Vol. 21: #47 • Advertising • (11-16-2025) Tidbits of Coachella Valley
by Kathy Wolfe
Tidbits directs our attention this week to the various methods that companies use to boost brand awareness, attract new customers, and persuade them to make a purchase. Every merchant in the history of marketing has vied to differentiate their product from all the rest and sway consumers into buying their brand. In fact, itʼs said that advertising is actually the world's oldest profession. How so? Because before she could offer it for sale, she first had to advertise!
SLOGANS
• Since 1886, Coca-Cola has used more than 50 different slogans to advertise their product. Their first was simply “Drink Coca-Cola,” changed in 1904 to “Delicious and Refreshing.” In 1906, with the United States culture steering away from alcoholic beverages, Coke utilized “The Great National Temperance Beverage.” In 1948, it was “Where There’s Coke, There’s Hospitality.” The popular “Things Go Better with Coke” campaign was initiated in 1963. Coca-Cola is the longestAdvertising: Turn to page 3
TRIV
(Answers on page 16)
Roller Derby
Roller derby originated in the 1930s, reached its peak in the early 1970s, declined in popularity shortly afterward, and has enjoyed a revival since the early 2000s. This week Tidbits is rolling out the facts on this fast-paced, physically-demanding and sometimes brutal contact sport
• This sporting event began in the 1930s as an endurance marathon on skates, with the first contest taking place in Chicago in 1935. It was a long distance race on a wooden banked track, with players covering as many laps as possible in a given time frame.
• The event was created by sports promoter Leo Seltzer, who organized teams of male and female skaters continuously skating thousands of laps. The inaugural Chicago event drew 20,000 spectators, who observed 25 teams skate 3,000 miles (4,828 km), about the distance from San Diego to New York City.
• Seltzer soon noticed that the crowd's biggest reactions came from the physical altercations and spills that naturally occurred during the frantic race. He quickly adjusted the rules to make the sport more physical and team-oriented, evolving it into the contact sport known today.
• Roller derby is played on an oval track by two teams of five players each, skating counterclockwise. Each game, or bout, has two 30-minute halves, broken up into two-minute “jams.” Each team has one jammer and four blockers.
1. SCIENCE: What is the study of clouds called?
2. GEOGRAPHY: Which country’s highest mountain is called Ben Nevis?
3. ACRONYMS: What phrase does the acronym GPS stand for?
4. TELEVISION: What beer brand appears in “The Simpsons” animated TV show?
5. HISTORY: When was Earth Day first celebrated?
6. ANATOMY: What is a common name for the condition known as piloerection?
7. MOVIES: Which city was the setting for the movie “The Sting”?
8. MATH: How many yards are in a mile?
9. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a baby ferret called?
10. FOOD & DRINK: Which celebrity chef stars on the cooking show “Hell’s Kitchen”?
• The jammer is the skater who laps the opposing team members, and the only one able to score points. Those points are awarded each time the jammer passes the opponents. The jammer wears a helmet with a star on both sides so that he/she is easily identified. The other four team members are blockers who form a pack to defend the jammer while hindering the opposing jammer from lapping them.
• The blockers create formations known as walls to keep the opposing blocker from passing, but are prohibited from linking arms with each other or grasping onto teammates. The pivot blocker designates the plays for the team and keeps the team’s pace. This blocker wears a helmet marked with a stripe.
• Inline roller blade skates are prohibited, and all players use four-wheeled “quad” roller skates, which have a smaller wheelbase, designed to reduce tripping hazards. The game is actually harder to play with quads, as they are not as easy to control as inline skates. Other mandatory equipment includes helmets, mouthguards, elbow and knee pads, and wrist guards.
• Although we often associate roller derby with theatrical elements containing a lot of physical force, putting opponents in headlocks, elbowing them in the chin, and aggressive fistfights, it’s not that way in modern play.
• Players cannot use their heads, elbows, hands, forearms, feet, or legs to block the opponent, with the blockers allowed to use just their hips to hit the other player’s hips. A hit anywhere else on the body results in a penalty, as does tripping, charging from the rear, or blocking a player when out of bounds.
• The attendance record for a roller derby game was set in 1972, with 50,118 fans turning out for a game in Chicago’s Comiskey Park. Enthusiasm for the sport cooled as the 1970s wore on, but was revived in the early 2000s.
• The first international bout took place in 2006 between the U.S. and Canada. There are now upwards of 1,200 amateur roller derby leagues worldwide, with leagues on every continent except Antarctica. The Roller Derby World Cup is held every two years.
• Professional players frequently adopt creative pseudonym “derby names,” including Bonnie Thunders, Suzy Hotrod, and Lola Pistola.
• In 2009, Drew Barrymore produced and directed the movie “Whip It,” a film about a young Texas girl who tires of participating in beauty pageants and turns to roller derby. “Whip It” had a soundtrack of 58 songs.
3.
Advertising (from page one)
running continuous sponsor of the Olympic Games. Their red-and-white logo is recognized by 94% of the world’s population.
• Henry Heinz presented his “Heinz 57” trademark in 1896, inspired by an advertisement he saw while riding a New York City subway train, a sign announcing “21 Styles of Shoes” at a local store. At the time, the Heinz Company already offered upwards of 60 products, including pickles and horseradish, but Henry Heinz liked the sound of “57 varieties” as well as claiming that “5” was his lucky number and “7” was his wife’s.
• In 1961, McDonald’s launched an ad campaign with the slogan “Look for the Golden Arches.” In 1963, they shifted to “Real Good, and Still Only 15 Cents.” McDonald’s offered a 15-cent burger from 1955 until 1967, when they changed the price and the slogan, claiming “You, You’re the One.” In 1971, McDonald’s “You Deserve a Break Today” jingle made its debut, one that that ran for 28 years, history’s longest-running advertising jingle.
• In 1975 McDonald's unveiled the Big Mac with the legendary jingle, “Two All-Beef Patties, Special Sauce, Lettuce, Cheese, Pickles, Onions on a Sesame Seed Bun,” a catchy tune that was easy for millions of Americans to memorize and recite. Forty-two musicians recorded the little ditty. In the 1980s, McDonald’s added “We Do It All for You” to their advertising lineup. Other notable slogans include “What You Want is What You Get” (1996), “Did Somebody Say McDonald’s?” (1997), and “I’m Lovin’ It” (2003).
BRANDING
• What’s the story behind Amazon’s smile/arrow logo? The smile is meant to communicate that Amazon is a trustworthy, friendly company, happy to deliver anywhere. But there’s more to it. You might notice that the arrow begins at the
NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE
Ford adopted the "Built Ford Tough" slogan in 1979 for their Ford F-Series trucks, an ad that has contributed to the F-series becoming the most successful pickup of all time. Since at lease 2005, Ford has experienced sales of more than 50,000 trucks per month, sometimes edging up to 80,000.
“A” and ends on the “Z” of the word, meaning that Amazon has everything a customer needs from A to Z.
• Clara Peller was 83 years old when she was chosen by Wendy’s to appear in their 1984 advertisements. The tiny crotchety octogenarian delivered her line “Where’s the beef?”, outraged by the size of a fast-food burger at Wendy’s competitor, Big Bun, in comparison with the size of the bun. “Where’s the beef?” became a catchphrase for addressing inadequacy in every walk of life. Wendy’s sales jumped 32% in 1985 following the release of the campaign. At the conclusion of that campaign, sales entered a twoyear slump. Clara Peller had been a manicurist in Chicago for decades before entering the world of television advertising.
The recognizable Tiffany Blue Box made its debut in 1845, when Charles Lewis Tiffany selected the hue for the company's packaging. The color is a custom-made mixture that was standardized by Pantone to ensure that the color is always the same. Its official name is "1837 Blue."
• Flo from Progressive Insurance is one of the most recognizable faces in advertising. In 2007, the company was facing low brand recognition and sought a new approach. Their ad agency came up with a virtual insurance superstore where customers picked out boxes from rows labeled for car, home, and other insurances, with funny and goofy Flo manning the store. The first ad aired in January 2008, with a customer declaring, “Wow!” after being advised of his savings. Flo confirmed his fervor, saying, “Wow! I say it louder!” Within the first decade of Flo ads, Progressive’s business more than doubled from $13.6 billion to nearly $30 billion.
• Before she was Flo, Stephanie Courtney was part of L.A.’s Groundlings Theatre, an improv comedy group. She spent the first two years with Progressive inside the fictional store, but was then moved into the outside world. Stephanie has been more than Flo – she’s appeared in 12 movies, scores of TV series episodes, and voiced several animated shows and films.
• Flo isn’t the only well-known face in the insurance business. “Jake from State Farm” appeared for the first time in 2011, portrayed by Jake Stone. Jake wasn’t an actor at all, but rather a State Farm employee who answered a casting call for the ad. Since 2020, Jake has been portrayed by actor Kevin Miles, who has rubbed shoulders with Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce in the ads. State
Farm hasn’t been Miles’ only gig – he’s been seen in ads for Coors Light, 5-Hour Energy, T-Mobile, Hyundai, McDonald’s, Pepsi, Taco Bell, and Bose.
• You might not be familiar with the name Jonathan Goldsmith, but most likely you’ve
By Lucie Winborne
* The home team must provide the referee with 36 footballs for each National Football League game.
* Research has shown that individual breathing patterns, including the timing, volume and rhythm of chest movements, can be used to identify people with up to 97% accuracy.
* The world’s rarest hair and eye color combo is red and blue, respectively.
* Scientists trained rats to drive cars (custom-made from plastic cereal containers and small wires), and while the rodents’ original motivation was Froot Loop treats, they surprisingly were found to love going for joy rides just as much.
* People spend roughly 10% of their waking hours with their eyes closed.
* Hydrothermal vents created by fissures on the sea floor in areas of significant tectonic plate activity can pump out fluids at temperatures hot enough to melt lead.
* The human brain runs on less power than a 60-watt light bulb.
* There is cellphone service at the summit of Mount Everest.
* Pixar technical director Galyn Susman, while on maternity leave, was notified that 90% of the movie “Toy Story 2” had accidentally been deleted, and the studio’s on-site backup had failed. Fortunately, she had copies of the film on her laptop, which was wrapped in blankets and carefully carried back to the studio.
* In Iceland, there are 13 mischievous “Yule Lads” rather than one Santa, who leave either gifts or rotten potatoes in children’s shoes, ***
Thought for the Day: “When you’re happy you enjoy the music, but when you’re sad you understand the lyrics.”
-- Frank Ocean
by Mary Hunt
8 Secrets of a Successful Garage Sale
ADVERTISE
At the very least, put a sign at the end of your street. If you really want to attract motivated buyers, get serious with the advertising. Consider an ad in a local newspaper. Join NextDoor, a private social networking service for neighborhoods where you can interact with neighbors and get the word out about your sale. Post on local bulletin boards, and circulate flyers. Put some time and effort into this because you want your ad to stand out.
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
Whether your goal is to purge your home of stuff you no longer need or raise some cash -or both -- you have options.
by Mary Hunt
You can sell your items on an auction website like eBay, list them in classifieds on Craigslist or give the stuff away. Or, you can create a killer garage sale that turns your castoffs into cold, hard cash.
PLAN AHEAD
Give yourself more than a few weeks to get ready. Make sure the date you select is not conflicting with a holiday or community event. Check local laws regarding signage, restrictions and a requirement, if any, to get a permit.
GET ORGANIZED
It pays to put your stuff in order. Designate your sale area. If there are items in close proximity that are not for sale, cover or clearly mark them NFS, “Not for Sale.” Take the time to repair and clean your sale items and your sale area, too. Dirt, grime, chaos and clutter will repel shoppers. A nicely ordered space will draw people who are ready, willing and able to buy.
PRICING
The majority of people who pass through your sale are merely looking for something they can use without having to pay full price for it. Your goal is to get rid of your stuff while recouping some of the money you spent to buy it in the first place. Research the price of similar items on eBay or Craigslist. For high-ticket items priced over $100, make sure you include manuals, warranties or other information that would be beneficial to the buyer.
SETTING UP
Make your layout deliberate. Group things in sections. For example, put all kitchen items together in one area, and toys and games in another. Make sure all of your clothes are hung - and clean. Rig up a makeshift hanging clothes rack with two ladders or hooks from the ceiling. Do not pile clothes on a table or in boxes.
POINT OF PURCHASE
This is the checkout area, where you will collect money. This is a great place to sell cookies, coffee, sticky buns and bottles of water. If you have lots of small random items like small toys, jewelry and other items that don’t go with anything else, divvy them up into small lunch bags; tape them closed; and mark them “Grab Bags!” Add a reasonable price, and place them right by the checkout. Sit back, and watch them fly off the table.
PREPARE FOR THE WORST
Bad weather is always possible, so make sure you have a few tarps available. If rain is a possibility, relocate electronics, books and paper items just inside the garage or under a cover.
GET HELP
If you want to knock your sale out of the park, get some expert help. I recommend “The Garage Sale How-to Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Hold a Successful Garage Sale” by Cindy Sabulis, available on Amazon. This guide is worth its weight in gold and could make all the difference between a total waste of time and a big profit-making success!
* * *
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
Remember: You in Tell them you saw their ad in Tidbits!
Tell the advertisers you saw their ad in Tidbits! Remember to THANK OUR ADVERTISERS FOR THEIR AD IN TIDBITS!
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(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
NIKE
MORE AD SLOGANS
• In 1971, Blue Ribbon Sports was getting ready to launch its own line of athletic shoes and needed a logo. Co-founder Phil Knight, a professor at Portland State University, hired one of his students to create a design, asking Carolyn Davidson to design an emblem that communicated motion and speed for the company that was being renamed Nike.
• Davidson spent close to 18 hours coming up with what is now known as the “Swoosh,” a symbol of the Greek goddess of victory, Nike, and her flight, victory, and speed. At first, the logo included “NIKE” to build name recognition. Davidson presented her invoice for $35 to Knight for a design that has lived on for decades
• In the 1980s, Nike launched their “Just Do It” ad campaign, urging people to “get moving,” of course, while wearing Nike shoes.
AVIS
• In 1962, Avis Car Rental was in second place in the industry behind Hertz. The company confronted the #2 position with an ad campaign designed to tell the public, “When you’re only #2, you try harder.” Thus, the “We Try Harder” slogan was born. Within a year, Avis went from a $3.2 million annual loss to $1.2 million in earnings, marking the first profit in more than 10 years.
• Back in the 1940s, Air Force officer Warren Avis noticed an absence of car rentals in airports, with Hertz and most other rental lots in downtown locations, and shifted his focus to airport locations. The company ran the “We Try Harder” campaign for 50 years, but it was never enough to catch Hertz. However, Enterprise
has passed them both! This was due to the 9/11 attacks when air travel experienced a rapid decline. Hertz and Avis were concentrated in airports, and Enterprise centered on downtown locations for those folks whose cars were in the shop, or didn’t own cars.
MARLBORO
• In 1955, Marlboro unveiled an ad campaign featuring a rugged cowboy wearing a Stetson hat, sometimes riding a horse across the open prairie, other times sitting at a campfire or driving cattle, but always lighting up a Marlboro cigarette. Within a year of the cowboy’s debut, the company increased its 1% market share to being America’s fourth bestselling brand.
• Several actors and professional models portrayed the Marlboro man in the early years, including Hollywood cowboy David McLean, who, during one commercial’s filming, had to smoke 18 cigarettes to capture just the right shot. In 1976, the ad agency hired a rodeo bronc and bull rider, Wayne McLaren, to represent the brand.
• Both McLean and McLaren developed lung cancer and became anti-smoking advocates. In McLaren’s words, “Tobacco will kill you, and I am living proof of it.”
• “Real” cowboy, Darrell Winfield, appeared in Marlboro ads from 1968 to 1989. Winfield, was discovered by the agency working on western Wyoming’s Quarter Circle 5 Ranch. At least four former Marlboro men died after battles with
• Cigarette commercials were banned on television and radio in the United States on January 2, 1971, following the passage of the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act in April 1970.
by Dana Jackson
Q: Is it true that Sting is going to perform with Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl, or is this just a rumor? -- D.E.
A: According to Entertainment Weekly, the 74-year-old, 12-time-Grammy-Award-winning singer Sting will headline a Super-Bowl-branded concert in San Francisco two nights before the big game takes place. On Feb. 6, 2026, Sting will perform at the Palace of Fine Arts. Bad Bunny will be performing either solo or with surprise guests on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Rosa, California, during halftime.
In addition to Sting’s performance, there will be “meet and greet opportunities with NFL legends and current players” on Feb. 6, in addition to a second night of festivities on Feb. 7, although no performers have been announced as of yet.
Whether or not you’re a fan of Bad Bunny, don’t forget about the most adorable halftime show that airs at the same time over on Animal Planet (as
1. Black Phone 2
(R) Mason Thames, Ethan Hawke
2. Regretting You Allison Williams, Mckenna Grace
3. Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc
(R) Kikunosuke Toya, Tomori Kusunoki
4. KPop Demon Hunters (PG) Arden Cho, May Hong
5. Bugonia
(R) Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis
6. Back to the Future
(PG) Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd
7. Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (PG) Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong
well as Discovery, TBS and TruTV): The 22nd Annual Puppy Bowl!
Q: Are they really going to do another season of “True Detective” with Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey’s characters? -- N.G.
A: Woody Harrelson was recently asked during an interview on the “Today” show if he’d reunite with his pal Matthew McConaughey on the HBO anthology series “True Detective,” and he emphatically said, “No way.” He further explained that “it turned out great” the first time. “I loved that it turned out the way it did,” Harrelson stated. “And if anything, doing another season would, I think, tarnish that.”
He has a good point. It’s rare that lightning strikes twice with sequels, and the first season of “True Detective” is considered one of the most critically acclaimed series ever. It paved the way for movie stars to do TV. In fact, television -- mainly cable shows and streaming -- has become arguably more prestigious than film.
Harrelson and McConaughey came before stars like Nicole Kidman (“Big Little Lies”), Glenn Close (“Damages”), and Billy Bob Thornton (“Fargo”) signed on to do TV.
You’ll soon be seeing Harrelson and McConaughey together in a new series on Apple TV+, a comedy where they play fictionalized versions of themselves (like they currently do in their series of commercials for Salesforce). It’s a far cry from the
darkness of “True Detective,” but we’ll take what we can get.
Q: What happened to the new series that was supposed to come out with Tom Ellis about the CIA? I haven’t seen it yet. -- B.B.
A: The Dick-Wolf-produced “FBI” spin-off “CIA” has been pushed back to midseason status. It was originally slated to be part of the CBS fall season lineup, but there were some creative changes made, including hiring a new showrunner. Tom Ellis, an actor from Wales who rocketed to stardom after “Lucifer” became a hit on Netflix, will headline the show alongside Nick Gehlfuss (“Chicago Med”).
However, another lead actress, Michael Michele (“The Equalizer”), has left the series according to Deadline after just one month of filming. Her role will reportedly be recast.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc. (Go
Depositphotos
Musician Sting
Good Recipes from
Spaghetti Carbonara
Beaten eggs and plenty of Romano cheese form a lightly creamy sauce in this bacon-studded Italian pasta dish.
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus additional for serving
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 cup (loosely packed) fresh parsley leaves, chopped
1. In large covered pot of salted boiling water, cook spaghetti as label directs.
2. Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil on medium 1 minute. Add bacon and cook until browned. With slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet; add onion and cook 6 minutes or until tender. Remove skillet from heat.
3. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Drain pasta; add to skillet with reserved water and bacon. Cook on medium, stirring, until water is absorbed. In bowl, whisk eggs with Romano and 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper.
4. Remove skillet from heat; stir in egg mixture. Add parsley and toss until pasta is well coated. Spoon into warm pasta bowl; serve with Romano and coarsely ground black pepper to taste. Makes 4 main-dish servings.
Each serving: About 695 calories, 24g total fat (8g saturated), 290mg cholesterol, 590mg sodium, 88g total carbohydrate, 3g dietary fiber, 29g protein.
Grilled Tuna and Cucumber Salad
In this light dish, savory teriyaki-marinated tuna steak is grilled lightly and then paired with a refreshing cucumber salad.
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
2/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 (8 ounces each) fresh tuna steaks
Salt
Pepper
2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded and thinly sliced
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 small onion, thinly sliced, optional
1. In a glass pie plate or bowl, combine teriyaki sauce, lemon juice, parsley, 2/3 cup oil and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Add tuna steaks, making sure fish is completely covered by marinade. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
2. In bowl, combine cucumbers, vinegar, cilantro, 1 teaspoon oil, 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper, and onion if using. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
3. Preheat ridged grill pan or prepare outdoor grill for covered direct grilling on medium-high. Remove tuna from marinade; discard marinade. Cook tuna 4 to 6 minutes or until browned on both sides but still pink in center, turning once.
4. Drain cucumber salad. Break tuna into chunks and add to salad. Serves 2.
PROOF
NEST HEADS
By John Allen
DIAMOND LIL
by Brett Koth
Donald Duck by Walt
NEXT WEEK in TIDBITS HAS A TASTEFUL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE
TONGUE
Holidays & Observances This Week
11/16 Check Your Wipers Day
11/17 Bake Homemade Bread Day
11/18 Mickey Mouse Day
11/19 Nat'l Parental Involvement Day
11/20 Peanut Butter Fudge Day
11/21 Family Volunteer Day 11/22 National Espresso Day
By Matthew Margolis
Training for the Holidays and Every Day
DEAR UNCLE MATTY: During the holidays (both Thanksgiving and Christmas), our house is going to be full of visiting relatives. It’s a kind of family reunion, and some of them are getting up there in years. Two elderly uncles walk with canes, and others usually need some kind of assistance. I’m worried about Briskett, our energetic Labrador. She is 13 months old and a real handful.
The problem is, she not only jumps up on people when they first enter the house, but if they say anything to her, she’s up and at ‘em or in their laps if they are sitting down. Other than this problem, she is a really wonderful dog. She has not had any formal training, but she caught on to “Sit” and “Come here” all by herself. How can we teach her not to knock people down? -- Anne C., in Boston
Dear Anne: The problem is the lack of training and a lack of true communication between you and your dog. A well-trained dog will always SIT and STAY on command. And if she is SITTING and STAYING, it is impossible for her to be JUMPING and SCARING your guests, and possibly injuring them. Your options are to hire a trainer who can solve the problems or to work with your dog yourself. Solving the jumping problem is not difficult, but it will require some time and effort.
Do not resort to abusive techniques like kneeing the dog in the chest or stepping on her back toes. It is cruel treatment and harms the relationship between you and your best friend.
There are a lot of ways to correct a dog. One of the most effective is the corrective jerk using a training collar and leash. But you must know how to execute the correction properly. See “When Good Dogs Do Bad Things,” Siegal-Margolis, published by Little Brown and available at unclematty. com or at most libraries.
There are a couple of quick fixes that may work quite nicely. If your dog is not shy, keep a whistle around your neck or a shake can handy (empty soda can with a few coins taped inside).
The news is in, a week late this year due to the current government shutdown: The expected increase in Social Security benefits will be 2.8% for 2026.
For the average monthly benefit of $2,015, that equates to an increase of $56, up to $2,071 for 2026 for a single person. For a couple, the $88 increase will net a $3,028 monthly benefit for 2026.
The actual Social Security increase will be less, however, because, as is typical, the Part B cost has gone up. A $21.50 increase will bring the monthly cost up to $206.50, and that comes out of the Social Security benefit.
The COLA (cost of living adjustment) is calculated every year by the price index from third quarter 2024 to third quarter 2025. Once again they’ve used the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPIW), which many think is the wrong index. (How
What’s Your Style?
In a world where lifestyles and brand names are of utmost importance, many people have the desire to categorize. Prospective clients and acquaintances often ask what my decorating style is. A quick answer might be some sort of funny and bewildering sniglet or wordoid akin to the branding of Hollywood supercouples ala Brangelina: Contempodition, Tradiporary or Eclectdern.
Here is the truth: Most interior designs are a marriage of two or more styles. But I am getting ahead of myself. I think it is important to point out the difference between design, decorating and style. While these terms are tied together, they are distinctly different.
many of us are clerical workers?).
To be more accurate, the Social Security increase should be calculated by the Consumer Price Index for Elderly People (CPI-E), as that has the costs and expenses more in line with where seniors spend money.
Meanwhile, Medicare open enrollment will be in effect until Dec. 7. You still have time to look over your options and see if you need to make some changes. For example, are you taking different drugs? Visiting your doctor more now? Then there is your current plan -- has the cost changed or any of the benefits you get? You can review plans in your area at Medicare. gov/plan-compare
Remember, scammers are everywhere and would love to grab your Social Security information. They’ll approach in person, via mail, on the internet or over the phone. Don’t give out your personal information to anyone who contacts you for any reason!
If you suspect fraud, you can make a report at oig.ssa.gov/report or call the Inspector General’s Fraud Hotline at 800-269-0271.
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
real-life design issues, such as a small space, the lack of light or the proper arrangement of furniture within a particular place. While decorating can be studied, it is not a requirement. Some people have a knack for placing items around a house and are said to be “born decorators.”
Unlike the two preceding terms, style is personal. It is a completely different term and entirely subjective. Either you have it or you don’t. It is used to give a project a personal point of view. Style is a distinct attitude that over time develops into your vocabulary or a designer’s signature. A great design allows personal preferences and quirkiness to shine through.
Interior design involves formal education that encompasses the study of interior spaces, a knowledge of the history and evolution of interiors, and a grasp of the relationship between the users or occupiers of the space and the space itself. It also requires the detailed study of materials, the colors to be used in a project and the frequency of use of the space. This also involves the knowledge of certain accessibility and safety codes. Interior design tackles and resolves the problems created by, or the lack of, interior architecture.
Decorating is like painting or sculpting. It touches on all aspects of color, composition and arrangement but in actual three-dimensional space. The game plan in decorating is solving
Great design encompasses all three components: design, decorating and style. Research is the best way to build your design knowledge and style. Tearing pages out of magazines is the easiest way to create a visual library. Photographing things you like is yet another way to file designs that you love. Another great way to build your style is to visit and frequent spaces with great interior design, such as hotels, restaurants and boutiques. Your city or town may also have a charity design show house, which is a way to sample the work of designers near your home. Visiting open houses is yet another way to get exposure to how people live and current decorating trends.
With exposure and practice, you will develop an eye and will be able to execute a personal design. The accumulation of design experience is what will determine your style. Have fun discovering it!
* * *
Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
Then, have someone greet your dog in the same fashion that usually encourages her to jump. When she does, blow the whistle followed by a firm “NO.” Or use the shake can and say a firm “NO.” When your dog stops jumping, praise her. Repeat this four or five times. If your dog is shy, a firm “NO” may be sufficient as opposed to a loud noise that may scare her.
This will help, but you still need to train yourself and this pooch in the basics. Without training, the problems are endless. Remember, don’t get rid of the dog, get rid of the problem. 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
An Antidote to Maximizing Mania
I’ve written about my now deceased friend, Don Winters, before. But I can tell from my emails that it’s time to share his story again.
Every single day, I get emails from readers who seem to be absolutely obsessed with the idea of “maximizing” their Social Security benefits. And frequently, those emails are almost dripping with anxiety and sometimes almost torment. It’s like these folks are just worrying themselves sick that they might be missing out on a few bucks in potential Social Security benefits.
And what I’ve learned over the years is that most people worrying about this are not between a rock and a hard place -- Social Security speaking. Instead, they are between a pillow and a soft place. In other words, they really can’t go wrong no matter which Social Security decision they make. And the difference of a relatively small amount of money between their various Social Security options is not going to make or break them.
While having said that, I do understand the desire to get as much as possible out of the Social Security system. I mean, who wouldn’t like more money, right? Well, maybe not everybody. And that’s where Don comes in. His story goes back to the early days of my career working for the Social Security Administration. It was around that time that I met Don -- who said that he was getting too much money!
Let’s go back to 1973. I was working in a little Social Security branch office in a small farming community in central Illinois. Congress had recently passed the Supplemental Security Income program. As I’ve explained many times in this column, SSI is not a Social Security benefit and is not funded by Social Security taxes. It is a federal welfare program for low-income elderly and disabled people that just happens to be managed by the Social Security Administration.
So anyway, as SSI was being rolled out, SSA employees were sent on a mission to help as many people as possible to apply for the benefits of the new program. But those “benefits” weren’t really all that impressive. At the time, the SSI program could supplement someone’s income up to $160 per month. In other words, if a person was getting a $120 monthly Social Security check and had no other income, he or she could get an additional $40 from the new SSI program.
(Gosh, it may seem to some of my younger readers that I am writing about the Depression era. I even find it hard to believe that in my lifetime, people were living on $160 per month, or even less!)
Well, speaking of even less, one of the folks I came across in our efforts to find people potentially eligible for SSI benefits was Don, an old man living all alone in a two-room house in a modest neighborhood of our little town. Don was about 70 years old. He was single and living on an $80 per month Social Security check. That was his only income in the world! His little house, which he had inherited from his mother, was paid for, and with the help of food stamps and some assistance from a local government agency with his utility bills, Don managed to get by on that small amount of monthly income.
When he came into the office to see me
with a letter we had sent him about the new program, I explained that an SSI check would double his monthly income. Instead of receiving just $80 per month from Social Security, he would get an additional $80 per month from SSI. His monthly income would go up to a whopping $160!
But surprisingly, Don was reluctant to sign up. He explained that he was getting by just fine without the extra help. What convinced him to apply for SSI was the bonus of automatic eligibility for Medicaid benefits. (Medicaid is the federal health insurance program for poor people, as opposed to Medicare, which is usually tied to Social Security eligibility and is available to both rich and poor Americans.)
So anyway, Don applied for the new program, and within a few weeks, his monthly SSI checks started to roll in. After he got his first check, I went to his home to visit him. He proudly showed me the used TV he bought with his first SSI check. He said he was sure glad I talked him into signing up for SSI benefits. The next check came in, and I learned that Don bought a toaster oven.
Fast forward about three months - when one day, Don parked his bike next to the big picture windows that fronted our little Social Security branch office and walked in. I noticed his bike was festooned with a new basket and bell, and he even added some of those colorful “streamers” you see attached to the handlebar grips of kids’ bikes. (One of the ways Don got by on such a small amount of income was by walking or riding his bike most places he went. He hadn’t owned a car in years.)
He came up to my desk looking a bit sheepish and said, “Tom, I want you to take me off this gosh darn SSI program.” When I asked why, he told me he just didn’t need all that money! I tried to point out that $160 per month really wasn’t all that much money.
But to Don, it was. He said, “Tom, look at my bike. I bought that bell and those silly streamers because I had the extra cash. I look like a damn fool riding around town now.” And then he went on: “And that stupid TV. I used to sit around at night and read. Now I’m glued to that darn contraption, and I waste my time watching ‘Love Boat’ and
1. The book of Haggai is found in the a) Old Testament b) New Testament c) Neither
2. Though Paul was born in Tarsus of Cilicia, where was he brought up? a) Shiloh b) Jerusalem c) Jericho d) Damascus
3. What 8-year-old boy served as king of Jerusalem for 100 days? a) Shamgar b) Jehoiachin c) Adino d) Sisera
4. From John 5, who stirred up the water at the pool of Bethesda? a) Priest b) Jesus c) Holy Spirit d) Angel
5. Who was Jacob's firstborn as found in Genesis 35? a) Reuben b) Ehud c) Joshua d) Asher
6. From Judges 1, who fed 70 kings at his table? a) Benaiah b) Nebuchadnezzar c) Adoni-Bezek d) Mephibosheth
‘Laugh In!” I told Don that he could take the extra money each month and give it away to friends or charities. And I reminded him of the potential benefits of the Medicaid program. He thought about it for a couple of minutes and finally said, “I just don’t want it. I’ve gotten along just fine for years now on my Social Security checks and Medicare. I simply don’t need SSI and Medicaid. And if I start giving the money away, I’ll probably make enemies of those I don’t give it to!”
I had to do a bit of digging through our rule books because I had no idea how to take someone off the SSI program. But I found the instructions, located the right form needed to withdraw his application, and helped Don fill it out. He signed it and walked out the door a satisfied man. As he got on his bike, I saw him pull the streamers off the handlebar grips and throw them in a trash can.
Later that evening, I stopped by Don’s place. I just wanted to make sure that he really wanted to stop his SSI checks before I submitted his withdrawal form. But as I walked onto the porch of his modest little house, I could see through a window that the TV was gone. Don was sitting in a chair reading. I didn’t even bother knocking on the door to ask him about his decision. I knew he was happy!
Now, I’m not recommending that my readers give up most of their earthly goods and live a simple life. But I am suggesting that there might be other things in life besides a maximized Social Security check that could make you happy.
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 (Answers on page 16)
comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com
PCSK9i Drugs Are Reasonable Alternatives
to Statins
DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent column, you wrote about reducing cholesterol levels with the help of statins along with a PCSK9i, such as Repatha or Praluent. My question is: Are these PCSK9is at all beneficial if one cannot take statins? -- D.C.S.
ANSWER: Yes, PCSK9 inhibitors are very effective at lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart attacks in high-risk people. Because these drugs are given by injection and are quite expensive, they are not usually the first-line treatments. We have decades of experience using statins, so they remain the first choice for most. However, if a person cannot take a statin, or one of the alternatives such as bempedoic acid, then PCSK9i drugs are a very reasonable choice. In people with familial high cholesterol and extraordinarily high levels of cholesterol, combination therapy with two or three drugs (a statin, a PCSK9i and sometimes ezetimibe) is frequently used.
***
DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife had COVID and has lost most of her smell and taste. This has lasted for two years. She is in her late 70s. She can detect strong flavors like barbecue sauce and onions. Is there any hope that her condition will improve? -- P.M.
ANSWER: Most people recover their loss of smell after COVID. Having had this for two years is a bad sign; however, the fact that she does have some sense of smell is a good sign. The most effective treatment for the loss of smell after a viral infection is olfactory training. The same scents that were used in clinical trials can be purchased online.
Recent evidence has shown that a supplement combination, ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide and luteolin, along with olfactory training, led to greater improvement. The dose used in studies was 770 mg.
***
DEAR DR. ROACH: My adult daughter (62) was diagnosed about three years ago with a skin disorder called prurigo nodularis. Her dermatologist has tried three different injections, but they’re not working. She still gets very itchy breakouts. Please give me your thoughts and more information about this. -- K.M.A.
ANSWER: Prurigo nodularis is an uncommon disease that affects about one person per 1,000. I have seen a handful of cases, and fortunately the cases I’ve seen have responded well to potent steroid creams.
Regular use of skin lotions, avoiding scratching especially at night (I recommend cotton gloves), and sometimes antihistamines like Benadryl are also the first-line therapies.
If a patient needs more effective treatment and only has a limited area of itching, then a dermatologist will often inject the area with a high-potency steroid. Since it sounds like this hasn’t been successful for your daughter, there are other options.
One is a topical cream called ruxolitinib. About 45% of people responded to this treatment, compared to 20% who responded to a cream without an active drug. Ultraviolet light (narrowband ultraviolet B) showed about 80% effectiveness.
For people in whom none of these therapies work, a very expensive injection treatment, dupilumab (Dupixent) or a similar drug called nemolizumab (Nemluvio), can be used, although the response rate is not as good as desired (roughly 40%).
Since many people with prurigo nodularis have other skin diseases, and some may have (or develop) depression or obsessive skinpicking, these conditions may also need to be treated to successfully improve symptoms.
* * *
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.
(c) 2025 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved
VETERANS POST
by Freddie Groves
Don’t
Believe Every Rumor
The numbers are small -- only 100 or so veterans come down with it every year -- but this cancer is especially deadly: male breast cancer. Beginning in 2024 it was added as a presumptive on the VA’s list of illnesses that were automatically covered, courtesy of the PACT Act, due to toxin exposure.
And now it’s been yanked off that list, per a couple of internet websites and street rumors that are flying fast and furious.
Word is that any veteran with a diagnosis of male breast cancer is going to have to scramble and fight to get the VA to accept that it was caused by exposure to toxins and provide treatment.
Except ... is it really true, that it’s been deleted from the list?
Apparently not.
People were asleep at the switch when male breast cancer was classified as a “reproductive” cancer when it was first added to the PACT list of presumptives. That kind of error left the door open to deleting it from the list of presumptives -just when it’s needed most. Historically, only 1% of breast cancers have been in male patients, but in recent years that number has doubled.
So no, it’s not true. Male breast cancer is still on the list of presumptives. Only the category of the illness has changed, moving it away from considering it a “reproductive organ,” which it is not.
And yes, I have a special interest in this topic. Several years ago a close relative died of male breast cancer. He’d been a Marine, a forward radio operator, in Vietnam where he was sprayed too many times with Agent Orange. When he came back he was stationed at Camp Lejeune with its contaminated water. A double whammy if there ever was one.
If you need to apply for VA health coverage, go online to www.va.gov and click on “Health Care.” Look for VA Form 10-10EZ. If you need help getting started, call the health benefits hotline at 877-222-8387.
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.
If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?
I went line dancing last night. Well, it was actually a roadside sobriety test – sort of the same thing.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
-- by Jim Miller
Understanding Social Security Spousal Benefits
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Can you explain how Social Security spousal benefits work? My wife is approaching age 62 and has had a few small-paying jobs over the years, but spent most of her time as a homemaker. Her earnings are only a fraction of mine, and I am wondering what she would be entitled to. --Primary Breadwinner
Dear Breadwinner: Spousal benefit questions are among the most frequently asked and confusing parts of Social Security. The rules that govern qualifying and claiming are knotty, and there are many exceptions. But understanding how these benefits work is crucial for maximizing your family’s retirement income. Here’s what you should know.
What Are Spousal Benefits?
Social Security spousal benefits are designed to provide retirement income to spouses who either didn’t work or worked sporadically/ part-time and earned significantly less than their spouses over their working lifetime. A stay-athome parent/wife is a good example of a spousal benefit recipient.
Who’s Qualifies?
To qualify for spousal benefits, you and your wife must meet three conditions: Your wife must be at least age 62; you must be married for a year or more; and you must already be collecting your retirement benefits.
Different rules apply for ex-spouses. Ex-spouses (if you were married for at least 10 years and are not remarried) can receive a spou-
sal benefit based on an ex-spouse’s record even if your ex has not yet filed for their own benefits, but your ex must be age 62 or older.
How Much Are Spousal Benefits?
The amount your wife would get for spousal benefits will depend on your earning’s history and her claiming age.
The maximum spousal benefit is 50 percent of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is that amount you’re entitled to at full retirement age benefit (FRA). But your wife will only get that much if she waits until her full retirement age to file, which is 67 if she was born in 1960 or later.
Unfortunately, spousal benefits cannot be increased by her waiting beyond FRA, but they are reduced by taking them early. So, for example, if your wife were to start collecting her spousal benefits at age 62 (the earliest possible age), she would collect only 32.5 percent of your PIA.
To calculate exactly how much your wife’s spousal benefits would be reduced by taking them before her FRA see SSA.gov/OACT/ quickcalc/spouse.html
You also need to know that because spousal benefits are based on your PIA, even if you (the primary earner) retire early, before you reach your FRA, your wife’s spousal benefit will not be reduced. Just as they will not increase if you delay claiming your benefits beyond your FRA.
You should also note that if your wife worked and is entitled to benefits on her own work record, but it’s less than what she’s entitled to as a spouse, Social Security will pay her the higher of the two amounts, but not both.
Survivor Benefits
In addition to spousal benefits Social Security also pays survivor benefits to spouses and ex-spouses starting at age 60 (50 if disabled).
So, if your wife outlives you, she’ll be able to switch from her spousal benefits to survivor benefits and receive a higher payment. Survivor benefits range between 71.5 and 100 percent of the deceased’s benefit, based on your wife’s age when she claims.
There is, however, one exception. Surviving spouses and ex-spouses that are caring for a child (or children) of the deceased worker, and they are under age 16 or disabled, are eligible to receive 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount at any age.
Online Calculators
There are several online calculators that can help you and your wife figure out the best time to claim your benefits to ensure you get the highest possible lifetime payout. One that’s completely free to use OpenSocialSecurity.com. Or for a more thorough analysis use MaximizeMySocialSecurity.com. This tool, which costs $49 for a year, will run what-if scenarios based on your circumstances to find your best strategy.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
JUNQUE
by Anne McCollam Creators News Service
Noritake China Has Been Imported Since 1914
Q: Enclosed is a photo of a plate that is part of my set of Noritake china. I have had it for about 30 years. There are 65 pieces and there is a service for 12 that includes serving dishes, a butter dish and salt and pepper shakers. Each dish is decorated with a band of blue flowers along the edge with a white background. The set has never been used and is in perfect condition
Please let me know what it is worth.
A: Ichizaemon and Toyo Morimura founded an overseas trading company in Japan in 1876. They established an importing firm in 1878 in New York City. By 1914 they began producing dinnerware that appealed to Western tastes. They had factories in Kyoto, Tokyo and Noritake.
Most pieces were marked with the letter “M” in a wreath until the 1950s. A plethora of sets were purchased by United States servicemen when stationed in Asia and sent to families back home. Noritake porcelain is still being made today.
Noritake dinnerware sets are abundant on the secondary market, and prices reflect the supply. Many sets can be seen selling in the hundreds. * * *
Q: This mark is on the bottom of a covered butter dish that belonged to my grandmother in the late 1940s. It is the shape of an
ear of corn with green leaves. The overall measurements are 7 inches long, 4 inches wide and almost 4 inches high.
What can you tell me about the maker and value of my butter dish?
Pottery began in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1937.
A: Shawnee Pottery began in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1937. Your butter dish is part of their “Corn King” ovenware line that was made from the 1930s to the 1950s.
The line started out as premiums/giveaways for Proctor and Gamble. The color of the corn started out almost white and was called “White Corn.” In 1946 the color became more yellow and they changed the name of the line to “Corn King.”
By 1954, their “Corn Queen” line was introduced. The color of the kernels was adjusted to a lighter yellow, and the leaves became darker green. The line included teapots, butter dishes, shakers, pitchers, casseroles, cookie jars, bowls, platters, creamers, sugar bowls and snack sets. Not all pieces were marked; some just had paper labels, and some were only marked with the letters “U.S.A.”
Several other potteries made corn-inspired lines, but are easily distinguished from Shawnee’s. As a rule, the “Corn” was glazed on both the inside and outside. The early pieces are more desirable with collectors than the later “Corn Queen” line.
Your butter dish would probably be worth $100 to $125.
* * *
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.
To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
* On Nov. 17, 1991, Fox aired the first condom ad on network TV during the teen sitcom “Herman’s Head,” inspired by increasing anxiety about the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
* On Nov. 18, 1996, exotic bird expert and protector Tony Silva was sentenced to seven years in prison for heading an illegal parrot-smuggling operation -- one of many people to be arrested during Operation Renegade, a three-year international investigation into bird smuggling by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Law Enforcement.
* On Nov. 19, 1969, Brazilian soccer star Pelé, considered one of the greatest players in his sport, scored his 1,000th professional goal in a game, against Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium.
* On Nov. 20, 1866, Pierre Lallement received a U.S. patent for the country’s first pedal bicycle. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to capitalize on his invention. Failing to acquire enough funds to open a factory, he sold the rights to the patent in 1868 and died in obscurity in 1881.
* On Nov. 21, 1934, a teenaged and terrified Ella Fitzgerald stepped on the stage at Harlem’s Apollo Theater to participate in Amateur Night after her name was drawn from a hat. At the time an aspiring dancer, she spontaneously decided to sing instead after being intimidated by the more talented dance duo performing ahead of her. She not only won the competition after a rough start, but unknowingly set her feet on the path to becoming a music legend.
* On Nov. 22, 1986, 20-year-old Mike Tyson knocked out 33-year-old Trevor Berbick in only five minutes and 35 seconds to become the youngest titleholder ever. He had won all 27 of the matches he’d previously fought, knocking out 26 of his opponents.
* On Nov. 23, 2002, John Herrington became the first Native American in space when he set out on a mission to the International Space Station. In honor of his heritage, he brought along several eagle feathers, a traditional wooden flute, a few arrowheads and the flag of the Chickasaw Nation.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Noritake china was made in Japan.
Shawnee
"Oh for Pete's sake, Clarence, just take a drop up here. I quit counting at 25 strokes!"
Advertising (from page 3)
seen his face. From 2006 until 2018, Goldsmith was the face of Dos Equis’ beer, as a debonair older gentleman dubbed “The Most Interesting Man in the World.” Dos Equis’ famous slogan, “Stay Thirsty, My Friends” became a common catchphrase. Goldsmith was first an actor, appearing in 25 Western films and guest appearances on 45 television series. His face is now frequently seen in internet memes, with the phrase, “I don’t always _____, but when I do, I _____.”
• Kay Jewelers was founded in Pennsylvania in 1916, and has bloomed into more than 1,200 stores. Their famous catchphrase “Every Kiss Begins with Kay” was written in 1997 by a senior art director at an Ohio agency. Their parent company spends upwards of $300 million on advertising every year.
• In 1935, former reporter Leo Burnett founded an ad agency with working capital of $50,000, eight employees, and three clients. Burnett’s company has created many of our most wellknown characters and campaigns, including the Marlboro Man, Tony the Tiger, the Maytag repairman, the Jolly Green Giant, Morris the Cat of 9 Lives cat food fame, and the Pillsbury Doughboy. Burnett devised the United Airlines slogan “Fly the Friendly Skies” and the “You’re in Good Hands with Allstate” motto.
• During the early years, Burnett generated about $1 million annually. By the 15-year mark, his billing was $22 million, and four years later, that figure was $55 million annually. By the end of the 1950s, Burnett was generating $100 million annually. Today, the company has 85 offices in 69 countries and more than 9,000 employees.
Give your golf-related advertising message targeted visibility in full color in this weekly 2” x 6” fixed location $159 per insertion reaches 70,000+ readers each week at the low cost of only $2.27 per 1,000 reader impressions!
Game Changers
by Jason Jenkins
Fred Funk led the tour in driving accuracy for years with a swing secret that may benefit hundreds of golfers who don’t play as frequently as some. When you don’t have time to hit hundreds of drives on the range, or play three to four times a week, Fred’s Flat Wristed system should be great for you. With a slightly strong left hand grip and a little press of the driver, Fred favors having a potentially closed clubface at the top of the swing. Upon reaching the top, his left wrist has flattened along with a fairly flat left arm position relative to his shoulders.
By trying to copy Funk’s flat wristed, closed clubface position at the top, the forward swing requires little timing or thought in hitting it with a slight draw. Inaccurate drivers tend to have an open clubface that they are trying to square or close though impact. Fred Funk never had to worry about that!
STAN SMITH'S TENNIS CLASS
10. FOOD & DRINK: Which celebrity chef stars on the cooking show “Hell’s Kitchen”? Answers
TRIVIA TEST Answers Answers
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.
DIFFICULTY: � � Moderate �� Difficult ��� GO FIGURE!
1. Nephology. 2. Scotland, 4,413 feet high. 3. Global Positioning System. 4. Duff. 5. 1970. 6. Goosebumps. 7. Chicago. 8. 1,760. 9. A kit. 10. Gordon Ramsay.
