Vol. 21: #51 • Classic Christmas Movies • (12-14-2025) Tidbits of Coachella Valley
by Kathy Wolfe
Although we've seen them numerous times, there's a whole bunch of us who just can't let the Holiday season go by without watching our favorite Chistmas movies to make it complete. And you can count your Tidbits staffers in that group! ‘Tis the season to remember some of these favorite films, so stroll with us down memory lane to check out some of the interesting facts behind a few of these familiar classics.
THE POLAR EXPRESS
• This film was originally intended by director Robert Zemeckis to be a live-action version, but when he learned that costs of live-action would soar close to $1 billion instead of the budgeted $160 million, he opted for motion-capture footage that was turned into animation. Actors performed in a black box theater, with the footage converted to digital.
• The story of children riding a magical train to the North Pole on Christmas Eve was written by Chris Van Allsburg, the same author who penned Christmas Classics: Turn to page 3
TRIV
(Answers on page 16)
1. TELEVISION: What is the name of the bloodhound featured on the sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies”?
2. HISTORY: Which Chinese dynasty mostly built the Great Wall?
3. MOVIES: Which 2003 movie is about juveniles who are sentenced to work at a desert camp?
4. MUSIC: Which famous song begins with the line, “Hello darkness, my old friend...”?
5. ANATOMY: What’s another name for the patella?
6. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of Chile?
7. FOOD & DRINK: Who perfected the Champagne method?
Strap on your skates and follow along as Tidbits presents these facts on the sport of figure skating.
• Skates were first used in the Scandinavian countries centuries ago as a means of transportation, with skaters strapping the leg bones of large animals to their feet. The bones were sharpened and shaped so that people could glide across ice, greatly reducing the time required to travel around a body of water. Metal skates were introduced during the 13th century.
• In the 18th and 19th centuries, skating evolved into a sport, with competitors required to trace elaborate geometric patterns and designs, or figures, on the ice.
• Circles, loops, and figure eights were etched into the ice with the blades’ edges; hence the name “figure skating”.
• These exercises became known as “compulsory figures” in competitions. The sport progressed into jumps, spins, and choreography, and in the early 1990s, the compulsories were removed from competitions.
• During the mid-1800s, American ballet dancer and figure skater Jackson Haines blended the artistry of dance with the athleticism of skating, capturing the first U.S. National Figure Skating Championship title. Haines is considered the father of modern figure skating.
• Beginning in 1880, skaters invented several complicated jumps which were subsequently named after them. Norwegian skater Axel Paulsen devised the sport’s oldest and most difficult jump, one with a forward takeoff, requiring the skater to land backward on the outside edge of the skate, appropriately named the Axel.
• In 1909, Swedish skater Ulrich Salchow invented a jump in which the skater takes off from the back inside edge of one foot and lands on the
8. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What are the national flowers of Japan?
9. LITERATURE: Who wrote the novel “Love in the Time of Cholera”?
10. SCIENCE: Which wire is usually the main “hot” one in electrical work?
back outside edge of the opposite foot.
• The Lutz, invented in 1913 by Alois Lutz of Austria, is a jump with the entrance from the skate’s back outside edge and a landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. It’s considered figure skating’s second-most difficult jump.
• There are three spin positions in figure skating –the upright spin, the sit spin (invented by Jackson Haines), and the camel spin. All can be either forward or backward. A flying spin combines a jump and a spin.
• The speed at which figure skaters spin is mindboggling. They can reach six revolutions per second, which is more than 300 per minute! The record for the fastest spin was set in 2015 by a Polish-Canadian skater, Olivia Oliver, who achieved 342 revolutions per minute.
• Figure skating competitions were initially just for men. It wasn’t until 1902 at the World Championships that female British skater Madge Syers joined the competition, nabbing second place behind Ulrich Salchow.
• Although the formal Winter Olympic Games as we know them started in 1924 in Chamonix, France, Olympic Games were held in London in 1908, with figure skating featured for the first time. Oddly enough, the competition was held during the summer games inside an ice rink.
• The designated area where skaters sit and wait for their marks from the judges has an official term – the “kiss and cry area.” It can be the place for either celebrating success or lamenting over a poor performance.
• You might have noticed that skaters avoid fringe and feathers on their costumes. Any type of wardrobe malfunction, including glitter floating to the ice’s surface, a broken strap, or loss of a feather or any trim results in a deduction in score by the judges.
• Figure skates feature a longer, more curved blade than other blades, with toe picks at the front, designed to assist in jumps, spins, and intricate footwork.
Christmas Classics (from page one)
“Jumanji.” Besides his main role as the train’s conductor, actor Tom Hanks played five other roles in the film. Lead singer of Aerosmith, Steven Tyler played two characters in “The Polar Express.”
WHITE CHRISTMAS
• Although the famous song “White Christmas” is featured in the 1954 movie of the same name, the tune sung by crooner Bing Crosby actually had its debut in the 1942 film “Holiday Inn,” winning the Oscar for Best Original Song that year. There was a new version of the song for 1954’s “White Christmas,” the highest-grossing film of the year. It still ranks among the top 100 popular movies of all time.
• All 17 songs in the movie “White Christmas” were written by Russian-born composer Irving Berlin, who wrote an estimated 1,500 songs before his death in 1989 at age 101. Rosemary Clooney, aunt of actor George Clooney, starred opposite Bing Crosby.
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
• It was a typical morning in the life of writer Philip Van Doren in 1938, when he had an idea for a story while he was shaving. His brainstorm was the tale of a troubled man considering suicide, who is visited by his guardian angel who shows the man the real worth of his life.
• Van Doren worked on the story on and off over the next five years, and in 1943, he mailed it out to friends as his annual Christmas card, using the title “The Greatest Gift.” A copy of the story found its way to an agent at RKO Pictures, and Van Doren was paid $10,000 for the film rights.
• The title was changed to “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and released in 1946 with Jimmy Stewart in the role of George Bailey, a distraught businessman in the small town of Bedford Falls facing financial ruin. The entire plot takes place on Christmas Eve with Clarence the angel saving
Baileyʼs life in order to earn his wings.
• The movie was filmed at RKO’s movie ranch near Encino, California, where four acres were transformed into the small town main street. Being filmed during the middle of summer necessitated the invention of a new type of fake snow composed of soap flakes and fire extinguisher foam. In previous films, painted corn flakes were used for winter scenes, but the crunching sound resulted in multiple scenes having to be redone.
• “It’s A Wonderful Life” has become one of the world’s most beloved Christmas movies, but although it was nominated for five Academy Awards, it didn’t win a single one. It was considered a box office failure and recorded a loss of $525,000 (about $9 million today).
• Due to an error, however, its copyright in the U.S. expired in 1974 after a failure to renew, and it then entered the public domain. This allowed it to be broadcast without licensing or royalty fees, making it available to millions of viewers who now regard it as a favorite Christmas classic.
LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION
• The movie was called “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” but there are no scenes that take place on Christmas Day. The movie ends with the celebration of Christmas Eve with the whole Griswold family participating, including Mrs. Griswold’s cousin Catherine and her socially-awkward husband Cousin Eddie, who has been out of work for seven years.
• Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, longs for the perfect Christmas, and adorns his house with 25,000 lights, which cause a temporary citywide power outage when he switched them on.
• During the filming, as Aunt Bethany and Uncle Lewis arrive, there was an earthquake as the scene was being shot. If you look closely, you can see that the camera shook as they walked in the door.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
• Charles Dickens’ masterpiece, “A Christmas Carol,” has been adapted into film well over 100 times, both in animated and live-action form. The first to tell the story of the miserable miser Ebenezer Scrooge was a British short silent film in 1901, footage that has been preserved nearly 125 years.
• The 1935 film “Scrooge” starred a British actor, Seymour Hicks, in the title role. In 1951, Scottish Week of December 14, 2025
NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE
Jimmy Stewart was commissioned as an Army Air Corps officer as soon as the U.S. entered WWII, flying 20 combat missions over Europe. "It's a Wonderful Life" was his first role after returning from his service. He remained active as a military pilot until 1968, attaining the rank of brigadier general.
actor Alastair Sim took on the role of the stingy businessman visited by three spirits. Oscarwinning actor George C. Scott’s 1984 portrayal of Scrooge is one of the favorite representations of the story. Kelsey Grammer and Patrick Stewart have also tackled the famous role.
• There have been numerous animated versions
1. What Christmas character's heart was "two sizes too small"?
2. What was the boy's name played by Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone"?
Marcy Cardenas
Marcy Cardenas
By Lucie Winborne
* Picasso was once suspected of stealing the “Mona Lisa” from the Louvre. He was brought to court, where it was determined that he was indeed in possession of stolen art, but not da Vinci’s masterpiece, and was let off with a warning.
* Ice from seawater melts into fresh water.
* Pepsi was originally called “Brad’s Drink,” after its creator, pharmacist Caleb Bradham, who believed it had digestive benefits.
* Volcanoes can create lightning.
* Ulysses S. Grant’s middle initial doesn’t stand for anything. He was christened Hiram Ulysses Grant, and the initial was added by Congressman Thomas Hamer when he nominated Grant for West Point, thinking it stood for Grant’s mother’s maiden name.
* Fewer than one in 10,000 people possess the gift of perfect pitch.
* The world’s largest beaver dam, located in Canada’s Wood Buffalo National Parkand boasting a length estimated at more than 2,600 feet, is visible from space via satellite imagery.
* Memorial Day’s date was first chosen because it was when flowers would be in full bloom.
* In 2012, Susan Warren, who owned a cleaning business, broke into a house but stole nothing. Instead, she washed coffee cups, vacuumed, took out the garbage, and dusted ... then left the homeowners, who were asleep upstairs, her phone number and a bill for her services on a napkin.
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Thought for the Day: “If the world should blow itself up, the last audible voice would be that of an expert saying it can’t be done.” -- Peter Ustinov
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
by Mary Hunt
How to Help Someone You Love Build a Good Credit Score
apartment, having lived in a big home for many years. How do I make these melamine cabinets shine? I’ve cleaned them with Blue Dawn and water but they still look streaked and dingy. Help! -- Katy
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
by Mary Hunt
DEAR MARY: I’ve heard that adding someone to your credit card will help that person establish a credit history, even if they do not use the card. Is that true? How would I go about doing it? -- Pat
Dear Pat: It is true. You would add this adult (at least age 18) as an “authorized user” to your account by calling your credit card issuer’s customer service. (Find the toll-free number on the back of your card.) An authorized user has all the privileges of using the account without any liability for repayment.
I know it sounds crazy, but that’s the way it works. As activity on the account is reported to the credit bureaus, it goes into the files of the primary account holder (you) and the authorized user’s file. That means the authorized user benefits from piggybacking onto your good credit being reported on that account.
Surprisingly, perhaps, your authorized user does not have to be aware you have done this. You could add your teenager as an authorized user without him or her knowing.
Just keep in mind that this could backfire if your authorized user decides to go nuts and runs the balance up to or beyond the limit. Not only will you be liable for full repayment, that negative activity will be reported to your credit file as well. Hope that helps.
DEAR MARY: You have written in the past that it’s important that we keep our credit cards “active” even when we keep them at zero balance. How often should we use them to keep them active? Does it matter how much we put on them? Can it be a small purchase that we pay off immediately? Thanks. -- Nancy
Dear Nancy: Using a credit card twice a year is more than sufficient to keep the account active. The purchase amount is inconsequential. Use it to purchase a 99-cent app and you’ll accomplish the goal. Then pay it off right away -even on the very same day. That way, you won’t forget or run the risk of allowing a silly small purchase to create a rolling debt.
The system isn’t looking at the size of the purchase or the amount of time between purchase and repayment -- only that a transaction is recorded and payment is received according to the terms and conditions you agreed to when you opened the account.
