Vol 21: #27 • 25 Years Ago / Y2K • (6-29-2025) Tidbits of Coachella Valley
by Kathy Wolfe
Itʼs been twenty-five years ago that the world waited with anxious apprehension to see what would happen when the global calendar entered a new century, taking us from 1999 to 2000. This week Tidbits looks back at what was happening at that point in history – the inventions and the events of the time that have influenced our world today.
• Can it really be a full quarter century since we all experienced the Y2K scare, a time when some folks panicked and stocked up on food and water, firearms, and generators and emptying out their bank accounts before the expected worldwide cyber crash?
• The scare was based on potential computer errors related to calendar data formatting. It was feared that because most programs were founded on the two-digit-ending of years, they could not distinguish between dates of 1900 and 2000. Such an error would throw the entire global cybersystem into utter chaos, a possibility that was seen by many to be inevitable.
• It was predicted that the cost of repairing global
TRIV
(Answers on page 16)
• Cornhole is a simple game that has become all the rage in recent years. All it entails is tossing a small bean bag 33 feet with enough skill to
artwork.
• The rules call for double-seamed fabric bags measuring 6 x 6 inches (150 x 150 mm) weighing 15.5 to 16.5 ounces (440 to 470 g). While bags were once filed with corn kernels or dried beans, the American Cornhole Organization developed universal bags filled with plastic resin, enabling consistent weight and shape.
• In order to score points, bags must either fall through the hole or be on the surface of the board. Three points are scored if a bag goes into the hole. A bag remaining on the board after four throws scores one point (a “woody”). If a bag is partially on the board and partially on the ground, it’s called a “dirt bag” and scores nothing.
• How well do you know cornhole terms? “Airmail” occurs when the bag does not slide or bounce on the board but goes directly into the
1. TELEVISION: “The Simpsons” first appeared as a short on which TV show?
2. GEOGRAPHY: What is the dis tance between mainland Russia (Sibe ria) and mainland United States (Alas ka)?
3. GAMES: What is the highest score you can achieve in one frame of bowling?
4. MYTHOLOGY: What is the Roman god of the sea called?
5. SCIENCE: What are the only let ters that don’t currently appear in the Periodic Table?
6. MOVIES: Which animated mov ie’s tagline is “Escape or die frying”?
7. LITERATURE: The Republic of Gilead appears in which 1980s novel?
8. FOOD & DRINK: Which spice is often praised for its anti-inflammatory properties?
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: In which country did Cirque du Soleil originate?
10. LANGUAGE: What is glossola lia?
National Cornhole Day is July 5, giving Tidbits the perfect opportunity to investigate this popular pastime!
25 Years Ago: (from page one)
damage from this millennium bug could reach as much as $600 billion. As it turned out, very few major errors occurred due to the preventive measures taken by many programmers and I.T. experts. Y2K was also referred to as CDC –Century Date Change.
• Rather than the dreaded disruption, chaos and confusion that was expected, the entry into the new millennium instead marked the threshold of new technology and inventions that have shaped and improved our world today.
• In 2000 IBM sold America’s first USB flash drive, branded as the ThumbDrive, a relatively small device that held 8 megabytes (8 million bytes) for data storage, and quickly replaced the greatly inferior floppy disks. Contrast flash drives today, which hold 4 terabytes, equal to 4 trillion bytes.
• Many of us just can’t fathom being without our e-readers, as sales of Kindle alone hover near the one million mark annually. In 2000, publishers Simon & Schuester took the risk of publishing the world’s first mass-market e-book, Stephen King’s novella “Riding the Bullet” for $2.50. Their gamble paid off with upwards of 400,000 downloads within the first 24 hours. Today, Amazon has more than six million digital books, and 7,500 new books are published globally every day.
• Groundbreaking gaming technology was launched in Japan in March 2000 with the release of the PlayStation 2, followed up by its October 2000 release in the United States. This impressive innovation included a DVD drive and the ability to connect to the internet. Firstday sales of the PS2 exceeded $250 million, with one million units sold in the first weekend.
• In the U.S., over 680,000 PS2 games were sold during the first week, carrying a price tag of $300. It remains the best-selling video game console of all time, with global sales of more than 160 million units. The PS2 discontinued
NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE
What were the most popular television series of the year 2000? Among them the list included "NYPD Blue," "CSI," "Law & Order," "The West Wing," "City of Angles," "The X Files," and "ER."
production in 2013.
• Big Buck Hunter, that started out as a new video game made for arcades, has ballooned into world championships among players. It debuted in 2000 as a hunting game that required players to shoot moving male bucks without shooting a female doe. There have been ten additional versions of the popular game introduced since its inception.
• Television viewers were glued to their sets on May 31, 2000 for the premiere of the new reality program, “Survivor.” Contestants’ physical and mental strength, along with endurance are challenged while existing in a remote location for 39 days. Since its inception, more than 20 different locations have been used.
• “Survivor” has been nominated for 63 Emmy Awards and has featured closed to 750 contestants over the course of the program. Season 48 premiered in February 2025. The program’s first winner, Richard Hatch, captured the $1 million prize, but was later indicted for tax evasion for failing to report that income, along with several other sources of income. Hatch served 51 months in prison for the violation, followed up with another nine months in later years for not amending those errors.
enough weight to represent a lean and emaciated version of the character. “Cast Away” became one of the year’s highest-grossing films.
• In 2000, actress Sandra Bullock went undercover as an FBI agent to locate terrorists in “Miss Congeniality” while Russell Crowe competed in grueling duels in second century Rome in the blockbuster “Gladiator.” The first “X-Men” movie, featuring Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman, opened in June of that year.
