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Volume 1 Issue 52
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TIDBITS® SAYS
IT’S PARADE TIME by Kathy Wolfe
Everybody loves a parade! In conjunction with the New Year’s Day parades, Tidbits marches along several parade routes, bringing you the info on these processions.
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• Ticker-tape parades are a well-known occurrence in New York City. The first such event took place in 1886 and honored the dedication of the Statue of Liberty. Back then, 1-inch (2.54 cm) strips of paper were used to print stock quotes from the ticker machine. Many of the offices along the Broadway parade route were stock brokers and threw the tape out of their office windows on those below, giving the tradition the name of ticker-tape parade. When the stock ticker was replaced with electronic boards in the 1960s, folks used shredded paper and confetti.
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• The mayor of New York City is the one who decides who receives the honor of a tickertape parade. The route is called Canyon of Heroes and winds from a section of lower Broadway through New York’s financial district. Each honoree has a black granite marker embedded in the sidewalk along the route, inscribed with the date and description of the achievement. Astronauts, military personnel, athletes, and political dignitaries are among those who have been honored. turn the page for more!
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PARADES (continued): • Theodore Roosevelt was paraded upon his return from an African safari in 1910, Charles Lindbergh was hailed following his trans-Atlantic flight in 1927, and war generals Eisenhower and Nimitz were celebrated after World War II. Astronaut John Glenn was honored in 1962 and the Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins were showered with confetti upon their return from the world’s first walk on the moon in 1969. Only one pope has received a New York ticker-tape parade, Pope John Paul II in 1979. • Although often associated with athletic success, the first athletes weren’t honored in a ticker-tape parade until 1924, with the return of the Olympic team from the games in Paris, where Johnny Weissmuller won three gold medals in swimming and Harold Osborn was a hero in track and field. Since then, several Olympic teams have been heralded, as well as the New York Yankees, the World Series Champions seven times, the New York Mets as Series winners in 1969, and the New York Giants football team. In 1957, Wimbledon Champion Althea Gibson, the first person of color to win in professional tennis, was paraded and remains the only tennis player to be honored as such. • Athlete Jesse Owens faced extreme racial prejudice when he traveled to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. He proved his worth when he took the gold medal in the 100-meters, 200-meters, long jump, and relay team, the first American track and field athlete to win four golds in one Olympics. The racial prejudice continued on the home front when Owens had to ride the freight elevator at New York City’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel to a reception following a ticker-tape parade honoring his victories. He later said that Franklin Roosevelt “snubbed me. The President didn’t even send me a telegram.”
Why Are Cats Such Finicky Eaters? DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I find it weird that my two dogs, “Shep” and “Bull,” can eat just about anything (I have to hide all the pet food), while my cat, “Trudy,” will turn up her nose at most food. And although she’s perfectly healthy, sometimes she gets sick after eating wet or fresh food. Why? -- Sarah in Madison, Wisconsin DEAR SARAH: Cats’ eating behaviors have long been a source of curiosity for both pet owners and the scientific community. Why do they turn their nose up at certain foods and chow down on others? Why do they sometimes throw up after eating? Why do they gnaw on grass when they’re meat-eaters? The answer is: It’s complicated, and no one is entirely sure. A recent study, for example, found that cats have some genes that are more commonly possessed by herbivores (animals that eat only plants, like cows). These particular genes help them detect bitter flavors, alerting them to potentially poisonous plants. This research opens a new avenue into understanding why cats are more picky about their food than dogs -- also meat-eaters -tend to be. If cats are detecting a bitter taste in their food then they may be less inclined to
eat it. And, a bitter taste also may trigger a vomiting response to safeguard against ingesting what is perceived to be poison. The study’s results could lead to changes in how commercial producers formulate their cat food. Whether that is a good thing remains to be seen. In the meantime, feeding a finicky cat remains a trial-and-error process. Try small amounts of different foods -- dry, wet and fresh -- and note Trudy’s likes and dislikes.
