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Volume 2 Issue 2
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CATS
by Janet Spencer
January 22 has been designated National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day, giving you an opportunity to work out what your cat wants to know. Come along with Tidbits as we answer your questions about cats! CAT FACTS
• Attab was a Moslem general and contemporary of Mohammed who had a city named after him: Attabieh. Attabieh became a sector in Bagdad famous for its richly colored striped silk cloth, also called attabieh. The word was passed into other languages as ‘attabi’ and came into English as ‘tabby.’ Cats with striped coats similar to striped silk became known as tabby cats. • A male cat is called a tom cat because of a popular story published in 1760 called “The Life and Adventures of a Cat.” The hero of the story was named Tom. • The word for cat in the ancient Egyptian language was ‘miu’ and in Chinese it’s ‘mao.’ In Arabic it’s ‘qittah’ which is very similar to the English kitty. In German it’s ‘kata’; in French ‘chat’; in Polish ‘kot’; and in Spanish ‘gato.’ • A single pair of breeding cats, assuming all offspring survive, can produce 65,536 cats in five years.
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KINDS OF CATS • There are 41 breeds of pedigree cats recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association. Breeds of the domestic dog differ greatly in size, form, and shape. But in the domestic cat family, there is no equivalent of the Great Dane or dachshund. The smallest full grown cat weighs three pounds; the largest about 18 pounds, for a differing factor of six. However, a St. Bernard can weigh 300 times as much as a Yorkshire terrier. • Crossbreed cats tend to live longer than purebred cats. • One study showed that neutered cats live an average of three years longer than unneutered ones. • The manx, a tailless cat, is not a true breed. The special characteristics of a true breed must hold true through many generations of breeding. Manx cats, when bred, almost always produce at least one kitten with a tail. Furthermore, a tailless kitten may show up occasionally in a litter of any breed of cat. CAT FACTS • Whiskers are important hunting tools. Studies have shown that a cat with whiskers intact can kill cleanly at the first bite in both light and darkness. A cat with damaged whiskers, however, kills cleanly in the light but not in the dark. Whiskers are a guidance system than can sense the outline of the prey and direct the cat where to sink the teeth for maximum effect. Whiskers also help a cat maneuver in the dark. Cats living in dark environments such as cellars grow longer whiskers than cats living in the light. A cat has an average of 24 whiskers, twelve on each side. • Cats are carnivores. They will become ill on an all-vegetarian diet.
Guinea Pig’s Death Sparks Questions DEAR PAW’S CORNER: Tonight our dear guinea pig “Sparks” had a heart attack and left us within a couple of hours. There was no chance to take her to an emergency vet. Is tension in the house a cause of heart attack in guinea pigs? Is there anything we could have done to prevent this? -- Yamile, via email DEAR YAMILE: I’m sorry to hear of Sparks’ death. I’ll try to offer some explanation why, and I encourage my readers to send their advice as well. Heart attack (and stroke) are, sadly, very common causes of sudden death in guinea pigs, a.k.a. cavies. Cavies are very sensitive to their environment, particularly changes in temperature. Being unable to rest peacefully also causes stress that affects their system. In short, cavies love a comfortable routine and a rest area sheltered from light and noise. Deficiencies in diet also can be a factor. This can get tricky, so speaking with other cavy owners or vets who specialize in them can help deduce whether a cavy needs a specific type of feed or supplement (too much can be as bad as too little).
Because it’s often hard to detect illness in cavies until they suddenly decline, you should learn a bit of “cavy first aid.” One important step when a cavy takes ill is to contact the vet by phone first and describe the symptoms. Sometimes a cavy is too ill to safely be transported. The vet might tell you to make your pet comfortable and wait out a very long night -- not because he or she doesn’t care, but because the added stress in moving the cavy could be fatal.
