Vol. 20: #18 • Tidbits Goes Color Blind • (4/28/2024) Tidbits of Coachella Valley

TIDBITS GOES

COLOR BLIND

by Janet Spencer

How many folks do you know who are color blind? It's more of a common ailment than you may think. In fact, it’s estimated that there are about 300 million color blind people worldwide, nearly equal to the population of the entire U.S.

• If you are a grade school teacher, the chances are quite high that someone in your class each year is color blind. There’s also a very high chance that they don’t even have any idea that they are! Children are no longer screened for this and it is believed that around 80 percent of children enter secondary education undiagnosed.

FAST FACTS

• Color blind people today are more accurately called “color deficient.”

• There are many different severities of color vision deficiency, from nearly normal color vision up to complete color blindness.

• It’s estimated that 98 percent of those with color blindness have red-green color blindness. Of those, 75 percent have trouble seeing green, Color Blind: Turn to page 3

TRIVIA NEWSFRONT

(Answers on page 16)

1. LITERATURE: What are the names of the four sisters in “Little Women”?

2. U.S. STATES: Which northeastern state has a desert?

3. MOVIES: Which long-running movie series features the character Legolas?

4. ANATOMY: What does the lacrimal gland produce?

5. GEOGRAPHY: Ellesmere Island belongs to which nation?

6. SCIENCE: Which of the human senses is most closely related to memory?

7. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin phrase “ad meliora” mean?

8. TELEVISION: Which TV sitcom features a mom named Rainbow Johnson?

9. THEATER: Who wrote the play “A Little Night Music”?

10. MUSIC: Which alternative rock band went by the name of The Warlocks before becoming famous?

Answers

(Trivia Test answers page 16)

1. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.

3.

• Humans are not the only animals with opposable thumbs. Most (but not all) species of primates have thumbs, as well as certain species of frogs, rats, mice, lemurs, birds, pandas, and even dinosaurs. The opossum does, and also the chameleon.

• But in humans, it makes all the difference. According to paleoanthropologist Katerina Harvati, “Increased manual dexterity in the form of efficient thumb opposition is among the defining characteristics of our human lineage.” More recently, the thumb has also been described as “mankind’s greatest app.”

• The opposable thumb design in humans is longer, compared to finger length, than any other primate thumb. This long thumb and its ability to easily touch the other fingers allows we humans to firmly grasp and manipulate objects of many different shapes. It enables us to hold and manipulate very tiny things while also gripping large unwieldy things. In short, the thumb offers both the power grip, and the precision grip.

• The Latin word “phalanx” means “armed men in battle array.” The bones in the fingers are named “phalanx” (meaning a single bone) or “phalanges”(for multiple bones) because when the fingers are together, the bones line up like soldiers ready to fight.

• The difference between the four fingers and the thumb is that the fingers have three bones, or phalanges, whereas the thumb only has two. Fingers have three joints; thumbs have only two.

• The joint that joins the thumb to the hand is called a saddle joint. This joint allows the thumb to rotate in a circular manner, in ways the fingers cannot move. It also makes the thumb the only digit that can easily touch every other digit on the hand.

• The thumb has nine muscles: four of them are located in the forearm, and five are located in the hand. None are in the thumb itself.

• When someone loses their thumb, it can be skillfully surgically replaced either by the big toe, the second toe, or the index finger. The index finger is the digit that does the least amount of

work. The thumb, by contrast, carries 40 percent of the workload of the hand. The thumb does as much work as the combined middle finger, ring ringer, and pinky finger.

• When you see medical personnel taking a person’s pulse on the neck, they use the index and middle fingers together. The thumb is never used for this purpose because an artery running through the thumb has a strong pulse of its own. Using oneʼs own thumb would lead to false readings, causing people to mistake their own pulse for that of the patient.

• The word “finger” springs from the word meaning “five.” “Tum” was the word meaning “swollen” and may be the origin of the word thumb. No one is certain why the word thumb ends in a B, but linguists say it happened in the late 13th century, about the time that dumb, numb, and limb also acquired a silent B.

• The thumb is used in American vernacular in a variety of phrases. We have the rule of thumb: we thumb a ride; we are under somebody’s thumb; we give thumbs up or thumbs down; thumb our noses; sketch out a thumbnail; thumb through a book; and we are all thumbs, or we have a green thumb.

• Julius Caesar ordered the thumbs of captured prisoners to be cut off so they would never again be able to wield a sword. 

2. The 40-acre Desert of Maine.

“The Lord of the Rings” and “The

while 24 percent have difficulty seeing red.

• The recessive gene for red-green color blindness is carried on an X chromosome. Women have two X chromosomes, whereas men, with XY chromosomes, have only one. Therefore, women need two of the color blind gene in order to be born color blind. Men, on the other hand, need only one.

• Women are often carriers of the trait without suffering from it themselves. Female carriers pass it down to sons (who will be color blind) and daughters (who will be carriers). A father cannot pass red-green color blindness on to his sons. But any woman who is herself red-green color blind will pass the trait on to her sons.

• Red-green color blindness is far more prevalent in men than women, with 1 in 12 men having the condition (8%) while only 1 in 200 women do (0.05%).

• This means that 95% of color blind people are male.

• Another type of color blindness is blue-yellow. This type is rare. Both men and women carry this genetic anomaly, and they experience it at equal rates.

• Babies are born color blind, with vision improving as they age. Color perception is usually fully developed by the age of 6 months. This is due to the fact that the cones are not yet fully developed at birth, meaning all the colors cannot yet be fully seen.

• It’s possible but rare to be color blind in one eye while having normal vision in the other.

• Specially tinted glasses can help some people distinguish between certain colors, though they will not restore normal color vision, or help pass tests for color blindness.

• There is no cure for color blindness.

• Color blindness does not improve with age, nor does it get worse.

• Strongly color blind people might only be able to tell about twenty hues apart from each other, while people with normal color vision can see over a hundred different hues and thousands of shades.

