TIDBITS BRINGS YOU
by Kathy Wolfe
“Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.” This week Tidbits takes you from one extreme to the other as we bring you some facts about just that – the best and the worst! While volumes could be written about this broad subject, we've listed for your interest several we thought worthy of note. • When we think of the role of the best man at a wedding, it’s usually for his obligation of throwing a bachelor party, safeguarding the wedding rings, and toasting the happy couple at the reception. However, in medieval times, the best man acted as the chief guardian of the bride, keeping her secure during the time preceding the wedding, and ensuring her safe and timely arrival to the ceremony. The best man and groomsmen were originally referred to as “the bride’s knights.” The term “best man” didn’t become the standard term until the 1780s.
• The AirHelp organization ranked 132 airports around the world and came up with the best and
TRIVIA NEWSFRONT
(Answers on page 16)
1. AD SLOGANS: Which retail chain urges consumers to “Expect More. Pay Less”?
2. MATH: What is an obelus?
3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president was the last to own slaves?
4. LITERATURE: Author Ian Fleming’s Jamaican estate has the same name as which James Bond movie?
5. TELEVISION: How many seasons of “Wheel of Fortune” did Pat Sajak host?
6. SCIENCE: What are cordyceps?
7. MOVIES: Which actor/comedian/ filmmaker made his film debut in the movie “Donnie Darko”?
8. ACRONYMS: What does the acronym BBC stand for?
9. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is the only bird that can fly backward?
10. FOOD & DRINK: What is a mirepoix?
This week Tidbits focuses on the difficult and demanding sport competition known as the biathlon, which combines cross-country skiing and rifle marksmanship.
• The word “biathlon” has its roots in the Greek language, with “bi” meaning “two” and “athlon” translating “contest,” but the sport itself traces its lineage to Scandinavia.
• Early Scandinavian inhabitants viewed the Norse god Ullr as the ski god and hunting god, with his wife, the goddess Skadi, revered as a hunter-skier.
• In the 1700s, the biathlon was used as a training exercise for Norwegian soldiers. The first official biathlon competition was between Norwegian and Swedish border patrols in 1767.
• The establishment of biathlon clubs began in the mid-1800s. At the first Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France, in 1924, the sport was added as a demonstration event rather than an official sporting competition. It was known as “Military Patrol” and continued as a demonstration event in 1928, 1936, and 1948.
• The biathlon became an official men’s event in the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California. The women’s event wasn’t official until 1992 in Albertville, France.
• There are 11 sets of medals in the Olympic biathlon for several disciplines of the event – individual, sprint, pursuit, mass start, and relay. The individual discipline is the most challenging with men skiing 20 km, about 12.4 miles. Women ski 15 km, about 9.32 miles.
• There are four shooting sessions of five shots each in the individual event, two while standing and two while lying on the stomach in the prone position. The targets are located 50 meters (164 feet) away. Each time the athlete misses a target, a one-minute penalty is added or a penalty loop
of 150 meters (492 feet).
• The rifles carried by the biathletes are .22-caliber, weighing about 7.75 lbs. (3.5 kg) and are carried on the biathlete’s back during the skiing portion. Competitors carry 20 rounds of ammunition.
• The targets measure 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) across for the standing position and 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) for prone position shooting.
• The skis are longer and narrower than alpine skis. Skis can be no more than 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide. The length of the skis is dependent on the biathlete’s height, and cannot be shorter than the minimum height of the athlete minus four centimeters.
• When biathletes approach the shooting round, their heart rate is frequently over 180 beats per minute, making accuracy especially difficult.
• Biathletes from Norway, Finland, Germany, and Russia have dominated the sport over the decades. Only one non-European has ever won an Olympic gold medal in the biathlon. Canadian Myriam Bedard represented her country at two Winter Olympics, 1992 in Albertville and 1994 in Lillehammer, Norway. She captured a bronze in the individual in 1992 and golds in individual and sprint in 1994.
• Norway’s Ole Einar BjØrndalen holds the record for the most Olympic biathlon medals, with 13 (8 gold, 4 silver, and a bronze) as well as the record for the oldest biathlon medalist.
• In the 2002 Salt Lake City games, BjØrndalen became the only biathlete to win all the biathlon events in a single Winter Olympics. He has also won gold in 20 world championships.
• Germany’s Kati Wilhelm became the youngest biathlon gold medalist winner at the 2002 Salt Lake City games at age 25.
• Biathlon competitions are held year round, but primarily during the winter season with the Biathlon World Cup events. The World Championships take place annually, except during the Olympic year.
Best/Worst: (from page one)
worst. Qatar’s Hamad International Airport, Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, and the International Airport in Athens, Greece earned top marks for courtesy and friendliness, timely service, and clean, modern facilities with all the amenities.
• The survey declared the Kuwait International Airport and Lisbon, Portugal’s Portela Airport as the worst, as travelers wait for hours to go through the passport process and to acquire their checked bags. One U.S. airport made the worst list at #11, Newark, New Jersey’s Liberty International airport. Rude employees, lack of staff, inadequate seating, filthy restrooms, poor layout design, and parking all contributed to the low scores and all-around negative feedback.
• Every fan will have his or her own opinion, but according to a list compiled by the Complex Sports organization, the best basketball player of all time is former Chicago Bull Michael Jordan. The #2 spot was awarded to LeBron James, followed up by Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille, Larry Bird, and Wilt Chamberlain.
• In 1976, Tennessee DJ Rick Dees wrote and recorded “Disco Duck,” which sold more than six million copies. This silly little song figures prominently on several “Worst Songs Ever” lists, along with “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” Bobby McFerrin’s totally a capella song from 1988. Also found in the surveys are 2000’s “Who Let the Dogs Out,” by the Baha Men, “Barbie Girl” by Aqua, and Billy Cyrus’ 1992 recording of “Achy Breaky Heart.”
