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The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Mary Olson

Do you enjoy learning new things, exploring interesting places, and meeting people who share a love of adventure? Hill Road Library will host a discussion of the many programs offered by Road Scholar on Thursday, May 4th, at 5:00 pm. Road Scholar is the world’s largest educational travel organization for adults, offering nearly 5,500 affordable programs each year in about 150 countries worldwide. These programs offer a chance to expand your mind while being in the company of other people who believe that learning is one of the
best parts of life.

Hill Road Library hosts a timely program on Wildfire Preparedness: Protect Your Home Against the Threat of Wildfires. On Tuesday, May 16th, 5 to 6 pm, The Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council will present a workshop for the local community. The Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council is a local, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting residents in fire-vulnerable areas of Ventura County. This workshop will deliver a brief overview of
wildfire history and behavior, provide steps you can take to protect your home and families, and give resources for emergency preparedness. Events at Hill Road Library are free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Linda Cherry, Librarian, at (805) 677-7180.

Local Oxnard author Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo will visit the Ojai Library at 2 pm on Saturday, May 13, to talk about her new book, Threads of Awakening: An American Woman’s Journey into Tibet’s Sacred Textile Art. Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo is a textile artist, teacher, and author. A California girl who bought a one-way ticket to India and landed in a Tibetan sewing workshop next door to the Dalai Lama, she became one of few nonTibetans to master the Buddhist art of silk appliqué thangka. Trained by two of the finest living Tibetan appliqué artists, Leslie learned to stitch bits of silk into elaborate figurative mosaics that bring the transformative images of Buddhist meditation to life. Her artwork has been exhibited internationally and featured in the documentary Creating Buddhas: The Making and Meaning of Fabric Thangkas. You can learn more about her work and book online at www.threadsofawakening.com. This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 218-9146 or [email protected].

There are still some events to come in Ventura County Library’s series of family-friendly sustainability-themed programs. English/Spanish interpretation services and children’s activities will be available for all the programs at the Piru and Saticoy Library branches. The upcoming topics are:

Home Weatherization 101
Thursday, May 4, 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Saticoy Library (1292 Los Angeles Avenue, Ventura) 805 671-5148

How to Get Green Business Certified
Thursday, May 11, 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Piru Library (3811 Center Street, Piru) 805 521-1753
Wednesday, May 17, 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Saticoy Library – rescheduled from May 18 .

Ventura Friends of the Library Bookstore in E.P. Foster Library is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sundays, 1:30 to 4:00 pm.
You can also shop at our online store at https://venturafol-107753.square.site/s/shop and pick up your purchase at the store in E.P. Foster. In addition to books, both venues offer audiobooks and jigsaw puzzles.

Teach adults who want to learn English

Free tutor training for adults 18 and over wanting to tutor adults who would like to learn or improve their English and learn American culture.

Next tutor training is May 20, 2023.

We are looking for tutors available in Ventura County. The training will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at the Laubach Literacy office in Ventura. Tutors would provide instruction in communities within Ventura County, including Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, Ojai, Saticoy, Santa Paula, Thousand Oaks, Fillmore, Piru, and Moorpark. Locations can be in public libraries, coffee shops, churches, outdoors, or any place convenient to the tutor and adult learner.

Tutor training is about 7 hours on one day. We ask tutors to provide tutoring typically 60 to 90 minutes per week.

No prior teaching experience is required. You don’t have to speak a foreign language to be a tutor. We provide free tutors and materials to adults who want to speak, understand, read, and write English and learn American culture. Laubach Literacy of Ventura County has been teaching English for free for over 40 years in Ventura County.

Price: Free

For More Information contact Laubach Literacy of Ventura County to register for the tutor training. Phone: (805) 385-9584. Please leave a message and we will call you back. Email: [email protected]. Website: http://www.laubachventura.org

Aging and your eyes

Get regular eye exams so any problems can be spotted early.

Having trouble distinguishing colors, such as blue from black?

Needing more time to adjust to changing levels of light?

These problems are often easily corrected. Glasses, contact lenses, and improved lighting may help and enable you to maintain your lifestyle and independence.

Your risk for some eye diseases and conditions increases as you grow older, and some eye changes are more serious. Keep your eyes as healthy as possible by getting regular eye exams so any problems can be spotted early.

