TIDBITS®PLAYSA LITTLEPOOL
byKathyWolfe
Thisweek,Tidbitsinvitesyoutotakealookto learnmoreaboutthegameofpool!
•Thegameofpoolevolvedfromanearly Europeanlawngame,similartocroquet.The earliestdocumentedbilliardtablewasmade in1470.WhenKingLouisXIofFrancedied in1483,aninventoryofhisproperty contained“abedofstone,aclothcovering, andaholeinthemiddleoftheplayingfield, intowhichballscouldbedriven.”
•Theword“cue”translatesfromtheFrench word“queue,”meaning“tail.”Centuries ago,acurvedwoodenheadattachedtoa narrowhandle,anapparatusknownasa mace,wasusedtopushtheballforward.The bulkyheadmadeitdifficulttomakeshots alongtherail,soplayersturnedthehandle aroundandstartedusingthetailend.This evolvedintothecue.
•Earlybilliardtableshadflatverticalwalls forrails,whichfunctionedtokeepballsfrom fallingoff.Becausetheyresembledriver banks,playersbeganreferringtothewallsas banks,andhonedtheskillofbouncingballs offthewalls,whichnaturallycametobe calleda“bankshot.”
•Theclothonthetablehasn’tchangedin centuries.Inthe1500s,buildersstarted usingwool,andit’sstillwhat’susedtoday forthemostpart.Somemanufacturersusea wool/nylonblend.
POOL(continued):
•Theearlybilliardballsweremadeofivory. In1863,MichaelPhelanestablisheda contestwitha$10,000prizeforthebest substituteforivorybilliardballs.Phelanwas notonlyamanufacturerofbilliardsupplies andanownerofnumerousbilliardparlors, hewasthefirstbilliardsstarintheU.S. Alongwiththeconcernforashortageof ivory,Phelansoughttoreducethecostofthe expensiveivoryballs.In1850,Phelan publishedthefirstbookintheU.S.outlining thescience,etiquette,andrulesofbilliards, “BilliardsWithoutAMaster.”Although JohnWesleyHyatthadmorethan235 patentstohiscredit,themostwell-knownof hisinventionswasthatofacelluloid compositebilliardball.Inadditionto billiardballs,Hyattusedhiscelluloid compoundtoproducefalseteethandpiano keys.Thirtyyearsafterhissuccessin billiards,Hyattfoundedarollerbearing company,servingGeneralMotorsandthe FordMotorCompany.
•JohnThurstonrevolutionizedbilliardswith theinventionofslatebedsandrubber cushionsforbilliardtables.In1799,he establishedabilliardtablesandcabinet makingcompany,andwasthefirsttomassproducebilliardtables.In1826,Thurston wasdissatisfiedwithwood’stendencyto warp,anddiscoveringthatslatewascheap, easilyavailable,withamuchsmoother playingsurfacethanwood,hedevelopeda slatetable.FollowingCharlesGoodyear’s inventionofvulcanizedrubberin1844, Thurstonpatentedrubbercushionsforhis pooltables.Thurston’scompany,which suppliedthetablethatNapoleonusedduring hisexileonSt.Helena,isstillinbusiness today.
•"Storekitchenmatcheswrappedintinfoilto keepthemdrywhenoncampingorfishing trips.Youcanalsostoretheminanempty pillbottleiftheyaretheshortkind.Ifyoufill papereggcartoncupswithdryerlintand drizzleitwithwax,youcancutthecups apartandyou'llhavesmallfirestartersfor yourcampfires.Myfamilydoesalotof campinginthesummer,andweusethese everytime."--K.R.inMissouri
•Togetscorchedpanbottomsclean,scrub withsudsyammoniaandrinsewell.
•"Babyfoodjarsmakewonderfulorganizer containers;mostpeopleknowthat.Butyou canmakeagreatfirstcupfromababyfood jar.Screwonthelidtightlyandpokeholes alongoneside.Babycantipandsip,butnot muchwillcomeout.Theyarejusttheright sizeforsmallhands."--M.W.inAlabama
•Babyoilcanloosensoapscumfromshower doors.Applyandbufflightlywithasoft washcloth.Followwithashampoocleaning orjustleaveasis.Itwillrepelwaterand smellsnice,too.
•Tokeepshirtcollarsfromabsorbingoiland grime,sprinklewithtalcumpowderwhile ironing.
•Keepyoursteeringwheelintouchable conditiononveryhotdayswithapaper grocerybag.Cutoutastripdownonesideof thebag,allowingittoslipoverthesteering column.Thebagcanberefoldedandstored nexttoyourseat.Whenyougetoutofthe car,justslipthebagoverthesteeringwheel. Nomoreburninghandswhenyougetback inthecar.
