of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #46 Nov. 13th 2017Issue #15 April 6th 2020 of Kootenai County, Idaho
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TIDBITS® WATCHES STAR WARS
by Janet Spencer Come along with Tidbits as we reminisce over “Star Wars”! STAR WARS FACTS • George Lucas was the genius behind “Star Wars.” His success with “American Graffiti” in 1973 earned him the backing of 20th Century Fox, which put up the money to turn out the first Star Wars film. The movie was four years in the making, with scenes being shot in Tunisia, Death Valley, California, and on sound stages in England. It was released in May of 1977, initially showing up in only 42 theaters across the U.S. It earned $3 million in its first week and had grossed $100 million by the end of the summer. • The film, initially entitled simply “Star Wars,” eventually spawned a trilogy of trilogies released at intervals over the next 42 years. Afterwards, the original film was re-named “Star Wars: A New Hope.” • The famous floating text that opens the movie “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away” was filmed by placing 2-foot-wide die cut yellow letters over a 6-foot-long black paper background with a camera making a slow pass over the top of them to mimic the crawl. The entire process took three hours. • Darth Vader only appears for 12 minutes of screen time but is one of the most instantly recognizable villains of all time. (cont)
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #15 April 6th 2020
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STAR WARS (cont) • Darth Vader was played by four men. The onscreen body of Vader was bodybuilder David Prowse; the stunt double was professional fencer Bob Anderson; the voice was James Earl Jones; and the de-helmeted face of Vader in “Return of The Jedi” was Sebastian Shaw. • David Prowse’s Bristol accent was inappropriate for a master villain. George Lucas wanted Orson Welles as the voice of Darth Vader, but dropped the idea because he thought Welles’ voice was too recognizable. • They initially wanted a well-known movie star like Laurence Olivier or John Gielgud to be the face that is revealed behind the mask, but later thought it’d be better if Vader turned out to be a nondescript person. Stage actor Sebastian Shaw was not a widely known face. • David Prowse turned down the role of Chewbacca. When given the choice between portraying the two characters, Prowse said, “I turned down the role of Chewbacca at once. I know that people remember villains longer than heroes. At the time I didn’t know I’d be wearing a mask, and throughout production I thought Vader’s voice would be mine.” • James Earl Jones was so sure the film would be a flop that he refused to allow his name to be published on the original credits. • A big hint that Darth Vader is Luke’s father comes from the fact that the Dutch word for “father” is “vader.” • The original Chewbacca costume was made using real yak and rabbit hair, hand knitted into a base of mohair from Angora goats. It was very hot, so when a new costume was created for “Revenge of the Sith,” a watercooling system was included. This costume was only used for one day of shooting. • Peter Mayhew was chosen to play Chewbacca because of his tremendous height: He was 7 feet 3 inches tall. Mayhew was working as an orderly at a hospital when he was cast. (cont)
By JoAnn Derson • If you’re able to, fold and hang clothing straight from the dryer. The warmth of a cycle can set wrinkles that occur from being stuffed into a laundry basket. • “I really abhor bar soap, but my husband prefers it. After cleaning the soap dish, I smear it with petroleum jelly. I do the underside too. There’s a little lip that will keep the soap from sliding off, but the petroleum jelly keeps the inevitable sludge from sticking to the soap dish, making my cleaning routine much easier!” -- A.D. in Idaho • For maximum effectiveness, spray, then wait, then wipe. Spray cleaners need contact time to both cut through grime and to kill germs. Give surfaces a light mist, then wait up to 10 minutes before wiping clean. • To make an avocado rose as a garnish, place half an avocado cut side down and slice. Fan the slices out into a long line, then wrap around into a spiral shape. • Chef’s secret: If you sprinkle salt from 12-14 inches above the food you’re seasoning, it’s called “raining,” and it helps the salt crystals to distribute evenly across the food’s surface. Plus it will make you look cool. • “If your pup has an upset stomach, you can try giving him kefir. It’s packed with probiotics and is especially good if Fido is on antibiotics or has a yeast problem. Not too much. Just a tablespoon as a treat once a day.” -B.T. in Texas Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #15 April 6th 2020 STAR WARS (cont) • Although Chewbacca was more animal than human, the studio execs weren’t happy about the fact the Wookiee was essentially naked. Sketches were submitted depicting the Wookiee wearing lederhosen, culottes, and baggy shorts. The plan was scrapped. • Yoda was originally supposed to be portrayed by a real monkey wearing a mask. Fortunately, a monkey expert who had worked with apes for the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey” pointed out, “Look, the monkey’s just going to pull off the mask over and over again. It’s never going to work.” Instead, George Lucas approached Muppet master Jim Henson, who was busy with other projects. Henson suggested Frank Oz for the job. Oz, who had previously provided the voice of Miss Piggy, accepted the challenge. The puppet was so lifelike, in fact, that director Irvin Kershner often gave it directions instead of puppeteer Frank Oz. After the release of “The Empire Strikes Back,” George Lucas lobbied for Oz to get an Oscar nomination for his performance, but he was ultimately disqualified for consideration when it was ruled that puppeteers aren’t actors. • The film won a special-achievement Academy Award for accomplishments in sound, and it revolutionized the motion picture industry with its advancements in special effects. Some of the most famous sound effects include: • The humming of a light saber is actually a mixture of the noises from an old tube TV and a film projector. • The pew-pew-pew of a blaster was achieved by banging on a long steel cable. • The sound of the TIE fighters was a combination of an elephant call with a car driving on wet tarmac. (cont)
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® of Idaho TIDBITS of Kootenai Issue #15 April 6th 2020 TidbitsCounty, Dallas County STAR WARS (cont) • Peter Cushing, who portrayed Grand Moff Tarkin, was given a pair of costume boots that were too tight and painful to wear. Since other boots weren’t available, the problem was solved by filming Cushing only from the waist up while he wore bedroom slippers. • Named by some as the most expensive puppet in the world, the $500,000 Jabba the Hutt model required seven people to bring to life. • In the first draft of the script, Luke Skywalker was called Luke Starkiller. • Carrie Fisher (5’1”) often had to stand on a box while filming with Harrison Ford (6’1”) so she was caught in the shot. • John Williams composed the score, and to this day it remains the highest-grossing nonpopular music recording of all time. • The final victory song sung by the Ewoks at the end of “Jedi” was written by Joseph Williams, lead singer of Toto (“Africa”) and son of John Williams. • The phrase, “I have a bad feeling about this,” initially spoken by Princess Leia in the trash compactor, is spoken in every Star Wars movie. • To create the visual effect of Luke Skywalker using the Force to grab his lightsaber, Mark Hamill was asked to throw it across the set, and then the film was reversed. • As a joke, R2D2 appears in a “Star Trek” movie, drifting by the starship Enterprise in a debris field. • AT-AT actually stands for All Terrain Armored Transport. • The Ewoks were named after a Native American tribe, the Miwok, indigenous to the Redwood forest that served as Endor in “Return of the Jedi.” • The budget for “Star Wars” was $13 million in 1977. The budget for the “The Last Jedi” was $250 million in 2017.
