Vol. 19: #1 • Coffee • (1-1-2023) Tidbits of Coachella Valley

TIDBITS BREAKS FOR

by Janet Spencer

It’s the tasty, aromatic drink that wakes America up every morning and helps us face the day. In fact, we consume over 400 million cups of the brew daily, making the U.S. the world’s leading consumer of coffee. So grab your favorite mug and follow along as Tidbits serves up some stimulating facts about our favorite daily picker-upper!

REPEAT AFTER ME:

• In Arabic, the phrase ‘qahhwat al-bun’ meant ‘wine of the bean.’ That was shortened to ‘qahwa’ which the Turks pronounced ‘kahvey.’ This was borrowed by the Dutch as ‘koffie,’ which eventually morphed into the English ‘coffee.’

SOME FACTS ABOUT CAFFEINE

• Caffeine is found naturally not only in coffee and tea but also in about 100 other plants. We consume it for its taste and as a stimulant, but did you know that caffeine also acts as a natural insecticide? While essentialy harmless to humans, certain properties in caffein can kill insects, stunt their

TRIVIA NEWSFRONT

1. Weight for weight, do tea leaves or coffee beans have more caffeine? 2. Is coffee high in vitamins and nutrients?

3. How many cups of coffee would it take to kill a person?

4. People in this U.S. city drink the most coffee per capita.

5. There are more coffee shops per capita in this city than in any other city in the U.S.

Oh, the fascinating life of journalist Nellie Bly! Check out the interesting facts on this pioneer of investigative journalism!

• Nellie Bly was born Elizabeth Cochran in Pennsylvania during the American Civil War. Forced to drop out of college due to lack of funds, she discovered a column in a Pittsburgh newspaper that changed her life. The column entitled “What Girls Are Good For” described the meaning of a woman’s life as birthing children and keeping house.

• Elizabeth penned a fiery reply to the newspaper using a pseudonym “Lonely Orphan Girl.” The managing editor was captivated by her response and ran an ad in the paper politely requesting that the author come forth and contact him.

• A meeting between the two impressed the editor and prompted an offer for another article under her pseudonym. Two articles followed, the first arguing that all women need not marry, along with the necessity for better jobs for women. Article number two reported the effects of divorce on women, making a case for divorce law reforms. A favorable response from readers convinced the editor to offer her a full-time job as a colulmnist for $5 a week.

• She decided on a new pseudonym, inspired by a popular 1850s song written by Stephen Foster entitled “Nellie Bly.”

• Nellie set out to focus on the unsatisfactory conditions of working women. A controversial series of investigative stories about female factory workers led to an outcry of complaints from factory owners, making the newspaper executives nervous. They quickly reassigned Nellie to the paper’s fashion, society, and gardening sections.

Blackwell’s Island, the 21-year-old Bly feigned insanity until she was eventually admitted into the facility as a patient.

• Once inside, she discovered firsthand the appalling living conditions, brutality, cruelty and neglect that prevailed throughout the facility. She kept careful records of all she witnessed, and the New York World published her findings in October 1887.

• Her detailed exposé led to a full investigation of the asylum’s administration and staff, leading to substantial changes and major improvements. The shakeup caused a ripple effect, bringing about more investigations into other facilities in the medical community. It also launched her popularity as a well-known journalist.

• The next assignment for the now-23-yearold was to turn a classic story into reality. In Jules Verne’s 1873 novel “Around the World in Eighty Days,” a fictional Phileas Fogg and a companion circumnavigated the globe on a wager. Nellie Bly departed on her 24,900-mile (40,070 km) trek from Hoboken, New Jersey, in November 1889, and returned 72 days later, setting a record for around-the-world travel. She had traveled alone nearly the entire way aboard every type of transportation imaginable, including ships, horse, rickshaw, and sampan. Along the way, she actually met Jules Verne, her inspiration for the journey. Over the next seven years, Nellie penned 11 novels.

• At age 31, she married a millionaire manufacturer 42 years her senior, and took on a new career as head of the Iron Clad Manufacturing Company, a producer of boilers and steel containers, She added inventor to her list of accomplishments, obtaining patents for a stacking garbage can and a unique milk can.

• Following her husband’s death after 15 years of marriage, Bly was back to journalism, reporting on Europe’s Eastern Front in the midst of World War I, which included an arrest on mistaken charges of being a British spy.

• After a lifetime of adventure, Nellie Bly contracted pneumonia and passed away in a New York hospital at age 57.

1. MOVIES: Who was the voice of Genie in the animated version of “Aladdin” (1992)?

2. GEOGRAPHY: What river forms the northern border of Kentucky?

3. LITERATURE: Who wrote the short story “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”?

4. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What kind of dog was Toto in the book and movie “The Wizard of Oz”?

5. MYTHOLOGY: What is the name of the Greek god of sleep?

6. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president earned the nickname “Silent Cal” for his quiet demeanor?

7. FOOD & DRINK: What is another name for Middle Eastern pocket bread?

8. HISTORY: What battle started the U.S. Civil War?

9. MEASUREMENTS: How many milliliters are in a teaspoon?

10. MATH: What is the Arabic equivalent for the Roman numerals MCMLXXXIV?

• Unhappy with her downgrade, the strongminded reporter was sent to Mexico as a foreign correspondant, where she spent six months describing the poor conditions of the people, including their present dictatorship. Threatened with arrest, she returned to the States, only to learn that she no longer had a job.

• Finally, Joseph Pulitzer’s paper the “New York World” took her on for an undercover assignment. Attempting to expose abuse at the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on New York’s

growth, impair their coordination and arrest their ability to reproduce.

• A typical cup of drip-brewed coffee contains about 115 mg of caffeine, while the same size cup of espresso delivers about 250 mg of the stimulant -- which is why espresso is served in such tiny cups. Percolated coffee has slightly less caffeine than drip coffee. Decaffeinated coffee does not mean the coffee is completely caffeine-free. Brewed decaf still contains about 5 mg of caffeine.

• The average cup of truck stop coffee will usually contain more caffeine than an expensive cup of designer coffee. That’s because the cheaper robusta beans are higher in caffeine than the more expensive arabica beans that are used in the high-end specialty coffees.

• Methylene chloride is the chemical used to remove caffeine from coffee beans. The chemical is poisonous when inhaled, but because it evaporates at 120°F (49°C), it dissipates when the beans are roasted at 400°F. (204°C). Any remnants still in the beans are rendered harmless by brewing the coffee at a temperature around 200°F. (93°C) •

enhances performance on certain tasks. Tests that require fast reaction time, such as for race car drivers, fighter pilots and video gamers, prove that two cups of coffee can markedly improve performance. However, the caffeine only boosts intellectual speed and not physical power. Furthermore, coffee seems to help extroverts moreso than introverts. There’s also a placebo effect. Studies show that people respond more to the caffeine they believe they’ve consumed than they do to the amount of caffeine they’ve actually consumed.

• Coffee is addictive in the sense that there is a compulsion to continue its use. Tolerance for the effects of it increases, and users experience withdrawal when they can’t have it. The major symptom of coffee withdrawal is a headache, but irritability, restlessness and lethargy may also result.

HEALTH BENEFITS

• Those who excessively consume alcohol are 20% less likely to develop cirrhosis of the liver if they also drink at least one cup of coffee per day.

• Medical research has shown that people who consume caffeine are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, and studies indicate that caffeine may help those who already have the condition to better control the involuntary movement associated with it.

Coffee beans are actually the pit of a berry, which technically makes a cup of coffee a fruit drink!

• Research has also shown that drinking two to four cups of coffee daily can reduce the risk of suicide by about 50 percent. The theoretical reason is because coffee acts as a mild antidepressant by aiding in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline.

• Women who drink three or more cups of coffee a day are less likely to develop skin cancer than those who don’t.

• People who drink four or more cups of coffee a day reduce their chances of developing type 2 diabetes by 50 percent.

• People age 65 and older who had higher blood levels of caffeine developed Alzheimer’s disease two to four years later than those who had lower caffeine levels.

• According to a nutritional study, nothing comes

close to providing as many antioxidants as does coffee. While certain fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of antioxidants, the human body absorbs more of these benefits from coffee than from any other source.

HOWEVER…

• The use of tobacco and drinking coffee at the same time results in a rise of blood pressure. Since the combination of caffeine and nicotine also inhibits the effects of many high-blood pressure medications, this combination is not recommended for those whose blood pressure is already considered too high.

Coffee: Turn to page 15

QUIZ BITS

1. Both coffee and black tea interfere with the absorption of this necessary mineral.

2. Coffee is the second most commonly traded commodity on earth. What comes in first?

(Answers page 16)

In a taste test, consumers were given several packages of coffee to sample. Each coffee was wrapped in a different colored packet. 73% of the taste testers said the coffee in the dark brown package was too strong. 84% thought the coffee in the red package was richer. 79% agreed the coffee in the blue package was milder, and 87% believed the coffee in the yellow package was too weak. All the packages contained the identical coffee.

By Lucie Winborne

* Martial arts icon Bruce Lee could throw a single grain of rice into the air and catch it with chopsticks.

* A 2009 study found that lost wallets were 88% more likely to be returned to their owners if they contained a photo of a baby. Barring that, you’re also more likely to recover one if you typically carry pictures of a puppy, family members or an elderly couple.

* The word “checkmate” comes from the Arabic “shat mat,” or “The king is dead.”

* Want your candles to burn longer and drip less? Put them in the freezer for a few hours before lighting them.

* In what must qualify as one of the oddest marketing campaigns ever created, Burger King launched one that entitled customers to a free Whopper if they unfriended 10 Facebook friends. Those folks would receive a message explaining that their digital relationship was less valuable than the sandwich. Hey, we like Whoppers too, but really!

* Dolphins have been witnessed amusing themselves by creating underwater bubble rings.

* Leonardo da Vinci often bought caged animals just to set them free.

* There’s a Google Map for Mercury, Venus, Earth’s moon, Mars, Pluto, three out of four of Jupiter’s moons, and all but one of the round Saturnian moons.

* Early 19th-century composer Robert Schumann had an interesting, if grisly and ineffective, method of attempting to cure any disease he had or might have: plunging his hands into the guts of recently slaughtered animals.

* Sid Nouar, owner of the 1000&1 Signes restaurant in Paris, was the first deaf person to open a restaurant in France. It is also staffed entirely by deaf employees.

***

Thought for the Day: “Take action. An inch of movement will bring you closer to your goals than a mile of intention.”

-- Steve Maraboli

Inc.

Everyday CHEAPSKATE®

by Mary Hunt

Don’t Let Kids’ Activities Break the Bank

their activities, their SAT scores or their trophies. It will be measured by the depth of their character, the values they hold dear and the ways they live their lives. As for school, don’t ever assume a teacher -- public or private, secular or Christian -- can take your place when it comes to passing values to your children.

I suggest you allow each child to pick one activity and then make sure they have plenty of free time to just be kids.

Everyday CHEAPSKATE®

Today’s selections from my virtual mailbag come from mothers who on the one hand are facing completely different dilemmas, but on the other are exactly alike in that they want the very best for their children.

by Mary Hunt

DEAR MARY: My biggest budget busters are enrichment activities for our four children. I want to spark their joy for living by providing opportunities to sample different sports and hobbies.

Currently, they attend a private school that is academically aggressive. Each takes piano lessons. The boys take karate, and the girls ballet. They are also involved in sports, as well as theatre productions at school, none of which is free.

We are a one-income family, and I stay home with the children. Our finances are very tight, and we end up using credit to make it through the month. It sounds simple enough to just put my children in public school and drop all the extras, but my mommy guilt says NO. I want the best for my kids. Any advice? -- Tricia, New York

Dear Tricia: The definition of guilt is “remorse caused by feeling responsible for some offense.” You have not committed any offense, so I don’t think this is about guilt. You are most likely fearing that by not providing experiences and opportunities to your kids, you are failing as a parent.

Child experts tell us it is not good for kids to be overstimulated by things or activities. You can push kids to the brink of despair by overinvolving them in sports, music, karate, dance and academia all at the same time.

That you are going into debt to enable all of this is even more troubling. The best gift parents can give their children is first to provide them with a close and loving family environment with mutual respect for each other.

Twenty years from now, your worth as a parent will not be measured by the number of

As for school, have you explored charter schools available through your public school system? There are many excellent options out there. No matter where you kids are enrolled, let me encourage you to stay involved so you are on top of everything going on and being taught.

Thanks for writing. It was great to hear from you.

DEAR MARY: My daughter is engaged to a man who refuses to find a job. He is 23 and lives with his parents. My daughter pays all of their dating expenses, her car payment and insurance. He sleeps until noon, plays computer games all day and then waits for her to pick him up.

She is expecting me to pay for their wedding. I say I’m not putting one solitary dime into a wedding to a man who is void of any ambition and refuses to even look for a job. What do you think?

-- Kendra, Illinois

Dear Kendra: Hold your ground and tell your daughter all the reasons you cannot support this marriage. Is there a therapist or family counselor she would speak with? There’s some reason she is willing to settle for such a pathetic model for a life partner and father for her children. You need to make her realize this before she makes the biggest mistake of her life. * * *

Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

• Ludwig Roselius’ father was a professional coffee taster in Germany in the 1800s, but his father died young and Ludwig believed that his death was due to ingesting too much caffeine. At the time, the process of decaffeinating coffee caused it to lose most of its flavor, so it was an unpopular version of the drink.

• Ludwig opened a coffee business of his own, and in 1903 a ship filled with coffee beans destined for his store flooded and the entire load was soaked with seawater. Ludwig gave this ruined coffee to his researchers, telling them to experiment with decaffeination anyway. Surprisingly, they found that the soaked beans were easy to decaffeinate. The key, they discovered, was to raise the

moisture content of the beans before subjecting them to the chemical process.

• Ludwig patented the process and moved to America in 1914, setting up a coffee trading company called Kaffe-HAG, with HAG being an acronym for the German words meaning Coffee Trading Company. When World War I began, his business was seized under the U.S. Alien Property Custodian Act and handed over to Americans. Ludwig lost everything, including the trademarked name of his coffee.

• He set up a new business, marketing his decaffeinated coffee in Europe until the war ended. He needed a new name for his coffee so he chose a contraction of the French words ‘sans caffeine’ meaning ‘without caffeine.’

• He returned to America in 1923 and established a new business, which became so successful that General Foods bought him out nine years later.

• The method used today in the decaffeination process is still based on Roselius’ accidental discovery, as is his brand name -- Sanka.

MOBY DICK’S BLEND

• In Seattle in 1971, three friends got together and opened a specialty shop selling coffee beans and coffee-making equipment. One of the partners was a writer who loved the book “Moby Dick.” He wanted to name the business after the ship in that book, the “Pequod,” but another partner objected, saying nobody would want to drink a cup of PEE-quod. Instead, they named the company after Captain Ahab’s first mate.

• In 1982 they hired Howard Schultz to be their director of marketing. Schultz took a trip to Milan, Italy, where he saw Italians sipping espresso. He loved coffee himself, and he immediately understood the attraction of espresso. When he returned home, he suggested to his bosses that instead of selling just coffee beans and equipment to their customers, they should also sell coffee drinks, including espresso.

• His bosses dismissed the idea, preferring to keep the company focused on selling only the coffee beans and the equipment. The coffee drink itself, they felt, was meant to be prepared in the home, not in a public venue.

• Schultz was determined his concept would work. He subsequently left the partners and started up his own shop, selling coffee drinks exclusively. The business was an immediate success.

• In 1987 his former bosses sold him their coffee bean company along with the name. By now Schultz had mastered the coffee shop business and he began a period of phenomenally speedy expansion until it became the largest coffeehouse chain in the world, with some 16,000 stores in 49 countries. It’s still named after Captain Ahab’s first mate in the Moby Dick book.

You guessed it -- Starbucks. ‪

Solar

Overtime

Marketing

by Dana Jackson

Q: A good friend of mine was telling me that I’d probably like the Canadian detective series “Cardinal.” Where can I watch it if I live in the United States? -- H.C.

A: “Cardinal” aired on CTV out of Canada for four seasons, from 2017 to 2020, with six episodes in each season. It was a crime series based on the novels by Giles Blunt about a detective named John Cardinal, set in the fictional town of Algonquin Bay. The first season was based on Blunt’s novel, “Forty Words for Sorrow,” about the murder of a young girl. Subsequent seasons involve a different novel/mystery.

Fans of British crime dramas like “Broadchurch” or the U.S.-based show “The Killing,” set in the Pacific Northwest, will likely find “Cardinal” right up their alley. It also stars Billy Campbell, who has been acting in Hollywood since the 1980s and also played Darren Richmond in “The Killing.”

I’ve always enjoyed watching a series or film set in a snowscape while I sit in my warm living room with a cup of hot tea, and “Cardinal” does not disappoint. Filmed on location in Ontario, temperatures dipped to -40 degrees F. Executive producer Julia Sereny told RadioTimes.com that it was so cold sometimes that the “sound recordist could not get his truck started” and that windows on vehicles cracked.

You can watch all four seasons of “Cardinal”

currently on Hulu.

***

Q: “Desperate Housewives” is my alltime favorite show. How many years has it been off the air? Any chance of a reboot? -- P.I.

A: Last December 31, the official ABC “Desperate Housewives” Twitter account featured a photo of the cast with the cryptic statement “*Desperately* waiting for 2022.” Because 2022 would be a full decade since the show concluded, buzz started circulating that the soapy drama was next in line for a reboot. Unfortunately, it never came to fruition, at least not yet.

A couple months earlier, former cast member Eva Longoria said about “Desperate Housewives” creator Marc Cherry, “We both just think there’s so much more to do there, and I would be the first to sign up if he did anything.”

Former onscreen spouses Teri Hatcher and James Denton recently guest-starred on “Fantasy Island” as a couple whose marriage is put to the test as contestants on a twisted game show featuring a quicksand trap. ***

Q: How is Billy Joel doing? I heard he had some health issues and had to cancel some concerts. I really hope he tours again. -- J.A.

A: The six-time Grammy-Award-winning piano man recently had to postpone his last performance at Madison Square Garden this year due to a lingering virus. The new date is June 2, 2023, unless the hometown New York Knicks make it into the NBA Playoffs at that time. Joel has been playing MSG every January since 2014. He’s also supposed to perform with Stevie Nicks at L.A.’s SoFi Stadium in March. * * *

Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

King Features News Syndicate

Good Recipes from

Mashed Potato-Meatloaf Casserole

Meat-and-potatoes fans will flip over this flavorful home-style casserole from our sister publication Woman’s Day.

Potato Filling:

2 pound baking potatoes

1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 egg

1/4 cup fresh basil, cilantro, or parsley

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Meatloaf Shell:

1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil

2 onions

1 clove garlic

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1 pound lean ground beef or meatloaf mixture

2 eggs

1/2 cup plain dry breadcrumbs

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1/4 cup parsley, fresh basil, or cilantro

1/4 cup dry white wine

1 tablespoon cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1. Place potatoes in large pot of salted water. Bring to boil over high heat; reduce heat, partially cover, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes until tender.

2. Meanwhile, start meatloaf shell. Heat oven to 350 F. Grease a shallow 2-quart casserole. In medium skillet, saute onions in oil 5 minutes over medium heat. Add garlic, oregano and dried basil; cook 1 minute. Spoon into large bowl and cool about 10 minutes.

3. Crumble meat into onion mixture. Add eggs, breadcrumbs, tomato sauce, fresh basil, wine, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix just until thoroughly combined. Place in casserole, and press over bottom and up sides to make a shell.

4. Drain potatoes well. Place in medium bowl. Beat in sour cream, butter, salt and pepper. Add egg and beat until fluffy. Beat in basil. Fill center of shell with mashed potatoes; sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake 50 to 60 minutes until potatoes puff and are lightly browned. Let stand at least 15 minutes before serving. Serves 6.

To reheat: If room temperature, bake 40 minutes at 350 F; if cold, 55 minutes.

Morning Glory Muffins

We took the ultimate breakfast muffin and made it healthier by reducing the calories and fat, and cutting the cholesterol in half!

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats, uncooked

1/3 cup nonfat (skim) milk

2/3 cup applesauce, unsweetened 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup light (mild) molasses

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 large egg

3 medium carrots, shredded (1 1/2 cups) 1/2 cups prunes, chopped

1. Heat oven to 400 F. Grease 12 standard muffin-pan cups or line cups with fluted paper liners.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; stir in oats. In medium bowl, with fork, mix milk, applesauce, brown sugar, molasses, oil and egg until blended; stir in carrots and prunes. Add applesauce mixture to flour mixture; stir just until

flour is moistened (batter will be lumpy).

3. Spoon batter into prepared muffin-pan cups. (Muffin cups will be full.) Bake 23 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean. Immediately remove muffins from pan. Serve warm, or cool on wire rack to serve later.

 Each serving: About 165 calories, 3g total fat (0g saturated), 3g protein, 32g carbohydrate, 18mg cholesterol, 200mg sodium, 2g dietary fiber.

* * *

For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/. (c) 2023 Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved

NEST HEADS

By John Allen

DIAMOND LIL by Brett Koth

Fungus

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty

By Matthew Margolis Creators News Service

Canine-Love Crazed

In days of yore, it was the dog that got the leftovers: scraps from the dinner table, a pat on the head on the way out the door. Nowadays, it seems it’s the people in our lives that often have to settle for sloppy seconds.

Last week a woman called to discuss her problem. She said, “I walk my dog every day, and every day he lunges at someone. He’s bitten several people.”

I asked her what she plans to do to address this. “For starters, what will you do tomorrow come walk time?”

“Well, walk him, of course. He needs his exercise.”

Shortly after, a man called to vent his frustration. He explained that his 7-year-old dog has spent the last five years growling and snarling at his wife. I asked him what the problem was.

He said, “It’s my wife. She won’t stop bothering me about this, and it’s annoying.”

Over the weekend a mother of five called to share the story of her 7-year-old Golden retriever. He’s bitten two children outside of the family and one child within the family. And he growls at everyone -- man, woman and child.

I asked her why she did nothing when the dog first bit someone, and she insisted there were “circumstances.”

“What kind of circumstances?” I asked.

“The kid moved toward the dog.” End of story. Those were the circumstances.

As Lily Tomlin once said, “No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up.”

All of these people have one thing in common: They are more concerned about protecting the dog than they are about protecting the people around them.

According to CDC data, dogs bite more than 4.7 million people each year in the United States. I believe there is a causal relationship between that staggering number and the following: -- poor breeding -- poor socialization -- lack of training

SENIOR NEWS LINE

by Matilda Charles © King Features Synd., Inc.

One Billion Safety Recalls

It was recently disclosed that in the first half of 2022, there were over one billion recalls across the country of products that we buy.

That’s Billion, with a “B.” Depending on the level of the recall, some of them can be extremely serious ... even deadly.

How do we know whether we missed an announcement about a product we own? We can go online to Recalls.gov and look. They cover everything from sports equipment to electronics, household items and more. You can search on that site by date, the type of hazard and the country where an item was manufactured.

I searched for clothing. It was shocking to see a dozen children’s items recalled for fire hazard. And the padded rolling desk chair with the legs that can break. And the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors that don’t work as advertised. And then the laundry detergent that somehow got packaged and shipped to market with dangerous bacteria laced in the product.

To be notified about recalls, go to www. cpsc.gov/Newsroom/Subscribe and sign up for the free email alerts.

If you need to keep up with recalls and alerts for a vehicle, go online to www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. You’ll need the vehicle identification number (VIN), which can be found on the door jamb behind the driver door. Or you can search by year, make and model of your vehicle. For the very latest vehicle recalls, Kelley Blue Book also has them listed on the front page at www.kbb.com/recall

Food is another area where we need to keep up with any recalls and warnings. Search for “FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts” for the latest information on cosmetics, veterinary items, medical devices and food. Right on the front page was a list of alerts for products with undeclared wheat, potential listeria, salmonella and more. In the medical devices it was disturbing to learn some needle products were found to be contaminated with traces of rust. You’ll also see a link there to sign up for email alerts.

Let’s make 2023 our year to be aware of these problems and stay safe.

* * *

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@ gmail.com.

(c) KingFeaturesSyndicate

The Art of DESIGN

by Joseph Publillones

La Vie Boheme

There is always a new term in the world of interior design that inspires new trends and yet another approach to design. The latest buzzword is “boho” or “boho chic.” “Boho” is a term used to define things that are unconventional and artistic; however, understanding the meaning of the root of this term can help you achieve your own distinctive style. What does “boho” really mean? Well, first, it is an abbreviation of the French word bohemian, which refers to Gypsies and is named after a particular group of people who traveled from Bohemia, a region of the Czech Republic.

A more recent example for boho culture existed in Greenwich Village in New York City during the 1950s, also known as the Beat Generation, which finally gave way to the hippie culture of the 1960s and 1970s.

Today, “bohemian” is more of an adjective than a noun and indicates an aesthetic that takes its influence from the free spirits of past generations. The modern boho chic appearance is eclectic, with an emphasis on ethnic and vintage pieces from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.

Mixing patterns and textures is one of the distinguishing characteristics of boho interiors. There’s an infallible formula for mixing and matching cushions like a professional -- I’ll tell you about that later -- but when it comes to creating a boho chic space, all the rules stop working. Bright colors and many patterns like floral and paisley mixed with ethnic patterns like tribal

prints and geometric patterns are a hallmark of the boho chic style.

This decorative style is nourished by vibrant and intense colors, printed textiles and a combination of different types of furniture. So that the result of this mixture does not turn out to be chaotic, I would recommend a neutral base in the walls. And let the rest of the decoration be in charge of giving color and life to the room. Contrasting colors and patterns will add the bohemian spirit.

Boho floors are usually layered with carpets of different designs. Sometimes, they combine one with textures and a more neutral one. Oriental carpets are a staple decorative item, as are dhurrie and shag rugs.

The use of natural and rustic finishes highlights the hippie influence of the ‘60s and ‘70s on the boho chic style. Accessories using natural or raw materials such as hemp, sisal, wood and rattan can be used as a nod to the humble beginning of this style. Try decorating with wooden walls, vintage macrame hangers, natural fiber carpets such as sisal or seagrass, a leather footrest or a decorative staircase. Although natural textures are key, don’t let that stop you from incorporating metallic elements. Finally, add a splash of a floral print, a geometric pattern or the psychedelic effects of a tie-dye fabric incorporated into a decorative pillow, throw or upholstered chair, light a fragrant incense and your interiors will be ready to sing “La Vie Boheme.”

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. His website is www.josephpubillones.com. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Cody’s Corner (from page 9)

And for those repeat offenders whose dogs bite again and again until they are either removed from the home or destroyed altogether, the problem is denial. Some people simply cannot say the words: My dog is aggressive. They can’t admit it and they won’t deal with it.

But if a person were really concerned about the welfare of their pet, they would recognize problem behavior for what it is. If your dog is a biter, odds are good that ignoring the problem will only make things worse for everyone in the long run -including the dog.

We live in truly interesting times. A friend sent me a snapshot taken over the weekend. The photograph was of an elderly nanny pushing a stroller along a sidewalk in Beverly Hills. Inside the stroller: a dog. I can only wonder what became of the child.

Woof!

* * *

Dog trainer Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis is the co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and the host of the PBS series “WOOF! It’s a Dog’s Life!” Read all of Uncle Matty’s columns at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com.

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

by Tom Margenau

Agency Puts Lump of Coal in Seniors’ Stockings

Just last week, I wrote a column in which I passed along my ideas for a holiday gift for senior citizens. One is a booklet published by the Social Security Administration called “Fast Facts and Figures.” It’s a short booklet (about 40 pages) crammed with fun and interesting tidbits about the Social Security program. Just Google “Social Security fast facts and figures 2022” and it will lead you to a link where you can read the booklet online or order a printed version. The other idea is to get one or both of my Social Security guidebooks highlighted at the end of this column.

The day after I submitted that column to my syndicators, I got an interesting email from a lady. Based on what she wrote, it seems like the Social Security Administration has decided to add a lump of coal to the Christmas stockings of senior citizens approaching Social Security age. Here is the email I got.

Q: I recently turned 60 and I got a statement from the Social Security people that told me what my benefits will be at age 62, at 67 (my full retirement age) and at 70. That was all well and good. But then they added a statement that said these payments will go down in 2034. It said for every $1,000 I get in Social Security my benefit rate will be reduced by $220.

How can this be? This is going to be a huge problem for me, and lots of other seniors, I’m sure. I’m so confused. Can you help me understand?

A: Well, isn’t that a nice holiday gift from the Social Security Administration? However, I’m sure if you go back and look at the statement you got from the SSA, you will see some fine print that says something like this: “If no changes are made to Social Security before 2034,” then those reductions in benefits will happen.

As I’ve explained a thousand times in this column, because of the crush of retiring baby boomers (10,000 of us are retiring every single day), the Social Security program needs to be reformed to keep it solvent for future generations. And as I’ve also explained a thousand times, relatively modest reforms will accomplish that goal.

So, on the one hand I applaud the SSA planners for doing what they can to make people aware of the issue. I’m sure part of their plan was to get the public to alert their members of Congress to work on reforming Social Security.

But on the other hand, I wish they would have made the “your benefits will be cut in 2034” message a little less threatening or made the caveat about “if no changes are made to the program” a little more obvious so that people like the person who sent me the email aren’t frightened and misled.

And speaking of changes to the program, in past columns, I included a short list of possible reform proposals for Social Security. I’ll include some of them in today’s column. To fix Social Se-

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

curity for the long term, you either need to raise revenues or cut benefits. These proposals include some of each.

PROPOSALS THAT WOULD REDUCE BENEFITS

No. 1: Raise the retirement age to 70 by 2060

Why this is a good idea: People are living longer, healthier lives and with enough lead time, they would be able to plan for the delay in receipt of their benefits.

Why this is a bad idea: Would you really want to work until you are 70 years old? Employers will be faced with higher health care costs for older workers.

No. 2: Reduce cost of living adjustments (COLAs) paid to Social Security beneficiaries by 1/2 of 1%

Why this is a good idea: Economists believe the current formula overstates inflation for seniors.

Why this is a bad idea: I’ve never met one senior citizen who believes the economists. Also, COLA reductions are cumulative. The longer you live, the more you will suffer financially.

No. 3: Reduce benefits by 5% for all future retirees

Why this is a good idea: All retirees should share responsibility for shoring up Social Security. Why this is a bad idea: Lower-income beneficiaries could not afford the reduction.

PROPOSALS THAT WOULD RAISE REVENUES

No. 1: Raise Social Security payroll tax by 1/2 of 1%

Why this is a good idea: The Social Security tax has not been increased in more than 30 years. This would be a modest price to pay for long-range Social Security stability.

Why this is a bad idea: Extra tax burden would discourage savings and investment.

No. 2: Tax all earnings (the 2023 payroll tax base is $160,200)

Why this is a good idea: It impacts only higher-income people who can afford it.

Why this is a bad idea: Benefits are tied to taxes paid. To make this proposal work, you would have to raise taxes on the wealthy but limit what they get back in return.

No. 3: Make folks pay income tax on all Social Security benefits (currently only a portion is taxed)

Why this is a good idea: All other pensions are fully taxed.

Why this is a bad idea: It would impact middle-income taxpayers the most.

No. 4: Require all state/local government workers to pay into Social Security

Why this is a good idea: All working Americans should pay for Social Security.

ADVERTISING PROOF

No. 4: Means test: Reduce benefits to those making more than $100,000

Why this is a good idea: Ensures Social Security is paid only to people who need it the most. Why this is a bad idea: Would turn Social Security into a welfare program.

Why this is a bad idea: It would jeopardize many well-run government employee pension plans. * * *

1. The book of Zephaniah is in the a) Old testament b) New testament c) Neither

2. What prophetess of about 84 years of age approached Mary and Joseph and thanked God for the infant Jesus? a) Anna b) Baara c) Junia d) Phoebe

3. What phenomenon had led the wise men to the young Savior Jesus? a) Pillar of fire b) Star c) Angels d) Cloud

4. From Matthew 2, to what country did Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus flee? a) Jordan b) Syria c) Oman d) Egypt

5. An angel appearing in a dream told whom about the death of Herod? a) Mary b) Joseph c) Matthias d) Rachel

6. Where did Jesus live as a boy? a) Jerusalem b) Bethlehem c) Nazareth d) Bible not specific

Sharpen your understanding of scripture with Wilson Casey's latest book, "Test Your Bible Knowledge," now available in stores and online.

(Answers on page 16)

For comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc. © 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easyto-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. To find out more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS.COM

Number(s) 

a significant improvement in pain or function.

I agree with you that this procedure is safer than surgery, and while I’m glad it’s worked for you, the evidence of benefit from the highestquality trials is lacking.

Dr.

Radiofrequency Ablation Considerably Lessens Back Pain

DEAR DR. ROACH: I suffered a lower back injury in 2001, with crushed and bulging discs in the L2, L3, L4 and L5 vertebras. After over a year of physical therapy and drugs, my pain doctor tried an epidural injection, which did not work, and then suggested I try something new at that time called a radiofrequency ablation (also called a lumbar facet rhizotomy). It’s done as an outpatient surgery and may have to be repeated.

I’ve done so many that I opt for no anesthesia. It works great; I even get up and drive myself home! I’ve learned to limit my activities, so as to not cause more damage due to my disabled pain receptors.

I have been pain- and drug-free for almost 20 years. The treatment usually lasts nine to 14 months, and when I feel the nerves starting to fire again and cause me pain, I just schedule the procedure and have them ablated again.

Whenever I see somebody walking funny due to back pain, I mention this procedure to them. Several of them have come back and thanked me for saying something.

Doctors don’t seem to promote this procedure, and I don’t understand why. It’s clearly another option besides surgery and addictive medication. It’s been a win-win for me, as opposed to surgery.

Please help promote this wonderful yet “unknown” procedure. I’m still living an active normal life at 64, 20 years after I was told I may end up in a wheelchair. -- M.T.

ANSWER: Radiofrequency ablation of the nerves in the back has been used since the 1970s in people with intractable back pain. The procedure uses an electrode that heats the nerves in the facet joints of the back, stopping pain conduction. This is done when the treating physician is sure that the pain is coming from these particular nerves, called the lumbar medial branch nerves.

This procedure is not appropriate for all types of back pain. Typically, the physician will perform a block using an injection, and if this is successful, but short-lived (as is often the case), a radiofrequency ablation is considered. When it works, a year of relief is typical (sometimes shorter or, for a few, up to three years) before the nerve fibers regenerate, at which point the procedure can be repeated. Burning or numbness around the injection site is the most common adverse effect.

Effectiveness rates in the published literature range from 50% to nearly 100% in small trials of carefully chosen subjects. However, a large randomized trial of this procedure in subjects who were being treated with an exercise program and psychological support did not show

VETERANS POST  

by Freddie Groves

Life Insurance From the VA

As of now, for the first time in 50 years, the Department of Veterans Affairs is opening up enrollment in Veterans Affairs Life Insurance, aka VALife. Veterans who are age 80 or under, with any level of service-connected disabilities, are guaranteed to be accepted to receive up to $40,000 in whole life insurance.

A bonus is that there is no requirement for medical underwriting, meaning that no one is going to squint at the health details of your application and try to decide whether or not to offer you insurance.

The VALife changes are to the existing Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI):

-- You’ll be able to apply online and get a fast decision.

-- There is no time limit to apply (the existing insurance requires you to sign up for life insurance within two years).

-- There is no good-health requirement (the existing insurance requires you to be healthy, except for conditions that are service connected).

-- You can now apply for $40,000 in insurance (the existing insurance limits you to $10,000).

Before you sign up, read about whole life insurance versus term insurance. Whole life can stay with you for your lifetime as long as you keep paying the premiums, and it accumulates a cash value that you can withdraw or borrow from.

Term insurance is for a specific period of time and doesn’t accrue cash value. BUT whole life costs more, sometimes a lot more. Do your homework and know what you’re getting if you sign up for the VA’s whole life.

A fact to notice: With the VALife policy, it will build cash value for two years and then convert to face value. If the veteran dies during the two years, beneficiaries will get back the premiums paid, plus interest.

If you currently have the old S-DVI, you’ll be able to switch over to the VALife, should you choose to do so.

To see the fine print, go to www.benefits. va.gov/insurance/valife.asp. Click on the Cost link to see a chart showing the premiums.

M.D.

Simple Home Safety Solutions for Agingin-Place

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: My elderly father lives alone, and falls and fires are the two things I worry about most for his welfare. What methods can you recommend that we can use to help us feel more confident that he's relatively safe? We live quite a distance away and can't check on him as often as we would like.

--Concerned Daughter

Dear Concerned: There are a number of small adjustments and modifications you can make to your dad’s home to help protect him from falls and fires. Sadly, both of these problems cause thousands of injuries and deaths each year. Here are some tips to get you started:

Eliminate tripping hazards:

Since falls are the leading cause of home injury among seniors, a good place to start is to pack away your dad’s throw rugs, which are common tripping hazards, or use carpet tacks or double-sided tape to secure them. You may also need to adjust your dad’s furniture so there are clear pathways to walk through, and make sure any electrical or phone cords are placed on the floor along wallboards well away from any walkways.

For hardwood steps, consider attaching a nonslip tread strip to each one to provide traction and help him see the edge. And for added protection in the bathroom use only nonskid rugs for the floors and use adhesive nonslip treads or a mat with rubber suction inside his tub or shower stall.

Improve his lighting:

Good lighting is essential for safe aging-in-place, so check the wattage ratings on your dad’s lamps and light fixtures, and

install the brightest bulbs allowed, and add supplementary lighting if necessary.

You should also purchase some dusk to dawn nightlights for the bathroom and in the hallways that automatically light up when the sun goes down. They are easily plugged into any outlet and will provide enough lumintation to allow him to safely move about the home when all the other lights are not on. You should also mount some motion sensor lights outside the front and back doors and in the driveway that will automatically turn on when he comes and goes after dark.

Install sturdy grab bars:

These helpful aids will significantly reduce his risk of bathroom falls. Install them where he can steady himself when he enters the shower or tub, and on a wall inside the stall. He should also have one next to the commode to aid in pulling himself up to stand. Do not buy grab bars that simply attach with suction cups. Instead, have metal wall-mounted bars fastened securely to the wall studs by someone with experience and the proper tools. It’s also best to choose bars with a slightly rough-textured surface that provides an easier, non-slip grip.

Ensure railings are stable:

Wherever he has steps – stairways, entryways or basements – he needs sturdy railings. Ideally, they should be on both sides of the steps and strong enough to bear a heavy sideload should he lean on them.

Prevent cooking fires:

There are several affordable products you can purchase to help your dad prevent

* * *

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

by Jim Miller

JUNQUE

by Anne McCollam Creators

Figural Powder Boxes Evoke Memories of Time Gone By

Q: This is a photo of a porcelain powder box that was given to me as a child in the late 1960s or early 1970s. It was part of a relative’s collection and still is in perfect condition. There are no manufacturer’s marks.

I want to pass it along to my daughter and would like to know more about its history and value.

A: You have a figural powder box or jar that was made in the early- to mid-20th century. Just about every dresser top had one along with a mirror, comb, brush, a pin tray, covered trinket dish and perfume bottle. Many were made in the United States, Europe and Japan. Since so many were not marked or marked with paper labels that disappeared, their origin often remains a mystery. What is important is that they are a charming reminder of the past and are collectible. Your powder jar would probably be worth $50 to $75. ***

Q: This mark is on the bottom of an ironstone platter that has been in our family for as far back as I can remember. My grandmother always kept it in the dining room china cabinet and when my mother inherited it, she kept it on a shelf where we kids couldn’t reach. It measures approximately 11 inches long and is in mint condition. It is decorated with a black and white country scene against a white background.

I would not part with it for anything and plan to pass it down to my daughter, but I would like to know who made it, when, where and its value.

A: Charles Meigh joined his father’s pottery at Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, in 1834 and operated it under his own name from 1835 to 1949. From 1850 to 1851, the name Charles Meigh and Sons and Pankurst was used. In 1851, the firm dropped the name Pankurst to become Charles Meigh and Sons.

Meigh and Sons produced flow blue and mulberry transfer pattern pieces and salt glazed teapots. The pottery closed in 1901.

“California” is the name of the pattern and the scene is a transfer print and not hand painted. Your mid-19th century platter would probably be worth $150 to $175.

Charles Meigh and Sons produced transfer print dishes in England.

Antiques expert and columnist Anne McCollam has recently retired and no longer receives inquiries nor answers reader letters. Due to the popularity of her column, this publication will continue to reprint previous columns of interest to our readers.

To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.

* On Jan. 5, 1914, Henry Ford introduced a revolutionary pay deal of $5 per day wages for all of his employees. When asked about it, he told reporters that he wanted his workers to earn enough to be able to afford to buy a Ford motor car.

* On Jan. 3, 1938, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who contracted polio at age 39, founded the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, later renamed the March of Dimes Foundation. The moniker came courtesy of comedian Eddie Cantor, who said in a donations appeal: “Nearly everyone can send in a dime, or several dimes. However, it takes only 10 dimes to make a dollar, and if a million people send only one dime, the total will be $100,000.”

* On Jan. 2, 1941, The Andrews Sisters recorded “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” for Decca Records, about a Chicago trumpeter drafted into the Army in World War II who shakes up “Reveille” with his masterful licks. Originally intended for Lou Costello to perform in the comedy “Buck Privates,” it was reworked for The Andrews Sisters, who introduced it in the film.

* On Jan. 6, 1973, the 1939 MercedesBenz 770k sedan that Hitler was said to have used in a parade march was sold to Earl Clark at an auction for $153,000. Clark planned to exhibit the vehicle at his Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

* On Jan. 7, 1981, truck driver Peter Sutcliffe admitted to being the “Yorkshire Ripper,” who killed 13 women in northern England over five years. Sutcliffe was caught on Jan. 2 after being stopped by the police with Olivia Reivers, a prostitute, and was arrested for having fitted his car with fake license plates.

* On Jan. 4, 2012, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah decreed that men could no longer sell female underwear in lingerie shops. The country previously allowed only men to work as shop keepers, but after female customers complained that they made the women uncomfortable, a new law allowed women to take their place.

North Carolina

town with a freakishly high population of particular baby birds of prey: Kiddy Hawk.

"l don't care how much you think that contraption helps with your wicked slice, you look like a complete idiot!"

Porcelain powder jars were popular in the early 1900s.

• Birth defects are possible if a pregnant woman drinks more than eight cups of coffee a day during the pregnancy. Some doctors recommend that pregnant woman avoid caffeine altogether.

FAST FACTS & QUICK BITS

• Hawaii is the only U.S. state that grows coffee.

• 40 percent of the world’s coffee comes from Brazil and Columbia.

• The first webcam was invented at the University of Cambridge and first used to let office employees know if the coffee pot was full or not.

• A cup of Starbucks exists in every scene of the movie “Fight Club.”

• The average American consumes about 200 mg of caffeine a day. (A typical cup has between 95 and 200 mg of caffeine.)

• 31 percent of coffee drinkers brew a cup first thing every morning. About 65 percent of coffee consumption takes place during breakfast hours.

• The U.S. imports more than $4 billion worth of coffee each year.

• The cappuccino machine was perfected in 1946 by an Italian named Achille Gaggia. The name cappuccino comes from the resemblance of the color of the liquid to the color of the robes of the monks of the Capuchin order.

THE BENT SPOON

• Joe E. Brown was a great stage and screen comic of the depression era. In the film “Elmer the Great” one sight gag involved a cup of coffee. He was trying to drink it while his spoon was still in the cup. Every time he lifted the cup to his lips, the spoon slipped and hit him in the eye. After half a dozen times, Brown took the spoon out of the cup, bent the handle down, then replaced the bent spoon in the cup, solving the problem. Brown later received hundreds of letters from angry mothers complaining that after their kids had seen that movie they found their kitchen silverware drawers full of bent spoons! ‪

Game Changers

by Jason Jenkins

Chipping Confusion

For years the chipping set up was taught with a series of mysterious and confusing elements. Point the feet way left. Put the ball behind the right foot. Lean most of the body weight left. All of which created an awkward looking system and typically low, screaming chips that ran off the green.

A good finish should have the left leg straight, the right thigh up close to the left leg, the right foot up on the toe, and the upper body arching back slightly. The trick is that the hips are now “tucked under” the upper body or the stomach is pushed forward. Many beginners, or players who don’t have good core strength, will finish with their hips pushed out behind their upper body. Learn to correct the finish by tucking the hips under or pushing your belt buckle forward in order to feel the correct position. Good leg work will assist in correct hip positioning as well.

Modern tour players keep chipping quite simple. They aim slightly left or fairly square with their feet, usually a clubhead apart. No need to aim way left. The ball position is slightly back of center. This keeps the club from leaning drastically, giving the clubhead reasonable loft. The body weight is partially left sided, which again aids in a little more loft on the shot.

If you need a long distance, running chip that comes out hot…grab your 7 iron instead of the sand wedge. Clear out the confusion with a simplified chipping set up.

Game Changers

the Jim McLean Golf

Jason Jenkins was a 16-year member of the Jim McLean Golf School teaching staff and was one of GOLF Magazine’s Top 100

Nominees 1999-2010. He was named one of the Golf

Top Teachers in California in 2011.

by Jason Jenkins

Jason Jenkins was a 16-year member of the Jim McLean Golf School teaching staff. He was one of GOLF Magazine’s Top 100

Teacher Nominees 1999-2010 and has been named one of the Golf Digest Top Teachers in California. Jason teaches at GOLFTEC CENTER in Indio. Contact him at jjenkins@golftec.com