VoL. 19: #50 • Fun Facts About Christmas • (12-10-2023) Tidbits of Coachella Valley

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Coachella Valley's Best Loved and Most Widely Read Weekly Paper 760-320-0997 Vol. IXX Issue No. 50

by Janet Spencer

Polls show that 93 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas even if they’re not necessarily religious.

Whether or not you count yourself among the majority, you’ll find the following odd and obscure facts about the holiday to be an interesting read.

CHRISTMAS FACTS

• Between 25 and 30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. each year, with Oregon being the top producer. About 92 percent of the Christmas trees cut here are exported to other states. Nearly half of all American households purchase a real tree, and the average price today is about $80. The average price for a quality reusable artificial tree is $120.

• China is the top producer of artificial trees. Some factories that make fake Christmas trees also produce toilet brushes.

• Artificial trees have out-sold natural ones every year since 1991.

• The average American spends over $1,000 on the holiday, including gifts, travel, food, decorations, donations, etc.

Christmas Facts: Turn to page 3 INSIDE: Celebrity Extra............................. Page 6 Good Houskeeping Recipes ........ Page 7 Comics & Puzzles........................

8-9 Pet Column..................................

9 Your Social Security....................

11 Doctor's Advice ..........................

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PEOPLE WORTH REMEMBERING

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• Pioneer farmers in the early 1800s had problems plowing difficult ground. The turf in the Midwest was not soft and pebbly like New England’s; nor was it sandy like that of the coastal plains.

ADVERTISING PROOF Rather, it was sticky and thick, and digging in Carl Moore Locksmithing Final Changes DUE: 5:00 p.m.. and turning it over was an ongoing problem.

• Number(s) BW • 26x disc. Prices  Hours ase review carefully. Business Double check:Card  Phone  Spelling • Because the soil was so stubborn, farmers’ plows 15, 2023 Vol. 19 No. 42or corrections.

Contact your TidbitsOct. representative immediately with-changes would not work because the weary plowman Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 had to stop every few yards to scrape the sticky (Answers on page 16) gunk off the plow blade. But John Deere's clever thinking eventually changed that.

CLIP AND SAVE CARL MOORE • Born in Rutland, Vermont, in 1804, Deere apprenticed himself to a blacksmith after his father disappeared, leaving him and his mother Residential  Commercial on their own. In those times there were no Re-Key Re-Pin Keys Made Masterconvenient stores, so the local blacksmith was Keying Deadbolts Installed Fix or Replace Key Pad Deadbolts Installed & Serviced designated as the neighborhood fix-it and make24/7 SPECIALIZING IN: it man. He crafted tools, fashioned hardware, EMERGEN Interchangeable / Removable Cores CY S E mended machines, shaped nails, shoed horses, R V ICE Serving All Desert Cities • Over 30 yrs. experience TOTAL and rimmed wooden wagon wheels.

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• For ten years John Deere smote iron, all the Certified Locksmith #LC05617  BONDED while working to improve his products. Indeed, his pitchforks, shovels and hoes were widely Property of Property of praised because of their durability and strength.

AdVenture Media, Inc. AdVenture Media, Inc. • In 1836, John Deere moved “out west” when the FREE western frontier consisted of Indiana and Illinois.

FREE Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630 of Coachella Valley valleybits@msn.com Leaving his wife and five children for a spell, The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read Phone: 760.320.0997 All Rights ReservedFax: 760.320.1630 Deere barged the length of the Erie Canal and valleybits@msn.com then sailed the Great Lakes to Chicago, arriving All Rights Reserved in Grand Detour, Illinois with $73 to his name.

• Here he set up a blacksmith shop as soon as he arrived and quickly had all the work he could handle, much of it backed up from farmers unwilling or unable to travel the 40 mile distance to the nearest forge. Soon thriving and thrifty, Deere built a modest house and sent for his spouse and their children.

• As he worked at his anvil, Deere tinkered with different materials. By happenstance one day, he got his hands on a shiny steel blade the local sawmill had tossed away. He forged it into the world’s very first smooth-surfaced steel plow blade.

• Anxious to test his new blade, Deere attached it to a wooden plow frame and carted it out to a field, 1. MOVIES: Which Disney animatfollowed by a gathering of curious townfolk. ed movie features the song “Whistle The sun glinted from the polished plowshare While You Work”? as a horse was hitched up and strained forward 2. GEOGRAPHY: Which two oceans are on Russia’s shores?

3. PSYCHOLOGY: What is the fear represented in the condition called euphobia?

4. TELEVISION: What is “The Simpsons” home address?

5. GAMES: How many dimples are on a golf ball?

6. ASTRONOMY: Earth’s place in the solar system is how many planets from the Sun? 7. LANGUAGE: What is the only country in South America whose official language is Dutch?

8. FOOD & DRINK: What is a sweetbread?

9. LITERATURE: In which century was “The Canterbury Tales” written?

10. SCIENCE: Who is considered the father of modern astronomy?

Answers 1. (Trivia “Snow and TestWhite answers pagethe 16) Seven Dwarfs.”

2. Arctic and Pacific.

3. Fear of good news.

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into the pull. Immediately, the unearthed soil began smoothly curling up behind the blade in a long, neat row. The amazed onlookers plodded along behind, marveling at the sight. After a completing about a furlong of nonstop plowing, everyone gathered around to examine the blade.

“By thunder!” a farmer exclaimed, “Look at that! She’s clean!”

• But despite this early success, any financial rewards or public acclaim for his achievement would be a long time coming. Because the cost of steel was much higher than that of iron, most poor farmers could not afford his new blade. In fact, in 1838, he built and sold just three steel plows; the next year, ten more, and in 1842, only a hundred were sold. Deere let the plow sell itself, and often asked for no cash down, giving each buyer a money-back guarantee.

• Deere eventually contracted for high-grade steel to be shipped from England. Unfortunately, the rough ocean crossing and corrosive salt water rusted and ruined his first shipment. That disaster turned Deere toward Pittsburgh, then still in its infancy as a center for manufacturing iron products. There in 1846, the first sheet steel was rolled out to Deere’s specifications.

• But Deere soon realized that his Grand Detour factory location was no longer adequate. The Rock River was too shallow for steamboats; the crude roadways were often impassable, but a railroad had since opened travel from Chicago westward. And so it was to Moline on the Mississippi that John Deere moved his operation.

• There John Deere lived a long and productive life. His family prospered and his company grew. Thanks, in part, to the self-scouring plow, Illinois became the grain basket of America. Today, the John Deere corporation, headquartered in Moline, Illinois, is one of the largest manufacturers of agricultural equipment in the world. “Nothing runs like a Deere.” 

Wh Week of December 10, 2023

Christmas Facts (from page one) • Christmas became a federal holiday in 1870.

• The Dutch patronized St. Nicholas, but they spelled it “Sint Nikolass” which evolved to “Sinterklass” and then became Santa Claus.

Kriss Kringle comes from the German word “Christkindl” meaning Christ child.

• Around 40 percent of holiday sales occur the week before Christmas, with the two busiest shopping days of the year consistently being the Saturday and Sunday before Christmas.

• 66 percent of mens ties are sold at Christmas, with the rest sold for Father’s Day. • Nearly a third of all retail sales in the U.S. happen in the month of December.

• Women spend an average of 20 hours shopping for Christmas presents, while men report spending less than half that much time.

• Nearly two billion candy canes are made each year, with 90 percent sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The week after Thanksgiving is the top week for candy cane sales because they are used as decorations on Christmas trees.

Candy canes are the top-selling non-chocolate candy in December.

• Pastry chef Alain Roby created a 51-footlong candy cane in Geneva, Illinois, in 2012, weighing over 900 pounds. It was broken into pieces and given away.

• Joel Poinsett was a diplomat from South Carolina in the early 1800s. While serving in Mexico, he collected specimens of a wild shrub and shipped them back to America, where they were known as poinsettias and later became today's ubiquitous Christmas plant.

• The 1958 song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” featured Brenda Lee on vocals. She was only 13 years old when she recorded the tune.

By then she was already a seasoned performer, having been celebrated as a child prodigy. The

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

American Film Institute. It was Donna Reed’s song, written by Johnny Marks, eventually first starring role. became the biggest hit song of her career. Lee’s streak of nine Top Ten Billboard hits in the 1960s • The 2018 computer-animated film “The Grinch” set a record for Female Solo Artist that wasn’t is the highest-grossing Christmas movie ever, equaled until 1986 with Madonna. Johnny Marks edging out “Home Alone.” However, controversy went on to pen other Christmas hits, including exists over whether or not “Home Alone” actually b “Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Holly qualifies as a Christmas movie, or if it is simply a Jolly Christmas.” movie that takes place at Christmas time.

• Child singer Jimmy Boyd was 13 when he • Most of Hallmark’s sappy holiday films are1. recorded the novelty song “I Saw Mommy created in a single month of filming, with Kissing Santa Claus” in 1952, for Columbia many requiring only two weeks to shoot. The Records. It sold 2.5 million copies in the first majority are filmed in Canada due to tax breaks, week alone. Church leaders in Boston tried to particularly in Vancouver. In 2020 alone, ban the song saying that Christmas is supposed Hallmark cranked out 40 of the formulaic films. to be a holiday of purity, while the song implies • The world’s tallest Christmas tree was a freshly 2. infidelity. The controversy was settled when cut Douglas fir standing 221 feetPROOF tall. Consider ADVERTISING Boyd appeared before church leaders to discuss Christmas Facts: page 15 Mon., JulyTurn 24, to2023 the content and meaning of the lyrics, and Changes DUE: Final 5:0 convinced them that the man in the song was Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  P actually the boy's own father in a Santa costume.

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David Rush of Boise, Idaho, balanced a Christmas tree on his chin for 90 minutes, 5 seconds on December 11, 2021, for a world record. David holds over 250 different Guiness World Records, breaking the world record for number of world records set.

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UIZ ITS • The most-disliked Christmas song of all time, Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760 according to a 2020 survey, is “Santa Baby” 1. What is the average age when recorded by Eartha Kitt in 1953, in which she kids stop believing in Santa?

Mike Pendley Construction extorts Santa to gift her with expensive luxury 16th pg, BW, 6x goods. Eartha also played the part of the original 2. What percent of holiday July 30, 2023today • Vol. 19 - No. 31 Catwoman in the 1967 season of “Batman.” shopping is done

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While Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the actual date of the historic event is lost to history. There's no mention of December 25 in scripture and many Bible scholars believe that Jesus was most likely born in the spring.

• “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” got his start as a handout booklet used as an advertising gimmick written by Johnny Marks when he was employed as a copywriter for the Montgomery Ward department stores in 1939.

• Marks also wrote “Rockin’Around the Christmas Tree” (a gold record for Brenda Lee), “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” (sung by Bing Crosby), and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” a Burl Ives recording which sold 8,000,000 copies.

Johnny Marks himself was Jewish and never celebrated Christmas.

• The now-popular 1946 Jimmy Stewart film “It’s a Wonderful Life” originally bombed at the box office. When the copyright expired in 1974, interest in the film had been so flat that the studio didn't renew it. Television networks were therefore allowed to air it for free, and found it perfectly suitable for showing throughout the holiday season. It quickly became a classic and was ranked the #1 Most Inspirational Film by the

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Everyday CHEAPSKATE

®

by Mary Hunt

By Lucie Winborne

* Water itself does not conduct electricity well, but the impurities found in water do. * When Ethiopian emperor Menelik II didn’t feel well, he would eat a few pages of the Bible. While this curious habit didn’t do him any harm as long as his consumption was limited, in 1913, feeling particularly ill after a stroke, he ordered an entire Old Testament book of Kings to be fed to him, a page at a time, but died before he could complete it. * Humans can live unprotected in space for about 30 seconds if they don’t hold their breath. * Two actors have died while playing Judas Iscariot in live productions of the biblical story by accidentally hanging themselves for real during his death scene. * Ever find yourself getting a little sleepy during a virtual meeting? Contrary to popular belief, researchers have determined that the cause isn’t information overload, but mental underload and boredom. (Frankly, we’re not too surprised!) * A 1999 study found that a single square kilometer (247 acres) of the Amazon rainforest can contain about 90,790 tons of living plants. * As editors around the globe already know, hearing grammatical errors can cause physical stress. * Following a nationwide legal battle (and graceful concession from Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar in New Jersey), Taco Bell successfully ensured that the term “Taco Tuesday” can be used freely throughout all 50 states. *** Thought for the Day: “If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”

-- Benjamin Franklin

CLIP AND SAVE

Absolutely the Best Way to Store and Reheat Leftover Pizza Everyday CHEAPSKATE

By some miracle, you ended up with more pizza than you could eat -- or you intention® ally ordered a large one just to have leftovers.

Read on forbythe very best way to store and Mary Hunt reheat leftover pizza. Don’t let your leftovers sit in the fridge until they dry up, curl up and turn downright disgusting. Enjoy your pizza just as much the second time around!

STORE LEFTOVER PIZZA The best way to store leftover pizza is NOT to leave it in the box and shove the whole thing in the refrigerator. The cardboard and air freely circulating around the slices will dehydrate them in a big hurry.

The best way is to stack and wrap: Place a single layer of slices on a dinner plate, top with a layer of wax, freezer, foil or parchment paper.

Keep stacking, alternating pizza and paper, until all the pizza’s on the plate. Wrap the whole thing tightly up in plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator. That’s it! It’s not as easy as just throwing the box in the fridge, but you’ll end up with tastier leftover pizza to reheat.

Properly stored, leftover pizza will retain its best quality for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator or up to two months in the freezer.

REHEAT LEFTOVER PIZZA There are a few methods for reheating pizza. I find the oven is too involved for just a couple of slices. The microwave produces a soggy, rubbery mess. Eating the pizza cold is pathetic. The best way to heat up a couple of slices is, hands-down, in a skillet -- ideally my wellseasoned, cast-iron skillet, although any nonstick skillet with a lid will do just fine.

This is not difficult as long as you know upfront that your most important ingredient here is patience. Just follow these steps precisely, and I promise you crisp bottom crust; hot, melted cheese; and no sign whatsoever that it was made the day before.

STEP 1 Place one or two slices of cold pizza in the cold, dry skillet, crust side down.

STEP 2 Place a lid on the skillet STEP 3 Set the skillet on a stovetop burner set to low.

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STEP 4 Set a timer for 8 minutes.

STEP 5 Wait. Do not peek or remove that lid for any reason. Just don’t.

That’s it! No need to add water or oil or flip the slices or any other thing you may be wondering about. It’s all about keeping the temperature at low and not removing the lid for any reason until it’s done. If 8 minutes is too long for your stove’s low heat setting, wait five minutes and then check.

NOTE: Because there are several variables here -- type of skillet, your burner’s temperature when set to low -- you may need to adjust these instructions as needed.

REHEAT FROZEN PIZZA For frozen leftover pizza, let it thaw on the countertop for at least an hour and then follow the instructions above.

Reheating pizza properly is all about starting out cold, keeping the temperature at low to medium (see above) and not removing the lid for any reason until it’s done.

Enjoy!

* * * 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.”

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the store one by one and buy up the product, creating an artificial demand. As business grew, he bought out John’s portion of the business but kept the name of John’s mother -- Mrs. Paul.

Article #8

A Brief Primer On

FROZEN FOODS

FROZEN MEALS

• In 1922, Abraham and his wife Lena opened a lunch counter in Cleveland, Ohio. It was so successful they opened another one the following year with the help of their son Vernon.

With the success of the second restaurant, they incorporated, naming the firm after themselves, and continued to openCampos new restaurants.

Dr. Nicolas • Customers kept asking for extra entrees that 1/3 page, BW, 13x they could take home to 12-10-2023 Vol.eat.

19 With - No.the 50advent of refrigerators and freezers, Vernon decided to expand into the frozen food business. At first he just had the chefs cook extra meals which he froze and sold to retailers. But demand increased rapidly and the chefs couldn’t keep up.

• In 1954 Vernon founded a frozen food operation bearing the family name. In the 1960s he also opened a chain of hotels. Today that firm is the leading producer of premium frozen prepared foods, with over 150 varieties including frozen lasagna, French bread pizzas, and numerous types of frozen dinners. No doubt you’re familiar with their name -- Stouffer’s. ‪

Chiropractic Therapy Treats Many Problem Conditions

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• Clarence went on an Arctic expedition in the 1920s. One day he went ice fishing when it was -20◦F and the fish he caught froze instantly when he pulled them out of the water. Back at camp, he tossed a fish into a bucket of warm water and was amazed to see it come to life again. He concluded that it had survived because it had been frozen so quickly.

DEAR DR. CAMPOS: I know you do a lot of things – chiropractic, sports injuries, cra• This gave him an idea. He tried flash-freezing nial therapy. Which are you best at? – J.G. food. The method of freezing food quickly prevents large ice crystals from forming and Answer: Dear M.S. – Ha, ha…well, each puncturing the cells so that it keeps the same area of my work is appropriate for different taste and consistency when thawed. circumstances. Cranial therapy is incredibly effective for people who are more sensitive • In 1924 Clarence began marketing his first line of and need light-touch therapy. Neurological frozen food – fish. They didn’t sell well, because conditions/symptoms respond better to cranial few people, including grocers, owned freezers. therapy than to the more physically vigorous One day, heiress Marjorie Post, of Post cereals, traditional chiropractic adjusting. was on a yacht with her husband E. F. Hutton when their chef served them a goose dinner. She For people that have been or are currently asked him where he had managed to find a goose very active, athletic perhaps, traditional chiroout of season. He introduced her to Clarence. practic and sports-related therapies might be more appropriate. These people tend to want She convinced her husband and the board of a bit stronger manipulation of the joints and directors of Post to hire Clarence on their staff muscles – to them it feels good. So, of course, and invest in this new technology. it just depends.

• By 1930 they were selling 26 kinds of frozen foods. In the mid-1930s they introduced a freezer Each technique I use has been a major area display case leasing program to grocers who of study and practice for me for over two decades, so I am confident that I have developed couldn’t afford to buy one. By the time Clarence a certain level of proficiency at each. died in 1956, the company he started and titled *** review with his last name isPlease today one of thecarefully. best knownDouble check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours DEAR DR. CAMPOS: I have been waking names in frozen foods -- Birdseye. email: valleybits@msn.com

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up with pain in my left foot every morning.

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• Edward Piszek worked in a bar making crab cakes in 1946. One night he made 172, but only sold 50. Not wanting to waste them, he packed them into a freezer. A week later when they were still good he knew he was on to something, so he and his friend John decided to go into business selling frozen fish patties.

• Feeling their frozen product brand needed a feminine touch, they resolved to name their company after a woman. Edward Piszek’s mother pressured them to name it after her, but instead they named it after John’s mother because her name was easier to pronounce and spell.

email: valleybits@msn.com

• Edward teamed up with his wife to sell his product to grocers using some rather devious methods to get his cash flow started. First, he would go in and give the sales pitch, then his wife would enter the store and exclaim over it.

Next Edward would hire his friends to go into

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When I get out of bed and step on the floor,

Fax: 760-320-1630 it is excruciating. What can I do? – M.S.

Answer: Dear M.S. – it sounds like you could be dealing with a case of plantar fasciitis.

The classic sign of plantar fasciitis is pain on the first step in the morning.

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue that connects your heel to the ball of your foot. The plantar fascia supports the arch of your foot and acts as a shock absorber when you walk. When inflamed it CAN be excruciating, and like most inflammatory conditions, it will be irritated with movement, therefore activity makes it worse.

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JOHN’S MOM

However, because the tendons of the calf muscles (Achilles) attach to the plantar fascia, when the muscles become tight (mostly from lack of stretching), they yank on the fascia.

If sedentary for an extended time, especially when sleeping, the short, tight calf muscles draw the foot downward (called plantar flexion).

So, when you take that first step, you are forcing the foot, ankle, and Achilles in the opposite direction, pulling even more on the fascia, and yes, IT HURTS!

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The best thing to do is visit a doctor who handles sports injuries. He or she can treat the region, bringing length to the muscles and tendons, show you stretches, and maybe fit you for orthotics, or shoe inserts, to prevent the problem from recurring. ***

Dr. Campos is a Cranial and Sports Chiropractic Doctor in Palm Desert. While he cannot answer every individual question via email, he will choose one or two each week to answer here. Readers may email questions to

OfficeCamposCranial@gmail.com Learn more at:

Dr NickCampos.com or call (760) 359-8838

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Page 6

by Dana Jackson King Features News Syndicate

Q: I occasionally see actress Jen-

nifer Tilly on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” because she’s friends with Sutton Stracke. Is she still acting? -- K.J.

Depositphotos

A: A decade after Disney’s wildly successful musical movie “Frozen” premiered in theaters, a third one is in development -- and possibly a fourth.

It was initially conceived as a hand-drawn animated film back in 1937 based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” before it made its way to the big screen in the 21st century.

Stars Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell had originally auditioned for “Tangled” years earlier, both going for the role that Mandy Moore eventually lent her voice to. The wait was worth it, however, because “Frozen” would become the highestgrossing animated film of its time ... that is, until its sequel, “Frozen II,” surpassed it.

As for the “Frozen III” premiere date, online publications are guessing anywhere from 2024 to 2027. What matters, though, is what Disney says, and so far, an official release date hasn’t been set.

However, Jennifer Lee, Disney’s animation chief creative officer, has stated that a fourth film might be necessary because “they have a lot of story to tell.”

Two recent animated Disney movies -- “Elemental” and “Strange World” -- didn’t fare so well with the public, and both were each based on original ideas. So, returning to a preexisting franchise like “Frozen” should be a guaranteed home run. * * * 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.

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Hidden Figures ....................(PG) Trolls Band Together Taraji Henson, Octavia Spencer (PG)P.Anna Kendrick, Justin 5. Timberlake La La Land .................... (PG-13) Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone 5. Thanksgiving 6. (R) Resident TheTy Final Patrick Evil: Dempsey, Olsson Chapter ...................................... (R) 6. The Marvels (PG-13) Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris Milla Jovovich, Iain Glen The.......................................(PG) Holdovers 7. 7.

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A: Yes, Jennifer Tilly is still acting, and she’s also best friends with “RHOBH” cast member Sutton Stracke. She’s currently starring in the “Chucky” series streaming on Peacock.

She also voices the character of Bonnie on the long-running animated series “Family Guy.” Tilly can also add being Oscar-nominated to her list of achievements for her supporting role in 1994’s “Bullets Over Broadway.”

Actress Jennifer Tilly If she has any reality show career aspirations, she hasn’t made it known, but she occasionally appears on “RHOBH” due to her friendship with Stracke. On the show, the two ladies recently greeted Stracke’s beautiful horse, Santos, whom Stracke had purchased overseas. *** Q: My husband and I have been eagerly awaiting for our “Chicago” shows to return.

Is there a definitive premiere date yet? -- K.H.

mercials officially announcing that “Chicago Med,” “Chicago Fire” and Chicago P.D.” will begin airing new episodes, starting at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 17, in the above order.

Also on NBC, another popular trio of shows -- “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: SVU” and “Law & Order: Organized Crime” -- will debut their new seasons on Thursday, Jan. 18, beginning at 8 p.m.

ET. Just because these long-running series are returning in January doesn’t mean that every TV network is ready. According to Variety, “the wellestablished machinery of the ‘One Chicago’ and ‘Law & Order’ franchises allows them to get back into the swing of things rather quickly.” *** Q: Is it true that there’s going to be another “Frozen” movie? When is it coming out? -- O.P.

Vol. IXX Issue No. 50

Week of December 10, 2023

Good Recipes from

in the "Good Housekeeping - A Very Merry Christmas Cookbook" (Hearst Books).

Chocolate Nemesis Apple-Ginger Glazed Ham for a Crowd Here's a definite crowd-pleasing feast to serve to your holiday guests.

1 fully cooked smoked whole ham (14 pounds) 1/2 cup apple jelly 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger Fresh herbs for garnish 1. Heat oven to 325°F. Remove skin and trim some fat from ham, leaving about 1/4-inch fat covering.

2. Place ham on rack in large roasting pan (17 by 11 1/2 inches). Bake ham 2 hours 30 minutes.

3. After ham has baked 2 hours 30 minutes, prepare glaze: In small saucepan, combine apple jelly and ginger and heat to boiling over medium-high heat; boil 2 minutes. Brush ham with some glaze. Bake ham 30 minutes to 1 hour longer, brushing occasionally with remaining glaze, until meat thermometer inserted into center of ham registers 140°F (15 to 18 minutes per pound total cooking time).

 Each serving: About 175 calories, 30g protein, 10g carbohydrate, 5g total fat (2g saturated), 81mg cholesterol, 1,500mg sodium.

5. Bake cake 30 to 35 minutes or until edge begins to set and a thin crust forms on top.

Carefully remove springform pan from water bath and place on wire rack. Cool cake to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

ADVERTIS Final Changes DUE: 6. About 30 minutes before serving, run

A festive dessert to make ahead.

1/2 cup water 1 cup sugar 1 pound bittersweet chocolate (good quality), chopped 2 sticks unsalted butter, cut up 7 large eggs, at room temperature Softly whipped cream or creme fraiche Fresh raspberries for garnish 1. Heat oven to 325°F. Grease bottom and side of 9-inch springform pan. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper. Dust side of pan with flour. Set pan on wide sheet of heavy-duty foil and tightly wrap foil up outside of pan to prevent water from leaking in during baking.

2. In 4-quart saucepan, heat water and 1/2 cup of the sugar over medium-high heat until sugar completely dissolves, stirring occasionally.

Add chocolate and butter to mixture in saucepan; stir constantly until melted. Remove pan from heat; cool chocolate mixture slightly, about 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, with mixer at high speed, beat eggs with remaining 1/2 cup sugar 6 to 8 minutes or until mixture thickens and triples in volume. With wire whisk, fold warm chocolate mixture into egg mixture until completely blended.

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Turn cake right val 760-320-0997 email: side up onto platter. Serve with whipped cream and berries. Makes 16 servings.

O.R.D. Gener

1/12 pg.,  Each serving: About 345 calories, 27g October 22, 2023 total fat (15g saturated), 5g protein, 22g carbohy* * *

For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our Web site at www.goodhousekeeping.com/reci finder/. (c) 2023 Hearst Communications, Inc.

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4. Pour batter into prepared springform pan; place in large (17 by 11 1/2-inch) roasting pan and set on oven rack. Pour enough boiling water into roasting pan to come halfway up side of springform pan.

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Vol. IXX Issue No. 50

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

(Solution on page 16)

Donald Duck

by Walt Disney

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Crossword Answers on page 16

NEST HEADS

By John Allen

Tidbits® of Coachella Valley Published and distributed weekly by AdVenture Media, Inc. P.O. Box 4308 Palm Springs, CA 92263-4308 Phone: 760-320-0997 Fax: 760-320-1630 Email: valleybits@msn.com www.TidbitsPalmSprings.com All rights reserved.

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Week of December 10, 2023

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

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NEXT WEEK in

Cody’s

TIDBITSOBSERVES OBSERVES TIDBITS

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2.

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Corner

around the world

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty

By Matthew Margolis Creators News Service

A Dog’s Worst Enemy: The Car

3. The Weekly “Brain Breaker”

12/10 Human Rights Day

“My well-mannered German shepherd passed away in July, so I adopted Wile E, a Husky mix, from a shelter. His in-home behavior is perfect. He is well behaved in the house with no exceptions. He does not give kisses to anyone, but he shows affection in other ways.

“The problem with this dog is on walks or when he is outside in front of the house -- for example, when we open the garage door to move a car in or out. Under these circumstances, if there is another dog around, he goes nuts. He is not aggressive toward these dogs, but he goes wild and barks, pulls and gets right in the face of the other dog.

“His other problem is with vehicles. He used to get excited about trucks when we were walking. I think it was due to the fact that trucks and SUVs have noisy tires that set him off. He pulls and wants to chase them. I am afraid of what would happen if he found his way out of our home unsupervised. Can I get your take on this?”

There are two problems here. The lack of proper socialization with other dogs I’ll save for another time in order to focus on a very serious problem.

The No. 1 cause of death for dogs is cancer.

No. 2 is getting hit by a car.

I know six people, personally, whose dogs were killed in the past year by a moving vehicle.

They are all having a hard time dealing with feelings of guilt. One told me he watched his dog being hit: “He looked at me right before it happened.”

That’s a tough one to get over.

Dogs that get hit by cars almost always share a profile: They are untrained. They have a habit of escaping through the front door as it’s opened. They’re allowed to hang out with their owners in fenceless front yards.

What makes this fate even sadder is that it is an almost entirely preventable cause of death.

As with most problems, the first line of defense is training. If your dog is truly trained to sit

12/11 Day of the Horse 12/12 Make a Gingerbread House Day

Print Your Answers Here:

12/13 National Guard Birthday 12/14 International Monkey Day 12/15 Bill of Rights Day 12/16 Chocolate Covered Anything Day

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Cody's Corner: Turn to Page 10

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Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Page 10

We’re used to looking for expiration dates on food, but hand soap ... who knew?

SENIOR NEWS LINE

by Matilda Charles

© King Features Synd., Inc.

Expired Items in the House Remember that bottle of antibacterial hand soap you tucked into the back of the cabinet when the Covid pandemic first started?

People were in panic mode and shelves were running low on so many things ... including that hand soap.

Perhaps you grabbed two -- one to use and one to keep for a spare, just in case. Meanwhile, as you needed another one, you bought it and kept that spare in the cabinet. If that bottle is still there, it’s likely expired. Antibacterial hand soap is one of those things with an expiration, or at least a lot code that will indicate when it was manufactured.

Quite a few things seems to have a shelf life of 2-3 years before expiration, which means that if you bought them at the beginning of the pandemic, they’re likely expired. The reason they go bad is that one or more of the ingredients doesn’t hold up over time.

Issue No. 50

Cody’s Corner (from page 9)

and stay, he will not run out of the door when you open it or into the street while you’re gardening.

The list of household products that can Training your dog to stay at a distance of ten feet expire is long. Hand sanitizers, shampoo, hand from your front door teaches him boundaries -- lifelotion, toothpaste, mouthwash, hydrogen peroxsaving boundaries. ide, bleach, bug spray, deodorant, bar soap, dish And there are simple secondary lines of dedetergent, and so many more. fense available to you in the meantime: -- Install a screen door as an additional safeThere are a few places online where you guard. can put in the brands of the items you want to -- Keep your dog on a leash when opening check as well as the lot codes.

The codes are the front door until he is 100 percent trustworthy.

Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling tricky (you’ll likely need a magnifying glass). One -- Keep your dog on a leash anytime he is example I have on hand is NL03333L60; another not inside the confines of a secure fence. The other Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes o is 05252JU36.

Don’t use the bar code. You’ll end of the leash should be attached to something need to hunt on the container for the actual secure, preferably your hand.

Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax manufacturer, not just the product name. The lot For reasons that are beyond me, some peonumber might be etched on the bottom or sides ple get the idea that their dog should experience the of the container. Holding it up to a lamp helps freedom of roaming the world off leash -- in public you spot the number. Confusing? Yes, it is. parks, on city streets, at beaches and through their Please review carefully.

Double check: Number(s)  Spelling  neighborhood.

This isa Phone dangerous misconception Two places to check for expiration of -- one that has cost thousands of dogs their lives.

Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or c Thomas Property hundreds of items are checkexp.com c/o and Melanie Keeping your dog onofa leash when outside of your Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 7 AdVenture Media, checkcosmetic.net. If in doubt, call the manuown fenced yard is moreInc. than good manners. It’s BZ BW 26x facturer. best way to ensure your dog’s long and healthy October 8,the 2023 Vol. 19 - No. 41 * * life.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personWoof! ally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them

ADVERTISING PROO Final Changes DUE: MON., OCT. 1

ADVERTISING PROOF Final Changes DUE: MON., Nov. 6 5: 12 Bgreen, Inc.

Property of

* * * AdVenture Media, Inc. Dog trainer Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis is the Bgreen, Inc. co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: c/o Melanie Ashe guest, radio and television and 760.320.1630 the host of the PBS series valleybits@msn.com It’s a Dog’s Life!” Read all of Uncle Matty’s columns BZ “WOOF! BW 26x www.creators.com, visit 46 him at www.unclematty.com.

Nov.at 12, 2023 Vol. 19and - No.

into her column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com. (c) KingFeaturesSyndicate

The Grinch's Heart Problem

by Rich Lowry

I'm not generally a huge Dr. Seuss fan, but “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” is something different. It deserves to be considered one of the great Christmas stories of all time, and achieves its power from the portrayal of the Grinch, the loathesome mountain-dwelling creature with the audacious scheme to ruin Christmas.

Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, published the book in 1957, spawning a famous TV version, two feature films and plenty of merchandise. He wrote it after “The Cat in the Hat,” and thought of it as one of his Big Books, aspiring more to literature rather than just madcap fun.

Its claim on that status is based on its compelling, disturbing depiction of the pure malice that basically defines the Grinch. The cuddly Grinch toys available at toy stores notwithstanding, he is a nasty piece of work whose malevolence never ceases to astonish no matter how many times the book is read and reread.

The Grinch doesnʼt just hate the Whos, and “the warm lighted windows below in their town,” but everything associated with their Christmas delight. He hates the cheerful noise, and hates the feast, and hates the singing. He hates joy itself.

And so he decides to “stop this whole thing.” He disguises himself as the image of happy surprise, Santa Claus himself, and sets out to do exactly the evil opposite.

He descends on the unsuspecting Whos, “all dreaming sweet dreams without care.” At the house that is his first target, he steals all the stockings, decorations and toys, up to and including the tree. And he wickedly enjoys himself doing it!

When little Cindy-Lou Who wakes up and, on the most enchanted night of the year, finds a purported Santa Claus making off with everything in the house, “the old liar” deceives the little tot.

The Grinch surpasses his fellow Christmas literary villain Ebenezer Scrooge by a consider-

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Why is the Grinch this Contact your TidbitsVisit representative immediately with changes or us at: PruneMaster.us way? Well, he's isolated; he lives Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: alone 3,000 feet up with his put-upon dog Max (who is a scene-stealer in the 2018 movie). He is arrogant; he thinks he's clever enough to sucProperty of ceed in his massive theft. And he's AdVenture Media, Inc. cynical. All the Whos careDouble about, he check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling Please review carefully. believes, is their presents and food.

Still, the ultimate source of the Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes o Grinchʼs enmity is unknowable.

In the movie, his Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630 hatred of Christmas, naturally, stems from an unvalleybits@msn.com Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax happy childhood. This makes him a more sympaAll Rights Reserved thetic figure, but takes the edge off his malignity. In the book, Seuss resists explanation: “Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.”All that can be said of the Grinch is that his heart is “two sizes too small.”

Property of Of course, the Whos sing on Christmas AdVenture Media, Inc. morning even though their presents are gone.

Christmas comes anyway, despite the Grinch's exertions, and -- surprised by joy -- something changes in his heart.

If the Grinch's evil defies explanation, so does his conversion. He returns all he stole and happily carves the “roast beast” at the Christmas Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630 feast of the Whos. After zipping through the writ- valleybits@msn.com ing of the rest of the book, Seuss struggled with the ending. He said that he “had gone through All Rights Reserved thousands of religious choices, and then after three months it came out like that.”

It came out perfectly. The Grinch stands for the mysteries of the human heart, and the delights available to us if it's the right size.

Merry Christmas!

* * *

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Week of December 10, 2023

YOUR

SOCIAL SECURITY

by Tom Margenau

Social Security Rules: Same Ol’, Same Ol’ Several times every week, someone makes a comment similar to this one that I found in my inbox today: “It’s so hard to stay current with Social Security because the rules are changing constantly!”

I guess I can understand why someone who is not familiar with Social Security (but suddenly takes an interest because he or she is approaching retirement age) might think that. But in fact, with one exception, there have not been any major changes to Social Security since 1983.

In other words, for about 40 years now, we’ve been operating with essentially the same Social Security rules.

The rules for retirement benefits are fairly cut and dried. Your benefit rate is a percentage of your average monthly wage using a 35-year base of inflation-indexed earnings. The percentage is around 40% for people with average earnings. It’s a lower percentage for higher-income wage earners, and a higher percentage for people with low incomes. (That’s one of the “social” parts to Social Security.) Using that formula, you come up with your primary insurance amount, or PIA. (I normally do not like to use jargon, but I’m going to keep referring to the PIA throughout this column, so please indulge me this one bit of government-ese.)

If you wait until your full retirement age to start your benefits, you will get 100% of your PIA in the form of a Social Security benefit. If you start benefits before your FRA, they are reduced roughly one-half of 1% for each month a benefit is taken, down to 70% of the PIA for people who take Social Security at 62 (the earliest possible retirement age). If you delay the start of your benefits after FRA, you get a two-thirds of 1% increase added to your PIA for each month you wait. That comes out to about a 30% bonus if you don’t start your retirement benefits until age 70 (the latest possible start date).

The rules for spousal benefits are also pretty simple. Usually, you will be paid your own Social Security benefit first. Only after that benefit is paid will they look to a spouse’s Social Security record to see if you can get any additional benefits from a husband or wife’s Social Security account.

The spousal rate is 50% of the husband or wife’s PIA if you wait until your full retirement age to collect benefits. As with retirement benefits, there is a reduction if you take benefits before FRA. It is roughly one-half of 1% for each month.

That comes out to about 30% of the spouse’s PIA if benefits are taken at 62.

What all that means is that if you have worked and earned your own Social Security benefit, it is unlikely you will be due any benefits on a spouse’s record -- while your spouse is alive. Or to put that another way, your own Social Security retirement benefit is likely to be more than one-third to one-half of your spouse’s Social Security amount.

It’s a different story for widows and widowers, and that is explained a little later in the column.

If you are divorced and you were married to your ex for more than 10 years and you are currently unmarried, you could get benefits from your ex -- but again, only if that 30% to 50% spousal rate pays more than your own benefit.

Page 11

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Earlier, I mentioned there was one excep- rate, i.e., 100% of her deceased husband’s PIA. The earliest a woman can start widow’s bention to the fact that Social Security rules haven’t changed in more than 30 years. That exception was efits is age 60, when she would usually get about a loophole that, for a while anyway, allowed some 71% of her husband’s PIA. In rare cases, a disabled seniors to collect spousal benefits while delaying widow can start benefits as early as age 50. A young their own retirement benefits until age 70. But that widow, no matter her age, with minor children at loophole closed a couple years ago, so it’s no lon- home can collect up to 75% of her deceased husger an issue for those pushing retirement age now. band’s PIA. The other major part of Social Security is I only mention it because internet rumors would have seniors believe they can still use that provi- disability benefits. The rules for those benefits also haven’t really changed in three or four decades. In sion. But to repeat: No, you can’t.

Benefits for widows (and a few widowers) a nutshell, you could qualify for Social Security disare another big part of Social Security that have not ability benefits if you have worked and paid Social changed in decades. To avoid a lot of “his/her” and Security taxes in five out of the last 10 years and if “he/she” pronouns, I’m going to address this part of you have a physical or mental impairment that is so the column to women because statistics show that severe it is expected to keep you from working for about 95% of survivor benefits are paid to women. at least 12 months, or you have a condition that is Having said that, Social Security rules are gender- terminal. And by the way, for seniors reading this, neutral, so if you are involved in a marriage where the rules say once you are over your full retirement the wife made more money than the husband and age, disability benefits are no longer payable. Or to NOV. 27 you reach that golden thus gets a higher Social Security benefit, and if the put that another way, once MON., wife dies first, the surviving husband could get wid- age, a Social Security retirement benefit pays the Please review carefully.

Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling same rate as a disability benefit. ower’s benefits.

* * * Anyway, in most cases, a husband dies first, Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes o If you have a Social Security question, Tom Marand usually after both he and his wife have been 760-320-0997 email:with valleybits@msn.com genau has two books all the answers. One is called Fax getting Social Security for a while. In Office: other words, they are in their 70s, 80s or beyond. When that hap- “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions pens, the widow will almost always start getting About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 what the husband was getting, less her own retire- Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amament benefit if she is getting one. zon.com or other book outlets.

Orofyou can send him an Property email Grieve at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

To find out If the husband dies while his wife is in her Lyman AdVenture Media, Inc. more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns early to mid-60s, and before she has started her 16th pg. BW Open Rate own Social Security benefits, then she has some op- and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers Dec. 2023 Vol. 19the - No. 50 Syndicate website at and 10, cartoonists, visit Creators tions. For example, she could start out collecting www.creators.com. reduced widow’s benefits and then at 66 switch to Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630 100% of her retirement PIA, or wait until 70 to make valleybits@msn.com

By Private the switch and then collect about 130% of her PIA. Sometimes (depending on the amounts involved), All Rights Reserved Owner it works better for the widow to take reduced retire2018 Buick Enclave - 16,500 miles, one-owner, absoment benefits and then at 66 switch to a full widow’s lute mint condition, white. $28,500.

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1. The book of 1 Corinthians is in the mallard duck, turtle and fish population for fascinating Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corre viewing. $348,000. a) Old Testament b) New Testament Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-3 c) Neither Call Lyman: 507-259-9168 2. For not believing his wife would conceive, who was struck mute by an angel, not being able to speak? a) Gabriel b) Zachariah c) Joash d) Mesha 3. The Lord's Prayer, the Beatitudes and the Golden Rule are found in what sermon? a) At the well b) Drybones c) Agnus d) On the mount

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4. According to David, what does God's spiritual cleansing make us whiter than? a) Light b) Clouds c) Wool d) Snow 5. How many times is the name "Lucifer" mentnioned in the Bible? a) 1 b) 3 c) 5 d) 7 6. From Psalm 19, what do the heavens declare? a) Holiness b) Glory of God c) A Master Creator d) God's wisdom 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. Inc. ©© 2023

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Tidbits of Coachella Valley

M.D.

Fatal Episodes of VFib Require an AICD Implant DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m an 88-year-old female who has been diagnosed with ventricular fibrillation (VFib). My cardiac electrophysiologist, who implanted a conventional pacemaker four years ago, has noticed several episodes of VFib (up to 30 seconds, read via a bedside monitor). They recommend replacing the current pacemaker with a combo pacemaker and defibrillator. I wonder about the history/success of this device. -- C.R. ANSWER: Most people have heard about atrial fibrillation (AFib), which is a common, chaotic electrical condition of the top chambers of the heart. Without regular electrical input from the atria to the ventricles, the ventricles beat irregularly, but blood flow from the heart still remains adequate. By contrast, VFib is a chaotic movement of the lower chambers, and the heart does not pump blood during VFib. Within a short time, 10 to 30 seconds at most, the brain will not have enough oxygen to keep you conscious. Unless VFib is rapidly treated or stops by itself (which is rare, but happened to you), VFib is fatal.

A survivor of VFib definitely benefits from an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD). Nowadays, they also have the ability to act as a pacemaker; they recognize and immediately provide a shock during episodes of VFib. AICDs first became available when I was in medical school during the 1980s, but current models are a huge improvement since they are smaller and last longer.

The evidence is strong that people at a high risk for a “malignant” arrythmia like VFib live longer with an AICD than those who are only treated with anti-arrhythmic drugs. The rate of sudden cardiac death is reduced by about 50%.

You are very fortunate and should get this recommended device as soon as possible. They are common and effective. *** DEAR DR. ROACH: Last year, my thyroxine (T4) level was abnormally high (12.2 mcg/dL). I ignored it, as it was slightly over the normal range of 4.5-12 mcg/dL. Six months later, it increased to 12.4 mcg/dL. Should I be concerned? My thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level was normal both times. -- J.M. ANSWER: Although many people with abnormal blood results are perfectly healthy, the more abnormal a test result is, the more likely it represents something wrong. In your case, you are correct that the readings are just outside of the normal range. But because it is persistent, it’s worthwhile to get additional information.

Most importantly, were you having symptoms that made your doctor concerned about whether you might have a thyroid issue? Many people with high levels of thyroxine have excess energy, sweating, weight loss, tremors, anxiety and heat intolerance.

Next, do you have any other tests that might help support or reject the possibility of thyroid disease? In your case, it’s the TSH level.

A high TSH level means that your body needs more thyroid hormone, whereas excess production of thyroid hormone from the gland usually leads to a low TSH level. Your TSH level is normal, which is strong evidence that the slightly high T4 level might be typical for you, especially

if you don’t have any symptoms. * * * DR. ROACH WRITES: A recent column regarding a “tip jar” in a living situation for a reader’s brother who had suffered a stroke generated very powerful responses. (Respondents included nurses and administrators who worked in care facilities.) Many readers noted that they thought this was illegal in the states they lived in. While many readers responded that they were happy to give gifts to the caregivers, nearly every person wrote that the public nature of the “tip jar” was inappropriate.

The institutions I have been affiliated with have very careful rules about accepting any kind of gift. In my opinion, the “tip jar” grossly violated ethical standards, and nearly all readers agreed with me.

Several readers wished me to mention the state ombudsman program for long-term care. Every state is required to have such a program to address complaints and advocate for improvements. Residents in the U.S. can learn more about the long-term care ombudsman program at ltcombudsman.org/about/aboutombudsman.

* * * Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu. (c) 2023 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved CLIP AND SAVE

1-15-24

Vol. IXX

Issue No. 50

VETERANS  POST 

by Freddie Groves

How’s It Going? No, I Mean Really... How Are You Here we are in the throes of winter with the shorter days, the lower temps and depending where we are, snow and ice on the sidewalk and roads, holiday stresses ...

Some of us aren’t doing well. We’ve been faking it through the holidays, smiling and greeting people, but deep down inside we know: We’re not OK. Whether we’re in a funk, sad, dispirited, depressed, hopeless, anxious ... call it what you will, but some of us just are not OK. With the new year we have the opportunity to resolve to change that and have a better 2024.

The Department of Veterans Affairs stands ready to help us. All it takes to start is a phone call.

A first step might be calling the Veterans Crisis Line anytime day or night: Just dial 988 and press 1. Or you can text 838255. The voice on the other end is likely to be a veteran’s, specially trained. It’s free and confidential. These responders can hook you up with the resources you need to get help.

To get a little more info, go online to VeteransCrisisLine.net. Under the “Resources and Support” dropdown menu, select “Local Resources.” There you can search for local veteran’s help near you. You can also find local VA resources at www.va.gov/director y/guide/allstate.asp.

To get info over the phone, call 800-2738255 and press 1. If you have hearing loss, the TTY number is 800-799-4889.

If you happen to be active duty and you’re overseas, there’s still help for you. Go to VeteransCrisisLine.net and click on “How We Help,” then select “Military Crisis Line.” You’ll see a list of direct free phone numbers depending where you are: Europe, Korea, Philippines or Afghanistan. Or you can call the original Crisis Line if outside of the U.S.: 800-273-8255 and press 1.

Remember: You can always walk directly into a VA medical center day or night. * * *

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.

Coffee Tastes Best with Tidbits!

Week of December 10, 2023

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

on your tax return.

-- by Jim Miller

What Is the Retirement Saver’s Credit and How Does It Work?

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Can you explain to me how the retirement saver’s tax credit works? My wife and I are now in our late fifties and are looking for creative ways to boost our retirement savings beyond our 401(k). Is this something we may be eligible for? -- Struggling to Save Dear Struggling: If your income is low to moderate and you participate in your employer-sponsored retirement plan or an IRA, the Retirement Savings Contribution Credit (aka “Saver’s Credit”) is a frequently overlooked tool that can help boost your retirement savings even more. Here’s how it works: If you contribute to a retirement-savings account like a traditional or Roth IRA, 401(k), 403(b), 457, Thrift Savings Plan, Simplified Employee Pension or SIMPLE plan, the Saver’s Credit will allow you to claim 10, 20 or 50 percent of your contribution of up to $4,000 per year for couples or $2,000 for singles.

Keep in mind that a credit is not the same as a tax deduction – it’s better: While a tax deduction just reduces the amount of your income that is subject to taxes, a tax credit reduces your actual tax bill dollar-for-dollar.

To qualify, you must also be at least 18 years old and not a full-time student and were not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. And your adjusted gross income (AGI) in 2023 must be below $73,000 or less as a married couple filing jointly, $54,750 or less if filing as head of household, or $36,500 or less if you’re a single filer. These income limits are adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation.

To get the 50 percent credit, you’ll need to have an income below $43,500 for married couples filing jointly; $32,625 if you’re filing as head of household; and $21,750 if you’re a single filer in 2023.

The 20 percent credit rate applies to couples earning between $43,501 to $47,500; for head of household filers it’s $32,626 to $35,625; and for individuals it’s $21,751 to $23,750.

And the 10 percent rate is for couples with an adjusted gross income between $47,501 and $73,000; for head of household filers $35,626 to $54,750; and individuals it’s between $23,751 and $36,500.

Here’s an example of how this works.

Let’s say that you and your wife earned $75,000 in 2023. Over the course of the year, you contributed $4,000 to your employer’s 401(k) plan. After deducting your 401(k) contribution, your adjusted gross income (AGI) on your joint return is now $71,000. Since your AGI puts you in the 10 percent credit bracket, and you’ve contributed the $4,000 maximum that can be considered for the credit, you are entitled to a $400 Saver’s Credit

It’s also worth mentioning that the Saver’s Credit is in addition to any other tax benefits you get for your retirement contributions. So, in the previous example, not only would you be entitled to a $400 credit, but you would also be able to exclude the $4,000 401(k) contribution from your taxable income. So, if you’re in the 12 percent tax bracket, this translates to an additional $480 in savings, for a total of $880.

Page 13

The IRS also offers an online quiz you can take to help you determine if you qualify for the Saver’s Credit. To access it go to IRS.gov/ Help/ITA – click on “Do I Qualify for the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit?” under the “Credits” tab. * * *

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.

How to Claim To claim the Saver’s Credit, you will need to fill out Form 8880 (see IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/ f8880.pdf) and attach it to your Form 1040 or 1040NR when you file your tax return.

For more information on the Saver’s Credit, see IRS Publication 590-A “Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements” (IRS. gov/pub/irs-pdf/p590a.pdf).

Coachella Valley Business Owners

Page 14

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

a small plate that belonged to my grandmother.

The plate is 6 inches in diameter and decorated with pink flowers and green leaves in the center, and gold floral bands on the edge.

Do you know the background of my plate and also its value?

ANTIQUE -- OR -JUNQUE

A: Stetson China Company was founded in

by Anne McCollam Creators News Service

Vintage Travel Poster Is View to the Past Q: Enclosed is a photo of one of the

vintage travel posters that were found in my family’s basement. We think they were a collection of posters that belonged to my husband’s great aunt. She was a nurse on a cruise ship in the 1930s and must have saved them. Marked on the poster are two letters and the words “J - P -Wiertz - Printed in Germany - OffsetdruckBrandstetter - Leipzig - 23 1/2” X 39.” The poster is in mint condition.

We would appreciate any information you can provide about the histor y, vintage and value of our poster.

A: Vintage travel posters are very collectible. Those made in the 1930s can give us a glimpse of a time gone by.

Your poster was the creation of German artist Jupp Wiertz. He was born in Germany in 1888 and became a well-known commercial artist specializing in magazine illustrations Vintage travel posters such as this and travel are very collectible. posters.

Bayreuth is a city in Germany and the home of music composer Richard Wagner. “Offsetdruck” is the German word for “offset,” a method of printing frequently used in making colorful posters. “Brandstetter” is the name of the publisher that was located in Leipzig, Germany.

