Tidbits of the Tri-Cities - Issue #13 by Jason Barrett

of the Tri-Cities Issue 13

Nov. 3- Nov. 9, 2008 Barrett Media Solutions, LLC.

For Ad Rates call: 1.804.731.7504

ads@tricitiestidbits.com

Remodeling & Renovation

Specializing in Fine Italian & Greek Cuisine!

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

Serving the Tri-Cities & Ft. Lee since 1975! h& Lunc ecials S er p Dinn aily! D

Owned by Chris Skordas

“King of the Greek Salad”

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

TIDBITS DENIES ANY SKULLDUGGERY:

BONE APPÉTIT!

(804) 931-1857 • Lic.# VA2705097373A waskey@waskeyconstruction.com

by John R. Groesbeck

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

ay W a dei 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

The ankle bone’s connected to the leg bone, the leg bone’s connected to the thigh bone… and this Tidbits connects you to some bony trivia! • The average adult human’s body contains 206 bones. But when that human being first entered the world, he or she may have had 270 bones or more. Why? An infant’s skull and face is constructed of many small bones hinged together by flexible suture joints. (This makes it possible for the baby’s huge head to pass through the birth canal.) As the child grows older, those smaller bones fuse together to become one larger, solid skull. • The slang term “sawbones” refers specifically to a surgeon, not just any ol’ doctor. The first recorded use of the word dates back to 1837. And, yes, the name came about due to the then-traditional “cure-all” of amputation. • Bones not only allow us to stand upright and form a frame for our muscles and skin to stretch around, they also protect us. The ribs curl around our lungs and heart, two of our most delicate and necessary organs. The skull is the body’s “helmet” and keeps the brain safe, while the vertebrae in our back and neck encase the all-important spinal cord. turn the page for more!

Come join the fun and taste our authentic Mexican food at Don Jose! Open 7 Days a Week! Sun.-Thurs. 11-10 Fri.-Sat. 11-11 3609 Boulevard • Col. Heights

�

��

(804) 520-8422

$2.50 Kid’s Meals on Mon. & Wed. (Includes Drink)

Don Jose Coupon

New Extended Menu!

24 HR SER VICE

Serving Tri-Cities & Fort Lee Areas

Buy 1 Lunch or Dinner, Get 2nd

1/2 PRICE

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

Duck’s Locksmithing, Inc 526-3962 • 733-DUCK (3825)

Residential / Commercial Auto

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

www.duckslocks.com

WANT TO RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS? Publish a Paper in Your Area If You Can Provide: Sales Experience · A Computer · Desktop Publishing Software · A Reasonable Financial Investment

Serving Lunch & Dinner 7 Days A Week!

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

4605 County Drive Petersburg (Rt 460)

Good after 4 p.m. Mon-Thurs Only

Take Out

1/2 PRICE

Half price meal must be of equal or lesser value. Not valid with other offers.

Tidbits offer exp. 12/31/08 • PGF BBQ

Ph 732-3278 Fx 732-3277

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.

�� 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

Tidbits® of the Tri-Cities

•

Shih-tzu Is Biting Herself Crazy By Samantha Mazzotta DEAR PAWʼS CORNER: What would make my shih-tzu bite her tail? I noticed that “Mitzy” was constantly trying to nibble her own tail. When I looked closer, I found a hard lump and a small cut that was draining. She bites at it worse at night. Mitzy has no fleas, but she does have dry skin. Whatʼs going on? -- Alice H., via e-mail DEAR ALICE: Without knowing exactly where the lump is located, I canʼt say for certain. It goes without saying that any change in a dogʼs behavior, or anything odd that you notice on your pet (such as a new lump or a draining cut) should prompt you to visit the veterinarian as soon as possible for a thorough checkup. Some dogs, regardless of breed, suffer from chronic dry skin. But dry skin can be a herald of a deeper health problem, such as a thyroid condition, which can only be determined

through a blood test. So, the best thing to do, again, is mention it to Mitzyʼs vet when you bring her in to have the lump checked. The vet may do a biopsy to determine whether the lump is benign. He or she also will ask you a number of questions about Mitzyʼs daily behavior: how much and how often she eats, if she is drinking and urinating more than usual, if the dry skin has been a problem for a long time or if itʼs recent, any known food allergies or health problems, and so on. If there are no underlying problems, the vet may recommend that you try a change in Mitzyʼs diet (he or she will give you some options) to treat her dry skin. You can also add an Omega 3 supplement to her food -- the vet may have this available, or you can purchase the supplement at a pet store.