• Two of the world’s worst prisons are famous for housing an inmate population several times over what is considered humane capacity, in severe overcrowded conditions. In Argentina’s
Mendoza Prison, five inmates are crowded into cells as small as 43 square feet, a little over 6 feet square, with many sleeping on the cement floor with no mattress. There is no sewage system, and inmates use plastic bags and bottles for waste.
• Such conditions are found in Rwanda’s Muhanga Prison, which was built to house 2,720 inmates, but frequently accommodates more than 6,500. It’s been criticized for its inadequate food and water, lack of hygiene, and extreme brutality toward prisoners. The worst three U.S. prisons, located in New Mexico, Virginia, and Colorado, have likewise been criticized for overcrowding and keeping prisoners in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day.
• If you’re looking for additions to your bookshelf, several libraries and organizations have compiled lists of the world’s best books. Appearing on nearly every list are Leo Tolstoy’s classics Anna Karenina, and War & Peace, as well as Pride & Prejudice, by Jane Austen, George Orwell’s classic 1984, Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Herman Melville’s epic novel Moby Dick, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.
Perhaps the worst player injury in NFL history took place in 1978 during a preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders. Patriot Darryl Stingley collided with Raider Jack Tatum, with Tatum's hellmet striking Stingley's shoulder. Stingly experienced a broken spinal cord and 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae, resulting in his becoming a permanent quadriplegic
• According to medical sources, one of the worst things a person can pour into the body is energy drinks. The FDA cites 400 milligrams of caffeine a day as the maximum amount that should be consumed. That’s between two and three 12-oz. cups of coffee. Most energy drinks contain at least 160 mg per 16 ounces, although one particular brand delivers 300 mg of caffeine in its 16 ounces. The tiny 2-oz. energy booster bottles contain up to 230 mg. and have been cited in several death reports.
• It’s not just the excess caffeine that’s bad. The sugar Week of June 15,
The worst foods for individuals with arthritis include red meat, sugary foods and drinks, highly-processed foods, alcohol, and gluten, all of which can increase inflammation that may worsen arthritis symptoms. The best foods for reducing inflammation include kidney and pinto beans, whole grains, such as oats, brown rice, and quinoa, and fruits and nuts.
content in some drinks of 63 grams is more than double the amount of 25 grams recommended by the American Heart Association. Throw in 370 mg of sodium and a person can see that an energy drink is definitely not the best choice of beverage, despite its pick-me-up effects.
• “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be!” These familiar lines are from an 1864 Robert Browning poem. Although it sounds like a verse of devotion to his love, Browning actually wrote the poem about the wisdom of a 12th-century
1. What is considered the worst meat for dogs?
2. What breakfast snack is considered the worst choice for your health?
By Lucie Winborne
* The longest road in the United Arab Emirates is the Sheikh Zayed Road. It stretches more than 300 miles, from Abu Dhabi through Dubai, and is home to Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
* Americans spend more than a year of their lives flipping channels.
* Jazz musician Louis Armstrong wore a Star of David necklace even though he wasn’t Jewish. Armstrong grew up in severe poverty but found a loving second home with the Jewish Karnofsky family, who employed him in the family business. In their honor, he decided to wear a Star of David for the rest of his life.
* From 1869 until her death in 1906, Susan B. Anthony petitioned Congress annually for a women’s suffrage amendment.
* Students, take note: Studies have found that comfortable clothing can have a strong effect on academic performance, with a correlation between formal/uncomfortable clothing worn during exams and lower than expected grades.
* The wood frog can hold its urine for up to eight months.
* Piet Mondrian’s abstract masterpiece “New York City I” hung upside down in a museum for 77 years before experts finally noticed the error. However, they opted to keep it in that position for fear of damaging the piece.
* The TV series “30 Rock” was known for its fast-paced writing. In 2014, one reporter calculated that there was an average of seven jokes per minute.
* In 1998, a Georgia student was suspended for wearing a Pepsi shirt to “Coke in Education Day.” ***
Thought for the Day: “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
-- William Arthur Ward
by Mary Hunt
Practical Tips to Help With Home Maintenance and Repair
by Mary Hunt
Maintenance costs can put a serious dent in your budget and savings -- a dent that’s tough to repair. While there are certain things you definitely need an expert to handle, there are plenty of other situations in which you can make minor but meaningful repairs without calling for professional support -- while saving serious cash.
From closet rods to roof repair, and from wallpaper tricks to paint smarts, here is a sampling of practical tips and brilliant ideas to help around the house.
CLOSET ROD FIX
To fix a sagging clothes closet rod, buy a 1/2-inch diameter galvanized pipe and a 3/4inch diameter thin-wall PVC piping, both the same length as the rod. You can get these at a local home improvement center such as Home Depot or Lowe’s. Remove the existing sagging rod. Then, slip the pipe inside the PVC to create a new rod and slide this into the existing rod brackets. If you are bothered by the printing on the PVC, clean it off with rubbing alcohol.
GOOFS
ARE GOOD
Want to paint your basement floor but not spend the $200 or more that the paint store quoted? Instead, ask for their oil-based goofs (paint tinted the wrong color), which work well on unsealed cement. You can usually get five gallons for much less than the shelf price, since the store is anxious to get rid of those mistakes! Of course, it might turn out a strange shade of gray as a result of mixing odd colors, but hey, it’s a basement floor!
POT REPAIR
Don’t throw out that busted terra-cotta pot; you can repair it quite easily. First, moisten the breaks with water. Then, squeeze carpenter’s glue onto the broken edges and reset the pieces. Circle the pot with strips of masking tape to hold the pieces in place. Let the bond harden; Elmer’s Glue-All is a good choice here, because once it’s dry, it’s waterproof and bonds stronger than wood.
PAINT STORAGE
Don’t let those leftover portions of paint
go to waste. Store partially full cans of paint upside down. The paint will form an airtight seal, which will extend its useful life.
HIDE FURNITURE SCRATCHES
Here’s a great way to hide scratches on wood furniture: First, soak the scratch with a bit of water to open the wood grain. Select a crayon that is as close to the right color as possible. Apply the waxy substance to the scratch; rub it in well with a soft cloth, and then buff.
