(MS) — Reading is an activity that people of all ages enjoy, and something that is as much a part of daily life as eating or sleeping. Pouring through the pages of the latest bestseller may be your perfect idea of relaxing on the weekend. A favorite crossword or Sudoku puzzle book can pass the hour during your commute home from work. A home-improvement idea guide can help pave the way toward a kitchen remodel.

The trouble is, not all of your reading is done during the day or when light is optimal. Many times busy schedules push leisure or required reading into the evening or late-night hours, when leaving a bright overhead light on can disturb others. However, reading in poor lighting can strain eyes and prove bothersome.

A Bright Idea for Readers

Up until now, those who frequently enjoyed a book in bed or in dimly lit situations, such as on a bus or airplane, had to use a little ingenuity to illuminate their reading matter. A flashlight tucked on a shoulder, a pen light balanced above an ear were some attempts to lighten up the situation. Even clip-on booklights may have been used, but found ineffective because they didn’t provide much light and may have featured a cord that needed to plug into a wall outlet. These options were far from convenient. But the Periscope® LED Book Light in a Bookcover ends the frustration of reading in low-light situations.

The patented Periscope Book Light in a Bookcover eliminates all cords, clips and clutter and lets you read what you want where you want in all types of low-light reading environments — all while protecting your privacy. The handy lighting system is housed within a slip-on bookcover (there are separate covers for hardcover and mass market paperback books). Simply slip your book into the cover and pull up the telescoping light, which automatically turns it on. The adjustable twin, wide-angle LED light can be pivoted to focus just where you need it for maximum reading comfort. Simply retract the lighting arm back into the book cover spine to turn off the light and stow it away. The light is powered by three AA batteries that deliver over 40 hours of continuous light, so there are no cords or plugs to worry about.

The covers also come with an attached book mark and handy pockets, so you’ll never lose your place while reading and can store notes, tickets, or other small items as well. All of these features are housed in one convenient package that is just as portable as your favorite book.

Tips for Reading in Comfort

The makers of Periscope Book Light in a Bookcover suggest these tips for additional comfort while reading.

• Reading in low light will not severely damage the eyes, but it can lead to eye strain. So use adequate lighting whenever possible. Eye strain can produce symptoms, such as headaches, aching eyeballs, fuzzy vision, and drooping eyelids.

• If you’re straining to see the print in books it may be time for an eye examination. An eye doctor may determine you need reading glasses or check your current prescription.

• While some people have no trouble reading in situations with plenty of ambient noise, most people prefer a quiet spot. At home, set aside a place that is a reading nook or serene sanctuary for reading.

To learn more about Periscope products, visit www.periscopelight.com. The book lights are readily available for paperback and hardcover books at Barnes and Noble retailers and online at www.barnesandnoble.com. EL086998

(MS) — Escalating fuel costs aren’t only having an impact on your pocketbook each time you pull into the local filling station or open your latest utility bill. The rising cost of fuel could also impact where and how you’ll be spending your vacation, particularly if you’re a fan of cruise ships. In late 2007, Carnival Corporation, one of the largest cruise ship companies in the world, announced that all of its North America Brands, including Carnival Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises, would be imposing a $5 per person, per day surcharge for all passengers sailing on or after February 1, 2008. Company brass cited rising fuels costs as the reason for implementing the policy, one they had implemented in Europe earlier in the year. As far as the surcharge goes, Carnival proved to be a trailblazer, as many other major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises and Crystal Cruises, soon announced similar surcharge policies. The $5 Carnival surcharge actually remains on the low end of the daily charges, as some companies will charge as much as $8.50 per passenger, per day. OW084680

When very cold air moves over warmer coastal water, wisps of visible water vapor may rise from the surface as the water "steams." In extreme cases, this type of fog can rise hundreds of feet above the surface. It's called "________."

Answer: Frost Smoke, or Arctic Sea Smoke

Courtesy of Commander Bob Trivia Questions OW084697

(MS) — When it comes to fun in the sun, few things can beat water sports. Veteran water sport athletes can attest to the enjoyment of activities such as surfing, water skiing and sailing.