2. What cartoon character and her best friend Boots the Monkey premiered in 2000? byKaraKovalchik&SandyWood
The year 2000 saw the peak and subsequent crash of the dot-com bubble, impacting the technology and internet sectors. It also saw the election of Vladimir Putin as Russia's new president, and the disastrous crash of a Concorde aircraft in France, which claimed the lives of 109 passengers and four crewmembers, marking the demise of the entire SST program.
• George W. Bush was elected 43rd U.S. president in 2000 after a close race against then Vice President Al Gore. Bush was in office during the 9/11 attacks the following year.
• Photography was changed forever with the Sharp J-SH04, introduced in 2000 as the first camera cellphone to be commercially marketed worldwide. It was revolutionary as it not only produced high-resolution images, but allowed users to instantly share photos over the cellular network. Massive changes have come to the camera phone, including ultra-wide lens, complex light sensors, portrait and night modes, auto-focus, slow-motion video recording, and facial recognition. And cell phone users today (nearly everyone) always carry a camera with them, regardless of socioeconomic status.
• On the big screen that year, we saw Tom Hanks survive a plane crash only to become stranded on a deserted island for four years with Wilson the volleyball as his only companion. Hanks gained 50 lbs. in 1998 in preparation for his portrayal of Fed-Ex executive Chuck Noland. Production was then suspended for a year while Hanks lost
• If you tuned in the radio 25 years ago, you might have heard 19-year-old Britney Spears singing “Oops…I Did It Again,” or the Baha Men performing “Who Let the Dogs Out?” Despite the Baha Men receiving a Grammy, the song
1. What female tennis star won her first U.S. Open singles title in September 2000?
* Ancient Egyptians sometimes added onions to a mummy to act as false eyes.
* In the video game Halo 3, every bullet shot by the Chief has his name on it. This detail isn’t visible during regular play, as the bullets go by too quickly, but was discovered when someone noticed it in replay mode.
* The unibrow was considered to be a symbol of purity and intelligence in ancient Greece. Women who didn’t naturally boast this feature used dyed goat hair to close the gap.
* A male giraffe will determine a female’s fertility by tasting her urine. If the pee passes muster, the courtship continues.
* At one time, Monaco had more people in its orchestra than in its army, with 85 musicians but only 82 soldiers.
* One in 18 people have a third nipple.
* All the world’s bacteria stacked on top of each other would stretch for 10 billion light-years.
* Some female sharks store sperm after mating, potentially holding on to it for years before they’re finally ready to reproduce.
* Robert Smalls escaped slavery by stealing a Confederate ship, for which heist he was paid enough to buy his former enslaver’s house, and later served in the House of Representatives for South Carolina.
* African buffalo herds use a form of voting to make their travel decisions.
* The term “dumpster” comes from the name of the company that designed the first large, portable trash bin. ***
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Thought for the Day: “If you can’t get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you’d best teach it to dance.”
-- George Bernard Shaw
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by Mary Hunt
Values are More Often Caught Than Taught
One of the most important lessons you can teach your kids is how to handle their money. Unfortunately, for most of us, giving our kids a financial education is an afterthought. Where do you start? And what if you don’t feel financially confident yourself?
In my book “Raising Financially Confident Kids,” I tell my husband’s and my story -- how we were miserably in debt, unemployed, clueless and basically without hope while parenting two very young children.
Everyday CHEAPSKATE®
Bents, characteristics, abilities and tendencies are the conduits through which you can pass your values to your kids. But how exactly do you make the pass?
by Mary Hunt
It’s though your life, the way you live. Kids learn most effectively through observation and imitation. It’s the witness of our lives -- more than anything we say -- that is soaked in slowly and cumulatively by our children.
Children drink in everything around them. They see the way we act with others. They listen to everything we say. They observe the way we handle our money. They hear what we say on the phone and the way we deal with salespeople. Children compare what they see with what they are told, and in the case of a clear conflict, they almost always go with what they see.
There are many ways to communicate your values to your kids. There are formal lectures; specific talks, books and discussions on what has been read; reprimands; reminders; various kinds of discipline and punishment; and religious education with related activities.
All of these ways of communicating with your kids do count for a great deal, but they cannot come close to their observing your living out your values consistently, specifically and diligently day in and out. That’s the surest way to pass on the values and principles your children need to guide their lives -- values that will take root in their hearts, not simply stick on the outside until they can get away from your authority.
Truth be told, values are much more often caught than taught.
It’s easy to get so hung up on the mundane side of parenting -- cooking, cleaning, carpooling, taxiing -- that we forget about the single most important job we parents have to do, which is to successfully pass our values on to our children.
Even in the face of that misery, we came up with a plan because we were terrified our boys would turn out like me. (Don’t miss the epilogue!) We put the plan into action mostly without knowing what we were doing. But to our amazement -- more like shock and awe, to be honest -- it worked. On our way to getting a financially confident life, our kids got one, too. We found hope. We got out of debt. And our boys -- both adults now -- have carried with them the values of living below their means, saving and giving. We raised financially confident men who have steered clear of debt and found their place in the world.
Over the years, I’ve heard from thousands of families who read our plan, adopted it with their children and are now experiencing very similar kinds of success. They’re sending kids into the real world with the values, knowledge and practical experience they need to live financially confident lives. What a reward! *
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
Equipping children with values is not the same as making them obey. Parents can get their kids -- even the dog -- to do just about anything provided they exert enough external pressure. Threats of severe consequences motivate immediate compliance but aren’t likely to produce long-term commitment.
You read it in tidbits!
When the children or teenagers are free of the external pressure, their behavior reflects their true values, the condition of their heart, their true character.
