Tidbits of the Tri-Cities - Issue 30 by Jason Barrett

of the Tri-Cities

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Tidbits Names Names pages 1-4

TIDBITS NAMES NAMES by Paige Lozier

This edition of Tidbits is about first names, last names, middle names, popular names, unusual names, and all things name-related! •

Solar System Q&A pages 5-6

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Throughout Europe, the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand, the traditional pattern for identifying people is by use of a first name (sometimes called a Christian or given name) and a last name (a surname or family name.) The key distinction between the two is that the surname is passed down and shared among family members, while the first name is given to a person, usually by his parents. Assigning a middle name to a child is a practice pretty much limited to the Western world. Even then, christening a baby with more than one given name wasn’t really a tradition until the early 1800s. The phrase “middle name” first appeared in a U.S. dictionary in 1835. After a while, it became something of a status symbol to list one’s first name, middle initial and then last name on business cards, letters, etc. The word nickname evolved from the mispronunciation of the term “ekename.” Dictionaries back to the 14th century define ekename as an “additional” or “little” name. Turn the page for more! turn the page for more Tidbits!

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Page 2

Tidbits® of the Tri-Cities TIDBITS NAMES NAMES (continued): •

Many common Anglo-Saxon surnames are actually professions, which is how common people were often identified during the Middle Ages. For example, a cooper was a barrel maker, a fletcher was an arrow maker, a tanner worked with leather, and a miller ground wheat into flour. We’ll let you guess what Mr. Baker, Mr. Carver, Mr. Weaver and Mr. Fisher used to do for a living.

•

From medieval times onward, one of the most common ways to coin a nickname was to drop the first syllable of a person’s formal first name. Thus, Andrew became Drew, Elizabeth became Beth, Alfred became Fred, and Rebecca became Becca.

•

Per the 2000 Census, the three most common U.S. surnames were identical to those found in 1990: Smith is #1, followed by Johnson and Williams. The changing face of the American population is readily apparent further down the list, however. In 1990, #8 was Wilson, followed by Moore at #9. Ten years later, those names were knocked out of their slots by Garcia and Rodriguez.

•

In England as a whole, the three most common last names are Jones, Williams, and Taylor. But limit the search to the Greater London area, and the top three slots are occupied by Brown, Smith, and Patel. The latter name reflects the large number of Indian families who have relocated to the capital.

•

Until 2008, parents in Sweden had to receive approval from the national government when selecting a legal name for their new baby. Offensive words, culturally inappropriate terms, and some product names were considered taboo. When the law was finally repealed last year, two different families celebrated the decision by naming their new bundles of joy Budweiser and Metallica, respectively. (Yes, really.)

Parents, Kids and Pets By Sam Mazzotta

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I read with interest your recent column about the children whose pet fish died because they didn’t take care of it. You asked readers how the children could prove to their mother that they’re ready for another pet. I think you’re asking the wrong question. You should be asking when is the MOTHER ready for another pet. Being a child is about learning, exploring and having as many experiences as possible. Because they’re young, their interests change, often rapidly and unexpectedly. It isn’t fair to a child to be forced to look after a living, feeling, thinking being whose requirements don’t change (the dog always needs to be walked, for instance) and whose needs are unyielding (the dog will suffer if it’s not fed and watered). Furthermore, to make a child responsible for a pet is a poor idea on several counts: The child is set up for failure; the pet can experience discomfort at best, death at worst, from being neglected; and

