Issue 5, Volume 1 by Mark

of Blackhawk County July 28, 2008

J&J Publishing, LLC

Vol. 1, Issue 5

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LETTER PERFECT by Victoria Westlane

Keep it on the QT, but this article is rated G, so mind your Ps and Qs (this is no time to cop some Zzzs!) with this edition of Tidbits! • The blood type that we call “O” in the U.S. is referred to as “0,” or zero, in many other nations. It is believed that the original designation in the U.S. was zero as well, and was just mistranslated over time to read as a letter O. In 1901, researcher Karl Landsteiner discovered that humans had different types of blood; the most universal type had zero antibodies, and was designated 0. As he progressively found differing antibodies in blood, he labeled them A and B (and later AB). • “That new car must’ve cost him upwards of 20 Gs!” When referring to thousands of dollars in those terms, the “G” stands for “grand.” The use of the word “grand” to denote one thousand dollars first occurred around 1915, at which time $1,000 was considered a lot of money. (Yes, it still is for most of us!) “Grand” was used to describe something large, just like a grand piano or a grand prize. Eventually, “grand theft” entered our vernacular, indicating many Gs worth of merchandise had been stolen • What’s the difference between an M.D. and a D.O? Both Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathy must successfully complete four years of undergraduate study, and then make it through four years of medical school. Both must pass state licensing exams, and both are able to perform surgery and deliver babies. The main difference is that a D.O. receives specialized training in muscular and skeletal manipulation. As a result, a D.O. is more likely to become a primary care physician, while M.D.s tend to specialize (cardiology, podiatry, pediatrics, etc.) turn the page for more!

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Tidbits® of Blackhawk County

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Dog Won’t Stop Jumping Up

By Samantha Mazzotta DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My dog Now, when he comes toward me I just say, “Farley” is a big, friendly Golden Retriever. ‘Don’t jump.’ When he doesn’t, he gets a pat He loves to jump up on people when they come on the head, a scratch behind the ears, and in. Unfortunately, the people don’t like it very ‘Good dog!’ I get a good licking and a wagging much, and I worry about him knocking down tail instead of being almost knocked over.” smaller kids. I tell him “no” each time, but he So, give that a try. When Farley jumps still does it. How can I get him to stop jumping up on you, hold his paws gently and keep up? -- Betty S., via e-mail him standing up -- usually 10 seconds is long enough for a dog to become uncomfortable. DEAR BETTY: K.H. Scott, a reader who Then let him drop down onto all four paws. You recently wrote in, offers some sound advice on also can instruct friends or frequent visitors to teaching dogs not to jump up: do the same. Be sure to praise him when he “I found that if you hold its front legs up stays on all four paws at your command. so it’s just standing on its hind legs for a much longer time than the dog likes, looking it in Send your tips, questions and comments to the eyes and saying ‘Don’t jump,’ works very Paws Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, nicely. P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or “I only had to do that twice with my e-mail them to pawscorner@hotmail.com. neighbor’s dog before he learned what I meant. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

LETTER PERFECT (continued): • Bradley, Voorhees and Day may sound like a law firm, but the trio is actually responsible for a different type of brief. The company, better known as BVD, was founded in 1876 as a manufacturer of both men’s and women’s unmentionables. By the 1920s, however, they concentrated solely on men’s undergarments, including their then-revolutionary one-piece “athletic underwear.” • Why is the Republican Party sometimes referred to as the GOP? The abbreviation originally stood for “Gallant Old Party,” and first appeared in print in the 1875 Congressional Record. About a year later, other publications adopted the abbreviation, but changed it slightly to mean “Grand Old Party.” Historians are unable to pinpoint the person responsible for coining the phrase. Besides, the Democratic Party was founded more than 20 years before the Grand “Old” Party. • The “T” in T-shirt doesn’t really stand for anything. It got its name because when the shirt is spread out flat, it resembles a letter T. However, he “P” in P coat (usually associated with the Navy) does have a meaning. It stands for “pilot,” in reference to pilot cloth, the heavy style of fabric used to make the original jackets. • The “W” used to designate different types of automotive oil doesn’t stand for “weight,” but for “winter.” In 10W-40, for example, the first number describes the oil’s low temperature characteristics, while the second number indicates its level of high-heat viscosity. So 10W-40 oil acts like 10-weight oil at low temperatures, but performs like 40-weight oil at higher engine operating temperatures. • Ingvar Kamprad of Elmtaryd, Agunnaryd – in Sweden – founded his first store in 1943. Even for native Swedish speakers, the store’s full name was quite a mouthful, so Kamprad took his own initials (I.K.) and those of his birthplace (E.A.) and called it IKEA.

