Laser Eye Surgery

Do you or your parents wear glasses? What if there was something that could get rid of your glasses? There is! Something called LASER EYE SURGERY can help fix your eyes so you don’t have to wear glasses anymore.

How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?

Figure 1: Laser Eye Surgery (3)

A really cool feature of Laser Eye Surgery is that it uses a LASER BEAM to fix the shape of your eye so you can see better. Part of your eye called the CORNEA is moved so the laser beam can go into your eye. Once the cornea is out of the way, the laser beam reaches all the way to the back of the eye and seals off ruptured, or broken, blood vessels in the eye (2).

Although Laser Eye Surgery may seem quick and easy, only special kinds of doctors can perform this surgery. The type of doctor who actually performs the surgery is called an OPHTHALMOLOGIST. An Ophthalmologist is a trained medical doctor who has earned a special degree known as a Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy degree. These kinds of doctors are licensed to surgically invade, or go in, the eye.

Figure 2: Ophthalmologist with
a chart testing eyesight (4)

Another kind of doctor that can help with Laser Eye Surgery is known as an OPTOMETRIST. Optometrists check on the patient before the surgery is performed and help the Ophthalmologist decide if the patient needs Laser Eye Surgery or not. Surgery is a big deal and teamwork must be used so everything goes well and so the patient is as happy and healthy as possible!

Some things that these special doctors look for before performing the surgery is that their patient doesn’t have any serious health problems that could make the surgery go wrong. One health problem that could possibly make the surgery fail is if the patient doesn’t heal from wounds very easily—this could make the patient’s eye not heal properly.

Why Should Someone Get Laser Eye Surgery?

As said before, Laser Eye Surgery can help get rid of the need to wear glasses. Not only is Laser Eye Surgery a pretty easy surgery to accomplish, but it is also very effective. According to Carita Caple, “95.4% of individuals who undergo Laser Eye Surgery are satisfied with their results” (1). Not only is Laser Eye Surgery effective, but it is also a fast procedure and it doesn’t take long for patients to heal from the almost painless surgery.

Clear vision with no glasses can help you or your mom or dad so much with a lot of different things. You won’t have to wear your glasses anymore in gym class, or at your basketball game, or while performing in the school play! You don’t have to worry about glasses anymore with Laser Eye Surgery!

References

(1)Caple, C. (2014). Laser Eye Surgery: Assisting with. CINAHL Nursing Guide
(2)Halle, M. (2013). Eye laser [Figure]. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ article-2407893/Cool-laser-
          stop-diabetics-going-blind-Doctors-hail-new-treatment- leaves-healthy-parts-eyes-unharmed.html 

(3)Web MD Inc. (2013). LASIK [Figure]. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/lasik-laser-eye-surgery

(4)123RF. (n.d.). Illustration of cartoon ophthalmologist with chart testing eyesight in eye care concept [Figure].
          Retrieved from http://www.123rf.com/clipart-vector/ophthalmologist.html

Food with Superpowers

Figure 1



Have you ever wondered what exactly is in the food you eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMOs for short, are present in many common foods we buy at the grocery store such as; corn, beans, bread, fruits, and vegetables. In fact, about 3/4 of the food sold at grocery stores include ingredients with GMOs (3). So, next time you go to the grocery store with your parents make sure you check the food label for any odd ingredients you do not recognize.

Figure 2

What exactly are GMOs?

Genetically Modified Organisms can be anything from plants, vegetables, fruits, spices, etc. A GMO plant is made by taking the part of plant 1 and inserting that part into plant 2. The new and improved plant's seeds will have traits from both plant 1 and plant 2 (1). A seed with a GMO is like a superhero, when it grows up, it has special powers that regular seeds don't have (Figure 2). They don't taste any different from regular food, but some of the superpowers the super-seeds could have include; the power to grow really big, super-strength against bugs, or even become healthier for people to eat (3). Many of these powers also make the food cheaper for us to buy at the grocery store as well. However, not all super-seeds use their powers for good, as some GMOs turn into super-villains who can make people really sick. Most GMOs are good guys though, and word hard to make our lives better every day, yet much of their hard work goes unnoticed. The majority of people don't even know about GMOs.

What do we think about GMOs? 
 

