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Thursday January 2, 2020

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Volume 65 | Number 19

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CELEBRATING THE RESIDENTIAL PARK COMMUNITIES FOR 65 YEARS

The Film’s the Thing Palm Springs International Film Festival returns for its 31st year

Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck in “Joker.”

By Alison Elsner

T

he slate board will soon clap together to roll scene on the annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, set for January 2-13, 2020. The event will be presented by American Express, sponsored by AT&T and “Entertainment Tonight” and hosted by Mary Hart. Now one of the largest, most highly regarded film festivals in North America, the festival has grown by leaps and bounds since its launch by then-Palm Springs Mayor Sonny Bono in 1989.

The Festival features over 200 films from 60 countries, and its audience tops 135,000 people.

Attendees include thousands of locals, however 70 percent of participants are from outside the Coachella Valley, many from Canada and Europe.

The Film Awards Gala on January 2 is a star-studded party held at the Palm Springs Convention Center with dozens of Hollywood stars making a grand entrance.

This year’s honorees will include Renée Zellweger, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron, Martin Scorsese, Jennifer Lopez and Antonio Banderas. Other honorees will be announced closer to the

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Gala. Tickets sell out quickly for this event. (Call 760-318-8371 or email awardsgala@psfilmfest.org).

Opening night on January 3 kicks off with one of the season’s biggest film hits, to be announced, followed by a reception.

Closing night will also feature a top screening on January 12, followed by an after-party. Multiple films will be screened each day throughout the Festival at several theaters around Palm Springs. Attendees can plan to attend single screenings or 11 days of films with special packages, such as “Reel Deal Six Pack” tickets, starting at $13 per screening with numerous packages available.

Many of these films, whether American or international origin, become clear predictors of Oscar award winners.

ANSWER ON PAGE 9

To purchase tickets for film screenings, call the box office at 800-8987256 or 760-778-8979 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; visit the box office in person at 707 E. Tahquitz Canyon, Suite G15 (Regal Theater Courtyard) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting December 17 and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the Festival dates of January 3-12; or visit the website at psfilmfest.org.

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January 2, 2020

WORD SEARCH Dealing With Rudeness

ANSWER TO WORD SEARCH ON PAGE 9

ASSESSMENT

LEADERSHIP

PROFESSIONAL

CLUTTER

LISTENING

RESPONSIBILITY

DATA

MANAGEMENT

SCHEDULE

DEADLINES

NOTES

SHELVES

FILING

ORGANIZED

SKILLS

GARBAGE

PRESENTATION

STORAGE

GROUPINGS

PRIORITIZE

TIME

INSTRUCTION

PROBLEM SOLVING

TRAINING

I’m not the only one who’s been muttering around town about drawing a line over how we seniors are sometimes treated. Some of us have decided to take a stand and speak up. Want to join us?

One elderly man was in the middle of placing his order at the counter of a coffee shop bakery that he visited every day. The cashier stopped in the middle of taking that order to speak at length with someone who came into the shop. There was no, “I’ll be with you in a minute,” to the person who was interrupting. The man was just ignored for a very long three minutes ... when he walked out. He won’t be going back, I’m sure, but he did call the bakery’s owner.

Then there was the senior who’d made it clear (or so she thought) at her doctor’s office that she couldn’t make morning appointments, that they needed to be scheduled in the afternoons because of transportation reasons. She was irritated when she

ANSWER ON PAGE 9

Bucket Lists for Dying Pets?

Bah, Humbug

Staff Cindy Melland Publisher Kimberly Brucks Advertising Manager KBrucks@desertentertainer.com

Jose De La Cruz Senior Graphic Designer news@desertmobilehomenews.com

Serving 110 Mobile Manufactured Home and RV Parks in the Coachella, Morongo and Yucca Valley for 65 years. The Mobile Home News is a household tradition for the 55+ manufactured home park and RV Park population. Available at clubhouses and racks in manufactured home parks. Also available in many area businesses and senior centers.

Businesses or private parties interested in advertising to the 55+ community please call 760-820-2610.

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Dear Paw’s Corner: I don’t understand this trend of making a “bucket list” of things to see and do with a dog once they get old or ill. Why bother? Does the dog understand that it’s supposed to be checking off this list? Why didn’t the owner make the time to do these things when their pet was younger and healthier? I think owners should just concentrate on making their pets comfortable. -- Dottie J., Philadelphia Dear Dottie: There’s a car commercial that ran on U.S. television where an owner takes his beloved senior dog on a road trip to do a whole bunch of things on a list, like run on the beach, play Frisbee, eat steak and have one final adventure. It’s a nice spot, but its goal is to sell cars, not bucket lists.

I can tell you that most pet

received a message from the office that her appointment would be at 8:00 the next morning. Her solution? She left a message for the doctor himself.

Another person who gets delivery of his drugs from the pharmacy in town asked for a onehour window when they’d be delivered. He was told, “They’ll be there sometime this afternoon.

You weren’t going anywhere anyway, were you?” His solution? He called the pharmacy manager.

When we’re trying to make a fairly large purchase and we’re continually steered toward more expensive items ... when the tech guy thinks we don’t know how to operate a computer ... when it’s assumed we’re uninformed ... when we’re not amused to be called “young lady” or “sweetie.”

We won’t necessarily cause a fuss, but we will speak up. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

“bucket lists” are much tamer and nothing to get grumpy about.

Most owners concentrate on keeping their pets happy and comfortable in their final months. If they’re able to get around without too much pain, a trip to the park or the beach is certainly a possibility. If a dog can keep a steak down, or a cat enjoy a piece of fish (or Doritos, one of my cats’ favorite treats), even better.

Reading comments from veterinarians about pets’ last days, it is clear that being with their owner to the end is a great comfort to pets.

A bucket list is fine if it maximizes time spent with a pet to let them know they’re loved and cared for.

Talk with the vet to understand the best ways to keep pets happy and as pain-free as possible. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

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January 2, 2020 • You know what a mortgage is, but do you know how the word came to the English language? The “mort” should give you a clue. The roots trace all the way back to a Latin term meaning “death pledge.”

1. TELEVISION: What were the names of the villainous agents in “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle”?

2. MUSIC: Which rock group produced the album “Shout at the Devil” in the 1980s?

3. LAW: What was the subject of the landmark legal case titled Furman v. Georgia?

4. MEDICAL: What is a more common name for dyspepsia?

5. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What does a lepidopterist study?

• It was Samuel West, the founder and curator of Sweden’s Museum of Failure (which showcases disasters in design and innovation), who made the following sage observation: “Each failure is uniquely spectacular, while success is nauseatingly repetitive.”

• Those who study such things say that the earth is more flattened at the South Pole than the North Pole. The weight of all that ice is to blame.

6. LITERATURE: How many ghosts appear in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”?

8. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories?

10. U.S. PRESIDENTS: What was Richard Nixon’s middle name? © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

ANSWER TO TRIVIA ON PAGE 9

• Clams can live for more than 200 years.

• Last bowl’s worth of cereal? If you don’t like the cascade of bits and dust at the bottom of the bag, simply empty the contents into a colander before you put it in the bowl.

7. LANDMARKS: What lies around the feet of the Statue of Liberty?

9. MOVIES: What was “Flipper” in the 1996 movie?

• A famous and oft-quoted line from Sherlock Holmes is “How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?”

However, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle didn’t come up with that one himself; he took it from a story by Edgar Allan Poe, another pioneer of the detective genre.

• “I bought a mesh laundry bag at the dollar store and hang it from a hook in the closet where I keep my hamper. Socks go in the bag. When I’m ready to do laundry, I tie a knot in the bag and toss it in. Socks stay together.” -- T.O. in California

• Break in new shoes with a thick pair of wool socks. Wear the socks with the new shoes around the house while tidying up.

• The reason for the correlation is not clear, but some studies suggest that hay fever is more common among people who are shy.

• Judge Roy Bean was a justice of the peace in Texas in the 1800s -he called himself “The Law West of the Pecos.” It’s interesting to note, though, that his earlier endeavors included rustling cattle in Mexico.

• According to historians, basic training in the legions of ancient Rome could take three or four years.

• If you know someone who, for some reason, is overly fond of sneezing, your friend is a steruphiliac. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

in there. He says if he hangs it, it doesn’t get mildew on the bottom around the suction cups.” -T.K. in Missouri • Common substitutions: Recipe call for semisweet chocolate? Per ounce, use one square (1 ounce) of unsweetened chocolate and add 4 teaspoons of sugar. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

• “My dad keeps a pants hanger in the bathtub to hang up the small nonstick mat that he keeps

ANSWER ON PAGE 9

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CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Beer ingredient 5. Popular FOX TV show 11. Recurring from time to time 14. Criticized severely 15. Musician 18. German urban center 19. Quenched 21. Human gene 23. Indian music 24. Accumulate 28. One who graduated 29. Atomic #109 30. Semitic fertility god 32. Sportscaster Patrick

16. Viking Age poet 17. Vanuatu island 20. Wish harm upon 22. Unit of length 25. Blood type 26. Drain 27. Do-gooders 29. Advanced degree 31. Business designation 34. ChineseAmerican actress Ling 36. Performs on stage 37. Slang for money 38. Large Russian pie ANSWER TO PUZZLE ON PAGE 9 40. The Mount Rushmore State 33. Child’s dining 62. Reddish 43. Narrow inlet accessory browns 45. News 35. Payment 63. This (Spanish) organization (abbr.) (abbr.)

36. Guitarist’s tool DOWN 48.

Scarlett’s home 39. Dabbling ducks 50. Micturates 41. Commercial 1. Belong to he 51. Monetary unit 42. Style 2. One time only 53. Any customary someone’s hair 3. Parent-teacher observance or 44. Biu-Mandara groups practice language 4. Puts in place 54. Sons of 46. Actress 5. Editing Poseidon Spelling 6. In the course of 55. Facilitates 47. Large hole in 7. Helps injured grocery the ground people (abbr.) shopping 49. One-masted 8. OJ trial judge 57. Standard sailboats 9. Resist authority operating 52. Tropical Asian (slang) procedure plant 10. Formerly 58. Former OSS 56. Concurs alkenols 59. Midway 58. Latin term 12. “Cheers” between south for charity actress Perlman and southeast 60. The number 13. Jewelled 61. The Wolverine below the line State in a fraction headdress

SUDOKU

ANSWER TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 9

Brain Teaser What has a head, a tail, is brown, and has no legs?

SEE ANSWER ON PAGE 9

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ing, dancing, bowling, gardening or playing with the kids are excellent ways to get physical.

A Healthy New Year Without Dieting This is the time of year when many people start diets. But after a few weeks of not getting enough to eat or eating food that does not taste good, most dieters give up, having “failed” once again. The truth is, though, it is the diets that are the failures, not the people who try them.

Instead of improving health, dieting is often harmful and counterproductive. Health statistics show that only 5% to 10% of those who diet and are able to lose weight are able to maintain that weight loss for more than a short time. Most dieters quickly regain the lost pounds -- plus a few extra -- and end up heavier than they started.

Diets promote unhealthy eating habits, often by eliminating nutritious foods. Dieters are encouraged to ignore internal body signals of hunger and fullness.

Eventually, the ability to respond appropriately to these normal physiological processes is lost.

Chronically hungry people become obsessed with food and are likely to overeat when an opportunity to do so presents itself.

This year, instead of trying yet another diet, resolve to make a positive change for good health.

Focus on taking one step at a time, as changing behavior and attitudes is difficult and takes time.

Here are some great tips from Linda Rellergert, regional nutrition specialist at St. Charles County University of Missouri Extension: Accept that there is no ideal body size, shape or weight. People come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and all can benefit from a healthy lifestyle. Research conducted by Steven Blair, director of research at the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas, has shown that people can be both fit and fluffy. He notes “There will always be tall, skinny people and short, stocky people.

That’s out of our control. What we can do is exercise regularly, follow good health practices, and live life to the fullest.”

Make physical activity a part of every day. Benefits include reduction in blood cholesterol and lipids, lower blood pressure and relief from stress. Find activities that are fun and enjoyable, and that fit into daily routines. Walking, skat-

Get more sleep. Most of us get seven or fewer hours of sleep rather than the eight hours a night recommended by the National Sleep Foundation. This may seem like just a small deficit, but the effects are cumulative. Chronic sleep deprivation contributes to stress and tension, accidents in the home, workplace and on the road, and can cause difficulty in coping with the little everyday annoyances of life.

Adopt normal eating patterns.

Normal eating means regular meals and one or two snacks a day to satisfy physical hunger.

Healthful food choices provide variety, moderation and balanced nutrition. Respect the body’s signals of hunger and fullness by eating when hungry and stopping when satisfied. Normal eating also means eating more on some days and less on others, and trusting that it will balance out over time. Finally, find non-food ways to cope with stress.

Here are some tasty and easy to prepare breakfast or snack muffins with variations that are guaranteed to start your New Year’s off in a healthy way!

BASIC MUFFIN MIX • 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1 large egg • 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey • 1 cup milk any kind • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract You can prepare the basic mix or add the following ingredients to the recipe to create 4 variations of this recipe: * 1 cup blueberries fresh or frozen and 1/4 cup sliced almonds or; * 1/2 cup natural peanut butter or nut butter, or; * 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, or; * 1/4 cup chia seeds, 1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds, 1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds, 2 tablespoons ground flax and 1/4 cup chopped, toasted almonds.

1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. Line a muffin tray with silicone or parchment liners, or spray generously with spray oil.

3. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together for preferred recipe.

Spoon in or use a cookie scoop to place into the prepared muffin liners or tin. Try to get oat mixture and liquid evenly divided between all liners.

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden and no longer jiggling in the center. Cool completely before storing. Makes 6-8 muffins. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc., and Angela Shelf Medearis

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College of the Desert Offers New Class in Palm Springs for Learning in Retirement Participants

Learning in Retirement is offering a new class in Palm Springs for seniors who want to exercise their brain and expand their awareness. The class, Hot News Hot Views, provides students the opportunity to discuss breaking local, state, national and international news with curious and knowledgeable colleagues.

Taught by John Considine, the course will take place Tuesdays, from January 7 through February 25, 2020, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership Boardroom, located at 3111 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way in Palm Springs.

A variety of Learning in Retirement classes are currently offered in Palm Desert at the College of the Desert’s Partnership and Community Education classrooms in the Westfield Mall.

Participants can take multiple (up to five) courses for one modest flat fee of $60 per semester.

To register, visit the Learning in Retirement website at www. lirpalmdesert.com. The start of the Winter term begins the week of January 6, 2020, with most classes running eight weeks.

There’s a new addiction to add to your list ... it’s The Hallmark Channel. They’ve been playing their Christmas movies since last Christmas, amassing a list of 136 holiday films (40 filmed in 2019).

The Hallmark Channel was acquired by Crown Media in 2001, and their first Christmas movie was “Meet the Santas” (2005), with Steve Guttenberg and Mariette Hartley. In 2006 they produced the original film “The Christmas Card,” with Ed Asner and Lois Nettleton. In 2017 they beat all four major networks in one night with “The Christmas Train,” starring Joan Cusack, Dermot Mulroney and Danny Glover.

The Hallmark Hall of Fame produced classic movies for television that won 81 Emmys out of hundreds of nominations.

They’re using the same actors and actresses and supporting players over and again, like the old studios system did. Upcoming in 2020 they have “Winter in Vail,” with Lacey Chabert and Tyler Hynes; “Alice in Winterland,” with Chad Michael Murray; “A Beautiful Place to Die: A Martha’s Vineyard Mystery,” with Jesse Metcalfe; “Hearts of Winter,” with Jill Wagner and Victor Webster; “Love on Iceland,” with Kailin Doubleday and Colin Donnell; and “Crossword Mysteries: Abracadaver,” with Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott. They have 23 more new films in development.

Their films have a basic formula. It’s usually about an ambitious rising female executive who has lost her Christmas spirit or hasn’t been home for a visit to her small town, where she meets a widower with a child. One hour and 15 minutes later they almost kiss, but are interrupted by a ringing

Lacey Chabert Photo coutesy of Hallmark Channel

phone or a person. One and a half hours in, a conflict occurs when one sees the other with their old flame, gets the wrong idea and bolts. Miraculously, in the final six minutes everything is resolved, they kiss, and we fade out.

The majority of the films are shot in Canada, but there are other locations. “Moonlight in Vermont” was shot in Chester, Vermont (population 3,000); “Christmas in Homestead” in Dahlonega, Georgia (population 6,437); “A Christmas Wish” in Mapleton, Utah; “Christmas Land” and “Pioneer Village” in the Lagoon Amusement Park, Farmington, Utah; and “Christmas Cookies,” in Squamish, British Columbia. These are real places you can visit, as is the set of “When Calls the Heart,” which was erected in 2013 in Langely, near Vancouver. The series has been renewed for a seventh season, and they offer a town tour (one hour for $20) or a private tour (two hours for $35).

I thought it was just me, but friends have confirmed that they, too, found it hard to turn off the TV while these film were aired all night long during the Christmas season. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Blown Glassware

“Judy” (PG-13) -- Judy Garland comes alive in director Rupert Goold’s biopic starring Renee Zellweger in the title role. It picks up later in the iconic singer’s life, circa 1968, when Garland must take a gig in London, where her star power has not begun to dim, in order to right her rocky finances. This just as she’s attempting to hold on to custody of her children.

It also follows her romance with Mickey Deans (Finn Whitrock), who would go on be her fifth husband, as well as flashbacks to her studio days as a child star. The standout performance is Zellweger, who plays Garland masterfully -- perhaps too masterfully, as it’s Zellweger you see, rather than any revelations into Garland.

“Adopt a Highway” (NR) -Russ Millings (Ethan Hawke) is an ex-convict just released from a 20-year stint in the California penal system. But this is no hardened criminal. Instead, Millings is the type of institutionalized person who jumps at a brusque tone. He gets a job at a diner washing dishes and attempts to adjust to the bright and shiny new world he’s been released into. And then he finds an abandoned baby, Ella, in the dumpster behind his diner, setting him off on a gentle awakening of innocent hope in a world that can be difficult to navigate.

“The Kill Team” (R) -- Specialist Andrew Brigmann (Nat Wolff) is an earnest young American soldier stationed in Afghanistan

Renee Zellweger in “Judy” Photo courtesy of Pathe Films

at the start of the U.S. conflict.

Assigned to a tough unit with a charismatic but cruel leader -- Sergeant Deeks, played by Alexander Skarsgaard -- Brigmann witnesses other team members killing Afghani civilians and other atrocities. As he contemplates blowing the whistle on these violent crimes, it quickly becomes clear that his loyalty is questioned, and his fellow soldiers and sergeant are closing in for the kill. Wolff does a tremendous job of expressing the conflicting forces he’s under. Based on real-life events.

“The Gallows: Act II” (R) -In this supernatural horror from Blumhouse studios, Auna Rue (Ema Horvath), a not-so-successful vlogger, finds a copy of a cursed play in her high school library, from which she performs a monologue with much aplomb. Then she’s approached by an anonymous online fan who directs her to the “Charlie Challenge” -- “Charlie” being a cast member who was hanged during the original production with a “challenge” to record yourself performing a passage and document any paranormal activity. While the challenge amps up her followers, she also finds she’s being “followed” by a malevolent Hangman from the beyond. This is a sequel to the 2015 film. It wasn’t any better. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

It is very difficult to identify early blown glassware from the 18th century because talented modern glass blowers can make good copies in the earlier styles and colors.

Today, chemical analysis of the glass, along with other modern methods, can identify the source of the sand (silica) used in glass.

This led to the discovery that many museums had 1930s Mexican copies.

If you are lucky enough to find a piece of early American blown glass, look at the shape and clarity of the glass, ask about the history, and look for scratches and other marks that indicate wear. Then get a bill of sale that describes the piece and includes the probable age and history. Also, be sure there is a money-back guarantee if the piece turns out to be a fake.

Most auctions do this, but online sales of unknown dealers or galleries can be dangerous, especially when you are buying old glass.

A bright cobalt blue-blown covered sugar bowl was sold at a Norman C. Heckler & Co. auction for $2,340. It is 6 3/4 inches high and 4 3/4 inches in diameter.

Of course, it has a scar from the pontil rod. The finial on the lid is shaped like an acorn, but the best clue to its age is the engraving “A.G. 1780” on the glass and the knowledge that it has been in a famous glass collection for many years. Experts think it was made in the Pittsburgh area.

Q: I have a Carlton Ware walking teapot, four cups and sugar bowl with Hawaiian decoration. What are they worth?

A: Walking Ware tea sets are creamy rounded earthenware pieces mounted on quirky legs.

This amazing piece of blown blue glass made in 1780 in Pittsburgh is a rarity that sold for $2,340. But be careful when buying antique glass; many fakes were made in the 1930s and may still fool buyers.

They were designed in 1974 by husband-and-wife team Roger Michell (1947-2018) and Danka Napiorkowska (b. 1946) and made in their English studio called Lustre Pottery. Pieces were handmade by Roger, then decorated by Danka. Later, Walking Ware was also made by Carlton Ware, a Stoke-on-Trent pottery factory started in 1896. After a trip to the island of St. Lucia, the couple designed the Caribbean Series in 1978 with a tropical theme decoration in light blue, green and yellow. The legs are wearing white socks with a blue band and yellow shoes. Pieces were made

by Lustre Pottery and also by Carlton Ware until they closed in 1986. Limited-edition items were made in the 2000s. Plain Walking Ware pieces sell from $10 for an egg cup to about $50 for a teapot.

Caribbean-decorated pieces sell for about twice that. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Wakanda Delisted as a U.S. Trading Partner

ANSWER ON PAGE 9

Trade pacts with China, Mexico, Canada, etc. quickly make headlines, whether it’s a new trading affiliation or one that is being discontinued. But, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC], America’s trade partnership with the Kingdom of Wakanda was not widely reported, perhaps because it never existed. Nor did Wakanda exist.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture explains that the fictional country [some may recall that Wakanda is the home of Marvel

Comics superhero Black Panther] was being used to test its Tariff Tracker system and should have been removed when the tests were complete. For a while there, however, Wakanda was publicly listed on its Web site as being among U.S. trade partners. It was quickly removed when the USDA began receiving inquiries.

The Association of Mature American Citizens [amac.us] provides the Filler Files as a service on issues of concern to Americans over 50.

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January 2, 2020

was spotted on the rock-strewn shore of the island after climbing over the walls. As he waded into the water, the guards shot and killed him.

On January 16, 1605, Miguel de Cervantes’ “El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha,” better known as “Don Quixote,” is published. The novel gave rise to a number of now-common idioms, including the English phrase “tilting at windmills.”

On January 18, 1803, Thomas Jefferson requests funding from Congress to finance the Lewis and Clark expedition. Though he did not disclose his intentions to Congress, Jefferson planned to send Meriwether Lewis on a reconnaissance mission to assess future territorial expansion into the west.

On January 19, 1915, during World War I, Britain suffers its first casualties from an air attack when two German zeppelins drop bombs on the eastern coast of England.

On January 13, 1939, Arthur “Doc” Barker is killed while trying to escape from Alcatraz Prison in San Francisco Bay. Barker, of the notorious “Bloody Barkers” gang,

On January 15, 1951, Ilse Koch, wife of the commandant of the Buchenwald concentration camp, is sentenced to life imprisonment in a court in West Germany. Nicknamed the “Witch of Buchenwald,” Ilse collected lampshades, book covers and gloves made from the skin of tattooed camp prisoners.

On January 14, 1969, an explosion aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise kills 27 people in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. A rocket accidentally detonated, destroying 15 planes and injuring more than 300 people. The Enterprise was the first-ever nuclear-powered aircraft carrier when it was launched in 1960.

On January 17, 1977, Gary Gilmore, convicted in a double murder, is executed by a firing squad in Utah, becoming the first person to be executed in the United States since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. (c) 2019 Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Turmeric Can be Helpful for Arthritis Pain Dear Dr. Roach: I am 88 and have had osteoarthritis in my hands and knees since I was in my 50s. I began taking Tylenol and Advil for pain. But on a recommendation from a health food store clerk, I started taking turmeric. Since that first dose, I have never had to take any pain medication again. I also have not had a knee replacement. My specialist is very pleased with my condition, and encourages my use of turmeric. I plan to up the dose from 150 mg daily because of research that shows its benefits in avoiding Alzheimer’s disease. -- D.D.L. Answer: Turmeric has been shown to be helpful in some people with osteoarthritis, and is unlikely to have serious side effects; however, stomach upset is possible, and turmeric should be used with caution in people on warfarin or other anticoagulants.

However, there is no good evidence showing that turmeric prevents or treats dementia.

Dear Dr. Roach: I have been hearing a lot about making yogurt at home. Is homemade yogurt a recipe for food poisoning?

-- H.C. Answer: Homemade yogurt is easy to make, can be more healthy than store-bought as it has very little sugar, and can be made very safely with minimal precautions.

The key is to make sure the milk is fresh and sterile, then to carefully add in healthy bacteria. All you need to do is boil fresh milk to a bare simmer (to kill any unhealthy bacteria); cool it down to 100-110 F (37-42 C), which is an

optimal temperature for growth of the healthy bacteria that help prevent the growth of unhealthy bacteria or yeast; stir in a few tablespoons of plain yogurt with active healthy bacterial cultures; and keep it in a warm place for six to 12 hours or so. You can use the yogurt you just made as the starter for the next batch. Add in some pureed fresh fruit, and you have a healthier, tastier and cheaper yogurt than you can buy at the store.

Dear Dr. Roach: I take 40 mg of lisinopril for high blood pressure. One doctor told me to take a 40-mg tablet in the morning, while another said to take 20 mg in the morning and 20 mg in the evening. Will separating the dosage better control my blood pressure? On average, mine is 130/75.

-- M.A.P. Answer: For lisinopril in particular, taking the medication twice daily showed a better reduction in blood pressure than once daily, according to a study performed last year. People who took lisinopril twice daily had about a 10-point systolic (4 point diastolic) improvement in BP control, so your blood pressure might be more like 120/71 if you started taking it in two doses, if you are similar to the subjects in the study (that sounds like a big drop to me, despite the study results).

People who are doing just fine on once-daily lisinopril don’t need to change. Don’t make any changes in your medication without discussing it with your own doctor. (c) 2019 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

A Cuddly Holiday Story Seals are cute, indeed, but they are not known for being affectionate. A cat, yes. A dog, yes. But a seal? Perhaps, says the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC], we shouldn’t be so judgmental. Take the incident that occurred recently off the coast of Northumberland, the U.K. Diver Ben Burville was no sooner under the water when he was approached by a seal that was not

only cute, but he was very cuddly as well. The flippered sea creature apparently was so happy to see Ben that he couldn’t stop embracing the diver. And, it was all caught on video [https://youtu. be/ghsHu4_lLJc].

The Association of Mature American Citizens [www.amac.us] provides the Filler Files as a service on issues of concern to Americans over 50.

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The Desert Symphony presents Tusk: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute

By Alison Elsner Often considered the number one Fleetwood Mac tribute group in the world, Tusk covers all of the great hits of Mick Fleetwood, Christine and John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Authentic in sound and sensibility, Tusk leaves no stone unturned in replicating the music of one of the world’s best-loved bands.

The group’s name is taken from Fleetwood Mac’s hit song and album, “Tusk,” released in 1979, which was the 12th studio album by the British-American rock band (and which featured the USC Trojan Marching Band). Fans can expect to hear classic Fleetwood Mac songs at this riveting stage show, including “Go Your Own Way,” “Gypsy,” “I Don’t Want to Know,” “Little Lies,” “Rhiannon,” “The Chain,” “You Make Loving Fun” and so many others hits.

The selection of the name “Tusk” for this talented tribute band is significant, as the album represented a new era of creativ-

Keep your healthy-eating New Year’s resolution this year with this simple low-fat side dish.

• 2 1/2 cups shredded carrots • 6 radishes, thinly sliced • 2 red grapefruits, peeled and cut into segments (without white pith and membrane) • 2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives ity for Fleetwood Mac, thrusting them into the mainstream of rock and roll. The members of Tusk revive decades of fond memories of the original band, allowing rockers old and young to joyfully relive moments frozen in time.

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Tusk: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute takes the stage at 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 9. Tickets are $130, $120 and $85. McCallum Theatre is located at 73000 Fred Waring Drive in Palm Desert. For more information or tickets visit, mccallumtheatre.com, desertsymphony.org or call 760-340-2787.

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

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes • 1 (10 3/4-ounce can) reduced fat cream of celery soup 1. Spray a slow-cooker container with butter-flavored cooking spray. Layer half of the ham, half of the potatoes, half of the onion and half of the Cheddar cheese in the prepared container. Repeat layers.

Ham and Scalloped Potatoes • 3 cups diced extra-lean ham • 6 1/2 cups thinly sliced cooked potatoes • 1 cup diced onion • 1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

Carrot, Radish and Grapefruit Salad

2. Stir parsley flakes into celery soup. Spoon soup mixture evenly over top. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours. Mix well before serving. Makes 8 (1 cup) servings. (c) 2019 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1. Combine all ingredients along with the juice squeezed from the leftover grapefruit membranes.

Serves 4.

Each serving: About 73 calories, 18g total carbohydrate, 2g protein. (c) 2019 Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved

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Crossword Answer

WordSearch Answer

Sudoku Answer

Hocus-Focus Answers

Brain Teaser Answer A Penny.

1. Woman’s shirt is black. 2. Stars added to wall on right. 3. Woman is wearing hat.

4. Letters are black. 5. Window is missing. 6. Decorations added to wall on left.

Stickelers Answer 1-D, 2-E, 3-B, 4-A, 5-C

Hitori Answer

TRIVIA ANSWERS 1. Boris Badenov and

4. Indigestion

8. Yellowknife

5. Butterflies and moths

9. A dolphin

2. Motley Crue

6. Four

10. Milhous

3. Capital punishment

7. Broken chains

© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Natasha Fatale

VA Appeal Hearings Going Virtual Here’s another reason to hook up with the Department of Veterans Affairs via Telehealth: Starting this year you’ll be able to attend a virtual appeals hearing without leaving your home. Telehealth is a way to get your health care on any iOS, Android mobile or web device such as a tablet or computer, and now its use has been expanded.

The VA has been testing this for a year now, using it with over 150

virtual hearings. Some of those were with veterans who would not have been able to attend their hearings without having the ability to use the video connection.

Over 99,000 veterans used the Telehealth last year. You can use the video connect for a primarycare medical visit, mental health visit or any type of visit that doesn’t require hands-on from medical staff.

Go to mobile.va.gov and click on VA Video Connect. Scroll down and view the how-to videos. Click to get the app at either the App Store or on Google Play. You’ll see training materials linked on that page, including quick guides about your device, as well as a FAQ page.

Be sure to look at the yellow box and run the connection test to

make sure your mobile device is compatible with the video connect. If you have bad internet access at home, remember that other locations are being opened up one at a time: American Legions, VFW posts and even some Walmarts will have connection spots with ATLAS (Accessing Telehealth through Local Areas Stations).

Check into this and test out your options before your virtual hearing appointment to be sure you have the best possible connection.

You’ll likely need 3G or 4G and at least two connection bars, but it’s set up to take advantage of lowbandwidth connections.

To learn more about what to expect at the hearings, go to va.gov and search for appeals hearings. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Magic Maze Answer

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

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CALL TODAY PHONE: 760-365-3315 GENERAL POLICY: Please check your ad the first day it runs to see that all the information is correct. This will ensure your ad is exactly what you want readers to see. Call us the very first day your ad appears to make any changes or corrections. This way, we can credit you for the first day if any error occurred. The publisher wants to do everything possible within the confines of good taste and legal constraints to help you advertise your products or services to your best advantage. The newspaper does reserve the right to edit or reject any copy or illustration.

NOTICE TO READERS: California law requires that contractors taking jobs that total $500 or more (labor or material) must be licensed by he contractors state license board.

State law also requires that contractors include their license number on all advertising. you can check the status of your licensed contractors at www.cslb.ca.gov or 1-800-321-CSLB. Unlicensed contractors taking jobs that total less than $500 must state in their advertisements that are not licensed by the contractors state licensed board.

TO ADVERTISE IN THE SERVICE DIRECTORY CALL 760-365-3315

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Classifieds

Buying • Selling • Trading Helping • Saving

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DesertMobileHomeNews.com Q: I really liked Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough as judges on “America’s Got Talent” and was disappointed they were let go.

Who will the judges be next season, and are they the only two being replaced? -- N.N.

Q: Is the TV show “You” returning for a second season? I got hooked on the first one and was happy that Netflix saved it after it was canceled by one of the networks. -- P.D. A: “You,” starring Penn Badgley (“Gossip Girl”) as a young man who manages a bookstore in New York and becomes obsessed with a beautiful blond woman, originally aired on the Lifetime network, where it had lackluster ratings. However, it became a huge success when the first season aired on Netflix, prompting the streaming service to order a second. If you haven’t noticed by now, the new episodes became available to stream Dec. 26 with Badgley’s character setting his sights on another female victim, a chef in Los Angeles played by Victoria Pedretti (“The Haunting of Hill House”).

“You” is based on the bestselling book by Caroline Kepnes.

The literary sequel is titled “Hidden Bodies” and serves as the basis for season two of “You.”

A: NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” has rotated its judges’ panel fairly regularly over the years, but usually not after just one season.

Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel remain the staples and will likely be back next season, but there are vacancies in Union and Hough’s chairs.

A special installment of the show begins airing Monday, Jan. 6. It’s the second time they’ve done “America’s Got Talent: The Champions,” and Heidi Klum will join Cowell and Mandel at the table, along with Alesha Dixon, but no Mel B. As for the future of the “AGT,” the network reportedly has approached “Modern Family’s” Sofia Vergara. If this comes to fruition, I’d like to nominate her co-star Eric Stonestreet to be a judge in the form of his character Cameron.

Q: Do you know if “Midnight Caller” or “Paper Chase” will ever be shown on cable TV oldies stations, like Cozi, MeTv, etc.? -K.H.

Penn Badgley in “You” Photo courtesy of Netflix

A: For those who don’t remember, “Midnight Caller” was a drama that ran from 1988 to 1991, starring Gary Cole as an ex-cop who hosts a radio talk show in San Francisco. It co-starred Wendy Kilbourne (“North & South”

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miniseries) and Mykelti Williamson (“Forest Gump”). Cole, as you probably know, has gone on to have a thriving acting career in movies like “Office Space” and TV shows like “The Good Fight.”

“The Paper Chase” is considered a classic, having run from 1978 to 1986, and it starred John Houseman as a strict law school professor. Fortunately, unlike “Midnight Caller,” “The Paper Chase” is available for purchase on DVD. If I were you, I would write both networks (www.cozitv.com/contact and www.metv. com/contact/shows/) to suggest these series be added to their channel lineups. Good luck! (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Brussel Sprout Record Broken A few years back a British study found that half the people in the world just don’t like Brussel Sprouts [the veggie, not Belgian children]. Apparently it’s because sprouts contain a naturally occurring chemical that makes them taste bitter to people with a certain genetic anomaly -- a condition that afflicts 50% of the world, reports the Association of Mature American Citizens. But that didn’t stop Wayne Sherlock, the new

holder of the Guinness World Record for downing 33 Brussel Sprouts in 60 seconds-- two more than the previous record holder could stomach. How did he do it?

Said Sherlock, “I just chewed like a pig and while doing that looked around for the smaller sprouts.”

The Association of Mature American Citizens [amac.us] provides the Filler Files as a service on issues of concern to Americans over 50.