the adult can feel exasperation, annoyance and anger -- at both child and pet. In terms of dogs, no responsible breeder of dogs will sell one of his or her puppies to a family where the children will be that puppy’s primary caregiver. Neither will a bona fide rescue group nor a well-run animal shelter. This means that the only avenue by which the family can acquire a puppy is from a BYB (backyard breeder) who is clueless about the goal of breeding -- to produce healthy, to-standard dogs with solid temperaments. The only reason to get a pet is because the adults want one themselves, fully understanding and accepting the reality that whatever help their children provide in caring for that pet is a bonus and is not something on which they can count. Thus, I think you need to rephrase your question. -- Dori, via e-mail DEAR DORI: You’ve stated your case very well, and I thank you. (c) 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Most Older People Have Diverticulosis DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 78-year-old female, active and in good health -- or so I thought. I eat right and never smoked or drank alcohol. Yesterday, a colonoscopy showed severe diverticulosis. The doctor prescribed Benefiber, then left and never returned. I am stunned. What do I do now? Will I have this forever? Am I unhealthy? How does one develop diverticulosis? What the difference between “osis” and “itis”? -- S.K. ANSWER: Your world isn’t collapsing. You’re healthy. You’ll have diverticulosis forever. By age 60, half of the people in North America have it. By age 80, two-thirds have it. A diverticulum is a bulge of the inner colon lining through the colon’s muscular wall to its outer surface. A diverticulum looks like a small soap bubble. It’s only 1/5 to 2/5 inches (0.5 to 1 cm) in diameter. You can thank our diet for diverticulosis. We refine flour and throw away its bran -- the outer coat of grain. In countries where whole grains (including the bran) are commonly used, diverticulosis is a rarity. Bran and other fiber hold water in undigested food. Without fiber, the food residue dries and becomes hard. The colon muscles have to generate a great deal of force to keep it moving. That force causes the colon lining to pop through the colon wall as a diverticulum. For most, diverticulosis is a silent condition that remains silent for life. For a few, the diverticulum breaks and causes a local infection in the colon -- diverticulitis. The pain of a diverticulitis attack is usually felt in the lower left corner of the abdomen, and sometimes people have fever and chills along with the pain. The attack is treated by resting the tract and by giving antibiotics.

We’re supposed to get 30 grams of fiber a day. Fruits (especially those with edible skins), many vegetables and whole-grain products are the source of dietary fiber. If people cannot get enough fiber in their diet, then commercial products like the one you’re taking fill the gap. Metamucil, Perdiem, Citrucel and Fiberall are other examples. The booklet on diverticulosis explains the ins and outs of this very common disorder. To order a copy, write: Dr. Donohue -- No. 502W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 328536475. 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 husband has chronic blepharitis and frequently develops hard buildups in both eyes that cause great discomfort. The doctor must remove them two times a month. What can be done to prevent them? -- S.R. ANSWER: Blepharitis (BLEF-uh-RYE-tiss) is inflammation of the eyelid margins, which become red and crusty. The crust can build up into hard deposits. A twice-a-day program of lid cleansing might eliminate the crusts. Have your husband apply warm compresses (a wet washcloth) to closed lids for five to 10 minutes and then massage the lids. After the massage, he cleanses the lid margins with a cotton-tipped applicator dipped in a solution of one part baby shampoo and one part water. The doctor might have to prescribe an antibiotic ointment.

How Does Your Hospital Rate? It really DOES matter what hospital you go to when you need care. Your life could depend on it. So says the seventh annual study by HealthGrades. This is the same group that tracks doctors, hospitals and nursing homes and assigns a grade for the level of care. Its latest study reveals that your risk of death can be cut as much as 27 percent if you get your care at a “Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence.” To get that designation, a hospital has to pass a long list of criteria. The HealthGrades Web site [www.healthgrades. com] lists by state all of the “Distinguished” hospitals. You can search (for free) for grades on a given hospital for any of dozens of medical conditions. Look for Research Hospitals on the front screen of the Web site. It’s when you want a full report on a hospital that you have to pay a fee. You’ll also have to

pay a fee to check out a specific doctor or nursing home -- it costs money for the report. A much easier way to check on a hospital or doctor is on the government’s Health and Human Services website [www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov]. The HHS layout lets you compare multiple hospitals, right on the same screen. The information is very comprehensive, too. For example, one question concerns the percent of surgery patients who were given an antibiotic at the right time, within one hour before surgery. This is a small detail maybe, but crucial to one’s recovery. To find out if there is a “Distinguished” hospital in your area, check the HealthGrades Web site and then search for details at the HHS site. Still, if you’re facing a major medical issue, perhaps paying for the HealthGrades report would give you needed extra information.

