Is it warm where you are? Some people reading this probably think that question is a cruel joke, as they wipe the sweat off their foreheads. Summer scorchers aren’t a joke, and our goal is to share the names and meaning of what doctors call various heat-related health risks and how to avoid any suffering while the weather is sweltering.

First of all, what defines a heat wave? The challenge of the phrase is that the normal temperature varies so much from place to place that setting a number isn’t very useful. Our most precise definition: “an air mass of high temperature covering an extended area and moving relatively slowly.” Right now a hot air mass is sitting on top of the East Coast without moving. And it’s making East Coast residents not want to move out of air-conditioned rooms.

There’s also a variety of homemade breads and desserts.

The JJC students are also making king cakes, and are taking orders for them through the week.

For a king cake, call (815) 280-2786.

At Milano’s Bakery, 2019 Essington Road, Joliet, folks there are gearing up for Fat Tuesday as well, with their annual making of the Polish delicacy, Paczkis (poonch-kies.) Paczkis are just one of Mardi Gras pastry traditions.

It’s a round, jelly-filled doughnut created in honor of Mardi Gras. Milano’s fills their Paczkis with raspberry, prune, custard and other fillings.

Last year, said owner Mario DeBenedetti, they sold 5, 000 Paczkis.

They also sell king cakes.

“King cakes are great, but people buy Paczkis to bring into the office, ” he said.

Cafe Orleans is also taking orders for king cakes.

Last year, she sold about 60 of them.

“We make a sweet dough and braid it, and put a filling of fruit, cinnamon, almond or cream cheese in, ” she said.

“Each cake is three breads braided together, and they come in small, medium and large.

We decorate them with masks and doubloons and beads.” Shrimp Creole 1/2 pound fresh shrimp, peeled, deveined and washed 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1 bay leaf 1 small piece of bell pepper, cut fine 1/4 lemon 1/8 teaspoon sweet basil 1 1/2 cups water pinch nutmeg 1 1/2 tablespoons cooking oil 1 small piece of bay leaf 1 small onion, chopped 1/8 teaspoon red pepper 1 clove garlic, mashed 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch 1 cup whole tomatoes, fresh or canned A small amount of green onion 1/2 cup tomato sauce Liquid from boiled shrimp In a stew pan, add water, salt, bay leaf, lemon and shrimp.