NEAT CAULK
Use this trick if you have trouble getting the caulking around the tub or sink to look right: Tape the tub with blue painter’s tape, and leave about 1/4 to 1/2 inch on either side of the joint for the caulking. Then, squeeze the new caulk and smooth it out. Remove the tape and you will have a clean line. The caulk will look great. Just be sure to carefully remove the tape before the caulk starts to set.
WALLPAPER REMOVER
Plain white vinegar makes a great wallpaper remover. First, remove all of the wallpaper you can by simply pulling it off. You’ll probably get only the top layer of the paper, and that’s OK. Then, spray full-strength vinegar on what remains. This will begin to dissolve the glue. Once softened, you’ll be able to remove the rest without harsh chemicals.
FREEZER PAINTBRUSH
When tackling a painting job, you may not be able to complete it in one day. So, don’t waste all of the paint in the rollers and brushes by cleaning them. Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer. Remove the wrap the next day and you’ll be ready to pick up right where you left off.
PERFECT PILOT
To prevent wood from splitting, professional woodworkers drill a “pilot hole” before nailing molding or floor base in place. If you can’t find a bit small enough to match the nails you’re using, cut off the head of one of the nails at a slight angle with a pair of nippers. Then place it in the chuck of your power drill just as you would a regular drill bit. The nail easily cuts though the molding and makes the correct size hole for the finishing nail.
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Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https:// www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
Tidbits celebrates National Lobster Day on June 15 by bringing you some details about these highly prized aquatic creatures.
• Lobsters are invertebrates, meaning they lack a backbone, but are protected by a hard exoskeleton that gives structure to their bodies. The lobsterʼs body has 19 different parts, each covered by a section of the shell. Because lobster shells don’t grow, lobsters must shed their exoskeleton and grow a larger one. After this molting, a new shell is formed, about once a year for adult lobsters.
• Because the lobster’s body is very soft after shedding its shell, itʼs at greater risk from predators, and retreats to a cave or other concealment until the outer shell hardens once again. This process takes a two to three months.
• We generally think of lobsters as clawed creatures, but did you know that not every lobster has claws? There are two main species; clawed lobsters and spiny lobsters. The clawed varieties have a pincer and crusher on either the left or right side. They’re generally found in cold waters, and are bottom dwellers that live on the ocean floor.
• The American lobster, the popular variety served in restaurants in New England, are part of the clawed species. The clawless spiny lobsters instead have long, strong antennae and a harder shell than the clawed variety. They can be found in warm waters, such as the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Sea.
• Most lobsters have ten legs. Any leg, claw, or antennae that is lost will be replaced though regeneration.
• A lobster has reached adulthood when it weighs
between 1.5 and 2 pounds. (680 to 907 grams). It takes an American lobster six to eight years to reach one pound. If a lobster escapes capture it can live 100 years, growing the entire time.
• The largest American lobster ever recorded was caught in 1977 off the coast of Nova Scotia. It set the record at 44 lbs, 6 oz. (20.1 kg), and measured 3 feet, 6 inches (2.9 m) in length. Its estimated age was 100 years. Yet one species of slipper lobsters reaches a maximum length of just 2.2 inches (55 mm), considered rare as they’re length is normally just 1.6 inches (40 mm).
• What color are lobsters? If you say “red,” you’re partially correct. Most lobsters are greenishbrown, but can also be yellow, white, and even bright blue. They only turn red when they are cooked. Usually when a lobster is dropped in a pot of boiling water, a sound resembling a scream can be heard. It’s not the creature screaming in pain, since lobsters don’t have vocal cords or any other way of producing noise. The sound is just heated air escaping from the lobster’s shell.
• Lobsters dine on clams, crabs, and starfish, but their prey is not chewed up in their mouths. Lobsters’ teeth are in their stomach, where food is ground by three molars in the “gastric mill.”
• Lobster today is an expensive gourmet entrée at fine restaurants. However, during the 18th and
early-19th century, lobsters were so plentiful in New England, they were caught at the shore with a stick and a small grappling hook, unlike today’s deep-water traps.
• In those days, lobsters were consumed primarily by poor people, prisoners, and even pigs, with the shells ground and used as fertilizer. Indentured servants in colonial Massachusetts were so sick of eating lobster every day that they filed a suit against their masters for a change in their diet. A verdict was finally delivered in their favor, requiring that they would not be forced to eat lobster for their meals more than three times per week.
by Dana Jackson
Q: I’m sorry to see my favorite network newscaster, Lester Holt, leave NBC. Who is the guy replacing him? -- C.S.
A: Lester Holt, who replaced Brian Williams as the anchor of the NBC Nightly News broadcast in 2015, told Variety that he was returning to his reporting roots, which includes being the lead presenter of “Dateline,” among other projects. His replacement is 45-year-old Tom Llamas, who often subbed for Holt and also hosted the Emmy-nominated “Top Story with Tom Llamas,” which streams on NBC News Now. Llamas is the fourth journalist to host the Nightly News in the past four decades -- the first being Tom Brokaw, who helmed the desk from 19822004. ***
Q: I’m excited for the new episodes of “King of the Hill” coming up. Will the same actors be voicing the characters as before? -- L.W.
A: A 10-episode “King of the Hill” reboot is coming to Hulu beginning Aug. 4 and will take place 14 years since the last episode aired. Bobby is
all grown up, and his parents, Hank and Peggy Hill, return to the fictional town of Arlen, Texas, to retire. Bobby is nearby in the big city of Dallas working as a chef, living his best life with his friends from childhood.
The show’s co-creator Mike Judge returns to voice Hank, Kathy Najimy returns as Peggy, and Pamela Adlon as Bobby. Sadly, Johnny Hardwick, who voiced Dale Gribble, passed away after recording just a few episodes, so Toby Huss will take over the voice acting for the role for the remainder of the season.
