Dmhn 18

Thursday December 5, 2019 Volume 65 | Number 15

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CELEBRATING THE RESIDENTIAL PARK COMMUNITIES FOR 65 YEARS

Indio International Tamale Festival

Spices up your tastebuds and your social life

By Alison Elsner

V

oted a “Top Ten Food Festival” by the Food Network, attendees can expect two full days of muy delicioso with dozens of aromatic tamale stands featuring the best recipes, including inspired ingredients like chocolate-banana-peanut butter, pulled pork and salsa, smoked brisket, chipotle sweet potato and many other scrumptious selections. Tamales are voted upon by a panel of judges, and the winners of the best recipes will be announced on the final day.

There’s plenty of other excitement throughout the weekend, including arts and crafts booths, shopping, Folklorico and line dancing, tamale-eating contests flavored by Tabasco Pepper Sauce, wine and beer gardens, bicycle safety demos by IEHP, cheer groups, Kiddie Land and five spectacular live entertainment stages

with bands like Inesperado and Country Nation, Gilbert the Juggler, singing, magic and audience performances.

Carnival rides take place into the evening, along with Game Alley, starting the Friday night before the Festival. The entire event kicks off with a parade and a classic car show on Saturday morning.

This is the chance to meet Mr. Tamale, greet Santa and Mrs. Claus and try one of Grandma Lupe’s Authentic Tamales.

The 2019 Indio International Tamale Festival takes place on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday December 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Carnival rides continue to midnight. Admission is free, parking is located at the Larson Justice Center (free shuttles to festival). The festival is held in Old Town Indio, 46200 Oasis Street in Indio.

For more information, call 760-2624633 or visit tamalefestiva.net.

ANSWER ON PAGE 9

Pooch-Sitter Wanted Attention job-seekers: a British couple is seeking a full-time dog sitter/housekeeper and is willing to pay the lucky applicant some $40,000 a year plus room and board, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC]. The ad they posted on the Silver Swan Search Web site

specifies that applicants “MUST have a passion for dog care,” noting that “experience looking after dogs is essential.”

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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WORD SEARCH Thieves Stole My Credit Card Number

ANSWER TO WORD SEARCH ON PAGE 9

AISLES

DATA

RETAIL

ANCHOR

DEMOGRAPHIC

RETURNS

BIG BOX

FORMULA

SALES

BROWSING

INVENTORY

SHIPPING

CASH

LOSS LEADER

SHOPPING

CLIENTELE

MOBILE

STOCK

CUSTOMERS

PAYMENTS

SUPPLY

CUSTOMIZATION

PRICING

WHOLESALE

A Thanksgiving Moment A conscientious manager at Bagels 101 in Middle Island, NY recently went to great lengths for a customer who left her keys at the store when she stopped in for a cup of coffee. Diana Chong’s husband kept their minivan running while she went into the shop. The vehicle is equipped with a start button that allows you to take the keys with you while the car keeps running but Diana took the keys with her. It wasn’t until they arrived at their home in Honesdale, PA that she remembered leaving

Staff Deb Geissler Publisher Kimberly Brucks Advertising Manager KBrucks@desertentertainer.com

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

her keys at the store. She quickly called the store and spoke to the manager, Vincent Proscia, telling him that she desperately needed the keys to restart her vehicle.

Proscia didn’t hesitate, says the Association of Mature American Citizens. He hopped in his car and made the 7-hour round trip to return Diana’s keys.

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

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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Sometimes what you think is a scam phone call ... isn’t. Sometimes it’s the real thing. Like the call I got today.

When the phone rang I didn’t rush to answer. The foreign sounding man who left a message said that he needed to verify certain recent transactions on one of my credit cards. The only reason I paid attention was that this same thing happened to me 15 years ago.

Still, I was leery. Instead of calling back at the number he left, I called the number on the back of my card and asked for the fraud department. Sure enough, my card number had somehow gotten out and people were busily trying to make purchases all over the country -- at that very moment! By that time, the attempts to make fraudulent purchases had exceeded $4,000.

The man immediately canceled my card and said that another one would arrive at my door within 48 hours.

I asked him how this could happen. My card was in my hand. I don’t keep a list of credit cards on my computer. I shred documents that have personal information. I don’t use the card at small momand-pop places (which was my mistake 15 years ago) because their security isn’t always the best.

I don’t use the card at ATMs that might have a skimmer. I hadn’t fallen for any scammer tricks over the phone. I hadn’t clicked links in any suspicious emails.

So, how did that number get out? He couldn’t tell me. He said it happens far too often, and it’s nothing the card owner has done.

I suspect that a few months from now we’ll learn that there has been another massive security breach, similar to the Target breach of 2013 where the information on 40 million cards was stolen. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Gifts for Pets Should be Useful and Safe Dear Paw’s Corner I’m invited to a Yankee swap party with friends I met at the dog park over the past year. The theme is not presents for humans, but for our dogs. I don’t want to get a gift that everyone else is buying, so what are the most popular pet items right now? That way I can hopefully avoid a duplicate gift. -Cheri in Somerville, Massachusetts Dear Cheri If the item really is popular, I bet people won’t mind duplicate gifts -- dog booties come to mind as items that wear out quickly in the winter and are expensive to replace.

For those not in the know, a Yankee swap (known as a Santa swap in other parts of the country) is a group gift-giving event where participants each bring a gift, then draw numbers to take

turns picking a gift from somebody else -- or opt to swap their gift for another gift. Things can get a bit wild, I know, but that’s how we party in the Northeast.

The gifts are usually inexpensive -- less than $50.

Concentrate on buying a practical gift that will make a dog more comfortable or happy. A box of treats, a raincoat or sweater, spare booties, a collar and leash, a chew toy or feeding bowl, or a stylish item like a bandanna or a bow tie.

If your dog likes or needs something, then your friends’ dogs are almost certain to like or need the same thing.

And, since people rarely end up with exactly what they want at a Yankee swap, save a few dollars to buy something you think your dog will really like after the party. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

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CROSSWORD

ANSWER TO PUZZLE ON PAGE 9

ACROSS 1. Rope used as a lasso 7. Lomb’s partner 13. North African nation 14. Rounds up cattle 16. Densest naturally occurring element 17. Home of the Brewers 19. Atomic #44 20. Vetches 22. Moved earth with a tool 23. Cavalry sword 25. Supplements with difficulty 26. Encouraged 28. Speech defect 29. Periodical (abbr.)

30. Very cold 31. __ Paulo, city 33. Former OSS 34. Approves food

36. Cars need them 38. Sweden’s dominant phone company 40. Long lock of a woman’s hair 41. North American natives 43. Fly high 44. One type is fire 45. Nocturnal bird 47. More than one male 48. LOTR actor McKellen 51. Employee stock ownership plan 53. Tony-winning actress Daisy 55. Tennis star Kournikova 56. Pulitzer-winning composer 58. The opposite to pro 59. Safecrackers 60. Denotes past

61. Parrots 64. One quintillion bytes (abbr.)

65. Reduce the importance of 67. Stiffly 69. In a sensible way 70. Signs

DOWN 1. Capital of Zambia 2. Article 3. Country star LeAnn 4. Egyptian goddess 5. Afflict in mind or body 6. Showy but cheap 7. Belgian urban center 8. Short-winged diving seabird 9. Deploys 10. Ballplayers can legally do it

11. Centiliter 12. Contrary beliefs 13. Type of pole 15. Distinguish oneself 18. 8th month of the year (abbr.)

21. One who monitors 24. Petty quarreling 26. Fiddler crabs 27. Touch lightly 30. American state 32. Pro wrestler Randy 35. Indicates spelling mistake 37. Macaws 38. Gradually narrowed 39. Installments 42. Female sheep 43. Politician 46. Servant 47. Said to facilitate concentration 49. California ballplayers 50. Once Toledo’s tallest building 52. A type of pie 54. State of southwestern India 55. Principal member of Norse religion 57. Counterspy 59. Wellness practice 62. __-de-sac: dead end street 63. Used to cook 66. Type of hospital 68. Direct message

SUDOKU

ANSWER TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 9

Brain Teaser

I come with many colors, so beautiful and bright, I turn so many houses into a beautiful sight. What am I?

SEE ANSWER ON PAGE 9

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DesertMobileHomeNews.com Holiday Survey, 31% of Americans don’t remember what gifts they received last year. Perhaps unsurprisingly, more women remember those details than men do.

1. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of Poland?

2. HISTORY: What was the poison drink that Socrates was given to carry out his death sentence?

3. SCIENCE: What was Margaret Mead’s field of study?

4. PSYCHOLOGY: What fear is represented in the condition known as autophobia?

5. U.S. PRESIDENTS: What was the title of the last film that Ronald Reagan made?

6. FAMOUS QUOTES: Which author wrote, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose”?

• It was noted 20th-century American humorist and journalist Don Marquis who made the following sage observation: “Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.”

• Kangaroos can reach speeds of up to 44 mph, but they can’t take a single step backward.

• As the holiday shopping season gets well under way, here’s an interesting tidbit to keep in mind: According to the annual Coinstar

8. MOVIES: Which rock star played the lead in “The Man Who Fell to Earth”?

10. SCIENCE: Which steam engine inventor’s last name is used as a unit of power? © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

ANSWER TO TRIVIA ON PAGE 9

• In the Shetland Islands you can find a breed of small, hardy cows that eat fish.

• Did you ever wonder why the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks – better known as the Elks Lodge -- chose that particular animal as its symbol? Other animals were considered and rejected for

safe and close your eyes. Breathe in deeply, and let your belly rise with the inhalation. Breathe out slowly and evenly.

7. TELEVISION: In the sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie,” what was Tony Nelson’s job?

9. GAMES: What is the maximum score in a standard bowling game?

• No less a notable than William Shakespeare described Limburger cheese as “the rankest compound of villainous smell that ever offended nostril.”

• Holidays got you stressed? Take a breathing break. Deep belly breaths, sometimes called “focus breaths,” can lower blood pressure, calm stress-induced heart rate and induce a relaxation response.

Simply sit or lie down somewhere

• “If a gingerbread house is just too complicated for the kiddos, try this: They can make a holiday forest of trees! Give the kids several ice-cream cones to frost and set them upside down on a tray.

Decorate with small candies, etc.

You can chip out a ‘door’ and make one of them an elf house if you feel like it.” -- W.L. in North Carolina

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a variety of reasons: Foxes were thought to be too cunning, beavers too destructive and bears and too coarse and brutal.

• Before World War II, suspenders were more popular than belts, but the trend reversed after the war.

• You might be surprised to learn that in 1766, students at Harvard University protested against their living conditions; evidently, the butter they were served in the refectory left something to be desired. In what became known as the Great Butter Rebellion, students shouted, “Our butter stinketh!” (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

• Candy canes can be pulverized in a food processor to dust cookies and cakes. Add a bit of confectioner’s sugar to stretch it if needed.

• Potatoes can be boiled whole, then plunged into icy water briefly when cooked. The skins should slip right off. No need to spend all that time peeling potatoes! (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

ANSWER ON PAGE 9

ANSWER ON PAGE 9

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home than his TV schedule does.

Most surprising to me is that this is the same actor who played the young boy in the classic film “Sling Blade” opposite Billy Bob Thornton in 1996. His talent was apparent way back then, and now at 36 years old the future certainly looks bright.

Lucas Black

Q: Is Celine Dion ever going to do her show in Vegas every night like she used to? I was going to book a trip there to see her, but then she stopped. -- W.B. A: Dion is about to release her 27th studio album, “Courage,” and will be touring the United States for the first time in 10 years. Hopefully she’ll appear in a city close to you, since her Las Vegas residency has ended after performing more than 400 times.

Photo by Cliff Lipson, courtesy of CBS

Q: My wife and I were amazed when Chris Lasalle, one of the main characters on “NCIS: New Orleans,” left the show. What was the decision behind this? -- E.S. A: From what I’ve been able to gather, it looks like it was solely the decision of Lucas Black, the actor who played Special Agent Lasalle, to leave the popular show. The writers chose to end his character’s story in a very dramatic way, but Black himself stepped down to spend more time with his family. It’s also rumored that he’ll be appearing in the upcoming “Fast & Furious 9” film, so perhaps he’s realized that filming one or two movies a year will allow him more time at

“Angel Has Fallen” (PG-13) -- Following a drone attack on President Trumbull (Morgan Freeman), Agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) -- code name “Angel” -- is the lone remaining survivor, save the president. And while POTUS lingers unconscious in a hospital bed, Banning makes a perfect patsy for the attack. Malicious forces are afoot, but Banning is never down for long. He escapes to enlist some off-the-grid help to take back his good name and, of course, protect the president. It’s nothing you haven’t seen before and all that you expect out of the third installment of this action flick series. I will, however, give double high fives for Nick Nolte’s crazy supporting performance.

Q: Please tell me whether the TV show “The Fix” is coming back. I haven’t heard anything about it, and I really enjoyed it. -- L.J. A: Unfortunately, “The Fix” was one of those network crime dramas that didn’t generate high enough ratings to be renewed. It was canceled after just one season on ABC. “The Fix” was created by former L.A. prosecutor Marcia Clark, best known from the O.J. Simpson trial, and starred Robin Tunney, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Scott Cohen. While her career as a producer and TV writer hasn’t been very successful, Clark has penned several legal thriller novels that have sold very well. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Cate Blanchett Ascot Elite Entertainment

“Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” (PG-13) -- The eponymous Bernadette (Cate Blanchett) is a functional agoraphobic who once was a celebrated architect, full of life and big ideas. Now she spends her time feuding with a pretentious neighbor (Kristen Wiig), abhorring the unimaginative busybodies at daughter Bee’s (Emma Nelson) school and planning a family trip to Antarctica with a dubious online personal assistant. But then Bernadette disappears, launching her own voyage of discovery to reclaiming her former creative urges. It’s left to Bee to find out where she went and why. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

ANSWER ON PAGE 9

December 5, 2019

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Shingles Vaccine Causes Severe Side Effects Dear Dr. Roach I received the first dose of Shingrix this week and had pretty severe side effects, though in the range of what can be expected: high fever (101.5), intense shivering, a severe headache and 12 hours of extreme fatigue. The entire reaction began 11 hours after the shot and ended 18 hours after that. I am 61 and in excellent health, taking only 25 mcg of levothyroxine daily.

I have a few questions that I hope you can answer. I’ve tried looking at the clinical trial results for Shingrix, but I am not qualified to understand the information as presented.

1. Is it likely that I’ll have a similar (or worse?) reaction to the second shot? The package insert says one can react to the first, second, neither or both.

2. Are both injections identical?

3. When I had chickenpox as a child, I was way sicker than the average kid. Related?

4. If I get shingles, do I have a higher risk for a severe case? -- J.G.

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Answer Compared with the previous one-time vaccine Zostavax, the new two-dose Shingrix vaccine is much more effective.

However, it does have a higher risk of side effects. You have had the most common side effect, though only 10% of people will have symptoms as bad as yours.

These symptoms are caused by your body mounting an inflammatory response to the glycoprotein in the vaccine (the new vaccine does not contain a live virus).

You clearly have a robust system to fight off infection.

To answer your questions in order: You are at higher risk for a similar reaction for the second shot. I would plan your day accordingly, and premedicate with Tylenol (even though it may make the vaccine slightly less effective). The second vaccine is identical to the first. I have read reports that there have been shortages of the vaccine.

Chickenpox and shingles can affect you both by the virus attacking you and by an exuberant inflammatory and immune reaction. I would guess that you are at lower risk for viral complications (such as infection of the eye, brain or lungs) but at higher risk for symptoms due to your own system, such as high fever. In many cases, the body’s response to infection can be as damaging as the infection itself. (c) 2019 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

‘Tis The Season

Some people just can’t get enough of watching Christmas movies and now one lucky binge watcher can have his or her movies with a side of cash. The folks at Hallmark is offering to pay $1,000 for someone who is prepared to watch 24 holiday movies over a period of 12 days. The greeting card company turned TV channel has rules for its version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, reports the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC].

“Rule #1: You don’t like Christmas—you love it. Rule #2: You must be over 18-years-old and be

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a US resident. Rule #3: You know how to work the Gram, Twitter, or Facebook. We want someone who’s willing to document their Hallmark marathon with their followers. We want you to have opinions—lots of them! Think the grumpy Grandpa turned jolly Santa was a little overdone? Felt like the plot was a bit half-baked?

Be as honest as possible in your review.”

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

Simmered Steaks • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 4 (4-ounce) lean minute or cube steaks • 1 cup unsweetened orange juice • 1 cup (two 2.5-ounce jars) sliced mushrooms, drained • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium ketchup • 2 tablespoons orange marmalade spreadable fruit • 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1. Place flour in a shallow dish and coat steaks on both sides in flour. Reserve any leftover flour. Evenly arrange coated steaks in a large skillet sprayed with butter-flavored cooking spray and brown for about 3 minutes on each side.

2. In a medium bowl, combine orange juice, mushrooms, ketchup, spreadable fruit, onion flakes, parsley flakes and any remaining flour. Spoon sauce mixture evenly over steaks. Lower heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until steaks are tender.

3. When serving, evenly spoon sauce mixture over top of steaks. Serves 4.

Freezes well. (c) 2019 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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DesertMobileHomeNews.com ford to bring it back, actors would have to earn a much lower salary. Unless longtime “Days” fans show dissatisfaction in big numbers, it’s unlikely the soap will be renewed next summer.

Shockwaves went through the soap opera world when “La La Land” Oscar-winKen Corday, producer ner Damien Chazelle of “Days of Our Lives,” has cast his Oscar-winannounced that the ning star, Emma Stone, show’s entire cast had opposite Brad Pitt in been FIRED!! The once “Babylon.”

Chazelle popular NBC soap prewrote and directs the miered Nov. 8, 1965, film about when movieand I began covering it, making went from silent first for Soap Opera Difilms to “talkies.” ParaDeidre Hall gest and then for Soap Mitchell Haaseth/NBC mount Pictures outbid Set, which I edited in Netflix for the film.

1967. The longest runStone has completed Disney’s ning regular cast members were “Cruella” for a May 2021 opening.

Deidre Hall, as Marlena EvRin Tin Tin, the dog who ans since 1976; Susan Seaforth saved Hollywood (appearing in (Hayes), as Julie Williams since 27 films, which saved Warner 1978; and Bill Hayes (Susan’s Brothers from bankruptcy several husband), who joined the cast as times), will be making his 28th Doug Williams in 1970 and has film. However, the original Rin recurred to the present day deTin Tin died in 1932. spite turning 94.

“Theory of Everything” co-stars Allegedly, NBC/Universal have Eddie Redmayne and Felicity wanted to cancel the soap since Jones are reteaming in “The Aerothey took over. “Days of Our nauts.” Set in 1862, he’s a meteoLives” has enough new shows to rologist and she’s a balloon pilot air until the end of the summer of fighting to survive while making 2020, and a decision will be made discoveries in a gas balloon (comby then to renew or cancel the ing Dec. 5). Redmayne is currentshow. The problem for “Days” is ly filming Aaron Sorkin’s “The that it’s much cheaper to produce Trial of The Chicago Seven,” with a talk show, so all the soap actors Sasha Baron Cohen, Joseph have been released from their conGordon-Levitt, Frank Lantracts because their salary escalagella and Mark Rylance. tions over the years have made it (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc. costly to produce. In order to af-

Match Holder Antique shoppers must learn the vocabulary of collectibles to read catalogs, make online searches or understand words with double meanings like commode (dresser) and commode (toilet.) You also need to know that Wedgwood and Wedgewood are two unrelated, different companies. What is the difference between a match strike, match safe, match case and match holder? They all were made in the 19th century to hold wooden matches.

A match strike is a small vase kept on a table. It holds matches with the heads up. There is a rough surface used to strike the match and get a flame. A match safe or case is a rectangular box about the length of the wooden match. The box has a hinged cover that snaps shut to avoid letting the matches be accidently lit. The first wooden matches were not the safety matches used today.

The match safe was often made of sterling silver with elaborate raised decoration. It was carried in a suit pocket or purse and used to light a cigar or cigarette.

This tiny billiard table is actually a box to hold matches. It was kept on a table before it was auctioned by Wm Morford for $834.

The match holder usually was used in the kitchen. It was kept on a shelf or hung on the wall.

An advertisement was sometimes on the front; it held a bunch of wooden matches used to light the stove. Don’t be surprised if you find that the match names are misused. Many people call them all “match holders.”

This small 2-by-3 5/8-by-2-inch miniature pool table is a match holder for a table. It is made of brass, felt and ivory. The lid slides open, and there is a striking surface on the side. Its unique shape led to a price of $834 at a Wm Morford Antiques auction in New York. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

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dences of vigilante justice in the coalfields of eastern Pennsylvania, defended their actions as attempts to protect exploited IrishAmerican workers.

On Dec. 16, 1773, in Boston Harbor, a group of Massachusetts colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians board three British tea ships and dump 342 chests of tea into the harbor. The raid was in protest of the British Parliament’s Tea Act of 1773, which granted the East India Company a virtual monopoly on the American tea trade.

On Dec. 19, 1843, Charles Dickens’ classic story “A Christmas Carol” is published. Dickens was sent to work in a factory at age 12 when his father was thrown into debtors’ prison.

On Dec. 22, 1864, Union Gen. William Sherman presents the city of Savannah, Georgia, to President Abraham Lincoln.

Sherman captured the key Confederate port after his famous March to the Sea from Atlanta.

On Dec. 18, 1878, John Kehoe, the last of the Molly Maguires, is executed in Pennsylvania. The Irish secret society, which had allegedly been responsible for inci-

On Dec. 21, 1945, Gen. George Patton, commander of the U.S. 3rd Army during World War II, dies from injuries suffered not in battle, but from a freak car accident less than two weeks earlier.

He was 60.

On Dec. 20, 1963, more than two years after the Berlin Wall was constructed by East Germany to prevent its citizens from fleeing its communist regime, nearly 4,000 West Berliners are given one-day passes to cross into East Berlin to visit relatives.

On Dec. 17, 1979, Hollywood stuntman Stan Barrett blasts across a dry lakebed at California’s Edwards Air Force Base in a rocket- and missile-powered car, becoming the first person to travel faster than the speed of sound on land. He reached an estimated top speed of 739 mph. (c) 2019 Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Crossword Answer

WordSearch Answer

Sudoku Answer

Hocus-Focus Answers 1. Boy’s pants are black. 2. Ball near boy’s foot is gone. 3. Mom’s hat is gone. 4. Drapes are wider. 5. Girl’s bow is different. 6. There’s more trash.

Brain Teaser Answer Christmas lights!

Stickelers Answer All six choices could be integers.

Hitori Answer

TRIVIA ANSWERS 1. Warsaw

5. “The Killers” (1964)

9. 300

2. Hemlock

6. Dr. Seuss

10. James Watt (watt)

3. Anthropology

7. Astronaut

4. Fear of being alone

8. David Bowie

The VBA Is Giving Out Social Security Numbers The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General was asked to investigate whether the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) had disclosed third-party information -such as Social Security numbers, names, dates and places of birth -- when it responded to Privacy Act requests. The answer, unfortunately, was a big yes.

Veterans who request copies of their own claim files can have

them under the Privacy Act. But that means that all information in the file also is given to them.

Sometimes that means a third party, such as the doctor who treated them, or other service members ... including the name and Social Security number of those people.

Before 2016, the VBA was required to redact -- draw a thick black line through -- any info that concerned a third party before sending the file out to the requester. But, they whined, it took time to do that and caused backlogs in getting the files out. Info from the files was copied onto CD and mailed to the requester, putting everything out where it could be stolen or go missing or be viewed later by anyone.

The VBA attorney decided it was just fine to release all that private third-party information

© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

if the VBA did it “on purpose” as part of releasing the requester’s own information. Between May 2016 and May 2019, 379,000 files went out this way.

Here’s an example from the OIG report: In 18 sample files it inspected, there were 1,027 thirdparty names and Social Security numbers. Doing the math, how many extra names were likely in those 379,000 files? I come up with 21 million.

Two factoids: 1) Last year there were 14 million cases of identity fraud. 2) The big coup for thieves is getting a Social Security number. It unlocks all doors.

To read the OIG report, go to va.gov/oig/pubs/ VAOIG-19-05960-244.pdf. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Magic Maze Answer

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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.

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Classifieds

Buying • Selling • Trading Helping • Saving

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