Vol. 19: #20 • Insomnia • (5-14-2023) • Tidbits of Coachella Valley

TIDBITS STAYS UP LATE TO STUDY

by Janet Spencer

Did you know that about thirty percent of the general population has some sort of sleep disorder that involves getting to sleep or staying asleep?

In fact, about six to ten percent have symptoms severe enough to effect daytime functioning and be clinically labeled as insomnia. This week, Tidbits looks at the facts about this problematic disorder that causes so many folks to lay awake at night!

MIND OVER MATTRESS

• It normally takes ten to 15 minutes to fall asleep after getting into bed. If it takes five minutes or less, you’re probably sleep deprived. If it routinely takes 30 minutes or longer, and it’s not due to external stimuli, it qualifies as insomnia.

• Although adults need seven to nine hours of sleep in each 24-hour cycle, children need between nine and 13 hours, and toddlers and babies need 12 to 17 hours. It’s a myth that elderly people need less sleep as they age.

• For adults over age forty, 69% of men and 76% of women get up to make a bathroom trip at least once during the night.

1. MOVIES: Which animated movie includes the line, “Fish are friends, not food”?

2. TELEVISION: What is the name of the “Sesame Street” Muppet who lives in a trashcan?

3. GEOGRAPHY: What is the largest country geographically in Africa?

4. ANATOMY: What is complete heterochromia?

5. U.S. STATES: Which two states don’t recognize Daylight Savings Time?

6. LITERATURE: Which bestselling novel (1989) is set in Clanton, Mississippi?

7. FOOD & DRINK: What is the national dish of Spain?

8. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of leopards called?

9. HISTORY: Which two Greek citystates fought the Peloponnesian War?

10. AD SLOGANS: Which company once urged customers to “reach out and touch someone” by telephone?

Answers

1. “Finding Nemo” (Bruce the Shark).

Oscar the Grouch.

• George Crowley was born in New Jersey in 1921 and demonstrated his talent for creating electrical inventions early. As a child, he wired a warning buzzer that alerted him to the approach of his parents nearing his bedroom door. At the age of 12 he rigged a dining room door to swing open automatically when his mother, with an armload of dishes, triggered an electric eye. He then installed a switch that would close the living room curtains when the light switch was flipped on. He often asked his siblings and other relatives for ideas of things that needed to be invented.

• Crowley graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1942 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He then joined the Navy as a young man during World War II. His superiors recognized his talent, pulling him off his ship and and sending him to General Electric, where he was charged with the duty of creating inventions to help with the war effort.

• One problem during the war was that pilots needed to fly really high to avoid being shot down by groundfire. The temperatures at high altitudes were so cold that the pilots, navigators, bombers, and other crew members had difficulty functioning, because the planes were hard to heat. George Crowley invented a heated flight suit using electrical wiring which solved this problem.

• Later he read about doctors having trouble keeping tuberculosis patients warm when they were placed in outdoor beds for the sake of fresh air. A doctor named Sidney Russell invented the first crude heating pad in 1921, but it was bulky, cumbersome, and a fire hazard. Crowley wondered if he couldn’t revamp his electrically heated flight suit into an electrically heated blanket.

• The result of Crowley’s tinkering was very successful. The first electrically heated blanket went on sale in the U.S. in 1946, sold by

General Electric. The price tag was $39.50, which would be over $650 in today’s economy. Although the patent belonged to his employer General Electric, Crowley received honors for his invention, as well as a comfortable salary.

• Crowley vouched for the safety of electric blankets, and used one all his life. He was occasionally called to testify as an expert witness for insurance companies when it was claimed that house fires had been started due to faulty wiring in electric blankets. However, it invariably turned out to be careless smoking in bed, while an electric blanket was turned on.

• He continued to work for General Electric when the war ended, staying with them until 1962, when he accepted a position with Sunbeam, where he worked until retiring in 1993.

• Crowley registered more than 80 patents during his career, most of which were the property of his employers. His inventions included a device for painting golf balls by suspending them in a jet of air while they were sprayed and dried; a hand-held electric hair dryer; a method of heating a can of shaving cream prior to shaving; and a device to keep squirrels away from bird feeders by giving them a shock. He later scrapped this invention because he felt bad for the squirrels.

• Crowley died in January of 2000, at the age of 80. At the time of his death, he was working on a patent to automatically turn electric blankets off when no movement was sensed. This invention has since been implemented on most modernmade electric blankets and heating pads. His wife reported there was an electric blanket on his king-size bed at the time of his death. □

SOLAR PANEL DOCTORS

2.

3. Algeria.

NMLS #965747 NMLS #965747

NMLS #965747

NMLS #965747

Hablamos Español Hablamos Español

Week of May 14, 2023

Insomnia: (from page one) by

• People who share a bed with snorers have their sleep interrupted an average of 21 times a night compared to an average of 27 times per night for the snorer.

• A pregnant woman will generally sleep up to two hours a night longer than she did before her pregnancy.

• A new baby typically results in 400-750 hours of lost sleep for parents in the first year alone.

• In sleep deprived people, it is most difficult for them to stay awake between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. This is because the body reaches its rhythmic low at that time. An opposing low occurs around twelve hours later— in the afternoon after lunch.

• The longest documented period a human has gone without sleep is 11 days, 25 minutes. The world record was set by 17-year-old Randy Gardner in 1963 as an experiment for his high school science fair. Guinness World Records has since deleted the category because of the health dangers copy-cat contenders would suffer.

SLEEP STUDIES

• Volunteers in a sleep lab who got eight hours of sleep were tested for reaction time on different tasks. The following night they were shorted on their sleep. When the tests were repeated, it was not surprising that their marks fell as their reaction time increased. Following a normal eight-hour sleep period, reaction times returned to normal. The next night, they were allowed to sleep more than eight hours. Researchers were surprised to see that their reaction time decreased after over-sleeping just as it had when they under-slept.

• Sleep-deprived subjects can perform almost any test perfectly if it’s a brief test. However, severe impairment occurs if tests are sustained, repetitive tasks.

• The industrial accident rate for night workers is almost twice the rate for those who work only during the day. Shift workers are two to five times more likely to fall asleep on the job than employees with regular daytime hours.

