TIDBITS® HEADS TO THE OSCARS
by Kathy Wolfe
This year’s Academy Awards will be held on March 2 at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theater. This week, Tidbits investigates the history of this prestigious award.
• The first Oscars presentation was held in 1929, honoring films from 1927 and 1928.
The site was the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel at a private dinner function hosted by actor Douglas Fairbanks, president of the Academy and co-founder of United Artists.
The dinner occurred three months after the winners had already been announced.
• The official name of the event is the Academy Awards of Merit that are recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
• Margaret Herrick was the Academy’s first librarian and was later named their executive director. She is credited with nicknaming the statuette “Oscar,” remarking that it resembled her Uncle Oscar.
• The Oscar statuette is 13.5 inches (33.6 cm) tall, weigh 8.5 lbs. (3.85 kg), and is composed of solid bronze coated in 24k gold. Production cost of each is around $400.
• During the World War II years, the Oscar statuettes were composed of painted plaster because metals were being used for the war effort. After the war, the plaster Oscars were returned and replaced with metal ones.
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THE OSCARS (continued):
• The more-than-10,500 members of the Academy are eligible to nominate films and actors. Members include not only actors, but also writers, directors, producers, costume designers, makeup artists, and other industry professionals. No one can apply to the Academy, but must be sponsored by other members. While all can nominate for Best Picture, they can only nominate within their own work category for the remaining awards. For all but Best Picture, the nominee with the most votes wins, but for the Picture award, voters rank their first, second, third, fourth, and fifth choices, and a shortlist of 15 is created, then narrowed down to five. Preliminary voting for the March event begins in December.
• And the winner is…! The Oscar winners’ names are contained in a sealed envelope, a tradition that only began in 1941. That year the Los Angeles Times broke the rules and published the names of all the winners prior to the ceremony, and the sealed envelope began!
• No one has won more acting Oscars than actress Katharine Hepburn. Nominated for a total of 12, she won four over the course of her 67-year career, with the first in 1933 as Best Actress in “Morning Glory.” She nabbed the Best Actress award again in 1967, 1968, and 1981, with a 48-year span between first and fourth. Her final screen appearance was at age 87. Six years after her 2003 death, her four Oscar statuettes were gifted from her estate to the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery where they are on display on the museum’s third floor.
• Although Katharine Hepburn has the most acting Oscars, she doesn’t hold the record for the most acting nominations. Meryl Streep has that honor, having been nominated 21 times, with three wins.
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THE OSCARS (continued):
• Legendary costume designer Edith Head has eight statuettes from 35 nominations. Her designs spanned the full gamut of film genres – from Audrey Hepburn as a beautiful socialite in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” to the Western “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” to the Biblical costumes of “The Ten Commandments.” She dressed Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Paul Newman, and John Wayne, among scores of others. When applying for her first position at Paramount Pictures, she “borrowed” some sketches that she passed off as her own. Even though the studio knew she had faked her portfolio, they hired the 26-year-old designer, and Head remained at Paramount for 44 years. While many of her designs were wild, bright, and colorful, Head herself wore only black, white, beige, and brown.
• Anthony Hopkins was the winner of the Best Actor Oscar in 1992 for his role as serial killer Hannibal Lector in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Yet Hopkins only appeared on screen for 15 minutes of the movie’s 118 minutes runtime. In addition to Hopkins’ win, the film earned four other Oscars –Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writer, and a win for Jodie Foster as Best Actress.
• Three actors are tied for the honor of the most acting wins by a male actor – Jack Nicholson, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Walter Brennan, each with three Oscars. Nicholson has the record for the most nominations, with 12.
• When Kathryn Bigelow won the Oscar for Best Director for the 2008 war action thriller “The Hurt Locker,” she became the first woman to capture that honor. Bigelow not only edged out four other directors – she beat her ex-husband James Cameron who was competing in the same category for his film “Avatar.”
THE OSCARS (continued):
• The category of Best Picture wasn’t always known by that name. It started out as Outstanding Picture, changing to Outstanding Production in 1931, Outstanding Motion Picture in 1942, Best Motion Picture in 1945, and finally Best Picture in 1963.
• It’s a family affair! Actress Liza Minnelli is the only Oscar winner to have parents who were both Oscar winners. Her mother Judy Garland was the first winner with an honorary juvenile Oscar in 1939 for “The Wizard of Oz,” followed by Liza’s father Vincente Minnelli who won Best Director for 1958’s “Gigi.” Liza herself was Best Actress for her work in 1972’s “Cabaret.”
• It’s possible for a tie to occur between nominees, with just six ties in the history of the Awards. It has occurred once for Best Actor and once for Best Actress. The most recent was for Best Sound Editing in 2013. In the event of a tie, both are given awards.
• In 1950, the Academy introduced a new provision regarding the actual statuettes. Because some winners had been selling their awards, all nominees are required to sign a contract that they will first offer it back to the Academy for a dollar. Despite this stipulation, several Oscars have been sold on the open market. Michael Jackson purchased the 1939 Best Picture Oscar for “Gone with the Wind” in 1999 for $1.54 million. Steven Spielberg purchased two Oscars, Clark Gable’s 1943 Best Actor award for $917,000 and a Bette Davis’ Best Actress Oscar for $773,000. He donated both back to the Academy for safekeeping.
• Only one person named Oscar has been awarded an Oscar. Song writer Oscar Hammerstein II won Best Original Song in 1941 for “The Last Time I Saw Paris” and again in 1945 for “It Might as Well Be Spring.”
Build-aBowl: The Easy, Affordable Way to Eat Well
Grain bowls also called Buddha bowls, nourish bowls or power bowls are the ultimate meal prep hack. They're quick, nutritious, endlessly customizable and make fantastic use of whatever ingredients you have on hand. Plus, they're frugal, filling and work for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
But to make grain bowls (and meals in general) easy and stress-free, a little planning goes a long way. If you've ever stared into the fridge at 5 p.m. wondering what's for dinner, meal planning is your new best friend. By preparing a big batch of grains, roasting some veggies and having proteins ready to go, you can mix and match ingredients all week.
How to Build the Perfect Grain Bowl
1. Start with Greens: A big handful of spinach, kale, arugula, romaine or mixed greens makes the perfect fresh foundation.
2. Add a Hearty Grain: Think quinoa, brown rice, farro, bulgur or barley any whole grain works! You'll want about 1/2 to 1 cup of cooked grains per serving.
3. Dress for Success: Toss your greens and grains with a simple vinaigrette, a squeeze of lemon or a spoonful of hummus, salsa or tahini before adding other toppings. Dressing first ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
4. Pick a Protein: Beans, lentils, shredded chicken, tuna, tofu, steak, shrimp or hard-boiled eggs make great protein choices.
5. Load Up on Veggies: Fresh, roasted
or sauteed veggies all work beautifully. Think tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, roasted sweet potatoes, caramelized Brussels sprouts, you name it!
6. Add a Pop of Fruit: Apples, pears, citrus, berries or dried fruits like cranberries or golden raisins add a hint of sweetness.
7. Don't Forget the Healthy Fats: Avocado, nuts, seeds or cheese add richness and satisfaction.
Quinoa is a powerhouse grain it's high in protein, cooks quickly and has a light, nutty flavor that works in all kinds of grain bowls.
Quinoa has a natural coating of saponins, which are bitter-tasting compounds that act as a defense mechanism against pests. Rinsing quinoa under cold water removes these saponins, eliminating bitterness and giving it a cleaner, milder flavor.
EASY QUINOA
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water or broth
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional) Here's the easiest way to cook it: Rinse quinoa under cold water in a finemesh strainer. In a medium saucepan, bring water or broth to a boil. Add quinoa and salt, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, and it's ready to go!
SIMPLE VINAIGRETTE
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon vinegar (balsamic, red wine or apple cider)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
Salt & pepper to taste
A great dressing ties everything togeth-
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er, and making your own is less expensive and much tastier than store-bought! Try this foolproof formula: Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl or shake in a jar. Taste and adjust seasoning. Drizzle over your grain bowl and enjoy!
Make
Meal Planning Easier
Grain bowls are a great way to simplify meal planning. Cook a big batch of grains at the start of the week, prep a few proteins and chop your veggies in advance. Then, all you have to do is assemble and enjoy!
Want to make mealtimes easier? Visit my website (divasonadime.com) to grab my free Perpetual Pantry List and Mini Cookbook it's packed with smart strategies, essential staples and simple recipes to help you save time, money and stress in the kitchen.
Now, go mix and match those greens, grains and goodies! Enjoy! ***
Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, partyplanning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Grain bowls: The perfect balance of flavor, nutrition and convenience. PHOTO CREDIT: www.JasonCoblentz.com
SPORTS STORIES: VOLCANO SURFING
For those who enjoy extreme sports, volcano surfing is a possible choice. Follow along as Tidbits explores this dangerous but invigorating sport.
• If ever there was an extreme sport, it’s volcano surfing! Equipment is a board or sled specially designed for navigating through the rough terrain found on the abrasive slopes of a volcanic mountain. The boards are similar to a snowboard but contain an extra layer of lamination to reduce friction. Durable jumpsuits are worn to protect the body from abrasions and burns. Goggles are required to shield the eyes from the wind, ash, and debris, and a face cover prevents dust and ash from going up a surfer’s nose and into the mouth.
• Surfers aren’t descending mountains on a lava flow, but rather on the brittle and frequently hot slopes of the volcano. There aren’t a great number of locations where the sport can be practiced, since the mountain must be an “active” volcano where a recent eruption has generated a suitable hardened lava slope.
• The sport originated in the early 2000s on Cerro Negro, an active volcano in Nicaragua, which has become one of the most popular spots for surfing. It’s Central America’s youngest volcano, having first erupted in 1850, an eruption that lasted six weeks. Cerro Negro has erupted 23 times since then, the most recent in 1999. Another larger-scale eruption is predicted in the near future. The surfing is prefaced by an hour-long hike to the 2,388-foot (728 m) high summit. The actual slide takes less than five minutes, with an average speed of around 45 mph, although the record exceeds 60 mph.
(Continued page #7)
Is my rabbit depressed?
DEAR PAW'S CORNER: I took over the care of a rabbit named "Chucky" a few weeks ago, after the previous owner, my aunt, passed away. Since he got here, Chucky has spent most of his days inside his hutch. When I try to take him out, he huddles tightly against the far wall. I don't see him eat or drink during the day, but he does come out at night after I go to bed. Is he depressed, or is it something else? Jim F., Chula Vista, California
DEAR JIM: Chucky does sound pretty stressed out, and depression is definitely on the table here. He also may be having trouble adjusting to his new environment, and is missing your aunt, too. A stressed and unhappy rabbit is tense, staying in a down position with their ears flattened against their body. Their nose doesn't twitch. They don't hop around the cage freely, and they'll hide away if you reach for them. The first thing to do is establish care, if you haven't done so already. Take Chucky to a veterinarian specializing in small animals (including rabbits) for a checkup, explain the circumstances, and detail his behaviors. The vet will rule out any underlying health conditions and can give you a wealth of advice on helping him be more comfortable and easing his transition to a new owner. It's important to be supportive and not force interaction at this time. Keep Chucky's cage clean and fresh, change his water and food daily, and provide him with rabbit toys and chews strewn around the cage that he can explore. Talk to him in a soothing voice while you are near his cage. As he adjusts, he will gradually respond and feel comfortable with you.
Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
VOLCANO SURFING
(continued):
• The braver surfers tackle Mount Yasur on the South Pacific Ocean island of Vanuatu. This volcano is much more dangerous, with several eruptions occurring every day – in fact, every day continuously for several hundred years. Yet the mountain can be approached safely as its eruptions are relatively mild explosions of gases, ash, and volcanic bombs. However, the danger of molten lava is very real, and glowing lava is often visible at the crater’s rim.
• The last confirmed eruption of Japan’s 12,389-ft-high (3,776-m) Mount Fuji was in 1708. Located on the island of Honshu, it’s Japan’s highest mountain, offering a spot for volcano surfing. But because the slopes are dangerous, the government has restricted access, and because it’s considered active, surfers must obtain special permission to climb it.
• In addition to the hazard of cuts, abrasions, and burns, there is a danger of breathing poisonous gases from a volcano, which can cause headaches, dizziness, increased heart rate, and difficulty breathing. Another potential danger is histoplasmosis, also known as “caver’s disease,” a fungal infection that causes fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
• Those surfers with a need for an extreme adrenalin rush choose active volcanoes that are constantly erupting while releasing lava and lethal gases, while the more conservative ones choose the relatively safe dormant volcano. A volcano is considered dormant if it has not erupted since the last ice age, which ended approximately 10,000 years ago, but it is not impossible that it might erupt again in the future.
* Groceries and food shopping can be a tremendous portion of your budget if you aren't careful. The best and most serious money-saving tip for home economists is to ALWAYS use a list. It really does make a difference to have a plan. Here are some more tips to save money while feeding your family.
* "One of the most expensive portions of your meal is probably meats. You can look for larger packages that you can break down, but you can also plan a couple meat-free meals each week. Also, meals like stew and casseroles use less meat per person but are still satisfying." W.I. in Arkansas
* Most stores list the unit price on the shelf tag. You can use it to compare the cost of different sizes and brands of the same item. Just because a package is bigger doesn't necessarily mean it has the best price per unit.
* Remember that typically, the higher shelves and the lower shelves house the better deals. Compare the items on the aisle ends to the same items on their regular shelf. Sometimes, what looks like a sale is not a sale price at all,
especially when compared to a store brand that's just as good.
* "A secret of busy moms: Cook once, eat twice (or three times, if you plan well)! When you prepare favorite recipes that will freeze well, or even just elements of those recipes, make a double or triple batch so that a few nights of the month, you can just pop something in the oven easily. I cook taco meat once for the month, and we have tacos every week. I just freeze three portions of the meat, and the rest is easy to assemble." K.S. in Florida
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(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