Brittany Murphy, who passed away far too young in 2009, memorably voiced the role of Luanne, and the late Tom Petty voiced Luanne’s hubby, Lucky. Showrunner Saladin K. Patterson did explain at the recent ATX Television Festival that the show has found a way to honor them but didn’t give any spoilers. ***
Q: Is it true that Pauly Shore is going to be in a movie with Denzel Washington? The last I heard, Shore was going to play Richard Simmons in a movie. Is this the same one? -- L.L.
A: While he’s active on social media, actor/comedian Pauly Shore hasn’t really had a hit film since the 1990s. He recently made a short film portraying the late exercise guru Richard Simmons, but it hasn’t been released yet. He’s no doubt wanting to stage a career comeback like his “Encino Man” co-star Brendan Fraser did when he won an Oscar in 2023 for “The Whale.”
Shore recently posted on his Instagram that he’s set to star in a new thriller with Denzel Washington and Kevin Bacon, titled “Get Out of Our Way.” The post had a screenshot of a Deadline article about the project, but it appears to be fake, as no such article exists on Deadline.com.
He also recently posted a similar story from the Hollywood Reporter about him and Denzel hav-
ing lunch in Beverly Hills, but the photo was obviously made using AI.
Hopefully Shore will get his comeback someday, but in the meantime, he’s having a lot of fun pranking us.
* * *
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
1. Lilo & Stitch (PG) Maia Kealoha, Sydney
2. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (PG-13) Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell
3. Karate Kid: Legends (PG-13) Jackie Chan, Ben Wang
Ben Wang
4. Final Destination: Bloodlines (R) Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones
4. Final Destination: Bloodlines (R) Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones
5. Bring Her Back (R) Billy Barratt, Sally Hawkins
5. Bring Her Back (R) Billy Barratt, Sally Hawkins
6. Sinners
6. Sinners (R) Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton
7. Thunderbolts* (PG-13) Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan
(R) Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton
7. Thunderbolts* (PG-13) Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan
8. Friendship (R) Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd
8. Friendship (R) Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd
9. The Last Rodeo (PG) Neal McDonough, Mykelti Williamson
9. The Last Rodeo (PG) Neal McDonough, Mykelti Williamson
10. J-Hope Tour: Hope on the Stage (NR) Jung Ho-seok
Overnight Beef Stew
This hearty beef-and-vegetable medley will be waiting for you at home after a long day away -- all you have to do before serving is thicken the cooking broth. For a stress-free morning, prep the ingredients the night before.
3 large celery stalks, cut into 1/2-inchthick slices
1 large onion, cut into 16 wedges
1 bag (16 ounces) peeled baby carrots
2 tablespoons ground coriander
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
4 pounds boneless beef chuck for stew, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1. Mix celery, onion and carrots in bottom of 5-1/2- to 6-1/2-quart slow-cooker pot. In large bowl, combine coriander, ginger, salt, nutmeg, thyme and pepper; add beef and toss to coat well. Transfer beef mixture to pot with vegetables. Pour stewed tomatoes over beef. It’s not necessary to stir.
2. Cover pot with lid and cook on low setting as manufacturer directs, 8 to 10 hours or until beef is fork-tender.
3. When beef is tender and ready to serve, strain stew over 3-quart saucepan; return beef and vegetables to slow-cooker pot.
4. Skim and discard fat from liquid in saucepan. Heat liquid in saucepan to boiling over high heat. Meanwhile, in cup, with fork, mix flour with 1/4 cup water until smooth. Gradually whisk flour mixture into liquid; heat to boiling. Boil 1 minute, until gravy thickens slightly, stirring occasionally. Pour gravy over beef and vegetables in pot. Serves 12.
Each serving: About 400 calories, 13g total fat (5g saturated), 91mg cholesterol, 425mg sodium, 12g total carbohydrate, 3g dietary fiber, 39g protein.
Grilled Pepper and Onions
Grilled vegetables make a delicious condiment when used like a relish to top hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches and other seasonal favorites.
1 1/2 pounds peppers (red, orange and yellow), thinly sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper
1. Prepare grill for direct grilling on medium.
2. In a large bowl, toss all ingredients. Transfer to large sheet of nonstick foil (or foil coated with nonstick cooking spray).
3. Wrap foil around mixture, crimping edges to seal. Grill 15 to 18 minutes or until tender. Makes 5 cups.
* Each 1/2-cup serving: About 35 calories, 1g total fat (0g saturated), 0mg cholesterol, 30mg sodium, 6g total carbs, 1g dietary fiber, 1g protein.
By John Allen
DIAMOND LIL
by Brett Koth
Donald Duck by Walt
Holidays & Observances This Week
6/15 Fathers Day
6/16 World Sea Turtle Day
6/17 National Trash Collectors Day
6/18 Get Away Day
6/19 Juneteenth
6/20 Summer Solstice
6/21 World Peace and Prayer Day
Dog Talk with Uncle Matty
By Matthew Margolis
Adopting the “Unadoptable”
Animal adoption finally appears to be showing a slight uptick again, which is a very good thing. Men, women, moms and dads are showing more interest in looking into the market for cuddly companions. Thankfully, when looking for a new dog or cat, many of them will turn to America’s animal shelters.
The Humane Society estimates that about six million to eight million animals enter those shelters each year. About half are adopted. The stakes are high for these animals. But they’re also high for the people who have to choose just one. How do you do it?
I talked to three people last week who had adopted dogs from a shelter. One said their dog has bitten eight people in as many months. The other said they’ve only had the dog one day and he has already growled at one of their children. And the third wrote me the following letter:
“I am fostering this dog deemed unadoptable. ‘Alvin,’ an adorable Cairn terrier-Schnauzer mix, had been at the shelter for six months. He was deemed unadoptable after an attempt to introduce him to my dog.
“The shelter asked me to foster Alvin or he would be destroyed. We have come a long way, but we still have a biting history and ongoing issues. The shelter wants a decision from me on whether I will keep him or return him to be put down.
