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With nearly 1,100 cases andat least 44 deaths from West Nile Virus nationwide, you may have questions on how to protect yourself and your family. Getting rid of mosquitoes is one way. The University of Illinois Extension Service provided these tips:

Once again mosquitoes are causing problems in Illinois this summer, and University of Illinois Extension professionals caution gardeners may be more at risk of their bites. Though no human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in the QC area there have been mosquitoes testing positive in nearby counties.

Gardeners are particularly vulnerable to mosquitoes this time of year because we garden early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the heat. Of course, that's the time most of the mosquitoes are out, too.

Mosquitoes have been blamed for spreading the recent outbreak of West Nile Virus in the state and can also spread such other diseases as St. Louis encephalitis and eastern equine encephalitis.

There basically are two ways gardeners can protect themselves from mosquitoes eliminating the breeding sites and dealing with the adult mosquitoes.

As for eliminating potential breeding sites, empty water or change it at least once a week in saucers under plants, birdbaths and plants that hold water such as bromeliads.

If you have a water feature in your garden, it's OK if you have moving water, since mosquitoes won't breed in moving water. You're also OK if you have goldfish in it, since the fish will take care of the larvae swimming on the water's surface. Koi are not effective in controlling mosquito larvae since the fish are bottom feeders.

But you'll want to take some precautions like using an insecticide that kills larvae such as Mosquito Dunks in any water feature that has standing water and doesn't have fish.

To deal with adult mosquitoes, the methods can range from simply using relatively low-cost mosquito repellents to more expensive, high-tech methods.

Those who are inclined to make the investment can try high-tech mosquito traps, such as the Mosquito Magnet, on the market. Those devices use a combination of a propane tank, a carbon dioxide generator, an electric fan and other elements to attract and trap mosquitoes. They attract some mosquitoes, but not others. Their effectiveness varies with wind and other weather conditions and the number of mosquitoes present. Although they attract and kill large numbers of mosquitoes, they may not eliminate enough to protect you from bites.

Read the rest here:
West Nile Virus: How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes

If youre using an e-reader while enjoying a craft beer and dropping the occasional F-bomb, youre the very definition of modern times.

Merriam-Websters Collegiate Dictionary has unveiled the new words included in this years edition. Most are buzzwords everybody throws around but cant define. My friend the flexitarian said her dietary choices reached a tipping point when society became so obesogenic. It was a game changer.

My nine loyal readers may remember that at times like these I convene the Word Crimes Tribunal, which seeks to root out misuses of the English language. The trouble is, language isnt static: It evolves to describe a changing world. So, as much as we might like to lament seeing trendy catch phrases earn Merriam-Websters endorsement, our choices are like that of a rafter caught in a raging torrent: Go with the flow or be swept away.

New words are needed to describe new things. Thats why sexting, geocaching and energy drink will appear in the dictionary this year. But then there are annoyingly trendy terms that catch on and achieve such common usage that the wordsmiths at Merriam-Webster have little choice but to give in. The Word Crimes Tribunal would love to bury shovel-ready, but its hard to blame the word nerds for adding that oft-used term to the dictionary.

The real game changer among this years new terms, other than game changer, is F-bomb. The term was popularized in the 1990s by basketball coach Bobby Knight, who lobbed F-bombs with artistry, like a point guard deftly flicking an entry pass into the post. The term later went mainstream thanks to public use by Dick Cheney and Joe Biden. Apparently theres something about the vice presidency that moves a man to dabble in obscenity.

Perhaps the staff at Merriam-Webster can relate. No doubt theyve dropped a few F-bombs watching as the dictionary has struggled to remain relevant in the Internet age. Think about it: When is the last time you picked up a dictionary? Or a phone book? Oh, and that set of World Books on the shelf? Look under O for obsolete.

Still, whether in print or online, dictionaries are trying desperately to keep up with the times. Merriam-Webster and competitors such as Oxford University Press hustle to include new terms such as mash-up and cloud computing. This call to mind soccer moms indulging midlife crises by shopping at The Gap. Should we add life coach to the dictionary so that we appear hip? And also, do these skinny jeans make my butt look big?