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PARADES (continued):
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Handle a potentially awkward situation by warming up your confidence reserves and letting it radiate freely. Also, expect an old friend to contact you. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It’s not too early for the practical Bovine to begin planning possible changes for 2011. A recent contact can offer some interesting insights. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A request for an unusual favor should be carefully checked out. Also check the motives behind it. Your generosity should be respected, not exploited. CANCER ( June 21 to July 22) Party time beckons, but for some Moon Children, so do some workplace challenges. Deal with the second first, then you’ll be free to enjoy the fun time. LEO ( July 23 to August 22) A warm response to an earlier request might be a positive indicator of what’s ahead. Meanwhile, Cupid could pay a surprise visit to single Leos looking for love. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) How you respond to a proposed change in a project could affect your situation. Be prepared to show how well you would be able to deal with it. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) The
revelation of a secret could cause some changes in how to deal with a workplace matter. It very likely also validates a position you have long held. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) An attempt to get too personal could upset the very private Scorpio. Make it clear that there’s a line no one crosses without your permission. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) The savvy Sagittarian might be able to keep a family disagreement from spilling over by getting everyone involved to talk things out. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Be careful not to push people too hard to meet your ideas of what the holiday weekend’s preparations should be. Best to make it a cooperative, not a coerced, effort. AQUARIUS ( January 20 to February 18) An unexpected request could make you rethink a position you’ve had for a long time. Meanwhile, plan a family get-together for the weekend. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Someone might find that it was a fluke to try to use your sympathetic nature to get you to accept a situation you’re not comfortable with. Good for you. BORN THIS WEEK: You like challenges that are both mental and physical, and you enjoy always beating your personal best.
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• The person honored with the most New York parades is explorer Richard Byrd, with three. The first was in 1926 after he achieved the first flight over the North Pole. The next year, his transatlantic flight was commemorated, and in 1930, the parade saluted his flight over the South Pole and his first Antarctic expedition.
• It required 466 sanitation workers to clean up 56.5 tons of paper after the parade following the Yankees World Series victory in 2009.
• The largest amount of paper thrown was in 1945, when a ticker-tape parade was held to celebrate the Allied victory over Japan. 5,438 tons of paper streamed out over Broadway, 100 times more than the average parade.
• There have been 206 ticker-tape parades since 1886, including the most recent for the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team in July, 2015, the first non-New York-based team to receive a parade. The price tag for that parade was about $2 million.
• The Tournament of Roses Parade was first held in Pasadena on New Year’s Day, 1890, and included horse-drawn carriages covered in flowers. The parade was followed by foot races, polo matches, and a tugof-war contest. In 1902, the parade was followed by a football game for the first time, considered the first “Rose Bowl.” However, football games post-parade have only been an annual event since 1916. Today’s Rose Parade route is 5.5 miles (8.9 km) long and includes marching bands, horse units, and flowercovered floats. Famous parade Grand Marshals have included Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bob Hope, Richard Nixon, Shirley Temple, Frank Sinatra, and Sandra Day O’Connor.
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property taxes, improvements and repairs. Compare it against what you plan to charge for rent. Maybe at the very least break even? If not, you might want to consider selling, Rent or sell, you will have to get a comparative market analysis done of the home. This will show you where your home stands in comparison to others in the neighborhood and what you would have to do to get it ready to sell or rent. Keep in mind that the costs of preparing a home to sell almost always run more than the costs of preparing a home to rent, as most renters will look at the home as a temporary residence and demand less. If your home is in need of substantial updates, you might want to consider renting it. You can work on it a little at a time and sell it when you’re ready, providing you have good tenants in the meantime. Just because you love the home and treat it with care doesn’t mean your tenants will. Again, most tenants will see your home as a temporary residence and will do only what is necessary to maintain it. Do your homework. Talk to people, agents and landlords included, and find out what they think about selling versus renting. Take a look at your finances and see what you can realistically afford to do. Consider the pros and the cons, and make the right choice for you!
