Tidbits of the Tri-Cities (Holiday Edition 2008) by Jason Barrett

FREE

of the Tri-Cities The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read

Dec. 19- Dec. 31, 2008 Barrett Media Solutions, LLC.

Holiday Edition 2008

For Ad Rates call: 1.804.731.7504

Remodeling & Renovation

ads@tricitiestidbits.com

TIDBITS OFFERS A COLLECTION OF

Proudly Serving the Tri-Cities

Specializing in: Windows & Doors • Siding Gutters • Roofing Decks & Patios • Kitchens & Baths Additions

Call today!

(804) 931-1857

waskey@waskeyconstruction.com Lic.# VA2705097373A

Come join the fun and taste our authentic Mexican cuisine 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 tangles08a.pdf Menu!

Buy 1 Lunch or Dinner, Get 2nd

1/2 PRICE

Half price meal must be of equal or lesser value. 12/10/08 3:51:47 PM Valid at Col. Heights location. Exp. 12/31/08

��

HELPFUL HOLIDAY HINTS by Jill Dorchester

Most of us have our hands full this time of year. Kids are in school, traffic is heavy, the weather is getting chilly, and the holiday season is in full swing. We hope that these Tidbits tips will help to make things a bit merrier for you! • Not everyone finds the holiday spirit contagious. If you’re completely fed up with carols and mistletoe, don’t feel alone. And there are several different places you can visit to get away from it all. Most American movie theaters are open on Christmas Day, as are several amusement parks, including Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Most hotels (along with their eateries) are also open, along with some major restaurant chains like Waffle House. • Real tree or artificial? If you’re concerned about the environment, you should know that either choice will leave a “carbon footprint.” Artificial trees are made of nonrenewable materials, most often imported from China. Real trees require petroleum for transport (and also to grind them into mulch once they’re discarded). So it’s easier to base your decision on family tradition … and how much you enjoy sweeping up needles. turn the page for more!

Serving Lunch & Dinner 7 Days A Week! 10 AM - 9PM 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

ACCOUNTING • PAYROLL • TAX

WE HAVE MOVED

to a new location to better serve YOU! 306 North 2nd Avenue, Hopewell, VA 804-452-4442 Office • 804-452-0043 Fax www.belzerbusiness.com Where Quality is Guaranteed!

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

��

We provide the opportunity for success!

Call 1.800.523.3096 www.tidbitsweekly.com

The Finest Italian & Greek Cuisine!

Information in the Tidbits® Paper is gathered from sources considered to be reliable but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

Book your Christmas Party with us today! 2545 S. Crater Rd. Petersburg, VA (804) 732-9268 10% Military Discount!

��

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

��

Can’t Get Enough Tidbits?

�� 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

•

Was Mom Guilty of Cruelty? By Samantha Mazzotta

DEAR PAWʼS CORNER: I need to comment on a letter by a mom who let her children be responsible for two Betta fish that they let die. Children should never be responsible for any animal! Itʼs the parentsʼ responsibility to care for them. Why should the animal suffer? Itʼs fine to learn by example, but the parent is the one who should care for the animal. This woman is guilty of animal cruelty in letting these fish suffer and die. An animal is not a toy. People like this woman donʼt deserve the companionship of any animal! -- Tina V., PETA member DEAR TINA: I can appreciate your point of view, and Iʼm sure that none of my readers condone the suffering of any pet. I think that you missed the point of that letter: the mother refusing to let the kids have another pet after they let their Betta fish die due to neglect.

Part of growing up is learning responsibility, and learning the consequences of failing to take responsibility. The consequences of failing to take care of their Betta fish was that they could not have another pet. Could the mother have stepped in and taken care of the fish? Possibly. I donʼt know all the circumstances, and the sad fact is that small fish can go downhill very fast when signs of distress are missed. But she gave those kids responsibility and gave them her trust to care for those fish. This is a very important part of child-rearing. You cannot wrap your kids in cotton until theyʼre 18; they need to learn certain things if theyʼre to be at all useful. Learning to care for another living creature is one of the most important lessons in a childʼs life, and Iʼm not going to stand in judgment of a mother trying to teach that lesson.

•

SPONSORED BY YOUR BUSINESS HERE

•

From your little friends at Pet Safari!

Looking for an unusual gift for that animal lover on your list? We have pets to match anyone’s personality. Come see our great selection!