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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Aspects call for care in preparing material for submission. Although you might find it bothersome to go over what you’ve done, the fact is, rechecking could be worth your time and effort. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The week is favorable for Bovines who welcome change. New career opportunities wait to be checked out. You also might want to get started on that home makeover you’ve been considering. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You might have to be extra careful to protect that surprise you have planned, thanks to a certain snoopy someone who wants to know more about your plans than you’re willing to share. CANCER ( June 21 to July 22) Family ties are strong this week, although an old and stillunresolved problem might create some unpleasant moments. If so, look to straighten the situation out once and for all. LEO ( July 23 to August 22) Although the Lion might see it as an act of loyalty and courage to hold on to an increasingly shaky position, it might be wiser to make changes now to prevent a possible meltdown later. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Your gift for adding new people to your circle of friends works overtime this week, thanks largely to contacts you made during the holidays. A surprise awaits you at the week’s end. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Don’t
hide your talents. It’s a good time to show what you can do to impress people who can do a lot for you. A dispute with a family member might still need some smoothing over. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Be open with your colleagues about your plan to bring a workplace matter out into the open. You’ll want their support, and they’ll want to know how you’ll pull it off. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Trying to patch up an unraveling relationship is often easier said than done. But it helps to discuss and work out any problems that arise along the way. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) While your creative aspect remains high this week, you might want to call on your practical side to help work out the why and wherefore of an upcoming decision. AQUARIUS ( January 20 to February 18) Dealing with someone’s disappointment can be difficult for Aquarians, who always try to avoid giving pain. But a full explanation and a show of sympathy can work wonders. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Getting a job-related matter past some major obstacles should be easier this week. A personal situation might take a surprising but not necessarily unwelcome turn by the week’s end. BORN THIS WEEK: You can be both a dreamer and a doer. You consider helping others to be an important part of your life.
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• The claws of a cat are the sharpest and most hooked of all mammal claws. A cat must scratch at things such as furniture, trees, or scratching posts not to “sharpen” its claws, but to remove the old sheaths that cover the claws. A cat also scratches because there are scent glands on the underside of the footpads, so scratching is also a method of marking its territory. A cat without claws is not only psychologically damaged but is also unable ever again to climb, hunt, or defend itself. • Cats can jump ten times the length of their bodies. When dropped upside-down from a height of only ten inches (25 cm), a cat can right itself in mid-fall and land on its feet.
CAT HABITS
• Cats trample your lap with their paws because when they were kittens drinking milk from their mother, that action stimulated the flow of the milk. • A cat rubs its head against things to mark them with its scent. Cats have scent glands in their forehead and around their mouths. • Not all cats bury their poop. In a study of feral cats, it was found that the dominant tom cat in the area will leave his poop unburied in a very prominent spot where every cat in the neighborhood will be aware of it. • Every time a cat rubs against something or sprays it with urine, it is marking its territory. The scent immediately begins to wear off. A cat prefers to return to its marking posts frequently to see if anybody else has been there, and to renew its scent. That is why a cat perpetually wants to go outside, then comes in again, only to want out once more. • Cats will typically sleep 16 hours out of every 24. That means that a nine-year-old cat has only been awake for a total of three years.
