​     We love summer, don’t we?  In about May, people start asking each other about summer plans. We launch our annual bathing suit diet (and yes, I typed that with a straight face...) Breweries begin advertising their fruity summer offerings. Baseball standings grace the paper’s front page.  Our neighborhood pools become the daily hangout.
     Dinners just naturally get served later, as the day light extends. Supper at 8:00? Sure, why not? The Europeans do it, we think. Let’s eat on the patio! Fireworks tents pop up everywhere, and the neighborhood bombers build up their stash. Self-tanners replace winter dry skin potions on drugstore shelves.
     Convertible owners make their annual attempt to make the rest of us peasants jealous, as they roll those tops down, don cute, sporty hats, and play their music just loud enough at stop lights to makes us take a second glance.
     Large family reunions start giving t-shirt printers all the business they need, as the Jones, and the Smiths, and the Roberts families gather generations together to lie and swap stories and mourn those who are gone. Rock salt disappears off store shelves to be used in the slushy ice mix on the outside of a hand cranked ice cream maker, and I don’t mind telling you how sorry I feel for those of you who never got to have my Nanny’s burnt sugar ice cream straight from her White Mountain freezer.
     Even musical artists get in on the action, right?  Every generation has a song or two that make them think of summer.  While Bananarama’s “Cruel Summer” might not have been your jam, I can still sing most of the lyrics. Maybe the Beach Boys’ “California Girls” makes you think of the ocean. They wish they all could be California girls?  What about us Missouri chicks with Iodine and baby oil farmer’s tans?
      Or if you are old school, can’t you just imagine George Gershwin penning “Summertime” on the fire escape of his stylish New York apartment in the stifling heat, thinking he better write another song to pay for that stylish New York apartment?  Old George had us thinking about easy summer living and catfish practically jumping from the water onto our line.
   I truly am a sucker for the sights and sounds of summer. You can find my nose jammed into a bottle of Coppertone’s original suntan lotion, the stuff we wore before we knew we were supposed to block the sun, inhaling the scent of that tropical concoction.
     I am pretty sure fresh peaches is what Heaven will smell like, and I don’t even have the words to describe the smell of a rain shower on a summer day except to say I just love it—earthy, damp, promising. I even like the powdery yet medicinal smell of the calamine lotion we used as kids to cover the tops of the mosquito bites we had scratched open.
     And the sounds that accompany summer are pretty good, too.  Early morning lawnmowers and weed whackers that bother some folks don’t disrupt my sleep at all. The thwunk of a paper hitting the driveway reminds me of fair-haired boys I once crushed on, making a little bit of money on their paper routes.
     Kids with grass stuck all over their bare legs, shrieking in the sprinklers, with their pffft pffft pffft pffft noise. Concerts of crickets and cicadas as the sun sets. For those of us of an age, the scratchy sound of a drive in movie coming through a rusty speaker attached to a car door is a great summer memory.
    Maybe for you it is the hiss of a well-seasoned steak hitting the glowing grill or the neighbor’s wind chimes, which irritate you during all the other seasons, but during the summer seem just about right. And the hssssst a pop top makes when somebody reaches into a cold cooler and opens a soda can is something we all know. 
    A creamy orange push pop or a dipped cone costs a lot more than it used to, but it is the perfect treat through lots of generations, and kids love the tinkly, tinny sound of the ice cream truck music as it rumbles through the neighborhood, like a siren’s call hearkening sailors.
     When you are a mom or a spouse, the sounds of summer might take on a little different twist. At my house this year, those sounds have just about put me over the edge, and the typical daily playlist rings a little more domestic. 
     It starts with a slamming screen door, because who would want to gently close it as you go out to the deck to have your coffee, when if you let it slam it might wake up everybody in the house? 
     Maybe it is the squeak the cabinet makes when someone opens it to get our ANOTHER glass  which they will eventually leave on a table somewhere to make another dewy water ring. The breaking of the seal on the refrigerator door as it opens to the food- seeker, one who stands looking for just the right FIRST snack of the day, is never pleasant to a mom’s ears.
    This summer, I have heard the air conditioner constantly laboring, as a certain 15 year old decides she is hot from “lurching” around the neighborhood, and lowers the temp to cool down. But I can just barely hear the air conditioner over the television left running in another room since early morning.
    At my house, the background music is always a running washing machine, chugging its way through yet another load of the clothes my family has worn for four minutes and then discarded in the hamper, nestled right next to the damp towel they used for the third shower that day; or maybe its companion the dishwasher, running another half-full load so no one has to fill a sink with hot soapy water for the good old hand washed look.
    One of my least favorite soundtracks is the groan that comes when I wake my teen before noon, followed by the loud protest that it is still early. It just barely beats out the rushed requests at the window of the car as I head out to the grocery to please buy more ice cream, frozen lemonade, and grapes. If you read that with a whine, you are right on track.
     Driving to work today, I hit on a radio station running a marathon of summer songs:  “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”, possibly one the longest but most fun song titles ever; “Under the Boardwalk”, which somehow seems more ominous to me now; and “Summer Lovin’” from Grease, filled with all its innuendo. By the time “Summer Breeze”, a song from my era came on, I was singing along, oblivious to the less exciting soundtrack playing at home.      
     Happy summer, ya’ll. I hope today you eat a piece of fresh fruit, catch of whiff of chlorine from the pool, or think of an old summer love.  I know I will!
    Cathy is a retired public school English teacher and Public Information Officer.
 

     By 1945, the yearbook had photographs of the busses with their drivers and pupils. One was the photograph featured last week of Mr. Frantz and his “South Bus”. A  third route had been added with the “Pink Hill” bus driven by Mr. Graham. The “North” bus route was driven by Mr. Peal.

     Summer is here, and with it, comes summer day trips and extended vacations. If you're like me, your gadgets are a part of your everyday life, which means if you travel, you're bound to take devices like smartphones,  laptops, digital cameras, tablets, and e-readers with you. 
     Every year, thousands of devices are stolen, lost, or damaged while people are vacationing. Want to keep your devices safe during those summer vacation months? Here are some quick and easy tips you can use to protect your electronics and tech.

1. Back Up Your Devices.
     You should have automatic backups of all of your devices, but in case you're one of those people who doesn't, set it up for your mobile devices now. You know anything can happen to your devices, what you don't want to experience is losing all of those precious pictures, documents, and videos.  Both Apple and Google devices have the ability to backup your important data to the cloud. If you have a Wi-Fi enabled camera, configure it to save that information to the cloud as well. If you have a Windows or Apple laptop, your best bet is to use cloud backup services like Carbonite (www.carbonite.com) or cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive or DropBox (www.dropbox.com) to store your data in the cloud.

2. Password Protect Your Mobile Devices. 
     Did you know that about a third of people around the world don't use passwords to protect their tech? Well, passwords are the first line of defense to protect your information if your devices are lost or stolen. If your devices have the ability, use biometric identification like face ID or a fingerprint to keep your device more secure.
    When you take steps to protect your data, you reduce the risks of ID theft and other cyber threats and increases your chances of recovering your device because most criminals will discard it once they realize they can't get access to the device. 
     If you're traveling with a laptop, take the extra step to encrypt your devices. Encryption is the act of scrambling the data of your devices so the only way to access them is the person trying to access the device a key. Smartphones and tablets encrypt themselves when you put a password on them. Computers do not. If you have a Windows 10 computer, you can encrypt your computer with Bitlocker, which is included with computers running Windows 10 Professional. If you're a Macintosh user, you have access to File Vault, which is included on all Macintosh computers.


3. Protect Your Devices in the Summer Heat.
     Heat is the enemy of all tech devices.  Don’t leave any devices in direct sunlight as direct sunlight can ruin the screen and cause your device to overheat and ruin it. Be careful not to let your smartphone and other devices get too hot during the summer because it can damage the battery life. If you are at the pool, make sure your phone is stored somewhere cool, or at least out of direct sunlight. If your device does happen to overheat, simply store it somewhere with lower temperatures and let your device cool down before using it again. Don't force it to get cool by holding it in front of a fan or air conditioning; let it cool naturally. Never leave tech your gadgets in vehicles. If you absolutely have to leave your technology in the car, be sure to park in the shade and crack the car windows.

4. Track Your Tech Devices.
     You should never leave your device unattended, but accidents and negligence happen.  Most modern, computers, smartphones, and tablets have the ability to be tracked built into the devices. Tech theft is big business domestically and internationally and tourists are a big target. You might be tempted to use a device like a Tile, but you need to use the built-in tracking software on your device as it uses GPS rather than Tile which uses Bluetooth which has a limited range.

5. Get a Case For Your Devices. 
    Do you know anyone who hasn't dropped their phone?  When you're near home, you can easily replace your devices. When you're traveling, it's extremely difficult. Keep those devices safe by getting protective cases for everything you plan to take on the road with you.
     I hope you have fun this summer in your travels with family and friends. You know you will take some form of technology with you when you go.  Make sure you follow the above tips to keep all of your devices safe and to make sure they all come home with you.

Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.com. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone.

Need computer or technology help? If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. Our team of friendly tech experts organization can help you with any IT needs you might have.  Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.
 

     Several years ago, I began commuting to work. It is not my favorite thing to do.  But I like the familiarity of the drive, and I am always at work honing my powers of observation, like all ladies of an age should.
    On my drive I pass a house that sits on a slight hill, a bit back from the road and has a long gravel drive winding up to it.  In years when we have had snow, I have felt both sorry for the owners that didn’t have a smoother surface that could be scraped or snow blown, but also somewhat envious, as they were undisturbed by the outside world, no SUV or truck tracks marring the snow covered drive.
   One Friday early this spring, there were trucks at the end of the drive, temporarily blocking that lane of my commute.  As I got closer, I realized one of them was churning cement.  Were they pouring a driveway?
   On Monday I craned my neck in the rearview mirror after passing the house, and to my surprise, it looked like only one fairly small section of driveway, right at the base of the hill, had been poured.
    I looked forward to the end of work that day—ahh, who am I kidding, I always look forward to the end of my work day.  But that day, I wanted to take a look to verify the tiny driveway they had poured. 
     Sure enough, as I slowed down to rubberneck, only one section of concrete was curing, surrounded on the other two sides by all that gravel.  What in the world?  Why wouldn’t you pour the whole thing?
    When my husband got home, I shared the exciting, albeit puzzling details.  Or at least I attempted to.
    As my opener, I said, “I saw the weirdest thing today.”
    Somewhat intrigued, because likely he thought I had seen someone with a third eye or a 50 something year old with a really good mullet, he inclined an ear toward me, a sure invitation for me to continue.
    “Yeah, you know that house that sits sort of on the hill on the right, just before our turn, with the gravel driveway?”
     “No,” he said, without even trying to access the route in his mind, “I guess I never saw it.”
     “Well, of course you saw it,” I said, suddenly desperate to cement a reference in his mind for this fabulous story I was getting ready to tell. “You drive past it all the time.”
     “I just can’t picture it,” he said, “but go ahead with the story.” 
     In that moment, I had a choice to pout about him not noticing the same things I do or to have at least a smidgen of a viable dinner conversation topic, so like Lewis and Clark, I pushed bravely forward.
     “Well, they have a gravel drive, but…” I started, when he interrupted and said, “Yeah, that’s what you said.”
    “That’s not the whole story!” I whined. 
     “Oh, well that is weird or at least kind of unusual to have a gravel drive in the suburbs, so I just thought that is what you meant,” he said, now fully engaged. “There’s more?”
     Setting his threshold of weird aside, I told him about the cement truck and the resulting single section of driveway it had poured.
   “Okay, go ahead,” he said.
    “Well, that’s it. I mean who pours one section of driveway?  That is just weird.”
     Maybe it was my tone or the volume at which I emphasized the word weird, but he paused for just long enough to make me think he was thinking about what I had said and considering the level of weirdness.
     “Hmmm. I have a question,” he said. “Do you want possible explanations, a rating from 1 to 10 of how weird that is or isn’t, or would you just be satisfied with my initial hmmm?”
    I wanted a discussion, which was not one of his options.  Before he could offer me his list, I offered mine.
     “I know that sometimes concrete companies will schedule a driveway when they know they will have extra concrete mixed from a big job, and it saves the homeowner money.  Maybe that’s it.  Or maybe the grader they were using to level the gravel threw craps, and they couldn’t level the other sections. Or maybe they got to pouring it, and it was too thick or too thin. Or maybe some of the workers were sick with COVID, ” I said breathlessly.
     When he didn’t bite on one of those explanations, I ruminated further.
     “I think they poured it Friday, and wasn’t it supposed to rain over the weekend?  Maybe they just thought the weather wouldn’t cooperate for it to cure correctly. Or maybe…nah, this is too crazy…maybe the wife commissioned the driveway and the husband didn’t really want it and he just stopped the work! Or maybe the crew got there with the invoice, looking for payment and the amount was way more than they anticipated, and they could just afford a section!”
     He smiled like he does when he knows more than me. I should tell you it isn’t his best look.
     “Maybe they just decided to do it piece by piece,” he mumbled under his breath.
     Mind blown at his simplistic explanation and lack of willingness to gnaw that bone right down to the marrow, I said, “Well, that’s just dumb,” mimicking Ricky Bobby, one of my most favorite cinematic characters of all time.
     To my husband, that was not at all dumb. He started a Perry Mason like defense of all the things that were better done piece by piece.
     He talked about some dessert that you start one day that gets refrigerated, and then you complete it the next day, like in two pieces.  I countered with the idea that recipes were done in steps. He countered with puzzles. He meandered his way into quilt making and mosaic art. I teased him about his love for crafts.  
    He said he thought there was maybe even an ACDC song with the name Piece by Piece, and I resisted the urge to tell him it was Kelly Clarkson who sang it and question his very manhood. ACDC, pshawwww.
     We ate the rest of our dinner in silent contemplation about pieces, until our daughter interrupted just long enough to share her desire to have curtain bangs cut into her beautiful all one length hair, and the shock of her announcement sort of pulled me out of the debate.
    About an hour later, my husband said, “Do you remember a TV show called Piece by Piece?”
    I didn’t bite. 
    “I can’t remember if we watched it together or I just watched it. It was about graffiti artists in California,” he said.
    “You Googled piece by piece, didn’t you?” I said.
    Unphased, he said, “Pizza. Pizza is a piece by piece thing.”  No argument there, most of us do eat it piece by piece. 
    I know why he understands the single driveway panel. He is a piecer, and yes, I just made that word up, according to my grammar checker.
    He pieces together outfits, ones that incorporate lots of patterns and lots of colors, none of which the rest of us would match. The results are dazzling.
    He pieces together long, often rambling prayers at family dinners, praising God for everything from good steaks to temperate weather and implores him for help with everything from slowing down golf cart drivers in our neighborhood to good boyfriends for our girl to real things like curing cancer.
    He manicures our shrubbery in pieces, working until he tires, and then attacking it again another day.  My Edward Scissorhands likes to piece away the branch which results in a sort of late 80’s asymmetrical bob on our boxwoods.
    Under pressure from our maid (me), he cleans off his dresser top piece by piece, examining each item like it belongs in a gallery, whereas I would just rake my forearm across the whole mess the night before trash day and sneak it out.
     In the months since the tiny drive was poured, I have romanticized that concrete, thinking about it on my daily commute. Perhaps they wanted to see the color of the concrete once it was cured, kind of like trying to find the right blue paint for a bedroom wall with little swatches. They probably just gazed out their picture window at it each day.
    The deeply sentimental part of me imagined a little grandson who would be so enamored by a concrete truck, that they postponed until he could be there with them to see it poured. I assumed he lived in either Portland, where it rains so much it is hard to pour concrete or in Mississippi, where it is so muddy that the concrete just sinks in. Concrete is a big deal to little boys.
   The patriotic part of me just knew their son has been serving in the military in an overseas occupation, had finally gotten word of his discharge, and they wanted to afford him one last view of his boyhood gravel drive, and thus had halted the work while he made his way home, perhaps not arriving until months and months from now.
     A few friends with the same commute also noticed the drive, and it was a good topic of discussion. We assumed they had committed to the ‘soul patch’ look.
   Then one day, as spring turned to summer, the concrete truck re-appeared. A friend texted me the news. Talk about exciting! The driveway would be finished!  The grandson had come to visit!  The son had said a tearful goodbye to the gravel!
     I mentioned at dinner having seen the truck at the house again, and my husband patted my hand and said he was glad I wouldn’t have to worry about the driveway anymore. He didn’t hear me when I mumbled that I would give him something to worry about.
    I looked forward to my commute, maybe even catching a glimpse of the chubby-cheeked grandson, holding the granddad’s hand, just standing there admiring the magnificent new driveway. I planned my neighborly wave, which would turn into a thumbs up, acknowledging their patience and the beautiful new addition, complete with the anchoring initial piece.
     Why was I surprised when I saw they had just poured only one more single section, adjacent to the original piece?  They truly are piecers, my husband’s kindred spirits.
    I promise you I will not be bringing it up at dinner.
​
     Cathy is a retired public school English teacher and Public Information Officer.
 

​     I’m sure you have read about the ransomware attacks that occurred against the Colonial Pipeline that caused them to shut down production.
     Ransomware attacks have been on the rise for years now and it is not showing any signs of slowing down. If you want to keep your personal or business devices safe from ransomware attacks, check out these quick and easy tips that will help you keep safe.
     Every time I talk about cybercrime, I always have to state this statistic. 99% of cybercrime requires user interaction. This means as long as you're not clicking on links in emails or visiting questionable websites, all of your devices are protected from most cyber threats.
     Prevention is better than protection when it comes to ransomware. These attacks were originally designed to prevent access to your files, but now criminals are stealing your data as well as ensuring you pay the ransom. Here's how you can keep safe:
     1. Update your tech. It doesn’t matter what type of device you use, make sure it’s up to date. Many of you think you’re immune from these types of attacks because you’re not using a Windows device. Even though this attack was designed to infect Windows computers, it does not mean you’re immune. Verify automatic updates are enabled on your device. Also, make sure you’re running the latest operating system for your device. Cybercriminals will target older technology because they know the manufacturer no longer provides security updates for these devices.
     2. Start using an automatic cloud backup service, today! The most dangerous aspect of ransomware is its ability to infect computers and devices connected to a network. You may backup your information to an external hard drive, or to a cloud service like DropBox or OneDrive, but guess what? Ransomware can infect those files as well. 
     How does a cloud backup service help you? Most cloud services like Carbonite (www.carbonite.com) keep multiple copies of your files across many services across the globe. If your backup gets infected with ransomware, your cloud backup provider can simply restore your files before the infection happened.
     3. Use common sense when it comes to email. Hackers aren’t concerned about getting into your computers or network anymore. They get your information by phishing scams that are socially engineered to make you react to what is being said in an email. These emails come in the form of mail from your friends or from companies you have grown to trust.
     Always verify the email by looking at the email address. If you get an odd email from a friend, pick up the phone and ask if they meant to send you the letter in question. If you aren’t sure, just simply delete the email. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
     4. Use Anti-Virus software on your devices. Anti-Virus software isn’t full proof and for the most part, one isn’t better than the other. It’s something you need to have on your device (meaning Windows, Macintosh, Smartphone, or Tablet). The anti-virus that is actively scanning your device decreases the chances you will fall victim to a ransomware scam.
     5. Never Pay The Ransom. Yes paying the ransom, might get your files back and prevent criminals from sharing your personal information, but it's never a guarantee.
    So what happens if you get infected with ransomware? Unplug your desktop computer and take the battery out of your laptop. Disconnect your computer from your wired or wireless network and unplug it from the wall. Ransomware users can remotely power up computers. Give us a call here at Integral. We may not be able to retrieve those lost files, but we can make sure you don’t fall victim to a ransomware scam.
     Ransomware isn't going anywhere. Make sure you're taking steps to stop these attacks before they happen. No one wants to be in a position where they lose access to their important documents, photos, and videos.

     Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@burtonkelso.com. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. 
 

    A favorite fruit from my childhood that my mother grew in her garden that I’ve never had much luck with is cantaloupe. I don’t know if it was the variety she grew or if there was something magical about the soil, but my mom could grow the biggest, sweetest cantaloupe that I had ever seen. Or was is muskmelon, as my grandmother called it?
     As a young child, this confused me! As it turns out, both my mom and grandmother were right, but my grandmother was more right!
    All cantaloupes are muskmelons, but not all muskmelons are cantaloupes. A true cantaloupe has a warty looking rind and will not slip easily from the vine when ripe. These are widely grown in Europe.
     A muskmelon, like my mother grew, has a pronounced netting on the rind, is fragrant, and slips easily from the vine when mature. Despite these differences, the U.S. Department of Agriculture only uses the term “cantaloupe” to describe both true cantaloupe and muskmelon, thus the terms are often used interchangeably in U.S. markets. They are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, along with other viny plants like gourds, squash, and pumpkins.
     Cantaloupes were first cultivated in the Near East and were growing in areas from Turkey to China, including north-west India, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan. Cantaloupes were cultivated by American Indians near the present city of Montreal in the 1500’s and the vicinity of Philadelphia in the 1700’s. Commercial cantaloupe production did not begin in the United States until the 1870’s and was initially centered in Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. Worldwide, the United States is the 8th largest producer of cantaloupes/other melons.
     Around 1.5 billion pounds of cantaloupe are grown annually from California, Arizona, Indiana, North Carolina, and Texas, with California and Arizona producing over 80% of the total.
     When shopping for a fresh cantaloupe, look for one that is somewhat symmetrical and feels heavy for its size with a stem end that feels slightly soft. The color should be a creamy, light yellow orange with little to no green. Ripe cantaloupe should smell sweet-especially at the stem end- and a little musky.
     Because of the high water content, cantaloupe, like most melons, is low in calories. Cantaloupe is an excellent source of beta carotene and Vitamin C, both powerful antioxidants that show promise in cancer prevention and supporting the immune system. It is also rich in potassium, folate, and fiber. 
     Cantaloupe and all melons should be washed well before cutting, as the knife can easily transfer bacteria from the outside to the inside flesh. Cut melon should also be refrigerated after cutting, as it can create a prime environment for bacteria to grow.
     Cantaloupe is a common ingredient it a fruit salad or it can be served with cheese and meats for a light summer dinner. Cantaloupe can also be pureed for a cold soup or even mixed with juice or sparkling water for a refreshing beverage. For a fun, kid-friendly summer treat, this fruit kebob recipe is best when served chilled.
     Denise Sullivan is a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension in the Urban West Region, serving Jackson and Platte Counties. For research-based nutrition and food safety information and programs, visit https://extension.missouri.edu/counties/urban-west-region
 

     The upgrading of cattle was the vision of William Rockhill Nelson. While the idea behind this 10 year “experiment” was in his mind before he purchased the farms, the actual experiment was not begun until just prior to Nelson’s death in 1915. 
    As I have stated in previous articles, Mr. Nelson purchased the first 200 cows from the Kansas City Stockyard in 1915. He did not live to see the results of the first cross, let alone succeeding crosses. The results from the first cross, breeding grade cows to registered Shorthorn bulls, did not produce calves until 1916. The annual demonstration days began in 1922. It was after the fourth cross.
     By viewing the cattle in each of the pens in the foreground, breeders could see the results of the experiment. Each pen held examples of the grade cows, the registered Shorthorn bulls and their offspring from the first cross thru successive crosses.
     From the USDA publication, “The Upgrading of Beef Cattle,” and other articles written about the experiment I believe that the greatest improvements were shown by the fourth cross, meaning additional cross did not yield noticeable improvements or a higher rate of gain on meat quality or price.
     I chose this photo because I am always amazed to realize that upwards of 10,000 people came to Grain Valley, Missouri, each year in October to study the results of the breeding program at Sni-A-Bar. Although, my grandmother Napier would tell you they came for the free beef and pork dinners provide at no cost by Muehlbach & Sons Grocery in Kansas City. 
 

    What is the original plant-based meat substitute? The mighty mushroom!  We have been enjoying mushrooms for over a century as they make repeat appearances in a variety of dishes like our favorite pizza or pasta dish. But mushrooms are making a comeback by being the star of show in many recipes.
     Mushrooms have a slightly earthy flavor and delicate texture, giving them the ability to absorb flavors they are cooked with. They blend so well into foods that it is even a trend!
     “The Blend” is a cooking technique that combines chopped mushrooms with ground meat to make meals more delicious, nutritious and sustainable. To experience The Blend in your own kitchen, try adding mushrooms to dishes like burgers, tacos, meatloaf and more.
 
Meet the Mighty Mushrooms:
     Button: The same species as baby bellas, button mushrooms are versatile and have small, smooth white capes and a mild flavor.
     Baby Bella: Also called cremini mushrooms, baby bellas are brown, firm and have a deeper flavor than button mushrooms.
     Portabella: With a meaty flavor and caps up to 6 inches across, portabellas can be stuffed, grilled or roasted.
     Shiitake: Loved for their strong, earthy flavor, spot shiitake mushrooms by their broad, umbrella-shaped caps.
     Dried: With their concentrated flavor, varieties of dried mushrooms work well in risotto, soups and sauces.
 
Power Up with Mushrooms
     Mushrooms are naturally low in calories, fat and cholesterol. They’re a good source of B vitamins, which provide energy by helping support protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism.
     Mushrooms also contain potassium, which helps control blood pressure and promotes a healthy heart.
     Mushrooms are one of the few food sources of vitamin D, which plays a role in having a healthy immune system.
    Mushrooms should have a smooth, firm texture and an earthy scent. Do not purchase those that look shriveled, wet or dried out, or those that smell musty.
     Keep fresh mushrooms in the refrigerator (unwashed) in their original packaging or a loosely closed paper bag. Use within one week. Store dried mushrooms at room temperature.
     To prep, wipe mushrooms clean with a damp paper towel just before using. Do not wash or soak fresh mushrooms in water until just before consuming. (They soak up water like a sponge, diluting their flavor in recipes).
 
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
 

     It is great to see things returning to some semblance of normal as we emerge from the COVID fog. We see our communities coming back to life as more people are vaccinated.
     Businesses all over town are dusting off the 2020 grime, opening their doors, and looking forward to a busy and profitable summer season. But for many families, it may not be an easy adjustment to get back to life as it was pre-COVID.
     Low-income families faced many additional hardships during the pandemic, which took its toll. According to a recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, low-income families suffered higher job loss, food insecurity, and psychological distress during the pandemic than higher-income families. It's no wonder people are looking to create a better, more stable future for themselves and their children.
     That is where the Job Skills for New Careers program comes into play, to fill the educational gap and offer a pathway to a career. A collaborative program between Truman Heartland Community Foundation, Community Services League, Mid-Continent Public Library, KC Scholars, and the University of Central Missouri, Job Skills for New Careers offers low-income adults the opportunity to learn a new skill in a high-paying, in-demand field at no charge.
     We currently provide six training opportunities: Medical Coding & Billing, Welding, Certified Nurse Assistant, Phlebotomy, Construction, and Materials Handling. So in just a few short weeks or months, adult learners can be fully trained and ready to start work. In addition to learning skills in their future profession, all trainees receive one-on-one coaching in personal finance, workplace relations, and problem-solving, setting them up for professional and personal success.
     Plans are already underway to add additional training tracks to build the program and meet the community's needs. They say it takes a village ... In this case, it took 44 fund holders at Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Understanding the impact such a comprehensive program could have, these donors chose to pool their giving, totaling $125,000, to support the Job Skills for New Careers program.
     This generous funding will support the current program efforts and help expand the program to encompass a more diverse array of career field opportunities. This program works.
     We launched it at the start of the pandemic, and despite this headwind in 2020, the program's graduation rate was 78 percent, well above the industry standard for workforce development programs. Just imagine what the classes in 2021 will achieve!
     If you or someone you know is interested in getting out of a dead-end job and into a career with a real future, or if you are an employer looking for well-trained candidates to fill your open positions, contact Debby at the Career Services department at Community Services League at 816.912.4487 or lauferd@cslcares.org.
     Together, with thoughtful donors from eastern Jackson County and the surrounding communities, we will improve the economic status of individuals and families and provide businesses the qualified candidates they need to succeed.
     Phil Hanson is the president and CEO of Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Truman Heartland Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity committed to improving the communities in and around Eastern Jackson County through partnerships with donors and community members. 
     For more information on charitable giving, visit www.thcf.org or call Truman Heartland at 816-836-8189.  
 