Your journey ends at Pet Safari.

•

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?

•

BONE APPÉTIT! (continued): The smallest bones in our bodies are inside the ear, and are commonly called the hammer, anvil, and stirrup. They perform a very complex function as the conduit between external sound vibrations and the inner ear that sends those (continued): signals toBICYCLES the brain. Past the eardrum, the ear contains If you’ve ever tried to • canal In the 1890s, fluid. the first “modern” bicycles appeared: chain-driven vehicles simishout at someone underwater in awith swimming larly-sized tires. These were safer than thebe pool, you know how muddled sounds can high-wheel models (and were even called when traveling through liquids. These three “safety bicycles” as a result), but proved a step tiny bones act like a pipeline, transmitting backwards in comfort. While the long spokes of sound vibrations innerand earruts, canal high-wheel bikesthrough absorbedthe bumps the to the auditory nerve. smaller wheels on these new bikes, particularly when coupled with the hard-rubber tires of the By contrast, the biggest, longest, and strongest era, made for jarring, unpleasant rides. bone in the human body is the femur. It’s the • bone More than a million bicycles were sold in the that most of us call the “thigh bone,” and United States by the time 1895 rolled around, it extends from the hip down to the knee. Due last improvement would propel the tobut theone sheer density necessary for this bone to bicycle into the must-own category: the pneusupport most of ourthe weight, only of anthe extremely matic tire. Under guidance Pope violent injury is likely to cause a fracture. Manufacturing Company (which made bicycles), the Hartford Rubber produced Forensic anthropologists areWorks scientists who America’s first pneumatic tires in 1895. analyze human skeletal remains for Prolegal viding a much softer ride, they soon became a purposes. From a single bone or even bone standard feature on all bicycle models. fragments, they may be able to determine a • Dozens of smaller-scale improvements boosted person’s gender, race, and and age.performance They might the speed, comfort, longevity even learn where bone’s owner up, of bicycles during the the 20th century. As grew women and whatto his her as diet was like. skills began findorthem necessary as Their men, two varieties were made. Men’s bikes can be putoftobicycle use not only to identify recent were built with an extra stabilizer bar across victims, but also ancient human remains. the top of the bike. Women’s bikes omitted the bar, What parents tell their children are “growing providing for easier mounting and dismounting pains” are the same aches a doctor of the vehicle when wearing skirts. may refer to as 1970s Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease.of Ittwo sounds • The saw the development biserious, but is relatively common (especially cycle extremes. First came bicycles that took in you nowhere. Otherwise known as exercise young athletes) and is usually outgrown with no bikes, these training aidstubercle first hit is thethe home complications. The tibial point market at the beginning of the to decade. Then, where kneecap tendon anchors the shinbone. as time went on and the energy crisis sent fuel The tendons of a child very active in sports prices skyrocketing, mopeds appeared. These develop faster than the kneecap does. Thiswith pulls bicycle/motorcycle hybrids, most popular oncity-centered the tibial tubercle, causing discomfort in business workers, could either bethe knee and lower leg. bike or powered using a pedaled like a regular small, low-powered gasoline engine.

Come see our great selection. Financing Available! 2225 Boulevard • Colonial Heights Fresh & and er Fish w , lt s Sa at als Puppie s, or C erret Birds, F re! o and M ms & Aquariu ater W m iu r s a e Aqu Snak

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

... •••the very finest

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

“Spaw” Services

Aquamassage • Blueberry Facials Mud Baths & More

Other Services:

Creative Grooming • Teeth Brushing Shedless Treatments & More

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

(804) 731-7504 Call Amy for an appointment!

(804) 520-BARK

16416 Jeff Davis Hwy • Col. Heights

ads@tricitiestidbits.com Visit us on the web at www.tricitiestidbits.com

For Advertising Call 1.804.731.7504

Page 3

Tidbits presents:

O U R LO CA 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.

