KootenaiCounty, County,Idaho IdahoIssue Issue#45 #46November Nov. 13th5th 2017 ofofKootenai 2018
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TIDBITSÂŽ MARVELS AT BODY MYTHS & FACTS
by Janet Spencer
Come along with Tidbits as we clear up some facts and myths about the human body! QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Q: Does sugar make kids hyperactive? A:There have been no definitive studies proving this to be true, while a variety of studies have shown it to be false. What is true is that sugar is a readily available source of energy, and kids tend to be hyperactive at events where lots of sugar is served, such as birthday parties, Halloween, and Christmas. One double-blind survey showed that parents tended to claim their children were hyperactive when they were told the kids had just consumed large amounts of sugar, even though the children had not been given sugar, and in spite of the fact that their behavior had not substantially changed. Q:Will listening to Mozart make babies smarter? A:Listening to Mozart does soothe a baby somewhat, and learning to play a musical instrument will help develop the brain, but there is no evidence proving that Mozart makes babies smarter. Q: Does shaving hair make it grow back darker? A: No, but it will give each hair a blunter end after being shaved. (continued next page)
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #45 November 5th 2018
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Q & A ABOUT THE BODY (cont) Q:Why does asparagus make pee smell funny? A:Asparagus contains the sulfur compound called mercaptan which is also found in onions, garlic, rotten eggs, and skunks. Not everyone contains the specific enzyme responsible for breaking that enzyme down in the digestive tract, so about half of the population will have stinky urine after eating asparagus. Sometimes it shows up in urine as quickly as 15 to 30 minutes after consuming asparagus. Even Benjamin Franklin described the odor as “disagreeable” in his essay on flatulence called “Fart Proudly.” Q:Do cucumbers make your eyes less puffy? A:Not really, but cold water does, and cucumbers are mostly made of water, and they are usually pretty cold. A cold wet wash cloth would probably do just as well. Q:Should you put a steak on a black eye? A:The thought is that the steak provides coolness and a little pressure, aiding in preventing swelling, but doctors say that bacteria on the steak would make it a bad choice. Instead, just use an ice bag or a sack of frozen vegetables. Q: Do spicy foods cause stomach ulcers? A:No, stomach ulcers are caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, and also by overuse of OTC anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Q: Why do men have nipples? A: When the fetus is developing, it follows a female template first. When the embryo is six weeks old, the male characteristics kick in if the baby is to become a boy. So the nipples are formed before sex of the baby is determined. Q: Does sitting close to the TV hurt your eyes? A: No, but many people with poor eyesight naturally sit close to the TV. (continued)
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CONTACT INFO FOR TIDBITS of Kootenai County
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
Lil BUGGERS~BUG STORE and more! Just opened this week!
Unique & Exotic Bug art creations gift store. Where every gift is real! You will be wow-ed, amazed and creeped out by all our interesting specimen. From bugs to bats, butterflies to flowers, alligator heads to sea life and much much more. Come try all the fun candies and snacks made with real bugs! 213 W Appleway ste. #2 (208)512-5773
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #45 November 5th 2018
EVENT CALENDAR November 23 Thanksgiving Day Feast at Dockside Restaurant The culinary team at The Coeur d’Alene Resort’s Dockside Restaurant is preparing a special Thanksgiving Day Feast Menu complete with all the traditional trimmings. Leave the preparation and clean-up worries at home and bring the family to Dockside on the lake for a Thanksgiving Feast to remember. Serving from 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM. November 23 Holiday Lights Annual Lighting Ceremony A Coeur d’Alene tradition. Grab the kiddos, friends and family to experience the magical moment as 1.5 million lights simultaneously illuminate with the flip of a switch. Then watch the skies come alive with one of the largest holiday fireworks shows in the Northwest. 5:00 PM downtown Lighting Ceremony Parade. 6:00 PM Lighting Ceremony, presented by Duane and Lola Hagadone. Stay after the show for a Christmas carol gathering on the lakefront.
