Vol. 21: #42 • Tidbits Ventures North to Alaska • (10-12-2025) Tidbits of Coachella Valley
by Janet Spencer
This week Tidbits turns our attention to our 49th state, by far the largest in the U.S. at almost three times the size of Texas. While some folks still think of Alaska as a freezing cold expanse of ice, igloos and polar bears, its spectacular mountains, abundant wildlife and majestic scenery definitely prove that wrong. Follow along and see why, in addition to its natural beauty, “The Last Frontier” provides a vast supply of natural resources, economic advantages, and strategic military protection for the rest of our lower 48.
• The name for Alaska comes from the Aleut word “alaxsxaq” meaning basically “where the waves meet the shore” referring to the mainland.
• In 1867, the $7.2 million paid for “Seward’s Folly” works out to about 2¢ per acre (36¢ today). It cost more money ($7.39 million) to purchase the land for Central Park in New York City in the mid1800s than it cost to purchase the entire state of Alaska.
• As our largest state, the next three biggest – Texas,
TRIV
(Answers on page 16)
• There are three similar games, known in the U.S. as rugby, soccer, and football. However, outside of the U.S., the same three games are called rugby, football, and “American football.” The term “soccer” is rarely used outside of the U.S. Why is this?
• It all started with the British place name “Rocheberie” meaning “fortified place of a rook” referring to a crow. That name was simplified and turned into a town called Rugby. The students at the Rugby school developed a game involving a leather ball. Other schools throughout England developed similar games with similar balls, generally known as “football.” However, it became difficult to set up competitions between schools because both the rules and the balls differed from one school to another.
• In 1863, an association was set up to establish the rules of the games so teams could compete against each other. Two different games were established. One was called Rugby Football, and the other was called Association Football.
1. MOVIES: In the United States, what is the title of the first Harry Potter movie?
2. GEOGRAPHY: The Prime Meridian Line runs through which major city?
3. HISTORY: When did federal child labor law start in the United States?
4. ACRONYMS: What does the acronym VPN stand for?
5. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president appeared on the 1960s comedy show “Laugh-In”?
6. TELEVISION: Which teen show starred Mayim Bialik before she got the role as Amy Fowler on “The Big Bang Theory”?
7. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Where did the Minoan civilization flourish?
8. SCIENCE: What pH balance is considered neutral?
9. LITERATURE: In which of Shakespeare’s plays does the character Polonius appear?
10. ANIMAL KINGDOM: In which African country can the Bonobos species of ape be found in the wild? Answers
Test answers page 16)
1. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”
2. Greenwich, London, England.
lightweight and easily punctured when kicked too vigorously. It was later covered with leather.
• In 1836, Charles Goodyear patented vulcanized rubber, and in 1855 he created the first soccer ball that used a rubber “balloon” in the ball instead of an animal bladder.
• The official size and weight was standardized in 1872. Mass production began with the founding of the English Football League in 1888, with slight modifications made when FIFA (the International Federation of Association Football) was established in 1904.
• Through the years, the design improved. Initially, they consisted of 18 leather panels arranged in rows of three. But because leather absorbs water, they would easily become soggy and lose their bounce. Their quality depended on which part of the hide was used.
• After World War II, synthetic paints prevented the ball from becoming water-logged. A new valve was also invented so balls stayed inflated.
• By 1951, soccer balls were white so both players and spectators alike could more easily follow the fast-moving action. In the 1980s, synthetics replaced leather altogether.
• Meanwhile, the style of the patches changed as well. The 1970 World Cup in Mexico was the first to be broadcast live on TV. For the event, Adidas created a new style of ball patterned after the geodesic dome. The combination of 20 white hexagonal sections and 12 black pentagonal surfaces created a nearly perfect sphere that was easily visible to TV viewers.
• It so happened there was a fad at the time to end words with an “–er” such as header, footer, sporter. Rugby turned into “ruggers.” “Association Football” became “assocer” and then shortened to “soccer.” But just as “ruggers” was a slang term for rugby, “soccer” was merely a slang term for football. The proper term was always football.
• Meanwhile, in the U.S., another game was invented, which the Americans called football. Along the way, Americans adopted the slang “soccer” for “British football.”
• This is the reason that today, Americans have rugby, soccer, and football, while the British have rugby, football, and American football.
• Soccer began when people started kicking around an inflated pig bladder. However, these were
• Today, manufacturers are even experimenting with embedded microchips and even specially designed cameras as new techniques for new tracking and visual effects.
• The popularity of soccer spread with the expansion of the British Empire. By the 1990s, it was the most popular sport in the world. Still, the only countries in the world that call the game “soccer” are those that also have established football leagues: Canada, Ireland, Australia, and the U.S.
Alaska (from page one) the primary source of unrestricted revenue for Alaska, generating billions of dollars annually.
California, and Montana – would fit inside its enormous expanse with room to spare. If it were a country, it would be the 17th-largest in the world, ranking between Iran and Libya in size. Its size comprises about 20% of the total landmass of the U.S.
GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES
• In a quirk of geography, Alaska boasts to having the northernmost point in the U.S. as well as the easternmost and westernmost points. This anomaly is due to the Aleutian Islands, which stretch across the International Date Line.
• One-third of Alaska lies north of the Arctic Circle. There are over 100,000 glaciers in the state, covering around 5% of the state’s total landmass. That’s equal to the size of West Virginia. There are more glaciers here than anywhere else in the inhabited world.
• The state has more coastline than the rest of the U.S. combined. Florida comes in second place, followed by California at third.
• There are 2,670 islands off the Alaskan coast.
• There are around three million lakes in the state, with only about 3,000 of them that are named. Minnesota has only about 14,000 lakes.
• Alaska is home to 80% of volcanoes in the U.S. and 10% of all volcanoes in the world. There are 130 in the state, and around 70 are potentially active. About 75% of the volcanic eruptions that have occurred in the U.S. over the last 200 years have happened in Alaska. Alaskans have experienced 240 eruptions since 1760 from 30 different volcanoes, averaging out to about one eruption per year.
