Shootin' the Breeze – Oct. 12, 2011

Shootin’ the Breeze

Mountainside News

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FREE PUBLICATION October 12, 2011 NANTON FERNIE

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Page 2 Shootin’ the Breeze Oct. 12/11

My Little Corner Thanksgiving weekend is wrapping up as I’m sitting in front of my blank computer screen.

This wasn’t a typical Thanksgiving for our family. My daughter was with my parents in Saskatchewan, and my husband Dennis made a trip to Saskatoon to visit his mom and bring Jaiden home.

It would have been easy to feel resentful that I wasn’t only missing out on Mom’s turkey dinner, but also on the family time that is so dear to me.

I found instead that I was thankful for many things!

The positive response to our little paper has been overwhelming and I am thankful to my family for putting up with the new business stress that has been inflicted on them.

I can’t remember when I last made supper, and I’m anxiusly looking forward to a day in the not-too-distant future when things will be somewhat back to normal.

I would like to say thank you publicly to Dennis and to Jaiden for going with the flow these past few months.

A huge thank you also must be extended to my brother Cary who

Shootin’ the Breeze A Publication of Mountainside News www.mountainsidenews.ca Enhanced version online weekly Print version available free every Wednesday Distribution 2500+ 697 Main Street, P.O. Box 1060 Pincher Creek, AB T0K 1W0 403-904-2227 Phone 403-627-5259 Fax info@mountainsidenews.ca Publisher & Editorial: Shannon Robin Production & Editorial Assistant: Cary Robison

has spent many late nights and even some overnighters at the office to ensure that Shootin’ the Breeze gets off the press. It’s greatly appreciated!

My dad went out of his way last week to spend time in Pincher Creek answering questions and making suggestions for our product. He also exercised considerable patience to find minutes here and there when I was able to spend time with him.

Thanks, Dad! Pam Madsen and Andrea McKay Horton have come on board as ad reps, and I’m thrilled that they will help to lighten my workload!

After attending the Boob Tour on Saturday, I came home thankful for people who can take a frightening experience such as breast cancer treatment and turn it into a gift to other people.

Comedian Allison Lane’s video presentation was funny and moving at the same time. I know that I wasn’t the only one in the audience who felt privileged to have that peek into her experience and to be grateful for my present state of good health.

I was also relieved that my blind date with Tara Bishoff of the Claresholm Health Foundation went so smoothly. You know, she sounded like fun on the phone and looked like someone I would enjoying hanging out with for the evening by the picture that she emailed me... but what if that was really a picture of her sister and I was speaking to an imposter who was simply trying to get me to buy a ticket to the Boob Tour? Or worse yet, what if I didn’t meet her expectations!

All kidding aside, I made a solo venture to Stavely to meet up with Tara on Saturday night and was treated to a wonderful evening of laughter and fellowship. It was definitely a great first date!

While working on articles this weekend I found myself grateful for my trusty sidekicks Google and YouTube.

I saw Washboard Hank in action about 10 years ago and couldn’t convey what a sight it was to see him perform. Our online edition today includes a link to a YouTube performance which gives you an idea of what the Nanton folks are in for at their Oktoberfest celebration!

This weekend there are events, classes and musicians all over our distribution area – it will be tough to decide which direction to head!

Remember to check the online event calendar for additional listings not included in the print paper.

There are many new features this week in our enhanced Wednesday paper online – it’s over 40 pages!

You simply must check it out.

I can’t convey how much we appreciate the advertiser and reader support we’ve received so far!

It’s through our readers and advertisers that it’s possible for me to have this job that I am passionate about while at the same time making a difference in our community.

My Little Corner is larger than usual this week, because I believe in the importance of giving thanks.

Thank you for reading Shootin’ the Breeze, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Shannon Robin

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Shootin’ the Breeze Oct. 12/11 Page 3

Red Rock Ride About 175 cyclists converged Oct. 1 at Waterton Lakes National Park to “Ride the Red Rock.”

The event provided cyclists an opportunity to ride up to Red Rock Canyon with no motor vehicle traffic on the road. Riders of all ages participated despite the cool, rainy morning.

The event coincided with Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, with 40 children taking part.

A barbecue complete with draws and special prizes for the kids rounded out the day, with almost $500 raised toward a new bike rack for the community centre.

Community support made the event a success.

Technical support was provided by Headwinds Cycling of Lethbridge. Hot dogs were cooked up by Wieners of Waterton, and Waterton Outdoor Adventures provided the bike shuttle. Cardston EMS attended and volunteers from the Waterton Foundation also assisted with the event.

A highlight of the morning was bear watching by bicycle!

Photo by Parks Canada

Cyclists enjoyed the emerging fall colours while ascending the steep Red Rock Canyon roadway.

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Page 4 Shootin’ the Breeze Oct. 12/11

A walk to remember

By Andrea McKay Horton It was a proud moment standing with my fellow Fernieites at the unveiling of the Fernie Miners Walk, located on the city hall grounds, on Oct. 8. A diverse crowd gathered to share in the commemoration of miners past and present and the industry itself.

A project that was seven years in the making came together thanks to a group of local volunteers that made up the Fernie Miners Walk Society.

Through the society, members were able to raise approximately $500,000 to bring the vision to fruition.

“We tried to keep as much of it local as possible,” said society member and city councillor Mary Giuliano.

“The community really pitched in to make this project possible.”

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“You can’t buy that kind of interest,” she added. “People really understood the importance of putting this together.”

At least 200 people took part in the celebration, including local government officials, MLA Bill Bennett and MP David Wilks.

“This is a great legacy for Fernie to carry forward,” said Mr. Wilks. “One per cent of the gross domestic product comes out of the valley.”

The committee wanted to keep the tribute uncomplicated, a simple thank you to the miners.

Under the direction of designer Lorne Perry, the committee agreed on six commemorative plaques telling the story of mining in the valley, six banners and an optical illusion statue that, when you look at it carefully, makes the face of a miner.

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This optical illusion statue at the walk takes the shape of a miner’s face.

There is also a brick walkway that displays the names of those involved in the industry.

Mining is an integral part of our society, so from all of us, thank you to miners past, present and future.

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Shootin’ the Breeze Oct. 12/11 Page 5

Otesha: a reason to dream

Crowsnest Conservation has been involved in bringing Otesha plays to the area for several years, as the Otesha Project group cycles through southern Alberta.

Blackbird Coffee House in Coleman will host a performance by the Otesha Project this Sunday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. A night of laughter and inspiration is on the menu as the group shares their award-winning performance on environmental and social justice issues. There is no charge for the performance, but donations are accepted.

The Kootenay Mountain Tour left Vancouver Sept. 3 and will have travelled over 1,200 kilometres by the time they reach Lethbridge Oct. 24.

The group will be in Fernie Oct. 14 and 15 with appearances at Fernie Secondary School and Fernie Academy. They will arrive in Pincher Creek Oct. 18 and spend an evening at the United Church, and head to Brocket in the morning for a presentation at Piikani Nation School. F.P. Walshe students will be treated to a show on Oct. 20 in Fort Macleod.

The Otesha Project is a charitable organization founded on the premise that “every individual has the

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Team members form the symbols of the name dear to their hearts.

power to make choices that affect the world.”

This youth-led group uses theatre, experiential activities and storytelling to share their vision with audiences across Canada via cycling and performing tours, workshops, a “quirky” book, and teaching high school students the Otesha play to perform in their own communities.

Group founders Jessica Lax (Jess) and Jocelyn Land-Murphy (Joss) met in Kenya where both 21-year-olds were studying sustainable development in a travelling field school.

Overwhelmed by the inequality between North American and Kenyan standards of living, they dreamed of making a difference.

They began by altering their own

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lifestyles to reflect the changes they wanted to see, and the Otesha Project was born in 2002 under a tree in Kenya.

“Otesha” is Swahili for “reason to dream.”

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Page 6 Shootin’ the Breeze Oct. 12/11

Pulling pork for KidSport Alberta Treasury Branch staff at Pincher Creek volunteered to make a pulled pork lunch in support of the local KidSport program.

All staff members were involved in cooking the pork, serving it or doing both during the three-day Ranch Rodeo held in July.

