specialist: What can I do to prepare for emergencies of Disaster? Answer by:' Kathleen Riggs,' Utah State University Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Iton County As you make your New Year's 'resolutions, consider .•including'' proper emergency preparedness o n ; the' list. Emergency preparedness will bring peace of mind,' help' 'families care for themselves and • keep neighborhoods safer in trie . event '.of' a disaster Consider1 .these ideas." r Purchase a srrioke alarm for every level of the house, especially 'In outside bedrooms, in the hallway and near the kjtcherT If you already have working smoke detectors, consider using the holidays as the time marker to replace the batteries each year. • Purchase a carton monoxide alarm."Such1 alarms are especially" important during winter months-'when homes are shut up tight. Place devices in halfways throughout the home. If you have a travel trailer or recreational vehicle, it's a good idea to install one or more in' these vehicles. • Purchase a fire extinguisher. Install ABC-type extinguishers in the home and teach family members" how to use them. • Purchase a fire escape ladder. If you have a second story on your home, this is crucial. For homes with basements, consider a step ladder, stool or chair in each room to use to escape into the window well. The chair could then be lifted into the window well and used to climb out. • Organize or purchase a 72hour kit. For a list of supplies to include, check the internet or your local county Extension office. •Assemble a disaster supply kit for your pet. Hurricane Katrina helped people realize how important their pets are and how important the animals' safety and welf-being are to the family. As for starting projects and • Purchase a weather network not finishing them, I'm going to radio receiver and/or a hand try to apply a reality check to crank AM/FM radio to be able to any ideas I come up with. Is a follow the most-up-to-date inforWeb site that houses the best mation on pending or existing work not appearing in major disaster situations. newspapers a good idea? Yes. • Purchase a first aid kit. Is it one I can pull of with a Because the first five minutes of demanding job, a weekly cola medical emergency are.critiumn to write and a five-year-old cal, every individual and family at home? No. should have a first aid kit in their When it comes to work, well, I'm not sure I'm going to be home and vehicle. • • Attend first aid and CPR trainable to pull that one off. I may try ing. Every person should know to be at work a little less, but I how to appropriately stop bleedcan't promise to not obsessively ing, apply pressure, treat shock watch our security cameras i and correctly apply chest comwill try to turn my cell phone off pressions. Ask a nurse or EMT a little more and maybe go away to spend 15-20 minutes with someplace during a slow week your family to (earn the basics. and actually put the Blackberry Information is also available on down for a few minutes. Jfrje American Red Cross Web It's not a whole new me for > ' site'atWwW.redcross.org. 2010, but it will be a slightly new i mildly improved me. • I'm not '* 'Purchase" arfd 'rrfdUht r . • •M •• • Save on Your State Income Taxes by Saving for College! " • " * ' , Flu From Thriving In Your •. v '.» |