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September 25, 2008
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• Issue 145
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TIDBITS GETS TO THE CORE:
ALL ABOUT APPLES by Lark Hayden
In remembrance of Johnny Appleseed’s birth-day on September 26, this edition of Tidbits is ripe with facts about America’s favorite fruit. • Johnny Appleseed’s real name was John Chapman, and he didn’t just wander the country randomly spreading apple seeds. He planted carefully-designed nurseries, primari-ly in Ohio, and even returned to care for the trees. When he died in 1845 at the age of 70, his 1,200-acre estate was worth millions. • McDonald’s buys more than 50 million pounds of apples each year, more than any other restaurant chain. No, they’re not just for apple pies; they’re also using the fruit for their fresh salads and the Apple Dippers now available in their Happy Meals. • The Adam’s apple in your throat is actually made of thyroid cartilage. It surrounds the “voice box,” or larynx. In humans, the male larynx is typically larger than the female larynx, which is why men have deeper voices (and more prominent Adam’s apples). • New York City was first referred to as “The Big Apple” in print in 1921. The New York Morning Telegraph was the first news source to employ the reference. turn the page for more!
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September 25, 2008 • Issue 145
Published by Golden Sands Publishing, LLC
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TIDBITS GETS TO THE CORE: ALL ABOUT APPLES by Lark Hayden (CONTINUED)
• An apple a day really can help to keep the doctor away. Apples are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, which are good for your immune system and your heart, respectively. Apples also contain phenols, which can help to lower your cholesterol. And apples are loaded with fiber, which is an important factor for colon health. • “One Bad Apple” was the first and only record by The Osmonds to hit number one on the pop music charts. Critics accused the brothers of copying the sound of the Jackson Five. The song’s composer, George Jackson, later admitted that he’d actually written the tune with the Jacksons in mind. • The phrase “apple of his eye” first appeared in the Bible (Deuteronomy 32:10). It is believed that the saying came about because, at that time, people believed that the pupil of the eye was a small, hard ball. The apple was a natural symbol for that. So, when you refer to something as being the apple of your eye, you’re saying that it’s your primary focus – the center of your attention. • Why did actress Gwyneth Paltrow name her daughter Apple? She told Oprah Winfrey that the word “apple” conjured up a beautiful picture in her mind –sweet, wholesome and biblical. She thought it was the perfect name. Apple’s full name is Apple Blythe Alison Martin. Paltrow admitted that when her daughter starts school, she’ll probably choose to go by one of her middle names. • The dessert known as Apple Brown Betty dates back to Colonial times. The original recipe called for layers of pudding, sliced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and buttered bread crumbs. The confection has gained new popularity in recent years after being mentioned on TV’s King of the Hill.
1. TELEVISION: Who was executive producer of the “Animaniacs” television cartoon show? 2. MOVIES: Which Jon Voight/Dustin Hoffman film won Best Picture in 1969? 3. MUSIC: Who sang the following pop lyrics: “Sendin’ out the message to all of my friends, we’ll be looking flashy in my Mercedes Benz”? 4. GAMES: How many dominoes are in a standard set? 5. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the Blarney Stone located? 6. POLITICS: In what year did a Republican run for president on the slogan, “A chicken in every pot; a car in every garage.” 7. FAMOUS QUOTES: Who said, “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” 8. MYTHOLOGY: According to some accounts, what was the last name of the legendary King Arthur? 9. COMPUTERS: What does the acronym JPEG stand for? 10. LITERATURE: In which novel does the character of Madame Thérèse Defarge appear? Answers 1. Steven Spielberg 2. “Midnight Cowboy” 3. Pink, “Get the Party Started” 4. 28 5. Blarney Castle, Cork, Ireland 6. 1928, Herbert Hoover 7. Aristotle 8. Pendragon 9. Joint Photographic Experts Group 10. “A Tale of Two Cities,” Charles Dickens (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
• There is doubt as to the existence of legendary archer William Tell, but his tale makes for a great story nevertheless. Tell had been arrested in Hapsburg, Switzerland, for not properly bowing to the count’s hat (which was poised on a pole). A bailiff named Gessler struck a deal with Tell, said to be an expert archer – if he’d be willing to shoot an apple off of his son’s head, he could win his freedom. William prepared his son, loaded his crossbow, and split the apple neatly without injury to the younger Tell. • The green apple pictured on the Beatles’ Apple Records label is a Granny Smith. When asked why the group chose to name their company after a fruit, Paul McCartney merely shrugged and said “A is for Apple.” Even if there was no grand inspiration behind the name, McCartney couldn’t resist a good pun and named the company Apple Corps (pronounced “apple core”) instead of “Apple Company” or something similar. • Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computers, worked on a farm commune picking apples one summer in his youth. He was also a Beatles fan, so when it came time to name his new company, the name Apple immediately popped into his head. The Fab Four’s attorneys didn’t exactly see the name as a tribute, and sued for copyright infringement. The two sides later worked out an agreement. • During the Great Depression, apples were luxury items for many families. Ritz crackers were more affordable, and Nabisco began printing the recipe for “mock apple pie” on boxes of the snack. The fake pie filling consists of Ritz crackers, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Apparently, it’s such a good imitation of the real thing that many blind taste-testers seem genuinely surprised to learn that real apples aren’t part of the recipe. • Hoping to capitalize on the success of The Waltons, TV producer Earl Hamner created a new show in 1974 called Apple’s Way. The program told the story of a family (complete with crotchety live-in grandpa) that moved from Los Angeles to rural Appleton, Iowa. Although the series flopped in the ratings, it provided a launching pad for the career of at least one actress of note: Kristy McNichol. • Back when the legal drinking age was still 18, a 99-cent bottle of Boone’s Farm Apple Wine was the beverage of choice in most college dorm rooms. What most young consumers didn’t know at the time was that Boone’s Farm isn’t really wine; it’s