• It’s the most earthquake-prone state and one of the most seismically active regions in the world. It has more quakes than all other U.S. states combined. A devastating quake in 1964 was the largest ever to hit the U.S. and the second-largest in recorded history, registering
9.2 on the Richter Scale. This is exceeded only by the 9.5 quake in Chile in 1960. A magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurs in Alaska almost every year, and a magnitude 8.0 or greater happens on average every 14 years.
• At its closest point, the easternmost tip of Russia is only 55 miles (89 km) away across the Bering Strait. Alaska is closer to Moscow, Russia than it is to Washington, D.C. Flying out of Anchorage, it’s an equal distance to fly to New York City, Tokyo, or Frankfurt, Germany. This makes the Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage an extremely valuable international passenger and cargo transportation hub, handling close to 100,000 flights per year.
• The Northern Lights can be viewed an average of 243 nights of the year from Fairbanks throughout the winter, but not in the long days of summer when it doesn’t get dark enough to see them.
• Alaska's critical minerals include rare earth elements, which are vital for modern technology and defense,
• The fishing industry is also a significant natural resource, boasting abundant fisheries as a
1.
2. Dutch Harbor, a port in the
• Fully 17% of the nation’s national forest land is in Alaska.
• Alaska sports 30 mountain ranges. The 400-mile long (644 km) Alaska Range is the 3rd highest range in the world, after the Himalayas and the Andes. This is the location of Mount McKinley (formerly named Mount Denali), the highest peak in the U.S., at 20,310 feet (6,190 m). In fact, 17 out of the 20 highest peaks in the U.S. are in Alaska. Still, Alaska’s mountains pale in comparison to the Himalayas. But consider this: McKinley rises 17,000 feet (5.2 km) above the surrounding land, whereas Everest rises only 15,000 feet (4.6 km) above the valley.
NATURAL RESOURCES
• Alaska's natural resources with its oil and gas industry generating billions in annual revenue, contribute significantly to the national energy supply. Its minerals include zinc, gold, copper and gravel, and the state possesses vast quantities of untapped critical minerals like lithium and graphite.
• Alaska has produced billions of barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of natural gas, making it a major contributor to the nation's domestic energy supply. The oil and gas industry remains
By Lucie Winborne
● The atomic clock known as the NISTF1 Cesium Fountain Clock, created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Colorado, is so accurate that it won’t gain or lose a second in 20 million years.
● Compared to the production of standard paper, recycled paper production reduces air pollution to up to 73%.
● Lobsters pee out of their face.
● A crow funeral is much like a human funeral -- the birds gather around a fallen fellow crow, call to each other and pay close attention to their late peer.
● The tradition of a wedding cake topper originated in ancient Rome, where figurines depicting the bride and groom were used for good luck.
● Female turkeys don’t gobble.
● Matthias Buchinger, known as the Little Man of Nuremberg, was born without hands or feet and was only 29 inches tall, but still managed to perform numerous magic feats and illusions, including the famous cups-and-balls routine.
● Will Shortz, a crossword editor for The New York Times, designed a degree program at Indiana University in enigmatology, or the study and science of puzzles.
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
by Mary Hunt
Keep Important Papers in the Freezer
through all the trouble and major expense of installing brand-new cabinets, save some money by switching out the old handles or knobs for some brand-new ones. They’ll give the whole room a new look! -- Grace M., Michigan
STAND THE BIRD
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
I am always entertained and often educated by the tips readers mail in. Today is no exception. Read on and I'm pretty sure you’re about to agree with me.
by Mary Hunt
SAFELY FROZEN
I am on a waiting list to get a safe deposit box at my bank. While I wait, I am keeping my important papers in a heavy freezer bag, in the deep freeze. I have heard that in a fire, the inside of the freezer doesn’t burn easily.
-- Jill N.,
Florida
ART SHOW
I love to see the artwork that my young boys bring home from school, but we can’t keep all of it. Instead, I take photos of each piece of artwork with my digital camera and put the pictures on my digital photo frame at work. That way, I can see their artwork all the time and it doesn’t clutter my house. -- Erin J., Illinois
GREASE CUTTER
I keep white vinegar in a used detergent bottle by my kitchen sink. When I have something greasy to wash, I squirt a small amount of vinegar into the dish. This works wonders in containers that have had tomato sauce or some other tomato product in them. The vinegar quickly cuts the film of grease and residue.
-- Janet M., Florida
ADVERTISING PROOF
NO MORE WATER SPOTS
● Ancient Romans gargled with urine to whiten their teeth.
● Since the prosthetics Heath Ledger wore on his mouth during filming of “The Joker” would loosen as he spoke, he kept them on by frequently licking his lips, a trait that suited his character and was therefore incorporated into the film. ***
Thought for the Day: “The battles that count aren’t the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself --the invisible battles inside all of us -- that’s where it’s at."
- Jesse Owens
I have found that Rain-X Wipes are great for more than just your car windshield. I use them on the exterior side of my house windows, my stainless steel sink and my shower walls and door. And yes, the water rolls right off leaving no water marks and keeps them all spot-free for weeks. -- Angela R, Oregon
SPRING CLEAN
Use shaving foam to clean the rubber webbing on outdoor furniture. Just spray it once, let it stand for a bit and then wash off. It cleans all the spots and gunk left on over the winter. Made my furniture look like new. -- Bobbie H., Illinois
ACCESSORIZE THE KITCHEN
If you're like me and wish you had the funds to update your kitchen, Instead of going
To roast a whole chicken evenly and more quickly, set your Bundt pan on a cookie sheet. Now stand that chicken upright over the center cone of the Bundt pan. Roast as you usually do or at 375 F until done. A standing chicken browns more evenly and actually cooks faster. -- Priscilla G., email
NO MORE UGLY COLOR
I bought some nice shoes that I love at a clearance sale. The only reason nobody had bought them was the ugly color. I’m hard to fit, so I bought them anyway. I stopped by the shoe repair shop on the way home and bought a can of color spray ($7 for a 4-ounce can). I sprayed the shoes black, and they turned out beautifully. The secret is to spray lightly and first cover up the edges of the soles with masking tape. Recently, I sprayed a handbag ($220 marked down to $20 because of its ugly color) that is now just gorgeous. -- Kim L., North Carolina
BELLY-BURSTING FIRE ANTS
In many of the Southern states fire ants are a very serious problem. The hills they build are difficult to get rid of. They boil out of their hill very suddenly as a large army and aggressively attack any intruder that disturbs their nest. Their sting burns for a long time, and enough bites can put a victim into painful shock needing emergency hospital treatment.
Instead of spraying with poisonous, expensive pesticides, just pour enough uncooked grits over the hill to completely cover it and then water the hill very well. The ants eat the grits, and when the water is consumed they “swell up” and die. It works great and leaves no toxins in the surrounding areas so your children and pets are not exposed to any dangerous poisons.
-- Elaina M., Florida
CURL CONTROL
I have curly hair. Instead of buying gel for curly hair, I use regular conditioner and just leave it in. I don’t rinse it out and then just towel dry. I blow dry my hair and then scrunch it without a brush. Some frizz may appear again, but I simply place a small amount of conditioner in my hand and work it through the frizzy areas. My hair stays soft and not at all sticky.
-- Marianne R., Pennsylvania
* * *
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.”
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
• An asteroid named Apophis [“uh-PAH-fis”] was discovered in 2004 by three astronomers working at the Kitt Observatory in Arizona. Initial calculations estimated that there was a remote chance the asteroid might collide with Earth when it passes by on April 13, 2029. (This happens to be Friday the 13th.) Further study has shown that to be false. However, its trajectory will take it quite close, offering a rare chance for study.
• An asteroid of this size passing this close to Earth happens only once every 800 years on average. Such an asteroid hits Earth only once in about 80,000 years. This will be the closest pass in recorded history, and the first time scientists will have the opportunity to study it. Both NASA and the European Space Agency are sending out spacecraft to study it as it approaches.
• Apophis is shaped like a large potato, about 1,480 feet (450 m) long and 560 feet (170 m) wide. It rotates end-over-end around its short axis about once every 31 hours. It’s equal in length to five football fields, and as tall as the Eiffel Tower. It would fit inside the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.
• It’s made out of a pretty solid chunk of nickeland iron-rich rock rather than ice, so it’s dense. It’s estimated to have been circling through the solar system for as long as there has been a solar system. Itʼs a leftover rock that was never incorporated into a planet or moon.
• Apophis will skim past Earth at a distance of about 19,600 miles (31,600 km) above the surface. This may sound like a lot, but it is actually close enough to whiz past the farthest ring of geostationary satellites that circle Earth in a fixed orbit about 21,750 miles (35,000 km) high. It’s equal to one tenth of the distance to the Moon, or five times the radius of Earth. In official astronomical terms, this is called a hair’s breadth.
• Apophis will pass over the eastern hemisphere, visible to the naked eye for about an hour, looking like a fast-moving star. It will not be visible from the U.S.
• Once the existence of the asteroid was confirmed in 2004, the astronomers who discovered it were awarded the right to name it. In ancient Egyptian mythology, Apophis is the enemy of the sun god Ra. He dwells in eternal darkness and tries to swallow Ra every night. He brings chaos, opposing light and order throughout the cosmos, reigning over earthquakes, thunder, darkness, storms, and death. Apophis is generally considered to be the greatest force of evil in Egyptian theology.
• A bonus of the name was that two of the three astronomers who discovered it were big fans of the show “Stargate” which features an alien villain also named Apophis, who persistently threatens to destroy civilization.
• Astronomers now know that the only chance Apophis has of hitting Earth is if another smaller asteroid were to bump it off its current course.
• What would happen if the asteroid did impact Earth? That would depend upon its speed, its angle, and the location of the hit. If it hit the ocean, worldwide tsunamis would result. If it hit land, the crater would be perhaps 2.5 miles wide and half a mile deep. Aerosolized dust and vapor would cool the climate long enough to ruin harvests for several years. It would cause widespread destruction extending several hundred miles from the impact zone, shattering windows, triggering earthquakes, and igniting
numerous forest fires.
• While environmental destruction, social upheaval, and acid rain would certainly be problematic, it would not likely bring an end civilization, no doubt as a great disappointment to the evil Egyptian god Apophis.
by Dana Jackson
Q: Is it true that Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz from “Vanderpump Rules” are a couple now? I wonder what Katie thinks? -- K.C.
A: Rumor has it (as well as recent cryptic posts and pictures on Lala Kent’s social media) that the former “Vanderpump Rules” co-stars are now dating. Since they won’t be part of the “VP” reboot, many have accused them of faking the new relationship in order to secure permanent spots on “The Valley,” a spin-off featuring friends of Kent and Tom Schwartz.
As for Schwartz’s exwife, Katie Maloney, she is with her new beau who is not on a reality show. However, she remains friendly with Schwartz and even appeared on his podcast “Detox Retox” back in April.
1. One Battle After Another (R) Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn
2. Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie (G) Laila Lockhart Kraner, Kristen Wiig
3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie - Infinity Castle (R) Zach Aguilar, Ryan Bartley
4. The Conjuring: Last Rites (R) Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga
5. The Strangers: Chapter 2 (R) Madelaine Petsch, Gabriel Basso
6. Him (R) Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers
7. The Long Walk (R) Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson
8. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (PG) Michelle Dockery, Joanne Froggatt
Q: Whether we are watching reality shows, TV series, game shows or sporting events, the accompanying music and bass sound effects have made dialogue or announcer’s words very difficult to hear/understand. Do any of the celebrities who perform offer their concerns that audiences are not hearing them speak? -- C.L.
A: Several actors have agreed with viewers about how frustrating it is that the dialogue on their favorite shows and movies has become so muffled and/or drowned out by the background music. Sir Ian McKellen (“The Lord of the Rings”) is one, having been vocal in telling actors to speak up. He says that mumbling can happen when an actor is not confident in their lines.
Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan has been criticized for blasting music over dialogue, but he believes in the audience getting the full-body experience, according to his sound designer Richard King. “Dialogue is only one facet of the sonic palette,” King stated.
However, at home on the couch when we’re watching our televisions, we should be able to hear dialogue without resorting to subtitles! Fortunately some companies are listening. For example, according to an article in IndieWire from 2023, Amazon Prime Video released a new AI-powered “dialogue boost” feature that “increases the volume of dialogue relative to background music and effects.”
IndieWire also wrote that another reason why it’s harder to hear the actors now is due to thinner TV sets: “Most internal speakers are now built at the bottom of the set or backward from the rear ... [leading to] the sound getting dampened or absorbed by the set’s surroundings.”
Definitely explore the settings menu on your TV. Look for something like “Dialogue En-
hancement” if you have a Roku TV, “Amplify” if you have a Samsung, or “Dialogue” if you have a Sony. You can also invest in an external soundbar or a set of bluetooth headphones. Talk to your local Walmart, Target or Best Buy employee for assistance.
***
Q: Is “Ice Road Truckers” still on the air? I searched for it but only found reruns. -- J.A.
A: Yes, the long-running reality series about daring truck drivers in the desolate tundra of Northern Canada is back with new episodes. The series seemingly concluded in 2017 with its 11th season, but it’s now back on the History Channel with new episodes releasing on Oct. 1. Veteran truckers Lisa Kelly and Todd Dewey are back with some all-new rookies!
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
"When are you gonna make up your mind, Mom? I'm getting frostbite!"
Courtesy of Bravo Media
Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz (“Vanderpump Rules”)
Shortcut Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Mascarpone cheese replaces the standard butter and flour combo in this super-fast (and decadent!) stovetop mac.
6 slices bacon
1 large sweet potato (about 1 1/4 lb.), peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
Kosher salt and pepper
12 ounces mezzi or regular rigatoni
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese 3 ounces extra-sharp cheddar, finely grated
1. Heat oven to 450 F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Arrange the bacon in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until browned and beginning to crisp, 12 to 15 minutes; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate (the bacon will crisp as it cools). Break into pieces once cool.
3. On a second rimmed baking sheet, toss the sweet potato with the oil, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Roast in the same oven as the bacon for 12 minutes. Toss the potatoes and continue roasting until golden brown and tender, 6 to 9 minutes more.
4. Meanwhile, cook the pasta as label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking liquid, drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
5. Toss the pasta with the mascarpone until the pasta is coated, then toss with the ched-
dar until melted, adding some of the reserved pasta water if the pasta seems dry. Fold in the sweet potato and bacon and sprinkle with additional thyme, if desired. Serves 4.
Each serving: About 445 calories, 17g protein, 55g carbs, 18g fat (9g saturated), 4 g fiber, 410mg sodium.
Hot Fruit Salad
A few turns on the grill transform fresh fruit into a sumptuous finale.
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced
1 medium pineapple, cut lengthwise into 6 wedges, with leaves attached
2 large bananas, each cut diagonally into thirds
3 medium plums, each cut in half
2 medium nectarines or peaches, each cut into quarters
1. In cup, stir together honey, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon mint leaves.
2. With tongs, place all fruit pieces on grill over medium heat. Grill fruit 10 to 15 minutes, until browned and tender, turning fruit occasionally. Brush fruit with some honey mixture during last 3 minutes of cooking.
3. To serve, arrange grilled fruit on large platter; drizzle with any remaining honey mixture.
Sprinkle grilled fruit with remaining mint. Makes 6 servings.
Each serving: 215 calories, 1g total fat, 5mg sodium, 55g carbohydrates, 2g protein.
By John Allen DIAMOND LIL
by Brett Koth
Donald
TIDBITS TUNES INTO TALK SHOW HOSTS
Holidays & Observances This Week
10/12 Columbus Day
10/13 English Language Day
10/14 Emergency Nurses Day
10/15 I Love Lucy Day
10/16 Mammography Day
10/17 Pay Back a Friend Day
10/18 Alaska Day
Dog Talk with Uncle Matty
By Matthew Margolis
See the Problem, Prevent the Problem
A number of incidents surfaced this week to remind me of a bit of wisdom I honed in my years as a dog trainer, a snippet that will instantly make you smart like Yoda: Sometimes the best solution is prevention.
“Sweetie” is a 6-year-old Labrador that was adopted from a rescue. She is aggressive, and the woman who adopted her knew it. “I thought if I loved her enough she would change,” the woman told me.
Now she wants to take Sweetie to the park. Even though Sweetie is 6 years old and this woman knows nothing about dog training, she thought she “could train her not to be aggressive” anymore. If only it were that easy.
A professional dog trainer could come in and teach the woman and her dog methods to modify the aggressive behavior, but there is no surefire cure. Her best course of action is active prevention -- anticipating troublesome situations involving Sweetie and taking steps to prevent them.
This means: no Frisbee in the park, no offleash excursions, no running free in the front yard, no roaming the house when there are visitors, no play dates with other dogs, no dog parks and possibly a muzzle when walking in public, even on a leash.
This isn’t mean; it’s smart. It’s prevention. A second call came in for help with another aggressive dog. This dog is 2 years old, lives in the country and herds sheep to earn his keep. The problem relates to one particular neighbor who bicycles in the area. The dog attacks her every time -- and, apparently, only her. This canine shepherd is otherwise “loving and trained.”
In order to do its job, the dog must be allowed to run loose on the property. But the cyclist, fed up with being attacked, has threatened to call the police. The dog owner is left with a choice: Retire this dog to a fenced back yard and enlist the services of a new herding dog, one that is more interested in sheep than bicyclists, or risk losing her homeowners insurance, house, sheep and dog as the result of a dog bite.
By the time you read this, many of us in severe cold-weather areas will be listening for (and dreading) the click sound that heralds the arrival of needed warm air through the furnace vents. The dread comes in when we mentally calculate just how much it’s costing us just to stay warm.
The temptation is to set the thermostat at a lower temperature and cut costs. However, for seniors this can actually be dangerous. We’re no longer physically equipped to handle cold and are vulnerable to hypothermia if the temperature is too low. If you already have a preexisting condition, your risks are even higher. The National Institute on Aging suggests that we don’t set our indoor temperature to lower than 68-70 degrees. And the math doesn’t really support lowering the temperature to below this.
Rule of thumb is that for every degree you lower the temperature, you can save 1-3% on your costs. If your monthly bill is $100, that means you can potentially save $1-$3 on your costs. If you’re gone for the day, they say that if
Flower Power
It is always so nice to walk into a hotel or building lobby and encounter a beautiful floral arrangement. My favorites are those over-the-top arrangements that make us stop and say “WOW”.
Decorating with flowers and plants is easy and stylish, but since flowers are a product of nature, they are impacted greatly by the environment in which they are displayed. Light, air, water, and care are the main factors that will affect your arrangement. The rest is up to your imagination.
There are many styles of floral arrangements, from geometric traditional bouquets to casual garden-style arrangements, eclectic “free-spirit” concoctions and modern minimalist compositions. Learning how to create a floral arrangement must take into account the environment and the time of year. Your location, whether at the beach or in the mountains, and what flowers are available will affect the style of your creation.
you lower your thermostat by 7-10 degrees for an eight-hour day, you can save 10% on your bill. But when you come home it’s going to be cold inside and take hours to warm up to your normal temperature, with the furnace running every minute. Do the math. Did you really save anything?
Ways to stay warm:
If you don't have double-paned glass in your windows investing in the clear plastic film that covers them on the inside can block a lot of the cold air that comes in, even through the most modern windows. Experts say this can save 1030% on your heating bill. Keep a rolled-up towel nestled under your front and side doors to keep the frigid outside air from blowing in. Check your outside wall electric outlets to see if their leaking out cold air. If so, stuff them with insulation.
Open the curtains on the sunny side of the house to let the sun in during the day. Have an annual inspection done on your furnace to keep it running well.
And put on an insulated vest. You’ll be surprised how much warmer you’ll feel!
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
faces of the other diners, and an arrangement that is on a console can be as high and wide as the room allows.
The type of flowers chosen really depends on what your local vendor carries based on your geographic locale. That being said, most flowers are imported and exported from all over the globe, so everything from tulips to orchids are available in most green markets and flower shops. With ample time, most florists can order your preferred specimen for you.
If there is anything that will impact the overall style of your floral arrangement, it would be the container. The same arrangement in a different container can change the appearance and style of your design. A group of sunflowers and greens in a milk glass pitcher will add a bit of country style to a kitchen, while if displayed in a simple geometric clear glass vase, it will give a contemporary feel to a living room. Likewise, a bouquet of red roses in a cut crystal vase may appear formal, and yet the same roses in a glazed clay container have a casual fresh-out-ofthe-garden look.
The style of your arrangements should be in sync with the style of your decor; then again, these are personal and temporary forms of expression, so decorating edicts are loose...almost anything goes.
Almost any place can have a floral arrangement. The most common locations are entry hall consoles, coffee tables, dinner tables as well as nightstands and bathrooms. Where you place your floral arrangement will determine its size and grandeur. For example, a bedside bouquet should be small and demure, while an arrangement for a dinner table should be low so you can see the
Flowers are a great way to keep your decor looking fresh. Here are some tips to keep them looking their best.
--Flowers absorb water all night long, so it is best to cut them in the morning when they are hydrated.
--Cut the stems at an angle. This allows the greatest surface for them to absorb water.
--Use a mister every other day to provide the petals and leaves moisture, which is often absorbed into the air, especially in an air-conditioned space.
--Remove most leaves so they don’t touch the water. This will keep the water fresh and clear.
--Change your flowers’ water daily, and trim a small portion off the stem. This will keep your flowers perky.
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
Cody’s Corner (from page 9)
The third instance involves a Golden Retriever that suffers from fear aggression. Whenever he’s unleashed, he attacks. The answer is in the problem. Why is he unleashed? The dog owner keeps him loose in the front yard because, well, dogs like to be loose in yards. But if they bite, they can’t be loose. It’s as simple as that.
Or is it?
The underlying problem is that people don’t want to believe their dogs would do something bad, would hurt someone. They don’t want to believe this so deeply and strongly that they actually come to believe their dog would never harm anyone despite all evidence to the contrary.
This is not helpful. This blocks that snippet of wisdom that could be so useful and makes prevention impossible. After all, if people refuse to see the problem, how can it be solved?
Luke Skywalker: I can’t believe it.
Yoda: That is why you fail.
Believe it. Then prevent it.
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
Not Your Grandma’s Social Security Office
Anymore
In the 1960s, Bob Dylan released an album called “The Times, They Are a-Changin’.” I seriously doubt that the troubadour was thinking about Social Security when he wrote those ballads. But I can tell you that the times sure are a-changin’ at the Social Security Administration. And time will tell if those changes are for the good.
I’ve heard from more than a few friends who still work for the SSA. And most of them report that morale is at an all-time low. The agency’s new commissioner is really shaking things up. I was initially inclined to sympathize with my friends, and I planned to write a column critical of the changes. But upon further reflection, I’ve decided to withhold judgment. I’m going to wait and see how things play out.
More about the changes in a minute. But first, let me point out that during my 32-year career with the SSA, I went through probably 10 different changes in leadership at the top. And I can tell you that each new commissioner comes in saying that he or she is going to shake things up and make things better. And I guess that’s really no surprise. After all, espousing change is just the nature of leadership. Everybody who comes to power, whether it’s the president of the United States or the president of the local Chamber of Commerce or the Commissioner of Social Security, says he or she is going to do things differently (and supposedly better) than the old leaders.
But Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano is really shaking things up. For example, a lot of former administrative people have been moved into frontline positions, mostly being put on the phones taking claims and answering questions from members of the public who call the agency’s toll-free number (800-772-1213).
I’m guessing many readers of this column would say, “That’s good. We need fewer bureaucrats and more frontline people.” And that may be true. But I’ll just give you the other side of the coin by discussing a department within the Social Security Administration that I am most familiar with. It is the Office of Communications.
It essentially did what its name implies -- it “communicated” Social Security messages to the public. For example, it created and produced about a hundred different publications that are provided free of charge to the American people that explain all the various Social Security programs. Another department within the Office of Communications answered the hundreds and hundreds of letters and emails from the public that came into the agency’s headquarters every day. Another branch provided liaison services with members of Congress.
Anyway, the Office of Communications, which formerly had over 200 employees, is now down to about 20. Everyone else has either been furloughed or is now on telephone duty. I guess we’ll just have to find out if and how those publications will get produced and if those letters and emails will get answered.
And I’m guessing Commissioner Bisignano thinks Artificial Intelligence (AI) might be the
answer. And maybe he’s right. I simply don’t know enough about the new technology to have a strong opinion one way or the other. But I will share this. Occasionally, I will do a Google search on a specific Social Security topic. And as those of you who do routine Google searches know, the first answer that always comes up is an AI answer. And so far, I have been impressed by the AI answers I get on Social Security matters. They have always been accurate.
So now, having briefly discussed just a few of the changes happening at the Social Security Administration, I’m going to spend the rest of this column waxing nostalgic about the “good old days.”
I spent a good bit of my early SSA career as what the agency called a “field representative.” While the major SSA workforce sat at desks all day and took claims from people who came into a local Social Security office, field reps went out to remote locations and set up shop for a day, usually in a senior center or some other public building in these far-flung towns.
For example, in the late 1970s, I was the field representative in the Everett, Washington Social Security office. Our service area was interesting and varied. It ran from islands in the Puget Sound to little hamlets in the Cascade Mountains.
Once a week, I would get on a ferry just outside of Everett and take a trip over to Whidbey Island. There, I would go to the senior center in Langley and open up my little mini-Social Security office. I would spend the day helping young people get Social Security cards and helping old people file for Social Security benefits. After spending 5 or 6 hours there, I would head back to the ferry with my briefcase stuffed with filled-out applications and forms.
Then the next day, I would drive up to a little Cascade mountain hamlet called Skykomish, Washington, and start the process all over again. A couple days later, I’d be off to another island (Camano Island).
A few years later, I found myself as the field representative in the Social Security office in Boise, Idaho. Boise’s service area was huge -- a big
1. The book of Acts is found in the a) Old Testament b) New Testament c) Neither
2. Who honored a man by letting him ride the royal steed through city streets? a) Nebudchadnezzar b) Ahasuerus c) Darius d) David
3. From Job 4, who was so frightened by a dream that his hair stood on end? a) Cain b) Job c) Agamemnon d) Eliphaz
4. Pharaoh gave what burnt city to his daughter for a gift? a) Gezer b) Cana c) Jericho d) Bethel
5. From Acts 9, what dressmaker was restored to life by Peter's prayers? a) Leah b) Jezebel c) Miriam d) Dorcas
6. Where was Gideon when he met an angel? a) City gate b) In his tent c) Drawing water from a well d) Seated by an oak tree
(Answers on page 16)
Trivia
to www.TriviaGuy.com
chunk of south and central Idaho. So there, I found myself taking overnight trips to distant locales. For example, I would leave Boise on a Tuesday morning, drive north a hundred miles or so and set up shop for the rest of the morning in Cascade, Idaho. After taking care of the local townsfolk there, I would continue driving north for about 3 hours or so to the resort town of McCall, Idaho, with a majestic mountain setting right on an alpine lake, The next morning, I would set up my little mini-Social Security office in a senior center.
And as a field representative, I even made “house calls,” going to the homes of people who were housebound but needed help with Social Security matters.
All these memories bring a smile to my face. I think of my time as a field representative as the “good old days” of Social Security. The service we provided was phenomenal! The Social Security Administration was always winning awards for superior customer service.
But that was then, and this is now. Today, with the internet and cell phones and artificial intelligence, I guess it makes no economic sense to be running around from hamlet to hamlet and house to house. But it’s also too bad. We’ve lost a personal way of doing Social Security business that I think was something special.
Still, having waxed nostalgic, I’m crossing my fingers that a new Social Security Administration, with fewer administrative people, more frontline personnel, and help and answers from AI “bots,” will win public service awards in the future.
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.
Chikungunya Disease Leaves Woman in Immense Pain for Years
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a friend who lives in Paraguay and had been diagnosed with chikungunya. It has been extremely painful for her for several years. Her doctor prescribed 90 mg of etoricoxib daily and a shot of duodecadron once a month.
I’ve never heard of chikungunya, and the medical care she is getting seems sketchy. I wish there was a solution for her immense pain. Do you have any knowledge of this virus and/or the medication for it? Are you aware of any new or trial drugs that might be worth trying? -- J.
ANSWER: Chikungunya may not sound like a real medical condition, but it is a viral disease that was first found in West Africa. It has since spread to the Caribbean and the Americas with transmission occurring in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and a few cases in Florida.
It is spread mainly through mosquitoes. The word “chikungunya” is from an African language and roughly translates to “stooped walk” due to the joint pain caused by the disease. In addition to joint pain, people with chikungunya usually have a fever and a skin rash. Headache and even meningitis may occur. However, joint pain is the most common long-term complication.
While most people will clear their joint symptoms within six months, symptoms can go on for years in some people. Your friend is receiving a COX-2 inhibitor (etoricoxib), which has the potential for heart damage, so it is not approved in the United States.
She is also on a chronic steroid, dexamethasone, which is used in North America but may not be the best long-term treatment as it has numerous long-term side effects. In North America, people with chronic joint pain from chikungunya are treated similarly to those with rheumatoid arthritis. This often includes methotrexate or another disease-modifying antirheumatic drug. I urge your friend to see a rheumatologist. ***
DEAR DR. ROACH: In your column, I frequently read letters from people who have to get up during the night to urinate. My husband had this problem and got up hourly. We assumed it was as a prostate issue.
After prostate surgery, he had a catheter for a few days, and we found that he was producing almost two liters of urine at night. The urologist immediately ordered a sleep study to determine if sleep apnea was present.
He tested positive, was started on a CPAP machine, and only needed to get up once on the very first night. It changed his life. -- D.S.
ANSWER: I thank D.S. for writing. Obstructive sleep apnea is a well-known cause for urinating at night, but we often forget to make this connection. A really useful tool for sleep apnea,
the STOP-Bang questionnaire, doesn’t include excessive urinating at night, but your letter is a good reminder that we should consider this diagnosis in people who are at risk for sleep apnea.
The risk factors in the STOP-Bang questionnaire are Snoring; Tired enough to fall asleep easily during the day; Observed stopped breathing or gasping for breath during the night; high blood Pressure; a Body mass index over 35; an Age older than 50; a Neck size larger than 16 inches (40 cenitmeters); and the Gender of male.
A person who answers positively to three or more of these risk factors should at least prompt a consideration of whether sleep apnea is likely enough to test the person for it.
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
Using the VA Home Loan Program
The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, gave several benefits to veterans coming back from war, including help to buy homes. Within a few years, 2 million veterans took advantage of the program.
Now, in 2025, they’ve issued the 29 millionth home loan. Since the Home Loan Guaranty program began, the VA has guaranteed $4 trillion in home loans.
Are you ready to buy a home? Your first step will be to get a Certificate of Eligibility (VA Form 26-1880). The COE is used for specific VA benefits, such as the home loan or education (Post9/11 GI Bill). It is your proof of entitlement with details about your service and the benefits you qualify for. The COE confirms to a lender that the VA will back part of your loan.
There are several ways to get the COE, but the fastest might be to go online to complete the form. You’ll need to log in at ID.me or Login.gov Once in your account, you’ll be able to request your COE, see if you already have one or check the status if you’ve previously asked for one. See tinyurl. com/yrtr5549 to get started. Or if you’re working with a lender who specializes in doing VA loans, they’ll be set up to process your COE request. You can also do it by mail: Download the form, fill it out and send it in with a copy of your DD-214. Keep in mind that you still need to pass the lender’s scrutiny to get a home loan. (The VA’s part of the program is to guarantee that the lender won’t lose money if you fail to pay the mortgage.) The COE isn’t a preapproval or a promise. You’ll need to have a good credit history and adequate income. Your current debts will be factored in.
To see how your basic entitlement is calculated, go online to www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/loan-limits
If you have eligibility questions, call the VA at 877-827-3702.
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.
Can You Get a Lump Sum Social Security Payment?
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: I’ve read that the Social Security Administration offers a lump-sum payment to new retirees who need some extra cash. I haven’t yet filed for my retirement benefits and would like to find out if this is true. What can you tell me? -- Born In 1958
Dear 1958: There is indeed a little-known Social Security claiming strategy that’s been around for many years that can provide retirees a lump-sum benefit, but you need to be past your full retirement age to be eligible, and there are financial drawbacks you need to be aware of too.
First, let’s review the basics. Remember that while workers can begin drawing their Social Security retirement benefits anytime between ages 62 and 70, full retirement age is 66 and 8
months for those born in 1958, but it rises in twomonth increments every birth year to age 67 for those born in 1960 and later.
At full retirement age, you are entitled to 100 percent of your benefits. But if you claim earlier, your benefits will be reduced by 5 to 6.66 percent every year you start before your full retirement age. While if you delay taking your benefits beyond your full retirement age, you’ll get 8 percent more each year until age 70.
Lump Sum Option
If you are past full retirement age, and have not yet filed for your benefits, the Social Security Administration offers a retroactive lumpsum payment that’s worth six months of benefits.
Here’s how it works: Let’s say for example that you were planning to delay taking your Social Security benefits past your full retirement age of 66 and 8 months, but you changed your mind at 67 and two months. You could then claim a lump-sum payment equal to those six months of benefits. So, for instance, if your full retirement age benefit was $2,500 per month, you would be entitled to a $15,000 lump sum payment.
If you decided at age 67 that you wanted to file retroactively, you’d get only four months’ worth of benefits in your lump sum, because SSA rules prohibit you from claiming benefits that predate your full retirement age.
Drawbacks
The downside to this strategy is that once you accept a lump-sum payment, you’ll lose the delayed retirement credits you’ve accrued, and your future monthly retirement benefit will be reduced to reflect the amount you already received. It will also affect your future survivor benefit to your spouse or other eligible family members after you die.
You may also need to consider Uncle Sam. Depending on your income, Social Security benefits may be taxable, and a lump-sum payment could boost the amount of benefits that are taxed.
The federal government taxes up to 50 percent of Social Security benefits at ordinary income tax rates if your combined income – defined as adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest income plus half of your Social Security benefits – exceeds $25,000, and up to 85 percent of benefits are taxable if combined income exceeds $34,000. For married couples, the comparable income thresholds for taxing benefits are $32,000 and $44,000.
you calculate this, see IRS Publication 915 “Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits” at IRS.gov/pub/ irs-pdf/p915.pdf, or call 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you a copy.
In addition, if the lump-sum payment of retroactive Social Security benefits boosts your yearly income over $106,000 (or $212,000 for married couples filing jointly), it will increase your future Medicare premiums too. See Medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11579-medicare-costs.pdf for details.
Estate Planning Attorney
-- by Jim Miller
JUNQUE
by Anne McCollam Creators News Service
Ironstone Dish Over 170 Years Old
Q: Enclosed is a photo of a blue and white covered meat dish. I received the dish last Christmas from my grandmother. Marked on the bottom of the dish are the words “Nankin Jar -- Granite Imported China -- R & M.” There is also a mark that looks like “F. Marlley.” It is in very good condition.
I do not know what the value of my dish is or anything about the maker. If you could please let me know more about the maker and provide an estimated price of my dish, I would appreciate it.
England.
A: Ridgway and Morley Staffordshire Potteries made your ironstone covered dish. They were in business in Hanley, Staffordshire, England, from 1842 to 1844. “Nankin Jar” is the name of the pattern. It can be recognized by the blue gray transfer print design of a vase in the center that is surrounded by a Greek key pattern and also small flowers. The “Nankin Jar” pattern was used by several other potteries and available in Flow Blue and Mulberry ware.
Your dish was made around 1842 and would probably fetch $100 to $150 in an antiques shop.
Q: This is the mark that is on the hand of a small porcelain figurine that my sister purchased sometime in the late 1970s. The figurine is a baby bending over and support-
ing himself with the palms of his hands. He is wearing blue pants and a white shirt. The glaze is shiny and looks similar to that of a Lladro piece, but, I don’t believe the mark is one of Lladro’s.
I have been attempting to identify this piece without success. Could you please help to identify it as well as its possible value?
A: Your figurine was made by Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory. They have been in business in Copenhagen, Denmark since 1760. It was founded by the Danish Royal Family and the three wavy lines represent the rivers that flow from Kattegat to the Baltic Sea.
The factory did not prove to be financially successful, and it was sold to in 1867 to A. Faich. Royal Copenhagen has made high quality dinnerware services, vases, figurines and Christmas plates. The number 1518 is the design number. Your circa-1970s figurine of a baby would probably be worth $125 to $150.
Antiques expert and columnist Anne McCollam has recently 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.
● On Oct. 13, 1773, French astronomer Charles Messier discovered the firstknown spiral galaxy and named it the Whirlpool Galaxy. It would be another three centuries before scientist confirmed that our own galaxy, the Milky Way, is also spiral shaped.
● On Oct. 14, 1977, pop singer former beauty queen and spokesperson for Florida orange juice Anita Bryant was hit in the face with a pie by gay rights activist Tom Higgins while speaking at an Iowa event to promote her campaign to repeal anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQ people.
● On Oct. 15, 1864, the world's first successful combat submarine, the H.L. Hunley went down in Charleston Harbor during a demo, killing its inventor and namesake along with seven crew members. The vessel was recovered and performed its only successful mission the following year when it sank the Yankee ship Housatonic, but sank again, taking its third ill-fated crew with it. Raised again in 2000, it is currently on exhibit in Charleston.
● On Oct. 16, 1964, after conducting a successful nuclear test, China became the fifth nation with atomic bomb capability, after the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain and France.
● On Oct. 17, 1985, magicians Penn & Teller notably responded to "Late Night" host David Letterman's invitation to "surprise" him on their next appearance on his show by unleashing hundreds of cockroaches from a top hat onto his desk. While Letterman was unsurprisingly not pleased, he later admitted the stunt made "great TV."
● On Oct. 18, 1974, singer Al Green was attacked by his former girlfriend, Mary Woodson, in his Memphis home while taking a bath. Woodson dumped a pot of scalding grits on his back before retreating to a bedroom where she killed herself with Green's gun.
● On Oct. 19, 1994, Jesse Timmendequas was charged with killing 7-year-old Megan Kanka in New Jersey. The crime inspired Megan's Law, a statute requiring that information about convicted sex felons be made available to the public. Versions of Megan's Law have been passed in many sates since her death.
Ridgway and Morley were located in Staffordshire,
Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory was founded in 1760.
Alaska (from page 3) significant part of its resource wealth.
FORESTRY AND TOURISM
• While figures vary, Alaska is estimated to be roughly 35% to 39% forested, representing a significant portion of the state's land area. This vast forested region includes the Tongass, the largest National Forest in the United States. Much of the state's forests are considered untouched and pristine
• The state's vast forests and stunning natural beauty are also valuable resources that support industries like timber and tourism.
• Alaska has as many airports as California does, even though it has only 2% of the population. In fact, 82% of Alaskan communities do not have road access but are only accessible by boat or plane. One out of every 78 residents has a pilot’s license, six times higher than the rest of the country.
POPULATION
• Alaska has the lowest population density of any state, averaging 1.2 people per square mile. New Jersey is the most densely populated state, with an average of approximately 1,250 people per square mile. If the island of Manhattan had the same population density as Alaska, there would be only 16 people living there.
• The state has a higher percentage of Native Americans than any other state, with nearly 20% of residents identifying as indigenous. The U.S. government recognizes 229 different tribes across the state, with about 180,000 tribal members statewide.
• Alaska is not the state with the lowest population. That’s Wyoming (588,000), followed by Vermont (648,000). Alaska ranks third with 740,000 residents.
• About 291,000 people live in Anchorage, the largest city in the state. That amounts to about 40% of the state’s population.
• Juneau (pop. 31,500) is the only state capital that is accessible only by boat or plane. Road access is not possible due to its steep surrounding mountains and waterways preventing road access.
• Alaska has the 6th highest cost of living in the U.S., coming in after Hawaii, Massachusetts, California, and Washington, DC.
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Game Changers
by Jason Jenkins
One of the signs of advanced golfing skills is the presence of some form of waggle or movement before a shot is struck. Players who freeze over the ball tend to be overly worried about a list of movement cues.
By employing a waggle, you’ll tend to minimize tension and improve focus on the shot at tend. The question lies in which waggle is right for you.
Traditionally, players employed a “hands” waggle where the wrists moved the club back and forth with little body movement. Today, players like Jason Day use a mini “one-piece” waggle. They take the club back a short distance with the shoulders and arms, while using very little wrist action. Both players are using movement to keep tension from creeping into the body.
STAN SMITH'S TENNIS CLASS
GO FIGURE!
by Linda Thistle
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.