But those same veterans can also attest to the dangers the sea can present if not careful. Before hitting the water this year, consider the following safety tips.

• Gear up. Regardless of whether you’re out on the water for sports or simply to soak up some sun and relax, a life jacket that fits is an absolute necessity. If sailing on the ocean, the often unpredictable waters put sailors in constant risk, making it necessary to wear a life jacket at all times. Be sure to wear one that’s snug, as a loose life jacket will not be as effective.

• Practice safety procedures. Especially before your first trip out of the season, go over safety procedures and where all supplies are with anyone going out on the boar. Even if it’s a boat full of experienced sailors, procedures should be explained and reviewed at the start of each sailing season.

• Be your own weather person. Simply because you wake up and see sun outside of your window doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be a great day for sailing. Study the sailing report in your local newspaper or online before hitting the water, and be sure to know about any potential storms as well as what time the tides will be changing. Simply put, you want the weather to surprise you as little as possible when on the water, so no amount of knowledge is enough.

• Don’t leave your boat. If your boat is on the water, you should be on your boat. While it’s tempting to jump off and go for a swim, leaving the boat is opening yourself up to a slew of potential problems. Even in the case of a boat that’s having engine troubles or run out of gas, you should remain on the boat and simply radio for help. People are very difficult to spot in the ocean or on a lake. However, even a small boat is big enough to be noticed by potential rescuers. Make sure you and all passengers remain on the craft in the case of an accident or emergency.

• Stock the medicine cabinet. At the start of the season, it’s easy to forget that some people get sick at sea. When sickness is out of sight, it’s out of mind. However, nearly every veteran sailor can tell a story of having to return to shore because of a sick passenger. No one likes having to do that, so be sure your boat’s medicine cabinet is well stocked with medicines for sea sickness, headache, cuts or scrapes, and sunburn among other things. It’s also good to bring along an ace bandage or two, as the sometimes choppy waters can cause people to lose their balance and sprain an ankle or bruise a knee. None of these things are serious enough to return to shore if you have medicines, but you can’t expect someone to grin and bear a headache or feelings of sea sickness for the good of everyone else. OW084623

(MS) — Boating, swimming and other water sports are some of the more enjoyable recreational activities, provided safety is intermixed with fun.

There are a variety of dangers lurking below the surface of the water and from water itself. But many people don't realize the dangers beyond the water, notably lightning.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an estimated 40 million lightning strikes account for nearly 100 deaths annually in the United States, making lightning considerably more harmful than hurricanes and sharks. Being completely exposed on a boat or another type of craft, such as a surfboard or water skis, makes water recreation dangerous when a storm is predicted. Sailboats with their tall masts are more susceptible to lightning hits than powerboats. But lightning can also funnel through the electronic systems on any boat. The National Marine Electronics Association dealers report substantial amounts of lightning damage to big-boat electronics every year.

According to marine experts, there are no ways to actually protect a boat from lightning, just ways to limit the damage if a strike should occur. Actually, keeping a boat docked during storms that have the potential for lightning is the only surefire way to ensure passenger safety.

How Risky Is Lightning?

It's important to understand some fundamentals about lightning to realize the danger involved. Lightning occurs when the difference between the positive and negative charges, the electrical potential, becomes great enough to overcome the resistance of the insulating air and forces a conductive path between the positive and negative charges. Lightning will generally seek the easiest path to the ground. Therefore it tends to strike the highest point in the immediate area. On the flat surface of the water, that is generally a boat. Most smaller crafts are not made from metal. They are made from lightweight materials such as fiberglass. Therefore, if lightning strikes, it will search for any path to ground and the human body may be the best route.

Radio antennae, fishing rods — and even lightning protection system rods themselves — may be targets for lightning strikes. Again, reason enough to keep off the water if lightning is forecast.

