Vol. 19: #11 • Tidbits Mixes it Up for March • (3-12-2023) Tidbits of Coachella Valley

by Kathy Wolfe

Besides coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb, what does March have to offer that makes it an interesting month? Actually, it features lots of things to grab our attention. So slip on your windbreaker and follow along as we scope out some of the history and events that make this month special!

• Although we know March as the third month of the year, it wasn’t always so! In the oldest Roman calendars, the year was just ten months long, and March was the first month. January and February weren’t added until about 700 B.C., and in so doing, March was moved back to become the third month. It was named for Mars, the ancient Roman god of war.

• Either on March 20th or 21st each year, the sun is directly above the equator, making the day and night of equal length. This celestial phenomenon is known as the Vernal Equinox, the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and the first day of Fall for the folks down under. The word “equinox” has its roots in Latin, translating “equal night.”

PEOPLE WORTH REMEMBERING

TRIVIA NEWSFRONT

Thousands of people are alive today due to the efforts of a 30-year-old Polish social worker named Irena Sendler. Here’s the story of this remarkable woman’s heroic achievements during WWII.

• In 1939, when the Nazis invaded Warsaw, Poland, Irena Sendler was a social worker, working in the city’s canteens that offered food, shelter, medicine, and clothing to the city’s persecuted Jews, who were registered at the facility under fictitious Christian names. In October 1940, more than 400,000 Jews were forced into a locked area about the size of New York’s Central Park. As she observed thousands dying every month from disease and starvation, the 30-year-old Sendler secretly joined Zegota, an underground organization formed to help Jews.

• Sendler’s compassion for the Jewish people came from her childhood, when she had lost her father to typhus when she was seven. He had contracted the disease from the Jews he treated whom his fellow physicians refused to help out of fear. After his death, and because of his sacrifice for the Jewish community, its leaders offered financial help for Irena’s education.

• As a social worker of the Contagious Disease Department, Sendler had papers that allowed her to enter the Ghetto. Her mission became the saving of Jewish orphan children by placing them in the safety of convents or locating nonJewish families to adopt them. She had several methods to smuggle the children out, including hiding them under a stretcher that was being loaded onto an ambulance. Some were carried out in caskets, potato sacks, body bags, trunks, or suitcases, while others escaped through sewer pipes or underground tunnels.

• A Catholic church straddled the boundary of the Ghetto, one with two entrances – a door into the Ghetto and a door into the Aryan side. Irena and Zegota members also prepared false documents that enabled the orphans to exit the church freely.

a plan to reunite rescued children with their families after the war. Using a special code, she carefully recorded all the children’s original names, their new identities, and their location. All the information was placed in sealed glass jars which were buried under an apple tree in her neighbor’s backyard, ironically, directly across the street from German barracks. The jars contained names of more than 2,500 children saved by her and her colleagues.

• Sadly, the Nazis became aware of Sendler’s activities. In October 1943, she was arrested and sent to Pawiak Prison, where she was tortured as the Gestapo broke her fingers, feet and legs in an attempt to get her to betray her colleagues and reveal the locations of the children.

• Refusing to divulge any information, she was sentenced to death by firing squad, and posters announcing her upcoming execution were posted throughout the city. But the Zegota organization came to her aid by bribing the German executioner, who wound up helping Sendler escape at the last minute.

• Pursued by the Gestapo, she was forced to go into hiding until the end of the war, continuing her work as best she could while undercover. At the end of the war, and as the only one who knew the location of the children’s identities, Sendler dug up the jars and attempted to reunite the families. Tragically, nearly all of the parents had perished at the Polish death camp Treblinka.

• In 1965, Sendler was honored by Israel’s Yad Vashem as “Righteous among the Nations.”

1. FOOD & DRINK: Which U.S. city is known for its square pizzas with crunchy corners?

2. TELEVISION: Which character became a fugitive in the final season of “The Office”?

3. GEOGRAPHY: Which of the Great Lakes lies entirely within the United States?

4. LITERATURE: Which famous novelist wrote his last book in crayon due to poor eyesight?

5. GAMES: What are the two most valuable letters in Scrabble?

6. MOVIES: Which movie series features a character named Ellen Ripley?

7. LANGUAGE: What is a “schwa”?

8. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which nation is credited for being the top beer-drinking country in the world?

9. ANATOMY: What is a common name for the axilla?

10. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What do you call an ant’s home? Answers

• As the conditions in the Ghetto became even more dreadful, Sendler expanded her rescue efforts beyond orphans and asked Jewish parents to allow her to get their children to safety. With

1. Detroit.

2. Creed Bratton.

3. Lake Michigan.

4. James Joyce.

• March 6, 1836 was the day the Alamo fell to Mexican troops after a 13-day siege under the command of General Antonio Santa Anna in the midst of the Texas Revolution. The Alamo mission was occupied by about 250 Americans, including soldiers, clergy, slaves, women, and children. The garrison was attacked by approximately 1,500 Mexican soldiers. It’s estimated that about 190 U.S. soldiers were killed, including frontiersman Jim Bowie and folk hero Davy Crockett. About 60, primarily civilians, survived.

• The Ides of March in the Roman calendar was the 74th day of the year, equivalent to March 15. It was a day for religious observances, sacred to Jupiter, the Romans’ supreme deity. It was also a deadline for settling debts.

• Mostly we think of the Ides of March as the day of Julius Caesar’s assassination. In 44 BC, a clairvoyant told Caesar that his demise would occur no later than that date. Caesar disregarded the prophecy, and on that day, sneered at the seer, “The Ides of March have come,” to which the seer replied, “Aye, Caesar, but not gone.” As Caesar sat in a senate meeting at the Theatre of Pompey, conspirators attacked the ruler, stabbing him 23 times. The attackers, members of the Senate, marched through Rome following the assassination announcing, “People of Rome, we are once again free!”

• Basketball’s NCAA tournament known as “March Madness” determines the champion team from the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. It was the brainstorm of Ohio State coach Harold Olsen, and in 1939, eight teams – Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, Utah State, Villanova, Brown, Wake

Forest, and Ohio State – competed for the title, with Oregon winning the championship game against Ohio 46-33. In 1951, the tournament was expanded to 16 teams, then to 32 in 1975. By 1985, the field was 64 teams, and is currently 68. UCLA has won the most national titles, with 11 wins.

• A women’s tournament was added in 1982, with Louisiana Tech taking the championship. The women’s field is also 68 teams. Although the tourney has been held since 1939, it wasn’t until 1982 when sportscaster Brett Musberger used the term “March Madness” during a TV broadcast, and the name stuck.

The final 16 teams in NCAA's March Madness are called the "Sweet 16," while the final eight are referred to as the "Elite Eight." Of course, the final four are the "Final Four."

still remains unbroken.

• If you count the addition of Billboard’s Catalog Albums chart, which classifies older LPs still selling well, “The Dark Side of the Moon” is still on the charts. It’s been certified 14x platinum in the U.K., and has sold upwards of 45 million

March: Turn to page 15

QUIZ BITS

1. Name the birth month flower for the month of March.

2. What does the popular term "The Big Dance" refer to?

(Answers page 16)

March: (from page one) 1.VERNALEQUINOX

NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE

You might not recognize the name John Chapman, but undoubtedly you've heard of Johnny Appleseed, Chapman's nickname. During the 1800s, he travelled throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and West Virginia, planting more than 100,000 square miles of apple trees. Chapman had purchased most of the parcels of land where he planted his seeds. March 11 is the day set aside to honor this pioneer nurseryman.

• March 17th commemorates St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland and the arrival of Christianity in that country, and also celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. The first recorded St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City was held in 1762, and with the dramatic increase of Irish immigrants to the U.S. in the mid-19th century the celebration gained even more popularity, which continues today.

Final

• The Eiffel Tower was ascended for the very first time on March 31, 1889. Because the elevators were not yet operating, the group of government officials, along with members of the press, made the vertical trek on foot up the long spiral staircase, a climb that took over an hour as its designer, Gustave Eiffel, stopped along the way to point out the structure’s features.

• Construction began on the wrought-iron tower in 1887 as the main attraction for the upcoming Paris World’s Fair in 1889. It was completed in 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days, remarkably with no serious injuries or deaths during the process. Standing 1,083 feet tall, about the height of an 81-story building, it claimed the title as the tallest structure in the world for 41 years. The record was broken when New York City’s Chrysler Building surpassed it in 1930. Today, nearly seven million people visit the Tower every year.

• In March of 1973, the eighth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, “The Dark Side of the Moon,” landed on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart, eventually making it up to Number One. The album remained on the Top 200 for a record-breaking 741 weeks, setting a record that

by Mary Hunt

By Lucie Winborne

* Believe it or not, cows can be potty trained -- and, it is said, with less trouble than toddlers. It’s called MooLoo training, and involves not a toilet, but a special pen with artificial grass. Why bother? It's thought the practice helps the environment by reducing air and water pollution.

* The J.W. Westcott II is a boat that delivers mail to ships at sea. Operating out of Detroit, it’s the only floating zip code in America.

* In 1931, German engineer Richter Raketenrad built a bike with 12 rockets mounted to its back wheel and reached a speed of 90 kph before his invention exploded and threw him off. While that was, sadly, the end of the rocket bike, Raketenrad himself suffered only a few scrapes.

* Kintsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold.

* For over a year in the mid-2000s, members of the group Untergunther broke into the French Pantheon to repair a clock that had been broken for four decades. They later received court time for the effort but were somewhat vindicated when member Jean-Baptiste Viot, a clock restorer, was hired to repair it in 2018 after further neglect.

* Researchers have found that approximately 97% of people are keeping a secret at any given time, with the average person keeping around 13.

* In 2008, a former high school star athlete escaped a crime scene by using Craigslist to hire a dozen identically dressed (and unwitting) civilians to stand at the exact place and time of the arrival of the armored car that he planned to rob.

Thought for the Day: “Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a new way to stand.” -- Oprah Winfrey

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

5 Extreme Lawn, Patio and Garden Cost-cutters

For some of us, there are few spring joys that are as soul-satisfying as a healthy, lush green lawn. Or a pristine patio with clean furniture and accessories.

Everyday CHEAPSKATE®

(Murphy’s Oil Soap works especially well) and pour into a spray bottle.

Spray this homemade aphid control mixture on the aphids every few days until the pests recede. This concoction will suffocate the aphids. Treat plants in the cool of the morning or in the evening, not when they will receive direct sunlight, as the freshly applied oil may magnify the sunlight and burn the foliage.

And if you have ladybugs, feel fortunate! These little critters feast on aphids!

ARTILLERY WEED KILLER

by Mary Hunt

You may have noticed in the past that a beautifully maintained healthy lawn does not come without considerable cost, effort and care. And outdoor living areas don’t magically remain clean and inviting without regular attention.

You can cut the cost of all kinds of products you need to keep your home and garden looking great, including lawn and plant fertilizers and foods and cleaning products, too, by making your own homemade concoctions.

HEAVY-DUTY LAWN FEAST

Mix together 1 can full-strength beer, 1 can regular (not diet) soda, 1/2 cup mouthwash, 1/2 cup liquid household ammonia, 1/2 cup plain liquid soap (not detergent and not antibacterial) and 1 cup liquid plant food like Miracle-Gro.

This recipe is good for about 400 to 600 square feet of lawn and should be delivered through the use of a hose-end sprayer set at a 4-ounces-per-gallon application rate. Spray on lawn after mowing, just enough to wet the grass. Reapply every three weeks in the cool of the evening, during the hot season.

Just so you know, beer helps to promote microbial action in the lawn; the ammonia breaks down into nitrates that feed the lawn; and the soap helps to spread the solution more widely while encouraging absorption.

The alcohol in mouthwash acts as a deterrent to insects, and soap also encourages the plant material to absorb all the good stuff.

PLANT FOOD

Pour 1 gallon of tap water into a container that will hold a bit more than a gallon. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons Epsom salt, 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon household ammonia. Measure carefully; overdoing it could be harmful to plants.

Sometimes you want to make sure nothing will ever grow along a walkway, on a driveway, in the cracks of a sidewalk and between steppingstones and pathways. Just mix up a batch of this soil sterilizer and treat those areas where weeds are so prevalent. It’s cheap and easy. Just keep in mind that you’ll surely kill the weeds, but also every other living thing as well. Apply several times and the soil will be “sterilized,” meaning nothing will grow there for a period of time.

Mix together 1 gallon white distilled vinegar, 2 cups ordinary table salt and 8 drops liquid dish soap. Mix well to dissolve the salt. Dispense this weed killer using a spray bottle. Label the container carefully, and keep out of reach of children.

It will take several days after the first application for the vegetation to die. And you may have to apply several times for this mixture to work its way deep into the soil. But if you persist, that will happen.

VINYL SIDING CLEANER

In a bucket, mix together 2/3 cup Spic and Span powder, 1/2 cup Tide powder laundry detergent, 1 quart liquid bleach and 3 quarts hot water. Allow to stand for four to five hours. Pour into a garden hose-end sprayer and apply to vinyl siding, vinyl chairs, patio furniture and even umbrella covers. After about five minutes, remove the hose end sprayer and rinse the items with clear water by attaching a nozzle to the hose.

Nothing works as well as this cleaner. When you spray it on you can see the dirt, film and mildew just slide off. It is important that you use the brand names stipulated.

ADVERTISING PROOF

Final Changes DUE: 5:00 p.m..

ADVERTISING PROOF

Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours

If you are concerned about landscaping, use this recipe instead: 1 gallon of water and 1 cup oxygen bleach mixed together in a bucket. The oxygen bleach will clean the vinyl without damaging your landscaping.

* * *

Final Changes DUE: 5:00 p.m..

Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections.

This is a complete plant food and should be used only once every four to six weeks. Too much will harm and weaken plants. Can be stored and used on both outdoor and indoor plants.

Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours

Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com

Bill LeGrave

Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections.

Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630

APHID ERADICATOR

Rolfing in the Desert (1 + 2 of 3)

1/8 pg BW 6x disc.

Mix together 1 cup vegetable oil, 1 1/2 cups water and 2 teaspoons liquid dish soap

March 5 + 12, 2023

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.”

Fax: 760-320-1630

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

“ROLFING:® And Back Pain”

People often decide to be Rolfed because of pain in the muscular-skeletal system, often in the back, shoulders and neck. While Rolfing® is not designed as a system of treatment for illness, it can often be helpful in these situations as it brings the body into better alignment. A Rolfed body is more vertically balanced, with the leg more directly under the torso for better support, the pelvis less tipped forward, the chest lifted and symmetrical, and the head sitting directly over the neck and shoulders. In this alignment, chronic aches and pains often clear up as the body is positioned and moves in the most comfortable way.

Bill Peter LeGrave

Certified Advanced Rolfer

Liar, liar, pants on fire! Who lies and why? This week Tidbits tells the truth about lies!

• Prevaricator, falsifier, deceiver, perjurer … no matter what you call them, it’s a person who does not tell the truth, one who makes “an intentionally false statement.”

• Why do we do it? There are many reasons we lie, but almost always it’s for some degree of selfprotection. We want to prevent damage to our reputation, to project a false image of ourselves in order to mask who we really are, to avoid facing uncomfortable facts and feelings, or to avoid the consequences we may suffer if the truth were told.

• Research supports the concept that 95% of people cannot go an entire week without telling at least one lie. A report by National Geographic indicates that 59% of those between 18 and 44 lie between one and five times every day, with 15% lying more than five times a day. A university study reveals that 18.1% of the study’s participants lie every day. These “daily liars” exhibited lower grade point averages, quality of life, and self-esteem. Most tend to be insecure, manipulative, or distrustful.

• While most people tell the occasional lie, the compulsive liar speaks untruthful things for no apparent reason -- even when there is no real reason to do so. Also called habitual liars, they lie without premeditation, making things up spontaneously. The lies are frequently ridiculous and impossible to believe, yet the liar will be adamant about insisting they are true.

• Compulsive liars are fairly easy to identify. They avoid eye contact, often appear hesitant and have difficulty staying focused while talking. They might nervously move things around on the table or move farther away from the person they’re talking to. They frequently ramble on and then hurry over it in order to change the subject. Their stories don’t usually add up, and when they forget what they said in their first lie, they improvise a new one to cover it, often compounding lie after lie. Compulsive liars will actually feel uncomfortable telling the truth! This type of lying is usually symptomatic of a deeply rooted personality disorder.

• Similarly, “prolific” liars are prone to believing that lying is acceptable in some circumstances, not out of concern for others, but always fabricated to benefit their own self-interests. Research indicates that this group tells about 19 lies for every one lie spoken by the average person.

• While you can often spot the compulsive liar’s falsehoods, it’s not so easy with a pathological liar. They are excellent liars because they do it consistently, making it difficult to distinguish the truth from their lies. They are typically charming and likeable folks, liking to make themselves the center of attention. Many times they don’t even realize that what they are saying isn’t true, and will even believe the lie themselves. They actually lose the ability to distinguish between truth and fiction in what they are saying.

• Some people tell “white lies,” which are often to make another person feel better, or to avoid hurting their feelings when the truth might be offensive. What’s the correct response to “Do these pants make me look fat?” White liars might try to dilute the truth by using tact to soften the lie in an effort to avoid damaging another’s emotions.

• The good news is that most people are honest and tell a lie only occasionally, and when they do, they’ll feel a sense of guilt. When confronted with the lie, they are embarrassed and truly remorseful, with a desire to make things right. They will confess that they were untruthful, usually beg forgiveness, and try to set their minds to not do it again. □

Final Changes DUE:

• These manipulative prevaricators will admit their lies only when their statements are proven false -- and then have no remorse or guilt after being caught. The lying begins when the person is young and can continue indefinitely in every area of life. The medical term for pathological lying is “pseudologia fantastica.”

• Those with a narcissistic personality tell lies to boost their image, inventing impressive, farfetched stories centered around themselves as heroes. Sometimes their story is based on some truth, but then is wildly embellished.

by Dana Jackson

Q: My son is reading the play “12 Angry Men” in his English class. I recall seeing the movie, starring Henry Fonda, years ago. Did it win any Oscars? -- J.K.

A: “12 Angry Men” was originally written as a one-hour live play to be broadcasted for television by Reginald Rose, the son of a lawyer who grew up in New York City. Henry Fonda saw the legal drama and offered to co-produce it as a motion picture in 1957. It wasn’t a box-office hit, but it was critically acclaimed and nominated for several Oscars, including Best Picture.

In 1997, it was once again created as a television event, this time starring Jack Lemmon in Fonda’s role of Juror No. 8 and George C. Scott, the latter of whom won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

In some recent exciting news, the original film is being released on a special 4K Blu-ray with a brand-new HDR/Dolby Vision Master and an audio commentary by film historians Gary Gerani and Drew Casper. The package will also include a making-of documentary, the film’s theatrical trailer and a featurette titled “Inside the Jury Room.”

Don’t worry, just because it’s in 4K doesn’t mean they’re colorizing the original. According to Collider.com, “This legal drama, which already has some really rich shadow work and black levels, has a lot of potential to look stunning in 4K. ‘12 Angry Men’ now joins the ever-growing list of clas-

sic black-and-white films in the format that includes ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and ‘Psycho.’”

***

Q: Is Sally Field going to be starring in anymore movies soon? I saw that she was in “80 for Brady,” so I hope that means she’s back. -- U.J.

A: The two-time Academy-Award-winning actress Sally Field was recently honored by the Screen Actors Guild with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She’s had a long, storied career in Hollywood since she was a teen and has maintained a reputation as one of the nicest people in the business. Her early TV roles in “Gidget” and “The Flying Nun” showcased her charm, but once she graduated to film with more meaty, dramatic roles, she was honored by her peers and critics alike.

She’s swung back and forth between comedy and drama during her six-decade-long career, including “Smokey and the Bandit,” “Steel Magnolias” and “Forrest Gump.” She’s even tried her hand at superhero movies, having played Peter Parker’s Aunt May in the two “Amazing Spider-Man” films.

The 76-year-old actress signed with a new agency in 2021, so it doesn’t look like she plans to retire anytime soon.

***

Q: I was thrilled to see that “The

Blacklist” is back on TV. Is it true that this is the final season, though? -- P.J.

A: Yes, the 10th and final season of NBC’s “The Blacklist” premiered on Feb. 26, but it’ll have plenty of content to be enjoyed for months to come. Even though it didn’t start up last fall, the network granted it a full-season order of 22 episodes. James Spader and the rest of the cast will bid us farewell after this season. * * *

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. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (PG-13) Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly

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

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

2. Cocaine Bear (R) Keri Russell, Alden Ehrenreich

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

3. Jesus Revolution (PG-13) Kelsey Grammer, Kimberly Williams-Paisley

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

4. Avatar: The Way of Water (PG-13) Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana

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

5. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (PG) Antonio Banderas,

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

7. Sing (PG) animated

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

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

10. xXx: Return of Xander Cage (PG-13) Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen

© 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

Good Recipes from Pork Tenderloin With Roasted Grapes

Sneak in the healthy stuff: Kids will love the sweet flavor of roasted grapes.

1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 whole pork tenderloin (1 pound)

3 cups seedless red and green grapes (about 1 pound)

1/2 cup chicken broth

1. Heat oven to 475 F. In cup, combine fennel with 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt; use to rub all over pork.

2. In 12-inch skillet with oven-safe handle (or with handle wrapped in double-thickness of foil for roasting in oven later), heat oil over mediumhigh heat until hot. Add pork and cook 5 minutes, turning to brown all sides.

3. Add grapes and broth to skillet; heat to boiling. Cover and roast in oven 15 to 18 minutes or until meat thermometer inserted in thickest part of pork reaches 150 F. Internal temperature of meat will rise about 5 F upon standing.

4. Transfer pork to warm platter. Heat grape mixture to boiling over high heat; boil 1 minute or until liquid thickens slightly. Slice pork; serve with grapes and pan juices. Makes 4 maindish servings.

* Each serving: About 245 calories, 25g protein, 22g carbohydrate, 7g total fat (2g satu rated), 2g fiber, 74mg cholesterol, 475mg sodium.

Coconut Rice Pudding

2 3/4 cup water

3/4 cup long-grain white rice

1 can cream of coconut

1 can evaporated milk

2/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut

1 tablespoon dark rum (optional)

1. In 4 1/2- to 6-quart slow-cooker bowl, stir water, rice, cream of coconut and evaporated milk until combined. Cover slow cooker with lid and cook as manufacturer directs on low setting 4 to 5 hours or on high setting 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

2. If you like, while pudding cooks, toast coconut: Heat nonstick small skillet over medium heat until hot. Add coconut; cook 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring constantly. Transfer coconut to plate.

3. Remove bowl from slow cooker. Stir in rum, if using. Let pudding stand 10 minutes.

Transfer pudding to serving bowl. If not serving right away, press sheet of plastic wrap onto pudding; refrigerate up to 2 days.

4. To serve, spoon pudding into dessert bowls; sprinkle with toasted coconut if using.

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

"Maybe Dad was right about it being too windy for kite flying today."

No matter how much you liked the soap, never walk out of a public bathroom smelling your fingers.

They say if you lined up all the cars in the world end-to-end, some idiot from California would try to pass them.

Is an argument between two vegans still called a beef?

Donald Duck by Walt

By John Allen

Brett Koth

Tidbits Word Search

"Personality Palette"

Cody’s

Corner

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty

By Matthew Margolis

Crate Expectations

“Small rooms or dwellings discipline the mind; large ones weaken it.” -- Leonardo

da Vinci

A man as famous for his curiosity as he is for his art, Leonardo da Vinci was the quintessential Renaissance man -- painter, sculptor, mathematician, musician, architect, botanist, geologist, inventor ... dog trainer?

While little evidence exists to support the idea that the man who gave us the Mona Lisa also dallied in dogs, the idea of boundaries as a force for good certainly applies.

In terms of dog training, a “small dwelling” is better known as a crate. And a crate is one of the best tools available to dog owners.

Without fail, as soon as I start telling someone to crate their dog, the smile fades, the voice cracks, the eyes widen and even tear up. Last week, while working with a woman whose dog routinely knocks the phone off the hook, destroys furniture and shatters breakables while she’s at work, I said the “C” word. Her response? “But I’d feel bad!”

Crate training is not the parenting equivalent of hiring a babysitter off of Craigslist. Crate training saves lives, protects homes and promotes harmony. Here are some tips to get you started:

□ Pay a visit to your local pet supply store and purchase a wire or canvas crate. No plastic. The crate should be big enough for your dog to fully stand up and completely turn around, and you want good visibility. Think panoramic. The idea is to play on your pup’s natural denning instinct and provide a comfortable, pleasing, private retreat.

□ Introduce your dog to his crate in the room where family most often gathers. Keep the crate door open, and add a soft cushion and a favorite blanket. Use food, toys and a friendly tone of voice to create a curiosity and sense of security about the crate. Never use the crate as a punishment.

□ Begin feeding your dog meals near or in his crate, depending on his comfort level. Some dogs will follow a full food bowl anywhere; others

Cody's Corner: Turn to Page 10

SENIOR NEWS LINE

by Matilda Charles

Funeral Planning: Don’t Be Rushed

One life event we don’t want to think about having to face is planning a funeral for a loved one. But sometimes we must, and it can be stressful. And even worse yet, it can be loaded with the potential for us to be scammed in some way.

But a small ray of hope is coming. The Federal Trade Commission is now wanting funeral pricing to be listed online. And it makes sense. When you're under the stress of having to organize a funeral, emotions are running high. You won’t be at your best when it comes to carefully scrutinizing pricing and services.

Back in 1984, the FTC created the Funeral Rule, but it only requires funeral homes to show lists of the prices of caskets and any outer burial containers, such as a grave liner. And it was only required that a potential customer be given those prices in person, certainly not by phone. To make it worse, funeral homes only had to show pictures or the item itself after the prices were disclosed.

The Art of DESIGN

by Joseph Publillones

New Trend: Japandi Style

It seems only yesterday the word espresso went from ordering a coffee to the must-have color for everything concerning home decor. For nearly a decade, everyone everywhere wanted an espresso finish on their kitchen and bathroom cabinetry as well as on all case goods for their decor. As with all things, the trend pendulum went the other way, toward bleached and pickled finishes. Open any design magazine and you’ll find plenty of choices from blonde to driftwood greige. So, as quickly as you have finished reading this sentence, the trends coming from the latest European furniture shows have everyone’s head spinning as new, dark finishes emerge: dark bottle green, gunmetal finishes and chocolate on everything from wood pieces to metal legs.

Today’s society is driven by machines and technology, so it is no surprise that when it comes to home decor, there is a necessity to embrace nature and emphasize the connection between human beings and nature. Natural and organic styles, such as wooden floors, stone, daylight and plant life, remind us of the exterior. The next decorating trend addresses the overreach of technology. So designers are exerting an effort to create small corners to get rid of televisions, computers, mobiles and all the technology that invades us. A small interior garden can be perfect for this. A fluffy sofa facing the interior garden can provide great comfort for a relaxing moment with the plants.

The next large trend is a mix of two distinct yet complementary design styles: Japandi. Japandi is a mixture of the Nordic (primarily Swedish and Danish) and Japanese styles. Simply put,

By then, of course, you were at the funeral home, unhappy and sad and stressed. The last thing you wanted to do is treat it like a car purchase and shop around. So you signed the paperwork on the spot, possibly paid too much and maybe didn’t get the items and services you wanted. There are a few ways to ensure that your vulnerability at that time isn’t exploited.

□ Before you leave the house to organize a funeral, go online to check the websites of the local funeral homes. Check to find if they are among the few that actually list their pricing for all the products and services they provide..

□ If you go to their facility, be sure to take someone with you.

□ Get the price list (in writing) of what the funeral home offers.

□ Before you sign any paperwork, contact the Funeral Consumers Alliance (funerals. org) and get their advice. There’s a group in every state. Once on their website, click on “Consumers” and scroll down to “Don’t Know Where To Begin? Start Here.” And remember: Don't be rushed.

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

Japandi is a hybrid trend. Take the modern style of Scandinavian design, and combine it with the timeless elegance of Japanese aesthetics to create a style that brings together the best of both worlds. One can clearly see why these two styles have been combined. Although they come from different parts of the world, they share similar principles. Both are minimalist. Both emphasize the importance of creating spaces based on defined functions, using a few pieces rather than an abundance of decoration.

It is their differences that make this mashup especially interesting. While Japanese spaces may be too elegant, the rustic details in the Nordic design add warmth. When Scandinavian interiors tend to be so neutral that they may seem antiseptic, the rich color palette of Japanese design gives the room more warmth.

Rooms designed in the Scandinavian style as we recognize it today tend to boast white walls to emphasize the light. They display a palette of neutral and heavy tones with touches of color and natural textures such as wood and stone.

As with all mixes, an eclectic aspect is created; this one emphasizes nature with recycled, handmade items and handicrafts built with natural materials or finished in natural tones. With regard to construction, the rustic aspect can be created with beams, columns or wooden or stone floors. If you do not have these elements in your home, it is possible to put up false beams or columns to achieve this aspect. You can also cover the floor with wooden floating floor, which will give you the warmth brought by these different design styles united.

* * *

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

Cody’s Corner (from page 9) will hesitate due to the possibility of confinement. Place the bowl according to his signs. If he happily goes halfway into his crate, place the bowl at the halfway point. If he’s all in, place the bowl at the back of the crate. Once he’s comfortable eating inside his crate, begin closing the door.

□ Once your dog is voluntarily going in and out of his crate, begin lengthening the time of confinement. Use a command for your dog to enter his crate -- “kennel,” “crate,” “casa” -- and once he has entered voluntarily, close the door and hang out with him for five or 10 minutes. Then leave the room for a couple of minutes. Then hang out with him for another five minutes. Repeat this process several times a day, gradually increasing the time you stay out of sight.

□ Once your dog can handle a half-hour alone in his crate, he’s good to start sleeping in his crate at night, preferably in your bedroom. After that, you can start crating him for short errands.

The primary purpose of the crate is to aid in housebreaking, especially puppies. It’s also a safety measure at home and when traveling and can be a trusted source of security for your dog at any age.

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Final Changes

The key is not to rush the process. Small steps. The dog sets the pace. Keep it pleasant at all times. And let the small dwelling do the disciplining.

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

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

by Tom Margenau

More Questionable Advice From the SSA

I hate writing columns that are critical of some of my former colleagues who are still working for the Social Security Administration. But doggone it, if they are going to keep handing out bad advice, someone’s got to take them to task -- and give the right answers to people who are seeking help about their Social Security situation.

Here are some recent emails I’ve received from my readers:

Q: I waited until I was 70 to start my benefits. My Social Security check is $3,600 per month. My wife is about to turn 62. She is due much less from Social Security -- $2,200 if she waits until her full retirement age or about $1,600 if she files now.

We called the SSA national number to talk about this. The phone rep told us that if my wife filed for reduced retirement benefits now, her future widow’s benefits will also be reduced, so we decided not to have my wife file now.

But I read something in one of your columns that seemed to contradict what we were told. Can you help us out?

A: You got some bum advice from that SSA rep. If your wife takes reduced retirement benefits now, that will not reduce any widow’s benefits she would be due on your record later on.

In your case, there is only one factor that will determine what she would get in widow’s benefits, and that is her age at the time she becomes a widow and files for those benefits. If she is over her full retirement age (age 67 in her case) when you die, she is going to get a 100% widow’s rate. If she is under 67 when you die, that widow’s rate would be reduced by about one-half of 1% for each month she is under age 67. But if you do die before she reaches FRA, she could choose to continue to receive her reduced retirement benefits until age 67, when she could switch to full widow’s benefits.

Q: I was planning to wait until age 70 -- in July 2023 -- to file for my Social Security. I was doing this in part to guarantee that my wife will get the highest widow’s benefit possible after I die. (Her Social Security benefit will be much smaller than mine.)

I was talking to an SSA representative about this and imagine my surprise when he told me my wife’s widow’s benefit will be based on my full retirement age benefit rate. This threw a big monkey wrench into my planning. Can you verify that what he told me is correct?

A: Actually, I can verify that what he told you is dead wrong! Assuming you die before your wife, her eventual widow’s benefit will be based on your age 70 benefit rate. The SSA rep was probably mixed up because the spousal benefit paid to a wife (with a living husband) is indeed based on the husband’s full retirement age benefit rate. But the rate paid to a widow is based on the husband’s total amount, including any augmented benefits he got

for delaying his retirement beyond full retirement age. Or to put that another way, a wife doesn’t share in the so-called “delayed retirement credits,” but a widow does.

This next question involves a situation where a guy didn’t get wrong answers from an SSA representative, but he didn’t get right answers either.

Q: I called the Social Security Administration twice, talking to two different representatives, and I got two different answers.

Here is the story: I am 69 years old, and I filed for my Social Security benefits in January. But after doing so, it dawned on me that I won’t be filing my tax return for 2022 until early April 2023. I wanted those 2022 earnings to be added into my Social Security benefit, so I called the SSA back. The first agent I talked to told me that I should withdraw my claim, and then wait until I file my 2022 tax return and then file a new claim, bringing in my 2022 tax return so that they can add my 2022 earnings into my benefit rate. She said the benefits would be paid retroactively until January.

I wasn’t sure about that answer, so I called again and talked to another rep. This lady told me that I didn’t have to withdraw my claim and that my earnings would eventually be factored into my benefit rate and that this would occur sometime in 2024.

So, who is right?

A: Well, neither one is totally wrong, but neither one is totally right, either.

Here is how it will work. As you surmised, your initial benefit rate will not include your 2022 income (because that income hasn’t been reported to the government yet). But sometime later in 2023, once you file your tax return and the IRS turns over its data to the SSA, then the SSA will refigure your benefit and you’ll get an increase (if you’re due one -- more about that in a minute). This usually happens by about October, and it will be retroactive

until January 2023. This is a normal, routine procedure that happens all the time.

You could do what the first phone rep suggested, but it sure isn’t worth the hassle. I mean, why bother going through the mess of withdrawing your current claim and refiling a new claim later just to end up where the procedure I outlined above will take you automatically?

The second rep was right to tell you that you don’t have to withdraw your current claim. But she was wrong to tell you that you would have to wait until 2024 to get your benefit refigured.

And speaking of your benefit being refigured, earlier I mentioned that your 2022 income may or may not increase your benefit rate. But explaining this is way too complicated to squeeze into this column. I suggest you spend ten bucks and go to Amazon.com and get my little Social Security guidebook called “Social Security: Simple and Smart.” One of the chapters in the book explains how benefits are figured. It will tell you why any earnings you have after age 60 may or may not increase your benefit check.

* * *

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 Romans is in the a) Old testament b) New testament c) Neither

2. In 2 Kings, which prophet's word caused Syrian soldiers to be struck blind? a) Gad b) Jubal c) Jeremiah d) Elisha

3. Where were Saul and Jonathan's bodies nailed to a wall? a) Troas b) Nob c) Beth-Shan d) Sychar

4. On fleeing from Jezebel, which prophet hid himself in a cave? a) Elijah b) Nathan c) Daniel d) Amos

5. Which converts burned their many books of sorcery and magic? a) Hittites b) Ephesians c) Philistines d) Canaanites

6. In whch book is found the phrase, "Holier than thou"? a) 1 Kings b) Mark c) Esther d) Isaiah

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

Recreational Tianeptine Has Potential for Abuse

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’ve been hearing about tianeptine being sold at gas stations. Is it really dangerous? -- S.F.

ANSWER: Like so many substances, tianeptine can be a useful drug when prescribed and taken correctly (it’s used in several countries for depression), but it is indeed dangerous when used recreationally. Its use has been banned in several (unfortunately not all) states across the U.S. It is sold (yes, especially at gas stations) as a dietary supplement.

Because it acts on the same receptor as morphine, when used at high doses far beyond the medically approved dose, it has potential for abuse and even overdose, with a handful of deaths ascribed to its use.

Flying Biz Card, BW, 26x rate

terms of pain, and the absolute risk is still fairly small, so I’m not sure I recommend you change. I am always very cautious about recommending surgery to someone in their 80s when there is an effective medication available to treat the issue.

*

VETERANS POST  

by Freddie Groves

Dr.

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

FLAGS

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I recommend in the strongest possible terms against its recreational use, and I hope it is completely banned soon. ***

Reports From

the VA Office of Inspector General

Who would have thought it ... stealing diabetic test strips for profit? Apparently there’s money to be made from those medical supplies. And one Michigan woman, in charge of procurement at a Department of Veterans Affairs pharmacy, made a lot of it, stealing in excess of 7,500 boxes of the strips over the years.

She wasn’t alone in the scheme. She’d sell them to a co-thief who’d make her own sales down the line to a third party in Pennsylvania.

The first in line in the theft chain has already confessed and faces 20 years in the slammer, not to mention a very hefty fine. The second in line also confessed. The two of them, however, are pointing fingers at Number Three, who they say is the actual mastermind of the thefts.

Final Changes DUE: 5:00 p.m..

Diabetic test strips? Who knew?

Please review carefully.  Prices  Hours

American Veterans Post 66 c/o Tom Hernandez 760-324-5670

Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections.

1/16 pg.

Office: 760-320-0997 760-320-1630

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have severe pain in my right shoulder. I have seen two orthopedists and received X-rays, MRI scans and a cortisone injection, which didn’t work. Both surgeons recommended a shoulder replacement. I am taking three adult aspirins each morning (I am allergic to NSAIDs), which makes the pain go away. Is this safe? I am 83 and otherwise healthy. -- J.B.

ANSWER: Aspirin is a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and has the toxicities common to all the drugs in that group, including an increased risk for bleeding and potential damage to the stomach and kidneys. But it has additional toxicities beyond NSAIDs like ibuprofen, especially at higher levels. I am very cautious about prescribing aspirin and generally prefer other anti-inflammatory medicines.

However, people have long taken aspirin -- sometimes at much higher doses -- usually without problems. The fact that you are taking it only once a day reduces the toxicity, but I have to say I am surprised the benefit is lasting all day.

The risk of toxicity is higher at older ages. At 83, you are at a significantly higher risk (seven times the risk) than younger people. Most of the data on exactly what your risk is comes from people taking low-dose aspirin (81 mg, not the 975 mg you are taking), so I can’t give you an evidence-based answer. But, for men in their 80s taking low-dose aspirin, about 1.5% will have a serious bleeding event per year. Your risk will be significantly higher due to the much-larger dose you are taking.

However, one has to consider both the benefits of the aspirin treatment (the pain being gone is the best possible outcome) and the toxicity of other possible treatments, such as surgery (which is very significant).

There are many classes of NSAIDs, with very different chemical properties, and it is likely there is another type of NSAID you could safely take, with a lower risk than the dose of aspirin you are currently on. On the other hand, you can’t get any better effectiveness, at least in

Free Transportation for Veterans to the Loma Linda VA Hospital

American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 66 provides free transportation by van Monday thru Friday to the VA Hospital in Loma Linda for Coachella Valley veterans. Pick up locations are in Palm Springs and Cathedral City. Medical appointments must be scheduled for mornings only as the return trip leaves Loma Linda at noon. Transportation reservations must be made in advance. Call for more information.

drivers needed. Call Tom Hernandez: 760-324-5670

AMVETS POST 66 Palm Springs, California tomswannhernandez@earthlink.net Call (909) 735-5065 for reservations

Then there is the New Jersey former Marine who claimed PTSD from having to handle human remains after natural disasters in two foreign countries. Before his scheme fell apart, he’d netted in excess of $118,000 in disability benefits. His big mistake, besides telling lies, was that he sent threatening messages to a member of the Office of Inspector General staff, plus anyone else who would be working on the case. He’ll be sentenced this summer, but he’s looking at ten years in prison and heavy fines just for the lying part, and five years for the threats as well as big fines.

In Oklahoma, a man phoned a VA facility threatening to kill people ... and then he showed up. His beef, apparently, was not getting a quicker appointment date to be seen at the clinic. He wanted his meds, and he gave them 30 minutes to prescribe them or he’d be there to murder people. Not only did he have a loaded .357 firearm (and a handful of zip ties), but he took these items into a federal facility. He later claimed not to remember making the call.

To read more reports from the OIG, go to www.va.gov/oig and scroll down.

* * *

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) 2022 King

Synd., Inc.

* *

Roach

-- by Jim Miller

Donating Your Body to Science

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: At my age as I am entering my twilight years, I am considering my options in choosing how my remains are to be handled after I die. I've been considering the possibility of donating my body to science, but how does one go about doing this? What can you tell me about what I would need to do in setting up such an arrangement?

-- Curious Carl

Dear Carl: If you’re looking to help advance medical research, and in the process, eliminate your funeral and burial costs, donating your body to science is a great option to consider. Here’s what you should know.

Body Donations

Each year, it’s estimated that approximately 20,000 people donate their entire body after death to medical facilities throughout the country to be used in medical research projects, anatomy lessons and surgical practice.

After using your body, these facilities will then provide free cremation and will either bury or scatter your ashes in a local cemetery or return them to your family, usually within a year.

And, just in case you’re wondering, your family cannot not be paid for the use of your body, as this is prohibited by federal and state laws.

Here are a few other things you need to know and check into to help you determine whether whole-body donation is a right choice for you:

Donation denial:

Most body donation programs will not accept bodies that are extremely obese, or those that have infectious diseases like hepatitis, tuberculosis, H.I.V. or MRSA. Bod-

ies that suffered extensive trauma will likewise not be accepted.

Organ donation:

Most medical school programs require that you donate your whole body in its entirety. So, if you want to be an organ donor (with the exception of your eyes), you probably won’t qualify to be a whole-body donor as well.

Religious considerations:

donation because they deal in body parts as well as whole cadavers.

Once you locate a program in your area, call and ask them to mail you an information/registration packet that will explain exactly how their program works.

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Most major religions permit individuals to donate both their full body and organs, and many actually encourage it. If you are unsure, you should consult with your clergy for advice.

Special requests:

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Final Changes DUE:

Final Changes DUE:

To sign up, you’ll need to fill out a couple of forms and return them. But you can always change your mind by contacting the program and removing your name from their registration list. Some programs may ask that you make your withdrawal in writing.

Most programs will not allow you to designate that your body be used for a specific purpose. Once you agree to donate your remains to them you give them the right to decide how they will be used.

Memorial options:

Most programs require almost immediate transport of the body after death, so there’s no funeral. If your family wants a memorial service, they can have one without the body present. Or, some programs offer memorial services at their facility at a later date without the remains.

Body transporting: Most programs will cover transporting your body to their facility within a certain distance. However, some may charge a fee.

How to Proceed

If you think you want to donate your body, it’s best to make arrangements in advance with a body donation program that's in your area. Most programs are offered through university-affiliated medical schools. To find one near you, the University of Florida maintains a list of U.S. programs and their contact information at Anatbd.acb.med.ufl. edu/usprograms. If you don’t have Internet access, you can get help by calling the whole-body donation referral service during business hours at 800-727-0700.

In addition to the medical schools, there are also private organizations like Science Care (ScienceCare.com) and Anatomy Gifts Registry (AnatomyGifts.org) that accept whole body donations too. Some of these organizations will even allow organ

After you’ve made arrangements, you will need to inform your family members or a close friend so they will know what to do and who to call after your death. It’s also a good idea to tell your doctors, so they know your final wishes as well.

by Anne McCollam Creators News Service

Vintage Dinnerware Made in Occupied Japan

Q: This is a photo of a set of porcelain dinnerware that belonged to my mother. The set has 10 place settings, and each dish is marked “Occupied Japan -- Royal Embassy -Atlanta.” There are no cups and saucers, and there are no salt or peppershakers.

The borders are decorated with blue designs and gold. I have heard that “modern people” do not use them because gold trimmed dishes cannot be placed in the microwave.

I am planning to place the set for sale on the Internet and would like to know if $150 is a fair price. I appreciate your “being there” to solve these kinds of questions.

Q: What can you tell me about this mark? It is on the back of seven dinner plates all with different buildings at Harvard University campus. The designs are blue against a white background. Also included with the mark are the words “Harvard University -1941 -- Veritas -- James McDuffee and Straton Co. -- Boston.”

Any information you can provide will be appreciated.

Harvard University dishes were made by Wedgwood in England.

A: Your commemorative plates were made by Wedgwood in England at their Barlaston pottery. James McDuffee and Stratton Company, located in Boston, imported historical plates from Wedgwood for the American market. The importing firm started in 1810 and became McDuffee and Stratton in 1871. By 1910, they were thought to be the largest wholesaler and retailer of china and glass.

The historical plates were decorated with American scenes of buildings, monuments, events, universities, ships, personalities and landmarks. There were 48 Harvard views, and they could be purchased in a series of plates or individual plates. By 1950, they no longer made historical plates and the firm closed in 1960.

Your circa 1941 plates would probably be worth $50 to $75 each

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

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

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

A: Anything marked “Occupied Japan” was made during the Allied occupation of Japan from 1945 to 1952 after World War II. “Royal Embassy” is the maker, and “Atlanta” is the name of the pattern.

Gold trimmed dishes should not be used in microwaves. The care and maintenance required for vintage porcelain dinnerware trimmed with gold does not appeal to many younger people today, and as a result, the demand on the secondary market is limited. FYI. Missing pieces can usually be found at china matching firms on the Internet. $150 is a fair price.

Puzzle Solutions

When Laurel came up with a scheme to flimflam his comedy partner, it was a fool-Hardy plan.

* On March 13, 1997, a heated debate was launched among believers in UFOs when a series of unidentified lights appeared above Phoenix, Arizona. It was later revealed that the lights were not from alien aircraft, but illumination flares dropped from a U.S. Air Force plane.

* On March 14, 2014, it was announced that public transportation systems in Paris, France, would run for free for three days in an effort to combat the heavy smog and air pollution the country was experiencing due to unseasonably warm temperatures.

* On March 17, 1756, St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated for the first time in New York City at John Thompson’s Crown and Thistle public house. Interestingly, Thompson was nicknamed “Scotch Johnny,” and his tavern was only part-time Irish.

* On March 16, 1834, Charles Darwin, on the HMS Beagle, anchored in the British-owned Falkland Islands for the first time, to carry out a zoological survey. At first unimpressed by the desolate landscape, he soon discovered ancient fossils, most of which are now housed in London’s Natural History Museum.

* On March 19, 1916, eight Curtiss “Jenny” planes of the First Aero Squadron were used in support of the 7,000 American troops who had invaded Mexico with the intent of capturing Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa, marking the first use of air combat in the U.S.

* On March 18, 1922, British lawyer Mohandas K. Gandhi was sentenced to prison in India on the charge of civil disobedience after urging for mass civil disobedience, including boycotts of British educational institutions and law courts and foreign-made goods. His speeches always emphasized the wrongness of physical violence. He served just two years of his six-year sentence.

* On March 15, 1956, the musical “My Fair Lady” made its Broadway debut. Based on George Bernard Shaw’s play “Pygmalion,” it starred Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews in the lead roles of domineering Professor Henry Higgins and his protegee, the equally strong-willed but good-hearted Cockney flower seller named Eliza Doolittle. It was an immediate smash hit.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc

“Now

that’s what I’d call a divot for the record books!”

Royal embassy porcelain dinnerware was made in Occupied Japan.

copies worldwide. The album has nothing to do with astronomy, but rather the songs deal with the subjects of conflict, time, mental illness, wealth, greed, and death.

• The first-ever telephone call was made on March 10, 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell to his 27-year-old assistant Thomas Watson. Bell himself was just 29 and had received a patent for his invention only three days earlier, U.S. Patent 174465A for a method of transmitting speech by telegraphy. Bell’s first words, “Mr. Watson, come here. I want you” from the room next door were a bit crackly, but understandable.

• Within a few months, Bell was transmitting conversations between Boston, Massachusetts, and the nearby community of Somerville. Bell co-founded the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) in 1885.

• The Scottish-born Bell was no stranger to inventing. At age 12, he had created a device for de-husking grain, which was put into operation at nearby mills.

• What happened to Thomas Watson? He went to work for Bell at his telephone company and invented the telephone ringer, which signaled folks when a call was coming in. He used his royalties to buy a farm, but moved on to founding a ship and engine building company that built naval destroyers for the U.S. military. By 1900, it was one of the largest shipyards in the nation, which Watson later sold to Bethlehem Steel.

• Watson not only received the very first phone call, he was also the recipient of the first transcontinental call, made from Bell’s New York City office to Watson in San Francisco.

• Who knew there is a special day set aside to honor the fanny pack? March 9 is International Fanny Pack Day, first designated in 2007. It was inspired by a man on his way home from a Christmas party, who encountered a homeless man. At the party, Nick Yates had been given two gag gifts – a fruitcake and a fanny pack. Stuffing the cake in the pack, Yates headed toward the bus stop. He gave the cake to the homeless man, and was struck with the idea of a co-op with food banks to hand out food to homeless while wearing fanny packs. Yates created a charitable campaign and International Fanny Pack Day was born! □

STAN SMITH’S TENNIS CLASS

Game Changers

by Jason Jenkins

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

Penny Pinchers

Unfortunately this article is not about ways to save yourself coin by finding the best online golf rate, but more about the little secrets of grip techniques that top players used to win a lot of money. Steve Elkington was considered by many of his peers at the time to have carried the title of “best looking swing on tour” through much of the nineties. His set up was beautiful and his motion looked poetic. For Steve it all started with a great looking grip that his coach Alex Mercer had taught him while a young boy in Australia.

Steve was taught to pinch together his thumbs and forefinger like he was holding a few coins in place. He even recollects walking to school in this fashion. By pinching the thumbs and forefinger together, he had to hold the club more in the fingers and his hands fit together quite beautifully. It takes a little training to use these small muscles of the hand, but it’s well worth it if you’re looking for a top grade grip to emulate.

When I work with a lot of beginning to intermediate players, the finish position requires extra attention. The body is contorting into an unusual position and needs to be balanced to be effective. Advanced players take the finish position for granted, especially when it comes to the small arch in the lower back.

Tuck It Under

10. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What do you call an ant’s home? Answers

TRIVIA TEST Answers Answers

1. Detroit.

2. Creed Bratton.

3. Lake Michigan.

4. James Joyce.

5. Q and Z (10 points each).

6. “Alien.”

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.

7. Unstressed vowel represented by an upside-down “e.”

DIFFICULTY:

8. Czech Republic.

9. Armpit.

10. A nest or formicary.

1.

1. Daffodil

2. NCAA'S March Madness

3.

4.