This years additions also include man cave, brain cramp and bucket list. Also new to this years dictionary are the Oprah Winfrey-inspired aha moment and the Stephen King-popularized earworm, which refers to a song you cant get out of your head. If you dont think new words are serious business, consider that when Mutual of Omaha tried to use aha moment, Oprah sued. The case was settled out of court. Perhaps when it considered the wisdom of engaging in battle with the worlds richest woman, Mutual of Omaha had an aha moment.

Sometimes I feel like convening the Word Crimes Tribunal and casting judgment against such newfangled vernacular. I like to think of the dictionary as a gated community designed to keep out the riffraff.

But then I remember that part of our languages charm is its grassroots populism. If the use of a word, even a misuse, grows common enough, eventually itll become accepted. Anyone who regularly visits Facebook can see its only a matter of time before your becomes accepted as an alternative to youre. Also, you can look for irregardless to become officially synonymous with regardless any day now.

Originally posted here:
Calling all word nerds

Refinery blast kills 26 in Venezuela, dozens hurt Refinery blast kills 26 in Venezuela, dozens hurt An explosion has rocked the Amuay refinery in Venezuela, and an official says at least seven people are dead and dozens injured. A huge explosion rocked Venezuela's biggest oil refinery and unleashed a ferocious fire Saturday, killing at least 26 people and injuring more than 80 others in the deadliest disaster in memory for the country's key... Chevrolet Sonic recalled to fix wiper fluid issue Chevrolet Sonic recalled to fix wiper fluid issue General Motors Co. is recalling nearly 45,000 of its 2012 Chevrolet Sonic subcompact cars because of a defect that could prevent washer fluid from spraying on the car's windshield. General Motors Co. is recalling nearly 45,000 of its 2012 Chevrolet Sonic subcompact cars because of a defect that could prevent washer fluid from spraying on the car's windshield. Airline rules on clothing are usually vague Airline rules on clothing are usually vague By The Associated Press Rules for how airplane passengers should dress are often vague. Airline employees usually decide whether someone's clothing is offensive. By The Associated Press Rules for how airplane passengers should dress are often vague. Airline employees usually decide whether someone's clothing is offensive. Police kill gunman outside Empire State Building Police kill gunman outside Empire State Building A laid-off clothing designer fatally shot an executive at his former company outside the Empire State Building on Friday, setting off a chaotic showdown with police in front of one of the world's best-known... Jeffrey Johnson hid behind a car in his business suit and tie near the Empire State Building, waiting for the man he blamed for costing him his job. He put a gun to the executive's head and fired five times, then walked... SKorean court rules Samsung didn't copy iPhone SKorean court rules Samsung didn't copy iPhone A South Korean court ruled Friday that technology giants Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. both infringed on each other's patents, and ordered a partial ban of their products in South Korea. The court also... South Korean phone maker Samsung won a home court ruling Friday in its global patent battle against Apple and its popular iPhone and iPad devices. Best Buy pays up to lure new CEO Best Buy pays up to lure new CEO Best Buy is paying up for a turnaround. Best Buy is paying up for a turnaround. UPS restructures pensions, sees 3Q charge of $896M UPS restructures pensions, sees 3Q charge of $896M UPS is restructuring pension liabilities for about 10,200 of its workers, and will book related costs of nearly $900 million in the third quarter. UPS said Friday that it is restructuring pension liabilities for about 10,200 of its workers, and will book related costs of nearly $900 million in the third quarter. Euro weakens against dollar on ECB plans Euro weakens against dollar on ECB plans The euro is falling against the dollar because of worries that it may take longer than expected for the European Central Bank to announce its plans to ease the region's debt crisis. The euro fell against the dollar Friday because of worries that it may take longer than expected for the European Central Bank to announce its plans to ease the region's debt crisis. Va. man pleads guilty in $15M bank fraud case Va. man pleads guilty in $15M bank fraud case A southeast Virginia developer and restaurateur is facing up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal bank fraud charges. A southeast Virginia developer and restaurateur is facing up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal bank fraud charges. News Summary: Bernanke sees room for Fed to act News Summary: Bernanke sees room for Fed to act By The Associated Press FED CAN DO MORE: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke makes clear in a letter to a House lawmaker that he thinks the Fed can do more to bolster the economic recovery and... By The Associated Press FED CAN DO MORE: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke makes clear in a letter to a House lawmaker that he thinks the Fed can do more to bolster the economic recovery and help... By The Associated Press