a “malt beverage product.” The alcohol content is a little higher than that of beer, but a bit lower than that of traditional table wine. • In 1992, McDonald’s replaced its familiar and popular fried apple pies with a healthier baked version. If you occasionally get a hankering for one of those old-fashioned, pillow-shaped fried pies, some detective work might pay off. Some kiosk-style McDonald’s stores in airports and Wal-Marts still sell them, since they don’t have enough space for the oven necessary to bake the new-style pies. • Not all apples-on-a-stick are the same. Candy apples have a hard sugar coating. Caramel apples have a soft, gooey caramel coating. The recipe for the latter was introduced, not surprisingly, by Kraft (which is the nation’s leading seller of caramel cubes). • Today, the custom of bobbing for apples is associated with Halloween. But it originated in England during the reign of Henry VIII as an all-purpose party game. Back then, legend claimed that the first person to “catch” a tossed apple at a get-together would be the next one to get married (sort of like catching the bouquet at a wedding).
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The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read®
Page 3
September 25, 2008 • Issue 145
BOOKS -- Recommended Reading
“Seven Days in the Art World” By Sarah Thornton (W.W. Norton, $24.95) Reviewed by Katy Olson
CRITIC’S CORNER By DNA Smith
“Disaster Movie” Running time: 88 minutes MPAA rating: PG-13
In “Disaster Movie,” it takes less than 30 seconds before someone falls into a pile of poop. Actually two: A caveman in a “10,000 BC” spoof, and you, for actually paying money to experience this cinematic equivalent of irritable bowel syndrome. “Disaster Movie” is the latest affront to comedy by the same dorks who inflicted “Meet the Spartans,” “Superhero Movie” and “Date Movie” on a reluctant public. So, if you’ve seen any of those atrocities, you pretty much know the drill: String together a bunch of year-old pop culture references, popular movies and ... that’s about it. No attempts at real humor; all that’s required from the audience is that you simply recognize the reference. And if you don’t get the reference, that’s OK. The movie makes sure to announce everything for you, just in case you don’t recognize the celeb look-not-so-alikes (“Hey, look it’s Jessica Simpson,” “Amy Winehouse, what are you doing here?”). If what I’ve written so far hasn’t dissuaded you from seeing “Disaster Movie,” then consider this: The only celebrity they could get to star in this abortion is Kim Kardashian. Oh, and I use the term “celebrity” quite wrongly. And yet, “abortion” seems to fit. After writing all this justifiably negative stuff about “Disaster Movie,” I’m wracking my brain to find at least one good thing to say about it. Hmmmm ... Nope. I got nuthin’. GRADE: F (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
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“Why do people think artists are special? It’s just another job,” said pop art pioneer Andy Warhol. Yet with a surge of interest in contemporary art, and in those whose “job” it is to create it, the question “What is art?” is a loaded one, fraught with nuance, opinion, financial motivations and overt politics. In approaching the debate, writer Sarah Thornton stumbles upon other questions: What is an artist? A curator? A collector? A critic? How do these roles, and the venerable institutions -- the museums, auction houses, festivals, publications and schools -- in which they reside, impact each other? “Seven Days in the Art World” is not just a well-researched ethnographical slice of life, nor a tumbling answer to an unsolvable chickenand-egg riddle, but an earnest, thought-provoking reflection on what the world of art is in modern society. Thornton’s experience of a California Institute of the Arts seminar highlights an exhausting, inspiring struggle of students and their professors to create effective meaning in their work, while her sit-ins at an intensely competitive Christie’s auction provide a seemingly contradictory, commercialized reveal of what could potentially become of those students’ art. Yet via these experiences, as well as her encounters with hugely successful Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, Thornton’s behind-the-scenes view of the world’s foremost art publication and trips to a renowned art festival, she finds that contemporary art involves complicated, strange and, for the reader, informative relationships between those who create it, buy it, discuss it and desire it. The book brings up more questions than it answers, asking the reader to decide for herself the significance of each of these intricate relationships between art and commerce. Perhaps, it is true that both are simply born out of the same, quite-human need: to discover and preserve something meaningful. Books reviewed in this column are available online or at your local bookstore. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
TOP TEN VIDEO, DVD as of September 13, 2008 Top 10 Video Rentals
1. Street Kings (R) Keanu Reeves (Fox) 2. Prom Night (PG-13) Brittany Snow (Sony Pictures) 3. 21 (PG-13) Jim Sturgess (Sony Pictures) 4. Smart People (R) Dennis Quaid (Disney/Miramax) 5. The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior (PG-13) Michael Copon (Universal) 6. Nim’s Island (PG) Abigail Breslin (Fox) 7. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (PG-13) Amy Adams (Universal) 8. Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay (R) John Cho (New Line) 9. The Art of War II: Betrayal (R) Wesley Snipes (Sony Pictures) 10. The Bank Job (R) Jason Statham (Lionsgate)
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1. Tropic Thunder (R) Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. 2. The House Bunny (PG-13) Anna Faris, Colin Hanks 3. Death Race (R) Jason Statham, Joan Allen 4. The Dark Knight (PG-13) Christian Bale, Heath Ledger 5. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (PG) animated 6. Pineapple Express (R) Seth Rogen, James Franco 7. Mirrors (R) Kiefer Sutherland, Paula Patton 8. The Longshots (PG) Ice Cube, Keke Palmer 9. Mamma Mia! (PG-13) Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard 10. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (PG-13) Brendan Fraser, Jet Li
1. Camp Rock (NR) (Walt Disney) 2. Street Kings (R) (20th Century Fox) 3. Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert (G) (Walt Disney) 4. The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior (PG-13) (Universal) 5. Dexter: The Second Season (NR) (CBS Video) 6. Prom Night (PG-13) (Sony Pictures) 7. House M.D.: Season Four (NR) (Universal) 8. Nim’s Island (PG) (20th Century Fox) 9. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: The Complete First Season (NR) (Warner Bros.) 10. Gossip Girl: The Complete First Season (NR) (Warner Bros.)