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Page 5

TIDBITS NAMES NAMES (continued): •

The Screen Actors Guild forbids two members to join using the same name. When Michael Keaton first came to Hollywood, he was unable to use his real name. There was already an actor named Michael Douglas, as well as a talk show host who went by Mike Douglas. Annie Hall was a hit film at the time, so he borrowed the last name of lead actress Diane Keaton. Ever since, he’s had to field questions concerning his relation to Diane or silent film star ‘Buster’ Keaton.

•

Comedian Albert Brooks isn’t the only member of his family who changed his name. His father took a new last name to become radio comedian Harry Parke, and his brother is better known as comic stuntman “Super” Dave Osborne. The last name that appears on each of their birth certificates, however, is Einstein.

•

What’s the difference between having “Junior” or “II” after your name? Technically speaking, if you are given exactly the same first and middle name as your father, then you are a junior. If you have the same first and middle name as another relative (such as a grandfather or an uncle), and your father has a different name, then you would properly add the “II” suffix to the end of your name. And although women tend to refrain from using it in this manner, females having the same first and middle names as their mothers are also classified as “juniors.”

•

While it’s rarely done today, traditional etiquette dictates that numerical suffixes (III, IV, etc.) evolve as the family grows older. That is, when Aaron Bernard Cook, Jr., passes away, Aaron Bernard Cook III becomes Junior, and any other relatives also named “Aaron Bernard Cook” would move up in rank. This rule does not apply to popes or to members of royal families.

What Goes Around Comes Around When prosperity is in the air, companies reach out. When hard times come, they pull back. For longtime NASCAR fans, there may be a silver lining in the recession that is wreaking havoc with the sport. For 20 years, accelerating exponentially over time, the main goal of NASCAR has been similar to the main goal of churches: Spread the Gospel. The Gospel of NASCAR. The Gospel of the France Family. The Gospel of Dale the Elder, Dale the Younger and Dale the Jarrett. The main goal has been racing for those who don’t like racing. Meanwhile, the message to those who provide the core of the sport’s support has been, “You’ll take what we give you, and you’ll like it.” Don’t let the NASCAR braintrust fool you. They’re very good at what they do, but they’ve been doing the same thing for an awfully long time. NASCAR has been growing since the early 1970s. The last time there were hard times, the Founder, Saint Big Bill of France, was still alive. As the throne passed to St. Bill the Junior, and then to St. Brian the Ambitious, no one had to worry much about failure. The Energizer Bunny really seemed to be in charge, and the sport kept growing ... and growing ... and growing. As noted by many people who went to high school, Abraham Lincoln said you could fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time. NASCAR has been basing its strategies on the latter. It hasn’t come to grips with Lincoln’s view that

you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. God knows they try. NASCAR has targeted its moves to people who don’t love cars. That’s why, gradually, all of the cars on the track have become just alike. It’s not exactly the Grand Concours D’Elegance out there on pit road. Where once fans lived to breathe the exhaust fumes and experience the earth-rattling roar of the mighty V-8s, now they are mildly aware that their favorite driver’s car has been a different color every week. Where once they stared in wonderment and said, “My gosh, Virgil, I want you to look at the flared fenders on that Galaxie,” now they mutter to themselves, “The only difference is a *#@%^&! decal.” The new fans don’t know the cars they drive don’t have carburetors anymore. New fans think the Chase is groovy because it keeps anyone from having much of an advantage. Old fans really wish they could buy a Chevy shaped like the one on the race track. They wish NASCAR would “let ‘em race” at Daytona. They never saw a debris caution flag they thought was on the level. They neither own nor like dogs they consider lucky. If it weren’t for “Junior,” they’d probably stop watching altogether, or if they did watch, they wouldn’t admit it. Either there are a lot of old fans, or they all write me letters and e-mails. It’s almost all I hear. I’m not sure why they write me. I don’t have much clout. NASCAR seldom does anything other than the opposite of what I write. Now, though, NASCAR is worried. The pie fell out of the sky. A bunch of people don’t have jobs anymore. A bunch of owners don’t have teams anymore. NASCAR might even have to pay attention to the old fans again. (c) 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.

1Q2009 :: Wk 09 :: Feb 22 - Feb 28 :: Pg. 3

1. When was the last time before 2008 that the National League had a 20-game winner? 2. How many times did Kansas City Royals great George Brett lead the American League in batting average for a season? 3. Name the last season in which the Florida State football team did not go to a bowl game. 4. Who was the last player to win the NBA’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season? 5. The San Jose Sharks set an NHL record in 2008-09 for the best start to the season (25-32). Who had held the mark? 6. Who were the two race-car drivers The Associated Press named “Driver of the Century” in 1999? 7. In what year was the first class inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame?

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Tidbits® of the Tri-Cities ¥ To clean up an egg spill quickly, sprinkle the egg with salt.

¥ “To get grease stains out of laundry items, douse the grease spot with cornstarch. Work it in gently, then dust off excess. Check the stain and repeat. The cornstarch will absorb the grease.” -- C.F. in Louisiana ¥ “When potting plants or starting seeds, everyone knows to moisten the soil. I moisten mine the day before. It seems to distribute well, and I have no trouble with my seedlings.” -- T.C. in Ohio

¥ “I love to bake, but it seems like I’m the only one in the house who eats cake! This means I either eat way too much cake in a day or end up throwing it out before it goes stale. I have finally figured out a great way to enjoy baking AND eat more responsibly. I slice the cake into individual pieces, wrap them in plastic and freeze. I can take out a piece of cake in the morning and enjoy it by the afternoon if I want, and it’s still moist and delicious.” -- J.J. in Florida ¥ “I got tired of clipping coupons and forgetting them at home when I would have an unexpected opportunity to grocery-shop. Now I keep the coupons in the car with my reusable grocery bags. They’re there whenever I am ready.” -- V.R. in Pennsylvania

years, resulting in a tighter grain and more stability. Also, much of the current stock of recycled wood originally came from old-growth forests, most of which either no longer exist or are protected, and so you’re getting high-quality denseness and stability that most new woods can’t match. One thing it is not, however, is cheap. Recycled hardwood costs much more than new (ToolReusing Wood for Flooring base Services estimates that it runs about $5.75 By Samantha Mazzotta to $11 per square foot, while new oak flooring runs about $3 per square FILLER PAGE 2 foot). Recycled wood also must be installed by a professional. Q: I’ve been watching some home-improvement 1Q09 - WEEK 09 Despite the cost, recycled wood tends to be shows on television lately that advocate “green” FEB 22durable - FEB 28 beautiful and and a nice conversation building techniques, including reusing wood piece at parties. If you’re interested in having it from other structures for a home’s wood floorinstalled, many flooring contractors are able to ing, rather than buying new. What do you think procure and install recycled wood. You should about this trend, and how do I go about doing check with more than one contractor, though, this? -- Larry in Tempe, Ariz. PRESENTS get estimates, and ideally work with someone who specializes in recycled wood-flooring inA: Recycled wood flooring is a good trend, in my TRIVIA NEWSFRONT™ stallation. opinion, because rather than chopping down live by Kara Kovalchik & Sandy Wood trees to supply the hardwood for your floor, wood of the TV M*A*S*H given thethe TIP:show All types of woodwas floors need from many types of disused structures1.or What other starHOME same type of care: at Wipe up liquid spills immename d’Abruzzo birth? sources of salvaged lumber can be remilled to Alphonso diately, don’t use harsh cleaners or oil soaps, give it a second life. There is some concern that 2. Scary filmand legend William Henry wasregularly better to sweep, dust mop or Pratt vacuum the current stock of high-quality salvaged wood known by what stage name? prevent grit from dulling the finish. will run out eventually, but no timetable has been given for that. 3. What is the full first name of actress Demi Moore? Recycled hardwood is often of better quality 4. Since his name, (c) 2009 King Features Synd., Inc. than new hardwoods. It’s been curing for many people had difficulty pronouncing

rock star John Bongiovi uses what phonetic version as stage name? 5. What is the real first name of golf superstar Tiger Woods?

TIDBITS NAMES NAMES (continued): •

The title before a person’s name is called the “honorific.” Mister, Mistress, Miss, Doctor, Reverend, and Professor are examples of common American honorifics.