Ingredients 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons warm water 1 1/2 teaspoons molasses (not robust or blackstrap) 3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened 6 tablespoons superfine granulated sugar

Makes about 42 cookies Active Time:35 min Start to Finish:1 1/2 hr

Spice Cookies Directions: Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 2 large baking sheets. Whisk together flour, spices, and salt in a bowl. Stir baking soda into warm water in a cup until dissolved, then stir in molasses. Beat together butter and sugar in another bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in baking soda mixture until combined well, then beat in flour mixture until just combined (dough will be crumbly but will hold together when rolling balls). Working with half of dough, roll level teaspoons of dough into balls, arranging them about 2 inches apart on 1 baking sheet. Flatten balls into 1 1/4-inch rounds with tines of a fork, dipping fork in flour to prevent sticking if necessary. Bake cookies until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool. Make more cookies with remaining dough on remaining baking sheet in same manner.

of the Tri-Cities By Samantha Weaver • It was French existential philosopher and author Jean-Paul Sartre who made the following observation: “To believe is to know you believe, and to know you believe is not to believe.” • The opossum is the only marsupial that is native to the continent of North America. • Jack Welch was the chairman and CEO of General Electric for 20 years beginning in 1981. When he retired, in 2001, his retirement package (better known these days as a “golden parachute”) included such lifetime perks as three country club memberships; a box at the Metropolitan Opera; seats at Wimbledon, the French Open and the U.S. Open; tickets to the Red Sox, the Yankees and the Knicks; free dry-cleaning service; food, wine, flowers and waitstaff whenever he’s in New York City; and free telephone and computer service at all five of his homes. Nice deal if you can get it. • If you’re like the average American, you’ll eat about 35,000 cookies in your lifetime. • Ever wonder why blue jeans are blue? When they were first designed, by Levi Strauss, the people most likely to wear them were those who did a great deal of manual labor. Strauss rightly assumed the work was likely to be dirty, so he dyed his new trousers indigo to help hide stains. • Regular airmail service by the U.S. Post Office began way back in 1918. The first route was between Washington, D.C., and New York City, with a stop along the way in Philadelphia. • The name of the North American reindeer known as “caribou” comes from the Native American language Micmac. The word translates roughly as “snow shoveler.” (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

Special Thanks to Many Area Businesses that Distribute Tidbits ! Colonial Heights: Academy Vet Clinic All Tune & Lube American Family Fitness Ample Storage Angel Nails Bank of McKenney BB&T Bank Boulevard Barbeque BSV Bank Burchams Cycles C.H. Chamber of Commerce C.H. Public Library Caldwell Pediatrics Care Advantage Carini’s Italian Restaurant Carvel Ice Cream Castaway’s Coffee Shop Colonial Heights Vet Clinic Colonial Italian Pizza Dairy Queen/Jersey Mike’s Dance’s Sporting Goods Domino’s Pizza Don Jose Mexican Family Rest. Dunkin Donuts/Exxon El Caporal Mexican Family Rest. Family Care Eye Practice Flagstop Car Wash Gateway Honda Gateway Hyundai Golden Corral Goodyear Tire Hair Artist Hair Experience Harriet’s Hair Magic Hertz Hide-a-Way Café James River Printing Johnson Cleaners

Kwik Kopy Lion’s Mane McDonalds Mi Rodeo Mexican Restaurant Moxie Salon & Spa No. 1 New China Once Upon A Child Papa Johns Pet Safari Long Pharmacy Plus Pizza Hut Prime Care Family Practice Priority Toyota Quiznos Rent-E-Quip Signature Salon & Spa Smart Choice Deli & Café Swader’s Sports Park The Bowling Alley The Tanning Club The UPS Store Tina’s Nails Tokyo Express Top’s China VCA Animal Care Vincenzos Italian Restaurant What-a-Burger

Hopewell: Anchor Room Pizza Appomattox Regional Library Asian American Chinese BB&T Bank Carraway Glass Chanello’s Pizza Courthouse Café Dairy Queen Heretik Feed & Seed Hong Kong Hopewell Bowling Center

Hopewell Builder Supply Hopewell Community Center Hopewell Health Care Center HPG Chamber of Commerce John Randolph Medical Center Kentucky Fried Chicken Leones Italian Restaurant Long John Silvers Luna Restaurant Term Papa Care Johns Pizza Hut Randolph Market Rosa’s Italian Sub Hub Subway Tops China

Petersburg: Andrade’s International Rest. Batter’s Choice Sports BB&T Bank Captain D’s Dixie Diner Dunkin Donuts Enterprise Car Rental Java Mio Kentucky Fried Chicken Kirkpatrick’s Pharmacy Mad Italian Restaurant McDonalds New York Deli & Café Pizza Hut Sals Pizza Simonas Italian Restaurant Subway Sycamore Professional Center The Bistro Market & Grove The Retreat Salon & Spa Walnut Hill Cleaners Walnut Hill Pharmacy