For Advertising Call 1.319-721-2447 LETTER PERFECT (continued): • With gasoline prices at an all-time high, OPEC is constantly in the news. Founded in 1960, OPEC is the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. And why was OPEC formed? Prices had dropped too low, since too much oil was being produced. So the member nations joined together to help regulate the amount of oil offered to non-OPEC nations, thus controlling its value. • When Wilhelm Roentgen discovered a new form of radiation in 1895, he could not identify the source of this mysterious energy. He used the standard scientific designation for an unknown property, X, and referred to his discovery as “X-radiation” in his reports. Eventually, this was shortened to “X-ray.” • The practice of rating movies by letter codes (G for General Audiences, R for Restricted) began in 1968. An X rating was given to films with an age limit of 18, but soon, this rating became synonymous with pornographic films and little else. In 1990, a new rating of NC17 (No Children Under 17) appeared. NC-17 films are, according to the industry, “edgy” or “sophisticated” movies that are stronger in content than those rated R. • Linguistically, if you ask someone to “RSVP, please” on an invitation, you’re being redundant. The letters are an abbreviation for the French phrase “répondez, s’il vous plâit,” or “respond, if you please.” Of course, the possibility of sounding repetitious doesn’t stop us from using similar redundant abbreviations like PIN number (Personal Identification Number number) and ATM machine (Automatic Teller Machine machine). • U-boat is an Anglicized version of the German term U-boot, which is short for “unterseaboot” (undersea boat). And what is the difference between a submarine and a U-boat? Nothing, really. It has become the standard, however, that “U-boat” refers specifically to the underwater vessels used by the Germans during the two World Wars. Undersea craft from other eras (and nations) are called submarines. • Leo Gerstenzang was inspired to invent the Q-Tip while watching his wife carefully wrap cotton around a toothpick in order to clean their baby’s ears. The cotton swab seems like a simple invention, but Leo spent years perfecting a model that had sufficient cotton padding on each tip that didn’t shred or pop off during use. He called his creation Baby Gays, but soon changed the name to Q-Tips, with the “Q” standing for quality. • J.K. Rowling has gained worldwide fame for her Harry Potter book series. She submitted the first of the set to her publisher using vher real name, JoAnne. While editors were excited about the book itself, the publisher’s marketing department worried that the target audience – young boys – wouldn’t accept a woman author in that genre. They suggested that JoAnne use her initials instead. Since Rowling has no middle name, she chose “K” to honor her paternal grandmother, Kathleen.

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Tidbits® of Blackhawk County

Blood-Pressure Study Uses 21st-Century Tools If ever there were a reason to get Internet service, this is it: Having our blood pressure monitored from the comfort of home. While this isn’t reality yet, the results of the Electronic Blood Pressure study by the Center for Health Studies are promising. The goal of the study was to bring blood-pressure rates down into the healthy range and maintain control. Reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, study participants were divided into three groups: • Those receiving regular care at a doctor’s office, • Those who did self-monitoring at home, and • Those who did at-home monitoring with Internet communication with a pharmacist who helped with individual lifestyle goals and dose changes. The results surprised me. The group with at-home monitoring did no better at lowering blood pressure than the group going to the doctor

for care. The group that did especially well (twice the number of patients were successful) was the group who not only did at-home monitoring, but also had online communication with a pharmacist. More so, the group with the highest blood pressure had nearly three times the number of participants who brought their hypertension under control. The special Web site where participants would go to log in has impressive capabilities, too. Those in the study could request appointments, get test results, refill prescriptions, access the health library and send e-mail to their doctors, as well as entering their blood-pressure data. There’s no information on when this might be available to the general public, but it would be worth taking a computer class to get up to speed on using the Internet. While it’s true that it was the pharmacist addition to the study that brought the great results, being Internet savvy was a requirement of the study.