• People with red-green color blindness cannot tell when their skin is sunburned or recognize a blush. It’s hard to tell when a banana is ripe, or when meat is thoroughly cooked. They may have difficulty matching socks or recognizing the colors on a stoplight.

• Some countries bar the color blind from certain professions, such as doctors or electricians. In the U.S., pilots cannot be color blind. In some countries, they cannot get a driver’s license. The U.S. military considers some of their jobs off-limits to color blind recruits.

• A railroad accident in Sweden in 1875 which killed nine passengers was found to be caused by a color blind conductor who was unable to read a signal. Afterwards, a method of testing color vision was developed and applied to railroad workers.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE?

• The back of the eye, called the retina, is made up of rods and cones. Rods are found around the outer edges of the eye. They mainly see in black and white, while also serving as motion detectors. Rods work better in the dark than cones do.

• Cones are located in the center part of the retina. They pick up color, and register detail.

• There are three kinds of cones. Each type picks up a different wavelength of light, which registers in the brain as colors. The S-cones register short-length (blue), M-cones register medium-length (yellow-green), and the L-cones register long-length (red).

• The cones are not evenly divided. There are more L-cones collecting red light (65%) than M-cones collecting yellow-green hues (33%). On the far end of the scale are the S-cones, which see blue wavelengths (2%).

• A human with all three of these cones working correctly is said to have trichromatic vision, meaning “three-color” sight. A person with only two of the three types of cones is said to have dichromatic vision.

• A color blind person has cones that are either missing entirely or defective on some level, on a scale from slight to severe. The cones are not uniformly defective from one color blind person to the next, leading to myriad different levels of color blindness. But the more cones that aren’t functioning correctly, the worse the

color blindness will be. “COLORBLIND ISLAND”

• Complete color blindness, denoting someone who can see in only shades of black, white, and grey, is rare in normal populations. It’s called achromatopsia, from the Greek “without color.” This is a recessive disorder where both parents need to be a carrier for offspring to inherit it. It’s caused when only rods are present in the eye, without any cones. The disorder affects about

QUIZ BITS

1. Which color blindness gene is found on the chromosome that also deterines the sex of the child?

2. Are dogs color blind?

Answers page 16

By Lucie Winborne

* The Aztec death whistle produces a horrifying sound sometimes described as “the scream of a thousand corpses.”

* “Miracle” berries stop human taste buds from discerning sourness for about 30 minutes.

* Beginning in June of 1979, as Skylab’s re-entry approached, many American newspapers jokingly proposed “Skylab insurance,” which would pay their subscribers for death or injury caused by flying orbiter fragments.

* There’s a territory in Costa Rica called Territorio de Zaguates, or Land of the Strays, which is basically a huge, no-kill dog shelter where one can hike for free with the canines.

* And while we’re on the subject of dogs: “Dogfooding” is the term for using a company’s product to gain the trust of customers. It’s said a dog food company president ate a can of the firm’s food in a shareholders meeting to demonstrate that “if it’s good for me, it’s good for your dog.” We’ll take his word for it, thank you.

* The fertilizer used by the tobacco industry is radioactive.

* In 1970, actor Bill Murray joked to a fellow airline passenger that he had two bombs in his bag. The jest backfired when U.S. marshals searched his luggage, discovered $20,000 worth of marijuana, and arrested him.

* The Black Diamond is a rare (and expensive) apple, with its jet-black hue, sweeterthan-honey taste, and crispness unmatched by any other apple. But don’t look for it in your local grocery store; you’ll only find this gem in Tibet.

* De-scented skunks make great pets, similar to ferrets. They’re extremely docile and can even learn tricks and be called by name.

* Louis Chevrolet died bankrupt and indigent working as a mechanic for the company he started.

Thought for the Day: “Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to turn it into a door.” -- Coco Chanel

Inc.

Everyday CHEAPSKATE®

by Mary Hunt

Know Your Cheapskate Etiquette

A: Cash gifts are perfectly acceptable, according to Post. As most millennials are getting married later in life and already have wellstocked homes, they prefer cash to put toward savings or a honeymoon over registry items. There is no minimum (or maximum) amount guests should spend, just guidelines. Post along with other etiquette experts mostly concur that the average wedding gift -- be it physical or monetary -- is $50 to $75.

Everyday CHEAPSKATE®

Face it. Living below your means and staying out of debt, especially in the inflationary times we're living in, requires a good bit of creativity. We have to get pretty clever to stretch the money we have left to spend.

by Mary Hunt

But just how far can we go in matters of being cheap before we cross the line between good etiquette and outright rudeness? When in doubt, always ask yourself these two questions: “Is my choice to be cheap in this instance going to harm or insult another person?” and “If I proceed, will I be leaving behind a fragrance or an odor?”

My best advice is to be cheap with yourself, generous with others. When splitting the cost, always round up. Never freeload in the name of frugality. If you cannot afford to pay your way, don’t go. And when in doubt, always err on the side of generosity.

Q: On what portion of the restaurant bill do I calculate a tip?

A: Pay the tip on the total for food and beverages before tax and before deducting any coupons or gift certificates. It is customary to pay 15% for good service.

Q: What about the counter tip jar?

A: This one is generally annoying, especially when that barista is staring you in the eye waiting for your next move. Here’s my position: Contributing to that tip jar is optional, regardless of how mandatory it may appear. But let me be quick to add we should give extra for extra effort. If your coffee order sounds something like this: “half caf, two-and-a-half pumps of vanilla, half soy and half almond milk, light foam, a dusting of cinnamon, and extra hot,” tip more generously than, say, “tall brew,” in which case no tip is required.

Q: I am invited to a bridal shower I cannot attend. Must I send a gift?

A: No, advises etiquette expert Emily Post. Respond with your regrets. However, if you are invited to the wedding and cannot attend, Post’s timeless common etiquette dictates you should send a gift.

Q: The pastor of our church will perform our wedding ceremony. Do we have to pay him since we are members of the church and weddings are part of his job?