• Lab animals subjected to a six hour phase shift of their light/dark cycle every week (which corresponds to a rotating shift system) showed a 20% reduction of life expectancy.

• If you lose two hours of sleep, you can impair your performance equal to a .05 blood-alcohol level. After five nights of partial sleep deprivation, three drinks will have the same effect on your body as six would when you’ve had adequate sleep.

• Although it’s possible to force yourself to stay awake, it is impossible to force yourself to stay asleep. The longest recorded sleep period was 17 hours by a person who had been deprived of sleep for several days prior. He was able to sleep only five hours the following night.

• Sleep deprivation will kill you more quickly than food deprivation. After several days of sleep deprivation, you’ll be almost completely unable to function, whereas if you fast for a week, you might be weak and hungry but otherwise fine.

In a study of 31 melatonin supplement products sold in retail stores, 71 percent were not within even ten percent of their posted claims.

• Of major cities in the United States, Boulder, Colorado has the lowest percentage of adults who sleep less than seven hours per night, coming in at 24.2%. Camden, New Jersey and Detroit, Michigan tie for the highest rate of people who sleep less than 7 hours, with 49.8% of adults in those cities reporting short sleep.

• In 2019, a survey of over 2,000 adults found that 88% lost sleep to binge watching TV series; 72% of adults ages 18 to 34 and 35% of those age 35 and older lost sleep due to playing video games; 66% lost sleep due to reading books; and 60% missed sleep due to watching sports.

• Melatonin is a hormone that your brain produces in response to darkness. It helps with the timing of your circadian rhythms, which is your 24-hour internal clock, and with your sleep function. Being exposed to light at night can block melatonin production and hinder your ability to fall asleep. Melatonin supplements may help with certain conditions, such as jet lag, delayed

sleep-wake phase disorder, some sleep disorders in children, and anxiety experienced before and after surgery.

• Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to control sleepwake cycles. People with narcolepsy may feel rested after waking, but then feel very sleepy throughout much of the day. Many individuals with narcolepsy also experience uneven and interrupted sleep that can involve waking up frequently during the night. Between 135,000

Insomnia: Turn to page 15

QUIZ BITS

1. What mammal sleeps the most, at 22 hours per day?

2. What mammal sleeps the least, at 2 hours per day?

(Answers page 16)

1.What’s

NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE

2.What

1.VERNALEQUINOX

2.CROCUS

By Lucie Winborne

* Do you like to shop at IKEA? You might be interested to know that the “IKEA bias” makes you place a disproportionately high value on things you partially assemble yourself, regardless of the quality of the end result.

* An attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the world’s most expensive cocktail sadly proved futile after a customer dropped and broke a bottle of cognac worth $77,000.

* Upon hearing of the 9/11 attacks, the Maasai tribe in Africa gifted 14 cows to America.

* In 1987, a 93-gram radioactive device was stolen from an abandoned hospital in Brazil. After it was passed around, four people died, 112,000 people had to be examined, and several houses had to be destroyed.

* Gal Gadot trained for nine months to gain 17 pounds of muscle for the movie “Wonder Woman.”

* Elevator operator Betty Oliver survived a 75-story fall from the Empire State Building in 1945 when a B-25 crashed into it due to fog. Three crewman and 11 people in the building died, but Betty, who died in 1999, still holds the Guinness World Record for surviving the longest elevator fall.

* A cat named Barsik, in Barnaul, Siberia, won a mayoral race with more than 90% of the vote. Notwithstanding that fact, and his clever campaign slogan -- “Only mice don’t vote for Barsik!” -- he was, alas, not allowed to actually take office.

* While John and Clarence Anglin, two of the only three men who ever escaped from Alcatraz, were officially reported to have drowned in the bay, their mother received flowers anonymously every Mother’s Day until she died, and two very tall, unknown women were said to have attended her funeral. ***

by Mary Hunt

Dear Cheapskate: Oodles

Does your church send out ministry teams during the summer or fill shoeboxes of supplies for needy kids during the Christmas season? Toiletry items are perfect for both occasions. I’ve given bags of toiletries to young people to take with them to third-world countries, orphanages and schools. Children in need -and the workers who help them -- are thrilled to receive any toiletry item.

of

Hotel Toiletries, Lawn Mower Agreement and an IRS Goof-up, Too!

I know that my church will take all of the toiletry items I have. That’s how much the donations are needed and appreciated. A church or synagogue in your area will probably be just as grateful.

FILLERPAGE2

Thought for the Day: “Try not to become a man of success, but rather become a man of value.”

2Q08-WEEK19

-- Albert Einstein

MAY4-MAY10

MAY4-MAY10

TRIVIANEWSFRONT

1.Whohada#1hitin1961withthesardonic

2.Accordingtotheproverb,whatis“the

3.WhatwastherealfirstnameofAfrican-

4.Whatfilmactorwantedto in1987? ThrowMomma fromtheTrain

Lots of mail this week, but who’s complaining? Not me, that’s for sure. I love hearing from my readers, and when I can help out with an opinion, website or other solution to a problem, that makes it even better.

by Mary Hunt

DEAR CHEAPSKATE: I have bags and bags of hotel soaps, stuffed away after trips (we've traveled a lot over the years). So, do you know of anyone or an organization that would be interested in having these items? We have way more than we can really use and we're feeling a bit guilty by hoarding all these things. -- Elgie

Dear Elgie: Oh, yes! Consider gifting these toiletries to a homeless shelter in your area. Homeless shelters are one of the most direct ways to give your toiletries to someone in need. You can find a homeless shelter near you on the Homeless Shelter Directory.

Another option would be a local women’s shelter. Giving women in these shelters access to their own toiletries gives them a sense of ownership and the opportunity to start fresh. Visit WomensShelters.org, a great resource for shelters across the U.S.

DEAR CHEAPSKATE: My husband and I are very close with our next-door neighbors. Our children play together all the time and we frequently spend holidays together. About a month ago, they asked us if we'd be interested in buying a new, state-of-the art lawn mower with them. Neither one of us could afford it on our own, so they figured why not split the cost and share the rewards? My husband is all excited, but I’m a little nervous. What happens if we have a falling out with them or one of us decides to move? Is this really a good idea? --

Kristine

Dear Kristine: I think it’s a great idea! And you will avoid all kinds of misunderstandings and problems down the road if you have a written agreement from the start. Who pays for repairs and maintenance? Where will the mower be stored? Who buys the gas? What are your “buyout” terms should one family move or want out of the deal?

