Providing information for & about individuals over the age of 55
At 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, Daylight Saving Time will switch to Standard Time—or “fall back,” meaning clocks should be set back one hour. What’s to gain from this? Well, going to bed Sunday night at, say, 10 p.m. will be like going to bed at 9, due to “time” going backward.
Daylight Saving Time will return on March 9. Until then, the days will slowly get lighter moving through winter and into spring.
EARTH TALK
Dear EarthTalk:
Is it possible to retrofit an old car with an electric vehicle drivetrain?
– Jerry M.
It is definitely possible to retrofit an old internal combustion engine car with an electric vehicle (EV) drivetrain, but the process can be complicated and expensive. In fact, it may be cheaper when all is said and done—not to mention easier and quicker—to just buy an EV.
If you’re undeterred and want to proceed with a conversion anyway, keep in mind that certain types of cars lend themselves to the process better than others. For starters, older cars that rely on mechanics more than computers are often easier to convert. Another consideration to keep in mind is that it’s easier to convert a car with a manual transmission since they use less power and are a lot less complicated than automatic cars. Likewise, lighter vehicles make better candidates for conversions given that less weight translates into greater range.
The first step in retrofitting an old car with an EV drivetrain is to remove the existing engine and transmission. This requires specialized knowledge and tools, so it’s important to find a reputable mechanic or EV retrofitting company to do the job. Once the old engine and transmission are removed, the new EV drivetrain can be installed. This typically includes an electric motor, battery pack, charger, and other components needed to make the car run on electricity. The placement of these components will vary depending on the make and model of the car, and the specific EV drivetrain being used.
One of the biggest challenges in retrofitting an old car with an EV drivetrain is finding the right balance between performance and range. The battery pack needs to be large enough to provide adequate range, but it also needs to be small enough to fit in the car without compromising performance or handling. This can be a delicate balance, and it often requires custom fabrication and design work.
Another challenge is integrating the new EV drivetrain with the car’s existing systems. This includes things like the brakes, steering and suspension, as well as the dashboard and other controls. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace or modify these systems to ensure they work properly with the new EV drivetrain.
Despite the hassle and expense, converting an internal combustion engine car over to electric is a great way to breathe new life into your old ride and reduce its environmental impact. In addition to being more efficient and producing fewer emissions than gasoline-powered cars, EVs also require less maintenance and can save drivers money on fuel costs over the long term. It’s also a lot less wasteful to electrify an old clunker and give it years and years of additional use than buying a brand-new EV, which requires the extraction and use of precious resources and lots of new carbon emissions to build and ship out.
Several companies, including Electric GT, Legacy EV and EV West, now manufacture conversion kits. Even GM and Ford are getting in on the act with the recent release of so-called crate engines that car owners (or their mechanics) can easily swap into the engine bays of corresponding models.
Source: EarthTalk (earthtalk.org) is a non-profit site of news and features on environmental topics. It’s produced by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss.
(Pictured: Eddy’s Cafe, seen here in 1934, operated for more than 40 years in Tacoma’s Tideflats area.)
As a fourth-generation Tacoma native, Patty Rivers Mannie knows a thing or two about the city’s history, including her own family. Her great-grandfather, Eugene Scheele, worked as a blacksmith on the corner of North 30th and White Street as early as 1910. And her grandparents, Edward and Alma Wildes, owned and operated Eddy’s Café on the Tacoma Tideflats for over 40 years.
Mannie has started a boutique tour company, Tacoma History Comes Alive, offering historical treks through downtown and the North End neighborhood, as well as the bordering Town of Ruston. She also provides history research for those looking to learn more about their homes. She can be reached at tacomacomesalive.com and 253-208-0135.
Born and raised in the North End, Rivers Mannie attended St. Patrick’s Elementary School and graduated from Wilson High School. She developed her passion for Tacoma’s history after attending a tour of homes in 1976, during the American Bicentennial. Since then, she has been a charter member of the Tacoma Historical Society while working in banking and marketing.
(Pictured: The right exercise, such as walks on a beach, has many healthful benefits for people with COPD.)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lifelong chronic lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe and is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. According to experts, the more knowledge a patient with COPD has about the disease, the better off they will be.
A recent review from the American Lung Association found that patient education can help improve COPD self-management, provide skills for coping with related mental health challenges, improve overall health and quality of life, and reduce hospital admissions. This is especially important for those who have been living with the disease for a long time who may not be aware of recent treatment options and updated treatment guidelines, or who may not be inclined to recognize new or worsening symptoms and report them to their healthcare provider.
To help people who have been living with the disease for 10 or more years live better, more active and enjoyable lives, the American Lung Association, with support from Sanofi and Regeneron, launched the new “COPD for Life” campaign. As part of the campaign, they say they are busting the following common myths about the disease:
Myth: COPD is a man’s disease.
Truth: More women are living with COPD compared to men, and deaths from COPD are higher among women than in men. Everyone with risk factors and those experiencing early warning signs, no matter their age or gender, should talk to their healthcare provider.
Myth: There is no treatment for COPD.
Truth: There is no cure for COPD, but treatment and management can help slow the progression of COPD and control symptoms so that a patient feels better and is able to spend more time doing what they enjoy.
Myth: You cannot exercise if you have COPD.
Truth: The right amount and type of exercise has many benefits, and tips on how to get started should be discussed with a healthcare provider
Myth: COPD only affects the lungs so what you eat does not matter.
Truth: Most people are surprised to learn that the food they eat may affect their breathing. Talking to your healthcare provider about the right types of food for you may help you breathe easier.
Myth: If you already have COPD, quitting smoking won’t help.
Truth: Quitting smoking is an important part of any COPD treatment plan. The chemicals in cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and cigars can further damage lungs and may prevent medications from working as well as they could.
Myth: A patient should manage COPD on their own.
Truth: People who work closely with their healthcare providers to have a good treatment plan have better health outcomes. It’s especially important to see a healthcare provider if symptoms change or worsen. Likewise, supportive services, such as in-person or virtual support groups, can have a positive impact on health outcomes. Some studies indicate that positive social support is associated with reduced hospitalizations, fewer exacerbations, better health status, and improved disease management behaviors.
To learn more, call the American Lung Association’s Lung HelpLine at 1-866-252-2959 and be connected to a Lung Health navigator, or visit Lung.org/COPD or Lung.org/Helpline for additional resources and to chat live with a licensed registered nurse or respiratory therapist.
The Lung Association notes that life with COPD can often be challenging. But having up-to-date knowledge and the right resources can help patients stay active, control their symptoms, and know what to do if their COPD gets worse.
Source: StatePoint Media
