TIDBiTS of Spokane County, WA by John Ortiz

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February 6, 2009

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Laugh a bit with Cabbage always has a heart; Green beans string along. You’re such a Tomato, Will you Peas to me belong? You’ve been the Apple of my eye, You know how much I care; So Lettuce get together, We’d make a perfect Pear. Now, something’s sure to Turnip, To prove you can’t be Beet; So, if you Carrot all for me, Let’s let our Tulips meet. I’ll Cauliflower shop and say, Your dreams are Parsley mine. I’ll work and share my Celery, So be my valentine!

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FROM THE HEART by Kathleen Lakeland

♥

From our heart to yours, Tidbits wants you to have a very Happy Valentine’s Day! • Richard Cadbury devised the first heartshaped candy boxes in Birmingham, England, in 1861. The covers for the original boxes were decorated with a painting of Cadbury’s daughter holding a kitten. • Just how long have those tiny Valentine’s Day slogan candies – known as conversation hearts – been around? When they were invented back in 1860, Abraham Lincoln had just been elected president, the telephone had not yet been invented, and millions of bison still roamed the Great Plains! • The back yard of Jayne Mansfield’s famous ‘Pink Palace’ was the home of Hollywood’s first heartshaped swimming pool. It was custom built by Mickey Hargitay, her husband at the time. As a finishing touch, he spelled out “I Love You Jaynie” in gold mosaic tiles at the bottom of the deep end. • In 1973, Milton Glaser designed the popular “I ♥” symbol that stands for “I Love (something).” He came up with the idea as part of a campaign to promote New York tourism, and his “I ♥ NY” logo was an immediate hit. • William Shakespeare was the first to use the expression “cold-hearted” to describe someone who is unkind and insensitive. In Shakespeare’s 1606 play Antony and Cleopatra, Marc Antony accuses Cleopatra of betrayal by claiming that her feelings for him were “cold-hearted.” Cleo responds by declaring if she had been unfaithful, poison hail from heaven should rain down upon her head. (“May lightning strike me” wasn’t quite dramatic enough in those days, apparently.) • Piano teachers report that “Heart and Soul” is the second-most popular tune played by people who don’t really know how to play the piano. (Number one on the list, as you might expect, is “Chopsticks.”) Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser wrote “Heart and Soul” in 1938, when songs charted based on the sales of sheet music, not records. Because the tune’s four chords were so easy to pick out, the sheet music wasn’t a big seller. turn the page for more Tidbits!

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THIS IS A HAMMER By Samantha Mazzotta

Ice and Snow Tips Q: This is our first winter in the Northeast -- my husband and I moved from a warmer state -- and I must say the snow and ice are a real pain. Do you have any tips to deal with snow shoveling and icy walkways? -Doris in Connecticut A: My first tip is, get to know your neighbors, because there’s nothing better than having some help when clearing your sidewalk and walkway. A next-door neighbor with a snow blower is worth his weight in gold after a big storm. But here are some other hints to make shoveling a little bit easier: -- As soon as a snowstorm winds down, head outside and begin shoveling. The snow is not packed as heavily at this point, so you can move more of it off the walks with less effort. -- Never “load” the shovel. Scoop up snow until the shovel is about a third full and then lift the shovel to dump the snow to the side of the walk. -- Use your shovel to scoop the snow and push it to the side, rather than lift and toss. You won’t get worn out as quickly. -- Never shovel snow from your walk into the street. In most municipalities it will earn you a citation; it creates a hazard and annoys the heck out of neighbors. -- If you need to move a lot of snow farther than the end of your shovel, fill a wheelbarrow rather than walking back and forth several times. Dealing with icy walks is an even bigger problem, since it’s typical for snow to melt slightly during the day and then freeze hard at night. Reduce your chance of slipping by: -- Spreading a mixture of salt and sand along the walkways after shoveling. The sand provides traction; the salt keeps water from freezing right at the freezing point. -- Walking with knees slightly bent in case you hit a slippery patch -- never lock out your knees. HOME TIP: Ice-melting products -- even those labeled environmentally safe -- can still affect the area around walkways, so use only what is necessary to do the job. 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) 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.

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New Season Brings Changes, Challenges Only 12 drivers won races last year. Twelve, but not the same 12, made the Chase for the Sprint Cup, and making the Chase is the gateway to the championship, which is every team’s goal. The Chase separates that dozen in points from the rest of the field and determines the champion. Hope springs eternal as a new season dawns. Dozens of drivers, teams and owners are working around the clock to break up a logjam at the top of the Sprint Cup Series. Last year’s lack of parity came as a result of three men: the champion, Jimmie Johnson; the runner-up, Carl Edwards; and the most successful driver of the regular season, Kyle Busch. Together, the threesome -- Johnson in a Chevrolet, Edwards in a Ford and Busch in a Toyota -- combined to win 24 of the 36 races. Left out of victory lane were some really big names. Jeff Gordon failed to win a race for the first time since 1993, and when a driver with 81 career victories and four championships failed to scratch, it was really big news. Gordon’s comeback bid will continue to be big news, though not as big as what his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Johnson, is attempting. No one in the history of NASCAR has won four consecutive championships at the highest level, and Johnson can establish a mark for the ages if he masters the Chase for the Sprint Cup format yet again. Among other drivers who failed to claim victory were Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and Juan Pablo Montoya. But enough of the past. What can we reasonably expect from the upcoming season? This is a perilous time for owners. Ever since the titanic economy hit an iceberg last fall, many potential sponsors have been manning the pumps, too busy to commit themselves to the $20 million or so to sponsor a race

www.spokanetidbits.com team. That leaves owners manning pumps of their own. A troubled domestic automobile industry poses questions regarding the level of support teams can expect from Detroit. As these words were written, many NASCAR teams didn’t have sponsors. Many drivers didn’t have rides. A sagging national economy was taking its toll on the sport from a variety of angles. Some drivers may be forced to pick and choose their races in order to best serve the interests of sponsors unable to afford full-time support. The tracks have responded quickly with ticket deals designed to make the sport more affordable for loyal fans stung by hardships. Lean times will make the sport leaner and, quite possibly, more affordable. Monte Dutton has covered motorsports for The Gaston (N.C.) Gazette since 1993. He was named writer of the year by the National Motorsports Press Association in 2008. His blog NASCAR This Week (http://nascar.rbma. com) features all of his reporting on racing, roots music and life on the road. You can e-mail Monte at nascar_ thisweek@yahoo.com. (c) 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.

PHOTO CUTLINE: Jeff Gordon failed to win a race for the first time since 1993. For a four-time champion with 81 career victories, you have to think he’s well overdue for a comeback. (John Clark/NASCAR This Week photo)

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The existing nickname (the Cotton State) was also used by a few other states. “Heart of Dixie” was ultimately adopted because the state is considered – both geographically and industrially – the heart of the South. The slogan was added to the state’s license plates in 1955. • Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler belted out Top- Ten hits like “It’s a Heartache” and “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Her raspy voice caused many to refer to her as “the female Rod Stewart,” but she wasn’t singing that way on purpose. After having surgery in 1977 to remove nodules on her vocal cords, she returned to singing more quickly than her doctor recommended. Her voice was damaged a bit as a result, which gave her that trademark “gravelly” sound. • Sally Field is popularly remembered for her gushing speech at the 1985 Academy Awards ceremony, when she won the Best Actress trophy for Places in the Heart. It’s commonly remembered as: “You like me, you really like me!” But in reality, when she stepped up to the podium to accept her Oscar, her words were: “I can’t deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!” • King Richard I of England is better known as Richard the Lionhearted. He commanded his own army at age 16 and spent much of his time in France quashing rebellions aimed at deposing his father, Henry II. Richard was crowned king in 1189, but he only spent six months of his reign in England; the rest of the time he spent fighting alongside his troops both in the Holy Land and in France. turn the page for more Tidbits!

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You & Us. Working together to address your financial needs.

right now, even if it means getting help from the state. Make sure you’re out there busting it, and trying to make something happen in the job market, too. Being down and struggling for a little while is okay, but you shouldn’t still be living this way six months from now! - Dave

Donald F. Morgan, Account Vice President 601 West Riverside Avenue, Suite 1200 Spokane, WA 99201 509-744-3317 donald.morgan@ubs.com

(the embarrassment of riches) (relying on the state?)

FROM THE HEART (continued): • Playtex introduced its famous “Cross Your Heart” brassiere in 1965, but reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes designed a similar undergarment more than 20 years prior. While directing the 1941 film The Outlaw, Hughes put his aeronautical engineering skills to work to design a seamless, underwire bra for actress Jane Russell to wear underneath her tight-fitting costumes. • One of the plot lines in the 1997 film blockbuster Titanic focused on an expensive necklace that was designed around a fabulous diamond called “the Heart of the Ocean.” This part of the story was fictional; there was no such jewelry item aboard the real RMS Titanic. But thanks to the immense popularity of the motion picture, London’s elite jeweler Garrard & Company created a replica of the film’s necklace using a 170-carat sapphire surrounded by 65 diamonds. Celine Dion wore the necklace to the 1998 Academy Awards, where she sang “My Heart Will Go On,” the theme from the Titanic movie. • Why did Dick Tracy decide to become a detective? Yes, it was due to “a dame” (as they said back then). In the very first Dick Tracy comic strip, girlfriend Tess Trueheart was kidnapped and her father was murdered. Tracy joined the police force to track down the man responsible. Tracy did rescue Tess and arrest the mug who murdered her dad, but he got so involved in fighting crime that he didn’t get around to marrying Trueheart for another 20 years. • Lisa Bonet was Bill Cosby’s “problem child” during the run of The Cosby Show. She often showed up late for work and argued with the cast and crew. Because her character (Denise) was the most popular Huxtable, Cosby overlooked her faults. But the last straw fell in 1987 when Bonet co-starred in the controversial film Angel Heart. Most of her scenes had to be severely edited for the movie to avoid an X rating. Being a brat on the set was one thing, but wearing your “birthday suit” on the big screen was unforgivable for a Huxtable kid. Bonet’s character was spun off into A Different World. • “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was written in 1954 for opera singer Claramae Turner. Although she performed the song on stage, she never recorded it. Tony Bennett’s manager came across the track and recommended it to his client. Bennett cut the song in 1962, and it became his signature tune. • While Rin-Tin-Tin became more famous later on, the first true big-screen German shepherd star was a dog named Strongheart. Trained as a police dog in Germany, a husband- and-wife filmmaking team brought Strongheart to America to appear in silent films. The canine proved so popular that his name and picture were placed on cans of his very own Strongheartbrand dog food. The End

Page 3

Dear Dave, I just lost my job due to company-wide layoffs. I have an emergency fund in place, but I’m losing my health insurance, and family coverage is very expensive. Our state has a program that covers children’s healthcare in these kinds of situations. Would it be okay to accept this kind of state assistance for my kids until I find another job, and things get better? Paul Dear Paul, It’s perfectly okay to accept help when you’re down or struggling. On the other hand, to define yourself as being down or struggling is just plain wrong. By this, I mean you should never just sit there, consider yourself helpless, and expect someone to take care of you! Remember this: every person falls down. Loser’s stay down; successful people get back up. Remind yourself every day that you’re a success looking for a place to blossom. If I woke up one morning and realized I had no insurance or couldn’t feed my family because I’d lost my job, I’d be out looking for work all day long, every single day. If that didn’t work, I’d pack everyone up and go find another place to work and live. At the very least I’d map out a plan to work and make money somewhere else during the week, then come home weekends. You sound like a good dad. I love the fact that you’re thinking about your kids. Do what’s necessary to take care of them

Dear Dave, Is it common for older people who have saved their entire lives, have no debt, good pensions, and Social Security income, to become obsessed about not spending their money? My husband and I almost feel guilty about spending any of the money we’ve worked so hard to save. Connie Dear Connie, What you’re talking about is very common, especially among folks who have developed a pattern of living frugally for 40 or 50 years. I call it the embarrassment of riches. I’ve heard some people in your situation say that they’re even too embarrassed to order dessert in a restaurant. They feel like it’s a betrayal of who they are as a person. You guys have worked hard, saved big, and now it’s time to begin enjoying some of that money. You don’t have to do things that are frivolous or wasteful, but there’s nothing wrong with having a little fun with your money when you can afford to do so. Here’s an idea that might help you loosen up a bit. Every time you spend money on a luxury, or something fun for yourselves, give a percentage of the amount you spent to help someone else. You don’t have to match it dollar-for-dollar, because you don’t want to blow through your nest egg and have nothing left. But give it a try, Connie. It will bring balance to your life. You’ll be able to have some fun with your money, plus you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve helped another human being! - Dave * For more great financial advice, please visit www.davesays.org.

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Correction Note: Oops! We made a mistake! In last week’s article regarding “The Super Bowl”, we mentioned that Denver fell to the N.Y. Giants in Super Bowl XXI despite a record 204 rushing yards from Rookie Timmy Smith. Please note that Rookie Timmy Smith did not rush his record 204 yards until the next year, when he and the Washington Redskins defeated Denver in Super Bowl XXII.

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Tidbits® of Spokane County, WA

Job-Hunting Help

If you’re newly discharged or just about to be, chances are you’re looking for a job. Here are some online places to search: --Hire Vets First [www.hirevetsfirst.gov] is loaded with resources for both job-seeking veterans and the employers who want to hire them. The site has links to One-Stop Career Centers in every state, or call the main number at 877-US2-JOBS for direct assistance. --Post your resume on Monster [www.monster. com]. It has an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to let veteran-owned businesses post their job listings. --Post as well on Hire a Hero [www.hireahero. org]. --Don’t miss Civilian Jobs [www.civilianjobs.com], especially the list of job fairs for 2009. A few fairs coming up are: Feb. 12 -- Marine Corp Base Camp, Pendleton, Calif. Feb. 26 -- Moody Air Force Base, Ga. March 13 -- Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz.

Seniors at Play A show of hands, please: How many of Who knew? We seniors spend more time playing video games than some of our younger counterparts ... and most of that time is spent on the computer. The Pew Research Center conducted a study to learn which age group has the most people who play video games, and how often they play. As expected, teens had the highest number of players, at 97 percent. And as the age of participants increased, the percentage of people who play decreased. The surprising part is just how many seniors do play. A whopping 23 percent of those age 65 and older claim to play video games -- and more frequently than other adult groups. More than one-third of those in that age group play every day. Granted, it could well be because most seniors are retired and have the time. Those in the 5064 age group (likely still working) show a larger percentage overall when it comes to playing

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Click on the folder icon next to each entry for a file with all the information pertinent to that job fair. Be sure to scroll to the very bottom of the 2009 list and click on the link to other job fairs. All of them are military-related and held at or near military installations. No matter what Web site you visit, look at any information about resume writing. There’s a real skill to this, and the more you know, the better your resume will be. Sometimes it isn’t easy translating military jobs into civilian positions. The Hire Vets First site has a Military Skills Translator to help you figure out your civilian job equivalent. Rules of thumb: Always say yes to resume writing help. Learn how to modify it to fit various jobs you apply for. The same goes for offers of interview skills practice: Always say yes. If you have a security clearance, add it to your resume. It will open doors. 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) 2009 King Features Synd., Inc. video games (40 percent), but only 19 percent play daily. Computers are the game device of choice of all players over 50, but PlayStations, Xboxes and Wii also are in the running. Some of us are even playing on cell phones and BlackBerrys. As I said: Who knew? One thing I wish the study had revealed is the favorite games of seniors. Are we playing online Scrabble or doing crossword puzzles? Are we engaging in warfare or multiplayer virtualreality games? Or are most of us playing the mind-expanding “games” that boost hand-eye coordination, brain cell growth and memory function? If you have Internet access on a computer and prefer brain stretchers over “World of Warcraft,” check out these sites: • Games for the Brain: www.gamesforthebrain. com/ • BrainBashers: www.brainbashers.com • MazeWorks: www.mazeworks.com • Sharp Brains: www.sharpbrains.com (click on Brain Teasers)

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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) 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Page 5

The Kitchen Diva By Angela Shelf Medearis

Cast-Iron Cooking I’ve joined the cast-iron cookware collectors’ cult. We’re a small but passionate group with a common cause: the restoration of antique cast-iron cookware. I can’t pass up a thrift store or garage sale without purchasing one or two pieces, as long as they’re in good condition. My cast-iron cookware is not just for display; I use it on a daily basis. My love affair with cast-iron cookery began when my mother, Angeline, gave me the heavy, black, cast-iron skillet that originally belonged to my grandmother, Willie Mae Davis. The thing I love most about cooking in my grandmother’s cast-iron skillet is that it’s a direct connection to my history and heritage. I don’t fry foods very often, but my heirloom skillet is my pan of choice for the task. As I stand there turning pieces of fish or chicken in the bubbling, hot oil, I think about all the other women in my family who have done the same with this pan. In times past, properly seasoned cast iron was the nonstick cookware of its day. It can stand up to high heat and almost any type of utensil without damaging its surface. Cast-iron cookware also leaches small amounts of iron into the food, a helpful benefit for those who have iron deficiencies. Cast iron heats up slowly, so using the cookware requires a little planning, but once it’s hot, it distributes the heat evenly and holds it steadily like an oven, and seasoned cast iron doesn’t require oil to sear or blacken meats. Recently, I purchased a large, cast-iron skillet for my daughter, Deanna, which she immediately put to use to pan-sear fish. So, from mother to daughter to granddaughter and great-granddaughter, the cast-iron tradition continues in our family, one fabulous meal at a time. And to think that it all started with a single pan from my grandmother, Willie Mae. CAST-IRON-STYLE SMOTHERED CHICKEN 1 large fryer (3 to 3 1/2 pounds), cut up into serving pieces 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt PHOTO CREDIT: Phil Curry 1 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning 2 tablespoons flour 1 1/2 cups water or chicken broth 1 tablespoon butter Place a large, cast-iron skillet over high heat. Sprinkle the bottom of the skillet evenly with the salt. Wash the chicken pieces and pat them dry with food-safe paper towels. Sprinkle the pieces with the pepper and poultry seasoning. Place the chicken pieces, skin-side down, in the hot skillet. Cook on high for 3 to 5 minutes. Cover the skillet with a heavy lid and turn the heat down to medium. The chicken will release juices and fats that will “fry” the chicken and crisp the skin. Let the chicken cook about 30 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Combine the flour with the juices in the skillet until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the water or broth. Stir to combine. Turn heat to high to thicken. Add the butter. Turn heat down to medium. Place chicken in skillet, skin side up. Cover skillet with the lid. Cook the chicken about 15 to 20 minutes until tender. Serve over rice. Makes 6 servings. *** Angela Shelf Medearis is an award-winning children’s author, culinary historian and the author of five cookbooks. Her latest cookbook, “The New African-American Kitchen,” is in bookstores now. She’s known as The Kitchen Diva and is the executive producer and host of “The Kitchen Diva!” television cooking show. Visit her Web site at www.divapro.com. (c) 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.

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SPOKANE CHIEFS 2009 SCHEDULE Friday, February 6th

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Friday, February 27th

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vs. Edmonton

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vs. Everett

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Friday, March 13th

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Wednesday, February 18th

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Tidbits® of Spokane County, WA FITNESS

& HEALTH

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH by By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Exercise Can Bring On Asthma DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have never been diagnosed with asthma, but when I drink cold beverages or eat ice cream and when I work out in cold weather, I start wheezing and get extreme chest pain. Is this asthma? What can I do? -- R.K. ANSWER: You can’t give a better description of asthma. Asthma is a relatively sudden constriction of the lungs’ bronchi, the airways. The constriction is reversible, but the amount of time it takes to reverse varies from person to person and from situation to situation. Airway narrowing makes it tough for air to get into and out of the lungs. In addition, during an attack the airways are inflamed and they secrete thick mucus. Both add to the difficulty for air to move through them. Wheezing is a classic asthma sign. The wheezing noise indicates air is meeting with resistance in its passage through the breathing tubes. Coughing is another asthma sign, as is bringing up thick, sticky sputum. During an attack, asthmatics often have chest tightness and pain. A person need not have all these signs and symptoms to have asthma. Wheezing and chest pain are enough. Exercising in cold, dry air is an asthma trigger for many. The loss of heat and moisture from the breathing tubes brings on an attack. I haven’t heard that drinking cold beverages or eating ice cream can precipitate an attack, but I can see how they might. What can you do? Get to the family doctor. The doctor can confirm the asthma suspicion by testing your lungs’ function. Medicines can prevent attacks as well as put an end to them. As for the cold drinks and ice cream, don’t you think it would be a good idea to avoid them?

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Readers who would like more information on asthma can order the booklet on that topic by writing to Dr. Donohue -- No. 602W, 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: Will pomegranate juice or pomegranate juice mixed with blueberry juice lower cholesterol? I am a heart patient. -- R.F. ANSWER: Pomegranates and their juice have risen to the level of nutritional stardom. They contain substances that stop the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, the kind of cholesterol that clings to artery walls and leads to their obstruction. Oxidation is like rusting. Oxidized LDL cholesterol breaks apart and leads to clogged arteries. Pomegranates stop this process. Blueberries are another nutritional star. They prevent oxidation too. I don’t know that mixing them doubles their effect, but I suppose it might. *** DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 63 and have a condition that people call “turkey neck.” The skin under my neck hangs down. How can I get rid of it without surgery? It’s not a double chin. I do exercises for it, but they aren’t working. -- A.L. ANSWER: How can I break this to you gently? I don’t know of any way to get rid of that redundant, drooping skin without resorting to surgery. *** 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. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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Smiling Borzoi Is Not Alone

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: After reading your article about the “smiling” Borzoi, I want to tell you about my smiling Border Collie. “Jamie” will walk up to me with bared teeth, looking for a pat or a backrub. A smile and a head shake tells me she wants to go outside. There also is the “hangdog” look with bared teeth when she knows she has been naughty. No growls, just smiles. Sometimes when I call her to come inside she looks at me, smiles and trots in the other direction! I wish I could read her mind. Jamie is such a quick study. Smartest dog we have ever adopted. -- Carol F., Conesus, N.Y. DEAR CAROL: Thank you for sharing that! Jamie sounds like a real character, all right. A dog’s “smile” often indicates submissiveness, and certain breeds like the Borzoi actually bare their teeth when they smile. This is fairly uncommon in most other dogs -- if you’re not familiar with a dog that is baring its teeth, back away. Still, Border Collies are indeed very smart dogs and quick studies. They also just have that bright, alert, happy attitude that is the mark of a healthy Collie. I have a feeling that Jamie ﬁgured out that whenever she “smiles,” she gets a positive response from you (a backrub, or a trip outside, or another treat). Either way, it’s deﬁnitely a good deal on both sides, as you know when Jamie wants something (and can read signals as to what exactly she wants), and Jamie knows how to ask! *Maximum price available at participating locations. Send your tips, questions and comments to Paw’s Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or e-mail them to pawscorner@hotmail.com. (c) 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Tidbits® of Spokane County, WA

Local Business ~Matters~

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Littering the West With Dead Malls and Vacant Superstores...continued Rather than becoming victims of the corporate cannibalization game, many cities and towns are taking a different approach. Some have barred construction of new big box stores and zoned new commercial growth into existing developed areas. Others have shifted tax dollars that have long subsidized new roads and sewers for sprawling developments into projects that strengthen downtown businesses.

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New ways of thinking are also emerging. In 1998, Boulder, Colorado, homegrown businesses formed an Independent Business Alliance, a cooperative effort to help each other prosper, and build stronger bonds with the community. The Alliance, which now includes more than 150 member businesses, coordinates group purchasing, political organizing and joint marketing campaigns that promote the benefits of supporting locally owned businesses.

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Similar alliances have since sprung up in other communities, including Grand Junction and Vail in Colorado, and Salt Lake City. Many more towns have formed downtown business partnerships to promote town centers as a destination. A new organization, the American Independent Business Alliance, hopes to knit these efforts together into a national coalition. The “Vest Pocket Business Coalition” in Salt Lake City demonstrated the power of these alliances last summer, when it played a pivotal role in stopping taxpayer subsidies for a new mega-mall on the city outskirts. Without the subsidy, the project was ultimately scrapped. These efforts should pay big dividends in the long run. Unlike footloose superstores, traditional business districts have been around for hundreds of years and have the potential to endure for hundreds more. Most important, local businesses, unlike global companies, are owned by people who live in the community and are committed to its well-being. These businesses are vital to our quality of life and sense of place, but they face powerful threats, and it will take conscious action to ensure their survival. Thankfully, many communities in the West are responding to the challenge, realizing that the best community qualities don’t come in big boxes.(source: http://amiba.net/articles.html). By Stacy Mitchell and Jeff Milchen Att

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