Quicksand

BY THE NUMBERS » STAMPS

9 , 480 , 000 The amount of U.S. dollars spent on the world’s most valuable stamp. Two types of stamps—the 4-cent and the 1-cent—were created in 1856 in British Guiana for the purpose of being part of a contingency supply while waiting for a larger shipment of stamps from Great Britain. While there are multiple 4-cent stamps from the original batch that still exist, there is only one 1-cent stamp known to be left, which sold June 17, 2014, in New York.

2018 The year scratch and sniff stamps were made for mass production in the U.S. When scratched, the stamps give off a summery scent. Germany have had scented stamps since 2010. This was also the year holographic stamps were mass produced in the U.S., as well as the first illusion stamps, which feature a rabbit coming out of a magician’s hat.

98 The percentage of stamps in the U.S. as of 2005 that were self-adhesive, although the idea was introduced in 1992 it took a while to kick the lick.

3The number of miles, in billions, a stamp has traveled between 2006 and 2015. The welltraveled stamp made the trip in the New Horizons spacecraft and earned the record for the longest distance a stamp has ever traveled when it reached close proximity to Pluto.

726 , 000 The amount of dollars given to Alzheimer’s research, raised solely by semi-postal stamp purchases. Semi-postal stamps are first class mail stamps that are sold at a higher price than regular ones to raise money for specific causes. So you can donate to important research while doing your average routine, like buying stamps.

1993 The year an Elvis Presley stamp was released for public purchase. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) gave the American masses two picture options to vote for the commemorative stamp. More than 1.2 million people voted and the stamp was released on Jan. 8, 1993. The Elvis stamps are some of the most publicized stamps in U.S. history, as well as being the top selling commemorative stamps, with the USPS printing 500 million—about 3 times what’s usually printed for any commemorative stamps.

LOOK, LEARN & LISTEN OUTER SANDBOX

Dolly Parton’s America podcast

If you’re anything like us, you’re obsessed with all things Dolly Parton (arguably the only entertainer who appeals to conservative grannies and drag queens alike)! This podcast is narrated and produced by Jad Abumrad and is a ninepart non-fiction series based on Dolly Parton’s career and enduring legacy. This podcast made our 9–5 way more bearable so stop acting like a Jolene and give it a listen!

FitOn App

We happily ate our way through the holidays and now our stretchy pants have no where else to, well you know, stretch. Luckily we found the free FitOn App and now we have access to personalized fitness plans and tons of cardio, pilates and HIIT exercise guides. Our favorites were the workouts hosted by Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness because we love positivity, honey! We have no excuse not to get our steps in and we intend to hit it hard (as soon as we finish off all these half-priced Valentine’s Day chocolates).

Welcome to Night Vale podcast

The true crime genre has been getting a little too true for our liking and we want to get our fix without investing all our productive hours solving the Jon Benet Ramsay case. Enter Welcome to Night Vale, a podcast presented as a radio show for the fictional town of Night Vale, reporting on the strange events that occur within it. Real enough to keep us interested and odd enough to keep us entertained. This podcast kept us up late, but at least we weren’t obsessively checking to make sure our front door was locked.

ROAD TRIP! Beyond the boundaries of our little sandbox, there is much to see. Here are a few events worth checking out. For events with a more local flavor, check out moorechoices.net.

FEBRUARY 15, 2020 Outhouse Races, Sapphire, North Carolina discoverjacksonnc.com This one may be a crap shoot, but we sure are excited about the upcoming Outhouse Races at the Sapphire Valley Ski resort! Teams of three secure their homemade outhouses to skis and race to the finish line. Outhouses can be as elaborate as you’d like but they all must include at least one hole and a toilet paper roll. If you’re feeling brave, fashion your own and join in on the fun. Just watch out for yellow snow!

MARCH 25, 2020 Harlem Globetrotters, Crown Coliseum ev7.evenue.net We knew you were hanging on to those knee-socks and sweat bands for a reason and now it’s your time to shine! Over the years, the Globetrotters have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries and territories and soon they will be right in our own backyard. The show combines athletics and comedy and is wholesome fun for all ages.

YEAR ROUND Viva Viclas! The Art of the Lowrider Motorcycle, Raleigh This exhibit features 10 custom lowrider Harley Davidson motorcycles decked out in the Vicla (slang term derived from the Spanish word bicicleta which means, you guessed it, bicycle) style. Also included in the exhibit are 12 artworks inspired by themes in Vicla culture like brotherhood and respect. Take a selfie on one of the bikes and try not to reenact that famous scene from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. Tequila!

QUOTES

You can have all the money in the world, but there’s one thing you will never have… a dinosaur. –Homer Simpson

Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman—or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle. –George Burns

Health Tips

By Brittany Hampton, Owner of Stroller Strong Moms Southern Pines, Registered Dietitian, ACE Fitness Instructor

CHOCOLATE If you’re thinking about giving your valentine some chocolate, make it dark and you’ll be giving the gift of love and health. Dark chocolate may reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, is filled with antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory, and let’s not forget, it’s also an aphrodisiac. Dip some strawberries in dark chocolate and you’ll be giving the ultimate gift.

MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH You already know you should eat breakfast, eat more veggies and kick the soda, but make sure you choose fresh or frozen vegetables over canned. If you have to use canned, opt for low-sodium versions.

BLUE ZONE You’ve heard of the Zone Diet but have you heard of the Blue Zones? In brief, these are geographic areas where people live longer and healthier lives. The regions are spread all over the world and the major takeaways from these groups of people are that they have:

• A mostly plant-based diet filled with lots of veggies and legumes • Low alcohol intake (sans red wine) • A diet filled with whole grains • Tight-knit communities • Routine exercise regimens • At least 7 hours of sleep each night • Life purpose

So if you want to live until you’re 100, consider adding some of these methods to your lifestyle.

CHECK YOUR CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM If you’re firing up your fireplace this winter, make sure to check your carbon monoxide alarm batteries, and if your device is older than five years, replace it entirely. CO poisoning presents with flulike, symptoms making it easy to miss. Keep yourself safe from this odorless and colorless danger.

DID YOU KNOW… Anyone can be called a nutritionist? Only people with the credential “registered dietitian” have the education and practice to back up their nutrition guidance.

Live Lightly

Tips on living a more sustainable life

Ditch the dryer sheets and try dryer balls instead. The most common and best for the environment are wool balls, which shorten drying time by 20 percent by creating space for heat to circulate more efficiently. The balls are reusable for more than 1,000 loads and you can scent them with natural oils rather than the toxins used to scent traditional dryer sheets. So, to review, dryer balls are nontoxic, hypoallergenic, energysaving, affordable, sustainable and you avoid releasing toxins onto your body and into the air. No brainer!

S P

FEB. 22 Mardi Gras Miles St. John Paul II School, Southern Pines 5k, Fun Run www.runsignup.com

MARCH 14 ShamRock ’N Roll Road Race Whispering Pines Police Station, Whispering Pines 1 mile, 5k, 10k www.shamrocknrollrace.com

APRIL 24 Rock N' Run Southern Pines Brewing Co., Southernn Pines 5k www.runsignup.com

138 Love Thirty Lane, Pinehurst

$ 289,900 2BR / 2BA DESIGNER RENOVATION! Stunning decor & features. Gorgeous HW floors & Granite! 250 Sugar Gum Ln. #163, Pinehurst

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36 Woodland Circle, Foxfire Village

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2 Woodland Circle, Foxfire Village

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$ 375,000 4BR / 2.5BA NEW CONSTRUCTION! Custom Decorator features! Vaulted LR! Private 1/2+ Acre!

106 Pinnacle Court, West End

145 Duffers Lane, Southern Pines

$ 205,000 3BR / 2BA Single Level Neatly maintained Townhome! Convenient Cul-de-sac. LVT Wood Floors!

$ 368,331 4BR / 2BA SOLD! Downtown So. Pines! Charming Reno! 2100 +Sq. Ft. EZ commute! 227 Heather Lane, Southern Pines

$ 272,000 3BR / 2BA POPULAR HIGHLAND HILLS. Beautifully updated! Newer Roof, HVAC, Septic!

205 Pecan Lane, Aberdeen

$149,900 3BR / 2BA UNDER CONTRACT! Quick to Downtown Aberdeen! Great Backyard for Entertaining! 361 McLendon Hills Drive, West End

72 N Shamrock Drive, Foxfire Village

$ 509,000 4BR / 3.5BA PRICE IMPROVEMENT. 5+Acres & 5.8 miles of Equestrian Trails! Southern Living Style!

$ 340,000 4BR / 3.5BA UNDER CONTRACT!Beautiful Updates Throughout!Stunning Kitchen! 3-Car Garage!

TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU Aberdeen 102 W. South Street Seven Lakes 150 McDonald Street