“I am desperate to find a sanctuary or a professional to help him or help me help him. He has bitten everyone in the family so far. But it is bizarre how loving and sweet he is 99.9 percent of the time. I want to give him every possible chance before giving up on him. He was obviously abused and abandoned. He has fear-based aggression and dog aggression, and he is unbalanced. Our family has been working with him extensively since April. If you could contact me and help in some way, we would be forever grateful.”
The problem, as I see it, is all too common: People buy the outside of the dog without knowing the inside.
This person wants desperately to save a
Cody's Corner: Turn to Page 10
(CryptoQuip Solution on page 14)
SENIOR NEWS LINE
by Matilda Charles ©
Summer Heat Safety
Before we know it, we’ll need to move into hot weather mode, and some who live in the desert Southwest are probably already in it. In either case, we need to take steps to stay healthy and safe in the heat.
For me, most important is keeping the house cool, since that’s where I spend most of my time. The air conditioner will be set at 77 to 79 degrees, depending on the humidity.
Very soon I’ll need to put up the insulated sun-blocking blackout drapes on the sunny side of the living room where the afternoon heat can bake the outside wall. Each morning I’ll close those drapes before the sun moves around to that side of the house.
Next on my daily list will be to fill my water bottles -- a half-dozen 8-ounce bottles that I can periodically grab during the day. With the little bottles, it’s easy to keep track of how much hydration I’m getting.
But we can’t always stay home. If you have to go out in the heat, wear light, loose clothing and a hat with a wide brim, and always keep a bottle or two of that water in the car as a safeguard when you're out and about.
Ask your doctor to clarify what your water intake for your size and weight should be during the summer. Keep an eye on the weather news so you’ll know what to expect. Check to see if your city has set up any cooling centers, or head to the library or mall during the hottest part of the day.
Keep track of how you're feeling in the summer heat. If you notice weakness or experience nausea, dizziness or headache, it could be heat exhaustion or even lead to heat stroke. Get help -- don’t delay.
If you’re afraid to run the air conditioner for fear you'll be unable to pay a high electric bill, see if you can get some financial help from LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) at 866-674-6327. Churches and town halls are other possible sources of assistance.
For more tips on how to cope and stay safe in the summer heat, see www.ready.gov/ heat.
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)
dog’s life, even at the risk of her own family. In the meantime, though, there are some 7,999,999 other animals who also need homes, whose lives are also at risk. And the vast, vast majority of them are not biters.
At the same time, shelters are not Home Depot, and a dog in not a lamp. The idea is to adopt the dog -- not take him home for a test run and then return him if it doesn’t work out. Being adopted and then returned is not only hard on the person; it’s a black mark against the dog. In many shelters, a dog can only be returned so many times before he is deemed unadoptable. So it’s that much more important to take the time to ensure you are bringing home the right dog for you.
How do you know if he’s the right dog? In the animal behavior and dog training worlds, there are tests professionals use to get to know who a dog is on the inside. Personality tests reveal whether a dog is shy, responsive, fearful, alert, calm, high energy or aggressive. Pain tolerance tests alert you to any areas on the dog’s body that are sensitive and may provoke a response. There are also hand tests and noise tests to determine other idiosyncrasies.
Some trainers or animal behaviorists can be enlisted for a fee to come with you to a shelter and test several dogs on your behalf. Or you can read more about how to administer these tests in my book “When Good Dogs Do Bad Things.” At the very least, though, spend a couple of hours with several dogs before you take one home. As my good friend Mordecai Siegal used to say, this is the one time you actually get to pick your relative! 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.
survey I did is entirely unscientific. Still, it’s the best I’ve got. Here are the results.
YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
by Tom Margenau
Social Security Administration Service Still Gets High Marks
Well, the votes are in. (Actually, they are still coming in, but I had to cut them off at some point and compile results.) Anyway, I’m shocked! Several weeks ago, I asked my readers to rate the service they got from the Social Security Administration in the form of stars: 5 stars for good service, down to 1 star for poor service. 148 of you responded. And the overall rating averaged out to a solid 4.5 stars.
I must admit, these results surprised me. Long-time readers may recall that I did a similar survey about a year ago. And the overall rating back then also came out to 4.5 stars.
But given all the negative press reports in the past three or four months about cutbacks in Social Security Administration staffing and services, I was convinced that the rating would drop and that people would be telling me horror stories about their interactions with the SSA. And a few of you did. But most readers told me they got great service and were satisfied with their dealings with the beleaguered agency.
I was also surprised by the high overall rating because of the day-to-day emails I get from folks -- many of whom usually write to me to complain about some problems they had with the agency’s services and its employees. So, this survey reinforces what I speculated about in that prior column.
On a routine basis, people are much more likely to complain to me about poor service than they are inclined to send me an email praising good service. But as I learned in this and the past survey, when given the chance to voice their opinion, the folks who were very satisfied with the SSA’s services and employees came out of the woodwork and let me know what they think. I’m going to expound on your ratings and your responses in a bit. But first, here are some general thoughts about ratings.
As we all know, ratings for businesses and services are now extremely common. Whether you’re buying some underwear at Target or a burrito at Taco Bell, the clerk you deal with is likely to say something like this to you: “And we would appreciate it if you could take a minute and complete a survey about our service.” And if they are especially bold (and honest), they might add: “And we sure would love it if you gave us 5 stars!” (5 stars being the top grade in most rating systems.)
I think most people accept the fact that these rating systems can be a bit suspect. And so often, they depend on the mood and temperament of the reviewer. For example, I was recently checking out vacation homes on the VRBO website. One place I liked got almost all 10-star reviews. (VRBO uses a 1-10 rating system.) But one grumpy guy gave the place 1 star because he found an ant in a cupboard!
So anyway, that’s just my way of saying that these rating systems can be important and can be an indication of the value or quality of the product or service being rated. But at the same time, sometimes the rating must be taken with a grain of salt.