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September 25, 2008 • Issue 145
The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read®
It’s About Time...... It’s About Your Health! Remember the “Good Ole Days”. The doctor came to your house when somebody was sick. In fact, you only saw the doctor when you were sick. There were no such things as “well visits”. Children “walked 10 miles” to and from school which had several grades together and taught by 1 teacher. You saw the dentist for a toothache and to get dentures. Life has certainly changed. Over 90 years ago, Charles Mayo (who founded the Mayo Clinic), noted that people who kept their teeth lived an average of ten years longer than people who did not. Today, we have more senior citizens than ever before, and the number is greatly increasing every year. Seniors are no longer content to retire and stay at home. Instead, they continue to work and are active participants in community events. They exercise on a regular basis and health is important. Today, we visit our physicians for “wellness checks” so that we can be assured that we are in good health, or we can take measures to combat and defeat diseases in early stages so that we can live longer, healthier and more active lives. Dentistry is also continuing to change. Today news reports continues to inform everyone about the links between gum and bone disease (periodontal disease) and cancer, diabetes, stroke, heart attacks, etc. It has now been proven that the bacteria that are in the mouth move into the bloodstream and puts overall health at risk. Most people have their cholesterol levels tested every year to see if they are at risk for a heart attack. However, many people who have normal cholesterol levels still die from heart attacks. The latest villain has been identified as your CRP (C-Reactive Protein) score. Research now shows that by reducing your levels of CRP, you will be lowering your risk of heart attack. Until recently physicians have not been informed about the importance of CRP levels. There is no “pill” that will lower CRP levels so, until recently, there has been no “treatment” prescribed by physicians. Studies have found that Periodontal Disease raises CRP levels. Therefore, if a person has periodontal disease, he/she at a much higher risk of developing heart disease, cancer, etc. With proper treatment, these levels will substantially decrease which will help to improve your healthier. As a Center for Dental Medicine, we will be working with your physician when necessary to keep you in your best health. During your New Patient visit we will be conducting a test to determine if you are hosting the detrimental types of bacteria in your mouth. If the first is positive, we have other testing in place that will measure your CRP score and your glycated hemoglobin to determine the type of treatment that is needed. Dr. Donley will also measure the pocket depth of your gum tissue which will alert him to the presence of periodontal disease. A complete set of films will be taken so that he can diagnose decay and areas that may need treatment, but also to check if there is bone loss in your jaw. Today, oral cancer is a concern of each and every one of us. We now have the Velscope which will show changes in tissue long before they can be seen. Therefore, cancer can now be found in early stages when the cure rate is much higher and treatment is less invasive. Health is extremely important and we want to help everyone that wants to achieve wellness. For a New Patient exam please call Dana at 231-744-6661 and she will be happy to set you up with an exam to help you start/continue your health journey. If Your Smile Isn’t Becoming to You, You Should Be Coming to Us. Dr. Donley and his team have a very successful, non-surgical program for treating all stages of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can be found in children as young as 6 as well as adults of every age. We help you learn the correct way to take care of your teeth and gums so that these bacteria do not have a chance to join together. If you have an established case of periodontal (gum and bone) disease, a laser therapy program is established to treat the disease and get your mouth healthy. Once healthy, we establish a schedule with you to keep this disease under control. Unlike many diseases where once treated you are disease-free, periodontal disease will not simply go away. It will reoccur if you do not continue with more frequent hygiene visits and diligent home care. We want you to be as healthy as possible so we are here to coach as well as treat you. To make an appointment for a periodontal evaluation, please call the office at 231-744-6661.