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.

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“Do not think of knocking out another person’s brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself 10 years ago.” -- Horace Mann

FROM START TO FITNESS By Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.S.S., C.S.C.S.

Time to Change Gyms? Maybe Not Q: I have belonged to the same gym for the past five years. Each year my gym raises its monthly dues, and although I enjoy it and there are many amenities, the cost each month is pretty steep. Now a new gym has come to the area, and several members of my gym are canceling their membership and heading to the new gym because its monthly dues are cheaper for what seem to be the same amenities. How do you make a decision on which gym is better than another? A: The competition between fitness facilities for members is apparent in most cities. The arrival of a shiny new club in town always appeals to potential members and members of other facilities who may be looking for a change. Determining the right one for you will depend on what is important to you in a fitness facility. There must be something about your current gym that you enjoy to have stayed a member for five years and paid the member dues even as they increased. The overall gym environment, classes and programs offered, other members who belong to the gym, child care, security, cost, distance from your home or work, and knowledge and education of the staff are all reasons why someone may join or stay at a fitness facility. These reasons vary by person and are personal to the needs and wants of the member. You can begin to decide if this new facility is worth leaving your current gym for by making a list of what is important to you and why you joined your gym in the

first place. Once you have completed your list, make another list of what the new gym will offer, and compare them. If you find that what you enjoy most in your current gym will not be offered in the new gym, then this should help with your decision. If your list comes out even, then the deciding factor may come when you actually visit the new club and see how you feel upon entering it. Everyone has a different perception of what a “good” gym is, so you will have to check it out for yourself. Many new facilities, and even older ones if you ask, will offer a one-day or temporary guest pass for you to try out the gym for free. If this is available, take advantage of this pass and use the gym to see how comfortable you are with the staff, other members, classes and the overall environment. Speak with the sales staff about membership options, enrollment dues and guest passes for family and friends. Take a tour of the facility and ask questions. Observe or speak with staff members and trainers to get an idea if this will be the place for you. Check out the children’s area, group exercise rooms, locker rooms and any other amenities available. Choosing a fitness facility is a personal decision, which is why there are so many gyms throughout the country. If you have found a place where you are comfortable and able to workout effectively, do not feel pressured to change. Take your time and find the best fit for you. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

• Here’s a factoid for all those wage slaves out there: Researchers conducting a comprehensive 25year study found that more than 90 percent of workers see productivity increases when they take afternoon naps. • It was American journalist and satirist H.L. Mencken who made the following observation: “The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed -- and hence clamorous to be led to safety -- by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.” • If you’re like most Americans, you probably have at least one credit card. It’s a fair bet, though, that you don’t have an American Express Centurion card; it’s extremely elite and offered by invitation only. The service is legendary, though -- one cardholder reportedly took a fancy to the horse ridden by Kevin Costner in the film “Dances With Wolves,” so

the concierge department tracked down the animal, purchased it and had it delivered to the member’s home in Europe. • Presidential historians claim that John F. Kennedy was probably the best golfer to occupy the Oval Office. • In ancient Greece, olive oil was thought to be an effective sunblock. • The highest fever ever suffered and survived by a human is 115.7 degrees F. It was in Atlanta, in 1980, and the man spent 24 days recovering before he was released from the hospital. • If you really can’t let go of that lost loved one, call LifeGem. This company offers to create a synthetic diamond from the “carbonized remains” (read: ashes) of deceased people or pets -- for the bargain price of about $2,500.

