Consumer columnist and West Hartford resident Harlan Levy has more than 20 years of experience writing stories about everyday experiences that anyone could encounter.

By Harlan Levy

Got this message on Tuesday that could deceive naive consumers – although it’s kinda hilarious, coming from the BMV (Bepartment of Motor Vehicles):

“Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (BMV) Final Notice: Enforcement Penalties Begin on June 18. Our records show that as of today, you still have an outstanding traffic ticket. In accordance with Connecticut Administrative Code 15C-16.003, if you do not complete payment by June 17, 2025, we will take the following actions: 1. Report to the DMV violation database, 2. Suspend your vehicle registration starting June 18, 3. Suspend driving privileges for 30 days, 4. Transfer to a toll booth and charge a 35% service fee, 5. You may be prosecuted and your credit score will be affected

Pay Now: https://portal.gov-dirtvz.works/pay (Reply Y and re-open this message to click the link, or copy it to your browser.).”

DO NOT CLICK THE LINK – unless you want to lose your identity and your cash!

New Alzheimer’s treatment: Artificial Memories Therapy

A team of neuroscientists from Stanford University has developed a technique using “artificial memories” – memories created digitally and implanted in patients’ brains. The goal of this technique is to reactivate the neurons responsible for memory and prevent their degeneration, the Stanford team reports.

“This technique relies on tiny microchips implanted in the brain, serving as storage platforms for memories. These chips are connected to a neural network that helps retrieve emotionally linked events, such as the faces of loved ones or happy moments,” the scientists said.

The technique was applied to a 70-year-old patient, who was able to remember his grandson, whom he hadn’t recognized in over five years.

“This breakthrough holds great promise for Alzheimer’s treatment and may revolutionize the way neurological diseases are treated in the future,” the team said.

All I can say is WOW!

Diet news

“Beans are no fruit, but they may be magical for your health,” according to a new report from Sciencenews.org .

In a small study, eating a daily cup of chickpeas lowered people’s cholesterol, scientists reported on June 3 at the annual American Society for Nutrition meeting.

Also, a cup of either chickpeas or black beans per day reduced inflammation.

Hummus is made of chickpeas, so the equivalent amount would work.

Small changes to your diet can translate to meaningful changes in your health, said Indika Edirisinghe, a nutritionist at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, who participated in the study. “Just adding one cup of beans a day can make some big differences,” he said.

Edirisinghe and his colleagues enrolled 72 people with prediabetes in a trial that had them consuming a cup of chickpeas, black beans, or white rice every day for 12 weeks. At the end of the trial, the cholesterol levels of people on the chickpea diet dropped from about 200 to 186 milligrams per deciliter. That may seem small, but it’s actually “gold,” Edirisinghe said. It means participants “are coming back to the healthy side.” Doctors consider total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dl to be normal.

People in both the chickpea group and the black bean group also showed reduced signs of inflammation in the blood.

“Sure, a belly full of beans might make you toot,” the scientists said. “Some study participants noted gastrointestinal issues, Edirisinghe said, ”but their guts seemed to adapt over the course of the trial.”

Yeah … Please don’t smell up the house, my wife would say.

Free produce

Driving down Arnoldale Road on Monday I stopped at our former neighborʼs house, which sported a full curbside garden of lettuce, tomato plants, and much more, with a sign asking passersby to take some. I was happy to take home some tasty fresh lettuce and a tomato plant, thinking how generous Chet and Glenna were for any consumers who valued great free produce. Hats off to them!

NOTE: If you have a consumer problem, contact me at [email protected] (“Consumer” in subject line), and, with the power of the press, maybe I can help.

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