Vol. 20: #16 • Coco Chanel No. 5 • (4-14-2024) Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Ever Read"

by Janet Spencer

Who knew there could be so much interesting story to tell about a brand of perfume? Follow along as we learn the facts behind one of history’s most famous perfumes, and the now-famous name behind it.

MEAGER BEGINNINGS

• Coco Chanel lived the quintessential rags-to-riches tale. Born in a poor house in France in 1883, she was the daughter of a laundrywoman and a street vendor. Her given name of Gabrielle Chanel was misspelled on the birth certificate as Chasnel; she never corrected it because she later didn’t want people snooping into her impoverished past. She and her five siblings lived in a cramped one-room tenement.

• When she was 11, her mother died. Her father sent her brothers to work as farm laborers, while she and her sisters went to an orphanage run by a convent. It is here that she learned to sew and embroider.

• When she turned 18, she lived in a boarding house for Catholic girls. She worked as a seamstress Chanel No. 5: Turn to page 3

TRIVIA NEWSFRONT

1. Why did Coco Chanel choose the number 5 as the identifier for her perfume?

2. Worldwide, how often is a bottle of Chanel No. 5 sold?

3. Coco Chanel was once arrested for doing this.

4. What famous actor was the first man to publicly endorse Chanel No. 5?

5. What was the famous Chanel No. 5 perfume bottle patterned after?

(Answers on page 16)

1. GEOGRAPHY: The island of Ibiza belongs with which European country?

2. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of flamingos called?

3. MOVIES: What is the name of the island terrorized by a shark in “Jaws”?

4. U.S. STATES: Which state capital has the highest elevation in the United States?

5. ANATOMY: Where is the corpus collosum located?

6. LITERATURE: Who wrote the children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are”?

7. TELEVISION: Which 1970s TV show had a spinoff hit with “Laverne & Shirley”?

8. MATH: How many sides does a dodecagon have?

9. ASTRONOMY: Which one of the planets in our solar system has the Great Red Spot?

10. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president ended the military draft? Answers

• So what exactly is a tickle? In scientific terms, nerve signals are sent from the skin to the primary somatosensory cortex, which is the part of the brain that controls the sense of touch. These signals are analyzed by the anterior cingulate cortex, which is the part of the brain that responds to pleasant feelings. The messages also generate activity in the hypothalamus, which is responsible for instinctive involuntary reactions to situations that might involve pain.

the tickler is disguised with a full face mask? Answer: Yes.

• Will tickled babies laugh even if they are born blind and deaf? Answer: Yes.

• Researchers performed a series of experiments involving robotic arms. Would people still laugh if they were being tickled by a human arm cleverly disguised as a robotic arm? Answer: Yes. Would they laugh if tickled by a real robotic arm? Answer: Yes. Would they laugh if they controlled the robotic arm’s tickling motion using a joystick? Answer: No. Would they laugh if the joystick motion of the robotic arm was delayed by five seconds? Answer: Yes.

• Are other animals ticklish? Yes, all primates are ticklish, and they are ticklish in the same spots that humans are ticklish. Most primates even employ a grunting form of laughter.

• Meercats, penguins, and owls are ticklish.

• Rats, when tickled, laugh in a supersonic giggle that is beyond the range of human hearing. Not all rats enjoy being tickled, with many adult female rats disliking it.

• The automatic response from the hypothalamus prepares us for an incoming attack, triggering an involuntary self-defense mechanism designed to protect the most vulnerable parts of our body by curling up. So one part of the brain is saying, “You’re under attack!” while another part of the brain is saying, “Hey, this feels good!” This is why tickling can be both wonderfully fun, and also horribly torturous.

• When you try to tickle yourself, the messages go to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that governs our movements. There is no kick of adrenalin from the hypothalamus. However, some people with schizophrenia can tickle themselves.

• When test subjects were placed in an MRI, being tickled activated the hypothalamus. Laughing at jokes and comedy did not.

• There are two different types of tickle, with scientific names for both. Knismesis comes from the Greek word for itching. This is the type of tickle an ant makes when it’s walking up your leg, or a feather brushes your arm.

• Gargalesis, from the Greek word for tickle, is the giggle-type of tickle.

• The word tickle comes from the Latin “titillare” which also gives us “titillate.”

• Tickling is usually a two-way street where the tickler and the ticklee both laugh. Researchers wanted to know: Will babies laugh even if

• When tickled, we instinctively curl up, turn away, squirm, twist, scream, and kick trying to get away, while also laughing and smiling. Scientists believe this is a safe and friendly way of teaching each other how to protect ourselves when attacked. When puppies playfight, they are learning how to handle an opponent. If attacked by a predator, they know how to protect themselves. Similarly, when parents play “Tickle Monster” with a toddler, the child practices rudimentary self-defense mechanisms.

• If a complete stranger starts tickling a child, catching them by surprise, the reaction to the tickle attack is not laughter but fear. 

Week of April 14, 2024

Chanel No. 5 (from page one)

during the day and sang in a club at night. She picked up her nickname of Coco, possibly because of a song she sang “Ko Ko Ri Ko” or possibly because it’s short for “cocotte” which is French for a kept woman.

• Coco Chanel learned quickly that as a young attractive woman, she could get ahead by being a kept woman. Her list of lovers were among the social elite of the day.

FASHION DESIGNER

• One of her first male admirers was a wealthy textile heir. While living with him in his upscale apartment building, she began designing hats as a hobby. Through his social network, she met many high-society women who loved her hat creations. With financial help from an English polo player boyfriend, she opened a small hat shop in 1910. But her real break happened when a famous French actress wore her hats both on stage in plays and in photo shoots -- and the public took notice.

• In 1918, she opened a dress shop at 31 Rue Cambon in the most fashionable neighborhood in Paris, which remains today. Chanel hired her sister and aunt to model her designs, parading through town. Wealthy women, tired of confining clothing, flocked to her shop.

