August 29, 2008
Issue #578
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THIS IS A HAMMER By Samantha Mazzotta
Gash Mars Kitchen Floor Q: We just closed on a house that the previous owner had to sell in a hurry to avoid foreclosure. One thing that came as-is is the kitchen floor; there’s a large gash cut in the vinyl through the center of the kitchen, and the plywood underneath is showing. Should I just glue this down for now? Is it OK to have plywood beneath the vinyl? Thanks -- Hannah L., Tampa, Fla. A: The plywood you see is part of the underlayment, which is the intermediary between the floor joists and the flooring surface on which you walk (in this case, the vinyl). When building a modern house, sheets of plywood make up the base of the floors. These are usually (but not always) topped with a thin layer of padding, followed by carpet, tile or vinyl sheeting. Underlayment is quite sturdy and, as long as it is not damaged or wet, can last many years. A thin cut in vinyl sheeting, as long as the edges still meet, can be quickly reglued so that the cut is not noticeable. If the gash in the vinyl sheeting is jagged or the edges are curling back from the cut, you’ll probably have to patch or replace the sheet. As you’ve just moved in, now might be a good time to consider replacing the vinyl sheet. You can roll out new sheeting or spring for a different floor covering such as vinyl or ceramic tile. It’s also a prime opportunity to inspect the underlayment and make sure it is dry, firm and undamaged. HOME TIP: A small gouge or tear in vinyl flooring can be patched quickly with a bit of clear shellac or varnish. To match the floor’s color, mix shavings of matching vinyl from a scrap piece into the varnish and dab the paste on. Send questions or home-repair tips to homeguru2000@hotmail.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
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WORKIN’ FOR A LIVING (continued): • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most dangerous job is timber cutting. Incredibly, a lumberjack is ten times more likely to be killed on the job than a police officer. Chainsaws and trees that don’t fall the way they’re supposed to are the main reasons for the high mortality rate. Those curious about what the job is really like can view the action weekly on a new reality TV show: History’s Ax Men. • A recent report by the National Opinion Research Center asked practicing physicians if they’d encourage their children from following in their footsteps. Nearly 30 percent said “no.” They cited two key reasons for the rejection: long work hours and problems with managed care and insurance companies. One interviewed doctor stated that he had advised his own children to become either electricians or plumbers. Experts believe that job dissatisfaction in the medical community might be at an all-time high. • The standard 40-hour work week came into existence in 1938, with the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act. However, a 2004 study revealed that nearly two-thirds of Americans work more than 40 hours per week. We’re also skipping our allotted sick days and vacation time to the tune of $23 billion each year. Of course, this money goes back into the company’s coffers. • Are you interested in a full- or part-time job that offers a bit of “free” time? Consider applying to businesses that are open 24 hours. Most self-service gas stations, convenience stores, and hotels/motels need staff willing to work overnight. In some cases, the boss might not mind you reading a book or doing homework during business lulls. (You should certainly ask first, of course!) • IT (Information Technology) workers switch jobs about every 18 months on average. Why? Well, Human Resource experts believe that there is a psychological reason for the high turnover. Due to the nature of the work, IT staffers begin to feel “stagnant” after being in the same position for a length of time. As technology and opportunities advance, these workers start to feel that there is something better “out there” for them. • In 1973, Chester Reed retired from the U.S. Air Force. He took a job handling mail at the post office in San Bernardino, California. He’s still employed there 35 years later, which is remarkable but not astounding. What is astounding is that Reed is 93 years old. He has no plans to retire any time soon, and attributes his longevity and spryness to onion sandwiches. He eats one every day. turn the page for more!