Medical Help

CPR may be required to rescue a person who has been struck by lightning. Prompt artificial breathing and CPR can jump-start the heart and lungs should they fail after a strike. Remember, there is no danger to touching a person who has been struck by lightning — the current has already passed through to the ground or water. Keep a level head and provide emergency care. OW084629

(MS) — Over the last decade, the industrialized world has made great strides in reducing water pollution. The ocean and those animals that call the ocean home have benefitted from advancements in waste treatment and changes in legislation.

In spite of those advancements, there still exists a major water pollution problem. Consider the annual summertime appearance of the “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico. According to the Environment Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit environmental protection organization, this area grows each year to roughly the size of the state of New Jersey (5,000 to 8,000 square miles). Marine life within the area is nearly obliterated. The polluted waters are robbed of oxygen, making it impossible for marine life in what has become one of the world’s most important fisheries to survive.

Where does it come from? EWG states the main culprit for the polluted waters in the gulf is the flood of fertilizer waste from farmland along the Mississippi River. This waste leaks into nearby waters and eventually makes its way into the Gulf.

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce water pollution, both in the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the rest of the country as well.

• Push for legislative reforms. In an analysis based on a study of the Mississippi River Basin in the early 1990s, EWG estimated that, when adjusted to today’s prices, farmers are flushing more than $300 million worth of harmful nitrogen fertilizer down the Mississippi River each spring. This accounts for roughly 70 percent of the nitrate pollution that enters the Gulf in the spring, the key period of the year before the formation of the Dead Zone.

Current legislation indirectly encourages an excessive use of fertilizer by subsidizing farms that produce a surplus of corn, rice and cotton, among other subsidized commodities. Many farmers are against excess use of fertilizer, but typically find that subsidized conservation programs are heavily underfunded when compared to subsidized crop programs. Since many farmers are barely making ends meet as it is, choosing the less subsidized conservation option isn’t really an option at all.

A potential solution here is to begin shifting more government money toward conservation programs and away from crop programs. This requires encouraging legislative reforms that will make it as beneficial for farmers to conserve fertilizer as it is for them waste it.

• Use less plastic. Plastics can greatly threaten marine life, resulting in pain or injury if not death. Not only can fish get entangled in plastic items, but when broken down, harmful plastic microfibers can damage a fish or marine mammal’s body as well.
The simple solution here is to use reusable containers and avoid excessively packaged goods. In addition, recycle plastics. While it’s hard to believe, some communities still do not recycle plastic products. Environmentally-conscious people should seek to start a community plastic recycling program or, if that does not work, simply store plastic bags and other plastics and bring them to a nearby recycling center in a community that does recycle these items.

• Change more of what’s done on land. Even if a person is landlocked and the nearest ocean is hundreds of miles away, what that person does on land can have a positive or very negative effect on the ocean. Much of that has to do with hazardous waste. Hazardous waste, even when it’s inadvertent, routinely ends up in storm drains, and inevitably reaches the ocean. Proper disposal of such wastes, which include motor oil, antifreeze, weed killers, and a host of other products used by everyday people, can have a tremendously positive impact on the world’s oceans. Take such wastes to disposal centers, and routinely check vehicles for fluid leaks. Though it’s a small and easy step, its benefits certainly are not. OW084630

(MS) — For most people, sun exposure is a part of spring and summer. After a long winter spent inside, most people can’t wait to head to a nearby lake or ocean and enjoy the warmer air of the fairer seasons.

For many of those same people, overexposure to sun is also a big part of spring and summer. With the tanning craze still in full swing, hitting the beach or the park to catch a few rays is as popular as ever. However, overexposure to the sun is no less dangerous than it was 20 years ago. While some might look at a sunburn as an annual rite of summer, that sunburn is actually a condition known as photodermatitis, and even those who aren’t fair-skinned are potentially at risk.

What Is Photodermatitis?

Photodermatitis is an abnormal reaction to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight. Sunburn is a form of photodermatitis, which can manifest itself in a rash, scaly patches on the skin or even blisters. For some people, it can be a chronic condition, wherein they’re certain to have this abnormal reaction whenever their skin is exposed to UV rays. For others, the condition is acute, suddenly, but not necessarily routinely, appearing when exposed to UV rays.