2225 Boulevard, Colonial Heights •

HELPFUL HOLIDAY HINTS (continued): Candles are an easy and inexpensive way to add a holiday touch to your home. Better yet, red candles can also be used for decorating on Valentine’s Day and the Fourth of July, so you might want to stock up on them during the postholiday sales. Scented candles can make your house smell like you’ve been baking treats all day, even if your Christmas cookies come from a grocery-store bag. Unwrapping gifts may be difficult for those on both ends of the age spectrum – very young children and the elderly. Use a minimal amount of adhesive tape on their packages, and use a stick-on bow instead of tying a ribbon. A gift for a sight-impaired person will mean more when it’s wrapped using interesting textures like velvet ribbons and crinkly paper. You could also tie a few tiny jingle bells to the package as a nice touch. Christmas trees are irresistible to most house cats. If one or more kitties reside with you, it’s a good idea to put your most valuable or fragile ornaments near the top of the tree, where they’re less likely to be batted around and broken. Consider securing them to the branches with garbage bag twist ties for extra insurance. And here’s a great tip: Most felines don’t like the smell of citrus or peppermint, so spraying one of those aromas at the base of the tree might be enough to encourage Fluffy to keep her distance. Craft projects are a great way to keep children busy while you’re making other preparations. Visit a dollar store to purchase some inexpensive art supplies – construction paper, pipe cleaners, ribbon, colored pens, glitter and such. Set the kids up with safety scissors, tape and glue. Encourage the youngsters to make their own holiday decorations, and then watch them beam after you’ve prominently displayed their completed “masterpieces.”

804-520-8121 ��

Treat your pet to a “spaw” package this Christmas!

“Spaw” Services

Aquamassage • Blueberry Facials Mud Baths & More

Other Services:

Creative Grooming • Teeth Brushing Shedless Treatments & More

Make your holiday appointments now! Call 520-BARK

16416 Jeff Davis Hwy Col. Heights

of the Tri- Cities Visit us on the web at www.tricitiestidbits.com

Published weekly by Barrett Media Solutions, LLC

(804) 731-7504 ads@tricitiestidbits.com

For Advertising Call 1.804.731.7504

Page 3

Tidbits presents:

O UR 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.

Drop scones are a boon for busy holiday bakers, since they’re a snap to make and almost foolproof. These bake up light and fluffy. A touch of maple syrup and pieces of fig make them just sweet enough—deal for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Gingerbread Teddy Bear Cookies Preparation:

Ingredients 1 c Butter or margarine 2/3 c Packed brown sugar 2/3 c Dark or light corn syrup 4 c All-purpose flour 1 1/2 ts Ground cinnamon 1 ts Ground ginger 3/4 ts Baking soda Special equipment: 1/2 ts Ground cloves Parchment Paper 1 ea Beaten egg 1 1/2 ts Vanilla Miniature chocolate pieces Royal icing for decorating

In a saucepan combine butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Pour into a large mixing bowl and cool 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, soda, and cloves. Add egg and vanilla to butter mixture and mix well. Add the flour mixture and beat until well mixed. Divide the dough in half. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or overnight. To make each bear shape dough into one 1 inch ball, one 3/4 inch ball, six 1/2 inch balls, and five 1/4 inch balls. On an ungreased cookie sheet flatten the 1 inch ball to 1/2 inch thickness for body. Attach the 3/4 inch ball for head and flatten to 1/2 inch. Attach the 1/2 inch balls for arms, legs, and ears. Arrange remaining 1/4 inch balls atop ends of arms and legs for paws. Use chocolate pieces for eyes and navel. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until done. Carefully remove and cool. If desired, pipe on bow ties with royal icing. Makes 16

Christmas Pudding

- 2 cups of milk - 1 cup sugar - 1 cup of raisins - 1 cup of dried mixed fruit and chopped dates - 1 desert spoon of cooking soda - 1 tablespoon of butter or margarine - 2 cups of flour

First sift the flour and add the sugar. While stirring this mixture add raisins, dried fruits and dates. Separately boil the milk and butter together and then add the cooking soda. Then pour this mixture over the flour mixture. Mix it well till the milk and butter mixture blends into the flour. Then place the mixture in the pudding cloth and steam it for two hours. The pudding is ready to serve.

