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Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Classic

TTR ON A N NE WS FR RO RIIV VIIA EW SF NTT

Games & Toys One in a series

TRIVIA NEWSFRONT

BALLOONS

(Answers on page 16) CLIP AND SAVE

• Scientist Michael Faraday in 1824 was the first to “invent” a balloon. He needed to isolate gases to run tests, so he laid two sheets of rubber together dusted with flour to prevent them from sticking to each other except along the edges, where they sealed themselves tightly shut. The rubber he was using was from latex sap taken from a rubber plant. In this way, he was able to isolate hydrogen for his experiments. • The idea of a confined bubble of air was itself fascinating, and his novel idea spread quickly throughout the scientific community. • A year later, rubber manufacturer Thomas Hancock decided that these newfangled “balloons” could be a fun novelty for people to play with. He began selling balloon-making kits containing a tube of rubber and a syringe to fill it with air. • Balloons got a boost in 1839 when Charles Goodyear discovered that heating rubber with sulfur in a process called vulcanization made the rubber more elastic. This unique method not only made more durable automobile tires, but it also made better balloons.

Vol. XXII Issue 42

he carefully peeled off. It worked. He had created a skin that could then be filled with air. • Now encouraged by his success, Tillotson opened the Tillotson Rubber Company in 1931 and soon made a fortune selling balloons to the general public. • The world’s first brightly colored balloons were sold at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933. Tillotson later adapted the technique to produce thin latex medical exam gloves that can be worn on either hand. • Marketing maven Helen Warny was largely responsible for the rise in the popularity of balloons when she founded The Toy Balloon Company in New York City. She staged huge balloon showers, created balloon-decked parade floats, and fashioned unique balloon-based window displays in major department stores. • The peak of her efforts came when she dramatically released 50,000 helium-filled balloons that filled the sky all at once, to the cheers of delighted onlookers. Each was printed with an advertiser’s name and bore a tag which offered a prize to the lucky finder. • Long, skinny, flexible balloons came on the market in the 1950s, leading to the art of twisty balloon animals. Wham-O led the charge in water balloon sales in the 1960s.

• By the 1970s, NASA technology entered the world of party balloons when Mylar came on the scene. Mylar is almost completely impermeable, meaning helium remains inside the balloon for weeks or months. ADVERTISING PROOF Mon. , 9/21/26 • Final One drawback of Mylar is that it can cause5:00 power Changes DUE: p.m.. • The first recognizable party balloons were Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hour outages when it comes into contact with power manufactured by J.G. Ingram of London in Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections. lines. Mylar balloons can travel long distances 1847. These were the first balloons designed Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 before eventually landing in places where they specifically for decoration purposes. can interfere with wildlife. • The U.S. Government started experimenting ADVERTISING PROOF • Mylar is not biodegradable at all. Latex balloons with helium-filled research balloons in 1903, biodegrade after several weeks of exposure to MON.,being used in party Final Changes DUE: 12:00 NOON which also led to helium UV light on dry land, but require a year or more Please review carefully.balloons Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours and becoming widespread byPROOF the midADVERTISING to biodegrade if they land in water, making them 1920s. Hydrogen had previously been used. especially dangerous aquatic life that may Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes MON., NOV. 3 or corrections. Oct. 4, 2026 • Vol. 22:for #41 Final Changes DUE: 12:00 NOON Although hydrogen has 10% more lifting power either ingest the balloon or become entangled in Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com 760-320-1630 Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s) Fax:  Spelling  Prices  Hours than helium, it also explodes. the string. Contact•your representative immediately with changes or corrections. NeilTidbits Tillotson was working as a researcher at a • Today, it’s estimated that over 400 million rubber plant when he lost his job at the outset Fax: 760-320-1630 Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com balloons are sold annually in the USA.  of the Great Depression. Property of He began tinkering at AdVenture Media, Inc. home with ways to mass-produce latex balloons George Kouri T R by dipping a revolving line of bulbous-shaped c/o NewAmerica Funding OS LA M U forms a vat latex.ofHe then allowed 12th pg into B&W 26xof liquidProperty OP 1. LITERATURE: Who wrote the AdVenture Media, Inc. P them for to dry, HOLD run forming dates a thin, pliable skin which Property of novel “The Invisible Man”? Phone: -760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630 George Kouri NewAmericaFunding AdVenture Media, Inc. valleybits@msn.com 2. GEOGRAPHY: In which country 1/16 pg 4C 26x Rate Rights21 Reserved November 9, 2025 Vol. - to No. 46 FREE is the Topkapi Palace located? Isn’t itAlltime put your

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3. ASTRONOMY: How long is a year on the planet Mars? 4. MOVIES: What is the name of the mortgage in REVERSE TCP #6941-A Let me show you how easily you can: sea witch in the animated film “The ADVERTISING PROOF and live a little? Largest & Newest Fleet in the Palm Springs Area!p.m.. ● Cash in on yourPAGE home’s FILLER 2 equity Final Changes DUE: 5:00 Little Mermaid”? Coachella Valley homeowners for 20+ Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hour ●Helping Eliminate your monthly mortgage payment First Class Service & Safety Since 1990. 2Q08 - WEEK 19 5. ANATOMY: What is the average years. Ask me how a Reverse Mortgage can Contact your Tidbits immediately with changes or corrections. TRIVIA MAYand 4 - MAY Arepresentative IVIRL.A. T Fashion ● work Stay for in your enjoy10 financial freedom! you. home Los Algodones Dist. Getty Villa lifespan of a red blood cell? Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 NEWSFRONT ANSWERS SREWSNCalifornia A TN OR FSWinEMalibu N Market Center Helping Valley homeowners for 20+ years. *Mexico* 6. MATH: What is the Arabic equivaCALL ME TODAY! Thurs., Oct.1.22Ernie eK-Doe Fri., oD-Oct. K ei30 nrE .1 Sat., Nov. 14 I'll separate the Facts from Fiction! CALL ME TODAY! lent of the Roman numerals MMI? $60/person $60/person $60/person I’llGeorge separateKouri the Facts from Fiction! 2. necessity ytissecen .2 7. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Reverse Mortgage Consultant GeorgePRESENTS Kouri NMLS# 248717 Reverse Mortgage Consultant What are the three secondary colors in 3. Loretta atteroL .3 ADVERTISING PROOF NMLS#248717 TRIVIA NEWSFRONT™ traditional color theory? TRANSPORTATION 760-275-5905 4. Danny otiVDeVito eD ynnaD .4 ADVERTISING by by Kara Kara Kovalchik Kovalchik && Sandy Sandy Wood WoodPROOF Final Changes DUE: 12:00 NOON 760-275-5905 Book online now: CardiffLimo.com/bookeo 8. TELEVISION: Which TV sitcom George.kouri@nafinc.com Please review carefully. Double check: Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours 1. Who had a #1 hitinPhone 1961 with the sardonic 5. Candy ren760-404-1594 thLightner giL ydnaC .5 George.Kouri@nafinc.com Final Changes DUE: 12:00 Call NOON us today! features the Bluth family? naf.com/GeorgeKouri naf.com/GeorgeKouri “Mother-in-Law”? Please carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices Hours Tours & Travel Packages online DiscoverMulti-Day Contact your Equal Tidbits representative immediately changes 9. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What isreview a Housing Opportunity. Borrower is responsible for paying taxes,with insurance, and other or corrections. property expenses. Borrower must occupy home as their principal residence. A new loan will 2. According to thevalleybits@msn.com proverb, what is “the Office: your 760-320-0997 760-320-1630 group of jellyfish commonly called?Contact require a newrepresentative credit check,email: appraisal, title search, initial mortgage insurance closingFax: Tidbits immediately with premium, changes or corrections. costs andmother fees. Consultof yourinvention”? tax advisor. This is not a loan commitment or guarantee of any ALWAYS E ERF SYAFREE WLA 10. GAMES: How many squaresOffice: are 760-320-0997 kind. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to borrower and property qualiﬁcations. Not all email: Fax: 760-320-1630 applicants will qualify. Rates and termsvalleybits@msn.com are subject to change without notice. All mortgage loan 3. What real approval. first name of Africanproducts are subjectwas to creditthe and property 2025 New American Funding, LLC. NMLS on a checkerboard? #6606. nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Corporate oﬃce 14511 Myford Rd., Ste 100, Tustin, CA 92780. American comedienne Moms www.newamericanfunding.com. Phone: (800) 450-2010. NMLS IDMabley? #6606.10/2025 ALWAYS FUN (Trivia Test answers page 16) N UF SYAW LA Trivia answers Property of AdVenture Media, Inc. Momma 4. What film actor wanted to Throw 1. H.G. Wells. Property of from the Train in 1987? AdVenture Media, Inc.