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Kids who leave home without a solid foundation as an anchor can easily start drifting off in wrong directions. Having never taken ownership of positive values, such as integrity, honesty, responsibility, courage and respect, don’t make the transition into the real world very easily. Without guidlines, they bounce around and make all kinds of foolish, and often dangerous choices. They often suffer long-term consequences simply because they do not have a positive, strong value system. They have no clear guidance in their lives.
But how exciting and gratifying it is for parents to observe their children catch their same values and choose to do the right thing simply because it is right, not in order to escape external pressure or earn a reward.
Why do we dream, and do our dreams really mean anything? This week Tidbits focuses on the images our minds create during sleep and how they might relate to your life and emotions.
• Neuroscientists are always trying to discover what is happening in the brain while we sleep. Although about 50% of dreams are forgotten within five minutes of waking and 95% of our dreams are forgotten by the time we actually get out of bed, we spend about two hours a night dreaming, between three and six times. Research indicates that each dream lasts between 5 and 20 minutes.
• Although dreams can happen during any sleep state, the most vivid and memorable ones take place during the REM (rapid eye movement) sleep stage, which accounts for about 25% of total sleep time, a time when the brain is almost as active as when we are awake.
• During the REM sleep cycle, muscles are relaxed, breathing is irregular, the heart rate is elevated, and there is an increase in blood pressure. Rapid jerking movements of the eyes occurs, along with increased brain activity.
• What are the benefits of dreams? Scientists who study this behavior believe they help the brain consolidate and process the information it has received throughout the day. Dreaming is associated with strengthening long-term memory and recall of information.
• Dreams can help the brain manage emotions, to review and analyze recent events, and even to solve life’s problems. They often are also an expression of subconscious desires and wishes.
• It’s likely that our dreams’ content is influenced by occurrences in our lives while awake, and reflect our anxieties and fears, our hopes, and experiences. Possibly, the brain is choosing what to keep as memories and what to discard.
• Some people dream in black and white, while others dream in color. Studies reveal that 80% of those younger than 30 dream in color. Of those 60 years old and above, just 20% dream in color. Some studies suggest that older folks are affected by watching black and white television in their younger years.
• About 1 in 20 people have nightmares every week. Nightmares that create troubling emotions occur in both adults and children with possible causes of stress, fear, trauma, emotional difficulties, illness, or reactions to certain medications or drugs. Increased worry and longer sleep duration are linked to these occurrences.
• Unlike normal dreams, which are quickly forgotten, the content of nightmares can be recalled in vivid detail. About half of all nightmares contain a physical attack by another person, while 11% report an evil presence, such as a demonic spirit or similar beings. About 9% are about accidents, such as a car crash or a fall from a high point.
• Paraplegics sometimes have dreams in which they are physically active, able to walk, run,
swim, and perform other tasks which they cannot do in their waking hours. The dreams of musicians feature music twice as often as nonmusicians.
• Sometimes you might be aware that you are dreaming and even have control over the dream. This phenomenon is known as lucid dreaming. It usually occurs in the middle of a regular dream when a person realizes he/she is dreaming.
• Although researchers continue to study what is happening during sleep, attempting to discover why we dream, it may well be impossible to establish firm conclusions.
CLIP AND SAVE
by Dana Jackson
Q: I saw the announcement about the new contestants on “The Traitors,” but I read that there was going to be someone very controversial on it. Who is it supposed to be? Also, why is there no older British guy this time around? -- K.S.
A: The United States version of the hit competitive reality show “The Traitors” recently announced its celebrity cast of contestants -- with one glaring omission. There was no relatively unknown “British guy” in the mix like politician John Bercow in season two and royal Lord Ivar Mountbatten in season three. There is, however, a female British Bravo celebrity (and Margot Robbie lookalike) this upcoming season: Caroline Stanbury, formerly of “Ladies of London” and “The Real Housewives of Dubai.”
Stanbury joins other current and former “Real Housewives” stars Candiace Dillard Bassett, Lisa Rinna, and Porsha Williams. Dorinda Medley, formerly of “RHONY,” is getting a second chance to compete after getting booted off so early in season three.
As far as controversial celebs, the two who seem to anger “Traitors” fans the most are actor
1. How to Train Your Dragon (PG) Mason Thames, Nico Parker
2. Lilo & Stitch (PG) Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong 3. Materialists (R) Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans
4. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (PG-13) Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell
5. Ballerina (R) Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves 6. Karate Kid: Legends (PG-13) Jackie Chan, Ben Wang
7. Final Destination: Bloodlines (R) Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones
8. The Phoenician Scheme (PG-13) Benicio Del Toro, Mia Threapleton
9. The Life of Chuck (R) Tom Hiddleston, Jacob Tremblay
Michael Rapaport because of his political views and Colton Underwood (“The Bachelor”), who once had a restraining order filed against him.
Rounding out the cast are singer Eric Nam; Ian Terry (“Big Brother”); Olympic figure skaters Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski; Kristen Kish (“Top Chef”); Rob Cesternino (“Survivor”); Mark Ballas (“Dancing with the Stars”); Maura Higgins (“Love Island”); Monet X Change (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”); Natalie Anderson (“Survivor”); Rob Rausch (“Love Island”); Tiffany Mitchell (“Big Brother”); Yamil Arocho (“Survivor”); and actors Ron Funches and Stephen Colletti.
If past seasons are any indicator, look for “Traitors” to debut its new season on Peacock in January 2026. ***
Q: Wasn’t there already a kids’ movie years ago called “How to Train Your Dragon”? Is this new one a rerelease? -- J.S.
A: You’re not imagining things. “How to Train Your Dragon” was an animated motion picture released in 2010. It was followed up by two sequels and, now in 2025, a live-action remake. Much like Disney’s recent remake of “Lilo & Stitch,” it’s paid off at the box office, grossing over $198 million worldwide at the box office its first weekend.
