Tidbits of the Tri-Cities - Issue #11 by Jason Barrett

R ION

eekly de!

FREE

of the Tri-Cities Oct. 20- 26, 2008

For Ad Rates call: 1.804.731.7504

Serving Tri-Cities & Fort Lee Areas

Open 7 Days a Week! Sun.-Thurs. 11-10 Fri.-Sat. 11-11 3609 Boulevard • Col. Heights

�

��

(Includes Drink)

Don Jose Coupon

Buy 1 Lunch or Dinner, Get 2nd

1/2 PRICE

Remodeling & Renovation Proudly Serving the Tri-Cities Specializing in: Windows & Doors • Siding • Gutters • Roofing Decks & Patios • Kitchens & Baths • Additions

(804) 931-1857 • Lic.# VA2705097373A waskey@waskeyconstruction.com Specializing in Fine Italian & Greek Cuisine!

Serving the Tri-Cities & Ft. Lee since 1975! Owned by Chris Skordas

“King of the Greek Salad”

2545 S. Crater Rd. Petersburg, VA (804) 732-9268 10% Military Discount!

WARNING: THIS TIDBITS MAY CONTAIN NUTS Are they healthy snacks or cholesterolboosting no-no’s? Regardless of the medical community’s current opinion (and it seems to change daily), nuts are still a favorite of many Americans. • Georgia produces more peanuts than any other state, with Texas close behind. Peanuts are Georgia’s official state crop, and half of the peanuts grown in the Peach State are used to make peanut butter. And that’s a lot of nuts: It takes about 850 individual peanuts to make one 18 ounce jar of peanut butter. • Have you ever purchased a package of raw cashews, still in their shells? Probably not. The shell contains urushiol, which causes a skin rash similar to poison ivy when it comes in contact with human skin. It can also be toxic if ingested. Even if you do find cashews labeled as “unroasted,” they’re not just raw. They’ve been steamed in order to remove all traces of urushiol. • Walnuts grow on trees and are harvested using three distinct machines. The first shakes the walnuts to the ground. The second blows them into neat rows away from the tree trunks, and the third one “vacuums” them up. turn the page for more!

If You Can Provide: Sales Experience · A Computer · Desktop Publishing Software · A Reasonable Financial Investment

We provide the opportunity for success!

Call 1.800.523.3096

10 AM - 9PM

www.tidbitsweekly.com

Catering Available for 25-100 people

Buy 1 Dinner, Get 2nd Dinner

1/2 PRICE

Good after 4 p.m. Mon-Thurs Only Half price meal must be of equal or lesser value. Not valid with other offers.

Tidbits offer exp. 12/31/08 • PGF BBQ

4605 County Drive Petersburg (Rt 460)

Take Out

Ph 732-3278 Fx 732-3277

www.duckslocks.com

by Audrey Cunningham

WANT TO RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS? Publish a Paper in Your Area Serving Lunch & Dinner 7 Days A Week!

526-3962 • 733-DUCK (3825)

• Lockouts • Locks Re-Keyed • Safes • Doors & Closers • Keys and Remotes Programmed • Sales & Service

$2.50 Kid’s Meals on Mon. & Wed.

Half price meal must be of equal or lesser value. Not valid with other offers. Exp. 11/15/08

Duck’s Locksmithing, Inc

Residential / Commercial Auto

��

(804) 520-8422

ads@tricitiestidbits.com

24 HR SER VICE

Come join the fun and taste our authentic Mexican food at Don Jose!

h& Lunc ecials er Sp Dinn aily! D

Issue 11

The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read

Barrett Media Solutions, LLC.

New Extended Menu!

ADVERTISE with Tidbits® IT WORKS! Call 1-804-731-7504 Can’t Get Enough Tidbits? Information in the Tidbits® Paper is gathered from sources considered to be reliable but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

ay W de-a i Cafe H

We’re here because sometimes

��

is a little hard to find. BBQ Ribs, Steak, Seafood, Desserts, & More!

804-524-0505

105 Highland Ave. Colonial Heights

Lunch Mon.-Fri. 11-2 Dinner Fri.-Sat. 5-9 Catering Available - Call Today!

1/2 Price

Lunch or Dinner

Buy 1 meal and get second, of equal or lesser value, for 1/2 price. Hide-a-Way Cafe offer exp. 11/15/08

�� TRILOGY RESERVE NOW!

Send $24.95 (plus $5.00 S&H) by Check or Money Order to:

Tidbits Media, Inc.

1430 I-85 Parkway, Suite 301 �� Limited Edition Montgomery, AL 36106 Book Set �� (800) 523-3096 Reprints of Books I, II, & III. (Alabama residents add appropriate sales tax.) �� The Tidbits® Paper is a Division of Tidbits Media, Inc. • Montgomery, AL 36106 (800) 523-3096 • E-mail: tidbits@tidbitsmedia.com • All Rights Reserved ©2008