I totally acknowledge the fact that this little
I got 148 responses from readers. (That’s about 100 fewer responses than I got in my last survey. Not sure why. Anyway, the ratings broke down like this:
-- 5 stars: 118 ratings
-- 4.5 stars: 2 ratings
-- 4 stars: 11 ratings
-- 3 stars: 6 ratings
-- 2 stars: 7 ratings
-- 1 star: 3 ratings
-- 0 star: 1 rating (more about this rating in a minute)
If I’m doing my math right, that comes out to a 4.5-star average rating. As I said, I understand this is an unscientific survey. But I still think it’s a pretty good representation of what most people think about the services they get from the SSA.
And I did glean some points from the responses I got. As I suspected, the SSA does routine work extremely well. And the good news is that when it comes to our involvement with the Social Security Administration, almost all of us have routine issues. We file for retirement benefits, or we want to change our address in the SSA’s records. These jobs are handled quickly and efficiently -usually by the SSA’s website: www.socialsecurity. gov. In fact, many readers who gave 5-star reviews specifically mentioned the ease of using the website.
Conversely, many people who gave lower ratings had messy situations. And sadly, when a case gets messy, the service sometimes gets messy, too. Although one reviewer said he had what he considered a complicated case, he explained that his situation was handled “efficiently and professionally.” Another 5-star reviewer with what he described as “thorny circumstances” said both his case and his wife’s case were handled “smoothly and expertly.”
Frankly, I’m not all that familiar with the SSA’s current phone policies (I retired from the agency almost 20 years ago), but apparently, they have some deal where you can leave your number
1. The book of Proverbs is found in the a) Old Testament b) New Testament c) Neither
2. Where did Jesus ride a colt as people strewed branches along his path? a) Derbe b) Jerusalem c) Nazarath d) Jericho
3. Who promised God if he gave her a baby boy no razor would ever touch his head? a) Rachel b) Ruth c) Hannah d) Lois
4. What river did the Israelites need to cross before they could enter Canaan? a) Euphrates b) Tigris c) River of Fire d) Jordan
5. From 1 Kings 20, which city's walls fell on 27,000 men? a) Samaria b) Jericho c) Sodom d) Aphek
6. Who tricked his brother into selling him his birthright? a) Jacob b) Judas c) Cain d) Esau
(Answers on page 16)
and get a callback. A 1-star reviewer said the callback never happened. But three other people who gave 4- and 5-star reviews said they got a callback exactly when it was scheduled.
I didn’t get too many comments about the in-office service at the SSA. Although one reviewer, who admitted to me that he had somewhat of an anti-government bias, said that he walked into his local Social Security office without an appointment (something I wouldn’t recommend) and was treated kindly, waited about 15 minutes, and then talked to “a helpful and courteous clerk.” Another in-office visitor said, “The waiting room was busy, but clean and well-managed. And the lady I talked to sure knew her stuff.”
But then there was this from the 0-star reviewer. “I had the most unbelievable experience with a group of human beings I’ve ever had in my life. I could not believe that many grossly, malignantly incompetent people could remotely be housed in one place named the SSA office. It truly was a life-altering experience. My rating is a BIG FAT ZERO!!!”
Oh well, I guess there is one in every crowd! Anyway, I thank all of you (including Mr. Big Fat Zero) for your ratings and comments. Sorry, but I just didn’t have the space to include all of them.
If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net. To find out more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www. creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
Sudden and Dramatic Weight Loss Causes Concern in Woman
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 75-year-old woman with a weight problem. My weight used to fluctuate from 130-160 pounds. Then I started to notice that I was losing weight slowly but surely on my regular diet. My doctor did not have an answer. Soon I got down to 95 pounds. My family urges me to eat more than I feel comfortable with. I weigh 104 pounds today.
Do you have any idea what could be causing this dramatic weight loss? I still struggle with keeping my weight up to 105 pounds! My height is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, and I really am quite “bony.” Thank you for any help you can give me. A.S.
ANSWER: When we see dramatic weight loss like yours (greater than 5% to 10% is generally considered important, and yours is greater than 30%), we think about a few important categories. Of course, some of these aren’t appropriate for you, but I want to give you an idea of what goes through a doctor’s head when we see a person with this much weight loss:
Please
but a bit less so since it seems like it has stabilized. Still, were you my patient, I’d recommend a more thorough evaluation than it sounds like you’ve had.
I learned a valuable lesson after I made a home visit to give a patient a thorough medical evaluation about her continued weight loss. I found that she had inadequate food at home and was too embarrassed to tell me.
***
DEAR DR. ROACH: Is it OK for an 80-year-old male who has abused alcohol for many years (6-8 drinks per evening) to stop drinking cold turkey? I have not slept in 48 hours! R.B.
ANSWER: No, it’s not OK. It’s very unsafe for anyone to stop drinking so much so quickly, especially an older adult. What you should have done is gotten in contact with your regular physician who can determine if it is safe for you to stop alcohol at home, or whether you need to be in a more supervised situation (such as a person with heart problems or those with a history of severe alcohol withdrawal in the past).
If it is safe for you to do so at home, medication to help prevent withdrawal symptoms may be given. An expert in addiction medicine has more experience than nearly all generalists, so your regular physician may recommend that you see an expert.
VETERANS POST
by Freddie Groves
Getting Community Care is Easier Now
Remember when you wanted to go to a civilian doctor but getting VA approval for community care was such a hassle as you waited for it all to be signed off?
The 2019 MISSION Act, letting veterans seek civilian care while the Department of Veterans Affairs paid for it, was well intentioned, but like so many things, the steps were a burden. No more.
As of now, we have the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, and the VA has just crossed that final approval signature off the list of requirements.
There are still rules, yes, but they’re more manageable. To qualify to have the VA pay for your civilian care, one of the following must be true:
-- Your state doesn’t have a full-service VA facility. That means Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Given your symptoms, you should see someone right away, whether they’re your own doctor or an emergency physician, as you are at risk for moderate or severe withdrawal.
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-- Distance is a problem. It takes more than 30 minutes to drive to an appointment for primary or mental health care, or 60 minutes for specialty care at the VA.