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By Lucie Winborne • A World War I homing pigeon saved 194 men by delivering a message despite losing a leg and an eye, and having been shot through the chest. • Before settling on the Seven Dwarfs we know today, Walt Disney also considered the names Chesty, Tubby, Burpy, Deafy, Hickey, Wheezy and Awful. • A study showed that customers in a bookstore were 3.48 times more likely to peruse romantic books if the store smelled of chocolate, and 5.93 times more likely to buy them! • Gaius Julius Caesar arrived in the world on July 13, 100 B.C., but contrary to popular belief, it’s unlikely that the future Roman emperor was born by caesarean section. Although the procedure existed at the time, it was usually fatal to the mother and therefore only performed when a pregnant woman was dead or dying, in an effort to save the child. Caesar’s mother, Aurelia, lived until 54 B.C. -- nearly half a century after her son’s birth. • While the technique of flattening fabrics with hot pieces of metal was introduced in ancient China, the first actual ironing board (then called an ironing table) was not invented until 1858, in New York. • The Christmas song “Silver Bells” was originally called “Tinkle Bells” until co-composer Jay Livingston’s wife informed him that “tinkle” had another meaning. • Future president Herbert Hoover was Stanford’s football team manager -- a decision the school might have questioned when, at the first Stanford-Cal game in 1892, he forgot to bring the ball. • Martial arts legend Bruce Lee was a cha-cha dance champion, winning a competition in Hong Kong in 1958. • The lifespan of a taste bud is just 10 days. Thought for the Day: “Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” -- Hans Christian Anderson
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Easy Banana Bread
I don’t know about you, but I don’t think you can EVER have too many banana bread recipes! And this one is about as easy as they get. 1/2 cup fat-free sour cream Sugar substitute to equal 1/2 cup, suitable for baking 1 cup mashed ripe bananas 1 egg or equivalent in egg substitute 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat biscuit baking mix 1/4 cup chopped walnuts 1. Heat oven to 350 F. Spray a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with butter-flavored cooking spray. 2. In a large bowl, combine sour cream, sugar substitute, mashed bananas, egg and vanilla extract. Add baking mix and walnuts. Mix well to combine. Spread batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 3. Place pan on a wire rack and let set for 5 minutes, Remove bread from pan and continue cooling on wire rack. Cut into 8 thick slices. Serves 8. Freezes well. * Each serving equals: 148 calories, 4g fat, 4g protein, 24g carb., 290mg sodium, 1g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1/2 Fruit, 1/2 Fat. (c) 2020 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
10/10/19 5:25 PM
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TIDBITS ofTidbits Kootenai® County, Idaho Issue #15 April 6th 2020 of Dallas County
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By Dr. Holly Carling
IN SEARCH OF A HEALTHY PREGNANCY There is an epidemic today of problems with childbirth. Infertility is at an all-time high. Morning sickness is so prevalent that women are now being told it is normal and a sign of a healthy pregnancy. Congenital defects, learning disorders, and behavioral disorders are increasing. Post-partum depression is on an upswing. Diseases once reserved for the elderly (such as diabetes and cancer) are becoming more and more common in infancy and early childhood. What is going on? If we had this many health issues back in Adam and Eve's day, man would probably have ceased to exist! There are many factors that contribute to these issues, but first and foremost, it is because of poor nutrition. In the past and even today in the more remote villages, pregnancy wasn't just something that happened. It was planned for. The woman was prepared by eating "sacred foods" - super-nutrient foods that would build her up and prepare her for creating a healthy baby. They recognized the increased nutritional needs that pregnancy demands, so she continued to eat these super-foods during pregnancy as well. Not only does the woman need nutrients for her normal, everyday function, but she now needs the nutrients to build a complete, fully functional, intelligent human being. In addition, she has to meet the increased physiological, chemical, and structural demands of the pregnancy alone.
Way too many women go into pregnancy already depleted nutritionally. They are not healthy to start with. Add the increased demand of pregnancy, and it's no wonder there are so many problems. It is estimated that one in 6 couples now have problems with infertility. Cited as suspicious in this dismaying infertility rate is chemicals in our foods, and environment, abundance of sugars and other non-nutritive drinks and foods and simultaneous lack of nutrient density in the foods that are consumed, certain medications, smoking, alcoholism, hormonal imbalances, and others. Another factor that may contribute to all these issues, are women having babies too close together. According to Catherine Shanahan, M.D. in her book "Deep Nutrition" (as well as other sources), women need at least 2 years between babies in order to replenish her body of the nutrients stolen from her reserves for a developing baby. The second baby gets second best nutrition because of the lack of reserves. This affects fetal development in many ways. A woman needs to be in extraordinary health to have a healthy baby, not just-getting-by health. She needs to have adequate bone building materials like absorbable calcium and other minerals, fats needed for healthy brain function, good adrenal health which is generally a significant factor in morning sickness, an abundance of protein, vitamins and other nutrients. Eating super-nutrient foods such as organ meats, fish, lots of green-leafy vegetables, wholesome, farmfresh milk, and organic beans and legumes is a good start. Remember, this is more than just having a baby.