��

Page 2

For Advertising Call 1.804.731.7504

Tidbits® of the Tri-Cities

•

Dog-Proof Your Home By Samantha Mazzotta Q: I have a new puppy, and “Jake” keeps getting into everything -- garbage, pantry, laundry, you name it. Heʼs a big chewer, too. How do I get him to stop? -- Frank S., via e-mail A: Regular obedience training, along with increased attention, will help Jake stop exploring so much. However, healthy dogs never lose that urge to explore anything that smells so darn interesting (garbage, laundry, the pantry, you name it). So youʼve got to limit his access to those areas. Remove garbage from the living areas of the house every day -- place it in the big containers outside (or in your garage) and seal the lid against intrusion. Seal the pantry -- if it has no door latch, attach a short bungee cord from the cabinet knob to a screw-in hook you place in the frame, so you can latch and unlatch easily. Put your

shoes away in a closet or close your bedroom door. Itʼs especially important, no matter how well your dog is trained, to not leave anything lying around that you donʼt want him to get at. Food, alcohol, cigarettes, chocolate, sharp objects or medication are big no-nos. Do place chew toys around the areas that Jake is allowed to inhabit. This gives him a healthy focus for his natural chewing tendencies. Now back to the increased attention. Take time every day -- an hour at least -- to train and play with Jake, outdoors or indoors. Puppies have lots of restless energy, which will fuel their curiosity, so help him work it off. In return, youʼll get a much better bond with Jake, and a well-trained dog. 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.

•

SPONSORED BY YOUR BUSINESS HERE •

Searching for a furry or feathered friend? Your journey ends at Pet Safari.

Come see our great selection. Financing Available! 2225 Boulevard • Colonial Heights Fresh & and er Fish s, Saltwat als Puppie s, Cor erret Birds, F re! and Mo ms & Aquariu ater W m Aquariu Snakes

804-520-8121 plies Pet Sup & ries Accesso Cages

TIDBITS GOES NUTS (continued): Almonds are usually considered to be nuts, but they’re more closely related to peach pits. Almonds may be bitter or sweet. Sweet almonds are the ones you’ll find in dessert recipes and in cans of mixed nuts. Bitter almonds contain BICYCLES (continued): prussic acid, which is used to make cyanide. • In the 1890s, the first “modern” bicycles But if properly processed, bitter almonds lose appeared: chain-driven vehicles with simitheir toxicitytires. and These can bewere usedsafer in the kitchen. larly-sized than the They’re a keymodels ingredient in were amaretto high-wheel (and evenliqueur. called “safety bicycles” as ause result), but ground proved awalnut step Many jewelers still finely backwards in comfort. While the long spokes of shells to polish pearls and other gemstones. high-wheel bikes absorbed bumps and ruts, the Similarly, some cosmetic companies (including smaller wheels on these new bikes, particularly Aveda) use walnut shells in theirtires body and when coupled with the hard-rubber of the facial wash for products an exfoliant. era, made jarring,asunpleasant rides. • Despite More than millionBrazil bicycles were the theira name, nuts aresold moreinlikely by the time around, toUnited come States from Bolivia than1895 fromrolled Brazil. Brazil buttrees one can last improvement would propel theOf nut live more than 1,000 years. bicycle into the must-own category: the pneucourse, they develop an extensive root system matic tire. Under the guidance of the Pope inManufacturing the process. Because of this, the trees leech Company (which made bia cycles), lot of natural barium fromWorks the soil, making the Hartford Rubber produced Brazil nuts first (ever so slightly) radioactive. America’s pneumatic tires in 1895. Pro- A single canride, make Geiger counter vidingBrazil a muchnut softer theya soon became a standard on all bicycle models. click, but feature scientists have deemed them safe. • Consumption Dozens of smaller-scale improvements boosted of the nuts has no noticeable the speed, comfort, longevity and performance impact on your typical daily exposure to of bicycles during the 20th century. As women radiation. began to find them as necessary as men, two Peanut brittle was invented in America during varieties of bicycle were made. Men’s bikes the early And thebarnovelty fake were built19th with century. an extra stabilizer across the top of the bike. Women’s bikes omitted the bar, peanut brittle can with a spring-loaded “snake” providing mounting and dismounting inside? No,foriteasier wasn’t too far behind. That of the vehicle when wearing skirts. particular gag was invented in 1915. • The 1970s saw the development of two biThe pecan is the First only came tree-borne variety of nut cycle extremes. bicycles that took native to the United States.known A single tree you nowhere. Otherwise as pecan exercise can produce of hit nuts. bikes, these 1,000 trainingpounds aids first the Luckily, home marketcan at the pecans be beginning frozen up of to the twodecade. years Then, without as time wentor ontexture. and the They’re energy crisis senttofuel losing flavor handy keep prices skyrocketing, mopeds appeared. These for making those sinfully delicious pecan pies, bicycle/motorcycle hybrids, most popular with which originated in New Orleans. And for the city-centered business workers, could either be record, thelike average pecan has 78 pecans. pedaled a regular bikepie or powered using a small, low-powered gasoline engine.

Tidbits presents:

O U R LOCA L Kimberley Trapulionis has been a Chef for over 10 years. She offers catering and can be reached with any questions, suggestions or comments at: chef@execs.com.

2nd Quarter 2006 Week 22 May 28 - Jun 3 Back Page

Asparagus, Tomato & Basil Frittata

Ingredients

Directions:

1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion 4 cloves garlic, minced 12 pieces asparagus, sliced on the bias 12 cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup basil, julienne 12 egg whites, lightly beaten Salt and pepper Basil leaves, for garnish

Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat oil in a 6inch nonstick, oven-safe pan and sauté onions and garlic for 1 minute on medium-low heat. Add asparagus, sauté for 30 seconds, then add tomatoes and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add egg whites to pan and mix briefly. Place in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until done. Garnish with basil.

Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 12-15 minutes

of the Tri-Cities By Samantha Weaver Unless you’re a professional dairy farmer who milks cows on a daily basis, it’s unlikely that you’re aware of the fact that it takes, on average, 350 squirts to get a gallon of milk.

in custom picture framing at affordable prices!

CARTER FRAMING AND ART “QUALITY IN EVERY CORNER” 30 Years Experience

(804) 733-0395 3210-B S. Crater Rd Petersburg, VA

Store Hours: Tu-Fr 10-6, Sat 10-3

of the Tri- Cities Published weekly by Barrett Media Solutions, LLC

(804) 731-7504 ads@tricitiestidbits.com Visit us on the web at www.tricitiestidbits.com

“At-risk youth are allowed to spend time in our store interacting with the animals which show them unconditional love and acceptance without the pain associated with human relationships.” Jackie has even found a way to help the neglected pets in our area – Pet Safari will play an active role in rescuing these animals and helping to find them new homes.

• It was American businessman -- and, of course, the inventor of the light bulb -- Thomas Alva Edison, who made the following sage observation: “We don’t know a millionth of 1 percent about anything.” • If you’re like the average American, you eat more than 12 pounds of chocolate every year.

... •••the very finest

Page 3

• Experts claim that parts of California are sinking 4 inches every year. • The name for that lovely lavender stone, amethyst, is derived from the Greek for “not drunk.” • The record at hand doesn’t go into details about why King Philip I of France was widely known during his reign as “The Amorous,” but we can probably imagine. • Jewelry lovers, pay attention: Oysters aren’t the only creatures with the capability to make pearls. Pearls can come from any mollusk that makes a shell, including mussels, clams, conchs and even land snails. • From the files of inexplicable criminal activity: A Virginia man was arrested in 2004 at a Motel 6. His crime? He had smeared the entire room with Vaseline. There were 14 empty tubs of the petroleum jelly found at the scene. • The world-famous Caesar salad was actually invented in Tijuana, Mexico. • You probably won’t be shocked to learn that the sport that is the object of the most online betting is horse racing, followed by soccer. It’ll probably come as something of a surprise, though, to find that that most genteel of sports, tennis, ranks third in online betting. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

Now Under New Ownership, Local Pet Store Gets Ready to Celebrate its Since May, Tom and Jackie have been busy listening to customer suggestions and adding to Care GRAND RE-OPENING! Long Term Pet Safari, which originally opened back in 2003, became well-known by locals for its great selection of small-breed puppies as well as exotic fish such as the African Cichlid. What is an African Cichlid? According to new owners, Tom and Jackie Fiorello, itʼs a type of freshwater fish found in lakes in South Africa. Tom and Jackie, husband and wife, recently bought Pet Safari from its original owners in May 2008. They operate the store with help from their children and are excited about celebrating the storeʼs GRAND REOPENING on October 24th-26th. Tom and Jackie have had a passion for pets their entire lives. During her college years, Jackie supported herself by pet sitting. However, owning a local pet store will be a new venture for each of them. After graduating from college with a degree in Human Services and a minor in Psychology, Jackie went right to work helping at-risk youth. She plans to continue this work with help from the pets in her new store. “The therapeutic aspect of working with animals is wonderful”, says Jackie.

Pet Safariʼs great selection. Some of the new selections include saltwater fish, corals, and fresh & salt aquarium water. In fact, Pet Safari is the only retailer of salt aquarium water in the greater Tri-Cities area. Theyʼve added several species of small and large birds such as Umbrella Cockatoos and Congo African Greys; a reptile department with snakes, lizards, and iguanas; and what Jackie calls the “Small Fuzzies Department” which carries ferrets, chinchillas, rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters. Pet Safari also carries a wide assortment of pet supplies, cages and accessories. Tom & Jackie would like to invite everyone to come visit Pet Safari for their GRAND RE-OPENING on October 24th-26th. The celebration will take place from 10am-6pm (Fri.-Sat.) and Noon-5pm (Sun.). Kids will enjoy seeing the wide selection of animals as well as face painting (1pm-4pm Sat.) and costume contest (1pm-2pm Sun.). The event will include raffles and light refreshments for everyone. Pet Safari is located at 2225 Boulevard in Colonial Heights. Call the store at 804-5208121 for more details.

SEE OUR AD ON PAGE 2!

Page 4

For Advertising Call 1.804.731.7504

Tidbits® of the Tri-Cities

To Your Good Health

��

A Headache That Can Blind DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Recently I began having severe headaches. I finally drove myself to the emergency room at a nearby hospital and, after numerous tests and a biopsy, the diagnosis was temporal arteritis. The doctors prescribed prednisone. Since taking it, I do not have the headaches. However, I am very weak and have no energy. The doctors tell me I must keep taking the prednisone or I could go blind. Will you comment? -- K.Q.

��

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

��

TIDBITS TIP: When buying nuts in the shell, give them a quick shake. Nutmeats that “rattle” in their shell are usually stale.

