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PRIMETIME of your life FREE | VOLUME 5 • ISSUE NO. 5 | MAY 2016 Interesting features for our 50+ audience

Teresa Cherry

and the Bob Hope USO Palm Springs ... the perfect partnership

By Lucinda Sue Crosby For PrimeTime of Your Life

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urrently providing programs, services and live entertainment to American military personnel and their families in 180 locations world-wide, the United Service Organizations (USO) was originally the brainchild of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

In the early days of WWII, he recognized a pressing need for boosting the morale of troops stationed far from home and tasked social reformer Mary Ingraham to develop a program.

Since 1941, the USO has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense relying exclusively on private contributions as well as on funds, goods and services made available by corporate and individual donors.

Lieutenant Commander Teresa Cherry (ret) is the Center Manager for the Bob Hope USO located at Palm Springs International Airport. Having enjoyed a successful 23-year career in the Navy, she knows a little something about the USO. “USO volunteers are involved in so many ways when it comes to supporting our troops and their families,” Teresa said. “The help we give can be financial or logistical or

Bicycle Tidbits Page 4

even emotional. As men and women are deployed to or return from posts abroad, we are often the last people to see them off and the first to greet them on their return.”

Teresa Cherry is a clear-eyed woman who radiates enthusiasm and energy. A newcomer to the Coachella Valley, she was born and raised in small town Washington State.

“Graduating from high school was the high point of my early life,” she says with a laugh. “My family wasn’t military but I wanted to travel and see more of the world.”

So, during her second year at Gray’s Harbor Community College, she contemplated enlisting in the Navy. When she asked her grandmother for advice, Granny Lynn answered, “Do it before you change your mind.” Within months, Teresa found herself in Boot Camp in Florida and over the next two plus decades, her wanderlust was slaked.

When she describes her year at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean, her Continued on page 8

Avoid Hidden Credit Card Fees – Page 9

Strawberry Meringue Parfait Page 14

TOPIC OF DISCUSSION PrimeTime of Your Life provides local editorial and advertising content for our active adults (50+).

We strive to educate and inform through lifestyle features and human interest profiles. PrimeTime is distributed throughout the Coachella Valley.

Deb Geissler - Publisher

dgeissler@desertentertainer.com

Jose De La Cruz – Editor

news@desertentertainer.com

Kimberly Brucks - Senior Marketing Specialist kbrucks@desertentertainer.com

Judy Telander - Marketing Specialist

jtelander@desertentertainer.com

Sandy Cloyd - Marketing Specialist scloyd@desertentertainer.com

Lucinda Sue Crosby Feature Writer

(760) 776-5181 | 41-995 Boardwalk, Suite L2 Palm Desert CA 92211 A Product of the Desert Mobile Home News.

Titles registered and all contents copyright 2016

by Hi-Desert Publishing Co. All Rights reserved.

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Petition Calls for Boycott of Target’s ‘Inclusive’ Bathroom Policy Here’s some of what’s been reported

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ver 650,000 people signed a petition saying Target missed the mark with their new transgender inclusive bathroom policy.

The petition, organized by the nonprofit American Family Association, is a response to Target’s published pledge to “welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity.”

The American Family Association, which has been labeled as an anti-LGBT extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, argues that Target’s

policy “endangers women and children by allowing men to frequent women’s facilities.”

“We believe that everyone — every team member, every guest, and every community — deserves to be protected from discrimination, and treated equally,”read the announcement on Target’s blog which also mentioned that the corporation supports the federal Equality Act. The anti-Target petition suggests that the store offer a single occupancy unisex bathroom “for the trans community and for those who simply like using the bathroom alone,” an option that Tar-

get said they already have.

“Hundreds of our stores do have single-sex/family restrooms for people to use if they prefer,” Target spokeswoman said in a statement to the Daily News.

“We certainly respect that there are a wide variety of perspectives and opinions. As a company that firmly stands behind what it means to offer our team an inclusive place to work — and our guests an inclusive place to shop — we continue to believe that this is the right thing for Target,” said a Target spokeswoman.

Feel free to send us your thoughts on this subject by emailing news@desertentertainer.com.

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Keep Your Brain Healthy and Sharp

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ay is officially Bike month - so how about taking a look at some awesome facts about this twowheeled vehicle!

In 1817, Karl von Drais, a German baron, invented a horseless carriage that would help him get around faster. The two-wheeled, pedal-less device was propelled by pushing your feet against the ground, The machine became known as the “draisine,” and led to the creation of the modernday bicycle.

The term “bicycle” was not introduced until the 1860s, when it was coined in France to describe a new kind of two-wheeler with a mechanical drive.

Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who built the first flying airplane, operated a small bike repair shop in Dayton, Ohio. They used their workshop to build the 1903 Wright Flyer.

Fred A. Birchmore, 25, circled the globe by bicycle in 1935. The entire trip, through Europe, Asia, and the United States, covered forty thousand miles. He pedaled about 25,000 miles. The rest was traveled by boat. He wore out seven sets of tires.

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Americans use their bicycles for less than one percent of all urban trips. Europeans bike in cities a lot more often—in Italy 5 percent of all trips are on bicycle, 30 percent in the Netherlands, and seven out of eight Dutch people over age 15 have a bike.

There are more bicyclists in the U.S. than skiers, golfers and tennis players combined.

The Tour de France is one of the most famous bicycle races in the world. Established in 1903, it is considered to be the biggest test of endurance out of all sports.

Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX), an extreme style of bicycle track racing, became a sport in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Maris Strombergs, of Latvia, received the gold medal for Men’s BMX, and Anne-Caroline Chausson, from France, took home the gold in the first Women’s BMX Olympic event.

A bike ride a day… Just three hours of bicycling per week can reduce a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke by 50%, according to the League of American Bicyclist.

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he brain is the body’s most complex organ. It’s also the most important one. That’s why keeping it healthy is critical, especially as you age. Every day, scientists are discovering how closely our minds and bodies are connected. As it turns out, the things that you do to keep your body and heart healthy may also be good for your brain.

Incorporate these eight healthy habits and activities into your daily life to help you optimize brain health and stay sharp in the years ahead.

Get Moving: Physical activity is good for your health at every age.

Studies show being active is associated with a lower risk of brain issues. Whether it’s nightly walks, playing with the grandkids or taking your favorite yoga class, find an activity that meets your needs and gets your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes every day.

Eat to Thrive: The antioxidants in nutrient-dense foods like berries, broccoli and legumes, including some fats such as olive oil, may lower some risks to your brain. Try eating a healthy, low-fat, low-cholesterol diet with lots of vitaminrich fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice.

Know Your Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can have serious effects on your brain health. If your blood pressure is high, get it under control. It may help reduce some risks to your brain.

Drink Moderately: How the body handles alcohol can change

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with age. Some older adults can feel “high” without increasing the amount of alcohol they drink. This can make them more likely to become confused or have accidents.

So limit the amount of alcohol you drink – or don’t drink it at all.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep: Poor sleep, or inadequate sleep, due to issues such as insomnia or sleep apnea, doesn’t just leave you feeling tired. It can have serious physical effects and can impact memory and thinking, too. Get comfy and go to bed. Seven to eight hours is a good night’s rest.

Discover a New Talent: When you learn new things, you engage your brain. Try something you haven’t done before – learning French, ballroom dancing or carpentry, for example. Challenging your brain on a regular basis is fun and beneficial.

Stay Connected: Science has shown that regular engagement in social activities can help reduce some risks to your brain. Stay connected and invite family or friends over for a healthy meal, go on a hike together or just hang out.

Talk to Your Doctor: As you age, some changes in brain function, including short-term memory, happen more frequently than when you were younger. If you have questions or are concerned, ask your doctor at your next appointment.

For more tips on keeping your brain healthy and thriving, visit www.

BrainHealth.gov.

CROSSWORD SCAM ALERT! Scammers can take advantage of your internet-connected car

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s your car connected? Many cars can now connect to the Internet, enabling drivers to play music, use GPS, and access roadside assistance without their phone. Unfortunately, Internet connection comes with a potential drawback. It opens up your car to the risk of hacking, warns a new Federal Bureau of Investigation alert.

HOW THE SCAM WORKS

22 Toyota model

“CONTINENTAL CHALLENGE”

Across

25 Getaway spots 27 Chap

52 Let out

29 “Eat crow,” e.g.

55 Goes diving

1 Drone, e.g.

30 Composer Erik

59 RR stop

5 Map

31 “Broom ___”

60 Make use of

9 Lively 14 Subj. with graphs 15 Defaulter’s loss 16 Variety show

32 Saving protocol

62 Hearty pub meal

33 Radio host Don

64 Copycat’s words

34 Nibble

65 Knight fight

35 Author Erica

66 “Try this!”

17 Heavy kettle

36 Foil alternative

67 Projecting part

19 Scare

40 Gives in

68 “La ___ Bonita”

20 Tulsa coll.

21 Bitter tasting

69 In the center of

41 Hunted

23 Data

Down

44 ___ and blood

24 Taj Mahal, e.g.

26 Time of one’s life 28 Morning side 37 Milk, cheese, etc.

38 “I think,” briefly 39 Decides 40 URL shrinking site 41 In addition 42 Born in France 43 Earth’s shape 44 Mouthing off

43 Country lass

1 Red Bordeaux

46 Court request

2 Lexus rival

47 National forest in California 50 Comic Cheri 51 Single 52 Cloverleaf exit 53 By any chance 54 Port. is part of it 56 Credit card name 57 “Mitla Pass” author 58 Unwelcome mail 61 Register 63 ___ Na Na

3 Classic loafer

35 Casual pants

4 S.A.S.E., e.g.

5 ___ Harum 6 Author Primo 7 Newspaper piece 8 Novelist Morrison 9 Car protector 10 Bas ___ 11 ___ the Terrible

45 Rash cause

12 Ride the waves

48 Prehistoric

13 ___ Sabe

49 “Psst!”

18 Executes, in a way

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You use the dashboard of your connected car to get GPS directions, connect through apps or stream music. But one recent study found that scammers can take advantage of security holes in the Wi-Fi connection to gain access to the car’s computer.

Once they get in, hackers can steal data or even take control of your vehicle.

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Connected car hacking is more of a possibility than an existing issue. But as more people purchase connected cars, con artists are bound to find ways to use them for scams. This just happened with smartphones a few years ago, so the FBI wants consumers to be aware of the potential problem and to treat connected cars like other computer devices.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SCAM Treat your car like a computer. Your connected car is a computer, so use the same common sense you would for keeping your laptop safe. Be especially cautious when allowing third-party devices to access your car’s computer for reasons other than vehicle diagnostics and maintenance.

Respect recalls. If you receive a recall notice for an issue related to your car’s computer system, treat

it as seriously as you would a safety recall and get it taken care of right away. The notification will tell you how to get the problem fixed. Cyber recalls are regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and you can check for all recalls at www. recalls.gov/nhtsa.html Keep your vehicle’s software up-to-date. Manufacturers will do their best to patch security holes. System updates are annoying but vital for protecting your device. Always make sure you have the latest updates, “bug fixes,” and security patches, but only download those officially provided by the manufacturer.

Don’t make changes to vehicle software. Making unauthorized changes to the vehicle’s software may introduce new vulnerabilities that could be exploited by scammers.

Lock your car. Just as you password-protect your smartphone and laptop, be sure to lock your car and know who has access to it.

If you suspect your connected car has been hacked...

Contact the vehicle manufacturer or dealer. Provide them with a description of the problem so that they can work with you to resolve any potential cybersecurity concerns.

For more information or to read the complete alert from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center visit www.ic3.gov/media/2016/160317.aspx. To find out more about other scams visit www.bbb.org/scam. To report a scam, go to www.bbb.org/scamtracker.

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KNOW DID YOU

A 73-year-old woman named Teri Horton bought a painting from a thrift store for $5 only to later discover that, thanks to a fingerprint on the canvas, it was actually an unsigned Jackson Pollock worth millions of dollars.

gers, she was actually carrying more lifeboats than were legally required at the time. That’s because, lifeboats were intended to ferry survivors from other sinking ships to a rescuing ship – not keep afloat the ships population.

The Giraffe used to be called the “Camalopard” because the Ancient Romans and Greeks thought it looked a bit like camel and a bit like a leopard.

The opposite of déjà vu is known as “jamais vu.” This happens when you experience something you recognise but feel extremely unfamiliar with. It can also happen when seeing a person you know or reading a word you’ve seen many times before.

Adult luna moths have no mouths and therefore cannot eat or drink, as they live for just one week and have only one goal: to reproduce.

While the Titanic only had enough life boats to hold 1/3 of the passen-

According to researchers, “Night Owls” (people who prefer to stay up late and sleep in) tend to be more extravagant, impulsive and

Coloring helps relieve tension and anxiety novelty-seeking. They also tend to be more likely to develop addictive behaviors, mental disorders and antisocial tendencies.

race. Under strict rules and heavy oversight, the racers escaped from Belgium simply by continuing after they crossed the finish line.

In 2014 a cat saved his young owner from being attacked by bullies.

After they teased the boy outside his home and shoved him to the ground, the cat ran outside, jumped on the ringleader’s chest and hissed until they fled in panic. The cat then slept outside the boy’s room every night to protect him.

People who speak two languages, may unconsciously change their personalities when they switch languages.

In 1915 a group of 112 Belgian citizens asked the German commandant permission to organize a bike

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According to psychologists, coloring is the best alternative to meditation. Coloring allows you to unlock your creative potential. Perhaps more important, it helps relieve tension and anxiety. It also unlocks memories of childhood and simpler times.

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serve – and feels that this job has given her life real passion and purpose.

USO Bob Hope Manager Teresa Cherry and Volunteer of the first quarter Ron Maier Continued from page 1 face lights up, “It was so in the middle of nowhere that it took 10 days to receive mail and phoning long distance cost $4 a minute! I literally had to plan calls to my family once a month. And I’d say ‘Ok. We have 15 minutes. Go!’” But her surroundings were a true paradise – a tropical setting complete with gentle breezes, palm trees and a warm water lagoon.

“You were discouraged from swimming in the ocean – too many sharks!” Nonhuman populations also included four-legged asses, wild cats and chickens that lived in trees.

Teresa’s other favorite was Naples, Italy. “The Neapolitans have a culture unto themselves,” Teresa said.

“Incredible food, music, breathtaking scenery …I’ll never forget it.”

After retiring from the Navy in 2000, Teresa worked for a time on a government contract in the field of electronic records, her specialty. She applied for a USO position circa 2006 and wound up spending two years at the USO center in Iraq.

“We were situated in Joint Base Balad which was nicknamed Mortar-ita-ville for obvious reasons,” Teresa said. She enjoyed her rather

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demanding experience so much, she decided to stay with the USO as a second career and in 2014 was offered the manager’s position here in Palm Springs.

These days, Teresa has what can only be described as a fulfilling life.

She told me that the USO has given her an important cause to which she can devote herself. “Around the world, USOs are responsible for morale, welfare and recreation. All bases get band tours and meet-andgreet tours of performers – something Bob Hope brought great attention to during his decades of devotion to our troops.”

According to Teresa, there are four centers started by and named for Bob Hope and all are categorized as chartered centers franchised from USO, Inc. “As such, we receive no financial support from the national organization” she said. “We were designed to be totally self-supporting.” Interestingly, in 2015, Bob Hope USO Palm Springs was voted by our troops as the #1 Center in the Small Division USA category.

As we chat, impossibly young-looking men and women are directed to the canteen, the game room, free Wifi, the pool table or a quiet place to nap. When troops come and go through 29 Palms on a varying deployment schedule, they each re-

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ceive a hand-packed sack lunch, a bottle of water and a friendly smile in acknowledgement and appreciation of their service. Sometimes Teresa works 18-hour shifts or longer to make sure the up to 400 young people get the send-off they de-

If you or someone you know is looking for a way to invest time, money or goods and services in the best part of America’s future, consider a gift to the USO. The Bob Hope USO Palm Springs Internation is located at 210 E. Cielo, Palm Springs. The money raised locally stays locally.

For more info, visit www.BobHopeUSO.org or call (760) 866-1100.

Avoid hidden credit card fees

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any consumers are trying to be wiser with their credit cards. They avoid splurging on gifts during the holiday season. They don’t apply for a store credit card every time they’re offered 10 percent off their purchase. Yet hidden charges and overlooked terms and conditions might be covertly padding some consumer credit card balances.

In addition to foreign transaction fees, Van Cleve also recommends keeping an eye on sneaky fee fine print: Changes in APR. Many cards offer an attractive “introductory” interest rate but may hike the rate up significantly after the promotion expires. If you plan on keeping a balance on the card, make sure you look for a card with a low A PR after the introductory rate expires.

Annual fees are rising. On average, Americans paid more than $17 for these fees last year, up 70 percent from $10 in 2010, according to CardHub.com. Average maximum late fees also have risen to more than $35 over the same period.

When evaluating cards for unnecessary fees, he says to first make sure it doesn’t charge a fee for something you do often.

“Many people are using credit responsibly - they’re working hard to keep balances down, but they may be undermining that effort over time by overlooking the fine print,” says Mikel Van Cleve, USAA personal finance advice director

“For example, USAA Bank recently eliminated foreign transaction fees on all of our credit cards. If you frequently travel abroad, a card with no foreign transaction fees could provide significant savings,” Van Cleve says.

Penalties on late payments. Credit cards often have a penalty APR when you pay late. Check out the terms of your account to ensure you aren’t getting an interest rate hike due to a late payment.

Balance transfer fees. Credit cards usually come with a fee to move a balance from another card. Make sure you know the cost of transferring the balance. Often people move a balance to another card with a lower interest only to learn

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that they’ve lost the savings to a balance transfer fee.

Reward terms. Understand the terms of your credit card so you don’t lose points or cash rewards because of a late payment or expiration date. It’s also smart to know what incentives and special offers are available with your card.

Focused on airline miles? See if booking hotel rooms and rental cars with your card earns you more miles, for instance.

Hidden costs for cash advances.

Some cards have higher interest rates for cash advances than regular purchases. Before withdrawing cash, make sure you know the true cost of getting that extra cash.

This kind of fine print is commonplace, so it’s important to understand what fees are on your card and how your spending habits impact the additional fees you can pay. Choose your cards wisely, and you should be able to find a card that fits your needs without paying a fortune in fees. – (BPT)

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May 1, 2004 Eight former Communist nations and two Mediterranean countries joined the European Union (EU) marking its largest-ever expansion.

The new members included Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, along with the island of Malta and the Greek portion of the island of Cyprus.

May 2, 2011 U.S. Special Operations Forces killed Osama bin Laden during a raid on his secret compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The raid marked the culmination of a decade-long manhunt for the elusive leader of the al-Qaeda terrorist organization based in the Middle East.

History This Month in

a 15-minute 28-second suborbital flight that reached an altitude of 116 miles above the earth.

May 6, 1937 German airship Hindenburg burst into flames at 7:20 p.m. as it neared the mooring mast at Lakehurst, New Jersey, following a trans-Atlantic voyage.

May 7, 1992

May 4, 1970 At Kent State University, four students - Allison Krause, 19; Sandra Lee Scheuer, 20; Jeffrey Glenn Miller, 20; and William K. Schroeder, 19 - were killed by National Guardsmen who opened fire on a crowd of 1,000 students protesting President Richard Nixon’s decision to invade Cambodia.

May 5th Celebrated in Mexico as Cinco de Mayo, a national holiday in remembrance of the Battle of Puebla in 1862, in which Mexican troops under General Ignacio Zaragoza, outnumbered three to one, defeated the invading French forces of Napoleon III.

May 5, 1961 Alan Shepard became the first American in space. He piloted the spacecraft Freedom 7 during

CROSSWORD ANSWER

27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, prohibiting Congress from giving itself pay raises.

May 9th Victory Day in Russia, a national holiday commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany during the “Great Patriotic War” (World War II) honoring the 20 million Russians who died in the war.

May 10, 1869 The newly constructed tracks of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railways were first linked at Promontory Point, Utah. A golden spike was driven by Leland Stanford, president of the Central Pacific, to celebrate the linkage.

May 11, 1969 During the Vietnam War, the Battle of “Hamburger Hill” began. While attempting to seize the Dong Ap Bia Mountain, U.S. troops repeatedly scaled the hill over a 10-day period and engaged in bloody hand-to-hand combat with the North Vietnamese.

May 13, 1981 Pope John Paul II was shot twice at close range while riding in an open car in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.

May 14, 1804 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark departed St. Louis on their expedition to explore the Northwest.

They arrived at the Pacific coast of

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Oregon in November of 1805 and returned to St. Louis in September of 1806, completing a journey of about 6,000 miles.

May 15, 1972 George Wallace was shot while campaigning for the presidency in Laurel, Maryland. As a result, Wallace was permanently paralyzed from the waist down.

May 17, 1954 In Brown v. Board of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that segregation of public schools “solely on the basis of race” denies black children “equal educational opportunity” even though “physical facilities and other ‘tangible’ factors may have been equal.

May 18, 1980 Mount St. Helens volcano erupted in southwestern Washington State spewing steam and ash over 11 miles into the sky. This was the first major eruption since 1857.

May 20, 1932 Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. She departed Newfoundland, Canada, at 7 p.m. and landed near Londonderry, Ireland, completing a 2,026-mile flight in about 13 hours.

May 21, 1881 American Red Cross is founded by Clara Barton.

May 22, 1972 President Richard Nixon became

the first American president to visit Moscow.

Four days later, Nixon and Soviet Russia’s leader Leonid Brezhnev signed a pact pledging to freeze nuclear arsenals at current levels.

May 24, 1844 Telegraph inventor Samuel Morse sent the first official telegraph message, “What hath God wrought?” from the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., to Baltimore.

May 25, 1994 After 20 years in exile, Russian author Alexander Solzhenitsyn returned to his homeland.

May 27, 1937 In San Francisco, 200,000 people celebrated the grand opening of the Golden Gate Bridge by strolling across it.

May 29, 1453 The city of Constantinople was captured by the Turks, who renamed it Istanbul. This marked the end of the Byzantine Empire as Istanbul became the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

May 30, 1922 The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., was dedicated. The Memorial was designed by architect Henry Bacon and features a compelling statue of “Seated Lincoln” by sculptor Daniel Chester French.

May 31, 1889 Over 2,300 persons were killed in the Johnstown flood in Pennsylvania.

East Valley Voices Out Loud.

Saturday, May 14 at 8 p.m. A dynamic evening showcasing vibrant talents of singers, rappers, poets, storytellers, musicians, actors, playwrights and visual artists from the East Valley. McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. (760) 340-2787, www. mccallumtheatre.com..

Memorial Day Flower Drop and Air Fair at the Palm Springs Air Museum Michael Bolton. Saturday, May 7 at 8 p.m. Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, who has sold more than 60 million records worldwide. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. (760) 775-5566, www.spotlight29.com.

Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival. May 12 – May 15. Featuring eclectic line-up of noir classics, restoration premieres, rare films and special guest stars Claude Jarman Jr., Ann Robinson and James Curtis. Camelot Theatres, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs. www. arthurlyonsfilmnoir.org.

Friends of the COD Library Summer Book Sale. May 13 - 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Selling thousands of used books in all genres, fiction and non-fiction. All proceeds benefit the College of the Desert Library. Books priced 50 cents and up. Sunday a bag of books is $5. Cravens Student Services Center on the College of the Desert campus, 43-500 Monterey Avenue, Palm Desert. (760) 333-0733, www. friendsofCODlibrary.org.

Mariachi Festival featuring Ana Barbara. Friday, May 13 at 8 p.m. An evening of incredible mariachi music, featuring three talented Mariachi groups including

Mariachi Sol De Mexico, Ana Bárbara and Mariachi Reyna De Los Angeles. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Pl, Coachella. (760) 775-5566, www.spotlight29.com.

Cabaret. May 13 – May 22. Based on the book by Christopher Isherwood, Cabaret tells the story of a seedy nightclib in the 1930s Berlin where a young English performer strikes up a relationship with an American writer, all while a zealous Master of Ceremonies commands the action at the Kit Kat Klub. Palm Canyon Theatre, 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. (760) 323-5123, www. palmcanyontheatre.org.

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Memorial Day Flower Drop and Air Fair. Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a very special day at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Our brief Memorial Day service is dedicated to all of our fallen comrades, who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. In their honor, we highlight the service with a fly-by and flower drop of over 3,000 red and white carnations from a B-25 Mitchell Bomber.

The entire day is filled with flight exhibitions, musical performances, WWII re-enactors, children’s activities and lots & lots of flying aircraft.

Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs.

(760) 778-6262, www.psam.org.

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You Will Need: • Yarn • Scissors You want your scissors to be sharp, or the last step will be difficult. You don’t need any special tools for this pom pom ball – just your fingers!

Before you start, cut an 8-10 inch piece of yarn and a 15 inch piece of yarn and set it aside. You will need these lengths in later steps.

To start, hold the end of the yarn in your hand, and begin wrapping the yarn around your fingers – snug but not too tight. Recommend wrapping the yarn 90 times.

Cut the yarn after 90 wraps, and carefully slide it off your fingers.

Lay it down over the 8-10 inch piece of yarn. Tightly tie a knot around the middle of the 90 loops.

To add the bookmark ‘tail’, use the 15-inch piece of yarn, tie it around the same string you used to tie the 90 loops together.

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Next, holding the ball on it’s side, slide your scissors through the yarn loops and start cutting. Instant fluffy yarn! It will start to resemble a ball, but is in dire need of a haircut!

Start snipping! Be careful NOT to cut off the bookmark tail! Hold it out of the way while you snip.

With this step, you need to cut the yarn pom pom into the shape of a ball. Continue to turn and snip the yarn, looking at the ball from different angles while doing so.

Keep rounding it off until you are pleased with the shape. This step does take practice, and you will improve with each ball you make.

Voila! Your pom pom ball will appear!

These bookmarks are sure to put a smile on any bookworm’s face, and the best part of this project is that kids can make them all by themselves!

Pets and Social Media

Animals garner increased online attention

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very berry lover should have a box of meringue cookies on standby. Snow white, fat-free and light as air, meringues will dress up your favorite berries in this easy dessert, with no need to turn on an oven.

Packaged meringue cookies will keep indefinitely in the cupboard and are the perfect secret ingredient for fresh desserts and easy spring and summer entertaining.

Strawberry Meringue Parfaits with Balsamic Syrup Meringue cookies will dissolve and soften as they sit. But you can use shortbread or any kind of cookie that will stay crisp if you want to make the parfaits ahead.

• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 4 ounces meringue cookies, crumbled (about 12)

Directions 1. Combine vinegar and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small saucepan.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.

Boil about 8 minutes, or until thick. Let cool. Combine with berries.

2. Beat heavy cream, mascarpone, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer until soft peaks form.

3. Layer strawberries, cream mixture and crumbled meringues in glasses. Serve immediately.

Serves 8.

• 4 tablespoons sugar, divided • 24 ounces strawberries, hulled and sliced 1/4-thick • 1 cup heavy cream • 8 ounces mascarpone cheese

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rom dogs and cats filling up social media feeds – some even with their own profiles – to true pet celebrities who command the attention of millions, animals have become a major part of the digital landscape.

With this in mind, Mars Petcare conducted a survey to learn more about people’s social media habits when it comes to animals. Here are some of the top findings.

All Animals, All the Time: About 65 percent of pet owners post about their furry friends on social media an average of two times per week. One in six said they’ve created a social media profile specifically for their pet – and half of those pet owners say their pets get more social attention than they do online. One third said they post about their pets as much, and as often, as they do about their human family and 13 percent admitted to posting about their pets even more than they do their human relatives.

Pet Love Trumps Personal Vanity: More than half of pet owners polled care more about getting “likes” and/or comments for their petrelated posts than they do for most other topics, including changes to their own profile picture. Whichever way you throw the ball, pet posts matter most.

Call Them the “PawPurratzi”: Thirty percent of pet owners follow famous animals on social media. The bottom line is people love pets, whether it’s their own or one with real rock star status, and love sharing their stories with the world. The survey underscores what was already known: Pets have become an integral part of people’s lives and pop culture.

To learn more about how to make a Better World for Pets, visit www. facebook.com/ABetterWorldforPets.

(Family Features)