Prince George: Prince George Family Barbecue Roma’s Italian Restaurant Wendy’s (Travel Plaza)

Dinwiddie: BB&T Bank Brother’s Pizza Hong Kong What-a-Burger

Chester: Aqua Cleaners Bermuda Hundred Animal Hosp. Caesars Restaurant Chen’s Restaurant China Kitchen Enon Self Storage Go Orthopedics Hayes Insurance Jalapenos Restaurant Richmond Gastroentology Salon & Day Spa Sam’s Cleaners Stephanie’s Pet Grooming Total Tutors/C.H. Pediatrics Wings, Pizza & Things

Know of a restaurant or business that would like to carry Tidbits®? Call Today! 1-804-731-7504

Page 4

Tidbits® of the Tri-Cities

To Your Good Health By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Macular Degeneration Can be Wet or Dry DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Everything I read or hear about macular degeneration is always about dry macular degeneration. I happen to have the wet kind, and would like to know what its treatments are. Iʼve heard that vitamins work. Do they? Thank you. -- T.R.

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

ANSWER: In the well-off countries of the world, macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in people over 50. There are two varieties, wet and dry. The dry kind is the more common of the two, accounting for 85 percent to 90 percent of all macular degeneration cases. Both involve deterioration of the macula, a small circle on the retina, jam-packed with vision cells necessary for high-resolution sight like reading, watching TV, distinguishing faces and driving. Wet macular degeneration comes from a sudden proliferation of fragile blood vessels blossoming in and around the macula. Those vessels leak fluid and blood, and disrupt that sensitive area of sight. Wet macular degeneration often comes on quickly and can progress rapidly. You might have heard of the vitamin-mineral mixture used for slowing the progression of macular degeneration. It consists of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and the minerals zinc and copper. It is much more useful for dry macular degeneration. For wet macular degeneration, eye doctors can inject the eye with medicines that stop the generation and growth of new, delicate blood vessels. Lucentis and Avastin are two examples. Photodynamic therapy is another method of handling wet degeneration. Here, a drug that is sensitive to light is injected into a blood vessel. The drug localizes in the newly formed, fragile, troublemaking macular vessels. A laser is flashed on those vessels and they dry up. I donʼt know if your doctor has suggested any treatment. It may be that youʼre not at a stage when therapy would provide the most benefit. The booklet on macular degeneration describes the disease and its treatments. To obtain a copy, write: Dr. Donohue -- No. 701W, 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: I crave salt. I sprinkle it heavily on an egg in the morning. At noon I sprinkle it on potatoes, and in the evening on meat, corn or tomatoes. As a snack I eat raw potatoes sprinkled heavily with salt. My mother used lots of salt on her food. She lived to be 96. -- B. ANSWER: Most often, salt craving is a learned hankering. You were conditioned to grab the saltshaker by your mother, and she, probably, by her mother. You should conquer the salt habit. Even though it didnʼt hurt your mother and apparently hasnʼt hurt you, too much salt can raise blood pressure. Slowly wean yourself off your high-salt diet. Cook and season with things like lemon juice, lime juice, vinegar, pepper and the large array of herbs and spices found in every grocery store. In a month or so, youʼll wonder how you tolerated so much salt on your food. Youʼll experience tastes that salt had been completely obliterating.

Online Learning

Middletown Square 1511 City Point Rd., Hopewell, VA

Phone (804) 458-1995 Toll Free 1-800-445-1258 Linda S. Long

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

FORD AGENCY

REAL ESTATE

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

A whole world of knowledge has opened up to me since I discovered online learning. We have a wealth of classes available to us right on the Internet, ranging from informal to the university level, self-tutorials to instructorpresented, free to little cost. At Lifetime to Learn [www.lifetimetolearn.com] youʼll find Photoshop Introduction, Microsoft Outlook: Taming Your Inbox, and more. At Computer School for Seniors [www.cs4seniors.com] learn to restore old photographs and take great digital photos and much more. Ed2Go [www.ed2go.com] has an online instructor for every class, not just a tutorial you do yourself. Each class runs for six weeks and costs $99. Recent additions are Start Your Own Arts and Crafts Business and Business Law for the Small Business Owner. At the university level, imagine taking a course on Yeats from MIT, or a beginning French language class from Carnegie Mellon. While you wonʼt actually get credit for it (since youʼre not paying for the class), and you wonʼt have hands-on instructor presence, just think of the possibilities. MITʼs offerings are especially rich and comprehensive. I found a MIT class on America during the Depression, and it included hundreds of photos of the era, along with the class notes, a study materials list and links to related resources. To learn more about Open CourseWare, go to http://ocwfinder.com. Free and low-cost classes are all over the Internet. You only have to look for them. If youʼre new to computers and unsure of your way around, maybe your first stop (with a computer-savvy grandchild at your elbow) could be one of the “how to surf the Web” classes. Once you learn the basics of getting around on the Internet, youʼll be off and running. 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.