Have your eyes checked regularly by an eye care professional — either an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Finding and treating any problems early can help protect your vision and prevent vision loss. Make a list of your questions and concerns to share with the doctor. Tell them which medications you are taking. Some can affect your eyes.Eye doctor using medical equipment to examine an older adults eyes

Normal changes in the aging eye usually do not harm your vision. However, sometimes they can be signs of a more serious problem. For example, your eyes may leak tears. This can happen with light sensitivity, wind, or temperature changes. Sunglasses and eye drops may help. Sometimes, leaking tears may be a symptom of dry eye or sign of an infection or blocked tear duct. Your eye care professional can treat these problems.

Many people don’t notice any signs or symptoms in the early stages of eye diseases. A dilated eye exam performed by an eye care professional is the only way to find some common eye diseases while they’re easier to treat — and before they cause vision loss. Everyone over age 50 should have a dilated eye exam every year or as recommended by your eye care professional, even if you have good vision and don’t wear contacts or glasses. After age 60, you should get a dilated eye exam every year or two. Most people with diabetes or high blood pressure need to get a dilated exam at least once a year.

During this exam, the eye care professional will put drops in your eyes to widen (dilate) your pupils so that he or she can better see inside each eye. Your vision may be blurry after the exam, and your eyes may be more sensitive to light. This only lasts a few hours. Make plans for someone else to drive you home.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, get your prescription checked, too. Even small changes in sight can increase your risk for falls and injuries. It’s important to use the proper prescription glasses or contact lenses.

See your primary health care provider regularly to check for diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. These diseases can cause eye problems if not controlled or treated.

Vol. 16, No. 16 – May 3 – May 16, 2023 – The Pet Page

• When dogs have an injury or chronic condition, such as arthritis, physical rehabilitation can ease their pain and improve their strength and flexibility.

“There are a number of situations where dogs could benefit from physical rehabilitation, but the common reason is to improve recovery following surgery, usually orthopedic surgery — or surgery on bones and joints — and neurologic surgery — typically back or neck surgery,” said Dr. Jacqueline Davidson, a clinical professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

Other reasons that a dog could benefit from a rehabilitation program include recovering from injuries that did not require surgery, such as leg, foot, or nerve injuries; increasing mobility and quality of life for obese or older patients; or improving a working or sporting dog’s performance.

“The most important aspect of a program is a veterinarian who has the knowledge and skill to develop and perform an effective treatment program,” Davidson said. “The veterinarian prescribing the program will first do an assessment to determine specific issues and take measurements where possible. For example, they might measure muscle size before and after the therapy has begun to monitor for improvements and determine whether the program is effective.”

Certified veterinarians may also recommend supplemental treatments, each with their own benefits, that can be added to the recovery program as well.

Because treatment programs can vary, Davidson strongly recommends owners first visit with a veterinarian to discuss whether physical rehabilitation can improve their dog’s quality of life.

“Owners can consult with their veterinarian about rehab if they feel their pet is not getting around as well as they used to, seems to be less active, or is favoring one leg,” Davidson said.

At home, owners can support their dog’s recovery by walking them, as this can improve such daily activities as walking to their food dish or outside to pee.

Rehabilitation is a broad field that can include different programs and treatments specific to your furry friend’s condition, so working with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action can provide the most rewarding outcomes: pain relief, comfort, and improved well-being.

Pet Talk is a service of the School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to [email protected].

• Cat owners should know that if a cat goes without eating for a few days in a row, there is a risk that the cat could develop a potentially fatal condition called hepatic lipidosis. To break that term down, “hepatic” means relating to the liver, an organ that performs vital functions necessary to life, including removing waste products and foreign substances from the bloodstream, regulating blood sugar levels, and creating essential nutrients. “Lipidosis” means an abnormal accumulation of fat.

According to Dr. David Williams, overweight or obese cats have a greater chance of developing hepatic lipidosis

“Hepatic lipidosis seems to be a peculiar metabolic response of cats, particularly those that are overweight, to a reduction in food intake,” says Dr. Williams. “Once the cat gets hepatic lipidosis, the cat will not usually start eating again on its own.”