COMFORT FOODS -- Made Fast and Healthy! By Healthy Exchanges
Chunky Vegetable Soup
This soup would be very satisfying on a cool fall day. 1 (14-ounce) can Swanson Lower Sodium Fat Free Beef Broth 1 cup chopped carrots 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper 1 cup chopped zucchini 1/2 cup sliced celery 1 cup peeled and chopped fresh tomato 1 cup low sodium tomato juice 1 teaspoon seasoned salt In a medium saucepan, combine beef broth, carrots, onion, green pepper, zucchini and celery. Bring mixture to a boil. Stir in tomato, tomato juice and seasoned salt. Lower heat, cover and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Makes 4 (1 cup) servings. • Each serving equals: 56 calories, 0g fat, 3g protein, 11g carbs, 272mg sodium, 36mg calcium, 2g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetables; Carb Choices: 1. Visit Healthy Exchanges at www.healthyexchanges.com, or call toll-free at 1-800-766-8961 for more information about the only national food newsletter for diabetics, heart/cholesterol concerns and healthy weight loss. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
Page 4
Dealing With Motion Sickness DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I’ll be going on a cruise this fall. Since I am susceptible to motion sickness, is there anything I can take, other than the pill Marezine? I have heard the Transderm Scop patch isn’t recommended for older people. ANSWER: A great many people are affected by motion sickness. The waves of nausea are triggered by a mismatch of signals the brain receives from the eyes and from the balance organs in the inner ear. They send conflicting messages, and the brain can’t cope with those messages. You can minimize the mismatch by doing a few simple things: • Reserve a cabin in midship, near the waterline. • Look off into the horizon. If you see a distant object, fixate on it. • Don’t read. • Don’t overeat. Dramamine belongs to the same class of motion-sickness medicines as Marezine, but you might be able to tolerate it better. Antivert is another drug of the same class. Try them before you take the trip to see if they upset you or make you groggy. Transderm Scop -- the patch worn behind the ear -- has permitted many people prone to seasickness to have a happy cruise. The manufacturer says it should be used with caution in the elderly because they are more sensitive to its side effects, like dry mouth, difficulty urinating, blurred vision, disorientation and drowsiness. If your doctor OK’s the idea, this is something else you could try before getting on board. If you feel any of the side effects setting in, take the patch off immediately. *** DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Through the years, I have been troubled with restless leg syndrome. One day it struck me that I had the worst symptoms on days when I drank little water. That night, I had symptoms, so I drank 10 ounces of water. The symptoms disappeared. That was seven months ago, and since then I make sure to have plenty of water before bed. I have not had a recurrence of restless legs. I thought I might have to get up often during the night to go to the bathroom, but this has not happened to me. I hope it works for others. -- D.M. ANSWER: So do I, D.M. If it doesn’t, I’ll hear about it.
For more conventional approaches to restless leg syndrome and nighttime leg cramps, the booklet on those topics covers most of the standard treatments. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 306W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. 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. ***
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My dog has Cushing’s disease. Can humans catch it? We eat off the same dishes. -- I.G. ANSWER: Cushing’s disease is an overproduction of adrenal gland hormones and is caused by a tumor of the adrenal glands or of the pituitary gland. You can’t catch it from anyone, including your dog. *** Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2008 North America Synd., Inc. • All Rights Reserved
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The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read®
Page 5
September 25, 2008 • Issue 145
Finding the Right Caulk By Samantha Mazzotta
Start Planning Now for Stress-Free Holidays For too many, the holidays are a stressful time that results in one thing: an overload of spending debt that has to be paid after the new year. Debt-free holidays are possible, however, if you approach your spending with steely resolve -- and if you start early. Here are some steps to take: • Decide on your budget now -- what you can realistically afford to spend -- and don’t increase that amount, even if you discover later that you’ve left someone off the recipient list. • Make your gift list, putting a spending limit on each item, and vow to stick to it. • If you’ve had a Christmas club savings account that you’ve added to all year, you’re ahead of the game. Plan on cash-only spending, and leave the credit cards at home when you shop. • If you’ve never had the nerve to suggest it, this is the year to try to come to an agreement with relatives that there will be no gift swapping among the adults. Chances are they’ll be relieved that you’ve brought it up. Opt for a family potluck get-together over the holidays instead of exchanging gifts. • Buy a few items out of every paycheck and check them off your list. • Start scouring the dollar stores, consignment shops, the sales racks at outlet stores and Salvation Army or Goodwill for bargains. Good bets for inexpensive gifts include picture frames to hold digital photos you print out, tins to hold home-baked cookies and treats, and DVDs and games. • Do your homework. Use the Internet to track sales, and comparison shop for kids’ toys and electronics. • Consider whether some of your gift recipients, especially older relatives, would rather have a gift of your time than another trinket. • If you plan to make gifts, get started so you’re not tempted to rush out and buy later. If you plan to make homemade goodies, decide on your recipes now. Expect to be tempted as the stores pull out all the stops to get you to buy. The closer you get to the holidays, the more likely you are to succumb to stress and overspend. Set your priorities, limit your spending, start now and plan for a debt-free holiday. David Uffington regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Write to him in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