SendyourtipstoNowHere'saTip,628Virginia Drive,Orlando,FL32803.
(c)2023KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.
POOL(continued):
•ThefirstbignameintheAmericanbilliards businesswasJohnM.Brunswick,who emigratedtotheU.S.fromSwitzerlandin 1834.Afterservinganapprenticeshipwith aPhiladelphiacarriage-maker,hebegan workingforaGermanwoodworker.In 1845,Brunswickopenedhisowncarriage companyinCincinnati,expandinginto fashioningchairs,tables,andcabinets. Whenanacquaintanceshowedhiman expensiveheavy,beautifully-carved Englishbilliardstable,hesawthepotential ofcraftingAmerican-madetables.The popularityofbilliardssoared,andsoon Brunswickwasoneofthetopthree companiesinthemarket.Hemergedwith hiscompetitorsandbythe1880s,theywere thelargestbilliardsmanufacturerinthe world.Atthesametime,thecompany branchedoutinbowling,producingwood lanes,bowlingballs,andpins.
•Pool’ssix-pockettablesrangeinsizefrom 3.5x7feet(1.07x2.13m)to4.5x9feet (1.37x2.74m).A“regulation”pooltableis simplyonewithaplayingsurfacewhose lengthistwiceaslongasitswidth.The mostcommonforhomeusemeasures4x8 ft.withaplayingsurfaceof44”x88”.A tournamenttablemeasures4.5x9feet,with a50”x100”playingsurface.
•Officialpoolballsweighfrom5.5to6oz. (160to170g)andhaveadiameterof2.25 inches(57mm).
POOL(continued):
•Themostcommonpoolgame,eight-ball, wasintroducedaround1900.Inthegameof eight-ball,thereare15coloredballs–7 solid,7striped,andtheblack8-ball.When rackingtheballsforagame,the8-ball shouldalwaysbelocatedatthecenterofthe rack,tworowsfromthetopandtworows fromthebottomofthetriangularrack.A playerforfeitsthegameifhis/hercueball hitsthe8-ballfirst.Aftertheplayerhas pocketedallofhis/hercoloredballs,the playermustcallwhichpocketthe8-ballwill begoingin.Ifthe8-ballgoesintoanyother pocketotherthanthatone,theopposing playerwins.Inaddition,evenifthe8-ball doesgointothecalledpocket,ifthecueball isalsopocketed,theplayerlosestothe opponent.
•Haveyounoticedpoolplayerschalkingtheir poolcue?Prosdoitbeforeeveryshot.This createsfrictiontothetipofthecue,essential tomakinggoodcontactwiththeballsothat thecuedoesnotdeflectoffthecueball. Properchalkinginvolvesbrushingthecube acrossthecue’stip,lightlyandevenly, everywherethecuemightcontacttheball. Spinningitaroundonthetipleavesitheavy insomeareasandlightinothers.Even thoughit’scalled“chalk,”mostproductsare madeoffineabrasiveswithoutasingle speckofactualchalk.
•Detroitwashometotheworld’slargest billiardhall,builtduringthesport’sGolden Ageofthe1920s.Theenormousseven-story RecreationHealthSpa,inadditiontotheir 20barberchairs,14cigarstands,7lunch counters,3manicurists,a300-seat restaurant,and250personcapacitytheater, added103billiardstablesand88bowling lanes.
•AccordingtoCunningham'sLaw,thebest waytogettherightanswerontheinternetis nottoaskaquestion,buttoposethewrong answer.
•JazztrumpeterLouisArmstrongonceasked PresidentRichardNixontocarryhisbags throughcustomsforhimbecauseArmstrong was"anoldman."WefeelprettysureNixon wasn'tawarethebagscontainedmarijuana.
•In2015,the1,000-year-oldcorpseofa Buddhistmonkwasdiscoveredinsidean ancientstatueofBuddha.
•NevermindFreddyKrueger'smutilatedface andclawedglove--WesCravendesignedhis red-and-green-stripedsweaterafterheread inScientificAmericanthatthehumaneye hasdifficultyrecognizingthoseparticular shades.Therefore,justlookingathis pulloverissubliminallyunsettling!
•ThefirstitemsoldoneBay,for$14.83,was abrokenlaserpointer,tosomeonewhokept acollectionofbrokenlaserpointers.
•CostaRicahastheworld'sonlysloth orphanage.
•DuringtheApollo12mission,a21/2-ton pieceofthelunarmodulewas experimentallycrashedontothesurfaceof themoon,withaquiteunexpectedresult: Themoon"ranglikeabell"fornearlyan hour.
•Dockersrecentlyincreasedthesizeoftheir coinpocketstoaccommodatethegrowing sizeofsmartphones.
•In1999,15-year-oldJonathanLebedwas makingupto$74,000adayinthestock marketbyusinginternetmessageboardsto manipulateprices.Thegovernment eventuallycaughtupwithhim,buthewas stillabletokeephalfamilliondollarsofhis gains.
ThoughtfortheDay: "Lovedoesn'tmaketheworldgoround.Love iswhatmakestherideworthwhile."
--FranklinP.Jones
(c)2023KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.
PHOTOCAPTION:ThisEscale watchinasignedboxwas estimatedat$3,000to$5,000.It soldfor$3,000ataRago auctionin2021..
EscaleWatch
TheLouisVuitton EscaleTimeZone watchfeaturesthe world's24timezones.
Escale("stopover"in French)wascreated to appealtotheworld travelernotonlywith thetimezones,butwiththecolorfulflagsofthe worldrepresentedonthewatch'sface.The imagesoftheflagsalsolinkthecontemporary wristwatchestoearlierdaysofLouisVuitton, whentravelerscouldcustomizetheirLV luggagewithflagsofthecountrieswherethey traveled.
Thiswatchwasintroducedin2010,andthereis stillanEscaleline.LouisVuitton'sannual designsincludearesortcollectionalsocalled Escale.
Q:Ihaveapairofgold-tonecostumejewelry earringsthatIloveeventhoughtheyarenotreal gold.Asmallgreenspothasappearedoneach onewherethepostattaches.Canthespotsbe removed?Aretheearringssafetowear?
A: Thegreenspots,calledverdigris,areapatina thatcanformoncopper,bronze,brassandgold orsilverplate.Youcancleanitoffyourearrings
andcontinuewearingthem.Youcantry removingsmallspotswithatoothpick,softbristledtoothbrush,pencileraserormicrofiber cloth.Ifyouneedsomethingstronger,mixa smallamountofdishwashingdetergentwith warmwaterandusethistocleanyourjewelry. Ifyourearringsdon'thavepearlsorfoil-backed rhinestones,youcandilutewhitevinegaror lemonjuiceinwater,soakacottonballinthe solution,andholdittothegreenspot.Orapply ketchuptothespot;itisacidic,anditsthick consistencymeansitwon'trunlikealiquid.But becarefulwhenyouuseacidstocleanjewelry! Theycandiscolorgold-tonemetals,damage pearls(bothrealandfake)andfoil-backed stones,andweakensomeglues.Tokeep verdigrisfromforming,storeyourpieces separately,avoidexposingthemtomoisture, oilsandcosmetics,andmakesureyourskinis cleananddrywhenyouwearthem.
CURRENTPRICES
Blown-glassbowl,cobaltblue,flared-outsides, shortroundedfoot,MillvilleGlassWorks,N.J., c.1890,93/8x71/2inches,$125.
Photograph,CivilWarlieutenant,albumen, hand-colored,nine-buttonfrockcoat,officer's sash,beltwithsword,oval,frame,12x91/2 inches,$240.
Pairofterra-cottaplanters,neoclassicalstyle, rectangular,bulboussideswithraisedpanels, acanthusleafcorners,flaredrimwithmolded egganddartborder,metalliner,c.1930,13x24 3/4x153/4inches,pair,$475.
Toy,SpaceMan,ColonelHapHazard,white spacesuitwithNASAlogo,redtrim,walks, spinningantennawithredandgreenlights, batteryoperated,LouisMarx&Co.,2inches, $755.
SubscribetotheKovels'freeweeklyemailnewsletter, KovelsKomments,atwww.Kovels.com.(c)2023King FeaturesSynd.,Inc.
STREAMINGSOURCE
Here'swhattowatchandwheretowatchitfor theweekofMay22,2023.
ONNOW:"TheCreatureCases"(Season3)-Netflix
ONNOW:"TheGreatAmericanBakingShow" (Season5)--Roku
22-May:"PrehistoricPlanet"(Docuseries)-AppleTV+
23-May:"WandaSykes:I'manEntertainer" (ComedySpecial)--Netflix
23-May:"ThreeThousandYearsofLonging" (R)--AmazonPrimeVideo
23-May:"MerPeople"(Documentary)--Netflix
24-May:"TheClearing"(LimitedSeries)-Hulu
25-May:"TheKardashians"(Season3)--Hulu
25-May:"FUBAR"(Season1)--Netflix
26-May:"ViolentNight"(R)--AmazonPrime Video
(c)2023KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.
ARIES(March21toApril19) SingleLambs lookingforlovecouldfindCupidaimingat someoneyouthought(wrongly)was uninterested.PairedSheepcouldsoonmake planstomoveintonewpastures.
TAURUS(April20toMay20) Levelthat sharpBull'seyeofyoursdirectlyatthetarget you'reafter.Don'tletyourselfgetsidetrackedby anymisleadingordeceptiveattemptstodistract you.
GEMINI(May21toJune20) Early enthusiasmgiveswaytoamorereflective attitude,asyouassessthepotentialofanewjob. Avoidquestionableadvice.Theultimate decisionshouldbeyours.
CANCER(June21toJuly22)Youmightneed toreassesstheresponsibilityyou'vetakenon. Considerdelegatingsomeofthetaskstopeople youtrustandfocusonthosethingsyoudobest.
LEO(July23toAugust22) Don'tbeshyabout sharingnewideaswithyourworkplace colleagues.Theirwarmreceptionandtrusted supportwillsoonhaveyoupurringwith satisfaction.
VIRGO(August23toSeptember22) That uneasinessoverapotentialcommitmentshould beconfrontedanddealtwithrealistically.Find outwhyyou'redelayinganimportantdecision.
LIBRA(September23toOctober22) Your businessventuregetsbackintohighgearaftera briefperiodofsputtering.Don'tbediscouraged. Staywithit.Yourhardworkandpatiencewill payoff.
SCORPIO(October23toNovember21) Watchoutforatendencytoletthingsslidein hopesthataproblemwillcorrectitself.You needtobemoreproactivethanreactiveifyou wanttoseechange.
SAGITTARIUS(November22toDecember 21) Awiltingrelationshipcouldrecoverandbe coaxedbackintofullbloom,aslongasthereis astrongcommitmenttoyourpartnertomake therelationshipyourpriority.
CAPRICORN(December22toJanuary19) Beforeyouacceptanewjoboffer,checkonthe statusofapromotionyouwerepromisedinyour currentworkplace.Then,makeadecision.
AQUARIUS(January20toFebruary18) Expecttofindyourselfinateachingsituationon thejob,whichyouwillnodoubtenjoy.Don'tbe surprisedifyougettolearnafewthingsaswell.
PISCES(February19toMarch20) You'd lovetomakeabigsplashwithyournewproject. Butyou'dbewisertointroduceittoyour colleaguesinamorerestrainedwayandletit speakforitself.
BORNTHISWEEK:You'reapracticalperson whoalsohasasenseofadventure.Youhavea capacityforleadershipthatothersoftentapin to.
(c)2023KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.
PinkTearsFromCatIs Normal
DEARPAW'SCORNER: Iadoptedanolder catrecently.Chuckisajoyandhassettledinto thehouseholdwithoutaproblem.However,I've startedtonoticeatrickleofliquidfromoneof hiseyesrecently.HeseemsOKotherwise.I tookacottonballanddabbedawaytheliquid andfoundthatitwastingedpink!ShouldIbe worried?--LaneV.,Cleveland
DearLane: Chucksoundslikeawonderfulcat! I'mgladhe'swithanownerwhocaresandkeeps acloseeyeonhishealth.
Excesstearsordischargefromtheeyesisa concern,buttodeterminehowmuchofa problemitis,it'salwaysgoodtocheckinwith theveterinarian.Itsoundsliketheliquidisclear andtingedred,whichisnormal--cats'tearsare naturallytintedreddishorbrownish.Ifhistears aregunky,greenishoryellowish,thatcan indicateaninfectionisgoingonaroundtheeye (orevenelsewhereinthebody,suchasa respiratoryinfection).
Allergiesoreventheshapeofacat'seyescan causeirritationofthetearducts.
TakeacloserlookatChuck'seyes.The membranesurroundinghiseyesshouldbevery lightpink,almostwhite.Theeyesthemselves shouldbeclearwithnoinflammationinthe whitepart.Hiseyelidsshouldlooksymmetrical --ifoneispuffierthantheother,therecouldbe inflammation.Thissitehasmoredetailed informationoncausesandconditionsofexcess tears:https://tinyurl.com/yvu2wma9.
IfyounoticeChuckpawingathisface, squintingoftenorotherwiseseems uncomfortable,makeavetappointmenttotryto findtherootcauseofhiseyeirritation.
Sendyourtips,commentsorquestionsto ask@pawscorner.com.
(c)2023KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.
RefreshYourselfWith WatermelonThisSummer
ByDonnaErickson
•1/4cupchoppedfreshstrawberries
•1kiwi,peeledandsliced
•1peachornectarine,peeledanddiced
•6cherries,pittedandchopped
•12icepopmoldsandsticks
•Cutwatermelonfleshintochunks.Pureeina blenderorfoodprocessoruntilsmooth,to yieldapproximately3cups.Pourintoa measuringcuporcontainerwithaspout.
PHOTOCREDIT:DonnaErickson
Clearoffashelfinyourrefrigeratorandmake wayforawatermelontoquenchyourthirst, satisfyyoursweettoothandprovidegood-foryouA,B-6andCvitamins.Sliceitup,andyou haveaninstantdesserttotopoffapicnicor barbecue.Or,trysomethingnewthissummer andshowcaseyourmelonatsnacktimesand mealtimes.
Foracool-downsnack,nothingbeatsanicepop onahotafternoon.Thisrefreshingversion, madewithwatermelonpureeandripefruit,is tasty,"goodforyou"sweetness.Quitesimply, it'safrozenfruitsaladonastick!Ihavelisteda yummycombooffruitandberriesthatfreeze well,butfeelfreetocreateyourown combinationsaccordingtoavailabilityandtaste. Then,whenyouarelookingforacreative suppersalad,surpriseyourfamilywitha deliciouscombinationofwatermelon,fetaand mint.Thethinonionslicesprovideanextra surprise.
FRUITYWATERMELONICEPOPS
Makes12
•1/4mediumseedlesswatermelon
•1/2cupfreshblueberries
•Setouticepopmolds.Filleachone3/4full withthefreshfruit;then,pourinthe watermelonpureeuntileachmoldisfull. Inserticepopsticksinmoldsandfreeze. Servewhencompletelysolid.
WATERMELONANDFETASALADWITH MINT
•Serves4asasidedish
•--1tablespoonricewinevinegar
•--2tablespoonsvegetableoil
•--1/4redonion,thinlysliced
•--Pinchofsalt
•--1/4mediumseedlesswatermelon
•--1/4cupslicedorcrumbledfetacheese
•--1/4cupfreshmintleaves
•--Freshlygroundpepper(optional)
Inasmallmixingbowl,combinethevinegar, oil,slicedonionandsalt.Setaside.
Cutwatermelonfleshintobite-sizedchunksand placeonamedium-sizedservingplatterorina bowl.Sprinklewithfetacheeseandmint.Top withonionmixture.Tosslightlyandserve immediately,garnishedwithasprigoffresh mint.Grindfreshpepperontop,ifyouwish. DonnaEricksoncreatesrelationshipsandcommunity throughfoodandfun.Findmoretonourishanddelight youatwww.donnaerickson.com.
(c)2023DonnaEricksonDistributedbyKingFeatures Synd.
HowtoReapDeepSleep–PartII
InPartIwediscussedthephysicaland functionalhazardsofinadequatesleep.Inthis secondpart,wewilladdresshowtoreapdeep sleep.Forsome,fallingasleepquicklyand easilycomeswithoutfanfare,whileotherstake sometimeshourstofallasleep.Anotherissueis wakingonceormoreduringthenight,thennot beingabletoreturntosleep.Manyseemtoget adequatesleep,butfailtofeelrefreshedinthe morning.Allofthesesleepissuesaredifferent, andthereforehavedifferentremedies.Butthere aresomeconstantsthateveryonecando.
First,createanighttimeroutinethatsupports healthysleep.Dimthelightsinthehouseatleast 2hoursbeforebed,allowingthepinealglandto begintoreleasemelatonin.Melatoninisa hormonethatisonlyreleasedwhendark.Itis saidthatevenLEDlightsinyourroomcan inhibitthereleaseofmelatonin.Sitinyourroom whendarkandlookforanylightsources.Power cords,alarmclocks,electronicslights,smoke alarms,etc.Caninterferewithpropermelatonin production.Inadditiontocreatingthecircadian rhythmofthebrain,melatoninisimportantin regulatingwomen’smenstruationcycleand reproductionandinstrumentalinregulating bodyweightandenergybalance.
Manychoosetoaddmelatoninormedicatefor sleepandarehappytheydo,butmanydon’tsee thatasaviableoptionforthemforonereasonor
another.Iamnotaproponentofmelatonin therapybecauseinsteadofgivingthepineal glandafreeride,IwouldprefertofindoutWHY itisn’tproducingenoughmelatonin,ifthatisthe issue,andaddressthat.Treatingtheunderlying causeisinvariablybetterthanjustsupplantinga functionwithacloserelative,butnotexactlythe sameasyourownhormones.
Therearemanybedtimeroutinesthatcanbe helpfulinencouragingsleep.Therearealso some“don’tdothis”advice:Putyourmediato bedatleasttwohoursbeforeretiring.Eventhen, wearblue-lightblockingglassesasthebluelight canadverselyaffectsleep.Don’teatsugar, sugarydrinks,alcoholorcoffeeanytimeafter 2pm.Eventhoughsomebelievealcoholhelps theirsleep,thequalityisnotgood,sothesleep deprivationcontinues.
Whileeatingcarbsbeforebedisnotgoodfor sleep,eatingextraproteinis–butnotalot.Just achunk–likeaminichickenwingordrumstick size.Proteinisverystabilizingtotheblood sugar,animbalanceofwhichcontributesto wakinginthemiddleofthenightunableto returntosleep.Toomuchfoodresultsinthe bodybusilydigestinginsteadofresting.Aswith allthingsinlife,balanceiskey.
WanttohearmorefromDr.Carling?Checkout ourpodcast.SearchforVitalHealth4Youon yourfavoritepodcastlisteningapporgoto vitalhealthcda.com/podcasts/
Dr.HollyCarlingisaDoctorofOrientalMedicine,LicensedAcupuncturist,DoctorofNaturopathy, ClinicalNutritionistandMasterHerbologistwithoverfourdecadesofexperience.Dr.Carlingisa“Health Detective,”shelooksbeyondyoursymptompictureandinvestigatesWHYyouareexperiencingyour symptomsinthefirstplace.Dr.Carlingiscurrentlyacceptingnewpatientsandoffersnaturalhealthcare servicesandwholefoodnutritionalsupplementsinherCoeurd’Aleneclinic.VisitDr.Carling’swebsite atwww.vitalhealthcda.comtolearnmoreaboutDr.Carling,viewalistofupcominghealthclassesand readotherinformativearticles.Dr.Carlingcanbereachedat208-765-1994andwouldbehappytoanswer anyquestionsregardingthistopic.
Medical/HealthDisclaimer:Theinformationprovidedinthisarticleshouldnotbeconstruedaspersonalmedicaladviceor instruction.Noactionshouldbetakenbasedsolelyonthecontentsofthisarticle.Readersshouldconsultappropriatehealth professionalsonanymatterrelatingtotheirhealthandwell-being.Theinformationandopinionsprovidedherearebelievedtobe accurateandsound,basedonthebestjudgmentavailabletotheauthor,butreaderswhofailtoconsultappropriatehealthauthorities
PACTActBenefits
Ahalf-millionclaimshavebeenfiledunderthe PACTActforexposuretotoxins.Sofar,over$1 billionhasbeenpaidinbenefits.Andthat'sjust sincelastAugust,whentheactwassigned. Threemillionveteranshavehadtheirnew screeningssincethen,andnearlyhalfofthem hadexposures.SincelastAugust,215,000 veteranshavesignedupforDepartmentof VeteransAffairshealthcare,abigincreaseover thepreviousyear.Andthisfiscalyearalone (startinglastOctober),theVAhaspaidoutover $65billiononcompensationbenefits.
WiththePACTAct,anysubsequentillnessesare presumptive,meaningthatit'sassumedthat yourhealthconditioniscausedbyexposureto toxinsifyouwereincertainlocationsatcertain times.Theactaddsover20newpresumptivesto thelist.
Thelistofillnessesfromexposuretotoxinsare serious:cancersofthebrain,head,kidney,neck, pancreasandmanymore.Lessseriousare allergicrhinitis,bronchialasthma,chronic bronchitisandothers.Ofthefiveconditions mostfrequentlyclaimedviathePACTAct, hypertensivevasculardiseasetopsthelist,with 80%ofclaimsgranted.
ToreadmoreaboutthePACTAct,gotothe dashboardatwww.accesstocare.va.gov/ healthcare/pactact.Infoisupdatedthereevery otherFriday.Arecentissueofthedashboard saysthatwrappingupPACTclaimsistakingan averageof156days.Atthattime,45.6%of claimswereatover125daysofbeing completed,andtheapprovalratewas80%.Be suretoscrolldownthepage,asthereisalotof info.
Additionally,youcancheckva.gov/pactorcall themat800-MYVA411.
Note:TheVAwantsustosignupforPACT benefits.IfwedothisbeforeAug.10,2023,the benefitswilllikelybebackdatedayear,toAug. 10,2022.Markthatdateonyourcalendarand don'tletitslipbyifyouintendtofileforPACT benefits.Infact,whydon'tyougetstartednow?
(c)2023KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.
1.Inbaseball,whatstatisticisrecordedfora startingpitcherwhopitchesatleastsixinnings andallowsthreeearnedrunsorfewer?
2.WhatsportoriginatedinSoutheastAsiaandis similartovolleyballbutplayedwithoutusing handsorarms?
3.In1968,whatteamdidtheNewYorkKnicks defeatinthefirstNBAgameplayedatNewYork City'sMadisonSquareGarden?
4.Italy'sAutodromoInternazionaleEnzoeDino Ferrariisaracingcircuitbetterknownbywhat name?
5.Whatawardispresentedannuallytothetop NCAAmen'shockeyplayer?
6.In1997,JoeBugelhada4-12recordinhis onlyseasonasheadcoachofwhatNFLteam?
7.Whatgolferwas11years,eightmonthsand 19daysoldwhensheplayedinthe2014U.S. Women'sOpen?
TRIVIATEST
ByFifiRodriguez
1.ANATOMY:Whatisacommonnamefor lateralepicondylitis?
2.GEOGRAPHY:Whatwasthecountryof PortugalknownasinRomantimes?
3.MOVIES:Whatarethefinalwordsspokenin themovie"TheShawshankRedemption"?
4.LITERATURE:Whichnovelseriesincludes afictionalplacecalledGodric'sHollow, England?
5.SCIENCE:Whatiscytology?
6.TELEVISION:Whatisthenameoftheranch inthe1960swesternshow"Bonanza"?
7.U.S.STATES:Whichstatehasthelongest cavesystem?
8.FOOD&DRINK:Inwhichcountrywere bagelsinvented?
9.HISTORY:Whatkindofbeetlewasrevered bytheancientEgyptians?
10.ANIMALKINGDOM:Whatisthelargest lizardonEarth?
Answers
1.Tenniselbow.
2.Lusitania.
3."Ihope."
4.The"HarryPotter"seriesbyJ.K.Rowling.
5.Thestudyofcells.
6.Ponderosa.
7.Kentucky.
8.Poland.
9.Scarab.
10.KomodoDragon. (c)2023KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.
*OnJune4,1411,France'sKingCharlesVI grantedamonopolyfortheripeningof Roquefortcheesetothevillageof Roquefort-sur-Soulzon.Thecheese'sorigin morethanthreecenturiesearlierwashumble indeed,afterashepherdlefthisnoonmealin acavebyaccident.
•OnJune1,1843,antislaveryactivistIsabella BaumfreebecameaMethodistandadopted thememorablemoniker"SojournerTruth." Bornintoslaveryherselfcirca1797,she chosethenameafterclaimingthatGodhad calledhertoleavethecityforthe countrysideandtestify"tothehopethatwas withinher."
•OnJune2,1908,thesong"TakeMeOutto theBallgame"wascopyrighted.Nowthe unofficialanthemofNorthAmerican baseball,itwasn'tinspiredbypersonal experience,asthetune'swriters,Jack NorworthandAlbertVonTilzer,hadnever actuallyattendedagamewhentheypenned it.
•OnMay31,1911,the"unsinkable"RMS TitanicwaslaunchedfromBelfast,Northern Ireland,whereithadbeenbuilt.Itstragic fatethefollowingAprilremainsthe deadliestpeacetimesinkingofanoceanliner orcruiseship.
•OnMay30,1964,theBeatles'officialdebut single,"LoveMeDo,"madeittoNo.1on theU.S.musiccharts.ThetunewascowrittenbyJohnLennonandPaul McCartney,thoughLennonlaterwouldsay itwas"Paul'ssong...Idoknowhehadthe songaround,inHamburg,even,way,way beforeweweresongwriters."
•OnJune3,1989,followingstudentunrest thatwasspreadingtotherestofthecountry's population,Chinabeganusingtroopsarmed withassaultriflesandaccompaniedbytanks tosubdueprotestersinTiananmenSquare, Beijing.Estimatesofthedeathtollranged fromseveralhundredtoseveralthousand people,withthousandsmorewounded.
•OnMay29,2018,RussianjournalistArkady Babchenkofakedhisowndeathwiththe intentionofexposingRussianagents.While themediaatfirstreportedthathe'dbeen assassinatedonhiswayhometohisKyiv apartment,Babchenkoappearedverymuch alivethenextdayatapressconference broadcastonUkrainiantelevision.
(c)2023KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.
RecentFoodSafetyRecalls
ThewebsitefortheFoodSafetyandInspection Service(FSIS)armoftheU.S.Departmentof Agricultureisagoodplacetowatchforrecalls andalerts.Rightnowtheyhavenoticesabout potatosoup,clamchowder,frozenturkey sausagepatties,beefstrips--allforavarietyof reasonssuchasundeclaredallergens, temperaturemismanagement,packagingin unsanitaryconditions,etc.
Buttheconcernsaren'tjustwithfoodweselect atthestore;sometimesit'sfoodthat'sdelivered tous.NewontheFSISrecallpageisanalertfor ready-to-cookmeatloafbecauseithasan undeclaredallergeninit,specificallymilk. Thefineprintsaystheydidn'taskforarecall becausetheproductsaren'tavailablefor purchase.Hmmm...whataboutpeoplewho mighthavethoseitemsintheirfreezer?This particularmeatloafwassenttogroupsthat deliverat-homemealstoseniorsandthefood thereforedoesnothaveaningredientlabelonit. Formoreinformationontheserecallsortosign upforemailnotices,gotowww.fsis.usda.gov/ recalls.Andifyoueverhavequestionsabout foodsafety,youcancalltheUSDAMeatand PoultryHotlineat888-MPHotline (888-674-6854).
FoodManufacturingisanothergoodsiteto watchforup-to-the-minuterecallandalert information(www.foodmanufacturing.com/ recalls-alerts).Whilethey'renotpartofthe government,theydocoveralltypesoffood information.Scrolltothebottomtosignupfor emailalertsfromthem.
TheFoodandDrugAdministration(fda.gov)is anothersiteworthwatching.Scrolldowntheir pageforrecallsandalertsonavarietyofitems, suchasfood,medicaldevices,vaccines,drugs andcosmetics.Todaytheirlistincludes salmonellainflour,sesameinpremade sandwiches,eggsinyogurtandlisteriainsalad kits.
Makesyouhesitanttoeatanythingwebuyina store,doesn'tit?Signingupforemailalerts mightbeagoodidea.
(c)2023KingFeaturesSynd.,Inc.
Therearenumerousreasonswhythereturns faroutweighthetimeyouinvest,especially duringleantimes.
I’llpointoutjustfivereasonsyoushould considermakingvolunteeringapartofyour everydaylife.
1.Volunteerslivelongerandarehealthier. Volunteersarehappierandhealthierthannonvolunteers…
2.Volunteeringestablishesstrongrelationships. Despitealloftheonlineconnectionsthatare availableatourfingertips,peoplearelonelier nowthaneverbefore.Indeed,a2010AARP study reportedthatprevalenceoflonelinessisatanall timehigh,withaboutoneinthreeadultsage45 oroldercategorizedaslonely…
3.Volunteeringisgoodforyourcareer.People whovolunteermakemoremoney,partially becausetherelationshipspeoplecreatewhile volunteeringcanbeleveragedforfinancial benefit…
4.Volunteeringisgoodforsociety.Many businesses,andalmostallmission-driven organizations,aresuccessfulonlyifthey maintainastrongvolunteerworkforce…
5.Volunteeringgivesyouasenseofpurpose. Althoughitisnotwell-understoodwhy volunteeringprovidessuchaprofoundhealth benefit,akeyfactorisassumedtobethat volunteeringservestoexpressandfacilitate opportunitiestocarryoutone’ssenseof purpose.
Theverynatureofvolunteeringmeanschoosing toworkwithoutbeingpaidforit…
Ifyouaren’tcurrentlyvolunteering,andthreein fourofusaren’t,therearemanyresources onlinethatcanhelpyoufindanopportunity. Committingevenaslittleasonehouraweekcan haveaprofoundbenefitonyourownlife,and theorganizationsthatrelyonsuchhelpwillbe abletothrive…”(DawnC.Carr,Ph.D.,an assistantprofessoratFloridaStateUniversity,is asocialgerontologistwhoseresearchfocuseson factorsthatfacilitatehealthyandactiveaging, asquotedinPsychologyToday,“TheThird Age”.)
“…volunteeringisn’tsomethingtoput offuntilyouhaveextratimeand money.
1.Whohadahitwith"EverybodyLoves Somebody"?
2.Whichartistwroteandreleased"Runaround Sue"?
3.Nametheartistmostlikelytointentionally smashguitarsonthestageduringperformances.
4.WhichgroupchangedtheirnametoSugar Ray?
5.Namethe1969songthatcontainsthese lyrics:"Iloveyouso,Ialwayswill,Andinyour voiceIhearachoirofcarousels."
Answers
1.DeanMartin,in1964.Written20years before,thesongnevergotmuchattentionuntil Martin'sversion.Itbecamehissignaturesong onhistelevisionshowfrom1965to1974.
2.Dion,in1961afterhisbreakwiththe Belmonts.DionwasinductedintotheGrammy HallofFameforthesongin2002.
3.PeterTownshendofTheWho.Atlastcount, thenumberofguitarssmashedtopped80. Legendsaysthathealwayscollectedthepieces oftheguitarsandgluedthembacktogether.
4.ShrinkyDinx,afteralawsuitbythetoy manufacturerofShrinkyDinks.
5."WeddingBellBlues,"bythe5thDimension. Thesong,writtenandrecordedin1966byLaura Nyrowhenshewasonly18yearsold,soaredto thetopofthechartswhenthe5thDimension versionwasreleased.
(c)2023KingFeaturesSyndicate