***
Q: Is “Mare of Easttown” ever coming back for another season? The first one was so good. -- S.E.
A: There are no plans at the moment for another season of the acclaimed HBO series “Mare of Easttown.” However, the show’s creator Brad Ingelsby and Emmy-winning star Kate Winslet have expressed that they are open to it. In the meantime,
Ingelsby has a new project that recently debuted on Apple TV+, starring Julianne Moore (“Sirens”) and Sydney Sweeney (“Euphoria”).
“Echo Valley” is much like “Mare” because it centers around a murder mystery. Inglesby told TV Insider that Winslet’s and Moore’s characters are similar in that they “both have a resilience that comes from having weathered storms as kids.”
Also like “Mare of Easttown,” there is a surprising twist. Of course, I won’t spoil it for you -- you’ll have to tune in to find out.
* * *
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
When I watched the Wizard of Oz as a kid I wondered how someone could talk if they didn't have a brain. Then I got Facebook.
I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
Syndicate
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Photo by Peacock
John Bercow (“The Traitors: Season 2”)
Good Recipes from
Triple-Cheese Mashed Potato Casserole
Mashed potatoes are always a popular dinner choice, and when you add three kinds of cheese to the mix, no one can resist a second helping.
5 pounds all-purpose potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons salt
5 tablespoons margarine or butter
3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
2 cups reduced-fat milk (2%)
4 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)
4 ounces Neufchatel cheese, cut up
1. In a 6-quart saucepot, heat potatoes, 1 tablespoon salt and enough water to cover to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, heat 3 tablespoons margarine in microwave oven on high 30 seconds or until margarine melts. Stir in Parmesan and breadcrumbs; set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 325 F. Drain potatoes well; return to saucepot. With potato masher, mash potatoes with 2 teaspoons salt. Stir in milk, then Cheddar, Neufchatel and remaining margarine until cheese melts.
4. Grease 13- by 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Spoon potato mixture into dish. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly
over potatoes. Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes or until top is lightly browned.
5. Optional for storage: Follow recipe through step 3. Spread potato mixture into greased 13- by 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish; cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. Refrigerate crumb mixture in a sealed plastic bag. To serve, let dish stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Bake, covered, in preheated 325 F oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes; uncover, sprinkle with crumb mixture, and bake until browned, 15 minutes. Serves 20.
Each serving: About 190 calories, 8g total fat (4g saturated), 14mg cholesterol, 465 sodium, 25g carbohydrate, 2g dietary fiber, 6g protein.
Red Pepper Relish
Serve this easy-to-prepare relish with grilled sausages.
1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup sugar
2 red peppers, finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet onion
1 teaspoon mustard seeds 1/4 teaspoon salt
1. In 2-quart saucepan, heat vinegar and sugar to boiling on high.
2. Add peppers, onion, mustard seeds and salt. Adjust heat to maintain simmer.
3. Cook 20 minutes or until peppers are just tender. Cool slightly. Can be refrigerated, covered, up to 3 days. Makes 2 cups.
Each 1/4 cup serving: About 45 calories, 0g total fat, 1g protein, 10g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 75mg sodium.
For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/foodrecipes/
(c) 2025 Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved
By John Allen DIAMOND LIL
by Brett Koth
Donald Duck by Walt
TIDBITS CHUCKLES AT Stupid Bank Robbers
Holidays & Observances This Week
6/29 Log Cabin Day
6/30 National Meteor Watch Day
7/1 Canada Day
7/2 Made in the USA Day
7/3 Deep Fried Clams Day
7/4 Independence Day
7/5 National Cornhole Day
Dog Talk with Uncle Matty
By Matthew Margolis
The Right Trainer
Every third time my business line rings, it seems the voice on the other end greets me with, “So, Uncle Matty, how much?” But when interviewing dog trainers, this should be the last question, not the first.
A good trainer initially wants to gain understanding of your needs and your dog in order to determine whether or not they can help. And you’d be wise to first do some investigating into whether that trainer and his or her methods are right for you and your dog. Only then can the two of you talk money.
Some good ice breakers:
-- Are you a licensed or certified dog trainer? Certification is not generally required, but it does indicate a dedication to the task and a degree of practical education. Many dog trainers and animal behaviorists qualify themselves as such based on the standard, “I’ve had dogs all my life!”
-- If not certified, what kind of education do you have in terms of animal behavior and, specifically, dog training?
-- What is your specialty? Aggression? Housebreaking? Basic obedience? If a trainer specializes in your dog’s behavioral problem, you might be on to something. But be sure you ask what their specialty is before you tell them your trouble.
-- What training method do you use? Punishment-based training -- shock ‘em, knee ‘em, tackle ‘em, bonk ‘em? Reward-based training -- treats for tricks? Praise-based training -- personality-appropriate correction in conjunction with affection and love? The latter, in my opinion, is the only approach that is both effective and humane.
-- What kind of results do you get? This is a good time to ask for references.
If your dog’s problem is in the home -- i.e., hostility toward a family member, housebreaking, chewing or jumping on furniture, digging up the yard -- it makes sense to have a trainer come to your home to work with the dog in that environment.
If the dog’s behavioral problem surfaces outside the home or if you are interested in basic obedience training, a training class may be effective
A few weeks ago I wrote in this column about intentionally avoiding the television news for seven days. During that time, I didn’t have the stress from constant bombardment and media hysteria about all the problems and chronic chaos in the world.
I felt better for it, both physically and mentally, but I knew I couldn’t keep it up forever. At some point I figured I would have to rejoin the aware population and get up-to-date on what was going on.