Q: I discovered some small cracks in the wood frames of my back door and windows. A friend told me an easy fix is to just caulk over the cracks. But at the hardware store, I found several different types of caulk. Which is the best to use on outside wood frames? -- DIY Newbie in Ohio A: Each type of caulk available at your local home-improvement store has somewhat different properties -- even though their main purpose is to create a durable seal against the elements. Here’s a short guide to the different types: • Acrylic latex: An all-around caulk with an acrylic base, that’s easy to work with. Keep a tube of it around for any job where the area normally stays dry - it’s also the best for small cracks in wood trim. Cleans up with water. • Vinyl latex (a.k.a. polyvinyl acetate): Another all-around caulk that can be used in wet areas, like the tub or shower. • Butyl rubber: Harder to apply, but good for outdoor use -- including sealing window frames, gutter and downspout seams -- because of its ability to flex with changes in temperature and its weather resistance. • Silicone: Perhaps the strongest bonding caulk available -- yet silicone doesn’t hold paint at all. (Colored silicone caulk is available.) Make sure the work area is well-ventilated. Clean excess silicone using rubbing alcohol. • Oil-based: This is the least expensive caulk you can purchase, and you get what you pay for. Once the oil has leached from the material -- which happens in a couple years depending on where it is used -- the caulking dries, shrinks and crumbles out of the cracks. HOME TIP: To prevent the tip of a caulking tube from drying out between uses, wipe the outside clean, poke a nail inside the tip to clear it, then cover the tip with a slip-on pencil eraser or an electrical cap. Send questions or home-repair tips to homeguru2000@hotmail.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
NOW HERE’S A TIP By JoAnn Derson
• “Hands down, the best bathroom tool I ever invested in was a mesh bag that cost less than a dollar. I throw all the kids’ toys in it after the bath, hang it from the shower head, and the water drains right out. Every so often, I take the whole thing and toss it into the washer on the delicate cycle. A capful of bleach and those toys get sterilized. Great buy!” -- A Reader in Nebraska • If your family likes puzzles, try these puzzle-life-extending tips: Reinforce the box corners with packing tape as soon as you open it. Get a zipper-top bag in an appropriate size and store the pieces in the bag, then put the bag in the box. Also, if you have a particular favorite, you can put a piece of laminating plastic over the top of the puzzle after it’s put together, and then trim off the excess. Then take an X-Acto knife or other razor-blade tool to the seams and cut the puzzle apart again. It will preserve the picture. •”When I’m working in my garden, I hang a couple of plastic bags on the doorknob to the house. This way, if I need to grab something or just take a quick break inside, I can slip one over each foot. Then there’s no need to take off my work boots, which are great on my feet but a little bit of a chore to get on and off.” -- G.T. in Ohio • “To keep my pantyhose from snagging while stored in my lingerie drawer, I stuff each pair into a cardboard toilet-paper roll. I can write on the roll what the color is, and they are easy to stack and line up in the drawer.” -- A.B. in Idaho • Coffee filters make a wonderful cover for bowls and small dishes when microwaving foods that are prone to splattering. Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or e-mail JoAnn at heresatip@yahoo.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
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The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read®
September 25, 2008 • Issue 145
A Conversation With Jack Roush This week, we caught up with Jack Roush, a household name in the world of motorsports. Born April 19, 1942, in Manchester, Ohio, Roush’s attraction to all things mechanical grew steadily into a lifelong passion for performance that has translated into this tremendous engineering and motorsports success story. As founder, CEO and co-owner with John Henry of Roush Fenway Racing in Concord, N.C., Roush is also chairman of Roush Enterprises, the parent company to Roush Racing, Roush Industries, Roush Performance and Roush Manufacturing. He also owns a great collection of racing automobiles, which we touch on in the interview. The Roush Automotive Collection is located at 11851 Market St., Livonia, MI 48150. Huge crowds show up when Jack Roush holds an open house at his Roush Automotive Collection in Livonia, Mich. (Although not open to the walk-in (Roush Automotive Collection photo) public on a daily basis, the collection does hold several open-house events each year and is available for special showings during weekdays. For information, phone 734-779-7290) The Roush Automotive Collection is a 30,000 square-foot private facility. Housed within the collection are a wide variety of displays, multi-media exhibits, artifacts, memorabilia and numerous vehicles dedicated to the preservation of the heritage of Roush Enterprises. The collection contains educational exhibits of products and processes from Roush as a supplier of technological services to the automotive industry, aviation industry and other manufactured goods businesses. Roush earned a B.A. in Mathematics and Physics from Berea College (Kentucky) 1964 and a Master’s in Scientific Mathematics from Eastern Michigan University in 1970.
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CRUISIN’ By Greg Zyla
1968 Wildcat Q: Greg, I have a ‘68 Buick Wildcat with a 430-inch, fourbarrel engine with 360 horsepower and only 70,000 miles. It is the desirable two-door hardtop, and the interior is all original and in pretty nice shape. The car was painted about three years ago and also is nice. Where is the best place to sell this car, and what price I should ask? Thanks for any help you can give me. -- Tim, e-mail from Pennsylvania A: Tim, you have a pretty nice car there in that Buick Wildcat. We checked several price guides for a base Wildcat, and depending on a few incidentals, the prices are $4,000 for a No. 3 condition two-door Wildcat coupe, which means it’s a car that looks great from 20-feet away, but when you get closer you’ll notice some wear here and there and maybe a ding or two. A fully restored Wildcat will go for about $11,500. Look to sell your car with a classified ad in your area newspapers first, as most all papers also have an Internet presence nowadays. If you can’t sell it locally, I’d recommend using magazines like Auto Roundup and Hemmings, both available on any newsstand. Also, as I say in all my columns when I give a price, the antique car business is much like the stock market in that it goes up and down, and you may get more or less for your car depending on buyer and seller demands and the economic mood at the time. Write to Greg Zyla in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to gzyla@ptd.net. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
*** ZYLA: Jack, tell our readers about your Roush Automotive Collection museum. I understand you have preserved your history in racing there, and hold many events yearly that are open to the public. ROUSH: Through our 40 years of collective competition in drag racing, road racing, stock-car racing, rally racing, boat racing and Pikes Peak hill-climb competition, we have had close encounters of the best kind with innumerable wonderful race cars. ZYLA: Please continue. ROUSH: We have saved as many cars as we could. Additionally, we have competed in the Detroit Automotive Industries Supplier wars, to good effect. ZYLA: Has it been tough doing something of this magnitude? ROUSH: Over the past three decades we have survived an incredibly contentious and hostile environment brought about by external automotive manufacturer pressures, unpredictable gasoline pricing and the ravages of multiple economic depressions. We have accordingly been involved with more paradigm-breaking prototype and engineering test vehicles than I could count. ZYLA: Are we talking all types of automobiles and vehicles? ROUSH: Yes. Additionally, we have rescued from destruction a number of fondly remembered vehicles from pre- and post-World War II Americana that have partially shaped the lives of Americans as we have become a “Nation on Wheels.” ZYLA: Who is in charge of the collection? ROUSH: My daughter Susan is now the custodian of a collection of more than 200 very special vehicles, which define and mark the progress of our automotive track competitive efforts, our production vehicle engineering efforts and punctuate nearly a century of automotive art enjoyed by all Americans. The collection is open to the public on special request and monthly open house events are shared with local car collection clubs throughout the summer months. Write to Greg Zyla in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send an e-mail to gzyla@ptd.net. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
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The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read®
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SENIOR NEWS LINE
Worshiping a Holy God
AARP Offers Wealth of Health Information
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censor, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke, saying, “I will be sanctified in them that come near to Me, and before all people I will be glorified.” And Aaron held his peace. -Leviticus 10:1-3
by Matilda Charles
The AARP has expanded its Web site to include a wealth of health information that we need, and it’s done a very good job. Here’s a short walkthrough of what you’ll find. • Look Up a Drug -- What a fantastic resource this is, with information on side effects and drug interactions on hundreds of drugs, all listed alphabetically. • The Symptom Checker -- Get a heads-up about symptoms you might be experiencing. Click on the long list of symptoms or type in your own. • Doctor and Hospital Finder -- Find medical help, research doctors and hospitals, and even pull up a map with directions. I tested this with my ZIP code and was delighted to find that the information on doctors includes the medical school the doctor attended, patient survey results and even how long since the doctor got out of medical school. • Probably the most valuable part of the health site is the AARP’s Medicare section. If you’ve struggled with understanding the Medicare Web site, try Medicare Interactive at AARP. For me, sometimes having something explained in a different way makes it easier to understand. This is one of the best Medicare explanation and information sites I’ve found. It includes: Choosing the Right Medicare Plan -- While it won’t pick the plan for you, the information will help you to ask better questions and scrutinize each of the plans you review. Compare Medicare Plans -- Learn the differences between the original Medicare plan, and the two Advantage plans, Medicare HMO/PPO and Medicare Private Fee for Service. Medicare Interactive -- Has an online “counselor” to take you step by step to the information you need. If you’re searching online for medical information, the AARP site needs to be one of your first stops. Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
September 25, 2008 • Issue 145
Because we don’t have an explicit passage in the New Testament giving us a particular outline of what our worship ought to look like, we tend to make the mistake of believing God is no longer concerned about how we worship. The result is that we give little thought to the subject, and usually default to the view that whatever is most emotionally stimulating, practical, comfortable, or desired by the majority of people serves as the criteria for our Lord’s Day gatherings. This text alone (and it is not alone) should cause us to hesitate and think more deeply about congregational worship. It exemplifies the theme of the first seventeen chapters of this book of Moses, which is, “Worshiping a Holy God.” And it unambiguously declares that the LORD cares how we approach Him. We may not and must not engage in “will worship” by coming flippantly and arrogantly into our Triune God’s presence-which is precisely what we do when we enter into His courts contrary to His command. Nadab and Abihu were priests ordained of God for service in the sanctuary when they decided to present the offering not according to what Jehovah had commanded, but according to their own will. The Holy One didn’t proclaim, “Well done my good and faithful servants,” nor even, “That isn’t what I called for, but I do so appreciate your sincerity in presenting this strange fire.” Instead, the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, struck them dead. Then Moses, Aaron’s own brother and the uncle of the two deceased priests, speaks in a manner that most today would consider harsh, lacking compassion and love. But notice, Aaron doesn’t complain or offer up an argument. He keeps silent, because he has learned well this difficult lesson-when the Lord’s people come before Him they are to do so with the proper reverence. When we don’t obey God’s commands on how to approach Him we are coming irreverently. This begs the question, “How should we then worship?” The answer, my friend, isn’t blowing in the wind, that is how we are tossed about in doctrinal confusion (see Ephesians 4:14). Neither will the answer be found in this devotional. The subject is much too vast for a few hundred words. But there is an answer. It is found in the Scriptures (both the Old and New Testaments), our only infallible rule of faith and practice; and demonstrated throughout much of the historic church over the past two millennia. For the love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you should ask, knock and seek to learn more about worship. This is no easy task, for we have passively embraced views perpetuated by the culture of our day while failing to take every thought captive in this area. While not a simple endeavor, it is a most worthwhile one, since there is no higher privilege or greater responsibility in this life or the one to come than gathering with our covenant family to worship our covenant God. Mark Dewey is Pastor of Christ the King Church in Ferry. He and his wife, Monique, reside in Ferry and are blessed with ten children.