While hepatic lipidosis itself is not painful to the cat, the original cause of the anorexia, or period of not eating, could be painful. For example, pancreatitis is painful and could result in anorexia in a cat. Cats may stop eating for a variety of reasons, both medical and behavioral.

Possible signs of hepatic lipidosis include jaundice (yellowing of skin), lethargy, weakness, vomiting, and behavioral changes.

To diagnose hepatic lipidosis, doctors often perform blood tests to identify liver function and to determine other underlying diseases. A definitive diagnosis requires a liver biopsy, according to Dr. Williams. A liver biopsy can be done through the skin, or internally if an abdominal procedure is being done.

Many factors need to be considered for a thorough treatment approach to hepatic lipidosis. The standard treatment is to feed the cat using a feeding tube that has been surgically placed into the esophagus or, less commonly, the stomach.

• Most dogs aren’t picky when it comes to food. They’ll happily scarf down whatever tasty morsels they can find. But what if your hungry pup gobbles up everything in its path, including food meant for your other pets?

It’s not necessarily harmful for your dog to sneak a bite from your cat’s bowl here and there — though of course, your cat might not be too pleased to find their food bowl empty.

But feeding your dog cat kibble or canned wet food regularly won’t meet their nutritional needs in the long run.

Kibbles are kibbles, right? Wrong. Cats and dogs have different nutritional needs, so their food isn’t interchangeable.

“Cat food has everything that a dog needs, but not in the correct balance. These imbalances could lead to severe problems, especially over time,” says Dr. Adam Currier, a veterinarian at Fuzzy Pet Health.

For example, cat food typically has more calories, fat, and protein than dog food, Currier says. This is because cat food contains a higher meat content than dog food, and meat is calorically dense.

We are Yasmina and Kiah. We were in the last Breeze issue but the photo was so small you couldn’t see how handsome we are.

Using Technology to get Access to Resources

by Carol Leish, MA

How do you connect people to the services that they need? How do you use the technological devices to connect people to a greater world?

Victoria Jump

“’Digital’ is not just connecting to another person. It is either connecting to a person, to a service, or to a platform,” according to Victoria Jump, MPA, Director of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging(VCAAA). “We connect others to a network, which is a way of dealing with loneliness.”

There are various technological resources available on the website, www.vcaa.org, under: ‘Digital Resources.’ ‘VC Connects,’ at: www.vcconnects.org, was launched in summer of 2021, is a program designed to bridge the digital gap for older adults and people with disabilities living in Ventura County. VC Connects allows users to complete any online task, including video chats with friends, family members, and doctors. The program offers the use of Chromebooks, which includes internet enabled hotspots, and is provided at no charge. This allows users to stay active and engaged.

“Get Set Up: www.getsetup.com, according to Jump, “is a platform to take classes with others in the privacy of your own home. People make friends in small live classes online which are provided in multiple languages. In fact, this gives older adults the opportunity to watch a class, and then realize that they can teach a class on a particular topic themselves since Get Set Up is always looking for instructors. Thus, it is a good possibility of employment.”

Monique Nowlin

“The mission that we have has been for ‘Digital Inclusion,’ in order for no one to be left out,” according to Monique Nowlin, MPPA, Deputy Director at VC Area Agency on Aging. “Remember, during the pandemic, we were using Zoom more, which included having Tele-Health appointments. This broke down geographical barriers.”

“Trualta (www.trualta.com) provides me with information, if I want to know more about caregiving,” according to Nowlin. “It is an online tool for managing care at home that enables caregivers to explore options for challenging behaviors and discover ways to further connect with loved ones, connect, share, and learn with fellow caregivers.”

“Trualta is a web-based caregiving platform,” according to Jump. “If the only time that you have is in the middle of the night, you can go on Trualta and receive a brief training then.”

“We can not do Tele-Health appointments unless we have a laptop. We are helping people of modest means to have laptops and Chromebooks for them to be able to be connected. The Chromebooks for people can be checked out since we are in a partnership with the VC Libraries.”

The VC Connects Website: www.vcconnects.org, also offers seniors and people with disabilities to get access to Google Home, which can be set up with WIFI. It can remind people when to take their medicine or answer a question about the weather for the day, etc.

