Tidbits of Greater Ft. Lauderdale & Aventura - Vol 5, Issue 20

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LIGHT BULBS

by Janet Spencer On October 21, 1879, Thomas Edison invented the first light bulb of practical value when he discovered that carbonized cotton filaments would burn for 40 hours in a vacuum inside a glass bulb. Come along with Tidbits as we turn on the lights!

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LIGHT BULB FACTS See our ad on page 14

• Thomas Edison did not invent the light bulb. He merely improved it. The search for electric lighting had begun some fifty years before Edison ever sat down to work on the problem, but all methods either burned out too fast or emitted poisonous gasses.

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• In 1878 Edison promised that in six weeks he would solve the problem of the incandescent light. Fourteen weeks and 1,600 experiments later, he discovered that cotton thread that had been burned to ash was the best filament to use in the vacuum of a light bulb.

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• Edison subsequently invented the power plant and an electrical distribution system that made electricity widely available. The power company he started is General Electric. * SAVE OUR ENVIROMENT

• Filaments in modern incandescent light bulbs are made from a coiled thread of tungsten that's 21 inches long (53 cm) and half as thick as a human hair.

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LIGHT BULBS (continued):

• Today's light bulbs use a filament of tungsten because it's a strong metal that can withstand high temperatures without melting. It is heated to around 4,500 degrees F. (2,482 C). This high temperature makes the wire glow with heat. Tungsten comes from the Swedish language, with "tung" meaning heavy and "sten" meaning stone.

• Three-way light bulbs have two different filaments: one 50-watt filament and one 100-watt filament. They can be turned on individually or together to produce 150 watts.

• If there were any air inside the bulb, the filament would burn up. Most bulbs contain nitrogen and argon, which lengthen the life of the filament and prevent electricity from jumping around inside the bulb.

• Different kinds of modern day bulbs such as black light and ozone lamps are used for such things as detecting ringworm, revealing art forgeries, finding minerals and water underground, killing odors, and inducing chickens to lay more eggs.

STREETLIGHT FACTS • Vapor lamps use a gas rather than a wire to produce light.

Instead of heating up a wire, the gas is energized, giving off light. Mercury vapor gives off a blue light, and sodium vapor gives off a yellow light. Vapor lamps produce more light than incandescent bulbs and last up to 100 times longer.

• Fluorescent lights are a type of vapor lamp that use a combination of mercury and argon vapor. When electrical current passes through the vapor, it gives off ultraviolet light. The inside of the bulb is coated with phosphor, which lights up when struck by the ultraviolet light. Fluorescent lights are popular because they use 20% of the energy of incandescent bulbs, and produce 20% of the heat.

• Vapor lamps have some disadvantages. Sodium vapor lamps when used indoors can cause a variety of ills ranging from eye strain to nausea due to the absence of blue light. And fluorescent light has been implicated in some studies in which mice developed cancer more frequently when living under fluorescent light than those living under incandescent light.

• In a compact fluorescent bulb, electricity passes through a gas-filled tube and produces ultraviolet light which is absorbed by a phosphor coating on the inside of the tube which produces the visible light. Phosphor emits light in a narrow wavelength. If a CFL used only one type of phosphor, it would give off a single color. The solution is to use a variety of slightly different phosphors to produce a wide spectrum of light. This can be customized for different purposes, giving us the choice of "daylight", "soft white", "warm white" and other colors.

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• A 100-watt incandescent light bulb converts only 2.6% of its energy into visible light. The rest is converted to heat, which is why you'll burn yourself if you touch a light bulb that is turned on. Compact fluorescent bulbs are more efficient: they convert 7.7% of their energy into light, and the rest into heat. That may not seem like a lot, but it's almost three times as energy efficient as the incandescent.

LAVA LAMPS

• The most efficient commercial light bulbs are low pressure sodium lamps which convert 27% of their energy to light, but because they produce a harsh yellow color, they are not commonly used inside the home.

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• LEDs use 80% less energy than incandescents and last far longer because they have no filaments. An LED bulb in a newborn’s room would probably not have to be replaced until that child goes off to college. They generate no heat and contain no hazardous materials.

UP IN LIGHTS • In 1911 the first neon sign was patented. Neon is a colorless, odorless gas found in our atmosphere at a ratio of 1 part neon to 55,000 parts air. When concentrated in a glass tube, it conducts electricity and produces a red glow. The color can be changed by altering pressure or adding other gasses.

• If you would like to make your own neon tubes, here's the recipe: Simply liquefy a large quantity of air, and allow it to boil. Collect the first gasses that escape when it reaches boiling point. That will be a mixture of helium, neon, and nitrogen. Remove the nitrogen through chemical absorption, then chill the remaining mixture to -310 f. (-190 C) and pass it over charcoal, which will absorb the helium. Now heat the charcoal to recover the neon.

• What is a lava lamp made of? The moving blob is specially compounded wax, floating in a tube of mineral oil.

When heated by the 40-watt light bulb below, it expands and becomes less dense than the liquid it’s suspended in and starts to rise. At the top of the globe, the wax cools and begins to sink again.

• If you don't want bugs buzzing around your porch lights, use yellow light bulbs. Yellow is invisible to many insects so they won't be attracted to the light.