Except I haven’t done that yet. Here at almost the one-month mark I’m still not watching the news.
That one hour block of time that used to be spent in front of the television getting “educated” about what was going on in the world has been used for other things. Here are a few things I accomplished:
I shopped for, purchased and planted colorful flowers for the porch.
A few times each week I feed and play
with a neighbor’s cat while the neighbor works extra hours. This saves him the cost of a pet sitter and gives me a nice break with a sweet kitty.
I restarted my free online language lessons and have made considerable progress.
That’s not to say I have no clue about what’s been going on in the world. I set my phone to silently send me a few short alerts on selected topics. I can scan those at my leisure and not even click the link to read the articles.
Five seconds of looking at the alert summaries tells me all I need to know. With one finger tap, they’re gone, deleted.
If you want to take a news break, give it a few days or a week to try out. Don’t be surprised if you stick with it for much longer. It can be rather peaceful. * * *
Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to columnreply2@ gmail.com.
(c) KingFeaturesSyndicate2025
Cody’s Corner (from page 9)
and less costly. Ask the group trainer the aforementioned questions, and be sure to find out how many dogs are allowed in the class and whether there is an age limit. Puppies younger than 4 months old, or who have not completed their series of shots, should not be enrolled in group training classes for health reasons.
Of course, if you have ample time and are willing to do your homework, books or videos may be a sufficient substitute for a professional trainer. Dog training doesn’t have to be complicated. If you go in with a solid understanding of your pup’s personality and adhere to a single praise-based method of training, it’s entirely possible that you’ll find success on your own. Visit unclematty.com for more information on training techniques, books and videos.
Whatever you do, be thorough and diligent in your approach to dog training. As a reminder, I leave you with the following story of a hodgepodge of errant training attempts gone terribly awry:
“We’ve had Wrigley since she was a puppy, and she has never liked people. We correct her with negative noises and choke collars every time she growls, barks or tries to lunge at someone. We’ve had numerous trainers come to the house, but only one was able to calm her down during the consultation. He suggested we board her in his training program -- “guaranteed” to calm her down and make her confident and comfortable around people. It didn’t work, and he has never gotten back to us.
“We’ve tried to kill her with the kindness of others while muzzled, and have run plenty of alpha drills to ensure she knows she is not the alpha in the house. We’ve had bloodwork done to test for thyroid problems, and we put her on adult food to take out some of the protein that can cause aggression in dogs.
“In short, we’ve put all of our effort, emotion, time, stress and $4,000 worth of training into her over the last six months, and we just don’t know what to do anymore.”
This sloppy “technique” is tantamount to trying to cook one lasagna with six different recipes. The outcome is unlikely to be palatable. 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.
COPYRIGHT 2014 CREATORS.COM
YOUR SOCIAL
SECURITY
by Tom Margenau
No Magic Answers
There is probably no question I am asked more often than some version of this: “When should I file for Social Security?” And I’ve discerned from my emails over the years that there is no issue senior citizens fret over more than the answer to that question.
To answer it, many people prepare spreadsheets. They construct matrices. They buy books. They consult financial planners. And who knows, maybe they even get in touch with mystics, palm readers and other charlatans.
What they seem to be looking for is a magic answer. They want to believe there is some secret formula that, if they only knew it, would guide them to pick the absolutely perfect age to start their Social Security benefits.
Well, guess what, folks? There is no magic answer. There are no secrets. There are no special formulas. You simply have to sit down, maybe with a calculator and pencil and paper, and go over your options.
And what are those options? Well, you could start your retirement benefits as early as age 62. If you do that, your benefit will be reduced by 30%. In other words, you’d get 70% of your full retirement age benefit.
Or you could wait until your full retirement age and get 100% of your Social Security benefit.
Or you could file for your Social Security benefits anytime between age 62 and your FRA. (Your benefit is reduced roughly one-half of 1% for each month you start benefits before your FRA.)
Or you could wait until age 70 and get a bonus of about 28% added to your monthly benefits. (The bonus is two-thirds of 1% for each month you delay filing for benefits beyond your full retirement age. In other words, you could file anytime between your FRA and age 70 and get the calibrated bonus added to your monthly benefit rate.)
And by the way, there is absolutely no advantage to waiting beyond age 70 to file for your Social Security benefits.
So, you’ve got to choose sometime between the ages of 62 and 70 to start your benefits. And as I said, there is no secret or magic formula to help you make that decision.
In its very simplest form, it comes down to this obvious choice. Do you want smaller monthly benefits but for a longer period? Well, then start those benefits sometime between age 62 and your full retirement age. Or do you want larger monthly benefits for a shorter period? Then you should wait to start your benefits sometime between your FRA and age 70.
To help you make that decision, think about a couple of things, like your health. If you’re active and robust and think you’ll still be kicking when you’re in your 90s, then it might be best to wait until 70 to file for benefits. On the other hand, if you are like me and came out on the short end of the longevity gene pool (neither my dad nor any of my uncles lived until age 60), then it might make sense to file for Social Security as soon as you’re eligible.
And what about your financial well-being? For example, if you are doing well and have other sources of income, meaning your Social Security check is just frosting on your retirement cake, then maybe you should start benefits early. But if your
Social Security is going to be your primary source of income in retirement, then you might want to maximize those benefits by starting them later.
And speaking of maximizing benefits, many retired men have told me that one of their primary retirement goals is to maximize potential widow’s benefits for their wives. If that is your concern, then if you wait until age 70 to file, your wife’s eventual widow’s benefits will include that bonus you get for delaying the start of your own benefits.
Having said all that, you’ve got to approach the decision of when to start your benefits, realizing that it’s a gamble. Or to put that another way, if you can tell me the date when you are going to die, then I can tell you the absolute best time to start your benefits. And since no one really knows that answer, no one really knows the best Social Security start date.
For example, I can’t tell you how many times over the years I’ve heard from a recent widow who told me something like this. “My husband insisted on waiting until 70 to get the highest Social Security benefit possible. He thought he was going to live until 100. And then he died at age 72. Now I wish he had filed for his Social Security sooner!” (Of course, the bit of consolation I could give her is that she will get higher widow’s benefits based on his age 70 Social Security start date.)
And then on the other end of the spectrum is this story I heard from a sprightly old man in a local coffee shop. He said, “I took my Social Security at 62. And now I’m 95. If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have waited to start my benefits at a later age!”
So again, you never really know if you are making the right choice of when you should start your benefits. And with that in mind, here is another piece of advice I can give you. Considering all the factors I talked about earlier (and other possible factors I didn’t have space to mention), just make the best choice you can about when to file for Social Security -- and then live with it. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve heard from over the years who just fret and fret some more over that decision -- even after they made it. My advice: Don’t
1. The book of Jonah is found in the a) Old Testament b) New Testament c) Neither
2. In Genesis 15, who was told to "look now toward Heaven and tell the stars"? a) Noah b) Adam c) Abram d) Moses
3. Who succeeded Belshazzar as King of the Chaldeans? a) David b) Darius c) Nebuchadnezzar d) Joshua
4. Who sold his brother Joseph to a camel caravan? a) Cain b) Benjamin c) Judah d) Issachar
5. Where did Jacob and his family settle in Egypt? a) Damascus b) Beersheba c) Sinai d) Goshen
6. Which of these is not considered among the major prophets? a) Isaiah b) Hosea c) Jeremiah d) Lamentations
(Answers on page 16)
comments or more Bible Trivia go to www.TriviaGuy.com
worry! Be happy! Make the decision and enjoy retirement!
Besides, I’ve also learned this over the years after having heard from thousands of readers about this issue. Most people trying to decide when to start their benefits are not between a rock and a hard place -- Social Security speaking. They are between a pillow and a soft place. In other words, they really can’t go wrong no matter which decision they make. So, throw away those spreadsheets and stop reading tea leaves or gazing into crystal balls. Pick a Social Security start date and be happy.
And finally, some shameless self-promotion. If you really want to consult something, buy my book, “Social Security - Simple and Smart.” There is a whole chapter in that book about when and how to file for Social Security benefits. * * *
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
Learn the Available Options for Dealing with Kidney Stones
Please
At the low levels used for supplementation of water, there does not seem to be any increased risk of brain injury, but the risk of tooth decay is substantially less. Communities that stopped water fluoridation found worsening of people’s dental health community-wide. They also noted a large increase in dental visits for cavities, a greater incidence of anesthesia used for dental treatments, and an increased need for antibiotics due to tooth infections.
VETERANS POST
by Freddie Groves
Keep Your Cash in Your Wallet
ADVERTISING PROOF Final Changes DUE:
DEAR DR. ROACH: I just found out that I have a kidney stone. I’m 77 years old, and I don’t want to deal with it. I’ve heard of potassium citrate and pulverizing it with sound waves. Are these options? -- J.M.
ANSWER: When a person gets a kidney stone, the goals are to manage any symptoms, determine if a person’s health is at risk (especially from infection or kidney damage), and decide which treatment might be necessary to prevent any new stones.
Extracorporeal sound wave lithotripsy is one way of removing symptomatic stones, as is ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy. The decision of whether intervention needs to be done is made by a urologist with expertise in stone management, and treatment depends on the size, type and location of your stone(s).
Prevention of a recurrent stone depends on the specific stone type and any metabolic issue the person has. Nearly everyone with stones is recommended to increase their water intake (to a level that is adequate enough to make at least 2 liters of urine a day -- and yes, we measure it) and decrease their salt intake (to less than 2,300 mg of sodium a day).
My former professor at the University of Chicago, Dr. Fred Coe, told me that he has seen people with sodium levels in their urine exceeding 25,000 mg a day. A high sodium level strongly favors stone formation.
Please
Potassium citrate is a good choice for people who have calcium oxalate stones (60% to 80% of stones) and low measured citrate in their 24-hour urine tests. A low-oxalate diet may also be appropriate, but you can’t make an informed decision without knowing which kind of stone you have and what your metabolism is like.
If you do pass a stone, save it; it will be useful for your doctor. There are several different types of less-common stones, so management can’t be tailored for you without this information. ***
DEAR DR. ROACH: I read that fluoride might no longer be put into drinking water. Is fluoride dangerous? -- V.A.M.
ANSWER: As with all substances (even a naturally occurring mineral like fluoride), the dose is what makes fluoride either a useful way of reducing tooth decay or a risk for side effects. This especially includes fluorosis, which is tooth damage due to excess fluoride during tooth development (up to age 4).
At extremely high levels, far above what is put into the water supply, there is the potential for adverse effects on brain development, which were generally found in geographic areas where naturally occurring fluoride levels are very high. This risk can be avoided by carefully regulating the amount of fluoride in the water supply -- as most communities in North America have been doing for decades.
My review indicates that the benefit in the prevention of dental problems greatly outweighs the potential harms, which can be avoided by careful attention to community fluoride water levels. For people in communities that have stopped the fluoridation of water, alternatives include daily fluoride supplements, fluoridated toothpastes, and fluoride varnish that gets provided by dentists at regular dental visits.
J Arthur Law Firm 12th pg 4C 13x Dec. 15, 2024 Vol. 20 - No. 51 MON., DEC. 9
* * *
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
Estate Planning Attorney
● Wills
● Trusts
● Power of Attorney
● Healthcare Directives and Living Wills
● New to California? Update your existing Estate Planning Documents!