• In a time when women wore corsets conformed to hourglass figures and donned excessively ornamental dresses, Chanel designed clothing with elegantly simple lines. She shortened skirts, added pockets, and created her own empire in a business dominated by men. “Luxury must be comfortable,” she insisted, “otherwise it is not luxury.”

• Soon she had more than 300 employees and her line of line of Haute Couture swept Paris. By 1927 Chanel owned five buildings on this street.

• In 1920, at the outset of the Flapper era, Coco

Chanel introduced “the little black dress” to prove that black could be so much more than funeral attire. She had another big hit in 1925 with a three-piece tweed suit for women, dubbed “the Chanel suit.” Women had never worn tweed before. She dressed women in traditionally male colors of grey, blue, and brown. She also popularized costume jewelry.

• By the late 1920s, she was worth millions and employed over 2,000 people.

A NEW DIRECTION

• Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich Romanov, cousin of Russia’s Tsar Nicholas II, assisted in the assassination of Rasputin and was subsequently banished from Russia. Ending up in Paris, he became the latest of Coco Chanel’s paramours.

• He was friends with Ernest Beaux, the official perfumer to the Russian imperial family. Coco Chanel had been considering developing her own signature scent and felt it would make an appropriate thank-you gift to the ladies purchasing her dresses. When Beaux gave her ten sample scents to choose from, she chose the fifth one, and Chanel N°5 was born.

• At the time, perfumes were generally a single scent. Ladies either smelled like lilacs, roses, or violets. Chanel challenged Beaux to create a perfume that “smelled like a woman, and not like a rose.” Beaux’s creation contained no less than 80 ingredients, including rose, jasmine, sandalwood, and vanilla. Chanel N°5 was introduced on the 5th day of the 5th month in 1921. It quickly became the most popular perfume in the world.

• When it was first released, a deal was struck where investors Pierre and Paul Wertheimer would do the production and marketing. Théophile Bader, the owner of a chain of upscale department stores, would provide the sales outlets, and Coco Chanel would lend her name. The Wertheimer brothers got a 70% cut; Bader got 20%; and Chanel got 10% of all sales made in France.

• Coco Chanel spent the next 40 years regretting that business decision, while doing everything she could to get a better cut. Lawsuit followed upon lawsuit, all ending in her defeat. She slandered their name, came up with a competing perfume, and was unceremoniously kicked off the board of directors.

• When World War II began, Coco shut down her fashion industry, but perfume sales continued to increase. The perfume factory was in the hands of the Wertheimer brothers, who were Jewish. German law at the time forbade Jews from owning any business. Coco tried to use that against them to wrest control of the company. However, they secretly transferred the company’s ownership to a Christian man in America. When the war

ended, the company was transferred back to them. Coco’s contract was renegotiated in 1947, with Coco receiving two percent of worldwide sales. This made her one of the richest women in the world.

• At the beginning of the war, Coco fell in love with a Nazi officer. He granted her permission

QUIZ BITS

1. What famous actress played Coco Chanel in the 1969 Broadway Musical "Coco"?

2. This famous actress played Coco in the 2008 movie "Coco Chanel."

In April 1952, Marilyn Monroe appeared on the cover of Life magazine, with a long article inside. In the Q&A interview, she was asked, "What do you wear to bed?" Flustered, she replied, "Chanel No. 5." Sales of the perfume immediately skyrocketed.

Chanel No. 5: Turn to page 15

By Lucie Winborne

* While death by guillotine might seem like an ancient ritual from the past, the practice was still in use in France up until 1977 -- when the original “Star Wars” was in theaters.

* Sleeping through summer is called estivation.

* The Museum of Bad Art in Somerville, Massachusetts, is pretty much exactly what it sounds like -- a collection of really bad art! But then again, who’s to judge?

* The American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 handbook classifies caffeine withdrawal as a mental disorder.

* Humans invented booze before the wheel.

* When swallowed by toads, bombardier beetles project hot, noxious chemicals from their anuses, which usually forces the predators to puke the beetle back up.

* The town of Baarle straddles the DutchBelgian border. In some places, the official borderline cuts through houses and cafes.

* There are approximately 200 feral cats roaming the grounds of Disneyland, where they help control the park’s rodent population. All of them are spayed or neutered, and park staff provide them with both extra food and medical care.

* The second-half kickoff in Super Bowl I had to be done twice, as NBC didn’t cut back from a commercial break in time to catch the first one on camera.

* In Japan, instead of a “Man in the Moon,” people see a “Rabbit in the Moon.”

* The Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships are held in Finland. One winner said he prepared for the event by “mainly drinking.”

* Sometimes it snows on Mars, but the flakes are made out of carbon dioxide, not water.

* After the band OutKast sang “Shake it like a Polaroid picture,” Polaroid released a statement warning that “shaking or waving can actually damage the image.” ***

Thought for the Day: “The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget.”

-- Thomas Szasz

by Mary Hunt

by Mary Hunt

Bonus vs. Salary Bump, Family Squabbles, and More Reader Quandaries

make it a lot easier when you think the way you would in a business partnership. Successful business partners don’t keep score; they bring their particular strengths and abilities to the business and pool the income and the profits. They make joint decisions on spending.

Everyday CHEAPSKATE

by Mary Hunt

DEAR MARY: I just had my annual review at work. My boss told me I’m doing a good job then gave me the option of taking my raise as a lump sum or a salary increase. But I’m not sure if it’s better to get the money all at once or spread out over the entire year. What is the right decision? -- Geoffrey, Ala.

Dear Geoffrey: If you take the salary increase, how many months will it take to match the amount you would get in the lump sum? Are you fairly certain you will have this job at least that long? Of course there are no guarantees, so you need to evaluate your tolerance for risk.

The safe decision would be to take the lump sum, pay taxes on it now and look forward to another merit increase in the future. However, if you are more of a risk-taker and believe you will be on this job for many more years, accepting the monthly option could net you more money over the long run.

Sometimes the best way to make a decision is to take the “pillow test.” Consider which decision would allow you to sleep better. Hope that helps! ***

DEAR CHEAPSKATE: My husband and I have finally decided to buy a new car, but now we’re not sure what to do with our old one. Trading it in with the dealer seems like the easiest option, but my dad says we could get more for it if we sold it ourselves. How can we make the most considering it’s such a hassle? -- Sally, Ohio

Dear Sally and Hubs: The difference between the amount a dealer will give you on a trade-in (the wholesale value) and the retail value (selling it privately) can be as much as 20%. Let’s say in your case the difference is $2,000. Even if it takes 20 hours of your time to get the car ready for sale, to list it, show it and finally close the deal, that’s $100 an hour tax-free for the hassle -- something to consider.

Visit the Kelley Blue Book website (www. kbb.com) to calculate both the retail and tradein values for your specific area. Be sure to read “How to Sell a Car Online” while you’re there. This will give you the information and confidence you need to make the best decision. ***

DEAR CHEAPSKATE: I’ve always been very generous with my family, thinking nothing of picking up the tab for dinner with everyone or treating my favorite niece to a shopping spree if she does well in school. My husband gets along well with my family, but he does think some of them take advantage of my generosity.

We’re expecting our first child in a few months, and he thinks my priorities should be elsewhere right now, but I make an adequate salary. In fact, my salary is more than his! Who’s right? -- Madison, N.J.

Dear Madison: Money is probably the most difficult issue in marriage. But you can

The fastest way I know for a partnership to fail is for one partner to go off in a huff and make independent decisions without regard for the other. I suggest you see your marriage and family as the most important “business” in your life. Together you and your husband need to negotiate and compromise when it comes to giving and “gifting.” And the sooner you see everything in your marriage as “ours” rather than “yours” and “mine,” the sooner you will find emotional intimacy and financial harmony. ***

DEAR MARY: I’m a single mom on a tight budget. Unfortunately, my 15-year-old car just died, and repairing it wouldn’t be worth the cost. I’ve already decided to buy a car, but I’m a little nervous about negotiating with the salesperson. I know absolutely nothing about cars, and I’m worried I’m going to get taken for a ride (no pun intended). What should I look out for before signing on the dotted line? -- Dorothy, Ariz.

Dear Dorothy: Before you do anything like falling in love with a car you cannot afford, I suggest you get “prequalified.” Go to your bank or credit union for an auto loan commitment. Based on your credit history, current income and expenses, a lender will commit to a specific dollar amount and tell you the conditions, like the interest rate, monthly payment and number of months.

Next, you need to do some serious homework. Should you buy a used or new car? Domestic or foreign? Internal combustion engine or electric? Compact or full-size? If you spend a few hours at two information-packed websites (www.edmunds.com and www.kbb. com), you will know so much about buying a car you’ll swear you’ve just graduated from “Auto U!” Never forget that knowledge is power.

Hint: If you decide to buy a good used car (that’s what I would do if I were in your situation), make sure you first take it to a qualified mechanic to give it an honest inspection and hopefully a clean bill of health before you make that final decision.

ADVERTISING PROOF

***

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate. com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

ASBESTOS

• Asbestos was once known as the “miracle mineral.” It’s a type of silicate composed of hair-like fibers. It can be woven into cloth or mixed with other substances to strengthen them and imbue fireproof properties.

• Asbestos is not only flame-resistant but also resistant to chemicals. Flexible fibers make it easy to work with, and its insulating properties are unsurpassed. When twisted into a wick, the wax burns but leaves the wick untouched. This led to its name, as “asbestos” comes from the Greek word meaning “inextinguishable.”

• The first use of asbestos dates back 4,500 years, when potters mixed it with clay to make their

vessels stronger, thinner, and more durable. Asbestos-laden pottery can withstand fire, boiling water, and molten metal. But even in ancient Roman times, it was noted that slaves who worked with asbestos died young.

• The world’s first commercial asbestos mine opened in Quebec, Canada, in 1870, followed by mines all over the world. As the industrial age ramped up, uses for the material skyrocketed. It was made into fireproof uniforms, used as insulation in vehicles, factories, homes, and ships, turned into shingles, floor tiles, and siding, used as cigarette filters, and woven into blankets.

• By the turn of the century, it was hard to ignore the fact that people who worked with asbestos died young. In 1906, a doctor in London was the first to do a post-mortem exam of an asbestos worker, noting that microscopic fibers in the man’s lungs were identical to the fibers at the asbestos factory.

• The death of Nelly Kershaw in England in 1924 was pivotal. She worked in a textile mill spinning asbestos into yarn and died after seven years. Her husband demanded compensation for her death. This was the first case in history that resulted in an inquest.

• Although it was proven that asbestos dust contributed to Nelly’s death, the factory never paid anything. Still, notes on her case swept through the medical establishment and got the attention of the British government. An investigation found that 25% of asbestos workers were ill. The longer the contact, the worse the illness. The illness was dubbed “asbestosis.” In 1931, the first laws that protected workers were passed.

• The issue with asbestos is that its fibers break down into dust particles that can be inhaled. Once in the lungs, they act like miniscule needles. They do not degrade, but remain in the lungs forever. They repel water and cannot be surrounded by mucus and coughed up, so they cannot be excreted. Instead, the lungs form a protective layer of scar tissue around each razor-sharp speck. As more dust is inhaled, more scar tissue forms, compromising the lungs. The constant irritation also causes a type of lung cancer called mesothelioma.

• Asbestos dust travels and clings. Children who hugged their fathers daily or wives who laundered their husband’s clothing also suffered. Wind carried dust from factories and mines to fields, playgrounds, and streets.

• During World War II, asbestos use jumped. In 1942, the U.S. consumed 60% of the world

You’re always working towards bigger things for your business. Your ad in Tidbits can help you get there.

supply, up from just 37% five years earlier.

• Then the tide shifted in favor of environmentalism. In 1970, OSHA, the EPA, and the Clean Air Act were formed. Laws were passed to control exposure to the fibers. By the 1980s, use of asbestos dropped sharply.

• The last asbestos mine in the U.S. closed in 2003; Canada followed in 2011. Today, 66 countries have banned it, though it is still used widely in third-world countries. 53% of asbestos produced today is mined in Russia, and 70% of asbestos products are made in China. 

by Dana Jackson

Q: Is Alison Sweeney going to be starring in anymore of those cookie mystery movies on Hallmark? I read all the books, so I know there’s a possibility of more movies. -- H.S.

A: Apparently, there are 30 Hannah Swensen Mystery novels written by Joanne Fluke, and Alison Sweeney (“Days of Our Lives”) has starred in nine adaptations of them for Hallmark. “One Bad Apple,” her most recent movie, holds a special place in Sweeney’s heart because she also adapted the screenplay from Fluke’s book “Apple Turnover Murder.” She told TVLine that she watched YouTube videos, read about how authors allocate their time and dedicated herself to writing 10 pages a day.

There was also the matter of replacing her frequent co-star Cameron Mathison (“All My Children”), who had recently inked a multipicture deal with Hallmark’s competitor, Great American Media. In comes Victor Webster with whom Sweeney has worked before on another Hallmark movie, “The Wedding Veil Journey” to play a new character, prosecutor Chad Norton.

“One Bad Apple: A Hannah Swensen Mystery” premiered on the Hallmark Mystery channel on April 5. ***

Q: Is it true that they’re making a movie -- not a documentary -- about Michael Jackson? Who is playing him? -- K.K.

A: Yes, there is a movie in the works about the late King of Pop called “Michael,” which is being directed by Antoine Fuqua and stars recent Oscar nominee Colman Domingo as M.J.’s father, Joe Jackson. Jaafar Jackson, son of Jermaine Jackson, has been cast in the role of his late uncle. The allstar cast also includes Miles Teller as entertainment lawyer John Branca, Nia Long as matriarch Katherine Jackson, and Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the film will follow the life and career of Michael Jackson from his “early days as a member of family group the Jackson 5 through to his successes as a solo artist.” It will also trace his “triumphs and tragedies as it examines both his personal struggles and his most iconic performances.”

Fuqua said that he’s been “blown away” by Jaafar’s resemblance to his uncle: “Sounds like him, dances like him, sings. It’s really uncanny.”

“Michael” has a projected release date of April 2025.

***

Q: When is “The Real Housewives of

Orange County” returning, and is Vicki Gunvalson coming back? -- N.N.

A: Original cast member Vicki Gunvalson won’t be returning to the main squad for the 18th season of “RHOC” this summer. But she reportedly accepted an offer to return in the limited “guest” capacity status, like she agreed to last season. There will be another “friend” returning who is also a familiar face. Alexis Bellino, who was a regular cast member from seasons five through eight, was seen filming with a couple of the ladies a few months ago. She’ll bring plenty of drama to the show, since she’s now dating Shannon Beador’s exbeau, John Janssen.

Since filming of “RHOC” is still continuing into April, the new season isn’t expected to premiere until much later in 2024. You can check BravoTV.com for all the latest news.

* * *

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

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

1. Split ................................ (PG-13)

James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy

2. Rings ............................... (PG-13)

1. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (PG-13) Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry

Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Alex Roe

3. A Dog’s Purpose (PG)

2. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (PG-13) Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon

Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid

4. Hidden Figures (PG)

3. Dune: Part Two (PG-13) Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya

Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer

5. La La Land (PG-13)

4. Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG) Jack Black, Awkwafina

Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone

5. Immaculate (R) Sydney Sweeney, Álvaro Morte

6. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (R)

Milla Jovovich, Iain Glen

6. Arthur the King (PG-13) Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu

7. Late Night with the Devil (R) David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon

7. Sing (PG) animated

8. Lion ................................ (PG-13)

Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman

9. The Space Between Us .. (PG-13)

8. Tillu Square (NR) Anupama Parameswaran, Sidhu Jonnalagadda

Gary Oldman, Asa Butterfield

10. xXx: Return of Xander

9. Crew (NR) Tabu, Kareena Kapoor

Cage .................................... (PG-13)

Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen

10. Imaginary (PG-13) DeWanda Wise, Taegen Burns

2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

Alison Sweeney in “The Wedding Veil Journey”

Courtesy of Hallmark

Good Recipes from

Italian Peppers and Egg Sandwiches

Creamy scrambled eggs, enhanced with mascarpone cheese, are topped with sauteed peppers, onions and sopressata in this tantalizing Italian-inspired sandwich.

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion

1 medium yellow bell pepper

1 medium red bell pepper

2 ounces sliced sopressata, Genoa salami or prosciutto

1/4 cup basil

10 large eggs

Atty Aaron Garcia

Law Offices of Aaron Garcia

1/4 cup mascarpone cheese or whipped cream cheese

1/12 pg 4C 6x rate March 24,

1/2 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 loaf ciabatta bread

4 slice fontina or provolone cheese

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook onions and peppers 10 minutes, or until tender. Add sopressata and cook 1 minute longer. Remove from heat; stir in basil. Keep warm.

2. In large bowl, whisk eggs, mascarpone cheese, salt and pepper until yolks and whites are completely blended. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. When butter begins to foam, add egg mixture. Reduce heat to medium. Push eggs gently with heat-resistant rubber spatula in a figure-8 motion as they begin to set and form soft curds; cook until just set but still creamy and moist, about 7 minutes.

3. Transfer eggs to bottoms of bread; top with a slice of cheese. Spoon the pepper mixture over cheese; top with remaining bread. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

Slow-Cooker Applesauce

No need to buy applesauce -- this homemade version from the Woman’s Day kitchen is just as easy to make and, as you will discover at first taste, far more delicious than the storebought variety!

6 pounds Gala apples, peeled, cored and quartered 1 piece fresh ginger

1 stick cinnamon

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, toss together apples, fresh ginger and cinnamon stick. Cook until the apples break down when stirred, 7 to 8 hours on low or 5 to 6 hours on high.

2. Stir in vanilla extract. Makes 8 (1 cup) servings.

For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our Web site at www.goodhousekeeping.com/reci finder4.

(c) 2024 Hearst Communications, Inc.

By John Allen DIAMOND LIL

by Brett Koth

Donald

4/14 National Perfume Day

4/15 Income Tax Filing Deadline

4/16 National Blue Umbrella Day

4/17 Ellis Island Family History Day

4/18 Autism Awareness Day

4/19 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

4/20 Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty

By Matthew Margolis

Little Dog, Big Problem

“My husband and I took in a male Chihuahua a couple of months ago. We were told that Lucky was pretty good-natured, but did have a history of biting. He came from a home that included a girl with Down syndrome, who apparently hit and kicked him. He reportedly bit this girl and also her mother.

“Lucky warmed up to my husband by day two and to me by day five. When he is around my father and son-in-laws, he will climb up into their laps. But they have to use caution when petting him, or he will attempt to bite them. He will have nothing to do with my daughter or with any other females who come into the home. Usually, he just barks and growls at them. One of my daughters, though, has to be careful if she gets too close. He will attempt to bite her.

“Just last week, he began charging at her and anyone else who entered the house. Because of his assertive aggression, my husband or I have to hold him or put him in his pin when others are around. He bit me yesterday when I picked him up to answer the front door. We now tell him to ‘go lie down.’ He will still attempt to bite, though, before going to his pen.

“Last weekend when my niece was visiting, Lucky walked out of my bedroom with me, saw her standing in the dining room, and ran and bit her. We have a 10-month-old granddaughter, and now we are thinking we can’t trust him around her. “We also have a 6-year-old female Chihuahua, as adorable as can be, and Lucky has started showing aggression toward her. She defends herself, but I can tell she’s getting tired of it. Can we break him of this behavior, or should we give him up?”

Three things come to mind when I read this letter:

1) People will tolerate almost anything from a little dog.

2) These people knew Lucky was aggressive and adopted him anyway.

3) This is a clear case of child endangerment.

Why would a person expose people they love to this kind of treatment? What is it about people that makes them believe they deserve to live

Wuzzles solution Page 16

Cody's Corner: Turn to Page 10

SENIOR NEWS LINE

by Matilda Charles © King Features Synd., Inc.

Things That Seniors Worry About

It’s very helpful to have friends and acquaintances scattered across the country when I need to do another informal poll. This time my questions to them concerned what seniors worry about.

I got them started with a list of suggestions on a page, to be ranked in order, with a blank place under each one for comments, and space below for their own contributions.

And I wasn’t surprised.

The number one concern was about money. Is there enough to last the rest of our life? Will grocery prices ever come down again? Will we have to go back to work to keep from burning through our savings? What if we can't cover rising medical bills? Do we risk losing the house if we're late with mortgage payments? What if the rent gets so high we can longer pay it?

Health was the second biggest concern, with loss of independence topping that list. We fear getting dementia, losing muscle strength, falling and breaking a limb, having to go into the hospital or rehab for an extended stay, catching Covid or a bad flu. This list was a long one with everyone adding comments.

Concerns about safety was also very high in the rankings. We worry about rising crime on the streets, lack of police protection, not being able to trust our financial advisers, and that we might need to give up driving.

Other topics ranked lower, but they’re concerns just the same. We worry about identity theft and not being able to recover from it if scammers sneak into our financial accounts and steal every dollar we have. Tied with that are concerns that we might not recognize scams when they are happening to us. We worry about needing to rely on others for help with things we used to easily do ourselves.

But the one topic that garnered the most comments was loneliness. We fear losing all our friends when they die. We fear being the last one standing. It's a frightening thought.

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.

like this?

Recently, I spoke with a woman who had taken to walking her dog while pushing her baby in its stroller. The dog, however, lunges at everybody who walks by. This is fear aggression, and it’s a problem. Sooner or later, that stroller will be tipped over. And dog aggression, left unchecked, gets worse, not better.

After talking for a while, the woman confessed that she felt the dog’s behavior problems were a reflection of her. She said, “It means I’m a bad person.”

Why can’t it simply be a dog with a problem? Why can’t we see these situations for what they are? In both of these cases, the safety of a child is being threatened by the presence of a dog with a behavior problem.

When baby’s on the way, most parents make a big to-do of baby-proofing the home. By the time the kid’s on the verge of crawling, every room is thoroughly childproofed. Yet in too many of these same households, a little dog with a big problem is given free reign to terrorize the inhabitants.

Sometimes bad people create bad dogs. But many times good people just need to admit that their dog needs professional help or a more appropriate home.

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

How Many Stars for Social Security Service?

I’ve been writing this column for about 27 years. And more than a few times, I took my former agency, the Social Security Administration, to task for sometimes falling down on the job. That’s because I frequently hear from readers complaining about misinformation they received from Social Security representatives or about service issues mostly long wait times when they call the agency’s 800 number.

I sometimes wonder if this is the “squeaky wheel syndrome”: You have a car with four wheels and you only pay attention to the squeaky one, even though the other three are just fine. Likewise, when it comes to the service we get from any public-facing agency, I think people are much more likely to write and complain about bad service than they are to offer accolades praising good service. That’s just human nature, I guess.

But some emails I received recently bucked that trend. I’m going to share some snippets praising the SSA for good service. Here are three of them:

“I just got my first Social Security check. And I want you to know that the entire process went smoothly and like clockwork. My claim was processed in a matter of weeks and my check showed up in my bank account when they said it would. I couldn’t be happier!”

“I had some Social Security issues that I thought were complicated. But I called the 800 number and even though I waited on hold for about 20 minutes, the phone rep I eventually talked to was very helpful and answered all my questions. She was very thorough and professional.”

“I recently filed my Social Security claim online. The entire process was very simple and straightforward and I finished in less than an hour. It couldn’t possibly have been simpler.”

Those and other recent emails in a similar vein got me to thinking. Some long-time readers may remember a customer service survey I conducted several years ago. Back then, just as today, I was getting lots of emails from readers critical of SSA’s services or of the allegedly bad advice they were getting from the agency’s representatives. And I’d occasionally get an email with good things to say about the SSA. As I said, I guessed that I was more likely to hear gripes than accolades.