A WORLD RECORD • The world's oldest functioning light bulb is located at the fire department in Livermore, CA. It was installed in 1901. It's been lit ever since, and has been turned off only a handful of times, mostly accidentally, or when it was transferred to different locations. It's listed in "Guinness Book of World Records" and "Ripley's Believe It Or Not."

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Famous Canadians

WOODWARD & EVANS • Thomas Edison is credited with inventing the light bulb. However, two Canadians successfully produced and patented an electric filament lamp five years before Edison turned his mind to electric lighting.

• Medical student Henry Woodward lived next to Matthew Evans, who was a doorman at a hotel near where they lived in Toronto. They spent their spare time together and enjoyed performing amateur science experiments.

• One evening in 1873, they hooked up an induction coil to a primitive battery.

There was a spark at the contact post which intrigued them. It was bright enough to illuminate their entire work bench. They couldn't help but think that if they could confine that spark in a glass globe, they'd have a marvelous invention on their hands.

• Woodward and Evans reasoned that passing current through a high resistance filament would increase the temperature of the filament material and cause it to glow. They experimented with various types of filaments and discovered that a carbon rod worked best. They enclosed the carbon rod filament inside a glass tube which had originally been a boiler level indicator, then connected electrodes to both ends. Before testing their primitive light tube, Woodward and Evans replaced the air inside the tube with nitrogen to prevent the carbon rod from catching fire.

• Woodward and Evans took their contraption to Morrison's Brass Foundry in Toronto for testing. Evans recalled, “There were four or five of us sitting around a large table. Woodward closed the switch and gradually we saw the carbon become first red and gradually lighter and lighter in color until it beamed forth in beautiful light.”

• Encouraged by the results, they invested in a dynamo to power the lights. Woodward and Evans were subsequently granted patents in Canada and the U.S. for their incandescent light tube. Next, they went out to find investors so they could set up a company to supply electric lights to the public. And that's when they ran into trouble.

• They found some initial backers, but didn't bring in enough money to get the company off the ground. When they asked for additional funding from their investors, most of the original stockholders declined. When Evans and Woodward were publicly criticized for creating a "useless invention," funding evaporated and frustration set in.

• By 1879, Thomas Edison was experimenting with light bulbs and he discovered the patents that already existed.

He contacted Woodward and Evans and asked them if they would sell the American patent to him. They sold out for the sum of $5,000, which would be worth about $125,000 today. Six years later, Edison bought the Canadian patent as well.

• Edison was far better situated to commercialize and distribute the new invention.

Demand for electric lighting grew rapidly.

• Edison was also forced into business with chemist Joseph Swan, who had patented the same idea in Britain. Swan would not sell his patent, so Edison and Swan went into business together.

• Great inventions are often built on innovations by many people, inventors improving and expanding on advancements of others until a workable article is achieved. Edison’s incandescent light bulb is an example of that process, and it all began with a couple of Canadians.

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THOMAS EDISON • Thomas Edison had three months of schooling, which ended when he heard the teacher telling the inspector that he was addled. When he told his mom, it made her so mad that she told the teacher off and took him out of school. In spite of the lack of education, Edison patented over 1,000 inventions in his lifetime, averaging one new patent every two weeks during his adult life. In one four-year period, he averaged one patent every 5 days.

• Edison arrived penniless in New York City at the age of 22. He persuaded a friend to let him sleep in the office of the Gold Indicator Co., a stock-ticker firm. When the stock ticker broke down, Edison repaired it after everyone else failed. He improved the design, and when the president of the company asked him how much he wanted for the patents, he couldn't decide whether to ask for $5,000 or $3,000, so he said, "How much are you offering?" and the president said, "How would $40,000 strike you?" whereupon Edison replied, "Yes, I think that will be fair." He used the money to open his a workshop and begin his inventing career.

• The first invention he ever tried to sell was an electric vote-recording machine. He tried to sell it to Congress,

but was refused. When a congressional vote was taken orally, it took 45 minutes, which gave congressmen plenty of time to trade votes. A faster method of voting would cut down on the vote trading.

• In 1878 Thomas Edison was awarded a patent for the phonograph. He used a small metal cylinder covered with tin foil. He originally envisioned it as a business machine for dictation. This infuriated stenographers because they feared being put out of work. At first there was no way of duplicating the cylinders and performers had to repeat their renditions over and over in front of as many phonograph machines as could fit in the room.

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• On Oct. 28, 1922, hundreds of people gather around radios to hear the first-ever cross-country telephone broadcast of a college football game, played between the Chicago Maroons and the Princeton Tigers. The first live broadcast of a college football game didn't happen until 1924.

• It was President John F. Kennedy who defined happiness as "the full use of your powers along lines of excellence."

• Any novelty seeker planning a trip to Japan ought to include a trip to the town of Susami, home to the world's deepest underwater postbox. A scuba diver who would like to send a unique message should head to the local dive shop and buy a special water-resistant postcard, then use an oil-based marker to write the message.

On a dive off the town's coast, the diver can head down 30 feet to deposit the mail in a red postbox, which is checked every few days by a dive-shop employee. All the postcards are then taken to the local post office and sent on to the recipients.

• Considering the ever-increasing cost of postage, you might be surprised to learn that the U.S. Postal Service was free until 1863.