Dr. Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with over three decades of experience. Dr. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’ Alene clinic. Visit Dr. Carling’s website at www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about Dr. Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Dr. Carling can be reached at 208-765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Issue505-0674 #15 April 6th 2020 For Advertising CallIdaho (334)
VA to Suspend Schools That Abuse GI Bill
The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to stop the enrollment of veterans under the GI Bill at a number of universities due to “erroneous, deceptive, or misleading” practices involving enrollment, advertising and sales. The Federal Trade Commission and various state attorneys general took a close look over the past five years and determined that the schools’ actions were in violation of U.S. laws. The enrollment suspensions begin on May 9, 2020. Those schools with suspended GI Bill certifications include: Bellevue University, Temple University, University of Phoenix, Colorado Technical University and American InterContinental University. Current students can stay in their programs if they have been continuously enrolled, but the schools won’t be allowed to give enrollment certifications to new students or any student who is coming back after a break. The schools have 60 days to take corrective action and provide proof of that to the VA, should they want to fight the suspensions. The VA isn’t the only entity that could take steps. Individual state departments that approve the courses might take actions of their own. If a state steps forward and withdraws approval for courses, the VA would no longer pay benefits to enrolled students who choose to continue. At the end of a five-year investigation, in August 2019, Career Education Corp. (parent company of Colorado Technical University and American InterContinental University) paid $30 million to settle charges levied by the FTC that it claimed to be affiliated with or recommended by the U.S. military or could help with job searches. In December 2019, the FTC went after Phoenix University to the tune of $191 million for deceptive advertising aimed at military and Hispanic students, and false impressions of jobs at major companies such as Microsoft and Twitter. Current GI Bill recipients have been notified by the VA. For more information, contact the VA’s Education Call Center at 888-442-4551. (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
1. MOVIES: Which 1980s hit movie was originally titled “When I Grow Up”? 2. BIBLE: Which book of the Bible has the most chapters? 3. MYTHOLOGY: What were the original names of our moon, according to the Romans and Greeks? 4. TELEVISION: What was the name of the president in the TV drama “The West Wing”? 5. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president and first lady hosted the first Easter egg roll on the White House lawn? 6. GEOLOGY: What is the most common volcanic rock? 7. GEOGRAPHY: Which range of mountains provides a boundary between the continents of Europe and Asia? 8. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a baby swan called? 9. LITERATURE: In which 20th-century novel does the character of Nick Carraway appear? 10. HISTORY: Which treaty ended World War I? Answers 1. “Big” 2. Psalms, 150 3. Luna to Romans, and Selene to Greeks 4. Josiah Bartlet 5. Rutherford and Lucy Hayes 6. Basalt 7. Ural Mountains 8. A cygnet 9. “The Great Gatsby” 10. The Treaty of Versailles (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
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ForofAdvertising 505-0674 TIDBITS Kootenai County,Call Idaho(334) Issue #15 April 6th 2020 COUCH THEATER VIDEO/DVD PREVIEWS
PHOTO: Scene from “1917” Photo Credit: Universal/Dreamworks “1917” (R) -- This riveting first-person war story by celebrated director Sam Mendes centers around two British lance corporals, Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Schofield (George MacKay), who are sent across enemy territory to halt the advance of a division of British soldiers after it’s discovered that a German retreat is a ruse. With communication lines cut, the division is almost certainly marching into oblivion if they don’t get through. In the thick of war, through the dead of night and with almost no time in which to complete this impossible feat, the two soldiers set out with singular, unwavering focus, most especially because one of the advancing soldiers is Blake’s brother. Filmed as one continuous take, the action never relents and feels very personal, almost as if you are the third member of the team. “Clemency” (R) -- Prison warden Bernadine Williams (Alfre Woodard) dispassionately follows the letter of the law when it comes to fulfilling her Death Row duties. It’s the only way, however ineffective, to separate herself from the actions she must take. But as the latest execution hour approaches, new evidence may be coming to light for the prisoner (Aldis Hodge), while the pressure of Bernadine’s position is palpable. It’s the ultimate powerlessness of one who holds the ultimate power over another’s life. This movie is deep and dark, and full of tremendous performances, most especially Woodard, but also Hodge and Richard Schieff as the defense attorney. “The Song of Names” (PG-13) -- On the cusp of World War II, young Martin’s family takes in a Polish Jew immigrant boy named Dovidl -- a prodigy on the violin whose family has sent him to London in order to further his musical education. He lives and thrives as a virtuoso until the day of his first major concert, when he disappears without a trace. Martin (Tim Roth) took him for a brother and never forgets. Years later, a clue emerges that sets him on a journey to discover the truth of what happened to Dovidl, and where he ended up. DOG OF THE WEEK “The Grudge” (R) -- A sidecar sequel in the “Grudge” family of films, 2020’s offering is a string of stories connected to 44 Reyburn Drive, which is possessed by the ghost of Kayako Saeki (a character originating in the Japanese Ju-on franchise). A young mother kills her family. A woman with dementia relies on her unrealistic but adoring husband. A police officer winds up in a sanitarium with half a face just for setting foot inside the house. A real estate agent ends up taking his work home with him. There’s a lot to work with, but somehow, this is nothing more than ho-hum horror with terrible writing. (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
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® of Idaho TIDBITS of Kootenai IssueCounty #51 Dec. 16th 2019 TidbitsCounty, Dallas
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• On April 14, 1818, Noah Webster, a Yaleeducated lawyer with an avid interest in language and education, publishes his American Dictionary of the English Language. Webster’s dictionary was one of the first to include distinctly American words, introducing more than 10,000 “Americanisms.” • On April 13, 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is officially incorporated in New York City. The city stipulated that the collection be kept open to the public year-round and free of charge. The first object the Met acquired was a Roman sarcophagus. • On April 16, 1881, on the streets of Dodge City, famous Western lawman and gunfighter Bat Masterson fights his last gun battle. He would live another 40 years. Masterson had his first shootout in 1876 in Texas over the affections of a dance hall girl named Molly Brennan. • On April 19, 1897, John J. McDermott of New York wins the first Boston Marathon, a measured distance of 24.5 miles from the Irvington Oval in Boston to Metcalf’s Mill in Ashland. The marathon’s distance was changed in 1908 to its current length of 26 miles 385 yards. • On April 17, 1945, U.S. Lt. Col. Boris T. Pash commandeers over half a ton of uranium at Strassfut, Germany, in an effort to prevent the Soviets from developing an A-bomb. Pash headed a group searching for German scientists to prevent the Soviets from capturing them. • On April 15, 1959, new Cuban leader Fidel Castro visits the United States. President Dwight Eisenhower, however, had no intention of meeting with the communist revolutionary and instead went to the golf course. • On April 18, 1983, the U.S. embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, is almost completely destroyed by a suicide car-bomb explosion that kills 63 people, including 17 Americans. The terrorist attack was carried out in protest of the U.S. military presence in Lebanon. (c) 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
TIDBITS Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #15 April 6th 2020 ForofAdvertising Call (334) 505-0674
By Matilda Charles