A: Performing weddings and funerals are typically outside the scope of a minister’s regular duties. Yes, you must pay the wedding officiate a minimum of $250, advises TheKnot.com. More if travel is involved. I will add, the same applies for presiding over a funeral. A gift in lieu of cash in either situation would not be appropriate.

Q: Is it OK to give cash as a wedding gift? If so, how much?

Q: What is the etiquette to follow when having a makeover at a cosmetic counter in a department store? There is no charge for this service, but am I expected to leave a tip?

A: Here’s the generally accepted rule of thumb: You owe nothing if you buy product or take less than 15 minutes of the salesperson’s time. Otherwise leave $15 minimum.

Q: When we eat out in a group, how can we ask to pay just our portion of the bill -- not have it “split evenly” -- without seeming too cheap?

A: Ask the server for a separate check before you order. If this is not possible, position yourself to accept the bill from the server. Check to see if the gratuity has been added to the bill (this is becoming more common when there is a group of, say, eight or more). Then accurately calculate what you owe, including tax and a generous tip on your portion. Place your money on the check and pass it along.

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 2024 CREATORS.COM

• The New York Times once said, “No profession is as closely identified with food as police work is with doughnuts.” The correlation between doughnuts and cops began long ago. What started as a simple convenience grew into a symbiotic relationship. Here’s the story of how that happened.

• Often, police are on duty overnight while most citizens are asleep and nearly all businesses are closed. Nighttime food options were limited in the days before gas station convenience stores became common. All-night restaurants and fast food joints such as Denny’s, IHOP, McDonalds, and Taco Bell were not yet on the scene. It’s been estimated that in the 1960s, only 10 percent of restaurants in the U.S. were open all night.

• If they needed a place to get out of the weather, have a bathroom break, or sit and rest for a while, cops generally had the choice of a donut shop or an all-night diner at a truck stop. Even after squad cars became the norm, officers often required a quiet table to complete paperwork, fill out forms, and write reports. Sometimes, they just wanted a peaceful corner to decompress from stressful events on the job, or a place to meet with other cops to discuss the day’s events.

• Donut shops were either open all night or were the first to open at dawn. A single baker might be on the job, toiling all night to have a fresh batch of pastries ready for the 9-to-5 crowd to pick up on their way to work. This made them prime targets for robberies.

• Bakeries encouraged the patronage of police because who’s going to rob a place where squad cars are constantly pulling in? Often, the bakeries provided the donuts and coffee free of charge. Some bakeries even set aside special booths or tables for police officers to gather. It was cheaper than hiring security.

• Just at this time, two national chains of donut shops began gathering steam, Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ Donuts. William Rosenberg, founder of Dunkin’ Donuts, instigated a copfriendly policy and credited the relationship with boosting the business’s success.

• Carbs and caffeine provide a perfect pick-me-up

to break up long hours on duty. The coffee pot is always hot. It’s easier than ordering at an allnight diner where a sudden call might interrupt the meal at a moment’s notice. If a call comes in, donuts are easily portable. For all these reasons, the cop/donut relationship blossomed and held fast through the years.

• What started as a cultural touchstone morphed into a derogatory Hollywood caricature. However, this cops-and-donuts stereotype is mainly limited to the U.S. and Canada, where donuts are popular. In other countries, cops may favor chips (fries) as in the U.K., or noodle shops in places like the Philippines.

• Sadly, the anti-cop cliché is so engrained that protesters at riots have dangled donuts on fishing poles to mock the police. In an episode of the crime show Law and Order cop haters left explosives in a donut box as bait for the police.

• In 2001, an Albuquerque pilot cop was reprimanded for landing a police helicopter in an empty field next to a donut shop. He was returning to the hangar at the end of a shift. Landing around 2:30 a.m., the officer bought enough donuts to take back to the precinct

always working towards bigger things for your business. Your ad in Tidbits can help you get there.

to share, but faced disciplinary measures afterward.

• In short, donut shops provide social, physical, and emotional sustenance for those tasked with the responsibility of keeping the community safe. In return, cops provide the bakery with cheap – or free – security. This reciprocal relationship has served its purpose well.

• The New York Times now reports that donut shops have the lowest rate of robberies among other retail businesses. 

a real estate agent showcasing a property, mastering the art of home showings is essential. Here are eight steps to ensure your next showing is a success.

1. Streamline Your Space: Clear away everyday clutter like laundry & small appliances (also remove personal photos) to create an inviting atmosphere that allows potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space without distractions.

2. Enhance Your Bathrooms: Swap out everyday towels for crisp white “show” towels to add a spa-like touch and a feeling of elegance.

3. Maintain Cleanliness: Clean & wipe down kitchen & bathroom counters & take out the trash.

4. Make the Beds: Neatly made beds create a welcoming atmosphere in bedrooms.

5. Polish Your Floors: Vacuum & sweep all floors to ensure they are clean & presentable, enhancing the overall appeal of the home.

6. Secure Valuables: Put valuables in a safe place to ensure peace of mind during the showing.

7. Create an Inviting Ambiance: Open interior doors, turn on lights, & open blinds to maximize natural light & showcase the space.

8. Final Touches: Take a final walk-through to ensure everything is in order, paying attention to details like odors & ambiance.

By following these eight steps, you’ll be well-equipped to host successful home showings that leave a lasting impression on potential buyers. An experienced & professional Real Estate Sales Agent will make sure that your home is “Showing Ready” before bringing prospective buyers in to see your home.

Stay tuned for more professional tips & advice on Smart Moves in real estate. If you’re ready to take the next step in your real estate journey, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you achieve your goals & make the most of every opportunity.

by Dana Jackson

Q: Whatever happened to the actress who starred in “Cold Case”? I haven’t seen her in anything since it ended. -- H.C.

A: The CBS crime-procedural-drama series “Cold Case” had a very successful seven-season run from 2003-2010. It didn’t spawn off any “Cold Case” franchises -- like “CSI,” “Law & Order” and the “Chicago” shows have -- but it might be returning with a new cast and a new setting. The original series was set in Philadelphia and starred Kathryn Morris and Danny Pino, but the new version could be set in the Southwestern United States.