• On Nov. 1, 1512, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, one of Italian artist Michelangelo's finest works, is first exhibited to the public. Michelangelo's epic ceiling frescoes consist of nine panels devoted to biblical world history. The most famous of these is The Creation of Adam, a painting in which the arms of God and Adam are stretching toward each other.

• On Oct. 27, 1858, Theodore Roosevelt, the future 26th president of the United States, is born in New York City.

As president, he insisted on a strong navy, encouraged the construction of the Panama Canal and set aside land for America's first national parks and monuments.

• On Oct. 29, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson assured social activist Jane Addams that he had no intention of leading the U.S. into war; he was re-elected on the slogan "He Kept Us Out of War." By April 1917 Wilson delivered his war message to Congress and the U.S. entered World War I.

• On Oct. 31, 1961, five years after Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev denounced Stalinism, Joseph Stalin's embalmed body is removed from public display in Lenin's tomb in Moscow's Red Square. When Vladimir Lenin died in 1924, he was embalmed and placed in a mausoleum featuring glass casing.

• On Oct. 30, 1974, 32-year-old Muhammad Ali becomes the heavyweight champion of the world for the second time when he knocks out 25-year-old champ George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle." Seven years before, Ali had lost his title when the government accused him of draft-dodging.

• On Nov. 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signs a bill designating a federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., to be observed on the third Monday of January.

King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

an increase in diagnosis and treatment for pet anxiety.

• The condor is the largest flying land bird in the Western Hemisphere -- and one of the slowest in reproducing. The female lays only one egg every two years.

While that is good for pets, there is no "magic bullet" to quickly cure a dog of an anxiety disorder. Tara's vet can diagnose the problem, and can help you determine different ways to treat her.

• Those who study such things say that 20 percent of American men have spent at least one night in jail and that Napoleon Bonaparte was afraid of cats.

Medication can be a big help in easing anxiety symptoms, but you also want to look for causes of Tara's anxiety, and trigger points that set off her paw-chewing. Thunderstorms are one trigger; your leaving the house is another.

Thought for the Day: "The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work." -- Pablo Picasso (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

ARE DOGS GROWING MORE ANXIOUS? DEAR PAW'S CORNER: My small mixed-breed dog "Tara" has terrible anxiety, especially when I leave the house or during thunderstorms. I have to either put a cone on her or socks on her paws so she doesn't chew them bloody during these episodes. I hear from other friends that their dogs have anxiety issues as well. Is this problem on the rise? -- Sherri L, Kansas City, Mo. DEAR SHERRI: Evidence isn't clear that anxiety in dogs is rising, but there is a rise in the understanding and diagnosis of anxiety in pets by veterinarians. This has led to

There are a number of different techniques, both training or interaction, to turn off those triggers. While there's not room in this column to list them, do some quick research and look for dog training manuals that stress positive reinforcement. Ask the vet and your friends about local dog trainers or specialists who treat pet anxiety issues.

In evaluating such professionals, ask what therapies they use or are open to, and make sure they emphasize your role in working with Tara (owners have to put in the time with their dogs). Be circumspect about pet therapists who insist they have a single, one-size-fits-all solution for anxiety.

Send your questions or tips to ask@pawscorner.com. (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Recommended Reading "The Simpson Family History: A Celebration of Television's Favorite Family"

by Matt Groening (Abrams, $35) Reviewed by Larry Cox

fect way to mark the 25th anniversary of one of the most consistently entertaining, enlightening and inventive shows in the history of television.

It is almost impossible to imagine American pop culture without or before "The Simpsons." Since its debut in 1989, the animated cartoon has become one of the most influential forces in television and comedy history, and has broken records all along the way. For example, it is the longest-running primetime, scripted television series, and the Simpson family and the various characters from the series are recognized throughout the world.

As Groening points out, he has been doodling misshapen, bulgy-eyed cartoon characters with tragic overbites since the sixth grade. Thirty years ago, while occupying a studio bungalow on the 20th Century Fox lot in Los Angeles, he pitched his idea for a series of animated short films. Those first films eventually became 550 episodes spread over 26 seasons. This in addition to a hit feature film, a dozen video games, a couple of breakfast cereals and, of course, its place in our culture.

Matt Groening, the creator and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning series, has compiled an incredible book that is the last word in fan memorabilia.

Groening reveals all of the seminal events that turned this so-called average family into the pop-culture phenomenon it has become.

"The Simpson Family History" is, indeed, a celebration of television's favorite family. It is an absolute joy and chock full of art taken from the source. Light the anniversary candles, and let the party begin.

The large-format book is richly illustrated and the per-

(c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

1. Name the Ray Davies song released by Dave Berry in 1965.

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2. They started as the Four Lovers, Frankie Tyler, and the Topics. What name did they eventually settle on?

3. The Village People, in 1978. It was their second single.

3. Which group released "Macho Man"?

4. Bread.

4. Which group released "Let Your Love Go" in 1971?

5. "Karma Chameleon," by Boy George and Culture Club, in 1983. In an interview, Boy George explained the song, "If you don't act like you feel, then you get Karma-justice, that's nature's way of paying you back."

