Schaumburg, Illinois seniors work to nurture monarch butterflies, which are at risk of being endangered
The monarch butterfly is Illinois' state insect and has held that distinction for 50 years — having been suggested for the honor by third grade classes in Decatur in 1975.
But the butterfly is also in danger of landing on the endangered species list.
Some retirees are hoping to reverse that trend.
Volunteer Ned Bruns recently spent a gorgeous morning digging up ugly weeds.
"It'd be easier to say, how often am I not here?" Bruns said.
It is certainly a peaceful way to spend retirement. But keeping the Schaumburg Park District beautiful is not the only goal of the gardening work he does.
Bruns is on a team of volunteers trying to save monarch butterflies by cultivating milkweed — the only plant where they lay eggs.
"I'm a retired union carpenter and, if you think about it, we created all the homes here — which has taken up some of the habitat for the monarch butterfly," Bruns said.
Bruns is part of a team of volunteers who educate the public about the demise of the state insect. He helped build boxes for caterpillars and cocoons that represent increasingly precious shelter.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is close to categorizing the monarch butterfly is threatened, which is one step away from endangered. If that happens, federal protections could make it tricker for the public to learn about the orange and black creatures up close—because handling them might be restricted.
"Butterfly people don't want that to happen," said Carol Johnson.
Johnson is another Schaumburg senior who will talk about monarchs to anyone who will listen. She is nicknamed the Butterfly Lady.
"I have an 'on' button, but my 'off' button is sometimes broken," Johnson said.
The 83-year-old was behind Illinois legislation to create Monarch Month. May is the perfect time for gardeners to add the butterfly's favorite plant to their arsenal, she said.
Believe it or not, many cities and towns used to prohibit milkweed — with an emphasis on the "weed" suffix. A 2017 law banned such bans.
It was Johnson who was responsible for getting mega-monarch volunteer Bruns hooked. She drummed up the idea of raising butterflies at the Schaumburg Park District.
Thousands are released each year.
"Carol Johnson is instrumental to the monarch butterfly," said Bruns. "She created the Schaumburg monarch initiative. She's put a lot of milkweed in parks."
Seniors are shrinking a problem by growing the solution.
"It just shows the power of old ladies!" said Johnson.
Keep an eye out. Monarch butterflies are just starting to arrive in the Chicago area for the season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
13 minutes ago
- Forbes
How To Score $30 Summer Concert Tickets From Live Nation (While You Still Can)
Want to catch a show this summer without emptying your bank account? There's a sale for that. Earlier this month, concert promotion giant Live Nation rolled out its annual summer ticket discount, offering $30 seats to shows in amphitheaters coast-to-coast. Called 'Ticket To Summer,' the sale launched May 21. At publication time, participating artists included Willie Nelson, Coheed and Cambria, Nelly, The Doobie Brothers, Keith Urban, The Offspring, Kesha and more. How does it work? Unlike past years – when Live Nation ran a 'Concert Week' special that offered discounted tickets for a seven-day period – the Ticket To Summer deal continues throughout the season on a first-come, first-serve basis. But act fast, because the company only offers a select number of $30 tickets to participating shows in each city. Discounted concerts plan to be updated throughout the summer, according to USA Today. Live Nation hopes to run the discount on more than 1,000 concerts this year. The $30 ticket price includes all fees except local taxes. Show-goers can find $30 tickets at nearby venues by visiting Availability varies depending on location. Additional artists participating in the $30 special include Cody Jinks, Rob Thomas, Allison Krauss and Tedeschi Trucks Band.
Medscape
18 minutes ago
- Medscape
Can Mind-Body Therapies Improve GI Outcomes?
A growing body of research shows that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can help treat certain gastrointestinal disorders. With up to 44% of people with diagnosed gastrointestinal (GI) disorders using CAM, chances are most gastroenterologists — whether they know it or not — are seeing patients who take products or engage in practices that fall under its umbrella. Gerard Mullin, MD Many gastroenterologists are unfamiliar with CAM because it isn't widely taught in medical school. 'Some doctors even discourage the use of CAM because they've never heard of a given intervention,' said Gerard Mullin, MD, associate professor of medicine and director of the Johns Hopkins GI Clinical Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Unfortunately, many patients aren't telling their doctors about their CAM use because they're afraid of being judged, Mullin said. Patients also may not disclose their CAM use because they don't realize it's important to share with their physician or their doctor simply hasn't asked them about it. But CAM's popularity makes it important for gastroenterologists to be educated about what their patients may be using, the risks and benefits of various CAM products and practices, and the evidence base that might or might not support their use. Gastroenterologists also may want to incorporate CAM into their practices to offer what's known as integrative gastroenterology. Many arguments support this approach, Mullin, editor of the book Integrative Gastroenterology , told Medscape Medical News . Digestive disease rates are very high and are increasing, he noted. 'The escalating prevalence of obesity, anxiety, depression, stress, consumption of ultraprocessed foods, and food-borne illnesses contribute to a digestive disease epidemic,' Mullin told Medscape Medical News . 'Adopting an integrative model can contribute to more effective prevention and treatment of these conditions.' CAM comprises an array of different modalities and approaches, from oral products to mind-body practices and alternative styles of medicine. This article cannot provide an exhaustive analysis of all CAM interventions for GI conditions, but it reviews several evidence-based approaches for common disorders. Why CAM? David Hass, MD, associate clinical professor with the Division of Digestive Diseases at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, became interested in integrative medicine because he treated many patients who came to him after consultations with other physicians for troublesome symptoms of disorders of the gut-brain interaction, also known as functional gastrointestinal disorders. David Hass, MD 'These patients can be difficult to treat,' he said. 'Many have undergone multiple studies and scans and tried multiple medications. I wanted to be helpful and explore what else might be out there for them that may not be traditional or mainstream but is evidence-based.' CAM is appealing to patients because these approaches often provide a sense of control of their bodies and health and because they offer an alternative when conventional approaches fail to alleviate symptoms or provide a cure, said Hass, a partner at the Physicians Alliance of Connecticut in Hamden and coauthor of a review article on CAM for functional GI disorders. Interventions once considered alternative have attracted more research attention and become more accepted in the conventional medical community, Nitin Ahuja, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine (gastroenterology) at Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, told Medscape Medical News . Nitin Ahuja, MD For example, L-glutamine therapy has been found to alleviate symptoms in postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea and intestinal hyperpermeability. Until relatively recently, the concept of intestinal permeability or 'leaky gut' had been 'discussed mostly in alternative health spaces.' But an increasing body of evidence now supports the legitimacy of the diagnosis in certain GI conditions. Similarly, mind-body medicine was once categorized as alternative medicine. But interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based approaches are gaining traction in conventional circles and amassing evidence of its efficacy. 'Additionally, while a substantial gap remains between anecdotal and empirical understandings of some of the approaches previous considered 'alternative,' they also raise thought-provoking mechanistic hypotheses and invitations for further research,' said Ahuja, who is also director of the Program in Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pennsylvania, and author of a review article critically appraising popular remedies for esophageal symptoms. Dietary Supplements Several herbal products have been shown as effective for GI conditions. For example, ginger has been found to be generally safe and useful in treating nausea and vomiting. However, it can inhibit platelet aggregation and potentially be mutagenic, so it should be used cautiously in patients already taking antiplatelet therapy and in pregnant women. Vitamin B 6 (pyridoxine) has been shown to be helpful with nausea during pregnancy. For functional dyspepsia, peppermint and caraway have been researched extensively. In a number of studies, both agents have yielded statistically significant improvements in bloating and epigastric pain compared to placebo. Several herbal products can protect the stomach and esophagus in the setting of gastritis and when a patient is transitioning off proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Zinc carnosine and glutamine can protect the gastrointestinal lining, repair damaged cells, stabilize gut mucosa, and decrease inflammation. Glutamine may play a role in supporting the gut microbiome and gut mucosal wall integrity and in modulating inflammatory responses. Steve Irsfeld, RPh Other nutrients that help decrease inflammation and restore the mucosal lining include apple pectin, marshmallow root, slippery elm bark, licorice root, and okra, Steve Irsfeld, RPh, owner and pharmacist in charge at Irsfeld Pharmacy, Dickinson, North Dakota, told Medscape Medical News . Irsfeld recommends curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties in the gut, and bovine colostrum. He told Medscape Medical News that he believes histamine 2 blockers and PPIs are overprescribed for heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 'They're designed to suppress stomach acid, but they're being prescribed without verifying that hyperacidity is actually present,' he said. 'We wouldn't prescribe antihypertensives or statin drugs, for example, without checking the patient's blood pressure or cholesterol, but we administer PPIs without ascertaining stomach acid levels merely on the assumption that if the patient has symptoms or visible inflammation, the acid levels must be elevated.' Prolonged use of PPIs can have adverse effects, including infections, impaired nutrient absorption, dementia, kidney disease, hypergastrinemia, and a rebound effect upon discontinuation. Studies have found that the herbal preparation STW-5 (Iberogast) can improve symptoms of epigastric pain and GERD, Hass noted. The product contains bitter candytuft, chamomile, peppermint, caraway, licorice root, lemon balm leaves, celandine, angelica root, and milk thistle. To promote colon health, Irsfeld recommends probiotics. 'We're now able to recommend highly targeted probiotic strains,' he said. For example, Saccharomyces boulardii has been shown to be helpful in counterbalancing the effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiota during antibiotic therapy. After antibiotic discontinuation, the patient can transition to a different probiotic. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture, the application of small needles or pressure to specific points in the body, is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, in which health is regarded as stemming from the alignment of qi, or 'vital energy.' Its practitioners aim to remove blockages or reduce excesses in qi, which flows through specific channels in the body, known as meridians. Shi-Hong Loh, MD 'In acupuncture, there are meridians that govern the GI system,' Shi-Hong Loh, MD, of Dao Sheng Acupuncture, Hoboken and Hackensack, New Jersey, told Medscape Medical News . 'Meridians are typically not tied to Western concepts of anatomy or neurology. The points we use are often related to the parasympathetic nervous system, with nerve distribution from areas in the thoracic and lumbar spine. That type of nerve innervation is from the spinal area and controls abdominal and intestinal function.' Acupuncture is highly personalized, Loh said. 'Everything is specific to the condition and the individual, and the interpretation of each practitioner.' Manual and electroacupuncture have shown utility for patients with GI conditions, including functional GI disorders, constipation, GERD, inflammatory bowel disease, ileus, acute pancreatitis, and gastroparesis. A recent systematic review of 10 randomized controlled functional MRI trials comparing acupuncture to sham acupuncture, moxibustion, placement on a waiting list, or medication found that acupuncture improved GI symptoms and psychological status in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders and regulated functional connectivity and activity in brain regions associated with visceral sensation, pain regulation, and emotion. Loh said that in addition to acupuncture, he often recommends Chinese herbs and encourages patients to identify whether their eating patterns affect their conditions. 'When I see a patient with GI symptoms, such as IBS, I know the symptoms are often related to diet, so I don't depend on acupuncture alone. I look at the whole picture,' he said. Loh advises patients with upper GI symptoms to 'pay attention to their eating habits, daily behavior, and activities. Do they eat too much or too fast? Do they lie down soon after eating? Do they eat a lot of greasy foods? Are they taking in enough fiber?' Acupuncture can play an important role for patients who don't respond to conventional treatments, Loh said. 'It's reasonable for the gastroenterologist or internist to refer these patients to an experienced, knowledgeable, licensed acupuncturist,' he said. The Mind-Body Connection Stress is an established driver of many GI conditions. Loh described a patient with ulcerative colitis and an extremely high-stress job whose symptoms abated whenever he went on vacation. 'I've noticed the same pattern in other patients, too,' he said. Loh often targets acupuncture points that 'calm the spirit and ease anxiety, as well as those directly addressing the intestinal symptoms.' In addition, he often recommends psychotherapy — especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which has been shown to be effective for a number of GI conditions, such as IBS. A review of nine studies encompassing more than 600 patients with gastroduodenal disorders of the gut-brain interaction found that CBT effectively improved GI symptoms and psychological outcomes. 'There have been an impressive number of studies demonstrating that CBT is effective in improving symptoms of IBS when compared to usual medical care, antidepressants, placebo, antispasmodic agents, or support therapies,' Loh said. One meta-analysis found a number needed to treat of 3 for treatment with CBT, which is 'tremendously beneficial,' Hass noted. The placebo effect may play a role, he said, 'but if I can help people get better with a placebo, I have no problem with that.' Other evidence-based mind-body approaches include gut-directed hypnotherapy, meditation, mindfulness-based therapies, guided imagery, and yoga. A systematic review of six randomized controlled trials found evidence that in patients with IBS, yoga can decrease bowel symptoms, disease severity, and anxiety, as well as improve physical functioning and quality of life. Like CBT, hypnotherapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction 'aim to reduce overactivity to stressors and to improve maladaptive coping behaviors,' said Hass, who has been trained in hypnotherapy. 'Particularly for anxiety-provoked symptoms due to catastrophizing, CBT would be the modality of choice.' Hypnotherapy and mindfulness meditation have been found effective in several GI cancers, as well as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Hass noted. Some research has shown that mind-body approaches can decrease tumor necrosis factor alpha — a cytokine involved in inflammatory bowel disease — and other inflammatory markers. Gastroenterologists may wish to consider incorporating these evidence-based therapies into their treatment regimens for GI disorders, especially functional bowel diseases, Hass said. Using these interventions in conjunction with standard medical therapies 'may alleviate symptoms more quickly than when medical therapies alone are used,' he added. Ahuja, Hass, Loh, and Mullin reported no relevant financial relationships. Irsfeld reported being an unpaid member of the scientific board for NutriDyn, which manufactures Dynamic GI Integrity.
CBS News
18 minutes ago
- CBS News
Richard King Mellon Foundation provides Tree of Life with $2.5 million grant
The Tree of Life is getting a huge funding boost thanks to one local non-profit. It was announced on Thursday that the Richard King Mellon Foundation gifted Tree of Life a $2.5 million grant to support building a national center for education, remembrance, bridge-building, and the celebration of Jewish culture. "The Richard King Mellon Foundation's grant comes at a critical juncture for The Tree of Life and the broader Jewish community," said Carole Zawatsky, CEO of The Tree of Life. "Our mission to uproot antisemitism and hate is of the utmost importance at this moment. We are incredibly grateful for the Foundation's generosity and continued support, which is symbolic of our core belief that antisemitism is an American problem and all of us – Jewish and not – must work together to counter it." The gift from the Richard King Mellon Foundation now gives the Tree of Life a total of $3.5 million in investment. "Our community is incredibly thankful for the continued support of the Richard King Mellon Foundation," said Michael Bernstein, chair of the board at The Tree of Life. "Our bold vision to realize a future where our children live without fear of antisemitism depends on partners like this who support our work." Tree of Life breaks ground on new synagogue Last year, after months of demolition, ground was broken on a new synagogue in Squirrel Hill. It was a day more than five years in the making; one filled with emotion, resilience, and hope, as the synagogue broke ground on a new space and a new chapter in its history. Since the horrific shooting on Oct. 27, 2018, the building had remained vacant until then, as construction began on the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. The main sanctuary will remain for worship, but the new building, what's being called a 'reimagined' Tree of Life, will memorialize and celebrate the lives of those tragically killed. "We announce loudly and clearly to the entire world that evil did not win," Rabbi Jeffrey Myers said at the groundbreaking. Construction is expected to be completed in a couple of years.
