of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #46 Nov. 13th 2017
of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021
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TIDBITS® CLIMBS MOUNT EVEREST
by Janet Spencer • Mount Everest was named after George Everest, the Welch director of the governmental Survey of India from 1830 to 1843, who was the first person to organize a team to measure the Himalayas Mountains. George pronounced his name in two syllables: “Eve-Rest” whereas most people today pronounce it in three syllables: “Ever-Rest.” • One of his colleagues, a mathematician and surveyor from India named Radhanath Sikdar, was the first to estimate Mount Everest’s height, calculating that it stood 29,000 feet tall (8839 m) and correctly announcing it to be the tallest mountain in the world. • Located on the border of Tibet and Nepal, Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world although its exact height is often disputed. In 1955 a team of surveyors using the best equipment of the day determined that it stood 29,029 feet (8848 m) above sea level. In 1999 a National Geographic team placed a GPS device on the summit and recorded the altitude as 29,035 feet (8849 m). In 2005, a Chinese team used even more precise instruments to measure the mountain as it would stand without the ice and snow accumulated on the summit. Their official measurement came in at 29,017 feet (8844). An earthquake in 2015 may have changed its height. The officially accepted height remains at 29,029 feet. (cont)
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021
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Evelyn Bevacqua Howe 212. W. Ironwood Dr., Suite D,# 224, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 Cell: 208.755.9120 Email: Tidbitscda@gmail.com www.tidbitscda.com Facebook/tidbitscda
EVEREST FACTS • The summit is just below the cruising altitude of a jet. • Everest grows a fraction of an inch taller each year because of the upward thrust of continental drift. • The limestone, shale, sandstone, and marble found on Mt. Everest were once part of an ocean floor. Fossils of shells and other marine life are found there. • The average temperature at the summit is -2F (-19C) in summer and -33F (-36C) in winter. HIGH CLIMBERS • In 1924, George Mallory (“Because it’s there”) and his climbing partner Andrew Irvine were part of an expedition attempting to complete the first ascent of Everest. They were last seen on June 8 just below the summit making steady progress. Shortly after, they disappeared, leaving behind a mystery for the ages. Did they make it to the top or did they perish somewhere below the summit? • In 1999, a team of climbers discovered Mallory’s remains high on the slopes of Everest. The body did little to reveal whether or not he actually reached the top and unfortunately the team’s camera was not found amongst his gear. It is believed that Irvine was actually carrying the camera when they made their ascent, and that device could hold the photographic evidence of their success or failure. To date, Irvine’s body – and the camera – have not been found, but if it is ever uncovered, it could potentially change mountaineering history. Experts at Kodak say that the camera film, if recovered, could still be successfully developed. • The first successful summit of Everest was recorded by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. (cont)
• Get cobwebs off a window screen with a lint roller. • Want to make that summer at-home pedicure last? Don’t skip the base coat or a UV topcoat. The base coat will allow the color to adhere evenly and better. Then the topcoat will protect the color from the sun while giving it a little extra shine. • “Use an over-the-door shoe holder to house your makeup and hair accessories, plus jewelry and other personal items. You can trim a curtain or piece of fabric to fit over the length of it, and tie it to the top if it looks too messy in your room.” -- M.K. in North Carolina • Use this trick to freshen your stuffed animals. Dust with baking soda and put several together in a large paper grocery bag until it’s half full. Fold the top of the bag down and shake vigorously. Remove the stuffed friends and shake off any excess baking soda. For good measure, put the dusted-off toys in a low- or no-heat dryer cycle for 10-15 minutes. • Hashbrowns can be made on a waffle iron. Coat liberally with canola oil or butter-flavored nonstick spray, and add shredded potatoes and finely diced onion. Allow the iron to cook the potatoes to your desired level of crispness, and flip out both sides onto a plate. They will be both crisp and soft! • Honey has amazing properties, and one of them is its antiseptic powers. You can even use it on pimples. Just a tiny dab will help keep bacteria responsible for breakouts from taking over. Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021 SUCCESSFUL SUMMITS • As of February 2021, 5,788 different people have reached the summit of Mount Everest. Not included in the total are the people who have summited more than once, which puts the total over 6,000. Most of the people who have summited multiple times are sherpas. • A sherpa named Kami Rita Sherpa has been to the summit a record 24 times. • On May 16, 1975, Junko Tanabe of Japan became the first woman to climb Mount Everest from the south side. In the same year, Tibetan Pando became the first woman to climb from the northern slope. • Mountain guide Lhakpa Sherpa of Nepal holds the record for most summits by a woman, having summited nine times. • 635 women have summited, not including women who have summited more than once. • The record for most summits by a non-Sherpa is held by American Dave Hahn, a guide for RMI Expeditions. He’s made the trip to the summit 15 times out of 19 tries. • The oldest climber to ever reach the summit is Yuichiro Miura of Japan, who was 80 years old when he summited in 2013, beating his own record of summiting at the age of 70 in 2003. He also was the first person to ski down Everest in 1970. His summit of Everest earned him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. • The youngest person to summit is Jordan Romero of the U.S. He reached the top in 2010, at the age of 13. Romero also holds the record of being the youngest person to reach the highest peaks of all the 7 continents. He achieved the feat at the age of 15.
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® of Idaho TIDBITS of Kootenai Issue #28 July 12th 2021 TidbitsCounty, Dallas County SUMMIT SUCCESS • The fastest time for an Everest summit from the South Side in Nepal is currently held by Lakpa Gelu Sherpa who managed to go from base camp to the top in just 10 hours and 56 minutes in 2003. Lakpa spent a few minutes on the summit enjoying his accomplishment before turning back, completing the round-trip journey in just 18 hours, 20 minutes. • Tom Whittaker, who lost his right foot in a car accident in 1979, was the first disabled person to reach the top. He summited on his third attempt in 1998. • New Zealand mountaineer Mark Inglis lost both of his legs due to frostbite after being trapped on a mountain in a blizzard for 13 days in 1982. Nonetheless, he summited Everest in 2006, the first double amputee to do so. • The first blind person to reach the summit was American Erik Weihenmayer in 2001. • A Nepalese couple Moni Mulepati, 24, and her groom Pem Dorjee, 23, got married on top of Everest in 2005. They stayed at the summit for 10 minutes to complete the rituals. • Didier Delsalle, a fighter pilot and helicopter test pilot from France, landed a helicopter on the summit of Everest in 2005, setting a world record for highest altitude landing of a helicopter. Helicopters can’t fly at low oxygen levels making rescue from Everest difficult or impossible. • Everest is the mountain with the most deaths, but it does not have highest mortality rate. Among the mountains with more than 1,000 climbers, Everest currently has a death rate of 1.37% of climbers, only the tenth-highest. Annapurna I has the highest death rate with 52 deaths and 191 successful summits. • Avalanche is the top cause of death on Everest, followed by falls, altitude sickness, and exposure.
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By Lucie Winborne • “Bonobo,” the common name for apes, was a typo. Researchers are said to have first found the animals in the town of Bolobo, Zaire, but misspelled the town’s name as “Bonobo” on the crate in which one was shipped, and the error stuck. • Are you a fan of coffee breaks? Then you’ll want to head to Stoughton, Wisconsin, for their annual Coffee Break Festival, featuring coffee tastings, “brew-offs” and -- seriously -bean-spitting contests. Next one’s in August. • The world’s largest padlock measures an impressive 56.8 inches tall, 41.3 inches wide, and 10.2 inches deep, and weighs in at 916 pounds. Sorry, we don’t know what it was built to protect ... • One of the earliest known vacuum cleaners was so large that it had to be hauled via a horse-drawn carriage. Giant hoses were inserted into customers’ windows while a gaspowered motor sucked dirt into a glass container for the shock and awe of onlookers. • You can thank the American armed forces for the first McDonald’s Drive Thru, which made its debut in Sierra Vista, Arizona, near the Fort Huachuca military installation. Rules prohibited soldiers from wearing their uniforms in public, and no one wanted to switch to civvies just to grab a burger, so restaurant manager David Rich cut a hole in the wall, allowing them to pick up their orders without leaving their vehicles. Unsurprisingly, the idea quickly caught on with the general public. • The next time someone tells you they’re sweating like a pig, they’re actually lying (though, we’re sure, unintentionally!): Pigs are born without sweat glands, hence the need for a nice mud puddle to cool off in.
Thought for the Day:
“The beauty of nature has been one of the great inspirations of my life.” -- Jim Henson (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue 505-0674 #28 July 12th 2021 For Advertising Call (334)
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TIDBITS ofTidbits Kootenai® County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021 of Dallas County
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By Dr. Holly Carling
CORRECTING CONSTIPATION – PART I
There are many definitions of constipation – primarily it is infrequent bowel movements or straining at bowel movements. Common frequency averages 3-21 bowel movements a week. But “common” doesn’t equate to “healthy”. If your digestive system is functioning perfectly and there are no emotional factors, constipationcausing medications or structural issues in the colon, you should be having a bowel movement 30 minutes after every meal. For most people, that means 3 bowel movements a day. They should be soft, like a paste but not sticky, barely formed, brown, and whether they sink or float depends on the contents of your diet. What they should NOT be is black or tarry, very foul smelling (rotten-like), greasy, red (unless you ate a red food such as beets), pencil thin, white or pale yellow, hard or loose or watery. What effects the quality and frequency of your stools is the food you eat, primarily, the fats you consume (good fats = good stools), the fiber content (high fiber content = easy to evacuate, leaving hardly a trace behind), water consumption (½ your body weight in ounces/day is ideal), inadequate healthy colon bacteria – “flora” (think pre and pro-biotics), eating too many processed foods (makes the stools sticky), the quantity of digestive enzymes (especially hydrochloric acid and bile), insufficient minerals in the diet (especially calcium, magnesium, potassium and zinc), inadequate food-derived B vitamins
(nearly the whole complex), the amount of exercise (more is better – but even gardening and house cleaning count – movement is what is important here), your emotional state (stress, fear of having a bowel movement, shyness in public facilities), whether or not you pay attention to the signals/urges (disregarding urges to defecate because of inopportune circumstances contributes to constipation), and physical impairments (insufficient peristalsis – muscular movement of the intestines to propel the stools out) or disease. What’s the harm in not having adequate bowel movements anyway? Constipation can predispose you to pretty much all the colorectal disorders there are – hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, etc. When you don’t defecate enough, the colon stretches out and can hold 10 or 20 pounds or more of fecal material. This makes the colon muscle less effective at moving the body’s waste products out. It can also irritate and damage the delicate mucosal lining in the gut, harm the anal canal, or inhibit production of vital nutrients such as some essential B vitamins and vitamin K. An unhealthy gut has an abnormal balance of healthy vs. unhealthy bacteria, yeasts and other microorganisms found in the gut and can predispose you to associated infections. Getting help from constipation is more than just a convenience. It is a very important contribution to your total health and wellbeing. Laxatives are not a good long term solution. Next week, in part II, we will discuss natural solutions to con stipation.
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 208-7651994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Issue505-0674 #28 July 12th 2021 For Advertising CallIdaho (334)
by Freddy Groves
New Presumptives for Agent Orange
The Department of Veterans Affairs has added three presumptives to its list of illnesses caused by Agent Orange: bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism. The new ones are added to: AL amyloidosis, chronic B-cell leukemias, chloracne, diabetes mellitus Type 2, Hodgkin’s disease, ischemic heart disease, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy early-onset, porphyria cutanea tarda, prostate cancer, respiratory cancers and soft tissue sarcomas. We have Nehmer vs. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to thank for that, the 1986 classaction lawsuit that continues to give and give. If you previously filed for benefits for the three new illnesses, your case will now automatically be reviewed. No need to refile. Each time a new illness is added, Nehmer means that any previous claims for illnesses will be reviewed and disability pay will be retroactive to the date of the initial claim. But that’s not all. The VA will now consider making a list of respiratory illnesses into presumptives. They’re calling it “particulate matter pollution,” coming from the burn pits, as well as sandstorm dust, pollution, fuels, vehicle exhaust and dirt from farming or construction. Illnesses they’re looking at include asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis for those who served in the Persian Gulf War after Sept. 19, 2001, or in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan during the Persian Gulf War. When it comes to air-quality presumptives, one wonders about the incinerator outside Naval Air Facility Atsugi in Japan that ran from 1985 to 2001, spewing 90 tons of medical and industrial waste daily. The VA website says there is no scientific evidence that the incinerator caused risk of disease and therefore no presumptive illnesses ... yet the med.navy.mil site has many medical links, including one from 1994 that says air monitoring indicated there was a “significantly elevated risk to human health” from those incinerator emissions. In 2001, it followed up with a 574-page Human Health Risk Assessment. The VA needs to read it. (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
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® ofIdaho TIDBITS of Kootenai County, IssueCounty #26 June 28th 2021 Tidbits Dallas
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ForofAdvertising 505-0674 TIDBITS Kootenai County,Call Idaho(334) Issue #28 July 12th 2021 COUCH THEATER VIDEO/DVD PREVIEWS
By Rachel Rose Photo Credit: Courtesy Searchlight Pictures Photo Caption: B.B. King in “Summer of Soul” “Summer of Soul” (PG-13) -- Overshadowed by the Woodstock festival held the same summer, the Harlem Cultural Festival celebrated African-American music, culture and Black pride. But footage of the multiple concerts sat idle and unseen for decades despite featuring some of the biggest names in popular music, like Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and the Fifth Dimension. “Monsters at Work” -- Ever wondered what becomes of graduates of Monsters University? Like many of us, recent grad Tylor Tuskmon finds out the work world isn’t always what we anticipate. Starting his new job as a mechanic on the Monsters, Inc. facilities team, he finds that instead of scares, it’s laughter they’re after. This animated series sees the return of familiar “Monsters, Inc.” characters Sulley and Mike, along with a host of new ones, including Val (voiced by Mindy Kaling) and Fritz (Henry Winkler). Four weekly episodes begin airing July 7. (Disney+) “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” (R) -- If you missed this 1997 mystery thriller, pour yourself a bourbon neat and get comfortable. Highfalutin parties, eccentric Southern locals and romantic betrayal are supporting cast members to a high-society murder that centers the plot. Based on the best-selling novel by John Berendt, “Midnight” is directed by Clint Eastwood and stars Kevin Spacey, John Cusack and Jude Law. It’s based on real events that occurred in 1981 in Savannah, Georgia, and was filmed on location there. If you love moonlight, magnolias and Old South finery -- as well as a whodunnit and why -- this movie is a dream. (HBOMax) “Luxe Listings Sydney, Season 1” -- I can’t get enough of programs that remind me just how house poor I am. Even better is when they take place in locales I’ve never visited. If you, too, are curious what the power-posing, suit wearing, over-made-up men and women of real estate “down under” are doing, this is the series for you. This Amazon Original series features beautiful and pretentious people selling beautiful and pretentious homes for ridiculous prices throughout the coastal Australian real estate market. (Amazon Prime Video) “High on the Hog” -- This four-episode Netflix original documentary series traces the connection of traditional and modern-day Black cuisine back to its basic roots in pre-slavery Africa. Chef and food writer Stephen Satterfield travels to Western Africa and throughout the American South to learn how Black cuisine evolved, or sometimes, stayed exactly the same over centuries. With the help of African-American culinary historians and cultural preservationists, Satterfield explores how food traditions bridge the generations on two continents. While the interviews with locals are at times sleepy, the emotional and spiritual reactions Satterfield experiences are striking. Each episode is historically informative and culturally relevant. (Netflix) (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
Help Fight Off Fleas With Brewer’s Yeast DEAR PAW’S CORNER: Regarding cats with fleas, I have had great success eliminating fleas by adding powdered brewer’s yeast to their food. One of my cats even licked it out of her bowl dry. Brewer’s yeast is usually available at health food stores. -- Suzanne F., via email
DEAR SUZANNE: Thank you for the tip! Brewer’s yeast is a great nutritional supplement for cats and dogs, and many owners have observed that their pets have fewer fleas when it’s added to their food. It can certainly be a strong asset to a well-rounded flea fighting strategy. For cats and small dogs, sprinkle about half a teaspoon on their food at mealtimes. For medium dogs up to 30 pounds, increase that to a teaspoon. For every 30 pounds over that, add a teaspoon of brewer’s yeast. Consistency is important. Brewer’s yeast, unfortunately, does not repel ticks, so pets -- even those who stay indoors -- should be checked regularly throughout the spring, summer and fall for these little hangerson. Brush your pet’s coat daily to remove flea eggs and any remaining fleas. Owners may need to use stronger flea and tick treatments in addition to brewer’s yeast, but it’s still a great ally in the fight against fleas. Other flea prevention strategies include vacuuming your home twice a week during peak season to reduce tracked-in fleas and their eggs, and quickly ruffling your pet’s coat with a towel and cleaning their paws when they come indoors. Bathing your dog or cat can help reduce irritation from flea bites, but only use shampoos designed for pets to keep their skin from drying out and becoming more irritated. Send your flea-fighting tips to ask@pawscorner. com.
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For ofAdvertising Call (334) 505-0674 TIDBITS Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021
Deluxe Cheesesteaks
The classic Philly Cheesesteak (thin slices of grilled steak on an Italian roll with melted cheese and grilled onions) is a South Philadelphia tradition dating back to the 1930s. Our version is divine -- and you don't have to travel farther than your backyard! 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 3 cloves garlic, crushed with garlic press 3 medium red and/or green peppers, cut lengthwise into quarters, seeds and stems discarded 2 medium red onions, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices 2 (about 3/4 pound, 1 inch thick) beef top round steak 4 ounces Provolone cheese, shredded (1 cup) 4 8-inch hero rolls, split horizontally 1. In small bowl, mix vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic. Place peppers and onions in 1 large self-sealing plastic bag and steak in another. Add 2 tablespoons vinegar mixture to bag with vegetables and 1/4 cup mixture to bag with steak. Reserve remaining mixture. Seal bags, pressing out excess air. Marinate 15 minutes at room temperature. 2. Remove steak and vegetables from bags and place on grill over medium heat. Cook steak 15 to 20 minutes for medium-rare or until of desired doneness, turning steak once. Cook vegetables on grill with steak about 15 minutes or until browned and just tender, turning occasionally. 3. Transfer steak and vegetables to cutting board. Let steak stand 10 minutes to allow juices to set for easier slicing. 4. Meanwhile, sprinkle cheese over cut sides of rolls. Place rolls on grill, cheese side up, and cook over medium heat 3 minutes or until cheese melts. Transfer to platter. 5. To serve, thinly slice steak, cut peppers into strips, and separate onion slices into rings. Pile steak, peppers and onions over melted cheese on bottom halves of rolls. Drizzle with reserved vinaigrette, and replace top halves of rolls, cheese side down. * Each serving: About 505 calories, 16g total fat (7g saturated), 62mg cholesterol, 910mg sodium, 55g total carbohydrate, 2g dietary fiber, 35g protein. For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our Web site at www.goodhousekeeping.com/foodrecipes/. (c) 2021 Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved
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® ofIdaho TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Issue County #28 July 12th 2021 Tidbits Dallas
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• On July 21, 365 A.D., a powerful earthquake off the coast of Greece causes a tsunami that devastates the city of Alexandria, Egypt. It was not until 1995 that archaeologists discovered the ruins of the old city off the coast of present-day Alexandria. • On July 22, 1598, William Shakespeare’s play “The Merchant of Venice” is entered on the Stationers’ Register. By decree of Queen Elizabeth, the register licensed printed works, giving the Crown tight control over all published material. • On July 19, 1799, the Rosetta Stone is found in Egypt by a French soldier. The irregularly shaped black basalt slab contained fragments of passages written Greek, Egyptian hieroglyphics and Egyptian demotic. It held the key to solving the riddle of hieroglyphics, a written language that had been “dead” for nearly 2,000 years. • On July 24, 1901, William Sydney Porter, otherwise known as O. Henry, is released from prison after serving three years for embezzlement from a bank in Austin, Texas. He began writing stories to support his young daughter while he was in prison. • On July 25, 1917, in Paris, the exotic dancer Mata Hari is sentenced to death by a French court for spying on Germany’s behalf during World War I. Since 1903, she had performed in Paris as a dancer, claiming she was an Indian priestess. • On July 20, 1948, President Harry Truman institutes a military draft with a proclamation calling for nearly 10 million men to register for within the next two months. Truman’s action came during increasing Cold War tensions with the Soviet Union. • On July 23, 1976, members of the American Legion who were gathered in Philadelphia begin suffering from a mysterious form of pneumonia. Within 10 days, 22 people were dead and hundreds were experiencing pneumonialike symptoms. Their ailment would come to be known as Legionnaires disease. (c) 2021 Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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By Matilda Charles
Keeping Track
At some point we need to start making notes. Maybe you’re not there yet. But that day might sneak up on you when you discover that you’ve forgotten to mail the check for your property taxes. Or worse, when a police officer stops you and says your license tags expired -- three months ago. Forgetting the car tag might be excusable if your town no longer sends out notices. Or if you had the same vehicle for eight years and tags were always due the same month each year, and now you have a new vehicle with a different due date. But when you’ve lived in the same home for 30 years and you forget to pay the property taxes ... that’s when you know you need to start making notes. A good way to do this is with an annual calendar. When you flip the page, there in bright letters are your tasks for the month. If one of the tasks happens to fall in the first week of the next month, make a note in the last week of the previous month. Use the previous year’s calendar, flip through all the pages, make your notes and you’ll be all set. ... Unless those tiny squares just won’t do the trick, which is possible if you’re still working or have a long list of tasks to accomplish on a weekly basis. For many years I’ve used an 8-by-11 notebook. Each page is a week, divided with lines into six boxes, dated. The weekend, when theoretically there are no urgent tasks, gets Saturday and Sunday in one box. It might seem silly to start keeping such a detailed calendar of things you need to do. After all, haven’t you always remembered when the car tags are due? Until you don’t, and are reminded by a police officer. (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCHERS: ALZHEIMER’S PATIENTS CAN BENEFIT FROM FAMILIAR MUSIC SALT LAKE CITY — MRI scans of patients who have Alzheimer’s disease show that playing songs with personal meaning to them activates parts of their brain that still have a semblance of memory retention, researchers at University of Utah Health say. “No one says playing music will be a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but it might make the symptoms more manageable, decrease the cost of care and improve a patient’s quality of life,” said Dr. Jeff Anderson, a professor of radiology and imaging sciences at the U., in a prepared statement. U. researchers recently carried out a study on the topic of music therapy for such patients, beginning by spending three weeks to help “participants select meaningful songs and trained the patient and caregiver on how to use a portable media player loaded with the self-selected collection of music,” explained Stacy Kish, science writer for University of Utah Health. Kish said in a release that researchers “scanned the patients to image the regions of the brain that lit up” each time they listened to one of eight 20-second clips from their music collection, comparing them to brain activity shown during eight different clips of the same music played backward and eight 20-second “blocks of silence.” “The researchers found that music activates the brain, causing whole regions to communicate. By listening to the personal soundtrack, the (brain’s) visual network, the salience network, the executive network and the cerebellar and cortico-cerebellar network pairs all showed significantly higher functional connectivity,” Kish wrote. Dr. Norman Foster, senior author of the study and director of the Center for Alzheimer’s Care at University of Utah Health, said the resultant findings are “objective evidence from brain imaging” showing that “personally meaningful music is an alternative route for communicating with patients who have Alzheimer’s disease.” “Language and visual memory pathways are damaged early as the disease progresses, but personalized music programs can activate the brain, especially for patients who are losing contact with their environment,” Foster said in a prepared statement. Of particular interest in music’s effect on an Alzheimer’s patient’s brain, Kish said, is how it interacts specifically with the region called the salience network, which she said “remains an island of remembrance that is spared from the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease.” Additionally, “activation of neighboring regions of the brain may also offer opportunities to delay the continued decline caused by the disease,” according to Kish. Prior studies have explored how a personalized music program affects patients’ moods, and the results have been encouraging, but generally “people don’t really know why,” Anderson, contributing author on the study, told the Deseret News. He said that is why it is helpful to explore specifically the ways activity increases in the brain as a result of the music. Dr. Jeff Anderson, a professor of radiology and imaging sciences at the University of Utah, preps an MRI scanner at the Imaging and Neurosciences Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. U. researchers found MRI scans of patients who have Alzheimer’s disease show that playing songs with personal meaning to them activates parts of their brain that still have a semblance of memory retention. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, KSL) Kish said the findings could have implications for how medical professionals “approach anxiety, depression and agitation in patients with dementia” — a broader term for conditions affecting a person’s memory. Anderson agreed, adding, “when you have somebody that’s really impaired, small gains can be really meaningful.” While the new study focused on examining Alzheimer’s patients specifically, Anderson said, he doesn’t “necessarily have a lot of reasons to believe that most other dementia syndromes … (would) not behave similarly” in response to music. “When you put headphones … and play familiar music, they come alive,” said Jace King, a graduate student researcher and first author of the study. “Music is like an anchor, grounding the patient back in reality.” The study has limitations, among them a small sample size of 17 patients and the fact that each of them were subjected to just one imaging session, Kish said. Anderson added that more research is needed to help answer the questions of “how long does the effect last” and “exactly what type of symptoms it is most helpful for.” The study, first published in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease in April, was carried out with the help of researchers from Jewish Family Services of Utah, University of Colorado, and Massachusetts General Hospital. It was funded with financial support from A. Scott Anderson, Zions Banks president/CEO and philanthropist, as well as the American Otological Society. (By Ben Lockhart, KSL|Posted - Dec 29th, 2018 @ 12:05pm) Contact Linda Davis, 208-755-3637 for a tour when the time is right for your loved one and for your family.
Linda Davis Director of building relationships. 208.457.3403 www.LodgeLiving.net
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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You dislike waiting for promises to be fulfilled and for commitments to be kept, but resist your headstrong tendency to push things along. Your patience will be rewarded. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Expect continuing opposition to your plans from die-hard detractors. However, your determination to see things through will carry the day. A Pisces has romantic ideas. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You might be too close to a troublesome workplace situation to deal with it successfully. Step away in order to get a better perspective. A solution soon becomes obvious. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You might suspect that someone you trust has misled you on an important matter, but a more balanced view of things reveals a misunderstanding to be the culprit. LEO (July 23 to August 22) The Big Cat's animal magnetism has rarely been stronger. You can either just bask in all that admiration or use it to your advantage, especially in the workplace. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Someone who previously balked at cooperating with you on a project suddenly has a change of heart. Accept both help and advice with grace. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Some hazy issues still need to be cleared up before you can move on with your new plans. A friend from the past reaches out to re-establish old ties. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Continued positive fall-out follows that risky workplace decision you made some time ago. Your payoff will soon prove to be more substantial than you expected. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A personal relationship continues to be affected by a recent unexpected turn of events. Things need to work themselves out without fingerpointing. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) It's a wonderful week for all you capricious Goats to kick up your heels with friends or family members in some well-earned fun and frivolity. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Caution is advised before making a financial commitment to someone you don't really know. There are better ways to build friendships than with risky fiscal dealings. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Travel plans continue to be favored. A change of scenery brings new opportunities, both personally and professionally. Be open to the possibilities.
BORN THIS WEEK:
You have a strong sense of loyalty that shows itself best in your relationships with family and friends. (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021
By Keith Roach, M.D.
What Is Treatment for a Fatty Liver?
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 77-year-old woman. I am 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weigh 107 pounds. I take no medication. When I went to the doctor last week, he found that my alkaline phosphatase was 176, my ALT 10, and my AST 11. He told me I had fatty liver and to get a scan, but I had no way to get to the place to have it done. He did not say anything else about it. I have no symptoms. Does this sound like fatty liver to you? I did not really like my doctor, but with my insurance it is hard to change doctors. If I do have fatty liver, is there anything I can do for it? -- J.F. ANSWER: Fatty liver is an increasingly common problem. Risk factors include being overweight and having diabetes, high blood pressure and abnormal blood cholesterol levels. Alcohol use is also a cause of fatty liver, and all people with fatty liver are strongly recommended to abstain from alcohol entirely. The primary treatment is diet and weight loss. It sounds like there was some missed communication between you and your doctor. Fatty liver is a possibility; however, it does not seem likely to me, as you have not identified any of the risk factors, and you are certainly not overweight (if anything, you are a bit underweight). Further, although the alkaline phosphatase can be elevated in fatty liver (yours is just a bit high), it is more common for AST and ALT to be elevated, which yours are not.
An ultrasound scan is a good, but not definitive, way of looking for fatty liver. A liver biopsy is still the definitive test, but it’s often not done in people whose history, physical exam and ultrasound are all suggestive. A slightly abnormal alkaline phosphatase does not necessarily mean you have a liver problem. Bone issues (fractures, Paget’s disease of bone, high thyroid and parathyroid hormone levels) can cause a high alkaline phosphatase, too. Additional liver tests -- checking the GGT level or specifically what kind of alkaline phosphatase you have (by isoenzyme analysis) -- can make the source of the elevated alkaline phosphatase clearer. Getting an ultrasound scan and additional blood tests is a reasonable place to start. Unfortunately, lack of confidence in your physician is a different problem. If you really can’t get a new doctor, then you need to have a conversation about proceeding with evaluation in such a way that you can do so while being confident that you are getting good advice. DEAR DR. ROACH: A few years ago, I read that the herbal supplement feverfew may help with some migraines. Having suffered with severe migraine for over 50 years, I decided to try it. I take one capsule four times a day, and it has completely rid me of my migraines. Would you please mention it again? -- B.J.F. ANSWER: Feverfew is a common herbal remedy to prevent migraine, and although not all trials have shown benefit, the majority of studies I have read showed that it is more effective than a placebo and the side effect risk is very small. Other nonprescription treatments that have been shown in most studies to be beneficial include magnesium, riboflavin and coenzyme Q10. They are generally safe and well-tolerated, and I hope others may get the same relief you have found. Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med. cornell.edu.
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WONDERFUL WORDS A FANCY HOT TUB
• In the early 1900s, seven Italian brothers moved to California. They were engineers, and they set up a firm which they named after themselves. They produced aviation equipment, until their mother became worried about the risks of flying and asked them to produce something safer. • They switched to agricultural pumps used in irrigation, leading the industry. • Eventually the second generation of the family took over operations. One of them, named Candido, had a son named Ken who was stricken with rheumatoid arthritis. At the hospital he regularly received hydrotherapy baths. At home, Candido hooked up an agricultural pump to a bathtub so his son could be treated at home. • In 1956 the company began to market this therapeutic device to hospitals. In 1968 Roy was a third generation family member who headed the research division. Searching for expanded uses for the company’s products, he decided to market the hydrotherapy device to the leisure and fitness market. • He designed a tub with the whirlpool built in, displaying it at county fairs and trade shows. By 1970 sales were strong enough to warrant the design of a larger model that could accommodate several people. Filters and water heaters were added so the tub didn’t have to be emptied between uses. • The culture of California was the perfect place to launch the product, and having one became a status symbol. Soon it was the company’s biggest money-maker. • Today the company is named after the last name of the family, which is now a generic term for a hot tub with jets. What is it? (Answer next page)
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1. F9 (PG-13) Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez 2. A Quiet Place Part II (PG-13) Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds 3. Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard (R) Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson 4. Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (PG) Domhnall Gleeson, Rose Byrne 5. Cruella (PG-13) Emma Stone, Emma Thompson 6. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (R) Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga 7. In the Heights (PG-13) Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins 8. Spirit Untamed (PG) animated 9. Nobody (R) Bob Odenkirk, Aleksey Serebryakov 10. 12 Mighty Orphans (PG-13) Luke Wilson, Robert Duvall Source: Box Office Mojo (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021 Answer: Jacuzzi DUTCH PANTS • Writer Washington Irving, best known for short stories such as “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” had a friend named Herman Knickerbocker. When Iving wrote a satirical book called “A History of New York” he borrowed his friend’s last name as a pen name, Diedrich Knickerbocker. • Irving placed an escalating series of “missing person” ads in various New York newspapers just before the book’s publication, stating that prominent Dutch historian Diedrich Knickerbocker had gone missing from his hotel where he’d been writing a book. • Ads purportedly placed by the hotel manager threatened to publish Knickerbocker’s manuscript in an effort to receive reimbursement for the unpaid hotel bill if Knickerbocker never showed up. Unsuspecting New Yorkers followed this story closely. When the book was released, it was a success. • In the book, many of the illustrations showed New Yorkers dressed in what was then typical garb for the Dutch who lived there, including short trousers similar to breeches or pantaloons that bunched below the knee. Such pants were commonly worn by newsboys, golfers, and baseball players, as well as the general populace. These pants became known as “knickerbockers” because of the book. • Later, all New Yorkers were called Knickerbockers, later shortened to Knicks. This is why the New York NBA team was dubbed the New York Knicks. Knickers also denoted the loose-fitting underwear worn by women. Today the phrase “don’t get yer knickers in a twist” means to calm down.
Video on Demand
1. Raya and the Last Dragon (PG) animated 2. The Marksman (PG-13) Katheryn Winnick 3. Rogue Hostage (NR) Tyrese Gibson 4. The Dry (R) Eric Bana 5. The Courier (PG-13) Benedict Cumberbatch 6. The Misfits (R) Pierce Brosnan 7. Tom & Jerry (PG) Chloe Grace Moretz 8. Queen Bees (PG-13) Ellen Burstyn 9. The Misfits/1961 (NR) Clark Gable 10. Four Good Days (R) Mila Kunis
DVD, Blu-ray Sales
1. Godzilla vs. Kong (PG-13) Warner Bros. 2. Raya and the Last Dragon (PG) Disney 3. Wonder Woman (PG-13) Warner Bros. 4. Godzilla/Kong 3-Film Collection (PG-13) Warner Bros. 5. Tom & Jerry (PG) Warner Bros. 6. The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard (R) Lionsgate 7. Voyagers (PG-13) Lionsgate 8. A Quiet Place (PG-13) Paramount 9. Indiana Jones 4-Movie Collection (PG-13) Paramount 10. John Wick (R) Lionsgate Source: Comscore/Media Play News (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021
Photo Credit: Depositphotos THE KITCHEN DIVA By Angela Shelf Medearis Campfire Cuisine Camping! Just the word evokes many feelings. If you already love it, you might fondly remember trips of the past -- recreation with friends and family, or quiet time communing with nature. If you're new to it, you might be excited about the mysterious forest or vast ocean vistas you'll see. With COVID restrictions finally easing, this is a great time to get out of our stuffy houses, head into the great outdoors, pitch a tent, light a campfire and sleep under the stars. Here are some tips for tent campers courtesy of KOA Kampgrounds: -- New tent? Practice setting it up in the backyard before going on a trip. -- Invest in good sleeping equipment. Choose air mattresses, cots or sleeping bags that will give you adequate rest so you can get the most out of your daytime activities. -- Stay dry: * Use a ground cloth under your tent as protection from rips and moisture. * Use the rain fly, even if the sky looks clear. * To prevent rain from leaking into your tent, apply a seam sealant to the inside and outside of all exposed tent seams. -- Keep your tent clean: * A whisk broom is handy for sweeping out dirt and leaves. * Place an indoor/outdoor rug in front of your tent entrance for dirty shoes. * Bring duct tape for quick repairs of small tears, splintered tent poles and the like. If you love the outdoors, but prefer the creature comforts of home, camping has kept up with the times. You can select high-end campsites featuring lodges that rival an urban hotel, complete with Wi-Fi and concierge services. Or choose glamping, where a large tent complete with luxury cots and furnishings are all set up and ready to go. The only thing needed is you. No matter what form of camping you choose, one thing that hasn’t changed is the joy of a tasty meal prepared on an open fire. These recipes for Campfire Stir-Fry and Pineapple Surprise are quick and easy, and the flavors are enhanced by enjoying the meal in the great outdoors! CAMPFIRE STIR-FRY You also can use cubes of beef or chicken and your favorite selection of vegetables (including drained canned or frozen vegetables) in this simple recipe.
Photo Caption: Sausages cook over a campfire 8 chicken or beef sausages 6 small new potatoes, thinly sliced 2 small summer squashes cut into rounds 2 large carrots cut into 2-inch pieces 2 cloves garlic, mashed and peeled 1 stalk celery, diced 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 1/2 tablespoons poultry seasoning or Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper Put all of the ingredients into a 13-by-9-inch baking pan (a disposable aluminum pan works fine) or a large cast-iron skillet. Drizzle the ingredients with the oil. Sprinkle on the seasonings. Mix everything together until coated with the oil and spices. Place over medium coals for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausages are cooked through and the potatoes are tender. CAMPFIRE PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKES 8 glazed doughnuts (day-old work fine) 8 pineapple rings 1 stick (8 teaspoons) butter 8 Maraschino cherries with syrup 8 teaspoons brown sugar 1. Prepare eight (8-inch) squares of aluminum foil (one square per doughnut). Place 1/2 of a pat of butter in the center of the foil. Place 1 pineapple ring on top of the butter and 1 doughnut on top of the pineapple. Add 1 teaspoon of the brown sugar inside each doughnut hole. Add the remaining 1/2 of the pat of butter on top of the brown sugar. Top each doughnut with 1 Maraschino cherry and a teaspoon of the syrup. 2. Bring the sides of foil over the top of the dessert and twist the ends of the foil together to close tightly. Place the doughnut packets on the coolest part of the campfire grill and cook over low heat, 5 to 7 minutes, until the butter and brown sugar have melted. 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. To see howto videos, recipes and much, much more, Like Angela Shelf Medearis, The Kitchen Diva! on Facebook. Recipes may not be reprinted without permission from Angela Shelf Medearis. (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc., and Angela Shelf Medearis
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TO THE TOP OF EVEREST • There are 18 ways to get to the top of Everest, but only two routes are typically used. From Nepal there’s the Southeast Ridge, the line created by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hilary in 1953. From Tibet, there’s the North Ridge, where George Mallory disappeared in 1924. Almost twice as many expeditions start from the Nepal side than from the Tibet side. • Each has their own base camp, with the one in Tibet being at 16,900 feet (5,150 m) and the one in Nepal at 17,589 feet (5,364 m). From Tibet, there are five camps at higher elevations, and from Nepal, there are four. • Tour companies charge visitors $30,000 to $130,000 or more to get permits, prepare equipment, find guides, and ensure contingency planning. This includes $11,000 paid directly to the Nepalese government for the permit. High-end luxury packages also include up to five sherpa guides for each mountaineer to meet customized needs such as an unlimited supply of oxygen tanks, more comfortable tents, and even hot showers. • Most expeditions have a 1:1 ratio of trekkers to hired sherpas. During the spring season, a sherpa guide can pocket $6,000 to $12,000 in a country where the minimum monthly wage is less than $200. It’s hazardous work that involves installing around 40 ladders and more than 7 miles (12 km) of rope. A cook at base camp can earn around $2,000, while porters hauling supplies make approximately $1,000 per season. • The Ministry of Tourism in Nepal reported collecting $5.2 million in 2018 permit fees. The worst years for Everest income were 2014 (an avalanche killed 16 sherpas), 2015 (an earthquake devastated Nepal killing over 9,000 locals including 21 on Everest) and 2020 (covid-19). (cont)
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021 THE TREK • The average trek from start to finish takes about 40 days. The summit push normally takes place over an arduous four to five days round trip from base camp. • The actual summit of the mountain is a small dome of snow about the size of a dining room table. There’s room for a dozen or so climbers to stand and enjoy the view, although on busy days mountaineers must take turns to truly stand on top of the world. There’s a knife-edge leading up to the summit, with thousand-foot drops on either side, and only a single rope to hang on to. People sometimes wait for hours to get their ten minutes on top. The “2:00 Rule” states that if you don’t start heading down to camp by 2:00 pm, you’ll be trapped in the Death Zone overnight. • 304 people (185 westerners and 119 sherpas) have died on Everest, or about 3% of climbers. Of those, 172 died attempting to summit without using supplemental oxygen. • The overall death rate—the number of fatalities divided by the overall number of people on the mountain, not just those who summit—is approximately 1.2%, meaning that if you try to climb Everest, you have about a one in a hundred chance of dying along the way. • The death rate prior to 1999 was 14.5% but the death rate after 2000 fell to 1.2%. The reduction in deaths is primarily due to better gear, more accurate weather forecasting, and more people climbing with commercial operations. • In 2014, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake triggered an avalanche at base camp that killed 16 Sherpa and climbers and injured 61, one of the worst Everest disasters in history.
By Ryan A. Berenz 1. Name the player from Senegal who was the first-round pick for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2001 NBA Draft. 2. Before Phil Mickelson won the PGA Championship at age 50, who was the oldest golfer to win a major tournament? 3. What racecar driver, nicknamed "Lone Star JR," won the Indianapolis 500 in 1974, '76 and '80? 4. What Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher had a 31-6 win-loss record in 1968? 5. "El Derbi Madrileno" is a match between which two rival Spanish football clubs? 6. What Irish stick-and-ball sport is similar to hurling but is traditionally played only by females? 7. What rapper and Toronto Raptors superfan got into a verbal altercation with the Cleveland Cavaliers' Kendrick Perkins in Game 1 of the 2018 Eastern Conference semifinals? Answers 1. DeSagana Diop. 2. Julius Boros (1968 PGA Championship at age 48). 3. Johnny Rutherford. 4. Denny McClain. 5. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. 6. Camogie. 7. Drake. (c) 2021 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #28 July 12th 2021
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Southwestern Pasta Salad
Call it a reunion, a get-together or just a picnic in the backyard. What can be better than gathering together with family and celebrating with food, fellowship and fun? Take this layered pasta salad to the next "potluck" and be sure to enjoy yourself! 1 1/2 cups cold cooked rotini pasta, rinsed and drained 1/4 cup fat-free Ranch dressing 2 cups finely shredded lettuce 1 cup chopped fresh tomato 1/4 cup chopped green onion 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper 3/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise 1/2 cup chunky salsa 3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese 1. In a medium bowl, combine rotini pasta and Ranch dressing. In an 8-by-8-inch dish, layer lettuce, rotini pasta, tomato, onion and green pepper. 2. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and salsa. Evenly spread dressing mixture over vegetables. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese evenly over top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Divide into 6 servings. * Each serving equals: 143 calories, 3g fat, 7g protein, 22g carb., 465mg sodium, 1g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Meat. (c) 2021 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Photo Credit: Donna Erickson Photo Caption: Tomato soup and cheese sandwiches DONNA'S DAY: CREATIVE FAMILY FUN MELTED-CHEESE SANDWICHES By Donna Erickson 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Al Fresco Soup and Sandwiches 2. In a small bowl, let your child stir together 1 Prepare a tasty lunch for all ages and eat it out- cup of reduced-fat four-cheese Mexican shreddoors together while the days are sunny and ded cheese, 1-2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise, warm. In this menu, melted cheese sandwiches 1 chopped scallion and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme cut in wedges and semi-homemade tomato soup (optional, depending on tastes of your children). with fresh chunks of ripe tomatoes from the gar- 3. Lightly butter the cut side of two halved large den taste fresh and satisfying. sandwich rolls, or 1 halved small baguette. Your Serve with watermelon slices, strawberries and child may spoon the cheese mixture evenly over other summer fruits for dessert. A cupcake or the buttered bread and set on a cookie sheet. sea-salt topped brownie makes the al-fresco Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is lunch extra special if there's a birthday in the bubbly and bread is lightly toasted. Cut into house or if you crave something so deliciously wedges. sweet. Alternate idea: Use your favorite bread instead Here are the simple soup and sandwich "comfort of sandwich rolls or a baguette, and cut bread food" recipes you can throw together in minutes slices with biscuit cutters or cookie cutters for with your pint-size chefs. Serves 4-6. whimsical sandwich shapes. Follow above steps CITRUS-FLAVORED TOMATO SOUP for melted cheese sandwiches. 1. Empty one large 15.2 ounce can of condensed tomato soup into a saucepan. Fill the can with Find more family fun at www.donnaerickson. equal parts orange juice and water, and add to com. Write to Donna at Info@donnaerickson. the soup. Stir well and simmer. com 2. Ten minutes before serving, add one chopped fresh tomato. Serve in attractive mugs or small (c) 2021 Donna Erickson bowls garnished with fresh basil. Set on individ- Distributed by King Features Syndicate ual plates with melted-cheese sandwiches and fruit.