What Signs Indicate Photodermatitis?

Photodermatitis is more than just sunburn. In addition to the redness and pain associated with sunburn, symptoms of photodermatitis include hyperpigmentation (dark patches on the skin), lesions that resemble eczema (a condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters resulting in itching and bleeding), chills, headache, fever, and nausea. Fair skin alone rarely produces photodermatitis symptoms when a fair-skinned person gets a sunburn. This highlights the point that photodermatitis is more than a sunburn, and can be the result of additional factors beyond fair/sensitive skin.

What Are Some Causes of Photodermatitis?

While many are quick to assume a sunburn is simply due to fair skin, that’s not always the case. Even people with darker skin tones are susceptible to photodermatitis. For instance, certain diseases, such as eczema and lupus, make the skin more sensitive to light and UV rays.

Perhaps the most unknown influence is the impact of medication on a person’s sensitivity to light. Regardless of an individual’s skin tone, certain chemicals and drugs can cause sunburn or hives when combined with exposure to UV rays. Those medications include:

• Chemotherapy agents

• Diuretics

• Antidepressants

• Antipsychotics

• Medications containing retinoic acid (commonly used for acne)

• Anti-anxiety medications

• Antipsychotics

• Oral diabetic medications

Who Is Most at Risk?

People with fair to light skin remain very susceptible to sunlight. In addition, those with blond or red hair and green or blue eyes also tend to be more sensitive, as does anyone taking any of the aforementioned medications.

A great many people also put themselves at a greater risk by allowing themselves to be exposed to harmful UV rays throughout the summer months. Exposure longer than 30 minutes greatly increases a person’s risk for photodermatitis. Exposure between the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. only compounds that risk, as 50 percent of UV radiation is emitted during that time period. OW084642

(MS) — The addictive thrill of whitewater rafting draws many new enthusiasts to the sport every year. The United States and Canada, as well as Central and South America, offer some of the best rafting locations around. With dozens of rivers to choose from, you can certainly find hot spots not too far from home.

Whitewater rafting can be an hours-long excursion or a week-long adventure, depending upon the tour you choose. You can also leisurely cascade the water or choose hair-raising Class V rapids. Regardless, there are certain supplies that are needed to ensure the best trip possible.

Sun protection: Being surrounded by water while rafting magnifies the suns rays and puts you at risk for greater exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation. Plus, you'll be on the water for long stretches of time with no shelter for relief. Bring along a strong sunblock with SPF 30 or above. Also pack sunglasses and plenty of drinking water to rehydrate. Although you may not feel the heat, your body will be drained of fluids through exertion and sweating.

Foot gear/clothing: It is important to wear shoes or sandals that can get wet. They should stay snugly on the feet and be comfortable for walking on a beach or shore if a stop on land is part of the excursion. Dress according to the weather in clothing that will not absorb the water and chill you, but will keep your body temperature comfortable. Check with a rafting outfitter or sport shop about their suggestions.

Making camp: For trips that stretch over a few days, a lightweight tent, sleeping bag and cushioned pad will make camping out under the stars more comfortable.
Check with the guide: Some rafting trips are all-inclusive packages, meaning the rafting company may provide provisions. Some others, however, simply provide the raft and safety equipment, and you're own your own for food and beverages.

Whatever you bring, pack it in a waterproof bag or case. You don't want supplies that should remain dry to get wet. Use caution with cameras and video equipment. Double-bag these items or consider renting water-resistant electronics that won't get damaged from a dousing of river water. OW084643

(MS) — Through the years, conservation efforts have been proposed and enacted in order to halt overfishing of certain fish and other marine life. This past year, a proposal was brought before the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to enact a 3 to 5 year ban on bluefin tuna fishing in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea amidst fears of an imminent collapse in global stocks. The proposal was backed by the U.S. Senate and international conservation organizations, including research from Bill Hogarth, director of the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. representative to ICCAT. These organizations say 2007 witnessed unprecedented and illegal over-quota catches on bluefin tuna.

Despite the warnings of scientists and even experts within ICCAT, the commission rejected the proposal by the United States to enact a 3-year moratorium. Rather than the ban on bluefin, ICCAT indicated that they will improve catch monitoring and asked nations that fish for eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna to submit detailed reports on how their current regulations are being implemented.

Collapse of Fish Species

Bluefin tuna are just one example of species affected by overfishing. Overfishing produces dire results, say experts. It can eventually dwindle the numbers of some species to a level so low that it seems improbable the species can recover.

Fisheries experts and ecologists are predicting that if current fishing practices continue at the same pace, a number of species will vanish causing marine ecosystems to unravel. Eventually there will be “global collapse” of all species currently fished. Some think this can happen as soon as the middle of this century.

A combination of overfishing and pollution are affecting fish species in record numbers. Dr. Boris Worm of Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, has led work on this subject, and his results were published in the journal Science last year.

Dr. Worm has stated that he’s looked into fish, shellfish, invertebrates; basically everything that people consume that comes from the ocean — on a global level. The researchers found that 29 percent of species had been fished so heavily or were so affected by pollution or habitat loss that they were down to 10 percent of previous levels. Dr. Worm says that computer-generated prediction timelines show a continued downward trend in fish numbers. By 2048 he feels that entire species will be wiped out unless we intervene.

Ecologists call these reports compelling and say that warning bells should go off in the minds of the public to be called to action. After all, endangered species on land are routinely protected from extinction and so should those in the ocean. OW084667

(MS) — As individuals and families head to the open water to enjoy some warm-weather recreation, it’s important that one piece of safety equipment make the trip as well: a life jacket.

Life jackets and life preservers are mandatory items in most states. They can literally be a lifeline for a person who is injured or having trouble staying afloat in the water.

In 2006 of the 710 recreational boating fatalities 90 percent of those victims were not wearing life jackets. Therefore, life jackets and other personal flotation devices (PFDs) should always be present and used correctly when in or around the water.

New Styles and Innovations

Everyone aboard the vessel should be wearing a life jacket that fits him or her snugly. Newer models of life jackets are more comfortable than ever before. This eliminates complaints from children or adolescents who might think life jackets are too hot, bulky or unattractive to wear.

It is extremely important to find life jackets that fit correctly, and ones approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Life jackets often have weight limits that should be heeded, especially for children. A PFD too big or too small for an individual will fail to offer the same level of protection as one designed to protect a person of a particular weight and stature.

In regard to styles and innovations, newer life jackets aren’t the bright orange models of years past. Today life jackets come in a range of colors and styles — some especially designed for specific water sports or recreational uses. There are even life jackets that inflate when a person hits the water, greatly reducing bulk, increasing mobility and flexibility.

New Way of Thinking

Many boaters and water enthusiasts simply store life jackets on their boat and assume doing so is protection enough. The fact of the matter is, boating accidents or emergencies can happen in a matter of minutes. There may not be enough time to grab a life jacket and buckle it up in a dangerous situation. Failing to wear a life jacket at all times puts your life at risk and the other people on a boat. Wearing your life jacket will allow you to be safe in case of an accident and will also allow you the ability to assist others that may be in danger. OW084668

(MS) — As sailors found out the last couple of seasons, the rise in fuel costs has hit lovers of the sea rather hard. Typical prices at marina fuel docks have been markedly higher than those at the neighborhood filling station, making an already expensive hobby such as boating even more so.

The reasons for the higher costs are numerous, ranging from the shorter sailing season (meaning marina filling station owners have less time with which to turn a profit than automobile filling station owners) to more stringent environmental standards that drive up costs. Reasons aside, many sailors simply want to know ways to lessen fuel usage while not sacrificing time spent doing what they love to do: boating. The following tips are some tricks of the trade for doing just that.

• Tune your engine. Much like an automobile engine will get better gas mileage if certain measures (i.e., replacing the air filter when necessary) are taken, tuning your boat’s engine properly will increase your boat’s gas mileage. Doing so reduces the work the engine has to do, increasing its efficiency while also reducing emissions.

• Reduce weight on the boat. Your boat should not be treated as a floating storage closet. If you’re only going out for an afternoon, you won’t need any long-range gear. Such excess weight can put a strain on the boat’s engine, forcing it to use more energy (fuel) to operate effectively. Remove any unnecessary weight both below and on deck, as excess weight creates drag, which decreases fuel efficiency.

• Don’t be a hot shot. Most boats don’t get the best gas mileage when operating at full speed. Throttle back to cruising speed once you get on a plane. If you’ve had your boat long enough, you’ll know what the best speed is that allows you to cruise. If you haven’t, this will be the speed where your boat rides smoothly while still providing optimal and enjoyable performance.

• Minimize time spent idling. While a certain amount of idling is necessary, excess idling is a mistake for a variety of reasons. Just because a boat is idling doesn’t mean it’s not consuming fuel. This consumption is wasteful if you don’t need to be idling. Excessive idling also has the potential to produce deadly carbon monoxide fumes, hurting both the environment and the people on your boat. Finally, idling is often noisy, making it an annoying and unnecessary distraction for people just looking to relax.

• Follow fuel guidelines. If you haven’t mixed your own fuel before, you should trust the professionals or at least seek their advice. Too much or too little oil can damage your boat’s engine, reducing both your boat’s performance and its fuel efficiency.

• Go green. It seems every market has gone green over the last couple of years, and the boating industry is no exception. If you need to replace your boat’s engine, do so with an engine that boasts lower emissions and better fuel efficiency. While traditionalists might say these engines don’t boast the same power as the engines of old, they’re at least in the same ballpark if not equal to those of old. OW084688

(MS) — Fishing is a sport that captivates many people. It provides more than just a chance for a leisurely getaway; fishing is also big business. According to the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), there are 40 million anglers in the United States alone. Fishing enthusiasts and people who fish for a living help to employ the manufacturers of fishing poles, lures, tackle boxes, and all of the other necessities for the sport. It is estimated that $45 billion in retail sales are generated each year from sportfishing.

A report by the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists California as the state with the most recreational anglers ages 16 and up for that year. But all across the country, anglers cast their lines for fun — and new fishing recruits sign up every season.

There are many different types of fishing, so you’re bound to find a method you will enjoy. Here’s a look at some of the popular types.

Fishing line fishing: This is by far the most popular type of fishing around. Using a rod and line, a fisherman attempts to hook a fish with a hook and bait.

Hand fishing: This type of fishing is just what the name implies. A person uses his or her hands to catch a fish, such as in lobster or pearl diving. In some areas of the southern U.S. catfish are caught this way. This type of fishing for catfish is called noodling.

Trolling: This is a form of fishing that involves drawing the fishing lure through the water in order to attract fish. This method is often used when fishing for big game fish such as marlin and tuna.

Bow/Spear fishing: This is based on a primitive type of fishing where a person stands above the water to shoot or spear a fish. In the past the spears were hand-thrown and the bows hand-powered. Today, automatic spear guns and pneumatic bows help propel the weapon at the target.

Dredging: This is a method of attaching a large net or chain mesh behind a boat to scoop up fish. It is commonly used to catch scallops and oysters, and is typically associated with commercial fishing.

Fishing can take place on the shore, while standing in the water or aboard a boat. Regardless of the type, the end result is to catch a meal or a trophy fish. Still, most sportfishing enthusiasts simply fish for the thrill, and then throw their catch back.

Bait Fishing vs. Spin Fishing

Sportfishermen typically use two main methods of catching fish when line fishing.
Bait fishing involves using live or dead bait, which the fisherman attaches to a hook. Depending upon the fish sought out, the bait will either lie on the hook at the bottom of the water, be jigged to attract the fish, or slowly reeled in to catch a fish’s eye.

Spin fishing relies on using an artificial lure that will spin under the water attracting fish. The lure is chosen to mimic the natural prey of the species being fished. OW084690