•

The use of “John Doe” as an anonymous or nameless person originated in England during the reign of King Henry VIII. Landowners with vast parcels of acreage often had to go to court to evict squatters from their property, and since they did not know the proper names of these illegal tenants, John Doe was coined to allow them to properly complete the necessary legal documents. Since every legal action required two witnesses, “Richard Roe” became the fill-in defendant.

•

Studies have shown that cats respond more readily to names that end in an “ee” sound (Frisky, Blackie, Smoky, Sparky, and so on.) Most kittens will eventually learn their names no matter how unusual or exotic, but experts recommend that those who wish to adopt an adult cat choose an “ee” name if they want him/her to learn it quickly.

•

“Max” wasn’t among the 150 most popular baby names according to the most recent U.S. census, but the name is number one in several pet categories. The most popular dog names are Max, Buddy, and Molly. For cats, it’s Max, Tigger, and Tiger. The list for birds reads Max, Sunny, and Buddy. “Max love” is lost, however, on more unusual pets like lizards (Iggy, Leo and Godzilla) and rodents TRIVIA (Buddy, Bandit and Thumper). NEWSFRONT ANSWERS In the past 30 years or so, it has become 1. Alan popular to give babyAlda girls surname-like first names like McKenzie, MacKayla, and Addi2. Boris Karloff son. Parents3.should keep in mind, however, Demitria that the prefix Mc and Mac and the suffix 4. Jon Bon Jovi son all literally mean “son of.” So little Madison’s name,5. for example, actually means Eldrick “Son of Maude.”

•

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SOLAR SYSTEM Q&A

If you’re 30 or older, the Solar System may seem a bit different now than it was when you came into the world. Actually, it’s not; it’s only our perception of the planets, moons, and other objects in the Solar System that have changed. •

How many planets are there in our Solar System? Until 2006, the answer was nine – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. While Pluto is still around, it’s no longer on the list. That’s because the International Astronomical Union reclassified Pluto as a “dwarf planet.” So, officially, only eight planets make up the Solar System.

•

Is Pluto the only dwarf planet? No. Four other bodies have also been classified as such: Ceres, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake. Ceres is the largest body in the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter. The other three are very distant bodies that lie on the furthest edges of our Solar System.

•

So which planet is furthest out in space? From the time it was discovered and classified like a planet (in 1930), Pluto was the answer. In 1979, Pluto’s elliptical orbit brought it closer to Earth, making Neptune the most distant planet. Twenty years later, in 1999, the planets’ paths crossed again, and Pluto returned to its normal spot as the most distant planet. When Pluto was demoted in 2006, however, Neptune recaptured the title, and still holds it today.

•

Which planet has the fewest moons? Neither Mercury nor Venus has any known moons. The Earth, as you’re likely aware, has only one natural satellite. Pluto was thought to have only one moon (Charon) until 2005, when the very tiny bodies known as Hydra and Nix were discovered, giving Pluto SYSTEM Q&A (continued): aSOLAR total of three moons.

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Which planet has the most moons? Since the largest planets have the most gravitational pull, it stands to reason that they also have more moons than smaller planets. Jupiter has at least satellites, most of which WANT63 TOnatural RUN YOUR OWN BUSI NESS? were not adiscovered Pa until theYour past decade. Publish per in Area SaturnIf You is close behind with 60. Can Provide: Sales Experience · A Computer ·

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Refinance Mortgage at Lower Rates With lower interest rates on home mortgages, it’s possible that refinancing your loan could save you money each month. If the prevailing interest rates are a full percentage point below the rate you currently pay, it might be in your best interest to refinance. The first step is to look at your credit history. It used to be that a FICO score of 720 was enough to get you a good interest rate on a mortgage. Now you could need a score of 740 or higher. If your FICO score is good, determine if it’s financially worth your while to refinance. Go online or consult with a lender to determine just how much you’d save each month. You’ll have to hunt for a lender, and it might be difficult to get in to see one right now because of the number of people refinancing. You’ll pay fees and closing costs associated with the loan. Do the math with a lender to find your best option and determine how long it will take to pay off those fees. If you save $300 every month by refinancing and the fees are $3,000, it

would take you 10 months to pay them off. You’ll need some equity in your house. Being upside down (owing more than the house is worth) will likely nix a refinance deal. You’ll need to prove your income now. Gone are the days of no-doc loans where you could put down any figure you wanted and nobody would check. Now they want to know for a fact that you earn enough to repay the loan. Don’t be surprised if you’re turned down once or twice. If you really want to refinance, keep looking. Two points to consider: 1. Do you plan to stay in the house long enough to recoup the closing costs and make a refinance worthwhile? 2. If you need to move and sell your house, will there be a pre-payment penalty that could cost you thousands of dollars to retire the loan? Beware choosing anything but a fixed-rate loan. Tens of thousands of homeowners ran into trouble when their mortgages reset to a much higher rate. With a fixed rate loan, you’ll know exactly what your payments will be for the life of the loan.

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Is Saturn thethe only planetsuccess! circled with We provide 1Q2009 :: Wk 09 ::opportunity Feb 22 -forFeb 28 :: Pg. 5 rings? While it’s true that Saturn Call 1.800.523.3096 is the only planet with rings that are plainly visible, the www.tidbitsweekly.com other three “gas giant” planets – Jupiter, Neptune, and Uranus – also sport rings. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, so it’s also the planet with the warmest surface, right? Actually, no. Because Mercury Information in the Tidbits Paper is gathered from sources considered to be reliable but the acno curacyatmosphere, of all information cannot bethe guaranteed. has virtually heat of the Sun doesn’t have as great an effect on the Can’t Get Enough Tidbits? planet’s surface temperature. Venus – the next closest planet toRESERVE the Sun –NOW! has a very Send $24.95 (plus $5.00 S&H) by Check or Money thick atmosphere that holds heat in.OrderAsto: a reTidbits Media, Inc. sult, temperatures on the1430 face of Venus can I-85 Parkway, Suite 301 Limited Edition Montgomery, AL 36106 Book900 Setdegrees F. approach (800) 523-3096

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Venus is the proud owner of what other The Tidbits Paper is a Division of Tidbits Media, Inc. • Montgomery, AL 36106 (800) 523-3096 • E-mail: tidbits@tidbitsmedia.com All Rights Reservedthe ©2008 warmsuperlatives? In addition •to being est planet, Venus is also closest to the Earth in distance and most similar to the Earth in size. Venus also has a longer “day” than any other planet in the Solar System. Venus rotates so slowly on its axis that it takes the equivalent of 243 Earth days to go all the way around. In fact, Venus makes a full trip around the Sun more quickly than it makes a single rotation, meaning that its “day” is longer than its “year.” (Alabama residents add appropriate sales tax.)

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Reprints of Books I, II, & III.

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Will more planets be discovered in the Solar System? It’s unlikely that the Solar System contains any additional bodies of the necessary size and composition to be classi-

1. Three N.L. pitchers won at least 20 games in 2005. 2. Three times (1976, 1980, 1990). 3. The 1981 season. 4. Hakeem Olajuwon in 1994. 5. The 1929-30 Boston Bruins were 25-4-1 through 30 games. 6. Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt. 7. It was 1955. (c) 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Chester:

Colonial Crafts & Games at Henricus Historical Park

Watch demonstrators make a variety of colonial crafts, and learn to play colonial games. Children will be able to make crafts to take home for an additional fee. Admission is $7 for adults, and $5 for children ages 3-12.

Petersburg:

Friday for the Arts!

The second Friday of each month from 6-10pm. Come visit the stores, restaurants and art displays in Old Towne Petersburg. The March celebration of Friday for the Arts! will feature two highly acclaimed artists at the Petersburg Area Art League. Bryant White and Pamela Patrick White will provide an exciting and educational evening during the March 13 opening night celebration. Both will showcase their original oils and limited edition giclee prints which masterfully depict the lives and times of 18th Century America.

Hopewell:

Jr. Olympic Skill Competition – Basketball

Jr. Olympic Skill Competition for Boys and Girls 8-13 years old. Event will be held on Sat. March 7, 2009 at the Mallonee Gym at 2:00pm. This competition is judged on speed, skill, shooting ability on running clock. See who has the best basketball skills in Hopewell. Register the day of the event at Mallonee Gym with parental signature.

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