Do You Dare to Go on Your Vacation? You budgeted all winter, building up the cash that would take you on vacation this summer. And now all your plans are in doubt. Now we have the coronavirus rampaging around the globe, with more cases popping up in more countries on a daily basis. Do you dare to still go on your vacation? To help make a decision about whether go, first stay current on the general facts: • Keep an eye on the advisory levels on the U.S. State Department website [travel.state. gov]. More and more countries have been added to the list of places where it warns people not to travel. • Stay updated on locations of coronavirus cases here in the U.S. Watch the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s travel notices [wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices]. Watch the airlines, if you’d planned to fly. More flights to more areas are being canceled every day. Then take a close look at your individual situation: • If you’re over the age of 65 (or planning to travel with someone who is) or if there is already a health condition, consider whether travel is worth the risk of being exposed to the virus. Seniors are hit the hardest by the effect of the coronavirus and have a heightened risk of contracting it as well as pneumonia. • Do your plans involve being in crowds at tourist sites, with pathogens that are spread through the air? Are you prepared to be put in a quarantine situation if you test positive and have no symptoms? The biggest question is this: If you do go on your intended trip, could you relax and enjoy yourself? Or would you be worried the whole time about being exposed to the virus? Remember: If you cancel your summer vacation plans, you won’t be the only one to do that. (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
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EVERY SENIOR NEEDS COGNITIVE SCREENING, ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION SAYS By Sandee Lamotte, CNN | Posted - Mar 5th, 2019 ATLANTA (CNN) — At first, she just forgot a name or two. Then, a few meetings on her schedule. A few months later, LuPita Gutierrez-Parker found herself struggling at work to use computer software she knew intimately. “In the beginning, when I wasn’t sure what was happening to me, I just figured it must be stress because I was doing a lot of work and had too much on my mind,” Gutierrez-Parker said. Another few months passed, and she found herself re-reading the same passage in documents to comprehend their meaning. When her command of language also began to fail, Gutierrez-Parker, who lives in Yakima, Washington, began to worry. “Why did I just say that? That’s not grammatically correct,” she would think. “ ‘That wasn’t me. I have a very strong vocabulary.’ I was avery articulate person.” Yet it took her another year or so to bring up the topic with her primary care physician. The delay in seeking answers to cognitive decline is not surprising, according to a survey included in the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2019 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, released Tuesday. “We need to increase the confidence and the skills of front-line providers so they can provide more care in this area,” said Joanne Pike, chief program officer at the Alzheimer’s Association. “And we need to destigmatize the process for seniors, encouraging people to talk to their health-care providers and families about their concerns,” she said. Gutierrez-Parker’s primary care doctor gave her a mini-cognitive assessment, asking her some question verbally and then on paper. It didn’t go well. “I said, ‘what did I flunk?’ “ Gutierrez-Parker remembered. “And we both laughed because she knew I was an educated woman.” A PET scan and neuropsychological evaluation six months later confirmed her worst fears. In 2016, at the relativelyyoung age of 61, Gutierrez-Parker was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, an early stage of dementia. Even though she was devastated, she also “felt reassured knowing that they finally put a label on what was wrong with me” and encourages others who are worried about their mental status to reach out to a doctor for help. A call to action The Alzheimer’s Association couldn’t agree more. In its annual report, the association includes a call for action to the nation’s primary care physicians. Every senior should receive a brief cognitive assessment at their first Medicare annual wellness visit at age 65, the group says, and the exams should be a regular part of their ongoing annual care. Yet a survey by the association found that early cognitive assessments were not the norm during most senior doctor visits. “The survey found a really troubling underuse of cognitive assessments during the annual healthcare checkup,” said Pike. “Despite a strong belief among seniors and physicians that cognitive assessments are important for the early detection of Alzheimer’s, only half of the seniors in the survey were being assessed for cognitive decline. And only 16 percent [of] seniors received regular follow-up assessments.” A comparison of those statistics against those of other wellness checkup items give a clear picture of the disparity, Pike said. In each visit, physicians check cholesterol 83 percent of the time, vaccinations 80 percent and blood pressure 91 percent of the time, she said. “So while physicians say it’s important to assess all patients age 65 or older, fewer than half are saying that it’s part of their standard protocol,” she said. Related story: Newly discovered Alzheimer’s genes further hope for future treatments An analysis of the genetic makeup of more than 94,000 people in the United States and Europe with clinically diagnosed Alzheimer’s led to the discovery of four new genetic variants that increase risk for the neurodegenerative disease. A good bit of that might be due to “a strong disconnect between seniors and doctors as to who should initiate the conversation,” Pike said. Over 90 percent of seniors thought their doctor would recommend testing, so fewer than 1 in 7 brought the topic up on their own, the survey found. Primary care physicians, on the other hand, say they are waiting for senior patients and their families to report symptoms and ask for an assessment. “We need to increase the confidence and the skills of front-line providers so they can provide more care in this area,” Pike said. “And we need to destigmatize the process for seniors, encouraging people to talk to their health-care providers and families about their concerns.” Gutierrez-Parker agrees. She’s thankful she has the chance to spend quality time with her family, and volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association to bring awareness to her community. “I would say to people who have an opportunity to find out what is wrong with them, to do it,” she said. “It gives you more opportunities to get your house in order: do advance directives, your will, even your funeral. It’s peace of mind, and it takes that load off your family. “Get it done and then enjoy the rest of your time with your family and loved ones.” There’s a bit of good news buried in the association’s annual report. A flurry of recent studies show that Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the United States and other higher-income Western countries is on a decline, mostly due to tighter control of cardiovascular risk factors and improved education. But overall, study results are mixed and inconclusive, according to the report, and certainly will have little effect on the current rise in cases in the United States as the baby boomer population continues to age. With no significant treatment and no cure in sight, the association’s report projects that by 2025, the number of Americans 65 and older with Alzheimer’s will “reach 7.1 million — almost a 27 percent increase from the 5.6 million age 65 and older affected in 2019.” It’s the “oldest old,” those over 85, who are most at risk for Alzheimer’s, the association says. In 2019, there are just over 2 millionAmericans 85 and older; in 2031, when the first wave of baby boomers hits that age, the number will rise to 3 million. By midcentury, there will be 7 million of the “oldest old” in the United States, accounting for half of all people over 65 with Alzheimer’s. The cost to society will be substantial, the report says. In 2019 alone, it estimates a $290 billion burden from health care, long-term case and hospice combined. Medicare and Medicaid will cover $195 billion of that, with out-of-pocket costs to caregivers reaching $63 billion. The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. Please call for a tour of our “HOMES,” for truly they are… And, if you would like to join our circle of caregivers in one of our homes, please contact Linda at 208-7553637 or linda@lodgeliving.net. We even have gorgeous onsite studio apartments which include meals and all utilities as a part of our employment package. And, we are delighted to schedule around school commitments for our employees who are reaching ever upward. Call us!!