ANSWER: Temporal arteritis is artery inflammation. Since the temporal artery -- the one at the side of the head (the temple) -- often is involved, thatʼs how the name came about. In addition to the headache, the scalp often is tender. Sometimes patients are anemic. Its cause is still natureʼs secret. The urgency of temporal arteritis is the fact that the artery that brings blood to the eyeʼs retina is often inflamed too. Without prompt treatment, the retina can lose its blood supply, and the person is then blind. This happens to half of those who get no treatment or whose treatment is delayed. The diagnosis can be made by taking a small portion of the temporal artery for microscopic examination. One simple lab test, the sedimentation rate, is high in people with this condition, and it confirms the suspicion that temporal arteritis is responsible for the headache and other symptoms. Prednisone is one of the powerful cortisone drugs, the best inflammation-fighting drugs we have. Itʼs unusual for your symptoms of weakness and lack of energy to come from prednisone. It usually has the opposite effects. Temporal arteritis, however, can make a person listless and pooped

out. Give the medicine a chance to work. An illness often seen simultaneously with temporal arteritis is polymyalgia rheumatica, whose prominent features are pain and stiffness of the neck, shoulder, back, hip and thigh muscles. Luckily, prednisone controls it too, so both are treated with the same medicine. The headache booklet describes the more common kinds of headaches, but not temporal arteritis. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 901W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipientʼs printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery. *** DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Two years ago, I was a passenger on a motorcycle and fell to the asphalt. I suffered a hematoma of my buttock. A few months later I was rear-ended when stopped in my auto. I was treated only with pain medicine. The hematoma is somewhat smaller, but itʼs as hard as a rock. I have lower-back pain and intolerable pain when I sit. Is there any treatment? -- S.B. ANSWER: A hematoma is a collection of blood deep in the tissues, most of the time in a muscle. Athletes who play contact sports are always getting one. Itʼs like a bruise. Frequently the body absorbs the pool of blood, but sometimes it turns into bone -- ossifies. That process is myositis (muscle) ossificans. Even an ossified hematoma can regress. If it doesnʼt and if it causes pain, an orthopedic surgeon can possibly remove it. Speak with one of those doctors. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

Suddenly Raising Grandchildren

Tidbits of the Tri-Cities

A different kind of pharmacy • Custom Compounding for People and Pets • Large Inventory of Braces and Supports • Compression Products Fitter on Staff • Delivery Service Available • Fast and Friendly Service

Kirkpatrick’s Pharmacy

518 South Sycamore St., Petersburg, VA 23803

804-733-5888

www.kirkpatrickspharmacy.com

Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-1pm, Sun Closed

Linda S. Long

When grandchildren suddenly come to live at your house and become your responsibility, thereʼs usually no advanced notice. A sudden turn of events -- a tragedy, substance abuse, a set of military orders to a hostile area -- followed by a knock on the door, and youʼre back to raising children. This time itʼs your grandchildren you find yourself responsible for. There are sure to be complications: Maybe youʼre in an adults-only community. Maybe youʼre barely making ends meet. Maybe youʼd always planned to retire and travel the world -alone. Maybe your health isnʼt that great lately. Maybe you still work a fulltime job. If you find yourself in this situation, youʼre not alone; more than 2 million grandparents are raising grandchildren. Fortunately, there are resources. Here are two: Go to aarp.org and look at the GrandCare Toolkit. Thereʼs more to suddenly being responsible for raising grandchildren than one might imagine, until youʼre thrust into the situation. The Toolkit

Middletown Square 1511 City Point Rd., Hopewell, VA

Phone (804) 458-1995 Toll Free 1-800-445-1258

24 Hour VM 751-4539 Email: lindaslong@hotmail.com Associate Broker Outstanding Sales Club Lifetime Member

FORD AGENCY

REAL ESTATE

has links to a wealth of information: where to find help, legal issues (you might need legal guardianship before you can even register your grandchild in school or authorize medical procedures), finances and public benefits, health insurance, tax considerations, childproofing a house and even a beginnerʼs guide to computing with grandchildren. See www.raisingyourgrandchildren.com for links to local and state resources, advice for dealing with stress, information on financial assistance you might qualify for and ways to help children who may be coming out of abuse or neglect situations. While these sites wonʼt do the hard part -- the actual raising of your grandchildren -- it might help to know youʼre not alone and that there is help out there. 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.

Speaking Spanish is as easy as reading English! (Read the third line in English and Spanish will come forth!)

May God bless you Que Dios le bendiga KAY / DEE+OHS / LAY / ben-DEE-gah

Carmen M. Martin

24Hour VM 751-9560 Email: cmartincrs@yahoo.com Associate Broker CRS, CSP, GRI U.S. Air Force (Ret.)

Put the Power of Two to Work for You!

Helping Buyers and Sellers Realize Their Dreams Since 1984! Specializing in Military Moves and New Construction Chesterfield • Colonial Heights • Dinwiddie • Hopewell • Petersburg • Prince George

Spanish for the Workplace and Beyond Dawn Strickland Owner & Trainer

(804) 458-6119

Dawn@SpanishForTheWorkplace.com www.SpanishForTheWorkplace.com

Customized, on-site group training focused on your profession: •Occupational Spanish Language Programs •Translation Services

•Cross-Cultural Training •Tutoring

Se ofrecen clases de inglés para grupitos -- Preguntar por Alba

TIDBITS GOES NUTS (continued): • Until the mid-1970s, most of the pistachios that were consumed in the U.S. were imported from the Middle East. There, the method used to harvest the nuts commonly damaged the outer shells, leaving them discolored and bruised. That’s why, for many years, in-theshell pistachios were dyed red. Today, virtually all U.S. pistachios are grown in California. And modern harvesting equipment allows the nuts to be harvested blemish-free, so “white” pistachios are becoming more common. Still, a few consumers insist that the red ones are better.