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BICYCLES (continued): • In the 1890s, the first “modern” bicycles appeared: chain-driven vehicles with similarly-sized tires. These were safer than the high-wheel models (and were even called “safety bicycles” as a result), but proved a step backwards in comfort. While the long spokes of high-wheel bikes absorbed bumps and ruts, the smaller wheels on these new bikes, particularly when coupled with the hard-rubber tires of the era, made for jarring, unpleasant rides. • More than a million bicycles were sold in the United States by the time 1895 rolled around, but one last improvement Mention this Ad forwould 20%propel off! the bicycle into the must-own category: the pneumatic tire. Under the guidance of the Pope Manufacturing Company (which made bicycles), the Hartford Rubber Works produced America’s first pneumatic tires in 1895. Providing a much softer ride, they soon became a standard feature on all bicycle models. • Dozens of smaller-scale improvements boosted the speed, comfort, longevity and performance of bicycles during the 20th century. As women began to find them as necessary as men, two varieties of bicycle were made. Men’s bikes were built with an extra stabilizer bar across the top of the bike. Women’s bikes omitted the bar, providing for easier mounting and dismounting of the vehicle when wearing skirts. • The 1970s saw the development of two bicycle extremes. First came bicycles that took you nowhere. Otherwise known as exercise bikes, these training aids first hit the home market at the beginning of the decade. Then, as time went on and the energy crisis sent fuel prices skyrocketing, mopeds appeared. These bicycle/motorcycle hybrids, most popular with city-centered business workers, could either be pedaled like a regular bike or powered using a small, low-powered gasoline engine.

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1. Name the two Atlanta Braves who won National League MVP Awards during the 1990s. 2. Two players have driven in 12 runs in a major-league game. Name either one. 3. When was the last time the University of Nebraska won the Big 12 Conference championship in college football? 4. Name the three No. 8 seeds that beat No. 1 seeds in NBA playoff history. 5. In 2002, two NHL goalies recorded three consecutive shutouts in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Name either one. 6. In 2008, Kirsty Coventry set a world record in the 200 meter backstroke, breaking the second-oldest swimming mark. How long had it stood? 7. Annika Sorenstam is one of six women golfers to have notched a career grand slam. Name four of the other five. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Tidbits® of Blackhawk County ALL THE PRESIDENTS’ TIDBITS

RONALD REAGAN

• “I love to work in the yard, and I always wash my hands before coming in. I put a bar of soap inside a piece of mesh from a potato sack and tied it with a string. I tied the string to my water faucet outside, and now I can easily wash my hands with soap before coming in. The sack kind of works as a scrubber as well.” -- F.A. in Texas • “When I take the kids to the pool, I bring my cell phone with me. I have started putting it in a zipper-top plastic baggie, and now I don’t have to worry about it getting wet accidentally. I can see through the bag to check messages or the time right out of the pool; there’s no need to dry my hands off.” -- Y.W. in Missouri

• “I found a really great fix for my basement stairs. It’s a bright, reflective, nonslip tape. I used a long piece across the end of each riser, and I am much more sure of my footing when going downstairs -- especially when carrying a laundry basket. And it’s easier to see where the steps are if the lights are dim.” -- N.M. in Ohio • Here’s a great conversation piece: Get a big, shallow bowl or box, fill it with loose snapshots and set it on your coffee table. People can’t resist photos. • “I have a sore back, so it’s hard for me to bend down and pull out weeds. I found a way to do this without too much bending. If you have a pair of loppers, all you have to do is cut a section of garden hose into two 1-inch pieces and slit them down the side. Then slip them over the ends of the blades. This way, you can grip the weed without much effort.” -- J.K., via e-mail