I decided to test my theory by surveying my readers. I got hundreds of responses. Long story short: The vast majority almost 90% of respondents said they were happy and satisfied with the service they got from SSA.

That was the good news for the SSA and its employees. But there was another side to that coin, according to the responses. The SSA’s front-line employees did routine work very well. And fortunately, most of us have rather routine experiences with Social Security. We turn 62 or full retirement age and want to file for retirement benefits, and that’s that.

But if your Social Security situation is not quite routine, then, sadly, SSA reps sometimes fall down on the job. Those cases often involve situations where someone might be eligible for benefits

on two different accounts. For example, if a woman wants to file for widow’s benefits, her options may not be fully explained to her. (Those options could include filing for reduced widow’s benefits first and then switching to higher retirement benefits at a later date. Or the other way around filing for reduced retirement benefits first and switching to full widow’s benefits at full retirement age.)

And I think a lot of this lack of expertise has to do with training. When I started working for the SSA in 1973, I went to a highly intensive threemonth class that was taught by very skilled trainers front-line supervisory people who had been with the agency for decades and who had seen it all. And they passed all this knowledge on to us young neophytes comprehensive facts and information that carried us through our careers. But regrettably, that’s not the way things work anymore. Today, I’ve been told that new SSA hires get about six weeks of mostly online training. In my opinion, that’s just not the way to teach raw recruits about all the complicated Social Security rules and regulations.

Also, I will say this. When I worked for the SSA, we were totally focused on one-to-one customer service, usually conducted in a local Social Security office. But that has gone the way of full-service gas stations or doctors making house calls. It is all so 1900s. In the 21st century, the focus is on the internet and other forms of electronic communication. The SSA, like so much of the customer-service world, has opted to try to take care of people online instead of in person. From an efficiency standpoint, especially given the staffing cutbacks the agency has had to endure, that might make sense. But from the standpoint of someone trying to deal with the oftentimes complex Social Security rules and regulations, it can have its drawbacks.

Anyway, I don’t want to keep guessing at what I think is happening. So I’m going to take another survey of my readers. I’d like to know about

your experiences with the Social Security Administration. And to keep things simple, let’s use a star system. Think of it like a Yelp or Google review. Give one star for poor service and five stars for good service or two, three or four stars for something in between.

If you want, you can include a little commentary. Otherwise, just send me an email with between one and five stars. Send them to me at thomas.margenau@comcast.net. I’ll publish the findings in another column in the not-too-distant future.

* * *

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

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

1. The book of 3 Corinthians is found in the a) Old testament b) New testament c) Neither

2. Who was praised for his beauty "from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head"? a) Absalom b) Moses c) Tola d) Elisha

3. What camp saw 185,000 of its soldiers slaughtered by an angel of the Lord? a) Amalakite b) Assyrian c) Philistine d) Persian

4. From Genesis 1:30, what is the first color mentioned in the Bible? a) Black b) White c) Blue d) Green

5. Which city's walls fell down flat at the sound of Joshua's army? a) Tarsus b) Ur c) Jericho d) Sardis

6. From 2 Kings, who became king of Judah at age eight? a) Abijam b) Rehoboam c) Marcus d) Josiah

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

Constant Aleve and Ibuprofen Consumption Can Cause Damage

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband, age 70, had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in his neck, for which he would take Aleve to relieve his discomfort when needed. Just before Christmas last year, his back began hurting so much that he went to his doctor, who said to get up and move more. (We have always exercised and remained active in life, but he did slow down due to his pain.)

Beyond pain medicines, the Aleve Direct Therapy pad uses electricity to relieve pain without medicine. It’s fine to combine this therapy with medicines. Creams -- whether they are antiinflammatory, menthol and camphor, or topical anesthetics -- provide some relief, but they tend to be better on the hands, wrists and knees than the neck. Though, they still may be worth trying in combination with medicines.

* * *

Motorcars LLC c/o Jay Saukkonen 1/16 pg

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

(c) 2024 North America Synd., Inc.

My husband then added ibuprofen to the Aleve he was already using. His doctor said that the pain is due to osteoarthritis in his mid-back area. Apparently, there is nothing to do for it but take Extra Strength Tylenol at the recommended dose. Ibuprofen or Aleve isn’t recommended because it can cause liver and kidney damage. So, we bought Tylenol, and he used this medication instead of his usual. But his pain only got worse. So, this morning, he switched back to Aleve and ibuprofen. It is what helped before and is helping again now. In addition, he is using a drug-free Aleve Direct Therapy pad that uses waveform technology. He also uses Icy Hot pain relief cream and a heating pad. These reduce his pain, but his back continues to hurt since before the holidays. Our question is, should he use Aleve and ibuprofen instead of the Tylenol that doesn’t seem to help? He has actually used Aleve for a very long time. He just had his blood tested, and the doctor said his liver and kidneys are good. Is there anything more we can do to relieve his osteoarthritic pain? It is hard to see my husband in so much discomfort when he was previously a very active, pain-free man. -- S.F.A.

ANSWER: Osteoarthritis in the neck is a common and painful condition, and there are not always good treatment options. In terms of medicine, anti-inflammatory medicines, like Aleve or ibuprofen (Advil and many other brands), can be very helpful for some people. However, taking both doesn’t improve pain relief. It does increase the risk of toxicity, so he should never take two anti-inflammatory medicines -- choose just one. Tylenol helps some people, but in my experience, most people do better with anti-inflammatories instead of Tylenol. Tylenol does have a smaller risk of side effects. In addition to liver and kidney problems, Aleve and similar medicines can cause stomach problems, ranging from mild upset to life-threatening ulcers; though, this is uncommon with over-thecounter doses. I often recommend a trial of Tylenol to see if it is as good as the anti-inflammatories. Since it’s not for your husband, he should tell his doctor this, and it seems reasonable for him to go back to taking Aleve alone. However, I can’t tell you to disregard his physician’s advice. Some people benefit from Tylenol on top of Aleve.

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VETERANS POST  

by Freddie Groves

VA by the Numbers

The Department of Veterans Affairs has been going all out to provide expanded access to care to veterans. They’re calling it Access Sprints, and it means they’re scheduling more appointments at night and on weekends, as well as scheduling more veterans into their daily schedule. The effort seems to be showing progress. Just this year so far the VA has had 25,000 more new patients than they did during the same period last year. Appointments increased by 11%.

Per the stats, 12% fewer new patients had to wait over 20 to 28 days to get an appointment, and 14% fewer new patients are having to wait to see community providers because of wait time eligibility. This is on top of the care they provided in 2023 in over 116 million appointments.

Other 2023 stats are equally impressive. The crisis line took over 1 millions calls, over 33,000 veterans received emergency care in suicide crises and 5.5 million dental procedures were completed for over 560,000 patients.

Nearly 5 million veterans were screened for toxin exposure, an important step in monitoring their health. (As of March 5, 2024, veterans exposed to toxins and meeting other requirements have become eligible for VA health care, even before enrolling for other VA benefits. This means those who were in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror or any other combat zone since Sept. 11. Any who weren’t deployed but who trained and were exposed here in the U.S. are included in eligibility.)

Even the non-medical efforts saw success: Ten million veterans have individual pages in the online digital Veterans Legacy Memorial website, with over 5 million of those being created in the last year, and 5.6 million policyholders got life insurance coverage.

The VA was able to hire over 61,000 staffers to provide care to the increased number of veterans seeking health care, bringing the total to over 400,000.

Not a bad year for the VA and veterans.

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.

M.D.

-- by Jim Miller

Choosing a Senior Community That Offers All Levels of Care

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: I am in my late seventies and know I need to downsize from my current house, but I want my next move to be my last. Can you help me find how to identify some good senior living communities that offer all levels of housing and care from independent living to nursing home care?

-- One Move Mary

Dear Mary: If you want your next move to be your last, an all-inclusive retirement community – also known as a continuing-care retirement community (or CCRC) – is a great option to consider. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you locate one.

What are CCRCs?

CCRCs are different from other types of senior housing because they provide all levels of housing, services and care in one convenient location.

While the appearance and services of CCRCs can vary greatly, most provide apartments or sometimes single-family homes for active independent seniors. In addition, they also offer onsite assisted living for seniors who require help with basic living tasks like bathing, dressing or going to the bathroom, and nursing home care for residents when their health declines.

CCRCs also provide a variety of resortstyle amenities and services that include community dining halls, exercise facilities, housekeeping, and transportation, as well as many social and recreational activities.

But be aware that all these services come at a hefty price. Most communities have entry fees that range from less than $100,000 to more than $1 million, plus ongoing monthly fees that generally range from $2,000 to $5,000 for singles ($3,000 to $6,000 for couples) depending on the facility, services and the contract option you choose.

With more than 2,000 CCRCs in opera-

tion throughout the U.S, finding a facility that fits your lifestyle, needs and budget will require some legwork. Here are some steps that can help you proceed.

Make a list:

To find CCRCs in the area you want to live go to MyLifeSite.net and Caring.com, which provide online lists. Once you’ve located a few, call them to find out if they have any vacancies, what they charge and if they provide the types of services you want.

Take a tour:

Many CCRCs encourage potential residents to stay overnight and have a few meals in their dining hall. During your visit, notice the upkeep of the facility for neatness and cleanliness and try to assess the general demeanor of both the staff and residents.

Ask questions:

Make it a point to talk to as many current residents as you can. Ask for their honest opinion on how they feel about living there, their likes, dislikes and overall satisfaction level. Also, check out the assisted living and nursing facilities, and find out how decisions are made to move residents from one level of care to another. Try to speak candidly with as many of these care residents as possible for an honest report of their satisfaction level on the way they are treated by the staff. You will likely hear firsthand reports of services lacking that you won't read on the brochures. Poor reports from several residents about the same services are a red flag.

Do some research:

While on your tour, find out who owns the CCRC and get a copy of their most recently audited financial statement and review it. Also find out their census rate. Unless it’s a newer community filling up, occupancy below 80 percent can be another red flag that the facility is having financial or management problems.

To investigate the CCRC’s long-term care services call your state long-term care ombudsman (see LTCombudsman.org) who can tell you if the assisted living and nursing care services had any reported complaints or problems. You can also use Medicare’s nursing home compare tool at Medicare.gov/care-compare

Understand the contract and fees:

Most CCRCs offer three types of contracts: Life-care, or Type A contracts, which have the highest entry fee but covers all levels of

long-term care as needed; Type B, or modified contracts that have lower entry fees but limits long-term care services in the initial fee; and Type C, or fee-for-service contracts, which offer the lowest entrance fees but requires you to pay extra for long-term care if you need it.

You also need to find out what yearly price increases you can expect. How much of your up-front fee is refundable to you if you move or die? And what happens if you outlive your financial resources?

* * *

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

finding any background information on the Internet.

I would like any information you can furnish about this set, including its possible monetary value.

ANTIQUE -- OR -JUNQUE

ANTIQUE -- OR -JUNQUE

by Anne McCollam Creators News Service

by Anne McCollam Creators News Service

Price of Restoring Can Balloon

A: The mark you provided was used by the Carrollton Pottery Company, which was located in Carrollton, Ohio. The firm was founded in 1903 by E. L. Henderson and made semi-porcelain china. By 1929, it, along with seven other potteries, became part of the America China Corporation, which made a variety of dinnerware and used several different marks.

Your set was made around 1920 and would probably be worth $175 to $225.

The Carrollton Pottery Company was founded in 1903.

* April 15, 1945, British troops liberated the German Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where they discovered thousands of dead and rotting corpses, and many more thousands of sick and starving prisoners confined to severely overcrowded and filthy compounds. The prisoners were suffering from acute typhus, typhoid and tuberculosis due to a lack of running water. More than 30,000 others had died in the previous months, many from typhus, but even more from starvation.

Q: Enclosed you will find a photograph of a “hairpin” chair left to us by my motherin-law. There are four of these small-scaled chairs, two of which need to be recaned. Before I invest any money in these chairs, I would like to know if their potential value would justify the hefty price of recaning. I doubt I would ever use them, but would consider restoring them if their resale value would justify the investment. I was told there is a very limited market for this type of antique in my area.

A: You have a set of Victorian balloon-back side chairs that was made around 1860 to 1870. Many are selling in good condition and with the caning intact from $150 to $250. Depending on the price of restoring the seats in your area and since they came to you at no cost, it might be profitable to have them recaned, but I recommend doing your homework first.

***

Q: I am sending you the mark I have drawn that is on a set of dishes that is a service for eight. The dishes are decorated with pink and red buds, flowers, green leaves and trimmed in gold. I have not been successful

Q: In the 1940s, I was a teenager in high school. My girlfriend and I went to big-band concerts. When Frank Sinatra was there singing in 1943, I got his autograph. He wasn’t well-known then. I still love the sound of big-bands music and I would like to know if this autograph is worth anything today. I have tried to find information and have not been successful. Anything you can tell me will be appreciated.

A: Condition, authenticity, age and quality are important when valuing an autograph. Sinatra’s autographs are very collectible. Depending on the condition, yours would probably be worth $200 to $400.

*

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

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

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

If a brand of chinaware is known to be resistant to breaking, it has a good crack record.

* On April 16, 1964, The Rolling Stones’ debut album, “The Rolling Stones,” issued in the U.S. as “England’s Newest Hit Makers,” was released. The band consisted of lead singer Mick Jagger, rhythm guitarist Brian Jones, lead guitarist Keith Richards, bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts.

* On April 17, 1985, the U.S. government announced a campaign to increase organ donation awareness with the hope of making the procedure as widespread as donating blood, following similar campaigns from other countries around the world as organ transplants became more common.

* On April 18, 1997, major floods in Grand Forks, N.D., caused by the Red River’s breaching a dike, necessitated the evacuation of 50,000 residents from their homes. In some areas, only the roofs of their houses were visible.

* On April 19, 1897, the world’s oldest annual marathon run took place for the first time. Today the Boston Marathon ranks among the world’s most prestigious road racing events, with an average of 20,000 participants, and is one of five members of the World Marathon Majors, which also include the cities of London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.

* On April 20, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI visited Ground Zero in New York, the scene of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the city’s Twin Towers, at the end of his six-day tour of America. He greeted survivors, fire and police workers, and relatives of some of the 2,749 people who died at the scene, and prayed for the rescuers and victims, as well as “those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred,” before celebrating Mass at New York’s Yankee stadium.

* On April 21, 1918, Baron Manfred von Richthofen, the German ace pilot popularly known as the “Red Baron” and credited with 80 confirmed air combat victories, was killed in action during World War I.

"Day 267: l think sending the message in a bottle stating my location was a mistake. l'm now being bombarded with junk mail."

Victorian balloon-back side chairs made around 1860.

to continue to live in her Ritz apartment while the German army set up headquarters in the Ritz Hotel. At the end of the war, Coco Chanel was accused of being a Nazi collaborator. Following her arrest, Winston Churchill intervened to secure her release.

• To win favor, she offered a free bottle of Chanel N°5 to any American soldier to take home to their wives. The lines stretched for blocks. The net result was thousands of American women clamoring for the perfume. However, Coco and her German boyfriend fled to Switzerland to escape accusations and harassment. She did not return to Paris to reopen her fashion industry until 1954.

• In 1971 Coco Chanel died of a heart attack in her Ritz apartment where she had lived for 30 years. She was 87 and designed until she died.

• She never married. Her estate was willed to her nephew. Some speculate that the nephew was secretly her son, raised by her sister.

• Coco was buried in her favorite beige and white tweed suit. Her grave is in Switzerland under a headstone she designed with an inscription in French that expresses her desire to go to heaven and clothe the angels.

• Her suite at the Ritz is kept as a memorial to her, and can be rented for about $20,000 per night. The Wertheimer family still maintains control of the Chanel empire. 

your golf-related advertising message targeted visibility in full color in this weekly 2” x 6” fixed location

Game Changers

by Jason Jenkins

Hit the Brakes

There might not be a more frustrating comment from golf analysts and commentators than, “He must have decelerated on that chip!” I simply cringe when I hear that being said because it typically has nothing to do with a mishit chip around the green. Worse yet, every member guest is full of the same comments when their buddy just cost them a hole.

To prove my point that acceleration and deceleration have little to do with effective chipping, try hitting a few chips with your bag about a couple feet in front of your ball. Hit the ball and ground but don’t hit the bag!

if impact was

Acceleration implies the need to apply increased force through the strike and a high finish. That’s what I see when a player has “stubbed” or “chili-dipped” one around the green. Put the brakes on a couple real chips around the green to see if they don’t perform just as well as normal techniques.

1. GEOGRAPHY: The island of Ibiza belongs with which European country?

2. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of flamingos called?

3. MOVIES: What is the name of the island terrorized by a shark in “Jaws”?

4. U.S. STATES: Which state capital has the highest elevation in the United States?

5. ANATOMY: Where is the corpus collosum located?

6. LITERATURE: Who wrote the children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are”?

7. TELEVISION: Which 1970s TV show had a spinoff hit with “Laverne & Shirley”?

8. MATH: How many sides does a dodecagon have?

9. ASTRONOMY: Which one of the planets in our solar system has the Great Red Spot?

10. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president ended the military draft? Answers

by Linda Thistle

TRIVIA TEST Answers Answers

1. Spain.

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.

2. A flamboyance. 3. Amity Island. 4. Santa Fe, New Mexico.

5. In the brain. It connects the two hemispheres of the brain.

6. Maurice Sendak.

7. “Happy Days.”

DIFFICULTY: �

8. 12.

9. Jupiter.

10. Richard Nixon.

No. 5 was her lifelong lucky number

Once every 30 seconds

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