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: "Didn't hear your wicked words every day, And you used to be so sweet, I heard you say that my love was an addiction, When we cling our love is strong, When you go you're gone forever, You string along, you string along."

Answers 1. "The Strange Effect." Davies, a member of the Kinks, never released a studio recording of the song, but it can be found on live recordings.

2. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, naming themselves after a bowling alley. They went through 18 incarnations before settling on that.

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Tasty

Irreplaceable Pumpkin

of something new, yet remembered.

It's that time of the year when certain foods take the stage in a grand fashion. Fall ushers in a long season of iconic ingredients and homey, familiar dishes. Much has been said and written about and created with pumpkin. Maybe it's because this famous gourd is the very color of the changing landscape. It makes you wonder: Is there anything new under the brilliant orange skin of the pumpkin?

When it comes to our taste buds, fads seem to come and go. One minute we are gushing and gorging on a new sensation, and the next we're discarding it like an old pair of leg warmers. But pumpkins are like diamonds; they will forever be loved and treasured. Maybe it's because we don't feast on them all year long, so when their season returns, they bring to the table that wonderful combination

The pumpkin plant originated in Central America, but it has become tied to the history of our United States. We have a reverence for pumpkins that almost no other fruit or vegetable can claim. Most of us learned in school that pumpkins were introduced to early pilgrims by Native American Indians.

They roasted long strips of pumpkin flesh over an open fire. Pumpkin, prepared as we know it now, came about much later.

The very first incarnation of the pie loved by a whole nation was a hollowed-out pumpkin filled with milk, honey and spices, then roasted. From there the pumpkin went viral, and the myriad ways we've found to slip it into a dish boggles the imagination.

Pumpkin does seem to make everything better. It's good for you, and so versa-

tile that it can be used in both savory and sweet dishes, including soups, pastas, breads and desserts. Pumpkins provide a hefty source of vitamin A, as well as being one of the tastiest forms of fiber.

The beauty of the golden orange pumpkin is not only skin deep. That gorgeous color is an indicator of significant amounts of beta carotene, comparable to carrots, beets and sweet potatoes. Pumpkin seeds are rich in protein, minerals and fiber.

The seeds possess a rich buttery taste that lends itself well to pestos or salads, as a delicious candy brittle or as a crunchy snack when toasted and spiced.

So, ready, set, go -- get your pumpkin and start cooking!

www.peachesandprosciutto.com. Recipes may not be reprinted without permission from Angela Shelf Medearis.

Warm oil in a large pot.

Add onion and garlic and cook over medium heat until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.

plete with this healthful version of traditional pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin Soup

Add mustard seeds, turmeric, ginger, cumin, cinnamon, and salt and cook 2 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly.

•

Makes about 8 1-cup servings This sweet and creamy soup has just a hint of spiciness.

It can also be made with puréed winter squash, yams, or sweet potatoes in place of the pumpkin.

• • • • • • • • • •

Angela Shelf Medearis is an award-winning children's author, culinary historian and the author of seven cookbooks. Her new cookbook is "The Kitchen Diva's Diabetic Cookbook." Her website is www.divapro.com. Read Gina Harlow's blog about food and gardening at

• •

• •

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 2 cups water or Vegetable Broth (see recipe) 1 15-ounce can pumpkin 2 tablespoons maple syrup or other sweetener 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 cups fortified unsweetened soy or rice milk

•

• • •

Whisk in water or broth, pumpkin, syrup or other sweetener, and lemon juice. Simmer 15 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in non-dairy milk.

Transfer about 3 cups to a blender and purée until very smooth. Repeat with remaining soup.

Be sure to start on low speed and hold lid on tightly. Return to the pot and heat without boiling, until steamy.

Per 1-cup serving Source: Healthy Eating for Life for Children by Amy Lanou, Ph.D.; recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.

Pumpkin Pie Makes 8 servings Your holidays will be com-

• • • • •

1/2 cup sugar or other sweetener 4 tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 15-ounce can solid-pack pumpkin 1 tablespoon molasses 1 1/2 cups fortified soyor rice milk 1 9-inch Fat-Free Pie Crust or commercial pie crust

Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, mix sugar or other sweetener, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Blend in pumpkin, molasses, and non-dairy milk. Pour into crust and bake 15 minutes.

Reduce heat to 350°F and bake 45 minutes. Cool before cutting.

Source: Healthy Eating for Life for Children by Amy Lanou, Ph.D.; recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.

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HOLLYWOOD -- Robert Downey Jr., currently in "The Judge" with Robert Duvall, keeps postponing the start of "Sherlock Holmes 3." Director Guy Ritchie has signed Rachel McAdams and Jude Law to return, but Downey, who just finished shooting "The Avengers: Age of Ultron" as "Iron Man," has been trying to woo Jack Nicholson out of retirement for "Sherlock Holmes 3". But Jack is sticking to his vow, "I only want to do films that move people ... films about emotions and people."

A mutual friend told me, "Jack turned 77 in April and has cut down on partying and going out. We've been trying to get that Nicholson spark back, but so far he's resisted. Jack doesn't feel right about chasing women anymore." In fact, it was revealed in Vanity Fair magazine that he feels, "There were points in my life when I felt oddly irresistible to women. I'm not in that state now, which makes me sad." He added, "Now I don't have any hair below my sock line, and that means you're getting old, Jackie boy. It comes out of my ears instead. I mean, how many times have I slashed my earlobes?"

