Vol. 20: #45 • Animation • (11-3-2024) Tidbits of Coachella Valley
"The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read"
by Kathy Wolfe
When we think of animation, our thoughts may immediately think “Walt Disney,” but there’s much more to this form of filmography than meets the eye. This week Tidbits delves into the art of animation and how these talented artists manage to make it work so well providing us with quality entertainment!
• Traditional animation involves pictures being drawn or painted on individual transparent celluloid sheets, or “cels,” which are then photographed frameby-frame onto motion picture film. Successive drawings create the illusion of movement, much like a flip book makes stick figures appear to walk or run. On film, each frame must be drawn by the animator, then filled in with colored paints.
• The human eye retains an image for about 1/10 of a second, so that the multiple images appearing in fast sequence blend together and create the illusion of a single moving image.
• Although Walt Disney revolutionized the animation
TRIVIA NEWSFRONT
(Answers on page 16)
your body
"Fearfully
PLAGUES
The dictionary defines plagues as “a virulent contagious febrile disease that is caused by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis) that occurs in bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic forms”. While many diseases have been referred to as the “plague,” this week Tidbits shows the differences among them.
• There are three forms of plague, with each affecting a different part of the body. Some start with a flea bite, but can be spread by handling an infected animal or between people through the air by infectious droplets.
• The infectious disease known as the plague is actually caused by the bacterium ‘Yersinia pestis’, which was first discovered in 1894 during a Hong Kong plague epidemic.
• Pneumonic plague attacks the lungs, bringing shortness of breath along with chest pain and coughing of blood. Septicemic plague infects the blood, causing tissue to turn black and die. Bubonic plague, the most commonly-occurring type of plague, occurs when a flea bites a human and contaminates the wound with regurgitated blood. It affects the lymph nodes, causing swelling and tenderness.
• Pneumonic plague is the only form that can spread between people. Because it produces coughing and the resulting airborne droplets, it’s very likely that anyone inhaling them will be infected. Its incubation can be as short as 24 hours, and must be treated with antibiotics within a few hours. If left untreated, death can result is as little as one to six days, with a mortality rate of nearly 100%.
1. MOVIES: Who was the only actor to receive an Oscar nomination for work in a “Star Wars” movie?
2. GEOGRAPHY: What is a body of land with water on three sides called?
3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: In 1960, which two candidates participated in the first televised presidential debate in 1960?
4. FOOD & DRINK: What type of flower produces vanilla bean pods?
5. MUSIC: What was the name of blues musician Stevie Ray Vaughn’s first Fender Stratocaster?
6. SCIENCE: What type of gas is absorbed by plants?
7. LITERATURE: What is the name of the submarine in “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas”?
8. TELEVISION: What is Clair Huxtable’s profession in “The Cosby Show”?
9. ANATOMY: What is a more common name for the sternum?
10. ART: Which European city houses the Rijksmuseum?
• The Black Death pandemic that devastated Europe between 1347 and 1351 is believed to have originated in China and Asia. It was carried by merchant ships inhabited by black rats that carried the disease to Mediterranean ports, spreading from there throughout Europe.
• It’s difficult to determine how many perished from the Black Death, although it may have been as much as 60% of Europe’s population, with estimates between 75 and 200 million people. Unable to deal promptly with so many deaths, bodies were piled up at the edge of the cities until graves could be dug, contributing to
contaminated air advancing the spread of the plague.
• Some optimistic people of the Middle Ages believed that trying to be happy and evading bad thoughts could cure the plague. Being kind to the poor, maintaining a modest household, and shunning bad habits was the belief of others. Some tried drinking good wine, avoiding all fruit, and stirring various herbs into beverages, but the mortality rate continued to remain between 30% and 75%.
• Although the Black Death ended in 1351, another plague followed from 1361-1363, 1369-1371, 1374-1375, and 1390. The last major bubonic plague pandemic to occur in England was the Great Plague of London, which struck in 1665. Nearly one-fourth of London’s population, an estimated 100,000 people, died in 18 months.
• Asia experienced significant plagues in the late 1800s and early 1900s. India experienced deaths of nearly 6 million people from the late 1890s until 1917. The plague had originated in China, spreading to various parts of the world, with its effects still felt as late as the 1950s.
• Although the plague has never been completely eradicated, the medical world has become better at both treating it in humans and preventing its spread. Fortunately, only about 600 cases are reported in a year. The countries with the most cases are the Congo, Madagascar, and Peru. The U.S. sees about seven cases a year.
Alec Guinness.
A peninsula.
3. John F. Kennedy and Richard Nix-
industry, a French cartoonist named Emile Cohl is considered the “Father of Animation,” due to his creation of what is believed to be the first fully-animated film ever made. Cohl made 700 drawings to create “Fantasmagorie,” drawing each frame on paper, then shooting them onto negative film. The film, which premiered in Paris in August, 1908, was projected at the rate of 16 frames per second and had a running time of 1 minute, 45 seconds.
EARLY ANIMATION
• “Steamboat Willie” was the first Disney cartoon with synchronized sound, with music of a scene synced with the actions on screen. The 7 minute, 47 second black-and-white film marked the debut of Mickey Mouse, seen piloting a sidewheeler paddle steamer.
• The animated short debuted at New York City’s Colony Theater on November 18, 1928, and was presented five times a day. (Decades later, November 18 became Mickey Mouse’s recognized official birthday.) Disney’s budget for “Willie” was $4,986.69.
• Disney himself provided the voice for Mickey, mostly grunting, laughing, and squawking. When Walt Disney initially approached Louis
Mayer, the head of Metro Goldwin Mayer, with an idea for a mouse cartoon, he was flatly refused. Mayer claimed that women were afraid of mice, and since they were the primary movie attendees, Mayer refused the idea and lived to regret that decision.
• Walt Disney had originally named his creation Mortimer Mouse, but Disney’s wife Lillian disliked the name Mortimer and suggested the name Mickey. Walt also liked the name, and it stuck. He was the voice of Mickey until 1947.
• Although “Steamboat Willie” was renowned for its synchronized sound, it wasn’t the first cartoon to add it, but only the first Disney cartoon with the feature. Brothers Dave and Max Fleischer began using synchronized sound in 1926 in their animated short “My Old Kentucky Home.” They produced 19 sound cartoons in those early days, using a sound-on-film process known as Phonofilm. The brothers introduced Betty Boop in 1930’s “Dizzy Dishes,” and the Jazz Age flapper cartoon character appeared in 90 shorts over the next nine years.
What would be your guess for the wealthiest animator in history? If your guess is Walt Disney, he's down the line at Number Five. The wealthiest animators are the creators of "South Park," Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
• The Fleischers achieved perhaps their greatest success when they debuted “Popeye the Sailor” in 1933. Popeye’s success even surpassed the success of Mickey Mouse cartoons. By 1938, the Fleischer’s company occupied four floors in a New York City building and had 250 employees. Their first full-length feature was 1939’s “Gulliver’s Travels.” Their success was further bolstered when they began animating Superman in 1941.
MODERN TECHNIQUES
• The traditional method of cel animation is now obsolete, with drawings and backgrounds today scanned into or drawn directly into a computer system. Software programs color the drawings.
• The 1990 Disney film, “The Rescuers Down Under,” was an animated adventure film chronicling the adventures of two mice, Bernard and Miss Bianca, who set out to rescue a young Cody in the Australian outback. The film made history as the first film to be produced entirely by the Computer Animation Production System (CAPS), which allowed the animators to digitally paint each frame, then place the cels over scanned background art.
NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE
Disney Studios wanted Flynn Rider, the hero in 2010's "Tangled," to be "the most handsome, most attractive male lead Disney has ever had." They gathered 30 female employees and asked them to bring in hundreds of images of what they considered as attractive men. The images were torn and pasted together with the best features to create one concept drawing.
• While 2D animation is created on a flat plane, 3D animation provides depth and volume, with more lifelike characters and environments, producing more texture and complex movements. Computer software is used to move a character’s body parts around, with the computer calculating the
motion from each frame.
• In 1995 “Toy Story” became the first fully computer-animated full-length film, created with the help of 3D technology. Originally planned to require eight animators and 53 computers, “Toy Story” ended up needing 33 animators and 300 computers. The forecasted budget was $17 million, but closed out at a cost of $30 million.
• Pocahontas was the first Disney princess created by a computerized coloring process. The 1995 film took five years to complete,
Turn to page 15
1. Who were the first TV cartoon characters to voice swear words?
2. What is the name of the lamp seen in the opening of Pixar films?
By Lucie Winborne
* A California man who made a personalized license plate that said “No Plate” received more than 2,500 parking tickets.
* Avid readers won’t be intimidated by a hefty novel, but they’ll still surely be impressed by what’s been deemed the largest book ever. Weighing more than 3,000 pounds and measuring 16 feet by 26 feet with 429 pages inside, the book, which is titled “This is Muhammad,” was created in 2012 by 50 people working together in the United Arab Emirates.
* Prior to 1949, tennis court grass was kept at 2 inches long -- that is, until a player was bitten by a snake. It’s now typically maintained at a length of 8 mm.
* Scientists have found evidence of take-out restaurants in the remains of Pompeii.
* Japan has the highest density of vending machines worldwide, with approximately 5 million machines, or one machine for every 23 people. You can buy everything from live lobsters and bread in a can, to underwear and Buddhist amulets from a vending machine.
* The first European who learned to smoke from the natives was arrested back home because people thought he was possessed by the devil.
* Dolly Parton’s parents paid the doctor who delivered her with a bag of cornmeal.
* The most expensive domain name ever sold was Voice.com, which was acquired for $30 million in 2019.
* Caribbean sperm whales have their own accents.
* After an 8.0 magnitude earthquake hit Mexico City in 1985, nearly all newborn babies survived a collapsed hospital for seven days without nourishment, water, warmth or human contact.
* A flea can accelerate faster than a space shuttle.
***
Thought for the Day: “Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.” --
Danny Kaye
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
by Mary Hunt
My Newly Discovered, Super Helpful Household Tips
assembly line. No magic, no waste and no more soggy saltines. Pretty slick!
THAT FRESH SMELL OF NOTHING
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
by Mary Hunt
Having lived and breathed time- and money-saving tips for over three decades now, I thought I knew it all. I cannot fathom how many thousands of tips and tricks my readers have shared together with all I’ve discovered on my own (borne out of desperation or just plain frugality). So far, I’ve learned enough to fill three hefty published books (“Tiptionary,” “Tiptionary 2,” “Cheaper, Better, Faster”) with clever tips and DIY solutions. Could it be I’ve only scratched the surface? I think so, given what I’ve learned recently.
DOUBLE DUTY FOR TOILET CLEANER
It’s not like I’d never heard of it, but I’d routinely dismissed the idea. Common sense, you know. Gel toilet bowl cleaner to clean grout? Not long ago, I decided to test and prove this was nothing but a wacky idea. Surprise! It actually works. The gel glides out in a perfect little line, like it was born to be a grout warrior. Here’s the drill: Apply the gel (Clorox Clinging Bleach Gel is a good choice) on the grimy grout, let it sit there for five minutes, then grab an old toothbrush -- or whatever scrubby tool you’ve got lying around -- and get to work. You won’t be scrubbing till your arm falls off. Only a little elbow grease, and voila! Your grout will look like new.
RENEWAL FOR STALE CRACKERS
Ever pull out a box of crackers only to find they’ve gone stale and less than crisp? Don’t toss ‘em just yet! Here’s a trick I’ve come to swear by: After baking something and while the oven is still hot, even though you’ve turned it off, spread the sad, stale crackers on a cookie sheet and pop them into the oven. Don’t turn the oven back on; just shut the door and walk away. By the time the oven cools, the crackers will come out crisp and snappy, like they just rolled off the
Got a closet that smells like it’s auditioning for a role in “The Haunted Attic”? Here’s a quick fix: Grab a little organza or mesh bag -- something with holes so it can breathe -- and toss in a few sticks of chalkboard chalk. Hang it on one of your hangers, and let the magic happen. The chalk soaks up moisture like a pro, keeping things dry and fresh. No more musty, mystery smells lurking in your closet, just dry clothes that smell the way they’re supposed to. Hint: A challenging situation will work best with several of these chalk bags.
DIY MULTIPURPOSE CLEANER
Some homemade cleaners pull off stunts that store-bought stuff only dreams of -- and this little miracle cleaner is one of them. All you need is baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, and suddenly you’re a stain-fighting wizard. Got yellow armpit stains on your favorite white shirt? Gone. Baked-on crud welded to your cookie sheets? No match for this magic combo. Here’s the routine: Pour some baking soda in a small bowl. Add enough fresh (it can lose its power after six months, or sooner if not stored closed in a dry, dark place) hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Seriously, it works on all sorts of stubborn messes that just won’t quit. And the best part? It’s cheap, easy and already sitting in your cupboard. Who needs fancy labels and chemical fumes when you’ve got baking soda and peroxide ready to do the dirty work?
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
Letʼs fix our focus on the big screen with facts about “Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs,” America’s first feature-length animated film.
• In 1916, 15-year-old Walt Disney attended a silent film version of the Brothers Grimm Snow White fairy tale in his hometown of Kansas City, and envisioned what would later become his famous classic. Six years after his successful 1928 introduction of Mickey Mouse, Disney began the production of “Snow White,” the first Disney princess.
• The critics thought Disney was crazy to sink so much money into the film, and nicknamed it “Walt Disney’s Folly.” Disney borrowed heavily to produce “Snow White,” even mortgaging his house to finance it. The budget was $250,000, but by the end of things, the cost was $1.5 million, an enormous sum, but especially so in the 1930s.
• “Snow White” took about three years to create,
from 1934 to 1937. More than 750 artists completed upwards of two million sketches.
• The early sketches of Snow White illustrated her as a blonde. But the script changed her with the words of the Magic Mirror: “Lips red as the rose, hair black as ebony, skin white as snow.”
• Several names were considered for the seven dwarfs including, Scrappy, Hoppy, Blabby, Crabby, Flabby, Gabby, Gloomy, Shifty, Stubby, Dizzy, and Weezy. In the end, those chosen were Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, Dopey, and Doc. The mute Dopey was initially to be a talkative chatterbox, but when producers couldn’t find a voice they felt matched his demeanor, he became the silent dwarf.
• Walt Disney himself personally chose 18-yearold Adriana Caselotti for the voice of Snow White. She was paid $970 for her work on the film (about $21,000 today). Her contract with Disney forbade most further acting work, with Walt stating, “I’m sorry, but that voice can’t be used anywhere. I don’t want to spoil the illusion of Snow White.” She also was not even credited for the role. Caselotti branched out into opera instead. At age 75, she recorded “I’m Wishing” for Disneyland’s wishing well attraction.
• The Evil Queen and the old witch were voiced by the same actress, Lucille LaVerne. The old hag’s voice was completely different from the queen’s and was achieved by Lucille removing her false teeth.
• Determined to depict Snow White’s animal friends as accurately as possible, Disney brought in an assortment of live animals into the studio for animators to study.
• The songwriting team composed 25 songs for the film, but just eight were actually used. “Snow White” was the first movie to offer a music soundtrack for purchase.
• Los Angeles’ Carthay Circle Theatre was the site of the premiere of “Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs” on December 21, 1937. The nationwide release followed on February 4, 1938. It was the highest-grossing film in history for a short time, until 1939’s “Gone with the Wind” surpassed it. Adjusted for inflation, it still remains in the Top 10 box office performers. The movie was so successful that Walt was able to purchase 51 acres of land in Burbank, California, to build new studios, those that are still in use today.
• Disney received an Honorary Academy Award for the film – one regular figurine and seven miniature ones. It was first re-released in 1944, followed by seven more re-releases in 1952, 1958, 1967, 1975, 1983, 1987, and 1993. In 1994, “Snow White” was released for the first time on home video.
by Dana Jackson
Q: Is that Richard Hatch from the original “Survivor” on another reality show? Wasn’t he in prison for a while? -- S.S.
A: Yes, Richard Hatch, the winner of the first season of the trendsetting CBS reality show “Survivor,” is on another competitive reality show -- the appropriately titled “House of Villains,” which airs on E! Hatch also competed on “Survivor’s” all-stars edition two decades ago, but was kicked off after being accused of inappropriate behavior by another competitor.
Hatch went on to serve over four years in federal prison for tax evasion after failing to report those “Survivor” winnings and is now open to other reality show opportunities. He’s even campaigning in the press to be chosen for the 50th season of “Survivor,” stating that he’s never missed an episode. According to Entertainment Weekly, he’s fully confident he could win again, declaring that he’s “got the brain to play the game.”
Q: Whatever happened to the sitcom Mayim Bialik had while she was hosting “Jeopardy!”? I thought maybe that’s why she isn’t hosting anymore, since she was too busy doing both shows. -- O.M.
A: The Fox sitcom “Call Me Kat” starred Mayim Bialik, Cheyenne Jackson (“30 Rock”), and
the late Leslie Jordan (“Will & Grace”). It lasted three seasons before it was canceled in May 2023. Bialik was quite busy hosting the weekend edition of the syndicated game show “Jeopardy!” but unfortunately lost the gig in December 2023. The producers decided to stick with Ken Jennings, who was the primary host on weeknights. But with primetime game shows being so popular, perhaps she’ll land another one of those in the near future. In the meantime, Bialik’s set to guest star sometime in the upcoming season of “Night Court,” alongside her former “Big Bang Theory” co-star Melissa Rauch. The new season premieres on Nov. 19 and will air on Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET.
She will also be seen in the upcoming anthology film by Jim Jarmusch, titled “Father, Mother, Sister, Brother,” with Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine”) and Adam Driver (“Ferrari”).
Bialik certainly isn’t hurting for money, however. She was a regular cast member on “The Big Bang Theory” for eight seasons, and she certainly has a bright future in whatever show-business endeavor she chooses next.
Q: When is “Cobra Kai” coming back to Netflix with new episodes? I hope it hasn’t been canceled. -- R.W.
A:”Cobra Kai,” the popular nostalgic series based on the “Karate Kid” movies, is set to return to Netflix for the second half of its final season, beginning Friday, Nov. 15. Ralph Macchio and William Zabka are back for five episodes, along with a “final event hitting sometime next year,” according to TVLine. This time, they’ll be in Barcelona, Spain.
Joining the cast are Lewis Tan (“Deadpool & Wolverine”), Patrick Luwis (“Rebel Moon”), and newcomer Rayna Vallandingham as part of a competing dojo at the overseas tournament.
Expect the setting, which takes place in a karate temple with no crowd-watching, to be a “totally different environment,” according to co-cre-
Good Recipes from
Bourbon-Marinated Steak
A sweetly spiced marinade adds flavor and tenderness to classic grilled flank steak.
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup bourbon whiskey
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 flank steaks (about 1 1/2 pounds each), well trimmed*
1. Prepare marinade: In jumbo self-sealing plastic bag (2 gallons), mix 1 cup water with all ingredients except steaks.
2. Add steaks, turning to coat. Seal bag, pressing out excess air. Place bag in shallow glass baking dish and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight, turning bag occasionally.
3. Remove steaks from marinade. Discard marinade. Place steaks on grill over medium heat, and cook 15 to 20 minutes for mediumrare or until of desired doneness, turning once. (Or, preheat broiler and place steaks on rack in broiling pan. Broil steaks at closest position to source of heat 15 to 20 minutes for mediumrare.)
4. Transfer steaks to warm large platter, let stand 10 minutes for easier slicing. To serve, cut into thin slices. Makes 12 servings. *Or, use 2 beef top round steaks, about 1 1/2 inches thick (about 1 1/2 pounds each). Follow recipe for flank steaks, but grill or broil 25 to 30 minutes for medium-rare or until of desired doneness.
Each serving: About 215 calories, 9g total fat (4g saturated), 47mg cholesterol, 235mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate, 27g protein.
Shortbread Bites
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup cold butter (1 stick), cut up (no substitutions)
1 tablespoon red and green nonpareils or sprinkles, or 1/2 cup mini baking bits
1. Heat oven to 325 F.
2. In food processor with knife blade attached, pulse flour and sugar until combined. Add butter and pulse until dough begins to come together. Place dough in medium bowl. With hand, gently knead in nonpareils or baking bits until evenly blended and dough forms a ball.
3. On lightly floured waxed paper, pat dough into 8-by-5-inch rectangle; freeze 15 minutes. Cut dough into 1/2-inch squares. Place squares, 1/2 inch apart, on ungreased large cookie sheet.
4. Bake cookies 18 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned on bottom. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough. Store cookies in tightly covered container at room temperature up to 1 week, or in freezer up to 3 months. Makes 160 cookies.
By John Allen
DIAMOND LIL
by Brett Koth
Donald Duck by Walt
NEXT WEEK in
TIDBITS GOES
ICE SKATING
11/3 Fill Your Stapler
11/4
11/5 Election
11/6
11/7
11/8
11/9
Dog Talk with Uncle Matty
By Matthew Margolis
Benji and the Bickersons
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Benji, a 1-year-old German shepherd pup. Rarely do I meet a dog I don’t like, but shepherds hold a special place in my heart. We have two in the family right now.
The German shepherd is smart, sensitive and strong, equal parts soldier and sidekick, as comfortable in a police car as he is in a nursery. The American Kennel Club describes this marvelous breed as follows: “Energetic and fun-loving, the breed is very fond of children once a relationship is established. He is a loyal family pet and a good guard dog, the ideal choice for many families.”
Loyal and protective -- desirable qualities in any family dog. But what happens when family members disagree on how to nurture these attributes?
Meet the Bickersons.
Mama Bickerson wants a family dog, a fun, friendly companion she can walk through their neighborhood, sit with at a cafe and play with in the park.
Papa Bickerson wants a guard dog who will intimidate potential intruders and take down those who persist.
While these two wants are not mutually exclusive, attitude, as Winston Churchill said, “is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
Mama Bickerson’s attitude is loose and loving -- and utterly lacking in boundaries. While it’s neither appropriate nor effective to lay down the law too soon with a pup, Benji is now 1, which is plenty old enough to have a solid foundational education under his collar.
Papa Bickerson’s approach, on the other hand, is rigid and self-righteous and flat-out wrong. In his efforts to evoke the protective nature of his pup, he confuses protection with aggression and encourages the latter. He refuses to neuter Benji and takes games of tug-of-war to an extreme, pushing Benji to a growling, snarling state no dog should ever reach.
The saga of listeria in sliced deli lunch meat continues, month after month. The list of affected items gets longer and longer as there is now an additional company subject to recalls due to listeria.
To stay current on the lunch meat recalls, go to CDC.gov and search for “lunch meat listeria recall.” That will give you several articles with information you need.
As if that’s not enough, to be safe, do we need to change the way we prepare eggs? The Food and Drug Administration has now labeled the ongoing egg recall as a class 1, which means it’s “reasonable” to assume that the eggs can cause serious health consequences or death.
To be safe from salmonella, they say, gone are poached and sunny side up eggs. Instead, to kill any possible salmonella, we need to scramble or hard boil our eggs and cook them thoroughly, with both the yolk and the egg firm. To learn more, go to the FDA website (fda.gov) and search for “egg safety salmonella.”
The latest food recalls cover a wide variety of products. There’s dip that’s being recalled because it potentially has mold contamination.
The Art of DESIGN
by Joseph Publillones
Window Masquerade
Wouldn’t it be nice if every room of every place had a view? Let’s face it, not every house, condo or townhouse has a perfect view. In an urban environment, some views may face the wall of a building next door, an interior courtyard or the less than appealing roof of an adjacent building topped with unsightly equipment such as air conditioning units, boilers, antennas, and a sea of tar and gravel. In a suburban environment, your beautiful picture window may look over a neighbor’s yard, garage or even worse -- a nearby window. Everyone wants their homes to be filled with light, but how to accomplish this while respecting privacy and aesthetics?
There are several ways to accomplish designing around a problematic view without sacrificing style. I call it playing window masquerade. The first is to incorporate window coverings, another viable way is to use decorative glass, or you can use plants.
And lactose-free milk that has tree nuts. There’s dog food recalled for salmonella and listeria. And whole cantaloupes with salmonella.
But it’s not all food. There’s the drug remdesivir that has glass particles in it. And the dietary supplement tainted with dexamethasone (a corticosteroid) and chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine). And the baby powder with metal or chemicals in it.
On recalls.gov -- a site that covers recalls from the FDA, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and FoodSafety.gov -- there are recalls for consumer products, boats, medicine, cosmetics, food and more. At this writing, there are recalls of bicycle helmets, bathroom mirrors, yard tractors, playpens and so much more.
If there are certain products that concern you, sign up for email notifications on Recalls. gov
* * *
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
bottom half of a window is another way to disguise a less desirable view and still allow light to come through.
--Cellular blinds made with a translucent fabric that allows light in, while still offering you a sense of privacy. Cellular blinds can also be ordered with a top down feature, which allows you to lower the blind down from the top of the window as much or as little as you want.
Decorative Glass
--You can also block a bad view with frosted glass. There are several ways that you can create the effect of frosted glass on your windows: --Use a frosting spray, which you spray on your windows after thoroughly cleaning them.
Plants
These days, you can find blinds in so many different styles, colors, materials and designs.
Window Coverings
--A woven wood blind with a loose weave that allows some light in but still blocks the view.
--If architecturally appropriate, install decorative iron grilles on the outside to limit the extent of your view.
--A horizontal wood blind with 2 inch slats that can be tilted to let in the light while still blocking the view.
--Installing interior wood shutters on the
--Apply a frosted film, which you can purchase from a hardware store.
--Another way to enhance the decor of the room, yet still block the bad view, is to use stained glass. Many people think that stained glass is only found in churches, but more and more people are using stained glass in their homes now. In fact, stained glass is a perfect window covering for a bathroom window. It blocks the view -- both ways -- but it allows plenty of light to shine through.
--Placing sun-loving plants on an interior windowsill can mask a bad view. It can also create an interesting focal point at the window.
--If your home allows, installing landscape in front of the window can not only mask a bad view, but it can also give you an instant view of a “garden.”
--Another simple and effective way to fool the eye is by installing window boxes and planting them with lush flowers, green shrubs and vines. This will be appealing from both the inside and outside. * * * Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Fla. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
Cody’s Corner (from page 9)
The proof is in the pudding. Benji now lunges at other dogs at the vet’s office, and Mama no longer feels comfortable walking him in their neighborhood. In short, Benji is aggressive. Thankfully, Benji is also young and smart, and it’s not too late to turn things around. But the first thing to turn has got to be the ‘tude -- the ‘tude about training and the ‘tude about the neut. This little shep needs to be neutered -- yesterday. Once that’s taken care of, he needs to be professionally trained -- and you can’t train for protection without first training for obedience. Obedience training is the foundation for good canine citizenship and a steppingstone to advanced learning. Police dogs, therapy dogs, bomb-sniffing dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, agility masters, competitive show dogs, hunting dogs -- they all got their start in basic obedience.
The good news for Benji and the Bickersons: The path to fostering an exceptional family dog is exactly the same.
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
YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
by Tom Margenau
Here Are Some Social Security Rules I Can’t Explain
I’ve always prided myself on being able to explain the rationale behind various Social Security rules and regulations. Many times, readers will send me emails in which they express utter befuddlement at a law or regulation that affects their eligibility for Social Security. It’s usually a situation that results in them getting reduced benefits. And of course, this irks them to no end. They figure the government is just out to shortchange them. But once I explain why the rule exists, they will almost always accept the fact (sometimes grudgingly) that the law makes sense.
My interest in these issues came about early in my career with the Social Security Administration. I would overhear clients complaining to a fellow SSA agent about some regulation that they didn’t like. And the agent frequently would respond by saying, “Well, it’s the law!” That unhelpful comeback did nothing to assuage the anger felt by the customer. So, I made it my mission to understand some of the more confusing laws and why they were enacted. I never wanted to give the totally unsatisfactory “it’s the law” response.
In fact, during my SSA career, I even developed a training session I called “Rationale.” It provided the rationale behind a myriad of Social Security rules and regulations that many people found hard to understand. Sadly, the powers that be at SSA never agreed with me. After a few sessions, they nixed my project. They didn’t think it was necessary for SSA agents to be able to explain the laws. They felt it was simply their job to make sure the rules were enforced. I think they were wrong.
Anyway, even though I considered myself pretty much of an expert on the reasoning behind most of Social Security’s rules and regulations, there were some laws that even I couldn’t, and still can’t, explain. I thought I’d share a few of them with you today.
One of the rules I can’t explain is this: Why doesn’t your dependent wife or husband share in the bonus you earn for starting benefits after full retirement age?
You can earn a bonus in your Social Security checks if you delay starting your Social Security benefits until after your full retirement age. You get an extra two-thirds of 1% added to your retirement check for each month you wait -- up to age 70. (There is no bonus paid for months beyond age 70.) Depending on what your full retirement age is, that can be anywhere from a 24% to a 32% bonus.
But if you have a spouse eligible for benefits on your record, the spousal rate is based on your full retirement age benefit, not the augmented delayed retirement benefit.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that when you die, the widow(er)’s benefit payable to your spouse is based on the higher delayed retirement rate. In other words, your dependent wife or husband doesn’t share in these delayed retirement credits, but your widow or widower will. And again, I can’t explain why one but not the other.
Another rule I can’t explain has to do with what is known as the “waiting period” to collect Social Security disability benefits. The law says that
if your claim for disability benefits is approved, you can’t be paid those benefits for the first five months of your disability. And actually, because the law says it must be five full calendar months, it almost always means that a person has to wait six months before his or her disability checks start rolling in.
For example, let’s say Fred has a severe heart attack on Oct. 10. Some time afterward, he files for Social Security disability, and his claim is approved. Because he was disabled for only part of October, the five full calendar month waiting period would run from November through March of the following year. The first disability check he will get is for April of that year. And because all Social Security checks are paid one month behind, that check will actually come in May.
So why does Fred, who had a severe heart attack in October, have to wait until the following May to get his first disability check? Some have told me that waiting period is there because Fred should have other sources of income (maybe from an employer or an insurance company) during those first six months. Others have suggested the waiting period is built into the law to take some time to make sure Fred really is disabled. I don’t like either of those supposed rationales for the sixmonth delay in starting disability benefits. (By the way, there are some disabling conditions that are exempt from this waiting period.)
Something else I’ve never been able to satisfactorily explain is the reasoning behind the Social Security earnings penalty. I could (and frequently do) spend a whole column telling readers what those rules are. They are quite complex. Today, I will just briefly summarize them.
The law says that if you are under your full retirement age and getting Social Security benefits, but you are still working, you will lose $1 in benefits for each $2 you earn over a certain limit. In 2024, that limit is $22,320. So, for example, if 63-year-old Alice is on Social Security and has a part-time job that will pay her $30,000 this year, the Social Security Administration will be required to deduct
$3,840 from her benefits for the year. ($30,000 minus $22,320 equals $7,680 divided by two equals $3,840.)
That was a very simple example of a very confusing set of rules. There are also special rules that apply to your first year of retirement, and there is a different earnings penalty for the year you reach full retirement age. (Effective with the month you reach FRA, you could make a million dollars a day and still get your Social Security checks.)
My purpose today is not to give you an indepth lesson in the earnings penalty rules, but to tell you I can’t explain why the rules are there in the first place.
I can tell you that when the Social Security Act was enacted in the 1930s, Congress felt a person should be completely retired in order to collect “retirement” benefits. Maybe that made sense back then. But over the years, Congress gradually relaxed those rules. And about 25 years ago, they completely eliminated the earnings penalty for people who have reached their full retirement age.
But why didn’t they just eliminate the penalty for all retirees? Why should people who are under their full retirement age and who are trying to make ends meet by getting a job to supplement their Social Security check lose some of those benefits? I can’t really explain it!
* * *
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 2 Peter is found in the a) Old testament b) New testament c) Neither
2. From Matthew 13, what baking item did Jesus compare to the kingdom of Heaven? a) Flour b) Milk c) Yeast d) Salt
3. What denotes the very precious gum of a tree shrub celebrated for its unique medicinal qualities? a) Mamre b) Linen c) Balm d) Perez
4. Where does one go to find balm according to Jeremiah? a) Corinth b) Gilead c) Derbe d) Joppa
5. What is any writing, especially that which is sacred? a) Seal b) Ordinance c) Sacrament d) Scripture
6. Who tested the word of the Lord with a fleece? a) Gideon b) Job c) Jehu d) Lot
Find expanded trivia online with Wilson Casey at www.patreon.com/triviaguy. FREE TRIAL.
(Answers on page 16) For comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com
Taking Preventative Measures Against Sun Exposure Is Essential
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a question about suntanning. First off, I want to say that I get yearly skin cancer checks, love the sun, and hardly ever use suntan lotion. I monitor my time outside, so as not to get a sunburn. I see warnings about certain days being high ultraviolet (UV) days. Are they talking about UVA or UVB, and which one gives you a tan?
-- S.K.
ANSWER: You’re not going to like my answer, because all types of UV light exposure, whether they lead to a sunburn or suntan, cause damage to the skin and lead to an increased risk of skin cancer. A tan from sunlight leads to a small degree of protection against further UV light damage, but there is still ongoing skin damage with UV light exposure. Even people with very dark skin are susceptible to skin cancer, although their risk is a lot less than others.
UVA light is more constant throughout the year and penetrates deeper into the skin. UVB light is stronger near the equator, at higher altitudes, and closer to the summer solstice. The UV index reported by the National Weather Service considers both UVA and UVB light in its calculations, as well as the time of year, altitude, and cloud cover.
Both UVA and UVB light cause the skin to tan, but tanning from UVA light alone (for example, in a tanning device) doesn’t provide any protection from the sun. So, while I am at least glad that you aren’t exposing yourself enough to get burned, I don’t agree with being out in the sun to get tanned.
I do recommend the liberal use of a sunscreen with protection against both UVA and UVB. It needs to be used in a large-enough quantity to provide protection -- approximately an ounce for an average-sized body, plus another teaspoon for the face and neck. I recommend a high-SPF sunscreen (30 or more). I buy mineral sunscreens such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for myself and my family. Finally, sunscreen needs to be reapplied regularly, especially when exercising or swimming.
Staying out of the sun, wearing sunprotective clothing, and wearing sunscreen will not only help you avoid cancer, but also help you avoid problems that I see in my older patients, who did what you did when they were young. Now they have thinned skin that bleeds easily, as well as “age spots” and other signs of skin damage from the sun, including wrinkles. ***
DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column on blood pressure. I want to know what the recommended blood pressure is for a completely calm person. In other words, what if my blood pressure is always higher during the day and only stays at the recommended pressure when I’m totally relaxed at night?
I read some comments from a longtime cardiologist, stating that you need to
take many blood pressure readings during the day and get the average of these readings. --
J.J.
VETERANS POST
by Freddie Groves
Pandemic Fraud and Scams
ADVERTISING PROOF
ANSWER: Normal blood pressure is considered to be less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. It is certainly recommended to be as relaxed as possible when you get your blood pressure taken at the doctor’s office, since many people have “reactive” or “white coat” hypertension and will be treated unnecessarily based on office readings. However, a minority of people have “masked” hypertension, meaning that the office readings are normal when they actually have high blood pressure at home and at work.
What your cardiologist said about getting many readings is correct. The more readings, the better. Best of all is a 24-hour blood pressure monitor, which has been proven to be the most accurate. I recommend a certified blood pressure monitor for all my patients and consider their home readings to be more important than office readings.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu
VETERANS LUNCHEON
The Covid pandemic has been a virtual pot of gold for thieves and scammers who want to exploit the critical needs of hospitals and doctors. As usual, however, the criminals aren’t too bright. There was the medical supply company that conspired to sell masks that were misbranded, trying to pass them off to hospitals as genuine National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved N95 masks. The thieves gathered up their fake masks from miscellaneous sources and shipped them off at inflated prices. When NIOSH tested the masks, the scam was discovered because the masks couldn’t pass the filtration tests.
by Freddie Groves
A whole alphabet of federal agencies, including the VA’s Office of Inspector General, came together in this effort to investigate and prosecute the thieves. Between the price gouging, the fake masks and the interstate commerce, the authorities had a good case for pandemic-related defrauding and conspiracy.
When the case goes to court, selling misbranded medical equipment alone could net the thieves a fine of a half a million dollars. Adding in the interstate commerce and price gouging could tack on additional fines and years in prison.
Then there was the guy who tried to sell millions of dollars of personal protective equipment to the VA. The scam was pretending the company was an authorized distributor of the PPE. They even generated a fake website and email address. The goods that were sent out were non-conforming and the masks were counterfeit. He was caught.
Another guy stole gloves and PPE and sold them for a cool million dollars. Another scammer stole the relief funds he received, diverting $180,000 of it for his own use. He was caught.
In one scam, however, it almost wasn’t worth the thief’s time: A woman was given two paycheck protection loans for two businesses she owned -- except she didn’t own a business. All she got out of the scam was $41,000. She was caught.
When are they going to learn? The thieves eventually get caught, and we have the VA OIG and other alphabet agencies to thank for it.
* * *
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) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
M.D.
-- by Jim Miller
Best Pill Boxes and Medication Management Tools
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Can you recommend some good pill boxes and daily medication reminding devices? I’ve recently started taking several new prescription medications that are to be taken at different intervals along with some vitamins I normally take daily. I need to get a pill box or a dispenser that helps me organize them. Is there anything you might recommend? -- Almost 70
Dear Almost: Pill boxes (a.k.a. pill organizers) play an important role in keeping people healthy because they help you stay on top of your medication regimen. While there are many options, here are a few tips to help you choose, along with some top-rated pill boxes as recommended by expert reviewers.
Identify Your Needs
When choosing an appropriate pill box for you, you first need to ask yourself a few questions, such as:
How many pills do you take and how big are they? If you take only a few medications, a smaller pill box may be sufficient. But if you’re taking multiple medications and large vitamin supplements, you’ll want to get a large compartment pill box that can hold your daily dosage.
Do you take your pills once a day or multiple times a day? If you take medications only once a day, a simple pill box with one compartment for each day will do. But if you need to take medications multiple times a day, you’ll want to get a pill box with either two, three or four compartments for each day of the week.
Do you have problems remembering to take your medications? If so, there are organizers that have built-in alarms and reminding features, or you can download a free medication reminding app on your smartphone.
Do you have a difficult time opening your medication containers? If so, there are
easy-open pill boxes or automated medication dispensers that are ideal for those with dexterity problems.
Do you need a portable pill box for when you’re away from home? There are smaller portable pill boxes made for traveling, some of which have sealed-shut cases that prevent moisture and dust from entering.
Best Pill Boxes
With help from The New York Times (Wirecutter) and USA Today (Reviewed), some of the best pill boxes in 2024 are offered by Auvon and Sukuos which make a variety of single and multiple compartment pill organizers that are big, colorful and easy to open.
Their top-rated options include the “Auvon Weekly Pill Organizer” for once-a-day medication users; “Sukuos AM/PM Weekly 7 Day Pill Organizer” for twice a day use; “Auvon iMedassist Moisture-Proof Weekly Pill Organizer” for four times a day; and the “Auvon Moistureproof Monthly Pill Organizer” for those who want to organize their medications monthly.
Or, if you’re interested in a travel pill box, the “MUchengbao Travel Pill Organizer” is considered an excellent choice.
All of these pill boxes cost around $10 and are available on Amazon.com or Walmart. com.
High-Tech Pill Organizers
If you need more help keeping up with your medication regimen, there are smart pill boxes that will organize your pills, remind you to take them, track your progress and even text or email caregivers if pills are missed. A popular option to consider here is EllieGrid (elliegrid.com, $149), which connects the pill box to the EllieGrid app (via Bluetooth) that you would install on your smartphone.
Or if you may need even more help, there are automated medication dispensers like the Hero (herohealth.com, $45 per month), which is a comprehensive, Wi-Fi connected, app-based system that will remind you when to take your
pills and dispenses them to you.
Medication Reminding Apps
If you’re interested in a medication reminding app, some top-rated choices include MyTherapy (mytherapyapp.com) or Medisafe (medisafeapp.com). These are free apps that you can download in the Apple or Google Play app stores that will send you timely notifications to take your pills, and reminders to refill your prescriptions.
* *
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.
Consider
ANTIQUE
by Anne McCollam Creators News Service
Pub Pitcher Pleases Collectors
Q: I have sent a photo of a cobalt blue mug that must be at least 100 years old. On the side are these words in gold: “Seagram’s VO Canadian.” On the bottom are these words: “Canadian Whisky -- 86.8 Proof A Blend -- 6 Years Old -- Distillers Co. N.Y.” It stands over 5 inches tall, and the square bottom is 4 inches square. It holds 24 ounces and is in mint condition.
What can you tell me about its value?
Seagram’s pub pitcher appeals to advertising collectors.
A: You have a Seagram’s stoneware pub/ bar pitcher. It is an example of advertising memorabilia. Your pitcher would appeal to collectors of alcohol-related items, barware and also advertising. There is a plethora of these pitchers that can be found for sale on the Internet and also in antiques and collectible shops. Your pitcher was made in the mid-20th century and would probably be worth $40 to $60.
Q: I have a set of porcelain china that is marked with the enclosed trademark. It is a service for 12 and includes cake plates, serving pieces and two tea services, each with creamer and sugar bowls. The dishes are white and decorated with multicolored flowers
Puzzle Solutions
I thought it was wonderful when Madeleine became secretary of state. She's Albright with me!
in the center. On the borders are flowers and scrolls. The edges are scalloped and trimmed in gold.
I purchased the set starting in the late 1970s and through the 1980s. I do not know the name of the pattern.
I emailed the factories in East and West Germany, but they were of no help. Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Rosenthal China was founded in Selb, Bavaria, Germany, in 1879.
A: Philip Rosenthal founded his porcelain factory in Selb, Bavaria, Germany, in 1879. It is still in business and also produces glassware. The mark you enclosed was used after World War II. The German Democratic Republic was located in the Soviet Zone from the end of World War II until 1990, when the GDR was dissolved and Germany reunited.
I found no information on the name of the pattern. If you are looking for pieces to add to your set, you might consider sending a clear photo and a detailed description to a matching service.
The insurance value of your circa 1970s dinnerware would probably be $2,500 to $2,900.
* * * 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
* On Nov. 4, 1960, English primatologist Jane Goodall was observing a group of chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania when she saw one of them making and using a tool, something previously believed exclusive to humans.
* On Nov. 5, 1862, more than 300 Santee Sioux in Minnesota were found guilty of raping and murdering Anglo settlers and sentenced to hang. A month later, President Abraham Lincoln commuted all but 39 of the sentences. While one of the condemned was granted a last-minute reprieve, the others were hanged simultaneously on Dec. 26 in a mass execution witnessed by a large crowd.
* On Nov. 6, 2013, it was announced that the only known copy of Napoleon’s will, which had been written by his close adviser, would be auctioned off in Paris, France. It sold for $483,000.
* On Nov. 7, 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected to a fourth term in office. He remains the only American president to have served more than two.
* On Nov. 8, 1939, on the 16th anniversary of Adolf Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch (a failed takeover of the government in Bavaria), a bomb hidden in a pillar behind him exploded just after he finished giving a speech. He was unharmed, though seven people were killed and 67 others wounded.
* On Nov. 9, 1965, one of history’s largest power failures occurred when New York State, portions of seven nearby states, and parts of eastern Canada went black at the height of rush hour, thanks to the tripping of a 230-kilovolt transmission line near Ontario, Canada, which caused several other lines to fail as well. Eight hundred thousand people were trapped in subways, thousands more were stranded in office buildings, elevators, and trains, and 10,000 National Guardsmen and 5,000 off-duty policemen had to be called into service.
* On Nov. 10, 1973, newspapers reported the confiscation and burning of 36 copies of Kurt Vonnegut’s novel “Slaughterhouse-Five” by school officials in Drake, North Dakota, after a student’s mother took a complaint about the book to the principal.
(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
"Since I mentioned I was an organ donor on Facebook, I've been bombarded by a dozen geriatrics who've friended me."
Animation: from page 3 while 55 animators worked on the character of Pocahontas alone. The movie was released on what is believed to be the 400th anniversary of Pocahontas’ birth. In the second part of the film, Pocahontas’ hair is gathered up into a bun, due to a shortage of artists’ time to draw her long flowing hair. The film earned two Academy Awards, one for the Best Original Song, “Colors of the Wind,” and a second for the Best Original Musical Score.
• The honor of most expensive animated film in the world belongs to Disney’s 2010 feature “Tangled,” based on the German Brothers Grimm fairy tale “Rapunzel.” The production took six years and cost the studio $274 million. Fortunately, the film earned $592 million worldwide in its initial release. The challenge of animating “Tangled” lay in the difficulty of creating a program for the character’s long hair. A hair simulation program called Dynamic Wires was finally developed and used.
• Three animated films have earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. The first was Disney’s 1991 classic “Beauty and the Beast,” which lost to “The Silence of the Lambs,” although won two other Oscars. In 2009, Pixar’s “Up” was nominated for Best Picture and four other categories. “The Hurt Locker” edged out “Up” for the win. “Toy Story 3” was nominated for five Academy Awards in 2010, including Best Picture, but lost the big one to “The King’s Speech.”
• The first half-hour television program to feature only animation, “The Huckleberry Hound Show,” premiered in 1958, featuring three short cartoon segments – Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear, and Pixie & Dixie.
• In the mid-20th century, animation made its way into commercials with Tony the Tiger, Snap, Crackle, & Pop, and the bugs in the Raid commercial that claimed it “Kills Bugs Dead!”
Changers
by Jason Jenkins
The backswing has many different allowances when it comes to arm movement, wrist action, and club travel, but the hips need to have a specific action for power and stability.
One of the most common faults in many amateur golfers is a sliding hip action with little to no rotation in the backswing. The hips will move only laterally, many times shifting the body weight to the outside of the right foot. The lack of hip and right leg rotation is one of the most common power leaks in all of golf.
The correct right hip and leg action is a blend of rotation with a little weight shift. Mostly, the right hip has to turn as the arms are swinging the club back and over the right shoulder. With top players, the hips are continuously turning throughout the backswing.
The right thigh will also turn, but the weight should stay on the inside of the foot and towards the heel. Imagine someone squatting behind