These days it’s important for every adult to own one good, all-purpose credit card for the purpose of maintaining a high credit score. To do so does not require one to carry a smidgen of debt (it’s NOT a debt score), nor to use the thing habitually. You could use your card to purchase two apps a year ($1.98 total, paid off immediately) and build a great credit score. I have a feeling that’s exactly what you plan to do. Good for you!
DEAR MARY: First off, thanks for all your wonderful tips. I just moved into my first
Dear Katy: I’m assuming this is a rental, so you probably don’t want to start painting those cabinets, although you could with a remarkable product: Cabinet Rescue Melamine Cabinet PAINT (available online as well as stores like Home Depot and Lowes) formulated specifically for melamine (also known as Formica).
Now that you’ve cleaned the cabinets well, I’d try a good furniture polish like Lemon Pledge. That just might do the trick! If you’re still not completely happy, invest a few bucks in one of my favorite kitchen products: Johnson’s Jubilee Kitchen Wax. Jubilee (a venerable product we can still find online) will clean and polish everything in your new kitchen, including the melamine cabinets, Formica countertops and appliances. I love the stuff and I think you will too.
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Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate. com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”
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UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATERS
It’s that time of year again, when we don those questionably tasteful Christmas sweaters in the midst of the holiday festivities. December 19 is officially dubbed National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, the perfect time to dig out those atrocious garments and celebrate!
• Christmas sweaters haven’t always been the tacky, goofy garments we associate with ugly sweaters of today, adorned with pom-poms, bells, reindeer antlers, hanging ornaments, and even blinking lights!
• In the 1950s, they were pullovers produced with the name “Jingle Bell Sweaters,” and often featuring traditional Nordic and Fair Isle designs, cable-knit, snowflakes, and angels. Crafters also had patterns to follow for creating their own hand-knit woolens.
• Popular singer Andy Williams traditionally sported a tasteful Christmas sweater on his variety show as he crooned carols to his adoring theater and TV audiences.
• During the 1960s and 1970s, bold psychedelic designs gained popularity with sunglass-sporting Santas, and brilliant, dazzling colors. In the bighair days of the ‘80s, glitter, sequins, pom-poms, and disco themes prevailed.
• The Christmas sweaters’ status was boosted by the 1989 film “National Lampoon’s Christmas
Vacation,” which featured Chevy Chase wearing a festive eyesore. Ugly Christmas sweaters were a regular fixture at office parties, with wearers trying to outdo everyone else with the most outrageous designs they could find.
• But the 1990s brought a downslide in the popularity of ugly sweaters. By then they became something that only grandmas wore, and they all but disappeared from the fashion world. But in 2001, the movie “Bridget Jones’ Diary” brought about a revival of the sweater's popularity. When actor Colin Firth in the role of Mr. Darcy wears a hideous Christmas sweater featuring a giant red-nosed reindeer, it quickly caught the public eye. Bridget herself was horrified, but that awful sweater actually launched ugly back into vogue.
• In 2002 Chris Boyd, an employee at a Canadian retirement home, noticed residents wearing Christmas sweaters during the holidays and how they enjoyed the variety of comments they received. As he was studying the variety of designs, he got the idea of taking the laughs and comments they produced to a new level. So he decided to get a friend to join in on the fun.
• The following year, Boyd and his friend Justin Birch hosted the first-ever Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. They urged everyone they knew to attend “the most cheesy, most feel-good party imaginable.” Guests were instructed to wear the ugliest, most ostentatious Chrismas sweater they could find. It was a home-run hit.
• That initial gathering of 30 guests grew in four years to a size that required renting a large venue at the local university, and by the fifth year they had to move it to a massive Vancouver ballroom with 1,200 people in attendance. Boyd and Birch even published a book on the subject, “Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book: The Definitive Guide to Getting Your Ugly On.”
• Even the top fashion giants have gotten into the act, pairing cashmere with beading and gaudy designs. The shelves of high-end stores like Nordstrom now feature designer alpine sweaters from Dolce and Gabanna, Ralph Lauren, and Stella McCartney.
• Every year since 2009, talk show host Jimmy Fallon has held his “12 Days of Christmas Sweaters” giveaway, with audience members selected at random to receive an ingenious creation of his program’s costume department over the span of 12 nights. The imaginative garments have included such features as an
iPad centerpiece highlighting a roaring fireplace video, and a giant snow globe that actually blew out fake snow.
• Social media has boosted the appeal of ugly sweaters as users post their ugliest sweaters on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X). There are ugly sweater 5K runs, bar crawls, parties, and contests. A winning sweater might include LED lights, tinsel, hanging ornaments, jewels, 3-D elements, pom-poms, or a sweater with a 1950s vintage design.
• How long the ugly sweaters rage will last is unknown, but in the meantime we can at least enjoy the fun.
by Dana Jackson
Q: Is Alan Ritchson leaving “Reacher”? I could have sworn I read this somewhere, but I can’t find anything on the internet confirming it. -- K.A.
A: No, Alan Ritchson will be back in the lead role when “Reacher” returns for its fourth season next year. There have been some announcements of cast additions, but Ritchson is staying put. Jay Baruchel (“FUBAR”) was set to join the show as a police officer but had to bow out due to personal reasons. Christopher Rodriguez Marquette (“Barry”) has since been recast in the role. Also joining the cast are Sydelle Noel (“GLOW”), Marc Blucas (“Swagger”), and Kathleen Robertson (“Swimming with Sharks”).
The upcoming season of “Reacher” will be based on “Gone Tomorrow,” the 13th novel of the bestselling series written by Lee Child. Be-
1. Zootopia 2 (PG) Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman
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3. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (PG-13) Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson
4. Predator: Badlands (PG-13) Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi
5. The Running Man (R) Glen Powell, Alyssa Benn
6. Eternity (PG-13) Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen
7. Rental Family (PG-13) Brendan Fraser, Paolo Andrea Di Pietro
8. Hamnet (PG-13) Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal
9. Sisu: Road to Revenge (R) Jorma Tommila, Stephen Lang
10. Nuremberg (PG-13) Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon
fore it became a series on Amazon Prime Video, Tom Cruise played the role of Jack Reacher in two motion pictures. However, Ritchson matches the height and physique of the character in the books.
The show has made the actor a household name. Before landing the part, he had regular roles on shows like “Smallville” (where he played Aquaman), “Titans,” and “Blue Mountain State.”
Also set for release sometime in 2026 is a “Reacher” spin-off based on the character of security consultant Frances Neagley. The show will star Maria Sten (“Channel Zero”), who originated the role on “Reacher,” with Ritchson set for a gueststarring role.
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Q: When is the new “Shrek” movie coming out? Are Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy all returning? -- R.G.
A: Originally set for a December 2026 release, “Shrek 5” has been moved to a June 30, 2027, premiere date because Universal and DreamWorks thought that it would be better suited for a summer release. All three leads -- Myers, Diaz and Murphy -- will voice their iconic roles once again.
Joining them will be Zendaya (“Dune”) as Shrek and Fiona’s daughter, Felicia, as well as Marcello Hernandez (“Saturday Night Live”) and Skyler Gisondo (“Superman”) as Felicia’s siblings, Fergus and Farkle.
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Q: I read that Tom Sandoval was fighting with his girlfriend at BravoCon. Did he run into his ex Ariana Madix there, too? -- M.G.
A: Former “Vanderpump Rules” cast
members Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix had one of the ugliest public breakups after Sandoval was discovered to be cheating with Madix’s friend, Rachel Leviss. The only bright spot was that Madix’s career soared, landing her a hosting gig of the hit reality dating show “Love Island” and a lead role on Broadway in “Chicago.”
There are no reports or photos of the two exes bumping into each other at the three-day fan event in Las Vegas last month. However, there was a cellphone video of “Summer House” star Lindsay Hubbard reportedly breaking up a verbal argument between Sandoval and his current girlfriend, Victoria Lee Robinson. The two are still together, and according to the Daily Dish, the couple will be traveling “all over the place” to visit both of their families during the holiday season.
* * *
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
(c)
2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video
Maria Sten as Frances Neagley in “Reacher”
Good Recipes from
Holiday Eggnog
Rich, creamy -- and safe, because it starts with cooked eggs.
12 large eggs
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 quarts whole milk
1 cup dark rum (optional)
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg plus additional for sprinkling
1 cup heavy or whipping cream
1. In heavy 4-quart saucepan, with wire whisk, beat eggs, sugar and salt until blended. Gradually stir in 1 quart milk and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until custard thickens
and coats the back of a spoon well, about 25 minutes (mixture should be about 160 F, but do not boil or it will curdle).
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margarine over medium heat. Add onion; cook 5 minutes or until softened, stirring occasionally.
2. Pour custard into large bowl; stir in rum, if using, vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg and remaining 1 quart milk. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 3 hours.
Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with
2. Stir in cabbage, apples, water, sugar, vinegar, cloves and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook 10 minutes or just until cabbage and apples are tender, stirring occasionally. Uncover; cook 5 minutes or until most of liquid evaporates.
3. In small bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat heavy or whipping cream until soft peaks form. With wire whisk, gently fold whipped cream into custard mixture.
4. To serve, pour eggnog into chilled 5-quart punch bowl; sprinkle with nutmeg for garnish. Makes about 16 cups or 32 servings.
Each serving: About 125 calories, 5g protein, 11g carbohydrate, 7g total fat (4g saturated), 0g fiber, 98mg cholesterol, 90mg sodium.
Red Cabbage and Apples
We’ve simplified Red Cabbage and Apples, a Christmas dinner staple, for a more delectable holiday recipe.
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
1 medium red onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
1 medium (about 1 3/4 pounds) head red cabbage, cored and thinly sliced
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1. In deep nonstick 12-inch skillet, melt
Each serving: 55 calories, 2g total fat, 130mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate, 2g dietary fiber, 1g protein.
* * * For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/foodrecipes/
By John Allen DIAMOND LIL
by Brett Koth
Donald Duck by Walt
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Holidays & Observances This Week
12/14 Hanukkah (Begins at sundown)
12/15 Bill of Rights Day
12/16 Zionism Day
12/17 Christmas Carol Day
12/18 Underdog Day
12/19 Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
12/20 Family Board Games Day
By Matthew Margolis
The Shy Type
“Scientists have found the gene for shyness. They would have found it years ago, but it was hiding behind a couple of other genes.”
-- Jonathan Katz, American humorist
Shyness can be crippling. But some of the most presumably outgoing people are also the most famously painfully shy: Robert De Niro, Lucille Ball, Barbara Walters, Johnny Carson…
So if people can overcome it, what about dogs?
The following letter from a reader chronicles the difficulties for a dog burdened with shyness -- and demonstrates the patience required of its owner.
“I adopted an Australian/German shepherd mix almost two years ago. She is about 5 years old and very attached to me, but it’s taken a long time for her to come out of her shell.
“When I first got her, she trusted nobody and would run away and hide all the time. She was shipped from Alabama, and I don’t know whether she was ever socialized. I’ve put everything into getting this dog to trust me and can honestly say she now does. She never takes her eyes off me, and doesn’t bite or growl or even really bark.
“The problem: She’s insecure with everyone else. When my kids (10 and 14) are home, she stays in my room. I have to close the doors to all the rooms to keep her from hiding. At that point, she stays right by my side or under my feet, always happy to see me, but never excited for anyone else. She will take treats from my husband, but she runs behind the chair to eat them. If she is panicked, she won’t take treats from anyone.
“She’s scared to death when walking on a leash with my husband or my kids, but walks great with me. If I’m outside with her, she’s pretty good, but if anyone else comes into the yard or she hears a strange noise, she runs to the door to go inside. She’s afraid of all noises.
“Strangely, when my husband and I are watching TV after the kids have gone to bed, she turns into a different dog: She will approach my husband and sit next to him for small periods of time. She looks happy and wags her tail. She gets
Here we are, ready to wrap up another year. And there’s a new one just around the corner. What can we learn from this year to help us in the next one?
Many seniors have had a rough time financially, and it doesn’t look as though things are going to get better soon. Grocery costs have been a big part of that. What we’ve learned is that every time we go to the store, the items we usually buy will cost more and more. And the cost of the coat we’ve been eying is much more than last year. And our utilities bills just aren't going to go down.
But we’ve also learned that the people who run the food bank are kind and helpful. And we’ve learned that we can get one more year out of our winter coat. And we’ve learned that wearing a vest or sweater at home can make up for the one degree we turn down the thermostat.
While it wasn’t as bad as during the Covid pandemic lockdowns, our sense of isolation this
Worthwhile Changes
Sometimes it’s the small changes that give our homes a new feel. There are changes that can break a bank and changes that, while budget conscious and simple, make your home more comfortable and provide equitable value. Some are light renovations; others, decorative fixes that have impact.
Painting your walls and trim is the No. 1 fix for any home. It is generally inexpensive and changes the whole look of a room. This is a great way to freshen up your space and personalize it, as well. Select colors that make sense for you, but that you know you’ll love a year from now, too.
Flooring is one of the factors that can have major impact. Renewing with a more up-to-date floor can make your place look nicer and larger, depending on your choice of flooring material. Wood floors are a sure bet. They are a classic and natural selection that give warmth and blend with most styles of decor from traditional to contemporary.
year was made worse by finances because we didn’t dare spend on too many lunches out with friends. For some of us, the sense of loneliness and anxiety took a toll on our health.
But all is not lost. We can look for free activities that bring us in contact with others: Book clubs at the library, art classes at the local museum and board games at the senior center all give us opportunities to socialize. Attend enlightening and encouraging Bible studies at a local church.
Even exercise can be free and can combine fitness with socialization. Look for pickleball at the rec center. Give karaoke a try. Do you have an Advantage plan that covers Silver Sneakers workout classes?
The New Year can be better than 2025. Make your plans!
Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com.
(c) KingFeaturesSyndicate2025
"Every time a bell
rings, an angel gets his wings."
-- Clarence the Angel from "It's a Wonderful Life"
tiles are not extremely expensive, yet they impart value that buyers love, and so will you.
Doors take quite a beating, and a little attention spent on doors can make a dramatic change. If your doors have architectural embellishments, it might pay off to keep them and professionally paint them. I usually recommend painting them with semi-gloss or gloss paint. If your doors are plain hollow-core doors, changing them to solid wood will be a visual change -- and also a change that is felt every time you open and close the door. Yes, architecture can sometimes be appreciated with all of your senses, and the weight of a solid-core door feels like it is of a better quality. The hardware on doors -- knobs and hinges -is easy to change and immediately improves the appearance of your doors.
Depending on the number and size of your windows, changing your window treatments can either be inexpensive or cost prohibitive. In smaller homes or apartments, the changes can be as simple as purchasing some ready-made drapery panels or shades from your local home decorating store. Larger homes with oversized windows may require the help of a drapery workroom for custom-made window treatments.
If you are dreading the thought of removing your existing floor, consider using pre-engineered wood strips that can easily be floated atop existing flooring. For a seamless and bright look, install the floor in the same direction as your main source of light from windows. Of course, there are other flooring materials that work well for a quick renovation, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. Ceramic and porcelain
We may all get comfortable and complacent with the way our home looks and feels, but change is good and important. At times, making small changes helps you see new opportunities that add value to your home. In addition, changes to your home can affect your outlook on life and the future. Make sure they are worthwhile.
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Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
Corner (from page 9)
excited when either of us gives her a treat, chews on her bone and looks forward to getting petted. She is so happy that it’s hard to believe it’s the same dog.
“I don’t understand what she is afraid of, especially after all this time. I was going to take her to obedience classes to socialize her, but I don’t think she would do well being around so many different people and pets. I just want her to be normal. Do you have any ideas?”
My response:
Build confidence. This is the key to combating shyness in a dog. Depending on the dog’s age, the degree of shyness and the reasons behind it, this process can take weeks, months or years. But every effort will help.
How do you build confidence in a dog? Desensitization and obedience training using love, praise and affection.
Desensitization is the process of gradually introducing the dog to those things he is afraid of -- be they people, noises, places, objects or circumstances. The trick is to introduce the frightening situation and let the dog approach at his own pace. Do not force anything, but rather, reassure your dog that you will not push him too far past his comfort zone.
A method of training steeped in love, praise and affection is what I recommend for all dogs, but especially for the nervous, shy or timid. Stern or angry words will only backfire when working with these personalities, and your success with desensitization depends on the dog believing he has an ally in you.
For a more in-depth examination of canine shyness and techniques for relieving it, check out “When Good Dogs Do Bad Things” and “I Just Got a Puppy. What Do I Do?” or visit www.unclematty. com.
Woof!
* * *
Dog trainer Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis is the co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and the host of the PBS series “WOOF! It’s a Dog’s Life!” Read all of Uncle Matty’s columns at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com.
YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
by Tom Margenau
How to Handle Social Security Issues When Someone Dies
Every couple of years, I like to cover a topic that confuses almost everyone. And that confusion comes at a time when they have so many other things on their minds. I’m talking about handling the Social Security affairs of someone who has died.
Of course, there are many different potential scenarios involving the death of someone. But for today’s column, I will be primarily dealing with the one I most commonly hear about from my readers. It involves a husband and wife, both of whom were getting Social Security benefits -- and the husband dies.
The first issue I will cover is what to do with the final Social Security check for the deceased. And to do so, I must start out by making three points.
First, Social Security checks are paid one month behind. So, for example, the check you get in December is the benefit payment for November.
Second, the law says you must be alive for an entire month to be due a Social Security check for that month.
And third, Social Security benefits have never been prorated. People don’t like this rule because the Social Security check for the month of death must be returned.
To help explain how this plays out, I’ll use an example. Mary’s husband, Fred, died on Nov. 28. Mary would not be able to cash Fred’s November Social Security check (paid in December) even though Fred was alive for 28 days of the month.
But there is a flip side to this lack of a proration rule. If Fred did die on Nov. 28, Mary would be due widow’s benefits for the whole month of November, even though she was a widow for three days of the month.
And as I’ve explained many times in my column, the lack of proration can also help out when someone first starts getting Social Security. For example, if Fred took benefits at age 66 and he turned 66 on April 30 of some past year, he would have received a check for the whole month of April even though he was 66 for only one day of the month.
So to repeat, continuing with my example of Mary and Fred, after Fred dies, Mary must return the Social Security check for the month of death. But that’s only if she got the check in the first place.
I added that qualifier because there is a very good chance the check won’t even show up in their bank account. As you may have heard, there are all kinds of computer-matching operations that go on between various government agencies and banks. So if the Treasury Department learns of a person’s death in time, they won’t even issue the Social Security benefit. Or, if the check was issued, the bank will likely intercept the payment and return it to the government before it even hits a checking account. In other words, Mary usually doesn’t have to worry about returning any Social Security checks. It’s almost always done for her. There can be a little twist to this scenario, though. For example, let’s say that Fred died on
Dec. 2. And let’s further say that his Social Security check was normally sent to him on the third of each month. In other words, Fred died just before his Social Security check was deposited into his bank account. Because he was alive the whole month of November, that means Fred was due the money from that November check (paid on Dec. 3). And now Mary, as his widow, is due that money. Sometimes, bank officials will sort of just wink at Mary and let her keep the proceeds of that last Social Security check.
But if they follow the letter of the law, that November Social Security benefit would have to be returned to the Social Security Administration. Then it will be reissued to Mary in her name. (There is a form that needs to be filled out to get that to happen. Mary would have to talk to an SSA rep about that.)
So far, I’ve been talking about dealing with the last Social Security check that was sent to the deceased. Now let’s talk about getting any Social Security widow’s benefits that will be due. I’ll continue to use the example of Mary and Fred.
due any widow’s benefits. But she would be due that one-time $255 death benefit.
Throughout this column, I have been talking about a situation involving a husband and wife getting Social Security benefits, in which the husband dies. And I did that because that is the way these situations normally happen. But of course, there are many other potential scenarios.
If we have a married couple and the wife dies first, then the same rules described in this column apply to the surviving husband.
If a person who was getting Social Security benefits dies, but doesn’t have a spouse, then someone needs to notify the SSA of the death and follow the rules explained above about returning the last Social Security check. And the one-time death benefit would not be payable.
If Mary were getting only Social Security spousal benefits on Fred’s record (meaning she didn’t have her own Social Security), then the Social Security Administration would simply automatically convert her from spousal benefits to widow’s benefits once she notifies them of his death. And she will also get the one-time $255 death benefit.
If Mary were getting her own Social Security benefits, and if that benefit were less than her husband’s rate, then she would be due the difference in widow’s benefits. But she will have to call Social Security at 800-772-1213 to file for those benefits and the one-time death benefit.
However, if Mary were getting her own Social Security and if she were under her full retirement age when Fred dies, then Mary would have some options. She could choose to file for reduced widow’s benefits immediately, or she could choose to wait until her full retirement age and get the full 100% widow’s rate.
If Mary was getting her own retirement benefit before Fred died, and if that benefit was higher than Fred’s benefit, then Mary wouldn’t be
1. The book of Immanuel is found in the a) Old Testament b) New Testament c) Neither
2. Which Old Testament prophet said the most about the birth of Christ? a) Daniel b) Isaiah c) Ezekiel d) Jeremiah
3. From Matthew 1:18, when Mary became pregnant, she and Joseph were ....? a) Married b) Engaged c) Close friends d) Cousins
4. In Luke 2:8-11, how did the shepherds learn of Christ's birth? a) Magi b) Rumor c) Angelic host d) Star in Eastern sky
5. Where did the wise men first go when they arrived in the Holy Land? a) Nazareth b) Bethlehem c) Jerusalem d) Hebron
6. When does the Bible record as the time of Jesus' birth? a) Spring b) Summer c) Winter d) Does not say
(Answers on page 16)
comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com
If a person who was not yet getting Social Security dies, then of course, there are no benefits to stop. But if that person left a spouse or minor children, then contact the SSA because survivor benefits may be payable.
If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answers. Email him at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.
To find out more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
Metoprolol Prescription for Palpitations Exacerbates Anxiety
DEAR DR. ROACH: I just discontinued using metoprolol succinate extended release (ER) at a dosage of 6.25 mg. My heart rate is normally in the 70-80s, and my blood pressure is normal. My doctor prescribed it for palpitations, but it seems totally unnecessary. My issue is that I am experiencing tachycardia of over 100 beats every single night as well as dry mouth.
Could this be anxiety? And do you think an antidepressant like Zoloft or Paxil would help? I had a Holter monitor, which showed nothing wrong with my heart. The palpitations were sporadic only when I was anxious.
I stopped metoprolol because it exacerbated my anxiety and caused me depression as well as panic attacks. My doctor prescribed me 1 mg of Ativan to take at bedtime, but I am very scared of getting addicted to it. So, I thought maybe an antidepressant would help instead. My doctor prescribed 25 mg of Zoloft, but I want another opinion. -- S.S.
ANSWER: Generalized anxiety disorder is a common problem and may be associated with panic attacks (sometimes depression as well). The most common and highly effective medication treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, with or without panic attacks, is an SSRI-type drug like sertraline (Zoloft). Therapy is another option, and the two together are more effective than they are separately.
Metoprolol is an effective treatment for the fast heart rate that some people get when they have anxiety, and metoprolol by itself is helpful for many people who have anxiety. (The high heart rate can make people feel even more anxious.) However, it sounds like metoprolol did not work for you. There is a small increased risk of depression among people who take beta blockers like metoprolol.
In my opinion, lorazepam (Ativan) is not a good long-term choice for an anxiety disorder, but it can still be helpful in some people while they’re waiting for another treatment to start working (such as therapy or a medicine like Zoloft). It takes six to eight weeks to reach maximum effectiveness.
Addiction is not an issue when both the patient and prescriber agree that it will be only used as a short-term treatment. For Zoloft, 25 mg is a low dose, and some people need higher doses (sometimes much higher) to control their symptoms.
DEAR DR. ROACH: Why shouldn’t you use antibiotics for a cold? -- T.Y.A.
ANSWER: There are two main reasons. The first is that antibiotics are effective against bacteria; they’re not effective against the viruses, which are the cause of colds. It is true that a person (or their doctor) cannot be 100% sure
whether they have a virus, but people are generally pretty good about knowing when they have a cold.
The second is that resistance to antibiotics has become a major issue in medicine. There are now strains of bacteria that are resistant to all antibiotics, and I have seen patients die because their bacteria were resistant to all the antibiotics we have. Using antibiotics less often and for shorter durations is a major goal to reduce the rate of antibiotic resistance. (Antibiotic use in animals that are raised for food is a major issue as well.)
Patients can help by not asking for (or demanding) antibiotics for what are almost certainly viral infections.
*
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.
VETERANS POST
by Freddie Groves
The VA Year in Review
Veterans who have a relative who gets medical care under CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs) will be happy to know that the massive backlog of applications has been eliminated.
CHAMPVA covers the 900,000 veterans’ dependents, survivors, caregivers and spouses who need care. Until recently there were over 70,000 applications that were stuck in a backlog, some taking 150 days to process.
That backlog no longer exists, even though 4,000 new applications are coming in per week. As of now, the process has been automated, which greatly speeds things up. Appeals have seen similar success with a recent 20,000 appeals being reduced down to 1,000.
Other things have been happening at the same time, per a VA news release:
• The VA has set over a million appointments in the early morning, during evenings and on weekends to make it easier for vets to get an appointment.
• They’re spending $800 million for much needed improvements on facilities.
• This year they broke a previous record and processed 3,000,000 disability claims.
• DOGE and the VA hooked up with Medicare and Medicaid to pinpoint $106 million in duplicate billing.
• Permanent housing was found for over 51,000 homeless veterans.
• The VA canceled the previous administrationʼs plans to install $77 million worth of electric charging stations.
• And in big dollar amounts, the VA has stepped up to deal with a potential $272 million in medical bills that were caused when the Biden administration halted the processing of co-payment claims for community care. The problem at the time was the PIT, the Program Integrity Tool, which was supposed to identify waste and fraud in community care billing. Instead, it was creating duplicate claims, overwriting claims -- and more. (The VA Office of Inspector General identified 18 defects in the program, which they estimated consisted of 40 million community care claims.)
• As of last month, PIT is finally processing claims again.
*
Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com.
M.D.
Tips and Tools for Adapting to Vision Loss
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Can you recommend some good resources or products that can help seniors with severe vision loss? My wife has diabetic retinopathy and I am concerned since it has worsened over the past year. -- Need Help
Dear Need: I’m very sorry about your wife’s vision loss, but you’ll be pleased to know that there are many resources and a wide variety of low vision products and technologies that can help with many different needs.
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), it’s estimated that 12 million Americans ages 40 and older are living with uncorrectable vision loss, which is often caused by age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy. These conditions become more common with age and can make daily tasks like cooking, reading or watching television much harder.
But optometrists who specialize in low vision – reduced vision that can’t be rectified
with glasses – have many aids and technologies that can help. Here are a few different low vision products as recommended by Consumer Reports, along with some suggestions for finding a specialist who can help your wife adapt to her vision loss.
Magnifiers and Adaptions
Once reading glasses are no longer sufficient, there are other devices that can help. These include handheld magnifiers with a light and magnifying domes that can be placed on top of a page.
Telescopes mounted on glasses frames can work for people who need help seeing distances.
For those who have lost part of their visual field due to a stroke or brain injury, prisms mounted to the lenses in glasses can move an image from an area someone can’t see to the area of their vision where they become visible. This can help people get around without bumping into obstructions.
Driving may no longer be possible, but some people with certain types of low vision can do so safely using a bioptic telescope – a telescopic device attached to glasses –that makes distant objects like road signs visible. And some changes at home can make your space easier (and safer) to navigate, such as putting bright tape on the edges of stairs and getting rid of clutter.
High-Tech Tool
Most smartphones and computers today have built-in accessibility settings that can help your wife by reading aloud text on the screen, making default text sizes larger, and increasing screen contrast. She can also take a photo with her phone of something she wants to see, then boost the brightness, contrast, or zoom. Televisions, too, may have accessibility features you can adjust to make watching easier.
Phone apps for people with low vision
can also be a big help. These include magnification apps like SuperVision+ Magnifier and apps such as Seeing AI and Envision AI that can look through your phone’s camera and turn text into speech, describe a scene in front of you, identify objects, or even recognize faces.
There are also handheld or wearable devices like OrCam that can read documents or describe the scene you are looking at.
Low Vision Specialist
To get some help, find your wife an optometrist who is a low-vision specialist. They can help her figure out how to best use the vision she does have and recommend helpful devices.
There are also vision rehabilitation services that can make a big difference. These services provide counseling, along with training on how to perform daily living tasks with low vision, and how to use visual and adaptive devices that can help improve quality of life. They also offer guidance for adapting your home that will make it safer and easier for your wife to maneuver.
Her regular eye doctor may be able to recommend a low-vision specialist, or you can search the AOA.org website, which lets you filter for specialists in low vision. To locate rehabilitation services and other low vision resources in your area, call the American Printing House (APH) Connect Center at 800-232-5463.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
-- by Jim Miller
lifestyle, people just don’t want to take the time to care for fine china and crystal. You might try selling on the Internet or at a good auction house.
JUNQUE
by Anne McCollam Creators
A Fine Romanz
Q: This is a photo of one of the dishes that is part of a set of china that I have. In 1967 when my spouse and I took a trip to Europe, we were in Munich, Germany, and purchased a beautiful set of Rosenthal china and matching crystal stemware all in the “Romanz” pattern for a very reasonable price.
The dinnerware and the crystal are each a service for eight and include serving pieces. I used them only for special occasions. Around 1970 one of the wine glasses was broken and I was able to locate a replacement in New Orleans, and instead of the wonderful price I originally paid, it cost $57. The dinnerware is white with gold trim and an embossed oval and dot pattern. The stemware also has a raised similar pattern.
They are now too expensive to use every day, and I really have no one that would use them. I would like to sell my entire beautiful set and hope you can tell me what their value is and where I might sell something so special.
A: Rosenthal China Company is located in Selb, Bavaria, Germany, and has been in business since 1879. “Romanz” -- also known as “Romance” -- pattern was created by Rosenthal designer, Bjorn Winblad. He designed mid-20th-century modern designs that appeal to the United States market.
It can be difficult to sell beautiful porcelain and stemware like yours. In today’s more casual
The value of your dinnerware on the secondary market is very modest. The dinnerware would probably be in range of $600 to $900 and the stemware set from $300 to $400.
Q: I inherited a set of dishes from my mother and have enclosed a picture of the mark that is on the back of each piece. The set includes 7 dinner plates, 7 salad plates, 6 dessert dishes and 11 cups and saucers.
The dishes are decorated with rose buds and green leaves in the center and on the border. The plates have scalloped edges and are trimmed with gold. There are no chips or cracks on any of the dishes. I would classify their condition as excellent.
Can you tell me what value these dishes have today?
A: Haviland and Company is located in Limoges, France. They have made porcelain since 1864. The value of your set of dishes would probably be $300 to $450.
Antiques expert and columnist Anne McCollam has since retired and no longer receives inquiries nor answers reader letters. Due to the popularity of her column, this publication will continue to reprint previous columns of interest to our readers.
To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
* On Dec. 15, 1945, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, in his capacity as Supreme Commander of Allied Powers in the Pacific, ended the role of Shintoism as Japan’s established religion. Shintoism included the belief that the emperor was divine.
* On Dec. 16, 1998, President Bill Clinton announced his order of air strikes against Iraq, due to the country’s refusal to cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors. Key members of Congress did not support the decision, accusing Clinton of using the strikes to direct attention away from his impeachment proceedings.
* On Dec. 17, 2003, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” the final film in the trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy novels, debuted in theaters. A tremendous hit, it won 11 Academy Awards, and the trilogy became one of the highestgrossing franchises in cinema history.
* On Dec. 18, 1961, the Tokens’ version of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” became not just a No. 1 song, but a classic -- one of the most covered and most successful pop songs ever recorded. Sadly, a sequence of business arrangements that made millions of dollars for a handful of prominent U.S. music publishers yielded just a $1,000 personal check from folksinger Pete Seeger to Solomon Linda, a South African performer who composed the tune.
* On Dec. 19, 1986, Michael Sergio, an actor and Mets fan who parachuted into Game Six of the 1986 World Series at New York’s Shea Stadium, was fined $500 and sentenced to 100 hours of community service for touching down on the infield with a “Let’s Go Mets” banner to the cheering support of more than 55,000 spectators.
* On Dec. 20, 1880, a section of Broadway between Union Square and Madison Square was illuminated by Brush arc lamps, becoming one of the first electrically lighted streets in America and earning the nickname “The Great White Way.”
On Dec. 21, 1913, the first modern crossword puzzle was published in the New York World, part of a set of what the paper called “mental exercises.” Clues included “sunk in mud,” “the fibre of the gomuti palm,” and “such and nothing more.”
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
"I think the 'Divot King' just outdid himself."
Haviland China and Company was founded in 1864 in Limoges, France.
Mid-20th-Century “Romanz” pattern was designed by Bjorn Winblad.
Christmas Classics (from page 3)
of “A Christmas Carol,” including the 1999 computer-animated film with Jim Carrey voicing Scrooge. Favorite cartoon character adaptations have included Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Mr. Magoo, Yosemite Sam, and the Flintstones.
THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL
• “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” produced in 1992, was the directorial debut of Brian Henson, son of Muppets creator Jim Henson. It was the first major Muppet project following Jim’s death in 1990.
• Actor Michael Caine claims that the role of Scrooge was one his favorite parts of his entire career. Kermit the Frog played Scrooge’s bookkeeper Bob Cratchit, and Miss Piggy, of course, was featured as Mrs. Cratchit.
• After Jim Henson’s death, Kermit’s role was handed to Steve Whitmire, who was exceptionally nervous about taking over fulfilling the hole left by Henson. The day before Whitmire was to step in, he had a dream of meeting Henson and relaying how nervous he was. In his dream, Whitmire was assured by Henson that all would go well, giving the new Kermit the confidence to continue.
DIE HARD
• 1988’s “Die Hard” is considered one of the greatest action films of all times, but is it really a Christmas movie? Fans of the film say absolutely, since it takes place on the evening of the office Christmas party of the hero’s ex-wife.
• The film is perhaps Bruce Willis’ most famous role, in which he portrays New York cop John McClane, who gets mixed up in the terrorist takeover of a Los Angeles skyscraper, while there in an attempt to win back his wife.
• Although we likely can’t imagine anyone other than Willis in this role, it was offered to several other box office stars first, including Sylvester Stallone, Richard Gere, Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Don Johnson, and Al Pacino.
• Willis received $5 million for the role. When filming began, the ending had not even been finalized, and was only determined in the last ten days of filming.
• The film is based on Roderick Thorp's 1979 novel "Nothing Lasts Forever."
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Game Changers
by Jason Jenkins
Two to Ten Degrees
Golf has many zones of success where the club or body doesn’t have to be in exact positions in order to be successful. For example, the upper body is in an address orientation where the spine should be slightly tilted away from the target. Because the right hand is lower on the club than the left, the shoulders should naturally be tilted uphill. In order to compliment the shoulders, the entire upper body should be tilted somewhere between two and ten degrees away from the target.
The golf shirt’s placard can serve as a great “reference line” for the spine when you look downward at address. Due to the body tilt, the placard should align toward the left instep. If the line points right sided, or outside the left foot, the upper body has drifted outside its zone of two to ten degrees of tilt. Take note that the tilt may increase for the longer clubs, but it should