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5 Things you Need to Know about Property Insurance Coverage 5. Most insurance companies DO NOT cover the cost of plumbing repair. The homeowner must cover this cost on their own in most cases. They do however cover the cost to expose the problem and the damage caused by the issue. For Example: The toilet bowl gets clogged and a bad toilet flap allows water to fill and overflow onto the floors. This will likely damage the floor around the area, the tiles, drywall, baseboards etc… The insurance company will likely cover everything EXCEPT the cost to unclog the toilet (the damage is covered, not the plumbing source that caused the damage). Some of the People involved in an insurance claim: Insurance company: Company that provides the insurance policy to the homeowner Field Adjuster: The person that is assigned to physically inspect the damaged areas of the property and provide a report to the Insurance adjuster Insurance Adjuster: Person assigned to the claim. They usually make the decision on whether a claim is approved or denied. They also issue the repair payments, collect all information and are the main point of contact through the claim process until completion Mold & Mildew Remediation Company: Company that specializes in the treatment of water damaged and or fire damaged property (Key: They [generally] do not make repairs) General Contractor: Person or company that makes the repairs to the property after the remediation is completed. When in doubt, contact your insurance provider to make sure that you have adequate coverage and to ask policy specific questions. -- And if you need assistance with the process or a great referral, give us a call-- you’ll benefit from our experience, we guarantee it. Sponsored by:
Rogue Valley Real Estate By Kareem Fleming Jan 7, 2016 www.BiggerPockets.com Reprinted with permission
Happy New Year to All! As a real estate investor or even a homeowner, knowing your insurance coverage is very important. The goal of every investor should be to make as much profit as possible while limiting liability. Insurance Claim Tips You Need To Know: 1.If a problem at your property caused damage to the property of your neighbor, avoid agreeing to cover the repair cost unless your insurance agrees to provide coverage. Many condos and HOA’s have a clause in the governing documents that states that, “each owner and their respective insurance provider is responsible for damage done to their own properties regardless of the source of the problem.” The most common exception is in the event of Negligence. For example: John’s water heater leaks and damages neighbor Sue’s townhouse, Neighbor Sue may be responsible for covering her own cost to repair the damage even though John’s water heater caused the damage. 2. Take lots of pictures for your records. A picture is worth a thousand words and in the case of a claim, it could mean the difference being the claim being approved or denied. 3. Act quickly and stay on top of your adjuster, the faster you place a claim, the more likely the insurance is to approve. The insurance adjuster is often over-whelmed with other claims so if you do not follow up, they may take a long time to reach out to you. 4. You may not always need to place a claim. Placing an insurance claim, whether it is approved or denied by your insurance company, can cause your premiums to increase. One should be careful when placing claims unless the cost to repair, very clearly exceeds the insurance deductible. For example: If Joe has a 3 level house. The upstairs bath leaks water and damages the ceiling of the living below. If your deductible is $1000 but the damage is less than $1000 worth of repairs, it may not be worth placing a claim.
To Your Good Health By Keith Roach, M.D.
Sleepless Nights DEAR DR. ROACH: How much good does it do for the body to just lie there with your eyes closed all night long when you can’t sleep? -D.R. ANSWER: It doesn’t do much good at all; in fact, it causes harm, in that it makes it more likely for you to associate the bed as a place to stay awake. My advice is, if you are lying in bed and not sleeping, get up out of bed and do something. Listen to soft music. Read a book, as long as the light isn’t too bright. Write in your diary. When you feel like sleeping, get back into bed, but don’t stay there if you aren’t
getting to sleep in 15 minutes or so and know that you aren’t going to. Getting a little high-intensity exercise during the day, avoiding caffeine after midday and staying away from naps are good ways to feel ready for sleep at bedtime. *** DEAR DR. ROACH: I had my thyroid removed for a goiter 35 years ago. My doctor put me on 100 mcg of thyroid medication; however, when I took it, I got sick. My hands shook, and my heart beat very quickly (over 100). So one doctor told me to split it, and take 50 in the morning and 50 in the afternoon. I felt better, and I took it twice a day for 30 years. After menopause, a different doctor changed it to 88 mcg and said to take it one time a day. This what I have been taking for five years, but I was feeling better and happier when I split the dose. My question is, can I split this medication? Does it make any different for the body if the TSH is normal? Does it make any difference what time of the day I take it? -- H.T. ANSWER: Many people do split the dose of
CAT HABITS • Cats in the wild will normally kill prey immediately with a single bite. But domestic cats that don’t do much hunting may consider the capture of prey a momentous occasion and will prolong the experience as long as possible. This could explain why they play with their prey before killing it. • One study attempted to discover if farm cats would catch more mice if they were not fed anything besides what they caught. The results were inconclusive because cats fed extra food stayed at that farm, but cats that were never fed moved to other farms where they could get better hand-outs. • Cats can’t see in total darkness, but they can see in a lot less light than humans. One researcher performed an experiment in which cats were taught there was a treat hidden behind a lighted doorway, but no treat was behind the unlighted doorway. He then gradually reduced the amount of light. He found that cats were still able to distinguish the lighted doorway even when it looked dark to humans. Cats consistently chose the correct door even when there was only onesixth of the amount of light needed for humans to distinguish it. • Cats and monkeys were both used in an experiment in which they were presented with two boxes. One box had a buzzer buzzing or a bell ringing, and the other did not. The treat was in the box making noise. It took the monkeys an average of 437 trials to learn the rules of the game and figure out where the treat was hidden. Cats learned it in only 33 trials. Cats learned so much faster perhaps because hearing is very instrumental in their hunting techniques, whereas monkeys are mainly vegetarian and don’t rely on their ears to find food.
thyroid hormone, especially if they are taking a type of thyroid, such as Armour, that contains T3. If 88 mcg is the dose that has the right amount of TSH (a hormone made by the pituitary that helps determine whether the dose is correct as far as your body is concerned) for you, then the TSH shouldn’t be affected by taking half the dose in the morning and half at night. Most people don’t find that it matters, but if it relieves your symptoms to take it twice a day, that’s OK. *** DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a home health nurse. Many of my patients think that because something has been cooked and then refrigerated, it will stay good indefinitely! How long should you realistically keep food that is refrigerated? Thank you. -- S.C. ANSWER: Of course, the answer depends on the specific type of food, but a good rule of thumb is three to four days for cooked food. I found more exact recommendations at www. foodsafety.gov /keep/charts/storagetimes.html
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I am trying to make friends outside of Facebook while applying the same principles. So, every day I walk down the street and tell passers-by what I have eaten, how I feel at the moment, what I have done the night before, what I will do later and with whom. I give them pictures of my family, my dog and of me gardening, taking things apart in the garage, watering the lawn, standing in front of landmarks, driving around town, having lunch and doing what anybody and everybody does every day. I also listen to their conversations, give them the “thumbs up” and tell them I like them. And it works just like Facebook! I already have four people following me: two police officers, a private investigator and a psychiatrist.
Amazing Animals
DOGS
• Dogs can hear both higher and lower on the frequency spectrum than humans can. They can also pinpoint sound direction faster, and can hear sounds that are four times as far away as what humans can hear. Dogs with upright ears have better hearing than dogs with droopy ears. Droopy ears were bred into dogs in order to protect their ear canals from grass seeds and bugs when running through brush. • A dog’s acute sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times sharper than a human’s. The part of the brain devoted to processing scent is four times larger in a dog’s brain than in a human’s. People have 5 million scent-detecting cells, but dogs have 220 million. They can detect bladder cancer in a urine sample, and detect a chemical odor change in a person who is about to suffer a seizure. • Why is a dog’s nose wet? It’s covered by a thin layer of mucus that helps them absorb scent. They then lick their noses to sample the scent through their mouth. • Although dogs have a better sense of smell and hearing than humans, their sense of taste is awful. They only have 1,700 taste buds whereas humans have 9,000. Cats come in last with only 473. This helps explain why dogs so willingly eat garbage: ‘smells interesting, can’t taste it.’ • The myth that dogs see only in black and white has been disproved. They can see some colors such as blue and yellow but tend to have the same sort of red-green colorblindness that some humans have. Dogs have better night vision than humans. • When dogs kick after defecating, they are using the scent glands on their paws to further mark their territory. • Dogs sweat through their paws. (cont’d)
Stay Happy, Stay Healthy Negative stereotypes about aging can produce negative outcomes in seniors, including physical function. That’s quite a statement, and apparently it’s true. The phrase “Don’t worry, be happy” might well include the addition of “and stay healthier.” Researchers interacted with 100 seniors ages 61-99 to learn whether positive stereotyping could have positive outcomes. They used implicit (implied) and explicit (clearly expressed) messages, in varying combinations, at one-week intervals. The results showed that implicit interventions caused improved self-perception, which included better physical function. The opposite also was true: Negative messages resulted in negative selfperception. The impact lasted for three weeks. And implicit messages had a greater effect than explicit ones.
The VA Thinks You’re Dead It must be quite a shock to get a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs saying that you’re dead and it’s cutting off your benefits. Especially if you’re the one who’s opened the envelope. But that’s what happened more than 100 times in the space of nine months. The VA decided a veteran was dead (or in some cases it was the surviving spouse depending on the check each month), and benefits were cut. Florida Rep. David Jolly jumped in with both feet and asked the VA for an explanation. The VA had none, at least not so far. In one case, it had the veteran dead and buried in the wrong cemetery after having served in the wrong war. In other cases it had to do
Becca Levy, associate professor at Yale, has been studying us for a long time. In some of her research, participants played computer games with words flashed on the screen. These subliminal messages had an impact, either positive or negative, about aging stereotypes, and affected memory tasks, walking speed and even handwriting. If flash messages could have such a great impact, think about what more overt messages could do. Researchers have come up with a numbers of ways we can stay healthier as we age, and it’s all about our frame of mind. * Stay happy and positive, on an even keel, without going to extremes emotionally. * Look at the glass as half full, and be hopeful about the future. * Remain social. Get out, be with people -- the happier the better. If there are negative people in your life, try to avoid them. Avoid hostility. Search for group activities that have a positive purpose. * Be resilient in the face of difficulties and search for the good in any situation -- because there is always a silver lining. Your health will thank you.
with similar names. Whatever happened to double checking Social Security or service numbers? Or making a simple phone call? In a few cases, veterans weren’t able to satisfactorily prove they were still alive until Rep. Jolly got involved and pushed for a new process to determine if there’s actually been a death before benefits are cut. The new process will include relying on the database for the Social Security Administration rather than a VA employee who can cancel benefits with a keystroke. Additionally, a letter will now be sent in advance of benefits being cut off, and the veteran (or surviving spouse) will be given 30 days to declare that they are indeed still alive. A suggestion while the VA puts together a “it won’t happen again” plan: If one phone call to the local regional VA facility doesn’t solve the problem, call your U.S. representative or senator. In a pinch, call Rep. Jolly at 202-2255961, even if he isn’t your representative.
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Ruby Glass Q: I have a 50-piece set of ruby glass. Several years ago, I was offered $75 per glass, but I want to sell the entire set. Any suggestions? -- Marilyn, Sonoma, California A: Ruby glass is a flashed glass, deeply red in color, and was manufactured by numerous companies beginning during the 1890s and continuing through the 1940s. Although it is sometimes confused with red carnival glass, it is made differently and is not the same.
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Values are tricky. It might be a good idea to consult the numerous price guides available and monitor ruby glass prices on eBay. Another suggestion is to contact a certified appraiser who specializes in glass. Although you will pay a nominal fee, you will get an expert’s opinion of what your collection is worth. *** Q: Can you recommend a good price guide for comics. My son has a collection of about 75 vintage issues, and I think we should investigate to see what the current values are. -- Susan, Springfield, Missouri A: There are three comic references I consult on a regular basis: “Golden Age Comics” by Alex G. Malloy and Stuart W. Wells III (Krause Books); “Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide” by Robert W. Overstreet (House of Collectibles); and “Comic Book Checklist and Price Guide” by Maggie Thompson, Brent Frankenhoff and Peter Bickford
(Krause Books). Since prices can vary from region to region, don’t assume values listed are chiseled in stone. Also, don’t hesitate to contact established comic-book dealers in your area. *** Q: I recently purchased four pieces of McCoy pottery at a yard sale. In addition to a large mixing bowl, I bought a pitcher with matching mug and a cookie jar shaped like a strawberry. I spent a total of $35 for the four pieces and hope it was a good deal. -- Becky, Little Rock, Arkansas A: Although I have several guidebooks for this type of pottery, my personal favorite is “Warman’s McCoy Pottery,” 2nd edition, by Mark F. Moran and published by KP Books. Your strawberry cookie jar was crafted during the 1950s and is valued in the $80 to $100 range, per Moran. It sounds like you made an excellent buy.
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1. POLITICS: What sitting vice president shot and mortally wounded a political rival in a duel? 2. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin suffix “grade” mean? 3. MOVIES: What was the name of the angel who visited George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life”? 4. TELEVISION: What was the title of the theme song to the sitcom “Cheers”? 5. U.S. STATES: What state’s motto is “North to the Future”? 6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What kind of animal would be described as “lupine”? 7. GAMES: How much money do you get when you pass “Go” in Monopoly? 8. LITERATURE: What are the names of the two feuding families in “Romeo and Juliet”? 9. GEOGRAPHY: What two countries does the Cheviot Hills range divide? 10. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the birthstone for April?
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Turn Holiday Cards Into DIY Toys
DOGS (cont’d)
• The breeds that bark the most are beagle and border collie.
• The chow is the only breed with a black tongue instead of a pink tongue. However, chow puppies are born with pink tongues that turn black after a few months.
• Dalmation puppies are born all white. Their spots arrive later. • Whereas humans have four different blood types, there are eight different blood types among dogs.
1. In 2015, the Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton became the franchise leader in career home runs. Who had held the mark? 2. Who holds the Detroit Tigers record for most career strikeouts by a
pitcher? 3. In 2013, Dallas’ Tony Romo became the second quarterback in NFL history to throw for 500 yards and five touchdowns in a loss. Who was the first? 4. Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, in 2015, became the first NCAA men’s basketball coach to record 1,000 career victories. Who was the second? 5. In the 2014-15 NHL season, only one player for the New Jersey Devils tallied more than 20 goals. Who was it? 6. Which country has won the most Winter Olympic medals overall? 7. In 2015, Jordan Spieth became the sixth male golfer to win the Masters and the U.S. Open in the same year. Name three of the other five to do it.
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• Dogs do not have an appendix.
• Tallest breed: Irish wolfhound (31 inches / 70 cm at the shoulder). Smallest: Chihuahua (6 inches / 15 cm at the shoulder). Heaviest: St. Bernards, mastiffs (up to 200 lb / 91 kg). Fastest: Greyhound, whippet (45 mph / 72 kmh) • The American Kennel Club recognizes 184 dog breeds in the United States. They are split into seven types: toy / hound / herding / sporting / nonsporting / working / terrier.
• The most popular breed in the U.S. and Britain is the Labrador retriever. • The smartest breeds are generally thought to be border collies, golden retrievers, Labradors, poodles, Doberman pinschers, and German shepherds.
•.Less intelligent breeds include Afghan hounds, chows, and Chihuahuas • Longest ears: basset hounds.
• The phrase “man’s best friend” may have originated from a courtroom speech in Missouri in 1870 when a farmer sued a neighbor who shot his dog. • The most common command is ‘sit.’
• It costs about $1,500 per year to maintain a dog.
Boxes and bins filled with holiday decor are taped shut, and lids are snapped on tight. Up to the attic they go. Only select items remain on display, like the string of white indoor mini lights framing my kitchen windows that boost our moods through cold and gloomy wintry days. A hodgepodge of December’s Christmas cards spilling out of a cookie tin also are day brighteners. It’s so much fun to browse through them again, especially with kids. Here are two ideas for enjoying the greetings in new ways when recycled into DIY fun. If some are photo cards, your kids will become more familiar with faces and places as they create. PRESCHOOL SEWING CARDS Make simple lacing cards for preschoolers by punching holes around the sides of a large card. Or, punch holes around dominant designs such as a pine tree. Then take a shoelace with a plastic-coated end, and show your child how to poke it in and out of the holes. As they work, talk about the images on the card, count them, identify colors. Note: If you don’t have a shoelace handy, wrap tape around one end of a long piece of yarn to form a tip and begin threading. SCHOOL-AGE HOUSE OF CARDS Create a construction toy for school-age kids and build structures of all shapes and sizes. For a basic set of interlocking cards, cut 20 cards in equal sizes such as 4 inches by 7 inches. Now you are ready to cut slits, either six or eight. For six slits, with a card upright in front of you, find the midpoint at the top. Make a dot to mark the spot, then use scissors to cut a 1/2-inch vertical slit. Measure down 1 inch from the top right corner. Make a dot and cut a 1/2-inch horizontal slit. Measure down 1 inch from the top left corner, mark and cut a horizontal slit. Now cut slits the same way at the midpoint of the bottom of the card and the two lower sides. If you prefer eight slits on your cards, measure 1 inch in both directions from each corner and cut slits. Start construction by sliding cards into each other at the slits in a perpendicular fashion to create a house, tower or imaginary structure. Note: Vary construction possibilities by cutting some slits at angles, or cut cards into geometric shapes such as a circle, half moon or square. Cut slits on them and begin assembling your structures.
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STOCK MARKET TRIVIA
• When Dutch explorers founded a colony called New Amsterdam on an island now known as Manhattan, they built a wall around their settlement to protect themselves from Indians and the British. When the British invaded New Amsterdam in 1664, they easily overcame the Wall and conquered the settlement, renaming it New York. The road that ran along the wall became known as “Wall Street” and the first trading done there was for fur, food, and tobacco. Later the British tore down the wall and used it for firewood, though the name Wall Street remained even after the wall was gone. • The word “broker” originally came from the French word “brochier” which referred to someone to broaches, or breaks open, a keg of wine. Often, enterprising businesspeople would buy a keg of wine, then break it open and sell it by the cup for a profit. • Thomas Edison was penniless when he arrived in New York City at the age of 22. He persuaded a friend of his to let him sleep in the office of the Gold Indicator Co., a stockticker firm. When the stock ticker broke down a few days later, Edison repaired it after everyone else had failed. He improved the design of the stock ticker, and when the president of the company asked him how much he wanted for the patents, he couldn’t decide whether to ask for $5,000 or $3,000- so he said, “How much are you offering?” The president said, “How would $40,000 strike you?” whereupon Edison replied, “Yes, I think that will be fair.” With that money, he was able to open his first workshop and begin his inventing career. • Edison’s reputation was already so great that when he announced he was attempting to invent an electric light bulb, the value of stock in gas companies plummeted. • In 1814, British banker Nathan Rothschild learned of Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo by carrier pigeon a full day before the general public knew. As a result, he made a fortune on the stock market, and subsequently saved the London stock exchange from collapse
1. Dan Uggla, with 154 home runs. 2. Mickey Lolich, with 2,679 strikeouts. 3. Detroit’s Matthew Stafford, in the 2011 season. 4. Herb Magee, with Division II Philadelphia University, also in 2015. 5. Left wing Mike Cammalleri, with 27. 6. Norway, with 329 medals (118 gold, 111 silver, 100 bronze). 7. Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Craig Wood and Tiger Woods.
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by buying up all the shares that were sold by frightened investors. • A man named Bernard Smith made a fortune off the stock market during the Great Depression by correctly guessing that the market would fall every time President Hoover made an optimistic statement about economic recovery. • After investing heavily in the stock market, former president Ulysses S. Grant was swindled out of his fortune by a crooked broker. The broker went to prison, and Grant found himself flat broke and heavily in debt. To earn some cash, he decided to write his memoirs after a popular monthly magazine offered him a small sum. Samuel Clemens (otherwise known as Mark Twain) heard about the deal, and rushed to see Grant before the contract was signed. He encouraged Grant to write an entire book and offered to have his own publishing company produce it, for a generous royalty. He gave Grant advance royalties, and Grant finished writing the book only days before he died of throat cancer. The book was wildly successful, earning a fortune for both Clemens and Grant’s widow. • Abbie Hoffman once created chaos when we dropped 300 crisp $1 bills on the floor of the New York Stock Market Exchange. Brokers scrambled for the money and pandemonium ensued. • Ross Perot lost $450 million on the stock market in a single day - April 22, 1970.
Answers 1. Aaron Burr 2. Walking or moving 3. Clarence 4. “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” 5. Alaska 6. A wolf 7. $200 8. Montague and Capulet 9. England and Scotland 10. Diamond