It wouldn’t hurt to come up with a plan if another neighbor asks to borrow the mower from time to time, too. Believe me, it will be much easier to talk about these things now rather than later. And let me just say this again -- written agreement!

DEAR CHEAPSKATE: The other day I was filing copies of this year’s tax return that I've already turned in when I noticed that I had made a mistake adding up some deductions. When I told my brother, he warned me that it means I now have a high risk of being audited -- so now I’m in a panic. Is there any way to fix my goof and avoid an audit or hefty penalties -- or both? --

Robert

Dear Robert: Relax, you have nothing to worry about. The IRS has created a special form just for the purpose of correcting a return, and that should tell you that filing a correction is a common occurrence. Go to www.irs.gov to access Form 1040X, which you can print out, or call (800) 829-3676 to receive it by mail. This form is simple to complete.

NEWSFRONTANSWERS

3.Loretta

4.DannyDeVito

5.CandyLightner

The fact that you file an amended return will not in itself increase your chance of being audited; it’s the nature of the change that could raise a red flag. But in your case, a simple mathematical correction should not cause you or the IRS a bit of concern. By the way, you have three years from the due date of your return to amend it. But if you received more than you should have on your refund because of your error, you might wind up paying a high interest fee on the amount the IRS overpayment. * * *

1.Whohada#1hitin1961withthesardonic “Mother-in-Law”?

2.Accordingtotheproverb,whatis“the motherofinvention”?

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 2023 CREATORS.COM

3.WhatwastherealfirstnameofAfricanAmericancomedienneMomsMabley? 4.Whatfilmactorwantedto in1987?

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

• In 1959 Peter Tripp, DJ for WMGM in New York, decided to raise money for the March of Dimes by performing a stunt. The stunt was to stay awake for 200 hours. He set up his recording booth in Times Square and came on the radio hourly to tell people how he was feeling, and he ran his usual evening show every night. The entire ordeal was carefully monitored by doctors and psychiatrists.

• Tripp was never alone. Nurses constantly checked his blood, urine, blood pressure, respiration, temperature, and brain waves. He was subjected to tests that showed muscular control, reaction time, memory, and psychological condition. His physical health did not change much, but his psychological health deteriorated.

• On the third day he became disoriented. On the fourth day he began laughing at things no one else thought were funny. He was easily upset. He could not name common objects.

• Then hallucinations began. He screamed when a doctor’s tie turned into a live writhing snake. He was convinced that the attendants were trying to slip drugs into his food to force him to sleep. Near the end he suffered from paranoia and was convinced that the wake-a-thon was actually over but evil doctors were keeping him awake to torture him.

• Still, during his broadcasts he continued his on-the-air patter without mishap. It was as if a reserve part of his brain kicked into action

Want to Work for Tidbits?

Tidbits is in need of independent contractor help distributing our newspapers to businesses in the Coachella Valley. A retired husband/wife team is preferred, who wish to supplement their monthly income by driving and distributing to a specified delivery route in the Cathedral City area. Requires year-round commitment of one day per week, either Thursday or Friday, during regular business hours. One person needed to drive; the other to place copies at delivery locations.

Interested parties must posess a responsible work ethic, furnish their own vehicle and auto insurance, and have a friendly demeanor when dealing with the public.

Interested couples call Erik at 760-320-0997 for further information.

whenever he went on the air.

• After five and a half days, he became so incoherent that doctors put him on a stimulant. At this point his mental perception and alertness improved drastically.

• Tripp stayed awake for eight days and nine hours, exceeding his initial goal of 200 hours by 70 minutes. This set a world record. He slept for 13 hours afterwards and claimed he felt fine when he awoke.

YOU SNOOZE YOU LOSE

• In 2004, a seven-episode reality TV show premiered in Britain, featuring a contest to see which of the ten contestants could stay awake the longest. They were challenged to stay awake for seven days. The directors allowed contestants only a 45 minute nap at intervals.

• The winner would receive the prize money of £100,000. However, every time anyone closed their eyes for more than ten seconds, £1,000 was deducted from the prize.

• Every day the participants were tested. There was the clock test to measure their sense of time; the memory test; and several mental agility tests. Those who scored most poorly on the tests had to face off in a live challenge, with the loser being kicked out of the contest.

• The face-off challenges always occurred between 2a.m. and 4a.m. when the body craves sleep the most. They included such things as a soothing facial massage; cuddling a giant fuzzy teddy bear; listening to a bedtime story read by a grandmother; sitting in a warm chair watching paint dry; counting sheep on TV; and listening

to a boring lecture.

• One contestant walked out after 75 hours due to her psychological state. Four others were disqualified when they fell asleep.

• The remaining players were put in a downy soft bed and told that the last one to fall asleep would win the contest. They would be disqualified if they spoke, turned their face away from the camera, covered their face, or closed their eyes for longer than ten seconds. Clare Southern, a 19-year-old police cadet, was the winner, staying awake for 178 consecutive hours. She won £97,000.

• She later revealed she stayed awake in bed by stretching her feet until she got foot cramps, and by refusing to go to the bathroom so she had an uncomfortably full bladder.

• The producers had promised sequels, but it turned out that the show was actually so terribly boring the whole idea was scrapped. □

Insomnia is actually fairly common, so try not to lose any sleep over it.

by Dana Jackson

Q: Is it true that “The Resident” was canceled? If so, will Matt Czuchry be in another show soon? I’ve loved him ever since “Gilmore Girls.” -- A.I.

A: Matt Czuchry, who played Logan Huntzberger opposite Alexis Bledel’s Rory in “Gilmore Girls,” has actually been fortunate -- and talented -- enough to have three hit series under his belt. After “Gilmore,” he played an attorney on “The Good Wife” and a young physician on “The Resident.” Alas, that last series was canceled after ratings were down 27% (according to Variety Magazine) in its final season.

Czuchry hasn’t remained unemployed for long, having been snatched up by producer Ryan Murphy to star in the next installment of “American Horror Story.” The upcoming season is based on the novel “Delicate Condition” by Danielle Valentine. It’s also being billed as a “feminist update of ‘Rosemary’s Baby,’” which was originally a novel as well -- and later a classic film starring Mia Farrow.

Emma Roberts is reportedly playing Czuchry’s wife in the 12th season of “AHS,” and social media star Kim Kardashian will also play a role, details of which are currently under wraps. The premiere date is likely to be sometime in October or November of 2023, on FX. ***

Q: When is the new season of “Severance” starting? I thought it would have happened by now. Are they still filming it? -- C.T.

A: While a release date hasn’t been announced yet by AppleTV+, producer-director Ben Stiller assures fans that the sophomore season of “Severance” is on “the same really slow schedule we’ve always been on,” with the “same target air date we’ve always had.”

But there have been changes behind the scenes. Former “House of Cards” creator Beau Willimon came aboard for season two after original showrunners Dan Erickson and Mark Friedman had a falling out.

The core cast, including Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette and John Turturro, are all said to be returning, and new cast members include Alia Shawkat (“Arrested Development”), Merritt Wever (“Nurse Jackie”) and Gwendoline Christie (“Game of Thrones”). ***

Q: I’ve loved watching Kristen Bell ever since she starred as “Veronica Mars.” Is she going to have her own TV series again anytime soon? -- H.R.

A: It’s hard to fathom that it’s been 20 years since Kristen Bell starred as teenage sleuth “Veronica Mars” on UPN (which later became the CW Network), but she’s had quite an impressive career since then. She went on to play a completely different character in the movie “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” and then earned her biggest paycheck by lending her voice and vocals in the Disney block-

buster hit films “Frozen” and “Frozen II.”

She demonstrated the most range as the lead of another television series, NBC’s “The Good Place.” She also squeezed in a limited Netflix series, “The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window,” before recently announcing another project with the streaming service.

Next up for Bell on Netflix is a yet-to-benamed comedy series opposite Adam Brody (“The O.C.”) with a promising pedigree -- it’s being produced by “Modern Family” creator Steven Levitan.

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.

1. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG) Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy

1. Split ................................ (PG-13) James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy

2. Rings ............................... (PG-13) Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Alex Roe

2. Evil Dead Rise (R) Mirabai Pease, Richard Crouchley

3. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (PG-13) Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams

3. A Dog’s Purpose (PG) Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid

4. Hidden Figures (PG) Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer

5. La La Land (PG-13) Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone

4. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (PG) Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher

6. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (R) Milla Jovovich, Iain Glen

5. John Wick: Chapter 4 (R) Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne

6. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (PG-13) Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez

7. Sing (PG) animated

8. Lion (PG-13) Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman

7. Air (R) Matt Damon, Jason Bateman

9. The Space Between Us (PG-13) Gary Oldman, Asa Butterfield

8. Ponniyin Selvan: Part Two (NR) Vikram, Karthi

9. The Covenant (R) Jake Gyllenhaal, Dar Salim

10. xXx: Return of Xander Cage .................................... (PG-13)

Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen

10. Sisu (R) Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie

© 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Good Recipes from French Toast Bake for Mother’s Day

This savory French toast feeds eight -- a cost-effective, cheese-crusted combo of baked bread, eggs and Gruyere. It keeps well overnight so you can sleep in on Mom's Day.

6 large eggs

2 cup milk

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper

1/4 cup snipped chives

1 loaf French bread (preferably day-old)

6 ounces Gruyere cheese

1. Grease shallow 1 1/2-quart ceramic baking dish. In medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, Dijon, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper until well-blended. Stir in chives.

2. Arrange half the bread in bottom of prepared baking dish, overlapping slices to fit. Pour half of egg mixture over bread and sprinkle with two-thirds of Gruyere. Cover with remaining bread, overlapping slices. Pour remaining egg mixture over bread; gently press down to help bread absorb egg mixture. Sprinkle with remain ing one-third of Gruyere. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

3. Heat oven to 350 F. Bake 50 to 60 min utes or until puffed and golden and tip of knife inserted in center comes out clean. If browning too quickly cover top during last 15 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes to set custard before serving. Sprinkle with snipped chives. Serves 8.

Shopping Tip: Look for discounted dayold French bread in your market or bakery.

Baked “Fried” Chicken

For this healthier version of fried chicken, skinless chicken pieces are dipped in a spicy bread-crumb coating and baked until crispy and golden brown. You won’t miss the calories.

Olive oil nonstick cooking spray

1/2 cup plain dried bread crumbs

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons cornmeal

1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)

1 large egg white

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 chicken (3 1/2 pounds), cut into 8 pieces and skin removed from all but wings

1. Heat oven to 425 F. Grease 15 1/2-by10 1/2-inch jellyroll pan with cooking spray.

2. On waxed paper, combine bread crumbs, Parmesan, cornmeal and ground red pepper. In pie plate, beat egg white and salt.

3. Dip each piece of chicken in egg-white

mixture, then coat with crumb mixture, firmly pressing so mixture adheres. Arrange chicken in prepared pan; lightly coat chicken with cooking spray.

4. Bake chicken until coating is crisp and golden brown and juices run clear when thickest part of chicken is pierced with tip of knife, about 35 minutes. Makes 4 main-dish servings.

 Each serving: About 329 calories, 46g protein, 14g carbohydrate, 9g fat (3g saturated), 137mg cholesterol, 660mg sodium.

* * *

For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our Web site at www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/.

(c) 2019 Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved

NEXT WEEK in TIDBITS RACKS UP FACTS ABOUT

POOL

Cody’s Corner

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty

By Matthew Margolis Creators News Service

The Yard’s the Thing

If our dogs could speak words to be understood by the likes of man, they might wake with the sun, stretch and, as padded paw hits grassy earth, reflect as Thoreau did in “Walden,” “I have, as it were, my own sun and moon and stars, and a little world all to myself.”

The yard. It is as cherished by the dog as bling by the rapper. And we are its custodians. That’s right -- spring-cleaning applies as much to our yards as to our homes. With that in mind and summer just around the corner, here is a list of things to stay on top of:

“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” --

--Mushrooms. If we’re not paying attention, we’ll venture outside one bright warm day to find more fungus growing on our dog’s turf than in a fraternity fridge.

There’s an old saying: “There are old mushroom hunters, there are bold mushroom hunters, but there are no old, bold mushroom hunters.” Most vets advise that all wild-growing mushrooms be regarded as toxic until proved otherwise. So unless you’re a mycologist by trade, keep your yard free of ‘shrooms.

--Blue-green algae or cyanobacteria. These toxic algae grow in both fresh and salt water in warm regions and are potentially fatal to pets and wildlife. So keep your ponds, fountains and pools clean. Also watch rivers and lakes when traveling, particularly stagnant water in warm climates.

--Compost piles. First of all, high-fives for composting. Second of all, make sure you keep that compost beyond the reach of curious pets and wildlife. Decaying matter can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins that are potentially lethal to pets and wildlife. And of course, dairy and meat products don’t belong in compost piles.

(CryptoQuip Solution on page 14)

--Fertilizers, including organic fertilizers and mulch products. Most people grasp that chemical fertilizers and pets don’t mix. But just because a fertilizer is organic doesn’t mean it’s good for your dog. Blood meal and bone meal, both great organic fertilizers, and iron, which is added to many fertilizers, all cause problems ranging from unpleasant to

Cody's Corner: Turn to Page 10

3. The Weekly “Brain Breaker”

Ronald Reagan

SENIOR NEWS LINE

by Matilda Charles

Don’t be Seduced by Romance Scams

Romance can be lovely ... except when it isn’t. Disaster can be part of the package if the new “perfect match” actually happens to be a scammer after your savings nest egg. There are far too many ways for thieves to con seniors, and the promise of finding an exciting romance connection is one of the popular ones. Read and heed.

Online Dating Sites: You can’t really know who’s on the other end of the ads you view, but there are some warning signs that a potential date might not be the sweet person they pretend to be. He or she might profess their attraction to you all too quickly, or send photos that are of someone else (always very good looking). You might be encouraged to delete your profile and instead exchange direct email. Maybe you’ll be told you can’t meet yet because the other person is out of the country, and there are often excuses about why they're unable to talk on the phone (your new friend may not even be the gender you think).

Inevitably, an “emergency” of some sort will

by Joseph Publillones

Focusing on a Focal Point

Ever enter a room and feel a bit disoriented or even uneasy? Chances are what is missing is a focal point.

A quick glimpse into your rooms can reveal a lot. You don’t know exactly what is wrong, but you feel like you are floating in a sea of furniture, and the room seems to be missing a sense of balance or purpose. Perhaps your room lacks a focal point.

In most traditional architecture and interiors, the focal point is a given. The rooms are generally defined by four walls. In every room, the focal point manifests itself in the form of a strong predominant architectural feature such as a fireplace, a bay window or a strategically placed archway. In these types of rooms, the focal points are easy to recognize and a sense of familiarity and comfort exudes from them. Furniture arrangements are sometimes symmetrical and sometimes not. They mostly radiate subserviently around the focal point.

On the other hand, in more contemporary architecture and interiors, the focal point is harder to identify. This holds especially true in condominiums and newer homes. With the modern preference for open floor plans, sometimes a dedicated wall for the purpose of a focal point doesn’t exist. In these situations, a focal point must be created. Here are a few tips for you:

Accenting a wall with color is an easy and inexpensive way to create interest and create a focal point.

suddenly arise and you’ll be asked to rescue them by sending money. And then more money. Once they're reasonably satisfied they've drained your funds, you'll never hear from them again.

Drug Mules: Many seniors have been duped into transporting drugs into other countries unaware of what they're doing. The new love will ask the senior to join them overseas, even making the travel arrangements. However, the trip includes picking up an extra piece of luggage for them at a location they specify. Of course, It contains illegal drugs. If it's discovered during border inspection, the senior automatically goes to a foreign prison, the drugs confiscated, and the "lover" never found.

Financial Assets: Co-mingling of assets or accounts is another red flag. Don’t do it, especially if you intend to leave money to your heirs. The more assets you have, the more you’re at-risk of having it stolen from you. Never give out any financial information about yourself.

Setting up an innocent senior to be scammed doesn’t happen overnight. The scheme can play out for months while trust is developed and private information gradually disclosed.

If you suspect you’ve been scammed, call the anti-fraud hotline at 1-855-303-9470.

* * *

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

A large piece of furniture such as a chest or tallboy dresser is also an effective way to create an interesting focal point.

Putting wallpaper on one wall in a unique pattern is another way to create an exciting focal point.

A grouping of art or mirrors can create a focal point.

Trimming out an opening such as a doorway or window with millwork is a way of creating a focal point.

Drapery can be used to build up a window or doorway as a focal point. Use a valance or pelmet.

Pairings of furniture -- a console and mirror; a credenza and art; a settee and framed prints -- can be arranged as focal points.

Televisions have had quite a “coming out” from closets, armoires and entertainment units to reveal themselves in their updated flat-screen form as sleek status symbols on their own.

When appropriate, you can make the ceiling a focal point by painting it a different color, adding an architectural feature such as a medallion or simply adding a unique light fixture. Creating a focal point helps anchor the furniture and gives the room a sense of purpose and organization. Don’t forget that the focal point needn’t be something static only to be seen. This significant feature of the room may be what generates activity in an otherwise passive room. It is important to keep the size of the room in mind and scale your intervention so it is neither too small nor too large. However, don’t shy away from being bold. Calling attention to one particular part of the room is the task at hand ... Get to the point!

* * *

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.

Cody’s Corner (from page 9) dangerous if ingested by animals. And cocoa bean mulch is attractive to dogs, particularly, because of its chocolate aroma, but it, too, can cause harmful effects.

--Heat stroke/exhaustion. This almost goes without saying -- almost. Dogs need access to shade outside if they don’t have ins and outs to the house. If your yard doesn’t offer natural shade by way of a large shade tree or two, you’ll need to step up and create a manmade version -- covered deck or patio, a kennel or dog run with a canopy, a thermal dog house.

But we can’t stop with shade. Access to fresh drinking water is a must. Always leave several full water bowls outside, in case your dog spills or steps in one of them. Or consider combining your standard water bowl with a pet fountain, which filters and aerates continuously moving water, keeping your dog’s water fresh all day.

And water has its uses beyond drinking. A child’s wading pool works to keep water-loving dogs cool on hot days, and misters are great for pets -- and parties. Add tiki torches and fire up the grill, and let me know what to bring.

Woof!

* * *

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

COPYRIGHT 2012 CREATORS.COM

The Art of DESIGN

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

by Tom Margenau

Social Security Benefits Rounded Down

Q: I’ve heard that Social Security is cheating me and millions of other Americans out of Social Security benefits they are due because they round down to the nearest dollar when they are supposed to be rounding up. Is this true?

A: Well, it’s true ... and it’s false. It’s true when you say that benefits are rounded down, but it’s false when you say that they are supposed to be rounded up. Here’s the story.

When Social Security first started in the 1930s, monthly benefit checks were paid in the exact amount, including dollars and cents. And the law specified that the final check should be rounded up to the nearest penny.

Then in 1950, Congress changed the rules a bit. Recognizing that there are many steps in the process used to compute a monthly Social Security check, they said that the benefit should be rounded up to the nearest dime at each step in the process.

But then we got to the 1980s, and the political mood in the country -- and Congress -- had shifted to a more conservative tone. Congress was looking for ways to trim government expenditures, not expand them. And Social Security, being one of the largest government programs of all, came under the knife. That’s why the 1983 amendments to Social Security included some relatively significant cuts, like eliminating what were known as “student” benefits and cutting off monthly payments to widowed mothers when their youngest child turned 16 (as opposed to 18 under previous law).

But one little-noticed change brought about by the 1983 amendments was a rule that required benefits to be rounded down, not up. At each step in the computation process, benefits were now required to be rounded down to the nearest dime. And a new twist was added. The final benefit check would no longer be issued in the exact amount. Instead, the new law said the final benefit would be rounded down to the nearest dollar.

Q: This may not be the most important question you’ve ever answered, but I am curious about something. I notice that most of my Social Security correspondence comes from Baltimore, Maryland. I checked and learned the Social Security Administration headquarters is there. Why is it in Baltimore, not Washington, D.C., where most other federal agencies are located?

A: Well, there is a bit of an interesting story about that. The Social Security Board (the predecessor to the Social Security Administration) was established in 1936 along with a slew of other federal agencies that grew out of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal program. And all those agencies were scrambling to find office space in Washington, D.C. I don’t know if the Social Security Board was a latecomer to this office search process or what. But they couldn’t find suitable digs in Washington.

So, they looked up the road in Baltimore. (For those of you who were not paying attention in geography class, Baltimore is about an hour’s

drive northeast of the District of Columbia.) They found a big old warehouse in downtown Baltimore that they decided to use as a temporary headquarters until something suitable could be found in our nation’s capitol.

However, as time went on, the agency’s leaders must have decided that it would be too much hassle to move all their office equipment, files and staff 50 miles down the road to Washington. So, they simply decided to stay put in Baltimore.

But as the agency grew, they quickly learned that the old warehouse was just too small and cramped to hold everything you need to run a nationwide social insurance program. So, they eventually relocated to a far-western Baltimore suburb known as Woodlawn. And that’s where the SSA’s headquarters remains today.

I’m sure when the agency first moved to Woodlawn, it was an outlying area filled with more cows than people. But today, it’s a bustling part of the Baltimore metro area. One thing I found interesting when I worked there (this would have been back in the 1980s and 1990s) is the importance of the large government agency, with about 12,000 employees, to the local area and economy. I was particularly struck by how the name of the agency intermingles with local businesses. For example, the main street through Woodlawn is known as Security Boulevard. (The SSA’s headquarters address is 6401 Security Boulevard.) And many businesses in the area adopted “Security” in their names. For example, there was Security Ford, Security Drug Store, Security Liquors and even Security Square Mall.

With the space I have left, let me share a little anecdote about the SSA’s main headquarters building. Even though the building was designed to house all the administrative people needed to manage an institution that plays a role in the life of almost every American, some local people still thought of the place as just another local Social Security office -- albeit a very big one!

the Social Security process. But of course, that local administrative center just was not designed to take care of that kind of business. (After all, you would not go to Wal-Mart’s headquarters to buy some underwear or a quart of milk as you would at your local Wal-Mart store.)

So, these folks who went to SSA’s headquarters to conduct routine Social Security business were steered to the closest local Social Security office -- that happened to be five miles away in Randallstown, Maryland. That caused lots of folks to complain about being shuffled around. So SSA officials eventually decided to open a tiny one-room Social Security office on the ground floor of 6401 Security Boulevard that was staffed by a representative from the Randallstown field office.

I used to get a chuckle out of this. Occasionally, someone with a grudge would come to the SSA headquarters office from across the country, march into the building and announce something like this: “I demand to speak to the head of the agency about a problem I am having with my Social Security.” That person would be sent down the hall to the little Social Security office. Usually, the problem would get resolved and the irate customer would leave thinking he outfoxed the system by going straight to the top when he actually just talked to a local Social Security office rep -- the same thing he could have done back home at his local office. * * *

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

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

2. From John 20, which person's last recorded words in scripture were, "My Lord and my God"? a) Abraham b) Stephen c) Paul d) Thomas

3. Paul was shipwrecked on what island while on his way to Rome to face charges? a) Arvard b) Malta c) Samos d) Cos

4. Which Psalm begins, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want"? a) 19 b) 23 c) 91 d) 100

5. Who wrote the first five books of the Old Testament? a) Moses b) Joshua c) David d) Nehemiah

6. What is the longest book of the new testament? a) Matthew b) Luke c) Acts d) Romans

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

So, folks would show up to file for their retirement benefits or to report a change of address or any of the many other tasks that were part of (Answers on page 16)

For comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com

M.D.

Medication Used for Perimenstrual Asthma Poses Health Risk

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 55-year-old perimenopausal woman who developed asthma a few years ago. My symptoms always start right before my menstrual cycle. My doctor ruled out allergies as the cause. I used to get colds and sinus infections premenstrually in my younger years. Most medical practitioners don’t see the correlation between hormones and respiratory symptoms.

I sometimes take 10 mg of prednisone when I’m wheezing more than usual, and it seems to help. Is this dose putting me at risk for diabetes if taken regularly? -- B.S.

ANSWER: Perimenstrual asthma is a well-recognized condition that is nevertheless not well-known by most nonexperts. It is less likely to be caused by allergies and more likely to be aspirin-sensitive -- meaning that aspirin, or other anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) commonly taken by women during menstruation, can trigger an asthma attack. Maybe a quarter of women with asthma have perimenstrual asthma. As you say, it is thought to be the hormone changes around menstruation that trigger the asthma.

Oral contraceptives used continuously prevent large changes in progesterone and estradiol, and may be helpful in managing perimenstrual asthma. Although I didn’t find a lot about it in literature, I suspect that when your periods stop, your asthma symptoms will get better. Increased medication at the time of menses is frequently needed.

However, because prednisone, even at the fairly small dose of 10 mg, does increase risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, glaucoma, cataracts and many other conditions, oral prednisone is not my first choice for medication in this situation.

Inhaled steroids would be one choice, but they take a while to begin working. One recommended treatment is the oral medicine montelukast (Singulair), which has been proven effective in a small study and starts working right away. ***

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband was diagnosed with a skin condition called dermatitis herpetiformis 35 years ago. He was prescribed dapsone and has been taking it ever since. We have moved to Florida, and none of the doctors here know anything about dapsone. He is unable to get a prescription. Right now, he is miserable with a horrible skin rash with blisters, and he itches constantly. He is careful with his diet (he is lactose intolerant), but otherwise can find no answers. Dapsone is the only thing that helps him. Please help. -- M.M.C.

ANSWER: Dermatitis herpetiformis is an uncommon skin disease seen more often in people with ancestry from northern Europe. In the vast majority of cases, it is linked to gluten sensitivity (celiac disease). A gluten-free diet

is one mainstay of treatment, and the other is dapsone.

Dapsone is a powerful medication with many potential side effects that must be used by someone familiar with it who must be monitored carefully with periodic exams and blood tests. It causes hemolysis (breakdown of blood cells) to a small extent in most people; however, in people with a condition called G-6PD deficiency, the hemolysis can be fatal. If your husband hadn’t been taking it safely before, he would be tested for this common enzyme deficiency before being prescribed dapsone.

Most people with dermatitis herpetiformis who stick to their gluten-free diet carefully are able to stop dapsone eventually.

Your husband needs a very experienced dermatologist and advice on a gluten-free diet. Two places to start are www.celiac.org and www. gluten.net. A dietician can be very useful as well. Fortunately, there are many gluten-free options available now.

by Freddie Groves

Veterans Needed for Gulf War Illness Study

The Department of Veterans Affairs has just hooked up with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to do a five-year study of Gulf War Illness (GWI). The war (Operation Desert Storm/ Operation Desert Shield) was from August 1990 to June 1991, and there are nearly 200,000 veterans still suffering the effects. Perhaps you can help.

The symptoms of GWI include headaches, rashes, gastro problems, muscle and joint pain and more. The IN-DEPTH project will be split, with the VA recruiting veterans to participate in the study (veterans who do and don’t have GWI) and the NIH doing the research. To be noted, in bold type on the NIH’s description page for the study reads: “Participants in the study will not receive treatment.” It’s all testing that will hopefully lead to treatments.

If you’re interested in participating, you must be between the ages of 48 and 70. You’ll be admitted to the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, for 14 days, during which time you’ll be tested from one end to the other. Some tests might be performed as outpatient.

To join the program, you’ll first do a phone interview and your existing medical records will be checked. They’ll do an at-home visit to check your vitals and review your medical questionnaires. If selected, you’ll check into the clinic, where you’ll undergo tests that include physical exam and strength testing, questions about food preferences, memory tests, wearing a heart monitor, stress tests on a stationary bike and much more. Once back at home, you might be asked to wear a monitor for a little while and to keep a health diary.

It doesn’t cost anything to be in the study, but you’ll be compensated and your travel may be paid for.

And, since the question will come up, if you’ve had Covid, you can’t be in the study. They’ll test you for antibodies during the screening. If you have questions about the study, send an email to the NIH at gwiindepth@ninds.nih. gov. For the VA, send email to vhawas.indepth@ va.gov

-- by Jim Miller

Best Dating Apps for Retirees

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Can you recommend some good online dating apps or sites for retirees? I’m a 66-yearold widow and would like to find a new friend to spend time with, but don’t know where to turn. I am also a bit skeptical as I've heard about scammers who pose as participants, but they are only after your money. -- Cautious Carol

Dear Carol: Whether you’re interested in dating again or just looking for a friend to spend time with, online dating sites and apps have become an easy and convenient way for older adults to meet new single people without ever having to leave home.

And to make things even easier, most sites today use matchmaking algorithms that factor in your interests and preferences so they can steer you to personality matches that are best suited for you. Here are some tips to help you get started, and a few cautions to follow along the way.

Choose a site: There are dozens of different matchmaking websites and apps available today, so deciding which one can be a bit overwhelming. While many sites offer free trials or watered-down free content, finding out the price can be difficult until you register and provide some information. In general, viewing complete profiles and messaging potential dates will require a monthly fee, which can range anywhere between $10 and $40 per month.

Some top mainstream sites/apps that

are popular among older adults are eHarmony.com, Match.com and OKCupid.com

If, however, you’re interested in more age specific sites, some great options are OurTime.com or SilverSingles.com.

Or if you have a specific kind of person you’d like to meet, there are dozens of niche sites like: EliteSingles.com for educated professionals; ChristianMingle.com for Christian singles; BLK-app.com for black singles; JSwipeApp.com for Jewish singles; and Facebook.com/dating for people who prefer Facebook.

Be skeptical: In an effort to get more responses, many people will exaggerate or flat out lie in their profiles, or post pictures that are ten years old or 20 pounds lighter. So, don’t believe everything you see or read.

ADVERTISING PROOF

ADVERTISING PROOF

Make an effort: A lot of times, people – especially women – sit back and let others come to them. Don’t be afraid to make the first move. When you find someone you like, send a short note that says, “I really enjoyed your profile. I think we have some things in common.” Keep it simple.

Final Changes DUE:

Final Changes DUE:

Create a profile: When you join a matchmaking site, you’ll need to create a personality profile that reflects who you are, your values and interests, including recent photos, hobbies, favorite activities and more. If you need some help, sites like ProfileHelper.com can write one for you for a fee.

Practice caution: When you register with a site you remain anonymous. No one gets access to your personal contact information until you decide to give it out, so be prudent to whom you give it. Before meeting, you should chat on the phone or video chat a few times, and when you do meet in person for the first time, meet in a public place or bring a friend along.

Be aware that online dating/sweetheart scams are rampant so be very cautious, especially of those who for one reason or another don't want to meet in person. And if in the process someone asks for money or anything about your financial information, don’t give it out.

Don’t get discouraged: If you don’t get a response from someone, don’t let it bother you. Just move on. There are many others that will be interested in you and it only takes one person to make online dating experience worthwhile.

by Anne McCollam

Multi-Tasking Oak Bench

Q: The enclosed photo is of my antique oak organ bench. It was purchased from an antiques store in the 1970s. Music can be stored in the hinged top and it is upholstered in velvet. It is in excellent condition.

I am interested in learning the age and history of my bench.

A: You have a Victorian Eastlake organ bench that was made around 1880. Most organ benches made in the Eastlake period of design were made of oak and decorated with both incised and applied carving.

Your bench would probably be worth $200 to $275. *

Q: I inherited a porcelain dresser set from my great-aunt and have enclosed the mark that is on the bottom of each piece. The set includes a dish with a lid that has a hole in the center, a covered dish, two perfume bottles and a matching tray. They are all decorated with multi-colored delicate flowers and green leaves against a white background. I remember it always sat on my great-aunt’s antique walnut dresser, and it is in mint condition.

Anything you can tell me about the vintage, maker and value of my set will be greatly appreciated.

A: Heinrich and Company made your dresser set. They have made porcelain in Selb, Bavaria, Germany since 1896. The dish with a lid that has a hole is a hair receiver. Ladies would place hair from their brushes in hair receivers.

Your set would probably be worth in the

Puzzle Solutions

neighborhood of $125 to $275.

Heinrich and Company have made porcelain in Germany since 1896.

books are classics, and he was a prolific writer. Several of his most loved and read books include “Kidnapped,” “Treasure Island,” “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and “A Child’s Garden of Verses.”

***

Q: I am in possession of a set of 15 leather bound, gold trimmed books. It is the complete works of Robert Louis Stevenson. They were published by Peter F. Collier around the turn of the 20th century. I am interested in finding their value and perhaps a purchaser.

A: Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish writer who was born in 1850 and died in 1894. His

There have been a number of collected editions or library sets of his complete works published in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Colliers edition published by Peter Fenelon Collier in New York published a set bound in leather and one in teal hardcover.

You might try selling your set on the Internet. Similar sets are selling from $150 to $180.

expert and columnist Anne McCollam has recently retired and no longer receives inquiries nor answers reader letters. Due to the popularity of her column, this publication will continue to reprint previous columns of interest to our readers. To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com

Was somebody wondering whether or not I like my turkey to be succulent?

Moist certainly!

SOLUTION

Eastlake oak organ bench made in the Victoria Era.

and 200,000 people in the U.S suffer from narcolepsy.

SLEEP FACTS

• Sleeping pills drastically reduce body movements in the night.

• People who are in a coma or under anesthesia may seem to be asleep but the complex, active brainwave patterns seen in normal sleep are absent.

• Alcohol, which can act as a sedative, prevents deeper stages of sleep necessary for adequate rest.

• It’s more difficult to get quality sleep at higher altitudes. The higher the altitude, the worse the sleep disruption. The disturbance is thought to be caused by diminished oxygen levels and accompanying changes in respiration. Most people adjust to new altitudes in approximately two to three weeks, but at altitudes of over 13,000 feet (3,962 m) above sea level, sleep will always be difficult.

• Humans sleep on average around three hours less than other primates like chimps, rhesus monkeys, squirrel monkeys and baboons, all of which sleep for ten hours.

• Two-thirds of a cat's life is spent asleep.

• Humans spend almost one third of their life sleeping.

• About 12 percent of people dream in black and white.

• It's not uncommon for deaf people to use sign language in their sleep.

• Those born blind experience dreams involving things such as emotion, sound and smell rather than sight.

• Over 50 percent of your dream is forgotten within five minutes of waking up.

• About 13 percent of the population are sleepwalkers.

• Sleeping on your stomach can aid digestion.

• Pain tolerance is reduced by sleep deprivation.

• Jet lag most often affects people when they fly across five or more time zones with jet lag worsening the more time zones that are crossed. Jet lag is worse when flying eastward than westward. □

STAN SMITH’S TENNIS CLASS

TEE UP

Game Changers

by Jason Jenkins

Soft Arms

Many golfers have a false belief that the lead arm must be straight or locked throughout the golf swing. In an attempt to keep the lead arm rigid, excessive tension in the hands and shoulders usually results. Some of the world’s best players have a bent lead arm in the backswing such as major champions Angel Cabrera, Darren Clarke, and Geoff Ogilvy. By allowing the lead arm to be “softer”, you’ll be able to create a freer swinging motion and more clubhead speed.

Hale Irwin used a simple drill with his feet together, partial swings, and an attempt to keep the arms soft as a staple in his practice routine.

By keeping the feet together, it promotes more of an arm and hand swing with little concern for body weight shift. Try hitting balls with this set-up and be sure to:

1. Tee the ball up slightly like a par 3 tee shot. Makes it easier to have contact success.

2. Use a lighter grip pressure than normal. You can’t have soft arms with excessively tight grip pressure.

3. Allow the elbows to fold particularly on the finish. Too many amateurs stiffen up through impact causing poor shots.

GOOD NEWS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS!

IF YOU SUFFERED BUSINESS DISRUPTION AND FINANCIAL LOSS DUE TO COVID YOU MAY BE DUE SUBSTANTIAL COMPENSATION FROM THE IRS. FOLLOW

9. HISTORY: Which two Greek citystates fought the Peloponnesian War?

BELOW AND ACT NOW. TIME IS LIMITED.

Even if you've been denied previously, contact us for a second opinion! Our experts thoroughly know this system and what it takes to get you the payment you're due!

GO FIGURE!

by Linda Thistle

10. AD SLOGANS: Which company once urged customers to “reach out and touch someone” by telephone? Answers

TRIVIA TEST Answers Answers

1. “Finding Nemo” (Bruce the Shark).

2. Oscar the Grouch.

3. Algeria.

4. When someone’s eyes are two different colors.

5. Hawaii and Arizona.

The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.