Linda Davis Director of building relationships. 208.457.3403 www.LodgeLiving.net
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® of Idaho TIDBITS of Kootenai County, IssueCounty #15 April 6th 2020 Tidbits Dallas
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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You might be upset about having to deal with problems that are no fault of your own. But you can turn the annoyance into an asset by showing how quickly and how well you can resolve them. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The Bovine’s fondness for tidiness pays off when you untangle a situation that seems hopelessly snarled. You might later be surprised to learn who will be expressing his or her gratitude. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Although you can tackle your assignment the way you prefer, it might be a good idea to at least ask for suggestions. Who knows? One or two might even turn out to be helpful. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Make all the changes in your plans or proposals that you feel are necessary before -- repeat, before -- you submit them to your colleagues. You’ll come off looking more decisive that way. LEO (July 23 to August 22) You might feel a mite intimidated in a new environment, be it a job, a classroom or meeting the future in-laws. But enter with a big smile, and everyone will see you as a real take-charge Cat. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) This could be a romantic time for you if you can set aside your cynicism and let yourself believe that someone really cares. If you’re already in a relationship, expect your partner to be extra-loving. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) It’s a good time to shed any doubts about your abilities. You’ve proved yourself in the past, so why not accept that you’ll do just as well, or better, in dealing with the new challenge ahead? SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your suspicions might be on the mark, but unless you can prove what you assume, you need to exercise that Scorpion discretion and let events unfold without your assistance. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Be careful not to go over the top this week. Avoid overeating (especially of the wrong foods), or drinking too much, or working too hard. You can do it all, but in moderation. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A family matter is given to you to resolve because you have the gift for bringing quarrelsome kinfolk together. But while you’re playing Dr. Phil, don’t neglect your career obligations. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Someone of importance shares your goals but disagrees with your plan to achieve them. Never mind. Defending your methods with logic and facts earns you admiration and respect. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Consider getting away, perhaps for the weekend, despite all the demands made on your time and energies. You’ll return refreshed and ready to tackle it all with your usual finesse.
BORN THIS WEEK:
You have a sense of honesty that makes people believe and trust in you. (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #15 April 6th 2020
Making house calls
Heritage Health launches Telehealth to patients By MARC STEWART Heritage Health
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Photo: Dr. Julianne Cameron Donna “Gracie” Beisner knew she had an awful sinus infection. She had them before. The Spirit Lake woman was miserable with headaches and a stuffed-up nose.
She wanted to see her doctor, but the threat of the coronavirus weighed heavily on her mind. The coronavirus (COVID-19) is a deadly virus that attacks the respiratory system. It can be fatal for people with lung issues or comprised immune systems. The contagious disease is a global pandemic and Idahoans have been ordered to stay in their homes to slow the spread of it. “Because I suffer from asthma, the last thing I wanted to do was to be around sick people,” said Gracie. “I have to keep my airways open. I didn’t want to go to the clinic unless I had to. I thought Telehealth would give me an awesome chance to get better.” Gracie set up a phone appointment with Dr. Julianne Cameron, hoping she could get some relief from the pain. About 15 minutes later she did. “Doctor Cameron was great,” said Beisner. “Telehealth worked for me. She asked me questions about what was going on.
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I told her that I didn’t have a fever and that I wasn’t getting better. She prescribed me some medicine and it’s working.” Heritage Health started offering Teleheath services to its patients last week. “We’re on the front lines of the war against coronavirus,” said Heritage Health CEO Mike Baker. “This tool will help stop the spread of the virus and take some of the pressure off of our community health partners. We can help people with Telehealth and I am excited about it.” Telehealth originally was created to help providers reach patients living in remote areas across the country. Technology has improved so that telehealth (medical, behavioral health and psychiatric care) can also be delivered via a computer, smartphone or handheld device. For patients like Gracie – not having to drive into a clinic was a game-changer. “For me, it was wonderful,” she said. “I am already feeling better. I was so glad I didn’t have to go into the clinic with what’s going on out there.”
ee ed.