First Aid for Pets Q: I sometimes worry about what I would do if my dog or two cats were badly injured -- hit by a car or bitten by a wild animal from the woods out back. We live several miles from the nearest veterinary clinic. Other than stopping bleeding, I don’t know much else about how I would help them. Do you have any suggestions on where I can find out about given emergency care? -- Frank L., via e-mail A: The American Red Cross, while better known for supplying information on people first aid, offers two pet books -- “Dog First Aid” and “Cat First Aid,” available online at www.redcross.org. The books give basic information on treating injured or ill pets immediately, and tell you how to stock a “pet first-aid kit” that should be kept within easy reach. The organization also offers a pet first-aid course at some of its chapters nationwide. Check the above Web site or contact the nearest Red Cross chapter for available classes. The book and course can be invaluable for recognizing signs of illness or injury in your pets, and providing immediate care -- including CPR -- until you reach a veterinary clinic. While waiting for your first-aid books to arrive, it’s a good idea to write the veterinary clinic’s phone number in an easy-toremember place (or put on speed dial) and to find out the clinic’s hours and the veterinarian’s schedule. Ask the clinic how it handles after-hours emergencies -- you may need to drive quickly to an alternative vet clinic. Knowing what to do in an emergency can provide tremendous peace of mind. Send your tips, questions and comments to Paws Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or e-mail them to pawscorner@hotmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
Meeting Your Therapy Needs Closer To Home In Oceana County
231-873-3577 Super Crossword Answer
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The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read®
September 25, 2008 • Issue 145
Page 8
THE ART OF YOUR LIFE!!!
by Scott and Suzy Rosema of Temujin Studio
What’s In A Color? Part Two Go Figure Send comments and questions to positiveparenting@goldensandspublishing.com. Julie Mockerman is a wife, mother, and founder of the Brookwater Group. She and her husband have completed courses in Love and Logic, and were trained and licensed by the State of Michigan as professional foster care and adoptive parents. Some of Julie’s articles have been published in The Teaching Home magazine. Her favorite parenting authorities are Sylvia Rimm, Kevin Lehman, James Dobson and her mom. She and her husband have personally parented ten children and counseled many parents in handling their children’s difficulties. She and her husband are currently parenting two children, ages 12 and 10. The older kids (24 and 22) are on their own and doing great!
Magic Maze
Recently I encountered three women in their early twenties who really didn’t know how to cook. I don’t mean they didn’t know how to make their own pasta or bread from scratch. I mean that if it didn’t begin in a box or freezer, they couldn’t make a meal. In our busy society, it is often necessary to get fast food, use a boxed “just add meat” meal, or take something out of the freezer. On the weekends, however, or at least a few times each month, it’s important to talk about healthy food, show our kids where food comes from and how to prepare it. If you’re really energetic, you could also tell them which foods supply which nutrients. Let’s begin with babies. Keep some yogurt on hand (I mean real yogurt in the carton, not in a squeeze tube or frozen on a stick.) Put a few dollops on the highchair tray and let the baby do some Yog-Art. Talk to the little artist about how healthy yogurt is and that it also tastes great with cereal mixed in or as a dip for fruit. Give baby some cereal and fruit in separate dishes so she can make up her own concoction. Toddlers can be picky eaters, but letting them help prepare the food goes a long way in enticing their taste buds. Also, make it a habit at the earliest age possible to talk about how much you like fruit and vegetables. Even if you don’t like them all, choose some you do like, because your kids will imitate you. If you only talk about how much you dislike them, it will filter down to their palate as well. Also, instead of teething biscuits, try a nice cold carrot stick. You don’t have to worry about the sugar content in natural foods. When your kids begin school, begin to give them raw veggies when they get home, or raisins, or other healthy snack foods. If you present them with healthy food often enough, they’ll begin to prefer it...especially if you have a positive attitude. As they get older, it’s more difficult to monitor what they eat. Rather than scolding them for everything they eat when they’re out of your sight and control, be sure that at least when they’re home they get the healthiest food possible. The rest will even itself out!
Puzzle Answers
Is It Soup Yet?