Jump focused on how things are different now by saying, “Things have been changing. Over ten years ago, we saw a larger percentage of people in their 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s who did not use computers other than using them for email. But now we are seeing how much more well-connected older adults are with using computers. However, there are still difficulties in all the changes taking place in technology. We view technology as a tool for people to be connected to the greater world.”

Nowlin elaborated upon this by saying, “Older people have become more independent using Zoom, etc. It is a continuous education because, ‘You don’t know what you don’t know” Through learning and gaining knowledge about technology, older adults and individuals with disabilities can and will feel more comfortable with using technology in order to deal better with the expanding technological world.”

Vol. 16, No. 16 – May 3 – May 16, 2023 – Movie Review

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
A Tourist’s Guide to Love – Netflix

3 out of 4 palm trees
Breeze rating from 1 to 4 palm trees, 4 being best.

In “A Tourist’s Guide to Love” Amanda Riley (Rachael Leigh Cook) worked as a travel executive for Tourista World Travel, and though Vietnam was in the list of top ten dream vacations, Tourista did not yet have a travel group to work with for travel to Vietnam. Amanda had a great relationship with her boss Mona (Missi Pyle) who was very supportive of her career as well as her five year relationship with her boyfriend John. So when John called Mona to arrange for Amanda to get off work early, Mona hinted that it could be nothing but a marriage proposal.

Mona’s assumption could not have been more wrong, as John actually got a job in a different state and wanted to put their relationship on “hiatus”, but Amanda was not willing to put her life on hold. Upon hearing this, Mona figured the best thing Amanda could do was to get away, so they agreed to send her to Vietnam to pose as a secret shopper to evaluate a Vietnam tour company Tourista was considering to acquire.

At the airport Amanda met Sinh Thach (Scott Ly) her tour guide from Saigon Silver Star and discovered that her luggage had been lost. Sinh told her not to worry because he knew a guy that knew a guy. She also met Sinh’s cousin Anh who did the driving for Saigon Silver Star which was owned by her dad. Though Amanda was skeptical about Sinh’s approach with her lost luggage, it did arrive a few hours later at the hotel where she met up with the rest of the tour group.

They all took a cyclo-tour though Ho Chi Minh City where Sinh told Amanda she needed to forget her guidebook and trust in what he wanted to share of Vietnam. Sinh said “A tourist wants to escape life, a traveler wants to experience it. You never know how long life’s going to be why wasted it on escape spend it on experience instead.” When Amanda replied that she was used to structure, Sinh showed her a somewhat hidden, beautifully illuminated part of the city and said “If you open yourself up to new possibilities you’d be surprised where life can take you.”

When the wait was three hours for the Golden Hand Bridge, Sinh took the group to My Son Sanctuary, a place filled with ancient Hindu temples built over the course of thousands of years by the ancestors of the Cham people. The Champa empire ruled part of Vietnam for many centuries and their kings built the temples to worship the deity Shiva, creating a secluded sanctuary which was so beautiful and majestic as well as a mystery as to how it was actually constructed.

Sinh’s goal was to show visitors the best possible version of Vietnam and had ambitions to take over the business, not knowing that his uncle had been considering selling it to Tourista. Sinh wanted to challenge travelers perceptions and open them up to incredible unforgettable experiences, and Amanda was beginning to appreciate Sinh’s unique approach to travel. She secretly told Mona to buy the company to protect it for Sinh’s family.

Amanda’s tour was during Tet, the most celebrated holiday in Vietnamese culture, so Sinh took the group shopping for new clothes for the celebration as was tradition. Then he took the entire group to Thong Chang, Sinh and Anh’s family village which was in the beautiful remote Vietnamese countryside. They were greeted by Sinh’s grandmother Ba Noi and other family members who also offered them all accommodations. Together they prepared a family feast for Tet and all together enjoyed the dinner and dancing for the holiday celebration.

The next stop on the tour was Hanoi to see the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater and pick up a guest that joined the tour late. To Amanda’s surprise, the guest joining the group was John, her ex-boyfriend who had come to win her back which complicated the budding relationship she had with Sinh. Now Amanda was caught between having to choose someone familiar from her past that offered stability, or take a chance with Sinh and a new life of experience in a foreign country.

