Vol. 21: #21 • Too Loud • (5-18-2025) Tidbits of Coachella Valley
TIDBITS SAYS
by Kathy Wolfe
Tidbits says “listen up” this week as we bring you some interesting facts about sound! A loud sound is one that has a high intensity or volume, meaning it's easily heard and can sometimes be unpleasant or even damaging to hearing. Loudness is essentially a sound with a large amplitude or energy.
• Loudness is measured in decibels, with human hearing ranging from zero to 140 dB. Any noise louder than 120 dB can immediately damage the tiny hair cells called stereocilia deep inside the ear canal that turn sound vibrations from the air into impulses that the brain perceives as sound.
• While sound intensity remains constant because of the physical properties of a sound wave, the perception of loudness is subjective and varies from person to person. A person with sensitive ears might find certain music far too loud for comfort, while another might thoroughly enjoy the thumping beat and blaring sound of the instruments.
• Sound waves pass through the ear canal where they
TRIVIA NEWSFRONT
(Answers on page 16)
Two teams pulling on opposite ends of a rope –that pretty much sums up the tug of war! But letʼs pull out the facts on this ancient test of strength and see where this type of competition began.
• The tug of war is ancient sport, part of war games in Egypt, Greece, India, and China to train warriors. The Greeks called the sport “helkystinda,” which translates “I pull through.”
• Beginning in the 1500s, tug of war tournaments became popular in the formal gardens of the French and British. During the 1800s, sailors practiced in pulling lines to adjust sails drew on their skills in tug of war contests.
• The goal of the tug of war team is simply to bring the rope in one direction while the opponents are pulling in the opposite direction. The rope has a center line and two markers equidistant from the center, and teams attempt to pull the other team’s marker across the center line.
• In official competition, the markings are 13 feet (4 m) to either side of the center. The rope is about 4.3 inches (11 cm) in circumference. A line is marked on the ground and the rope’s center line is directly above that line. Each team typically has eight members, and their total weight cannot exceed the maximum set for their weight category.
1. MOVIES: What is the name of Han Solo’s ship in the “Star Wars” series?
2. TELEVISION: What is Ray Barone’s job on the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond”?
3. U.S. STATES: The Baltimore Ravens’ name is a nod to which past famous resident?
4. PSYCHOLOGY: What fear is represented in the condition called “alliumphobia”?
5. LITERATURE: Who created the fictional detective Lord Peter Wimsey?
6. GAMES: Which chess piece can’t move in a straight line?
7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a baby mouse called?
8. SCIENCE: What does the acronym RNA stand for?
9. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was the first to wear contact lenses?
10. ASTRONOMY: Which constellation contains Polaris, the North Star? Answers 1.
• Tug of war rules declare fouls for lowering one’s elbow below the knee during a pull (called “locking”) and for touching the ground for extended periods. It’s a foul to pull the rope over the shoulders, as the rope is required to always be under the arms.
• Of course, it takes mighty physical strength to participate in the contest, but the rhythm of the team members is just as important. The team uses one member to act as the “driver,” the one who harmonizes the team’s traction power. The driver stands next to the team, moving up
and down the line, barking out orders of when to pull and when to rest. Resting has its own term, “hanging,” when team members will dig into the grass with boots, limiting the rope’s movement. When it’s time for the team to pull together, the driver shouts “Pull” and waves a hat or handkerchief.
• There are actual professional tug of war athletes. They are governed by the Tug of War International Federation, established in 1958, which boasts 53 member countries and holds worldwide competitions.
• Between 1900 and 1920, tug of war was part of the Olympic Games. After the 1920 Games, the International Olympic Committee eliminated 30 sports from the Olympics due to concerns that the number of Games were growing too large, and tug of war was eliminated.
• The two northern California communities of Stinson Beach and Bolinas are separated by an ocean channel, the site of the annual Fourth of July tug of war competition. The two teams of 20 people each battle to pull their opponents across the channel and into the neighboring town. The event has occurred on the sandbar at the mouth of Bolinas Lagoon every year since the early 1970s.
• Leclaire, Iowa, and Port Byron, Illinois, have held a similar contest since 1987, except that the Mississippi River separates the teams. River boat traffic is shut down as teams of 20 tug on a 2,700-ft-long (823-m), 680-lb. (308 kg) rope that stretches over the river between the two towns.
Millennium Falcon.
2. Sportswriter.
3. Edgar Allen Poe, who wrote the
Loud: (from page one)
are changed to electrical signals that allow the brain to interpret. Each individual has his/her own perception of what is loud.
DANGERS OF NOISE
• The leading cause of hearing loss isn’t aging –it’s noise. It’s the world’s second most-prevalent health issue. About 17% of adults and 20% of teens ages 12 – 19 have permanent hearing damage due to excessive noise. Thirty million people are exposed to harmful sound levels in the workplace every year, and 19% of those result in hearing impairment. Sadly, hearing loss is irreversible.
• How loud are the everyday sounds we experience? Near total silence is 0 dB, while a whisper measures 15 dB. A quiet library registers at about 30 dB, while an office conversation is about 60 dB.
• This doesn’t mean the office talk is twice as loud as the library – it’s actually 1,000 times louder! This means that the sound of a jet engine at 120 dB is about 1,000,000 times more powerful than near total silence. Your vacuum cleaner emits about 75 dB, while the lawn mower roars at around 95 dB. A jackhammer is at 100 dB, and a car horn registers at 110 dB. Gunshots and large firecrackers measure 140 dB, which not only immediately damages hearing, it can actually cause physical pain.
ADVERTISING PROOF
• Who is more likely to experience hearing loss, men or women? In adults aged 20 to 69, men are almost twice as likely to have some loss than women.
EFFECTS OF NOISE
• How much is too much? It’s not just about the decibel level, but also includes the amount of time and how often your ears are exposed to
loud noise. OSHA recommends that workers not be exposed to a decibel level over 85 for more than eight hours.
• How else does noise affect a worker? Research indicates that employees exposed to conversations around them get distracted, affecting their ability to perform their duties. Itʼs shown that sound of nearby conversations can diminish their focus and productivity by up to 66%.
• It’s not just hearing that is affected by loud noises. Loud everyday sources have been linked to increased annoyance levels, stress, poor sleep, heart disease, and learning problems.
• Research has shown that noise around 70 dB can affect reading comprehension. One study found that kids in school only understand around 70% of the teacher’s instructions when background noise is 65 dB.
• Normal conversation might be 60 dB, but yelling is another level altogether. The loudest human yell ever recorded was an ear-shattering 129 db by a British teaching assistant named Jill Drake in 2000. After being proclaimed the winner, Drake said, “I knew I was loud, but not that loud!” Let’s hope she doesn’t use that level in the classroom, and pity the poor driver in traffic who bears the brunt of her ire!
a crowded dog pound lined with echoing tiled walls and floors, you can up that number by about 15 percent.
• A rock concert typically measures around 120 db. However, the volume at a 2009 KISS concert in Ottawa, Canada, in front of 32,000 fans, reached 136 dB, giving them the dubious honor of holding the record for “loudest concert ever.”
• In 1984, the heavy metal band Manowar topped out at 139 dB, but it wasn’t during the concert itself, but rather during the pre-performance sound check, so while Manowar is the “loudest band,” they didn’t have the “loudest concert.”
• If you plan to attend a loud rock concert, choose one that will be outside. Decibel level is higher at an indoor venue because the sound’s energy bounces around the space. And be prepared for
1. What "a" word refers to anything related to the sense of hearing?
2. What is considered to be the loudest musical instrument?
• Tinnitus is a condition that causes ringing, buzzing, clicking, or roaring in one or both ears. It may occur after exposure to loud noises, such as jet engines, live music, construction equipment, gunshots, or fireworks. It’s often temporary, limited to a few days to a few weeks, but repeated exposure increases the likelihood of tinnitus becoming permanent.
• About 10% of the U.S. adult population has reported experiencing tinnitus in the past year. It's been found that symptoms can improve for some by avoiding caffeine and alcohol.
MEASURING LOUDNESS
NUGGETS
• The barking of the average dog measures between 80 and 90 decibels. The loudest documented dog bark was produced by a golden retriever at an Australian event called Purina Bark in the Park. Charlie the retriever topped out at about 113 decibels. The sound of a group of barking dogs at a kennel can reach up to 115 dB. And in
By Lucie Winborne
* More than 300 different species of bacteria are found in dental plaque.
* PEZ candies were originally antismoking mints.
* World War II is known as “the blessed war” to many Icelanders because the country has that conflict to thank for its independence.
* Jeanne-Genevieve Garnerin was the first female parachutist. In 1799, she jumped from a hot air balloon. This jump was recorded to be around 900 meters high (over 3,000 feet). She was also one of the earliest women to fly in a balloon.
* In the 1920s and ‘30s, many movie theaters had signs instructing ladies to “Please Remove Your Hats” to keep their elaborate headwear from blocking anyone’s view.
* Jeannette Rankin became the first female member of Congress in 1916, four years before the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote, was ratified.
* Mike Tyson saw Muhammad Ali’s last match at the age of 14 and got mad at Larry Holmes for beating Ali. Tyson called Ali on the phone and told him, “I’ll grow up and get him back for you.” Seven years later, Tyson met Holmes for a match, and the then-retired Ali stepped in the ring and said, “Remember what you promised.” Tyson made good on his vow in the fourth round.
* The platypus doesn’t have a stomach at all: Its esophagus goes straight to its intestines.
* Rainbows are full circles when viewed from a different perspective, and everyone sees a unique version depending on how their eyes perceive light. ***
Thought for the Day: “Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
by Mary Hunt
How to Make the Most of Your Money in 2025
(Without Feeling Like You’re Living in a Bunker)
by Mary Hunt
Let’s be honest -- nobody wakes up thinking, “Today, I’d love to pinch every penny so hard Abe Lincoln winces.” But with prices climbing faster than my stress level when I realize I’ve left my phone at home and have to survive a whole day without it, smart money habits are a must. The good news? You don’t have to live off canned beans in a dimly lit basement to make the most of your money. A few small shifts can leave you feeling financially secure without feeling deprived.
1. GET FRIENDLY WITH AUTOMATION (SO YOU CAN FORGET AND STILL WIN)
Automation is like the slow cooker of personal finance -- set it and let it do the work. By automating savings, bills and investments, you eliminate the chance of “accidentally” spending your mortgage payment on a flash sale. Here’s how:
Savings First: Always: Set up an automatic transfer to savings on payday, even if it’s just $25. If you don’t see it, you won’t miss it.
Roundup Apps: Apps like Acorns or Chime round up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invest the spare change. It’s like a digital swear jar, but instead of losing money to bad habits, you gain a cushion.
Autopay Your Bills: Late fees are the finance equivalent of getting a parking ticket five seconds after the meter expires. Avoid them by setting up autopay and scheduling payments ahead of time.
2. GROCERY SHOP LIKE A STRATEGIST, NOT A STARVING TOURIST
Grocery prices have been playing a game of “How high can we go?” lately, and if you’re not careful, your cart will hit triple digits faster than you can say “organic kale.” Here’s how to shop smart:
Make a List, Check It Twice: Impulse buys (looking at you, fancy cheese section) are a budget’s worst enemy.