The pulled pork lunch brought in $600, which was presented to KidSport Sept. 30.

ATB staff are active community supporters, and also volunteered workers for the beer gardens at the Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo in August.

Boob Tour rocks

Judge Art Scott looks on while semi-finalists Knockers (Allison O’Neill of Stavely) and Melons (Bernie Lalonde of Nanton) attempt the last segment of Allison Lane’s breast-themed game show at the Stavely Boob Tour. Melons was the hands-down winner of the “put on your bra while blindfolded” contest!

From left, ATB staff members Shelley Stokke and Joanne Harris present a cheque representing sales of pulled pork sandwiches.

Accepting is Cheryl Handford of Pincher Creek KidSport.

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Shootin’ the Breeze Oct. 12/11 Page 7

An ounce of fire prevention With fire trucks, smoke detectors and emergency demonstrations among their tools, firefighters in several communities in the region are promoting the message of protecting your family from fire.

National Fire Prevention Week runs until Saturday.

At Sparwood, everyone was invited out to the main fire hall Tuesday for a full slate of activities – aerial lifts, fire truck rides, a fire-fit challenge, a Jaws of life demonstration, a smoke detector battery exchange, and door prizes.

At Hillcrest, the fire department’s 20 members are knocking on doors, offering to check that the community’s 700 residents have properlyinstalled smoke detectors in their homes.

Fire chief Jerry Newman says the department is distributing about 50 detectors, purchased thanks to a donation from Devon Canada, and there’s a focus on ensuring senior citizens’ homes are equipped.

Residents who already have a smoke alarm are provided a change of batteries, and reflector lights are being handed out to the kids.

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At Pincher Creek, fire chief Dave Cox says his department is taking the fire prevention and safety message to the town’s preschool and kindergarten children, with presentations Wednesday and Thursday at Canyon Preschool and St. Mike’s Preschool. A fire truck will be on hand – certain to be an attention-grabber for the kids.

At Fort Macleod, the fire trucks will be on display during an open

house Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Scougall Motors lot.

Chief Allen Zoeteman says other activities will include air bag and vehicle extrication demonstrations, and a barbecue.

To learn how you can prevent, detect and escape house fires, visit www.3minutedrill.alberta.ca .

Photo by Andrea McKay Horton

Volunteer firefighter Ryan Armstrong of Fernie with honorary firefighter Kash.

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Page 8 Shootin’ the Breeze Oct. 12/11

MOPS do more than wash floors!

Mothers of Preschoolers – MOPS, for short – meet in Claresholm every other Tuesday to share the celebrations and challenges of parenting young children.

There are 65 MOPS groups in Canada. With 31 of those located in Ontario, it is impressive to have a chapter in Claresholm.

Organizer Sharon Lange says the 24 or so moms attending the meetings look forward to the fellowship and support, while their children love the time spent with the childcare workers.

“It’s a day that everyone looks forward to.”

The theme of this year’s curriculum is MomSense: A Commonsense Guide to Confident Mothering.

Moms have the opportunity to make new friends, offer and receive encouragement and support, and learn strategies for parenting children from conception through kindergarten.

Sharon describes what the group does as “a little bit of everything.”

Guest speakers visit the group, and there is lots of time for group discussion. Last year a clothing exchange for both moms and kids was a popular event.

The success of the program is obvious, with moms travelling from High River, Granum and Fort Macleod to participate.

The first MOPS meeting was held in 1973 at Wheat Ridge, Colorado and was attended by eight women and their children. The children received care while the women talked, laughed, ate, passed a basket for childcare expenses, had a craft demonstration and finished with a short devotional. According to the MOPS website, “the number was small but the need was great. Through friendship, creative outlets and instruction, the women began to understand that mothering matters.”

MOPS reached beyond the borders of the United States in 1988 and became MOPS International, Inc. MomSense magazine and radio program allow moms to belong to

the group even when meetings aren’t available to them.

The support offered via MOPS means that no mom needs to be alone in motherhood regardless of where she lives.

New members are always welcome to join in the fun, and interested moms can contact Sharon at 403-625-1567. A $40 registration fee covers meetings, childcare and the MOPS curriculum book. Claresholm Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) sponsors MOPS, and subsidies are available.

The group meets every Tuesday until the end of May at Faith Community Baptist Church in Claresholm.

Information about the program and parenting in general is available by visiting the MOPS website at www.MOPS.org .

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Shootin’ the Breeze Oct. 12/11 Page 9

Cat Jahnke

Redgirl

Washboard Hank

Dave McCann

Johnny Winter

Musical talent coming your way

Good entertainment is abundant this week in all corners of the Shootin’ the Breeze coverage area.

Winnipeg singer-songwriter Cat Jahnke performs tonight at the Brickhouse in Fernie. Showtime is 9 p.m., with no cover charge. This is the third last stop on her 11-gig western Canada tour that began Oct.1.

Apparently she takes time off only to drive from show to show!

Cat’s 2010 album, The Stories Are Taking Their Toll, boasts 13 tunes including the single “Apple,” which was chosen as the theme song for NBC’s webseries “Ctrl.”

The Arts Station at Fernie hosts Redgirl on Friday evening. The quartet consists of Anie Hepher on lead vocals, Michael Hepher on lead guitar and vocals, Steve Jones on bass and vocals and Sven Heyde on drums and percussion.

Redgirl released their latest album, One Match Fire, this past June.

The 10-song album includes three original songs along with seven cover tunes arranged by the band.

Washboard Hank is a hilarious entertainer who is sharing the stage with Lance Loree for Oktoberfest celebrations at the Auditorium Hotel in Nanton, both Friday and Saturday evenings. One look at Hank’s musical contraption and what he wears on his head and you’ll know that you’re in for an interesting night!

Lance is known as Uncle Thirsty, and the two perform together often.

You can look forward to songs such as Chompy the Head Biteroffer and other silly songs. Giggles will be inevitable if you spend an evening at the Auditorium.

Dave McCann is the feature entertainer at Twin Butte General Store on Friday night. You won’t mind paying the $10 cover charge after listening to tunes from his latest album Dixiebluebird. Standout songs are “Dark-

est for the Dawn” and “Unfamiliar Ground.”

With three previous independent albums under his belt, Dave has gained recognition both nationally and internationally for his original music, and is the only Alberta artist in our spotlight this week.

Johnny Winter fans will have the opportunity to check out songs from his new release, Roots, Sunday at the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the show starting at 7.

Johnny was only 15 when he created his first band – Johnny and the Jammers – and has never looked back. That was 52 years ago! Prepare for a great evening of the blues and music that shaped his legendary career.

Regardless of your musical taste, you can find some fantastic entertainment this week in your community or just a ways down the road.

One hot potato!

Shane Veldhuis fired his potato gun and onlookers shouted “Fore!”

It wasn’t what the crowd in Pincher Creek expected to see, but the projectile potato was hurtling from Kettles Street, over the football field, and up onto the fifth hole of the golf course – over 300 yards!

Shane and his team of Thomas Harris, Wade Conner and Andrew Miller were the lone entrants in the first-time potato gun contest, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pincher Creek.

Building the gun was a project that Shane took on out of curiosity two years ago. It was something to do “instead of sitting around a television.”

The launcher took about two hours to build with materials costing about $160. The gun is built from four-, three- and two-inch ABS

plumbing pipe, some two-inch valves and an electrical barbecue switch.

Hair spray is used as fuel, and so far Aussie is the brand of preference.

Shane commented that “Static Guard works best but is just too expensive.”

He explained that “hair spray is sprayed into the dual intake combustion chamber. The front valve is then opened and closed in a certain sequence to compress the hair spray for optimal square inch coverage inside the chamber. All three valves are then closed and you can fire when ready.”

Travelling from Fort Macleod to participate, the guys were happy to have a chance to see what the gun could do despite the lack of competition. They hope that more advertising will draw more entrants next year, and they plan to be back.

Organizers are brainstorming for the second annual event next fall.

Photo by Shane Veldhuis

This homemade potato gun launched a spud about 300 yards at the first contest sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pincher Creek on Sept. 24.

Photo by Joyce Zwick

Shane Veldhuis and crew prepare to fire the potato gun.

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Shootin’ the Breeze Oct. 12/11 Page 11

Online Today!

Wednesday, October 12 • Fernie - Cat Jahnke concert • Granum - Rec board meeting, fire department meeting Thursday, October 13 • Fernie - Chamber of Commerce board meeting • Fort Macleod - Presentation by author Valerie Allen, traditional native dance classes for kids, bottle drive • Granum - Dropinettes • Pincher Creek - Pee Wee Mustangs football • Stavely - Stay and Play Friday, October 14 • Claresholm - It’s Friday, Let’s Play • Fernie - Ghostriders hockey, RedGirl Concert • Granum - harvest supper • Nanton - Oktoberfest - Auditorium Hotel Saturday, October 15 • Claresholm - Coats for Kids, Royal Canadian Legion Oktoberfest • Fort Macleod - fire department open house, didjeridoo workshop, beginner guitar class, Saturday Allied Arts classes for kids, Harvest Moon dinner & dance • Frank - Eagle watching • Lundbreck - Craft Sale • Nanton - Oktoberfest - Auditorium Hotel • Pincher Creek - Ducks Unlimited banquet • Stavely - family movie night • Twin Butte Store - Dave McCann Sunday, October 16 • Coleman - The Otesha Project • Fort Macleod - Johnny Winter • Frank - Eagle watching

Monday, October 17 • Nanton - Town council meeting • Pincher Creek - Downtown merchants association meeting • Sparwood - District council meeting

www.mountainsidenews.ca

Tuesday, October 18 • Claresholm - Chamber of Commerce meeting • Fort Macleod - Reading by author Collin James Wilson • Nanton - J.T. Foster Queen’s Ball Fashion Show • Pincher Creek - Wing Night at Denise’s Bistro

Don’t miss enhanced articles and photographs including:

Wednesday, October 12 • Fort Macleod - Chamber of Commerce Business Awards • Nanton - Chamber of Commerce meeting • Fort Macleod - Pincher Creek & District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards

Plus – you asked for it – colour cartoons, horoscopes, top tens, puzzles, columns, recipes and much more!

View today’s version of Shootin’ the Breeze online and find another 30 or so pages of fun, features and promotion!

Alberta Arts Days at HeadSmashed-In Buffalo Jump Boob Tour Kids First Miner’s Walk Ride Red Rock

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Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump arts Alberta Arts Days were celebrated at the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.

Free admission was offered, and guests were able to take part in orientation tours and presentations about living off the land.

First Nations drumming, dancing and singing provided entertainment for guests at the centre.

Arts and crafts were on display and for sale and there was also a showcase by Alberta Birds of Prey.

Guests had the treat of riding a free shuttle bus from downtown Fort Macleod to the interpretive centre on Saturday afternoon.

Thank you to Quinton Crow Shoe for submitting the photos and cutline information.

Arts and crafts were shown by 26 vendors over the weekend.

These boldly coloured works were painted by Delia Cross Child of the Blook/Piikani Nation.

Amazing First Nations fashion

Photo submitted by Quinton Crow Shoe

First Nations dancers pose with two special guests. Mr. Arthur CrowShoe, seated, is the oldest man from the Piikani Nation. Arthur’s late brother, Joe CrowShoe Sr. was instrumental in the development of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, and the lodge within the centre is named after him. The second special guest is perched on Arthur’s arm! Spirit the Eagle was representing the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre of Coaldale. It was a great honour for the bird to be held by Arthur!

Photo submitted by Quinton Crow Shoe

Musical entertainment was provided by the Kainai Grass Land Singers, led and directed by Ms. Olivia TailFeathers. The group were the feature performers Oct. 2 at the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. What a backdrop for their performance!

A steep climb to Red Rock

Photo submitted by Parks Canada

Look at them rarin’ to go! About 175 cyclists gathered to ride the road up to the Red Rock Canyon at Waterton Lakes National Park Oct. 8. Although the sky was grey, spirits were high as the group enjoyed having the road to themselves without vehicle traffic and were able to do some bear watching on the way.

Strum and stroll Travelling garden musician James Van Leeuwen serenaded tea drinkers at the Lebel Rose Garden Hat Party on Oct. 1 in Pincher Creek.

The Oldman Rose Society of Southern Alberta planned and hosted the two-day Festival of Roses event as part of Alberta Arts Days.

Hats off to president Ianthe Goodfellow of the Rose Society who applied for the grant early last spring.

At that time she was required to submit details of what the weekend would entail. Ianthe organized the speakers, events, artists, exhibits, food, and all other aspects of the event with help from members of the Rose Society.

The Rose Society received a $4,000 grant from the Alberta government as well as a $1,000 donation from Shell Waterton Gas Plant. The affair was sponsored by the Oldman Rose Society, Allied Arts Council, Wildrose Video and Shell Canada.

Photo by Donna Cisar

James Van Leeuwen tours the Lebel Rose Garden with guitar in hand during the Festival of Roses.

Stavely and area residents were treated to a night of laughter when the Claresholm & District Health Foundation brought The Boob Tour to town last Saturday.

About 100 people enjoyed beef on a bun which was donated, cooked and served by the Stavely Elks Club along with drinks served by the local Oddfellows at the Stavely community hall.

James Uloth is the man behind this travelling comedy event. Money raised is left behind in the communities visited to help support cancer survivors.

His goal is to raise one million dollars over five years, and after coming up with $130,000 from his inaugural effort last year, he feels that attaining this goal will be “no problem.”

James “grew up around Alberta” but now calls Los Angeles home, as does cast mate Tracey MacDonald. Joining them on stage for the evening were Daryl Makk and Allison Lane who both currently reside in Calgary.

Daryl brings along a personal groupie, which is kind of cool. The fellow in the red hat is also from Calgary!

This leg of The Boob Tour will see the group giving eight performances over 11 days and spreading a great amount of good will and laughter. They will hit the road again in February, this time in Ontario.

James started the show and had the audience laughing right off the bat with his flowing humour.

Daryl was up next and shared his woes of trying to find the perfect woman. As far as he’s concerned, a woman who will fart and giggle about it on the first date is a keeper.

This past summer Daryl travelled from eastern Canada across to the west coast by motorcycle while doling out jokes and interesting facial expressions.

During the intermission Art Scott took charge of auctioning off the leftover roast beef which netted almost $300 to add to the tally sheet. Door prizes were drawn for and then it was time for the show to go on.

Alison Lane led the second half. A breast cancer survivor herself, she began with a 10-minute video documenting the different stages of her treatment.

She shared her initial “why me?” la-

Boobs and belly laughs

Event co-ordinator Tara Bishoff, left, of Claresholm Health Foundation snuggles up with Tracey MacDonald, James Uloth, Daryl Makk and Allison Lane at the Stavely Boob Tour.

ment which soon turned into “why not me?” She chose to view her adventure with cancer as a gift and documented her journey by sharing video clips on YouTube.

Supporters from around the world joined her as she searched for a good looking, single doctor, shaved her head, held a wig party, and went through the emotional turmoil of simply getting through each day.

Allison feels that she was given cancer for a reason, and that laughter and staying positive are keys to recovery. She has chosen to revel in the person she has become, make the most of her relationships and experiences, and to live life to the fullest.

Allison was brought to tears when the audience responded to the video with a standing ovation. This is likely a common reaction, but it obviously means the world to her.

She jumped back into laughter with her boob game show. A group of contestants were selected from the audience to answer “strange but true questions about boobs.”

Rather than ringing a buzzer to answer they had to give a squeeze to the set of oversized boobs that Art Scott was

sporting underneath his sweatshirt.

Round two involved identifying “famous boobs.” The only easy answer was the Incredible Hulk!

The final round saw Allison O’Neil of Stavely and Bernie Lalonde of Nanton squaring off in a race to put on a bra while blindfolded. Bernie was amazing to take the boob title!

Tracey MacDonald was the last of the comedians to take to the stage for the receptive audience.

With her cute giggle, Tracey contemplated weight issues and how her parents in Nova Scotia tease her about being single. This actually was a recurring theme of the evening!

Tracey is well known for her $200,000 grand prize win on the new Star Search, and her performance didn’t disappoint.

Tara Bishoff wrapped things up with a quick thank you to the comedians for “coming out to our small town.”

The coffers of the health foundation are now about $1,500 richer, and we’re all healthier for having spent two hours laughing together thanks to this great bunch of boobs.

The crew will be in Lethbridge this Saturday for anyone who wants to laugh in the face of cancer.

tant considerations, such as your health, your job situation and the status of important relationships.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Someone from your past could arrive with welcome news concerning your future. Meanwhile, avoid taking sides in a workplace confrontation until you have more facts to go on.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A decision about a relationship could have longer-lasting consequences than you might imagine, so be sure of your facts before you act. A trusted friend can help.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A strained relationship could be restored with more personal contact between the two of you. Letting others act as your go-between only adds to the ongoing estrangement.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) New facts could mean taking a new path toward a goal you’ve been hoping to reach. However, be sure all your questions are answered before you undertake to shift directions.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) This is a good week for all you fine Felines to turn your attention to some impor-

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Avoid making a quick decision about a matter that needs more study. Keep your mind open for possibilities, even if they don’t seem plausible -- at least not yet.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You might welcome the emphasis on openness in relationships that mark this period. But it’s a good idea to avoid sharing personal secrets with people you hardly know.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) There are still some questions that need to be asked and answered before you can feel confident enough to make a potentially life-changing decision.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Some lingering effects from a now largely resolved workplace confrontation could make things difficult for you. Act on this before it becomes serious.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) You feel you’re finally in control of your own life after months of making compromises and concessions you never felt comfortable with. Congratulations.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) No sooner do you decide to pass on one job offer than another suddenly turns up. This one might not have everything you’re looking for, but it’s worth checking out.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Congratulations. With Jupiter’s strong influence dominating this week, don’t be surprised to get some good news about a troubling financial matter.

BORN THIS WEEK: You are usually kind and loving. But you can be highly critical of those who don’t measure up to your high standards. (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

Mountainside Bulletins

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Our enhanced papers reach a wide audience and are receiving fantastic readership response!

Ads cost $10.00 for the first week and $5.00 for each consecutive week plus GST. Here’s how it works: Design your poster • Black and white or colour • Use graphics to make it eye-catching and large enough type to read easily at 1/4 original size • Proofread your poster carefully - we are not responsible for any errors • Email it as a Word or PDF document (saved as an attachment) to bulletin@mountainsidenews.ca • Include your contact information so that we can call you for payment by Visa or MasterCard • OR bring the poster to our office located at 697 Main Street, Pincher Creek • If you aren’t a computer whiz we can scan your neatly handwritten poster at our office • You are the one doing the work to prepare the poster, so the savings are passed directly on to you!

Watch for your poster to appear online the following Wednesday!

Bulletin deadline is Friday at noon

Post events! Post garage sales! Post items for sale! Post hockey games and sports! Post anything!

Mountainside Rolodex

Use the Mountainside Rolodex to advertise your goods and services!

Post your business card where hundreds of readers are looking every week!

Business cards are full-sized and in full colour!

If you have a business directory listing on our website we will create a hotlink from your card to your directory listing for no additional charge!

Card postings cost $7.50 per week when booked for six months . . .

Save more by booking for a year at $5.00 per week!

Double-sided cards cost $10.00 per week for six months or $7.50 per week for yearly bookings

Bring your business card to our office located at 697 Main Street, Pincher Creek Or send a high resolution PDF or scan by email to bulletins@mountainsidenews.ca Or call our advertising department at 403-904-2227 to arrange for a pick up Watch for your business card to appear online the following Wednesday!

Cards are placed randomly on the page in the order that they are received.

Rolodex deadline is Friday at noon

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1. MUSIC: What was the name of the 1987 song and the movie starring Madonna?

2. WEATHER: What are the “sirocco,” “mistral” and “Chinook”?

3. MEASUREMENTS: A triennial event occurs how often?

4. MOVIES: Who was the Oscar-winning director of the “The Silence of the Lambs”?

5. LANGUAGE: What does the Greek prefix “cyto-” mean?

6. COMICS: What famous comics character had a girlfriend named Dale Arden?

7. HISTORY: When did the USS Maine explode in Havana’s harbor, an event that preceded the Spanish-American War? 8. LITERATURE: Henry David Thoreau’s famous Walden Pond is nearest to which town?

9. MYTHOLOGY: Who is the Norse goddess of love and fertility?

10. GEOGRAPHY: Cork and Limerick are major cities of which nation?

Answers 1. “Who’s That Girl” 2. Names of winds that affect different regions of the world: (sirocco/Mediterranean; mistral/France; Chinook/western North America) 3. Every three years 4. Jonathan Demme 5. Cell 6. Flash Gordon 7. 1898 8. Concord, Mass.

9. Freyja 10. Ireland (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

Top 10 DVD Sales 1. Bridesmaids (R) (Universal) 2. Spooky Buddies (G) (Buena Vista)

Top 10 Video Rentals 1. Bridesmaids (R) Kristen Wiig 2. Thor (PG-13) Chris Hemsworth 3. X-Men: First Class (PG-13) James McAvoy 4. Hanna (PG-13) Saoirse Ronan 5. Set Up (R) 50 Cent 6. Everything Must Go (R) Will Ferrell

3. Dumbo (G) (Buena Vista) 4. Thor (PG-13) (Paramount) 5. X-Men: First Class (PG-13) (Fox) 6. Modern Family: The Complete Second Season (NR) (Fox) 7. Barbie: Princess Charm School (NR) (Universal) 8. Hanna (PG-13) (Universal) 9. Office: Season Seven (NR) (Universal) 10. Supernatural: The Complete Sixth Season (NR) (Warner)

7. Paul (R) Simon Pegg 8. Something Borrowed (PG-13) Ginnifer Goodwin

Source: Rentrak Corp.

9. Rio (PG) animated

(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

10. Limitless (PG-13) Bradley Cooper

Top 10 Pop Singles

Top 10 Albums

Top 10 Hot Country

1. Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera “Moves Like Jagger” (A&M/Octone)

1. Tony Bennett - “Duets II” (RPM/ Columbia)

1. Rodney Atkins -“Take a Back Road” (Curb)

2. Adele - “Someone Like You” (XL)

2. Lady Antebellum - “Own the Night” (Capitol Nashville)

2. Toby Keith - “Made in America” (Show Dog-Universal)

3. Adele -“21” (XL/Columbia)

3. Keith Urban - “Long Hot Summer” (Capitol Nashville)

3. Foster The People - “Pumped Up Kicks” (StarTime) 4. LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock - “Party Rock Anthem” (Party Rock/will.i.am/Cherrytree) 5. Gym Class Heroes feat. Adam Levine - “Stereo Hearts” (Decaydance/Fueled by Ramon) 6. Bad Meets Evil feat. Bruno Mars “Lighters” (Shady) 7. Rihanna - “Cheers (Drink to That)” (SRP/Def Jam) 8. Lady Gaga - “You and I” (Streamline/KonLive) 9. Cobra Starship feat. Sabi -“You Make Me Feel ...” (Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen/Atlantic) 10. LMFAO - “Sexy and I Know It” (Party Rock/will.i.am/Cherrytree)

4. Demi Lovato - “Unbroken” (Hollywood) 5. Lil Wayne - “The Carter IV” (Young Money/Cash Money) 6. Needtobreathe - “The Reckoning” (Atlantic) 7. Mindless Behavior - “No. 1 Girl” (Streamline/Conjunction/Interscope) 8. Gavin DeGraw - “Sweeter” (J) 9. Jay Z and Kanye West - “Watch the Throne” (Roc-A-Fella/Roc Nation/ Def Jam) 10. Pearl Jam - “Pearl Jam Twenty (Soundtrack)” (Monkeywrench/Columbia)

4. Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter “You and Tequila” (BNA) 5. Jake Owen - “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (RCA) 6. George Strait -“Here for a Good Time” (MCA Nashville) 7. Blake Shelton - “God Gave Me You” (Warner Bros.)

8. Trace Adkins - “Just Fishin’” (Show Dog-Universal) 9. Eli Young Band - “Crazy Girl” (Carnival) 10. Taylor Swift - “Sparks Fly” (Big Machine) (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

1. Is the Book of Haggai in the Old or New Testament or neither?

2. At Joppa, there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which was translated as whom? Ruth, Dorcas, Sarah, Esther 3. Which commandment (KJV) is, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor�? 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th 4. What young man went to sleep and fell out of a window while listening to Paul speak? Eutychus, Goliath, Peter, Stephen 5. From John 12, which disciple stole from the treasury? Thomas, Judas, James, John 6. Who took the place of Judas as one of the apostles? Malachi, Matthias, Joel, Paul

Answers 1) Old; 2) Dorcas; 3) 9th; 4) Eutychus; 5) Judas; 6) Matthias

Comments? More Trivia? Visit www.

TriviaGuy.com

(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

by Samantha Weaver • It was 19th-century American humorist Josh Billings who made the following sage observation: “Don’t mistake pleasure for happiness. They’re a different breed of dog.”

• Those who study such things say that the immortal bard, William Shakespeare, used a grand total of 17,677 words in his works. (That must have been a tedious calculation.) They also say that fully one-tenth of those words had never been used in writing before.

• If you’re like the average American, you eat approximately 10 pounds of chocolate every year.

• You might be surprised to learn that the first automobile insurance policy was sold way back in 1897. One Gilbert J. Loomis of Dayton, Ohio, was evidently concerned about the potential damage that could be done by

his newly acquired car, so he got general liability protection in case driving his car resulted in someone’s death or injury, or in case property was damaged.

• High-quality opals can be more valuable than diamonds.

• If you are of a certain age, you might remember that in the mid-1960s, root beer-flavored milk was available for purchase. Then again, you might not; the marketing experiment was a flop and the product was pulled in short order.

• When people who are blind from birth dream, they don’t see images; instead, they hear and feel the dream.

For this reason, it’s said that their dreams can seem much more real. Those who become blind later in life do see images in their dreams, but the images fade the longer they live without sight.

• In the early 1900s, the average American got about nine hours of sleep every night. (I presume that statistic excludes the parents of new babies, who have been sleepdeprived since time immemorial.) *** Thought for the Day: “Fear is the tax that conscience pays to guilt.” -- George Sewell (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: We have several apparently stray cats that can be seen wandering the neighborhood in the early morning and at night. I’m not sure where they came from, but there is a large stand of pine trees and scrub behind our subdivision. I’m afraid to let my cats out even during the day, as I worry they could come in contact with or be attacked by one of these strays. What can I do? -Gary in Tampa

DEAR GARY: Contact your local animal-control office about the stray cats. They may be a colony of feral cats -- cats that have lived their entire lives apart from humans. If so, they most likely can’t be socialized.

This is an ongoing problem in Florida, particularly, as feral cat colonies grow in suburban areas. And yes, it makes going outside somewhat dangerous for your housecats. If possible, keep them indoors at all times.

If you have a screened enclosure, they can hang out there, as long as the screen has no holes that would allow them to escape.

Keep your cats’ immunizations up to date, as diseases like FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and rabies are common among feral cat populations. If one of your cats is attacked or you see it in contact with a feral cat, take your cat straight to the vet.

Now, it is possible that animal control will not trap the cats wandering your neighborhood. Or, they may catch them, yet you’ll see more cats turn up. What some animal welfare groups are doing -- since shelters are full already -- is trapping the cats, having them spayed or neutered and given immunizations, and then releasing them back to their colony.

The hope is that fewer breeding cats will reduce the feral population.

Send your question or comment to ask@pawscorner.com, or write to Paw’s Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. For more pet care-related advice and information, visit www.pawscorner.com. (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

By Chris Richcreek 1. In 2010, Carlos Gonzalez became the 5th Colorado Rockies player to win an N.L. batting title. Name two of the first four to do it.

2. Name the last major-league team to hit .300 or better for a season.

3. Which college football team, entering 2011, had a longer streak of double-digit-win seasons: Boise State

By Matilda Charles Mark your calendar: Nov. 15, a Tuesday, is National Memory Screening Day, put on by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

A news release issued by Alzheimer’s Disease International says that there could be 28 million people in the world with dementia -- but no diagnosis yet. The screening events provide free memory screenings using tasks and questions that can detect problems early. Tests will check memory, thinking and language skills. While the tests don’t give a true diagnosis, they can provide indications that a medical exam is needed.

Meanwhile, there is a possible Alzheimer’s vaccine on the horizon.

In the disease, the amyloid protein

or Virginia Tech?

4. Who held the Boston Celtics record for assists in a season before Rajon Rondo set a new mark of 794 in 2009-10.

Helton (2000), Matt Holliday (2007) and Larry Walker (1998, ‘99, 2001).

5. How many times have the Vancouver Canucks been in the Stanley Cup Finals?

3. Virginia Tech had seven seasons (2004-10), while Boise State had five (2006-10).

6. By the time another driver (Cale Yarborough) had won the Daytona 500 a second time, how many times had Richard Petty won it?

4. Bob Cousy had 715 assists in the 1959-60 season.

7. Of the past 12 Wimbledon women’s tennis singles finals (2000-2011), three were not won by either of the Williams sisters (Venus and Serena).

Who won them?

2. The Boston Red Sox hit .302 in 1950.

5. Three times -- 1982, 1994 and 2011.

6. Five times -- 1964, ‘66, ‘71, ‘73 and ‘74.

Answers

7. Maria Sharapova (2004), Amelie Mauresmo (‘06) and Petra Kvitova (‘11).

1. Andres Galarraga (1993), Todd

(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

stays in the brain and turns into plaque, which causes problems with the nerves that transport information through the brain. Researchers are looking at a way to stop the body from producing too much of the amyloid by targeting the receptors that move it into the brain.

At this point only small animals have been used in the research, but the results are promising enough that the next step is to move into largeanimal research.

To learn more about next month’s free memory screenings, go online to www.nationalmemoryscreening.org, or call 866-AFA-8484. Online you just need to click on your state and a list of locations will appear. You’ll need to sign up in advance to ensure a spot.

If you’ve been experiencing memory problems or if it runs in the family, be sure to tell your doctor. Or if you just want a baseline test for future reference, the screening can help with that, too. Remember, a memory problem might not be Alzheimer’s. It could easily be something as simple as a vitamin deficiency.

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) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

There are few things more inescapable in American life than the TV screen.

Sitting at the lounge at the airport, there is CNN Headline News overhead, invariably blaring. In the back of New York City cabs, there is a little screen playing stale TV news clips.

In waiting rooms, in elevators, in the back of people’s cars and in practically every room in the American home, there it is -- insistent, noisy, the background track to our lives.

Television is the most ubiquitous and insidious force in everyday American life. If it were a drug, it’d be illegal, and federal agents would be raiding the studios of the networks.

Ben Berger of Swarthmore College notes that in 1950 less than 10 percent of U.S. households owned a television. Today, in the average American household, TVs outnumber people. It’s now considered a deprivation to be limited to watching “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” only in the family den. As of

2009, we were watching more TV than ever -- on average, more than five hours a day. (Which makes you wonder: How does that leave any time to play video games?)

TV can be entertaining and even informative. At times of national tragedy -- the JFK assassination, Sept. 11 -- it draws us together in a web of immediate shared images.

As a general matter, though, TV is the Love Canal of our culture. It’s a conduit for all that is low and toxic.

If there were ever a concerted public campaign against TV, its architects could legitimately claim to wage it -- in that inevitable rationale for all do-goodism -- “for the children.” The University of Michigan Health System reports that kids ages 2-5 spend on average 32 hours a week in front of a TV. Among 8- to 18-year-olds, 71 percent have a TV in their bedroom (and they spend on average 1.5 hours a day more watching TV than kids without a TV in the bedroom).

Watching TV is worse than a mindless activity, since mere mindlessness needn’t be harmful. “Excessive TV viewing can contribute to poor grades, sleep problems, behavior problems, obesity, and risky behavior,” according to the University of Michigan.

Berger cites a 2010 study from Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine that found that

among toddlers “every additional hour of television exposure” eventually means decreases in “classroom engagement ... math achievement ... time spent doing weekend physical activity ... and activities involving physical effort,” and increases in “victimization by classmates ... consumption scores for soft drinks and snacks ... and body mass index.” The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that kids 2 and younger avoid TV -- and everything else on a screen -- altogether.

For the rest of us, that is all but impossible. It speaks to the power of TV that even when what’s on doesn’t truly interest you, it’s hard to take your eyes off it. It literally demands our attention. The only defense is fewer TVs and more of them turned off. That’s surely too much to hope for in a culture long ago utterly conquered by the TV screen.

Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review. (c) 2011 by King Features Synd., Inc.

Edible Sunshine

I discovered first hand the importance of vitamin D when a recent checkup revealed that I was low and need to improve my numbers rapidly.

Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D is made when the skin is exposed to the sun. During the winter months, the amount of sunshine is reduced, and even in the summer, exposure to the sun may not be enough for adequate health benefits.

In the past, it was thought that exposure to the sun alone was enough for most people to make enough vitamin D to meet their bodies’ needs. But for some, this may not be possible. For example, those who live in more northern climates where the sun is not as strong, those who mostly stay inside during daylight hours, those with dark skin and those who live where it’s too cold much of the year to be out and exposed.

To get the needed exposure to absorb enough vitamin D, a person would need to expose face, hands and arms to the sun (without sunscreen) for at least 15 minutes regularly and throughout the year.

Vitamin D has long been known for its positive effect, in combination with calcium, in promoting bone health. Vitamin D helps calcium to be absorbed more effectively. Calcium is a key nutrient for bone health

and muscle strength. Adequate levels of vitamin D also may reduce the risk of some cancers, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

But how much is enough to support these great health benefits?

The alternative is to consume vitamin D daily. For someone under age 50, the recommended dietary allowance is 200 International Units.

For 50- to 70-year-olds, the recommendation is 400 IU. And for someone older than 70, the recommendation is 600 IU. A few foods contain vitamin D naturally, such as liver, fish and egg yolk. Many more are fortified with vitamin D. The most wellknown is milk, with an 8-ounce cup containing 100 IU. Some orange juice is fortified at the same rate of 100 IU per 1 cup serving. Cooked salmon contains 360 IU per 3.5-ounce serving; a 1.75-ounce can of sardines has 250 IU of vitamin D; and 3 ounces of tuna has 200 IU. This recipe for Salmon with Orange and Mustard Glaze is an enjoyable way to get an edible dose of sunshine in the form of the vitamin D in this delicious fish dish.

SALMON WITH ORANGE AND MUSTARD GLAZE 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1 teaspoon zest, finely minced, reserved 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning 1 (2-pound center-cut) skinless salmon fillet 1/3 cup spicy brown mustard (such as Gulden’s) 1/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar 1 green onion, chopped, white and green parts

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Boil orange juice, soy sauce, butter and 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning in small saucepan for 3 minutes, or alternately, place ingredients in a microwaveable bowl and heat on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes.

2. Sprinkle salmon on both sides with salt, pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning. Place fish on heavy, rimmed baking sheet. Pour glaze mixture over fish. Bake until fish is opaque in center, about 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from oven.

3. Preheat broiler. Mix mustard and sugar in small bowl to blend; spread over salmon to cover. Broil salmon until topping is brown and bubbling, about 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with green onions and orange zest.

Transfer salmon to platter and serve.

Makes 6 servings.

(Additional information provided

by Janet Hackert, Regional Nutrition Specialist, Northwest Region, University of Missouri Extension) *** Angela Shelf Medearis is an awardwinning children’s author, culinary historian and author of seven cookbooks, including “The New African-American Kitchen” and her new cookbook, “The Kitchen Diva Cooks!” She’s the executive producer and host of “The Kitchen Diva!” cooking show on Hulu.com. Visit her website at www.divapro.com. (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

• Using your fireplace? Try adding citrus peels to the logs for a nice aroma. They can be a good starter material as well.

• Those hide-a-key rocks can be a little obvious -- at least they are to me. I have a spare key hidden outside too, but I sealed mine in a plastic baggie and buried it in a spot known only to our family members. Also, it’s not right by the door. -- I.E. in Mississippi • When closing up our cabin for the season, we brought a box of mothballs and scattered them around the porch perimeter. This keeps small animals like mice and skunks from setting up shop there while no one is around. -- S.F. in Pennsylvania • Now’s a great time to start weatherstripping! Check and recaulk windows. Caulk along baseboards to deter drafts. Add insulation to electrical outlets and under sinks around plumbing. Seal it up to stay toasty this winter.

• Remember to turn off bathroom fans after 10 minutes. In the winter, if your house is on the dry side, don’t use the fan at all: Open the door so the humidity from the shower or bath reaches into the house.

•“To remove the skin from salmon, I freeze it and skin it while frozen. The skin comes off much easier, and I waste less of the fish. I buy a large piece and parcel it into several smaller pieces, since it’s just me. I like salmon, and it’s healthy for me!” -- L.A. in Florida 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) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

1. What was Peter Gabriel’s first No. 1 U.S. hit?

2. Name the girl group that released “Head Over Heels” and “Turn to You.” What year was that?

3. Which group released “Temptation Eyes” and “Sooner Or Later”?

4. Where was the original “American Bandstand” recorded? Big bonus for remembering the call letters of the television station where it first aired.

5. Name the two acts that appeared on the first nationally televised “American Bandstand.”

6. Jennifer Lopez (aka J.Lo), now of “American Idol” judge fame, snagged her first No. 1 hit with what song?

Answers 1. “Shock the Monkey” in 1982. His next chart topper came in 1986 with “Sledgehammer.”

2. California new-wave band The Go-Go’s, in 1984. The songs, off their third album, “Talk Show,” ranked No. 11 and No. 33, respectively, in the U.S. 3. The Grass Roots, in 1970 and 1971, respectively. The songs made it into the Top 20, but the group never did have a No. 1 hit.

4. Philadelphia, on WFIL-TV in 1952. The show went national on ABC in 1957.

5. On Aug. 5, 1957, both The Chordettes and Billy Williams appeared live, but Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Whole Lotta Shakin Goin’ On” was the first song played.

6. “If You Had My Love,” in 1999. The song went gold or platinum in a half dozen countries. (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

This is a hammer

By Samantha Mazzotta A Plumber’s Snake? What’s That?

Q: One thing my uncle recommended when I moved into my recently purchased house is something called a plumber’s snake. Just what is that? I presume it’s for getting into pipes or something. -- Tammy in Des Moines, Iowa A: You’re right, Tammy, it does have something to do with getting into pipes. Specifically, a plumber’s snake -- more professionally known as a hand auger -- is a handheld tool used for clearing clogs in drain lines.

It consists of a flexible tube with a spring coil on one end, attached to a hand crank at the other end. The tube is inserted into the affected drain until the clog is reached; then the hand crank is turned so that the clogging material gets caught in the spring coil and is pulled out along with the tubing.

The beauty of the hand auger -- there’s also a larger version called a closet auger or toilet auger, specifically for toilets -- is that it can clear many types of clogs without using chemicals to break up the material or using a drill that could break through the pipe.

Using the hand auger takes a

little bit of practice. It’s not hard to use, but you’re fishing blind through the drainpipe, and figuring out the difference between a bend in the pipe and the actual clog can take a few tries. So, for example, let’s say you’re clearing a clog in a sink drain.

You’ve either removed the trap (the U-bend pipe under the sink) or, if the trap has this, unscrewed the bolt at the bottom of the trap and let the water drain into a bucket. But the clog doesn’t clear (meaning it’s a little further back in the drain line). With the trap removed or the drain bolt unscrewed: --Loosen the auger lock (the bolt sticking up at the feeder end of the auger) and feed the cable into the drain line.

--When you meet resistance, find out if you’re simply at a bend in the pipe. Feed out a few inches more cable so you have some extra sticking out of the pipe. Tighten down the auger lock. Slowly turn the auger handle clockwise, pushing slightly. If it’s a bend in the line, the resistance will stop and you can continue feeding cable.

--If the resistance doesn’t let up, you may have located a clog. Turn the handle a few more times to try and snag the clog material. Then, loosen the auger lock. Continue turning the handle clockwise to reel

in the cable.

--If you meet solid resistance and then the cable slowly feeds in, with continuous resistance, you likely have a soap clog. Slowly continue to bore through the soap clog until resistance lessens. Then, retrieve the cable by loosening the auger lock and turning the handle clockwise.

Once you’ve taken care of the clog, reconnect the trap. Run hot water through the pipe, which will flush out loose debris or help break up that soap clog.

HOME TIP: Keep drains healthy with this nontoxic solution: combine 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup salt and 1/4 cup cream of tartar. Pour 1/4 cup of this mixture into each drain in the house, and follow with 2 cups boiling water. Repeat weekly.

Send your questions or comments to ask@thisisahammer.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

Velvety Pumpkin Soup Enjoy this rich soup as the weather gets colder.

2 tablespoons butter 1 shallot, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1 can (15-ounce) pure pumpkin 2 cups lower-sodium chicken broth 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon salt 1. In 4-quart saucepot, melt butter on medium-high. Add shallot, cook 30 seconds, stirring. Add cumin; cook 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add pumpkin, lower-sodium chicken broth and water. Cover and heat to boiling on high. Stir in salt.

For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/. (c) 2011 Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved

Sausage and Pumpkin Pasta There’s no getting around pumpkins this fall! Paired with spicy sausage, convenient canned pumpkin livens up the usual dinner pasta.

1 pound rigatoni 8 ounces spicy Italian sausage, casings removed 5 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped 1 can (15-ounce) pure pumpkin 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Dolphin Tale (PG) Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd 2. Moneyball (PG-13) Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill 3. The Lion King (G) animated 4. 50/50 (R) Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen 5. Courageous (PG-13) A

1. Cook rigatoni as label directs, reserving 1 cup cooking water.

6. Dream House (PG-13) Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts

2. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook sausage on medium 6 minutes, breaking up sausage. Add fresh sage leaves; cook 1 minute, stirring. Add pumpkin and reserved pasta water; mix well.

7. Abduction (PG-13) T aylor Lautner, Lily Collins

3. Drain pasta; return to pot. Add sausage mixture; heat through. Stir in Parmesan. Serves 4.

8. What’s Your Number? (R) Anna Faris, Chris Evans 9. Contagion (PG-13) Matt Damon, Marion Cotillard 10. Killer Elite (R) Jason Statham, Clive Owen (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

COMFORT FOODS MADE FAST AND HEALTHY!

By Healthy Exchanges Octoberfest Meatballs Octoberfest or Oktoberfest? Which way do you spell it? We may have Americanized a traditional German celebration, but we certainly have embraced the best of their traditions -- from polka music to hardy fare.

16 ounces extra-lean ground sirloin or turkey breast 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon purchased graham cracker crumbs 1 teaspoon apple pie spice 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can reduced-fat tomato soup 1 teaspoon dried onion flakes 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with butterflavored cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, combine meat, applesauce, graham cracker crumbs and apple pie spice. Form into 12 (2-inch) meatballs. Place meatballs in prepared baking dish.

3. In a small bowl, combine tomato soup, onion flakes and parsley flakes.

Spoon soup mixture evenly over meatballs. Cover and bake for 45 to 50 minutes.

4. For each serving, place 2 meatballs on a plate and evenly spoon sauce mixture over top. Serves six. • Each serving equals: About 208 calories, 8g fat, 14g protein, 20g carb., 328mg sodium, 1g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Meat, 1 Starch/Carb. (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

Bridge is a partnership game Assume you’re a defender and your partner adopts a line of defense you don’t understand. Despite your uncertainty, it’s usually wise to cooperate with your partner, whatever he’s doing, because he might know something about the hand that you don’t know. Besides, it’s psychologically better to humor him -- even if only for morale purposes.

Getting down to cases, let’s suppose you’re East, defending against two spades, and your partner leads the K-A-Q of hearts, declarer following suit.

At this point, you’d be expecting that partner was going to shift to a diamond or a club, neither of which would make much difference to you

since you have both suits under control. But, much to your surprise, West now leads the nine of hearts!

Declarer discards a diamond from dummy and thus dashes your hope of scoring a diamond trick later on.

West’s heart play might strike you as very strange, since somewhere along the line he must have been told not to give declarer a ruff-and-discard.

However, you’d do better to take the play in stride and try to figure out what your partner is up to. It would surely be wrong to discard on the nine of hearts, which you might feel inclined to do if you assumed partner had suddenly taken leave of his senses.

Instead, you should follow partner’s defense and ruff the nine of hearts with your queen of spades.

That is what he presumably wants you to do in order to promote his trump holding. If you do this, South will eventually lose three trump tricks and go down one; if you don’t, he makes the contract. (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

Soap Opera Updates

By Dana Block THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Hope was shocked and deeply hurt by the news that Liam and Steffy were engaged. Ridge felt torn and decided not to take sides as Brooke and Taylor feuded. Bill sent a photo of Steffy’s engagement ring to the press.

He later arranged for his son to fly off to Aspen with Steffy on a romantic getaway. Hope accompanied Rick to Aspen in search of her former fiance -- and her nemesis. Katie was furious to learn that Bill was so devious.

Liam had second thoughts during his dinner with Steffy and decided to spend the night alone. Wait to See: Eric surprises Stephanie with a candlelit dinner.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Sami was upset to learn that it was Rafe who personally arrested John.

Maggie enthusiastically said yes to Victor’s proposal. Jack told Jennifer that he didn’t leave their marriage willingly, that he had been held hostage in Afghanistan. Brady bought

out a cosmetics company but allowed its existing CEO, Madison James, to oversee the business. EJ asked Nicole to be his campaign manager. Carrie agreed to defend John, which would mean opposing her own husband, Austin, in court. Sami found she had a lot in common with Madison, her new boss. Wait to See: Maggie is shocked to learn that she is somehow connected to Alice’s secret.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Franco stalked Jason and Sam on their Hawaiian honeymoon. Kate felt left out when Sonny and Olivia visited their son in the hospital. Matt and Patrick continued to squabble at work. Tracy and Luke tried to pick up where they left off. Elizabeth encouraged Maxie to focus on Matt.

Danger loomed over Sam and Jason.

Dante insisted on remaining a cop despite Lulu’s objections. Lucky was deeply affected by Siobhan’s letter.

Michael overheard Carly talking about the drugs and decided to take matters into his own hands. Elizabeth and Matt continued their flirtation, which didn’t go unwitnessed. Wait to

Drake Hogestyn stars as “John” on “Days of Our Lives”

See: Kristina receives some surprising news.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE Tomas allowed Todd to flee after he shot Irene on the docks. Later, Blair found Todd injured at the cabin.

Jessica secretly held a copy of Liam’s paternity test as she babysat him for Natalie. Clint walked in on Tina and Cord getting reacquainted. Starr and Jack fought over who was responsible for Victor’s death. Jessica told Ford what she was keeping secret from Natalie. Blair and Todd reminisced about the past. Starr wondered what Jack was hiding. Wait to See: Rama threatens to have Kim arrested.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Phyllis sarcastically thanked Sharon for bringing Avery back into her life. Katherine collapsed while arguing with Jack about Jabot. Ronan had Abby arrested for trying to kill Tucker. Avery was a stickler about making Phyllis visit Daisy in prison.

Tucker overheard Jill say that Devon was his son. Cane saw Billy secretly visiting Katherine in the hospital.

Wait to See: Sofia learns who fathered her baby.

Apple Crisp With a Berry Twist There is something about fall, with its cooler days and the abundance of juicy apples, that brings out the baker in us all. Brisk breezes and rustling leaves almost seem to whisper “apple crisp.”

Measure, stir and bake this mouthwatering apple dessert using autumn’s apple harvest and colorful, juicy frozen blackberries. In this recipe the steps are not only simple, but also mixed with play! Every member of the family will want to be part of the preparation, not to mention the tasting when it comes out of the oven!

Apple Blackberry Crisp Filling: 5 apples or about 4 cups when peeled and sliced 1 cup frozen blackberries, thawed slightly 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon flour Juice from one lemon Topping: 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups quick oats 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch of salt 1/2 cup melted butter 1. To make the crisp, peel the apples. If your children are skilled at using a vegetable peeler, make peeling the apples a game. Start at the stem, and peel in a spiral motion.

Try to make the longest strip without breaking it. If your kids are competitive, they’ll have the apples peeled in no time!

2. Cut the peeled apples into 1/4-inch slices. While you are at it, for a surprise, cut an apple in half widthwise to reveal a star design in the middle. Place the slices in a large bowl. Add slightly thawed blackberries, sugar, flour and lemon juice.

Combine and spoon into a mediumsize 8-inch-by-11-inch baking dish.

3. For the topping, in another bowl, stir together the flour, oats, sugars, cinnamon, salt and melted butter. Mix lightly until crumbly.

Sprinkle this topping mixture with fingers over apples and berries. Press lightly.

4. Place in preheated oven. If you have a window on your oven door, let the kids keep watch to observe when the fruit juices bubble up through the browned topping. That will be the clue that the apple-berry crisp is done, about 30 minutes.

5. Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla

ice cream and a sprig of mint on top.

Then give yourselves a standing ovation!

Extra idea: Add a teaspoon or two of leftover berry juice to the whipped cream. Swirl it around to create a purple marbled effect, and then spoon on top of each serving.

Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the NEW Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.” (c) 2011 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

Q: My wife and I own a collection of “Wee Forest Folk,” about 200 figurines and most in excellent condition.

I do not have a computer but need to know how much they are worth. -Harry, Sun City, Ariz.

A: “Wee Forest Folk,” a collection of miniature figurines, was introduced

by Annette Petersen in 1972. The first was Miss Mouse (M-001) and originally sold for $8. The company, based in Carlisle, Mass., had released more than 400 different pieces by the time it reached its 25th anniversary in 1997. Made from molds of original clay sculptures by Annette and her son, William, and daughter, Donna, most were usually no taller than 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches.

Current prices are Miss Mouse (1972), $8; Market Mouse (1978), $8;

Miss Mouse with Straw Hat (1972), $8; Wood Sprite (1978), $8; and Two Tiny Mice (1979), $7.50. A company that sells Wee Forest Folk is Emerson’s Gift Shoppe, 138 W. Bonita Avenue, San Demas, CA 91773. With the present sluggish economy, “instant” collectibles are becoming more and more difficult to sell.

Q: I have a complete set of 1919 National Geographic magazines in good to excellent condition. Are there are any buyers interested in these? -Bonnie, Sioux Falls, S.D. A: There isn’t much of a market for National Geographic magazines published after 1900. As with most collectibles, there are always exceptions. For example, during the early years of the past century, Coca-Cola occasionally advertised in the publication, and many of these ads are desirable to collectors. Look through your magazines from 1919 to see if you have any of these advertisements.

If you do, you might be able to sell those issues to a Coca-Cola enthusiast.

Q: I have a Big Ben alarm clock with a broken spring and can’t seem to find anyone in my area who can repair it. Can you provide me with any information? -- Norbert, via email A: Repairing your broken alarm clock might cost more than it’s worth.

I found a reproduction 1949 Big Ben alarm clock for $39.95. It is available through the company catalog, item No. 42548. The address and phone number are P.O. 6998, Rutland, VT 05702-6998; and (802) 776-5710.

Write to Larry Cox in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to questionsforcox@aol. com. Due to the large volume of mail he receives, Mr. Cox is unable to personally answer all reader questions.

Do not send any materials requiring return mail.

(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

hatred for the cash-in prequels made years later? How could somebody once seen as the savior of sci-fi suddenly become the most reviled man in geekdom? These are the questions at the heart of this plucky 2010 documentary. Using interviews, fan art and bits of pop-culture, “The People vs. George Lucas” takes a look at the bittersweet relationship between movie fans and the creator of the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” franchises.

“The Conversation” (R) [Blu-Ray] -In his heyday, Francis Ford Coppola made this small-scale but intense thriller. Gene Hackman plays Harry Caul, a surveillance expert who’s been assigned to listen in on a couple as they walk the streets of San Francisco. As the plot thickens, Harry struggles to keep his personal reservations separate from his work as his own paranoia spirals out of control.

EDITOR’S NOTE: DVDs reviewed in this column will be available in stores the week of Oct. 24, 2011.

“Captain America: The First Avenger” (PG-13) -- Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) has always been a puny kid with strong principles and even stronger tenacity. When World War II breaks out and Steve is turned down by every recruiting office for being too weak, he finds his chance to fight for his country when he is selected for a top-secret experimental program that turns him into a supersoldier.

The movie does well to rise above the standard for superheroes: The Cap isn’t thirsting for revenge, he’s not even super-powered, he’s the result of the right guy finally getting a chance to make a difference. By staying true to the comic book origins, “Captain America: The First Avenger” brings different settings and themes to the table for a solid adventure with an underdog angle.

“Attack the Block” (R) -- With a noname cast and a debut director, this aliens vs. slums thriller becomes the ragtag fighting force that surprises its challengers. A handful of

Chris Evans as Captain America

troublemakers from South London take up arms (improvised) and ride (on scooters and bicycles) against an alien invasion in their neighborhood.

The film is from the same producers who made “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz,” and it capably walks the line between adoring its tropes and offering a new comedic spin on the alien invasion. The result is a breath of fresh air, right on time in this season of heavy population density from the alien-attack genre.

“The People vs. George Lucas” (NR) -- How does a true fan reconcile his love for a cherished movie with his

In 1975, the film was nominated for Oscars for best picture, best sound and best writing. Now on Blu-ray, the restored version of this film classic offers optimized sound and video for an even closer glimpse at the tightfocused world of surveillance.

MORE RELEASES “Luther: Season 2” “Robot Chicken: Season Five” “Sacred Sites of the Dalai Lamas” “Barney Miller: The Complete Series” “The Best of the Three Stooges” “The Hugh Grant Collection” (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

Q: I am heartbroken that Fox has canceled “America’s Most Wanted.” I’ve watched the show since the beginning, and I am so proud of all the good John Walsh and his crew have done to “get those dirtbags off the streets”! Is there an address for Fox that we can write to, hopefully to change their minds? -- Gertrude T., via e-mail A: I have good news for you, Gertrude. Lifetime Television recently announced that it has picked up John Walsh’s top crime-fighting show, which will return for its 25th season later this year. While there is not an exact airdate scheduled as of this writing, keep an eye on this column for updates as I get them. Also, check online at www.celebrityextraonline.com as December gets closer for my exclusive interview with John Walsh about the resurrection of “AMW” on Lifetime. I’m sure we’ll also talk about all those “creeps” and “slimeballs” that John will be trying to capture this upcoming season.

A: While Maura is no stranger to comedy -- she costarred on “News Radio” from 1995-99 -- she usually plays the straight (wo)man, which is exactly what James Spader needs, now that we are getting a better idea of what his character, Robert California, is like. So now I make this modest proposal: How about we cast Beth as Robert’s Scranton mistress? Her offbeat and hilarious sense of humor, along with her improv skills and deadpan humor, would make her the perfect “secret lover” for the new boss, as well as an excellent foil for the rest of the cast. Are you listening, Paul Lieberstein and crew? *** Q: I really like the reality/survival series, “The Colony,” on the Discovery Channel. When will the third season start?

-- Jane R., Philadelphia A: According to a Discovery Channel representative, currently there are no plans to bring “The Colony” back in 2011. I’ll keep checking and keep you posted as I learn any more details for 2012.

Write to Cindy at King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475; or e-mail her at letters@cindyelavsky.com. (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

Q: I loved the TV show “Lost” and have been wondering about the man who played Sawyer. He is such a good actor. Do you have any info on what he’s doing now? -- Janet R., Newark, Ohio A: The handsome Josh Holloway, 42, has been keeping pretty busy since “Lost” ended last year. You can see him again soon on the big screen in “Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol.” In the movie, which hits theaters on Dec. 21, Josh plays Trevor Hanaway, a member of Ethan Hunt’s (played by Tom Cruise) Mission Impossible force, along with Ving Rhames and Academy Award-nominee Jeremy Renner.

Q: I really liked your idea a few months back of having Beth Littleford (of “Crazy Stupid Love”) playing James Spader’s wife in “The Office” this season, but now I hear Maura Tierney has been tapped for the part. Is that true?

If so, what do you think about that? — Holly T., via email

Josh Holloway