“Don’t die without it!”
Besides the occasional “Thank you for your service,” there are any number of ways people and companies express gratitude for you having served your country, for having made that commitment and for the sacrifices you made.
One of the biggest acknowledgments are the veteran discounts given by companies. Your mission: Find those discounts and ask for them.
For example:
If you’re old enough for AARP, join for a reduced price of just $11 per year with a five-year membership.
Look for big discounts on cellphone lines at T-Mobile, where you can get unlimited text, talk and data on four lines for only $25 per line per month.
Carhartt apparel offers a 15% discount either at their stores or online. Duluth Trading Company offers a 5% discount on their Duluth gear. For vacations, there is a wide variety of discounts available. Hilton hotels offers a family discount, and Disney Resorts hotels offers discounts during selected blocks through the end of the year. You can find discounts on car rentals, theme parks, airfare and much more.
ADVERTISING PROOF
Joshua Arthur, Esq. Attorney at Law J. Arthur Law Firm 777 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Suite 200 Palm Springs, CA Tel: (760) 201-3215
Many states offer free or reduced-cost hunting and fishing licenses. Once you have that, load up on your gear at Bass Pro Shop or Cabela’s. To find discounts that apply to you, search online for veteran discounts and the category you’re interested in. Get as detailed as you like in your search. Yes, you can get veteran discounts on televisions and appliances. Check Dish for their Stars & Stripes Pack. Check AutoZone or Advance Auto Parts for car parts. See Home Depot or Lowe’s for power tools. Stock up at Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club.
Veteran discounts can be found in more places than you might imagine. Whenever you’re about to buy something, order something or go somewhere, ask if a veteran discount is available. While an individual discount might not seem like much, if you do this consistently, it will add up to significant cash that stays in your wallet.
* * *
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.
Media, Inc.
How to Apply
Who is Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits?
DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: What do I need to do to get disability benefits from Social Security? I’m 60 years old and have a medical condition that doesn’t allow me to work at my job anymore, but I’ve read that getting disability benefits is a very difficult process. Is this true, and if so why? Needs Help
Dear Needs Help: Getting Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI) when you’re unable to work can indeed be challenging. Each year, approximately 2 million people apply for SSDI, but around two-thirds of them are denied. This is primarily because most applicants fail to prove that they’re disabled to the point that they can’t work. Here are some steps you can take that can help improve your odds.
Are You Disabled?
The first thing you need to find out is whether your health condition meets the qualifications needed to receive Social Security disability benefits.
You generally will be eligible only if you have a physical or mental impairment severe enough that it prevents you from working in your current, or past line of work, for at least a year.
There is no such thing as a partial disability benefit. If you’re fit enough to work part-time, and you’re earning more than $1,620 ($2,700 if you’re blind) per month on average in 2025, your application will be denied. But, if you’re not working, or are working but earning below those limits, your application may be considered.
Your skills, education and work experience are factors too. Your application will be denied if your work history suggests that you could perform a less physically demanding job that your disability does not prevent you from doing.
To help you determine if you’re eligible, use the SSA Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool at SSAbest.benefits.gov
If you believe you have a claim, your next step is to gather up your personal, financial and medical information so you can be prepared and organized for the application process.
You can apply either online at SSA.gov/ disability or call 800-772-1213 to make an appointment to apply at your local Social Security office, or to set up an appointment for someone to take your claim over the phone.
The whole process lasts about an hour. If you schedule an appointment, a “Disability Starter Kit” that will help you get ready for your interview will be mailed to you. If you apply online, the kit is available at SSA.gov/disability/ disability_starter_kits.htm
It currently takes six to eight months from the initial application to receive either an award or denial of benefits. The only exception is if you have a chronic illness that qualifies you for a “compassionate allowance” (see SSA.gov/compassionateallowances), which fast tracks cases within weeks.
If Social Security denies your initial application, you can appeal the decision, and you’ll be happy to know that roughly half of all cases that go through a round or two of appeals end with benefits being awarded. But the downside is that with a huge backlog of people waiting, it can take another eight to ten months or longer to appeal the decision, and another 15 months to get a hearing if reconsideration is denied.
Get Help
You can hire a representative to help you with your Social Security disability claim. By law, representatives can charge only 25 percent of past-due benefits up to a maximum of $9,200 if they win your case.
It’s probably worth hiring someone at the start of the application process if your disability is something difficult to prove such as chronic pain. If, however, your disability is obvious, it might be worth initially working without a representative
to avoid paying the fee. You can always hire a representative later if your initial application and first appeal are denied.
To find a representative, check with the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (nosscr.org) or National Association of Disability Representatives (nadr. org). Or, if you’re low-income, contact the Legal Services Corporation (lsc.gov/find-legal-aid) for free assistance.
your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim
-- by Jim Miller
JUNQUE
by Anne McCollam Creators News Service
Wicker Baby Carriage Is Vintage 1920
Q: The enclosed picture is of an antique wicker baby carriage that I recently purchased several years ago. There is a label with the words “F. A. Whitney Founded 1858.”
It is in excellent condition, and the wooden wheels have wooden spokes, rubber treads and a wooden handle. The frame is wrought-iron steel, and there is a brake for the wheels. It has a storage space in the bottom, and the seat will either recline or allow the child to sit up. The hood is adjustable and will fit onto either end of the carriage.
Would you be able to tell me anything else about my lovely carriage and possibly the value?
A: Francis Austin Whitney and his cousin Francis Wolfe Whitney founded the company in Leominster, Massachusetts, in 1858. They were the first manufacturer of baby carriages in America. They are no longer in business, and their original building has been converted into apartments in an historic district.
