Tidbits of the Rogue Valley Vol 2 Issue 19

Page 1

OVER OVER 4 MILLION 4 MILLION Readers Weekly Readers Weekly Nationwide! Nationwide!

May 11, 2016

FREE FREE

ALL RIGHTS ALL RIGHTSRESERVED RESERVED©2007 ©2007

TheThe Neatest Little Paper Ever Read Neatest Little Paper Ever Read

Published by: Velocity Ventures Trust

For Advertising: (541) 203-0233 TIDBITS® CORRECTS SOME

MISQUOTES

by Kathy Wolfe It seems that many of us have been misquoting well-known phrases for years. This week, Tidbits sets the record straight on some of the more common ones. • We’ve all heard Murphy’s Law, something along the lines of, “If something can go wrong, it will, and usually at the worst time.” There was a real Murphy – Edward A. Murphy, a U.S. Air Force engineer who was working on a rocket-sled experiment in the late 1940s. The project involved mounting 16 accelerator instruments to a participant’s body. There were two ways the 16 sensors could be glued to the mount, and all 16 were installed backwards. Murphy was heard to say, “If there are two or more ways to do something, and one of those ways can result in a catastrophe, then someone will do it.” • One of the most often-misquoted lines in movie history is “Play it again, Sam” from the 1942 film “Casablanca.” Most folks believe that leading man Humphrey Bogart uttered the famous phrase. The pianist Sam is being asked to play the song “As Time Goes By.” Ingrid Bergman’s character Ilsa Lund says, “Play it once, Sam. For old times’ sake.” When Sam objects, she repeats, “Play it, Sam.” Later in the movie, Bogart says, “Play it!” No one ever says, “Play it again, Sam.” turn the page for more!

www.TanksPlumbing.net/review

Volume 2 Issue 19

info@tidbitsoftheroguevalley.com


Page 2

Published by Velocity Ventures Trust

For Advertising Call (541) 203-0233

MISQUOTES (continued): • Me Tarzan, you Jane” is another movie line that never happened. In the 1932 film “Tarzan, the Ape Man,” actress Maureen O’Sullivan as Jane Parker was attempting to teach her language to Tarzan, played by Johnny Weissmuller, actor and former Olympian. Pointing to herself, she said, “Jane,” which Tarzan repeated. Jane then said, “And you? You?” to which he replied, “Tarzan, Tarzan.” • Have you heard the quote attributed to the French philosopher Voltaire? – “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Although attributed to Voltaire, this quotation was actually that of his biographer Evelyn Beatrice Hall in her 1906 book, The Friends of Voltaire. Voltaire actually did say, “Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too” in his 1763 “Essay on Tolerance.” It’s thought that he also wrote in a letter to a colleague: “I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write.” • We all know that “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” but not everyone realizes that the correct quotation is “Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor hell a fury like a woman scorned,” penned by English poet William Congreve in his 1697 work, “The Mourning Bride.” • The sultry 1930s diva Mae West is often quoted as saying, “Come up and see me sometime.” In the 1933 movie “She Done Him Wrong,” West, in her role as Lady Lou, utters, “Why don’t you come up sometime and see me?”

Overcoming Boy’s Fear of Dogs DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I read your recent column about a young boy who was afraid of dogs, and I would like to suggest some help to him, or anyone who is fearful of an animal. My dog Hannah and I have worked with many children to help them get over their fears. Hannah is a therapy dog. She is awesome! The children (and some adults) she has worked with are now petting other dogs. We work through our local H.S.S. Lollypop Farm in New York. I’m sure this young man can find a great therapy dog in his area to help him. Good luck! -- D. Oswald, Palmyra, New York DEAR D.: Fantastic idea! Therapy dogs are increasingly becoming an important part of our society and play an indispensable role in many people’s lives. Typically, therapy dogs visit with people for a short time each day or week to help relieve stress, provide emotional support, ease loneliness or grief ... or help people overcome their fear of dogs.

A great place to start learning more about therapy dogs is at the Pet Partners website, which gives information about the services that therapy dogs can provide, and can help match patients with dogs in their area. If you’re a pet owner whose dog has a great disposition and is well-socialized, volunteering your pet to be a therapy dog could be very rewarding for both of you. Pet therapy organizations like the one above can help determine if volunteering is for you.

Petbits brought to you by: Celebrity Pets Holistic Care Happy, Healthy Pets Inside & Out

Self-Service Pet Wash Professional Groomers Health & Hygiene Products Artisan Pet Treats

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A onceharmonious relationship appears to be hitting some sour notes. Spend some time together to see why things have gone offkey. What you learn might surprise you. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You feel a need to make some changes. Good -you can do it on a small scale (some new clothes, for example), or go big and redecorate your home and/or office. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Control your tendency toward early boredom. A situation in your life might be taking a long time to develop, but patience pays off. Stay with it. CANCER ( June 21 to July 22) You might feel that you’re on an emotional roller coaster this week. Don’t fret; just ride it out and let things settle down. A Pisces shows understanding. LEO ( July 23 to August 22) Do something different for once -- compromise. A stubborn stand on an important issue proves counterproductive. You need to be open to new ideas. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A friend offers advice that you perceive as an act of betrayal. But before you turn against the messenger, pay attention to the message. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A year of riding an emotional pogo stick finally settles down. Use this calmer period to restore frayed relationships and to pursue new opportunities. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your words can sting, so be careful how you respond to a friend’s actions. A calm approach could produce some surprising facts. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Be careful about whose secrets you’re being asked to keep. They could impose an unfair burden on a straight arrow like you. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) While you prefer taking the tried-andtrue course in life, be adventurous this week and accept a challenge that can open new vistas. AQUARIUS ( January 20 to February 18) Your strong sense of justice helps you deal with a job- or school-related situation. Stay with your principles. A Sagittarius emerges as a supporter. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You need to build a stronger on-the-job support system to convince doubting colleagues that your innovative proposals are workable. BORN THIS WEEK: You might not say much, but you’re capable of extraordinary achievements. You are a loyal friend and a devoted family person.


Published by Velocity Ventures Trust

1. MOVIES: What was the first name of the main character in the movie “Rambo”? 2. GEOGRAPHY: On which continent is the nation of Eritrea located? 3. MUSIC: What was the full name of the late singer Prince? 4. ANATOMY: What part of the body is examined with an ophthalmoscope? 5. MEASUREMENTS: How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon? 6. COMPUTERS: The term “bit” is an abbreviation for what words? 7. GAMES: What is the only king without a moustache in a standard deck of playing cards? 8. TELEVISION: Which one of the Teletubbies is green in the children’s show? 9. THEATER: Who wrote the play “A Moon for the Misbegotten”? 10. LANGUAGE: What is the adjective that is used to describe bulls or oxen?

1. When was the only time before 2015 that the Houston Astros started a season with a franchise record of 31-19 after 50 games? 2. Two different Oakland Athletics players each led the A.L. in stolen bases twice during the 1970s. Name them. 3. Who has had the longest tenure as the football coach at the University of Iowa? 4. Golden State’s Stephen Curry, in 2015, became the fastest NBA player to 1,000 career 3-pointers made (369 games). Who had been the fastest? 5. In 2015, Chicago’s Patrick Kane set an NHL record for most consecutive games with a goal or assist by a U.S.-born player (26 games). Who had held the mark? 6. Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco set a Major League Soccer record in 2015 for most combined goals and assists in a season (37). Who had held the mark? 7. Who did Floyd Mayweather Jr. face in the first and last fights of his undefeated 49-bout boxing career?

For Advertising Call (541) 203-0233

Page 3

Chalk Up Outdoor Playtime

MISQUOTES (continued): • Many popular sayings are attributed to the Bible that aren’t really in there. As children, many of us were admonished by our parents with “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” perhaps an attempt to get us to wash behind our ears! This adage first appeared in a printed sermon by John Wesley in 1769, in which the minister wrote, “Slovenliness is no part of religion. Cleanliness is indeed next to godliness.” Perhaps you think that the old saying, “God helps those who help themselves” is another Biblical truth. In fact, it was Aesop of “Aesop’s Fables” fame who first penned, “the gods help them that help themselves.” In Benjamin Franklin’s 1736 edition of “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” a similar says goes, “One who comes to be purified is helped.” Have you heard folks say, “no rest for the wicked”? The accurate wording is found in Isaiah 57:21, “There is no peace, says my God, to the wicked.” And lots of us say, “Money is the root of all evil,” when in fact, the correct wording in I Timothy 6:10 is “the love of money is the root of all evil…” • In the 1995 film “Apollo 13,” Tom Hanks in the role of Commander Jim Lovell says, “Houston, we have a problem.” During the 1970 mission, Apollo 13 astronaut Jack Swigert was the first to say a similar phrase, “Okay, Houston, we’ve had a problem here.” NASA in Houston replied, “This is Houston. Say again please,” to which Lovell replied, “Houston, we’ve had a problem. We’ve had a main B bus undervolt.” • The quote, “Well-behaved women seldom make history” has often been attributed to actress Marilyn Monroe. The credit for the line really goes to Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, a Harvard professor and Pulitzer Prize winner who wrote it in a 1976 journal article.

Chalk up some outdoor playtime with your kids with one of the simplest of art supplies, a bucket of chalk. Step out on a sidewalk or driveway, and discover all the possibilities of the impermanent canvas -- not only for artwork in cheery colors, but for games of hopscotch that attract friends for healthy competition and exercise. Here are more creative things your family and friends can do with standard sidewalk chalk: SHADOW PORTRAITS On a sunny day, ask your child to stand still, and then outline his shadow with a piece of chalk. Ask him to do the same with your shadow. Fill in the outlines with comical expressions on your faces and dashing wardrobes, including silly shoes, a funny hat or a new hairdo. GIANT RAINBOW ABCs. Spell out a name or word with supersize bubble letters. Fill in the loops and spaces with contrasting colors, then make it grow into a rainbow word. For example, if you write your word in orange chalk, fill in the spaces with yellow. Now go around the outside of each letter with a new color, such as red. Continue with blue and purple, or choose any color combination that inspires you. SIDEWALK-CHALK FAIR Sidewalk-chalk murals bring communities of all ages together with the challenge of adorning an outdoor concrete canvas. Try the idea on your own block when you have a get-together. Give participants their own reserved space to create a self-portrait, scenic design, cartoon, poem, maze, etc. FIZZY SIDEWALK CHALK Stir up an easy recipe of a sidewalk chalk “paint” that fizzes when kids spray it with vinegar. In a bowl with a spout, stir together a box of baking soda, 1/2 cup cornstarch and about a cup of hot water. Pour into unbreakable containers or sections of a muffin container. Stir in different colors of food coloring in different bowls/sections. Paint on the sidewalk with paintbrushes. Spritz the art with vinegar and watch it fizz. After play, wash away with a hose or bucket of water.

Don’t Be Left in the Dark

Your View of the World will be Forever Illuminated After you Read The Fr with ee Bo Co o Uncle Eric Books $152 mplete k Se .5 Order by Calling tollfree

1-800-509-5400

0 +S /H

www.earlywarningreport.com/books

t

Uncle Eric Talks About Personal, Career & Financial Security, Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?, Whatever Happened to Justice?, Are you Liberal? Conservative? or Confused?, Ancient Rome, How It Affects You Today, Evaluating Books: What Would Thomas Jefferson Think About This?,The Money Mystery, The Clipper Ship Strategy, The Thousand Year War in the Mideast, World War I- The Rest of the Story, World War II- The Rest of the STory


Page 4

Published by Velocity Ventures Trust

To Your Good Health By Keith Roach, M.D.

Caffeine Pills vs. Coffee DEAR DR. ROACH: You advised an 81-year-old farmer who was drinking an energy drink several times a week to “stick with coffee” in order to avoid the added sugar in the energy drink. What is your opinion of getting an equivalent amount of caffeine through over-the-counter caffeine pills instead of coffee? I am a 55-year-old woman, and except for being overweight, I am in excellent health. I exercise daily, sleep well at night and have no complaints whatsoever. I get about six or seven hours of sleep a night, and am a naturally early riser. I do not drink either tea or coffee (don’t like the taste), but I have found that if I take one half of

For Advertising Call (541) 203-0233 MISQUOTES (continued): • Diehard Trekkies will know that Captain James T. Kirk never said, “Beam me up, Scotty!” in any of the 80 episodes of the original “Star Trek” series, which aired from 1966 to 1969. The closest Captain Kirk came to that phrase was in the 1968 episode “Gamesters of Triskelion,” when he exclaimed, “Beam us up, Mr. Scott!” The animated “Star Trek” series, which ran for two seasons in 1973 – 1974, did have the line, “Beam us up, Scotty!” and the 1986 movie “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home included, “Scotty, beam me up.” The original series’ Mr. Scott was played by actor James Doohan, who entitled his 1996 biography Beam Me Up, Scotty! • The well-known phrase “A rose by any other name smells just as sweet” has its origins in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” But the actual quote reads, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet.” • Speaking of Shakespeare, when we see images of witches stirring a cauldron, the phrase “Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble” comes to mind. The correct phrase, from Act 4, Scene 1 of “Macbeth,” is actually “Double, double, toil and trouble.” Fans of the rock group Led Zeppelin will recognize the words in the first verse of “Stairway to Heaven”, “There’s a lady who’s sure, all that glitters is gold.” The chorus in the Smash Mouth song “All Star” also includes the phrase “All that glitters is gold.” In actuality, this is another Shakespeare misquote that reads correctly, “All that glisters is not gold,” spoken by the Prince of Morocco in “The Merchant of Venice.”

a 200-mg caffeine pill immediately on arising, it does wonders for my mood and productivity. On some days I take a second pill in the early afternoon, and rarely, a third in the evening, though never later than 6 p.m. Is there anything wrong with this? I’ve found that many people who drink several cups of coffee a day seem to look askance at me because I get my caffeine a pill. -- A.C. ANSWER: Some people drink coffee for the caffeine; some people drink decaf to avoid the caffeine; most people like both the taste and the caffeine effect. You are unusual in only wanting the caffeine effect. A 16-ounce cup of coffee at a large chain contains 330 mg of caffeine. I don’t see anything wrong with taking caffeine pills the way you are. However, some people won’t sleep well if taking as much as you are. *** DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your column regarding the high cost of the shingles vaccine. I am an insurance agent who is often asked about coverage for the shingles vaccine. The Affordable Care Act does include this under preventive care for individuals 60 and over. Preventive care is covered at

100 percent for health plans that are not grandfathered. (Grandfathered health plans are plans that have been continued virtually unchanged since 2010. They are not required to comply with all aspects of ACA, so these plans might not provide this service.) You also may be interested in knowing that, in our area, the Department of Health clinic does offer the shingles vaccine for a fee of $5 for individuals over the age of 50 who do not have it covered under a health plan. I am not aware if this is unique to our area, or if it is a widespread provision. ANSWER: Thank you for writing. Others wrote to me that their Department of Health paid for most or all of the cost. Some said they could get the vaccine covered at a pharmacy but not at physician’s offices. Readers: Shingles questions are among the most frequently asked. The booklet on the shingles virus answers many of them. Obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 1201W, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.


Published by Velocity Ventures Trust

For Advertising Call (541) 203-0233

Page 5

objects during wet seasons.

* It was 20th-century English novelist E.M. Forster who made the following sage observation: “We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” * If you’re a pogonophobe, the rise of hipsterism in recent years is not good news -- anyone afraid of beards isn’t going to get far in public these days without confronting one.

UNUSUAL ANIMALS:

ALLIGATORS

See ya later, Alligator! Take a look at some of these interesting facts about this member of the order Crocodylia. • Early Spanish explorers and settlers in Florida gave the alligator its name. This scaly reptile takes its name from the Spanish word largarto, meaning “the lizard.” • Alligators are native only to the United States and China. In the U.S., Louisiana has the most alligators, but large populations also live in Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. Although an American alligator can grow up to 20 feet (6.1 m) long and weigh up to half a ton (454 kg), on average, males grow to about 11 feet (3.4 m) and females to about 8 feet (2.6 m). The Chinese alligator is much smaller, with males averaging a length of 5 feet (1.5 m) and females at about 4.5 feet (1.4 m). The tail accounts for about half of an alligator’s length. • An American alligator has a life expectancy in the wild of nearly 50 years. • The menacing-looking mouth of an American alligator holds between 74 and 80 teeth at a time, but it might go through 2,000 to 3,000 teeth over its lifetime. • Although they seem to have a reputation for attacking humans, alligators are actually quite solitary and very rarely do they go after humans, usually only when provoked or when protecting their young. Their diet consists of fish, turtles, snakes, birds, and small mammals. Occasionally they eat other alligators.

* For centuries, the wrinkling of skin on fingers and toes when they soak in water was cause for puzzlement (among those who take the time to wonder about such things, if nobody else). Researchers believe they’ve found the answer: traction. Like the treads on a tire, the wrinkles of wet skin help improve the gripping power of our extremities; for our ancestors, this made it easier to walk and grip

Where Are Medicare Hospital Ratings?

If you had been hoping to go to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website and take a look at its new hospital ratings, you’ll be disappointed. It doesn’t exist yet. The very day before the site was to launch, it was delayed. It seems that Congress, along with the hospital industry, pushed to stop the launch in its tracks. For the survey, hospitals are rated for more than 100 measures of care, but the information is often confusing. (Or perhaps they’re afraid the information will make them look bad.) For example, hospitals objected to a Medicare patient death rate being known to women trying to choose a hospital for having a baby. Another objection was that a hospital’s death rate might be because the patients are low income. Hospitals called 60 senators and more

Buddy Check 22 Every day, 22 veterans commit suicide. Let’s parse that statement: 22 veterans, suicide, each and every day. That number hasn’t changed since the Department of Veterans Affairs started keeping track, and it’s suspected it might be low. One man, however, has stepped forward to try to bring that number down. Former Marine reservist Zach Ziegel was equally stunned by the suicide rate, which is twice that of the civilian population. Buddy Check 22 was born. He designated the 22nd day of each month to call at least one veteran and check in. In one day, he had 180,000 hits on his Facebook page. Isolation is a big part of the reasons for suicide. Check-in phone calls will let a veteran know someone cares and is out there. Here are some things you can do:

* You might be surprised to learn that immigration was not a national issue until the late 19th century. Up until 1890, when President Benjamin Harrison declared Ellis Island to be the first federal immigration center, foreigners who wanted to live in America were handled on a state-by-state basis. * John Sylvan is known as the creator of Keurig coffee pods, used in abundance throughout the world these days. Despite the success of his inventions, however, he refuses to use them himself; he says that he abhors the effect the non-recyclable, non-biodegradable pods have on the environment. * Of all the actors who have portrayed James Bond in films before 2015, Pierce Brosnan racked up by far the most kills per movie. (The tally for last October’s “Spectre” has not yet been counted.)

than 200 representatives and asked for the delay so the information can be reassembled. We have ratings on CMS for various patient surveys, and those are of value. The higher the number of stars, the lower the death and readmission rates. We have a star rating system for nursing homes -- covering health inspections, staffing, quality measures and more. There’s one for Home Health Compare that includes a patient survey rating. The new rating system for overall hospital quality was meant to make the information about hospitals easier to understand, with over 60 of the measurements being condensed into the star system, with ratings from one to five stars. Initially the CMS told Congress that the website would be running by July. Now they’ve backtracked and say it might be after July if they’re still working on the data. If you want to view the other ratings, go online to cms.gov and put ratings in the search box.

* Go online and read about Buddy Check 22. * Send an email to everyone in your contact list and ask for their help in contacting a veteran to check in. Send out a reminder email on the 21st of every month. * Call one or more of your veteran friends and ask how they are doing. If things don’t sound right, or if you think you’re being lied to, call in reinforcements in the family and let them know of your concern. * Don’t leave out your female friends in either enlisting them to participate or calling to check in. The suicide rate for women veterans is a whopping six times the civilian rate. * If you’re part of a veterans support group, considering adding Buddy Check 22 to the list of what you do for veterans. Keep these resources handy in your wallet: Veteranscrisisline.net. The 24/7 VA Crisis Line number: 1-800-2738255, then press 1. To Get Help NOW: Text to 838255.


British Royals Q: I purchased a commemorative mug at a garage sale that was issued in 1936 shortly after Edward VIII became King in Britain. His reign lasted less than a year because of his affair and later marriage to Wallis Simpson, a twicedivorced woman from Baltimore. I paid $25 for it and wonder if I got a bargain. -- Phyllis, Burlington, Vermont A: Despite the Duke of Windsor’s short time as king, items celebrating his coronation

and time he spent as the British monarch are fairly common. Typical prices are a tea cup and matching saucer, $35; tea towel, $15; a collection of six British magazines covering the coronation, $30; and a sterling-silver spoon with the King’s likeness, $45. I think you probably paid about what your mug is worth. *** Q: I have a paperweight that was made by Charles Kaziun. Is it worth keeping? -- Susan, Santa Fe, New Mexico A: Charles Kazium was born in 1918 in Brockton, Massachusetts, and was an outstanding maker of paperweights. He began working with glass at an early age and by 1942 was making his first paperweights. Most of the ones he crafted featured three colors of overlay with a variety of flower patterns. Most of his work is signed with a “K” worked into the design. In my opinion, it is indeed worth keeping. ***

Q: I have a copy of “A Treasury of Stephen Foster” illustrated by William Sharp and published by Random House in 1946. It is a first printing and has its original cover. Does it have any monetary value? -- Betty, Albuquerque, New Mexico A: Not much. I found several first editions at www.abe.com priced in the $10-$15 range. For a second opinion, I suggest you contract one of the many of the fine used book dealers in your city. *** Q: “Laugh In” was a popular TV show during the late 1960s. I received a deck of “Laugh In” playing cards in 1970. The cards feature jokes from the show. Is it worth keeping? -- Ken, Davenport, Iowa A: I found your deck referenced in “Schroeder’s Antiques Price Guide” published by Collector Books. It is valued at $40.


A U TO S - B O AT S - RV S

MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS

P E T S - FA R M

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Virtual care...anywhere 24/7/365 access to Board Certified Doctors, Therapists and Pediatricians for non-emergency related health issues. TELECARE.YOUNGEVITY.COM use for ID# 101462018

Train for a New Career. * Underwater Welder. *Commercial Diver. *NDT Weld Inspector *THE OCEAN Corp. 800-321-0298. 10840 Rockley Road Houston, Texas 77099. Job Placement Assistance. Financial Aid available for those who qualify.

GERMAN ROTTWEILER Puppies AKC,Health guarantee, home trained and good with kids 978-706-0938. http://www.raymondpetshop.com

ALLIGATORS (continued): • An alligator’s jaws can clamp shut with enough force to break a person’s arm. But the muscles that open its mouth are very weak, so much so that a man can hold a full-grown alligator’s mouth closed with one hand. And although they move very quickly through water, alligators are slow-moving on land. • A female alligator will lay up to 50 eggs at a time, keeping them warm in a nest of rotting vegetation. The temperature of that nest will determine the gender of her offspring. Oddly

enough, if the eggs are incubated over 93 degrees F (33.8 C), the embryos develop into males. Females are the result of temperatures below 86 degrees F (30 C), and between 86 and 93 degrees F, an embryo can develop into either gender. About 8 out of 10 baby alligators will be eaten by bobcats, snakes, otters, large fish, raccoons, and other alligators. One of the main differences between alligators and crocodiles is their environment. Alligators dwell in fresh water, such as ponds, rivers, wetlands, lakes, and swamps, while

R E A L E S TAT E

crocodiles make their home in salt water. An alligator’s nostrils point upward, so they can breathe while the rest of the body is submerged in water.

• Although there are about five million American alligators in the southeastern United States, they were once nearly extinct. Years of hunters seeking the valuable hides landed alligators on the endangered species list. When the U.S. fish & wildlife Service prohibited the trade of hides, alligators made such a comeback that they were removed from the list in 1987.


Page 8

Published by Velocity Ventures Trust

MIGRAINES

In observance of National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month coming up in June, Tidbits shares some information on this serious health issue. • It’s estimated that about 12% of the U.S. population, approximately 36 million Americans, experience migraine headaches. It’s considered one of the Top 20 most disabling medical illnesses in the world. • Research indicates that migraines might be caused in part by changes in the level of serotonin. When serotonin levels fall, blood vessels dilate and the swelling brings on the migraine. • Who gets migraines? The condition is three times more common in women, with 30% of women suffering over a lifetime. It’s most common in the ages from the 20s through the 50s. Migraines seem to occur most between the ages of 35 and 45. Yet, they can also affect children and the elderly. Migraines affect someone in one of every four American households. Most experience a few attacks per month, but 3% of the population experiences chronic migraines, with headaches at least 15 days of each month for at least six months. Eighty percent of those who get migraines have a family history of the malady. If one parent has migraines, a child has a 50% chance of the condition, and a 75% chance if both parents get them. • About 20% of those who get migraines experience an “aura” of visual symptoms shortly before the migraine hits. A person might see flashing lights, wavy lines, or dots, and/or experience tunnel vision or blind spots, and might even include hallucinations. • Several things can trigger a migraine, even a change in the weather! A variance in barometric pressure, humidity, or temperature can bring it on. One study indicates that winds in excess of 23 mph (37 km/hr) increase the risk of migraines. • Certain foods seem to bring on a migraine

1. It was 1998. 2. Bert Campaneris (1970, ‘72) and Bill North (‘74, ‘76). 3. Hayden Fry coached the Hawkeyes for 20 seasons (1979-98). 4. Dennis Scott needed 457 games to do it. 5. Toronto’s Eddie Olczyk (1989-90) and Boston’s Phil Kessel (2008-09), with 18 games each. 6. Chris Wondolowski had 27 goals and seven assists for a combined 34 for San Jose in 2012. 7. Roberto Apodaca in his first bout, and Andre Berto in his last.

For Advertising Call (541) 203-0233

in some individuals, especially foods containing nitrates (found in hot dogs and lunch meats). The substance tyramine found in aged cheese, smoked fish, and soy products is another culprit, as well as the flavor enhancer MSG. Many report that eating avocadoes, lentils, and canned meats increases the likelihood of a headache. • Drinking alcohol, not getting enough sleep, stress, hunger, dehydration, and hormonal changes can also bring on a migraine, and even a sudden light glare or certain fragrances. Because the causes are different for each person, physicians suggest keeping a journal as a way to track the triggers. • In ancient times, when migraines were unexplainable, a practice called trepanation was used as early as 7,000 B.C., which involved drilling holes into the skull. In their eyes, it was a way to allow evil spirits to escape. Unbelievably, trepanation was still being practiced up to the 17th century. • Although walking and climbing stairs can worsen the pain, regular workouts seem to help ward off migraines in the first place. Those who exercise for 40 minutes, three times per week often experience less headaches. Others claim that taking Vitamin E and ginko biloba helps prevent migraines. Still others are treated with antidepressants that may reduce the frequency by regulating the brain’s chemical levels.

Answers 1. John 2. Africa 3. Prince Rogers Nelson 4. The eye 5. Three 6. Binary digit 7. The King of Hearts 8. Dipsy 9. Eugene O’Neill 10. Taurine


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.