Unfortunately, cancer tends to leap to our minds, even though it’s not the most common cause. A full-body scan isn’t usually indicated or helpful. Instead, a careful and focused history and physical exam will often give clues as to whether cancer is likely.
In addition, doctors want to make sure that the person is up-to-date with their ageappropriate screenings, which include breast and colon cancer screenings in a 75-year-old woman. In a person with a history of smoking, I always consider lung cancer and will usually order at least an X-ray.
A condition that is commonly forgotten when thinking about weight loss is the inability to absorb food properly, and celiac disease is the most common disease to cause this. Diarrhea is common but not always present with this condition.
People can lose calories through their kidneys as well, and diabetes is by far the most likely cause of this, although there are rare other causes. Excess urination is universal in uncontrolled diabetes but can be minimized by the patient.
Endocrine disorders, especially hyperthyroidism, often cause weight loss. Mental health issues, especially depression, are very commonly associated with weight loss. Anorexia nervosa is uncommon but not impossible in older adults. Any serious disease -- heart, lung, liver and others -- can also cause serious weight loss. Some medications can cause unexpected weight loss as well.
I congratulate you on wanting to stop alcohol after many years, but getting some help will make stopping safer and make quitting for good more likely.
Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes or corrections.
-- Time is a problem. The VA can’t see you within 20 days for appointments for primary or mental health care or noninstitutional extended care, or within 28 days for specialty care.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.
(c) 2025 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved
Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630 valleybits@msn.com
Estate Planning Attorney
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-- The care you need isn’t available at the VA.
-- You meet the distance and location provisions outlined in the former Veterans Choice Program. Grandfathered (previously qualified) veterans live 40 miles from care where there was a full-time primary care physician available and are still at the same address.
-- It’s in the best interest of the veteran to get that civilian care.
If you want care from a community provider, ask your VA primary care provider for a referral to get things started.
If you ever applied to see a civilian doctor and the VA turned you down, you can appeal that decision with the Clinical Appeals process. Contact the patient advocate at the VA health care facility near you. * *
* * *
Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@gmail.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
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Please review carefully.
Chronic infections are another important cause of unexplained weight loss. Tuberculosis, HIV and viral hepatitis are the most common, but there are many uncommon and rare infections.
As adults get older, some degree of weight loss is expected, but it is the degree and speed of the weight loss that needs to be considered when deciding whether this is a serious medical issue. Since it sounds like your weight loss has come on quickly, this is more concerning
Email: josh@jarthurlaw.com Web: www.JArthurLaw.com
Licensed in California and Florida
Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630 valleybits@msn.com
You actually don't need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice. Whose cruel idea was it for the word “Lisp” to have “S” in it? Is there another word for synonym?
Rights
M.D.
-- by Jim Miller
Does Medicare Cover Annual Physical Exams?
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Does Medicare cover annual physical exams? I’ve gotten a physical every year since I turned 50 and would like to find out what Medicare covers when I sign up in a few months. -- Almost 65
Dear Almost: No, Medicare does not pay for annual physical exams, but it does cover a one-time “Welcome to Medicare” checkup during your first year after enrolling in Part B. And after that, it covers annual wellness visits to keep track of your health. Here’s what you should know.
Physical vs Wellness Exam
In an annual physical, a doctor examines you, may do bloodwork and other tests and looks for problems even though you don’t have a specific complaint or risk.
The Welcome to Medicare checkup and annual wellness visits are different. They focus primarily on preventive care.
Your doctor will review your risk fac tors, develop a personalized health plan for you, check that you’re up to date with pre ventive tests such as cancer screenings and flu shots and may refer you for other tests. Here’s a breakdown of what these exams may include.
Welcome to Medicare Checkup
This is an introduction to Medicare and focuses on health promotion, disease prevention and detection to help you stay well. It’s an opportunity for your doctor to as sess your health and provide a plan for care. During this visit your doctor will:
pressure measurements, and calculate your body mass index (BMI).
- Ask about your personal and family health history.
- Give you referrals for other care as needed.
- Assess your potential for depression.
- Provide a simple vision test.
- Recommend vaccines, tests, screenings and other preventive services you need to stay healthy.
- Offer to talk with you about creating advance directives.
Annual Wellness Visit
This visit includes some of the same elements as the Welcome to Medicare checkup. For example, your doctor will review your medical history, record your vital information and give you an opportunity to talk about advance directives. Your doctor may also provide the following services:
- Create a screening checklist for recommended preventive services for the upcoming year.
- Look at health risks and treatment options.
- Perform a cognitive assessment to
During these visits, the provider may order additional tests or procedures that may be subject to Medicare’s deductibles, copayments or coinsurance.
Make sure that when you book your appointment, you specifically ask for the Welcome to Medicare checkup or annual wellness visit to ensure Medicare covers it. Otherwise, you may have to pay for the visit out of pocket.
If you’re enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you’ll probably need to use an innetwork provider for the wellness visits to be covered. Some Medicare Advantage plans also cover annual physicals in addition to the wellness visit. Check your plan for details.
- Take your height, weight, and blood
ANTIQUE
JUNQUE
by Anne McCollam Creators News Service
The Cheshire Cheese Was a Popular Inn
Q: We inherited this porcelain plate that is titled “Dr. Johnson at The Cheshire Cheese.” It is broken, and I was wondering if it is valuable enough to have it restored.
Our family name is Boswell. We are related to James Boswell, who wrote about Dr. Samuel Johnson.
Marked on the back of the plate is a side view of a lion wearing a crown. Beneath the lion is a large crown. Also included with the mark are the words: “Royal Doulton -England” and a written number that is very difficult to read. It seems to be “p3/27.”
Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
A: Your plate was made by Royal Doulton in England. The compay used this mark from 1902 to 1930. The number is a series number and is probably D3123.
Samuel Johnson was born in England and was an essayist, writer and lexicographer. He was the author of the first significant English dictionary.
Johnson and a group of poets, writers and philosophers met at public inns for conversations. One of the meeting places was Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street in London. Johnson and author/biographer James Boswell were friends. Boswell wrote the famous biography “The Life of Samuel Johnson.”