Morris has been working steadily ever since the series ended, just not in anything as long-running. Her last regular series was “Reverie,” a sci-fi drama that only lasted one season on NBC. She recently starred in the comedy film “Hayseed,” which you can find on Amazon Prime Video. But next up for her is the thriller “From Embers,” an indie film co-starring Matthew Morrison (“Glee”) and Kara Wang (“Top Gun: Maverick”). ***

Q: Are they really bringing back “Melrose Place” with Heather Locklear? How is she doing since her troubles from a few years back? -- J.F.

A: It’s still in the development stages, but yes, another reboot of “Melrose Place” is on the way. According to Entertainment Weekly, “when one of their dearest friends dies suddenly, the OG residents of ‘Melrose Place’ gather to honor the deceased.” But once the reunion kicks off, it “un-

covers old traumas, rekindles old romances ... and reveals new secrets.”

You might remember that there was another attempted reboot of the show back in 2009, but it was canceled after one season. It had a mostly new cast of twentysomethings and starred Katie Cassidy, but this new reboot reunites members of the original cast. Heather Locklear, Laura Leighton and Daphne Zuniga are all reportedly returning, with more likely on the way.

As for Locklear, there were articles last July that stated she was reentering rehab for alcohol abuse, but there’s been no negative press since then. The fact that CBS Studios is willing to employ her for this new project means she’s likely back on her feet again. ***

Q: I can’t believe they’re canceling “Station 19” after its current run. It’s the best the show has ever been. -- S.A.

A: The “Grey’s Anatomy” spin-off “Station 19,” which follows first responders in Seattle, actu-

ally has great ratings for its new, later time slot. So, it’s surprising that it’s being canceled after its current seventh season. Fans and critics alike are saying that it’s thriving under new showrunners Zoanne Clack and Peter Paige.

There’s no word on it being shopped around to streaming platforms, but many shows have been saved this way. Could it be another “Lucifer” or “Manifest”? Both are examples of series that were given the boot by their original networks due to low ratings, only to thrive when scooped up by the streaming giant Netflix.

“Station 19” executive producer Shonda Rhimes also has a development deal with Netflix, so this theory is not far-fetched. Keep your fingers crossed that it happens!

* * *

Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

1. Split ................................ (PG-13)

1. Civil War (R) Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura

James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy

2. Rings ............................... (PG-13)

Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Alex Roe

3. A Dog’s Purpose (PG)

2. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (PG-13) Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry

Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid

4. Hidden Figures (PG)

3. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (PG-13) Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon

Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer

5. La La Land (PG-13)

4. Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG) Jack Black, Awkwafina

Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone

6. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (R)

5. Dune: Part Two (PG-13) Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya

Milla Jovovich, Iain Glen

6. Monkey Man (R) Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley

7. Sing (PG) animated

8. Lion ................................ (PG-13)

7. The First Omen (R) Nell Tiger Free, Ralph Ineson

Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman

9. The Space Between Us .. (PG-13)

8. Shrek 2 (PG) Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy

Gary Oldman, Asa Butterfield

10. xXx: Return of Xander

9. The Long Game (PG) Dennis Quaid, Jay Hernandez

Cage .................................... (PG-13)

Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen © 2017 King Features Synd.,

10. SUGA: Agust D Tour “D-DAY” the Movie (NR) SUGA, Jimin © 2024 King

Inc.

Kathyrn Morris as Monica Shaw in “Reverie” Courtesy of NBC

Good Recipes from

Texas-Style Chili

A pot of this chili simmering on the range is a hearty meal any season of the year. Little chunks of tender beef with onions and green peppers -- but no beans -- are simmered in a thick tomato sauce.

3 1/2 pounds beef for stew

1/4 cup salad oil

2 medium onions, chopped

3 medium green peppers, diced

4 cloves garlic, crushed

2 cans (28-ounce) tomatoes

1 can (12-ounce) tomato paste

1/3 cup chili powder

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves

3/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper

1. Cut beef for stew into 1/2-inch cubes. In 8-quart Dutch oven over high heat, in hot salad oil, cook one-third of meat at a time, until browned. With slotted spoon, remove meat cubes to bowl as they brown; set aside.

2. Reserve 1/2 cup onions; cover and set aside. Add green peppers, garlic and remaining onions to drippings in Dutch oven; over mediumhigh heat, cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Return meat to Dutch oven; add tomatoes with their liquid, tomato paste, chili powder, sugar, salt, oregano leaves, cracked black pepper and 2 cups water; over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours or until meat is fork-tender, stirring occasionally.

4. Spoon chili into large bowl. Pass reserved onion to sprinkle over each serving. Serves 12.

 Each serving: 505 calories, 37g total fat, 97mg cholesterol, 710mg sodium.

Classic Italian Hero

If you feel the urge, build on the basic recipe by adding any of the ingredients listed below and/or whatever else you can think of.

1/4 cup vinaigrette of choice

1 large loaf (12 ounces) Italian bread

4 ounces thinly sliced hot and/or sweet capocollo, prosciutto, soppressata and/or salami

4 ounces mozzarella cheese, preferably fresh, thinly sliced

Shredded romaine lettuce or arugula, peperoncini, basil leaves, roasted red peppers, very thinly sliced red onions, pesto, olivada and/ or sliced ripe tomatoes

1. Prepare vinaigrette. Cut bread horizontally in half. Remove enough soft center from each half to make room for filling. (Reserve soft bread for another use.)

2. Brush vinaigrette evenly over cut sides of bread. Layer meats and cheese on bottom half of bread. Top with additional ingredients of your choice. Replace top half of bread. If not serving right away, wrap sandwich in foil and refrigerate up to 4 hours. Cut into 4 pieces.

 Each serving: About 430 calories, 23g total fat (7g saturated), 20g protein, 36g carbohydrate, 48mg cholesterol, 1,226mg sodium.

For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our Web

By John Allen

DIAMOND LIL

by Brett Koth

Donald

NEXT WEEK in TIDBITS ADMIRES THE Animals of

Australia

4/28 Biological Clock Day

4/29 Spring Astronomy Day

4/30 Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

5/1 May Day

5/2 National Day of Prayer

5/3 National Dandelion Day

5/4 Kentucky Derby Day

Dog Talk with Uncle Matty

By Matthew Margolis

Take a Bite Out of Dog Theft

McGruff the Crime Dog has been helping kids “take a bite out of crime” for more than 35 years. Now, with the economy in the tank and dog theft on the rise, it’s time to give back.

According to recent media reports, dognappings are up by at least 32 percent compared with the same time period last year. The American Kennel Club offers a Companion Animal Recovery service, and the new statistics are based in part on the number of calls they’ve received this year. AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson told the Chicago Sun Times, “’Some are taken out of homes, some are taken out of cars, some are taken out of pet stores.’ Peterson added, ‘I’ve even seen some taken out of a child’s arms on a park bench.’”

Who would steal a dog? The “who” could be anyone. There “where” could be anywhere. The “why” is almost surely for profit. A stolen dog could be sold, used as a breeder, given as a gift thereby saving the expense, used in sport fighting, held for ransom, or taken in hopes of a reward upon return.

The “how” is the one thing over which we dog owners have some control.

How can you protect your dog from dognappers looking to make a quick buck?

-- Keep your dog on a leash whenever you are off of your own property. Leashed dogs are in your sight and under your control.

-- Don’t leave your dog outside unattended. This includes your own yard if you lack the kind of fencing that keeps dogs in and strangers out. Bring your dog inside or invest in a dog run with a lock for those times when you can’t be outside with him.

-- Avoid leaving your dog in a car unattended. Besides the threat of heat stroke, a dog alone in a car -- even a locked car -- is a target.

-- Resist the urge to tie up your dog for even a minute and run in for coffee, a snack or an errand. One snip of the leash, and your dog is someone else’s.

-- Microchip your dog. This won’t prevent

Wuzzles solution Page 16

Cody's Corner: Turn to Page 10

SENIOR NEWS LINE

by Matilda Charles © King Features Synd., Inc.

Walking Is Beneficial!

We need to move more. They call it an inactive lifestyle when we get very little exercise and do a lot of sitting. Whether we’re sitting in front of a computer, or watching TV, or even riding in a car for long hours, sitting is sitting, and too much of it isn’t good for us.

Here are just a few medical problems that can come from too much sitting around: Diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, stroke, high cholesterol... and the list goes on.

Are you ready to get moving yet? It’s easy to start. Walking can be one of the most beneficial forms of exercise, and the benefits can be life changing: stronger bones and muscles, lower blood sugar, improved quality of sleep -- and much more.

Ask your doctor how many steps you need to take each day and how many minutes of exercise you need per week because -- believe it or not -- there is a risk of too much exercise. The often-quoted 150 minutes of exercise per

week or 10,000 steps per day might not apply to you, and could possibly be harmful.

If your doctor adheres to the standard advice (thousands of steps per day), fear not. The internet is loaded with suggestions and videos aimed at seniors, and it’s a good place to start for walking ideas.

If you live in a building with an elevator, stop it one floor below where you normally get off. Walk up the rest of the way.

If you have a big box store near you, use the aisles as your personal track, or make a circuit of the store once or twice.

If there is a large indoor shopping mall in your area - perfect! Here is your ideal place to walk to your heart's content protected from the cold or inclimate weather, with plenty of comfortable benches for taking periodic rest breaks.

Leave your car at the other end of a parking lot. If you’re just now beginning a walking program, start small but set attainable goals.

And as always, whenever you exercise, be sure to keep yourself well hydrated!

* * *

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.

Cody’s Corner (from page 9)

someone from stealing your companion, but it will be enormously helpful in getting him back where he belongs. Equipped vets, shelters, animal control facilities and emergency animal hospitals can run a quick scan to determine whether a dog has been microchipped. The number on the dog’s chip matches the number on the owner’s registration file. This is a brilliant bit of technology of which all dog owners should take advantage.

-- Don’t forego the old-fashioned! It is as important as ever to have your dog wear a collar with ID tags that contain your contact information. Again, this won’t prevent a theft, but it can help your dog find his way home.

-- Always have a current photo of your dog, just in case Lost Dog fliers become a necessity. And if they do, don’t be shy about it. Plaster your neighborhood, including any and all nearby vet clinics, animal shelters and animal hospitals. Tell the world your dog is missing. Utilize websites such as FindFido.com. Relentless word of mouth is still one of the best ways to ensure a happy reunion. 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.

trust funds every year and never collect a dime in benefits.

the United States.

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

by Tom Margenau

Foreign-Born Parents

Not Mooching Off the Social Security System

Q: I am sick and tired of all these people who bring their parents over here from foreign countries and then immediately put them on their Social Security account. No wonder Social Security is going broke! I personally know two couples in my neighborhood who get Social Security. They brought their parents up from Mexico and now they are mooching monthly checks off of the Social Security system and bankrupting it. You can’t tell me this isn’t an outrage!

A: It might be an outrage if it were true. But it’s not. Either you are lying about these two couples you “personally know,” or you’ve picked up on some xenophobic neighborhood gossip and fallen for another in the long line of urban myths about Social Security.

I’ll use you as an example. Let’s say you are getting Social Security checks, you have parents living overseas and you bring them here to live with you. And let’s say you want them to get dependent parents’ benefits on your Social Security account. Do you know what you would have to do first?

Die! Yes, that right, you would have to die. Social Security benefits to dependent parents can only be paid on the account of a Social Security taxpayer who has died.

So unless one or both members of the couples in your neighborhood are dead, it simply can’t be true.

But let’s get back to you. Let’s say you conveniently died just so that your parents could get Social Security benefits on your record. It’s not quite that simple. They would have to jump through several other eligibility hoops before the government checks would start rolling in. For one, they would have to prove that you were supporting them before you died. So unless you were sending half your paycheck to your parents before you died to pay their rent and buy their groceries, they simply couldn’t qualify for benefits on your record.

And just to put things in perspective, in the whole country, there are only about 2,000 people getting monthly Social Security checks as a parent on a deceased adult child’s Social Security record. That’s 2,000 people out of about 66 million Social Security beneficiaries. So even those people legally getting parents’ benefits aren’t exactly bankrupting the system!

As long as I’m discussing Social Security benefits and noncitizens, let me clear up some other myths.

The most prevalent myth has to do with undocumented workers, or illegal aliens, as some people refer to them. That myth would have you believe that these folks somehow qualify for Social Security benefits and thus are ripping off the system and the U.S. taxpayer. That is absolutely untrue. In fact, just the opposite is the case: Social Security actuaries point out that undocumented workers (the ones working “above the table” with illegally obtained Social Security numbers) pump many millions of dollars into the Social Security

Another myth has to do with Social Security benefits being sent overseas. This is a half-truth: It is true that many millions of dollars in Social Security benefits are sent to people in other countries every year. (Out of Social Security’s trillion-dollar budget, that is just a tiny trickle.)

Most of that trickle is going to U.S. citizens who have moved overseas after retirement. If you are a U.S. citizen, you can get your Social Security benefits sent to just about any country in the world. There are a few exceptions -- places such as Cuba and North Korea and most of those “stan” countries that make up the former Soviet Union (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, etc.).

But what about Social Security benefits to noncitizens overseas? Before I get to that, let me back up a bit. Some may wonder why noncitizens get Social Security benefits in the first place. Well, if you have lived in this country legally, and if you have worked and paid taxes in this country, and assuming you meet all the eligibility requirements, you can qualify for Social Security benefits just like anyone else.

There are many thousands of U.S. citizens who collect Social Security benefits from other countries because they worked and paid into the Social Security programs in those countries. As I always like to point out to my readers, social insurance programs like our Social Security system are a universal phenomenon. Almost every country on the planet has a Social Security system in place for its citizens. And because we live in a global economy where it is not uncommon for people from one country to live and work in another country, many millions of people around the world collect Social Security benefits from other countries.

Anyway, back to non-U.S. citizens getting Social Security benefits. If you are a noncitizen living here legally and you are getting a Social Security benefit that you have worked and paid for, you will get that benefit as long as you continue living in

1. The book of 2 Kings is found in the a) Old testament b) New testament c) Neither

2. From Acts 6, which one of the seven "deacons" did great wonders and miracles among the people? a) Philip b) Timon c) Nicanor d) Stephen

3. Which apostle was already a disciple of John the Baptist when Jesus recruited him? a) Andrew b) Simon c) Peter d) James

4. From Revelation 6, what color was the sun when it became like a sackcloth of hair? a) Brown b) Black c) Auburn d) Red

5. Who was Saul of Tarsus waiting for while he fasted three days in Damascus? a) Luke b) Darius c) Ananias d) Apollo

6. What color garments is the Lord wearing as depicted in Isaiah 63:2? a) Purple b) Red c) White d) Gold

Sharpen your understanding of scripture with Wilson Casey's latest book, "Test Your Bible Knowledge," now available in stores and online.

(Answers on page 16) For comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com

But if you move overseas, the rules get a little trickier and messier than they do for U.S. citizens who leave the country. So messy, in fact, that those rules fill a 30-plus page pamphlet that explains them: “Your Payments While You are Outside the United States.” In a nutshell, if you are a noncitizen getting your own retirement benefits, there is a halfway decent chance you will be able to get those benefits sent to many other countries. But if you are a noncitizen getting dependent or survivor benefits from a spouse, your chances of getting those benefits shipped overseas grows slimmer and slimmer.

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 2024 CREATORS.COM

Looking at the Causes Behind Mobility Issues

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 79 and can move around without any problem. I walk five days a week, and my weight is normal. However, it seems to me that many people -- some younger than I am -- have mobility problems. I wonder what causes this problem. Is it lack of exercise, genes, weight, etc.? -- E.G.

ANSWER: Be very grateful that you can move around without a problem, as most people in their late 70s do have mobility issues. The most common reason is osteoarthritis, but there are many causes, such as neurological diseases, cardiovascular issues and other types of arthritis.

While it is true that not exercising can lead to poor mobility, most of the time, it isn’t a person’s fault that they have difficulty with mobility. Arthritis can happen to a person of any weight and at any level of exercise.

Exercise helps the vast majority of people improve their mobility, but there are exceptions. Many people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome are intolerant of exercise, and overdoing it can lead their condition to worsen. This syndrome has also been known as systemic exertion intolerance disease.

Well-meaning physicians, friends and family might have recommended exercise to a patient, which could have caused them to have a flare-up.

Although being very overweight increases the risk of arthritis, having a normal weight doesn’t prevent its development. Genetic influences are very complicated, but they also have a role in the development of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can also come about as a result of significant trauma to a joint. ***

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 80-yearold woman who recently had a right hip replacement. Shortly after surgery, I required around-the-clock oxygen support at home. I am able to go without supplemental oxygen all day and only occasionally use the spirometer. But how do I go about not needing oxygen at night? Is there something more I could be doing?

When I use the spirometer, I can bring the oxygen level up. Is this all I need to do when the oxygen level drops? -- S.R.

ANSWER: This is very concerning to me, and I am worried that something might have happened at the time of surgery. A sudden change in the ability to breathe or maintain your oxygen level at the time of joint replacement surgery is suspicious for a pulmonary embolism -- a blood clot to the lungs. With great care, the risk for this has decreased to about 1 in 200 people.

Pneumonia is always a concern after surgery, and in 80 year olds, the common symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath are sometimes absent. You need an evaluation for both of these possibilities (and other less-common causes of post-operative low oxygen that I

don’t have the space to go into).

However, the fact that your oxygen level goes up when using the spirometer (a device that encourages deep inhalations) suggests part of the problem is a collapse of some of the tiny air sacs of the lung.

You should start with a visit to your regular doctor right away.

* * *

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to ianswer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.

(c) 2024 North America Synd., Inc.

Sell Your Car?

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

VETERANS POST 

by Freddie Groves

Stolen Valor, Stolen Benefits

How, one wonders, does something like this happen? How does a civilian collect $146,000 in VA benefits for allegedly having been wounded and held a prisoner of war in Iraq when he’s never even served in the military?

It’s one thing to walk around with fake military medals pinned to your chest or to tell tall tales in a bar, but how does all the rest slip by? And for so long?

The story: A civilian has been charged with taking education, health and disability benefits after he claimed to be a Marine who was wounded in combat and held as a prisoner of war in Iraq. He claimed to have been wounded in an IED (improvised explosive device) attack and was then captured. He claimed he’d been awarded the Purple Heart, Prisoner of War medal and several others.

To apply for all those benefits and cash, he would have needed a DD214 as well as other paperwork. To keep from delaying the handing out of benefits and cash, the VA lets veterans use their own documents when they submit applications.

Sometimes people lie and turn in fake documents. Over time he turned in a pile of those fake documents, including the DD214 and certificates for his stack of alleged medals.

But that’s where this criminal’s story should have fallen apart. I can see accepting a veteran’s initial documents to get him started on the benefits, but to let the fraud go on for five long years? Surely someone could have looked up the details to verify the Purple Heart and prisoner of war status? Did no one bother to check to see if he’d even been in the military?

Eventually the criminal got greedy and applied for educational benefits on top of the cash he received each month for his alleged physical injuries, receiving monthly subsistence payments and payments to the university.

If that wasn’t enough, he then applied for an increase in the disability payments. The new activity was enough for someone to finally look take a longer look at the records and raise some flags.

How is it that after all these years of fraud and outright theft that no one had enough brains long ago to suspect that these claims just didn't pass the smell test?

* * *

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.

-- by Jim Miller

What to Do About Medicare and Social Security When You Move

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Next month I am moving to a different state so I can be near my daughter and grandkids. Do I need to notify Social Security and Medicare about the move? -- Relocating Grandma

Dear Relocating: Yes, if you’re a Social Security and Medicare recipient you definitely need to let these Federal agencies know when and where you move so there are no hiccups in your benefits or coverage. Here’s what you should know.

How to Update Your Info.

If you’re receiving Social Security retirement, survivors or disability benefits, it’s required that you notify the Social Security Administration when you move to ensure your deposits continue and you avoid disruptions.

You’ll need to provide them your new mailing address so they can deliver important documents to you like your annual SSA-1099 tax form. And if you’re switching banks or credit unions, you’ll need to update your direct deposit information by providing your new financial institution’s routing number and account number.

If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, they too need your new mailing address so bills, correspondence, your Medicare Summary Notice and other statements can go to the right address.

You can update both your Social Security and Medicare contact information online by simply using the “My Profile” tab in your personal

“my Social Security” account at SSA.gov/myaccount. If you don’t have an account, you can create one online for free in just a few minutes.

Or, if you need some help or don’t have internet access, you can call Social Security at 800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office and they will make the changes for you.

Medicare Private Plans

You also need to know that if you’re enrolled in original Medicare, you can move anywhere within the United States without losing coverage. But if you have Part D prescription drug coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan from a private health insurance company, and you move out of the plan’s service area, you’ll have to switch plans or you’ll face losing coverage.

Part D service areas typically are statewide or can extend to parts of neighboring states, while Medicare Advantage plans’ service areas vary by county.

Moving out of a plan’s service area qualifies you for a special enrollment period (SEP) of at least two months to get a new plan. You may also qualify if you move within your plan’s service area and it offers options different from what you had. The enrollment timing depends on when you notify the plan.

If you tell your plan before you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month before the month you move and continues for two full months after you move. If you tell your plan after you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month you tell your plan, plus two more full months.

To shop for new Part D and Medicare Advantage plans in your new area, use the Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov/plancompare

You can also switch Part D or Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment, which runs each year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 for coverage starting Jan. 1.

Medigap Plans

If you’re enrolled in original Medicare and

have a Medigap supplemental policy you usually don’t have to switch plans if you move, but you do need to notify your provider. Some insurers let you keep the rate based on the state where you originally applied for Medigap. Others may change your premiums to coincide with their coverage in a different zip code.

JUNQUE

Anne McCollam

by Anne McCollam Creators News Service

Lamp Was a 1925 Wedding Gift

Q: The enclosed photo is of an electric lamp that was a wedding present to my husband’s parents in 1925. The base is copper or something that appears to be copper. The inside of the glass shade is decorated with a hand-painted scene of a country cottage with trees and can be seen when the light is turned on. The shade is approximately 18 inches in diameter, and the overall height is 22 inches. The words “Jefferson 1878” are also painted along the inside edge.

Can you provide any information about the history and insurance value of my lamp?

Q: This mark is on the bottom of a pitcher that was left in the kitchen of a lake house that we bought years ago. The pitcher stands about 9 inches tall, is round with a handle and has a cork-lined stopper. It is decorated with six orange cattails and four black leaves on the side and on the stopper. There are 2 bands around the stopper, one is orange and one is black. The condition is excellent. What can you tell about the pitcher? Is it “Antique or Junque”? Does it have any value?

Semi-porcelain water pitcher was made in the mid-20th century.

A: You have a semi-porcelain refrigerator water jug. It was made by Universal Potteries Inc. for Sears, Roebuck and Company in the 1930s and 1940s. The pattern is a decal and the name is “Cattail.” This pattern was used on a plethora of kitchen items that included water pitchers, bowls, platters, cups, saucers, salt and pepper shakers, and butter dishes. There was also a line of accessories that were available that included tin-ware, glassware and table linens.

* On April 29, 2004, the World War II Memorial opened in Washington, D.C. The granite and bronze monument stands on 7.4 acres on the former site of the Rainbow Pool at the National Mall, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.

* On April 30, 1993, tennis player Monica Seles was stabbed between the shoulder blades by Gunter Parche during a match in Hamburg. Parche, a fan of German tennis star Steffi Graf, apparently hoped that by injuring Seles, his idol would be able to regain her No. 1 ranking.

* On May 1, 1963, Gloria Steinem published the first half of “A Bunny’s Tale” in SHOW magazine, recounting her brief stint as a Bunny in Manhattan’s Playboy Club. Steinem’s undercover reporting revealed a culture of misogyny and exploitation behind the glamorous facade of Hugh Hefner’s empire.

A: You have a reverse-painted lamp that was made by the Jefferson Lamp Company. They were founded in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1900. In 1907 they moved to Follansbee, West Virginia, and at that time began making reverse-painted shades for lamps. Their bases were metal and decorated with copper or brass finish. Take another look at the base; they were often also signed “Jefferson.”

The number “1878” is a model number. Jefferson Lamp Company closed in 1933.

Although your lamp is a desirable antique, its value had decreased in the past five or six years. A current insurance value would be in the range of $1,500 to $2,000.

Your mid-20th century water pitcher would probably fetch $20 to $50 in an antiques shop.

* * *

Antiques expert and columnist Anne McCollam has since retired and no longer receives inquiries nor answers reader letters. Due to the popularity of her column, this publication will continue to reprint previous columns of interest to our readers.

To find out more about Anne McCollam and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com

* On May 2, 1924, Patrick Mahon was arrested at London’s Waterloo train station on suspicion of murder. He was executed later that year for killing his pregnant mistress, but an important innovation resulted from the crime scene: The officers, who had no gloves, were forced to handle the victim’s remains with their bare hands. After the investigation, rubber gloves became standard equipment at murder scenes.

* On May 3, 1980, 13-year-old Cari Lightner of Fair Oaks, California, was walking to a church carnival when she was struck and killed by an out-of-control car driven by an intoxicated Clarence Busch. Her death led her mother, Candy Lightner, to found the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), which would grow into one of the country’s most influential nonprofit organizations.

* On May 4, 1776, Rhode Island, which was founded by the most radical religious dissenters from the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony, became the first North American colony to renounce its allegiance to King George III. It would also be the last state to ratify the new American Constitution more than 14 years later.

* On May 5, 1816, the first published poem by John Keats, the sonnet “To Solitude”, appeared in the London journal The Examiner. Keats’ sadly brief but overall brilliant span of work includes “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” and “Ode to a Nightingale.”

"l

think our waiter has forgotten about us."

Jefferson Lamp Company was founded in 1900.

one out of every 33,000 people, or 0.003% of the population, in the U.S.

• However, there’s a tiny atoll in the South Pacific called Pingelap Island, where about 10% of the 250 inhabitants have it. This is due to a typhoon that swept the island in 1775, leaving only 20 survivors. One of those survivors was the tribal leader, who carried the gene, though he did not have it himself. As the generations passed, more and more descendants inherited it due to inbreeding. In 1997, a neurologist studied the genetics of Pingelap, and wrote a book called “The Island of the Colorblind.”

COLOR PERCEPTION TESTS

• One common test consists of a series of circles containing colored dots. The dots are arranged so a person with normal vision can read the number hidden among the dots, while a color blind person cannot. Called the Ishihara test, it’s named after the Japanese ophthalmologist who designed the test in 1917. Many people even with normal color vision can’t pass this difficult test with a perfect score.

• Another test is the anomaloscope, which shows cards of various colors, and a second card with a slider bar allows the user to adjust the color to match the first card.

• There’s also the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test. This test consists of 85 pastel-colored chips of similar but slightly different colors, which must be arranged correctly.

• All of these tests are available for free online if you’re curious to see how you’d score. 

your golf-related advertising message targeted visibility in full color in this weekly 2” x 6” fixed location $153 per insertion reaches 70,000+ readers each

Game Changers

by Jason Jenkins

Grip Down Knock Down

Fighting gusty days on the course can be a frustrating experience for many golfers. Any slight curves can be swept offline, so trajectory control is a major concern if you’re trying to keep the ball in play. There are three simple steps to hitting those piercing, driving shots into the wind:

1. Take at least one club extra, perhaps two, so the lower loft aids you in your effort to hit the ball lower. By trying to hit “too much club”, you won’t be forced to swing very hard, which helps keep the spin rates down as well.

2. Grip down around an inch and stand slightly closer than normal. Don’t adversely adjust the ball position, so keep the rest of your set-up fairly normal. By gripping down, you’ll effectively stiffen the club shaft further improving the odds of hitting it low. Soft flex shafts help “kick” the ball up in the air.

3. Abbreviate the follow through by extending the arms through impact. High finishes usually equal higher trajectory shots, therefore picture a three-quarter finish.

1. LITERATURE: What are the names of the four sisters in “Little Women”?

2. U.S. STATES: Which northeastern state has a desert?

3. MOVIES: Which long-running movie series features the character Legolas?

4. ANATOMY: What does the lacrimal gland produce?

5. GEOGRAPHY: Ellesmere Island belongs to which nation?

6. SCIENCE: Which of the human senses is most closely related to memory?

7. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin phrase “ad meliora” mean?

8. TELEVISION: Which TV sitcom features a mom named Rainbow Johnson?

9. THEATER: Who wrote the play “A Little Night Music”?

10. MUSIC: Which alternative rock band went by the name of The Warlocks before becoming famous? Answers

GO FIGURE!

by Linda Thistle

1. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.

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.

2. The 40-acre Desert of Maine.

3. “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies.

4. Tears.

5. Canada.

6. Smell.

DIFFICULTY:

7. “Toward better things.”

8. “Black-ish.”

9. Stephen Sondheim.

10. The Grateful Dead.