It’s amazing how many waterfalls are located right here in Northeast Ohio. I was surprised to learn that there are about 100 waterfalls in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). Most are located in the northern section of the park, but many do not have an established trail to follow. Other waterfalls can be seen throughout the Cleveland Metroparks Emerald Necklace.

When you hear the word dessert, what comes to mind? Something chocolate, perhaps? Or a rich and creamy cheesecake, or how about a luxurious tiramisu? Or does the word dessert immediately trigger you to think that’s the last thing you need and you refuse to think about it, not willing to fall prey to the temptation because you’re worried about the calories?

As someone who isn’t burdened by unpleasant drug side effects, anti-vax angst, or a general suspicion of the medical community and people who are a lot smarter than me, getting the COVID vaccine was a no-brainer. I can hug my 87-year-old dad again, return to church, eat in a restaurant and, because I didn’t have a match handy, lose $20 in a Vegas slot machine rather than set it on fire. Isn’t science great?

In the old days — like 15 years ago — mainstream celebrities appeared in television commercials endorsing beer and insurance. They used their fame to “influence” viewers to buy these brands.  Today, social media celebrities do the same thing on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, blogs and more. They develop followings from hundreds to millions. They share information about food, travel, fashion, arts, crafts, product trials, opinions and outright product endorsements. These folks are called “influencers” because their followers are “influenced” by what they’re reading or viewing. 

Advances in the field of medicine have seen the advent of pharmacogenomics; the ability to predict which medications an individual will likely respond to and which will cause adverse effects, all based on personalized DNA from a simple cheek swab. 

You've got questions about retirement and Social Security. Brandon P. Smith has the answers. As author of Boomer’s Social Security & You blog, Brandon is a public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, based in Cleveland. In this video, he demonstrates expertise, ease and humor as he fields interview questions from Boomer editor Marie Elium.