TIDBITS OF THE TRI-CITIES: LOCAL BUSINESS “MATTERS”

Cotcamp Cuts Trees 733-0324

Firewood Available

Flowers & More would like to give you a special 15% discount on all your Christmas and New Year’s purchases! Needing an idea for that last-minute Christmas gift…or planning to decorate for a special occasion in the New Year? If so, visit Flowers & More and mention Tidbits to receive a 15% discount on all purchases made by Dec. 31, 2008. Flowers & More is a family owned and operated small business in the Tri-Cities. They are committed to offering only the finest floral arrangements and gifts, backed by service that is friendly and prompt. “Because all of our customers are important, our professional staff is dedicated to making your experience a pleasant one”, says store owner Joyce Sims. “That is why we always go the extra mile to make your floral gift perfect.” One of the services offered by Flowers & More is the preservation and arranging of all types of flowers. With great precision, they will create an attractive arrangement artistically designed in one of several display styles. You can choose from Traditional Shadow Boxes, Contemporary Displays, or Timeless Centerpieces. What a thoughtful way for you to capture your cherished memories!

Flowers & More can deliver anywhere in the world and offers the following products and services: • • • •

Flowers (fresh & silk) Plants Dish Gardens Miniature Trees Decorated for Christmas • Stuffed Animas • Balloons • Gift/Gourmet Baskets • Candy/Chocolates • Weddings • Sympathy Arrangements • Flower Preservation Let Flowers & More be your first choice for flowers!

804-861-9500 www.flowersandmoreva.com (located in the Food Lion Shopping Center across from Central State in Dinwiddie County)

Page 4

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

A Holiday of Comfort & Joy for Families Faced with Alzheimer’s Discover Home Care offers helpful advice for making the holidays a relaxing and joyful time for patients, caregivers, family, and friends. The Alzheimerʼs Association (www.alz.org) estimates that there are nearly 5.2 million people in the U.S. living with Alzheimerʼs disease. For these millions of people and their families, friends, and caregivers, the holidays can be an especially stressful time. While special events, large gatherings, and a break in routine are typically enjoyed this time of year, these happenings can be very unsettling for people affected by Alzheimerʼs disease, and Discover Home Care (DHC) has developed several helpful tips for making sure the holidays are filled with comfort and joy for everyone. DHC recommends keeping holiday décor simple. Large decorations and a lot of blinking lights can be distracting and upsetting for someone with Alzheimerʼs. This is an important tip to remember when dressing the dinner table as well. Using solid tablecloths and dinnerware and limiting the number of glasses and utensils at place settings helps create an environment that is less distracting and confusing. Limiting the number of guests at holiday gatherings is also helpful. More people usually means more noise, which is often unsettling to a person with Alzheimerʼs. So keep guest lists to a minimum, and ask those who are in attendance to wear nametags and introduce themselves at each greeting. Engaging loved ones with Alzheimerʼs in quiet activities such as setting the dinner table or helping with gift wrapping is also a great way to ease anxiety while spending enjoyable time together. “It helps to

validate oneʼs sense of self when you engage your loved one in easy holiday preparations,” says Grace Yancey, founder of Discover Home Care. “Everyone likes to feel useful, and part of the occasion.” Although some break in routine is virtually unavoidable during the holidays, maintaining as much normalcy as possible, regardless of where the holidays are spent, is critical for loved ones with Alzheimerʼs. “Holidays can come with many disruptions, which can increase anxiety in someone with Alzheimerʼs disease, so itʼs important to stick to your day-to-day routine,” says Yancey. “Getting up, eating meals, and going to bed at the same time will go a long way in keeping your day as stress-free as possible.” Most importantly, DHC reminds caregivers, friends, and family members to support and rely on each other when it comes to meeting the needs of their loved one. “Have holiday guests take turns sitting with your loved one or being responsible for the evening. It will free you up to socialize and relax. If family and friends are not available, consider hiring a caregiver or getting a volunteer from your local Area Agency on Aging,” Yancey suggests. “No matter what, enjoy your holiday season with your loved one. He or she might not know all your guests or understand completely what all the fuss is about, but they will feel the love and connection of the season.” For more information and a complete list of these Holiday Tips, call (804) 524-0296.

Your Winter Friends: Hand Sanitizer and Soap

Do you need a little elf for the holidays? Someone to help... • • • • • • •

Bake Decorate Wrap presents Address greeting cards Deliver gifts/baked goods Shop with a list or with you Clean up after the holidays

Arrange for as many hours as you need!