Runtime: 1h 34m

Vol. 16, No. 16 – May 3 – May 16, 2023 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine

A Quick Refresher on Theater Etiquette

Attending a live performance is different than attending a film where one can happily munch on popcorn and slurp a drink. In live theater other rules of conduct apply. Take note of individual theatres’ rules. Some allow food and/or drink, some do not. Some allow only certain kinds of liquids, such as water. Patronize the snack bar but be mindful of the time constraint of the intermission.

As younger audiences are exposed to live theater, a few reminders on conduct prior to arrival may be in order. Even when attending a youth performance, show respect for the effort that has gone into putting the work on the stage. Applaud when appropriate. Refrain from screaming or yelling. (yes, you should be proud of your relatives and friends on stage, but a little restraint is appreciated by those around you. Be effusive after the performance.) Yelling out to specific actors is never acceptable except when attending a performance specifically designed for audience interaction. A melodrama, for example.

Becoming a role model for decorum and good manners helps everyone have an enjoyable experience.

Dress appropriately for the occasion. For an evening performance, use the opportunity to dress nicely. No torn jeans, shorts, or athletic wear. Matinees can be a bit more casual although looking nice is always appreciated. It shows respect. Me, I welcome an opportunity to dress up a bit. There are so few these days, it seems.

Arrive at the theater on time. (that means before the announced curtain time.) Early is always better to minimize disruption to other attendees. Prepare. Visit the theater’s website to make sure you have the correct curtain time and any other information that may be needed. Know before you go is always a good rule.

Visit the restroom before the performance begins, especially if there is no intermission. Unsure? Ask an usher.

Turn off cell phones and electronics for the duration. The audience is there to enjoy the show, not your personal conversations. Texting during a performance may be quiet, but the light from the phone is disruptive to others. Whatever it is, it can wait. If you are expecting an emergency or critical call, perhaps rescheduling your attendance is a good idea.

Be courteous to others. Wait your turn. No gum smacking, no talking during the performance.

Be aware that hats of any kind, and very tall hairdos, limit visibility for those seated behind you.

Keep personal belongings and obstacles (such as handbags, wraps, feet) close to you. Many performances may utilize the aisles, requiring a clear path. Each ticket entitles you to one seat and one seat only.

If you have special accommodation needs or questions, call the theater to let them know when you make your reservation. It is easier to make adjustments if circumstances are known in advance.

Make attending the theater an event to remember with pleasure. I look forward to seeing you there!

Vol. 16, No. 16 – May 3 – May 16, 2023 – Horoscopes

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Changes in the workplace might be daunting for some, but you love challenges and will do just fine with this one. Remember to work with facts, not rumors.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Just when you need some emotional reassurances, you find an almost-forgotten, friendly gesture repaid in the most wonderful way. More good news follows.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You have a chance to restart a stalled personal relationship. Additionally, a workplace change bodes well for new opportunities, but you need more facts before you can act.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Talk to your longtime friends about why they’re not in sync with your new pal. You might learn some startling facts. Also, a difficult workplace situation eases.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) What seems to be a golden opportunity is, naturally, attractive to Leos. But be careful that it’s not just a lot of surface glitter. You need to ask more questions.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) There are still some issues with getting decisions made on your workplace project. Talk to a supervisor about ways to break the impasse.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A family matter could become more complicated and reach an apparent dead end. Don’t give up on trying to find a solution. Work patiently with everyone involved.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You’ll soon hear more about an offer that could change the direction of your career. Meanwhile, enjoy the newly positive on-the-job environment.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Expect a favorable reply to a workplace request. On the home front, a full explanation helps you sort out a long-standing personal problem.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A serious matter needs focused consideration. Watch that your sometimes capricious nature doesn’t create any unnecessary distractions.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) You win added support for your determination to turn a bad situation into a good one. One new ally arrives from a most unexpected source.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Family and friends need to be told about a decision you want to make. Be prepared to offer a full explanation when asked. Hold nothing back.

BORN THIS WEEK: You can be a fighter and a lover. You are a natural leader with a strong sense of justice that makes people respect you.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Vol. 16, No. 16 – May 3 – May 16, 2023 – As I See It

Thousand Oaks has selected Akbar Alikhan, who is currently Ventura’s interim city manager, as their city’s new deputy city manager. Ventura’s department heads roulette continues.

Akbar has worked for the city of Ventura since 2019. In his new post, he’ll report to Thousand Oaks City Manager Drew Powers.