Your poster is circa 1937 and similar ones have sold in the range of $500 or more. * * *

Q: This is a photo of the mark that is on

Puzzle Solutions

Why do the inhabitants of a certain Southeast Asian island always seem so fearful?

Because they're Timor-ous.

GO FIGURE SOLUTION

Chicago in 1919. In the beginning, it was a decorating and distributing firm, which purchased blanks from Mount Clemens Pottery located in Lincoln, Ill. By 1946, it purchased the Illinois China Company, also in Lincoln, so it would have a steady flow of blanks, not having to rely on an outside manufacturer. As soon as it bought the new company, it relocated to Lincoln and the name was changed to “Stetson China Company.” Their dinnerware was sold in department stores, and the company also made premium pieces for Procter & Gamble.

The factory was family-operated. By 1966,

Vol. IXX

Issue No. 50

as with so many other china firms, Stetson couldn’t compete with inexpensive imports so it closed.

Your plate was made around 1946 and would probably be worth $10 to $15.

Stetson China Company was located in Lincoln, Ill.

* * *

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 2023 CREATORS.COM

Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections.

Week of December 10, 2023

Office: 760-320-0997

email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Page 15

Christmas Facts

Western Air Cooling and Heating that the Statue of Liberty is only 151 feet tall from Golf Caddy - Prem. Position her toes to the tip of her torch. The massive tree Oct. 22, 2023 Vol. 19 - No. 43 was proudly displayed at a Seattle, Washington shopping plaza in 1950.

• Holly is associated with Christmas because the pointed leaves symbolize the thorns in Christ’s crown and the red berries symbolize drops of blood.

we are not comfortable until you are.

• The world’s largest gingerbread house was about the size of a typical 4-bedroom, 2-bath home, measuring just over 2,500 square feet of floor GET space. Built by Texas A&M students in Bryan, READY Texas in November 2013, the house was erected NEW FOR on a nearby golf course. Construction materials WINTER! included 1,800 pounds of butter, 7,200 eggs, WINTER! Upon arrival at your 7,200 pounds of flour, nearly 3,000 pounds of home, our tecnicians brown sugar, and decorated with over 22,000 ADVERTISING PROOF use a time-tested, pieces of bright-colored candy. It wasFinal estimated Changes DUE:exhaustive 5:00 p.m.. that the house consisted of around million Please 3.5 review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours Property of 24-point checklist! calories. The cost to tour the remarkable AdVenture Media, Inc. Contactfacility your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections.

WINTER and meet Santa was $3. Over $150,000 was Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 TUNE-UP raised and donated towards the construction FREE SPECIAL! of Coachella Valley of a new trauma center for the local children’s The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630 hospital. The house was dismantled after two valleybits@msn.com weeks and the edible parts were donated to local All Rights Reserved food banks.

4 Million Readers Weekly Nationwide!

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• The largest gathering of people wearing Christmas sweaters happened in Lawrence, Kansas, on December 19, 2015, when some 3,473 people showed up to a football game, all clad in gaily decorated holiday sweaters. The spectators, the marching band, and the team’s staff all wore the festive sweaters as Kansas played against Montana. Santa, his reindeer, and various snowmen also showed up for the game.

Kansas won. 

65

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Game Changers

Property of AdVenture Media, Inc. 4 Million Readers Weekly Nationwide!

by JasonFREE Jenkins

of Coachella Valley

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©2005

The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read

Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: For Advertising Call (760) 320-0997 760.320.1630 valleybits@msn.com valleybits@msn.com

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Tip It Up To Chip All Rights Reserved

Many times a chip around the green requires so little speed and minimal carry that you’re tempted to putt it instead. Yet, there’s too much thick grass in the way, a sprinkler head in the line, or other conditions that prompt you to create a soft chipping shot. Paul Runyan, a sharp short game artist back in the 40’s and 50’s, used a unique chipping style that fit just these types of situations.

STAN SMITH’S TENNIS CLASS

Besides Runyan’s bizarre weakening of each hand position, he made a significant adjustment that any golfer can imitate. Paul (and his imitators) would tip the chipping club quite more vertical than normal so that the club was resting on its toe. Then, by bending the arms and standing much closer to the ball, he could create a putting stroke with a chipping club. The club has a better chance of moving in a straighter path, helping to create a cleaner hit and more accurate shot. By using a putting style stroke and hitting the ball more toward the toe end of the club, the ball came offADVERTISING the club softer than normal chips.

Tip the shaft PROOF make a putting stroke, and learn how softly Finalup, Changes DUE: 5:00 p.m.. these chips react around the green.

FOLLOW US!

Read quick posts, fun quotes, and good news on the go.

@TidbitsNewspapr @TidbitsPS

Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours Jason Jim McLean McLean Golf Golf JasonJenkins Jenkinswas wasaa 16-year 16-year member member of the Jim Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changesTop or 100 corrections.

School teaching staff.and He was was one of of GOLF GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 School teaching staff one Magazine’s Teacher Nominees 1999-2010 and has been named one of the Teacher Nominees 1999-2010. He Fax: was named one of the Golf Office: 760-320-0997 760-320-1630 Also on Golf Digest Top Teachers in California.

Jason teaches at GOLFTEC Digest Top Teachers in California in 2011.

CENTER Indio. at Contact him at jjenkins@golftec.com ContactinJason 760-485-2452 or devgolfinstr@gmail.com

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Vol. IXX

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Page 16

Issue No. 50

THERE'S STILL TIME TO ENROLL

1. MOVIES: Which Disney animated movie features the song “Whistle While You Work”?

2. GEOGRAPHY: Which two oceans are on Russia’s shores?

3. PSYCHOLOGY: What is the fear represented in the condition called euphobia?

4. TELEVISION: What is “The Simpsons” home address?

5. GAMES: How many dimples are on a golf ball?

6. ASTRONOMY: Earth’s place in the solar system is how many planets from the Sun? 7. LANGUAGE: What is the only country in South America whose official language is Dutch?

8. FOOD & DRINK: What is a sweetbread?

9. LITERATURE: In which century was “The Canterbury Tales” written? by Linda Thistle GO F I GWhoUisRconsidered E ! Answer Peekers' names added 10. SCIENCE: to Santa's Naughty list..

TRIVIA TEST the father of modern astronomy?

The idea of Go Figure is to Answers arrive at theAnswers figures given at Answers Weekly Weekly SUDOKU SUDOKU the bottom and right-hand White andbythefolSeven columns1.of“Snow the diagram -Answerlowing Dwarfs.” the arithmetic signs in the order2. Arctic theyand are given (that Pacific. is, from 3. left to right and top to Fear of good news. bottom). Use only the numbers 4. 742 Evergreen Terrace. below the diagram to complete Generally between 300-500. its blank5.squares and use each 6. Third. of the nine numbers only once.

7. Suriname.

DIFFICULTY: 8. Internal organs of� a young animal.

9. Late 14th�� century. � Moderate Difficult ��� GO FIGURE! 10. Copernicus. ©©2006 King Features Syndicate, 2010King King Features Synd.,Inc. Inc. ©©2020 2023 Features Synd., Inc. 2022 © 2023 2022King Features Synd., Inc.

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Games

October 23-29, 2006

Go Figure! answers

Quiz Bits

ANSWERS

1. Ten percent 2. Clothing and houehold goods 3. 40 percent 4. "Silent Night" 5. "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby BIBLE TRIVIA Answers

1. (B) New testament 2. (B) Zachariah 3. (D) On the mount 4. (D) Snow 5. (A) 1 time (Isaiah 14:12) 6. (B) Glory of God

ANSWERS

WUZZLES Answers ®

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