Optimistically he revealed, "I would love that one last romance, a real romance. I'm not very realistic about it happening, but I can't deny my yearning." All we can do is hope he finds a new challenge such as "Sherlock Holmes 3" or any film ... we miss you Jack! *** A reader wanted to know whatever happened to Karen Lynn Gorney, who played Tara Martin in "All My Children" and Stephanie to John Travolta's Tony Mane-

Q: I really like the new series on Hallmark called "Signed, Sealed, Delivered." Can you tell me when I can see a new season? -- Adele T., Clyde, Ohio

Jack Nicholson ro in "Saturday Night Fever"? Thirty-seven years later, Karen admits, "I've come to terms with the fact that I'll always be associated with Stephanie and 'Saturday Night Fever.' After she moved on from the whirlwind the film caused, she became a painter, managed a Manhattan art gallery, returned to "All My Children" on a recurring basis in the 1990s and did guest appearances on TV series.

Today Karen lives in upstate New York with her husband of 19 years, musician Mark Toback. I became friends with Karen when she and Richard Hatch (later Captain Apollo on "Battlestar Galactica" in 1978) were a supercouple on AMC. Today she's writing, performing and recording her own music (she's released three CDs).

For more info, contact her at karenlynngorney.com *** If you loved the 1965 film "Dr. Zhivago," which starred Omar Sharif and Julie Christie, then you'll be happy to know the musical version will follow "Cinderella" into The Broadway Theatre in April. As if New York isn't cold enough in April, they have to recreate a Siberian winter! (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

A: Alyssa -- who recently gave birth to daughter Elizabeth Dylan, who joins big brother Milo Thomas -- said in a recent statement: "After two wonderful seasons in Los Angeles, the studio has decided to shoot season three of 'Mistresses' in Vancouver, Canada, for financial reasons. It's with a heavy heart that I have decided that I can't relocate. I have two babies under 4. Being a mother and wife comes first, and I just cannot uproot my children and separate the family by moving away.

I will miss this job desperately and wish everyone the absolute best." ***

A: The comedic drama, which follows a group of postal workers who transform themselves into an untraditional team of detectives to track down intended recipients of undeliverable mail, is moving to Hallmark's sister channel, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. The show from "Touched by an Angel" executive producer Martha Williamson also is changing its format: It will return to TV as a movie franchise consisting of a series of twohour original films. Debuting on Nov. 23 at 9/8c, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas" will be the first movie in the franchise, with three more slated for 2015.

Returning as the "POstables" crew are Oliver O'Toole (Eric Mabius, "Ugly Betty"), Shane McInerney (Kristin Booth, "Orphan Black"), Rita Haywith (Crystal Lowe, "Smallville") and Norman Dorman (Geoff Gustafson "Primeval: New World").

According to Michelle Vicary, executive vice president of programming at Crown Media Family Networks, "At their core, the narratives on 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' revolve around mystery and suspense, with compelling characters and dramatic storylines that will be enhanced by an extended format." *** Q: I was happy to hear that "Mistresses" has been renewed for a third season, but sad to hear that Alyssa Milano won't return. Why did she leave the show? -- Eric G., via email

Q: I need some "White Collar" news! -- Patrick D., via email A: I have some good news for you, Patrick. The USA network's police drama, which was slated to return for its sixth and final season in early 2015, will be premiering Nov. 6 instead. So you can enjoy these last six episodes a little bit sooner than expected, and also begin the withdrawal/grieving process a little earlier as well. At least we'll always have the DVDs: As of Nov. 4, seasons one through five will be available for purchase at all major DVD and entertainment outlets. *** Q: Can you tell me if the following shows will be returning this season: "Trophy Wife," "Dads" and "Raising Hope"? -- Rachel R., via Facebook A: I am sorry to report that all three shows have been canceled. However, you can catch "Raising Hope" star Garret Dillahunt on Amazon's pilot "Hand of God" with Ron Perlman and Dana Delany, if that's any consolation.

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) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

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months, but they DON'T say to get rid of the old one.

There are plenty of good uses for it: in the bathroom and kitchen to clean around the sink, or for scrubbing stains after you dip it in pretreater. Just make sure you mark it well." -- V.E. in Washington • Use baking soda to clean your stainless steel sink. It is a mild abrasive and will remove gunk and make the sink shine.

• No apron? No problem. String a dishtowel around your waist using a belt, a bungee cord or a simple ribbon.

• "Want the smells of the season? Here's a great herbal tea that doubles as a whole-house fragrance: Combine one orange cut up, a cinnamon stick, a pinch of ground cloves and nutmeg with a few fresh cranberries and enough water to cover. Boil and waft. Then cool and drink! Happy fall." -- A.D. in New Hampshire • "Dentists say to replace your toothbrush every two

• For use when camping: Mix together your dry spices and carefully pour into a straw after folding over one end and securing with tape. Do the same to the other end to seal, and then just stick it in a plastic bag for use at the campsite. You can have many spices at hand without having to bring a bunch of jars.