Figure 3

Despite not much being known about GMOs, many people are wondering if we even need the help of GMOs, and don't want to risk falling victim to one of the super-villain GMO's evil schemes. On the other hand though, people might not care since GMOs are already in most of the food we eat. The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA for short, is in charge of all laws and regulations involving growing food, making food, and creating new medicine (2). The FDA will eventually have to make a decision as to whether or not GMOs will be labeled on the cans, packages, or bags at the grocery store. Some people are scared that people will be scared away by products with GMOs and believe GMOs do more good than harm, while others believe they have a right to know about the food they are buying and eating.

References

(1) Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology. (2008) How are GMOs made? Huntsville, AL. http://archive.hudsonalpha.org/education/kits/gmod/gmos-made

 (2) Food and Drug Administration. (2010). Histories of product regulation. Silver Spring, MD. http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WhatWeDo/History/ProductRegulation/ucm132818.htm

(3) Hemphill, T., Banerjee, S. (2014). Mandatory food labeling for GMOs. Regulation, 37(4), 7-10.

http://eds.b.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=163e59b5-1cc9-489a-8b08-0e6a36ecb251%40sessionmgr115&vid=2&hid=117

On Top of a Mountain Nate Cusumano

On Top of a Mountain

     On top of a mountain in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania is the upper campus of Bloomsburg University. This is the home of the division two football team, the Bloomsburg Huskies. The practice field, located in upper campus, is where the prestigious team prepares for their games. Practice being the most important part of winning a football game it cannot be taken lightly. Its sole purpose is to prepare the Huskies for the game they have that Saturday. The Huskies have a tradition of winning that has always defined their identity.

    

     The practice field painted with white chalk lines covers the green grass that stretches long and wide. There are views of enormous rolling hills surrounding the entire field. Being on top of the mountain there are great views from the top of the hill. There are two wooden towers placed on the field, this is where Coach Darragh films the practices. Football players gather inside the field displaying maroon and white jerseys that separate the offense and defense. The offense wearing white and the defense wearing maroon you can see them working hard throughout the field surrounded by their coaches. Red pads lay on the beaten and battered dirt to assist in drills for the players. Cones are placed sporadically along the field to assist in the drills. Water bottles are placed around the field in green carriers that await the thirsty players. Athletic trainers are working hastily to make sure the water bottles are always full and that the players play safe.

      As the athletes run onto the practice field they begin the first part of practice, which is called pre-practice. This is a time for coaches to talk about what they are installing into the game plan and for the players to get warmed up. After the head coach, Paul Darragh, blows his whistle, it alerts the players to begin stretching. Lined up 5 yards apart each athlete stretches simultaneously. After the stretching is finished pre-practice is complete. The next session is called individuals and the team breaks up and runs to their groups. They begin their position-oriented session of practice. The following and final session of practice is called team. Team is when everyone comes together and there is offense versus defense.  By servicing each other, both sides of the ball work the game plan for the coming Saturday. Practice concludes with conditioning, then the coach says a few things and dismisses the players from practice.

     "Practice is a place to get better. It's a lot of hard work but the game should be the easy part." explained Qmac Quiteh, a member of the team. Many bystanders can observe the focus and work hard created during the two hours they are out there. You can see proof of the hustle from sweat beading down their fatigue expressed faces. "I come to practice with a mindset to get things done," expresses Qmac, which reinforces the player's motto of working hard.

     Players' attitudes during practice and games go a long way with their tradition of winning. "The men on this team never quit, even in the face of adversity. I think that is how we've grown to have a winning organization," Head Coach Paul Darragh explained. During practice there is very little small talk and joking around, everyone is there to work and to get better. Having a winning season for sixteen years straight goes to show that the winning tradition in Bloomsburg is something very real. Season after season the huskies continue to be above .500, made possible by the sacrifices made on the practice field.

     Being a powerhouse in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference would never come easy. The blood sweat and tears spent on the practice field is the key ingredient to the success of the Huskies. Ironically hours of hard work on top of a mountain has helped the Huskies remain on top of a very steep conference. With a tradition of winning, a culture of hard work and a consistency to get better the Huskies can only be who they are with their preparations made on that practice field.

Spare Some Time for Bowling

     A man steps up to the ball return, a blank expression falls over his face, showing complete and utter concentration. He reaches down, first to place his hand over an airflow, drying off any sweat, or grease from his freshly cut French fries. After this, he reaches down and finds his personal ball, the red and blue swirls claiming it as his. He places his fingers in and steps up, holding the ball at shoulder height, just slightly off of his body. He silently utters something to himself, and then begins the approach. In four quick strides, he reaches the foul line and drops the ball. It slowly drifts out towards the gutter, then just as one would think it to succumb and fall, it snaps back towards the inside of the lane. The ball rockets towards it's target, and hits home. All ten of the pins fall down in a thunderous crash, as the crowd behind him exclaims, some boos, some cheers. The man turns around triumphantly; another successful frame that night.

     This situation is a common one at Milton's own Imperial Lanes. This is a very informal location, made to make any patron of any skill level feel comfortable and to have fun. As you enter the glass doors, you see a round area for people to sit their bags down, and remove any wet shoes. As you travel up the long ramp, the first thing that sticks out is the vibrant, fluorescent carpeting used in the bowling alley. The background of the carpet is black, but is decorated with designs of bowling pins and balls, and in general vibrant shapes in oranges, greens, pinks, and blues. This design is carried over onto the tables of the bowling alley, which are surrounded by gray chairs which swivel back and forth, easing access to and from them. Most of what isn't covered in this design, or blue paint, is a light wooden siding. The alley has 16 lanes in it, split down the middle between lanes 8 and 9 by four pillars, with brick bases and the pattern of the carpet continued up to the ceiling (Figure 1). The bowling alley isn't very big, but creates a very open feeling for any entering to have an entertaining night of bowling.

Figure 1

     When patrons decide to come and bowl at Imperial Lanes, it is a fairly simple and painless process. If someone would have their own ball and shoes, bring them along, but if not, that's okay too! Once at the front desk, guests are usually greeted by a woman, or two of the children of the staff across the wooden counter. At this point, guests will specify how many games they'll be playing (Usually one - three), and if balls and shoes are necessary. If needed, those will be added onto the final bill, and then after paying, guests will be directed to the lane they're bowling on. After everyone gets their balls and shoes around, names will be inputted into a large screen above the lane; every lane has one of these. They will keep the score for that game and the total across every game you play, show animations providing a reflection of how each throw was, and even show how fast the ball went! As people bowl, they get hungry and thirsty. Luckily, these feelings can be quenched with ease. There is a soda machine, and many selections of common, and simple food to make (fries, pizza, burgers, chicken tenders, etc.). These will help to keep people satisfied while they go bowling. Hopefully, the night will end up as a joyous time for the patrons, and that they'll score well in the process!

Some of the many balls
to choose from

     One big part of this job would obviously have to do with working with the public, and seeing improvement occur overtime with the regulars at the bowling alley. Imperial Lanes offers many leagues for all ages to bowl in during the week, one even being for seniors and one on the weekends for children 12 and under. The owner Andy says that this has to be one of his favorite parts of the job. He simply said, "I love working with the kids, just the public in general." He is doing what he loves, along with all the staff there, and enjoys every day of it, and interacting with the people who come into his bowling alley. A big event is whenever a bowler gets an honor score, which is a perfect game, a 300. Andy, and many of the staff said that seeing someone reach that point, staff or patron, in their bowling career is a fantastic thing to see, and one of the many highlights of the job.
    

     Andy has owned Imperial lanes for 13 years now. It has been open since December 31st, 2001. He even goes as far as to have the lanes open on New Year's Eve for business, and people can bowl until all hours of the night and help celebrate another successful year for Andy and his staff. The bowling alley is open for a 34 week season, and has varying hours based on what day it is. It then closes over the summer. A common statement from the staff would have been "The long hours are difficult" about this 34 week season. Most the staff has worked there for 10+ years and all have a strong background in bowling. One staff member has been there since he was 16, and said he got into just because it was, "The thing to do. You either bowled or you roller skated." The one goal everyone who works there has is just to enjoy the game, and improve themselves.