For Advertising Call 1.804.731.7504

��

•

BONE APPÉTIT! (continued): The humerus is the long bone that runs from your shoulder to your elbow. Some call it the “funny bone” due to its name (which resembles “humorous”). Others say that it’s due to the fact that when you accidentally bump the ulnar nerve in your elbow, you get a funny, tingling sensation up your arm. (That’s funny as in “strange,” not funny “ha-ha.”) About one-fourth of the bones in your body are located in your feet. Each foot has 26 bones and 33 joints. The natural arch in your foot is created by a combination of the tarsal and metatarsal bones, along with some tendons and ligaments. An arched foot helps to support the erect posture of a human and distribute its weight evenly with the least amount of wear and tear on the tootsies. What we usually refer to as our “tailbone” is properly called the coccyx. The word comes from the Greek for “cuckoo,” because ancient physicians thought that the bony protrusion resembled a cuckoo’s beak. The most commonly broken bone in the human body is the clavicle, also known as the collarbone. It is an S-shaped bone that connects the shoulder to the sternum (or breast plate). Why is this bone susceptible to such punishment? When humans fall down, they instinctively hold out their arms to brace and protect themselves. This action slams the hands hard onto the ground, and the force of the fall is typically absorbed by the shoulder joint, which jams harshly into the collarbone. Osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 million bone fractures in the U.S. every year. It affects women more than men, and white women more than other ethnic groups. After you turn 50, consult with your doctor regularly to discuss your bone density. Early detection can lead to preventative measures that will keep your bones in good shape!

Page 5

Play better golf with JACK NICKLAUS

1. Name the last full season before 2007 in which no majorleague team won 100 games or lost 100 games. 2. Pitchers Len Barker and Tom Browning each tossed a perfect game during the 1980s. Which one had more wins overall during that decade? 3. Name the first two NFL teams to play to an overtime tie after the NFL instituted its new regular-season overtime rule in 1974. 4. In 2008, Ohio State’s Jamar Butler became the school’s all-time leader in career assists (579). Who had held the mark? 5. Who was the last goaltender before Detroit’s Chris Osgood in 2008 to record shutouts in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals? 6. In 2008, Kyle Busch became the fourth NASCAR driver to sweep both Cup road course races in the same year. Name two of the other three to do it. 7. Who was the last U.S. male tennis player to win the French Open singles title?

Is NASCARʼs Title Sponsor in Trouble? Q: Greg, I hear that Sprint Nextel is in trouble and may back out as sponsor of NASCARʼs top division. Any truth to the rumors? -- Cal L., Pennsylvania A: Cal, itʼs no secret Sprint Nextel is struggling as a company, but I havenʼt heard any news that it would drop its Sprint Cup sponsorship anytime soon. However, things change quickly in the business world, and the latest buzz is that the company is on the auction block, and several companies, including foreign concerns, are interested in buying. A recent article in The Wall Street Journal said “people familiar with the matter” are saying that NII Holdings Inc., a wireless Latin American business provider, and some private-equity firms are interested in buying Nextel from wireless carrier Sprint. Sprint acquired Nextel in 2005 for an estimated $35 billion, but has been negatively affected by customer defections. To make matters worse, just imagine if Jeff Burton were to win the championship in the AT&T wireless car and the CEO of Sprint had to present Burton and owner Richard Childress the big money at the year-end banquet? That wouldnʼt be a pleasant task. In summary, nothing would surprise me in this current business atmosphere, but as of this writing, Sprint is still on board with NASCAR for several more years. Letʼs hope more NASCAR fans sign up for Sprint services. *** Q: Did a MOPAR-powered car ever win an Indy Car race, and if so who drove it? I know the answer, but want to prove it to my retired friends here where I live. Thanks for your column. -- B.L., Port Richey, Fla.