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #15 April 6th 2020
RESTAURANTS Open for Takeout
315 Cuisine at the Greenbriar Inn 208-667-9660, 315Cuisine.com
Angelo’s Ristorante
208-765-2850, AngelosRistorante.net
Anthony’s
208-664-4665, anthonys.com
Belle’s Brunch House
208-758-0600, bellesbrunch.com
Iron Horse Bar and Grill
208-667-7314, facebook.com/pg/IronHorse. CdA.1972/menu
Juniors Cocina Mexicana
(208) 771-7020 musthavemenus.com
Jimmy’s Down the Street
208-765-3868, jimmysdownthestreet.com
La Cabana (PF) 208-773-4325
La Cabana (Rathdrum)
208-687-4900, lacabanarathdrum.com
The Bluebird Midtown Eatery
Mackenzie River Pizza
Cafe Carambola,
Meltz
208-665-3777, MidtownBluebird.com
208-676-8784, cafecarambola.com
Capone’s (CDA)
208-667-4843, caponespub.com; Capone’s (PF), 208-457-8020 ;
Capone’s (Hayden) 208-762-5999 ;
Capone’s at Ponderosa 208-664-1101
Carusos
208-765-1001, carusosandco.com
Chili’s
208-214-7600, chilis.com
Chomper Cafe
208-719-0441, chompercafe.com
Cosmic Cowboy
208-772-5111, mackenzieriverpizza.com 208-664-1717, meltzextreme.com
Mod Pizza
208-277-9500, www.modpizza.com
Monarch Ramen and Noodle House 208-966-4230, MonarchNoodles.com
Moon Time 208-667-2331
Nadine’s Mexican Kitchen
208-687-6441, nadinesmexicankitchen.com
Noodle Express
208-762-8488, noodleexpress.net
Old European Olympia
208-277-0000, cosmiccowboy.com 208-765-1216, dominos.com
208-689-9968, oneshotcharlies.net
One Shot Charlie’s
208-772-8210
The Oval Office Bistro and Martini Bar
208-457-1216
Paragon Brewing
Domino’s Pizza (Hayden) Domino’s (PF-Mullan Ave.) Domino’s (PF- Spokane St.) 208-618-2277
Domino’s (Rathdrum)
208-687-3480
Firehouse Subs,
208-765-7827, firehousesubs.com
Fisherman’s Market Grill & Sushi,
208-664-4800, FishermansMarketCdA.com
Flame and Cork,
208-635-5836, FlameAndCork.com
Fleur de Sel,
208-777-7600, Fleur-de-sel.weebly.com
Franklin’s Hoagies,
208-664-3998, franklinshoagies.com
Fu-ki Hayden
208-719-0009, fukihaydenid.com
Fuki Japanese Steakhouse
208-457-7077, fukisteakhouse.com
El Taco Loco,
208-719-0040, eltacolocoidaho.com
Honey Eatery and Social Club
208-930-1514, HoneyEateryAndSocialClub. com
Roger’s Ice Cream & Burgers (Hayden), 208-772-6205
Roger’s Ice Cream & Burgers (PF) 208-773-6532
Stacies Cakes
staciescakes.com, 208.777-CAKE
Sweet Lou’s Restaurant and Tap House 208-667-1170, SweetLousIdaho.com
Syringa Japanese Cafe and Sushi Bar 208-664-2718, SyringaSushi.com
Texas Roadhouse
208-664-1903, texasroadhouse.com
Thai Bamboo
208-667-5300, thaibamboorestaurant.com
Tony’s on the Lake
208-667-9885, tonysonthelake.com
Toro Viejo (Hayden)
208-772-0291, toroviejo.com
Vine & Olive Eatery and Wine Bar 208-758-7770, VineAndOliveCdA.com
Westwood Brewing Co.
208-712-3423, WestwoodBrewing.com
The White House Grill
208-777-9672, WhiteHouseGrill.com
208-772-2017, oldeuropean-restaurant.com 208-666-9495, facebook.com/Olympia-Restaurant-136891056331211/
Domino’s Pizza (CDA)
www.tidbitscda.com
208-777-2102, WhiteHouseGrill.com 208-772-9292, paragonbrewing.com
Pepe Caldo Pizzeria
208-765-6010, pepecaldopizza.com
Pita Pit (CDA)
208-664-1738, pitapitusa.com
Pita Pit (Hayden) 208-772-7600
Pita Pit (PF) 208-773-7200
The Porch Public House 208-772-7711
Post Falls Steakhouse 208-773-0350
Rancho Viejo (Hayden)
208-762-3310, ranchoviejomexican.com
Rancho Viejo (CDA) 208-773-6600
Republic Kitchen and Taphouse 208-457-3610, Repub.pub
Roger’s Ice Cream & Burgers
(CDA-downtown), 208-930-4900, rogersicecreamburgers.com
Roger’s Ice Cream & Burgers (CDA-Neider Ave.) 208-664-0696
OTHER BUSINESSES Nutrishop Coeur d’Alene (208) 292-4611
GNC
Call (208) 666-4005
National Mattress and Furniture Call 208-762-0800 ordercdamattress.com
Delivery Service
call Lisa Tussing (310)347-6475
Badger Building Center Post Falls (208) 773-1848
MLS Reversed Mortgage
Call Debra Compton 208.699.0970
Kangen Water Store 208.667.8692
NW Pet Resort 208.417.8388
Peachy Kleen Housecleaning (509) 216-4533
Don Taylor Tree Service, 208.640.1951
Clean Finish Construction & Real Estate Cleaning (208) 964-2148
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #15 April 6th 2020
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1. Name the band that started as Radio Activity and became Black to the Future before changing to The Square Roots for a time. 2. How many years apart were David Bowie’s first and second No. 1 U.S. chart toppers? 3. Who released “Hungry Like the Wolf”? 4. How did Fleetwood Mac come up with their name? 5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “He freely gave to charity, he had the common touch, And they were grateful for his patronage and thanked him very much.” Answers 1. Grammy-winning hip-hop band The Roots. They had to give up the “square” part when they discovered that a local Philadelphia folk group already had that name. 2. Seven years. The first was “Fame” in 1975 and the second “Let’s Dance” in 1982. 3. Duran Duran, in 1982. The song didn’t do well until release of the music video, which won a Grammy award. 4. Two original members had the last names of Fleetwood and McVie. 5. “Richard Cory,” by Simon and Garfunkel, in 1966. The song was taken from a poem published in 1897 by Edwin Arlington Robinson. Richard Cory was a wealthy factory owner who ended up killing himself, likely as a result of the financial panic of 1893. (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #15 April 6th 2020 MEMORABLE MOVIES YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN • Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks were working together on “Blazing Saddles” when Wilder proposed making a movie about Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson exploring his grandfather’s legacy. Mel loved the idea and they worked together to write the script. • Brooks wanted the film to be in black and white, just as the original 1931 version of the movie had been. A black and white film in 1974 was unheard of. Columbia Studios turned down the idea so Brooks took the film to 20th Century Fox instead. • Most of the laboratory props used in the film were original to the 1931 version, having been stored in the garage of the man who originally created them. • Mel Brooks always had a cameo appearance in every film he produced, but Gene Wilder thought it would be distracting. Instead, the howling wolf and the yowling cat are voiced by Brooks, and a gargoyle on the castle looks suspiciously like him. • While taking a train trip, the young Dr. Frankenstein hears a couple bickering, in English. Later the same couple is bickering, having the same argument word-for-word, but in German. • Gene Hackman, who regularly played tennis with Gene Wilder, found out about the film and begged for a part because he’d never done comedy before. A special scene was written just for him, where he plays a blind character serving soup to Frankenstein’s monster and spilling it in his lap, then commenting: “I was going to make espresso….” The cameo was uncredited and Gene Hackman is all but unrecognizable in the scene. • Peter Boyle, who played the monster, met his wife when she showed up on set to write an article about the film. (cont)