     Andy Neuer has been bowling for a very long time. He started at three years old, and has stuck with it. He stuck with his passion through the years, and owns a bowling alley now. He gets to spend every day doing what he loves and is passionate about. He has actually bowled on tournament before, and did this for 10 years! He has two children, who are also very skilled at bowling. His son is 13, and has already scored four 300 games! His oldest daughter is a senior in high school and has now had three honor scores. He also has the honor of coaching Milton High School's bowling team. He has helped bring those boys and girls to states many years, and helps more youth find the joy in bowling. He doesn't plan to stop bowling, or working at the bowling alley anytime soon. "I won't stop until the day I die."

     Our man from before now walked out triumphantly from his night at leagues. He scored a 197, and 287, and a 256. This overall lead to a great night for him, and one of the higher averages for the night. He even made some money via betting with teammates on how his scores would compare to others. As he walked out, he heard another crash of a strike behind him. He stopped, smiled, and walked out, excitedly waiting to continue his league season next week at Imperial Lanes.

Christmas In July

Every year people look around at countless trees to find the perfect one, the one that will truly bring the holiday spirit in their household. Have you ever wondered who are the people that perfectly deliver you those beautiful trees or what they have to do to grow them so good. Well in Bloomsburg, PA there is a plantations that encompasses over four hundred and fifty acres of land. The plantation grows nothing but the best Douglas and Fraser fir Christmas trees. The plantation are owned by one man, Mark Zelanzy, under the name Quaker State Plantations.

When one is leaving Bloomsburg driving south towards Danville, one would turn down this hidden road called Grovania Drive heading up a beautiful mountain alive with forest and wild creatures. While heading up the winding road, one will notice acres upon acres of pure green fir Christmas trees that are lined up in rows curving over the many hills that reside on the mountain. The trees are no more than a feet apart from each other sometimes standing at the outstanding height of ten feet. The view would remind a person of obedient soldiers standing in military formation.

Quaker State, a major award winning grower in Christmas trees, carries an inventory of more than one-half million trees. The plantation has over thirty years of adaptive history with the help of Mark Zelanzy. Zelanzy, who not only owns the plantation but manages the all of the plantation, has a Masters in forestry and over twenty years of practical experience. The fifty-six year old with brown and patches of grey hair dedicates countless hours every year to produce some of the most gorgeous trees and supply them to customers who have been coming back for years.

Ariel View Of Plantation

"The work may be hard and sometimes even frustrating but at the end of the day, it's all worth it," exclaimed Mark Zelanzy. He explained to me the process he goes through every year to ensure that his trees are in tip top shape ready to be packaged for shipment. During the months of July, August, and possibly September, Zelanzy hires around forty employees to endure the next few months. Their seasonal work on the plantations are crucial for the trees to become perfect for shipping season. They are tasked with trimming all the trees on the plantation so when November rolls around, they are not unevenly grown on the sides and the top is not too long.

The conditions that the employees have to endure during that time are difficult and not every person can handle it. They start their morning by waking up at six in the morning at one of two of the houses that are provided to them by the company. The main house which has been located next to the company's office. The other house is across the street but down a hilly dirt road next to countless rows of trees. They began their shift at seven, traveling together in short buses that are driven by the supervisors to the part of the plantation that they are designated to complete that day. 

They sharpen their grey trimmers with red on the bottom of the handles. The clippers come with adjusters so they can reach the taller part of the trees. Most of the employees wear boots, khakis or jeans, and a long sleeve shirt to prevent the trees from contacting the skin, which would cause itching. The workers are so close to the trees, with some days being above ninety degrees, making breathing very difficult and can also cause them to pass out from the heat.

Zelanzy understands the conditions from personal experience and takes more than plenty of precautions to make sure none of his employees fall victim to them. He supplies the short buses with water containers the size of those used at football games filled with ice cold water. His supervisors constantly remind the employees to drink water to keep up with the heat, as well as check their trimming to make sure they are not making consistent mistakes. "Safety is a big part of the job and we make sure that if we see an employee struggling that we stop them and have them take a break to catch their breath," explained one of the supervisors. They always want their workers to know that they are not going to push them beyond their limits.

Quaker State, an experienced plantation that provides quality fir Christmas trees and prides itself on its customer relations. They have performed unsurpassed proficiency in filling out customers' orders. Managed by an experienced team, lead by Mark Zelanzy, they take their customers' request as serious as their employees' safety. In the heart of Pennsylvania's Christmas tree growing country, you can know that your tree is handled with the utmost care and responsibility this Christmas holiday.