Questions regarding the events call Evelyn at 208.755.9120 or email evelyn2318@gmail.com
Q & A ABOUT THE BODY (cont) Q: Will playing brain-training games make you smarter? A: Playing brain-training games makes you better at playing brain-training games, but won’t make you smarter. Q: Can a contact lens end up on the back of the eyeball? A: No, if a contact lens has been lost, it’s either underneath the eyelid, or on the floor. The inner surface of the eyelid has a thin, moist lining called the conjunctiva. At the back of the eyelid, the conjunctiva folds back and becomes the outer covering of the white part of the eyeball. The continuous nature of the conjunctiva from the eyelid to the eyeball makes it impossible for anything to get behind the eye and become trapped there. Q: Does melatonin help ease jet lag? A: Yes. A number of different studies showed that taking 2 to 5 mg of melatonin at bedtime for up to four days eases jet lag. Q: If you get bitten by a snake, should you suck the poison out? A: No. Wash the area, immobilize it, keep it lower than the heart, and get to a doctor ASAP. Tourniquets are dicey because they can cause more damage than the snakebite if not property applied. Q: Can consuming poppy seeds make you test positive for drugs? A:Yes, because heroin and morphine are derived from poppy seeds and the tests are looking for a particular chemical found in both the drugs and the seeds from which they are derived. Q: Can a hair sample be used in a drug test? A: Yes. Trace amounts of drugs circulating in the body are deposited in the hair follicle and stored in the hair shaft as it grows. These residues cannot be washed out of the hair. (continued)
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® of Idaho TIDBITS of Kootenai Issue #45 November 5th 2018 TidbitsCounty, Dallas County Q & A ABOUT THE BODY (cont) Q: Can you sober a person up by putting them in a cold shower or giving them coffee? A: No. Alcohol is metabolized at a set rate and nothing will increase that rate. Coffee and cold showers simply result in a wide awake drunk. Q: Does heavy prolonged drinking kill brain cells? A: Yes. Any consumption of alcohol damages dendrites, which branch out from brain cells to receive information. CT scans and other studies of chronic alcoholics have shown that prolonged continuous use of alcohol results in brain atrophy and memory loss. Q: Is red wine good for you? A: Yes, moderate consumption of red wine has been linked to reduced rates of heart disease and cancer. Q: Does smoking marijuana help glaucoma? A: Yes, but you’d have to smoke about ten to twelve joints per day. Q: Why do your fingers get wrinkled after being in the water a long time? A: The epidermis, the outer layer of skin, absorbs water over time. Because the skin on your fingers (and feet) is thicker than the skin on the rest of your body, it absorbs the most water. The epidermis swells, but the next layer down, the dermis, does not. This causes buckling and wrinkling of the skin. Q: Will high doses of Vitamin C cure cancer? A: No. Nor will it help you live longer, unless you are dying of scurvy. Q: Is there anything that will prevent wrinkles from old age? A: Retin-A and hydroxyl acids have been shown to help somewhat. Q: For more facts like these, we recommend the book, “Why Do Men Have Nipples?” by Mark Leyner.
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STRANGE BUT TRUE by Samantha Weaver * It was civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. who made the following sage observation: “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” * Everyone knows that a sophomore is someone in his or her second year of high school or college. Most people don’t realize, though, that the word is derived from the Greek words “sophos,” which means “wise,” and “moros,” which means “stupid.” * Have you ever tried to hum while holding your nose? It can’t be done. * The creator of the ubiquitous smiley face earned a grand total of $45 for his creative effort. * If you’re a pet owner, you probably know that the epidemic of obesity is not limited to humans; many pets are overweight, too. You might be surprised to learn, though, that some pet owners choose to deal with the problem in a way that we usually associate only with people: liposuction. Yes, you can get cosmetic surgery for your pets. * If you hear the word “Bilbo” you might think of a famously adventurous hobbit, but a bilbo is also a finely tempered Spanish sword.Ê * A recent study by scientist Karl Berg suggests that an adult green-rumped parrotlet, a tiny bird native to Venezuela, will “name” its babies, assigning each a particular series of peeps to identify it. Not only that, other parrotlets then learn to associate that exact series of peeps with that particular bird, and actually use the sounds to get that bird’s attention. * In the original version of the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale “Cinderella,” doves peck out the stepsisters’ eyes at Cinderella’s wedding. Thought for the Day: “Life is not a spectacle or a feast; it is a predicament.” -- George Santayana (c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho #45505-0674 November 5th 2018 For Advertising Call Issue (334)
COUCH THEATER -- DVD PREVIEWS By Amy Anderson
PHOTO: Mila Kunis, Kate McKinnon in “The Spy Who Dumped Me” Photo Credit: Lionsgate
-“The Spy Who Dumped Me” (R) -- Audrey and Morgan (Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon) are just a couple of working-stiff best friends. But when Audrey’s ex dumps her by text, Morgan persuades her to burn his left-behind possessions in retaliation. He shows up to collect them -- and it’s revealed that he’s actually a spy -- and the ladies are folded into a convoluted traipse through Europe and a multitude of treacherous scenarios as they are chased by assassins and bad guys. It’s a little predictable and it’s not brimming with cleverness, but Kunis and McKinnon are adorable and hilarious nonetheless. Also stars Justin Theroux and Sam Heughan in hunky spy roles. “Teen Titans Go! To the Movies” (PG) -- Miffed at being perennially in the shadow of Batman, Robin (voiced by Scott Menville) decides that the only way he can get the respect he deserves is to go chasing his own feature film, alongside his junior superhero buds Raven, Starfire, Cyborg and Beast Boy. But what really makes a superhero is a supervillain, so when the maniacal Slade (Will Arnett) -- who bears a resemblance to Deadpool that warrants repeated mentioning -- shows up, Robin decides he fits the bill. Based on the Cartoon Network series, it’s a goofy and fun immersion into the fart jokes, one-ups and burns that can be enjoyed by kids and most adults (if you don’t take it too seriously). “The Darkest Minds” (PG-13) -- Amandla Stenberg headlines this teen-driven, dystopian-future drama. A mysterious illness takes an incredible death toll on the country’s children, but those who are left alive begin to develop an array of hypernatural abilities: enhanced intelligence, kinetic powers, etc., and Ruby (Stenberg) has them all. Kids are rounded up into camps and color coded, and after Ruby is targeted for elimination, she escapes to join a group of wild children searching for an elusive safe compound. I was really looking forward to this film, and walked away disappointed. It’s based on a book, and they spent much of the second half setting up future sequels, and not nearly enough on the actual storyline. “Slender Man” (R) -- For the record, Slender Man was a meme character created for an online contest. It has developed into an internet cultural phenomenon, praised for its creepiness and blamed for some terrible deeds. It is at its heart, simply, a slender man with long stringy limbs, hazy and ambiguous facial details and a propensity to lure people, particularly children, to their doom. This film is set in a Massachusetts town where some dumb kids go searching to prove he doesn’t exist and then suddenly he does. What can I say? This one missed the mark. Someone else will take a crack at the legend. Save your money for that attempt (c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.
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TIDBITS ofTidbits Kootenai® County, Idaho Issue #45 November 5th 2018 of Dallas County
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By Dr. Holly Carling
Avoiding Winter “Bugs” As we progress into winter with all of its various maladies, prevention is our first line of defense. It is said that “the best defense is a good offense” that is never so true as it is for the immune system. Some people feel that their only hope of avoiding the flu is to get vaccinated. In truth, the best immunity is one that you create within your body by simple means. True immunity comes from within and is something you have control over. Although even with the best control measures you may still get sick, if you handle it properly, your immunity is much better for future exposures. This is key. So, what can we do? First and foremost is to use good sanitation principles. Herd immunity was common for thousands of years. Whole communities/areas became immune to certain pathogens because of subtle exposures over time. This was also practiced in some cultures by intentionally exposing whole families to a virus or bacteria to stimulate an immune response. However, today, unless the other principles for a strong immune system are followed, this is not a great option. This is because we have acquired a weakened response to pathogens, by gross mismanagement when we do get sick. Since a little over 100 years ago, man has historically made the biggest impact on preventing widespread illness, by not passing it around. Use good sanitation principles. The next important part of building a healthy immune system is controlling what we put in our mouths.
Sugary drinks and foods, processed foods, and otherwise garbage foods weaken our immune system. By contrast, lots of vegetables, fruits, and proteins that are whole, keeping the nutrition intact, and not being sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc. helps us to build strong, healthy resistance to everyday “bugs”. Some people take whole food supplements to encourage a strong immune response, and herbal supplements to thwart that which has taken hold of their body. Synthetic vitamins can be weakening, while supplements made from foods and herbs can be helpful. When it comes to herbal supplements, it is best if you don’t take the same herb day after day for extended periods of time. Immune-enhancing herbs have a tendency to adapt in the body, no longer working after a time. Some are more short-lived than others, like goldenseal, which shouldn’t be taken for more than two weeks at a time in most cases. Doing a rotation is best. Take 4 immune-enhancing herbs such as Astragalus, Echinacea, an immune mushroom combo and maybe garlic and rotate them (ie: week one take Astragalus, week two take Echinacea, etc., repeating every month). An expert in this field is advised, especially for children. Acupuncture is a great way of boosting immune health, and shortening the duration of an immune challenge. It is also used for aberrant immune responses such as auto-immune disorders. Getting adequate sleep, sufficient Vitamin D and other things are essential to immune health. Preventing illness by strengthening the immune response is the key to avoiding winter maladies.
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.
TIDBITSFor of Kootenai County, Idaho #45 November 5th 2018 Advertising CallIssue (334) 505-0674
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® of Idaho TIDBITS of Kootenai IssueCounty #45 November 5th 2018 TidbitsCounty, Dallas
Q&A with Susan Ashley, MD
New Medical Gadgets
There are so many medical devices on the market now, most completely unknown to the average population. I want to highlight some of these for you - if they interest you, search them on google to purchase. Gluten Food Testing Device - gluten allergy and sensitivity is such a problem now, and it can be very difficult to know if a food you didn’t make has gluten. Even foods like ice cream, ketchup, and potato salad can have gluten. Now there’s a simple way to determine if there is gluten in your foods. With this device, called a Nima sensor, you simply put a pea size bit of food in a capsule, then slide it into the device. In 2-3 minutes it will tell you if there is gluten. There now is a similar device to test for peanuts. Headset for Weight Loss - called Modius, it’s a headset with electrode pads that you place behind your ears. Open the app and it then sends electrical signals to your hypothalamus. Wearing the device one hour a day will, possibly, reset your metabolic set-point of your body mass, leading to weight loss. The average weight loss for women is 7.6 lbs and 8.3 for men.
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AI Fertility Tracker - a monitor you place under your mattress for 3 months, and it tracks a woman’s heart rate and respiration. This lets her know her 6 day fertility window for those trying to conceive. Modern Movement M-Pad Balance Trainer - as we age, our sense of balance declines, leading to increased falls and hip fractures. One of the things I stress to my patients over age 50 is improving balance. This device is a fun way to improve balance and core strength and mimics movements that you do in real life. E Skin Smart Pajamas - OK these are really cool, but not available until 2020. They’re pajamas that have clothing sensors embedded into the shirt and pants set, which pick up specific inputs and detects motion in the legs and hips. This is mostly important for hospitalized patients with dementia, so nurses can tell when the patient is trying to get out of bed. This may help to prevent injuries associated with falls. NeuroPlus Focus - wear it like a headset, and it monitors your brain activity and muscle tension. This sends real-time feedback into training video games via bluetooth to help you practice and improve your focus and self control. Bite Helper Bug Bite Itch Solution - place it directly on top of a bug bite, it uses thermo-pulse technology to apply concentrated heat and vibration. As a result this soothes the area and neutralizes the itching. It’s compact and can take it anywhere. As you can see, there are a number of devices available, and each year there are more introduced. If you have an idea, google and see if it’s been invented yet, it may well be out there already!
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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® ofIdaho TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Issue County #45 November 5th 2018 Tidbits Dallas
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Fabulous Food TOP RAMEN • The Chinese have made noodles for centuries, using a technique where the noodles are stretched, twisted, and folded again and again. Their word for these noodles is “lo mein” or “lamian” meaning literally “pulled noodles.” • The Japanese have trouble pronouncing the letter “L” so they call these noodles “ramen.” Because of the stretching and folding, the noodles are time-consuming to create. • When World War II ended, Japan suffered widespread food shortages. The U.S. was supplying Japan with wheat flour which was made into bread. A man named Momofuku Ando wondered why the wheat was being made into bread, which Japanese don’t typically eat, when it could be made into noodles, which is one of their favorite foods. When he asked the Ministry of Health, the response was that there were too few noodle factories in Japan, and they were too small and too unstable to furnish Japan with the required amount of noodles. Bread was easier, cheaper, and quicker to make. When he saw a long line of people waiting to get a bowl of ramen noodles, Momofuku Ando decided to do something about the noodle shortage. • He spent a long time experimenting with noodles, but the texture was never quite right. Then one day after his wife had finished making dinner, he threw some noodles into the hot oil leftover from making tempura. This was his “eureka” moment: The flash-fried noodles were dehydrated and riddled with perforations that made them cook quickly when boiled. Instant noodles were born. • “Chikin Ramen” was first released on the market in Japan in 1958. It was considered a luxury item, selling for six times as much as traditional noodles did on the Japanese market, but the price quickly dropped.
SPORTS QUIZ
Chris Richcreek 1. In 2017, Cincinnati’s Scooter Gennett became the second player since 1901 with four home runs and at least 10 RBIs in a game. Who was the other? 2. In the 1960s, three San Francisco Giants combined to win the National League home run title in seven seasons. Name the three. 3. When was the last time before 2014-16 that the University of Tennessee’s football team won three consecutive bowl games? 4. Name the last NBA team before the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and 2017 to win their first seven playoff games in consecutive seasons. 5. Patrick Kane set a record for the U.S. men’s hockey team at the Ice Hockey World Championships in 2018 by tallying a total of 20 points. Who had held the record? 6. Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson set a women’s hockey record at the 2018 Winter Games for fastest back-to-back goals in Olympic history (six seconds). Who had held the mark? 7. Who was the last men’s golf major championship winner before Francesco Molinari in 2018 (British Open) to play the final two rounds without going over par on a hole? Answers 1. St. Louis’ Mark Whiten, who had four home runs and 12 RBIs in a game in 1993. 2. Orlando Cepeda (1961), Willie Mays (‘62, ‘64, ‘65) and Willie McCovey (‘63, ‘68, ‘69). 3. It was the 1994-96 seasons. 4. The Minneapolis Lakers in 1949 and 1950. 5. Richard Roberge, with 16 points in 1962. 6. Canada’s Caroline Ouellette scored goals 16 seconds apart in 2006. 7. Steve Elkington, at the 1995 PGA Championship. (c) 2018 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Call Idaho Issue #45505-0674 November 5th 2018 For Advertising (334) TOP RAMEN • The company Momofuku Ando founded is called Nissin Foods, an acronym composed of the first letters of the Japanese phrase “making a clean and great taste every day.” • Nissin’s Top Ramen hit the U.S. in 1971. While Momofuku Ando was on a promotional tour of the U.S., he met with a group of grocery store executives in L.A. Because there were no dishes available, the businessmen got out Styrofoam cups, broke the ramen noodles in half, and filled the cups with boiling water. This spurred a new idea, and within a few months, Nissin released Cup Noodles. • Momofuku Ando’s final invention was “Space Ram,” a vacuum-packed ramen created specifically for a Japanese astronaut aboard the Discovery space shuttle in 2005. • By the time Momofuku Ando died in 2007 at the age of 96, worldwide demand was 40 billion servings per year, which averages out to about 14 bowls for every person on Earth per year. China is the top consumer, eating 44% of world consumption, followed by Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, and the USA, which eats 4 billion servings a year. South Koreans consume the most per capita, averaging 69 packages per person each year. • There are 29 Nissin plants in 11 countries employing 22,000 people. Nissin makes a net profit of over $3 billion a year. • At around 13 cents per package, ramen could theoretically sustain a person for 365 straight days at a cost of only $142.35. The only true vegetarian flavors are Soy Sauce (or “Oriental”) and Chili. Each package of ramen contains about 56 yards (51 m) of noodles, equal to the length of two basketball courts. • There is a Ramen Museum in Japan dedicated to the history of the product and the legacy of Momofuku Ando. About half a million people visit every year. The company is now run by Momofuku Ando’s son.
PAW’S CORNER By Sam Mazzotta
Developing Voice”
Your
“Trainer
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I have an 11-monthold Golden Retriever puppy that I adopted from the shelter about six months ago. “Jake” won’t listen to any of my commands. My roommate said that I’m too shrill and that I’m not consistent, neither of which make sense to me. How can I get Jake to listen? -- Roberta S., via email DEAR ROBERTA: Without being on hand to see you give commands, I’m going to guess that your roommate feels your voice is too high or doesn’t have enough “authority” when giving Jake commands. The other part, that you’re not consistent -- could be either that the correct command isn’t given consistently, or that Jake doesn’t get regular obedience training sessions. You may feel that you work with Jake plenty of times during the week and he should be catching on. A professional trainer may feel differently. And that’s what I’m going to suggest: Take Jake to a professional trainer. Group classes are affordable, or you can schedule one-on-one sessions. A combination of both is often very effective and provides an opportunity to socialize Jake. You’ll need to be present at all the sessions, because you will get training, too. One thing you’ll learn is how to develop a “voice” for giving commands. A trainer can give you instant feedback on how to shape your voice so that Jake recognizes that You Mean Business. You’ll learn how often to work with Jake at home on basic obedience. You’ll get solid techniques that will have Jake responding quickly to your commands, with no sidelong looks. Look up a pro ASAP. The faster you and Jake learn to work together, the happier you’ll both be. Send your questions, comments or tips to ask@ pawscorner.com. (c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.
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® of Idaho TIDBITS of Kootenai County, IssueCounty #45 November 5th 2018 Tidbits Dallas
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MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS • Napoleon Bonaparte wasn’t short. His height was listed at 5’2”, but that was in French feet. In modern imperial measurements, he was about 5’7” (1.7 m) which was average at the time. He tended to surround himself with guards chosen for their height and strength, making him seem smaller by comparison. • Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer in the 1800s most famous for writing the drama “Faust.” His name, Goethe, is pronounced “Gerta” and not “goath.” • You can’t see the Great Wall of China from space. No human structures are visible from space, aside from cities lit up at night. • Wolves don’t howl at the moon. They howl to communicate regardless of the time of day or the phase of the moon. • People never used to say “ye” instead of “the.” The word “the” used to be written by a Middle English character called a “thorn” which looked like “ye” but was pronounced “the.” • Black holes are not holes; they are very dense objects with incredible gravitational pull. • Buddha was not fat. The popular statues depicting a chubby “laughing Buddha” are representations of the 10th century folk hero Budai. In Japan he is known as one of the Seven Lucky Gods, and in Taoist and Shinto culture, he is the god of happiness and plenty. • The Moon does not have a “dark side” that is always hidden from the Sun. The Moon rotates around the Sun just like the Earth does, so all surfaces are illuminated at times. However, the Moon is locked into place with one side perpetually facing the Earth, meaning that the opposite side facing away from Earth cannot be seen from Earth. • Bats are not blind. They have perfectly good eyesight and also navigate using echolocation. • Bagpipes originated in the Middle East centuries before they ever reached Scotland.
TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #45 November 5th 2018
GI Bill Benefits Delayed If you’re going to school and were expecting your housing stipend benefit money by now, you’re not alone. Over 300,000 of you are in the same boat. Either you’re receiving incorrect low amounts or you’re receiving nothing at all. Why is this happening? It’s because of old IT programming that was never upgraded to include new changes in the Forever GI Bill. The machines don’t know how to make the correct calculations. Talk to the people at your school first to be sure your paperwork was sent in, proving you’re in school. If you’re a first-time student, expect things to take a bit longer because you have to be put in the system. If someone you talk to at the Department of Veterans Affairs suggests you get put in the hardship queue, don’t jump at it. You have no way of knowing just how much that will speed things up because you don’t know how many people would be ahead of you in either of those lines. You’ll have to go on your best gut hunch. Call the GI Bill Hotline: 1-888-442-4551. If you’re not a full-time student, you’ll need to ask how your housing allowance is calculated. It’s a complicated formula, and much of it depends on your individual situation. It involves your rate of pursuit, expressed as a percentage calculated by dividing the number of credits you’re enrolled in by the number of credits considered full time. If you’re enrolled in distance learning (you don’t actually go to a classroom setting), the above is cut in half. Beware: Even when you get paid, you might get the 2017 amount because the computer can’t calculate the 2018 rates. They’ll catch up later on back amounts. As a last resort, call your U.S. senators’ offices. (c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.
MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS • The word “Xmas” is not a plot to “take the Christ out of Christmas.” The letter X stands for the Greek letter chi, which is the first letter in “Christ.” The letter X has been used as an abbreviation for Christ for centuries. The earliest recorded use of “Xmas” to mean “Christmas” is from the year 1551. • The Egyptian pyramids were not built by slaves. They were built by civilians who considered it a great honor to work on the project. They even formed labor unions. • Chewing gum does not remain in the digestive tract for seven years if swallowed. It passes through at the rate of all the other food going through, but it does not digest. • Christopher Columbus was not the first white man to set foot on American soil. Christopher Columbus landed on Caribbean islands which are independent countries today, but never set foot on any territory that is now the USA. Plus, there is plenty of evidence that the Vikings led by Leif Eriksson landed on what is now Canada 500 years before Columbus. • Columbus didn’t set out to prove that the world was round. Ancient Greeks had already proven that. Columbus was looking for a shorter trade route to India. • George Washington did not have wooden teeth. Plagued by dental issues his entire life, he had many sets of dentures made out of many materials including hippo ivory, lead, horse and cow teeth, tin, copper, silver, and teeth from slaves. • It’s impossible to get warts from toads. • The Morse code signal “SOS” does not stand for “save our ship” or anything else. It’s just an easy code to remember in times of panic: three dots, three dashes, three dots. • Ninjas did not dress in all black clothing. They dressed in whatever manner would help them blend in and go unnoticed.
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #18 April 30th 2018
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #18 April 30th 2018
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #45 November 5th 2018
Essential Oil nouncement!
Special
An-
Have you been wondering what all the fuss is about and curious to try them for yourself before diving in? Are you looking for Natural Solutions for you and your family? We are looking for people to SpOIL the week of November 12-18 with these amazing oils and would love you to be one of them! Here’s how it will work - email me at: jedler777@ gmail.com no later than November 7th if you would like to be spOILED in November and we will send you out some samples and add you to the closed Facebook group. Each day in the group we will share information about each oil you have been given so you will have a full oil experience and learn how they can make a difference for you and your family. Here are the requirements to part of this special event - **You DO NOT ALREADY HAVE a do TERRA WHOLESALE ACCOUNT and you are happy to join the group and check in each day so you can learn about the oils, learn how to use them safely, and get the most out of them. **You must NOT be currently working with a wellness advocate outside myself or my amazing team If that’s YOU, email me right away - we can’t wait to spOIL you for a week!
FIND YOUR ROOTS AND
family tree. Family research, family trees, pedigree charts, living relative look-ups, family history books and posters. Digital documentation included. Samples available upon request. 20% off any research service. John Donovan, Genealogist MBA, 509-251-0921, Post Falls,
johndonovan1@aol.com
Watch for our weekly articles to learn more about our essential oils. If you would like more information about the type of essential oils we use or for a free personalized wellness consultation, contact us at 208-777-5367. J and Pancho Edler are Wellness Educators for certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils. Together, they travel the world, sharing their knowledge and expertise of the use of these oils and how they can empower YOU to take control of your health and wellness.
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #45 November 5th 2018
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Elders often say they want to stay in their own homes.
SENIOR NEWS LINE By Matilda Charles
Social Security Increase for 2019 The news is in. We now know how much our Social Security benefit will increase for 2019. It’s going to be a seemingly large 2.8 percent, the biggest since 2012. For the average person now receiving $1,422 per month, that means a $39 increase to $1,461 after the COLA kicks in, which is what the financial gurus have been predicting. Medicare Part B premium is going up from $134 per month to $135.50. If your individual income ranges from $85,000 to $107,000, your premium will be $189.60. There are a few other changes as well. Taxable earnings for those still working will go up from $128,400 annually to $132,900. For those who retire during the year, the maximum income exemption will rise from $45,360 to $46,920. The Senior Citizens League (seniorsleague.org) did a study with frustrating results. Since 2000, our benefits have gone up 46 percent, but our expenses have gone up 96 percent. Real estate taxes up 129 percent, heating oil up 181 percent, out-of-pocket drug costs up 188 percent. For every $100 worth of groceries we could buy in 2000, today we can only buy $66 in groceries. It’s no wonder we don’t dance for joy when we get a Social Security benefit increase. We’re struggling to just keep up with rising costs. Something to be considered: There’s a significant difference between the Social Security benefit you get if you quit working at your full retirement age (depends on your year of birth) and if you wait until you’re 70 years old. If you’re still working now, you need to ask yourself if you want to keep working a few more years. Investigate thoroughly, because there are compelling reasons on both sides of the question.
They’ve lived there for decades and see no reason to move. However, many times their neighborhoods have changed so much that they are no longer safe. Even if the neighborhoods are safe, many of the old neighbors have died or moved away, and the elders become isolated. Many times a move to assisted living can give elders a new lease on life. Older homes that seniors hang onto often have bathrooms and bedrooms on a second floor. I’ve seen seniors sleep on the living room couch because they don’t want to make the trip up the stairs to go to bed. This is often unhealthy for their bodies, and if the only bathroom is up a long flight of stairs, they still must climb. Stairs are not only an obstacle because of the energy it takes to climb them, they present a real hazard when it comes to falls. Change can be hard for anyone and elders are often reluctant to change the way things have always been. Decades of their lives may be tied to the home they live in, and the idea of moving away is terrifying, so they insist what they have is what they want. But the old home isn’t necessarily the best place for them. Family members or caregivers need to move slowly and with compassion when they try to convince an elder to move from the family home. However, once the adjustment is made, many elders are thrilled with the change. Why? Here are five reasons. Safety. Assisted living centers are set up to provide a safe, comfortable environment for elders… Meals. Appetites can diminish as we age, plus many people don’t enjoy eating alone… In assisted living, meals are provided and they often offer many choices of food. But the biggest plus may be that people have company for their meals… Transportation. …they can generally arrange transportation for seniors who need to get to clinic appointments… Less worry. …In assisted living, they don’t have to worry about repair responsibilities. If something doesn’t work properly, they or a loved one can alert the administration and the problem should be fixed… Socialization. Socialization is perhaps the most important reason why many people who insist that they will hate assisted living end up thriving… In assisted living, even those who swore they’d hate it often find, once they adjust, that they again enjoy the company of peers. They play cards, listen to music, exercise, have snacks, go to community events and have people come in to entertain them… (by Carol Bradley Bursack, Editor-in-Chief, “Elder Care Link”.) 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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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #45 November 5th 2018
Top 10 Video On Demand 1. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (PG) animated 2. Skyscraper (PG-13) Dwayne Johnson 3. Sicarao: Day of the Soldado (R) Benicio Del Toro 4. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (PG-13) Chris Pratt 5. Solo: A Star Wars Story (PG-13) Alden Ehrenreich 6. The First Purge (R) Y’lan Noel 7. Ocean’s 8 (PG-13) Sandra Bullock 8. Uncle Drew (PG-13) Kyrie Irving 9. Leave No Trace (PG) Thomasin McKenzie 10. Three Identical Strangers (PG-13) Silvi Alzetta-Reali Top 10 DVD, Blu-ray Sales 1. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (PG) Sony 2. Skyscraper (PG-13) Universal 3. Solo: A Star Wars Story (PG-13) Disney 4. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (PG-13) Universal 5. Hocus Pocus (PG) Disney 6. Sicarao: Day of the Soldado (R) Sony 7. Hotel Transylvania 3-Movie Collection (PG) Sony 8. Avengers: Infinity War (PG-13) Disney 9. The First Purge (R) Universal 10. The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG) Disney
* On Nov. 12, 1799, Andrew Ellicott Douglass, an early American astronomer, witnesses the Leonids meteor shower from a ship off the Florida Keys. Douglass wrote in his journal that he “was in constant expectation of some of them falling on the vessel.” It is the first known record of a meteor shower in North America. * On Nov. 16, 1901, on New York’s Coney Island, a low-slung car called the “Torpedo Racer” breaks the world speed record for electric cars. Its builder and pilot, Andrew Riker, managed a speed of 57 mph. * On Nov. 14, 1941, “Suspicion,” a thriller starring Cary Grant and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, makes its debut. They would later collaborate on “To Catch a Thief.” * On Nov. 18, 1966, Sandy Koufax, 30, the ace pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, retires from baseball due to chronic arthritis in his pitching arm. “In those days there was no surgery,” he said much later. In 1971, Koufax became the youngest person ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. * On Nov. 13, 1974, Karen Silkwood is killed in a car accident in Oklahoma. She had complained to the Atomic Energy Commission about unsafe conditions at the Kerr-McGee plutonium plant where she worked was and was on her way to meet with a union representative and a reporter. The folder of information she had with her was never found. * On Nov. 15, 1984, “Baby Fae,” a month-old infant who had received a baboon-heart transplant 20 days earlier, dies in California. Three other humans had received animal-heart transplants, but none survived longer than 3 1/2 days. * On Nov. 17, 1993, Annie Proulx wins the National Book Award for “The Shipping News,” her novel about an out-of-luck journalist and father. It later won the Pulitzer Prize. (c) 2018 Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Keep your feelings to yourself as you work through an awkward circumstance. Complaining is useless, and also unwise since your words could come back to haunt you. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A sudden flash of Bovine practicality shows you how you might be able to turn your artistic pursuits into a profitable venture. A spouse or partner offers some sage advice. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Be prepared with several “Plan Bs” that you might have to use as backups just in case you encounter some troublesome complications with your carefully constructed schedule. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You might think you’ll never have a free moment again with the demands of the workplace piling on. Cheer up. The pressure eases as holiday time nears. An old friend brings good news. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Your Leonine pride might make it difficult to offer an apology to a co-worker you unintentionally offended. But a quick and sincere “I’m sorry” could prevent problems down the line. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) This is a good time to tackle those backed-up chores that have kept you from moving into other, potentially more worthwhile projects. A personal matter needs your attention. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You usually have no problem rushing to the defense of someone you perceive as being treated unjustly. But perceptions could be deceiving this week. Check the facts before you act. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Before you point fingers at who might be to blame for the unexpected change in your plans, take a few moments to reflect on how this turn of events might be a blessing in disguise. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) You seek out advice in the first part of the week. But be careful not to let counsel from others overshadow your own sense of perception. Things become clearer by the week’s end. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) The trusted colleagues you relied on earlier continue to offer support with your project. But you take more control, and by the week’s end, you should be in full command. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Rely on your practical side while exploring investment possibilities. Caution is still your watchword in these matters. Your social life takes a gratifying turn by the week’s end. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) An already confusing situation appears to grow murkier during the first part of the week. But it all starts to clear by the week’s end. Plan to spend the weekend with someone special.
BORN THIS WEEK:
You have a passion for life that inspires others to follow your example. You could be a motivational speaker. (c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.
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TIDBITS of Kootenai County, Idaho Issue #38 September 17th 2018
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