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Glad You Asked
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Today's awesome Glad You Asked logo is by Katie Kohlman, 11. She is a sixth-grader at St. Lucy's School. Thanks, Katie!
Glad You Asked reader Mary is apparently concerned about venomous creatures lurking in our fair state. Mary said, "Thank you for answering the questions about the poisonous snakes. We enjoyed it immensely." Now Mary wants to know, "Does Wisconsin or the Upper Midwest have any poisonous spiders? If so, what are they?"
Before the invention of Bug Zappers, humans relied on this brilliant arachnid architect for catching their insect enemies.
Spiders rank just behind bees and wasps as the most feared arthropod, according to the UW Extension. It is common for any unexplained skin irritation to be called a "spider bite."
Research has shown that more than 80 percent of suspected "spider bites" are caused by other arthropods, such as insects and ticks.
Even when they bite, spiders do not always inject venom. The severity of the reaction to a spider bite will differ among individuals. Most spider bites are less painful than a bee sting.
Many spiders are not capable of breaking the skin with their fangs, while other species contain venom that causes no reaction.
Actual spider bites show two puncture marks although the wound is not always obvious. A rather typical reaction might involve localized reddening and various degrees of swelling, itching and pain. Infrequently, bites from some species of sac spiders, wolf spiders, jumping spiders and cobweb weavers have been observed.
Wisconsin is home to roughly 1,100 spider species.
Two types of poisonous spiders in the United States are famous because of their venomous bites to people: the widow and recluse spiders. Both the black widow and the brown recluse, neither of which is native to Wisconsin, are timid, nonaggressive spiders.
Confirmed bites from these spiders are extremely rare in the Upper Midwest.
A reader asked, "What year did Frank Sinatra sing at Memorial Hall in Racine?"
This question proved a tad difficult to answer.
Frank Sinatra, the New Jersey born crooner, melted hearts the world 'round with his devilish good looks and dulcet tones. We're not sure he stopped in Racine, though.
The reader who called with this question originally called the Racine Heritage Museum to find out what year Sinatra sang at Racine's Memorial Hall. They apparently told the person to call Glad You Asked. When the question fell into our laps, the crack staff at Glad You Asked called the Racine Heritage Museum, too.
The question of whether Sinatra ever sang in Racine became if, rather than when.
The folks working in the museum's archives informally settled on the sad truth, Sinatra sang in Milwaukee, but never in Racine.
A call to Racine's own music legend, Ken Davis - Racine's rock-a-billy king - confirmed that. Neither Davis, nor his wife, Lorna, could remember the Chairman of the Board ever belting out a version of "My Way" at Memorial Hall.
We're not convinced, though. No offense to the museum folks or the Davises, but we can't say, with complete certainty, that Sinatra never sang in Racine. If you remember Ol' Blue Eyes singing at Memorial Hall, let us know.
If you have proof, we'd like to see it.
Another reader wondered, "I understand that you're not able to take your dog on any of the beaches in the area, but are you allowed to take your leashed dog on the new pathways that are in the zoo area and by the lake?"
There's no disputing the city's rules about dogs on the beach - they're verboten, or forbidden - for those of you who don't read German.
Dog owners can, however, walk their dogs on the city's bike paths.
A call to City Hall bounced from one department to the next - from the city administrator's office, to the Health Department, to the Department of Public Works and finally the Parks and Recreation Department, which confirmed that indeed, dogs are welcome on the bike paths.
Don't forget your leash, even if your pooch is well-behaved.
The city has a few rules on the books related to animals "running at large." Dog owners must keep their dogs, or any other animal, on a leash, unless the animal is on the owner's property. The city also requires the leash to be held by someone who is physically capable of controlling the animal.
While we're at it, this might be a good time to remind people not to leave home without the appropriate device for scooping any surprises your four-legged friend might leave behind. Owners also are responsible for finding an appropriate place for depositing said surprises.
Enjoy your walk.
What is Glad You Asked?
GYA seeks answers to your questions. Have a question? Send it to us at ask@journaltimes.com or call us at: (262) 631-1758. Thanks!
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| Corrections 6.28 | Furry and part of the problem |