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Household Cleaners Can Irritate Pets
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I saw a warning circulating on social media that said many household disinfecting cleaners are toxic to cats. Is this true? I’ve been spending extra time cleaning my apartment with germ-killing cleaners, and I’m worried that I’ve poisoned my two cats. -- Beth in Providence, Rhode Island DEAR BETH: It’s true, to an extent. Household cleaners containing phenol, like Lysol and Pine-sol, are widely used to disinfect surfaces that would not respond well to bleach, like wood floors and furniture. Phenol can irritate the nasal passages and cause breathing problems in pets. If your cats are not wheezing or showing other unusual behaviors, they’re probably fine, but you can always call their veterinarian to make sure. The University of Wisconsin-ÐMadison School of Veterinary Medicine last year wrote an informative post on how to safely use phenol-containing cleaning products as well as alternative products. It’s a good idea to put your cats into a different room before using any kind of cleaning product. Spray cleaners can linger in the air for a few minutes, and heavily scented cleaners, even when diluted in water, can irritate pets until the scent clears. Keep them out of the room for an hour after using any disinfectant product. Even in this time of heightened anxiety about sanitizing our homes against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the best cleaning protocol is the one your parents and grandparents used. Dust, sweep and vacuum, and then pick up or wash away organic materials (dirt, food, messes) using unscented dish soap and warm water. Spot-clean furniture with a mild soap-and-water mixture. Open the curtains to let in sunlight (a natural disinfectant). Send your tips, questions or comments to ask@ pawscorner.com. (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #15 April 6th 2020 YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (cont) • Marty Feldman played the hunchback Igor. He wore a fake hump and kept switching it from one shoulder to the next just to see how long it would take someone to notice. When one of the crew finally did notice days later, the gag was written into the script, leading to the memorable line, “What hump?” • Marty Feldman as Igor also improvised the line, “Walk this way” as he limped away. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith saw the film and loved the gag. He was inspired to write the song “Walk This Way” for his next album. • It was Marty Feldman’s first Hollywood movie. • Madeline Kahn was originally supposed to play the role of Inga, the lab assistant, while Teri Garr was cast as Elizabeth, the high-tone fiancé. Kahn decided she preferred the other role, so Mel Brooks called Teri Garr into his office and said, “If you can come back tomorrow with a German accent, the part is yours.” Garr responded, “Vell, yes, I could do zee German ackzent tomorrow. I could come back zis afternoon!” Garr had appeared on “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour” several times in 1971, where the German hairdresser for the show had a heavy accent. Garr picked up the accent from her. • Teri Garr’s mother was the wardrobe mistress on the film. • The clock chimes thirteen times at the beginning of the film when the coffin is opened. • “Young Frankenstein” won 11 Oscars at the Academy Awards. • Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder worked together on three wildly successful films including “The Producers” and “Blazing Saddles” but after “Young Frankenstein” they never found an opportunity to work together again.
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By Candace Godwin
Gardening Tips for Early Spring Resist the Urge to Buy Plants Now
• Big-box home and garden centers are starting to fill with plants. No matter how spectacular they look, resist the temptation to buy! It’s too early to plant outside. • Our region’s last average day of frost is around May 15 th . Wait until then to purchase warmseason vegetables and hanging flower baskets. • Shop local producers or nurseries for bedding plants and vegetable starts in late spring for plants that are acclimated to our climate. Many big-box stores receive plant stock from other regions of the country that are not acclimated to our growing conditions. Candace Godwin and Goldie
Start Seeds Indoors Now
• Seed packets are less costly than plant starts and you’ll have more choices of plant varieties to grow. • With some seed-starting mix, a couple of yogurt containers, and a warm, sunny window you’ll be growing in no time! • Start vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce and basil about 8 weeks before transplanting outside. • Seeds started in late March will be ready to transplant around the end of May –perfect timing!
Make a Garden Plan
• Make a list of the plants you want to grow and take inventory of any remaining seed from last season. • Create a simple sketch of your garden layout. It will help you be more organized when planting time comes later in the spring.
The Dirt on Soil
• Avoid digging in wet soil, it will only compact the soil and create rock-hard mud balls! • Once the ground dries, use a spade or garden fork to gently turn the top layer of soil.
• There is no need for deep rototilling in established beds — doing so brings weed seeds to the surface where they will quickly germinate. • Rototilling can damage the soil integrity and destroy the good micro-organisms and worms living in your soil!
Weed It Out
• Get a jump on the weeds by pulling the out now – the soil is damp and roots come out easier. • If you choose to use a chemical herbicide (organic or synthetic), read and follow the instructions on the label.
Enjoy Gardening!