1617 Boulevard, Suite D Col. Heights, VA 23834 (804) 520-5454 All at Reasonable Prices! (4 hours minimum)

www.careadvantageinc.com

Here we are in the midst of December, and no doubt many of us are out in the holiday crowds. Maybe weʼre going downtown to watch “Santa” arrive or to enjoy the tree lighting. Even if weʼre avoiding the malls, it seems that there are crowds everywhere. Besides the festive air, thereʼs one other thing the crowds can bring: germs. Many of us have immune systems that are compromised at least a little. When we get a “bug,” we can take much longer to shake it off. Cold weather itself can be enough of a stressor that we can be more susceptible to germs. Think about all the places germs can be found: grocerycart handles, the change a retail clerk hands you, doorknobs in public places, library books, a borrowed pen. Here are three tips to keep from getting sick: • Invest in a little bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer and use it liberally. Scrub until your hands are dry. (I buy one small bottle to carry in my pocket and a larger one to keep at home to refill the smaller one.) If youʼre going

to spend time with grandchildren, buy them their own “special” foamy hand sanitizer. • To avoid germs, doctors say itʼs especially important not to touch your hands to your mouth, nose or eyes. • When you get home from being out, wash your hands with warm water and an antibacterial soap. To get through the rest of the winter without illness, stay warm, get enough rest and make sure your diet is adequate. Ask your doctor whether you should take a daily multiple vitamin. Ask about getting a flu shot too, if you havenʼt already had one. Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

For Advertising Call 1.804.731.7504 HELPFUL HOLIDAY HINTS (continued): • Buying a Christmas gift for your boss can be tricky. Gag gifts are definitely taboo. A “funny” gift that’s taken in the wrong context could create unnecessary friction on-the-job. Don’t feel obligated to spend a lot, either; your boss knows that he or she makes more than you do. A heartfelt note inside a card may go a long way. You can always enclose something small in the envelope … like movie theater tickets or a bookstore gift card. • A gift-wrapping party might liven up the tedious task of wrapping all those presents you’ve purchased. Invite friends to bring their own gifts, provide some snacks and maybe a rented movie, and spread out the scissors and tape. Suggest that partygoers wrap the largest boxes first and then work their way through the stack. Keep sticky notes handy to help identify each package. • Are you looking for the “perfect” gift for your child’s teacher? Steer clear of coffee mugs and desk sets! Surveys have revealed that the gift teachers treasure most is a personal letter from a student’s parents. A note describing an instance when your child shared something that he or she learned in school? That’s perfect. Such a letter may be cherished for years to come. Teachers confess that such letters provide a real “lift” during those inevitable days of pure frustration. • The leftover cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels can make a fun container for a “grab bag” gift. For a young girl, you could fill the tube with hair do-dads, lip glosses, and glitter pens. For a young boy, it could be toy cars, candy bars, and ballgame tickets. Pack the very ends with tissue paper, and then giftwrap the tube. Twist each end and tie them off with a piece of ribbon. The end result is a colorful bundle of fun that looks like a large party popper.

Open Season on Rookies Before the 2008 season began, the media declared the Raybestos Rookie class in the Sprint Cup Series the greatest in history, when, in truth, it was merely the most prestigious. At the beginning of the year, a World Driving Champion, Jacques Villeneuve, had committed to NASCAR. Also in the field were Indianapolis 500 winners Sam Hornish Jr. and Dario Franchitti. A popular Indy-car veteran, Patrick Carpentier, found a NASCAR ride. A highly regarded young driver, Michael McDowell, joined the field in the spring. Then there was the lone driver with a stockcar-racing background, Regan Smith. The most unheralded driver in the field wound up winning the award. It was largely by default. Almost everyone underestimated the difficulty of adapting to stock cars. Villeneuve was gone almost immediately. Franchitti ran out of sponsor support. Carpentier lost his ride. So did McDowell. By the final race, the only rookies were Smith and Hornish. Hornish didnʼt make the starting field for the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Regan won the award because he was racing and Hornish wasnʼt. The Greatest Rookie Class in NASCAR History wound up the season with its top performer finishing 34th in the Sprint Cup points. Hornish was 35th. Neither had a single top-10 finish. Smith deserves an asterisk, however. In what would have been the seasonʼs biggest shocker, Smith took the checkered flag at Talladega Superspeedway in the

2. In 1937, Detroit’s Rudy York set a major-league record for most home runs in August. How many did he hit? 3. How many consecutive games did the University of Houston football team lose to ranked opponents before stopping the streak in 2008? 4. Entering the 2008-09 season, name the only NBA team to not make a free throw in a regular-season game. 5. Who was the last Chicago Blackhawks coach before Denis Savard in 2007-08 to lead the team to 40 or more victories in a season? 6. When was the last time an American male won the 1,500-meter race at the Summer Olympics? 7. Name the golfer with the most PGA tournament victories after turning 40 years old.