If your plate were in excellent condition, it would probably sell for $150 to $200. Given the family history and sentimental value, it might be worth more to you by having it restored.
Q: I have drawn the mark that is on the back of a china plate I have. It was given to my 95-year-old uncle by his aunt when he was a small boy.
The plate is in excellent condition. It is decorated with a dark brown border against a white background. On the right side of the plate is a dark brown horse. We have learned Dan Patch was the “World’s Champion Harness Horse.” In 1906, he set the turf world record of 1.55 and one-fourth miles at the Minnesota State Fair.
My uncle would appreciate knowing about the factory where the plate was made, the approximate date and possible value. The plate is very special to him.
Thank you for your help.
A: Harker Pottery made your plate. It was located in East Liverpool, Ohio, from 1890 to 1972. The words on the mark actually are “Semi Porcelain.” Dan Patch memorabilia are collectible. He was foaled in Oxford, Indiana, in 1896.
Your plate was made around 1914 and would probably be worth $100 to $150, possibly more to interested Minnesota collectors.
*
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.
* On June 16, 1858, newly nominated senatorial candidate Abraham Lincoln told more than 1,000 delegates at the Illinois Republican Convention in Springfield that the nation was facing a crisis that could destroy the Union, paraphrasing a New Testament passage when he warned that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”
* On June 17, 1976, the National Basketball Association announced a merger with its rival, the American Basketball Association, and took on the ABA’s four most successful franchises: the Denver Nuggets, the Indiana Pacers, the New York (later Brooklyn) Nets and the San Antonio Spurs.
* On June 18, 1178, five badly frightened monks in Canterbury, England, witnessed an explosion on the moon’s surface after the sun had set. As their abbey’s chronicler described it, “A flaming torch sprang up, spewing out ... fire, hot coals and sparks.” The moon, he marveled, “throbbed like a wounded snake.”
* On June 19, 2014, two weeks after he abdicated the Spanish throne amidst low approval ratings, King Juan Carlos I removed his red sash, symbolic of his status as the leader of the Spanish military, and draped it around the waist of his son, 46-year-old Crown Prince Felipe, completing his official transfer of power.
* On June 20, 1981, four Dutch studio musicians recording under the name Stars on 45, who sounded uncannily like the Beatles, made it to the top of the U.S. pop charts with their single titled “Medley: Intro Venus/Sugar Sugar/No Reply/I’ll Be Back/ Drive My Car/Do You Want To Know A Secret/We Can Work It Out/I Should Have Known Better/Nowhere Man/You’re Going To Lose That Girl/Stars On 45.”
* On June 21, 1913, aviatrix Georgia “Tiny” Broadwick, who stood just four feet, eight inches tall and weighed 80 pounds, became the first woman to parachute from a plane. On the way up, she was suspended from a trap seat outside the cockpit, with her parachute on a shelf above her.
* On June 22, 1953, a Brooklyn newsboy received an unusual nickel in payment. Upon dropping it on the ground he discovered it was hollow and contained a tiny photo of coded numbers. His discovery led the FBI to a Soviet spy named Rudolf Abel. (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Folks seeking handouts only of food such as cheddar, colby, brie and feta: cheese-beggars.
"What?? Let me get this straight -- you hit your ball so far out of bounds you actually need a cab to go find it??"
Royal Doulton is located in England.
Harker Pottery was founded in 1890.
from page 3
Jewish poet and scholar Rabbi ben Ezra. In the poem, Browning explored the theme of growth and fulfillment in the face of aging, addressing life’s purpose, challenges, and spiritual growth, reasoning that youth is just a preparation for old age’s richness. The poem was the inspiration for “Grow Old with Me,” one of the final songs written by John Lennon.
• We’ve all heard the phrase “the best-laid plans of mice and men can often go awry.” The saying refers to something going wrong and failing unexpectedly, no matter how well we plan and prepare. You might think its origin was in John Steinbeck’s 1937 classic novella “Of Mice and Men,” but it is actually taken from a 1785 poem written by famous Scottish poet Robert Burns. Burns wrote of a mouse carefully building its nest in a field in preparation for winter based on his own experience of accidentally destroying a nest in a field he was plowing. Steinbeck used the same theme in his literary work, emphasizing the harsh realities of life and the disappointments arising while striving to attain dreams.
• Three of history’s worst natural disasters occurred in China, with the highest disaster toll in July 1931, with the flooding of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers. The floods covered an area about the size of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut combined. Some estimates of the death toll reach as high as 4,000,000, with only a surprising minority of deaths attributed to drowning. With millions of now-homeless and displaced people living in refugee communities, the spread of diseases including cholera, measles, dysentery, and malaria, was far and above the deadliest hazard. China’s 1887 Yellow River flood resulted in casualties of 2,000,000,
• But historically speaking, the universal global flood found in the biblical account in Genesis is by far the greatest worldwide disaster ever recorded. While the exact population of Earth at the time of the Great Flood is unknown, estimates range from one billion to ten billion people due to questions about life spans, population growth rates and the time frame before the flood. Regardless of the number, all but eight human lives were taken in this cataclysmic worldwide event, an event promised to never again to be repeated.
by Jason Jenkins
For years, any deviation from a conventional putting grip was thought to be a sign of a player having the yips or suffering from poor putting in the past. The cross handed, or left hand low, technique should really be considered a norm for any golfer who wants to putt better. If you need any proof, just look at recent Master’s champion Jordan Spieth’s putting statistics. Better yet, look at his putting performance on the world’s most difficult greens under pressure.
The left hand low set up creates two very helpful mechanics that ordinary putting techniques don’t employ. One, the left wrist becomes flat and can stay that way throughout the entire stroke. Two, the shoulders become more level to the horizon making it easier to swivel the shoulders more consistently.
Try using the left hand low technique on shorter range putts to create a feel for the process. Use a conventional grip on longer putts if it helps your feel. Don’t let criticism keep you from being a better putter!
Linda Thistle
The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.
DIFFICULTY:
