Vol. 20: #25 • Food Bits GALORE • (6-16-2024) Tidbits of Coachella Valley

"The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read"

by Kathy Wolfe

With each visit to the grocery store we're faced with tempting choices of meats, pasteries, beverages, boxed and canned goods from literally thousands of brands and manufacturers. But most of us never give a thought to how these companies ever began and simply take their food products for granted. So Tidbits decided to serve up a helping of interesting facts for you to chew on about their origins, along with some unique cooking preparations to satisfy your hungry curiositiy..

• Swanson Foods introduced frozen chicken pot pies in 1951 to great success. Carl Swanson’s sons suggested expanding into a frozen full-course meal, one that could be eaten on a chair while watching television, a new innovation appearing in more and more households.

• In 1953, the company debuted what became known as the TV dinner. An aluminum tray held turkey, corn bread, peas, gravy, and potatoes, in individualized compartments. During 1954, the first full year of production, Swanson estimated Food Bits: Turn to page 3

TRIVIA NEWSFRONT

(Answers on page 16)

1. HISTORY: Who was the first female chancellor of Germany?

2. GEOGRAPHY: Which European capital used to be called Christiania?

3. MOVIES: What are the names of the elderly couple in the animated movie “Up”?

4. ANATOMY: How much blood is in the average human body?

5. SCIENCE: What do ohms measure?

6. TELEVISION: Al Borland is a sidekick in which 1990s TV sitcom?

7. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What does an hCG test determine?

8. U.S. STATES: Which state is named after a French king?

9. LITERATURE: Who are Nancy Drew’s best friends in the children’s mystery novel series?

10. FOOD & DRINK: What fruit is used to make Worcestershire sauce? Answers

your body

Your bones support you from head to toe, protect your internal organs, and give your body its shape. This week, Tidbits directs attention to the skeletal structure of the body that holds us all together!

• A baby is born with about 300 bones, but by adulthood will only have 206. That’s because a baby’s bones are mostly cartilage rather than solid bone which mineralizes during the first few years, causing some bones to fuse together, a process known as ossification.

• Bones. which make up about 15% of an adult body’s weight, consist of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, other minerals, and the protein collagen. Collagen is constantly replenishing itself, so that about every seven years, every bone in the body is completely replaced.

• The femur, or thighbone, accounts for nearly 25% of a body’s height. It’s the longest and strongest bone of the body, able to support 30 times its own weight.

• The only bone that is fully grown at birth is the stapes, commonly called the stirrup, found in the middle ear. It’s the body’s smallest bone, just 0.11 inches (2.8 mm) long, about the size of a grain of rice.

• Bones are fastened to other bones by long, fibrous straps called ligaments. Cartilage, a flexible, rubbery substance in our joints, supports bones and protects them where they rub against each other.

• All the body’s bones connect together to provide structure, except for one. The V-shaped hyoid bone, found in the throat above the larynx, is the only bone that doesn’t connect to a joint. It’s responsible for holding your tongue in place.

• Most people have 12 ribs on each side, but about 1% (usually males) have a 13th rib. This extra,

known as a cervical rib, is present at birth and is located at the base of the neck, just above the collarbone. Some people have it removed because it can cause neck pain. The ribs move every time we breathe, about 5 million times a year.

• Bones are filled with a spongy tissue known as bone marrow. This substance produces red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body, white blood cells that fight infections, and platelets that control bleeding. Bone marrow produces about 500 billion blood cells a day.

• The most common broken bones among adults are the arm and the ankle. In children, it’s the collarbone, also known as the clavicle. Once a bone is broken, within two hours, the body is taking action to heal the fracture. A blood clot forms around the bone, and blood vessels form to help the healing process begin. Next, collagen forms around the break which will harden and hold the pieces in place. It takes about 12 weeks for a bone to heal. Frequently, the new bone is stronger than the old one.

• Where’s your funny bone? First of all, it’s not a bone at all, but rather the ulnar nerve. It runs inside the elbow, and when bumped, it creates a momentary tingling, prickly pain and numbness.

• If the amount of calcium in the blood is too low, the body reacts by pulling calcium reserves from the bones. The creation of new bone can’t keep up with the loss of old bone, and the bones become thin and fragile, with large holes. This creates osteoporosis which causes bones to break much more easily. In severe cases, even a spell of coughing can cause a break. The most common breaks are in the hip, wrist, or spine. About 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, with 80% of them women.

• How do you keep your bones strong? Providing them with calcium and Vitamins A, K, and D will keep them healthy, along with daily walks and other load-bearing exercise. As the American Dairy Association has proclaimed for decades, "You never outgrow your need for milk!" 

3.

Angela Merkel.

Oslo, Norway.

Carl and Ellie Fredricksen.

"Fearfully and wonderfully made" One in a series

Week of June 16, 2024

production would be in the 50,000 range, but sales far exceeded expectations when demand resulted in more than 10 million of the dinners sold!

• Nestle is the world’s largest food company, owning more than 2,000 brands in nearly 190 countries. This Swiss-based company has 450 factories that contribute to its $90 billion in annual sales.

• Nestle started in 1877 with the creation of the world’s first milk chocolate by German chemist Henri Nestle, who had already achieved great success with his invention of a specialized baby formula. Nestle’s hot cocoa mix has been around since 1935, with the Crunch bar introduced in 1938, chocolate chips and instant coffee in 1938, and Nestle Quik in 1954. In addition to their famous chocolate products, Nestle owns, among others, Libby’s, Carnation, Lean Cuisine, Häagen Daz, Gerber, Stouffer’s, DiGiorno and Tombstone pizzas, and 25 different coffee brands. The company is also owner of several pet food entities, including Alpo and Purina.

• Although we Americans consume literally tons of beefy cheeseburgers, they’re far from the most consumed meat. That honor actually goes to goat meat! Itʼs the most consumed red meat, totaling 70% of the global total. The United States and Australia are the world’s largest meat eaters, while India has the lowest consumption in the world, just seven pounds per person annually.

• Buffalo wings have nothing to do with the great American bison. The tasty appetizer is so named because of its origin in Buffalo, New York, where the Bellissimo family established the city’s popular Anchor Bar in 1935.

• The story goes that their son arrived unannounced at the bar with a hungry group of friends late on a March evening in 1964, and begged his mother to fix them something to eat. They were closing,

and supplies were limited, so Teressa grabbed chicken wings, normally used in soup or simply discarded, and dumped them in the deep fat fryer. She flavored them with butter, cayenne pepper, and other spices into a spicy red-orange sauce, and piled them on a platter with celery and some bleu cheese dressing for dipping. It was an instant hit -- and the rest, as they say, is history.

• Buffalo’s authentic wings are not battered, but merely deep-fried until crispy, with sauce added after cooking. The Anchor Bar has grown from its initial location to 14 locations in a multi-state franchise, and also bottles its famous sauce, sold around the world.

• How many ways can you say pasta? According to Italians, there are many, each with its own literal translation. “Capelli d’angelo” means angel hair, while “farfalle” translates butterflies. The translation for “linguine” is little tongues, while “rotelle” stands for wheels. “Mostaccioli,” a tubular pasta with the ends cut at an angle, is Italian for mustaches, and “penne,” another tube shape, has the tips cut to a point, and means quill in Italian. And what about spaghetti? It literally means “strings.”

What flavor are the Red Froot Loops? They're the same flavor as all the other many colors in this popular cereal. The Kellogg company has given them all the same flavor they call "Froot"! Despite the variety of many different colors, they all are flavored the same.

• Bombay duck has nothing to do with a poultry dish. It’s actually made from a species of the 16-in.-long lizardfish. This particular type is found in the waters around Mumbai, India. It’s very bony, with tender and flavorful meat that is breaded and fried, a popular dish in Indian restaurants.

• Do you know your sauces? Hollandaise is a mixture of butter, egg yolks, and lemon juice. Bearnaise also contains egg yolks and butter, but is mixed with shallots, vinegar, wine, and tarragon. Bordelaise is very rich, composed of wine, brown stock, bone marrow, shallots, and parsley. Even if you can’t pronounce Worcestershire, you can recognize its ingredients – malt vinegar, molasses, sugar, anchovies, garlic, onions, sugar, salt, tamarind (a sweet fruit pulp), cloves, chili pepper, with some recipes adding soy sauce.

Why is your salad "calorie-friendly"? It's because so many of its ingredients are high in water content. Lettuce is 96% water and celery, radishes and tomatoes are made up of 95% water. Broccoli is about 90% water, spinich about 91%, and cucumbers nearly 97% water.

• Down South, dirty rice is a regular staple at the dinner table. It’s a Cajun dish that consists of rice mixed with ground chicken livers, bacon drippings, onions, celery stock, garlic, and minced bell peppers, spiced up with cayenne pepper, sage, and paprika. Some recipes add Andouille sausage.

• A similar Creole dish, jambalaya, adds chicken,

Bits: Turn to page 15

By Lucie Winborne

* The Wright brothers’ first flight was shorter than the wingspan of a B-52 bomber.

* Bai Fangli, a tricycle driver for 20 years, donated 350,000 yuan to support the education of 300 poor Chinese students. He announced his last payment at the age of 90, saying that he was no longer fit for work.

* There are tea bags made to look like a goldfish swimming in your mug.

* Are you annoyed by the sounds of wheezing, whistling, chewing, drinking, crunching, slurping, finger tapping and the like? It’s not just a quirk, but a psychiatric disorder called misophonia.

* A man spent five months in prison due to being unaware that his bail was just $2.

* Kenya Railways requires that all trains stop for several minutes before crossing the Mwatate Dam in the southern part of the country. The practice was adopted on the advice of local residents after several mysterious derailments on the dam were blamed on evil spirits inhabiting the reservoir, which townsfolk claimed were angered by the trains not appeasing them by pausing in tribute.

* The world’s shortest street, located in Scotland, is a mere 6 centimeters long.

* Jackie Robinson wasn’t the first Black player to play Major League Baseball. That honor actually belonged to Moses Fleetwood Walker, a catcher for the Toledo Blue Stockings in 1884.

* The first volume of recipes was published in 62 A.D. by the Roman Apicius. Titled “De Re Coquinaria,” it described the feasts enjoyed by the Emperor Claudius.

* India has a bill of rights for cows.

* Relics of saints were so valued in the Middle Ages that when Elizabeth of Hungary died in 1231, her body was quickly dismembered for holy mementos by a crowd.

***

Thought for the Day: “Forever is composed of nows.” -- Emily Dickinson

Everyday CHEAPSKATE®

by Mary Hunt

Smart Freezer Organization, Cutting Cost of Aluminum Foil and More!

for next year’s blossoming. Now your bulbs will perform as true perennials.

-- Wilton M., Pennsylvania

GO AWAY!

Everyday CHEAPSKATE®

Sharing readers’ tips with you reminds me just how much we can teach each other. Just when I think I couldn’t possibly learn anything new, here comes another cool way to save time or money every day from readers just like you. It makes opening my mail so much fun!

by Mary Hunt

STACKABLE "BRICKS"

If you freeze foods in plastic bags, you may have a freezer filled with odd-shaped, hardto-organize lumps of food. From now on, slip a zipped bag of food into an empty cereal box, placing the whole thing into the freezer. Now the food item will freeze into a neat shape. Once it’s frozen, slide it out of the box. Stack your freezer’s contents like bricks. You’ll know what you have because you’ll be able to see everything, plus your freezer will be more efficient with less air space. -- Arnold P., Alabama

USE IT TWICE - HALF THE PRICE

If you’ve locked eyeballs with the price of aluminum foil these days, you might consider what I’ve been doing to keep the cost down: Depending on its initial use, you might be able to rinse off a piece of aluminum foil and repurpose it. Use the foil again to cover leftovers, line a baking sheet or even crumple it up to scrub tough messes from your pots and pans. Another handy trick is to sharpen scissors with foil. Simply fold a piece of foil several times and make a few cuts through it with your scissors. It really works!

-- Nadine, New Jersey

SPICE CO-OP

My wife often ends up with spices she uses only once or twice before they go stale and have to be thrown out. Her solution? She formed a spice co-op with a close friend. Now whenever either of them buys a new bottle of spice, they share half the bottle. Both save money and end up with a great spice collection. They also have discovered that exchanging spices is a great excuse to get together for a gab session - and also share recipes. -- Gil N., Texas

DIY ACCESS

As ridiculous as it may be on my part, I kept locking my keys inside the car. Getting a second programmed key fob to hide somewhere would have cost over a hundred dollars! So instead, I took the “spare” key that came with the car -- the one that only opens the driver door, not the ignition -- and put it in a magnetic box and attached it under the car. Although this key can’t start the car and will trigger the alarm when used to unlock the door, it allows me time to retrieve my keys from inside the car, turn off the alarm and continue on my way without having to call for roadside assistance. -- Rhonda G., Maryland

LEAVE THE FOLIAGE

Resist the urge to remove the foliage after your garden bulbs have finished blooming. Let the leaves wither naturally so the bulb has lots of time to manufacture nutrients and fatten up

If chipmunks and rodents are dining on your newly planted bulbs, discourage them by sprinkling a pinch of moth crystals over each bulb as you plant it. The crystals will last long enough to deter hungry rodents and then evaporate into the soil. By winter the soil will have compacted around the bulbs so rodents won’t dig for them. By the way, did you know gophers will not touch daffodils? -- Sylvia R., Oregon

SPLASH GUARD

Place a sheet of plastic wrap over the top of your food processor’s bowl before applying the lid. When you remove it, all the splatters will be confined to the bowl, and the lid will remain clean. -- Cherie H., California

NON-STICK FROST

If you do not have a frost-free freezer, do this next time you defrost. Dry the interior walls well, then spray them with a light coating of non-stick cooking spray. This will not prevent frost building up, but it will make it a lot easier to defrost because the ice and frost will slide off effortlessly. -- Penny P., Kansas

FIND A SAFE PLACE

The worst place for a medicine cabinet is in the bathroom. Most medications deteriorate in a bathroom’s warm, moist environment. They keep much better in a cool, dry place like a linen closet, on a high shelf out of the reach of children. -- Margie B., Michigan

NOTE: Readers, please understand I have not tested nor can I guarantee the outcome of any tips or recommendations by my readers. Enjoy this information as entertainment, always allowing common sense to be your guide. Got it? Great.

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. 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. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.” COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

What’s your favorite cracker? According to statistics, 267.03 million Americans will consume snack crackers, saltines and graham crackers in 2024. Often branded as a nutritious and convenient snack, crackers provide us with a quick way to consume a nutritious staple food or cereal grain when we get the munchies. This week Tidbits serves up the facts on a few of our favorite brands

• The top three favorite crackers in the U.S. are Cheez-Its, Ritz, and Goldfish. Back in 1915, Cheez-Its were originally called Green & Green crackers, the name of the manufacturer. A pound of the tasty treats sold for 10 cents, about $3.00 in today’s dollars.

• In 1921, the Green & Green Cracker Company trademarked the name Cheez-Its. Green sold out to the Sunshine Biscuit Company in 1932, who retained ownership until 1996, when they were purchased by Keebler. Kellogg’s acquired Keebler in 2001.

• The original Cheez-Its were the only variety available until the 1980s, and since then, there have been more than 50 different kinds. Most of us think Cheez-Its are squares, but in actuality, they measure 1.0 x 0.94 inches (26 x 24 mm). Sales are upwards of 400 million packages a year in the U.S. alone.

• Nabisco introduced Ritz crackers in 1934 in the midst of the Great Depression. An employee was assigned the duty of creating the name and marketing plan. Sydney Stern chose the name Ritz to link the buttery crackers with luxury, as associated with Cesar Ritz’s luxury hotels.

• Ritz used the slogan “a bite of the good life” in their marketing, with ads featuring passengers on cruise ships and golfers on the course. A later slogan was “Everything tastes great when it sits on a Ritz.” A box of Ritz at that time would cost you 19 cents.

• In case you’ve never counted, each cracker has seven perforations. The perforations are to keep the crackers from puffing up as steam escapes during baking.

• Margaret Rudkin, the founder of Pepperidge

Farm, was on vacation in Switzerland when she sampled a delicious fish-shaped cracker manufactured by a local cookie company. Oscar Kambly had invented the salty treats, shaping them like fish as a birthday present for his wife, whose astrological sign was Pisces, the fish. Rudkin formed an agreement with Kambly, allowing her to bring the crackers to the U.S. under the Pepperidge Farm name, and in 1962, Goldfish made their American debut. The crackers haven’t always had that cute smile –that wasn’t added until 1997.

• America’s first batch of animal crackers was baked in 1871 by Stauffer’s Biscuit Company in York, Pennsylvania. Up until 1902, the crackers were sold in bulk from a barrel, but Nabisco conceived the idea of packaging the little biscuits in a box resembling a circus train, calling them Barnum’s Animals after the famed circus owner. A string was added to the box so that it could be hung on the Christmas tree. The price was 5 cents per box.

ADVERTISING PROOF

• There have been 54 different kinds of animals since the crackers made their debut, including tigers, cougars, rhinos, kangaroos, hippos, bison, hyenas, zebras, elephants, and bears. Monkey crackers wear clothes, the only animal to do so, likely because circus monkeys were often dressed in cute uniforms.

• In 2002, in honor of animal crackers’ 100th anniversary, Nabisco announced a contest to choose a new animal. The winner was the koala, edging out the penguin, cobra, and walrus. They’re still called Barnum’s Animals, but there was no affiliation with the circus celebrity, and that organization has never made any money

from sales of animal crackers.

• How long have some of our favorite crackers been around? Honey Maid Graham Crackers were introduced in 1925, Wheat Thins in 1947, and Keebler Club Crackers in 1972. The patent for the much-loved Triscuit was granted 122 years ago, in 1902. 

Which inspections should I get when I purchase a home? - Looking Senior

A: There are several inspections we recommend when purchasing your Dream Home For starters, we recommend a Home Inspection by a licensed inspector. We also recommend a Termite Inspection from a reputable company. Some desert homes have septic tanks, in these situations, we strongly suggest a Septic Inspection. If the home has a pool, get a Pool Inspection, and include the pool equipment, too. If you decide to waive these inspections, we’ll need you to sign an inspection waiver. There are other inspections we recommend, but they vary by each property. Thinking of buying or selling a home? Contact us for reliable answers and guidance to make Smart Moves with confidence.©

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

by Dana Jackson

Q: What are the stars of “Succession” doing now that the series has ended? I know the actor who played Kendall is doing theater, but what about the other siblings? -- N.G.

A: Yes, Jeremy Strong, who won an Emmy for his portrayal of troubled son Kendall Roy on HBO’s “Succession,” is currently starring in the Broadway revival of Henrik Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People.” His performance is scheduled for a 16week run only.

However, he’s also starring in “The Apprentice,” a film about Donald Trump’s rise to power in the ‘70s and ‘80s, which recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. In the film, Strong plays attorney Roy Cohn to Sebastian Stan’s (“I, Tonya”) Trump.

Alan Ruck, who played presidential candidate Connor Roy in “Succession,” recently costarred in the film “The Burial” with Jamie Foxx. You can stream it on Amazon Prime Video. Next up for the Emmy-nominated actor is the horror comedy “Crust” and the crime film “Wind River: The Next Chapter.”

Kieran Culkin, who won an Emmy in the final season for the even more troubled son Roman Roy, stars opposite Jesse Eisenberg in the upcoming film “A Real Pain.” It’s listed as a comedy-drama, so hopefully, his character won’t be as tortured as Roman was.

Lastly, the only Roy daughter -- but just as much of a force to be reckoned with -- was played by the Emmy-winning Sarah Snook. She’s set to star in the upcoming Peacock series “All Her Fault” as a mother whose son goes missing. It’s based on the novel of the same title by Andrea Mara.

***

Q: Is there going to be another “Knives Out” sequel? If so, when? -- A.I.

A: According to Entertainment Weekly, the game is “once again afoot for renowned detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig).” “Knives Out,” a hit whodunit film, has spawned one sequel already, called “Glass Onion,” and another is on the way, titled “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.” Look for it to premiere in 2025, likely around Thanksgiving.

huge hit for the streamer, they’re hoping to lure in even more subscribers to Hulu by getting them hooked on the series on FX first.

So, yes, the third season will only be available on Hulu later this month on June 27, but if you still don’t wish to pay for Hulu, you’ll probably get a chance to catch up on the series next summer, too. * * *

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

Venice Motorcars LLC c/o Jay Saukkonen 1/16 pg 1C Open Rate April 7, 2024 Vol. 20 - No. 15

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

The cast of the third installment includes Glenn Close (“Hillbilly Elegy”), Mila Kunis (“Black Swan”) and Jeremy Renner (“Hawkeye”), with the setting still a mystery. EW hints that the teaser video gave off “some seriously spooky, Gothic vibes.”

Q: Will season three of “The Bear” be on FX or just on Hulu? I’m excited that they’re finally airing the two previous seasons on regular cable. -- L.A.

A: The FX channel is finally airing the first two seasons of the Emmy-winning comedy (which many call a drama) “The Bear.” Although FX and Hulu have a partnership, the show wasn’t available on FX until now. Despite the show already being a

Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video

Alan Ruck in “The Burial”

Strawberry Shortcake

No seasonal dessert is more luscious than strawberry shortcake, and this biscuit-based version is the classic.

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup cold butter or margarine, cut into pieces

2/3 cup milk

2 pints strawberries

1 cup heavy or whipping cream

1. Heat oven to 425 F. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan.

2. In medium bowl, combine flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and salt. With pastry blender or two knives used scissor-fashion, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk just until mixture forms soft dough that leaves side of bowl.

3. On lightly floured surface, knead dough 10 times. With floured hands, pat evenly into cake pan and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar. Bake until golden, 20 to 22 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, reserve 4 whole strawber ries for garnish; hull remaining strawberries and cut in half or into quarters. In medium bowl, toss strawberries with remaining 1/2 cup sugar until sugar has dissolved.

5. Invert shortcake onto surface. With long serrated knife, cut shortcake horizontally in half. In bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat cream just until soft peaks form.

6. Place bottom half of shortcake, cut side up, on cake plate; top with half of strawberry mixture and half of whipped cream. Place remaining shortcake, cut side down, on strawberry mixture. Spoon remaining strawberry mixture over, then top with remaining whipped cream. Garnish with reserved whole strawberries. Makes 10 servings.

 Each serving: About 321 calories, 16g total fat (10g saturated), 4g protein, 41g carbohydrate, 51mg cholesterol, 235mg sodium.

Sweet ‘N’ Tangy Pasta Salad

Amp up your BBQ with this next-level pasta salad.

For the Creamy Balsamic Dressing:

1 cup mayo

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic, pressed Kosher salt Black pepper

For the Salad:

Rotini, cooked, slightly cooled Celery, thinly sliced Carrots, shredded Red pepper, chopped Arugula

Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1. Make the Creamy Balsamic Dressing: Shake mayo, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.

2. Make the Salad: Toss balsamic dressing with rotini, celery, red pepper, arugula and cannellini beans.

 Each 1 tablespoon serving (dressing only): About 90 calories, 10g total fat (1g saturated), 1g carbohydrate, 85mg sodium.

L

NEXT WEEK in TIDBITS VISITS

6/16 Fathers Day

6/17 National Trash Collector Day

6/18 National Splurge Day

6/19 Garfield the Cat Day

6/20 Summer Begins

6/21 World Peace and Prayer Day

6/22 World Rainforest Day

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty

By Matthew Margolis

Choose Your Relatives Wisely

To my great joy, I was recently charged with the task of selecting a puppy for a 23-year-old kindergarten teacher friend of mine. She told me exactly what she was looking for in terms of energy and personality, and she described for me her dayto-day lifestyle -- both personal and professional -and the kinds of activities she’d like to do with her dog.

She had done her research and given a lot of thought to the breed of dog she wanted. Her tastes fall squarely in the middle of the size spectrum -ruling out any breeds that are excessively big or small. She wasn’t looking for a guard dog or a show dog or a couch potato. She knew she wanted a companion dog -- playful, smart and energetic.

After weighing all her options, she discovered the Labradoodle. Deemed a “designer breed,” these Labrador-poodle mixes are wonderful dogs. But breed is not a surefire path to personality. Within the scope of any breed of dog lies an array of personality types. In fact, within a single litter of dogs is an array of personality types.

My friend located a Labradoodle breeder who had a litter of five puppies, all 7 weeks old. This is where I come in.

As I arrived at the breeder’s house prepared to give an assortment of personality tests to five pups, I found myself laughing. I sure hope these tests work!

The tests involve observing the dogs’ reactions to a number of things: my presence, my voice, the sound of foreign objects (in this case, keys being tossed to the ground), my touch (varying pressure to different parts of the body, including sensitive parts like the paws, the tail and the back, to determine pain tolerance) and my hand moving toward and around the face and head.

Corner: Turn to Page 10

Wuzzles solution Page 16

(CryptoQuip Solution on page 14)

SENIOR NEWS LINE

by Matilda Charles © King Features Synd., Inc.

Scanning a QR code? Caution - not so fast!

Sometimes when we start seeing something nearly everywhere we go, we assume that “somebody” has checked it out and it’s therefore safe to use. Not so, at least in the case of some QR codes we’re seeing all over.

QR codes (short for quick-response codes) are those little squares with black squiggles in them, machine-readable codes buried in the lines of the little box. The idea is that you hold your phone over them and all the information hidden in the code will pop up for you to read.

You’ll spot these QR codes everywhere now: a menu posted on the door of a restaurant, a magazine ad, a fact sheet with an item that you’re considering purchasing, fliers put under windshield wipers in parking lots, a package delivered to your house ... even on TV ads!

How handy, you might think, to be able to

The Art of DESIGN

by Joseph Publillones

Design 2024

Wow, 2024 is half over!. As a kid, I always thought that by now we’d all be living in pristine high-rises with flying-saucer cars and robot maids named Rosie, a la “The Jetsons” comic. The future always seems distant and full of uncertainties, but when we look at where we are, we see how close we have come to our visions of the future. In 2024, we have daring high-rises such as Zaha Hadid’s One Thousand Museum tower in Miami, which features an exoskeletal structure, or Oma’s Norra Tornen in Stockholm, which feature a modular precast stacked structure with wide spans of plate glass and terraces with heart-stopping views. Not to mention the selfdriving cars and buses and the convenience of programmable sweeping devices named Roomba. We are well on our way to the future.

Just as art deco of the roaring twenties was aesthetically impacted by the development of cars, cruise ships and industrialization, we can see how technology and computerization has begun to impact design in function and style. Now we can program lights to turn on and off, adjust air conditioning temperatures, get recipes from our smart devices, raise and lower window coverings and even draw a hot bath so it’s at the perfect temperature when you get home.

instantly access that information.

Unless it’s malicious code (spyware) that’s been encoded into the black squiggles when it’s created by scammers. If that’s the case, you instantly put your phone (and all the data you have on it) in jeopardy.

That malicious code can send out emails that look like they came from you. Or it can steal all the names and numbers in your contact list. Or it can add you to a list of targets for spam phone calls. Or it can install software on your phone. If you click a malicious QR code with your phone the list of things that can go wrong is nearly endless.

Consider QR codes to be the phone equivalent of a link that you receive in an email from an unknown person or company. In other words, don’t click it.

While it’s possible that most of the QR codes you see wherever you go are perfectly safe, there’s really no way to tell.

My take on it? Why take the chance?

* * *

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

terested to see how this evolves and makes for comfortable or warm home environments.

Here are some tips to keep your interiors up to date:

-- The 2024 Pantone shade is Classic Blue, which is soft and alludes to the color of the sky on a clear day. Inoffensive and people-pleasing.

-- Another color to be seen this year is green in all hues, including hunter green, bottle green, forest green, gray-green, bronze-green and the very bright emerald green.

-- Although gray is elegant and has been the preferred neutral for interiors for the last five years, 2024 brings a shift to earthier tones and all shades of browns and beiges. These tried-andtrue colors of the past are lurking to make a comeback as the new neutrals.

-- As a counterpoint to our futuristic preferences, antiques are slowly making a comeback. Millenials, tired of seeing the same Ikea furnishings everywhere they go, are making a turn to unique handmade furniture and are seeing the value of investing in now-affordable antiques.

Cody’s Corner (from page 9)

Each of the five dogs -- same breed, same litter -- had his own individual reaction to each test. This just confirmed what I already knew: Every dog has his own personality.

All five pups are adorable, and each will make a great pet for the right person. The first pup was outgoing but cautious. The second was approachable but aloof. Puppy No. 3 was playful and extremely outgoing. No. 4 was shy but sweet. And the fifth and final pup was shy and scrappy, the runt of the litter.

I congratulated the breeder on a lovely litter of puppies. And I gave her a tip: Give them each individual attention. This will give the less confident dogs a chance to blossom -- out of the shadows of their more confident and sometimes pushy siblings.

Ultimately, I selected Puppy No. 3. He is exactly what my friend was looking for, and she’s thrilled.

Getting a dog is a big decision. It’s the only time you get to pick your relative. When you do your homework and plan ahead, you avoid making a purely emotional decision -- which rarely leads to the best choice. Know what you want. Narrow the field of options. Then make your final selection either with the help of a professional or with the knowledge and tools of one.

For more information on personality tests for dogs, visit unclematty.com.

Woof!

Aesthetically, influenced by the designs of our phones and tablets, architecture and interior designs are drastically more minimal than in the past. Whenever possible, people have started to prefer things that are less cluttered. I will be in-

-- Black and white is a classic color combination that has strength based on opposition and contrast. The trick to this yin-yang approach is to allow one color to be predominant over the other. Trying to balance both as equals leads to disaster.

-- Maximalism makes a comeback in a fresh way. Unlike a cluttered room from the Victorian era, maximalism creates a dialogue against stark backgrounds. An example: Think of an overthe-top collection of art juxtaposed with a minimalist couch and cocktail table.

* * *

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

* * *

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.

COPYRIGHT 2014 CREATORS.COM

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

by Tom Margenau

Flipping Benefits

Usually Not Possible

Women who have a smaller Social Security benefit than their husbands have frequently asked me if they can take their own reduced retirement benefit at 62 and then at full retirement age, switch to a full spousal benefit from their husband.

The answer is almost always no. But that is assuming the husband is already getting his own Social Security at the time the wife reaches age 62. And in that scenario, Social Security’s “deemed filing rule” says a wife must file for both her own benefits and any spousal benefits she might be due at the same time.

But there are situations where a wife can take reduced retirement benefits on her record and then later switch to higher benefits on her husband’s account. This almost always happens when the husband files for benefits years after the wife files for her own.

Conversely, other women ask me if they can take reduced spousal benefits at 62 and at 67, switch to their full retirement age benefit. The answer to that question is always no. Here are some questions and answers that deal with those issues:

Q: I am 62 and retired. My full retirement age benefit will be $2,100. But if I take benefits now, I’d get about $1,500. My husband is already getting his Social Security that he started a few months ago when he was 67. He gets $3,800. Can I take spousal benefits now and let mine grow until 67 or even 70? I think I’d be due about a third of his now, or around $1,200.

A: No, you can’t do that. The deemed filing rule mentioned above says when you sign up for one Social Security benefit, you must file for any and all benefits you are due at the same time. In other words, if you want to take benefits at 62, you must file for your own Social Security. You said at 62, you’d be due about $1,500 on your own record. And that is more than the $1,200 you’d be due in reduced spousal benefits. So, the only claim you would be filing now would be your own retirement claim. And FYI: If your husband dies before you do, you could, at that point, file for higher widow’s benefits.

Q: My husband is 67 years old. He

was going to wait until 70 to file for his Social Security, but he changed his mind and decided to file now. He’s already submitted his application. I am 62. My husband’s benefit is about three times higher than mine. Can I start my own reduced benefit now and then when I turn full retirement age, switch to 50% of his?

A: No. Again, that deemed filing rule says you must file for your own benefit and whatever spousal benefits you might be due at the same time.

Q: My wife is about to turn 62. I am 61. She is eligible for a small Social Security check on her own record. And she wants to file for those benefits now. But I think she is wrong. If she takes her reduced retirement check now, she won’t be able to get half of mine later on. So I think she should wait six years until I turn 67, when I plan to sign up for my much higher Social Security benefit. Then she will get half of my benefit. So, am I right? Or is my wife right?

A: I think your wife is right. And before I explain why, I must point out that the deemed filing rule doesn’t apply because at the time your wife would file, you wouldn’t be getting benefits yet.

I’ll explain why your wife might be right with examples. You didn’t give me any benefit amounts, so I will make up some numbers. Let’s say your wife’s full retirement age benefit rate is $1,000. Filing at age 62, she would get 70% of that, or $700 per month. Furthermore, let’s say your full retirement age benefit at 67 will be $2,800.

We’ll follow your advice first. That would mean your wife does nothing now. In six years, when you turn 67, you will start getting $2,800 per month. Then your wife would file for spousal benefits, and she would get 50% of your benefit, or $1,400 per month. (Actually, she would be paid her

1. The book of 2 Samuel is found in the a) Old testament b) New testament c) Neither

2. From 1 Corinthians 16, on which day did Paul tell believers to put aside money for their offerings? a) First b) Third c) Fifth d) Sabbath

3. Which book begins, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly"? a) Proverbs b) Ruth c) Lamentations d) Psalms

4. What was Matthew's occupation before becoming a disciple? a) Tax collector b) Tent maker c) Fisherman d) Shepherd

5. In Esther 2, who foiled a plot to assassinate King Ahasuerus? a) Naman b) Neco c) Mordecai d) Esther

6. What did Ruth and Boaz name their son? a) Abinidab b) Abner c) Hushai d) Obed

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

own $1,000 retirement check, and then she would get $400 in spousal benefits to take her up to the $1,400 spousal rate.)

And now look at what your wife wants to do. She wants to file for her benefits now, meaning she would start getting $700 per month right away. Then in six years, when you turn 67 and file for your benefits, she still could file for spousal benefits. The reduction she took in her own retirement checks would carry over to her spousal rate. Here is roughly how they would figure out what she would be due: They would take her FRA benefit rate of $1,000 and subtract that from one-half of your FRA rate of $2,800, or $1,400. So, $1,400 minus $1,000 leaves $400. And that would become her spousal benefit that would be added to her reduced retirement rate. She would start getting $1,100 per month in total benefits after you turned 67. ($700 plus $400 equals $1,100.)

Now let’s compare the two scenarios. In your option, your wife would get an extra $300 per month in benefits starting six years from now. ($1,400 is $300 more than $1,100.)

But, if you go with your option, which again means your wife doesn’t file for any Social Security benefits until you turn 67, she would be throwing away the $700 per month retirement check she would have been due beginning now, when she is 62. Over the next six years, she would lose $50,400 in Social Security benefits just to get that extra $300 per month when you are 67. It would take her 168 months to make up that loss. In other words, your wife would be in her late 70s before she would come out ahead in your scenario.

Q: I am 62. My husband is 57. I was a homemaker most of my life and have no Social Security record. Is it true I won’t get any of his Social Security until he starts drawing benefits himself?

A: You made the same mistake my wife did. You married a younger man! And yes, it is true that you can’t collect on his Social Security account until he signs up for his own benefits.

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 Easy-to-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. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net. 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 2024 CREATORS.COM

Does Intermittent Fasting Raise the Risk Of Heart Disease?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read a recent headline that said people who fast intermittently have an increased risk of heart disease. Is there merit to this story? -- K.O.S.

ANSWER: Intermittent fasting is an increasingly common weight-loss strategy. The two most common approaches of intermittent fasting are alternate-day fasting (eating nothing one day, then whatever you want the next) and time-restricted feeding (eating at certain times throughout the day, usually during an eight-hour time frame).

The published data on the benefits of these diets show short-term weight loss (i.e., 12 weeks), but no long-term weight loss (1 year), compared to the standard dietary advice.

There is evidence of potential harm from intermittent fasting. Studies have shown an increased risk of eating disorders (particularly binge eating). One study showed that disordered eating worsened in those assigned to an intermittent-fasting schedule. However, other studies do not show this.

The concern for disordered eating is highest among younger and female populations, who are at the most risk for eating disorders, and I advise against intermittent fasting for a person with a history of an eating disorder. The study you read about was presented as an abstract in the March meeting of the American Heart Association; it is not yet published or peer-reviewed. But it did show that people who report an intermittent-fasting diet (specifically those who ate over an 8-hour time frame) were at a higher risk for death from heart disease than those who ate over a 12-16 hour time frame.

However, this wasn’t a controlled study, and it is likely that people who chose a timerestricted eating pattern already had issues that put them at a higher risk for heart disease. Still, given the absence of long-term benefits, I don’t generally recommend a time-restricted diet or intermittent fasting to my patients.

My colleagues in weight medicine consider intermittent fasting to be an option that helps a subset of people. There are some people who do benefit from this type of diet, and as long as they are eating well and are being monitored by their physician, they should continue to follow their diet if it is working for them.

***

DEAR DR. ROACH: As a person who has had vocal cord paralysis after a viral infection, I was fortunate not to need many of the outlined modes of care. However, there was one additional therapy that was utilized within my plan of care -- speech therapy. It took a while, but it worked well.

I suppose I may have some lingering weakness. When I experience a new viral upper respiratory infection, I often experience prolonged hoarseness. So, I pull out my exercise sheet once again, practice the techniques, and experience the same great results. -- B.A.

ANSWER: I thank B.A. for writing, as I should have recommended voice therapy for people with vocal cord paralysis or other voice issues.

Some ear, nose and throat physicians, speech-language pathologists, respiratory therapists, and voice coaches specialize in voice therapy.

* * *

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to ianswer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.

(c) 2024 North America Synd., Inc.

VETERANS POST  

by Freddie Groves

Don’t

Fall for Claims Scams

While there’s no doubt that the PACT Act did a lot of good, opening up an additional 20 health conditions for eligibility for presumptive benefits, the sheer number of veterans who applied created delays in processing new claims.

It also brought out the scammers, thieves and conmen. Those crooks offer so-called assistance with claims ... for a fee.

Fact: You do not have to pay a fee to get help with an initial disability claim.

Fact: It is illegal for someone to charge you money to give any assistance in filing that claim.

•

The only ones who can legally help file your initial claim are the reps that have been accredited by the VA -- and they cannot charge you a fee. Whether it’s an attorney or a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) rep, they must be accredited by the VA.

It will be tempting, however, to try to jump the claims line and put your trust in someone who promises to get you fast action.

Don’t do it. Just wait. If you sign up with a scammer (who might call himself a coach or a consultant), you’ll be signing away future money. You’ll be asked to sign a contract that will give the thieves a percentage of your benefit money -- forever. You might sign away tens of thousands of dollars to have someone spend a few minutes filling out a form for you. If you renege on that deal, which is a legal contract, you could be haunted by debt collectors and sued, and the scammers will have all of your personal information, including Social Security number and banking details.

If you want to file an initial claim, hook up with an accredited person that you find on this site: www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index. asp

If you want to file a subsequent claim, do that the right away as well, with an accredited person to help. While fees can be charged for subsequent or appeals claims, those fees must be reasonable.

* * *

Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

M.D.

-- by Jim Miller

Dreading a Colonoscopy? There Are Alternatives

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Are there any easier alternatives to a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer? I just turned 60 and my wife keeps nagging me to get tested, but I hate the whole idea of drinking that laxative solution and being sedated for the procedure. -- Squeamish Steven

Dear Steven: While a colonoscopy remains the most accurate screening test for detecting colon cancer (94 percent accurate), there are other easier – although less accurate –tests available. But be aware that if the result of one of these tests are positive, you’ll still need to undergo a colonoscopy. Here’s what you should know:

Screening Guidelines

Colorectal cancer, which develops slowly over several years without causing symptoms especially in the early stages, is the second larg-

Estate Planning Attorney

●

est cancer killer in the U.S., claiming more than 50,000 Americans each year.

Colorectal cancer screening guidelines from the U.S. preventive Services Taskforce and the American Cancer Society call for most adults to get screened starting at age 45 and continuing through age 75. Earlier screenings, however, are recommended to people who have an increased risk due to family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

But despite these guidelines, and the fact that colonoscopies save an estimated 20,000 U.S. lives each year, around 40 percent of eligible people don’t get screened.

Why? Because most people, like yourself, dread the laxative prep and sedation, not to mention the procedure itself.

But a colonoscopy is not your only option for screening for colon cancer. There are currently several types of FDA approved stool tests that you can take in the privacy of your own home that requires no laxative-taking/bowel-cleansing preparation. The two most accurate that you should ask your doctor about are:

Fecal immunochemical test (FIT):

This test looks for hidden blood in your stool, which suggests polyps or even cancer. Your doctor will give you a FIT test kit to use at home. You take a small sample of stool from the toilet tissue and mail it to a lab to be analyzed. You don’t need to do any prep. The cost of this annual test is covered by private insurance and Medicare. FIT has an almost 80 percent accuracy rate for detecting colon cancer, but it detects only about 28 percent of advanced polyps that might turn into cancer.

Stool DNA test (Cologuard):

New

Blood Test

There’s also a new experimental colon cancer blood test you should ask your doctor about called the “Shield blood test.” This new test, developed by Guardant Health, detects more than 80 percent of colon cancers early when they’re most treatable.

Guardant is currently seeking FDA approval to market the test but it’s available now as a “lab-based test” (which does not require FDA approval) but it’s currently not covered by most private insurers or Medicare. Your doctor will need to request this test, which costs $895, at BloodBasedScreening.com

Suite 200 Palm Springs, CA

Tel: (760) 201-3215

Email: josh@jarthurlaw.com Web: www.JArthurLaw.com

This screening kit looks for hidden blood as well as altered DNA in your stool. Your doctor will order the test, and you will receive the collection kit in the mail. You do the test at home every three years and send your stool samples to Cologuard via UPS. No special prep or change to your diet or medication schedule is required.

Cologuard, which is covered by most private insurers and Medicare, detects 92 percent of colon cancers but only 42 percent of large precancerous polyps. It also may provide a falsepositive, indicating that you might have cancer when you actually don’t.

ANTIQUE

by Anne McCollam

by Anne McCollam

Toni Dolls Make Waves With Collectors

Q: Enclosed you will find a photo of a pair of Toni dolls. They were given to me when I was about 8 years old, and I am now 69. Toni was a home perm product, and the dolls were a promotion for the perms. If you saved box tops, you could send for the dolls. A set of little rollers and permanent wave solution came with the dolls so you could actually curl their hair. The dolls are in their original dresses and in excellent condition.

Please let me know if they are worth anything.

A: Toni Home Wave Company was one of the leading home permanent wave manufactures in the 1940s. They introduced the dolls in 1949, and they were available until 1953. Toni dolls were made by the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company. Each doll was accompanied by accessories that included little rollers, “play permanent wave solution,” combs, brushes and instructions. The dolls were available in both blonde and brunette nylon hair, they had sleepy eyes with lashes, rosy cheeks, bright red lips and jointed limbs. They were produced in height sizes from 14 inches to 23 inches. A

bride doll and a walking doll were also made. When the walking doll walked, her head moved.

Home waves were popular in the mid-20th century. They could be purchased at grocery stores and drugstores for about $2. A professional perm ran about $15 in those days. During hard times, a frugal consumer could save about $13. A refill was even sold for $1.

Toni competitors were Lift Waves and Rayve. Gillette Safety Razor Company eventually bought the Toni Company sometime in the 1940s. Toni perms are still being made.

Circa 1953 Toni dolls are selling online in the range of $100 to $175 each.

Q: I have an oval glass plaque marked Wave Crest Glass that is a family treasured heirloom. It has been handed down through four generations and is in perfect condition. It is decorated with hand-painted flowers against a white background. The overall measurements are 9 by 13 inches, which includes the metal frame.

Could you please provide some information on its history and value?

A: Wave Crest glass was made by C.F. Monroe Company located in Meriden, Connecticut. It was in business from 1898 to around World War I. Wave Crest is opaque blown-molded glass. Blanks were purchased from the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company located in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Monroe Company designers decorated the blanks using the names “Wave Crest,” “Kelva” and “Nakara.”

Your plaque was made around 1900, and an insurance value would probably be $3,000 to $6,000.

* * *

Antiques expert and columnist Anne McCollam has since 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.com COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

* On June 17, 2015, 21-year-old Dylann Roof joined members of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., for a Bible study session before drawing a gun, telling the others that African Americans were “taking over the country,” and killing nine people. Roof was arrested the following morning and eventually sentenced to death for the crime.

* On June 18, 1979, President Jimmy Carter and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed the Salt II agreement dealing with limitations and guidelines for nuclear weapons. However, due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan the following year, it never went into effect and Carter withdrew the U.S. from the agreement.

* On June 19, 1821, Jesuit missionary Pierre-Jean De Smet met with Sioux leader Sitting Bull in present-day Montana in an attempt to convince local Native Americans to make peace with the United States. While the chief refused to personally sign a peace treaty, he sent one of his lesser chiefs to Fort Laramie, WY, to sign a pact in which the Sioux would allow white travel and settlement in specified areas.

* On June 20, 1937, W2XBS (later WCBSTV) televised the first TV operetta, “The Pirates of Penzance” by Gilbert and Sullivan. It became the pair’s most popular creation.

* On June 21, 2005, 80-year-old Edgar Ray Killen, a former KKK organizer, was declared guilty on three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of three civil rights workers in Philadelphia, MS, 41 years earlier, and sentenced to 60 years in prison.

* On June 22, 1937, Joe Louis wins the world heavyweight boxing title when he defeats American Jim Braddock in an eighthround knockout. Louis was the first black heavyweight champ since Jack Johnson, who lost the title in 1915.

* On June 23, 1940, Adolf Hitler surveyed notable sites in the then German-occupied French capital during his first and only visit to Paris, marking Napoleon’s tomb among the spots to see and calling the trip “the greatest and finest moment of my life.”

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

When the flea market offered free low-quality aquariums, a huge sign said "Tanks for nothing!"

Toni dolls were made from 1949 to 1953 and are collector items.

andouille, seafood, and vegetables to basic dirty rice. Another variation is gumbo, which uses several varieties or meat and seafood, including chicken, duck, squirrel, rabbit, shrimp, crab, or oysters, along with celery, peppers, and onions. The stew is thickened with okra, and the whole dish is served over rice.

• Baked Alaska is a delicious dessert made of ice cream layered between sponge cake and meringue. It’s baked quickly in a very hot oven of 500 degrees (260 C) for about two to three minutes until the meringue browns. Why doesn’t the ice cream melt? The cake on the bottom and the meringue of egg whites and sugar act as insulating agents for the ice cream, keeping it from becoming soup. It’s believed the dessert was named in honor of the United States’ acquisition of the territory of Alaska from Russia in 1867.

• Both green olives and black olives come from the same tree and are the same fruit. The difference is how long the fruits are ripened. Green olives are picked when they are immature. If the olives are left on the tree, they will first turn from green to yellow, then to purplish brown. The brown (or black as we more commonly refer to them), have a mellower taste, are more nutritious, and contain up to 30% more oil than their green counterparts.

• No one eats an olive straight from the tree due to their intense bitterness. Olives are all pickled in brine, as in the case of black olives, or cured in lye then pickled, as are green olives.

• Some recipes call for beef broth while others call for beef stock. What’s the difference? Broth is made from meat and vegetables, and stock is made with bones. Stock is usually thicker than broth and has a richer beef flavor.

• So what’s the difference between jam and jelly? Jam is made with fruit, while jelly is made with fruit juice. What about white and brown sugar? When sugar is refined, molasses gets removed during the process. Some of it is added back to make brown sugar.

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Game Changers

by Jason Jenkins

Driving Funk

Fred Funk led the tour in driving accuracy for years with a swing secret that may benefit hundreds of golfers who don’t play as frequently as some. When you don’t have time to hit hundreds of drives on the range, or play three to four times a week, Fred’s Flat Wristed system should be great for you. With a slightly strong left hand grip and a little press of the driver, Fred favors having a potentially closed clubface at the top of the swing. Upon reaching the top, his left wrist has flattened along with a fairly flat left arm position relative to his shoulders.

By trying to copy Funk’s flat wristed, closed clubface position at the top, the forward swing requires little timing or thought in hitting it with a slight draw. Inaccurate drivers tend to have an open clubface that they are trying to square or close though impact.

had to worry about that!

1. HISTORY: Who was the first female chancellor of Germany?

2. GEOGRAPHY: Which European capital used to be called Christiania?

3. MOVIES: What are the names of the elderly couple in the animated movie “Up”?

4. ANATOMY: How much blood is in the average human body?

5. SCIENCE: What do ohms measure?

6. TELEVISION: Al Borland is a sidekick in which 1990s TV sitcom?

7. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What does an hCG test determine?

8. U.S. STATES: Which state is named after a French king?

9. LITERATURE: Who are Nancy Drew’s best friends in the children’s mystery novel series?

10. FOOD & DRINK: What fruit is used to make Worcestershire sauce? Answers

1. Angela Merkel.

2. Oslo, Norway. 3. Carl and Ellie Fredricksen. 4. 1.2 to 1.5 gallons.

5. Electrical resistance.

6. “Home Improvement.”

7. Pregnancy. 8. Louisiana (Louis).

9. Bess and George.

10. Tamarind.