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Week of October 11, 2026

Nail Polish (from page one) enemy, Babylonian soldiers dyed their nails black before going into battle. • By the 1500s, Aztecs and Incas started adding pictures of eagles drawn on nails with pointed sticks and natural dyes, thought to have been used as war totems. The nails would be covered with a white coating, and the eagle design would be drawn in red.

MODERNIZED NAILS

• In 1874, New York socialite Mary Cobb married Dr. Joseph Pray, a New England podiatrist who earned a sizable fortune selling foot powders and ladies’ cosmetics. While traveling in France, Mary Cobb learned the art of manicuring: soaking, trimming, shaping, and polishing nails. • In 1878 she opened the first nail salon in the U.S., located in Manhattan. She charged $1.25 for a manicure, and her clientele ranged from socialites to showgirls.

the various oils and powders that were rubbed in and buffed out. The Cutex company rose to prominence, as Warren bought out various other cosmetic companies along the way. • Then came World War I, which marked the next advancement in nail polish. During and after the war, U.S. forces took over German chemical plants. Along the way, they discovered the patented formula for nitrocellulose, a quickdrying lacquer that was being used to provide cars with smooth, durable paint. By the early 1920s, DuPont was using this technology to produce shiny cars in a rainbow of colors.

Page 3

amazed at how much the dried acrylic patch looked like a real fingernail. Later he teamed up with his brother to market a product that he first envisioned would help people stop biting their

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• French make-up artist Michelle Menard, 2. Where should you admiring the glossy paint job on sports cars, ADVERTISING keep nail polish to PROOF prolong its lifespan to wondered why this same varnish couldn’t be Final DUE: MON., AUG. 31 12: the max? used on fingernails too. She was working at a Changes review  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  cosmetic company at the time, andPlease took the idea carefully. Double check: (Answers page 16) to a co-worker named Charles Revson. Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or co

• Revson thought adapting automotive Office: paint for 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 76 use on fingernails was a great idea. He teamed up with his brother Joseph and chemist Charles • She improved manicure methods, wrote helpful Lachman to found their own company in 1932, guides, sold manicure kits, expanded into selling enamel-based nail polish. The brothers cosmetics and skin care, and invented the emery Property of AdVenture Media, Inc. wanted to name the company after themselves, board to shape nails. Her business savvy led her ADVERTISING but added an “L” to the company’s name in A & B Desert Massage to sell her products through thePROOF burgeoning Five Friday, 10/9/26 c/o Bob Sarfatty Final Changes DUE: 5:00 p.m.. honor of Lachman, thus becoming Revlon. & Dime stores. By 1900, her company was one Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours 1/16 pg BW 13x of the largest immediately female-owned businesses. Contact your world’s Tidbits representative with changes or corrections. • Revlon was the first to offer a full-bodied opaque Sept. 6, 2026 Phone: 760.320.0997 Vol. 22 - No. 37 Fax: 760.320.1630 Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 color rather than a translucent tint. The company valleybits@msn.com • In 1911 Chicago chemist Northam Warren convinced women that the shade of the lipstick invented a formula that would gently dissolve All Rights Reserved must match the shade of the nail polish. Their the cuticle rather than requiring it to be cut away CLIP AND SAVE sales focused on hair salons at a time when or scraped off. He called the product Cutex. The women were flocking there to have their nails product sold well, and he later invented the first PROFESSIONAL done. acetone-based nail polish remover, which he 12th 26x of the world’s first soldpage, alongFull withColor, a selection • Next they expanded into department stores. The Oct. 18, 2026 • Vol. 22: ● Swedish ● Deep Tissue ● Therapeutic translucent paint-on nail #43 polishes. price point was higher than any other polish, ● Lymphatic ● Prenatal setting them apart as a luxury brand. The revenue • These lacquer-based nail polishes replaced Rate $95/hr. at Mobile Service our DHS studio allowed them to purchase expensive full-color We Come to You Mention this spreads in fashion magazines. ad for

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ETS NUGG LEDGE OW OF KN Fish scales and mica dust yield a frosted look. Powdered aluminum, silver, and gold add a metalilic sheen. Microscopic nylon fibers contribute strength, while proteins, gelatins, and vitamins nourish the nail. Property of AdVenture Media, Inc.

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$10 Off $135/hr. • Soon Revlon offered more colors than any other (First-time ADVERTISING PROOF (Rate Based on customers only) company, dubbing them with romantic names: Location) Final Changes DUE: 12:0 Fire and Ice, Plum Lightning and Moon Drops. A & B Desert Massage Revlon flourished throughout the Depression Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  760-898-0760 -- or -- 760-898-0836 and World War II when women who were Contact yourGC Tidbits representative immediately with changes or co Development • Certificated • Licensed • Insured making great sacrifices still made room for CA License #81849 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 76 1/8 pg disc Visit 4C us at:26x www.ABDesertMassage.com small indulgences. The company grewOffice: into one of the largest cosmetics companies in the U.S., Nov. 23, 2025 Vol. 21 - No. 48 offering skin care, hair care, and makeup.

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Page 4

Everyday CHEAPSKATE

by Mary Hunt

By Lucie Winborne

* In ancient Egyptian mummification, onions were sometimes used to fill body cavities, even serving on occasion as false eyes. * Fijian war chief Ratu Udre Udre holds the rather dubious distinction of being the most active cannibal in recorded history, with a reported consumption of between 872 and 999 people during his lifetime. * Teenagers naturally experience a biological shift that causes them to fall asleep later than adults. * The red poinsettia originated in Mexico and is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico in the early 19th century. * Shells and stones on the ritual blades used by the Aztecs symbolized the faces of the gods for which the hearts of sacrificed individuals were intended, with such rituals claiming between 10,000-15,000 people per year. * Every second, the sun delivers about 173,000 terawatts of energy to Earth, which is more than 10,000 times the amount of power used by humans.

Great Reader Tips: From Luxury Taxes to Quick Scissor-Sharpening Everyday CHEAPSKATE Over the years, I’ve noticed something. ®

by Mary Hunt People who live comfortably do not do so because they are particularly wealthy. It’s because they are disciplined. They possess financial maturity. They live according to principles and rules they impose upon themselves. I have a feeling that Jane, today’s first tipster, is one of those people -- quietly disciplined and financially mature.

