TidbitsOzarks #44 by Gordon Bingham

Vol. 2, Issue 44

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The ankle bone’s connected to the leg bone, the leg bone’s connected to the thigh bone... and this Tidbits connects you to some bony trivia! • The average adult human’s body contains 206 bones. But when that human being frst entered the world, he or she may have had 270 bones or more. Why? An infant’s skull and face is constructed of many small bones hinged together by fexible suture joints. (This makes it possible for the baby’s huge head to pass through the birth canal.) As the child grows older, those smaller bones fuse together to become one larger, solid skull. • The slang term “sawbones” refers specifcally to a surgeon, not just any ol’ doctor. The frst recorded use of the word dates back to 1837. And, yes, the name came about due to the then-traditional “cureall ” of amputation. • Bones not only allow us to stand upright and form a frame for our muscles and skin to stretch around, they also protect us. The ribs curl around our lungs and heart, two of our most delicate and necessary organs. The skull is the body’s “helmet” and keeps the brain safe, while the vertebrae in our back and neck encase the all-important spinal cord. turn the page for more! WANT TO RUN YOUR OWN BUSI NESS?

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Tidbits® of Branson Area BONE APPÉTIT! (continued): • The smallest bones in our bodies are inside the ear, and are commonly called the hammer, anvil, and stirrup. They perform a very complex function as the conduit between external sound vibrations and the inner ear that sends those signals to the brain. Past the eardrum, the ear canal contains fluid. If you’ve ever tried to shout at someone underwater in a swimming pool, you know how muddled sounds can be when traveling through liquids. These three tiny bones act like a pipeline, transmitting sound vibrations through the inner ear canal to the auditory nerve. • By contrast, the biggest, longest, and strongest bone in the human body is the femur. It’s the bone that most of us call the “thigh bone,” and it extends from the hip down to the knee. Due to the sheer density necessary for this bone to support most of our weight, only an extremely violent injury is likely to cause a fracture. • Forensic anthropologists are scientists who analyze human skeletal remains for legal purposes. From a single bone or even bone fragments, they may be able to determine a person’s gender, race, and age. They might even learn where the bone’s owner grew up, and what his or her diet was like. Their skills can be put to use not only to identify recent victims, but also ancient human remains.

Responsibility taking ownership of what you say and do

• What parents tell their children are “growing pains” are the same aches a doctor may refer to as Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease. It sounds serious, but is relatively common (especially in young athletes) and is usually outgrown with no complications. The tibial tubercle is the point where kneecap tendon anchors to the shinbone. The tendons of a child very active in sports develop faster than the kneecap does. This pulls on the tibial tubercle, causing discomfort in the knee and lower leg.

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For Advertising Call 1.417.230.7055 BONE APPÉTIT! (continued):

• The most commonly broken bone in the h uman body is the clavicle, also • The humerus is the long bone that known as the collarbone. It is an runs from your shoulder to your elbow. Some call it the S-shaped bone that connects , “funny bone” due to its the shoulder to the sternum name (which resembles (or breast plate). Why is “humorous”). Others this bone susceptible to 214 E. Price St. say that it’s due to the such punishment? When fact that when you Branson, MO 65616 humans fall down, they accidentally bump instinctively hold out the ulnar nerve in their arms to brace and your elbow, you Ar protect themselves. `■■^■■v `-••T. get a funny, tingling 11 `^ Fax 336.3173 a This action slams the C sensation up your , Today h hands hard onto the arm . (That’s funny as ground, and the force in “strange,” not funny of the fall is typically A 3 Star Price absorbed by the shoulder • About one-fourth of the & PA: ,/ joint, which jams harshly into bones in your body are located W1111&_.,;10 the collarbone. in your feet. Each foot has 26 bones and 33 joints. The natural arch • Osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 in your foot is created by a combination of million bone fractures in the U.S. every year. the tarsal and metatarsal bones, along with It affects women more than men, and white some tendons and ligaments. An arched foot women more than other ethnic groups. After helps to support the erect posture of a human you turn 50, consult with your doctor regularly and distribute its weight evenly with the least to discuss your bone density. Early detection amount of wear and tear on the tootsies. can lead to preventative measures that will keep • What we usually refer to as our “tailbone” is your bones in good shape! properly called the coccyx. The word comes from the Greek for “cuckoo,” because ancient • Andreas Vesalius, a 16th-century Belgian physicians thought that the bony protrusion scientist, was one of the frst persons to resembled a cuckoo’s beak. accurately depict human anatomy. The key reason he was successful in this endeavor 1. Is the book of Malachi in is that he performed detailed surgical the Old or New Testament or examinations of human cadavers. He created neither? a frestorm of controversy in 1543 when he published a report that claimed both men and 2. What color is the great women had 12 sets of rib bones. Religious throne on which God sits scholars charged him with heresy, since the while passing fnal judgment? Gold, Silver, Old Testament clearly stated that Eve was Purple, White created from Adam’s rib, implying that males 3. In II Timothy 3, all scripture is given by should be one bone short in the thoracic area. the “what” of God? Blessing, Reproof,

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Willingness, Inspiration 4.According to Paul, who pretends as an angel of light? The Unholy, Satan, Herod, The Wicked 5. Which epistle warns against patronizing prostitutes? Luke, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Philippians 6. “What” of the spirit is the word of God? Sword, Praise, Love, Lamp

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Pacifer Could Save Infant’s Life Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is every parent’s worst nightmare. But a new study reports that an everyday item can signifcantly reduce an infant’s risk of SIDS -- the pacifer. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the risk of SIDS is reduced by 61 percent when infants sleep with pacifers. Although experts can’t pinpoint just why pacifers offer this protection, this simple precaution could drastically reduce the number of tragic deaths caused by SIDS every year. Researchers speculate that some babies could be predisposed to SIDS at birth, and a lack of oxygen caused by sleeping face down can also increase an infant’s risk. But a concrete cause of SIDS has eluded experts, making this discovery even more signifcant. Pacifers help open the infant’s airway during sleep, ensuring that the baby receives enough oxygen. And babies who suck on a pacifer probably sleep less deeply and wake up more easily, meaning the infant would be more likely to notice a lack of oxygen. Finally, some doctors believe the pacifer’s handle creates an open airspace around the baby’s nose and mouth, again providing oxygen if the infant is facing a blanket or mattress. In addition to using a pacifer, the AAP encourages parents to make sure infants sleep on their backs on a frm surface that is free of soft blankets or toys. Also, consider having your infant sleep in your bedroom -- but not your bed -- during the frst few months so you can monitor the baby’s sleep. Finally, remember that a baby should never be overheated during sleep -- your infant should never feel hot to the touch. Although 2,500 SIDS cases occur every year, researchers hope that an inexpensive, accessible item like the pacifer could signifcantly reduce that number. Write to Barbara Barontini in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 328536475, or send e-mail to itsawomansworld@gmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Tidbits® of Branson Area The Peculiar Career of Gus Frerotte

Scammed by a Phony I was scammed. As much as I hate to admit it, I fell hook, line and sinker for stories told to me by an alleged combat veteran. He was good; I’ll have to give him that. He could weave a fne story. And yes, I had niggling doubts. I didn’t follow the same advice I’ve given here: follow your gut. I was so taken by the tales themselves that I suppose I was willing to overlook certain details for the sake of the stories he told. Problem was that he didn’t always tell the same tales to everybody, and it took comparing notes with others to fnd all the inconsistencies. Solving this one was easier than it generally is. A neighbor down the street offered up the initial clue: His mother made the comment, “He wasn’t in the Army. It was his brother.” And that brother had died.

I don’t want to say it was a vigilante posse that showed up at his door, but we did have questions. After a couple of haughty denials, he confessed all. The medals he wore on holidays? They belonged to his brother. The tales of exploits? Again, those of his brother, heard during long evenings over a few beers. No, he said, he had not applied for benefts. Obviously the records would reveal the truth. He went a little pale when told that just saying the medals were his was good enough for a six-month jail sentence. Your attempts to get to the truth if you suspect an imposter likely won’t be this easy. But trust your gut. Listen when those little inconsistencies start to add up, and ask questions. Those who have the right answers won’t mind. Write to Freddy Groves in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 328536475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com.

1995 was a peculiar year for the Washington Redskins. The legendary Joe Gibbs had retired two years earlier after one of the most dominant 12-year coaching stretches in NFL history. Three years earlier, Mark Rypien held his hand aloft after defeating the Buffalo Bills 37-24 in Super Bowl XXVI. But times had changed, and the franchise was deep into its Norv Turner and Heath Shuler era. Deep, like in a bad way. The era had gotten off to a bad start. Taken with the third pick in the 1994 NFL Draft, Shuler was expected to bring greatness back to the franchise. At Tennessee, Shuler had shattered Volunteer records (most of them later erased by Peyton Manning) and earned a reputation as being a ferce competitor in the SEC. Shuler’s frst contest was at the bargaining table, however, and he held out of training camp until Jack Kent Cooke came up with $19 million boxes of ziti and a seven-year contract. Again -- expectations were high in the District of Columbia. While a Redskin, Shuler again rewrote the record books, leading (using the term loosely) the team to its worst seasons ever. One game, Shuler tossed fve interceptions. Eighteen games later, the Redskins had seen enough, and they turned to the man of slight build on their sideline -- their seventhround draft pick out of Tulsa. Gus Frerotte stunned the league, coming out of nowhere, showing a true quarterback’s poise in the pocket. He wasn’t afraid to take chances, and he wanted to move the ball downfeld. In 11 starts, he passed for almost 3,000 yards, tossing 13 touchdowns. It started off as a joke, but soon fans were sporting Gus Frerotte gear in the stands. Then, in 1996, Frerotte got real serious, earning a Pro Bowl selection after leading the ‘Skins to a 9-7 record, on the cusp of the playoffs. It seemed as if the team was about to turn the corner. And then came Sunday Night Football against the G-men of New York. Frerotte breaks right, dashes into the end zone and celebrates the tying touchdown by head-butting the wall and spraining his neck, landing on injured reserve. Good quarterback, maybe not so bright. Since bouncing his dome off the wall, Frerotte has bounced around the league. He’s had stops in Detroit, Denver, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Miami, St. Louis and now Detroit. Whenever given a chance, Frerotte has won games -- he’s just never been spectacular. Things came full circle for the journeyman last month when, in front of 70,000 crazed fans in the New Orleans Superdome, he led the Vikings to an upset 30-27 win, throwing a touchdown and leading the team down the feld in the fnal minutes for the game-winning feld goal. Just another peculiar start in the very peculiar career of Gus Frerotte. Mark Vasto is a veteran sportswriter and publisher of The Parkville (Mo.) Luminary. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

For Advertising Call 1.417.230.7055 BONE APPÉTIT! (continued):

Online Learning A whole world of knowledge has opened up to me since I discovered online learning. We have a wealth of classes available to us right on the Internet, ranging from informal to the university level, selftutorials to instructor-presented, free to little cost. At Lifetime to Learn [www.lifetimetolearn.co m] you’ll fnd Photoshop Introduction, Microsoft Outlook: Taming Your Inbox, and more. At Computer School for Seniors [www.cs4seniors.com] learn to restore old photographs and take great digital photos and much more. Ed2Go [www.ed2go.com] has an online instructor for every class, not just a tutorial you do yourself. Each class runs for six weeks and costs $99. Recent additions are Start Your Own Arts and Crafts Business and Business Law for the Small Business Owner. At the university level, imagine taking a course on Yeats from MIT, or a beginning French language class from Carnegie Mellon. While you won’t actually get credit for it (since you’re not paying for the class), and you won’t have hands-on instructor presence, just think of the possibilities. MIT’s offerings are especially rich and comprehensive. I found a MIT class on America during the Depression, and it included hundreds of photos of the era, along with the class notes, a study materials list and links to related resources. To learn more about Open CourseWare, go to http://ocwfnder.com. Free and low-cost classes are all over the Internet. You only have to look for them. If you’re new to computers and unsure of your way around, maybe your frst stop (with a computersavvy grandchild at your elbow) could be one of the “how to surf the Web” classes. Once you learn the basics of getting around on the Internet, you’ll be off and running. Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

• The very frst attempt at hip replacement surgery occurred in Germany way back in 1891. Professor Themistocles Gluck replaced the ball of a human femur with one fashioned out of ivory. Unfortunately, the bone eventually failed due to infection and the body’s natural “rejection” tendencies. Other surgeons tried various materials (such as glass and rubber) without success. Finally, in 1925, American orthopedic surgeon Marius Smith-Petersen noted that shipping companies were using a then-new material called stainless steel to protect cargo from seawater corrosion. His stainless-steel hip joints worked well and soon became the preferred replacements. • The three basic types of bone fractures are greenstick, simple and compound. A greenstick fracture is an incomplete break – the bone is bent, chipped or cracked but not completely broken. A simple fracture is a bone that has completely broken, but has not pierced the skin. A compound fracture is a broken bone that protrudes through the skin and has been exposed to air. Today, bone fractures are treated based upon the location and severity of the break. Doctors typically immobilize a broken bone using casts, pins, or splints made of various materials.

It was French existential philosopher and author Jean-Paul Sartre who made the following observation: “To believe is to know you believe, and to know you believe is not to believe.” The opossum is the only marsupial that is native to the continent of North America. Jack Welch was the chairman and CEO of General Electric for 20 years beginning in 1981. When he retired, in 2001, his retirement package (better known these days as a “golden parachute”) included such lifetime perks as three country club memberships; a box at the Metropolitan Opera; seats at Wimbledon, the French Open and the U.S. Open; tickets to the Red Sox, the Yankees and the Knicks; free dry-cleaning service; food, wine, fowers and waitstaff whenever he’s in New York City; and free telephone and computer service at all fve of his homes. Nice deal if you can get it.

“Everyone is a genius at least once a year. The real geniuses simply have their bright ideas closer together.” -- Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

If you’re like the average American, you’ll eat about 35,000 cookies in your lifetime. Ever wonder why blue jeans are blue? When they were frst designed, by Levi Strauss, the people most likely to wear them were those who did a great deal of manual labor. Strauss rightly assumed the work was likely to be dirty, so he dyed his new trousers indigo to help hide stains. Regular airmail service by the U.S. Post Offce began way back in 1918. The frst route was between Washington, D.C., and New York City, with a stop along the way in Philadelphia. The name of the North American reindeer known as “caribou” comes from the Native American language Micmac. The word translates roughly as “snow shoveler.” (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Tidbits® of Branson Area

ALL THE PRESIDENTS’ TIDBITS:

DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER Depending on your age, you may recall when Eisenhower dollar coins could occasionally be found in everyday change. What made this coin starkly different from most others wasn’t just its size and weight, but something that just seemed to be missing in the profle: hair. Washington, Jefferson, even JFK had a head of hair. Not so with Ike; and to be fair, the coin’s designer was generous with the amount of hair that he did add. • David Dwight Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas, on October 14, 1890. (And no, that’s not a reversal of his name.) He was born David Dwight, but to avoid confusion with his father, also named David, they called the child Dwight. As a teenager, he switched the two names. • Eisenhower’s father found diffculty developing a career. He moved from Pennsylvania to Kansas to farm, but was unsuccessful. The senior Eisenhower then entered engineering school, but left early to marry. He ventured into retail sales, engine mechanics, and business management. The fnancial struggles the Eisenhower family endured helped to mold Dwight’s political thinking. • After graduating high school in Abilene, Kansas in 1909, Dwight felt, and his family agreed, that the military would provide him with educational opportunities he could not otherwise afford. The Naval Academy rejected him as too old (he was 20), but the Army signed him up to West Point. He played football for Army until a knee injury forced him onto the sidelines as a coach. • After graduation, Lieutenant Eisenhower was assigned to Fort Sam Houston. He reportedly requested overseas duty when World War I erupted, but remained stateside to help train the troops. He was regularly promoted, achieving the rank of major in 1920. Dwight hoped to continue his ascent into the Army’s offcer elite, and attended the Army War College to further his chances. Stints as assistant to the war secretary and aide to General Douglas MacArthur did nothing to harm his road to success. FRIENDLY BAPTIST CHURCH 2751 KIRKLAND DRIVE BRANSON, MO 65616

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The term Steel Guitar is used to describe both a type of guitar and the method of playing the guitar. Some people think the name Steel Guitar refers to the material used to make the guitar. This is not true. The name Steel Guitar originated from the name of the steel (a slide) held in the left hand used to play the guitar. Therefore Steel Guitar can describe a method of playing slide guitar using a steel. Resonator guitars, including round necked varieties, are particularly suitable for this style, but other types are also used, usually with modified high actions, as well as instruments produced specifically for the purpose. The method for playing Steel Guitar is horizontally, with the strings uppermost and the bass strings towards the player. The slide, called a steel, is used above the fingerboard rather than fretting the strings with the fingers. This may be done with any guitar, but is most common on instruments designed and produced for this style of playing. The technique was invented and popularized in Hawaii, thus the lap steel guitar is someti mes known as the Hawaiian guitar. However in Hawaiian music, Hawaiian guitar means slack string guitar, played in the conventional or Spanish position. Steel guitar technique also developed from bottleneck guitar, which is a similar technique to steel guitar but with the guitar held in the conventional position, and using a different form of slide to accommodate this playing position. The lap steel typically has 6 strings and is tuned to either standard guitar tuning, or an open chord. It differs from a conventional or Spanish guitar in having a higher action and often a neck that is square in cross section. Early lap steel guitars were Spanish guitars modified by raising both the bridge and head nut. The string height at the head nut was raised to about half an inch by using a head nut converter or converter nut. This type of guitar is claimed to have been invented in about 1889 by Joseph Kekuku in Hawaii. Some lap slide guitars, particularly those of Weissenborn and their imitators, have two 6string necks, but electric and resonator lap steel guitars are normally single neck instruments. Square-necked resonator guitars are always played in lap steel fashion, and so are specialized lap steel guitars. The pedal steel guitar is an electric instrument normally with 10 to 14 strings per neck, and sometimes two or even three necks, each in a different tuning. Up to eight pedals (not counting the volume pedal) and up to eight knee-levers are used to alter the tunings of different strings, which gives the instrument its distinctive voice, most often heard in country music. The extra strings and use of pedals gives even a single neck pedal steel guitar far more versatility than any table steel guitar, but at the same time makes playing far more complex.

About the author: David Lomascola is an adjunct professor of piano at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He currently resides in Branson, Missouri where he performs his David Lomascola Show featuring his million dollar piano at the Branson Star Theatre. You can learn more about Lomascola on line at www.Lomascola.com.

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DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (continued):

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Eisenhower had just attained the rank of Brigadier General when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, forcing the U. S. to enter World War II. Over the course of the war, Ike would be responsible for commanding Allied troops in Africa and then Europe. He was the man who ordered the invasion known as D-Day, and led the fnal stand against the Germans as a fve-star general. He personally accepted the Reich’s terms of surrender in 1945. In 1948, Eisenhower retired from the Army. Not known for his politics, the Democrats and Republicans both hoped to bring the popular war hero into their ranks. Instead, Ike took a job as president of his alma mater: Columbia. President Harry Truman felt that he’d be the perfect man to head the new North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Eisenhower seemed surprised to win the Republican presidential nomination in 1952. His Democratic opponent was, by contrast, someone who had been involved in politics nearly all his life: Adlai Stevenson. He’d been in public service for 20 years and was the grandson of his namesake, who had been vice president under Grover Cleveland. Now involved in war in Korea, the public felt that General Ike was the smart choice, and he won the election handily.

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Tidbits® of Branson Area Quick Oat Kolaches You couldn’t ask for a better “out of the oven” warm treat to share with friends, whether they live next door or are from across the country.

Name the last full season before 2007 in which no majorleague team won 100 games or lost 100 games. Pitchers Len Barker and Tom Browning each tossed a perfect game during the 1980s. Which one had more wins overall ek during that decade? Name the frst two NFL teams to play to an overtime tie after the NFL instituted its new regular-season overtime rule in 1974. In 2008, Ohio State’s Jamar Butler became the school’s all-time leader in career assists (579). Who had held the mark? Who was the last goaltender before Detroit’s Chris Osgood in 2008 to record shutouts in the frst two games of the Stanley Cup Finals? In 2008, Kyle Busch became the fourth NASCAR driver to sweep both Cup road course races in the same year. Name two of the other three to do it. Who was the last U.S. male tennis player to win the French Open singles title?

1 3/4 cups Bisquick Heart Smart Baking Mix 6 tablespoons I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Light Margarine 1 cup Quick Quaker Oats 1/4 cup Splenda Granular 1/4 cup fat-free milk 1 egg, or equivalent in egg substitute 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup spreadable fruit (any favor) Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray a large baking sheet with butter-favored cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine baking mix and margarine. Stir in oats and Splenda. In a small bowl, combine milk, egg and vanilla extract. Add milk mixture to baking mix mixture. Mix just until combined. Place mixture on a large piece of waxed paper and knead lightly until smooth. Roll dough 1/2-inch thick and cut into 12 (3-inch) rounds. Place rounds on prepared baking sheet. Make an indentation in center of each and spoon 1 teaspoon spreadable fruit into indentation. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Place baking sheet on a wire rack and allow kolaches to cool. Serves 12. • Each serving equals: 132 calories, 4g fat, 3g protein, 21g carbs, 279mg sodium, 30mg calcium, 1g fber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 1/2 Fat; Carb Choices: 1 1/2. Visit Healthy Exchanges at www.healthyexchanges.com, or call toll-free at 1-800-766-8961 for more information about the only national food newsletter for diabetics, heart/ cholesterol concerns and healthy weight loss.

of my gloves while they dry. I’ve had no problems since I started doing this.” -S.G. in Wisconsin

Recipe Substitutions: If you need 1 cup of ( c) 2008 King Features Synd., brown sugar, use 1 cup of whi te sugar plus 2 tablespoons of molasses. “When my mom puts dinner rolls in a basket to serve at the table, she lines the basket with aluminum foil frst, then puts the towel or napkin, then the rolls. It keeps the rolls warmer longer.” -- E.D. in Ohio “If you have precious baby bonnets that need washing, after washing blow up a small-size balloon enough to ft inside the bonnet, place the bonnet over the balloon and let it air dry. It will keep its shape best, and it’s so much better than hanging on a hook or laying the bonnet out to dry.” -- D.T.F. in New York “I like to keep my wool gloves clean, but I don’t like shrinking fngers! After washing, I stuff clothespins in each of the fngers

Planning a car trip this holiday season? Stop in at your local library and ask about books on tape. What better way to make the time pass than a gripping story? And at the library, they’re free to rent. Just make sure you fnd out how long you can keep it! “I love using seasonal salt-and-pepper shakers, especially at family meals. I don’t store them flled with salt and pepper though, and they get a bit dusty or musty in the butler’s pantry. I wash them, of course, but to be sure there will be no sticking before I fll them, I give them a once-over with my hair dryer. I hold the shaker with an oven mitt and aim that hot air inside. It works really well.” -- M.K. in New Mexico Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 328536475 or e-mail JoAnn at heresatip@yahoo. com. ( c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

For Advertising Call 1.417.230.7055

by Sheila Folsom

Suppose, through no fault of your own, your last name is Simpson and your parents christened you Bart when you were born in 1977. Life was smooth until that little cartoon character came along as you entered your teen years, and now you can never announce your name without getting a “look.” Shared names abound: • Jason Alexander was born in Kentwood, Louisiana, in 1981. Twenty-two years later, his name would appear in headlines around the world when he wed pop princess Britney Spears. Their union was annulled less than 72 hours later, but there was plenty of confusion in the meantime. You see, Britney’s temporary hubby shares the same name as a more famous Jason Alexander – that of the balding, bespectacled actor who co-starred on TV’s Seinfeld. The initial media reports had many fans convinced that young Brit had actually married George Costanza! • Paul Simon of Madison County, Illinois, got involved in politics at a young age. By 1968, he’d worked his way up to become the lieutenant governor of his state. But despite his success (and his trademark bow tie), the news media had to specify “Paul Simon, the politician” whenever he was mentioned. By that time, another guy named Paul Simon had edged him out in the fame game by recording several popular records with his musical compadre, Art Garfunkel.

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Tidbits® of Branson Area

Shih-tzu Is Biting Herself Crazy By Samantha Mazzotta

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: What would make my shih-tzu bite her tail? I noticed that “Mitzy” was constantly trying to nibble her own tail. When I looked closer, I found a hard lump and a small cut that was draining. She bites at it worse at night. Mitzy has no fleas, but she does have dry skin. What’s going on? -- Alice H., via e-mail Information in the Tidbits® Paper is gathered from sources considered to be reliable but the ac cu ra cy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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1. It was 1992, when Atlanta won 98 games and the Los Angeles Dodgers lost 99. 2. Browning had 78 wins during the ‘80s; Barker had 62. 3. Denver and Pittsburgh, in 1974. 4. Kelvin Ransey, with 516 assists. 5. New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur in 2003. 6 . Jeff Gordon (1999), Robby Gordon (2003) and Tony Stewart (2005). 7. Andre Agassi in 1999.

DEAR ALICE: Without knowing exactly where the lump is located, I can’t say for certain. It goes without saying that any change in a dog’s behavior, or anything odd that you notice on your pet (such as a new lump or a draining cut) should prompt you to visit the veterinarian as soon as possible for a thorough checkup. Some dogs, regardless of breed, suffer from chronic dry skin. But dry skin can be a herald of a deeper health problem, such as a thyroid condition, which can only be determined through a blood test. So, the best thing to do, again, is mention it to Mitzy’s vet when you bring her in to have the lump checked. The vet may do a biopsy to determine whether the lump is benign. He or she also will ask you a number of questions about Mitzy’s daily behavior: how much and how often she eats, if she is drinking and urinating more than usual, if the dry skin has been a problem for a long time or if it’s recent, any known food allergies or health problems, and so on. If there are no underlying problems, the vet may recommend that you try a change in Mitzy’s diet (he or she will give you some options) to treat her dry skin. You can also add an Omega 3 supplement to her food -- the vet may have this available, or you can purchase the supplement at a pet store. Send your tips, questions and comments to Paws Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 328536475, or e-mail them to pawscorner@hotmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

For Advertising Call 1.417.230.7055 THE OTHER ONE (continued):

• A pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, Kenny Rogers must never have heard the lyrical advice given by the country music vocalist that shares his name: “Know when to walk away, and know when to run. ” The baseball Kenny “gambled” with a major-league controversy back in 2005 when he angrily grabbed a photographer’s camera from his grasp and smashed it onto the ground. • When Baby Boy Columbus was born in 1958 in Spangler, Pennsylvania, his parents decided it might be funny to name him Christopher after the famous explorer. (No, the two are not related.) Chris was an only child and felt somewhat lonely since both his parents had jobs, so motion pictures became his companions. Today, Chris Columbus is a well-respected flmmaker, and with hits like Mrs. Doubtfre, Home Alone and part of the Harry Potter series under his belt, his popularity rivals that of his namesake. • When he was born in 1958, Howard Kevin Stern’s parents couldn’t have known that another Howard Stern would gain fame years later as “The King of All Media.” But the situation has forced Howard K. Stern to use his middle initial for clarifcation. He’s an attorney by profession, but Stern is better known as the constant companion of the late Anna Nicole Smith. For ten years, Stern multi-tasked as her lawyer, assistant, and adviser. • Vanessa L. Williams and Vanessa A. Williams were both born in 1963. Vanessa L. is the Williams who became the frst AfricanAmerican woman to win Miss America. She went on to become a successful singer and actress, and has been nominated for Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Awards. Vanessa A. costarred on TV’s Melrose Place, Chicago Hope, and Murder One. Just to add to the confusion, Vanessa L. had the lead role in the flm version of Soul Food, while Vanessa A. starred in the TV series of the same name. • Major League Baseball coach and former player Howard Johnson is no relation to Howard Deering Johnson, the founder of the famous restaurant chain. But we’re willing to bet the former Mets slugger gets free clams when he stops by.

Cold Weather Fitness By Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.S.S., C.S.C.S.

The late fall and winter months can make it diffcult to continue a ftness routine that consists of outdoor activities. Colder temperatures and less sunlight require a realistic and diverse plan to keep you moving toward your ftness goals. These tips can keep you ft on the inside when it gets cold outside. • Anticipate a temperature change. Begin planning alternative exercise routines early. Plan ahead; don’t wait until you are forced to change your workouts. A ftness routine that consists of running, walking, cycling or hiking may have to be altered during colder months. • Find innovative and fun activities that could take the place of outdoor activities that may have to be put on hold during the winter, such as dance lessons, spinning classes, mall walking or indoor rock climbing. Try different activities before the really cold weather arrives, so you’re well-prepared if your workouts have to change. Keeping yourself active and motivated are top priorities. • Prepare your body for colder weather. Not everyone hibernates; if you continue to walk, run or cycle outdoors as the weather changes, it is extremely important to equip your body with tools to fght the elements. Dress in layers and protect your head, ears, face, nose, hands and toes. As you begin to warm up you can always peel back layers. And drink plenty of fuids. Although the weather is cold outside and you may take longer to build a sweat, staying hydrated is still important. • Go with the fow. Try to remain fexible and give yourself many options. Since the weather is beyond our control, developing plans for different scenarios can be helpful. Joining a health club, purchasing an aerobic video or teaming up with a friend who owns ftness equipment are three options you can use to complete your aerobic workout regardless of outside conditions. Also, remember not to be too hard on yourself if you miss a day -- just get back on track as soon as possible. Always consult a physician before beginning an exercise program. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

The frst bone marrow transplant that notably extended the life of the recipient occurred in Cooperstown, New York, back in 1956. The transplant was from one identical twin to another. In 1973, the frst bone marrow was successfully transplanted from a donor to an unrelated patient.

Good Women “Here’s to good women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.” I saw a coffee mug in a gift shop with this statement on it. “You need that, Mom. Get it,” my daughter said. It’s fun to be with someone who says you need to buy something. So I did. To me the words on the mug sum up my thoughts on all my friends. Not long ago I had one of those weeks that nearly drove me to call a mental-health hotline -- I had a roof leak, a son with a mysterious stomach problem, a family member seriously injured, a husband out of town, a broken washing machine and, if that weren’t enough, a cat crawled in my car and peed. My friends are the ones I called instead of the mental-health hotline -- thank God for good women. These special women help me to put my life in perspective. I hope you have these kinds of girls in your life, too. If you do, you know that they celebrate with us our joys, but they also listen to us vent about our problems. These friends, mothers, daughters, sisters and neighbors keep us accountable by saying such things as,

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“I understand. I’ve been there, and here’s what I did.” Or they are honest enough to tell us: “You’re making too big a deal out of this. Snap out of it.” Maybe they are the only ones telling you: “You’re not making a big enough deal out of this. No, you are not crazy.” And then we all love the carefree friend who says, “You know what you need? A pedicure.” If we didn’t have these women in our lives, many of us would spontaneously combust over our bowl of Cheerios most mornings. If truth be told, we are better mothers, daughters, wives and employees because of our female relationships. Remember what it was like when you found out that your friends didn’t expect you to be perfect? As a matter of fact, they liked you even more because you didn’t have it all together. These women let you be transparent; in fact, they usually demand it. They don’t expect you to have this life, this job, this relationship with God, this role of mother, wife, daughter all f gured out. They’re just glad that you don’t because it takes the pressure off of them too. Here’s to good women. Write to Taprina Milburn in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 328536475. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

This is not ordinary green tea! It's a Iq ey super &naentrated extract that is sweetened naturally without sugars or ardfidal X eeteners! Plus, it contains up to 29Cthe behefits found in 1 cup of mguftrgreen tea Pr P.M. r Super concentrated green tea extracts could be the easiest & most delicious way ever to: • Eliminate low energy, support immunity, increase metabolism & shed excess weight by avddingsugaryeverag6,s. ! ` i

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HOPE for Homeowners The HOPE for Homeowners Act is now in effect. Signed by President Bush in July as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, the HOPE program is designed to give relief to millions of struggling homeowners by restructuring their home mortgages. To be eligible, the homeowner must: • Use the home as his main residence. • Certify that he hasn’t defaulted on the loan just to take advantage of the HOPE program. • Have a debt-to-income ratio greater than 31 percent as of March 1, 2008. If the borrower qualif es, the lender will rewrite the loan down to an amount that the borrower can pay, up to a cap of 90 percent of the current market value of the home. The new loans must have a f xed rate for 30 years, with the borrower annually paying an extra 1.5 percent of the loan principal for FHA insurance. The downside to the borrower is that he must split any equity with the FHA down the road. That amount will be determined by a phased-in sliding scale, but can be as much as 100 percent of the equity if the borrower pays off the loan (by selling or ref nancing) in the f rst year, or down to 50 percent at f ve years. Not all lenders are eager to participate in the program, however. In theory they’ll lose a bit now to keep from possibly losing a lot later if they don’t help homeowners get mortgages under control. Under the program, lenders would have to reduce the amount of the mortgage to 90 percent of the home’s present market value, which can be a considerable loss if home values in their area have already plunged. And the lenders will have to pay FHA, the backer of the loans, 3 percent of the amount. Additional provisions of the Act include a federal tax credit up to $7,500 (10 percent of the purchase price) to buy a new home, new regulations on reverse mortgages for the elderly and more protections for veterans facing foreclosure. To read details of the Act, go to www.govtrack.us, click Bills and Resolutions, and put H.R. 3221 in the search box. David Uff ngton regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Write to him in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.