Regan Smith -- the lone rookie with a stock-car-racing background -- won, almost by default, the Raybestos Rookie of Year.

fall. NASCAR officials penalized him, however, for passing Tony Stewart “below the yellow line” (only banned at restrictor-plate tracks) and awarded the victory to Stewart. Officially, Smithʼs finish was 18th. The top-rookie award aside, that NASCAR decision may play a pivotal role in Smithʼs career. As these words were written, Smith didnʼt have a ride for 2009. In retrospect, the “greatest class” wound up being rather ill-fated. Monte Dutton has covered motorsports for The Gaston (N.C.) Gazette since 1993. He was named writer of the year by the National Motorsports Press Association in 2008. His blog NASCAR This Week (http://nascar.rbma.com) features all of his reporting on racing, roots music and life on the road. You can e-mail Monte at nascar_thisweek@yahoo.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

Thought of the week “A committee is a cul-de-sac down which ideas are lured and then quietly strangled.” -- Sir Barnett Cocks By Samantha Weaver

• It was Canadian-American economist John Kenneth Galbraith who made the following sage observation -- which seems more and more prescient every day lately: “The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.” • In 2004, celebrities Paris Hilton and Ludacris appeared in a “Vote or Die” advertising campaign designed to encourage young people to participate in the electoral process. It’s interesting to note, however, that they themselves didn’t register to vote in that election.

1. Name the last majorleaguer before Colorado’s Kazuo Matsui in 2007 to have a double, a triple and a home run in a postseason game.

Page 5

• In The Old Granary Burying Ground, a cemetery in Boston, the grave of Mother Goose is more popular with visitors than the graves of American patriots Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. • Studies show that the only taste humans are born with a craving for is sugar. • According to a national poll, the average

��

teenage boy spends more on getting ready for the prom than the average teenage girl: $545 versus $530. • The saguaro cactus, found mainly in America’s Southwest and in Mexico, can live for more than 150 years. It only grows about 1 inch in the first 10 years of its life, but can eventually reach a height of 50 feet. • You may not realize it, but you’re almost certainly quite proficient at dactylonomy -- counting on your fingers. If you’re deaf, you’re probably good at dactylology -communicating by using signs made with your fingers. • With the holiday season approaching, you might want to remember to check the policies of the stores whose gift cards you receive. In 2006, the electronics chain Best Buy made $43 million off gift cards that were not used before they expired. In the United States, an estimated $5 billion in gift-card cash expires every year. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

Play better golf with JACK NICKLAUS

Page 6

Tidbits® of the Tri-Cities

• This one bears repeating for all holiday gatherings -- and, really, any gathering throughout the year. When using plastic cups for drinks, put out a marker so that guests can mark their cup before filling. Less cups means less waste, and it’s easy to tell whose cup is whose. • “This might not be a tip, but I think it’s pretty important. When you don’t have a home phone line, as so many people don’t these days, make sure you have an extra cell-phone battery and that both batteries are charged ahead of bad weather. Also, for those who do have home phone service, make sure you have a regular, non-battery phone, one that is not cordless and that does not plug into anything. When the power goes out, you want to be prepared.” -- T.T. in Michigan

Finding AAAA Batteries By Samantha Mazzotta

Q: As you know, you are not supposed to drive and use a cell phone at the same time. I did the responsible thing and purchased a Bluetooth headset. Now the battery has died, and I canʼt find a replacement at any local retail stores (Home Depot, CVS, Wal-Mart). Where in my region can I purchase AAAA batteries? --- Erik in Coventry A: A store specializing in electronics would be your best bet (Circuit City, Best Buy, MicroCenter). You also can order them over the Internet -- try the Web sites of any one of these major electronics retailers or Amazon.com, which sells many items besides books. *** Q: In response to your column about a visiting mother-in-law who complained she was cold all the time, your answer didnʼt cover one possibility. In a lot of houses with one central heating system, the doors to all rooms should be left open all the

• “I know of two ways to clean the glass doors on the fireplace. One is to mix a paste of ash and water and a tiny bit of dishwashing liquid, and use that to scrub soot off. The other is those white ‘magic eraser’ sponges. Make sure you test a little spot, though, because if you have etched glass doors, the sponges can mess them up sometimes.” -- H.Z. in Vermont • “I use bar soap in the bath, but I like to tuck the boxes into my drawers after I open a fresh bar of soap. They smell so good and fresh, and last a surprisingly long time as drawer fresheners.” -- K.S. in Nevada • “Here’s how to get more space in the fridge if you have some dishes that are covered in plastic: Lay chopsticks or kebab sticks across the lip of the dishes, then stack them. This works so well for us that we keep several chopsticks right in the fridge for this purpose.” -- C.B. in California Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or e-mail JoAnn at heresatip@yahoo.com.

time so that return air circulates evenly throughout the house and all rooms stay the same temperature. If one person closes their door at night for privacy reasons, that door seals off air circulation so no warm air can enter from the register. A crack under the door would let that warm air in, but if there is no such opening, air cannot circulate into that room, and it gets cold. The next day when the door is open again, no problem can be found because air is circulating through the open door. -- Jack H., Salem, Mo. A: Thatʼs definitely a possibility. Having grown up in the South, where central heat was often jury-rigged into older homes -- so not every room had a register -- it was not uncommon for closedoff rooms to get chilly. Thanks for your suggestion. Perhaps the mother-in-law could leave her bedroom door open just a bit to let air circulate. HOME TIP: Not sure whether a furnaceʼs air filter needs changing? Hold the filter up to a light -- if the filter blocks most of the light, replace it.

HELPFUL HOLIDAY HINTS (continued): • What rules govern gratuity gifts you might give to service workers (hairdressers, babysitters, garbage collectors, paper deliverers, and so on)? Well, the first rule is that such “tips” are not mandatory. If you do feel that a serviceperson has been particularly helpful and you’d like to spread some holiday cheer, it’s best to enclose the tip in an envelope or card. Postal carriers are not allowed to accept cash, but they may receive gifts valued at $20 or less. A gift card to a local grocery store or gas station is a great idea, as it can be stored in the mail sack while the worker continues on his or her route. • If you’re flying commercially to visit relatives for the holiday, you’ll save time by not wrapping the presents you’re taking. You’ll likely be forced to rip them open at a security checkpoint, and will end up rewrapping them anyway. Use clear plastic bags to pack as many of your carry-on supplies as possible; this will speed up security searches. And allow yourself plenty of extra time to get to the airport, since traffic will be heavier and parking lots may be overflowing. • Your office Christmas party may seem like a fun, informal occasion, but do your best to be on your “work” behavior. Don’t overindulge in alcohol, don’t tell your bosses exactly what you think of them, don’t dance on the desks, and don’t photocopy your backside. And please keep the holiday kisses between co-workers chaste, no matter how much mistletoe is strung around the room! • You can recycle “used” holiday cards by cutting off the colorful fronts and using them as postcards. Or cut the images into decorative shapes and use them as custom gift tags. Check with local early-grade schools; many of them love to re-use old Christmas cards to devise craft projects for their classes.

Send questions or home-repair tips to homegu ru2000@hotmail.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

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

When planning or attending holiday functions, you’ll find the freshest flowers and plants at...

Flowers & More

��

804-861-9500 We deliver anywhere!

We specialize in:

www.flowersandmoreva.com 4336 Westgate Dr • Petersburg (across from Central State/SVTC)

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

offer expires 1/02/09

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

Rates As Low as $12.50 per week

��

�

��

For Advertising Call 1.804.731.7504

Page 7

ALL THE PRESIDENTS’ TIDBITS:

MARTIN VAN BUREN

Martin Van Buren was a shrewd character who found ways to make America’s political system work in his favor. But how did he learn these tactics? His family was poor and his father seemed to remain neutral whenever the subject of politics arose. The answer lies ahead. • Martin Van Buren was born in Kinderhook, New York, on December 5, 1782. He was the first “American citizen” to be elected president. Van Buren’s father, Abraham, operated a small tavern in Kinderhook that was a favorite watering hole for many New York politicians, including fierce opponents Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Legislators would drink and candidly converse with each other about the political process, and Abraham Van Buren smartly refused to take sides and risk alienating customers. Young Martin listened to the discussions as well, and he soon began to form his own political opinions. BICYCLES (continued): • Van Buren was a bright student and gifted • In the 1890s, the first “modern” bicycles orator who began to study law under a appeared: chain-driven vehicles with similocal attorneytires. at the tender of than 14. He larly-sized These wereage safer the high-wheel models (and was admitted to the bar sixwere yearseven later,called and “safetyabicycles” as a result), in butKinderhook proved a step formed law partnership backwards in comfort. While the long spokes of with his half-brother, James Van Alen. high-wheel bikes absorbed bumps and ruts, the Martin in 1807, smallermarried wheels onHannah these newHoes bikes, particularly coupled with the tires ofthe the andwhen earned a spot as hard-rubber a county judge era, made year. for jarring, unpleasant following Soon, Martin’srides. political •aspirations More thanbecame a millionclear bicycles sold inthe the as were he joined United States by the time 1895 rolled around, “anti-Federalist” group that developed into but one last improvement would propel the thebicycle Democratic-Republican Party. the pneuinto the must-own category: matic to tire. the guidance the Pope • Elected theUnder New York Senate inof1812, Van Manufacturing Company (which made biBuren’s popularity quickly rose. He soon cycles), the Hartford Rubber Works produced found himself against NYC America’s firstpitted pneumatic tiresformer in 1895. ProvidingDe a much ride, To theygain soonan became Mayor Witt softer Clinton. uppera standard feature onsome all bicycle hand, he employed of themodels. shady tactics •he’d Dozens of smaller-scale improvements overheard at his father’s pub. boosted While the speed, comfort, longevity and performance these actions succeeded in furthering his of bicycles during the 20th century. As women career, alsothem earned Van Buren enemies beganthey to find as necessary as men, two varieties of bicycle made. Men’s bikes inside and outside of were his own Party. were built with an extra stabilizer bar across the • The of Van Buren’s topmost of thepowerful bike. Women’s bikes omitted tactics the bar, was the formation of a “political machine.” providing for easier mounting and dismounting of theserving vehicle when wearinghe skirts. While in Albany, ensured that •key The 1970s saw the state development of two bipositions in the government were cycle extremes. First came bicycles that took filled with Party members. The influence you nowhere. Otherwise known as exercise they flaunted their positions forced New bikes, these in training aids first hit the home York’s individuals do marketmore at the powerful beginning of the decade.toThen, as time went on and the energy crisis sent fuel what was necessary to reelect them. Clinton prices askyrocketing, mopeds appeared. formed similar organization of his These own bicycle/motorcycle hybrids, most popular with after he was elected governor 1816. city-centered business workers,incould either be pedaled like a regular bike or powered continued on backusing pagea small, low-powered gasoline engine.

Rent-to-Own Agreements If thereʼs 2nd everQuarter a perfect time to consider buying a 2006 Week 22this might be it. With a down home via rent-to-own, Maybuyers 28 - Jun 3 get financing, and sellers economy, many canʼt are sitting on property they canʼt move. Back Page Rent to own (also called a lease-to-purchase option or a lease-purchase agreement) works like this: You rent a house with a standard lease, but have one additional agreement in place: a purchase agreement or sales contract. This document gives you the option of buying the house at some set point in the future at a fixed price. A portion of your monthly payment (usually an additional amount above the rent) goes toward a down payment on the house. As with any business deal, there are pros and cons to rent to own. On the plus side: • Youʼre able to build up your down payment every month. • If you have less-than-stellar credit, this gives you a chance to rebuild it. • You can check the house and neighborhood over a long period of time. On the negative side: • If you decide at the end of the option period not to

Are you Un-Insured or Under-Insured??? AmeriPlan is a discount medical program.

We offer coverage nationwide at almost 50,000 retail pharmacy locations, 30,000 network dental providers, and over 12,000 optical providers.

Plans as low as $14.95/month!

Features: No limit on visits or services No deductibles • No age limits No waiting periods

ANSWERS

Contact: Herlinda Rios • (804) 451-1457 www.mybenefitsplus.com/herlinda

1. Lou Brock of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1968. 2. In 1937, York hit 18 of his 35 homers in August. 3. It was 18 games. 4. Toronto was 0-for-3 from the line in a game against Charlotte in 1996. 5. Brian Sutter in 2001-02. 6. Mel Sheppard in 1908. 7. Vijay Singh, with 22.

buy the house, you lose the extra youʼve paid every month. • In most cases, you wonʼt get the tax benefit until you actually own the house. Some extra considerations: • If there are repairs to be made in a typical landlord/ tenant situation, usually the landlord is responsible unless prior agreements have been made. Be very clear (in writing) who will make repairs while you live in the house. • If you make modifications or fix up the house and then decide not to buy it, you likely wonʼt get any money back. • Try to have additional time put on the end of the option period in case you canʼt get financing. Finding homes isnʼt that difficult. Start with those listed For Sale by Owner. A fast phone call will tell you if the owner is interested in a rent-to-buy situation. An owner with little equity is more likely to agree than one who has a lifetime of equity in the house. If you want to enter into a rent-to-own agreement, work with a real-estate agent to make sure you arenʼt paying too much. Treat it as a serious legal contract and seek legal advice. David Uffington regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Write to him in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

��

Visit us for all the items on your child’s Christmas list! We buy and sell gently used and new clothes, furniture, equipment and more.