Rogue Valley Real Estate A home is a big investment, and when it comes time to move, selling may seem like the most logical solution. However, it isn’t always that simple. If you’re relocating temporarily or the market is down, renting might be the better option. There are pros and cons to selling and renting, and you must think through your decision carefully. Selling depends upon the answers to several questions. Do you like your home? Would you like to return to it someday? Would it serve your needs in the future? Are houses selling in the area? If not, can you afford to wait to see if your home will sell? Can you carry the costs of two homes for a few months? No? Could you if you had a renter? Renting also depends upon the answers to several questions. Are property values going up in the area, making it worth your while to keep the house? Is there a demand for rental property in the area? If so, are you ready to be a landlord and be responsible for more than one home? Do you have the time to locate good tenants and keep the rental property in working condition? If not, can you afford to hire a company to do it for you? There are management companies that will oversee everything on a rental property, from finding potential tenants and running background checks to caring for the property and making routine repairs. Whether you manage the rental property or hire someone to do it for you, make sure the costs won’t outweigh the gain. Make a list of all of the expenses, including mortgage payments, insurance payments,
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PARADES (continued): • Although the Macy’s Parade has been an Thanksgiving morning fixture since 1924, it wasn’t the first. Gimbel’s, a Philadelphia department store, was ahead of them by four years, sponsoring the first parade in 1920. Macy’s, however, became the one to watch, adding the first of their famous colossal helium balloons in 1927, a giant Felix the Cat. By 1933, more than a million people lined the parade route. As popularity grew, more balloons were added – Mickey Mouse in 1934, Superman in 1939, Popeye in 1957, and Hello Kitty in 1976. Other notable characters include Curious George, Scooby-Doo, Mr. Potato Head, and Snoopy and Woodstock. • Look out below! On a rainy Thanksgiving in 1957, as Popeye floated above the New York City crowd, his cap filled up with rain, and dumped its contents on parade-goers below. In 1994, the purple Tyrannosaurus Rex Barney veered off course and ran into a lamp post, causing a large tear in his side. Luckily, Barney was the only one injured. Not true three years later, when the Cat in the Hat struck a lamp post, flinging fragments to the street and striking a spectator, resulting in her skull fracture and a month-long coma. • In 1919, the community of Lodi, California, held a parade honoring soldiers who had returned from World War I. A California entrepreneur named Roy Allen mixed up a formula for root beer he had purchased from an Arizona pharmacist and sold it on a street corner during the parade for a nickel a mug. The beverage was so popular that before long, Allen had expanded to four sites, which eventually evolved into drive-ins. In 1925, he took on one of his employees Frank Wright as a partner and the pair began offering franchises under the name A&W. The company is the oldest franchise restaurant in the country with more than 1,100 locations in 10 countries.
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To Your Good Health By Keith Roach, M.D.