     It's common knowledge that big tech companies like Facebook, Google, or Twitter are tracking you through the apps you're using on your smartphones and tablets to target you with ads. When these companies know your personal habits, such as where you live, where you shop, and what you do for entertainment, it helps them personalize ads that are directly targeted to you.
     Fortunately, companies like Android and Apple are stepping up to the plate to help keep your information and lifestyle private. If you're looking to keep your information out of the hands of big tech, follow these steps to put an end to tracking for your Android and iPhone devices.
     Both Android and Apple devices use an IDFA or special "ad ID" for tracking smartphones. Companies who want to gather information can use your IDFA to track you across different apps and websites which allows them to gather your app usage habits. You have always had the ability to turn off app tracking on your smart gadgets, but the release of Apple's iOS 14.5 made major headlines last month as not only did it make apps unable to track you unless you give them permission, but it also alerts you what apps are using your IDFA to scan your other apps to get information about you.
     There are good reasons why some apps need to track your location. For example, your navigation apps won't work well if they aren't able to know your location. It's one thing to have one app using your IDFA, but it becomes scary when they begin using other apps to look for more information about you. 
     You might be surprised which apps are gathering information about you. Here's a list.
     Social media: You knew this already, right?
    Streaming: Your favorite streaming service knows what you're watching, where you're watching it, and which family member is watching.
    Deals and coupons: Yes, you can find some great deals with these apps, but they are also checking out your shopping habits to target you with ads for more stuff.
     News and weather: These apps have the ability to know your location ... because you want to know the local forecast, right?
     Car insurance: Are you a good driver? I hope so, as that car insurance app knows your location as well as knowing how fast you drive.
     Want your apps to stop tracking you? Here is how you do it!
     How to prevent App tracking on an Android phone.
     At the time of this writing, Android devices don't have the robust features that iOS 14.5 has as far as letting you know which apps are spying on your other apps. If you want to stop app tracking, you have to turn off location tracking entirely.
     On a Google Pixel 4, go to Settings > Location and toggle Use location off.
     On a Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus, go to Settings > Location and toggle it off.
     This turns off all location tracking, so no apps will be able to access your location, but it also means that you can’t locate your phone with 'Find My Device' if it goes missing. You also won't be able to use Google Maps or any other app that relies on on-location services.
 
     How to prevent App tracking on iPhone.
     Apple is helping you stay ahead of those apps tracking you with the release of iOS14.5 Anytime an app wants to use your IDFA, you will get a prompt asking if you want the app in question to track your activity across other apps and websites.
     You can confirm or deny the action. These default settings allow you to get a good idea of which apps are tracking your information across all of your devices. If you don't want to deal with a prompt every time an app tries to read the IDFA and stop tracking altogether, you can do the following:
Go into Settings.
2. Select Privacy.
3. Select Tracking.
4. Switch the toggle to OFF for 'Allow Apps to Request to Track'
     I'm sure you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that changing some settings on your phones can help boost your privacy and prevent big tech companies from following you across the internet. Let's hope more companies step up and do more to protect our personal data.
     Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@burtonkelso.com. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. 
Reach out to us at www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.