(804) 526-1333

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

Bring in this coupon for

10% Off

Take 20% off all regularall regular-priced store items priced Melissa & Doug items OUAC-Tidbits offer exp. 12/31/08. Not valid with other offers.

OUAC-Tidbits offer exp. 12/31/08. Not valid with other offers.

CALL TIDBITS TO HAVE YOUR EVENT LISTED!

City of Colonial Heights: Scrap Booking The Colonial Heights Recreation and Parks Department is pleased to announce several Scrap Booking classes for youth, adults, and seniors. All classes are $10.00 and include supplies for a two page 12x12 layout. Scrap booking topics vary by date, participant age and class however, topics range from genealogy, holiday hurrah, resolutions, and friendships. Instructor: Deborah Malbone. www.mycraftivity.com/groovy/doodles/

To Advertise Call (804) 731-7504

Sports Bar Now Open! Our selections include authentic cuisine from Mexico, Cuba, Spain and Peru.

L/D

$.99�� $18.95

All� Major

The Mad Italian Pasta and Steak House St

City of Petersburg:

3650 Boulevard Colonial Heights, VA (804) 520-0277

Old Towne Merchant Group’s 2nd Annual NEW YEAR’S EVE BALL OF THE CENTURIES! Dec. 31, 2008 Come celebrate “the pride of Virginia’s Cockade City” in historic, charming Old Towne. Purchase tickets online at www.oldtownep etersburg.com

Prince George Family Barbecue

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

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

L/D

$6.50�� $14.95

V/MC

Pleasure Island Seafood Restaurant

Serving quality seafood in the Tri-Cities area for over 40 years! Party room available for up to 25 guest.

$5.99�� $24.99

All� Major

4605 County Drive (Rt. 460) Petersburg, VA (804) 732-3278

Delicious barbecue, "fall-off-thebone" pork ribs, soups, salads, sandwiches, and appetizers. Catering available.

L/D

$3.49�� $19.99

V/M

�

Poinsettia plants are not poisonous to humans. A pet that munches on a poinsettia leaf might develop an upset stomach, but the plant is not toxic. The poisonous plant legend began in 1919 when the two-year-old child of an Army officer died suddenly at Christmas time, and his parents insisted that his death was due to ingesting poinsettia leaves.

SC/M

CO/D� CT

SC/M CO/CT

Reservations Accepted

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

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

� � � � � � �

Sen. Citiz./Military Discount (SC/M)

All� Major

Outside Seating

$4.50�� $12.95

All-You-CanEat

L/D

Children's Menu

Credit Cards

�

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

Luna Restaurant

Parent / Child Tea Party Jan. 31, 2009 Celebrate National Tea Month with an English-style Tea at the Hopewell Library. Be sure to register by January 23rd by calling Dee Dee Whitman, 804-458-6329 ext. 1013. The event is free but space is limited.

MARTIN VAN BUREN (continued): • While he was a party extremist, Van Buren did make changes that helped his constituents. Among the bills that he helped push through was one that abolished debtors’ prisons. Having grown up in a poor family, he felt strongly that people should not be imprisoned for “the misfortune of being poor.” • Van Buren climbed the political ladder over the next several years, earning a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1821. When Andrew Jackson was denied the White House three years later, Van Buren hatched a two-part plan. First, he used his influence to tie the hands of President John Quincy Adams. Second, he worked to bring together many D-R Party members under a new, shorter name: the Democratic Party. Four years later, voters had seen very little action from Adams and were ready to give Jackson his shot. • How sneaky was Van Buren? He ran for governor of New York solely to ensure that the state’s 36 electoral votes would go to Jackson. Martin resigned the unwanted office after only two months to become secretary of state. Van Buren’s machine had reached national proportions by this time. He became vice president when Jackson was reelected in 1832. Opposition to the Democrats began to gel with the formation of a new party known as the Whigs, but Van Buren won the presidency handily in 1836.

Meal Price Range

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

Meals Served

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant

Coupon Offer

Game Day @ the Library Jan. 3, 2009 Join us at the Hopewell Library for board games and video games from 2pm-5pm. Call 804-861-0322 for details.

Description

Ad on Page

Restaurant

City of Hopewell:

� � � � �

Myrrh, one of the gifts the “wise men” brought to Bethlehem, is still around today. It is an antiseptic added to mouthwash and toothpaste to help prevent gum disease.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: