Tidbits of the Rogue Valley - Vol 1 Issue 41

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October 7, 2015

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TOILETS

by Janet Spencer

October is National Toilet Tank Repair Month! Remember that tuning up your toilet can save water. Come along with Tidbits as we appreciate toilets!

TWEAKING TOILETS • In 1995, the National Energy Policy Act required that all new toilets must be able to flush using a maximum of 1.6 gallons (6 l) of water. Older models used up to six gallons (22 l) per flush.

• Japanese National Railways wanted to save water by cutting down on the amount of water used per flush in the restrooms. But the tiny amount of water used in the flush led users to think the toilets weren’t working properly, and they would flush over and over. Officials subsequently installed an electronic device that broadcast the sound of huge amounts of water flushing so the toilet sounded normal, and the extra flushing ceased.

• It’s been estimated that one out of every four toilets leaks. One method of telling if your toilet leaks is to put a drop of food coloring in the tank and see if it shows up in the bowl over the course of about 20 minutes without flushing. If your toilet is leaking, replace the flappers and adjust the fill valves.

If the toilet runs long after flushing, adjust the length of the chain attached to the float. turn the page for more!

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WORD ORIGINS

• The French word ‘toile’ means cloth or net. When the French began covering their dressing tables with cloth, the tablecloth was also called a toile, and the dressing room was called a toilette. When the first flushing potties were invented, they were located in the dressing rooms and became known as toilets.

• The Dutch word ‘krappen’ meaning ‘to pluck or cut off’ and the French word ‘crappe’ meaning ‘siftings’ and the Latin word ‘crappa’ meaning ‘chaff’ are all related to the current word ‘crap.’ They all refer to the part that is thrown away after the part that is useful has been gathered.

• Thomas Crapper was a plumber in London in the mid-1800s. Contrary to myth, he did not invent the toilet, but he did improve it. He also improved the sewer systems of the city. The toilets he manufactured and installed, as well as the manhole covers he fabricated, were all stamped with his name: Crapper.

• The Latin word ‘lavare’ meaning ‘to wash’ is where we get the word ‘lavatory.’

• On board ships, the original toilets were just a simple board with a hole cut out, which were hung over the front part of a ship where the waves would wash everything away. The front of the ship was called ‘the head.’

• In medieval times, chamber pots would be emptied out the window into the street below. The story goes that in France, they would call out, “Gardez l’eau!” meaning, “Watch out for the water!” in order to warn pedestrians before hurling the refuse into the street. In England, this was Anglicized to ‘gardy-loo’ before being shorted to simply ‘loo.’

• The Middle English word ‘poupen’ or ‘popen’ originally meant ‘fart’ because that’s what a fart sounds like. Eventually it gave us the word ‘poop.’

This is not to be confused with the Middle French word ‘poupe’ meaning the stern of a ship, giving us ‘poop deck.’

Fall Brings New Hazards to Dogs DEAR PAWS CORNER: Fall is here in the Northeast, with lots of falling leaves -- and plenty of leaf piles to roll in. Can you remind your readers that fleas and ticks are still active at this time of year? -- Charles, via email DEAR CHARLES: You’re absolutely right: Until the first hard frost, or an extended period of cold weather, ticks and fleas remain pretty active. If they’re in the house, they may not go dormant at all.

So, while it’s fine to let your dog romp in leaf piles (as long as the neighbors aren’t bothered), it’s important to check its coat for fleas and ticks as soon as possible after that fun ends. Ticks should be removed and then crushed, ideally before they embed into your dog’s skin.

If a tick is embedded, try to carefully remove it. If you’re not certain how, or if you’re worried about breaking off the tick’s body and leaving its head in your dog’s skin, take your pet to the veterinarian within 24 hours to remove the tick.

Fall also brings a change in weather to much

of the country. As the temperature cools, smaller dogs and dogs that are sick or elderly could suffer from the cold. Now is the time to unpack those doggy sweaters and vests and use them on chilly mornings and evenings.

The change of seasons also brings stormy weather, blowing down branches and other debris. Check your dog’s paws after every walk to make sure it hasn’t damaged its pads on sharp sticks or other fallen items.

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BY THE NUMBERS

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Your moodier side might emerge this week. But the dark period should pass in time for the party-loving Lamb to go on a happy gambol with some very special people this weekend.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Yet again, you show your skill at being able to indulge in your love of the arts this week while still taking care of practical matters, including some stillunfinished business matters.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A potential change might appear to be what you’ve been looking for. In any event, consider both the negative as well as the positive possibilities before making any sort of decision.

CANCER ( June 21 to July 22) Relationships continue to dominate your aspect this week on a mostly positive level, with just a few problem areas you can smooth over. Also, try to be flexible about travel plans.

LEO ( July 23 to August 22) You love being on center stage, and while you absolutely purr at the sound of all that praise, be careful not to take on too many commitments at the expense of time spent with loved ones.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You might feel that you need to get involved in a matter concerning a friend or relative. But while the issues appear to be cut and dried, they might not be. Get more facts before you act.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A suggestion about a policy change could create heated reactions. Keep your mind open and resist joining in with naysayers unless they can show a real basis for their position.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) While potential career changes warrant your interest, don’t ignore current job responsibilities. A personal relationship also can benefit from more of your attention.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Don’t guess at what the facts might be if you hope to make the best decision possible.

The wise course is to ask direct questions and act on the answers you get.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Your efforts involving that pesky problem should soon show positive signs of being resolved. This would allow you to shift some of your focus in another direction.

AQUARIUS ( January 20 to February 18) While you enjoy well-deserved praise for getting a difficult job done, there’s no time to relax. A new challenge looms. Expect more support from a once-strong critic.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You might still have explaining to do about your decision, but support grows as you continue to make your case. You also might want to start making plans for the upcoming holidays.

BORN THIS WEEK: You insist on making decisions based on facts, not on popular opinions. Have you considered a career in science?

• Average number of times a typical human uses the bathroom every day: 7 • Average number of years a typical human spends on the toilet in a lifetime: 3 • Percent of Americans who use their phone on the toilet: 75% • Number of phones dropped in the toilet in an average year: 7 million • Percent of people who crumple their toilet paper rather than fold it: 60% • Percent of household water use that goes down the toilet: 38% • Number of toilets in the White House: 35 • Number of times a baby will need a diaper change before being potty trained: 10,000 • Life expectancy of a toilet: 50 years • Cost of the world’s most expensive toilet: $19 million • Location of the world’s most expensive toilet: international space station • Number of rolls of toilet paper the average American family use each year: 119 • Percent of people who put the toilet paper roll “over” instead of “under”: 75% • Percent of women who will wash their hands in a public restroom if there is someone else present: 90 • Percent of women who will wash their hands if they are alone: 16 • Average cost per day to flush a toilet: 5 cents

IT’S A FACT

• In the mid-1960s, the Indonesian rupiah was valued at 325 to the dollar. The cheap paper that was used to print one-sen notes (worth 1/100th of a rupiah) was perfect for being used as toilet paper, and was much less expensive than the commercially made tissue paper, since you could get 32,500 pieces for a buck.

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which is often attractive to people who want to know exactly what their financial commitments will be and how much they will have to pay. In contrast to a fixed mortgage, adjustable rate loans usually start out with a lower rate for a period of time, often three or five years, and then later adjust to the new rate at that time. That means the rate could go up or down, and these are seen as more of a risk for buyers, although they do provide a lower rate at the beginning.

Other terms used in the real estate process are: “appraisal,” a professional’s estimate of the value of your home.

“Comparables,” these are homes in your market with roughly the same value. “Closing,” the official transfer of property or signing of loan documents. Usually, this involves a Title company and an escrow officer. “Escrow,” is a system where funds are set aside into a thirdparty account until all of the paperwork is complete.

These are just a few of the terms that are involved in real estate transactions --home sale, purchase or refinance. It’s your money, and not knowing the lingo can lead you into some serious problems. So keep track of the really important terms, talk to your real estate agent, or give us a call here at Hokanson Realty where our experience benefits you -- we guarantee it.

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Rogue Valley Real Estate Whether you’re buying a home, selling or refinancing an existing loan, you may not be familiar with the very specific and very important basic language of real estate transactions.

Here is a brief discussion of some of those terms.

When you are looking for a mortgage, you’ll have to be concerned with your debt-to-income ratio, PITI and PMI. In order to know what kind of borrower you will be, the lender is going to want to have proof of how much income you have and how much debt you owe. If you owe a lot of money and don’t make much, you might not be a good candidate for a large loan. PITI is the acronym for principle, interest, taxes and insurance.

These are the four components that make up your mortgage each month—the amount of money you owe, the interest on that loan, the property taxes you have to pay (which are paid partially each month) and the insurance for your home, required by the lender. PMI is actually a different kind of insurance. If you are unable to put down an adequate amount, many lenders will require that you have insurance on the mortgage, adding costs each month.

There are two main types of mortgages, fixed rate and adjustable rate.

Fixed is a mortgage loan where the rate will not change, no matter what happens to the economy. With a fixed mortgage, your mortgage payment will stay he same through the entire course of the loan,

To Your Good Health

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Blood Donation’s Affect on Athlete

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a fit 54-year-old male who bicycles a lot. My friends and I are pretty competitive when we do our rides, pushing hard and challenging each other in positive ways. I donate blood as often as I’m allowed. After donating, my legs feel more fatigued when I ride, and I’m not as strong, particularly on the climbs. How long can I use my blood donation as an “excuse” for lacking strength? -- A.R. ANSWER: What ultimately determines how much work your legs can do is the amount of oxygen the muscles are able to get, once you have achieved a

high level of muscular fitness. The amount of red blood cells in your blood and the amount of blood your heart can pump are the limiting factors for oxygen delivery in a healthy person. So, for a given degree of cardiovascular fitness, your ability to go fast and climb hills is directly influenced by how many red blood cells you have. That’s why elite cyclists sometimes used to get blood transfusions before a race. An extra unit of blood might make only a 3 percent difference, but the difference between the winner of the Tour de France and the last-place finisher is right around 3 percent.

Unfortunately, too many red blood cells increases the risk for stroke and heart attack, and several amateur and professional cyclists have died as a complication of too much blood transfused or its more modern equivalent, the hormone erythropoietin, which causes the body to make more of its own blood. Losing blood, from bleeding or donation, consequently reduces performance.

The plasma (fluid and proteins) is made up within 24 hours after donating blood, but it takes four to six weeks to regain the blood cells. Donating a unit of blood can save up to three lives. That should give you some consolation. Maybe persuade your friends to donate blood at the same time, so you all are on a

• The combination of Sani-Flush toilet bowl cleaner and Comet cleanser can explode. Comet is sodium hypochlorite and Sani-Flush is sodium bisulfate.

Many people assume two cleansers are better than one and use them both at the same time.

• 23 people were hired to do nothing but flush toilets at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida before Christmas in 1989 in an effort to keep pipes from freezing.

•When Hank Aaron was on the verge of breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record, the Atlanta Journal stationed a reporter outside the men’s room in the stadium so they could get an interview of the tragedy of a man who went to the restroom at the wrong moment.

• The U.S. Navy was preparing to hit Makin Island in the Pacific during WWII. First they needed to know how many Japanese men were there. They knew the Japanese army usually had one latrine for every 40 soldiers. So they ordered pilots to make aerial surveys of outhouses in the area. They counted a hundred latrines— so there must be 4,000 soldiers. They were correct to within 40 men.

• A guide dog in Kent, England was told by his male master to lead him to the restrooms in the railway station. Unfortunately, the dog was unable to read “men” and “women” on the doors, which resulted in some upset ladies. Why they were upset when the man couldn’t see anything is not known.

• When Gordon and Jasmine Geisbrecht decided to open a new restaurant in Winnipeg in 1986, they wanted to make it really different. They decided to make toilets the theme of the restaurant. Called “The Outhouse,” toilet bowls were placed here and there in the decorating scheme, and menus featured a toilet bowl logo. Health inspectors suspended their license when it was found that their restroom facilities were inadequate.

level playing field, so to speak. *** DEAR DR. ROACH: I am looking to have surgery on my cervical vertebrae at a prestigious hospital in St. Louis. Before I had even made up my mind, the hospital sent a form regarding arbitration. If anything should go wrong, they want me to agree to arbitration instead of going through the court system. They say the choice is mine. Is this normal preoperative paperwork? -- T.B. ANSWER: This is increasingly common, and a brief survey of surgeons gave me a mixed response -- some felt it wasn’t a red flag at all, and others recommending double-checking the surgeon’s record, perhaps through the state medical board. Any disciplinary action must be publicly available, and in Missouri it is freely available on the website at pr.mo.gov/healingarts.asp.

While I understand you might be taken aback by the question, many hospitals are moving toward arbitration as a means of reducing malpractice coverage costs. I personally don’t see it as a reason to be concerned about the surgeon. However, I spoke with an attorney, who advised not agreeing to arbitration, as it isn’t germane to your medical condition and may limit your options later.

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Noteworthy Inventions

THOMAS CRAPPER

• Thomas Crapper, born in Yorkshire, England, in 1836, became an apprentice to his brother at the age of 14. His brother was a Master Plumber in London.

• By 1861 Thomas had completed his training and set up his own plumbing shop. In that day and age, proper people didn’t speak about bathrooms or the things that happened in bathrooms. So Thomas Crapper caused quite a stir when he advertised his business by displaying, right in his front window and in full view of everyone passing by, the complete collection of bathroom fixtures he offered for sale. According to legend, ladies became faint when viewing the porcelain bowls in his showroom.

• In order to overcome the prevailing attitude of prudery, Crapper outfitted his salesmen with tiny dollhouse-sized replicas of the toilets, sinks, and tubs he was selling. The customer was tasked with the chore of imagining how the full size fixtures would look in their house.

• This was also a day and age when it was thought that going to the bathroom indoors was unhygienic, a myth Thomas Crapper worked hard to dispel.

• His business got quite a boost when Edward Prince of Wales hired Thomas to install 30 bathrooms in his newly purchased estate, Sandringham House.

When Edward became king, more plumbing jobs were handed to Thomas Crapper, followed by more work commissioned by King George V. Eventually Crapper installed bathrooms and plumbing fixtures in Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. The public thought that any plumber good enough for royalty was good enough for them, and Crapper’s business boomed.

(Continued next page)

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When you start your vehicle, the instrument panel lights up with all those little symbols. As soon as the computer verifies everything is working properly, the lights go off. On occasion, however, a light remains on and it is best that you find your vehicle’s handbook and look up a detailed explanation of what the light means and if the vehicle is safe to drive. Although some warning lights are specific to a manufacturer or model, there are some that are universal. Let’s take a look at some of the more common warning lights and what you should do in the instance they occur.

The air bag warning light indicates there is a problem with a crash sensor, an air bag module, the air bag wiring or the air bag control module. The vehicle is safe to drive, but the air bag won’t deploy if you are in an accident. You should have the problem checked out and repaired as soon as possible.

The brake warning light indicates that the parking brake is on, the brake fluid is low or there is a serious hydraulic problem. You should check the parking brake first and then the brake fluid level. If it’s low, fill it. If the light remains on, you

Flu Shot Vaccine Is Just the Start

A flu shot might not be the only vaccine you need. So says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Health and Human Services. This year, the list is quite long.

Flu shot: Ideally you should get the shot by October. Flu will peak in December, but the vaccine takes a few weeks to start working and provide protection. There are two types: trivalent (three-way) and quadrivalent (four-way), plus an extra-strength trivalent for people age 65 and older.

Shingles: Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful rash that we’re hearing more about, or maybe we even know someone who’s had it. Those of us over age 60 should get the vaccine, they say, whether or not we’ve had chickenpox. Protection

300,000 Volunteers The Department of Veterans Affairs expected 100,000 volunteers to step up during the 2015 Summer of Service, and what it got was 300,000 -- triple the expected number.

The goal of the Summer of Service was to bring community volunteers, veterans service organizations and local communities into partnership with VA centers to help 15,000 veterans and their families. The actual number reached topped 40,600.

Here are some ways volunteers helped: * Transport veterans in for care * Information desk * Appointment reminder calls * Lifeguard * Work at National Cemeteries * Parking lot shuttle driver * Assist at Wheelchair Games and sports clinics

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may have a sensor fault. You should have this checked out as soon as possible. If you press the brake pedal and the light comes on, one of the hydraulic circuits in the brake system has lost pressure and the vehicle may not be able to stop.

Whatever you do, don’t attempt to drive it.

Have it towed somewhere to be repaired.

The warning light for the antilock brake system (ABS) indicates temporary loss of the system. Your brakes will still work, but the antilock braking you need when coming to a sudden stop or sliding on a wet surface won’t be available. You should have your vehicle checked out as soon as possible. If the ABS and the brake warning lights both come on, your brake system has a serious hydraulic problem, in which case your vehicle is not safe to drive. If you are out driving when this occurs, pull over as soon as possible, being careful you don’t step on the brakes too harshly, and have a tow truck come get the vehicle.

Next week I will continue our discussion about indicator lights. In the meantime, if you have any of the issues described and you would like a professional diagnosis, come by and see us in Grants Pass or Medford-- Kelly’s Automotive Service, where we service your vehicle, but take care of you. ~ Safe Travels, Dave Kelly

lasts about five years.

Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis: This is usually in a combination shot, with Tdap and Td given to older adults. That stands for tetanus-diphtheria, as well as pertussis. Your doctor would need to figure out whether you need a booster, especially for tetanus if you work outside in the soil, which is where tetanus bacteria comes from.

Pneumonia: There are two types of vaccines for pneumococcal disease, but 90 types of pneumonia bacteria. Both vaccines protect against only a couple of dozen types, but either one is better than no vaccine.

The CDC has a short quiz you can take online that will tell you the vaccines you need. You can print it out and take it to your doctor to see if he agrees. Go online to www.cdc.gov and put “immunization schedule” in the search box.

To find locations that are giving flu shots in your area, go online to flu.gov and put your ZIP code in the search box.

* Inventory scanner * Staff welcome-home events * Pharmacy technician * Staff clothing rooms and gift shops * Work at Stand Downs * Assist at recreation programs * Prepare dinner for patients and their families * Outreach for homeless veterans.

Quite a variety of volunteer possibilities, and all of them very much needed.

If you’re interested in volunteering, it doesn’t have to be in the summer. Help is needed year-round. Here are a few things to know: Depending on your role and proximity to veterans, you might need a health screening. Drivers require a full physical. You also might need a background check, but perhaps only a minimal one.

If you want to volunteer with hospital patients, go online to www.volunteer.va.gov or call the Voluntary Services Office at the closest VA medical center. (See www.volunteer.va.gov/directory) Check the FAQ at www.volunteer.va.gov/faqs.asp If you’d like to help but would rather make a monetary donation, you can do that too. Your dollars will help to provide extras for the veterans.

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I’m sure several of you have been in a marching band or, at least, a Pep band for Football games. I somehow escaped. Living in Rochester NY with our proclivity of snow, freezing rain and a band director who only wanted us to have the “symphonic” experience (I think he was also of the age that didn’t lend itself to the outdoor regiment!) left me unprepared for my son’s involvement.

The 18 hours each week of practice and performing in rain, wind, hot sun, plus, getting back from competition at 3:30am Sunday morning, was a revelation for my husband and me. None of us regret 1 minute of it!

Marching Band is definitely a family-project and bonding experience. My son and I were fortunate to go to the 2010 Macy’s Parade and he also played at the 2013 U.S. Army AllAmerican game.

With this in mind, Pride of The Northwest competition will be at Grants Pass High School Saturday, Oct.17 and features 11 bands from N.CA. and Oregon. It’s a great family event at a wonderful facility. For more info, call 541.285.7674.

Barbie Dolls Q: I have what I think is one of the first Barbie dolls manufactured. Whom can I contact to find out more about it? -- Leslie, Flagstaff, Arizona A: The Barbie doll was introduced in 1958 when Ruth Handler, wife of the co-founder of Mattel, decided that a fashion doll with an expensive wardrobe would be a fantastic idea. It was, and Barbie quickly became one of America’s most popular dolls. Although Barbie has changed with the times, many collectors are interested

in the earlier products. Scott Gram is a certified appraiser and a member of the International Society of Appraisers. He is an expert who is quite knowledgeable about Barbies. His contact is sdgram@qwest.net and 602-705-2503. *** Q: I have sent you two self-addressed, stamped envelopes with questions. I have not gotten answers and wonder if the cost of my stamps was a waste of money. -- Betty, Springfield, Oregon A: Yes, it was. I get a lot of questions, and all the ones that I answer appear in this column. If I provided personal answers, there would be no column. It’s that simple. I pick the questions that I think would be of most interest to my readers. As I recall, you asked about the value of books, a question I have answered frequently in this column. *** Q: I have a rare vintage Shawnee piggy cookie jar.

It is “Smiley.” Could you please tell me what it is worth? -- Norma, Sun City West, Arizona A: There were several models and versions of this cookie jar, and I’m not certain which one you have.

The “Smiley” cookie jar was popular during the 1940s, and I found several on eBay in the $50 to $150 range. Its value depends on several factors, including condition and version. *** Q: I have quite a collection of fishing lures, and I am curious about both values and rarity. Is there a good reference book you can recommend? -Steve, Orlando, Fla. A: “Classic Fishing Lures” by Russell E. Lewis (Krause Publications) is one of the better ones available. It features 1,500 color illustrations, current prices and the history of most major lure makes.

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1. MONEY: How many companies make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average?

2. CARTOONS: What is the name of Mickey Mouse’s dog?

3. LITERATURE: Who wrote the novel “From Here to Eternity”?

4. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the city of Giza?

5. SCIENCE: In what field of study would a Punnett square be used?

6. MUSIC: What rock band featured Steven Tyler as the lead singer?

7. MATH: How many millions are in a billion dollars?

8. TELEVISION: What character did actor John Travolta play on “Welcome Back Kotter”?

9. FOOD: Who was the host of the television cooking show called “Good Eats”?

10. U.S. PRESIDENTS: What was Ronald Reagan’s first nickname?

1. How many players have hit at least 200 career home runs for the Houston Astros?

2. What year was the only time the Milwaukee Brewers reached the World Series?

3. Who is the all-time sack leader for the Green Bay Packers?

4. Adreian Payne set a Michigan State record in 2014 for most points in an NCAA Tournament game (41). Who had held the mark?

5. The New York Rangers set a record in 2015 for most consecutive NHL playoff games decided by one goal. How many games was it?

6. Between 1984 and 1988, a Team Penske driver won four of five Indy 500s. Who was the only non-Penske driver to win during that time?

7. When was the last year that Rafael Nadal won the men’s singles title at Wimbledon?

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Page 7

Families Count Is a foot the length of a foot? How many inches is a dog’s paw? Family math fun can be enjoyed anywhere and anytime when you turn everyday items and moments into simple games.

THOMAS CRAPPER, cont’d

•Along the way, Crapper invented many plumbing improvements and was awarded nine patents.

However, the flush toilet had been invented by others long before Thomas Crapper came along.

• Crapper’s inventions included a method of fitting underground drain pipes together which helped reduce disease by reducing leakage from sewer pipes. He also invented improvements to the float valve that helps regulate the flushing and refilling action of the toilet tank.

• At one point he invented a spring-loaded toilet seat, which would automatically rise up when the seated person stood up. The lifting motion of the toilet seat triggered rods that automatically flushed the toilet. This design suffered from the unfortunate flaw that when the rubber gaskets began to age, they became sticky and would fail to lift until the pressure from springs became too great to resist. At this point the toilet seat would fly upwards, often smacking the unfortunate user on the rear. It became known as “the bottom slapper” and died an ignominious death.

• Because Crapper also owned his own foundry, he was able to manufacture his own pipes, fittings, and manhole covers. Today, the Crapper manhole covers in front of Westminster Abbey, which are inscribed: ‘T. Crapper & Co., Sanitary Engineers’ are a favorite stop for tourists who enjoy taking rubbings from them in the same way people take rubbings from tombstones.

• When soldiers during World War II saw the word “Crapper” stamped all over toilets throughout Europe, they began calling bathrooms by that name.

• Thomas Crapper died in 1910 and the business continued under the care of his nephew and his partner. In 1963 it was acquired by another firm.

COUNT Start at the breakfast table with these eye-opening questions, and count together.

--How many times does the name of the cereal appear on the box?

--Count the number of ingredients listed on the side panel. Which ingredient has the most letters?

--How much does it weigh in pounds and ounces?

In grams?

MEASURE Grab a ruler or a measuring tape, and measure things around the house. Start with small items in inches and progress to feet and yards. How many inches is your phone, your toaster, your dog’s tail? Try to find things of equal length. What is the same length as Dad’s head? What else is as long as the philodendron vine in the living room?

ADD, SUBTRACT OR MULTIPLY Recycle an old deck of cards and create your own “Addition” game to keep you and your child occupied on a rainy day, on an airplane flight or while waiting at the doctor’s office. Use cards with numbers 2-10, with aces representing the number 1. Deal the sorted cards face-down into two piles for two players. To begin play, each player reveals his top card. If the cards are a 5 and a 3, for example, the first person to say “8” gets to take both cards. If there is a tie, place cards back in the individual stacks. Play all cards in the two stacks. As math skills grow, subtract or multiply the numbers.

Tip: If your child is just learning her facts, give yourself a handicap by counting to 3 to yourself before you respond.

ESTIMATE At the grocery store or farmer’s market, older kids will be challenged to estimate the total bill by practicing rounding food prices to the nearest dollar and adding them up.

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QUICK QUIZ: TISSUE

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• The Kimberly-Clark company, a paper manufacturing firm based in Wisconsin, came up with a substitute called Cellucotton that was made from wood fibers. It made an excellent cotton substitute not only for gas masks but also for bandages.

• When the war ended, Kimberly-Clark had huge surpluses of Cellucotton on hand. Searching for a peace-time use for their product, in 1924 they came up with a tissue designed to remove cold cream make-up used by actors. It was a far better alternative than using towels and handkerchiefs to remove makeup. They called them Celluwipes at first, before settling on a new name.

• Ads using movie stars convinced ladies that the tissues were the best way to remove makeup at the same time that Hollywood movie stars were convincing the American public that wearing makeup was acceptable.

• In 1928 the pop-up tissue dispenser was invented and the tissues began to be used as a disposable handkerchief, an idea proposed by a researcher who suffered from hay fever. The company introduced the slogan, ‘Don’t carry a cold in your pocket’ while pushing the sanitary benefits of using the product. Today the product is used worldwide and the name has become a nearly generic term for tissue. What’s it called?

(Answer below)

• When brothers Irvin and Clarence moved to Philadelphia and started a paper business in the 1870s, they sold butcher paper, paper bags, and stationery from a push-cart. When they moved into a storefront, sales dropped. They needed a product that would be constantly in demand.

• Just at that time, indoor plumbing was becoming popular. In private homes, people used catalogs in the bathroom. But hotels and restaurants, after going through the trouble of installing indoor plumbing, couldn’t bring themselves to put catalogs in bathrooms.

• So Irvin and Clarence started experimenting with toilet tissue, an idea that had been around FACT a while but had never caught on. First they • To stifle a sneeze, press the area between the manufactured stacks of individual sheets, but upper lip and the nose. it was difficult to keep the pile neat. So they tried wrapping it around a cardboard tube. It Answer: Kleenex. worked.

• They set up a factory, named the business after themselves, and started selling toilet paper directly to merchants since the issue was too delicate to bring up in polite society.

• Gradually, they introduced their product to the public through advertisements aimed at snob appeal: “They have a pretty house, Mother, but their bathroom paper hurts.”

• In 1907 an uncut roll of defective toilet paper material was delivered to their factory. It was heavy, wrinkled, and unsuitable for toilet paper. It was about to be returned when someone suggested marketing it as disposable ‘paper towels.’ Hotels, restaurants, and railroad stations bought them because they were more sanitary than cloth towels.

• Irvin and Clarence’s business became the largest paper goods maker in the world, and was bought out by Kimberly-Clark in 1995.

What’s the name of their company? (Answer at top of next page) Answer: Scott, as in Scott Tissue and Scott Towels.

QUICK QUIZ: MORE TISSUE

• During World War I, cotton was used for surgical dressings and as filters in gas masks.

As the war progressed, demand outstripped supply and it became urgent to find a substitute material.

1. Four -- Jeff Bagwell (449 home runs), Lance Berkman (326), Craig Biggio (291) and Jim Wynn (223).

2. It was 1982.

3. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, with 74 1/2 sacks (2000-08).

4. Greg Kelser, who tallied 34 points in a tournament game in 1979.

5. Fifteen games.

6. Bobby Rahal, of Truesports, in 1986.

7. It was 2010.

Answers 1. 30 2. Pluto 3. James Jones 4. Egypt 5. Genetics, to calculate genetic traits 6. Aerosmith 7. 1,000 8. Vinnie Barbarino 9. Alton Brown 10. Dutch