• Here's a tip to preserve an arrangement of greens, maybe the last of the season for some of you: Spray with hairspray. Arrange and spray again. -- JoAnn

www.TidbitsFlorida.com • October 17, 2014 • 9 • Glass and chrome will shine if you clean them with newspaper. You can mist the paper with water first, but not too much. Rub … and the shine comes right out, plus no streaks or lint!

• Use purified water in your coffeemaker to lengthen its life. Water deposits build up and affect both the flavor and function of your machine. They can be cleaned, but it's much better if you use purified drinking water from a jug. It's very easy to fill the machine, too. -- M.E. in Wyoming • If you need to pick up small shards of glass, use a cotton ball that's been moistened, or a slice of white bread (insides only) wadded up.

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) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Here's how this works: Drug companies give copay coupons to entice you to buy their brand-name drugs instead of the generic that your drug plan offers. This is illegal, because it encourages people to purchase drugs that are paid for by a government health-care program, such as Medicare Part D.

AVOID DRUG COPAY COUPONS If clipping coupons keeps some money in our pockets, we're all for it. But there's one type of coupon you don't want to use: drug manufacturers' coupons to save you money on your drug-plan copays.

You see, it's illegal. It's part of the anti-kickback laws. And while the drug companies are the ones at fault, there's recent news that you, the coupon user, could be implicated if you use those coupons in conjunction with your Medicare Part D.

And why should you care (besides the fact that it's illegal)? Because in the end it will cost you money. Here's how: If you buy a drug that costs $100 with a $20 copay and use a coupon for $10, you pay only $10 out of pocket.

The Plan D program then pays the balance. However, the Part D plan might have a contract to purchase a generic of the drug for only $40. By purchasing the more-expensive drug with your $10 coupon, you've just made your Part D plan pay a larger amount. Ultimately your drugplan costs will go up ... as well as taxes.

How could you be implicated in this? Read the tiny print on the coupon itself. It might say that the coupon can't be used for drugs covered under a federal healthcare program. The information also might be buried on the drug company's website. If the company is caught, it will point to the small text it provided.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com. (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

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were "normal" for my age (which is 68). A vascular check was done, as my BP was different when taken in both arms, and they say that was normal also. A 24-hour heart monitor is yet to be read.

My doctor put me on Aggrenox 25/200. My mom had a stroke at 42 and passed away at 49, diagnosed as a thrombosis to her heart.

What is the next step? I am so anxious all the time, waiting for something to happen. -- L.C.

TIA Events Launch Search for Cause DEAR DR. ROACH: In the past six weeks, I have had five TIA events, ranging from a minute or so to six minutes. My symptoms are: a loss of control of my right leg, moving up to my right arm and fingers; and a loss of speech. I am aware and thinking during these episodes, although a little disoriented.

I was hospitalized after the last one and was given a CT scan, an MRI and many blood tests: All

ANSWER: "TIA" stands for "transient ischemic attack." It has the symptoms of a stroke, but by definition lasts less than 24 hours. The symptoms you are describing are in the distribution of the middle cerebral artery in the left hemisphere of the brain. This could be caused by a blockage in the artery or, less likely, by an embolism (a small blood clot or cholesterol going to that part of the brain).

Your doctor has done a lot of things right, as best I can tell. The MRI scan you had also might have included an MRA (magnetic resonance angiography), which is a special form of MRI that looks specifically at the blood vessel. I am

2007 to 2012. The majority of elementary school students attended schools that used products like pizza as rewards, and almost one-third of high school students were offered fast food in the cafeteria at least once per week.

Marketing Junk Food Still Prevalent in Schools Exposure to junk food is still a problem in schools, according to a study published earlier this year in JAMA Pediatrics.

Researchers analyzed questionnaires completed by school administrators as part of the Food and Fitness study and the Youth, Education, and Society study. Profits from vending machines, advertising, and fastfood options in schools all increased from

Researchers stress the dangers of these methods and call for higher standards for nutritional content in school marketing.

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Childhood Obesity Increases Risk of Heart Disease in Adulthood Heart disease in adults begins in childhood, according to an article published in this month’s issue of the Journal of the Amer-

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not sure about the vascular check you had, but I would suspect it might have been an echocardiogram, especially one that looks at the aortic arch, where emboli sometimes form, as well as a look at the blood vessels in the neck with a Doppler ultrasound. An echo done through the esophagus may be better at spotting problems than one done through the chest.

Aggrenox is a combination of aspirin and dipyridamole, which make the platelets less "sticky" and reduce the risk of a blood clot and stroke.

It's a reasonable choice to prevent further TIA and stroke. Some authorities recommend a statin to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.

ANSWER: A CT (computerized tomography) scan uses X-rays to create an image that looks like a slice through the body, head or a limb.

The quality of the picture is excellent, but it has much more radiation than a regular X-ray. An MRI uses powerful magnetic waves to create an image that also looks like a slice. It uses no radiation. CT scans are cheaper and faster, in general. One isn't necessarily "better" than the other. MRI tends to be better for looking at soft tissues, like the brain, and CT usually is better for looking at bones. Your doctor, or the consulting radiologist, can tell you which is more likely to be better in your individual situation.

***

*** Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med. cornell.edu. To view and order health pamphlets, visit www.rbmamall.com, or write to P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

DEAR DR. ROACH: What is the difference between a CT scan and an MRI? -- B.

(c) 2014 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

ican College of Cardiology. As part of the Bogalusa Heart Study, researchers tracked the blood pressure and body mass index (a measure of weight adjusted for height) of 1,061 participants from childhood for an average of 28 years. Those who were overweight and had higher blood pressure had a greater risk of heart enlargement, which may lead to heart disease as adults. This study calls for lifestyle changes early in life to prevent heart disease risk factors.

whose mothers ate the least, according to a new study in this month’s American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers followed the offspring of 684 pregnant participants for an average of 20 years and found that the females were more than three times as likely to be overweight and the males more than twice as likely to be overweight when the mothers ate the most animal protein during pregnancy.

Finally, something that's easy for me to say but hard to do: relax. Being anxious all the time isn't good for you. It sounds like your doctor is doing the right things and that you are on a good medication to prevent further problems.

Animal Protein Exposure During Gestation May Lead to Overweight Adulthood Children whose mothers ate the most animal protein during pregnancy were more likely to become overweight in adulthood, compared with children

Join the Physicians Committee and receive the quarterly magazine, Good Medicine.

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www.TidbitsFlorida.com • October 17, 2014 • 11

Derek Jeter players who caught a touchdown pass in 17 or more seasons. Name the other two.

4. The San Francisco Dons, in 1956, became the third school to win back-to-back NCAA men's basketball championships. Name the first two to do it.

5. Who holds the record for most career shutouts by a St. Louis Blues goalie?

6. Which country's men's soccer team has reached three World Cup finals without winning one?

By Chris Richcreek 1. How many times did Coach Ron Fraser take the University of Miami baseball team to the College World Series during his 30-year career?

7. Who was the last French bicyclist to win the Tour de France?

4. Oklahoma A&M (1945-46) and Kentucky (1948-49).

Answers

5. Jaroslav Halak, with 20 shutouts (2010-14).

1. Twelve times, winning it all twice (1982, '85).

6. The Netherlands (1974, '78, 2010).

2. Who holds the major-league career record for most outfield assists?

2. Tris Speaker, with 449.

7. Bernard Hinault, in 1985.

3. In 2013, Atlanta's Tony Gonzalez joined two other NFL

3. Irving Fryar (17 seasons) and Jerry Rice (19 seasons).

surprise hit about June, give or take. That's when our intelligence operatives were suddenly amazed that a huge force, thousands of well-equipped and -financed brutal Sunni fanatics, had somehow assembled without raising meaningful alarms and were marauding wherever they wanted in Iraq and Syria. Surrrpriiise!

That was just after Vladimir Putin astonished our befuddled national-security folks with his invasion of Crimea.

Oh, the hand-wringing that has caused.

October Surprise Bites the Dust For the election geeks who are waiting for this year's campaign October surprise, give it up. Another tradition bites the dust.

For those who don't eat, sleep and breathe politics, first of all, congratulations -- and in case you need it, an explanation: The October surprise was the predictable startling development or scandal, timed by one side or the other to explode into public view in the last days before the election. It would dominate the headlines and be all that the voters would be thinking of as they headed to the polls.

Unfortunately, the October surprise may have become obsolete. Surprises just can't wait anymore. They startle us every day of the year, certainly every month. The ISIL

Of course, there are those sudden crises that can't fairly be blamed on incompetence or someone's cynical desire to promote a candidate or agenda. Obviously, the Ebola scourge that is still spreading is a case in point. The fact that we aren't confident in the assurances that it isn't contagious except by direct contact or that it can be contained here reflects a well-deserved skepticism about our various institutions, public and private, that has infected our society as a whole.

It's much like the fence jumper who recently got inside the White House and has wreaked havoc with the Secret Service by exposing a lot of dirty laundry about an agency we wanted to believe was solidly heroic but apparently is as bumbling as the rest of us.

What's really become a surprise is the discovery that someone or other is fulfilling the assignment he or she was paid to do. Even the finest political manipulator couldn't have arranged for a Hurricane Sandy to spread her destruction in the days before the 2012 election.

But it sure affected the results. The impression that

(c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

the Obama administration was competently doing its job in the days after the storm and the fact that a Republican governor, Chris Christie, was saying so turned Mother Nature's surprise into a cakewalk at the polls. On the other side of the ledger, the Bush administration's economic collapse in 2008 just before the election and the confused reaction to it from GOP candidate John McCain most likely propelled Barack Obama into the White House the first time around.

So, we may be making too much of the contrived October surprise where some oh-so-clever operative creates a sensation that catapults a candidate to Election Day success.

Let's face it: Most of these significant moments simply happen. The guys who pull the strings in the races are just as likely to get tangled up as the rest of us. The truth is, there's probably just one thing that we can believe in, and that's a healthy disbelief. Which, by now, is no surprise. (c) 2014 Bob Franken Distributed by King Features Synd.

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A: If the standing water around the vases hasn't buckled the wood, you should be able to deal with the stains without too much effort.

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If once the wood has dried, a white water stain is still evident, then water likely stained the floor's finish. This is easier to deal with. Heat up a clothes iron (use a "no steam" setting and empty out all the water from the holding tank). Place a dry, lint-free white cloth over the stained area. Rub the iron over the cloth for two or three seconds, then lift the cloth away to check the spot.