A WORD FROM BERNANKE: Stocks opened lower, then rose after a letter surfaced from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke suggesting the central bank might do more to try to prop up the economy.

WILL THEY OR WON'T THEY? Investors have been looking for clues all week about what the Fed plans to do. They hope that the bank's annual conference next week in Jackson Hole, Wyo., will provide some clarity.

CLOCK IS TICKING FOR GREECE: The Greek prime minister said his country needs more time to put in place spending cuts that Germany is demanding in exchange for bailout money. Some leaders in Germany are growing impatient with debt-stricken Greece.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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News Summary: A word from Bernanke moves market

By CHRISTINA REXRODE AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - The stock market keeps getting tossed around by the Fed.

Stocks opened lower Friday but reversed course after a letter surfaced from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke suggesting there was room for the central bank to do more to help the economy.

"There is scope for further action by the Federal Reserve to ease financial conditions and strengthen the recovery," Bernanke wrote to California Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican, in a letter obtained by The Wall Street Journal.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 30 points at its low but finished 100.51 points higher, at 13,157.97, its first gain all week. It was still the first losing week for the Dow since early July.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 9.05 to 1,411.13 but also snapped a six-week winning streak. The Nasdaq composite index rose 16.39 to 3,069.79, ending five straight weeks of gains.

In a typically slow August, without much else to influence trading, investors have grasped for hints about what the Fed might do.

On Wednesday afternoon, investors pushed stocks higher after the Fed released meeting minutes that appeared to signal it was ready to take more action to prop up the economy.

On Thursday, stocks declined when a Fed regional bank president cast doubt on the idea, saying in an interview with CNBC that the economic recovery appeared to be gaining strength.

Then on Friday, Bernanke shook up the market again. His letter was in response to questions from Issa, the head of the House oversight committee, who had asked whether it was premature to consider additional steps.

Read more:
A word from Bernanke turns stocks around

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Working journalists in Burma fear legal challenges despite Rangoon's lifting of its decades-long censorship policy.

This week, newspapers in Burma will hit newsstands without ministry censorship for the first time since 1962. For the staff at The Myanmar Times, a Rangoon-based weekly, this is the first editorial meeting after the announced end of censorship.

Editor Zaw Myint is elated, because not having to deal with censors will save time and improve the quality of reporting. "This is the same to my wedding day or something like that, but I will be more happy when we are granted as a daily license," he said. "Without censorship rules, with the chance to run our paper with a daily cycle, at that time I will be happier." State-run newspapers are still the only ones allowed to publish daily, but private publishers hope to be granted daily licenses. A released political prisoner and blogger who goes by the pen name Nay Phone Latt says online media in Burma remain unprotected. He says bloggers are still vulnerable to prosecution under electronic laws banning anti-government material on computers. "In the current media law, there is no place for the online media, so we are not safe," he said. "The electronic law still exists, so we are not safe according to this law."

Controversial editor Kyaw Min Swe fears that the newly formed press council will not necessarily protect journalists and censorship will continue, in the form of legal threats.

"They changed the system of PSB [Press Scrutiny Board] pre-censor to post-censor so that we have to submit after publication. So thats not totally free press. We cannot say totally free press," he said.

Kyaw Min Swe has been sued by the government before for exposing a graft scandal. Despite the relaxed censorship laws, he still could face prosecution for reporting on government corruption or sensitive topics that could incite violence.

Originally posted here:
Free Press Eludes Burma Despite End of Censorship