LUXURY TAX Whenever I spend money on a “want” (as opposed to a need), I tax myself with a selfimposed rule that I must deposit 10% of the total into my savings account immediately following the purchase. -- Jane SUPER CLEANER I mix rubbing alcohol and water in a 50-50 ratio in a spray bottle. I clean virtually everything you can think of with this mixture. It leaves no streaks, and it kills germs. I usually pay less than $1 for a bottle of store brand rubbing alcohol, and it usually makes two bottles of cleaner. Cheap on the pocketbook and safer for the environment! -- Samantha

* Although English has long been the country’s most widely spoken language, it was not formally designated the official language of the United States until a presidential executive order in 2025.

Vol. XXII Issue No. 42

Place an additional pouch in the back of your binder to hold receipts, rebate forms and universal product codes for easy storage. I also keep a supply of small white envelopes, postage stamps, index cards and pens for easy rebate-filling while I’m waiting places. The binder can also be used to keep track of clothing sizes of family members or store shopping lists, to-do lists, etc. Make it something you’ll never leave home without. -- Jennifer TANGY CLEAN Several months ago, my dishwasher started oozing suds every time I used it. It was obviously clogged somewhere with soap. My old-time appliance repairman gave me the best tip yet. Fill the soap cups with Tang breakfast drink, and run the empty dishwasher for one cycle. Mine came out clog-free and spotless. -- Sharon NO MORE STICKY I use dryer sheets to remove the sticky residue left from price stickers. I discovered this by accident a few years back when I got tired of looking at the residue on my washer and dryer that was left by the stickers. I picked up a dryer sheet that had fallen out of the dryer and rubbed it on the residue, and it came right off. I then tried it on my refrigerator, and it worked again. I recently rubbed a dryer sheet on my address book, and, sure enough, the sticky residue came off that, too. It really works! -- Cindy QUICK SHARPEN If your scissors are getting dull, take some aluminum foil and cut through it four or five times. The result is that your scissors will be much sharper. -- Sharon * * *

MUSTY DRAWERS Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayTo clean old drawers, I have always used Cheapskate.com, where this column is archived coma mixture of chlorine bleach and water. If badly plete with links and resources for all recommended stained, I use only bleach. I have never known it products and services. Mary invites questions and SEPT. 21unfinished, to harm the wood. I doMON., the same with comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/ stained andcheck: dirty frames. After bleaching, they contact/,“Ask Mary.” This column will answer quesreview carefully. Double  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices Hours * The video game industryPlease consistently tions of general interest, but letters cannot be ancan be varnished or painted. -Ellen brings in more money than Hollywood.

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Office: email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 * Long before the Nazis adopted it, the760-320-0997 COUPON POUCHES COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM swastika was an ancient religious symbol I use those plastic zipper pouches that associated with good fortune, spirituality kids use for pens and pencils to organize my and prosperity. Versions of it have apcoupons and rebates. They have a clear front peared across India, China, Greece and and three holes punched in the side. I have other ancient civilizations for centuries. several for different categories of coupons or rebates, and I placeRiding themCenter in a small three-ring Pegasus Therapeutic * Basketball shorts were short until binder. YouColor can either color-code them or use 1/12 pg • Full • Non-Profit 1984, when Michael Jordan petitioned the a label maker to label the front of each  pouch. Please review carefully. Double Number(s) Spelling  Prices  Hours Sept. 27, 2026 check: Vol. 22- Phone No. 40 NBA for longer ones.

DEBT SUCKS.

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PINK PLASTIC

FLAMINGOS • Don Featherstone was born in Massachusetts in 1936. He always had a knack for art, particularly sculpture, and graduated with a degree in art in 1957. • In 1957, the plastics industry was expanding exponentially. The recently perfected art of injection molding made creating plastic products easy, quick, and cheap.

demic Champions”

• One plastics factory in Leominster, MA, employed 5,500 people, amounting to 80% of the city’s workforce. Union Products was adding new products as fast as they could be thought up. What they needed was someone who could sculpt the original molds out of clay. At the age of 21, Don Featherstone began his career working for Union Products.

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Page 5

both standing on wire legs that sink securely into lawns.

swan-shaped planter often outsold flamingos. Yet nothing said “American kitsch” like pink flamingos.

• Featherstone had never encountered a real, live flamingo before. Fortunately, National • When the pink flamingo lawn ornament turned 40, it got a write-up in National Geographic, Geographic had just published an article about complete with a photo contest depicting pink flamingos, giving him good photos to use as a plastic flamingos in their natural habitat. model. It took him about three weeks to perfect ADVERTISING PROOF the clay model. A steel mold was created for each • Featherstone eventually became CEO of Union Final Changes DUE: Tues., 6/25/19 5:00 p.m.. sculpted bird, and they were mass-produced Products, retiring 2000Number(s) after 43 yearswith Please review carefully. Double check: in  Phone  Spelling Prices the  Hours in polyethylene. He named the first flamingo company. Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections. off the production line Diego. He dubbed the Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com 760-320-1630 • Union Products closed in 2006, and Fax: another firm species “Phoenicopterus ruber plasticus.” acquired the rights to continue producing the • The world’s first pink plastic flamingos went iconic lawn ornament. They still make 1,000 on sale in the Sears catalog in 1958, selling flamingos per day. Today, a pair of the iconic pink for $2.76 for a set of two. The product was not birds can be purchased online for around $20. an immediate sensation. Yet, it grew on the • Until his death in 2015, Featherstone maintained American people, and soon pink flamingo lawn a flock of 57 flamingos in his backyard to ornaments decorated lawns from coast to coast. Ultimate Home commemorate the year theyRepairs were invented. Featherstone eventually added his signature to Business Card, 4c, 26x Discount Rate today, visitors leave commemorative the butt feathers of every flamingo to distinguish • Even June 30, 2019 • Volume 15: Issue #27 flamingos at his gravesite in Leominster, MA.  it from the knock-offs that began appearing. • Eventually, pink flamingos became part of a prank culture where people would put them on others’ lawns as a joke. In 1979, in Madison, Wisconsin, over 1,000 pink flamingos were placed on the lawn in front of the Dean’s office. Years later, the city of Madison designated the plastic flamingo as the city’s official bird.

• Among the products the company made were garden decorations, but all of themPROOF were simply ADVERTISING • Featherstone sculpted over 750 different ADVERTISING PROOF flat, two-dimensional cut-outs. Featherstone was MON., SEPT. 28 items NOON over the course of his career. Ironically, al Changes DUE: MON., FEB. 9 three- 12:00 tasked withDUE: the challenge of sculpting nal Changes 12:00 NOON Charlie Duck outsold pink flamingos every carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices the  Hours dimensional ew carefully. Double garden check: figures.  Phone Number(s)  Spelling single Prices year  Hours up until 1986. Even Featherstone’s your •Tidbits representative immediately changes He started with a girl carrying a with watering can or corrections. ct your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections. and a boy email: with a valleybits@msn.com dog. Pleased with his work, 60-320-0997 Fax: 760-320-1630 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 they asked him to sculpt a duck. Featherstone adopted a live duck as a model, named it Charlie, released it in a local pond when he was done. Galilee and Center

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Galilee Center of • Next, FeatherstoneProperty created his most iconic c/oc/o Leap Creative Property of Leap CreativeAgency Agency AdVenture Media, Inc. Inc.flamingos, one product: a pair AdVenture of pink Media, plastic /81/8 pg.pg.4C 4C13x 13xN.P. N.P. standing erect, one41dipping down as if to feed, Oct. 4, 15, 2026 Vol.Vol. 22 22 - No. Feb. 2026 - No. 8 Phone: 760.320.0997 Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: Fax:760.320.1630 760.320.1630 valleybits@msn.com valleybits@msn.com AllAll Rights RightsReserved Reserved

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Chapel Christian School features one of the y’s most challenging educational systems, ng Accelerated Reader, ACSI math, art, and music programs at the Elementary level.