Another method for white stains is to drench a super-fine steel wool pad with lemon oil, then gently rub the white marks with the pad to buff out the stain without scratching the finish.

However, if the stains are dark, then water likely penetrated through the finish and into the hardwood itself.

This is more complex, particularly if your floor was installed in the past few years. Older hardwood floors seem to handle water staining and refinishing better.

Newer floors not only don't handle water so well, but also have to be cleaned or repaired more carefully. Contact a flooring professional if you're not sure.

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To get to this type of stain you will need to sand away the finish -- being careful not to sand the wood itself -- and then try to lighten the stain. The most common recommendation is to carefully apply a 50-50 solution of water and bleach, or a professional wood bleach, directly to the stain using an old toothbrush. Use only a small amount (you may want to test it on one of the less-conspicuous stains), blot up any excess and let dry.

Repeat until the color matches the rest of the wood again, then let it dry for a couple of days before gently sanding, applying wood stain (if necessary) to finish matching the surrounding floor, and refinishing the damaged spots.

As to who should pay for the repair, I'll leave that to you and the roommate to figure out. At the very least, this should be a lesson that water and wood floors don't mix.

HOME TIP: To keep a hardwood floor looking good, put furniture legs onto protective pads or "coasters" to keep them from gouging the finish. Dust mop at least once a week and wipe up spills immediately.

Send your questions or home tips to ask@thisisahammer.com. (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Instead, consider some extra-value toys, the ones that engage a child and don't depend on battery life.

TOYS THAT AREN'T ON THE HOT LIST If children are on your holiday shopping list, you naturally hope you can find gifts that will surprise and delight them.

To do that, you might be hoping you can find the latest and greatest toys of the season, the

ones every kid allegedly wants.

But don't limit your ideas to what's advertised on television or in sales flyers. If you search online for the hot toys of 2014, you'll see as many different lists as there are stores that sell toys.

• Building kits come in all types -- ships, airplanes, vehicles -- and range from "apprentice" skill level to experienced. Many come with pre-cut wood. If you're not familiar with kits, check reviews online. Some companies have been in business a long time, and their kits are known for being complete and authentic. Look also for Lincoln logs and Erector sets with motors. Consider miniature car makers, as well as structure builder kits (see Keva Structures).

• Art kits: Check the contents to see if the child you're buying for would enjoy using what's provided. You might instead choose to put together your own kit with paper, paints, brushes, colored pencils, charcoal and other things the little artist is interested in. Consider looms and jewelry makers.

• For toddlers, go with activity toys that require the child to do something other than just watch them move. Check kitchens with food and appliances; age-appropriate musical instruments like drums, pianos and tambourines; educational toys that help with colors and counting.

• Don't forget physical activity.

Scooters, bicycles, skates, basketballs and hoops will all get your child moving.

• Books: Make reading a challenge and step up a grade when you buy books. Look for a book series and buy the first one or two. If your child wants to continue, you'll know just what to buy next. Look for books on topics of interest.

Check with your reference librarian for ideas.

• Games: Introduce the classics.

If you don't know where to start in buying toys that aren't on the hot list, try www.toyportfolio.com for reviews on toys, books, audio and video, broken down by age group and ratings. There's also a section on products that can be adapted for children with special needs.

Remember: The best toys are kid-powered.

David Uffington regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply3@gmail.com. (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

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quality time together. Getting fresh air, even when the temperature dips or the rain starts to fall, provides bodies with a healthy dose of oxygen that does the whole family good.

Five fun things to do after taking a neighborhood walk with kids:

EXPLORE THE STREETS WHERE YOU LIVE Come Saturday morning, when parents Catrina and Jon Huynh-Weiss and 5-year-old son Sander set out on foot to taste cinnamon rolls at the local bakery, return library books and pick up home-repair supplies, the active family always takes the long way home.

"We hit our stride and celebrate community by opening our eyes to its unique features and meeting the people who live here," said busy mom Catrina. "It's relaxing and invigorating to meander in different directions each time we're out."

They're open to surprises, whether spotting an owl high in a tree or discovering something new at Sander's eye level. Like the enchanting fairy garden in front of Laurie Bushbuam and Michael Altmann's home, created just for young, pint-size pedestrians to enjoy.

"Since that morning when the garden in miniature caught Sander's eye, he has struck up a friendship not only with the friendly couple whose own children are grown, but also with 'Oakley,' the resident fairy," said Catrina. "They exchange little notes and small tokens, such as a seashell, from time to time. It's delightful!"

1. Sketch a portrait of someone you met, and label it with their name. Or, draw a picture of the coolest, most unusual or silliest thing you saw. Over time, put the art together in a homemade book.

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2. Craft nature finds. Pinecones, acorns, leaves and sticks can be transformed into twig trees, elves and fairies with glue, pipe cleaners and bits of fabric and feathers. Use as the centerpiece for your dinner table.

3. Imagine how the surroundings might look different when the December holidays and winter come around.

4. At suppertime, talk about the best part of the neighborhood walk. Name five things you are grateful for in your community.

5. At bedtime, make up a story about your "neighborhood walk" adventure. Start with the details of what you saw, and turn it into a fantasy.

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