Art Pollard makes his final laps at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the morning of May 12, 1973. Pollard is credited with Plymouth’s only victory in Indy Car racing. (Mike Pollard photo) A: B.L., over the years, you and your friends in Port Richey and New Port Richey have been loyal readers with lots of good questions. As you already know, the Andy Granatelli-owned, Grant King-wrenched, Plymouth-powered Indy Car driven by Art Pollard won the Dover, Del., Indy Car race back on Aug. 24, 1969. On the high banks of Doverʼs Monster Mile, the first-ever Delaware 200 was held, and Pollard claimed his second victory of the season in the No. 57 STP Gerhardt Plymouth. He started 10th, and then led the final 72 laps to win over Gordon Johncock. Sadly, Pollard lost his life trying to qualify for the Indy 500 on May 12, 1973, following a morning practice session crash. He was a beloved and highly respected driver who always took time to talk with the fans and media. *** Q: Iʼve been to an NHRA national event where the nitro cars are running to 1,000 feet instead of 1,320, and it all seems OK to me. Do you think they will ever go back to 1,320? -- Ann K., North Carolina A: Iʼm not sure, Ann. Currently, there is no talk about going back to 1,320 foot until the NHRA feels itʼs safe to do so. That extra 320 feet is where a lot of trouble happens in cars that go from zero to 330 mph in four seconds, so for now, Iʼd say weʼre going to be enjoying 1,000-foot runs instead of the full quarter-mile.

Page 6

Tidbits® of the Tri-Cities better than hanging on a hook or laying the bonnet out to dry.” -- D.T.F. in New York • “I like to keep my wool gloves clean, but I don’t like shrinking fingers! After washing, I stuff clothespins in each of the fingers of my gloves while they dry. I’ve had no problems since I started doing this.” -- S.G. in Wisconsin (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

• Recipe Substitutions: If you need 1 cup of brown sugar, use 1 cup of white sugar plus 2 tablespoons of molasses. • “When my mom puts dinner rolls in a basket to serve at the table, she lines the basket with aluminum foil first, then puts the towel or napkin, then the rolls. It keeps the rolls warmer longer.” -- E.D. in Ohio • “If you have precious baby bonnets that need washing, after washing blow up a smallsize balloon enough to fit inside the bonnet, place the bonnet over the balloon and let it air dry. It will keep its shape best, and it’s so much

• Planning a car trip this holiday season? Stop in at your local library and ask about books on tape. What better way to make the time pass than a gripping story? And at the library, they’re free to rent. Just make sure you find out how long you can keep it! • “I love using seasonal salt-and-pepper shakers, especially at family meals. I don’t store them filled with salt and pepper though, and they get a bit dusty or musty in the butler’s pantry. I wash them, of course, but to be sure there will be no sticking before I fill them, I give them a once-over with my hair dryer. I hold the shaker with an oven mitt and aim that hot air inside. It works really well.” -- M.K. in New Mexico doing repair jobs as safely as possible. Do you have any other safety tips for do-it-yourselfers? -- A.S., via e-mail

Q: Your recent column about the door that wouldnʼt latch was good with all the mention of using shims, but missed the easiest fix. In more than 35 years, I have seen many doors where the hole in the frame is in the wrong place by up to a quarter-inch. Simply take out the striker plate, file the hole bigger and replace it. You may have to carve on the wood behind a little bit. When the door otherwise is mounted plumb and square, this is the simplest way. -- Owen, via e-mail

A: I have several, but today Iʼll list a few common hazards around the home that everyone should look for. An article in the November issue of “ShopSmart,” a magazine produced by Consumer Reports, listed these and several more, along with recommended fixes. Making your home safer can be as simple as adding a non-slip bath mat to your tub or shower and installing a grab bar on the wall. It can be as easy as turning down your hot water heater to no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent accidental scalding in the shower (it saves energy, too). Having test equipment around is important. A voltage tester is a must-have in a repair kit, but did you know a block of wood can be used to test the garage door? It should automatically reverse when the block is detected; if not, you need to upgrade the mechanism. Do-it-yourself radon and lead test kits will help keep your family healthy.

A: Thanks, Owen! This sounds like a faster way to line up a door with the latch. *** Q: I appreciated your recent article on putting together an electrical repair toolkit. Iʼm interested in

HOME TIP: When childproofing your home, have a ruler handy. Use it to measure spaces between crib bars (no more than 2-3/8 inches) or deck railing slats (no more than 4 inches) to ensure a childʼs head wonʼt get caught between them.