Buy in Bulk -- But Only If It Makes Sense: Yes, 48 rolls of toilet paper will save money in the long run, but if you live in an apartment the size of a shoebox, where are you putting it?
Use Cashback Apps: Apps like Ibotta and Fetch Rewards give you money back just for snapping a picture of your receipt. It’s as close to free money as it gets.
3. REFRAME ‘FRUGAL’ SO IT FEELS FUN, NOT PUNISHING
Frugality gets a bad rap -- probably because it sounds like something your grandmother preached right before giving you a sweater she knitted from repurposed shoelaces. But being frugal just means being intentional with your money.
The 30-Day Rule: Want something? Wait 30 days. If you still want it, budget for it. If not, you just saved money.
Try “Free” First: Before buying, check if you can borrow, trade or use a free version. Libraries aren’t just for books anymore -- they
have movies, courses and even tools (yes, actual tools).
Create a “Fun Budget”: Instead of cutting out all treats, set aside guilt-free money for things that bring joy. Otherwise, one day you’ll snap and buy a pet llama out of sheer frustration.
4. HACK YOUR UTILITY BILLS (BECAUSE ENERGY COSTS ARE SO RUDE)
Electric bills have a way of making you question if you accidentally opened a small theme park in your backyard. Here’s how to keep costs down:
Unplug the Energy Vampires: Electronics suck power even when turned off. Use smart power strips or unplug rarely used devices.
Program Your Thermostat: If your heating or cooling is running while you’re out, congratulations -- you’re paying to keep your furniture comfortable.
Check for Rebates: Many utility companies offer rebates for upgrading to energy-efficient appliances or installing a smart thermostat.
5. SIDE HUSTLES THAT DON’T REQUIRE SELLING YOUR SOUL
Extra income never hurts, but not everyone has the time or energy to start a full-fledged business. Here are low-effort ways to earn:
Market Research Apps: Apps like Nielsen Computer Mobile Panel pay you just for using your phone as you normally do.
Declutter for Cash: Selling unused items on Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark or OfferUp can turn clutter into cash.
Paid Online Surveys: Sites like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie won’t make you rich, but they can fund your coffee habit.
6. GET REAL ABOUT DEBT (IT’S TIME TO BREAK UP)
Debt isn’t a life sentence, but ignoring it won’t make it go away. Here’s how to tackle it head-on: Negotiate Your Interest Rates: Call your lenders and ask for a lower interest rate. You’d be surprised how often they’ll say yes.
Consider Balance Transfers -- With Caution: Transferring high-interest debt to a 0% APR card can save money, but only if you pay it off before the promotional period ends.
Shameless Plug Alert: I wrote a book about this -- “Debt-Proof Living: How to Get Out of Debt and Stay Out!” You’ll discover the stepby-step DIY method/plan I concocted to pay off more than $100,000 in credit card and other unsecured debt. It worked! More details: EverydayCheapskate.com/books
FINAL THOUGHT: SMALL WINS ADD UP
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight to see results. A few small changes -- automating savings, shopping smarter and cutting unnecessary costs -- can make 2025 the year your money works for you instead of the other way around. And who knows? With a little discipline (and maybe a few less fancy cheeses), you might just have enough left over to plan that dream trip -- or at least avoid the panic of checking your bank balance after a weekend of “treating yourself.”
* * *
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.”
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
Bagpipes
You either love them or you hate them! While some folks describe the shrill sound of the pipes as pleasing as “a bag of strangled cats,” others revere the music, claiming their sound brings them to emotional tears. Listen up to these facts about bagpipes, which according to surveys, rank among the highest on the list of most annoying of musical instruments.
• The first bagpipes were made of the skin of small dead animals, such as goats or sheep. The carcass was cleaned out and turned inside out. The pipes, made from hollow stalks or bamboo, were sewn where the animal’s neck and limbs used to be. Although most of today’s bagpipes are made of synthetic materials such as plastics, metal and cloth, some pipers hold on to tradition with skin bagpipes.
• There are many parts to a set of bagpipes, all connected to the bag. The chanter is the pipe that creates the melody. The piperʼs fingers cover the holes in the pipe to produce different notes, similar to how a clarinet is played, except that the chanter can produce just nine notes. The drones, usually a set of three, are made from bamboo or wood and provide the constant pitch and tone of the instrument. The drones have small holes at the outer tips where air escapes.
• Varying tones are achieved by applying pressure to different areas of the bag. The blowstick is the mouthpiece of the bagpipe which the piper uses to blow air into the bag. There must be constant air flowing into the bagpipes at all times. The chanter reed consists of two bamboo slivers, similar to the reed of an oboe.
• Outdoor decibel levels for bagpipes are about 110 dB, with indoor levels up to 116 dB.
A single piper making music in the Scottish Highlands can be heard up to 10 miles (16 km) away. Don’t bother asking pipers to turn down the volume – bagpipes have no dynamics and the sound cannot be adjusted. To compensate, pipers adjust the tempo or stretch out the tones.
• Although we might think that bagpipes are Scottish in origin, they actually have their history in several other places, including the Balkan countries, India, Libya, Sweden, Egypt, ancient Mesopotamia, and Italy. It’s believed that the invading Romans brought the bagpipes to Scotland.
• It’s also believed that the Roman emperor Nero was a skilled piper. Although we’ve heard that Nero played the fiddle as Rome burned in 64 A.D., it’s more likely it was pipes he was playing. Today, the country with the most bagpipers is New Zealand, not Scotland.
• Bagpipes have a long history as war instruments on the battlefield. Scottish pipers first marched troops into battle at the 1746 Battle of Culloden, where the Jacobite army was defeated by British troops. In the 1700s, many pipers were hanged for owning one as it was considered an instrument of war. During World War I, more than 3,000 pipers marching the troops were killed, with the sound of the pipes making them easy targets. Several hundred more pipers were killed during World War II.
• Every year since 1947, the city of Glasgow, Scotland has hosted the World Pipe Band Championships. Several bands of pipers from all over the world compete for the title. The highest honor of Grade One was held by Scottish bands until 1987, when Canada’s 78th Fraser Highlanders became the first overseas band to capture the title.
Bill Baker - The Solar Initiative 1/3 page “Box” 4C Non-Profit Disc. Rate May 4, 2025 • Volume 21: Issue #19
• A Scottish police officer named Danny Fleming owns the world’s largest bagpipes collection. His 105 different sets, some of which have gold, silver, and ivory settings, are valued at over $150,000.
Tidbits of Coachella Valley
by Dana Jackson
Q: When is the “Freaky Friday” sequel coming out? I’m so happy for Lindsay Lohan. She has really turned her life around since she was in the tabloids all the time. -- D.S.
A: Lindsay Lohan, who played dual roles as a child actress in “The Parent Trap,” is now a mother herself to a toddler boy with husband Bader Shammas. The actress had moved all the way to Dubai a decade ago to escape Hollywood and the intrusiveness of the tabloids.
She has since celebrated 10 years of sobriety and is getting her acting career back on track with smaller movies like Netflix’s “Irish Wish.” It was one of three Netflix films she starred in and her second leading role since 2007.
When Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, who played her mom in the hit comedy film “Freaky Friday,” asked Lohan if she wanted to reprise her role for the sequel, Lohan didn’t hesitate to say “yes.”
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Curtis said that while promoting “Halloween Ends” in Europe, fans in every country kept asking her, “When are you making another ‘Freaky Friday?’” Even if it doesn’t clean up at the box office this summer, “Freakier Friday” should do big numbers by streaming on Disney+.
Q: Is “The Equalizer” coming back this fall? I know it was one of those shows that was on the cusp of cancellation. My husband and I really enjoy it. -- S.E.
A: Unfortunately, CBS chose not to renew “The Equalizer” after its five-season run on the network. The series starred Queen Latifah, who expressed nothing but gratitude when asked about its cancellation. “’The Equalizer’ blew past every dream we had for it, and having the opportunity to do this for five seasons honestly feels surreal.” Latifah added that she’ll be back kicking butt “in something new real soon.”
Latifah has numerous acting projects coming up, including voicing Ellie in the animated movie “Ice Age 6,” as well as co-starring with Jada Pinkett Smith and Tiffany Haddish in the comedy film “Girls Trip 2.” She’ll also produce and star in the teen comedy “Paper Chase.”
Q: Did they ever decide if “Shogun” would continue beyond the first season? Since it’s based on the book, I thought it was just going to remain a miniseries, right? -- M.M.
A: You’re correct in that “Shogun” was intended to be a one-and-done series because it was based entirely on James Clavell’s 1975 novel of the same name. However, it went on to break the record for the most Emmys won by a series in one year and was a huge ratings hit for FX and Hulu.
“Shogun’s” sophomore season will take place 10 years after the original. Clavell’s daughter, Michaela, will once again serve as a producer, along with the co-creators of the first season, Jus-
tin Marks and Rachel Kondo. Filming won’t begin until January 2026, giving them plenty of time to develop the scripts and fabulous costumes. *
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Lindsay Lohan (Upcoming in “Freakier Friday”)
Good Recipes from
Pulled-Pork Sandwiches With Cabbage Slaw
Homemade slaw is a tangy companion to this sweet pork, made with ketchup, brown sugar and chili powder. Serve the sandwiches with pickles and chips for fuss-free sides.
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 cup cider vinegar, plus 2 tablespoons
Kosher salt and pepper
1 pork butt or shoulder
1/2 cup low-fat sour cream
1/2 small green cabbage (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
4 rolls
Potato chips and pickles
1. In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, whisk together the ketchup, sugar, chili powder, 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/2 teaspoons each salt and pepper.
2. Add the pork and toss to coat. Cook, covered, until the pork is tender and shreds easily, on low at 2750 and slow 7 to 8 hours, or 4 to 5 hours at 3500
3. Forty-five minutes before serving, in a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 tablespoon water and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
Core and thinly slice the cabbage, add it to the sour cream mixture and toss to coat. Let sit, tossing occasionally. Fold in the cilantro before serving.
4. Using two forks, shred the pork into medium pieces; gently toss in the cooking liquid. Fill the rolls with the pork and slaw. Serve with chips and pickles, if desired.
TIP: Replace the pork with a 2-pound brisket (trimmed of excess fat) and cook as directed. Or use 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs and decrease the cooking times by 2 hours.
Walnut Balls
You’ll be surprised by how yummy such a simple recipe can be.
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened, no substitutions
1. Heat oven to 325 F. In large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat butter, granulated sugar and vanilla until creamy, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Reduce speed to low; gradually beat in flour and salt just until blended, occasionally scraping bowl. Stir in walnuts.
2. Shape dough by rounded measuring teaspoons into 1-inch balls. Place balls, 1 inch apart, on ungreased large cookie sheet. Bake cookies 13 to 15 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.
3. Place confectioners’ sugar in pie plate. While cookies are hot, with metal spatula, transfer 4 or 5 cookies at a time to pie plate with confectioners’ sugar. Gently turn cookies with fork to generously coat with sugar. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.
4. Repeat with remaining dough and con-
By John Allen
DIAMOND LIL
by Brett Koth
Donald Duck by Walt
Holidays & Observances This Week
5/18 Visit Your Relatives Day
5/19 Hepatitus Testing Day
5/20 National Rescue Dog Day
5/21 American Red Cross Founders Day
5/22 National Maritime Day
5/23 National Road Trip Day
5/24 International Morse Code Day
Dog Talk with Uncle Matty
By Matthew Margolis
Challenges To Expect
With any new puppy come certain predictable realities. There may not be blood, but there will be challenges:
1) There will be chewing.
Puppies, like babies, teethe. It’s a painful process that most of us have zapped from our bank of childhood memories. But in search of relief from the intense pressure of new teeth forcing their way out, puppies chew and gnaw -- on furniture, on shoes, on anything that feels good to their aching mouths.
The solution is to provide your pup with something that feels good but isn’t potentially harmful and doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars to replace. The perfect chew toy for a teething dog? A frozen washcloth.
Soak several washcloths and store them in your freezer. Whenever your puppy puts his teeth to anything you’d rather he not, take the item away and immediately sub in a frozen washcloth. His sore gums will feel immediate relief, and the previous item will fade from memory like so many forgotten baby teeth. Ice cubes also do the trick.
The pain of teething also brings nipping and mouthing. Nipping is a diminutive bite. Mouthing is the constant placement of the dog’s mouth on some part of you -- hand, leg, ankle, arm. Both habits can lead to biting if not corrected, so keep the washcloths coming.
2) There will be elimination.
Eliminating bodily waste is an act of nature -- like breathing. We as dog owners must understand that he doesn’t care where he goes -- we care. Thus, it is our job to teach him what we want. And so we must first make a choice: outside or inside?
Housebreaking your puppy means he goes outside and only outside. Paper training entails teaching him to go inside the house, in a specific area. I strongly recommend housebreaking. Once a dog gets the go ahead to eliminate inside, it’s difficult to switch gears.
Once you and your vet have determined the proper diet for your pup, you’ll want to establish
The price increases we might see because of the expected tariffs make this a good time to get used to hunting for senior discounts on all the goods and services we need and want.
As usual, the definition of “senior” varies from store to store and restaurant to restaurant. One might stick to the age 65, when we used to start collecting Social Security, and others might look at age 50, when AARP starts identifying us (to inflate their mailing numbers and advertising rates) as potential subscribers -- or anywhere in between.
Despite the occasional confusion about age, there are discounts to be had. Shop your local stores first. They’re more likely to offer senior discounts because they want your business, and your repeat business. Check Goodwill and The Salvation Army stores for discount days. Ask your local grocery stores about senior discount days. You might need a loyalty card, but even those can often get you rewards cash.
Don’t forget pharmacies, eyeglass stores, gyms, clothing stores, travel agencies, movie theaters, insurance agents, auto repair locations
-- anywhere you spend money. They’re not likely to offer you any discount unless you ask for it. But they do want your business, and it’s to their benefit to give you a discount.
Scroll through the discount area of the AARP website and see if a membership makes sense for you. (I get $20 off an annual Walmart+ plan, which pays for my AARP membership.) Search for discounts online by looking for “senior discounts 2025” and your area. Then call in advance to verify that a certain discount is available.
Don’t be shy about asking. In fact, before you go to any restaurant or store, make it a rule to call and inquire, and to verify the age they consider senior. After all, it’s your money, and every dollar discounted is a dollar you get to keep.
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.
a consistent feed-water-walk schedule: He eats according to schedule, drinks according to schedule and is taken outside on the heels of either activity. Should an accident occur, clean the area thoroughly, and immediately take the dog outside and praise him.
Accidents are not cause for punishment. They are opportunities for learning. Rather than accentuating your displeasure when he gets something wrong during the early leaning stages, focus on demonstrating how pleased you are with his corrected behavior.
3) There will be leash resistance.
Most of us know better than to throw a saddle on a horse that’s never worn one and hop on. A leash to a dog is no more natural. Dogs don’t come with diplomas. We must be patient with them as they adjust to all our wacky expectations.
The best way to gently introduce the leash to your pooch is to fasten a lightweight model to his collar and supervise as he wears it around the house. This allows him to get used to the weight around his neck. Play fetch with him, have him walk to his food bowl and eat, and do any number of normal activities; however, do not ever leave him alone with the leash on.
Once he’s had time to warm to the idea, take him on a walk. Allow him to pull you. Tugging on the leash while it’s attached to his neck is no way to make him enjoy wearing one. He’ll learn to stop pulling once he begins obedience training and learns “heel.” Until then, cut the little guy some slack and have fun.
For more information on creating and implementing a feed-water-walk schedule, housebreaking, chewing, mouthing, nipping or leash training, read “I Just Got a Puppy. What Do I Do?” or “When Good Dogs Do Bad Things,” 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.
CLIP AND SAVE
YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
by Tom Margenau
More Clarification of the ‘Spousal Bump’
I don’t think I coined the term. But I may have helped spread it around the world of Social Security. I’m referring to the “spousal bump.” Every time I hear it, it makes me chuckle. It sounds like some “dirty dancing” move by an old married couple in a shady nightclub! But of course, I know that’s not what the spousal bump is. It is a term that refers to the extra benefits a wife would get as a spouse on her husband’s Social Security record.
I’ve written past columns about this issue. But I continue to get questions from readers about it. And let me point out that the questions always involve the benefits a wife can get on her husband’s record. Even though Social Security laws are gender neutral, society hasn’t been. A husband’s own Social Security benefit is almost always higher than his wife’s own Social Security benefit. So, a wife is much more likely to qualify for a bump on her husband’s record. But if you happen to live in a household where the wife makes more money than the husband, then it’s the guy who could be eligible for the extra benefits. Anyway, here are a couple of recent questions about the so-called spousal bump.
Q: I turn my full retirement age in July 2025 I am scheduled to get $3,000 from Social Security if I file then. But everything I read and hear from so-called experts tells me to wait until 70 before I file for benefits. If I wait until then, I should get about $3,900 per month. One reason I am encouraged to do this is the extra widow’s benefits my wife would get, assuming I die first. She is 66. She took her Social Security at 62. She only gets $550 per month.
I have two questions. How much of a spousal bump would she get if I filed now at my full retirement age? I’m assuming it’s half of my FRA benefit. And how much would she get if I wait until age 70 to file? I’m assuming it’s half of my age-70 rate.
A: Well, you’re wrong about your wife getting a bigger bump if you wait until 70. More about that in a minute. But first, here is roughly how they will figure your wife’s spousal benefits if you file at your full retirement age. They would take her full retirement rate and subtract that from one-half of your full retirement rate. The difference will be added to her reduced retirement benefit. So let’s put some numbers to that.
I’m going to guess that your wife’s full retirement rate would have been about $735. Then we subtract that from one-half of your full retirement rate, or $1,500. That leaves $765. That would be her spousal bump. We add that to her reduced retirement benefit of $550 -- meaning she would get $1,315 in total benefits if you filed for your Social Security to start in July.
And if you waited until age 70 to file, she would get exactly the same rate. Why? Because the benefits paid to a spouse of a 70-year-old retiree are always based on the husband’s full retirement age rate, not his age-70 rate.
So, if you were thinking you would increase her spousal bump by waiting until age 70, you’re wrong. She would get a bump of $765, or
total benefits of $1,315, whether you take benefits now or wait until age 70. In other words, there is absolutely no advantage in waiting until age 70 to increase your wife’s potential spousal benefits on your record -- while you are alive.
But there is an advantage in waiting until age 70 if your goal is to increase your wife’s potential widow’s benefits. And that’s because even though a wife does not share in the delayed retirement bonus you earn for waiting until age 70, a widow does.
If you wait until 70 to file for benefits, and then die, your wife’s total benefits would be bumped up to your $3,900 level. In other words, she would get her own $550 retirement check, as well as an additional $3,350 in widow’s benefits.
On the other hand, if you filed for benefits now and get your full retirement rate of $3,000, then your wife’s total benefits after you die would be $3,000 -- including her own $550 and $2,450 in widow’s benefits.
So, you and your wife just have to decide if she wants an early spousal bump by you filing now, or a larger “widow’s bump” later on if you wait until age 70 to file.
Q: I am about to turn 62. I’m trying to decide if I should file for benefits now or wait until my full retirement age. My FRA benefit would be $900. My age 62 benefit would be $630. My husband, who was always the primary breadwinner, is also 62, but he plans to wait until 67 to file for his Social Security. His benefit will be $4,200. So, I will eventually get more in spousal benefits on his record. But will I reduce my eventual spousal bump by filing for my own reduced retirement benefits now?
A: You would get the same spousal bump whether you file for your own benefits now or wait until your full retirement age to file. It’s just that if you file now, the bump would be added to your reduced retirement benefit. Whereas if you wait and file for your own benefits at your full retirement (Answers on page 16)
age, the bump would be added to your full FRA
As explained in the prior answer, here is how they would figure your spousal bump. They would take your FRA benefit rate ($900) and subtract that from one-half of your husband’s FRA rate ($2,100). The difference ($1,200) would be added to your own benefits.
In other words, if you file for your own benefits now, you’d start getting $1,830 in total benefits once your husband reaches FRA and you file for spousal benefits. (That’s your reduced retirement benefit of $630 plus the $1,200 bump.) If you wait until your full retirement age to file for your benefits and spousal benefits on your husband’s record, you’d start getting $2,100 in total benefits (Your FRA benefit of $900 plus the $1,200 bump.)
On first blush, waiting until your full retirement age to file seems like the smarter move. (You end up with an extra $270 in benefits.) But if you wait until your FRA to file, you would have missed out on $37,800 in reduced retirement benefits between 62 and 67.
The question becomes, do you want that extra $37,800 for the next 5 years? Or do you want to forego that to get an extra $270 per month from your full retirement age on?
If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email 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.
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
1. The book of Jonah is found in the a) Old Testament b) New Testament c) Neither
2. Which hour mentioned in the Bible means the last possible moment that something can be done? a) Seventh b) Ninth c) Eleventh d) Twelfth
3. According to Hebrews 9, when Christ appears a second time it will be to ..... a) Awake the Heavens b) Start anew c) Save those who look for Him d) End the power of the evil one.
4. How many times did the Israelites march around the walls of Jericho? a) Once b) Five c) Seven d) Thirteen
5. From I Kings 17, the ravens brought Elijah bread and ... a) Water b) Flesh c) Oil d) Grapes
6. What Philistine city was home to Goliath? a) Jericho b) Gath c) Gaza d) Bethel
comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com
Olive Oil Can Serve As a Remedy For Several Ailments
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 76-year-old male in good health. I go to the gym three days a week, eat well, and fast one day a week. I have been reading about taking a tablespoon of olive oil at night as a remedy for all kinds of things such as digestion issues and arthritis.
I tried it, and I swear that the first day after ingesting it, I felt less pain in the arthritis in my hands and feet.
Is there any evidence that this practice is helpful? Also, does it matter what kind or brand of olive oil one uses? I bought special olive oil that is polyphenol-rich; it is lighter and more tasty than the extra-virgin oil I normally buy at the food market. What’s your take on this? -- L.A.
ANSWER: Although I don’t think olive oil is a cure for all ailments, there are certainly health benefits when using olive oil compared to most oils. The flavor and amount of polyphenol (an anti-inflammatory compound found in olive oil) will vary from one brand to another. These anti-inflammatory compounds can help symptoms of arthritis in some people. Personally, I recommend extra-virgin olive oil (made from the initial squeezing of olives without chemical and heat treatment), which has the highest amount of the nutrients you want. But my advice is to choose based on the flavor you like and how much you want to spend rather than the polyphenol content. And of course, too much of anything, including olive oil, isn’t good for you, but a tablespoon is fine. ***
DEAR DR. ROACH: I came down with a headache, but nothing showed up after a year of tests, including a CT scan, MRIs, and a spinal tap. Then I was told that I had a nummular headache, which I understand is rare. I have a sore spot in the back of my head and a feeling in my head that I just can’t explain. I don’t know how I made it through a year until I got on meds.
I am now taking 25 mg of lamotrigine a day. I’m at the point where I’ll have a couple good days, then it comes back. Can this be cured? Is the medication that I’m taking OK, or is there something better? -- K.S.
ANSWER: A nummular headache (the name comes from the Latin word for coin as the sore spot is often the size and shape of a coin) is very uncommon, and I’ve never treated a case. I would defer treatment to a neurologist with expertise in headaches.
Gabapentin is a common treatment, but lamotrigine is also used. The best treatment is the one that works best for you. Although sometimes the condition will simply go away, it often doesn’t, requiring chronic medication to keep symptoms under control.
I will note that you are on a tiny dose of lamotrigine. It needs to be started at a small
dose, but when used for seizures, the usual dose is 400-600 mg per day (which takes several weeks to reach, titrating slowly). If it’s working for you but not well enough, you might do better with a higher dose.
If a higher dose doesn’t work, there are other medications to try such as antidepressants like amitriptyline and other seizure medications like carbamazepine. One other option to ask your neurologist about is botulinum toxin (Botox), which relieves pain by more than half in about two-thirds of patients. ***
DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent column, you discussed IBS-C (irritable bowel syndrome). I have IBS-D and had very serious episodes for several years. The cramping was enough to keep me in bed for two to three days. The episodes started happening more frequently three years ago and occurred every three to four weeks.
I read that yogurt can help, so I began to eat plain yogurt every day (although I added fruit and granola). I haven’t had an episode in two-and-a-half years! Why isn’t this suggested by doctors? The change has been amazing. -- K.V.
ANSWER: I am very pleased that you had such great results. Yogurt is often recommended due to the live bacteria in it, which is thought to be beneficial for the gut.
Unfortunately, my experience (like most trials) has shown that it doesn’t help the majority of people. The lactose (milk sugar) is problematic for many IBS sufferers as well.
* * * 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
Our Prisons Must be Full
Are we short on prison space in this country? We must be. It’s the only logical explanation for so many criminals being given probation instead of prison time.
For example, there were the scammers who sold misbranded N95 masks during the pandemic and price-gouged hospitals. The masks were promised to be approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) when they were not, and were accompanied by test-result literature that was actually for a completely different mask. Hospitals paid $2.6 million for these masks, which also had much lower filtration efficiency.
So what was the punishment? One year of probation and a fine of only $9,500.
Then there was the real estate agent property manager who didn’t tell anybody about the lead-based paint in the housing where veterans lived with their families. Any structure built before 1978 likely has lead-based paint, a serious health hazard. The agent knew this and still signed rental agreements without notifying residents about the paint. A baby living there was found to have high blood lead levels because of the lead content in the paint peels she was chewing on.
The agent’s scammer pals, a hazardous material mitigation service, were hired to go in and clean up the lead paint. They didn’t and were eventually nailed with one count of the False Claims Act. And after putting lives in danger, what was the punishment for the real estate agent and the scammer pals? Probation and petty fines.
Then there was the guy who schemed to grab Covid funding to the tune of nearly a half million dollars. Punishment: a fine and -- you guessed it -- probation.
And what of the guy who groped a student nurse at a VA hospital, a case of abusive sexual contact? The guidelines indicate he could have gotten up to two years in prison. Yet he gets a free pass. Once again: probation.
I can only conclude that our prisons are full. There’s no other explanation for only giving probation to these criminals. Our court system is broken.
* * *
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.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Top Job Search Resources for Older Job Seekers
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Can you tell me what resources, either websites, directories or apps, are available to help older retired people find employment op portunities? I’m 64 and have been out of work for nearly a year now. I would like to find something where I could be help ful and productive and gain some extra income. - Not Ready for the Pasture
Dear Not Ready: To help you find employment, there are a number of jobsearch websites and apps specifically tai lored to older workers seeking full-time, parttime or remote positions. Here are 10 great options that are recommended by U.S. News & World Report for 2025, most of which are completely free to use:
AARP Job Board (jobs.aarp.org): Designed for workers 50 and older, AARP’s job board allows users to search by job title, keyword, company or location. The platform also offers search filters for full-time, parttime and remote work opportunities. Employers who are part of AARP’s Employer Pledge Program are committed to hiring older workers.
you can register for free, post your resume and search for jobs. Employers use the
form to find experienced workers for parttime, full-time and remote positions.
Estate Planning Attorney
ing, transportation, sales and finance listings. It also features certified age-friendly employ ers and offers webinars on job searching, networking and overcoming age bias. You can learn how to utilize LinkedIn, improve your interview skills and understand how your job could impact Social Security benefits.
by Jim Miller
ANTIQUE
JUNQUE
by Anne McCollam Creators News Service
Fanfare for Fan Vase
Q: Enclosed is a photo of a piece of Quimper pottery that I purchased at a garage sale. It stands about 8 inches high and 6 inches wide. There is an opening that is divided into three compartments. Signed on the bottom are the words “Henriot Quimper France -- 337.”
I would like to know what this piece is. I have looked in many books -- general and specific ones -- about Quimper pottery, but have yet to find anything on this object. I thought it might be a vase, but it doesn’t hold very much water, and the water tends to run out if overfilled because of the downward angle of the sides.
I would like to know how old this piece is, and if it has any value.
A: You have a fan vase that was made by Henriot Quimper around 1925. The butterfly-feet base, floral trees, figure in blue pants holding a whip and four blue dots scattered on the side are typical of Quimper pieces. Quimper faience was made in Quimper, Brittany, France, as early as 1600.
From the early 19th century, the pottery was decorated with Breton figures and motifs in primary colors. Jules Henriot pieces have been made since 1884, and are very desirable.
The mark you described was first used around 1922. Your vase is also called an eventail, a French word meaning fan-shaped. The vase was intended to hold short-stemmed flowers.
The value of your vase would probably be in
the neighborhood of $175 to $200.
***
Q: This mark is on the bottom of a cutglass pitcher that belonged to my grandmother. She bought the pitcher from a neighbor who was moving in 1944. The pitcher stands about 8 inches tall and is decorated with swirling designs, faceted stars and fan shapes. The handle is notched.
My grandmother told me it was made during the Brilliant Period of cut glass. I keep it in a china cabinet, and it is in mint condition.
I plan to pass it along to my daughter and would like to have more information on the maker and its possible value.
A: Your cut-glass pitcher was produced by T.G. Hawkes & Company in Corning, N.Y. The Brilliant Period of cut glass began in the late 1800s and ended just before World War I.
Hawkes & Company produced outstanding cut glass. It was favored by the White House, affluent American families and European royalty.
Your pitcher is circa 1900 and would probably be worth $150 to $175.
* * * 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
* On May 19, 1536, Anne Boleyn, the unfortunate second wife of England’s King Henry VIII, was beheaded at the Tower of London on charges including adultery, incest and conspiracy against the king, after just three years of marriage.
* On May 20, 1992, in an attempt to end the blight of graffiti vandalism, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance banning the retail sale of spray paint and large markers within city limits, describing them as “weapons of terror.”
* On May 21, 1758, 10-year-old Mary Campbell was abducted from her home in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, by members of the Lenape tribe and ended up becoming an icon of the French and Indian War. At age 16, she was returned to a European settlement in the captive release orchestrated by Colonel Henry Bouquet at the conclusion of Pontiac’s War.
* On May 22, 1802, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, widow of President George Washington, died of a “severe fever” at her Mount Vernon home at the age of 70. Though she was a devoted wife, she did not entirely enjoy her role as “Lady Washington” and once confessed that she felt “more like a state prisoner than anything else.”
* On May 23, 1979, rocker Tom Petty declared bankruptcy in an effort to free himself from his contract with Shelter Records.
* On May 24, 1964, a referee’s call in the last minutes of a close soccer match between Peru and Argentina at the National Stadium in Lima, Peru, sparked a riot that resulted in the deaths of more than 300 fans. Another 500 people were injured.
* On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was killed by Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis policeman who knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes. Floyd’s death was recorded by bystanders and incited nationwide protests resulting in the imposition of curfews in more than 200 American cities and the activation of the National Guard throughout half the country. Chauvin was arrested on multiple charges and eventually sentenced to more than two decades in prison.
"'The green fees are cheap,' you said. 'It's a little close to the airport,' you said. You shoulda also said to bring some ear plugs!"
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Quimper faience was made in Quimper, Brittany, France.
The Brilliant Period of cut glass began in the late 1800s.
from page 3
a ringing in your ears and a temporary inability to hear properly after the concert. These aftereffects, while harmful, are common for concert goers..
• The sperm whale is the loudest animal in the world with its vocalization registering at 230 dB. The blue whale’s bellow is 188 dB.
• When it’s time to choose the best hearing protection, check the package for the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), a number assigned to represent the maximum number of decibels the device can reduce noise intensity. A pair of earplugs with an NRR of 25 will reduce noise by up to 25 dB.
• Some people have a condition known as misophonia. It’s a malady that makes them angry or distressed when they hear ordinary sounds such as others’ chewing or breathing.
KRAKATOA!
• The loudest sound ever recorded in human history was the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, a small volcanic island in the Sundra Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra. This massive and deadly eruption killed more than 36,000 people, triggering enormous tsunamis, contributing to the high number of deaths.
• Although the eruption originally began in May of that year, its most powerful blast occurred in August, with an incredible loudness level of 310 dB. The immense sound produced by the explosion was so powerful that sailors on the RMS Norham Castle, located more than 40 miles away, suffered painful eardrum ruptures. Even 100 miles (160 km) from the blast, the loudness was 180 dB. The sound waves were so intense that they even caused a spike in pressure gauges several hundred miles away.
• Ash from Krakatoa was propelled 50 miles (80.5 km) into the air and the concussion shock of this catastrophic explosion was so great that it was heard in Perth, Australia, about 2,000 miles (3,219 km) away, and on the Indian Ocean island of Rodrigues 3,000 miles (4,800 km) away. It compares to being in Boston and hearing a loud noise coming from Dublin, Ireland!
by Jason Jenkins
Few people practice their tempo on the driving range, and even fewer may practice their tempo on the putting green. Yes, your putting stroke has a tempo, and it just may be the thing you need to focus on for better putting.
Any smartphone today has a metronome app that can be download for free. Put your phone on the ground and turn up the volume. Start hitting some ten to fifteen footers on the green to get a feel for what’s normal to you before using the metronome.
Try 80 beats per minute with a dozen putts. Your backstroke and impact should be the “beat” on the device. Back..through. Then drop down to 40 bpm with another dozen. Finally, hover around 60-70 bpm with the final twenty to thirty putts. Usually if you’re struggling with putting, your tempo might be out of this range. Having a brisk, yet repeatable stroke tempo can help you simplify your mechanics.
The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.