Sudoku
So, last time we started the subject of how long manufactured color has been with us and where it came from. Now, let’s cover some more details of the what and where of color paint. And speaking of covering... Long before we were covering our houses by painting them, we were painting cave walls. The earliest cave paintings were made by using iron oxides and it was the ancient Egyptians who developed other paints from pigments in the soil (yellow, orange, and red). It was the Romans who gave us purple; which wasn’t easy considering a pound of royal purple dye required the crushing of four million mollusks! Cochineal red, discovered by the Aztecs, was made using the female cochineal beetle. Agian, this was a pretty intense effort with a pound of water-soluble cochineal red extract required about a million insects. The Spaniards introduced the color crimson to Europe in the 1500’s. Later, genuine Indian Yellow was produced from concentrated cows urine which was mixed with mud and transported to London for purifying. Sap Green was derived from the Blackthorn berry and Sepia Brown was processed from the dried ink sac of squids. Paint is essentially made of a pigment, a binder to hold it together and appropriate thinners to make it easy to apply. 5000 years ago Blue Frit was the first synthetic pigment being produced by the Egyptians from ground down blue glass. Before the nineteenth century the word ‘paint’ was only applied to oil-based types of paint; there were other paints made with pigments combined with glue but that product was called ‘distemper’. So far, this is a lot of evolution that goes into something that just comes out a can these days. Next time: We wrap up the history of color paint with some little known fun facts you can use in your appreciation of everything colorful!
DONNA’S DAY: CREATIVE FAMILY FUN By Donna Erickson Genealogy Cereal-Box Puzzle Play While the older kids are off to school, create some special at-home fun with your preschoolers. Put the pieces of your family members together with a homemade genealogy puzzle. You and your child will have a great time making and playing with this unique family tree. Here’s the stuff you need: --8 small, empty, rectangular single-portion cereal boxes --1 photocopied photograph or a drawn self-portrait of your child (about 8-inches by 12-inches) --Photocopies or scanned pictures of your child’s parents, grandparents and great grandparents, or special aunts and uncles and caretakers representing different generations --Pencil, markers and paint --Scissors --Plain-colored paper --Glue --Empty grapefruit or orange net bag for storage (optional) Here’s the fun in three easy steps: 1. Lay your child’s portrait facedown on a table. Line the boxes side by side on the back of the portrait in two vertical rows. Draw around each box with a pencil, then cut out the pieces. Cover the printing on the narrow sides of the cereal box with paint or colored packing tape, if you wish, then glue the puzzle portrait pieces on the front of each box. 2. Turn the boxes over, keeping them in two vertical rows. Glue rectangles of plain colored paper to the backs of the boxes. Now you can begin creating your child’s family tree together. Starting at the bottom row of boxes, draw and color the trunk of a tree, then create branches spreading out into the top three rows. 3. Glue a small picture of your child or children on the bottom row. On level two, glue pictures of parents. Continue with a different generation of faces on each row. To play, mix up the pieces and start puzzling all the pieces on the portrait side or family tree side. Say the names of the people as you assemble the puzzle. Tell your child how they are related, and share a story or two about the person, if you wish. Store in an empty grapefruit net bag and hang on a hook. Grandparent-grandchild conversation starter tip: Find photos of yourself when you were your grandchildren’s ages. Place them next to current photos of the grandchildren and observe clothing and activities portrayed in the photos. Keep the conversation going as you contrast and compare life then and now. *** Donna Erickson’s award-winning television series “Donna’s Day” airs on public television nationwide. Visit www.donnasday.com to find out when it airs on your local PBS station and to sign up for Donna’s e-newsletter. (c) 2008 Donna Erickson • Distributed by King Features Synd.
Business Card Corner
516 Lighthouse Drive • Silver Lake 231-873-4544 • www.northwindconstruction.com
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The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read®
STRANGE BUT TRUE By Samantha Weaver • Those who study such things claim that a single teaspoon of ordinary soil contains more living creatures than all the humans on the planet. • Eleven years after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was assassinated, thieves attempted to steal the corpse and hold it for ransom. • It was Robert Wright, journalist, scholar and author of best-selling books about science, who made the following sage observation: “Like a lawyer, the human brain wants victory, not truth; and, like a lawyer, it is sometimes more admirable for skill than virtue.” • In Sarasota, Fla., it is illegal to sing in a public place while wearing a swimsuit. • Bubble wrap was invented in 1957 by Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes, engineers who were trying to invent a new kind of textured plastic wallpaper. • A bird known as the Arctic tern makes the world’s longest migration, flying 21,750 miles and traveling nearly from pole to pole. • If you’re like most Americans, you’ve probably played with a NERF ball at some point in your life. You might not realize, though, that NERF stands for Non-Expanding Recreational Foam. • It’s been reported that in the movie “The Silence of the Lambs,” Hannibal Lechter, the character played by Sir Anthony Hopkins, never blinks. • The monkfish, a species of anglerfish found primarily in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, has an enormous head. Really, really enormous. The monkfish’s head is so large, in fact, that it makes up three-quarters of its body. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
Thought for the Day:
September 25, 2008 • Issue 145
“An author is a fool who, not content with boring those he lives with, insists on boring future generations.” -- Charles de Montesquieu