Alikhan, who previously was an assistant city manager in Ventura, was named acting city manager on Nov.14 after city manager, Alex McIntyre, was placed on administrative leave and has taken another job.

Ventura is in the process of hiring a permanent city manager. Alikhan had expressed interest in that position previously. I think he would have been an excellent Ventura city manager.

He will be taking a pay cut (but it still ain’t bad). His annual salary with Ventura is about $248,800. He will be starting at $224,000 in his new position.

Alikhan’s exit comes following an extensive shakeup in Ventura’s upper management.

On Nov. 28, Ventura Community Development Director Peter Gilli resigned. On Dec. 12, McIntyre was forced out. On Jan. 26, Chief Financial Officer Michael Coon was placed on paid administrative leave.

Lots of Venturans think that our homeless population is very high, but it really isn’t. All cities are experiencing a high count. The homeless population in San Diego reached another record high for the 6th month in a row.

Donor Don sent this note with his latest contribution. Thought worth sharing.

“This contribution is on behalf of Sheldon, for his long years of excellent reporting and great sense of humor. Since founding the Breeze and somewhat retired (not quite yet) he continues to bring much needed insight of the community and worthy national news, much appreciated over many years.
Don Rodrigues

Thank you Don!
I think the reason that no aliens have landed here is that they haven’t been formally invited. I sent the following to NASA who, I’m sure, will be broadcasting this into space.

ALIENS YOU ARE HEREBY INVITED TO A PARTY ON EARTH
TO BE HELD ON THE USA WHITE HOUSE MAIN LAWN.
MEET EARTHLINGS FROM THROUGHOUT THE PLANET.
CASUAL ATTIRE (NOT NECESSARY IF YOU DON’T WEAR CLOTHES).
DRINKS, HORS D’OEUVRES AND DINNER WILL BE SERVED.
PLEASE NO ANIMALS OR CHILDREN UNDER 250 YEARS OLD.
PLEASE RSVP TO [email protected]

The Tennessee House GOP expelling of two (or 3) Democrats in retaliation over gun control protest was a very sad day for our democracy, which is being destroyed daily.
Last week National Hairball Awareness Day was celebrated, so I took my cat Savana to lunch to celebrate. After she spit up a hairball of course.

Disney has sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over the Republican’s takeover of its theme park district, alleging the governor waged a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” after the company opposed a law critics call “Don’t Say Gay.” How incredibly stupid of DeSantis regardless of his reasoning (which is bad enough). The theme park is a great thing to have in your state. The money, tourists and taxes it brings in are tremendous for Florida. Maybe Disney should pick up the park and move it to Ventura. Oh wait, we wouldn’t want that would we?

Pope Francis has decided to give women the right to vote (in Vatican affairs) at a meeting of bishops. This is an historic reform that reflects his hopes to give women greater decision-making ability and laypeople more say in the life of the Catholic Church.
Francis approved changes to the rules governing the Synod of Bishops, a Vatican body that gathers the world’s bishops together for periodic meetings, following years of demands by women to have the right to vote.

This could be the start of something big. Perhaps shortly women will be able to vote in our national and local elections.

Vol. 16, No. 16 – May 3 – May 16, 2023 – Forever Homes Wanted

Hi: I’m Peanut, a sweet 2 month old Spaniel X pup rescued from a shelter when my time was almost up. In spite of a less-than-ideal start in life, I’m grateful to be in a fantastic foster home with a foster mom who has lots of experience with puppies! My foster mom is giving me lots of love, attention and the best of care.

Since I’m just a puppy, children in the home must be at least 6 years of age. I know I’m cute and everyone will want me, but please be sure you’re ready to take on a puppy as it’s similar to having a newborn in the home. It’s a lifetime commitment, not a temporary one where the love and attention wears off after I’m grown.

If you’re ready and able to give me a lifetime of love and wonderful memories, please fill out an application to meet me. Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L.
https://carldogs.org/
CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.


Meet Gandalf, a 2-year-old shorthaired rabbit! This curious bun would love a safe and loving indoor home of his own where he can live the life of a spoiled and much adored house rabbit. He can be a little shy at first. If you’d like to meet Gandalf, email [email protected] and one of our Bunny Brigade volunteers will reach out to you soon!