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PAWS CORNER By Sam Mazzotta
Head of the Class
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I have a few dogs, including a Chihuahua. “Jasper” is different from the rest of them. Now, I don’t believe in training a dog except for housebreaking, but one day when I was playing with Jasper he started to pick up hand signals without me teaching them to him. None of my other dogs will follow basic commands -- sit, stay, etc. -- but Jasper knows all of them. Do you know how he learned all of these tricks? Can a dog just pick something up? -- Morgan M., Orange, Conn. DEAR MORGAN: Dogs pick up a tremendous amount of information from us, usually without us realizing it. If we display bad habits around them -- allowing them to jump up on strangers, or losing our temper when they get playful -- then they will quickly pick up on and exploit those habits. I’ll bet even the dumbest dog in your household knows how to push your buttons to get what it wants. It’s instinctive; it’s one of the things dogs do best. Now, Jasper is probably one of the smartest dogs in your house. Maybe not the smartest -- the dog that has figured out it can ignore your commands without consequence and then demonstrated that to the other dogs is the smartest dog in your house right now -- but Jasper is pretty darn smart. And eager to please. And he sees you as his pack leader, the one he needs to please in order to get food and comfort (something that a small dog in a house full of pooches is worried about). So you have an instant advantage in training Jasper. He can and should learn more advanced commands. But do not ignore your other dogs’ training, either. One of those dogs sees itself as the pack leader right now. Figure out which one it is, and establish yourself as the head of the pack -- this includes restarting basic obedience and enforcing “house rules” with all your dogs. Send your tips, questions and comments to Paws Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 328536475, or e-mail them to pawscorner@hotmail. com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
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(swimming pool doesn’t add much) WORKIN’ FOR A LIVING (continued): • The first federal minimum wage law in the U.S. went into effect in 1938. The minimum wage at that time was 25 cents per hour. Consider that, at the time, a loaf of bread or a gallon of gas could be had for about 10 cents. The minimum wage has increased every few years in the last half-century; it first reached $1 per hour back in 1956. The most recent boost, which went into effect on July 24, 2008, raised the lowest rate to $6.55 per hour. That’s nearly double the $3.35 level that was the norm through most of the 1980s and into the year 1990. • Nurses are in high demand, and the job pays well, but the field still suffers from high turnover. Some nurses can’t handle the emotionally- draining stress that comes with caring for ill and dying people. To avoid this, many nurses opt to specialize in Labor & Delivery. It sounds exciting and fun to be part of the birthing process for new mothers. But a large percentage of these nurses change their minds after determining that the majority of L&D work involves taking care of cranky mamas-to-be who are both scared to death and in excruciating pain. • The third most dangerous job in the U.S. is that of an airplane pilot. Don’t panic – this doesn’t mean that commercial air travel is particularly perilous. The high mortality rate lies not with commercial carriers, but with crop dusters, small cargo planes, and air taxis. Even then, the key culprits are those planes that journey to or from small, lowtech airports, or planes that have to fly across rugged (particularly high-altitude) terrain. • The 2006 General Social Survey found that the profession with the highest level of job satisfaction is the clergy. (Of course, you usually have to work on Sundays!) Second on the list were firefighters, followed by physical therapists, authors, and special education teachers. That same survey also queried workers about their “happiness” factor on the job. Again members of the clergy and fire fighters came out on top – which proves, if nothing else, that happiness in your field of work equals satisfaction on the job. • At any job, there will be days when you wished you’d stayed home in bed. But if they occur too often, it might be time to look for a new job. Contentment at work can reduce stress, which benefits your health both physically and mentally. The End The Way Mother Nature Cleans®
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Dear Dave, We’re thinking about adding an in-ground swimming pool. We have no debt, two kids and we make about $58,000 a year. The pool will cost $32,000, and we have $53,000 in cash savings. We don’t know what it will do for the value of our home, but it’s currently worth about $180,000. Do you think we can swing it? Kelly Dear Kelly, It’s really hard to get your money back from installing a pool. In your case you might see the value of your home go up $10,000 or $15,000, but you won’t get your $32,000 back in the deal. I think you’re probably looking at trading several years of vacations for this pool. But if you’re cool with that and you guys really love swimming that much, I’d say go for it! I’d shop around for a cheaper price, though. You can definitely get a nice, in-ground pool for less than $32,000. - Dave (what’s the difference?) Dear Dave, I’ve heard you say that it’s really bad to lease a car, but then sometimes you talk about renting a house or apartment as a good thing. How can it be good to rent your home with a lower payment but not a car? Corey Dear Corey, You’re confusing a temporary situation with a permanent one. People lease cars with a permanent mindset. Car payments are just a way of life for most middle-class people who have resigned themselves to never get-
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ting anywhere financially. My goal is to try and get people to reverse that mindset, because it’s virtually impossible to get rich and build wealth while you’ve got car payments hanging over your head. Now let’s make sure you understand where I’m coming from. I don’t recommend that people lease a house or live in an apartment their entire lives. I’ve never said that. But sometimes – if you’re in a big enough mess – it’s a good idea to step back and be a renter for a short period of time so you can get your finances back on solid ground. Great question, Corey! - Dave (sky high insurance rates!) Dear Dave, My daughter is 16, and has just started driving. She has a part-time job and budgets her money, too. But ever since she got behind the wheel our insurance rates have been through the roof. She’s going to pay her portion, but is there anything we can do to lower the cost without going completely bare bones on coverage? Barbara Dear Barbara, I know exactly where you’re coming from. I’ve got one of those animals called a 16year old in my house, too. Never go bare bones with a teenager behind the wheel. You need good, high-liability amounts of coverage. Liability is the best buy across the insurance world today, and that includes car insurance. It really doesn’t change the pricing very much, either, to run heavy on liability. I’d advise looking at a minimum of $500,000. As far as bringing the price down, some companies give discounts for kids who complete a driver’s education course at school. There are even some companies that will give you a break if they’re on the honor roll consistently. About the only other thing you can do is get a high deductible. - Dave * For more financial advice plus special offers to our readers, please visit www.davesays.org or call 1-888-22-PEACE.
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Tidbits® of Spokane Washington
Ta’i Chi Is Path to Better Sleep I’ve always suspected there might be something to Chinese medicine. T’ai Chi (pronounced “tie chee”) is a 2,000-year-old Chinese form of martial arts. I’m not sure why it’s classified as a martial art, because the movements are so gentle. It’s thought that doing the movements allows cosmic energy to flow through the body and boost the immune system. Now there is a short Westernized version, called T’ai Chi Chih. T’ai Chi Chih isn’t exercise. It’s a series of 19 movements and one pose done while standing in place, with the wrists kept loose and fingers spread apart. The soft and continuous arm movements are slow and without effort, like swimming through thick air. There’s little movement of the feet, except for a gentle swaying. (It can even be done while sitting down.) A UCLA study was done recently with seniors who had trouble sleeping to see if there were any sleep benVA Drops the Ball
The Department of Veterans Affairs failed to send benefits information packages to almost 37,000 National Guard and Reserve members who’d served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The reason? Somebody didn’t think they were eligible. The foul-up came to light at a recent Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee meeting. Specifically, the VA’s Office of Inspector General audit report said that Compensation and Pension staff “made incorrect eligibility determinations” on 36,986 National Guard and Reserve veterans. The VAOIG recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Benefits “establish policies and procedures that clearly describe minimum benefit eligibility requirements and implement controls for ensuring the accuracy of eligibility determinations.” I was shocked that something of that nature had to be put forth as a recommendation. That’s like making a recommendation that a mechanic tighten the lug nuts on all four wheels after doing a tire rotation. Here’s why not sending out those benefits packages is a big deal: National Guard and Reserve personnel have, accord-
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efits to T’ai Chi Chih. Boy, were there benefits. Over the course of 25 weeks, 112 seniors were divided into two groups: those who learned and practiced T’ai Chi Chih, and those who received information on stress, sleep and diet. At the end of the study, two-thirds of those who’d practiced T’ai Chi Chih had significant improvements in their sleep. To see a video that explains more, go online to YouTube.com. Do a search for “tccabq” and you’ll see two short videos, Principles and Bass Drum Instruction. If this is something you’d like to try, inquire at your senior center or recreation department. If enough people ask, they might start a class, if there’s not one already.
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Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc. ing to a Pentagon study, more mental health issues than active-duty troops. For example, 35.5 percent reported interpersonal conflict, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and overall mental-health risk by the time of the Post-Deployment Health Re-Assessment. Referral for mental-health concerns was 36.2 percent. It makes sense. Active-duty military members stay in the system in the company of their peers, in familiar routines, with medical and mental-health care at hand. Too often the National Guard or Reserve members are Don’t take o.steoarthritis sitting down. dropped back into civilian life, often in a rural area, with no transition period and too often no VA care readily available. You may qualify to participate Something else that came to light: in a research study testing an National Guard and Reserve investigational medication for pain relief of osteoarthritis of the knee. members are twice as likely to To qualify, you must: have their VA claims denied. They • Be age 50 or older • Have been diagnosed with deserve better than this.
GOT KNEE PAIN?
Write to Freddy Groves in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
•
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-- Made Fast and Healthy! By Healthy Exchanges Porcupine Meatballs With Cabbage For those too-hot-to-cook days, here’s a hearty microwave dish that is sure to please. 8 ounces extra-lean ground sirloin beef or turkey breast 2/3 cup (2 ounces) uncooked Minute Rice 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1/4 cup Land O Lakes Fat Free Half & Half 1/4 cup water 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can Healthy Request Tomato Soup 4 cups shredded cabbage 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/8 teaspoon black pepper In a large bowl, combine meat, uncooked instant rice, parsley flakes, half and half, and water. Shape into 8 meatballs. Arrange meatballs in a circle in a microwave-safe pie plate. Cover with waxed paper. Microwave on HIGH (100 percent power) for 6 to 8 minutes, turning dish after 3 minutes. Set aside. In an 8-cup microwave-safe mixing bowl, combine tomato soup, cabbage, onion and black pepper. Cover with waxed paper. Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes. Stir. Evenly arrange meatballs over cabbage mixture. Re-cover and microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes. Place bowl on counter and let set for 3 minutes. For each serving, spoon 3/4 cup cabbage mixture on serving plate and top with 2 meatballs. Serves 4. • Each serving: 216 calories, 4g fat, 15g protein, 30g carbs, 329mg sodium, 66mg calcium, 2g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 Meat, 1 Vegetable, 1 Starch; Carb Choices: 2. Visit Healthy Exchanges at www.healthyexchanges.com, or call toll-free at 1-800-766-8961 for more information about the only national food newsletter for diabetics, heart/cholesterol concerns and healthy weight loss. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
• It’s still hurricane season. Get prepared by grabbing a few extra canned goods or a gallon of water on each trip to the grocery store. You’ll beat the rush when a tropical storm is on its way. • “After school has started, it’s a great time to get a jump on supplies for next year; EVERYTHING goes on sale. I get the list for the next year’s class and stock up. Also, it’s nice to pick up any items for the teacher’s wish list when those things get discounted.” -- R.L. in Pennsylvania • Clean your sponge in the microwave. Just wet it, and zap it for a minute. Let it cool before you take it out. • “If you’re having trouble making it to doctor appointments, check with your city’s social services or your religious organization. Many will arrange a ride for you, as I found out last month. I had to be away from home for an extended period of time and was not able to take my grandmother to her doctor appointments. I was about ready to arrange taxis in advance at quite a cost when our pastor offered the church’s help. For free! I also have found out that our city has a program through public transportation for this.” -- M.K. in Florida • Need buttermilk for a recipe? Here’s a healthy substitution: For one cup, use 15 tablespoons of skim milk plus two tablespoons of lemon juice. Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or e-mail JoAnn at heresatip@ yahoo.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
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Tidbits® of Spokane Washington
FITNESS & HEALTH
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.
Berries, Nuts, Popcorn and Diverticulosis DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I know you have written about diverticulosis before, but would you mind going over it again? I was hospitalized with it and had to have intravenous fluids. My brother-in-law says that wasn’t necessary. He has it, and it has never caused him any trouble. He says he’s careful about not eating nuts, seeds, popcorn and berries, and that’s all you have to do for it. I know I was in pain, and I know it wasn’t imagined. Can you clear up these issues for me? - W.F. ANSWER: Your brother-in-law is right about diverticulosis. It seldom causes severe pain. Diverticulosis is the formation of diverticula -- small protrusions on the outer colon wall. It’s a condition widespread in countries where refining flour is the rage. Refining gets rid of fiber, and a low-fiber diet is believed to be a major factor in the development of diverticulosis. Fiber keeps undigested food soft, moist and easily propelled through and out of the digestive tract. Without it, stool becomes hard and dry. The colon must exert great force to pass it through. That force generates diverticula formation. You had more than diverticulosis. You had diverticulitis -- inflammation of the diverticula. Each diverticulum connects with the colon through a narrow neck. If that neck becomes obstructed, bacteria in the diverticulum multiply and cause it to swell and become most painful. Swollen diverticula break and form abscesses, which add to the pain. Most often, diverticulitis must be treated in the hospital. At one time, people with diverticulosis were uniformly
instructed to avoid nuts, seeds, popcorn, berries and similar foods in the belief that they would obstruct the neck of a diverticulum and bring on a bout of diverticulitis. That position isn’t universally adopted anymore. However, if your personal doctor tells you to avoid those and similar foods, do so. He or she knows far more about your particular condition than does someone at a word processor hundreds or thousands of miles away from you. The booklet on diverticulosis and diverticulitis deals with all aspects of this too-common disorder. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 502W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery. *** DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a chronic infection of the urinary tract. I just get over one infection and in two or three weeks have another. Now I am infected with a super bug that oral medicines can’t touch. Am I worried? You bet. The issue is antibiotic resistance. People should be aware that antibiotic overuse has created this monster. A discussion of this would be appreciated. -- J.H.
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Break Time
ANSWER: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics due to their injudicious and excessive prescription is a staggering problem. Limiting these wonder drugs to situations only where they are truly required could stem the emergence of such resistance. People should not ask for antibiotics for a cold. They have no place in cold treatment. Colds are due to viruses, not bacteria. Antibiotics don’t kill viruses. *** Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2008 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Bald eagles build the largest nests of any bird. The largest bald eagle nest ever seen weighed 2000 pounds and was 6 feet wide! They weave twigs and large sticks together and line the nest with soft mosses, feathers,leaves,and grasses.
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• Remember to brush twice a day and floss before bed • See your dentist regularly • Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables
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Tidbits® of Spokane Washington
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for what? -- Mary L., Michigan
Nostalgia Racing Recalls Glory Days Q: Are the nostalgia races the next big “in” thing for the future of racing? I attended a York U.S. 30 Reunion nostalgia race at Beaver Springs Dragway in Pennsylvania, and it was packed with people, cars and legends. -- H.H., Pittsburgh A: Nostalgia races already are the big thing! Be it drag, oval or road course, nostalgia events are hot. I’ve been to events at Beaver Springs, which coincide with the yearly York U.S. 30 Dragway Reunion, and enjoyed seeing in person legends like “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter” Linda Vaughn, “Jungle Pam” Hardy, “USA-1” Bruce Larson, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, “The Honker” Bud Faubel and many, many more. The legend sports-car events are great, too, with lots of on-track action. Look for even more growth as the racing public clamors for more of the good old days, and to see again those who laid the groundwork for what racing is today. *** Q: Greg, the tire problems at the Brickyard 400 were horrible. I know everyone is saying they are sorry, but don’t you feel the fans deserve better? Families spent a lot of money going to that race,
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A: Mary, NASCAR has apologized for the problems incurred with the tires at Indy. I agree with you, however, that 40 eight to 13-lap races is not what people expect when they spend lots of money to see NASCAR’s best. The problem, as I see it, was the faulty decision by someone in NASCAR that the tires would be OK and not testing the compound more than they did. Many zero in on the fact that the tires built by Goodyear for Indy were OK last year with the old car, but not built for today’s Car Of Tomorrow, and the fact that there was no “open test” for all teams conducted at Indy with the COT. As for the decision to run 40 “heat races,” I’m in full agreement with NASCAR as it was the right thing to do for the safety of the drivers. I know it was a disaster of a race, but we must always keep in mind that even though racing is a sport and entertainment business, the safety of the drivers comes first. I truly can’t recall any other time a NASCAR tire lasted just eight to 13 laps until the cords showed through, but that’s no excuse for NASCAR not making absolutely sure its tires were up to demands of the surface at Indy. This is now the second time in four years that a tire-wear situation has ruined a race at Indy. I recall the 2005 U.S. Grand Prix debacle where only six cars started the race on Bridgestone tires, as Michelin withdrew all its cars before the green. In that case, Michelin actually sustained a big part of
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the blame, and actually refunded ticket money. I don’t think in this instance NASCAR or Goodyear will refund any money, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see some type of “add on” for fans who attend the 2009 Brickyard 400, be it a souvenir hat or whatever, from NASCAR. NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton summed it up when he said those who are charged with making it all work just “missed the mark this time.” Write to Greg Zyla in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 328536475, or send an e-mail to gzyla@ptd.net. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
PHOTO CUTLINE: The restored Ronnie Sox-driven 1963 Z-11 Chevy gets ready for a run through the quarter-mile at Beaver Springs Dragway in Pennsylvania. (Greg Zyla photo)
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