Thursday October 1, 2020
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Volume 67 | Number 5
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CELEBRATING THE RESIDENTIAL PARK COMMUNITIES FOR 65 YEARS
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The Living Desert reopens zoo and hiking trails to all
he grounds and gardens of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens are now open at 8 a.m. for both members and nonmembers with full zoo amenities opening at 9 a.m. The zoo will remain open until 5 p.m. with the last admission at 4 p.m. The Living Desert’s three nature preserve hiking trails will also open at 8 a.m. Hikers can select trails of varying degrees of difficulty to enjoy nature and the beauty of the outdoors. The Discovery Loop is a brief, quarter-mile interlude, while the Adventure Loop rambles for a mile through desert wash habitat and across a rocky bajada. The Wilderness Loop offers an adventurous five mile hike up or down a boulder-strewn canyon and along a rocky ridgeline with stunning and far-reaching vistas. Hikers must observe all posted signage and stay on the designated trails, as they are a nature preserve. The trails, accessible with paid admission or with an annual membership, are open every day, except Christmas Day, thru May 31, 2021. The Living Desert had reopen its Appel Gift Shop in accordance with State and local public health guidelines. New this year, guests can experience the world down under at the immersive Australian Adventures. In this habitat, wallabies roam freely, budgies fly above,
• According to Hasbro, the tallest Jenga tower ever was 40 levels, plus two additional blocks on top. • Some adult details made it into the final cut of the PG-rated film “The Santa Clause.” In one scene, Tim Allen’s character jokes that his wife’s number is “1-800-SPANK
In This Issue
Senior News: Get Your Flu Shot...........2 Bereavement Support Group.................3 Potato Salad Vinaigrette.......................4 Outdoor Entertainment in Cat City........8
1. GEOGRAPHY: In which mountain range is Mount Everest located? 2. AD SLOGANS: “What can brown do for you?” is a slogan for which company?
Wallaby.
Photo courtesy of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.
and guests can watch the playful emu, hear kookaburras sing and discover other native Australian species such as tawny frog mouth, bettong, echidna and blue-tongued skink. The always-popular giraffe feedings are available daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for an additional fee. Private safari tours, with two to six guests, are also available for advanced purchase only. The two-hour tour includes admission to the park, giraffe feeding, a personal guide, and private shuttle. Tours stop at every major habitat as the tour guide provides details of the park history, interesting animal facts and a memorable, engaging experience. For details and to schedule a safari tour visit online at livingdesert.org.
Reserved advanced timed entry ticketing and facial coverings are required. Guests are encouraged to remain diligent with frequent hand washing and use of hand-sanitizing stations available throughout the park. With more than 80 acres of outdoor space, and limiting the number of guests with advanced ticketing, there is plenty of space to socially distance, noted Monroe. Select high-contact and enclosed spaces of the Zoo remain closed. Visit LivingDesert.org/Health for the most up to date information.
ME.” It turned out, however, that was a real line that you could call and hear some naughty stuff — as many overly curious children found out. The line was removed from future releases of the film.
ly win,” it is a popular good-luck gift for students ahead of their university exams.
• There have been more than 300 different Kit Kat flavors in Japan, including soy sauce, “European cheese” and wasabi. Some of them are limited or regional editions. Because the candy bar’s name coincidentally sounds like the Japanese expression “Kitto Katsu,” which translates to “You will sure-
The Living Desert is located at 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert. For more information: 760-346-5694 or visit livingdesert.org.
3. GOVERNMENT: What is the subject matter of the 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? 4. MUSIC: In what year was Live Aid held, a relief concert to benefit the Ethiopian famine? 5. PSYCHOLOGY: What is a fear of flying called? 6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of porcupines called? 7. LANGUAGE: What kind of sentence is the following: “The five boxing wizards jump quickly”? 8. GAMES: What is the most frequently landed-upon property in the Monopoly game? 9. FOOD & DRINK: In which two U.S. states are coffee beans grown commercially? 10. FAMOUS QUOTATIONS: Which modern author wrote, “Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple”? © 2020 King Features Synd., Inc. ANSWER TO TRIVIA ON PAGE 10
• Astronauts cannot cry in space, as the tears need gravity to flow. They also lose their sense of smell in space. • The fingerprints of a koala bear are so indistinguishable from those of humans that they have on occasion been confused at a crime scene. © 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
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WORD SEARCH Now More Than Ever, Get Your Flu Shot
ANSWER TO WORD SEARCH ON PAGE 6
AERONAUTICS
CLEARANCE
GROUND CONTROL
AIRFOIL
DEPARTURE
JOYSTICK
ALTIMETER
DESCENT
LANDING
ANGLE
DISTRESS
LEVEL
ARRIVAL
ENGINE
LIFT
AVIATION
FLAPS
MANEUVER
CAMBER
FLIGHT
PILOT
CHARTER
FUSELAGE
SPEED
A sincere wish just came true: This year’s high-dose senior version of the flu shot will contain all four vaccines. In past years, the senior shot (for those over age 65) contained only three of the vaccines, two A and one B. Most years I would write a snarly note to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and ask about the reason for the false economy. Of course I never got a reply, but now ... finally, we seniors will have a flu shot with all four vaccines. And what a shot it will be. The four vaccines are names we haven’t heard in a while, if ever: A/Guangdong-Maonan (H1N1), A/Hong Kong (H3N2), B/Washington and B/Phuket. To help us kick start our immune system, the senior version will contain four times the amount
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that younger folks get. The standard trivalent (three-way) will have two A and one B, while the standard quadrivalent (four-way) has all four. If your doctor says you should have a flu shot, don’t delay. When I called my pharmacy (where I get my flu shots each year), the first appointment was many days out, and they had been swamped with requests for the shot. Yes, they will be resupplied when they run out, but no, they didn’t know how quickly that would be. By getting a flu shot, should you get sick later this season, it will be a good bet that it’s not the regular flu, which will save much time in getting a diagnosis. To find flu shots, call your doctor, local pharmacies, grocery stores or go to vaccinefinder.org. If you have a Medicare or insurance card, you won’t have to pay anything. If you want to know more, check the CDC website: www. cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2020-2021.htm. (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc
Snake mask story The long and lonely self-isolation induced by the coronavirus outbreak has motivated some people to find odd ways of dealing with the risks associated with the disease, says the Association of Mature American Citizens. Take the fellow who was seen recently aboard a bus in Manchester, England wearing a snake around his neck and mouth instead of a mandatory face mask. Photos and videos of him taken by fellow passengers have gone viral
ANSWER ON PAGE 6
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 760-365-3315. Published Thursdays by Hi-Desert Publishing Company. News, photos or editorial submissions or story ideas should be sent to news@desertmobilehomenews.com All delivery issues should be directed to Ahkto Distribution at distribution@ahkto.com or call 760-459-4204
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around the world. Britain’s Daily Mail reported that it was a stunt on the man’s part that seemed to amuse some of the passengers with him on the bus, but the authorities were not amused, insisting “that snakes are not replacements for face coverings.” 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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Alzheimers Coachella Valley offers new bereavement support group
Starting Monday, October 5 at 10 a.m., Alzheimers Coachella Valley (ACV) launches a new Bereavement support group facilitated by Mary Willis, former patient advocate at Eisenhower Health. The group will meet the first and third Mondays of the month at 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. It will start as a live streaming meeting and transition to meeting together at ACV’s classroom at the Berger Charitable Foundation Center as soon as the county’s COVID-19 restrictions allow in-person gathering. Social distancing, face masks and other safe and sanitary protocols will be in effect. “Over the past four years that ACV has provided caregiver support groups, many of those who have lost their loved ones have requested a different kind of support group – a place to express their grief and support as they re-
adjust to a new life,” said Willis. “As bereavement is a personal affair, the new support group is designed to help participants through various stages of grief and allow each to share their experiences in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment.” As the patient relations coordinator at Eisenhower Health, Willis served as an advocate for patients, staff and physicians, and counseled many families who were facing the loss of a loved one. Bereavement counseling is an important component of dealing with grief in order to heal and to move on with one’s life. To register for the session, please call 760-776-3100 or email info@cvalzheimers.org to receive the Zoom link to join the meeting. This program is offered at no charge and is open to those who have recently lost a loved one.
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CROSSWORD
ANSWER TO PUZZLE ON PAGE 6
ACROSS 1. They look out for kids 4. Play 7. Water (French) 8. Prayer leader 10. Small constellation 12. __ Carta: influential royal charter 13. Pressure unit 14. Extrasensory perception 16. A symbol of “Aloha” 17. Portion of the small intestine 19. Psychedelic amphetamine 20. Very long period of time
21. British overseas territory 25. Cereal grain 26. Car mechanics group 27. Wish harm upon 29. At a specific prior time 30. Peyton’s younger brother 31. UK firefighters’ union 32. Carroll O’Connor’s screen partner 39. Popular show honoring musicians 41. Basics 42. Honk 43. Trent Reznor’s band 44. Patti Hearst’s
captors 45. Long-legged wading bird 46. Specialized biological grouping 48. A coin goes in it 49. Of the wind 50. One-time measure of length 51. A very large body of water 52. River in NE Scotland
DOWN 1. Boston hoopster 2. A type of bribe 3. SE England county 4. Returned material
authorization (abbr.) 5. “Hotel California” rockers 6. Italian province 8. Mischievous child 9. Popular street name 11. Boxing promoter Bob 14. Snakelike fish 15. Break into pieces 18. The Bay State 19. Time zone 20. Port city in Yemen 22. In name only 23. 007’s creator 24. No (Scottish) 27. Baseball’s Gordon and rock’s Snider are two 28. Pie _ __ mode 29. Don’t know when yet 31. Supervises interstate commerce 32. Make a ringing metallic sound 33. Helps little firms 34. Pound 35. Lilly and Manning are two 36. Put on the back burner 37. Baltimore ballplayer 38. Cuddle 39. Poker stake 40. Drinks to celebrate a birth (Spanish) 44. Pouch 47. Not around
SUDOKU
Long-Distance Move With Cats in Pickup DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I have three rescue cats. They’re the only family I’ve got. I’m planning to relocate to a rural area that is several days’ drive away. I’ll be driving a pickup truck. I feel that making my cats travel with me wouldn’t be humane. Is there an agency available that could humanely and safely transport my cats? -Karl in Avon, New York DEAR KARL: I can totally relate! Years ago, I moved across the country with a very nervous cat in a carrier next to me on the bench seat of my pickup truck. Even though I made sure he had water, food and anxiety meds prescribed
Brain Teaser
I can’t be bought, but I can be stolen with a glance. I’m worthless to one, but priceless to two. What am I? See Answer on page 10
by the veterinarian, it was a stressful trip for him, and he did not eat or even poop for the whole twoday trip. Once I reached our new home, he returned to his usual snuggly self. Traveling with all three cats is possible with planning and may be the least stressful option for them. If you have an extendedcab pickup, make room in the back seat for three cat carriers. Put a litter pan on the floor and cover with plastic wrap while traveling; at rest stops, open one carrier at a time and let one cat out to use the litter pan and to snuggle with you (don’t open the vehicle doors while you do this). Look for petfriendly hotels that will let you keep the cats in the room. Airline cargo transport can quickly transport pets across long distances. But there is a risk of death for pets traveling in airline cargo. Another option is private pet transport. If you choose this service, make sure they are insured and bonded, and that they will stay in contact with you throughout the trip. (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc
tender. Drain; cool slightly.
Potato Salad Vinaigrette • 4 pounds medium red potatoes, unpeeled • 3 tablespoons salt • 1/2 cup vegetable oil • 1/2 cup cider vinegar • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard • 1 tablespoon sugar • 1/2 cup (loosely packed) fresh parsley leaves and stems 1. In 4-quart saucepan, place potatoes, 2 teaspoons salt and enough water to cover; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are fork-
ANSWER TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 10
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2. Meanwhile, in blender, combine oil, vinegar, mustard, sugar, parsley and remaining 1 teaspoon salt; blend until smooth. Transfer to large serving bowl. 3. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut each into quarters, or eighths if large. Add warm potatoes to dressing in bowl; gently stir with rubber spatula until coated with dressing. Let potato mixture stand 30 minutes to absorb dressing, stirring occasionally. Serve warm or cover and refrigerate up to 1 day to serve cold. Yields: 10 cups. Serves: 16. (c) 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved
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break it off flush with the frame. It will add some security to the hole so it won’t be as loose.
• “Peppermint is a wonderful cure for indigestion. To make a quick peppermint tea, use a rolling pin to smash three to four peppermint candies. Add them to a glass of water and microwave for a minute and a half. Stir to melt the candies completely, and drink slowly.” — G.L. in California • If you are replacing a hinge to re-hang a door and you need to use the same holes, make sure you add grip by placing a matchstick or toothpick in the hole before rescrewing the attachments. Just
• Maintain a list of all drugs you take -- both prescription and over the counter -- and when you fill a new prescription, give a copy to your pharmacist to check for interactions. Also, if you have multiple or complicated medical issues, it might help to patronize a single pharmacy. That way, the pharmacist can advise you of any interactions or complications. • “My mother swears by wrapping her feet in a vinegar-soaked rag once a week to soften calluses. She does this before her bath, and uses a pumice stone to rid her heels of hardened spots on the skin. It seems to work for her, so I thought I would pass it on!” — C.D. in Colorado (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
Stealth Fighter F-117 arrival at PSAM 73511 Sunnyvale Dr, 29 Palms, CA (760) 367-9175 desertroseeldercare.com
“Caring for the ones you Love”
Lic. #366-40-4072
On Monday, September 28, a Stealth Fighter F-117 will leave an Air Force Base in Nevada and be trucked to the Palm Springs Air Museum, where it will be ceremoniously welcomed into the permanent collection. The Stealth Fighter F-117 Exclusive Arrival Party takes place on Saturday, October 3, at 5 p.m. Tickets are $117 each, and include boxed appetizers, beverage, meet and greet with a F-117 stealth fighter pilot,
and commemorative T-shirt. The F-117 will be welcomed with a formal military retirement ceremony, including water arch. There will be a T-33 Jet Flight Exhibition. This will be the only chance to see this aircraft for many months. It goes into restoration and will not be seen for at least a year. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org or call 760-778-6262
ANSWER ON PAGE 6
ANSWER ON PAGE 6
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WordSearch Answer
CryptoQuote Answer
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October 1, 2020
Crossword Answer
Stickelers Answer
Sudoku Answer Inspirational Quote of the Week “Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities” Voltaire
Trivia Answers 1. The Himalayas 2. United Parcel Service (UPS) 3. Election of the president and vice president 4. 1985 5. Aviophobia or aerophobia 6. A prickle of porcupines
Go Figure Answer
7. A pangram, in which every letter of the alphabet is used. 8. Illinois Avenue 9. Hawaii and California 10. J.K. Rowling
Hitori Answer
(c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
Brain Teaser Answer Love
COVID Cancellations Between March 15 and May 1, the Department of Veterans Affairs canceled 7.3 million medical appointments. The VA’s rationale at the time was to protect staff and veterans from the COVID-19 virus and to conserve their supplies. For the veteran, however, it could mean that a minor medical problem becomes a major one if not attended to. The VA’s Office of Inspector General waded in and examined
all those vanished appointments. It looked at whether the facilities were digging out those old records and making new in-person appointments, canceling for good if the veteran went somewhere else, converting appointments to video telehealth ... something, anything to get those veterans the care they’d originally sought. The results: • Almost one-third of cancellations showed no follow-up or tracking for primary, mental health or specialty care. There was no way, per the OIG report, for the facilities to track canceled appointments. The VA quickly rigged up a tracking system for those appointments and told facilities to review all cancellations. Some appointments were either followed up or conducted by phone or video — but not necessarily rescheduled. • There were “mass” cancellations, groups of 10 or more, to-
taling 350,000 appointments, indicating that the veterans likely had not been called. • For a time, all cancellations were labeled as being at the request of the patient, whether or not they actually were. This is a potentially huge problem: If it looks like a patient canceled an appointment, the wait time for a new appointment might be different. • Certain medical care such as labwork, X-rays and ultrasound were not counted because they aren’t considered “an occasion of service” by the VA. The OIG, however, counted those canceled appointments. By June 15, 11.2 million appointments had been canceled. If you had an appointment that was canceled, call them back. You’re probably on a to-do list somewhere. Get someone on the phone and get the attention you need. (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
Magic Maze Answer
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Coachella Valley Repertory and Cathedral City collaborate to offer outdoor entertainment During the pandemic, performing arts organizations shifted to the virtual world to continue presentations. According to Artistic Director Ron Celona, “It started out as an exciting opportunity to get creative. And, it’s still popular. It’s just not the same as live performances.” CVRep looked at ways to re-offer live performances amid coronavirus concerns, social distancing and most important, a safe and comfortable environment. Discussions with Cathedral City proved an exciting partnership – one in which live performances could be potentially offered – utilizing the nearly completed Cathedral City Community Amphitheater. The Amphitheater was used for the City’s popular “Taste of Jalisco” event in February, shortly before a state-wide Shelter in Place order. Coachella Valley Repertory and the City of Cathedral City began meeting in August. A committee comprised of both organizations’ key personnel, who brainstormed about creating a performing arts series. During the City Council’s September meeting, Chris Parman, Communications & Events Manager, laid out the plan which CVRep’s
Celona said would include jazz concerts, Latinx programs, a Shakespeare production and other exciting programming. The City Council unanimously voted in favor. The venture is expected to kick off with a holiday show on December 12. However, scheduling remains contingent on both state and county approval. The upcoming events at the Amphitheater will see the ground marked out in “pods,” a circled area on the grass which will include a table and chairs for two or four persons. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., for Saturday performances, with shows beginning at 6 p.m.. During the 90-minute performances, patrons can enjoy a self- provided or concession food option for picnicking and the option to purchase wine, beer, and more. “We are looking to offer a full event experience in a safe environment using best practices for audience and entertainer safety,” said Celona. Full details on the upcoming events will be available at cvrep.org. CVRep is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide thought provoking theatre of substance.
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October 1, 2020