��

Play better golf with JACK NICKLAUS

• Before they cut out free snacks altogether, many airlines switched from nuts to pretzels. That’s to accommodate travelers with peanut allergies. Some individuals have nut allergies so strong that just sitting in the same aircraft as someone scarfing nuts in the back row will affect them adversely.

1. When was the last time a New York Yankees player before Alex Rodriguez (156 in 2007) had as many as 155 RBIs in a season? 2. When was the last time the Cincinnati Reds played in the postseason?

• In North America, hazelnuts are only grown in the Pacific Northwest: Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. They are used primarily for confections, such as pralines and chocolate truffles. Hazelnuts are known as filberts in certain parts of the world. Extract from the nut can be used as flavoring. • The term “peanut gallery” dates back to the 1880s, when vaudeville acts were common. Typical theatres were divided into three sections: orchestra (“floor seats”), balcony (“second tier”), and gallery (“nosebleed section”). The spectators in the gallery were invariably the most critical. They were also quite vocal in their disapproval of any act that they didn’t find sufficiently entertaining. Roasted peanuts were the most common snack offered at these venues, so of course, displeased folks in the gallery often pelted onstage performers with peanut shells to emphasize their level of dissatisfaction.

Page 5

3. Since the NFL expanded to four divisions in each conference in 2002, only two divisions have had all its teams win at least one division title. Name them. 4. Who won the first NIT men’s basketball final in 1938? 5. Name the first European to capture the NHL’s Conn Smythe trophy (MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs). 6. Who was the only athlete to win the Boston and New York City marathons in the same year twice? 7. Name the last gold medal winner for the U.S. in boxing.

Mickey Thompson Book Well Worth the Read Weʼre dedicating this weekʼs column to one of the all-time greats in auto racing, namely the late Mickey Thompson. A book on his life will soon be available at bookstores nationwide. “Mickey Thompson: The Fast Life and Tragic Death of a Racing Legend” is skillfully written by noted racing author Erik Arneson, a former motorsports reporter for USA Today and vice president of media relations at Speed TV. Thompson was, and always will be, one of my all-time heroes. He competed in every form of racing imaginable, although heʼs perhaps best remembered for his 406.60 mph land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1960 in his famed Challenger I. Even today, Thompsonʼs line of racing and street-performance tires are popular aftermarket offerings. However, Mickey Thompson was much more. He was an innovator at everything he did, especially at Indianapolis. I held him in the same esteem as Smokey Yunick, particularly when it came to pioneering designs that appeared at the Brickyard. Sadly, it was one of Thompsonʼs cars that started Indyʼs double fatal crash in 1964 that took the life of Thompsonʼs driver, road-racing legend Dave MacDonald, and the ultra popular Eddie Sachs. It was indeed a grim day in racing. Always a drag racer, Thompson fielded numerous top drag cars, including a twin-engine rail and a Pontiac Hemi dragster for legendary Jack Chrisman. Thompsonʼs Funny Cars soon made the scene, the top two being the dominating 1969 Ford Mustangs driven by the late Pat Foster and soon to-be Indy Car star Danny Ongais. Thompson later turned to off-road racing, where he

built a huge business. In the midst of his off-roadracing seriesʼ popularity, Thompson and his wife, Trudy, were shot to death -- execution style -- in their driveway in the pre-dawn hours of March 16, 1988. Arneson draws on some of the most extensive information available on Thompson in his book, including both the famous and infamous details of his life and death. He skillfully calls on all who could help tell the story in this, the first, true account of what really happened before and after unknown hooded gunmen rode into a gated Southern California community on bicycles and ambushed Thompson and his wife, brutally ending their lives while neighbors read the morning paper. Arneson points to the fact that the killers left behind more than $70,000 in jewelry, thus the obvious “hit” intentions. Those close to Mickey and Trudy, including the coupleʼs immediate family, quickly pointed to Mickeyʼs hotheaded former business partner Michael Goodwin as the mastermind behind the murders. Nearly 20 years later, a jury found Goodwin guilty of two counts of first-degree murder. The actual gunmen were never identified or apprehended. John Walsh and “Americaʼs Most Wanted,” and Robert Stack of “Unsolved Mysteries” featured the murders on their TV shows, as did the CBS “48 Hours Mystery.” The scandalous details of the crime, which Arneson explains in detail, and the years of legal wrangling that followed made for hundreds of splashy headlines and television clips. I am fortunate to be one of those who got to read the book prior to publication. The day the book arrived, I had just returned from a business trip and it was midnight on a Friday night. I picked it up for a quick browse, and ended up putting on a pot of coffee and staying up through Saturday morning. Yes, itʼs that engrossing.

For Advertising Call 1.804.731.7504

Tidbits® of the Tri-Cities • “I line my cookie sheets with aluminum foil. A lot of people do. But as soon as I have made a batch of cookies, I wipe it clean with a damp paper towel. Then I can set it aside to cool while another batch is cooking. I can do many batches with one lining of foil, and this saves me money.” -- V.K. in Oregon (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

• Don’t store propane tanks in the garage. They have a freezing point of -310 F, so they can stay outside year-round. • “If you’re like me and wear glasses and get your hair colored, try this wonderful tip. My hairdresser keeps a container full of glove fingers in her drawer. She cuts the fingers off the plastic gloves after the pair of gloves gets worn. I slip one over each stem of my glasses, and they are protected while the color is on my hair. I can put them on without worrying about the chemicals messing with the plastic, and I just slip them off when my hair is ready to be rinsed.” -- F.E. in New York

• “I use coffee filters to clean windows and mirrors. They are less crumply than newspaper, but still are lint-free and give a nice shine.” -- P.C. in Virginia

•

• “My husband is hard on buttons. So, I sew the waist buttons on his pants with dental floss. A touch of shoe polish helps the white to blend in, and it’s as tough as he is. I don’t recall ever having to resew a button that was put on with floss.” -- U.S. in Michigan • “My kids love to do chalk drawings, and when they have finished a particularly nice one, we spray it with hairspray. It sets the chalk so that it doesn’t shake off or rub off too much.” -- S.N. in Georgia

•

Watherstripping 101 By Samantha Mazzotta

Q: This is my second year in an apartment with drafty windows. The landlord said it was OK for us to do whatever we like to stop the cold air from rushing in. Iʼm tired of putting up crinkly, ugly plastic sheets, though. Is there an alternative? -Blair J., Malden, Mass. A: You have some additional options besides plastic sheeting. Weatherstripping can stop drafts while allowing windows to be opened or closed as usual. Three types of material are available: metal, vinyl or felt. They are attached one of two ways -- with brads (very small nails) or by adhesive attached to the back of the strip. Vinyl or felt stripping is easier to work with, while metal stripping is much more durable. Since youʼre in a temporary living situation, Iʼd recommend you stick with vinyl weatherstripping, particularly compressible foam strips. These strips

come on a roll that costs less than $10, and they have an adhesive backing so that all you have to do is peel and stick. Run a strip along the bottom of the window sash -- the part that meets the frame when you close the window. Be sure clean the adhesive area well and let dry. If the outdoor temperature is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, youʼll want to heat the sash bottom for a couple of minutes with a hair dryer to ensure the strip will stick well. If your windows rattle and have drafts coming in all around, add tubular vinyl stripping. This is a roll of tubing, sometimes with a flat strip protruding from the side. Itʼs applied to the outside of the window along the edges. Hold the strip flat and taut against the bottom and sides of the sash while a partner carefully nails the tubing to the sash (use only brads to attach, and donʼt nail to the sill). If you canʼt access the outside of the windows because youʼre in an upper-level apartment, run felt weatherstripping along the interior sides of the window sash, folding over and along the top and bottom if possible. The felt strip may have an adhesive back, but should also be attached with brads spaced about 3 inches apart.

•

TIDBITS GOES NUTS (continued): Other than humans (and maybe angry elephants), the only creatures capable of cracking open the tough outer shell of the Macadamia nut are Hyacinth macaw parrots. Good thing, since this nut is a staple part of their diet. Macadamia nuts are very toxic to dogs, however, so if you have both a parrot and a pooch, keep their food dishes separate. Mr. Peanut has been the Planters mascot since 1916 (see image). For much of the 1990s, however, the venerable little peanut man appeared mostly in the background of Planter’s ads. The company thought he might be a bit “old-fashioned.” Early in the new millennium, however, the company decided to reintroduce Mr. Peanut as a hip, yet dignified, party-animal type of guy. He appeared in a series of animated commercials dancing away like a legume half his age. Sales of Planters’ products increased more than 15% the first year. If you’re going to feed peanuts to your friendly neighborhood squirrels, please give them the roasted (not raw) variety. Raw peanuts contain a chemical that can make the little critters ill by preventing the absorption of protein into their systems. Despite its name, there are no legumes in Chock Full O’Nuts brand coffee. The company’s founder, William Black, got his start in the business world by running a small nut stand in New York City. He later added a lunch counter, where he served sandwiches and coffee. Over time, there was such a demand for his special blend of coffee that he sold it commercially to grocery stores. He gave his brew the same name as his luncheonette: Chock Full O’Nuts.

HOME TIP: Drafty windows are a major source of heat loss in homes, yet can usually be insulated in a couple hours for just a few dollars -- an investment well worth making. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

HIGH VISIBILITY • RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! • CALL 1.804.731.7504 We restore property back to pre-event condition that has been damaged by: FIRE • WATER• MOLD • BIOHAZARD

General Contractor Class A Licensed/Insured

Call us today!

��

Call Today!

(804) 520-8844

www.ppr-va.puroclean.com Available 24/7/365

Rates As Low as $12.50 per week

(804) 541-8273

We specialize in: Roofing • Siding • Replacement Windows New Construction • Room Additions • Remodeling

The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read.

(804) 731-7504

Join today and let us help YOUR BUSINESS prosper & grow!

�� Partners in Business and Education

��

201 Temple Ave., Suite E

804-526-5872

www.colonial-heights.com/ chamberofcommerce.htm

The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read.

(804) 731-7504

Page 7

ALL THE PRESIDENTS’ TIDBITS:

GERALD R. FORD

In almost every case, the president of the United States has been a man either elected to the office or who succeeded to the position after being elected vice president. The sole exception? A man who would become known as Gerald Ford. • Leslie Lynch King. Jr. was born on July 14, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska. His parents divorced when the tot was only two, and his mother married a gent named Gerald Ford two years later. The president-to-be’s new father legally adopted the child, and the family began to refer to him as Gerald Junior. (He’d later change his name legally.) • By the time he reached his twenties, Ford was certainly a “well-rounded” individual. Physical skill? He was a star football player at the University of Michigan and was invited to try out for the NFL. Intelligence? That’s why he didn’t decide to play professional football – he chose to study law at Yale instead. Good looks? He appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine in 1942. Dedication? He was wearing his Navy officer uniform in that cover photo, and served in the South Pacific during World War II. • Having developed an affinity for Michigan, Ford returned there after the War. He joined the Republican Party and ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1948. After winning the election, Gerald married Betty Warren, and the two settled in for the long haul. He served as a U.S. Representative for a full quarter-century until 1973, when President Richard Nixon chose him to replace the recently-resigned Spiro Agnew as vice president. Republicans hoped that Ford’s popularity would help ease the public’s concerns over stories circulating about Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal. • Unfortunately, Ford took office during a period of difficulty for America. The energy crisis was at its peak; consumer prices, inflation, and unemployment had risen; and public faith in government had deteriorated. One of Ford’s first actions in 1974 was to issue an unconditional pardon for Richard Nixon, an action that seemed to many Americans like politicians “taking care of their own.” It was a critical move, and many of those close to the president weren’t pleased. (In fact, White House press secretary and close personal friend Jerald F. terHorst resigned in protest.) • The new president felt that the action was warranted, but it made it all too easy for citizens to criticize Ford. After all, they hadn’t voted him into office. A few months later, when several states held elections for new members of Congress, the public voted in enough Democrats to give them control of Capitol Hill. As a Republican, this further eroded Ford’s ability to accomplish very much as commander-in-chief.

ANSWERS

Page 6

�� Kids grow like weeds, and their interests change with the wind leaving you with unused and unwanted clothing, toys, and equipment. So what can you do? Visit Once Upon A Child, and turn those items into cash or trade them in for things you need now! We buy and sell gently used and new clothes, furniture, equipment and more. Bring in this coupon for

(804) 526-1333

Mon-Sat: 10-7, Sun: 12-5 192 Southgate Square Col. Heights

10% Off

all regular-priced store items OUAC-Tidbits offer exp. 10/19/08. Not valid with other offers.

Save Money With Yankee Ingenuity Itʼs almost as though Yankee Magazine had todayʼs shaky economy in mind when it published “Living Well on a Shoestring” back in 2000. The bookʼs subtitle, “1,501 Ingenious Ways to Spend Less for What You Need and Have More for What You Want,” certainly applies to us now as we struggle to conserve every possible dollar. “Living Well” is loaded with more tips than youʼll likely ever use for holding onto your money. Many are just plain common sense, quite a few are pure Yankee ingenuity, but most of them are worth trying. As the book notes, frugality is about finding clever ways to save money. Throughout the book youʼll find first-person stories and hints about saving money. While some of them are a bit over the top, for the most part theyʼre creative and ingenious ways to accomplish or acquire what you need and keep your money (or most of it) in your pocket. Small savings steps, as the book points out, can add up to a big difference. Some of the categories in the book include: inexpensive games to make for kids, health-care home remedies, spending less on hobbies and sports,

1. Joe DiMaggio had 155 RBIs in 1948. 2. In 1995, the Reds beat Los Angeles and then lost to Atlanta in the playoffs. 3. The NFC South and the AFC West. 4. Temple beat Colorado for the title. 5. Nicklas Lidstrom in 2002. 6. Bill Rodgers in 1978 and 1979. 7. Light heavyweight Andre Ward in 2004.

automotive (buying a car, taking care of it, basic maintenance), cutting costs in your home office, and electronics and small appliances (repairs and troubleshooting). The chapters on spending less at the grocery store and preparing thrifty meals at home offer practical, down-home ideas. One hint suggests deleting one unnecessary item from your weekly grocery list on a permanent basis, and multiplying the cost by 52 weeks to see how much youʼll save in a year. For those who are either looking for a job or have one and need to maintain the appropriate look, the chapter “Thrifty Ways to Dress Well” offers tips on spotting a quality garment, how to give old clothes new life with a few basic alterations, how to darn socks and repair a zipper, stain removal and more. Perhaps one of the best things about consulting an older book such as “Living Well” is that itʼs generally available at a reduced cost. Look online for used copies, some as low as a dollar, or hunt through book sales in your area. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

Pamplin Historical Park: For more information on events at our park call (804) 861-2408 or toll-free 1-877-PAMPLIN Old Time Fair Oct. 25-26, 2008 By popular demand, the Fair is back in town! Step back to the 19th century when traveling shows visited small towns across America with “death-defying” acts, musical presentations, midway games, and more. Old Time Fair is fun and educational for the entire family. Free with Park admission.

L/D

$4.50�� $12.95

All� Major

We're�here�because�sometimes�good� g food�is�a�little�hard�to�find.��Our�menu� features�the�finest�baby�back�BBQ�ribs,� steaks,�seafood,�and�more!��Nana's� desserts�made�fresh�daily.

L/D

$5.00�� $26.00

V/MC� AE

New�Restaurant��Now�Open!��We� specialize�in�offering�fine�dining�at� affordable�prices.��Our�selections�include� L/D authentic�cuisine�from�Mexico,�Cuba,� Spain�and�Peru.

$6.50�� $18.95

All� Major

The�first�Italian�&�Greek�restaurant�in� the�Tri�Cities.��Serving�the�finest�Italian� &�Greek�cuisine�since�1975!

L/D

$6.50�� $14.95

V/MC

Come�taste�our�award�winning�BBQ� sauce and�take�a�bottle�home!�� Delicious�barbecue,�"fall�off�the�bone"� L/D pork�ribs,�soups,�salads,�sandwiches,�and� appetizers.��Catering�available.

$3.49�� $19.99

V/M

Hide-A-Way Café Hide-A-Way 105 Highland Avenue Colonial Heights, VA (804) 524-0505

Luna Restaurant 208 E. Cawson St. Hopewell, VA (804) 452-5135 or 452-5136

The Mad Italian Pasta and Steak House 2545 S. Crater Rd. Petersburg, VA (804) 732-9268

Prince George Family Barbecue 4605 County Drive (Rt. 460) Petersburg, VA (804) 732-3278

�

SC/M

CO/CT

SC/M

CO/D� CT

SC/M CO/CT

City of Hopewell: 12th Annual City Point 5K River Run & Walk Oct. 25, 2008 The run, which will begin and end at John Randolph Medical Center, is a flat out and back scenic run along the Appomattox River and passes several historic areas of City Point. For further information, call Malcolm Covington, Race Director at 541-2356.

YOUR RESTAURANT AD HERE!

1st Annual City of Hopewell Dodge Ball Tournament Nov. 1, 2008 Ready for a fun-filled day of Dodge Ball with six of your best friends? Hopewell Department of Recreation and Parks will be sponsoring both a Youth and an Adult Dodge Ball Tournament at Hopewell Community Center. For more information, call Ronnie Parker at 541-2356. Register by October 25, 2008. Virginia Author Series at the Appomattox Regional Library System Nov. 6, 2008 Elizabeth Scott, an author of young adult novels, will speak at the Hopewell Library at 7:00 p.m. Originally from Prince George County, Ms. Scott writes coming of age novels. Her books, “Bloom” and “Stealing Heaven”, have received high praise. For more information, please call 804-458-6329 or visit www.arls.org Nov. 22, 2008 James Stoneking will present a program at 2:00p.m. on The Oral History Project, which he directs at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School. Some of his student volunteers will join him in a discussion of the rewards of recording the personal histories of local elderly citizens. For more information, please call 804-4586329 or visit www.arls.org

CALL TIDBITS TO HAVE YOUR EVENT LISTED!

New Home For Rent

•Colonial Heights• Just built new home. 4 bdrm, 3.5 bath - $1500/month $50 application fee Call 804-919-6665

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

WWW.TRICITIESTIDBITS.COM

Reservations� Accepted

Come�join�the�fun�and�taste�our� authentic�Mexican�food!��New�seafood� dishes�and�an�extensive�dessert�menu� are�sure�to�please.

� � � � � � � � �

Carryout,�Delivery,� Catering�(CO/D/CT)

All� Major

Sen.�Citiz./Military� Discount�(SC/M)

$6.50�� $18.95

� � � �

Outside�Seating

L/D

All�You�Can�Eat

Only�the�finest�meats,�seafood�and� freshest�vegetables�find�their�way�into� our�kitchen.��Our�selections�include� authentic�cuisine�from�Mexico,�Cuba,� Spain�and�Peru.

Description

Children's�Menu

3609 Boulevard Colonial Heights, VA (804) 520-8422

Credit�Cards

Schools out Trip for Election Day Nov. 4, 2008 Is your child out of school for election day? If so, check out our school’s out trip at Peak Experiences. The cost is $17.00 which includes chaperones, transportation, and a day of rock climbing. This activity is for ages 5 to 16 . Open to all. For more information call: 520-9390.

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant

Meal�Price� Range

American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR course: Nov. 1, 2008 Come out and learn how to recognize and treat life threatening emergencies, including cardiac arrest and choking for adult, child and infant victims.This course will take place from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Cost is $20.00 and includes all materials. Open to all. For more information call: 520-9390.

7 Bollingbrook Street Petersburg, VA (804) 733-1515

Meals�Served

Vegas in the Heights! Nov.1, 2008 Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce wants to invite you to Vegas in the Heights Casino night. The event will be held from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm at the American Legion Post #284 located at 505 Springdale Ave., Colonial Heights. Come enjoy great food, great atmosphere, great friends, and great fun! Call 526-5872 for ticket information.

Andrades International Restaurant

Coupon�Offer

City of Colonial Heights:

Restaurant

Ad�on�Page

A Stitch in Time: A Beginner’s Journey to Quilting Nov. 8, 2008 Create a 16-inch quilt block by hand using reproduction Civil War-era fabrics. Learn about the history of quilting from different perspectives. Reservations and fee required.

To Advertise Call (804) 731-7504

� � � � � �