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view carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections.

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Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Page 6

by Dana Jackson King Features News Syndicate

Q: Has Catherine Zeta-Jones retired

from acting? Also, has she ever starred in anything with her husband, Michael Douglas? -- R.B.

Depositphotos

A: While Catherine Zeta-Jones’ level of stardom isn’t as high as it was during the earlier part of her career, when she starred in movies like “The Mask of Zorro” and “Chicago” (the latter for which she won an Oscar), she’s still acting -- a lot. She currently plays Morticia Addams in the Netflix series “ We d n e s d a y, ” and right before this, she starred in two short-lived shows: “National Treasure: Edge of History” on Disney+ and “Prodigal Son” on Fox. Michael Douglas and If you Catherine Zeta-Jones missed it, be sure to check out her portrayal of the late, great film star Olivia de Havilland in the TV miniseries “Feud” (on Hulu), opposite Jessica Lange’s Joan Crawford. Even though she wasn’t nominated for an Emmy, it’s a series that’s worth watching for its fabulous

depiction of an on-set rivalry during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Also, Zeta-Jones isn’t slowing down anytime soon. She’s co-starring with Sir Anthony Hopkins in the upcoming movie “A Visit to Grandpa’s,” which takes place in her native Wales, and you can currently catch her in the new AMC+ series “Kill Jackie.” As for her hubby, Michael Douglas, they both starred in the Oscar-nominated film “Traffic” in 2000, but didn’t share any scenes together. They actually had met two years earlier at a film festival and tied the knot a month before “Traffic” premiered. *** Q: When is the new season of “The Last of Us” coming out? I’m still upset that Pedro Pascal isn’t in it anymore. He’s my favorite actor. -- H.S.

A: While the third season of the hit HBO series “The Last of Us” was renewed back in April 2025, like most cable and streaming series these days, there can be years between a new set of episodes. According to HBO’s CEO Casey Bloys, we do know that the magical year will be 2027 -- but not before then. Recently, it was announced that the great John Goodman (“The Righteous Gemstones”) has joined the cast, along with two new actors -- Laura Bailey and Ian Alexander -- who incidentally did voice work for the video-game version of “The Last of Us.” *** Q: I thought Ben Stiller’s daughter was really good in “The Comeback.” Is she going to be in anything else soon? -- M.G. A: Ben Stiller grew up with two hilarious actor parents -- Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller, who formed their own comedy duo. The funny genes are strong in their family and in Ben’s wife, Christine Taylor (“The Brady Bunch Movie”). So, it’s no wonder that their daugh-

1. Avengers: Endgame (PG-13) Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans 2. Resident Evil (R) Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry 3. Heart of the Beast (PG-13) Brad Pitt, J.K. Simmons 4. Primetime (R) Robert Pattinson, Merritt Wever 5. Forgotten Island (PG) H.E.R., Liza Soberano 6. Practical Magic 2 (PG-13) Sandra Bullock, Dianne Wiest 7. Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG-13) Tom Holland, Zendaya 8. The Odyssey (R) Matt Damon, Tom Holland 9. Coyote vs. Acme (PG) Will Forte, Lana Condor 10. Daniel and the Fiery Furnace (PG-13) Mena Massoud, Elijah Alexander © 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.

(Go Figure solution page 14)

Vol. XXII Issue No. 42

ter, Ella Stiller, appears to be a natural as well. She played Lisa Kudrow’s accident-prone assistant in the HBO series “The Comeback” and also had a recurring role in “And Just Like That ... “ Next up for Ella is the CBS legal drama series “Cupertino,” where she’ll be a series regular alongside Mike Colter (“Luke Cage”) and Busy Philipps (“Girls5eva”). * * * Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com. (c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.

Week of October 11, 2026

Good Recipes from

Chocolate Pretzels Making these pretzel-shaped treats is a perfect fall project for kids and parents. 3/4 cup margarine or butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened 3/4 cup sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt Assorted sprinkles for garnish 1. Heat oven to 350 F. In large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat margarine or butter with sugar until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla. At low speed, beat in flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt just until blended, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. 2. Divide dough in half. Wrap 1 piece of dough with plastic wrap; set aside. Place sprinkles in pie plate. 3. Working with half of dough on an unfloured work surface, shape 1 tablespoon dough with hands into a 9-inch-long rope. Shape rope into a loop-shaped pretzel; press ends lightly to

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Page 7

seal. Gently press pretzel, top side down, into sprinkles. Place pretzels, decorated side up, about 1/2 inch apart on ungreased large cookie sheet. 4. Bake pretzels 15 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer pretzels to wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with other half of dough. Store pretzels in tightly covered container up to 3 weeks.  Each serving: 120 calories, 4g total fat (1g saturated), 6mg cholesterol, 95mg sodium, 10g total carbohydrate, 1g protein.

Dark Rum Pecan Pie

on a heavy-duty cookie sheet. 3. Bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 F, and bake 25 minutes longer, or until filling is set around edge but center jiggles slightly. Cool completely on wire rack. Makes 6 to 8 servings.  Each serving: About 430 calories, 26g total fat (5g saturated), 6g protein, 46g carbohydrates, 2g dietary fiber, 74mg cholesterol, 165mg sodium.

Paula Deen gives her pecan pie a deep, rich flavor by adding dark rum.

ADVERTISING PROOF Final Changes DUE: 5:0

1 cup sugar 3 tablespoons butter, melted WED., MAR. 22 1 1/2 to 2 cups pecan halves Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  3 large eggs, beaten 1/2 cup dark corn syrup Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or co 2 teaspoons dark rum Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 76 1 9-inch deep-dish pie shell, unbaked 1. Heat oven to 375 F.

ADVERTISING PROOF Final Changes DUE: 5:00 p

Desert Jewelry Mart & Loan 2. In a large bowl, mix sugar and butter until well-combined. Add pecans, eggs, corn 1/12 pg 4C 26x rate 26, 2017 Vol. 13 - No. 13 syrup and rum; stir until well-combined. Pour pe-March Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices can mixture into an unbaked pie shell, and place

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All Rights Reserved • Running your business successfully means making ADVERTISING PROOF smart decisions. Make your advertising choice a wise one. Final Changes DUE: 5:00 p.m.. • An ad schedule in Tidbits means reach a whole Please review carefully. you Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours Contact your Tidbits representative immediately new audience that doesn’t see your advertising in with thechanges or corrections. Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 Desert Sun or in other valley publications. Plus, our lower Cost Per Thousand ad rates save you money.

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Vol. XXII Issue No. 42

(Solution on page16)

Donald Duck

by Walt Disney

FindTheTwinsPenguins [Converted].pdf

12/23/2007

9:45:59 PM

Crossword Answers on page 16

NEST HEADS

By John Allen

CMY

Tidbits® of Coachella Valley Published and distributed weekly by AdVenture Media, Inc. P.O. Box 4308 Palm Springs, CA 92263-4308 Phone: 760-320-0997 Fax: 760-320-1630 Email: valleybits@msn.com www.TidbitsPalmSprings.com All rights reserved. Publisher: Erik D. Long Editor: David L. Long Distribution By:

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Week of October 11, 2026

Page 9

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

NEXT WEEK in

Cody’s

TIDBITS SEARCHES BER OCTO

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

Corner

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty By Matthew Margolis Creators News Service

Compact Canines

3. The Weekly “Brain Breaker”

Holidays & Observances This Week

Car rental companies today are reportedly charging for compact cars what they used to charge for their roomier, rugged counterparts. But it’s not just the smaller version of cars Americans are developing a fondness for. According to the American Kennel Club’s rankings, last year’s Top 15 most popular dog breeds included Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds, Shih-Tzus, Bulldogs, Miniature Schnauzers, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians and Pugs. And this year feels no different, with mini-pooches popping up in shoulder bags and grocery carts from coast to coast. Why the sudden surge in appreciation for the compact canine? Actually, it’s been more of a slow rise since the early 2000s. Modern Americans live fast-paced lifestyles that often mandate more hours in the car and at the office than at home. In this case, a portable pooch may be a better match than, say, a 75-pound Boxer with more energy than a 10-year-old boy after a Red Bull float. But don’t be fooled: A pint-sized pooch -- untrained -- is tantamount to a two-ton tank of trouble. Take for example the following excerpts from letters I received this week: My Dixie! She is an extremely dominant, possessive, territorial 5-pound dog that my vet said is the most dominant Yorkie she has ever worked with. Most people giggle when they hear of this situation because she is so adorable and teeny. But last summer I was bitten so badly by her because Buddy, my Yorkie rescue, came near me, I required a trip to the emergency room and a healthy dose of antibiotics. “Now Henry, the 1-year-old Shih-Tzu rescue, is on board, and frankly, I am completely beside myself with fear that she is going to seriously hurt one of them if they dare to even sit near me. These poor guys are terrified, and it breaks my heart to see them hiding when they should be sitting on the couch with me. I have to be so careful with Dixie that my heart is in my mouth almost all of the time when I am home.” From another reader: “I have had Ginger, a 6-month-old female

10/11 National Sausage Pizza Day 10/12 Columbus Day 10/13 National Face Your Fears Day

Print Your Answers Here:

10/14 Emergency Nurses Day 10/15 National Grouch Avoidance Day 10/16 Use Your Dictionary Day 10/17 Pay Back A Friend Day

Wuzzles solution Page 16

Tidbits® Word Search (CryptoQuip Solution on page 14)

"Beauty Basics" H

M M

W E

W B

W P P

W R

W A

N W K

W Y

D W O

W F

www.WordSearchMaker.com



� BLUSH BLENDER � BLENDERBLUSH CONCEALER � CONCEALER EYEBROWPENCIL � EYEBROW PENCIL EYELASHCURLER � EYELASH CURLER EYELINER � EYELINER EYESHADOW � EYE SHADOW FOUNDATION � FOUNDATION

●

Cody's Corner: Turn to Page 10



HIGHLIGHTER � HIGHLIGHTER � LIPLIPGLOSS GLOSS LIPSTICK � LIPSTICK MASCARA � MASCARA NAILPOLISH � NAIL POLISH POWDERBRUSH � POWDER BRUSH SPONGE � SPONGE

●

TWEEZERS TWEEZERS

(Word Search solution page 16)

Solution on Page 14

Page 10

SENIOR NEWS LINE by Matilda Charles

Keep an Eye on Your Local Grocery Prices If you’ve done your grocery shopping at the same store for a long time, believing that they have the best prices in town, it might be time to revisit that thought. I just discovered that the big box store where I’ve shopped isn’t the lower cost choice I thought it was. I discovered this rather startling fact just this week when looking through the store's website to check availability of an item I needed to get. They were currently out of stock, so I decided to check the websites for the two other stores in town to see if they had it on hand. I was shocked to see that my store was much higher in price, not only on this item but on several of the items I have on my regular list. I don’t know how long this price difference has been going on, but now that I'm wise to it I'm going to have to keep a constant eye on these prices from now on to keep as many of my dollars as l can. I advise you to do the same.

Design Destination: Miami

Here are a few suggestions: Compare the websites for all the stores near you. Make a little chart of the items you normally buy and see who really is the cheapest. Check your list every month. When you do go, shop from a list. Don’t let yourself be tempted to impulsively buy extra items unless you spot a great deal on a aisle-tip display and can stock up a bit. Try the store brands. In many cases store brands are actually made in brand name facilities, just with different packaging. Sign up for loyalty cards. The rewards from those can really add up. Sometimes you’ll get special coupons sent via email. Buy in bulk, if it makes financial sense to do that. And, if it makes sense, make large batches of meals ahead that you can freeze. Do the math. And - although many of us don’t like to do it - use the food bank. Let them give you what they will, and fill in the blanks with your own shopping. This alone can save a huge amount on your grocery expenses. * * * 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) KingFeaturesSyndicate2026

Vol. XXII

Issue No. 42

Cody’s Corner (from page 9) toy poodle, for four months. I already had a male toy poodle who is 3 years old. I am leaning toward possessive aggression and dog aggression. “I think she has a split personality. She will jump in my lap and loves to be petted, but she gets into fights with my other dog several times a day. Today she growled and snapped at me when I tried to get her off the kitchen table. And later, when I broke up the fight with her brother, she bit pretty deep into my hand. I have a 2-year-old son I am concerned about. I bought Ginger to give my older dog company, but she is stressing me out.” Little dogs, big trouble. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Neither Dixie nor Ginger was properly socialized or trained. People love the look and convenience of compact canines, but these dogs tend to get a free ride. Expectations are low and efforts at discipline are nonexistent because it’s assumed the consequences, like the dog, will be minimal. National Geographic News and the journal Science printed the results of a study that asked the question: What makes a small dog small? They identified a variation in a single gene -- IGH-1 -- that acts as a key player in the suppression of growth in toy dogs. Lead researcher Elaine Ostrander of the National Human Genome Research Institute said, “The best way to describe the role of the gene is, it’s like the ‘reduce’ button on a copy machine.” In other words, small dogs are still dogs -- with all their varying personalities and temperaments, with all their instincts and teeth. We owe it to them as much as their large counterparts to give them the education they need to remain at the top of those lists. Woof!

In the hands of designers from interior design to industrial design, this show manages to exhibit * * * innovations in design and architecture, even a Dog trainer Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis is the display of a charette architecture competition for co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular a prominent Miami site featuring star architects radio and television guest, and the host of the PBS series such as Koolhaas, Zaha Hadid and Jean Nouvel. “WOOF! It’s a Dog’s Life!” Read all of Uncle Matty’s columns Elle Decor magazine sponsored a Design- at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com. TUES., MAR. 28 er Show house in Miami Beach’s Sunset Island. The house was advertised as a Modern Life Con-carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Please review cept House. The large house featured many fine Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or co architectural details, which included disappearing 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 76 glass doors, and a seemingly floating Office: courtyard surrounded by water. A striking room of the home was the nicely eclectic dining room designed by Wade Hallock which included an exposed refrigerated wine cellar to Desert Jewelry Mart & Coin show off your wine collection. 1/12 pg 4C 26x rate This year in addition to the art 2, 2017 Vol. 13 - No. 14 events, Miami Please added review a newcarefully. land-AprilDouble check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices mark museum designed by Swiss Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or correctio architects Herzog and De Meuron, Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com We Buy and Sell yourFax: 760-320PAMM or the Perez Art Museum Miami. The museum is strikingly set on Biscayne Bay with most exhibit windows looking outward, making connections to the city beyond. • Estate Jewelry • Diamonds In the last decade Miami has • Jewelry Repair • Gold, Silver changed its overall appearance as well. Large • We Buy Coins • Platinum buildings have sprouted all along most important Loans on Jewelry • Watches avenues and crossroads. Having gone through a Available Two gemologists construction boom and bust, Miami is once again on staff Diamond American Numismatic Assn. building itself into a world-class city. This time the Jewelers Board of Trade Over 30 years Experts National Association of experience city is being built at the hand of recognized archiJewelry Appraisers Free Quotes tects that would have never set sight on Miami in Lic. #33250995 the past. Miami is definitely a city of today and a prosperous tomorrow. Property of Serving the entire Valley Put these not-to-be-missed art and design AdVenture Media, Inc. shows on your calendar for next year. It just keeps Paper We Buy Mary ▲ Money Pickford getting better. Jewelry Too N Experts NFREE * * *

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Week of October 11, 2026

YOUR

SOCIAL SECURITY by Tom Margenau

The Most Insignificant Social Security Benefit I’m always amazed that the most insignificant of all Social Security benefits seems so significant to so many people. I am talking about the crummy little one-time $255 death benefit. I’m always getting emails from readers asking me about it. Or, to be more precise, they are usually asking me why the benefit wasn’t paid on behalf of a deceased family member. Before I get into some of those emails, I’ve got to give a little background about this insignificant but popular Social Security benefit. You will learn that it definitely did not start to be what it’s become known as -- the “burial benefit.” As part of the thinking that went into the original Social Security Act passed in 1935, Congress realized that many of the new Social Security taxpayers would die before they ever had a chance to collect benefits. Or they would die without having earned enough “quarters of coverage” to be insured for survivor benefits for any dependents. So they decided to compensate the families of a loved one who died in the early years of the program with some form of reimbursement for the Social Security taxes that the deceased had paid into the system. They set up a one-time benefit they called the “lump-sum death payment.” And it was originally intended to reimburse the family with an amount equal to 3.5% of the money the deceased had paid into the system. It was supposed to be a temporary benefit, because Congress knew that as time passed, most workers would be paying a sufficient amount of money into Social Security that they would be insured for survivor benefits. In other words, when PROMO - 08-2015 a taxpayer died, the[updated] widow or widower (and any minor children) would get monthly benefits -- so

Page 11

this lump-sum payout would no longer be needed. But as often happens with government programs, once you start paying a benefit, it’s hard to take it away. Over the years, there have been any number of proposals to eliminate the lump-sum death payment. But as miserly as the benefit is, it’s a popular feature of the Social Security program. And politicians soon learned that to tamper with it meant an automatic loss in the next election. So the “temporary benefit” never went away. But occasionally, Congress has made some relatively minor adjustments to the original law. In 1954, they capped the benefit at $255 -- and it’s remained at that level ever since. And in 1983, when politicians were looking for ways to save money in the Social Security system, they restricted the payment of the one-time death payment to a “spouse who was living with the deceased at the time of death.” So today, we essentially have a meaningless one-time miserly Social Security payment that comes with restrictions. And as you can see from my little history lesson, it was never meant to be associated with funeral or burial costs. But it has kind of morphed into that. Perhaps 70 years ago, $255 paid the cost of a funeral. Of course today, it barely covers the price of the flowers. If I were the king of the Social Security world, I would do one of two things. Either I would raise the death benefit to something meaningful, like, say, $2,500. Or I would simply eliminate it. But I’m a columnist, not a king. So all I can do is explain the law and answer any questions people might have about it. Here are a few of them.

like your wife never did that because she was just receiving spousal benefits, not her own Social Security. And the money paid to a spouse is just an “add-on” benefit. In other words, nothing was taken out of your retirement check to pay her. So your retirement benefit rate will remain the same.

Q: My husband died five years ago when I was in my early 50s. I don’t ever remember getting the death benefit. Was it automatic? A: No, it’s not automatic. You must apply

for the death benefit. I’m not sure, but it might be too late to file for it now. To find out, call Social Security at 800-772-1213. Also, once you are 60 years old, you would be potentially eligible for monthly widow’s benefits. You can check SSA’s website, www.socialsecurity.gov, to learn all the eligibility rules. Q: My father died on July 25. My parents were divorced, although they were still close friends. My mother applied for and started getting divorced widow’s benefits on his record. But I have two questions. Why did she have to return his July check? And why didn’t she get the $255 death benefit?

A: She had to return the July check be-

cause Social Security benefits are not prorated. Since your father didn’t live the entire month of July, the check for that month had to be returned. But there is an upside to that lack of proration. Your mother started getting divorced widow’s benefits for the whole month of July, even though she was a widow for only six days in that month. As far as the death benefit goes, as I pointQ: My wife recently died. She was a homemaker all of her life, so she was getting ed out earlier, the law says it can only be paid to a deceased at the spousal benefits on my record. Ever ything widow who was living with the MON., AUG. 3 time went fine with stopping her Social Security of death. I assume your divorced parents weren’t Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  checks. But I have two questions. When will living together. So that’s why the $255 can’t be paid to her. I get the $255 death benefit? And will my your Contact Tidbits representative immediately with changes or c * * * benefit go up to give me credit for theOffice: spou-760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: If you have a Social Security question, Tom Marsal share that was being deducted from my genau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Sochecks? cial Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact A: I’m sorry, but the $255 death benefit Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security: is only paid on the account of someone who had Security.” The other is “Social Property of 100 Myths and 100 J Arthur Law Firmbooks at Amazon.com or other book Media, Inc. worked and paid Social Security taxes. It sounds Facts.” You can find theAdVenture

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Tidbits of Coachella Valley

Vol. XXII Issue No. 42

minute in BPPV, but with Meniere’s, they can last anywhere from 20 minutes up to 12 hours. In addition, Meniere’s disease causes hearing loss, which isn’t always noticed by the patient. Tinnitus and a sense of fullness in the ear are common with Meniere’s. Maneuvers that are done by by Freddie Groves clinicians in the office can also help separate the conditions. M.D. People can also have both BPPV and Here’s an early holiday gift for 457,000 Meniere’s, which complicates things. When I’m not veterans -- three months of no payments due on certain, I often order audiology testing or send my patient to an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of their life insurance policies. Those veterans who have policies under vertigo. the Veterans’ Group Life Insurance program Another reader wrote in to tell me that I (VGLI) will not have to make their payments in should’ve mentioned that neurologists and ENT November, December and January, freeing up DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m writing to seek physicians often have expertise managing cases Monday,in2/16/26 that cash over the holidays. your perspective on a diagnosis that has caused of dizziness, if the problem can’t be solved by the Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours The policies under the VGLI program me significant anxiety. A recent incidental findprimary physician. Receiving the right diagnosis is can be a good deal and carry over after a veteran ing on an MRI, followed by an endoscopic ultraessential to getting theimmediately right treatment. Contact your Tidbits representative with changes or corrections. leaves the service, as long as they keep making sound, revealed a cluster of several small cysts * * * Office: 760-320-0997 Dr. Roach email:regrets valleybits@msn.com that he is unable to answerFax: 760-320-1630 the payments. (3-7 mm) in my pancreas. They’re suspected to individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column The policies themselves range from be branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToY$10,000 to $500,000. Here are two examples of ourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu. neoplasms (IPMNs). My main pancreatic duct is the monthly premium amounts: A $200,000 polimildly enlarged. cy for a 30-year-old veteran is $16 and a $250,000 My doctors have recommended an MRI/ policy for a 55-year-old veteran is $125 per month. MRCP with and without contrast in six months, Are you eligible for VGLI? There are followed by ongoing monitoring every six months varying requirements, but at the top of the list 1/16 pg 4C 26x disc. to two years. I’ve been told that IPMNs are prePlease review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours is whether you had Servicemembers’ Group Life Feb. 22, 2026 Vol. 22 - No. 9 cancerous but usually don’t progress to cancer. Insurance The thought of frequent, lengthy MRIs Contact and longyour Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections. (SGLI) while you were active duty AND you’re within one year and 120 days of beterm cancer surveillance is overwhelming. Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 ing released from an active duty period that ran Is this intense level of monitoring truly for 31 days or more. Then if you sign up within necessary for cysts that are this small, or is it 240 days, you don’t have to prove you’re in good overly aggressive? Are there any safe alternahealth. After that 240 days, you need to prove it. tives such as shorter, non-contrast scans to help Check the complete details at va.gov/ me manage the burden of testing? I’d deeply aplife-insurance/options-eligibility/vgli for inpreciate any guidance you can provide on how to “BEFORE handi-bars YOU formation on eligibility, premiums, changing benbalance medical safety with peace of mind. give and a fall call!” slip eficiaries and more. -- J.D. For all the information on the premium WHEN YOU NEED A HELPING HAND holiday, see benefits.va.gov/insurance/vgli_ ANSWER: As you say, IPMNs can progress Sturdy grab bars provide premium_holiday_faqs.asp. It covers importo pancreatic cancer, which is why your doctors want security & safety in your bath, tant facts like how to handle it if you have auto to keep a careful eye on them. There are several pool, or anywhere in your home. pay for the premium or if the payments come out guidelines on the management of these cysts. The Property of Specializing In: of your disability compensation pay. If you’ve paid main risk factor in a person developing cancer is the AdVenture Media, Inc.  Toilet Risers Installed  Grab Bars in advance you’ll have the opportunity to get a size of the cyst; however, a dilated main pancreatic Non-Slip Floors • Bathing Aids Professional installation. refund or have a credit applied to your account.  Hand-Held Shower Installation Wide variety of styles & colors. duct is also a worrisome feature, according to the FREE One note: You won’t be eligible for the of Coachella Valley guidelines. The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read premium holiday if either you cancel your coverPhone: 760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630 Because of the dilated duct, the risk for deJACK JONES - Ceramic Tile Lic. 482707 valleybits@msn.com St age or it lapses on or before Oct. 31, 2026. ay Safe & veloping cancer in the next five years is about 10%. Call Me In dependent Keep an eye on your mail and email for Today! Even though this means that 90% of the time you All Rights Reserved www.handibars.com notification about the premium holiday. won’t develop cancer, doctors can find and potentially cure one person for every 10 people who agree * * * Freddie Groves regrets that he cannot personto a careful follow-up. ally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them CT scans aren’t as accurate and have the Property of into his column whenever possible. Send email to columAdVenture Media, Inc. downside of ionizing radiation. I do understand that nreply2@gmail.com. MRIs do take a long time (and can be very noisy), but your risk is high enough that I’d add my recFREE of Coachella Valley ommendation to your doctors’ to get the follow-up The Neatest Little Paper Ever Read Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630 scans. valleybits@msn.com You should also get CA19-9 blood testing. All Rights Reserved If the main pancreatic duct enlarges over time (by more than 2 mm per year), then it’s time to consult a surgeon. It’s your body and your choice; however, an MRI is a time-consuming but safe way of checking the stability of these cysts.

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*** DR. ROACH WRITES: A recent column on vertigo led many readers to question whether the reader had Meniere’s disease, rather than benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The information provided wasn’t enough to be sure, but the reader noted that a BPPV diagnosis had been confirmed. There are several ways that a clinician can help separate these two diagnoses. In people with BPPV, vertigo is usually triggered by a change in head position; whereas with Meniere’s, vertigo is spontaneous. Attacks last for seconds to at most one

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Week of October 11, 2026

Page 13

percent of the parent’s disability benefit – or if a parent dies, in which case they may receive up to 75 percent of the deceased parent’s basic benefit.

disabilities.

-- by Jim Miller

Can My Children Get Social Security Benefits When I Retire? DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: I’m getting ready to start my Social Security retirement benefits and have two children at home, ages 17 and 15. I’ve heard they may also be eligible for benefits on my record while I’m collecting. Is that true, and if so, how does it work? How long would they receive benefits, and is there anything I need to do to apply for them? --Retiring Parent

Dear Retiring: Yes! If you’re 62 or older and raising kids, Social Security can put a little extra cash in your family’s pocket. Here’s how it works: When you claim your retirement benefits, each of your children may get up to 50 percent of your primary insurance amount (PIA), which is your benefit at full retirement age. Even if you take a reduced benefit by claiming early, your children’s payments are still based on your full retirement amount, which is 67 if you were born in 1960 or later.

Since your youngest is 15, your spouse can also receive benefits on your record – even if she is under full retirement ADVERTISING PROOF These benefits won’t cover everything, age. This is a “child-in-care” spousal benefit Fri., Oct. 2, 2026 but even modest12:00 supportNOON can make a that is available when a spouse is caring for Final Changes DUE: meaningful difference for a family. a child Pleaseunder review16. carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices Hours

Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or on corrections. Keeping benefits track That benefit can be up to 50 percent Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 Social Security automatically stops of your PIA and ends when your youngest children’s benefits when they age out or child turns 16. It can be especially helpful in graduate. Knowing when payments start and households where one parent hasStone stepped Desert Management stop can help you plan your budget and make back from work or is focused caregiving. c/oon Curtis Lopez-Galloway Property of the most of this support. BZ 1C AdVenture 13x Media, Inc. There is also a limit Oct. on how muchVol. 22 - No. 42 11, 2026 If your children’s circumstances Social Security can pay a family, called the change – such as graduating early, getting family maximum, usually between 150 and married, or starting full-time work – be sure 180 percent of your PIA. If total760.320.0997 benefits Fax: 760.320.1630 Phone: valleybits@msn.com to notify Social Security so payments stay exceed that amount, payments to family members (except yours) are reduced All Rights Reservedaccurate. proportionally. For more details, see SSA Publication No. 05-10085, “Benefits for Children” at ssa. For example, if your full retirement gov/pubs/EN-05-10085.pdf. benefit is $3,000 per month, the family maximum might be around $5,289. That leaves $2,289 to divide among your children ASK ABOUT – about $1,144.50 each. NEW CLIENT

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Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, If your spouse also qualifies, her P.O. Box 5443, MANAGEMENT Norman, OK COMPANY 73070, orYOU visitCAN SavvySenior. LOCALPROOF OWNED RELY ON! benefit would further reduce the amount ADVERTISING org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. available to be shared, though the total Final Changes DUE: 12:00 NOON family payment remains capped. Please review carefully. Double check:  Phone Number(s)  Spelling  Prices  Hours

Children also receive benefits ifimmediately a Contactcan your Tidbits representative with changes or corrections. parent becomes disabled – usually up to 50 888-212-7002 • DesertStoneMgmt.com Office: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630

You can apply for your children’s benefits at the same time you file your ADVERTISING PROOF own Social Security retirement claim, or separately afterward if needed, but24, doing it 5:00 p.m.. SEPT. 2026 al Changes DUE: Thurs., together is usually the simplest approach.

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t your TidbitsTo representative immediately with changes or corrections. qualify, children must be unmarried

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high school, they can receive benefits until they graduate or reach age 19 years and two months, whichever comes first.

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Page 14

By Anne McCollam

Creators News Service

Staffordshire Set Made in 1940 Q: Attached is a picture of a tea pot,

cream pitcher and sugar bowl set. My mother-in-law had this set and when she passed away it was given to me. Marked on the bottom are the words “Gibson’s - England.” Each piece is decorated with a brown glaze and trimmed in gold. The teapot stands over 4 inches tall, and the set is in perfect condition. Is the set worth anything?

Tidbits of Coachella Valley

A: Guardian Service Ware is collectible. Your set is not as old as you think. Guardian Ware was made from the 1930s to the 1950s by Century Metal Craft Corporation in Los Angeles. The pans are heavy-duty “bulletproof” hammered aluminum. They had either glass or metal lids. The lids were tight fitting and provided waterless cooking. Sets were sold by independent salesmen at house parties and were expensive and made to last. People usually only could afford a piece or two at a time. Each hostess was given a special piece of Guardian Ware. One of the more popular hostess pieces was the ball pitcher. Today they are very popular with collectors. The pans were marked with one of three marks: a helmet with crossed swords; a helmet with 2 stars on either side; and a helmet with 3 stars on either side. The glass lids were also marked. Because they were glass, they often did not survive. Guardian Service Ware was made in Los Angeles, from the 1930s to the 1950s.

With a little luck, collectors looking for lost lids can find replacements in antiques shops. A plethora of pans was made, including double boilers, roasters, griddles, kettles and beverage urns. Recipe books were available when purchasing pans. The “Tested Recipes Cookbook” is a nice find at $25 to $50. Guardian Ware’s triangleshaped roaster is another sought-after piece. Your Guardian Ware pan is mid-century. Each piece with matching lid would probably be worth $35 to $60. Gibson and Sons were located in Staffordshire, England.

A: Gibson and Sons made your earthenware teapot set. They were located in Burslem, Staffordshire, England, from 1885 to around 1972. Your set was made around 1940 and would probably be worth $35 to $60. * * * Q: This mark is on a set of pans that originally belonged to my mother. I think they must be over 100 years old. I am 78 years old and she had them before I was born. Also included with the mark is the image of a knight’s helmet. There are about one dozen pans with lids. Each pan is heavy, with the thickness at the top being more than 1/4 inch. I hope you can tell me something about the histor y and value of this set.

Puzzle Solutions What might you assume is the favorite chocolate candy of cave-dwelling dwarfs? Tootsie Trolls.

GO FIGURE SOLUTION

* * *

Antiques expert and columnist Anne McCollam has since retired and no longer receives inquiries nor answers reader letters. Due to the popularity of her column, this publication will continue to reprint previous columns of interest to our readers. To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM

Vol. XXII Issue No. 42

* On Oct. 12, 1990, South Dakota became the first state to rename Columbus Day “Native American Day,” in honor of the initial inhabitants of the Americas. Two years later, the city of Berkeley, California, would be the first to call it “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.” * On Oct. 13, 1925, groundbreaking standup comedian Lenny Bruce, whose freewheeling and profanity-laced routines on taboo topics notably attacked societal conventions and occasionally resulted in arrests, was born in Mineola, New York. * On Oct. 14, 1892, “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” by Arthur Conan Doyle was published. The book was the first collection of Holmes stories, which had been published in magazines since 1887. Its titular detective was partly inspired by Dr. Joseph Bell, whom Conan Doyle had met at the University of Edinburgh when he studied medicine there. * On Oct. 15, 2024, researchers announced seven new species of tree frogs in Madagascar whose high-pitched whistling calls were reminiscent of sound effects from the sci-fi series “Star Trek,” prompting the monikers Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, Archer, Burnham and Pike. * On Oct. 16, 1906, German shoemaker Wilhelm Voight, who already had a long criminal record, embarrassed the German army by impersonating an officer and leading an entire squad of soldiers to the town of Kopenik, where they helped him steal 4,000 marks from the mayor’s office. * On Oct. 17, 1974, President Gerald Ford explained to Congress that he had chosen to pardon Richard Nixon, rather than allow Congress to pursue legal action against him, claiming that a long, drawn-out trial would have further polarized the public -- a decision that was condemned by many and may have helped cost Ford a victory in the presidential election of 1976. * On Oct. 18, 1963, Félicette, a Parisian stray cat, had the honor of becoming the first (and to date the only) cat to visit outer space. The black-and-white feline’s journey lasted 98 miles and a grand total of 13 minutes before her capsule safely parachuted back to Earth. (c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.

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With a three iron (21-24 degrees of loft), the openness of the face will aim the leading edge to the right as well as the face itself. Because the loft is small the face angle and leading edge are similarly aligned. But when lob wedge (60 degrees of loft) is opened, the leading edge does aim right, but the face angle just points more skyward (or more lofted). Yes, there is a slight misalignment to the right, but the clubface is now a 70-80 degree tool more than anything. Trust that open equals high not right!

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Vol. XXII

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1. LITERATURE: Who wrote the novel “The Invisible Man”? 2. GEOGRAPHY: In which country is the Topkapi Palace located? 3. ASTRONOMY: How long is a year on the planet Mars? 4. MOVIES: What is the name of the sea witch in the animated film “The Little Mermaid”? 5. ANATOMY: What is the average lifespan of a red blood cell? 6. MATH: What is the Arabic equivalent of the Roman numerals MMI? 7. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What are the three secondary colors in traditional color theory? 8. TELEVISION: Which TV sitcom features the Bluth family? 9. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of jellyfish commonly called? Thistle 10. GAMES: many are Detailed GO F I GHow UR Esquares ! by Linda dossiers kept on aTRIVIA checkerboard?TEST by Answer Peeker Nazi The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at theAnswers figures at Answers Triviagiven answers Weekly Weekly SUDOKU SUDOKU the bottom and right-hand columns1.ofH.G. the Wells. diagram by fol-Answerlowing 2. theIstanbul, arithmetic signs in Turkey. the order theyEarth are days. given (that 3. 687 is, from left to right and top to Ursula. bottom).4.Use only the numbers 5. 120 days. to complete below the diagram its blank 6. squares 2,001. and use each of the nine numbers only once. 7. Orange, green and purple. DIFFICULTY: � 8. “Arrested Development.” 9. A smack. � Moderate �� Difficult �� 10. 64.GO FIGURE! ©2022 2010King KingFeatures FeaturesSynd., Synd.,Inc. Inc. ©©2020 2026 © 2006 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Issue No. 42

Games

October 23-29, 2006

Go Figure! answers

Quiz Bits ANSWERS

BIBLE TRIVIA Answers

1. (C) Neither 2. (C) Herod 3. (C) Ehud 4. (A) Four 5. (D) Adoni-Bezek 6. (B) Malachi

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