In 1980, the influence of Hollywood in Washington became obvious when former actor Ronald Reagan was elected president. Not that he was short of political qualifications; stints as president of the Screen Actors Guild and governor of California had proven Reagan as an able leader. But it was his charisma that won the hearts of many Americans and foreigners alike. • Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois. The family landed in nearby Dixon when Ron was nine years old. As a teenager, he served as a lifeguard for a riverfront park (where he went on to save a reported 77 swimmers). Reagan attended Eureka College in Peoria until an Iowa radio station offered him a job as sportscaster. Soon thereafter, he was “discovered” by a Warner Brothers agent (and then, ironically, portrayed a radio announcer in his first motion picture.) • In the early 20th century, it was common for Hollywood’s biggest stars to marry “from within.” Actress Jane Wyman wed Ronald in 1940, and the next year brought many changes. The Reagans welcomed their first child (Maureen). Ronald joined the board of the Screen Actors Guild. And then, the Draft called. Aware of his value, Uncle Sam put Reagan to work in training and propaganda films for the Army’s Motion Picture Unit. • By 1947, the marriage was in trouble. The couple experienced soaring highs (Ronald’s election as president of the SAG) and unbearable lows (the death of a premature daughter). They divorced in 1948. Ronald made his first foray into politics two years later by supporting the Democrats in the U.S. Senate race in California. It came just in time, as his Hollywood career was declining. • Reagan married actress Nancy Davis in 1952, and earned a break two years later when he became the “face” of consumer giant General Electric. In addition to appearing weekly on the television show G.E. Theatre, Ronald traveled the nation to speak at various venues on behalf of the company. This public speaking experience would go on to prove vital to his political career. Reagan would also jump party lines, becoming a Republican. His politics eventually interfered with his acting career, leading to his dismissal by G.E. in 1962.

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RONALD REAGAN (continued): • But while Ron’s TV and movie career dried up, his public service career came on gangbusters. He handily won the 1966 California gubernatorial race, and was considered for the Republican presidential nominee two years later. Instead, Richard Nixon won the ticket and the election. Reagan unsuccessfully tried to wrest the presidential nomination from incumbent Gerald Ford in 1976. Finally, in 1980, he appeared on the Republican ticket. The nation was eager for change, and the charismatic Reagan scored an easy victory over Jimmy Carter. • The first year of Reagan’s first term is noted for two things: an assassination attempt at the hands of John Hinckley, and heavy economic reforms that caused a recession. But Ronald survived, and the economy recovered. His efforts to stress defense and disarmament during the Cold War proved popular worldwide, and Reagan easily won re-election in 1984. Though the end of his second term in office was marred by the Iran-Contra Affair, Reagan is widely considered one of the most respected presidents of the 20th century.

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Credit-Card Lawsuit Exposes Sleazy Tactics Subprime credit cards are often attractive to consumers who have had credit problems and can’t get approved for a regular card. But the consumer abuse associated with these cards makes them something to avoid. The Federal Trade Commission has finally instituted a lawsuit against a subprime credit-card company after a long investigation, and the details of the suit are worth noting. Among the counts of the lawsuit are: misrepresentation of available credit, failure to disclose fees and failure to disclose how use of the credit card would adversely affect available credit. Here’s how the government says it worked: More than 1 million consumers applied for and believed they would receive a credit card with a $300 available credit limit, that there were no upfront fees and no deposit was required. The promotional mailings were misleading, with consumers required to follow a complicated set of asterisks and miscellaneous symbols on the front and back of multiple pages of text. Only there, buried in tiny print in various places, was the disclosure that there “may be” certain fees such as annual fee, accountopening fee and maintenance fee, which in this case amounted to $185 of the available $300 credit limit. Also buried was the notice that the company would withhold half the credit until the fourth month. Only $115 of the original $300 would be left after

fees were immediately deducted from the available balance. Another objectionable tactic was the use of behavior-model credit scoring. According to the lawsuit, the behavior model of credit scoring takes into consideration where the consumer is using the card. Negatives include purchases from direct-marketing merchants, marriage and personal counselors, tire retreading and repair shops, nightclubs and bars, and pawn shops. When those types of purchases were found, the credit limits were immediately lowered to below an existing balance and the consumer was charged fees for being over the limit. If you receive offers for subprime credit cards, always read every word on the offer. Visit the Federal Trade Commission Web site at www.ftc.gov and do a search for credit cards to learn if that company is being investigated. Better yet, if you have problem credit, work to clear it up before applying for a more mainstream credit card. David Uffington regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Write to him 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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Tidbits® of Blackhawk County

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QUIZ BITS 1. What musical instrument did Amy Irving play inBolt the 1980 film Door Misaligned Keeps The Competition? From Locking By Samantha Mazzotta 2. What legendary Swedish got to fully lock Q: I have beenband unable my front door forby a while now because its start winning the door the bolt1974 will Eurovision no longer go all the way into the frame. I think the door is Song Contest? misaligned. How do I fix this? -- Gerard

ENJOYING THIS ISSUE OF TIDBITS®? and bottom thisTHOSE way. If the door is not THANK hanging straight, work with a friend to WHO remove theADVERTISE door from its hinges and place shims under THEM the hinges. BY GIVING AYOUR shim can be as simple as a thin BUSINESS! piece of cardboard cut to the shape of the hinge. When slid into place behind the hinge plate, it raises the profile of the hinge, which changes the angle at which WORD the door POWER is hung. You may need to re-hang the door a few times to get the Unscramble proper width this and word... placement of the shims.A H A N M O R T If the door is straight or shimming __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ doesn’t resolve the latch issue, check This word the alignment of means: the bolt with its strike an endurance contestset in the door plate (the metal plate frame). Make sure the plate is screwed tightly to the frame and not wiggling loosely. The latchbolt itself can be raised or NEXT WEEK: lowered slightly by shimming it in much the same way the door is shimmed. You WITH can TIDBITS insert a SHINES thin piece of cardboard behind the bottom hinge to raise the JEWELS & GEMSTONES latchbolt, or behind the top hinge to lower the latchbolt.

1. PIANO 2. ABBA

1. Terry Pendleton in 1991 and Chipper Jones in 1999. 2. St. Louis’ Jim Bottomley in 1924 and St. Louis’ Mark Whiten in 1993. 3. It was 1999. 4. Denver in 1994, New York in 1999 and Golden State in 2007. 5. St. Louis’ Brent Johnson and Ottawa’s Patrick Lalime. 6. Seventeen years. Krisztina Egerszegi had held the mark since 1991. 7. Pat Bradley, Juli Inkster, Louis Suggs, Karrie Webb and Mickey Wright.

ANSWERS

J., San Diego A: Definitely check the alignment of the door. You can do this by holding the end of a ruler or other straight item against the top of the frame to see if QUIZ BITS the crack between the top of the door ANSWERS and the frame is straight or has a slight angle. You also can check the sides

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A man entered a local newspaper’s pun contest. He sent in ten different puns, hoping that at least one of the puns would win. Unfortunately, no pun in ten did.

The distress call “SOS” has often been misconstued as an acronym for “Save Our Ship.” In reality, the three letters don’t stand for anything; they were chosen because the “dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot” Morse Code would be easily understood.

Removing

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widenofscrew holes until In gradually Canada, a game the screws no longer tighten. Renew chance is considered screw holes by gluing wooden a the lottery. In Canada, intoyou the holes and cutting to golf run atees lottery, needthem a special flush license. with the surface. That’s why all sweepstakes and random drawing contests have a Send questions or home-repair tips to hom provision stating that if or write This Is a eguru2000@hotmail.com, Hammer, c/o King isFeatures Weekly Service, a Canadian citizen the P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. winner, he has to answer a skill-testing question (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc. in order to claim his or her prize.

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Famous Birthdays THIS WEEK

Danny Bonaduce – 08-13-59 Steve Martin – 08-14-45 Ben Affleck – 08-15-72 Madonna – 08-16-58 Sean Penn – 08-17-60 Rosalynn Carter – 08-18-27 Tipper Gore – 08-19-48