Your carriage was made in the 1920s, and similar ones can be found selling from $200 to $350.
Q: This mark is on the bottom of a porcelain cake plate I own. It is decorated with beige flowers against a matte ivory background, and it has a scalloped edge with a tan trim. Also included with the mark are the number “73” and the word “Clarion.”
It has been in our family for a long time, but we don’t know anything about it. I hope you can tell us about the maker, vintage and value.
A: You have an Old Ivory cake plate that was made by Hermann Ohme in Silesia, Germany. They were in business from 1882 to 1928. “Old Ivory” refers to the matte ivory background of the ware. “Clairon” is the name of the mold/shape, and “73” is the pattern number.
Your plate is circa 1900 and would probably be worth $150 to $200.
Q: I have a beautiful clear glass dish that was given to my mother sometime in the 1960s. It is decorated in a pattern that includes scenes of pyramids, palm trees, a camel and a sphinx. The dish is about 8 by 5 inches in diameter and in perfect condition.
I’m 80 years old and want to clean out my china cabinet. I would appreciate anything you can tell me about the dish.
A: Your have an Early American Pattern Glass relish dish. It was made by Boston and Sandwich Glass Company in Sandwich, Massachusetts, around 1870. The pattern is “Egyptian.”
Your dish might sell for $25 to $40.
Antiques
expert
* * *
and columnist Anne
McCollam has
recently retired and no longer receives inquiries nor answers
reader letters. Due to the popularity
of her column, this publication will continue to reprint previous columns of interest to our readers.
* On June 30, 2015, Misty Copeland, who only started ballet at 13 but was receiving both awards and professional offers a mere two years later, became the first African American woman promoted to principal dancer in the 75-year history of the American Ballet Theatre.
* On July 1, 1867, the autonomous Dominion of Canada -- a confederation of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the future provinces of Ontario and Quebec -- was officially recognized by Great Britain with the passage of the British North America Act. July 1 would later become known as Canada Day.
* On July 2, 1992, the one-millionth Chevrolet Corvette rolled off the assembly line in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Though it met the wildly unexpected fate of being swallowed by a sinkhole there in 2014, the car was rescued and restored to its former glory.
* On July 3, 1952, the ocean liner SS United States departed from New York on her maiden voyage to Le Havre, France, eventually breaking the speed record for an eastbound Atlantic crossing. On her return trip, she earned further distinction by breaking the westbound record as well.
* On July 4, 1971, a baby western lowland gorilla made her earthly debut at the San Francisco Zoo. Originally christened Hanabiko (“fireworks child” in Japanese), she was soon known as “Koko.” Animal psychologist Francine “Penny” Patterson taught her sign language and the primate became celebrated for her personality and intelligence, as well as her pet cat she named All Ball, appearing in numerous articles and documentaries until she died at age 46 in 2018.
* On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered what would become his most celebrated speech -- “What to the slave is the Fourth of July?” -- to an audience of about 600 at the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society during an Independence Day celebration in Rochester, New York.
* On July 6, 1921, Sergeant Stubby, a bull terrier mutt, received a gold medal from America’s World War I commanding general John Pershing for “heroism of highest caliber” in 17 battles. Stubby’s intrepid achievements included revealing a German spy in the camp by growling and biting his legs.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
whether walking forward or backward, it crows both ways.
"Bad boy! Dig up my yard like this again and I'll have you castrated!"
Vintage wicker baby carriage was made circa 1920.
Herman Ohme was located in Silesia, Germany
was the group’s first and only hit. The one-hitwonder was subsequently listed as one of the worst songs of the decade by “Rolling Stone” magazine. Destiny’s Child “Say My Name” soared in popularity in 2000, as did “Bye Bye Bye” by *NSYNC, and “Kryptonite” sung by 3 Doors Down.
• Beloved cartoonist Charles Schulz created his last “Peanuts” comic strip in 2000, retiring in January of that year after 50 years of creating Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, and Lucy. Just over a month later, on February 12, the 77-yearold Schulz died, and on February 13, his 17,897th strip was published in newspapers worldwide, along with a farewell message from Schulz featured next to the illustrations.
• Hillary Clinton made history in November 2000 when she became the first former First Lady to be elected to public office in the United States when she won the U.S. Senate seat from New York.
• The three-person crew of “Expedition I” blasted off in early November 2000 to take up residence in the International Space Station (ISS). Aboard this first long-duration expedition were one American and two Russians. Their residency in the station lasted for 136 days, the beginning of continuous human presence on the station. The first two modules of the space station were launched in late 1998
• More recently, two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, were launched on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for what was planned as an eightday mission. But unexpected problems with the spacecraft stranded them aboard the International Space Station for nine months!
• Elon Musk’s SpaceX eventually came to the rescue. The company’s Crew Dragon capsule safely brought the astronauts home with a splashdown in the Gulf of America on March 18, 2025. Their vacancies on the ISS were quickly filled by four new crew members.
by Jason Jenkins
Getting to a good position at the top of the swing is an orchestration of many different parts. Controlling the club’s movement and top position relies mostly on the hands and arms. Many top female players seem to have a beautiful support of the club, which can be seen temporarily in their transition to swing forward. Since it may be hard to see this illustration normally, I’ve used more of a player’s point of view without the right hand involved.
Unfortunately, a lot of beginning and intermediate women players struggle with getting their left hand in a proper position when they bow the left wrist too much. By suggesting they get the “thumb under the grip” at the top, it helps to orient the hand into a much better position. The thumb acts as a bridge to support the club and provides effortless “strength” as well. Don’t let the thumb be on the side of the grip by the top position since it can overly close the clubface in the swing.