You don’t need a large space to garden – many plants are well suited to container growing. Start small with a window box of herbs, or grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers in containers on a sunny patio. Experiment and have fun! Candace Godwin is a Certified Master Gardener and owner of The Coeur d’Alene Coop. More gardening tips are online at thecoeurdalenecoop.com.
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #15 April 6th 2020
Q&A with Susan Ashley, MD
Treatment for Chronic Pain
Many people today are suffering from chronic pain of one kind or another. This includes arthritis, the most common type of pain over age 50, back pain, neck pain and others. Unfortunately, mainstream treatments for chronic pain have remained unchanged for the past two decades and involve either a drug to cover up the pain, steroid injections, or perhaps surgery to replace a joint which often causes more damage. Then after the pain comes back, often worse than before, you're told there's nothing more that can be done and you have to learn to live with the condition. Well, nothing could be further from the truth! I want you to consider stem cells. Stem cells are the basic cells that have the capacity to develop into other cells and organs of the body. Once you're an adult, stem cells replicate and replace old dying cells with new ones throughout your life. Without stem cells we could not replace old cells and aging would accelerate, leading to death at a young age.The most common use of stem cells in our clinic is for orthopedic conditions - arthritis of a knee, say, with very little remaining cartilage.
When disease or injury strikes your body, your stem cells remove the damaged cells and replace them with new cells. This helps your body to heal itself. When stem cells are injected at the site of injury or disease, it is called stem cell treatment and allows your body to heal more rapidly. This causes pain with every step and limits walking ability. A simple stem cell injection in the joint allows the cartilage, or meniscus, to regenerate and repair to give a fully functioning knee again. I've used it to complete repair meniscal tears, and re-grow cartilage, even when the knee is "bone-on-bone". In this way, we've been able to save many patients from joint replacements. If stem cell treatments are properly developed, they have the potential to become as revolutionary as the discovery of penicillin! We have used stem cells for joints such as knees, hips and shoulders, and also have used them IV for systemic diseases, such as congestive heart failure, COPD, autism, Parkinson's and dementia. Used IV in this way is not a cure, but can help to slow the progression of these diseases. If you are interested in learning more, call our office for a complimentary consultation. We use only umbilical cord based stem cells as they are much more powerful, and are the least expensive in town - we've kept the price down as much as possible to allow more patients to benefit from this remarkable treatment. Call 509-924-6199 today.
Dr Ashley is board certified in Family Medicine and in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. She provides a mix of traditional with alternative medicine and specializes in bio-identical hormones for both men and women.
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FOSSIL FOREST • Axel Heiberg Island is one of the larger islands in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, and is Canada’s second northernmost island. It’s the size of Switzerland, located about 700 miles (1,100 km) south of the North Pole. • The island has been inhabited sporadically in the past by the Inuit but was uninhabited when it was explored in 1900 by a Norwegian crew, who named it after the man who sponsored their trip. Norway claimed ownership of the island, but in 1930 it became part of Canada. In the 1940s the island was photographed in an aerial survey, and in 1955 two Canadian geologists surveyed it on the ground, resulting in the construction of a permanent research station in 1960. • On nearby Ellesmere Island, there are a few remnants of ancient trees that died millions of years ago. A helicopter pilot who regularly ferried supplies to Ellesmere Island was flying over Axel Heiberg Island in 1985 when he spotted the same sort of stumps poking out from the gravel there. He landed, took samples, and reported his discovery. Researchers soon returned and found an extensive fossilized forest that dated to the Eocene era some 45 million years ago. The forest had been buried in sediments for eons until erosion exposed it. • Rather than being fossilized, this forest is mummified. Preserved by cold, dry temperatures and covered in silt, the logs, leaves, needles, bark, cones, and seeds are hard to tell from modern trees. Fossilization occurs when organic matter is replaced with minerals, turning the tree to stone. Here, the wood is so fresh it can be burned.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #15 April 6th 2020
Slow-Cooker Ham Is Sodalicious
Fix it and forget it! Easter dinner just got a whole lot easier. 1 boneless smoked ham (about 8 pounds) 2 tablespoons whole cloves 1 cup brown sugar 2 cups root beer 3 tablespoons ginger, chopped 2 tablespoons grainy mustard 1. Score diamond pattern into the ham and press cloves into the surface. 2. Place in slow cooker and top with remaining ingredients. 3. Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours until temperature inside registers 140 F. 4. Transfer liquid in slow cooker to a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until liquid thickens into a glaze, about 15 minutes. 5. Brush glaze onto ham. TIP: We like root beer for its earthy, slightly spiced flavor. If you’re feeling adventurous, try experimenting with other flavors like ginger ale or cola. For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our Web site at www.goodhousekeeping.com/ food-recipes/. (c) 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved
FOSSIL FOREST (cont) • 45 million years ago, the climate was much warmer. Still, however, there would have been about three months of perpetual light in the summer, and three months of continuous darkness during the winter on the island. • The average temperature would have been in the mid-60s F. (18 C) and it never would have dropped below freezing in spite of experiencing three months of darkness. It’s remarkable that a vigorous, diverse forest was adapted to prolonged periods of darkness. • Many species of tree grew there, including spruce, pine, redwood, larch, sycamore, and chestnut. Some trees reached heights of 115 feet (35 m) and tree rings show that some lived 1,000 years. Today, the nearest “real” tree is more than a thousand miles south, and the tallest vegetation currently growing on the island is the dwarf willow which reaches heights of one to two inches. • Today, the permafrost averages about 1,600 ft (500 m) deep and the average temperature runs -33 F (-36.1 C) in January and 42 F (5 C) in July. A third of the island is permanently ice bound, and the rest is bare ground. • Trees can only live where temperatures remain above freezing for at least one-third of the year, and where temperatures in July average at least 50 F (10 C). • Excavation showed that the forest was occasionally wiped out by floods, buried by sediments, only to regrow. This happened 19 different times, at intervals of perhaps 10,000 years. After the final flood, the forest never regrew, and the remnants remained buried in protective sediments until being eroded away 45 million years later.
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #12 March 16th 2020
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #15 April 6th 2020
TIDBITS PUZZLE ANSWERS
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