Door Won’t Latch? Here’s a Quick Fix. By Samantha Mazzotta

BONE APPÉTIT! (continued): • Andreas Vesalius, a 16th-century Belgian scientist, was one of the first persons to accurately depict human anatomy. The key reason he was successful in this endeavor is that he performed detailed surgical examinations of human cadavers. He created a firestorm of controversy in 1543 when he published a report that claimed both men and women had 12 sets of rib bones. Religious scholars charged him with heresy, since the Old Testament clearly stated that Eve was created from Adam’s rib, implying that males should be one bone short in the thoracic area. • The very first attempt at hip replacement surgery occurred in Germany way back in 1891. Professor Themistocles Gluck replaced the ball of a human femur with one fashioned out of ivory. Unfortunately, the bone eventually failed due to infection and the body’s natural “rejection” tendencies. Other surgeons tried various materials (such as glass and rubber) without success. Finally, in 1925, American orthopedic surgeon Marius SmithPetersen noted that shipping companies were using a then-new material called stainless steel to protect cargo from seawater corrosion. His stainless-steel hip joints worked well and soon became the preferred replacements. • The three basic types of bone fractures are greenstick, simple and compound. A greenstick fracture is an incomplete break – the bone is bent, chipped or cracked but not completely broken. A simple fracture is a bone that has completely broken, but has not pierced the skin. A compound fracture is a broken bone that protrudes through the skin and has been exposed to air. Today, bone fractures are treated based upon the location and severity of the break. Doctors typically immobilize a broken bone using casts, pins, or splints made of various materials.

HIGH VISIBILITY • RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! • CALL 1.804.731.7504 ��

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

�� Partners in Business and Education

�� We specialize in:

Roofing • Siding • Replacement Windows New Construction • Additions • Remodeling

��

201 Temple Ave., Suite E

804-526-5872

Rates As Low as $12.50 per week

The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read.

(804) 731-7504

www.colonial-heights.com/ chamberofcommerce.htm

��

�

��

We restore property back to pre-event condition that has been damaged by: FIRE • WATER• MOLD • BIOHAZARD Call Today!

(804) 520-8844

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

For Advertising Call 1.804.731.7504

Page 7

ALL THE PRESIDENTS’ TIDBITS:

DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER

Depending on your age, you may recall when Eisenhower dollar coins could occasionally be found in everyday change. What made this coin starkly different from most others wasn’t just its size and weight, but something that just seemed to be missing in the profile: hair. Washington, Jefferson, even JFK had a head of hair. Not so with Ike; and to be fair, the coin’s designer was generous with the amount of hair that he did add. • David Dwight Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas, on October 14, 1890. (And no, that’s not a reversal of his name.) He was born David Dwight, but to avoid confusion with his father, also named David, they called the child Dwight. As a teenager, he switched the two names. • Eisenhower’s father found difficulty developing a career. He moved from Pennsylvania to Kansas to farm, but was unsuccessful. The senior Eisenhower then entered engineering school, but left early to marry. He ventured into retail sales, engine mechanics, and business management. The financial struggles the Eisenhower family endured helped to mold Dwight’s political thinking. • After graduating high school in Abilene, Kansas in 1909, Dwight felt, and his family agreed, that the military would provide him with educational opportunities he could not otherwise afford. The Naval Academy rejected him as too old (he was 20), but the Army signed him up to West Point. He played football for Army until a knee injury forced him onto the sidelines as a coach. • After graduation, Lieutenant Eisenhower was assigned to Fort Sam Houston. He reportedly requested overseas duty when World War I erupted, but remained stateside to help train the troops. He was regularly promoted, achieving the rank of major in 1920. Dwight hoped to continue his ascent into the Army’s officer elite, and attended the Army War College to further his chances. Stints as assistant to the war secretary and aide to General Douglas MacArthur did nothing to harm his road to success.

Are you Un-Insured or Under-Insured??? AmeriPlan® is a discount medical program organization. We offer coverage nationwide We offer affordable, high at almost 50,000 retail phar- quality medical, denmacy locations, 30,000 network tal, vision, prescription dental providers, and over drug and chiropractic 12,000 optical providers. programs that save our members tens of millions Features: No limit on visits or services of dollars each year. No deductibles • No age limits No waiting periods

Contact: Herlinda Rios (804) 451-1457

Plan s as lo w as $14 .95/ mon th

ANSWERS

www.mybenefitsplus.com/herlinda

�� 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.