Artificial Sweeteners and Weight Gain
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am currently dieting and, with that, trying to reduce my sugar intake. I prefer drinks sweetened with aspartame over water most of the time. Am I asking for trouble? -- P.C. DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m curious how diet soda, which has zero calories, causes one to gain weight. In “studies” that say that, do they look at people who have had diabetes for years and use artificial sweeteners without gaining weight? People will use ANY excuse for their weight. To blame a no-calorie sweetener seems a bit silly, don’t you think? -- V.W., R.D.N. ANSWER: There remains confusion about artifi-
cially sweetened beverages and their effect on weight gain and on overall health. There are two schools of thought: The first is that artificially sweetened beverages satisfy the desire for sweets, so people are less likely to consume more. The second is that diet soda, without any actual calories, provokes greater desire for sweets. I do think that using studies is not silly, and might help sort this out. What I found was that in a 2009 study, those who drank more diet soda were more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. This was confirmed in a 2013 study. It doesn’t prove that drinking the diet soda was the cause of the increased diabetes risk, but it is a consistent association. By contrast, a 2014 study (funded by the American Beverage Institute) showed that, among a group of people in a weight-loss program, a greater degree of weight loss was seen among participants who were allowed to continue drinking diet soda compared with a group allowed to drink only water. Alas, scientific studies don’t give us a definitive answer. Clearly, drinking diet soda is much, much better than drinking sugar-sweetened beverages. I will have to use my knowledge of biology and give my opinion that water is preferred over artificially sweetened
beverages, but I can’t prove it. I would say if you are still having trouble losing weight on diet soda, try switching to water to see if it helps. Finally, blaming a particular food -- or blaming the person trying to lose weight -- is not likely to help that person reach a goal. *** DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an older male, with irregular heartbeat. I am on medication for it. Will having sex put too much strain on the heart or cause further problems? -- Anon. ANSWER: This is a common concern, and fear of heart attack or other problems often keeps couples from sexual intercourse when one or both have heart issues. In most cases, the risk is low. I can’t tell you in your particular situation, but your cardiologist or regular doctor can answer your question. People at moderate risk include those with a recent heart attack, with stable angina or with multiple cardiac risk factors. Those at high risk include people with unstable, recurrent angina, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe heart failure and high-risk irregular heart rhythms, such as ventricular tachycardia. Regular exercise reduces heart risk from activity, including sexual activity.
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NOTEWORTHY INVENTORS:
EDOUARD MICHELIN
“Because so much is riding on your tires” has been the familiar slogan for Michelin tires since 1985. Here’s the story on the French inventor who brought us the first pneumatic tire. • Edouard Michelin studied art for ten years and had all intentions of spending his life as a painter in Paris. But at age 28, a family crisis altered his plans and the course of his life. The French family-owned business that manufactured agricultural tools, drive belts, hoses, and bicycle tires was in serious financial difficulties, and in 1888, Edouard abandoned his dream to help save the mismanaged company from ruin. His brother Andre, an architectural engineer, also abandoned his own business to join forces with Edouard. With Andre as the head of marketing and public relations and Edouard in charge of research and production, they set out to keep the business afloat. • A bicycle with a punctured tire changed everything for the company. It took Michelin four hours to repair the bicycle’s tire, made of reinforced rubber and filled with compressed air. The pneumatics were glued to the rim of the wheel, and it was very time-consuming to glue the tire back on. The Michelin brothers could see that the inflatable tire made for a faster, more comfortable ride and resolved to build a detachable tire with an inner tube that was easily changeable by a cyclist. • In 1891, the Michelins had their bicycle tire ready for the famous Paris-Brest bicycle race with one of the frontrunners, Charles Terront, riding on Michelin tires. When Terront, France’s first major cycling star, suffered a puncture, he was able to quickly fix the tire himself and went on to win the race. The product was an immediate success.
Is There a Robot in Your Future?
The National Institutes of Health is about to spend $2.2 million to develop robots that will improve our quality of life. There will be three versions: one as a social companion for children to promote curiosity, one for the visually impaired to help with identifying and grasping objects, and one for us seniors. Our version will be a dual-mode robotic Smart Walker to help keep us moving without the assistance of others and without the need for home remodeling or installing ramps for wheelchairs. It will have two abilities: a power-assisted Smart Walker, and a Smart Mule that will walk alongside. Go online to www.nibib.nih.gov, click News & Events and scroll to “NIH funds development
Cabin in the Woods
Maine aims to reduce the number of homeless veterans in the state to zero. A project to build 21 cabins in the Maine woods for homeless veterans got another push forward recently when state lawmakers approved nearly $400,000 in federal tax credits. The project, called Cabin in the Woods, is being spearheaded by Volunteers of America and is pulling in support from all corners. The one- and two-bedroom cabins will be built on an 11-acre wooded section of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center-Togus property under a 75-year lease. The fully furnished ADA-approved cabins will be for both men and women, and the site would include a community center. In April, to satisfy the concerns of the state’s Bureau of Veteran Services, the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic
of robots to improve health, quality of life” to see the prototype. The user would actually stand in the robot, with four sturdy legs on all sides keeping balance, and choose the level of assistance. This mode uses a computer camera to scan the environment and navigate obstacles while sensing the user’s motions. The walk-along mule would be good for keeping balance while also letting the robot carry a load, perhaps a basket of laundry. The purpose of the smart robots, according to the news release from NIH, is to keep us physically active. Which is a great idea. I, however, have questions. How much will this gadget weigh? Will it fold up and fit in the car? How easily will it assemble? Will it go over curbs? Keep these in mind down the road when the robot is ready for trials. And, if you live anywhere near the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, chances are that they’ll need study participants at some point to test the robots.
Development committee approved a bill that would guarantee that the government would provide services to those veterans living in the cabins. Additionally, the VofA would have an agreement with each veteran to help with benefits and services. It’s estimated that the project will cost $4 million, with money coming from the state, federal grants and private donors. More details need to be ironed out before the full slate of supporters will come on board, but they will come, including one large national hardware and lumber company that will fund construction. For homeless veterans, many of whom deal with PTSD and substance abuse, a cabin in the quiet Maine woods, with medical assistance and support services nearby, might well be the perfect vehicle for healing and eventual wellness. The Volunteers of America have a hand in multiple services for homeless veterans. They understand that without a safe and stable place to live, other steps forward, such as physical and mental wellness, employment and education, just aren’t possible.
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May your life be filled with joy and happiness and may each new day bring moments to cherish.
Merry Christmas from the Kids www.begreat4kids.com Grants Pass Club 541-479-1923
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When school’s out, the Clubs are in.
Vogue Dolls Q: I collect Vogue dolls, and I wonder if there is a good reference book so I can establish values for the ones in my collection. -- Stella, Naperville, Illinois A: One of the better reference books is the “Collector’s Encyclopedia of Vogue Dolls,” by Judith Izen and Carol Stover, published by Collector Books. The expanded 2nd edition features 200 additional photos for a total of 1,600 color images, with updated information
and values. There is even a chapter on caring for your dolls and their clothes. Besides the famous Ginny and her many outfits, there are special sections devoted to Jill, Ginnette, Jeff, Baby Dear, Toodles, Wee Imp, Li’l Imp and all the other Vogue products crafted, along with their outfits and accessories. Also check out the Vogue Doll Company website at www.voguedolls.com. *** Q: I have a print dated 1892 entitled “Columbus on His Return.” Although it has stains and several small tears, it is in fairly good condition. It was published as a supplement of the Daily News in New York. Does it have any value? -- A Reader in Florida A: Probably not very much. Even though your print is more than a century old and interesting, it remains a page from a newspaper that is of less than desirable quality. I would suspect it might be worth about $50 to a collector.
*** Q: I recently bought an oak dresser at a farm auction. I love the dresser, but I am having trouble with the drawers sticking. What can I do to solve this problem? -- Betty, Des Moines, Iowa A: The solution may be easier than you imagined. Rub candle wax or soap on the runners that seem to be sticking. This should correct the problem. *** Q: My late granddad was a fabric colorist who worked in Hollywood during the 1930s and ‘40s. I have a large collection of his textiles but have no idea of what to do with the fabrics. -- Laura, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma A: Your textile collection sounds interesting. I have two sources that might be helpful: Charlotte Marler, char_marler@hotmail.com, 212-367-8808; and Cora Ginsburg, www.coraginsburg.com.
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1. COMICS: In the comic strip “Peanuts,” where was Snoopy born? 2. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of unicorns known as? 3. FAMOUS QUOTATIONS: Who once said, “When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully”? 4. U.S. STATES: The Mystic River flows through which U.S. state? 5. MEDICAL: What is the medical name for a condition known as “the bends”? 6. ASTRONOMY: Which planets in our Solar System are known as the gas giants? 7. TELEVISION: Who did the character named Lurch work for? 8. HISTORY: Where was Martin Luther King assassinated in 1968? 9. GEOGRAPHY: Where are the Balearic Islands located? 10. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What would a vexillologist study?
1. In 1963, Pete Rose recorded his first base hit for the Cincinnati Reds, against Pittsburgh. What kind of hit was it? 2. Name the two left-handers who each won 20 or more games four times for the Baltimore Orioles between 1968 and 1974. 3. In 2014, Marcus Mariota became the all-time leader in career passing yards (10,796) for the University of Oregon. Who had held the mark? 4. The Portland Trail Blazers set an NBA record in 2015 for most consecutive wins in home openers (15 years). Who had held the mark? 5. When was the last time before 2015 that two U.S. players were among the top five picks in the NHL Draft? 6. Name the last time before 2015 that Japan won the world title in men’s gymnastics. 7. Who was the last female golfer before Inbee Park (2013-15) to win three consecutive Women’s PGA Championships?
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Make Marbleized Paper at Family Wrap Party
MICHELIN (continued): • The next step was to adapt the tire for use on motor vehicles. At that time, automobiles were equipped with wooden wheels with a metal rim. The Michelins set about trying to convince French carmakers of the advantages of pneumatic tires. Within five years of that famous bicycle race, 300 Paris taxis were equipped with Michelin tires. • In 1894, the Michelin Tire Company introduced what is now one of the world’s oldest and most recognizable trademarks, the Michelin Man. Named Bibendum, the character designed from stacked tires made his debut at the World’s Fair, the Lyon Exhibition of 1894, where the brothers had a booth. • There were 52 very discouraged employees when the brothers took over the company, which quickly grew to 500 motivated workers when the bicycle tire became successful. Edouard Michelin knew all of them personally and took an interest in their personal lives and families. That became a little more difficult a few years later when the work force grew to 2,000. By 1922, the Michelin factory employed 20,000 workers. • Edouard passed away in 1940, but the company continued to break ground in the industry. In 1946, Michelin designed and patented the radial tire. In 1934, the company had purchased the bankrupt Citroen automobile brand, and in 1946, it was the leading automaker in France. All new 1948 Citroen models were fitted with the new radial tires. Four years later, Michelin developed a radial truck tire. Michelin now owns B.F. Goodrich and Uniroyal and is the world’s largest producer of tires. It was not until 2012 that the CEO was not a member of the Michelin family.
Whether we’re children or adults, we all like to feel useful and part of the holiday festivities. Now’s the time to enlist the kids in the fun and creative job of gift-wrapping. But before you go out and purchase rolls of wrap, save money by making a beautiful batch for this year’s gifts. Gather big paper bags from your recycling bin, plus marbles and bright poster paint, and you’ll be ready for family fun. Here’s the stuff you’ll need: -- One large, sturdy cardboard gift box approximately 12 by 18 inches, or similar container with sides -- several marbles (one for each paint color) -- liquid poster paint in several colors -- spoons (one for each color) -- plain brown paper grocery bags, construction paper or butcher paper -- recycled deli or margarine tubs -- scissors -- newspaper Here’s the fun: Cover your work surface with newspaper. Cut open the paper bags and trim a sheet to fit the bottom of the box. (Or, if using construction paper or butcher paper, cut to size.) Place the paper inside. Pour a small amount of each color of paint into the containers. Drop a marble in one of the paint containers. Shake the container gently until the marble is thoroughly coated with paint, or use a spoon to move the marble around in the paint. With a spoon, drop the marble in the box and shift the box back and forth so the marble rolls in all directions, leaving paint on the paper. Repeat the process, using a different marble for each color of paint desired. When the colorful, abstract design is complete, remove your paper of modern art and let it dry. TIP: For smaller packages, “shake and create” gift wrap using a clean, large cylindrical potato-chip can with a lid. Loosely roll a sheet of paper inside the can so that it lines the interior. Using one color at a time, roll a marble or two in paint (as described above) and drop in the can. Snap on the lid, shake a few times, remove the lid and put the marble or marbles onto newspaper. Repeat with a marble or two in another color. Remove the paper to reveal your art. You might want to paint jingle bells along with the marbles for a fun, festive sound while shaking.
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CLOCKS
Tick-tock goes the clock, goes the old nursery rhyme. Consider these facts about the history of various types of time-keeping devices. • The word “clock” has its origins in the French word “cloche,” meaning “bell.” In German, the word is “glocke,” and Latin is “glocio.” • In 1330, the octagonal bell tower of the San Gottardo Church in Milan, Italy, featured the first public clock. It was one of the first recorded clocks that struck the hours. • Clocks became more accurate in 1656 with the invention of the pendulum. The weight on the pendulum swung back and forth steadily, and a clockmaker invented a device to count the swings and drive the clock’s hands. • In 1755, Vacheron & Constantin, the first watch-manufacturing firm, was established in Switzerland, and it has remained in business continuously for 260 years. In 2005, the company manufactured a complex wristwatch for its 250th anniversary that was 18-carat gold with blue sapphire glass. Containing 834 individual parts, only seven Tour de I’lle watches were made, carrying a price tag of $1.54 million. • Levi Hutchins of Concord, New Hampshire, is credited with the first mechanical alarm clock in 1787. His clock did have one serious drawback – it could only ring at 4:00 AM! A mechanical wind-up alarm clock that could be set for any time was patented by a familiar name, Seth Thomas, in 1876. The Seth Thomas Company began producing clocks in 1813, and that brand can still be purchased today. • The Westclox Clock Company began production of the familiar Big Ben alarm clocks in 1908. In 1912, the first batteryoperated alarm clock was introduced. • In 1927, the highly-accurate quartz clock was developed by a Canadian telecommunications engineer, Warren Marrison. It was based on the regular vibrations of a quartz crystal in an electrical circuit, and could stay accurate for
1. He hit a triple. 2. Dave McNally (1968, ‘69, ‘70 and ‘71) and Mike Cuellar (‘69, ‘70, ‘71, ‘74). 3. Bill Musgrave, with 8,343 yards (198790). 4. The Boston Celtics (1979-92). 5. It was 2007 (Patrick Kane and James van Riemsdyk). 6. It was 1978. 7. Annika Sorenstam (2003-05).
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weeks or months at a time. • The world’s most accurate clock is the strontium clock, an atomic clock that is accurate to within one second over 15 billion years. It was developed by physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder and measures the movement of strontium atoms pinned in a narrow column with powerful lasers. The strontium atoms have a vibrational frequency of about 430 trillion times per second, and the clock counts these oscillations to create the clock’s “tick.” • Twice a year, many countries alter the time on their clocks by one hour, either ahead or back, in accordance with Daylight Savings Time. According to legend, in 1784, Benjamin Franklin jokingly proposed waking people earlier on summer mornings in order to work more during the day and save candles at night. Apparently not everyone considered it a bad idea! Germany was the first country to officially adopt the system in 1916. Great Britain followed in 1917, and the U.S. in 1918. There are differing opinions as to whether DST actually saves energy. Some studies indicate that it does cut electricity usage in the U.S. by about 1% a day. Others claim that about 3 million barrels of oil are saved during those months. There also seems to be a reduction in road accidents with the increased daylight.
Answers 1. Daisy Hill Puppy Farm 2. A blessing 3. Samuel Johnson 4. Massachusetts 5. Decompression sickness (also known as divers’ disease) 6, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune 7. “The Addams Family” 8. Memphis, Tenn. 9. Mediterranean Sea (Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera) 10. Flags