HOPE For Homeowners The HOPE for Homeowners Act is now in effect. Signed by President Bush in July as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, the HOPE program is designed to give relief to millions of struggling homeowners by restructuring their home mortgages. To be eligible, the homeowner must: • Use the home as his main residence. • Certify that he hasnʼt defaulted on the loan just to take advantage of the HOPE program. • Have a debt-to-income ratio greater than 31 percent as of March 1, 2008. If the borrower qualifies, the lender will rewrite the loan down to an amount that the borrower can pay, up to a cap of 90 percent of the current market value of the home. The new loans must have a fixed rate for 30 years, with the borrower annually paying an extra 1.5 percent of the loan principal for FHA insurance. The downside to the borrower is that he must split any equity with the FHA down the road. That amount will be determined by a phased-in sliding scale, but can be as much as 100 percent of the equity if the

1. It was 1992, when Atlanta won 98 games and the Los Angeles Dodgers lost 99. 2. Browning had 78 wins during the ‘80s; Barker had 62. 3. Denver and Pittsburgh, in 1974. 4. Kelvin Ransey, with 516 assists. 5. New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur in 2003. 6. Jeff Gordon (1999), Robby Gordon (2003) and Tony Stewart (2005). 7. Andre Agassi in 1999.

borrower pays off the loan (by selling or refinancing) in the first year, or down to 50 percent at five years. Not all lenders are eager to participate in the program, however. In theory theyʼll lose a bit now to keep from possibly losing a lot later if they donʼt help homeowners get mortgages under control. Under the program, lenders would have to reduce the amount of the mortgage to 90 percent of the homeʼs present market value, which can be a considerable loss if home values in their area have already plunged. And the lenders will have to pay FHA, the backer of the loans, 3 percent of the amount. Additional provisions of the Act include a federal tax credit up to $7,500 (10 percent of the purchase price) to buy a new home, new regulations on reverse mortgages for the elderly and more protections for veterans facing foreclosure. To read details of the Act, go to www.govtrack.us, click Bills and Resolutions, and put H.R. 3221 in the search box.

Pamplin Historical Park: For more information on events at our park call (804) 861-2408 or toll-free 1-877-PAMPLIN 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

2545 S. Crater Rd. Petersburg, VA (804) 732-9268

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

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

�

YOUR RESTAURANT AD HERE!

SC/M

CO/CT

SC/M

CO/D� CT

SC/M CO/CT

Reservations� Accepted

The Mad Italian Pasta and Steak House

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)

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

All� Major

Sen.�Citiz./Military� Discount�(SC/M)

Luna Restaurant

$6.50�� $18.95

Outside�Seating

L/D

All�You�Can�Eat

105 Highland Avenue Colonial Heights, VA (804) 524-0505

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.

Children's�Menu

Hide-A-Way Café Hide-A-Way

Credit�Cards

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

� � � �

Description

Meal�Price� Range

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant

Meals�Served

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

Coupon�Offer

Andrades International Restaurant

Ad�on�Page

Restaurant

� � � � � �

YOUR RESTAURANT AD HERE!

City of Colonial Heights: 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. Interior Decorating Class Nov. 10 & Dec. 9, 2008 This class will cover decorating basics of wall décor, furniture arrangements, color concepts, accessories, lighting window treatments, flooring, and greenery. Classes will be held at the Colonial Heights Public Library from 6:00-8:00pm. Cost is $40 per person. Instructor: Nikole Jiggetts. www.mycustomhomedesign.com

City of Hopewell: 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 804458-6329 or visit www.arls.org

City of Petersburg: Acclaimed writers join in on Friday for the Arts! With book signings! Nov. 14, 2008 Two acclaimed authors will be featured during Friday for the Arts! on November 14th in historic Petersburg. Nancy Carter Crump and Henry Kidd will be hosted at the Siege Museum, providing brief presentations at 6:15pm and 7:00pm respectively, in addition to book signing opportunities. This event is proudly sponsored by The City of Petersburg and the Historic Petersburg Foundation. For more information, contact Anne Thomas: (804) 898-0123. 7th Annual SVAR “Operation Wreath” Gala Auction Nov. 21, 2008 Mark your calendars and be sure to join us for a pre-holiday event of food, fun and live auction. Southside Virginia Association of Realtors® will once again follow tradition to help worthy families in our area realize the “American Dream” of homeownership by making “Tri-Cities Habitat for Humanity” the benefactor of the auction proceeds. The event will be held at the Civic Center in Petersburg. Call SVAR at (804) 520-4496 for ticket prices and more information.

CALL TIDBITS TO HAVE YOUR EVENT LISTED!

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

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: